bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizational Tenure and Employee Performance
Authors: Steffens Niklas K. , Shemla Meir , Wegge Jürgen , Diestel Stefan
Published: October 2014

Previous research has investigated the relationship between organizational tenure and performance by focusing primarily on organizational tenure of the individual employee. We propose that this approach is limited because organizational tenure should be conceptualized as relating to multiple entities including teams and their leaders. As predicted, analysis of two objective performance indicators of 1,753 employees working with 250 leaders of natural work teams in a financial services company revealed that, beyond employee organizational tenure, team leader organizational tenure and team organizational tenure diversity had positive incremental effects on employee performance. Moreover, the positive impact of employee organizational tenure was less pronounced in teams with high rather than low tenure diversity. Our findings suggest that organizations’ capacity to promote performance will be limited if they focus on organizational tenure of an individual, while neglecting the ways in which performance is shaped by organizational tenure related to multiple entities within a team.
Features of Electronic Health Records Necessary for the Delivery of Optimized Anticoagulant Therapy
Authors: Spyropoulos Alex C. , Viscusi Anna , Singhal Nakul , Gilleylen Jason , Kouides Peter , Howard Maureen , Rudd Kelly , Ansell Jack , Triller Darren M.
Published: October 2014

Background: Oral anticoagulants are prescribed to millions of Americans, and consequently are among the medications most likely to contribute to emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Although guidelines and consensus statements promote systematic approaches to therapy, anticoagulation (AC) management is often suboptimal. Electronic health records (EHRs) have the potential to improve safety and quality but have not yet incorporated specialized features necessary to optimize therapy. Objective: To generate a comprehensive, consensus-based list of EHR features clinically necessary to deliver optimized AC management, provide a “language bridge” to accelerate incorporation of features into EHR systems, and suggest mechanisms for the objective evaluation of available EHRs. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of AC specialists utilized the framework of a previously published consensus statement to map outpatient AC management and developed a comprehensive array of sequential computer logic steps using a restricted language scheme. Logic steps were then translated into narrative descriptions of potential EHR features, which were refined through multiple group evaluations. A finalized list of proposed features was ranked according to perceived clinical necessity by physician, pharmacist, and nurse panelists in a blinded manner using a 5-point Likert scale. Features receiving no more than 1 dissenting opinion were included in a finalized list of clinically necessary features. Results: The task force generated 78 recommended EHR features across 20 key discrete areas and 425 individual logic steps. All recommended features received Strongly Agree or Agree rankings regarding their perceived clinical necessity, and no feature received more than a single Disagree response. Conclusion: The incorporation of key AC-related features into existing EHRs or specialized AC management systems has the potential to systematize the delivery of optimal AC care by health care professionals at the point of care. Optimized AC management has the potential to reduce adverse drug events associated with anticoagulant therapy in the outpatient setting.
Hypercholesterolemia is Accounted for Atherosclerosis at the Proximal Arterial Segments of Myocardial Bridging
Authors: Aparci Mustafa , Ozturk Cengiz , Balta Sevket , Okutucu Sercan , Isilak Zafer
Published: October 2014

Arterial shear stress was generally implicated in the development of atherosclerotic plaque (AP). Atherosclerotic plaque may be associated with myocardial bridging (MB). We evaluated the metabolic abnormalities which could determine the localization of AP at the proximal coronary segment of MB. We analyzed the patients with MB, AP&MB, and AP on left anterior descending (LAD) artery who were diagnosed by multislice computed tomography coronary angiography. Serum levels of metabolic parameters were compared among study groups. Patients with MB&AP and AP were significantly older than those in the MB group. Patients with MB&AP had AP and MB at the proximal and middle segments of LAD artery, respectively. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and very LDL, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in patients with MB&AP and AP compared to only MB. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly correlated with the type of coronary artery disease in multiple regression analysis. Myocardial bridging may be an anatomical determinant for the localization of AP proximal to itself in the presence of hypercholesterolemia.
Scope for energy improvement for hospital imaging services in the USA
Authors: Esmaeili Amin , Twomey Janet M , Overcash Michael R , Soltani Seyed A , McGuire Charles , Ali Kamran
Published: October 2014

Objective

To aid radiologists by measuring the carbon footprint of CT scans by quantifying in-hospital and out-of-hospital energy use and to assess public health impacts.

Method

The study followed a standard life cycle assessment protocol to measure energy from a CT scan then expanding to all hospital electrical energy related to CT usage. In addition, all the fuel energy used to generate electricity and to manufacture the CT consumables was measured. The study was conducted at two hospitals.

Results

The entire life cycle energy for a CT scan was 24–34 kWh of natural resource energy per scan. The actual active patient scan energy that produces the images is only about 1.6% of this total life cycle energy. This large multiplier to get total CT energy is a previously undocumented environmental response to the direct radiology order for a patient CT scan. The CT in-hospital energy related to idle periods, where the machine is on but no patients are being scanned and is 14–30-fold higher than the energy used for the CT image. The in-hospital electrical energy of a CT scan makes up only about 25% of the total energy footprint. The rest is generated outside the hospital: 54–62% for generation and transmission of the electricity, while 13–22% is for all the energy to make the consumables. Different CT scanners have some influences on the results and could help guide purchase of CT equipment.

