bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural-Competency Training for Staff Serving Hispanic Families with a Child in Psychiatric Crisis
Authors: Zayas Luis H. , Evans Mary E. , Mejia Luis , Rodriguez Orlando
Published: April 2013

As part of a research demonstration project focusing on children's psychiatric crises and their families, a cultural-competency training program was developed for staff delivering home-based crisis Intervention. The authors describe the training program, which was intended to teach culturally competent practice with Hispanic children and families. Training consisted of a day-long workshop, follow-up meetings with staff, and a half-day ‘booster’ session six months after the initial workshop. The workshop covered essential elements of Hispanic cultural diversity, values, family structure, interpersonal relations, child-rearing beliefs and practices, and points of interventions. Follow-up meetings provided counselors with the opportunity to discuss Issues and experiences not covered in the first workshop and allowed trainers to monitor the counselors' incorporation of culturally competent principles of practice. In the booster session, trainers addressed issues raised by counselors at the follow-up meetings in a more organized manner and addressed new, emergent issues.
Are We Parent-Friendly? Views of Parents of Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities
Authors: Johnson Harriette C. , Cournoyer David E. , Fliri June , Flynn Miriam , Grant Andrea M. , Lant Maryanne A. , Parasco Spero , Stanek Edward J.
Published: April 2013

A current model of family-centered practice emphasizes empowerment of parents, an approach that brings together a strengths perspective, a constructivist emphasis on consumer voices, and knowledge derived from neuroscience of the last two decades. This study explored the extent to which a national random sample of National Association of Social Workers members hold beliefs and attitudes congruent with the parent empowerment perspective. Two profiles emerged from the data. Respondents who disagree with statements attributing blame to parents agree with sharing information openly with parents; believe that parents are doing their best, are credible reporters, and are experts about their own children; agree that workers need research knowledge; and disagree that the child is usually the identified patient in a a dysfunctional family. By contrast, respondents who believe parents cause their children's emotional and behavioral problems disagree with open information sharing; disagree that parents are doing their best or are experts about their own children; agree that the child is an identified patient in a dysfunctional family; and agree that parents' ideas are important mostly to give the worker clues about family dynamics. The majority of the sample reported parent-friendly views, but a substantial minority of respondents reported beliefs antithetical to parent empowerment.
Kinship Care and Foster Care: A Comparison of Characteristics and Outcomes
Authors: Scannapieco Maria , Hegar Rebecca L. , McAlpine Catherine
Published: April 2013

The increase in children entering foster care, together with a range of other political, economic, and social factors, has helped fuel the newest phenomenon in the child welfare system–a substantial proportion of children in formal kinship care. Kinship care is defined as out-of-home placement with relatives of children who are in the custody of state and local child welfare agencies. The authors present a review of previous research and report on a study that examined differences and similarities between kinship and traditional foster care in Baltimore County, Maryland, a suburban county that surrounds the city of Baltimore. This study supports many earlier conclusions concerning kinship care, such as children remain in care longer, caregivers are primarily African American, and services provided by kin are less extensive than those provided by traditional foster parents.
Education and Kinship Caregivers: Creating a New Vision
Authors: Lawrence-Webb Claudia , Okundaye Joshua N. , Hafner Gayle
Published: April 2013

Current issues regarding the education of children with disabilities who are placed with kinship caregivers are highlighted using qualitative data on low-income African American kinship care providers who are 40–70 years old. Examined are the historical and social implications of kinship care, and the challenges facing the formal education of these children. Also explored are suggestions of kinship caregivers for improving the relationship between the school and their grandchildren. Kinship caregivers continue to highly value education as a priority for the children in their care. Despite difficulties in interacting with schools, kinship caregivers identify collaborative relationships they want with education providers.
Effectiveness of a Parent-Aide Services Program
Authors: Choi Namkee C. , Berger Jennifer L. , Flynn Noreen
Published: April 2013

The authors compare a group of parent clients who received volunteer parent-aide services with a group of parent clients who were not afforded parent-aide services in order to analyze the effectiveness of a parent-aide services program. Results show that parent-aide services did not significantly affect program outcomes. The absence of participating parents' substance-abuse problem and the number of case-planner contacts were the only significant predictors of successful program outcome. The findings suggest the need for training parent aides to monitor signs of clients' substance abuse and the need for social workers to develop more effective therapeutic intervention models for substance-abusing clients of preventive services.
“I Was Born from the Earth”: Reconstructing the Adoption Self-Narrative in the Treatment of a Preadolescent Girl
Authors: Lichtenstein Tovah , Baruch Rutie
Published: April 2013

