bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do defoliating insects distinguish between symmetric and asymmetric leaves within a plant?
Authors: Kozlov Mikhail V. , Zverev Vitali , Zvereva Elena L.
Published: June 2018

1. Plants represent a highly heterogeneous resource for herbivores. One dimension of this heterogeneity is reflected by the within‐plant variation in the leaf fluctuating asymmetry (FA), i.e. in the magnitude of the random deviations from the symmetry in leaf shape.

2. This study is the first to test experimentally the hypothesis that variation in the quality of individual leaves for defoliating insects (11 species) within a plant (seven tree and shrub species) is associated with the FA of these leaves.

3. It was demonstrated that specialist defoliators generally distinguish between nearly symmetric (low FA) and highly asymmetric (high FA) leaves, but do not distinguish between discs cut from these leaves. Low‐FA leaves of Salix caprea, Salix myrsinifolia and Populus tremula were of better quality for insects than high‐FA leaves, as demonstrated by both preference tests and performance trials. By contrast, high‐FA leaves of Betula pubescens were of better quality for insects than low‐FA leaves, whereas insects feeding on Alnus incana showed similar responses to high‐ and low‐FA leaves.

4. It is concluded that insect herbivores can distinguish between leaves with high and low FA, and that FA may be associated with the quality of an individual leaf for insects, although the direction and strength of the effect of leaf FA on insect preference and performance vary among study systems. The ecological significance of substantial within‐plant variation in leaf FA remains to be explored.
Structural and compositional mismatch between captive and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parrs’ gut microbiota highlights the relevance of integrating molecular ecology for management and conservation methods
Authors: Lavoie Camille , Courcelle Maxime , Redivo Baptise , Derome Nicolas
Published: June 2018

Stocking methods are used in the Province of Quebec to restore Salmo salar populations. However, Atlantic salmon stocked juveniles show higher mortality rates than wild ones when introduced into nature. Hatchery environment, which greatly differs from the natural environment, is identified as the main driver of the phenotypic mismatch between captive and wild parrs. The latter is also suspected to impact the gut microbiota composition, which can be associated with essential metabolic functions for their host. We hypothesized that hatchery‐raised parrs potentially recruit gut microbial communities that are different from those recruited in the wild. This study evaluated the impacts of artificial rearing on gut microbiota composition in 0+ parrs meant for stocking in two distinct Canadian rivers: Rimouski and Malbaie (Quebec, Canada). Striking differences between hatchery and wild‐born parrs’ gut microbiota suggest that microbiota could be another factor that could impact their survival in the targeted river, because the microbiome is narrowly related to host physiology. For instance, major commensals belonging to Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridiacea from wild parrs’ gut microbiota were substituted in captive parrs by lactic acid bacteria from the Lactobacillaceae family. Overall, captive parrs host a generalist bacterial community whereas wild parrs’ microbiota is much more specialized. This is the very first study demonstrating extensive impact of captive rearing on intestinal microbiota composition in Atlantic salmon intended for wild population stocking. Our results strongly suggest the need to implement microbial ecology concepts into conservation management of endangered salmon stocks supplemented with hatchery‐reared parrs.
Pink Salmon induce a trophic cascade in plankton populations in the southern Bering Sea and around the Aleutian Islands
Authors: Batten Sonia Dawn , Ruggerone Gregory T. , Ortiz Ivonne
Published: June 2018

We examined the hypothesis of top‐down (predator) control of plankton populations around the Aleutian Islands and in the southern Bering Sea using a 15 year time series (2000–2014) of plankton populations sampled during summer by Continuous Plankton Recorders. Our analyses reveal opposing biennial patterns in abundances of large phytoplankton and copepods. This pattern is likely caused by the predation pressure on copepods from biennially abundant eastern Kamchatka Pink Salmon that results in a trophic cascade. In odd years, Pink Salmon are exceptionally abundant, large copepod abundance is low, and abundance of large diatoms grazed by copepods is high. Furthermore, large copepod abundance was inversely correlated, and diatom abundance was positively correlated, with Pink Salmon abundance. In addition to influencing the abundance of diatoms and large copepods we also report an effect on phytoplankton taxonomic composition. We find regional differences in the expression of these effects with alternating odd/even year patterns being strongest in the central Southern Bering Sea and eastern Aleutians and reduced, or absent, in the western Aleutians. When the abundance of 2013 Pink Salmon was unexpectedly low, there were consequent changes in the plankton populations, with highest recorded numbers in the time series of large copepods and microzooplankton (hard‐shelled ciliates). These findings emphasise the importance of variability in predator abundance and its effect across the ecosystem, which in this case was greater than physical oceanographic variability.
New observations regarding Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer in Mongolia
Authors: Gantuya Boldbaatar , Bolor Dashdorj , Oyuntsetseg Khasag , Erdene‐Ochir Yansan , Sanduijav Ruvjir , Davaadorj Duger , Tserentogtokh Tegshee , Azzaya Dashdorj , Uchida Tomohisa , Matsuhisa Takeshi , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: June 2018

Background

The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer in Mongolia is among the highest in the world.

