bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethics in Evaluating a Sociotechnical Intervention With Socially Isolated Older Adults
Authors: Waycott Jenny , Morgans Amee , Pedell Sonja , Ozanne Elizabeth , Vetere Frank , Kulik Lars , Davis Hilary
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this article is to consider how ethical principles can inform the effective design and implementation of technology-based interventions that aim to promote the well-being of socially isolated older adults. We evaluated a new iPad application with small groups of older adults. In this article, we reflect on the ethical issues encountered at each stage of the research process. Drawing on the ethical principles of beneficence, research merit and integrity, justice, and respect, we identify key issues to consider in the future design and implementation of social isolation interventions that use new technologies. Key issues include (a) providing sufficient support to facilitate ongoing social interactions, (b) managing older adults’ expectations, (c) providing encouragement without coercion, and (d) responding to individual needs. We conclude that it is important to report on ethical challenges incurred when evaluating social isolation interventions to inform future research in this important area.
Medical Therapy of Malignant Bowel Obstruction With Octreotide, Dexamethasone, and Metoclopramide
Authors: Berger Jeffrey , Lester Paula , Rodrigues Lucan
Published: February 2015

Background:

Malignant bowel obstruction is a highly symptomatic, often recurrent, and sometimes refractory condition in patients with intra-abdominal tumor burden. Gastro-intestinal symptoms and function may improve with anti-inflammatory, anti-secretory, and prokinetic/anti-nausea combination medical therapy.

Objective:

To describe the effect of octreotide, metoclopramide, and dexamethasone in combination on symptom burden and bowel function in patients with malignant bowel obstruction and dysfunction.

Design:

A retrospective case series of patients with malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) and malignant bowel dysfunction (MBD) treated by a palliative care consultation service with octreotide, metoclopramide, and dexamethasone. Outcomes measures were nausea, pain, and time to resumption of oral intake.

Results:

12 cases with MBO, 11 had moderate/severe nausea on presentation. 100% of these had improvement in nausea by treatment day #1. 100% of patients with moderate/severe pain improved to tolerable level by treatment day #1. The median time to resumption of oral intake was 2 days (range 1-6 days) in the 8 cases with evaluable data. Of 7 cases with MBD, 6 had For patients with malignant bowel dysfunction, of those with moderate/severe nausea. 5 of 6 had subjective improvement by day#1. Moderate/severe pain improved to tolerable levels in 5/6 by day #1. Of the 4 cases with evaluable data on resumption of PO intake, time to resume PO ranged from 1-4 days.

Conclusion:

Combination medical therapy may provide rapid improvement in symptoms associated with malignant bowel obstruction and dysfunction.
Mediators and Moderators of the Effectiveness of a Community Health Worker Intervention That Improved Dietary Outcomes in Pregnant Latino Women
Authors: Shah Megha K. , Kieffer Edith C. , Choi Hwajung , Schumann Christina , Heisler Michele
Published: January 2015

Background. Pregnancy is an opportune time to initiate diabetes prevention strategies for minority and underserved women, using culturally tailored interventions delivered by community health workers. A community-partnered randomized controlled trial (RCT) with pregnant Latino women resulted in significantly improved vegetable, fiber, added sugar, and total fat consumption compared to a minimal intervention group. However, studying RCT intervention effects alone does not explain the mechanisms by which the intervention was successful or help identify which participants may have benefitted most. Purpose. To improve the development and targeting of future community health worker interventions for high-risk pregnant women, we examined baseline characteristics (moderators) and potential mechanisms (mediators) associated with these dietary changes. Method. Secondary analysis of data for 220 Latina RCT participants was conducted. A linear regression with effects for intervention group, moderator, and interaction between intervention group and moderator was used to test each hypothesized moderator of dietary changes. Sobel–Goodman mediation test was used to assess mediating effects on dietary outcomes. Results. Results varied by dietary outcome. Improvements in vegetable consumption were greatest for women who reported high spousal support at baseline. Women younger than age 30 were more likely to reduce added sugar consumption than older women. Participants who reported higher baseline perceived control were more likely to reduce fat consumption. No examined mediators were significantly associated with intervention effects. Conclusion. Future interventions with pregnant Latinas may benefit from tailoring dietary goals to consider age, level of spousal support, and perceived control to eat healthy.
Adolescent Sexual Health Education
Authors: Dinaj-Koci Veronica , Deveaux Lynette , Wang Bo , Lunn Sonya , Marshall Sharon , Li Xiaoming , Stanton Bonita
Published: January 2015

