bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of surfactant and organic matter content on wetting pattern of different non-water repellent soils
Authors: Chaichi Mohammad Reza , Turcios Marcus , Rostamza Mina
Published: September 2016

Non-ionic surfactants have been well researched as a tool to ameliorate water repellent conditions. However, few studies have evaluated the risks and benefits of non-ionic surfactant applications in wettable soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a surfactant in modifying the wetting pattern in soils of different textures and organic matter contents. The experimental treatments consisted of (1) four different soil textures including sandy, sandy loam, sandy clay loam and silt loam, (2) four different organic matter contents (0.2, 0.7, 1.2 and 1.7% by weight), and (3) irrigation water treatments with or without surfactant (IrrigAid Gold). The experiment was carried out in Plexiglas boxes with one drip emitter under the soil surface. The results demonstrated the superiority of surfactant application on increasing water distribution in the soil profile for all soil textural classes. Silt loam texture had the highest side wetted area and wetting depth 45min after the initiation of irrigation. Upward capillary water movement and top wetted area significantly decreased in the surfactant treatment across all soil textures except in sandy soil. As organic matter content increased, top wetted area decreased. These findings clarified the potential ability of surfactant in increasing water infiltration in non-repellent soil in an in vitro system.
An alternative index to the exchangeable sodium percentage for an explanation of dispersion occurring in soils
Authors: Bennett John McL. , Marchuk Alla , Marchuk Serhiy
Published: September 2016

With the introduction of the cation ratio of soil stability (CROSS) to replace the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) on the basis of differential effects of K and Mg to Na and Ca, respectively, there is a requirement for a similar index involving these cations to replace the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). The exchangeable dispersive percentage (EDP) is derived and proposed to replace ESP. This paper uses two datasets, one where exchangeable K concentration is relatively high and exchangeable Na low, and a further dataset where Mg dominates the cation exchange capacity. EDP is validated against these datasets and further mathematical investigation of the contribution of Mg to dispersion is undertaken. Mineralogy appears to affect turbidity results at a given dispersive index, and an improved criterion for assessment of Mg effect on dispersivity is presented.
Budding yeast chromatin is dispersed in a crowded nucleoplasm in vivo
Authors: Chen Chen , Lim Hong Hwa , Shi Jian , Tamura Sachiko , Maeshima Kazuhiro , Surana Uttam , Gan Lu
Published: September 2016

Chromatin organization has an important role in the regulation of eukaryotic systems. Although recent studies have refined the three-dimensional models of chromatin organization with high resolution at the genome sequence level, little is known about how the most fundamental units of chromatin—nucleosomes—are positioned in three dimensions in vivo. Here we use electron cryotomography to study chromatin organization in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Direct visualization of yeast nuclear densities shows no evidence of 30-nm fibers. Aside from preribosomes and spindle microtubules, few nuclear structures are larger than a tetranucleosome. Yeast chromatin does not form compact structures in interphase or mitosis and is consistent with being in an “open” configuration that is conducive to high levels of transcription. From our study and those of others, we propose that yeast can regulate its transcription using local nucleosome–nucleosome associations.
LncVar: a database of genetic variation associated with long non-coding genes
Authors: Chen Xiaowei , Hao Yajing , Cui Ya , Fan Zhen , He Shunmin , Luo Jianjun , Chen Runsheng
Published: September 2016

Motivation

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are essential in many molecular pathways, and are frequently associated with disease but the mechanisms of most lncRNAs have not yet been characterized. Genetic variations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and structural variations, are widely distributed in the genome, including lncRNA gene regions. As the number of studies on lncRNAs grows rapidly, it is necessary to evaluate the effects of genetic variations on lncRNAs.

Results

Here, we present LncVar, a database of genetic variation associated with long non-coding genes in six species. We collected lncRNAs from the NONCODE database, and evaluated their conservation. We systematically integrated transcription factor binding sites and m6A modification sites of lncRNAs and provided comprehensive effects of SNPs on transcription and modification of lncRNAs. We collected putatively translated open reading frames (ORFs) in lncRNAs, and identified both synonymous and non-synonymous SNPs in ORFs. We also collected expression quantitative trait loci of lncRNAs from the literature. Furthermore, we identified lncRNAs in CNV regions as prognostic biomarker candidates of cancers and predicted lncRNA gene fusion events from RNA-seq data from cell lines. The LncVar database can be used as a resource to evaluate the effects of the variations on the biological function of lncRNAs.

Availability and Implementation

LncVar is available at http://bioinfo.ibp.ac.cn/LncVar.

