bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes towards decisions about extremely premature infants differed between Swiss linguistic regions in population‐based study
Authors: Hendriks Manya J. , Klein Sabine D. , Bucher Hans Ulrich , Baumann‐Hölzle Ruth , Streuli Jürg C. , Fauchère Jean‐Claude
Published: November 2016

Aim

Studies have provided insights into the different attitudes and values of healthcare professionals and parents towards extreme prematurity. This study explored societal attitudes and values in Switzerland with regard to this patient group.

Methods

A nationwide trilingual telephone survey was conducted in the French‐, German‐ and Italian‐speaking regions of Switzerland to explore the general population's attitudes and values with regard to extreme prematurity. Swiss residents of 18 years or older were recruited from the official telephone registry using quota sampling and a logistic regression model assessed the influence of socio‐demographic factors on end‐of‐life decision‐making.

Results

Of the 5112 people contacted, 1210 (23.7%) participated. Of these 5% were the parents of a premature infant and 26% knew parents with a premature infant. Most participants (77.8%) highlighted their strong preference for shared decision‐making, and 64.6% said that if there was dissent then the parents should have the final word. Overall, our logistic regression model showed that regional differences were the most significant factors influencing decision‐making.

Conclusion

The majority of the Swiss population clearly favoured shared decision‐making. The context of sociocultural demographics, especially the linguistic region in which the decision‐making took place, strongly influenced attitudes towards extreme prematurity and decision‐making.
RORγt expression in Tregs promotes systemic lupus erythematosus via IL-17 secretion, alteration of Treg phenotype and suppression of Th2 responses
Authors: Kluger M A , Nosko A , Ramcke T , Goerke B , Meyer M C , Wegscheid C , Luig M , Tiegs G , Stahl R A K , Steinmetz O M
Published: November 2016

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common autoimmune disorder with a complex and poorly understood immunopathogenesis. However, a pathogenic role for the T helper type 17 (Th17) axis was demonstrated by many studies, while regulatory T cells (Tregs) were shown to mediate protection. Recently, we and others characterized a novel and independent T cell population expressing both the Treg characteristic transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) and the Th17-defining retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt). Studies in a model of acute glomerulonephritis unveiled potent regulatory, but also proinflammatory, functions of RORγt+FoxP3+ Tregs. This bi-functional nature prompted us to suggest the name ‘biTregs’. Importantly, the pathogenic biTreg effects were dependent upon expression of RORγt. We thus aimed to evaluate the contribution of RORγt+FoxP3+ biTregs to pristane-induced SLE and explored the therapeutic potential of interference with RORγt activation. Our analyses revealed expansion of IL-17 producing biTregs in a distinctive time–course and organ-specific pattern, coincident with the development of autoimmunity and tissue injury. Importantly, specific ablation of RORγt activation in endogenous biTregs resulted in significant amelioration of pristane-induced pulmonary vasculitis and lupus nephritis. As potential mechanisms underlying the observed protection, we found that secretion of IL-17 by biTregs was abrogated completely in FoxP3Cre × RORCfl/fl mice. Furthermore, Tregs showed a more activated phenotype after cell-specific inactivation of RORγt signalling. Finally, and remarkably, biTregs were found to potently suppress anti-inflammatory Th2 immunity in a RORγt-dependent manner. Our study thus identifies biTregs as novel players in SLE and advocates RORγt-directed interventions as promising therapeutic strategies.
Collecting feedback as a tool to reduce care paralysis: something for family group conferencing coordinators?
Authors: Schout Gert , de Jong Gideon
Published: November 2016

Family group conferencing (FGC) coordinators in public mental healthcare are confronted with clients who have little faith in professionals and organizations, who hold off decisions in their family life, who avoid care and who sometimes behave in a hostile manner. A lack of initiative to deal with their situation is not only reserved for clients – all bystanders, including professionals, can suffer from it. The multiplicity and severity of the client's problems lead to a situation wherein everyone involved waits for the initiative of the other. The independence of the FGC coordinator – a fellow citizen, who is free of organizational loyalties and comes to assist other citizens in establishing a plan – seems to work well with the client group of the public mental healthcare. However, the coordinator cannot always prevent deferral or failure of conferences. Drawing on empirical and theoretical findings, this paper considers the possibility of collecting feedback as a way to contribute positively to the alliance between FGC coordinators and those for whom a conference is deployed. We highlight findings from three case studies that centred on multiproblem families. The findings indicate the importance of feedback theory for FGC coordinators in enhancing trust and engagement.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and risk of major congenital anomalies for pregnancies in Japan: A nationwide birth cohort study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study
Authors: Nishigori Hidekazu , Obara Taku , Nishigori Toshie , Mizuno Satoshi , Metoki Hirohito , Hoshiai Tetsuro , Watanabe Zen , Sakurai Kasumi , Ishikuro Mami , Tatsuta Nozomi , Nishijima Ichiko , Fujiwara Ikuma , Kuriyama Shinichi , Arima Takahiro , Nakai Kunihiko , Yaegashi Nobuo ,   Japan Environment & Children's Study Group
Published: November 2016

