bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shared decision making for psychiatric medication management: beyond the micro‐social
Authors: Morant Nicola , Kaminskiy Emma , Ramon Shulamit
Published: August 2015

Background

Mental health care has lagged behind other health‐care domains in developing and applying shared decision making (SDM) for treatment decisions. This is despite compatibilities with ideals of modern mental health care such as self‐management and recovery‐oriented practice, and growing policy‐level interest. Psychiatric medication is a mainstay of mental health treatment, but there are known problems with prescribing practices, and service users report feeling uninvolved in medication decisions and concerned about adverse effects. SDM has potential to produce better tailoring of psychiatric medication to individuals' needs.

Objectives

This conceptual review argues that several aspects of mental health care that differ from other health‐care contexts (e.g. forms of coercion, questions about service users' insight and disempowerment) may impact on processes and possibilities for SDM. It is therefore problematic to uncritically import models of SDM developed in other health‐care contexts. We argue that decision making for psychiatric medication is better understood in a broader way that moves beyond the micro‐social focus of a medical consultation. Contextualizing specific medication‐related consultations within longer term relationships, and broader service systems enables recognition of the multiple processes, actors and agendas that shape how psychiatric medication is prescribed, managed and used, and which may facilitate or impede SDM.

Conclusion

A broad conceptualization of decision making for psychiatric medication that moves beyond the micro‐social can account for why SDM in this domain remains a rarity. It has both conceptual and practical utility for evaluating research evidence, identifying future research priorities and highlighting fruitful ways of developing and implementing SDM in mental health care.
Epidemiological and virological characteristics of influenza B: results of the Global Influenza B Study
Authors: Caini Saverio , Huang Q. Sue , Ciblak Meral A. , Kusznierz Gabriela , Owen Rhonda , Wangchuk Sonam , Henriques Cláudio M. P. , Njouom Richard , Fasce Rodrigo A. , Yu Hongjie , Feng Luzhao , Zambon Maria , Clara Alexey W. , Kosasih Herman , Puzelli Simona , Kadjo Herve A. , Emukule Gideon , Heraud Jean‐Michel , Ang Li Wei , Venter Marietjie , Mironenko Alla , Brammer Lynnette , Mai Le Thi Quynh , Schellevis François , Plotkin Stanley , Paget John ,   the Global Influenza B Study
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Literature on influenza focuses on influenza A, despite influenza B having a large public health impact. The Global Influenza B Study aims to collect information on global epidemiology and burden of disease of influenza B since 2000.

Methods

Twenty‐six countries in the Southern (n = 5) and Northern (n = 7) hemispheres and intertropical belt (n = 14) provided virological and epidemiological data. We calculated the proportion of influenza cases due to type B and Victoria and Yamagata lineages in each country and season; tested the correlation between proportion of influenza B and maximum weekly influenza‐like illness (ILI) rate during the same season; determined the frequency of vaccine mismatches; and described the age distribution of cases by virus type.

Results

The database included 935 673 influenza cases (2000–2013). Overall median proportion of influenza B was 22·6%, with no statistically significant differences across seasons. During seasons where influenza B was dominant or co‐circulated (>20% of total detections), Victoria and Yamagata lineages predominated during 64% and 36% of seasons, respectively, and a vaccine mismatch was observed in ≈25% of seasons. Proportion of influenza B was inversely correlated with maximum ILI rate in the same season in the Northern and (with borderline significance) Southern hemispheres. Patients infected with influenza B were usually younger (5–17 years) than patients infected with influenza A.

Conclusion

Influenza B is a common disease with some epidemiological differences from influenza A. This should be considered when optimizing control/prevention strategies in different regions and reducing the global burden of disease due to influenza.
Understanding Information About Mortality Among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Canada
Authors: Ouellette‐Kuntz Hélène , Shooshtari Shahin , Balogh Robert , Martens Patricia
Published: August 2015

Background

This paper reviews what is currently known about mortality among Canadians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and describes opportunities for ongoing monitoring.

Methods

In‐hospital mortality among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario was examined using hospital data. Mortality was compared between age‐, sex‐ and residence area‐matched groups of Manitobans with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities using linked administrative data. A retrospective cohort study of mortality among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a region of Ontario focused on measuring excess mortality and risk factors.

Findings

There is evidence of excess mortality in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Canada. Some of the excess is attributable to comorbidities that are more common in this population. Women may have a greater risk of death than men. Excess mortality occurs at all ages but is more pronounced in early life.