Conclusions

The transparent, detailed life cycle approach allows the data from this study to be used by radiologists to examine details of both direct and of unseen energy impacts of CT scans. The public health (outside-the-hospital) impact (including the patients receiving a CT) needs to be measured and included.
Towards a middle-range theory of mental health and well-being effects of employment transitions: Findings from a qualitative study on unemployment during the 2009–2010 economic recession
Authors: Giuntoli Gianfranco , Hughes Skye , Karban Kate , South Jane
Published: October 2014

This article builds upon previous theoretical work on job loss as a status passage to help explain how people’s experiences of involuntary unemployment affected their mental well-being during the 2009–2010 economic recession. It proposes a middle-range theory that interprets employment transitions as status passages and suggests that their health and well-being effects depend on the personal and social meanings that people give to them, which are called properties of the transitions. The analyses, which used a thematic approach, are based on the findings of a qualitative study undertaken in Bradford (North England) consisting of 73 people interviewed in 16 focus groups. The study found that the participants experienced their job losses as divestment passages characterised by three main properties: experiences of reduced agency, disruption of role-based identities, for example, personal identity crises, and experiences of ‘spoiled identities’, for example, experiences of stigma. The proposed middle-range theory allows us to federate these findings together in a coherent framework which makes a contribution to illuminating not just the intra-personal consequences of unemployment, that is, its impact on subjective well-being and common mental health problems, but also its inter-personal consequences, that is, the hidden and often overlooked social processes that affect unemployed people’s social well-being. This article discusses how the study findings and the proposed middle-range theory can help to address the theoretical weaknesses and often contradictory empirical findings from studies that use alternative frameworks, for example, deprivation models and ‘incentive theory’ of unemployment.
Exploring the relationship between social class, mental illness stigma and mental health literacy using British national survey data
Authors: Holman Daniel
Published: October 2014

The relationship between social class and mental illness stigma has received little attention in recent years. At the same time, the concept of mental health literacy has become an increasingly popular way of framing knowledge and understanding of mental health issues. British Social Attitudes survey data present an opportunity to unpack the relationships between these concepts and social class, an important task given continuing mental health inequalities. Regression analyses were undertaken which centred on depression and schizophrenia vignettes, with an asthma vignette used for comparison. The National Statistics Socio-economic Classification, education and income were used as indicators of class. A number of interesting findings emerged. Overall, class variables showed a stronger relationship with mental health literacy than stigma. The relationship was gendered such that women with higher levels of education, especially those with a degree, had the lowest levels of stigma and highest levels of mental health literacy. Interestingly, class showed more of an association with stigma for the asthma vignette than it did for both the depression and schizophrenia vignettes, suggesting that mental illness stigma needs to be contextualised alongside physical illness stigma. Education emerged as the key indicator of class, followed by the National Statistics Socio-economic Classification, with income effects being marginal. These findings have implications for targeting health promotion campaigns and increasing service use in order to reduce mental health inequalities.
Understanding the importance of parent learning in a school-based family literacy programme
Authors: Timmons Kristy , Pelletier Janette
Published: October 2014

This study examined how parents’ own learning affected their support for their children in a school-based Family Literacy Programme. Seventy-two children in junior kindergarten (4-year-olds) and senior kindergarten (5-year-olds) and their parents participated in the programme; complete data were available for 52 parents. Comparisons of pre- and post-programme parent surveys indicated that there was no significant difference in how parents viewed their role in affecting their child’s reading as a result of the programme. However, parents’ teaching behaviour and provision of literacy activity (library visits) with their children significantly increased as a result of the programme. Furthermore, parents’ reported level of enjoyment of literacy activities with their children increased significantly in the areas of reading, drawing and writing. Finally, parents’ goals for attending the programme were aligned with what they described learning from the programme. The results suggest that family literacy programmes help parents to gain literacy knowledge and skills that they then incorporate in daily interactions with their children, particularly when programme objectives match parents’ goals. The findings suggest that parents may benefit from longer programmes to provide them with additional learning strategies for engaging in literacy activities with their children.
An update on enzalutamide in the treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Merseburger Axel S. , Haas Gabriel P. , von Klot Christoph-A.
Published: October 2014

