bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycemic extremes are related to cognitive dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes: A meta‐analysis
Authors: He Jing , Ryder Andrew G , Li Shichen , Liu Wanting , Zhu Xiongzhao
Published: March 2018

Aims/Introduction

To examine the magnitude and pattern of cognitive dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes, and the possible effects associated with other disease variables, such as early onset diabetes, severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Materials and Methods

We carried out a meta‐analysis using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis guidelines. We searched MedLine, Embase and PsycINFO to identify studies on cognitive function in children with type 1 diabetes that were published up until 30 September 2016. Effect sizes understood as the standardized mean differences between groups with diabetes and control groups (i.e., Hedges’g) were calculated to quantify the extent of cognitive dysfunction in those groups consisting of children with diabetes.

Results

A total of 19 studies met our inclusion criteria, comprising 1,355 participants with type 1 diabetes and 696 controls. Compared with non‐diabetic controls, children with type 1 diabetes showed a significantly poorer cognitive performance overall (g = −0.46), as well as specific deficits in full‐scale intelligence (g = −1.06), attention (g = −0.60) and psychomotor speed (g = −0.46). Glycemic extremes were associated with poorer overall cognition (g = −0.18), as well as slightly lower performance in memory (g = −0.27).

Conclusions

We found that type 1 diabetes was associated with cognitive dysfunction characterized by a lowered intelligence, diminished attention and a slowing of psychomotor speed. Glycemic extremes, which are described as a period of high glucose levels and severe hypoglycemia, were related to cognitive dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes.
Circular RNA expression profile analysis of severe acne by RNA‐Seq and bioinformatics
Authors: Liang J. , Wu X. , Sun S. , Chen P. , Liang X. , Wang J. , Ruan J. , Zhang S. , Zhang X.
Published: March 2018

Background

Acne is a common chronic skin disease with a multifactorial aetiology and pathogenesis. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as a key factor in regulating gene expression through circRNA–miRNA–mRNA networks in many biological processes and human diseases. However, the circRNAs expression in patients with acne is still unknown.

Objective

To investigate circRNA expression profile in severe acne.

Methods

The expression profile of circRNAs in three paired lesional skin and adjacent non‐lesional skin in severe acne was detected by high‐throughput RNA sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis. The candidate circRNAs were validated by PCR, Sanger sequencing and qRT‐PCR in the separate group (n = 4). The circRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction networks were predicted.

Results

A total of 538 circRNAs including 271 up‐ and 267 downregulated circRNAs were differentially expressed in lesional skin compared with adjacent non‐lesional skin in severe acne. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the aberrantly expressed circRNAs were primarily involved in inflammatory, metabolism and immune responses. Five candidate circRNAs (circRNA_0084927, circRNA_0001073, circRNA_0005941, circRNA_0086376 and circRNA_0018168) were validated to have significant decrease in severe acne by PCR, Sanger sequencing and qRT‐PCR, in agreement with the results from RNA‐Seq data analysis. The five identified circRNAs were predicted to interact with 213 miRNAs and regulated target gene expression.

Conclusion

This study firstly showed that circRNAs were differentially expressed in severe acne and suggested that circRNAs could be used as a potential biomarker for the drug targets of acne.
The role of phototherapy in the surgical treatment of vitiligo: a systematic review
Authors: Lommerts J.E. , Uitentuis S.E. , Bekkenk M.W. , de Rie M.A. , Wolkerstorfer A.
Published: March 2018

Vitiligo is frequently treated with the combination of phototherapy and melanocyte transplantation. However, the additional benefit of phototherapy is unclear. Moreover, the optimal type and regimen of phototherapy are unknown. The objective of this systematic review was to identify whether phototherapy improves the outcome of melanocyte transplantation in vitiligo. We searched and screened for eligible studies in the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL. We included all clinical studies investigating melanocyte transplantation combined with phototherapy. After screening and selection of abstracts and full‐texts, we found 39 eligible clinical studies with 1624 patients. The eligible studies investigated several phototherapy modalities, such as NBUVB (n = 9), PUVA (n = 19), UVA (n = 1), MEL (n = 4) and active sunlight exposure (n = 9). Four studies directly compared phototherapy versus no phototherapy and two studies confirmed the benefit of phototherapy for melanocyte transplantation. We found no significant differences in repigmentation in studies directly comparing phototherapy modalities. The overall quality of the studies was moderate to poor and high heterogeneity between studies was found. We found limited evidence that phototherapy improves the outcome of melanocyte transplantation in vitiligo. There is insufficient evidence to recommend a specific type or regimen of phototherapy. More studies should be performed investigating the additional benefit of different phototherapies and the preferred moment of phototherapy.
Inverse association for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease subsequent to both melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancers in a large, urban, single‐centre, Midwestern US patient population
Authors: Ibler E. , Tran G. , Orrell K.A. , Serrano L. , Majewski S. , Sable K.A. , Thiede R. , Laumann A.E. , West D.P. , Nardone B.
Published: March 2018

Background

Although literature demonstrates a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in individuals with various cancers, including squamous cell cancers (SCC) and basal cell cancers (BCC) comprising non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), there is a paucity of literature to substantiate an association between malignant melanoma (MM) and AD.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether an association exists between MM and AD as well as for NMSC and AD.

