bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RESEARCH COLLABORATION WITHIN A DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS: A SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS OF COAUTHORSHIP PATTERNS
Authors: Howden Kaitlyn , Duffet Mark , Xu Grace , Chan Anthony
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Research is a collaborative undertaking. Through collaborators, researchers have access to expertise, experience, and resources which may result in increased research productivity. Social network analysis is a set of techniques that focuses primarily on the patterns and characteristics of relationships among individuals.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the social network structure —the extent and patterns of collaboration among members — of a department of paediatrics and identify prominent individuals and divisions.

DESIGN/METHODS

We conducted a social network analysis of coauthorship. We included faculty members in a single department of paediatrics with at least 1 publication. We excluded those with a clinical appointment. We used PubMed to identify publications and Web of Science to obtain the total citations for each publication.

RESULTS

We included 99 faculty who authored 3 939 publications. The median (Q1, Q3) number of publications per faculty member was 12 (5, 39), ranging from 1 to 478. 83 (80%) of the faculty have coauthored a publication with another faculty member; the median (Q1, Q3) number of collaborators per faculty member was 3 (2, 8) and ranged from 0 to 21. 450 (11%) of publications included more than one faculty member as a coauthor. In the network diagram, 80 (81%) of faculty members were connected by coauthorship to a single large cluster. Neither the number of publications (increase in odds 1.0, 95% CI 1.0–1.1; p = 0.16) or h-index (increase in odds 1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.0; p = 0.74) was associated with increased odds of a faculty member collaborating with another faculty member. Factors associated with increased odds of any two faculty members collaborating were: being from the same division (increase in odds 5.0, 95% CI 3.9–6.3; p<0.001) and both coauthoring a publication with a common faculty member (increase in odds 4.8, 95% CI 3.8–6.2; p<0.001). Being of different genders or differences in number of publications or h-index was not associated with changes in the odds of collaboration.

CONCLUSION

Social network analysis of coauthorship can provide insight into the social structure and research collaboration of an academic department. This structure should be considered in efforts to improve collaboration and research productivity.
Redefining the Influence of Ethnicity on Simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation Outcomes
Authors: Young Carlton J. , MacLennan Paul A. , Mannon Elinor C. , Reed Rhiannon D. , Shelton Brittany A. , Hanaway Michael J. , Agarwal Gaurav , Gaston Robert S. , Julian Bruce A. , Kew Clifton E. , Kumar Vineeta , Mannon Roslyn B. , Mehta Shikha , Ong Song C. , Towns Graham C. , Deierhoi Mark H. , Locke Jayme E.
Published: May 2018

Objective:

To examine the largest single-center experience of simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplantation (SPK) transplantation among African-Americans (AAs).

Background:

Current dogma suggests that AAs have worse survival following SPK than white recipients. We hypothesize that this national trend may not be ubiquitous.

Methods:

From August 30, 1999, through October 1, 2014, 188 SPK transplants were performed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and 5523 were performed at other US centers. Using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression, we examined the influence of recipient ethnicity on survival.

Results:

AAs comprised 36.2% of the UAB cohort compared with only 19.1% nationally (P < 0.01); yet, overall, 3-year graft survival was statistically higher among UAB than US cohort (kidney: 91.5% vs 87.9%, P = 0.11; pancreas: 87.4% vs 81.3%; P = 0.04, respectively) and persisted on adjusted analyses [kidney adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.58, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.35–0.97, P = 0.04; pancreas aHR: 0.54, 95% CI 0.34–0.85, P = 0.01]. Among the UAB cohort, graft survival did not differ between AA and white recipients; in contrast, the US cohort experienced significantly lower graft survival rates among AA than white recipients (kidney 5 years: 76.5% vs 82.3%, P < 0.01; pancreas 5 years: 72.2% vs 76.3%, P = 0.01; respectively).

Conclusion:

Among a single-center cohort of SPK transplants overrepresented by AAs, we demonstrated similar outcomes among AA and white recipients and better outcomes than the US experience. These data suggest that current dogma may be incorrect. Identifying best practices for SPK transplantation is imperative to mitigate racial disparities in outcomes observed at the national level.
The selection arena in early human blastocysts resolves the pluripotent inner cell mass
Authors: Singh Manvendra , Widmann Thomas J , Bansal Vikas , Cortes Jose L , Schumann Gerald G , Wunderlich Stephanie , Martin Ulrich , Garcia-Perez Jose L , Hurst Laurence D , Izsvak Zsuzsanna
Published: May 2018

