bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Migrant status and childhood hospitalizations for asthma and other wheezing disorders
Authors: Leung J. Y. Y. , Leung G. M. , Schooling C. M.
Published: February 2017

Background

In developed Western settings, asthma is more prevalent among second‐generation compared to first‐generation migrants. However, these studies are difficult to interpret as they include migrants of various ethnicities and countries of origin.

Objective

We assessed the association of parental migrant status with wheezing disorders among children born in Hong Kong, a developed non‐Western setting, where many children have migrant parents from mainland China of the same ethnicity.

Methods

We used Cox regression to examine the adjusted associations of parental migrant status with time to first public hospital admission for asthma, bronchitis and bronchiolitis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Version Clinical Modification 466, 490 and 493) from 9 days to 12 years in a population‐representative birth cohort of 8327 Chinese children in Hong Kong.

Results

Having both parents as migrants was associated with higher risk of hospitalization for asthma and other wheezing disorders, compared to both parents being Hong Kong born (hazard ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.60 from 9 days to 6 years), adjusted for type of hospital at birth, parental history of allergies, mother's age at birth, father's age at birth and highest parental education.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

In the unique, non‐Western context of Hong Kong, second‐generation migrants had higher risk of hospitalization for childhood wheezing disorders compared to the native population, particularly before 6 years of age. Further study is required to clarify the underlying mechanisms involved.
H1‐antihistamine‐refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria: it's worse than we thought – first results of the multicenter real‐life AWARE study
Authors: Maurer M. , Staubach P. , Raap U. , Richter‐Huhn G. , Bauer A. , Ruëff F. , Jakob T. , Yazdi A. S. , Mahler V. , Wagner N. , Lippert U. , Hillen U. , Schwinn A. , Pawlak M. , Behnke N. , Chaouche K. , Chapman‐Rothe N.
Published: February 2017

Background

Most data on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) originate from highly selected patient populations treated at specialized centres. Little is known about CSU patient characteristics and the burden of CSU in routine clinical practice. AWARE (A World‐wide Antihistamine‐Refractory chronic urticaria patient Evaluation) is an ongoing global study designed to assess chronic urticaria in the real‐life setting.

Objective

To describe the baseline characteristics of the first 1539 German AWARE patients with H1‐antihistamine‐refractory CSU.

Methods

This prospective non‐interventional study included patients (18–75 years) with a diagnosis of H1‐antihistamine‐refractory CSU for > 2 months. Baseline demographic and disease characteristics, comorbidities, and pharmacological treatments were recorded. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the dermatology life quality index (DLQI), chronic urticaria QoL questionnaire (CU‐Q2oL), and angioedema QoL questionnaire (AE‐QoL, in cases of angioedema). Previous healthcare resource utilization and sick leave data were collected retrospectively.

Results

Between March and December 2014, 1539 patients were assessed in 256 sites across Germany. The percentage of females, mean age, and mean body mass index were 70%, 46.3 years, and 27 kg/m2, respectively. The mean urticaria control test score was 7.9, one in two patients had angioedema, and the most frequent comorbidities were chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU; 24%), allergic rhinitis (18.2%), hypertension (18.1%), asthma (12%), and depression (9.5%). Overall, 57.6% of patients were receiving at least one pharmacological treatment including second‐generation H1‐antihistamines (46.3%), first‐generation H1‐antihistamines (9.1%), and corticosteroids (15.8%). The mean DLQI, total CU‐Q2oL, and total AE‐QoL scores were 8.3, 36.2, and 46.8, respectively. CSU patients reported frequent use of healthcare resources, including emergency services (29.7%), general practitioners (71.9%), and additional allergists or dermatologists (50.7%).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

This study reveals that German H1‐antihistamine‐refractory CSU patients have high rates of uncontrolled disease, angioedema, and comorbid CIndU, are undertreated, have impaired QoL, and rely heavily on healthcare resources.
The clinical and immunological effects of Pru p 3 sublingual immunotherapy on peach and peanut allergy in patients with systemic reactions
Authors: Gomez F. , Bogas G. , Gonzalez M. , Campo P. , Salas M. , Diaz‐Perales A. , Rodriguez M. J. , Prieto A. , Barber D. , Blanca M. , Torres M. J. , Mayorga C.
Published: February 2017

Background

The peach non‐specific lipid transfer protein, Pru p 3, is the primary sensitizer in fruits and responsible for severe reactions in the Mediterranean area. Peach allergy is frequently associated with other allergies such as peanut. Therefore, it is important to assess how specific immunotherapy to Pru p 3 could affect both peach and peanut tolerance.

Objectives

To evaluate peach and peanut desensitization and immunological changes after 1 year of Pru p 3 sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in patients with systemic allergic reactions to peach and/or peanut.

Methods

Forty‐eight peach allergic patients, 36 treated with SLIT and 12 non‐treated, were monitored for 12 months. Treated patients were subclassified as peanut allergic (Group A), sensitized (Group B) or tolerant (Group C). SLIT effect was evaluated by skin prick test (SPT) reactivity and food challenge. Immunological changes were evaluated by monitoring sIgE and sIgG4 levels and basophil reactivity.

