bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Appreciating local variations in standardising health care data collection processes and tools: A case of health management information system in Tanzania
Authors: Mahundi Masoud Hussein , Chaula Hassani Badi , Igira Faraja
Published: May 2018

The need for integration of health information systems as realised in the 90s by the developing countries resulted into deliberate standardisation initiatives. Software systems, human resources, procedures, and data collection tools were all subjected to standardisation. This standardisation, however, has been so absolute that the local and permanent variations were not taken into consideration. This study sought to find out how the local variations within the health care provision units can be taken into consideration in the design of health care data collection processes and tools. It employed qualitative, case study design and had 3 data collection techniques: observations, semi‐structured interviews, and documents review. The study found out that success in standardising data collection tools and processes in health care settings can be achieved if standards are put into clusters as it is unrealistic to subject the different health facility types into the same standards. The study proposes 3 clusters of standards. The dispensary cluster which accounts for the majority of all health facilities and the hospital cluster which accounts for all advanced diagnosis and treatment facilities and the third, specialised hospital cluster which accounts for specialised services.
Host heme oxygenase‐1: Friend or foe in tackling pathogens?
Authors: Singh Nisha , Ahmad Zeeshan , Baid Navin , Kumar Ashwani
Published: May 2018

Infectious diseases are a major challenge in management of human health worldwide. Recent literature suggests that host immune system could be modulated to ameliorate the pathogenesis of infectious disease. Heme oxygenase (HMOX1) is a key regulator of cellular signaling and it could be modulated using pharmacological reagents. HMOX1 is a cytoprotective enzyme that degrades heme to generate carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin, and molecular iron. CO and biliverdin (or bilirubin derived from it) can restrict the growth of a few pathogens. Both of these also induce antioxidant pathways and anti‐inflammatory pathways. On the other hand, molecular iron can induce proinflammatory pathway besides making the cellular environment oxidative in nature. Since microbial infections often induce oxidative stress in host cells/tissues, role of HMOX1 has been analyzed in the pathogenesis of number of infections. In this review, we have described the role of HMOX1 in pathogenesis of bacterial infections caused by Mycobacterium species, Salmonella and in microbial sepsis. We have also provided a succinct overview of the role of HMOX1 in parasitic infections such as malaria and leishmaniasis. In the end, we have also elaborated the role of HMOX1 in viral infections such as AIDS, hepatitis, dengue, and influenza. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(9):869–880, 2018
PRKAR2B promotes prostate cancer metastasis by activating Wnt/β‐catenin and inducing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Sha Jianjun , Han Qing , Chi Chenfei , Zhu Yinjie , Pan Jiahua , Dong Baijun , Huang Yiran , Xia Weiliang , Xue Wei
Published: May 2018

Castration‐resistant prostate cancers (CRPC) that occur after the failure of androgen‐blocking therapies cause most of the deaths in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. In a previous study we identified that PRKAR2B expression is upregulated in CRPC and possesses potentials to develop CRPC. Here we further investigated the underlying mechanism of PRKAR2B in regulating prostate cancer metastasis. We established an androgen‐independent LNCaPcell line (LNCaP‐AI), and investigated the function of PRKAR2B on regulating cell invasion in vitro and in vivo. We found that PRKAR2B expression was markedly increased in LNCaP‐AI cells and metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) tissues compared to LNCaP cells and primary PCa specimens, respectively. PRKAR2B level was significantly correlated with the Gleason score and lymph nodes metastasis in PCa. In vitro, PRKAR2B overexpression promoted cell invasion, whereas knockdown of PRKAR2B in CRPC cells inhibited cell invasion. PRKAR2B overexpression also promoted tumor metastasis in vivo. PRKAR2B resulted in a decreased expression of E‐cadherin and an increased expression of Vimentin, N‐cadherin, Fibronectin, indicating that PRKAR2B induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). PRKAR2B activated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in CRPC cells. More important, inhibition of Wnt/β‐catenin attenuated PRKAR2B‐induced EMT and cancer cells invasion. Our results provided novel insights to PRKAR2B‐driven CRPC cell invasion and indicated that PRKAR2B might be served as a potential target for CRPC therapy.
Identification of problems in search strategies in Cochrane Reviews
Authors: Franco Juan Víctor Ariel , Garrote Virginia Laura , Escobar Liquitay Camila Micaela , Vietto Valeria
Published: May 2018

Objective

Search strategies are essential for the adequate retrieval of studies in a systematic review (SR). Our objective was to identify problems in the design and reporting of search strategies in a sample of new Cochrane SRs first published in The Cochrane Library in 2015.

Study design and setting

We took a random sample of 70 new Cochrane SRs of interventions published in 2015. We evaluated their design and reporting of search strategies using the recommendations from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, the Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews, and the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies evidence‐based guideline.

Results

Most reviews complied with the reporting standards in the Cochrane Handbook and the Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews; however, 8 SRs did not search trials registers, 3 SRs included language restrictions, and there was inconsistent reporting of contact with individuals and searches of the gray literature. We found problems in the design of the search strategies in 73% of reviews (95% CI, 60‐84%) and 53% of these contained problems (95% CI, 38‐69%) that could limit both the sensitivity and precision of the search strategies.