Enzalutamide is an oral androgen receptor inhibitor that targets multiple steps in the androgen receptor signaling pathway. In the randomized phase III AFFIRM study, significant improvements in survival versus placebo were observed when enzalutamide was used as a treatment for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) following prior treatment with docetaxel. Additional benefits included significant delay in time to first skeletal-related event, and improvement in several measures of pain and health-related quality of life. Treatment effects were consistent across all prespecified subgroups. The phase III PREVAIL study evaluated enzalutamide versus placebo in patients with mCRPC who had not received chemotherapy. Enzalutamide significantly decreased the risk of radiographic progression and death. There were also significant improvements in all secondary and prespecified exploratory endpoints, including delayed initiation of chemotherapy, reduction in risk of first skeletal-related event and a high percentage of patients with objective response compared with placebo. Enzalutamide was also studied in hormone naïve patients (as monotherapy) in a small, open-label phase II study in patients with prostate cancer who were eligible for androgen-deprivation therapy. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, defined as ⩾80% decline in PSA level from baseline at week 25, was achieved in 92.5% of patients. Long-term follow up is ongoing. Despite differences between these three trials, enzalutamide displayed a favorable safety profile in all three patient populations. Similar rates of adverse events between the enzalutamide and placebo groups were observed in AFFIRM and PREVAIL, with fatigue, diarrhea, back pain and hot flashes being more common with enzalutamide than with placebo. Hypertension was reported at a higher rate in the enzalutamide group than in the placebo group in PREVAIL. Breast-related disorders associated with enzalutamide treatment were also reported in the Monotherapy trial. Few seizures were reported in any trial. Enzalutamide is being studied in several early disease state populations.
The potential of panobinostat as a treatment option in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Andreu-Vieyra Claudia V. , Berenson James R.
Published: October 2014

Panobinostat is an investigational and potent histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) that has shown promise as an antimultiple myeloma agent in the preclinical setting. In this review, we discuss the rationale for the use of panobinostat as a combination therapy for multiple myeloma and provide an overview of recent and ongoing clinical trials testing the safety and efficacy of panobinostat for the treatment of the disease.
Reconsidering the Relationship between Age and Financial Strain among Older Adults
Authors: Bierman Alex
Published: October 2014

Previous research documents a robust relationship between financial strain and psychological distress in older adults, but does not clearly indicate whether financial strain changes with age in late life. We show that age is positively related to financial strain when age and cohort effects are separated using growth curve modeling, and this relationship is masked in conventional regression models by a negative effect of birth cohort. Age-related increases are stronger among women and elders with lower levels of education, but weaker when individuals were born substantially before or at the end of the Great Depression. This research demonstrates that many older adults are increasingly exposed to a pernicious socioeconomic stressor as they age, but these increases are circumscribed by placement in a matrix of historical and structural circumstances. Furthermore, analyses that do not distinguish between age and cohort effects may fail to detect these increases.
Predicting Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination and Pap Smear Screening Intentions Among Young Singaporean Women Using the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Chirayil Evangeline I. , Thompson Claire L. , Burney Sue
Published: October 2014

We used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to analyze the role of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control as predictors of intentions to obtain Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations or a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear in a sample of young Singaporean women. A further aim was to evaluate knowledge of cervical cancer and preventive measures as a possible additional predictor of intentions. A purpose-designed TPB and knowledge questionnaire was completed by 206 women aged 18 to 26 years living in Singapore. Descriptive analyses and structural equation modeling revealed subjective norm as the best predictor, while perceived behavioral control had moderate predictive power. Attitude and knowledge were not significant predictors of intentions. The findings suggest the importance of focusing on subjective norms, rather than factual knowledge, in educational and awareness campaigns that encourage HPV vaccination and Pap smear screening in Singapore.
Cultural Values and Alexithymia
Authors: Lo Chris
Published: October 2014

Alexithymia refers to difficulty with reflecting on and articulating emotional states. Previous research has found that Asian groups may tend toward greater alexithymia and that cultural values may mediate this difference, although the content of Asian values that form these pathways is unclear. This study examined the relationship between Confucian values, ethnicity, and alexithymia. A sample of 216 undergraduate students completed the Chinese Value Survey and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Asian Canadians scored more highly on alexithymia than non-Asian Canadians. Individuals who valued trustworthiness, patience, and kindness were found to be less alexithymic. The ability to be a source of kindness and security to others may be tied to the development of reflective awareness. Individuals who valued purity from desire and respect for social order were found to be more alexithymic. Such individuals may tend not to reflect on impure or socially disruptive thoughts and feelings. Values associated with purity and order mediated the difference between Asians and non-Asians on alexithymia. Asian Canadians may therefore score more highly on alexithymia because they prefer not to reflect on emotions associated with impurity or social disorder.
Student and Faculty Perspectives on Motivation to Collaborate in a Service-Learning Course
Authors: Pope-Ruark Rebecca , Ransbury Paige , Brady Mia , Fishman Rachel
Published: October 2014

This case study, an example of scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) research, explores student motivations to collaborate with both peer teams and community partners in a service-learning course. Written by one instructor and three undergraduates, the article draws on personal narratives, student reflections, and a postcourse student survey. Our experiences and findings suggest that in courses like these positive extrinsic factors motivate students to collaborate in ways that the extrinsic motivators in typical assignments do not, helping to foster trust and shared goals. We also share our work as an example of how to include student voices in SoTL work.
Selections From the ABC 2013 Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana
Authors: Whalen D. Joel
Published: October 2014

