bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Homoerotic Travel, Classical Bildung, and Liberal Allegory in Adalbert Stifter'sBrigitta(1844–47)
Authors: Grell Erik J.
Published: January 2016

Critics approaching Adalbert Stifter'sBrigitta, a novella long admired for its convoluted portrayal of aesthetics and politics, often strive to clarify its deliberate ambiguity, failing to see how Stifter composes his text in such a way that ambiguity pervades it at every level. In this essay, I argue that Stifter's representation of erotic relationships can be read allegorically, as a commentary on both German liberalism and the aesthetic project of realism. InBrigitta, Stifter combines political double‐speak with the legacy of German classicalBildungto instruct and discipline liberal readers in the 1840s. He situates liberal ideology within a classical literary tradition in an effort to tame it. In this way, Stifter offers a political vision that is consistent with his literary one, crafting a new mode of realism by inscribing an ideology onto nature and travel that is both inclusive and exclusive, political and non‐political.
The Importance of Toll‐like Receptors in NF‐κB Signaling Pathway Activation by Helicobacter pylori Infection and the Regulators of this Response
Authors: Hu Yi , Liu Jian‐Ping , Zhu Yin , Lu Nong‐Hua
Published: January 2016

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common pathogenic bacterium in the stomach that infects almost half of the population worldwide and is closely related to gastric diseases and some extragastric diseases, including iron‐deficiency anemia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Both the Maastricht IV/Florence consensus report and the Kyoto global consensus report have proposed the eradication of H. pylori to prevent gastric cancer as H.pylori has been shown to be a major cause of gastric carcinogenesis. The interactions between H. pylori and host receptors induce the release of the proinflammatory cytokines by activating proinflammatory signaling pathways such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), which plays a central role in inflammation, immune response, and carcinogenesis. Among these receptors, Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are classical pattern recognition receptors in the recognition of H. pylori and the mediation of the host inflammatory and immune responses to H. pylori. TLR polymorphisms also contribute to the clinical consequences of H. pylori infection. In this review, we focus on the functions of TLRs in the NF‐κB signaling pathway activated by H. pylori, the regulators modulating this response, and the functions of TLR polymorphisms in H.pylori‐related diseases.
Salian intellectual history in historiographical perspective
Authors: McCarthy T. J. H.
Published: January 2016

The Salian period (1024–1125) was one of momentous religious change and intellectual productivity in Germany. While on the one hand, it was dominated by the titanic struggle between empire and papacy known as the Investiture Contest, on the other, it saw the monasteries and cathedral schools of the kingdom produce a steady stream of important works in areas such as canon law, history, theology, rhetoric, poetry and music. Nevertheless, the period has not received the attention it deserves in English‐language scholarship. This article discusses the reasons for its comparative neglect, surveys the rich existing German historiography and suggests new avenues for future work.
Staphylococcus epidermidis and biofilm‐associated neutrophils in chronic rhinosinusitis. A pilot study
Authors: Marcinkiewicz Janusz , Stręk Paweł , Strus Magdalena , Głowacki Roman , Ciszek‐Lenda Marta , Zagórska‐Świeży Katarzyna , Gawda Anna , Tomusiak Anna
Published: January 2016

A key role of bacterial biofilm in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) is commonly accepted. However, the impact of some bacterial species isolated from inflamed sinus mucosa on biofilm formation is unclear. In particular, the role of Staphylococcus epidermidis as aetiological agents of CRS is controversial. Moreover, the effect of biofilm formation on neutrophil infiltration and activity in CRSwNP calls for explanation. In this study, biofilms were found in three of 10 patients (mean age = 46 ± 14) with CRS undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery by means of scanning electron microscopy. Unexpectedly, S. epidermidis was the primary isolated bacteria and was also found to be present in all biofilm‐positive mucosa specimens, indicating its pivotal role in the pathogenesis of severe chronic infections associated with biofilm formation. We have also measured the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), the most abundant neutrophil enzyme, to demonstrate the presence of neutrophils in the samples tested. Our present results show that the level of MPO in CRS associated with biofilm is lower than that without biofilm. It may suggest either a low number of neutrophils or the presence of a type of neutrophils with compromised antimicrobial activity, described as biofilm‐associated neutrophils (BAN). Finally, we conclude that further studies with a large number of CRS cases should be performed to establish the association between S. epidermidis and other frequently isolated bacterial species from paranasal sinuses, with the severity of CRS, biofilm formation and the infiltration of BAN.
Prevalence and associations of gout and hyperuricaemia: results from an Australian population‐based study
Authors: Ting K. , Gill T. K. , Keen H. , Tucker G. R. , Hill C. L.
Published: January 2016

Background

Despite gout and hyperuricaemia being major comorbid health issues worldwide, there is a knowledge gap regarding their impact in the Australian community.

Aims

To determine the prevalence and associations of self‐reported medically diagnosed gout and hyperuricaemia in an Australian population‐based cohort.

