bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactions to Gudair® vaccination identified in sheep used for biomedical research
Authors: Musk GC , Kershaw H , Tano K , Niklasson A , von Unge M , Dilley RJ
Published: February 2019

Case report

We report Gudair® vaccination (against ovine Johne's disease, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis) site reactions in sheep used as a surgical model in biomedical research and discuss the actual and potential impact these lesions may have on surgical procedures, particularly in otology. Nine female Merino‐cross sheep (Ovis aries) were enrolled in a project designed to investigate the healing capabilities of the malleus bone in the middle ear. The sheep were 12–18 months of age. Eight sheep had lesions near the base of the right ear that were discovered when surgery was performed. The size of the lesions varied and all lesions had a thick capsule containing various amount of caseous material. Two lesions had a draining tract where purulent material was apparent at the lowest point. The prescapular lymph nodes were not palpable in any of the sheep. Aerobic growth of various organisms was reported from four sheep lesions when the purulent material was transferred to a broth media. Histopathological examination revealed intralesional Mycobacteria and focal caseous necrosis or granulomatous dermatitis and cellulitis in seven of the eight lesions. Mild necrotising to granulomatous dermatitis and cellulitis was described in the lesion where organisms were not found.

Conclusions

The lesions were confirmed at the end of the study to be associated with the vaccination and did not cause any known adverse effects on the research. However, it is important to acknowledge the risk of contamination these lesions could have on a sterile surgical site.
Does Ethical Reinforcement Pay? Evidence from the Canadian Mutual Fund Industry in the Post‐Financial Crisis Era
Authors: Smimou K. , Ayadi Mohamed A.
Published: February 2019

This study elucidates the link and effect ofethical reinforcement in the post‐financial crisis eraby taking two congruent directions to demonstrate that ethical reinforcement can be accomplished by either a continuous ethical training or a meticulous code of business ethics—which members of the mutual fund industry claim they adhere to—asbothhave a positive effect on the funds’ performance, including sizeable gains to investors. Furthermore, evidence divulges that ethical reinforcement moderates the performance of ethical or socially responsible investments (SRI) funds more than nonethical investments, suggesting that a perspective of ethical or SRI classification of a fund aloneis not sufficient, but it is necessary to have the institutional ethical environment and/or managers’ continuous ethical training. This result supports the notion of financial market discipline and reveals some factors behind SRI or ethical funds returns, notably during the period following the recent financial crisis.
Neprilysin inhibition for pulmonary arterial hypertension: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, proof‐of‐concept trial
Authors: Hobbs Adrian J. , Moyes Amie J. , Baliga Reshma S. , Ghedia Dipa , Ochiel Rachel , Sylvestre Yvonne , Doré Caroline J. , Chowdhury Kashfia , Maclagan Kate , Quartly Harriet L. , Sofat Reecha , Smit Angelique , Schreiber Benjamin E. , Coghlan Gerry J. , MacAllister Raymond J.
Published: February 2019

Background and Purpose

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an incurable, incapacitating disorder resulting from increased pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary arterial remodelling, and right ventricular failure. In preclinical models, the combination of a PDE5 inhibitor (PDE5i) with a neprilysin inhibitor augments natriuretic peptide bioactivity, promotes cGMP signalling, and reverses the structural and haemodynamic deficits that characterize PAH. Herein, we conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of repurposing the neprilysin inhibitor, racecadotril, in PAH.

Experimental Approach

Twenty‐one PAH patients stable on PDE5i therapy were recruited. Acute haemodynamic and biochemical changes following a single dose of racecadotril or matching placebo were determined; this was followed by a 14‐day safety and efficacy evaluation. The primary endpoint in both steps was the maximum change in circulating atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration (Δmax), with secondary outcomes including pulmonary and systemic haemodynamics plus mechanistic biomarkers.

Key Results

Acute administration of racecadotril (100 mg) resulted in a 79% increase in the plasma ANP concentration and a 106% increase in plasma cGMP levels, with a concomitant 14% fall in pulmonary vascular resistance. Racecadotril (100 mg; t.i.d.) treatment for 14 days resulted in a 19% rise in plasma ANP concentration. Neither acute nor chronic administration of racecadotril resulted in a significant drop in mean arterial BP or any serious adverse effects.

Conclusions and Implications

This Phase IIa evaluation provides proof‐of‐principle evidence that neprilysin inhibitors may have therapeutic utility in PAH and warrants a larger scale prospective trial.
Why electoral reform might improve representation and why it might make it worse
Authors: Guntermann Eric
Published: February 2019

The debate over electoral reform has largely focused on representation in Parliament. However, the government largely controls policy‐making in parliamentary systems like Canada. This article shows that a more proportional system would increase the likelihood of coalitions. Because the dominant approach to studying representation in government, ideological congruence, suggests that reforming the electoral system would make no change to the level of representation, this article focuses instead on the representation of party preferences. It shows that multi‐party cabinets, common under proportional systems, involve a trade‐off between including more citizens’ preferred parties in government, while reducing the overall level of party preference representation.
Long non‐coding RNA AFAP1‐AS1 is upregulated in a subset of multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Mazdeh Mehrdokht , Eftekharian Mohammad M. , Komaki Alireza , Arsang‐Jang Shahram , Ghafouri‐Fard Soudeh , Taheri Mohammad
Published: February 2019

Objective

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. Although the exact mechanism of this autoimmune disorder has not yet been identified, several protein coding genes and non‐coding transcripts have been shown to be dysregulated in MS patients.

