bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re‐experiencing Evangelism in the City
Authors: Williams Andrew
Published: September 2016

The paper reflects on some of the exposure visits/city walks that were organized as part of the recent workshop on life‐giving evangelism in the city, held in Sydney, Australia. These exposure visits were designed to engage participants in reflection on evangelism and stimulate their own expressions of contextually relevant evangelistic practice. I suggest that the visits remind us of at least five key themes in evangelism – invitation, invaded space, serving the least and lost, the importance of the local, and the need for celebration in the midst of our multicultural world. In the second part of the paper, I reflect on the discussion that took place with my class at United Theological College, Sydney, on the theme of evangelism, particularly from the perspective of the three recent global statements on mission. Finally, I join in the call for joy to be the hallmark of our engagement in evangelism. We are to “glow with fervour” as people who have first received the joy of Christ.
Evangelism as Life‐affirming Activity in the City
Authors: Jackson Darrell
Published: September 2016

In this article I will reflect on my role as a theological educator as I seek to engage students with the missiological context and challenge of the city, particularly Sydney, Australia. The article assumes that life‐affirming evangelism in the city requires adoption of the posture of a resident stranger in the city; an appreciation for the biblical narratives of creation, fall, redemption, restoration, and the contribution these make to an understanding of God's life‐affirming mission in the city; an openness to the likelihood of multiple and diverse responses to the city; and a commitment to developing life‐affirming practices that are potentially evangelistic. Finally, I reflect on urban and suburban aspiration and consider how this is best engaged by the practice and witness of life‐affirming evangelism.
The Impact of Globalization on Church Mission in Zambia: Some African Perspectives
Authors: Kangwa Jonathan
Published: September 2016

This article builds on the theme of a symposium held in October 2015 for female church workers in the United Church of Zambia in Kabwe, Zambia, and devoted to the impact of globalization on mission. The article discusses the effects of globalization on missionary activities in Zambia and offers some background to both the tensions and the opportunities that arise when doing mission in an Africa that is part of a globalized world. It discusses some insights that have emerged from the symposium with specific reference to the challenges faced by women doing mission in a globalized Zambian context. It concludes that globalization is setting the agenda for how mission should be done. To be relevant to Zambians, the church should seriously engage with the challenges and opportunities presented by the current uni‐directional globalization to make it into an instrument of liberation rather than a force of oppression.
A Case for Christianizing the Christian Church
Authors: Tahaafe‐Williams Katalina
Published: September 2016

In this article I argue that the work of evangelism must take place both within the church and outside the church. The evidence of decline in the church – particularly in the West–is not matched by the vibrancy of the church in the global South. In both regions however there is a demonstrable lack of depth in the quality of Christian discipleship. It was this issue which I sought to address in my work in the Uniting Church in Australia by addressing the need for catechetical programmes targeting young people in the “migrant” churches of our denomination. Before long it became clear that there was a desire from the whole church – both adults and young people ‐ to explore their faith and practice more deeply. The task is to “evangelize the baptized” (Arias), which prioritizes evangelization and catechesis. Evangelism is how the church with its good news of God's reign attracts people out there in the society by word and example. Evangelization takes place within the church and is the initial stage by which persons are led step by step to a first commitment to the Christian life of faith.
Effects of artificial epibionts on byssogenesis, attachment strength, and movement in two size classes of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis
Authors: Garner Yvette L. , Litvaitis Marian K.
Published: September 2016

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) can alter the strength of byssal attachment and move between and within mussel aggregations on wave‐swept shores, but this movement ability may be limited by epibiont fouling. We quantified the effects of artificial epibiont fouling on the production of byssal threads, attachment strength, and movement in two size classes of blue mussels. In a factorial experiment, large epibiont‐covered mussels produced more functional byssal threads (i.e., those continuous from animal to substrate) after 24 h than large unfouled and small fouled mussels, but not more than small unfouled mussels. Small unfouled mussels formed and released more byssus bundles compared to any other treatment group, which indicates increased movement. Conversely, epibiont fouling resulted in decreased numbers of byssus bundles shed, and therefore reduced movement in small mussels. Epibiont‐covered mussels started producing byssal threads sooner than unfouled mussels, while small mussels began producing byssal threads earlier compared to large mussels. Mean attachment strength from both size classes increased by 9.5% when mussels were artificially fouled, and large mussels had a 34% stronger attachment compared to small mussels. On the other hand, a 2.3% decrease in attachment strength was found with increasing byssus bundles shed. Our results suggest that fouling by artificial epibionts influences byssal thread production and attachment strength in large mussels, whereas epibionts on small mussels impact their ability to move. Mussels are able to respond rapidly to fouling, which carries implications for the dynamics of mussel beds in their intertidal and subtidal habitats, especially in relation to movement of mussels within and among aggregations.
Visualizing actions from a third‐person perspective: effects on health behavior and the moderating role of behavior difficulty
Authors: Rennie Laura J. , Harris Peter R. , Webb Thomas L.
Published: September 2016

