bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calpain cleavage and inactivation of the sodium calcium exchanger‐3 occur downstream of Aβ in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Atherton Joe , Kurbatskaya Ksenia , Bondulich Marie , Croft Cara L. , Garwood Claire J. , Chhabra Resham , Wray Selina , Jeromin Andreas , Hanger Diane P. , Noble Wendy
Published: August 2013

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by pathological deposits of β‐amyloid (Aβ) in senile plaques, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) comprising hyperphosphorylated aggregated tau, synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death. Substantial evidence indicates that disrupted neuronal calcium homeostasis is an early event in AD that could mediate synaptic dysfunction and neuronal toxicity. Sodium calcium exchangers (NCXs) play important roles in regulating intracellular calcium, and accumulating data suggests that reduced NCX function, following aberrant proteolytic cleavage of these exchangers, may contribute to neurodegeneration. Here, we show that elevated calpain, but not caspase‐3, activity is a prominent feature of AD brain. In addition, we observe increased calpain‐mediated cleavage of NCX3, but not a related family member NCX1, in AD brain relative to unaffected tissue and that from other neurodegenerative conditions. Moreover, the extent of NCX3 proteolysis correlated significantly with amounts of Aβ1–42. We also show that exposure of primary cortical neurons to oligomeric Aβ1–42 results in calpain‐dependent cleavage of NCX3, and we demonstrate that loss of NCX3 function is associated with Aβ toxicity. Our findings suggest that Aβ mediates calpain cleavage of NCX3 in AD brain and therefore that reduced NCX3 activity could contribute to the sustained increases in intraneuronal calcium concentrations that are associated with synaptic and neuronal dysfunction in AD.
Preservation of coronal tooth fragments prior to reattachment
Authors: Shirani F , Sakhaei Manesh V , Malekipour MR
Published: August 2013

Background

Reattachment of the tooth fragment is a well‐accepted treatment option in dealing with crown fractures. Hydration of the fragment is an important aspect in this treatment. The present study evaluated the effect of storing fragments in different storage media prior to reattachment.

Methods

Sixty bovine incisors were randomly divided into five groups. The teeth were fractured and the fragments were dried for 48 hours and then immersed in one of the four experimental media (distilled water, milk, egg white, or 50% dextrose solution) for 2 hours. Tooth fragments in the control group were kept dry. The apical segments of the fractured teeth were stored in physiological saline. Fragments were reattached and force was applied on the labial side of the teeth at a 1 mm/min rate until failure.

Results

One‐way ANOVA indicated that the storage medium affects bond strength (p = 0.002). Multiple comparison tests showed that the teeth preserved in the 50% dextrose solution and the egg white exhibited significantly higher bond strengths compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Preservation of the fractured tooth fragment in egg white or hypertonic solutions results in a higher strength of the bond between the restoration and the tooth as compared to storage in water or dried conditions.
Mothers with intellectual disabilities: interactions with children and family services in Ireland
Authors: Sheerin Fintan K. , Keenan Paul M. , Lawler Denise
Published: August 2013

Accessible summary

This article is about women with intellectual disability who have children.

The article tells the stories of four women with intellectual disabilities in Ireland who have children. It also explains how hard it was at times for them to work with Child and Family Services.

Many mothers with intellectual disabilities want to keep their babies.

Women with intellectual disabilities who are mothers should be provided with proper support to help them care for their children.

Traditionally, women with intellectual disabilities have faced challenges in accessing effective public health services and social service provision during pregnancy and early motherhood. The authors report on the experiences of four women with intellectual disabilities in their interactions with childcare services in the Republic of Ireland. They discuss the women's feelings of isolation, fears of losing their children and the disempowering effects of inadequate, ubiquitous responses adopted by many professionals and services. This study recommends a person‐centred, rights‐based approach to meeting the needs of these women.
Irish attitudes to sexual relationships and people with intellectual disability
Authors: McConkey Roy , Leavey Gerry
Published: August 2013

Accessible summary

A national survey of over 1000 people took place in Ireland in 2001, 2006 and again in 2011.

In 2011, half the people in the survey thought that people with intellectual disability or autism had the right to sexual relationships.

In 2011, one‐third agreed that people with intellectual disability or autism should have children if they wished.

People's attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities were similar to their attitudes towards people with mental illness.

More people in the survey agreed that people with physical or sensory disabilities had the right to have sexual relationships and have children compared with people with intellectual disability.

People in the survey were more likely to agree with the right to sexual relationships for people with intellectual disabilities if they:

○ lived outside of Dublin;

○ were single;

○ had more people in their own social networks;

○ were comfortable living near people with intellectual disability.

People need to know more about what people with intellectual disabilities hope for from relationships.

People need to know more about the supports that are in place:

○ to help people with intellectual disabilities make choices about sexual relationships

○ to protect people with intellectual disabilities against abuse.

