bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of high pressure processing on yield, quality and storage stability of peanut paneer
Authors: Chauhan Om Prakash , Kumar Sumeet , Nagraj Roopa , Narasimhamurthy Ravi , Raju Pakalapati Sinivas
Published: March 2015

Paneer was prepared from peanuts by soaking the nuts for 8 h followed by removal of skin, grinding, extraction of milk and coagulation using calcium sulphate (1% solution). In another method the peanut milk was high pressure processed at 600 MPa for 5 min before coagulation. The obtained paneer samples were vacuum packed and kept at refrigerated temperature (6 ± 1 °C) for storage and evaluated for physico‐chemical, sensory and microbial attributes. High pressure processing of milk before coagulation resulted in increase in paneer yield significantly (P < 0.05) as well as maintained the quality of the paneer to a better extent as compared to control during refrigerated storage for a period of 45 days.
Optical path length and wavelength selection using Vis/NIR spectroscopy for olive oil's free acidity determination
Authors: García Martín Juan Francisco
Published: March 2015

Four different optical path lengths, namely 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mm, were assayed for olive oil's free acidity determination using Vis/NIR spectroscopy. Results illustrated that the use of higher path length during spectra acquisition resulted in more accurate PLS models, especially when using solely the NIR region. The PLS model obtained with the NIR spectrum using the 10‐mm cuvette was subjected to optimisation by Monte Carlo uninformative variable elimination (MCUVE) and successive projections algorithm (SPA). Both methods drastically reduced the number of spectral variables and markedly improved the performance of the PLS model, especially the SPA‐PLS model, which achieved a SEP (0.051) quite close to SEL (0.048). Interestingly, only twelve of the eighty spectral variables selected by SPA were among the 314 variables provided by MCUVE. All in all, NIRS incorporated to MCUVE‐PLS or SPA‐PLS may be applied as an alternative method for the rapid determination of olive oil's free acidity.
Topical simvastatin promotes healing of Staphylococcus aureus‐contaminated cutaneous wounds
Authors: Wang Chia‐Chi , Yang Po‐Wei , Yang Sheau‐Fang , Hsieh Kun‐Pin , Tseng Sung‐Pin , Lin Ying‐Chi
Published: March 2015

Cutaneous wounds are prompt to be contaminated by bacteria, but the clinical benefits of applying antibiotics and antiseptics in wound management have not been proven. Statins are 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase inhibitors commonly used to lower cholesterol levels. Studies indicated that statins, especially simvastatin, promote wound healing in experimental models. As Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important microorganism responsible for wound infections, the aims of this study were to characterise the anti‐staphylococcal activity of simvastatin and to evaluate the application of simvastatin as a topical therapy for S. aureus‐contaminated wounds. In the present study, simvastatin was bacteriostatic against S. aureus at sub‐inhibitory concentrations up to 8 hours after exposure. Further increased concentrations of simvastatin above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) did not enhance the growth inhibitory effect. By contrast, the ability of simvastatin to inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation was concentration dependent. Topical application of simvastatin at its MIC against S. aureus accelerated the healing and bacterial clearance of S. aureus‐contaminated wounds in an excisional mice wound model. This effective concentration is well below the safe concentration for topical use. Collectively, topical application of simvastatin has the potential as a novel modality for managing wound infections and promoting wound healing.
Optical Energy Storage Properties of (Ca1−xSrx)2Si5N8: Eu2+, Tm3+ Solid Solutions
Authors: Wang Jin , Zhang Haoran , Lei Bingfu , Dong Hanwu , Zhang Haiming , Liu Yingliang , Zheng Mingtao , Xiao Yong
Published: March 2015

While the reddish‐orange emitting phosphors M2Si5N8:Eu2+(M = Ca, Sr) have been intensively investigated as potential materials for white‐light‐emitting diodes, in this study, optical energy storage properties of (Ca1−xSrx)2Si5N8: Eu2+, Tm3+ (x = 0–1) solid solutions were tuned by cation substitution, which was commonly used to tune color point for improving w‐LEDs. Partial substitution of either Ca by Sr or Sr by Ca resulted in a redshifted Eu2+ emission which had a demarcation point at x = 0.5. Furthermore, the (Ca1−xSrx)2Si5N8: Eu2+, Tm3+ materials exhibited similar persistent‐ and photostimulated luminescence behaviors with a maximum intensity at about x = 0.2. Such optical energy storage characters of the samples were attributed to the more appropriate trap depths (322–333 K) and higher density of energy level traps indicated by the thermoluminescence analysis.
Sinterability Enhancement by Collapse of Mesoporous Structure of SBA‐15 in Fabrication of Highly Transparent Silica Glass
Authors: Zhang Xin , Yu Xiangwen , Zhou Beiying , Luo Wei , Jiang Wan , Jiang Weihui , Shen Zhijian , Wang Lianjun
Published: March 2015