Results

After 1 year of SLIT, the weal area in SPT significantly decreased and a significant increase in peach threshold in treated patients was observed (P < 0.001). Patients in Group A showed a significant decrease in peanut SPT weal area and an increase in peanut threshold (P < 0.001). Immunological changes were observed in treated patients only, with a significant decrease in sIgE and a parallel increase in sIgG4, sIgG4/sIgE and basophil reactivity for both Pru p 3 and Ara h 9.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

After 1 year, Pru p 3 SLIT induces both desensitization and immunological changes not only for peach but also for other food allergens relevant in the induction of severe reactions such as peanut.
Allergic asthma: an overview of metabolomic strategies leading to the identification of biomarkers in the field
Authors: Villaseñor A. , Rosace D. , Obeso D. , Pérez‐Gordo M. , Chivato T. , Barbas C. , Barber D. , Escribese M. M.
Published: February 2017

Allergic asthma is a prominent disease especially during childhood. Indoor allergens, in general, and particularly house dust mites (HDM) are the most prevalent sensitizers associated with allergic asthma. Available data show that 65–130 million people are mite‐sensitized world‐wide and as many as 50% of these are asthmatic. In fact, sensitization to HDM in the first years of life can produce devastating effects on pulmonary function leading to asthmatic syndromes that can be fatal. To date, there has been considerable research into the pathological pathways and structural changes associated with allergic asthma. However, limitations related to the disease heterogeneity and a lack of knowledge into its pathophysiology have impeded the generation of valuable data needed to appropriately phenotype patients and, subsequently, treat this disease. Here, we report a systematic and integral analysis of the disease, from airway remodelling to the immune response taking place throughout the disease stages. We present an overview of metabolomics, the management of complex multifactorial diseases through the analysis of all possible metabolites in a biological sample, obtaining a global interpretation of biological systems. Special interest is placed on the challenges to obtain biological samples and the methodological aspects to acquire relevant information, focusing on the identification of novel biomarkers associated with specific phenotypes of allergic asthma. We also present an overview of the metabolites cited in the literature, which have been related to inflammation and immune response in asthma and other allergy‐related diseases.
Auckland cataract study 2: clinical outcomes of phacoemulsification cataract surgery in a public teaching hospital
Authors: Kim Bia Z , Patel Dipika V , McGhee Charles NJ
Published: February 2017

Importance

A contemporary benchmark for the most common ophthalmic surgery.

Background

To assess patient characteristics and outcomes of contemporary phacoemulsification cataract surgery in a New Zealand public teaching hospital setting.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Participants

Consecutive cases (n = 500) of phacoemulsification surgery between April and June 2015.

Methods

An independent observer assessed clinical and surgical data preoperatively and 4–6 weeks postoperatively.

Main Outcome Measures

Visual acuity, intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Results

Mean age was 72.3 ± 11.9 years and 57% female. Mean preoperative best‐measured visual acuity was 6/30. Ocular comorbidity was present in 45.8% of eyes, most commonly glaucoma (10%), age‐related macular degeneration (8%) and diabetic retinopathy (8%). Systemically, hypertension (59%) and diabetes mellitus (31%) were prevalent. Mean contralateral best‐measured visual acuity was 6/12 (n = 495) with 62% being phakic. The rate of posterior capsular tear was 2.6% and cystoid macular oedema 3.5%. Intraoperative complication rates were not significantly different between surgeon levels (P = 0.234). However, registrars had fewer postoperative complications than fellows (2.2% vs. 11.9%, P = 0.012). Postoperatively, mean unaided and best‐measured visual acuity were 6/12 and 6/9.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study reports current phacoemulsification surgery outcomes in a major public teaching institution. A large proportion of patients exhibited systemic and ocular comorbidities, relatively dense cataracts and poor presenting visual acuity. However, visual outcomes and intraoperative complication rates were not statistically different between trainees and senior surgeons. Generally, outcomes reflect international standards and have improved since the last comparable study in this region.
Parents’ attitudes toward genetic testing of children for health conditions: A systematic review
Authors: Lim Q. , McGill B.C. , Quinn V.F. , Tucker K.M. , Mizrahi D. , Patenaude A.F. , Warby M. , Cohn R.J. , Wakefield C.E.
Published: February 2017

This review assessed parents’ attitudes toward childhood genetic testing for health conditions, with a focus on perceived advantages and disadvantages. We also evaluated the factors that influence parents’ attitudes toward childhood genetic testing. We searched Medline, Medline In‐Process, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts and CINAHL. We screened 945 abstracts and identified 21 studies representing the views of 3934 parents. Parents reported largely positive attitudes toward childhood genetic testing across different genetic tests with varying medical utility. Parents perceived a range of advantages and disadvantages of childhood genetic testing. Childhood genetic testing was viewed by most as beneficial. Parents’ education level, genetic status, sex and sociodemographic status were associated with reported attitudes. This yielded some conflicting findings, indicating the need for further research. Genetic counseling remains essential to support this population in making well‐informed decisions. Targeted interventions tailored to specific families with different sociodemographic characteristics may be useful. Further research on the long‐term impact of childhood genetic testing on families is warranted.
Lactate levels and pneumonia severity index are good predictors of in‐hospital mortality in pneumonia
Authors: Demirel Bulut
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Pneumonia is an inflammatory disease caused by micro‐organisms. The pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB_65 scores are widely used to predict the mortality risk. We wanted to calculate the value of lactic acid level in predicting the mortality risk.

