bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D and Dental Caries in Children
Authors: Schroth R.J. , Rabbani R. , Loewen G. , Moffatt M.E.
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between vitamin D status and dental caries in Canadian school-aged children participating in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). The CHMS was a national cross-sectional study involving physical assessments, laboratory analysis, and interviews. Analysis was restricted to data for 1,017 children 6 to 11 y of age. Outcome variables included the presence of caries and overall total caries score (dmft/DMFT index). Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured from serum samples obtained from participants. Bivariate analysis, logistic regression for the presence of caries, and multiple linear regression for total caries scores were used. Significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Overall, 56.4% of children experienced caries, and the mean dmft/DMFT score was 2.47 (95% CI 2.09 to 2.84). The unadjusted odds of children with 25(OH)D levels ≥75 nmol/L having experienced caries was 0.57 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.82), while the odds for caries at the ≥50 nmol/L level was 0.56 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.89). After controlling for other covariates, backward logistic regression revealed that the presence of caries was significantly associated with 25(OH) levels <75 nmol/L and <50 nmol/L, lower household education, not brushing twice daily, and yearly visits to the dentist. Similarly, multiple linear regression revealed that total dmft/DMFT caries scores were also associated with 25(OH)D concentrations <75 nmol/L, not brushing twice daily, lower household education, and yearly visits to the dentist. Data from a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of Canadian children suggest that there is an association between caries and lower serum vitamin D. Improving children’s vitamin D status may be an additional preventive consideration to lower the risk for caries.
Topography Influences Adherent Cell Regulation of Osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Nagasawa M. , Cooper L.F. , Ogino Y. , Mendonca D. , Liang R. , Yang S. , Mendonca G. , Uoshima K.
Published: November 2015

The importance of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in the process of osseointegration has not been widely considered. In this study, cell culture was used to investigate the hypothesis that the function of implant-adherent bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in osteoclastogenesis is influenced by surface topography. BMSCs isolated from femur and tibia of Sprague-Dawley rats were seeded onto 3 types of titanium surfaces (smooth, micro, and nano) and a control surface (tissue culture plastic) with or without osteogenic supplements. After 3 to 14 d, conditioned medium (CM) was collected. Subsequently, rat bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMMs) were cultured in media supplemented with soluble receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) as well as BMSC CM from each of the 4 surfaces. Gene expression levels of soluble RANKL, osteoprotegerin, tumor necrosis factor α, and M-CSF in cultured BMSCs at different time points were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The number of differentiated osteoclastic cells was determined after tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Analysis of variance and t test were used for statistical analysis. The expression of prominent osteoclast-promoting factors tumor necrosis factor α and M-CSF was increased by BMSCs cultured on both micro- and nanoscale titanium topographies ( P < 0.01). BMSC CM contained a heat-labile factor that increased BMMs osteoclastogenesis. CM from both micro- and nanoscale surface-adherent BMSCs increased the osteoclast number ( P < 0.01). Difference in surface topography altered BMSC phenotype and influenced BMM osteoclastogenesis. Local signaling by implant-adherent cells at the implant-bone interface may indirectly control osteoclastogenesis and bone accrual around endosseous implants.
A Socio-Cultural Analysis of Practitioner Perspectives on Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice in Special Education
Authors: Hudson Roxanne F. , Davis Carol A. , Blum Grace , Greenway Rosanne , Hackett Jacob , Kidwell James , Liberty Lisa , McCollow Megan , Patish Yelena , Pierce Jennifer , Schulze Maggie , Smith Maya M. , Peck Charles A.
Published: November 2015

Despite the central role “evidence-based practice” (EBP) plays in special education agendas for both research and policy, it is widely recognized that achieving implementation of EBPs remains an elusive goal. In an effort to better understand this problem, we interviewed special education practitioners in four school districts, inquiring about the role evidence and EBP played in their work. Our data suggest that practitioners’ responses to policies that press for increased use of EBP are mediated by a variety of factors, including their interpretations of the EBP construct itself, as well as the organizational conditions of their work, and their access to relevant knowledge and related tools to support implementation. We interpret these findings in terms of their implications for understanding the problem of implementation through a more contextual and ecological lens than has been reflected in much of the literature to date.
A Systematic Review of the Literature on Emergent Literacy Skills of Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Westerveld Marleen F. , Trembath David , Shellshear Leanne , Paynter Jessica
Published: November 2015

A wealth of research has been conducted into emergent literacy (i.e., precursors to formal reading) skills and development in typically developing (TD) children. However, despite research suggesting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk of reading challenges, limited research exists on their emergent literacy. Thus, we aimed to systematically review emergent literacy research with this population. Database searches from 1995 to 2015 yielded three articles that met inclusion criteria. Results suggested both strengths and challenges in emergent literacy skills in children with ASD. Significant links between emergent literacy skills and both oral language and nonverbal cognition were also found. The findings highlight the need for further research; future directions and implications are discussed.
Parsing the Practice of Teaching
Authors: Kennedy Mary
Published: November 2015

