bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capacity gaps in post disaster construction
&
demolition waste management
Authors: Karunasena Gayani , Amaratunga Dilanthi
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on the identification of the existing capacities of post disaster C
&
D waste management in developing countries, with a special emphasis on Sri Lanka to determine the capacity gaps and related influencing factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Multiple case studies and expert interviews were conducted to gather primary information on the existing capacities of disaster C
&
D waste management. Three case studies, including 15 individuals and six experts representing government, non-government institutions and others, were selected.

Findings

– The results revealed the existing capacities, capacity gaps and influencing factors for post disaster C
&
D waste management in the areas of skills and confidence building, links and collaborations, continuity and sustainability, research and development, communication and coordination, organisational implementation and investment in infrastructure.

Research limitations/implications

– This study limited disaster C
&
D waste to debris generated from totally or partially damaged buildings and infrastructure as a direct impact of natural disasters or from demolished buildings and infrastructure at rehabilitation or at early recovery stages.

Originality/value

– The research enabled an analysis of existing capacities and identified capacity gaps in post disaster C
&
D waste management with influencing factors developing countries.
The impact of mobile phone penetration on African inequality
Authors: Asongu Simplice
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to complement theoretical and qualitative literature with empirical evidence on the income-redistributive effect of mobile phone penetration in 52 African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– Robust ordinary least squares and two stage least squares empirical strategies are employed.

Findings

– The findings suggest that mobile penetration is pro-poor, as it has a positive income equality effect.

Social implications

– “Mobile phone”-oriented poverty reduction channels are discussed.

Originality/value

– It deviates from mainstream country-specific and microeconomic survey-based approaches in the literature and provides the first macroeconomic assessment of the “mobile phone”-inequality nexus.
The potential of community entrepreneurship for neighbourhood revitalization in the United Kingdom and the United States
Authors: Varady David , Kleinhans Reinout , van Ham Maarten
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to assess the current potential of community entrepreneurship in neighbourhood revitalisation in the US and the UK. The global economic crisis has had a major impact on government spending for urban regeneration. In the context of these austerity regimes, in many European countries, community entrepreneurship and active citizenship are increasingly considered as a means to continue small-scale urban revitalisation. This paper investigates recent literature on both British community enterprises (CEs) and American community development corporations (CDCs).

Design/methodology/approach

– Starting from a seminal article, this paper reviews literature focusing on the role of CEs and CDCs in neighbourhood revitalisation. Differences and similarities are analysed, taking into account national context differences.

Findings

– While CDCs have a relatively successful record in affordable housing production in distressed areas, CDCs are fundamentally limited in terms of reversing processes of community decline. CEs in the UK have focused on non-housing issues.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper asks the question what CEs can learn from CDCs in terms of scope, aims, strategies, accountability, assets and partnerships with public and private actors. However, a systematic literature review has not been conducted.

Originality/value

– This comparison reveals not only similarities but also differences with regard to aims, organisational characteristics, cooperation on multiple scales and community participation. Apart from lessons that can be learned, this paper provides recommendations for further research that should cover the lack of empirical evidence in this field.
Comparing entrepreneurial communities
Authors: Paul Justin , Shrivastava Archana
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare entrepreneurial attributes of MBA students, the next generation business people, from two important Asian countries, India from South Asia and Japan from East Asia (India, being an emerging country and Japan, a developed country).

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey responses from MBA students in India and Japan were measured on an entrepreneurial personality index. Bateman and Crant’s scale consisting of 17 traits is used to identify if entrepreneurial traits are a learned cultural behaviour or intrinsic personality factors.

Findings

– Although the findings indicate that India has benefitted from entrepreneurship in the information technology and information technology-enabled service ventures during the past two decades, the country still has a long way to go when compared to developed countries like Japan, where entrepreneurship is widespread.

Research limitations/implications

– The results are based on a single survey, using cross-sectional data.

Originality/value

– The level of entrepreneurship differs considerably across countries and periods. The authors put forward a theoretical framework to denote the linkage between entrepreneurial attitude, pro-active personality and culture, besides highlighting the three pillars of entrepreneurship.
Continental‐scale variation in seaweed host‐associated bacterial communities is a function of host condition, not geography
Authors: Marzinelli Ezequiel M. , Campbell Alexandra H. , Zozaya Valdes Enrique , Vergés Adriana , Nielsen Shaun , Wernberg Thomas , de Bettignies Thibaut , Bennett Scott , Caporaso J. Gregory , Thomas Torsten , Steinberg Peter D.
Published: July 2015