The various elements of the adoption story are examined in light of narrative theory, and three components that constitute the self-narrative of the adoptee—the birth, the placement, and the adoption stories—are identified. The differences between these stories are highlighted, as are the difficulties of the adoptee in finding coherence and meaning in narratives that are inherently contradictory. Therapeutic implications of this analysis are illustrated with a case example describing therapy with a 12-year-old girl adopted at the age of seven after having been in multiple placements.
Perceptions about the Implementation of a Statewide Service Coordination Program for Young Children: Importance of Organized Context
Authors: Farel Anita M. , Rounds Kathleen A.
Published: April 2013

Care coordination is an efficient mechanism for improving access to appropriate health and human services for diverse populations. Although many models have been formulated, there are little empirical data about the impact of organizational context on the implementation of care coordination. Child service coordinators (CSCs), employed by different agencies providing service coordination under a large statewide program for young children at risk and their families, were surveyed. Significant differences between service coordinators working in public health and those working in early intervention programs emerged in job description and caseload size, communication with CSCs in other agencies, tracking, completion of required reports, and training and continuing education needs. We discuss the implications of these differences for planning service coordination systems.
Grandparents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: Intergenerational Support and Family Well-Being
Authors: Trute Barry
Published: April 2013

Mothers and fathers separately assessed grandparent support in family situations involving grandchildren with developmental disabilities. There was high consistency in mother and father independent views of grandparent support with the maternal grandmother identified by both as the most available and supportive. Grandparent emotional support appeared to be more salient to parent psychological adjustment and parenting stress than was grandparent instrumental support (practical help). Mothers and fathers appeared to be most sensitive to the support offered by their own mother. Overall family functioning was not directly related to level of grandparent emotional or instrument support. Findings encourage multigenerational interventions with parents and grandparents in family practice involving situations of childhood disability.
Writing: The Maturing of Ideas
Authors: Austin Carol D. , McClelland Robert W.
Published: April 2013

The September-October issue of Families in Society introduced the section “Writers at Work.” This section, continued with this issue, allows readers to “meet” authors and learn about the personal inspirations and influences that compel people to write for publication. In this issue, we hear from authors Carol Austin and Robert McClelland. We invite all readers to share their own literary experiences.

— Howard Goldstein, Editor
Mothers' Perceptions of Factors Influencing the Restabilization of Homeless Families
Authors: Lindsey Elizabeth W.
Published: April 2013

Family homelessness has increased dramatically in the past decade, but little attention has been focused on the process by which homeless families become restabilized. The author presents findings from a qualitative study of the restabilisation process. Four factors that affect the process are discussed: children, personal resources, external resources, and socioeconomic context. The findings indicate the significant role shelter staff and other social service providers can play in assisting mothers in both emotional and instrumental ways. Implications for direct practice with homeless mothers and their families are discussed as well as implications for policy and program development.
Stress and Adaptation in Families of Children with Visual Disabilities
Authors: Leyser Yona , Heinze Antoinette , Kapperman Gaylen
Published: April 2013

Little research is available on families of children with visual impairments. The authors examined stress and coping in a sample of 130 families (experimental group) of visually impaired children who responded to a parent questionnaire and the Family Environment Scale (FES). A control group of 78 parents responded to FES only. Findings revealed that the experimental group experienced various stressors such as future concerns, financial concerns, concerns about services, and concerns about the social acceptance of the child. These families were less involved in intellectual and cultural activities and used less structure and organization than did the controls. In coping, many families used various formal and informal sources of support as well as personal coping strategies. Implications for practitioners and social service providers are discussed.
The Plight of Rural Parents Caring for Adult Children with HIV
Authors: McGinn Fred
Published: April 2013

The author used a qualitative research design to study the impact of an HIV-seropositive adult child on parents living in rural communities. In-depth, informal conversational interviews were conducted with eight mothers and two fathers of eight seropositive adult children on two separate occasions during a four-month period in three mid' western states. The author discusses three themes: physical and mental problems related to HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS stigma, and health care. Although no single theme was dominant in the interviews, HIV/AIDS stigma showed the highest degree of interrelatedness. Rural parents of HIV-seropositive children have few places or people in their communities to turn to in dealing with the consequences of their child's HIV status. Recommendations for rural health care professionals are provided.
Trauma, Healing, and the Narrative Employment of Loss
Authors: Neimeyer Robert A. , Stewart Alan E.
Published: April 2013

Although constructivism has generated much theoretical discussion in the mental health disciplines, its implications for clinic conceptualization, assessment, and treatment have been less systematically explored. The authors attempt to remedy this shortcoming fry extending a narrative account of post-traumatic stress and illustrating its applicability in the context of an extended case study. They conclude that a narrative perspective on the traumatic disruption of self-identity holds promise for clinicians at both the heuristic and applied levels.
Violence Prevention: An Ecological Adaptation of Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
Authors: McInnis-Dittrich Kathleen
Published: April 2013