The inclusion of parents in adolescent-targeted interventions is intended to benefit the adolescent. Limited research has explored whether parents participating in these programs also benefit directly. We examined the impact of Caribbean Informed Parents and Children Together, the parenting portion of an adolescent-targeted HIV prevention intervention, on parent-reported measures. Bahamian parent–youth dyads ( N = 1,833) participating in the randomized control trial were assigned to receive one of four conditions. Parents were assessed longitudinally at baseline and 6 and 12 months later. Through 12 months follow-up, parents exposed to Caribbean Informed Parents and Children Together showed higher knowledge of condom use skills, perceptions of improved condom use competence on the part of their youth, and perceived improved parent–child communication about sex-related information. Although youth were the targeted beneficiary, parents also benefited directly from the sexual risk reduction parenting program. Parents demonstrated improved perceptions and knowledge that would enable them to more effectively guide their child and also protect themselves from sexual risk.
Evolving Concepts, Revolving Doors
Authors: Azeri Siyaves
Published: February 2015

The revolving door is a conceptual device. It was introduced to solve mainly technical problems such as the “chimney effect”; however, the scope of its application transcends the intentions of its inventor, Theophilius Van Kannel. The revolving door problematizes the relation between different segments of space. It fetishizes space by relativizing and, at same time, absolutizing the difference between inside and outside, and by determining the behavior of inhabitants of social space.
The collaboration between interest groups and political parties in multi-party democracies
Authors: Otjes Simon , Rasmussen Anne
Published: January 2015

Whereas many advanced democracies have a long-standing tradition of collaboration between parties and interest groups, it is still contested what drives such collaboration. Linking data on political parties with survey data from over 750 Danish and Dutch interest groups we find evidence of groups focusing on collaboration with large and ideologically moderate parties in both systems. However, our findings also indicate that the importance of power and ideology for interest group-party collaboration is conditioned by crucial aspects of the institutional context in which such collaboration occurs related to party system dynamics and coalition governance. In Denmark, where governments tend to alternate between left and right, collaboration between parties and interest groups is more likely to follow a similar left-right division. In contrast, such collaboration is more likely to reflect a division between core and marginal parties in the Netherlands, where change in government composition is typically only partial.
Positive interventions in seriously-ill children: Effects on well-being after granting a wish
Authors: Chaves Covadonga , Vázquez Carmelo , Hervás Gonzalo
Published: January 2015

We examined whether a positive intervention (i.e. granting a wish) could promote positive psychological and physical changes (e.g. reduced nausea and pain) in seriously-ill children. Children and their parent were randomly assigned to a wish group (completed measures 2–3 days before the wish and 3 weeks later) or to a waiting-list control group (with an equivalent time-lag and receiving the wish after the assessment). Wish intervention significantly increased levels of positive emotions, satisfaction with life, personal strengths, and reduced rates of nausea compared with the control group. Mothers in the wish group also perceived positive changes in children’s benefit finding and quality of life.
Enhanced creativity in bilinguals? Evidence from meaning interpretations of novel compounds
Authors: Onysko Alexander
Published: January 2015

This study aims to contribute to research on whether bilinguals show increased creativity in a verbal task when compared to monolinguals. In line with previous research, creativity is linked to divergent thinking, and a particular focus is laid on figurative associations among the monolingual and bilingual speakers. To investigate potential differences in figurative associations, participants completed a meaning interpretation task of novel English compounds. The task was carried out with 117 monolingual and bilingual New Zealanders, who were split into three comparable groups of Māori–English bilinguals, English monolinguals, and a control group of bilingual speakers in English and a language that is not Māori. The written meaning interpretations are analyzed in two steps. First, a close description is given of the range of associative strategies that participants relied upon when giving meaning to the novel compounds. Second, conceptual metaphor and metonymy theory is applied to tease apart potential differences in the participants’ figurative associations. With the exception of a few figurative processes, the results demonstrate that monolinguals and bilinguals perform similarly in terms of the overall number and diversity of figurative associations. However, a clear contrast between the bilinguals and the monolinguals emerges in the associative strategy of analogical meaning interpretations. Thus, the bilinguals show a significant preference of associating to existing idiomatic expressions and homophones that are related to some of the compound constituents. These findings are discussed for their implications on bilingual creativity. Since the results are based on a comparison of monolingual and bilingual meaning interpretations, the current study offers a new methodological take on investigating the connection between bilingualism and verbal-associative creativity. The study bears further methodological significance as it applies insights from cognitive linguistics to the study of bilingualism.
Subculture-centered public health communication: A social media strategy
Authors: Ems Lindsay , Gonzales Amy L
Published: February 2015

Social media use by health practitioners helps articulate a subculture-centered approach to public health communication. This article explores public health practitioners’ communication strategies with one subculture: young (18- to 29-year-old) men who have sex with men (MSM). Interviews with staff at a public health clinic reveal the use of a variety of social media systems to engage potential MSM clients (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Grindr, and Google+). Public health communicators’ social media use reflected the esthetic, behavioral, and media preferences of a high-risk target group and the ethical risks associated with publicly viewable communication. Social media became a platform for integrated multi-channel communication that comprised both top-down (i.e. institution centric) and bottom-up (i.e. subculture centric) communication flows that work together in a complementary fashion. Ultimately, subculture-centered social media use in this setting helps minimize cultural barriers between members of a public health subculture and the institutions that provide critical care.
The new boots on the ground: NGOs in the changing landscape of international news
Authors: Powers Matthew
Published: January 2015

