bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Serum Vitamin D Levels on Cardiovascular Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Authors: Bennion Aaron S. , Luthy Karlen E. , Freeborn Donna S. , Beckstrand Renea L.
Published: July 2012

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent across all geographic areas, age groups, and seasons and is increasing in incidence. Vitamin D receptors have been found to be present in almost every body cell and tissue. Clinical research has alluded to a preventive effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular disorders such as myocardial infarction, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, a low serum vitamin D level has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This article examines the association between serum vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease mortality and risk.
Basal or stress-induced cortisol and asthma development: the TRAILS study
Authors: Vink Nienke M. , Boezen H. Marike , Postma Dirkje S. , Rosmalen Judith G.M.
Published: July 2012

We examined the association between: 1) cortisol levels and asthma or asthma development; 2) cortisol levels upon stress and asthma. In addition, we performed apost hocmeta-analysis on results from the literature.

Cortisol, cortisol upon stress, asthma (doctor diagnosis of asthma and/or symptoms and/or treatment in the past 12 months) and asthma development (asthma at a specific survey while not having asthma at the previous survey(s)) were assessed in the TRAILS study (n=2230, mean age at survey 1 11 years, survey 2 14 years and survey 3 16 years). Logistic regression models were used to study associations between: 1) cortisol (cortisol awakening response, area under the curve (AUC) with respect to the ground (AUCg) or with respect to the increase (AUCi), and evening cortisol) and asthma or asthma development; 2) cortisol upon stress (AUCg or AUCi) and asthma. The meta-analyses included nine case–control articles on basal cortisol in asthma.

No significant association was found between: 1) cortisol and asthma (age 11 years) or asthma development (age 14 or 16 years); 2) cortisol upon stress and asthma (age 16 years). The meta-analysis found lower morning and evening cortisol levels in asthmatics compared to non-asthmatics; however, the summary estimates were not significant.

We found no evidence supporting a role for cortisol in asthma and asthma development.
Imaging of sarcoidosis of the airways and lung parenchyma and correlation with lung function
Authors: Nunes Hilario , Uzunhan Yurdagul , Gille Thomas , Lamberto Christine , Valeyre Dominique , Brillet Pierre-Yves
Published: July 2012

Imaging has a prominent role in the assessment of sarcoidosis diagnosis and outcome, which are extremely variable. Chest radiography staging helps predict the probability of spontaneous remission, and stage IV is associated with higher mortality. However, the reproducibility of reading is poor and changes in radiography and lung function are inconsistently correlated, which may be problematic for the monitoring of disease and treatment response. Chest computed tomography (CT) makes a great diagnostic contribution in difficult cases. Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy with peri-lymphatic micronodular pattern is highly specific for sarcoidosis. CT is important for the investigation of pulmonary complications, including aspergilloma and pulmonary hypertension. CT improves the yield of bronchoscopy for obtaining a positive endobronchial or transbronchial biopsy. CT findings may also discriminate between active inflammation and irreversible fibrosis, with occasional influence on therapeutic decisions. Three CT patterns of fibrotic sarcoidosis are identified, with different functional profiles: predominant bronchial distortion is associated with obstruction; honeycombing is associated with restriction and lower diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide; whereas functional impairment is relatively minor with linear pattern. The clinical impact of correlations between CT severity scores and functional impairment is uncertain, except for its utility elucidating the mechanisms of airflow limitation, which include bronchial distortion, peribronchovascular thickening, air-trapping and bronchial compression by lymphadenopathy.
Respiratory health and indoor air pollutants based on quantitative exposure assessments
Authors: Hulin Marion , Simoni Marzia , Viegi Giovanni , Annesi-Maesano Isabella
Published: July 2012

We reviewed the main epidemiological studies that evaluate the respiratory effects of indoor air pollutants quantitatively in industrialised countries. Consistent results support short-term (aggravation) and, although more rarely, long-term (prevalence augmentation) effects on asthma, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in indoor settings with poor air quality. Environmental tobacco smoke is one of the most important risks for respiratory symptoms and diseases worldwide. The evidence is also reliable for indoor nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, which have been associated with asthma, bronchitis and COPD. Whereas formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds seem to be the main pollutants in indoor settings, relevant papers on their respiratory effects are still scarce, and limited to asthma and bronchitis. Moulds have been associated with an increased risk of asthma and COPD. Contradictory results have been found between endotoxins and asthma. The role of phthalates, persistent organic pollutants and flame retardants in respiratory diseases remains to be established. Results from rural areas of industrialised countries indicate that exposure to some indoor bio-contaminants might be protective in early life, while it is associated with adverse respiratory adverse effects in adulthood. Studies focusing on indoor air pollutants should be developed to better understand their involvement in the inception and aggravation of respiratory diseases.
Discordant antibody and cellular responses to Pneumocystis major surface glycoprotein variants in mice
Authors: Bishop Lisa R , Helman Daniel , Kovacs Joseph A
Published: July 2012

Background

The major surface glycoprotein (Msg) ofPneumocystisis encoded by approximately 50 to 80 unique but related genes. Msg diversity may represent a mechanism for immune escape from host T cell responses. We examined splenic T cell proliferative and cytokine as well as serum antibody responses to recombinant and nativePneumocystisantigens in immunized orPneumocystis-infected mice. In addition, immune responses were examined in 5 healthy humans.