Limited progress has been made in supporting people with intellectual disabilities to form intimate relationships. A critical factor that has been rarely researched is the attitude of the general public which likely has a significant influence on public policy on this issue. Unique to Ireland, are the five‐yearly national surveys commissioned by the National Disability Authority that recruit representative samples of over 1000 adult persons. On three occasions in the past 10 years, respondents were asked to rate their agreement that people with various disabilities and with mental health difficulties had the right to fulfilment through sexual relationships and to have children if they wished. Secondary analysis of the 2011 data set identified those persons who were more likely to be in agreement and also the concerns raised by respondents. The findings are discussed in relation to priorities for future research and actions needed to reduce the stigma associated with disability or mental ill health.
The role of ‘natural supports’ in promoting independent living for people with disabilities; a review of existing literature
Authors: Duggan Carmel , Linehan Christine
Published: August 2013

Accessible summary

This paper is a summary of research on the support people with disabilities get from their friends and family. The research is mostly about people with intellectual disabilities, but there is also some research on people with other disabilities. The main findings in the research are as follows:

People with intellectual disabilities have small groups of supporters. These supporters are family, friends with intellectual disability and people who work in services.

People with disabilities say that services could provide more support for making and keeping friends.

There are projects that have helped people with disabilities make friends and be a part of their community. More research is needed on these projects.

Policy makers, services and other people who deliver services should put more efforts into supporting people with disabilities to make friends in their community.

The purpose of this review was to identify the available evidence base on role of natural supports in promoting independent living for people with disabilities. A search of peer‐reviewed literature identified 30 core papers and 16 contextual papers which addressed issues relating to natural supports and their role in facilitating independent living. The papers reveal that the evidence base is limited and focuses heavily on the social networks of people with intellectual disabilities, which typically comprise family, other people with disabilities using services and staff members. People with disabilities themselves call for greater support in establishing and maintaining social relationships in the community. Some initiatives such as peer‐based support and befriending schemes are reviewed, mindful that few have been formally evaluated. The issue for policy makers is whether, following decades of deinstitutionalisation, efforts to physically locate people with disabilities within their local communities have come at the price of social inclusion.
‘Channel Surfing’: an inclusive piece of performance art
Authors: Sherlock Donal
Published: August 2013

Accessible summary

‘Channel Surfing’ is a play created by people with intellectual disabilities and young people who all enjoy live theatre.

The play aimed to help people think differently about what it means to live with a disability.
‘Happy and a bit Nervous’: the experiences of children with autism in physical education
Authors: Healy Seán , Msetfi Rachel , Gallagher Stephen
Published: August 2013

Accessible summary

Twelve children with autistic disorder (aged 9–13 years) talked about their time in physical education.

The children spoke about good and bad experiences they had in physical education.

Most of the children found some activities hard to do and felt left out at times.

They enjoyed spending time with other children and making friends.

Twelve students with autistic disorder participated in interviews to reveal their perspective of physical education. Inductive thematic analysis was undertaken to provide a comprehensive account of the data. Three key themes emerged, each a compilation of a set of subthemes. The first theme, individual challenges, was comprised of physical ability, sensory challenges and a fear of injury. The second theme, peer interactions, encapsulated subthemes of initiation of friendship, camaraderie, social comparison and bullying. The final theme that emerged from the data was exclusion, which attends to children's experiences of being excluded by the teacher or as a result of activities being too difficult. Most notably, however, this theme relates to children requesting to be excluded. These findings are discussed in relation to research on the perspectives of students with and without disabilities. Considerations for future research are also provided.
Research Active Programme: an inclusive research module in 3rd level education
Authors: Salmon Nancy , Carey Eileen
Published: August 2013

Accessible summary

The Research Active Programme (RAP) was a set of eight sessions offered at the University of Limerick enabling self‐advocates to learn how to do research on their own or with others.

This short paper describes this programme and celebrates the great work RAP graduates are doing now.

A link to a poster designed by six self‐advocates about RAP is included.
Special Irish Issue of British Journal of Learning Disabilities
Authors: Salmon Nancy , Iriarte Edurne García
Published: August 2013

Accessible Summary

This is the second time that the British Journal of Learning Disabilities is publishing a special issue focused in Ireland. Intellectual Disability Studies at University of Limerick (IDS@UL), the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, the Inclusive Research Network and the Centre for Disability Law and Policy have worked together on this special issue.

We present recent work about intellectual disability done in the Republic of Ireland focused on four important topics:

○ Rights

○ Professional work and services

○ Health and well‐being

○ Inclusive research

Many people wrote pieces for this issue:

○ People with intellectual disabilities created poems and shared their experiences in interviews.

○ Academics sent in research papers about rights, relationships, support, sexuality.

○ Professionals wrote about their work in education, health and services.

○ Students reviewed two books about people with intellectual disability.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is central to all of the work in this issue.