This article explores the role that nongovernmental organizations play in the changing landscape of international news. Drawing on archival analysis and 65 interviews with nongovernmental organization professionals, it examines the resource commitments and values guiding research at leading humanitarian and human rights nongovernmental organizations. It finds that staff size, country coverage, and reporting capacity have increased substantially over time and now rival the resources found in major news organizations. Interviews reveal that nongovernmental organization work is guided by values of accuracy, pluralism, advocacy, and timeliness. These values overlap with and sometimes extend commonly held journalistic values, but they are not reducible to them. Findings suggest that nongovernmental organizations provide important ‘boots on the ground’ coverage of international affairs, even as their imbrication with journalistic practices raises important normative questions for nongovernmental organizations, journalists, and news audiences.
With radicals like these, who needs conservatives? Doom, gloom, and realism in political theory
Authors: Finlayson Lorna
Published: February 2015

This paper attempts to get some critical distance on the increasingly fashionable issue of realism in political theory. Realism has an ambiguous status: it is sometimes presented as a radical challenge to the status quo; but it also often appears as a conservative force, aimed at clipping the wings of more ‘idealistic’ political theorists. I suggest that what we might call ‘actually existing realism’ is indeed a conservative presence in political philosophy, and that its ambiguous status plays a part in making it so. But I also argue that there is no necessary connection between realism and conservatism. This paper describes the three contingent and suspiciously quick steps which lead from an initial commitment to being attentive to the real world, via a particular kind of pessimism about political possibilities, to an unnecessarily conservative destination. In the process, I try to show how the ubiquitous trinity of realism, pessimism and conservatism might be pulled apart, thus removing the artificial tension between ‘being realistic’ and the demand for far-reaching social change.
A novel polyvinyl alcohol–tragacanth/nano silver hydrogel on polyester fabric through in situ synthesis method
Authors: Montazer M , Kahali P
Published: January 2015

This research introduces a novel hydrogel polyester fabric treated with mixture of synthetic/natural hydrophilic polymers along with in situ synthesis of nano silver through reduction of silver nitrate. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and tragacanth were used as the most common synthetic and natural hydrophilic polymers, citric acid as a friendly cross-linking agent, and sodium hypophosphite as catalyst. Various characteristics of the treated fabrics including water absorption capacity just before dripping, drying time of the wetted fabric, moisture regain, water retention value, vertical wicking, and antimicrobial properties against a Gram positive ( Staphylococcus aureus) and a Gram negative ( Escherichia coli) bacteria were investigated. SEM images and EDX patterns were also obtained to characterize the surface morphology and elemental analysis of the finished fabrics. The size of small crystalline region was calculated through XRD data and the chemical structure of the samples was identified with FTIR spectra. The finished fabric showed the higher moisture absorption and time of drying with very good anti-bacterial properties.
Nominating Commissions, Judicial Retention, and Forward-Looking Behavior on State Supreme Courts: An Empirical Examination of Selection and Retention Methods
Authors: Owens Ryan J. , Tahk Alexander , Wohlfarth Patrick C. , Bryan Amanda C.
Published: January 2015

High-profile advocates are pushing states to move away from judicial elections and toward a “merit” method because it purportedly produces the best quality judges. Quality, however, is difficult to measure empirically. Rather than attempt to measure quality, we examine whether certain types of state supreme courts are more forward-looking than others. States are likely to desire forward-looking behavior among judges because it can protect judicial legitimacy, help states to control policy, and could be more efficient than myopic behavior. Using a recent innovation in matching called covariate-balancing propensity scores, we find that the U.S. Supreme Court is equally likely to review and reverse decisions by judges regardless of their selection or retention methods. These results suggest that state supreme court justices, no matter their paths of getting to (and staying on) their courts, are roughly equal in terms of forward-looking behavior.
Contagious memes, viral videos and subversive parody: The grammar of contention on the Indian web
Authors: Kumar Sangeet
Published: February 2015

This essay presents the viral culture of videos, memes, and websites deploying the tropes of parody and satire as a newly emerging discourse of social and cultural critique on the Indian web. It situates this cultural phenomenon at the intersection of a prior tradition of heterodoxy in India as well as the globally proliferating memetic culture. The essay argues that the speech is distinguished by a logic of repetition with difference both in its parodic/satiric text as well as through its medium that allows the text to repeat at new sites creating new meanings.
Nivolumab in melanoma: latest evidence and clinical potential
Authors: Johnson Douglas B. , Peng Chengwei , Sosman Jeffrey A.
Published: February 2015