Visualizing behavior from a third‐person (vs. first‐person) perspective can produce stronger motivation to enact the behavior. However, the effects of perspective on health behaviors have been mixed. Hypothesizing that the difficulty of the visualized behavior might moderate the effect of perspective, two experiments manipulated the difficulty of the visualized behaviors (fruit/vegetable consumption; exercise) plus perspective and subsequently measured motivation (Experiments 1 and 2) and behavior (Experiment 2). In both experiments, the third‐person perspective produced stronger motivation to perform the easier, but not the more difficult, behavior. This effect extended to behavior in Experiment 2. Under certain conditions, encouraging people to visualize behavior from a third‐person perspective could represent a useful and cost‐effective means of promoting health behavior change.
Feeding by Scolytus bark beetles to test for differently susceptible elm varieties
Authors: Anderbrant O. , Yuvaraj J. K. , Martin J. A. , Gil L. , Witzell J.
Published: September 2016

Dutch elm disease (DED), caused by the fungi Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo‐ulmi, has reduced elm populations severely in Europe and North America. Breeding programmes are in action to find less susceptible elm varieties suitable for re‐establishing elm stands. Bark beetles, mainly Scolytus spp., are the only known natural vectors of DED. During twig feeding, beetles transfer Ophiostoma spores to healthy elms. Thus, less palatable elms should run a lower risk of DED infections. In feeding preference bioassays, we offered twigs from elms exhibiting different degree of susceptibility to O. novo‐ulmi, together with non‐host trees to Scolytus beetles. Scolytus multistriatus preferred wych elm, Ulmus glabra, to 100% in two‐choice tests, whereas S. laevis did not discriminate between a tolerant and a susceptible variety of field elm, U. minor. We suggest that the feeding assay is useful as a low‐tech method in breeding programmes for evaluating the suitability of promising elm genotypes to vector insects.
Anatomical versus non‐anatomical resection for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma without macroscopic vascular invasion: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Zhao Hui , Chen Chuang , Gu Shen , Yan Xiaopeng , Jia Wenjun , Mao Liang , Qiu Yudong
Published: September 2016

Background and Aim

The superiority of anatomical resection (AR) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma compared with non‐anatomical resection (NAR) remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the prognostic outcomes of AR and NAR for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients without macroscopic vascular invasion, using a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

Methods

A total of 305 consecutive HCC patients without macroscopic vascular invasion who underwent curative hepatectomy were included in our study. PSM was performed in order to eliminate possible selection bias.

Results

By PSM, the patients were divided into propensity‐matched anatomical resection (PS‐AR) (n = 114) and propensity‐matched non‐anatomical resection (PS‐NAR) (n = 114) groups. The 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year overall survival rates were 90.4%, 77.7%, and 65.7% in PS‐AR and 88.6%, 70.7%, and 52.2% in PS‐NAR (P = 0.053), respectively. The 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) rates were 84.1%, 64.9%, and 45.1% in PS‐AR and 75.4%, 48.1%, and 31.0% in PS‐NAR (P = 0.005), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that ICG‐R15 (P = 0.022); the Barcelona clinic liver cancer staging (P = 0.044) and microvascular invasion (MVI; P = 0.005) were independent risk factors for the overall survival rate, while type of resection (P = 0.027), surgical margin (P = 0.039), and MVI (P = 0.024) were independent risk factors for the RFS rate. Patients who underwent NAR were prone to early recurrence and marginal recurrence. Subgroup analysis indicated that the RFS rate was significantly better in PS‐AR than that in PS‐NAR (surgical margin ≥ 1 cm) (P = 0.025). Better RFS rate was observed in PS‐AR with MVI compared with PS‐NAR (P = 0.016).

Conclusions

Anatomical resection contributed to improve the RFS rate in solitary HCC patients without macroscopic vascular invasion using PSM analysis, especially in patients with MVI.
A Novel Approach to Proactive Primary Care–Based Case Finding and Multidisciplinary Management of Falls, Syncope, and Dizziness in a One‐Stop Service: Preliminary Results
Authors: Parry Steve W. , Hill Harry , Lawson Joanna , Lawson Nick , Green David , Trundle Heidi , McNaught Judith , Strassheim Victoria , Caldwell Alma , Mayland Richard , Earley Phillip , McMeekin Peter
Published: September 2016

