bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Searching for Women on Boards: An Analysis from the Supply and Demand Perspective
Authors: Gabaldon Patricia , de Anca Celia , Mateos de Cabo Ruth , Gimeno Ricardo
Published: September 2015

Manuscript Type

Review

Research Question/Issue

This paper seeks to provide a systematic review of the multidisciplinary theoretical approaches to women on boards in order to understand the factors that hinder and facilitate the access of women to boards, to show the instruments that can be used to promote women to senior corporate positions, and to outline a research agenda suggesting gaps that still need to be filled.

Research Finding/Results

Women's access to boards appears to be fragmented in research silos from a variety of areas, lacking a comprehensive view that provides instruments to overcome the barriers hindering the access of women to corporate boards. More in particular, this paper has found very little scientific analysis to understand what instruments can be the most efficient in eliminating barriers for women to reach boardrooms given different cultural environments.

Theoretical Implications

This paper aims to create a comprehensive framework for understanding the presence of women on boards and for indicating existing gaps to be filled by new research in the future. This framework will help future researchers in analyzing specific instruments and to measure their efficiency in eliminating gender imbalance. Depending on the approach taken for research, the theoretical backgrounds used vary. While on the supply side the predominant theories are gender role theory, gender self‐schema, and work–family conflict, the demand side is based on gender discrimination, human and social capital theory, resource dependence theory, and institutional environment theory.

Practical Implications

This research provides suggestions to typify causes and provide nuanced policy tools to promote women into leadership positions. Future lines of research are proposed to fill the gaps in understanding female representation in top management positions.
Illicit and injecting drug use among Indigenous young people in urban, regional and remote Australia
Authors: Bryant Joanne , Ward James , Wand Handan , Byron Kat , Bamblett Andrew , Waples‐Crowe Peter , Betts Sarah , Coburn Tony , Delaney‐Thiele Dea , Worth Heather , Kaldor John , Pitts Marian
Published: September 2015

Introduction and Aims

To examine patterns of illicit drug use among Australian Indigenous young people, identify correlates of frequent use separately in urban, regional and remote settings and characterise those who inject.

Design and Method

Cross‐sectional design at 40 Indigenous events. Self‐complete surveys were administered to Indigenous people aged 16–29 years using mobile devices.

Results

2,877 participants completed the survey. One in five reported using cannabis at least weekly in the previous year, but the use of other drugs was less prevalent. Patterns of drug use were largely similar across regions, although more participants in urban and regional areas reported using ecstasy (12% vs 11% vs 5%) and cocaine (6% vs 3% vs 1%) and more reported weekly cannabis use (18% vs 22% vs 14%). Injecting was rare (3%) but those who did inject reported a high incidence of needle sharing (37%). Methamphetamine (37%), heroin (36%) and methadone (26%) were the most commonly injected drugs, and injecting was related to prison experience (AOR 5.3 95% CI 2.8–10.0).

Discussion and Conclusion

Attention is needed in relation to cannabis use, particularly among those Indigenous young people living in regional and urban settings. Also, although injecting is uncommon, it is associated with prison involvement. Priority must be given to reducing the numbers of Indigenous youth entering justice settings, delaying the age at first entry to justice settings, and reducing the risk of BBV acquisition while in custody through, for example, prison‐based NSP, BBV education, and Indigenous‐specific treatment that emphasises connection to country and culture. [Bryant J, Ward J, Wand H, Byron K, Bamblett A, Waples‐Crowe P, Betts S, Coburn T, Delaney‐Thiele D, Worth H, Kaldor J, Pitts M. Illicit and injecting drug use among Indigenous young people in urban, regional and remote Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:447–455]
Regeneration‐associated genes decline in chronically injured rat sciatic motoneurons
Authors: Gordon Tessa , Tetzlaff Wolfram
Published: September 2015

Chronic nerve injuries are notorious for their poor regenerative outcomes. Here, we addressed the question of whether the established reduced ability of injured motoneurons to regenerate their axons with time of disconnection with targets (chronic axotomy) is associated with a failure of injured motoneurons to express and sustain their expression of regeneration‐associated genes. Sciatic motoneurons were prevented from regenerating by ligation of the transected nerves (chronic axotomy), and then subjected to a second nerve transection (acute axotomy) to mimic the clinical surgical procedure of refreshing the proximal nerve stump prior to delayed nerve repair. The expression of α1‐tubulin, actin and GAP‐43 mRNA was analysed in axotomized sciatic motoneurons by the use of in situ hybridization followed by autoradiography and silver grain quantification. The expression of these regeneration‐associated genes by naive (acutely) axotomized motoneurons declined exponentially, to reach baseline levels within 6 months. These chronically injured motoneurons responded to a refreshment axotomy by elevating the expression of the genes to the same levels as in acutely (i.e. for the first time) axotomized sciatic motoneurons. However, the expression of these declined more rapidly than after acute axotomy. We conclude that a progressive decline in the expression of the regeneration‐associated genes in chronically axotomized motoneurons and the even more rapid decline in their expression in response to a refreshment axotomy may explain why the regenerative capacity of chronically axotomized neurons declines with time.
The cerebral correlates of subliminal emotions: an electroencephalographic study with emotional hybrid faces
Authors: Prete Giulia , Capotosto Paolo , Zappasodi Filippo , Laeng Bruno , Tommasi Luca
Published: September 2015

