bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrospun soy protein nanofiber scaffolds for tissue regeneration
Authors: Ramji Karpagavalli , Shah Ramille N 
Published: April 2014

Electrospun fibers with an average fiber diameter in the nanometer range were prepared from soy protein isolate to develop scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Poly(ethylene oxide) was added to facilitate fiber formation. The influence of processing parameters such as applied voltage, soy protein isolate and poly(ethylene oxide) concentrations, and poly(ethylene oxide) molecular weight on electrospun fiber morphology was investigated. Resulting soy protein isolate/poly(ethylene oxide) mats were carbodiimide crosslinked to increase construct robustness. Mechanical properties and in vitro biocompatibility of crosslinked electrospun scaffolds were evaluated. Soy protein isolate/poly(ethylene oxide) fiber diameters ranged between 50 and 270 nm depending on both electrospinning and solution parameters. The Young’s modulus for 7% soy protein isolate/3% poly(ethylene oxide) and 12% soy protein isolate/3% poly(ethylene oxide) electrospun scaffolds were 75 and 252 kPa, respectively. Human mesenchymal stem cell studies showed successful cell adhesion and proliferation on the soy protein isolate/poly(ethylene oxide) fibers. The structural and biological properties of these soy protein isolate electrospun scaffolds suggest their potential applications in tissue engineering.
Macroeconomic Determinants of Employment Intensity of Growth in India
Authors: Pattanaik Falguni , Nayak Narayan Chandra 
Published: April 2014

Despite India’s resurgent growth over the past years, the country seems to have failed miserably on the employment front. The employment content of economic growth—the employment intensity of growth—is on the decline. The objective of the present study is to identify the macroeconomic determinants which influence the employment intensity of growth in India. The study covers data for the period 1993–94 to 2009–10 across 15 major Indian states and applies a panel data model to find out these determinants. The results tend to suggest that labour supply, economic structure, price instability and human capital are major determining factors. Pro-employment growth in India may require measures like diversification of economic activities towards labour-intensive sectors, price stability, skill-based education and adoption of labour-intensive technology. JEL Classification: J21, J23
A General Equilibrium Analysis of the TPP Free Trade Agreement With and Without China
Authors: Xin Li 
Published: April 2014

The approaching tenth year of the Doha Round with no achievements to celebrate indicates a failure of the World Trade Organization. Formal negotiations of the Round expired in 2005 without reaching a consensus, and informal negotiations were stalled in 2008. Thus, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a recent initiative to deepen trade relations among countries bordering the Pacific, was greeted with applause and relief as a step in the right direction. This article discusses the region-wide Free Trade Agreement series of linked agreements that cover various members and issues. The recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model simulates two scenarios against the baseline, namely, a TPP agreement with China and without China. The preliminary results show that the TPP agreement without China cannot change the significant roles of markets and geography as the principal factors behind the economic integration of Southeast Asia with China. Trade and investment agreements facilitate market forces, they do not oppose them. The integration of the Asia–Pacific countries may benefit the US and other key economies. JEL Classification: F12, F14, F15
Suicide and gender ratios in Tasmania (Australia) using the Operationalized Predicaments of Suicide tool, and negative experiences
Authors: Lee Adrian YS , Pridmore Saxby 
Published: April 2014

Objective: To examine coroner’s reports of completed suicide in Tasmania with the intention of characterizing the influence of gender and other factors. Method: One hundred coroner’s reports from Tasmania 2010–2012 were examined and basic demographic details (age, gender), suicide method, medical, psychiatric, psychosocial and drug factors were collected. Data were organized using the Operationalized Predicament of Suicide tool and known risk factors, and analysed using SPSS software. Results: We found an overall male:female ratio of 3:1. When acute mental disorder was identified, the male:female ratio was 1:1. When a history of mental disorder is considered, the ratio becomes 1.44:1. When social/environmental factors triggered the event this changed greatly to 5.57:1. Conclusion: Males suicide more frequently than females; but this difference disappears when only those with mental disorder at the time of death are considered, and almost disappears when a history of mental disorder are considered. Higher suicide rates of males are driven by social/environmental stressors. These results have implications for understanding the key drivers of suicide, and developing appropriate preventative strategies.
Resection of the Fifth Metatarsal Base in the Severe Rigid Cavovarus Foot
Authors: Shariff Raheel , Myerson Mark S. , Palmanovich Ezequiel 
Published: April 2014

