bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and histopathological characteristics of a family with R1141X mutation of pseudoxanthoma elasticum – presymptomatic testing and lack of carrier phenotypes
Authors: Akoglu Gulsen , Li Qiaoli , Gokoz Ozay , Gazyagci Ali Serhan , Uitto Jouni
Published: May 2013

Background

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a heritable ectopic mineralization disorder affecting cutaneous, ocular, and cardiovascular systems, caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene. PXE presents with a marked clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Furthermore, heterozygous carriers may present with limited histopathological features. This study was conducted to investigate a patient with PXE and her family members clinically, histopathologically, and genetically.

Methods

Clinical and histopathological examinations and mutation analyses of ABCC6 gene were performed.

Results

Lesional skin biopsy of the patient with PXE demonstrated clumping and fragmentation of elastic fibers, and calcification in the dermis. Non‐lesional axillary skin samples of the husband, daughter, and older son were histopathologically normal. The skin from a similar region of a younger son revealed elastic fibers with some fragmentation and clumping but no mineralization. The patient with PXE was homozygous for the R1141X mutation in the ABCC6 gene. The husband had wild‐type alleles, while all children were heterozygous carriers. Daily treatment of antioxidant therapy with tocopherol acetate and ascorbic acid was prescribed to the patient with PXE. After one year, both clinical and histopathological regression of the lesions was observed; however, lesions began to progress during the additional 6‐month period of treatment.

Conclusion

The mutation analyses of ABCC6 gene are important to determine the genotype of both patients with PXE and putative heterozygous carriers, as histopathological features of carriers may differ even in the same family. The role of antioxidant therapy for PXE is unclear, and there is a need for controlled clinical trials.
Exemplification and Supervisor‐rated Performance: The moderating role of ethical leadership
Authors: Liu Yan , Loi Raymond , Lam Long W.
Published: May 2013

This study examined the relationship between exemplification and supervisor‐rated performance in the context of ethical leadership. Using a sample of employees from automotive dealers in central China, this study showed that the use of exemplification positively affected extra‐role rather than in‐role performance ratings. Ethical leadership, on the other hand, moderated the relationship between exemplification and in‐role performance rating, but not the relationship between exemplification and extra‐role performance rating.
Clinical analysis of the PADUA and the RENAL scoring systems for renal neoplasms: A retrospective study of 245 patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Authors: Zhang Zhong‐Yuan , Tang Qi , Li Xue‐Song , Zhang Qian , Mayer Wesley A , Wu Jing‐Yun , Yang Xue‐Dong , Zhang Xiao‐Chun , Wang Xiao‐Ying , Zhou Li‐Qun
Published: May 2013

Objective

To investigate the clinical significance of preoperative aspects and dimensions used for anatomic (PADUA) and radius exophytic/endophytic nearness anterior/posterior location (RENAL) scoring systems for renal neoplasms in patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was carried out on clinical data of 245 Chinese patients with renal neoplasms undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy from June 2008 to June 2012. The perioperative complications and variables, as well as PADUA and RENAL score, were compared.

Results

The PADUA and RENAL scoring systems were significantly associated with percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.032 and P = 0.026 respectively), whereas the RENAL scoring system was also significantly associated with warm ischemia time (P = 0.032). On multivariate analysis, both scores were able to predict percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (PADUA, P = 0.011; RENAL, P = 0.028). There were no significant associations between the two scoring systems assessed and the occurrence of complications or tumor stage. The correlation between PADUA classification and RENAL nephrometry score was significant (P < 0.0001). Fleiss' generalized kappa was 0.69–0.89 for the various components of the PADUA score and 0.67–0.89 for the RENAL nephrometry components.

Conclusions

The PADUA classification and RENAL nephrometry score are comprehensive assessment tools for delineating renal tumor anatomy. The reproducibility of the PADUA and RENAL scores is substantial, but further research is required to evaluate its performance in more accurately predicting operative and patient‐related outcomes.
The association of skin conditions with housing conditions among North Carolina Latino migrant farm workers
Authors: Gustafson Cheryl J. , Feldman Steven R. , Quandt Sara A. , Isom Scott , Chen Haiying , Spears Chaya R. , Arcury Thomas A.
Published: May 2013

Background

Skin conditions are common among Latino migrant farm workers. Although many skin conditions are related to occupational exposures, poor housing conditions may also contribute to skin ailments in migrant farm workers.

Objectives

To evaluate the association between housing conditions and skin conditions among Latino migrant farm workers.

Materials and methods

A cross‐sectional study design using interview questionnaires, home inspections, and environmental sampling was implemented to document housing quality of farm worker camps/homes and the prevalence of self‐reported skin conditions in Latino migrant farm workers. Interviews were completed with 371 farm workers residing in 186 of the 226 camps (camp response rate 82.3%).

Results

Self‐reported pruritus (31%), rash (25%), scaling (12%), blisters (11%), and ingrown nails (10%) were common among the participants. Pruritus was more likely to be reported by farm workers living in dwellings without air‐conditioning (P < 0.05). Rash was associated with dwellings reported to have a low humidity (P < 0.05). Scaling was more likely to be reported by farm workers living in dwellings with indoor temperatures in the thermal discomfort range (P < 0.05). No statistically significant associations were detected for indoor allergens and self‐reported skin ailments among migrant farm workers.