Methods

A large urban, Midwestern, US, single‐centre, medical record (EMR) data repository was searched between January 2001 and December 2015, to identify all patients at age ≥60 and <89 years with a clinic follow‐up of at least 1 year and no diagnosis for AD, MM or NMSC at the time of the study entry. Data collected included age, gender, race and duration of follow‐up. MM and NMSC were detected by ICD‐9 codes and ICD‐10 codes. Incident diagnosis of AD was also detected by ICD‐9 and ICD‐10 codes. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to obtain crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs).

Results

Data for a total of 82 925 patients with known race and gender and were detected. After adjusting for confounding factors (race, gender, age, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease and diabetes), there was a significant decreased risk of subsequent AD in patients with MM (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.16–0.96; P = 0.042) as well as in patients with BCC (OR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.08–0.45; P < 0.0001) and for patients with SCC (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01–0.56; P = 0.013).

Conclusion

These findings add to the growing body of evidence for a decreased risk of AD in patients with various cancers and highlight the need for ongoing research to elucidate both neurologic and biologic mechanisms that may underlie this apparent inverse association.
Safety profile during initiation of propranolol for treatment of infantile haemangiomas in an ambulatory day‐care hospitalization setting
Authors: Fogel I. , Ollech A. , Zvulunov A. , Valdman‐Greenshpon Y. , Atar Snir V. , Friedland R. , Lapidoth M. , Ben‐Amitai D.
Published: March 2018

Background

Propranolol is the mainstay of treatment for infantile haemangioma. Despite its good safety profile, it is not risk‐free. Guidelines for propranolol initiation and monitoring have been suggested, but protocols vary among practitioners.

Objective

This study sought to assess the prevalence of adverse events and clinically significant fluctuations in haemodynamic parameters in children with infantile haemangioma during initiation of treatment with propranolol in a day‐hospitalization setting.

Methods

Children with infantile haemangioma treated with propranolol in a day‐hospitalization department of a tertiary paediatric medical centre in 2008–2014 were identified retrospectively. The pretreatment evaluation included clinical examination by a paediatric dermatologist and electrocardiography, echocardiography and clinical examination by a paediatric cardiologist. The propranolol dosage was escalated from 0.5 mg/kg/day to 2 mg/kg/day, divided into three doses/day, over 3 days. Heart rate, blood pressure and blood glucose level were measured before treatment onset and 60 min after the first two doses each day. The third dose was given at home.

Results

The cohort included 220 children aged 1 month to 5 years. No severe treatment‐related adverse events were documented; 27 patients had minor side‐effects. There was a significant decrease in heart rate each day after the first two doses (P < 0.001), and in systolic blood pressure, on day 2 (1 mg/kg/day) after the first dose (P = 0.01). Blood glucose level remained stable. The haemodynamic changes were clinically asymptomatic and did not require intervention.

Conclusions

Propranolol treatment (2 mg/kg/day in three doses) for infantile haemangioma is well tolerated and safe and may be administered and monitored in an ambulatory setting.
Manipulation of parental nutritional condition reveals competition among family members
Authors: Keppner Eva M. , Ayasse Manfred , Steiger Sandra
Published: March 2018

Parental care is thought to be costly, as it consumes time and energy. Such costs might be reduced in animal parents that raise their young on valuable food sources such as dung or carcasses, as parents are able to invest in self‐maintenance by feeding from the same resource. However, this might lower the nutritional value for other family members and, as a consequence, food competition might arise. To promote our understanding of the outcome of such competition, we manipulated the necessity of parents to feed from the resource. Using a full factorial design, we paired food‐deprived or well‐fed males with food‐deprived or well‐fed females of burying beetles, which are known to raise their young on vertebrate cadavers. We found that food‐deprived parents consumed more of the carrion than those that were well‐fed and this had a negative impact on other family members. However, the outcome of the competition depended on the sex of the parents, with females suffering when males fed more and offspring suffering when females fed more. Thus, family life involves selfish elements, as both parents remove resources for the purpose of self‐maintenance. However, females show altruistic aspects, as they appear to restrict their food consumption for the benefit of their offspring when paired with a food‐deprived male. Interestingly, males extend their stay with the brood when having faced food scarcity prior to reproduction, presumably to replenish their energy reserves. Our study therefore reveals that breeding on shared resources can promote family living, but also results in competition.
The role of epistatic interactions underpinning resistance to parasitic Varroa mites in haploid honey bee (Apis mellifera) drones
Authors: Conlon Benjamin H. , Frey Eva , Rosenkranz Peter , Locke Barbara , Moritz Robin F. A. , Routtu Jarkko
Published: March 2018