Conclusion

We found limitations in the design and reporting of search strategies. We consider that a greater adherence to the guidelines could improve their quality.
Initiation of adjuvant therapy following surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC): Are patients from rural, remote areas disadvantaged?
Authors: Bertens Kimberly A. , Massman John D. , Helton Scott , Garbus Samuel , Mandelson Margaret M. , Lin Bruce , Picozzi Vincent J. , Biehl Thomas , Alseidi Adnan A. , Rocha Flavio G.
Published: May 2018

Background and Objectives

Although race and socioeconomic status have been shown to affect outcomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the impact of rural residence on the delivery of adjuvant therapy (AT) has not been studied.

Methods

Patients with resected PDAC were identified using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Individuals were classified as living in a metro area, urban/rural adjacent to a metro area (URA), and urban/rural remote (URR) area. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess geographic inhabitance as a predictor of receiving AT.

Results

A total of 32 521 individuals who underwent pancreatectomy for PDAC were identified. Univariate analysis demonstrated individuals in URR areas were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) than those living in URA or metro areas (55.3% vs 55.6% vs 58.8%, P = 0.011). However on multivariate analysis URR inhabitance was no longer a predictor of ACT (OR = 0.911 P = 0.125) or ART (OR = 0.953 P = 0.462). Cox proportional hazard modeling demonstrated URR inhabitance remained independently associated with poor OS (HR 1.076; 95% CI [1.008, 1.149], P < 0.029).

Conclusions

URR inhabitance does not impact access to AT, however it is independently associated with a decreased OS. Attention must be focused on optimizing oncologic care to patients with disparate access to healthcare.
Upregulation of the adipokine genes ADIPOR1 and SPP1 is related to poor survival outcomes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Choe Eun K. , Yi Jin W. , Chai Young J. , Park Kyu J.
Published: May 2018

Background

Obesity is closely associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), but the underlying mechanism is unclear. We thus evaluated the expression of the adipokine gene family in CRC tissues and its clinicopathological implications.

Methods

Correlations between the mRNA expression levels of the adipokine gene family (ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1/2, LEP, LEPR, RETN, RETNLB, RBP4, SFRP5, NAMPT, and SPP1) in CRC tissue and clinicopathologic factors were analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database.

Results

Tissue samples from 369 patients were analyzed, and 82 deaths occurred during follow‐up (median, 670 days). Overall, mortality was associated with positive venous invasion, higher TNM stage, and increased ADIPOR1 (adiponectin receptor 1 gene) and SPP1 (secreted phosphoprotein gene 1) mRNA expression. Higher ADIPOR1 (odds ratio [OR]: 3.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33‐8.13) and SPP1 (OR: 2.31, 95%CI: 1.49‐3.59) levels were independently associated with increased mortality. A Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis showed shorter overall survival times in patients with higher ADIPOR1 (P = 0.006) and SPP1 (P < 0.001) expression.

Conclusions

Upregulation of ADIPOR1 and SPP1, among the adipokine gene family, in cancer tissue is associated with poor survival in CRC, suggesting a potential mechanism linking obesity and CRC. ADIPOR1 and SPP1 expression could become useful prognostic indicators after further validation.
Evaluation of the peritoneal surface disease severity score (PSDSS) in ovarian cancer patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: Two pathogenetic types based study
Authors: Yarema Roman , Fetsych Taras , Volodko Natalya , Оhorchak Myron , Petronchak Orest , Huley Roman , Mylyan Yuriy , Glehen Olivier
Published: May 2018

Background and Objectives

Clinical experience suggests that cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) play an important role in the management of ovarian cancer. In order to improve patient selection, the peritoneal surface disease severity score (PSDSS) was previously introduced for use in colorectal cancer patients. However, almost no data exist regarding the utility of the PSDSS index in ovarian cancer patients.

Methods

A retrospective study of the effectiveness of CRS and HIPEC was carried out in 59 patients with ovarian cancer. The PSDSS was based on three criteria: symptoms, extent of peritoneal dissemination, and primary tumor structure as assessed by histology and biomarker expression.

Results

The overall survival time for patients with ovarian cancer in PSDSS Stage I was 48 ± 25.3 months. For PSDSS Stage II, the survival time was 26.5 ± 4.7 months. For PSDSS Stage III, it was 15.5 ± 4 months, and for PSDSS Stage IV, it was 6 ± 4.3 months. A multivariate analysis showed that the PSDSS stage was the only independent survival predictor.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that a PSDSS based on two pathogenetic types may be useful for predicting survival outcomes in ovarian cancer patients treated with CRS/HIPEC.
Screening and investigation of triplex DNA binders from Stephania tetrandra S. Moore by a combination of peak area‐fading ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography with orbitrap mass spectrometry and optical spectroscopies
Authors: Yang Hongmei , Wang Yihan , Yu Wenjing , Shi Lei , Wang Hongfeng , Su Rui , Chen Changbao , Liu Shuying
Published: May 2018

