bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Qualitative meta‐synthesis: the experience of chronic pain across conditions
Authors: Crowe Marie , Whitehead Lisa , Seaton Philippa , Jordan Jennifer , Mccall Catherine , Maskill Virginia , Trip Henrietta
Published: September 2016

Aim

To synthesize qualitative descriptions of the experience of chronic pain across conditions.

Background

Chronic pain is a transdiagnostic symptom in that while somatic pathology plays a role in activating pain pathways, psychological and social factors contribute to the experience of pain over time. The treatment of the underlying condition may require both biomedical intervention and biopsychosocial approaches.

Design

Qualitative meta‐synthesis using Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQual) developed by Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group to evaluate the strength of the evidence.

Data sources

PubMed and Ovid Medline from 2000–2015.

Review methods

Following a systematic search strategy all papers were assessed in relation to inclusion criteria and quality. Themes were extracted from each study and a meta‐synthesis conducted before completing an evaluation of confidence in the findings.

Results

Forty‐one papers exploring the experience of chronic pain were included in the review. Five meta‐themes were identified across the studies: 1) the body as obstacle; 2) invisible but real; 3) disrupted sense of self; 4) unpredictability; and 5) keeping going. There was high confidence in the evidence for three themes: ‘the body as obstacle’; ‘disrupted sense of self’ and ‘keeping going’; and moderate confidence in the evidence for ‘invisible but real’ and ‘unpredictability’.

Conclusions

The findings in this review suggest there are similarities in the experience of chronic pain across a range of conditions that have implications for the development of transdiagnostic pain management strategies and interventions.
Detection of internal qualities of hami melons using hyperspectral imaging technology based on variable selection algorithms
Authors: Sun Jingtao , Ma Benxue , Dong Juan , Zhu Rongguang , Zhang Ruoyu , Jiang Wei
Published: September 2016

Hyperspectral imaging technology was used to assess the soluble solids content (SSC), titrable acidity content (TAC), and firmness of hami melons. The mean spectra were extracted from the regions of interest (ROI) of the hyperspectral images of each hami melon. Spectral data were first pretreated with different preprocessing methods and analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) method to build calibration models. However, full spectral data contain a great number of redundant and colinear variables that lead to poor predicting ability of calibration models. Three typical variable selection methods, i.e., the genetic algorithm (GA), successive projections algorithm (SPA), and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) were used to extract effective wavelength variables from the full spectra for determination of SSC, TAC, and firmness of hami melon. The results showed that the SNV‐CARS‐PLS model based on 51 and 40 wavelength variables achieved the optimal performance for SSC and TAC compared with full spectral SNV‐PLS, SNV‐GA‐PLS, and SNV‐SPA‐PLS models. The RP, RMSEP, and RPD of SNV‐CARS‐PLS model for SSC were 0.9606, 0.3816, and 3.598, respectively, and 0.9125, 0.0263, and 2.445 for TAC, respectively. The best model for predicting firmness was RAW‐CARS‐PLS model based on 57 wavelength variables with the RP RMSEP, and RDP values of 0.8671, 20.05, and 1.996, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that the CARS is a powerful method for selecting effective wavelength variables and demonstrated the feasibility of using hyperspectral imaging technology as a fast and nondestructive method for simultaneous detection of SSC, TAC, and firmness of hami melons.

Practical applications

The quality of melon has a direct relationship with the soluble solids content, titrable acidity content, and texture of melon. To ensure the best taste and highest nutritional value, it is better for melons to be harvested when completely mature. Nowadays, melons were harvested according to different fruit development times after flowering. Traditional methods for detection of internal qualities and maturity of melon mainly focus on the appearance of melon and depend on the feelings of professionals, which are tedious, time‐consuming, expensive, and greatly influenced by subjective factors. More than anything, Traditional methods are hard to be highly accurate. Hyperspectral imaging technology has the advantages of rapid and nondestructive. The results showed that hyperspectral imaging technology for the simultaneous detection of soluble solids content, titrable acidity content, and firmness of melon is feasible. And the results can provide a reference for detecting large fruits by using hyperspectral imaging technology
An integrative review on women living with obstetric fistula and after treatment experiences
Authors: Mafo Degge Hannah , Hayter Mark , Laurenson Mary
Published: September 2016

Aims and objectives

To review literature on the experiences of women with obstetric fistula, their lived experiences after treatment; and to provide evidence for future research.

Background

Obstetric fistula is an injury most commonly resulting from a prolonged labour. Long eradicated in developed countries, obstetric fistula remains a public health issue in sub‐Saharan Africa and Asia. This is a highly stigmatised health condition, and an understanding of the women's experience is required to inform holistic approaches for care and prevention.

Design

A search of literature was conducted on databases of EBSCO host (Academic Search Premier, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL), Web of Science; and websites of international organizations such as Women's Dignity Project and EngenderHealth. Keywords, Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined and 25 articles published between 2004 to January 2015 were identified.

Methods

An integrative review of 25 articles was carried out.