Methods

The North West Adelaide Health Study is a longitudinal cohort study consisting of three stages of data collection. Each stage comprised a self‐complete questionnaire, clinic assessment and computer‐assisted telephone interview. In Stage 3 (2008–2010), participants were asked if a doctor had ever diagnosed them with gout. Additional data included demographics, comorbidities, laboratory data and Short Form 36 (SF‐36). Participants were defined as having gout if they had self‐reported medically diagnosed gout or were taking any gout‐specific medication (allopurinol, colchicine, probenecid). Hyperuricaemia was defined as a serum uric acid (SUA) level >0.42 mmol/L in men and >0.34 mmol/L in women.

Results

The overall prevalence of gout was 5.2%. Males were significantly more likely to have gout than females (8.5 vs 2.1%,P< 0.001). The overall prevalence of hyperuricaemia was 16.6%, with being male again identified as a significant risk factor (17.8 vs 15.4%,P< 0.01). Both gout and hyperuricaemia were associated with male sex, body mass index and renal disease after multivariable adjustment. There was no significant difference reported in quality of life (meanSF‐36) scores in participants with gout compared to unaffected individuals.

Conclusion

The prevalence of gout and hyperuricaemia is high in the South Australian population. This study emphasises the need for optimal diagnosis and management of gout in Australia.
Exploring the interface between ‘physician‐assisted death’ and palliative care: cross‐sectional data from Australasian palliative care specialists
Authors: Sheahan L.
Published: January 2016

Background

Legalisation of physician‐assisted dying (PAD) remains a highly contested issue. In the Australasian context, the opinion and perspective of palliative care specialists have not been captured empirically, and are required to inform better the debate around this issue, moving forward.

Aim

To identify current attitudes and experiences of palliative care specialists in Australasia regarding requests for physician‐assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia, and to capture the opinion of palliative care specialists on the legalisation of these practices in the Australasian context.

Method

An anonymous, cross‐sectional, online survey of Australasian specialists in palliative care, addressing the following six areas: (i) demographics; (ii) frequency of requests, and response given; (iii) understanding of the term ‘voluntary euthanasia’; (iv) opinion regarding legalisation of physician‐assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia in Australasia, and willingness to participate if legal; (v) identification of the most important values guiding this opinion; and (vi) anticipated impact that legalisation of assisted death would have on palliative care practice.

Results

Important findings include: (i) palliative care specialists are largely opposed to the legalisation of PAD; (ii) the proportional titration of opioids is not understood by any palliative care specialist studied to be ‘voluntary euthanasia’; and (iii) there is a wide variation in frequency of requests, and one‐third of palliative care specialists express discomfort in dealing with requests for assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Conclusion

Key areas for future research at the interface between PAD and best practice end‐of‐life care are identified, including exploration into why palliative care specialists are largely opposed to PAD, and consideration of the impact ‘the opioid misconception’ may have on the literature informing this debate.
The effect of SDLR and self‐efficacy in preschool teachers by using WS learning
Authors: Kao C‐P.
Published: January 2016

This study examined whether self‐directed learning readiness (SDLR) moderates the association between Internet self‐efficacy and approaches to learning by web searching (ALWS). A total of 329 valid questionnaires were used for the correlation and path analysis. The results revealed that preschool teachers' SDLR significantly moderated the influence of Internet self‐efficacy and ALWS. Thus, this result suggests that spending more time on SDLR may increase preschool teachers' ALWS, which may enhance their teaching practice via web‐based professional development. Findings from this study may have implications for preschool teachers who aim to improve their teaching practice by targeting web‐searching environment and approaches to learning. The findings suggest that the positive mediation role of SDLR between Internet self‐efficacy and ALWS, especially effective learning, active learning and independent learning of SDLR. Because SDLR has the great influence on the online learning domain, preparing teacher's self‐directed learning ability is important for educational authorities to facilitate teachers' better performance when learning online.
Hybrid Procedure (Endo/Epicardial) versus Standard Manual Ablation in Patients Undergoing Ablation of Longstanding Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Results from a Single Center
Authors: EDGERTON ZACHARY , PERINI ALESSANDRO PAOLETTI , HORTON RODNEY , TRIVEDI CHINTAN , SANTANGELI PASQUALE , BAI RONG , GIANNI CAROLA , MOHANTY SANGHAMITRA , BURKHARDT J. DAVID , GALLINGHOUSE G. JOSEPH , SANCHEZ JAVIER E. , BAILEY SHANE , LANE MAEGEN , DI BIASE LUIGI , SANTORO FRANCESCO , PRICE JUSTIN , NATALE ANDREA
Published: January 2016

Hybrid versus Endocardial Ablation for LSPAF

Introduction

Ablation of longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) is the most challenging procedure in the treatment of AF, either by surgical or by percutaneous approach.

Objective

We investigated the difference in success and complication rates between combined surgical epicardial and endocardial catheter ablation procedure and our standard endocardial ablation procedure.

