bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Australian dermatological postoperative patient information leaflets: Should we have a national checklist?
Authors: Hunt William TN , O'Sullivan Niamh‐Anna , Donnelly Alan
Published: April 2017

Background/Objectives

Patient information leaflets (PILs) are frequently provided to patients following dermatological surgery to provide advice and reassurance in the community. This evaluation reviewed the guidance specified in postoperative PILs across the 40 Australian dermatology teaching departments and clinics.

Methods

All 40 departments and clinics were identified and asked to provide their postoperative information leaflets on sutured wound care (preferable) or excision biopsy (September–October 2015). For eachPIL, 10 preselected parameters were evaluated.

Results

In total, 28/40 (70%) of units responded. From these units, 11/28 (39.3%) stated they do not use a postoperativePIL. Of the 17 units that provided PILs, the mode minimum dressing duration was 24 (6/17; 35.3%) and 48 h (6/17; 35.3%). For haemostatic advice, 12 PILs specified the time to press on a bleeding wound, with the most common advice being 10 (3/12; 25%) and 20 min (3/12; 25%). Of the 14 PILs that provided analgesic advice, the mode information suggested using paracetamol only and avoiding aspirin (4/14, 28.6%). Two or more signs of infection were stated in 11/17 (64.7%) PILs; 7/17 (41.2%) advised applying petroleum jelly to the wound, almost all PILs highlighted the contact for postoperative problems 16/17 (94.1%), and 5/17 (29.4%) leaflets mentioned scarring. Altogether 8/17 (47.1%) of PILs advised on the timeframe until active exercise could resume postoperatively.

Conclusion

Guidance provided in Australian postoperative dermatological PILs is heterogeneous. A consensus checklist or template would be beneficial and ensure that advice provided to patients is more consistent; this could be adapted for local factors.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Venlafaxine in an Everyday Clinical Setting: Analysis of Age, Sex and Dose Concentration Relationships
Authors: Hansen Morten Rix , Kuhlmann Ida Berglund , Pottegård Anton , Damkier Per
Published: April 2017

Venlafaxine is a commonly used antidepressant agent. We aimed to provide detailed information on the associations between venlafaxine dose and concentrations of venlafaxine, by patient age and sex. From a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) database located at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, we identified all adults for whom the treating physician had requested clinical advice on the TDM result for venlafaxine between 2002 and 2012. We identified 1077 TDM samples of venlafaxine from 334 males and 743 females (median age 45 years), and the median daily dose was 225 mg. Median plasma concentration of venlafaxine and o‐desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) was 306 nmol/L and 861 nmol/L, respectively. The median dose‐corrected serum level for venlafaxine was 1.49 nmol/L/mg., while the dose‐corrected serum level of men and women were 1.21 nmol/L/mg and 1.60 nmol/L/mg, respectively. The dose‐corrected sum of venlafaxine and ODV was 8.91 nmol/L/mg (IQR 6.56–12.26) versus 5.52 nmol/L/mg (IQR 4.16–7.52) for patients above 64 years and below the age of 65 years, respectively. Dose‐corrected plasma concentrations of venlafaxine and ODV are increased to a clinically significant degree in patients above the age of 64, and initiation of venlafaxine therapy in the elderly should be made cautiously and supported by drug measurements.
Life in the ‘Anti‐psychiatry’ Fast Lane
Authors: Oakley Haya
Published: April 2017

This is a personal account of life in the Philadelphia Association from the late 1960s to the 1990s when some of the ideas of Basaglia, Cooper, Deleuze, Esterson, Fanon, Foucault, Guattari, Laing and Szasz were put into practice. Cooper's Psychiatry and Anti‐psychiatry () was the inspiration for what appeared as an international movement within psychiatry, influenced, among other things, by Foucault's Madness and Civilization (). Szasz believed mental illness to be a myth created by society; Cooper believed that the family was an instrument of oppression perpetrating psychological violence on its members; Laing believed that if one studied the specific forms of communication within families of schizophrenics one could make madness intelligible and therefore amenable to some form of psychotherapy. The paper highlights the evolving understanding of psychosis within the Philadelphia Association and the relationship of psychosis to psychoanalysis. It suggests that far from being a misguided blip in the history of psychiatry, ‘anti‐psychiatry’ could be seen as having revolutionized our discourse in relation to psychosis in a way which has left a worthy and lasting legacy, linking treatment to how we treat one another.
Dealing With Social Difficulty During Adolescence: The Role of Implicit Theories of Personality
Authors: Yeager David S.
Published: April 2017