This article, the second in a two-part series, catalogs teaching innovations presented at the 2013 Association for Business Communication Annual Convention, New Orleans. They were presented during the My Favorite Assignment session. The 11 Favorite Assignments featured here offer the reader a variety of learning experiences, including collaborative teamwork, debate, budgets, cross-cultural communication, report writing, persuasion, not-for-profit organization, client communication, and writing funding proposals. Additional teaching materials—including instructions to students, stimulus materials, slides, grading rubrics, frequently asked questions, and sample student projects—are posted on the Association for Business Communication web page http://businesscommunication.org/assignments .
Termination Documentation
Authors: Duncan Mike , Hill Jillian
Published: October 2014

In this study, we examined 11 workplaces to determine how they handle termination documentation, an empirically unexplored area in technical communication and rhetoric. We found that the use of termination documentation is context dependent while following a basic pattern of infraction, investigation, intervention, and termination. Furthermore, the primary audience of the documentation is typically legal and regulatory bodies, not the employee. We also make observations about genre, collaboration, and authorship in these documents.
Social Media Use to Enhance Internal Communication
Authors: Young Amy M. , Hinesly Mary D.
Published: October 2014

Organizations are increasingly using social media to improve their internal communication. When successfully implemented, such initiatives can have a dramatic impact on internal efficiency, team collaboration, innovation, organizational alignment, and cultural transformation. This article describes a course offered by the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, on the use of social media for internal business communication that can be modified for Bachelor of Business Administration or Master of Business Administration students. The authors describe the pedagogy behind the course design, provide a course description, and discuss social media/communication consulting projects conducted in the class.
Time as a Key Topic in Health Professionals’ Perceptions of Clinical Handovers
Authors: Watson Bernadette M. , Jones Liz , Cretchley Julia
Published: October 2014

Clinical handovers are an essential part of the daily care and treatment of hospital patients. We invoked a language and social psychology lens to investigate how different health professional groups discussed the communication problems and strengths they experienced in handovers. We conducted in-depth interviews with three different health professional groups within a large metropolitan hospital. We used Leximancer text analytics software as a tool to analyze the data. Results showed that time was of concern to all groups in both similar and diverse ways. All professionals discussed time management, time pressures, and the difficulties of coordinating different handovers. Each professional group had its own unique perceptions and priorities about handovers. Our findings indicated that health professionals understood what was required for handover improvement but did not have the extra capacity to alter their current environment. Hospital management, with clinicians, need to implement handover schedule processes that prioritize interprofessional representation.
Influence of processing parameters on microstructure and mechanical performance of refill friction stir spot welded 7075-T6 aluminium alloy
Authors: Shen Z. , Chen Y. , Hou J. S. C. , Yang X. , Gerlich A. P.
Published: October 2014

Refill friction stir spot welding (FSSW) is a solid state joining technology recently derived from conventional FSSW. In the present study, refill FSSW was performed in a 0·8 mm thick AA7075-T6 aluminium alloy with varying welding parameters (welding time and plunge depth). The influence of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the weld was investigated in terms of nugget thickness, hardness and overlap shear strength. The microstructural features and fracture mechanism were observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the nugget thickness increases with increasing welding time and plunge depth. Furthermore, melted films observed in the stir zone (SZ) were consistent with a maximum temperature of 470·9°C measured 2·6 mm away from the SZ. The overlap shear strength increases with the increase of weld time and plunge depth due to increasing nugget diameter.
Effects of hot isostatic pressing and heat treatment on cast cobalt alloy
Authors: Kaiser R. , Williamson K. , O'Brien C. , Ramirez-Garcia S. , Browne D. J.
Published: October 2014

Investment cast biomedical alloys are often heat treated to refine the microstructure and improve mechanical properties. Test specimens of American Society for Testing and Materials F75 alloy (Co–28 wt-Cr–6 wt-Mo) were cast and solidified at two cooling rates, which influenced the size and area fraction of secondary phases (carbides) precipitated at grain boundaries and in interdendritic zones. The specimens were then subjected to hot isostatic pressing and age hardening. This produced smaller globular carbides of reduced area fraction, and reduced the size of micropores, independent of as cast characteristics. Strength and hardness were not significantly altered. The most significant effect of the post-casting treatment was to increase the ductility of the alloy, most likely due to the dissolution of brittle intergranular carbides and reduction in pore size.
Influence of constitutional undercooling on grain refinement in titanium aluminide alloys
Authors: Bazhenov V. E.
Published: October 2014