Is the human early embryo unique in lacking an inner cell mass (ICM) and having parallel rather than step-wise development? Here we reanalyse single-cell transcriptomic data and stain human embryos in situ to reveal both classical step-wise development and the missing ICM, a transcriptomic homolog of macaque ICM, that differentiates to epiblast and primitive endoderm. This apparent classicism obscures numerous features that render our blastocyst phylogenetically distinct: unlike mice, human epiblast has hallmarks of self-renewal and we have abundant, previously unrecognized, blastocyst non-committed cells (NCCs), part of an apoptosis-mediated quality control/purging process. Comparative transcriptomics further reveals the transcriptomes of the pluripotent cells to be especially fast evolving, rendering all primate embryos unique. Rapid transcriptome turnover is in large part owing to endogenous retrovirus H (ERVH) activity, ERVH being associated with recent major gene expression gain and loss events of pluripotency-associated genes. Each species is characterised by the ERVHs that are active and the neighbour genes whose expression are in turn modulated. The current portfolio of naive cultures, putative in vitro mimics of pluripotent cells, are both developmentally and phylogenetically "confused" in part owing to a lack of HERVH expression.
Social organization and biting performance inFukomysmole-rats (Bathyergidae, Rodentia)
Authors: Van Daele P.A.A.G. , Desmet N. , Adriaens D.
Published: May 2018

A caste system, based on work activity and reproduction, has been proposed in the two African mole-rat species which are generally considered eusocial,Heterocephalusglaber andFukomys damarensis. Social behaviour in otherFukomysspecies is key to understanding evolution of sociality within bathyergids, which display a social continuum among species from solitary to eusocial. Furthermore, insight in the social structure of colonies may be instrumental in understanding the observed, extensive intraspecific morphological variation and ultimately help species delimitation. For the first, time social organisation was studied in a colony of wild-caughtFukomys micklemi(Sekute cytotype) from Zambia. Data were collected on work behaviour and analysed against morphological variables and biting performance. Although there was considerable variation in the amount of work performed by each individual, clearly distinguishable castes were not found. Castes might represent an artificial subdivision, which does not necessarily reflect the dynamic changes within a colony. Variation in work may be the result of an ongoing process of continuous change, whereby a colony undergoes a certain evolution that is reflected in developmental patterns of individuals. Ecological factors will undoubtedly play an important role in colony evolution. Consequently, predictions made according to the Aridity Food Distribution Hypothesis should be tested, taking into account the possibility of a dynamic model as described here. The relation between biting performance and behavioural traits was investigated for the first time. Whereas differences in biting performance were strongly correlated with morphological parameters, relation between work and biting performance remains unclear.
Antibacterial effects of nanoimprinted moth-eye film in practical settings
Authors: Yamada Miho , Minoura Kiyoshi , Mizoguchi Takashi , Nakamatsu Kenichiro , Taguchi Tokio , Kameda Takuya , Sekiguchi Miho , Suzutani Tatsuo , Konno Shinichi
Published: May 2018

Recent studies report that surfaces displaying micrometer-or nanometer-sized undulating structures exhibit antibacterial effects. In previous work, we described the use of an advanced nanofabrication technique to generate an artificial biomimetic moth-eye film by coating a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with nanoscale moth-eye protrusions made from a hydrophilic resin. This moth-eye film exhibited enhanced antibacterial effects in in vitro experiments. The aim of the present study was to verify the antibacterial efficacy of the Moth-eye film in practical environments. Three types of films (Moth-eye film, Flat film, and PET film) were used to compare antibacterial effects. Sample films were pasted onto hand-wash sinks at the testing locations. After several hours of elapsed time, bacteria from the surface of sample films were collected using one of three kinds of culture media stampers (to permit identification of bacterial species). The stampers were incubated for 48 hours at 35 °C, and the numbers of colonies were counted.

The number of common bacteria including E. coli and S. aureus from the Moth-eye film was significantly lower than that from the PET film (p<0.05) and that from the Flat film at 1 hour (p<0.05). This study found that the Moth-eye film had durability of antibacterial effect and the Moth-eye structure (PET coated with nanoscale cone-shaped pillars) had a physical antibacterial effect from the earlier time points. Therefore, the Moth-eye film might be useful for general-purpose applications in practical environments.
Paired Immunoglobulin-like Type 2 Receptor Alpha G78R variant alters ligand binding and confers protection to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Rathore Nisha , Ramani Sree Ranjani , Pantua Homer , Payandeh Jian , Bhangale Tushar , Wuster Arthur , Kapoor Manav , Sun Yonglian , Kapadia Sharookh , Gonzalez Lino , Zarrin Ali A. , Goate Alison , Hansen David , Behrens Timothy W. , Graham Robert R.
Published: May 2018

Paired Immunoglobulin-like Type 2 Receptor Alpha (PILRA) is a cell surface inhibitory receptor that recognizes specificO-glycosylated proteins and is expressed on various innate immune cell types including microglia. We show here that a common missense variant (G78R, rs1859788) of PILRA is the likely causal allele for the confirmed Alzheimer’s disease risk locus at 7q21 (rs1476679). The G78R variant alters the interaction of residues essential for sialic acid engagement, resulting in >50% reduced binding for several PILRA ligands including a novel ligand, complement component 4A, and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein B. PILRA is an entry receptor for HSV-1 via glycoprotein B, and macrophages derived from R78 homozygous donors showed significantly decreased levels of HSV-1 infection at several multiplicities of infection compared to homozygous G78 macrophages. We propose that PILRA G78R protects individuals from Alzheimer’s disease risk via reduced inhibitory signaling in microglia and reduced microglial infection during HSV-1 recurrence.
Spatio-temporal regulation of Dachsous proteins duringDrosophiladevelopment
Authors: Revilla-Yates Eva , Sierra Javier , Rodriguez Isabel
Published: May 2018

