bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Tools for Citizenship?” Public Service Media as a Site for Civic Engagement
Authors: Debrett Mary
Published: November 2014

Innovation is blooming among public service broadcasters across the world, with the term public service media (PSM) now in common parlance as services are extended across “new” media platforms and experiments undertaken into new interactive content forms. Driven by both an institutional instinct for survival and a traditional remit to innovate, the new phenomenon of PSM invariably entails risks for publicly funded media, provoking increased hostility from commercial rivals, new and old, and invoking new regulatory hurdles and benchmarks for proving public value. Exploring how one incidence of PSM innovation is endeavoring to address “balance” and accountability and to provide a broader scope for viewer participation and interaction in political public discourse, integrating multiple media platforms, this article discusses the potential implications of such ventures for the public service remit.
Scripting Black Gayness
Authors: Martin Alfred L.
Published: November 2014

This essay explores the creation of black gay characters within black-cast sitcoms Moesha, All of Us, and Are We There Yet? Using in-depth interviews with the credited writers for three episodes of black-cast sitcoms that feature black gay characters, I examine the ways the writers negotiate the creation of black gay characters within the writers’ room. In addition, this essay examines how the closet functions as an organizing logic for the ways black gay characters are imagined within the writers’ room, and the industrial logics that prevent black gay characters from reappearing in subsequent episodes. In addition, I argue that the individual writers’ autobiographies are important to consider when creating black gay characters for black-cast sitcoms, as they bring their positionality as black (and in one instance a black gay) writers to the episodes they wrote.
Influence of 3D spacer fabric on drying shrinkage of concrete canvas
Authors: Han Fangyu , Chen Huisu , Zhang Wulong , Lv Tao , Yang Yujie
Published: November 2014

Concrete canvas has taken attention for their rapidly deployable hardened characteristic property in civil engineering. However, the drying shrinkage of concrete canvas has not been addressed yet in the literatures. In this study, a theoretical model was presented for studying influences of 3D spacer fabric on drying shrinkage of concrete canvas. The model was based on assumption that drying shrinkage restraint provided by 3D spacer fabric is joint action of each component of 3D spacer fabric separately. To calibrate this model, the drying shrinkage of two concrete canvases reinforced by PET-based 3D spacer fabric with one solid outer textile substrate was experimented. Moreover, a simplified expression of maximum tensile stress generated in the matrix of both concrete canvases was obtained for evaluating their risk of drying shrinkage-induced cracking. The results showed that drying shrinkage strain of concrete canvas samples became lower due to the restraint provided by 3D spacer fabric and a satisfactory correlation between model predictions and experimental results was found at later age. For both concrete canvases, a greater restraint was found in warp direction, thereby resulting in a larger tensile stress generated in the matrix. Furthermore, the restraint on the drying shrinkage of concrete canvas was provided mostly by spacer yarns and thereby it contributed to the most of maximum tensile stress generated in the matrix of concrete canvas.
Puncture-resisting, sound-absorbing and thermal-insulating properties of polypropylene-selvages reinforced composite nonwovens
Authors: Lin Jia-Horng , Li Ting-Ting , Lou Ching-Wen
Published: November 2014

In order to realize recycling of polypropylene selvages, polypropylene nonwoven selvages with different plied orientation were inserted between Kevlar/Nylon/low-melting polyester nonwoven fabrics forming composite nonwoven. Low-melting polyester content of nonwoven fabric and hot-pressing temperature of composite nonwoven were both optimized after static and dynamic puncture resistances. Moreover, effects of hot-pressing and plied orientation on static and dynamic puncture resistances, sound absorbing and thermal insulating properties of composite nonwoven were discussed respectively. Result shows that, optimal low-melting polyester fiber content was 30%, and best hot-pressing temperature for composite nonwoven was 180°C. Polypropylene nonwoven selvages improved static puncture resistance, sound absorbing and thermal insulating properties. Hot-pressing slightly increased puncture resistance and obviously improved thermal insulation, but decreased sound absorption coefficient significantly. Plied orientation affected static and dynamic puncture resistance insignificantly, but influenced on sound-absorbing and thermal-insulating properties significantly. When composite nonwoven was plied with 90°/90° polypropylene selvages and hot-pressed at 180°C, the static and dynamic puncture resistances reached 120 N and 80 N, respectively, and thermal conductivity was 0.047 W/mK. Five layers of composite nonwoven before hot-pressing had sound absorption coefficient of above 0.94 at frequency of higher than 1890 Hz.
Morphology, compatibility, physical and thermo-regulated properties of the electrospinning polyamide 6 and polyethylene glycol blended nanofibers
Authors: Chen Hongwu , Ma Qian , Wang Shudong , Liu Hua , Wang Ke
Published: November 2014