Methods

In the current study, we assessed expression of actin filament associated protein 1 (AFAP1) and its naturally occurring antisense (actin filament associated protein 1‐antisense 1: AFAP1‐AS1) in the peripheral blood of MS patients and healthy individuals.

Results

AFAP1‐AS1 was upregulated in male MS patients compared with healthy male controls (P = 0.048). AFAP1 expression was not different between MS patients and controls or between any subgroups of patients and controls. The interaction between disease status and sex was significant in AFAP1‐AS1 expression. There was a significant inverse correlation between expression levels of AFAP1 and AFAP1‐AS1 in healthy individuals (r = −0.472, P = 0.001), but not MS patients (r = −0.251, P = 0.078).

Conclusions

The current study implies the role of AFAP1‐AS1 dysregulation in the pathogenesis of a certain group of MS patients. Future studies are required to elaborate the underlying mechanism of such dysregulation.
Time, Place and Home: Exploring Meanings of Home in Vancouver
Authors: Vanzella–Yang Adam
Published: February 2019

Building on recent studies emphasizing how structural and contextual forces shape notions of home, I explore how the experience of home is related to the concepts of time and place. Using 46 interviews with 23 individuals, I investigate how home is defined and experienced by younger and older adults in relationship to Vancouver's particular cultural, geographic, and historical contexts. I find three main ways in which respondents established a sense of home in a city concomitantly known for its livability and unaffordability: the stepping–stone home (a future–oriented sense of home), the despatialized home (a present–oriented sense of home), and the extended home in time (a past–oriented perspective) and in place (a sense of home extended onto the natural environment). My study contributes toward comprehensive understandings of home with new empirical material showing how a taken–for–granted experience results from an interplay between structural, contextual, and individual factors.
Decreased ciliary beat responsiveness to acetylcholine in the nasal polyp epithelium
Authors: Do Hung Ba , Ohbuchi Toyoaki , Yokoyama Mitsuru , Kitamura Takuro , Wakasugi Tetsuro , Ohkubo Jun‐ichi , Suzuki Hideaki
Published: February 2019

Objective

We investigated the difference in ciliary beat responsiveness to acetylcholine in ex vivo and the difference in the expressions of associated molecules (M1/M3 muscarinic receptors, pannexin‐1 and P2X7 purinergic receptor) between the nasal polyp and turbinate mucosa.

Study design

Laboratorial study.

Participants

Nasal polyp and inferior turbinate were collected from patients with hypertrophic rhinitis and/or nasal polyp during endoscopic sinonasal surgery.

Main outcome measures

The mucosa was cut into thin strips, and ciliary movement was observed under a phase‐contrast light microscope equipped with a high‐speed digital video camera. The samples were also examined by scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence immunohistochemistry, and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Cilia were well preserved in both tissues at the ultrastructural level. The baseline ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was not different between the two tissues. The CBF of the turbinate was significantly increased by stimulation with acetylcholine (P < 0.001), but that of the polyp was not. The ratio of the acetylcholine‐stimulated CBF to the baseline CBF was significantly lower in the polyp than in the turbinate (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical study revealed that immunoreactivities for M3, pannexin‐1 and P2X7 were weaker in the polyp than in the turbinate. The mRNA expressions of M1, M3 and P2X7 were significantly lower and that of pannexin‐1 tended to be lower in the polyp than in the turbinate.

Conclusions

These results indicate that ciliary beat responsiveness to acetylcholine is decreased in the nasal polyp. This may be explained by the decreased expressions of M3, P2X7 and probably pannexin‐1 in this tissue.
Standard baseline data collections in obesity management clinics: A Delphi study with recommendations from an expert panel
Authors: Ramachandran Divya , Atlantis Evan , Markovic Tania , Hocking Samantha , Gill Timothy
Published: February 2019

We aimed to develop an expert consensus on standardizing data collections in specialist obesity management clinics in Australia. A panel of 16 experts participated in a structured consensus‐driven Delphi process to reach agreement on a minimum set of baseline patient data collections for consideration in specialist obesity services. The panel included surgeons, clinicians, allied health professionals (dietician, exercise physiologist, psychologist), a bariatric nurse and obesity researchers. We produced a recommended list of core and useful data items that should comprise the baseline patient data set. Consensus was achieved for recommended measures of demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, weight‐loss history, medication, medical history and comorbidity data items using a 70% agreement threshold. In this iterative process, there was also consideration of specific data items for patients referred for bariatric surgery. We present the first expert panel consensus on recommendations for a minimum and standard set of baseline patient data collections in obesity management services in Australia. These may be relevant to other countries with similar obesity management service models. Implementation of these recommendations should facilitate data pooling for clinical audits and research collaborations across clinics seeking to improve the quality of specialist obesity care.
Whose Sustainability? An Analysis of a Community Farming Program's Food Justice and Environmental Sustainability Agenda
Authors: Davenport Sarah Grace , Mishtal Joanna
Published: February 2019