Methods

This was a case‐control study in which upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, gastric histology, Helicobacter pylori testing, and risk factor questionnaires were obtained. Histologic subtypes were determined by Lauren's classification.

Results

We enrolled 45 gastric cancer and 108 non‐gastric cancer patients. Gastric cancers were located in upper part of stomach in 53.3%, main gastric body in 37.8%, and lower part of stomach in 8.9%. The majority (60%) were diffuse type, followed by intestinal type (36.7%) and indeterminate type (3.3%). H. pylori infections were CagA positive in 100% with cancer vs 81% without cancer (P = .02). The majority of CagA was non‐East Asian type (95% with cancer and 94.1% without cancer). Cancer patients had typically related with excessive use of salt, hot beverages, tobacco smoking, and low ingestion of fruits.

Conclusion

The characteristic topography of gastric cancer in Mongolia being in the gastric corpus differed from East Asian countries and was more similar to western countries. The risk factors for gastric cancer in Mongolia were similar to other high‐risk areas (ie, H. pylori infection, excessive use of salt, tobacco smoking, and low ingestion of fruits).
Comparison of patients with hepatic encephalopathy and those with gastric varices before and after balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration
Authors: Ishikawa Tsuyoshi , Sasaki Ryo , Nishimura Tatsuro , Matsuda Takashi , Maeda Masaki , Iwamoto Takuya , Saeki Issei , Hidaka Isao , Takami Taro , Sakaida Isao
Published: June 2018

Aim

To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and those with gastric varices (GV) before and after balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO).

Methods

Eighty cirrhotic patients who underwent BRTO, including 42 men and 38 women, and whose mean age was 68 years, comprised the HE (n = 18) and GV (n = 62) groups. The patients’ data before and 1 month after BRTO were analyzed.

Results

Before BRTO, the groups did not differ in their portal flow volume (PFV) or hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). The portal vein (PV) was narrower and the splenic vein (SpV) was wider in the HE group than in the GV group. The SpV flow was hepatofugal in 75.0% of HE patients and hepatopetal in 92.6% of GV patients. The Child–Pugh (CP) score of the HE group was significantly higher than that of the GV group pre‐BRTO. After BRTO, the PFV and HVPG increases in the HE group equaled those in the GV group, and the PV dilation was similar in both groups. Conversely, the SpV was significantly contracted for HE patients, but significantly dilated for GV patients. Postoperatively, the SpV flow was hepatopetal in all patients. Compared to that in the GV group, the CP score decreased markedly in the HE group, and no significant increases in complications occurred post‐BRTO for HE patients.

Conclusions

The HE patients showed distinct portal‐splenic hemodynamics before and after BRTO. Balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration markedly improved hepatic function in the HE group compared with the GV group.
A THEORY OF PRUNING
Authors: Lombardo Giovanni , Uhlig Harald
Published: June 2018

Often, numerical simulations for dynamic, stochastic models in economics are needed. Kim et al. (Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control 32 2008, 3397–414) proposed “pruning” to deal with the challenge of generating explosive paths when employing second‐order approximations. In this article, we provide a theory of pruning and formulas for pruning of any order. Our approach builds on Judd's Numerical Methods in Economics (1998), chapter 13. We provide a comparison to existing methods.
Psychiatric nursing care experiences of immigrant patients: A Focused ethnographic study
Authors: Kallakorpi Susanna , Haatainen Kaisa , Kankkunen Päivi
Published: June 2018

This study aimed to describe the psychiatric nursing care experiences of immigrant patients. The incidence of mental health problems is higher and the use of mental health services is lower among immigrants, especially refugees, compared with the majority of the population. The study uses a qualitative research approach, with an emphasis on focused ethnography research methods. The participants were immigrant patients (N = 14) residing in adult psychiatric wards of certain hospitals (N = 3) selected for the study. A majority of the participants were refugees or asylum seekers. A total of 21 in‐depth interviews were conducted. The experiences of these immigrant patients, both in their home countries and in their country of residence, had had an adverse effect on their mental health, with past traumatic experiences being the most central factor. Their symptoms included depression, anxiety, somatization, and psychosis. The findings show that the categories of factors that helped promote recovery among immigrant patients were nursing, medical treatment, care environment, and the patients' own methods. Based on the findings, a systematic evaluation of traumatic experiences is recommended for immigrants from countries with a history of war and/or political violence. Healthcare providers should also consider the importance of cultural desire in psychiatric nursing for the recovery of patients.
Impact of Classified Board on M&A Target Shareholder Value: Nurturing Innovation through Entrenchment
Authors: Kim Chaehyun , Kang Shinwoo , Shim Hyeongsop
Published: June 2018

We find that classified board in the M&A target firm is positively related to the target shareholder value, but only for firms with both intensive R&D investment and strong external governance. We also find that firms with classified board exhibit superior quality innovation when they have both intensive R&D investment and strong external governance. These findings are consistent with the view that classified board provides long‐term perspectives that promote productive but risky R&D investment, which is highly valued in M&A. Our findings are distinct from the view expressed in extant literature that classified board enhances target shareholder value because of stronger bargaining power.
Has Medicare Been a ‘Bad Deal’ for Rural Hospitals?
Authors: Rizzo John A.
Published: June 2018

Understanding the links between Medicare involvement and financial performance in rural hospitals is important for evaluating reimbursement policy under Medicare's prospective payment system (PPS). While simple comparisons between urban and rural hospitals suggest that the latter have lower PPS profit margins on average, there is little multivariate evidence on how Medicare involvement affects financial performance in rural hospitals and whether this relationship differs between rural and urban hospitals. Existing multivariate evidence suggests that Medicare involvement improves PPS profits in both rural and urban hospitals after controlling for other hospital‐ and market‐specific factors.