Phase change nanofibers based on polyamide 6 and polyethylene glycol, in which polyethylene glycol acted as a model phase change material and polyamide 6 acted as a supporting material, were successfully prepared via electrospinning. Morphology, compatibility, thermal stability, thermo-regulated performance and physical properties of the polyamide 6/polyethylene glycol thermo-regulated nanofibers were studied. Morphology observation indicates that the addition of polyethylene glycol can improve the spinnability of the nanofibers, and polyamide 6 has a good compatibility with polyethylene glycol. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer characterization results show that polyethylene glycol is well added into polyamide 6 nanofibers, and hydrogen bonding interactions exist between polyamide 6 and polyethylene glycol. Differential scanning calorimetry and heating (cooling) experiment analyses show that the electrospinning polyamide 6/polyethylene glycol blended nanofiber has effective thermo-regulated properties. Mechanical properties experiments show that tensile strength of polyamide 6/polyethylene glycol composite nanofibers decreases with the increasing of polyethylene glycol content in the nanofibers.
Perceived Motives in the Political Arena
Authors: Doherty David
Published: November 2014

People care about more than the substance of policy outcomes. They also care about how political decisions are made. In this article, I report findings from national surveys and two survey experiments that shed light on the factors that affect how people attribute motives to politicians. I find that party cues, policy preferences, and other factors affect which motives people see as the most important explanations for a representative’s behavior. I also find suggestive evidence that people are not strictly averse to representatives who are motivated by political self-interest. Instead, they appear to be more concerned with the extent to which a representative is motivated by his or her genuinely held preferences and a desire to serve the public. The findings constitute an important step toward understanding how people attribute motives in the political arena and the potential consequences of these judgments about what drives politicians’ behavior.

Critics accuse Joe Biden of running for President for political reasons. Veteran presidential candidate Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) is once again facing criticism that his bid for the nation’s highest office is based solely on political reasons. “This campaign is nothing more than a naked power-grab by a man who wants only to pursue his own leadership agendas by heading the nation’s executive branch . . ..” Biden, who encountered similar accusations during his first presidential run in 1988, once again declined to respond to the allegations, only saying that he wished to make America a stronger nation and a better place to live.
Tweeting Alone? An Analysis of Bridging and Bonding Social Capital in Online Networks
Authors: Sajuria Javier , vanHeerde-Hudson Jennifer , Hudson David , Dasandi Niheer , Theocharis Yannis
Published: November 2014

In this article, we test Putnam’s claim that online interactions are unable to foster social capital by examining the formation of bridging and bonding social capital in online networks. Using Burt’s concepts of closure and brokerage as indicators, we observe networks formed through online interactions and test them against several theoretical models. We test Putnam’s claim using Twitter data from three events: the Occupy movement in 2011, the IF Campaign in 2013, and the Chilean Presidential Election of the same year. Our results provide the first evidence that online networks are able to produce the structural features of social capital. In the case of bonding social capital, online ties are more effective in forming close networks than theory predicts. However, bridging social capital is observed under certain conditions, for example, in the presence of organizations and professional brokers. This latter finding provides additional evidence for the argument that social capital follows similar patterns online and offline.
Image Guidance-Based Target Volume Margin Expansion in IMRT of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Srivastava Shiv P. , Cheng Chee-Wai , Das Indra J.
Published: November 2014

This study quantifies the setup uncertainties to optimize the planning target volume (PTV) margin based on daily image guidance, its dosimetric impact, and radiobiological implication for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in head and neck cancer. Ten patients were retrospectively chosen who had been treated with IMRT and with daily image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). The daily setup errors of the 10 patients from on-board imaging for the entire treatment were analyzed. Planning target volumes were generated by expanding the clinical target volumes (CTVs) with 0 to 10 mm margins. The IMRT plans with the same dose–volume constraints were created in an Eclipse treatment planning system. The effect of volume expansion was analyzed with biological indices such as tumor control probability, normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), and equivalent uniform dose. Analysis of 906 daily setup corrections using daily IGRT showed that 98% of the daily setups are within ±5 mm. The relative increase in PTV-CTV volume from 0 to 10 mm margins provides nearly 4-fold volume increase and is linearly related to monitor unit (MU). The increase in MU is about 5%/mm margin increase. The relative increase in NTCP of parotids from 5 to 10 mm margins is 3.2 ± 1.15. Increase in PTV margin increases extra tissue volume with a corresponding increase in MU for treatment and NTCP values. Even a small margin increase (eg, 1 mm) may result in increase of more than 20% in relative extra volume and 15% in NTCP value of organs at risk (OARs). With image guidance, the setup uncertainty could be achieved within ±5 mm for 98% of the treatments, and a margin <5 mm for PTV may seem desirable to reduce the extra tissue irradiated, but at the expense of a more demanding setup accuracy.
Distinguishing Cancerous Liver Cells Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Huang Jing , Liu Shupeng , Chen Zhenyi , Chen Na , Pang Fufei , Wang Tingyun
Published: November 2014