In a high‐resolution electroencephalographic study, participants evaluated the friendliness level of upright and inverted ‘hybrid faces’, i.e. facial photos containing a subliminal emotional core in the low spatial frequencies (< 6 cycles/image), superimposed on a neutral expression in the rest of the spatial frequencies. Upright happy and angry faces were judged as more friendly or less friendly than neutral faces, respectively. We observed the time course of cerebral correlates of these stimuli with event‐related potentials (ERPs), confirming that hybrid faces elicited the posterior emotion‐related and face‐related components (P1, N170 and P2), previously shown to be engaged by non‐subliminal emotional stimuli. In addition, these components were stronger in the right hemisphere and were both enhanced and delayed by face inversion. A frontal positivity (210–300 ms) was stronger for emotional than for neutral faces, and for upright than for inverted faces. Hence, hybrid faces represent an original approach in the study of subliminal emotions, which appears promising for investigating their electrophysiological correlates.
Phenytoin enhances the phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor and fibroblast growth factor receptor in the subventricular zone and promotes the proliferation of neural precursor cells and oligodendrocyte differentiation
Authors: Galvez‐Contreras Alma Y. , Gonzalez‐Castaneda Rocio E. , Campos‐Ordonez Tania , Luquin Sonia , Gonzalez‐Perez Oscar
Published: September 2015

Phenytoin is a widely used antiepileptic drug that induces cell proliferation in several tissues, such as heart, bone, skin, oral mucosa and neural precursors. Some of these effects are mediated via fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). These receptors are strongly expressed in the adult ventricular–subventricular zone (V‐SVZ), the main neurogenic niche in the adult brain. The aim of this study was to determine the cell lineage and cell fate of V‐SVZ neural progenitors expanded by phenytoin, as well as the effects of this drug on EGFR/FGFR phosphorylation. Male BALB/C mice received 10 mg/kg phenytoin by oral cannula for 30 days. We analysed the proliferation of V‐SVZ neural progenitors by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Our findings indicate that phenytoin enhanced twofold the phosphorylation of EGFR and FGFR in the V‐SVZ, increased the number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)+/Sox2+ and BrdU+/doublecortin+ cells in the V‐SVZ, and expanded the population of Olig2‐expressing cells around the lateral ventricles. After phenytoin removal, a large number of BrdU+/Receptor interacting protein (RIP)+ cells were observed in the olfactory bulb. In conclusion, phenytoin enhanced the phosphorylation of FGFR and EGFR, and promoted the expression of neural precursor markers in the V‐SVZ. In parallel, the number of oligodendrocytes increased significantly after phenytoin removal.
The timing of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson disease in the UK from 1997 to 2012
Authors: deSouza R. M. , Akram H. , Low H. L. , Green A. L. , Ashkan K. , Schapira A. H. V.
Published: September 2015

Background and purpose

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson disease (PD) has traditionally been reserved for the late stages of the disease. There is evidence that DBS is also effective if applied earlier in the disease course. Changes in the frequency of DBS procedures in the UK over a 15‐year period were investigated.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of patient age and disease duration for DBS surgery for PD in UK neurosurgical units from 1997 to 2012 using departmental databases.

Results

The number of DBS procedures in the UK increased from three in 1997 to over 80 per year during this period. The mean age at the time of surgery (60 years) and the mean duration of PD at the time of DBS (11 years) remained unchanged over 15 years.

Conclusions

The age and disease duration at which DBS is performed for PD in the UK has been static over a 15‐year period and DBS appears to remain a therapy for PD applied late in its course. This may change in the light of clinical evidence suggesting a benefit for earlier DBS.
Native iron: Greenland's natural blast furnaces
Authors: Brooks Kent
Published: September 2015

We live in an oxidized world: oxygen makes up 22 percent of the atmosphere and by reacting with organic matter produces most of our energy, including the energy our bodies use to function: breathe, think, move, etc. It has not always been thus. Originally the Earth, in common with most of the Solar System, was reduced. The oxidized outer layers of the Earth have formed by two processes. Firstly, water is decomposed to oxygen and hydrogen by solar radiation in the upper parts of the atmosphere, the light hydrogen diffusing to space, leaving oxygen behind. Secondly, plants, over the course of geological time have utilized solar energy in the process of photosynthesis to produce carbon‐rich materials and release oxygen to the atmosphere. Of these, the second is by far the most important. It is a consequence of life and since about 2.4 billion years ago we have had an oxidizing atmosphere, a situation unique in the Solar System. In such a world, iron metal is unstable and, as we all know, oxidizes to the ferric iron compounds we call ‘rust’. If we require iron metal it must be produced at high temperatures by reacting iron ore, usually a mixture of ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) oxides (Fe2O3, hematite, or FeO.Fe2O3, magnetite), with carbon in the form of coke. This is carried out in a blast furnace. Although the Earth's core consists of metallic iron, which may also be present in parts of the mantle, this is inaccessible to us, so we must make our own. In West Greenland, however, some almost unique examples of iron metal, otherwise called ‘native iron’ or ‘telluric iron’, occur naturally.
Ostracods: The ultimate survivors
Authors: Williams Mark , Perrier Vincent , Bennett Carys , Hearing Thomas , Stocker Christopher , Harvey Tom
Published: September 2015