The identification and screening of triplex DNA binders are important because these compounds, in many cases, are potential anticancer agents as well as promising drug candidates. Therefore, the ability to screen for these compounds in a high‐throughput mode could dramatically improve the drug screening process. A method involving a combination of 96‐well plate format and peak area‐fading ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry was employed for screening bioactive compounds binding to the triplex DNA from the extracts of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore. Two compounds were screened out and identified as fangchinoline and tetrandrine based on the comparison of retention time and tandem mass spectrometry data with those of standards. The binding mechanisms of fangchinoline and tetrandrine at the molecular level were explored using tandem mass spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, and circular dichroism. Collision‐induced dissociation experiments showed that the complexes with fangchinoline and tetrandrine were dissociated by ligand elimination. According to these measurements, an intercalating binding is the most appropriate binding mode of these two alkaloids to the triplex DNA. The current work provides not only deep insight into alkaloid‐triplex DNA complexes but also useful guidelines for the design of efficient anticancer agents.
Protonation of polyaniline‐coated silica stationary phase affects the retention behavior of neutral hydrophobic solutes in reversed‐phase capillary liquid chromatography
Authors: Taraba Lukáš , Křížek Tomáš , Kozlík Petr , Hodek Ondřej , Coufal Pavel
Published: May 2018

Because of its high conductivity when acid doped, polyaniline is known as a synthetic metal and is used in a wide range of applications, such as supercapacitors, biosensors, electrochromic devices, or solar and fuel cells. Emeraldine is the partly oxidized, stable form of polyaniline, consisting of alternating diaminobenzenoid and iminoquinoid segments. When acidified, the nitrogen atoms of emeraldine become protonated. Due to electrostatic repulsion between positive charges, the polarity and morphology of emeraldine chains presumably change; however, the protonation effects on emeraldine have not yet been clarified. Thus, we investigated these changes by reversed‐phase capillary liquid chromatography using a linear solvation energy relationship approach to assess differences in dominant retention interactions under a significantly varied mobile phase pH. We observed that hydrophobicity dominates the intermolecular interactions under both acidic and alkaline eluent conditions, albeit to different extents. Therefore, by tuning the mobile phase pH, we can even modulate the retention of neutral hydrophobic solutes, such as aromatic hydrocarbons, because the pH‐dependent charge and structure of polymer chains of the emeraldine‐coated silica stationary phase show a mixed‐mode separation mechanism.
Negative Predictive Value of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound in Differentiating Avascular Solid‐Appearing From Vascularized Masses: A Retrospective Consecutive Study
Authors: Alrashed Abdulmohsen , Ahmad Hassan , Khalili Korosh , Kim Tae Kyoung , Jang Huynh‐Jung , Atri Mostafa
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to establish the lack of vascularity in a mass.

Methods

This work was an Institutional Review Board–approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant retrospective study. Acquisition of consent was waived. We included all CEUS examinations performed for tissue characterization between 2004 and 2014 that reported showing no vascularity in a mass. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound findings were considered true‐negative when there was stability on imaging for at least 1 year or no evidence of a solid mass, if biopsied, and false‐negative if there was lesion growth on imaging within 12 months or an indication of a solid mass on the pathologic examination, if biopsied. One author reviewed all of the reports and follow‐up examinations. We conducted a consensus review of all false‐negative findings mixed with an equal number of true‐negative findings by 2 reviewers, who were blinded to the final results.

Results

The study population consisted of 97 CEUS examinations in 97 patients, including 48 women and 49 men (mean age ± SD, 65 ± 14 years). Examinations were performed for lesion characterization in the liver (n = 23), pancreas (n = 17), kidney (n = 54), 1 gallbladder, 1 adnexa, and 1 peritoneal lesion. The overall false‐negative rate on the official prospective review was 2% (2 of 97). Two false‐negative findings were correctly identified on the consensus review. The NPV of CEUS was 97.9% (95 of 97; 95% confidence interval, 93%– 99%) on the official review.

Conclusions

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound has a very high NPV to exclude the presence of flow in a mass, and it can be used to exclude the presence of a solid mass.
A Quality Study to Explore Rationale for Pregnant Women to Decline Transvaginal Cervical Length Screening
Authors: Keller Matthew , Burgess Adriane , Hole James , Warren Margaret , Burkindine Jessica , Johnson Mary Jo
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To identify patient rationale for pregnant women to decline transvaginal cervical length screening.

Methods

Survey data from 511 women presenting for second‐trimester anatomy and transvaginal cervical length sonography were collected during a 4‐month period from September 2016 to January 2017. Each patient completed a medical questionnaire that includes demographic and obstetric history data and a survey to document their acceptance or declination of transvaginal cervical length screening.

Results

Of the 511 women included in the study, 5.9% (n = 30) declined transvaginal cervical length screening. Demographic characteristics and risk factors for prematurity were similar between those who accepted and declined. The sonographer performing the study was significantly associated with declination of transvaginal cervical length screening (P < .001), with 4 of 13 sonographers accounting for 83.3% of all declinations. The most frequently reported reasons for declining the transvaginal cervical length screening were feeling that it was not needed (47%; n = 14) and not feeling prepared for the transvaginal sonography (27%; n = 8).

