bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program: Potential Unintended Consequences for Hospitals Serving Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Gu Qian , Koenig Lane , Faerberg Jennifer , Steinberg Caroline Rossi , Vaz Christopher , Wheatley Mary P.
Published: January 2014

Objective

To explore the impact of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) on hospitals serving vulnerable populations.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Medicare inpatient claims to calculate condition‐specific readmission rates. Medicare cost reports and other sources to determine a hospital's share of duals, profit margin, and characteristics.

Study Design

Regression analyses and projections were used to estimate risk‐adjusted readmission rates and financial penalties under the HRRP. Findings were compared across groups of hospitals, determined based on their share of duals, to assess differential impacts of the HRRP.

Principal Findings

Both patient dual‐eligible status and a hospital's dual‐eligible share of Medicare discharges have a positive impact on risk‐adjusted hospital readmission rates. Under current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service methodology, which does not adjust for socioeconomic status, high‐dual hospitals are more likely to have excess readmissions than low‐dual hospitals. As a result, HRRP penalties will disproportionately fall on high‐dual hospitals, which are more likely to have negative all‐payer margins, raising concerns of unintended consequences of the program for vulnerable populations.

Conclusions

Policies to reduce hospital readmissions must balance the need to ensure continued access to quality care for vulnerable populations.
Soluble CD25 in serum: a potential marker for subclinical macrophage activation syndrome in patients with active systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Reddy Vishnu V. , Myles Arpita , Cheekatla Satyanaryan S. , Singh Sushma , Aggarwal Amita
Published: January 2014

Objective

Laboratory and immunological abnormalities seen in overt macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) may be observed in patients with untreated new onset systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA). We investigated the prevalence of clinical and traditional laboratory markers of MAS as well as soluble CD163 and soluble interleukin (IL)‐2Rα (CD25) in active SoJIA patients.

Methods

Thirty‐three consecutive patients with active SoJIA (International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria), 11 patients with active polyarticular JIA (polyJIA) (disease control) and two patients with MAS with SoJIA were included in the study. Clinical data, complete blood count, coagulation profile, biochemical tests were performed. Soluble CD25 and soluble CD163 levels were estimated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Of the 33 active SoJIA patients, 22 were male, the mean age at onset of disease was 6.77 ± 4.48 years and the duration of disease was 4.39 ± 4.6 years. Of the 11 polyJIA patients seven were boys. None of the SoJIA patient had clinical features of MAS. Fibrinogen < 2.5 g/L was present in 14/33 patients with SoJIA but in only 1/11 in polyJIA. Both patients with MAS had thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and reduced fibrinogen levels. sCD25 > 7500 pg/mL seen in MAS was present in eight patients with active SoJIA. Among these eight patients, four had multiple laboratory abnormalities suggestive of MAS. Indeed, one of the patients had past history of MAS. Elevated sCD63 (> 1800 ng/mL) was seen in four patients with SoJIA.

Conclusion

Laboratory abnormalities associated with MAS are not uncommon in active SoJIA. Soluble CD25 > 7500 pg/mL may be a marker to detect children with subclinical MAS.
Denunciation and the construction of norms in group conflict: Examples from an Al‐Qaeda‐supporting group
Authors: Finlay W. M. L.
Published: January 2014

In situations of violent group conflict, group members often argue about how to deal with the outgroup. While some argue for aggression, force, and separation, others argue for negotiation and cooperation. Each side attempts to persuade the group that their own position is normative and is most in line with the interests and essence of the group. These arguments often involve denunciations of opponents as disloyal or deviant. In such situations, definitions of group identities and norms, and what counts as loyalty and deviance, are therefore disputed. This article analyses how a UK‐based Al‐Qaeda‐supporting organization denounces ‘moderate’ Muslims in the United Kingdom who engage with secular institutions and who ally themselves with non‐Muslims in political disputes. Drawing on theological, historical, and political arguments, a prescriptive norm is constructed whereby the correct behaviour of Muslims in the West is to avoid participation in secular political systems and to avoid political cooperation with non‐Muslims. Muslims who are seen as breaking these norms are denounced and denigrated in a variety of ways by assigning them a range of deviant identity positions. Denunciations involve explanatory accounts which construct opponents as unworthy representatives of the group based on their deviation from Islam, or from ignorance, cowardice, mental weakness, or self‐interest. This article illustrates that the practice of denunciation is an important aspect of the organization of group conflict. Finally, it argues that it is dangerous for social psychologists to treat group norms and prototypes as consensual.
Construal level as a moderator of the role of affective and cognitive attitudes in the prediction of health‐risk behavioural intentions
Authors: Carrera Pilar , Caballero Amparo , Muñoz Dolores , González‐Iraizoz Marta , Fernández Itziar
Published: January 2014

In two preliminary control checks it was shown that affective attitudes presented greater abstraction than cognitive attitudes. Three further studies explored how construal level moderated the role of affective and cognitive attitudes in predicting one health‐promoting behaviour (exercising) and two risk behaviours (sleep debt and binge drinking). There was a stronger influence of affective attitudes both when participants were in abstract (vs. concrete) mindsets induced by a priming task in Studies 1a and 1b, and when behavioural intentions were formed for the distant (vs. near) future in Study 2. In the case of concrete mindsets, the results were inconclusive; the interaction between construal level and cognitive attitudes was only marginally significant in Study 1b. The present research supports the assertion that in abstract mindsets (vs. concrete mindsets) people use more affective attitudes to construe their behavioural intentions. Practical implications for health promotion are discussed in the framework of construal‐level theory.
Biological sex themed section: Incorporating the female dimension into cardiovascular pharmacology
Authors: McDermott Barbara J , Gray Gillian A
Published: January 2014

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on ‘Biological Sex and Cardiovascular Pharmacology’.