Materials and methods

This prospective cross‐sectional study performed in a third level education and research hospital. The pneumonia diagnosis was determined by symptoms, physical examination findings, and radiological findings.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 71.0 ± 16.5. The overall mortality rate was 21.8%. The mean lactate level was 3.53 ± 3.59. Lactate is significantly higher in patients who were died. The PSI and CURB_65 scores were higher in patients who died. The cutoff value of lactate level for mortality is 3.35 mmol/mm3. The cutoff point of PSI for mortality was 148.5 points; equal or over this point the mortality rate is 90.9%.

Discussion

The early prediction of the mortality risk is important to determine the high risk patients to hospitalize in intensive care unit and close follow up. The lactate level, PSI score and CURB_65 scores are good predictors for mortality. We can use them in emergency departments for risk stratification.
Climate variability drives population cycling and synchrony
Authors: Pomara Lars Y. , Zuckerberg Benjamin
Published: February 2017

Aim

There is mounting concern that climate change will lead to the collapse of cyclic population dynamics, yet the influence of climate variability on population cycling remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that variability in survival and fecundity, driven by climate variability at different points in the life cycle, scales up from local populations to drive regional characteristics of population cycling and spatial synchronization.

Location

Forest in the US Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region.

Methods

We tested hypotheses linking variation in vital rates of Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus), a declining species that displays decadal population cycles, to temperature and precipitation anomalies and land use intensity, using rate estimates from multiple locations in eastern North America. We used climate‐demographic linkages to simulate spatially explicit population dynamics from 1982 to 2069, evaluated predictions against monitoring data and assessed predicted population dynamics under future climate projections.

Results

Nest success and winter survival were linked to temperature and precipitation anomalies, and demographic models explained important spatio‐temporal characteristics of cycling and synchrony in monitoring data. The climate‐driven vital rates were necessary for cycling and synchrony in models, even though the four included climate variables were not individually periodic. Cycling and synchrony were stronger at more northerly latitudes, but this transition occurred abruptly, reflecting regional variation in winter conditions. Forecasts suggested climate‐driven cycling through mid‐century, followed by desynchronization and dampening.

Main conclusions

Climate variability can drive spatio‐temporal variation in demographic rates, and population cycling can result from these relationships. Pathways linking climate to broad‐scale population dynamics involve responses of vital rates to several climate variables at different times of year and may be more complex than direct responses to known modes of climate variability. The wide‐ranging impact of climate change on the demographics of northerly adapted species has the potential to degrade patterns of population synchrony and cycling.
Autism spectrum disorder and other neurobehavioural comorbidities in rare disorders of the Ras/MAPK pathway
Authors: Garg Shruti , Brooks Ami , Burns Amy , Burkitt‐Wright Emma , Kerr Bronwyn , Huson Susan , Emsley Richard , Green Jonathan
Published: February 2017

Aim

To investigate the cognitive and behavioural phenotype in rare disorders of the Ras/MAPK pathway, namely Noonan, cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC), and Costello syndromes, particularly prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Method

Fifty children were recruited over 10 months through the regional genetics service and advertisements. A range of parent, child, and observational measures were administered including Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale.

Results

Using the Collaborative Programme for Excellence in Autism criteria, 12 out of 40 children with Noonan syndrome (30%) showed ASD, and 12 out of 40 (30%) with partial ASD features and 16 out of 40 (40%) showed non‐ASD. The Noonan syndrome ASD group showed male dominance in a ratio of 5:1. In the CFC group, eight out of nine children met the criteria for ASD, with equal sex distribution. Additionally 19 out of 40 (48%) of the Noonan syndrome group and eight out of nine (88.9%) of the CFC group scored met clinical criteria for ADHD. Only one child was in the Costello syndrome group.

