bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population‐based trends in urinary diversion among patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer
Authors: Kim Simon P. , Shah Nilay D. , Weight Christopher J. , Thompson R. Houston , Wang Jeffrey K. , Karnes R. Jeffrey , Han Leona C. , Ziegenfuss Jeanette Y. , Frank Igor , Tollefson Matthew K. , Boorjian Stephen A.
Published: March 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Variations in the type of urinary diversion exist for patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

Although its use has been increasing from 2001 to 2008, patients who are older, female, and primary insured by Medicaid are less likely to receive continent diversions. Furthermore, patients treated surgically at high‐volume and teaching hospitals are more likely to receive continent diversions.

Objective

To describe the contemporary trends in urinary diversion among patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer; and elucidate whether socioeconomic disparities persist in the type of diversion performed in the USA from a population‐based cohort.

Patients and Methods

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer between 2001 and 2008.

Multivariable regression models were used to identify patient and hospital covariates associated with continent urinary diversion and enumerate predicted probabilities for statistically significant variables over time.

Results

Overall, 55 635 (92%) patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer received incontinent urinary diversion, while 4552 (8%) patients received continent diversion from 2001 to 2008.

Receipt of continent urinary diversion increased from 6.6% in 2001–2002 to 9.4% in 2007–2008 (P < 0.001 for trend).

Patients who were older (odds ratio [OR] 0.93; P < 0.001), female (OR 0.52; P < 0.001) and insured by Medicaid (OR 0.54; P = 0.002) were less likely to receive continent urinary diversion.

However, patients treated at teaching (OR 2.14; P < 0.001) and high‐volume hospitals (OR 2.39; P = 0.04) had higher odds of continent urinary diversion.

Predicted probabilities of continent diversion remained lower for female patients, Medicaid insurance status, and non‐teaching and medium/low‐volume hospitals over time.

Conclusions

In this nationally representative sample of hospitals from 2001 to 2008, the use of continent diversion in RC gradually increased.

Although variations in urinary diversion exist by hospital teaching status, case volume, patient gender and primary health insurance, increased attention in expanding the use of continent diversions may help reduce these disparities for patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer.
The Costs of Keeping Cool for Australians with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Verikios George , Summers Michael P. , Simmons Rex D.
Published: March 2013

Heat intolerance is a significant medical problem affecting people with multiple sclerosis (MS). For people with MS, the costs of running their air conditioners are an additional disease‐related expense that must be met on top of other out‐of‐pocket disease‐related expenses. Using the results of the 2008 Keeping Cool Survey, we estimate the relative economic disadvantage faced by MS households in trying to keep cool. We find that MS households spend around four times more on keeping cool than average Australian households. Sensitivity analysis indicates that our results are robust with respect to all key inputs and parameters.
Offshoring and Wages
Authors: Ahsan Reshad N.
Published: March 2013

In this article, I provide an overview of the growing literature on offshoring and wages. I begin by documenting the recent growth in goods and service offshoring. I then discuss the mechanisms through which offshoring is likely to affect wages and review the empirical literature on the impact of offshoring on both the relative and absolute wage of low‐skilled workers in advanced economies. Lastly, I conclude by providing some thoughts on what governments can do to address the labour market consequences of offshoring.
A comparison between the effectiveness of solution‐focused brief therapy and the quadripartite model of social competence and a fusion model of these two methods on increasing social adjustment of female students residing in Tehran dormitories
Authors: Saffarpoor Sedigheh , Farahbakhsh Kyomars , Shafiabadi Abdollah , Pashasharifi Hasan
Published: February 2013

The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of solution‐focused brief therapy, the quadripartite model of social competence, and a fusion model of these two methods on increasing social competence of female students residing in Tehran dormitories. The studied sample includes 60 patients, randomly placed in three experimental groups and one control group. Analysis of covariance has been used to test the difference between group means. The results demonstrate that all three treatment methods were effective on the increase of social adjustment in the students. While no significant differences were observed between the solution‐focused and the quadripartite model of social competence treatment methods, the combination model exhibits superior efficacy on the increase of social adjustment in the test subjects.
Visfatin and its genetic variants are associated with obesity‐related morbidities and cardiometabolic risk in severely obese children
Authors: Ooi S. Q. , Chan R. M. E. , Poh L. K. S. , Loke K. Y. , Heng C. K. , Chan Y. H. , Gan S. U. , Lee K. O. , Lee Y. S.
Published: February 2013

Background

Visfatin is an adipokine, associated with obesity and possibly glucose regulation.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the association of visfatin and its genetic variants with adiposity, cardiometabolic risk factors and obesity‐related morbidities in obese children.

Methods

Anthropometric measurements, dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan, fasting blood samples and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed for 243 obese children. We screened the visfatin gene of 24 obese subjects and then performed genotyping of identified genetic variants in other 219 obese children through direct DNA sequencing.

