bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of OCT2 and MATE1 in renal disposition and toxicity of nitidine chloride
Authors: Li L P , Song F F , Weng Y Y , Yang X , Wang K , Lei H M , Ma J , Zhou H , Jiang H D
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose

Nitidine chloride (NC), a benzophenanthridine alkaloid, has various biological properties including anticancer and analgesic activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) and multidrug and toxin extrusion 1 (MATE1) in the renal disposition and nephrotoxicity of NC.

Experimental Approach

MDCK cells stably expressing human OCT2 and/or hMATE1 were used to investigate the OCT2‐ and MATE1‐mediated transport of NC. In addition, the accumulation of NC and its potential toxicity were studied in rat primary‐cultured proximal tubular (rPCPT) cells and in rats in vivo.

Key Results

NC was found to be a high‐affinity substrate of both OCT2 and MATE1 with high cytotoxicity in MDCK‐hOCT2/hMATE1 and MDCK‐hOCT2 compared to mock cells. The OCT2 inhibitors, cimetidine and (+)‐tetrahydropalmatine ((+)‐THP), significantly reduced NC accumulation and cytotoxicity in MDCK‐hOCT2, MDCK‐hOCT2/hMATE1 and rPCPT cells. Severe kidney damage with high levels of blood urea nitrogen and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reduced levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and pathological changes were found in rats after 20 days of successive i.v. doses of NC (5 mg·kg−1·day−1). Concomitantly, the concentration of NC in the kidney reached similar high levels at 2 h after the last dose of the 20 day treatment as those observed at 0.5 h after a single i.v. dose of 5 mg·kg−1.

Conclusions and Implications

Our data indicate that NC‐induced nephrotoxicity might be mainly attributed to OCT2‐mediated extensive renal uptake and weak tubular secretion by MATE1.
Magel2‐null mice are hyper‐responsive to setmelanotide, a melanocortin 4 receptor agonist
Authors: Bischof Jocelyn M , Van Der Ploeg Lex H T , Colmers William F , Wevrick Rachel
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose

α‐ and β‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormones (MSH) are derived from pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) and are the natural agonist ligands of the melanocortin 4 receptor, a key regulator of energy homeostasis. Recent rodent and human data have implicated the MAGEL2 gene, which may regulate activation of POMC neurons, as a significant contributor to the metabolic symptoms observed in Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS). Firstly, patients with protein truncating mutations in MAGEL2 exhibit numerous clinical characteristics of PWS. Secondly, Magel2‐null mice may not normally activate MC4 receptors, as they are defective in the activation of their POMC neurons and hence may fail to normally release the POMC‐derived MC4 receptor agonist ligands α‐ and β‐MSH. Magel2‐null mice represent a tractable animal model for the metabolic and appetitive imbalance seen in patients with PWS.

Experimental Approach

We tested a dose titration of the MC4 receptor agonist setmelanotide, in development for rare monogenic forms of obesity, in Magel2‐null mice.

Key Results

We show that Magel2‐null mice are hypersensitive to the appetite suppressing and metabolic effects of setmelanotide.

Conclusion and Implications

Setmelanotide may be a useful investigational hormone/neuropeptide replacement therapy for PWS and rare monogenic forms of obesity exhibiting impaired function of POMC neurons.
Logical design of an anti‐cancer agent targeting the plant homeodomain in Pygopus2
Authors: Ali Ferdausi , Yamaguchi Keiichi , Fukuoka Mayuko , Elhelaly Abdelazim Elsayed , Kuwata Kazuo
Published: June 2016

Pygopus2 (Pygo2) is a component of the Wnt signaling pathway, which is required for β‐catenin mediated transcription. Plant homeodomain (PHD) finger in Pygo2 intercalates the methylated histone 3 (H3K4me) tail and HD1 domain of BCL9 that binds to β‐catenin. Thus, PHD finger may be a potential target for the logical design of an anti‐cancer drug. Here, we found that Spiro[2H‐naphthol[1,2‐b]pyran‐2,4′‐piperidine]‐1′ethanol,3,4‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐α‐(6‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)) termed JBC117 interacts with D339, A348, R356, V376 and A378 in PHD corresponding to the binding sites with H3K4me and/or HD1, and has strong anti‐cancer effects. For colon (HCT116) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines, IC50 values were 2.6 ± 0.16 and 3.3 ± 0.14 μM, respectively, while 33.80 ± 0.15 μM for the normal human fibroblast cells. JBC117 potently antagonized the cellular effects of β‐catenin‐dependent activity and also inhibited the migration and invasion of cancer cells. In vivo studies showed that the survival time of mice was significantly prolonged by the subcutaneous injection of JBC117 (10 mg/kg/day). In conclusion, JBC117 is a novel anti‐cancer lead compound targeting the PHD finger of Pygo2 and has a therapeutic effect against colon and lung cancer.
Treatment with rhDNase in patients with cystic fibrosis alters in-vitro CHIT-1 activity of isolated leucocytes
Authors: Weckmann M , Schultheiss C , Hollaender A , Bobis I , Rupp J , Kopp M V
Published: June 2016