Melanoma has historically been considered a refractory disease with few if any options in the advanced/metastatic setting. Advances in both immune and genetically targeted treatment approaches have revolutionized the spectrum of treatment options for melanoma patients over the last several years. Recently, checkpoint inhibition has become a major focus in the immune-based therapy of cancer, especially melanoma. This concept involves inhibition of regulatory cell surface molecules which act normally to dampen or modulate T-cell activation. Cancer, including melanoma, takes advantage of this physiologic mechanism to turn off T-cell activation and prevent effective T-cell antitumor responses. Checkpoint inhibitors such as anti cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (anti-CTLA-4) and anti programmed death-1 (PD-1) can reverse this immune suppression and release T-cell activation. Nivolumab, a monoclonal antibody to the PD-1 receptor, promotes antitumor immunity by removing this key negative regulator of T-cell activation. In phase I/II studies, promising activity and safety have been observed and ongoing phase III trials are comparing nivolumab with other standard of care therapies (chemotherapy, ipilimumab). Efficacy may be even further increased when used in combination with ipilimumab (albeit with increased toxicity). In contrast to typical short-lived responses with cancer therapy in metastatic solid tumors, many responses induced by nivolumab appear durable. In this review, we discuss the evolution of immune therapy in melanoma leading to the development of nivolumab, the clinical experience with this agent, and its future development and clinical potential.
When Customers Complain
Authors: Yoo Joanne Jung-Eun , Kim Taegoo Terry , Lee Gyehee
Published: January 2015

Frontline hospitality employees inevitably face customer complaints and verbal aggression from time to time. Some employees seem to be able to shake off this negative energy and offer service recovery, while others collapse under such onslaughts. This study of 243 frontline employees of casual dining restaurants in Korea found that customer orientation is an important factor in employees’ ability to avoid emotional exhaustion and provide service recovery. The study first establishes the harmful relationships among customer verbal aggression, emotional exhaustion, and (successful or failed) service recovery performance. By incorporating customer orientation into the model, the study documents its buffering role as a personal coping resource. In summary, (1) customer verbal aggression intensifies emotional exhaustion, (2) emotional exhaustion mitigates service recovery performance, (3) customer verbal aggression does not mitigate service recovery performance, (4) emotional exhaustion fully mediates the harmful relationship between customer verbal aggression and service recovery performance, and (5) the detrimental effects of customer verbal aggression are greater among employees with low customer orientation than high orientation employees with regard to the effect of emotional exhaustion on service recovery performance.
Students Requiring Personal Nursing Care in School
Authors: Shannon Robin Adair , Minchella Lindsey
Published: January 2015

Unprecedented numbers of children in the United States are now surviving extreme conditions and complications of prematurity, severe congenital anomalies, and significant birth trauma. Advances in medical science and technology have given rise to a marked increase in the population of children with special health care needs who require continuous nursing care, including at school. Students who are considered medically complex and/or are health technology-dependent present many rewards and challenges for families, educational staff, district administrators, and school nurses who may not feel prepared to integrate involved health care for students into the school setting. The purpose of this article is to describe care delivery models for success in providing for the health and safety needs of students who require continuous or personal nursing care at school.
Novel agents for the treatment of childhood acute leukemia
Authors: Annesley Colleen E. , Brown Patrick
Published: January 2015

Together, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) make up approximately one-third of all pediatric cancer diagnoses. Despite remarkable improvement in the treatment outcomes of these diseases over the past several decades, the prognosis for certain high-risk groups of leukemia and for relapsed disease remains poor. However, recent insights into different types of ‘driver’ lesions of leukemogenesis, such as the aberrant activation of signaling pathways and various epigenetic modifications, have led to the discovery of novel agents that specifically target the mechanism of transformation. In parallel, emerging approaches in cancer immunotherapy have led to newer therapies that can exploit and harness cytotoxic immunity directed against malignant cells. This review details the rationale and implementation of recent and specifically targeted therapies in acute pediatric leukemia. Topics covered include the inhibition of critical cell signaling pathways [BCR-ABL, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and Janus-associated kinase (JAK)], proteasome inhibition, inhibition of epigenetic regulators of gene expression [DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, and disruptor of telomeric signaling-1 (DOT1L) inhibitors], monoclonal antibodies and immunoconjugated toxins, bispecific T-cell engaging (BiTE) antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor-modified (CAR) T cells.
Spontaneous Malignant Transformation of a Pilocytic Astrocytoma of Cerebellum
Authors: Coelho Joana , Nunes Sofia , Salgado Duarte
Published: January 2015

Pilocytic astrocytoma is a slowly growing neoplasia that represents the most frequent cerebral tumor in pediatric age. Malignant transformation is rare and it is usually related to previous radiotherapy. The authors describe a case of a spontaneous malignant transformation of a pilocytic astrocytoma. A 3-year-old boy was diagnosed with a cerebellar hemisphere tumor. He was submitted to a complete excision of the lesion, and histological findings were consistent with pilocytic astrocytoma. It was negative for p53. Twelve years later he presented with a local recurrence. Histopathological diagnosis was glioblastoma and it was positive for p53. Death from disease progression occurred 16 months after the diagnosis of glioblastoma. This case suggests that patients with pilocytic astrocytoma need closer follow-up and further genotypic studies in order to provide clues to clinical behavior. Such understanding can allow us to stratify treatment accordingly and to proceed to more aggressive treatment when necessary.
Sonographic Assessment of Cystic Hepatic Lesions in Sudanese
Authors: Babiker Mahmoud S. , Eisa Rana A.
Published: January 2015

