bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intentions of nurses and nursing students to tell the whole truth to patients and family members
Authors: Tabak Nili , Itzhaki Michal , Sharon Dganit , Barnoy Sivia
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectives

To investigate the intentions of nurses and nursing students to telling the truth to patients and families, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior which examines intention to perform behaviours.

Background

In recent decades, the perception that patients have a moral and legal right to truthful and reliable information has become dominant. However, the study of telling the truth to non‐oncology patients has received scant attention and little is known about the intention of nurses and nursing students to tell the truth.

Design

A cross‐sectional design.

Methods

We used a scenario‐based questionnaire, illustrating eight different situations in which nurses/nursing students are asked to tell the truth to a patient or family member regarding a devastating disease with which the patient is afflicted. Data were analysed using the Mann–Whitney U‐test and ridge regression.

Results

The sample included 150 participants, 110 registered nurses and 40 third year nursing students, with a response rate of 87%. The results show that nurses and nursing students intend to tell the whole truth even if this is not easy for them. Nurses more than students think that it is important to tell the whole truth and intend to do so. Head nurses tend to tell the truth more than staff nurses. For nurses, the components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour predicted intention to tell the truth, whereas among students subjective norms were the only predictor of intention.

Conclusion

The Theory of Planned Behaviour is a powerful predictor of nurse intention to tell the whole truth to patients and their families. Students perceive social pressure as the most important incentive of their intention to tell the truth.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses and nursing students should receive additional training in dealing with various situations involving truth telling.
Efficacy of florfenicol for control of mortality associated with Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)
Authors: Soto E , Kidd S , Gaunt P S , Endris R
Published: November 2012

Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno) (syn. F. asiatica) is an emergent Gram‐negative facultative intracellular bacterium. Although it is considered one of the most pathogenic bacteria in fish, there are no commercially available treatments or vaccines. The objective of this project was to determine the most efficacious concentration of florfenicol (FFC) [10, 15 or 20 mg FFC kg−1 body weight (bw) per days for 10 days] administered in feed to control experimentally induced infections of Fno in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), reared in a recirculating aquaculture system. The cumulative mortality of fish that received 0, 10, 15 or 20 mg FFC kg−1 bw per day was 60, 37, 14 and 16%, respectively. Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis genome equivalents were detected in water from all challenged groups with slight reduction in the concentration in the florfenicol‐treated groups 4 days after treatment. The mean LOG of CFU Fno mg−1 spleen was 3–5 and was present in all challenged groups at necropsy 11 days after treatment (21 days after challenge). Results show that florfenicol administered at doses of 15 and 20 mg FFC kg−1 bw per days for 10 days significantly reduced mortality associated with francisellosis in Nile tilapia.
Changes in endoscopic findings of gastritis after cure of H. pylori infection: Multicenter prospective trial
Authors: Kato Mototsugu , Terao Shuichi , Adachi Kyoichi , Nakajima Shigemi , Ando Takashi , Yoshida Norimasa , Uedo Noriya , Murakami Kazunari , Ohara Shuichi , Ito Masanori , Uemura Naomi , Shimbo Takuro , Watanabe Hidenobu , Kato Takahiro , Ida Kazunori ,   Study Group for Establishing Endoscopic Diagnosis of Chronic Gastritis
Published: November 2012

Background and Aim

Successful eradication of H. pylori changes pathological findings of gastritis dramatically. However, change of endoscopic mucosal findings is not fully understood. To clarify the short‐term changes of endoscopic mucosal findings after cure of H. pylori infection, a multicenter prospective trial was conducted.

Methods

One hundred and forty‐seven patients with H. pylori infection from 12 institutions were enrolled into this prospective cohort trial. Nineteen endoscopic findings using high‐resolution white light electronic endoscopy were assessed before and 2–4 months after eradication treatment of H. pylori. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by pathology of three stomach sites using hematoxylin‐eosin stain or H. pylori‐specific immunostaining. Endoscopic features of the successful eradication group and the failed eradication group were compared. The change of severity of endoscopic features before and after H. pylori eradication were compared between successful eradication and failed eradication.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐six patients were analyzed. Eradication rate was 81% (102/126). Non‐transparency of gastric juice, diffuse redness of fundic mucosa, enlarged fold, spotty redness of fundic mucosa, flat erosion of stomach, and hemoglobin index of fundic mucosa were significantly different between the successful eradication group and the failed eradication group. Gastric flat erosion was of higher frequency in the successful eradication group. When eradication was successful, spotty redness of fundic gland improved significantly.