Interactions between hosts and associated microbial communities can fundamentally shape the development and ecology of ‘holobionts’, from humans to marine habitat‐forming organisms such as seaweeds. In marine systems, planktonic microbial community structure is mainly driven by geography and related environmental factors, but the large‐scale drivers of host‐associated microbial communities are largely unknown. Using 16S‐rRNA gene sequencing, we characterized 260 seaweed‐associated bacterial and archaeal communities on the kelp Ecklonia radiata from three biogeographical provinces spanning 10° of latitude and 35° of longitude across the Australian continent. These phylogenetically and taxonomically diverse communities were more strongly and consistently associated with host condition than geographical location or environmental variables, and a ‘core’ microbial community characteristic of healthy kelps appears to be lost when hosts become stressed. Microbial communities on stressed individuals were more similar to each other among locations than those on healthy hosts. In contrast to biogeographical patterns of planktonic marine microbial communities, host traits emerge as critical determinants of associated microbial community structure of these holobionts, even at a continental scale.
Instrumental texture profile of reduced‐calorie Peda as a function of ingredients using response surface methodology
Authors: Rathod Gunvantsinh I , Khamrui Kaushik
Published: July 2015

Response surface methodology in a five‐level, four‐factor central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to model the instrumental texture profile of reduced‐calorie Peda as a function of the sugar and fat replacers; sucralose, whey protein concentrate (WPC), maltodextrin and sorbitol. The relevant quadratic regression models for various responses revealed that all the textural parameters could be accurately predicted by these four factors. Among the ingredients, in linear, quadratic and interaction terms, sorbitol was involved the maximum number of times in significantly influencing the texture profile parameters, followed by WPC, sucralose and maltodextrin, respectively.
Long‐term neurodevelopmental outcome after selective feticide in monochorionic pregnancies
Authors: van Klink JMM , Koopman HM , Middeldorp JM , Klumper FJ , Rijken M , Oepkes D , Lopriore E
Published: July 2015

Objective

To assess the incidence of and risk factors for adverse long‐term neurodevelopmental outcome in complicated monochorionic pregnancies treated with selective feticide at our centre between 2000 and 2011.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

National referral centre for fetal therapy (Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands).

Population

Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed in 74 long‐term survivors.

Methods

Children, at least 2 years of age, underwent an assessment of neurologic, motor and cognitive development using standardised psychometric tests and the parents completed a behavioural questionnaire.

Main outcome measures

A composite outcome termed neurodevelopmental impairment including cerebral palsy (GMFCS II‐V), cognitive and/or motor test score of <70, bilateral blindness or bilateral deafness requiring amplification.

Results

A total of 131 monochorionic pregnancies were treated with selective feticide at the Leiden University Medical Centre. Overall survival rate was 88/131 (67%). Long‐term outcome was assessed in 74/88 (84%). Neurodevelopmental impairment was detected in 5/74 [6.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–12.5] of survivors. Overall adverse outcome, including perinatal mortality or neurodevelopmental impairment was 48/131 (36.6%). In multivariate analysis, parental educational level was associated with cognitive test scores (regression coefficient B 3.9, 95% CI 1.8–6.0). Behavioural problems were reported in 10/69 (14.5%).

Conclusions

Adverse long‐term outcome in survivor twins of complicated monochorionic pregnancies treated with selective feticide appears to be more prevalent than in the general population. Cognitive test scores were associated with parental educational level.

Tweetable abstract

Neurodevelopmental impairment after selective feticide was detected in 5/74 (6.8%, 95% CI 1.1–12.5) of survivors.
Model to predict inpatient mortality from information gathered at presentation to an emergency department: The Triage Information Mortality Model (TIMM)
Authors: Teubner David JO , Considine Julie , Hakendorf Paul , Kim Susan , Bersten Andrew D
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To derive and validate a mortality prediction model from information available at ED triage.

Methods

Multivariable logistic regression of variables from administrative datasets to predict inpatient mortality of patients admitted through an ED. Accuracy of the model was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC‐AUC) and calibration using the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of fit test. The model was derived, internally validated and externally validated. Derivation and internal validation were in a tertiary referral hospital and external validation was in an urban community hospital.

Results

The ROC‐AUC for the derivation set was 0.859 (95% CI 0.856–0.865), for the internal validation set was 0.848 (95% CI 0.840–0.856) and for the external validation set was 0.837 (95% CI 0.823–0.851). Calibration assessed by the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of fit test was good.

Conclusions

The model successfully predicts inpatient mortality from information available at the point of triage in the ED.
High‐throughput monitoring of wild bee diversity and abundance via mitogenomics
Authors: Tang Min , Hardman Chloe J. , Ji Yinqiu , Meng Guanliang , Liu Shanlin , Tan Meihua , Yang Shenzhou , Moss Ellen D. , Wang Jiaxin , Yang Chenxue , Bruce Catharine , Nevard Tim , Potts Simon G. , Zhou Xin , Yu Douglas W.
Published: July 2015

Bee populations and other pollinators face multiple, synergistically acting threats, which have led to population declines, loss of local species richness and pollination services, and extinctions. However, our understanding of the degree, distribution and causes of declines is patchy, in part due to inadequate monitoring systems, with the challenge of taxonomic identification posing a major logistical barrier. Pollinator conservation would benefit from a high‐throughput identification pipeline.