Methods and Results

Twenty‐four consecutive patients (group 1) with LSPAF and enlarged left atrium (>4.5 cm) underwent a combined procedure, consisting of surgical, closed‐chest, epicardial, radiofrequency ablation (nContact, NC, USA) via pericardial access, and concomitant endocardial ablation (hybrid procedure). Procedural complications and long‐term outcomes were compared to those of 35 consecutive patients who refused the hybrid procedure and underwent standard endocardial only ablation (group 2). Baseline characteristics were comparable. In group 1, 1 patient (4.2%) developed post‐procedural cardio‐embolic stroke and 3 (12.5%) died (1 atrio‐esophageal fistula, 1 fatal stroke, 1 of unknown cause in early follow‐up), while no strokes or deaths occurred in group 2. Overall complication rates were higher for group 1 (P = 0.036). At 24‐month follow‐up, 4 (19%) patients in group 1 and 19 (54.3%) in group 2 were arrhythmia‐free after a single procedure, on or off antiarrhythmic drugs (P<0.001). Total procedural time (276.9 ± 63.5 vs. 203.15 ± 67.3 minutes) and length of hospital stay (5 [IQR 3–8] vs. 1 [IQR 1–3] days were significantly shorter for group 2 (P <0.001).

Conclusions

In patients with LSPAF and enlarged left atrium, a concomitant combined surgical/endocardial ablation approach increases complication rate and does not improve outcomes when compared to extensive endocardial ablation only.
Apixaban versus Warfarin for the Prevention of Periprocedural Cerebral Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Multicenter Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: KUWAHARA TAISHI , ABE MITSUNORI , YAMAKI MASARU , FUJIEDA HIROYUKI , ABE YUMIKO , HASHIMOTO KATSUSHI , ISHIBA MISAKO , SAKAI HIROTSUKA , HISHIKARI KEIICHI , TAKIGAWA MASATERU , OKUBO KENJI , TAKAGI KATSUMASA , TANAKA YASUAKI , NAKAJIMA JUN , TAKAHASHI ATSUSHI
Published: January 2016

Apixaban Thromboembolism Prevention in AF Ablation

Introduction

Stroke can be a life‐threatening complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. Uninterrupted warfarin treatment contributes to minimizing the risk of stroke complications.

Methods and Results

This was a prospective, open‐label, randomized, multicenter study assessing the safety and efficacy of apixaban for the prevention of cerebral thromboembolism complicating AF catheter ablation. Two hundred patients with drug‐resistant AF were equally assigned to take either apixaban (5 mg or 2.5 mg twice daily) or warfarin (target international normalized ratio, 2‐3) for at least 1 month before AF ablation. Neither drug regimen was interrupted throughout the operative period. Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed for all patients to detect silent cerebral infarction (SCI) after the ablation. Primary outcomes were defined as the occurrence of stroke, transient ischemic attack, SCI, or major bleeding that required intervention. The secondary outcome was minor bleeding. The groups did not statistically differ in patients’ backgrounds or procedural parameters. During AF ablation, the apixaban group required administration of more heparin to maintain an activated clotting time > 300 seconds than the warfarin group (apixaban, 14,000 ± 4,000 units; warfarin, 9,000 ± 3,000 units). Three primary outcome events occurred in each group (apixaban, 2 SCI and 1 major bleed; warfarin, 3 SCI, P = 1.00), and 3 and 4 secondary outcome events occurred in the apixaban and warfarin groups (P = 0.70), respectively.

Conclusion

Apixaban has similar safety and effectiveness to warfarin for the prevention of cerebral thromboembolism during the periprocedural period of AF ablation.
Novel EGFR inhibitors attenuate cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II
Authors: Peng Kesong , Tian Xinqiao , Qian Yuanyuan , Skibba Melissa , Zou Chunpeng , Liu Zhiguo , Wang Jingying , Xu Zheng , Li Xiaokun , Liang Guang
Published: January 2016

Cardiac hypertrophy is an important risk factor for heart failure. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been found to play a role in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this current study was to examine the role of EGFR in angiotensin II (Ang II)‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, we observed that both Ang II and EGF could increase the phospohorylation of EGFR and protein kinase B (AKT)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), and then induce cell hypertrophy in H9c2 cells. Both pharmacological inhibitors and genetic silencing significantly reduced Ang II‐induced EGFR signalling pathway activation, hypertrophic marker overexpression, and cell hypertrophy. In addition, our results showed that Ang II‐induced EGFR activation is mediated by c‐Src phosphorylation. In vivo, Ang II treatment significantly led to cardiac remodelling including cardiac hypertrophy, disorganization and fibrosis, accompanied by the activation of EGFR signalling pathway in the heart tissues, while all these molecular and pathological alterations were attenuated by the oral administration with EGFR inhibitors. In conclusion, the c‐Src‐dependent EGFR activation may play an important role in Ang II‐induced cardiac hypertrophy, and inhibition of EGFR by specific molecules may be an effective strategy for the treatment of Ang II‐associated cardiac diseases.
Reproductive strategies in two inseminating species of Glandulocaudini, Mimagoniates microlepis and Mimagoniates rheocharis (Characiformes: Characidae: Stevardiinae)
Authors: Azevedo M. A. , Fialho C. B. , Malabarba L. R.
Published: January 2016

