bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross‐cultural validation of the 20‐item Toronto Alexithymia Scale in Chinese adolescents
Authors: Ling Y. , Zeng Y. , Yuan H. , Zhong M. 
Published: March 2016

Accessible summaryWhat is known on the subject?

The TAS‐20 is the most widely used self‐reported questionnaire to assess the level of alexithymia in students and community and clinical samples.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

The TAS‐20‐C exhibited high levels of reliability and validity, indicating that it is appropriate for the assessment of alexithymia in Chinese adolescents.

What are the implications for practice?

Screening adolescents who are at risk of alexithymia through the TAS‐20 could help to perform necessary and effective precautions to decrease the adverse effects of alexithymia, such as the risks of developing depressive mood and behavioral problems.

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the 20‐item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20‐C) in a sample of Chinese adolescents.MethodAdolescents (n = 1260) recruited from three schools in mainland China completed the TAS‐20‐C, the somatization subscale of the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL‐90) and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D). Five different factorial models of the TAS‐20 were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Cronbach's α, mean inter‐item correlations and predictive validity were also evaluated.ResultsAmong those five different factorial models, the four‐factor structure model was suitable and invariant across gender and age in this sample. The TAS‐20‐C demonstrated adequate internal reliability. Gender and age accounted for insignificant amounts of variability in total TAS‐20‐C and factor scores. TAS‐20‐C total and subscale scores were correlated significantly with SCL‐90 somatization subscale and CES‐D. Girls scored higher than boys on difficulty identifying feelings (DIF) and pragmatic thinking (PR) subscales. DIF and lack of subjective significance or importance of emotions (IMs) subscale scores were higher among younger than among middle and older adolescents.Implications for PracticeValidating the TAS‐20 in adolescents is quite important to use it in evaluating adolescents' alexithymia, and screen those at risk of alexithymia.
An Analytical Foundation of the Classical View of Long‐Period Prices with Differential Profit Rates
Authors: D'Agata Antonio , Mori Kenji 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe uniformity of the profit rates has been justified by the modern literature on long‐period positions on the ground of the working of free capital mobility across sectors. However, classical economists allow for profit rates differentials also in case of absence of barriers to entry, because of specific factors affecting the investment behavior of producers in industries. We develop a linear multisectoral model in which differential profit rates are determined by such ‘idiosyncratic’ factors. We provide conditions ensuring the uniformity of the profit rates in the long‐run.
Invasive fungal infections in AML/MDS patients treated with azacitidine: a risk worth considering antifungal prophylaxis?
Authors: Pomares Helena , Arnan Montserrat , Sánchez‐Ortega Isabel , Sureda Anna , Duarte Rafael F. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThe aim of this study is to analyse the risk of invasive fungal infection (IFI) and the need for antifungal prophylaxis in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (AML/MDS) treated with azacitidine. We retrospectively analysed the incidence of IFI according to EORTC‐MSG criteria in 121 consecutive AML/MDS patients receiving 948 azacitidine courses (median 5, range 1–43) between June 2007 and June 2015. Four cases of IFI (two possible, one probable aspergillosis and one proven candidemia) occurred in this series. The incidence rate of proven/probable IFI was 0.21% per treatment cycle and 1.6% per patient treated for the whole series, and 0.73% per treatment cycle and 4.1% per patient treated in those with severe neutropenia. Two patients died from IFI, leading to an IFI‐attributable mortality rate of 1.65% per patient and 0.21% per treatment cycle. The numbers needed to treat with prophylaxis to prevent one case of IFI are 238 azacitidine cycles or 30 patients throughout their whole treatment course, and 137 azacitidine cycles or 24 patients among those with severe neutropenia. AML/MDS patients treated with azacitidine, including those with severe prolonged neutropenia, have a very low risk of IFI which does not justify the use of antifungal prophylaxis.
Celebrating British multiculturalism, lamenting England/Britain's past
Authors: Black Jack 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDrawing upon Littler and Naidoo's ‘white past, multicultural present’ alignment, this article examines English newspaper coverage of two ‘British’ events held in 2012 (the Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympic Games). In light of recent work on English nationalism, national identity and multiculturalism, this article argues that representations of Britain oscillated between lamentations for an English/British past – marred by decline – and a present that, while being portrayed as both confident and progressive, was beset by latent anxieties. In doing so, ‘past’ reflections of England/Britain were presented as a ‘safe’ and legitimate source of belonging that had subsequently been lost and undermined amidst the diversity of the ‘present’. As a result, feelings of discontent, anxiety and nostalgia were dialectically constructed alongside ‘traditional’ understandings of England/Britain. Indeed, this draws attention to the ways in which particular ‘versions’ of the past are engaged with and the impact that this can have on discussions related to multiculturalism and the multiethnic history of England/Britain.
How Peace Takes Shape Locally: The Experience of Civil Resistance in Samaniego, Colombia
Authors: Mouly Cécile , Garrido María Belén , Idler Annette 
Published: March 2016