Conclusions

Skin conditions are common among migrant farm workers in North Carolina. The quality of housing conditions, particularly hot, dry indoor thermal environment, demonstrated significant associations with pruritus, rash, and scaling. The impact of housing characteristics on pruritus and blisters was greatest in new migrant farm workers. Further research is needed to delineate additional housing factors that could cause or exacerbate skin diseases in farm workers.
Pain and motives for use among non‐treatment seeking individuals with prescription opioid dependence
Authors: Barth Kelly S. , Maria Megan Moran‐Santa , Lawson Katie , Shaftman Stephanie , Brady Kathleen T. , Back Sudie E.
Published: May 2013

Background and Objectives

Patients with prescription opioid use disorders and co‐occurring pain present a formidable challenge for healthcare providers, and little is known about patients with this dual diagnosis. This study examined the prevalence of pain and motives for use among individuals with prescription opioid dependence.

Methods

Participants (N = 127) included 86 non‐treatment seeking individuals with current prescription opioid dependence and 41 healthy controls. They were administered a battery of assessments to evaluate pain and substance use.

Results

Participants with prescription opioid dependence were significantly more likely than controls to report current pain (62.2 vs. 12.2%), as well as higher levels of pain interference and severity. The most common source of prescription opioids was a physician (91.3%) and the most common motive for using prescription opioids, initially and currently, was to relieve pain (70.3% and 81.0%, respectively). Motivation for subsequent non‐medical use of prescription opioids included to get high (73.8%), to increase energy (71.0%), to decrease anxiety (51.2%), and to improve sleep (35.7%).

Conclusion

Pain is a significant comorbidity and motivator for the non‐medical use of prescription opioids. Provider and patient education regarding the safe use of prescription opioids, as well as interventions targeting prescription opioid dependence, are needed. (Am J Addict 2013;22:486–491)
Depression and substance abuse and dependency in relation to current smoking status and frequency of smoking among nondaily and daily smokers
Authors: Berg Carla J. , Wen Hefei , Cummings Janet R. , Ahluwalia Jasjit S. , Druss Benjamin G.
Published: May 2013

Background and Objectives

Daily smoking rates are decreasing while intermittent or nondaily smoking rates are increasing. Little is known about the association of depression, alcohol abuse and dependence, and illicit drug abuse and dependence with different patterns of smoking, particularly nondaily smoking. Thus, we examined these relationships among current smokers versus nonsmokers and among those who smoke daily versus less frequently.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of 37,897 adults who participated in the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We developed logistic regression models examining predictors of (i) current smoking and (ii) number of days smoking per month (1–10 days, 11–29 days, and ≥30 days) among current smokers, focusing on past‐year major depression, alcohol abuse and dependence, and illicit drug abuse and dependence.

Results

Compared to nonsmokers, current smokers more frequently reported a major depressive episode (p < .001), alcohol dependence (p < .001) and abuse (p < .001), and illicit drug dependence (p < .001) and abuse (p < .001), controlling for sociodemographics. Among current smokers, greater smoking frequency was associated with illicit drug dependence (p = .004), but lower likelihood of alcohol dependence (p = .01), alcohol abuse (p = .01), and illicit drug abuse (p = .01).

Conclusions

Although depression and substance use were associated with greater likelihood of smoking, most measures were inversely associated with frequency of smoking. Thus, it is important to examine underlying mechanisms contributing to these counterintuitive findings in order to inform intervention approaches.

Scientific Significance

With increased rates of nondaily smoking, developing a greater understanding about the mental health correlates related to this pattern of smoking is critical. (Am J Addict 2013;22:581–589)
PROPERTIUS 1.3: SLEEP, SURPRISE, AND CATULLUS 64
Authors: ROBINSON MATTHEW
Published: May 2013

Although previous scholarship has noted some verbal and stylistic allusions to Catullus in Propertius 1.3, the extent to which the poem offers a profound and detailed engagement with Catullus 64 has not been recognised. Through a close reading of the opening couplets, I hope to demonstrate the care, artistry and sophistication with which Propertius engages with Catullus 64, as he imitates and illuminates many of its key stylistic and intertextual features. I argue that this engagement with Catullus 64 is importantly programmatic, and that Propertius 1.3, like Catullus 64, is very much concerned with narrative authority and poetic control. This concern comes to the fore in Cynthia's speech at the close of the poem, and I hope to show through further close reading how its relationship to literature and art encourages us to question Propertius's portrayal of his relationship with Cynthia at this very early stage in the corpus.
Effect of Chemical and Physical Stress Conditions on the Concentration and Composition of Essential Oil Components in Leaves of Full‐Grown Artemisia annua L.
Authors: Ivarsen E. , Kjær A. , Jensen M. , Grevsen K. , Christensen L. P. , Fretté X.
Published: May 2013