Background: Cavovarus deformity associated with neuromuscular imbalance is a challenging pathology. Most of these deformities lead to pressure symptoms at the lateral border of the foot. This leads to pain, callosity, and commonly fracture of the fifth metatarsal base. This study reports the outcome of a cohort of patients who underwent an adjunctive procedure of resection of the fifth metatarsal, either partial or complete, in conjunction with cavovarus foot reconstruction to offload the lateral border of the foot. Methods: This was a retrospective study looking at the clinical and radiographic outcome of patients with an underlying neuromuscular problem with a cavovarus foot who underwent a resection of the fifth metatarsal. This was used as an adjunctive procedure during reconstruction for lateral foot pressure overload symptoms. Case notes and radiographs were reviewed. The distance on weight-bearing radiographs from the inferior most part of the bony prominence on the lateral border of the foot to the floor was measured and compared between pre- and postoperatively. Eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 55 years. Mean follow-up was 32 months. Results: Fourteen patients had a partial base of fifth metatarsal resection, and 4 had a complete fifth ray resection. Radiographic measurements showed a statistically significant improvement in the distance from the inferior most part of the bony prominence on the lateral border of the foot to the floor between pre- and postoperative radiographs. Sixteen patients reported a significant improvement in their symptoms, 2 had some persistent lateral overload symptoms. Conclusion: The technique described in this study has not been reported previously for this indication. We believe it is a good adjunctive procedure in cavovarus foot reconstruction for patients suffering from lateral pressure overload. We describe strict guidelines and indications for this procedure. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Comparison of Outcome After Retinaculum Repair With and Without Fibular Groove Deepening for Recurrent Dislocation of the Peroneal Tendons
Authors: Cho Jaeho , Kim Jae-Young , Song Dae-Geun , Lee Woo-Chun 
Published: April 2014

Background: This study compared the operative outcome between retinaculum repair with and without fibular groove deepening for the treatment of recurrent traumatic peroneal tendon dislocation in young, active patients. Methods: A consecutive series of 29 patients who underwent operative treatment of recurrent peroneal tendon dislocation were evaluated. Thirteen patients were treated by the superior peroneal retinaculum repair with fibular groove deepening (group A) and 16 patients by superior peroneal retinaculum repair alone (group B). The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, and overall patient satisfaction were used to evaluate the clinical outcome after a minimum follow-up period of 12 months postoperatively. In addition, mean time to return to sports activity and tourniquet time were compared between groups. Results: Mean AOFAS score improved significantly from 59.3 points preoperatively to 92.2 points at the final follow-up in group A and from 58.5 points preoperatively to 91.3 points at the final follow-up in group B. Mean VAS score also improved significantly from 5.0 points preoperatively to 1.0 points at the final follow-up in group A and from 4.9 points preoperatively to 1.2 points at the final follow-up in group B. Improvements in AOFAS and VAS scores at the final follow-up were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Mean time to return to sports activity was approximately 3 months in both groups. Mean tourniquet time in group B was significantly shorter than that in group A (42.2 vs 29.5 min). Conclusions: Isolated retinaculum repair compared to retinaculum repair with fibular groove deepening was a faster and simpler technique, but both techniques had good outcomes for the treatment of recurrent traumatic peroneal tendon dislocation. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study.
Low testosterone is associated with disability in men with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bove R , Musallam A , Healy BC , Raghavan K , Glanz BI , Bakshi R , Weiner H , De Jager PL , Miller KK , Chitnis T 
Published: April 2014