We show that the metagenomic mining and resequencing of mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomics) can be applied successfully to bulk samples of wild bees. We assembled the mitogenomes of 48 UK bee species and then shotgun‐sequenced total DNA extracted from 204 whole bees that had been collected in 10 pan‐trap samples from farms in England and been identified morphologically to 33 species. Each sample data set was mapped against the 48 reference mitogenomes.

The morphological and mitogenomic data sets were highly congruent. Out of 63 total species detections in the morphological data set, the mitogenomic data set made 59 correct detections (93·7% detection rate) and detected six more species (putative false positives). Direct inspection and an analysis with species‐specific primers suggested that these putative false positives were most likely due to incorrect morphological IDs. Read frequency significantly predicted species biomass frequency (R2 = 24·9%). Species lists, biomass frequencies, extrapolated species richness and community structure were recovered with less error than in a metabarcoding pipeline.

Mitogenomics automates the onerous task of taxonomic identification, even for cryptic species, allowing the tracking of changes in species richness and distributions. A mitogenomic pipeline should thus be able to contain costs, maintain consistently high‐quality data over long time series, incorporate retrospective taxonomic revisions and provide an auditable evidence trail. Mitogenomic data sets also provide estimates of species counts within samples and thus have potential for tracking population trajectories.
Corporate fraud culture: Re‐examining the corporate governance and performance relation
Authors: Tan David T. , Chapple Larelle , Walsh Kathleen D.
Published: July 2015

We analyse the corporate governance and performance relation, when conditioning on corporate fraud, for fraud firms during 2000 – 2007. Fraud firms are identified as either self‐ reported fraud events, or subject to regulatory investigation. We use the inverse Mills ratio procedure to account for firms' (unobservable) fraud culture in the dynamic system GMM model of the performance‐ governance relation. We find that corporate governance is an endogenously determined characteristic that has no causal impact on firm performance when conditioning on fraud. Fraud is a significant regulatory event but its overall economic impact at the firm level is highly variable.
Development and Characterization of the Arterial Windkessel and Its Role During Left Ventricular Assist Device Assistance
Authors: Capoccia Massimo
Published: July 2015

Modeling of the cardiovascular system is challenging, but it has the potential to further advance our understanding of normal and pathological conditions. Morphology and function are closely related. The arterial system provides steady blood flow to each organ and damps out wave fluctuations as a consequence of intermittent ventricular ejection. These actions can be approached separately in terms of mathematical relationships between pressure and flow. Lumped parameter models are helpful for the study of the interactions between the heart and the arterial system. The arterial windkessel model still plays a significant role despite its limitations. This review aims to discuss the model and its modifications and derive the fundamental equations by applying electric circuits theory. In addition, its role during left ventricular assist device assistance is explored and discussed in relation to rotary blood pumps.
Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock: An Algorithm‐Based Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Program Can Improve Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Unai Shinya , Tanaka Daizo , Ruggiero Nicholas , Hirose Hitoshi , Cavarocchi Nicholas C.
Published: July 2015

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in our institution resulted in near total mortality prior to the establishment of an algorithm‐based program in July 2010. We hypothesized that an algorithm‐based ECMO program improves the outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with cardiogenic shock. Between March 2003 and July 2013, 29 patients underwent emergent catheterization for acute myocardial infarction due to left main or proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion complicated with cardiogenic shock (defined as systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg despite multiple inotropes, with or without intra‐aortic balloon pump, lactic acidosis). Of 29 patients, 15 patients were treated before July 2010 (Group 1, old program), and 14 patients were treated after July 2010 (Group 2, new program). There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics, including age, sex, coronary risk factors, and left ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to ECMO was performed in two cases (13%) in Group 1 and four cases (29%) in Group 2. ECMO support was performed in one case (6.7%) in Group 1 and six cases (43%) in Group 2. The 30‐day survival of Group 1 versus Group 2 was 40 versus 79% (P = 0.03), and 1‐year survival rate was 20 versus 56% (P = 0.01). The survival rate for patients who underwent ECMO was 0% in Group 1 versus 83% in Group 2 (P = 0.09). In Group 2, the mean duration on ECMO was 9.8 ± 5.9 days. Of the six patients who required ECMO in Group 2, 100% were successfully weaned off ECMO or were bridged to ventricular assist device implantation. Initiation of an algorithm‐based ECMO program improved the outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.
Evaluation of a Spiral Groove Geometry for Improvement of Hemolysis Level in a Hydrodynamically Levitated Centrifugal Blood Pump
Authors: Murashige Tomotaka , Kosaka Ryo , Sakota Daisuke , Nishida Masahiro , Kawaguchi Yasuo , Yamane Takashi , Maruyama Osamu
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a spiral groove geometry for a thrust bearing to improve the hemolysis level in a hydrodynamically levitated centrifugal blood pump. We compared three geometric models: (i) the groove width is the same as the ridge width at any given polar coordinate (conventional model); (ii) the groove width contracts inward from 9.7 to 0.5 mm (contraction model); and (iii) the groove width expands inward from 0.5 to 4.2 mm (expansion model). To evaluate the hemolysis level, an impeller levitation performance test and in vitro hemolysis test were conducted using a mock circulation loop. In these tests, the driving conditions were set at a pressure head of 200 mm Hg and a flow rate of 4.0 L/min. As a result of the impeller levitation performance test, the bottom bearing gaps of the contraction and conventional models were 88 and 25 μm, respectively. The impeller of the expansion model touched the bottom housing. In the hemolysis test, the relative normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) ratios of the contraction model in comparison with BPX‐80 and HPM‐15 were 0.6 and 0.9, respectively. In contrast, the relative NIH ratios of the conventional model in comparison with BPX‐80 and HPM‐15 were 9.6 and 13.7, respectively. We confirmed that the contraction model achieved a large bearing gap and improved the hemolysis level in a hydrodynamically levitated centrifugal blood pump.
Anatomy and Physiology of Left Ventricular Suction Induced by Rotary Blood Pumps
Authors: Salamonsen Robert Francis , Lim Einly , Moloney John , Lovell Nigel Hamilton , Rosenfeldt Franklin L.
Published: July 2015