The reproductive biology of two inseminating Glandulocaudini species, Mimagoniates microlepis and Mimagoniates rheocharis, was investigated and compared with reproductive patterns described for other inseminating and non‐inseminating characids, hypothesizing the evolutionary history of these reproductive traits. The long reproductive period, with higher activity in colder months, distinguishes the reproductive strategy of these species when compared with most characiforms. The M. rheocharis population was structured in two groups of males throughout the year, mature males with high gonado‐somatic index (IG = 2·0 and 4·4) and immature and maturing males with low IG values (0·0 and 1·2). Mimagoniates rheocharis and M. microlepis showed the lowest absolute mean fecundities known for characids, indicating that inseminating species allocate less energy to oocyte production and reinforcing the hypothesis that insemination has an adaptive advantage, which provides a higher chance of fertilization.
Identification and pathogenicity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates and immune responses of Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei (Boone)
Authors: Hong X P , Xu D , Zhuo Y , Liu H Q , Lu L Q
Published: January 2016

Five different Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains (SH8, SH108, SH58, AH5 and GD10) isolated from the hepatopancreas of moribund shrimp in farms of mainland China were identified and capable of inducing massive mortality of Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei. The immersion challenge results with five isolates indicated variance of virulence, while only GD10 caused massive sloughing of tubule epithelial cells which was recognized as the most significant symptom of AHPND. Differences in immune responses were detected of P. vannamei during 48 h post‐infection (p.i.) by injection or immersion challenge with V. parahaemolyticus (SH8, SH108 and GD10) isolates. When injected SH8 and SH108 isolates, the expression of lysozyme (LSZ) showing statistically significant upregulation at 16 and 48 h p.i. and that of Toll‐like receptors (TLR) showed statistically significant upregulation at 48 h p.i. When immersion challenge with the GD10 isolate, TLR were upregulated after 8 h p.i. challenge with 104 cfu mL−1; however, LSZ was downregulated when challenged with 103 cfu mL−1. The results suggested that LSZ and TLR serve as crucial molecular markers of innate immunity in shrimp against V. parahaemolyticus infection. LSZ is a vital marker for acute bacterial infection, while TLR serves as a crucial marker for chronic infection.
Women's experiences during myocardial infarction: systematic review and meta‐ethnography
Authors: Madsen Rikke , Birkelund Regner
Published: January 2016

Aims and objectives

The aim of this review is to identify, analyse and synthesise existing knowledge concerning female experiences during myocardial infarction.

Background

There is a lack of knowledge about women's experiences during myocardial infarction, and a meta‐synthesis is needed to synthesise existing evidence.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐ethnography.

Method

A systematic review was undertaken in September 2013. Four databases were searched. Grey literature and reference lists were screened for relevant studies. Four hundred and eighty‐one papers were identified and 14 were included. The method of Noblit and Hare was used in the process of conducting this review and meta‐ethnography.

Results

Three themes were identified. 1. ‘Feeling the changes in my body’, 2. ‘Understanding the changes in my body’ and 3. ‘Acting on the changes in my body’. The majority of women did not experience their body changes as being severe and threatening. Therefore, the women chose to wait or self‐medicate before consulting others. The women who initially experienced the symptoms related to myocardial infarction as being severe and threatening, chose to consult others earlier than the majority of women.

Conclusion

Women's experiences and interpretation of body symptoms during myocardial infarction vary. Most commonly women do not initially recognise their body symptoms as being severe and life threatening. The theory of Merleau‐Ponty's ‘current and habituated body’ is relevant for explaining women's ways of understanding and acting on their body changes during myocardial infarction.

Relevance for clinical practice

This review is relevant in a preventive and rehabilitating perspective for professionals working in health care. It helps professionals to understand women's experiences during myocardial infarction, optimises their ability to suspect myocardial infarction and teach women to react on these body changes.
A prospective audit of preprocedural fasting practices on a transplant ward: when fasting becomes starving
Authors: Vidot Helen , Teevan Kate , Carey Sharon , Strasser Simone , Shackel Nicholas
Published: January 2016

Aims and objectives

To investigate the prevalence and duration of preprocedural medically ordered fasting during a period of hospitalisation in an Australian population of patients with hepatic cirrhosis or following liver transplantation and to identify potential solutions to reduce fasting times.

Background

Protein‐energy malnutrition is a common finding in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and can impact significantly on survival and quality of life. Protein and energy requirements in patients with cirrhosis are higher than those of healthy individuals. A significant feature of cirrhosis is the induction of starvation metabolism following seven to eight hours of food deprivation. Many investigative and interventional procedures for patients with cirrhosis necessitate a period of fasting to comply with anaesthesia guidelines.

Design

An observational study of the fasting episodes for 34 hospitalised patients with hepatic cirrhosis or following liver transplantation.

Methods

Nutritional status was estimated using subjective global assessment and handgrip strength. The prevalence and duration of fasting practices for diagnostic or investigational procedures were estimated using electronic records and patient notes.