The Red Queen hypothesis predicts that host–parasite coevolutionary dynamics can select for host resistance through increased genetic diversity, recombination and evolutionary rates. However, in haplodiploid organisms such as the honeybee (Apis mellifera), models suggest the selective pressure is weaker than in diploids. Haplodiploid sex determination, found in A. mellifera, can allow deleterious recessive alleles to persist in the population through the diploid sex with negative effects predominantly expressed in the haploid sex. To overcome these negative effects in haploid genomes, epistatic interactions have been hypothesized to play an important role. Here, we use the interaction between A. mellifera and the parasitic mite Varroa destructor to test epistasis in the expression of resistance, through the inhibition of parasite reproduction, in haploid drones. We find novel loci on three chromosomes which explain over 45% of the resistance phenotype. Two of these loci interact only additively, suggesting their expression is independent of each other, but both loci interact epistatically with the third locus. With drone offspring inheriting only one copy of the queen's chromosomes, the drones will only possess one of two queen alleles throughout the years‐long lifetime of the honeybee colony. Varroa, in comparison, completes its highly inbred reproductive cycle in a matter of weeks, allowing it to rapidly evolve resistance. Faced with the rapidly evolving Varroa, a diversity of pathways and epistatic interactions for the inhibition of Varroa reproduction could therefore provide a selective advantage to the high levels of recombination seen in A. mellifera. This allows for the remixing of phenotypes despite a fixed queen genotype.
Effects of different etching modes on the nanoleakage of universal adhesives: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kaczor Kinga , Gerula‐Szymańska Agnieszka , Smektała Tomasz , Safranow Krzysztof , Lewusz Katarzyna , Nowicka Alicja
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate how etching modes affect the nanoleakage of universal adhesive from in vitro studies.

Materials and methods

PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct electronic databases were searched for in vitro studies that evaluated the nanoleakage of universal adhesives. A total of 511 (after duplicate removal) potentially relevant records were identified in the literature search. The titles and abstracts of the retrieved studies were screened by two independent researchers according to the main concept. Subsequently, the full text of potentially relevant studies was screened using the exclusion criteria. Thirteen studies were subjected to qualitative analysis, and 5 of them were selected for a detailed meta‐analysis.

Results

Seven universal adhesives were evaluated in this review. The meta‐analysis demonstrated that the etch‐and‐rinse technique significantly reduced the nanoleakage of the Peak Universal and G‐Bond Plus adhesives, whereas the self‐etch mode reduced the nanoleakage of All‐Bond Universal. In comparison, the etching technique did not significantly alter the nanoleakage of either Prime&Bond Elect or Scotchbond Universal which was characterized by the smallest nanoleakage.

Conclusions

Etching modes significantly, in various ways, influence the nanoleakage of universal adhesives.

Clinical significance

Contrary to the drive to simplify bonding technologies, an appreciation of their adhesive components and how these perform according to bonding technique could yield a knowledge‐based practical approach that ultimately improves the longevity of direct composite restorations.
Identifying the germ cells during embryogenesis and gametogenesis by germ‐line gene vasa in an anadromous fish, American shad Alosa sapidissima
Authors: Wu X. L. , Tang Z. K. , Li W. , Chu Z. J. , Hong X. Y. , Zhu X. P. , Xu H. Y.
Published: March 2018

American shad Alosa sapidissima, an anadromous clupeid, exhibits variation in reproductive strategies, including semelparity and iteroparity. It provides an excellent model for studying the behaviour of germ cells in anadromous fish during their migration from sea to river. The vasa gene was characterized in A. sapidissima as a germ‐cell marker to elaborate the process of germ‐cell development and differentiation in anadromous species. A complementary (c)DNA fragment of 819 bp, partial open reading frame (ORF), was cloned by degenerate PCR and named as ASvas. In adult A. sapidissima, vasa transcript was exclusively detected in gonads by reverse‐transcription (RT)‐PCR. Through chromogenic in situ hybridization, the vasa messenger (m)RNA was specifically detected in primordial germ cells (PGC) in embryos and germ cells at early stages in ovary and testis. Besides, the cellular distribution profile of Vasa protein also proved that vasa gene could be used as a germ‐line marker to trace the PGCs migration during embryogenesis and the germ‐cell differentiation during gametogenesis in A. sapidissima. During embryogenesis, the migrating PGCs were clearly detected at tail‐bud stage and the PGCs reached the genital ridge at the stage of pre‐hatching stage in A. sapidissima embryos. During gametogenesis, the Vasa protein was dynamically expressed in differentiating germ cells at different stages in adult gonads. As far as we know, this is the first report to demonstrate the PGCs migration and germ‐cell differentiation through vasa gene expression in the anadromous species. The findings will pave a way for investigating germ‐cell development and maturation in the A. sapidissima and other anadromous fish.
Differential transcriptome analysis of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae challenged by Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Zhang Qinghua , Ji Ce , Ren Jianfeng , Zhang Qiuyue , Dong Xuehong , Zu Yao , Jia Liang , Li Weiming
Published: March 2018