Supplementary information

Supplementary materials are available at Bioinformatics online.
PHYLOViZ 2.0: providing scalable data integration and visualization for multiple phylogenetic inference methods
Authors: Nascimento Marta , Sousa Adriano , Ramirez Mário , Francisco Alexandre P , Carriço João A , Vaz Cátia
Published: September 2016

High Throughput Sequencing provides a cost effective means of generating high resolution data for hundreds or even thousands of strains, and is rapidly superseding methodologies based on a few genomic loci. The wealth of genomic data deposited on public databases such as Sequence Read Archive/European Nucleotide Archive provides a powerful resource for evolutionary analysis and epidemiological surveillance. However, many of the analysis tools currently available do not scale well to these large datasets, nor provide the means to fully integrate ancillary data. Here we present PHYLOViZ 2.0, an extension of PHYLOViZ tool, a platform independent Java tool that allows phylogenetic inference and data visualization for large datasets of sequence based typing methods, including Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) and whole genome/core genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (wg/cgMLST) analysis. PHYLOViZ 2.0 incorporates new data analysis algorithms and new visualization modules, as well as the capability of saving projects for subsequent work or for dissemination of results.

Availability and Implementation

http://www.phyloviz.net/ (licensed under GPLv3).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
TRI_tool: a web-tool for prediction of protein–protein interactions in human transcriptional regulation
Authors: Perovic Vladimir , Sumonja Neven , Gemovic Branislava , Toska Eneda , Roberts Stefan G , Veljkovic Nevena
Published: September 2016

The TRI_tool, a sequence-based web tool for prediction of protein interactions in the human transcriptional regulation, is intended for biomedical investigators who work on understanding the regulation of gene expression. It has an improved predictive performance due to the training on updated, human specific, experimentally validated datasets. The TRI_tool is designed to test up to 100 potential interactions with no time delay and to report both probabilities and binarized predictions.

Availability and Implementation

http://www.vin.bg.ac.rs/180/tools/tfpred.php.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A radiation-hydrodynamics model of accretion columns for ultra-luminous X-ray pulsars
Authors: Kawashima Tomohisa , Mineshige Shin , Ohsuga Ken , Ogawa Takumi
Published: September 2016

Prompted by the recent discovery of pulsed emission from an ultra-luminous X-ray source, M 82 X-2 (“ULX-pulsar”), we perform a two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics simulation of a supercritical accretion flow onto a neutron star through a narrow accretion column. We set an accretion column with a cone shape filled with tenuous gas with the density of 10−4 g cm−3 above a neutron star and solve the two-dimensional gas motion and radiative transfer within the column. The side boundaries are set such that radiation can freely escape, but gas cannot. Since the initial gas layer is not in a hydrostatic balance, the column gas falls onto the neutron-star surface, and thereby a shock is generated. As a result, the accretion column is composed of two regions: an upper, nearly free-fall region and a lower settling region, as noted by Basko and Sunyaev (1976, MNRAS, 175, 395). The average accretion rate is very high; ${\skew{5}\dot{M}}\sim 10^{2{--}3} L_{\rm E}/c^{2}$ (with LE being the Eddington luminosity), and so radiation energy dominates over gas internal energy entirely within the column. Despite the high accretion rate, the radiation flux in the laboratory frame is kept barely below LE/(4πr2) at a distance r in the settling region so that matter can slowly accrete. This adjustment is made possible, since a large amount of photons produced via dissipation of kinetic energy of matter can escape through the side boundaries. The total luminosity can greatly exceed LE by several orders of magnitude, whereas the apparent luminosity observed from the top of the column is much less. Due to such highly anisotropic radiation fields, the observed flux should exhibit periodic variations with the rotation period, provided that the rotation and magnetic axes are misaligned.
Auditory Cortex Characteristics in Schizophrenia: Associations With Auditory Hallucinations
Authors: Mørch-Johnsen Lynn , Nesvåg Ragnar , Jørgensen Kjetil N. , Lange Elisabeth H. , Hartberg Cecilie B. , Haukvik Unn K. , Kompus Kristiina , Westerhausen René , Osnes Kåre , Andreassen Ole A. , Melle Ingrid , Hugdahl Kenneth , Agartz Ingrid
Published: September 2016

Background

Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated associations between smaller auditory cortex volume and auditory hallucinations (AH) in schizophrenia. Reduced cortical volume can result from a reduction of either cortical thickness or cortical surface area, which may reflect different neuropathology. We investigate for the first time how thickness and surface area of the auditory cortex relate to AH in a large sample of schizophrenia spectrum patients.

Methods

Schizophrenia spectrum (n = 194) patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Mean cortical thickness and surface area in auditory cortex regions (Heschl’s gyrus [HG], planum temporale [PT], and superior temporal gyrus [STG]) were compared between patients with (AH+, n = 145) and without (AH−, n = 49) a lifetime history of AH and 279 healthy controls.

Results

AH+ patients showed significantly thinner cortex in the left HG compared to AH− patients (d = 0.43, P = .0096). There were no significant differences between AH+ and AH− patients in cortical thickness in the PT or STG, or in auditory cortex surface area in any of the regions investigated. Group differences in cortical thickness in the left HG was not affected by duration of illness or current antipsychotic medication.