Highly transparent silica glass was prepared from mesoporous silica SBA‐15 powders at low temperature using Spark Plasma Sintering. It was found that the combined effect of pressure and temperature resulted in collapse of porous structure of SBA‐15 and transformation to transparent glass. A sinterability enhancement mechanism involving generation of incremental surface area from pore collapse during sintering process was proposed to interpret the fully densification at low temperature.
Flash Sintering of (La, Sr)(Co, Fe)O3–Gd‐Doped CeO2 Composite
Authors: Gaur Anshu , Sglavo Vincenzo M.
Published: March 2015

Sintering of composites constituted by two nonstoichiometric phases (La0.6Sr0.4)(Co0.2Fe0.8)O3 (LSCF) and Gd0.1Ce0.9O2 (GDC) under constant electric field in constant heating rate experiment is studied in this work. The requirements of field and temperature for composite systematically increase with GDC amounts this indicating the importance of material conductivity. Sintering/grain growth rate is higher in the composite compared to pure LSCF phase. Flash‐sintering phenomenon in the composite is explained on the basis of three factors: (1) large and continuous increase in conductivity of LSCF acts as source of defects, (2) maintenance of sufficient local temperature because of GDC during continuous conductivity increase facilitates the cationic diffusion, and (3) reduction reactions of LSCF, during polaron hopping conduction, and of GDC phase at higher temperature activate the sintering process.
Association of vitamin D3 with alveolar bone regeneration in dogs
Authors: Hong Hsiang‐Hsi , Yen Tzung‐Hai , Hong Adrienne , Chou Ting‐An
Published: March 2015

Designed sockets prepared on the mandibles of nine Beagle dogs were divided into three groups: Calcitriol +Alloplast, Alloplast and Empty. Five of the nine dogs received Vit.D3 and calcium supplement (Vit.D/Ca group), while the other four dogs without supplements were assigned to Non‐Vit.D/Ca group. After 4 weeks, the extent of vertical ridge resorption (VRR), bone density (density), new bone formation (NBF) and implant stability quotient (ISQ) were measured. Following systemic Vit.D/Ca administration, the Empty subgroup showed significant differences from the Calcitriol + Alloplast subgroup on variants NBF/Density/VRR and the Alloplast subgroup on items NBF/Density/ISQ/VRR. Alternatively, the Calcitriol + Alloplast subgroup revealed higher values of NBF/Density/ISQ (P < 0.001) and a lower VRR value (P = 0.001) than the Alloplast subgroup. Although there were no significant differences in NBF (P = 0.349), density (P = 0.796), ISQ (P = 0.577) and VRR (0.979) comparisons on alloplast treatment between the Vit.D/Ca and Non‐Vit.D/Ca groups, local application with Calcitriol + Alloplast demonstrated better NBF/Density/ISQ (P = 0.02 to <0.001) effects than which of Alloplast subgroups. Consequently, the results showed that both systemic and local vitamin D3 treatment might accelerate bone regeneration in dogs. Within the using dose, systemic vitamin D3 treatment displayed a superior stimulating effect than local vitamin D3 application did.
Attenuation of cardiac hypertrophy by G‐CSF is associated with enhanced migration of bone marrow‐derived cells
Authors: Huber Bruno C. , Beetz Nick L. , Laskowski Alexandra , Ziegler Tilman , Grabmaier Ulrich , Kupatt Christian , Herbach Nadja , Wanke Ruediger , Franz Wolfgang‐Michael , Massberg Steffen , Brunner Stefan
Published: March 2015

Granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) has been shown to promote mobilization of bone marrow‐derived stem cells (BMCs) into the bloodstream associated with improved survival and cardiac function after myocardial infarction. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether G‐CSF is able to attenuate cardiac remodelling in a mouse model of pressure‐induced LV hypertrophy focusing on mobilization and migration of BMCs. LV hypertrophy was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in C57BL/6J mice. Four weeks after TAC procedure. Mice were treated with G‐CSF (100 μg/kg/day; Amgen Biologicals) for 2 weeks. The number of migrated BMCs in the heart was analysed by flow cytometry. mRNA expression and protein level of different growth factors in the myocardium were investigated by RT‐PCR and ELISA. Functional analyses assessed by echocardiography and immunohistochemical analysis were performed 8 weeks after TAC procedure. G‐CSF‐treated animals revealed enhanced homing of VLA‐4+ and c‐kit+ BMCs associated with increased mRNA expression and protein level of the corresponding homing factors Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 and Stem cell factor in the hypertrophic myocardium. Functionally, G‐CSF significantly preserved LV function after TAC procedure, which was associated with a significantly reduced area of fibrosis compared to control animals. Furthermore, G‐CSF‐treated animals revealed a significant improvement of survival after TAC procedure. In summary, G‐CSF treatment preserves cardiac function and is able to diminish cardiac fibrosis after induction of LV hypertrophy associated with increased homing of VLA‐4+ and c‐kit+ BMCs and enhanced expression of their respective homing factors VCAM‐1 and SCF.
Changes in short‐chain acyl‐coA dehydrogenase during rat cardiac development and stress
Authors: Huang Jinxian , Xu Lipeng , Huang Qiuju , Luo Jiani , Liu Peiqing , Chen Shaorui , Yuan Xi , Lu Yao , Wang Ping , Zhou Sigui
Published: March 2015