Recent data suggest a possible relationship between cystic fibrosis (CF) pharmacotherapy, Aspergillus fumigatus colonization (AC) and/or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). The aim of this study was to determine if anti-fungal defence mechanisms are influenced by CF pharmacotherapy, i.e. if (1) neutrophils form CF and non-CF donors differ in their ability to produce chitotriosidase (CHIT-1); (2) if incubation of isolated neutrophils with azithromycin, salbutamol, prednisolone or rhDNase might influence the CHIT-1 activity; and (3) if NETosis and neutrophil killing efficiency is influenced by rhDNase. Neutrophils were isolated from the blood of CF patients (n = 19; mean age 26·8 years or healthy, non-CF donors (n = 20; 38·7 years) and stimulated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), azithromycin, salbutamol, prednisolone or rhDNase. CHIT-1 enzyme activity was measured with a fluorescent substrate. NETosis was induced by PMA and neutrophil killing efficiency was assessed by a hyphae recovery assay. Neutrophil CHIT-1 activity was comparable in the presence or absence of PMA stimulation in both CF and non-CF donors. PMA stimulation and preincubation with rhDNase increased CHIT-1 activity in culture supernatants from non-CF and CF donors. However, this increase was significant in non-CF donors but not in CF patients (P < 0·05). RhDNase reduced the number of NETs in PMA-stimulated neutrophils and decreased the killing efficiency of leucocytes in our in-vitro model. Azithromycin, salbutamol or prednisolone had no effect on CHIT-1 activity. Stimulation of isolated leucocytes with PMA and treatment with rhDNase interfered with anti-fungal defence mechanisms. However, the impact of our findings for treatment in CF patients needs to be proved in a clinical cohort.
Five challenges to reconcile agricultural land use and forest ecosystem services in Southeast Asia
Authors: Carrasco L.R. , Papworth S.K. , Reed J. , Symes W.S. , Ickowitz A. , Clements T. , Peh K.S.‐H. , Sunderland T.
Published: June 2016

Southeast Asia possesses the highest rates of tropical deforestation globally and exceptional levels of species richness and endemism. Many countries in the region are also recognized for their food insecurity and poverty, making the reconciliation of agricultural production and forest conservation a particular priority. This reconciliation requires recognition of the trade‐offs between competing land‐use values and the subsequent incorporation of this information into policy making. To date, such reconciliation has been relatively unsuccessful across much of Southeast Asia. We propose an ecosystem services (ES) value‐internalization framework that identifies the key challenges to such reconciliation. These challenges include lack of accessible ES valuation techniques; limited knowledge of the links between forests, food security, and human well‐being; weak demand and political will for the integration of ES in economic activities and environmental regulation; a disconnect between decision makers and ES valuation; and lack of transparent discussion platforms where stakeholders can work toward consensus on negotiated land‐use management decisions. Key research priorities to overcome these challenges are developing easy‐to‐use ES valuation techniques; quantifying links between forests and well‐being that go beyond economic values; understanding factors that prevent the incorporation of ES into markets, regulations, and environmental certification schemes; understanding how to integrate ES valuation into policy making processes, and determining how to reduce corruption and power plays in land‐use planning processes.
STRATEGIC DISCLOSURE OF MEANINGFUL INFORMATION TO RIVAL
Authors: Yoon Young‐Ro
Published: June 2016

I study a model of strategic disclosure of a private signal to a rival in the presence of a payoff externality. In the model, two agents forecast the unknown true state of a future period. Specifically, the quality of the signal is also private information. Hence, which quality of signal is revealed for which incentive is the main question of interest. I show that, even when disclosure is costly, the revealing equilibrium, where an agent voluntarily reveals his signal, can exist and it should be a monotone equilibrium. Asymmetry between the penalty for an incorrect forecast and the reward for a correct forecast is a necessary condition for the existence of this revealing equilibrium. If the penalty is larger than the reward, the unique revealing equilibrium is a separating equilibrium, where only the low quality signal is disclosed in order to induce the rival's imitation. On the other hand, if the reward is much larger than the penalty, the unique revealing equilibrium is a pooling equilibrium, where the signal is always revealed in order to induce the rival's deviation. If the reward is not much larger than the penalty, no revealing equilibrium is robust to a costly disclosure. (JEL D81, D82)
The mechanical defence advantage of small seeds
Authors: Fricke Evan C. , Wright S. Joseph
Published: June 2016

Seed size and toughness affect seed predators, and size‐dependent investment in mechanical defence could affect relationships between seed size and predation. We tested how seed toughness and mechanical defence traits (tissue density and protective tissue content) are related to seed size among tropical forest species. Absolute toughness increased with seed size. However, smaller seeds had higher specific toughness both within and among species, with the smallest seeds requiring over 2000 times more energy per gram to break than the largest seeds. Investment in mechanical defence traits varied widely but independently of the toughness‐mass allometry. Instead, a physical scaling relationship confers a toughness advantage on small seeds independent of selection on defence traits and without a direct cost. This scaling relationship may contribute to seed size diversity by decreasing fitness differences among large and small seeds. Allometric scaling of toughness reconciles predictions and conflicting empirical relationships between seed size and predation.
Hybrid Microwave Sintering of Infrared Transparent Nano‐Y3Al5O12 Synthesized by a Modified Combustion Technique
Authors: Christopher Mathew , Solomon Sam , Koshy Jacob , Thomas Jijimon
Published: June 2016