Full‐grown Artemisia annua plants were subjected to chemical and physical stress conditions, and the effect of these on the concentration and chemical composition of essential oil components (EOC) in the leaves was studied. The chemical stress treatments were performed by foliar application of NaCl, H2O2, salicylic acid and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS). The EOC of the leaves were extracted with n‐hexane and identified and quantified by GC–MS and GC–FID, respectively. Approximately 96 % of EOC in the extracts were identified and quantified of which β‐pinene, camphene, germacrene D, camphor, coumarin and dihydro‐epi‐deoxyarteannuin B were the major EOC accounting for about 75 % of the total content of EOC in the extracts. The physical stress treatment, sandblasting of the plants resulted in a significant enhancement in the content of α‐pinene, camphene, coumarin and dihydro‐epi‐deoxyarteannuin B. The total yield of identified EOC in non‐treated plants (control) was 86.2 ± 13.8 μg g−1 fresh weight (FW) compared with 104.0 ± 9.1 μg g−1 FW in sandblasted plants. The chemical stress treatments did not affect the composition of EOC significantly. The results indicate that chemical stress treatments do not affect the concentration and composition of EOC in full‐grown A. annua plants to the same extent as physical stress treatment by sandblasting.
Desiderata for a Viable Secular Humanism
Authors: Kemp Ryan
Published: May 2013

Philip Kitcher has recently worried that the New Atheists, by mounting an attack against religion tout court, risk alienating a large swath of ‘religious’ people whose way of life is, to Kitcher's mind, innocuous. Encouraging a more moderate response, Kitcher thinks certain non‐threatening modes of religious existence should be protected. In this article, I argue that while Kitcher's attempt to provide balance to the secularism debate is a great service, he ultimately fails to distinguish innocuous modes of religious belief from more threatening modes, a failing that allows the debate to return to its previous extremes. In drawing attention to the shortcomings of Kitcher's approach, I make the humanist's argumentative burden explicit: the defender of a ‘moderate’ secular humanism must show that people who arrange their lives around belief in a transcendent being are more likely to do ethical harm than those that don't.
“You don't expect me to believe that, do you?” Expectations influence recall and belief of alibi information
Authors: Olson Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2013

Presumptions of guilt could bias criminal investigators' interviews of suspects, reducing recall of exculpatory alibi information, and the label “alibi” could be enough to create a presumption of guilt. Participants (n = 285) viewed a videotaped narrative account; some participants knew prior to viewing that the account was an alibi whereas others discovered this after viewing. Also, some participants were given an expectation that the alibi provider was guilty or innocent. Results indicated participants with a presumption of guilt before viewing the alibi recalled less alibi‐relevant information, found the alibi less believable, and viewed the alibi provider more negatively than did participants without such an expectation, and that a label of “alibi” was not enough to create a presumption of guilt.
Multi‐Sensor Esophageal Temperature Probe Used During Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation is Associated with Increased Intraluminal Temperature Detection and Increased Risk of Esophageal Injury Compared to Single‐Sensor Probe
Authors: CARROLL BRETT J. , CONTRERAS‐VALDES FERNANDO M. , HEIST E. KEVIN , BARRETT CONOR D. , DANIK STEPHAN B. , RUSKIN JEREMY N. , MANSOUR MOUSSA
Published: May 2013

Single vs Multi‐Sensor ETM in AF Ablation

Background

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the posterior left atrium has risk of thermal injury to the adjacent esophagus. Increased intraluminal esophageal temperature has been correlated with risk of esophageal injury. The objective of this study was to compare esophageal temperature monitoring (ETM) using a multi‐sensor temperature probe with 12 sensors to a single‐sensor probe during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and Results

We compared the detection of intraluminal esophageal temperature rises in 543 patients undergoing RF ablation for AF with ETM. Esophageal endoscopy (EGD) was performed on all patients with maximum esophageal temperature ≥39°C. Esophageal lesions were classified by severity as mild or severe ulcerations. Four hundred fifty‐five patients underwent RF ablation with single‐sensor ETM and 88 patients with multi‐sensor ETM. Thirty‐nine percent of patients with single‐sensor versus 75% with multi‐sensor ETM reached a maximum detected esophageal temperature ≥39°C (P < 0.0001). Esophageal injury was detected by EGD in 29% of patients with maximum temperature ≥39°C by single‐sensor versus 46% of patients with multi‐sensor ETM (P = 0.021). Thirty‐nine percent of patients with lesions in the single‐sensor probe group had severe ulcerations compared to 33% of patients in the multi‐sensor probe group (P = 0.641).