Zebrafish embryo and larva represent a useful in vivo model for identification of host innate immune responses to bacterial infection. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a typical zoonotic pathogen worldwide that causes acute gastroenteritis in humans and vibriosis in fishes. However, the mechanism of the innate immune response in the zebrafish larvae infected by V. parahaemolyticus has not been clear. We analysed the transcriptomic profile of 3 days post‐fertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae immersed in V. parahaemolyticus 13 (Vp13) strain suspension for 2 hr. A total of 602 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the infection group, of which 175 (29.07%) genes were upregulated and 427 (70.93%) genes were downregulated. These altered genes encoded complement and coagulation cascades, chemokine, TNF signalling pathway, NF‐κB signalling pathway and JAK‐STAT signalling pathway. Some significant DEGs, such as mmp13, cxcr4a, ccl20, hsp70, gngt, serpina1l, il8, cofilin and il11, were subjected to quantitative gene expression analysis, and the results were consistent with those of the transcriptome profile. These results clearly demonstrated that exposure to V. parahaemolyticus for 2 hr could activate innate immune response in 3dpf larvae by altered expression of downstream signalling pathway genes of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Our results also provide a useful reference for future analysis of signal transduction pathways and pathogenesis mechanisms underlying the systemic innate immune response to the external bacteria of V. parahaemolyticus.
Investigating the influence of novel drying methods on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.): Kinetics, energy consumption, color, and microstructure
Authors: Onwude Daniel I. , Hashim Norhashila , Abdan Khalina , Janius Rimfiel , Chen Guangnan
Published: March 2018

This study investigated the drying kinetics, specific energy consumption (SEC), color, and microstructural changes of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) based on experimental set‐up of convective hot‐air drying (CHAD), infrared drying (IRD), and combined infrared and convective‐hot‐air drying (IR‐CHAD). The experiments were carried out at three air temperatures (50, 60 and 70 °C) and two IR intensities (1,100 and 1,400 W/m2) for sweet potato slices of 4 and 6 mm, respectively. The experimental results showed that the drying kinetics and mass transfer characteristic were significantly affected by drying air temperature, IR intensity, and thickness of the product. Combined IR‐CHAD provided a higher drying rate with the shortest drying time when compared with CHAD and IRD. The IRD resulted in the lowest SEC values. The combined IR‐CHAD resulted in 69.34–85.59% reduction in the SEC of CHAD. For combined IR‐CHAD, an increase in the IR intensity at each temperature and slice thickness caused a decrease in the total SEC value. Dried sweet potato slices using CHAD and IR1‐CHAD at intensity of 1,100 W/m2 showed the best color attributes. Combined IR‐CHAD proved to be a very efficient drying method for the drying sweet potato and can be used for both industrial and commercial purposes.

Practical applications

The rising concern regarding a more efficient drying method has rapidly increased the demand for novel drying techniques that can be used to produce premium dried sweet potato. However, most of these novel drying methods have not been thoroughly investigated and technical comparison with the common conventional methods have not been widely reported. In this respect, this study has shown that the novel combined IR‐CHAD is a very promising drying method for the industrial drying of sweet potato. This drying method could reduce the over drying time by 63–74% and SEC by 85% when compared with drying using conventional CHAD method. The combined IR‐CHAD at a lower IR intensity of 1,100 W/m2 could also provide dried sweet potato of better quality. The will amount to a reduction of the overall production cost which adversely could affect the prices of the final quality products.
Role of Food Safety Management Systems in safe food production: A review
Authors: Panghal Anil , Chhikara Navnidhi , Sindhu Neelesh , Jaglan Sundeep
Published: March 2018

Food safety and quality has received attention in the agri‐food sector and is basis of all initiatives taken on different activity levels starting from farm to enterprises as a whole on regional, national, and international levels. A hybrid of the ISO 9001, Quality Management System and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), ISO 22000 has been developed as an international solution for improving the food safety. Instead of applying good manufacturing practices, HACCP and ISO 9001:2000 separately, ISO 22000:2005 is implemented to observe the synergetic effect and to ensure food safety in food supply chain. ISO 22000 also known as Food Safety Management System (FSMS) is an international auditable standard. Standard ensures safe food supply throughout the chain and provide a framework of internationally harmonized system for the global approach. ISO 22000 incorporates critical control point and hazard analysis systems in more improved form to produce much effective auditable FSMS. This standard endorses conformity of services and products for international trading by assuring about reliability, food quality, and food safety.

Practical applications

The role exploration of Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in implementing food safety throughout the food production and supply chain is reviewed in this paper. The goal “once certified, accepted worldwide” of Globe Food Safety Initiative theme discussed to help industries and researchers. ISO 22000 along with its sister standards are auditable, reliable, and reasonable to ensure safe production, distribution, and consumption of food. During review of literature it is revealed that all technical aspects and requirements to implement the FSMS are not discussed on one place and thus leading to confusion. The aim of this review is to discuss different requirements, documentations, and systems in place for the certification of standards and the article will be helpful for the industries, technocrats, academicians, researchers, and policy framers.
Semantic and Phonemic Verbal Fluency Discrepancy in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Potential Predictor of Progression to Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Vaughan Roisin M. , Coen Robert F. , Kenny RoseAnne , Lawlor Brian A.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To assess the utility of verbal fluency discrepancy scores in predicting progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a cohort of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Design

Case control.