Raman spectroscopy has been widely used in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. It possesses great potential for the analysis of biochemical processes in cell studies. In this article, the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of normal and cancerous liver cells incubated with SERS active substrates (gold nanoparticle) was measured using confocal Raman microspectroscopy technology. The chemical components of the cells were analyzed through statistical methods for the SERS spectrum. Both the relative intensity ratio and principal component analysis (PCA) were used for distinguishing the normal liver cells (QSG-7701) from the hepatoma cells (SMMC-7721). The relative intensity ratio of the Raman spectra peaks such as I937/I1209, I1276/I1308, I1342/I1375, and I1402/I1435 was set as the judge boundary, and the sensitivity and the specificity using PCA method were calculated. The results indicated that the surface-enhanced Raman spectrum could provide the chemical information for distinguishing the normal cells from the cancerous liver cells and demonstrated that SERS technology possessed the possible applied potential for the diagnosis of liver cancer.
Zinc supplementation suppresses the progression of bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in mice
Authors: Shi Fang , Sheng Qin , Xu Xinhua , Huang Wenli , Kang Y James
Published: November 2014

Metallothionein (MT) gene therapy leads to resolution of liver fibrosis in mouse model, in which the activation of collagenases is involved in the regression of liver fibrosis. MT plays a critical role in zinc sequestration in the liver suggesting its therapeutic effect would be mediated by zinc. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that zinc supplementation suppresses liver fibrosis. Male Kunming mice subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) resulted in liver fibrosis as assessed by increased α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I production/deposition in the liver. Zinc supplementation was introduced 4 weeks after BDL surgery via intragastric administration once daily for 2 weeks resulting in a significant reduction in the collagen deposition in the liver and an increase in the survival rate. Furthermore, zinc suppressed gene expression of α-SMA and collagen I and enhanced the capacity of collagen degradation, as determined by the increased activity of total collagenases and elevated mRNA and protein levels of MMP13. Therefore, the results demonstrate that zinc supplementation suppresses BDL-induced liver fibrosis through both inhibiting collagen production and enhancing collagen degradation.
Enhanced infarct myocardium repair mediated by thermosensitive copolymer hydrogel-based stem cell transplantation
Authors: Xia Yu , Zhu Kai , Lai Hao , Lang Meidong , Xiao Yan , Lian Sheng , Guo Changfa , Wang Chunsheng
Published: November 2014

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation by intramyocardial injection has been proposed as a promising therapy strategy for cardiac repair after myocardium infarction. However, low retention and survival of grafted MSCs hinder its further application. In this study, copolymer with N-isopropylacrylamide/acrylic acid/2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate-poly(ɛ-caprolactone) ratio of 88:9.6:2.4 was bioconjugated with type I collagen to construct a novel injectable thermosensitive hydrogel. The injectable and biocompatible hydrogel-mediated MSC transplantation could enhance the grafted cell survival in the myocardium, which contributed to the increased neovascularization, decreased interstitial fibrosis, and ultimately improved heart function to a significantly greater degree than regular MSC transplantation. We suggest that this novel hydrogel has the potential for future stem cell transplantation.
PDE2 activity differs in right and left rat ventricular myocardium and differentially regulates β2 adrenoceptor-mediated effects
Authors: Soler Fernando , Fernández-Belda Francisco , Pérez-Schindler Joaquín , Handschin Christoph , Fuente Teodomiro , Hernandez-Cascales Jesús
Published: November 2014

The important regulator of cardiac function, cAMP, is hydrolyzed by different cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), whose expression and activity are not uniform throughout the heart. Of these enzymes, PDE2 shapes β1 adrenoceptor-dependent cardiac cAMP signaling, both in the right and left ventricular myocardium, but its role in regulating β2 adrenoceptor-mediated responses is less well known. Our aim was to investigate possible differences in PDE2 transcription and activity between right (RV) and left (LV) rat ventricular myocardium, as well as its role in regulating β2 adrenoceptor effects. The free walls of the RV and the LV were obtained from Sprague–Dawley rat hearts. Relative mRNA for PDE2 (quantified by qPCR) and PDE2 activity (evaluated by a colorimetric procedure and using the PDE2 inhibitor EHNA) were determined in RV and LV. Also, β2 adrenoceptor-mediated effects (β2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol + β1 adrenoceptor antagonist CGP-20712A) on contractility and cAMP concentrations, in the absence or presence of EHNA, were studied in the RV and LV. PDE2 transcript levels were less abundant in RV than in LV and the contribution of PDE2 to the total PDE activity was around 25% lower in the microsomal fraction of the RV compared with the LV. β2 adrenoceptor activation increased inotropy and cAMP levels in the LV when measured in the presence of EHNA, but no such effects were observed in the RV, either in the presence or absence of EHNA. These results indicate interventricular differences in PDE2 transcript and activity levels, which may distinctly regulate β2 adrenoceptor-mediated contractility and cAMP concentrations in the RV and in the LV of the rat heart.
Suitability of antral follicle counts and computer-assisted analysis of ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance images for estimating follicular reserve in porcine, ovine and bovine ovaries ex situ
Authors: Warren Lisa , Murawski Maciej , Wilk Karolina , Zieba Dorota A , Bartlewski Pawel M
Published: November 2014