Results

Fasting serum visfatin correlated with measures of obesity and liver enzymes and was elevated in obese children with abnormal glucose tolerance and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. The two upstream single nucleotide polymorphisms, −3187G>A (rs11977021) and −1537C>T (rs61330082), were at complete linkage disequilibrium. The AA genotype of −3187G>A was associated with higher serum visfatin (6.17 ± 0.76 ng mL−1 vs. 3.92 ± 0.44 ng mL−1) and higher triglyceride (1.39 ± 0.08 mmol L−1 vs. 1.19 ± 0.07 mmol L−1) as compared with the GG genotype. There was also a significant linear increase in serum visfatin across GG to GA to AA genotype of −3187G>A, indicating possible additive effect of A allele. The dominant GA + AA genotype model of +21426G>A (rs2302559) was associated with lower serum visfatin (3.83 ± 0.56 ng mL−1 vs. 5.13 ± 0.34 ng mL−1) and lower plasma glucose (4.37 ± 0.08 mmol L−1 vs. 4.77 ± 0.12 mmol L−1) as compared with the GG genotype.

Conclusion

Visfatin and its genetic variants were associated with adiposity, obesity‐related morbidities and adverse cardiometabolic parameters. This supported our hypothesis that visfatin plays a significant role in the development of obesity‐related morbidities and cardiometabolic risk.
Mechanisms of Fatty Acid and Triglyceride Dispersant Bonding in Non‐Aqueous Dispersions of NiO
Authors: Jay Deiner L. , Piotrowski Kelli A. , Reitz Thomas L.
Published: March 2013

Infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the mechanism of fatty acid and triglyceride dispersant bonding to NiO in 2‐butanol for a series of triglyceride and straight chain fatty acid dispersants with systematically varied chain lengths and degrees of unsaturation. The extent of NiO deflocculation was measured using laser diffraction particle size analysis. The relative stabilities of the fatty acid/NiO dispersions were assessed through settling tests. Diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy indicates that the straight chain fatty acids chemisorb to NiO as alkoxides with most of the adsorbed moieties in an η2 configuration. A small fraction of the adsorbed straight chain fatty acids are either chemisorbed through the hydroxyl oxygen in an η1 configuration or physisorbed as dimers. Glycerol trioleate and Menhaden fish oil both exhibit some chemisorption through the carbonyl oxygen. Despite similarities in adsorption mechanism, the dispersants differ in their abilities to break up NiO aggregates and to prevent re‐aggregation. Dispersant characteristics favoring stability of the NiO/2‐butanol dispersion are longer carbon chain length and higher degree of unsaturation. The triglyceride structure provides a weak improvement in stability. These results are discussed in the context of recent work developing non‐aqueous inks for inkjet printing of solid oxide fuel cells.
The moderating effect of nutritional status on depressive symptoms in veteran elders with dementia: a spaced retrieval combined with Montessori‐based activities
Authors: Wu Hua‐Shan , Lin Li‐Chan
Published: February 2013

Aim

To examine the long‐term effects of fixed/individualized spaced retrieval combined with Montessori‐based activities on nutritional status and body mass index and nutritional improvement's moderating effect on depressive symptoms for people with dementia during a specific follow‐up period.

Background

The decrease in food intake, often combined with poor nutrition, may induce depressive symptoms in people with dementia.

Design

A single‐blind, quasi‐experimental study with repeated measures.

Methods

Twenty‐five fixed group participants received spaced retrieval combined with Montessori‐based activities over 24 sessions. Thirty‐eight individualized group participants received the same intervention with different sessions, which was adjusted according to each participant's learning response. Twenty‐seven control group participants just received routine care. The Chinese version of the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia scores and body mass index were recorded at pre‐test, posttest and 1‐, 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups. Data were collected between July 2008–February 2010.

Results

The Mini‐Nutritional Assessment scores and body mass index of the fixed and individualized groups could be significantly increased over time. Additionally, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia scores could be significantly reduced as a result of the improvement of the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment scores arising from the individualized intervention.

Conclusion

The depressive symptoms of residents with dementia could be moderated by the individualized intervention through nutritional improvement. Trained clinical nurse specialists can use this individualized intervention for residents with dementia who also have poor nutrition and depressive symptoms.
The application of Kingdon's Multiple Streams Theory for human papillomavirus‐related anal intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Walhart Tara
Published: March 2013

Aims

This paper presents a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of redefining human papillomavirus‐related anal intraepithelial neoplasia as a problem of sexually active people by using Kingdon's Multiple Streams Theory to examine possible policy solutions for increasing anal cancer screening.

Background

Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Anal cancer associated with human papillomavirus infections is increasing in incidence in both men and women. The prevalence of anal cancer does not decrease with age.

Data source

Pubmed was searched for articles and internet references from 1995–2012.