Results

Proliferative responses to each of two recombinant Msg variant proteins were seen in mice immunized with either recombinant protein, but no proliferation to these antigens was seen in mice immunized with crudePneumocystisantigens or in mice that had cleared infection, although the latter animals demonstrated proliferative responses to crudePneumocystisantigens and native Msg. IL-17 and MCP-3 were produced in previously infected animals in response to the same antigens, but not to recombinant antigens. Antibody responses to the recombinantP. murinaMsg variant proteins were seen in all groups of animals, demonstrating that all groups were exposed to and mounted immune responses to Msg. No human PBMC samples proliferated following stimulation withP. jiroveciiMsg, while antibody responses were detected in sera from 4 of 5 samples.

Conclusions

Cross-reactive antibody responses to Msg variants are common, while cross-reactive T cell responses are uncommon; these results support the hypothesis thatPneumocystisutilizes switching of Msg variant expression to avoid host T cell responses.
Association of polymorphism of PTPN 11 encoding SHP-2 with gastric atrophy but not gastric cancer in Helicobacter pylori seropositive Chinese population
Authors: Jiang Jing , Jia Zhi-Fang , Kong Fei , Jin Mei-Shan , Wang Yin-Ping , Tian Suyan , Suo Jian , Cao Xueyuan
Published: July 2012

Background

The interaction between Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-2) of gastric epithelial cells and cagA from H. pylori plays a crucial role in developments of gastric atrophy and gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate the association of haplotype tagging SNPs (htSNPs) in the PTPN11 gene encoding SHP-2 with gastric atrophy and gastric cancer in Chinese population.

Methods

The subjects comprised 414 patients with gastric cancer, 109 individuals with gastric atrophy and 923 healthy controls. Blood was collected from October 2008 to October 2010. Five htSNPs rs2301756, rs12423190, rs12229892, rs7958372 and rs4767860 from the PTPN11 gene were selected and genotyped by Taqman assay. Serum Ig G antibodies to H. pylori were detected by ELISA. Gastric atrophy was screened by the levels of serum pepsinogenIandII, and confirmed by endoscopy and histopatholgical examinations. Odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by a multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Among H. pylori seropositive subjects, age and gender-adjusted OR of gastric atrophy was 2.47 (95%CI 1.13-4.55, P = 0.02) for CC genotype compared with CT/TT genotypes, suggesting a recessive model of genetic risk for rs12423190. The prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity were significantly higher in groups of gastric cancer and gastric atrophy compared to the control group (70.3% vs. 75.2% vs. 49.7%, P <0.001). However, the distributions of genotypes and haplotypes in patients with gastric cancer were not significantly different from healthy controls.

Conclusions

Our study provides the first evidence that rs12423190 polymorphism of the PTPN11 gene is significantly associated with an increased risk of gastric atrophy in H. pylori infected Chinese Han population, suggesting that rs12423190 polymorphism could be used as a useful marker of genetic susceptibility to gastric atrophy among H. pylori infected subjects. The biological roles of this polymorphism require a further investigation.
Usage and appraisal of educational media by homeopathic therapists – A cross sectional survey
Authors: Escher Max , Vollmar Horst Christian , Holling Andreas , Raak Christa , Ostermann Thomas
Published: July 2012

Background

During recent years the market for homeopathic education media has increasingly diversified with old (books, seminars) and new media (video-seminars, pc-programs, homeo-wiki and internet-courses). However, little is known about homeopaths’ preferences in using educational media and their requirements of this topic.

Aim

This survey was designed to gain a better understanding of the usage and appraisal of educational media by homeopaths.

Methods

192 homeopathic practitioners (GPs and health practitioners) at a educational conference were asked to answer a standardized questionnaire covering the topics “formal education and context of work” (9 items), “homeopathic practise and usage (24 items), “utilization of educational media” (9 items) and “favoured attributes for educational media” (11 items).

Results

Out of 192 homeopaths who attended the conference, 118 completed the questionnaire (response rate 61.5%). For their continuing homeopathic education they predominantly indicated to use books (scale value from 0 = never to 2 = always: 1.72) and seminars (1.54) whereas journals (0.98) and the internet (0.65) were used less often. The most favoured attributes concerning medical education media were reliability (1.76), relevance for clinical practice (1.74) and user friendliness (1.6). Less favoured attributes were inexpensiveness (1.1), graphical material (0.92) and interactivity (0.88).