Conclusions

AH in schizophrenia patients were related to thinner cortex, but not smaller surface area of the left HG, a region which includes the primary auditory cortex. The results support that structural abnormalities of the auditory cortex underlie AH in schizophrenia.
A Critical Qualitative Study of the Position of Middle Managers in Health Care Quality Improvement
Authors: Dainty Katie N. , Sinclair Douglas
Published: September 2016

To date, health care quality improvement (QI) has focused on the engagement of executive leadership and frontline staff as key factors for success. Little work has been done on understanding how mid-level unit/program managers perceive their role in QI and how capacity could be built at this level to increase success. We present ethnographic data on the experience of hospital middle managers to consider how the expectations and capacity of their current position might influence QI progress organizationally.
Feasibility Study of Interventions to Reduce Medication Omissions Without Documentation
Authors: Johnson Maree , Sanchez Paula , Zheng Catherine , Chapman Barbara
Published: September 2016

We conducted a feasibility study to test an intervention to reduce medication omissions without documentation using nurse-initiated recall cards and medication chart checking at handover. No significant difference in the omission rate per 100 medications was found, although after adjusting for hospital and patient age, a significant effect occurred in the intervention group (n = 262 patients) compared with the control group (n = 272). This intervention may reduce medication omissions without documentation, requiring further study within larger samples.
Update on treatment of cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy and of the newborn with congenital cytomegalovirus
Authors: Rawlinson William D. , Hamilton Stuart T. , van Zuylen Wendy J.
Published: September 2016

Purpose of review

The purpose of this review is to assess the recent studies of therapy of pregnant women and neonates, aimed at preventing the consequences of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Recent findings

A recent randomized controlled trial of treatment of CMV during pregnancy with hyperimmune globulin did not show significant efficacy in prevention of foetal infection and morbidity, although there was a trend towards improvement with treatment. Trials of antiviral therapy of the mother during pregnancy have involved small numbers only, confounded by ethical and practical difficulties, and further studies are needed to demonstrate whether or not antivirals are useful and well tolerated in this setting.

Antiviral treatment of neonatal CMV acquired congenitally has been studied in well controlled trials and the antiviral valganciclovir has shown efficacy in reducing the more severe outcomes. Trials are ongoing of the use of antivirals in less severe disease, although results are likely to take several years.

Congenital CMV infection is the most frequent cause of congenital malformation in developed countries, with a symptomatic prevalence of 0.64% of all live births. Infection may result in neurodevelopmental delay, foetal or neonatal death, and most frequently, sensorineural hearing loss. Successful control of viral infections during pregnancy and in the newborn period is essential in reducing early and late morbidity and mortality. Control of congenital CMV infection may be via primary prevention methods such as reducing contact with the pathogen, improved hygiene – both for the pregnant mother and for the neonate, or secondary prevention via reduction of vertical transmission from mother to foetus and reduction in consequences of infection by treatment of infected pregnant women and infected neonates.
Simulation for Operational Readiness in a New Freestanding Emergency Department
Authors: Kerner Robert L. , Gallo Kathleen , Cassara Michael , D'Angelo John , Egan Anthony , Simmons John Galbraith
Published: September 2016

Summary Statement

Simulation in multiple contexts over the course of a 10-week period served as a core learning strategy to orient experienced clinicians before opening a large new urban freestanding emergency department. To ensure technical and procedural skills of all team members, who would provide care without on-site recourse to specialty backup, we designed a comprehensive interprofessional curriculum to verify and regularize a wide range of competencies and best practices for all clinicians. Formulated under the rubric of systems integration, simulation activities aimed to instill a shared culture of patient safety among the entire cohort of 43 experienced emergency physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and patient technicians, most newly hired to the health system, who had never before worked together. Methods throughout the preoperational term included predominantly hands-on skills review, high-fidelity simulation, and simulation with standardized patients. We also used simulation during instruction in disaster preparedness, sexual assault forensics, and community outreach. Our program culminated with 2 days of in-situ simulation deployed in simultaneous and overlapping timeframes to challenge system response capabilities, resilience, and flexibility; this work revealed latent safety threats, lapses in communication, issues of intake procedure and patient flow, and the persistence of inapt or inapplicable mental models in responding to clinical emergencies.
Changes in the physicochemical quality, functional properties, and actinidin content of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) during postharvest storage
Authors: Nam Seung-Hee
Published: September 2016

