bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexuality and body image following treatment for early‐stage vulvar cancer: a qualitative study
Authors: Barlow Ellen L. , Hacker Neville F. , Hussain Rafat , Parmenter Glenda
Published: January 2014

Aim

To describe women's experiences of sexuality and body image following treatment for early‐stage vulvar cancer.

Background

There is limited information available on sexual function following treatment for early‐stage vulvar cancer. A review of the literature has shown a lack of qualitative investigation into this topic. This study was undertaken to address this deficiency and to add to the existing body of knowledge describing the psychosexual outcomes for these women.

Design

Qualitative interview study.

Methods

A qualitative approach based on interpretive phenomenology was used to interview a purposive sample of 10 women (mean age 58 years) who had previously been treated for an early‐stage vulvar cancer. Interviews were conducted from June–October 2009. Data were generated from verbatim transcription of the semi‐structured in‐depth interviews. Thematic analysis of these data revealed themes that were common to the women's experiences of sexuality and body image.

Findings

Four themes were identified that described the structure of the experience. Only two of these themes, sexuality and body image, will be discussed in this paper.

Conclusions

Findings from this study indicated that the majority of women experienced little to no long‐term disruption to sexuality and body image following conservative treatment for early‐stage vulvar cancer. Intimacy and relationship status were more closely linked to women's sexual satisfaction than physical arousal. Factors contributing to women experiencing negative emotions were radical vulvar excision, multiple vulvar procedures and/or the development of lymphoedema.
Empirical Analysis of Data Breach Litigation
Authors: Romanosky Sasha , Hoffman David , Acquisti Alessandro
Published: January 2014

In recent years, many lawsuits have been filed by individuals seeking legal redress for harms caused by the loss or theft of their personal information. However, very little is known about the drivers, mechanics, and outcomes of those lawsuits, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of litigation at balancing organizations' usage of personal data with individual privacy rights. Using a unique and manually collected database, we analyze court dockets for more than 230 federal data breach lawsuits from 2000 to 2010. We investigate two questions: Which data breaches are being litigated? and Which data breach lawsuits are settling? Our results suggest that the odds of a firm being sued are 3.5 times greater when individuals suffer financial harm, but 6 times lower when the firm provides free credit monitoring. Moreover, defendants settle 30 percent more often when plaintiffs allege financial loss, or when faced with a certified class action suit. By providing the first comprehensive empirical analysis of data breach litigation, our findings offer insight into the debate over privacy litigation versus privacy regulation.
The Impact of Neuroimages in the Sentencing Phase of Capital Trials
Authors: Saks Michael J. , Schweitzer N. J. , Aharoni Eyal , Kiehl Kent A.
Published: January 2014

Although recent research has found that neurological expert testimony is more persuasive than other kinds of expert and nonexpert evidence, no impact has been found for neuroimages beyond that of neurological evidence sans images. Those findings hold true in the context of a mens rea defense and various forms of insanity defenses. The present studies test whether neuroimages afford heightened impact in the penalty phase of capital murder trials. Two mock jury experiments (n = 825 and n = 882) were conducted online using nationally representative samples of persons who were jury eligible and death qualified. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental conditions varying the defendant's diagnosis (psychopathy, schizophrenia, normal), type of expert evidence supporting the diagnosis (clinical, genetic, neurological sans images, neurological with images), evidence of future dangerousness (high, low), and whether the proponent of the expert evidence was the prosecution (arguing aggravation) or the defense (arguing mitigation). For defendants diagnosed as psychopathic, neuroimages reduced judgments of responsibility and sentences of death. For defendants diagnosed as schizophrenic, neuroimages increased judgments of responsibility; nonimage neurological evidence decreased death sentences and judgments of responsibility and dangerousness. All else equal, psychopaths were more likely to be sentenced to death than schizophrenics. When experts opined that the defendant was dangerous, sentences of death increased. A backfire effect was found such that the offering party produced the opposite result than that being argued for when the expert evidence was clinical, genetic, or nonimage neurological, but when the expert evidence included neuroimages, jurors moved in the direction argued by counsel.
Jurisdictional Effects in M&A Litigation
Authors: Krishnan C. N. V. , Masulis Ronald W. , Thomas Randall S. , Thompson Robert B.
Published: January 2014