Ostracods are tiny crustacean arthropods just a few millimetres long, with a bivalved carapace made of calcium carbonate that covers the whole body, and into which the animal can retreat from the world outside. Because of their diminutive size they are largely overlooked as fossils, but they have a fascinating history. Silent witnesses to life in the seas since the time of trilobites, they have a fossil record extending back to the Early Ordovician, and possibly the Cambrian. Ostracods have survived nearly 500 million years of Earth history including the ‘big five’ mass extinctions of the Phanerozoic Eon; they are true survivors. They are almost perfectly adapted for the aquatic environments in which they live, and can be found from the ocean abyssal plains to damp leaf litter. The ostracod carapace is a triumph of biological engineering that has been re‐configured into myriad different morphologies according to environment. Streamlined and agile species plough through the ocean water column, sometimes reaching a ‘giant’ size of a centimetre in length, whilst their tinier sea bottom cousins make elaborately ornamented carapaces to withstand the pressures of living at the seabed, or shape their carapaces into forms that facilitate burrowing into sediment. Ostracods are key components of aquatic ecosystems. As primary consumers they are food for larger animals both in seabed and planktonic habitats, and they recycle much of the organic detritus produced by larger animals and plants. Delve into the history of ostracods and it is possible to find pioneers who triumphed in the plankton, early colonisers of terrestrial aquatic ecosystems, and ostracods that literally conquered the land. And in more recent times, ostracods have even hitched rides on rockets into space.
Inflammation, Immunity, and Vaccines for Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Walduck Anna , Andersen Leif P. , Raghavan Sukanya
Published: September 2015

During the last year, a variety of studies have been published that increases our understanding of the basic mechanisms of immunity and inflammation in Helicobacter pylori infection and progression to gastric cancer. Innate immune regulation and epithelial cell response were covered by several studies that contribute with new insights in the host response to H. pylori infection. Also, the adaptive immune response to H. pylori and particularly the role of IL‐22 have been addressed in some studies. These advances may improve vaccine development where new strategies have been published. Two major studies analyzed H. pylori genomes of 39 worldwide strains and looked at the protein profiles. In addition, multi‐epitope vaccines for therapeutic use have been investigated. Studies on different adjuvants and delivery systems have also given us new insights. This review presents articles from the last year that reveal detailed insight into immunity and regulation of inflammation, the contribution of immune cells to the development of gastric cancer, and understanding mechanisms of vaccine‐induced protection.
ICSH recommendations for assessing automated high‐performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis equipment for the quantitation of HbA2
Authors: Stephens A. D. , Colah R. , Fucharoen S. , Hoyer J. , Keren D. , McFarlane A. , Perrett D. , Wild B. J. ,   On behalf of the International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH)
Published: September 2015

Automated high performance liquid chromatography and Capillary electrophoresis are used to quantitate the proportion of Hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) in blood samples order to enable screening and diagnosis of carriers of β‐thalassemia. Since there is only a very small difference in HbA2 levels between people who are carriers and people who are not carriers such analyses need to be both precise and accurate. This paper examines the different parameters of such equipment and discusses how they should be assessed.
Bilayer technique and nano‐filled coating increase success of approximalARTrestorations: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hesse Daniela , Bonifácio Clarissa Calil , Guglielmi Camila de Almeida Brandão , Bönecker Marcelo , van Amerongen Willem Evert , Raggio Daniela Prócida
Published: September 2015

Background

The high‐viscosity consistency of glass ionomer cement (GIC) may lead to its incorrect adaptation into the cavity and therefore to restoration failure.

Aim

To compare two different insertion techniques forGICin approximal atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations and two different surface protection materials.

Design

Approximal caries lesion in primary molars from 208 schoolchildren was randomly assigned into four groups: G1, conventionalGICinsertion protected with petroleum jelly (PJ); G2, bilayer technique protected withPJ; G3 conventionalGICinsertion protected with nano‐filled particles coating forGIC(NPC); G4, bilayer technique protected withNPC. Restorations were evaluated after 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log‐rank test were performed. Cox regression analysis (α= 5%) was used to verify the influence of clinical factors.