Teacher education programs typically teach novices about one part of teaching at a time. We might offer courses on different topics—cultural foundations, learning theory, or classroom management—or we may parse teaching practice itself into a set of discrete techniques, such as core teaching practices, that can be taught individually. Missing from our courses is attention to the ultimate purpose of these discrete parts—how specific concepts can help teachers achieve their goals, or how specific procedures can help them achieve their goals. Because we are now shifting from a focus on bodies of knowledge to a focus on depictions of practice, this article examines our efforts to parse teaching practice into lists of discrete procedures. It argues that we need to pay less attention to the visible behaviors of teaching and more attention to the purposes that are served by those behaviors. As a way to begin a conversation about parsing teachers’ purposes, I offer a proposal for conceptualizing teaching as a practice that entails five persistent problems, each of which presents a difficult challenge to teachers, and all of which compete for teachers’ attention. Viewed in this way, the role of teacher education is not to offer solutions to these problems, but instead to help novices learn to analyze these problems and to evaluate alternative courses of action for how well they address these problems.
“No Time for Messin’ Around!” Understanding Black Educator Urgency: Implications for the Preparation of Urban Educators
Authors: Acosta Melanie M.
Published: November 2015

Studies of effective Black educators describe the teacher’s sense of urgency as the guiding perspective that manifests in their authoritative, insistent manner. Although the bulk of this work offers snapshots of insistence in practice, less is known about the perspectives that undergird Black educator urgency. Using collaborative inquiry methodology framed within an emancipatory theoretical perspective, this article describes the sociocultural factors that give rise to the sense of urgency perceived by Black educators. Findings revealed that the factors that contributed to Black educator urgency were rooted in the educators’ culture-specific perspectives. Discussion and implications for teacher educators conclude the article.
Effects of Ambient Noise on the Measurement of Mathematics Achievement for Urban High School Students
Authors: Zhang Bo , Navejar Regina
Published: November 2015

Students from urban high schools are usually faced with adverse environmental factors in their pursuit of academic success. These factors make learning more challenging and may confound the measurement of academic performance itself. This study explores how one such factor, ambient noise, affects the measurement of mathematics achievement. Overall, about 40% of students were bothered by noise during testing. The more bothersome the noise is, the lower the math score tends to be. Noise coping explains about 10% of the test score difference, comparable with that by grade point average. These findings indicate a clear association between noise and math achievement measurement.
Christian witness to institutions: Public missiology and power
Authors: Okesson Gregg
Published: November 2015

In this article I examine witness to institutions through a sociological, theological, and missiological treatment of power. I show how witness to institutions has been problematic through the centuries due to a historical and cultural factors along with a paucity of theological resources whereby to engage power. Ultimately I make the argument that Christians witness to institutions through a christological understanding of power, and ultimately through the institutional nature of the church.
Stigma, Pluralistic Ignorance, and Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services Among Police Officers
Authors: Karaffa Kerry M. , Koch Julie M.
Published: November 2015

Due to stressors in the police profession, officers may be at risk for a variety of personal and mental health–related concerns. However, they have historically refrained from seeking professional mental health services. Several factors have been identified to explain their hesitance, including stigma regarding mental health issues. In this study, 248 police officers completed a 62-item online survey related to their attitudes toward seeking mental health services, mental health stigma, and perceptions of other officers’ willingness to seek services. The results indicate that public stigma and self-stigma were negatively correlated with attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Self-stigma fully mediated the relationship between public stigma and attitudes toward seeking help, and the model explained 56% of the variance in attitude scores. The results also suggest that police officers tended to believe that their peers were less willing to seek mental health services for several common presenting issues than they actually were.
Laguerre-based modelling and predictive control of multi-input multi-output systems applied to a communicating two-tank system (CTTS)
Authors: Mbarek Abdelkader , Bouzrara Kais , Garna Tarek , Ragot José , Messaoud Hassani
Published: November 2015

In this paper, a novel method is constructed for model predictive control (MPC) of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. The latter are represented by a discrete-time MIMO ARX model expansion on Laguerre orthonormal bases. The resulting model, entitled the MIMO ARX-Laguerre model, provides a recursive representation with parameter number reduction. This reduction is strongly linked to the choice of Laguerre poles, and therefore we propose a new algorithm to optimize the Laguerre poles of the resulting model. The recursive formulation of the MIMO ARX-Laguerre model is used to obtain the MPC strategy. An [Formula: see text]-norm finite moving horizon cost function is used to obtain a control law which is implemented as a quadratic programming (QP) problem. The effectiveness of the proposed controller that takes into account physical constraints is illustrated by a numerical simulation example and by a practical validation on an experimental communicating two-tank system (CTTS).
Vocation and time in Rumer Godden’s In This House of Brede
Authors: Pierson Marisa
Published: November 2015