This study in five large greyhound dogs implanted with a VentrAssist left ventricular assist device focused on identification of the precise site and physiological changes induced by or underlying the complication of left ventricular suction. Pressure sensors were placed in left and right atria, proximal and distal left ventricle, and proximal aorta while dual perivascular and tubing ultrasonic flow meters measured blood flow in the aortic root and pump outlet cannula. When suction occurred, end‐systolic pressure gradients between proximal and distal regions of the left ventricle on the order of 40–160 mm Hg indicated an occlusive process of variable intensity in the distal ventricle. A variable negative flow difference between end systole and end diastole (0.5–3.4 L/min) was observed. This was presumably mediated by variable apposition of the free and septal walls of the ventricle at the pump inlet cannula orifice which lasted approximately 100 ms. This apposition, by inducing an end‐systolic flow deficit, terminated the suction process by relieving the imbalance between pump requirement and delivery from the right ventricle. Immediately preceding this event, however, unnaturally low end‐systolic pressures occurred in the left atrium and proximal left ventricle which in four dogs lasted for 80–120 ms. In one dog, however, this collapse progressed to a new level and remained at approximately −5 mm Hg across four heart beats at which point suction was relieved by manual reduction in pump speed. Because these pressures were associated with a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of −5 mm Hg as well, they indicate total collapse of the entire pulmonary venous system, left atrium, and left ventricle which persisted until pump flow requirement was relieved by reducing pump speed. We suggest that this collapse caused the whole vascular region from pulmonary capillaries to distal left ventricle to behave as a Starling resistance which further reduced right ventricular output thus contributing to a major reduction in pump flow. We contend that similar complications of manual speed control also occur in the human subject and remain a major unsolved problem in the clinical management of patients implanted with rotary blood pumps.
Retinal vascular and structural dynamics during acute hyperglycaemia
Authors: Klefter Oliver N. , Vilsbøll Tina , Knop Filip K. , Larsen Michael
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To compare retinal vascular dynamics during acute hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy volunteers.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients with type 2 diabetes and 27 healthy controls were examined with fundus photographic measurement of retinal vessel diameters, retinal oximetry, macular perfusion velocities and optical coherence tomographic measurement of subfoveal choroidal thickness every 30 min during a 3‐hr 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Patients paused antidiabetic therapy for 1 week prior to the OGTT.

Results

Plasma glucose (PG) and fluctuations in PG were larger in patients with diabetes (p < 0.0001). PG increased significantly 30 min after ingestion of glucose (p < 0.0001 in both groups). With a delay of 0–120 min, the PG increase was followed by increased retinal arterial oxygen saturations and arteriovenous oxygen saturation differences, narrowed retinal veins and increased arteriovenous diameter ratios. No effect of age, gender or diabetes status was observed. Choroidal thickness was transiently reduced in controls and unchanged in patients with diabetes (p = 0.021). Macular perfusion velocities increased after 150 min in patients with diabetes but not in controls (arterial p = 0.059; venous p = 0.16). Higher age and diabetes tended to be associated with higher retinal arterial oxygen saturation.

Conclusion

The transition from fasting to acute hyperglycaemia is followed, with a delay of up to 2 hr, by retinal vascular changes, notably increased oxygen extraction, suggesting an effect of secondary metabolic changes. Retinal responses were similar in patients with type 2 diabetes and controls despite differences in glucose levels. It is necessary to standardize measurement conditions in studies of retinal physiology.
Cost and effects of risk factor guided screening strategies for retinopathy of prematurity for different treatment strategies
Authors: van den Akker‐van Marle M. Elske , van Sorge Arlette J. , Schalij‐Delfos Nicoline E.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To investigate the cost and effects of risk factor guided screening strategies for retinopathy of prematurity.