National and international evidence and guidelines on falls prevention and management in community‐dwelling elderly adults recommend that falls services should be multifactorial and their interventions multicomponent. The way that individuals are identified as having had or being at risk of falls in order to take advantage of such services is far less clear. A novel multidisciplinary, multifactorial falls, syncope, and dizziness service model was designed with enhanced case ascertainment through proactive, primary care–based screening (of individual case notes of individuals aged ≥60) for individual fall risk factors. The service model identified 4,039 individuals, of whom 2,232 had significant gait and balance abnormalities according to senior physiotherapist assessment. Significant numbers of individuals with new diagnoses ranging from cognitive impairment to Parkinson's disease to urgent indications for a pacemaker were discovered. More than 600 individuals were found who were at high risk of osteoporosis according to World Health Association Fracture Risk Assessment Tool score, 179 with benign positional paroxysmal vertigo and 50 with atrial fibrillation. Through such screening and this approach, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Plus (Plus falls, syncope and dizziness expertise), unmet need was targeted on a scale far outside the numbers seen in clinical trials. Further work is needed to determine whether this approach translates into fewer falls and decreases in syncope and dizziness.
Effects of Functional Disability and Depressive Symptoms on Mortality in Older Mexican–American Adults with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mutambudzi Miriam , Chen Nai‐wei , Markides Kyriakos S. , Al Snih Soham
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To examine the effect of co‐occurring depressive symptoms and functional disability on mortality in older Mexican–American adults with diabetes mellitus.

Design

Longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly (HEPESE) survey conducted in the southwestern United States (Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, California).

Participants

Community‐dwelling Mexican Americans with self‐reported diabetes mellitus participating in the HEPESE survey (N = 624).

Measurements

Functional disability was assessed using a modified version of the Katz activity of daily living scale. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Mortality was determined by examining death certificates and reports from relatives. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to examine the hazard of mortality as a function of co‐occurring depressive symptoms and functional disability.

Results

Over a 9.2‐year follow‐up, 391 participants died. Co‐occurring high depressive symptoms and functional disability increased the risk of mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.11–4.34). Risk was greater in men (HR = 8.11, 95% CI = 4.34–16.31) than women (HR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.42–3.43).

Conclusion

Co‐occurring depressive symptoms and functional disability in older Mexican–American adults with diabetes mellitus increases mortality risk, especially in men. These findings have important implications for research, practice, and public health interventions.
Effect of Visual Impairment on Physical and Cognitive Function in Old Age: Findings of a Population‐Based Prospective Cohort Study in Germany
Authors: Hajek André , Brettschneider Christian , Lühmann Dagmar , Eisele Marion , Mamone Silke , Wiese Birgitt , Weyerer Siegfried , Werle Jochen , Pentzek Michael , Fuchs Angela , Riedel‐Heller Steffi G. , Luck Tobias , Bickel Horst , Weeg Dagmar , Koppara Alexander , Wagner Michael , Scherer Martin , Maier Wolfgang , König Hans‐Helmut ,   the Study on Ageing, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients Group
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To examine how visual impairment affects physical and cognitive function in old age.

Design

A longitudinal population‐based prospective cohort study.

Setting

General practitioner offices at six study centers in Germany. They were observed every 1.5 years over four waves.

Participants

Individuals aged 77–101 at follow‐up Wave 2 (N = 2,394).

Measurements

Physical and cognitive function were assessed using an adapted scale that had been previously developed, and visual impairment was rated on a Likert scale (none, mild, severe or profound).

Results

Adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidity, linear fixed‐effects regression showed that the onset of severe visual impairment was associated with a decline in physical function score in the total sample (β = −0.15, P = .01) and in women (β = −.15, P = .03). Moreover, the onset of severe visual impairment was associated with decline in cognitive function score in the total sample (β = −0.38, P < .001) and in women (β = −0.38, P < .001) and men (β = −0.37, P = .001).

Conclusion

Visual impairment affects physical and cognitive function in old age. Interventional strategies to postpone visual impairment may contribute to maintaining physical and cognitive function.
Unrecognized Cognitive Impairment and Its Effect on Heart Failure Readmissions of Elderly Adults
Authors: Agarwal Kathryn S. , Kazim Rabia , Xu Jiaqiong , Borson Soo , Taffet George E.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To determine whether 30‐day readmissions were associated with presence of cognitive impairment more in elderly adults with heart failure (HF) than in those with other diagnoses and whether medical teams recognized cognitive impairment.

Design

One‐year prospective cohort quality improvement program of cognitive screening and retrospective chart review of documentation and outcomes.

Setting

Academic tertiary care hospital medical unit with a cardiovascular focus and an enhanced discharge program of individualized patient education.

Participants

Individuals aged 70 and older screened before home discharge (241 admission encounters; 121 with HF as a primary diagnosis, 120 without). The HF cohort included individuals with preserved and reduced ejection fraction. Individuals who had undergone transplantation, ventricular assist device implantation, or hemodialysis or who had a primary oncology diagnosis or hospice referral were excluded.

Measurements

Mini‐Cog administered 48 hours or less before discharge, 30‐day all‐cause readmission rates, documentation of dementia or cognitive impairment, and caregiver education.