To view the other articles in this section, see Fazal et al. (2013) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12279, Franconi and Campesi (2013) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12362, Mair et al. (2013) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12281, Ostadal and Ostadal (2013): DOI: 10.1111/bph.12270.

Previous linked articles are: Bubb et al. (2012) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.02036.x, Chan et al. (2012) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.02012.x, Fattore and Fratta (2010) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2010.00776.x, Kittikulsuth et al. (2013) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.01922.x, Nilsson et al. (2011) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01235.x, Thangavel et al. (2013) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.02222.x, Varro and Baczko (2011) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01367.x.
Synthesis of New Lipoic Acid Conjugates and Evaluation of Their Free Radical Scavenging and Neuroprotective Activities
Authors: Bolognesi Maria Laura , Bergamini Christian , Fato Romana , Oiry Joël , Vasseur Jean‐Jacques , Smietana Michael
Published: January 2014

A series of new lipoic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized as multitarget ligands against Alzheimer's disease. In particular, analogues combining both lipoic acid and cysteine core structures were synthesized. The antioxidant properties of these compounds were evaluated by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS•+) radical cation scavenging assays and ferrous ion chelation. The antioxidant potential of the synthesized compounds was also evaluated in a cellular context and compared to α‐lipoic acid and its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid. The antioxidant effects observed for these compounds in vitro confirmed the importance of free thiol functions for effective antioxidant capacities. However, these promising in vitro results were not mirrored by the antioxidant activity in T67 cell line. This suggests that multiple factors are at stake and warrant further investigations.
Serum cytokine and chemokine profiles in patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Uzawa A , Kawaguchi N , Himuro K , Kanai T , Kuwabara S
Published: January 2014

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory disease of the neuromuscular junction. Previous studies of animal MG models have suggested important roles of cytokines in MG pathogenesis, but adequate studies on cytokines in human MG are lacking. Using a multiplex suspension array system, we measured the serum levels of 27 cytokines/chemokines in 47 anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive patients with MG and 20 normal controls (NC) to investigate the contribution of cytokines/chemokines toward MG pathogenesis. Correlations between clinical parameters and cytokine/chemokine levels in patients with MG were also examined. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-15 (mean ± standard deviation: 6·85 ± 6·97 pg/ml) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (96·21 ± 71·60 pg/ml) significantly increased, whereas IL-4 levels (3·57 ± 0·86 pg/ml) decreased in patients with MG compared with NC (IL-15: 4·42 ± 1·55 pg/ml; VEGF: 63·51 ± 32·95 pg/ml; IL-4: 4·15 ± 0·81 pg/ml, P < 0·05). In addition, eight cytokines (IL-4, IL-8, IL-15, eotaxin, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, VEGF and IL-1b) were significantly changed among MG patients with thymoma, MG patients without thymoma and NC (P < 0·05). Some cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-15, and VEGF, may play roles in the pathogenesis of MG.
Epicardium is required for sarcomeric maturation and cardiomyocyte growth in the ventricular compact layer mediated by transforming growth factor β and fibroblast growth factor before the onset of coronary circulation
Authors: Takahashi Makiko , Yamagishi Toshiyuki , Narematsu Mayu , Kamimura Tatsuya , Kai Masatake , Nakajima Yuji
Published: January 2014

The epicardium, which is derived from the proepicardial organ (PE) as the third epithelial layer of the developing heart, is crucial for ventricular morphogenesis. An epicardial deficiency leads to a thin compact layer for the developing ventricle; however, the mechanisms leading to the impaired development of the compact layer are not well understood. Using chick embryonic hearts, we produced epicardium‐deficient hearts by surgical ablation or blockade of the migration of PE and examined the mechanisms underlying a thin compact myocardium. Sarcomeric maturation (distance between Z‐lines) and cardiomyocyte growth (size) were affected in the thin compact myocardium of epicardium‐deficient ventricles, in which the amounts of phospho‐smad2 and phospho‐ERK as well as expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)β2 and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)2 were reduced. TGFβ and FGF were required for the maturation of sarcomeres and growth of cardiomyocytes in cultured ventricles. In ovo co‐transfection of dominant negative (dN)‐Alk5 (dN‐TGFβ receptor I) and dN‐FGF receptor 1 to ventricles caused a thin compact myocardium. Our results suggest that immature sarcomeres and small cardiomyocytes are the causative architectures of an epicardium‐deficient thin compact layer and also that epicardium‐dependent signaling mediated by TGFβ and FGF plays a role in the development of the ventricular compact layer before the onset of coronary circulation.
Children's Media‐referenced Games: The Lived Culture of Consumer Texts on a School Playground
Authors: Willett Rebekah
Published: January 2014