This study was designed to investigate the expression of short‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD), a key enzyme of fatty acid β‐oxidation, during rat heart development and the difference of SCAD between pathological and physiological cardiac hypertrophy. The expression of SCAD was lowest in the foetal and neonatal heart, which had time‐dependent increase during normal heart development. In contrast, a significant decrease in SCAD expression was observed in different ages of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). On the other hand, swim‐trained rats developed physiological cardiac hypertrophy, whereas SHR developed pathological cardiac hypertrophy. The two kinds of cardiac hypertrophy exhibited divergent SCAD changes in myocardial fatty acids utilization. In addition, the expression of SCAD was significantly decreased in pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, however, increased in physiological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. SCAD siRNA treatment triggered the pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which showed that the down‐regulation of SCAD expression may play an important role in pathological cardiac hypertrophy. The changes in peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) was accordant with that of SCAD. Moreover, the specific PPARα ligand fenofibrate treatment increased the expression of SCAD and inhibited pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Therefore, we speculate that the down‐regulated expression of SCAD in pathological cardiac hypertrophy may be responsible for ‘the recapitulation of foetal energy metabolism’. The deactivation of PPARα may result in the decrease in SCAD expression in pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Changes in SCAD are different in pathological and physiological cardiac hypertrophy, which may be used as the molecular markers of pathological and physiological cardiac hypertrophy.
Mycosis fungoides: association of KIR ligands and HLA‐DQB1*05 with bad prognosis of the disease
Authors: Brazzelli V. , Rivetti N. , Badulli C. , Carugno A. , Cananzi R. , De Silvestri A. , Martinetti M. , Borroni G.
Published: March 2015

Background

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma. We previously reported that the prognosis of MF patients is not only related on clinical variables but it is also associated with peculiar HLA alleles. Until today, the association of HLA ligands for KIR with the prognosis of the disease has not yet been analysed.

Objective

We investigated the frequency of HLA ligands for killer cell Immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) in MF patients, evaluating if the presence of particular HLA alleles that are ligands for KIR may have prognostic value.

Methods

The study includes 46 Caucasian MF patients that, between 1993 and 1997, underwent HLA genomic typing. All patients were diagnosed and followed up from 1977 to 2012 (mean follow‐up of 11 years).

Results

MF patients have been divided into two groups (long survivors and dead patients). We noticed that the HLA‐Bw6/Bw6 specificity increased among the group of seven dead patients compared to the group of 39 long survivors (71.4% vs. 41.0%, P = ns, OR = 3.59), while in the long survivors group the HLA‐ Bw4/Bw4 specificity increased when compared to dead patients (23.0% vs. 0%, P = ns). Moreover, we observed that six of the seven dead patients had HLA‐DQB1*05; the phenotypic frequency of this HLA allele, in dead and long survivors patients, was 85.7% and 23.0% respectively (P = 0.004; OR = 20).

Conclusion

Our observations suggest that the presence of the HLA‐DQB1*05 alleles characterizes the patients with the poorest prognosis in MF. In addition, absence of the KIR‐ligand epitope HLA‐B Bw4 showed a trend of being more prominent in MF patients with the poorest prognosis.
Diagnostic accuracy of 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT in early and late stages of high‐risk cutaneous malignant melanoma
Authors: Gellén E. , Sántha O. , Janka E. , Juhász I. , Péter Z. , Erdei I. , Lukács R. , Fedinecz N. , Galuska L. , Remenyik É. , Emri G.
Published: March 2015

Background

The precise role of total body 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the clinical management of patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is not well established.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT in early‐ and late‐stage patients with high‐risk CMM.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed various imaging, histopathological and clinical data from 97 patients also examined by PET/CT during a 5‐year period (2007–2011). Three groups were assessed: stage I/II, resected stage III and unresectable stage III/stage IV.

Results

The median follow‐up time of living patients was 43.48 ± 19.67 (15–142) months. We observed a high diagnostic accuracy in all stages (91.3%, 92.5% and 96.2% respectively). PET/CT appeared to be reliable diagnostic tool even for the detection of small lymph node metastases. PET/CT was informative in 14 of 19 cases wherein another imaging examination provided inconclusive results regarding lesion dignity. However, PET/CT was less suitable for properly evaluating the dignity of a lung lesion. A true positive scan was twice as likely in clinically negative patients with resected stage III disease than in patients with stage I/II disease (35.9% and 14.5%, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

These results confirm that PET/CT is an important diagnostic tool in the management of patients with high‐risk CMM, but it cannot replace the standard of care examinations. More accurate clinicopathological and timing criteria must be defined to best utilize the advantages of this imaging method.
Digging for gold nuggets: uncovering novel candidate genes for variation in gastrointestinal nematode burden in a wild bird species
Authors: Wenzel M. A. , Piertney S. B.
Published: March 2015