We compile the most extensive hand‐collected data set on all forms of M&A litigation in the United States to study the effects of lawsuit jurisdictions during a sample period (1999 and 2000) of the fifth merger wave, a period characterized by an abundance of friendly one‐bidder deals and the near demise of the hostile offer. We find that only about 12 percent of all M&A offers are challenged in the courts during this period. Almost half the suits are filed in Delaware, while federal suits account for less than 9 percent of the suits in our sample. We find a very small incidence of multijurisdictional litigation (about 3 percent of all suits), unlike the recent sharp increase in such cases in the post‐2008 global financial crisis period. We find that litigation filed in Delaware is less of a barrier to deal completion than cases brought in federal court. Litigation filed in federal court is associated with a significantly higher takeover premium in all offers and in completed deals, suggesting that state court cases, on average, put less pressure on bidders to raise takeover premia. In line with these findings, we find that federal courts attract a significantly higher proportion of target‐initiated litigation than state courts; no target lawsuit is filed in Delaware during our sample period. Finally, we find that while jurisdiction does not significantly affect settlement rates or the consideration paid upon settlement, litigation challenging controlling shareholder squeezeouts is more likely to settle with cash consideration paid to shareholders, reflecting the stricter judicial standard applied to such bids.
Cost‐Effectiveness of Cranberry Capsules to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection in Long‐Term Care Facilities: Economic Evaluation with a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: van den Hout Wilbert B. , Caljouw Monique A. A. , Putter Hein , Cools Herman J. M. , Gussekloo Jacobijn
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To investigate whether the preventive use of cranberry capsules in long‐term care facility (LTCF) residents is cost‐effective depending on urinary tract infection (UTI) risk.

Design

Economic evaluation with a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Long‐term care facilities.

Participants

LTCF residents (N = 928, 703 female, median age 84), stratified according to UTI risk.

Measurements

UTI incidence (clinically or strictly defined), survival, quality of life, quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), and costs.

Results

In the weeks after a clinical UTI, participants showed a significant but moderate deterioration in quality of life, survival, care dependency, and costs. In high‐UTI‐risk participants, cranberry costs were estimated at €439 per year (1.00 euro = 1.37 U.S. dollar), which is €3,800 per prevented clinically defined UTI (95% confidence interval = €1,300–infinity). Using the strict UTI definition, the use of cranberry increased costs without preventing UTIs. Taking cranberry capsules had a 22% probability of being cost‐effective compared with placebo (at a willingness to pay of €40,000 per QALY). In low‐UTI‐risk participants, use of cranberry capsules was only 3% likely to be cost‐effective.

Conclusion

In high‐UTI‐risk residents, taking cranberry capsules may be effective in preventing UTIs but is not likely to be cost‐effective in the investigated dosage, frequency, and setting. In low‐UTI‐risk LTCF residents, taking cranberry capsules twice daily is neither effective nor cost‐effective.
Vulnerability Risk Index Profile for Elder Abuse in a Community‐Dwelling Population
Authors: Dong XinQi , Simon Melissa A.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To develop a vulnerability index for elder abuse in a community‐dwelling population.

Design

Population‐based.

Setting

Geographically defined community in Chicago.

Participants

Community‐dwelling older adults (N = 8,157) who participated in the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP); 213 were reported to social services agency for suspected elder abuse.

Measurements

A nine‐item vulnerability index for elder abuse was constructed from sociodemographic, health‐related, and psychosocial factors. The outcomes of interest were reported and confirmed elder abuse. Logistic regression models were used to determine the accuracy of the index with respect to elder abuse outcomes.

Results

For every 1‐point increase in the vulnerability index, there was twice the risk of reported (OR = 2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.00–2.40) and confirmed (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.94–2.47) elder abuse. Older adults with three to four vulnerability index items had greater risk than the reference group (no elder abuse) of reported (OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.98–4.49) and confirmed (OR = 3.90, 95% CI = 2.07–7.36) elder abuse, and the risk of reported (OR = 18.46, 95% CI = 12.15–28.04) and confirmed (OR = 26.79, 95% CI = 14.18–50.61) elder abuse was 18 and 27 times as great, respectively, in older adults with five or more risk index items. Statistically derived receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves ranged from 0.77 to 0.84 for predicting reported elder abuse and from 0.79 to 0.86 for predicting confirmed elder abuse.

Conclusion

The vulnerability risk index demonstrates value for identifying individuals at risk of elder abuse. Additional studies are needed to validate this index in other community‐dwelling populations.
Decrease in Daytime Sleeping Is Associated with Improvement in Cognition After Hospital Discharge in Older Adults
Authors: Dzierzewski Joseph M. , Fung Constance H. , Jouldjian Stella , Alessi Cathy A. , Irwin Michael R. , Martin Jennifer L.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To examine the relationship between changes in objectively assessed sleep and global cognitive functioning from inpatient postacute rehabilitation to 6‐month follow‐up.

Design

Secondary analysis of two prospective, longitudinal studies.

Setting

Inpatient rehabilitation units at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Participants

Older adults (mean age 73.8 ± 9.4) undergoing inpatient rehabilitation (n = 192).

Measurements

All participants completed 7 nights and days of ambulatory sleep monitoring using wrist actigraphy (yielding an estimate of nighttime wakefulness and daytime sleep) and the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) during a postacute inpatient rehabilitation stay and 6 months after discharge. The 5‐item Geriatric Depression Scale, Geriatric Pain Measure, and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics were completed during inpatient rehabilitation.

Results

Growth curve modeling (controlling for baseline age, education, sex, body mass index, depression, pain, and comorbidity burden) revealed that individuals whose amount of daytime sleep decreased from inpatient postacute rehabilitation to 6‐month follow‐up also experienced improvements in MMSE score (β= −0.01, t(80 = −3.22, P = .002)). Change in nighttime wakefulness was not a significant predictor of change in MMSE score.

