bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Haptic Supplementation Provided by a Fixed or Mobile Stick on Postural Stabilization in Elderly People
Authors: Albertsen Inke Marie , Temprado Jean-Jacques , Berton Eric
Published: June 2012

Background: Haptic supplementation by a light touch with the index finger on a stable surface has been widely shown to increase postural stability. With a view to a potential application in the domain of mobility aids, it should, however, be demonstrated that haptic supplementation is effective even if provided by a mobile support. Objective: The present experiment aimed at determining whether haptic supplementation was effective in elderly people when provided by a light grip on an unstable stick support. Methods: Ten young and 11 older adults were tested in an upright position in 6 experimental conditions, in which the mobility of the stick support and its resistance to body sway were manipulated. Classical center-of-pressure (COP) variables (i.e. root mean square variability, range and area) were computed together with power spectral analysis and stabilogram diffusion analysis (SDA) variables of COP. Results: The results suggest that the stabilizing effect of haptic supplementation is independent of age and the nature of the support (fixed or mobile) when transient sway-related contact forces at the fingertip and proprioceptive cues are of sufficient magnitude. The results also indicate that haptic supplementation attenuates the age-related increase in energy consumption during the postural task even in the mobile support condition on a low-resistance surface. The results of SDA suggest that the availability of sway-related haptic cues reduces reliance on increased muscle activity around the ankle over short time intervals of postural control. After some time, haptic supplementation eventually leads to well-coordinated postural corrections. Conclusions: In summary, haptic supplementation improves postural control mechanisms independent of age due to enhanced perception of self-motion through sensory interaction with the environment.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Tourette Syndrome: Target Selection
Authors: Viswanathan Ashwin , Jimenez-Shahed Joohi , Baizabal Carvallo José Fidel , Jankovic Joseph
Published: June 2012

Background/Aims: Tourette syndrome (TS) is a complex neurological disorder manifested chiefly by motor and phonic tics and a variety of behavioral comorbidities, including attention disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and impulse control problems. Surgical treatment is increasingly considered when tics become troublesome or even disabling or self-injurious despite optimal medical therapy. In this review, we describe the surgical techniques, stimulation parameters, outcomes of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in TS, and critically review target choices. Methods: A search of the PubMed database was performed to identify all articles discussing DBS and TS. ‘Tourette’ and ‘Stimulation’ were used as MeSH headings. Results: Since the first report of thalamic DBS for TS in 1999, follow-up on less than 100 patients has been reported in the literature. Reported targets for DBS include the thalamic centromedian nucleus and substantia periventricularis, posteroventral globus pallidus internus, ventromedial globus pallidus internus, globus pallidus externus, anterior limb of the internal capsule and nucleus accumbens. Conclusions: Determination of the optimal surgical target will require a multicenter, randomized trial, and an expanded understanding of the neurobiology of TS.
Comparison of Schwann Cells and Olfactory Ensheathing Cells for Peripheral Nerve Gap Bridging
Authors: Penna Vincenzo , Stark G.-Bjoern , Wewetzer Konstantin , Radtke Christine , Lang Eva M.
Published: June 2012

Introduction: Previously, we introduced the biogenic conduit (BC) as a novel autologous nerve conduit for bridging peripheral nerve defects and tested its regenerative capacity in a short- and long-term setting. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether intraluminal application of regeneration-promoting glial cells, including Schwann cells (SC) and olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC), displayed differential effects after sciatic nerve gap bridging. Material and Methods: BCs were generated as previously described. The conduits filled with fibrin/SC (n = 8) and fibrin/OEC (n = 8) were compared to autologous nerve transplants (NT; n = 8) in the 15-mm sciatic nerve gap lesion model of the rat. The sciatic functional index was evaluated every 4 weeks. After 16 weeks, histological evaluation followed regarding nerve area, axon number, myelination index and N ratio. Results: Common to all groups was a continual improvement in motor function during the observation period. Recovery was significantly better after SC transplantation compared to OEC (p < 0.01). Both cell transplantation groups showed significantly worse function than the NT group (p < 0.01). Whereas nerve area and axon number were correlated to function, being significantly lowest in the OEC group (p < 0.001), both cell groups showed lowered myelination (p < 0.001) and lower N ratio compared to the NT group. Discussion: SC-filled BCs led to improved regeneration compared to OEC-filled BCs in a 15-mm-long nerve gap model of the rat.
Nicotinamide Pretreatment Protects Cardiomyocytes against Hypoxia-Induced Cell Death by Improving Mitochondrial Stress
Authors: Tong Da-Li , Zhang Dong-Xia , Xiang Fei , Teng Miao , Jiang Xu-Pin , Hou Jing-Ming , Zhang Qiong , Huang Yue-Sheng
Published: June 2012