The author examines the utilization of a standardized parent-training program, Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP), in an isolated community in the Appalachian mountains where domestic and societal violence widely occurs. Based on the experiences of the parent educator and parents participating in the training, the STEP program is adapted to address the sociocultural context of child rearing according to an ecological model of child-abuse prevention. Recommendations are offered for implementation of a similar program in other environments in which violence is prevalent.
Family-Centered Adoption Practice
Authors: Watson Kenneth W.
Published: April 2013

A family-centered approach for providing adoption services is described. The impact of adoption on ordinary life issues (family boundaries and membership, loss, self-esteem, autonomy, and identity) is discussed from a family-centered perspective, and successful intervention techniques with persons involved in adoptions are presented.
Family-Centered Practice with Lesbian and Gay Families
Authors: Laird Joan
Published: April 2013

The author reviews the strengths of lesbian- and gay-headed families as well as some of the special issues they face. A family-centered, strengths-oriented approach to working with lesbian and gay families that draws on cultural, constructionist, and narrative ideas is presented.
A Writers’ Circle: Spiraling into Print
Authors: Stratton Katrina , Upton-Davis Karen , Johnson Carolyn
Published: April 2013

It is the dream of every post-graduate student to have their work accepted for publication in a much-admired journal. A group of experienced social workers/fledgling authors at the University of Western Australia joined forces with the specific aim of helping one another to achieve the dream. This article sets out the process our group, known as The Writers’ Circle, followed, highlighting those aspects of the group process we found particularly helpful. In sharing this with the readers of Families in Society our intention is to make the realization of the dream accessible to others.
Estimating Penetrometer Resistance and Matric Potential from the Velocities of Shear and Compression Waves
Authors: Gao W. , Watts C.W. , Ren T. , Shin H.-C. , Taherzadeh S. , Attenborough K. , Jenkins M. , Whalley W.R.
Published: April 2013

Recently there has been interest in using the velocity of elastic waves to deduce soil physical properties. We wanted to validate the suggestion that the small strain shear modulus has a relatively simple linear relationship with penetrometer resistance. We were also interested in testing published equations for predicting shear wave velocity with an independent data set. Three soils were investigated in this study: a loamy sand soil and two silty clay loam soils. The soils were packed into cores with vertical axial stresses of 30, 200, or 1000 kPa. Following saturation, they were drained to a range of matric potentials between −10 and −500 kPa. After equilibration, we measured the velocities of shear (S wave) and compression (P wave) waves as well as the penetrometer resistances. Our data confirmed a previous proposal that the penetrometer resistance was an approximately linear function of the small strain shear modulus but tested the relationship by direct measurement. The relationships were found to have some sensitivity to soil type. Nevertheless, we show for the first time that there is considerable potential for using S wave velocity to deduce penetrometer resistance with a calibration that is relatively insensitive to soil type. Although estimation of the matric potential with either shear or compression wave velocity was found not to be very accurate, the possibility for estimating the matric potential from an elastic wave velocity given a priori knowledge of the void ratio is an interesting opportunity.
Spatial Scaling for Digital Soil Mapping
Authors: Malone Brendan P. , McBratney Alex B. , Minasny Budiman
Published: April 2013

We describe in this paper, a broad overview of spatial scale concepts and scaling procedures that are specifically relevant for digital soil mapping (DSM). Despite the recent growth and operational status of DSM, one existing and foreseeably growing issue for users of digital soil information is the inequality of spatial scales between what is required and what is actually available to adequately address soil‐related questions posed from within and from outside the soil science community. In the absence of conducting new soil survey or not being able to acquire the original legacy soil information (soil point data) as a means of creating user‐specified soil information products, spatial scaling provides a useful solution. Spatial scaling for DSM involves changes in map extent, grid‐cell resolution, and prediction support. We review in this paper the different forms of spatial scaling, which are described in terms of changes to grid spacing and prediction support. Fine‐gridding and coarse‐gridding are operations where the grid spacing changes but support remains unchanged. Deconvolution and convolution are operations where the support always changes which may or may not involve changing the grid spacing. While disseveration and conflation operations occur when the support and grid size are equal and both are then changed equally and simultaneously. Some possible and existing pedometric methods are described for implementation of each scaling process, as is an extended example for performing convolution where the support changes yet the resolution remains the same.
The wall-paintings of Saint Constantine at Missochori: New evidence concerning middle Byzantine Nissyros, Greece
Authors: Katsioti Angeliki , Mastrochristos Nikolaos
Published: April 2013

The complex of the churches of Saint Constantine and Saint Mamas is located
at Missochori, close to the capital of the island of Nissyros, Greece. The
first church preserves wall-paintings dated to the end of the twelfth
century, shared donation of two monasteries/churches. The paintings are
partly repainted, probably in 1318/1319. Both the murals and the two
inscriptions of the church provide new evidence concerning mediaeval
Nissyros.
The iconostasis in Decani: the original painted programme and subsequent changes
Authors: Todic Branislav
Published: April 2013