This article analyses empirical data including observations, videos and interviews from an ethnographic study of a multilingual, multiethnic school playground in London, UK. The analysis examines social uses of media references in playground games, drawing on literature in the field of consumer culture. The main argument is that children's consumer culture is constituted on the playground within media‐referenced play through a combination of creating distinctions and building affiliations. The article addresses a gap in the literature in the fields of sociology and anthropology of consumer culture which largely construct children's consumer culture as exceptional to or derived from adult consumer culture.
Submaximal adenosine‐induced coronary hyperaemia with 12 h caffeine abstinence: implications for clinical adenosine perfusion imaging tests
Authors: Carlsson Marcus , Jögi Jonas , Markenroth Bloch Karin , Hedén Bo , Ekelund Ulf , Ståhlberg Freddy , Arheden Håkan
Published: January 2014

Background

Adenosine is widely used as a vasodilator agent in myocardial perfusion imaging. Caffeine inhibits the effect, but the time of caffeine abstinence needed is under discussion and varies from 12 to 24 h. Therefore, our aim was to examine whether the time of caffeine abstinence affects the hyperaemic response using quantification of coronary sinus flow (CSF) with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) during adenosine infusion.

Methods

Healthy individuals (n = 16, eight females, age 41 ± 3 years) underwent two CMR examinations with 12 and 24 h of caffeine abstinence. CSF was quantified with phase‐contrast velocity mapping (PC‐)CMR during adenosine infusion (140 μg kg−1 min−1) and rest and the CSF reserve between adenosine and rest was calculated. Myocardial perfusion (MP) was calculated as CSF × heart rate/left ventricular mass. Cardiac output (CO) was quantified using PC‐CMR of the ascending aorta.

Results

The CSF reserve was lower after 12 h abstinence compared to 24 h (4·31 ± 0·57 versus 5·32 ± 0·76, P = 0·03). In six of 16 subjects (38%), CSF reserve was >30% higher with longer caffeine abstinence. MP during adenosine was lower after 12 h compared to 24 h caffeine abstinence (3·59 ± 0·37 versus 4·23 ± 0·28 ml min−1g−1; P = 0·046). The increase in CO during adenosine between the two occasions did not differ (55 ± 7% and 55 ± 6%, P = 0·11). Interobserver variability for CSF/heartbeat was −0·05 ± 1·00 ml.

Conclusions

Hyperaemia during adenosine is lower in some patients with 12 h of caffeine abstinence compared to 24 h. Longer caffeine abstinence, that is 24 h, is of value before pharmacological stress testing as the individual response is not known and the individual variation is large.
Twenty‐four hour variation in heart rate variability indices derived from fractional differintegration
Authors: Lewis Michael J. , McNarry Melitta A.
Published: January 2014

Assuming that RR time‐series behave as a fractionally differintegrated Gaussian process, García‐González et al. (2003) recently proposed new indices for quantifying variability and structure in RR data. One of these was the ‘fractional noise quantifier’ (fnQ), measuring the departure of an RR time‐series from a monofractal structure (i.e. a measure of its multifractality). Sixty‐nine participants (aged = 34·5 ± 12·4 years, body mass index (BMI) = 23·9 ± 2·9 kg m−2, maximal oxygen uptake rate (O2peak) = 42·4 ± 10·9 ml min−1 kg−1, 39 males) provided continuous beat‐to‐beat ECG recordings for a 24‐h period. Fractional differintegration was used to quantify fnQ, and heart rate variability was calculated in the time domain. All variables were evaluated during consecutive 1‐h periods and also during four 6‐h blocks corresponding to morning, afternoon, evening and night periods. Apart from RR, circadian trends in all variables were independent of gender (P = 0·11–0·59). Apart from fnQ, all variables exhibited circadian variation (0·0005<P<0·012). Although fnQ was statistically uniform during the 24‐h period, it showed a trend towards elevated values during evening and night. The main finding of this study was that fnQ was elevated by around 10% during the evening and night, although this was not statistically significant. This suggests that the structure of RR time‐series in healthy individuals is most strongly ‘multifractal’ during evening and night periods. fnQ appears to be a plausible surrogate measure of multifractality in RR time‐series.
Participation and Commitment in Voluntary Coalitions to Provide Public Goods
Authors: Dannenberg Astrid , Lange Andreas , Sturm Bodo
Published: January 2014

This paper reports experimental evidence on the voluntary formation of coalitions to provide a public good. Participation and commitment in a coalition are either exogenously imposed or endogenously determined by the players themselves. We find larger voluntary participation rates when commitments in the coalition are endogenously determined using a minimum contribution rule rather than exogenously determined. However, due to a trade‐off between participation and commitment, coalitions with voluntary participation are less effective in facilitating cooperation compared to when all players are forced to participate. This paper therefore confirms the rather pessimistic conclusions from coalition formation theories.
Individual Distinctiveness in the Fine Structural Features and Repertoire Characteristics of the Songs of White‐eared Ground‐sparrows
Authors: Sandoval Luis , Méndez Carolina , Mennill Daniel J.
Published: January 2014