In this present work, the influence of constitutional undercooling on the grain size of titanium aluminide alloys and the dependence on boron content have been investigated. By means of the TTTIAL1 thermodynamic database of the Thermo-Calc programme, the values of the growth restriction factor for a series of alloys have been calculated. It can be shown that grain size decreases with increasing growth restriction factor. A comparison of calculated and published experimental results shows that the constitutional undercooling significantly influences the grain size in titanium aluminide alloys, but most likely, it is not the unique mechanism of grain refinement alone, in so far as not all of the experimental results may be explained by the influence of constitutional undercooling.
Interleukin-5–producing group 2 innate lymphoid cells control eosinophilia induced by interleukin-2 therapy
Authors: Van Gool Frédéric , Molofsky Ari B. , Morar Malika M. , Rosenzwajg Michelle , Liang Hong-Erh , Klatzmann David , Locksley Richard M. , Bluestone Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2014

Key Points

Tissue resident group 2 innate lymphoid cells are the main cells producing IL-5 and driving eosinophilia in response to low-dose IL-2 therapy. We described a novel cellular network activated during IL-2 treatment that may lead to a more efficient use of IL-2 in immunotherapy.
HLA-C expression levels define permissible mismatches in hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Petersdorf Effie W. , Gooley Theodore A. , Malkki Mari , Bacigalupo Andrea P. , Cesbron Anne , Du Toit Ernette , Ehninger Gerhard , Egeland Torstein , Fischer Gottfried F. , Gervais Thibaut , Haagenson Michael D. , Horowitz Mary M. , Hsu Katharine , Jindra Pavel , Madrigal Alejandro , Oudshoorn Machteld , Ringdén Olle , Schroeder Marlis L. , Spellman Stephen R. , Tiercy Jean-Marie , Velardi Andrea , Witt Campbell S. , O’Huigin Colm , Apps Richard , Carrington Mary
Published: October 2014

Key Points

The expression level of patient HLA-C allotypes affects GVHD and mortality after HCT from HLA-C-mismatched unrelated donors. Transplant outcome can be improved by avoiding high-risk HLA-C-mismatched donors when no matched stem cell source is available.
Function of monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages in α1-antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: van’t Wout Emily F.A. , van Schadewijk Annemarie , Lomas David A. , Stolk Jan , Marciniak Stefan J. , Hiemstra Pieter S.
Published: October 2014

α1-antitrypsin deficiency is the most widely recognised genetic disorder causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mutant Z α1-antitrypsin expression has previously been linked to intracellular accumulation and polymerisation of this proteinase inhibitor. Subsequently, this has been described to underlie an exaggerated endoplasmic reticulum stress response and enhanced nuclear factor-κB signalling. However, whether monocyte-derived macrophages display the same features remains unknown.

Monocytes from homozygous PiZZ α1-antitrypsin deficiency patients and PiMM controls were cultured for 6 days in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage or macrophage colony-stimulating factor to obtain pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophages (mφ-1 and mφ-2, respectively).

We first showed that, in contrast to monocytes, pre-stressed mφ-1 and mφ-2 from healthy blood donors display an enhanced endoplasmic reticulum stress response upon a lipopolysaccharide trigger (XBP1splicing,CHOP,GADD34andGRP78mRNA). However, this endoplasmic reticulum stress response did not differ between monocyte-derived macrophages and monocytes from ZZ patients compared to MM controls. Furthermore, these ZZ cells do not secrete higher cytokine levels, and α1-antitrypsin polymers were not detectable by ELISA.

These data suggest that monocyte-derived macrophages are not the local source of Z α1-antitrypsin polymers found in the lung and that endoplasmic reticulum stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine release is not altered.
Prostaglandin D2and the role of the DP1, DP2and TP receptors in the control of airway reflex events
Authors: Maher Sarah A. , Birrell Mark A. , Adcock John J. , Wortley Michael A. , Dubuis Eric D. , Bonvini Sara J. , Grace Megan S. , Belvisi Maria G.
Published: October 2014

Prostaglandin D2(PGD2) causes cough and levels are increased in asthma suggesting that it may contribute to symptoms. Although the prostaglandin D2receptor 2 (DP2) is a target for numerous drug discovery programmes little is known about the actions of PGD2on sensory nerves and cough.

We used human and guinea pig bioassays,in vivoelectrophysiology and a guinea pig conscious cough model to assess the effect of prostaglandin D2receptor (DP1), DP2and thromboxane receptor antagonism on PGD2responses.

PGD2caused cough in a conscious guinea pig model and an increase in calcium in airway jugular ganglia. Using pharmacology and receptor-deficient mice we showed that the DP1receptor mediates sensory nerve activation in mouse, guinea pig and human vagal afferents.In vivo, PGD2and a DP1receptor agonist, but not a DP2receptor agonist, activated single airway C-fibres. Interestingly, activation of DP2inhibited sensory nerve firing to capsaicinin vitroandin vivo.

The DP1receptor could be a therapeutic target for symptoms associated with asthma. Where endogenous PGD2levels are elevated, loss of DP2receptor-mediated inhibition of sensory nerves may lead to an increase in vagally associated symptoms and the potential for such adverse effects should be investigated in clinical studies with DP2antagonists.
Low-dose corticosteroid use and mortality in severe community-acquired pneumonia patients
Authors: Tagami Takashi , Matsui Hiroki , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: October 2014

The relationship between low-dose corticosteroid use and mortality in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains unclear.