The history of the iconostasis in the central nave of the church in Decani
can be divided into two periods. The icons of Christ, the Mother of God, John
the Baptist and St. Nicholas on the original altar screen, painted around
1343, were related to the relics of King Stefan Decanski and with the wall
painting in the church space in front of the altar. The removal of those
icons at the end of the sixteenth century and their replacement with new ones
explains the strengthening cult of St. Stefan Decanski. In 1577 an icon of
St. Stephen was placed over the king?s portrait depicted in the fourteenth
century fresco painting, and by 1593/1594, the new despotic icons of Christ
and the Virgin were painted for the iconostasis, then an expanded Deesis that
was placed above them, with a large cross fixed on the top. The central icons
were painted by the painter Longin, and the cross is attributed to Andreja, a
painter known for his frescoes from the seventh and eighth decade of the
seventeenth century.
Newly discovered portraits of rulers and the dating of the oldest frescoes in Lipljan
Authors: Vojvodic Dragan
Published: April 2013

On the fa?ade of the church of the Presentation of the Virgin, in Lipljan,
the damaged depictions of two rulers were discovered under a more recent
layer of fresco mortar. The depictions can be identified as portraits of the
Serbian king and the emperor Stefan Dusan (1331-1355) and his wife Jelena.
That provides the basis for the more reliable dating of the original wall
painting in the interior of the church. For their part, the stylistic
characteristics of that expressionistic painting suggest that the original
Lipljan frescoes came into being around the mid-fourteenth century. Probably,
they were executed by the same workshop that did the frescoes in the Church
of St. Peter near Unjemir in Metohia, not very far from Lipljan.
A staurotheke of Serbian provenance in Pienza
Authors: Popovic Danica
Published: April 2013

The paper discusses the virtually unpublished reliquary of Serbian provenance
now kept in the Museo Diocesano in Pienza. It tackles the issue of the
typology of the staurotheke, its decoration and symbolic significance. Based
on its Old-Serbian inscription, ?Sava, the first archbishop and patriarch of
the Serbs?, the reliquary is dated to the last quarter of the fourteenth
century and related to the programme of the Serbian Patriarchate. The
surviving sources make it possible to reconstruct the road the staurotheke
travelled from the treasuries of Zica and the Patriarchate of Pec to Pienza.
DNA Aptamer Raised Against AGEs Blocks the Progression of Experimental Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Kaida Yusuke , Fukami Kei , Matsui Takanori , Higashimoto Yuichiro , Nishino Yuri , Obara Nana , Nakayama Yosuke , Ando Ryotaro , Toyonaga Maki , Ueda Seiji , Takeuchi Masayoshi , Inoue Hiroyoshi , Okuda Seiya , Yamagishi Sho-ichi
Published: April 2013

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) play a role in diabetic nephropathy. We screened DNA aptamer directed against AGEs (AGEs-aptamer) in vitro and examined its effects on renal injury in KKAy/Ta mice, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. Eight-week-old male KKAy/Ta or C57BL/6J mice received continuous intraperitoneal infusion of AGEs- or control-aptamer for 8 weeks. AGEs-aptamer was detected and its level was increased in the kidney for at least 7 days. The elimination half-lives of AGEs-aptamer in the kidney were about 7 days. Compared with those in C57BL/6J mice, glomerular AGEs levels were significantly increased in KKAy/Ta mice, which were blocked by AGEs-aptamer. Urinary albumin and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxy-guanosine levels were increased, and glomerular hypertrophy and enhanced extracellular matrix accumulation were observed in KKAy/Ta mice, all of which were prevented by AGEs-aptamer. Moreover, AGEs-aptamer significantly reduced gene expression of RAGE, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, connective tissue growth factor, and type IV collagen both in the kidney of KKAy/Ta mice and in AGE-exposed human cultured mesangial cells. Our present data suggest that continuous administration of AGEs-aptamer could protect against experimental diabetic nephropathy by blocking the AGEs-RAGE axis and may be a feasible and promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Strong Parent-of-Origin Effects in the Association of KCNQ1 Variants With Type 2 Diabetes in American Indians
Authors: Hanson Robert L. , Guo Tingwei , Muller Yunhua L. , Fleming Jamie , Knowler William C. , Kobes Sayuko , Bogardus Clifton , Baier Leslie J.
Published: April 2013