Conclusions

The survey illustrates the current situation of medical education media in homeopathy. Although there are parallels to earlier research conducted in conventional GPs, homeopaths are more likely to refer to classical media. New education tools should be designed according to these preferences.
An evaluation of the content and quality of tinnitus information on websites preferred by General Practitioners
Authors: Fackrell Kathryn , Hoare Derek J , Smith Sandra , McCormack Abby , Hall Deborah A
Published: July 2012

Background

Tinnitus is a prevalent and complex medical complaint often co-morbid with stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and cognitive or communication difficulties. Its chronicity places a major burden on primary and secondary healthcare services. In our recent national survey of General Practitioners (GPs) from across England, many reported that their awareness of tinnitus was limited and as a result were dissatisfied with the service they currently provide. GPs identified 10 online sources of information they currently use in clinical practice, but welcomed further concise and accurate information on tinnitus assessment and management. The purpose of this study was to assess the content, reliability, and quality of the information related to primary care tinnitus assessment and management on these 10 websites.

Methods

Tinnitus related content on each website was assessed using a summative content analysis approach. Reliability and quality of the information was assessed using the DISCERN questionnaire.

Results

Quality of information was rated using the validated DISCERN questionnaire. Significant inter-rater reliability was confirmed by Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (Wt) which ranged from 0.48 to 0.92 across websites. The website Map of Medicine achieved the highest overall DISCERN score. However, for information on treatment choice, the British Tinnitus Association was rated best. Content analysis revealed that all websites lacked a number of details relating to either tinnitus assessment or management options.

Conclusions

No single website provides comprehensive information for GPs on tinnitus assessment and management and so GPs may need to refer to more than one if they want to maximise their coverage of the topic. From those preferred by GPs we recommend several specific websites as the current ‘best’ sources. Our findings should guide healthcare website providers to improve the quality and inclusiveness of the information they publish on tinnitus. In the case of one website, our preliminary findings are already doing so. Such developments will in turn help facilitate best practice in primary care.
Impact of middle and lower jugular neck dissection on supraclavicular lymph node metastasis from endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Kojima Masataka , Yokoyama Junkichi , Ito Shin , Ohba Shinichi , Fujimaki Mitsuhisa , Ikeda Katsuhisa
Published: July 2012

Supraclavicular lymph node metastasis from endometrial carcinoma is considerably rarer than metastasis from uterine cervical cancer. To date, there have been no reported cases regarding systematic neck dissection as a salvage treatment. In this report, we describe the neck dissection procedure carried out on a 74-year-old woman with supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. Our objective was to histologically determine the origin of the metastasis while simultaneously providing appropriate treatment. The patient’s past medical history included two prior cases of cancer: rectal cancer 7 years earlier and endometrial adenocarcinoma 4 years earlier. We determined that middle and lower jugular neck dissection was appropriate in treating this case based on the results of our preoperative FDG-PET and tumor markers. This surgery provided histological evidence that metastasis occurred from endometrial carcinoma. Middle and lower jugular neck dissection was expected to improve the patient’s prognosis without impacting the patient’s active daily life. We have continued to monitor the patient closely over an extended period.
Properties of q-analogue of Beta operator
Authors: Gupta Vijay , Sharma Honey , Kim Taekyun , Lee Sang-Hun
Published: July 2012

In this article, we introduce the q-variant of Beta operator. We find the recurrence formula for m th-order moments. Here, we establish some direct theorems in terms of modulus of continuity for these operators. We also propose conditions for better approximation. In the end, we also propose the Stancu-type generalization.

Mathematical Subject Classification: 41A25; 41A35.
Stallion spermatozoa selected by single layer centrifugation are capable of fertilization after storage for up to 96 h at 6°C prior to artificial insemination
Authors: Lindahl Johanna , Dalin Anne-Marie , Stuhtmann Gesa , Morrell Jane M
Published: July 2012

Background

One of the challenges faced by equine breeders is ensuring delivery of good quality semen doses for artificial insemination when the mare is due to ovulate. Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC) has been shown to select morphologically normal spermatozoa with intact chromatin and good progressive motility from the rest of the ejaculate, and to prolong the life of these selected spermatozoa in vitro. The objective of the present study was a proof of concept, to determine whether fertilizing ability was retained in SLC-selected spermatozoa during prolonged storage.

Findings

Sixteen mares were inseminated with SLC-selected sperm doses that had been cooled and stored at 6°C for 48 h, 72 h or 96 h. Embryos were identified in 11 mares by ultrasound examination 16–18 days after presumed ovulation.

Conclusion

SLC-selected stallion spermatozoa stored for up to 96 h are capable of fertilization.
Impact of physical incompatibility on drug mass flow rates: example of furosemide-midazolam incompatibility
Authors: Foinard Aurélie , Décaudin Bertrand , Barthélémy Christine , Debaene Bertrand , Odou Pascal
Published: July 2012

Background

Patients in intensive care units receive many drugs simultaneously but through limited venous accesses. Several intravenous therapies have to be administered through the same catheter, thus increasing the risk of physicochemical incompatibility. The purpose of this work was to assess and to quantify the impact of physical incompatibility on the mass flow rates of drugs infused simultaneously to the patient, through an in vitro study.

Methods

Furosemide-midazolam incompatibility was used to assess the impact of physical incompatibility on drug mass flow rates. Furosemide, midazolam, and saline were simultaneously infused. A filter was added at the end of the infusion line to retain visible particles. Two infusion conditions were tested with and without visible particles. A partial least square method on UV spectra was used to determine simultaneously the concentrations of the two drugs at the egress of the terminal extension line. The drug mass flow rate (expressed as mg/h) was calculated as the product of drug concentration versus total flow rate. Observed/theoretical mass flow rate ratios for each drug (%) were determined per infusion condition.