Interpretation

This is the first systematic study to suggest a high prevalence of ASD in Noonan and CFC syndromes, and thus offers crucial evidence to support the importance of the Ras/MAPK pathway in the aetiology of ASD. Limitations include the inevitable possibility of a sampling bias in a rare disorder study of this kind.
The differences between bisecting and off‐center cuts of the aortic root: The three‐dimensional anatomy of the aortic root reconstructed from the living heart
Authors: Mori Shumpei , Anderson Robert H. , Tahara Natsuko , Izawa Yu , Toba Takayoshi , Fujiwara Sei , Shimoyama Shinsuke , Watanabe Yoshiaki , Nishii Tatsuya , Kono Atsushi K. , Takahashi Satoru , Hirata Ken‐ichi
Published: February 2017

Background

It is axiomatic that the diameter of the virtual basal ring of the aortic root, which is elliptical rather than circular, will differ when assessed using between bisecting as opposed to off‐center cuts. Such differences, however, which pertain directly to echocardiographic assessments of the so‐called valvar annulus, have yet to be systematically explored.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 30 patients undergoing coronary computed tomographic angiography, measuring the virtual basal ring diameter using routine multiplanar reconstructions. We made orthogonal bisecting cuts from the nadir of the hinge of the right coronary aortic leaflet to the center of the opposite inter‐leaflet fibrous triangle between the noncoronary and left coronary aortic leaflets. We compared these measurements with orthogonal off‐center cuts made through the nadirs of the hinges of the adjacent leaflets.

Results

The measured diameter of the virtual basal ring was significantly longer when measured using the bisecting cut as opposed to all off‐center cuts (mean difference: 1.35±1.34 mm, P<.0001; 0.77±0.95 mm, P=.0001, respectively). The measured diameters of the sinuses of Valsalva, in contrast, were significantly shorter when measured using the bisecting cut (mean difference: −3.24±1.38 mm, P<.0001; −2.86±1.61 mm, P<.0001).

Conclusions

There are significant differences in the diameters of the aortic root, which represent the echocardiographic annulus, when measured using bisecting as opposed to off‐center cuts. Account should be taken of these differences when using cross‐sectional echocardiographic measurements to assess the dimensions of the aortic root.
Prevalence of dental trauma and use of mouthguards in professional handball players
Authors: Bergman Lana , Milardović Ortolan Slađana , Žarković Davor , Viskić Joško , Jokić Dražen , Mehulić Ketij
Published: February 2017

Background/Aim

Published data about orofacial injuries and mouthguard use by professional handball players are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of orofacial trauma and mouthguard use in professional handball players.

Materials and Methods

Data were collected from 100 professional handball players through a questionnaire, which contained 17 questions about age, experience in playing handball, playing position, orofacial trauma experience during the past 12 months, type of injury and mouthguard use.

Results

Almost half (49%) of the interviewed players experienced head and/or facial trauma during the past year. The most common injuries were soft tissue lacerations (39.6%). Dental injuries occurred in 22% of the participants, with socket bleeding being the most frequent injury (14%). Of the affected teeth, 76.9% were upper incisors. Mouthguards had a statistically significant protective role regarding tooth fractures and tooth avulsion (P=.043). Players who wore a mouthguard had a 5.55 times less chance of suffering dental injuries. Almost 76% of dental injuries resulted in complications afterward. Sixty‐seven percentage of the players knew that mouthguards could prevent injuries, but only 28% used them regularly. Of the players who wore a mouthguard regularly, 76.9% were advised to do so by their dentists.

Conclusions

The incidence of head and orofacial injuries among professional handball players is high. Mouthguards prevented severe dental injuries such as tooth fracture and avulsion, but their use was still limited.
“A Fantasy of Untouchable Fullness”: Melancholia and Resistance to Educational Transformation
Authors: Stillwaggon James
Published: February 2017

The progressive language of growth and development that informs our shared ideal of the educated subject also informs the curricular structure of schooling, in which new learning builds upon established knowledge and students' development depends upon their desire to take on those identities associated with various achievements of knowledge. Each re‐creation of the student's identity requires a new production of the student's former identity as an uneducated self — a negative statement of the self‐overcome, fashioned in the language of the curriculum. But what of those objects of attachment or aspects of the child's identity that can neither be integrated in the student's educated identity nor accounted for as a recognizable lost object of childhood? In this essay James Stillwaggon argues that considering the student subject in terms of its melancholic attachments offers some alternatives to thinking of student identity primarily in terms of its progressive learning function. Julia Kristeva's treatment of melancholia as “asymbolia,” or against the representational function of language, is especially significant to this discussion, as it highlights the melancholic's resistance to the most basic educational purpose, namely the further engagement of the subject in language.
Mrs. Klein and Paulo Freire: Coda for the Pain of Symbolization in the Lifeworld of the Mind
Authors: Britzman Deborah P.
Published: February 2017

The preceding symposium articles speculate on the psychosocial dynamics of discrimination as reverberating with grief, mourning, melancholia, and denial. They invite a psychoanalytic paradox on the fate of inchoate loss and its complex relation to oppression and depression: constellations of attachment to loss met with its social and psychical disavowal render inexpressible to the other the work of mourning and drive its myriad expressions. A different way of putting the dilemma is that grief calls upon symbolic equation (collapse of subject with object) and the pain of symbolization (contingency without certainty). Deborah Britzman's coda reads the psychoanalyst Melanie Klein's consideration of depression as the origin of the human condition with Paulo Freire's call to educators for a radical humanization to release oppression. Between Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed and Klein's Love, Guilt, and Reparation, the coda traces a signifying loss that attests to the entwined roots of the self/other matrix with attention to the needed fluctuations within interiority and exteriority, loss and the depressive position, illness and health, and psychoanalysis with pedagogy.
A novel animal model of acquired human temporal lobe epilepsy based on the simultaneous administration of kainic acid and lorazepam
Authors: Kienzler‐Norwood Friederike , Costard Lara , Sadangi Chinmaya , Müller Philipp , Neubert Valentin , Bauer Sebastian , Rosenow Felix , Norwood Braxton A.
Published: February 2017