Results

Restoration survival was 52.8%. Log‐rank test indicated a better survival of the bilayer technique restorations, compared to conventional restorations (P =0.005), whereas the coated conventional restorations presented higher survival than the uncoated ones (P =0.035). Cox regression analysis showed no influence of any clinical tested variables.

Conclusion

The survival rate of the approximalARTrestorations is positively influenced by the bilayer technique, and the application of nano‐filled coating increases the longevity of the conventional approximalARTrestorations.
Changes in the oral health‐related quality of life in children following comprehensive oral rehabilitation under general anaesthesia
Authors: Yawary Rana , Anthonappa Robert P. , Ekambaram Manikandan , McGrath Colman , King Nigel M.
Published: September 2015

Objectives

To assess changes in the oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL), after comprehensive oral rehabilitation under general anaesthesia (CORGA), among children (i) <6 years using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and (ii) aged 6–14 years using the child oral health‐related quality of life (COHRQoL) instrument.

Methods

A total of 136 healthy children who had CORGA were recruited over a period of 12 months. The parent or caregiver of the study participants completed the age‐appropriate questionnaire prior to the dental treatment and at the subsequent follow‐up appointments (2 weeks and 3 months). Data were analysed using repeated‐measures anova and Bonferroni tests.

Results

The overall ECOHIS scores decreased significantly (P < 0.001) demonstrating large effect sizes. The greatest decreases were for the domains of child oral symptoms (57.5%) and psychology (38.7%) in the child impact section (CIS) and for the domain of parental distress (38.9%) and family function (40%) in the family impact section (FIS). For COHRQoL, the overall P‐CPQ and FIS scores decreased significantly for all items (P < 0.001), demonstrating large effect sizes. The greatest decreases were for the domains of oral symptoms (77.7%), functional limitations (74.3%), and the FIS (80.1%).

Conclusions

The OHRQoL of children in both age groups (<6 and 6–14 years) was significantly improved after CORGA.
Early occurrence of influenza A epidemics coincided with changes in occurrence of other respiratory virus infections
Authors: van Asten Liselotte , Bijkerk Paul , Fanoy Ewout , van Ginkel Annemarijn , Suijkerbuijk Anita , van der Hoek Wim , Meijer Adam , Vennema Harry
Published: September 2015

Background

Viral interaction in which outbreaks of influenza and other common respiratory viruses might affect each other has been postulated by several short studies. Regarding longer time periods, influenza epidemics occasionally occur very early in the season, as during the 2009 pandemic. Whether early occurrence of influenza epidemics impacts outbreaks of other common seasonal viruses is not clear.

Objectives

We investigated whether early occurrence of influenza outbreaks coincides with shifts in the occurrence of other common viruses, including both respiratory and non‐respiratory viruses.

Methods

We investigated time trends of and the correlation between positive laboratory diagnoses of eight common viruses in the Netherlands over a 10‐year time period (2003–2012): influenza viruses types A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, coronavirus, norovirus, enterovirus, and rotavirus. We compared trends in viruses between early and late influenza seasons.

Results

Between 2003 and 2012, influenza B, RSV, and coronavirus showed shifts in their occurrence when influenza A epidemics occurred earlier than usual (before week 1). Although shifts were not always consistently of the same type, when influenza type A hit early, RSV outbreaks tended to be delayed, coronavirus outbreaks tended to be intensified, and influenza virus type B tended not to occur at all. Occurrence of rhinovirus, norovirus, rotavirus, and enterovirus did not change.

Conclusion

When influenza A epidemics occured early, timing of the epidemics of several respiratory winter viruses usually occurring close in time to influenza A was affected, while trends in rhinoviruses (occurring in autumn) and trends in enteral viruses were not.
Low Fertility, Socioeconomic Development, and Gender Equity
Authors: Anderson Thomas , Kohler Hans‐Peter
Published: September 2015

While new empirical findings and theoretical frameworks provide insight into the interrelations between socioeconomic development, gender equity, and low fertility, puzzling exceptions and outliers in these findings call for a more all‐encompassing framework to understand the interplay between these processes. We argue that the pace and onset of development are two important factors to be considered when analyzing gender equity and fertility. Within the developed world, “first‐wave developers”—or countries that began socioeconomic development in the nineteenth/early twentieth century—currently have much higher fertility levels than “late developers.” We lay out a novel theoretical approach to explain why this is the case and provide empirical evidence to support our argument. Our approach not only explains historical periods of low fertility but also sheds light on why there exists such large variance in fertility rates among today's developed countries.
Marriage Migration and Inequality in India, 1983–2008
Authors: Rao Smriti , Finnoff Kade
Published: September 2015