By contrast, the present analysis considers the relationship between Medicare involvement and broader measures of profitability than PPS profits. This provides insight into whether Medicare reimbursement is adequate relative to other forms of third‐party payment. The results indicate that Medicare involvement has a markedly different effect on the profitability of rural versus urban hospitals. Greater Medicare involvement is associated with lower patient care profitability in rural hospitals but has a strong positive and significant effect on both patient care and overall (i.e., patient and nonpatient) profitability in urban ones. Medicare involvement is not significantly related to overall profitability in rural hospitals, however, suggesting that these hospitals may be able to mitigate patient care revenue shortfalls from greater Medicare involvement by increasing their nonpatient care revenue sources.
Book Review
Authors: Shi Lerju
Published: June 2018

COILE, RUSSELL C. The New Medicine: Reshaping Medical Practice and Health Care Management. Rockville, MD: Aspen Publishers, Inc., 1990, 395 pp.
Genomic evidence of a widespread southern distribution during the Last Glacial Maximum for two eastern North American hickory species
Authors: Bemmels Jordan B. , Dick Christopher W.
Published: June 2018

Aim

Phylogeographical studies of temperate forest taxa often infer complex histories involving population subdivision into distinct refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). However, some temperate deciduous trees may have been broadly distributed in southeastern North America during the LGM. We investigate genome‐wide genetic structure in two widespread eastern North American tree species to determine if range expansion from genetically isolated refugia or from a broader, less genetically subdivided region better explains their post‐glacial history.

Location

Eastern North America (ENA).

Taxa

Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis [Wangenh.] K.Koch) and shagbark hickory (Carya ovata [Mill.] K.Koch).

Methods

Genetic diversity and differentiation indices were calculated from >1,000 nuclear SNP loci genotyped in ca. 180 individuals per species sampled across ENA. Genetic structure was investigated using principle component analysis and genetic clustering algorithms. As an additional tool for inference, areas of suitable habitat during the LGM were predicted using species distribution models (SDMs).

Results

Populations across all latitudes showed similar levels of genetic diversity. Most genetic variation was weakly differentiated across ENA, with the exception of an outlier population of Carya ovata in Texas. Genetic structure in each species exhibited an isolation‐by‐distance pattern. SDMs predicted high LGM habitat suitability over much of the southeastern United States.

Main conclusions

Both hickory species likely survived the LGM in low‐density populations that were broadly distributed across southeastern North America and not highly genetically differentiated, except that the range‐edge Texas population of Carya ovata may represent a separate glacial refugium. Over most of ENA, genetic structure in both species is best explained by simple latitudinal range shifts and high gene flow among populations, rather than expansions from multiple, genetically isolated refugia as is characteristic of taxa from other Northern Hemisphere temperate regions of the world.
Revisiting the “Centre Hypotheses” of the Indo‐West Pacific: Idiosyncratic genetic diversity of nine reef species offers weak support for the Coral Triangle as a centre of genetic biodiversity
Authors: Matias Ambrocio Melvin A. , Riginos Cynthia
Published: June 2018

Aim

Several biogeographic hypotheses seek to explain the extreme species diversity of the coral reefs in the Coral Triangle (CT) of the Indo‐West Pacific (IWP). Here, we investigate processes implicit to the Centre of Origin, Centre of Overlap and Centre of Survival hypotheses. We focus on intraspecific genetic data, where intraspecific diversity can provide information regarding directionality of past dispersal (gene flow) and changes in population size such as expansion from refugia.

Location

Indian Ocean, Coral Triangle and West Pacific Ocean.

Methods

We use existing mitochondrial DNA data augmented with new samples from the Philippines, thus filling in key sampling gaps from previous studies, to examine nine reef species. We first test if genetic diversity peaks in the CT. We then estimate gene flow between regions—CT vs. Indian Ocean (IO) and CT vs. Pacific Ocean (PO)—to assess concordance with predicted directions of movement (i.e. into the CT or out of the CT). Finally, we investigate the historical demography of these species and evaluate population expansions to ascertain whether genetic diversity is correlated with putative Pleistocene refugia.