Results

Thirty‐three patients (97%) were malnourished. Twenty‐two patients (65%) were fasted during the observation period. There were 43 occasions of fasting with a median fasting time of 13·5 hours. On 40 occasions fasting times exceeded the maximum six‐hour guideline recommended prior to the administration of anaesthesia by the majority of Anaesthesiology Societies. The majority of procedures (77%) requiring fasting occurred after midday. Eating breakfast on the day of the procedure reduced fasting time by 45%.

Conclusions

Medically ordered preprocedural fasting times almost always exceed existing guidelines in this nutritionally compromised group.

Relevance to clinical practice

Adherence to fasting guidelines and eating breakfast before the procedure can reduce fasting times significantly and avoid the potential induction of starvation metabolism in this nutritionally at risk group.
Adolescents' experiences on coping with parental multiple sclerosis: a grounded theory study
Authors: Mauseth Torild , Hjälmhult Esther
Published: January 2016

Aims and objectives

To gain insight into what adolescents see as their main concern when having parents who suffer from multiple sclerosis, and develop concepts and theory that may explain how they cope with this concern.

Background

Health professionals have a special responsibility towards children of parents with chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Few studies show the perspective of the adolescents themselves, and point out that further knowledge is needed. Previous research supports the need for intervention at a youth, parent and family level.

Design

Grounded theory.

Methods

We used grounded theory with a generative and constant comparative approach. Data were collected through fifteen individual semi‐structured interviews with adolescents aged 12–18 years who had a parent diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Results

The adolescents' main concern was identified to be preserving control in an uncertain everyday life. This concern was resolved by ‘balancing needs’, implying the pattern of (1) reflecting, (2) adjusting, (3) taking responsibility and (4) seeking respite. These were used interchangeably in the adolescents' effort to solve their main concern.

Conclusion

Openness within the family and outwards to the network, is essential for the well‐being of the adolescents, and relies on knowledge about the disease, family functioning and support from health professionals. Thus, long‐term intervention programs offering information and guidance should be offered.

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding the impact of multiple sclerosis on the family from the perspective of the adolescents, gives a basis for health professionals when planning the best possible support for these adolescents. School nurses may play an active role in ensuring a high quality of this work.
Geographic Disparity in Funding for School Nutrition Environments: Evidence from Mississippi Schools
Authors: Chang Yunhee , Carithers Teresa , Leeke Shannon , Chin Felicia
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Despite the federal initiatives on equitable provision of school nutrition programs, geographic disparity in childhood obesity persists. It may be partly because built‐in school nutrition environments rely on each school's efficient use of existing operational funds or its ability to obtain expanded financial support. This study explores how funding acquisition by schools is determined by local community characteristics and how it relates to healthy school meal offerings.

METHODS

Information about food preparation technology and funding in 811 schools in Mississippi was obtained by in‐depth phone interviews of district child nutrition directors and school foodservice managers, which was matched to socioeconomic indicators of schools and communities. Probit models were estimated.

RESULTS

About 56% of schools in the sample received some funds toward combination oven/steamers in the last few years. Small schools, schools in non‐metro counties, and those in low‐income minority areas were significantly less likely to be funded. Obtainment of funds was associated with a 45 percentage‐point reduction in the probability of serving fried foods.

CONCLUSIONS

Funds obtained by schools for advanced food preparation technology contributes to creation of healthier nutrition environments for children. However, fund availability is associated with community characteristics, possibly contributing to geographic disparity of child health.
The expanding toolbox for hepatitis C virus research
Authors: Ortega‐Prieto A. M. , Dorner M.
Published: January 2016

Hepatitis C virus is a major global health concern with 170 million people chronically infected. Despite the availability of potent antiviral agents targeting multiple HCV proteins and cure rates above 90%, global treatment availability, the likelihood of emerging drug‐resistant viral variants and the unavailability of a protective vaccine underline the many unresolved questions remaining to be answered. Model systems allowing the dissection of individual HCV life cycle steps have previously been developed and span noninfectious and infectious means of assessing HCV entry and replication, multiple cellular systems enabling host/pathogen interaction studies as well as in vivo model systems for basic as well as translational HCV research. This review provides an overview of available systems and a comparative summary of assays and models.
The pharmacokinetics of intravenous fenoldopam in healthy, awake cats
Authors: O'Neill K. E. , Labato M. A. , Court M. H.
Published: January 2016

