The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Quality of Life scale (PCOSQOL): Development and preliminary validation

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder amongst women, which can negatively impact quality of life. Research proposes that a more sensitive PCOS quality of life measure is needed. This study aims to develop and initially validate a quality of life scale for women with the condition in the United Kingdom. Women with PCOS (n = 714) took part in the development and initial validation of the 35-item polycystic ovary syndrome quality of life scale (PCOSQOL)(α = .95). Subscales include Impact of PCOS (α = .95), Infertility (α = .95), Hirsutism (α = .97) and Mood (α = .89). The PCOSQOL scale represents aspects of quality of life important to women with PCOS and may be more sensitive for use in the clinical and research settings

Optimistic irrationality and overbidding in private value auctions

Bidding one’s value in a second-price, private-value auction is a weakly dominant solution (Vickrey in J Finance 16(1):8–37, 1961), but repeated experimental studies find more overbidding than underbidding. We propose a model of optimistically irrational bidders who understand that there are possible gains and losses associated with higher bids but who may overestimate the additional probability of winning and/or underestimate the potential losses when bidding above value. These bidders may fail to discover the dominant strategy—despite the fact that the dominant strategy only requires rationality from bidders—but respond in a common sense way to out-of-equilibrium outcomes. By varying the monetary consequences of losing money in experimental auctions we observe more overbidding when the cost to losing money is low, and less overbidding when the cost is high. Our findings lend themselves to models in which less than fully rational bidders respond systematically to out-of-equilibrium incentives, and we find that our model better fits the effects of our manipulations than most of the existing models we consider

Antiepileptic drugs’ tolerability and safety – a systematic review and meta-analysis of adverse effects in dogs

<p>Various anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are used for the management of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in dogs. Their safety profile is an important consideration for regulatory bodies, owners and prescribing clinicians. However, information on their adverse effects still remains limited with most of it derived from non-blinded non-randomized uncontrolled trials and case reports.</p><p><span>This poster won third place, which was presented at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 1-3, 2016. </span></p><br /> <img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/oa-icon.jpg" alt="Open Access" /

Soluble NgR Fusion Protein Modulates the Proliferation of Neural Progenitor Cells via the Notch Pathway

NogoA, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein are CNS myelin molecules that bind to the neuronal Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) and inhibit axon growth. The NgR antagonist, soluble NgR1-Fc protein (sNgR-Fc), facilitates axon regeneration by neutralizing the inhibitory effects of myelin proteins in experimental models of CNS injury. Here we aim to investigate the effect of sNgR-Fc on the proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). The hippocampus cells of embryonic rats were isolated and cultured in vitro. The expression of nestin, βIII-Tubulin, GFAP and Nogo-A on these cells was observed using immunocytochemistry. In order to investigate the effect on proliferation of NPCs, sNgR-Fc, MAG-Fc chimera and Notch1 blocker were added respectively. The total cell number for the proliferated NPCs was counted. BrdU was applied and the rate of proliferating cells was examined. The level of Notch1 was analyzed using Western blotting. We identified that NogoA is expressed in NPCs. sNgR-Fc significantly enhanced the proliferation of NPCs in vitro as indicated by BrdU labeling and total cell count. This proliferation effect was abolished by the administration of MAG suggesting specificity. In addition, we demonstrate that sNgR-Fc is a potent activator for Notch1 and Notch1 antagonist reversed the effect of sNgR-Fc on NPC proliferation. Our results suggest that sNgR-Fc may modulate Nogo activity to induce NPC proliferation via the Notch pathway

Spatio-temporal diffusion of residential land prices across Taipei regions

ABSTRACT: Past studies have shown that changes in the house price of a region may transmit to its neighbouring regions. The transmission mechanism may follow spatial and temporal diffusion processes. This paper investigates such regional housing market dynamics and interactions among local housing sub-markets in Taipei. The analysis is based on a panel data framework and spatial panel models using annual data on median residential land prices from 41 Taipei sub-markets over the period from 1992 to 2010. The empirical analysis suggests that spatial dependence plays a significant role in interactions among regional housing markets. The results are strongly robust across several model specifications and regions controlling for time fixed effects and space-time covariance. These findings have significant implications for urban spatial planning and efficient use of public resources in mega-urban areas. JEL CLASSIFICATIONS: C21; C23; R12; H5

Idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis in paediatrics: Report of a successfully treated case and a review of literature