Social difficulty during adolescence contributes to internalizing problems (e.g., depression, stress) and spurs cycles of aggression and retaliation. In this article, I review how implicit theories of personality—beliefs about whether people can change their socially relevant characteristics—cause some adolescents to respond to social difficulty in these ways while others do not. Believing an entity theory of personality—the belief that people cannot change—causes people to blame their own and others’ traits for social difficulty, and predicts more extreme affective, physiological, and behavioral responses (e.g., depression, aggression). Interventions that teach an incremental theory of personality—the belief that people can change—can reduce problematic reactions to social difficulty. I discuss why interventions to alter implicit theories improve adolescents’ responses to conflict, and I propose suggestions for research.
Mental health and wellbeing of care leavers: Making sense of their perspectives
Authors: Sims‐Schouten Wendy , Hayden Carol
Published: April 2017

Despite considerable quantifiable data about the circumstances of care leavers in the United Kingdom, there is less qualitative data about how these circumstances are experienced. This article is underpinned by positioning theory, with a particular focus on the unfolding personal narratives of young care leavers in relation to their mental health and wellbeing and the role of a life‐skills programme in supporting them in this respect. The research illustrates that leaving care projects, such as the one in the current study, are more focused on employment and housing issues than on addressing the mental health and wellbeing needs of young people. Our analysis of interviews with young people illustrates the ambiguity of understandings of concepts such as “mental health” and “wellbeing,” and the complexity of responses to questioning around this area. This illustrates one of the major problems in evaluating the outputs and outcomes of such projects in terms of simplistic targets, where mental health and wellbeing are not clearly defined or understood by young people themselves. The current research provides a more complex picture. More research is needed that involves in‐depth and longitudinal assessment of specific mental health needs of care leavers and how they can be addressed successfully.
A Multi‐Factor Account of Degrees of Awareness
Authors: Fazekas Peter , Overgaard Morten
Published: April 2017

In this paper we argue that awareness comes in degrees, and we propose a novel multi‐factor account that spans both subjective experiences and perceptual representations. At the subjective level, we argue that conscious experiences can be degraded by being fragmented, less salient, too generic, or flash‐like. At the representational level, we identify corresponding features of perceptual representations—their availability for working memory, intensity, precision, and stability—and argue that the mechanisms that affect these features are what ultimately modulate the degree of awareness. We conclude the paper by demonstrating why the original interpretations of certain empirical findings that apparently pose problems for our account are, in fact, flawed.
Preparing a Data Scientist: A Pedagogic Experience in Designing a Big Data Analytics Course
Authors: Asamoah Daniel Adomako , Sharda Ramesh , Hassan Zadeh Amir , Kalgotra Pankush
Published: April 2017

In this article, we present an experiential perspective on how a big data analytics course was designed and delivered to students at a major Midwestern university. In reference to the MSIS 2006 Model Curriculum, we designed this course as a level 2 course, with prerequisites in databases, computer programming, statistics, and data mining. Students in the class were mostly seniors or at the graduate level, and had a strong technical and quantitative background. We include details of concepts covered in the course, as well as summaries of four major sample course assignments used. Some of the concepts covered include large‐scale data collection and management using the Hadoop ecosystem, stream mining, visual analytics, and social network analytics. Besides Hadoop, the course also introduced various IBM and Teradata big data tools. We show how the course modules align with the intended learning goals and course objectives. A post‐course survey indicated that the structure and organization of the course helped students clearly and concisely assimilate the course content.
What makes fish vulnerable to capture by hooks? A conceptual framework and a review of key determinants
Authors: Lennox Robert J , Alós Josep , Arlinghaus Robert , Horodysky Andrij , Klefoth Thomas , Monk Christopher T , Cooke Steven J
Published: April 2017

Considerable time and money are expended in the pursuit of catching fish with hooks (e.g., handlining, angling, longlining, trolling, drumlining) across the recreational, commercial and subsistence fishing sectors. The fish and other aquatic organisms (e.g., squid) that are captured are not a random sample of the population because external (e.g., turbidity) and underlying internal variables (e.g., morphology) contribute to variation in vulnerability to hooks. Vulnerability is the probability of capture for any given fish in a given location at a given time and mechanistically explains the population‐level catchability coefficient, which is a fundamental and usually time‐varying (i.e., dynamic) variable in fisheries science and stock assessment. The mechanistic drivers of individual vulnerability to capture are thus of interest to fishers by affecting catch rates, but are also of considerable importance to fisheries managers whenever hook‐and‐line‐generated data contribute to stock assessments. In this paper, individual vulnerability to hooks is conceptualized as a dynamic state, in which individual fish switch between vulnerable and invulnerable states as a function of three interdependent key processes: an individual fish's internal state, its encounter with the gear, and the characteristics of the encountered gear. We develop a new conceptual framework of “vulnerability,” summarize the major drivers of fish vulnerability, and conclude that fish vulnerability involves complex processes. To understand vulnerability, a shift to interdisciplinary research and the integration of ecophysiology, fish ecology, fisheries ecology and human movement ecology, facilitated by new technological developments, is required.
Scripting Sexual Consent: Internalized Traditional Sexual Scripts and Sexual Consent Expectancies Among College Students
Authors: Hust Stacey J. T. , Rodgers Kathleen Boyce , Bayly Benjamin
Published: April 2017