Conclusion

Older adults whose daytime sleeping decreased after hospital discharge also experienced improvements in cognitive functioning at 6 month follow‐up. As such, daytime sleep may represent a promising candidate for targeted interventions aimed at promoting cognitive recovery after hospital discharge.
Assessing Mobility Difficulties for Cross‐National Comparisons: Results from the World Health Organization Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health
Authors: Capistrant Beatrix D. , Glymour M. Maria , Berkman Lisa F.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To assess the correspondence between self‐reported and measured indicators of mobility disability in older adults in six low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE).

Setting

Household surveys in China, India, Russia, South Africa, Ghana, and Mexico.

Participants

Community‐dwelling SAGE respondents aged 65 and older (N = 12,215).

Measurements

Objective mobility was assessed according to a 4‐m timed walk at normal pace conducted in the respondent's home; slow walking speed was defined according to the Fried frailty criteria (lowest quintile of walking speed, adjusted for age and height). Self‐reported mobility difficulty was assessed according to a question about ability to walk 1 km; this response was dichotomized into any versus no self‐reported difficulty walking 1 km (reference no difficulty). The age‐ (5‐year groups) and sex‐specific probability of self‐reporting difficulty walking 1 km was estimated in those with a measured slow walk using logistic regression.

Results

Between 42% and 76% of people aged 65 and older reported any difficulty walking 1 km. Average walking speed was slowest in Russia (0.61 m/s) and fastest in China (0.88 m/s). The probabilities of reporting any difficulty walking 1 km in women aged 65 to 69, for example, with a slow walk varied (China = 0.35, India = 0.90, Russia = 0.68, South Africa = 0.81, Ghana = 0.91, Mexico = 0.73; test of country differences P < .001). There was significant variation at older ages, albeit smaller in magnitude. Patterns were similar for men.

Conclusion

Although correspondence between an objective and self‐reported measure of mobility was generally high, correspondence differed significantly between LMICs. International comparisons of self‐reported disability measures for clinical, prevention, and policy guidelines in LMICs should consider that self‐reported data may not correspond to objective measures uniformly between countries.
Difference in Muscle Quality over the Adult Life Span and Biological Correlates in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Moore Ann Zenobia , Caturegli Giorgio , Metter E. Jeffrey , Makrogiannis Sokratis , Resnick Susan M. , Harris Tamara B. , Ferrucci Luigi
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To examine differences in a proxy measure of muscle quality across the adult life span and explore potential mechanisms of muscle quality change through identification of cross‐sectional correlates of muscle quality.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Participants

Seven hundred eighty‐six individuals with a mean age of 66.3 (range 26–96) (N = 786). A sensitivity analysis was conducted in a subset of participants matched according to sex, muscle mass, and body size.

Measurements

Muscle quality was operationalized as the ratio of knee‐extension strength (isokinetic dynamometry) to thigh muscle cross‐sectional area (computed tomography). Differences in muscle strength, muscle area, and muscle quality ratio with age were evaluated, and the association between the muscle quality ratio and measures reflecting domains of cognitive function, motor control, peripheral nerve function, adiposity, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation were assessed through multivariate regression analyses.

Results

A linear relationship between age and muscle quality ratio was observed, suggesting a gradual decline in muscle quality over the adult life course. Associations were observed between muscle quality ratio and measures of adiposity, as well as peroneal nerve motor conduction velocity, finger tapping speed, and memory performance (P < .01). The association between muscle quality ratio and nerve conduction velocity was maintained after adjustment for anthropometric measurements (P < .05).

Conclusion

Muscle quality declines progressively with age over the adult life span and is affected by obesity and neurological factors. Studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of these associations and their implications for functional outcomes.
Quality of Care of Older People Living with Advanced Dementia in the Community in Israel
Authors: Sternberg Shelley , Bentur Netta , Shuldiner Jennifer
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To examine the quality of end‐of‐life (EOL) care of older people with advanced dementia (OPAD) living in the community.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The second largest preferred provider organization in Israel.

Participants

Primary family caregivers ofOPAD(N = 117; 52 bereaved caregivers, 65 still caring forOPAD).

Measurements

Primary outcome measures were quality‐of‐EOL‐care scales regarding symptom management at theEOLwith dementia (SM‐EOLD) and comfort assessment in dying at theEOLwith dementia (CAD‐EOLD).

Results

Caregivers reported a mean symptom management score of 29 ± 9.8 points (range 0–45 points), indicating poor symptom management in the areas of pain, shortness of breath, fear, skin breakdown, and resistiveness to care. In a multiple regression model, less comorbidity, longer duration of dementia, greater caregiver education, and absence of caregiver depression predicted betterSM‐EOLD. The 52 bereaved caregivers reported a meanCAD‐EOLDscore of 31.3 ± 6.7 points (range 14–42 points), indicating poor comfort around dying, especially difficulty swallowing and discomfort.