Using National Sample Survey data from 1983 to 2007–08, we investigate rising rates of female marriage migration in India. We find little evidence to support the idea that marriage migration is a form of disguised economic migration by women. We hypothesise that it is instead a result of the changing patterns of marriage by socioeconomic status. Regression analysis indicates that poor families are increasingly more likely to have brides who in‐migrate, a finding that is robust across a sectoral disaggregation of marriage migration. We also find that urban inequality increases the likelihood of migration by intensifying class stratifications within urban India, increasing the need for poorer urban households to seek migrant brides. Marriage thus serves to reinforce rather than undermine larger patterns of class (and not just caste) inequality.
The World Health Organization and the Globalization of Chronic Noncommunicable Disease
Authors: Weisz George , Vignola‐Gagné Etienne
Published: September 2015

Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low‐ and middle‐income countries have recently provoked a surge of public interest. This article examines the policy literature—notably the archives and publications of the World Health Organization (WHO), which has dominated this field—to analyze the emergence and consolidation of this new agenda. Starting with programs to control cardiovascular disease in the 1970s, experts from Eastern and Western Europe had by the late 1980s consolidated a program for the prevention of NCD risk factors at the WHO. NCDs remained a relatively minor concern until the collaboration of World Bank health economists with WHO epidemiologists led to the Global Burden of Disease study that provided an “evidentiary breakthrough” for NCD activism by quantifying the extent of the problem. Soon after, WHO itself, facing severe criticism, underwent major reform. NCD advocacy contributed to revitalizing WHO's normative and coordinative functions. By leading a growing advocacy coalition, within which The Lancet played a key role, WHO established itself as a leading institution in this domain. However, ever‐widening concern with NCDs has not yet led to major reallocation of funding in favor of NCD programs in the developing world.
Rest and the associated benefits in restorative sleep: a concept analysis
Authors: Helvig Ashley , Wade Sonya , Hunter‐Eades Lee
Published: September 2015

Aim

To report an analysis of the concept of rest.

Background

Consistency in the literature to describe the concept and use of rest is limited. Concept analysis may be advantageous in rendering an operational definition in the health care setting. This analysis is important to examine the concept of rest for structure and function to promote an understanding of the phenomenon. Rest is a vital component of restorative sleep which has implications for physical, mental and spiritual well‐being.

Design

Concept analysis.

Data sources

A literature search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, ProQuest and an online Internet search with the majority of articles published between 1995–2015.

Methods

This concept analysis was implemented using the eight step approach developed by Walker and Avant.

Results

In health care, rest incorporates the cessation of activity used to promote physical and mental health. Defining attributes of rest include a pathway to calm, inner tranquillity and mental health; base of support; and stillness. Antecedents for rest are time, suitable environment and willingness. Resulting consequences include renewed physical energy, mental clarity and improved health.

Conclusion

Rest is a concept that is used frequently in the discipline of nursing but also in various other disciplines. Rest is a basic necessity for restorative sleep to enhance well‐being through the restoration of the body, mind and spirit. Defining the concept of rest in the practice of patient care is necessary for consistent use of the term in the development of holistic, patient‐centred therapies.
Use of biologics for psoriasis in Central and Eastern European countries
Authors: Rencz F. , Kemény L. , Gajdácsi J.Z. , Owczarek W. , Arenberger P. , Tiplica G.S. , Stanimirović A. , Niewada M. , Petrova G. , Marinov L.T. , Péntek M. , Brodszky V. , Gulácsi L.
Published: September 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the use of biological agents for the treatment of psoriasis and to explore country‐specific differences within six Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, namely Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.

Methods

A literature overview on the epidemiology and disease burden of psoriasis in CEE was conducted. The number of patients treated with biologics was obtained from patient registries, ministries of health, national professional societies and health insurance funds. Biological treatment rates were estimated by two different methods: (i) as a proportion of all psoriasis patients of a country (assuming a common prevalence of psoriasis 2%) and (ii) per 100 000 population. Moreover, we provide a detailed comparison of drug coverage policies and guidelines regulating the treatment with biologics in psoriasis.

Results

On average 0.25% of all psoriasis patients, or five psoriasis patients out of 100 000 inhabitants are treated with biologics embedding a 14.6‐fold difference between the six countries. Bulgaria, Croatia and Poland lag behind the other three countries in the use of biologics. The significant differences among CEE countries cannot be explained by variations in prices of biologics, cost‐effectiveness or budget impact of biologics. It seems that the time since coverage decision, the fewer number of covered biologics, the more restrictive criteria to be eligible for covered treatment in terms of baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and Dermatology Life Quality Index scores, and the maximum duration of treatment allowed are responsible for the majority of the differences.

Conclusions

There exists a disconnect between the European psoriasis treatment guidelines and the various CEE country‐specific biologic coverage eligibilities. The cost of biologic therapy for psoriasis is not solely and directly responsible for the different use rates amongst the CEE countries. Psoriasis may not be perceived by all payers as a serious disease that can be successfully treated in a cost‐effective manner.
A patient‐centred approach to biological treatment decision making for psoriasis: an expert consensus
Authors: Strohal R. , Prinz J. C. , Girolomoni G. , Nast A.
Published: September 2015

Background

Each individual psoriasis patient has different expectations and goals for biological treatment, which may differ from those of the clinician. As such, a patient‐centred approach to treatment goals remains an unmet need in psoriasis.