Transcriptional regulation is one of the main mechanisms involved in tissue morphogenesis to give rise to functional organs with characteristic shapes. TheDrosophila dachsous(ds) gene plays a key role in tissue development and tumorigenesis by controlling planar cell polarity (PCP), tissue growth, patterning and mitochondrial activity, among other processes. Disturbance ofdsexpression duringDrosophiladevelopment results in alterations of the function and morphology of a wide range of embryonic and larval tissues. Similarly, in humans, mutations in theDCHS1gene cause severe congenital malformations due to a global impairment affecting the normal formation of many tissues and organs. However, the transcriptional mechanism governing the expression ofdsgene remains poorly understood. Here, we perform transcriptional analysis ofdsexpression and identify novel embryonic Ds proteins not expressed in larvae. The comparative analysis of Ds proteins and the exon expression pattern in/of two regulatory alleles such asdsD36andds38Kfurther suggests the existence of specific transcriptionaldsvariants at different stages. Furthermore, a search for regulatory elements that control the spatial and temporal pattern ofdsrevealed the presence of cis-regulatory elements located in the intronic regions, which regulate the expression of these Ds proteins. Finally, using theDrosophilawing as model to perform a functional analysis, we show that wing growth and PCP are differentially regulated by Ds proteins expressed in different regions of wing disc. The present findings reveal that the complex regulation of thedsgene ensures the expression of specific Ds protein isoforms at different developmental stages in order to activate the cell-specific molecular programs required for tissue morphogenesis.
Sunbeam: an extensible pipeline for analyzing metagenomic sequencing experiments
Authors: Clarke Erik L. , Taylor Louis J. , Zhao Chunyu , Connell Andrew , Lee Jung-Jin , Fett Bryton , Bushman Frederic D. , Bittinger Kyle
Published: May 2018

Background

Analysis of mixed microbial communities using metagenomic sequencing experiments requires multiple preprocessing and analytical steps to interpret the microbial and genetic composition of samples. Analytical steps include quality control, adapter trimming, host decontamination, metagenomic classification, read assembly, and alignment to reference genomes.

Results

We present a modular and user-extensible pipeline called Sunbeam that performs these steps in a consistent and reproducible fashion. It can be installed in a single step, does not require administrative access to the host computer system, and can work with most cluster computing frameworks. We also introduce Komplexity, a software tool to eliminate potentially problematic, low-complexity nucleotide sequences from metagenomic data. Unique components of the Sunbeam pipeline include direct analysis of data from NCBI SRA and an easy-to-use extension framework that enables users to add custom processing or analysis steps directly to the workflow. The pipeline and its extension framework are well documented, in routine use, and regularly updated.

Conclusions

Sunbeam provides a foundation to build more in-depth analyses and to enable comparisons in metagenomic sequencing experiments by removing problematic low complexity reads and standardizing post-processing and analytical steps. Sunbeam is written in Python using the Snakemake workflow management software and is freely available at github.com/sunbeam-labs/sunbeam under the GPLv3.
Remember the Alamo: implementing a campus-wide anti-bullying policy
Authors: Hollis Leah
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to describe how to implement anti-bullying policies in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper informs organizations on the personnel needed for successful implementation.

Findings

Executive leadership is needed for policy development, policy introduction, and continued implementation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper informs organizations on the personnel needed for successful implementation.

Practical implications

It demonstrates the importance of campus-wide leadership to educate the campus.

Social implications

The study highlights how to achieve policy acceptance and how to coach campus community to trust the policy.

Originality/value

The paper informs about the importance of campus-wide support and extensive leadership presence in implementing a controversial campus policy.
Phenological development of natural populations of European field pansy (Viola arvensis) in a semi‐arid Mediterranean environment
Authors: Damalas Christos A. , Koutroubas Spyridon D. , Fotiadis Sideris
Published: May 2018

The phenological stages, dry matter allocation and relative growth rate (RGR) of natural populations of European field pansy (Viola arvensis) were studied under field conditions for 3 years. The species exhibited an annual life cycle of 78–100 calendar days, depending on the growing season. The life cycle was initiated in early spring and ended by early summer, with an average accumulation of 1100 growing degree days. The initiation of emergence occurred in early spring at a range of maximum air temperatures between 15 and 20°C, coupled with a range of minimum air temperatures between 5 and 10°C. With increasing temperatures in mid‐spring, there was a rapid transition to the reproductive stage. Time to flowering was shortened considerably in the warm growing season. After flowering, the species appeared to allocate a relatively large proportion of biomass to the reproductive parts than dry matter allocation to the vegetative parts during juvenile stages. The maximum value of RGR was observed in the vegetative stage, whereas RGR values decreased sharply with plant age. Overall, the species showed a short life cycle and a reproductive strategy that directs resources to reproductive rather than vegetative output, thus increasing the likelihood of persistence in systematically disturbed environments that are characterized by limited growth time as a result of major events in the field, such as mechanical cultivation or herbicide application.
SLC40A1 and CP single nucleotide polymorphisms in porphyria cutanea tarda patients of mixed ancestry
Authors: Succi Isabella Brasil , Pôrto Luís Cristóvão , Silva Dayse , Nascimento Adriana , Neto Ronald Costa , Fonseca João Carlos
Published: May 2018

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a multifactorial disease; clinical expression depends on both genetic and acquired factors. Few studies have examined the connection between PCT and the regulation of iron metabolism genes other than the HFE gene. We selected five polymorphisms in the CYBRD1, CP, SLC40A1, and HAMP genes to determine whether these polymorphisms can act as genetic modulators in patients with sporadic PCT. None of the 29 patients carried the C282Y mutation.

