bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complete filaggrin deficiency in ichthyosis vulgaris is associated with only moderate changes in epidermal permeability barrier function profile
Authors: Perusquía‐Ortiz A.M. , Oji V. , Sauerland M.C. , Tarinski T. , Zaraeva I. , Seller N. , Metze D. , Aufenvenne K. , Hausser I. , Traupe H. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundIchthyosis vulgaris (IV) is caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in the profilaggrin (FLG) gene. Filaggrin drives complex interrelated functions, with strategic roles in establishing structural and chemical barrier function, hydration of the skin and maintaining epidermal homeostasis. Data on the effect of FLG mutations on epidermal barrier function in IV are very scarce.ObjectivesA primary aim of this study was to determine in vivo characteristics of epidermal permeability barrier function such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and skin surface pH in homozygous or compound heterozygous (FLG−/−) and heterozygous (FLG+/−) subjects with IV.MethodsWe evaluated a cohort of 15 patients with IV, analysed epidermal ultrastructure and investigated epidermal barrier function by measurement of TEWL, skin surface pH and skin hydration. Mutations were screened by restriction enzyme analysis and/or complete sequencing. Ten patients were homozygous or compound heterozygous (FLG−/−), while five patients were heterozygous (FLG+/−). Twenty healthy individuals served as controls.ResultsIn FLG−/− subjects, a moderate increase of TEWL from 5.41 ± 0.32–7.54 ± 0.90 g/m2h (P < 0.03) and a moderate decrease of skin hydration from 29.20 ± 1.96 to 20.17 ± 3.60 (P < 0.05) in comparison with the control group were observed. Changes in skin surface pH were not significant. FLG+/− subjects did not suffer from significant changes in all variables.ConclusionsA complete, but not a partial deficiency is associated with moderate changes in TEWL and skin hydration, revealing surprisingly only a mild disturbance of the epidermal permeability barrier function.
Functional significance of Micraspis discolor (F.) (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in rice ecosystem
Authors: Shanker C. , Mohan M. , Sampathkumar M. , Lydia Ch. , Katti G. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractCoccinellids are key predators that are conserved and augmented in agricultural ecosystems, to achieve biological control of pests. Actual quantification of field predation has not been attempted for many of the beneficial coccinellids. Numerous reports show coccinellids as opportunistic, feeding on a variety of food material in addition to their preferred prey. Micraspis discolor is the most abundant species of coccinellid in rice ecosystems and touted as a biocontrol option for brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stal), a key pest of rice. However, it has been reported as both entomophagous and phytophagous. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was used to separate esterases from whole‐body homogenates of Micraspis and its prey viz., green leafhopper (GLH) Nephotettix virescens (Distant), BPH N. lugens, whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) Sogatella furcifera (Horvath), aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L., thrips, Haplothrips sp., and pollen. Field‐collected beetles showed a range of bands, some corresponding with pollen and GLH, while others were different from prey offered, indicating a wider range of prey spectrum than envisaged. Feeding preference studies confirmed a preference for pollen and GLH in no‐choice (H = 20.724; P = 0.001) and multiple‐choice tests (H = 20.52; P < 0.001) and a significant preference for pollen over all insects offered in the paired‐choice test (t = 5.099; P = 0.007). The abundance of adult M. discolor in rice at flowering phase does not correspond to prey abundance in the field but rather reflects an inclination to pollen feeding more than entomophagy.
Tissue distribution of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus serotype Sp in naturally infected cultured rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum): an immunohistochemical and nested‐PCR study
Authors: Ahmadi N , Oryan A , Akhlaghi M , Hosseini A 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis study investigates the occurrence and distribution pattern of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) within the pancreas, liver, kidney and spleen of naturally infected cultured rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), using immunohistochemistry (IHC). A nested PCR was also employed to confirm the presence of the virus in the pooled tissues of the specimens. All the examined tissues except spleen were immunohistochemically positive for IPNV, but staining intensity and distribution pattern varied. The kidney tubules had the most intense and widespread staining by IHC, indicating a specific tissue tropism at least for this particular serotype. The nucleotide sequence had the greatest identity with the Sp serotype confirming the presence of the nucleic acid of IPNV in the pooled tissues. Based on the present findings, it could be concluded that the absence of lesions consistent with infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) disease in the H&E‐stained sections cannot rule out the presence of the IPNV, and the use of an alternative rapid confirmatory method such as IHC with formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue sections is helpful for the final diagnosis of IPN in rainbow trout.
Current and Emerging Technology Approaches in Genomics
Authors: Conley Yvette P. , Biesecker Leslie G. , Gonsalves Stephen , Merkle Carrie J. , Kirk Maggie , Aouizerat Bradley E. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPurpose: To introduce current and emerging approaches that are being utilized in the field of genomics so the reader can conceptually evaluate the literature and appreciate how these approaches are advancing our understanding of health‐related issues.Organizing Construct: Each approach is described and includes information related to how it is advancing research, its potential clinical utility, exemplars of current uses, challenges related to technologies used for these approaches, and when appropriate information related to understanding the evidence base for clinical utilization of each approach is provided. Web‐based resources are included for the reader who would like more in‐depth information and to provide opportunity to stay up to date with these approaches and their utility.Conclusions: The chosen approaches—genome sequencing, genome‐wide association studies, epigenomics, and gene expression—are extremely valuable approaches for collecting research data to help us better understand the pathophysiology of a variety of health‐related conditions, but they are also gaining in utility for clinical assessment and testing purposes.Clinical Relevance: Our increased understanding of the molecular underpinnings of disease will assist with better development of screening tests, diagnostic tests, tests that allow us to prognosticate, tests that allow for individualized treatments, and tests to facilitate post‐treatment surveillance.
An Update of Childhood Genetic Disorders
Authors: Prows Cynthia A. , Hopkin Robert J. , Barnoy Sivia , Van Riper Marcia 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPurpose: Thousands of single gene, mitochondrial, and chromosomal disorders have been described in children. The purpose of this article is twofold. The first is to increase nurses’ awareness of new developments in genetic disorders that are commonly seen in practice and taught in schools of nursing. The second is to illustrate important genetic concepts of relevance to nurses who care for infants, children, or adolescents.Organizing Construct: This article is organized into four sections: one that describes new developments in a well‐known disorder, a second that discusses the process and potential outcomes of diagnosing a very rare disorder, and the third and fourth sections that describe select conditions caused by single gene mutations.Methods: Clinical expertise was paired with literature review to present evidence‐based current information. Implications for nursing practice are highlighted throughout the article. Citations of publicly available evidence‐based online resources are used so nurses can continue to use these in their practices.Findings: Diagnosis and treatment strategies for children with genetic disorders are rapidly changing. While it is impossible to stay current in all disorders, resources are available to help nurses provide evidence‐based care to children with genetic disorders.Clinical Relevance: Nurses have an important role in the early identification of children with genetic disorders and in facilitating their access to appropriate services and resources. Nurses can also help families understand why genetic testing may be necessary and assure families are informed throughout the process.
Health promotion in mental health care: perceptions from patients and mental health nurses
Authors: Verhaeghe Nick , De Maeseneer Jan , Maes Lea , Van Heeringen Cornelis , Annemans Lieven 
Published: January 2013