We encourage readers to think about how the Convention can be used to improve policies and support services that affect the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
Upregulation of Ying Yang 1 (YY1) suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma development through heme oxygenase‐1
Authors: Luo Judong , Zhou Xifa , Ge Xin , Liu Pengfei , Cao Jianping , Lu Xujing , Ling Yang , Zhang Shuyu
Published: August 2013

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide. Ying Yang 1 (YY1), a ubiquitously expressed GLI‐Krüppel zinc finger transcription factor, plays a regulatory role in a variety of fundamental biological processes, such as embryonic development, growth, apoptosis, differentiation and oncogenic transformation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of YY1 in normal and cancerous esophageal tissues and its function in ESCC development. We found that the expression of YY1 mRNA was significantly increased in the tumor tissues, compared with the para‐tissues or normal esophageal tissues. The increased expression of YY1 in tumor samples was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the overexpression of YY1 conferred radioresistance to the ESCC TE‐1 cells and resulted in markedly reduced cell proliferation. Accordingly, the small interfering RNA‐mediated silencing of YY1 expression in TE‐1 cells resulted in increased proliferation by enhancing the binding of P21 to Cyclin D1 and CDK4, a protein complex known to mediate cell cycle progression. Moreover, besides P21, heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) was identified as a YY1 downstream effector, as YY1 stimulated HO‐1 expression in esophageal cancer cells. YY1 mediated biological function through transcription of HO‐1. Forced expression of HO‐1 could moderately suppress proliferation of TE‐1 cells. The expression of YY1 significantly correlated with that of HO‐1 in ESCC tissues. Taken together, we demonstrated overexpression of YY1 in esophageal carcinoma and identified HO‐1 as its target.
Forkhead box protein C2 contributes to invasion and metastasis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, resulting in a poor prognosis
Authors: Watanabe Akira , Suzuki Hideki , Yokobori Takehiko , Altan Bolag , Kubo Norio , Araki Kenichiro , Wada Satoshi , Mochida Yasushi , Sasaki Shigeru , Kashiwabara Kenji , Hosouchi Yasuo , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: August 2013

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) is a cancer with a poor prognosis, and the postoperative survival of patients depends on the existence of invasion and metastasis. The epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important step in EHCC invasion and metastasis. Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) is a transcription factor that has been reported to induce the EMT. Therefore we examined the correlation between FOXC2 expression and clinical pathological factors, and analysed the function of FOXC2. The expression of FOXC2 in 77 EHCC cases was investigated by immunohistochemical staining, and the relationship between FOXC2 expression and clinicopathological factor was assessed. Knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) was performed to determine the roles of FOXC2 in EHCC cell line. FOXC2 expression correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0205). Patients in the high FOXC2 expression group had a poorer prognosis than the patients in the low FOXC2 expression group. Moreover, FOXC2 knockdown inhibited cell motility and invasion, and decreased the expression of EMT markers (N‐cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) ‐2) and Angiopietin‐2 (Ang‐2). The EMT inducer FOXC2 contributes to a poor prognosis and cancer progression. FOXC2 may be a promising molecular target for regulating EHCC metastasis.
The effect of low‐level laser on bone healing in critical size defects treated with or without autogenous bone graft: an experimental study in rat calvaria
Authors: de Almeida Ana L. P. F. , Medeiros Isabella L. , Cunha Mércia J. S. , Sbrana Michyele C. , de Oliveira Paula G. F. P. , Esper Luis A.
Published: August 2013

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of low‐level laser (LLL) on bone healing process in surgically created critical size defects in rat calvaria treated with or without autogenous bone graft (AB).

Material and methods

The study was conducted on 40 male rats (Rattusnorvegicus, albinus, Wistar), weighing 250–300 g. For accomplishment of the experimental procedures, the rats were anesthetized with an intramuscular injection of xylazine (0.02 ml/kg) and ketamine hydrochloride (0.4 ml/kg). Acritical size defect with 5‐mm diameter was created. The animals were divided into four groups: Group C (Control‐ filled with blood clot), Group LLL, Group AB (autogenous bone graft), Group AB + LLL (autogenous bone graft and LLL). The animals treated with LLL received applications of LLL at the infrared spectrum wavelength (λ = 810 nm) and energy density of 6 J/cm2 per point, 60 s per point, adding up to five points on the entire created defect. The animals were euthanized at 30 days postoperatively. After decalcification, each specimen was longitudinally divided into two blocks, exactly along the center of the original surgical defect, processed and embedded in paraffin. Longitudinal serial sections with 6‐μm thickness were made, initiating from the center of the original surgical defect. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for light microscopy analysis for histomorphometric analysis.