Objective

The aim of this study was to review available data on patients’ and physicians’ decision criteria and expectations of biological treatment for moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis with the aim of developing a core set of questions for clinicians to ask patients routinely to understand what is important to them and thus better align physicians’ and patients’ expectations of treatment with biologics and its outcomes.

Methods

A literature search was conducted to identify key themes and data gaps. Aspects of treatment relevant when choosing a biological agent for an individual patient were identified and compared to an existing validated instrument. A series of questions aimed at helping the physician to identify the particular aspects of treatment that are recognised as important to individual psoriasis patients was developed.

Results

Key findings of the literature search were grouped under themes of adherence, decision‐making, quality of life, patient/physician goals, communication, patient‐reported outcomes, satisfaction and patient benefit index. Several aspects of treatment were identified as being relevant when choosing a biological agent for an individual patient.

The questionnaire is devised in two parts. The first part asks questions about patients’ experience of psoriasis and satisfaction with previous treatments. The second part aims to identify the treatment attributes patients consider to be important and may as such affect their preference for a particular biological treatment. The questionnaire results will allow the physician to understand the key factors that can be influenced by biological drug choice that are of importance to the patient. This information can be used be the physician in clinical decision making.

Conclusion

The questionnaire has been developed to provide a new tool to better understand and align patients’ and physicians’ preferences and goals for biological treatment of psoriasis.
Executive functions among youth with Down Syndrome and co‐existing neurobehavioural disorders
Authors: Pritchard A. E. , Kalback S. , McCurdy M. , Capone G. T.
Published: September 2015

Background

Executive function (EF) deficits are a recognised component of the cognitive phenotype of youth with Down Syndrome (DS). Recent research in this area emphasises the use of behaviour ratings, such as the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions—Preschool Version (BRIEF‐P), to capture the real‐world applications of executive functions. To account for the intellectual functioning of youth with DS, this measure is used out of age range; however, its psychometric properties when used in this fashion are unknown. The goals of this study are to evaluate psychometric characteristics of the BRIEF‐P among youth with DS and to examine the pattern of EF strengths/weaknesses in children with DS and co‐occurring psychiatric conditions.

Method

A total of 188 clinically referred youth with DS, ages 3–13 were rated by their caregivers using the BRIEF‐P. These youth were evaluated by a clinician with expertise in DS and were characterised as having no co‐occurring behavioural disorder (Typical DS group), co‐occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder (DS + ASD) or co‐occurring Disruptive Behaviour Disorder (DS + DBD).

Results

An exploratory factor analysis of item‐level BRIEF‐P data from clinically referred youth with DS supported the theoretically derived three‐factor structure originally proposed for the BRIEF‐P (Emergent Metacognition, Flexibility and Inhibitory Self‐Control); however, the item composition of each factor varied somewhat in comparison to the original structure of the measure. Group comparisons indicate that, while youth with typical DS evidence fewer executive function difficulties across all domains, youth with DS + ASD show the greatest weaknesses in Emergent Metacognition, and youth with DS + DBD show significant difficulties in both Emergent Metacognition and Inhibition.

Conclusions

These findings offer preliminary support for use of the BRIEF‐P with clinically referred youth with Down Syndrome. Some scoring modifications may be necessary if the theoretically derived index scores are to be used with this population. BRIEF‐P scores may offer an empirical basis for differentiating DS youth with varying behavioural profiles. © 2015 MENCAP and International Association of the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Inter‐ and intragranular delta phase quantitative characterization in Inconel 718 by means of image analysis
Authors: VANDERESSE N. , ANDERSON M. , BRIDIER F. , BOCHER P.
Published: September 2015

This paper describes an image processing method for discriminating the inter‐ and intragranular delta phase precipitates in Inconel 718 (IN 718). The successive practical operations and the motivations of their choices are presented in detail. The method was applied to IN 718 specimens heat treated with different parameters to produce microstructures containing various amounts of both types of precipitates. They were characterized by electron microscopy in backscattered electron imaging. The main difficulty arose from the fact that the brightness distributions of inter‐ and intragranular precipitates partially overlap. Additional information on their morphology and their spatial distribution had to be exploited in order to differentiate them. The shape and the orientation of the precipitates were evaluated using the structure tensor, an operator that quantifies the directionality of the intensity distribution in an image. The distance between parallel precipitates was also used as an additional property to identify clusters of intragranular precipitates.
Can ovarian vein embolization cause more harm than good?
Authors: Hamoodi Ibraheem , Hawthorn Robert , Moss Jonathan G
Published: September 2015

Ovarian vein embolization using embolic coils is a recognized treatment for chronic pelvic pain caused by pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). Although it is considered a non‐invasive procedure with a good safety record, there have been reported complications resulting from embolic coil migration. We present a case of embolic coil erosion of the ovarian vein discovered on laparoscopy for chronic pelvic pain.
Elevated second‐trimester maternal serum β‐human chorionic gonadotropin and amniotic fluid alpha‐fetoprotein as indicators of adverse obstetric outcomes in fetal Turner syndrome
Authors: Alvarez‐Nava Francisco , Soto Marisol , Lanes Roberto , Pons Hector , Morales‐Machin Alisandra , Bracho Ana
Published: September 2015

Aim

The objective of this study was to determine the ability of biochemical analytes to identify adverse outcomes in pregnancies with Turner syndrome.