Results

Even in the absence of visible particles, precipitation of furosemide led to a drug loss estimated at between 10% and 15%. Furosemide is more impacted by interaction because the pH of the mixture is acid and this form is poorly soluble in an aqueous solution.

Conclusions

Physical incompatibility between furosemide and midazolam leads to a significant reduction in drug delivered to the patient and may result in treatment failure.
Stable isotope enrichment in muscle, liver, and whole fish tissues of brown-marbled groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)
Authors: Chen Gang , Zhou Hui , Ji Duoliang , Gu Binhe
Published: July 2012

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to assess enrichments in stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in brown-marbled groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus), a marine fish that has been widely used in aquaculture. Stable isotope analysis has been used to evaluate dietary sources and the trophic position of fish. There is the need to better understand the pattern of isotope enrichment between consumers and diets under laboratory conditions.

Methods

We studied the changes in stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of juvenile brown-marbled groupers during a feeding experiment in 2009. Fish were grown in aquaria and fed a sole source of protein for 56 days and analyzed for δ13C and δ15N ratios in whole fish, muscle, and liver tissues.

Results

At the end of the 56-day feeding experiment, fish grew to an average of 55.6 g from an average of 22.5 g. Compared to the dietary isotope compositions, whole fish and muscle tissues of the juvenile groupers were enriched in δ13C by 1.6 and 0.5‰, while the liver was depleted by 1.3‰. The δ15N enrichments were 1.6‰ for whole fish, 1.3‰ for muscle, and 1.0‰ for liver. Except for liver, δ15N isotope values increased significantly with time.

Conclusions

The small change in δ13C between the diet and fish suggests that little isotope alteration is occurring during the assimilation of dietary carbon. This provides a basis for estimates of the importance of different sources of dietary components when contrasted with the isotope values from a formulated diet with known isotope values of the different components. The smaller than expected δ15N enrichment in all tissue suggests that isotope values from a wild fish sample may not always reach isotope equilibrium with the current diet, and an inference about recent dietary sources and an estimate of the consumer’s trophic position should be evaluated with caution.
Investigation on the dependence of optical spectra of silver chiral nanostructures on shape, dimensions and incident light by discrete dipole approximation
Authors: Abdi Fatemeh , Siabi-Garjan Araz , Savaloni Hadi
Published: July 2012

Extinction spectra of chiral silver nanostructures are calculated by means of Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA). Dependence of Plasmonic peaks to both structural parameters of nanostructures and direction of the incident light are obtained. This dependence is investigated on variation of chiral dimensions, chiral shape and direction of incident light. We have observed a resonance peak of transverse mode (TM) for the extinction spectra of chiral structure at normal incidence. However, for oblique angle incident light, in addition to the TM mode, a longitudinal mode (LM) appears at longer wavelengths. The latter undergoes a shift to longer wavelengths with increasing the diameter of chirl arm. When the cross-section of chiral is changed to an oval this resonance peak disappears, while some other peaks appear at longer wavelengths that were not present for a chiral with circular cross-section. Extinction spectra of chiral nanostructure with different structural parameters and different rise angles (slanted chirals) showed dependence on the incident light direction.
Paracrine interactions between primary human macrophages and human fibroblasts enhance murine mammary gland humanization in vivo
Authors: Fleming Jodie M , Miller Tyler C , Kidacki Michal , Ginsburg Erika , Stuelten Christina H , Stewart Delisha A , Troester Melissa A , Vonderhaar Barbara K
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Macrophages comprise an essential component of the mammary microenvironment necessary for normal gland development. However, there is no viable in vivo model to study their role in normal human breast function. We hypothesized that adding primary human macrophages to the murine mammary gland would enhance and provide a novel approach to examine immune-stromal cell interactions during the humanization process.

Methods

Primary human macrophages, in the presence or absence of ectopic estrogen stimulation, were used to humanize mouse mammary glands. Mechanisms of enhanced humanization were identified by cytokine/chemokine ELISAs, zymography, western analysis, invasion and proliferation assays; results were confirmed with immunohistological analysis.

Results

The combined treatment of macrophages and estrogen stimulation significantly enhanced the percentage of the total gland humanized and the engraftment/outgrowth success rate. Timecourse analysis revealed the disappearance of the human macrophages by two weeks post-injection, suggesting that the improved overall growth and invasiveness of the fibroblasts provided a larger stromal bed for epithelial cell proliferation and structure formation. Confirming their promotion of fibroblasts humanization, estrogen-stimulated macrophages significantly enhanced fibroblast proliferation and invasion in vitro, as well as significantly increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive cells in humanized glands. Cytokine/chemokine ELISAs, zymography and western analyses identified TNFα and MMP9 as potential mechanisms by which estrogen-stimulated macrophages enhanced humanization. Specific inhibitors to TNFα and MMP9 validated the effects of these molecules on fibroblast behavior in vitro, as well as by immunohistochemical analysis of humanized glands for human-specific MMP9 expression. Lastly, glands humanized with macrophages had enhanced engraftment and tumor growth compared to glands humanized with fibroblasts alone.

