bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors related to falls, weight‐loss and pressure ulcers – more insight in risk assessment among nursing home residents
Authors: Lannering Christina , Ernsth Bravell Marie , Midlöv Patrik , Östgren Carl‐Johan , Mölstad Sigvard
Published: January 2016

Aims and objectives

To describe how the included items in three different scales, Downton Fall Risk Index, the short form of Mini Nutritional Assessment and the Modified Norton Scale are associated to severe outcomes as falls, weight loss and pressure ulcers.

Background

Falls, malnutrition and pressure ulcers are common adverse events among nursing home residents and risk scoring are common preventive activities, mainly focusing on single risks. In Sweden the three scales are routinely used together with the purpose to improve the quality of prevention.

Design

Longitudinal quantitative study.

Methods

Descriptive analyses and Cox regression analyses.

Results

Only 4% scored no risk for any of these serious events. Longitudinal risk scoring showed significant impaired mean scores indicating increased risks. This confirms the complexity of this population's status of general condition. There were no statistical significant differences between residents categorised at risk or not regarding events. Physical activity increased falls, but decreased pressure ulcers. For weight loss, cognitive decline and the status of general health were most important.

Conclusions

Risk tendencies for falls, malnutrition and pressure ulcers are high in nursing homes, and when measure them at the same time the majority will have several of these risks. Items assessing mobility or items affecting mobility were of most importance. Care processes can always be improved and this study can add to the topic.

Relevance to clinical practice

A more comprehensive view is needed and prevention can not only be based on total scores. Mobility is an important factor for falls and pressure ulcers, both as a risk factor and a protective factor. This involves a challenge for care – to keep the inmates physical active and at the same time prevent falls.
WICKEDNESS IN SOCIAL CHOICE
Authors: Gaertner Wulf Christian
Published: January 2016

In an article from 1973, Rittel and Webber distinguished between ‘tame’ or ‘benign’ problems on the one hand and ‘wicked’ problems on the other. The authors argued that wicked problems occur in nearly all public policy issues. Since different groups adhere to different value‐sets, solutions can only be expressed as better or worse. By no means can they be viewed as definitive or objective. In this paper we consider, from this very angle, the theory of social choice which is about the aggregation of individual preferences with the aim to derive a consistent social preference. We show that collective choice offers wicked problems of various types which differ in their degree of severity. We hereby concentrate on welfare functions and voting schemes of different kinds and discuss these in the light of various criteria such as Arrow's independence condition, Condorcet consistency, monotonicity, manipulability, and other properties.
Validity and reliability of the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire in a UK population
Authors: Ni Riordain Richeal , Hodgson Tim , Porter Stephen , Fedele Stefano
Published: January 2016

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of a the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire in a UK population

Methods

Two hundred patients with chronic oral mucosal disease (oral lichen planus, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, mucous membrane pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris) were enrolled in this study from the Oral Medicine Department of University College London Hospitals Trust (UCLHT) Eastman Dental Hospital. Individuals were interviewed using Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire (COMDQ), and the construct validity and internal reliability were examined.

Results

Of the 200 study participants, 100 respondents had oral lichen planus, 42 had recurrent aphthous stomatitis and 58 had vesiculobullous conditions (mucous membrane pemphigoid or pemphigus vulgaris). With regard to construct validity, a moderate to good degree of convergent validity was found between OHIP‐14 and VAS and most subscales and the total COMDQ score except the patient support subscale of COMDQ (0.21–0.37).

Conclusion

COMDQ is a valid and reliable patient‐reported outcome measure for patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases in a UK population. It can be considered a valuable instrument in both clinical practice and in oral medicine research.
Evaluation of an oral health education session for Early Head Start home visitors
Authors: Glatt Kevin , Okunseri Christopher , Flanagan Diane , Simpson Pippa , Cao Yumei , Willis Earnestine
Published: January 2016

Objectives

Home visiting programs promote the education and health of Early Head Start (EHS) children and pregnant women. However, EHS's oral health component is unevenly implemented. We conducted an educational intervention to improve oral health knowledge and motivational interviewing techniques among Wisconsin EHS home visitors.

Methods

A questionnaire assessing oral health‐related knowledge and confidence was administered to home visitors before and after an educational session. Changes between pre/post‐responses were analyzed with McNemar's test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test.

Results

After the intervention there were increases in both knowledge and confidence related to oral health communication. Knowledge increases were observed in such topics as fluoridation, dental caries, and caregivers’ role in assisting and supervising children's tooth brushing.

Conclusions

A brief educational intervention was associated with increased home visitor knowledge and confidence in communicating oral health messages to EHS caregivers and pregnant women.
Effect of Breed on Plasma Endothelin‐1 Concentration, Plasma Renin Activity, and Serum Cortisol Concentration in Healthy Dogs
Authors: Höglund K. , Lequarré A.‐S. , Ljungvall I. , Mc Entee K. , Merveille A.‐C. , Wiberg M. , Gouni V. , Lundgren Willesen J. , Hanås S. , Wess G. , Mejer Sørensen L. , Tiret L. , Kierczak M. , Forsberg S.K.G. , Seppälä E. , Lindblad‐Toh K. , Lohi H. , Chetboul V. , Fredholm M. , Häggström J.
Published: January 2016

Background

There are breed differences in several blood variables in healthy dogs.