Infrared transparent ceramics found to have numerous civilian and defense applications. In the present work, Y3Al5O12 nanoparticles were synthesized by an auto‐igniting modified single‐step combustion method. The structure and morphology of the as‐prepared powder revealed the phase purity and ultrafine nature of the powder having an average crystallite size of 16 nm and well‐defined lattice planes. Coupling of the resistive and microwave heating at precise proportion leads to a sintered density of the powder with 99.3% of the theoretical density at a temperature as low as 1470°C for a soaking duration of just 20 min. Marked reduction in grain size and the porosity was also observed for the hybrid sintered pellets. An average grain size of 167 nm was measured for the sintered pellets, which also showed a high transmittance of 80% in the UV–vis region and 82.5% in the mid‐IR region.
Educational attainment moderates the associations of diabetes education with health outcomes
Authors: Kim Su Hyun
Published: June 2016

Diabetes education is a critical element of care for people with diabetes. However, the associations between diabetes education and self‐care or health outcomes have not been clearly demonstrated at a national level. The aims of this study were to examine the associations of attendance of diabetes education classes with health behaviours and glycaemic control, and to understand whether these associations were moderated by level of educational attainment. Data were analysed for 456 adults from the 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V, collected from January 2010 to December 2012. No significant differences were observed between patients who had attended diabetes education classes and those who had never attended for factors such as smoking, drinking, exercise, nutrition therapy or glycaemic control. There was a significant interaction effect between receiving diabetes education and level of educational attainment on obtaining optimal glycaemic control. Attending diabetes education was positively associated with optimal glycaemic control among patients with more than a high school education but was negatively associated with it among those with less than middle school education. Diabetes education programmes need to be tailored to the needs and cognitive capacities of the target population.
Efficiency evaluation of sustainable water management using the HF‐TODIM method
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Xu Zeshui
Published: June 2016

With the development of rapid industrialization, urbanization, and modernization, water resources have been facing a series of increasingly severe problems in China, especially in urban areas. However, the absence of an effective, scientific evaluation method may lead to a lack of awareness of sustainable water usage. Thus, this paper focuses on performance analysis for regional sustainable water use in China. First, the sustainable water management (SWM) efficiency is defined, and then, six indicators are selected to construct an evaluation index system. Given that experts are usually not completely rational in practice, we need to take the effect of the experts’ nonrationality into consideration when evaluating the SWM efficiency. In view of the indicators’ uncertainty and fuzziness, and the experts’ nonrationality, the hesitant fuzzy TODIM (HF‐TODIM; TODIM is an acronym in Portuguese for interactive multicriteria decision making) method, which can capture the influence of the experts’ psychological factors on the evaluation results, is used to evaluate the SWM efficiency. Furthermore, the assessment method is applied to some sample regions in Tuojiang River Basin. Based on the calculated results, some findings and implications for the SWM efficiency in the sample regions are analyzed. Finally, the applied results using the proposed method are compared with the results derived using the HF‐TOPSIS (hesitant fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution in hesitant fuzzy environment) method. Through the comparative analysis, we conclude that the HF‐TOPSIS method does not take the experts’ psychological factors into consideration, but the HF‐TODIM method can avoid this issue and is very useful for the evaluation of the regional SWM efficiency.
Effect of Therapeutic Ionizing Radiation on Implantable Electronic Devices: Systematic Review and Practical Guidance
Authors: TAJSTRA MATEUSZ , GADULA‐GACEK ELZBIETA , BUCHTA PIOTR , BLAMEK SLAWOMIR , GASIOR MARIUSZ , KOSIUK JEDRZEJ
Published: June 2016

Systematic Review and Practical Guidance

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have been in use for over 50 years and their therapeutic value is undisputable. With the rapidly aging population, it is estimated that the number of CIEDs will grow dramatically over the next 2 decades. Given these predictions, the topic of management of concomitant conditions associated with older age becomes more relevant than ever. In particular, the number of patients with an implanted CIED diagnosed with cancer is expected to rise by about 70%, from 14 million in 2012 to 22 million within the next 2 decades. Treatment of most of these tumors and tumor metastases requires radiation therapy. However, the necessary high doses of radiation can potentially interact with the function, longevity, and integrity of the CIEDs and/or cause harm to the patient. The impact of an absence of clear therapeutic guidelines for oncology patients with CIEDs who should undergo radiation therapy is vast; and due to the fear of possible complications related to device failure, many of these patients may not be treated adequately to their needs, which can strongly affect their prognosis.