Conclusions

Herein, we demonstrate intricate immune and stromal cell paracrine interactions in a humanized in vivo model system. We confirmed our in vivo results with in vitro analyses, highlighting the value of this model to interchangeably substantiate in vitro and in vivo results. It is critical to understand the signaling networks that drive paracrine cell interactions, for tumor cells exploit these signaling mechanisms to support their growth and invasive properties. This report presents a dynamic in vivo model to study primary human immune/fibroblast/epithelial interactions and to advance our knowledge of the stromal-derived signals that promote tumorigenesis.
One-year mortality among Danish intensive care patients with acute kidney injury: a cohort study
Authors: Gammelager Henrik , Christiansen Christian Fynbo , Johansen Martin Berg , Tønnesen Else , Jespersen Bente , Sørensen Henrik Toft
Published: July 2012

Introduction

There are few studies on long-term mortality among intensive care unit (ICU) patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). We assessed the prevalence of AKI at ICU admission, its impact on mortality during one year of follow-up, and whether the influence of AKI varied in subgroups of ICU patients.

Methods

We identified all adults admitted to any ICU in Northern Denmark (approximately 1.15 million inhabitants) from 2005 through 2010 using population-based medical registries. AKI was defined at ICU admission based on the risk, injury, failure, loss of kidney function, and end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) classification, using plasma creatinine changes. We included four severity levels: AKI-risk, AKI-injury, AKI-failure, and without AKI. We estimated cumulative mortality by the Kaplan-Meier method and hazard ratios (HRs) using a Cox model adjusted for potential confounders. We computed estimates for all ICU patients and for subgroups with different comorbidity levels, chronic kidney disease status, surgical status, primary hospital diagnosis, and treatment with mechanical ventilation or with inotropes/vasopressors.

Results

We identified 30,762 ICU patients, of which 4,793 (15.6%) had AKI at ICU admission. Thirty-day mortality was 35.5% for the AKI-risk group, 44.2% for the AKI-injury group, and 41.0% for the AKI-failure group, compared with 12.8% for patients without AKI. The corresponding adjusted HRs were 1.96 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.80-2.13), 2.60 (95% CI 2.38 to 2.85) and 2.41 (95% CI 2.21 to 2.64), compared to patients without AKI. Among patients surviving 30 days (n = 25,539), 31- to 365 day mortality was 20.5% for the AKI-risk group, 23.8% for the AKI-injury group, and 23.2% for the AKI-failure group, compared with 10.7% for patients without AKI, corresponding to adjusted HRs of 1.33 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.51), 1.60 (95% CI 1.37 to1.87), and 1.64 (95% CI 1.42 to 1.90), respectively. The association between AKI and 30-day mortality was evident in subgroups of the ICU population, with associations persisting in most subgroups during the 31- to 365-day follow-up period, although to a lesser extent than for the 30-day period.

Conclusions

AKI at ICU admission is an important prognostic factor for mortality throughout the subsequent year.
Morale in the English mental health workforce: questionnaire survey
Authors: Johnson Sonia , Osborn David P. J. , Araya Ricardo , Wearn Elizabeth , Paul Moli , Stafford Mai , Wellman Nigel , Nolan Fiona , Killaspy Helen , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor , Anderson Emma , Wood Stephen J.
Published: July 2012

Background

High-quality evidence on morale in the mental health workforce is lacking.

Aims

To describe staff well-being and satisfaction in a multicentre UK National Health Service (NHS) sample and explore associated factors.

Method

A questionnaire-based survey (n= 2258) was conducted in 100 wards and 36 community teams in England. Measures included a set of frequently used indicators of staff morale, and measures of perceived job characteristics based on Karasek's demand–control–support model.

Results

Staff well-being and job satisfaction were fairly good on most indicators, but emotional exhaustion was high among acute general ward and community mental health team (CMHT) staff and among social workers. Most morale indicators were moderately but significantly intercorrelated. Principal components analysis yielded two components, one appearing to reflect emotional strain, the other positive engagement with work. In multilevel regression analyses factors associated with greater emotional strain included working in a CMHT or psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU), high job demands, low autonomy, limited support from managers and colleagues, age under 45 years and junior grade. Greater positive engagement was associated with high job demands, autonomy and support from managers and colleagues, Black or Asian ethnic group, being a psychiatrist or service manager and shorter length of service.

Conclusions

Potential foci for interventions to increase morale include CMHTs, PICUs and general acute wards. The explanatory value of the demand–support–control model was confirmed, but job characteristics did not fully explain differences in morale indicators across service types and professions.
Impact of national policy initiatives on fatal and non-fatal
self-harm after psychiatric hospital discharge: time series
analysis
Authors: Gunnell David , Metcalfe Chris , While David , Hawton Keith , Ho Davidson , Appleby Louis , Kapur Nav
Published: July 2012

Background

Risk of self-harm and suicide is greatly increased in the period after
discharge from psychiatric in-patient care.