Objective

Investigate breed variation in plasma endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) concentration, plasma renin activity, and serum cortisol concentration.

Animals

Five‐hundred and thirty‐one healthy dogs of 9 breeds examined at 5 centers (2–4 breeds/center).

Methods

Prospective observational study. Circulating concentrations of ET‐1 and cortisol, and renin activity, were measured using commercially available assays. Absence of organ‐related or systemic disease was ensured by thorough clinical investigations, including blood pressure measurement, echocardiography, ECG, blood and urine analysis.

Results

Median ET‐1 concentration was 1.29 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.97–1.82) pg/mL, median cortisol concentration 46.0 (IQR, 29.0–80.8) nmol/L, and median renin activity 0.73 (IQR, 0.48–1.10) ng/mL/h in all dogs. Overall, breed differences were found in ET‐1 and cortisol concentrations, and renin activity (P < .0001 for all). Pair‐wise comparisons between breeds differed in 67% of comparisons for ET‐1, 22% for cortisol, and 19% for renin activity, respectively. Within centers, breed differences were found at 5/5 centers for ET‐1, 4/5 centers for cortisol, and 2/5 centers for renin activity. Newfoundlands had highest median ET‐1 concentration, 3 times higher than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, and Dachshunds. Median renin activity was highest in Dachshunds, twice the median value in Newfoundlands and Boxers. Median cortisol concentration was highest in Finnish Lapphunds, almost 3 times higher than in Boxers.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Breed variation might be important to take into consideration when interpreting test results in clinical studies.
Moose browsing, understorey structure and plant species composition across spruce budworm‐induced forest edges
Authors: Franklin Caroline M.A. , Harper Karen A.
Published: January 2016

Question

To what extent do forest edges created by an insect outbreak influence patterns of moose browsing severity, understorey structure and species composition?

Location

Balsam fir‐dominated boreal forest in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, CA.

Methods

We sampled understorey vegetation (moose browsing damage, sapling density, plant composition, diversity) in contiguous 1‐m2quadrats along six 120‐m transects across the forested edges of insect outbreak areas. Patterns of each response variable across the disturbed area–forest gradient were determined using generalized additive mixed models. Randomization tests and wavelet analyses were used to estimate the extent of edge/forest influence and location of abrupt change along the edge‐to‐interior gradient, respectively.

Results

Most saplings in the disturbed area were severely browsed and shorter than those in adjacent intact forest. Although moose preferred to browse on tall saplings, shorter saplings were severely browsed in the disturbed area. Compared to the forest, the disturbed area was characterized by more shade‐intolerant species, increased graminoid cover and reduced bryophyte cover. Distance of edge influence did not extend into the forest for almost all response variables. Abrupt changes in understorey vegetation occurred at various distances on both sides of the edge.

Conclusions

Severe moose browsing in the disturbed area is preventing forest regeneration, resulting in the persistence of forest edges that would typically disappear after the collapse of an insect outbreak. Different assessments of the forest edge revealed different results; locations of abrupt change in understorey vegetation occurred even where plant communities were not significantly different than reference forest and disturbed areas. This study reveals that the combined effects of a small insect defoliator and a large ungulate can substantially affect landscape dynamics.
Estimates of Heritabilities and Genetic Correlations for Growth and Gonad Traits in Blunt Snout Bream, Megalobrama amblycephala
Authors: Zhao Honghao , Zeng Cong , Wan Shiming , Dong Zaijie , Gao Zexia
Published: January 2016

Blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala, is an herbivorous freshwater fish and has been recognized as a main aquaculture species in the Chinese freshwater polyculture system. The objective of the study is to estimate the genetic parameters for growth, body shape, and gonad traits for M. amblycephala at 1 yr of age. The phenotypic analysis showed that coefficients of variation for gonad traits had large variation relative to the other traits analyzed, and there was no sexual dimorphism by comparing growth and body shape in M. amblycephala. Based on restricted maximum likelihood and Markov chain Monte Carlo Bayesian methods using the animal model, the heritabilities of body weight (0.423–0.504), body length (0.309–0.678), body height (0.408–0.599), and dressed weight (0.359–0.643) were moderate and high, while the other traits, including conditional factor (0.029–0.199), body shape coefficient (0.095–0.405), edible ratio (0.073–0.207), gonad weight (0.018–0.170), and gonadosomatic index (0.050–0.222), had moderate or low heritabilities. High genetic and phenotypic correlations were found among growth traits, but not between growth traits and body shape or gonad traits except dressed weight. Based on our results, it could be efficient to combine the selection on body weight for fast growth and nonearly sexual maturity varieties of M. amblycephala breeding.
Comparison of Intestinal Microbiota in Intestinal Tracts of the Wild and Cultured Seahorses, Hippocampus trimaculatus (Leach)
Authors: Wang Kai , Zhang Yanhong , Li Feng , Lin Qiang
Published: January 2016