Conclusion

Because of the high rates of suffering, there is a need to address the complexity and severity of symptoms and problems faced byOPADin the community and their caregivers. The priorities should include education of healthcare providers on palliative care, focusing especially on symptom‐management needs ofOPADand comfort around dying.
A Material Flow Accounting Case Study of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area using the Urban Metabolism Analyst Model
Authors: Rosado Leonardo , Niza Samuel , Ferrão Paulo
Published: January 2014

This article describes a new methodological framework to account for urban material flows and stocks, using material flow accounting (MFA) as the underlying method. The proposed model, urban metabolism analyst (UMAn), bridges seven major gaps in previous urban metabolism studies: lack of a unified methodology; lack of material flows data at the urban level; limited categorizations of material types; limited results about material flows as they are related to economic activities; limited understanding of the origin and destination of flows; lack of understanding about the dynamics of added stock; and lack of knowledge about the magnitude of the flow of materials that are imported and then, to a great extent, exported.

To explore and validate the UMAn model, a case study of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area was used. An annual time series of material flows from 2003 to 2009 is disaggregated by the model into 28 material types, 55 economic activity categories, and 18 municipalities. Additionally, an annual projection of the obsolescence of materials for 2010–2050 was performed. The results of the case study validate the proposed methodology, which broadens the contribution of existing urban MFA studies and presents pioneering information in the field of urban metabolism. In particular, the model associates material flows with economic activities and their spatial location within the urban area.
Identification of a novel pathway involving a GATA transcription factor in yeast and possibly in plant Zn uptake and homeostasis
Authors: Milner Matthew J. , Pence Nicole S. , Liu Jiping , Kochian Leon V.
Published: January 2014

To gain a better understanding of the regulation of Zn homeostasis in plants and the degree of conservation of Zn homeostasis between plants and yeast, a cDNA library from the Zn/Cd hyperaccumulating plant species, Noccaea caerulescens, was screened for its ability to restore growth under Zn limiting conditions in the yeast mutant zap1Δ. ZAP1 is a transcription factor that activates the Zn dependent transcription of yeast genes involved in Zn uptake, including ZRT1, the yeast high affinity Zn transporter. From this screen two members of the E2F family of transcription factors were found to activate ZRT1 expression in a Zn independent manner. The activation of ZRT1 by the plant E2F proteins involves E2F‐mediated activation of a yeast GATA transcription factor which in turn activates ZRT1 expression. A ZRT1 promoter region necessary for activation by E2F and GATA proteins is upstream of two zinc responsive elements previously shown to bind ZAP1 in ZRT1. This activation may not involve direct binding of E2F to the ZRT1 promoter. The expression of E2F genes in yeast does not replace function of ZAP1; instead it appears to activate a novel GATA regulatory pathway involved in Zn uptake and homeostasis that is not Zn responsive.
The Real of Community, the Desire for Development and the Performance of Egalitarianism in the Peruvian Andes: A Materialist–Utopian Account
Authors: de Vries Pieter
Published: January 2014

The paper proposes a materialist–utopian perspective for explaining the persistence of community in the Andes by drawing upon Lacanian theory and the thought of the Peruvian Marxist José Carlos Mariátegui. What characterizes the Andean comunidad are not notions of belonging and identity, but the existence of a fundamental antagonism (what I call the ‘Real of community’). The argument unfolds ethnographically. Usibamba, a peasant comunidad in the central Peruvian Andes, is known as a highly egalitarian and disciplined comunidad. However, a disjunction exists between deep‐seated aspirations of justice and egalitarianism and the particularistic interests of families and individuals. This disjunction manifests itself in a contradictory, schizophrenic regime of discipline and negotiation that produces ‘split subjects’. Desiring development and the staging of theatrical performances of egalitarianism enables Usibambinos to deal with this disjunction and to present an image of unity and determination. I conclude that the comunidad persists through ‘impossible political acts’ brought about by a residual but growing category of landless comuneros who constitute ‘the part of no part’, the uncounted or unnamed.
Spiritual resources and work engagement among religious workers: A three‐wave longitudinal study
Authors: Bickerton Grant R. , Miner Maureen H. , Dowson Martin , Griffin Barbara
Published: January 2014

This study explores relationships between spiritual resources, job resources, and work engagement among 496 Australian religious workers at three time points over a period of 18 months. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources theory and Job Demands‐Resources model, spiritual resources are conceptualized as a distinct category of personal resources significant for this occupational cohort. Results of structural equation modelling analysis did not support the hypothesis of reciprocal relationships between spiritual and job resources and work engagement. Instead, spiritual resources had a positive cross‐lagged effect on work engagement, and work engagement had a positive cross‐lagged effect on job resources. When the high stability of spiritual resources over time was accounted for, work engagement had a negative indirect effect on spiritual resources over time mediated by a negative effect of job resources on spiritual resources (suppression effect). Spiritual resources emerge as an important category of antecedent resources for work engagement among religious workers. However, it appears that motivated religious workers may prioritize energy investments into increasing job resources at the expense of maintaining and developing spiritual resources. Practically, this research provides evidence for the promotion of initiatives to foster spiritual resources that enhance resilience and well‐being among religious workers.

