bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The inter‐rater and test–retest reliability of the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool
Authors: Vu Tuong‐Vi , Mackenzie Lynette
Published: May 2012

Background/aim

The Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool was developed to assist health professionals to identify falls risk among community‐dwelling older people arising from their home environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool by examining its inter‐rater and test–retest reliability.

Methods

Community‐dwelling older people, over the age of 65 (n = 31) were recruited from the caseload of nine occupational therapists across three area health services in Sydney and the Hunter region. A total of 31 home visits were conducted by the researcher and an occupational therapist to independently administer the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool. Follow‐up visits were then conducted within a two‐week period by one of the raters to re‐administer the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool. Reliability was evaluated using percentage agreement, intra‐class correlations and kappa coefficients.

Results

The intra‐class correlation coefficient for the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool overall score was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.66–0.91) for inter‐rater reliability and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.57–0.88) for test–retest reliability, indicating a good level of reliability for the tool. ‘Undefined stair edges’ was the only item that demonstrated poor inter‐rater reliability (kappa = 0.37). All items except ‘loose mats’ (kappa = 0.19) reached acceptable or excellent levels of test–retest reliability with kappa scores greater than 0.40.

Conclusion

The Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool demonstrated consistency across raters and across different time periods. Further studies into the reliability of the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool would benefit from sampling raters from varying professional backgrounds and older people with higher levels of function.
Hybrid septate uterus, coexistence of bicornuate and septate varieties: A genuine report
Authors: El Saman Ali M. , Shahin Ahmed Y. , Nasr Ahmed , Tawfik Reda M. , Saadeldeen Hazeem S. , Othman Essam R. , Habib Dina M. , Abdel‐Aleem Mahmoud A.
Published: May 2012

Aim:  To highlight the coexistence of a uterine septum in cases diagnosed as bicornuate uterus on the basis of the external shape of the uterine fundus and to present the outcomes of its hysteroscopic management.

Methods:  Descriptive clinical report. Cases with two‐chambered uterine cavities were recruited with exclusion of cases with pure bicornuate uteri. The differentiation between hybrid and pure septate uterine varieties was based on clinical evaluation, transvaginal ultrasonic evaluation, hysterosalpingography and in addition to bimanual examination under anesthesia. The final diagnosis was confirmed by combined hysteroscopy–laparoscopy examinations. Cases with pure and hybrid septate uteri were managed by hysteroscopic metroplasty and the outcomes were compared.

Results:  Out of 357 cases of double chambered uteri, 18 cases (5%) were found to be a pure bicornuate variety (PBV), 322 (90.2%) cases were found to have pure septate variety (PSV) and 17 cases (4.8%) were found to have hybrid septate variety (HSV). In HSV, there was external fundal depression dividing only the upper part of the corpus giving an imprecise impression of a bicornuate uterus with a laparoscopic view, but there was a long extension of the dividing interface. Nine cases with HSV were associated with a complete utero‐cervico‐vaginal septum, and five cases had a complete uterine septum. The diagnosis of asymmetric horns, hemi‐obstruction or bicervical uterus was made in three cases with HSV. All cases with a septate uterus were offered hysteroscopic metroplasty, and cases with fundal depression were operated under laparoscopic monitoring. In cases with HSV, the procedure was performed safely and successfully in 16/17 cases (94%). One uterine perforation was encountered, giving a six‐fold increase in the perforation risk, and passed uneventfully. Successful reproductive outcomes were reported in 178/189 cases (94.1%) with PSV and in 12/15 (80%) with HSV.

Conclusions:  External fundal depressions of variable depths are associating with a septate uterus, indicating coexistence of the two anomalies. These cases are candidates for hysteroscopic metroplasty under appropriate sonographic and/or laparoscopic monitoring.
Transient hydrops fetalis in a prenatally diagnosed pentasomy X?
Authors: Aytac Pinar Caglar , Tarim Ebru , Sahin Feride I.
Published: May 2012

Numerical abnormalities of sex chromosomes are seen approximately 1 in 400 live births. Pentasomy X is a very rare chromosomal abnormality and it is defined as presence of five X chromosomes instead of two. Prenatal sonographic features have rarely been described in the literature before. Here we present a non‐immune fetal hydrops diagnosed during the 17th week of gestation. Ultrasonographic examination revealed subcutaneous edema, pleural effusion and ascites, and also clinodactyly of the fifth fingers of both hands. The fetal karyotype was assessed as 49,XXXXX (pentasomy X) in two different culture flasks. Hydropic signs regressed at 21 weeks' gestation. Prenatal diagnosis may not be possible usually for this rare chromosomal abnormality. Every anomaly detected prenatally, such as transient hydrops, may help us to diagnose pentasomy X.
Outcomes and prognostic factors of cervical cancer after concurrent chemoradiation
Authors: Kim Tae‐Eung , Park Byung‐Joon , Kwack Hyun‐Sung , Kwon Ji‐Young , Kim Jang‐Heub , Yoon Sei‐Chul
Published: May 2012

Aim:  Concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. This study was undertaken to evaluate the outcomes and the prognostic factors for cervical cancer after CCRT.