Results

Genetic diversity in the CT was not greater than genetic diversity in the IO and PO, and we found highly variable spatial patterns of genetic diversity when species were evaluated individually. Gene flow estimates indicated very limited exchange between regions, consistent with peripheral isolation and/or signals of historical divergence. For some species, however, there were signals of movement out of the CT. While there was no significant correlation between genetic diversity and putative refugia, genetic patterns suggested that some populations have experienced population expansions. The locations of expansion were also variable across species. Overall, there was no signal of concordant processes shaping intraspecific genetic diversity.

Main conclusions

Genetic patterns across species were highly variable with some species lending weak support for processes aligned with each of the “Centre” of diversity hypotheses. But overall there was no compelling evidence for uniform processes underlying all species, which possibly indicate that processes underlying the different “Centre” have not strongly affected IWP species within the recent past.
Percutaneous epicardial pacing using a novel transverse sinus device
Authors: Vaidya Vaibhav R. , Sugrue Alan , Padmanabhan Deepak , Killu Ammar M. , Naksuk Niyada , Al‐Masry Anas Abudan , Isath Ameesh , Pedersen Joanne , Yngsdal Lisa , Ladewig Dorothy J. , Friedman Paul A. , Asirvatham Samuel J.
Published: June 2018

Background

Transvenous lead implantation has multiple drawbacks and complications that can be overcome by epicardial lead placement. We aimed to design percutaneously implanted epicardial leads that are anchored through the transverse sinus (TS).

Methods and results

We designed a novel multielectrode pacing device with four bipole electrode pairs. The device is advanced through the TS, with both ends externalized out of the pericardium. We tested the prototype in one proof‐of‐concept and 5 additional acute canine experiments.

The TS device recorded ventricular and atrial electrograms. The median amplitude of near‐field ventricular electrograms was 3.3 mA (IQR 2.0–4.3) and of near‐field atrial electrograms was 2.1 mA (IQR 1.3–2.2). The median ventricular threshold (N  =  30) was 1.1 mA (IQR 0.7–3.1) at a median pulse width of 0.5 ms (IQR 0.5–0.5). The median atrial threshold (N  =  10) was 2.4 mA (IQR 1.1–7.8) at a median pulse width of 0.5 ms (IQR 0.5–0.9). Right and left ventricular and atrial pacing morphologies were noted while pacing electrodes adjacent to these chambers. Simultaneous left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) pacing showed reduction in QRS duration from 116 ms (RV) and 105 ms (LV) to 91 ms. On necropsy, the device was located in the TS in all animals. There were TS abrasions in one animal, and no other acute complications.

Conclusions

This study highlights a novel approach to epicardial pacing harnessing the unique anatomy of the transverse sinus as an anchoring point. Placement of this novel transverse sinus device was safe and feasible, with acceptable atrial and ventricular thresholds.
What evidence should guidelines take note of?
Authors: Cartwright Nancy
Published: June 2018

The Guidelines Challenge Conference on which this special issue builds asked as the first of its “further relevant questions”: “How do we incorporate more types of causally relevant information in guidelines?” This paper first supports the presupposition of this question—that we need further kinds of evidence—by pointing out that the randomized controlled trial, touted as the best source of evidence on effectiveness, can do so little for us. Second, it outlines a number of other good ways to learn what will work that the medical community, and much of the public health community, is not making much use of.
First description of a natural infection with spleen and kidney necrosis virus in zebrafish
Authors: Bermúdez Roberto , Losada Ana Paula , de Azevedo Ana Manuela , Guerra‐Varela Jorge , Pérez‐Fernández David , Sánchez Laura , Padrós Francesc , Nowak Barbara , Quiroga María Isabel
Published: June 2018

Zebrafish has become a popular research model in the last years, and several diseases affecting zebrafish research facilities have been reported. However, only one case of naturally occurring viral infections was described for this species. In 2015, infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) was detected in zebrafish from a research facility in Spain. Affected fish showed lethargy, loss of appetite, abnormal swimming, distention of the coelomic cavity and, in the most severe cases, respiratory distress, pale gills and petechial haemorrhages at the base of fins. Cytomegaly was the most relevant histopathological finding in organs and tissues, sometimes associated to degenerative and necrotic changes. ISKNV belongs to the relatively newly defined genus Megalocytivirus, family Iridoviridae, comprising large, icosahedral cytoplasmic DNA viruses. This is the first case of naturally occurring Megalocytivirus infection in zebrafish research facilities, associated with morbidity. The virus has been identified based on both pathologic and genetic evidence, to better understand the pathogenesis of the infection in zebrafish and the phylogenetic relationship with other iridoviruses. Given the ability of megalocytiviruses to cross‐species boundaries, it seems necessary to implement stringent biosecurity practices as these infections may invalidate experimental data and have major impact on laboratory and cultured fish.
Winter kill in intensively stocked channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus): Coinfection with Aeromonas veronii, Streptococcus parauberis and Shewanella putrefaciens
Authors: Mohammed Haitham H. , Peatman Eric
Published: June 2018