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that the sonographer performing transvaginal cervical length screening may be associated with declination. The most common reasons patients cited for declining included not feeling that the study was needed and not feeling prepared for the procedure. Increased sonographer education and sonographer use of a scripted approach when discussing the procedure with patients may improve patient acceptance.
Spatiotemporal nexus between the pattern of land degradation and land cover dynamics in Iran
Authors: Minaei Masoud , Shafizadeh‐Moghadam Hossein , Tayyebi Amin
Published: May 2018

In recent decades, extensive land transformations and environmental and climate change events such as floods and droughts, increasing heat waves, and forest fires have been observed in Iran. Monitoring and intensity analysis of the land cover dynamics and land degradation in Iran are lacking due to the lack of fine resolution land cover data. In this paper, we explore the type, extent, and intensity of land transformations and the intensity of transitions among land cover classes from 2000 to 2010 using GlobeLand30 land cover data. Our results indicate that approximately 35% of Iran changed during 2000–2010, due mainly to the active gain of barren land. Furthermore, the increase in barren targeted grass and shrub. Barren expansion in Iran is alarming because most of the country is located in arid and semi‐arid regions. Iran has actively participated in desertification combat plans, and thus, it is critical to explore extra intervals of land dynamics. This will help to evaluate the temporal rate of land degradation at multiple intervals and assess the effectiveness of desertification management strategies. Additionally, investigating the role of climate and human‐made interventions into the type and extent of land transformation is recommended.
Impacts of human activities on the structural and functional connectivity of a river network in the Taihu Plain
Authors: Deng Xiaojun , Xu Youpeng , Han Longfei
Published: May 2018

Human activities are expected to change the hydrological connectivity of river networks. Understanding the impacts of human activities on hydrological connectivity is crucial for river‐basin management. The present study investigated the impacts of river network change and water gate construction on the structural and functional connectivity in the Taihu Plain. We found that the network circuitry, edge‐node ratio, and network connectivity of the arterial river network increased by 8.82%, 3.59%, and 3.57%, respectively, during the 1960s–2010s. In Jiangyin, the indexes decreased by 46.40%, 15.43%, and 15.42%, respectively, throughout the river network during the 1960s–1980s. The indexes of the capillary river network decreased by 61.90%, 24.89%, and 24.88%, respectively, while those of the arterial river network increased by 6.58%, 4.73%, and 2.72%, respectively. We also found that the current longitudinal continuity of the river network was 8.15. In the Sangan River of Zhangjiagang, the migratory continuity of the river network was 0.27, but it was between 0.33 and 1.00 when the current water gates were considered separately, and the decreases of their maximum values under different combinations were greater than those of their minimum values. Moreover, we found that the various water levels of the river network all exhibited increasing trends, and their correlations with functional connectivity were significant and positive. Our study suggests that the negative effects of river network changes on structural connectivity were far greater than the positive effects, and the impacts of water gate construction on functional connectivity had gradient and cumulative effects.
Extra‐Virgin Olive Oil with Natural Phenolic Content Exerts an Anti‐Inflammatory Effect in Adipose Tissue and Attenuates the Severity of Atherosclerotic Lesions in Ldlr−/−.Leiden Mice
Authors: Luque‐Sierra Amparo , Alvarez‐Amor Leticia , Kleemann Robert , Martín Franz , Varela Lourdes M.
Published: May 2018

Scope

The present study investigates the effect of olive oils with different phenolic content in high‐fat diets (HFDs) on hypertrophy and inflammation in adipose tissue and associated atherosclerosis, in the context of obesity.

Methods and results

Ldlr−/−.Leiden mice were fed three different HFDs for 32 weeks and were compared with mice fed the standard low‐fat diet (LFD). The different fats provided in the HFDs were lard (HFD‐L), extra‐virgin olive oil (EVOO; 79 mg kg–1 of phenolic compounds, HFD‐EVOO), or EVOO rich in phenolic compounds (OL, 444 mg kg–1 of phenolic compounds, HFD‐OL). All HFD‐fed mice became obese, but only HFD‐L–induced adipocyte hypertrophy. HFD‐EVOO mice exhibited the greatest levels of Adiponectin in adipose tissue and presented atherosclerotic lesions similar to the LFD group, with a very low count of monocyte/macrophage compared with HFD‐L and HFD‐OL mice. Enrichment of the phenolic content of olive oil reduced the secretion of nitrites/nitrates in the aorta, but atherosclerosis was not attenuated in HFD‐OL mice compared to other HFD mice.

Conclusion

Consumption of olive oil with a natural content of phenolic compounds attenuates adipose tissue hypertrophy and inflammation and exerts antiatherosclerotic effects in mice. A higher phenolic content of olive oil did not provide further benefits in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Factors associated with self‐management among Vietnamese adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Dao‐Tran Tiet‐Hanh , Anderson Debra , Chang Anne , Seib Charrlotte , Hurst Cameron
Published: May 2018

Aim

The study described diabetes self‐management (DSM), diabetes knowledge, family and friends’ support, healthcare providers’ support, belief in treatment effectiveness and diabetes management self‐efficacy, and explored DSM's associations among Vietnamese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design

A cross‐sectional design was applied.

