bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe mortality impact of the 1957 influenza pandemic in Chile
Authors: Chowell Gerardo , Simonsen Lone , Fuentes Rodrigo , Flores Jose , Miller Mark A. , Viboud Cécile
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Epidemiological studies of the 1957 influenza pandemic are scarce, particularly from lower‐income settings.

Methods

We analyzed the spatial–temporal mortality patterns of the 1957 influenza pandemic in Chile, including detailed age‐specific mortality data from a large city, and investigated risk factors for severe mortality impact across regions.

Results

Chile exhibited two waves of excess mortality in winter 1957 and 1959 with a cumulative excess mortality rate of 12 per 10 000, and a ~10‐fold mortality difference across provinces. High excess mortality rates were associated with high baseline mortality (R2=41.8%; P=.02), but not with latitude (P>.7). Excess mortality rates increased sharply with age. Transmissibility declined from R=1.4‐2.1 to R=1.2‐1.4 between the two pandemic waves.

Conclusions

The estimated A/H2N2 mortality burden in Chile is the highest on record for this pandemic—about three to five times as severe as that experienced in wealthier nations. The global impact of this pandemic may be substantially underestimated from previous studies based on high‐income countries.
Clinical and Histological changes after ridge preservation with two xenografts: preliminary results from a multicentre randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Barone Antonio , Toti Paolo , Quaranta Alessandro , Alfonsi Fortunato , Cucchi Alessandro , Negri Bruno , Di Felice Roberto , Marchionni Saverio , Calvo‐Guirado Jose' Luis , Covani Ugo , Nannmark Ulf
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To evaluate and compare clinical and histological changes after ridge preservation procedures with those of spontaneous healing.

Materials and Methods

Ninety patients were enrolled in the present randomized controlled clinical trial and underwent single‐tooth extraction in the premolar/molar areas. Thirty sites were grafted with collagenated cortico‐cancellous (coll), 30 sites with cortical (cort) porcine bone and 30 sites underwent natural healing. Primary (vertical and horizontal bone changes after 3 months) and secondary outcomes (histomorphometric after 3 months) were evaluated at implant placement.

Results

The vertical bone changes at the grafted sockets were significantly (p < 0.0001) lower (0.30 mm for cort group and 0.57 mm for coll group) when compared to non‐grafted sockets (2.10 mm for nat group). Moreover, the width reduction of the coll (0.93 mm) and cort (1.33 mm) groups was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) than the non‐grafted group (3.60 mm). The analysis of subgroups attested that when premolar and molar sites were compared, the buccal bone loss appeared to be dependent both on tooth position and grafting material employed.

Conclusion

The ridge preservation procedures had significantly better outcomes when compared to natural healing. The biomaterials did not differ for maintenance of bone width; even though, the bone height seemed to be better preserved with the cortical porcine bone.
Fear of knowledge: Clinical hypotheses in diagnostic and prognostic reasoning
Authors: Chiffi Daniele , Zanotti Renzo
Published: November 2016

Patients are interested in receiving accurate diagnostic and prognostic information. Models and reasoning about diagnoses have been extensively investigated from a foundational perspective; however, for all its importance, prognosis has yet to receive a comparable degree of philosophical and methodological attention, and this may be due to the difficulties inherent in accurate prognostics. In the light of these considerations, we discuss a considerable body of critical thinking on the topic of prognostication and its strict relations with diagnostic reasoning, pointing out the distinction between nosographic and pathophysiological types of diagnosis and prognosis, underlying the importance of the explication and explanation processes. We then distinguish between various forms of hypothetical reasoning applied to reach diagnostic and prognostic judgments, comparing them with specific forms of abductive reasoning. The main thesis is that creative abduction regarding clinical hypotheses in diagnostic process is very unlikely to occur, whereas this seems to be often the case for prognostic judgments. The reasons behind this distinction are due to the different types of uncertainty involved in diagnostic and prognostic judgments.
Ultrastructural and biomolecular detection of Rickettsiales‐like organisms in tissues of rainbow trout with Red Mark Syndrome
Authors: Galeotti M , Manzano M , Beraldo P , Bulfon C , Rossi G , Volpatti D , Magi G E
Published: November 2016

Red mark syndrome (RMS) and US strawberry disease (US SD) are skin disorders affecting rainbow trout farmed in Europe and USA. The disease etiology has not yet been established. In spite of specific investigations, identifying Rickettsia‐like organism (RLO)‐ and Midichloria‐like organism (MLO)‐related DNA in affected individuals, these pathogens have never been observed. We performed histological, ultrastructural and biomolecular analysis on skin and spleen samples of trout with RMS. Examination by TEM revealed the presence of intracytoplasmic microorganisms resembling Rickettsiales within macrophages, fibroblasts and erythrocytes. The microorganisms were oval or short rod shaped (400–800 nm in length and 100–200 nm in width) and often showed a cell wall similar to Gram‐negative bacteria. PCR analysis for Rickettsiales supported these findings: 53% of affected trout were positive by both PCR and TEM The primers RiFCfw‐RiFCrev were used to anneal both the RLO 16S DNA sequence and the MLO 16S DNA sequence. For this reason, and in agreement with previous studies confirming the presence of Rickettsiales‐related DNA in trout with RMS, we assume that TEM detected microorganisms morphologically consistent with bacteria belonging to Rickettsiales order and could be considered as possible causative agents of RMS.
Exploring the potential of multivariate depth‐damage and rainfall‐damage models
Authors: Van Ootegem L. , Van Herck K. , Creten T. , Verhofstadt E. , Foresti L. , Goudenhoofdt E. , Reyniers M. , Delobbe L. , Murla Tuyls D. , Willems P.
Published: November 2016