This study was conducted to determine if correlations exist between the numbers of microscopic follicles comprising ovarian follicular reserve (OFR) and antral follicle counts (AFCs), and to assess the usefulness of computerized analyses of ovarian ultrasonograms and magnetic resonance (MR) images for estimating OFR in excised porcine, ovine and bovine ovaries. As a pre-requisite to these analyses, we characterized and compared ovarian cortical histomorhpology and follicle populations in the three species varying in prolificacy and overall reproductive longevity, and hence the total number of microscopic and antral follicles. Ultrasonographic and MR images were obtained at the scanner settings optimized to provide opposing contrasts between antral follicles and the ovarian stroma. Commercially available ImageProPlus® analytical software was used to calculate numerical pixel values (NPVs) and pixel heterogeneity (standard deviation of the pixel values) along the computer-generated lines (4–6) placed in the area corresponding to the ovarian cortex. The numbers of primordial ( r = 0.38, P < 0.01) and intermediate follicles ( r = 0.37, P < 0.01) were correlated with the numbers of antral follicles in bovine ovarian sections. The numbers of primordial ( r = 0.28, P < 0.05), intermediate ( r = 0.31, P < 0.01) and primary follicles ( r = 0.27, P < 0.05) correlated directly with mean NPVs of the ultrasonographic ovarian images in cattle. There was a negative correlation between primary follicle numbers and NPVs of MR images (3D FAST-SPOILED GRADIENT ECHO) of the porcine ovarian cortex ( r = −0.31, P < 0.05). To summarize, the numbers of primordial and intermediate follicles could only be estimated from AFCs in cows. Using ultrasound NPVs, the numbers of primordial, intermediate and primary follicles could be directly estimated in bovine ovaries and the quantitative image attributes of MR images were useful for quantifying porcine primary follicles. The bovine ovarian model is compatible with human situation and hence future studies should be undertaken to ascertain the usefulness of AFCs and ultrasonographic image analyses for estimating OFR in women.
An Integrative Neurocircuit Perspective on Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures and Functional Movement Disorders
Authors: Perez David L. , Dworetzky Barbara A. , Dickerson Bradford C. , Leung Lorene , Cohn Rachel , Baslet Gaston , Silbersweig David A.
Published: November 2014

Functional neurological disorder (conversion disorder) is a neurobehavioral condition frequently encountered by neurologists. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (PNES) and functional movement disorder (FMD) patients present to epileptologists and movement disorder specialists respectively, yet neurologists lack a neurobiological perspective through which to understand these enigmatic groups. Observational research studies suggest that PNES and FMD may represent variants of similar (or the same) conditions given that both groups exhibit a female predominance, have increased prevalence of mood-anxiety disorders, frequently endorse prior abuse, and share phenotypic characteristics. In this perspective article, neuroimaging studies in PNES and FMD are reviewed, and discussed using studies of emotional dysregulation, dissociation and psychological trauma in the context of motor control. Convergent neuroimaging findings implicate alterations in brain circuits mediating emotional expression, regulation and awareness (anterior cingulate and ventromedial prefrontal cortices, insula, amygdala, vermis), cognitive control and motor inhibition (dorsal anterior cingulate, dorsolateral prefrontal, inferior frontal cortices), self-referential processing and perceptual awareness (posterior parietal cortex, temporoparietal junction), and motor planning and coordination (supplementary motor area, cerebellum). Striatal-thalamic components of prefrontal-parietal networks may also play a role in pathophysiology. Aberrant medial prefrontal and amygdalar neuroplastic changes mediated by chronic stress may facilitate the development of functional neurological symptoms in a subset of patients. Improved biological understanding of PNES and FMD will likely reduce stigma and aid the identification of neuroimaging biomarkers guiding treatment development, selection, and prognosis. Additional research should investigate neurocircuit abnormalities within and across functional neurological disorder subtypes, as well as compare PNES and FMD with mood-anxiety-dissociative disorders.
A Promising New Device for the Prevention of Parastomal Hernia
Authors: Hoffmann Henry , Oertli Daniel , Soysal Savas , Zingg Urs , Hahnloser Dieter , Kirchhoff Philipp
Published: November 2014

Parastomal hernia (PSH) is the most frequent long-term stoma complication with serious negative effects on quality of life. Surgical revision is often required and has a substantial morbidity and recurrence rate. The development of PSH requires revisional surgery with a substantial perioperative morbidity and high failure rate in the long-term follow-up. Prophylactic parastomal mesh insertion during stoma creation has the potential to reduce the rate of PSH, but carries the risk of early and late mesh-related complications such as infection, fibrosis, mesh shrinkage, and/or bowel erosion. We developed a new stomaplasty ring (KORING), which is easy to implant, avoids potential mesh-related complications, and has a high potential of long-term prevention of PSH. Here we describe the technique and the first use.
A Novel Percutaneous Guide Wire (S-Wire) for Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Insertion
Authors: Ishii Ken , Kaneko Yasuhito , Funao Haruki , Ishihara Shinichi , Shinohara Akira , Nakanishi Kazuo , Hikata Tomohiro , Fujita Nobuyuki , Iwanami Akio , Hosogane Naobumi , Watanabe Kota , Nagura Takeo , Nakamura Masaya , Toyama Yoshiaki , Matsumoto Morio
Published: November 2014