Results

Three broad themes were identified: Challenges of living with fistula; treatment and care experiences; and reintegration experiences of women after fistula repair.

Conclusions

Living with a fistula presents multidimensional consequences affecting women, families and communities. Accessing treatment is difficult and there are no standardised treatment packages. Surgical repairs were variable in their success rate. Some authors claim women resume normal lives irrespective of their continence status, whilst others claim they face discrimination despite being continent thereby hindering reintegration. Quality of life is diminished for those remaining incontinent. Post repair psychosocial support services are beneficial for reintegration, but research on programme benefits is limited. Therefore further research is required to support its benefits; and for policy development to meet care provision for women with fistula.

Relevance to clinical practice

The review provides insights into avenues of improving care provision and delivery by health professionals and policy makers. It also exposes areas that need further research for quality care provision.
A qualitative study of collaboration in general practice: understanding the general practice nurse's role
Authors: McInnes Susan , Peters Kath , Bonney Andrew , Halcomb Elizabeth
Published: September 2016

Aims and objectives

To explore the nature of collaboration between registered nurses and general practitioners in Australian general practice.

Background

There is international recognition that collaboration between health professionals can improve care coordination, enhance health outcomes, optimise the work environment and reduce healthcare costs. However, effective collaboration requires a clear understanding of each team member's role.

Design

A qualitative approach guided by Naturalistic Inquiry was used to elicit and interpret participant narratives.

Methods

Eight general practitioners and fourteen registered nurses working in general practice were purposefully recruited. Data were collected via individual, semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews during February to May 2015. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Data revealed three overarching themes. This study presents the data for the overarching theme ‘Understanding the general practice registered nurse's role’. Many general practitioner participants lacked clarity around the role and scope of practice of the registered nurse. At the same time, nursing participants often articulated their role as an assistant rather than as an independent health professional. This limited collaboration and the nurses’ role within the team. Collaboration was enhanced when general practitioners actively sought an understanding of the registered nurses scope of practice.

Conclusion

Clarifying the nurses’ role promotes collaboration and supports nurses to work to the full extent of their practice. This is important in terms of optimising the nurses’ role within the team and reinforcing their professional identity.

Relevance to clinical practice

Identification of key issues around understanding the nurses’ role may help inform strategies that improve collaboration and workplace relations.
Time‐Varying Transition Probabilities for Markov Regime Switching Models
Authors: Bazzi Marco , Blasques Francisco , Koopman Siem Jan , Lucas Andre
Published: September 2016

We propose a new Markov switching model with time‐varying transitions probabilities. The novelty of our model is that the transition probabilities evolve over time by means of an observation driven model. The innovation of the time‐varying probability is generated by the score of the predictive likelihood function. We show how the model dynamics can be readily interpreted. We investigate the performance of the model in a Monte Carlo study and show that the model is successful in estimating a range of different dynamic patterns for unobserved regime switching probabilities. We also illustrate the new methodology in an empirical setting by studying the dynamic mean and variance behaviour of US industrial production growth.
DNA methylation changes at SNCA intron 1 in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Funahashi Yu , Yoshino Yuta , Yamazaki Kiyohiro , Mori Yoko , Mori Takaaki , Ozaki Yuki , Sao Tomoko , Ochi Shinichiro , Iga Jun‐ichi , Ueno Shu‐ichi
Published: September 2016

Aim

It is difficult to diagnose dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) because it exhibits clinical and neuropathological overlap with both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The α‐synuclein protein is a major component of Lewy bodies, and accumulation of α‐synuclein aggregates causes synaptic dysfunction in DLB. Epigenetic changes at the synuclein alpha (
SNCA
) gene may be involved in DLB pathogenesis.

Methods

We examined DNA methylation rates at 10 CpG sites located in intron 1 of
SNCA
and
SNCA
mRNA expression in peripheral leukocytes to compare DLB patients (n = 20; nine men, 11 women; age = 78.8 ± 7.7 years) with healthy controls (n = 20; eight men, 12 women; age = 77.0 ± 6.9 years).

Results

The methylation rate at CpG 4 (
P
 = 0.002) and the overall mean methylation rate at these sites (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in DLB patients than in healthy controls after Bonferroni correction. Although
SNCA126
, a partial form of
SNCA
mRNA expression, was significantly increased in DLB (
P
 = 0.017), there was no significant difference in total
SNCA
mRNA expression between DLB patients and healthy controls (
P
 = 0.165). No correlation was observed between SCNA mRNA expression levels and blood DNA methylation rates in either DLB or healthy controls.