Practitioner points

Spiritual resources are an under‐researched category of personal resources that positively predict work engagement among religious workers.

Religious organizations and individual religious workers need to invest energy in the ongoing development of spiritual resources to maintain motivation for this unique type of work.

Managers need to be aware that a focus on enhancing job resources and work engagement can have deleterious effects on religious workers' spiritual resources and so threaten their ongoing work engagement.
The mark of adaptive memory in healthy and cognitively impaired older adults and elderly
Authors: Pandeirada Josefa N. S. , Pinho Maria Salomé , Faria Ana Lúcia
Published: January 2014

The survival processing paradigm has recently drawn attention to the functional aspects of memory functioning. The survival effect, characterized by better memory performance when information is processed in a survival context, as compared with a variety of controls, is now well established in healthy populations. The main goal of this study was to test this paradigm in a group of cognitively impaired older adults and elderly; their data were compared to the data obtained in a group of healthy older adults and elderly. Seventeen cognitively impaired and 17 healthy participants performed a typical survival task using a blocked within‐subject design procedure and free recall as the memory test. The healthy older adults and elderly performed better on this memory task as well as on other tests included in a neuropsychological evaluation protocol. Importantly, both groups benefited from survival processing. These results provide further support for the power of survival processing, extending this phenomenon to cognitively impaired aging participants. The data also suggest that the survival effect is not simply a form of deep processing. Potential applied considerations are presented.
Serum bromide concentrations following loading dose in epileptic dogs
Authors: Gindiciosi B. , Palus V. , Eminaga S. , Villiers E. , Bruto Cherubini G.
Published: January 2014

Objective

To determine serum bromide concentrations following an oral loading dose in dogs.

Methods

Retrospective review of clinical records of dogs suffering from seizures that were treated with bromide. A loading dose of 600 mg/kg potassium bromide was administered orally in 17 to 48 hours together with a maintenance dose of 30 mg/kg/day. Blood samples were collected within 24 hours after completing the protocol and serum bromide concentrations were determined by ultra‐violet gold chloride colorimetric assay.

Results

Thirty‐eight dogs were included in the study. The median age was 3 (range, 0 · 2 to 10) years and bodyweight 21 · 8 (3 · 45 to 46 · 2) kg. The median serum bromide concentration was 1 · 26 (0 · 74 to 3 · 6) mg/mL. Thirty‐two dogs (84 · 2%) had serum bromide concentrations within the therapeutic interval (1 to 3 mg/mL). The serum concentration in five dogs (13 · 2%) was just under the minimal therapeutic value and in one dog (2 · 6%) it exceeded the maximal therapeutic value (3 · 6 mg/mL).

Clinical Relevance

Following this oral loading dose protocol, serum bromide concentrations reach the therapeutic range in the majority of dogs. This indicates that the suggested protocol is effective in achieving therapeutic concentrations rapidly in epileptic dogs.
Aberrant expression of monocarboxylate transporter 4 in tumour cells predicts an unfavourable outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ohno Akinobu , Yorita Kenji , Haruyama Yukihiro , Kondo Kazuhiro , Kato Atsuhiko , Ohtomo Toshihiko , Kawaguchi Makiko , Marutuska Kousuke , Chijiiwa Kazuo , Kataoka Hiroaki
Published: January 2014

Background & Aims

The tumour cell microenvironment, which includes local oxygen saturation, pericellular pH and stromal cells, can modulate tumour progression. This study determined the prognostic impact of infiltrating tumour‐associated macrophages and the expression of monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) and glypican 3 (GPC3) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) clinical specimens.

Methods

A total of 225 cases of resected HCC were subjected to immunohistochemical analyses of CD68, CD204, MCT4 and GPC3. Immunoreactivities and other common clinicopathological parameters were subjected to univariate prognostic analyses for overall survival (OS, n = 225) and disease‐free survival (DFS, n = 222). All variables with prognostic impact were further analysed in multivariate analysis.

Results

Increased intratumoural infiltration of CD204‐positive or MCT4‐positive macrophages suggested shorter OS (P = 0.015 or P = 0.001 respectively), but DFS was not altered. The GPC3 score (with an emphasis on circumferential immunoreactivity) was correlated with shorter OS and DFS. Aberrant expression of MCT4 in HCC cells was observed in a subset of HCC cases (21%, 47/225). In those cases, significantly poorer OS (P < 0.0001) and DFS (P = 0.0003) were observed, and there was a positive correlation with the intratumoural infiltration of CD204‐ or MCT4‐positive macrophages and the GPC3 score. Multivariate analysis showed that aberrant MCT4 expression in HCC cells was an independent prognostic factor for shorter OS (P = 0.018) and DFS (P = 0.006) after resection of HCC.

