bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Absorption of Bupivacaine after Administration of a Lozenge as Topical Treatment for Pain from Oral Mucositis
Authors: Mogensen Stine , Sverrisdóttir Eva , Sveinsdóttir Kolbrún , Treldal Charlotte , Jensen Kenneth , Jensen Anders Bonde , Kristensen Claus Andrup , Jacobsen Jette , Kreilgaard Mads , Petersen Janne , Andersen Ove
Published: July 2016

The aim was to investigate systemic exposure after administration of a novel bupivacaine lozenge in healthy individuals with normal mucosa and in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with oral mucositis. A lozenge containing 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg bupivacaine, respectively, was administered as single dose to 10 healthy individuals, and a lozenge containing 25 mg bupivacaine was administered as single dose to 10 HNC patients with oral mucositis and as multiple doses to five patients with HNC. Blood samples were collected for 6 hr from the healthy individuals and 3 hr from the patients with HNC, respectively, after administration. The plasma concentration–time profiles of bupivacaine were fitted to pharmacokinetic models using nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling, evaluating demographics and health status as covariates. The population pharmacokinetics (PK) of bupivacaine lozenge was best described by a two‐compartment distribution model with absorption transit compartments. All the observed plasma concentrations were well below the bupivacaine concentrations (2000–2250 ng/ml) which have caused toxic symptoms. The PK model suggested that relative bioavailability was two times higher in HNC patients with oral mucositis grade 1–2 and three times higher in HNC patients with oral mucositis grade 3–4 than in the healthy individuals. Simulations showed that the plasma concentrations would be below the toxic limit after repeated dosing every second hour with 25 mg bupivacaine for five days. The 25‐mg bupivacaine lozenges were safe without systemic toxic levels of bupivacaine or risk of side effects. Based on PK simulations of repeated doses of 25 mg every two hours for 16 hr a day, the lozenges can be administered with minimum risk of exceeding the toxic limit.
Epigenetic landscape of the TERT promoter: a potential biomarker for high risk AML/MDS
Authors: Zhao Xin , Tian Xin , Kajigaya Sachiko , Cantilena Caroline R. , Strickland Stephen , Savani Bipin N. , Mohan Sanjay , Feng Xingmin , Keyvanfar Keyvan , Dunavin Neil , Townsley Danielle M. , Dumitriu Bogdan , Battiwalla Minoo , Rezvani Katayoun , Young Neal S. , Barrett A. John , Ito Sawa
Published: July 2016

Although recent observations implicate the importance of telomerase activity in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the roles of epigenetic regulations of the TERT gene in leukaemogenesis, drug resistance and clinical prognosis in AML are not fully understood. We developed a quantitative pyrosequencing‐based methylation assay covering the TERT proximal promoter and a partial exon 1 (TERTpro/Ex1) region and tested both cell lines and primary leukaemia cells derived from AML and AML with preceding myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) patients (n = 43). Prognostic impact of methylation status of the upstream TERT promoter region was assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method. The activity of the telomerase inhibitor, imetelstat, was measured using leukaemia cell lines. The TERTpro/Ex1 region was highly methylated in all cell lines and primary leukaemia cells showed diverse methylation profiles. Most cases showed hypermethylated regions at the upstream TERTpro/Ex1 region, which were associated with inferior patient survival. TERTpro/Ex1 methylation status was correlated with the cytotoxicity to imetelstat and its combination with hypomethylating agent enhanced the cytotoxicity of imetelstat. AML cell lines and primary blasts harbour distinct TERTpro/Ex1 methylation profiles that could serve as a prognostic biomarker of AML. However, validation in a large cohort of patients is necessary to confirm our findings.
Raised preoperative international normalised ratio (INR) identifies patients at high risk of perioperative death after simultaneous renal and cardiac surgery for tumours involving the peri‐diaphragmatic inferior vena cava and right atrium
Authors: O'Brien Tim , Fernando Archie , Thomas Kay , Van Hemelrijck Mieke , Bailey Craig , Austin Conal
Published: July 2016

Objective

To identify preoperative factors that predict 30‐day mortality in patients undergoing simultaneous cardiac and renal surgery for urological tumours involving the peri‐diaphragmatic vena cava and right atrium‐ The ability to predict mortality and therefore avoid surgery in those patients likely to die would be valuable.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed perioperative outcomes in patients managed between December 2007 and January 2016 by a single team. The relationships of outcome measurements were analysed using Fisher's exact and Mann–Whitney U‐tests.

Results

Of the 46 patients identified, 41 (89%) underwent surgery (20 males and 21 females). The median (range) age was 65 (17–95) years. Histology confirmed 37 renal cell cancers, one adrenal cancer, two primitive neuroectodermal tumours, and one leiomyosarcoma. The overall 30‐day mortality rate was 7% (three of 41 patients). The international normalised ratio (INR), age, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) correlated significantly with 30‐day mortality. The mortality rate was high in patients with an INR ≥1.5 and <1.5 (with three of the five patients dying) compared to those with an INR <1.5 (0/36 patients died; 30 day mortality 0%). The INR correlated with serious complications (≥Clavien‐Dindo Grade III), which occurred in all five patients with an INR ≥1.5 and <1.5 vs 12/36 (33%) with an INR <1.5 (P < 0.002). The median (range) eGFR in those that died was 36 (26–37) mL/min/1.73 m2 compared to 52 (24–154) mL/min/1.73 m2 in those that survived (P = 0.018).