Drawing on the experience of Samaniego, Colombia, this article explores processes of civil resistance in the midst of armed conflict. Based on data from fieldwork in Samaniego and other localities in Colombia, as well as literature on civil resistance, peacebuilding, and rebel governance, we analyze the process of mobilization of the population of this war‐affected municipality against armed violence from its beginning in 1997 until the year 2014. As we contend, this process arose as the combined result of factors related to agency and structure. The national and departmental contexts, particularly the holding of peace negotiations between the government and National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels and the existence of similar local peace initiatives, contributed to the establishment of a propitious environment for the mobilization that took place in 1997 and led to the declaration of Samaniego as a peace territory. In terms of agency, two mayors and various civil society actors played a leading role in the process. Several factors accounted for the success of this initiative in achieving, at least to some extent, its objective of reducing violence. We cluster these into three sets of factors: structural factors, the characteristics of the civil resistance movement, and the strategic decisions made by the movement. A better understanding of these factors and their interactions can shed light on the dynamics of civil resistance in situations of armed conflict and their outcomes, offering significant insights into scholarly debates about civil resistance and local peace formation.
Monocyte activation and cytokine production in Malawian children presenting with P. falciparum malaria
Authors: Mandala W. L. , Msefula C. L. , Gondwe E. N. , Drayson M. T. , Molyneux M. E. , MacLennan C. A. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryMalaria in malaria‐naïve adults is associated with an inflammatory response characterized by expression of specific activation markers on innate immune cells. Here, we investigate activation and adhesion marker expression, and cytokine production in monocytes from children presenting with cerebral malaria (CM, n = 36), severe malarial anaemia (SMA, n = 42) or uncomplicated malaria (UM, n = 66), and healthy aparasitemic children (n = 52) in Blantyre, Malawi. In all malaria groups, but particularly in the two severe malaria groups, monocyte expression of CD11b, CD11c, CD18, HLA‐DR and CD86, and percentages of TNF‐α‐ and IL‐6‐producing monocytes were lower than in healthy controls, while expression of CD11a, TLR2 and TLR4 was lower in children with severe malaria compared with controls. These levels mostly normalized during convalescence, but percentages of cytokine‐producing monocytes remained suppressed in children with SMA. In all malaria groups, especially the SMA group, a greater proportion of monocytes were loaded with haemozoin than among controls. In a P. falciparum hyperendemic area, monocytes in children with acute symptomatic malaria have reduced expression of adhesion molecules and activation markers and reduced inflammatory cytokine production. This immune suppression could be due to accumulation of haemozoin and/or previous exposure to P. falciparum.
Marginal Utility and the Theory of Relative Advantage: The Case of Alabama*
Authors: Aistrup Joseph A. 
Published: March 2016