Discussion

High‐quality ongoing monitoring of mortality among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is possible in Canada. Examination of sex differences should be a priority.
Life history and reproductive ecology of the endangered Itasenpara bitterling Acheilognathus longipinnis (Cyprinidae) in the Himi region, central Japan
Authors: Nishio M. , Kawamoto T. , Kawakami R. , Edo K. , Yamazaki Y.
Published: August 2015

The life history, reproductive ecology and habitat utilization of the Itasenpara (deepbody) bitterling Acheilognathus longipinnis were investigated in a lowland segment of the Moo River in Toyama Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan. Analysis of 1285 individuals revealed that the study population comprised a single size class, an age at maturation of 3 months and a life span of 1 year. On the basis of the growth pattern, the life cycle was divided into two stages: the juvenile stage, characterized by rapid growth, and the adult stage at which growth ceased. Spawning by A. longipinnis was recorded between early September and late October. Female A. longipinnis in the 0+ year age class began to mature when they reached a standard length (LS) of 56·4 mm. Mature females had a large clutch size (maximum 273 eggs) and deposited highly adhesive and relatively large eggs (2·55 mm3; major axis, 3·12 mm; minor axis, 1·22 mm) via a short ovipositor (mean length, 21·5 mm) into freshwater mussels. The embryos remained in the gill cavities of the freshwater mussels (used as a spawning substratum) and emerged as juveniles (LS, 9 mm). Habitat utilization during spawning was analysed using a generalized linear model. The best‐fit model showed that three environmental factors (freshwater mussel availability, water depth and vegetation cover) were important variables for habitat utilization by A. longipinnis. Shallow areas (water depth, 250–330 mm) created for rice paddy management and areas with an abundance of cover were particularly effective for predator avoidance. These results suggest that maintenance of water level fluctuations corresponding with rice cultivation and the abundance of vegetation on the river bank (particularly avoidance of concrete revetments) is essential for conservation of this species under current practices for rice cultivation in Japan.
Sagittal otolith morphogenesis asymmetry in marine fishes
Authors: Mille T. , Mahe K. , Villanueva M. C. , De Pontual H. , Ernande B.
Published: August 2015

This study investigated and compared asymmetry in sagittal otolith shape and length between left and right inner ears in four roundfish and four flatfish species of commercial interest. For each species, the effects of ontogenetic changes (individual age and total body length), sexual dimorphism (individual sex) and the otolith's location on the right or left side of the head, on the shape and length of paired otoliths (between 143 and 702 pairs according to species) were evaluated. Ontogenetic changes in otolith shape and length were observed for all species. Sexual dimorphism, either in otolith shape and length or in their ontogenetic changes, was detected for half of the species, be they round or flat. Significant directional asymmetry in otolith shape and length was detected in one roundfish species each, but its inconsistency across species and its small average amplitude (6·17% for shape and 1·99% for length) suggested that it has barely any biological relevance. Significant directional asymmetry in otolith shape and length was found for all flatfish species except otolith length for one species. Its average amplitude varied between 2·06 and 17·50% for shape and between 0·00 and 11·83% for length and increased significantly throughout ontogeny for two species, one dextral and one sinistral. The longer (length) and rounder otolith (shape) appeared to be always on the blind side whatever the species. These results suggest differential biomineralization between the blind and ocular inner ears in flatfish species that could result from perturbations of the proximal‐distal gradient of otolith precursors in the endolymph and the otolith position relative to the geometry of the saccular epithelium due to body morphology asymmetry and lateralized behaviour. The fact that asymmetry never exceeded 18% even at the individual level suggests an evolutionary canalization of otolith shape symmetry to avoid negative effects on fish hearing and balance. Technically, asymmetry should be accounted for in future studies based on otolith shape.
Examining Attachment Avoidance and Attachment Anxiety Across Eight Sessions of Couple Therapy
Authors: Johnson Lee N. , Tambling Rachel B. , Mennenga Kayla D. , Ketring Scott A. , Oka Megan , Anderson Shayne R. , Huff Scott C. , Miller Richard B.
Published: August 2015

This study examined initial levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance, as well as their patterns of change, across eight sessions of couple therapy. Participants were 461 couples in a treatment‐as‐usual setting. Dyadic latent growth modeling was used to determine whether couples started therapy at similar levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance and whether attachment anxiety and avoidance changed. An actor partner interdependence model was used to see whether partner attachment anxiety was related to avoidance. Results showed relative stability of attachment anxiety and avoidance over the course of therapy, with the only change being a slight decline in attachment anxiety among women. Results showed that a person's attachment anxiety was not related to their partner's avoidance and vice versa.
Pulp tissue response to Portland cement associated with different radio pacifying agents on pulpotomy of human primary molars
Authors: MARQUES N. , LOURENÇO NETO N. , FERNANDES A.P. , RODINI C. , HUNGARO DUARTE M. , RIOS D. , MACHADO M.A. , OLIVEIRA T.
Published: August 2015

