bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motor learning in childhood reveals distinct mechanisms for memory retention and re-learning
Authors: Musselman Kristin E. , Roemmich Ryan T. , Garrett Ben , Bastian Amy J.
Published: April 2016

Adults can easily learn and access multiple versions of the same motor skill adapted for different conditions (e.g., walking in water, sand, snow). Following even a single session of adaptation, adults exhibit clear day-to-day retention and faster re-learning of the adapted pattern. Here, we studied the retention and re-learning of an adapted walking pattern in children aged 6–17 yr. We found that all children, regardless of age, showed adult-like patterns of retention of the adapted walking pattern. In contrast, children under 12 yr of age did not re-learn faster on the next day after washout had occurred—they behaved as if they had never adapted their walking before. Re-learning could be improved in younger children when the adaptation time on day 1 was increased to allow more practice at the plateau of the adapted pattern, but never to adult-like levels. These results show that the ability to store a separate, adapted version of the same general motor pattern does not fully develop until adolescence, and furthermore, that the mechanisms underlying the retention and rapid re-learning of adapted motor patterns are distinct.
Not quite there: skill consolidation in training by doing or observing
Authors: Maaravi Hesseg Rinatia , Gal Carmit , Karni Avi
Published: April 2016

We tested the notion that action observation engages learning processes and mnemonic representations overlapping with those engaged in actual performance. An identical number of training instances, actual performance, or observation, was afforded on a finger opposition sequence task. Both training modes resulted in immediate gains in performance, as well as in robust delayed, “off-line,” gains, indicating post-training consolidation. However, the expression of delayed gains could be blocked by the subsequent performance of a second sequence (post-training interference), but not by its observation. The mnemonic representations of “how-to” knowledge acquired from actual or observed movement may not overlap.
Testing the impact of career motivation on knowledge gained versus skills learned for a sample of personal/home care aide trainees
Authors: Blau Gary , Chapman Susan A. , Neri Melinda
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to distinguish knowledge gained vs skills learned as two learning-related training criteria; and to then test the impact of two career motivation variables, home care intent and stepping stone, for explaining these training criteria beyond controlled-for variables.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research used a sample of 720 personal/home care aides (P/HCAs) who filled out pre-training and post-training surveys. Training consisted of 25 modules, lasting approximately 100 hours on various P/HCA knowledge bases, with training sessions generally five to six hours/day, four to five days/week over a three to four week period. Factor analyses, correlation, and hierarchical regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– Results showed that these two learning outcomes, knowledge gained vs skills learned, could be differentiated and reliably measured. Subsequent hierarchical regression analyses showed additional discriminant validity for these two learning outcomes. For the two measured career motivation variables, home care intent and stepping stone, home care intent was positively related to both learning outcomes but stepping stone only had a significant positive impact on skills learned. Training delivery was significantly related only to knowledge gained, while instructor rating was significantly related only to skills learned.

Originality/value

– A unique sample of P/HCA trainees was utilized to test for this previously untested learning outcome distinction. As the population ages and demand increases for P/HCAs, additional training and studies evaluating such training will be needed.
The effect of demographic and personality characteristics on fashion shopping proneness
Authors: Roy Subhadip , Sethuraman Raj , Saran Rashmita
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The global fashion industry is growing at a rapid pace and developing nations such as India are emerging as major contributors to the same. In such case, most academics and marketers are interested in the variables that influence fashion shopping. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of consumer demographic and personality characteristics on fashion shopping proneness (FSP) in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 561 respondents using mall intercept survey method. Hypothesized relationships were assessed using multiple regression and structural equation modelling.

Findings

– Traditional view that younger and female consumers are more fashion prone than older and male consumers is validated. However, demographics accounted for only 9 per cent of the variance in FSP while personality characteristics accounted for 46 per cent. Being agreeable, extroverted, open minded, and stable are all positively associated with fashion shopping.

Research limitations/implications

– The study finds both personality dimensions and consumer demographics to influence FSP. As a limitation, the authors do not probe deep into the why and how of the mentioned relationships between personality and fashion buying.

Practical implications

– With respect to demographics, managers could target young females as the primary segment for fashion clothing but cannot ignore young males and older females. With respect to personality, managers can appeal to agreeable, extroverted, open-minded personalities by linking novelty, fun, relaxation, and recreation with fashion buying.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first attempts that simultaneously investigates the effects of demographic and personality characteristics on fashion shopping behaviour in India.
Female spectators as customers at National Football League games
Authors: Harrison C. Keith , Bukstein Scott , McPherson Botts Ginny , Lawrence Suzanne Malia
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate female National Football League (NFL) spectators’ preferences and feedback in regard to various customer service components of the NFL game day experience. The primary components with respect to female spectators’ choices, preferences, and feedback are as follows: apparel and other merchandise; food and beverage; restrooms and facility cleanliness; tailgating and parking; participants’ decision to attend an NFL game; and participants’ perceptions of the NFL. A core objective was to learn more about the female decision-making process and overall experience at NFL games.