Discussion

Although a large body of literature suggests that human papillomavirus‐related anal intraepithelial neoplasia is a problem, no effective policy solutions have emerged. However, as almost the entire sexually active population is exposed to human papillomavirus, it should be thought of as every person's problem. This suggests that human papillomavirus‐related anal intraepithelial neoplasia calls for different types of problem definitions and policy solutions to address the disease. The issue of anal cancer is typically defined as a problem of HIV‐positive individuals.

Implications for Nursing

Nurses are focused on improving patient outcomes. We play a key role in helping to identify problems, moving problems onto policymaker's agendas, and influencing the creation of new healthcare policies.

Conclusion

Human papillomavirus‐related anal intraepithelial neoplasia demands attention and the development of national level policies to ensure public health and safety. Kingdon's Multiple Streams Theory has provided a pragmatic framework to evaluate the problem.
Polyphasic characterization of Aeromonas salmonicida isolates recovered from salmonid and non‐salmonid fish
Authors: Diamanka A , Loch T P , Cipriano R C , Faisal M
Published: February 2013

Michigan's fisheries rely primarily upon the hatchery propagation of salmonid fish for release in public waters. One limitation on the success of these efforts is the presence of bacterial pathogens, including Aeromonas salmonicida, the causative agent of furunculosis. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of A. salmonicida in Michigan fish, as well as to determine whether biochemical or gene sequence variability exists among Michigan isolates. A total of 2202 wild, feral and hatchery‐propagated fish from Michigan were examined for the presence of A. salmonicida. The examined fish included Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), coho salmon, O. kisutcha (Walbaum), steelhead trout, O. mykiss (Walbaum), Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), and yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill). Among these, 234 fish yielded a brown pigment‐producing bacterium that was presumptively identified as A. salmonicida. Further phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses identified representative isolates as Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and revealed some genetic and biochemical variability. Logistic regression analyses showed that infection prevalence varied according to fish species/strain, year and gender, whereby Chinook salmon and females had the highest infection prevalence. Moreover, this pathogen was found in six fish species from eight sites, demonstrating its widespread nature within Michigan.
Greater Number of Narcotic Analgesic Prescriptions for Osteoarthritis Is Associated with Falls and Fractures in Elderly Adults
Authors: Rolita Lydia , Spegman Adele , Tang Xiaoqin , Cronstein Bruce N.
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the changes in types of medications prescribed for pain before and after withdrawal of certain selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) inhibitors in 2004 and to determine whether there was an association with fall events in elderly adults with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA).

Design

A nested case–control design using electronic medical records compiled between 2001 and 2009.

Setting

Electronic medical records for care provided in an integrated health system in rural Pennsylvania over a 9‐year period (2001–09), the midpoint of which rofecoxib and valdecoxib were pulled from the market.

Participants

Thirteen thousand three hundred fifty‐four individuals aged 65 to 89 with a diagnosis of OA.

Measurements

The incidence of falls and fractures was examined in relation to analgesics prescribed: narcotics, COX‐2 inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The comparison sample of individuals who did not fall was matched 3:1 with those who fell according to age, sex, and comorbidity.

Results

Narcotic analgesic prescriptions were associated with a significantly greater risk of falls and fractures. The likelihood of experiencing a fall/fracture was higher in participants prescribed narcotic analgesics than those prescribed a COX‐2 inhibitor (odds ratio (OR) = 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.5–4.3) or NSAID (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 3.7–4.5).

Conclusion

Use of narcotic analgesics is associated with risk of falls and fractures in elderly adults with OA, an observation that suggests that the current guidelines for the treatment of pain, which include first‐line prescription of narcotics, should be reevaluated.
Challenges of Antibiotic Prescribing for Assisted Living Residents: Perspectives of Providers, Staff, Residents, and Family Members
Authors: Kistler Christine E. , Sloane Philip D. , Platts‐Mills Timothy F. , Beeber Anna S. , Khandelwal Christine , Weber David J. , Mitchell C. Madeline , Reed David , Chisholm Latarsha , Zimmerman Sheryl
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To better understand the antibiotic prescribing process in assisted living (AL) communities given the growing rate of antibiotic resistance.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Setting

Four AL communities in North Carolina.

Participants

Assisted living residents who received antibiotics (n = 30) from October 20, 2010, to March 31, 2011, a primary family member, staff, and the prescribing medical provider.

Measurements

Semistructured interviews that were conducted regarding prescribing included the information available at the time of prescribing and the perceptions of the quality of communication between providers, staff, residents and family members about the resident. Providers were asked an open‐ended question regarding how to improve the communication process related to antibiotic prescribing for AL residents.

Results

For the 30 residents who received antibiotic prescriptions, providers often had limited information about the case and lacked familiarity with the residents, the residents' families, and staff. They also felt that cases were less severe and less likely to require an antibiotic than did residents, families, and staff. Providers identified several ways to improve the communication process, including better written documentation and staff and family presence.