Parent-of-origin effects were observed in an Icelandic population for several genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes, including those in KLF14 (rs4731702), MOB2 (rs2334499), and KCNQ1 (rs2237892, rs231362). We analyzed parent-of-origin effects for these variants, along with two others in KCNQ1 identified in previous genome-wide association studies (rs2237895, rs2299620), in 7,351 Pima Indians from 4,549 nuclear families; 34% of participants had diabetes. In a subset of 287 normoglycemic individuals, acute insulin secretion was measured by an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) parent-of-origin effects were seen for association with type 2 diabetes for all variants. The strongest effect was seen at rs2299620 in KCNQ1; the C allele was associated with increased diabetes when maternally derived (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; P = 4.1 × 10−12), but not when paternally derived (OR, 0.93; P = 0.47; P = 9.9 × 10−6 for difference in maternal and paternal effects). A maternally derived C allele also was associated with a 28% decrease in insulin secretion (P = 0.002). This study confirms parent-of-origin effects in the association with type 2 diabetes for variants in KLF14, MOB2, and KCNQ1. In Pima Indians, the effect of maternally derived KCNQ1 variants appears to be mediated through decreased insulin secretion and is particularly strong, accounting for 4% of the variance in liability to diabetes.
Oxygen sensing materials based on clay/metalloporphyrin hybrid systems
Authors: Čeklovský Alexander , Takagi Shinsuke
Published: April 2013

This study was focused on the investigation of novel hybrid organo/inorganic systems for oxygen sensing applications. As a host material, a synthetic clay mineral Sumecton SA was chosen, while, as guest materials, metalloporphyrins containing Pt(II) and Pd(II) were chosen. These are known to be very efficient agents for sensing applications because of a “heavy atom effect”. This effect promotes a spin-orbit coupling, resulting in the fact that almost all of the radiation from a singlet excited state undergoes intersystem crossing, followed by a de-excitation via a triplet state. The combination of metalloporphyrin and layered materials enables unique oxygen sensing properties due to the steric effects of layered materials. The result is that the emission from the membrane was sensitive at the range around aerobic conditions. The spectroscopic analysis of hybrid systems — clay/porphyrin membranes (CPMs) showed that these materials can serve as prospective candidates for the construction of effective, reliable and economical oxygen sensors.
In vitro magnetic hyperthermia response of iron oxide MNP’s incorporated in DA3, MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines
Authors: Gkanas Evangelos
Published: April 2013

In the current work, iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNP’s) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of Fe(acac)3-(iron acetylacetonate) compounds in high-boiling organic solvents containing stabilizing surfactants and examined as possible agents for magnetic hyperthermia treatment, according to their structural, magnetic and heating properties. Three different cancer cell lines (DA3, MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines) were used to assess the suitability of the MNP’s. The experimental results proved that the synthesized MNPs are non-toxic and the uptake efficiency was extremely good. Further, from in vitro hyperthermia results, very fast thermal response was observed (reaching hyperthermia levels in less than 200 s), which minimize the duration of the cell and human body exposure in a high frequency AC external magnetic field.
Baseline Characteristics of Patients With Nerve-Related Neck and Arm Pain Predict the Likely Response to Neural Tissue Management
Authors: Nee Robert J. , Vicenzino Bill , Jull Gwendolen A. , Cleland Joshua A. , Coppieters Michel W.
Published: April 2013

Study Design

Planned secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing neural tissue management (NTM) to advice to remain active.

Objective

To develop a model that predicts the likelihood of patient-reported improvement following NTM.

Background

Matching patients to an intervention they are likely to benefit from potentially improves outcomes. However, baseline characteristics that predict patients' responses to NTM are unknown.

Methods

Data came from 60 consecutive adults who had nontraumatic, nerve-related neck and unilateral arm pain for at least 4 weeks. Participants were assigned to a group that received NTM (n = 40), which involved brief education, manual therapy, and nerve gliding exercises for 4 treatments over 2 weeks, or to a group that was given advice to remain active (n = 20), which involved instruction to continue their usual activities. The participants' global rating of change at a 3- to 4-week follow-up defined improvement. Penalized regression of NTM data identified the best prediction model. A medical nomogram was created for prediction model scoring. Post hoc analysis determined whether the model predicted a specific response to NTM.

Results

Absence of neuropathic pain qualities, older age, and smaller deficits in median nerve neurodynamic test range of motion predicted improvement. Prediction model cutoffs increased the likelihood of improvement from 53% to 90% (95% confidence interval: 56%, 98%) or decreased the likelihood of improvement to 9% (95% confidence interval: 1%, 42%). The model did not predict the outcomes of the advice to remain active group.

Conclusion

Baseline characteristics of patients with nerve-related neck and arm pain predicted the likelihood of improvement with NTM. Model performance needs to be validated in a new sample using different comparison interventions and longer follow-up. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12610000446066).