Rumer Godden’s 1969 novel, In This House of Brede, transcends linear time in its account of a divinely inspired vocation. As Brede relates the events surrounding a monastery of Roman Catholic nuns, the novel’s blending of past, present, and future—along with an indeterminate beginning and open-ended conclusion—reflects the connection between eternity and temporality experienced in a religious vocation. Drawing upon the narratological theories of 20th-century philosopher Paul Ricoeur, this article argues that Brede’s time-transcending structure creates a realistic and captivating narrative that invites readers to engage in the action of the novel as its story of Christian vocation unfolds.
Goddes Pryveteeand aWyf:Curiositasand the triadic sins in the Miller’s and Reeve’s Tales
Authors: Smilie Ethan
Published: November 2015

A yet unobserved theme linking the Miller’s and Reeve’s Tales is curiositas, a vice medieval theologians often identified with the second of the triadic sins of 1 John 2:16, the lust of the eyes, and aligned with the other two triadic sins, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. In the two tales, Chaucer modifies the conception of curiositas by democratizing the usually highbrow, clerkly vice. Particularly through punning, Chaucer shows that all, including the readers of the Tales, are susceptible to the vice by virtue of its likeness to the two other triadic sins.
“A Postgame Interview for the Ages”
Authors: Tompkins Joe
Published: November 2015

This essay analyzes articulations of race and power as they surfaced in the media uproar surrounding National Football League (NFL) star Richard Sherman’s notorious 2014 National Football Conference (NFC) Championship post-game “interview for the ages.” It charts two dialectical poles of representation: overtly racist denunciations of Sherman as a classless “thug” and counter-representations of self-enterprising talent. I argue these competing images register “permissible narratives of difference” that underwrite a neoliberal, post-racial project. The article thus explores how Sherman’s newfound celebrity authorizes “official antiracisms” of post-racial rhetoric, which foreclose alternatives to the privatization and depoliticization of racial discourse.
Business or Cause? Gendered Institutional Logics in Women’s Professional Soccer
Authors: Allison Rachel
Published: November 2015

Despite women’s increased participation in sport, women’s team sport leagues have yet to find a lasting toehold at the professional level. Using ethnographic data collected with U.S. women’s professional soccer in 2011-2012, I situate the work of selling women’s soccer in the complex institutional environment of contemporary women’s sports organizations. League owners and employees were dually influenced by the hypercommercialized model of success presented by men’s professional sports and an institutionalized, depoliticized feminist model of sport promoting empowerment and role modeling for girls and women. As a result, “business” and “cause” institutional logics presented different organizational goals. These logics contained divergent assumptions about the extent of gender (in)equality facing women’s professional sports. They were also understood somewhat differently along gender lines, with men perceiving empowerment and profit to be compatible goals more often than women. Implications for the viability of women’s professional sports leagues are discussed.
On the Haitian Revolution and the Society of Equals
Authors: Bhambra Gurminder K
Published: November 2015

The Haitian Revolution is not only one of the most important foundational moments in the emergence of the modern world, but also one of the most neglected within the social scientific literature. The following posts reflect on its omission from a new intellectual history of ‘equality’ and discuss how understandings of equality might be different if we took the Haitian Revolution seriously.
Is there a continuing role for traditional surgery?
Authors: Coughlin Patrick A , Berridge David C
Published: November 2015

Despite recent NICE guidance there remains a definite role for surgery in the management of varicose veins. A lot of the available evidence that has driven the transformation of care towards endovenous treatments is of good quality yet published by enthusiasts.

No endovenous studies have reported long term results as far out from intervention as the open studies, yet in the meta-analysis from Murad et al, the authors suggested from their results that when surgery was compared with all endoluminal ablation therapies, surgery was associated with a non-significant reduction in the risk of varicose vein recurrence (RR0.63; 95%CI 0.37--1.07).

Much of the longer-term data on recurrence following open surgery for primary varicose veins dates back well over 15 years ago. This is prior to the inclusion of routine duplex assessment and sub-specialty designation.

The recent Cochrane review (13 randomised controlled studies, 3081 patients). The overall conclusion was that UGFS, EVLT and RFA were at least as effective as surgery in the treatment of the LSV.

This meta-analysis did not include the CLASS (Comparison of LAser, Surgery and foam Sclerotherapy as a treatment for varicose veins) trial in whichmeasures of clinical success were similar among the groups.

Only 48% of the patients screened were eligible for the CLASS study and of these, only 24% of the eligible patients agreed to take part in the study. Similarly in the study by Carradice out of a total of 772 patients assessed for suitability, 442 did not meet the inclusion criteria.