Aims and objectivesTo gain insight into the factors influencing the integration of physical activity and healthy eating into the daily care of individuals with mental disorders (MD) living in sheltered housing and to increase the understanding of the relationships between and complexities of these factors.BackgroundGrowing attention is given to the implementation of health promotion activities in mental health care. By improving the understanding of perceptions of patients and mental health nurses, health promotion programmes targeting physical activity and healthy eating can be developed that better meet the patients' needs.DesignA descriptive qualitative study.MethodsBased on a purposive sampling strategy, three focus groups including 17 mental health nurses and individual interviews with 15 patients were conducted.ResultsAlthough physical and mental health benefits of physical activity and healthy eating were identified, several barriers to integrate healthy lifestyles into the daily life of patients were reported. Important barriers identified by the patients consisted of lack of energy and motivation as a result of the MD, side effects of psychotropic drug use, and hospitalisation. Lack of time and personal views and attitudes towards health promotion were reported by the mental health nurses as important elements influencing the way in which they integrate health promotion in the care provided. Support from the mental health nurse was considered important by the patients in changing their unhealthy lifestyle behaviour.ConclusionsThe results of the study provide insight into important factors influencing the integration of health promotion activities targeting physical activity and healthy eating in individuals with MD living in sheltered housing.Relevance to clinical practiceThe information derived from this study is useful and relevant in the design and implementation of health promotion interventions targeting physical activity and healthy eating in people with MD living in sheltered housing.
Leak around endotracheal tubes in ventilated newborns: An observational study
Authors: Brinsmead Tammy Lee , Inglis Garry Donald Trevor , Ware Robert S 
Published: January 2013