Results

Mini‐Cog scores were less than 4 (indicating cognitive impairment) in 157 encounters (82 (67.7%) with HF, 75 (62.5%) without). Mini‐Cog scores were similar in rate and distribution between groups. Individuals with HF and cognitive impairment had a significantly higher 30‐day readmission rate than did the other groups (26.8% vs 13.2%; P = .01; HF, no cognitive impairment, 12.8%; no HF, no cognitive impairment, 13.3%; cognitive impairment, no HF, 13.3%). In individuals with HF and cognitive impairment, those with documented caregiver education had lower readmission rates than those without (14.3% vs 36.2%; P = .03). Fewer than 9% had documentation of cognitive impairment in the medical record.

Conclusion

Cognitive impairment, which is frequently undocumented, may indicate greater risk of readmission for individuals with HF than those without. Screening for cognitive impairment, adapting discharge for it, and involving family and caregivers in discharge education may help reduce readmissions.
How Does Aging Affect Presentation and Management of Biliary Stones?
Authors: Hu Kuang‐Chun , Chu Cheng‐Hsin , Wang Horng‐Yuan , Chang Wen‐Hsiung , Lin Shee‐Chan , Liu Chuan‐Chuan , Liao Wei‐Chih , Liu Chun‐Jen , Wu Ming‐Shiang , Shih Shou‐Chuan
Published: September 2016

Common bile duct (CBD) stones are common in elderly adults, but the effect of aging on the presentation of CBD stones remains to be evaluated. Recent studies have demonstrated that the clinical presentation of CBD stones may vary with age. Younger adults may present with classical biliary colic symptoms, whereas elderly adults may have no unapparent clinical features. Younger adults with CBD stones were significantly more likely to have abnormal liver function tests than those without. The sensitivity and accuracy of transabdominal ultrasound scans in screening for CBD stones increases with age. Antibiotic agents should be promptly administered to individuals with CBD stones complicated by cholangitis, but the effects of pharmacotherapy on renal function should be considered in elderly adults. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered to be first‐line treatment for CBD stones, and endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (EST) or endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) along with ERCP is an adequate biliary drainage method in individuals with CBD stones. EPBD has a lower bleeding risk but higher post‐ERCP risk of pancreatitis than EST. Longer‐duration (>1 minute) EPBD may be preferred over EST because it is associated with a comparable risk of pancreatitis but a lower rate of overall complications, although recurrent cholangitis or unfavorable outcomes will increase during CBD dilation or in the presence of residual CBD stones.
Effects of Prefracture Depressive Illness and Postfracture Depressive Symptoms on Physical Performance After Hip Fracture
Authors: Rathbun Alan M. , Shardell Michelle , Orwig Denise , Gruber‐Baldini Ann L. , Ostir Glenn , Hicks Gregory E. , Miller Ram R. , Hochberg Marc C. , Magaziner Jay
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To compare the effect of prefracture depressive illness and postfracture depressive symptoms on changes in physical performance after hip fracture.

Design

Longitudinal observational cohort.

Setting

Baltimore metropolitan area.

Participants

Older adults with hip fracture (N = 255).

Measurements

Prefracture depressive illness (from medical records) at baseline and postfracture depressive symptoms at 2 months (using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) were measured. Physical performance was measured 2, 6, and 12 months after fracture using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), a composite metric of functional status with a score ranging from 0 to 12. Weighted estimating equations were used to assess mean SPPB over time, comparing participants with and without prefracture depressive illness and subjects with and without postfracture depressive symptoms.

Results

Participants with prefracture depressive illness had an SPPB increase of 0.4 units (95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.5–1.3) from 2 to 6 months, smaller than the increase of 1.0 SPPB unit (95% CI = 0.4–1.6) in those without prefracture depressive illness. Participants with postfracture depressive symptoms had an SPPB increase of 0.2 units (95% CI = −1.0–1.5) from 2 to 12 months, and those without postfracture depressive symptoms had a larger increase of 1.2 units (95% CI = 0.6–1.8) over the same period. Nevertheless, prefracture depressive illness and postfracture depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with SPPB.

Conclusions

Neither prefracture depressive illness nor postfracture depressive symptoms were significantly associated with changes in physical performance after hip fracture, but the magnitude of estimates suggested possible clinically meaningful effects on functional recovery.
Differences in Symptom Distress Based on Gender and Palliative Care Designation Among Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Falk Hanna , Henoch Ingela , Ozanne Anneli , Öhlen Joakim , Ung Eva Jakobsson , Fridh Isabell , Sarenmalm Elisabeth Kenne , Falk Kristin
Published: September 2016

Purpose

To explore patient‐reported symptom distress in relation to documentation of symptoms and palliative care designation in hospital inpatients.

Design

This cross‐sectional study analyzed data from 710 inpatients at two large hospitals in Sweden using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Chart reviews focused on nurses’ and physicians’ symptom documentation and palliative turning point.

Methods

Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and provided summaries about the sample. Patients were grouped according to gender, age, palliative care designation, and symptom documentation. The t test and chi‐square test were used to calculate whether symptom distress varied between groups. A two‐way analysis of variance was conducted for multiple comparisons to explore the impact of gender and age on mean symptom distress.