Conclusions

Intraluminal esophageal temperature ≥39°C is detected more frequently by the multi‐sensor temperature probe versus the single‐sensor probe, with more frequent esophageal injury and with comparable severity of injury. Despite detecting esophageal temperature rises in more patients, the multi‐sensor probe may not have any measurable benefit compared to a single‐sensor probe.
Cell adhesion and mechanical stimulation in the regulation of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation
Authors: Wang Yang‐Kao , Chen Christopher S.
Published: May 2013

Stem cells have been shown to have the potential to provide a source of cells for applications to tissue engineering and organ repair. The mechanisms that regulate stem cell fate, however, mostly remain unclear. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells that are isolated from bone marrow and other adult tissues, and can be differentiated into multiple cell lineages, such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscles and neurons. Although previous studies have focused intensively on the effects of chemical signals that regulate MSC commitment, the effects of physical/mechanical cues of the microenvironment on MSC fate determination have long been neglected. However, several studies provided evidence that mechanical signals, both direct and indirect, played important roles in regulating a stem cell fate. In this review, we summarize a number of recent studies on how cell adhesion and mechanical cues influence the differentiation of MSCs into specific lineages. Understanding how chemical and mechanical cues in the microenvironment orchestrate stem cell differentiation may provide new insights into ways to improve our techniques in cell therapy and organ repair.
An intensified systemic trafficking of bone marrow‐derived stem/progenitor cells in patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Starzyńska Teresa , Dąbkowski Krzysztof , Błogowski Wojciech , Zuba‐Surma Ewa , Budkowska Marta , Sałata Daria , Dołęgowska Barbara , Marlicz Wojciech , Lubikowski Jerzy , Ratajczak Mariusz Z.
Published: May 2013

Various experimental studies indicate potential involvement of bone marrow (BM)‐derived stem cells (SCs) in malignancy development and progression. In this study, we comprehensively analysed systemic trafficking of various populations of BM‐derived SCs (BMSCs), i.e., mesenchymal, haematopoietic, endothelial stem/progenitor cells (MSCs, HSCs, EPCs respectively), and of recently discovered population of very small embryonic/epiblast‐like SCs (VSELs) in pancreatic cancer patients. Circulating CD133+/Lin−/CD45−/CD34+ cells enriched for HSCs, CD105+/STRO‐1+/CD45− cells enriched for MSCs, CD34+/KDR+/CD31+/CD45− cells enriched for EPCs and small CXCR4+CD34+CD133+ subsets of Lin−CD45− cells that correspond to VSELs were enumerated and sorted from blood samples derived from 29 patients with pancreatic cancer, and 19 healthy controls. In addition, plasma levels of stromal‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1), growth/inhibitory factors and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P; chemoattractants for SCs), as well as, of complement cascade (CC) molecules (C3a, C5a and C5b‐9/membrane attack complex – MAC) were measured. Higher numbers of circulating VSELs and MSCs were detected in pancreatic cancer patients (P < 0.05 and 0.01 respectively). This trafficking of BMSCs was associated with significantly elevated C5a (P < 0.05) and C5b‐9/MAC (P < 0.005) levels together with S1P concentrations detected in plasma of cancer patients, and seemed to be executed in a SDF‐1 independent manner. In conclusion, we demonstrated that in patients with pancreatic cancer, intensified peripheral trafficking of selected populations of BMSCs occurs. This phenomenon seems to correlate with systemic activation of the CC, hepatocyte growth factor and S1P levels. In contrast to previous studies, we demonstrate herein that systemic SDF‐1 levels do not seem to be linked with increased mobilization of stem cells in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Up‐regulation of stomatin expression by hypoxia and glucocorticoid stabilizes membrane‐associated actin in alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Chen Ji‐Cheng , Cai Hao‐Yu , Wang Yan , Ma Yuan‐Yuan , Song Liang‐Nian , Yin Li‐Juan , Cao Dong‐Mei , Diao Fei , Li Yi‐Dong , Lu Jian
Published: May 2013

Stomatin is an important lipid raft‐associated protein which interacts with membrane proteins and plays a role in the membrane organization. However, it is unknown whether it is involved in the response to hypoxia and glucocorticoid (GC) in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC). In this study we found that hypoxia and dexamethasone (dex), a synthetic GC not only up‐regulated the expression of stomatin alone, but also imposed additive effect on the expression of stomatin in A549 cells, primary AEC and lung of rats. Then we investigated whether hypoxia and dex transcriptionally up‐regulated the expression of stomatin by reporter gene assay, and found that dex, but not hypoxia could increase the activity of a stomatin promoter‐driven reporter gene. Further deletion and mutational studies demonstrated that a GC response element (GRE) within the promoter region mainly contributed to the induction of stomatin by dex. Moreover, we found that hypoxia exposure did not affect membrane‐associated actin, but decreased actin in cytoplasm in A549 cells. Inhibiting stomatin expression by stomatin siRNA significantly decreased dense of peripheral actin ring in hypoxia or dex treated A549 cells. Taken all together, these data indicated that dex and/or hypoxia significantly up‐regulated the expression of stomatin in vivo and in vitro, which could stabilize membrane‐associated actin in AEC. We suppose that the up‐regulation of stomatin by hypoxia and dex may enhance the barrier function of alveolar epithelia and mediate the adaptive role of GC to hypoxia.
Cultural and climatic changes shape the evolutionary history of the Uralic languages
Authors: Honkola T , Vesakoski O , Korhonen K , Lehtinen J , Syrjänen K , Wahlberg N
Published: May 2013