Conclusions

In patients undergoing combined cardiac and renal tumour surgery raised preoperative INR is associated with a high risk of 30‐day mortality when the patient is elderly (>70 years) and of significant post‐operative complications in younger patients (<70 years). Surgery in patients with a normal INR is challenging but much safer.
Comparison of spinal cord contusion and transection: functional and histological changes in the rat urinary bladder
Authors: Breyer Benjamin N. , Fandel Thomas M. , Alwaal Amjad , Osterberg E. Charles , Shindel Alan W. , Lin Guiting , Tanagho Emil A. , Lue Tom F.
Published: July 2016

Objective

To compare the effect of complete transection (tSCI) and contusion spinal cord injury (cSCI) on bladder function and bladder wall structure in rats.

Materials and Methods

A total of 30 female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups: an uninjured control, a cSCI and a tSCI group. The cSCI group underwent spinal cord contusion, while the tSCI group underwent complete spinal cord transection. At 6 weeks post‐injury, 24‐h metabolic cage measurement and conscious cystometry were performed.

Results

Conscious cystometry analysis showed that the cSCI and tSCI groups had significantly larger bladder capacities than the control group. The cSCI group had significantly more non‐voiding detrusor contractions than the tSCI group. Both injury groups had more non‐voiding contractions compared with the control group. The mean threshold pressure was significantly higher in the tSCI group than in the control and cSCI groups. The number of voids in the tSCI group was lower compared with the control group. Metabolic cage analysis showed that the tSCI group had larger maximum voiding volume as compared with the control and cSCI groups. Vesicular acetylcholine transporter/smooth muscle immunoreactivity was higher in the control than in the cSCI or tSCI rats. The area of calcitonin gene‐related peptide staining was smaller in the tSCI group than in the control or cSCI groups.

Conclusions

Spinal cord transection and contusion produce different bladder phenotypes in rat models of SCI. Functional data suggest that the tSCI group has an obstructive high‐pressure voiding pattern, while the cSCI group has more uninhibited detrusor contractions.
Psychological, behavioral, and clinical effects of intra‐oral camera: a randomized control trial on adults with gingivitis
Authors: Araújo Mário‐Rui , Alvarez Maria‐João , Godinho Cristina A. , Pereira Cícero
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of using an intra‐oral camera (IOC) during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT), on the psychological, behavioral, and clinical parameters of patients with gingivitis, outlined by evidence and a theory‐based framework.

Methods

A group of 78 adult patients with gingivitis receiving an SPT was randomized into two groups: IOC and control. Bleeding on Marginal Probing (BOMP), self‐reported dental hygiene behaviors, and psychological determinants of behavior change (outcome expectancies, self‐efficacy, and planning) and IOC opinion were evaluated 1 week before or during the appointment and 4 months later. Repeated‐measures anova was used to compare groups over time.

Results

Almost all the patients brushed their teeth daily, while 78% either never or hardly ever used dental floss. The IOC group showed significant improvements in BOMP index (P < 0.001), self‐reported flossing (P < 0.05), and self‐efficacy (P < 0.05) compared to the control group.

Conclusions

The use of IOC significantly improves clinical, behavioral, and psychological determinants of periodontal health 4 months after treatment.
Pathogenesis of rhinitis
Authors: Eifan A. O. , Durham S. R.
Published: July 2016

Rhinitis is a heterogeneous condition that has been associated with inflammatory responses as in allergic rhinitis but can also occur in the absence of inflammation such as in so‐called idiopathic (previously ‘vasomotor’) rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis affects approximately one in four of the population of westernized countries and is characterized by typical symptoms of nasal itching, sneezing, watery discharge and congestion. The intention of this review is to illustrate key concepts of the pathogenesis of rhinitis. Imbalance in innate and adaptive immunity together with environmental factors is likely to play major roles. In allergic rhinitis, initial allergen exposure and sensitization involves antigen‐presenting cells, T and B lymphocytes and results in the generation of allergen‐specific T cells and allergen‐specific IgE antibodies. On re‐exposure to relevant allergens, cross‐linking of IgE on mast cells results in the release of mediators of hypersensitivity such as histamine and immediate nasal symptoms. Within hours, there is an infiltration by inflammatory cells, particularly Th2 T lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils into nasal mucosal tissue that results in the late‐phase allergic response. Evidence for nasal priming and whether or not remodelling may be a feature of allergic rhinitis will be reviewed. The occurrence of so‐called local allergic rhinitis in the absence of systemic IgE will be discussed. Non‐allergic (non‐IgE‐mediated) rhinitis will be considered in the context of inflammatory and non‐inflammatory disorders.
Molecular genetic analysis of 30 families with Joubert syndrome
Authors: Suzuki T. , Miyake N. , Tsurusaki Y. , Okamoto N. , Alkindy A. , Inaba A. , Sato M. , Ito S. , Muramatsu K. , Kimura S. , Ieda D. , Saitoh S. , Hiyane M. , Suzumura H. , Yagyu K. , Shiraishi H. , Nakajima M. , Fueki N. , Habata Y. , Ueda Y. , Komatsu Y. , Yan K. , Shimoda K. , Shitara Y. , Mizuno S. , Ichinomiya K. , Sameshima K. , Tsuyusaki Y. , Kurosawa K. , Sakai Y. , Haginoya K. , Kobayashi Y. , Yoshizawa C. , Hisano M. , Nakashima M. , Saitsu H. , Takeda S. , Matsumoto N.
Published: July 2016