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that lower methylation rates may be a biomarker for DLB.
Cognitive dysfunction in major depression and bipolar disorder: Assessment and treatment options
Authors: MacQueen Glenda M. , Memedovich Katherine A.
Published: September 2016

Cognitive dysfunction is a recognized feature of mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Cognitive impairment is associated with poor overall functional outcome and is therefore an important feature of illness to optimize for patients’ occupational and academic outcomes. While generally people with BD appear to have a greater degree of cognitive impairment than those with MDD, direct comparisons of both patient groups within a single study are lacking. There are a number of methods for the assessment of cognitive function, but few are currently used in clinical practice. Current symptoms, past course of illness, clinical features, such as the presence of psychosis and comorbid conditions, may all influence cognitive function in mood disorders. Despite the general lack of assessment of cognitive function in clinical practice, clinicians are increasingly targeting cognitive symptoms as part of comprehensive treatment strategies. Novel pharmacological agents may improve cognitive function, but most studies of standard mood stabilizers, such as lithium and the anticonvulsants, have focused on whether or not the medications impair cognition. Non‐pharmacological strategies, such as cognitive remediation and exercise, are increasingly studied in patients with mood disorders. Despite the growing interest in strategies to manage cognitive function, there is a paucity of high‐quality trials examining either pharmacological or non‐pharmacological modes of intervention.
Identification of a novel HLA‐B*50 allele, HLA‐B*50:01:08, in a Spanish hematological patient
Authors: Martin‐Rodriguez S. , Martinez‐Carretero C. , Llorente‐Lumbreras A. M. , Sanz‐Izquierdo M. P. , Bernardo‐Gonzalez I.
Published: September 2016

HLA‐B*50:01:08 differs from B*50:01:01 at nucleotides g.1206T>A (intron 3) and g.1658G>A (exon 4).
Flowering behaviors of the inflorescences of an alien plant (Plantago asiatica), an alpine plant (Plantago hakusanensis), and their hybrids on Mt. Hakusan, Japan
Authors: Sano Saki , Nakayama Yuichiro , Ohigashi Kentaro , Nogami Tatsuya , Yagyu Atsushi
Published: September 2016

In the subalpine zone on Mt. Hakusan, Japan, Plantago asiatica, an alien plant, and Plantago hakusanensis, a native alpine species, grow sympatrically along with their putative hybrids. Here, their flowering behavior, which affects the frequency of hybridization and the colonizing ability of P. asiatica and its hybrids, is described. The flowering behavior of each species and of two F1 hybrids from different seed parents was determined based on the position of the flower in the inflorescence by using a generalized linear mixed model. The percentage fruit set of individually bagged inflorescences was calculated to corroborate the assumptions of the opportunities for self‐pollination. All the flowers were protogynous; however, many P. asiatica anthers dehisced before browning of the stigma in the flower and the sex presentations in the inflorescence were asynchronous. The percentage of fruit set was high. Consequently, P. asiatica has the opportunity for self‐pollination within the flower and in the inflorescence. In contrast, the P. hakusanensis anthers dehisced after browning of the stigma in the flower; their sex presentation was synchronous in the inflorescence, showing negligible opportunities for self‐pollination, and the fruit set was low. Accordingly, in the field, P. hakusanensis might require pollination among the inflorescences for seed production and be actively outcrossed, while P. asiatica is able to outcross in the early flowering phase. Therefore, P. asiatica and P. hakusanensis have opportunities for hybridization. The F1 hybrids exhibited intermediate flowering behavior and produced fruits, demonstrating the potential to reproduce by selfing.
Harnessing Seeded Geometric Imperfection to Design Cylindrical Shells With Tunable Elastic Postbuckling Behavior
Authors: Hu Nan , Burgueño Rigoberto
Published: September 2016

Geometric imperfection, known as a detrimental effect on the buckling load of cylindrical shells, has a new role under the emerging trend of using buckling for smart purposes. Eigenshape-based geometries were designed on the shell surface with the aim of tailoring the postbuckling response. Fourteen seeded geometric imperfection (SGI) cylinders were fabricated using polymer-based 3D printing, and their postbuckling responses were numerically simulated with a general-purpose finite element program. Results on the prototyped SGI cylinders showed a tunable elastic postbuckling response in terms of initial and final stiffness, the maximum load drop from mode switching, and the number of snap-buckling events. A response contour and discrete map is presented to show how the number of waves in the axial and circumferential directions in the seeded eigenshape imperfection can control the elastic postbuckling response. SGI cylinders provide diverse design opportunities for controllable unstable response and are good candidates for use in smart and adaptive materials/structures.
Mechanics of Graded Wrinkling
Authors: Raayai-Ardakani Shabnam , Luis Yagüe Jose , Gleason Karen K. , Boyce Mary C.
Published: September 2016

The properties and behavior of a surface as well as its interaction with surrounding media depend on the inherent material constituency and the surface topography. Structured surface topography can be achieved via surface wrinkling. Through the buckling of a thin film of stiff material bonded to a substrate of a softer material, wrinkled patterns can be created by inducing compressive stress states in the thin film. Using this same principle, we show the ability to create wrinkled topologies consisting of a highly structured gradient in amplitude and wavelength, and one which can be actively tuned. The mechanics of graded wrinkling are revealed through analytical modeling and finite element analysis, and further demonstrated with experiments.
Unexpected rewards induce dopamine-dependent positive emotion–like state changes in bumblebees
Authors: Solvi Cwyn , Baciadonna Luigi , Chittka Lars
Published: September 2016