Quantitative phylogenetic methods have been used to study the evolutionary relationships and divergence times of biological species, and recently, these have also been applied to linguistic data to elucidate the evolutionary history of language families. In biology, the factors driving macroevolutionary processes are assumed to be either mainly biotic (the Red Queen model) or mainly abiotic (the Court Jester model) or a combination of both. The applicability of these models is assumed to depend on the temporal and spatial scale observed as biotic factors act on species divergence faster and in smaller spatial scale than the abiotic factors. Here, we used the Uralic language family to investigate whether both ‘biotic’ interactions (i.e. cultural interactions) and abiotic changes (i.e. climatic fluctuations) are also connected to language diversification. We estimated the times of divergence using Bayesian phylogenetics with a relaxed‐clock method and related our results to climatic, historical and archaeological information. Our timing results paralleled the previous linguistic studies but suggested a later divergence of Finno‐Ugric, Finnic and Saami languages. Some of the divergences co‐occurred with climatic fluctuation and some with cultural interaction and migrations of populations. Thus, we suggest that both ‘biotic’ and abiotic factors contribute either directly or indirectly to the diversification of languages and that both models can be applied when studying language evolution.
The evolution of mammal body sizes: responses to Cenozoic climate change in North American mammals
Authors: Lovegrove B. G. , Mowoe M. O.
Published: May 2013

Explanations for the evolution of body size in mammals have remained surprisingly elusive despite the central importance of body size in evolutionary biology. Here, we present a model which argues that the body sizes of Nearctic mammals were moulded by Cenozoic climate and vegetation changes. Following the early Eocene Climate Optimum, forests retreated and gave way to open woodland and savannah landscapes, followed later by grasslands. Many herbivores that radiated in these new landscapes underwent a switch from browsing to grazing associated with increased unguligrade cursoriality and body size, the latter driven by the energetics and constraints of cellulose digestion (fermentation). Carnivores also increased in size and digitigrade, cursorial capacity to occupy a size distribution allowing the capture of prey of the widest range of body sizes. With the emergence of larger, faster carnivores, plantigrade mammals were constrained from evolving to large body sizes and most remained smaller than 1 kg throughout the middle Cenozoic. We find no consistent support for either Cope's Rule or Bergmann's Rule in plantigrade mammals, the largest locomotor guild (n = 1186, 59% of species in the database). Some cold‐specialist plantigrade mammals, such as beavers and marmots, showed dramatic increases in body mass following the Miocene Climate Optimum which may, however, be partially explained by Bergmann's rule. This study reemphasizes the necessity of considering the evolutionary history and resultant form and function of mammalian morphotypes when attempting to understand contemporary mammalian body size distributions.
Telemetry tag effects on juvenile lingcod Ophiodon elongatus movement: a laboratory and field study
Authors: Lee J. S. F. , Tezak E. P. , Berejikian B. A.
Published: May 2013

This study tested the behavioural effects of tagging subyearling and yearling lingcod Ophiodon elongatus with acoustic telemetry tags in laboratory tanks and in the natural environment (Puget Sound, WA). In the laboratory, tagged individuals showed less movement and feeding behaviour soon after tagging than untagged controls. The effect dissipated after c. 1 week, presumably as the tagged O. elongatus recovered from surgery or adjusted to the presence of the tags. This dissipation enabled a field study that compared early‐tagged individuals with a long recovery period after tagging to recently‐tagged individuals with a short recovery period after tagging. Consistent with findings from the laboratory experiment, recently tagged individuals showed less movement away from three release sites in Puget Sound than early‐tagged individuals. Together, the laboratory and field results provide evidence of temporary tag effects on actual movement in the natural environment and provide a method for testing tag effects in the field. This study suggests that subyearling and yearling O. elongatus should be held for a recovery period before release. If holding after tagging is not an option, then movement data collected during the first week should be interpreted cautiously.
Using Genome‐Referenced Expressed Sequence Tag Assembly to Analyze the Origin and Expression Patterns of Gossypium hirsutum Transcripts
Authors: Jin Xiang , Li Qin , Xiao Guanghui , Zhu Yu‐Xian
Published: May 2013

We assembled a total of 297,239 Gossypium hirsutum (Gh, a tetraploid cotton, AADD) expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences that were available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, with reference to the recently published G. raimondii (Gr, a diploid cotton, DD) genome, and obtained 49,125 UniGenes. The average lengths of the UniGenes were increased from 804 and 791 bp in two previous EST assemblies to 1,019 bp in the current analysis. The number of putative cotton UniGenes with lengths of 3 kb or more increased from 25 or 34 to 1,223. As a result, thousands of originally independent G. hirsutum ESTs were aligned to produce large contigs encoding transcripts with very long open reading frames, indicating that the G. raimondii genome sequence provided remarkable advantages to assemble the tetraploid cotton transcriptome. Significant different distribution patterns within several GO terms, including transcription factor activity, were observed between D‐ and A‐derived assemblies. Transcriptome analysis showed that, in a tetraploid cotton cell, 29,547 UniGenes were possibly derived from the D subgenome while another 19,578 may come from the A subgenome. Finally, some of the in silico data were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction experiments to show the changes in transcript levels for several gene families known to play key role in cotton fiber development. We believe that our work provides a useful platform for functional and evolutionary genomic studies in cotton.
Efficacy and safety of Privigen® in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: results of a prospective, single‐arm, open‐label Phase III study (the PRIMA study)
Authors: Léger Jean‐Marc , De Bleecker Jan L. , Sommer Claudia , Robberecht Wim , Saarela Mika , Kamienowski Jerzy , Stelmasiak Zbigniew , Mielke Orell , Tackenberg Björn , Shebl Amgad , Bauhofer Artur , Zenker Othmar , Merkies Ingemar S. J. ,   on behalf of the PRIMA study investigators
Published: May 2013