Genomic DNA from 29 PCT patients was isolated. Alleles were discriminated using the ABI StepOnePlus Real‐Time PCR System using TaqMan Assays. The results were compared with 107 healthy individuals matched for genetic ancestry, gender, and age.

European ancestry was prevalent among PCT patients (68.3%). The frequency of the TT genotype of rs13015236 in the SLC40A1 gene was higher in PCT patients (44.8%) than in controls (20.6%) (P < 0.02). The C allele was more frequent among healthy individuals (53.3%) compared with patients (34.5%) (P < 0.01). The rs17838832 G allele of the CP gene was more common among PCT patients (14.3%) compared with controls (4.9%) (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference concerning the three remaining polymorphisms.

Our data highlight a possible role for the rs17838832 single nucleotide polymorphisms in CP in causing PCT (higher frequency of the G variant in patients). Regarding the rs13015236 single nucleotide polymorphisms in SLC40A1, the presence of a C allele could protect against PCT.
Clinical Outcome and Comparison of Three Different Left Ventricular Assist Devices in a High‐Risk Cohort
Authors: Zhigalov Konstantin , Mashhour Ahmed , Szczechowicz Marcin , Mkalaluh Sabreen , Karagezian Sergei , Gogia Irakli , Isaev Maxim , Kadyraliev Bakitbek K. , Easo Jerry , Ennker Juergen , Eichstaedt Harald C. , Weymann Alexander
Published: May 2018

We present a comparison between three left ventricular assist devices (LVADs): HeartWare (HVAD) (HeartWare International Inc., Framingham, MA, USA), HeartMate II (HMII) and HeartMate III (HMIII) (Thoratec Corp., Pleasanton, CA, USA). To our knowledge, no study to date has aimed at placing these three devices in juxtaposition. Between June 2007 and June 2017, 108 consecutive patients received HMII, n = 77 (71.3%), HVAD, n = 14 (13%), or HM III, n = 17 (15.7%), for end‐stage heart failure. Mean age was 63.8 ± 11.2 years (range 24–84 years), with median INTERMACS profile of 3. Preoperatively, 26 patients (24.1%) were ventilated, 17 patients (15.7%) had an intraaortic balloon pump, and 27 patients (25%) were on extracorporeal life support. Overall survival at 30 days was 70.4%, at 1 year 51.9%, and at 5 years 38% with no significant difference in survival between HMII, HVAD, and HMIII. Median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 113 min (range 50–371 min). Two patients received a minimally‐invasive procedure. Most common adverse events were revision for bleeding (42.6%), tracheotomy (33.3%), acute kidney failure with new‐onset dialysis (25%), sepsis (17.6%), and gastrointestinal bleeding (10.2%). The average duration of follow‐up was 1.52 ± 2.11 years (range 0–7.95 years). The median number of readmissions was 2 (range 0–23), the median length of hospital stay as readmission was 17 days (range 0–158 days). Strong predictors of overall mortality (P < 0.05) were postoperative sepsis (OR = 5.729, 95%CI = 3.001–10.937), intraoperative/postoperative need for right ventricular mechanical support (OR = 5.232, 95%CI = 3.008–9.102), preoperative extracorporeal life support (OR = 2.980, 95%CI = 1.615–5.500), readmission because of suboptimal INR value (OR = 2.748, 95%CI = 1.045–7.226), need of inotropes over 7 days postoperatively (OR = 2.556, 95%CI = 1.432–4.562), new onset of temporary hemodialysis postoperatively (OR = 1.986, 95%CI = 1.084–3.635), and female gender (OR = 1.955, 95%CI = 1.062–3.598). No significant difference in mortality between HMII, HVAD, and HMIII was observed. The following predictors of overall mortality were identified (P < 0.05): postoperative sepsis, need for perioperative mechanical support, readmission because of suboptimal INR value, new onset of temporary hemodialysis postoperatively and female gender.
Long‐term Schneiderian membrane thickness changes following zygomatic implant placement: A retrospective radiographic analysis using cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Zhao Kai , Lian Meifei , Fan Shengchi , Huang Wei , Wang Feng , Wu Yiqun
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long‐term changes in the thickness of Schneiderian membranes after zygomatic implant placement using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Material and methods

Twenty‐five consecutive patients were included in this study. All the patients underwent bilateral zygomatic implant placement. Schneiderian membrane thickness (SMT) in 49 maxillary sinuses (one sinus was not included because of early loss of the zygomatic implants) was measured using CBCT before and at least 1 year after zygomatic implant placement. Ostium patency of each sinus was also evaluated and recorded.