In Europe, floods are among the natural catastrophes that cause the largest economic damage. This article explores the potential of two distinct types of multivariate flood damage models: ‘depth‐damage’ models and ‘rainfall‐damage’ models. We use survey data of 346 Flemish households that were victim of pluvial floods complemented with rainfall data from both rain gauges and weather radars. In the econometrical analysis, a Tobit estimation technique is used to deal with the issue of zero damage observations. The results show that in the ‘depth‐damage’ models flood depth has a significant impact on the damage. In the ‘rainfall‐damage’ models there is a significant impact of rainfall accumulation on the damage when using the gauge rainfall data as predictor, but not when using the radar rainfall data. Finally, non‐hazard indicators are found to be important for explaining pluvial flood damage in both ‘depth‐damage’ and ‘rainfall‐damage’ models.
The benefit of thresholding carbon layers in electron tomographic tilt series by intensity downshifting
Authors: GONTARD LIONEL C. , CINTAS JESÚS , BORKOWSKI RAFAL E. DUNIN
Published: November 2016

When performing electron tomography, tilt series of images are often acquired from samples that contain unwanted carbonaceous material, such as an embedding resin, a thin carbon support film or hydrocarbon contamination. The presence of such layers can introduce artefacts in reconstructions, obscuring features of interest. Here, we illustrate the benefit of preprocessing a high‐angle annular dark‐field tomographic tilt series by thresholding unwanted low‐density materials using a simple intensity downshifting procedure. The resulting tomograms have fewer artefacts and segmentation can be performed more accurately. We present two representative examples taken from studies of catalyst nanoparticles and amyloid plaque core material from the human brain.
Effect of nanoclay concentration level on the electrical properties of polypropylene under electron irradiation in a SEM
Authors: AMMAR L. BEN , FAKHFAKH S. , JBARA O. , RONDOT S.
Published: November 2016

For studying the electrical properties (charge trapping, transport and secondary electron emission) of the polypropylene‐based nanocomposites with different contents of natural clay, the specimens were submitted to electron irradiation of a scanning electron microscope. A device, suitably mounted on the sample holder of the scanning electron microscope, was used to measure two currents (i.e. leakage and displacement currents) induced in the polypropylene‐based nanocomposites (polymer nanocomposites) under electron irradiation. The evolution of trapped charge during irradiation for each type of studied polymer nanocomposites is deduced. The amount of trapped charge at the steady state is also determined by measuring the change of secondary electron image size associated to the electron trajectory simulation. It is found, surprisingly, that not only the leakage current increases as a function of clay loading level but also trapped charge. However, this could be related to the increase of conductivity in one hand and to proliferation of interfaces between nanoparticles and neighbouring materials on the other hand. These two processes play crucial role in controlling the carrier transport (through polymer nanocomposites or/and along its surface) closely related to the charge storage and leakage current.

Additional experiment using dielectric spectroscopy were performed to show the effect of clay concentration in changing the dielectric relaxation behaviour and to evidence the existence of interfaces between nanoparticles and polymer.

The secondary electron emission during electron irradiation is also studied through the total electron yield that is deduced by correlating the measured leakage and displacement currents.
Improvements of Procedural Results With a New‐Generation Self‐Expanding Transfemoral Aortic Valve Prosthesis in Comparison to the Old‐Generation Device
Authors: Gomes Bruna , Geis Nicolas A. , Chorianopoulos Emmanuel , Meder Benjamin , Leuschner Florian , Katus Hugo A. , Bekeredjian Raffi
Published: November 2016

Objectives

In this study, we compare procedural results of our first Evolut R (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) implantations with the last CoreValve implantations. Main endpoints include paravalvular regurgitation, major vascular complications, stroke, and pacemaker implantation.

Background

The evolution of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was possible due to various technical improvements, leading to better periprocedural and long‐term outcome. The newly designed Evolut R valve has the potential to further improve TAVR's performance.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed our first 100 consecutive patients who received the Evolut R valve with the last 100 consecutive patients who received the CoreValve prosthesis between July 2013 and February 2016. Only patients treated with a 26 mm or 29 mm bioprosthesis were included.