Background: Gonadal steroids may modulate disease course in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To assess the prevalence and clinical associations of hypogonadism in men with MS. Methods: Male patients, aged 18–65 years, with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) or clinically-isolated syndrome (CIS) and their first symptom < 10 years prior were selected from a longitudinal clinical study. We measured their hormones in stored morning blood samples, and collected their Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores every 6 months and their Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) results annually. Results: Our analysis included 96 men with a mean age of 40 years, EDSS of 1.1 and disease duration of 4.6 years. Of these men, 39% were hypogonadal (total testosterone < 288 ng/dL); none showed compensatory elevations in luteinizing hormone. Their low testosterone levels and testosterone:estradiol ratios were negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and leptin, and showed no correlation with 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels. In our primary cross-sectional analyses, there was a negative age-adjusted correlation between total testosterone and EDSS ( p = 0.044). In the age-adjusted longitudinal analyses, higher baseline testosterone levels were associated with less decline in SDMT ( p = 0.012). Conclusions: Men with MS may experience hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Low testosterone levels may be associated with worse clinical outcomes. A potential neuroprotective role for testosterone warrants further investigation.
WIDEN: A tool for medical image management in multicenter clinical trials
Authors: Chauvie Stéphane , Biggi Alberto , Stancu Alexandru , Cerello Piergiorgio , Cavallo Anna , Fallanca Federico , Ficola Umberto , Gregianin Michele , Guerra Ugo Paolo , Chiaravalloti Agostino , Schillaci Orazio , Gallamini Andrea 
Published: April 2014

Background It has been proposed that in clinical trials in which the therapeutic strategy is driven by functional imaging, central review of the images should be done in real time. Purpose We report our experience with a new tool for image exchange and review, called Web-Based Imaging Diagnosis by Expert Network (WIDEN), which we implemented for the HD0607 prospective multicenter Italian clinical trial in which Hodgkin lymphoma treatment was adapted based on results of an interim positron emission tomography (PET) scan performed after the first two cycles of chemotherapy. Methods We used WIDEN for general management of the clinical trial, site imaging qualification, image exchange, workflow control, blinded independent central review, inter-observer variability assessment, consensus creation, audit, and statistical analysis. Results As of February 2013, the interim PET was available for 512 patients; upon central review, 103 of the scans were judged to be positive and 409 to be negative. The median scan uploading and downloading times were 1 min, 25 s and 1 min, 55 s, respectively; the average and median times for diagnosis exchange were 47 h, 53 min and 37 h, 43 min, respectively. The binary concordance between pairs of reviewers (Cohen’s kappa) ranged from 0.72 to 0.85. The 5-point scale concordance among all reviewers (Krippendorf’s alpha) was 0.77. Conclusions WIDEN proved to be an effective tool for medical imaging exchange and online review. Data security, simplicity, feasibility, and prompt scan review were demonstrated. Central reviews were completed promptly.
Opportunistic hearing screening in elderly inpatients
Authors: Ramdoo Krishan , Bowen Jordan , Dale Oliver T , Corbridge Rogan , Chatterjee Apurba , Gosney Margot A 
Published: April 2014

Objective: To determine the prevalence of occult hearing loss in elderly inpatients, to evaluate feasibility of opportunistic hearing screening and to determine subsequent provision of hearing aids. Materials and methods: Subjects (>65 years) were recruited from five elderly care wards. Hearing loss was detected by a ward-based hearing screen comprising patient-reported assessment of hearing disability and a whisper test. Subjects failing the whisper test or reporting hearing difficulties were offered formal audiological assessment. Results: Screening was performed on 51 patients aged between 70 and 95 years. Of the patients, 21 (41%) reported hearing loss and 16 (31%) failed the whisper test. A total of 37 patients (73%) were referred for audiological assessment with 17 (33%) found to have aidable hearing loss and 11 were fitted with hearing aids (22%). Discussion: This study highlights the high prevalence of occult hearing loss in elderly inpatients. Easy two-step screening can accurately identify patients with undiagnosed deafness resulting in significant proportions receiving hearing aids. Key sentences Approximately 14% of the elderly population use hearing aids despite a reported prevalence of deafness in up to 55%. The use of hearing aids is associated with an improvement in physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. An easy screening test for hearing loss consists of patient-reported hearing loss and a whisper test. Opportunistic screening of elderly inpatients resulted in referral of 73% of screened patients for formal audiology. Of the screened patients, 22% were provided with hearing aids.
Effect of body mass in children with hematologic malignancies undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Aplenc Richard , Zhang Mei-Jie , Sung Lillian , Zhu Xiaochun , Ho Vincent T. , Cooke Kenneth , Dvorak Christopher , Hale Gregory , Isola Luis M. , Lazarus Hillard M. , McCarthy Philip L. , Olsson Richard , Pulsipher Michael , Pasquini Marcelo C. , Bunin Nancy 
Published: April 2014