Seahorse aquaculture has been a focus for meeting the demand of Chinese traditional medicine and aquarium, and one of the bottlenecks for aquaculture is disease. The present study focused on the intestinal microbiota between wild and cultured seahorses. Results showed that the Alcaligenaceae and Enterobacteriaceae were the dominant intestinal flora in intestinal tracts of seahorses, and Achromobacter sp., Serratia marcescens, and Serratia sp. were the dominant intestinal flora. It was the first time that two strains (TPL14 and yb97) of Achromobacter xylosoxidans were found in cultured seahorses and even in fishes. Interestingly, Vibrio, which accounted for 19.35% of the intestinal bacterial communities, only occurred in the cultured seahorses, and it was strongly involved in the intestinal diseases in seahorse H. trimaculatus.
Petrographic and geochemical characterization of the granitic rocks of the Araguainha impact crater, Brazil
Authors: Silva Dailto , Lana Cristiano , de Souza Filho Carlos Roberto
Published: January 2016

Petrographic and geochemical data obtained on the Araguainha impact crater (Goiás/Mato Grosso States, Brazil) indicate the existence of several molten products that originated during impact‐induced congruent melting of an alkali‐granite exposed in the inner part of the central uplift of the structure. Although previous studies have described these melts to some extent, there is no detailed discussion on the petrographic and geochemical variability in the granite and its impactogenic derivatives, and therefore, little is known about the geochemical behavior and mobility of trace elements during its fusion in the central part of the Araguainha crater. This paper demonstrates that the preserved granitoid exposed in the core of the structure is a magnesium‐rich granite, similar to postcollisional, A‐type granites, also found in terrains outside the Araguainha crater, in the Brasília orogenic belt. The molten products are texturally distinct and different from the original rock, but have very similar geochemical composition, making it difficult to separate these lithotypes based on concentrations of major and minor elements. This also applies for trace and rare earth elements (REE), thus indicating a high degree of homogenization during impact‐induced congruent melting under high pressure and postshock temperature conditions. Petrographic observations, along with geochemical data, indicate that melting occurs selectively, where some of the elements are transported with the melt. Simultaneously, there is an effective dissolution of the rock (granite), which leads to entrainment of the most resistant solid phases (intact or partially molten minerals) into the melt. Minerals more resistant to melting, such as quartz and oxides, contribute substantially to a chemical balance between the preserved granite and the fusion products generated during the meteoritic impact.
Carbon and phosphorus exchange may enable cooperation between an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and a phosphate‐solubilizing bacterium
Authors: Zhang Lin , Xu Minggang , Liu Yu , Zhang Fusuo , Hodge Angela , Feng Gu
Published: January 2016

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) transfer plant photosynthate underground which can stimulate soil microbial growth. In this study, we examined whether there was a potential link between carbon (C) release from an AMF and phosphorus (P) availability via a phosphate‐solubilizing bacterium (PSB).

We investigated the outcome of the interaction between the AMF and the PSB by conducting a microcosm and two Petri plate experiments. An in vitro culture experiment was also conducted to determine the direct impact of AMF hyphal exudates on growth of the PSB.

The AMF released substantial C to the environment, triggering PSB growth and activity. In return, the PSB enhanced mineralization of organic P, increasing P availability for the AMF. When soil available P was low, the PSB competed with the AMF for P, and its activity was not stimulated by the fungus. When additional P was added to increase soil available P, the PSB enhanced AMF hyphal growth, and PSB activity was also stimulated by the fungus.

Our results suggest that an AMF and a free‐living PSB interacted to the benefit of each other by providing the C or P that the other microorganism required, but these interactions depended upon background P availability.
Generalized Forecast Error Variance Decomposition for Linear and Nonlinear Multivariate Models
Authors: Lanne Markku , Nyberg Henri
Published: January 2016

We propose a new generalized forecast error variance decomposition with the attractive property that the proportions of the impact accounted for by innovations in each variable sum to unity. Our decomposition is based on the generalized impulse response function, and it can easily be obtained by simulation. The new decomposition is illustrated in an empirical application to US output growth and interest rate spread data.
Public Health Nurses' Activities for Suicide Prevention in Japan
Authors: Marutani Miki , Yamamoto‐Mitani Noriko , Kodama Shimpei
Published: January 2016

Objective

Suicide is a major health issue worldwide, including in Japan. Japanese public health nurses (PHNs) play a distinctive role in suicide prevention, although few studies have delineated this role. The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual framework that elucidates PHNs' activities for suicide prevention.

Design and Sample

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted in 2012–2013 with 15 PHNs who worked in Tokyo metropolitan regions. Data were analyzed qualitatively using grounded theory, and a conceptual framework with seven categories was developed.