Aims

To investigate the impact on suicide of a series of policy initiatives to
enhance care in the immediate post-discharge period.

Method

A time series analysis was based on 1997–2007 data from the National
Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and from Hospital Episode Statistics
for England.

Results

There was no evidence of a reduced risk of suicide in the first 12 weeks
following discharge in 2003–2007 compared with 1997–2002. In contrast,
the relative risk of non-fatal self-harm in the 12 weeks after discharge
declined. The risk ratio for self-harm (2003–2007 v.
1997–2002) at 0–1 week post-discharge was 0.86 (95% CI 0.80–0.92) and at
2–4 weeks it was 0.89 (95% CI 0.85–0.94).

Conclusions

These findings provide some support for the impact of recent policy
changes on the risk of non-fatal self-harm in the immediate period after
discharge from psychiatric in-patient care.
Provincial Assemblies, Fiscal Reform, and the Language of Politics in the 1770s and 1780s
Authors: Miller Stephen
Published: July 2012

In the 1770s and 1780s the monarchy embarked on an ambitious project to create provincial assemblies of landowners in the pays d’élection covering the greater part of the realm. Royal reformers hoped the assemblies would lead the upper classes to identify with the regime and pay taxes willingly. By studying the assemblies, this article raises significant historical questions about the ability of the monarchy to reform its institutions, the perspectives of elites on fiscal equality and political representation, and the development of the ideological positions of 1789. The article shows that the rivalries of grandees at the highest levels of the state crystallized opposition to reform in the assemblies. Calls for fiscal equality and political participation instead emerged outside the institutional structures of the monarchy.

Dans les années 1770–1780, la monarchie entreprit de créer des assemblées provinciales de propriétaires dans les pays d’élections englobant la plus grande partie du royaume. Les réformateurs au service du roi souhaitaient que les assemblées incitent l’aristocratie et la haute bourgeoisie à s’identifier au régime et à payer leurs impôts de leur plein gré. En délivrant une étude de ces assemblées, cet article soulève des questions historiques pertinentes concernant la capacité de la monarchie à se réformer, les comportements fiscaux et politiques des élites et les positions idéologiques qu’elles adoptèrent en 1789. L’article montre que les rivalités entre les Grands de l’Etat suscitèrent une opposition aux réformes dans les assemblées. C’est plutôt en dehors des institutions de la monarchie que sont nées les revendications pour l’égalité fiscale et la représentation politique.
Philosophes Mariés and Epouses Philosophiques: Men of Letters and Marriage in Eighteenth-Century France
Authors: Roberts Meghan K.
Published: July 2012

This article argues that, under the sway of new sentimental ideals and norms of sociability, eighteenth-century men of letters forged a new normative ideal that celebrated intellectual companionate and collaborative marriage. Rather than focusing on homosocial friendship as sufficient proof of their sociability and virtue, as had thinkers from earlier eras, they emphasized their loving family lives as proof of those traits. Moreover, such marriages were not merely represented as affectionate but also as productive. Husbands began to depict their wives as useful and valued assistants, thereby suggesting that intellectual life could be enhanced by the experience of domestic affect. Thus, in Enlightenment France, family life and philosophy became more than just compatible: they became mutually beneficial.

Cet article avance l’argument que, influencés par de nouveaux idéaux sentimentaux et de nouvelles normes sociales, les penseurs des Lumières développèrent un nouvel idéal louant une conception collaborative du mariage, basée sur la complicité intellectuelle. A la place du modèle traditionnel de l’amitié entre hommes comme preuve de leur sociabilité et de leur vertu, les philosophes proposent comme garant de ces dispositions l’amour conjugal et familial. En outre, ces mariages n’étaient pas seulement représentés comme affectueux; ils étaient également productifs. Les maris commencèrent à décrire leurs femmes comme des assistantes utiles et appréciées, suggérant par là que la vie intellectuelle pouvait être renforcée par l’expérience des liens affectifs familiaux. Ainsi, dans la France des Lumières, la vie familiale et la vie intellectuelle deviennent plus que compatibles: elles se renforcent et se nourrissent mutuellement.
The Bonds of Concord and the Guardians of Trust: Women, Emotion, and Political Life, 1815–1848
Authors: Horowitz Sarah
Published: July 2012

Far from being excluded from the political life of the early nineteenth century, women were central to parliamentary activity during the Restoration and the July Monarchy. Drawing on letters and memoirs, this article shows how elite women helped politicians manage their political relationships and form alliances. In an era racked by bitter ideological divisions, women became vitally important to parliamentary maneuvering because they were perceived as less factionalized than the men around them and because they were seen as having unique access to the emotions. As such, women were particularly able to build trust between politicians and factions. In turn, these roles allowed some women to exert considerable influence and to shape the politics of their day.