Level of Evidence

Prognosis, level 2b-. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(6):379–391. Epub 30 April 2013. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.4490
Late Neolithic Settlement in Wadi Ziqlab, Jordan: al-Basatîn
Authors: Kadowaki Seiji , Gibbs Kevin , Allentuck Adam , Banning Edward B.
Published: April 2013

Research in Wadi Ziqlab, Northern Jordan, has focused on the discovery and excavation of Late Neolithic sites in an attempt to understand its regional settlement system in the sixth millennium cal. BC. Previous evidence suggested that small hamlets or farmsteads may have characterized this settlement system, as represented at Tabaqat al-Bûma. Recent excavations at a site downstream, al-Basatîn, have revealed evidence for a settlement that was partly contemporary with Tabaqat al-Bûma and shared much of its material culture, but seems to have been markedly different in character. Whether for seasonal or some other reasons, its architecture as currently understood consisted of stone platforms and possibly tents, rather than the substantial houses found at the other site. Toward the end of the sixth millennium, like Tabaqat al-Bûma, it was abandoned, not to be reoccupied until Early Bronze I.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Central American Begonia sect. Gireoudia (Begoniaceae)
Authors: Twyford Alex D. , Ennos Richard A. , Kidner Catherine A.
Published: April 2013

• Premise of the study: Transcriptome sequence data were used to design microsatellite primers for two widespread Central American Begonia species, B. heracleifolia and B. nelumbiifolia, to investigate population structure and hybridization.

• Methods and Results: The transcriptome from vegetative meristem tissue from the related B. plebeja was mined for microsatellite loci, and 31 primer pairs amplified in the target species. Fifteen primer pairs were combined in two multiplex PCR reactions, which amplified an average of four alleles per locus.

• Conclusions: The markers developed will be a valuable genetic resource for medium‐throughput genotyping of Central American species of Begonia sect. Gireoudia. A subset of these markers have perfect sequence matches to Asian B. venusta, and are promising for studies in other Begonia sections.
Prostaglandin E2–Induced Changes in Alveolar Macrophage Scavenger Receptor Profiles Differentially Alter Phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Post–Bone Marrow Transplant
Authors: Domingo-Gonzalez Racquel , Katz Samuel , Serezani C. Henrique , Moore Thomas A. , LeVine Ann Marie , Moore Bethany B.
Published: April 2013

The effectiveness of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a therapy for malignant and nonmalignant conditions is complicated by pulmonary infections. Using our syngeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) mouse model, BMT mice with a reconstituted hematopoietic system displayed increased susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. BMT alveolar macrophages (AMs) exhibited a defect in P. aeruginosa phagocytosis, whereas S. aureus uptake was surprisingly enhanced. We hypothesized that the difference in phagocytosis was due to an altered scavenger receptor (SR) profile. Interestingly, MARCO expression was decreased, whereas SR-AI/II was increased. To understand how these dysregulated SR profiles might affect macrophage function, CHO cells were transfected with SR-AI/II, and phagocytosis assays revealed that SR-AI/II was important for S. aureus uptake but not for P. aeruginosa. Conversely, AMs treated in vitro with soluble MARCO exhibited similar defects in P. aeruginosa internalization as did BMT AMs. The 3′-untranslated region of SR-AI contains a putative target region for microRNA-155 (miR-155), and miR-155 expression is decreased post-BMT. Anti–miR-155–transfected AMs exhibited an increase in SR-AI/II expression and S. aureus phagocytosis. Elevated PGE2 has been implicated in driving an impaired innate immune response post-BMT. In vitro treatment of AMs with PGE2 increased SR-AI/II and decreased MARCO and miR-155. Despite a difference in phagocytic ability, BMT AMs harbor a killing defect to both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Thus, our data suggest that PGE2-driven alterations in SR and miR-155 expression account for the differential phagocytosis of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, but impaired killing ultimately confers increased susceptibility to pulmonary infection.
Measuring health: related quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Psychometric properties of the Missoula-VITAS Quality of Life Index (MVQOLI-15) in Greece
Authors: Theofilou Paraskevi , Aroni Adamantia , Ralli Maria , Gouzou Maria , Zyga Sophia
Published: April 2013