Design/methodology/approach

– All data were collected during the 2012-2013 NFL regular season. Four different data collections were conducted at two NFL stadiums to investigate the game day experiences of women at NFL games. Previous research was used as a basis for creating survey questions about the female game day experience. In this study, an open-ended questionnaire contained both quantitative and qualitative questions, both forms of data were collected and analyzed, and researchers made both quantitative and qualitative interpretations based on the data.

Findings

– Findings and results indicated women are diverse customers. Sport organizations need to focus on the minor details that reflect how individuals experience a brand and product, as these sport organizations have the opportunity to enhance the female customer experience and retain existing female customers if the organizations systemically listen to and communicate with the female customer at NFL games. The NFL and individual NFL teams should include female spectators in the brand strategy process. Female customers of the NFL can be powerful brand loyalists and outstanding brand ambassadors.

Originality/value

– This research study provides an investigation of the preferences and perceptions of women spectators at NFL games. One contribution of the current study is that researchers have accepted the challenge by some researchers calling for more complexity with researching gender and attempting to shift some of the ways in which women are viewed as fans and spectators. However, what is key with the approach in the current study is that researchers allowed the women to be heard with respect to their game day experiences, perceptions, and thoughts about their identity as a spectator.
Interactions between plants and primates shape community diversity in a rainforest in Madagascar
Authors: Herrera James P.
Published: April 2016

Models of ecological community assembly predict how communities of interacting organisms may be shaped by abiotic and biotic factors. Competition and environmental filtering are the predominant factors hypothesized to explain community assembly.

This study tested the effects of habitat, phylogenetic and phenotypic trait predictors on species co‐occurrence patterns and abundances, with the endemic primates of Madagascar as an empirical system.

The abundance of 11 primate species was estimated along gradients of elevation, food resource abundance and anthropogenic habitat disturbance at local scales in south‐east Madagascar. Community composition was compared to null models to test for phylogenetic and functional structure, and the effects of phylogenetic relatedness of co‐occurring species, their trait similarity and environmental variables on species’ abundances were tested using mixed models and quantile regressions.

Resource abundance was the strongest predictor of community structure. Where food tree abundance was high, closely related species with similar traits dominated communities. High‐elevation communities with lower food tree abundance consisted of species that were distantly related and had divergent traits. Closely related species had dissimilar abundances where they co‐occurred, partially driven by trait dissimilarity, indicating character displacement.

By integrating local‐scale variation in primate community composition, evolutionary relatedness and functional diversity, this study found strong evidence that community assembly in this system can be explained by competition and character displacement along ecological gradients.
Within guild co‐infections influence parasite community membership: a longitudinal study in African Buffalo
Authors: Henrichs Brian , Oosthuizen Marinda C. , Troskie Milana , Gorsich Erin , Gondhalekar Carmen , Beechler Brianna R. , Ezenwa Vanessa O. , Jolles Anna E.
Published: April 2016

Experimental studies in laboratory settings have demonstrated a critical role of parasite interactions in shaping parasite communities. The sum of these interactions can produce diverse effects on individual hosts as well as influence disease emergence and persistence at the population level.

A predictive framework for the effects of parasite interactions in the wild remains elusive, largely because of limited longitudinal or experimental data on parasite communities of free‐ranging hosts.

This 4‐year study followed a community of haemoparasites in free‐ranging African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). We detected infection by 11 haemoparasite species using PCR‐based diagnostic techniques, and analyzed drivers of infection patterns using generalized linear mixed models to understand the role of host characteristics and season on infection likelihood. We tested for (i) effects of co‐infection by other haemoparasites (within guild) and (ii) effects of parasites infecting different tissue types (across guild).

We found that within guild co‐infections were the strongest predictors of haemoparasite infections in the buffalo; but that seasonal and host characteristics also had important effects. In contrast, the evidence for across‐guild effects of parasites utilizing different tissue on haemoparasite infection was weak.

These results provide a nuanced view of the role of co‐infections in determining haemoparasite infection patterns in free living mammalian hosts. Our findings suggest a role for interactions among parasites infecting a single tissue type in determining infection patterns.
Herbivory mediates the long‐term shift in the relative importance of microsite and propagule limitation
Authors: Eskelinen Anu , Saccone Patrick , Spasojevic Marko J. , Virtanen Risto
Published: April 2016

Microsite and propagule limitation are predicted to jointly influence plant community assembly and diversity, with shifts in their relative contributions under different ecological conditions. Mammalian herbivory can also exhibit strong impact on community assembly and diversity. However, to date few studies have considered how herbivory might interact with propagule and microsite limitation and how herbivory might alter their relative importance. Even fewer studies have examined how these processes manifest over time to influence community assembly.

In fenced and grazed tundra communities that varied in soil moisture, we manipulated propagule limitation by adding seeds of 14 species and manipulated microsite limitation through a one‐time disturbance treatment which reduced resident community biomass. We then followed these communities for 11 years to assess the long‐term impacts of these processes on community assembly and richness.