Results

Group C presented smaller quantity of new bone formation than Groups LLL (P < 0.01), AB (P < 0.01), and AB + LLL (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Utilization of LLL favored the healing process in rat calvaria. The quantity of new bone formation with use of the LLL was similar to the autogenous bone graft.
A 24‐Week, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Rivastigmine Patch 13.3 mg/24 h Versus 4.6 mg/24 h in Severe Alzheimer's Dementia
Authors: Farlow Martin R. , Grossberg George T. , Sadowsky Carl H. , Meng Xiangyi , Somogyi Monique
Published: August 2013

Aims

The 24‐week, prospective, randomized, double‐blind ACTION study investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 13.3 versus 4.6 mg/24 h rivastigmine patch in patients with severe Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

Patients had probable AD and Mini–Mental State Examination scores ≥3–≤12. Primary outcome measures were as follows: Severe Impairment Battery (SIB) and AD Cooperative Study–Activities of Daily Living scale–Severe Impairment Version (ADCS‐ADL‐SIV). Secondary outcomes were as follows: ADCS‐Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS‐CGIC), 12‐item Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI‐12), and safety/tolerability.

Results

Of 1014 patients screened, 716 were randomized to 13.3 mg/24 h (N = 356) or 4.6 mg/24 h (N = 360) patch. Baseline characteristics/demographics were comparable. Completion rates were as follows: 64.3% (N = 229) with 13.3 mg/24 h and 65.0% (N = 234) with 4.6 mg/24 h patch. The 13.3 mg/24 h patch was significantly superior to 4.6 mg/24 h patch on cognition (SIB) and function (ADCS‐ADL‐SIV) at Week 16 (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.049, respectively) and 24 (primary endpoint; P < 0.0001 and P = 0.025). Significant between‐group differences (Week 24) were observed on the ADCS‐CGIC (P = 0.0023), not NPI‐12 (P = 0.1437). A similar proportion of the 13.3 mg/24 h and 4.6 mg/24 h patch groups reported adverse events (AEs; 74.6% and 73.3%, respectively) and serious AEs (14.9% and 13.6%).

Conclusions

The 13.3 mg/24 h patch demonstrated superior efficacy to 4.6 mg/24 h patch on SIB and ADCS‐ADL‐SIV, without marked increase in AEs, suggesting higher‐dose patch has a favorable benefit‐to‐risk profile in severe AD.
EFFICIENT ABSTRACTION SELECTION IN REINFORCEMENT LEARNING
Authors: van Seijen Harm , Whiteson Shimon , Kester Leon
Published: August 2013

This article addresses reinforcement learning problems based on factored Markov decision processes (MDPs) in which the agent must choose among a set of candidate abstractions, each build up from a different combination of state components. We present and evaluate a new approach that can perform effective abstraction selection that is more resource‐efficient and/or more general than existing approaches. The core of the approach is to make selection of an abstraction part of the learning agent's decision‐making process by augmenting the agent's action space with internal actions that select the abstraction it uses. We prove that under certain conditions this approach results in a derived MDP whose solution yields both the optimal abstraction for the original MDP and the optimal policy under that abstraction. We examine our approach in three domains of increasing complexity: contextual bandit problems, episodic MDPs, and general MDPs with context‐specific structure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Successful conversion to belatacept after thrombotic microangiopathy in kidney transplant patients
Authors: Koppula Sireesha , Yost Sarah E. , Sussman Amy , Bracamonte Erika R. , Kaplan Bruce
Published: August 2013

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a severe complication of kidney transplantation. TMA may occur de novo or as recurrent disease post‐transplant. De novo disease is usually associated with immunosuppressive drugs or can be seen as a part of endothelial damage that accompanies antibody‐mediated rejection. Treatment for de novo TMA is limited to plasma exchange and change in immunosuppression. We report two cases of de novo TMA post‐transplant that were successfully treated by converting to belatacept for maintenance immunosuppression.
The utilization of sirolimus and the impact on wound‐healing complications in obese kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Hulbert Amanda L. , Delahunty April J. , Rajab Amer , Forbes Rachel C. , Winters Holli A.
Published: August 2013

Background

Wound healing is a known complication associated with sirolimus therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated that obesity is a risk factor for wound‐healing complications (WHC) in patients receiving sirolimus therapy; however, the incidence has not been defined.

Methods

This is a single‐center, retrospective cohort study of de novo kidney transplant recipients (KTR) transplanted with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 between January 2002 and April 2011 receiving sirolimus vs. sirolimus‐free maintenance immunosuppression.

Results

A total of 317 KTR, 71 sirolimus‐free patients and 246 sirolimus patients, were eligible for inclusion. There was no difference in the primary outcome of WHC within six months of transplant (sirolimus 32.1% vs. sirolimus‐free 29.6%, p = 0.107). Sirolimus exposure was not found to influence WHC (OR 2.906, 95% CI 0.922–9.160); however, BMI Class II (OR 1.830, 95% CI 1.051–3.186) and Class III (OR 3.154, 95% CI 1.484–6.705) were significant predictors of WHC. There was no difference in WHC between the sirolimus group and sirolimus‐free group among patients in obesity Class I (27.3% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.064), Class II (36.6% vs. 34.8%, p = 0.195), or Class III (48.0% vs. 53.3%, p = 0.243).