This article summarizes the available data on the management of patients with CIEDs undergoing radiotherapy. It systematically presents possible causes and consequences of direct and scattered radiation on CIEDs, highlights possible complications that may occur during this kind of treatment, and provides practical guidance for this challenging real life clinical setting.
Tidal amplitude and fish abundance in the mouth region of a small estuary
Authors: Becker A. , Whitfield A. K. , Cowley P. D. , Cole V. J. , Taylor M. D.
Published: June 2016

Using an acoustic underwater camera (Dual Frequency IDentification SONar, DIDSON), the abundance and direction of movement of fishes > 80 mm total length (LT) in the mouth of a small South African estuary during spring and neap tidal cycles were observed. While the sizes of fishes recorded were consistent across both tide cycles, the number of fishes passing the camera was significantly greater during the smaller neap tides. Schooling behaviour was more pronounced for fishes that were travelling into the estuary compared to fishes swimming towards the ocean.
A method for collecting eggs of Pseudocapillaria tomentosa (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from zebrafish Danio rerio and efficacy of heat and chlorine for killing the nematode's eggs
Authors: Martins M L , Watral V , Rodrigues‐Soares J P , Kent M L
Published: June 2016

Pseudocapillaria tomentosa is a common pathogen of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in research facilities. We developed a method to collect and concentrate the nematode eggs using a modified sugar centrifugation method and documented their normal development. Embryonating stages with blastomere formation followed by elongation of the embryo prior to larva formation cumulated in developed larvae inside the eggs and hatching after 5–10 day. We then evaluated the efficacy of heat and chlorine to kill them based on a larva development assay. Eggs were exposed to 40, 50, 60 °C for 30 min and 1 h. Chlorine treatment was performed at 100, 250, 500, 1000, 3000 and 6000 ppm for 10 min. Samples exposed to 40 °C for 30 min or 1 h showed incidences of larvated eggs similar to controls. In contrast, no larvation occurred with eggs exposed to either 50 or 60 °C for 30 min or 1 h. Remarkably, in repeated assays, samples exposed to low doses of chlorine (100, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm for 10 min) showed significantly higher incidence of larvation than controls. Eggs treated with 3000 ppm for 10 min did not develop larvae, and no eggs were found after 6000 ppm treatment.
Atlantic salmon infected with salmon lice are more susceptible to new lice infections
Authors: Ugelvik M S , Mo T , Mennerat A , Skorping A
Published: June 2016

Aggregation is commonly observed for macroparasites, but its adaptive value remains unclear. Heavy infestations intensities may lead to a decrease in some fitness‐related traits of parasites (e.g. parasite fecundity or survival). However, to a dioecious parasite, increased aggregation could also increase the chance of finding individuals of the opposite sex. In a laboratory experiment, we tested if previous experience with salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) affected susceptibility of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to later exposure to the same parasite species. We found that currently infected fish got higher intensities of new lice than naive fish. This suggests that hosts already carrying parasites are more susceptible to new lice infections. For this dioecious parasite, such positive density dependence might be adaptive, ensuring successful reproduction under conditions of low lice densities by increasing the probability of both sexes infecting the same host.
The accuracy of dietary recall of infant feeding and food allergen data
Authors: van Zyl Z. , Maslin K. , Dean T. , Blaauw R. , Venter C.
Published: June 2016

Background

Research investigating the association of infant dietary factors with later health outcomes often relies on maternal recall. It is unclear what the effect of recall bias is on the accuracy of the information obtained. The present study aimed to determine the extent of recall bias on the accuracy of infant feeding and food allergen data collected 10 years later.

Methods

Mothers were recruited from a prospective birth cohort from the Isle of Wight. When their child was 10 years of age (2011/2012), mothers were requested to complete a retrospective infant feeding questionnaire asking the same questions as those solicited in 2001/2002.

Results

In total, 125 mothers participated. There was substantial agreement for recollection of any breastfeeding (κ = 0.79) and the duration of breastfeeding from 10 years earlier (r = 0.84). Some 94% of mothers recalled accurately that their child had received formula milk. The exact age at which formula milk was first given was reliably answered (r = 0.63). The brand of formula milk was poorly recalled. Recall of age of introduction of solid food was not reliable (r = 0.16). The age of introduction of peanuts was the only food allergen that was recalled accurately (86%).

Conclusions

The present study highlights the importance of maternal recall bias of infant feeding practices over 10 years. Recall related to breastfeeding and formula feeding were reliable, whereas recalls related to age of introduction of solid or allergenic foods, apart from peanut, were not. Caution should be applied when interpreting studies relying on dietary recall.
Mutation analysis of GLDC, AMT and GCSH in cataract captive‐bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
Authors: Chauke Chesa G. , Magwebu Zandisiwe E. , Sharma Jyoti R. , Arieff Zainunisha , Seier Jürgen V.
Published: June 2016

Background

Non‐ketotic hyperglycinaemia (NKH) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of glycine metabolism characterized by accumulation of glycine in body fluids and various neurological symptoms.