We analyzed data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), on the association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) use during pregnancy and the risk of developing of major congenital anomalies in Japan. JECS is an ongoing nationwide birth cohort study. The study includes 95 994 single pregnant women and their offspring. Among them, 172 used any SSRI up to the 12th gestational week. Crude analyses show a significantly increased incidence of upper limb, abdominal, and urogenital abnormalities. In particular, the incidence of microcephaly, hydrencephalus, esophageal atresia, small intestinal atresia, and achondroplasia was significantly higher with than without exposure to these substances. On multivariate analyses, urogenital abnormality was significant (odds ratio 3.227; 95% confidence interval: 1.460–7.134). This Japanese nationwide birth cohort survey clarified that the use of any SSRI until the 12th gestational week was associated with urogenital abnormality in children. The survey for association with minor classification abnormality needs further examination in Japan.
Topika und deren Einsatz in der Dermatologie
Authors: Wohlrab Johannes
Published: November 2016

Grundkenntnisse zur Zusammensetzung und den regulatorischen Hintergründen von Topika gehören zu den alltäglich benötigten Herausforderungen dermatologisch‐ärztlichen Handelns. Ein professioneller und indikationsgerechter Umgang bei der Auswahl, Verordnung und Anwendung topischer Präparate ist somit Voraussetzung für eine verantwortungsvolle fachärztliche Tätigkeit. Dabei bereiten die regulatorische Zuordnung (Arzneimittel, Medizinprodukt, Kosmetikum), die Feststellung der Erstattungsfähigkeit durch die GKV und die unzureichende Kennzeichnung des Vehikelsystems einzelner Präparate nicht selten Probleme. Bestreben sollte es sein, neben der Wahl des geeigneten Wirkstoffs und der geeigneten Konzentration ein an die Indikation der Therapie angepasstes galenisches System auszuwählen, um dessen Eigenwirkung für den therapeutischen Effekt nutzen zu können. Bei der Verschreibung von Rezepturarzneimitteln sollte nach Möglichkeit immer auf eine standardisierte Rezeptur (Magistralrezeptur) zurückgegriffen werden. Durch die Vielzahl der möglichen Inhaltsstoffe und der sich daraus ergebenden Komplexität eines galenischen Systems ist eine willkürliche Manipulation durch qualitative oder quantitative Veränderungen einzelner Komponenten mit hohen Risiken für eine Instabilität und damit für Sicherheit und Sinnhaftigkeit verbunden. Eine optimierte Anwendung von Topika setzt zudem Grundlagenkenntnisse zur Pharmakokinetik und zur evidenzbasierten Therapieplanung voraus.
Drug survival rates and reasons for drug discontinuation in psoriasis
Authors: Arnold Tobias , Schaarschmidt Marthe‐Lisa , Herr Raphael , Fischer Joachim E. , Goerdt Sergij , Peitsch Wiebke K.
Published: November 2016

Background and objectives

Moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis frequently requires long‐term systemic therapy. Reflecting efficacy, safety, and treatment satisfaction, drug survival is an indicator of therapeutic success. The objective of the present study was to assess drug survival rates and reasons for discontinuation of fumaric acid esters (FAE), methotrexate (MTX), acitretin (ACI), cyclosporine A (CyA), adalimumab (ADA), etanercept (ETA), infliximab (INF), and ustekinumab (UST) in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis.

Patients and methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 373 patients who had received a total of 696 treatment courses at a German university hospital in the period 1/2003–5/2014.

Results

The crude probability of survival was highest for UST, followed by ADA, ETA, INF, FAE, MTX, ACI, and CyA. In multivariate regression analysis using FAE as reference, hazard ratios (HR) for discontinuation were 0.14 (95 % confidence interval: 0.06–0.35) for UST, 0.43 (0.26–0.73) for ADA, 2.11 (1.14–3.91) for ACI, and 3.26 (1.44–7.39) for CyA. INF showed longer survival when combined with MTX (HR 2.87, 1.21–6.81). Traditional systemic antipsoriatic agents as well as INF were most frequently discontinued due to adverse events; all other biologics, due to inefficacy with respect to cutaneous lesions.

Conclusions

Drug survival rates should be integrated into therapeutic decisions in order to provide patients with an optimal long‐term strategy.
Carvedilol and antioxidant proteins in a type I diabetes animal model
Authors: Diogo Cátia V. , Deus Cláudia M. , Lebiedzinska‐Arciszewska Magdalena , Wojtala Aleksandra , Wieckowski Mariusz R. , Oliveira Paulo J.
Published: November 2016

Background

Patients with diabetes are at a high risk of developing both micro‐ and macrovascular disease. Hyperglycaemia seems to be the main factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy, often based on increased oxidative stress. Carvedilol, a β‐adrenergic blocker, has intrinsic antioxidant properties and was previously described to be effective in the protection of cardiac mitochondria against oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of carvedilol on hyperglycaemia‐induced oxidative damage and mitochondrial abnormalities in cardiac and skeletal muscle in streptozotocin‐treated rats.