AimThe study aims to determine the incidence and magnitude of leak around endotracheal tubes (ETTs) in ventilated babies in our unit, and to identify any relationship between weight, gestation, head position or ETT tip position, and the amount of leak.MethodsVentilated infants in the neonatal unit of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital were observed. Data were collected on ETT size, ventilator settings, body position, head position and amount of leak. Also recorded were weight, post‐menstrual age and radiological position of the ETT tip.ResultsTwo hundred ninety‐six sets of data were collected from 60 infants. At the time of recruitment, infants had a median (interquartile range) post‐menstrual age of 32+3 (28+4–36+3) years. Minimal leak (defined as <10% measured leak) and a small leak (10–25% leak) were observed on 162 occasions (55%) and 77 occasions (26%), respectively. A large leak of more than 25% was observed on 57 (19%) occasions. The odds of having a large leak with the head turned to the right, or midline, was greater than with the head turned to the left (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.0 to 4.1 and 6.8; 1.4 to 31.5, respectively). Infants lying prone were more likely than those lying supine to have a leak >25% (odds ratio = 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 3.8). There was no association between leak and distance from carina, or weight.ConclusionsFew babies in our unit had a large leak around the ETT, and many had minimal leak. A leak was less likely when a baby's head was turned to the left. Further study is required to clarify the reasons for this. Weight and post‐menstrual age were not associated with the extent of leak.
Market Games in Successive Oligopolies
Authors: GABSZEWICZ JEAN , LAUSSEL DIDIER , VAN YPERSELE TANGUY , ZANAJ SKERDILAJDA 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis paper introduces a new approach to successive oligopolies. We draw on market games à la Shapley–Shubik to examine how successive oligopolies operate between downstream and upstream markets when the input price is determined by the action of all firms, downstream and upstream both. This approach differs from the classical one as it allows us to consider downstream firms that exercise market power both in both downstream and upstream markets. We perform a comparison of the market outcome with each scenarios as well as a welfare analysis.
The Role of Income Effects in Early Retirement
Authors: CONDE‐RUIZ JOSÉ IGNACIO , GALASSO VINCENZO , PROFETA PAOLA 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe provide a long‐term perspective on the individual retirement behavior and on the future of retirement by emphasizing the role of (negative) income effects. We consider a political economic theoretical framework, with actuarially “fair” and “unfair” early retirement schemes, and derive a political equilibrium with positive social security contribution rates and early retirement. A reduction in the wages in youth, consistent with the recent labor market trends since the massive introduction of temporary jobs, induces workers to postpone retirement, and—in the “unfair” system—leads to lower contribution rates. A reduction in the growth rate of the economy has opposite effects on the retirement decisions, leading—in the “unfair” system—to more early retirement. Aging induces a negative income effect, but has also an opposite political effect on social security contributions and retirement decisions. For an actuarially “fair” social security system, we provide conditions for the political effect to dominate; in an “unfair” scheme, numerical simulations confirm a slight predominance of the political effect, as contribution rates increase. These results may shed some light on the future of early retirement in aging societies.
A Simple Supermodular Mechanism that Implements Lindahl Allocations
Authors: VAN ESSEN MATTHEW J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis paper introduces a new incentive‐compatible mechanism which, for general preference environments, implements Lindahl allocations as Nash equilibria. We provide an example that having a mechanism induce a supermodular game is not typically sufficient to guarantee dynamic stability of equilibrium. However, for the new mechanism, inducing a supermodular game guarantees that the best reply mapping is a contraction. Thus, this new mechanism provides a connection between the desirable welfare properties of Lindahl allocations and the theoretical/convergence properties of games whose best reply mappings are a contraction.
Fusarium Species Isolated from Common Weeds in Eggplant Fields and Symptomless Hosts of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae in Turkey
Authors: Altinok Hacer Handan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThirteen species of weed plants were collected between May and September in 2010 and 2011 from eggplant fields representing 11 distinct locations covering a wide geographical area of Turkey. Weeds are potential hosts of many plant pathogens and may not exhibit disease symptoms when colonized. Fusarium spp. were isolated from five monocotyledonous species and eight dicotyledonous species. A total of 212 isolates recovered from weeds were assigned to eight Fusarium species on the basis of morphological characteristics. F. oxysporum was the most frequently isolated species (29.7%), followed by F. solani (19.8%), F. graminearum (13.7%), F. verticillioides (12.7%), F.equiseti (9.9%), F. avenacearum (8.0%), F. proliferatum (3.8%) and F. subglutinans (2.4%). The F. oxysporum isolates from different weed hosts were characterized by means of pathogenicity and vegetative compatibility grouping (VCG) tests. Among these, 29 isolates were found to be pathogenic to eggplant cv. Kemer and re‐isolated as Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. f. sp. melongenae (Fomg) as evidenced. These isolates from weed hosts were assigned to VCG 0320. This study is the first report of Fomg isolated from weeds in eggplant fields in Turkey. None of the weed species tested showed symptoms of wilting in pot experiments, and F. oxysporum was isolated with greater frequency from all inoculated weeds. The results of this study indicate that several weed plants may serve as alternative sources of inoculum for Fomg, during the growing season.
A brief 20‐item dental/medical health literacy screen (REALMD‐20)
Authors: Gironda Melanie , Der‐Martirosian Claudia , Messadi Diana , Holtzman Jennifer , Atchison Kathryn 
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectivesFew health literacy instruments are available to clinicians to help understand the implications of patient difficulty understanding health information. Those that do exist are lengthy and would not be conducive to use in a busy clinical setting. Long‐term dental and medical outcomes may improve if health care providers can identify individuals with low health literacy levels who may benefit from tailored communication, yet few instruments are available for clinical use. The purpose of this study is to introduce a brief 20‐item screener for limited dental/medical health literacy among adult dental patients.MethodsTwo‐hundred adult patients seeking treatment at a dental clinic in a large medical complex completed a health literacy screening instrument and survey. Steps in the development of the 20‐item instrument are described. Comparison of the 20‐item dental/medical instrument with other health literacy measures are calculated using mean health literacy scores, tests of reliability and readability, and correlation coefficients.ResultsScores on the brief 20‐item measure varied significantly by race, education level, language use, needing help with medical/health materials forms. Those with lower dental/medical health literacy, as measured by the REALMD‐20 were less likely to receive regular follow‐up care than those with higher literacy.ConclusionsThe REALMD‐20 is a quick screening instrument that can be used by clinicians to detect limited dental/medical health literacy among adult patients seeking treatment in dental/medical clinic settings.
Shortages of systemic antibiotics in the USA: how long can we wait?
Authors: Balkhi Bander , Araujo-Lama Lita , Seoane-Vazquez Enrique , Rodriguez-Monguio Rosa , Szeinbach Sheryl L , Fox Erin R 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Objectives
Drug shortages have risen steadily in the USA. Systemic antibiotics are most frequently in short supply raising concerns about public health safety and patient care. We sought to assess the prevalence and characteristics of systemic antibiotics in short supply as reported by federal agencies and private healthcare providers in the USA on 1 June 2011.