Material and Methods:  The medical records of 174 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB1–IVA who were treated at three affiliated hospitals of the Catholic University of Korea between January 1999 and December 2008 were reviewed and analyzed. Patients received pelvic radiotherapy with one of three regimens of cisplatin‐based chemotherapy concurrently and high‐dose rate brachytherapy. The radiation field was extended to include para‐aortic lymph nodes, if necessary.

Results:  The median follow‐up period was 29.5 months (range, 5–96 months). Using multivariate analysis, stage (P = 0.014), tumor size (P = 0.043), and clinical response (P = 0.001) had a significant effect on overall survival. Similarly, progression‐free survival (PFS) was influenced by stage (P = 0.004), tumor size (P = 0.02), clinical response (P = 0.011), and normalized squamous cell carcinoma antigen level after CCRT (P = 0.007). The 5‐year survival rates were 91.7% (standard error, 5.8%) for stages IB1–IIA, 71.5% (standard error, 7.8%) for stage IIB, 44.9% (standard error, 7.8%) for stage III, and 20.9% (standard error, 12.0%) for stage IVA. A total of 151 out of 174 patients (86.8%) completed the planned treatment. Toxicities were manageable with supportive therapy.

Conclusions:  Cisplatin‐based CCRT is well‐tolerated. Good clinical response revealed a favorable correlation to survival. A maximal effort to achieve this goal might prolong survival in patients with cervical cancer.
Maternal hypoxia and caffeine exposure depress fetal cardiovascular function during primary organogenesis
Authors: Momoi Nobuo , Tinney Joseph P. , Keller Bradley B. , Tobita Kimimasa
Published: May 2012

Aims:  Hypoxia is known to influence cardiovascular (CV) function, in part, through adenosine receptor activation. We have shown in a mouse model that during primary cardiac morphogenesis, acute maternal hypoxia negatively affects fetal heart rate, and recurrent maternal caffeine exposure reduces fetal cardiac output (CO) and downregulates fetal adenosine A2A receptor gene expression. In the present study, we investigated whether maternal caffeine dosing exacerbates the fetal CV response to acute maternal hypoxia during the primary morphogenesis period.

Material and Methods:  Gestational‐day‐11.5 pregnant mice were exposed to hypoxia (45 s duration followed by 10 min of recovery and repeated 3 times) while simultaneously monitoring maternal and fetal CO using high‐resolution echocardiography.

Results:  Following maternal hypoxia exposure, maternal CO transiently decreased and then returned to pre‐hypoxia baseline values. In contrast to a uniform maternal cardiac response to each exposure to hypoxia, the fetal CO recovery time to the baseline decreased, and CO rebounded above baseline following the second and third episodes of maternal hypoxia. Maternal caffeine treatment inhibited the fetal CO recovery to maternal hypoxia by lengthening the time to CO recovery and eliminating the CO rebound post‐recovery. Selective treatment with an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, but not an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, reproduced the altered fetal CO response to maternal hypoxia created by caffeine exposure.

Conclusions:  Results suggest an additive negative effect of maternal caffeine on the fetal CV response to acute maternal hypoxia, potentially mediated via adenosine A2A receptor inhibition during primary cardiovascular morphogenesis.
Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway involved in progestin‐resistance of human endometrial carcinoma: In a mouse model
Authors: Xu Yanli , Tong Jianqian , Ai Zhihong , Wang Juan , Teng Yincheng
Published: May 2012

Aim:  The aim of these investigations was to study the role of gefitinib (a specific oral epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor) on reversing progestin‐resistance in a human endometrial carcinoma xenograft model.

Material and Methods:  To study the effect of gefitinib and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression on tumor progestin resistance, the Ishikawa endometrial carcinoma cell line was transfected to stably express a high level of EGFR, which resulted in the progestin‐resistant Ishikawa‐pLWERNL subcell line. BALB/c nude mice were injected subcutaneously with the parental Ishikawa cell line and the Ishikawa‐pLWERNL cell line. Therapy experiments with gefitinib alone or in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) were done and samples were analyzed for EGFR and progesterone receptor isoform B (PR‐B) expression by Western blot and immumohistochemistry analyses. Role in blocking EGFR autophosphorylation and its downstream signaling pathway and antagonizing progestin resistance by gefitinib was investigated by Western blot analysis.

Results:  EGFR expression was higher in progestin‐resistant Ishikawa‐pLWERNL endometrial cancer (EC) xenografts than in progestin‐sensitive Ishikawa EC xenografts; in contrast, PR‐B was higher in Ishikawa xenografts than in Ishikawa‐pLWERNL xenografts. Higher EGFR expression reduced sensitivity to progestin and decreased PR‐B expression in Ishikawa xenografts; it also abnormally activated EGFR autophosphorylation and its downstream signaling pathway. Gefitinib effectively inhibited the proliferation of EC xenografts that overexpressed EGFR, and reversed hormone resistance in progestin‐resistant EC xenografts.