There is no doubt that endovenous surgery will increasingly become first line treatment for patients with symptomatic superficial venous reflux specifically in patients with SSV reflux. However, given the device related limitations with endothermal techniques specifically with regard to adverse anatomical features allied to the poorer results of UGFS within the treatment of LSV reflux, there is without doubt still a role for more traditional open surgical techniques that can be delivered with good short and long term outcomes and still being delivered in a cost effective manner.
Glue, steam and Clarivein – Best practice techniques and evidence
Authors: Whiteley Mark S
Published: November 2015

In July 2013, the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended “endothermal” ablation (meaning endovenous thermal ablation) is the first line treatment for truncal venous reflux in varicose veins. The initial endovenous thermoablation devices were radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation. More recently, Glue (cyanoacrylate), endovenous steam and Clarivein (mechanochemical ablation or MOCA) have entered the market as new endovenous techniques for the treatment of varicose veins. Glue and Clarivein do not require tumescent anaesthesia and do not use heat and therefore termed non-tumescent non-thermal (NTNT). Steam both requires tumescence and is also a thermal technique (TT). This article reviews the current position of these 3 new technologies in the treatment of varicose veins.
Radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins: Best practice techniques and evidence
Authors: Goodyear Stephen J , Nyamekye Isaac K
Published: November 2015

Scope of the review

This article systematically reviews the practice of radiofrequency ablation of lower limb varicose veins. We present the clinical evidence and best practice techniques for currently available devices.

Methods

Manufacturer’s instructions-for-use were requested for all radiofrequency devices. The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched using the following keywords: ‘varicose veins’ AND ‘radiofrequency’ OR ‘radio frequency’ OR ‘Venefit’ OR ‘ClosureFAST’ OR ‘RFiTT’ OR ‘EVRF’ OR ‘VeinCLEAR’, generating 240 articles. Titles and abstracts were screened, yielding 63 articles directly relevant to the scope of the review. Reference lists for publications were also searched to identify further manuscripts of relevance. The Cochrane Database and current National Institute for Clinical and Healthcare Excellence guidelines for varicose veins were also searched from relevant articles.

Results

Four radiofrequency ablation (RFA) systems are currently commercially available. Generic practice methods (common to all RF systems) and device-specific techniques are described. The weight of current evidence relates to the use of Covidien Venefit™ (formerly VNUS ClosureFAST™), which clearly demonstrates clinical advantages over open surgery at least to 2 years follow up. However, contemporary studies of the radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy device (RFiTT®), show that in experienced hands, clinical equivalence to the Venefit™ procedure can be achieved. The evidence base for EVRF® and VeinCLEAR™ devices is currently weak and absent, respectively.

Conclusions

Despite widespread uptake of RFA and acceptance of its clinical advantages over open surgery there is a paucity of Class 1 A evidence. This results from incongruent reporting of clinical outcome measures within existing literature. Similarly, lack of long-term follow-up studies precludes comparison of the durability of short- and medium-term advantages of RFA with the longer term results of open surgery. There remains scope for a large prospective high-quality trial to assess the clinical, anatomical and cost-effectiveness outcomes for the four commercially available RFA devices, with a particular focus on long-term follow up.
Local economic development beyond the centre: Reflections on South Africa’s secondary cities
Authors: Marais Lochner
Published: November 2015

Research on local economic development in South Africa has been dominated by reflections on the larger metropolitan areas, while secondary cities have received scant attention. This paper evaluates local economic development initiatives in six secondary cities in South Africa. It advances three arguments based on South African and international literature. First, the local economic development strategies for these cities pay too little attention to creating effective links with their rural hinterlands. Second, while globalization increases both vulnerabilities and opportunities, these cities are ill-prepared to deal with the former or benefit from the latter. Third, local economic development strategies tend to focus on cluster initiatives, which in essence are inward looking. Such strategies increase competition with the larger metropolitan areas. The secondary cities are unlikely to compete effectively with these larger areas if they continue to follow inward-looking or cluster-oriented approaches.
Altruistic Preferences in Time Tradeoff
Authors: Krol Marieke , Attema Arthur E. , van Exel Job , Brouwer Werner
Published: November 2015

Whether respondents incorporate altruistic preferences in time tradeoff (TTO) exercises remains understudied. We present an extended quality-adjusted life-year model incorporating altruism. We derive that altruism may affect TTO values in 2 directions. First, “longevity altruists” may wish to prolong life for the sake of their loved ones (to avoid being missed). Second, “quality-of-life altruists” may have a preference to avoid bad health states resulting in being a burden to loved ones. The existence and influence of these preferences in a TTO were empirically confirmed in a sample of 1690 respondents from the general public. We classified respondents as “longevity altruists” or “quality-of-life altruists” based on their reasoning behind inclusion of loved ones in their TTO responses. In line with expectations, longevity altruists traded fewer years than quality-of-life altruists. Nonaltruists gave intermediate values.
Lesions with unclear malignant potential (B3) after minimally invasive breast biopsy: evaluation of vacuum biopsies performed in Switzerland and recommended further management
Authors: Saladin Camilla , Haueisen Harald , Kampmann Gert , Oehlschlegel Christian , Seifert B , Rageth Luzi , Rageth Christoph , Stadlmann S , Kubik-Huch Rahel A ,   On behalf of the MIBB Group
Published: November 2015

Background

Histopathological B3 lesions after minimal invasive breast biopsy (VABB) are a particular challenge for the clinician, as there are currently no binding recommendations regarding the subsequent procedure.

Purpose

To analyze all B3 lesions, diagnosed at VABB and captured in the national central Swiss MIBB database and to provide a data basis for further management in this subgroup of patients.