Methods

This study describes the first screening of NKH in cataract captive‐bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops). Glycine dehydrogenase (GLDC), aminomethyltransferase (AMT) and glycine cleavage system H protein (GCSH) were prioritized.

Results

Mutation analysis of the complete coding sequence of GLDC and AMT revealed six novel single‐base substitutions, of which three were non‐synonymous missense and three were silent nucleotide changes.

Conclusion

Although deleterious effects of the three amino acid substitutions were not evaluated, one substitution of GLDC gene (S44R) could be disease‐causing because of its drastic amino acid change, affecting amino acids conserved in different primate species. This study confirms the diagnosis of NKH for the first time in vervet monkeys with cataracts.
Factors affecting difficult peripheral intravenous cannulation in adults: a prospective observational study
Authors: Piredda Michela , Biagioli Valentina , Barrella Beatrice , Carpisassi Ilaria , Ghinelli Roberta , Giannarelli Diana , De Marinis Maria Grazia
Published: June 2016

Aims and Objectives

This study aimed to identify risk factors for difficult intravenous cannulation in relation to characteristics of patients, healthcare providers and devices in adult patients accessing a radiology service.

Background

Early recognition of patients at risk for difficult peripheral intravenous catheterisation is important to adopt strategies able to increase the likelihood of success in intravenous cannulation, as well as to critically evaluate the use of alternative administration routes or venous devices.

Design

A prospective observational study was conducted in the radiology service of an Italian university hospital from January to August 2013.

Methods

Thirteen nurses observed 763 patients during intravenous insertion (53% were female, the mean age was 63 years and 65% had a diagnosis of cancer). For each patient, nurses collected data about potential predictors of difficult intravenous cannulation, which was defined as a procedure lasting more than one minute. Data included characteristics of patient, cannula required, venepuncture performed and operator(s) involved. Logistic regression was performed as univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

The intravenous insertion time ranged from 45 seconds to 125 minutes. Overall, variables identified as significant independent predictors were chemotherapy received via peripheral cannula (OR = 1·42), veins with many valves (OR = 3·67), fragility (OR = 3·29), visibility (OR = 0·87) and palpability (OR = 0·79) as perceived by nurses.

Conclusions

Although many risk factors were identified, the overall success rate was very high, suggesting that nurses’ attention during cannulation protected at‐risk patients from multiple attempts. Multicentre studies should further investigate risk factors across different radiology services and clinical settings.

Relevance to clinical practice

These results can help nurses to recognise risk factors for difficult intravenous access and pay appropriate attention when attempting a venepuncture to preserve patients’ peripheral veins.
Mismatched expectations? Experiences of nurses in a low‐income country working with visiting nurses from high‐income countries
Authors: Tjoflåt Ingrid , Melissa Theodotha John , Mduma Estomih , Hansen Britt Sætre , Søreide Eldar
Published: June 2016

Aim and objectives

To describe how nurses in a rural hospital in a low‐income country experience working with visiting nurses from high‐income countries.

Background

Nurses in low‐income countries work with visiting nurses from high‐income countries in various health projects. However, there is a paucity of studies examining how nurses in low‐income countries experience working with nurses from such different backgrounds.

Design

This study is descriptive, explorative and qualitative.

Methods

The data were collected from 10 semi‐structured interviews in 2015 and were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study was conducted with ward nurses in a rural hospital in Tanzania, a sub‐Saharan African country characterised as low‐income country.

Findings

The data analysis revealed two themes related to the local nurses’ experiences of working with visiting nurses from high‐income countries: (1) To do it our way and (2) Different expectations, benefits and limitations.

Conclusion

The findings strongly indicate that the local nurses expected foreign nurses to follow the local system and work under supervision. The local nurses appreciated opportunities to learn from working and sharing knowledge with foreign nurses, but simultaneously expressed that the gained knowledge should be adapted and implemented according to their local health system.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings can inform nurses, humanitarian organisations, hospitals and universities working in international collaborations.
Shopping Behavioral Intentions Contributed by Store Layout and Perceived Crowding: An Exploratory Study Using Computer Walk–Through Simulation
Authors: Alawadhi Ahmed , Yoon So–Yeon
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study is to understand the role of store layout in predicting shopping behaviors by influencing the perception of crowding. With today's growing popularity of online shopping, brick–and–mortar stores are faced with increased challenges to create positive shopping experiences and attract more customers to the store. The customer's shopping experience often starts with the environment's physical appearance and navigation. Crowding is one of the known factors contributing to how stores look and feel. Using 3D simulation technology capable of offering a realistic virtual experience, we tested the hypothesis—that the negative impact of crowding could be effectively controlled through physical space configuration—by exploring the role of store layout and human density on perceived crowding using a 2 × 2 between–subjects design with 60 college students. Two distinct store layouts and their effects on perceived crowding and approach intentions were investigated. In addition, we also considered the role of individual differences in crowding perception. The findings demonstrate the critical role of store layout in controlling retail crowding and shopping motivations, potentially contributing to store success. We found increased shopping intentions in the store environment with a linear and symmetrical configuration than with a curvilinear and asymmetrical one. Such tendency was found to be significantly greater for male customers. A significant mediating role for perceived crowding on the relationship between the effects of store layout on shopping intentions was also found. This confirms the critical effect of store layout on perceived crowding that indirectly, yet significantly, influences customers’ shopping behavioral intentions. No prior work in retail literature has examined retail crowding on the basis of an empirical manipulation of the environment. By using virtual walk–through simulation, this study joins a limited body of knowledge pertaining to the store environment and aims to expand our understanding of the distinct effects of retail environments on consumers’ experience and behavior.
Skin‐coloured papules and nodules in an infant
Authors: Dutta Abhijit , Ghosh Sudip Kumar
Published: June 2016