Results

Three phases that depict the PHNs' suicide prevention activities emerged. Phase I, Pursuing to understand suicide cases, included two categories: tracing back individual suicide cases and raising consciousness among the general public. Phase II, Spreading a web of care, included three categories: knitting a caring network, weaving regular programs into the web, and continuing to be a member of the web. Phase III, Maintaining motivation and commitment, included two categories: legitimatizing suicide prevention and cultivating continued commitment in the community.

Conclusion

The activities of suicide prevention by PHNs included a process of developing a caring network that lead to the enhancement of the caring capacity of the community as a whole.
Diagnostic pitfalls in pathological diagnosis of infectious disease: patients with syphilitic lymphadenitis often present with inconspicuous history of infection
Authors: Liu Zhiyan , Zhang Chunyan , Kakudo Kennichi , Cui Xiujie , Mu Kun , Zhou Chengjun , Wang Yan , Chen Shiming , Zhou Gengyin
Published: January 2016

Retrospective study was applied to 16 cases of syphilitic lymphadenitis to elucidate the pathological diagnostic features. The typical morphology of syphilitic lymphadenitis includes: (i) well preserved or partially destroyed lymph node structure; (ii) reactive hyperplasia of lymph follicles with broadened germinal centers in the cortex and medulla of the lymph node; (iii) thickened fibrotic lymph node capsules with infiltration of plasma cells; and (iv) phlebitis and endarteritis in varying degree. Additional morphology includes: (i) focal histiocytes with ingested debris; (ii) noncaseating granuloma with epithelioid histiocytes and disperse giant cells; and (iii) hyperplastic centroblast and occasionally isolated mononuclear Reed‐Sternberg cell‐like giant cells. Treponema pallidum was identified in 15 of the 16 cases by immunohistochemical staining. The histopathological diagnosis of syphilitic lymphadenitis poses difficulty in differentiation from other infectious or neoplastic lymphadenopathies. The newly established Treponema pallidum antibody is sensitive to identification of Treponema pallidum in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue.
Special cancer microenvironment in human colonic cancer: Concept of cancer microenvironment formed by peritoneal invasion (CMPI) and implication of subperitoneal fibroblast in cancer progression
Authors: Kojima Motohiro , Ochiai Atsushi
Published: January 2016

Clinical outcomes of colorectal cancer are influenced not by tumor size, but by spread into the bowel wall. Although assessment of serosal involvement is an important pathological feature for classification of colon cancer, its diagnostic consistency has been questioned. Using elastic staining, we assessed elastic laminal invasion (ELI) for more objective stratification of deep tumor invasion around the peritoneal surface. In addition, pathological characteristic features of marked tumor budding, fibrosis, and macrophage infiltration in the tumor area with ELI was elucidated. This characteristic tumor area was termed cancer microenvironment formed by peritoneal elastic laminal invasion (CMPI). We elucidated histoanatomical layer‐dependent heterogeneity of fibroblast in colonic tissue. Furthermore, subperitoneal fibroblasts (SPFs) play a crucial role in tumor progression and metastasis in CMPI. Our ELI and CMPI concept contributes not only to objective pathological diagnosis, but also sheds light on biological research of special cancer microenvironments detectable in human colorectal cancers. Herein, we describe the diagnostic utility of ELI and morphological alteration in advanced colorectal cancers to determine the phenomenon that occurs when tumors invade around the peritoneal surface. Next, biological research of CMPI is reviewed to stress the importance of pathological research to establish new biological concepts.
On the Grammar of Politics—or Why Conservatives Prefer Nouns
Authors: Cichocka Aleksandra , Bilewicz Michał , Jost John T. , Marrouch Natasza , Witkowska Marta
Published: January 2016

Previous research indicates that political conservatism is associated with epistemic needs for structure and certainty (Jost et al., 2003) and that nouns elicit clearer and more definite perceptions of reality than other parts of speech (Carnaghi et al., 2008). We therefore hypothesized that conservatives would exhibit preferences for nouns (vs. verbs and adjectives), insofar as nouns are better suited to satisfy epistemic needs. In Study 1, we observed that social conservatism was associated with noun preferences in Polish and that personal need for structure accounted for the association between ideology and grammatical preferences. In Study 2, conducted in Arabic, social conservatism was associated with a preference for the use of nominal sentences (composed of nouns only) over verbal sentences (which included verbs and adjectives). In Study 3, we found that more conservative U.S. presidents used greater proportions of nouns in major speeches, and this effect was related to integrative complexity. We discuss the possibility that conservative ideology is linked to grammatical preferences that foster feelings of stability and predictability.
Effect of soil type, organic matter content, bulk density and saturation on clubroot severity and biofungicide efficacy
Authors: Gossen B. D. , Kasinathan H. , Deora A. , Peng G. , McDonald M. R.
Published: January 2016