College students are at a relatively high risk for both sexual assault victimization and perpetration, and understanding sexual consent is imperative to reduce the incidence of sexual assault. Informed by the interactionist perspective of feminist theory, we surveyed 447 undergraduate students to identify factors associated with heterosexual college students' expectancies related to sexual consent. Women who believed in sexual stereotypes and endorsed music that degrades women were less likely than other women to expect to engage in healthy negotiation of sexual consent. Men who were confident that they could avoid perpetrating nonsexual, physical interpersonal violence were statistically more likely to report practicing healthy negotiation of sexual consent. These results indicate that it is important for practitioners to consider individuals' sexual stereotypes in the prevention of interpersonal sexual violence.
“Bringing the outside world in”: Enriching social connection through health student placements in a teaching aged care facility
Authors: Annear Michael J. , Elliott Kate‐Ellen J. , Tierney Laura T. , Lea Emma J. , Robinson Andrew
Published: April 2017

Background

Older adults living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) often experience limited opportunities for social connection despite close proximity to peers, which has implications for mental health and quality of life (QoL). The introduction of large‐scale undergraduate health student placements in RACFs may enhance opportunities for meaningful engagement through social connection, although this remains unexplored.

Objective

This research explores whether interpersonal encounters between health students and RACF residents influence residents’ opportunities for social connection and QoL.

Methods

A mixed methods design was employed which included questionnaire data from residents, and qualitative interview data from residents, family members and RACF staff. Data were collected during and after student placements to allow for an in‐depth exploration of residents, family members and staff perspectives.

Results

Forty‐three participants (28 residents, 10 staff and five family members) were recruited during 2014. Overall, many residents had clinical levels of depression, mild cognitive impairment and multiple morbidities, however reported moderate‐to‐good QoL. Thematic analysis was undertaken on interview transcripts, and three themes emerged: (i) social isolation and loneliness fostered by residents’ age‐related conditions, (ii) students expand socially supportive connections beyond the RACF and (iii) meaning making by sharing health experiences, which was found to help renegotiate older adults’ pervasive narrative of vulnerability.

Conclusion

Supported and structured health student placements in RACFs enable older adults to participate in meaningful encounters with younger people. These encounters focus on sharing health experiences and address long‐standing issues of isolation and loneliness by providing opportunities for social connection.
Reliability studies of gelcast fused silica between organic and inorganic binder systems
Authors: Manivannan Ramalingam , Srikanth Ivaturi , Kumar Abhoy , Kumar Anil , Subrahmanyam Challapalli
Published: April 2017

Fused silica ceramics was prepared by using conventional organic binder, mathacrylamide‐N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MAM‐MBAM) system by gelcasting process. Mechanical properties of green bodies were studied as a function of solid loading varying from 60 to 72 vol%. After evaluating the green body mechanical properties, the samples were densified at different sintering temperature from 1200 to 1450°C with definite intervals of 50°C and subjected to flexural strength analysis. Variation in flexural strength with sintering temperature was observed and correlated with the quantity of devitrification of fused silica during sintering. Quantification of devitrified cristobalite was carried out by using 20 wt% rutile (TiO2) as an internal standard by X‐ray diffraction. It was found that, as the cristobalite content increased, flexural strength decreased. Reliability studies were carried out for the samples having maximum flexural strength with and without crystalline content. Reliability studies have shown that for this organic binder system the sample sintered at 1300°C is crystalline free and most reliable product. The mechanical properties and reliability of this product processed with organic binder are compared with inorganic binder system. Results indicate that the sample fabricated using inorganic binder system is exhibiting high Weibull modulus and thus better reliability.
Superfine grinding improves the bioaccessibility and antioxidant properties of Dendrobium officinale powders
Authors: Meng Qingran , Fan Haoran , Xu Dan , Aboshora Waleed , Tang Yiyou , Xiao Tiancun , Zhang Lianfu
Published: April 2017