Background/Aims: Nicotinamide plays a protective role in hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte dysfunction. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate these and the effect of nicotinamide pretreatment on hypoxic cardiomyocytes. Methods: Cultured rat cardiomyocytes were pretreated with nicotinamide, subjected to hypoxia for 6 h, and then cell necrosis and apoptosis were examined. The effects of nicotinamide pretreatment on hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, antioxidant enzyme expression, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) levels, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and mitochondrial membrane potential were tested to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Results: Based on the findings that nicotinamide treatment decreased protein expression of receptor-interacting protein (RIP; a marker for cell necrosis) and cleaved caspase-3 (CC3; a marker for cell apoptosis) in normoxic cardiomyocytes, we found that it dramatically reduced hypoxia-induced necrosis and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. The underlying mechanisms of these effects are associated with the fact that it increased protein expression of superoxide dismutase and catalase, increased intracellular levels of NAD+ and ATP concentration, decreased mitochondrial ROS generation and prevented the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusion: All of these results indicate that nicotinamide pretreatment protects cardiomyocytes by improving mitochondrial stress. Our study provides a new clue for the utilization of nicotinamide in therapies for ischemic heart disease.
Distribution and Conservation Status of Catarrhine Primates in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)
Authors: Gonedelé Bi Sery , Koné Inza , Bitty Anderson E. , Koffi J.C. Béné , Akpatou Bertin , Zinner Dietmar
Published: June 2012

Côte d’Ivoire holds 18 catarrhine taxa, with 3 endemic to Côte d’Ivoire and neighbouring Ghana. Nine of the taxa occurring in Côte d’Ivoire are listed as threatened at the global level. However, information on their conservation status within the country is available for only a limited number of taxa. In order to assess the current distribution of primates and their conservation status, we conducted foot surveys and interviews in protected forests in the southern part of Côte d’Ivoire. Our data suggest that 22 out of 23 surveyed forests have lost 25–100% of the primate taxa expected to occur in these areas. The only exception is the Taï National Park where all of the expected primate taxa were encountered. Based on our surveys, we propose an updated national list according to the IUCN Red List criteria for all diurnal primate species of Côte d’Ivoire.
Cucurbitacin B Induces Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis and Autophagy Associated with G Actin Reduction and Persistent Activation of Cofilin in Jurkat Cells
Authors: Zhu Jun-Shan , Ouyang Dong-Yun , Shi Zhi-Jian , Xu Li-Hui , Zhang Yan-Ting , He Xian-Hui
Published: June 2012

Aim: The present study aimed to explore the antitumor effect and action mechanism of cucurbitacin B (CuB) on human T-cell leukemia Jurkat cells. Methods: Cell proliferation was measured by the MTS assay. Cell cycle distribution, mitochondrial membrane potential and annexin V staining were analyzed using flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to determine the levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins. Results: CuB inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced G2/M phase arrest as well as formation of tetraploid cells. Accompanied with these effects, the actin dynamics was disrupted, and cofilin, a key regulator of actin dynamics, was persistently activated (dephosphorylated). Although CuB induced around 10% cells undergoing apoptosis, most of the cells were alive after CuB treatment for 24 h. Induction of autophagy was also evident by accumulation of LC3-II. CuB-induced autophagy seemed to be a prosurvival response, since suppression of CuB-induced autophagy significantly increased the activation of caspase-3. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that CuB exhibited antitumor activity in Jurkat cells through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis which was at least partly due to the disruption of actin dynamics.
Advanced Glycation End Products and β2-Microglobulin as Predictors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Busch Martin , Schwenzky Andreas , Franke Sybille , Stein Günter , Wolf Gunter
Published: June 2012

Background/Aims: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common clinical presentation of dialysis-related amyloidosis. It was determined whether β2-microglobulin (β2M) and advanced glycation end products in serum are predictors of CTS in dialysis patients. Methods: A total of 385 hemodialysis patients were screened for CTS. β2M in serum was determined by a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay, CML by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and total pentosidine by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: 127 patients (33%) were treated with biocompatible membranes, 174 (45%) with high-flux dialysis. 122 patients (31.7%) had clinical signs of CTS. Significant predictors of CTS were: age, female gender, serum β2M, total protein, dialysis with non-biocompatible high-flux dialysis compared to non-biocompatible low-flux dialysis, Kt/V and serum concentration of CML (OR 2.47 for the 3rd vs. 1st quartile, 95% CI 1.229–4.961, p = 0.011). Conclusion: The prevalence of CTS as a possible manifestation of dialysis-related amyloidosis is still high. Serum concentration of CML may be a predictor of CTS besides β2M and malnutrition.
One-Year Change in Kidney Function Is Associated with an Increased Mortality Risk
Authors: Turin Tanvir Chowdhury , Coresh Josef , Tonelli Marcello , Stevens Paul E. , de Jong Paul E. , Farmer Christopher K.T. , Matsushita Kunihiro , Hemmelgarn Brenda R.
Published: June 2012