The objective of this research was to evaluate the response of Portland cement associated with different radio pacifying agents on pulp treatment of human primary teeth by clinical and radiographic exams and microscopic analysis. Thirty mandibular primary molars were randomly divided into the following groups: Group I – Portland cement; Group II – Portland cement with iodoform (Portland cement + CHI3); Group III – Portland cement with zirconium oxide (Portland cement + ZrO2); and treated by pulpotomy technique (removal of a portion of the pulp aiming to maintain the vitally of the remaining radicular pulp tissue using a therapeutic dressing). Clinical and radiographic evaluations were recorded at 6, 12 and 24 months follow‐up. The teeth at the regular exfoliation period were extracted and processed for histological analysis. Data were tested using statistical analysis with a significance level of 5%. The microscopic findings were descriptively analysed. All treated teeth were clinically and radiographically successful at follow‐up appointments. The microscopic analysis revealed positive response to pulp repair with hard tissue barrier formation and pulp calcification in the remaining roots of all available teeth. The findings of this study suggest that primary teeth pulp tissue exhibited satisfactory biological response to Portland cement associated with radio pacifying agents. However, further studies with long‐term follow‐up are needed to determine the safe clinical indication of this alternative material for pulp therapy of primary teeth.
Maturational alterations in constitutive activity of medial prefrontal cortex kappa‐opioid receptors in Wistar rats
Authors: Sirohi Sunil , Walker Brendan M.
Published: August 2015

Opioid receptors can display spontaneous agonist‐independent G‐protein signaling (basal signaling/constitutive activity). While constitutive κ‐opioid receptor (KOR) activity has been documented in vitro, it remains unknown if KORs are constitutively active in native systems. Using [35S] guanosine 5′‐O‐[gamma‐thio] triphosphate coupling assay that measures receptor functional state, we identified the presence of medial prefrontal cortex KOR constitutive activity in young rats that declined with age. Furthermore, basal signaling showed an age‐related decline and was insensitive to neutral opioid antagonist challenge. Collectively, the present data are first to demonstrate age‐dependent alterations in the medial prefrontal cortex KOR constitutive activity in rats and changes in the constitutive activity of KORs can differentially impact KOR ligand efficacy. These data provide novel insights into the functional properties of the KOR system and warrant further consideration of KOR constitutive activity in normal and pathophysiological behavior.

image

Opioid receptors exhibit agonist‐independent constitutive activity; however, kappa‐opioid receptor (KOR) constitutive activity has not been demonstrated in native systems. Our results confirm KOR constitutive activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) that declines with age. With the ability to presynaptically inhibit multiple neurotransmitter systems in the mPFC, maturational or patho‐logical alterations in constitutive activity could disrupt corticofugal glutamatergic pyramidal projection neurons mediating executive function. Regulation of KOR constitutive activity could serve as a therapeutic target to treat compromised executive function.
Above‐ground and below‐ground competition between the willowSalix capreaand its understorey
Authors: Mudrák Ondřej , Hermová Markéta , Tesnerová Cecilie , Rydlová Jana , Frouz Jan
Published: August 2015

Questions

Has the observed decline in the willowSalix capreaL., one of the most common colonizers of post‐mining sites in Central Europe, contributed to changes in the rest of the plant community on post‐mining sites? How doesS. capreamodify its understorey? How is the understorey vegetation affected by above‐ground and below‐ground competition withS. caprea?

Location

Heaps after coal mining near Sokolov, Czech Republic (50°14′21″ N, 12°40′45″ E).

Methods

The effects of above‐ground and below‐ground competition with the willowS. capreaon its understorey plant community were studied in un‐reclaimed post‐mining sites. Below‐ground competition was evaluated by comparing (1) frames inserted into the soil that excluded woody roots (frame treatment), (2) frames that initially excluded woody root growth but then allowed regrowth of the roots (open‐frame treatment), and (3) undisturbed soil (no‐frame treatment). These treatments were combined withS. capreathinning to assess the effect of above‐ground competition.

Results

Three years after the start of the experiment, above‐ground competition fromS. caprea(as modified by thinning of theS. capreacanopy) had not affected understorey biomass or species number, but had affected species composition. In contrast, below‐ground competition significantly affected both the above‐ground and below‐ground biomass of the understorey. The above‐ground biomass of the understorey was larger in the frame treatment (which excluded woody roots) than in the other two treatments. The below‐ground biomass of the understorey was larger in the frame than in the open‐frame treatment. Unlike above‐ground competition (light availability), below‐ground competition did not affect understorey species composition.

Conclusions

Our results suggest thatS. capreais an important component during plant succession on post‐mining sites because it considerably modifies its understorey plant community. Below‐ground competition is a major reason for the low cover and biomass of the herbaceous understorey inS. capreastands on post‐mining sites.
Words on the screen: broadening analyses of interactions among fanfiction writers and reviewers
Authors: Magnifico Alecia Marie , Curwood Jen Scott , Lammers Jayne C.
Published: August 2015

Young fanfiction writers use the Internet to build networks of reading, writing and editing – literacy practices that are highly valued in schools, universities and workplaces. While prior research shows that online spaces frame multiple kinds of participation as legitimate, much of this work focuses on the extensive contributions of exceptional young authors. In this paper, we foreground the contributions of fanfiction reviewers and focus on their interactions with writers, exploring their communicative literacy practices and hypothesising about how we can make their reading and writing more visible and more effectively consider their learning practices. To do so, we conducted a linguistic analysis of fanfiction review comments on two sites, FanFiction.net and Figment.com. While fanfiction readers provide writers with an authentic audience for their creative work, our findings indicate that the review comments that they leave generally do not offer specific feedback regarding the craft of writing. For this reason, we argue that teachers' expertise is still needed in the difficult task of developing young adults' composition, peer review and critique skills.
Parental perceptions of transition from intensive care following a child's cardiac surgery
Authors: Obas Katrina A. , Leal Jessica M. , Zegray Michele , Rennick Janet E.
Published: August 2015

Background

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who undergo cardiac surgery are hospitalized in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) prior to being transferred to a surgical ward. This is a challenging transition for parents of children with CHD who experience high levels of stress related to their child's illness.