Purpose. Minimally invasive spine stabilization (MISt) procedures, including MIS–transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF), rely on precise placement of percutaneous pedicle screws (PPS). Serious intraoperative complications associated with PPS placement include great vessel and bowel injuries due to the guide-wire’s anterior migration and penetration through the anterior aspect of the vertebral body. To address this issue, we developed a novel percutaneous guide wire (S-wire) and compared the biomechanical characteristics of S-wire and conventional wire in cadaveric spines, and to evaluate the S-wire’s efficacy and safety in a clinical trial. Methods. The S-wire is hollow, with braided wires extending at one tip. We compared the push-out and penetration forces of the S-wire and conventional wire in fresh cadaveric lumbar spines, from L1 to L5. Results. Push-out forces caused the braided tip of the S-wire to bend or spread, and thus to resist anterior migration. The mean push-out forces for the S-wire and conventional wire were 15.5 ± 1.9 and 5.7 ± 0.8 N, respectively ( P < .0001); the mean penetration forces were 69.1 ± 4.2 and 37.1± 4.8 N, respectively ( P < .0005). There was no wire breakage or anterior-wall penetration in a clinical trial of 922 S-wires; interestingly, the pull-out force increased in 780 (84.6%) S-wires after placement. Conclusions. The mean push-out and penetration forces for the S-wire were approximately 3 and 2 times greater than those of conventional wire, respectively. The S-wire effectively prevented guide-wire anterior migration and penetration of the anterior vertebral-body wall. The S-wire device should effectively improve the safety of MISt procedures, including MIS-TLIF and percutaneous kyphoplasty in selected patient with osteoporosis.
Vaginal Access Minimally Invasive Surgery (VAMIS)
Authors: Atallah Sam , Martin-Perez Beatriz , Albert Matthew , Schoonyoung Henry , Quinteros Francisco , Hunter Lawna , Larach Sergio
Published: November 2014

Vaginal hysterectomy is the original natural orifice operation. Although one of the most common gynecologic operations performed, the surgical approach has not changed significantly during the past century. This article describes a new approach to hysterectomy using vaginal access minimally invasive surgery (VAMIS). VAMIS hysterectomy is successfully performed on a cadaveric model. The step-by-step description of the surgical technique is depicted with video supplement.
Evaluation of Sexual Function and Its Contributing Factors in Men With Spinal Cord Injury Using a Self-Administered Questionnaire
Authors: Khak Mohammad , Hassanijirdehi Marzieh , Afshari-Mirak Sohrab , Holakouie-Naieni Kourosh , Saadat Soheil , Taheri Taher , Rahimi-Movaghar Vafa
Published: November 2014

Sexual activity is an important aspect of life in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), rated as one of the top priorities for recovery of function. This study was conducted to establish an understanding of the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED), a major component of male sexual activity, and its correlates in patients with SCI in our community. In a cross-sectional study, 37 male veterans with SCI admitted for regular follow-up at our center were recruited. Demographic and SCI-related descriptive information was gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. Sexual Health Inventory for Men was used to assess the presence and severity of ED. Euro Quality of Life questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were also administered. The mean age of the participants was 45.7 ± 6.5 years with injury duration of 24.7 ± 6.2 years. Mean GHQ-12 score of 3.65 ± 3.38 and mean Sexual Health Inventory for Men score of 11.57 ± 5.28 were measured. All participants had ED, and 27% were suffering from severe ED. Sleep deprivation, worse GHQ-12 score, and hypertension were significantly associated with higher risk of much severe ED ( p < .05). In conclusion, ED is a common problem in veterans with SCI and is inversely associated with their general health status.
Use of Music Intervention for Reducing Anxiety and Promoting Satisfaction in First-Time Filipino Fathers
Authors: Labrague Leodoro J. , McEnroe-Petitte Denise M.
Published: November 2014

Childbirth is an anxiety-provoking event in a man’s life. Therefore, strategies to decrease paternal anxiety during childbirth are necessary. This study determined the effects of music and satisfaction of first-time Filipino fathers during childbirth. In the study, a prospective quasi-experimental design was utilized. Ninety-eight purposive samples of first-time fathers were included in the study, 50 were allocated in the experimental group (music group) and 48 in the control group (nonmusic group) during the months of August to October 2013. Paternal anxiety and satisfaction were measured using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Visual Analogue Scale for Satisfaction, respectively. Results revealed that the first-time fathers in the experimental group had lower State Trait Anxiety Inventory scores ( p < .05) and higher Visual Analogue Scale for Satisfaction scores ( p < .05) than those in the control group. Findings of the study provide substantial evidence to support the use of music in reducing anxiety and promoting satisfaction among first-time fathers during childbirth.
Partial capitate shortening for Kienböck’s disease
Authors: Citlak A. , Akgun U. , Bulut T. , Tahta M. , Dirim Mete B. , Sener M.
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this study was to report our experience of partial capitate shortening in seven patients with a median 38 months follow-up. Staging was made by the Lichtman classification system and stage II and III-A patients were included in the study. The mean age was 34 years (range 22–52). Patients were assessed for pain, range of motion, grip and pinch strength, and satisfaction was recorded using a scale between 0 and 4. All these parameters showed improvement after surgery. The Lichtman stage, lunate height index and carpal height index were determined radiographically. Magnetic resonance images of the wrist were studied for lunate revascularization at the final follow-up and occurred in all patients. According to our study, partial capitate shortening seems an effective treatment for Lichtman stage II and III-A patients.