Different measuring tools have been used to understand the outcomes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) therapies. However, survival, cost-effectiveness and quality of life (QOL) are the main parameters to evaluate treatment of ESRD. The current study meant to assess the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the Missoula-VITAS Quality of Life Index (MVQOLI-15) translation to Greek in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). A total sample of 79 HD patients voluntarily participated in this pilot study. Domain analysis of MVQOLI-15-Greek was conducted based on the collected data at initial assessment. The reliability properties of the instrument were tested using the following measures; internal consistency, repeatability, test-retest reliability and convergent validity. Domain analysis demonstrated that all domains of the questionnaire had good variability. MVQOLI-15-Greek internal consistency was satisfactory with an overall Cronbach’s a at 0.74. Pearson’s r and intraclass correlation coefficient revealed strong correlations (ranging from 0.91 to 0.98) between initial assessment and reassessment. MVQOLI-15-Greek convergent validity analysis indicated that the domains were strongly related to the same construct. The findings of the study indicate that the Greek version of MVQOLI-15 provided satisfactory psychometric properties supporting its use within pathological populations and in the context of national QOL measurement.
Acquired haemophilia: a case report and a clinical review
Authors: Todaro Lucia , Leone Giuseppe , Girotto Mauro , Bertello Pierdomenico
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND Acquired haemophilia presents later in life and is due to acquired inhibitors to factor VIII. The disorder is very rare (about one case per million population per year) but causes significant morbidity and mortality. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 57 year-old obese man who was admitted to our Day Hospital for anemia. At admission we observed diffuse ecchymoses and a large subcutaneous hematoma in the inferior right hemithorax. Laboratory findings showed severe anemia, a prolonged aPTT with a normal PT and platelet count. The titer of anti-factor VIII inhibitor in Bethesda units resulted very high and confirmed the diagnosis of acquired haemophilia. We used recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) to control active bleeding and prednisone, cyclophosphamide and, lastly, the anti- CD 20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) to eliminate the factor VIII inhibitors. Unfortunately, on fourth week, the patient suffered an extensive hematoma of the abdominal wall and died. CONCLUSIONS We underline the importance of not overlooking a prolonged aPTT because the bleedings associated with acquired haemophilia can be life-threatening and constitute a medical emergency.
Polypharmacotherapy and drug-drug interactions in patients hospitalized in an Internal Medicine department: magnitude of the problem and clinical implications
Authors: Lusiani Luigi , Carra Giovanna , Mantineo Giovanni , Coppola Marina , Ragazzi Michele
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND The use of multiple drugs is a growing problem in elderly patients: it increases the risk of drug-drug interactions and reduces the compliance to cures. The magnitude and the clinical implications of this phenomenon in patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine departments (IM) remain largely unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate how frequently polypharmacotherapy occurs in IM patients, to what extent the hospitalization affects it, and to what extent potential drug-drug interactions have to do with the treated conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this observational study, the clinical records of 232 consecutive patients (median age 80 years) were reviewed, and the medical prescriptions on admission to and at discharge from the hospital were analysed, with special regard to potential drugdrug interactions, using the Micromedex® Healthcare Series system (www.thomsonhc.com); the interactions were classified in terms of severity and type (clinical relevance). RESULTS The total number of prescribed drugs per-patient on admission and at discharge were 4.73 ± 2.88 vs 5.69 ± 2.78 (p < 0.01); the number of potentially harmful interactions were 0.91 ± 1.17 vs 1.39 ± 1.59 (p < 0.01); the percentage of patients at risk for any interactions (mostly moderate or severe, as a matter of fact) were 53% vs 66% (p < 0.01). As for clinical relevance, most interactions were of the pharmacodymanic type (67 vs 93, p n.s.), and very few patients (5 vs 5) had interactions potentially interfering with their disease status. The risk of interactions progressively increased with the number of prescribed drugs, reaching a plateau of 60% with the combination of 4 drugs. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm that drug-drug interactions due to polypharmacotherapy are a relevant problem in patients hospitalized in IM, and that hospitalization per se adds to its magnitude. Although few patients seem to be directly threatened in their disease status, most of them are exposed to the risk of multiple adverse effects, the reduction of which needs to be aimed at by the prescribing physicians.
Hypertension and atherosclerosis: causality or causelessness?
Authors: Montagnani Andrea , Alessandri Massimo , Lenti Salvatore , Corradini Paolo , Cipriani Marcello
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND The close relationship between high blood pressure (BP) and atherosclerosis (ATS) is showed by several data. Instead, less information exists about the several factors which play a role in the interaction between these two pathologies. AIM OF THE STUDY To overview the possible mechanisms which explain the close relationship between high BP and ATS and to hypothesise the potential influence on the clinical practice. DISCUSSION Endothelial dysfunction, insulin-resistance and chronic inflammation are involved in the ethiopathogenesis and complications of high BP and ATS. In the last years the interest about protective effect of anti-hypertensive therapy versus ATS, stroke and peripheral arteriopathy is growing up. Several studies reported that calcium channel blockers (CCB), dihydropiridines and not, are able to prevent or to induce the regression of atherosclerotic plaque. Also ACEinhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB), although with less consensus, have demonstrated to slow atherosclerotic process and reduce organ damage. On the other hand, therapies reducing cholesterol, namely statins, have showed to reduce BP. Such effect seems to be due not only to cholesterol reduction but also to direct effect on endothelium. CONCLUSIONS The availability of drugs, which positively influence both BP and ATS in the same time, helps to treat globally the cardiovascular risk instead of correcting singularly the single risk factors.
Tachycardia-related cardiomyopathy: a review of the literature
Authors: Ongari Maurizio , Boriani Giuseppe
Published: April 2013

