bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Workplace violence against clinicians in Cypriot emergency departments: a national questionnaire survey
Authors: Vezyridis Paraskevas , Samoutis Alexis , Mavrikiou Petroula M 
Published: July 2014

Aims and objectivesTo identify perceived prevalence, characteristics, precipitating factors and suggestions for improving workplace violence in all nine public emergency departments in the Cyprus Republic.BackgroundWorkplace violence is a common phenomenon in emergency departments, but little is known about this phenomenon in Cyprus.DesignA retrospective cross‐sectional survey.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty of 365 emergency nurses (85·7%) and doctors (14·3%) participated in this study, of which 62% were female. Data were collected via a Greek language version of the Violent Incident Form. Additional questions examined perceived frequencies, encouragement for reporting, satisfaction with actions taken and suggestions for improvement. Descriptive analysis, chi‐square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to describe and associate characteristics with workplace prevalence.ResultsDuring the previous 12 months, the vast majority of nurses and doctors (76·2%) were exposed to verbal abuse (88·8%), mainly by relatives or friends of the patient (59·1%). Relatively inexperienced clinicians were at greater risk. Waiting time was identified as the most significant organisational factor. Alcohol intoxication, substance abuse and mental illness were individual factors for workplace violence. Severe underreporting (72·2%) and a belief that workplace violence is part of the work (74·1%) were also identified. Workplace violence was highly correlated with several factors, including a lack of encouragement for reporting, a feeling in advance that a violent incident was about to happen and having to handle the incident personally. Suggestions for improvement included more security measures (26·7%) and public education about the proper use of emergency services (15·2%).ConclusionVerbal abuse is common in Cypriot emergency departments, but clinicians are increasingly worried about physical assaults.Relevance to clinical practiceTraining, security policies, encouragement of reporting and support for staff after a violent incident are needed. Future research should try to include the perpetrator's viewpoint.
Innovation processes and team effectiveness: The role of goal clarity and commitment, and team affective tone
Authors: Peralta Carlos Ferreira , Lopes Paulo Nuno , Gilson Lucy L. , Lourenço Paulo Renato , Pais Leonor 
Published: July 2014

Using two distinct samples, this research unpacks the relationships between team innovation processes and effectiveness (measured as performance and reputation). Furthermore, we examine the moderating role of two team emergent states: goal clarity and commitment, and affective tone. We find that the relationship between innovation processes and performance is moderated by goal clarity and commitment, such that the relationship is more strongly positive when goal clarity and commitment is high. Conversely, innovation processes are more positively related to reputation when teams have lower levels of negative affective tone. Implications for research on innovation processes, emergent states, and effectiveness are discussed along with implications for practice.Practitioner points

Innovation processes are beneficial for both team performance and reputation. However, these effects are influenced by the way team members view their goals and the emotions they experience in the team, respectively.

We find that the effect of innovation processes on team performance is stronger when team objectives are clear and members are committed to their goals. The relationship between innovation processes and team reputation is weakened when team members experience negative affect.

The findings, observed in both call centre and roller hockey teams, highlight that for the relationship between innovation and effectiveness to be positive, it is important to provide clear goals and manage team affect.