Communication between social animals is often more effective when signals facilitate individual recognition. Two critical requirements for individual recognition are the occurrence of characteristics that are unique to each individual, and the consistency of these characteristics through time. In some animals, characteristics of acoustic signals are known to vary over time due to changes in a variety of factors, including physiological and environmental features. Such temporal variation requires careful evaluation when exploring the individual distinctiveness of animal signals. In this study, we evaluate individual distinctiveness in the songs of male white‐eared ground‐sparrows Melozone leucotis and the persistence of distinctive characteristics over time. We collected focal recordings from populations of banded ground‐sparrows during two consecutive breeding seasons, including multiple recording sessions within each breeding season. We evaluated individual distinctiveness in fine structural acoustic features of songs. We also extended our analysis to repertoire characteristics, focusing on whether the relative frequency of song type use may provide cues to individual identity. We found that each male white‐eared ground‐sparrow sang individually distinctive songs, although their fine structural features varied between recording sessions. We found the frequency with which males sang different song types was also individually distinctive, and this feature varied little between recording sessions. Receivers may be able to use these distinctive characteristics to differentiate individuals over extended time periods; this may be especially important for species that engage in long‐term social interactions, such as tropical birds that defend territories against rival conspecific animals throughout the year.
Natural single amino acid polymorphism (F19Y) in human galectin‐8: detection of structural alterations and increased growth‐regulatory activity on tumor cells
Authors: Ruiz Federico M. , Scholz Barbara A. , Buzamet Eliza , Kopitz Jürgen , André Sabine , Menéndez Margarita , Romero Antonio , Solís Dolores , Gabius Hans‐Joachim
Published: January 2014

Natural amino acid substitution by single‐site nucleotide polymorphism can become a valuable tool for structure–activity correlations, especially if evidence for association to disease parameters exists. Focusing on the F19Y change in human galectin‐8, connected clinically to rheumatoid arthritis, we here initiate the study of consequences of a single‐site substitution in the carbohydrate recognition domain of this family of cellular effectors. We apply a strategically combined set of structural and cell biological techniques for comparing properties of the wild‐type and variant proteins. The overall hydrodynamic behavior of the full‐length protein and of the separate N‐domain is not noticeably altered, but displacements in the F0 β‐strand of the β‐sandwich fold in the N‐domain are induced, as evidenced by protein crystallography. Analysis of thermal stability by circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed perceptible differences for the full‐length proteins, pointing to an impact of the substitution beyond the N‐domain. In addition, small differences in thermodynamic parameters of carbohydrate binding are detected. On the level of two types of tumor cells, characteristics of binding appeared rather similar. In further comparison of the influence on proliferation, the variant proved to be more active as growth regulator in the six tested lines of neuroblastoma, erythroleukemia and colon adenocarcinoma. The seemingly subtle structural change identified here thus has functional implications in vitro, encouraging further analysis in autoimmune regulation and, in a broad context, in work with other natural single‐site variants, using the documented combined strategy.

Database

The atomic coordinates and structure factors (codes 4BMB, 4BME) have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank
Multicentre, randomized, open‐label study of on‐demand treatment with two prophylaxis regimens of recombinant coagulation factor IX in haemophilia B subjects
Authors: Valentino L. A. , Rusen L. , Elezovic I. , Smith L. M. , Korth‐Bradley J. M. , Rendo P.
Published: January 2014

Few randomized studies have reported on the use of factor IX (FIX) for secondary prophylaxis in haemophilia B patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two secondary prophylaxis regimens of recombinant coagulation FIX, nonacog alfa, compared with on‐demand therapy. Male subjects aged 6–65 years with severe or moderately severe haemophilia B (FIX:C ≤ 2, n = 50) and ≥12 bleeding episodes (including ≥6 haemarthroses episodes) within 12 months of study participation were enrolled in this multicentre, randomized, open‐label, four‐period crossover trial. The primary measure was the annualized bleeding rate (ABR) of two prophylactic regimens vs. on‐demand therapy. In the intent‐to‐treat group, mean ABR values were 35.1, 2.6 and 4.6 for the first on‐demand period, the 50 IU kg−1 twice‐weekly period, and the 100 IU kg−1 once‐weekly period respectively. Differences in ABR between the first on‐demand period and both prophylaxis regimens were significant (P < 0.0001); no significant differences were observed between prophylaxis regimens (P = 0.22). Seven serious adverse events occurred in five subjects, none related to study drug. Results demonstrated that secondary prophylaxis therapy with nonacog alfa 50 IU kg−1 twice weekly or 100 IU kg−1 once weekly reduced ABR by 89.4% relative to on‐demand treatment. Both prophylaxis regimens demonstrated favourable safety profiles in subjects with haemophilia B.
Management of Bilateral Patellar Luxation in an Alpaca
Authors: Abuja Gustavo A. , Kowaleski Michael P. , García‐López José M.
Published: January 2014

Objective

To report surgical management bilateral lateral patellar luxation in a mature alpaca using a combination of trochlear wedge recession (TWR), tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT), and joint capsule imbrication.

Study Design

Clinical case report.