Joubert syndrome (JS) is rare recessive disorders characterized by the combination of hypoplasia/aplasia of the cerebellar vermis, thickened and elongated superior cerebellar peduncles, and a deep interpeduncular fossa which is defined by neuroimaging and is termed the ‘molar tooth sign’. JS is genetically highly heterogeneous, with at least 29 disease genes being involved. To further understand the genetic causes of JS, we performed whole‐exome sequencing in 24 newly recruited JS families. Together with six previously reported families, we identified causative mutations in 25 out of 30 (24 + 6) families (83.3%). We identified eight mutated genes in 27 (21 + 6) Japanese families, TMEM67 (7/27, 25.9%) and CEP290 (6/27, 22.2%) were the most commonly mutated. Interestingly, 9 of 12 CEP290 disease alleles were c.6012‐12T>A (75.0%), an allele that has not been reported in non‐Japanese populations. Therefore c.6012‐12T>A is a common allele in the Japanese population. Importantly, one Japanese and one Omani families carried compound biallelic mutations in two distinct genes (TMEM67/RPGRIP1L and TMEM138/BBS1, respectively). BBS1 is the causative gene in Bardet–Biedl syndrome. These concomitant mutations led to severe and/or complex clinical features in the patients, suggesting combined effects of different mutant genes.
Metal versus plastic stents for unresectable gallbladder cancer with hilar duct obstruction
Authors: Gao Dao‐jian , Hu Bing , Ye Xin , Wang Tian‐tian , Wu Jun
Published: July 2016

Background and Aim

Metal stents usually have a longer stent patency than plastic stents for malignant biliary obstruction. However, stent patency and patient survival may differ depending on the causative disease and stent type. There are no data regarding the selection of stents for unresectable gallbladder cancer (GC) with hilar duct obstruction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of metal versus plastic stents for unresectable GC with hilar duct obstruction.

Methods

Fifty‐nine unresectable GC patients with jaundice were divided into metal stent group (MSG) and plastic stent group (PSG) depending on stent deployment. Clinical outcomes and approximate costs were assessed retrospectively.

Results

No significant difference was found between MSG (n = 28) and PSG (n = 31) for clinical success, early adverse events and later cholangitis. Median patency and survival were 119 and 112 days in MSG versus 93 and 118 days in PSG, respectively (P > 0.05). However, the overall cost was higher in MSG than in PSG (P = 0.00). Cox proportional hazards model analysis showed that the lower Bismuth type was associated with a longer stent patency (P = 0.046), whereas older age (P = 0.041) and lower TNM stage (P = 0.002) were associated with longer survival.

Conclusion

Although metal and plastic stents have similar clinical efficacy, it seems reasonable to choose plastic stents as the treatment of choice for unresectable GC when cost‐effectiveness is taken into account.
Comparative functional responses of native and high‐impacting invasive fishes: impact predictions for native prey populations
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Sheath Danny , Amat Trigo Fatima , Britton J. Robert
Published: July 2016

Comparative functional responses (FRs) can predict impacts of invasive species, including piscivorous fishes, via quantifying their depletion of native food resources as a function of prey density. The utility of FRs for predicting impacts on prey populations by invasive fishes of different trophic guilds was tested here by comparing the FRs of the invaders Cyprinus carpio and Carassius auratus, with three native, trophically analogous fishes, Barbus barbus, Squalius cephalus and Tinca tinca. Chironomid larvae and Gammarus pulex were used as prey items. Predictions, developed from studies on the foraging of C. carpio and C. auratus in the literature, were that the invaders would have significantly higher consumption rates for chironomids than the native fishes, but not for G. pulex. Mean consumption rates for chironomids were significantly lower for both invaders than B. barbus and S. cephalus, but were similar to T. tinca. Barbus barbus had a significantly lower consumption rate of G. pulex than both invaders, but there were no significant differences between S. cephalus, T. tinca and the invaders. All FRs were type II, with FR curves for the invaders preying upon chironomids never being significantly higher than the native fishes, contrary to predictions. For G. pulex, some significant differences were apparent between the invaders and native fishes, but again were contrary to predictions. These results indicated that when predation impacts of invasive fishes could also be a function of their population density and body sizes, these parameters should be incorporated into FR models to improve impact predictions.
Downstream effects of hydroelectric dam operation on thermal habitat use by Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus)
Authors: Kelly Brianne , Smokorowski Karen E. , Power Michael
Published: July 2016