Growth room experiments were conducted to assess the interaction of soil type, biofungicides, soil compaction and pathotype/host on infection and symptom development caused byPlasmodiophora brassicae, the cause of clubroot onBrassicaspp. In two initial experiments, four soil types (peat soil, mineral soil, non‐calcareous sand, soil‐less mix), two biofungicides (Bacillus subtilis,Clonostachys rosea), and two pathotypes (3 and 6, Williams’ differential set) were assessed. Differences in clubroot severity associated with soil type were unexpectedly small and variable. Prestop (C. rosea) was often more effective than Serenade (B. subtilis) at reducing clubroot levels on peat and mineral soils, but less effective than Serenade on sand. Inoculation with pathotype 3 often resulted in a slightly higher mean severity than pathotype 6. The interaction of soil type × biofungicide was similar on both canola (B. napus) and Shanghai pak choy (B. rapasubsp.chinensis), whether the soil was kept saturated or allowed to drain after inoculation. The impact of soil type on biofungicide efficacy might explain, in part, why biofungicides are more effective in one location than another. The observation that clubroot severity in soil‐less mix was affected by compaction led to an investigation of soil bulk density. Severity was higher in soil‐less mix that was more compacted than in the initial experiments, and was lower in peat and mineral soils when soil bulk density was reduced by adding soil‐less mix. In this study, soil bulk density had a larger impact on clubroot than soil type, organic matter or pathotype.
Inheritance of virulence inFusarium circinatum, the cause of pitch canker in pines
Authors: Slinski S. L. , Kirkpatrick S. C. , Gordon T. R.
Published: January 2016

Wildtype strains ofFusarium circinatum, the causal agent of pitch canker, were crossed to obtain an F1generation. Progeny of this cross were tested for virulence by inoculatingPinus radiataseedlings, and were found to induce a wide range of lesion lengths. Two strains from the F1generation that induced long lesions (= high virulence) were used as parents to produce an F2generation, followed by a second round of selection for high virulence to obtain an F3generation. Mean lesion lengths were not significantly different between the three generations (P ≥ 0.196). A parallel set of crosses was performed to select for low virulence by using progeny in the F1and F2generations that induced short lesions as parents for F2and F3generations, respectively. In this case, both rounds of selection resulted in a significant reduction in mean lesion length, from 33.8 ± 0.8 mm in the F1generation, to 19.7 ± 0.7 and 12.9 ± 0.7 mm in the F2and F3generations, respectively. Thus it is apparent thatF. circinatumretains the genetic capacity for avirulence to pines, which could reflect a lack of strong selection for virulence in nature. Progeny of a cross between high and low virulence parents manifested nearly continuous variation in lesion lengths, consistent with virulence being a quantitatively inherited trait. Based on this cross, broad‐sense heritability (H2) was determined to be 0.74, which suggests that virulence is under strong genetic control.
Victimization of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People in Childhood: Associations with Attempted Suicide
Authors: Flynn Anna B. , Johnson Renee M. , Bolton Shay‐Lee , Mojtabai Ramin
Published: January 2016

Higher rates of attempted suicide have been documented among people who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, and bisexual (LGB) compared with heterosexuals. This study sought to ascertain the association between childhood abuse and neglect and attempted suicide, comparing LGBs and heterosexuals. Childhood sexual abuse among men and childhood sexual and physical abuse among women were found to mediate the association between LGB identity and attempted suicide. The experience of childhood abuse likely plays a significant role in the relationship between LGB identity and attempted suicide, but other factors such as experience of discrimination are also important.
Apheresis platelets are more frequently associated with adverse reactions than pooled platelets both in recipients and in donors: a study from French hemovigilance data
Authors: Daurat Aurélien , Roger Claire , Gris JeanChristophe , Daurat Gérald , Feissel Michel , Le Manach Yannick , Lefrant JeanYves , Muller Laurent
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Controversy exists regarding the safety of the different types of platelet (PLT) concentrates. This study was aimed at comparing the rate of adverse reactions associated with apheresis PLT concentrates (APCs) and pooled PLT concentrates (PPCs) both in donors and in recipients.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

From the French national hemovigilance system, types and numbers of recipient adverse reactions were compared over a period from 2009 to 2011. Donor adverse reactions were available for 2010 and 2011. This study involved 23 of 26 French regions. Main outcomes were the rates of adverse reaction in recipients and serious adverse reaction in donors.

RESULTS

There were 790,854 PLT transfusions during the study period (477,747 [60%] with APCs, 313,107 [40%] with PPCs). APCs were associated with more adverse reactions (6244 vs. 2469 per 1,000,000, p < 0.001) and more severe and life‐threatening reactions (respectively, 241 vs. 131 per 1,000,000, p < 0.001; and 182 vs. 121 per 1,000,000, p = 0.04). Mortality rates due to an adverse transfusion reaction were similar (15 vs. 6 per 1,000,000, p = 0.5). In donors, the number of whole blood (WB) donations was 4,722,685 whereas 266,095 apheresis procedures were performed. Serious adverse reactions were more frequent for apheresis procedures than for WB donations (5445 vs. 803 per 1,000,000, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that apheresis PLTs may be more hazardous than pooled PLTs both in recipients and in donors. This study calls for randomized trials to confirm or refute these results.
Increased ratio of peritoneal effusion‐to‐serum potassium concentration in a dog with gastric perforation
Authors: Ben Oz Jennifer , Aroch Itamar , Segev Gilad
Published: January 2016

Objective

To describe the clinical and laboratory findings of a dog with gastric perforation, resulting in a markedly increased peritoneal effusion‐to‐serum potassium ratio.