Level IV case series study.
Soluble CD14, α-and β-defensins in breast milk: Association with the emergence of allergy in a high-risk population
Authors: Savilahti Emma M , Kukkonen Anna K , Kuitunen Mikael , Savilahti Erkki
Published: November 2014

As innate immunity factors in breast milk (BM) modulate infants’ immune responses, we investigated whether soluble CD14 (sCD14) and defensin levels in BM are associated with the emergence of allergy in childhood. The randomly selected group of 260 mother–child pairs belonged to a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial where 1223 mothers with fetuses at high risk for allergy received for the 4 last wk of pregnancy a mixture of probiotics, or placebo; after birth, the child received the treatment for 6 mo. Children were followed for the emergence of sensitization and allergic symptoms for 5 yr. IgE-mediated allergic disorder was diagnosed in 80 children by the age of 5 yr. Levels of sCD14, human neutrophil peptide (HNP) 1–3 and β-defensin 2 (HBD2) in colostrum and in BM 3 mo post-partum were measured with ELISA. BM sCD14 levels decreased from 0 to 3 mo. HNP1–3 and HBD2 were detected in colostrum, but not in BM 3 mo post-partum. High sCD14 levels in BM 3 mo post-partum were associated with children developing an IgE-mediated allergic disorder by the age of 5 yr. BM HNP1–3, HBD2 or sCD14 levels were not associated with probiotics treatment. Our results suggest that sCD14 in BM influences the emergence of allergy in children with atopic heredity.
Effects of gender, cytokine gene polymorphisms and environmental factors on inflammatory responses
Authors: Moscovis Sophia M , Cox Amanda , Hall Sharron T , Burns Christine J , Scott Rodney J , Blackwell C Caroline
Published: November 2014

Previous studies have indicated that cytokine gene polymorphisms of Indigenous Australians were predominantly associated with strong pro-inflammatory responses. We tested the hypothesis that cells of donors with genetic profiles of inflammatory cytokine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) similar to Indigenous Australians produce higher pro-inflammatory responses. PBMCs from 14 donors with genetic profiles for a high risk of strong pro-inflammatory responses and 14 with low-risk profiles were stimulated with endotoxin and effects of gender, IFN-γ, cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and testosterone on cytokine responses analysed. Cytokines were calculated from standard curves (Luminex 2.3 software). No significant differences were associated with SNP profile alone. Lower pro-inflammatory responses were observed for cells from males with low- or high-risk profiles. For cells from females with high-risk profiles, anti-inflammatory IL-10 responses were significantly reduced. There was no effect of testosterone levels on responses from males. For females, results from IFN-γ-treated cells showed positive correlations between testosterone levels and IL-1β responses to endotoxin for both risk groups and TNF-α for the high-risk group. If interactions observed among CSE, IFN-γ, genetic background and testosterone reflect those in vivo, these might contribute to increased incidences of hospitalisations for infectious diseases among Indigenous women.
Health needs of prisoners
Authors: Pocock Lucy , Sutton John
Published: November 2014

Very few GPs work within a prison environment, however, many of us will be responsible for the care of people in the community who enter or leave the prison system. The challenges of caring for this complex group of patients include a lack of engagement with healthcare and a high incidence of mental ill-health, substance misuse and self-harm behaviour. In order to facilitate this care, GPs need to be able to effectively communicate with patients from diverse backgrounds, in a non-judgemental manner, and strive to work with prison healthcare teams to ensure continuity of care. This should include information-sharing about ongoing treatments (drug and non-drug) and any pending investigations or secondary care follow-up. This article will describe the main health needs of the prison population and how we can improve care for this, sometimes overlooked, group of patients.
Sustainability and power in health promotion: community-based participatory research in a reproductive health policy case study in New Mexico
Authors: Mendes Rosilda , Plaza Veronica , Wallerstein Nina
Published: November 2014

Health promotion programs are commonly viewed as value-free initiatives which seek to improve health, often through behavior change. An opposing view has begun to emerge that health promotion efforts, especially ones seeking to impact health policy and social determinants of health, are vulnerable to political contexts and may depend on who is in power at the time. This community-based participatory research study attempts to understand these interactions by applying a conceptual model focused on the power context, diverse stakeholder roles within this context, and the relationship of political levers and other change strategies to the sustainability of health promotion interventions aimed at health policy change. We present a case study of a health promotion coalition, New Mexico for Responsible Sex Education (NMRSE), as an example of power dynamics and change processes. Formed in 2005 in response to federal policies mandating abstinence-only education, NMRSE includes community activists, health promotion staff from the New Mexico Department of Health, and policy-maker allies. Applying an adapted Mayer’s ‘power analysis’ instrument, we conducted semi-structured stakeholder interviews and triangulated political-context analyses from the perspective of the stakeholders.