Conclusion

Assessment of endoscopic findings of spotty redness after eradication treatment is useful in the diagnosis of H. pylori eradication.
ARBITRAGE ACROSS BORDERS: WHY ITUNES GIFT CARDS SELL ABOVE FACE VALUE ON EBAY
Authors: NG CHEN FENG
Published: November 2012

This paper is one of the first to explore international price differences and arbitrage opportunities in the market for downloadable content, by linking the sale of iTunes gift cards above face value on eBay to the arbitrage of iTunes' products (which include downloadable music and videos). This paper shows that iTunes gift cards targeted to non‐U.S. buyers tend to sell for higher prices, controlling for seller reputation, shipping costs, and other variables. Information about the buyers' countries allows us to see whether it is the U.S. store's greater product availability or its lower prices that buyers are interested in. (JEL D40, L10, F10)
INTERNATIONAL R&D SPILLOVERS AND PRODUCTIVITY TRENDS IN THE ASIAN MIRACLE ECONOMIES
Authors: ANG JAMES B. , MADSEN JAKOB B.
Published: November 2012

This paper examines the importance of the domestic research and development stock and foreign knowledge spillovers on total factor productivity for six Asian miracle economies over the period from 1955 to 2006. The productivity effects of international knowledge spillovers through the following channels are considered: imports, exports, inward foreign direct investment, patents, geographical proximity, and the general channel. The general channel is a transmission mechanism where knowledge spillovers occur automatically and do not pass through any specific channel. The estimates show that knowledge has been transmitted through all the channels considered but that the import channel and the general channel have probably been the most important ones for the Asian miracle economies. (JEL O10, O30, O40)
Psychiatric readmission: an integrative review of the literature
Authors: Machado V. , Leonidas C. , Santos M.A. , Souza J.
Published: November 2012

MACHADO V., LEONIDAS C., SANTOS M.A. & SOUZA J. (2012) Psychiatric readmission: an integrative review of the literature. International Nursing Review59, 447–457

Background:  In the global context of contemporary psychiatric deinstitutionalization, the phenomenon of psychiatric readmission imposes important challenges, as it exposes the fragility of the network of mental health services.

Aims:  To gather, synthesize and analyse the national and international scientific literature regarding the phenomenon of psychiatric readmission in the context of deinstitutionalization.

Methods:  Through the combination of descriptors, an integrative review was performed of publications from the period 1997 to 2010 included in the MedLine, PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and PsycINFO databases. Selection of the articles was based on pre‐established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three authors independently evaluated the eligibility of the articles. The level of inter‐judge concordance was calculated, using the formula: agreement = Σ possible concordance subtracted from real discordance divided by the number of articles. Information about the selected studies was systematized and analysed.

Findings:  Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Studies conducted and published in international journals, mainly in the USA, with a quantitative approach predominated. In general, the studies addressed the phenomenon of psychiatric readmission after the restructuring of mental health care. The variables investigated were clinical and sociodemographic factors and the characteristics of the mental health service associated with readmission, as well as the programs developed specifically for patients vulnerable to hospital readmissions.

Conclusions:  It was noted that the perspective of the patient regarding their readmissions, as well as the interface with the social and familial context in which they maintain their social relationships and care for their health, was largely unexplored by the literature.
The Public Health Responsibility DealFood Network
Authors: Jebb S. A.
Published: November 2012

The UK Department of Health's Responsibility Deal represents a new approach to public private partnerships to improve public health. This paper focuses on the Food Network and actions to improve the nation's diet. It summarises the pledges developed so far and early indicators of progress. It also signposts areas for future work and processes for monitoring and evaluation.
New data on the nutritional composition of UK hens' eggs
Authors: Benelam B. , Roe M. , Pinchen H. , Church S. , Buttriss J. , Gray J. , Farron‐Wilson M. , Finglas P.
Published: November 2012

The results from an analytical survey of the nutrient content of UK hens' eggs have been published by the Department of Health. The results provide updated data to reflect changes in egg production in the UK and include data for a wide range of nutrients, including fat, fatty acids, protein, and a full range of minerals and vitamins, including new data for vitamin K2 and choline. Results showed that the nutrient content of eggs was generally similar to analyses carried out in previous surveys; however, there were notable differences in levels of total fat, saturated fatty acids and cholesterol (reflecting changes in the ratio of egg yolk to egg white in whole eggs), vitamin D, E and selenium. The results will be incorporated into the Department of Health's nutrient databanks, which support the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and other surveys. These surveys enable the government to monitor the nation's diet and provide sound evidence for policy recommendations using nutrient intake estimates based on accurate, up‐to‐date information. The results will also be incorporated into future publications in the McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods series.
Polyphenols in the diet: friend or foe?
Authors: Hooper B. , Frazier R.
Published: November 2012

Polyphenols are suggested to have human health benefits, yet debate still exists over their value in the diet. This review examines their efficacy and the effect of structural diversity on their reactivity and any implications this may have with respect to possible unfavourable adverse effects. We propose that polyphenols are of benefit to humans through dietary consumption, yet care should be taken over excessive consumption, particularly in some subgroups of the population, e.g. those on certain medications because of complex nutrient–drug interactions. Pharmaceutical application should be avoided until there is greater understanding of absorption and behaviour of polyphenols within the body.
The effects of natural variation in background radioactivity on humans, animals and other organisms
Authors: Møller Anders P. , Mousseau Timothy A.
Published: November 2012