Setting

Cases identified from new referrals to a memory clinic and controls identified from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Participants

Of 308 individuals with MCI at baseline identified from consecutive referrals to a memory clinic and compared at with age‐, sex‐, and education‐matched controls (n=302), 161 completed 2 years of follow‐up or progressed to AD during the study period.

Measurements

Verbal fluency discrepancy (semantic–phonemic fluency) scores at baseline were calculated for each participant. Each case was followed with repeated neuropsychological measurements, and multidisciplinary consensus diagnosis was recorded.

Results

Mean discrepancy score for those who progressed to AD (2.7) was significantly lower than for those who retained a MCI diagnosis (4.8) and normal controls (7.7) (p<.001). Logistic regression revealed that, for each unit decrease in discrepancy score at baseline, the odds of progressing to AD were 9% greater. (Exp(B) = 1.09, p=.02)

Conclusion

Individuals with MCI have less of a semantic advantage than those without MCI. Those with MCI presenting with a phonemic advantage at initial assessment warrant close follow‐up and a high index of suspicion for progression to AD.
Mortality and Functional Outcomes After Minor Urological Surgery in Nursing Home Residents: A National Study
Authors: Suskind Anne M. , Zhao Shoujun , Walter Louise C. , Boscardin W. John , Finlayson Emily
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To determine outcomes of minor urological surgery in frail older adults.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

U.S. nursing homes (NHs).

Participants

NH residents aged 65 and older undergoing minor inpatient urological surgery (cystoscopy, bladder biopsy, transurethral resection of bladder tumor, prostate biopsy, transurethral resection of prostate, removal of ureteral obstruction, suprapubic tube placement) in the United States between 2004 and 2012 (N=34,605).

Measurements

One‐year mortality and changes in functional status before and after surgery using the Minimum Data Set Activity of Daily Living (MDS‐ADL) summary scale.

Results

Overall 1‐year mortality was 50%, and on average, residents had a 1.9‐point worsening in their MDS‐ADL score at 1 year, whereas the most highly functional residents (baseline quartile of MDS‐ADL scores (0–12)) had a 4.7‐point worsening in their MDS‐ADL scores at 1 year. Functional decline in residents 1 year after surgery was associated with decline in function in the 6 months before surgery (adjusted hazard ratio (aH)=2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.29–2.49), emergency procedures (aHR=1.37, 95% CI=1.31–1.43), older age (≥85 vs 65–74, aHR=1.17, 95% CI=1.11–1.23), and baseline cognitive impairment (aHR=1.15, 95% CI=1.11–1.20).

Conclusion

Despite the low complexity of minor urological procedures, NH residents experience high mortality and many demonstrate sustained functional decline up to 1‐year postoperatively.
A Person‐Centered Approach to Poststroke Care: The COMprehensive Post‐Acute Stroke Services Model
Authors: Bushnell Cheryl D. , Duncan Pamela W. , Lycan Sarah L. , Condon Christina N. , Pastva Amy M. , Lutz Barbara J. , Halladay Jacqueline R. , Cummings Doyle M. , Arnan Martinson K. , Jones Sara B. , Sissine Mysha E. , Coleman Sylvia W. , Johnson Anna M. , Gesell Sabina B. , Mettam Laurie H. , Freburger Janet K. , Barton‐Percival Blair , Taylor Karen M. , Prvu‐Bettger Janet , Lundy‐Lamm Gladys , Rosamond Wayne D. ,   on behalf of the COMPASS Trial.
Published: March 2018

Many individuals who have had a stroke leave the hospital without postacute care services in place. Despite high risks of complications and readmission, there is no standard in the United States for postacute stroke care after discharge home. We describe the rationale and methods for the development of the COMprehensive Post‐Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) care model and the structure and quality metrics used for implementation. COMPASS, an innovative, comprehensive extension of the TRAnsition Coaching for Stroke (TRACS) program, is a clinician‐led quality improvement model providing early supported discharge and transitional care for individuals who have had a stroke and have been discharged home. The effectiveness of the COMPASS model is being assessed in a cluster‐randomized pragmatic trial in 41 sites across North Carolina, with a recruitment goal of 6,000 participants. The COMPASS model is evidence based, person centered, and stakeholder driven. It involves identification and education of eligible individuals in the hospital; telephone follow‐up 2, 30, and 60 days after discharge; and a clinic visit within 14 days conducted by a nurse and advanced practice provider. Patient and caregiver self‐reported assessments of functional and social determinants of health are captured during the clinic visit using a web‐based application. Embedded algorithms immediately construct an individualized care plan. The COMPASS model's pragmatic design and quality metrics may support measurable best practices for postacute stroke care.
Plant G proteins interact with endoplasmic reticulum luminal protein receptors to regulate endoplasmic reticulum retrieval
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Xie Ke , Xu Guoyong , Zhou Huarui , Guo Qiang , Wu Jingyi , Liao Zengwei , Liu Na , Wang Yan , Liu Yule
Published: March 2018