Materials and methods

Body mass, blood glucose, the level of protein carbonylation, caspase‐9‐ and caspase‐3‐like activities, mitochondrial proteins, the status of antioxidant defence system and stress‐related proteins were evaluated in streptozotocin vs streptozotocin + carvedilol (1 mg/kg/day)‐treated rats.

Results

The results showed that carvedilol decreased blood glucose in streptozotocin‐treated animals. Content of catalase in the heart and SOD2, SOD1 and catalase in skeletal muscle were increased by carvedilol treatment in streptozotocin‐treated animals. At this particular time point, streptozotocin‐induced hyperglycaemia did not cause caspase activation or increase in protein carbonylation status. The data showed that carvedilol increased the level of antioxidant enzymes, what may contribute to preserve cell redox balance during hyperglycaemia. We also showed here for the first time that carvedilol effects on streptozotocin‐treated rats are tissue dependent, with a more predominant effect on skeletal muscle.

Conclusions

Based on data showing modulation of the antioxidant network in the heart, carvedilol may be beneficial in diabetic patients without advanced disease complications, delaying their progression.
Caught in the mesh: roads and their network‐scale impediment to animal movement
Authors: Bischof Richard , Steyaert Sam M. J. G. , Kindberg Jonas
Published: November 2016

Roads have a pervasive multi‐faceted influence on ecosystems, including pronounced impacts on wildlife movements. In recognition of the scale‐transcending impacts of transportation infrastructure, ecologists have been encouraged to extend the study of barrier impacts from individual roads and animals to networks and populations. In this study, we adopt an analytical representation of road networks as mosaics of landscape tiles, separated by roads. We then adapt spatial capture–recapture analysis to estimate the propensity of wildlife to stay within the boundaries of the road network tiles (RNTs) that hold their activity centres. We fit the model to national non‐invasive genetic monitoring data for brown bears Ursus arctos in Sweden and show that bears had up to 73% lower odds of using areas outside the network tile of their home range centre, even after accounting for the effect of natural barriers (major rivers) and the decrease in utilization with increasing distance from a bear's activity centre. Our study highlights the pronounced landscape‐level barrier effect on wildlife mobility and, in doing so, introduces a novel and flexible approach for quantifying contemporary fragmentation from the scale of RNTs and individual animals to transportation networks and populations.
Population genetic structure and migration patterns of Dendrothrips minowai (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Guizhou, China
Authors: Lyu Zhao‐yun , Zhi Jun‐rui , Zhou Yu‐feng , Meng Ze‐hong , Wen Juan
Published: November 2016

Dendrothrips minowai Priesner (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is one of the most destructive insect pests on tea plants. Although outbreaks of this pest occur annually in South China, especially in Guizhou Province, little is known about its population genetics, such as genetic diversity and gene flow. To investigate its population genetic structure and migration routes in Guizhou Province, we analyzed 24 D. minowai populations across Guizhou using six microsatellite loci. We detected the moderate genetic diversity and the population genetic structure of this thrip species. Neighbor‐joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree and STRUCTURE analyses recognized two clusters within the studied populations. No correlation between genetic and geographical distances (r = 0.0139, P = 0.5830) was detected and more than 89% of the variation occurred among samples within populations. Gene flow analysis revealed high migration rates (74.0 – 894.1) among D. minowai populations. Overall, the trend of asymmetrical gene flow was from northeast to southwest. Our analyses demonstrated that D. minowai derived or originated from multiple sites and could be eventually divided into two groups in Guizhou.
Survey of antipsychotic medication curriculum content in Australian university nursing programmes
Authors: Morrison Paul , Stomski Norman J. , McAllister Margaret , Wynaden Dianne , Hungerford Catherine , Usher Kim , Maude Phil , Crowther Andrew , Batterbee Robert
Published: November 2016

Antipsychotic medication has long been one of the first‐line interventions for people with serious mental illness, with outcomes including reductions in symptoms and relapse rates. More recently, however, questions have been raised about the efficacy of antipsychotic medications, especially in light of their side‐effect profile. Such questions have implications for the nurses administering antipsychotic medications, particularly in relation to their knowledge of the antipsychotic medication, its efficacy, and side‐effect profile. Also important is the education of nursing students about antipsychotic medications, their use, and management. The present study reports findings of research that explored current curriculum content concerning psychopharmacological treatment in Australian undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes. Using a survey design, the research examined the content and modes of delivery of this content to gauge how well students are prepared for administering antipsychotic medication to people with serious mental illness. Findings of the research suggested the need for improvement in preparing nursing students to administer antipsychotic medication, including indications, contraindications, as well as recognition and management of side‐effects.
Readiness for discharge from subacute mental health units for older people: Using available measures to support clinical decision‐making
Authors: McMinn Bryan G. , Lewin Terry J. , Savio Naveen , Matters Dawn , Smith Carol
Published: November 2016