Natural levels of radioactivity on the Earth vary by more than a thousand‐fold; this spatial heterogeneity may suffice to create heterogeneous effects on physiology, mutation and selection. We review the literature on the relationship between variation in natural levels of radioactivity and evolution. First, we consider the effects of natural levels of radiation on mutations, DNA repair and genetics. A total of 46 studies with 373 effect size estimates revealed a small, but highly significant mean effect that was independent of adjustment for publication bias. Second, we found different mean effect sizes when studies were based on broad categories like physiology, immunology and disease frequency; mean weighted effect sizes were larger for studies of plants than animals, and larger in studies conducted in areas with higher levels of radiation. Third, these negative effects of radiation on mutations, immunology and life history are inconsistent with a general role of hormetic positive effects of radiation on living organisms. Fourth, we reviewed studies of radiation resistance among taxa. These studies suggest that current levels of natural radioactivity may affect mutational input and thereby the genetic constitution and composition of natural populations. Susceptibility to radiation varied among taxa, and several studies provided evidence of differences in susceptibility among populations or strains. Crucially, however, these studies are few and scattered, suggesting that a concerted effort to address this lack of research should be made.
Impulsivity and Motivations to Consume Alcohol: A Prospective Study on Risk of Dependence in Young Adult Women
Authors: Stojek Monika , Fischer Sarah
Published: November 2012

Background

Increasing numbers of emerging adult women are engaging in heavy drinking behavior, placing them at risk of negative outcomes and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of 5 pathways to impulsive behavior (negative urgency [NU], positive urgency, lack of deliberation [DEL], lack of persistence, and sensation seeking), drinking motives, and their interaction on increases in symptoms of alcohol dependence in young adult women in a prospective design.

Methods

Zero‐inflated Poisson regression models were used to examine the influence of traits, motives, and their interaction at baseline on increases in symptoms of AUDs approximately 3 months later. A total of 319 first semester college women completed the first wave of the study; 235 of these were drinkers.

Results

Among drinkers, 17% of the sample reported increases in S‐MAST scores over the study period. Consistent with hypotheses, the interaction of NU and coping motives, as well as DEL and enhancement motives predicted increase in dependence symptoms at Time 2.

Conclusions

This is one of very few studies to examine the influence of impulsivity‐related traits and drinking motives on alcohol dependence symptoms prospectively in a sample of emerging adult women. We found that NU and (lack of) deliberation were predictors of such increases. Our hypothesis that women who endorsed both high levels of NU and high baseline endorsement of coping motives would have the most increases in symptoms over time was also supported.
Decoding of Emotional Components in Complex Communicative Situations (Irony) and Its Relation to Empathic Abilities in Male Chronic Alcoholics: An Issue for Treatment
Authors: Amenta Simona , Noël Xavier , Verbanck Paul , Campanella Salvatore
Published: November 2012

Background

Previous research has shown that deficits in the domain of emotions strongly characterize alcoholism. Patients diagnosed with alcoholism show impairments in emotional mimic recognition, as well as in the domain of emotional prosody. These data suggest that male alcoholics might suffer from a generalized emotional impairment associated with dysfunctions in empathy. Taken altogether, those deficits might influence alcoholics' relational domain and their performance in complex communicative situations such as ironic interactions. The present study investigates the ability of chronic male alcoholics to recognize the emotional component of ironic contexts and its relation to the comprehension of ironic meaning as a function of their empathic abilities.

Methods

Forty‐four male subjects participated in a story comprehension task. They were asked to read stories with either an ironic or a nonironic ending. Participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire about communicative intentions and the emotional states of the stories' characters. Moreover, the correct comprehension of the ironic meaning was assessed through a self‐reported questionnaire and related to the empathy quotient (EQ) which was measured in a preexperimental phase.

Results

Alcoholic subjects showed a lower EQ in comparison to healthy subjects and recognized significant fewer ironic endings. Social skills results were particularly impaired. The correlation between EQ and ironic endings recognition was significant. Moreover, alcoholics showed a tendency to attribute positive emotions to both ironic and nonironic contexts, showing an opposite pattern in comparison with control subjects who tended to associate negative emotions to ironic contexts.

Conclusions

The present study indicates that emotional recognition deficits that have been previously observed in chronic alcoholics extend to complex interactive contexts. This deficit is associated with a more general impairment of empathy, especially in its social skill component. Clinical implications of the present results are discussed.
On the Use of Information in Oligopolistic Insurance Markets
Authors: Kesternich Iris , Schumacher Heiner
Published: November 2012

We analyze the use of information in an oligopolistic insurance market with costly market entry. For intermediate values of entry costs, an equilibrium exists that is profit maximizing for incumbents and in which companies do not discriminate between high and low risks. The model therefore provides an explanation for the existence of “unused observables,” that is, information that (1) insurance companies collect or could collect, (2) is correlated with risk, but (3) is not used to set premiums.
Patterns of hatching failure in the house sparrow Passer domesticus
Authors: Stewart Ian R. K. , Westneat David F.
Published: November 2012