Case Summary

A 6‐year‐old mixed breed neutered male dog presented with a right femoral fracture after being hit by car. The fracture was repaired surgically. Four days postoperatively, the dog developed peritoneal effusion, confirmed with ultrasonography. Peritoneal effusion analysis and serum biochemistry, performed concurrently, showed blood‐to‐effusion glucose difference >1.1 mmol/L [>20 mg/dL], suggesting the effusion was septic. The effusion‐to‐serum creatinine ratio was mildly increased (1.36) and the effusion‐to‐serum potassium ratio was markedly increased (>2.67). Combined, these findings were suggestive of a septic uroabdomen. A positive contrast retrograde urethrocystography did not reveal urine leakage from the lower urinary tract. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a gastric perforation in the pyloric area and an intact urinary tract.

New Information Provided

Gastric perforation should be considered a differential diagnosis in dogs with an increased peritoneal effusion to serum potassium ratio.
Substance P promotes diabetic wound healing by modulating inflammation and restoring cellular activity of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Park Ju Hyeong , Kim Suna , Hong Hyun Sook , Son Youngsook
Published: January 2016

Diabetic ulceration is one of the most debilitating complications of diabetes and is the main cause of amputation. The diabetic environment is characterized by prolonged inflammation and abnormal angiogenesis, leading to delayed wound healing. Thus, regulation of inflammation and neovascularization is considered a desirable target for diabetes. The critical purpose of this study was to determine whether systemically administered Substance P (SP) could promote wound healing in diabetic environments via suppression of inflammation, induction of angiogenesis, and mobilization of stem cells. The effect of SP was assessed by analyzing epidermal and dermal recovery, vessel formation, cytokine secretion profile, and the stem cell pool in the circulation and bone marrow. Compared with the vehicle‐treated group, the SP‐treated group exhibited more rapid wound coverage, reduced infiltration of leukocytes, suppression of injury‐mediated enlargement of the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes, reduced tumor necrosis factor‐alpha levels, increased interleukin‐10, elevated pool of M2 monocytes and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in the blood. Moreover, the stem cell pool in the bone marrow, which is very low in diabetes, was markedly restored by SP to normal levels, which could provide a favorable environment to facilitate wound healing in diabetes. This result demonstrates, for the first time, a possible application of SP for the treatment of diabetic complications, including diabetic ulcers.
The Importance of Wild Canids in the Epidemiology of Rabies in Northeast Brazil: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Cordeiro R. de A. , Duarte N. F. H. , Rolim B. N. , Soares Júnior F. A. , Franco I. C. F. , Ferrer L. L. , Almeida C. P. , Duarte B. H. , de Araújo D. B. , Rocha M. F. G. , Brilhante R. S. N. , Favoretto S. R. , Sidrim J. J. C.
Published: January 2016

Rabies is an endemic disease in Brazil, where it is considered a serious public health problem. Although the number of human and dog‐transmitted cases has declined in recent decades, rabies in wildlife has emerged considerably. Among the sylvatic animals, wild canids have been considered important hosts of the rabies virus. We performed a retrospective study of reported cases of rabies in wild canids and human victims in Ceará state (Northeast Brazil) during 2003 to 2013. Information was provided by governmental laboratories involved in rabies detection and by the Ministry of Health. From January 2003 to December 2013, a total of 11 931 animal samples were examined for rabies. Positivity were detected in 438 samples (3.67%), of which 229 (52.28%) were domestic animals, 105 (23.97%) wild canids and 104 (23.74%) other wild animals (bats, marmosets and raccoons). Approximately 33% of wild canids surveyed (n = 317) were positive for rabies. During the studied period, a total of 1923 attacks on humans by wild canids were registered. Males (n = 1405) were more affected than females (n = 520; 72.98% versus 27.01%), and the median age of all cases was 36.5 years. Injuries to individuals up to 19 years old corresponded to approximately 30% (n = 565) of all cases. Most of the victims lived in rural areas (72.46%; n = 1395), and the majority showed bites (81.13%; n = 1677) or scratches (12.23%; n = 253). Injuries were considered profound (52.1%; n = 1003), superficial (40.91; n = 788) or multiple with severe laceration (6.98%; n = 134). Only 1300 (67.53%) victims were enrolled for the complete rabies post‐exposure prophylaxis scheme. Data from the present study confirm that wild canids are important hosts of rabies virus in northeastern Brazil and jeopardize rabies control in this area. Local authorities should focus their efforts in education of health professionals. In addition, strategies should be formulated to preserve wildlife.
Joint use of Disparate Data for the Surveillance of Zoonoses: A Feasibility Study for a One Health Approach in Germany
Authors: Wendt A. , Kreienbrock L. , Campe A.
Published: January 2016