As the 1960s U.S. environmental movement gained momentum, sustainability and justice discourses surfaced to the forefront. While environmental justice discourse considers the unequal effects of environmental burdens, the language that frames “sustainability” is often socially and politically neutral. This paper critically examines the sustainability initiatives and practices of urban farming program in Florida. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in 2017, it explores the extent to which these initiatives consider a community's race and socioeconomic class when working to provide sustainably grown food in diverse communities. We argue that the program's initiatives overlook food justice concerns and use the same approach across disparate communities that focus on environmental rather than community benefits. Therefore, the program's non‐political approach neglects to integrate the experiences of those living on the margins. This research calls for a critical examination of sustainability practices, and the incorporation of social justice themes into sustainability agendas.
Trends in methamphetamine and opioid use among clients of needle‐syringe programs in Queensland, Australia: 2007–2015
Authors: Jacka Brendan , Kemp Robert , Degenhardt Louisa , Peacock Amy , Clare Philip , Bruno Raimondo , Dev Abhilash , Sotade Oluwadamisola , Larance Briony
Published: February 2019

Introduction and Aims

Needle‐syringe programs (NSP) are an underutilized source of data on drug injection trends; these data are essential for informing public health interventions. We examine trends in NSP service occasions from 2007–2015.

Design and Methods

Using standardised data from 26 NSP outlets through the Queensland NSP Minimum Data Set (QNSPMDS), trends in service occasions among clients intending to inject methamphetamine, heroin, opioid substitution therapy (OST) medications and other pharmaceutical opioids were assessed using multilevel mixed‐effects negative binomial regression, adjusting for month, year, age and clustering by site.

Results

Over 1.5 million service occasions were recorded in 2007–2015. Methamphetamine was the main ‘drug intended to inject’ (33.7%), however cf. 2007, the incidence rate ratio decreased to 0.64 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.66) in 2009, remaining low until 2015. Among clients reporting methamphetamine injection, there was a shift in the form from base to the higher‐potency crystal methamphetamine since 2012. Heroin injection (22.5% service occasions) initially increased (cf. 2007), followed by a decline to 0.77 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.79) in 2015. Significant and sustained increases in OST and other pharmaceutical opioids injection were observed throughout the study period, accounting for 7.2% and 19.8% of total visits, respectively.

Discussion and Conclusions

The QNSPMDS provides unique, routinely collected, jurisdiction‐wide and standardised data on the demographics of people who inject drugs, types of drugs injected and regional variations; these data are essential in informing policy, planning and program implementation. There remains significant opportunity to enhance engagement and linkage to care alongside needle‐syringe provision.
Handekzeme bei niederländischen Imkern – eine Querschnittsuntersuchung
Authors: Oosterhaven Jart A. F. , Verbist Julia , Schuttelaar Marie‐Louise A.
Published: February 2019

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung

Studien mit Imkern konzentrierten sich bislang meist auf die Kontaktallergie auf Propolis. Die Gesamtprävalenz des Handekzems (HE) bei Imkern wurde noch nicht untersucht. Unser Ziel war es, einen Einblick in die Prävalenz des HE bei niederländischen Imkern und in die Auswirkungen der Imkerei auf das HE (und vice versa) zu gewinnen. Zusätzlich sollten Faktoren, die mit dem HE assoziiert sind, ermittelt werden.

Patienten und Methodik

Wir führten eine Querschnittserhebung anhand einer Online‐Befragung durch. Die niederländischen Imker beantworteten Fragen zu ihren Aktivitäten als Imker, der Prävalenz und Ausprägung des HE, inklusive Schweregrad und Einfluss ihrer Erkrankung auf die Imkerei.

Ergebnisse

833 Fragebögen (12 % der niederländischen Imker) wurden von uns ausgewertet. Die Ein‐Jahres‐Prävalenz des HE lag bei 13,2 % und die Lebenszeitprävalenz bei 20,5 %. Von 28 mit Epikutantest untersuchten Imkern reagierten acht (28,6 %) allergisch auf Propolis. Die einzige mit dem HE assoziierte Variable war die atopische Dermatitis (Odds Ratio 4,53 [95 %‐Konfidenzintervall 2,78–7,38]). Einer von drei Imkern berichtete, dass das HE durch die Imkerei verursacht wurde oder sich darunter verschlechtert hatte. Dennoch berichteten lediglich 3,8 % davon, ihre Tätigkeit als Imker aufgrund des HE einzuschränken. Der Einfluss des HE auf die Imkerei ist (aus Imkersicht) gering.