Hydroelectric dams can alter downstream water temperatures, impacting thermal habitat available for fishes. Decreases in river water temperatures resulting from hydroelectric dam operations may be beneficial to coldwater species and could potentially offset warming resulting from climatic trends. We used two coldwater fish species, Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus) and Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) to assess the impact of a cool water draw below a 15 MW hydroelectric dam on fish thermal habitat use relative to a nearby naturally flowing river. Cooler water temperatures below the dam corresponded with significantly cooler mean growth season temperature use for Slimy Sculpin, but not Brook Trout, relative to the natural river. As well, mean growing season temperature use by Slimy Sculpin was significantly cooler relative to Brook Trout in both rivers, and significantly different amongst studied sites in the regulated river. Fish condition was significantly correlated with temperature use for Slimy Sculpin in the naturally flowing river only. Our results indicate that manipulating river water temperatures through hydroelectric dam operations to benefit multiple fish species will be difficult given the complexity of riverine thermal habitat and species‐specific differences in thermal preferences and behaviour.
Evaluation and regulation of non‐indigenous macro‐organisms: experience in France
Authors: Reynaud P. , Gautier B.
Published: July 2016

Following the entry into force of French Decree 2012‐140, published on 30 January 2012, concerning authorization of the entry to French territory and introduction into the environment of non‐indigenous macro‐organisms (beneficial, including pollinators and biological control agents) useful for crops, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) is in charge of the assessment of applications for authorization submitted by petitioners. This article presents some relevant definitions and briefly describes the process of evaluation and authorization of non‐indigenous macro‐organisms in France. It also summarizes the data requirements for application for import of non‐indigenous macro‐organisms for use under containment conditions or for introduction of non‐indigenous macro‐organisms into the environment.
Survey of indigenous parasitoids affecting the invasive chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (North‐East Italy)
Authors: Bernardinelli I. , Bessega D. , Zanolli P. , Governatori G. , Zandigiacomo P.
Published: July 2016

The Asian chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae), is one of the most damaging insect pests on Castanea sativa Miller trees (Fagales, Fagaceae) worldwide. Dryocosmus kuriphilus galls were collected between late May and August 2014 from 11 sites in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of North‐East Italy, differing in elevation and forest cover composition. The number of parasitoids that emerged was higher than the number of D. kuriphilus specimens that emerged for 5 out of 11 sites considered. The mean number of larval chambers per gall dissected was between 1.5 and 2.8 (for the 11 different sites). There were no fewer than 2–3 specimens of parasitoids emerging per 100 galls, in all sites. The parasitoids identified belonged to five different Chalcidoidea families (Torymidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Pteromalidae and Eulophidae). Among them, Torymidae and Eupelmidae represented approximately 90% of the total hymenopteran parasitoids. The most represented species were Torymus flavipes (Walker), Megastigmus dorsalis (Fabricius) and Eupelmus urozonus Dalman, all indigenous parasitoids of species causing oak galls. All identified parasitoids were already known to be associated with D. kuriphilus in Italy. These data support the hypothesis of a high species richness of this parasitoid community.
Thousand cankers disease in Europe: an overview
Authors: Montecchio L. , Vettorazzo M. , Faccoli M.
Published: July 2016

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is traditionally present in most European countries as an ornamental tree, and in Southern Europe in particular it is grown for both fruit and wood. Since the 1980s, to supply the increasing demand for walnut timber, large areas of southern and central Europe, from France to Hungary, have been planted with black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) to provide wood for furniture production. The fungus Geosmithia morbida and its vector Pityophthorus juglandis, causing the thousand cankers disease of walnut in the USA in the last 2 decades, were recently reported in Europe (in Italy) on both walnut species. Thousand cankers disease can have a high negative impact on the landscape and economy of many agricultural and forest areas. Following a detailed pest risk analysis performed by EPPO in 2015, both organisms were included in the EPPO A2 List of pests recommended for regulation as quarantine pests. The main biological, epidemiological and monitoring aspects of thousand cankers disease and its status in Europe are reported.
First record of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in Greece
Authors: Michaelakis A. , Papachristos D. , Chytas D. A. , Antonopoulou P. D. , Milonas P. G. , Avtzis D. N.
Published: July 2016

After the first introduction of chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, in Italy, it has spread rapidly in several other European countries, probably largely due to trade in chestnut plants. Despite the measures taken to prevent further spread of this pest to other countries, D. kuriphilus was detected in Greece for the first time in 2014. However, surveys have shown that the pest is still of very limited distribution in Greece. Having faced the damage caused by chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) over the last 50 years, the production of chestnuts in Greece is now seriously threatened by chestnut gall wasp, which has already caused extensive losses in chestnut production of other countries. In order to minimize the impact of chestnut gall wasp, control measures are being designed involving the release of the parasitoid Torymus sinensis.
Children’s Opportunities in Germany – An Application Using Multidimensional Measures
Authors: Bartels Charlotte , Stockhausen Maximilian
Published: July 2016