Key PointsThere is no difference in survival after BMT among children of different BMI.
A multicopy Y-chromosomal SGNH hydrolase gene expressed in the testis of the platyfish has been captured and mobilized by a Helitron transposon
Authors: Tomaszkiewicz Marta , Chalopin Domitille , Schartl Manfred , Galiana Delphine , Volff Jean-Nicolas 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundTeleost fish present a high diversity of sex determination systems, with possible frequent evolutionary turnover of sex chromosomes and sex-determining genes. In order to identify genes involved in male sex determination and differentiation in the platyfishXiphophorus maculatus, bacterial artificial chromosome contigs from the sex-determining region differentiating the Y from the X chromosome have been assembled and analyzed.ResultsA novel three-copy gene calledteximY(for testis-expressed inXiphophorus maculatuson the Y) was identified on the Y but not on the X chromosome. A highly related sequence calledtexim1, probably at the origin of the Y-linked genes, as well as three more divergentteximgenes were detected in (pseudo)autosomal regions of the platyfish genome.Teximgenes, for which no functional data are available so far in any organism, encode predicted esterases/lipases with a SGNH hydrolase domain. Texim proteins are related to proteins from very different origins, including proteins encoded by animal CR1 retrotransposons, animal platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolases (PAFah) and bacterial hydrolases.Teximgene distribution is patchy in animals.Teximsequences were detected in several fish species including killifish, medaka, pufferfish, sea bass, cod and gar, but not in zebrafish.Texim-like genes are also present inOikopleura(urochordate), Amphioxus (cephalochordate) and sea urchin (echinoderm) but absent from mammals and other tetrapods. Interestingly,teximgenes are associated with a Helitron transposon in different fish species but not in urochordates, cephalochordates and echinoderms, suggesting capture and mobilization of an ancestralteximgene in the bony fish lineage. RT-qPCR analyses showed that Y-linkedteximYgenes are preferentially expressed in testis, with expression at late stages of spermatogenesis (late spermatids and spermatozeugmata).ConclusionsThese observations suggest either that TeximY proteins play a role inHelitrontransposition in the male germ line in fish, or thatteximgenes are spermatogenesis genes mobilized and spread by transposable elements in fish genomes.
Depressive mood mediates the influence of social support on health-related quality of life in elderly, multimorbid patients
Authors: Wicke Felix S , Güthlin Corina , Mergenthal Karola , Gensichen Jochen , Löffler Christin , Bickel Horst , Maier Wolfgang , Riedel-Heller Steffi G , Weyerer Siegfried , Wiese Birgitt , König Hans-Helmut , Schön Gerhard , Hansen Heike , van den Bussche Hendrik , Scherer Martin , Dahlhaus Anne 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
It is not well established how psychosocial factors like social support and depression affect health-related quality of life in multimorbid and elderly patients. We investigated whether depressive mood mediates the influence of social support on health-related quality of life.

Methods
Cross-sectional data of 3,189 multimorbid patients from the baseline assessment of the German MultiCare cohort study were used. Mediation was tested using the approach described by Baron and Kenny based on multiple linear regression, and controlling for socioeconomic variables and burden of multimorbidity.