Schlussfolgerungen

In dieser Studie mit niederländischen Imkern wurde eine im Vergleich zur Allgemeinbevölkerung höhere Prävalenz des HE beobachtet. Bei der Mehrheit der betroffenen Imker scheint ein HE jedoch kaum Auswirkungen auf die Ausübung der Imkerei zu haben.
Skin inflammation associated with arthritis, synovitis and enthesitis. Part 2: rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, Lyme borreliosis, dermatomyositis and lupus erythematosus
Authors: Schempp Christoph M. , Schauer Franziska , Huhn Christian K. , Venhoff Nils , Finzel Stephanie
Published: February 2019

Syndromes associated with concurrent skin and joint inflammation frequently pose a therapeutic challenge for both dermatologists and rheumatologists. In part 1 of this review, we discussed psoriatic arthritis as well as the autoinflammatory disorders SAPHO syndrome, Still's disease and Behçet's disease. Part 2 will address rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, Reiter's syndrome and Lyme borreliosis. In addition, we will discuss dermatomyositis and lupus erythematosus, two common autoimmune disorders that frequently present with both cutaneous and joint involvement. For each of the aforementioned disorders, we will highlight aspects of epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiovascular disease in cerebral palsy: shifting our focus from attention to prevention
Authors: McPhee Patrick G
Published: February 2019

This commentary is on the original articles by Heyn et al. on pages 477–483 of this issue and Peterson et al. on pages 484–489 of this issue.
Assessing patient‐reported outcomes for automated insulin delivery systems: the psychometric properties of the INSPIRE measures
Authors: Weissberg‐Benchell J. , Shapiro J. B. , Hood K. , Laffel L. M. , Naranjo D. , Miller K. , Barnard K.
Published: February 2019

Aim

Participants in clinical trials assessing automated insulin delivery systems report perceived benefits and burdens that reflect their experiences and may predict their likelihood of uptake and continued use of this novel technology. Despite the importance of understanding their perspectives, there are no available validated and reliable measures assessing the psychosocial aspects of automated insulin delivery systems. The present study assesses the initial psychometric properties of the INSPIRE measures, which were developed for youth and adults with Type 1 diabetes, as well as parents and partners.

Methods

Data from 292 youth, 159 adults, 150 parents of youth and 149 partners of individuals recruited from the Type 1 Diabetes Exchange Registry were analysed. Participants completed INSPIRE questionnaires and measures of quality of life, fear of hypoglycaemia, diabetes distress, glucose monitoring satisfaction. Exploratory factor analysis assessed factor structures. Associations between INSPIRE scores and other measures, HbA1c, and technology use assessed concurrent and discriminant validity.

Results

Youth, adult, parent and partner measures assess positive expectancies of automated insulin delivery systems. Measures range from 17 to 22 items and are reliable (α = 0.95–0.97). Youth, adult and parent measures are unidimensional; the partner measure has a two‐factor structure (perceptions of impact on partners versus the person with diabetes). Measures showed concurrent and discriminant validity.

Conclusions

INSPIRE measures assessing the positive expectancies of automated insulin delivery systems for youth, adults, parents and partners have meaningful factor structures and are internally consistent. The developmentally sensitive INSPIRE measures offer added value as clinical trials test newer systems, systems become commercially available and clinicians initiate using these systems.
Cholangiocarcinoma is associated with a raised enhanced liver fibrosis score independent of primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Saffioti Francesca , Roccarina Davide , Vesterhus Mette , Hov Johannes R. , Rosenberg William , Pinzani Massimo , Pereira Stephen P. , Boberg Kirsten M. , Thorburn Douglas
Published: February 2019

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) complicates primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in 10%‐20% of cases, but current tools for prediction of a CCA diagnosis are inadequate. Recently, we demonstrated the utility of the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test to stratify prognosis in PSC. We observed that patients with PSC + CCA had significantly higher ELF score than those with PSC alone. In this study, we aimed to investigate further this association in a larger cohort of PSC patients with CCA compared with patients with PSC or CCA alone.

Materials and methods

Stored sera from patients with PSC (n = 119), CCA without known chronic liver disease (n = 36) and PSC + CCA (n = 32) were tested for ELF. ELF score, gender, age, age at disease diagnosis, inflammatory bowel disease, PSC duration and severity, and CCA features were compared amongst the three cohorts. Factors related to an elevated ELF score were investigated.

Results

Enhanced liver fibrosis score was significantly higher in patients with CCA without underlying chronic liver disease and in patients with PSC + CCA compared to those with PSC alone (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, elevated ELF score was associated with the diagnosis of CCA independently of age and PSC status (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Enhanced liver fibrosis score was elevated in patients with CCA irrespective of the presence of PSC, and independently of liver disease stage. Our results indicate that the association between high ELF score and CCA may be related to the tumour’s desmoplastic nature, independent of background liver fibrosis, suggesting that ELF score could be used to risk stratify for CCA in PSC.
Land‐use changes influence the sporulation and survival of Phytophthora agathidicida, a lethal pathogen of New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis)
Authors: Lewis Kai S. J. , Black Amanda , Condron Leo M. , Waipara Nick W. , Scott Peter , Williams Nari , O’Callaghan Maureen
Published: February 2019