6925 patients with severe CAP who received mechanical ventilation with or without shock (defined as use of catecholamines) at 983 hospitals were identified using a Japanese nationwide administrative database. The main outcome measure was 28-day mortality.

2524 patients with severe CAP who received catecholamines were divided into corticosteroid (n=631) and control (n=1893) groups. The 28-day mortality was significantly different between corticosteroid and control groups (unmatched: 24.6%versus36.3%, p<0.001; propensity score-matched: 25.3%versus32.6%, p=0.01; inverse probability-weighted: 27.5%versus34.2%, p<0.001). 4401 patients with severe CAP who did not receive catecholamines were also divided into corticosteroid (n=1112) and control (n=3289) groups. The 28-day mortality was not significantly different between corticosteroid and control groups in propensity score-matched analyses (unmatched: 16.0%versus19.4%, p=0.01; propensity score-matched: 17.7%versus15.6%, p=0.22; inverse probability-weighted: 18.8%versus18.2%, p=0.44).

Low-dose corticosteroid use may be associated with reduced 28-day mortality in patients with septic shock complicating CAP.
Nasal nitric oxide screening for primary ciliary dyskinesia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Collins Samuel A. , Gove Kerry , Walker Woolf , Lucas Jane S.A.
Published: October 2014

Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) concentrations are low in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) providing a noninvasive screening test.

We conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine the utility of nNO in screening for PCD, in particular 1) different respiratory manoeuvres during sampling (velum closure, tidal breathing,etc.), 2) accuracy in screening young/uncooperative children, 3) stationaryversusportable analysers, and 4) nNO in “atypical” PCD.

96 papers were assessed according to modified PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria and 22 were included in this review.

Meta-analysis of 11 studies comparing nNO during a velum closure breath hold gave a mean±sdnNO of 19.4±18.6 nL·min-1in PCD (n = 478) and 265.0±118.9 nL·min-1in healthy controls (n = 338). Weighted mean difference for PCDversushealthy controls was 231.1 nL·min-1(95% CI 193.3–268.9; n = 338) and 114.1 nL·min-1(95% CI 101.5–126.8; n = 415) for PCDversuscystic fibrosis. Five studies of nNO measurement during tidal breathing demonstrated that this is an acceptable manoeuvre in young children where velum closure is not possible, but the discriminatory value was reduced. Four small studies of portable NO analysers suggest these are reliable tools for screening for PCD. However, nNO must be interpreted alongside clinical suspicion. Future studies should focus on standardising sampling techniques and reporting.
Physiological alterations after a marathon in the first 90-year-old male finisher: case study
Authors: Mueller Sandro Manuel , Knechtle Beat , Knechtle Patrizia , Toigo Marco
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Endurance performance decreases during ageing due to alterations in physiological characteristics, energy stores, and psychological factors. To investigate alterations in physiological characteristics and body composition of elderly master athletes in response to an extreme endurance event, we present the case of the first ninety-year-old official male marathon finisher.

Case description

Before and directly after the marathon, a treadmill incremental test, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, peripheral quantitative computed tomography, mechanography, and dynamometry measurements were conducted. The athlete finished the marathon in 6 h 48 min 55 s, which corresponds to an average competition speed of 6.19 km h-1.

Discussion and Evaluation

Before the marathon,

V
˙

O

2
peak

was 31.5 ml min-1 kg-1 body mass and peak heart rate was 140 beats min-1. Total fat mass increased in the final preparation phase (+3.4%), while leg fat mass and leg lean mass were slightly reduced after the marathon (-3.7 and -1.6%, respectively). Countermovement jump (CMJ) peak power and peak velocity decreased after the marathon (-16.5 and -14.7%, respectively). Total impulse during CMJ and energy cost of running were not altered by the marathon. In the left leg, maximal voluntary ground reaction force (F
m1LH) and maximal isometric voluntary torque (MIVT) were impaired after the marathon (-12.2 and -14.5%, respectively).

Conclusions

Side differences in F
m1LH and MIVT could be attributed to the distinct non-symmetrical running pattern of the athlete. Similarities in alterations in leg composition and CMJ performance existed between the nonagenarian athlete and young marathon runners. In contrast, alterations in total body composition and m1LH performance were markedly different in the nonagenarian athlete when compared to his younger counterparts.
HCC surveillance results in earlier HCC detection: results from an Indian cohort
Authors: Kohli Anita , Murphy Allison A , Agarwal Chirdeep , Shivakumar Bhavana , Kottilil Shyam , Polis Michael A , Subramanian G Mani , Midha Vandana , Goyal Omesh , Desai Srinivas , Sood Ajit , Shah Samir
Published: October 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with an increased incidence in South Asia. In order to describe the effect of surveillance for HCC with biannual ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) on diagnosis and survival in an Indian population a retrospective cohort-control study was performed at two liver clinics in India. The medical records of 3,258 patients with cirrhosis who received surveillance for HCC were reviewed, and 100 patients who developed HCC identified. Sixty-four cirrhotic patients diagnosed with HCC during the same time period without a history of surveillance were included and survival, BCLC stage at diagnosis, and treatment were compared.