Single parents and unmarried couples are increasingly replacing the traditional nuclear family. This paper investigates if the greater variety in living arrangements contributes to increased resource disparities among children in Germany. Children in single parent families are disadvantaged in at least three dimensions decisive for their later achievements: material standard of living, parental education, and parental childcare time. We compute multidimensional inequality and poverty indices using SOEP data from 1991 to 2012. We distinguish between parental and publicly provided childcare, which is an increasingly important in-kind benefit in Germany. We find that both multidimensional inequality and poverty declined as expanded public childcare strongly reduces resource disparities among children.
Growth rate and nutritive value of sown tropical perennial grasses in a variable summer‐dominant rainfall environment, Australia
Authors: Boschma S. P. , Murphy S. R. , Harden S.
Published: July 2016

Growth rate, proportion of leaf and stem and nutritive value of sown tropical perennial grasses have not previously been documented for the dryland, frost‐prone summer‐dominant rainfall region of eastern Australia. An experiment was conducted in northern inland New South Wales with Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) cv. Katambora and Digitaria eriantha (digit grass) cv. Premier, and compared to Sorghum bicolor ssp. bicolor x S. bicolor ssp. drummondii (forage sorghum). The grasses were harvested every 2 or 6 weeks and fertilized at five rates of nitrogen (N; 0–300 kg N ha−1) over two growing seasons (September–May), 2006–2007 and 2007–2008. Growing season rainfall was below median for both years of the experiment and growth rate was highly variable, reflecting variable rainfall. Sorghum generally had the highest growth rate. Digit grass generally had higher growth rates than Rhodes grass, was more responsive to growing season rainfall, commenced growth earlier and had a longer growing season. Nitrogen application extended the growing season of both perennial grasses. Growth response to N application was minimal when rainfall was low and response following significant rainfall was higher for fertilized than unfertilized grasses. In general, the proportion of green leaf was greater than green stem, although the proportion of stem increased when defoliation interval increased. Nutritive value of the perennial grasses was higher in leaf than stem and declined during the growing season. Differences between the grasses were slight, but indicated that fertilized digit grass defoliated at 2‐week intervals had higher growth rate and nutritive value than Rhodes grass.
Smoking and projected cardiovascular risk in an HIV‐positive Asian regional cohort
Authors: Do TC , Boettiger D , Law M , Pujari S , Zhang F , Chaiwarith R , Kiertiburanakul S , Lee MP , Ditangco R , Wong WW , Nguyen KV , Merati TP , Pham TT , Kamarulzaman A , Oka S , Yunihastuti E , Kumarasamy N , Kantipong P , Choi JY , Ng OT , Durier N , Ruxrungtham K
Published: July 2016

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics associated with current smoking in an Asian HIV‐positive cohort, to calculate the predictive risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infarction (MI), and to identify the impact that simulated interventions may have.

Methods

Logistic regression analysis was used to distinguish associated current smoking characteristics. Five‐year predictive risks of CVD, CHD and MI and the impact of simulated interventions were calculated utilizing the Data Collection on Adverse Effects of Anti‐HIV Drugs Study (D:A:D) algorithm.

Results

Smoking status data were collected from 4274 participants and 1496 of these had sufficient data for simulated intervention calculations. Current smoking prevalence in these two groups was similar (23.2% vs. 19.9%, respectively). Characteristics associated with current smoking included age > 50 years compared with 30–39 years [odds ratio (OR) 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51–0.83], HIV exposure through injecting drug use compared with heterosexual exposure (OR 3.03; 95% CI 2.25–4.07), and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at study sites in Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Vietnam in comparison to Thailand (all OR > 2). Women were less likely to smoke than men (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.08–0.14). In simulated interventions, smoking cessation demonstrated the greatest impact in reducing CVD and CHD risk and closely approximated the impact of switching from abacavir to an alternate antiretroviral in the reduction of 5‐year MI risk.

Conclusions

Multiple interventions could reduce CVD, CHD and MI risk in Asian HIV‐positive patients, with smoking cessation potentially being the most influential.
The effects of benzylsulfonyl‐D‐Ser‐homoPhe‐(4‐amidino‐benzylamide), a dual plasmin and urokinase inhibitor, on facial skin barrier function in subjects with sensitive skin
Authors: Voegeli R. , Wikstroem P. , Campiche R. , Steinmetzer T. , Jackson E. , Gempeler M. , Imfeld D. , Rawlings A. V.
Published: July 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to optimize the synthesis of the plasmin and urokinase (uPA) inhibitor benzylsulfonyl‐D‐Ser‐homoPhe‐(4‐amidino‐benzylamide) (BSFAB), to characterize its activity and mechanism of action and to assess its use to improve stratum corneum (SC) barrier function.

Methods

Peptide coupling methods were used to synthesize BSFAB, and high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS) together with 1H‐ and 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) were applied to clarify its structure and determine its purity. Its binding mode was determined by docking studies to the catalytic domains of plasmin and uPA. Inhibition constants (Ki) were determined by enzyme kinetic studies, and the effect of BSFAB on plasmin, uPA and transglutaminase 1 expression was evaluated in non‐cytokine and cytokine‐stimulated keratinocytes. A vehicle‐controlled clinical study on SC barrier function was conducted on facial skin of subjects with self‐perceived sensitive skin.