Results

No significant differences in patient characteristics were noticed. Both angiography and echocardiography after TAVR showed significantly higher rates of “none or trace” regurgitation in the Evolut R group (angiography: 67% Evolut R vs. 29.3% CoreValve; P < 0.001; echocardiography: 68% Evolut R vs. 46.5% CoreValve; P < 0.05). No significant differences were seen in 30‐day mortality (7% CoreValve vs. 1% Evolut R), stroke rates (3% CoreValve vs. 2% Evolut R), pacemaker implantation rates (24% CoreValve vs. 23% Evolut R), and major vascular complications (6% CoreValve vs. 1% Evolut R). Implantations were significantly higher with the Evolut R prosthesis.

Conclusions

TAVR with the new Evolut R resulted in significantly lower paravalvular regurgitation. This may be due to redesigned cell geometry and higher precision during implantations, as well as the ability to resheath a malpositioned valve.
The “Dog Bone Technique” A Novel Easy and Safe Catheter Maneuver for Aortic Arch and Coarctation Stenting
Authors: Kantzis Marinos , Lehner Anja , Laser Kai Thorsten , Racolta Anca , Vcasna Radka , Fischer Marcus , Kececioglu Deniz , Haas Nikolaus A.
Published: November 2016

Background

Various techniques are described to facilitate stable stent implantation in aortic arch stenosis or coarctation. We describe an alternative technique, which due to its unique appearance during stent implantation, we have named “Dog Bone Technique” (DBT).

Technique

The stent/balloon assembly is placed across the stenosis, the long sheath is retrieved to uncover the distal 20–50% of the stent. The balloon is inflated with the pressure inflator just to expand slightly the stent. Thereafter the sheath is pulled back and the proximal end is uncovered and partially inflated; therewith the assembly takes the typical “dog bone” shape before complete inflation and final positioning. Repositioning of the stent and control angiography is possible at each time of this procedure.

Results

Between 1/2010 and 12/2014 we implanted 91 stents in 87 patients (mean age 20.2 years). About 71 patients had native or re‐coarctation and 16 patients had transverse aortic arch stenosis. In 38 patients (44%) a pharmacological exercise test with Orciprenaline was performed during implantation resulting in high‐cardiac output. In none of the patients reduction of cardiac output by adenosine or a rapid pacing of the right ventricle was required for stable stent implantation. All stents were implanted in the targeted position using this single balloon technique. There were no acute or short‐term complications detected.

Conclusion

DBT is a safe and feasible technique for aortic stent implantation even at high‐cardiac output. Other additional techniques for stent placement are not necessary to obtain a stable final position in the target region.
Establishment and characterization of a cell population derived from a dentigerous cyst
Authors: Muñiz‐Lino Marcos A. , Rodríguez‐Vázquez Mariana , Chávez‐Munguía Bibiana , Ortiz‐García Josué Z. , González‐López Lorena , Hernández‐Hernández Fidel C. , Licéaga‐Escalera Carlos , García‐Muñoz Alejandro , Rodríguez Mario A.
Published: November 2016

Background

Dentigerous cyst (DC) occurs in approximately 20% of jaw cysts, being the second major common odontogenic cyst, after radicular cyst. This oral lesion has the ability to destroy maxillary bones and could be the origin of several odontogenic tumors. However, molecules implicated in its pathogenesis as well as those involved in its neoplastic transformation remain unknown. Here, we established a cell population derived from a DC as an in vitro model for the study of this oral lesion.

Methods

Cell culture was performed from a DC from a 44‐year‐old male. Cells were cultured at 37°C in DMEM/F12 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Expression of epithelial markers was analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Ultrastructural characterization was carried out by transmission electron microscopy. Conditioned media were obtained and characterized by zymography and Western blot.

Results

Cells showed spindle‐shaped morphology, but they express epithelial markers, such as cytokeratins and the odontogenic ameloblast‐associated protein. The ultrastructural analysis showed well‐formed desmosomes present in adhering contiguous cells, confirming the epithelial lineage of this cell population. Cells also contain several vesicles adjacent to plasma membrane, suggesting an active secretion. Indeed, the analysis of the conditioned medium revealed the presence of several secreted proteins, among them the matrix metalloproteinase‐2.

Conclusions

Our work provides a useful model to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of DC.
The Contributions of Dr. Alfred Gysi
Authors: Phoenix Rodney D. , Engelmeier Robert L.
Published: November 2016

This article is a historical overview of Dr. Alfred Gysi's contributions to the profession in the areas of denture tooth and articulator design. His understanding of occlusion and mandibular movement resulted in denture tooth designs and occlusal concepts still in widespread use.
Clarifying the Links of Conscientiousness With Internalizing and Externalizing Psychopathology
Authors: Naragon‐Gainey Kristin , Simms Leonard J.
Published: November 2016

Objective

Although Conscientiousness/disinhibition plays a substantial role in internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We aim to clarify facet‐level associations and to examine whether (a) impairment mediates the link of Conscientiousness with internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and (b) demoralization (assessed via Neuroticism) accounts for their associations.