Objective

Kainic acid (KA) is a potent glutamate analog that is used to induce neurodegeneration and model temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in rodents. KA reliably induces severe, prolonged seizures, that is, convulsive status epilepticus (cSE), which is typically fatal without pharmacologic intervention. Although the use of KA to model human epilepsy has proven unquestionably valuable for >30 years, significant variability and mortality continue to confound results. These issues are probably the consequence of cSE, an all‐or‐nothing response that is inherently capricious and uncontrollable. The relevance of cSE to the human condition is dubious, however, as most patients with epilepsy never experienced it. We sought to develop a simple, KA‐based animal model of TLE that avoids cSE and its confounds.

Methods

Adult, male Sprague‐Dawley rats received coincident subcutaneous injections of KA (5 mg) and lorazepam (0.25 mg), approximately 15.0 and 0.75 mg/kg, respectively. Continuous video–electroencephalography (EEG) was used to monitor acute seizure activity and detect spontaneous seizures. Immunocytochemistry, Fluoro‐Jade B staining, and Timm staining were used to characterize both acute and chronic neuropathology.

Results

Acutely, focal hippocampal seizures were induced, which began after about 30 min and were self‐terminating after a few hours. Widespread hippocampal neurodegeneration was detected after 4 days. Spontaneous, focal hippocampal seizures began after an average of 12 days in all animals. Classic hippocampal sclerosis and mossy fiber sprouting characterized the long‐term neuropathology. Morbidity and mortality rates were both 0%.

Significance

We show here that the effects of systemic KA can be limited to the hippocampus simply with coadministration of a benzodiazepine at a low dose. This means that lorazepam can block convulsive seizures without truly stopping seizure activity. This novel, cSE‐free animal model reliably mimics the defining characteristics of acquired mesial TLE: hippocampal sclerosis and spontaneous hippocampal‐onset seizures after a prolonged seizure‐free period, without significant morbidity, mortality, or nonresponders.
Cytotoxicity and bioactivity of various pulpotomy materials on stem cells from human exfoliated primary teeth
Authors: Collado‐González M. , García‐Bernal D. , Oñate‐Sánchez R. E. , Ortolani‐Seltenerich P. S. , Álvarez‐Muro T. , Lozano A. , Forner L. , Llena C. , Moraleda J. M. , Rodríguez‐Lozano F. J.
Published: February 2017

Aims

To investigate the cytotoxicity and bioactivity of several pulpotomy materials: Biodentine (Septodont, Saint‐Maur‐des‐Fosses, France) MTA (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil), Theracal LC (Bisco Inc., Schamburg, IL, USA) and IRM (Dentsply DeTrey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany), after contact with stem cells isolated from human exfoliated primary teeth (SHEDs).

Methodology

SHEDs were cultured in the presence of the eluates of various pulpotomy materials for 24, 48 and 72 h. Cell viability was determined by mitochondrial dehydrogenase enzymatic (MTT) assay. Apoptosis and changes in cell phenotype were evaluated by flow cytometry. Also, an in vitro scratch wound‐healing assay was used to determine their effects on cell migration. To assess cell morphology and attachment to the different pulpotomy materials, SHEDs were directly seeded onto the material surfaces and analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the deposition of a calcified matrix in presence of these materials was verified by Alizarin Red staining. Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance and Bonferroni or Tukey post‐test (α = 0.05).

Results

Cell viability in the presence of Biodentine eluates was significantly higher to that obtained using complete medium alone (control; P < 0.01) and was also significantly higher than using MTA Angelus from 48 h of incubation (P < 0.01). However, Theracal LC and IRM were associated with low rates of cell viability (P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained in an apoptosis assay. In addition, SHEDs maintained their mesenchymal phenotype in all conditions although their capacity to migrate was higher in the presence of Biodentine. SEM studies revealed a suitable proliferation rate, cell spreading and attachment, especially when using Biodentine and MTA Angelus discs. Finally, Biodentine eluates significantly induced calcified matrix deposition from 7 days of culture (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Biodentine exhibited better cytocompatibility and bioactivity than MTA Angelus, Theracal LC and IRM.
Tracing the discursive development of rapport in intercultural nurse–patient interactions
Authors: Crawford Tonia , Roger Peter , Candlin Sally
Published: February 2017