Aim

To explore parents' perceptions of the transition from the PICU to the surgical ward following their child's cardiac surgery.

Study design

A qualitative descriptive design using semi‐structured interviews was used to explore parents' perceptions of the transfer experience.

Methods

All parents of children with CHD who met inclusion criteria were approached to participate. Parents were recruited until data saturation was achieved (n = 9). Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and thematically analysed concurrently with data collection.

Results

Parents described having mixed feelings of happiness and uncertainty upon learning that their child would be transferred to the surgical ward (theme 1). Parents' uncertainty prompted a need to rally for the upcoming transfer, a process in which the nurse was perceived to play an important role (theme 2). Once transferred to the surgical ward, parents described having to come to terms with a new care experience in which they encountered new role expectations and a challenging new environment (theme 3).

Conclusion

Emotional reactions to transfer were generally consistent with the literature, although parents in our study did not describe feelings of isolation related to transition as reported elsewhere. We also identified the timing of transfer as a potential source of stress for parents. Parents identified key nursing interventions that helped them to prepare for transfer and come to terms with challenges in their new environment.

Relevance to practice

A deeper understanding of parents' transfer experience will facilitate the development of effective nursing interventions to support parents at this time.
Independent mis‐splicing mutations in TaPHS1 causing loss of preharvest sprouting (PHS) resistance during wheat domestication
Authors: Liu Shubing , Sehgal Sunish K. , Lin Meng , Li Jiarui , Trick Harold N. , Gill Bikram S. , Bai Guihua
Published: August 2015

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the major constraints of wheat production in areas where prolonged rainfall occurs during harvest. TaPHS1 is a gene that regulates PHS resistance on chromosome 3A of wheat, and two causal mutations in the positions +646 and +666 of the TaPHS1 coding region result in wheat PHS susceptibility. Three competitive allele‐specific PCR (KASP) markers were developed based on the two mutations in the coding region and one in the promoter region and validated in 82 wheat cultivars with known genotypes. These markers can be used to transfer TaPHS1 in breeding through marker‐assisted selection.

Screening of 327 accessions of wheat A genome progenitors using the three KASP markers identified different haplotypes in both diploid and tetraploid wheats. Only one Triticum monococcum accession, however, carries both causal mutations in the TaPHS1 coding region and shows PHS susceptibility. Five of 249 common wheat landraces collected from the Fertile Crescent and surrounding areas carried the mutation (C) in the promoter (−222), and one landrace carries both the causal mutations in the TaPHS1 coding region, indicating that the mis‐splicing (+646) mutation occurred during common wheat domestication.

PHS assay of wheat progenitor accessions demonstrated that the wild‐types were highly PHS‐resistant, whereas the domesticated type showed increased PHS susceptibility.

The mis‐splicing TaPHS1 mutation for PHS susceptibility was involved in wheat domestication and might arise independently between T. monococcum and Triticum aestivum.
High temperature attenuates the gravitropism of inflorescence stems by inducing SHOOT GRAVITROPISM 5 alternative splicing in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kim Joo‐Young , Ryu Jae Yong , Baek Kon , Park Chung‐Mo
Published: August 2015

In higher plants, gravitropism proceeds through three sequential steps in the responding organs: perception of gravity signals, signal transduction and asymmetric cell elongation. Light and temperature also influence the gravitropic orientation of plant organs. A series of Arabidopsis shoot gravitropism (sgr) mutants has been shown to exhibit disturbed shoot gravitropism. SGR5 is functionally distinct from other SGR members in that it mediates the early events of gravitropic responses in inflorescence stems.

Here, we demonstrated that SGR5 alternative splicing produces two protein variants (SGR5α and SGR5β) in modulating the gravitropic response of inflorescence stems at high temperatures. SGR5β inhibits SGR5α function by forming non‐DNA‐binding heterodimers.

Transgenic plants overexpressing SGR5β (35S:SGR5β) exhibit reduced gravitropic growth of inflorescence stems, as observed in the SGR5‐deficient sgr5‐5 mutant. Interestingly, SGR5 alternative splicing is accelerated at high temperatures, resulting in the high‐level accumulation of SGR5β transcripts. When plants were exposed to high temperatures, whereas gravitropic curvature was reduced in Col‐0 inflorescence stems, it was uninfluenced in the inflorescence stems of 35S:SGR5β transgenic plants and sgr5‐5 mutant.