Discussion:  The present study describes an in vivo model that can provide a valuable tool in studying the interaction of overexpressed EGFR and progestin resistance in EC. Gefitinib may be useful in the treatment of progestin‐resistant EC.
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR5) activate transient receptor potential canonical channels to improve the regularity of the respiratory rhythm generated by the pre‐Bötzinger complex in mice
Authors: Ben‐Mabrouk Faiza , Amos Louella B. , Tryba Andrew K.
Published: May 2012

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are hypothesized to play a key role in generating the central respiratory rhythm and other rhythmic activities driven by central pattern generators (e.g. locomotion). However, the functional role of mGluRs in rhythmic respiratory activity and many motor patterns is very poorly understood. Here, we used mouse respiratory brain‐slice preparations containing the pre‐Bötzinger complex (pre‐BötC) to identify the role of group I mGluRs (mGluR1 and mGluR5) in respiratory rhythm generation. We found that activation of mGluR1/5 is not required for the pre‐BötC to generate a respiratory rhythm. However, our data suggest that mGluR1 and mGluR5 differentially modulate the respiratory rhythm. Blocking endogenous mGluR5 activity with 2‐Methyl‐6‐(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP) decreases the inspiratory burst duration, burst area and frequency, whereas it increases the irregularity of the fictive eupneic inspiratory rhythm generated by the pre‐BötC. In contrast, blocking mGluR1 reduces the frequency. Moreover, the mGluR1/5 agonist 3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine increases the frequency and decreases the irregularity of the respiratory rhythm. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that mGluR signaling decreases the irregularity of the respiratory rhythm by activating transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels, which carry a non‐specific cation current (ICAN). Indeed, 3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) application reduces cycle‐by‐cycle variability and subsequent application of the TRPC channel blocker 1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐[3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)propoxy]ethyl]imidazole (SKF‐96365) hydrochloride reverses this effect. Our data suggest that mGluR5 activation of ICAN‐carrying TRPC channels plays an important role in governing the cycle‐by‐cycle variability of the respiratory rhythm. These data suggest that modulation of TRPC channels may correct irregular respiratory rhythms in some central neuronal diseases.
Leucine‐rich glioma inactivated 1 (Lgi1), an epilepsy‐related secreted protein, has a nuclear localization signal and localizes to both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the caudal ganglionic eminence neurons
Authors: Kusuzawa Sayaka , Honda Takao , Fukata Yuko , Fukata Masaki , Kanatani Shigeaki , Tanaka Daisuke H. , Nakajima Kazunori
Published: May 2012

Leucine‐rich glioma inactivated 1 (Lgi1) is a secreted synaptic protein that organizes a transsynaptic protein complex throughout the brain. Mutations in the Lgi1 gene have been found in patients with autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTE). Although a large number of studies have focused on the expression and function of Lgi1 in the postnatal brain, information regarding its functions and distribution during development remains sparse. Here we report that Lgi1 mRNA is preferentially expressed in the caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE) of the early embryonic telencephalon, and LGI1 protein is unexpectedly localized in the nucleus of dissociated CGE neurons. Using bioinformatics analysis, we found that LGI1 contains a putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) in its leucine‐rich repeat C‐terminal domain. Furthermore, we show that the transient expression of Lgi1 in CGE neurons resulted in nuclear translocation of the LGI1 protein, and a mutation in the NLS led to the retention of LGI1 in the cytoplasm. We also confirmed that the NLS sequence of LGI1 had the ability to mediate the nuclear localization by using the NLS‐containing fusion protein. Interestingly, when Lgi1 was expressed in neurons obtained from the medial ganglionic eminence or cerebral cortex, almost no nuclear localization of LGI1 was observed. These results raise the possibility of a novel role of Lgi1 within embryonic neurons through nuclear translocation and may provide insight into its potential effects on the development of the central nervous system and ADLTE pathogenesis.
Iridocorneal angle measurements in mammalian species: normative data by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Almazan Alexandra , Tsai Susan , Miller Paul E. , Lee Susan S. , Vilupuru Abhiram S. , Burke James A. , Robinson Michael R.
Published: May 2012

Objective Gonioscopy provides limited quantitative information to compare the iridocorneal anatomy across different species. In addition, the anatomic relationships by histologic examination are altered during processing. As a result, the comparative anatomy of the iridocorneal angle across several mammalian species was evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

Methods Cats, beagle dogs, minipigs, owl monkeys, cynomolgus monkeys, and rhesus monkeys (n = 6 or 7 per species) were evaluated. Imaging was performed using the OCT. The anterior chamber angle (ACA), angle opening distance (AOD), and the angle recess area (ARA) were evaluated.

Results AC angle: cat (63 ± 6°) > owl monkey (54 ± 4°) > beagle dog (42 ± 4°) > minipig (40 ± 3°) > rhesus monkey (36 ± 1°) > cynomolgus monkey (34 ± 2°). AOD: cat (3.3 ± 0.5 mm) > owl monkey (2.05 ± 0.2 mm) > beagle dog (1.08 ± 0.1 mm) > rhesus monkey (0.92 ± 0.06 mm) > minipig (0.64 ± 0.04 mm) > cynomolgus monkey (0.43 ± 0.03 mm). ARA: cat (3.5 ± 0.1 mm2) > owl monkey (1.41 ± 0.2 mm2) > dog (0.88 ± 0.1 mm2) > rhesus monkey (0.62 ± 0.06 mm2) > minipig (0.21 ± 0.05 mm2) > cynomolgus monkey (0.15 ± 0.01 mm2).