Conclusion

In a small sample of AL communities, providers faced an array of challenges in making antibiotic prescribing decisions. This work confirms the complex nature of antibiotic prescribing in AL communities and indicates that further work is needed to determine how to improve the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing.
Selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons by MPP+ and its rescue by D2 autoreceptors in Drosophila primary culture
Authors: Wiemerslage Lyle , Schultz Bradley J. , Ganguly Archan , Lee Daewoo
Published: March 2013

Drosophila melanogaster is widely used to study genetic factors causing Parkinson's disease (PD) largely because of the use of sophisticated genetic approaches and the presence of a high conservation of gene sequence/function between Drosophila and mammals. However, in Drosophila, little has been done to study the environmental factors which cause over 90% of PD cases. We used Drosophila primary neuronal culture to study degenerative effects of a well‐known PD toxin MPP+. Dopaminergic (DA) neurons were selectively degenerated by MPP+, whereas cholinergic and GABAergic neurons were not affected. This DA neuronal loss was because of post‐mitotic degeneration, not by inhibition of DA neuronal differentiation. We also found that MPP+‐mediated neurodegeneration was rescued by D2 agonists quinpirole and bromocriptine. This rescue was through activation of Drosophila D2 receptor DD2R, as D2 agonists failed to rescue MPP+‐toxicity in neuronal cultures prepared from both a DD2R deficiency line and a transgenic line pan‐neuronally expressing DD2R RNAi. Furthermore, DD2R autoreceptors in DA neurons played a critical role in the rescue. When DD2R RNAi was expressed only in DA neurons, MPP+ toxicity was not rescued by D2 agonists. Our study also showed that rescue of DA neurodegeneration by Drosophila DD2R activation was mediated through suppression of action potentials in DA neurons.
A Systematic Review of the Interventions for Nipple Trauma in Breastfeeding Mothers
Authors: Vieira Flaviana , Bachion Maria Márcia , Mota Dálete Delalibera C. F. , Munari Denize Bouttelet
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To identify the most effective interventions to treat nipple trauma in breastfeeding mothers.

Design and Methods

Systematic literature review using the PICO strategy. The search was conducted on the electronic information systems Medline‐PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), World Health Organization Library Information System (WHOLIS), Cochrane, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), using standardized and unstandardized descriptors. Studies were selected if they were controlled or uncontrolled randomized clinical trials written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Two reviewers evaluated the studies independently using a guide, and in case there were disagreements, a third reviewer was called on to reach a consensus. Of the 496 studies located, five were included.

Findings

The treatments investigated were lanolin, lanolin in association with breast protection shells, breast milk, hydrogel, adhesive polyethylene film dressings, a spray containing chlorhexidine with alcohol, and distilled water. All the groups in every study received breastfeeding education. The best outcomes for the treatment of nipple trauma used lanolin (recommendation B, evidence level 2) and breast milk (recommendation B, evidence level 2). Although one clinical study was found with positive outcomes resulting from treatment using a spray containing alcohol and chlorhexidine 0.2% (recommendation B, evidence level 2), this treatment modality should be further investigated since literature is not in favor of using antiseptic substances in skin wound treatment.

Conclusions

Considering the treatments investigated, the most favorable evidence indicates the use of lanolin alone or in association with breast protection shells and breast milk expressed and rubbed into the nipple and areola after each feeding session. However, the results obtained in this review are inconclusive, indicating the need for further studies in order to clarify the action of breast milk and lanolin on the damaged tissues, as well as studies involving samples representative of the number needed to treat.

Clinical Relevance

This study provides evidence for nursing practice, thus contributing to the improvement of lactating mothers with nipple trauma care and, consequently, improving the rates of successful breastfeeding as well as the quality of life of breastfeeding mothers.
Important Considerations When Applying for a Postdoctoral Fellowship
Authors: Sherry Daisy , Fennessy Michelle M. , Benavente Viola G. , Ruppar Todd M. , Collins Eileen G.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To examine important decision points that graduates should consider before applying for a postdoctoral fellowship.

Methods

A literature review was performed.

Findings and Conclusions

A synthesis of the present data on the postdoctoral fellowship, eligibility criteria, application process, and important considerations was provided. Experiential knowledge from four present postdoctoral fellows was included. The goals, advantages, and disadvantages of the fellowship were discussed. In conclusion, the postdoctoral fellowship was examined to offer important considerations in the decision to pursue this opportunity.

Clinical Relevance

The clinical relevance of this article is related to the training and education of nurses to become the next generation of independent, successful scholars and scientists. Postdoctoral training adds valuable contributions and quality to the field of nursing.
Parental Influences of Sexual Risk Among Urban African American Adolescent Males
Authors: Harris Allyssa L. , Sutherland Melissa A. , Hutchinson M. Katherine
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This study examined the influence of parental marital status, parent‐child sexual communication, parent‐child closeness on the HIV‐related knowledge, safer‐sex intentions, and behaviors of late adolescent urban African American males.

Design

The study employed a cross‐sectional design with retrospective recall of salient parental influences and behaviors.