Phytophthora agathidicida is the accepted causal agent of dieback in remnant stands of long‐lived indigenous New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis) and poses a significant threat to the long‐term survival of this species. Little is known about the effect of key soil physicochemical characteristics on the growth of P. agathidicida. In this study, we investigated the growth of P. agathidicida in soils collected from adjacent areas under original kauri forest, short rotation pine (Pinus radiata) plantation forest and grazed pastures. A growth response assay was used to quantify asexual (sporangia) and sexual (oospore) spore counts over 8 days in soils sampled from each land‐use. Significantly higher numbers of sporangia (p < 0.001) and oospores (p < 0.01) were found in pasture and pine forest soil within 2 days of the growth assay trials, suggesting these soils may favour asexual/sexual reproduction in the early stages of P. agathidicida establishment compared to kauri forest soils. Additionally, oospore production significantly increased over 8 days in pine forest soil, suggesting that with an increase in inoculum loads, these soils potentially act as pathogen reservoirs. The soil physicochemical properties (e.g., pH, C and N, phosphorus content and electrical conductivity) investigated in this study did not significantly correspond to spore count data between land‐uses, suggesting that differences in growth response are driven by other edaphic factors not explored in the present study.
Topical kinase inhibitors induce regression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Xiaoping , Daifallah Aliaa E. M. , Shankar Shiela , Beer Jacob , Marshall Christine , Dentchev Tzvete , Seykora Francesca , D'Armas Sebastian , Hahn Jaeyi , Lee Vivian , Sabry Hanan H. , Farag Assem M. , Seykora John T.
Published: February 2019

Actinic keratoses (AKs) and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS) are precursor lesions for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), the second most common form of cancer. Current topical therapies for AKs and SCCIS promote skin inflammation to eradicate lesions and do not directly target the biological mechanisms driving growth. We hypothesized that topical small molecule inhibitors targeting kinases promoting keratinocyte growth in AKs and SCCIS could induce regression of these lesions with less inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we determined the efficacy of topical dasatinib, 5‐fluorouracil and BEZ‐235 in inducing regression of cSCCs in the K14‐Fyn Y528 transgenic mouse model. Topical dasatinib induced regression of cSCC with less inflammation, no ulceration and no mortality compared to 5‐fluorouracil. Topical BEZ‐235 induced cSCC regression similar to dasatinib without erythema or ulceration. These data indicate that topical small molecule kinase inhibitors targeting drivers of AK/SCCIS/cSCC growth represent a promising therapeutic approach to treat these common skin lesions.
Structural, biochemical and biophysical characterization of recombinant human fumarate hydratase
Authors: Ajalla Aleixo Mariana A. , Rangel Victor L. , Rustiguel Joane K. , de Pádua Ricardo A. P. , Nonato Maria Cristina
Published: February 2019

Fumarate hydratases (FHs, fumarases) catalyze the reversible conversion of fumarate into l‐malate. FHs are distributed over all organisms and play important roles in energy production, DNA repair and as tumor suppressors. They are very important targets both in the study of human metabolic disorders and as potential therapeutic targets in neglected tropical diseases and tuberculosis. In this study, human FH (HsFH) was characterized by using enzyme kinetics, differential scanning fluorimetry and X‐ray crystallography. For the first time, the contribution of both substrates was analyzed simultaneously in a single kinetics assay allowing to quantify the contribution of the reversible reaction for kinetics. The protein was crystallized in the spacegroup C2221, with unit‐cell parameters a = 125.43, b = 148.01, c = 129.76. The structure was solved by molecular replacement and refined at 1.8 Å resolution. In our study, a HEPES molecule was found to interact with HsFH at the C‐terminal domain (Domain 3), previously described as involved in allosteric regulation, through a set of interactions that includes Lys 467. HsFH catalytic efficiency is higher when in the presence of HEPES. Mutations at residue 467 have already been implicated in genetic disorders caused by FH deficiency, suggesting that the HEPES‐binding site may be important for enzyme kinetics. This study contributes to the understanding of the HsFH structure and how it correlates with mutation, enzymatic deficiency and pathology.
Geographically widespread 13C‐depletion of grazing caddis larvae: A third way of fuelling stream food webs?
Authors: Sampson Aurora , Ings Nicola , Shelley Felicity , Tuffin Sarah , Grey Jonathan , Trimmer Mark , Woodward Guy , Hildrew Alan G.
Published: February 2019

Stream ecosystems are supported by both green (i.e. based on grazing) and brown (i.e. detritus) food webs, whereas methane‐derived carbon is not considered generally to be important; here, we add circumstantial evidence for this potential third way.

Grazing cased‐caddis (Trichoptera) larvae in the family Glossosomatidae can be very abundant in springs and headwaters and frequently have much lower stable carbon isotope ratios (i.e. they are depleted in the heavier 13C stable isotope) than the biofilm (epilithon) on the upper surfaces of the stones on which they live, and which is their presumed diet. Evidence for similar isotopic depletion in other lotic invertebrates is currently limited, however; even for glossosomatids it has been observed so far only in some streams draining the southern English cretaceous chalk and in a few headwaters in northern California. If this phenomenon proves to be more widespread, among streams or taxa, it could imply a more general underpinning of stream food webs by isotopically light carbon derived from methane and accessed via consumers feeding on methanotrophic bacteria.