Conclusion

In our experience, sirolimus does not increase WHC in obese KTR and can be safely used as maintenance immunosuppression immediately following transplant.
Fine motor skill predicts expressive language in infant siblings of children with autism
Authors: LeBarton Eve Sauer , Iverson Jana M.
Published: August 2013

We investigated whether fine motor and expressive language skills are related in the later‐born siblings of children with autism (heightened‐risk, HR infants) who are at increased risk for language delays. We observed 34 HR infants longitudinally from 12 to 36 months. We used parent report and standardized observation measures to assess fine motor skill from 12 to 24 months in HR infants (Study 1) and its relation to later expressive vocabulary at 36 months in HR infants (Study 2). In Study 1, we also included 25 infants without a family history of autism to serve as a normative comparison group for a parent‐report fine motor measure. We found that HR infants exhibited fine motor delays between 12 and 24 months and expressive vocabulary delays at 36 months. Further, fine motor skill significantly predicted expressive language at 36 months. Fine motor and expressive language skills are related early in development in HR infants, who, as a group, exhibit risk for delays in both. Our findings highlight the importance of considering fine motor skill in children at risk for language impairments and may have implications for early identification of expressive language difficulties.
Young children care more about their reputation with ingroup members and potential reciprocators
Authors: Engelmann Jan M. , Over Harriet , Herrmann Esther , Tomasello Michael
Published: August 2013

Human cooperation depends on individuals caring about their reputation, and so they sometimes attempt to manage them strategically. Here we show that even 5‐year‐old children strategically manage their reputation. In an experimental setting, children shared significantly more resources with an anonymous recipient when (1) the child watching them could reciprocate later, and (2) the child watching them was an ingroup rather than an outgroup member (as established by minimal group markers). This study is not only the first to show that young children selectively invest in their reputation with specific individuals, but also the first to show that we care more about our reputation with ingroup than with outgroup members.
Effects of large‐scale host plant addition and removal on parasitoid‐mediated associational resistance in the gall midge Asphondylia borrichiae
Authors: STOKES KEITH , STILING PETER
Published: August 2013

Associational resistance (AR) occurs when a plant species experiences less herbivory when growing in the presence of other plant species than when growing in monoculture. Densities of the gall midge Asphondylia borrichiae Rossi & Strong on the coastal plant Iva frutescens L. are depressed in the presence of a second coastal plant species, Borrichia frutescens (L.). Previous studies suggested that hymenopteran parasitoids from Borrichia galls spill over onto Iva galls and reduce gall densities.

This study employs large‐scale addition or near‐complete removal of Borrichia from a series of spoil islands near the west central Florida coast. Densities of galls on Iva decreased where Borrichia was added, increased where Borrichia was removed and remained unchanged on islands where Borrichia abundance was not manipulated.

Relative to unmanipulated islands, the total parasitism rate on Iva galls and parasitism rate by Torymus umbilicatus, the parasitoid hypothesised to be primarily responsible for AR in the system, declined on islands where Borrichia was removed and increased on islands where Borrichia was added, supporting the idea of parasitoid‐mediated AR.
Occurrence, incidence and associations among fungal pathogens and Agrilus auroguttatus, and their roles in Quercus agrifolia decline in California
Authors: Lynch S. C. , Zambino P. J. , Scott T. A. , Eskalen A.
Published: August 2013

Synchronous decline of oak (Quercus spp.) trees in woodlands has been described in Europe and eastern North America as a complex interaction of stressors that predispose, incite or contribute to tree death. This study presents a 2‐year (2010–2011) assessment of the role of pathogens in coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) woodlands in southern California where oak mortality occurs in locations that are infested and uninfested by the goldspotted oak borer (GSOB, Agrilus auroguttatus). Cumulative coast live oak mortality was not significantly different between sites and was weakly correlated with Diplodia corticola and GSOB incidence and negatively correlated with annual relative humidity. Multiple logistic regression models explained the presence of individual fungi or GSOB at the tree level. Fisher's exact test analysis determined that the presence of D. corticola, Fusarium solani, Dothiorella iberica, Cryptosporiopsis querciphila and Diatrypella verrucaeformis were each related to origin of sample location on tree, and C. querciphila was additionally related to symptom type on the bole. Multiple linear regression models showed high correlation between environmental variables and plot‐level incidence of both GSOB and D. corticola. Disease incidence (DI) for D. corticola was highest in GSOB‐uninfested locations. Jaccard index of association (J) showed that D. corticola was negatively associated with the presence of GSOB, F. solani and C. querciphila. Results suggest that oak decline in California is an example of a complex syndrome involving strong regional differences in factors that are associated with the problem.
Divided Government, Legislative Productivity, and Policy Change in the USA and France
Authors: Baumgartner Frank R. , Brouard Sylvain , Grossman Emiliano , Lazardeux Sebastien G. , Moody Jonathan
Published: August 2013