Conclusions This study benchmarks the normative iridocorneal angle measurements across different mammalian species by OCT. These data can be useful to compare iridocorneal angle measurements in disease states as OCT evolves as a common diagnostic tool in veterinary ophthalmic research and practice.
A review of expression profiling of circulating microRNAs in men with prostate cancer
Authors: Kelly Brian D. , Miller Nicola , Healy Nuala A. , Walsh Kilian , Kerin Michael J.
Published: May 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

MicroRNAs are small, single‐stranded RNA molecules that are stable in the circulation. These molecules have been identified as potential circulating biomarkers for several malignancies.

In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the publications that have identified dysregulated microRNAs in the circulation of men with prostate cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that are involved in gene regulation and expression. These molecules have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several malignancies.

MiRNAs have the potential to be both a tissue‐ and blood‐based biomarker for cancer diagnosis, classification, prognosis and response to treatment.

The levels of dysregulated miRNAs in the circulation of individuals make miRNAs an ideal biomarker for the detection of prostate cancer.

The present study provides a comprehensive review of the expression profiling of miRNAs in the circulation of men with prostate cancer.

Further research is necessary to identify if circulating miRNAs have the potential to be a biomarker for prostate cancer in clinical practice.
Comparison of partial vs radical nephrectomy with regard to other‐cause mortality in T1 renal cell carcinoma among patients aged ≥75 years with multiple comorbidities
Authors: Sun Maxine , Bianchi Marco , Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Hansen Jens , Abdollah Firas , Hanna Nawar , Tian Zhe , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Montorsi Francesco , Perrotte Paul , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: May 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Surgical intervention is the established standard of care option in patients diagnosed with localized RCC.

The study found that better and rigorous selection of surgical candidates should be implemented in the context of localized RCC as some patients may not benefit from surgery.

Objective

To quantify the effect of partial nephrectomy (PN) vs radical nephrectomy (RN) on other‐cause mortality (OCM) in elderly patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and/or multiple comorbidities.

Methods

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare‐linked database, patients with T1 RCC, aged ≥75 years, or who had ≥2 comorbidities, were identified (1988–2005).

To adjust for inherent differences between treatment types, propensity‐based matched analyses were performed.

Competing‐risks regression analyses for prediction of OCM were assessed according to treatment type.

The effect of PN and RN on OCM was examined in three sub‐groups: patients aged ≥75 years; patients with ≥2 comorbidities; and patients aged ≥75 years with ≥2 comorbidities.

Results

After propensity‐based matched analyses and adjustment for all covariates, PN was found to exert a protective effect relative to RN with respect to OCM in all patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.84, P = 0.048).

In subanalyses, no difference was recorded between PN and RN in patients who were aged ≥75 years (HR: 0.83, P = 0.2), with ≥2 baseline comorbidities at diagnosis (HR: 0.83, P = 0.1), or in patients who were aged ≥75 years and who had ≥2 baseline comorbidities (HR: 0.77, P = 0.2).

Conclusions

Some elderly patients and/or those with multiple comorbidities at diagnosis may not benefit from PN with respect to OCM.

After rigorous patient selection, alternative treatment options could be considered.
Alcohol consumption is associated with reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes in adults: results from the Nord‐Trøndelag health study
Authors: Rasouli B. , Ahlbom A. , Andersson T. , Grill V. , Midthjell K. , Olsson L. , Carlsson S.
Published: May 2012

Diabet. Med. 30, 56–64 (2013)

Aims  We investigated the influence of different aspects of alcohol consumption on the risk of Type 2 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes in adults.

Methods  We used data from the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Survey (HUNT) study, in which all adults aged ≥ 20 years from Nord‐Trondelag County were invited to participate in three surveys in 1984–1986, 1995–1997 and 2006–2008. Patients with diabetes were identified using self‐reports, and participants with onset age ≥ 35 years were classified as having Type 2 diabetes if they were negative for anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase (n = 1841) and as having autoimmune diabetes if they were positive for anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase (n = 140). Hazard ratios of amount and frequency of alcohol use, alcoholic beverage choice, and binge drinking and alcohol use disorders were estimated.

Results  Moderate alcohol consumption (adjusted for confounders) was associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes in men, but not in women (hazard ratio for men 10–15 g/day 0.48, 95% CI 0.28–0.77; hazard ratio for women ≥ 10 g/day 0.81, 95% CI 0.33–1.96). The reduced risk was primarily linked to consumption of wine [hazard ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.87–0.99 (per g/day)]. No increased risk was seen in participants reporting binge drinking or in problem drinkers. The results were also compatible with a reduced risk of autoimmune diabetes associated with alcohol consumption [hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.45–1.08 (frequent consumption) and hazard ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.13–0.97 (2–7 g/day)].