A fast heart rate or an irregular ventricular rhythm can produce various degrees of functional impairment and structural remodeling of the ventricle referred to as tachycardiarelated cardiomyopathy or tachycardiomyopathy. This form of myocardial dysfunction can be caused by supraventricular or ventricular tachyarrhythmias that are incessant and associated with ventricular rates higher than 120 bpm. It can be reversed with pharmacological or nonpharmacological rate control or arrhythmia reversion. The prevalence of ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias is high among patients with heart failure. Consequently, in clinical settings, it may be difficult to determine whether a patient with severe ventricular dysfunction and supraventricular tachyarrhythmia associated with a rapid ventricular response is suffering from tachycardiomyopathy or from heart failure complicated by the subsequent development of a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (e.g. atrial fibrillation). This typical ‘‘chicken-or-the-egg’’ dilemma can be resolved by treating the arrhythmia (pharmacological or nonpharmacological rate and/or rhythm control) and closely monitoring the evolution of the left ventricular dysfunction. Proper management of tachycardiomyopathy requires appropriate decision making, use of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment approaches, and close follow-up. The purpose of this review article is to examine currently available data (experimental and clinical) on this complex clinical entity and on rate-control therapy.
A Matrix-Vector Operation-Based Numerical Solution Method for Linear m-th Order Ordinary Differential Equations: Application to Engineering Problems
Authors: Aminbaghai M. , Dorn M. , Eberhardsteiner J. , Pichler B.
Published: April 2013

Many problems in engineering sciences can be described by linear, inhomogeneous,m-th order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with variable coefficients. For this wide class of problems, we here present a new, simple, flexible, and robust solution method, based on piecewise exact integration of local approximation polynomials as well as on averaging local integrals. The method is designed for modern mathematical software providing efficient environments for numerical matrix-vector operation-based calculus. Based on cubic approximation polynomials, the presented method can be expected to perform (i) similar to the Runge-Kutta method, when applied to stiff initial value problems, and (ii) significantly better than the finite difference method, when applied to boundary value problems. Therefore, we use the presented method for the analysis of engineering problems including the oscillation of a modulated torsional spring pendulum, steady-state heat transfer through a cooling web, and the structural analysis of a slender tower based on second-order beam theory. Related convergence studies provide insight into the satisfying characteristics of the proposed solution scheme.
Matching Boundary Conditions for Scalar Waves in Body-Centered-Cubic Lattices
Authors: Fang Ming , Wang Xianming , Li Zhihui , Tang Shaoqiang
Published: April 2013

Matching boundary conditions (MBC’s) are proposed to treat scalar waves in the body-centered-cubic lattices. By matching the dispersion relation, we construct MBC’s for normal incidence and incidence with an angle α. Multiplication of MBC operators then leads to multi-directional absorbing boundary conditions. The effectiveness are illustrated by the reflection coefficient analysis and wave packet tests. In particular, the designed M1M1 treats the scalar waves in a satisfactory manner.
Environmental selection and resource allocation determine spatial patterns in picophytoplankton cell size
Authors: Clark James R. , Lenton Timothy M. , Williams Hywel T. P. , Daines Stuart J.
Published: April 2013

Here we describe a new trait‐based model for cellular resource allocation that we use to investigate the relative importance of different drivers for small cell size in phytoplankton. Using the model, we show that increased investment in nonscalable structural components with decreasing cell size leads to a trade‐off between cell size, nutrient and light affinity, and growth rate. Within the most extreme nutrient‐limited, stratified environments, resource competition theory then predicts a trend toward larger minimum cell size with increasing depth. We demonstrate that this explains observed trends using a marine ecosystem model that represents selection and adaptation of a diverse community defined by traits for cell size and subcellular resource allocation. This framework for linking cellular physiology to environmental selection can be used to investigate the adaptive response of the marine microbial community to environmental conditions and the adaptive value of variations in cellular physiology.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC IMAGE-BASED CO-REGISTRATION OF RANGE IMAGING DATA WITH DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Weinmann M. , Wursthorn S. , Jutzi B.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Currently, enhanced types of active range imaging devices are available for capturing dynamic scenes. By using intensity and range images, data derived from different or the same range imaging devices can be fused. In this paper, an automatic image-based coregistration methodology is presented which uses a RANSAC-based scheme for the Efficient Perspective-n-Point (EPnP) algorithm. For evaluating the methodology, two different types of range imaging devices have been investigated, namely Microsoft Kinect and PMD [vision] CamCube 2.0. The data sets captured with the test devices have been compared to a reference device with respect to the absolute and relative accuracy. As the presented methodology can cope with different configurations concerning measurement principle, point density and range accuracy, it shows a high potential for automated data fusion for range imaging devices.