We propose that the thermoresponsive alternative splicing of SGR5 provides an adaptation strategy by which plants protect the shoots from hot air under high temperature stress in natural habitats.
Nonstructural carbohydrate dynamics of lodgepole pine dying from mountain pine beetle attack
Authors: Wiley Erin , Rogers Bruce J. , Hodgkinson Robert , Landhäusser Simon M.
Published: August 2015

Bark beetle outbreaks are an important cause of tree death, but the process by which trees die remains poorly understood. The effect of beetle attack on whole‐tree nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) dynamics is particularly unclear, despite the potential role of carbohydrates in plant defense and survival.

We monitoredNSCdynamics of all organs in attacked and protected lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta) during a mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreak in British Columbia, starting before beetle flight in June 2011 through October 2012, when most attacked trees had died.

Following attack,NSCconcentrations were first reduced in the attacked region of the bole. The firstNSCreduction in a distant organ appeared in the needles at the end of 2011, while branch and rootNSCdid not decline until much later in 2012. Attacked trees that were still alive in October 2012 had less beetle damage, which was negatively correlated with initial bark sugar concentrations in the attack region.

TheNSCdynamics of dying trees indicate that trees were killed by a loss of water conduction and not girdling. Further, our results identify locally reduced carbohydrate availability as an important mechanism by which stressors like drought may increase tree susceptibility to biotic attack.
Predicting Health Programme Participation: A Gravity-Based, Hierarchical Modelling Approach
Authors: White Nicole , Mengersen Kerrie
Published: August 2015

Statistical analyses of health programme participation seek to address a number of objectives that are compatible with the evaluation of demand for current resources. In this spirit, a spatial hierarchical model is developed for disentangling patterns in participation at the small area level, as a function of population-based demand and additional variation. For the former, a constrained gravity model is proposed to quantify factors associated with spatial choice and to account for competition effects, for programmes delivered by multiple clinics. The implications of gravity model misspecification within a mixed effects framework are also explored. The model proposed is applied to participation data from a no-fee mammography programme in Brisbane, Australia. Attention is paid to the interpretation of various model outputs and their relevance for public health policy.
A Dose–Schedule Finding Design for Phase I–II Clinical Trials
Authors: Guo Beibei , Li Yisheng , Yuan Ying
Published: August 2015

Dose finding methods aiming at identifying an optimal dose of a treatment with a given schedule may be at a risk of misidentifying the best treatment for patients. We propose a phase I–II clinical trial design to find the optimal dose–schedule combination. We define schedule as the method and timing of administration of a given total dose in a treatment cycle. We propose a Bayesian dynamic model for the joint effects of dose and schedule. The model proposed allows us to borrow strength across dose–schedule combinations without making overly restrictive assumptions on the ordering pattern of the schedule effects. We develop a dose–schedule finding algorithm to allocate patients sequentially to a desirable dose–schedule combination, and to select an optimal combination at the end of the trial. We apply the proposed design to a phase I–II clinical trial of a γ-secretase inhibitor in patients with refractory metastatic or locally advanced solid tumours, and we examine the operating characteristics of the design through simulations.
Heart rate variability in horses with acute gastrointestinal disease requiring exploratory laparotomy
Authors: McConachie Erin L. , Giguère Steeve , Rapoport Gregg , Barton Michelle H.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To describe heart rate variability (HRV) in horses with acute gastrointestinal disease that undergo exploratory laparotomy. We hypothesized that horses with ischemic gastrointestinal disease will have reduced HRV compared to horses with nonischemic lesions. We further hypothesized that a reduction in HRV will be associated with nonsurvival.

Design

Prospective, clinical, observational study.

Setting

University veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Horses presented for acute colic (n = 57) or elective surgical procedures (n = 10) were enrolled.

Interventions

Admission heart rate (HR) was recorded and within 2 hours of recovery from general anesthesia continuous telemetry was placed, monitored and recorded for 48‐52 hours postoperatively. Stored electrocardiograms were manually inspected and R‐to‐R intervals were extracted and uploaded into HRV software for analysis. Time domain and frequency spectral analysis were investigated at Times 1 (2–10 h), 2 (16–24 h), 3 (30–38 h), and 4 (44–52 h) postoperatively. A two‐way ANOVA for repeated measures was used for group comparisons. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect potential associations between admission HR, time and frequency domain variables, and nonsurvival.

Measurements and Main Results

Horses diagnosed with an ischemic gastrointestinal lesion (n = 22) at the time of surgery had significantly higher postoperative heart rates and reduced time domain‐derived measures of HRV than horses with nonischemic gastrointestinal lesions (n = 35) or control horses (n = 10). Horses that survived to discharge had significantly lower postoperative HRs, higher time domain, and lower low frequency spectral measures of HRV compared to nonsurvivors. The multivariable logistic regression model had a receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95 and was significantly better at predicting nonsurvival than admission HR (P = 0.0124).