Background: Serum creatinine is routinely measured to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Long-term cohort studies report that death is a likelier outcome than progression to kidney failure. However, it is unclear how short-term changes in estimated GFR (eGFR) over a 1-year period relate to subsequent mortality risk. Methods: Using a provincial laboratory registry from Alberta, Canada, we identified 598,397 adults who had ≥2 outpatient eGFR measurements at least 6 months apart during a 1-year accrual period. Change in kidney function was categorized by both changes in eGFR category and percent change ≥25% into 5 groups: certain drop, uncertain drop, stable (no change in CKD category), uncertain rise, and certain rise. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for baseline covariates, kidney function, and proteinuria were used to estimate the risk of all-cause mortality associated with each group change in kidney function in reference to stable kidney function. Results: Among the study participants, 447,570 (74.8%) had stable kidney function, 19,591 (3.3%) had a certain drop, and 22,171 (3.7%) had a certain rise in kidney function. Participants with change in kidney function (both drop and rise) were older, more likely to be female, and had a higher prevalence of comorbidities in comparison to those with stable kidney function. There were 51,473 (8.6%) deaths during a median follow-up of 3.5 years. Compared to participants with stable kidney function, those with a certain drop had an almost twofold increased mortality risk (hazard ratio 1.89, 95% CI 1.83–1.95) adjusted for baseline eGFR, proteinuria, and covariates. Participants with a certain rise (3.7%) in kidney function also experienced an increased mortality risk (hazard ratio 1.51, 95% CI 1.46–1.56) compared to those with stable kidney function. Risk of death was similarly increased with adjustment for eGFR at the last visit. Conclusion: Change in kidney function of ≥25% in any direction over a 1-year period is associated with a substantially increased risk of mortality.
Early Arterial Stiffness and Inflammatory Bio-Markers in Normotensive Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Kocyigit Ismail , Kaya Mehmet Gungor , Orscelik Ozcan , Kaya Coskun , Akpek Mahmut , Zengin Halid , Sipahioglu Murat Hayri , Unal Aydin , Yilmaz Mahmut Ilker , Tokgoz Bulent , Oymak Oktay , Axelsson Jonas
Published: June 2012

Background/Aims: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. To clarify temporal relationship between ADPKD, hypertension and the loss of renal function, we examined these factors in patients with early-stage ADPKD who did not yet have hypertension. Methods: Fifty patients with ADPKD (42% males, 36.6 ± 9.9 years, no blood pressure medication) and 50 healthy controls (44% males, 35.4 ± 6.4 years) were studied cross-sectionally. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), cardiac morphology and function, aortic elastic indexes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in all participants, using conventional methods. Results: Despite a normal blood pressure, aortic stiffness index and pulse wave velocity values were increased in patients compared to controls (6.8 ± 4.7 vs. 5.1 ± 3.3, p = 0.043 and 9.6 ± 1.3 vs. 5.8 ± 1.1 m/s, p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP and eGFR were all significantly correlated with PWV. The independence of these correlations were analyzed in a regression model, and showed PWV to be significantly predicted by IL-6, TNF-α and hs-CRP. Conclusion: Increased arterial stiffness and pulse wave velocity are early manifestations of ADPKD appearing before hypertension or reduced eGFR. However, these vascular abnormalities are related to signs of systemic low grade inflammation, suggesting a common pathophysiological mechanism apparently present also in other vascular diseases but yet to be elucidated.
Metabolic Syndrome, Adipokines and Hormonal Factors in Pharmacologically Untreated Adult Elderly Subjects from the Brisighella Heart Study Historical Cohort
Authors: Cicero Arrigo F.G. , Magni Paolo , Moré Massimo , Ruscica Massimiliano , Borghi Claudio , Strollo Felice
Published: June 2012

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the relation of the sex hormone pattern and the serum level of the main adipokines with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in a cohort of pharmacologically untreated adult elderly subjects. Methods: From the historical cohort of the Brisighella Heart Study we selected 199 adult healthy subjects aged 62.5 ± 12.4 years. Men and women included in the age class subgroups were matched for BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, heart rate, fasting plasma glucose, and plasma lipids. In these subjects we measured leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, testosterone, estrone, and deydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Results: Men without MS had significantly lower leptin/adiponectin ratio than men with MS. Women without MS had a lower leptin level and leptin/adiponectin ratio than women with MS, but had significantly higher adiponectin, estrone, and deydroepiandrosterone levels. In men, the leptin/adiponectin ratio is the main factor associated with MS diagnosis (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.40–8.08), while in women adiponectin alone appears to be a protective factor (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79–0.95). Conclusion: In a sample of pharmacologically untreated adult elderly subjects, leptin/adiponectin ratio seems to be the factor that is more strongly associated with MS (especially in men) and its components, though this is true to a different degree in men and women.
Trend Reversal in Lake Michigan Contribution to Snowfall
Authors: Bard Luke , Kristovich David A. R.
Published: June 2012