Methods

The study used self‐report questionnaires to collect data from 198 participants. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used for data analysis.

Results

Vietnamese adults with T2DM performed DSM limitedly in certain aspects. They had strong belief in treatment effectiveness, good family and friends support, limited diabetes knowledge, healthcare professional support and self‐efficacy. Their DSM was directly associated with diabetes knowledge, family and friends’ support, healthcare providers’ support, belief in treatment effectiveness and diabetes management self‐efficacy. Their DSM was indirectly associated with diabetes knowledge and family and friends’ support through their belief in treatment effectiveness and diabetes management self‐efficacy.
Caring for Country: History and Alchemy in the Making and Management of Indigenous Australian Land
Authors: Pleshet Noah
Published: May 2018

This paper traces the history of ‘caring for country’ tropes in writing about indigenous Australian land and land management. While ‘caring for country’ initially referred to dynamic land use and ownership practices, it progressively became a less historical, more primordial, conception of indigenous land ownership, use, and management. In reviewing constructions of ‘land’ in scholarly literatures and policy debates, I seek to explain how they interact with local indigenous practices and idioms. Drawing on examples from the cultural and linguistic fields of Aṉangu, speakers of Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, I examine a variety of concurrent uses of ‘country’, ‘caring’, or ‘nurturance’ and ‘caring for country’. A cross‐linguistic perspective on these objectifications – in English, Aboriginal English, and central Australian indigenous languages – shows how they may attend selectively to the historical specificity of indigenous experience. But this, I argue, may be the key to their efficacy in intercultural projects. Coded messages in bilingual documents reflect a kind of agency whereby Aṉangu choose to leave equivocal histories unstated and thereby reconstitute government projects in terms that work for them. The referential flexibility around idioms of land and nurturance is a kind of alchemy in language and social life that is the condition of the success of actual land management activities. Terms including ‘country’ and ‘caring for country’ elide the socio‐political dynamics that otherwise complicate actual rights and uses of land. That is why they can form the social basis of common activities, the production of ‘congeniality’ both within Aṉangu social life and at the interface with outsiders, in land management and other fields.
An Efficient Synthesis, Evaluation of Parameters and Characterization of Nitro‐Hydroxyl‐Terminated Polybutadiene (Nitro‐HTPB)
Authors: Ghayeni Hamid Reza , Razeghi Reza , Olyaei Abolfazl
Published: May 2018

This article reports the nitration of Hydroxyl‐Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) backbone by facile and efficient “one pot” procedure, resulting in the formation of conjugated nitro‐alkene derivative of HTPB. The reaction was carried out with sodium nitrite and iodine. In order to optimization of the effective parameters on the synthesis of Nitro‐HTPB, the proportional amounts of reactant, amount of solvent and temperature were investigated and the effect of these parameters on the nitration double bond on HTPB backbone was evaluated. The product Nitro‐HTPB was characterized by FT‐IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy as well as DSC, and TG.
Leading the Green Transition?
Authors: Affolderbach Julia , Schulz Christian
Published: May 2018

Urban green building transitions are driven by experiments and innovations raising questions of drivers and barriers behind these processes. This chapter discusses spatial and temporal perspectives on green building innovations drawing on research on policy mobilities and innovation. It discusses green building in Freiburg, Vancouver, Brisbane and Luxembourg as places of transition where innovations and change are shaped by internal (local) and external (extra-local) factors. Further, it highlights how the nature and objectives of green building have changed over time based on experiments with green neighbourhoods and flagship buildings and describes how green building is increasingly used for competitive positioning, green marketing and city branding. Finally, the chapter discusses the mobility of green building innovations for the four case study regions differentiating between Freiburg and Vancouver that are predominantly characterised by local policies, models and knowledge and Brisbane and Luxembourg that largely draw on external green building innovations. Together, the chapter highlights the value of spatially sensitive analysis of green building transitions.
Urban Sustainability and the Governance of Greening
Authors: Affolderbach Julia , Schulz Christian
Published: May 2018

Cities have long been seen as important in achieving sustainability. However, conceptions of and approaches to urban sustainability and greening have changed over time from a primary focus of environmental problems as urban problems to cities as leaders in global climate change mitigation. This chapter provides a brief overview over the changes in understandings of and research on urban sustainability over the past few decades with a specific focus on governance and sustainability approaches. The literature review provides the context for situating and understanding green building transitions in the four case study regions where interpretations and implementations of green building have changed over time and need to be understood within the broader spatial and temporal context. The chapter introduces the concept of policy mobility and related work on urban assemblages that emphasise the relational character of local and urban processes. These perspectives understand cities as consisting of both local and global influences and elements. One emphasis of policy mobility is to understand these relationships through processes of learning, adaptation and mutation of knowledge and practises (e.g. green building policies, certification programs, planning approaches and construction techniques) between individuals and actor groups such as policy-makers, consultants, scientists, urban designers and architects. The chapter proposes an analytical framework that utilises the synergies of policy mobility and transition study approaches and that addresses the complexity of sustainability transitions as socio-spatial and socio-technical processes.
Host selection and distribution of Dendrobium okinawense, an endangered epiphytic orchid in Yambaru, Japan
Authors: Abe Shin , Kotaka Nobuhiko , Takashima Atsushi , Abe Tetsuto , Saito Kazuhiko , Masaki Takashi
Published: May 2018