Results

BSFAB was synthesized with high purity (97.3%). In silico studies indicated that the amidine moiety of BSFAB was anchored in the S1 pocket of both enzymes by binding to Asp189, Ser190 and Gly219, whereas the backbone of the D‐Ser residue makes an anti‐parallel β‐sheet interaction with Gly216. BSFAB was shown to be an effective inhibitor of plasmin and uPA with Ki values of 29 and 25 nM, respectively. BSFAB also inhibited keratinocyte‐secreted protease activities in basal (plasmin inhibition 37.7%, P < 0.05 and uPA inhibition 96.6%, P < 0.01) and cytokine‐induced conditions (plasmin inhibition 41.1%, P < 0.05 and uPA inhibition 97.0%, P < 0.001) and stimulated the gene expression of transglutaminase 1 in cytokine‐stimulated keratinocytes (approximately 4.5 times increased expression, P < 0.01). Clinically, BSFAB was shown to improve SC barrier integrity (P < 0.02 on day 29) and subjective improvements in the perception of healthy skin (P < 0.05 on day 28).

Conclusion

BSFAB binds as a reversible competitive inhibitor to the active sites of plasmin and uPA. Additionally, BSFAB positively improved keratinocyte differentiation gene expression (transglutaminase 1). These effects were translated into improvements in SC barrier integrity clinically in subjects with dry and sensitive skin and improved their perception of having a healthy skin condition.
Nursing interventions to help prevent children from working on the streets
Authors: Mert K. , Kadioglu H.
Published: July 2016

Aim

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a programme developed by the researchers entitled, ‘The Streets are Not the Solution’ for preventing children from working on the streets.

Background

To date, public health nursing interventions preventing child labour have been limited.

Public health nursing interventions occupy an important place in preventing children from working on the street.

Methods

This was an semi‐experimental study conducted over the period April 2011–July 2012. Thirty‐six children working on the streets and their mothers were recruited in Izmit, Turkey. As part of the programme, the subjects took part in nine educational sessions, received individual consulting services, and the mothers attended a jewellery‐making course. The impact of the programme was evaluated three times, once before the activity, then at the end of the activity, and later, three months after the programme was over. The Family Evaluation Form, The Child/Parental Acceptance‐Rejection‐Control Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Problem Solving Inventory were used as data collection tools. Informed consent was obtained from the participants.

Results

This programme was effective in helping mothers to develop their parental roles, increasing the mothers’ network of social support, developing their problem‐solving skills and preventing their children from working on the streets.

Discussion

To prevent children from working on the streets includes family based applications such as public health nursing interventions.

Conclusion and implications for nursing and health policy

The roles of public health nurses about preventing children from working on the streets must be adopted in the healthcare system.
Computed tomography contrast media extravasation: treatment algorithm and immediate treatment by squeezing with multiple slit incisions
Authors: Kim Sue Min , Cook Kyung Hoon , Lee Il Jae , Park Dong Ha , Park Myong Chul
Published: July 2016

In our hospital, an adverse event reporting system was initiated that alerts the plastic surgery department immediately after suspecting contrast media extravasation injury. This system is particularly important for a large volume of extravasation during power injector use. Between March 2011 and May 2015, a retrospective chart review was performed on all patients experiencing contrast media extravasation while being treated at our hospital. Immediate treatment by squeezing with multiple slit incisions was conducted for a portion of these patients. Eighty cases of extravasation were reported from approximately 218 000 computed tomography scans. The expected extravasation volume was larger than 50 ml, or severe pressure was felt on the affected limb in 23 patients. They were treated with multiple slit incisions followed by squeezing. Oedema of the affected limb disappeared after 1–2 hours after treatment, and the skin incisions healed within a week. We propose a set of guidelines for the initial management of contrast media extravasation injuries for a timely intervention. For large‐volume extravasation cases, immediate management with multiple slit incisions is safe and effective in reducing the swelling quickly, preventing patient discomfort and decreasing skin and soft tissue problems.
Risk aversion affects economic values of blue fox breeding scheme
Authors: Peura J. , Kempe R. , Strandén I. , Rydhmer L.
Published: July 2016

The profit and production of an average Finnish blue fox farm was simulated using a deterministic bio‐economic farm model. Risk was included using Arrow‐Prat absolute risk aversion coefficient and profit variance. Risk‐rated economic values were calculated for pregnancy rate, litter loss, litter size, pelt size, pelt quality, pelt colour clarity, feed efficiency and eye infection. With high absolute risk aversion, economic values were lower than with low absolute risk aversion. Economic values were highest for litter loss (18.16 and 26.42 EUR), litter size (13.27 and 19.40 EUR), pregnancy (11.99 and 18.39 EUR) and eye infection (12.39 and 13.81 EUR). Sensitivity analysis showed that selection pressure for improved eye health depended strongly on proportion of culled animals among infected animals and much less on the proportion of infected animals. The economic value of feed efficiency was lower than expected (6.06 and 8.03 EUR). However, it was almost the same magnitude as pelt quality (7.30 and 7.30 EUR) and higher than the economic value of pelt size (3.37 and 5.26 EUR). Risk factors should be considered in blue fox breeding scheme because they change the relative importance of traits.
Competition with Aftermarket Power When Consumers Are Heterogeneous
Authors: Zēgners Dainis , Kretschmer Tobias
Published: July 2016