Methods

Data were collected via paper‐and‐pencil questionnaire from 134 late adolescent African American males, 18 to 22 years of age, recruited from urban communities in and around Boston, Massachusetts. Data were analyzed using bivariate correlations, paired t tests, and regression modeling.

Findings

Young men reported greater amounts of sexual communication with mothers than fathers (p < .001). Parent‐child closeness was positively correlated with amount of parent‐child sexual communication with both mothers and fathers (p < .001 for both). Parent‐child closeness was, in turn, associated with greater condom use self‐efficacy (p < .01), less permissive sexual attitudes (p < .001), fewer sexual partners (p < .01), and less unprotected sex (p < .01). Greater amounts of parent‐child sexual communication were associated with fewer sexual risk behaviors, more consistent condom use, and greater intentions to use condoms in the future. There was evidence that parental influences on sexual risk behaviors and condom use intentions were mediated through young men's condom use self‐efficacy, attitudes, and beliefs.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of the parent‐child relationship and the role of parent‐child communication between parents and sons. Further studies are needed to better understand the nature of father‐son communication and develop strategies to help parents communicate effectively with sons.

Clinical Relevance

Evidence has shown that African American adolescent males are more likely to engage in high‐risk sexual behaviors. Understanding the sexual risk communication between African American adolescent males and their parents is important to developing strategies in reducing sexual risk behavior.
Bioactive proteins in breast milk
Authors: Lönnerdal Bo
Published: March 2013

Human milk contains many proteins that have been shown to be bioactive, but it is still not known whether these activities are exerted in breast‐fed infants. These bioactivities include enzyme activities, enhancement of nutrient absorption, growth stimulation, modulation of the immune system and defence against pathogens. The antimicrobial activities are very diverse, ranging from stimulation of beneficial microorganisms (i.e. prebiotic effects), killing or inhibition of growth of pathogens, to mechanisms preventing attachment or invasion of harmful microorganisms. Among the bioactive proteins are lactoferrin, lysozyme, secretory immunoglobulin A, haptocorrin, lactoperoxidase, α‐lactalbumin, bile salt stimulated lipase, β‐ and κ‐casein, and tumour growth factor β. Human milk proteins may be largely resistant against digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, be partially digested into bioactive peptides, or be more or less completely digested and utilised as a source of amino acids. These events can be studied using an in vitro digestion model, which is useful for predicting results in human infants. Some bovine milk proteins, for example, lactoferrin and tumour growth factor β, may also resist proteolysis and be capable of exerting bioactivities similar to those of human milk proteins.
Retaining cytotoxic activity of anthrapyridone CO1 against multidrug resistant cells is related to the ability to induce concomitantly apoptosis and lysosomal death of leukaemia HL60/VINC and HL60/DOX cells
Authors: Nowak Robert , Tarasiuk Jolanta
Published: March 2013

Objectives

The effect of anthrapyridone compound CO1 retaining cytotoxic activity against multidrug resistant (MDR) tumour cells on inducing cell death of the sensitive leukaemia HL60 cell line and its MDR sublines (HL60/VINC and HL60/DOX) was examined.

Methods

The effects of CO1 and the reference compound doxorubicin (DOX) on examined cells were analysed by studying their cytotoxicity, drug intracellular accumulation, cell cycle distribution, caspase-3 and caspase-8 activity, Fas expression and lysosomal integrity.

Key findings

CO1 was much less effective at influencing the cell cycle of examined cells than DOX a well-known antitumour drug targeting cellular DNA and causing G2/M checkpoint arrest. CO1 caused much less pronounced appearance of the sub-G1 population and oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation, characteristic of apoptosis, compared with DOX. Significantly lower caspase-3 and caspase-8 activity was also observed in the response of these cells to CO1 compared with DOX treatment. CO1 did not change the expression of the Fas death receptor, characteristic of apoptotic pathways, on the surface of studied cells. Interestingly, the results showed that CO1 caused lysosomal membrane permeability (LMP) of the cells, whereas DOX did not perturb the lysosomal integrity of the studied cells.

Conclusions

The results suggest that CO1 could induce LMP-mediated cell death as a main lethal effect in a caspase-independent fashion.
A comparison of the quality of life of vulnerable young males with severe emotional and behaviour difficulties in a residential setting and young males in mainstream schooling
Authors: Carroll D. , Duffy T. , Martin C. R.
Published: March 2013

Accessible summary

The findings from this study reveal that the notion of anticipated and deleterious differences in quality of life (QoL) between children with severe emotional and behavioural problems and those without such difficulties is not supported. Indeed, results reveal counter‐intuitive findings with children with emotional and behavioural problems reporting better QoL than those without such presenting problems on a number of QoL subscales.

The type of QoL measure and related subscales appears to be sensitive to differing aspects of self‐report QoL, with in some instances, some QoL subscales being more discriminatory between groups compared with other QoL subscales. Consequently, the choice of QoL measure is critically important in accurately and reliably determining QoL in children with significant emotional and behavioural problems.