Maintaining endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis is essential for the production of biomolecules. ER retrieval, i.e., the retrograde transport of compounds from the Golgi to the ER, is one of the pathways that ensures ER homeostasis. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of ER retrieval in plants remain largely unknown. Plant ERD2‐like proteins (ERD2s) were recently suggested to function as ER luminal protein receptors that mediate ER retrieval. Here, we demonstrate that heterotrimeric G protein signaling is involved in ERD2‐mediated ER retrieval. We show that ERD2s interact with the heterotrimeric G protein Gα and Gγ subunits at the Golgi. Silencing of Gα, Gβ, or Gγ increased the retention of ER luminal proteins. Furthermore, overexpression of Gα, Gβ, or Gγ caused ER luminal proteins to escape from the ER, as did the co‐silencing of ERD2a and ERD2b. These results suggest that G proteins interact with ER luminal protein receptors to regulate ER retrieval.
New constraints on granulite facies metamorphism and melt production in the Lewisian Complex, northwest Scotland
Authors: Feisel Yves , White Richard W. , Palin Richard M. , Johnson Tim E.
Published: March 2018

In this study, we investigate the metamorphic history of the Assynt and Gruinard blocks of the Archean Lewisian Complex, northwest Scotland, which are considered by some to represent discrete crustal terranes. For samples of mafic and intermediate rocks, phase diagrams were constructed in the Na2O–CaO–K2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–TiO2–O2 (NCKFMASHTO) system using whole‐rock compositions. Our results indicate that all samples equilibrated at similar peak metamorphic conditions of ~8–10 kbar and ~900–1,000°C, consistent with field evidence for in situ partial melting and the classic interpretation of the central region of the Lewisian Complex as representing a single crustal block. Melt‐reintegration modelling was employed in order to estimate probable protolith compositions. Phase equilibria calculated for these modelled undepleted precursors match well with those determined for a subsolidus amphibolite from Gairloch in the southern region of the Lewisian Complex. Both subsolidus lithologies exhibit similar phase relations and potential melt fertility, with both expected to produce orthopyroxene‐bearing hornblende granulites, with or without garnet, at the conditions inferred for the Badcallian metamorphic peak. For fully hydrated protoliths, prograde melting is predicted to first occur at ~620°C and ~9.5 kbar, with up to 45% partial melt predicted to form at peak conditions in a closed‐system environment. Partial melts calculated for both compositions between 610 and 1,050°C are mostly trondhjemitic. Although the melt‐reintegrated granulite is predicted to produce more potassic (granitic) melts at ~700–900°C, the modelled melts are consistent with the measured compositions of felsic sheets from the central region Lewisian Complex.
Molecular characterization and polymorphisms of butyrylcholinesterase in cynomolgus macaques
Authors: Uno Yasuhiro , Uehara Shotaro , Mahadhi Hassan M.D. , Ohura Kayoko , Hosokawa Masakiyo , Imai Teruko
Published: March 2018

Background

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), an enzyme essential for drug metabolism, has been investigated as antidotes against organophosphorus nerve agents, and the efficacy and safety have been studied in cynomolgus macaques. BChE polymorphisms partly account for variable BChE activities among individuals in humans, but have not been investigated in cynomolgus macaques.

Methods

Molecular characterization was carried out by analyzing primary sequence, gene, tissue expression, and genetic variants.

Results

In cynomolgus and human BChE, phylogenetically closely related, amino acid residues important for enzyme function were conserved, and gene and genomic structure were similar. Cynomolgus BChE mRNA was most abundantly expressed in liver among the 10 tissue types analyzed. Re‐sequencing found 26 non‐synonymous genetic variants in 121 cynomolgus and 23 rhesus macaques, indicating that macaque BChE is polymorphic, although none of these variants corresponded to the null or defective alleles of human BChE.

Conclusions

These results suggest molecular similarities of cynomolgus and human BChE.
Individualized immunoglobulin therapy in chronic immune‐mediated peripheral neuropathies*
Authors: Allen Jeffrey A. , Berger Melvin , Querol Luis , Kuitwaard Krista , Hadden Robert D.
Published: March 2018

Despite the well‐recognized importance of immunoglobulin therapy individualization during the treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), the pathway to best achieve optimization is unknown. There are many pharmacokinetic and immunobiologic variables that can potentially influence the appropriateness of any individual therapy. Although identification of specific autoantibodies and their targets has only been accomplished in a minority of patients with CIDP, already the diagnostic and treatment implications of specific autoantibody detection are being realized. Individual variability in IgG pharmacokinetic properties including IgG catabolic rates and distribution, as well as the IgG level necessary for disease control also require consideration during the optimization process. For optimization to be successful there must be a measure of treatment response that has a clinically meaningful interpretation. There are currently available well‐defined and validated clinical assessment tools and outcome measures that are well suited for this purpose. While there remains much to learn on how best to manipulate immunopathology and immunoglobulin pharmacokinetics in the most favorable way, there currently exists an understanding of these principles to a degree sufficient to begin to develop rational and evidence‐based treatment optimization strategies.
Strengths promoting the recovery process in older adults with depression
Authors: Tanaka Koji
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To clarify strengths for promoting the recovery process among older adults with depression in Japan.