Conclusions

Reduced HRV was strongly associated with ischemic gastrointestinal disease and nonsurvival. HRV analysis is a noninvasive technique that may provide diagnostic and prognostic information pertinent to the management of postoperative horses with severe gastrointestinal disease.
Dynamic root exudation of phenolic allelochemicals from Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense)
Authors: Huang Hongjuan , Liu Chun , Wei Shouhui , Wang Jinxin , Zhang Chaoxian
Published: August 2015

The phenolic allelochemicals from the root exudates of Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) were collected at different developmental stages and analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet/photo‐diode array. The results revealed that three simple phenolic components, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate, along with two flavonoids, diosmetin (3′,5,7‐trihydroxy‐4′‐methoxyflavone) and tricin (5,7,4′‐trihydroxy‐3′,5′‐dimethoxyflavone), were found in the root exudates of Johnson grass. However, the major phenolic compounds varied and the quality of each compound was dynamic at different developmental stages: the only phenolic compound that was detected in the seedling stage was p‐hydroxybenzoic acid; three simple phenolic allelochemicals, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate, were found in the jointing stage; and five compounds, including the two flavonoids, tricin and diosmetin, appeared in the reproductive stage along with the other three simple phenolic allelochemicals. The highest diversity in phenolic constituents was in the reproductive stage, with five allelochemicals. Only p‐hydroxybenzoic acid was found in the whole life cycle of Johnson grass, with a range of 2.9 nmol to 6.8 nmol per plant per day. p‐Hydroxybenzaldehyde had the highest quality among all the compounds, with the highest releasing rate of 26.8 nmol per plant per day. The lowest‐content compounds were the two flavonoids, with the highest quality of 1.8 nmol per plant per day. The results suggest that the temporal dynamic of phenolic allelochemicals in the root exudates of Johnson grass corresponds with the dynamic of development.
Molecular systematics and Holarctic phylogeography of cestodes of the genus Anoplocephaloides Baer, 1923 s. s. (Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae) in lemmings (Lemmus,Synaptomys)
Authors: Haukisalmi Voitto , Hardman Lotta M. , Fedorov Vadim B. , Hoberg Eric P. , Henttonen Heikki
Published: August 2015

The present molecular systematic and phylogeographic analysis is based on sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) (mtDNA) and 28S ribosomal DNA and includes 59 isolates of cestodes of the genus Anoplocephaloides Baer, 1923 s. s. (Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae) from arvicoline rodents (lemmings and voles) in the Holarctic region. The emphasis is on Anoplocephaloides lemmi (Rausch 1952) parasitizing Lemmus trimucronatus and Lemmus sibiricus in the northern parts of North America and Arctic coast of Siberia, and Anoplocephaloides kontrimavichusi (Rausch 1976) parasitizing Synaptomys borealis in Alaska and British Columbia. The cox1 data, 28S data and their concatenated data all suggest that A. lemmi and A. kontrimavichusi are both non‐monophyletic, each consisting of two separate, well‐defined clades, that is independent species. As an example, the sister group of the clade 1 of A. lemmi, evidently representing the ‘type clade’ of this species, is the clade 1 of A. kontrimavichusi. For A. kontrimavichusi, it is not known which one is the type clade. There is also fairly strong evidence for the non‐monophyly of Anoplocephaloides dentata (Galli‐Valerio, 1905)‐like species, although an earlier phylogeny suggested that this multispecies assemblage may be monophyletic. The results suggest a deep phylogenetic codivergence of Lemmus spp. and A. lemmi, primarily separating the two largely allopatric host and parasite species at the Kolyma River in east Siberia. There are also two allopatric sublineages within each main clade/species of A. lemmi and Lemmus, but the present distributions of the sublineages within the eastern L. trimucronatus and clade 1 of A. lemmi are not concordant. This discrepancy may be most parsimoniously explained by an extensive westward distributional shift of the easternmost parasite subclade. The results further suggest that the clade 1 of A. kontrimavichusi has diverged through a host shift from the precursor of L. trimucronatus to S. borealis.
A novel shape‐similarity‐based elastography technique for prostate cancer assessment
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Reza , Wang Haisu , Hesabgar Seyyed Mohammad , Scholl Timothy J. , Samani Abbas
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

Association between tissue stiffness alteration and pathology is well known. This has formed the basis for prostate elastography imaging techniques where images of prostate tissue mechanical properties are reconstructed. In this paper, the authors present a novel prostate elastography technique which, unlike other techniques, relies on magnitude image data only.

Methods:

This proposed technique works in conjunction with ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging modalities and it requires the prostate's pre‐ and postdeformation images as input. It uses a constrained reconstruction method where the elastic moduli of the prostate's normal and pathological tissues are determined based on an essential subset of the tissue deformation provided by the images data. The elasticity reconstruction technique uses optimization where similarity between calculated and observed shape features of the postcompression prostate image is maximized. The method was validated with an in silico phantom study followed by studies using ultrasound and MR with tissue‐mimicking phantoms.

Results:

Using the proposed methods, it was observed that the maximum uncertainties of the reconstructed Young's modulus ratios of tumor to normal tissue were 15.6% and 9.7%, which were obtained from the transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and MR tissue‐mimicking phantom studies, respectively.