We identified multiple understandings of sustainability and health promotion policy change, including: the importance of diverse stakeholders working together in coalition and social networks; their distinct positions of power within their political contexts; the role of science versus advocacy in change processes; the particular challenges for public sector health promotion professionals; and other facilitators versus barriers to action. One problem that emerged consisted of the challenges for state employees to engage in health promotion advocacy due to limitations imposed on their activities by state and federal policies. This investigation’s results include a refined conceptual model, a power-analysis instrument, and new understandings of the intersection of power and stakeholder strategies in the sustainability of health promotion and health in all policies.
Management of glenohumeral synovitis secondary to influenza vaccination
Authors: Hexter Adam T , Gee Edward , Sandher Dilraj
Published: November 2014

Glenohumeral synovitis is a rare complication of vaccination that can lead to shoulder dysfunction and prolonged pain. We report a case of florid glenohumeral synovitis after routine influenza vaccination, which we consider to have occurred because of the unintentional injection of antigenic material into synovial tissues, resulting in an immune-mediated inflammatory reaction. We provide a review of the literature for this condition and describe an invasive management approach, providing, for the first time, an arthroscopic evaluation and histopathological analysis.
Dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Filippatos Theodosios D. , Liberopoulos Evangelos N. , Elisaf Moses S.
Published: November 2014

Dapagliflozin is a selective and reversible inhibitor of sodium–glucose linked transporter type 2 (SGLT2), which mediates approximately 90% of active renal glucose reabsorption in the early proximal tubule of the kidney. Dapagliflozin significantly reduces glucose reabsorption and decreases serum glucose concentration in an insulin-independent manner. The decrease of glucose reabsorption by dapagliflozin has also been associated with a reduction in body weight. Furthermore, the drug modestly reduces blood pressure levels through weight loss and its action as osmotic diuretic. Dapagliflozin has been approved as monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who cannot tolerate metformin or in combination with other antidiabetic drugs, with the exception of pioglitazone due to the theoretical increased risk of bladder cancer. The drug should not be prescribed in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment or in patients at risk for developing volume depletion. Dapagliflozin is associated with increased incidence of genital and lower urinary tract infections, but these infections are usually mild to moderate and respond to standard antimicrobial treatment. Based on current evidence, dapagliflozin is a useful drug for patients with T2DM with a favorable safety profile. However, further research regarding the effects of dapagliflozin on cardiovascular outcomes is needed.
Poor monitoring of physical health in patients referred to a mood disorders service
Authors: Lack David , Holt Richard I. G. , Baldwin David S.
Published: November 2014

Background:

Severe mental illness is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality, most commonly from cardiovascular disease. Much of the risk is explicable by potentially modifiable factors such as diabetes and dyslipidaemia, and regular screening of patients with severe mental illness is recommended. Screening and intervention for physical illness among people with schizophrenia is often suboptimal, but little is known about monitoring physical health in patients with affective (mood and anxiety) disorders.

Method:

Electronic and paper records were examined for evidence of monitoring of cardiovascular disease risk factors in the 12 months prior to assessment in patients attending a tertiary referral specialist service for affective disorders over a period of 39 months. The number of contacts with healthcare services was calculated for each patient to provide an estimate of the opportunities for monitoring.

Results:

Notes for 113 patients were examined. The mean number of contacts with outpatient services in the 12 months before assessment was 6.9 (standard deviation 7.7). Documented evidence of physical-health monitoring was seen in only 29 patients: monitoring was more commonly undertaken in patients with recurrent unipolar depression and in those who had undergone recent inpatient treatment. Contacts that could have allowed monitoring of physical health were common.

Discussion:

Although most patients had multiple contacts with health services in the 12-month period before their assessment in the service, there was little evidence of use of primary-prevention measures to reduce the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this vulnerable population.
QT dynamics during treatment with sertindole
Authors: Nielsen Jimmi , Wang Fan , Graff Claus , Kanters Jørgen K.
Published: November 2014

Objectives:

Sertindole is a nonsedating atypical antipsychotic drug with low propensity to cause extrapyramidal side effects but it has been associated with a 20 ms QTc prolongation and increased risk of cardiac events. It is uncertain whether this drug-induced increase in cardiac risk might also be revealed by dynamic measures of the QT interval such as the ratio of QT variability to heart rate variability (variability ratio [VR]). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sertindole on QT dynamics.

Methods:

QTc and the VR were assessed in an observational study using 24-hour Holter monitoring at baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment with sertindole 16 mg. The VR was calculated by dividing the standard deviation of QT intervals with the standard deviation of heart rates. Outcome measures were compared using paired t-test.

Results:

A total of 18 patients participated in the study, two were excluded from further analysis due to low amplitude of the T-wave. When patients were shifted to sertindole, the VR increased from 0.192 (SD 0.045) to 0.223 (SD 0.061), p = 0.02. The QTcF interval increased from 388 (SD 16) to 403 ms (SD 14), p = 0.002. There was no difference in heart rate 78 bpm (SD 8) versus 80 bpm (SD 10), p = 0.3 or heart rate variability (SDNN) 127 (SD 40) versus 115 ms (SD 45), p = 0.4.