Material and Methods

All 9,153 stereotactically, sonographically, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsies, performed in Switzerland between 2009 and 2011, captured in a central database, were evaluated. The rate of B3 lesions and the definitive pathological findings in patients who underwent surgical resection were analyzed.

Results

The B3 rate was 17.0% (1532 of 9000 biopsies with B classification). Among the 521 lesions with a definitive postoperative diagnosis, the malignancy rate (invasive carcinoma or DCIS) was 21.5%. In patients with atypical ductal hyperplasia, papillary lesions, flat epithelial atypia, lobular neoplasia, and radial scar diagnosed by VABB, the malignancy rates were 25.9%, 3.1%, 18.3%, 26.4%, and 11.1%, respectively.

Conclusion

B3 lesions, comprising 17%, of all analyzed biopsies, were common and the proportion of malignancies in those lesions undergoing subsequent surgical excision was high (21.5%).
Spontaneous Pathology and Routine Clinical Pathology Parameters in Aging Beagle Dogs
Authors: Barnes J. , Cotton P. , Robinson S. , Jacobsen M.
Published: November 2015

AstraZeneca ran a bespoke study to generate age-matched clinical pathology and histopathology data from a cohort of Beagle dogs aged between 25 and 37 months to support the use of these older animals in routine preclinical toxicology studies. As the upper age range of Beagle dogs routinely used in toxicology studies does not normally exceed 24 months, there is an absence of appropriate age-matched historical control data. The generation of such data was crucial to understand whether age-related differences in spontaneous findings might confound the interpretation of toxicology study data. While the majority of the histopathology findings in all the older dogs occurred at a similar prevalence as those expected in young adult dogs (<24 months), a number of differences were observed in the thymus (involution), bone marrow (increased adiposity), testes (degenerative changes), and lung (fibrosis, pigment and alveolar hyperplasia) that could be misinterpreted as a test article effect. Minor differences in some clinical pathology values (hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, absolute reticulocytes) were of a small magnitude and considered unlikely to affect the interpretation of study data.
Herpesviral Hematopoietic Necrosis in Goldfish in Switzerland
Authors: Giovannini S. , Bergmann S. M. , Keeling C. , Lany C. , Schütze H. , Schmidt-Posthaus H.
Published: November 2015

Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 is a pathogen of goldfish, inducing a disease referred to as herpesviral hematopoietic necrosis. The disease is described so far in Japan, North America, Taiwan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and recently also Italy. Here the authors describe histologic lesions in clinically affected fish in comparison with clinically normal but virus DNA–positive goldfish in Switzerland. While necrosis or enhanced single-cell necrosis in the hematopoietic tissue in the pronephros or mesonephros was evident in dead and sick animals, in clinically normal goldfish, only single-cell necrosis was observed. Virus DNA was demonstrated in dead as well as clinically affected and subclinically infected goldfish by polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. This study identifies the presence of goldfish herpesvirus in Switzerland and highlights the fact that the virus might be more widespread than assumed, as clinically normal goldfish can also carry cyprinid herpesvirus 2, showing histologically similar lesions but of lesser extent and severity.
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP): the development of the theory, practice and research base
Authors: Hughes Dan , Golding Kim S , Hudson Julie
Published: November 2015

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is a relationship-focused therapy characterised by a strong therapeutic alliance, empathy and unconditional positive regard. It seeks to treat the complex psychological problems of looked after and adopted children as they struggle to develop a greater measure of stable functioning in their homes. It was developed by Dan Hughes based on his extensive clinical experience of working with children and families together and is rooted in a close study of relevant theory. DDP can help children who have been hurt and/or neglected within their families in their early years by supporting them to recover from previous trauma and to experience attachment security and emotional connection within their current family.

As with any developing therapy, questions have been raised about its clinical relevance and effects. One such critique recently appeared in an article by Mercer (2014) and this will be used to demonstrate how misunderstandings, misinterpretations and the selective use of case studies can lead to misguided views of this important innovation. This article particularly addresses inaccuracies in accounts of the development of DDP as an intervention for looked after and adoptive children and their families, how DDP is practised around the world and how theory underpins the model. Although a lack of evidence derived from robust evaluations is acknowledged, the authors discuss the evidence base that is currently available and plans that are in place to strengthen this.
Familial SUNCT in mother and son
Authors: Martins Isabel Pavão , Viana Pedro , Lobo Patricia Pita
Published: November 2015

Background

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias comprise a heterogeneous group of lateralized headaches associated with ipsilateral autonomic symptoms. They are usually localized within the territory of one or more rami of the trigeminal nerve, but may be localized outside its cutaneous territory. Although these headaches are considered primary disorders, the evidence supporting their genetic nature is lacking, particularly concerning their neuralgic forms, with the exception of a familial case described partly based on a historical account.

Case reports

We report on a mother and son with episodic, short-lasting, intense, paroxysmal headaches, with the same localization in the left retroauricular region, associated with prominent conjunctival injection and tearing, which are consistent with the diagnosis of SUNCT (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing).