Fenoldopam is a selective dopamine‐1 receptor agonist that improves diuresis by increasing renal blood flow and perfusion and causing peripheral vasodilation. Fenoldopam has been shown to induce diuresis and be well‐tolerated in healthy cats. It is used clinically in cats with oliguric kidney injury at doses extrapolated from human medicine and canine studies. The pharmacokinetics in healthy beagle dogs has been reported; however, pharmacokinetic data in cats are lacking. The goal of this study was to determine pharmacokinetic data for healthy, awake cats receiving an infusion of fenoldopam. Six healthy, awake, client‐owned cats aged 2–6 years old received a 120‐min constant rate infusion of fenoldopam at 0.8 μg/kg/min followed by a 20‐min washout period. Ascorbate stabilized plasma samples were collected during and after the infusion for the measurement of fenoldopam concentration by HPLC with mass spectrometry detection. This study showed that the geometric mean of the volume of distribution, clearance, and half‐life (198 mL/kg, 46 mL/kg/min, and 3.0 mins) is similar to pharmacokinetic parameters for humans. No adverse events were noted. Fenoldopam at a constant rate infusion of 0.8 μg/kg per min was well tolerated in healthy cats. Based on the results, further evaluation of fenoldopam in cats with kidney disease is recommended.
Pharmacokinetics and tissue residues of moroxydine hydrochloride in gibel carp, Carassius gibelio after oral administration
Authors: Liu W. , Xu J. , Zhou Y. , Chen J. , Ma J. , Zeng L.
Published: January 2016

The pharmacokinetics and tissue residues of moroxydine hydrochloride were studied in gibel carp at water temperature of 15 and 25 °C. Samples (blood, skin, muscle, liver, and kidney) were collected over 10 days after the treatment and analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector. The results indicated that the influence of water temperature on the metabolism of the drug was significant. The plasma concentration–time data of moroxydine hydrochloride conformed to single‐compartment open model at the two water temperatures. There were higher absorption rate (t1/2ka) and longer elimination half‐lives (t1/2ke) at 15 °C (4.29 and 15.87 h, respectively) compared with those at 25 °C (3.02 and 4.22 h, respectively). The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the time‐point of maximum plasma concentration (Tp) were 2.98 μg/mL and 10.35 h at 15 °C and 3.12 μg/mL and 4.03 h at 25 °C, respectively. The distribution volume (Vd/F) of moroxydine hydrochloride was estimated to be 4.55 L/kg at 15 °C and 2.89 L/kg at 25 °C. The total body clearance (CLb) of moroxydine hydrochloride was determined to be 0.25 and 0.49 L/(h·kg) at 15 °C and 25 °C, respectively; the areas under the concentration–time curve were 75.89 μg·h/mL at 15 °C and 42.33 μg·h/mL at 25 °C. The depletion of moroxydine hydrochloride in gibel carp was slower with a longer half‐life period, especially at lower water temperature that was tested.
Prediction of the residue levels of drugs in eggs, using physicochemical properties and their influence on passive diffusion processes
Authors: Schefferlie G. J. , Hekman P.
Published: January 2016

Based on a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model, describing the relationship between the plasma concentration of a drug and its deposition into eggs, general transport constants into yolk and albumen were derived, for a number of compounds, using experimental data from literature. Using only generally accepted concepts in passive diffusion theory, these transport constants were used to derive and calibrate general equations, describing the transport into yolk and albumen, in terms of the physicochemical properties of a drug. It is shown that, in theory, it is possible to calculate/predict the transport constants, using the physicochemical parameters: pKa and plasma protein binding. For a number of sulfonamides, the model was used to predict their distribution between egg yolk and albumen; the outcome was compared to data found in literature. Within this dataset, the lipophilic nature of a drug does not seem to play a major role in explaining the distribution ratio of a drug between albumen and yolk.
Comparing resource‐based and co‐occurrence‐based methods for estimating species niche breadth
Authors: Pannek Angela , Manthey Michael , Diekmann Martin
Published: January 2016

Questions

Examining the responses and co‐occurrence patterns of 30 herbaceous forest plant species sampled altogether in 302 plots, we asked whether the niche estimates of rare and common species are affected by the different sample sizes for these species, and whether the results of the resource‐based and co‐occurrence‐based methods coincide in the prediction of species specialization.

Location

Deciduous forests in northwest Germany.

Methods

We compare the classical method of determining niche breadth as the response of a species along environmental resource gradients (here soil pH and light availability) with a recently introduced method based on the co‐occurrence of a target species with other species, using the Multi‐Simpson index for turnover calculations.

Results

The total frequency of the species in the data set had a strong effect on the niche breadth estimates in the resource‐based method, with species with higher frequencies having larger niches. In contrast, co‐occurrence‐based niche breadth was independent of sample size. When calculating the niche breadth estimates for equal numbers of plot occurrences for all species, none of the methods resulted in significant differences between common and rare species. Soil pH niche breadth and co‐occurrence‐based niche breadth were unrelated to each other, whereas light niche breadth and soil pH niche breadth, corrected for the different frequencies of pH values in the region, were positively correlated with the co‐occurrence‐based estimates. Species richness, increasing with increasing soil pH, was negatively correlated with niche breadth.