Cystic lesions of the liver may include simple cysts, multiple cysts arising in the setting of polycystic liver disease, parasitic or hydatid (echinococcal) cysts, cystic tumors, and abscesses. Sonography is the diagnostic imaging procedure of choice for hepatic cysts, so knowledge of the sonographic features of the most common types of cystic hepatic lesions should enable an accurate diagnosis to be made directly or in conjunction with clinical and laboratory data. This study of 183 patients was done to identify and evaluate focal hepatic cystic lesions in Sudanese adults using ultrasonography (US) and to determine the diagnostic role of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Most cystic lesions identified were solitary lesions (74.3%). The most common site for lesions was the right lobe of the liver (66.1%). Simple hepatic cysts were seen in 20.2% of patients; the most common type of lesion was hepatic abscess (41.5%). Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease accounted for only 2.2% of lesions. There was a statistical association between focal hepatic cystic lesions and patient age ( P < .001). US-guided FNA was done in 48.6% of patients, and these findings were in agreement with sonographic features, with the FNA aspirate color and consistency correlating with lesion histology.
Role of additional chromosomal changes in the prognostic value of t(4;14) and del(17p) in multiple myeloma: the IFM experience
Authors: Hebraud Benjamin , Magrangeas Florence , Cleynen Alice , Lauwers-Cances Valerie , Chretien Marie-Lorraine , Hulin Cyrille , Leleu Xavier , Yon Edwige , Marit Gerald , Karlin Lionel , Roussel Murielle , Stoppa Anne-Marie , Belhadj Karim , Voillat Laurent , Garderet Laurent , Macro Margaret , Caillot Denis , Mohty Mohamad , Facon Thierry , Moreau Philippe , Attal Michel , Munshi Nikhil , Corre Jill , Minvielle Stephane , Avet-Loiseau Herve
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Additional chromosomal changes modulate the outcome of patients with high-risk multiple myeloma.
Premature changes in trabecular and cortical microarchitecture result in decreased bone strength in hemophilia
Authors: Lee Adrienne , Boyd Steven K. , Kline Gregory , Poon Man-Chiu
Published: February 2015

Key Points

Patients with hemophilia have abnormal bone microarchitecture and decreased biomechanical bone strength compared with normal healthy controls. Decreased BMD and bone strength are associated with severity of hemophilic arthropathy.
A practical approach to the diagnosis of systemic amyloidoses
Authors: Fernández de Larrea Carlos , Verga Laura , Morbini Patrizia , Klersy Catherine , Lavatelli Francesca , Foli Andrea , Obici Laura , Milani Paolo , Capello Gian Luca , Paulli Marco , Palladini Giovanni , Merlini Giampaolo
Published: January 2015

Key Points

The first wide, prospective report on the role of IEM in the differential diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis. IEM allows for the correct characterization of the amyloid protein in virtually all cases and represents a viable alternative to mass spectrometry.
Enoxaparin for prevention of unexplained recurrent miscarriage: a multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Pasquier Elisabeth , de Saint Martin Luc , Bohec Caroline , Chauleur Céline , Bretelle Florence , Marhic Gisèle , Le Gal Grégoire , Debarge Véronique , Lecomte Frédéric , Denoual-Ziad Christine , Lejeune-Saada Véronique , Douvier Serge , Heisert Michel , Mottier Dominique
Published: January 2015

Key Points

The use of low-molecular-weight heparin did not improve live-birth rates in nonthrombophilic women with consecutive recurrent miscarriage. Prophylactic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin should no longer be prescribed in this clinical setting.
Effects of exercise on depression in adults with arthritis: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kelley George A , Kelley Kristi S , Hootman Jennifer M
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Previous randomized controlled trials have led to conflicting findings regarding the effects of exercise on depressive symptoms in adults with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC). The purpose of this study was to use the meta-analytic approach to resolve these discrepancies.

Methods

The inclusion criteria were: (1) randomized controlled trials, (2) exercise (aerobic, strength training, or both) ≥4 weeks, (3) comparative control group, (4) adults with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia or systemic lupus erythematosus, (5) published studies in any language since January 1, 1981 and (6) depressive symptoms assessed. Studies were located by searching 10 electronic databases, cross-referencing, hand searching and expert review. Dual-selection of studies and data abstraction was performed. Hedge’s standardized mean difference effect size (g) was calculated for each result and pooled using random-effects models, an approach that accounts for heterogeneity. Non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals (CI) were considered statistically significant. Heterogeneity based on fixed-effect models was estimated using Q and I
2
with alpha values ≤0.10 for Q considered statistically significant.