Prior to introduction of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale 65+ (HoNOS65) as a mandated measure, the three subacute mental health units for older people in the present study routinely used the Care Planning Assessment Tool (CPAT) for clinical review and discharge planning. The aims of the present study were to compare these two measures of behavioural change during subacute admissions, to examine associations with discharge readiness, and to assess their overall contributions to discharge planning decisions. This is a prospective, comparative measurement study. HoNOS65 (severity) and CPAT (frequency) behavioural subscale ratings were collected from admission to discharge for older patients with very severe and persistent behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Readiness for discharge data (yes/no), collected from multidisciplinary review meetings, was used as the outcome in all analyses. In combination, these measures achieved only modest positive predictive value (52.8%) but good negative predictive value (90.4%). Consequently, patients above the cut‐point on both measures are reasonably unlikely to be discharge ready. The combined use of a standard outcome measure of severity along with a specialized measure of frequency is recommended to support and enhance discharge planning decisions in this population.
Mixed‐method research protocol: defining and operationalizing patient‐related complexity of nursing care in acute care hospitals
Authors: Huber Evelyn , Kleinknecht‐Dolf Michael , Müller Marianne , Kugler Christiane , Spirig Rebecca
Published: November 2016

Aim

To define the concept of patient‐related complexity of nursing care in acute care hospitals and to operationalize it in a questionnaire.

Background

The concept of patient‐related complexity of nursing care in acute care hospitals has not been conclusively defined in the literature. The operationalization in a corresponding questionnaire is necessary, given the increased significance of the topic, due to shortened lengths of stay and increased patient morbidity.

Design

Hybrid model of concept development and embedded mixed‐methods design.

Methods

The theoretical phase of the hybrid model involved a literature review and the development of a working definition. In the fieldwork phase of 2015 and 2016, an embedded mixed‐methods design was applied with complexity assessments of all patients at five Swiss hospitals using our newly operationalized questionnaire ‘Complexity of Nursing Care’ over 1 month. These data will be analysed with structural equation modelling. Twelve qualitative case studies will be embedded. They will be analysed using a structured process of constructing case studies and content analysis. In the final analytic phase, the quantitative and qualitative data will be merged and added to the results of the theoretical phase for a common interpretation. Cantonal Ethics Committee Zurich judged the research programme as unproblematic in December 2014 and May 2015.

Discussion

Following the phases of the hybrid model and using an embedded mixed‐methods design can reach an in‐depth understanding of patient‐related complexity of nursing care in acute care hospitals, a final version of the questionnaire and an acknowledged definition of the concept.
Leading change: a concept analysis
Authors: Nelson‐Brantley Heather V. , Ford Debra J.
Published: November 2016

Aim

To report an analysis of the concept of leading change.

Background

Nurses have been called to lead change to advance the health of individuals, populations, and systems. Conceptual clarity about leading change in the context of nursing and healthcare systems provides an empirical direction for future research and theory development that can advance the science of leadership studies in nursing.

Design

Concept analysis.

Data sources

CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Health Business Elite and Business Source Premier databases were searched using the terms: leading change, transformation, reform, leadership and change. Literature published in English from 2001 – 2015 in the fields of nursing, medicine, organizational studies, business, education, psychology or sociology were included.

Methods

Walker and Avant's method was used to identify descriptions, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents of the concept. Model, related and contrary cases were developed.

Results

Five defining attributes of leading change were identified: (a) individual and collective leadership; (b) operational support; (c) fostering relationships; (d) organizational learning; and (e) balance. Antecedents were external or internal driving forces and organizational readiness. The consequences of leading change included improved organizational performance and outcomes and new organizational culture and values.

Conclusion

A theoretical definition and conceptual model of leading change were developed. Future studies that use and test the model may contribute to the refinement of a middle‐range theory to advance nursing leadership research and education. From this, empirically derived interventions that prepare and enable nurses to lead change to advance health may be realized.
Estimation of total genetic effects for survival time in crossbred laying hens showing cannibalism, using pedigree or genomic information
Authors: Brinker T. , Raymond B. , Bijma P. , Vereijken A. , Ellen E.D.
Published: November 2016

Mortality of laying hens due to cannibalism is a major problem in the egg‐laying industry. Survival depends on two genetic effects: the direct genetic effect of the individual itself (DGE) and the indirect genetic effects of its group mates (IGE). For hens housed in sire‐family groups, DGE and IGE cannot be estimated using pedigree information, but the combined effect of DGE and IGE is estimated in the total breeding value (TBV). Genomic information provides information on actual genetic relationships between individuals and might be a tool to improve TBV accuracy. We investigated whether genomic information of the sire increased TBV accuracy compared with pedigree information, and we estimated genetic parameters for survival time. A sire model with pedigree information (BLUP) and a sire model with genomic information (ssGBLUP) were used. We used survival time records of 7290 crossbred offspring with intact beaks from four crosses. Cross‐validation was used to compare the models. Using ssGBLUP did not improve TBV accuracy compared with BLUP which is probably due to the limited number of sires available per cross (~50). Genetic parameter estimates were similar for BLUP and ssGBLUP. For both BLUP and ssGBLUP, total heritable variance (T2), expressed as a proportion of phenotypic variance, ranged from 0.03 ± 0.04 to 0.25 ± 0.09. Further research is needed on breeding value estimation for socially affected traits measured on individuals kept in single‐family groups.
Targeted inhibition of Polo‐like kinase 1 by a novel small‐molecule inhibitor induces mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis in human bladder cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Zhang Guojun , Kong Chuize
Published: November 2016