Herbivory interacted with soil moisture to promote long‐term establishment of seeded species: seed addition increased species richness and this effect persisted over 11 years but only in grazed plots, and in drier conditions. Seed addition and herbivory also interacted to drive community composition. Disturbance initially resulted in greater richness and community divergence, but the effect weakened over time, whereas the effects of herbivory in general strengthened.

Synthesis. Our results show that herbivory interacts with environmental conditions to mediate the relative importance of microsite and propagule limitation on community assembly; however, its impacts may only become detectable over longer time‐scales. Moreover, our results suggest that herbivory may be a key biotic modulator of community assembly in low‐productivity ecosystems and that incorporating trophic interactions (such as herbivory) into hypotheses about community assembly may provide a better understanding of the relative importance of different assembly mechanisms.
Comparison of clinical efficacy and renal safety of telbivudine and entecavir in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy
Authors: Law Siu‐Tong , Lee Ming Kai , Lee Ann Shing , Tung Yuk , Li Kin Kong
Published: April 2016

Objective

Limited data is available on the clinical outcomes of telbivudine (LdT) and entecavir (ETV) in pre‐emptive antiviral chemoprophylaxis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and renal safety of LdT and ETV in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who received cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Methods

Altogether 290 treatment‐naïve CHB patients undergoing intense chemotherapy were enrolled to receive daily 600 mg of LdT or 0.5 mg of ETV as pre‐emptive antiviral chemoprophylaxis.

Results

The ETV group had significantly higher proportion of patients with undetectable hepatitis B viral (HBV) DNA load compared with LdT at week 24 (73.0% vs 50.3%, P = 0.000). The cumulative rates of virological breakthrough in the LdT and ETV groups were 9.15% and 3.65% at the second year of therapy, respectively (P = 0.059), which was associated with detectable HBV DNA at week 24 (P = 0.000). The MELD score of the LdT group was significantly lower than that of the ETV group after the first year (4.53 vs 7.53, P = 0.002) and the second year (1.96 vs 7.09, P = 0.000) of antiviral therapy. Moreover, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly improved in the LdT group than in the ETV group after two years of antiviral therapy.

Conclusion

LdT has a lower clinical efficacy in viral suppression than ETV, but LdT is associated with greater extent of improvement in liver and renal functions of patients in pre‐emptive prophylaxis for cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Caribbean corals house shared and host‐specific microbial symbionts over time and space
Authors: Chu Nathaniel D. , Vollmer Steven V.
Published: April 2016

The rise of coral diseases has triggered a surge of interest in coral microbial communities. But to fully understand how the coral microbiome may cause or respond to disease, we must first understand structure and variation in the healthy coral microbiome. We used 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize the microbiomes of 100 healthy coral colonies from six Caribbean coral species (Acropora cervicornis, A. palmata, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Diploria strigosa, Porites astreoides and P. furcata) across four reefs and three time points over 1 year. We found host species to be the strongest driver of coral microbiome structure across site and time. Analysis of the core microbiome revealed remarkable similarity in the bacterial taxa represented across coral hosts and many bacterial phylotypes shared across all corals sampled. Some of these widespread bacterial taxa have been identified in Pacific corals, indicating that a core coral microbiome may extend across oceans. Core bacterial phylotypes that were unique to each coral were taxonomically diverse, suggesting that different coral hosts provide persistent, divergent niches for bacteria.
Gypsum amendment to rice paddy soil stimulated bacteria involved in sulfur cycling but largely preserved the phylogenetic composition of the total bacterial community
Authors: Wörner Susanne , Zecchin Sarah , Dan Jianguo , Todorova Nadezhda Hristova , Loy Alexander , Conrad Ralf , Pester Michael
Published: April 2016

Rice paddies are indispensable for human food supply but emit large amounts of the greenhouse gas methane. Sulfur cycling occurs at high rates in these water‐submerged soils and controls methane production, an effect that is increased by sulfate‐containing fertilizers or soil amendments. We grew rice plants until their late vegetative phase with and without gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) amendment and identified responsive bacteria by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Gypsum amendment decreased methane emissions by up to 99% but had no major impact on the general phylogenetic composition of the bacterial community. It rather selectively stimulated or repressed a small number of 129 and 27 species‐level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (out of 1883–2287 observed) in the rhizosphere and bulk soil, respectively. Gypsum‐stimulated OTUs were affiliated with several potential sulfate‐reducing (Syntrophobacter, Desulfovibrio, unclassified Desulfobulbaceae, unclassified Desulfobacteraceae) and sulfur‐oxidizing taxa (Thiobacillus, unclassified Rhodocyclaceae), while gypsum‐repressed OTUs were dominated by aerobic methanotrophs (Methylococcaceae). Abundance correlation networks suggested that two abundant (>1%) OTUs (Desulfobulbaceae, Rhodocyclaceae) were central to the reductive and oxidative parts of the sulfur cycle.
A Pseudomonas putida cbrB transposon insertion mutant displays a biofilm hyperproducing phenotype that is resistant to dispersal
Authors: Amador Cristina I. , López‐ Sánchez Aroa , Govantes Fernando , Santero Eduardo , Canosa Inés
Published: April 2016