Patients who underwent surveillance were more likely to be diagnosed with potentially curable or treatable BCLC Stage 0/A disease and Stage B/C disease respectively, than late Stage D disease (χ2 = 0.0007). Patients diagnosed at an earlier stage of HCC lived significantly longer after diagnosis than patients diagnosed at a later stage (Stage 0/A: 15.6 ± 14.2 months vs. Stage B/C: 9.43 ± 19.7 months vs. Stage D: 5.59 ± 11.9 months; p = 0.0006). While treatment for HCC improved overall survival, only 28% of eligible patients received treatment, explaining the lack of survival benefit noted in the surveillance group. Surveillance for HCC led to detection of HCC at earlier stages. The impact of surveillance on improved mortality could not be evaluated given the limited number of patients who received treatment. HCC surveillance has the potential to improve survival in South Asian patients with cirrhosis only if improvements in access to appropriate treatment are made.
Evaluation of evidence that the organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos is a potential persistent organic pollutant (POP) or persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT)
Authors: Giesy John P , Solomon Keith R , Mackay Don , Anderson Julie
Published: October 2014

A number of chemicals, including several organochlorine pesticides, have been identified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Here, the properties of chlorpyrifos (CPY; CAS No. 2921-88-2) and its active metabolite, chlorpyrifos oxon (CPYO; CAS No. 5598-15-2), are assessed relative to criteria for classification of compounds as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances (PBTs). The manufacture and use of POPs are regulated at the global level by the Stockholm Convention (SC) and the UN-ECE POP Protocol. Properties that result in a chemical being classified as a POP, along with long-range transport (LRT), while understood in a generic way, often vary among jurisdictions. Under the SC, POPs are identified by a combination of bulk (intensive) properties, including persistence and biomagnification, and an extensive property, hazard. While it is known that CPY is inherently hazardous, what is important is the aggregate potential for exposure in various environmental matrices. Instead of classifying chemicals as PBT based solely on a few simple, numeric criteria, it is suggested that an overall weight of evidence (WoE) approach, which can also consider the unique properties of the substance, be applied. While CPY and its transformation products are not currently being evaluated as POPs under the SC, CPY is widely used globally and some have suggested that its properties should be evaluated in the context of the SC, especially in locations remote from application. In Europe, all pesticides are being evaluated for properties that contribute to persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity under the aegis of EC Regulation No. 1107/2009: 'Concerning the Placing of Plant Protection Products on the Market.' The properties that contribute to the P, LRT, B, and T of CPY were reviewed, and a WoE approach that included an evaluation of the strength of the evidence and the relevance of the data to the classification of CPY and CPYO as POPs or PBTs was applied. While toxic under the simple classification system used in EC Regulation No. 1107/2009, based on its intensive properties and results of monitoring and simulation modeling, it was concluded that there is no justification for classifying CPY or its metabolite, CPYO, as a POP or PBT.
Crucial timing in schizophrenia: role of DNA methylation in early neurodevelopment
Authors: Ryan Joanne , Saffery Richard
Published: October 2014

An exciting recent study examining the methylation profile of human brain tissue implicates early-life epigenetic disruption in the neurodevelopmental origin of schizophrenia.

See related research, http://genomebiology.com/2014/15/10/483
Identification and Characterization of Membrane Androgen Receptors in the ZIP9 Zinc Transporter Subfamily: I. Discovery in Female Atlantic Croaker and Evidence ZIP9 Mediates Testosterone-Induced Apoptosis of Ovarian Follicle Cells
Authors: Berg A. Håkan , Rice Charles D. , Rahman Md. Saydur , Dong Jing , Thomas Peter
Published: October 2014