Conclusions  Moderate alcohol consumption associates with reduced risk of both Type 2 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes. A protective effect of alcohol intake may be limited to men. High alcohol consumption does not seem to carry an increased risk of diabetes.
IDENTIFICATION METHODS IN VECTOR‐ERROR CORRECTION MODELS: EQUIVALENCE RESULTS
Authors: Fisher Lance A. , Huh Hyeon‐seung
Published: May 2012

In a structural vector‐error correction (VEC) model, it is possible to decompose the shocks into those with permanent and transitory effects on the levels of the variables. Pagan and Pesaran derive the restrictions which the permanent–transitory decomposition of the shocks imposes on the structural VEC model. This paper shows that these restrictions are equivalent to a set of restrictions that are applied in the methods of Gonzalo and Ng and King et al. (KPSW). Using this result, it is shown that the Pagan and Pesaran method can be used to recover the structural shocks with permanent effects identically to those from the Gonzalo and Ng and KPSW methods. In the former case, this is illustrated in the context of Lettau and Ludvigson's consumption model and in the latter case in KPSW's six variable model. There are also two other methods for which the Pagan and Pesaran approach can deliver identical permanent shocks which are also discussed.
Immigrants, Banlieues, and Dangerous Things: Ideology as an Aesthetic Affair
Authors: Dikeç Mustafa
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  This paper engages with the notion of ideology, bringing together Laclau's theorisation of the specificity of the ideological, and Rancière's notion of aesthetic regimes. Ideology, I argue, works through what it makes available to the senses and what it makes to make sense. It is in this sense that it is an aesthetic affair. This argument is illustrated with an account of the so‐called “securitarian ideology” in France that characterises the repressive policies of the recent governments.
Oil price shocks and Japanese macroeconomic developments
Authors: Jiménez‐Rodríguez Rebeca , Sánchez Marcelo
Published: May 2012

Using quarterly data for Japan over the period 1976:I–2008:II within a modelling strategy incorporating information about structural breaks in the variables included to represent the macroeconomic transmission channels, this paper shows that oil price shocks led to a fall in industrial production and higher inflation. However, these effects are only evident in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In more recent episodes of sharp oil price increases, inflationary effects are barely visible, and there is very limited evidence of oil‐induced industrial slowdowns.
Counting the Nouns: Simple Structural Cues to Verb Meaning
Authors: Yuan Sylvia , Fisher Cynthia , Snedeker Jesse
Published: May 2012

Two‐year‐olds use the sentence structures verbs appear in—subcategorization frames—to guide verb learning. This is syntactic bootstrapping. This study probed the developmental origins of this ability. The structure‐mapping account proposes that children begin with a bias toward one‐to‐one mapping between nouns in sentences and participant roles in events. This account predicts that subcategorization frames should guide very early verb learning, if the number of nouns in the sentences is informative. In 3 experiments, one hundred and thirty‐six 21‐ and 19‐month‐olds assigned appropriately different interpretations to novel verbs in transitive (“He’s gorping him!”) versus intransitive sentences (“He’s gorping!”) differing in their number of nouns. Thus, subcategorization frames guide verb interpretation in very young children. These findings constrain theoretical proposals about mechanisms for syntactic bootstrapping.
Statistical challenges in microrheology
Authors: Didier Gustavo , McKinley Scott A. , Hill David B. , Fricks John
Published: May 2012

Microrheology is the study of the properties of a complex fluid through the diffusion dynamics of small particles, typically latex beads, moving through that material. Currently, it is the dominant technique in the study of the physical properties of biological fluids, of the material properties of membranes or the cytoplasm of cells, or of the entire cell. The theoretical underpinning of microrheology was given in Mason and Weitz (Physical Review Letters; 1995), who introduced a framework for the use of path data of diffusing particles to infer viscoelastic properties of its fluid environment. The multi‐particle tracking techniques that were subsequently developed have presented numerous challenges for experimentalists and theoreticians. This study describes some specific challenges that await the attention of statisticians and applied probabilists. We describe relevant aspects of the physical theory, current inferential efforts and simulation aspects of a central model for the dynamics of nano‐scale particles in viscoelastic fluids, the generalized Langevin equation.
Non‐parametric smoothing and prediction for nonlinear circular time series
Authors: Di Marzio Macro , Panzera Agnese , Taylor Charles C.
Published: May 2012

Not much research has been done in the field of circular time‐series analysis. We propose a non‐parametric theory for smoothing and prediction in the time domain for circular time‐series data. Our model is based on local constant and local linear fitting estimates of a minimizer of an angular risk function. Both asymptotic arguments and empirical examples are used to describe the accuracy of our methods.
Europeanization or Party Politics? Explaining Government Choice for Corporatist Concertation
Authors: AFONSO ALEXANDRE , PAPADOPOULOS YANNIS
Published: May 2012

This article assesses whether changes in government choice for policy concertation with trade unions and employers are better explained by international or domestic factors. We compare patterns of corporatist governance in a strongly Europeanized policy domain (labor migration policy) and in a weakly Europeanized policy domain (welfare state reforms) over the last 20 years in Austria and Switzerland. We show that there is no systematic difference in patterns of concertation between the two policy sectors and that factors linked to party politics play a bigger role in the choice of governments for concertation. If the base of party support for policies is divided, governments are more prone to resort to corporatist concertation as a way to build compromises for potentially controversial or unpopular policies. By contrast, ideologically cohesive majority coalitions are less prone to resort to concertation because they do not need to build compromises outside their base of party support.
THE PARETO PRINCIPLE OF OPTIMAL INEQUALITY*
Authors: Bommier Antoine , Zuber Stéphane
Published: May 2012