The CbrAB two‐component system in the Pseudomonads controls a variety of metabolic and behavioural traits required for its adaptation to changing environmental conditions, including the uptake or assimilation of certain carbon sources, and processes such as chemotaxis or stress tolerance. In this work we characterize a miniTn5‐luxAB‐Km transposon insertion mutant in cbrB (MPO406) in Pseudomonas putida leading to a biofilm overproducing phenotype that is not dispersed when nutrients are depleted. Comparison with a cbrB deletion mutant revealed that all phenotypes previously attributed to CbrB in P. putida correlated in both strains, with the exception of biofilm overproduction and absence of dispersal. We show that in the insertion mutant, the expression of the downstream regulatory RNA CrcZ is upregulated, and also show the presence of a truncated form of CbrB. Also, two additional point mutations in lapG and lapD have been detected in MPO406 by whole genome sequencing. Combination of these effects provides a robust biofilm overproducing phenotype. We present the mutant strain MPO406 as a good candidate to perform bio‐production of substances of biotechnological interest or other processes such as bioremediation, which take advantage of immobilized cells on solid surfaces.
Predictors and Outcomes of Pediatric Firearm Injuries Treated in the Emergency Department: Differences by Mechanism of Intent
Authors: Monuteaux Michael C. , Mannix Rebekah , Fleegler Eric W. , Lee Lois K.
Published: April 2016

Objective

Firearm injuries among children are a major clinical and public health concern and one of the leading causes of pediatric fatalities. Our objective was to investigate differences in predictors and clinical outcomes between self‐inflicted, violent, and unintentional pediatric firearm injuries for patients who present to pediatric emergency departments (EDs).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of patients 0 to 21 years old treated in 37 pediatric academic EDs from 2004 to 2014. Patients were classified into the injury intent categories of self‐inflicted, violent, and unintentional firearm injury using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) diagnoses and external causes of injury codes. Multivariable multinomial regression models compared groups.

Results

We identified 9,628 firearm injuries from 2004 to 2014: 109 (1%) self‐inflicted, 2,394 (25%) violent, and 7,125 (74%) unintentional. Male sex, increasing age, nonwhite race, public insurance, residing in an urban zip code, and lower zip code–level median household income were all independently associated with violent firearm injuries, relative to self‐inflicted and unintentional injuries. Self‐inflicted injuries were at the highest risk for hospital admission, death, intensive care unit services, surgical services, and increased length of stay, followed by violent injuries with intermediate risk and unintentional injuries at the lowest risk

Conclusions

Self‐inflicted, violent, and unintentional firearm injuries in children had distinct demographic risk factors and clinical and utilization outcomes. Targeted prevention and intervention efforts should be developed to reduce the incidence and severity of these injuries.
Acute temperature effects on function of the chick embryonic heart
Authors: Vostarek F. , Svatunkova J. , Sedmera D.
Published: April 2016

Aim

We analysed the effects of acute temperature change on the beating rate, conduction properties and calcium transients in the chick embryonic heart in vitro and in ovo.

Methods

The effects of temperature change (34, 37 and 40 °C) on calcium dynamics in isolated ED4 chick hearts in vitro were investigated by high‐speed calcium optical imaging. For comparison and validation of in vitro measurements, experiments were also performed in ovo using videomicroscopy. Artificial stimulation experiments were performed in vitro and in ovo to uncover conduction limits of heart segments.

Results

Decrease in temperature from 37 to 34 °C in vitro led to a 22% drop in heart rate and unchanged amplitude of Ca2+ transients, compared to a 25% heart rate decrease in ovo. Increase in temperature from 37 to 40 °C in vitro and in ovo led to 20 and 23% increases in heart rate, respectively, and a significant decrease in amplitude of Ca2+ transients (atrium −35%, ventricle −38%). We observed a wide spectrum of arrhythmias in vitro, of which the most common was atrioventricular (AV) block (57%). There was variability of AV block locations. Pacing experiments in vitro and in ovo suggested that the AV blocks were likely caused by relative tissue hypoxia and not by the tachycardia itself.

Conclusion

The pacemaker and AV canal are the most temperature‐sensitive segments of the embryonic heart. We suggest that the critical point for conduction is the connection of the ventricular trabecular network to the AV canal.
Atropinic burden of drugs during pregnancy and psychological development of children: a cohort study in the EFEMERIS database
Authors: Beau Anna‐Belle , Montastruc Jean‐Louis , Lacroix Isabelle , Montastruc François , Hurault‐Delarue Caroline , Damase‐Michel Christine
Published: April 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of in utero exposure to drugs with atropinic properties on infant psychological development using atropinic burden (AB) scales.