Method

A total of 450 participants (Mage = 42; primarily female and Caucasian) who reported current/recent psychiatric treatment completed two measures of domain‐ and facet‐level traits (i.e., NEO‐PI‐3, PID‐5), as well as interview measures of impairment and disorders. Correlation, regression, and mediation analyses were conducted.

Results

Internalizing disorders (and particularly, the distress disorders) were uniquely associated with facets related to low self‐efficacy, whereas externalizing disorders were uniquely associated with risk‐taking and disregarding rules. For the internalizing disorders only, these associations were reduced after accounting for Neuroticism, though associations with distress disorders remained significant. Impairment mediated the link between Conscientiousness and symptoms for internalizing disorders, but not consistently for externalizing disorders.

Conclusions

The internalizing and externalizing disorders are associated with Conscientiousness due to different facet‐level content. Demoralization and impairment both contribute to the link between internalizing disorders and Conscientiousness, whereas neither process accounts substantially for the relation of externalizing disorders with Conscientiousness.
Tanshinone IIA attenuates Aβ25–35-induced spatial memory impairment via upregulating receptors for activated C kinase1 and inhibiting autophagy in hippocampus
Authors: Zhu Jiejun , Liao Shiping , Zhou Liming , Wan Lihong
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) may exert significant protective effects against the neurotoxicity induced by β-amyloid protein (Aβ). This study was designed to investigate the possible neuroprotective mechanism of Tan IIA on Aβ25–35-induced spatial memory impairment in mice.

Methods

After 3 weeks of preventive treatment (Tan IIA or oil), all male Kunming mice were subjected to Aβ25–35 (10 μl, intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.)) to establish the spatial memory impairment model. The Morris water maze (MWM), haematoxylin and eosin staining, real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to determine the ability of spatial memory, neuronal damage and expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), receptors for activated C kinase1 (RACK1) and autophagy-related genes. Additionally, ShRACK1 was used to decrease the level of RACK1 in the hippocampus to test Beclin1 in hippocampus by real-time PCR and Western blot.

Key findings

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA, 80 mg/kg) administration notably protected mice from Aβ25-35-induced spatial memory impairment and neurotoxicity, increased pERK/ERK and the expression of RACK1, and reduced the elevated levels of BECLIN1 and LC3-II/I in the hippocampus. In addition, ShRACK1 i.c.v markedly upregulated BECLIN1 level, but not altered Beclin1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus.

Conclusions

Tanshinone IIA may exert neuroprotective effects via upregulating RACK1 and inhibiting autophagy in the hippocampus of mice.
The resveratrol derivatives trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-fluoro-4′-hydroxystilbene and trans-2,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene decrease oxidative stress and prolong lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Fischer Nadine , Büchter Christian , Koch Karoline , Albert Sabrina , Csuk René , Wätjen Wim
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Resveratrol (trans-3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene (1)) was previously shown to extend the lifespan of different model organisms. However, its pharmacological efficiency is controversially discussed. Therefore, the bioactivity of four newly synthesized stilbenes (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-fluoro-4′-hydroxystilbene (3), trans-4′-hydroxy-3,4,5-trifluorostilbene (4), trans-2,5-dimethoxy-4′-hydroxystilbene (5), trans-2,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene (6)) was compared to (1) and pterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4′-hydroxystilbene (2)) in the established model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.

Methods

Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCF), thermotolerance assays, C. elegans lifespan analyses.

Key findings

All compounds exert a strong in-vitro radical scavenging activity (6 > 1 > 5 > 2 = 3 = 4), but in vivo, only (3) and (6) reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Furthermore, (3) and (6) increased the mobility of aged nematodes and prolonged their mean lifespans, while these compounds decreased the thermal stress resistance. Using daf-16 (FoxO), skn-1 (Nrf2) and sir-2.1 (sirtuin) loss-of-function mutant strains, the in vivo antioxidant effects of compounds (3) and (6) were abolished, showing the necessity of these evolutionary highly conserved factors. However, short-time treatment with stilbenes (3) and (6) did not modulate the cellular localization of the transcription factors DAF-16 and SKN-1.

Conclusion

In contrast to resveratrol, the synthetic stilbene derivatives (3) and (6) increase the lifespan of C. elegans, rendering them promising candidates for pharmacological anti-ageing purposes.
Inter‐ and intra‐operator variability in the analysis of packed cell volume
Authors: Breheny C. R. , Brown A. , Handel I. , Gow A. G.
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To identify whether inter‐ and intra‐operator variability occurs in the measurement of canine packed cell volume and, if so, at which stage these errors occur.

Materials and Methods

Undergraduate veterinary students and veterinary surgeons were recruited to measure the packed cell volumes of three samples in duplicate. Measurements from each sample were confirmed by one author, and it was then ascertained whether the error was made in the capillary preparation or reading.

Results

Data were obtained from 44 students and 11 vets. A total of 25% of students made errors associated with inadequate mixing; 23% students and 9% of vets made errors consistent with incorrect reading. There was also less intra‐operator variation in values within the vet group (0·027 from the mean) in comparison to the student group (−0·21 from the mean). A total of 68·2% of students and 91% of vets filled the capillary tubes outwith World Health Organisation standards of two‐thirds to three‐quarters full.