Unusual persistent natural mortality occurred in a floating in‐pond raceway system intensively stocked with channel and hybrid catfish beginning in early November 2016 up until March 2017. The temperature during the period of outbreak ranged from 7.2 to 23.7°C. Gross examination of freshly dead and moribund fish revealed pale gills, slight abdominal distension and swollen inflamed vents. Comprehensive necropsy of 20 fish demonstrated vast amounts of bloody ascitic fluid in the coelomic cavity, visceral congestion, splenomegaly and pale friable livers but macroscopically normal kidneys, suggesting systemic bacterial infection. Bacterial cultures were initiated from skin, gills and major internal organs. Following incubation, a mixture of three bacterial colony phenotypes was observed on agar plates. Presumptive biochemical characterization of the isolates followed by 16S‐rRNA sequence analysis resulted in the identification of Aeromonas veronii, Streptococcus parauberis and Shewanella putrefaciens. Channel catfish juveniles were experimentally infected with the recovered isolates to fulfil Koch's postulates. Moreover, an antibiogram was used to evaluate the susceptibility of the isolates to antimicrobial drugs approved for use in aquaculture. Aquaflor was used successfully for treatment. Here, we report bacterial coinfection lead by A. veronii and the first identification of S. parauberis and S. putrefaciens from cultured catfish in North America.
Enhanced immune responses and effectiveness of refined outer membrane protein vaccines against Vibrio harveyi in orange‐spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)
Authors: Nguyen Hai Trong , Nguyen Thuy Thi Thu , Chen Yan‐Chun , Vu‐Khac Hung , Wang Pei‐Chi , Chen Shih‐Chu
Published: June 2018

Vibriosis is a severe infection occurring in many commercially important marine fish species. In this study, vaccines containing Vibrio harveyi recombinant outer membrane protein K (rOmpK), outer membrane protein U (rOmpU) and rOmpK‐OmpU fusion protein in addition to the metabolizable MontanideTM ISA 763 A VG adjuvant were developed and evaluated in the orange‐spotted grouper. The results indicate that recombinant V. harveyi protein‐based vaccines resulted in a remarkably higher expression of IL‐1β and IL‐8 at 24 hr, and greater antibody production, as early as 2 weeks postimmunization. Notably, enhanced immune responses and significant protective efficacy against V. harveyi infections were observed in the fusion protein vaccine‐injected fishes with relative per cent survival value of 81.8%. Additionally, the rOmpK‐OmpU antisera presented a high bactericidal effect on not only V. harveyi, but also Vibrio parahaermolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus. Our results demonstrated that the fusion protein rOmpK‐OmpU was an effective vaccine candidate that exhibited potentially great versatility for controlling vibrio infections.
Systemic Edwardsiella tarda infection in a Western African lungfish (Protopterus annectens) with cytologic observation of heterophil projections
Authors: Rousselet Estelle , Stacy Nicole I. , Rotstein David S. , Waltzek Tom B. , Griffin Matt J. , Francis‐Floyd Ruth
Published: June 2018

This report describes a case of systemic bacterial infection caused by Edwardsiella tarda in a Western African lungfish (Protopterus annectens) exposed to poor environmental and husbandry conditions. The fish presented with a large, external ulcerative lesion and died 2 weeks after developing anorexia. Histological evaluation revealed multifocal areas of necrosis and heterophilic and histiocytic inflammation throughout multiple tissues. Gram stain identified small numbers of intra‐ and extracellular monomorphic Gram‐negative 1 to 2 μm rod‐shaped bacilli. Cytology of lung granuloma, kidney and testes imprints identified heterophilic inflammation with phagocytosis of small monomorphic bacilli and some heterophils exhibiting cytoplasmic projections indicative of heterophil extracellular traps (HETs). Initial phenotypic analysis of isolates from coelomic fluid cultures identified E. tarda. Subsequent molecular analysis of spleen, liver and intestine DNA using an E. tarda‐specific endpoint PCR assay targeting the bacterial fimbrial subunit yielded a 115 bp band. Sequencing and BLASTN search revealed the sequence was identical (76/76) to E. tarda strain FL95‐01 (GenBank acc. CP011359) and displayed 93% sequence identity (66/71) to Edwardsiella hoshinae strain ATCC 35051 (GenBank acc. CP011359). This is the first report of systemic edwardsiellosis in a lungfish with concurrent cytologically identified structures suggestive of HETs.
Advancing practice in dietitians’ communication and nutrition counselling skills: a workplace education program
Authors: Notaras S. , Mak M. , Wilson N.
Published: June 2018

Background

Communication is the primary method in which dietitians conduct their practice. However, continuing education and competency standards are often focused on clinical knowledge and skills, with few programs being available to improve the communication and nutrition counselling skills of dietitians. Dietitians have reported reduced confidence in the knowledge and use of these skills, particularly when dealing with people who are struggling to find motivation to change their eating behaviours. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a workplace education program on the self‐reported communication and nutrition counselling skills of dietitians.

Methods

An education program was developed using techniques from motivational interviewing, patient‐centred therapy, solution‐focused therapy and narrative therapy. These techniques were chosen based on evidence of potential application to dietetic practice for behaviour change. Dietitians working in acute care hospitals and community health services completed the program. Pre‐ and post‐written surveys incorporating five‐point Likert scales (1‐5) were used to evaluate the program. The results were analysed using parametric and nonparametric statistics.