Conclusions

As the co‐occurrence method is not distorted by varying plot frequencies, it offers a reliable alternative for extracting species niche breadth from vegetation surveys even if no environmental data are available. The gradient approach, however, remains important, as it provides additional information about measured niche characteristics (e.g. optima, response shape) along these gradients, which is of particular importance in various fields of applied ecology.
Aristolochia zebrina sp. nov. (Aristolochiaceae) from southeastern Brazil
Authors: Freitas Joelcio , John de Lirio Elton , González Favio , Alves‐Araújo Anderson
Published: January 2016

Aristolochia zebrina is described, illustrated and discussed in comparison with the two most similar species, A. papillaris Mast. and A. tamnifolia (Klotzsch) Duch. The new species is distinguished from its relatives mainly by the ellipsoid utricle, the narrowly ovate, revolute, and efimbriate floral limb with dark purple longitudinal stripes inside, and the glabrous and smooth capsules, which are broadly cylindrical. So far, the new species has only been found in ‘restingas’ (sandy soils) and wet tropical Tabuleiro forests in northern Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil.
Heterochromia of the Hair and Eyelashes with Blaschkoid Dyspigmentation
Authors: Dumitrascu Catalina I. , Hoss Elika , Hogeling Marcia
Published: January 2016

Heterochromia of the hair involves the presence of two distinctive colors of scalp hair in one individual. We report the case of a 4‐year‐old girl with reddish streaks of scalp hair, heterochromia of the eyelashes, and cutaneous hypopigmentation following the lines of Blaschko.
Lymphomatoid Papulosis Type D: Report of a Case in a Child and Review of the Literature
Authors: Barrett Mary M. , Strikwerda Amy M. , Somers Kathryn , Beck Lisa A. , Scott Glynis A.
Published: January 2016

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is a cutaneous CD30‐positive T‐cell lymphoproliferative disorder that occurs primarily in adults and presents with crops of papules that become necrotic and spontaneously regress. It is classified according to the histopathologic findings; currently recognized subtypes include A, B, C, D, and E. LyP is uncommon in children. Herein we describe a child with an unusual clinical presentation of LyP type D and review the literature of reported cases in children.
Subcutaneous Panniculitis‐Like T‐Cell Lymphoma with Hemophagocytic Syndrome in a Child
Authors: Gupta Vishal , Arava Sudheer , Bakhshi Sameer , Vashisht Kanya Rani , Reddy Rakesh , Gupta Somesh
Published: January 2016

Subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma (SPTCL) characterized by subcutaneous infiltration of pleomorphic T‐cells of the α/β phenotype rarely affects children. Development of hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) leads to a poor prognosis with this otherwise indolent lymphoma. We report a case of SPTCL in a 5‐year‐old child complicated by HPS treated successfully with combination chemotherapy. We discuss the potential pitfalls in reaching an early diagnosis and challenges in its management. Previously reported cases of SPTCL with HPS in children are briefly reviewed.
Truth and bias in daily judgments of support receipt between romantic partners
Authors: BAR‐KALIFA ERAN , RAFAELI ESHKOL , SENED HARAN
Published: January 2016

The perception that a partner is supportive, tied to beneficial relational and personal outcomes, may be shaped by reality (the partner's actual support) but is often also biased. Using T. V. West and D. A. Kenny's (2011) truth‐and‐bias model, the balance between truth and one bias type—the tendency to maintain perceived mutuality by projecting one's own supportiveness onto one's partner—was examined. It was hypothesized that this balance will be altered by the behavior's psychological significance and by the scope of the behavior being judged. In a 35‐day diary, 80 couples reported perceived and provided emotional/practical support. Participants' judgments included less biased projection when they addressed behaviors of lower emotional significance or greater contextual specificity.
“Windows of Opportunity,” Revenue Volatility, and Policy Punctuations: Testing a Model of Policy Change in theAmerican States
Authors: Kwak Sunjoo
Published: January 2016

The growing evidence of policy change patterns characterized as punctuated equilibrium has increasingly directed the attention of policy scholars to the question of what factors cause them. The present study attempts to address this emerging question by developing a comprehensive, multifactorial model and testing it with state budget data. Specifically, based on theories of information processing and agenda setting, it develops a conceptual framework that models punctuated policy change as a function of two main factors: institutional friction (consisting of institutional constraints, legislative streamlining mechanisms, information‐processing capacity, and bureaucratization) and policy windows (consisting of revenue volatility, change in party control, and budget cycle). In doing so, the study pays special attention to cyclical revenue fluctuations whose effect has never been subject to empirical test. Regression analyses reveal that policy window factors including revenue volatility, changes in party control of the governorship and the House, and a budget cycle play an important role in creating policy punctuations.
Expecting a child: pregnancy in light of an ontological health model
Authors: Larsson Åsa , Wärnå‐Furu Carola , Näsman Yvonne
Published: January 2016

Aim

To make visible the existential character of pregnancy by searching for its health dimensions as it is described in the ontological health model.

Method

Eight women were interviewed two or three times during their pregnancy and one time shortly after birth. The women have taken part in the routine programme that constitutes maternity care in Sweden. A hermeneutic approach inspired by Gadamer was used to analyse the data. An ontological health model was used to interpret the findings.