Discussion

These cases corroborate the existence of hereditary forms of this disorder, thus supporting its primary nature.
General lack of use of placebo in prophylactic, randomised, controlled trials in adult migraine. A systematic review
Authors: Hougaard Anders , Tfelt-Hansen Peer
Published: November 2015

Background

The Clinical Trials Subcommittee of the International Headache Society (IHS) recommends that a placebo arm is included in comparative randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of multiple prophylactic drugs due to the highly variable placebo response in migraine prophylaxis studies. The use of placebo control in such trials has not been systematically assessed.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of all comparative RCTs of prophylactic drug treatment of migraine published in English from 2002 to 2014. PubMed was searched using the Cochrane Highly Sensitive Search Strategy for identifying reports of RCTs.

Results

A placebo arm was used in <10% (three of 31) of prophylactic RCTs in migraine. In only 7.1% (two of 28) of the comparative RCTs without placebo was one drug superior to another drug. Thus in 26 RCTs, including one study requiring more than 75,000 patient days, no difference was identified across treatment arms and conclusions regarding drug superiority could not be drawn.

Conclusions

The majority of comparative, prophylactic migraine RCTs do not include a placebo arm. Failure to include a placebo arm may result in failure to demonstrate efficacy of potentially effective migraine-prophylactic agents. In order to benefit current and future patients, the current strong tendency to omit placebo-controls in these RCTs should be replaced by adherence to the guidelines of the IHS.
Acceptability of Novel Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements for Complementary Feeding in a Peri-Urban South African Community
Authors: Rothman Marinel , Berti Cristiana , Smuts Cornelius M. , Faber Mieke , Covic Namukolo
Published: November 2015

Background:

Small-quantity lipid-based nutritional supplements (SQ-LNS) may potentially be used for home fortification in poor settings, where low nutrient-dense complementary foods are commonly used for infant feeding. However, they need to be acceptable to succeed.

Objective:

This study assessed the acceptability of 2 novel, SQ-LNS (A and B) for supplementing complementary foods among infants aged 6 to 12 months in a peri-urban South African community.

Methods:

Both supplements were soy-based pastes and contained micronutrients and essential fatty acids. In addition, supplement B contained docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, phytase and l-lysine. Mother–infant pairs were enrolled in a 2-part trial. Part 1 ( n = 16) was a test-feeding trial with a crossover randomized design, and a 5-point hedonic scale was used for sensory evaluation ( disagree = 1, agree = 5). Part 2 ( n = 38) was a 2-week, home-use trial followed by focus group discussions.

Results:

In part 1, more than 70% of mothers reported a score ≥4 on sensory attributes for both SQ-LNSs indicating that both supplements were well perceived. In part 2, the mean reported consumption over the 2-week period was 65.3% ± 34.2% and 62.0% ± 31.3% of the 20 g daily portion for supplements A and B, respectively. Focus group discussions confirmed a positive attitude toward the supplements in the study population.

Conclusion:

This study showed acceptance of both SQ-LNSs in terms of sensory characteristics as well as in terms of practicality for home use.
The Matrix Disrupted. Challenges and Changes
Authors: Mojović Marina
Published: November 2015

In our globalized era destructive effects of endless social tragedies and turbulent changes are widely spread, like tsunamis disrupting matrices of families, organizations, professional fields, group analytic groups, and communities— ‘un-housed pain-ghosts’ are haunting borders and generations—dismantling our safety and making us all accountable. Group analysis, since its inception, has provided survival skills for disrupted matrices, but does not use them enough. Fortunately, there are ‘cracks’ in everything, where light may get in. ‘Social-psychic-retreats’—trauma sequels co-created as alternative spaces, or foster homes—in cracks, caves and other trauma-formation, where the beauty of art, along with a ‘leap of faith’ might temporarily embrace the ‘un-homed minds’ and pain—but can also keep human ‘vital sparks’ paralysed for a long time. Backed by the poem ‘Ring the Bells that Still can Ring (Cohen, Anthem, 1992)’, struggles from small groups, median groups and reflective citizens, are shared.
Dynamic mechanical analysis and free vibration behavior of intra-ply woven natural fiber hybrid polymer composite
Authors: Rajesh M , Pitchaimani Jeyaraj
Published: November 2015

Influence of nature of weaving pattern and intra-ply hybridization of natural fibers on dynamic mechanical and free vibration characteristics of woven banana/jute polyester composite has been investigated. Results revealed that basket-type composite has better dynamic properties due to uniform stress distribution in both warp and weft directions. Warp jute fiber and weft banana fiber (WJWB) and both warp and weft banana and jute fiber (WAWBJ) intra-ply hybrid composites have better dynamic mechanical behavior as relatively stronger fiber is oriented along the loading direction. Experimental modal analysis carried out on beam-like samples revealed that warp and weft banana and jute fiber intra-ply hybrid composite has better natural frequencies while huckaback woven and warp banana fiber and weft jute fiber composites have better modal damping factors.
A Comparison of Self-Report and Audiometric Measures of Hearing and Their Associations With Functional Outcomes in Older Adults
Authors: Choi Janet S. , Betz Joshua , Deal Jennifer , Contrera Kevin J. , Genther Dane J. , Chen David S. , Gispen Fiona E. , Lin Frank R.
Published: November 2015