See Answer
A holistic approach to age estimation in refugee children
Authors: Sypek Scott A , Benson Jill , Spanner Kate A , Williams Jan L
Published: June 2016

Aim

Many refugee children arriving in Australia have an inaccurately documented date of birth (DOB). A medical assessment of a child's age is often requested when there is a concern that their documented DOB is incorrect. This study's aim was to assess the accuracy a holistic age assessment tool (AAT) in estimating the age of refugee children newly settled in Australia.

Methods

A holistic AAT that combines medical and non‐medical approaches was used to estimate the ages of 60 refugee children with a known DOB. The tool used four components to assess age: an oral narrative, developmental assessment, anthropometric measures and pubertal assessment. Assessors were blinded to the true age of the child. Correlation coefficients for the actual and estimated age were calculated for the tool overall and individual components.

Results

The correlation coefficient between the actual and estimated age from the AAT was very strong at 0.9802 (boys 0.9748, girls 0.9876). The oral narrative component of the tool performed best (R = 0.9603). Overall, 86.7% of age estimates were within 1 year of the true age. The range of differences was −1.43 to 3.92 years with a standard deviation of 0.77 years (9.24 months).

Conclusions

The AAT is a holistic, simple and safe instrument that can be used to estimate age in refugee children with results comparable with radiological methods currently used.
Opportunistic adolescent health assessment in the child protection unit
Authors: Hawkrigg Sharon , Smith LeAnne , Johnson Alice , Kennedy Andrew , Payne Donald
Published: June 2016

Aim

Adolescent health assessments are recommended to identify health‐risk behaviours. Adolescents who experience maltreatment are more likely to engage in such behaviours. This study (i) describes the frequency of health‐risk behaviours amongst adolescents attending a hospital‐based child protection unit (CPU) and (ii) determines whether use of a health assessment questionnaire increases the identification of these behaviours.

Methods

A retrospective audit was performed of case notes of adolescents (aged ≥ 12 years) presenting to the CPU over 5 years (2007–2011). Data regarding health‐risk behaviours were extracted. In 2012, following the introduction of a standardised HEADSS‐based four‐page questionnaire, health‐risk data were collected prospectively over 18 months. The proportion of subjects reporting health‐risk behaviours, before and after questionnaire introduction, was analysed.

Results

Two hundred fifty‐eight subjects, median age 13 (range 12–18) years, 78% female, were included in the pre‐questionnaire period; and 85 subjects, median age 14 (range 12–17) years, 86% female, were included following introduction of the questionnaire. Questionnaire use was associated with an increase in the frequency of health‐risk behaviours identified in the following domains: Education (odds ratio 4.48 [confidence interval 2.56–7.96] P < 0.001), Activities (16.18 [6.70–42.74] P < 0.001), Drugs/alcohol (4.00 [2.23–7.16] P < 0.001) and Suicidality (8.27 [4.59–14.92] P < 0.001). Participants reported higher rates of health‐risk behaviours than the national population.

Conclusion

Adolescents attending a hospital‐based CPU report high rates of health‐risk behaviours. A standardised questionnaire results in increased identification of such behaviours.
Patient response to sleep apnea screening in a dental practice
Authors: Dillow Kristin , Essick Gregory , Sanders Anne , Sheats Rose , Brame Jennifer
Published: June 2016

Objective

This study investigated patient response to a recommendation for physician evaluation following screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a dental practice.

Methods

In a community‐based dental practice in Raleigh, North Carolina, 119 patients were recruited by nonprobability purposive sampling and administered both a validated subjective (STOP questionnaire) and objective (pulse oximeter) screening instrument for OSA. Patients who screened high‐risk for OSA on either instrument were recommended to consult their physician within three months. All patients were contacted via telephone after three months to determine if they had consulted a physician regarding their screening results. Multivariate log‐binomial models estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95 percent confidence limits (95% CL) for physician consultation according to OSA risk, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Overall, 18.5 percent of patients screened high‐risk on the STOP questionnaire alone, 26.1 percent on pulse oximetry alone, and 31.9 percent on both instruments. Follow‐up of 111 subjects (93.3%) found that 40 (47.1%) of those high‐risk for OSA on one or both instruments sought physician evaluation. Patients who screened high‐risk on pulse oximetry were 2.55 times as likely to seek physician evaluation compared with those who screened low‐risk on both instruments (PR = 2.55, 95% CL: 1.02, 6.37). Screening high‐risk on the STOP questionnaire did not significantly increase the likelihood of physician evaluation.