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis, Hayward) was stored at 25℃ for 0~30 days and investigated to find out the optimum storage time to obtain the best physical and functional properties for consumers’ preference. Kiwifruits was stored at different time period (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 days) for investigating their physiochemical quality, nutritional components, and functional characteristics. Kiwifruits stored for 20~30 days showed the best physiochemical quality such as higher total acidity and proper firmness. They were also more enriched with dietary fibers, free sugar, and organic acid, although no significant changes were observed in crude protein, crude fat, and moisture content. For functional properties, kiwifruits stored for 20 days showed significantly higher contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and actinidin. In addition, it showed stronger antioxidant activity, whitening effect, and proteolytic activity when compared with other samples. SDS-PAGE analysis showed the presence of actinidin enzyme in kiwifruits. These results indicated that the kiwifruits stored for 15~20 days possessed excellent quality and high concentrations of nutritional and functional compounds, which could be best for both fresh consumption and product processing
Physicochemical characteristics of acorn tea by processing methods
Authors: Kim Hyun-Gi , Lee Hyun-Suk , Hong Ju-Yeon , Shin Seung-Ryeul
Published: September 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical and quality characteristics of acorn and acorn tea by processing methods. The moisture contents of acorn tea processed roasting was lower than those of others, and acorn tea processed by three steaming and drying was highest in among. Carbohydrate and crude lipid, crude ash contents of the acorn tea processed by roasting was higher than those of others. Crude protein contents of the natural acorn was higher than those of others. Soluble protein content of acorn tea produced by three steaming and drying was 12.74 mg/g, where was highest than that of the acorn tea. Reducing sugar content of natural acorn was 64.3 mg/g, higher than that of the acorn tea. The L values of natural acorn was higher than those of others, but steaming and roasting acorn tea were lower than those of others. The a, and b values of natural acorn was higher than those of others. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of acorn tea processed by three steaming and drying was 41.15, 2.78 mg/g, where was higher than that of the acorn tea. Sensory test was the acorn tea produced by three steaming and drying showed the best score in preference.
Effects of superheated steam treatment on volatile compounds and quality characteristics of onion
Authors: Lee Mi-Hyun , Lee Kyo-Youn , Kim Ahna , Heo Ho-Jin , Kim Hyun-Jin , Chun Ji-Yeon , Choi Sung-Gil
Published: September 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of superheated steam (SHS) on volatile compounds and the quality characteristics of onion. Onion samples were treated by SHS at various steam temperatures (100~300℃) for 1 min. Thiosulfinates and pyruvic acid were reduced by SHS treatment. The absorbance values obtained for thiosulfinates, the odor-causing compounds in onions, treated by were 0.889, 0.085, 0.049, 0.049, and 0.045, while that of the untreated control sample was 1.587. The pyruvic acid contents of onions treated by SHS were 7.57, 5.85, 1.66, 0.47, and 0.26 mg/mL, while that of the untreated control sample was 8.00 mg/mL. Volatile compounds such as, dipropyl trisufide, 1,3-propanedithiol, methyl thiirane, methyl propyl trisulfide, diallyl disulfide, 1-(methylthio)-1-propene, 1,1-thiobis-1-propene, 1,1-sulfinyl bispropane, dimethyl tetrasulfide, methyl propenyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and diallyl disulfide were reduced by SHS treatment. The results showed that antioxidant activities in the of onion samples were improved by SHS treatment. The hardness and chewiness of onions treated by SHS were significantly lower than those of the untreated control onion sample. Sensory evaluation suggested that SHS could help lower off-flavors in and enhance the palatability of onions. These results suggest that the application of SHS treatment to onions can decrease their off-flavors, change their textural attributes, and promote their sensory properties.
Real-time detection of PRT1-mediated ubiquitination via fluorescently labeled substrate probes
Authors: Mot Augustin C. , Prell Erik , Klecker Maria , Naumann Christin , Faden Frederik , Westermann Bernhard , Dissmeyer Nico
Published: September 2016

The N-end rule pathway has emerged as a major system for regulating protein functions by controlling their turn-over in medical, animal and plant sciences as well as agriculture. Although novel functions and enzymes of the pathway were discovered, ubiquitination mechanism and substrate specificity of N-end rule pathway E3 Ubiquitin ligases remained elusive. Taking the first discoveredbona fideplant N-end rule E3 ligase PROTEOLYSIS1 (PRT1) as a model, we use a novel tool to molecularly characterize polyubiquitination live, in real-time.

We gained mechanistic insights in PRT1 substrate preference and activation by monitoring live ubiquitination by using a fluorescent chemical probe coupled to artificial substrate reporters. Ubiquitination was measured by rapid in-gel fluorescence scanning as well as in real time by fluorescence polarization.

Enzymatic activity, substrate specificity, mechanisms and reaction optimization of PRT1-mediated ubiquitination were investigatedad hocin short time and with significantly reduced reagent consumption.

We demonstrated for the first time that PRT1 is indeed an E3 ligase, which was hypothesized for over two decades. These results demonstrate that PRT1 has the potential to be involved in polyubiquitination of various substrates and therefore pave the way to understanding recently discovered phenotypes ofprt1mutants.
A Novel Clustering Method for Patient Stratification
Authors: Liu Hongfu , Zhao Rui , Fang Hongsheng , Cheng Feixiong , Fu Yun , Liu Yang-Yu
Published: September 2016

Patient stratification or disease subtyping is crucial for precision medicine and personalized treatment of complex diseases. The increasing availability of high-throughput molecular data provides a great opportunity for patient stratification. In particular, many clustering methods have been employed to tackle this problem in a purely data-driven manner. Yet, existing methods leveraging high-throughput molecular data often suffers from various limitations, e.g., noise, data heterogeneity, high dimensionality or poor interpretability. Here we introduced an Entropy-based Consensus Clustering (ECC) method that overcomes those limitations all together. Our ECC method employs an entropy-based utility function to fuse many basic partitions to a consensus one that agrees with the basic ones as much as possible. Maximizing the utility function in ECC has a much more meaningful interpretation than any other consensus clustering methods. Moreover, we exactly map the complex utility maximization problem to the classicK-means clustering problem with a modified distance function, which can then be efficiently solved with linear time and space complexity. Our ECC method can also naturally integrate multiple molecular data types measured from the same set of subjects, and easily handle missing values without any imputation. We applied ECC to both synthetic and real data, including 35 cancer gene expression benchmark datasets and 13 cancer types with four molecular data types from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We found that ECC shows superior performance against existing clustering methods. Our results clearly demonstrate the power of ECC in clinically relevant patient stratification.
Gene expression analysis provides insight into the physiology of the important staple food crop cassava
Authors: Wilson Mark C. , Mutka Andrew M. , Hummel Aaron W. , Berry Jeffrey , Chauhan Raj Deepika , Vijayaraghavan Anupama , Taylor Nigel J. , Voytas Daniel F. , Chitwood Daniel H. , Bart Rebecca S.
Published: September 2016