Methods

Women from the EFEMERIS cohort, a French database including prescribed and dispensed reimbursed drugs during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, delivering between 2004 and 2010 were included (n = 43 740). Each drug was classified as having no (score = 0), few (score = 1) or strong (score = 3) atropinic properties. AB per woman was calculated by adding the atropinic scores of drugs prescribed during pregnancy. AB was categorized as exposure or no exposure. Secondary analyses were performed by dividing the exposure into four scores = [0], [1–8], [9–17] and [≥18]. Data for psychological development were extracted from children's medical certificates completed at 9 and 24 months.

Results

Thirty‐four% (n = 14 925) of women received at least one atropinic drug during pregnancy. Women with AB ≥1 were older and received more drugs during pregnancy than unexposed women. At 24 months, more infants of mothers with AB ≥1 had difficulties to ‘name a picture’ (ORa, 1.18, 95% CI 1.03, 1.36) and to ‘understand instructions’ (ORa, 1.61, 95% CI 1.13, , 2.30]) compared with infants of unexposed women. Analyses of four groups of exposure and analyses excluding women receiving psychotropics led to similar results.

Conclusions

The study showed significant association between in utero exposure to drugs with atropinic properties and fewer infant cognitive acquisitions at 24 months. Further exploring the potential effect of simultaneous use of drugs with atropinic effects among pregnant women will bring into consideration whether such prescriptions could be inappropriate for the child.
Peripheral vasoconstriction induced by β‐adrenoceptor blockers: a systematic review and a network meta‐analysis
Authors: Khouri Charles , Jouve Thomas , Blaise Sophie , Carpentier Patrick , Cracowski Jean‐Luc , Roustit Matthieu
Published: April 2016

Aim

Peripheral vasoconstriction has long been described as a vascular adverse effect of β‐adrenoceptor blockers. Whether β‐adrenoceptor blockers should be avoided in patients with peripheral vascular disease depends on pharmacological properties (e.g. preferential binding to β1‐adrenoreceptors or intrinsic sympathomimetic activity). However, this has not been confirmed in experimental studies. We performed a network meta‐analysis in order to assess the comparative risk of peripheral vasoconstriction of different β‐adrenoceptor blockers.

Method

We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including β‐adrenoceptor blockers that were published in core clinical journals in the Pubmed database. All RCTs reporting peripheral vasoconstriction as an adverse effect of β‐adrenoceptor blockers and controls were included. Sensitivity analyses were conducted including possibly confounding covariates (latitude, properties of the β‐adrenoceptor blockers, e.g. intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, vasodilation, drug indication, drug doses). The protocol and the detailed search strategy are available online (PROSPERO registry CRD42014014374).

Results

Among 2238 records screened, 38 studies including 57 026 patients were selected. Overall, peripheral vasoconstriction was reported in 7% of patients with β‐adrenoceptor blockers and 4.6% in the control groups (P < 0.001), with heterogeneity among drugs. Atenolol and propranolol had a significantly higher risk than placebo, whereas pindolol, acebutolol and oxprenolol had not.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that β‐adrenoceptor blockers have variable propensity to enhance peripheral vasoconstriction and that it is not related to preferential binding to β1‐adrenoceptors. These findings challenge FDA and European recommendations regarding precautions and contra‐indications of use of β‐adrenoceptor blockers and suggest that β‐adrenoceptor blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity could be safely used in patients with peripheral vascular disease.
Extrinsic Rewards Diminish Costly Sharing in 3‐Year‐Olds
Authors: Ulber Julia , Hamann Katharina , Tomasello Michael
Published: April 2016

Two studies investigated the influence of external rewards and social praise in young children's fairness‐related behavior. The motivation of ninety‐six 3‐year‐olds' to equalize unfair resource allocations was measured in three scenarios (collaboration, windfall, and dictator game) following three different treatments (material reward, verbal praise, and neutral response). In all scenarios, children's willingness to engage in costly sharing was negatively influenced when they had received a reward for equal sharing during treatment than when they had received praise or no reward. The negative effect of material rewards was not due to subjects responding in kind to their partner's termination of rewards. These results provide new evidence for the intrinsic motivation of prosociality—in this case, costly sharing behavior—in preschool children.
Metacognitive Monitoring of Executive Control Engagement During Childhood
Authors: Chevalier Nicolas , Blaye Agnès
Published: April 2016

Emerging executive control supports greater autonomy and increasingly adaptive behavior during childhood. The present study addressed whether children's greater monitoring of how they engage control drives executive control development. Gaze position was recorded while twenty‐five 6‐year‐olds and twenty‐eight 10‐year‐olds performed a self‐paced task‐switching paradigm in which they could proactively prepare for the next task for as long as they wanted before completing it. Gaze trajectories and performance showed that younger children were less well prepared than older children when they triggered the target, even though they could have taken longer to fully prepare. With age, children better monitor how they engage control, highlighting the contribution of metacognitive processes to executive control development.
Free and complexed-secretory immunoglobulin A triggers distinct intestinal epithelial cell responses
Authors: Salerno-Goncalves R , Safavie F , Fasano A , Sztein M B
Published: April 2016

Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) antibodies play an important role in protecting the mucosal surfaces against pathogens and maintaining homeostasis with the commensal microbiota. Because a substantial portion of the gut microbiota is coated with SIgA, we hypothesized that microbiota–SIgA complexes are important for the maintenance of gut homeostasis. Here we investigated the relationship between microbiota–SIgA complexes and inflammatory epithelial cell responses. We used a multi-cellular three-dimensional (3D) organotypical model of the human intestinal mucosa composed of an intestinal epithelial cell line and primary human lymphocytes/monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. We also used human SIgA from human colostrum, and a prominent bacterial member of the first colonizers, Escherichia coli, as a surrogate commensal. We found that free and microbiota-complexed SIgA triggered different epithelial responses. While free SIgA up-regulated mucus production, expression of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) and secretion of interleukin-8 and tumoir necrosis factor-α, microbiota-complexed SIgA mitigated these responses. These results suggest that free and complexed SIgA have different functions as immunoregulatory agents in the gut and that an imbalance between the two may affect gut homeostasis.
The regulatory role of interferon-γ producing gamma delta T cells via the suppression of T helper 17 cell activity in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Segawa S , Goto D , Iizuka A , Kaneko S , Yokosawa M , Kondo Y , Matsumoto I , Sumida T
Published: April 2016

Interstitial pneumonia (IP) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. However, the pathogenesis of IP remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of pulmonary γδT cells in IP. In wild-type (WT) mice exposed to bleomycin, pulmonary γδT cells were expanded and produced large amounts of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17A. Histological and biochemical analyses showed that bleomycin-induced IP was more severe in T cell receptor (TCR-δ-deficient (TCRδ–/–) mice than WT mice. In TCRδ–/– mice, pulmonary IL-17A+CD4+ Τ cells expanded at days 7 and 14 after bleomycin exposure. In TCRδ–/– mice infused with γδT cells from WT mice, the number of pulmonary IL-17A+ CD4+ T cells was lower than in TCRδ–/– mice. The examination of IL-17A–/– TCRδ–/– mice indicated that γδT cells suppressed pulmonary fibrosis through the suppression of IL-17A+CD4+ T cells. The differentiation of T helper (Th)17 cells was determined in vitro, and CD4+ cells isolated from TCRδ–/– mice showed normal differentiation of Th17 cells compared with WT mice. Th17 cell differentiation was suppressed in the presence of IFN-γ producing γδT cells in vitro. Pulmonary fibrosis was attenuated by IFN-γ-producing γδT cells through the suppression of pulmonary IL-17A+CD4+ T cells. These results suggested that pulmonary γδT cells seem to play a regulatory role in the development of bleomycin-induced IP mouse model via the suppression of IL-17A production.
Stress intensity factors for surface cracks in single‐edge notch bend specimen by a three‐dimensional weight function method
Authors: Zhao X C , Wu X R , Newman J C , Tong D H
Published: April 2016

Stress intensity factors for half‐elliptical surface cracks at a semi‐circular notch in a recently developed single‐edge notch bend specimen are determined for a wide range of geometrical parameters using a three‐dimensional weight function method. Two load cases of pin loading and uniform remote tension are considered. The results are in good agreement with abaqus/franc3d finite element analysis. It is found that the Ziegler–Newman engineering similitude approach (programmed into the Fatigue Crack Growth Structural Analysis life‐prediction code) produces good results for a wide range in a/c ratios. Expressions by multi‐variable curve fitting to the weight function results are presented for easy engineering applications.
Aldo‐keto reductase family 1 member B10 is associated with hepatitis B virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma risk
Authors: Mori Masashi , Genda Takuya , Ichida Takafumi , Murata Ayato , Kamei Masato , Tsuzura Hironori , Sato Shunsuke , Narita Yutaka , Kanemitsu Yoshio , Ishikawa Sachiko , Kikuchi Tetsu , Shimada Yuji , Hirano Katsuharu , Iijima Katsuyori , Sugimoto Ken , Wada Ryo , Nagahara Akihito , Watanabe Sumio
Published: April 2016

Aim

Recent reports have indicated that aldo‐keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10), a cancer‐related oxidoreductase, was upregulated in some chronic liver diseases. However, few studies have reported AKR1B10 expression in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐infected patients. The aim of the present study was to analyze AKR1B10 expression and its relevance on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods

Expression of AKR1B10 in the liver of 119 chronic HBV‐infected patients was assessed and quantified immunohistochemically. A multivariate Cox model was used to estimate the hazard ratios of AKR1B10 expression for HCC development. The cumulative incidences of HCC were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

Expression of AKR1B10 in the study cohort ranged from 0% to 84%. During the median follow‐up time (6.2 years), 13 patients developed HCC. Multivariate analysis revealed that high AKR1B10 expression (≥15%) was an independent risk factor for HCC (hazard ratio, 10.8; 95% confidence interval, 3.0–38.6; P < 0.001). The 5‐year cumulative incidences of HCC were 20.6% and 2.6% in patients with high and low AKR1B10 expression, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients with high AKR1B10 expression had significantly higher alanine aminotransferase levels during follow‐up than those with low expression, even though antiviral treatment decreased HBV‐DNA levels in both groups.