Conclusion

Aberrant expression of MCT4 in carcinoma cells serves as a novel, independent prognostic factor for HCC, indicating a poorer patient outcome.
Measuring Partisan Bias in Single‐Member District Electoral Systems
Authors: McGhee Eric
Published: January 2014

In recent decades, the literature has coalesced around either symmetry or responsiveness as measures of partisan bias in single‐member district systems. I argue neither accurately captures the traditional idea of an “efficient” gerrymander, where one party claims more seats without more votes. I suggest a better measure of efficiency and then use this new measure to reconsider a classic study of partisan gerrymandering. Contrary to the original study findings, I show that the effects of party control on bias are small and decay rapidly, suggesting that redistricting is at best a blunt tool for promoting partisan interests.
Party Voting Cohesion in Mixed Member Legislative Systems: Evidence from Korea and Taiwan
Authors: Rich Timothy S.
Published: January 2014

How do mixed‐member legislative systems influence legislator voting? While the literature remains inconclusive, this article suggests party influence as an intervening variable. Through an analysis of roll‐call data from Taiwan and Korea, no deviation is evident between district legislators and legislators elected by proportional representation. Further disaggregation of what it means to vote against one's party again finds little evidence of a tier distinction, while party variables remain significant. The findings are suggestive of a contamination effect between tiers, consistent with the influence of parties.
Genetic component of flammability variation in aMediterranean shrub
Authors: Moreira B. , Castellanos M. C. , Pausas J. G.
Published: January 2014

Recurrent fires impose a strong selection pressure in many ecosystems worldwide. In such ecosystems, plant flammability is of paramount importance because it enhances population persistence, particularly in non‐resprouting species. Indeed, there is evidence of phenotypic divergence of flammability under different fire regimes. Our general hypothesis is that flammability‐enhancing traits are adaptive; here, we test whether they have a genetic component. To test this hypothesis, we used the postfire obligate seederUlex parviflorusfrom sites historically exposed to different fire recurrence. We associated molecular variation in potentially adaptive loci detected with a genomic scan (usingAFLPmarkers) with individual phenotypic variability in flammability across fire regimes. We found that at least 42% of the phenotypic variation in flammability was explained by the genetic divergence in a subset ofAFLPloci. In spite of generalized gene flow, the genetic variability was structured by differences in fire recurrence. Our results provide the first field evidence supporting that traits enhancing plant flammability have a genetic component and thus can be responding to natural selection driven by fire. These results highlight the importance of flammability as an adaptive trait in fire‐prone ecosystems.
A dimeric PR‐1‐type pathogenesis‐related protein interacts with ToxA and potentially mediates ToxA‐induced necrosis in sensitive wheat
Authors: Lu Shunwen , Faris Justin D. , Sherwood Robert , Friesen Timothy L. , Edwards Michael C.
Published: January 2014

A dimeric PR‐1‐type pathogenesis‐related protein (PR‐1‐5), recently identified in wheat, was found to interact with Stagonospora nodorum ToxA in both yeast two‐hybrid and co‐immunoprecipitation assays. Site‐specific mutational analyses revealed that the RGD motif of ToxA is not targeted by PR‐1‐5, whereas two surface‐exposed asparagine residues are essential for the interaction: the N102 residue of the turning loop between β2 and β3 in ToxA and the N141 residue of the turning loop between βC and βD in PR‐1‐5. Recombinant PR‐1‐5 and ToxA mutant proteins carrying alanine substitutions at the interacting sites were expressed in Pichia pastoris, together with the wild‐type proteins. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) confirmed that the PR‐1‐5‐N141A mutant retains the ability to form dimers. Plant assays indicated that the ToxA‐N102A mutant fails to induce necrosis, whereas the PR‐1‐5‐N141A mutant is impaired in the ‘necrosis‐promoting’ activity shown by the wild‐type PR‐1‐5 when co‐infiltrated with ToxA in sensitive wheat. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses revealed that the native PR‐1‐5 protein is differentially expressed between ToxA‐sensitive and ToxA‐insensitive wheat lines in response to ToxA treatment. These results suggest that PR‐1‐5 is a potential target of ToxA and the site‐specific interaction between PR‐1‐5 and ToxA may mediate ToxA‐induced necrosis in sensitive wheat.
Heparin increasing podocyte‐specific gene expressions
Authors: Yaoita Eishin , Yoshida Yutaka , Nameta Masaaki , Zhang Ying , Fujinaka Hidehiko , Magdeldin Sameh , Xu Bo , Yamamoto Tadashi
Published: January 2014

Aim

Heparin, a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan, has been shown to have a renoprotective effect on renal diseases, but its mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we examined the effect of heparin on podocytes by using primary cultured podocytes positive for podocyte‐specific markers including podocin and podocalyxin.

Methods

Podocytes were cultured from highly purified glomeruli isolated by the method with renal perfusion with magnetic beads and digestion of collagenase. Podocyte‐specific gene expressions and proteins were examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy.

