Retraction: Effects of a transtheoretical model–based exercise stage–matched intervention on exercise behaviour and quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease: a randomized controlled trial

The above article from Journal of Advanced Nursing, published online on 26th June 2014 in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ) has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor‐in‐Chief and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to considerable overlap with the following papers: Zhu L.‐X., Ho S.‐C., Sit J.W.H., He H.‐G. (2014) Effect of a transtheoretical model‐based stage‐matched exercise intervention on exercise behavior and angina in patients with coronary heart disease: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000162 . Zhu L.‐X., Ho S.‐C., Sit J.W.H., He H.‐G. (2014) The effects of a transtheoretical model‐based exercise stage‐matched intervention on exercise behavior in patients with coronary heart disease: A randomized controlled trial. Patient Education and Counseling 95, 384–392. Reference Zhu L‐X., Ho S‐C., Sit J.W.H. & He H‐G. (2014) Effects of a transtheoretical model–based exercise stage–matched intervention on exercise behaviour and quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing. doi: 10.1111/jan.12469     

The effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on human orbital preadipocyte

Purpose: To investigate the presence of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR) in human orbital preadipocytes, and to evaluate the effect of VEGF on human orbital preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in vitro.Results: Four isoforms of VEGF (VEGF121, 155, 189, and 206), VEGFR-1, VEGF-2, and neuropilin-1 were expressed in human orbital preadipocytes. Treatment with 100 ng/ml VEGF induced higher expressions of C/EBPα and LPL than the non-treated control (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01) or treatment with 50ng/ml (p = 0.04 for both). At both concentrations VEGF enhanced the accumulation of intra-cytoplasmic lipid versus the control, and treatment with 100 ng/ml VEGF induced more lipid accumulation than treatment with 50 ng/ml VEGF (p = 0.03).Conclusions: VEGF and VEGFR were observed in human orbital preadipocytes, and exogenous VEGF enhanced adipogenesis in these cells. These results suggest that VEGF plays a role as an autocrine or paracrine growth factor during human orbital preadipocyte differentiation.     

Characteristics of single ocular motor nerve palsy associated with anti-GQ1b antibody

Journal of Neurology - To define the prevalence and characteristics of single ocular motor nerve palsy (OMNP) associated with positive serum anti-GQ1b antibody. We performed a prospective...     

Assessment of masticatory function in patients with non‐sagittal occlusal discrepancies

Non‐sagittal occlusal discrepancies such as posterior cross‐bite and anterior openbite are common types of malocclusion, but studies on masticatory function related to those malocclusions have been scarce. The aim of this study was to quantify the masticatory performance in patients with non‐sagittal discrepancies compared to those with normal occlusion, using both objective and subjective measures. Maximum bite force and contact area using Dental Prescale^® system as a static objective assessment, Mixing Ability Index (MAI) as a dynamic objective evaluation and food intake ability (FIA) as a subjective assessment were analysed from 21 people in normal occlusion (Group N) and 64 patients with posterior cross‐bite (Group C), anterior openbite (Group O) or both (Group B). The differences of the maximum bite force, the contact area, the MAI and the FIA were compared, and their correlations were figured out. The non‐sagittal malocclusion groups showed lower values in the maximum bite force, the contact area, the MAI and the FIA compared to those in the normal group (P < 0·0001). Compared to Group N, Groups C, O and B showed 61·5%, 42·1% and 40·1% of the maximum bite force, and 84%, 84% and 76% of hard food FIA, respectively. However, there were no significant differences among Groups C, O and B. The MAI showed higher correlation with the FIA (r = 0·38, P < 0·01), than with the maximum bite force and the contact area (both r = 0·24, P < 0·5). These results revealed that masticatory function in patients with non‐sagittal discrepancies is significantly reduced both objectively and subjectively.     

Continuous measurement of intra‐oral pH and temperature: development,validation of an appliance and a pilot study

To describe a novel approach for continuous measurement of intra‐oral pH and temperature in individuals carrying out normal daily activities over 24 h. We designed, validated and constructed a custom‐made appliance fitted with a pH probe and a thermocouple. Six subjects wore the appliance over a 24‐h period for two non‐consecutive days, while the intra‐oral pH and temperature were measured continuously and recorded. Intra‐oral pH and temperature were very similar across different recording days, the difference being not statistically significant (P ≥ 0·14). There was a noticeable difference in the pattern of variation of pH between day and night. During the day, the mean pH was 7·3 (±0·4) and dropped markedly only after consumption of acidic food and drinks. The intra‐oral pH decreased slowly during sleep with an average pH of 6·6 (±0·4) being recorded. The difference between day and night was statistically significant (P = 0·002). The mean intra‐oral temperature was 33·9 °C (±0·9) during daytime and 35·9 °C (±0·5) during sleep (P = 0·013) with minor fluctuations occurring over 24 h. The continuous and simultaneous intra‐oral pH and temperature measurement system described in this report is reliable, easy to construct, able to measure variables over a sustained period and may serve as a future diagnostic tool in a number of applications.