Rapid, cell surface-initiated, pregenomic androgen actions have been described in various vertebrate cells, but the receptors mediating these actions remain unidentified. We report here the cloning and expression of a cDNA from Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) ovaries encoding a 33-kDa, seven-transmembrane protein with binding and signaling characteristics of a membrane androgen receptor that is unrelated to any previously described steroid receptor. Instead, croaker membrane androgen receptor has 81–93% amino acid sequence identity with zinc transporter ZIP9 (SLC39A9) subfamily members, indicating it is a ZIP9 protein. Croaker ZIP9 is expressed in gonadal tissues and in brain and is up-regulated in the ovary by reproductive hormones. Croaker ZIP9 protein is localized to plasma membranes of croaker granulosa cells and human breast cancer (SKBR-3) cells stably transfected with ZIP9. Recombinant croaker ZIP9 has a high affinity (dissociation constant, Kd, 12.7 nM), limited capacity (maximal binding capacity 2.8 nM/mg protein), displaceable, single binding site-specific for androgens, characteristic of steroid receptors. Testosterone activates a stimulatory G protein coupled to ZIP9, resulting in increased cAMP production. Testosterone promotes serum starvation-induced cell death and apoptosis in transfected cells and in croaker ovarian follicle cells that is associated with rapid increases in intracellular free zinc concentrations, suggesting an involvement of zinc in this nonclassical androgen action to promote apoptosis. These responses to testosterone are abrogated by treatment with ZIP9 small interfering RNA. The results provide the first evidence that zinc transporter proteins can function as specific steroid membrane receptors and indicate a previously unrecognized signaling pathway mediated by steroid receptors involving alterations in intracellular zinc.
Excess of Nerve Growth Factor in the Ovary Causes a Polycystic Ovary-Like Syndrome in Mice, which Closely Resembles Both Reproductive and Metabolic Aspects of the Human Syndrome
Authors: Wilson Jenny L. , Chen Weiyi , Dissen Gregory A. , Ojeda Sergio R. , Cowley Michael A. , Garcia-Rudaz Cecilia , Enriori Pablo J.
Published: October 2014

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the most common female endocrine disorder of unknown etiology, is characterized by reproductive abnormalities and associated metabolic conditions comprising insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. We previously reported that transgenic overexpression of nerve growth factor (NGF), a marker of sympathetic hyperactivity, directed to the ovary by the mouse 17α-hydroxylase/C17–20 lyase promoter (17NF mice), results in ovarian abnormalities similar to those seen in PCOS women. To investigate whether ovarian overproduction of NGF also induces common metabolic alterations of PCOS, we assessed glucose homeostasis by glucose tolerance test, plasma insulin levels, and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan in young female 17NF mice and wild-type mice. 17NF mice exhibited increased body weight and alterations in body fat distribution with a greater accumulation of visceral fat compared with sc fat (P < .01). 17NF mice also displayed glucose intolerance (P < .01), decreased insulin-mediated glucose disposal (P < .01), and hyperinsulinemia (P < .05), which, similar to PCOS patients, occurred independently of body weight. Additionally, 17NF mice exhibited increased sympathetic outflow observed as increased interscapular brown adipose tissue temperature. This change was evident during the dark period (7 pm to 7 am) and occurred concomitant with increased interscapular brown adipose tissue uncoupling protein 1 expression. These findings suggest that overexpression of NGF in the ovary may suffice to cause both reproductive and metabolic alterations characteristic of PCOS and support the hypothesis that sympathetic hyperactivity may contribute to the development and/or progression of PCOS.
One rhinophore likely provides sufficient sensory input for odour-based navigation by the nudibranch mollusc,Tritonia diomedea
Authors: McCullagh Gregory B. , Bishop Cory D. , Wyeth Russell C.
Published: October 2014

Tritonia diomedea (synonymous with T. tetraquetra) navigates in turbulent odour plumes, crawling upstream towards prey and downstream to avoid predators. This is likely accomplished by odour-gated rheotaxis, but other possibilities have not been excluded. Our goal was to test whether T. diomedea uses odour-gated rheotaxis and simultaneously determine which of the cephalic sensory organs (rhinophores and oral veil) are required for navigation. In a first experiment, slugs showed no coherent responses to streams of odour directed at single rhinophores. In a second experiment, navigation in prey and predator odour plumes was compared between animals with unilateral rhinophore lesions, denervated oral veils, or combined unilateral rhinophore lesions plus denervated oral veils. In all treatments, animals navigated similarly to control and sham operated animals, indicating a single rhinophore is sufficient sensory input for navigation (assuming a distributed flow measurement system would also be affected by the denervations). Amongst various potential navigational strategies, only odour-gated positive rheotaxis can produce the navigation tracks we observed in prey plumes while receiving input from a single sensor. Thus, we provide strong evidence that T. diomedea uses odour-gated rheotaxis in attractive odour plumes, with odours and flow detected by the rhinophores. In predator plumes, slugs turned downstream to varying degrees rather than orienting directly downstream for crawling, resulting in greater dispersion for negative rheotaxis in aversive plumes. These conclusions are the first explicit confirmation of odour-gated rheotaxis as a navigational strategy in gastropods, and are also a foundation for exploring the neural circuits that implement odour-gated rheotaxis.
Fabrication of Magnetite Nanorods via Polymer-mediated Self-assembly of Magnetite Nanoparticles
Authors: Xiong Jiaqing , Tao Jin , Guo Kun , Jiao Chenlu , Zhang Desuo , Lin Hong , Chen Yuyue
Published: October 2014

Hyperbranched polyglycerols (HPGs) was firstly employed for mediating self-assembly of Fe3O4 nanoparticles to form Fe3O4 nanorods based on an oleic acid (OA)–alcohol–water system. Since the aggregation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles achieved one-by-one assembly induced by HPGs, the resulting Fe3O4 nanorods show a complete structure and high crystallinity, especially when the solvo-hydrothermal process was performed at 180 °C for 16 h.