Hatching failure is widespread in birds despite presumably strong selection against any wasted reproductive effort and yet there have been few attempts at uncovering sources of variation in failure within a species. Here we use 11 yr of data on the frequency of both undeveloped and unhatched eggs in a marked population of house sparrows Passer domesticus to examine the effects of multiple factors hypothesized to affect hatching success in birds including parental identity, phenotype and genotype, as well as several environmental variables. Unhatched eggs were present in 34.3% of 1523 clutches in which at least one egg hatched, and a total of 10.1% of eggs failed to hatch, of which 75.7% had no visible embryo. We found an effect of female identity on the proportion of eggs that developed and an effect of male identity on hatching success, as well as a positive effect of egg size on both the proportion of eggs that developed and hatching success between females. Neither the proportion of eggs that developed nor hatching success varied according to time of season or weather conditions, clutch size, the age of either parent, the size of the male's black bib, female size, female heterozygosity or the genetic similarity between members of a pair. There was also no positional bias in the occurrence of undeveloped eggs, although undeveloped eggs were more common among birds nesting at low density. Our results suggest that hatching failure in house sparrows has few environmental components and is primarily influenced by intrinsic differences among individuals.
Microwave Absorbing Performances of Silica Matrix Composites Reinforced by Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Fiber
Authors: Kou Huamin , Zhu Yong , Chen Mingxia , Zeng Yanping , Pan Yubai , Guo Jingkun
Published: November 2012

Multilayered composites consisting of silica, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and continuous carbon fibers (Cf) were prepared by hot‐pressing technique. Microstructures of different layer presented few pores of the composites. The thermal stability of the composites was analyzed by TG/DTA measurement. After being heat treated at 400°C for 10 h, the composites retained the equivalent shielding property compared to room temperature, and the impedance matching property at material/wave interface was improved slightly. The multilayer CNTs/Cf/silica composites have not only the excellent absorbing properties but also the outstanding thermal stability, and it can be a promising candidate for high‐temperature electromagnetic interference shielding applications.
Immunoreactivity of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) Isoforms in the Central Nervous System of the Barn Spider, Araneus cavaticus
Authors: Moon Myung‐Jin , Tillinghast Edward K.
Published: November 2012

The γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) has long been considered as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) of both vertebrates and arthropods. Since the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has a restricted tissue distribution and catalyzes the conversion of L‐glutamate to GABA, immunoreactivity of GAD isoforms can reveal distribution of GABAergic neurons in the CNS. In the CNS of the spider Araneus cavaticus, immunoreactivity of GAD isoforms can be detected in the optic lobes including neurons and neuropiles of the supraesophageal ganglia. Strong GAD‐like immunoreactive cell bodies are concentrated in two bilaterally symmetric cell clusters of the protocerebrum. Some intrinsic cell bodies near the central body also show strong immunoreactivity. However, the intrinsic nerve masses and some of the longitudinal and transverse tracts within the supraesophageal ganglion are only lightly labelled, and the fibers transverse the hemisphere and the central fibrous masses are not labelled. Among the three basic types of cell bodies surrounding the central body, several clusters of the Type‐C cells show strong GAD‐like immunoreactivity, however both of the Type‐A and Type‐B cells are not labelled at all.
Effect of Gelatin Addition on Properties of Pullulan Films
Authors: Zhang Chao , Gao Dandan , Ma Yue , Zhao Xiaoyan
Published: November 2012

The gelatin was added into pullulan films to improve their performances and lower their cost. The gelatin addition raised the tensile strength of the gelatin–pullulan composite films, and reduced the oxygen permeability. The cost of composite films was reduced comparing to that of the pullulan films. Moreover, the molecular interaction of the composite film was evaluated. The interactions of gelatin and pullulan in the composite films were detected, such as (1) formation of 2 glycosylated proteins; (2) improvement of β‐sheet content; (3) formation of the interchain hydrogen bond and a semicrystalline region. Therefore, the molecular interaction was the main reason for the performance improvement of the composite films.
The associations between dietary intakes from 36 to 60 months of age and primary dentition non‐cavitated caries and cavitated caries
Authors: Chankanka Oitip , Levy Steven M. , Marshall Teresa A. , Cavanaugh Joseph E. , Warren John J. , Broffitt Barbara , Kolker Justine L.
Published: November 2012

Objective

To examine risk factors for non‐cavitated caries, as well as cavitated caries.

Methods

Subjects were participants in the Iowa Fluoride Study cohort. Dietary data were collected at 36, 48, and 60 months old using 3‐day dietary diaries, and a dental examination was conducted at about age 5. We compared the frequencies of dietary intakes of three groups: a) children having only d1caries (n = 41); b) children having only cavitated (d2+f) caries (n = 46); and c) children having both d1 and d2+f caries (n = 49) with a forth group; d) those of caries‐free children (n = 257).