Findings

Females reported higher levels of symptom distress than did males related to pain, fatigue, and nausea. When comparing symptom distress between males and females with documentation pertaining to symptoms, there were significant differences implying that females had to report higher levels of symptom distress than males in order to have their symptoms documented.

Conclusions

Females need to report higher levels of symptom distress than do males for healthcare professionals to identify and document their symptoms. It can be hypothesized that females are not receiving the same attention and symptom alleviation as men. If so, this highlights a serious inequality in care that requires further exploration.

Clinical Relevance

Considering that common reasons why people seek health care are troublesome symptoms of illness, and that the clinical and demographic characteristics of inpatients are changing towards more advanced ages with serious illnesses, inadequate symptom assessment and management are a serious threat to the care quality.
Ex‐Dividend Profitability and Institutional Trading Skill
Authors: HENRY TYLER R. , KOSKI JENNIFER L.
Published: September 2016

We use institutional trading data to examine whether skilled institutions exploit positive abnormal ex‐dividend returns. Results show that institutions concentrate trading around certain ex‐dates, and earn higher profits around these events. Dividend capture trades represent 6% of all institutional buy trades but contribute 15% of overall abnormal returns. Institutional dividend capture trading is persistent. Institutional ex‐day profitability is also strongly cross‐sectionally related to trade execution skill. The relation between execution skill and profits disappears around placebo non‐ex‐days. Results suggest that skilled institutions target certain opportunities rather than benefiting uniformly over time. Furthermore, only skilled institutions can profit from dividend capture.
Vitamin D in newborns. A randomised controlled trial comparing daily and single oral bolus vitamin D in infants
Authors: Huynh Julie , Lu Thao , Liew Danny , Doery James CG , Tudball Ronald , Jona Madeleine , Bhamjee Roisin , Rodda Christine P
Published: September 2016

Aim

There are no published data to demonstrate the efficacy of bolus dose vitamin D in newborn infants. The study sought to evaluate this alternative approach of supplementation.

Methods

This single centre, open randomised controlled trial was conducted from August 2013 to May 2014. It compared the efficacy and safety of daily (400 IU) versus a bolus dose (50 000 IU) of cholecalciferol in newborn infants of vitamin D deficient mothers. The primary outcome measure was the rate of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) repletion‐defined as 25OHD greater than 50 nmol/L. The secondary objective was determining safety using adjusted total serum calcium.

Results

Of 70 eligible infants, 36 received a daily dose and 34 received a single high‐dose cholecalciferol. Mean 25OHD in the bolus group (154 nmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) 131–177) was higher than the daily group (48 nmol/L, 95% CI 42–54) at 1–2 weeks of age. This was reversed at 3–4 months, (65 nmol/L, 95% CI 59–71) compared with the daily group (81 nmol/L, 95% CI 77–85). More infants in the single bolus group achieved vitamin D repletion (100 vs. 31%) at 1–2 weeks. By 3–4 months, both groups achieved similar vitamin D repletion rates (91 vs. 89%). Mean adjusted total serum calcium in the bolus group were normal at 1–2 weeks (2.73 mmol/L) and 3–4 months (2.55 mmol/L).

Conclusion

Single bolus dosing of 50 000 IU cholecalciferol achieves higher 25OHD repletion rates at 1–2 weeks of age compared with daily dosing, but repletion rates were similar by 3–4 months. There was no hypercalcaemia documented with single bolus dosing in this study.
The critical role of mast cell-derived hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in regulating mast cell function
Authors: Liang Xin , Yin Guifang , Ma Yuanyuan , Xu Ke , Liu Jianwen , Li Jiyu
Published: September 2016

Objectives

During colorectal tumour progression, the tumour microenvironment becomes hypoxic, and infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells occurs. The mast cells (MCs) are a type of immune cells plays an important role in tumour angiogenesis. However, it is unclear whether the role of MC in colorectal cancer is to promote or to inhibit tumour growth.

Methods

Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical colorectal cancer samples and a colorectal carcinoma model were used.

Key findings

We found the carcinomas and the adjacent tissues were infiltrated with large numbers of mast cells, and the MC infiltration quantity increased with the Dukes' stage. After tumour inoculation, the survival time of MC-deficient mice was remarkably longer than wild-type C57BL/6 mice, and the tumour growth rate of MC-deficient mice was slower than wild type. In addition, the survival time and tumour growth rate can be recovered in MC reconstruction mice. Furthermore, inhibition of the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) using siRNA reduced the release of inflammatory factors and the degree of MC degranulation.