Clinical Significance

Packed cell volume measurement is extremely useful when measuring erythroid mass, but it is crucial that the results upon which decisions are made are accurate and precise in order to manage these cases appropriately. Operator variation is a significant factor and must be addressed by proper training and following standard operating procedures.
A molecular transmission network of recent hepatitis C infection in people with and without HIV: Implications for targeted treatment strategies
Authors: Bartlett S. R. , Wertheim J. O. , Bull R. A. , Matthews G. V. , Lamoury F. M. J. , Scheffler K. , Hellard M. , Maher L. , Dore G. J. , Lloyd A. R. , Applegate T. L. , Grebely J.
Published: November 2016

Combining phylogenetic and network methodologies has the potential to better inform targeted interventions to prevent and treat infectious diseases. This study reconstructed a molecular transmission network for people with recent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and modelled the impact of targeting directly acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for HCV in the network. Participants were selected from three Australian studies of recent HCV from 2004 to 2014. HCV sequence data (Core‐E2) from participants at the time of recent HCV detection were analysed to infer a network by connecting pairs of sequences whose divergence was ≤.03 substitutions/site. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with connectivity. Impact of targeting HCV DAAs at both HIV co‐infected and random nodes was simulated (1 million replicates). Among 236 participants, 21% (n=49) were connected in the network. HCV/HIV co‐infected participants (47%) were more likely to be connected compared to HCV mono‐infected participants (16%) (OR 4.56; 95% CI; 2.13‐9.74). Simulations targeting DAA HCV treatment to HCV/HIV co‐infected individuals prevented 2.5 times more onward infections than providing DAAs to randomly selected individuals. Results demonstrate that genetic distance‐based network analyses can be used to identify characteristics associated with HCV transmission, informing targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Interventions for women who have a caesarean birth to increase uptake and duration of breastfeeding: A systematic review
Authors: Beake Sarah , Bick Debra , Narracott Cath , Chang Yan‐Shing
Published: November 2016

Rates of breastfeeding uptake are lower after a caesarean birth than vaginal birth, despite caesarean rates increasing globally over the past 30 years, and many high‐income countries reporting overall caesarean rates of above 25%. A number of factors are likely to be associated with women's infant feeding decisions following a caesarean birth such as limited postoperative mobility, postoperative pain, and ongoing management of medical complications that may have triggered the need for a caesarean birth. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate evidence of interventions on the initiation and duration of any and exclusive breastfeeding among women who had a planned or unplanned caesarean birth. Seven studies, presenting quantitative and qualitative evidence, published in the English language from January 1994 to February 2016 were included. A limited number of interventions were identified relevant to women who had had a caesarean birth. These included immediate or early skin‐to‐skin contact, parent education, the provision of sidecar bassinets when rooming‐in, and use of breast pumps. Only one study, an intervention that included parent education and targeted breastfeeding support, increased initiation and continuation of breastfeeding, but due to methodological limitations, findings should be considered with caution. There is a need to better understand the impact of caesarean birth on maternal physiological, psychological, and physical recovery, the physiology of lactation and breastfeeding and infant feeding behaviors if effective interventions are to be implemented.
Auxin transport in the evolution of branching forms
Authors: Harrison C. Jill
Published: November 2016

Contents

Summary
545

I.
Diversification of branching forms in land plants
545

II.
Roles for auxin transport in branching
546

III.
Mechanisms for auxin transport in branching
546

IV.
PIN‐mediated polar auxin transport is a conserved regulator of branching in vascular plants
548

V.
Axial auxin transport is nonpolar or weakly polar in liverwort and hornwort sporophytes, and bryophyte gametophytes
548

VI.
Apical dominance without PIN‐mediated polar auxin transport in a moss
549

VII.
Conclusions and future perspectives
549

Acknowledgements
549

References
549

Branching is one of the most striking aspects of land plant architecture, affecting resource acquisition and yield. Polar auxin transport by PIN proteins is a primary determinant of flowering plant branching patterns regulating both branch initiation and branch outgrowth. Several lines of experimental evidence suggest that PIN‐mediated polar auxin transport is a conserved regulator of branching in vascular plant sporophytes. However, the mechanisms of branching and auxin transport and relationships between the two are not well known outside the flowering plants, and the paradigm for PIN‐regulated branching in flowering plants does not fit bryophyte gametophytes. The evidence reviewed here suggests that divergent auxin transport routes contributed to the diversification of branching forms in distinct land plant lineages.
Genetic diversity of garlic (Allium sativum L.) germplasm from China by fluorescent‐based AFLP, SSR and InDel markers
Authors: Wang Haiping , Li Xixiang , Liu Xiuhui , Oiu Yang , Song Jiangping , Zhang Xiaohui
Published: November 2016