The concept of “divided government” is more complicated than scholars have allowed. In the USA, truly unified government, where the president enjoys a filibuster‐proof majority in the Senate as well as a majority in the House, is rare. In France, truly unified government has been more common, but divided government has also occurred several times. Democratic governance requires that parties address important issues and they do so regardless of the patterns of institutional control. Nevertheless, policy changes or important laws are affected by the higher level of institutional friction associated with divided government. Looking at both the USA and France, we find that periods of unified government show higher levels of production of important laws in the USA, but we find no difference for overall legislative productivity.
Cancer detection and management in patients with haemophilia: a retrospective European multicentre study
Authors: Biron‐Andreani C. , de Moerloose P. , D'oiron R. , Chambost H. , Schved J.‐F. , Hermans C.
Published: August 2013

Lymphomas or hepatocarcinomas related to blood‐borne transmitted diseases are well‐known malignancies in persons with haemophilia (PWH). However, rising life expectancy has increased the number of PWH suffering from other malignancies. This study aimed to collect cancer occurrence data in PWH followed in five European haemophilia treatment centres (Brussels, Geneva, Marseille, Montpellier and Paris‐Bicêtre) over the last 10 years and to analyse some particular features of cancer occurring in PWH. In total, 45 malignancies were diagnosed in 1067 PWH. The most common malignancies were hepatocellular carcinoma (12/45) and urogenital tract tumours (9/45). Bleeding at presentation or changes in bleeding pattern was indicative of cancer in four patients. Three patients with mild haemophilia developed anti‐factor VIII inhibitors after intensive substitution therapy prior to surgery or invasive procedures. There was no bleeding associated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. A few bleeding complications occurred following invasive (3/39) or surgical procedures (2/27) as a result of insufficient hemostatic coverage or in spite of adequate substitution. No bleeding was noted after liver or prostate biopsies. Following cancer diagnosis, five patients were switched from on‐demand to prolonged prophylaxis substitution. In the majority of cases, the standard cancer treatment protocol was not modified on account of concomitant haemophilia. Thus, oncological treatments are not contraindicated and should not be withheld in PWH assuming that adequate haemostasis correction is undertaken. As shown by our study results, a change in bleeding pattern in adult PWH should raise suspicion of a malignancy. Intensive substitution must be considered a risk factor for inhibitor development.
Colleges and the Governance of Higher Education
Authors: Parry Gareth
Published: August 2013

The governance of higher education in colleges and college sectors that offer other types of education and training is distinctive in four main respects. First, governance structures are frequently separate and different for higher education and for other segments of tertiary education. Second, the size and scope of the higher‐level education taught by individual institutions will bear on the extent to which the management and governance arrangements in colleges are joint or divided. Third, the growth of small and distributed forms of higher‐level education has created specific problems and dilemmas for national and sub‐national governance. Fourth, the multiple missions of many colleges continue to pose questions about their educational and organisational coherence and governability. It is only in recent years that a base of evidence has been available to comprehend these developments, although definitional difficulties and data deficiencies remain.
Meeting report: 2nd international conference: antibody incompatible transplantation and transplant infectious disease
Authors: Lowe D. , Higgins R. , Krishnan N.
Published: August 2013

The 2nd International Conference on Antibody Incompatible Transplantation and Transplant Infectious Disease took place at the University of Warwick on 23rd and 24th November 2012. The aims of the meeting were to discuss the pertinent clinical and laboratory issues surrounding antibody incompatible transplantation and to provide a contemporary analysis of transplant infectious disease. This report summarises the key points discussed at the meeting.
A prospective, randomised study of a novel transforming methacrylate dressing compared with a silver‐containing sodium carboxymethylcellulose dressing on partial‐thickness skin graft donor sites in burn patients
Authors: Assadian Ojan , Arnoldo Brett , Purdue Gary , Burris Agnes , Skrinjar Edda , Duschek Nikolaus , Leaper David J
Published: August 2013

This prospective, randomised study compares a new transforming methacrylate dressing (TMD) with a silver‐containing carboxymethylcellulose dressing (CMC‐Ag) after application to split‐thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites. This was an unblinded, non‐inferiority, between‐patient, comparison study that involved patients admitted to a single‐centre burn unit who required two skin graft donor sites. Each patient's donor sites were covered immediately after surgery: one donor site with TMD and the other with CMC‐Ag. The donor sites were evaluated until healing or until 24 days post‐application, whichever came first. Study endpoints were time to healing, daily pain scores, number of dressing changes, patient comfort and physicians' and patients' willingness to use the dressings in the future. Nineteen patients had both the dressings applied. No statistically significant difference was noted in time to healing between the two dressings (14·2 days using TMD compared with 13·2 days using CMC‐Ag). When pain scores were compared, TMD resulted in statistically significantly less pain at three different time periods (2–5 days, 6–10 days and 11–15 days; P < 0·001 at all time periods). Patients also reported greater comfort with TMD (P < 0·001). Users rated TMD as being less easy to use because of the time and technique required for application. Reductions in pain and increased patient comfort with the use of the TMD dressing, compared with CMC‐Ag, were seen as clinical benefits as these are the major issues in donor site management.
Is obesity a risk factor for impaired cognition in young adults with low birth weight?
Authors: Lundgren M. , Morgården E. , Gustafsson J.
Published: August 2013

What is already known about this subject

Obesity is associated with metabolic disease and impaired cognitive function in adults.