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) feeds approximately 800 million people worldwide. Although this crop displays high productivity under drought and poor soil conditions, it is susceptible to disease, postharvest deterioration and the roots contain low nutritional content.

Here, we provide molecular identities for eleven cassava tissue types through RNA-sequencing and develop an open access, web-based interface for further interrogation of the data.

Through this dataset, we report novel insight into the physiology of cassava and identify promoters able to drive specified tissue expression profiles. Specifically, we focus on identification of the transcriptional signatures that define the massive, underground storage roots used as a food source and the favored target tissue for transgene integration and genome editing, friable embryogenic callus (FEC).

The information gained from this study is of value for both conventional and biotechnological improvement programs.
Network Modules Driving Plant Stress Response, Tolerance and Adaptation: A case study using Abscisic acid Induced Protein-protein Interactome ofArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Shameer Khader , Naika Mahantesha , Mathew Oommen K. , Sowdhamini Ramanathan
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Understanding key protein-protein interaction network mediated by genes responsive to biotic and abiotic stress could help to understand the functional modules and network topologies driven genes responsive to stresses. It still remains to be an open question whether distinct protein-protein interaction networks have functional or regulatory role in mediating abiotic or biotic stress response in plants. To address this question we compiled abscisic acid responsive genes from Stress-responsive TranscrIption Factor DataBase (version 2; STIFDB2); derived protein-protein interaction network mediated by the genes from STRING database and performed biological network analyses using Cytoscape plugins. We have used Molecular Complex Detection algorithm for deriving highly connected module from the abscisic acid responsive network. Biological Network Gene Ontology tool was used to derive functional enrichment of abscisic acid responsive interaction network using GOSlim_Plants ontology. GraphletCounter was used to identify graph motifs in the network and NetworkAnalyzer was used to compute various network topological parameters. We found 26S proteasome subunits as a highly clustered module using Molecular Complex Detection algorithm. Enrichment analysis indicates that several biological processes terms including “flower development” are associated with the network. Results from this case study can be used to understand network properties of abiotic stress responsive genes and gene products in a model plant system.
Evolution of plant defences along an invasion chronosequence: defence is lost due to enemy release – but not forever
Authors: Gruntman Michal , Segev Udi , Glauser Gaétan , Tielbörger Katja
Published: September 2016

The success of invasive plants has often been attributed to their rapid evolution at the introduced range. In particular, release from native enemies has been suggested to select for an evolutionary shift in resource allocation patterns from herbivore defence to increased size. Such evolutionary processes can take place not only between the native and invasive ranges but also within the invasive range over time, but this premise has been very seldom studied.

In this study, we examined the potential for post‐invasion evolution in two traits hypothesized to facilitate plant invasion success, that is herbivore resistance and allelopathic ability. We studied these traits in the invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera by comparing plants from its native populations and from populations across its invasion chronosequence.

Results of common‐garden experiment and chemical analyses revealed that plants from native populations or older populations within the invasive range show greater resistance to the generalist herbivore, Deilephila elpenor, coupled with greater production of the secondary defence compound 2‐methoxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone glycoside. In contrast, no differences were found between populations in their allelopathic effect on the germination of the co‐occurring neighbour, Urtica doica. Finally, results from a field survey suggested that older populations within the invasive range incur greater attack rates from local herbivores compared to more recently established populations.

Synthesis. Our findings support the idea that the selection pressure of enemy release at the introduced range might attenuate over time, leading to the evolutionary recovery of enemy resistance. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating the effect of time since introduction when examining evolutionary or ecological processes of plant invasions.
Association between ambulance dispatch priority and patient condition
Authors: Ball Stephen J , Williams Teresa A , Smith Karen , Cameron Peter , Fatovich Daniel , O'Halloran Kay L , Hendrie Delia , Whiteside Austin , Inoue Madoka , Brink Deon , Langridge Iain , Pereira Gavin , Tohira Hideo , Chinnery Sean , Bray Janet E , Bailey Paul , Finn Judith
Published: September 2016

Objective

To compare chief complaints of the Medical Priority Dispatch System in terms of the match between dispatch priority and patient condition.