Decreased expression of glutathione S‐transferase pi correlates with poorly differentiated grade in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ma Hai‐long , Yu Cong , Liu Ying , Tan Yi‐ran , Qiao Jin‐ke , Yang Xi , Wang Li‐zhen , Li Jiang , Chen Qiong , Chen Fu‐xiang , Zhang Zhi‐yuan , Zhong Lai‐ping 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundGlutathione S transferase pi (GSTP1) is a member of phase II detoxification enzymes as a major regulator of cell signaling in response to stress, hypoxia, growth factors, and other stimuli. The clinical role of GSTP1 in cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum GSTP1 level in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the GSTP1 expression in tissue samples from patients with OSCC and OSCC lines.MethodsOne hundred and sixty‐six patients with OSCC and 120 normal persons were used to screen potential serum peptide biomarkers using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). Serum GSTP1 concentration was detected in 18 patients with OSCC and 18 normal persons using ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect GSTP1 expression in tissue samples from twenty‐eight OSCC patients. Western blot and real‐time PCR were used to detect GSTP1 expression in nine OSCC lines.ResultsDecreased GSTP1 concentration was found in the patients with OSCC compared with the normal persons by MALDI‐TOF‐MS, which was then confirmed by ELISA (P = 0.019). Decreased GSTP1 mRNA level and protein expression were also found in the OSCC lines. Decreased GSTP1 expression was found correlating with pathological differentiation grade in the tissue samples from OSCC patients, a lower GSTP1 expression indicating a poorer pathological differentiation grade (P = 0.041).ConclusionsThese results suggest that decreased GSTP1 expression in patients with OSCC and a lower GSTP1 expression indicating a poorer pathological differentiation grade in OSCC tissue samples.
Toll‐like receptors ‐4 and ‐5 in oral and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Ahmed Haji Omar Abdirisak , Korvala Johanna , Haglund Caj , Virolainen Susanna , Häyry Valtteri , Atula Timo , Kontio Risto , Rihtniemi Jarmo , Pihakari Antti , Sorsa Timo , Hagström Jaana , Salo Tuula 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a worse prognosis than cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Toll‐like receptor‐ 4 (TLR‐4) and TLR‐5 are transmembrane proteins that recognize endogenous and microbial agents. Their activation has been connected to cancer invasion.ObjectiveThe aim was to study the expression of TLR‐4 and TLR‐5 in OSCC and CSCC samples, and the effects of TLR‐5 ligand flagellin on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of different mucocutaneous cell lines in vitro.MethodsSamples of early‐stage tumors (T1‐T2N0M0) from 63 patients with OSCC and CSCC were obtained, in addition to eight normal mucosa and skin tissues from healthy subjects. Oral‐cavity‐derived highly aggressive HSC‐3, less invasive SAS, and HPV‐transformed benign IHGK as well as C‐ha‐ras‐transformed (HaCat) skin carcinoma II‐4 and non‐invasive A5 cell lines were used. Flagellin‐induced mucocutaneous cell lines were compared by using BrdU‐proliferation, scratch migration, and myoma organotypic invasion assays.ResultsTLR‐4 expression was similar in OSCC and CSCC tumors. TLR‐5 was more abundant in OSCC than in CSCC samples. Flagellin induced the proliferation of SAS, II‐4 and A5, migration of IHGK, II‐4 and A5, and the invasion of II‐4 cells. It had no effect on HSC‐3 cells.ConclusionsFlagellin, a TLR‐5 agonist, induced the migration and invasion of less aggressive mucocutaneous cell lines, but it had no effect on the most invasive oral carcinoma cells. The more aggressive clinical behavior of OSCC compared to CSCC may partially be related to the differences in the expression of TLR‐5 in these malignancies.
Hyperthermia inhibited the migration of tongue squamous cell carcinoma through TWIST2
Authors: Tang Ya‐ling , Jiang Jian , Liu Jeffrey , Zheng Min , He Yong‐wen , Chen Wei , Fan Yun‐long , Chen Qian‐ming , Liao Chu‐hang , Liang Xin‐hua 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundHyperthermia has been shown promising in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, the mechanism underlying hyperthermia reducing tumor metastasis is poorly elucidated. TWIST2, an important transcription factor of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), plays a critical role in the tumor progression and metastasis. The role of TWIST2 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and its association with hyperthermia still have not been reported.MethodThe correlations between TWIST2 expression and the clinical‐pathologic characteristics of 89 patients with TSCC were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. TSCC cell lines transfected with siRNA against TWIST2 were heated for 40 min at 42.5°C, and the migration capability of cells was examined by migration assay. Xenograft tumors in nude mice were treated by hyperthermia, and TWIST2 expression was measured.ResultsOur data showed that TWIST2 expression was associated with the metastasis of human TSCC. In Tca8113 and Cal‐27 cells, TWIST2‐siRNA treatment can reduce cell migration ability and has no effect on the cell proliferation and apoptosis. Hyperthermia can decrease the level of TWIST2 in TSCC and inhibit the migration of cells.ConclusionsThis demonstrated that hyperthermia might decrease the migration of Tca8113 and Cal‐27 cells by reducing TWIST2 expression. Altogether, these findings suggest an as yet undescribed link between TWIST2 and hyperthermia in TSCC.