Results

In total, 84 zygomatic implants and 30 regular implants were placed in included patients. Two unilateral maxillary zygomatic implants in one patient were removed 2 months after implant placement. The SMT increased from 1.03 mm (inter‐quartile range: 1.57 mm) to 1.33 mm (inter‐quartile range: 1.98 mm) after a median follow‐up time of 23.00 months (inter‐quartile range: 14 months), and the difference was statistically significant. Before zygomatic implant insertion, 24.5% (12/49) of sinuses had SMT greater than 2 mm, whereas this value was 28.6% (14/49) after zygomatic implant placement. The percentage of sinuses observed with ostium patency also increased from 2.0% (1/49) to 12.2% (6/49).

Conclusions

Chronic Schneiderian membrane thickening could result from zygomatic implant insertion. Intensive postoperative care and clinical and radiographic monitoring are recommended after zygomatic implant placement.
Progress and challenges in consolidating the management of Amazonian protected areas and indigenous territories
Authors: Gullison Raymond E. , Hardner Jared
Published: May 2018

Effective management refers to the ability of a protected area or indigenous territory to meet its objectives, particularly as they relate to the protection of biodiversity and forest cover. Effective management is achieved through a process of consolidation, which among other things requires legally protecting sites, integrating sites into land‐use planning, developing and implementing management and resource‐use plans, and securing long‐term funding to pay for recurrent costs. Effectively managing all protected areas and indigenous territories in the Amazon may be needed to avoid a deforestation tipping point beyond which regional climatic feedbacks and global climate change interact to catalyze irreversible drying and savannization of large areas. At present, protected areas and indigenous territories cover 45.5% (3.55 million km2) of the Amazon, most of the 60–70% forest cover required to maintain hydrologic and climatic function. Three independent evaluations of a long‐term large‐scale philanthropic initiative in the Amazon yielded insights into the challenges and advances toward achieving effective management of protected areas and indigenous territories. Over the life of the initiative, management of sites has improved considerably, particularly with respect to management planning and capacity building, but few sites are effectively managed and many lack sufficient long‐term financing, adequate governance, support of nongovernmental organizations, and the means to withstand economic pressures. The time and money required to complete consolidation is still poorly understood, but it is clear that philanthropic funding is critical so long as essential funding needs are not met by governments and other sources, which could be on the order of decades. Despite challenges, it is encouraging that legal protection has expanded greatly and management of sites is improving steadily. Management of protected areas in other developing countries could be informed by improvements that have occurred in Amazonian countries.
Simple, low‐cost group‐counselling programme vs treatment as usual for patients with newly notified occupational hand eczema—Exploratory analyses of effects on knowledge, behaviour and personal resources of the randomized PREVEX clinical trial
Authors: Fisker Maja H. , Agner Tove , Sørensen Jennifer A. , Vejlstrup Søren G. , Lindschou Jane , Gluud Christian , Winkel Per , Bonde Jens P. , Ebbehøj Niels E.
Published: May 2018

Background

Sickness absence in hand eczema patients has been associated with stress rather than disease severity, indicating that personal aspects regarding hand eczema should be investigated further.

Objectives

To examine whether patient education vs treatment as usual can influence behaviour and knowledge regarding skin protection and care, as well as personal resources, in patients with occupational hand eczema.

Methods

PREVEX is an individually randomized clinical trial investigating the 1‐year effects of a simple, low‐cost group‐counselling programme vs treatment as usual for patients with notified occupational hand eczema. Exploratory outcomes were behaviour, knowledge, self‐efficacy, and self‐evaluated skin care ability.

Results

In total, 1668 patients with notified occupational skin disease were invited to participate, of whom 769 were randomized and 756 were analysed: intervention group (n = 376) vs control group (n = 380). Behaviour was improved and the knowledge score increased in the intervention group as compared with the control group (respectively: estimate 0.08; 95%CI: 0.02‐0.19; P = .01; and estimate 0.49; 95%CI: 0.28‐0.70; P < .001). Self‐efficacy was lower in the intervention group as compared with the control group (estimate −0.78; 95%CI: −1.25 to −0.30; P = .001). No difference was found regarding skin care abilities.

Conclusions

The intervention had a positive influence on 1‐year behaviour and knowledge, but was insufficient to result in long‐term positive changes in personal resources regarding dealing with hand eczema.
BK viremia is not associated with adverse outcomes in the absence of BK nephropathy
Authors: Hertz‐Tang Amber L. , Astor Brad C. , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Mohamed Maha A. , Djamali Arjang , Parajuli Sandesh
Published: May 2018