Results

Of the 500 citations reviewed, 2,449 participants (1,470 exercise, 979 control) nested within 29 studies were included. Length of training, reported as mean ± standard deviation (±SD) was 19 ± 16 weeks, frequency 4 ± 2 times per week and duration 34 ± 17 minutes per session. Overall, statistically significant exercise minus control group reductions were found for depressive symptoms (g = −0.42, 95% CI, −0.58, −0.26, Q = 126.9, P <0.0001, I
2
 = 73.2%). The number needed-to-treat was 7 (95% CI, 6 to 11) with an estimated 3.1 million (95% CI, 2.0 to 3.7) United States adults not currently meeting physical activity guidelines improving their depressive symptoms if they began and maintained a regular exercise program. Using Cohen’s U3 Index, the percentile reduction was 16.4% (95% CI, 10.4% to 21.9%). All studies were considered to be at high risk of bias with respect to blinding of participants and personnel to group assignment.

Conclusions

Exercise is associated with reductions in depressive symptoms among selected adults with AORC. A need exists for additional, well-designed and reported studies on this topic.
Full-thickness cartilage defects are repaired via a microfracture technique and intraarticular injection of the small-molecule compound kartogenin
Authors: Xu Xingquan , Shi Dongquan , Shen Yeshuai , Xu Zhihong , Dai Jin , Chen Dongyang , Teng Huajian , Jiang Qing
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Microfracture does not properly repair full-thickness cartilage defects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraarticular injection of the small-molecule compound kartogenin (KGN) on the restoration of a full-thickness cartilage defect treated with microfracture in a rabbit model.

Methods

Full-thickness cartilage defects (3.5 mm in diameter and 3 mm in depth) were created in the patellar groove of the right femurs of 24 female New Zealand White rabbits. The rabbits were divided into two groups (12 in each group) based on postsurgery treatment differences, as follows: microfracture plus weekly intraarticular injection of KGN (group 1) and microfracture plus dimethyl sulfoxide (group 2). Six rabbits from each group were illed at 4 and 12 weeks after surgery, and their knees were harvested. The outcome was assessed both macroscopically, by using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) macroscopic evaluation system, and histologically, by using the modified O’Driscoll histologic scoring system. Immunohistochemistry for type II and I collagen was also conducted.

Results

At 4 weeks, group 1 showed better defect filling and a greater number of chondrocyte-like cells compared with group 2. At 12 weeks, group 1 showed statistically significantly higher ICRS scores and modified O’Driscoll scores compared with group 2. More hyaline cartilage-like tissue was found in the defects of group 1 at 12 weeks.

Conclusions

Intraarticular injection of KGN enhances the quality of full-thickness cartilage defects repair after microfracture, with better defect filling and increased hyaline-like cartilage formation.
An important role for A20-binding inhibitor of nuclear factor-kB-1 (ABIN1) in inflammation-mediated endothelial dysfunction: an in vivo study in ABIN1 (D485N) mice
Authors: Akbar Naveed , Nanda Sambit , Belch Jill , Cohen Philip , Khan Faisel
Published: February 2015

Introduction

The link between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and patients with chronic inflammation is not clearly understood. We examined a knock-in mouse expressing a poly-ubiquitin-binding-defective mutant of the protein ABIN1 (ABIN1(D485N)), which develops a systemic lupus erythematosus-like autoimmune disease because of the hyperactivation of IκB kinases (IκKs) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). These mice were used to determine the potential role of these signaling pathways in inflammation-mediated CVD development.

Methods

Laser Doppler imaging in combination with the iontophoresis of vasoactive chemicals were used to assess endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in vivo in ABIN1 (D485N)) mutant defective (n = 29) and wild-type (WT) control (n = 26) mice. Measurements were made at baseline, and animals were subdivided to receive either chow or a proatherogenic diet for 4 weeks, after which, follow-up assessments were made. Paired and unpaired t tests, and ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni correction were used for statistical significance at P <0.05.

Results

Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation to acetylcholine was attenuated at 4 weeks in ABIN1(D485N)-chow-fed mice compared with age-matched WT-chow-fed mice (P <0.05). The magnitude of attenuation was similar to that observed in WT-cholesterol-fed animals (versus WT-chow, P <0.01). ABIN1(D485N)-cholesterol-fed mice had the poorest endothelium-dependent responses compared with other groups (P <0.001). ABIN1(D485N)-chow-fed mice had increased plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (versus WT-chow, P <0.001), and this was further elevated in ABIN1(D485N)-cholesterol-fed mice (versus ABIN1(D485N)-chow; P <0.05). IL-1α was significantly greater in all groups compared with WT-chow (P <0.01). ABIN1(D485N) mice showed significant cardiac hypertrophy (P <0.05).

Conclusions

The ABIN(D485N) mice display endothelial dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy, which is possibly mediated through IL-6 and, to a lesser degree, IL-1α. These results suggest that the ABIN1-mediated hyperactivation of IKKs and MAPKs might mediate chronic inflammation and CVD development.
Changes in the neurochemistry of athletes with repetitive brain trauma: preliminary results using localized correlated spectroscopy
Authors: Lin Alexander P , Ramadan Saadallah , Stern Robert A , Box Hayden C , Nowinski Christopher J , Ross Brian D , Mountford Carolyn E
Published: February 2015

Introduction

The goal was to identify which neurochemicals differ in professional athletes with repetitive brain trauma (RBT) when compared to healthy controls using a relatively new technology, in vivo Localized COrrelated SpectroscopY (L-COSY).