Results

Multinomial and binomial logistic regression was used, where the categorical outcome was based on the 4 caries groups, and the caries‐free group was designated as the reference. In the final model, sevenvariables were associated with the caries outcome. Lower milk consumption frequency at meals and greater presweetened cereal consumption frequency at meals were significantly associated with a greater likelihood of being in the d1 group. Greater regular soda pop consumption frequency and greater added sugar consumption frequency at snacks were significantly associated with being in the cavitated caries (d2+f and/or d1d2+f) groups. Lower socioeconomic status and less frequent toothbrushing increased the likelihood of being in the d1 group.

Conclusions

The results suggest that different food and beverage categories are associated with being in the d1 group compared with the cavitated caries groups. More frequent toothbrushing, greater milk consumption at meals, and avoiding presweetened cereal consumption at meals might reduce the risk of developing non‐cavitated caries.
Knowledge Seeking and OutwardFDIof Emerging Market Firms: The Moderating Effect of InwardFDI
Authors: Li Jing , Li Yong , Shapiro Daniel
Published: November 2012

This study examines whether a host country's industry‐specific technology advantage increases the propensity of emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs) to invest in the host country. The study further explores whether inwardFDIinEMNEs' home markets, by generating knowledge spillovers in the relevant industries, decreasesEMNEs' propensity to invest overseas for knowledge seeking. We test our arguments using a longitudinal data set of the overseas investment activities ofChinese manufacturing firms. We find support for our hypotheses after controlling for other important outwardFDImotives. We discuss the implications of our results for research and practice.
Information Costs and Internationalization Performance
Authors: Fisch Jan Hendrik
Published: November 2012

Studies on the internationalization‐performance relationship use different theories and arguments to justify shapes of this relationship that apply to certain types and strategies of firms. To reach convergence, we develop an information‐cost model that incorporates firm type and strategy variables as moderators of a generally S‐shaped relationship. We test the model on a panel of 3,398 firms as well as on subpanels representing different types and strategies of firms. As predicted, we find S‐shaped relationships that are attenuated for manufacturing firms and for large firms, show a less progressively rising component for internationally expanding firms and are more positive for firms that operate in geographically and culturally distant countries. The results help integrate earlier findings that are produced from distinct samples and variable ranges.
Left Septal Atrial Tachycardias: Electrocardiographic and Electrophysiologic Characterization of a Paraseptal Focus
Authors: WONG MICHAEL C.G. , KALMAN JONATHAN M. , LING LIANG‐HAN , MEDI CAROLINE , TEH ANDREW , LEE GEOFFREY , KUMAR SAURABH , MORTON JOSEPH B. , KISTLER PETER M.
Published: November 2012

Left Septal Atrial Tachycardias. Objective: The objective was to characterize the electrocardiographic and electrophysiological features of focal atrial tachycardia (FAT) originating from the left septum (LS).

Background: FAT is recognized to occur at predefined anatomic locations rather than randomly throughout the atria. We describe the ECG and EP features of ATs originating from the LS as an important site for apparent perinodal tachycardias.

Methods: Nine patients presenting with LS FAT from a consecutive series of 384 underwent EP/RFA for symptomatic FAT.

Results: The mean age was 56 ± 12 years; 7 female with symptoms for 36 ± 28 months. P wave morphology (PWM) was negative/positive in lead V1 and across the precordial leads and negative or negative/positive in inferior leads in all patients. Tachycardia was incessant in 6 out of 9 patients with a mean tachycardia cycle length 421 ± 56 milliseconds. His A was ahead of P wave in all patients (mean −15 ± 5 milliseconds) and earlier than CS proximal (mean 4 ± 9 milliseconds). Successful acute focal ablation achieved at a mean of 31 ± 12 milliseconds ahead of P wave with no recurrences at a mean follow‐up of 30 ± 28 months.

Conclusion: Although the left septum is an uncommon site for focal AT an awareness of this location for harboring foci is particularly important when mapping apparently right‐sided septal tachycardias. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 413‐418, April 2013)
A Single Amino‐Acid Substitution at Lysine 40 of an Arabidopsis thalianaα‐tubulin Causes Extensive Cell Proliferation and Expansion Defects
Authors: Xiong Xue , Xu Deyang , Yang Zhongnan , Huang Hai , Cui Xiaofeng
Published: November 2012

Microtubules are highly dynamic cytoskeletal polymers of α/β‐tubulin heterodimers that undergo multiple post‐translational modifications essential for various cellular functions in eukaryotes. The lysine 40 (K40) is largely conserved in α‐tubulins in many eukaryote species, and the post‐translational modification by acetylation at K40 is critical for neuronal development in vertebrates. However, the biological function of K40 of α‐tubulins in plants remains unexplored. In this study, we show in Arabidopsis thaliana that constitutive expression of mutated forms of α‐tubulin6 (TUA6) at K40 (TUA6K40A or TUA6K40Q), in which K40 is replaced by alanine or glutamine, result in severely reduced plant size. Phenotypic characterization of the 35S:TUA6K40A transgenic plants revealed that both cell proliferation and cell expansion were affected. Cytological and biochemical analyses showed that the accumulation of α‐ and β‐tubulin proteins was significantly reduced in the transgenic plants, and the cortical microtubule arrays were severely disrupted, indicating that K40 of the plant α‐tubulin is critical in maintaining microtubule stability. We also constructed 35S:TUA6K40R transgenic plants in which K40 of the engineered TUA6 protein is replaced by an arginine, and found that the 35S:TUA6K40R plants were phenotypically indistinguishable from the wild‐type. Since lysine and arginine are similar in biochemical nature but arginine cannot be acetylated, these results suggest a structural importance for K40 of α‐tubulins in cell division and expansion.
Effects of music therapy and guided visual imagery on chemotherapy‐induced anxiety and nausea–vomiting
Authors: Karagozoglu Serife , Tekyasar Filiz , Yilmaz Figen Alp
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectives

To reveal the effects of music therapy and visual imagery on chemotherapy‐induced anxiety and nausea–vomiting.

Background

Behavioural techniques such as music therapy and visual imagery are becoming increasingly important in dealing with chemotherapy‐induced anxiety, nausea and vomiting.

Design

The study is an experimental and cross‐sectional one and performed on a single sample group with the pre–post‐test design consisting of 40 individuals. The individuals in the sample group comprised both the control and the case group of the study.

Methods

To obtain the study data, the following forms were used: the Personal Information Form, Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, The Visual Analogue Scale and Individual Evaluation Form for Nausea and Vomiting adapted from The Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Vomiting.

Results

In the study, the participants' state and trait anxiety levels decreased significantly (p < 0·05). Music therapy and visual imagery reduced the severity and duration of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting significantly (p < 0·05). In our research, 40% of the patients did not have anticipatory nausea and 55% of the patients did not have anticipatory vomiting during the third chemotherapy cycle during which music therapy and guided visual imagery were implemented.

Conclusions

It was determined that complementary approaches comprising music therapy and visual imagery had positive effects on chemotherapy‐induced anxiety, nausea and vomiting, which are suffered too often and affect the patients' whole lives adversely.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study is worthy of interest as it has revealed that music therapy and visual imagery which have been proven to be effective in many health problems in different areas are also important, and practical complementary approaches that are effective in getting chemotherapy‐induced anxiety, nausea and vomiting under control.
Influence of age on tooth autotransplantation with complete root formation
Authors: Yoshino K. , Kariya N. , Namura D. , Noji I. , Mitsuhashi K. , Kimura H. , Fukuda A. , Kikukawa I. , Hayashi T. , Yamazaki N. , Kimura M. , Tsukiyama K. , Yamamoto K. , Fukuyama A. , Hidaka D. , Shinoda J. , Mibu H. , Shimakura Y. , Saito A. , Ikumi S. , Umehara K. , Kamei F. , Fukuda H. , Toake T. , Takahashi Y. , Miyata Y. , Shioji S. , Toyoda M. , Hattori N. , Nishihara H. , Matsushima R. , Nishibori M. , Hokkedo O. , Nojima M. , Kimura T. , Fujiseki M. , Okudaira S. , Tanabe K. , Nakano M. , Ito K. , Kuroda M. , Takiguchi T. , Fukai K. , Matsukubo T.
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors with age in the long‐term prognosis of autotransplantation of teeth with complete root formation at dental clinics. Participating dentists were asked to provide information on transplantations they had undertaken from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2010. Data on a total of 708 teeth from 637 patients were collected. The data were screened to exclude patients who were under 25 or 70 years of age and over, those who were smokers or whose smoking habits were unknown, those whose transplanted teeth had incomplete root formation or multiple roots and those with fewer than 25 present teeth post‐operation. The participants in this study were 71 men (74 teeth) and 100 women (107 teeth) ranging from 25 to 69 years of age. Third molars were used as donor teeth in 89·0% of the cases. The participants were divided into three age groups of 25–39, 40–54 and 55–69. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method, and a log‐rank test revealed that there were no significant differences in age groups for men or women. Cox regression analysis indicated that the survival of transplanted teeth was not influenced by age. However, although not statistically significant, the clinical success rate was lower in the 55–69‐year‐old group than that in the younger groups. These results indicate that if suitable donor teeth are available and the conditions are right, autotransplantation is a viable treatment for missing teeth regardless of the age of the patient.
Weak identification in the ESTAR model and a new model
Authors: Heinen Florian , Michael Stefanie , Sibbertsen Philipp
Published: November 2012

Determining good parameter estimates in (exponential smooth transition autoregressive) models is known to be difficult. We show that the phenomena of getting strongly biased estimators is a consequence of the so‐called identification problem, the problem of properly distinguishing the transition function in relation to extreme parameter combinations. This happens in particular for either very small or very large values of the error term variance. Furthermore, we introduce a new alternative model – the TSTAR model – which has similar properties as the ESTAR model but reduces the effects of the identification problem. We also derive a linearity and a unit root test for this model.
Global hemostasis tests in patients with cirrhosis before and after prophylactic platelet transfusion
Authors: Tripodi Armando , Primignani Massimo , Chantarangkul Veena , Lemma Laura , Jovani Manol , Rebulla Paolo , Mannucci Pier M.
Published: November 2012

Background/Aims

Cirrhosis presents with variable degrees of thrombocytopenia that might cause bleeding during invasive procedures. Transfusion of one standard adult platelet dose is often employed to prevent bleeding in thrombocytopenia, but the threshold platelet count that is clinically effective is not well established because clinical studies and laboratory tools to judge on efficacy are insufficient. However, in vitro studies showed that patients with cirrhosis generate as much thrombin as healthy individuals provided that their platelet count is at least 100 × 109/L.