Conclusions:

This novel prostate elastography technique relies on prostate TRUS or MRI images that can be routinely acquired without additional imaging hardware. The phantom studies provided evidence that the proposed technique has a good potential to reconstruct prostate stiffness maps noninvasively particularly when applied in conjunction with MRI. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the technique's merits for clinical use.
Can the Lamberts and Lambert Submaximal Cycle Test Indicate Fatigue and Recovery in Trained Cyclists?
Authors: Hammes Daniel , Skorski Sabrina , Schwindling Sascha , Ferrauti Alexander , Pfeiffer Mark , Kellmann Michael , Meyer Tim
Published: August 2015

The Lamberts and Lambert Submaximal Cycle Test (LSCT) is a novel test designed to monitor performance and fatigue/recovery in cyclists. Studies have shown the ability to predict performance; however, there is a lack of studies concerning monitoring of fatigue/recovery. In this study, 23 trained male cyclists (age 29 ± 8 y, VO2max 59.4 ± 7.4 mL · min−1 · kg−1) completed a training camp. The LSCT was conducted on days 1, 8, and 11. After day 1, an intensive 6-day training period was performed. Between days 8 and 11, a recovery period was realized. The LSCT consists of 3 stages with fixed heart rates of 6 min at 60% and 80% and 3 min at 90% of maximum heart rate. During the stages, power output and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined. Heart-rate recovery was measured after stage 3. Power output almost certainly (standardized mean difference: 1.0) and RPE very likely (1.7) increased from day 1 to day 8 at stage 2. Power output likely (0.4) and RPE almost certainly (2.6) increased at stage 3. From day 8 to day 11, power output possibly (–0.4) and RPE likely (–1.5) decreased at stage 2 and possibly (–0.1) and almost certainly (–1.9) at stage 3. Heart-rate recovery was likely (0.7) accelerated from day 1 to day 8. Changes from day 8 to day 11 were unclear (–0.1). The LSCT can be used for monitoring fatigue and recovery, since parameters were responsive to a fatiguing training and a following recovery period. However, consideration of multiple LSCT variables is required to interpret the results correctly.
Effect of Whole-Body-Vibration Training on Trunk-Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Healthy Adults: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Maeda Noriaki , Urabe Yukio , Sasadai Junpei , Miyamoto Akira , Murakami Masahito , Kato Junichi
Published: August 2015

Context:

Whole-body-vibration (WBV) stimulus equipment has been used as a new training method for health promotion. Its use in the clinic has expanded to the field of sports and rehabilitation for disabled patients. WBV training is rapidly gaining popularity in health and fitness centers as an alternative method for improving muscle performance. Acute positive effects of WBV have been shown on lower-extremity muscle power and vertical-jump ability; however, there have not been any studies focusing on the long-term effects of WBV for trunk muscle and dynamic balance.

Objective:

To investigate the effects of an 8-wk program of WBV in combination with trunk-muscle training on muscle performance in healthy, untrained adults.

Design:

Laboratory-based, repeated-measures study.

Setting:

University laboratory.

Participants:

20 healthy university men.

Intervention:

Participants were randomly assigned to a WBV or non-WBV group. The WBV group performed a trunk-muscle-training program in combination with WBV; the non-WBV group performed the same muscle-training program without WBV for 8 wk.

Main Outcome Measures:

In the pre- and posttraining period, the participants were evaluated using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y Balance Test (Y-test) (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach), trunk-muscle isometric strength (flexor, extensor, and flexor:extensor ratio), squat jump, and countermovement jump.

Results:

The WBV group had greater improvement than the non-WBV group in both trunk-flexor muscle strength (P = .02) and the Y-test (anterior reach) (P = .004) between pre- and posttraining.

Conclusion:

Adding WBV to a trunk-muscle-strengthening program may improve trunk-flexor isometric strength and anterior reach during the Y-test more than training without WBV. The WBV protocol used in this study had no significant impact on FMS scores, squat jumping, countermovement jumping, trunk-extensor isometric strength, or trunk flexor:extensor ratio.
The Development and Reliability of a Simple Field-Based Screening Tool to Assess for Scapular Dyskinesis
Authors: O'Connor Siobhan , McCaffrey Noel , Whyte Enda , Moran Kieran
Published: August 2015