One hundred and seventy‐four males completed a quality of life (QoL) assessment utilizing, a generic paediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL) and the short form (36) health survey (SF36). The adolescents aged 13–16 years were in a Scottish Centre for young males with social, emotional, behavioural and educational problems. To identify similarities and differences, a comparison group (n = 110) of males in the third and fourth year in a mainstream secondary school were also administered the PedsQL and the SF36 self‐rating scales. The effectiveness of the PedsQL and the SF36 for assessing QoL for adolescent males was investigated. There were significant differences between the groups in the Centre and between the Centre groups and the comparison group in terms of their QoL. The results between the groups were found in the PedsQL subscales ‘physical functioning’ where secure > comparison (P = 0.04); secure > residential (P = 0.008); and PedsQL subscale ‘social functioning’ day > comparison (P = 0.026); secure > comparison (P = 0.037). SF36 subscales ‘role physical functioning’ secure > residential (P < 0.001); day > residential (P < 0.001). SF36 ‘role mental functioning’ day > residential (P = 0.001). This study provides a unique insight into the complex dimensions influencing the QoL of this specific group of young people.
Partial ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in rabbits
Authors: Eatwell K. , Mancinelli E. , Hedley J. , Keeble E. , Kovalik M. , Yool D. A.
Published: February 2013

Six lop rabbits were presented with clinical signs of otitis media or externa. The presence of disease was confirmed by computerized tomography examination, with two rabbits suffering from bilateral disease. The rabbits were anaesthetized and underwent surgery of the affected bulla. Rabbits with bilateral disease had a minimum of 2 weeks between procedures. A single vertical incision was made over the base of the vertical canal, which was bluntly dissected free from surrounding tissue. The ventral portion of the vertical canal was removed and a lateral bulla osteotomy was performed. The mucosa at the base of the dorsal vertical canal was apposed and the aural cartilage sutured to form a blind‐ending pouch open at the pretragic incisure. Histopathological samples taken from the dorsal margin of the vertical canal yielded subtle and non‐specific changes in the six samples submitted. All rabbits were discharged within 48 hours of surgery. The cosmetic outcome was excellent with animals retaining visually normal aural anatomy. The partial ear canal ablation/lateral bulla osteotomy procedure is quick and has a good cosmetic result when performed in rabbits.
Close Ties, Intercessory Prayer, and Optimism Among American Adults: Locating God in the Social Support Network
Authors: Schafer Markus H.
Published: March 2013

Prayer is often an interpersonal phenomenon. It represents not only a form of social support shared between or among people, but also a means of embedding an unobservable actor (God) within a conventionally observable social network. This study considers whether the receipt of intercessory prayer from close network ties is associated with future‐oriented well‐being. Analyses use social network module data from the Portraits of American Life Study (PALS), a nationally representative study of American adults containing a breadth of information not available in prior studies of networks, prayer, and well‐being. Despite experiencing more instances of recent adversity (mental or physical health problem, financial trouble, and unemployment), prayed‐for PALS respondents report the highest levels of optimism. Furthermore, the association between network prayer and optimism is robust to inclusion of individual‐level indicators of religiosity. Finally, other forms of social support that an individual receives from his or her close ties do not explain the benefits of intercessory prayer.
How Does Religion Promote Forgiveness? Linking Beliefs, Orientations, and Practices
Authors: Escher Daniel
Published: March 2013

Scholars have long observed that religion and forgiveness are generally positively linked, but it is unclear why this is the case. This article proposes and tests potential mechanisms by which religion promotes forgiveness. Using data from the 1998 General Social Survey, I find that holding a collaborative orientation toward God, subscribing to a pervasive role of religion, and believing God forgives are primary factors promoting one's propensity to forgive both oneself and others. These factors have varying influence on interpersonal forgiveness compared to self‐forgiveness and further illuminate the differences between the two processes. My findings demonstrate the importance of analyzing a person's religious beliefs and orientations directly, in addition to examining other dimensions of religion, such as affiliation, frequency of religious activity, and official religious teachings.
Fracturing Over Creation Care? Shifting Environmental Beliefs Among Evangelicals, 1984–2010
Authors: Danielsen Sabrina
Published: March 2013

While evangelicals have been popularly portrayed as caring primarily about social issues including abortion and homosexuality, there have been more reports in recent years of evangelical leaders, congregations, and institutions shifting focus to environmental issues. Are evangelicals shifting attention to and becoming more progressive in their views on the environment? Moreover, are evangelicals fracturing over the issue of environmentalism, as some have suggested? Using content analysis of three evangelical periodicals (Christianity Today, Sojourners, and World) from 1984 to 2010, I find not only that attention to environmental issues has increased over time, but also that the discussion has grown increasingly polarized and politicized. This change represents a potentially important break with the Republican Party and the Christian Right, as moderate evangelicals have moved to the left on environmental issues. Even among highly religious, self‐identified evangelical political elites, there is more diversity in views and political leanings than is commonly assumed. I conclude with a discussion of the implications of a lack of alignment between evangelical elites, traditional Christian Right leaders, and the Republican Party.
IL‐27 Inhibits Lymphatic Endothelial Cell Proliferation by STAT1‐Regulated Gene Expression
Authors: Nielsen Sebastian Rune , Hammer Troels , Gibson Josefine , Pepper Michael S. , Nisato Riccardo E. , Dissing Steen , Tritsaris Katerina
Published: March 2013