We study a model of competitive foremarkets and partly monopolized aftermarkets. We show that high aftermarket power prompts firms to engage in inefficiently aggressive below‐cost pricing in the foremarket. This inefficiency is driven by the presence of consumers with valuations below marginal cost. While for intermediate aftermarket power their presence leads to a competition‐softening effect, for high aftermarket power firms attract increasing numbers of unprofitable consumers by aggressively pricing below cost. For high aftermarket power, firms' equilibrium profits can therefore be decreasing in aftermarket power but are always higher than for low aftermarket power. If firms engage in price discrimination by bundling the foremarket and aftermarket goods or by reducing their aftermarket power, they avoid selling to unprofitable consumers but also reduce the competition‐softening effect. This decreases firms' equilibrium profits but increases consumer and social welfare.
Constructing togetherness throughout the phases of dementia: a qualitative study exploring how spouses maintain relationships with partners with dementia who live in institutional care
Authors: Førsund Linn Hege , Kiik Riina , Skovdahl Kirsti , Ytrehus Siri
Published: July 2016

Aims and objectives

To explore and describe how spouses involve themselves in the relationship with their partners with dementia who live in institutional care.

Background

Positive reciprocity between partners has been proven to be significant for spouses with partners living with dementia at home. However, little is known about spousal involvement after placement of a partner in an institutional setting. This subject was therefore the focus of this study.

Design

Constructivist grounded theory was used to develop meaningful concepts considering the relational processes experienced and described by the spouses.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 15 spouses (eight women and seven men ranging in age from 64–90 years) of dementia‐afflicted persons living in institutional care. Theoretical sampling, constant comparison and memo‐writing guided the data collection and analysis.

Results

The analysis showed how the spouses adopted different visiting routines to preserve continuity in their relationship throughout the phases of dementia. Three categories described how these visiting routines were used and adapted along with their partners’ dementia progressions in the process of constructing togetherness: ‘maintaining involvement and intimacy to preserve continuity in their relationship,’ ‘structuring visits to facilitate interaction and communication’ and ‘pursuing moments of mutuality to preserve continuity in a deteriorating relationship.’

Conclusions

Being involved and experiencing continuity in the relationship seemed important to the spouses after their partners’ placement in institutional care. In the process of constructing togetherness, visiting routines were used to facilitate situations in which they could connect with their partners. These routines were continuously adjusted throughout the phases of dementia.

Relevance to clinical practice

There is a need for a systematic approach to provide sufficient support to spouses throughout their partners’ dementia progressions to assist their ongoing involvement.
Clinical outcomes of routine opt‐out antenatal human immunodeficiency virus screening: a systematic review
Authors: Ibekwe Everistus , Haigh Carol , Duncan Fiona , Fatoye Francis
Published: July 2016

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the clinical outcome of routine screening of human immunodeficiency virus in antenatal clinic settings.

Background

Despite the growing advances in human immunodeficiency virus management, nearly 30% of the estimated 1·5 million seropositive pregnant women are undiagnosed. Routine opt‐out testing is a strategy endorsed by the World Health Organization into increase testing rates in clinical settings.

Design

A systematic review of relevant published literature.

Methods

A comprehensive electronic search for relevant studies in Science Direct, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL and PubMed was conducted with search terms (Box 2). Hand searches were also conducted for additional resources. There were no geographical restrictions. Searches were restricted to English language and studies conducted between 1998–2015; totaling 1097 were retrieved and carefully appraised for review. Eighteen studies were eligible for review: eight from Africa, five from the United States, three from Europe, one from Australia and one from Asia.

Results

Fourteen studies reported increases in human immunodeficiency virus testing rate. Following the introduction of routine testing, human immunodeficiency virus testing rates increased from values ranging from 68–99·9% with median value of 88%. The comparison studies reported testing uptake of 22–93·5% with median value of 59%. Maternal human immunodeficiency virus case detection rates nearly doubled following adoption of routine testing at values of 99 and 45% during opt‐in. Linkage to treatment and care for prevention of vertical transmission was reported on six studies, and results ranged between 12·9–77·2%.

Conclusion

The findings show that irrespective of human immunodeficiency virus epidemiological scenarios, routine testing gave more women opportunity to learn their human immunodeficiency virus status and take measures for prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. Future studies should focus on identifying strategies to improving linkages to treatment and care for prevention of vertical transmission.