Zoonotic diseases concern human and animal populations and are transmitted between both humans and animals. Nevertheless, surveillance data on zoonoses are collected separately for the most part in different databases for either humans or animals. Bearing in mind the concept of One Health, it is assumed that a global view of these data might help to prevent and control zoonotic diseases. In following this approach, we wanted to determine which zoonotic data are routinely collected in Germany and whether these data could be integrated in a useful way to improve surveillance. Therefore, we conducted an inventory of the existing data collections and gathered information on possible One Health surveillance areas in Germany by approaching experts through a scoping survey, personal interviews and during a workshop. In matching the information between the status quo for existing data collections and the possible use cases for One Health surveillance, this study revealed that data integration is currently hindered by missing data, missing pathogen information or a lack of timeliness, depending on the surveillance purpose. Therefore, integrating the existing data would require substantial efforts and changes to adapt the collection procedures for routine databases. Nevertheless, during this study, we observed a need for different stakeholders from the human and animal health sectors to share information to improve the surveillance of zoonoses. Therefore, our findings suggest that before the data sets from different databases are integrated for joint analyses, the surveillance could be improved by the sharing of information and knowledge through a collaboration of stakeholders from different sectors and institutions.
Effect on Fracture Pressure by Adding Iron-Based and Calcium-Based Nanoparticles to a Nonaqueous Drilling Fluid for Permeable Formations
Authors: Contreras Oscar , Alsaba Mortadha , Hareland Geir , Husein Maen , Nygaard Runar
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental evaluation to investigate the effects of adding iron-based and calcium-based nanoparticles (NPs) to nonaqueous drilling fluids (NAFs) as a fluid loss additive and for wellbore strengthening applications in permeable formations. API standard high-pressure-high-temperature (HPHT) filter press in conjunction with ceramic disks is used to quantify fluid loss reduction. Hydraulic fracturing experiments are carried out to measure fracturing and re-opening pressures. A significant enhancement in both filtration and strengthening was achieved by means of in situ prepared NPs. Our results demonstrate that filtration reduction is essential for successful wellbore strengthening; however, excessive reduction could affect the strengthening negatively.
Design and Research on the New Type Water Hydraulic Axis Piston Pump
Authors: Zuti Zhang , Shuping Cao , Xiaohui Luo , Yuquan Zhu , Weijie Shi
Published: January 2016

Water hydraulic technology is developing rapidly at present. The water hydraulic piston pump has become a key component in the field of water hydraulic technology. The paper describes the invention of a new mechanism which translates rotational movement into linear motion for application in a water hydraulic piston pump. The kinematic and dynamitic models of the mechanism were built and simulation was accomplished based on the mathematic models. Simulation results were analyzed and compared with a traditional swashplate slipper pump. Comparison results indicated that this mechanism could reduce the number of tribology pairs and reaction force between piston and cylinder block. The lateral force was only 1/18 of that for a swashplate slipper piston pump. The value of product between pressure and velocity (PV value) for the piston was small, resulting in a great reduction in friction and wear for the piston–cylinder couples. The new pump was tested in a flow test apparatus. The experimental results showed that the pump achieved a volumetric efficiency of up to 92% at the required flow rate and operating pressure. The pump was found to have steady and excellent operating characteristics. This research contributes to the overall development of water hydraulic technology.
The Micro/Nanohybrid Structures Enhancing B35 Cell Guidance on Chitosan
Authors: Lin Ying-Ting , Li Ching-Wen , Wang Gou-Jen
Published: January 2016

A novel chitosan scaffold with micro- and nano-hybrid structures was proposed in this study. The hemispheric array of the barrier layer of an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) film was used as the substrate. Microelectromechanical systems and nickel electroforming techniques were integrated for fabricating chitosan scaffolds with different micro/nanohybrid structures. Nerve cells were then cultured on the conduits. It was demonstrated that the scaffold with pure microstructures can guide the nerve cells to grow along the ridges of the microstructure and some cells to grow across the groove in between two ridges of the microstructure. It was also shown that the scaffold with microscale ridges and nanopatterns on the groove between two ridges can more effectively guide the cells to grow along the ridges, thus enhancing the proliferation of nerve cells.
Relationship Between External and Internal Loads of Professional Soccer Players During Full Matches in Official Games Using Global Positioning Systems and Heart-Rate Technology
Authors: Torreño Nacho , Munguía-Izquierdo Diego , Coutts Aaron , de Villarreal Eduardo Sáez , Asian-Clemente Jose , Suarez-Arrones Luis
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

To analyze the match running profile, distance traveled over successive 15 min of match play, heart rates (HRs), and index of performance efficiency (effindex) of professional soccer players with a global positioning system (GPS) and HR in official competition.

Methods:

Twenty-six professional players were investigated during full matches in competitive club-level matches (N = 223). Time–motion data and HR were collected using GPS and HR technology.