Prepenetration and Penetration of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides into Guava Fruit (Psidium guajava L.): Effects of Temperature, Wetness Period and Fruit Age
Authors: Moraes Sylvia Raquel Gomes , Escanferla Maria Eugenia , Massola Nelson Sidnei 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIn this study, we determined the influences of temperature, wetness period and guava fruit age on infection caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Optimal temperatures in vitro for germination, appressoria formation and melanization were 22.7, 20.6 and 23°C, respectively. In vivo, the optimal temperatures for germination and appressoria formation were 22.5 and 23°C, respectively. Values for germination, appressoria formation and melanization were higher as the wetness period increased. There was no difference in conidial germination and appressorial formation on fruit of different ages. On the surface of 10‐, 35‐ and 60‐day‐old fruit, despite the high percentage of appressorial formation, there was no development of the penetration peg. Penetration pegs were only observed on the 85‐ and 110‐day‐old fruit. Thickness of the cuticle, size and architecture of epidermal and parenchymal cells, as well as the content of phenolic compounds changed as the fruit ripened.
A pilot randomised controlled trial of Problem‐Solving Treatment for Visual Impairment (POSITIVE): protocol paper
Authors: Riazi Afsane , Walters Kate , Rubin Gary , Ambler Gareth , Jichi Fatima , Mynors‐Wallis Laurence , O'Driscoll Miriam , Stephen Jacqueline , Aspden Trefor 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPurposeFor visually impaired individuals, motivation to be mobile and the individual's emotional states are predetermining factors of functioning. In addition, loss of confidence at the time of diagnosis could inhibit the ability to make progress. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether Problem‐Solving Treatment, a brief, structured psychological intervention, leads to better psychological well‐being in people who have been recently diagnosed as blind or partially sighted.MethodsA pilot randomised controlled trial: the trial aims to recruit 120 individuals who have either: (1) been diagnosed with severe, irreversible sight loss, or (2) registered as blind or partially sighted within the last 3 months. Individuals will be randomly allocated to either the intervention or control group with randomisation stratified by severity of vision loss. Those in the intervention arm will receive Problem‐Solving Treatment, an established intervention that addresses individual's confidence, motivation and psychological well‐being by undertaking specific tasks to help individuals work through their problems, and recognising steps to problem resolution. Both groups will continue to receive routine care, such as mobility training.Study OutcomesThe primary outcome is psychological well‐being measured at 3, 6, and 9 months after recruitment and assignment to intervention or control group. Secondary outcomes include symptoms of distress, mobility and quality of life.