Conclusions

Mast cells promote the development of colorectal cancer, and MC-derived HIF-1α plays an important role in regulating MC function. Our study reveals a novel role of MC-derived HIF-1α in the colorectal carcinoma microenvironment.
How to optimise drug study design: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies introduced to paediatricians
Authors: Vermeulen Eric , van den Anker John N , Della Pasqua Oscar , Hoppu Kalle , van der Lee Johanna H
Published: September 2016

Objectives

In children, there is often lack of sufficient information concerning the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of a study drug to support dose selection and effective evaluation of efficacy in a randomised clinical trial (RCT). Therefore, one should consider the relevance of relatively small PKPD studies, which can provide the appropriate data to optimise the design of an RCT.

Methods

Based on the experience of experts collaborating in the EU-funded Global Research in Paediatrics consortium, we aimed to inform clinician-scientists working with children on the design of investigator-initiated PKPD studies.

Key findings

The importance of the identification of an optimal dose for the paediatric population is explained, followed by the differences and similarities of dose-ranging and efficacy studies. The input of clinical pharmacologists with modelling expertise is essential for an efficient dose-finding study.

Conclusions

The emergence of new laboratory techniques and statistical tools allows for the collection and analysis of sparse and unbalanced data, enabling the implementation of (observational) PKPD studies in the paediatric clinic. Understanding of the principles and methods discussed in this study is essential to improve the quality of paediatric PKPD investigations, and to prevent the conduct of paediatric RCTs that fail because of inadequate dosing.
StreetWise: developing a serious game to support forensic mental health service users' preparation for discharge: a feasibility study
Authors: Reynolds L. M. , Davies J. P. , Mann B. , Tulloch S. , Nidsjo A. , Hodge P. , Maiden N. , Simpson A.
Published: September 2016

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Serious gaming can support learning and development.

The use of serious games for skills development and the rehearsal of the management of events that cannot be replicated in real life is well established. Few serious games have been used in mental health services, and none in forensic mental health care.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

How a serious game may be coproduced by forensic mental health service users and game developers

The acceptability of the therapeutic use of serious gaming by forensic mental health service users and providers.

What are the implications for practice?

Computer games may be used by practitioners in their therapeutic work with forensic mental health service users.

Mental health nurses to use serious games to creatively and safely bridge the gap for service users between receiving care in controlled environments and living more independent in the community.

Introduction

Assessment of users' skills and confidence to safely respond to risky community‐based situations underpins discharge planning. Serious games have been used for skills development, and this study trialled their use in forensic mental health services.

Aim

The aim was to develop and test the acceptability and usability of an innovative serious game to support forensic mental health service users' preparation for discharge.

Method

A prototype serious game was developed by service users and researchers. Acceptability and usability testing was undertaken and service providers interviewed about the acceptability of serious gaming for forensic mental health services.

Result

A prototype game was produced and successfully trialled by service users. However, both service users and providers identified that work needed to be done to develop and test a game with greater complexity.

Discussion

The acceptability and usability of using serious games to support service users to develop skills needed for successful discharge was demonstrated.

Implications for practice

Mental health practitioners may use gaming to support their practice and work innovatively with other professions such as game developers to create new ways of working in forensic mental health services.
Decline of cellular activation in non‐B cells after rituximab treatment in hepatitis C‐associated mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis
Authors: Emmanuel B. , Sidique N. , Zhang X. , Poonia B. , Sneller M. C. , Kottilil S.
Published: September 2016

Mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis is associated with the monoclonal expansion of pathognomonic B cells in chronic hepatitis C. Recently, treatment with B‐cell depletion, including rituximab, a CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been successful in achieving remission from the active disease. We investigated whether B‐cell depletion therapy has an impact on activation of non‐B cells in the periphery. Results demonstrated that B‐cell depletion therapy is associated with a statistically significant decline in activated T cells, from pretherapy to follow‐up while on rituximab therapy: CD4+ CD38+ HLA‐DR+ (DR+), CD8+ CD38, CD8+ CD38+ DR+, and CD8+ DR+. Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score and cryoglobulin had a strong correlation coefficient (R) of 0.72 (P=.0005), while cryoglobulin showed moderate correlation with CD8+ DR+ (R=.61), CD3+ CD38+ DR+ (R=.57), CD3+ DR+ (R=.50), CD4+ CD38+ DR+ (R=.53), CD4+ DR+ (R=.52), and CD8+ CD38+ DR+ (R=.67). These results suggest B‐cell expansion has a direct and indirect effect on the pathogenesis of Hepatitis C‐associated mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis.
Learning Disability Identification Criteria and Reporting in Empirical Research: A Review of 2001–2013
Authors: Williams Jacob L. , Miciak Jeremy , McFarland Laura , Wexler Jade
Published: September 2016