Methods

Maternal serum and amniotic fluid (AF) marker concentrations were measured in 73 singleton pregnancies with Turner syndrome (10‐22 weeks of gestation). Fetal Turner syndrome was definitively established by cytogenetic analysis. Two subgroups, fetuses with hydrops fetalis versus fetuses with cystic hygroma, were compared. Receiver operating characteristic curves and relative risk were established for a cut‐off multiples of the median ≥3.5 for β‐subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or AF alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP).

Results

Forty‐nine (67%) of 73 pregnant women had an abnormal maternal serum. While levels of pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A and free β‐subunit (fβ)‐hCG were not different to those of the control group, AFP, unconjugated estriol and β‐hCG concentrations were significantly different in the study group (P < 0.05), when compared to those of unaffected pregnancies. Levels of β‐hCG in pregnancies with hydrops fetalis were significantly higher than in those with cystic hygroma (P <0.0001), as were AF‐AFP concentrations (P <0.0015). In addition, abnormalities in both maternal serum β‐hCG and AF‐AFP predicted fetal death. The relative risk of adverse obstetric outcome was 10.667 (P = 0.0004; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.554–73.203) for β‐hCG and 2.19 (P = 0.0256; 95% CI: 1.001 to 4.779), for AF‐AFP.

Conclusion

Maternal serum β‐hCG and AF‐AFP levels may preferentially identify those Turner syndrome pregnancies with the highest risk of fetal death.
To Frack or Not to Frack? The Interaction of Justification and Power in a Sustainability Controversy
Authors: Gond Jean‐Pascal , Barin Cruz Luciano , Raufflet Emmanuel , Charron Mathieu
Published: September 2015

How could a de facto moratorium on shale gas exploration emerge in Québec despite the broad adoption of fracking in North American jurisdictions, support from the provincial government and a favourable power position initially enjoyed by the oil and gas industry? This paper analyses this turn of events by studying how stakeholders from government, civil society, and industry mobilized modes of justification and forms of power with the aim to influence the moral legitimacy of the fracking technology during a controversy surrounding shale gas exploration. Combining Boltanski and Thévenot's economies of worth theory with Lukes’ concept of power, we analytically induced the justification of power mechanisms whereby uses of power become justified or ‘escape’ justification, and the power of justification mechanisms by which justifications alter subsequent power dynamics. We finally explain how these mechanisms contribute to explaining the controversy's ultimate outcome, and advance current debates on political corporate social responsibility.
Biomechanics of occlusion – implications for oral rehabilitation
Authors: Peck C. C.
Published: September 2015

The dental occlusion is an important aspect of clinical dentistry; there are diverse functional demands ranging from highly precise tooth contacts to large crushing forces. Further, there are dogmatic, passionate and often diverging views on the relationship between the dental occlusion and various diseases and disorders including temporomandibular disorders, non‐carious cervical lesions and tooth movement. This study provides an overview of the biomechanics of the masticatory system in the context of the dental occlusion's role in function. It explores the adaptation and precision of dental occlusion, its role in bite force, jaw movement, masticatory performance and its influence on the oro‐facial musculoskeletal system. Biomechanics helps us better understand the structure and function of biological systems and consequently an understanding of the forces on, and displacements of, the dental occlusion. Biomechanics provides insight into the relationships between the dentition, jaws, temporomandibular joints, and muscles. Direct measurements of tooth contacts and forces are difficult, and biomechanical models have been developed to better understand the relationship between the occlusion and function. Importantly, biomechanical research will provide knowledge to help correct clinical misperceptions and inform better patient care. The masticatory system demonstrates a remarkable ability to adapt to a changing biomechanical environment and changes to the dental occlusion or other components of the musculoskeletal system tend to be well tolerated.
Reproducibility, Reliability, and Validity of Fuchsin‐Based Beads for the Evaluation of Masticatory Performance
Authors: Sánchez‐Ayala Alfonso , Farias‐Neto Arcelino , Vilanova Larissa Soares Reis , Costa Marina Abrantes , Paiva Ana Clara Soares , Carreiro Adriana da Fonte Porto , Mestriner‐Junior Wilson
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Rehabilitation of masticatory function is inherent to prosthodontics; however, despite the various techniques for evaluating oral comminution, the methodological suitability of these has not been completely studied. The aim of this study was to determine the reproducibility, reliability, and validity of a test food based on fuchsin beads for masticatory function assessment.