Results:

The relative total distance was 113 ± 11 m/min, with substantial differences between halves. For all playing positions, a substantial decrease in total distance and distance covered at >13.0 km/h was observed in the second half in comparison with the first. The decrease during the second half in distance covered at >13.0 km/h was substantially higher than in total distance. The average HR recorded was 86.0% maximal HR, and the relationship between external and internal load (effindex) was 1.3, with substantial differences between halves in all playing positions, except strikers for effindex. Wide midfielders reflected substantially the lowest mean HR and highest effindex, whereas center backs showed substantially the lowest effindex of all playing positions.

Conclusions:

The current study confirmed the decrement in a player’s performance toward the end of a match in all playing positions. Wide midfielders displayed the highest and fittest levels of physical and physiological demands, respectively, whereas center backs had the lowest and least-fit levels of physical and physiological demands, respectively. The position-specific relationship between external and internal load confirms that players with more overall running performance during the full match were the best in effindex.
Evaluating Warm-Up Strategies for Elite Sprint Breaststroke Swimming Performance
Authors: McGowan Courtney J. , Pyne David B. , Thompson Kevin G. , Rattray Ben
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

Targeted passive heating and completion of dryland-based activation exercises within the warm-up can enhance sprint freestyle performance. The authors investigated if these interventions would also elicit improvements in sprint breaststroke swimming performance.

Methods:

Ten national and internationally competitive swimmers (~805 FINA (Fédération internationale de natation) 2014 scoring points; 6 men, mean ± SD 20 ± 1 y; 4 women, 21 ± 3 y) completed a standardized pool warm-up (1550 m) followed by a 30-min transition phase and a 100-m breaststroke time trial. In the transition phase, swimmers wore a conventional tracksuit and remained seated (control) or wore tracksuit pants with integrated heating elements and performed a 5-min dryland-based exercise routine (combo) in a crossover design.

Results:

Performance in the 100-m time trial (control: 68.6 ± 4.0 s, combo: 68.4 ± 3.9 s, P = .55) and start times to 15 m (control: 7.3 ± 0.6 s; combo: 7.3 ± 0.6 s; P = .81) were not different between conditions. It was unclear (P = .36) whether combo (–0.12°C ± 0.19°C [mean ± 90% confidence limits]) elicited an improvement in core temperature maintenance in the transition phase compared with control (–0.31°C ± 0.19°C). Skin temperature immediately before commencement of the time trial was higher (by ~1°C, P = .01) within combo (30.13°C ± 0.88°C [mean ± SD]) compared with control (29.11°C ± 1.20°C). Lower-body power output was not different between conditions before the time trial.

Conclusions:

Targeted passive heating and completion of dryland-based activation exercises in the transition phase does not enhance sprint breaststroke performance despite eliciting elevated skin temperature immediately before time trial commencement.
Ssn6 Defines a New Level of Regulation of White-Opaque Switching in Candida albicans and Is Required For the Stochasticity of the Switch
Authors: Hernday Aaron D. , Lohse Matthew B. , Nobile Clarissa J. , Noiman Liron , Laksana Clement N. , Johnson Alexander D.
Published: January 2016

The human commensal and opportunistic pathogen
Candida albicans
can switch between two distinct, heritable cell types, named “white” and “opaque,” which differ in morphology, mating abilities, and metabolic preferences and in their interactions with the host immune system. Previous studies revealed a highly interconnected group of transcriptional regulators that control switching between the two cell types. Here, we identify Ssn6, the
C. albicans
functional homolog of the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
transcriptional corepressor Cyc8, as a new regulator of white-opaque switching. In
a
or α mating type strains, deletion of
SSN6
results in mass switching from the white to the opaque cell type. Transcriptional profiling of
ssn6
deletion mutant strains reveals that Ssn6 represses part of the opaque cell transcriptional program in white cells and the majority of the white cell transcriptional program in opaque cells. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that Ssn6 is tightly integrated into the opaque cell regulatory circuit and that the positions to which it is bound across the genome strongly overlap those bound by Wor1 and Wor2, previously identified regulators of white-opaque switching. This work reveals the next layer in the white-opaque transcriptional circuitry by integrating a transcriptional regulator that does not bind DNA directly but instead associates with specific combinations of DNA-bound transcriptional regulators.

IMPORTANCE
The most common fungal pathogen of humans,
C. albicans
, undergoes several distinct morphological transitions during interactions with its host. One such transition, between cell types named “white” and “opaque,” is regulated in an epigenetic manner, in the sense that changes in gene expression are heritably maintained without any modification of the primary genomic DNA sequence. Prior studies revealed a highly interconnected network of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins that control this switch. We report the identification of Ssn6, which defines an additional layer of transcriptional regulation that is critical for this heritable switch. Ssn6 is necessary to maintain the white cell type and to properly express the opaque cell transcriptional program. Ssn6 does not bind DNA directly but rather associates with specific combinations of DNA-bound transcriptional regulators to control the switch. This work is significant because it reveals a new level of regulation of an important epigenetic switch in the predominant fungal pathogen of humans.