Conclusion

Chronic HBV‐infected patients with high hepatic AKR1B10 expression had an increased risk of HCC development. This suggests that AKR1B10 upregulation might play a role in the early stages of HBV‐related hepatocarcinogenesis.
Chronic hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance‐related immune factors
Authors: Yuan Ting , Jiang Yongfang , Li Mei , Li Wei
Published: April 2016

The ultimate aims of the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection are the loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody seroconversion. Unfortunately, these goals are rarely reached. Many factors are associated with HBsAg seroconversion, including genetic, immune, and viral factors. However, the mechanism of HBsAg seroclearance, and particularly the immune mechanism, is still difficult to elucidate. The immune factor interferon‐α is currently the main antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus infection. However, a sustained shift from response of HBsAg to hepatitis B surface antibody seroconversion is rarely obtained. Recent studies have revealed that several of the newly identified immune factors are closely related to the removal of HBsAg. In this article, we review recent studies on these immune factors, their influence on hepatitis B progression, and HBsAg seroconversion.
A portal pressure cut‐off of 15 versus a cut‐off of 20 for prevention of small‐for‐size syndrome in liver transplantation: A comparative study
Authors: Osman Ayman M.A. , Hosny Adel A. , El‐Shazli Mostafa A. , Uemoto Shinji , Abdelaziz Omar , Helmy Ayman S.
Published: April 2016

Aim

Portal hypertension has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of small‐for‐size syndrome (SFSS) in adult‐to‐adult living‐donor liver transplantation (A‐LDLT). The aim of our study is to compare the portal venous pressure (PVP) cut‐off values of 15 mmHg and 20 mmHg in terms of prevention of SFSS in A‐LDLT.

Methods

Seventy‐six patients underwent A‐LDLT. A PVP <20 mmHg at the end of the operation was targeted using graft inflow modulation. Patients were divided into two groups: group A, final PVP <15 mmHg; and group B, final PVP 15–19 mmHg. Peak serum bilirubin and peak international normalized ratio in the first month after A‐LDLT, as well as hepatic encephalopathy, SFSS, 90‐day morbidity, and mortality were observed in both groups.

Results

Final PVP was well controlled below 20 mmHg in all patients (group A, n = 39; group B, n = 37). Six patients suffered SFSS in group B (16.2%) compared to one patient (2.6%) in group A (P = 0.04). Nine patients died in group B (24.3%), four of whom died of SFSS, compared to three patients in group A (7.7%) (P = 0.047).

Conclusion

A PVP cut‐off of 15 mmHg seems to be a more appropriate target level than a cut‐off of 20 mmHg for prevention of postoperative SFSS in A‐LDLT.
Processing of High‐Density Magnesia Spinel Electro‐Conducting Ceramic Composite and its Oxidation at 1400°C
Authors: Zaki Zaki , Mostafa Nasser , Ahmed Yasser , Ewais Emad , Rashad Mohamed
Published: April 2016

Dense conductive ceramic composites of MgAl2O4 and MoSi2 were processed using combustion synthesis under‐load methodology. The starting reactants were blends of MoO3, SiO2, MgO, and Al powders. The study revealed that to obtain dense composite with homogeneous microstructure, 30 wt. % of MoSi2, 18.5 μm Al average particle size, and 175 MPa load are required. The produced dense composite was found to have a low apparent porosity (<1.0 vol. %), moderate density 4.61 g/cm3, and low electrical resistivity 0.3 Ωcm. The dense composite exhibited excellent thermodynamic stability between its phases at 1400°C in open atmosphere.
MicroRNA223 promotes pathogenic T‐cell development and autoimmune inflammation in central nervous system in mice
Authors: Satoorian Tiffany , Li Bo , Tang Xiaolei , Xiao Jidong , Xing Weirong , Shi Weixing , Lau Kin‐Hing William , Baylink David J. , Qin Xuezhong
Published: April 2016

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable central nervous system autoimmune disease. Understanding MS pathogenesis is essential for the development of new MS therapies. In the present study, we identified a novel microRNA (miR) that regulates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. Expression of miR223 was up‐regulated specifically in spinal cords and lymphoid organs but not in other examined tissues. A global miR223 knockout (miR223−/−) in mice led to a significant delay in EAE onset, reduction in spinal cord lesion, and lessening of neurological symptoms. These protective effects could be reproduced in bone marrow chimeras reconstituted with miR223−/− haematopoietic stem cells. We also found that miR223 deficiency reduced T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 infiltration into spinal cords. To address underlying mechanisms, we investigated the role of miR223 in regulating the function, development and interaction of the major immune cells. Expression of the genes associated with dendritic cell (DC) activation (CD86 and MHC II) and Th1 and Th17 differentiation [interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) and IL‐23, respectively] was significantly decreased in the spleens of miR223−/− mice bearing EAE. The miR223−/− DCs expressed significantly lower levels of basal and lipopolysaccharide‐induced IL‐12 and IL‐23 compared with the wild‐type DCs. These data are consistent with the observed lower efficiency of miR223−/− DCs to support Th1 and Th17 differentiation from naive T cells over‐expressing an EAE antigen‐specific T‐cell receptor. Our data suggest that miR223 promotes EAE, probably through enhancing DC activation and subsequently the differentiation of naive T cells toward Th1 and Th17 effector cells.
Is suicide assessment harmful to participants? Findings from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Harris Keith M. , Goh Melissa Ting‐Ting
Published: April 2016