We investigated the epiphytic habit and distribution of Dendrobium okinawense, an endangered orchid in Yambaru (northern Okinawa), Japan. Fifty individuals of D. okinawense were detected on 46 host trees. From the canopy size in chronological aerial photographs, the habitat stands where D. okinawense was found were estimated to be mature. Host trees tended to have larger diameters. The most common host species was Castanopsis sieboldii, which dominates in Yambaru; several other tree species were described as hosts for the first time to our knowledge. However, the orchid was mainly associated with one of these, Distylium racemosum, irrespective of this tree's small basal area relative to other trees. We attribute this preference by D. okinawense to the external form and longevity of D. racemosum. The presence of D. okinawense and its host D. racemosum with large diameter is a good indicator of the existence of old‐growth forests containing endemic rare species in Yambaru.
Underdiagnosis of mild cognitive impairment: A consequence of ignoring practice effects
Authors: Elman Jeremy A. , Jak Amy J. , Panizzon Matthew S. , Tu Xin M. , Chen Tian , Reynolds Chandra A. , Gustavson Daniel E. , Franz Carol E. , Hatton Sean N. , Jacobson Kristen C. , Toomey Rosemary , McKenzie Ruth , Xian Hong , Lyons Michael J. , Kremen William S.
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Longitudinal testing is necessary to accurately measure cognitive change. However, repeated testing is susceptible to practice effects, which may obscure true cognitive decline and delay detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

We retested 995 late‐middle‐aged men in a ∼6‐year follow‐up of the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. In addition, 170 age‐matched replacements were tested for the first time at study wave 2. Group differences were used to calculate practice effects after controlling for attrition effects. MCI diagnoses were generated from practice‐adjusted scores.

Results

There were significant practice effects on most cognitive domains. Conversion to MCI doubled after correcting for practice effects, from 4.5% to 9%. Importantly, practice effects were present although there were declines in uncorrected scores.

Discussion

Accounting for practice effects is critical to early detection of MCI. Declines, when lower than expected, can still indicate practice effects. Replacement participants are needed for accurately assessing disease progression.
Study participant reported outcomes of mental health interventions: results from a randomized controlled trial among survivors of systematic violence in southern Iraq
Authors: Mahmooth Z. , Weiss W. M. , Zangana G. A. S. , Bolton P.
Published: May 2018

Background.

Common mental health problems experienced by survivors of systematic violence include trauma, depression, and anxiety. A trial of mental health interventions by community mental health workers for survivors of systematic violence in southern Iraq showed benefits from two psychotherapies on trauma, depression, anxiety, and function: Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). This study assessed whether other non-predetermined changes reported by intervention participants were more common than in the control group.

Methods.

The trial involved 342 participants (CETA: 99 intervention, 50 control; CPT: 129 intervention, 64 control). Sixteen intervention-related changes since enrollment were identified from free-listing interviews of 15 early therapy completers. The changes were then added as a new quantitative module to the follow-up questionnaire. The changes were organized into eight groupings by thematic analysis – family, social standing, anger management, interest in regular activities, optimism, feeling close to God, avoiding smoking and drugs, and physical health. All participants were interviewed with this module and responses were compared between intervention and control participants.

Results.

Multi-level, multi-variate regression models showed CETA intervention subjects with significant, positive changes relative to CETA controls on most themes. CPT intervention subjects showed little to no change compared with CPT controls in most themes.

Conclusions.

Participants receiving CETA reported more positive changes from therapy compared with controls than did participants receiving CPT. This study suggests differential effects of psychotherapy beyond the predetermined clinical outcome measures and that identification of these effects should be part of intervention evaluations.
Delayed postprandial TAG peak after intake of SFA compared with PUFA in subjects with and without familial hypercholesterolaemia: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Øyri Linn K. L. , Hansson Patrik , Bogsrud Martin P. , Narverud Ingunn , Florholmen Geir , Leder Lena , Byfuglien Marte G. , Veierød Marit B. , Ulven Stine M. , Holven Kirsten B.
Published: May 2018