Animals

9‐year‐old castrated male Alpaca.

Methods

Bilateral, grade III/IV, lateral patellar luxation was identified by palpation, lameness examination and confirmed with radiography and ultrasonography. Surgical procedures were staged, with the left stifle treated first. Bilateral TWR, TTT, and joint capsule imbrication were performed. Outcome was assessed by radiography and follow up lameness examinations.

Results

An immediate improvement in weight bearing occurred after surgery of the left hind limb. Five months after initial surgery, right hind limb patella luxation was corrected. After surgery on the 2nd limb, the alpaca had progressive improvement in weight bearing during hospitalization. At 12 months, there were no signs of lameness and the alpaca had resumed normal activities.

Conclusions

For bilateral lateral patellar luxation, a combination of TWR, TTT, and joint capsule imbrication resulted in excellent long‐term outcome.
Sulcus fluid bone marker levels and the outcome of surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis
Authors: Wohlfahrt Johan C. , Aass Anne M. , Granfeldt Finn , Lyngstadaas Ståle P. , Reseland Janne E.
Published: January 2014

Aim

To analyse change in selected bone markers in peri‐implant sulcus fluid (PISF) sampled before treatment and after 12 months and test correlation with change in disease progression.

Materials and Methods

Peri‐implant sulcus fluid was sampled from 32 patients in a randomized, clinical study comparing peri‐implant defect re‐construction with or without porous titanium granules. Matrix metalloproteinase 8 levels were measured using the Quantikine Human Total MMP‐8 (DMP800) ELISA. Multianalyte profiling of the level of bone markers [interleukin‐6, osteprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin, leptin, osteopontin, parathyroid hormone, tumour necrosis factor‐α, adiponectin and insulin] was performed by Luminex using Human Bone Panel IB. Changes in bone marker levels were compared and correlation with clinical findings was tested.

Results

No differences in clinical parameter or bone marker levels between test and control group were found. When comparing bone marker levels irrespective of treatment allocation between baseline and 12 months, a significant reduction in total protein, matrix metalloproteinase ‐8, interleukin‐6, OPG, leptin and adiponectin were demonstrated. Positive correlations were found between the reduction in interleukin‐6 (r = 0.43), insulin (r = 0.38) and matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (r = 0.47) concentration, and probing pocket depth reduction.

Conclusion

Peri‐implantitis surgical treatment induced some reduction of the studied bone markers. Conclusive evidence for correlation between change in bone marker concentrations with disease resolution was not found.
Species diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers in South Africa and Mozambique
Authors: Moolman J. , Van den Berg J. , Conlong D. , Cugala D. , Siebert S. , Le Ru B.
Published: January 2014

Country‐wide surveys of lepidopteran stem borers in wild host plants were undertaken between 2006 and 2009 in South Africa and 2005 and 2010 in Mozambique. A total of 4438 larvae were collected from 65 wild host plants in South Africa and 1920 larvae from 30 wild host plants in Mozambique. In South Africa and Mozambique, 50 and 39 stem borer species were recovered, respectively, with four new species and two new genera among noctuids. Less than 5% of the total number of species collected are considered to be economically important in Africa. These species were Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae) and Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Noctuidae). Data from this study and others in East Africa on the very low abundance of stem borers in wild host plants question the putative role of wild host plants as reservoir for stem borer pests. One new host plant family (Prioniaceae), as well as 24 and 13 wild hosts from South Africa and Mozambique respectively, was added to the list of known hosts in Africa.
Entomopathogenic nematodes fail to parasitize the woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum as their symbiotic bacteria are suppressed
Authors: Berkvens N. , Van Vaerenbergh J. , Maes M. , Beliën T. , Viaene N.
Published: January 2014

The restriction of effective insecticides has facilitated the woolly apple aphid (WAA) Eriosoma lanigerum to become a major pest in apple orchards in Western Europe. It has also promoted alternative control strategies such as the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). We evaluated the control capacity of six commercially available EPN, viz. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Heterorhabditis megidis, Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema feltiae, Steinernema glaseri and Steinernema kraussei. We assessed the potential of these EPN to colonize and parasitize E. lanigerum in an in vitro multiwell test. Only S. carpocapsae caused higher mortality (20–40%) than the control treatment (water). However, the mortality observed with S. carpocapsae was found to be a test artefact and not induced by its specific entomopathogenic activity. A similar mortality range was recorded when applying the non‐entomopathogenic nematode Pratylenchus thornei in the same multiwell test set‐up. This result warrants careful interpretation of parasitism in these artificial test conditions. The failure of EPN activity was supported in further experiments by frequently finding S. carpocapsae inside living WAA. The presence of the EPN had no effect on aphid reproduction as numbers of ‘large’ embryos in EPN‐colonized and non‐colonized females were similar. In addition, the dauer juveniles did not recover in E. lanigerum reflecting that S. carpocapsae could not develop inside the WAA. We further demonstrated that growth of the EPN‐symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus nematophila and Photorhabdus luminescens is inhibited by the body fluid of the WAA, and we speculate that this antibacterial activity is the cause of the unsuccessful parasitization of the WAA by the EPN. This antibiosis inside the body of E. lanigerum would prevent production of the endotoxins by the bacterial symbionts that are essential for entomopathogenicity and insect control.
The importance of cutaneous gas exchange during aerial and aquatic respiration in galaxiids
Authors: Urbina M. A. , Meredith A. S. , Glover C. N. , Forster M. E.
Published: January 2014