Outcome of conjunctival flap repair for corneal defects with and without an acellular submucosa implant in 73 canine eyes
Authors: Dorbandt Daniel M. , Moore Phillip A. , Myrna Kathern E. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo report and compare the success rate of a conjunctival pedicle flap (CPF) alone vs. a CPF with an underlying acellular submucosa implant for the repair of deep or perforating corneal wounds in dogs.ProceduresRecords of 69 dogs (73 eyes) receiving a CPF with or without an acellular submucosa implant between 2004 and 2012 were reviewed. Successful outcome was defined as a comfortable eye with vision at the last post‐operative evaluation. Age, breed, underlying corneal disease, surgical time, lesion characteristics, topical therapies, and postoperative complications were investigated.ResultsGroups consisted of dogs that had a CPF alone (n = 37) and dogs that had a CPF plus an acellular submucosa implant (n = 36). Age, lesion size, surgical time, and time to discontinuation of topical anti‐proteolytic medications was not significant between groups. Topical antibiotic use was terminated 13 days sooner (P ≤ 0.01) in dogs with an acellular submucosa implant. The combined success rate of all corneal wounds was 93% with success rate of corneal perforations, descemetoceles, and deep stromal wounds being 89%, 95%, and 100%, respectively. There was no difference in overall success rate between groups. Increasing age was associated with a negative outcome (P ≤ 0.01). Lesion size, presence of a corneal perforation, and concurrent keratoconjunctivitis sicca was not associated with a negative outcome.ConclusionsA comparable success rate is achieved for deep or perforating corneal wounds stabilized with a CPF alone vs. a CPF plus acellular submucosa. Glaucoma, persistent uveitis, and cataract formation were not reported as post‐operative complications in this study population.
Characterizing the reflectivity of handheld display devices
Authors: Liu Peter , Badano Aldo 
Published: July 2014

Purpose:With increased use of handheld and tablet display devices for viewing medical images, methods for consistently measuring reflectivity of the devices are needed. In this note, the authors report on the characterization of diffuse reflections for handheld display devices including mobile phones and tablets using methods recommended by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 18 (TG18).Methods:The authors modified the diffuse reflectance coefficient measurement method outlined in the TG18 report. The authors measured seven handheld display devices (two phones and five tablets) and three workstation displays. The device was attached to a black panel with Velcro. To study the effect of the back surface on the diffuse reflectance coefficient, the authors created Styrofoam masks with different size square openings and placed it in front of the device. Overall, for each display device, measurements of illuminance and reflected luminance on the display screen were taken. The authors measured with no mask, with masks of varying size, and with display‐size masks, and calculated the corresponding diffuse reflectance coefficient.Results:For all handhelds, the diffuse reflectance coefficient measured with no back panel were lower than measurements performed with a mask. The authors found an overall increase in reflectivity as the size of the mask decreases. For workstations displays, diffuse reflectance coefficients were higher when no back panel was used, and higher than with masks. In all cases, as luminance increased, illuminance increased, but not at the same rate.Conclusions:Since the size of handheld displays is smaller than that of workstation devices, the TG18 method suffers from a dependency on illumination condition. The authors show that the diffuse reflection coefficients can vary depending on the nature of the back surface of the illuminating box. The variability in the diffuse coefficient can be as large as 20% depending on the size of the mask. For all measurements, both luminance and illuminance increased as the size of the display window decreased. The TG18 method does not account for this variability. The authors conclude that the method requires a definitive description of the back panel used in the light source setup. The methods described in the TG18 document may need to be improved to provide consistent comparisons of desktop monitors, phones, and tablets.
Model‐based CT performance assessment and optimization for iodinated and noniodinated imaging tasks as a function of kVp and body size
Authors: Samei Ehsan , Richard Samuel , Lurwitz Lynne 
Published: July 2014

Purpose:The goal of this study was to assess the comparative performance of iterative reconstruction in space (IRIS) and filtered back projection (FBP) reconstruction algorithms in terms of image quality and dose across kVps and phantom sizes.Methods:The ACR CT phantom (model 464) was supplemented with the addition of an iodinated spherical capsule (1.5 mm diameter, 3.4 mg iodine per ml) to simulate the contrast filled structures and with an additional circular attachment consisting of an array of 500 um brass beads for spatial resolution measurements. A larger sized phantom was also created by wrapping the original phantom with additional tissue equivalent material of 4 cm thickness. The phantoms were imaged on a 64 detector array multidetector computed tomography scanner (Somatom Definition, Siemens, Germany) using clinically applicable protocols (0.5 s rotation time; 80, 100, 120, and 140 kVp; 64 to 640 mA; 220 to 250 mm field of view). Images were reconstructed using the FBP and the IRIS algorithms. Combining measurements of image noise and spatial resolution with a task function, a figure of merit (FOM) for image quality was generated taking into account the type of visualization required from the image for the detection of either large or small image features with and without iodine content. The FOM was further reported in terms of area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AZ) to predict the comparative diagnostic performance of the two algorithms at different dose levels.Results:For a given dose level, the predicted AZ for IRIS consistently outperformed that of FBP. At comparative AZ, depending on protocol and task, the dose requirement for the optimal technique (optimized kVp with IRIS) was 2‐3 times lower than that for standard technique (120 kVp with FBP). The potential for dose reduction was found to be higher when performing small feature detection tasks in comparison to larger feature detection tasks. The optimal kVp was from 80 to 100 kVp for the small phantom, 100 to 120 kVp for the larger phantom.Conclusions:Overall, greater dose reduction may be achieved with IRIS compared to FBP, with enhanced advantage at thinner slice reconstructions. The results highlight how IRIS may offer a superior balance between image quality and dose across a range of imaging tasks, thus enabling dose reduction at constant quality or image quality improvement at constant dose. The prediction of the investigation can be used toward effective design of subsequent clinical studies.