Methods

To assess the in vivo relevance of these in vitro studies, we investigated 26 thrombocytopenic patients with cirrhosis, undergoing 36 variceal ligations, to see whether transfusion of one standard adult platelet dose was able to attain the above platelet count. We also evaluated the effect of platelet transfusion on such global hemostasis tests as thrombin generation and thromboelastometry.

Results

Transfusion did slightly increase platelet count [pre‐ vs. post‐infusion: 39 × 109/L(16‐64) vs. 52 × 109/L(19‐91), P < 0.001], without significant effect on thrombin generation, probably because post‐transfusion platelet count was less than the target of 100 × 109/L in all patients. In addition, the percentage of patients with abnormal thrombin generation (i.e. below the lower limit of normal range) was scarcely affected by transfusion (pre‐ vs. post‐infusion: 36% vs. 42%). The small post‐transfusion increase in platelet count was paralleled by some degree of improvement of thromboelastometry, but none of the patients reached normal values after transfusion.

Conclusions

Infusing one standard adult platelet dose secures only a small increase in platelet count without normalizing thrombin generation and thromboelastometry tests. To obtain greater increases in platelet count and normalization of laboratory tests more intensive platelet transfusions or treatment with non‐transfusional drugs are probably needed.
A reproducible, clinically relevant, intensively managed, pig model of acute liver failure for testing of therapies aimed to prolong survival
Authors: Lee Karla C. L. , Palacios Jimenez Carolina , Alibhai Hatim , Chang Yu‐Mei , Leckie Pamela J. , Baker Luisa A. , Stanzani Giacomo , L. Priestnall Simon , Mookerjee Rajeshwar P. , Jalan Rajiv , Davies Nathan A.
Published: November 2012

Background

A clinically relevant, translational large animal model of acute liver failure (ALF) is required for testing of novel therapies to prolong survival in acute liver failure, to permit spontaneous liver recovery or to act as a bridge to transplantation.

Aims

The aim was to establish a pig model of acetaminophen‐induced ALF that mimics the human clinical syndrome, is managed as in a human intensive care unit and has a predictable survival time.

Methods

Nine female pigs were anaesthetised and instrumented for continuous intensive care monitoring and management using: target‐driven protocols for treatment of cardiovascular collapse, metabolic acidosis and electrolyte abnormalities; intermittent positive pressure ventilation; and continuous renal replacement therapy. Six animals were induced to ALF with acetaminophen (paracetamol). Three animals acted as controls.

Results

Irreversible acute liver failure, defined as rise in prothrombin time >3 times normal, occurred 19.3 ± 1.8 h after the onset of acetaminophen administration. Death occurred predictably 12.6 ± 2.7 h thereafter, with acute hepatocellular necrosis in all animals. Clinical progression of liver failure mimicked the human condition including development of coagulopathy, intracranial hypertension, hyperammonaemia, cardiovascular collapse, elevation in creatinine, metabolic acidosis and hyperlactataemia. In addition, cardiovascular monitoring clearly demonstrated progressive cardiac dysfunction in ALF.

Conclusions

A reproducible, clinically relevant, intensively managed, large animal model of acute liver failure, with death as a result of multi‐organ failure, has been successfully validated for translational studies of disease progression and therapies designed to prolong survival in man.
Short‐term soft‐ and hard‐tissue changes following Class III treatment using a removable mandibular retractor: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Saleh M. , Hajeer M. Y. , Al‐Jundi A.
Published: November 2012

Structured Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effects of a Class III functional appliance [the removable mandibular retractor (RMR)] in the early treatment of skeletal Class III deformities.

Set‐up

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Orthodontic Department, University of Al‐Baath Dental School, Hamah, Syria.

Material and Methods

Sixty‐seven skeletal Class III patients were recruited, distributed randomly into two groups: 1) treatment group (T) with the RMR: 33 patients (17 males and 16 females) with a mean age of 7.5 ± 1.33 years, 2) control group (C): 34 patients (15 males and 19 females) with a mean age of 7.3 ± 1.58 years. Lateral cephalograms were taken at the start of treatment (T1‐T) or at the start of the observation period (T1‐C) and after 14.5 ± 0.1 months (both groups). Soft‐ and hard‐tissue changes in both groups were evaluated.