The extent to which genotypic variation at a priori identified candidate genes can explain variation in complex phenotypes is a major debate in evolutionary biology. Whereas some high‐profile genes such as the MHC or MC1R clearly do account for variation in ecologically relevant characters, many complex phenotypes such as response to parasite infection may well be underpinned by a large number of genes, each of small and effectively undetectable effect. Here, we characterize a suite of novel candidate genes for variation in gastrointestinal nematode (Trichostrongylus tenuis) burden among red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica) individuals across a network of moors in north‐east Scotland. We test for associations between parasite load and genotypic variation in twelve genes previously identified to be differentially expressed in experimentally infected red grouse or genetically differentiated among red grouse populations with overall different parasite loads. These genes are associated with a broad physiological response including immune system processes. Based on individual‐level generalized linear models, genotypic variants in nine genes were significantly associated with parasite load, with effect sizes accounting for differences of 514–666 worms per bird. All but one of these variants were synonymous or untranslated, suggesting that these may be linked to protein‐coding variants or affect regulatory processes. In contrast, population‐level analyses revealed few and inconsistent associations with parasite load, and little evidence of signatures of natural selection. We discuss the broader significance of these contrasting results in the context of the utility of population genomics and landscape genomics approaches in detecting adaptive genomic signatures.
Functional morphology of the tubular genital organs in the female owl monkey (Aotus spp.)
Authors: Mayor Pedro , Takeshita Rafaela Sayuri Cicalise , Coutinho Leandro Nassar , Sánchez Nofre , Gálvez Hugo , Ique Carlos , Ruiz Julio Cesar , Monteiro Frederico Ozanan Barros
Published: March 2015

Background

Studies on reproductive morphology are important to understand the reproductive cycle of non‐human primates.

Methods

This study describes the functional morphology of the adult female tubular genital organs in 41 Aotus (12.8 ± 6.8 years old, ranging from 3 to 25 years), with respect to reproductive status and number of parturitions.

Results

In females with developing embryos, endometrial glands showed a higher secretion than other females, and the embryo implantation occupied this secretive endometrium. Changes in the thickening, number of layers, and keratinization in the vaginal epithelium suggest that vaginal cytology may be an indicator of the estrous cycle. Non‐pregnant multiparous females had a larger uterine body than nulliparous females. Number of parturitions and reproductive state had an impact on tubular genital organs in female owl monkeys.

Conclusions

These results can be useful for the development of biotechnologies of reproduction and for improvement of the management of this species.
From gross anatomy to the nanomorphome: stereological tools provide a paradigm for advancing research in quantitative morphomics
Authors: Mayhew Terry M. , Lucocq John M.
Published: March 2015

The terms morphome and morphomics are not new but, recently, a group of morphologists and cell biologists has given them clear definitions and emphasised their integral importance in systems biology. By analogy to other ‘‐omes’, the morphome refers to the distribution of matter within 3‐dimensional (3D) space. It equates to the totality of morphological features within a biological system (virus, single cell, multicellular organism or populations thereof) and morphomics is the systematic study of those structures. Morphomics research has the potential to generate ‘big data’ because it includes all imaging techniques at all levels of achievable resolution and all structural scales from gross anatomy and medical imaging, via optical and electron microscopy, to molecular characterisation. As with other ‘‐omics’, quantification is an important part of morphomics and, because biological systems exist and operate in 3D space, precise descriptions of form, content and spatial relationships require the quantification of structure in 3D. Revealing and quantifying structural detail inside the specimen is achieved currently in two main ways: (i) by some form of reconstruction from serial physical or tomographic slices or (ii) by using randomly‐sampled sections and simple test probes (points, lines, areas, volumes) to derive stereological estimates of global and/or individual quantities. The latter include volumes, surfaces, lengths and numbers of interesting features and spatial relationships between them. This article emphasises the value of stereological design, sampling principles and estimation tools as a template for combining with alternative imaging techniques to tackle the ‘big data’ issue and advance knowledge and understanding of the morphome. The combination of stereology, TEM and immunogold cytochemistry provides a practical illustration of how this has been achieved in the sub‐field of nanomorphomics. Applying these quantitative tools/techniques in a carefully managed study design offers us a deeper appreciation of the spatiotemporal relationships between the genome, metabolome and morphome which are integral to systems biology.
Practical cut‐offs for visual rating scales of medial temporal, frontal and posterior atrophy in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Ferreira D. , Cavallin L. , Larsson E.‐M. , Muehlboeck J.‐S. , Mecocci P. , Vellas B. , Tsolaki M. , Kłoszewska I. , Soininen H. , Lovestone S. , Simmons A. , Wahlund L.‐O. , Westman E. ,   the AddNeuroMed consortium and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2015

Background

Atrophy in the medial temporal lobe, frontal lobe and posterior cortex can be measured with visual rating scales such as the medial temporal atrophy (MTA), global cortical atrophy – frontal subscale (GCA‐F) and posterior atrophy (PA) scales, respectively. However, practical cut‐offs are urgently needed, especially now that different presentations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are included in the revised diagnostic criteria.

Aims

The aim of this study was to generate a list of practical cut‐offs for the MTA, GCA‐F and PA scales, for both diagnosis of AD and determining prognosis in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and to evaluate the influence of key demographic and clinical factors on these cut‐offs.

Methods

AddNeuroMed and ADNI cohorts were combined giving a total of 1147 participants (322 patients with AD, 480 patients with MCI and 345 control subjects). The MTA, GCA‐F and PA scales were applied and a broad range of cut‐offs was evaluated.