Good rapport underpins effective patient care; however, communication barriers can undermine the building of rapport and the development of a therapeutic relationship, potentially resulting in poorer health outcomes. This paper examines the development of rapport by registered nurses (RNs) from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Discourse analytical techniques are used to trace rapport‐building in naturally occurring interactions through the course of the participants' nursing care. Ethnographic techniques including participant observations and audio‐recordings of interactions were conducted in Sydney, Australia, and analysed using interactional sociolinguistic (IS) and theme oriented discourse analytic approaches. This paper demonstrates how rapport is accomplished by the RNs through strategies such as humour, reassurance, small talk and use of colloquial language.
Enabling healthy living: Experiences of people with severe mental illness in psychiatric outpatient services
Authors: Blomqvist Marjut , Sandgren Anna , Carlsson Ing‐Marie , Jormfeldt Henrika
Published: February 2017

It is well known that people with severe mental illness have a reduced life expectancy and a greater risk of being affected by preventable physical illnesses such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. There are still, however, only a few published studies focusing on what enables healthy living for this group. This study thus aimed to describe what enables healthy living among people with severe mental illness in psychiatric outpatient services. The data were collected in qualitative interviews (n = 16) and content analysis was used to analyze the data. The interviews resulted in an overall theme “Being regarded as a whole human being by self and others”, which showed the multidimensional nature of health and the issues that enable healthy living among people with severe mental illness. Three categories emerged: (i) everyday structure (ii), motivating life events and (iii) support from significant others. The results indicate that a person with severe mental illness needs to be encountered as a whole person if healthy living is to be enabled. Attaining healthy living requires collaboration between the providers of care, help and support. Health care organizations need to work together to develop and provide interventions to enable healthy living and to reduce poor physical health among people with severe mental illness.
A comparison of the merchant and agency models in the hotel industry
Authors: Liao Peng , Ye Fei , Wu Xiaoli
Published: February 2017

In addition to a hotel's direct sales channel, the hotel can choose whether to use the online travel agency (OTA) channel, and run a dual‐channel distribution system. For the hotel, selling rooms through OTA expands the available market, but comes at some expense, such as fewer allocated rooms for its own direct channel. In this paper, we formulate a theoretical game model to analyze the impact of various parameters on the channel and pricing decisions. We also compare the impact of form of contract, where the contract between hotel and OTA can be based on either the merchant or agency model. We show the impact of capacity on the hotel's channel choice. In the dual‐channel system, we find that the OTA prefers the agency model over the merchant model when the hotel's capacity is small. We also propose a revenue‐sharing contract that can achieve channel coordination for both hotel and OTA retailers under both models.
On equivalence between a variational problem and its modified variational problem with the η‐objective function under invexity
Authors: Jayswal Anurag , Antczak Tadeusz , Jha Shalini
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a new approach to analyze optimality and saddle‐point criteria for a new class of nonconvex variational problems involving invex functions is studied. Namely, the modified objective function method is used for the considered variational problem in order to characterize its optimal solution. In this method, for the considered variational problem, corresponding modified variational problem with the η‐objective function is constructed. The equivalence in the original variational problem and its associated modified variational problem with the η‐objective function is proved under invexity hypotheses. Furthermore, by using the notion of a Lagrangian function, the connection between a saddle‐point in the modified objective function variational problem and an optimal solution in the considered variational problem is presented. Some examples of nonconvex variational problems are also given to verify the results established in the paper.
The Role of Nitric Oxide in Digoxin‐Induced Arrhythmias in Guinea‐Pigs*
Authors: Altuǧ Sedat , Uzun Özge , Demiryürek A. Tuncay , Çakıcı İclal , Abacıoǧlu Nurettin , Kanzık İlker
Published: February 2017

Abstract: We have investigated the effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L‐NAME), nitric oxide precursor (L‐arginine) and nitric oxide donor (sodium nitroprusside) on digoxin‐induced arrhythmias both in guinea‐pig isolated hearts and in anaesthetised animals. Sodium nitroprusside (0.1 μmol kg−1 min.−1 for 70 min.) caused a marked inhibition in mortality and arrhythmia score but L‐NAME (10 mg kg−1) and L‐arginine (30 mg kg−1 intravenous bolus followed by 10 mg kg−1 min.−1 for 60 min.) treatments were ineffective in anaesthetised guinea‐pigs. None of the drugs markedly affected the time of onset of first arrhythmias or ventricular fibrillation incidence. In isolated heart experiments, nitric oxide generated by either L‐arginine (1 mM) or sodium nitroprusside (1 mM) significantly reduced the arrhythmia score whereas L‐NAME (1 mM) had no effect. Ventricular fibrillation incidence was totally abolished by sodium nitroprusside and none of the hearts treated with L‐arginine had an irreversible ventricular fibrillation. L‐NAME decreased ventricular tachycardia duration but increased ventricular fibrillation duration. There were no marked changes in the time of onset of first arrhythmias with these drugs in in vitro experiments. These results suggest that nitric oxide may play a modulatory role in the digoxin‐induced arrhythmias in guinea‐pigs.
Long‐Term Changes in Brain Following Continuous Phencyclidine Administration: An Autoradiographic Study using Flunitrazepam, Ketanserin, Mazindol, Quinuclidinyl benzilate, Piperidyl‐3,4‐3H(N)‐TCP, and AMPA Receptor Ligands
Authors: Ellison Gaylord , Keys Alan , Noguchi Kevin
Published: February 2017