Methods

To achieve this, L-COSY was used to examine five former professional male athletes with 11 to 28 years of exposure to contact sports. Each athlete who had had multiple symptomatic concussions and repetitive sub concussive trauma during their career was assessed by an experienced neuropsychologist. All athletes had clinical symptoms including headaches, memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, and depression. Five healthy men, age and weight matched to the athlete cohort and with no history of brain trauma, were recruited as controls. Data were collected from the posterior cingulate gyrus using a 3 T clinical magnetic resonance scanner equipped with a 32 channel head coil.

Results

The variation of the method was calculated by repeated examination of a healthy control and phantom and found to be 10% and 5%, respectively, or less. The L-COSY measured large and statistically significant differences (P ≤0.05), between healthy controls and those athletes with RBT. Men with RBT showed higher levels of glutamine/glutamate (31%), choline (65%), fucosylated molecules (60%) and phenylalanine (46%). The results were evaluated and the sample size of five found to achieve a significance level P = 0.05 and a power of 90%. Differences in N-acetyl aspartate and myo-inositol between RBT and controls were small and were not statistically significance.

Conclusions

A study of a small cohort of professional athletes, with a history of RBT and symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy when compared with healthy controls using 2D L-COSY, showed elevations in brain glutamate/glutamine and choline as recorded previously for early traumatic brain injury. For the first time increases in phenylalanine and fucose are recorded in the brains of athletes with RBT. Larger studies utilizing the L-COSY method may offer an in-life method of diagnosis and personalized approach for monitoring the acute effects of mild traumatic brain injury and the chronic effects of RBT.
A highly sensitive novel immunoassay specifically detects low levels of soluble Aβ oligomers in human cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Yang Ting , O’Malley Tiernan T , Kanmert Daniel , Jerecic Jasna , Zieske Lynn R , Zetterberg Henrik , Hyman Bradley T , Walsh Dominic M , Selkoe Dennis J
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Amyloid β-protein oligomers play a key role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but well-validated assays that routinely detect them in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are just emerging. We sought to confirm and extend a recent study using the Singulex Erenna platform that reported increased mean CSF oligomer levels in AD.

Methods

We tested four antibody pairs and chose one pair that was particularly sensitive, using 1C22, our new oligomer-selective monoclonal antibody, for capture. We applied this new assay to extracts of human brain and CSF.

Results

A combination of 1C22 for capture and 3D6 for detection yielded an Erenna immunoassay with a lower limit of quantification of approximately 0.15 pg/ml that was highly selective for oligomers over monomers and detected a wide size-range of oligomers. Most CSFs we tested had detectable oligomer levels but with a large overlap between AD and controls and a trend for higher mean levels in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than controls.

Conclusion

Aβ oligomers are detectable in most human CSFs, but AD and controls overlap. MCI CSFs may have a modest elevation in mean value by this assay.
Outage performance of relay-assisted transmissions in cognitive full-duplex relay networks
Authors: Chen Hongbin , Tan Songgao , Zhao Feng
Published: January 2015

Relay cooperation can enhance coverage, throughput, and reliability of wireless communication systems, thus attracting intense research interest in the past decade. However, most of them focused on half-duplex relay systems, which encounter loss of resource efficiency. With the progress of self-interference cancellation technologies, full-duplex relay systems come into sight. In this paper, outage performances of the primary system and the secondary system in a cognitive full-duplex relay network are analyzed, under the adverse effect of self-interference caused by the signals at the transmitting and receiving antennas of the relay. The full-duplex decode-and-forward relay assists the transmissions of the primary system and the secondary system where there is no direct link between the secondary transmitter and the secondary receiver. Simulation results show that better outage performance of the primary system is achieved compared with the cognitive relay network adopting half-duplex relaying. Moreover, communication of the secondary system is realized on the condition that the secondary transmission link is non-ideal.
Self-optimized heterogeneous networks for energy efficiency
Authors: Fan Shaoshuai , Tian Hui , Sengul Cigdem
Published: February 2015