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding the contributions of Routine opt‐out testing in antenatal clinic would help practitioners adopt the novel testing model for more mothers to learn their human immunodeficiency virus status for prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission.
Associations Between Prior Deployments and Marital Satisfaction Among Army Couples
Authors: Karney Benjamin R. , Trail Thomas E.
Published: July 2016

Although the experience of deployments has been described as devastating to married life, evidence linking deployments directly to poorer marital functioning has been sparse. The analyses described in this article compare associations between prior deployments and current marital satisfaction across four different ways of measuring prior deployment within a large and representative sample of married Army service members and their spouses. Results indicate that the experience of prior deployments is associated with significantly lower current marital satisfaction among military couples. The association is disproportionately strong for first deployments and first cumulative months of deployment and weakens over subsequent deployment experiences. Most of these associations, but not all, can be accounted for by the fact that service members who have been deployed are more likely to have experienced traumatic events and to experience posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, both of which are independently associated with lower levels of marital satisfaction.
Unauthorized Status and Youth Development in the United States: Consensus Statement of the Society for Research on Adolescence
Authors: Yoshikawa Hirokazu , Suárez‐Orozco Carola , Gonzales Roberto G.
Published: July 2016

In the United States, 5.3 million children and adolescents are growing up either with unauthorized status or with at least one parent who has that status. Until recently, little in the way of research has informed federal, state, and local policy debates related to unauthorized status (e.g., border enforcement, deportation, and a pathway to citizenship) although these issues have important implications for youth development. This statement is a brief summary of the research evidence on multiple domains of development that may be affected by the child or parent's unauthorized status. We also describe the contextual and psychological mechanisms that may link this status to developmental outcomes. We summarize a range of policies and practices that could reduce the developmental harm to children, youth, and their families stemming from this status. Finally, we conclude with recommendations for policy, practice, and research that are based on the evidence reviewed.
Cross‐talk between clinical and host‐response parameters of periodontitis in smokers
Authors: Nagarajan R. , Miller C. S. , Dawson D. , Al‐Sabbagh M. , Ebersole J. L.
Published: July 2016

Background and Objective

Periodontal diseases are a major public health concern leading to tooth loss and have also been shown to be associated with several chronic systemic diseases. Smoking is a major risk factor for the development of numerous systemic diseases, as well as periodontitis. While it is clear that smokers have a significantly enhanced risk for developing periodontitis leading to tooth loss, the population varies regarding susceptibility to disease associated with smoking. This investigation focused on identifying differences in four broad sets of variables, consisting of: (i) host‐response molecules; (ii) periodontal clinical parameters; (iii) antibody responses to periodontal pathogens and oral commensal bacteria; and (iv) other variables of interest, in a population of smokers with (n = 171) and without (n = 117) periodontitis.

Material and Methods

Bayesian network structured learning (BNSL) techniques were used to investigate potential associations and cross‐talk between the four broad sets of variables.

Results

BNSL revealed two broad communities with markedly different topology between the populations of smokers, with and without periodontitis. Confidence of the edges in the resulting network also showed marked variations within and between the periodontitis and nonperiodontitis groups.

Conclusion

The results presented validated known associations and discovered new ones with minimal precedence that may warrant further investigation and novel hypothesis generation. Cross‐talk between the clinical variables and antibody profiles of bacteria were especially pronounced in the case of periodontitis and were mediated by the antibody response profile to Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Eisenberg's Duality in Homogeneous Programming, Shephard's Duality and Economic Analysis
Authors: Fujimoto Takao , Perera B. B. Upeksha P.
Published: July 2016

This note is to reintroduce to the reader Eisenberg's symmetric duality theorem in homogeneous programming problems as a useful tool in economic analysis, and thereby to pay a due tribute to him for one of his mathematical contributions. His duality result has been almost in oblivion during the development of Shephard's duality theory between cost and production, and has seldom been mentioned in the literature about the dualities concerning Shephard's distance function, Luenberger's benefit function and directional distance functions proposed by many authors. We show that from Eisenberg's duality it is possible to derive in a systematic way these dualities so far obtained. We also present a further extension of the duality for generalized directional distance functions. In addition, we explain the relationships between the duality theorem of linear programming and that of homogeneous programming, and show how to apply the latter in those economic models in which linear programming has been utilized.
Escape from the Laboratory: Ethnographic Methods in the Study of Elder and Family Court Mediation
Authors: Crampton Alexandra
Published: July 2016

The randomized control trial and pre/post research designs are commonly used in applied research and provide common standards for mediation evaluation research. These approaches have many benefits, particularly for evaluating whether mediation as an experimental intervention works or not.

Scholars and practitioners, however, want to know not only whether mediation can work as expected but also how it works in a range of real‐world contexts over time. In these contexts, ideal experimental conditions are less likely to occur. Challenges include such circumstances as the following: the number of cases suitable for statistical comparison is insufficient; researchers lack control over how mediation is implemented; researchers lack clear, objective variables to measure; and the variability of mediation outcomes when studied over time makes it difficult to draw conclusions about them.

My research has involved each of these challenges, and I have used ethnographic research as a way to evaluate mediation in these contexts. In this article, I explain ethnographic methods and present two studies as examples of mediation evaluation research that began with a standard program evaluation design, and then incorporated ethnography to allow more complete data collection and analysis. My purpose here is not to argue that experimental methods in mediation evaluation research should be displaced but rather to demonstrate how ethnographic methods can be used when the conditions necessary for standard evaluation cannot be met. The two studies used as examples are from an elder mediation study in Ghana and a family court mediation study in the United States.