Whether invertebrates exhibit positive emotion–like states and what mechanisms underlie such states remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that bumblebees exhibit dopamine-dependent positive emotion–like states across behavioral contexts. After training with one rewarding and one unrewarding cue, bees that received pretest sucrose responded in a positive manner toward ambiguous cues. In a second experiment, pretest consumption of sucrose solution resulted in a shorter time to reinitiate foraging after a simulated predator attack. These behavioral changes were abolished with topical application of the dopamine antagonist fluphenazine. Further experiments established that pretest sucrose does not simply cause bees to become more exploratory. Our findings present a new opportunity for understanding the fundamental neural elements of emotions and may alter the view of how emotion states affect decision-making in animals.
Ventral CA1 neurons store social memory
Authors: Okuyama Teruhiro , Kitamura Takashi , Roy Dheeraj S. , Itohara Shigeyoshi , Tonegawa Susumu
Published: September 2016

The medial temporal lobe, including the hippocampus, has been implicated in social memory. However, it remains unknown which parts of these brain regions and their circuits hold social memory. Here, we show that ventral hippocampal CA1 (vCA1) neurons of a mouse and their projections to nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell play a necessary and sufficient role in social memory. Both the proportion of activated vCA1 cells and the strength and stability of the responding cells are greater in response to a familiar mouse than to a previously unencountered mouse. Optogenetic reactivation of vCA1 neurons that respond to the familiar mouse enabled memory retrieval and the association of these neurons with unconditioned stimuli. Thus, vCA1 neurons and their NAc shell projections are a component of the storage site of social memory.
Drosophila
insulin release is triggered by adipose Stunted ligand to brain Methuselah receptor
Authors: Delanoue Renald , Meschi Eleonora , Agrawal Neha , Mauri Alessandra , Tsatskis Yonit , McNeill Helen , Léopold Pierre
Published: September 2016

Animals adapt their growth rate and body size to available nutrients by a general modulation of insulin–insulin-like growth factor signaling. In
Drosophila
, dietary amino acids promote the release in the hemolymph of brain insulin-like peptides (Dilps), which in turn activate systemic organ growth. Dilp secretion by insulin-producing cells involves a relay through unknown cytokines produced by fat cells. Here, we identify Methuselah (Mth) as a secretin-incretin receptor subfamily member required in the insulin-producing cells for proper nutrient coupling. We further show, using genetic and ex vivo organ culture experiments, that the Mth ligand Stunted (Sun) is a circulating insulinotropic peptide produced by fat cells. Therefore, Sun and Mth define a new cross-organ circuitry that modulates physiological insulin levels in response to nutrients.
Suppression of Host Innate Immune Response by Hepatitis C Virus via Induction of Autophagic Degradation of TRAF6
Authors: Chan Stephanie T. , Lee Jiyoung , Narula Mansi , Ou J.-H. James
Published: September 2016

Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is an important adaptor molecule that mediates the TNFR family and interleukin-1 (IL-1)/Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling cascades. These pathways are important for the host to control viral infections. In this report, we demonstrated that hepatitis C virus (HCV) depleted TRAF6 from its host cells through a posttranslational mechanism. This depletion was independent of proteasomes, as it was not affected by the proteasome inhibitor MG132, but it was suppressed by bafilomycin A1, which led to the association of TRAF6 with autophagosomes. As bafilomycin A1 is a vacuolar ATPase inhibitor that inhibits autophagic protein degradation, these results suggested that HCV depleted TRAF6 via autophagy. The degradation of TRAF6 was apparently mediated by the p62 sequestosome protein, which is a factor important for selective autophagy, as it could bind to TRAF6 and its silencing stabilized TRAF6. The depletion of TRAF6 suppressed activation of NF-κB and induction of proinflammatory cytokines and enhanced HCV replication. In contrast, the overexpression of TRAF6 suppressed HCV replication. These results revealed a novel mechanism that was used by HCV to disrupt the host innate immune responses for viral replication and persistence.

IMPORTANCE
HCV can cause severe liver diseases and is one of the most important human pathogens. It establishes chronic infections in the great majority of patients that it infects, indicating that it has evolved sophisticated mechanisms to evade host immunity. TRAF6 is an important signaling molecule that mediates activation of NF-κB and expression of proinflammatory cytokines and interferons. In this study, we found that HCV infection suppressed the host innate immune response through the induction of autophagic degradation of TRAF6. This finding provided important information for further understanding how HCV evades host immunity to establish persistence.
A Tale of Two PMLs: Elements Regulating a Differential Substrate Recognition by the ICP0 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase of Herpes Simplex Virus 1
Authors: Zheng Yi , Samrat Subodh Kumar , Gu Haidong
Published: September 2016

Infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is an α gene product required for viral replication at low multiplicities of infection. Upon entry, nuclear domain 10 (ND10) converges at the incoming DNA and represses viral gene expression. ICP0 contains a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase that degrades the ND10 organizer PML and disperses ND10 to alleviate the repression. In the present study, we focused on understanding the regulation of ICP0 E3 ligase activity in the degradation of different ICP0 substrates. We report the following. (i) A SUMO interaction motif located at ICP0 residues 362 to 364 is required for the degradation of PML isoforms II, IV, and VI but not isoform I. This differentiation mechanism exists in both HEp-2 and U2OS cells, regardless of the cell's permissiveness to the ICP0-null virus. (ii) Physical interaction between SIM
362–364
and PML II is necessary but not sufficient for PML II degradation. Both proximal sequences surrounding SIM
362–364
and distal sequences located at the ICP0 C terminus enhance the degradation of PML II. (iii) The ICP0 C terminus is dispensable for PML I degradation. Instead, bipartite PML I binding domains located in the N-terminal half of ICP0 coordinate to promote the degradation of PML I. (iv) The stability of ICP0, but not its ND10 fusion ability, affects the rate of PML I degradation. Taken together, our results show that ICP0 uses at least two regulatory mechanisms to differentiate its substrates. The disparate recognition of the ICP0 E3 substrates may be related to the different roles these substrates may play in HSV-1 infection.

IMPORTANCE
Viruses have a limited genetic coding capacity but must encounter a multilayered comprehensive host defense. To establish a successful infection, viruses usually produce multifunctional proteins to coordinate the counteractions. Here we report that an HSV-1 protein, ICP0, can recognize individual host factors and target them differently for destruction. We identified elements that are important for the ICP0 E3 ubiquitin ligase to differentially recognize two of its substrates, PML I and PML II. This is the first study that has systematically investigated how ICP0 discriminates two similar molecules by very different mechanisms. This work lays the foundation for understanding the role of host defensive factors and the mechanisms viruses use to take advantage of some host proteins while destroying others.
Ubiquitination Upregulates Influenza Virus Polymerase Function
Authors: Kirui James , Mondal Arindam , Mehle Andrew
Published: September 2016

The influenza A virus polymerase plays an essential role in the virus life cycle, directing synthesis of viral mRNAs and genomes. It is a trimeric complex composed of subunits PA, PB1, and PB2 and associates with viral RNAs and nucleoprotein (NP) to form higher-order ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. The polymerase is regulated temporally over the course of infection to ensure coordinated expression of viral genes as well as replication of the viral genome. Various host factors and processes have been implicated in regulation of the IAV polymerase function, including posttranslational modifications; however, the mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that ubiquitination plays an important role in stimulating polymerase activity. We show that all protein subunits in the RNP are ubiquitinated, but ubiquitination does not significantly alter protein levels. Instead, ubiquitination and an active proteasome enhance polymerase activity. Expression of ubiquitin upregulates polymerase function in a dose-dependent fashion, causing increased accumulation of viral RNA (vRNA), cRNA, and mRNA and enhanced viral gene expression during infection. Ubiquitin expression directly affects polymerase activity independent of nucleoprotein (NP) or ribonucleoprotein (RNP) assembly. Ubiquitination and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway play key roles during multiple stages of influenza virus infection, and data presented here now demonstrate that these processes modulate viral polymerase activity independent of protein degradation.

IMPORTANCE
The cellular ubiquitin-proteasome pathway impacts steps during the entire influenza virus life cycle. Ubiquitination suppresses replication by targeting viral proteins for degradation and stimulating innate antiviral signaling pathways. Ubiquitination also enhances replication by facilitating viral entry and virion disassembly. We identify here an addition proviral role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, showing that all of the proteins in the viral replication machinery are subject to ubiquitination and this is crucial for optimal viral polymerase activity. Manipulation of the ubiquitin machinery for therapeutic benefit is therefore likely to disrupt the function of multiple viral proteins at stages throughout the course of infection.
Rolling open Earth’s deepest forearc basin
Authors: Pownall Jonathan M. , Hall Robert , Lister Gordon S.
Published: September 2016

The Weber Deep—a 7.2-km-deep forearc basin within the tightly curved Banda arc of eastern Indonesia—is the deepest point of the Earth’s oceans not within a trench. Several models have been proposed to explain the tectonic evolution of the Banda arc in the context of the ongoing (ca. 23 Ma–present) Australia–Southeast Asia collision, but no model explicitly accounts for how the Weber Deep achieved its anomalous depth. Here we propose that the Weber Deep formed by forearc extension driven by eastward subduction rollback. Substantial lithospheric extension in the upper plate was accommodated by a major, previously unidentified, low-angle normal fault system we name the “Banda detachment.” High-resolution bathymetry data reveal that the Banda detachment is exposed underwater over much of its 120 km down-dip and 450 km lateral extent, having produced the largest bathymetric expression of any fault discernable in the world’s oceans. The Banda arc is a modern analogue for highly extended terranes preserved in the many regions that may similarly have “rolled open” behind migrating subduction zones.
Therapeutic efficacy and safety of ACE inhibitors in the hypertensive paediatric population: a review
Authors: Snauwaert Evelien , Vande Walle Johan , De Bruyne Pauline
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Since 1997, strong incentives have been introduced worldwide to improve access to safe and effective medicines addressing the therapeutic needs of children. ACE inhibitors, the most prescribed antihypertensive drugs in the paediatric population, are one of the prototype drugs targeted by the legislation initiatives. Our purpose in assembling this review is to evaluate and describe the current evidence for the efficacy and safety profile of ACE inhibitors in the paediatric population.