Postprandial hypertriacylglycerolaemia is associated with an increased risk of developing CVD. How fat quality influences postprandial lipid response is scarcely explored in subjects with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). The aim of this study was to investigate the postprandial response of TAG and lipid sub-classes after consumption of high-fat meals with different fat quality in subjects with FH compared with normolipidaemic controls. A randomised controlled double-blind cross-over study with two meals and two groups was performed. A total of thirteen hypercholesterolaemic subjects with FH who discontinued lipid-lowering treatment 4 weeks before and during the study, and fourteen normolipidaemic controls, were included. Subjects were aged 18–30 years and had a BMI of 18·5–30·0 kg/m2. Each meal consisted of a muffin containing 60 g (70 E%) of fat, either mainly SFA (40 E%) or PUFA (40 E%), eaten in a random order with a wash-out period of 3–5 weeks between the meals. Blood samples were collected at baseline (fasting) and 2, 4 and 6 h after intake of the meals. In both FH and control subjects, the level of TAG and the largest VLDL sub-classes peaked at 2 h after intake of PUFA and at 4 h after intake of SFA. No significant differences were found in TAG levels between meals or between groups (0·25≤P≤0·72). The distinct TAG peaks may reflect differences in the postprandial lipid metabolism after intake of fatty acids with different chain lengths and degrees of saturation. The clinical impact of these findings remains to be determined.
Stage-specific feed intake restriction differentially regulates placental traits and proteome of goats
Authors: Yan Qiongxian , Xu Juanzhi , Wu Xiaosong , Su Dingding , Tan Zhiliang
Published: May 2018

A total of twenty-four healthy twin-bearing Liuyang black goats were allocated to two trials. In Trial 1, twelve goats received either the control diet (CG, n 6, 100 % feed) or restricted diet (RG, n 6, 60 % feed of CG) from gestation days 26 to 65 after synchronisation. In Trial 2, the remaining goats were randomly and equally divided into two treatments: CG and RG from days 95 to 125 of gestation. Placental traits, fetal weight, serum parameters, nitric oxide (NO), angiogenesis gene expression and cotyledon proteome were measured at the end of each trial. In early pregnancy, the total and relative weights of placenta, uterine caruncle and cotyledon, as well as fetus, were increased (P<0·05) in RG. The NO content in maternal serum was also increased (P<0·05) in RG. In all, fifty differentially expressed proteins were identified in cotyledon. The up-regulated proteins are related to proliferation and fission of trophoblast cell and the placenta angiogenesis. During the late pregnancy trial, placental weight was increased (P<0·05) in RG, but weight of the fetus was decreased (P<0·05). The capillary density in the cotyledon was also decreased (P<0·01). A total of fifty-eight proteins were differentially expressed in cotyledon. The up-regulated proteins in RG are related to placenta formation, blood flow regulation and embryonic development. These results indicated that feed intake restriction during gestation influenced the placental and fetal development in a stage-dependent manner. These findings have important implications for developing novel nutrient management strategies in goat production.
Hypocholesterolaemic effect of whole-grain highland hull-less barley in rats fed a high-fat diet
Authors: Xia Xuejuan , Li Guannan , Song Jiaxin , Zheng Jiong , Kan Jianquan
Published: May 2018

Whole-grain highland hull-less barley (WHLB) contains high amounts of bioactive compounds that potentially exhibit cholesterol-lowering effects. This study investigated the hypocholesterolaemic effect of WHLB. A total of seventy-two male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups and were fed with the normal control diet, high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD containing low or high dose (10 or 48·95 %) of WHLB. High dose of WHLB significantly decreased the organ indexes of liver and abdominal fat and lipid levels of plasma and liver in HFD rats. The lipid regulation effect of WHLB, which was reconfirmed through hepatocyte morphologic observation, was accompanied by a large excretion of bile acids in the small intestinal contents and the faeces. Real-time PCR analyses, which were further reconfirmed through Western blot analyses, revealed that a high dose of WHLB significantly enhanced the hepatic expressions of AMP-activated protein kinaseα, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, LDL receptor, liver X receptor, and PPARαand decreased the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. It also enhanced the ileal expression of farnesoid X receptor and resulted in the decrease of expression of apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter. WHLB exhibited hypocholesterolaemic effects mainly by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, cholesterol accumulation in peripheral tissue, and bile acid reabsorption and by stimulating bile acid synthesis.
Effects of a multi-component nutritional telemonitoring intervention on nutritional status, diet quality, physical functioning and quality of life of community-dwelling older adults
Authors: van Doorn-van Atten Marije N. , Haveman-Nies Annemien , van Bakel Marit M. , Ferry Monique , Franco Maite , de Groot Lisette C. P. G. M. , de Vries Jeanne H. M.
Published: May 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an intervention including nutritional telemonitoring, nutrition education, and follow-up by a nurse on nutritional status, diet quality, appetite, physical functioning and quality of life of Dutch community-dwelling elderly. We used a parallel arm pre-test post-test design with 214 older adults (average age 80 years) who were allocated to the intervention group (n97) or control group (n107), based on the municipality. The intervention group received a 6-month intervention including telemonitoring measurements, nutrition education and follow-up by a nurse. Effect measurements took place at baseline, after 4·5 months, and at the end of the study. The intervention improved nutritional status of participants at risk of undernutrition (β(T1)=2·55; 95 % CI 1·41, 3·68;β(T2)=1·77; 95 % CI 0·60, 2·94) and scores for compliance with Dutch guidelines for the intake of vegetables (β=1·27; 95 % CI 0·49, 2·05), fruit (β=1·24; 95 % CI 0·60, 1·88), dietary fibre (β=1·13; 95 % CI 0·70, 1·57), protein (β=1·20; 95 % CI 0·15, 2·24) and physical activity (β=2·13; 95 % CI 0·98, 3·29). The intervention did not have an effect on body weight, appetite, physical functioning and quality of life. In conclusion, this intervention leads to improved nutritional status in older adults at risk of undernutrition, and to improved diet quality and physical activity levels of community-dwelling elderly. Future studies with a longer duration should focus on older adults at higher risk of undernutrition than this study population to investigate whether the impact of the intervention on nutritional and functional outcomes can be improved.
ADVANCED SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS’ PERCEPTION OF LEXICAL TONE CONTRASTS
Authors: Pelzl Eric , Lau Ellen F. , Guo Taomei , DeKeyser Robert
Published: May 2018