Effects of Protocol Step Length on Biomechanical Measures in Swimming
Authors: Barbosa Tiago M. , de Jesus Kelly , Abraldes J. Arturo , Ribeiro João , Figueiredo Pedro , Vilas-Boas João Paulo , Fernandes Ricardo J. 
Published: July 2014

Background:The assessment of energetic and mechanical parameters in swimming often requires the use of an intermittent incremental protocol, whose step lengths are corner stones for the efficiency of the evaluation procedures.Purpose:To analyze changes in swimming kinematics and interlimb coordination behavior in 3 variants, with different step lengths, of an intermittent incremental protocol.Methods:Twenty-two male swimmers performed n × di variants of an intermittent and incremental protocol (n ≤ 7; d1 = 200 m, d2 = 300 m, and d3 = 400 m). Swimmers were videotaped in the sagittal plane for 2-dimensional kinematical analysis using a dualmedia setup. Video images were digitized with a motion-capture system. Parameters that were assessed included the stroke kinematics, the segmental and anatomical landmark kinematics, and interlimb coordination. Movement efficiency was also estimated.Results:There were no significant variations in any of the selected variables according to the step lengths. A high to very high relationship was observed between step lengths. The bias was much reduced and the 95%CI fairly tight.Conclusions:Since there were no meaningful differences between the 3 protocol variants, the 1 with shortest step length (ie, 200 m) should be adopted for logistical reasons.
Pantothenic Acid Biosynthesis in the Parasite Toxoplasma gondii: a Target for Chemotherapy
Authors: Mageed Sarmad N. , Cunningham Fraser , Hung Alvin Wei , Silvestre Hernani Leonardo , Wen Shijun , Blundell Tom L. , Abell Chris , McConkey Glenn A. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Toxoplasma gondii
is a major food pathogen and neglected parasitic infection that causes eye disease, birth defects, and fetal abortion and plays a role as an opportunistic infection in AIDS. In this study, we investigated pantothenic acid (vitamin B
5
) biosynthesis in
T. gondii
. Genes encoding the full repertoire of enzymes for pantothenate synthesis and subsequent metabolism to coenzyme A were identified and are expressed in
T. gondii
. A panel of inhibitors developed to target
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
pantothenate synthetase were tested and found to exhibit a range of values for inhibition of
T. gondii
growth. Two inhibitors exhibited lower effective concentrations than the currently used toxoplasmosis drug pyrimethamine. The inhibition was specific for the pantothenate pathway, as the effect of the pantothenate synthetase inhibitors was abrogated by supplementation with pantothenate. Hence,
T. gondii
encodes and expresses the enzymes for pantothenate synthesis, and this pathway is essential for parasite growth. These promising findings increase our understanding of growth and metabolism in this important parasite and highlight pantothenate synthetase as a new drug target.