There are limited data regarding the association of different levels of BK viremia and BK nephropathy (BKN), and graft outcomes. We studied the BK plasma PCR levels of all kidney transplant recipients (KTR) transplanted at our institution between 01/01/2006 and 06/30/2014. Patients were divided into groups based on their highest BK plasma PCR level within the first year following transplantation: undetectable, low (<1000 copies/mL), moderate (1000‐10 000 copies/mL), high (>10 000‐100 000 copies/mL), very high (>100 000 copies/mL), and those that had biopsy‐proven BKN. There were a total of 1146 KTR during the study period: 813 with undetectable BK levels and 333 with any detectable BK level (87 with low, 79 with moderate, 88 with high, 34 with very high level BK, and 45 that had BKN). Compared to KTR with an undetectable BK level, incidence of mortality, graft failure, rejections,and infections were not significantly different for those with low, moderate, high, or very high BK level. Patients with BKN had a higher rate of infection and higher rates of total graft failure or death‐censored graft failure compared to those with undetectable BK levels. BK viremia in the absence of BKN does not significantly increase the risk of rejection, infections, or graft failure compared to an undetectable BK level.
Conservative thickness layers in Mohs micrographic surgery
Authors: Tolkachjov Stanislav N. , Cappel Jonathan A. , Bryant Elizabeth A. , Harmon Christopher B.
Published: May 2018

Background

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is used to treat cutaneous malignancies in locations to maximize tissue sparing. The authors’ aim is to demonstrate the utility of conservative thickness layers (CTL) in MMS and review patient and tumor characteristics and the potential anatomic locations where this technique may be most useful.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with tumors treated with CTL in MMS of 339 tumors, recording patient demographics, tumor characteristics, MMS stages for clearance, repairs, complications, and follow‐up.

Results

A total of 339 tumors were treated with CTL. The most common site was the leg (28.6%), with 77.4% of these being female. The next most common sites were nose (24.5%), scalp (13.9%), and back (11.5%). Most tumors were cleared with one layer (269), but some required two layers (42), three layers (11), and four layers (1). A total of 264 tumors were left to granulate, while 75 of the nasal tumors had immediate dermabrasion.

Conclusion

In the properly selected patient and anatomic location, CTL taken as the first stage in MMS can be an effective and time‐saving technique, leaving wounds in optimal condition for granulation with a low complication rate. Tissue sparing may allow for more reconstructive options.
Rapid detection and toxicity assessment of citreoviridin using luminescent Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.‐Q67 in drinking water
Authors: Wu Shizheng , Zhang Xuhui , Yang Panpan , Li Liang , Tang Shuze
Published: May 2018

Citreoviridin (CIT), one of the mycotoxins produced by Penicillium citreoviridin (PCV), is a common contaminant in a wide range of agricultural products and is detrimental to human and animal health. There is potential threat that terrorists can extract CIT from mouldy cereals, such as rice which forms the major source of starch intake in Asia–Pacific diets and corns which are readily available. The objective of this study was to develop a rapid method for detection of citreoviridin and evaluate its performance on luminescent bacterium Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.‐Q67 (Q67). A good correlation (R2 > 0.98) between concentrations of CIT and the relative luminosity unit of Q67 was obtained with a linear range from 0.0005 to 0.01 mg L−1. The precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.2% for eleven replicate determinations of 0.005 mg L−1 CIT, and the recoveries of spiked samples were 88%–93%. The luminescence inhibition ratio of CIT increased from 0.0005 to 0.5 mg L−1, and the luminescence inhibition ratio remained stable at approximately 85% in the range of 0.5–10 mg L−1. The system detected low traces (≤0.0005 mg L−1) of CIT, and it has potential to be used as rapid detection method for mycotoxins. The effect of pure CIT on Q67 was time dependent and, it was the strongest (EC50 = 0.0066) at 20 min which indicated the high effect of CIT on Q67. Results obtained in this study suggest that Q67 is a promising method for rapid evaluation of the toxicity of CIT. Therefore, the luminescent bacteria assay can potentially be used as a system in monitoring sudden pollution in drinking water.
Asset Pricing with a Bank Risk Factor
Authors: PEREIRA JOÃO PEDRO , RUA ANTÓNIO
Published: May 2018

This paper studies how the state of the banking sector influences stock returns of nonfinancial firms. We consider a two‐factor pricing model, where the first factor is the traditional market excess return and the second factor is the change in the average distance to default of commercial banks. We find that this bank factor is priced in the cross section of U.S. nonfinancial firms. Controlling for market beta, the expected excess return for a stock in the top quintile of bank risk exposure is on average 2.83% higher than for a stock in the bottom quintile.
Measuring Inflation Expectations Uncertainty Using High‐Frequency Data
Authors: CHAN JOSHUA C.C. , SONG YONG
Published: May 2018

Inflation expectations play a key role in determining future economic outcomes. The associated uncertainty provides a direct gauge of how well‐anchored the inflation expectations are. We construct a model‐based measure of inflation expectations uncertainty by augmenting a standard unobserved components model of inflation with information from noisy and possibly biased measures of inflation expectations obtained from financial markets. This new model‐based measure of inflation expectations uncertainty is more accurately estimated and can provide valuable information for policymakers. Using U.S. data, we find significant changes in inflation expectations uncertainty during the Great Recession.
Moxibustion for Cephalic Version of Breech Presentation
Authors: Schlaeger Judith M. , Stoffel Cynthia L. , Bussell Jeanie L. , Cai Hui Yan , Takayama Miho , Yajima Hiroyoshi , Takakura Nobuari
Published: May 2018