Methods

The authors made a descriptive review of the literature from 1980 to 2015 using the following search terms: hypertension, child, paediatric, ACE (inhibitors), renin–angiotensin aldosterone system, captopril, lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril and fosinopril.

Results

A total of 16 studies evaluating efficacy and safety of ACE inhibitors were included in this review. The included studies demonstrate that ACE inhibitors have the potency to decrease the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure with an overall favourable safety profile in a short-term period. More importantly, the incentives resulted in an improvement of the overall availability of paediatric labelling, dosing and safety information for ACE inhibitors. However, they failed to fulfil several of paediatric needs: absence of long-term safety data on growth and maturation, absence of commercially available child-friendly formulations and incomplete evaluation of the entire paediatric hypertension population.

Conclusion

Additional efforts are needed to close the gap between the availability of drugs that are labelled and indicated for paediatric use and the actual drug usage in children, especially in young children, neonates and children with severe hypertension, renal transplantation or severe renal impairment.
Does sports participation (including level of performance and previous injury) increase risk of osteoarthritis? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tran Gui , Smith Toby O , Grice Adam , Kingsbury Sarah R , McCrory Paul , Conaghan Philip G
Published: September 2016

Background

To assess the relationship between sport and osteoarthritis (OA), and specifically to determine whether previous participation, in terms of level (elite or non-elite), type of sport, intensity or previous injury, was associated with OA.

Methods

This systematic review was developed using PRISMA guidelines. Databases were searched (to May 2016). Narrative review and meta-analysis (with risk ratio (RR) and 95% CIs) approaches were undertaken where appropriate. Study quality was assessed using GRADE.

Results

46 studies were included. Narratively, 31 studies reported an increased risk of OA, with 19 demonstrating an increased risk in elite athletes. There was an increased risk after sports exposure (irrespective of type; RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.64; 21 studies). It remained uncertain whether there was a difference in risk of OA between elite and non-elite athletes (RR 1.37; 95% CI 0.84 to 2.22; 17 studies). The risk was higher in soccer (RR 1.42; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.77; 15 studies) but lower in runners (RR 0.86; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.41; 12 studies). 9 studies showed an association with the intensity of sport undertaken and OA. 5 studies demonstrated a higher prevalence of OA following meniscectomies and anterior cruciate ligament tears. Overall, the evidence was of GRADE ‘very low’ quality.

Conclusions

There was very low-quality evidence to support an increased relationship between sports participation and OA in elite participants. It is unclear whether there is a difference in risk between elite and non-elite participants with further prospective studies needed to evaluate this. Pooled findings suggested that significant injuries were associated with OA in soccer players.
Predictive value of miR-210 as a novel biomarker for pre-eclampsia: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Nikuei Pooneh , Davoodian Nahid , Tahamtan Iman , Keshtkar Abbas Ali
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a serious condition affecting 3–5% of all pregnancies worldwide. However, underlying molecular pathogenesis of this disease has largely remained unknown. Recently, several studies have indicated the possibility role of microRNAs, especially miR-210, in the aetiology of PE. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the possible role of miR-210 as a novel biomarker for the prediction of PE.

Methods and analysis

Using a combination of mesh terms ‘preeclampsia’, ‘microRNA’ and their equivalents, an electronic search will be performed for all observational studies (cross sectional, case–control and cohort) in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, LILACS and OvidSP MEDLINE from January 2005 to December 2015. Furthermore, other sources are searched, including grey literature, reference lists of relevant primary studies as well as key journals. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment of studies will be performed independently by 2 reviewers, and any disagreement will be resolved by consensus. If sufficient data are available, it will be combined by either fixed or random effects models. We will investigate the source)s(and degree of heterogeneity using ‘Heterogeneity χ2’ and I2. Heterogeneity would be investigated through either subgroup analysis or metaregression. Stata V.11.1 will be used for data analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

The results of this study are disseminated in peer-reviewed journal articles and academic presentations. Formal ethical approval is not required, since the secondary data will be collected.

Trial registration number

CRD42015032345.
A collaborative improvement project by an NHS Emergency Department and Scottish Ambulance Paramedics to improve the identification and delivery of sepsis 6.
Authors: Carberry Martin , Harden John
Published: September 2016

Early identification of patients with sepsis is key to the delivery of the sepsis 6 bundle including antibiotic therapy within an hour.[1-3] Demand versus capacity challenges in the Emergency Department (ED) led to delays in antibiotic and sepsis 6 delivery. An alerting tool was developed that provided criteria for Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) Paramedics to alert the ED of potential sepsis patients.