Results

The MTA scale showed better diagnostic and predictive performances than the GCA‐F and PA scales. Age, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 status and age at disease onset influenced all three scales. For the age ranges 45–64, 65–74, 75–84 and 85–94 years, the following cut‐offs should be used. MTA: ≥1.5, ≥1.5, ≥2 and ≥2.5; GCA‐F, ≥1, ≥1, ≥1 and ≥1; and PA, ≥1, ≥1, ≥1 and ≥1, respectively, with an adjustment for early‐onset ApoE ε4 noncarrier AD patients (MTA: ≥2, ≥2, ≥3 and ≥3; and GCA‐F: ≥1, ≥1, ≥2 and ≥2, respectively).

Conclusions

If successfully validated in clinical settings, the list of practical cut‐offs proposed here might be useful in clinical practice. Their use might also (i) promote research on atrophy subtypes, (ii) increase the understanding of different presentations of AD, (iii) improve diagnosis and prognosis and (iv) aid population selection and enrichment for clinical trials.
On the Propensity to Surrender a Variable Annuity Contract: An Empirical Analysis of Dynamic Policyholder Behavior
Authors: Knoller Christian , Kraut Gunther , Schoenmaekers Pascal
Published: March 2015

We empirically analyze surrender behavior for variable annuity contracts using Japanese individual policy data. For traditional life insurance products, surrender behavior is typically explained by the interest rate and the emergency fund hypotheses. For variable annuities, the interest rate hypothesis is not directly applicable. For these products, we expect the value of the financial options and guarantees provided to the policyholder to drive surrender behavior. We define this expectation as the “moneyness hypothesis.” The statistical analysis confirms our moneyness hypothesis: the value of the embedded financial options and guarantees has the largest explanatory power for the surrender rate. The extent to which this finding holds depends on the single premium paid, which we consider a proxy for the policyholder's financial literacy. Moreover, our data set weakly supports the emergency fund hypothesis for the case of variable annuities.
Impact of perinatal health and socio‐demographic factors on school education outcomes: A population study of Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children in the Northern Territory
Authors: Guthridge Steven , Li Lin , Silburn Sven , Li Shu Qin , McKenzie John , Lynch John
Published: March 2015

Aim

This study investigated the association between early‐life risk factors and school education outcomes.

Methods

This is an historical cohort study of 7601 children (61% were Indigenous) born in the Northern Territory between 1999 and 2004. Information was linked, for each child on: perinatal health, student enrolment and National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Year 3 results. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between selected risk factors and a NAPLAN result ‘below’ the national minimum standard (NMS) in reading and numeracy.

Results

Indigenous children had much higher odds, than non‐Indigenous children, of a result below the NMS for both reading (odds ratio (OR): 8.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.55–9.74) ) and numeracy (OR: 11.52, 95% CI: 9.94–13.35). When adjusted for all other variables, the increased odds were attenuated for both reading (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 2.46–3.40) and numeracy (OR: 3.19, 95% CI: 2.65–3.84). Common risk factors for Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children included higher birth order, maternal smoking in pregnancy and being a boy. There were gradients of decreasing risk with increasing education level of primary care giver and increasing maternal age. Among Indigenous children only, risks increased when living in remote areas, with younger age (<8 years) and low birthweight.

Conclusions

The study highlights that many of the risk factors associated with poor education outcomes among Indigenous children are shared with the general population. The results inform a targeted, cross‐agency response to address modifiable early‐life risk factors for educational disadvantage. Data linkage, using existing administrative datasets, provides a useful addition to methods that identify priority areas for prevention and early intervention.
Attitudes of Australian neonatologists to resuscitation of extremely preterm infants
Authors: Mills Bernice A , Janvier Annie , Argus Brenda M , Davis Peter G , Frøisland Dag Helge
Published: March 2015

Aim

We aimed to investigate how Australian neonatologists made decisions when incompetent patients of different ages needed resuscitation.

Methods

A survey including vignettes of eight incompetent patients requiring resuscitation was sent to 140 neonatologists. Patients ranged from a very preterm infant to 80 years old. While some had existing impairments, all faced risk of death or neurological sequelae. Respondents indicated whether they would resuscitate, whether they believed resuscitation was in the patients' best interests, whether they would want intervention for a family member and whether they would comply with families' wishes to withhold resuscitation. They were also asked how they would rank the eight patients in a triage situation.

Results

Seventy‐eight per cent of specialists completed the survey. The majority of respondents gave priority to the resuscitation of children over adults. Less than 40% would agree to withhold resuscitation at families' request for all children except for the preterm infant, where 96% would comply with families' wishes to withhold intensive care despite 77% believing resuscitation to be in the infant's best interest.