Context: Scapular dyskinesis has been identified as a possible risk factor for injury in overhead athletes. There is a need to develop a simple, inexpensive, time-efficient field-based test that can establish the presence and severity of both scapular dyskinesis and its individual components in a musculoskeletal preparticipation screening. To ensure confidence in the test results, high reliability must be displayed. Objective: To establish the intertester and intratester reliability of a simple field-based screening tool for scapular dyskinesis. Design: Reliability study. Setting: Athletic therapy facilities. Participants: 15 physically active men (19.46 ± 0.63 y) free from any orthopedic or neurological disorders, recruited from a convenience sample of college students. Intervention: Testers underwent 3 training sessions where the instructions and scoring system of the test were explained, demonstrations of the tests were given, and opportunities to practice the test were provided. Three testers independently rated 3 trials, and the process was repeated at the same time the following week. Main Outcome Measures: Scapular dyskinesis was assessed using the following components: winging, loss/lack of control when lifting, loss/lack of control when lowering, and scapular asymmetry. A 0-3 rating (0 = no issue, 1 = slight issue, 2 = moderate issue, 3 = severe issue) was provided by the tester independently on each side separately and on scapular asymmetry. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), 95% confidence intervals, and standard error of measurement (SEM) were computed to establish reliability. Results: Excellent ICC values were found for intertester reliability (ICCs .80-1.00) and good to excellent intratester reliability (ICCs .60-1.00 for tester A, .63-1.00 for tester B, and .75-1.00 for tester C) for all components of the test. The SEM was not found to be clinically significant. Conclusions: The simple field-based screening tool developed to assess scapular dyskinesis demonstrates high reliability and so is a reliable tool to use in preparticipation screenings. Future research should establish its validity.
A Subgroup of Latently Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infected Individuals Is Characterized by Consistently Elevated IgA Responses to Several Mycobacterial Antigens
Authors: Baumann Ralf , Kaempfer Susanne , Chegou Novel N. , Oehlmann Wulf , Spallek Ralf , Loxton André G. , van Helden Paul D. , Black Gillian F. , Singh Mahavir , Walzl Gerhard
Published: August 2015

Elevated antibody responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens in individuals with latent infection (LTBI) have previously been linked to an increased risk for progression to active disease. Studies in the field focussed mainly on IgG antibodies. In the present study, IgA and/or IgG responses to the mycobacterial protein antigens AlaDH, NarL, 19 kDa, PstS3, and MPT83 were determined in a blinded fashion in sera from 53 LTBI controls, 14 healthy controls, and 42 active TB subjects. Among controls, we found that elevated IgA levels against all investigated antigens were not randomly distributed but concentrated on a subgroup of <30%—with particular high levels in a small subgroup of ~5% comprising one progressor to active TB. Based on a specificity of 100%, anti‐NarL IgA antibodies achieved with 78.6% sensitivity the highest accuracy for the detection of active TB compared to healthy controls. In conclusion, the consistently elevated IgA levels in a subgroup of controls suggest higher mycobacterial load, a risk factor for progression to active TB, and together with high IgG levels may have prognostic potential and should be investigated in future large scale studies. The novel antigen NarL may also be promising for the antibody‐based diagnosis of active TB cases.
Recent Insights on Prevalence and Corelations of Hypoactive Delirium
Authors: Peritogiannis Vaios , Bolosi Maria , Lixouriotis Charalampos , Rizos Dimitrios V.
Published: August 2015

Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome which is common in all medical settings. It often goes unrecognized due to difficulties in the detection of its hypoactive variant. This review aims to provide an up-to-date account on recent research on hypoactive delirium (HD). Thirty-eight studies, which were conducted in various clinical settings, including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), were included in this review. Those studies involved recent research that has been published during the last 6 years. Prevalence of HD was found to vary considerably among different settings. HD seems to be more common in critically ill patients and less common in patients examined by consultation-liaison psychiatric services and in mixed patient populations. The presence of HD in ICU patients was associated with higher short- and long-term mortality and other adverse outcomes, but no such association was reported in other settings. Research on other possible associations of HD with clinical variables and on symptom presentation yielded inconclusive results, although there is some evidence for a possible association of HD with benzodiazepine use. There are several methodological issues that need to be addressed by future research. Future studies should examine HD in the primary care setting; treatment interventions should also be the objective of future research.
Maternal Satisfaction on Delivery Service and Its Associated Factors among Mothers Who Gave Birth in Public Health Facilities of Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Bitew Kurabachew , Ayichiluhm Mekonnen , Yimam Kedir
Published: August 2015

Introduction. The existence of maternal health service does not guarantee its use by women; neither does the use of maternal health service guarantee optimal outcomes for women. The World Health Organization recommends monitoring and evaluation of maternal satisfaction to improve the quality and efficiency of health care during childbirth. Thus, this study aimed at assessing maternal satisfaction on delivery service and factors associated with it.Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Debre Markos town from March to April 2014. Systematic random sampling technique were used to select 398 mothers who gave birth within one year. The satisfaction of mothers was measured using 19 questions which were adopted from Donabedian quality assessment framework. Binary logistic regression was fitted to identify independent predictors.Result. Among mothers, the overall satisfaction on delivery service was found to be 318 (81.7%). Having plan to deliver at health institution (AOR = 3.30, 95% CI: 1.38–7.9) and laboring time of less than six hours (AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.66–9.79) were positively associated with maternal satisfaction on delivery service. Those mothers who gave birth using spontaneous vaginal delivery (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.023–0.51) were inversely related to maternal satisfaction on delivery service.Conclusion. This study revealed that the overall satisfaction of mothers on delivery service was found to be suboptimal. Reasons for delivery visit, duration of labor, and mode of delivery are independent predictors of maternal satisfaction. Thus, there is a need of an intervention on the independent predictors.