Findings

Nine themes on a rational and a contextual level were clustered to three themes on an existential level: A new life stage, The new life takes shape and Health is jeopardised. Contents of these themes were interpreted together with an ontological health model. Expecting a child means to do, be and become in expectation of the new life. Suffering and health are two different dimensions in a woman's life during pregnancy; they are integrated with one another and ever‐present. It is in the meeting with the inevitable, life‐changing gravidity and vulnerability that the integrative movement creates the new. Longing is the desire that provides motivation to continue.
Assessing family resources: validation of the Swedish version of the Family Hardiness Index
Authors: Persson Carina , Benzein Eva , Årestedt Kristofer
Published: January 2016

All families face normative transitions. Some are perceived as stressful and calls for family resources to maintain or restore family well‐being. In times of illness, families also need to develop strengths and capabilities to enhance family well‐being. The way these are developed is related to family hardiness. Family hardiness is thus seen as a family resource, and the Family Hardiness Index (FHI) was developed to measure family stress resistance and adaptation resources. The index was not available in Swedish and no extensive international psychometric evaluation was found. Therefore, the aim was to translate and validate the Swedish version of the FHI. The study was approved by a Regional Ethical Review Board. Data from 174 Swedish participants, family members to persons with cognitive dysfunctions (n = 95) and nursing students (n = 79) were included. Family members were enrolled in outpatient clinics in primary care and rehabilitation, and nursing students at a nursing school. Psychometric properties were evaluated through calculations of missing data, distributions of item and scale scores, item correlations, Cronbach's alpha, confirmatory factor analyses and correlations with theoretically related constructs. Sample scores had acceptable data quality, internal consistency for the FHI total scale was satisfactory (α = 0.86), and construct validity was supported. Our findings cast some doubt on the intended interpretation since confirmatory factor analyses showed that a modified four‐subscale version, excluding one subscale, showed best fit. The Control subscale lacked important psychometric properties in terms of homogeneity, internal consistency and construct validity. The sample size was probably sufficiently large for the factor analyses, but the subgroup analyses should be treated with caution. The conclusion is that the Swedish version of the FHI is a promising scale for assessing family hardiness, but more solid evidence for the factor structure in various Swedish and international samples is needed.
Validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory in patients treated for infective endocarditis
Authors: Rasmussen Trine Bernholdt , Konradsen Hanne , Dixon Jane , Moons Philip , Zwisler Ann‐Dorthe , Berg Selina Kikkenborg
Published: January 2016

Rationale and objectives

Suffering through infective endocarditis (IE) can drastically alter a person's physical appearance, and body image‐related concerns have been reported by patients. The extent and severity of the phenomenon has not previously been explored, as no quantitative measure has been validated in this patient population. The purpose of this study was thus to assess the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Danish Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI‐DA) on patients treated for IE.

Methods

We evaluated the psychometric properties of the BIQLI‐DA on data obtained in the CopenHeart IE trial, which is a randomised clinical trial evaluating the effects of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation for patients treated for IE. We administered the BIQLI‐DA as part of data collection at baseline and 6 months. We examined the psychometric properties through correlations to other measures, including body mass index, Medical Outcome Short Form 36 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. In addition, we examined internal consistency on item and scale level and performed anova group‐by‐time interaction to test for responsiveness.

Results and study limitation

Participants were seventy patients with a mean age of 58 years and of which 83% were men. Results indicated convergent construct validity by confirming hypothesised associations to potentially related constructs. The BIQLI‐DA was found to be highly internally consistent with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.96. Instrument responsiveness was indicated by a significant group‐by‐time interaction. Support for the validity of the BIQLI‐DA might have been strengthened by a larger sample with more women. A more optimal design for testing responsiveness would possibly have allowed for clearer conclusions.

Conclusions

The BIQLI‐DA may be applicable in healthcare research as it seems to be valid, reliable and responsive; however, evidence should be strengthened through further exploration of instrument performance, particularly regarding responsiveness.
Photodynamic detection of canine mammary gland tumours after oral administration of 5‐aminolevulinic acid
Authors: Osaki T. , Yokoe I. , Ogura S. , Takahashi K. , Murakami K. , Inoue K , Ishizuka M. , Tanaka T. , Li L. , Sugiyama A. , Azuma K. , Murahata Y. , Tsuka T. , Ito N. , Imagawa T. , Okamoto Y.
Published: January 2016

5‐Aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA) is widely used in photodynamic detection (PDD) and therapy. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics of 5‐ALA‐induced porphyrins and its effectiveness in PDD in dogs with mammary gland tumours (MGTs) following oral administration. Healthy dogs and those with MGTs (nine each) were orally administered 4 mg kg−1 5‐ALA. Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) was not detected in the plasma of healthy dogs but it peaked in dogs with MGT at 2 h after 5‐ALA administration. In the PDD study, 16 dogs with MGT were orally administered 40 mg kg−1 5‐ALA, and MGT but not normal tissue showed red fluorescence after 2–4 h. Photon counts were 6635–63 890 and 59–4011 (median, 19 943 and 919) for MGT and non‐tumour tissues, respectively. Cell density strongly correlated with PpIX photon counts of MGT tissue of the dogs (R = 0.743, P = 0.0009). We suggest that 5‐ALA‐PDD might be an effective diagnostic tool for MGTs.