Results

The main significant findings in the treatment group were 1) anterior morphogenetic rotation of the mandible as a result of upward and forward condylar growth; 2) significant increase in maxillary length; 3) significant increase in maxillary dentoalveolar protrusion; 4) significant decrease in mandibular dentoalveolar protrusion; 5) significant protrusion of the upper lip; 6) significant retrusion of the lower lip; and 7) significant reduction in nasolabial angle.

Conclusion

The RMR is an effective appliance in the treatment of skeletal Class III patients in the early mixed dentition in the short term.
Adaptive functioning and its correlates after intestine and liver transplantation
Authors: Shellmer Diana A. , DeVito Dabbs Annette , Dew Mary Amanda , Terhorst Lauren , Noll Robert B. , Kosmach‐Park Beverly , Mazariegos George
Published: November 2012

In this cross‐sectional study, we compared levels of adaptive functioning and examined potential correlates of adaptive functioning in 18 pediatric intestine (ITX) and 22 liver (LTX) recipients transplanted between June 2003 and March 2009. Family caregivers completed the ABAS‐II scale and provided socio‐demographic information regarding recipients' age at transplantation, gender, ethnicity, time since transplantation, and caregivers' role, ethnicity, education, and family income. Overall adaptive functioning and all three adaptive functioning subdomain scores were significantly lower in ITX patients compared with LTX patients (p ≤ 0.04) and compared with the general population normative mean (p ≤ 0.003). Significant correlates of adaptive functioning after abdominal transplant included type of transplant procedure (r = −0.4, p = 0.02), gender (r = 0.4, p = 0.01), and educational level of caregiver (r = 0.5, p = 0.003) and together explained 45% of the variance in overall adaptive functioning. Findings provide new information regarding everyday functioning outcomes of ITX patients, add to existing data regarding non‐medical outcomes for LTX patients, and highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention following transplantation to enhance outcomes.
A historical review and assessment of urban heat island research in Singapore
Authors: Roth Matthias , Chow Winston T.L.
Published: November 2012

This historical review of 20 studies since the 1960s examines the influence of urban development on the thermal environment in Singapore, a fast growing tropical island city‐state. Past observations are critically assessed with regard to experimental controls and station metadata. Given the availability of historical climate and developmental data spanning almost 50 years, changes in urban heat island (UHI) intensity and spatial coverage can be traced temporally. Rapid urban expansion in Singapore is clearly reflected in spatially and temporally changing air and surface temperature patterns. The nocturnal canopy‐layer UHI intensity – measured as the difference between the commercial urban core and undeveloped areas close to primary or secondary rainforests for example – doubled in magnitude between 1965 and 2004. At the same time, the spatial extent of the nocturnal UHI has also expanded with the development of new housing and industrial districts. The influence of the growing city is also reflected in surface temperature. Two satellite images dated 13 years apart demonstrate the encroachment of areas with high surface temperatures into previously cooler areas during daytime corresponding with new public housing estates and low‐rise residential areas or facilities being built. The results from our study contribute to the growing body of tropical heat island research. They provide baseline data for future research and urban development in the Singapore context and, more generally, offer important cues for urban planners to make tropical cities more sustainable.
Implementing a national environmental policy: Understanding the ‘success’ of the 1989–1999 integrated pest management programme in Indonesia
Authors: Resosudarmo Budy P.
Published: November 2012

The fact that most environmental degradation occurs in developing countries suggests the difficulties in implementing and sustaining environmental policies. In the current era of heightened environmental awareness and publicity for the impacts of climate change, where all countries are expected to take action, cases of ‘successful’ implementations of environmental policy in a developing country are instructive. This paper provides an overview of why and how the 1989–1999 national integrated pest management programme worked in Indonesia – before being terminated in the wake of the Asian financial crisis. It is seen that environmental programmes cannot be sustained without strong national political endorsement, focussed local research linked to international support, appropriate policy implementation mechanisms and demonstrated and direct benefits for local participants and communities.
Decreased nerve growth factor upregulation is a mechanism for reduced mechanical hyperalgesia after the second bout of exercise in rats
Authors: Urai H. , Murase S. , Mizumura K.
Published: November 2012

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is reduced when the same exercise is repeated after a certain interval. However, the mechanism for this adaptation, called a repeated bout effect, is still not well understood. Recently, we showed that upregulated nerve growth factor (NGF) triggered by B2 bradykinin receptor (B2R) activation in exercised muscle was responsible for DOMS. In this study, we investigated whether NGF upregulation was reduced after repeated bouts of exercise in rats, and if so, whether this change occurred upstream of B2R. A bout of 500 lengthening contractions (LC) was applied on day 0 and again 5 days later. DOMS was evaluated by the mechanical withdrawal threshold of the exercised extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Mechanical hyperalgesia and NGF mRNA upregulation in EDL were observed after the first LC, but not after the second LC. We then injected HOE140, a B2R antagonist with effects lasting only several hours, once before the first LC. This blocked the development of mechanical hyperalgesia and NGF mRNA upregulation not only after the first LC but also after the second LC. This suggests that adaptation occurred upstream of B2R, as the influence of the first LC was limited to that area by HOE140.