Results

Fifty dietitians completed the program and evaluation. The dietitians’ self‐rating of their communication and nutrition counselling skills improved significantly (median = 3 versus 4, Z = 4.562, P < 0.001, r = 0.65). Dietitians also reported knowledge of a greater variety of behaviour change techniques to use with their patients post‐program.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first dietitian‐specific workplace education program of its type to address essential skills for better communication with patients. Ongoing workplace support, such as peer observation, is recommended to assist with skill development and sustainability.
Energy expenditure measured with accelerometers and self‐report questionnaire in people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Perez‐Cruzado D. , Cuesta‐Vargas A. I.
Published: June 2018

Background

There are different instruments to measure energy expenditure in general population, but we do not know whether these instruments can be used in people with intellectual disability.

Methods

A sample of 33 participants was invited to wear a triaxial accelerometer during seven consecutive days. Energy expenditure was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Version (IPAQ‐S) to gather data regarding the participant's descriptions of the physical activity performed.

Results

Agreement between the accelerometers and IPAQ‐S in terms of energy expenditure measurements was not reached (P > 0.05). A significant correlation was found between moderate metabolic equivalent of tasks measured with accelerometers and vigorous metabolic equivalent of tasks measured with the IPAQ‐S (r = −0.351 [P = 0.045]).

Conclusion

The main conclusion of this study was a level of discrepancy between measurements taken using the IPAQ‐S and the accelerometers in people with intellectual disability.
The validity and reliability of the Functional Strength Measurement (FSM) in children with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Aertssen W. F. M. , Steenbergen B. , Smits‐Engelsman B. C. M.
Published: June 2018

Background

There is lack of valid and reliable field‐based tests for assessing functional strength in young children with mild intellectual disabilities (IDs).

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the test–retest reliability and construct validity of the Functional Strength Measurement in children with ID (FSM‐ID).

Method

Fifty‐two children with mild ID (40 boys and 12 girls, mean age 8.48 years, SD = 1.48) were tested with the FSM. Test–retest reliability (n = 32) was examined by a two‐way interclass correlation coefficient for agreement (ICC 2.1A). Standard error of measurement and smallest detectable change were calculated. Construct validity was determined by calculating correlations between the FSM‐ID and handheld dynamometry (HHD) (convergent validity), FSM‐ID, FSM‐ID and subtest strength of the Bruininks‐Oseretsky test of motor proficiency – second edition (BOT‐2) (convergent validity) and the FSM‐ID and balance subtest of the BOT‐2 (discriminant validity).

Results

Test–retest reliability ICC ranged 0.89–0.98. Correlation between the items of the FSM‐ID and HHD ranged 0.39–0.79 and between FSM‐ID and BOT‐2 (strength items) 0.41–0.80. Correlation between items of the FSM‐ID and BOT‐2 (balance items) ranged 0.41–0.70.

Conclusion

The FSM‐ID showed good test–retest reliability and good convergent validity with the HHD and BOT‐2 subtest strength. The correlations assessing discriminant validity were higher than expected. Poor levels of postural control and core stability in children with mild IDs may be the underlying factor of those higher correlations.
Further Applications of Advanced Methods to Infer Causes in the Study of Physiologic Childbirth
Authors: Snowden Jonathan M. , Tilden Ellen L.
Published: June 2018

The causal inference framework and related methods have emerged as vital within epidemiology. This framework and associated analytic approaches facilitate the conduct of valid science using observational data. These approaches have helped catalyze knowledge development using existing data and also have addressed questions for which randomized controlled trials are neither feasible nor ethical. The study of normal childbearing processes and women who are medically low risk may benefit from more direct and deliberate engagement with the process of inferring causes and the use of methods appropriate for this undertaking. This article is the second in a series of 3 that review scientific challenges encountered in researching pregnancy, labor, and birth and approaches for addressing them. This article introduces 2 methods for causal inference (g‐computation and instrumental variable analysis) to an audience of clinician‐scientists, including references with further details. The causal inference framework and associated methods hold promise for generating strong, broadly representative, and actionable science to improve the outcomes of women who are medically low risk and their children.
Impaired sequential and partially compensated probabilistic skill learning in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kemény Ferenc , Demeter Gyula , Racsmány Mihály , Valálik István , Lukács Ágnes
Published: June 2018

The striatal dopaminergic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been associated with deficits in skill learning in numerous studies, but some of the findings remain controversial. Our aim was to explore the generality of the learning deficit using two widely reported skill learning tasks in the same group of Parkinson's patients. Thirty‐four patients with PD (mean age: 62.83 years, SD: 7.67) were compared to age‐matched healthy adults. Two tasks were employed: the Serial Reaction Time Task (SRT), testing the learning of motor sequences, and the Weather Prediction (WP) task, testing non‐sequential probabilistic category learning. On the SRT task, patients with PD showed no significant evidence for sequence learning. These results support and also extend previous findings, suggesting that motor skill learning is vulnerable in PD. On the WP task, the PD group showed the same amount of learning as controls, but they exploited qualitatively different strategies in predicting the target categories. While controls typically combined probabilities from multiple predicting cues, patients with PD instead focused on individual cues. We also found moderate to high correlations between the different measures of skill learning. These findings support our hypothesis that skill learning is generally impaired in PD, and can in some cases be compensated by relying on alternative learning strategies.
Emotional Processing in the First 2 Years of Life: A Review of Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy Studies
Authors: Maria Ambika , Shekhar Shashank , Nissilä Ilkka , Kotilahti Kalle , Huotilainen Minna , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Tuulari Jetro J.
Published: June 2018