ObjectiveUsing the “theory of relative advantage” (Hood, Kidd, and Morris, 2012), this study tests a number of hypotheses focusing on the short‐ and long‐term influences of Governor George Wallace on the partisan voting alignment of Alabama counties at the presidential and gubernatorial levels.MethodsThe analysis uses county‐level vote shares data for president and governor from 1952 to 2012 in a confirmatory factor analysis to model party alignments among counties within a state and to identify the sequence and timing of party realignments (Aistrup, 2012).ResultsWe find that Wallace's presidential county voting patterns in 1968 deviated significantly from Alabama's New Deal structure of partisan competition, and that the structured partisan competition associated with Reagan's election in 1980 follows the same patterns initiated by Wallace in 1968. However, Wallace's New Right alignment at the gubernatorial level does not emerge until the controversial 1986 gubernatorial election. There is a marginal utility function modeled as a curvilinear relationship between black voter mobilization and the change in the Republican bias between the New Deal and the New Right alignment.ConclusionsThe theory of relative advantage provides a strong theoretical platform for understanding how the political cues provided by Wallace affected the timing and sequence of changes in the structure of partisan competition among Alabama counties at the presidential and gubernatorial levels.
Potency and stability of compounded cyclophosphamide: a pilot study
Authors: Robat C. , Budde J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCompounding of drugs for use in veterinary oncology is becoming increasingly common. We obtained 15 mg cyclophosphamide capsules from five different compounding pharmacies and performed potency analyses at two time points, as well as stability at 60 days. Potency results for four out of five and zero out of five (4/10) samples analysed were inadequate. Stability at 60 days was acceptable for all but one sample. This pilot study raises several important points of concern when compounding chemotherapy in dogs and cats. Further studies are necessary to solidify this data. Collaboration between pharmacists, veterinarians and regulatory bodies is needed to ensure safe and accurate delivery of compounded drugs to client‐owned animals.
Susceptibility of porcine endogenous retrovirus to anti‐retroviral inhibitors
Authors: Argaw Takele , Colon‐Moran Winston , Wilson Carolyn 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundPorcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) is an endogenous retrovirus that poses a risk of iatrogenic transmission in the context of pig‐to‐human xenotransplantation. The lack of a means to control PERV infection in the context of pig‐to‐human xenotransplantation is a major concern in the field. In this study, we set out to evaluate the ability of currently licensed anti‐HIV drugs, and other types of anti‐retroviral compounds, to inhibit PERV infection in vitro.MethodsWe used target cells stably expressing one of the known PERV viral receptors, an infectious molecular clone, PERV‐A 14/220, and at least one drug from each class of anti‐retroviral inhibitors as well as off‐label drugs shown to have anti‐viral activities. The susceptibility of PERV‐A 14/220 LacZ to the anti‐retroviral drugs was determined from infected cells by histochemical staining.ResultsWe extend the results of previous studies by showing that, in addition to raltegravir, dolutegravir is found to have a potent inhibitory activity against PERV replication (IC50 8.634 ±0.336 and IC50 3.06 ± 0.844 nM, respectively). The anti‐HIV drug zidovudine (AZT) showed considerable anti‐PERV activity with IC50 of 1.923 ±0.691 μM as well.ConclusionsThe study results indicate that some of the licensed anti‐retroviral drugs may be useful for controlling PERV infection. However, the efficacy at nanomolar concentrations put forward integrase inhibitors as a drug that has the potential to be useful in the event that xenotransplantation recipients have evidence of PERV transmission and replication.
Field-Friendly Test for Monitoring Multiple Immune Response Markers during Onset and Treatment of Exacerbated Immunity in Leprosy
Authors: Corstjens Paul L. A. M. , van Hooij Anouk , Tjon Kon Fat Elisa M. , van den Eeden Susan J. F. , Wilson Louis , Geluk Annemieke 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT
Acute inflammatory reactions represent the major cause of irreversible neuropathy in leprosy. These tissue-destroying episodes have considerable overlap with acute immunological complications (flares) in several chronic (autoimmune) diseases that similarly warrant early detection. However, the lack of diagnostic tests impedes early diagnosis of these reactions. Here, we evaluated a user-friendly multiplex lateral flow assay for the simultaneous detection of IP-10 and anti-phenolic glycolipid I antibodies for longitudinally monitoring early onset and treatment of leprosy reactions.
Production of a Recombinant Dengue Virus 2 NS5 Protein and Potential Use as a Vaccine Antigen
Authors: Alves Rúbens Prince dos Santos , Pereira Lennon Ramos , Fabris Denicar Lina Nascimento , Salvador Felipe Scassi , Santos Robert Andreata , Zanotto Paolo Marinho de Andrade , Romano Camila Malta , Amorim Jaime Henrique , Ferreira Luís Carlos de Souza 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT

Dengue fever is caused by any of the four known dengue virus serotypes (DENV1 to DENV4) that affect millions of people worldwide, causing a significant number of deaths. There are vaccines based on chimeric viruses, but they still are not in clinical use. Anti-DENV vaccine strategies based on nonstructural proteins are promising alternatives to those based on whole virus or structural proteins. The DENV nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) is the main target of anti-DENV T cell-based immune responses in humans. In this study, we purified a soluble recombinant form of DENV2 NS5 expressed in
Escherichia coli
at large amounts and high purity after optimization of expression conditions and purification steps. The purified DENV2 NS5 was recognized by serum from DENV1-, DENV2-, DENV3-, or DENV4-infected patients in an epitope-conformation-dependent manner. In addition, immunization of BALB/c mice with NS5 induced high levels of NS5-specific antibodies and expansion of gamma interferon- and tumor necrosis factor alpha-producing T cells. Moreover, mice immunized with purified NS5 were partially protected from lethal challenges with the DENV2 NGC strain and with a clinical isolate (JHA1). These results indicate that the recombinant NS5 protein preserves immunological determinants of the native protein and is a promising vaccine antigen capable of inducing protective immune responses.
Novel Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Composed of the Postfusion and Prefusion Conformations of the F Glycoprotein
Authors: Cimica Velasco , Boigard Hélène , Bhatia Bipin , Fallon John T. , Alimova Alexandra , Gottlieb Paul , Galarza Jose M. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe respiratory disease in infants and children and represents an important global health burden for the elderly and the immunocompromised. Despite decades of research efforts, no licensed vaccine for RSV is available. We have developed virus-like particle (VLP)-based RSV vaccines assembled with the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) matrix protein (M) as the structural scaffold and the RSV fusion glycoprotein (F) in either the postfusion or prefusion conformation as its prime surface immunogen. Vaccines were composed of postfusion F, prefusion F, or a combination of the two conformations and formulated with a squalene-based oil emulsion as adjuvant. Immunization with these VLP vaccines afforded full protection against RSV infection and prevented detectable viral replication in the mouse lung after challenge. Analyses of lung cytokines and chemokines showed that VLP vaccination mostly induced the production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), a marker of the Th1-mediated immune response, which is predominantly required for viral protection. Conversely, immunization with a formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) vaccine induced high levels of inflammatory chemokines and cytokines of the Th2- and Th17-mediated types of immune responses, as well as severe lung inflammation and histopathology. The VLP vaccines showed restricted production of these immune mediators and did not induce severe bronchiolitis or perivascular infiltration as seen with the FI-RSV vaccine. Remarkably, analysis of the serum from immunized mice showed that the VLP vaccine formulated using a combination of postfusion and prefusion F elicited the highest level of neutralizing antibody and enhanced the Th1-mediated immune response.
Assessing simulation-based clinical training: comparing the concurrent validity of students' self-reported satisfaction and confidence measures against objective clinical examinations
Authors: Carter Owen B J , Mills Brennen W , Ross Nathan P , Miles Alecka K , Mould Jonathan M , O'Brien Robert P 
Published: March 2016