Methods

This was a retrospective whole‐of‐population study of emergency ambulance dispatch in Perth, Western Australia, 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2015. Dispatch priority was categorised as either Priority 1 (high priority), or Priority 2 or 3. Patient condition was categorised as time‐critical for patient(s) transported as Priority 1 to hospital or who died (and resuscitation was attempted by paramedics); else, patient condition was categorised as less time‐critical. The χ2 statistic was used to compare chief complaints by false omission rate (percentage of Priority 2 or 3 dispatches that were time‐critical) and positive predictive value (percentage of Priority 1 dispatches that were time‐critical). We also reported sensitivity and specificity.

Results

There were 211 473 cases of dispatch. Of 99 988 cases with Priority 2 or 3 dispatch, 467 (0.5%) were time‐critical. Convulsions/seizures and breathing problems were highlighted as having more false negatives (time‐critical despite Priority 2 or 3 dispatch) than expected from the overall false omission rate. Of 111 485 cases with Priority 1 dispatch, 6520 (5.8%) were time‐critical. Our analysis highlighted chest pain, heart problems/automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator, unknown problem/collapse, and headache as having fewer true positives (time‐critical and Priority 1 dispatch) than expected from the overall positive predictive value.

Conclusion

Scope for reducing under‐triage and over‐triage of ambulance dispatch varies between chief complaints of the Medical Priority Dispatch System. The highlighted chief complaints should be considered for future research into improving ambulance dispatch system performance.
The ED‐inpatient dashboard: Uniting emergency and inpatient clinicians to improve the efficiency and quality of care for patients requiring emergency admission to hospital
Authors: Staib Andrew , Sullivan Clair , Jones Matt , Griffin Bronwyn , Bell Anthony , Scott Ian
Published: September 2016

Patients who require emergency admission to hospital require complex care that can be fragmented, occurring in the ED, across the ED‐inpatient interface (EDii) and subsequently, in their destination inpatient ward. Our hospital had poor process efficiency with slow transit times for patients requiring emergency care. ED clinicians alone were able to improve the processes and length of stay for the patients discharged directly from the ED. However, improving the efficiency of care for patients requiring emergency admission to true inpatient wards required collaboration with reluctant inpatient clinicians. The inpatient teams were uninterested in improving time‐based measures of care in isolation, but they were motivated by improving patient outcomes. We developed a dashboard showing process measures such as 4 h rule compliance rate coupled with clinically important outcome measures such as inpatient mortality. The EDii dashboard helped unite both ED and inpatient teams in clinical redesign to improve both efficiencies of care and patient outcomes.
Which patients should be transported to the emergency department? A perpetual prehospital dilemma
Authors: Tohira Hideo , Fatovich Daniel , Williams Teresa A , Bremner Alexandra , Arendts Glenn , Rogers Ian R , Celenza Antonio , Mountain David , Cameron Peter , Sprivulis Peter , Ahern Tony , Finn Judith
Published: September 2016

Objective

To examine the ability of paramedics to identify patients who could be managed in the community and to identify predictors that could be used to accurately identify patients who should be transported to EDs.

Methods

Lower acuity patients who were assessed by paramedics in the Perth metropolitan area in 2013 were studied. Paramedics prospectively indicated on the patient care record if they considered that the patient could be treated in the community. The paramedic decisions were compared with actual disposition from the ED (discharge and admission), and the occurrence of subsequent events (ambulance request, ED visit, admission and death) for discharged patients at the scene was investigated. Decision tree analysis was used to identify predictors that were associated with hospital admission.

Results

In total, 57 183 patients were transported to the ED, and 10 204 patients were discharged at the scene by paramedics. Paramedics identified 2717 patients who could potentially be treated in the community among those who were transported to the ED. Of these, 1455 patients (53.6%) were admitted to hospital. For patients discharged at the scene, those who were indicated as suitable for community care were more likely to experience subsequent events than those who were not. The decision tree found that two predictors (age and aetiology) were associated with hospital admission. Overall discriminative power of the decision tree was poor; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.686.

Conclusion

Lower acuity patients who could be treated in the community were not accurately identified by paramedics. This process requires further evaluation.
Pneumococcal vaccinations effectively prevent blood culture‐negative infections that resemble occult pneumococcal bacteraemia or bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia at one to 36 months of age
Authors: Laaksonen Neea , Rintamäki Lilja , Korppi Matti
Published: September 2016

Aim

The occurrence of blood culture‐positive pneumococcal bacteraemia and bacteraemic pneumonia decreased after large‐scale pneumococcal vaccinations were introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pneumococcal vaccinations on hospitalisations due to blood culture‐negative infections with fever and leucocytosis, without any other focus than pneumonic infiltration.

Material

This was a retrospective hospital chart review covering the prevaccination era of 2008–2009 and postvaccination era of 2012–2013. The number of study subjects with fever and blood leucocytosis of >17.5 × 10E9/L at one to 36 months of age was 202.

