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Correction to: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2014) 68, 517-525; doi:10.l038/ejcn.2014.18;published online 26 February 2014 Since publication, the authors have found an SAS coding error in the LDL-cholesterol calculation. The [...]

INTRODUCTION The dietary intake and metabolism of fatty acids (FAs) is believed to have an important role in the etiology of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [...], BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Blood proportions of fatty acids (FAs) and FA-ratios reflecting desaturase activity are associated with the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular diseases. Biomarkers of dyslipidemia are considered as potential mediators of this association. We evaluated associations of erythrocyte membrane proportions of individual disease-related polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), trans-FAs, dairy-derived saturated FAs (SFAs) (15:0, 17:0) and FA-ratios with biomarkers of dyslipidemia (high-density lipoprotein (HDL)- cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides). SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a subsample (n = 1759) of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam study. Associations of individual FAs and FA-ratios with plasma biomarkers of dyslipidemia were evaluated by linear multivariable regression. RESULTS: Most notably, FA-ratios reflecting activity of Δ6-desaturase (D6D) and stearoyl-coenzyme A- desaturase (SCD) were positively associated with triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol concentrations (adjusted means (95% confidence interval (CI)) of triglycerides (mg/dl) across D6D tertiles: men--102 (94.7-110), 111 (104-120), 144 (134- 156) and women--73.5 (70.0-77.2), 82.9 (79.0-86.9), 94.2 (89.7-98.9));across SCD tertiles: men--99.0 (91.8-107), 115 (107-124), 144 (134-156) and women--72.4 (69.0-76.0), 81.5 (77.8-85.5), 97.2 (92.6-102)), whereas inverse associations with triglycerides were observed for the estimated A5-desaturase (D5D) activity (adjusted means (95% CI) of triglycerides (mg/dl) across D5D tertiles: men--128 (119-138), 121 (113-131), 106 (97.9-114) and women--92.0 (87.6- 96.6), 82.8 (78.9-86.9), 75.3 (71.6-79.1), P-values for trend at least 0.0006). Furthermore, we observed generally weaker and less consistent associations of dairy-derived SFAs (mainly 17:0) with triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol. Individual PUFAs and frans-FAs were, if at all, only weakly associated with dyslipidemia markers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol concentrations may be mediators that link intake and metabolism of FAs to metabolic risk. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2014) 68, 517-525; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2014.18; published online 26 February 2014

Physicians appear to be working to bring their office laboratories into compliance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 regulations. The first CLIA rule was published by the Health Care Financing Administration in 1990. Additional rules have since been published and at least two more rules are due to be published in 1994. The rules govern fees, classify tests by complexity levels and specify quality control procedures. The non-profit Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) offers accreditation and educational services to physicians and their laboratory staff. COLA accreditation can be used for CLIA certification. COLA found that 5% of 562 offices surveyed between 1992 and 1993 have serious deficiencies in meeting CLIA standards. Many laboratories are deficient in a number of areas. COLA believes that most of the problems stem from a lack of understanding of CLIA regulations.

The influence of graphene islands on the electronic structure of the Ir(111) surface is investigated. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) indicates the presence of a two-dimensional electron gas with a binding energy of --160 meV and an effective mass of -- 0.18me underneath single-layer graphene on the Ir(111) surface. Density functional calculations reveal that the STS features are predominantly due to a holelike surface resonance of the Ir(111) substrate. Nanometer-sized graphene islands act as local gates, which shift and confine the surface resonance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between ego identity status and early memory themes in an effort to detect possible phases in the process of ego structuralization during late adolescence. Subjects were 73 late adolescents (39 women and 34 men) who had been first year university students two years previously. Each subject was given Marcia's (1966) Identity Status Interview and an Early Memories Interview designed to elicit world view orientation (Gushurst, 1971). Identity achievements most frequently expressed themes of moving contentedly alone or alongside significant others, while themes of moving away from the familiar were most common among moratoriums. Seeking security and support from significant others or familiar settings were most prevalent themes for foreclosures, while desire for relatedness was the most frequently occurring theme for diffusions. Statuses did not differ in frequency of themes expressing conflict. Consistent with observations of Mahler et al., (1975) on subphases of infant differentiation, results of this study point to similar processes as adolescents relinquish, rather than incorporate, parental introjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was designed to explore a series of questions raised by previous developmental, gender, and congruence studies of ego identity status interview domains. A total of 76 late adolescent New Zealanders participated in identity status interviews following their first assessments two years previously. Results provide some support for a "focal model" of domain resolution, whereby psychosocial identity issues are addressed sequentially rather than concurrently. Few sex differences emerged in either developmental patterns of change or in the salience of interview components. The use of domain ratings in ways suggested by this study would allow a clearer picture of the identity formation process to emerge in future identity status research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study partially replicates and extends the work of Rogow et al. (1983) in probing the relative importance of Ego Identity Status Interview components for both sexes. Eighty female and sixty male students attending a New Zealand university were given the Ego Identity Status Interview with identity components of occupation, religion, politics, and sex role beliefs presented in counterbalanced order. Subjects were then asked to rank components in order of importance to their sense of identity and additional identity contents were explored through open-ended questions. This investigation revealed few sex differences in terms of number of content areas having a common rating, hit rates between single or paired content areas and overall identity ratings, rank order for importance of identity contents, or reported areas of additional identity concerns. In support of Rogow findings, this study suggests that identity not be viewed as a unitary structure and encourages the reporting of both component and overall identity status ratings to allow a more comprehensive means of researching the identity formation process. In general, the identity status approach provides a useful model for clinical research of ego synthesis in late adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess clinician perceptions towards the value and implementation of antibiotic stewardship (AS) in neonatal intensive care units (NICU)., Study Design: We performed a mixed-methods study of AS perceptions (prescribing appropriateness, importance, activity, capacity) using surveys and interviews in 30 California NICUs before and after a multicenter collaborative (Optimizing Antibiotic Use in California NICUs [OASCN])., Results: Pre-OASCN, 24% of respondents felt there was "a lot of" or "some" inappropriate prescribing, often driven by fear of a bad outcome or reluctance to change existing practice. Clinicians reported statistically significant increases in AS importance (71 v 79%), perceived AS activity (67 v 87%), and more openness to change after OASCN (59 v 70%). We identified other concerns that lessen AS effort., Conclusion: OASCN increased perceived AS activity and openness to change in AS practices among NICU prescribers. Greater attention to subjective concerns should augment AS improvement., (© 2023. The Author(s).)