Materials and Methods

Masticatory performance was evaluated in 20 dentate subjects (mean age, 23.3 years) using two kinds of test foods and methods: fuchsin beads and ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry, and silicone cubes and multiple sieving as gold standard. Three examiners conducted five masticatory performance trials with each test food. Reproducibility of the results from both test foods was separately assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Reliability and validity of fuchsin bead data were measured by comparing the average mean of absolute differences and the measurement means, respectively, regarding silicone cube data using the paired Student's t‐test (α = 0.05).

Results

Intraexaminer and interexaminer ICC for the fuchsin bead values were 0.65 and 0.76 (p < 0.001), respectively; those for the silicone cubes values were 0.93 and 0.91 (p < 0.001), respectively. Reliability revealed intraexaminer (p < 0.001) and interexaminer (p < 0.05) differences between the average means of absolute differences of each test foods. Validity also showed differences between the measurement means of each test food (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Intra‐ and interexaminer reproducibility of the test food based on fuchsin beads for evaluation of masticatory performance were good and excellent, respectively; however, the reliability and validity were low, because fuchsin beads do not measure the grinding capacity of masticatory function as silicone cubes do; instead, this test food describes the crushing potential of teeth. Thus, the two kinds of test foods evaluate different properties of masticatory capacity, confirming fushsin beads as a useful tool for this purpose.
Perception of Esthetic Impact of Smile Line in Complete Denture Wearers by Different Age Groups
Authors: Pithon Matheus Melo , Alves Leandro Pereira , da Costa Prado Matheus , Oliveira Rener Leal , Costa Matheus Souza Campos , da Silva Coqueiro Raildo , Gusmão João Milton Rocha , Santos Rogério Lacerda
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To evaluate esthetic perceptions based on tooth exposure when smiling of patients wearing complete dentures by evaluators in different age groups.

Materials and Methods

Alterations were made to a front view photograph of a smiling patient wearing complete maxillary and mandibular dentures. Alterations in the smile line were simulated to increase or decrease tooth exposure (increments of 0.5 mm). For this purpose, image manipulation software was used. After manipulation, images were printed on photo paper, attached to a questionnaire, and distributed to individuals in three age groups (n = 150). To evaluate the esthetic perception for each image, a visual analog scale was used, with 0 representing least attractive, 5 representing attractive, and 10 representing very attractive. Differences between examiners were analyzed using the Mann‐Whitney test. All statistical analyses were performed with a degree of confidence of 95%.

Results

Two evaluators did not observe any differences between images. The images given the best and worst scores were E and O (alterations of 2 and 7 mm), respectively, in the 15‐ to 19‐year‐old group, B and O (alterations of 0.5 and 7 mm), respectively, in the 35‐ to 44‐year‐old group, and A and M (no alteration and 6 mm alteration), respectively, in the 65‐ to 74‐year‐old group. When the images were presented together (images 1 and 2), the unaltered image was selected by individuals of different age groups as the best, and the image with a change of 7 mm was selected as the worst.

Conclusion

In this study, complete dental prostheses with smile lines that coincided with the cervical margins of the anterior teeth were the most acceptable. Less exposure of the maxillary teeth when smiling corresponded with decreased attractiveness.
DALLAPICCOLA'S SECOND THOUGHTS: THE EPILOGUE TO THE CONCERTO PER LA NOTTE DI NATALE DELL'ANNO 1956
Authors: ALEGANT BRIAN
Published: September 2015

Dallapiccola revised his Concerto per la notte di Natale dell'anno 1956, a five‐movement work for soprano and sixteen instruments, shortly after completing it. He made small changes to the first, second and fourth movements, bigger changes in the middle movement and extensive changes in the last movement (Epilogue). Building on the work of previous scholars, I re‐examine the two versions of this Epilogue, paying particular attention to row handling, rhythm and texture on the small scale, and the pervasive use of symmetry on the large scale. The analysis paints a fuller picture of the Concerto and provides insight into Dallapiccola's idiosyncratic harmonic praxis and his fondness for palindromic frames.
Remote ischaemic pre‐conditioning for the prevention of acute kidney injury
Authors: Ho Phoebe Wing‐Lam , Pang Wing‐Fai , Szeto Cheuk‐Chun
Published: September 2015

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication associated with high morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. One potential mechanism underlying renal injury is ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), which attributed the organ damage to the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses induced by a period of renal ischaemia and subsequent reperfusion. Therapeutic strategies that aim at minimizing the effect of IRI on the kidneys may prevent AKI and improve clinical outcomes significantly. In this review, we examine the technique of remote ischaemic preconditioning (rIPC), which has been shown by several trials to confer organ protection by applying transient, brief episodes of ischaemia at a distant site before a larger ischaemic insult. We provide an overview of the current clinical evidence regarding the renoprotective effect of rIPC in the key clinical settings of cardiac or vascular surgery, contrast‐induced AKI, pre‐existing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal transplantation, and discuss key areas for future research.