Explosive increase in mobile data traffic driven by the demand for higher data rates and ever-increasing number of wireless users results in a significant increase in power consumption and operating cost of communication networks. Heterogeneous networks (HetNets) provide a variety of coverage and capacity options through the use of cells of different sizes. In these networks, an active/sleep scheduling strategy for base stations (BSs) becomes an effective way to match capacity to demand and also improve energy efficiency. At the same time, environmental awareness and self-organizing features are expected to play important roles in improving the network performance. In this paper, we propose a new active/sleep scheduling scheme based on the user activity sensing of small cell BSs. To this end, coverage probability, network capacity, and energy consumption of the proposed scheme inK-tier heterogeneous networks are analyzed using stochastic geometry, accounting for cell association uncertainties due to random positioning of users and BSs, channel conditions, and interference. Based on the analysis, we propose a sensing probability optimization (SPO) approach based on reinforcement learning to acquire the experience of optimizing the user activity sensing probability of each small cell tier. Simulation results show that SPO adapts well to user activity fluctuations and improves energy efficiency while maintaining network capacity and coverage probability guarantees.
Some results on an infinite family of accretive operators in a reflexive Banach space
Authors: Wang Sheng-Hua , Zhang Po
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this article is to investigate a Halpern-like proximal point algorithm for common zero points of an infinite family of accretive operators. Possible computational errors are taken into account. Strong convergence theorems are established in a reflexive Banach space.
Viscosity approximation method with Meir-Keeler contractions for common zero of accretive operators in Banach spaces
Authors: Kim Jong Kyu , Tuyen Truong Minh
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new iteration by the combination of the viscosity approximation with Meir-Keeler contractions and proximal point algorithm for finding common zeros of a finite family of accretive operators in a Banach space with a uniformly Gâteaux differentiable norm. The results of this paper improve and extend corresponding well-known results by many others.
Strong and △-convergence theorems for two asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in the intermediate sense in $\operatorname{CAT}(0)$ spaces
Authors: Saluja Gurucharan S , Postolache Mihai
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we study strong and △-convergence for a newly defined two-step iteration process involving two asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in the intermediate sense which is wider than the class of asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in the setting of $\operatorname{CAT}(0)$
CAT
(
0
)
spaces. Our results generalize, unify and extend many known results from the existing literature.
Weak convergence theorems for inverse-strongly skew-monotone operators and generalized mixed equilibrium problems in Banach spaces
Authors: Chen Junmin , Fan Tiegang
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we consider an iterative algorithm for finding the common element of the set of solutions for the generalized mixed equilibrium problems, the common fixed points set of two generalized nonexpansive type mappings, and the set of solutions of the variational inequality for an inverse-strongly skew-monotone operator in Banach spaces. Under mild conditions, the weak convergence theorem is established by using the sunny generalized nonexpansive retraction in Banach spaces. Our results refine, supplement, and extend the corresponding results in (Saewan et al. in Optim. Lett. 8:501-518, 2014), and other results announced by many other authors.
A hybrid iterative method for common solutions of variational inequality problems and fixed point problems for single-valued and multi-valued mappings with applications
Authors: Onjai-uea Nawitcha , Phuengrattana Withun
Published: January 2015

In this article, we propose a new iterative method for approximating a common element of the set of common fixed points of a finite family of k-strictly pseudononspreading single-valued mappings, the set of common fixed points of a finite family of quasi-nonexpansive multi-valued mappings, and the set of common solutions of a finite family of variational inequality problems in Hilbert spaces. Furthermore, we prove that the proposed iterative method converges strongly to a common element of the above three sets, and we also apply our results to complementarity problems. Finally, we give two numerical examples to support our main result.
Variations in level of oil, protein, and some antioxidants in chickpea and peanut seeds
Authors: Dragičević Vesna , Kratovalieva Suzana , Dumanović Zoran , Dimov Zoran , Kravić Natalija
Published: January 2015

Background

Chickpea and peanut are two legume species not frequently used in human diets. Chickpea is rich in starch and proteins, while peanut is mainly a source of oils and proteins and they could be successfully used as protein sources in vegetarian diets.

Seeds of 19 chickpea and 13 peanut landraces were colorimetrically analyzed in respect to antioxidant content (i.e., free soluble phenolics, total glutathione, and phytate). Oil and protein contents in grain were also determined.

Results

Free soluble phenolics content varied in range from 520 to1,050 mg kg−1 in peanut and from 720 to 1,370 mg kg−1 in chickpea. Total glutathione content ranged from 1,495 to 2,365 mmol kg−1 in peanut and from 955 to 1,232 mmol kg−1 in chickpea. Relatively low content of phytic phosphorus was found in grain of both species, ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 g kg−1 in peanut and from 1.4 to 3.0 g kg−1 in chickpea, respectively. Considering the lack of data for phytate variability in Macedonian chickpea and peanut local landraces up to date, the observed high variation in phytic phosphorus content could represent the great basis for further breeding programs for phytate decrease in seeds of those genotypes. This is significant, since phytate is an important antinutrient which affects availability of mineral elements. Regression analysis revealed positive and highly significant interdependence between oil content and total glutathione in chickpea seeds, as well as between oil content and phytic phosphorus in peanut seeds. In chickpea, significant and negative correlation between oil and phytic phosphorus content was also observed.

Conclusions

Results obtained indicated that chickpea genotypes with higher oil content could have increased nutritional value due to higher glutathione and lower phytate content observed. However, lower level of phytate content, along with higher level of soluble phenolics and total glutathione found in peanut seeds with lower oil content, indicated higher digestibility and increased antioxidant activity of those genotypes.