Moxibustion, a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is the burning of the herb moxa (Folium Artemisiae argyior mugwort) over acupuncture points. It is often used in China to facilitate cephalic version of breech presentation. This article reviews the history, philosophy, therapeutic use, possible mechanisms of action, and literature pertaining to its use for this indication. For moxibustion, moxa can be rolled into stick form, placed directly on the skin, or placed on an acupuncture needle and ignited to warm acupuncture points. Studies have demonstrated that moxibustion may promote cephalic version of breech presentation and may facilitate external cephalic version. However, there is currently a paucity of research on the effects of moxibustion on cephalic version of breech presentation, and thus there is a need for further studies. Areas needing more investigation include efficacy, safety, optimal technique, and best protocol for cephalic version of breech presentation.
Micropunch blepharopeeling versus blepharoplasty; what is the best procedure for upper eyelid rejuvenation?
Authors: Asilian Ali , Bafandeh Behzad , Shahmoradi Zabihollah , Faghihi Gita , Bostakian Anis , Mozafarpoor Samaneh , Hosseini Sayed Mohsen
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Periocular rejuvenation is the most common aesthetic plastic surgery. The aim of this study was to determine effects of micropunch blepharopeeling (MBP) approach vs blepharoplasty (BP) in periocular rejuvenation.

Methods and materials

This is a clinical trial study on 22 patients who underwent periorbital rejuvenation referred to University Skin Clinics. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of blepharoplasty or micropunch blepharopeeling. After procedure, all patients were followed in 2 weeks and 2 months and were asked about complications. Patients' satisfaction was scored based on 5‐grade scale. Physician satisfaction was assessed based on patients' photographs taken before and 2 months after surgery based on 4‐grade scale.

Results

The mean age of group MBP was 48.45 ± 7.71 and group BP was 45.45 ± 7.20 (P‐value = .36) and Fitzpatrick skin type was not significantly different. Scar was significantly different between groups that 4 (36.4%) patients of BP complained from scars, while none of MBP had significant scar (P‐value = .04). Patients were statistically more satisfied with MBP in terms of symmetry, pain, and scar (P‐value = .048, .040, and<.001, respectively). Also, MBP was significantly more satisfying for physicians in terms of symmetry and scar (P‐value = .047 and <.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Micropunch blepharopeeling can be considered as an acceptable procedure of upper eyelid rejuvenation mentioned by patients and physicians. Micropunch blepharopeeling causes fewer scars, better symmetry, and less pain.
Improving posthospital medication management in a Danish municipality: A process evaluation
Authors: Kollerup Mette Geil , Curtis Tine , Laursen Birgitte Schantz
Published: May 2018

Aims and objectives

To evaluate an intervention developed to improve patient safety in posthospital medication management carried out by visiting nurses working in a municipality in Denmark. The intervention consisted of three elements: an initial interdisciplinary home visit by nurses, two subsequent scheduled visits and the use of an organising tool.

Background

As a consequence of specialised treatment plans and new treatment possibilities, patients with complex care needs can now be discharged from hospital more rapidly—and in greater numbers—than previously. Medication management is identified as the most challenging component of a discharge from the hospital to the home, in which discrepancies have been found in up to 94% of medication lists.

Design

A process evaluation inspired by the UK Medical Research Council's guidance.

Methods

The process evaluation was conducted for three months in a visiting nurses’ department. Data consisted of visiting nurses’ self‐reports of performance of the intervention and group interviews (n = 4) with visiting nurses (n = 14). Self‐reports were analysed to evaluate implementation performance and elaborated with interview data to illuminate mechanisms of impact and contextual factors.

Results

The implementation of the intervention highlighted the importance of the nurse–patient relationship, nursing assessment and logistics, and professional values in posthospital medication management. Complex care needs were a mediator in the high implementation rate, which involved 31 of the 38 patients in the target group.

Conclusion

For patients with complex care needs, posthospital medication management may be improved by a reconsideration of the activity‐based funding of home health care, a recognition of the importance of organising work and a critical consideration of standard systems.

Relevance to clinical practice

An increase in the number of patients with complex care needs in home health care is an international issue that affects many healthcare systems. This study points at contextual challenges and possible methods for facilitating the future development of posthospital care for these patients.
Redefining perinatal experience: A philosophical exploration of a hypothetical case of gender diversity in labour and birth
Authors: Richardson Brianna , Price Sheri , Campbell‐Yeo Marsha
Published: May 2018

Objective and aims

Using a queer phenomenological approach, the objective of this philosophical analysis was to explore the transgender experience in highly gendered clinical areas, such as the birth unit, and make recommendations on how to provide perinatal care that is inclusive of gender diversity within these areas. This study aims to describe a hypothetical clinical experience to provide insight on the institutional barriers that currently exist and to provide nurses and midwives with pragmatic strategies to enhance gender‐diverse care in general and gendered clinical areas.

Background

Currently, general healthcare providers are not sufficiently educated on how to care for and meet the needs of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning and other communities (LGBTQ+). This vulnerable population continually faces stigma, discrimination and marginalisation, which act as barriers to accessing healthcare services. Although transgender people often have difficulty accessing health care in general settings, they experience an even greater challenge within traditionally gendered clinical care areas.

Design

Queer phenomenology was used to guide a critical philosophical analysis of hypothetical case reflecting a clinical scenario regarding a transgender man's experience in labour and birth.