A 6 year old female with symptoms of small bowel obstruction underwent an exploratory laparotomy which revealed widespread evidence of inflammatory fibrotic adhesions involving the jejunal mesentery. In view of persistent growth failure, chronic anaemia, elevated acute phase reactants and imaging evidence of a diffuse progressive inflammatory process, the child was treated with corticosteroids and methotrexate with complete response. The literature on juvenile idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis has been reviewed

Isospin symmetry in B(E2) values: Coulomb excitation study of Mg-21

The $T_z$~=~$-\frac{3}{2}$ nucleus ${}^{21}$Mg has been studied by Coulomb excitation on ${}^{196}$Pt and ${}^{110}$Pd targets. A 205.6(1)-keV $\gamma$-ray transition resulting from the Coulomb excitation of the $\frac{5}{2}^+$ ground state to the first excited $\frac{1}{2}^+$ state in ${}^{21}$Mg was observed for the first time. Coulomb excitation cross-section measurements with both targets and a measurement of the half-life of the $\frac{1}{2}^+$ state yield an adopted value of $B(E2;\frac{5}{2}^+\rightarrow\frac{1}{2}^+)$~=~13.3(4)~W.u. A new excited state at 1672(1)~keV with tentative $\frac{9}{2}^+$ assignment was also identified in ${}^{21}$Mg. This work demonstrates large difference of the $B(E2;\frac{5}{2}^+\rightarrow\frac{1}{2}^+)$ values between $T$~=~$\frac{3}{2}$, $A$~=~21 mirror nuclei. The difference is investigated in the shell-model framework employing both isospin conserving and breaking USD interactions and using modern \textsl{ab initio} nuclear structure calculations, which have recently become applicable in the $sd$ shell.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. C, Rapid Communicatio

Hyponatremia revisited: Translating physiology to practice

The complexity of hyponatremia as a clinical problem is likely caused by the opposite scenarios that accompany this electrolyte disorder regarding pathophysiology (depletional versus dilutional hyponatremia, high versus low vasopressin levels) and therapy (rapid correction to treat cerebral edema versus slow correction to prevent osmotic demyelination, fluid restriction versus fluid resuscitation). For a balanced differentiation between these opposites, an understanding of the pathophysiology of hyponatremia is required. Therefore, in this review an attempt is made to translate the physiology of water balance regulation to strategies that improve the clinical management of hyponatremia. A physiology-based approach to the patient with hyponatremia is presented, first addressing the possibility of acute hyponatremia, and then asking if and if so why vasopressin is secreted non-osmotically. Additional diagnostic recommendations are not to rely too heavily of the assessment of the extracellular fluid volume, to regard the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis as a diagnosis of exclusion, and to rationally investigate the pathophysiology of hyponatremia rather than to rely on isolated laboratory values with arbitrary cutoff values. The features of the major hyponatremic disorders are discussed, including diuretic-induced hyponatremia, adrenal and pituitary insufficiency, the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis, cerebral salt wasting, and exercise-associated hyponatremia. The treatment of hyponatremia is reviewed from simple saline solutions to the recently introduced vasopressin receptor antagonists, including their promises and limitations. Given the persistently high rates of hospital-acquired hyponatremia, the importance of improving the management of hyponatremia seems both necessary and achievable. Copyrigh

Decay spectroscopy of Cd-129

Excited states of $^{129}$In populated following the $\beta$-decay of $^{129}$Cd were experimentally studied with the GRIFFIN spectrometer at the ISAC facility of TRIUMF, Canada. A 480-MeV proton beam was impinged on a uranium carbide target and $^{129}$Cd was extracted using the Ion Guide Laser Ion Source (IG-LIS). $\beta$- and $\gamma$-rays following the decay of $^{129}$Cd were detected with the GRIFFIN spectrometer comprising the plastic scintillator SCEPTAR and 16 high-purity germanium (HPGe) clover-type detectors. %, along with the $\beta$-particles were detected with SCEPTAR. From the $\beta$-$\gamma$-$\gamma$ coincidence analysis, 32 new transitions and 7 new excited states were established, expanding the previously known level scheme of $^{129}$In. The $\log ft$ values deduced from the $\beta$-feeding intensities suggest that some of the high-lying states were populated by the $\nu 0 g_{7/2} \rightarrow \pi 0 g_{9/2}$ allowed Gamow-Teller (GT) transition, which indicates that the allowed GT transition is more dominant in the $^{129}$Cd decay than previously reported. Observation of fragmented Gamow-Teller strengths is consistent with theoretical calculations.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, to be published in Physical Review