Results
Mediation analyses confirmed that depressive mood mediates the influence of social support on health-related quality of life (Sobel’s p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that the influence of depressive mood (β = −0.341, p < 0.01) on health-related quality of life is greater than the influence of multimorbidity (β = −0.234, p < 0.01).

Conclusion
Social support influences health-related quality of life, but this association is strongly mediated by depressive mood. Depression should be taken into consideration in research on multimorbidity, and clinicians should be aware of its importance when caring for multimorbid patients.

Trial registration

ISRCTN89818205
Multi-informant reports of mental health in Swedish-born children of immigrants and children born to non-immigrants – the SESBiC-study
Authors: deKeyser Linda , Svedin Carl Göran , Agnafors Sara , Bladh Marie , Sydsjö Gunilla 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
The European literature on mental health of the children of immigrants is limited. Therefore this study aims to investigate gender-specific mental health reported by teachers, parents and the children themselves in 12-year old children of immigrants and non-immigrants and also to study the level of agreement between the different informants.

Methods
This cross-sectional study is a part of the longitudinal South East Sweden Birth Cohort-study (the SESBiC-study) on children’s health. All children born in town in the south of Sweden 1995-1996 were invited to take part. The mothers of 1723 children (88%) consented. In this part 87 Swedish-born 12-year old children of immigrants and 687 12-year old children of non-immigrants were investigated regarding gender-specific differences in mental health as reported by teachers (Teacher-report form), parents (Child behavior checklist), and children (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and the agreement reached between the informants.

Results
Parental immigrant status was not associated with mental health in any of the groups, but living arrangements and parental educational level were mainly found to have an effect on the health status of boys (TRF-Internalizing β = .77 95% CI = .02-1.52; TRF-Externalizing.β = 2.31 95% CI = .63-3.99; TRF-Total β = 6.22 95% CI = 2.27-10.18) The agreement between different informants was generally low, except for externalizing problems among boys (Boys of immigrant parents: Parent and teacher correlation ρ = .422 and Child teacher correlation ρ = .524, p-value < .05, respectively). The correlation between teachers and parents were lower in the index group compared to the reference group. In the index group, the correlations between teacher’s and children’s assessments were fairly high for boys but not for girls (ρ Total = .400, ρ Internalizing = .240 and ρ Externalizing = .524, p-value < .05 for Total and Externalizing).

Conclusion
This study confirms previous findings that the mental health of children of immigrants is similar to that of children of non-immigrants. We found that family factors have a greater impact on the reported mental health than immigrant status does. This might be of clinical importance for healthcare workers to recognize when investigating and treating children from other cultures.
The status and correlates of depression and anxiety among breast-cancer survivors in Eastern China: a population-based, cross-sectional case–control study
Authors: Wang Feng , Liu Jiajia , Liu Liyuan , Wang Fei , Ma Zhongbing , Gao Dezong , Zhang Qiang , Yu Zhigang 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Breast cancer presents specific challenges both physiologically and psychologically to women, and consequently affect the patients’ mental health. Psychosocial factors may play important roles in the symptoms and development of mental disorders among breast-cancer survivors. This study assesses the depression and anxiety status of breast-cancer survivors and further identifies the risk factors.

Methods
A 1:1 matched, case–control study was conducted with a total sample of 222 individuals. Participants were selected from a national epidemiological survey. The Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to assess depression and anxiety. The Social Support Rating Scale and Perceived Social Support Scale were used as measures of social support and perceived social support, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale as a measure of self-esteem. Coping style was assessed using the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. The predictive effect of these psychosocial factors for depression and anxiety was investigated with hierarchical linear regressions.

Results
Breast-cancer survivors experienced a high level of depressive and anxious symptoms. Multivariate analysis revealed that breast cancer functions as an independent but not a main risk factor of both depression and anxiety. Higher levels of depression and anxiety were positively associated with a higher level of passive coping style, and negatively with perceived social support, objective social support and an active coping style.

Conclusions
The mental health of breast-cancer survivors should be promoted through the transformation of coping styles and improvement of social support.