Discussion

Healthcare professionals often provide insufficient care to transgender persons, inadvertently leading to further marginalisation of this vulnerable population. Special consideration to provide gender‐diverse care throughout the perinatal period is needed. Structures and supports are essential to enhance the care from providers in attending to the unique needs of transgender individuals and reduce oppressive effects from heteronormative environments.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses and midwives are leading exemplars of providing person‐centred care and are capable of advocating for equitable care amongst all populations to influence systemic change. Strategies for implementing changes that address LGBTQ+ health needs and specific recommendations for providing gender‐diverse care in the perinatal settings are discussed.
Exploring the growth trajectory of cultural competence in Taiwanese paediatric nurses
Authors: Chen Chiu‐I , Huang Mei‐Chih
Published: May 2018

Aim

To explore the evolution of cultural competence in Taiwanese paediatric nurses.

Background

Because transnational marriage has become a social phenomenon in Taiwan, the proportion of newborns of new immigrant mothers accounts for 8%–10% of total births every year. As family‐centred care is the core value of paediatric nursing, it is necessary to teach caregivers how to take care of hospitalised children and perform related nursing care as well as to determine what difficulties nurses will encounter when they care for patients from diverse cultures and to find solutions for these problems. Unfortunately, few nursing programmes provide elective transcultural courses.

Design

A phenomenological design was applied in the study.

Method

A purposive sampling method was used. Nurses who had served in paediatric wards for over 1 year and who also had experience with taking care of the children of new immigrants were recruited as the informants. The data were collected through face‐to‐face in‐depth interviews and analysed using Moustakas’ method (1994). Rigour and trustworthiness was based on Yardley's evaluative criteria.

Results

The researcher interviewed ten paediatric nurses. Their average age was 31.6 years. The mean seniority of their service in paediatric wards was 6.3 years. Four major themes were obtained from the data, including perceiving difficulties related to caring for patients from diverse cultures, self‐reflection on diverse cultures and the findings, finding approaches based on experiences with diverse cultures and new perceptions and identification with diverse cultures.

Conclusions

In this study, clinical nurses were interviewed who had not had cultural competency training during their nursing education. It is suggested that such courses be provided for nurses to improve their cultural competence.

Relevance for clinical practice

Accordingly, educational strategies could be generated to improve nurses’ cultural competence related to clinical applications.
Acute and subacute antidiabetic studies of ENP-9, a new 1,5-diarylpyrazole derivative
Authors: Hernández-Vázquez Eduardo , Young-Peralta Sandra , Cerón-Romero Litzia , García-Jiménez Sara , Estrada-Soto Samuel
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To explore the antihyperglycaemic and antidiabetic effects and to determine the acute toxicity of 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-4-methyl-N-(piperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (ENP-9).

Methods

The antihyperglycaemic effect of ENP-9 (50 mg/kg) was determined by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Also, the acute (16, 50 and 160 mg/kg) and subacute (50 mg/kg/day for 10 days) antidiabetic effects of ENP-9 were determined. After subacute treatment, blood samples were analysed to determine glucose and lipid profiles. Also, an acute toxicity determination of ENP-9 was conducted followed the OECD recommendation. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock 4.2.6 at human cannabinoid receptor 1 (PDB code 5TGZ).

Key findings

Acute Administration of ENP-9 showed significant antidiabetic effect and decreased the maximum OGTT peak, compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the 10 days treatment induced a decrease in plasma glucose levels, being significant at the end of the experiments (P < 0.05); however, triacylglycerols and cholesterol were not modified. Finally, LD50 of ENP-9 was estimated to be greater than 2000 mg/kg. Molecular docking suggests that ENP-9 may act as rimonabant does.

Conclusions

ENP-9 showed significant antihyperglycaemic and antidiabetic properties and also was demonstrated to be safety in the studied doses, which might allow future studies for its potential development as antidiabetic agent.
A novel 4q25 microdeletion encompassing PITX2 associated with Rieger syndrome
Authors: Yang Yi , Wang Xin , Zhao Yuming , Qin Man
Published: May 2018

Objective

Rieger syndrome (RS) is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal development of the eyes, teeth, and umbilicus, and the paired‐like homeodomain 2 (PITX2) gene is often implicated in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to identify the underlying genetic defect in a Chinese patient with RS.

Subjects and Methods

DNA samples were screened for PITX2 gene mutations and copy number variations (CNVs) using Sanger sequencing and genomic quantitative PCR analysis (qPCR). Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was performed to fine‐map the CNVs.

Results

The proband suffered from severe hypodontia and conical teeth in her permanent dentition. No PITX2 point mutations were found in this Chinese family, but a heterozygous deletion involving PITX2 was suspected and verified by the SNPs analysis and qPCR in the proband. An approximately 0.47 Mb (chr4: 111, 334, 313–111, 799, 327, GRCh37/hg19) deletion including PITX2 was finally determined by CMA.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of RS caused by a CNV of the PITX2 gene in a Chinese patient. CNV screening must be considered if point mutation screens yield negative results in these patients. The distribution of SNP genotypes among family members may also provide clues about gene deletion.