The Pareto principle is often viewed as a mild requirement compatible with a variety of value judgments. In particular, it is generally thought that it can accommodate different degrees of inequality aversion. We show that this is generally not true in time‐consistent intertemporal models where some uncertainty prevails.
Axillary skin: biology and care
Authors: Evans R. L. , Marriott R. E. , Harker M.
Published: May 2012

Synopsis

In skin care, the axilla is a biologically unique site requiring specialized attention and care. This area of skin is often subject to hair removal techniques, such as shaving and plucking. These procedures damage the skin leading to erythema and dryness in the short term, and in some cases, post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP) in the long term. This study will (i) briefly review the biology and unique properties of axillary skin, and (ii) describe the characteristics of the irritation and damage induced by contemporary skin care habits and resolution of these responses by the use of efficacious skin moisturizing technology. With respect to the latter, we propose that there are five groups of compounds, defined according to their mechanism of action, which are particularly relevant to the care of damaged axillary skin.
Locally released small (non‐protein) ninhydrin‐reacting molecules underlie developmental differences of cultured medullary versus spinal dorsal horn neurons
Authors: Xie Yu‐Feng , Pflueger Melissa , Feng Shuang , Lin Shuang‐Xiu , Kwan Chun L. , Galasko Gail , Sessle Barry J. , Yu Xian‐Min
Published: May 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 605–618.

Neurons located in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) play crucial roles in pain and sensorimotor functions in the orofacial region. Because of many anatomical and functional similarities with the spinal dorsal horn (SDH), Vc has been termed the medullary dorsal horn ‐ analogous to the SDH. Here, we report that when compared with embryonic SDH neurons in culture, neurons isolated from the Vc region showed significantly slower growth, lower glutamate receptor activity, and more cells undergoing cell death. SDH neuron development was inhibited in co‐cultures of SDH and Vc tissues while Vc neuron development was promoted by co‐culture with SDH tissues. Furthermore, we identified that small (non‐protein) ninhydrin‐reacting molecules purified from either embryonic or post‐natal Vc‐conditioned medium inhibited neuronal growth whereas ninhydrin‐reacting molecules from SDH‐conditioned medium promoted neuronal growth. These findings suggest the involvement of locally released factors in the region‐specific regulation of neuronal development in Vc and SDH, central nervous system regions playing critical roles in pain, and point to novel avenues for investigating central nervous system regionalization and for designing therapeutic approaches to manage neurodegenerative diseases and pain.
Healthcare personnel’s experiences of situations in municipal elderly care that generate troubled conscience
Authors: Ericson‐Lidman Eva , Norberg Astrid , Persson Birgitta , Strandberg Gunilla
Published: May 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 215–223

Healthcare personnel’s experiences of situations in municipal elderly care that generate troubled conscience

Healthcare personnel may perceive troubled conscience when feeling inadequate and powerless. It is important to further explore healthcare personnel’s descriptions of situations in daily work, which generate troubled conscience to increase the awareness of such situations. This study aimed to describe health care personnel's experiences of situations in municipal elderly care that generate troubled conscience. In this qualitative study, interviews were conducted with Registered and Enrolled nurses and nursing assistants (n = 20) working in municipal elderly care. The interviews were tape‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed with content analysis. Situations that generated troubled conscience was (i) Being caught between different demands, comprising being forced to prioritize between different residents’ needs, being torn between residents’‐/relatives’‐/and co‐workers’ needs and expectations’ and between work and private life, (ii) Being torn away from residents to other ‘must do’s’, comprising stealing time from residents’ to do housekeeping chore’ and to ‘obey’ rules and recommendations, (iii) Feeling unable to relieve suffering, comprising falling short when striving to help, lacking knowledge, advice and support and time to ease residents’ suffering and finally, (iv) Being part of providing care that is or feels wrong, comprising providing poor care and/or witnessing co‐workers providing poor care, and being forced to give care that feels wrong. These findings identify important factors that generate stress of conscience (stress caused by troubled conscience), including difficulties with balancing priorities and following rules and recommendations that seem contrary to best care, and the need for interdisciplinary teamwork. Findings point to that sharing what conscience tells in the work team opens up possibilities for healthcare personnel to constructively deal with troubled conscience. Intervention studies are needed to explore whether such measures contribute to relieve the burden of troubled conscience and increase possibilities to provide high quality care.
REFINING ESTIMATES FOR THE SEASON OF SHELLFISH COLLECTION ON THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST: APPLYING HIGH‐RESOLUTION STABLE OXYGEN ISOTOPE ANALYSIS AND SCLEROCHRONOLOGY
Authors: BURCHELL M. , CANNON A. , HALLMANN N. , SCHWARCZ H. P. , SCHÖNE B. R.
Published: May 2012