Results

Real‐time PCR showed that addition of heparin to the culture media significantly upregulated most of the podocyte‐specific genes in a dose‐dependent and time‐dependent manner. Western blotting showed a marked increase in protein levels of nephrin and podocin. Podocin localization at cell–cell contact sites became conspicuous in the presence of heparin. The effect of heparin was observed even in culture media deprived of bovine foetal serum. Heparan sulfate, less sulfated than heparin, and hyaluronan did not show such effects, but sulfated dextran did markedly.

Conclusion

Heparin acts on cultured podocytes to increase podocyte‐specific gene expressions. A high degree of sulfation is crucial for the effect of heparin.
Verticillium transcription activator of adhesion Vta2 suppresses microsclerotia formation and is required for systemic infection of plant roots
Authors: Tran Van‐Tuan , Braus‐Stromeyer Susanna A. , Kusch Harald , Reusche Michael , Kaever Alexander , Kühn Anika , Valerius Oliver , Landesfeind Manuel , Aßhauer Kathrin , Tech Maike , Hoff Katharina , Pena‐Centeno Tonatiuh , Stanke Mario , Lipka Volker , Braus Gerhard H.
Published: January 2014

Six transcription regulatory genes of the Verticillium plant pathogen, which reprogrammed nonadherent budding yeasts for adhesion, were isolated by a genetic screen to identify control elements for early plant infection.

Verticillium transcription activator of adhesion Vta2 is highly conserved in filamentous fungi but not present in yeasts. The Magnaporthe grisea ortholog conidiation regulator Con7 controls the formation of appressoria which are absent in Verticillium species. Vta2 was analyzed by using genetics, cell biology, transcriptomics, secretome proteomics and plant pathogenicity assays.

Nuclear Vta2 activates the expression of the adhesin‐encoding yeast flocculin genes FLO1 and FLO11. Vta2 is required for fungal growth of Verticillium where it is a positive regulator of conidiation. Vta2 is mandatory for accurate timing and suppression of microsclerotia as resting structures. Vta2 controls expression of 270 transcripts, including 10 putative genes for adhesins and 57 for secreted proteins. Vta2 controls the level of 125 secreted proteins, including putative adhesins or effector molecules and a secreted catalase‐peroxidase. Vta2 is a major regulator of fungal pathogenesis, and controls host‐plant root infection and H2O2 detoxification.

Verticillium impaired in Vta2 is unable to colonize plants and induce disease symptoms. Vta2 represents an interesting target for controlling the growth and development of these vascular pathogens.
Associations between predictors of children's dietary intake and socioeconomic position: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Zarnowiecki D. M. , Dollman J. , Parletta N.
Published: January 2014

Socioeconomically disadvantaged children are at higher risk of consuming poor diets, in particular less fruits and vegetables and more non‐core foods and sweetened beverages. Currently the drivers of socioeconomically related differences in children's dietary intake are not well understood. This systematic review explored whether dietary predictors vary for children of different socioeconomic circumstances. Seven databases and reference lists of included material were searched for studies investigating predictors of 9–13‐year‐old children's diet in relation to socioeconomic position. Individual‐ and population‐based cross‐sectional, cohort and epidemiological studies published in English and conducted in developed countries were included. Twenty‐eight studies were included in this review; most were conducted in Europe (n = 12) or North America (n = 10). The most frequently used indicators of socioeconomic position were parent education and occupation. Predictors of children's dietary intake varied among children of different socioeconomic circumstances. Socioeconomic position was consistently associated with children's nutrition knowledge, parent modelling, home food availability and accessibility. Indeterminate associations with socioeconomic position were observed for parent feeding practices and food environment near school. Differences in the determinants of eating between socioeconomic groups provide a better understanding of the drivers of socioeconomic disparities in dietary intake, and how to develop targeted intervention strategies.
Long‐Term Outcomes of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of Gasserian Ganglion for 2nd‐ and Multiple‐Division Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authors: Kosugi Shizuko , Shiotani Masahiro , Otsuka Yasuhisa , Suzuki Takeshi , Katori Nobuyuki , Hashiguchi Saori , Morisaki Hiroshi
Published: January 2014

Objectives

The objective of this study was to examine the long‐term outcome of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) of the Gasserian ganglion for the 2nd division and multiple division trigeminal neuralgia (TN), compared to the isolated 3rd division TN.

Methods

One hundred and forty‐eight procedures performed in 89 patients with typical TN between April 2004 and September 2011 in a single pain center were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline characteristics of these patients, immediate outcome, duration pain‐free, and complications were obtained from their medical records and questionnaires sent in June 2012. Duration pain‐free was assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

Of the 148 PRT of the Gasserian ganglion, 37 procedures were performed for isolated 2nd‐division TN (V2 TN), 67 procedures were for both 2nd‐ and 3rd‐division TN (V2 + V3 TN), and 38 procedures were for isolated 3rd‐division TN (V3 TN). The remaining 6 procedures were performed for V1 + V2 TN and V1 + V2 + V3 TN. Immediate success rates of PRT for V2 TN, V2 + V3 TN, and V3 TN were 100%, 86.6%, and 100%, respectively, whereas the durations pain‐free for V2 TN and V2 + V3 TN were significantly shorter than that for V3 TN (9, 12, and 36 months, respectively: P = 0.012).