Conclusion

This study found inconsistencies between physicians' perceptions of the patient's best interest regarding resuscitation and their willingness to comply with families' wishes to withhold resuscitation and give comfort care. Accepting a family's refusal of resuscitation was more marked for the premature infant, even among respondents who thought that resuscitation was in the patient's best interest. These findings are consistent with other international studies.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Yiu Eppie M , Kornberg Andrew J
Published: March 2015

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an X‐linked disorder, has an incidence of one in 5000 boys and presents in early childhood with proximal muscle weakness. Untreated boys become wheelchair bound by the age of 12 years and die of cardiorespiratory complications in their late teens to early 20s. The use of corticosteroids, non‐invasive respiratory support, and active surveillance and management of associated complications have improved ambulation, function, quality of life and life expectancy. The clinical features, investigations and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy are reviewed, as well as the latest in some of the novel therapies.
Inequalities in dental caries among 12‐year‐old Chinese children
Authors: Shen Anqi , Zeng Xiaojuan , Cheng Min , Tai Baojun , Huang Ruizhe , Bernabé Eduardo
Published: March 2015

Objective

To explore whether there are socioeconomic, ethnic, and geographical inequalities in dental caries among 12‐year‐old Chinese children.

Methods

Data from 2,307 12‐year‐old children living in Guangxi, Hubei, Jilin, and Shanxi and who participated in the Third National Oral Health Survey in China were used for this study. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and clinical examinations with children. The decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index and number of decayed teeth (DT) were the outcome measures for analysis. Inequalities in DMFT and DT by socioeconomic position (parental education), ethnicity, and geography (province of residence and urbanicity) were assessed in unadjusted and adjusted negative binomial regression models.

Results

Ethnicity and geographical factors, but not parental education, were significantly associated with childhood dental caries in unadjusted models. However, only geographical factors remained significantly related to dental caries after mutual adjustments. The DMFT index and DT were higher among children living in Jilin and Guangxi than those of children living in Hubei and Shanxi, and also higher among children living in rural areas than in those living in urban areas.

Conclusion

This analysis shows inequalities in dental caries among 12‐year‐old children in four provinces of China. There were considerable inequalities in children's DMFT and number of decayed teeth by geography but not by ethnicity or parental education.
Maternalism: a healthy alliance for recovery and transition in eating disorder services
Authors: Wright K. M.
Published: March 2015

Accessible summary

The therapeutic relationship is pivotal to mental health nursing, but very little is known about how it is experienced in adult eating disorder services.

This paper reports on a research project that sought to discover how the therapeutic relationship is experienced between care workers and women with anorexia nervosa in an adult eating disorder service.

Both care workers and women spoke of a relationship that had similarities to the mother–daughter relationship, that it felt therapeutic and that it was in keeping with a professional and compassionate nursing approach.

These findings provide new insight. Maternalism is seen as a positive, nurturing and transient relationship that ensures the safety of the person and promotes recovery and transition to eventual independence.

This paper reports on a UK interpretative phenomenological research study that aimed to explore the lived experience of the relationship between women with anorexia and their care workers in the context of a specialist eating disorder (ED) unit. Here, the concept of maternalism as a phenomenon occurring within the therapeutic relationship in specialist ED units is discussed. Consideration is given to the parallel roles of the health care worker whose duty it is to protect, preserve life and to promote health and that of a mother/guardian. Although seemingly simplistic, the comforting, soothing and nurturing techniques that are used by the workers to diffuse distress and help the person feel cared for have many similarities to ‘mothering’. Hence, a maternalistic approach that provides a sense of security and nurturing can be a compassionate way to facilitate hope and a route out of their anorexia into recovery, in the same way that good parenting can facilitate maturation and independence.
Objective markers for sleep propensity: comparison between the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and the Vigilance Algorithm Leipzig
Authors: Olbrich Sebastian , Fischer Marie M. , Sander Christian , Hegerl Ulrich , Wirtz Hubert , Bosse‐Henck Andrea
Published: March 2015

The regulation of wakefulness is important for high‐order organisms. Its dysregulation is involved in the pathomechanism of several psychiatric disorders. Thus, a tool for its objective but little time‐consuming assessment would be of importance. The Vigilance Algorithm Leipzig allows the objective measurement of sleep propensity, based on a single resting state electroencephalogram. To compare the Vigilance Algorithm Leipzig with the standard for objective assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness, a four‐trial Multiple Sleep Latency Test in 25 healthy subjects was conducted. Between the first two trials, a 15‐min, 25‐channel resting electroencephalogram was recorded, and Vigilance Algorithm Leipzig was used to classify the sleep propensity (i.e. type of vigilance regulation) of each subject. The results of both methods showed significant correlations with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ρ = −0.70; ρ = 0.45, respectively) and correlated with each other (ρ = −0.54). Subjects with a stable electroencephalogram‐vigilance regulation yielded significant increased sleep latencies compared with an unstable regulation (multiple sleep latency 898.5 s versus 549.9 s; P = 0.03). Further, Vigilance Algorithm Leipzig classifications allowed the identification of subjects with average sleep latencies <6 min with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 77%. Thus, Vigilance Algorithm Leipzig provides similar information on wakefulness regulation in comparison to the much more cost‐ and time‐consuming Multiple Sleep Latency Test. Due to its high sensitivity and specificity for large sleep propensity, Vigilance Algorithm Leipzig could be an effective and reliable alternative to the Multiple Sleep Latency Test, for example for screening purposes in large cohorts, where objective information about wakefulness regulation is needed.
“Impossible Families”: Mixed‐Citizenship Status Couples and the Law
Authors: López Jane Lilly
Published: March 2015