Background

With the ageing of the global population, care and treatment of older adults with depression has been attracting increased attention around the world. It has become clear that the inner strength is inversely related to depression in older adults and that the use of inner strength is becoming a key concept in the context of caring for older adults with depression.

Design

Qualitative descriptive design.

Methods

Participant observation and narrative interviews were conducted individually with 12 older adults with depression in care‐based and daily life settings. The data obtained were subjected to thematic analysis using the narrative method to extract themes and subthemes.

Results

A total of three themes and 12 subthemes were elucidated. Strengths found to promote the recovery process in older adults with depression were (i) a sense of emotional connection, (ii) dialogue with life and (iii) discovery.

Conclusions

Strengths promoting the recovery process from a whole‐person perspective were clarified by conceptualising the experiences of older adults with depression with a strength orientation. A sense of emotional connection constituted a basis for promoting the recovery process. Dialogue with life and discovery were thought to represent the wisdom and spirituality found in the experience of old age and depression.

Relevance to clinical practice

While regarding the results of this study as basic knowledge, focusing on subjects’ individual narratives of illness and recovery will open the possibility of a strength‐oriented nursing practice for older adults with depression and lead to the provision of care that promotes recovery.
Association of plasma neopterin with risk of an inpatient hospital diagnosis of atrial fibrillation: results from two prospective cohort studies
Authors: Zuo H. , Nygård O. , Ueland P. M. , Vollset S. E. , Svingen G. F. T. , Pedersen E. R. , Midttun Ø. , Meyer K. , Nordrehaug J. E. , Nilsen D. W. T. , Tell G. S.
Published: March 2018

Background

Link between inflammation and atrial fibrillation (AF) has been increasingly recognized. Neopterin, a biomarker of cellular immune activation, may be associated with incident AF.

Objective

To investigate the association between plasma neopterin levels and risk of an inpatient hospital diagnosis of AF, and to evaluate a joint association of neopterin and a nonspecific inflammatory marker C‐reactive protein (CRP) in two prospective cohorts.

Methods

We performed a prospective analysis from a community‐based cohort (the Hordaland Health Study (HUSK), n = 6891), and validated the findings in a cohort of patients with suspected stable angina pectoris (the Western Norway Coronary Angiography Cohort (WECAC), n = 2022).

Results

In both cohorts, higher plasma levels of neopterin were associated with an increased risk of incident AF after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, current smoking, diabetes, hypertension and renal function. The multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) per one SD increment of log‐transformed neopterin was 1.20 (1.10–1.32) in HUSK and 1.26 (1.09–1.44) in WECAC. Additional adjustment for CRP did not materially affect the risk association for neopterin. The highest risk of AF was found among individuals with both neopterin and CRP levels above the median (HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.16–2.05 in HUSK and HR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.11–2.52 in WECAC).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate an association of plasma neopterin with risk of an inpatient hospital diagnosis of AF, which remains after adjustment for traditional risk factors as well as for CRP. This study highlights a role of cellular immune activation, in addition to inflammation, in AF pathogenesis.
Congruency of resources and demands and their effects on staff turnover within the English health care sector
Authors: Fletcher Luke , Carter Matthew , Lyubovnikova Joanne
Published: March 2018

This study examines, at the organizational level, the congruency between job demands and resources and their effects on staff turnover within the English health care sector. Polynomial regression analyses conducted on 164 acute hospitals trusts found support for the predictions that organizations with congruent levels of resources and demands would have relatively low staff turnover whereas those with incongruent levels would have relatively high staff turnover. Overall, the study indicates that individual job design should be considered within a broader organizational design perspective.

Practitioner points

We examined the organizational‐level relationships between job demands, job resources, and staff turnover within the English health care sector.

Organizations comprised of many highly demanding jobs should offer higher levels of resources to help retain staff.

However, some organizations may still see relatively high levels of staff turnover even after offering higher levels of resources. Conversely, some may see low levels of staff turnover, yet poor motivation and performance. Therefore, influencing levels of demands rather than simply offering more resources is important in these contexts.
Visualizing the effects of metformin on tumor growth, vascularity, and metabolism in head and neck cancer
Authors: Verma Aparajita , Rich Laurie J. , Vincent‐Chong Vui King , Seshadri Mukund
Published: March 2018

Background

The antidiabetic drug metformin (Met) is believed to inhibit tumor proliferation by altering the metabolism of cancer cells. In this study, we examined the effects of Met on tumor oxygenation, metabolism, and growth in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using non‐invasive multimodal imaging.