Stable oxygen isotopes from estuarine bivalve carbonate from Saxidomus gigantea were analysed combined with high‐resolution sclerochronology from modern and archaeological shells from British Columbia, Canada, to determine the seasonality of shellfish collection from the archaeological site of Namu. The combination of high‐resolution sclerochronology and a micro‐milled sampling strategy for δ18O analysis permits a precise estimate of archaeological seasonality, because seasonal freshwater influxes and changes in temperature have dual effects on the δ18O value of the shell. Sclerochronological analysis identifies the timing and duration of growth that is temporally aligned to stable oxygen isotope results, since δ18Oshell appears to be strongly influenced by seasonal inputs of very low δ18O snowmelt‐water from adjacent coastal mountain ranges. The results show that shellfish were collected year‐round at this site over a 4000‐year period, and these data combined with other zooarchaeological lines of evidence support the interpretation of year‐round occupation.
Mobile nostalgias: connecting visions of the urban past, present and future amongst ex‐residents
Authors: Bonnett Alastair , Alexander Catherine
Published: May 2012

Drawing on interviews with ex‐residents of Tyneside (United Kingdom), this paper builds on recent reappraisals of nostalgia as a ‘productive’ and ‘living’ disposition, to show how fond memories and a sense of loss shape and sustain engagement with the city. In contrast to recent attempts to identify active nostalgia only with its ‘reflective’ forms, or to separate out ‘official’ and ‘non‐official’ nostalgia, the paper demonstrates that nostalgias are mobile and interwoven. It is shown that ‘restorative’ and ‘reflective’ forms can co‐exist and state‐led practices of conservation be maintained in a complex and mutually sustaining relationship with more personal, less official, visions of the value of the past. Thus it is argued that urban nostalgia for the city needs to be acknowledged as a potentially critical intervention that draws together different modes of attachment and yearning.
The orphan receptor GPR3 modulates the early phases of cocaine reinforcement
Authors: Tourino Clara , Valjent Emmanuel , Ruiz‐Medina Jessica , Herve Denis , Ledent Catherine , Valverde Olga
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The modulatory activity of the orphan receptor GPR3 in the brain has been related to the control of emotional behaviours. Limbic structures that express GPR3 have been associated with the effects of drug abuse.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The role of GPR3 in different cocaine‐elicited behaviours including locomotor activity, behavioural sensitization, conditioned place preference (CPP) and intravenous self‐administration was evaluated in Gpr3–/– mice and their Gpr3+/+ littermates. Cocaine‐induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens was also evaluated to elucidate the effect of Gpr3 deletion on extracellular levels of dopamine.

KEY RESULTS Gpr3–/– mice exhibited higher rewarding responses in the CPP paradigm. Gpr3–/– mice self‐administered more cocaine, especially during the first days of training. No differences were found between genotypes regarding behavioural sensitization and the maximal effort required to obtain a cocaine infusion. Non‐contingent priming injections of cocaine before operant training eliminated enhanced cocaine self‐administration in Gpr3–/– mice. Extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens induced by cocaine did not differ between genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The increased responsiveness of Gpr3–/– mice to the acute locomotor effects of cocaine and the inconsistency to further increase this effect reflected an ‘already maximally sensitized’ basal state. Enhanced responsiveness of Gpr3–/– mice to cocaine reward and to early phases of reinforcement suggests that an initial alteration increased vulnerability to this type of drug abuse. Overall, altered signalling pathways of GPR3 could contribute to the neurobiological substrate involved in developing addiction to cocaine.
Blood transfusion practice in a rural hospital in Northern Ghana, Damongo, West Gonja District
Authors: Kubio Chrysantus , Tierney Geraldine , Quaye Theophilus , Nabilisi James Wewoli , Ziemah Callistus , Zagbeeb Sr Mary , Shaw Sandra , Murphy William G.
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion in rural sub‐Saharan Africa presents special challenges. Transfusions are primarily given for emergencies—life‐threatening blood loss or anemia; blood is usually collected from family or replacement donors; and facilities to store an adequate reserve in a hospital bank are constrained. We report the everyday and organizational practices in a medium‐sized district hospital in Northern Ghana.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Information and data on blood transfusion practices at West Gonja Hospital, Damongo, were available from the laboratory reports, from day books and workbooks, and from direct observation in the following four areas: blood collection and blood donors; blood donation testing; blood storage and logistics; and clinical transfusion practice, adverse events, and follow‐up.

RESULTS: The hospital serves a rural community of 86,000. In 2009, a total of 719 units of whole blood were collected, a rate of 8.36 units per 1000 population. All donors were family or replacement donors. Positivity rates for infectious disease markers were 7.5% (64/853) for hepatitis B surface antigen, 6.1% (50/819) for hepatitis C virus, 3.9% (33/846) for human immunodeficiency virus, and 4.7% (22/468) for syphilis. Supply of laboratory materials was sometimes problematic, especially for temperature‐critical materials. Difficulties in sample labeling, storage of blood and laboratory supplies, and disposal of waste were also incurred by operational, material, and financial constraints. Follow‐up for outcomes of transfusion is not currently feasible.