Emotional stimuli processing during childhood helps us to detect salient cues in our environment and prepares us for our social life. In early childhood, the emotional valences of auditory and visual input are salient and relevant cues of social aspects of the environment, and it is of special interest to understand how exactly the processing of emotional stimuli develops. Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive neuroimaging tool that has proven valuable in studying emotional processing in children. After conducting a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, we examined 50 NIRS studies performed to study emotional stimuli processing in children in the first 2 years of age. We found that the majority of these studies are done in infants and the most commonly used stimuli are visual and auditory. Many of the reviewed studies suggest the involvement of bilateral temporal areas in emotional processing of visual and auditory stimuli. It is unclear which neural activation patterns reflect maturation and at what age the emotional encoding reaches those typically seen in adults. Our review provides an overview of the database on emotional processing in children up to 2 years of age. Furthermore, it demonstrates the need to include the less‐studied age range of 1 to 2 years, and suggests the use of combined audio‐visual stimuli and longitudinal studies for future research on emotional processing in children. Thus, NIRS might be a vital tool to study the associations between the early pattern of neural responses and socioemotional development later in life.
Transcription factor DEC1 is required for maximal experimentally induced periodontal inflammation
Authors: Zhang F. , Suzuki M. , Kim I. S. , Kobayashi R. , Hamada N. , Sato F. , Bhawal U. K.
Published: June 2018

Background and Objectives

Disruption of transcriptional regulation is a confounding factor associated with a wide range of human inflammatory diseases. To investigate mechanistic links between transcription factor DEC1 and pathways underlying inflammation, wild‐type and DEC1 knockout (KO) C57BL/6 mice were treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis (or carboxymethyl cellulose as a control) to induce periodontal inflammation. It provoked an inflammatory response within the oral environment, which showed robust variation in alveolar bone resorption and expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Material and Methods

Male DEC1KO mice and their wild‐type littermates were used for the experimental periodontitis model. Measurement of alveolar bone resorption, micro‐computed tomography, isolation of gingival mononuclear cells (GMCs), flow cytometry and immunohistochemical analysis were used in this study. Human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF‐1) were used for DEC1 over‐expression and short interference RNA (siRNA) studies and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were performed.

Results

Micro‐computed tomography analysis demonstrated that P. gingivalis caused a decrease in bone area of wild‐type mice compared with DEC1KO mice. Expression of inflammatory and immune markers in GMCs was significantly decreased in DEC1KO mice after treatment with P. gingivalis. Conversely, interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐10 mRNAs were significantly increased in GMCs isolated from DEC1KO mice. The results show that treatment of DEC1KO mice with P. gingivalis decreased the numbers of CD11b+F4/80+ and CD4+RANKL+ T cells. Moreover, expression of CD4, F4/80, RANKL and cathepsin K in inflammatory cell infiltrates was significantly reduced in DEC1KO mice treated with P. gingivalis compared with controls. Furthermore, over‐expression of DEC1 in HGF‐1 cells increased the expression of IL‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α mRNAs and their expression levels reached a maximum in response to treatment with lipopolysaccharide. Inhibition of DEC1 by short interference RNA interference suppressed the P. gingivalis‐derived lipopolysaccharide‐induced expression of IL‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α and toll‐like receptor4.

Conclusion

These results suggest that transcription factor DEC1 can modulate P. gingivalis‐induced periodontitis in the oral mucosa.
The causes and consequences of subgenome dominance in hybrids and recent polyploids
Authors: Bird Kevin A. , VanBuren Robert , Puzey Joshua R. , Edger Patrick P.
Published: June 2018

Contents

Summary
87

I.
Introduction
87

II.
Evolution in action: subgenome dominance within newly formed hybrids and polyploids
88

III.
Summary and future directions
90

Acknowledgements
92

References
92

The merger of divergent genomes, via hybridization or allopolyploidization, frequently results in a ‘genomic shock’ that induces a series of rapid genetic and epigenetic modifications as a result of conflicts between parental genomes. This conflict among the subgenomes routinely leads one subgenome to become dominant over the other subgenome(s), resulting in subgenome biases in gene content and expression. Recent advances in methods to analyze hybrid and polyploid genomes with comparisons to extant parental progenitors have allowed for major strides in understanding the mechanistic basis for subgenome dominance. In particular, our understanding of the role that homoeologous exchange might play in subgenome dominance and genome evolution is quickly growing. Here we describe recent discoveries uncovering the underlying mechanisms and provide a framework to predict subgenome dominance in hybrids and allopolyploids with far‐reaching implications for agricultural, ecological, and evolutionary research.
Efficacy of prophylactic dexmedetomidine in preventing postoperative junctional ectopic tachycardia in pediatric cardiac surgery patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ghimire Laxmi V. , Chou Fu‐Sheng
Published: June 2018

Background

Junctional ectopic tachycardia is a serious tachyarrhythmic complication following pediatric cardiac surgery. It is difficult to manage and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Conventional nonpharmacological and pharmacological measures have shown limited effects. Dexmedetomidine is an α2 agonist which has recently been shown in multiple studies to be effective.