This prospective, multicenter, single‐arm, open‐label Phase III study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Privigen® (10% liquid human intravenous immunoglobulin [IVIG], stabilized with l‐proline) in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Patients received one induction dose of Privigen (2 g/kg body weight [bw]) and up to seven maintenance doses (1 g/kg bw) at 3‐week intervals. The primary efficacy endpoint was the responder rate at completion, defined as improvement of ≥1 point on the adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability scale. The preset success criterion was the responder rate being ≥35%. Of the 31 screened patients, 28 patients were enrolled including 13 (46.4%) IVIG‐pretreated patients. The overall responder rate at completion was 60.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 42.41%–76.43%). IVIG‐pretreated patients demonstrated a higher responder rate than IVIG‐naïve patients (76.9% vs. 46.7%). The median (25%–75% quantile) INCAT score improved from 3.5 (3.0–4.5) points at baseline to 2.5 (1.0–3.0) points at completion, as did the mean (standard deviation [SD]) maximum grip strength (66.7 [37.24] kPa vs. 80.9 [31.06] kPa) and the median Medical Research Council sum score (67.0 [61.5–72.0] points vs. 75.5 [71.5–79.5] points). Of 108 adverse events (AEs; 0.417 AEs per infusion), 95 AEs (88.0%) were mild or moderate in intensity and resolved by the end of study. Two serious AEs of hemolysis were reported that resolved after discontinuation of treatment. Thus, Privigen provided efficacious and well‐tolerated induction and maintenance treatment in patients with CIDP.
Factors that influence obesity, functional capacity, anxiety and depression outcomes following a Phase III cardiac rehabilitation programme
Authors: McKee Gabrielle , Kerins Mary , Fitzgerald Geraldine , Spain Marie , Morrison Karen
Published: May 2013

Aims and objectives

To examine changes in functional capacity, anxiety, depression and BMI in patients who completed a cardiac rehabilitation programme and to determine the influencing factors.

Background

While the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation is long established, more studies are needed to examine the combined effectiveness of this multicomponent intervention and the factors that influence this in the changed profile of patients currently attending cardiac rehabilitation.

Design

The study was a longitudinal retrospective study of patients following a six‐ or eight‐week Phase III cardiac rehabilitation programme.

Methods

The study recruited 154 patients. Functional capacity, anxiety, depression, weight, waist circumference and BMI were assessed at the beginning and end of cardiac rehabilitation. t‐tests were used to assess changes over time, and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the influence of factors on these changes.

Results

Significant improvements were seen in functional capacity, waist circumference, weight and BMI, but not in depression and anxiety. Multivariate analysis revealed that being younger and less fit was associated with greater improvements in functional capacity while reason for referral, gender, depression or BMI did not influence improvements in functional capacity. Models testing the influence of the factors on BMI, anxiety and depression were not significant.

Conclusion

Cardiac rehabilitation is still an effective method to instigate changes in cardiac risk factors despite the changes in patients profile attending programmes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Continued encouragement of the historically less typical patients to participate in cardiac rehabilitation is needed as reason for referral, gender, depression or BMI did not influence improvements in functional capacity. Despite psychosocial components within the programme, no significant improvements were observed over cardiac rehabilitation in depression or anxiety. While effectiveness was observed, there is room for further optimisation of practice and research by employing and documenting clearly the use of behavioural techniques.
Training of nurses in point‐of‐care testing: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Liikanen Eeva , Lehto Liisa
Published: May 2013

Aims and objectives

To review and describe the training of nurses in point‐of care testing.

Background

Point‐of‐care tests are usually carried out by nurses. They are used in many healthcare units. Through training, nurses are able to improve their competence in performing point‐of‐care testing.

Design

Systematic review.

Method

A literature search of electronic data was undertaken in autumn 2011 using CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Medline (Ovid) and Scopus databases.

Results

From the available literature, six specific initiatives were analysed. The studies were performed on three continents and in five healthcare settings. The three interventions were related to glucose point‐of‐care testing. The training approaches involved seven aspects. The interventions were diverse, broad and multifaceted, but they appeared to be successful. The strength of the interventions lay in the involvement of laboratory staff. Quantitative synthesis of the data was not undertaken because of different designs for the studies.