Conclusion:

Sertindole was associated with 19 ms QTc prolongation and an increased ratio of QT variability to heart rate variability. Both measures may contribute to the increased cardiovascular mortality found with sertindole.
Pica patient, status post gastric bypass, improves with change in medication regimen
Authors: Tabaac Burton J. , Tabaac Vanessa
Published: November 2014

The causes and origins of pica remain unknown and are the source of speculation and heated debate. Bariatric surgery patients are increasingly being observed in eating disorders treatment programs. Often associated with pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia, early development and mental retardation, pica has only recently been noted in post bariatric surgery patients, all of whom presented with pagophagia (eating of ice). Although there is literature detailing the presence of bezoars in gastric bypass patients, the association of pica, bezoars and abnormal eating behavior after bariatric surgery is still not understood completely. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with pica who underwent bariatric surgery due to a specific bezoar causing obstruction, followed by a treatment plan aimed at curbing the impulses. The patient was diagnosed to have a cardboard and paper bezoar causing gastric obstruction, which was removed endoscopically. After incomplete improvement of pica symptoms with treatment including ziprasidone, lorazepam and behavioral therapy, Saphris (asenapine) was introduced resulting in significant and complete resolution.
Helicobacter pylori infection but not small intestinal bacterial overgrowth may play a pathogenic role in rosacea
Authors: Gravina AG , Federico A , Ruocco E , Lo Schiavo A , Masarone M , Tuccillo C , Peccerillo F , Miranda A , Romano L , de Sio C , de Sio I , Persico M , Ruocco V , Riegler G , Loguercio C , Romano M
Published: November 2014

Background and aims

Recent studies suggest a potential relationship between rosacea and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), but there is no firm evidence of an association between rosacea and H. pylori infection or SIBO. We performed a prospective study to assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection and/or SIBO in patients with rosacea and evaluated the effect of H. pylori or SIBO eradication on rosacea.

Methods

We enrolled 90 patients with rosacea from January 2012 to January 2013 and a control group consisting of 90 patients referred to us because of mapping of nevi during the same period. We used the 13 C Urea Breath Test and H. pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test to assess H. pylori infection and the glucose breath test to assess SIBO. Patients infected by H. pylori were treated with clarithromycin‐containing sequential therapy. Patients positive for SIBO were treated with rifaximin.

Results

We found that 44/90 (48.9%) patients with rosacea and 24/90 (26.7%) control subjects were infected with H. pylori (p  = 0.003). Moreover, 9/90 (10%) patients with rosacea and 7/90 (7.8%) subjects in the control group had SIBO (p  = 0.6). Within 10 weeks from the end of antibiotic therapy, the skin lesions of rosacea disappeared or decreased markedly in 35/36 (97.2%) patients after eradication of H. pylori and in 3/8 (37.5%) patients who did not eradicate the infection (p  < 0.0001). Rosacea skin lesions decreased markedly in 6/7 (85.7%) after eradication of SIBO whereas of the two patients who did not eradicate SIBO, one (50%) showed an improvement in rosacea (p  = 0.284).

Conclusions

Prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher in patients with rosacea than control group, whereas SIBO prevalence was comparable between the two groups. Eradication of H. pylori infection led to a significant improvement of skin symptoms in rosacea patients.
Managing complications in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Peck-Radosavljevic Markus , Angeli Paolo , Cordoba Juan , Farges Oliver , Valla Dominique
Published: November 2014

Liver cirrhosis is a serious and potentially life‐threatening condition. This life‐threatening condition usually arises from complications of cirrhosis. While variceal bleeding is the most acute and probably best studied, several other complications of liver cirrhosis are more insidious in their onset but nevertheless more important for the long‐term management and outcome of these patients. This review summarizes the topics discussed during the UEG‐EASL Hepatology postgraduate course of the United European Gastroenterology Week 2013 and discusses emergency surgical conditions in cirrhotic patients, the management of hepatic encephalopathy, ascites and hepatorenal syndrome, coagulation disorders, and liver cancer.
Psychological morbidity of celiac disease: A review of the literature
Authors: Zingone Fabiana , Swift Gillian L , Card Timothy R , Sanders David S , Ludvigsson Jonas F , Bai Julio C
Published: November 2014

Background

Celiac disease has been linked to decreased quality of life and certain mood disorders. The effect of the gluten free diet on these psychological aspects of the disease is still unclear.

Objectives

The objective of this article is to review the literature on psychological morbidity of celiac disease.

Methods

We performed a PubMed search for the time period from 1900 until June 1, 2014, to identify papers on psychological aspects of celiac disease looking specifically at quality of life, anxiety, depression and fatigue.

Results

Anxiety, depression and fatigue are common complaints in patients with untreated celiac disease and contribute to lower quality of life. While aspects of these conditions may improve within a few months after starting a gluten‐free diet, some patients continue to suffer from significant psychological morbidity. Psychological symptoms may affect the quality of life and the dietary adherence.

Conclusion

Health care professionals need to be aware of the ongoing psychological burden of celiac disease in order to support patients with this disease.