Bladder cancer is a common cancer with particularly high recurrence after transurethral resection. Despite improvements in neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the outcome of patients with advanced bladder cancer has changed very little. In this study, the anti‐tumour activities of a novel Polo‐like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor (RO3280) was evaluated in vitro and in vivo in the bladder carcinoma cell lines 5637 and T24. MTT assays, colony‐formation assays, flow cytometry, cell morphological analysis and trypan blue exclusion assays were used to examine the proliferation, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of bladder carcinoma cells with or without RO3280 treatment. Moreover, real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expressions of genes that are related to these cellular processes. Our results showed that RO3280 inhibited cell growth and cell cycle progression, increased Wee1 expression and cell division cycle protein 2 phosphorylation. In addition, RO3280 induced mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis, increased cleaved PARP (poly ADP‐ribose polymerase) and caspase‐3, and decreased BubR1 expression. The in vivo assay revealed that RO3280 retarded bladder cancer xenograft growth in a nude mouse model. Although further laboratory and pre‐clinical investigations are needed to corroborate these data, our demonstration of bladder cancer growth inhibition and dissemination using a pharmacological inhibitor of PLK1 provides new opportunities for future therapeutic intervention.
Telephone‐assisted self‐help for parents of children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder who have residual functional impairment despite methylphenidate treatment: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dose Christina , Hautmann Christopher , Buerger Mareike , Schuermann Stephanie , Woitecki Katrin , Doepfner Manfred
Published: November 2016

Background

Self‐help parenting interventions have been shown to be effective in the management of children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and may be useful when there are barriers to face‐to‐face therapist‐led parent trainings. Previous studies indicate that behavioral interventions might be a useful adjunct to medication in children with residual ADHD symptoms, and regarding comorbid oppositional symptoms and multiple domains of functional impairment. In the present study, we examined whether a telephone‐assisted self‐help (TASH) parenting behavioral intervention (written materials plus telephone counseling) enhanced the effects of methylphenidate treatment in children with ADHD.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, parents of 103 school‐aged children with ADHD and residual functional impairment despite methylphenidate treatment were randomly assigned to either the enhancement group, which received the TASH intervention as adjunct to routine clinical care (including continued medication), or to the active control group, which received routine clinical care only (including continued medication). Parent‐completed outcome measures at baseline and at 12 months (postassessment) included functional impairment, ADHD symptoms, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms, parenting behavior, and parental satisfaction with the intervention (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01660425; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01660425).

Results

Intention‐to‐treat analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs), which controlled for baseline data, revealed significant and moderate intervention effects for ODD symptoms and negative parenting behavior at the postassessment, whereas per‐protocol analyses additionally showed significant and moderate effects on functional impairment (primary outcome). Parents expressed high satisfaction with the program.

Conclusions

The TASH program enhances effects of methylphenidate treatment in families who complete the intervention. The discontinuation rate of about 30% and comparison between completing and discontinuing families suggest that the program may be more suitable for families with a higher educational level and fewer additional stresses.
Virtual reconstruction of the skeletal labyrinth of two lamnid sharks (Elasmobranchii, Lamniformes)
Authors: Schnetz L. , Kriwet J. , Pfaff C.
Published: November 2016

The first virtual reconstruction of the skeletal labyrinth of the porbeagle shark Lamna nasus and the shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus is presented here using high‐resolution micro‐computed tomography. The results, in comparison with previously published information, suggest relationships between skeletal labyrinth morphology and locomotion mode in chondrichthyans, but also show that further studies are required to establish such connections. Nevertheless, this study adds to the knowledge of the skeletal labyrinth morphology in two apex elasmobranch species.
Diel shifts in the structure and function of nearshore estuarine fish communities
Authors: Yeoh D. E. , Valesini F. J. , Hallett C. S. , Abdo D. A. , Williams J.
Published: November 2016

Day–night shifts in the nearshore fish fauna of a temperate microtidal estuary were assessed using a holistic suite of structural and functional community attributes. Mean fish species richness and diversity (taxonomic distinctness) were higher at night across all regions of the estuary and seasons, concurring with the findings of numerous comparable studies reviewed worldwide, while the diel period in which mean abundance was higher varied among seasons. Likewise, species and functional guild compositions (the latter based on feeding modes and habitat use) both differed significantly between day and night, with the extent of the diel shift again varying seasonally. Daytime fish communities were characterized by higher abundances of Atherinidae, Sillaginidae and Mugilidae, while Gobiidae were far more abundant at night. Marked shifts in size composition were also evident, with smaller fishes (<100 mm total length, LT) being more prevalent during the day and larger fishes (≥200 mm LT) proportionally more abundant at night. The above diel shifts were feasibly related to a range of predator–prey interactions and feeding‐related movements, namely a nocturnal decrease in top‐order avian piscivory coupled with an increase in invertebrate prey availability, resulting in changes in the presence and catchability of certain fish species in shallow estuarine waters.
Shear Bond Strength of Repair Systems to New CAD/CAM Restorative Materials
Authors: Üstün Özlem , Büyükhatipoğlu Işıl Keçik , Seçilmiş Aslı
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the bond strength of repair systems (Ceramic Repair, Clearfil Repair) to computer‐aided design/computer‐assisted machining (CAD/CAM) restorative materials (IPS e.max CAD, Vita Suprinity, Vita Enamic, Lava Ultimate).