Abstract: Phencyclidine induces a model psychosis which can persist for prolonged periods and presents a strong drug model of schizophrenia. When given continuously for several days to rats, phencyclidine and other N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) antagonists induce neural degeneration in a variety of limbic structures, including retrosplenial cortex, hippocampus, septohippocampal projections, and piriform cortex. In an attempt to further clarify the mechanisms underlying these degeneration patterns, autoradiographic studies using a variety of receptor ligands were conducted in animals 21 days after an identical dosage of the continuous phencyclidine administration employed in the previous degeneration studies. The results indicated enduring alterations in a number of receptors: these included decreased piperidyl‐3,4‐3H(N)‐TCP (TCP), flunitrazepam, and mazindol binding in many of the limbic regions in which degeneration has been reported previously. Quinuclidinyl benzilate and (AMPA) binding were decreased in anterior cingulate and piriform cortex, and in accumbens and striatum. Piperidyl‐3,4‐3H(N)‐TCP binding was decreased in most hippocampal regions. Many of these long‐term alterations would not have been predicted by prior studies of the neurotoxic effects of continuous phencyclidine, and these results do not suggest a unitary source for the neurotoxicity. Whereas retrosplenial cortex, the structure which degenerates earliest, showed minimal alterations, some of the most consistent, long term alterations were in structures which evidence no immediate signs of neural degeneration, such as anterior cingulate cortex and caudate nucleus. In these structures, some of the receptor changes appeared to develop gradually (they were not present immediately after cessation of drug administration), and thus were perhaps due to changed input from regions evidencing neurotoxicity. Some of these findings, particularly in anterior cingulate, may have implications for models of schizophrenia.
Cholecystokinin Receptor Mechanism(s) and Morphine Tolerance in Mice
Authors: Zarrindast Mohammad‐Reza , Nikfar Shekofeh , Rezayat Mehdi
Published: February 2017

Abstract: In a previous work, the effects of cholecystokinin receptor agonists on tolerance to morphine antinociception were evaluated. In the present study, the influence of cholecystokinin antagonists on the inhibition of tolerance to morphine antinociception by cholecystokinin agonists has been investigated. Maximum tolerance to morphine antinociception was obtained by morphine administration (50 mg/kg) to mice once daily for 4 days. The cholecystokinin receptor agonists caerulein (0.005 mg/kg) or cholecystokinin‐8 (0.01 mg/kg) but not unsulfated cholecystokinin‐8 (0.01 mg/kg) decreased the development of tolerance to morphine (9 mg/kg). The cholecystokininA receptor antagonist MK‐329 (1 mg/kg) or the cholecystokininB receptor antagonist L‐365,260 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) also diminished the tolerance to morphine antinociception. When animals were challenged with different doses of MK‐329 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) against cholecystokinin‐8 (0.01 mg/kg), caerulein (0.005 mg/kg) or unsulfated cholecystokinin‐8 (0.01 mg/kg) on day 4 in tolerant mice, different response were obtained. Higher doses of MK‐329 (1 mg/kg) caused a small decrease in attenuation of the morphine tolerance induced by cholecystokinin‐8 and caerulein. Low doses of L‐365, 260 diminished the effect of cholecystokinin‐8 on morphine tolerance. Conversely high doses of the drug potentiated the response of caerulein (0.005 mg/kg). When animals were treated with MK‐329 or L‐365,260 before unsulfated cholecystokinin‐8, reduction of the tolerance to morphine antinociception was obtained. These data indicate that both cholecystokinin receptors may modulate morphine tolerance.
Plasma interleukin‐22 levels are associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in the Han Chinese population
Authors: Shen Jizhong , Fang Yun , Zhu Huaijun , Ge Weihong
Published: February 2017

Aims/Introduction

The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between plasma interleukin‐22 (IL‐22) levels and prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, and search the relevance between plasma concentrations of IL‐22 and selected diabetes risk factors in Chinese people.

Materials and Methods

The Han Chinese origin men and women participants were recruited in our study during a conventional medical checkup. Fasting plasma IL‐22 levels were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and their relevance with selected diabetes risk factors was explored. Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the odds ratio of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes according to plasma IL‐22 level.