Conclusion

Training can improve nurses' competence, and many methods are available. There are very few studies of training nurses in point‐of‐care testing, although in‐depth descriptions of interventions in different settings would be valuable.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses can be trained using a variety of methods in different healthcare settings. To save resources, especially in large hospitals and sparsely populated areas, distance learning is worth considering. However if training is delivered with the support of laboratory professionals, nurses subsequently perform good‐quality point‐of‐care testing.
Effects of the bolus volume on hyoid movements in normal individuals
Authors: Ueda N. , Nohara K. , Kotani Y. , Tanaka N. , Okuno K. , Sakai T.
Published: May 2013

The hyoid bone moves during swallowing due to contraction of suprahyoid muscles, which are critical components of normal swallowing function. It has been reported that the muscle force and shortening velocity decline gradually with age. Reduced hyoid velocities may delay the sealing of the laryngeal vestibule and opening of the cricopharyngeal muscle. We hypothesised that the hyoid velocity could be a factor influencing aspiration. This study evaluated effects of bolus volume changes on the hyoid distance and velocity in normal swallowing. The subjects were 21 healthy young adults. Lateral projection videofluorography was recorded while each subject swallowed 2·5, 5·0, 10 and 20 mL of liquid barium. We evaluated the maximum hyoid distance (Max d), anterior and superior distance (Max ad, Max sd). And, we evaluated the maximum velocity (Max v), anterior and superior velocity (Max av, Max sv). Two‐way anova test revealed that Max d, Max ad and Max sd for different bolus volumes are not significantly different. But, two‐way anova test showed statistically significant difference in Max v, Max av and Max sv among different bolus volume (P < 0·01). Tukey's test showed that there are significant differences in Max v between 2·5 and 20 mL, 5·0 and 20 mL, 10 and 20 mL, and 2·5 and 10 mL swallowing. And, Tukey's test showed significant differences in Max av and Max sv between 2·5 and 20 mL, 5·0 and 20 mL, and 10 and 20 mL swallowing. It is possible that a larger bolus volume requires greater maximum hyoid velocity. We plan to study hyoid velocity in elderly subjects and in those with dysphagia.
Effects of experimental occlusal interference on body posture: an optoelectronic stereophotogrammetric analysis
Authors: Marini I. , Gatto M. R. , Bartolucci M. L. , Bortolotti F. , Alessandri Bonetti G. , Michelotti A.
Published: May 2013

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the relationship between dental occlusion and body posture both among people and in scientific literature. The aim of the present longitudinal study is to investigate the effects of an experimental occlusal interference on body posture by means of a force platform and an optoelectronic stereophotogrammetric analysis. An occlusal interference of a 0‐ to 2‐mm‐thick glass composite was prepared to disturb the intercuspal position while not creating interference during lateral or protrusive mandibular excursions. Frontal and sagittal kinematic parameters, dynamic gait measurements and superficial electromyographic (SEMG) activity of head and neck muscles were performed on 12 healthy subjects. Measurements were taken 10 days before the application of the occlusal interference, and then immediately before the application, the day after it, and at a distance of 7 and 14 days under four different exteroceptive conditions. The outcomes of this study show that an occlusal interference does not modify significantly over time static and dynamic parameters of body posture under different exteroceptive conditions. It has a minimal influence only on the frontal kinematic parameters related to mandibular position, and it induces a transient increase of the activity of masticatory muscles. In this study, the experimental occlusal interference did not significantly influence the body posture during a 14‐day follow‐up period.
The relationship between rapid naming and word spelling in English
Authors: Stainthorp Rhona , Powell Daisy , Stuart Morag
Published: May 2013

A study of the concurrent relationships between naming speed, phonological awareness and spelling ability in 146 children in Years 3 and 4 of state‐funded schools in South‐East England (equivalent to US Grades 2 and 3) is reported. Seventy‐two children identified as having normal phonological awareness but reduced rapid automatised naming (RAN) performance (1 standard deviation below the mean) participated in the study. A group of 74 children was further identified. These children were matched on phonological awareness, verbal and nonverbal IQ and visual acuity, but all members of this group showed normal RAN performance. RAN made a significant unique contribution to spelling performance. Further analyses showed that participants with low naming performance were significantly poorer spellers overall and had a specific difficulty in spelling irregular words. The findings support the view that RAN may be indexing processes that are implicated in the establishment of fully specified orthographic representations.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Problems Mediate Sexual Problems in Young Adult Rape Victims
Authors: Postma Riemke , Bicanic Iva , van der Vaart Huub , Laan Ellen
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Prior studies have addressed sexual abuse and sexual function in adult women. No studies have focused on the effect of adolescence rape on sexual functioning.

Aim

To investigate the effect of rape on sexual problems and on pelvic floor problems, as well as the mediating role of pelvic floor problems on sexual problems, in a homogenous group of victims of adolescence rape without a history of childhood sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual functioning and pelvic floor functioning were assessed using self-report questionnaires.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a group of 89 young women aged 18–25 years who were victimized by rape in adolescence was compared with a group of 114 nonvictimized controls. The rape victims were treated for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 3 years prior to participation in the study.