Low birth weight is known to be associated with adult metabolic disease and low intellectual performance.

What this study adds

Adolescent overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of low intellectual performance.

Overweight/obese adolescents, born with a low weight, have a further increased risk of low intellectual performance.

A high birth weight increases the risk of adolescent obesity.

Overweight/obese adolescents, born with a high weight, do not have a further increased risk of low intellectual performance.

Background

Overweight and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. There is also an association between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive ability. Since low birth weight is associated with adult metabolic disease, particularly in obese subjects, the question emerges whether obesity has an additional negative effect on cognitive function in subjects with low birth weight.

Objectives

The aim was to analyse whether overweight or obesity influence intellectual performance in young adults with particular focus on those with a low birth weight.

Methods

Data were collected from the Swedish Medical Birth Register on 620 834 males born between 1973 and 1988 and matched to results on intellectual performance and BMI at conscription.

Results

The risk for low intellectual performance was higher for those with high BMI compared to those with normal. The highest risk was found among subjects with low birth weight and overweight or obesity in young adulthood (odds ratios, 1.98 [1.73‐2.22] and 2.59 [2.00–3.34], respectively). However, subjects with further high birth weight and a high BMI at conscription had no further increased risk.

Conclusions

Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of subnormal intellectual performance in young adult males. Subjects with low birth weight and adolescent overweight/obesity are at particular risk of subnormal performance. A high birth weight increases the risk for obesity, but a high adult BMI does not further increase the risk for subnormal performance.
Size and Lone Pair Effects on the Multiferroic Properties ofBi0.75A0.25FeO3−δ(A = Sr, Pb, and Ba) Ceramics
Authors: Hussain Shahzad , Khurshid Hasanain S. , Hassnain Jaffari G. , Faridi Sabeen , Rehman Foqia , Ali Abbas Turab , Ismat Shah S.
Published: August 2013

The work presents a comparative study of the effects of divalentBa,Sr, andPbsubstituents on the multiferroic properties ofBiFeO3. The multiferroic properties ofBi0.75A0.25FeO3(A = Sr,Pb,Ba) solid solution have been explained taking into account the effects of size differences and electronic configuration differences between the host element (Bi) and the substituent. X‐ray diffraction studies revealed thatSrandPbsubstitution atBi‐site transforms the rhombohedral phase (R3c) to cubic phase (Pm3m), whereas the Ba‐substituted sample exhibited the presence of both rhombohedral and cubic phases (R3c + Pm3m). Electronic structure studies throughXPSrevealed that charge imbalance induced by divalent substitution was being compensated by the formation of oxygen vacancies, while theFeions exist inFe2+andFe3+states. Replacement of volatileBibySr,Pb, andBareduces the concentration of oxygen vacancies (VO2+) and helps to improve the dielectric properties. Strong magnetization enhancement was observed in the substituted compositions and was seen to be consistent with the suppression of cycloid spin structure due to structural transformation as well as possible changes inFe–Olocal environment leading to local lattice distortion effects. Furthermore, the observed decrease in the values of magnetic coercivity at low temperature in all the substituted samples is explained in terms of reduced effective single ion anisotropy, originating in the magnetoelectric coupling and being a particularly stronger effect in the case of the lone pair dopantPb, consistent with theoretical predictions. The lone pair substituentPbleads to the largest dielectric constant, enhanced magnetization, and large effects on the low‐temperature hysteresis.
A Matter of Respect: On Majority‐Minority Relations in a Liberal Democracy
Authors: Ceva Emanuela , Zuolo Federico
Published: August 2013

In this article, we engage critically with the understanding of majority‐minority relations in a liberal democracy as relations of toleration. We make two main claims: first, that appeals to toleration are unable to capture the procedural problems concerning the unequal socio‐political participation of minorities, and, second, that they do not offer any critical tool to establish what judgements the majority is entitled to consider valid reasons for action with respect to some minority. We suggest supplementing the reference to toleration with a specific interpretation of respect for persons; all persons should be treated equally as self‐legislators and as if they were opaque to our judgement as regards their agential abilities, on which their capacity for self‐legislation supervenes. Minorities are disrespected in this sense whenever are treated merely as the addressees of the rules constraining the formulation and pursuit of their life‐plans, rather than as their co‐authors on an equal footing with the majority, and whenever their treatment in politics and society is considered as legitimately influenced by the majority's judgement of their agential abilities, either directly or by indirect inference from the evaluation of the content of their beliefs and practices.
Does Religion Deserve Our Respect?
Authors: Bird Colin
Published: August 2013