Garlic (Allium sativum L.), an asexually propagated crop, is an important vegetable and medicinal plant. China is the biggest garlic producer in the world; however, the genetic background of garlic from China is not well understood. In this study, population structure and clustering analysis of garlic germplasm was performed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), simple sequence repeat (SSR) and insertion–deletion (InDel) markers. Among 212 accessions of garlic, genetic diversity analysis identified 546 alleles amplified by AFLP, SSR and InDel primers, and 492 of these were polymorphic. All accessions were divided into five groups by structure analysis and neighbor‐joining clustering. Most traits, including allicin content, were only slightly affected by population structure, which indicated that this germplasm can be used as populations for association mapping. The results provide a molecular basis for understanding the genetic diversity of the garlic germplasm preserved in China.
Cutaneous Malignancies in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Fogel Alexander L. , Miyar Maria , Teng Joyce M. C.
Published: November 2016

Pediatric organ transplant recipients (POTRs) are at risk of developing malignancies due to a combination of immunosuppression, impaired DNA damage repair, and infection with oncogenic viruses. The most commonly developed malignancies in this population are skin cancers, which include nonmelanoma skin cancer, melanoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and anogenital carcinoma. The literature shows that skin cancers account for 13% to 55% of all cancers that occur after transplantation. Given the increasing number and life expectancy of POTRs, prevention and management of skin cancer in these patients is essential, but there is a substantial knowledge gap in our understanding of the differences in skin cancer development, prevention, and management between POTRs and adult organ transplant recipients (AOTRs), for whom more data are available. Substantial differences have been observed in the patterns of malignancy development between POTRs and AOTRs, and data specific to pediatric populations are needed. The objective of this review is to provide updated information on posttransplantation skin cancer development in POTRs, including epidemiologic research on transplant patients and disease development, medication management, surveillance, and education efforts.
Mindfulness Moderates the Association Between Perceived Burdensomeness and Suicide Ideation in Adults With Elevated Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Buitron Victor , Hill Ryan M. , Pettit Jeremy W.
Published: November 2016

A conceptual model in which the associations between perceived burdensomeness and suicide ideation, and between thwarted belongingness and suicide ideation, are moderated by mindfulness was examined. Participants were 218 undergraduates (mean age = 20.81) with moderate‐to‐severe depressive symptoms. Mindfulness significantly moderated the association between perceived burdensomeness and suicide ideation; participants with thoughts of burdensomeness experienced lower levels of suicide ideation if they were high, as opposed to low, in mindfulness. Mindfulness did not significantly moderate the association between thwarted belongingness and suicide ideation. Implications for intervention and elaboration of the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide are discussed.
Chronic lactate supplementation does not improve blood buffering capacity and repeated high‐intensity exercise
Authors: Oliveira L. F. , de Salles Painelli V. , Nemezio K. , Gonçalves L. S. , Yamaguchi G. , Saunders B. , Gualano B. , Artioli G. G.
Published: November 2016