Materials and Methods

Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice bearing orthotopic FaDu HNSCC xenografts were treated with Met (200 mg/kg, ip) once daily for 5 days. Tumor oxygen saturation (%sO2) and hemoglobin concentration (HbT) were measured using photoacoustic imaging (PAI). Fluorescence imaging was employed to measure intratumoral uptake of 2‐deoxyglucosone (2‐DG) following Met treatment while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized to measure tumor volume. Correlative immunostaining of tumor sections for markers of proliferation (Ki67) and vascularity (CD31) was also performed.

Results

At 5 days post‐Met treatment, PAI revealed a significant increase (P < .05) in %sO2 and HbT levels in treated tumors compared to untreated controls. Fluorescence imaging at this time point revealed a 46% decrease in mean 2‐DG uptake compared to controls. No changes in hemodynamic parameters were observed in mouse salivary gland tissue. A significant decrease in Ki‐67 staining (P < .001) and MR‐based tumor volume was also observed in Met‐treated tumors compared to controls with no change in CD31 + vessel count following Met therapy.

Conclusion

Our results provide, for the first time, direct in vivo evidence of Met‐induced changes in tumor microenvironmental parameters in HNSCC xenografts. Our findings highlight the utility of multimodal functional imaging for non‐invasive mapping of the effects of Met in HNSCC.
Is grit relevant to well‐being and strengths? Evidence across the globe for separating perseverance of effort and consistency of interests
Authors: Disabato David J. , Goodman Fallon R. , Kashdan Todd B.
Published: March 2018

Objective

Researchers conceptualize grit as the combination of two facets: perseverance of effort and consistency of interests toward long‐term goals. We tested the reliability of grit facet scores across the globe and examined how differently each grit facet related to well‐being and personality strengths.

Method

An international sample of 7,617 participants from six of the seven continents (excluding Antarctica) completed an online survey.

Results

Confirmatory factor analyses and omega reliability coefficients indicated that the 12 items from the original Grit Scale were multidimensional and reliably measured perseverance of effort and consistency of interests. Concurrent validity analyses showed that perseverance of effort was moderately to strongly related to subjective well‐being, beliefs about well‐being, and personality strengths, whereas consistency of interests had weak or negative correlations with these outcomes. The stronger relations with perseverance of effort were replicated across seven regions of the world. The presence of overall grit was supported in individualistic countries, but not collectivistic countries (i.e., those in Latin America and Asia).

Conclusions

We discuss the multidimensionality of grit, including a conceptual understanding of overall grit and how it may differ across cultures. We suggest well‐being and strengths researchers study grit facets separately due to their differential validity.
Biocontrol of strawberry fruit infected by Botrytis cinerea: Effects on the microbial communities on fruit assessed by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Cruz Andre Freire , Barka Geleta Dugassa , Sylla Justine , Reineke Annette
Published: March 2018

Fruit grey mould, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, is known to be a harmful disease of strawberry at postharvest stage. However, effects of an application of biological control agents (BCAs) on strawberry fruit in terms of shift in the microbial community are still unknown. The present research aimed to investigate the effects of an application of BCAs on postharvest microbial populations present on strawberry fruits. Strawberry plants were sprayed with three kinds of BCA, RhizoVital 42 fl. (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42), Trianum‐P (Trichoderma harzianum T22) and Naturalis (Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040), targeting Botrytis cinerea fungus. Control plots were composed of water and fungicide treatments. Microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) were analysed via next‐generation sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq. Analysis of 16S RNA and ITS rRNA sequences indicated that the BCAs application modified both bacterial and fungal community compositions and diversity. An application of two BCAs together had more effects on microbial community composition than a single application. These results suggest that BCAs can modify bacterial and fungal community composition and diversity on strawberry fruits, which may consequently improve the efficiency and establishment of these products on control of postharvest diseases of fruits, such as grey mould.
Innovation at the Service Encounter in Knowledge Intensive Business Services: Antecedents and Boundary Conditions
Authors: Siahtiri Vida
Published: March 2018

The service encounter is the primary interface and critical nexus between frontline employees (FLEs) and customers, where service innovation evolves. In knowledge intensive business services (KIBS), FLEs' behaviors that support service innovation at the service encounter are especially important because FLEs have to engage in ad hoc innovation at that time. Ad hoc innovation means developing unplanned service solutions that can solve a customer's ill‐structured and complex problem. Although the central role of FLEs has been acknowledged, at present, we still know little about what supports their creativity and customer‐oriented behaviors that trigger ad hoc innovation. Drawing on data from 150 KIBS firms using a multiple informant design (three respondents per firm), findings show that both internal and customer communications increase FLEs' creativity and customer orientation. Further, the results show that FLEs' creativity and customer orientation are strongly related to ad hoc innovation developed at the service encounter. In focusing on the contingency effects of transactional leadership, the results show that transactional leadership moderates the relationship between FLEs' creativity–FLEs' customer orientation and ad hoc innovation differentially. This research provides theoretical and practical implications for scholars and practitioners through unpacking the contribution of enriched service encounter on ad hoc innovation.