One of the most notable ways the Laurentian Great Lakes impact the region’s climate is by augmenting snowfall in downwind locations during autumn and winter months. Among many negative consequences, this surplus of snow can cause substantial property damage to homes and can escalate the number of traffic accident–related injuries and fatalities. The consensus among several previous studies is that lake-effect snowfall increased during the twentieth century in various locations in the Great Lakes region. The goal of this study is to better understand variability and long-term trends in Lake Michigan’s lake-contribution snowfall (LCS). LCS accounts for both lake-effect and lake-enhanced events. In addition, this study updates findings from previous investigations using snowfall observations found by a recent study to be appropriate for climate studies. It is demonstrated that considerable variability exists in 5-yr periods of LCS east and south of Lake Michigan from 1920 to 2005. A general increase in LCS from the early 1920s to the 1950–80 period at locations typically downwind of the lake was found. Thereafter, LCS decreased through the early 2000s, indicating a distinct trend reversal that is not reported by earlier studies. The reasons for this reversal are unclear. The reversal is consistent with observed increasing minimum temperatures during winter months after the 1970s, however.
Projections of Future Soil Temperature and Water Content for Three Southern Quebec Forested Sites
Authors: Houle Daniel , Bouffard Ariane , Duchesne Louis , Logan Travis , Harvey Richard
Published: June 2012

The impacts of climate change on future soil temperature Ts and soil moisture Ms of northern forests are uncertain. In this study, the authors first calibrated Ts and Ms models [Forest Soil Temperature Model (ForSTeM) and Forest Hydrology Model (ForHyM), respectively] using long-term observations of Ts and Ms at different depths measured at three forest sites in eastern Canada. The two models were then used to project Ts and Ms for the period 1971–2100 using historical and future climate scenarios generated by one regional and five global climate models. Results indicate good model performance by ForSTeM and ForHyM in predicting observed Ts and Ms values at various depths for the three sites. Projected annual-mean Ts at these sites increased between 1.1° and 1.9°C and between 1.9° and 3.3°C from the present 30-yr averages (1971–2000) to the periods 2040–69 and 2070–99, respectively. Increases as high as 5.0°C were projected at the black spruce site during the growing season (June) for the period 2070–99. Changes in annual-mean Ms were relatively small; however, seasonally Ms is projected to increase in April, because of earlier snowmelt, and to decrease during the growing season, mainly because of higher evapotranspiration rates. Soil moisture in the growing season could be reduced by 20%–40% for the period 2070–99 compared to the reference period. The projected warmer and drier soil conditions in the growing season could have significant impacts on forests growth and biogeochemical cycles.
Improved Reconstruction of Global Precipitation since 1900
Authors: Smith Thomas M. , Arkin Phillip A. , Ren Li , Shen Samuel S. P.
Published: June 2012

An improved land–ocean global monthly precipitation anomaly reconstruction is developed for the period beginning in 1900. Reconstructions use the available historical data and statistics developed from the modern satellite-sampled period to analyze variations over the historical presatellite period. This paper documents the latest in a series of precipitation reconstructions developed by the authors. Although the reconstruction principle is still the minimization of mean-squared error, this latest reconstruction includes the following three major improvements over previous reconstructions: (i) an improved method that first produces an annual first guess, which is then adjusted using a monthly increment analysis; (ii) improved use of oceanic observations in the annual first guess using a canonical correlation analysis; and (iii) reinjection of gauge data where those data are available. These improvements allow more confident analyses and evaluations of global precipitation variations over the reconstruction period. Quantitative error estimates for the reconstruction are being developed and will be documented in a later paper.
Impact of Salinity Constraints on the Simulated Mean State and Variability in a Coupled Seasonal Forecast Model
Authors: Zhao Mei , Hendon Harry H. , Alves Oscar , Yin Yonghong , Anderson David
Published: June 2012

The authors assess the sensitivity of the simulated mean state and coupled variability to systematic initial state salinity errors in seasonal forecasts using the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Predictive Ocean Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA) coupled model. This analysis is based on two sets of hindcasts that were initialized from old and new ocean initial conditions, respectively. The new ocean initial conditions are provided by an ensemble multivariate analysis system that assimilates subsurface temperatures and salinity and is a clear improvement over the previous system, which was based on univariate optimal interpolation, using static error covariances and assimilating only temperature without updating salinity.

Large systematic errors in the salinity field around the thermocline region of the tropical western and central Pacific produced by the old assimilation scheme are shown to have strong impacts on the predicted mean state and variability in the tropical Pacific for the entire 9 months of the forecast. Forecasts initialized from the old scheme undergo a rapid and systematic adjustment of density that causes large persistent changes in temperature both locally in the western and central Pacific thermocline, but also remotely in the eastern Pacific via excitation of equatorial waves. The initial subsurface salinity errors in the western and central Pacific ultimately result in an altered surface climate because of induced temperature changes in the thermocline that trigger a coupled feedback in the eastern Pacific. These results highlight the importance of accurately representing salinity in initial conditions for climate prediction on seasonal and potentially multiyear time scales.
People living with psychotic illness in 2010: The second Australian national survey of psychosis
Authors: Morgan Vera A , Waterreus Anna , Jablensky Assen , Mackinnon Andrew , McGrath John J , Carr Vaughan , Bush Robert , Castle David , Cohen Martin , Harvey Carol , Galletly Cherrie , Stain Helen J , Neil Amanda L , McGorry Patrick , Hocking Barbara , Shah Sonal , Saw Suzy
Published: June 2012

Objective:

The 2010 Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP) is Australia’s second national psychosis survey. This paper provides an overview of its findings, including comparisons with the first psychosis survey and general population data.