Loin d’être exclues de la vie politique du début du dix-neuvième siècle, les femmes eurent une place centrale dans la vie parlementaire de la Restauration et de la monarchie de Juillet. En s’appuyant sur des lettres et des mémoires, cet article examine la façon dont les femmes durent prêter leur concours aux hommes politiques, en les aidant à gérer leurs relations politiques et à former des alliances. Dans une période secouée par des fortes divisions idéologiques, les femmes jouèrent un rôle capital dans les négociations parlementaires, car elles étaient moins soumises que les hommes à l’emprise des groupes factieux, et car on les disait avoir un accès unique à l’intelligence des émotions. En vertu de ces qualités, les femmes parvinrent ainsi à établir des liens de confiance entres hommes politiques et groupes factieux, au point que certaines d’entre elles finirent par exercer une influence considérable sur le paysage politique.
Introduction
Authors: Mufti Aamir R.
Published: July 2012

The introduction to this dossier situates the concept of world literature as potentially challenging and intellectually productive, on the one hand, and susceptible to easy commodification, on the other. It argues for an incontrovertible link between the Orientalist philological revolution and the emergence of world literature, and situates a number of studies in the dossier as concerned with this link. Finally, it presents Erich Auerbach and Edward Said as contributors to a potential radicalization of the philology of world literature, replacing its organicist-nationalist assumptions with exilic ones.
RTK signaling modulates the Dorsal gradient
Authors: Helman Aharon , Lim Bomyi , Andreu María José , Kim Yoosik , Shestkin Tatyana , Lu Hang , Jiménez Gerardo , Shvartsman Stanislav Y. , Paroush Ze’ev
Published: July 2012

The dorsoventral (DV) axis of the Drosophila embryo is patterned by a nuclear gradient of the Rel family transcription factor, Dorsal (Dl), that activates or represses numerous target genes in a region-specific manner. Here, we demonstrate that signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) reduces nuclear levels and transcriptional activity of Dl, both at the poles and in the mid-body of the embryo. These effects depend on wntD, which encodes a Dl antagonist belonging to the Wingless/Wnt family of secreted factors. Specifically, we show that, via relief of Groucho- and Capicua-mediated repression, the Torso and EGFR RTK pathways induce expression of WntD, which in turn limits Dl nuclear localization at the poles and along the DV axis. Furthermore, this RTK-dependent control of Dl is important for restricting expression of its targets in both contexts. Thus, our results reveal a new mechanism of crosstalk, whereby RTK signals modulate the spatial distribution and activity of a developmental morphogen in vivo.
Suppression of Bmp4 signaling by the zinc-finger repressors Osr1 and Osr2 is required for Wnt/β-catenin-mediated lung specification in Xenopus
Authors: Rankin Scott A. , Gallas Alyssa L. , Neto Ana , Gómez-Skarmeta José Luis , Zorn Aaron M.
Published: July 2012

Embryonic development of the respiratory system is regulated by a series of mesenchymal-epithelial interactions that are only partially understood. Mesenchymal FGF and Wnt2/Wnt2b signaling are implicated in specification of mammalian pulmonary progenitors from the ventral foregut endoderm, but their epistatic relationship and downstream targets are largely unknown. In addition, how wnt2 and wnt2b are regulated in the developing foregut mesenchyme is unknown. We show that the Odd-skipped-related (Osr) zinc-finger transcriptional repressors Osr1 and Osr2 are redundantly required for Xenopus lung specification in a molecular pathway linking foregut pattering by FGFs to Wnt-mediated lung specification and RA-regulated lung bud growth. FGF and RA signals are required for robust osr1 and osr2 expression in the foregut endoderm and surrounding lateral plate mesoderm (lpm) prior to respiratory specification. Depletion of both Osr1 and Osr2 (Osr1/Osr2) results in agenesis of the lungs, trachea and esophagus. The foregut lpm of Osr1/Osr2-depleted embryos fails to express wnt2, wnt2b and raldh2, and consequently Nkx2.1+ progenitors are not specified. Our data suggest that Osr1/Osr2 normally repress bmp4 expression in the lpm, and that BMP signaling negatively regulates the wnt2b domain. These results significantly advance our understanding of early lung development and may impact strategies to differentiate respiratory tissue from stem cells.
Dr Fouad M Al-Akl (1903–71): the life and achievement of a 1924 graduate of the American University of Beirut Medical School
Authors: Khoury Loulou Al Akl
Published: July 2012

This paper is a summary of a book entitled Until Summer Comes, written by F M Al-Akl and published in 1945 by the Pond-Ekberg Company. Only two copies of this book are known, one in the Library of the American University of Beirut and the other belongs to the author. This paper brings knowledge of the subject's life to a wider audience.
Investigating the Drivers of Consumer Cross-Category Learning for New Products Using Multiple Data Sets
Authors: Sridhar Karthik , Bezawada Ram , Trivedi Minakshi
Published: July 2012