This article explores the complex and contradictory relationship between citizenship in the law and the immigrant reality of mixed‐citizenship family life through in‐depth interviews with individuals in mixed‐citizenship marriages. An examination of mixed‐citizenship marriage exposes the inadequacies of approaching citizenship as an individual‐centered concept. The data indicate that, though both immigration and citizenship laws focus on the individual, the repercussions of those laws have family‐level effects. Because of their spouses' immigrant status, many citizens are obliged by the law to live the immigrant experience in their own country or to become immigrants themselves.
DodgingDodd‐Frank: Excessive Speculation, Commodities Markets, and the Burden of Proof
Authors: Williams James W.
Published: March 2015

Inspired by the wave of regulatory rulemaking, which followed the 2008 financial crisis and the passage of the Dodd‐Frank Act, this article examines the efforts of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to implement one such rule: Rule 76FR4752. Born of concerns with the impact of financial speculators on commodities prices, the rule calls for the expanded use of position limits to control “excessive speculation” inUScommodities markets. In documenting the political and legal life of this rule from its roots in policy reports through to its suspension by a federal judge, the article explores the place of “evidence” in the rulemaking process. Particular attention is devoted to the growing evidentiary burden placed on financial regulators who are expected to frame market problems in terms of quantitative, price‐based forms of harm. In the case of position limits, this has involved statistical analyses of the causal connections between excessive speculation and commodities prices and the use of a single statistical test: Granger causality. By examining the parameters and limitations of this test, the article offers a valuable window into the unique challenges of financial regulation and their roots in questions of knowledge, evidence, and proof.
A new dehydratase conferring innate resistance to thiacetazone and intra‐amoebal survival of Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Carrère‐Kremer Séverine , Blaise Mickael , Singh Vipul K. , Alibaud Laeticia , Tuaillon Edouard , Halloum Iman , van de Weerd Robert , Guérardel Yann , Drancourt Michel , Takiff Howard , Geurtsen Jeroen , Kremer Laurent
Published: March 2015

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are innately resistant to most antibiotics, although the mechanisms responsible for their drug resistance remain poorly understood. They are particularly refractory to thiacetazone (TAC), a second‐line antitubercular drug. Herein, we identified MSMEG_6754 as essential for the innate resistance of Mycobacterium smegmatis to TAC. Transposon‐mediated and targeted disruption of MSMEG_6754 resulted in hypersusceptibility to TAC. Conversely, introduction of MSMEG_6754 into Mycobacterium tuberculosis increased resistance 100‐fold. Resolution of the crystal structure of MSMEG_6754 revealed a homodimer in which each monomer comprises two hot‐dog domains characteristic of dehydratase‐like proteins and very similar to the HadAB complex involved in mycolic acid biosynthesis. Gene inactivation of the essential hadB dehydratase could be achieved in M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis only when the strains carried an integrated copy of MSMEG_6754, supporting the idea that MSMEG_6754 and HadB share redundant dehydratase activity. Using M. smegmatis‐Acanthamoeba co‐cultures, we found that intra‐amoebal growth of the MSMEG_6754 deleted strain was significantly reduced compared with the parental strain. This in vivo growth defect was fully restored upon complementation with catalytically active MSMEG_6754 or HadABC, indicating that MSMEG_6754 plays a critical role in the survival of M. smegmatis within the environmental host.
A new approach to modeling the influence of image features on fixation selection in scenes
Authors: Nuthmann Antje , Einhäuser Wolfgang
Published: March 2015

Which image characteristics predict where people fixate when memorizing natural images? To answer this question, we introduce a new analysis approach that combines a novel scene‐patch analysis with generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). Our method allows for (1) directly describing the relationship between continuous feature value and fixation probability, and (2) assessing each feature's unique contribution to fixation selection. To demonstrate this method, we estimated the relative contribution of various image features to fixation selection: luminance and luminance contrast (low‐level features); edge density (a mid‐level feature); visual clutter and image segmentation to approximate local object density in the scene (higher‐level features). An additional predictor captured the central bias of fixation. The GLMM results revealed that edge density, clutter, and the number of homogenous segments in a patch can independently predict whether image patches are fixated or not. Importantly, neither luminance nor contrast had an independent effect above and beyond what could be accounted for by the other predictors. Since the parcellation of the scene and the selection of features can be tailored to the specific research question, our approach allows for assessing the interplay of various factors relevant for fixation selection in scenes in a powerful and flexible manner.
Glia: guardians, gluttons, or guides for the maintenance of neuronal connectivity?
Authors: Jebelli Joseph , Su Wei , Hopkins Stephanie , Pocock Jennifer , Garden Gwenn A.
Published: March 2015