Objective

IL‐27 belongs to the IL‐12 family of cytokines and is recognized for its role in Th cell differentiation and as an inhibitor of tumor angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of IL‐27 on proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells to gain insight into the interplay between the immune system and development of the lymphatic system.

Methods

IL‐27‐stimulated signal transduction in human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells was measured by western blotting and synthesis of CXCL10 and CXCL11 by use of RT‐PCR and ELISA. Proliferation was measured using MTT and BrdU kits and the role of STAT1 and chemokines was determined by use of siRNA and recombinant proteins.

Results

Stimulation of lymphatic endothelial cell cultures with IL‐27 induced JAK dependent phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 and inhibited lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Expression of CXCL10 and CXCL11, both STAT1 target genes, was profoundly up‐regulated upon IL‐27 stimulation, and recombinant CXCL10 and CXCL11 inhibited FGF‐2‐induced proliferation in vitro. siRNA targeting of STAT1 almost completely abrogated CXCL10 and CXCL11 expression as well as the proliferative effect of IL‐27.

Conclusions

IL‐27 function as an anti‐lymphangiogenic regulator in vitro by up‐regulating chemokines and interfering with the mitogenic effect of growth factors through STAT1 activation.
Protocol, politics and popular culture: the independence jubilee in Gabon
Authors: Fricke Christine
Published: March 2013

National days are powerful moments of commemoration that aim at renewing the citizens' bonds to the nation and the state. In order to be successful, public rituals need to draw large audiences, and their ceremonial design therefore has to be adapted to suit the masses, employing elements of popular culture and everyday forms of nationhood. Despite drawing its significance from the declaration of independence in 1960, however, Gabon's independence jubilee was less concerned with history and commemoration than with celebrating the state and the nation in the present. The ceremonial design of Gabon's jubilee featured intensive preparations, official ceremonies, popular festivities and symbolic politics. In this article, I look at why history and commemoration played such an unimportant role during the celebrations and how Gabon's jubilee organisers included official as well as popular forms of nationhood to assure the population's participation.
Prevalence of renal dysfunction in tacrolimus‐treated pediatric transplant recipients: A systematic review
Authors: Gijsen Violette M. G. J. , Hesselink Dennis A. , Croes Kenneth , Koren Gideon , de Wildt Saskia N.
Published: March 2013

Renal dysfunction after non‐renal transplantation in adult tacrolimus‐treated transplant patients is well documented. Little is known about its prevalence in children. Age‐related changes in both disposition and effect of tacrolimus as well as renal function may preclude extrapolation of adult data to children. To systematically review the literature on renal dysfunction in non‐renal pediatric transplant recipients treated with tacrolimus. PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Google were searched from their inception until April 19, 2012, with the search terms “tacrolimus,” “renal function,” “transplantation,” and “children.” Eighteen of 385 retrieved papers were considered relevant. Twelve dealt with liver, four with heart transplant, one with heart and lung transplant, and one with intestinal recipients. Reported prevalences of mild and severe chronic kidney disease ranged from 0% to 39% and 0% to 71.4%, respectively, for liver, and from 22.7% to 40% and 6.8% to 46%, respectively, for heart and/or lung transplant recipients. Ranges remained wide after adjusting for follow‐up time and disease severity. Possible explanations are inclusion bias and definitions used for renal dysfunction. A considerable proportion of pediatric non‐renal transplant patients who receive tacrolimus‐based immunosuppression, appear to suffer from chronic kidney disease. This conclusion warrants further research into the real risk, its risk factors, and individualization of immunosuppressant therapy.
Size does matter: Women mentally rotate large objects faster than men
Authors: Olsen Bernt Ivar , Laeng Bruno , Kristiansen Kari‐Ann , Hartvigsen Gunnar
Published: February 2013

Performance in a computerized “mental rotation” task was measured in groups of males and females while they rotated Shepard‐Metzler‐like cube assemblies on either a standard laptop screen (size = 36 cm) or on a large display wall (584 cm) where the stimuli appeared at considerably larger sizes and within a much wider field of view than that typically used in most spatial tasks. Males and females did not differ significantly in performance in the standard size condition with regards to response time but females performed faster than males in the large display condition. Males were also found to be significantly more accurate than females, regardless of display. We found no sign of trading accuracy for speed for either of the sexes or screen size conditions. We surmise that such an effect may be due to differences in task‐solving strategies between the sexes, where a holistic strategy – which may be preferred by males is negatively affected by large object sizes, whereas a piecemeal approach, that may be preferred by females, is virtually unaffected by display size.
Entitlement in Gutting's Epistemology of Philosophy: Comments on What Philosophers Know
Authors: Henderson David
Published: March 2013