Consumer new product adoption and preference evolution or learning may be influenced by intrinsic or internal factors (e.g., usage experiences, personal characteristics), external influences (e.g., social effects, media), and marketing activities of the firm. Moreover, the preference evolution in a certain category can spill over to other categories; i.e., consumers can exhibit cross-category learning. In this paper, we develop a multicategory framework to analyze the role of the above elements in the formation and evolution of consumer preferences across categories. We analyze these elements by employing multiple data sets, i.e., by combining revealed preference data (from scanner panel), stated data (from surveys measuring consumer lifestyle variables and demographics), and external influences (e.g., media mentions) in a completely heterogeneous framework while considering other facets of the learning process. By jointly estimating the model for organic purchases in six distinct food categories, we also explore the role of category differences. Results show that consumer new product adoption and learning is indeed impacted significantly and to various degrees by the aforementioned factors. We show how, by selectively encouraging purchases under various scenarios, firms can accelerate the learning process, not only for the focal category but also for other categories, thereby realizing considerable incremental profits. These results can be used by both manufacturers and retailers for more efficient allocation of marketing budgets across (new) products.
How to Price Discriminate When Tariff Size Matters
Authors: Bagh Adib , Bhargava Hemant K.
Published: July 2012

Firms that serve a large market with many diverse consumer types use discriminatory or nonlinear pricing to extract higher revenue, inducing consumers to separate by self-selecting from a large number of tariff options. But the extent of price discrimination must often be tempered by the high costs of devising and managing discriminatory tariffs, including costs of supporting consumers in understanding and making selection from a complex menu of choices. These tariff design trade-offs occur in many industries where firms face many consumer types and each consumer picks the number of units to consume over time. Examples include wireless communication services, other telecom and information technology products, legal plans, fitness clubs, automobile clubs, parking, healthcare plans, and many services and utilities. This paper evaluates alternative ways to price discriminate while accounting for both revenues and tariff management costs. The revenue-maximizing menu of quantity-price bundles can be very (or infinitely) large and hence not practical. Instead, two-part tariffs (2PTs), which charge a fixed entry fee and a per-unit fee, can extract a large fraction of the optimal revenue with a small menu of choices, and they become more attractive once the costs of tariff management are factored in. We show that three-part tariffs (3PTs), which use an additional instrument, the “free allowance,” are an even more efficient way to price discriminate. A relatively small menu of 3PTs can be more profitable than a menu of 2PTs of any size. This 3PT menu can be designed with less information about consumer preferences relative to the menu of two-part tariffs, which, in order to segment customers optimally, needs fine-grained information about preferences. Our analysis reveals a counterintuitive insight that more-complex tariffs need not always be more profitable; it matters whether the complexity is from many choices or more pricing instruments.
Can Brand Extension Signal Product Quality?
Authors: Moorthy Sridhar
Published: July 2012

This paper asks whether brand extension can serve as a signal of product quality given that it costs less than a new brand. (Existing literature has assumed either that brand extension is cost-neutral or that it costs more.) I show that it can as a perfect Bayesian equilibrium, but the argument is unconvincing. For one thing, the separating equilibrium is not unique; a pooling equilibrium also exists in which brand extension signals nothing. For another, the separating equilibrium relies on off-equilibrium beliefs that are poorly motivated in the model. I propose a refinement of the perfect Bayesian equilibrium that resolves both issues. Empirical off-equilibrium beliefs require that consumers' off-equilibrium beliefs be justifiable on the basis of their prior beliefs and product performance observations. With empirical off-equilibrium beliefs, two necessary conditions for brand extension to signal product quality are identified: (i) consumers must perceive old and new products of the firm to be positively correlated in quality, and (ii) at least some consumers must identify with brands and not the firm behind the brands. Even with these conditions in place, the signaling argument is fragile: firm observability of past performance diminishes brand extension's signaling capability; an arbitrarily small probability of failure for good products eliminates it. My results suggest that, going forward, the case for brand extension must rest on foundations other than signaling product quality.
Avaliação da cristalização de mel utilizando parâmetros de cor e atividade de água
Authors: Kuroishi Alini Mari , Queiroz Marise Bonifácio , Almeida Mareci Mendes de , Quast Leda Battestin
Published: July 2012

O mel é um dos edulcorantes mais antigos utilizados pelo homem, sendo composto principalmente de monossacarídeos, como a glicose e a frutose, responsáveis em parte pela sua cristalização. A cristalização varia segundo diversos fatores, como a concentração de açúcares, o teor de água na sua composição natural, a procedência floral do néctar, o manuseio durante seu processamento, bem como as condições de estocagem. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da temperatura e da incorporação de cristais de mel na cristalização do mel utilizando como parâmetro de acompanhamento a cor, por meio da determinação do Índice de Brancura (IB) e variação da luminosidade (∆L*), e a atividade de água. Utilizou-se um delineamento experimental fatorial 2², tendo-se como variáveis o percentual de cristais de mel adicionado e a temperatura de armazenamento. Apenas as amostras armazenadas à temperatura de 11 e 21 °C cristalizaram, sendo mais evidente a cristalização da amostra armazenada em 11 °C, que foi adicionada de 5% de cristais de mel. O aumento da atividade de água e o aumento no Índice de Brancura (IB), assim como o ∆L*, foram correlacionados com a cristalização das amostras. A maior variação obtida para os valores de ∆L* encontram-se na região de temperatura de armazenamento de 11 °C, na qual as amostras cristalizaram mais rapidamente.