Data from patients presenting to the ED prior to the alerting process commencing (n=50) and during alerting (n=50) were analysed, a questionnaire was used to ascertain feedback from all staff groups; nurses doctors, and paramedics (n=38). Mean Time to triage improved by 82% from 17 minutes to 3 minutes (p=0.01), time to first antibiotic improved by 39% from 49 minutes to 30 minutes. Overall 78% of patients received antibiotics within an hour of leaving their home; no significant increase in workload was reported by staff.

In conclusion alerting by paramedics of potential sepsis patients reduced the time taken to deliver the Sepsis 6 Bundle. Process reliability has been sustained over several months. This process has been spread to seven regional ambulance stations in Lanarkshire Scotland.
The impact of critically ill children on paediatric ED medication timeliness
Authors: Michelson Kenneth A , Bachur Richard G , Levy Jason A
Published: September 2016

Objectives

The presence of critically ill patients may impact care for other ED patients. We sought to evaluate whether the presence of a critically ill child was associated with the time to (1) receipt of the first medication among other patients, and (2) administration of diagnosis-specific medications.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all paediatric ED visits over 3 years. Patients were exposed if they arrived during the first hour of a critically ill patient's care. The primary outcome was the time from arrival to first medication administration. Secondary outcomes were time to corticosteroids in asthma and time to antibiotics for fever/neutropenia. We modelled times to medication using median regression, adjusting for demographics, arrival time and weekday, and census (number of patients in the ED).

Results

We analysed 170 112 visits. Median times to first medication for those exposed to 0, 1 and >1 simultaneous critically ill patients were 90 min (IQR 54–146), 96 min (IQR 58–157) and 113 min (IQR 72–166), respectively (p<0.001). The increase in time to corticosteroids among exposed patients versus unexposed was 6 min (IQR 2–14, p=0.11) and in time to antibiotic for fever/neutropenia was −4 min (IQR −4 to −11, p=0.13). Modelled time to first medication increased 3.1 min (95% CI 0.5 to 5.7) among all exposed patients (p=0.02). Time to first medication increased 15.3 min (95% CI 14.7 to 15.9) for each 10 patient increase in census.

Conclusions

The presence of critically ill patients was associated with a delay in medication administration to others. Census independently predicted medication delays.
Fluid therapy in calves
Authors: Hallowell Gayle , Remnant John
Published: September 2016

Fluid therapy is commonly performed in calves in farm animal practice. When critical care is considered for a sick calf, it is important to recognise whether the animal is hypovolaemic, dehydrated or both, as this will determine the treatment that is undertaken. This article discusses the various types of oral and intravenous fluids that can be used by farm animal practitioners to treat these conditions and describes how to decide which route is optimal and which types of fluid are likely to help achieve the best results.
Comments on the dilemma in the September issue: Too hot to handle?
Authors: McCulloch Steven
Published: September 2016

In the dilemma discussed in the September issue of In Practice, a new client at your equine practice asks you to treat a horse's tendon injury with thermocautery, or firing. How should you respond? (IP, September 2016, vol 38, pp 414‐415). Madeleine Campbell suggested one possible way forward was to try to persuade the client that there was no logical or ethical justification for the procedure that they were requesting. This could include discussing the lack of evidence that firing had any therapeutic effect and the evidence that it caused harm, and explaining that any anecdotally reported benefit was likely to be done in the enforced period of rest following firing, rather than the procedure itself. It could be worth mentioning the client's and the vet's obligation not to cause unnecessary harm under the Animal Welfare Act. Alternative therapies should be explored with the client, and referral offered if appropriate.
Precision genome editing in the CRISPR era
Authors: Salsman Jayme , Dellaire Graham
Published: September 2016

With the introduction of precision genome editing using CRISPR–Cas9 technology, we have entered a new era of genetic engineering and gene therapy. With RNA-guided endonucleases, such as Cas9, it is possible to engineer DNA double strand breaks (DSB) at specific genomic loci. DSB repair by the error-prone non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway can disrupt a target gene by generating insertions and deletions. Alternatively, Cas9-mediated DSBs can be repaired by homology-directed repair (HDR) using an homologous DNA repair template, thus allowing precise gene editing by incorporating genetic changes into the repair template. HDR can introduce gene sequences for protein epitope tags, delete genes, make point mutations, or alter enhancer and promoter activities. In anticipation of adapting this technology for gene therapy in human somatic cells, much focus has been placed on increasing the fidelity of CRISPR–Cas9 and increasing HDR efficiency to improve precision genome editing. In this review, we will discuss applications of CRISPR technology for gene inactivation and genome editing with a focus on approaches to enhancing CRISPR–Cas9-mediated HDR for the generation of cell and animal models, and conclude with a discussion of recent advances and challenges towards the application of this technology for gene therapy in humans.
Extent and causes of forest cover changes in Vietnam’s provinces 1993–2013: a review and analysis of official data
Authors: Cochard Roland , Ngo Dung Tri , Waeber Patrick O. , Kull Christian A.
Published: September 2016