Methods

Clinical data from the Netherlands Retinopathy of Prematurity study (NEDROP study) that included all infants screened for ROP and born in 2009 were used to assess the cost and effects of several screening strategies for ROP using different criteria: (1) gestational age (GA), (2) birthweight (BW), (3) combined GA‐BW and (4) combined GA‐BW and presence of risk factors. Two treatment strategies were evaluated: the infants actually treated in the NEDROP study (n = 17) and all infants detected with severe ROP (n = 29).

Results

The most efficient screening strategy to include all infants treated for both treatment strategies is to screen all infants with a GA of 30 weeks or less and a BW of 1250 g or lower together with infants with a GA of 30–32 weeks and a BW of 1250–1500 g with at least one risk factor. The marginal cost ranged from €43 848 to € 226 914 per additional infant with improved vision.

Conclusion

The current Dutch guideline may be improved: the same effectiveness can be obtained for lower costs. Releasing the precondition that no infants with severe ROP might be missed will lead to lower costs, but this will also lead to a lower number of infants with improved visual acuity. The costs of detecting all infants with severe ROP seem acceptable for society when the QALY gain and savings from a societal perspective resulting from improved vision are taken into account.
Frequency of genetic defects in combined pituitary hormone deficiency: a systematic review and analysis of a multicentre Italian cohort
Authors: De Rienzo Francesca , Mellone Simona , Bellone Simonetta , Babu Deepak , Fusco Ileana , Prodam Flavia , Petri Antonella , Muniswamy Ranjith , De Luca Filippo , Salerno Mariacarolina , Momigliano‐Richardi Patricia , Bona Gianni , Giordano Mara ,   the Italian Study Group on Genetics of CPHD
Published: July 2015

Objective

Combined pituitary hormonal deficiency (CPHD) can result from mutations within genes that encode transcription factors. This study evaluated the frequency of mutations in these genes in a cohort of 144 unrelated Italian patients with CPHD and estimated the overall prevalence of mutations across different populations using a systematic literature review.

Material and methods

A multicentre study of adult and paediatric patients with CPHD was performed. The PROP1, POU1F1, HESX1, LHX3 and LHX4 genes were analysed for the presence of mutations using direct sequencing. We systematically searched PubMed with no date restrictions for studies that reported genetic screening of CPHD cohorts. We only considered genetic screenings with at least 10 individuals. Data extraction was conducted in accordance with the guidelines set by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA).

Results

Global mutation frequency in Italian patients with CPHD was 2·9% (4/136) in sporadic cases and 12·5% (1/8) in familial cases. The worldwide mutation frequency for the five genes calculated from 21 studies was 12·4%, which ranged from 11·2% in sporadic to 63% in familial cases. PROP1 was the most frequently mutated gene in sporadic (6·7%) and familial cases (48·5%).

Conclusion

The frequency of defects in genes encoding pituitary transcription factors is quite low in Italian patients with CPHD and other western European countries, especially in sporadic patients. The decision of which genes should be tested and in which order should be guided by hormonal and imaging phenotype, the presence of extrapituitary abnormalities and the frequency of mutation for each gene in the patient‐referring population.
Prevalence of coeliac disease in idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and effect of gluten‐free diet on calcaemic control
Authors: Saha Soma , Saini Savita , Makharia Govind K. , Datta Gupta Siddhartha , Goswami Ravinder
Published: July 2015

Background

Patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IH) require variable doses of calcium and 1‐α‐(OH)D. The reasons for such variability are not clear. As autoimmune mechanisms may play a role in IH, there is a possibility of coexistent coeliac disease with calcium/vitamin D malabsorption.

Objective

We assessed the prevalence of coeliac disease and antitissue transglutaminase autoantibodies (anti‐tTGAbs) in IH and analysed the effect of a gluten‐free diet on calcaemic control.

Method

A total of 171 patients with IH and 126 healthy controls were screened for anti‐tTGAb. IH patients with anti‐tTGAb >20 RU/ml underwent duodenoscopy and intestinal biopsy; those with biopsy‐proven coeliac disease were followed up on a gluten‐free diet.

Results

Eleven of 171 (6·4%) patients with IH and seven of 126 (5·6%) controls had anti‐tTGAb (P = 0·81). There was no difference in the clinical and biochemical parameters at diagnosis and during long‐term follow‐up of 7·2 ± 4·8 year (mean serum total calcium = 1·88 ± 0·16 vs 1·82 ± 0·36 mmol/l, P = 0·52; phosphorus = 1·81 ± 0·17 vs 1·87 ± 0·36 mmol/l, P = 0·53) in IH patients with and without anti‐tTGAb. Although CaSRAb positivity was comparable in the two groups, IH patients with anti‐tTGAb had higher TPOAb positivity (45·5% vs 12·8%, P = 0·02). Coeliac disease was diagnosed in only 2/9 patients with IH on biopsy, both of whom showed improved calcaemic control with a gluten‐free diet.