Methods:

The survey covered 1.5 million people aged 18–64 years, approximately 10% of Australians in this age group. A two-phase design was used. In phase 1, screening for psychosis took place in public mental health services and non-government organizations supporting people with mental illness. In phase 2, 1825 of those screen-positive for psychosis were randomly selected and interviewed. Data collected included symptomatology, substance use, functioning, service utilization, medication use, education, employment, housing, and physical health including fasting blood samples.

Results:

The estimated 1-month treated prevalence of psychotic disorders in public treatment services was 3.1 people per 1000 population; the 12-month treated prevalence was 4.5 people per 1000. The majority (63.0%) of participants met ICD-10 criteria for schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. One-half (49.5%) reported attempting suicide in their lifetime and two-thirds (63.2%) were rated as impaired in their ability to socialize. Over half (54.8%) had metabolic syndrome. The proportion currently smoking was 66.1%. Educational achievement was low. Only 21.5% were currently employed. Key changes in the 12 years since the first survey included: a marked drop in psychiatric inpatient admissions; a large increase in the proportion attending community mental health clinics; increased use of rehabilitation services and non-government organizations supporting people with mental illness; a major shift from typical to atypical antipsychotics; and large increases in the proportions with lifetime alcohol or drug abuse/dependence.

Conclusion:

People with psychotic illness face multiple challenges. An integrated approach to service provision is needed to ensure that their living requirements and needs for social participation are met, in addition to their very considerable mental and physical health needs.
Treatment for severe and enduring anorexia nervosa: A review
Authors: Hay Phillipa J , Touyz Stephen , Sud Rishi
Published: June 2012

Objective:

Many patients with anorexia nervosa develop an intractable and debilitating illness course. Our aims were to (i) conduct a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of treatment for chronic anorexia nervosa participants, and (ii) identify research informing novel therapeutic approaches for this group.

Methods:

Systematic search (SCOPUS plus previous reviews date 2011) of literature for (i) RCTs of treatment that included anorexia nervosa participants with a mean duration of illness of at least 3 years, (ii) studies reporting new treatments addressing factors associated with chronicity.

Results:

Evidence of efficacy for treatment approaches in severe and enduring anorexia nervosa is limited. Only one unpublished RCT designed to test a specific psychological approach for these patients was identified. There is a probable advantage for specialist psychotherapy over treatment as usual, and a promising study of relapse prevention with cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for anorexia nervosa (CBT-AN). Open trials have, however, reported developments in psychological therapies that warrant further specific evaluation. These include forms of CBT modified for anorexia nervosa, cognitive remediation therapy with emotion skills training, the Maudsley Model for Treatment of Adults with Anorexia Nervosa, the Community Outreach Partnership Program, Specialist Supportive Clinical Management and the approach of Strober with its emphasis on therapeutic alliance and flexible goals.

Conclusions:

Treatment trials need to move beyond targeting core eating disorder pathology (primarily weight restoration) and examine efficacy and effectiveness in minimising harm and reducing personal and social costs of chronic illness. There is also a need to develop better definitions of chronicity, with or without treatment ‘resistance’ specifiers.
The Delimitation of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Schrempf Judith
Published: June 2012

The dissertation abstract and the reflection commentary present the work of Judith Schrempf. The dissertation examines the latest trends in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and advances a social connection approach to CSR to understand and explain those recent trends. The dissertation abstract provides an overview of the research questions and conclusions of the three-article dissertation. The reflection commentary discusses the author’s views of research process as a junior scholar (see Appendix).
Parental views of food-safety education in a Japanese primary school
Authors: Horikawa Haruka , Akamatsu Rie , Horiguchi Itsuko , Marui Eiji
Published: June 2012

Objective:

This study examined Japanese mothers’ satisfaction with food-safety education in primary schools, compared the characteristics of mothers who were not satisfied, and identified topics that should be included in food-safety education, according to mothers.

Design:

An online survey was conducted in March 2011 in Japan. The questionnaire included topics related to food-safety education and satisfaction regarding food-safety education.

Setting:

Japanese mothers with children attending primary school were asked to complete an online questionnaire.

Method:

A total of 1,300 mothers completed questionnaires. The sample was divided into two groups according to median scores for satisfaction with food-safety education, and chi-square tests were used to compare data related to other questions. The numbers of mothers who selected each topic for inclusion in food-safety education were calculated.

Results:

Participants were divided into two groups; high satisfaction ( n = 796, 61.2%) and low satisfaction ( n = 504, 38.8%). The low-satisfaction group consisted of mothers who described government action related to the food-safety problem as ‘inadequate’ ( n = 305, 60.5%) and who disagreed with the notion that food items can be 100% safe ( n = 146, 29.0%). More than half of the mothers endorsed ‘judging freshness’, ‘reading food labels’, and ‘food additives’ as important topics to include in food-safety education.