Since there is conflicting data on the buffering and ergogenic properties of calcium lactate (CL), we investigated the effect of chronic CL supplementation on blood pH, bicarbonate, and high‐intensity intermittent exercise performance. Sodium bicarbonate (SB) was used as a positive control. Eighteen athletes participated in this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover, fully counterbalanced study. All participants underwent three different treatments: placebo (PL), CL, and SB. The dose was identical in all conditions: 500 mg/kg BM divided into four daily individual doses of 125 mg/kg BM, for five consecutive days, followed by a 2–7‐day washout period. On the fifth day of supplementation, individuals undertook four 30‐s Wingate bouts for upper body with 3‐min recovery between bouts. Total mechanical work (TMW) for the overall protocol and for the initial (1st+2nd) and final (3rd+4th) bouts was determined at each session. Blood pH, bicarbonate, and lactate levels were determined at rest, immediately and 5 min after exercise. CL supplementation did not affect performance (P > 0.05 for the overall TMW as well for initial and final bouts), nor did it affect blood bicarbonate and pH prior to exercise. SB supplementation improved performance by 2.9% for overall TMW (P = 0.02) and 5.9% in the 3rd+4th bouts (P = 0001). Compared to the control session, SB also promoted higher increases in blood bicarbonate than CL and PL (+0.03 ± 0.04 vs +0.009 ± 0.02 and +0.01 ± 0.03, respectively). CL supplementation was not capable of enhancing high‐intensity intermittent performance or changing extracellular buffering capacity challenging the notion that this dietary supplement is an effective buffering agent.
Fear of failure, psychological stress, and burnout among adolescent athletes competing in high level sport
Authors: Gustafsson H. , Sagar S. S. , Stenling A.
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate fear of failure in highly competitive junior athletes and the association with psychological stress and burnout. In total 258 athletes (152 males and 108 females) ranged in age from 15 to 19 years (M = 17.4 years,SD = 1.08) participated. Athletes competed in variety of sports including both team and individual sports. Results showed in a variable‐oriented approach using regression analyses that one dimension, fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment had a statistically significant effect on perceived psychological stress and one dimension of burnout, reduced sense of accomplishment. However, adopting a person‐oriented approach using latent class analysis, we found that athletes with high levels of fear failure on all dimensions scored high on burnout. We also found another class with high scores on burnout. These athletes had high scores on the individual‐oriented dimensions of fear of failure and low scores on the other oriented fear of failure dimensions. The findings indicate that fear of failure is related to burnout and psychological stress in athletes and that this association is mainly associated with the individual‐oriented dimensions of fear of failure.
Muscular fitness and metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in adolescents: Results from LabMed Physical Activity Study
Authors: Agostinis‐Sobrinho C. A. , Moreira C. , Abreu S. , Lopes L. , Sardinha L. B. , Oliveira‐Santos J. , Oliveira A. , Mota J. , Santos R.
Published: November 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the associations between muscular fitness and inflammatory biomarkers and to investigate the relationship between muscular fitness and selected clustered inflammatory biomarkers in adolescents. This is a cross‐sectional analysis with 529 adolescents (267 girls) aged 12‐18 years. Handgrip strength and standing long jump tests assessed MF. Continuous scores of clustered inflammatory biomarkers (sum of Z‐scores of C‐reactive protein [CRP], C3, C4, fibrinogen, and leptin); metabolic risk factor (MRF) score (sum of Z‐scores of SBP, triglycerides, ratio total cholesterol [TC]/HDL, HOMA‐IR, and waist circumference [WC]) were computed. Regression analyses showed an inverse association between muscular fitness score (β=−.204; P<.021) and clustered score of inflammatory biomarkers, adjusted for age, sex, pubertal stage, socioeconomic status, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), MRF score, and body fat. Analysis of covariance showed that adolescents with an adverse inflammatory profile with low levels of muscular fitness exhibit the poorest MRF score (F3,525=6.461; P<.001), adjusted for age, sex, pubertal stage, socioeconomic status, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, CRF, and body fatness. The inflammatory state seems to explain a significant part of the highest MRF score and in adolescents with high inflammatory status and low muscular strength.
Nutrient removal in a trapezoidal vegetated drainage ditch used to treat primary domestic sewage in a small catchment of the upper Yangtze River
Authors: Nsenga Kumwimba Mathieu , Dzakpasu Mawuli , Zhu Bo , Wang Tao , Ilunga Lunda , Kavidia Muyembe Diana
Published: November 2016

A trapezoidal constructed ditch (TCD) of 300 m length and 2.2 m width was designed and built in the downstream section of the upper Yangtze River for in situ treatment of primary domestic sewage. The removal efficiencies of TN, NH4‐N, NO3‐N, TP and PO4‐P from the TCD were approximately 61, 63, 48, 58 and 51%, respectively. The concentrations of TN, NH4‐N, NO3‐N, TP and PO4‐P showed a decreasing trend with increasing distance downstream. Plant assimilation and sediment retention were the key mechanisms for N and P removal within the TCD, with subsequent microbial uptake and transformation of the nutrients. The TCD outlet showed significantly higher dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and lower values of electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids compared to the influent. Results of this study highlight the potential of TCD to mitigate nutrients from primary domestic sewage transported downstream and could be incorporated into local best management practices.
A Variety of Turkish in Mid-south Turkey: Arabic-Turkish Inter-language
Authors: Ordem Eser , Bada Erdogan
Published: November 2016

Studies on inter-language in the second language acquisition field have been of paramount importance in recent years. In line with such studies, thus with this study we aim to show oral production samples of adult Arabic speakers of Turkish (N=10) through elicited data in natural conversation settings, and to analyze the data morphosyntactically and lexically based on the inter-language hypothesis. Analysis of the gathered data indicates that the participants produced the target language quite competently and fluently by showing morphosyntactic and lexical variations in their output. The results obtained from intralingual communication, where only Arabic speakers are involved, suggest that the variety in question displays relative variations from the standard dialect in two domains mentioned above. Findings concerning Arabic and non-Arabic speakers present a rather different picture in that the variety gets much closer to the standard Turkey Turkish, and tend to support literature review emphasizing the importance of inter-language variation from socio-ecological and socio-cultural viewpoints. The study implies that second language acquisition might be attained in adulthood.
Peer mentoring for clinical educators: A case study in physiotherapy
Authors: Thomson Kate , Nguyen Melanie , Leithhead Irene
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Providing placements for students within clinical and community contexts is an essential part of training future healthcare professionals. Placements enable students to understand and apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. Placement experiences are provided by clinical educators, who are qualified health professionals with little-to-no formal education in teaching. This paper is focused on a specific initiative for supporting these educators, a mentoring program for physiotherapy clinical educators.Methods: The program design was research-informed and participant-led, an uncommon approach to initiatives in this context. The 10-month mentoring program included formal and informal meetings, either in person or online; face-to-face workshops; and case-based discussions. To evaluate the program, participating educators were surveyed during and at the conclusion of the program. After each placement, students were surveyed about their learning experience.Results: The program resulted in better clinical placement experiences for educators and students. Students of educators who participated in the program felt that their educator spent more time with them, and they were more satisfied with the delivery, content and amount of feedback received from their educator. Clinical educators in the program reported that mentoring enhanced their ability to support learning and reflect on their role as teachers.Conclusions: The importance of clinical education in the student learning experience provides an argument for supporting educators. This paper presents evidence that peer mentoring is a viable support strategy that demonstrates positive outcomes for educators and their students.
Improving student learning of pelvic examinations through the Clinical Teaching Associate tutorial
Authors: Reid Katharine , Fairbank Christine , Minzenmay Krista
Published: November 2016