Conclusion

The prevalence of coeliac autoimmunity (6·4%) and coeliac disease (1·2%) in patients with IH seems to be similar to that in the general population. Notwithstanding this modest prevalence, it is important to be aware of the potential occurrence of coeliac disease with IH and the beneficial effect of a gluten‐free diet on calcium control.
Counterintuitive Religious Ideas and Metaphoric Thinking: An Event‐Related Brain Potential Study
Authors: Fondevila Sabela , Aristei Sabrina , Sommer Werner , Jiménez‐Ortega Laura , Casado Pilar , Martín‐Loeches Manuel
Published: July 2015

It has been shown that counterintuitive ideas from mythological and religious texts are more acceptable than other (non‐religious) world knowledge violations. In the present experiment we explored whether this relates to the way they are interpreted (literal vs. metaphorical). Participants were presented with verification questions that referred to either the literal or a metaphorical meaning of the sentence previously read (counterintuitive religious, counterintuitive non‐religious and intuitive), in a block‐wise design. Both behavioral and electrophysiological results converged. At variance to the literal interpretation of the sentences, the induced metaphorical interpretation specifically facilitated the integration (N400 amplitude decrease) of religious counterintuitions, whereas the semantic processing of non‐religious counterintuitions was not affected by the interpretation mode. We suggest that religious ideas tend to operate like other instances of figurative language, such as metaphors, facilitating their acceptability despite their counterintuitive nature.
Mortality prediction to hospitalized patients with influenza pneumonia: PO2/FiO2 combined lymphocyte count is the answer
Authors: Shi Shu Jing , Li Hui , Liu Meng , Liu Ying Mei , Zhou Fei , Liu Bo , Qu Jiu Xin , Cao Bin
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) severity scores perform well in predicting mortality of CAP patients, but their applicability in influenza pneumonia is powerless.

Objectives

The aim of our research was to test the efficiency of PO2/FiO2 and CAP severity scores in predicting mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission with influenza pneumonia patients.

Methods

We reviewed all patients with positive influenza virus RNA detection in Beijing Chao‐Yang Hospital during the 2009–2014 influenza seasons. Outpatients, inpatients with no pneumonia and incomplete data were excluded. We used receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) to verify the accuracy of severity scores or indices as mortality predictors in the study patients.

Results

Among 170 hospitalized patients with influenza pneumonia, 30 (17.6%) died. Among those who were classified as low‐risk (predicted mortality 0.1%–2.1%) by pneumonia severity index (PSI) or confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age ≥65 year (CURB‐65), the actual mortality ranged from 5.9 to 22.1%. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that hypoxia (PO2/FiO2 ≤ 250) and lymphopenia (peripheral blood lymphocyte count <0.8 × 109/L) were independent risk factors for mortality, with OR value of 22.483 (95% confidence interval 4.927–102.598) and 5.853 (95% confidence interval 1.887–18.152), respectively. PO2/FiO2 combined lymphocyte count performed well for mortality prediction with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.945, which was significantly better than current CAP severity scores of PSI, CURB‐65 and confusion, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age ≥65 years for mortality prediction (P < 0.001). The scores or indices for ICU admission prediction to hospitalized patients with influenza pneumonia confirmed a similar pattern and PO2/FiO2 combined lymphocyte count was also the best predictor for predicting ICU admission.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we found that PO2/FiO2 combined lymphocyte count is simple and reliable predictor of hospitalized patients with influenza pneumonia in predicting mortality and ICU admission. When PO2/FiO2 ≤ 250 or peripheral blood lymphocyte count <0.8 × 109/L, the clinician should pay great attention to the possibility of severe influenza pneumonia.
Reduced pain threshold documented in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Barney Chantel C
Published: July 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Valkenburg et al. on pages 1049–1055 of this issue.
Relationship between serum vitamin D levels and angiographic severity and extent of coronary artery disease
Authors: Alsancak Yakup , Cengel Atiye , Akyel Ahmet , Ozkan Selcuk , Sezenoz Burak , Unlu Serkan , Kiziltunc Emrullah , Akboga Mehmet Kadri , Alsancak Aybuke Demir , Elbeg Sehri , Sahinarslan Asife , Yalcın Mehmet Rıdvan
Published: July 2015

Background

Vitamin D is known for its effect in calcium and bone homeostasis. There is an increasing evidence for health benefits accomplished by activated vitamin D that go beyond these classical functions. Previous studies have suggested that lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate relationship between vitamin D levels and extent and severity of coronary artery disease.

Materials and methods

A total of 746 patients in whom coronary angiography was performed between August 2012 and July 2013 were enrolled in this study. Serum vitamin D levels were measured, and patients were grouped according to their serum vitamin D levels (vitamin D <20 ng/mL (n = 602) Group 1 versus >20 ng/dL (n = 144) Group 2). Gensini score system was used to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and severity and extent of coronary artery disease.