Conclusions

Nearly, half of dental patients who screen high‐risk for OSA may be responsive to a recommendation to seek physician evaluation.
Synergistic analgesic effect of propofol–alfentanil combination through detecting the inhibition of cAMP signal pathway
Authors: Cao Shanshan , Li Yuwen , Wang Lu , Cui Jia , Jia Na , Li Ruili , Zhao Chao , Wang Chao , Wu Yin , Wen Aidong
Published: June 2016

Objective

The study aims to investigate the possible mechanism of the synergistic analgesic effect of propofol–alfentanil combination.

Methods

The synergistic analgesic effects of propofol–alfentanil combination in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were analysed through the von Frey test. Then, we examined the activity of phospholipase C (PLC) and the intracellular levels of Ca2+ and adenosine 3′, 5′cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) in primary neuronal cells of fetal SD rats. We detected the intracellular Ca2+ concentration by fluorescence and flow cytometry. The PLC activity of the primary neuronal cells was assayed using the EnzChek® Direct Phospholipase C Assay Kit. The cAMP content of the cells was assayed using the cAMP Direct Immunoassay Kit (Fluorometric).

Key findings

Both propofol and alfentanil treatments depressed cAMP levels and PLC activity, but propofol–alfentanil combination decreased these parameters to a greater extent than alfentanil treatment alone. Propofol and alfentanil both inhibited Ca2+ channel, but propofol–alfentanil combination suppressed this channel to a greater extent than alfentanil treatment alone. Fluorescent image analysis revealed that both propofol and alfentanil reduced the intracellular levels of Ca2+, and propofol–alfentanil combination showed weaker signals than alfentanil alone. Propofol–alfentanil combination significantly reduced intracellular Ca2+ level, cAMP level and PLC activity.

Conclusion

Propofol and alfentanil exert synergistic analgesic effects through the adenylyl cyclase pathway.
Effects of Feeding Frequency on Apparent Energy and Nutrient Digestibility/Availability of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Reared at Optimal and Suboptimal Temperatures
Authors: Li Menghe H. , Lucas Penelope M.
Published: June 2016

This study examined the effects of feeding frequency (daily versus every other day [EOD]) on nutrient digestibility/availability of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, reared at optimal (30 C) and suboptimal (24 C) temperatures. A 28% protein practical diet was used as the test diet, and chromic oxide was used at 0.75% of the diet as a maker. Twenty channel catfish of a mean weight of 141 g/fish were stocked into 12 flow‐through aquaria (110 L). Fish were fed daily or EOD to apparent satiation for 7 d before fecal samples were collected by the dissection method. Fish fed EOD to apparent satiation consumed more diet on days fed than those fed daily, and fish reared at 30 C consumed more diet than those reared at 24 C. Neither feeding frequency nor water temperature significantly affected apparent digestibility coefficients for energy and protein and apparent availability coefficients for total amino acids. Results show no advantage by feeding EOD over feeding daily on nutrient digestibility and diet utilization efficiency.
Promoting the menstrual health of adolescent girls in China
Authors: Su Jing Jing , Lindell Deborah
Published: June 2016

In China, nurses have limited presence in schools, thus, adolescent girls often lack accurate information about menstrual health, which may lead to incorrect and unhealthy menstrual‐related behavior. This study investigated the effects of a culturally and developmentally tailored nursing intervention on the menstrual health of adolescent girls in China. Following institutional review board approval, adolescent girls aged 12–15 were recruited from two schools. A quasi‐experimental, pretest‐posttest design examined the effects of five interactive education sessions on menstrual health. The final sample included 116 adolescent girls. Significant improvement was observed in the intervention group regarding menstrual knowledge, confidence in performing menstrual healthcare behavior, and dysmenorrhea related self‐care behavior. A nurse‐managed education program improved adolescent girls' menstrual knowledge, promoted a more positive attitude, encouraged confidence, and improved pain relief practice. We recommend that professional nurses globally advocate for school nursing and routine menstrual health education for adolescent girls.
An IV Test for a Unit Root in Generally Trending and Correlated Panels
Authors: Westerlund Joakim
Published: June 2016

This paper proposes an IV‐based panel unit root test that is general enough to accommodate general error serial and cross‐section dependence, and a potentially nonlinear deterministic trend function. These allowances make the new test one of the most general around. It is also very simple to implement. Indeed, the IV statistic is asymptotically invariant to not only to all nuisance parameters characterizing the dependence of the errors and the true trend function, but also the deterministic specification of the fitted test regression.
Bullous Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma Masquerading as Aplasia Cutis Congenita
Authors: Steen Aaron J. , Shin Joseph H. , Pace Nicole C. , Edgar Mark , Clay Michael R. , Linos Konstantinos , Barton Dorothea T. , Mann Julianne A.
Published: June 2016