This review documents the learning disabilities (LD) identification criteria and procedures utilized in empirical research including students with LD published from 2001 to 2013 in three journals dedicated to the study of LD. Results reveal several troublesome findings related to transparency in reporting and the coherence of the LD construct. Nearly one–third of all empirical studies investigating LD did not describe who identified the participants as having LD or how they were identified. Information on the specific area of LD was similarly lacking. Across studies, identification criteria varied widely. Moving forward, we contend that greater transparency and consistency with regard to the definition and operationalization of the construct of LD in empirical research is necessary if solidification of the scientific construct of LD is to be achieved.
Manipulating Treatment Dose: Evaluating the Frequency of a Small Group Intervention Targeting Whole Number Operations
Authors: Codding Robin S. , VanDerHeyden Amanda M. , Martin Ryan J. , Desai Sheila , Allard Noelle , Perrault Leigh
Published: September 2016

Treatment dose is an understudied aspect of treatment effectiveness. This study compared the frequency with which a small–group mathematics intervention was delivered weekly (i.e., four times, twice, once) with a control condition while controlling for total duration. 101 at–risk students in grades 2–4 were randomly assigned to a condition following universal screening and skill–based assessments. Multilevel modeling was used to evaluate final score and growth on three measures. Results suggested that for the most proximal computation measure, treatment sessions occurring four times weekly produced clear benefits. On the application measure, students in all treatment groups outperformed students in the control condition. For the most complex computation measure, frequency was not a useful predictor. Grade was a moderating variable.
Generative Metrics: An Overview
Authors: Blumenfeld Lev
Published: September 2016

This overview article covers the field of metrics as a branch of linguistics, focusing on the generative tradition. A brief outline of the basic ideas of foundational papers by Halle & Keyser and Kiparsky is followed by a discussion of three theoretical issues: the nature of representations; gradience and variation; and the interface of metrics with phonology. The last section covers theoretical approaches to typology.
Motor Influences on Grammar in an Emergentist Model of Phonology
Authors: Byun Tara Mc Allister , Tessier Anne‐Michelle
Published: September 2016

Any account aiming to provide a comprehensive picture of children's acquisition of speech must consider both the development of the phonological grammar and the maturation of the structures and motor skills used to implement the sounds of a language. Much previous literature has been marked by a tendency to draw sharp demarcations between motor and grammatical influences, or to assert that all of child speech can be reduced to one or the other. This paper argues that it is neither necessary nor desirable to segregate speech‐motor development from grammatical development when modeling speech acquisition, because they are fundamentally intertwined. The paper focuses on bringing together two literatures that have evolved largely independently. The first explores how speech‐motor patterns practiced during babbling come to be disproportionately represented in the lexicon in children's earliest stages of meaningful speech. The second posits that abstract elements of phonology – segments, features, and constraints – can be understood to emerge from generalizations over stored memory traces at a more holistic level. We argue that an emergentist model of phonological learning can be enhanced by incorporating the insight that memory traces of strings that have been heard and produced are encoded more robustly than strings that have only been heard.
Comparative transcriptomics reveal host‐specific nucleotide variation in entomophthoralean fungi
Authors: De Fine Licht Henrik H. , Jensen Annette B. , Eilenberg Jørgen
Published: September 2016

Obligate parasites are under strong selection to increase exploitation of their host to survive while evading detection by host immune defences. This has often led to elaborate pathogen adaptations and extreme host specificity. Specialization on one host, however, often incurs a trade‐off influencing the capacity to infect alternate hosts. Here, we investigate host adaptation in two morphologically indistinguishable and closely related obligate specialist insect‐pathogenic fungi from the phylum Entomophthoromycota,Entomophthora muscae sensu strictoandE. muscae sensu lato,pathogens of houseflies (Musca domestica) and cabbage flies (Delia radicum), respectively. We compared single nucleotide polymorphisms within and between these twoE. muscaespecies using 12RNA‐seq transcriptomes from five biological samples. All five isolates contained intra‐isolate polymorphisms that segregate in 50:50 ratios, indicative of genetic duplication events or functional diploidy. Comparative analysis ofdN/dSratios between the multinucleateE. muscae s.str. andE. muscae s.l. revealed molecular signatures of positive selection in transcripts related to utilization of host lipids and the potential secretion of toxins that interfere with the host immune response. Phylogenetic comparison with the nonobligate generalist insect‐pathogenic fungusConidiobolus coronatusrevealed a gene‐family expansion of trehalase enzymes inE. muscae. The main sugar in insect haemolymph is trehalose, and efficient sugar utilization was probably important for the evolutionary transition to obligate insect pathogenicity inE. muscae. These results support the hypothesis that genetically based host specialization in specialist pathogens evolves in response to the challenge of using resources and dealing with the immune system of different hosts.
Investigation on the anaerobic propionate degradation by Escherichia coli K12
Authors: Simonte Francesca M. , Dötsch Andreas , Galego Lisete , Arraiano Cecilia , Gescher Johannes
Published: September 2016