Results

Compared with normal glucose participants (250 pg/mL [interquartile range 154–901]), the plasma IL‐22 levels in IFG participants (185 pg/mL [interquartile range 145–414]) and type 2 diabetes participants (162 pg/mL [interquartile range 128–266]) were significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). Correlation analysis showed that plasma concentrations of IL‐22 were negatively associated with some diabetes risk factors, including body mass index, glucose, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride. Furthermore, the plasma concentrations of IL‐22 showed a highly significant association with IFG and type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions

In Chinese subjects, the plasma concentration of IL‐22 is profoundly associated with susceptibility to IFG and type 2 diabetes, and decreased plasma IL‐22 level is a potential trigger of IFG and type 2 diabetes.
Comparative assessment of Vibrio virulence in marine fish larvae
Authors: Rønneseth A , Castillo D , D'Alvise P , Tønnesen Ø , Haugland G , Grotkjær T , Engell‐Sørensen K , Nørremark L , Bergh Ø , Wergeland H I , Gram L
Published: February 2017

Vibrionaceae infections are a major obstacle for marine larviculture; however, little is known about virulence differences of Vibrio strains. The virulence of Vibrio strains, mostly isolated from vibriosis outbreaks in farmed fish, was tested in larval challenge trials with cod (Gadus morhua), turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) using a multiwell dish assays with single‐egg/larvae cultures. The strains differed significantly in virulence as some caused a high mortality of larva reaching 100% mortality after a few days, while others had no or only marginal effects on survival. Some Vibrio strains were pathogenic in all of the larva species, while some caused disease only in one of the species. Twenty‐nine of the Vibrio anguillarum strains increased the mortality of larvae from at least one fish species; however, pathogenicity of the strains differed markedly. Other Vibrio species had no or less pronounced effects on larval mortalities. Iron uptake has been related to V. anguillarum virulence; however, the presence or absence of the plasmid pJM1 encoding anguibactin did not correlate with virulence. The genomes of V. anguillarum were compared (D. Castillo, P.W. D'Alvise, M. Middelboe & L. Gram, unpublished data) and most of the high‐virulent strains had acquired virulence genes from other pathogenic Vibrio.
Inconsistency in the physico‐chemical properties of gari produced in South‐Western Nigeria: A proposal for appropriate technology
Authors: Aiyelegun Tope , Owolarafe Oseni , Ogunsina Babatunde , Samuel Taiwo
Published: February 2017

The physico‐chemical properties of gari samples produced in South‐Western Nigeria were investigated following standard methods. The results show that moisture content, ash, crude fibre, cyanide content, and total acidity of the gari samples were in the range of 5.59–17.09%, .48–2.59%, 0.27–5.14%, 0.016–0.073 mg/kg, and 0.003–0.22%, respectively. Swelling index and particle size ranged from 2.04 to 2.80 and 0.343 to 0.577 mm, respectively. Nine of the sixty gari samples collected conform to Codex Alimentarius Standard for gari. However, all the samples conformed to the standard in terms of cyanide and total acidity. Classification by Codex Alimentarius Standard showed that 88.3% of the samples were ungraded, while 11.7% were coarse grained. The Nigerian Industrial Standard revealed that 68.3% of the samples were medium coarse grained gari, while 31.7% were fine grained. Based on the foregoing, an appropriate technology profile was proposed with the view to standardize the quality of gari produced in South‐Western Nigeria.

Practical applications

The physico‐chemical properties of gari in south western Nigeria vary from one place to the other due to differences in the method of processing. This inconsistency is affecting local and international gari trade to a large extent in south western Nigeria where the bulk of world's gari comes from. The recommendation of an appropriate technology for gari processing in this work is with the view to standardizing gari quality wherever it processed notwithstanding.
Torsion estimation of particle paths through porous media observed by in‐situ time‐resolved microtomography
Authors: BLANKENBURG C. , RACK A. , DAUL C. , OHSER J.
Published: February 2017

The torsion distribution of cell paths in two‐phase flow of a cell suspension through a porous medium is an important quantity for chromatographic processes. It can be estimated from cell tracking in sequences of three‐dimensional images of a suspension pumped through the medium, where the images are acquired by in‐situ time‐resolved microtomography using synchrotron radiation and inline phase contrast modus. This contribution presents a new method for estimating path torsion from discrete positions, where the estimation is based on an appropriate discretization of the differential‐geometric formula of the torsion of a space curve. Investigations performed for an alcoholic suspension of silica gel particles pumped through a partially open polyurethane foam show that the shape of the inner surface of the foam has a considerable impact on the particle paths. It turns out that the variance of the torsion for slow particle moving close to the surface is a half order of magnitude smaller than that of fast particles, which underlines the importance of torsion for filter efficiency.
Preemptive bribery and incomplete information: Does prior knowledge matter?
Authors: Mishra Ajit , Samuel Andrew
Published: February 2017

This paper studies bribery between a firm and a supervisor who monitors the firm for regulatory compliance. Bribery occurs preemptively, that is before the supervisor exerts costly effort to discover the firm's level of noncompliance and collect evidence for successful prosecution. In contrast to previous papers, preemptive bribery is modeled as a Bayesian signaling game because the supervisor is uninformed about the firm's level of noncompliance. We show that under normal informational assumptions, some (possibly all) firms always engage in preemptive bribery. However, if knowledge of the firm's level of noncompliance has implications for the supervisor's ability to collect evidence and prosecute (prior knowledge), preemptive bribery can be completely eliminated. Results which apply to preemptive bribery under complete information do not apply here.