Results

The incidence of hospitalisation for infections associated with fever and leucocytosis, when pneumonic infiltration was present on the chest radiograph, was 4.7/10 000/year, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 2.2–8.8 in children under 36 months in 2012–2013. When pneumonic infiltration was not present, the respective incidence was 14.6/10 000/year (95% CI: 9.6–21.1). The figure from the 2008–2009 prevaccination era was 11.3 (95% CI: 8.1–15.3) when pneumonic infiltration was present and 24.0/10 000/year (95% CI: 19.2–29.7) when pneumonic infiltration was absent.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccinations in preventing blood culture‐negative infections that resembled occult pneumococcal bacteraemia (pneumococcaemia) or bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia at one to 36 months of age.
Does noninvasive electrical stimulation of acupuncture points reduce heelstick pain in neonates?
Authors: Mitchell Anita J. , Hall Richard W. , Golianu Brenda , Yates Charlotte , Williams David Keith , Chang Jason , Anand Kanwaljeet J. S.
Published: September 2016

Aim

Noninvasive electrical stimulation at acupuncture points (NESAP) for analgesia is used in children, but has not been widely studied in neonates. The purpose of this study was to determine whether NESAP alone or in combination with sucrose relieved heelstick pain in neonates.

Methods

Term neonates (n = 162) receiving routine heelsticks for newborn screening were enrolled following parental consent. All infants received facilitated tucking and non‐nutritive sucking. Neonates were randomised to standard care, sucrose, NESAP or sucrose plus NESAP. NESAP (3.5 mA, 10 Hz) or sham was administered over four acupuncture points. The Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP), heart rate variability (HRV) and salivary cortisol were used to measure heelstick pain.

Results

PIPP scores among all four treatment groups increased during heelstick, F (9,119) = 1.95, p = 0.05 and NESAP therapy had no significant effect on PIPP scores. However, PIPP scores from baseline to heelstick increased the most in the two groups not receiving sucrose (p < 0.01). Mean PIPP scores remained below five during the heelstick in all four groups, indicating minimal or no pain. Differences in HRV and salivary cortisol among groups were insignificant.

Conclusion

NESAP at 3.5 mA, 10 Hz is not effective in relieving pain during heelsticks in neonates.
Explaining Suicide in Organizations: Durkheim Revisited
Authors: Clegg Stewart , Cunha Miguel Pina E , Rego Arménio
Published: September 2016

Drawing on Durkheim's concept of anomie, we address the under‐explored phenomenon of anomic suicide in contemporary organizations and discuss the consequences of solidarity for organizations and society. The relations of social solidarity to issues of identity and insecurity are explored through the cases of France Telecom Orange and Foxconn. Remedial implications for organizing, considered as community building, are discussed. Durkheim wrote not only about anomic but also altruistic suicide. We will also analyze examples of this type of suicide. Some tentative suggestions are made for how to organize to minimize the incidence of suicidal violence in organizations.
Prevention of cardiotoxicity among survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Hutchins Kelley K. , Siddeek Hani , Franco Vivian I. , Lipshultz Steven E.
Published: September 2016

Linked Articles

This article is part of a joint Themed section with the British Journal of Pharmacology on Cardiotoxicity. The rest of the Themed section will appear in a future issue of BJP and will be available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1476‐5381

The number of survivors of childhood cancers has increased exponentially over the past few decades. However, these survivors are also at substantially increased long‐term risk of morbidity and mortality, especially from treatment‐related cardiotoxicity. Preventing these risks is now a priority when treating children and adolescents with cancer. Dexrazoxane reduces the risk of anthracycline‐induced cardiotoxicity among adults and children with cancer without reducing its antineoplastic effects or event‐free survival. Thus, it should be strongly considered as a part of therapy for children and adolescents treated with anthracyclines.
Foetal Fentanyl Exposure and Ion Trapping after Intravenous and Transdermal Administration to the Ewe
Authors: Heikkinen Emma M. , Kokki Hannu , Heikkinen Aki , Ranta Veli‐Pekka , Räsänen Juha , Voipio Hanna‐Marja , Kokki Merja
Published: September 2016

Opioids given to pregnant and parturient women are relatively freely transferred across the placenta. Spinal, epidural and intravenous fentanyl has been studied in pregnant women and neonates, but foetal safety of fentanyl dosing with transdermal patch during pregnancy and labour is not sufficiently studied. Foetal pH is physiologically lower than maternal pH, and thus, opioids, which are weak bases, are ionized and may cumulate to foetus. Foetal asphyxia may further worsen acidosis, and ion trapping induced by low pH is assumed to increase the foetal exposure to opioids. Here, we show that no correlation between foetal acidosis and ion trapping of fentanyl could be found. In three experiments, 29 pregnant sheep were administered fentanyl with 2 μg/kg/h patch supplemented with IV boluses/infusion. Foetal exposure to fentanyl was extensive, median 0.34 ng/ml (quartiles 0.21, 0.42), yet drug accumulation to foetus was not observed, and median of foetal/maternal concentration (F/M) ratio was 0.63 (0.43, 0.75) during the first hours after the fentanyl administration. Low foetal pH and pH difference between ewe and the foetus did not correlate with fentanyl concentration in the foetus or F/M ratio. At steady‐state during the second patch worn, foetal plasma fentanyl was low, 0.13 ng/ml, and the median of F/M ratio was 0.69. Our results demonstrate that drug accumulation to foetus caused by ion trapping seen with some weak base opioids may not be that significant with fentanyl. These results have a clinical relevance when fentanyl is dosed to pregnant woman and the foetus is acidemic.
Progression of a solitary plasmacytoma to multiple myeloma. A population‐based registry of the northern Netherlands
Authors: de Waal Esther G. M. , Leene Marnix , Veeger Nic , Vos Hanneke J. , Ong Francisca , Smit Wilma G. J. M. , Hovenga Sjoerd , Hoogendoorn Mels , Hogenes Marieke , Beijert Max , Diepstra Arjan , Vellenga Edo
Published: September 2016