Objective: The aim was to investigate whether associations of hearing impairment (HI) with functional outcomes in older adults differ when using self-report versus pure-tone audiometry. Method: We examined 1,669 participants ≥70 years in National Health and Examination Survey from 2005-2006 and 2009-2010 whose hearing was assessed by self-report and pure-tone audiometry. We explored functional outcomes associated with audiometric HI (low physical activity, poor physical functioning, and hospitalization). Results: In adjusted models, we found significant associations of audiometric HI with both subjective and objective outcomes (e.g., dichotomous HI with self-reported difficulty in activities of daily living [ADLs], odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.05, 2.06], and low accelerometer-measured physical activity, OR = 2.19, 95% CI [1.11, 4.34]). In contrast, self-reported HI was only associated with subjective outcomes and not with objective outcomes (e.g., dichotomous HI with difficulty in ADLs, OR = 1.63, 95% CI [1.12, 2.38], and low accelerometer-measured physical activity, OR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.66, 1.35]). Discussion: Results using self-reported hearing should not be considered representative of results using audiometry and may provide distinct aspects of HI in older adults.
A comparison of recreational drug use amongst sexual health clinic users in London with existing prevalence data
Authors: Thurtle Natalie , Dargan Paul I , Hunter Laura J , Lovett Caitlyn , White John A , Wood David M
Published: November 2015

The objective was to give an overview of self-reported recreational drug use amongst attendees of sexual health clinics in London and compare this to existing datasets. Between December 2013 and March 2014, attendees of two sexual health clinics in London were surveyed. Data collected were: sexual history, smoking and alcohol and recreational drug use. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 21). A total of 1472 respondents were included; 778 (52.9%) men, 676 (45.9%) women and 3 (0.2%) transgender (15 [1.0%] did not answer). Mean age was 30.6 ± 9.0 years. A total of 339 (43.6%) men were men who have sex with men (MSM), and 18 (2.4%) women were women who have sex with women. Lifetime prevalence of use was: alcohol 94.1%; cannabis 48.5%; ‘poppers’ (volatile nitrites) 28.2%; cocaine 26.8% and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine pills 23.2%. Our population had higher current popper, methamphetamine and mephedrone use than the Crime Survey of England and Wales but lower use of cannabis, poppers and Viagra than the European MSM Internet Survey. Global Drug Survey and Part of the Picture respondents’ use were higher than our population for all drugs. Drug use in this population had a different pattern to general population surveys and studies involving only MSM.
A changing climate of skepticism: The factors shaping climate change coverage in the US press
Authors: Schmid-Petri Hannah , Adam Silke , Schmucki Ivo , Häussler Thomas
Published: November 2015

Skepticism toward climate change has a long tradition in the United States. We focus on mass media as the conveyors of the image of climate change and ask: Is climate change skepticism still a characteristic of US print media coverage? If so, to what degree and in what form? And which factors might pave the way for skeptics entering mass media debates? We conducted a quantitative content analysis of US print media during one year (1 June 2012 to 31 May 2013). Our results show that the debate has changed: fundamental forms of climate change skepticism (such as denial of anthropogenic causes) have been abandoned in the coverage, being replaced by more subtle forms (such as the goal to avoid binding regulations). We find no evidence for the norm of journalistic balance, nor do our data support the idea that it is the conservative press that boosts skepticism.
Structure characteristics of valve port in the rotation-spool-type electro-hydraulic vibrator
Authors: Liu Yi , Cheng Shao-Ke , Gong Guo-Fang
Published: November 2015

A new electro-hydraulic vibrator with rotary valve and the vibration wave influence caused by different structures of the rotary valve are presented. By establishing flow open area models of different valve cores, the models are analyzed using Matlab/simulink and structure characteristics are studied. Then, the relationship between the vibrator and the valve core is established, taking into account the effect of orifice pressure drop. Numerical analysis and experimental verification of waveform are carried out. The results show that the rectangular zero valve can obtain linear flow gain and the zero flow gain is comparatively big. In view of meeting higher flow, pressure and linear flow control requirements, windows in the sleeve and grooves in the spool can be designed to be rectangular with an according annular recess.
Intralesional Mycobacterium w Vaccine Versus Cryotherapy in Treatment of Refractory Extragenital Warts
Authors: Dhakar Ashok K. , Dogra Sunil , Vinay Keshavamurthy , Sarangal Rishu , Kanwar Amrinder J. , Singh Mini P.
Published: November 2015

Background:

Initial reports of immunotherapy using intralesional Mycobacterium w (Mw) vaccine have documented its useful role in treatment of genital and extragenital warts.

Objectives:

To compare the efficacy and safety of intralesional Mw vaccine versus cryotherapy in the treatment of refractory extragenital warts.