Propionate is an abundant carboxylic acid in nature. Microorganisms metabolize propionate aerobically via the 2‐methylcitrate pathway. This pathway depends on a series of three reactions in the citric acid cycle that leads to the conversion of succinate to oxaloacetate. Interestingly, the γ‐proteobacterium Escherichia coli can use propionate as a carbon and electron source under oxic but not under anoxic conditions. RT‐PCR and transcriptomic analysis revealed a posttranscriptional regulation of the prpBCDE‐gene cluster encoding the necessary enzymes for propionate metabolism. The polycistronic mRNA seems to be hydrolyzed in the 3′–5′ direction under anoxic conditions. This regulatory strategy is highly constructive because the last gene of the operon encodes the first enzyme of the propionate metabolism. Further analysis revealed that RNase R is involved in the hydrolysis of the prp transcripts. Consequently, an rnr‐deletion strain could metabolize propionate under anoxic conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing the influence of RNase R on the anaerobic metabolism of E. coli.
Vision in the common bed bug Cimex lectulariusL. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae): eye morphology and spectral sensitivity
Authors: MCNEILL C. A. , ALLAN S. A. , KOEHLER P. G. , PEREIRA R. M. , WEEKS E. N. I.
Published: September 2016

Bed bugs as pests of public health importance recently experienced a resurgence in populations throughout the U.S. and other countries. Consequently, recent research efforts have focused on improving understanding of bed bug physiology and behaviour to improve management. While few studies have investigated the visual capabilities of bed bugs, the present study focused specifically on eye morphology and spectral sensitivity. A 3‐D imaging technique was used to document bed bug eye morphology from the first instar through adult and revealed morphological characteristics that differentiate the common bed bug from the tropical bed bug as well as sex‐specific differences. Electrophysiological measurements were used to evaluate the spectral sensitivity of adult bed bugs. Male bed bugs were more responsive than females at some wavelengths. Electrophysiological studies provided evidence for at least one photoreceptor with a spectral sensitivity curve peak in the green (λmax 520 nm) region of the spectrum. The broadened long wavelength portion of the spectral sensitivity curve may potentially indicate another photoreceptor in the yellow–green (λmax 550 nm) portion of the spectrum or screening pigments. Understanding more about bed bug visual biology is vital for designing traps, which are an important component of integrated bed bug management.
An assay for entry of secreted fungal effectors into plant cells
Authors: Lo Presti Libera , Zechmann Bernd , Kumlehn Jochen , Liang Liang , Lanver Daniel , Tanaka Shigeyuki , Bock Ralph , Kahmann Regine
Published: September 2016

Successful colonization of plants by prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens requires active effector‐mediated suppression of defense responses and host tissue reprogramming. Secreted effector proteins can either display their activity in the apoplast or translocate into host cells and function therein. Although characterized in bacteria, the molecular mechanisms of effector delivery by fungal phytopathogens remain elusive.

Here we report the establishment of an assay that is based on biotinylation of effectors in the host cytoplasm as hallmark of uptake. The assay exploits the ability of the bacterial biotin ligase BirA to biotinylate any protein that carries a short peptide (Avitag). It is based on the stable expression of BirA in the cytoplasm of maize plants and on engineering of Ustilago maydis strains to secrete Avitagged effectors.

We demonstrate translocation of a number of effectors in the U. maydis–maize system and show data that suggest that the uptake mechanism could be rather nonspecific

The assay promises to be a powerful tool for the classification of effectors as well as for the functional study of effector uptake mechanism not only in the chosen system but more generally for systems where biotrophic interactions are established.
Fungal diversity and seasonal succession in ash leaves infected by the invasive ascomycete Hymenoscyphus fraxineus
Authors: Cross Hugh , Sønstebø Jørn Henrik , Nagy Nina E. , Timmermann Volkmar , Solheim Halvor , Børja Isabella , Kauserud Håvard , Carlsen Tor , Rzepka Barbara , Wasak Katarzyna , Vivian‐Smith Adam , Hietala Ari M.
Published: September 2016

High biodiversity is regarded as a barrier against biological invasions. We hypothesized that the invasion success of the pathogenic ascomycete Hymenoscyphus fraxineus threatening common ash in Europe relates to differences in dispersal and colonization success between the invader and the diverse native competitors.

Ash leaf mycobiome was monitored by high‐throughput sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and quantitative PCR profiling of H. fraxineus DNA.

Initiation of ascospore production by H. fraxineus after overwintering was followed by pathogen accumulation in asymptomatic leaves. The induction of necrotic leaf lesions coincided with escalation of H. fraxineus DNA levels and changes in proportion of biotrophs, followed by an increase of ubiquitous endophytes with pathogenic potential.

H. fraxineus uses high propagule pressure to establish in leaves as quiescent thalli that switch to pathogenic mode once these thalli reach a certain threshold – the massive feedback from the saprophytic phase enables this fungus to challenge host defenses and the resident competitors in mid‐season when their density in host tissues is still low. Despite the general correspondence between the ITS‐1 and ITS‐2 datasets, marker biases were observed, which suggests that multiple barcodes provide better overall representation of mycobiomes.