Background: Medical training usually provides limited opportunities to learn to perform pelvic examination, and students frequently cite a lack of confidence in performing this examination. Learning the technical and communication skills involved in performing a pelvic examination is complex; therefore, there is a need to explore the impact of specialised approaches to teaching pelvic examination during medical training. In this study, we examined the immediate and long-term impact of a professional patient tutorial in teaching medical students to perform pelvic examination.Method: Students (n = 215) learned pelvic examination by watching an interactive CD, practising on a manikin and participating in the Clinical Teaching Associate (CTA) tutorial. Students completed questionnaires before and after the tutorial and at the end of the course. These questionnaires assessed experience with and attitudes towards performing pelvic examination and self-rated technical and communication skills.Results: After the tutorial, students were more confident, less anxious and embarrassed, and less worried about hurting the patient during a pelvic examination (all p < 0.001). Students rated their communication and technical skills higher at the end of the CTA tutorial. From the end of the CTA tutorial to the end of the course, communication skills ratings remained stable, but student ratings of technical skill decreased.Conclusion: The CTA tutorial provides individualised instruction and feedback in pelvic examination to medical students, with immediate and long-term benefits to students’ self-reported skills. Medical students have limited opportunities for learning pelvic examination in clinical contexts. Demonstrating that alternative training methods have long-lasting benefits on students’ capacity to competently perform these examinations is important.
Virtual patient consultations and the use of an ePortfolio assessment to support student learning of integrated professional skills
Authors: Naumann Fiona , Yang Jia-Lin , Thai Thuan , Ford Caroline , Polly Patsie
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Exercise physiology is a relatively new allied health profession and requires extensive knowledge and competency to assist patients with the management of chronic disease. Providing large numbers of students with meaningful training in competency development is important but challenging. The use of filmed or virtual patient consultations (vConsults) may support the student learning process and could be a valuable method of teaching effective teamwork skills, clinical reasoning and reflective thinking.Methods: Patient consultations were created using a virtual case study platform. The aims of the study were to determine whether virtual consultations (vConsults) can enhance the learning of professional skills and to assess their impact on student learning. Data were collected using a questionnaire and by qualitatively analysing student reflections within ePortfolios.Results: The vConsults significantly improved student confidence (p < 0.001) in conducting a cancer patient consultation, developing an exercise program to service the needs of a patient and talking with medical specialists about cancer diagnosis and treatment. All students agreed or strongly agreed that vConsults were interesting and engaging. They concurred that vConsults enabled self-paced learning, provided immediate feedback, supported their ability to work in groups and clarified and justified their thoughts with respect to patient management. Student also liked vConsults potential for future use in their practice. Most students (98%) found the structure of the model interactive and easy to follow, and all stated that the content helped them to understand clinically relevant concepts and that they would like to use more virtual consultations in their future learning.Conclusions: Pilot testing and ePortfolio assessment showed good acceptance by students, supporting their self-directed learning, reflective thinking, teamwork skills and clinical confidence.
Perspectives of junior doctor intercultural clinical communication: Lessons for medical education
Authors: Woodward-Kron Robyn , Fraser Catriona , Rashid Hashrul , Au Jonathon , Chua Yu En , George Leah
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Increasingly, junior doctors are culturally diverse due to globalisation of the tertiary education system and health workforce shortages. These graduates deliver healthcare where a proportion of the population may not have the English language skills to communicate effectively. The aim of this study was to examine perspectives of junior doctor–patient communication in a culturally diverse setting. Methods: We adopted a qualitative design with focus group discussions with junior doctors and semi-structured interviews with senior hospital staff at one regional hospital in Australia. We asked participants to discuss challenges and enabling strategies. There were five focus groups with 20 junior doctors and interviews with 10 senior doctors and 4 senior professional staff. Data were analysed thematically. Results: The two major themes to emerge in the discussion with the junior doctors were their own and the patient’s language as a barrier, and cultural influences on healthcare communication. The subthemes for language as a barrier were fluency, impact and mediated communication. The subthemes for cultural influences were uncertainty and cultural comfort. The results of the semi-structured interviews with senior clinical and hospital staff identified similar themes, yet the focus was on the junior doctors’ language ability, their ability to understand and engage with the needs of “country” people and their ability to explain complexity. Discussion: The findings suggest that intercultural communication is multi-faceted and intrinsically challenging, confirming the need for intercultural communication in medical curricula, particularly teaching that makes reference to culturally and linguistically diverse patients as well as cultural diversity in the medical workforce.