The Canterbury mudfish Neochanna burrowsius was found to be a pseudo‐aestivating galaxiid with a low metabolic rate and significant cutaneous oxygen uptake (c. 43%) in both air and water. Another galaxiid, inanga Galaxias maculatus, had a higher metabolic rate in both media but the proportion of oxygen uptake met by cutaneous respiration rose significantly from 38 to 63% when the fish were exposed to air. Besides its important role in oxygen uptake, the skin of both species also contributed significantly to excretion of carbon dioxide in air, indicating the critical role of the integument as a respiratory tissue. In air, G. maculatus may increase cutaneous gas exchange to meet metabolic demands owing to the reduced utility of the gills, but as emersed G. maculatus were only able to maintain metabolic rates at c. 67% of that measured in water, this strategy probably only permits short‐term survival. By contrast, the low and unchanging metabolic rate in water and air in N. burrowsius is a feature that may facilitate tolerance of long periods of emersion in the desiccating environments they inhabit.
Survey Reveals Urban Consumers' Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding the Use of Wax on Apples
Authors: Cliff M.A. , Li J.B. , Stanich K.
Published: January 2014

This research explored consumers' awareness, attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of wax on apples, using a survey consisting of five demographic questions, 14 apple wax questions and five apple wax information statements. Consumers responded to queries regarding the use and nature of wax coatings, as well as any health and environmental concerns. They identified their preferred apple treatment (unwaxed, waxed, either) four times throughout the survey, after being presented with information. Consumers' responses were evaluated according to their demographics (age, gender and ethnicity). Statistical analyses (frequency plots, analysis of variance) were used to evaluate data from the two largest ethnic subgroups of consumers (European, Asian) (n = 781). On average, consumers lacked knowledge and information about apple waxing. Interestingly, 84% of consumers initially stated they preferred unwaxed apples. While some 40% of consumers changed their preferences once additional information was provided, another 42.3% of consumers did not.

Practical Applications

This research successfully documented the attitudes and beliefs of urban consumers toward the use of wax on apples. It suggested some consumers might be more willing to accept waxed apples, if additional information (brochure or leaflet) was available, while others would not. As such, the research provided industry with objective information to assess the appropriateness of their marketing/retailing practices in order to meet the needs of their consumers.
Evaluation of Fracture Resistance in Aqueous Environment under Dynamic Loading of Lithium Disilicate Restorative Systems for Posterior Applications. Part 2
Authors: Dhima Matilda , Carr Alan B. , Salinas Thomas J. , Lohse Christine , Berglund Lawrence , Nan Kai‐An
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The goals of part 2 of the study presented here were 1) to assess whether there is a difference in failure mode of different thicknesses (2.0, 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mm) of anatomically standardized full contour monolithic lithium disilicate restorations for posterior teeth, and 2) to assess if there is a difference among various crown thicknesses when these restorations are subjected to dynamic load forces common for posterior teeth.

Materials and Methods

Four groups (n = 10), each with a different thickness of anatomically appropriate all‐ceramic crowns, were to be tested as established from the statistical analysis of the preliminary phase. Group 1: 2.0 mm; group 2: 1.5 mm; group 3: 1.0 mm; group 4: 0.5 mm. The specimens were adhesively luted to the corresponding die, and underwent dynamic cyclic loading (380 to 390 N) completely submerged in an aqueous environment until a failure was noted by graphic recording and continuous monitoring.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference of the fatigue cycles to failure among four groups (p < 0.001; Kruskal‐Wallis test). The mean number of cycles to fail for 2.0 mm specimens was 17 times more than the mean number of cycles to fail for 1.0 mm specimens and 1.5 times more than the mean number of cycles to fail for 1.5 mm specimens. The 0.5 mm specimens failed with one cycle of loading. A qualitative characteristic noted among the 2.0 mm specimens was wear of the area of indenter contact followed by shearing of the material and/or crack propagation.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, it may be reasonable to consider a crown thickness of 1.5 mm or greater for clinical applications of milled monolithic lithium disilicate crowns for posterior single teeth.
Effects of Differing Thickness and Mechanical Properties of Cement on the Stress Levels and Distributions in a Three‐Unit Zirconia Fixed Prosthesis by FEA
Authors: Wimmer Timea , Erdelt Kurt‐Jürgen , Raith Stefan , Schneider Jörg Markus , Stawarczyk Bogna , Beuer Florian
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This study analyzed the impact of cement layer thickness (CLT) and Young's modulus of the cement on the stress distribution in a three‐unit zirconia fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) and in the bonding interfaces by means of finite element method.

Materials and Methods

A 3D finite element model was created from a stylized three‐unit FDP‐cement‐tooth/socket system. The pulp and the periodontal ligament were not modeled. Two CLTs (50 and 150 μm) and two values of Young's modulus of the cement (4.9 for simulation of resin cement, 20.1 GPa for glass ionomer cement) were evaluated. A 500 N static vertical load was applied at the central fossa of the pontic to calculate maximum displacement in the framework and maximum principal stresses in both framework and bonding interfaces.