Results

There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of baseline characteristics and demographic characteristics. Mean serum vitamin D levels of all patient cohort was 15·54 ± 7·46 ng/mL. Group 1 and Group 2 had an average serum vitamin D levels of 12·6 ± 3·3 ng/mL and 27·5 ± 7·8 ng/mL, respectively. Gensini score for all cohort was 26·25 ± 34·32. Group 1 had an average Gensini score of 26·4 ± 35·7; on the other hand, Gensini score was 25·5 ± 27·5 in Group 2 (P = 0·097).

Conclusions

This study failed to demonstrate significant relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the severity and extent of coronary artery disease. Further studies with more participation and homogenous groups with comparable individual and environmental features are needed to evaluate the association of serum vitamin D levels and cardiovascular diseases.
Camelid heavy chain only antibody fragment domain against β‐site of amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 inhibits β‐secretase activity in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Dorresteijn Bram , Rotman Maarten , Faber Dorien , Schravesande Ruud , Suidgeest Ernst , van der Weerd Louise , van der Maarel Silvère M. , Verrips Cornelis T. , El Khattabi Mohamed
Published: July 2015

Accumulation and aggregation of the amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptide is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ is generated from the amyloid precursor protein by the successive action of two membrane‐associated processing enzymes: β‐secretase or β‐site of amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ‐secretase. Inhibition of one or both of these enzymes prevents Aβ generation and the accompanying Aβ accumulation. Antigen binding fragments from camelid heavy chain only antibodies (VHHs) were found to exert excellent enzyme inhibition activity. In the present study, we generated VHHs against BACE1 by active immunization of Lama glama with the recombinant BACE1 protein. Two classes of VHHs were selected from a VHH‐phage display library by competitive elution with a peptide encoding the Swedish mutation variant of the BACE1 processing site. One VHH was found to inhibit the enzyme activity of BACE1 in vitro and in cell culture, whereas two other VHHs were found to stimulate BACE1 activity under the same conditions in vitro. Furthermore, an in vivo study with a transgenic AD mouse model, using intracisternal injection of the inhibitory VHH, led to acute reduction of the Aβ load in the blood and brain. This inhibitory VHH may be considered as a candidate molecule for a therapy directed towards reduction of Aβ load and prevention of AD progression. Both the inhibitory and stimulatory VHH may be useful for improving our understanding of the structure–function relationship of BACE1, as well as its role in AD progression.

Database

The GenBank sequence accession numbers are KR363186 for VHH B1a; KR363187 for VHH B3a; and KR363188 for VHH B5a.
A novel bacterial community index to assess stream ecological health
Authors: Lau Kelvin E. M. , Washington Vidya J. , Fan Vicky , Neale Martin W. , Lear Gavin , Curran James , Lewis Gillian D.
Published: July 2015

In stream ecosystems, bacterial communities play an important role in nutrient and energy cycling processes as they are among the most numerous and active organisms at the basal trophic level of the stream food web. Bacterial communities in stream biofilms have been shown to correlate well with different catchment land use and therefore provide an opportunity for the development of a novel ecological indicator of stream ecosystem health.

In this study, a bacterial community index (BCI) model was developed and validated using a national data set of biofilm bacterial community profiles collected from 223 streams across seven geographical regions in New Zealand. The six‐component BCI model was generated using the partial least squares regression method to associate the multivariate bacterial community profile with the macroinvertebrate community index, which is a well‐established indicator of stream health.

Despite strong regional clustering of the bacterial community profiles, the BCI was indicative of the level of disturbance in the catchment, as shown by significant correlations with a wide range of independent indicators of water quality, macroinvertebrate community data, ecosystem functioning and catchment land‐use data. The BCI was able to explain 35% of the variation in a multi‐metric index incorporating ten common ecological parameters, suggesting that the stream bacterial communities could provide useful information about the ecosystem integrity.

The BCI provides a novel ecosystem assessment tool, which can be used to complement existing stream health measures in the management of anthropogenic impacts on freshwater streams and rivers.
Cross‐national perspectives about weight‐based bullying in youth: nature, extent and remedies
Authors: Puhl R. M. , Latner J. D. , O'Brien K. , Luedicke J. , Forhan M. , Danielsdottir S.
Published: July 2015

Background

No cross‐national studies have examined public perceptions about weight‐based bullying in youth.

Objectives

To conduct a multinational examination of public views about (i) the prevalence/seriousness of weight‐based bullying in youth; (ii) the role of parents, educators, health providers and government in addressing this problem and (iii) implementing policy actions to reduce weight‐based bullying.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of adults in the United States, Canada, Iceland and Australia (N = 2866).