Methods
Data derived from the US Food and Drug Administration, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Brigham and Women's Hospital. The units of analysis were active ingredient(s) and route of administration.

Key findings
Overall, 18 antibiotic active ingredients, with 20 routes of administration, were in short supply on 1 June 2011. The prevalence varied from 5.7% reported by the Food and Drug Administration and Brigham and Women's Hospital to 28.3% reported by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Injectable antibiotics had the highest (28.3%) level of shortage. Shortages occurred because of problems with manufacturing (35.0%) and raw materials (15%.0), and for unknown reasons (45.0%). The average duration of the shortages was 591.7 ± 304.9 days.

Conclusions
Over one-fifth of the systemic antibiotics (one-quarter of the injectables) marketed in the USA were reported to be in short supply on 1 June 2011. One-half of the shortages were attributed to problems with manufacturing and raw materials although reasons for shortages are often unknown.
Changes in use of antidiabetic medications following price regulations in China (1999–2009)
Authors: Lu Christine Y , Ross-Degnan Dennis , Stephens Peter , Liu Bao , Wagner Anita K 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Pharmaceutical expenditures are a major burden in China, partly because of pharmaceutical sales covering hospital operating costs, so a series of reductions in maximum retail prices of specific products, including antidiabetic medications, have been implemented. This is the first large-scale, longitudinal study evaluating effects of two rounds of price regulations on use of antidiabetic medications.

Methods
We used quarterly purchasing data collected by IMS Health from more than 1000 hospitals in China (1999–2009). We used interrupted time-series analysis to assess changes in the population-adjusted market volume of insulin and oral hypoglycaemic products and in the percentage market share of price-regulated products following price regulations implemented in December 2001 and December 2006.

Results
After the 2001 price regulation, there was a significant increase in market volume trend of insulin products (0.06 standard units/1000 population/quarter; 95% confidence interval: 0.04–0.08); utilisation of oral hypoglycaemic products remained stable. After the 2006 price regulation, there were significant increases in the market volume trend of both insulin products (0.18 standard units/1000 population/quarter; 0.12–0.23) and oral hypoglycaemic products (10.31 standard units/1000 population/quarter; 5.65–14.98). Market share of price-regulated insulin and oral hypoglycaemic products did not change significantly after either price regulation.

Conclusion
Our results indicate that lowering the retail prices of specific products was associated with increases in total per capita utilisation of antidiabetic medications without shifts in use between non- and price-regulated products. Broad volume increases suggest access to antidiabetic medications by additional people, increased use by those with prior access, or both.