Here, we sampled 58 stream sites to examine whether caddis larvae are also 13C‐depleted in streams draining other geologies. We focused mainly on carboniferous limestone and sandstone, as well as on further chalk streams representative of most of the British chalk aquifer: together, these new sites covered an area of almost 90,000 km2, around three times greater than that surveyed previously.

At all 58 sites methane gas was supersaturated relative to the atmospheric equilibrium, and at 49 of them larvae were conspicuously 13C‐depleted (from −17.5‰ to −3.6‰) relative to the bulk epilithon (components of which we know can oxidise methane). Although still most pronounced on chalk, this phenomenon was geographically and geologically much more widespread than shown previously and suggests methane‐derived carbon could indeed play a prominent role in stream food webs (i.e. the third way).
Spatial early warning signals for impending regime shifts: A practical framework for application in real‐world landscapes
Authors: Nijp Jelmer J. , Temme Arnaud J.A.M. , van Voorn George A.K. , Kooistra Lammert , Hengeveld Geerten M. , Soons Merel B. , Teuling Adriaan J. , Wallinga Jakob
Published: February 2019

Prediction of ecosystem response to global environmental change is a pressing scientific challenge of major societal relevance. Many ecosystems display nonlinear responses to environmental change, and may even undergo practically irreversible ‘regime shifts’ that initiate ecosystem collapse. Recently, early warning signals based on spatiotemporal metrics have been proposed for the identification of impending regime shifts. The rapidly increasing availability of remotely sensed data provides excellent opportunities to apply such model‐based spatial early warning signals in the real world, to assess ecosystem resilience and identify impending regime shifts induced by global change. Such information would allow land‐managers and policy makers to interfere and avoid catastrophic shifts, but also to induce regime shifts that move ecosystems to a desired state. Here, we show that the application of spatial early warning signals in real‐world landscapes presents unique and unexpected challenges, and may result in misleading conclusions when employed without careful consideration of the spatial data and processes at hand. We identify key practical and theoretical issues and provide guidelines for applying spatial early warning signals in heterogeneous, real‐world landscapes based on literature review and examples from real‐world data. Major identified issues include (1) spatial heterogeneity in real‐world landscapes may enhance reversibility of regime shifts and boost landscape‐level resilience to environmental change (2) ecosystem states are often difficult to define, while these definitions have great impact on spatial early warning signals and (3) spatial environmental variability and socio‐economic factors may affect spatial patterns, spatial early warning signals and associated regime shift predictions. We propose a novel framework, shifting from an ecosystem perspective towards a landscape approach. The framework can be used to identify conditions under which resilience assessment with spatial remotely sensed data may be successful, to support well‐informed application of spatial early warning signals, and to improve predictions of ecosystem responses to global environmental change.
Oral nutritional supplements and 30‐day readmission rate in hypoalbuminemic maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Leonberg‐Yoo Amanda K. , Wang Weiling , Weiner Daniel E. , Lacson Eduardo
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are hospitalized nearly twice yearly, and 35% of these patients are rehospitalized within 30‐days postdischarge. We hypothesized that monitored oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) during HD treatment may decrease readmissions.

Methods: A cohort of maintenance HD patients, treated at a large dialysis organization, who were hospitalized with a postdischarge albumin of ≤3.5 g/dL, without documented ONS use 90 days prior to the index hospitalization were identified. Individuals who received monitored intradialytic ONS postdischarge were compared to those without receipt of ONS. The outcome of interest was 30‐day hospital readmissions. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between ONS receipt and 30‐day readmission events, with adjustment for case‐mix and laboratory variables.

Findings: Of 5479 eligible patients, ONS was prescribed to 1420 individuals. Mean age was 64.6 ± 14.1 (SD) years; median dialysis vintage was 3.9 years. There were 274 (19%) readmissions among ONS recipients vs. 1571 (38.7%) among controls during the 30‐day follow‐up period. Individuals who did not receive ONS had increased odds of readmission [OR 2.26 (95% CI 1.02, 2.53)] in 30 days, as compared to those who did receive ONS postdischarge. In sensitivity analyses using a propensity score matched cohort, the odds ratio of readmissions within 30 days postdischarge was 1.71 (95% CI: 1.42, 2.07) for individuals who did not receive ONS as compared to those who received ONS.

Discussion: Consumption of ONS during HD sessions is associated with reduced hospital readmission rates among in‐center maintenance HD with severe hypoalbuminemia at 30 days post‐hospital discharge.
Experience with antiviral agents for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients on the kidney wait list
Authors: Torun Dilek , Soydas Baris , Tekkarismaz Nihan , Ozelsancak Ruya , Micozkadioglu Hasan , Haberal Mehmet
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant patients. The ability to establish a sustained viral response before renal transplant is important for these patients. Direct‐acting antiviral agents can increase the sustained viral response in most patients with HCV infection. In this case series, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a combined therapy of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, and dasabuvir with or without ribavirin in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection without cirrhosis and on hemodialysis who were awaiting deceased‐donor kidney transplant.