Results

Three years posttreatment, rape victims were 2.4 times more likely to have a sexual dysfunction (lubrication problems and pain) and 2.7 times more likely to have pelvic floor dysfunction (symptoms of provoked vulvodynia, general stress, lower urinary tract, and irritable bowel syndrome) than nonvictimized controls. The relationship between rape and sexual problems was partially mediated by the presence of pelvic floor problems. Rape victims and controls did not differ with regard to sexual activities.

Conclusions

Rape victims suffer significantly more from sexual dysfunction and pelvic floor dysfunction when compared with nontraumatized controls, despite the provision of treatment for PTSD. Possibly, physical manifestations of PTSD have been left unaddressed in treatment. Future treatment protocols should consider incorporating (physical or psychological) treatment strategies for sexual dysfunction and/or pelvic floor dysfunction into trauma exposure treatments.
The Effect of a Noise Reducing Test Accommodation on Elementary Students with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Smith Gregory W. , Riccomini Paul J.
Published: May 2013

Researchers in the fields of cognitive psychology and education have been studying the negative effects of noise on human performance for almost a century. A new empirical study that builds upon past relevant research on (1) test accommodations and (2) auditory distraction and academic performance was conducted with elementary age students. Reading comprehension tasks were completed by students with and without learning disabilities while wearing and not wearing noise‐reducing headphones. Results of three independent statistical analyses are presented. Implications, limitations, and the need for future research are also discussed.
Healthcare utilization in chronic liver disease: the importance of pain and prescription opioid use
Authors: Rogal Shari S. , Winger Daniel , Bielefeldt Klaus , Rollman Bruce L. , Szigethy Eva
Published: May 2013

Background & Aims

The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with healthcare utilization in patients with chronic liver disease with a focus on pain, opioid use and psychiatric symptoms.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed a consecutive sample of 1286 visitors to a hepatology clinic with chronic liver disease. Baseline psychiatric symptoms, pain and opioid prescriptions were collected. Liver‐related clinic visits, total clinic visits, phone calls and hospitalizations were assessed over a subsequent 6‐month period. Multivariable logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to determine the medical and psychosocial factors associated with increased healthcare utilization.

Results

Over a 6‐month period, hospitalization was more common among patients with pain (13% vs. 7%, P < 0.0001) and opioid usage (18% vs. 6% P < 0.0001). Pain and opioid usage were independently and significantly associated with an increased hospitalizations and median number of clinic visits and phone calls (P < 0.0001). In multivariable modelling, hospitalization was significantly associated with opioid use (OR = 2.72, CI = 1.72, 4.29), Child's Class B (OR = 2.24, CI = 1.19, 4.14) and C (OR = 8.51, CI = 4.18, 17.27) cirrhosis, and cardiopulmonary disease (OR = 2.11, CI = 1.28, 3.41). Pain and opioid usage were independently and significantly associated with the numbers of phone calls and total outpatient visits, as were medical comorbidities and Child's Class. The significant predictors of increased outpatient liver‐related visits were pain (IRR = 1.13, CI = 1.02, 1.26), interferon usage (IRR = 1.75, CI = 1.54, 1.98) and more advanced liver disease (IRR = 1.58, CI = 1.32, 1.88).

Conclusions

Pain and prescription opioid usage were significantly linked to increased healthcare utilization, suggesting the need to evaluate and incorporate evidence‐based pain management strategies into routine care of patients with chronic liver disease.
Reduced WWOX protein expression in human astrocytoma
Authors: Winardi William , Tsai Cheng‐Yu , Chen Wan‐Tzu , Tsai Hung‐Pei , Chung Chia‐Li , Loh Jong‐Kim , Chai Chee‐Yin , Kwan Aij‐Lie
Published: May 2013

The WW domain‐containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) functions as a tumor suppressor by interacting with various proteins in numerous important signaling pathways. WWOX silencing via homozygous deletion of its locus and/or promoter hypermethylation has been observed in various human cancers. However, the relationship between WWOX and tumors in the central nervous system has not been fully explored. In this study, the expression levels of WWOX protein in astrocytomas from 38 patients with different tumor grades were retrospectively analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that 19 (50.0%) samples had highly reduced WWOX protein expression when compared with normal controls, while 14 (36.8%) and five (13.2%) cases exhibited moderate and mild decreases in WWOX expression, respectively. Reduction of the expression of WWOX protein correlated with patient age, supra‐tentorial localization of the tumor and severity of the symptoms. Furthermore, loss of WWOX expression inversely correlated with survival time. No significant correlation was observed between the loss of WWOX expression and the gender of patients or the difference in pre‐operative and post‐operative karnofsky performance status scores. Surprisingly, there was no significant correlation between the loss of WWOX protein expression and overall tumor grades. Nevertheless, it was found that 63.6% (7/11) of the grade II astrocytomas had highly reduced WWOX expression and 36.4% (4/11) showed moderately reduced WWOX expression, while none of the samples exhibited mild reductions. Similar results were also found in grade III astrocytomas. The results from this small‐size sample pilot study suggest that the loss of WWOX expression may be an early event in the pathogenesis of human astrocytoma.