We present the case of a male infant with violaceous bullae on the scalp that were initially thought to be bullous aplasia cutis but at 3 months of age were diagnosed as a kaposiform hemangioendothelioma. This diagnosis should be considered when evaluating newborns with bullous plaques on the scalp that do not heal in the first 2–3 weeks of life. Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare vascular tumor that typically presents as a violaceous to purpuric plaque at birth or early infancy. It may be associated with Kasabach‐Merritt phenomenon (KMP), a potentially life‐threatening consumptive coagulopathy.
A Case of Blau Syndrome with NOD2 E383K Mutation
Authors: Harada Jun , Nakajima Takeshi , Kanazawa Nobuo
Published: June 2016

We report a 3.5‐year‐old Japanese boy who developed lichenoid papules and erythema with noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas with a scant lymphocytic infiltrate histologically on his limbs at the age of 8 months. Genetic analysis of the patient and his parents, who had no medical past history, revealed heterozygous 1147G>A (E383K) mutation of NOD2 in the patient and in his father, so the patient was diagnosed with Blau syndrome and his father as an asymptomatic carrier. Although Blau syndrome has been reported as a genetic disease with high penetrance, asymptomatic carrier cases of a family with the same E383K mutation have also been reported. These results suggest that some contributing factors are required for the development of inflammatory and granulomatous responses in heterozygous carriers of a NOD2 E383K mutation.
Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum in a child with atrial tachycardia
Authors: Tutar Ercan , Çiftçi Ömer , Fitoz Suat , Kendirli Tanıl , Ödek Çağlar , Uçar Tayfun , Kansu Aydan
Published: June 2016

A 13‐year‐old girl who had been on home parenteral nutrition for 6 months has been presented with multifocal atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. Echocardiography and multislice computed tomography showed fat accumulation on the interatrial septum. Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum has never been reported in children.
Severe hypoglycemic encephalopathy due to hypoallergenic formula in an infant
Authors: Ogawa Erika , Ishige Mika , Takahashi Yuno , Kodama Hiroko , Fuchigami Tatsuo , Takahashi Shori
Published: June 2016

A 7‐month‐old girl was brought to hospital due to vomiting. Upon admission, she was in a convulsive state and stupor with extremely low blood glucose. Head computed tomography showed brain edema, and comprehensive treatment for acute encephalopathy was initiated immediately. Severe hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, elevation of ammonia and serum transaminases and creatine kinase suggested metabolic decompensation. Infusion of a high‐glucose solution containing vitamins, biotin, and l‐carnitine resolved the metabolic crisis quickly, but brain damage was irreversible. She was found to have been fed exclusively on a hypoallergenic formula (HF) for 7 months, although she was found later to be non‐allergic. Evidence of inborn metabolic diseases was absent, therefore biotin deficiency and carnitine deficiency were concluded to be a consequence of reliance on a HF for a prolonged period. Health‐care professionals should warn parents of the consequences of using HF.
Characterizing the Structure of Optimal Stopping Policies
Authors: Oh Sechan , Özer Özalp
Published: June 2016

This paper studies a stochastic model of optimal stopping processes, which arise frequently in operational problems (e.g., when a manager needs to determine an optimal epoch to stop a process). For such problems, we propose an effective method of characterizing the structure of the optimal stopping policy for the class of discrete‐time optimal stopping problems. Using this method, we also derive a set of metatheorems that can help identify when a threshold or control‐band type stopping policy is optimal. We show that our proposed method can determine the structure of the optimal policy for some stopping problems that conventional methods fail to do so. In some cases, our method also simplifies the analysis of some existing results. Moreover, the metatheorems we propose help identify sufficient conditions that yield simple optimal policies when such policies are not generally optimal. We demonstrate these benefits by applying our method to several optimal stopping problems frequently encountered in, for example, the operations, marketing, finance, and economics literatures. We note that with structural results, optimal‐stopping policies are easier to follow, describe, and compute and hence implement. They also help determine how a stopping policy should be adjusted in response to changes in the operational environment. In addition, as structural results are critical for the development of efficient algorithms to solve optimal stopping problems numerically, we hope that the method and results provided in the study will contribute to that effort.
Quality‐Speed Competition in Customer‐Intensive Services with Boundedly Rational Customers
Authors: Li Xin , Guo Pengfei , Lian Zhaotong
Published: June 2016

We consider a system in which two competing servers provide customer‐intensive services and the service reward is affected by the length of service time. The customers are boundedly rational and choose their service providers according to a logit model. We demonstrate that the service provider revenue function is unimodal in the service rate, its decision variable, and show that the service rate competition has a unique and stable equilibrium. We then study the price decision under three scenarios with the price determined by a revenue‐maximizing firm, a welfare‐maximizing social planner, or two servers in competition. We find that the socially optimal price, subject to the requirement that the customer actual utility must be non‐negative, is always lower than the competition equilibrium price which, in turn, is lower than the revenue‐maximizing monopoly price. However, if the customer actual utility is allowed to be negative in social optimization, the socially optimal price can be higher than the other two prices in a large market.