In What Philosophers Know, Gary Gutting provides an epistemology of philosophical reflection. This paper focuses on the roles that various intuitive inputs are said to play in philosophical thought. Gutting argues that philosophers are defeasibly entitled to believe some of these, prior to the outcome of the philosophical reflection, and that they then rightly serve as significant (again defeasible) anchors on reflection. This paper develops a view of epistemic entitlement and applies it to argue that many prephilosophical convictions of the kind Gutting discusses would be just the sort of belief for which entitlement would plausibly be defeated from the start. They then could not properly play the role in philosophical reflection that Gutting envisions for them.
Changes in Student Attitudes Regarding Science When Taught by Teachers Without Experiences With a Model Professional Development Program
Authors: Ali Mohamed Moustafa , Yager Robert , Hacieminoglu Esme , Caliskan Ilke
Published: March 2013

This study focuses on two main issues concerning changes in student attitudes toward science study and their perceptions of its usefulness in their lives. Information has been gathered concerning how student attitudes toward science have changed for teachers and schools not involved with any funded professional development project. Pretesting and posttesting were administered with such “control” groups at the same intervals corresponding with the data collected from students with teachers enrolled in five funded Professional Development projects over the 1981–2008 interim. The grade levels used by the National Assessment of Education Progress in their 1977 assessment of science were used; it focused on students in grades 3, 7, and 11. The results indicate a steady decline in student positive attitudes concerning their science study as grade levels increase. Conversely, the student perceptions of the usefulness of their science study as related to daily living, further science study, and for potential careers remained much the same over the 30‐year interim is a second focus. Generally, results indicate that traditional teaching and major use of textbooks cause increasingly negative student attitudes about science while not producing major changes in their perceptions of its usefulness in their lives.
An optoacoustic point source for acoustic scale model measurements
Authors: Gómez Bolaños Javier , Pulkki Ville , Karppinen Pasi , Hæggström Edward
Published: March 2013

A massless acoustic source is proposed for scale model work. This source is generated by focusing a pulsed laser beam to rapidly heat the air at the focal point. This produces an expanding small plasma ball which generates a sonic impulse that may be used as an acoustic point source. Repeatability, frequency response, and directivity of the source were measured to show that it can serve as a massless point source. The impulse response of a rectangular space was determined using this type of source. A good match was found between the predicted and the measured impulse responses of the space.
Detection of early reflections using multifractals
Authors: Ristić Dragan M. , Pavlović Milan , Pavlović Dragana Šumarac , Reljin Irini
Published: March 2013

Early reflections are not always strong and sparse enough on the timeline to be easily identified when reviewing the impulse response diagram. This paper presents a method for the detection of early reflection in the room impulse response using multifractals. The proposed method uses the distribution of Hölder's exponent calculated for the acoustic impulse response for early reflection detection. The obtained results confirm the assumption that impulse response signals exhibit self-similarity, and that fractal theory can be used for the detection of early reflections.
Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli on Bavarian Dairy and Beef Cattle Farms
Authors: Schmid A. , Hörmansdorfer S. , Messelhäusser U. , Käsbohrer A. , Sauter-Louis C. , Mansfeld R.
Published: March 2013

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia coli
strains are believed to be widely distributed among humans and animals; however, to date, there are only few studies that support this assumption on a regional or countrywide scale. Therefore, a study was designed to assess the prevalence of ESBL-producing
E. coli
in dairy cows and beef cattle in the southern part of Bavaria, Germany. The study population included 30 mixed dairy and beef cattle farms and 15 beef cattle farms. Fecal samples, boot swabs, and dust samples were analyzed for ESBL-producing
E. coli
using selective media. PCR was performed to screen for CTX-M and
ampC
resistance genes. A total of 598 samples yielded 196 (32.8%) that contained ESBL-producing
E. coli
, originating from 39 (86.7%) of 45 farms. Samples obtained from mixed farms were significantly more likely to be ESBL-producing
E. coli
positive than samples from beef cattle farms (fecal samples,
P
< 0.001; boot swabs,
P
= 0.014; and dust samples,
P
= 0.041). A total of 183 isolates (93.4%) of 196 ESBL-producing
E. coli
-positive strains harbored CTX-M genes, CTX-M group 1 being the most frequently found group. Forty-six additional isolates contained
ampC
genes, and 5 of the 46 isolates expressed a
bla
CMY-2
gene. The study shows that ESBL-producing
E. coli
strains are commonly found on Bavarian dairy and beef cattle farms. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of
bla
CMY-2
in cattle in Germany.