Conclusion:

Japanese mothers who were not satisfied with food-safety education were more likely to consider government actions inadequate and to disagree with the notion that food items can be 100% safe. Mothers wanted schools to teach not only the prevention of food-borne illnesses but also other topics related to food safety.
How Regular Visits and Preventive Programs Affect Onset of Adult Caries
Authors: Ito A. , Hayashi M. , Hamasaki T. , Ebisu S.
Published: June 2012

If it is to be effective, preventive dental treatment must be based on an individual’s risk of caries and periodontal disease. However, hitherto, preventive treatment has been generally conducted without proper caries-risk assessment because of lack of knowledge about an individual’s caries risk. This study sought to identify high-risk adult patients and examine the effectiveness of preventive programs. Data for 442 patients from a single general practice who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Multiple logistic-regression analysis showed that high levels of mutans streptococci (SM) correlated with the onset of primary and secondary caries, with odds ratios of 2.34 (95%CI: 1.15-4.76, p = 0.019) and 2.22 (95%CI: 1.06-4.62, p = 0.034), respectively. Lactobacilli (LB) also correlated with secondary caries, with an odds ratio of 3.34 (95%CI: 1.35-6.85, p = 0.007). When the patients were checked after three years of a preventive program, the correlation with SM and LB disappeared. Survival analyses by Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier methods showed that secondary caries was difficult to control by conventional preventive programs alone in patients with high levels of cariogenic bacteria. In conclusion, cariogenic bacteria play an important role in the incidence of caries, and additional intensive preventive treatment should be considered for high-risk patients.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Endodontically Treated and Restored Premolars
Authors: Ferrari M. , Vichi A. , Fadda G.M. , Cagidiaco M.C. , Tay F.R. , Breschi L. , Polimeni A. , Goracci C.
Published: June 2012

This in vivo study examined the contribution of remaining coronal dentin and placement of a prefabricated (LP) or customized fiber post (ES) to the six-year survival of endodontically treated premolars. A sample of 345 patients provided 6 groups of 60 premolars each in need of endodontic treatment. Groups were classified according to the number of remaining coronal walls before abutment build-up. Within each group, teeth were allocated to one of three subgroups: (A) no post retention; (B) LP; or (C) ES (N = 20). All teeth were protected with a crown. Cox regression analysis revealed that fiber post retention significantly improved tooth survival (p < 0.001). Failure risk was lower in teeth restored with prefabricated (p = 0.001) than with customized posts (p = 0.009). Teeth with one (p = 0.004), two (p < 0.001), and three coronal walls (p < 0.001) had significantly lower failure risks than those without ferrule. Similar failure risks existed for teeth without coronal walls, regardless of the presence/absence of ferrule (p = 0.151). Regardless of the restorative procedure, the preservation of at least one coronal wall significantly reduced failure risk ( ClinicalTrials.gov number CT01532947).
Genome-wide Association Study of Periodontal Pathogen Colonization
Authors: Divaris K. , Monda K.L. , North K.E. , Olshan A.F. , Lange E.M. , Moss K. , Barros S.P. , Beck J.D. , Offenbacher S.
Published: June 2012

Pathological shifts of the human microbiome are characteristic of many diseases, including chronic periodontitis. To date, there is limited evidence on host genetic risk loci associated with periodontal pathogen colonization. We conducted a genome-wide association (GWA) study among 1,020 white participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, whose periodontal diagnosis ranged from healthy to severe chronic periodontitis, and for whom “checkerboard” DNA-DNA hybridization quantification of 8 periodontal pathogens was performed. We examined 3 traits: “high red” and “high orange” bacterial complexes, and “high” Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) colonization. Genotyping was performed on the Affymetrix 6.0 platform. Imputation to 2.5 million markers was based on HapMap II-CEU, and a multiple-test correction was applied (genome-wide threshold of p < 5 × 10−8). We detected no genome-wide significant signals. However, 13 loci, including KCNK1, FBXO38, UHRF2, IL33, RUNX2, TRPS1, CAMTA1, and VAMP3, provided suggestive evidence (p < 5 × 10−6) of association. All associations reported for “red” and “orange” complex microbiota, but not for Aa, had the same effect direction in a second sample of 123 African-American participants. None of these polymorphisms was associated with periodontitis diagnosis. Investigations replicating these findings may lead to an improved understanding of the complex nature of host-microbiome interactions that characterizes states of health and disease.
Cleft Lip in Oculodentodigital Dysplasia Suggests Novel Roles for Connexin43
Authors: Amano K. , Ishiguchi M. , Aikawa T. , Kimata M. , Kishi N. , Fujimaki T. , Murakami A. , Kogo M.
Published: June 2012