It is commonly believed that second language (L2) acquisition of lexical tones presents a major challenge for learners from nontonal language backgrounds. This belief is somewhat at odds with research that consistently shows beginning learners making quick gains through focused tone training, as well as research showing advanced learners achieving near-native performance in tone identification tasks. However, other long-term difficulties related to L2 tone perception may persist, given the additional demands of word recognition and the effects of context. In the current study, we used behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) experiments to test whether perception of Mandarin tones is difficult for advanced L2 learners in isolated syllables, disyllabic words in isolation, and disyllabic words in sentences. Stimuli were more naturalistic and challenging than in previous research. While L2 learners excelled at tone identification in isolated syllables, they performed with very low accuracy in rejecting disyllabic tonal nonwords in isolation and in sentences. We also report ERP data from critical mismatching words in sentences; while L2 listeners showed no significant differences in responses in any condition, trends were not inconsistent with the overall pattern in behavioral results of less sensitivity to tone mismatches than to semantic or segmental mismatches. We interpret these results as evidence that Mandarin tones are in fact difficult for advanced L2 learners. However, the difficulty is not due primarily to an inability to perceive tones phonetically, but instead is driven by the need to process toneslexically, especially inmultisyllablewords.
Cardiac function in children with premature ventricular contractions: the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation
Authors: Oner Taliha , Ozdemir Rahmi , Doksöz Onder , Genc Dildar B. , Guven Baris , Demirpence Savas , Yilmazer Murat M. , Yozgat Yilmaz , Mese Timur , Tavli Vedide
Published: May 2018

Background

Premature ventricular contractions are accepted as benign in structurally normal hearts. However, reversible cardiomyopathy can sometimes develop. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-arrhythmic properties in animals and humans.

Aim

We evaluated left ventricular function in children with premature ventricular contractions with normal cardiac anatomy and assessed the impact of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on left ventricular function in a prospective trial.

Methods

A total of 25 patients with premature ventricular contraction, with more than 2% premature ventricular contractions on 24-hour Holter electrocardiography, and 30 healthy patients were included into study. All patients underwent electrocardiography, left ventricular M-mode echocardiography, and myocardial performance index testing. Patients with premature ventricular contraction were given omega-3 fatty acids at a dose of 1 g/day for 3 months, and control echocardiography and 24-hour Holter electrocardiography were performed. Neither placebo nor omega-3 fatty acids were given to the control group.

Results

Compared with the values of the control group, the patients with premature ventricular contraction had significantly lower fractional shortening. The myocardial performance index decreased markedly in the patient groups. The mean heart rate and mean premature ventricular contraction percentage of Group 2 significantly decreased in comparison with their baseline values after the omega-3 supplementation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, premature ventricular contractions can lead to systolic cardiac dysfunction in children. Omega-3 supplementation may improve cardiac function in children with premature ventricular contractions. This is the first study conducted in children to investigate the possible role of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on treatment of premature ventricular contractions.
HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT SPENDING MULTIPLIER BE SMALL AT THE ZERO LOWER BOUND?
Authors: Ercolani Valerio , Valle e Azevedo João
Published: May 2018

Some recent empirical evidence questions the typically large size of government spending multipliers when the nominal interest rate is stuck at zero, finding output multipliers of around 1 or even lower, with an upper bound of around 1.5 in some circumstances. In this paper, we use a recent estimate of the degree of substitutability between private and government consumption in an otherwise standard New Keynesian model to show that this channel significantly reduces the size of government spending multipliers obtained when the nominal interest rate is at zero. All else being equal, the relationship of substitutability makes a government spending shock crowd out private consumption while being less inflationary, thus, limiting the typically expansionary effect of the fall in the real interest rate. Subject to the nominal interest rate being constrained at zero, the model generates output multipliers ranging from 0.8 to 1.6.
It's input that matters most, not age
Authors: FLEGE JAMES EMIL
Published: May 2018

The splendid review provided by Mayberry and Kluender (2017) confirms Lenneberg's 1967 hypothesis that a Critical Period (CP) exists for the establishment of a native language. However, Lenneberg's extension of the CP hypothesis to the later learning of an L2, based on his observation that most individuals who learn an L2 after about the age of 13 speak it with a foreign accent (FA), is doubtful.