Results

The simulated results showed that the Young's modulus affected stress occurrence only in the cement interface. Lower moduli were associated with less stress. The thickness of the cement layer influenced the maximum principal stress in both the FDP and in the cement layer itself. Thicker cement layers led to higher stresses in the framework but lower stresses in the cement layer. Maximum displacement was less dependent of the investigated variables. During all trials, the location of the maximum principal stress did not change. Maximum stress concentrations were observed at the lower embrasures of the connector areas and in the bonding layer at the cervical margin of the preparation.

Conclusions

Choosing cements with a preferably low Young's modulus in combination with a CLT as small as possible might increase the clinical survival rate.
Effect of the Number of Supporting Implants on Mandibular Photoelastic Models with Different Implant‐Retained Overdenture Designs
Authors: Celik Gozde , Uludag Bulent
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of the number of supporting implants and different retentive mechanisms on load transfer characteristics of mandibular overdentures.

Materials and Methods

Two photoelastic models of edentulous mandibles were fabricated having two and four cylindrical implants (Calcitek, 4 × 13 mm) embedded in the parasymphyseal area. Four attachment systems were evaluated: single anchor attachment (ERA), bar‐clip, bar with distally placed ball attachments, and bar with distally placed extracoronal rigid attachments (Easy Slot). A 133 N vertical force was applied unilaterally to the central fossa of the right first molar. The resulting stresses of the models were observed and recorded photographically in the field of a circular polariscope.

Results

The highest stresses were observed with the bar with distally placed extracoronal rigid attachment (Easy Slot) design, followed by bar‐ball, bar, and the single anchor attachment (ERA) for both models. The lowest stress was observed with the single anchor attachment (ERA) design for both models. There were slight differences in stress values around implants in both models.

Conclusions

For all tested attachments on both models, the stress was concentrated on the ipsilateral implant. The bar‐clip system allowed the distribution of load to all supporting implants in both models. Although the highest stress level observed with all attachment systems was moderate, the bar‐Easy Slot attachment showed the highest stresses. The lowest stress was observed with the single anchor attachment (ERA) design for both models. Varying the number of implants had no significant effect on stress values around supporting implants.
Comparison of Systemic Health Conditions between African American and Caucasian Complete Denture Patients
Authors: Szylkowska Ewelina , Kaste Linda M. , Schreiner Joseph , Gordon Sara C. , Lee Damian J.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To compare prevalence of systemic health conditions (SHC) between African American and Caucasian edentulous patients presenting for complete dentures (CD) at an urban dental school.

Methods

The study included patients presenting for CD 1/1‐12/31/2010, ages 20 to 64 years, and either African American or Caucasian. Covariates included: age group, gender, employment status, Medicaid status, smoking history, and alcohol consumption. SHC included at least one of the following: arthritis, asthma, cancer, diabetes, emphysema, heart attack, heart murmur, heart surgery, hypertension, or stroke.

Results

The group (n = 88) was 44.3% African American, 65.9% ≥50, 45.5% male, 22.7% employed, and 67.0% with at least one SHC. African Americans were older (p = 0.001) and more likely to have one or more SHC (p = 0.011). Patients with at least one SHC were older (p = 0.018) and more likely female (p = 0.012). The total sample logistic regression model assessing SHC yielded only gender as statistically significant (males < OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.92). Caucasian males were less likely to have SHC (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.77), and Caucasians ≥50 were more likely (OR 5.36, 95% CI 1.19 to 24.08). African Americans yielded no significant associations.

Conclusions

Among selected completely edentulous denture patients at an urban dental school, two out of three patients had at least one SHC. This exploratory study suggests there may be health status differences between African American and Caucasian patients in this setting, calling for further study.
Assessment of Clinical and Laboratory Variables as a Guide to Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusion of Euvolemic Anemic Dogs
Authors: Kisielewicz C. , Self I. , Bell R.
Published: January 2014

Background

There are no standardized guidelines for determining the likelihood that euvolemic anemic dogs will benefit from transfusion of packed red blood cells (pRBC).

Objectives

To report clinical and laboratory variables of dogs receivingpRBCtransfusion, which could guide transfusion of other anemic dogs.

Animals

Twenty‐four client‐owned anemic dogs receivingpRBCtransfusion.

Methods

Prospective study; 30 transfusions assessed. Clinical findings (mucosal color, pulse quality, heart rate, respiratory rate, mentation/exercise tolerance) before and after transfusion were evaluated by the anemic dog clinical assessment score (ADCAS). Hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, venous oxygen content (CvO2), and lactate concentration were measured from blood samples taken before and after transfusion. These results were not used for case management.