Results

Across all countries, weight‐based bullying was identified as the most prevalent reason for youth bullying, by a substantial margin over other forms of bullying (race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion). Participants viewed parents and teachers as playing major roles in efforts to reduce weight‐based bullying. Most participants across countries (77–94%) viewed healthcare providers to be important intervention agents. Participants (65–87%) supported government augmentation of anti‐bullying laws to include prohibiting weight‐based bullying. Women expressed higher agreement for policy actions than men, with no associations found for participants' race/ethnicity or weight. Causal beliefs about obesity were associated with policy support across countries.

Conclusions

Across countries, strong recognition exists of weight‐based bullying and the need to address it. These findings may inform policy‐level actions and clinical practices concerning youth vulnerable to weight‐based bullying.
European Stroke Organisation (ESO) Guidelines for the Management of Temperature in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Ntaios George , Dziedzic Tomasz , Michel Patrik , Papavasileiou Vasileios , Petersson Jesper , Staykov Dimitre , Thomas Brenda , Steiner Thorsten ,   for the European Stroke Organisation
Published: July 2015

Background

Hyperthermia is a frequent complication in patients with acute ischemic stroke. On the other hand, therapeutically induced hypothermia has shown promising potential in animal models of focal cerebral ischemia. This Guideline Document presents the European Stroke Organisation guidelines for the management of temperature in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

A multidisciplinary group identified related questions and developed its recommendations based on evidence from randomized controlled trials elaborating the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. This Guideline Document was reviewed within the European Stroke Organisation and externally and was approved by the European Stroke Organisation Guidelines Committee and the European Stroke Organisation Executive Committee.

Results

We found low-quality evidence, and therefore, we cannot make any recommendation for treating hyperthermia as a means to improve functional outcome and/or survival in patients with acute ischemic stroke and hyperthermia; moderate evidence to suggest against routine prevention of hyperthermia with antipyretics as a means to improve functional outcome and/or survival in patients with acute ischemic stroke and normothermia; very low-quality evidence to suggest against routine induction of hypothermia as a means to improve functional outcome and/or survival in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Conclusions

The currently available data about the management of temperature in patients with acute ischemic stroke are limited, and the strengths of the recommendations are therefore weak. We call for new randomized controlled trials as well as recruitment of eligible patients to ongoing randomized controlled trials to allow for better-informed recommendations in the future.
Editorial: Early intervention in response to language delays – is there a danger of putting too many eggs in the wrong basket?
Authors: Norbury Courtenay Frazier
Published: July 2015

To most people it seems incontrovertible that when a child's development appears to be lagging, the earlier we intervene the better. This commonly held belief drives a considerable research effort to identify ‘biomarkers’ of disorder at ever younger ages, so that treatment can be made available to infants, before overt signs of disorder are apparent and difficulties become entrenched. Although much of this work has focused on early interventions for autism spectrum disorder, similar efforts have been directed at remediating early language delays. If we could reliably predict in infancy which children would have persistent language learning impairments, early intervention would of course have potentially wide ranging benefits. In fact, the promise of early intervention is such that in times of austerity, some speech‐language therapy providers are prioritising services to the under‐fives, with little or no direct intervention to school‐aged children. And services to pupils in secondary school are almost non‐existent, much to the frustration of parents and school staff who see the language demands of the curriculum and the social environment increasing exponentially during adolescence. This Editorial focuses on the evidence for early intervention for children presenting with language delays, in the context of articles published in this issue of JCPP that focus on early language development.
Preference and avoidance pH of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis and brown trout Salmo trutta exposed to different holding pH
Authors: Fost B.A. , Ferreri C.P.
Published: July 2015

The goal of this study was to determine if short‐term exposure of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis and brown trout Salmo trutta to a lower pH than found in their source stream results in a shift in preference or avoidance pH. The lack of a shift in preference or avoidance pH of adult S. fontinalis and S. trutta suggests that these species can be held at a pH different from the source waterbody for a short period of time without altering preference or avoidance pH behaviour.
Shank synaptic scaffold proteins: keys to understanding the pathogenesis of autism and other synaptic disorders
Authors: Sala Carlo , Vicidomini Cinzia , Bigi Ilaria , Mossa Adele , Verpelli Chiara
Published: July 2015

Shank/ProSAP proteins are essential to synaptic formation, development, and function. Mutations in the family of SHANK genes are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as intellectual disability (ID), and schizophrenia. Thus, the term ‘Shankopathies’ identifies a number of neuronal diseases caused by alteration of Shank protein expression leading to abnormal synaptic development. With this review we want to summarize the major genetic, molecular, behavior and electrophysiological studies that provide new clues into the function of Shanks and pave the way for the discovery of new therapeutic drugs targeted to treat patients with SHANK mutations and also patients affected by other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Shank/ProSAP proteins are essential to synaptic formation, development, and function. Mutations in the family of SHANK genes are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as intellectual disability (ID), and schizophrenia (SCZ). With this review we want to summarize the major genetic, molecular, behavior and electrophysiological studies that provide new clues into the function of Shanks and pave the way for the discovery of new therapeutic drugs targeted to treat patients with SHANK mutations.