Materials and Methods

Thermally aged CAD/CAM restorative material specimens (5000 cycles between 5°C and 55°C) were randomly divided into two groups according to the repair system: Ceramic Repair (37% phosphoric acid + Monobond‐S + Heliobond + Tetric N Ceram) or Clearfil Repair (40% phosphoric acid + mixture of Clearfil Porcelain Bond Activator and Clearfil SE Bond Primer + Clearfil SE Bond + Filtek Z250). The resin composite was light‐cured on conditioned specimens. All specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours and then additionally aged for 5000 thermal cycles. The shear bond strength test was performed using a universal testing machine (0.5 mm/min). Two‐way ANOVA was used to detect significance differences according to the CAD/CAM material and composite repair system factors. Subgroup analyses were conducted using the least significant difference post‐hoc test.

Results

The results of two‐way ANOVA indicated that bond strength values varied according to the restorative materials (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the CAD/CAM restorative materials (p > 0.05), except in the Vita Suprinity group (p < 0.05). Moreover, no differences were observed between the repair systems.

Conclusions

Both the Clearfil and Ceramic repair systems used in the study allow for successful repairs.
Improvement of phytoplankton culture isolation using single cell sorting by flow cytometry
Authors: Marie Dominique , Le Gall Florence , Edern Roseline , Gourvil Priscillia , Vaulot Daniel
Published: November 2016

Flow cytometry provides a tool to physically sort single algal cells in order to obtain clonal cultures. During sorting, cells are submitted to physical stress factors such as high fluidic pressure, exposure to the laser beam, electrostatic charges, deflection through high voltage fields, and collisions with container surfaces. All of these can damage the cells of interest and success rates for initiation of cultures from flow‐sorted cells are generally very low. We found that the addition of bovine serum albumin in the culture medium into which cells were sorted drastically improved the success of initiation of pico‐ and nano‐eukaryotic phytoplankton strains. Adding a mixture of antibiotics (Penicillin, Neomycin, Streptomycin) to the medium in order to slow down bacterial growth further improved culture development. This approach was successfully used to isolate taxonomically diverse strains, including novel taxa, from a fresh sample obtained in the English Channel and from enrichment cultures established during an Atlantic meridional transect cruise. We anticipate that these improvements will be useful to clone or purify existing cultures and to isolate novel cultures from oceanic samples.
Simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir for hepatitis C virus‐infected patients with decompensated liver disease
Authors: Lawitz E. , Poordad F. , Gutierrez J. A. , Kakuda T. N. , Picchio G. , Beets G. , Vandevoorde A. , Van Remoortere P. , Jacquemyn B. , Luo D. , Ouwerkerk‐Mahadevan S. , Vijgen L. , Van Eygen V. , Beumont M.
Published: November 2016

Approximately three million individuals in the United States are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic HCV infection may lead to the development of compensated as well as decompensated liver cirrhosis. The Phase II IMPACT study was conducted in HCV genotype 1‐ or 4‐infected cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension or decompensated liver disease and assessed for the first time the combination of the three direct‐acting antivirals simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir. Treatment‐naïve or treatment‐experienced adults with Child‐Pugh (CP) score <7 (CP A) and evidence of portal hypertension, or CP score 7–9 (CP B), received 12 weeks of simeprevir 150 mg, daclatasvir 60 mg and sofosbuvir 400 mg, once daily. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12). Pharmacokinetics and safety were also assessed. Overall, 40 patients were enrolled (CP A: 19; CP B: 21). All 40 patients achieved SVR12. At week 8, the mean pharmacokinetic exposure to simeprevir, sofosbuvir, daclatasvir and GS‐331007 (sofosbuvir metabolite) was 2.2‐, 1.5‐, 1.2‐ and 1.2‐fold higher in patients with CP B than CP A, respectively. Grade 1/2 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 26 of 40 (65%) patients. One CP B patient had a Grade 3 AE (gastrointestinal haemorrhage), which was reported as a serious AE but not considered related to study drugs. Treatment for 12 weeks with simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir was generally safe and well tolerated, and resulted in 100% of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension or decompensated liver disease achieving SVR12.
Alien plant species that invade high elevations are generalists: support for the directional ecological filtering hypothesis
Authors: Steyn Christien , Greve Michelle , Robertson Mark P. , Kalwij Jesse M. , le Roux Peter C.
Published: November 2016

Questions

The richness of invasive alien plant species tends to decrease with increasing elevation. This pattern may be due to alien plant species requiring traits allowing survival at high elevations (the Abiotic Limitation Hypothesis; ALH). In contrast, the more recent Directional Ecological Filtering Hypothesis (DEFH) suggests that only species with broad environmental tolerances will successfully spread from lowlands (where most introductions occur) to high elevations. Here we test support for the DEFH and ALH along an elevational gradient by asking: (1) are alien species that occur at higher elevations generalists; and (2) do alien species occurring at higher elevations exhibit traits that distinguishes them from lowland alien species?