An emerging aspect of neuronal–glial interactions is the connection glial cells have to synapses. Mounting research now suggests a far more intimate relationship than previously recognized. Moreover, the current evidence implicating synapse loss in neurodegenerative disease etiology is overwhelming, but the role of glia in the process of synaptic degeneration has only recently been considered in earnest. Each main class of glial cell, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, performs crucial and multifaceted roles in the maintenance of synaptic function and excitability. As such, aging and/or neuronal stress from disease‐related misfolded proteins may involve disruption of multiple non‐cell‐autonomous synaptic support systems that are mediated by neighboring glia. In addition, glial cell activation induced by injury, ischemia, or neurodegeneration is thought to greatly alter the behavior of glial cells toward neuronal synapses, suggesting that neuroinflammation potentially contributes to synapse loss primarily mediated by altered glial functions. This review discusses recent evidence highlighting novel roles for glial cells at neuronal synapses and in the maintenance of neuronal connectivity, focusing primarily on their implications for neurodegenerative disease research.
Effect of Steroid Elution on Electrical Performance and Tissue Responses in Quadripolar Left Ventricular Cardiac Vein Leads
Authors: YANG ZHONGPING , KIRCHHOF NICOLE , LI SHELBY , HINE DOUGLAS , MCVENES RICK
Published: March 2015

Introduction

The use of steroid elution (SE) electrode in a cardiac pacing lead is known to suppress myocardial inflammation to lower pacing thresholds (PTs). SE has been widely utilized on the distal electrode of left ventricular cardiac vein (LVCV) leads used in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, no paired comparison in effect of SE has been studied in proximal electrodes of quadripolar LVCV leads.

Methods

We evaluated electrical performance and tissue responses of quadripolar LVCV lead electrodes with and without SE in two canine studies with a total of 14 canines. Extended bipolar PT and pacing impedance of the LVCV electrodes to right ventricle coil were collected via an implantable CRT device/programmer or a percutaneous threshold analyzer/pacing analyzer at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12. Gross and histopathological examinations of the canines were performed at the end of the studies.

Results

Our preclinical studies showed that SE had significant effects on the long‐term pacing performance of quadripolar LVCV leads. The SE tip and ring electrodes reduced postimplant PT peak and chronic PT, P = 0.038. Histological examination of the perilead tissue capsules at 12 weeks showed a reduced thickness for the location of SE electrodes.

Conclusion

SE electrodes in quadripolar LVCV leads lower the PTs, and therefore may potentially reduce long‐term current drain of CRT systems, thus improving the device longevity. These preclinical data serve as rationale to include SE on proximal electrodes for the Attain Performa LVCV leads and future quadripolar LVCV leads development.
Biostratinomic analysis of Lycoptera beds from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, western Liaoning, China
Authors: Pan Yanhong , Fürsich Franz T. , Zhang Jiangyong , Wang Yaqiong , Zheng Xiaoting
Published: March 2015

Little is known about the palaeoenvironments of the Early Cretaceous lakes of western Liaoning. Uncertainties exist especially about the water depth, water temperatures and annual temperature fluctuations. Here, we analyse the preservation of the most abundant fish of the lakes, the teleost Lycoptera, articulated skeletons of which occur in large concentrations suggestive of mass mortality. Taphonomic features such as degree of disarticulation, orientation patterns and displacement of skeletal elements reveal distinct preservational patterns. They suggest that the water temperature was low during winter and exhibited pronounced seasonal fluctuations. The depth of the lakes was not deep. Possible causes of the fish mortality are discussed, of which anoxia is favoured. This leads to a more refined palaeoenvironmental model for these palaeolakes, which harbour one of the most important Mesozoic Lagerstätten.
The effects of knowledge interaction for business innovation
Authors: Shang Shari S. C. , Yao Chen‐Yen , Liou Da‐Ming
Published: March 2015

The objective of this paper is to examine the effects of knowledge interaction on different types of business innovation. We first identified three indicators that reflect on the quality of the interaction between customers and technological knowledge, and then classified business innovations as product innovation, problem‐solving innovation, or general innovation capability. Hypotheses about the impact of different qualities of knowledge interaction on business innovations were tested by collecting data from 178 high‐technology firms inTaiwan. The results revealed that product innovation requires both wide‐ranging and deep interaction between customers and technological knowledge, that problem‐solving innovation requires either wide‐ranging or deeper interaction between customers and technological knowledge, and that wide‐ranging knowledge interaction is the most important driver for building general innovation capability. The research results enhance our understanding of knowledge interaction, with a special focus on the content and quality of the knowledge interactions within an enterprise. It also helps business managers in allocating resources and facilitating interorganizational communications for different situations related to innovation.
Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Conventional In‐center Hemodialysis
Authors: Hingwala Jay , Tangri Navdeep , Rigatto Claudio , Komenda Paul
Published: March 2015

There is substantial variability at international, national, and regional levels in how effective dialysis providers are in the implementation of well‐accepted interventions to deliver better health outcomes at reduced costs to payers. The growing number of dialysis patients within a finite pool of resources has led to searches for more efficient methods to provide patient care without compromising or diminishing quality. We review here some contemporary concepts surrounding quality improvement and operations research that may provide clinician administrators to both improve efficiency and quality in facility based hemodialysis units. The creation of balanced scorecards, utilization of process mapping techniques, and the application of LEAN principles may readily improve how hemodialysis care is delivered in an environment of increasing patient volumes and reduced operating resources.