Plasmacytoma is characterized by a local accumulation of monoclonal plasma cells without criteria for multiple myeloma (MM). The current treatment regimen is local radiotherapy. However, more than 50% of patients develop MM within 2 years after treatment. A population‐based registry was consulted for the diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma between 1988 and 2011. Progression to MM and prognostic features for progression to MM were scored, including hypoxia inducible factors (HIF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, also termed VEGFA) and micro‐vessel density (MVD) expression in biopsy material. A total of 76 patients were included, 34% having extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) while 66% had a solitary plasmacytoma of the bone (SBP). Median follow‐up was 89 months, (7–293 months). In Seventy per cent of SBP patients developed MM with a median time to progression of 19 months (5–293). Three patients (12%) with EMP developed MM. High expression of VEGF and HIF‐2α (also termed EPAS1) was demonstrated in conjunction with an increased MVD in 66% of the patients. No association could be shown between angiogenesis parameters and progression to MM. In conclusion, this population‐based study demonstrates that SBP patients have a higher risk of developing MM following local radiotherapy, indicating that this group might benefit from added systemic chemotherapy.
Sitagliptin and risk of fractures in type 2 diabetes: Results from the TECOS trial
Authors: Josse Robert G. , Majumdar Sumit R. , Zheng Yinggan , Adler Amanda , Bethel M. Angelyn , Buse John B. , Green Jennifer B. , Kaufman Keith D. , Rodbard Helena W. , Tankova Tsvetalina , Westerhout Cynthia M. , Peterson Eric D. , Holman Rury R. , Armstrong Paul W. ,   on behalf of the TECOS Study Group
Published: September 2016

Aim

To examine fracture incidence among participants in the Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS).

Research design and methods

We used data from 14 671 participants in the TECOS study who were randomized double‐blind to sitagliptin (n = 7332) or placebo (n = 7339). Cumulative fracture incidence rates were calculated and their association with study treatment assignment was examined using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

The baseline mean (standard deviation) participant age was 65.5 (8.0) years, diabetes duration was 11.6 (8.1) years and glycated haemoglobin level was 7.2 (0.5)% [55.2 (5.5) mmol/mol], and 29.3% of participants were women and 32.1% were non‐white. During 43 222 person‐years’ follow‐up, 375 (2.6%; 8.7 per 1000 person‐years) had a fracture; 146 were major osteoporotic fractures (hip, n = 34; upper extremity, n = 81; and clinical spine, n = 31). Adjusted analyses showed fracture risk increased independently with older age (P < .001), female sex (P < .001), white race (P < .001), lower diastolic blood pressure (P < .001) and diabetic neuropathy (P = .003). Sitagliptin, compared with placebo, was not associated with a higher fracture risk [189 vs 186 incident fractures: unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.23, P = .944; adjusted HR 1.03, P = .745], major osteoporotic fractures (P = .673) or hip fractures (P = .761). Insulin therapy was associated with a higher fracture risk (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.02‐1.91; P = .035), and metformin with a lower risk (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59‐0.98; P = .035).

Conclusion

Fractures were common among people with diabetes in the TECOS study, but were not related to sitagliptin therapy. Insulin and metformin treatment were associated with higher and lower fracture risks, respectively.
Self‐regeneration of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) as affected by seedling density and soil tillage method in a semi‐arid agroecosystem
Authors: Renzi J. P. , Chantre G. R. , Cantamutto M. A.
Published: September 2016

Vicia villosa Roth is a forage legume with the capability for biological N fixation and natural reseeding, which could contribute to sustainability in semi‐arid regions. This study aimed to determine (i) the relationship between vetch density, seed production and spontaneous seed dispersal; (ii) the impact of the post‐dispersal tillage treatment over the soil seedbank dynamics; and (iii) potential predation of the seedbank by feral pigeons. A density range between 50 and 200 plants m−2 did not influence seed production or seed dispersal. Shallow disc tillage (SDT) clearly favoured self‐regeneration, resulting in higher amount of emerged seedlings during autumn compared to no tillage (NT). Based on observed emergence data, the percentage of emerged seedlings under SDT and NT were 38 and 6% of the seedbank, respectively, during 18 months after plot harvest. The lowest emergence values registered under NT could be associated with higher pressure from natural predators, soil‐borne pathogens, seed decay by ageing and false breaks. The feral pigeon (Columba livia var.) might be considered the main cause of vetch seedbank depletion in this study. Under controlled conditions, a single pigeon is able to consume, on average, between 184 and 768 seeds per day, depending on seed exposure and alternative food sources availability.