This article enumerates several different possible construals of the idea that religion is owed respect. It asks: 1. how religion might be an object of respect; 2. what sorts of respect religion might command; and 3. whose respect might be at stake in complaints about and demands for religious recognition. By distinguishing various ways in which these questions can be interpreted, the discussion aims to introduce some clarity to a notoriously controversial and knotty area of public discussion. Although the article does not propose any particular answer to the question ‘Does religion deserve our respect?’, it does urge that theorists give greater attention to the neglected way in which religions have a ‘public presence’ that engenders distinctive sorts of social respect. I suggest that the popularity among academic political theorists and philosophers of a ‘liberal’ paradigm emphasising the importance of freedom of conscience and ‘respect for persons’ has led them to ignore the implications of ‘public presence’ for debates over the place of religion in modern secular societies.
Will the Real Tolerant Racist Please Stand Up?
Authors: Bessone Magali
Published: August 2013

One of the most perplexing paradoxes of toleration concerns the ‘tolerant racist’. According to most current definitions of toleration, a person is considered tolerant if, and only if, 1) he refrains from interfering with something 2) he deeply disapproves of, 3) in spite of having the power to interfere. Hence, a racist who refrains from discriminating against members of races he considers inferior despite having the power to do so, should be considered a tolerant person. Moreover, a person can apparently become more tolerant by increasing the range or degree of his racist disapproval, just as long as he continues not to act against the objectionable object.

This paper examines this strongly counterintuitive implication of the standard concept of toleration, by considering in full the meaning and nature of racism(s) and focusing on the power component of toleration. It explores both an exclusive solution and an accommodating solution to the paradox. The first part of the paper shows that none of the standard agent‐oriented views of racism — doxastic, dispositional or volitional — adequately supports either solution. The second part of the paper turns to another, structural account of racism and toleration. It suggests that taking into account an institutional interpretation of toleration as non‐domination and adopting a more socio‐political perspective on racism provides an accommodating solution to the paradox.
The Prevalence of Primary Pediatric Prehypertension and Hypertension in a Real‐World Managed Care System
Authors: Koebnick Corinna , Black Mary H. , Wu Jun , Martinez Mayra P. , Smith Ning , Kuizon Beatriz D. , Jacobsen Steven J. , Reynolds Kristi
Published: August 2013

To assess the burden associated with hypertension, reliable estimates for the prevalence of pediatric hypertension are vital. For this cross‐sectional study of 237,248 youths aged 6 to 17 years without indication of secondary hypertension, blood pressure (BP) was classified according to age, sex, and height using standards from the Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents as prehypertension with at least 1 BP ≥90th percentile and as hypertension with 3 BPs ≥95th percentile. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension were 31.4% and 2.1%, respectively. An additional 21.4% had either 1 (16.6%) or 2 (4.8%) BPs ≥95th percentile. Based on this large population‐based study using routinely measured BP from clinical care, a remarkable proportion of youth (6.9%) has hypertension or nearly meets the definition of hypertension with 2 documented BPs in the hypertensive range.
Risk of Hospitalized Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Persons Randomized to Diuretic, ACE‐Inhibitor, or Calcium‐Channel Blocker in ALLHAT
Authors: Phillips William , Piller Linda B. , Williamson Jeff D. , Whittle Jeffrey , Jafri Syed Z. A. , Ford Charles E. , Einhorn Paula T. , Oparil Suzanne , Furberg Curt D. , Grimm, Jr Richard H. , Alderman Michael H. , Davis Barry R. , Probstfield Jeffrey L. ,   for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group
Published: August 2013

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are an important class of medication useful in the treatment of hypertension. Several observational studies have suggested an association between CCB therapy and gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. Using administrative databases, the authors re‐examined in a post‐hoc analysis whether the Antihypertensive and Lipid‐Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) participants randomized to the CCB amlodipine had a greater risk of hospitalized GI bleeding (a prespecified outcome) compared with those randomized to the diuretic chlorthalidone or the angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril. Participants randomized to chlorthalidone did not have a reduced risk for GI bleeding hospitalizations compared with participants randomized to amlodipine (hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92–1.28). Those randomized to lisinopril were at increased risk of GI bleeding compared with those randomized to chlorthalidone (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00–1.36). In a post‐hoc comparison, participants assigned to lisinopril therapy had a higher risk of hospitalized GI hemorrhage (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06–1.51) vs those assigned to amlodipine. In‐study use of atenolol prior to first GI hemorrhage was related to a lower incidence of GI bleeding (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.57–0.83). Hypertensive patients on amlodipine do not have an increased risk of GI bleeding hospitalizations compared with those taking either chlorthalidone or lisinopril.
Commentary in Support of a Highly Effective Hypertension Treatment Algorithm
Authors: Handler Joel
Published: August 2013

A simple hypertension treatment algorithm has contributed to the achievement of control rates greater than 85% for more than 1 million adults with hypertension across the United States. It is built on the fixed‐dose combination drug lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide, which is maximized in three steps before adding amlodipine. Spironolactone is the preferred fourth drug.