Results

All ADCAS variables decreased significantly with transfusion (P < .001); the total score was ≥5/12 before transfusion, and ≤3/12 in all cases that were deemed to no longer require transfusion. Hematocrit and CvO2were <17% and <5 mL/dL, respectively, in 83% of cases before transfusion and hemoglobin concentration was <5.8 g/dL in 80%. Hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and CvO2increased significantly with transfusion (P < .001); lactate concentration decreased significantly (P = .006).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Clinical and laboratory variables improved significantly after transfusion ofpRBC. By identifying how transfusion affected these variables, it was possible to recognize clinical (ADCAS) and laboratory (hemoglobin, CvO2, lactate) variables, which could be useful in guiding the decision to transfuse dogs with similar presentations.
Plasma and Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase–Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in Dogs with Acute Kidney Injury or Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Steinbach S. , Weis J. , Schweighauser A. , Francey T. , Neiger R.
Published: January 2014

Background

Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a protein that is used in human medicine as a real‐time indicator of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Hypothesis

Dogs with AKI have significantly higher plasma NGAL concentration and urine NGAL‐to‐creatinine ratio (UNCR) compared with healthy dogs and dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Animals

18 healthy control dogs, 17 dogs with CKD, and 48 dogs with AKI.

Methods

Over a period of 1 year, all dogs with renal azotemia were prospectively included. Urine and plasma samples were collected during the first 24 hours after presentation or after development of renal azotemia. Plasma and urine NGAL concentrations were measured with a commercially available canine NGAL Elisa Kit (Bioporto® Diagnostic) and UNCR was calculated. A single‐injection plasma inulin clearance was performed in the healthy dogs.

Results

Median (range) NGAL plasma concentration in healthy dogs, dogs with CKD, and AKI were 10.7 ng/mL (2.5–21.2), 22.0 ng/mL (7.7–62.3), and 48.3 ng/mL (5.7–469.0), respectively. UNCR was 2 × 10−8 (0–46), 1,424 × 10−8 (385–18,347), and 2,366 × 10−8 (36–994,669), respectively. Dogs with renal azotemia had significantly higher NGAL concentrations and UNCR than did healthy dogs (P < .0001 for both). Plasma NGAL concentration was significantly higher in dogs with AKI compared with dogs with CKD (P = .027).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Plasma NGAL could be helpful to differentiate AKI from CKD in dogs with renal azotemia.
Longitudinal Prevalence of Hypertension, Proteinuria, and Retinopathy in Dogs with Spontaneous Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Herring I.P. , Panciera D.L. , Werre S.R.
Published: January 2014

Background

The prevalence and progression of vascular complications of spontaneous diabetes mellitus (DM) in dogs have not been described.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of duration of disease, as estimated by time sinceDMdiagnosis, and glycemic control on prevalence of systemic hypertension, proteinuria, and diabetic retinopathy in dogs with spontaneousDM.

Animals

Seventeen client‐owned dogs with spontaneousDM.

Methods

Prospective, longitudinal observational study. Dogs withDMof less than 1 year's duration were recruited and evaluated once every 6 months for 24 months. Recorded measures included indirectBP, urine albumin, protein and creatinine concentrations, serial blood glucose and serum fructosamine concentrations, ophthalmic examination, and a standardized behavioral questionnaire.

Results

Eleven dogs completed the 2‐year follow‐up period, during which the highest recorded prevalence of systolic and diastolic hypertension was 55 and 64%, respectively. Prevalence of microalbuminuria and elevated urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) ranged up to 73 and 55%, respectively. Prevalence of retinopathy ranged up to 20%. No significant effect of time sinceDMdiagnosis or glycemic control was detected for any of the measures examined. Additionally, no significant associations betweenBP, urine albumin concentration,UPCand retinopathy were detected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

With the exception of proteinuria, which was substantial in some cases, clinically deleterious diabetic vascular complications were not identified in dogs in this study.
Serologic and Urinary PCR Survey of Leptospirosis in Healthy Cats and in Cats with Kidney Disease
Authors: Rodriguez J. , Blais M.‐C. , Lapointe C. , Arsenault J. , Carioto L. , Harel J.
Published: January 2014

Background

Although there is serologic evidence of exposure of cats to Leptospira spp., clinical disease is rarely reported in cats.

Objective

To compare the seropositivity and urinary polymerase chain reaction (PCR) status for Leptospira spp. between healthy (H) cats and cats with kidney disease (KD), to investigate the serovars potentially involved, and to evaluate potential risk factors.

Animals

Two hundred and forty client‐owned cats.

Methods

Cats were prospectively recruited and classified based on physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, and urinalysis (125 H and 115 KD cats). Leptospira spp. serology (titers ≥1 : 100 considered positive) and urinary PCR were performed in all cats. Data assessing risk factors, obtained from a questionnaire, were evaluated using logistic regression models.

Results

Seropositivity for Leptospira spp. was statistically different between groups: 7.2% (9/125) and 14.9% (17/114) in the H and KD, respectively (P = .05). The proportion of PCR‐positive cats was not. The most common serovars detected serologically were Pomona (n = 16) and Bratislava (n = 8). Risk factors for seropositivity included outdoor and hunting lifestyles (P = .03 and P < .001, respectively), the presence of another cat in the household (P < .01), and the sampling period, with the greatest number of cases identified between June and August (P =.02).

Conclusions

Seropositivity was significantly greater in KD cats, suggesting that the role of Leptospira spp. in KD in cats should be further investigated. The detection of urinary shedding of leptospires in several cats identifies a potential role in the transmission of the organism.