Aims

The aim of this systematic review with meta‐analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic dexmedetomidine administration in the prevention of junctional ectopic tachycardia in pediatric patients following cardiac surgeries.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and relevant references published in English before December 20, 2017 and performed meta‐analysis on the selected studies, with one group receiving prophylactic perioperative dexmedetomidine administration and another group receiving placebo. The primary outcome was the incidence of junctional ectopic tachycardia, secondary outcomes included bradycardia, hypotension, intensive care unit stay, total hospital stay, inotropic scores, and total mechanical ventilation time. Odds ratio or mean difference with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random effect model.

Results

Seven studies (5 prospective randomized studies and 2 retrospective case‐controlled studies) with a total of 1616 patients were analyzed. The incidence of junctional ectopic tachycardia in the dexmedetomidine group was significantly reduced compared to placebo. Similarly, intensive care unit stay, inotropic scores, and total mechanical ventilation time were also significantly decreased in the dexmedetomidine group. No significant increases in adverse events were found. Mortality was low in both groups.

Conclusion

Prophylactic dexmedetomidine is effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative junctional ectopic tachycardia without significant increases in adverse events in pediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart diseases.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy vs surgical gastrostomy in infants with congenital heart disease
Authors: Einhorn Lisa M. , Taicher Brad M. , Greene Nathaniel H. , Reinstein Leon J. , Jooste Edmund H. , Campbell Michael J. , Machovec Kelly A.
Published: June 2018

Background

Infants with congenital heart disease often require feeding tube placement to supplement oral intake. Gastrostomy tubes may be placed by either surgical or percutaneous endoscopic methods, but there is currently no data comparing outcomes of these procedures in this population.

Aims

The aim of our retrospective study was to investigate the perioperative outcomes between the 2 groups to determine if there are clinically significant differences.

Methods

We reviewed the charts of all infants with congenital heart disease at a single academic institution having isolated surgical or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement from January 2011 to December 2015. Anesthetic time, defined by cumulative minimum alveolar concentration hours of exposure to volatile anesthetic, was the primary outcome. Operative time, intraoperative complications, and postoperative intensive care admissions were secondary outcomes.

Results

One hundred and one infants with congenital heart disease were included in this study. Anesthetic exposure was shorter in the endoscopic group than the surgical group (0.20 MAC‐hours vs 0.56 MAC‐hours, 95% confidence interval 0.23, 0.49, P < .001). Average operative times were also shorter in the endoscopic gastrostomy vs the surgical group (8 ± 0.7 minutes vs 35 ± 1.3 minutes, 95% confidence interval 23.7, 31.0, P < .001). Adjusting for prematurity and preoperative risk category, the surgical group was associated with a 3.45 fold increase in the likelihood of a higher level of care postoperatively (95% confidence interval 1.20, 9.90, P = .02).

Conclusion

In infants with congenital heart disease, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement is associated with reduced anesthetic exposure and fewer postoperative intensive care unit admissions compared to surgical gastrostomy.
SOX4, an epithelial–mesenchymal transition inducer, transactivates ADAM28 gene expression and co‐localizes with ADAM28 at the invasive front of human breast and lung carcinomas
Authors: Sasaki Aya , Abe Hitoshi , Mochizuki Satsuki , Shimoda Masayuki , Okada Yasunori
Published: June 2018

ADAM28 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 28) is abundantly expressed by carcinoma cells in the human breast and non‐small cell lung carcinomas, and plays a role in carcinoma cell growth and metastasis. Although Src is an inducer of ADAM28 gene expression through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK pathways, direct transcriptional regulators for ADAM28 gene expression remain unknown. In this study, we performed the luciferase reporter assay and found that SOX4 (SRY‐related HMG‐box 4), an inducer of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), is a transcriptional activator for the ADAM28 gene. This activation required the SOX4‐binding consensus sequence at the 5’‐untranslated region of the mouse and human ADAM28 genes. Forced expression of SOX4 promoted the ADAM28 gene expression and migration in human breast and lung carcinoma cell lines. In the human breast and lung carcinoma tissues, ADAM28 and SOX4 were co‐expressed at the invasive front of carcinoma cell nests. Our data demonstrate that SOX4 transactivates ADAM28 gene expression through direct binding to the ADAM28 promoter region and suggest the possibility that ADAM28 plays a role in invasion through SOX4‐mediated EMT in the human breast and lung carcinomas.