IntroductionSimulation-based education (SBE) literature is replete with student satisfaction and confidence measures to infer educational outcomes. This research aims to test how well students' satisfaction and confidence measures correlate with expert assessments of students' improvements in competence following SBE activities.MethodsN=85 paramedic students (mean age 23.7 years, SD=6.5; 48.2% female) undertook a 3-day SBE workshop. Students' baseline competence was assessed via practical scenario simulation assessments (PSSAs) administered by expert paramedics and confidence via a questionnaire. Postworkshop competence and confidence plus self-reported students' satisfaction were remeasured.ResultsPSSA scores increased significantly between baseline and post workshop (35.7%→53.4%, p<0.001), as did students' confidence (55.7%→60.5%, p<0.001), and their workshop satisfaction was high (71.0%). Satisfaction and postworkshop confidence measures were moderately correlated (r=0.377, p=0.001). However, competence improvements were not significantly correlated with either satisfaction (r=−0.107 p=0.344) or change in confidence (r=−0.187 p=0.102).DiscussionStudents' self-reported satisfaction and confidence measures bore little relation to expert paramedics' judgements of their educational improvements. Satisfaction and confidence measures appear to be dubious indicators of SBE learning outcomes.
Improved quality of patient care through routine second review of histopathology specimens prior to multidisciplinary meetings
Authors: Kuijpers Chantal C H J , Burger Gerard , Al-Janabi Shaimaa , Willems Stefan M , van Diest Paul J , Jiwa Mehdi 
Published: March 2016

AimDouble reading may be a valuable tool for improving quality of patient care by identifying diagnostic errors before final sign-out, but standard double reading would significantly increase costs of pathology. We assessed the added value of intradepartmental routine double reading of histopathology specimens prior to multidisciplinary meetings.MethodsDiagnoses, treatment plans and prognoses of patients are often discussed at multidisciplinary meetings. As part of the daily routine, all pathology specimens to be discussed at upcoming multidisciplinary meetings undergo prior intradepartmental double reading. We identified all histopathology specimens from 2013 that underwent such double reading and determined major and minor discordance rates based on clinical relevance between the initial and consensus sign-out diagnoses.ResultsWe included 6796 histopathology specimens that underwent double reading, representing approximately 8% of all histopathology cases at our institution in 2013. Double reading diagnoses were concordant in 6566 specimens (96.6%). Major and minor discordances were observed in 60 (0.9%) and 170 (2.5%) specimens, respectively. Urology specimens had significantly more discordances than other tissues of origin, Gleason grading of prostate cancer biopsies being the most frequent diagnostic problem. Furthermore, premalignant and malignant cases showed significantly higher discordance rates than the rest. The vast majority (90%) of discordances represented changes within the same diagnostic category (eg, malignant to malignant).ConclusionsRoutine double reading of histopathology specimens prior to multidisciplinary meetings prevents diagnostic errors. It resulted in about 1% discordant diagnoses of potential clinical significance, indicating that second review is worthwhile in terms of patient safety and quality of patient care.
Effects of an exogenous enzyme-containing inoculant on fermentation characteristics of barley silage and on growth performance of feedlot steers
Authors: Addah W. , Baah J. , McAllister T.A. 
Published: March 2016

This study investigated the effects of an inoculant on silage fermentation, aerobic stability, and the growing and finishing performance of feedlot steers. Whole-crop barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was chopped, wilted [350–400 g kg−1 dry matter (DM)], and ensiled without (Control) or with (Treated) a bacterial inoculant containing a mixture of Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Propionibacterium freudenreicheii (1.3 × 105 CFU g−1 forage), as well as enzymes applied to fresh forage ensiled in mini or Ag-Bag® silos. Inoculation resulted in a pH decline (P < 0.05) from 6.0 on the day of ensiling to <4.0 after 3 d. In contrast, it required more than 20 d for the pH of the Control silage to fall below 4.0. Inoculant reduced (P < 0.05) the concentration of acetic acid and aerobic stability of silage, as evidenced by a higher (P < 0.05) temperature and pH in aerobically exposed silage. Although the inoculant accelerated pH decline during ensiling, it did not improve the growth performance (P < 0.05) or alter the carcass traits of steers. It is possible that a reduction in the aerobic stability of the inoculated silage may have contributed to this outcome.