Conclusion

For 2nd‐division TN and multiple‐division TN, less long‐term pain relief after PRT of the Gasserian ganglion can be expected compared with that for isolated trigeminal 3rd‐division neuralgia, even if immediate pain relief is achieved.
Suicidal Ideation in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Calandre Elena P. , Navajas‐Rojas Mª Angustias , Ballesteros Javier , Garcia‐Carrillo Jocelyne , Garcia‐Leiva Juan M. , Rico‐Villademoros Fernando
Published: January 2014

Chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and depression, which are relevant symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome, have been demonstrated to be associated with an increased likelihood of suicidal behaviors. Mortality from suicide has been shown to be greater among patients with fibromyalgia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation among a sample of patients with fibromyalgia and to evaluate its relationship with the clinical symptomatology of fibromyalgia. Baseline data from fibromyalgia patients willing to participate in different clinical studies were collected. Outcome measures included the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the SF‐12 Health Survey. The scores for these scales were compared between patients with and without suicidal ideation. The presence of suicidal ideation was assessed using the answer provided to item 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory. The results were adjusted by age, sex, total comorbidity, and time since diagnosis with multiple linear regression. The sample comprised 373 patients of whom one hundred and seventy‐nine (48%) reported suicidal ideation: 148 (39.7%) reported passive suicidal ideation and 31 (8.3%) active suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was markedly associated with depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and global mental health, whereas only weak relationships were observed between suicidal ideation and both pain and general physical health.
Quality Pain Management in the Hospital Setting from the Patient's Perspective
Authors: Zoëga Sigridur , Sveinsdottir Herdis , Sigurdsson Gisli H. , Aspelund Thor , Ward Sandra E. , Gunnarsdottir Sigridur
Published: January 2014

Background

Pain management is a crucial issue for patients, and patients’ perception of care is an important quality outcome criterion for health care institutions. Pain remains a common problem in hospitals, with subsequent deleterious effects on well‐being.

Objectives

To assess the epidemiology of pain (frequency, severity, and interference), patient participation in pain treatment decisions, and patient satisfaction with care in a hospital setting.

Methods

A point‐prevalence study was conducted. Data were collected with the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (Icelandic version). Participants (n = 308) were ≥ 18 years old, alert, and hospitalized for ≥ 24 hours.

Results

The response rate was 73%. The mean age of participants was 67.5 (SD = 17.4; range 18 to 100) years, and 49% were men. Pain prevalence in the past 24 hours was 83%, mean worst pain severity was 4.6 (SD = 3.1), and 35% experienced severe pain (≥ 7 on 0 to 10 scale). Moderate to severe interference with activities and sleep was experienced by 36% and 29% of patients respectively. Patient participation in decision making was weakly associated with spending less time in severe pain and better pain relief. Patient satisfaction was related to spending less time in severe pain, better pain relief, and lower pain severity (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Pain was both prevalent and severe in the hospital, but patient participation in decision making was related to better outcomes. Optimal pain management, with emphasis on patient participation in decision making, should be encouraged in an effort to improve the quality of care in hospitals.
The Dilemma Action: Analysis of an Activist Technique
Authors: Sørensen Majken Jul , Martin Brian
Published: January 2014

When nonviolent activists design an action that poses a dilemma for opponents—for example whether to allow protesters to achieve their objective or to use force against them with consequent bad publicity—this is called a dilemma action. These sorts of actions have been discussed among activists and in activist writings, but not systematically analyzed. We present a preliminary classification of different aspects of dilemma actions and apply it to three case studies: the 1930 salt march in India, a jail‐in used in the Norwegian total resistance movement in the 1980s, and the freedom flotillas to Gaza in 2010 and 2011. In addition to defining what is the core of a dilemma action, we identify five factors that can make the dilemma more difficult for opponents to “solve.” Dilemma actions derive some of their effectiveness from careful planning and creativity that push opponents in unaccustomed directions.
Global state of sunscreens
Authors: Osterwalder Uli , Sohn Myriam , Herzog Bernd
Published: January 2014

The use of sunscreen is embedded in a hierarchy of sun protection strategies consisting primarily of sun avoidance by seeking shade and covering up with clothing. Sunscreens are, however, important means of protection; thus, understanding how they work and knowing their limitations are crucial. This review explains the role of ultraviolet (UV) filters, emollients, emulsifier systems and other components in a sunscreen, as well as trends in formulations in Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. Furthermore, it explains how sunscreen performance in terms of sun protection factor, UVA protection, and other metrics can be simulated. The role of sensory characteristics in assessing and improving compliance is also discussed. In the final chapter, Facts and Fiction, five of the most common myths about sun exposure and sun protection by sunscreen are debunked.