Within a region plagued by deforestation, Vietnam has experienced an exceptional turnaround from net forest loss to forest regrowth. This so-called forest transition, starting in the 1990s, resulted from major changes to environmental and economic policy. Investments in agricultural intensification, reforestation programs, and forestland privatization directly or indirectly promoted natural forest regeneration and the setting-up of plantation forests mainly stocked with exotic species. Forest cover changes, however, varied widely among regions due to specific socio-economic and environmental factors. We studied forest cover changes (including natural and planted forests) and associated drivers in Vietnam’s provinces from 1993–2013. An exhaustive literature review was combined with multivariate statistical analyses of official provincial data. Natural forest regrowth was highest in northern mountain provinces, especially in the period 1993–2003, whereas deforestation continued in the Central Highlands and Southeast Region. Forest plantations increased most in mid-elevation provinces. Statistical results largely confirmed case study-based literature, highlighting the importance of forestland allocation policies and agroforestry extension for promoting small-scale tree plantations and allowing natural forest regeneration in previously degraded areas. Results provide evidence for the abandonment of upland swidden agriculture during 1993–2003, and reveal that spatial competition between expanding natural forests, fixed crop fields, and tree plantations increased during 2003–2013. While we identified a literature gap regarding effects of forest management by para-statal forestry organizations, statistical results showed that natural forests increased in areas managed for protection/regeneration. Cover of other natural forests under the organizations’ management, however, tended to decrease or stagnate, especially more recently when the organizations increasingly turned to multi-purpose plantation forestry. Deforestation processes in the Central Highlands and Southeast Region were mainly driven by cash crop expansion (coffee, rubber) and associated immigration and population growth. Recent data trends indicated limits to further forest expansion, and logging within high-quality natural forests reportedly remained a widespread problem. New schemes for payments for forest environmental services should be strengthened to consolidate the gains from the forest transition, whilst improving forest quality (in terms of biodiversity and environmental services) and allowing local people to actively participate in forest management.
The Information Systems Group at HPI
Authors: Naumann Felix , Krestel Ralf
Published: September 2016

The Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) is a private computer science institute funded by the eponymous SAP co-founder. It is affiliated with the University of Potsdam in Germany and is dedicated to research and teaching, awarding B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees.

The Information Systems group was founded in 2006, currently has around ten Ph.D. students and about 15 masters students actively involved in our research activities. Our initial and still ongoing research focus has been the area of data cleansing and duplicate detection. More recently we have become active in the area of text mining to extract structured information from text, and even more recently in data profiling, i.e., the task of discovering various metadata and dependencies from a data instance.
Vasopressin lowers renal epoxyeicosatrienoic acid levels by activating soluble epoxide hydrolase
Authors: Boldt Christin , Röschel Tom , Himmerkus Nina , Plain Allein , Bleich Markus , Labes Robert , Blum Maximilian , Krause Hans , Magheli Ahmed , Giesecke Torsten , Mutig Kerim , Rothe Michael , Weldon Steven M. , Dragun Duska , Schunck Wolf-Hagen , Bachmann Sebastian , Paliege Alexander
Published: September 2016

Activation of the thick ascending limb (TAL) Na+-K+-2Cl−cotransporter (NKCC2) by the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) is an essential mechanism of renal urine concentration and contributes to extracellular fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. AVP effects in the kidney are modulated by locally and/or by systemically produced epoxyeicosatrienoic acid derivates (EET). The relation between AVP and EET metabolism has not been determined. Here, we show that chronic treatment of AVP-deficient Brattleboro rats with the AVP V2 receptor analog desmopressin (dDAVP; 5 ng/h, 3 days) significantly lowered renal EET levels (−56 ± 3% for 5,6-EET, −50 ± 3.4% for 11,12-EET, and −60 ± 3.7% for 14,15-EET). The abundance of the principal EET-degrading enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) was increased at the mRNA (+160 ± 37%) and protein levels (+120 ± 26%). Immunohistochemistry revealed dDAVP-mediated induction of sEH in connecting tubules and cortical and medullary collecting ducts, suggesting a role of these segments in the regulation of local interstitial EET signals. Incubation of murine kidney cell suspensions with 1 μM 14,15-EET for 30 min reduced phosphorylation of NKCC2 at the AVP-sensitive threonine residues T96 and T101 (−66 ± 5%; P < 0.05), while 14,15-DHET had no effect. Concomitantly, isolated perfused cortical thick ascending limb pretreated with 14,15-EET showed a 30% lower transport current under high and a 70% lower transport current under low symmetric chloride concentrations. In summary, we have shown that activation of AVP signaling stimulates renal sEH biosynthesis and enzyme activity. The resulting reduction of EET tissue levels may be instrumental for increased NKCC2 transport activity during AVP-induced antidiuresis.