Location

Sani Pass, Maloti‐Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area, South Africa.

Methods

A nestedness analysis was conducted to test whether alien species were nested along the elevational gradient, and ANOVA and Chi2 tests (supplemented by resampling procedures) were used to determine if functional traits differed between high‐ and low‐elevation alien species.

Results

Significant nestedness of the alien flora indicates that alien species occurring at high elevations are generalists, being widespread across the elevational gradient. Compared to low‐elevation aliens, plant height was lower and cold tolerance weaker for high‐elevation species.

Conclusion

We found support for the DEFH, with the majority of high‐elevation aliens being widespread generalists. Overall only two of the 11 functional traits differed between high‐ and low‐elevation alien species, with only one trait supporting the ALH: shorter plant stature at higher elevations. Therefore, complementing nestedness analyses with trait data provides a more nuanced insight into the determinants of alien richness patterns along elevational gradients, and highlights how the two contemporary hypotheses might not be mutually exclusive.
Community aggregated traits disclose functional responses to seasonal resource fluctuations and spatial heterogeneity
Authors: Ospina Sonia , Rusch Graciela M. , Easdale Tomás A. , Finegan Bryan , Casanoves Fernando , Ibrahim Muhammad
Published: November 2016

Aim

To investigate changes in community‐level functional responses to rainfall seasonality in Neotropical grasslands through the analysis of community aggregated traits.

Location

Semi‐natural grasslands in the Río Grande de Matagalpa watershed, Nicaragua.

Methods

We measured 14 functional response traits that are indicators of plant resource‐use strategies, across 32 herbaceous and four woody species in eight permanent plots: leaf size, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf lifespan, foliar concentrations of P, N, Ca, K and Mg, plant height, lateral spread by clonal growth, root depth, start of flowering period and length of the period from flowering to seed shed. We calculated the community‐weighted means (CWM) with trait values weighted by species cover for five different paddocks 11 times (between 2 Jul 2007 and 26 May 2008), and grouped them into four periods according to rainfall seasonality: early rainy season, late rainy season, early dry season and late dry season.

Results

Community aggregated values of specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf lifespan, foliar concentrations of P, N, Ca, K and Mg, length of the period from flowering to seed shed, and to a lesser extent lateral spread by clonal growth responded to temporal variations in rainfall, and corresponded to a considerable extent to expectations based on plant resource‐use strategies along resource supply gradients. Community aggregated values of specific leaf area and foliar nutrient concentration were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, while we observed an opposite trend with leaf dry matter content and leaf lifespan.

Conclusions

Semi‐natural grasslands of central Nicaragua experience shifts in plant trait dominance that correspond with changes in resource supply given by rainfall seasonality, indicating that the stabilizing function of net primary productivity found in earlier studies can in part be a consequence of temporal differentiation in functional responses.
Connecting Critical Race Theory with Second Generation Legal Consciousness Work in Obasogie's Blinded by Sight
Authors: Gómez Laura E.
Published: November 2016

Sociologist and legal scholar Osagie Obasogie's study of how blind people “see” race reveals the usually invisible, taken-for-granted mechanisms that reproduce racism. In Blinded by Sight, he distinguishes racial consciousness from legal consciousness, though he notes their common emphases on studying how cumulative social practices and interactions produce commonsense understandings. I argue that there is much to be gained from connecting these two fields, one emanating primarily out of critical race theory and the other out of law and society scholarship. Legal consciousness offers an important avenue for bridging macro studies of race making with micro studies such as Obasogie's, which focus on individuals' experiences and practices of constructing race and learning racism.
Response to Gómez and Omi and Winant
Authors: Obasogie Osagie K.
Published: November 2016

Laura Gómez and Michael Omi and Howard Winant offer thoughtful commentaries on Blinded by Sight: Seeing Race Through the Eyes of the Blind that expand an important discussion on the constructed and constitutive aspects of race. This response attempts to continue this conversation by putting the book's substantive innovations in dialogue with its methodological contributions.
Blinded by Sight: The Racial Body and the Origins of the Social Construction of Race
Authors: Omi Michael , Winant Howard
Published: November 2016

Osagie K. Obasogie's Blinded by Sight: Seeing Race through the Eyes of the Blind (2014) makes important contributions to both to the sociology of law and to critical race studies. The book challenges “colorblind” racial ideology by showing empirically that people who are blind from birth nevertheless “see” race, grasping it as a nearly omnipresent feature of social interaction and social organization. These insights, however, do not diminish the importance of the racial body. Beyond refuting colorblindness, Obasogie's book points to a neverending tension, embedded in what we call racial formation, between the social construction of race and the corporeality of race. This tension has been present since the dawn of empire and African slavery. Obasogie's achievement of falsifying colorblindness should not lead us to neglect the importance of the racial body.
Efficacy and safety of amphotericin B lipid‐based formulations—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Steimbach Laiza M. , Tonin Fernanda S. , Virtuoso Suzane , Borba Helena H. L. , Sanches Andréia C. C. , Wiens Astrid , Fernandez‐Llimós Fernando , Pontarolo Roberto
Published: November 2016