Oculodentodigital Dysplasia (ODDD) is a rare syndrome involving anomalies in eye, tooth, and digit formation, caused by mutations in CX43/ GJA1. In addition to classic dental features, ODDD includes oral and craniofacial accessory symptoms such as characteristic facial appearance and cleft palate. However, there have been no reports of ODDD accompanied by cleft lip. Herein we report, for the first time, a male, sporadic, Asian proband presenting bilateral cleft lip. By direct sequence analysis, our proband was diagnosed as having ODDD with a heterozygous mutation, codon 142 G>A in GJA1 and CX43E48K. We excluded the possibility of pathogenic mutations in B3GALTL, BMP4, TFAP2A, PVRL1, IRF6, and MSX1. To address how CX43/ GJA1 is related to cleft lip, we performed immunohistochemistry using mouse and human mid-facial tissue. CX43 expression was detected in the nasal compartment and nasal and maxillary processes at murine developmental stage E12.5. Furthermore, CX43 expression was found in the epithelial tissue inside the human subepithelial cleft lip that completes epithelial fusion. Therefore, we suggest that CX43/ GJA1 is involved in lip formation. Our case report of ODDD with a bilateral cleft lip suggests that CX43/ GJA1 might be a novel candidate gene for syndromic cleft lip.
Funding for U.S. Biomedical Research
Authors: Nurse J.T.D. , Fox C.H.
Published: June 2012

The U.S. biomedical research community finds itself at a particularly consequential moment. Since the end of the Fiscal Year (FY) 1998-2003 NIH budget doubling period, brought to fruition with bipartisan leadership, the Federal investment in biomedical research has been declining. The NIH budget has actually decreased in constant dollars since FY 2004. Across-the-board cuts included in the Budget Control Act of 2011 would result in a loss of $2.4 billion and roughly 2,300 research project grants in FY 2013 alone, unless Congress acts to intervene before January 2013. Many of the beneficiaries of NIH support view advocacy for research funding as “someone else’s job”. The case to reverse this mindset must be made. Members of Congress and their staffers are open to consideration of the case for sustaining Federal investments in science, even during these difficult budget times. However, the advocacy effort must be broad-based and repeatedly presented to effect change. The figures on economic return from spending on biomedical research are compelling, but they do not tell the entire story. The results of biomedical research improve and save lives every single day, a fact that should not be lost on our elected leaders.
Contextual Evidence for the Representation of Pitch Accents in Standard Serbian
Authors: Zsiga Elizabeth , Zec Draga
Published: June 2012

This paper reports the results of an experiment that elicits contextual effects on Rising and Falling accents in Standard Serbian, with the goal of determining their acoustic correlates and their phonological representation. Materials systematically vary the distance between pitch accents, inducing “tone crowding,” in order to identify the phonetic dimensions that consistently distinguish the two pitch accent types, to examine the association between accents and the segmental string, as well as the timing relationship between accent minima and maxima, and to investigate the interaction between lexical accents and boundary tones. On the basis of the phonetic findings, a unified analysis of the phonological distribution and phonetic realization of Falling and Rising accents in Standard Serbian is proposed. It is proposed that both Rising and Falling accents consist of a single lexical High (H). The restricted distribution of the two accents emerges from the interaction of stress and tone: Falling accents are monosyllabic, such that stress and pitch prominence coincide; Rising accents are bisyllabic, such that the stressed syllable precedes the pitch-accented syllable. The phonetic differences between the Falling and Rising accents follow from the place of lexically designated H, the location of stress, and the effects of boundary tones.

The larger issue we address concerns the phonological characterization of tone/stress interactions. Given the two general types of interactions, one in which the place of stress is predictable from the place of tone, and the other with the reversed direction of influence, we analyze Standard Serbian as belonging to the former type. While both types can be characterized in systems of tonal phonology, which allow free interaction of tone and stress, the type exemplified by Standard Serbian, with contrastive tonal specifications governing the distribution of stress, cannot be captured in an Autosegmental-Metrical (AM) framework, in which stress serves as anchor for tonal melodies.
Electromechanical responses of dielectric elastomer composite actuators based on natural rubber and alumina
Authors: Tangboriboon Nuchnapa , Datsanae Sudarat , Onthong Araya , Kunanuruksapong Ruksapong , Sirivat Anuvat
Published: June 2012

The deflection responses of the dielectric elastomer actuators are investigated under the electrical field strengths between 0 and 650 V/mm at room temperature (27°C). The Standard Thai Rubber 5L (STR 5L)/aluminum oxide (Al2O3) composite (60 wt% Al2O3) cross-linked with 1 wt% dicumyl peroxide (DCP)/Irganox 1076 and cured at 170°C starts to deflect toward the anode side at the yield electrical field strength of 200 V/mm; the degree of bending increases monotonically with increasing electrical field strength of up to 650 V/mm. As the applied electric field is released, the elastomer composite recovers its original position and shape. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the STR 5L/Al2O3 composite (60 wt% Al2O3) cross-linked with 1 wt% DCP/I 1076 and cured at 170°C suggests that the highly ionic conductive Al2O3 generates the dipole moments in addition to that of the elatomer matrix. Scanning electron microscope micrograph of the composite shows a fairly uniform distribution of alumina particles in the natural rubber (STR 5L) matrix.
A Comment on Tobias Kronenberg’s “Construction of Regional Input-Output Tables Using Nonsurvey Methods: The Role of Cross-Hauling”
Authors: Flegg Anthony T. , Tohmo Timo
Published: June 2012