Methods

Our study included eight male and two female HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA)‐positive hemodialysis patients (mean age 50.7 ± 15 years, mean hemodialysis duration 14 ± 5.5 years, mean HCV duration 18 ± 3.7 years).

Findings

Three patients with genotype 1a received oral therapy with 12.5 mg ombitasvir, 150 mg paritaprevir, 7 5 mg ritonavir, and 250 mg dasabuvir plus 200 mg ribavirin for 12 weeks. Seven patients with genotype 1b received 12.5 mg ombitasvir, 150 mg paritaprevir, 75 mg ritonavir, and 250 mg dasabuvir without ribavirin treatment for 12 weeks. The sustained virologic response rate was 100% at 12 weeks after completion of antiviral treatment in both treatment groups. No serious adverse effects were observed in either treatment group. Five patients had constitutional symptoms such as nausea, anorexia, and fatigue. During the treatment period, hemoglobin, white cell blood count, thrombocyte, and ferritin levels were similar to pretreatment levels. Treatment did not affect weekly erythropoietin and monthly intravenous iron treatment doses.

Discussion

Direct‐acting antiviral agents are safe and effective for generating a sustained viral response in HCV genotype 1‐infected hemodialysis patients on kidney wait lists.
African philosophy in the age of neoliberal capitalism
Authors: Mba Chika C.
Published: February 2019

African philosophy is an established tradition of philosophy. Though modern African philosophy may lack what Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze notes—with a tinge of regret—as “historical distance,” it has developed full‐fledged discourses and technical reports in various domains present in other known traditions of philosophy, namely, logic, ontology, ethics, epistemology, political thought, and philosophy of education, philosophy of science and mathematics, feminism, and philosophy for children. The recent publication of The Palgrave Handbook of African Philosophy incontrovertibly re‐attests to the status and stature of African philosophy. In 50 essays, the volume edited by Nigerian philosopher Adeshina Afolayan and the accomplished Nigerian historian, Toyin Falola, presents the critical thought of prominent African philosophers about some of the most important issues affecting African peoples. Foregrounding analyses on the seminal contributions of the timely tome, this article assesses the state of the field of African philosophy in the combustible era of neoliberal capitalism. The article discursively presents the critical responses of African philosophers and scholars to the challenges facing Africa and Africans in the age of neoliberal globalisation, pointing out a few important areas not given sufficient, if any, attention in The Handbook.
Exploring social change through social media: The case of the Facebook group Indignant Citizens
Authors: Yannopoulou Natalia , Liu Martin J. , Bian Xuemei , Heath Teresa
Published: February 2019

This study examines the role of social media in facilitating the network of a social movement, the novel forms of exchange networks that are fashioned by participants of this movement and the drivers and effects of individuals’ engagement therein. Specifically, using the lens of political consumerism, we look at the movement of self‐described Indignant Citizens in Greece to reveal the underlying motivations for participants to engage in this social movement, the dynamics of their engagement and the ways in which Indignant Citizens’ online presence enables identity expression, community building and social change. We draw on interpretive analysis of findings from eight focus groups with members of Indignant Citizens. The findings reveal how this movement and the shared identity developed amongst its members empower our participants by giving them a voice and engage them in role mobilization, drive specific actions towards the conceptualization of a shared utopia and provide them with a platform to organize action and employ desired practices for the co‐creation of useful and gratifying exchanges.
Preparing pharmacy students for postgraduate training through a residency preparedness elective course†
Authors: Cho Jonathan C , Galeano Kathleen , Sillas Natalia , Dunn Rebecca L
Published: February 2019

Objective

To determine the benefit of a residency preparedness elective course and assess the ability of the course to provide students with the knowledge and experiences needed to competitively apply for residency programmes.

Methods

A pre-/postsurvey study on a 2-credit hour elective course for third-year pharmacy students. This course was designed to provide them with the knowledge and experiences needed to competitively apply for pharmacy residency programmes.