Invasive fungal infections, an important cause of mortality, are primarily treated using amphotericin B, which is available in different formulations, both conventional and lipid‐based (liposomal, lipid complex, colloidal dispersion and Intralipid® infusion). The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy and safety of conventional amphotericin B vs its lipid‐based formulations. A systematic review followed by pairwise meta‐analysis was performed, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the use of lipid‐based amphotericin B in patients with any degree of immunosuppression and susceptibility to invasive fungal infection. An electronic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Scielo databases. Extracted outcomes were related to efficacy (cure) and safety (incidence of adverse events). Results were evaluated and meta‐analyses were performed. Twenty‐three RCTs were identified (n=2677 participants) for meta‐analysis. No significant differences between conventional amphotericin B and any of the five formulations evaluated were observed, with regard to the efficacy analysis. With respect to the adverse events of nephrotoxicity, fever, chills and vomiting, all lipid formulations presented better profiles than the conventional formulation. The present systematic review and meta‐analysis showed that conventional amphotericin B presents the same efficacy profile as lipid‐based formulations, although the latter were associated with a safer profile.
Metastatic paraganglioma presenting in the oral cavity as the initial manifestation
Authors: Ekanayake K. , Ekanayake M. , Tilakaratne W.M.
Published: November 2016

Paragangliomas are tumours arising from pheochromocytes. Malignant variants are rare. We report of a rare metastasis to mandible of a paraganglioma. This patient also had evidence of metastases to the skull, clavicle, scapula and neck. The diagnosis was based on the histopathology of the oral lesion and a neck node. The disease progressed rapidly and the patient died within a few months from initial presentation. We believe that this is only the third time the metastasis of a paraganglioma to the mandible has been reported.
Schistosoma haematobium infection is associated with increased urine foam
Authors: Sheele Johnathan M , Baddorf Sarah , Kihara Jimmy H
Published: November 2016

We compared urine microscopy and dipstick results for urine foam from 59 children in a Schistosoma haematobium‐endemic area in a blinded manner. The sensitivity and specificity, respectively, for diagnosing S. haematobium compared with microscopy was: 74% and 72% for the shake test; 61% and 97% for microscopic hematuria; and 43% and 83% for proteinuria. When >17 eggs/10 mL urine was detected on microscopy, the sensitivity and specificity, respectively, were: 100% and 72% for the shake test; 90% and 97% for microscopic hematuria; and 80% and 83% for proteinuria. Urine foam height >34 mL was significantly more likely to have S. haematobium eggs detected on microscopy (P = 0.001) than urine foam ≤34 mL, indicating that S. haematobium‐infected urine is associated with increased urine foam.
Congenital nephrotic syndrome with a novel NPHS1 mutation
Authors: Yoshizawa Chikage , Kobayashi Yasuko , Ikeuchi Yuka , Tashiro Masahiko , Kakegawa Satoko , Watanabe Toshio , Goto Yoshimitsu , Nakanishi Koichi , Yoshikawa Norishige , Arakawa Hirokazu
Published: November 2016

Congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. The incidence of CNF is relatively high in Finland but considerably lower in other countries. We encountered a male newborn with CNF, associated with compound heterozygous mutations in nephrosis 1, congenital, Finnish type (NPHS1). The patient was admitted to hospital as a preterm infant. Physical and laboratory findings fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of nephrotic syndrome, and were compatible with a diagnosis of CNF, but there was no family history of the disease. On genetic analysis of NPHS1 a paternally derived heterozygous frame‐shift mutation caused by an 8 bp deletion, resulting in a stop codon in exon 16 (c.2156‐2163 delTGCACTGC causing p.L719DfsX4), and a novel, maternally derived nonsense mutation in exon 15 (c.1978G>T causing p.E660X) were identified. Early genetic diagnosis of CNF is important for proper clinical management and appropriate genetic counseling.
Familial acute necrotizing encephalopathy without RANBP2 mutation: Poor outcome
Authors: Nishimura Naoko , Higuchi Yoshihisa , Kimura Nobusuke , Nozaki Fumihito , Kumada Tomohiro , Hoshino Ai , Saitoh Makiko , Mizuguchi Masashi
Published: November 2016

Most childhood cases of acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) involve neither family history nor recurrence. ANE occasionally occurs, however, as a familial disorder or recurs in Caucasian patients. A mutation of RAN‐binding protein 2 (RANBP2) has been discovered in more than one half of familial or recurrent ANE patients. In contrast, there has been no report of this mutation in East Asia. Here, we report the first sibling cases of typical ANE in Japan, with poor outcome. DNA analysis of genes associated with ANE or other encephalopathies, including RANBP2 and carnitine palmitoyl transferase II (CPT2), indicated neither mutations nor disease‐related polymorphisms. On literature review, recurrent or familial ANE without the RANBP2 mutation has a more severe outcome and greater predilection for male sex than that with the RANBP2 mutation. This suggests that there are unknown gene mutations linked to ANE.