This article examines the effectiveness of a new non-survey regionalization method: Kronenberg’s Cross-Hauling Adjusted Regionalization Method (CHARM). This aims to take into account the fact that regions typically both import and export most commodities. Data for Uusimaa, Finland’s largest region, are employed to carry out a detailed empirical test of CHARM. This test gives very encouraging results. CHARM is suitable for studying environmental questions, but it can only be applied in situations where foreign imports have been included in the national input–output table. Where the focus is on regional output and employment, location quotients (LQs) can be used for purposes of regionalization. On both theoretical and empirical grounds, the FLQ appears to be the most suitable LQ currently available. It should be applied to national input–output tables that exclude foreign imports. Both types of table are available at the national level for all European Union members as well as for some other countries.
Shaping the Future through Narrative
Authors: Isserman Noah , Markusen Ann
Published: June 2012

Throughout his scholarly career, Andrew Isserman made bold calls for vision, storytelling, and narrative construction in regional science and planning. The necessity to plan and make infrastructure and development decisions with incomplete evidence often requires narratives—gists, insights, and ideas that are shorthand for an amalgam of reasoning, evidence, and feedback from practice. Narratives play a large role in planning practice and education, but their premises and implications must be subjected to evidence and compared with alternatives. From their respective work on the third sector, the authors explore a powerful narrative that bigger organizations are better: due to economies of scale, more professional personnel, more sustainable operations, and better measurement, they deliver superior services and greater public value for resources spent. The authors compare this with a competing narrative that smaller organizations generate superior social returns due to flexibility, innovativeness, and community-embeddedness. Using evidence on nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, the authors show that the superiority of large organizations is questionable and further, that the “bigger is better” narrative serves particular interests. In concluding, the authors underscore Isserman’s argument that planners and regional scientists must consciously and deliberately claim their roles in the creation of narratives that shape debate, planning process, and, ultimately, the future. In teaching and research, the authors must both acknowledge whose interests are served and harness evidence to compelling visions, explicit theories of causality, and story arcs—the tools that planners, regional scientists, designers, and social scientists use in defining, shaping, and imagining our regional worlds.
The Production and Use of Evidence in Health Care Service Innovation
Authors: Vasileiou Konstantina , Barnett Julie , Young Terry
Published: June 2012

The focus of this article is on a range of concepts of evidence employed by health care innovators in pursuing service innovations and in demonstrating their success. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 key informants in the United Kingdom who had won Health Service Journal awards for successfully implementing 15 service innovations. Four concepts of evidence were identified: (a) evidence of effectiveness—both direct and indirect, (b) evidence of efficiency, (c) evidence of innovation acceptance, and (d) evidence of relevance. The results suggest that the innovators articulated evidential concepts from the main approaches prevailing in the British National Health Service, namely clinical trials and improvement cycles. Most aspired to “better” evidence than they were able to obtain, while the approach to evidence gathering was very pragmatic and was more aligned with the improvement-cycle framework. Developing supporting mechanisms for assisting innovation evaluation is an important challenge if service innovation is to be routinely attempted and achieved in health care.
The social network, socioeconomic background, and school type of adolescent smokers
Authors: Huisman Chip , Bruggeman Jeroen
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study is to examine the role of Dutch second grade (age 13–14) high school peer networks in mediating socioeconomic background and school type effects on smoking behavior. This study is based on a longitudinal design with two measurement waves at five different high schools, of the complete networks of second grader friendships, as well as their smoking behavior, school type, and parents’ educational level. The analysis is done by simulation investigation for empirical network analysis (SIENA) modeling that can control for friendship selection on the basis of smoking similarity when assessing friends’ influence on smoking. The findings show that, when controlling for friendship selection, the influence of friends still plays a significant role in adolescent smoking behavior, and suggests that socioeconomic background and school type effects on smoking are mediated by the friendship networks at school.
Cardiac power index: staging heart failure for mechanical circulatory support
Authors: Hall SG , Garcia J , Larson DF , Smith R
Published: June 2012

Cardiac power output has been shown to quantify cardiac reserve. Cardiac reserve is defined as the difference between basal and maximal cardiac performance. We compared cardiac power index to other commonly used hemodynamic parameters to validate its usefulness to stage heart failure patients and determine the optimal time for implantation of mechanical circulatory support. A retrospective study of twenty-eight heart failure patients implanted with mechanical circulatory support was analyzed at three levels of drug therapy. Subjects were further separated into two categories: survived versus deceased. Cardiac power index was the only statistically significant hemodynamic parameter that identified cardiac reserve (p<0.05) in this patient population. These results showed that a cardiac power index at or below 0.34 Watts/m2 resulted in increased mortality rate, ninety days post-implantation.

Conclusion:

Cardiac reserve was a determinant of post-device survival; therefore, these data suggest that device implantation should occur prior to the 0.34 Watts/m2 threshold.