There is considerable debate on whether suicide assessment carries an iatrogenic risk for participants/patients. A double‐blind randomized controlled trial (registration: R000022314) tested the emotional impact of suicide assessment on participants (n = 259) randomly assigned to experimental (n = 122) or control conditions (n = 137). The experimental condition included the Suicidal Affect‐Behavior‐Cognition Scale and intensive death‐related questions, the control condition a quality of life scale. Both included measures of depression, social support and loneliness. Affective states were assessed immediately before and after testing, and research biases minimized. Post‐test debriefing interviews collected qualitative reactions. Experimental participants ranged from nonsuicidal to highly suicidal. Between‐groups ANCOVAs and repeated measures ANOVAs showed no differences by study condition, and no pre‐post‐test affect changes for either condition or suicidal participants (P > 0.10), supporting the null hypothesis of no iatrogenic effects. However, depressive participants in both conditions showed significant decreases in positive affect (P < 0.05). Smallest real difference (SRD) scores approximated clinically meaningful differences and showed 20% of participants had a significant positive survey reaction, 24% a negative reaction, with the rest neutral. Linear regressions revealed depressive symptoms and perceived family support, but not suicidality or other factors, predicted negative affect changes, which was supported by qualitative findings. Social desirability bias was also found in qualitative survey responses. No evidence of iatrogenic effects of suicide assessment were found. Recommendations are made to counter possible negative assessment effects on depressive participants/patients, and nurses and other caregivers are encouraged to talk to patients about suicidal symptoms.
Mental health nurses’ contributions to community mental health care: An Australian study
Authors: Heslop Brett , Wynaden Dianne , Tohotoa Jenny , Heslop Karen
Published: April 2016

Australian mental health policy is focused on providing mental health care in the community setting and community mental health teams provide services to clients in a shared model with primary care. The historical literature reports that community mental health nurses’ experience high levels of stress and are often allocated the most complex and challenging clients managed by the team. Yet information on their specific roles remains limited. This paper reports on research conducted at one Australian public mental health service to identify the components of the community mental health nursing role and to quantify the time nurses spent in each component during the study period. Six focus groups were conducted with community mental health nurses to identify their perceived role within the team. Data analysis identified 18 components of which 10 were related to direct clinical contact with clients and eight covered administrative and care coordination activities. A data collection tool based on the findings of the focus groups was designed and nurses recorded workload data on the tool in 15‐min intervals over a 4‐week period. Seventeen nurses collected 1528 hours of data. Internal coordination of care was identified as the top workload item followed by clinical documentation and national data collection responsibilities supporting the complexity of the community mental health nursing role. The high rating attached to the internal coordination of care role demonstrates an important contribution that community mental health nurses make to the functioning of the team and the delivery of quality mental health care.
Effects of anti‐human T lymphocyte immune globulins in patients: new or old
Authors: Wang Diane C. , Wang Xiangdong , Chen Chengshui
Published: April 2016

Multiple studies demonstrated that anti‐human T lymphocyte immune globulins (ATG) can decrease the incidence of acute and chronic graft rejection in cell or organ transplants. However, further in‐depth study indicates that different subgroups may benefit from either different regimes or alteration of them. Studies among renal transplant patients indicate that low immunological risk patients may not gain the same amount of benefit and thus tilt the risk versus benefit consideration. This may hold true for low immunological risk patients receiving other organ transplants and would be worth further investigation. The recovery time of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells also bears consideration and the impact that it has on the severity and incidence of opportunistic infections closely correlated with the dosage of ATG. The use of lower doses of ATG in combination with other induction medications may offer a solution. The finding that ATG may lose efficacy in cases of multiple transplants or re‐transplants in the case of heart transplants may hold true for other transplantations. This may lead to reconsideration of which induction therapies would be most beneficial in the clinical setting. These studies on ATG done on different patient groups will naturally not be applicable to all, but the evidence accrued from them as a whole may offer us new and different perspectives on how to approach and potentially solve the clinical question of how to best reduce the mortality associated with chronic host‐versus‐graft disease.
Commentary: The doctor will not see you now – therapist‐light therapy for PTSD in children as the way ahead? Reflections on Salloum et al. (2016)
Authors: Meiser‐Stedman Richard
Published: April 2016

Salloum and colleagues have presented data in support of a novel and cost‐effective approach to the treatment of PTSD in young children. In this commentary, I outline an argument for why their stepped‐care model may be an important change to how psychological therapies for trauma‐exposed youth are delivered, and propose further caveats that need to be addressed in future research.