Methods:

This was a prospective, randomized, comparative study of 66 patients. The outcome was assessed in terms of complete clearance of warts and change in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score.

Results:

Complete clearance of treated warts was seen in 66.7% (20/30) and 65.5% (19/29) of patients in the Mw and cryotherapy groups, respectively ( P = .769). Clearance of distant warts was significantly ( P = .004) high in the Mw group. Improvement in DLQI was greater in the Mw group. Both treatment modalities were well tolerated, and no major side effects occurred.

Conclusions:

Mw vaccine and cryotherapy are equally efficacious in treatment of refractory extragenital warts. Mw vaccine has an added advantage of clearance of distant warts.
Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Tacrolimus in Adult Patients With Refractory Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Mittal Ankit , Dogra Sunil , Narang Tarun , Sharma Aman
Published: November 2015

Background:

Tacrolimus, a congener of cyclosporine, has replaced cyclosporine as a first-line treatment for most transplant patients due to its superior efficacy and safety. Tacrolimus has not been extensively studied for the treatment of psoriasis.

Objectives:

To study the efficacy and safety of oral tacrolimus in adult patients with severe refractory plaque psoriasis.

Methods:

This was an open-label pilot study. Patients with severe plaque type psoriasis who were unresponsive to at least 1 systemic treatment were treated with oral tacrolimus.

Results:

Thirty patients were treated. After 12 weeks, improvement in mean Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score was 80.37% ( P < .001), PASI 75 was observed in 19 of 26 (73.1%) patients, and PASI 90 was observed in 11 of 26 (42.3%) patients. No severe side effects were noted.

Conclusion:

Oral tacrolimus is an effective and safe option for the short-term treatment of severe plaque psoriasis.
Impaired growth of the cerebellum in pediatric-onset acquired CNS demyelinating disease
Authors: Weier Katrin , Fonov Vladimir , Aubert-Broche Bérengère , Arnold Douglas L , Banwell Brenda , Collins D Louis
Published: November 2015

Background:

Acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) have the potential to negatively impact cerebellar growth, given the proclivity for infratentorial lesions in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) and ADS.

Objective:

To investigate cerebellar growth longitudinally in pediatric ADS.

Methods:

Cerebellar volumes from 472 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 98 patients with monophasic ADS (monoADS), monophasic acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and MS (49 girls; mean age: 11.4 years at first scan, mean follow-up: 3.1 years) imaged serially from onset and 897 MRI scans of 418 healthy children (223 girls, mean age: 11.3 years, mean follow-up: 2.9 years) were segmented automatically, analyzed with mixed-effect models, and compared with cerebral volume.

Results:

Cerebellar developmental trajectories followed a U-shaped curve, showing larger volumes in boys ( p < 0.001). Cerebellar volumes in all three patient groups failed to reach age-expected trajectories, leading to significantly smaller volumes, notably in the posterior lobes. Cerebellar volume reductions were of a similar magnitude to cerebral volume reductions. Cerebellar white matter volume declined in MS and ADEM patients over time, while in monoADS patients it remained similar to controls. Cerebellar volumes did not correlate either with lesion volumes at onset or with physical disability.

Conclusion:

MonoADS, ADEM, and MS in childhood lead to impaired age-expected growth of the cerebellum.
Optimal detection of infratentorial lesions with a combined dual-echo MRI sequence: “PT2”
Authors: Gaitán María I , Yañes Paulina , Sati Pascal , Romero Carlos , Reich Daniel S , Correale Jorge
Published: November 2015

Background:

The infratentorial compartment is cardinal for multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. T2-weighted (T2) and proton density–weighted (PD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can visualize infratentorial lesions, but only suboptimally.

Objective:

To combine PD and T2 for better lesion assessment.

Methods:

T2 and PD from 35 cases were averaged to form “PT2” images. Two raters counted infratentorial lesions and qualitatively assessed their conspicuity.

Results:

PT2 showed 244 infratentorial lesions, of which 94% and 74% were seen in PD and T2. PT2 received higher grades for image quality and lesion conspicuity ( p < 0.001 for all comparisons).

Conclusion:

PT2 could improve our ability to diagnose and monitor MS.
Seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients diagnosed using new diagnostic criteria
Authors: Uzawa Akiyuki , Mori Masahiro , Uchida Tomohiko , Masuda Hiroki , Ohtani Ryohei , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: November 2015

Background:

Recently, new diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) were published.

Objective:

Our primary aim was to evaluate the usefulness of the new diagnostic criteria in anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody-negative cases.

Methods:

Consecutive 471 patients whose anti-AQP4 antibody was measured at Chiba University were reviewed.

Results:

Four anti-AQP4 antibody negative-patients, who fulfilled the new diagnostic criteria for NMOSD but not 2006 diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica (NMO), were identified. They showed high cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-6 and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels, an absence of oligoclonal bands and/or cloud-like enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging, which are compatible findings for NMO.

Conclusion:

The new diagnostic criteria are clinically useful in seronegative NMOSD.