Key findings

Students’ perceptions of the elective course were captured through pre- and postcourse evaluations utilizing a 15-item survey. The main reasons students participated in this course was to gain a better understanding of the residency application process (median Likert score = 5; 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree), develop interviewing techniques (5) and enhance clinical competency (5). By the end of the course, students felt more confident with their understanding of pharmacy residency programmes (4 versus 5, P = 0.002) and of the residency application process (2 versus 5, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Upon completion of a pharmacy residency preparedness elective course, students felt more confident in their understanding and ability to apply for a residency programme.
A matheuristic for the firefighter problem on graphs
Authors: Ramos Natanael , de Souza Cid Carvalho , de Rezende Pedro Jussieu
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we describe a computational study conducted on The Firefighter Problem (FFP), which models fire spreading and containment in a graph. Once the fire breaks out on a set of vertices, the goal is to save as many vertices as possible with limited resources. Practical applications of the FFP occur in areas such as disease control and network security. The FFP is NP‐hard and heuristics have been proposed earlier. Our main contributions include improvements to an existing integer linear programming formulation that led to an average speedup of two to compute exact solutions. Moreover, we developed a novel matheuristic, a technique based on the interoperation between metaheuristics and mathematical programming. We performed extensive experiments on public benchmarks both for parameter tuning and for comparison of our results with those from the literature. A rigorous statistical analysis shows that our new matheuristic outperforms the existing approaches.
“Getting into it”: People with intellectual disabilities’ experiences and views of Behavioural Activation and Guided Self‐Help for depression
Authors: Knight Roseanna , Jahoda Andrew , Scott Katie , Sanger Kevanne , Knowles Dawn , Dagnan Dave , Hastings Richard P. , Appleton Kim , Cooper Sally‐Ann , Melville Craig , Jones Rob , Williams Chris , Hatton Chris
Published: February 2019

Background

No studies have explored the acceptability of Behavioural Activation and Guided Self‐Help interventions for depression with people who have intellectual disabilities.

Method

Twenty‐five participants were purposively sampled from participants taking part in a trial comparing Behavioural Activation with a Guided Self‐Help intervention. A framework analysis was used to analyse interviews covering participants’ expectations and views of therapy.

Results

Participants were largely positive about both interventions. However, they identified specific aspects of each intervention which they had found helpful. All participants valued the therapeutic relationship. The participants also had a number of criticisms and suggestions for improving the therapies. A common concern was the time‐limited nature of the interventions and a wish for longer‐term help. Overall, both sets of participants felt the interventions had relevance for their wider lives.

Conclusions

The participants reported having positive engagement with the therapies but expressed a wish for longer‐term supportive relationships.
SSRP1 promotes colorectal cancer progression and is negatively regulated by miR‐28‐5p
Authors: Wu Wei , He Ke , Guo Qian , Chen Jingdi , Zhang Mengjiao , Huang Kai , Yang Dongmei , Wu Lu , Deng Yunchao , Luo Xu , Yu Honggang , Ding Qianshan , Xiang Guoan
Published: February 2019

In this study, microarray data analysis, real‐time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of SSRP1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue and in corresponding normal tissue. The association between structure‐specific recognition protein 1 (SSRP1) expression and patient prognosis was examined by Kaplan‐Meier analysis. SSRP1 was knocked down and overexpressed in CRC cell lines, and its effects on proliferation, cell cycling, migration, invasion, cellular energy metabolism, apoptosis, chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity and cell phenotype‐related molecules were assessed. The growth of xenograft tumours in nude mice was also assessed. MiRNAs that potentially targeted SSRP1 were determined by bioinformatic analysis, Western blotting and luciferase reporter assays. We showed that SSRP1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in CRC tissue. We also confirmed that this upregulation was related to the terminal tumour stage in CRC patients, and high expression levels of SSRP1 predicted shorter disease‐free survival and faster relapse. We also found that SSRP1 modulated proliferation, metastasis, cellular energy metabolism and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in CRC. Furthermore, SSRP1 induced apoptosis and SSRP1 knockdown augmented the sensitivity of CRC cells to 5‐fluorouracil and cisplatin. Moreover, we explored the molecular mechanisms accounting for the dysregulation of SSRP1 in CRC and identified microRNA‐28‐5p (miR‐28‐5p) as a direct upstream regulator of SSRP1. We concluded that SSRP1 promotes CRC progression and is negatively regulated by miR‐28‐5p.
The guardians of the periodontium—sequential and differential expression of antimicrobial peptides during gingival inflammation. Results from in vivo and in vitro studies
Authors: Dommisch Henrik , Skora Philipp , Hirschfeld Josefine , Olk Gabriela , Hildebrandt Laura , Jepsen Søren
Published: February 2019

Aim

To evaluate the sequential and differential expression of a variety of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) during the development of an experimentally induced gingivitis in humans.

Material and methods

In twenty healthy volunteers, gingival inflammation was induced by abstention from oral hygiene at 6 teeth. Bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque index (PI) were assessed, and gingival biopsies and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected at 8 different time points (t0‐t35). Gingival epithelial cells (GECs) were stimulated with various receptor agonists. In biopsies and GECs, mRNA expression of human beta‐defensins (hBD‐2, hBD‐3), CC‐chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20), S100A7/psoriasin (S100A7), and calgranulin A/B (S100A8, S100A9) was evaluated using real‐time PCR, and protein profiles were measured by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using non‐parametric tests.

Results

The clinical parameters BOP, PI and GCF increased over time (p < 0.0001). Tissue AMP mRNA expression was elevated, but at different and AMP‐specific time points (p < 0.05). Protein analysis revealed a similar expression pattern for hBD‐2 and CCL20 in GCF (p < 0.05). In GECs, multiple receptor stimulation was required to induce AMP gene expression (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

For the first time, this study showed the sequential and differential expression of AMPs during a developing inflammation in vivo providing further evidence for their role as guardians of a healthy periodontium.