CONCLUSIONS: The operational, demographic, and financial environment pertaining in a rural hospital in Northern Ghana differs substantially from that in which much of current blood transfusion practice and technology evolved. Considerable effort and innovation will be needed to address successfully the challenges posed.
Donor safety in triple plateletpheresis: results from the German and Austrian Plateletpheresis Study Group multicenter trial
Authors: Heuft Hans‐Gert , Moog Rainer , Fischer Eike G. , Zingsem Jürgen ,   German and Austrian Plateletpheresis Study Group
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: The objective was to investigate potential risks for apheresis donors associated with a triple‐plateletpheresis (TP) program.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Eleven hemapheresis centers randomly assigned 411 repeat donors (ratio, 1:1.2) to either double plateletpheresis (DP; 185 donors) or TP (226 donors) with a platelet (PLT) target content of at least 5.0 × 1011 PLTs/DP and at least 7.5 × 1011 PLTs/TP. The primary endpoint was procedure‐related postapheresis PLT count of at least 150 × 109/L (probability, ≥98%). Secondary endpoints were apheresis characteristics and donor adverse reactions.

RESULTS: In 6 of 1133 DPs (0.5%) in 4 of 185 donors (2.2%) and in 20 of 1020 TPs (2.0%) in 14 of 226 donors (6.2%), postapheresis PLT counts were below 150 × 109/L. There were marginal but significant differences in collection efficiency (DP, 69.2 ± 9.1%; TP, 70.9 ± 9.0%; p ≤ 0.0001) and collection rate (DP, 10.4 × 109 ± 2.3 × 109 PLTs/min; TP, 10.8 × 109 ± 2.3 × 109 PLTs/min; p ≤ 0.005). The PLT yields were 5.9 × 1011 ± 0.8 × 1011 PLTs for DP and 8.3 × 1011 ± 0.9 × 1011 PLT for TP (p ≤ 0.0001) at processing times of 59 ± 13 minutes (DP) versus 80 ± 16 minutes (TP; p ≤ 0.0001). Significant PLT recruitment (1.10 ± 0.14 vs. 1.20 ± 0.23; p < 0.0001) was seen for both DP and TP. DP and TP did not differ with regard to venous access problems (VAPs) without discontinuation (3.8% for both), but DP induced fewer VAPs with discontinuation (1.1% vs. 3.0%; p < 0.01). Mild citrate toxicity (1.7% vs. 3.9%; p < 0.01) and circulatory reactions (0.4% vs. 2.2%; p < 0.01) were more often noticed in TP, but caused no increase in discontinuations.

CONCLUSIONS: TP results in an increase in mild donor reactions but does not significantly impair donor safety or product quality.
The Return Period Analysis of Natural Disasters with Statistical Modeling of Bivariate Joint Probability Distribution
Authors: Li Ning , Liu Xueqin , Xie Wei , Wu Jidong , Zhang Peng
Published: May 2012

New features of natural disasters have been observed over the last several years. The factors that influence the disasters’ formation mechanisms, regularity of occurrence and main characteristics have been revealed to be more complicated and diverse in nature than previously thought. As the uncertainty involved increases, the variables need to be examined further. This article discusses the importance and the shortage of multivariate analysis of natural disasters and presents a method to estimate the joint probability of the return periods and perform a risk analysis. Severe dust storms from 1990 to 2008 in Inner Mongolia were used as a case study to test this new methodology, as they are normal and recurring climatic phenomena on Earth. Based on the 79 investigated events and according to the dust storm definition with bivariate, the joint probability distribution of severe dust storms was established using the observed data of maximum wind speed and duration. The joint return periods of severe dust storms were calculated, and the relevant risk was analyzed according to the joint probability. The copula function is able to simulate severe dust storm disasters accurately. The joint return periods generated are closer to those observed in reality than the univariate return periods and thus have more value in severe dust storm disaster mitigation, strategy making, program design, and improvement of risk management. This research may prove useful in risk‐based decision making. The exploration of multivariate analysis methods can also lay the foundation for further applications in natural disaster risk analysis.
Quantitative Risk Assessment of Human Salmonellosis in Canadian Broiler Chicken Breast from Retail to Consumption
Authors: Smadi Hanan , Sargeant Jan M.
Published: May 2012

The current quantitative risk assessment model followed the framework proposed by the Codex Alimentarius to provide an estimate of the risk of human salmonellosis due to consumption of chicken breasts which were bought from Canadian retail stores and prepared in Canadian domestic kitchens. The model simulated the level of Salmonella contamination on chicken breasts throughout the retail‐to‐table pathway. The model used Canadian input parameter values, where available, to represent risk of salmonellosis. From retail until consumption, changes in the concentration of Salmonella on each chicken breast were modeled using equations for growth and inactivation. The model predicted an average of 318 cases of salmonellosis per 100,000 consumers per year. Potential reasons for this overestimation were discussed. A sensitivity analysis showed that concentration of Salmonella on chicken breasts at retail and food hygienic practices in private kitchens such as cross‐contamination due to not washing cutting boards (or utensils) and hands after handling raw meat along with inadequate cooking contributed most significantly to the risk of human salmonellosis. The outcome from this model emphasizes that responsibility for protection from Salmonella hazard on chicken breasts is a shared responsibility. Data needed for a comprehensive Canadian Salmonella risk assessment were identified for future research.