In herbal markets, an overwhelming majority the D. officinale are sold in spiral or spring form, and this kind of product would lead to the incomplete release of some nutrients. To increase the bioaccessibility of D. officinale, we report a method of pulverisation treatments including general and superfine grinding to reduce the particle size. In comparison with coarse D. officinale, the superfine ground D. officinale with particle sizes of <18 μm resulted in significant higher bulk density, better flowability and greater hydration properties. The protein and polysaccharide solubility of D. officinale increased significantly as its particle size decreased. The extract of D. officinale with a particle size of <18 μm showed that highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents accompanied with the best antioxidant activity through all antioxidant assays compared with coarse ground D. officinale and D. officinale products.
CCR5 expression, haplotype and immune activation in protection from infection in HIV‐exposed uninfected individuals in HIV‐serodiscordant relationships
Authors: Jaumdally Shameem Z. , Picton Anabela , Tiemessen Caroline T. , Paximadis Maria , Jaspan Heather B. , Gamieldien Hoyam , Masson Lindi , Coetzee David , Williamson Anna‐Lise , Little Francesca , Gumbi Pamela P. , Passmore Jo‐Ann S.
Published: April 2017

Several host factors have been implicated in resistance to HIV infection in individuals who remain HIV‐seronegative despite exposure. In a cohort of HIV‐serodiscordant heterosexual couples, we investigated interactions between systemic inflammation and T‐cell activation in resistance to HIV infection. Males and females in stable long‐term relationships with either HIV‐infected or uninfected partners were recruited, blood T‐cell activation (CD38, HLA‐DR, CCR5 and Ki67) and plasma cytokine concentrations were evaluated. The HIV‐negative exposed individuals had significantly lower frequencies of CCR5+ CD4+ and CD8+ T cells than unexposed individuals. Mean fluorescence intensity of CCR5 expression on CD4+ T cells was significantly lower in HIV‐negative exposed than unexposed individuals. Protective CCR5 haplotypes (HHA/HHF*2, HHF*2/HHF*2, HHC/HHF*2, HHA/HHA, HHA/HHC and HHA/HHD) tended to be over‐represented in exposed compared with unexposed individuals (38% versus 28%, P = 0·58) whereas deleterious genotypes (HHC/HHD, HHC/HHE, HHD/HHE, HHD/HHD and HHE/HHE) were under‐represented (26% versus 44%; P = 0·16). Plasma concentrations of interleukin‐2 (P = 0·02), interferon‐γ (P = 0·05) and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (P = 0·006) were lower in exposed compared with unexposed individuals. Activation marker expression and systemic cytokine concentrations were not influenced by gender. We conclude that the dominant signature of resistance to HIV infection in this cohort of exposed but uninfected individuals was lower T‐cell CCR5 expression and plasma cytokine concentrations.
Stigmatization and self‐determination of preregistration nurses: A path analysis
Authors: Perlman Dana , Brighton Renee , Patterson Christopher , Moxham Lorna , Taylor Ellie K. , Sumskis Susan , Heffernan Tim
Published: April 2017

The concept of stigma and the stigmatizing behaviours of health‐care professionals can have a profound influence on people with mental illness. A key construct that has been identified as influencing our behaviours is self‐determination. As such, in the present study, we attempted to examine the connection and influence of motivational measures on the stigmatization of preregistration nurses. Data were collected once using three surveys that measured the motivational responses and stigmatizing behaviours of preregistration nurses after an approved mental health clinical placement. Using a path analysis, the results indicated that psychological needs significantly influenced preregistration nurses’ self‐determination towards work. In addition, self‐determination was a significant influence on the stigmatization behaviours of preregistration nurses. The results of the present study provide initial empirical evidence that supports the importance of professional self‐determination and the potential connection of quality care, as illustrated with the low stigmatizing behaviours of preregistration nurses who are more self‐determined towards their work/career. Because of the significant results of the present study, it is recommended that future research is needed that uses self‐determination theory as a lens to understand the application and importance within the field of nurse education.
Der Basidiomyzet Schizophyllum commune in den Nasennebenhöhlen
Authors: Buzina W. , Braun H. , Freudenschuss K. , Lackner A. , Schimpl K. , Stammberger H.
Published: April 2017

In der medizinischen Literatur der vergangenen 50 Jahre findet man nur 22 Fälle, in denen der weltweit vorkommende Basidiomyzet Schizophyllum commune beschrieben wurde. In einem Zeitraum von drei Jahren haben wir 270 Patienten untersucht, die entweder unter einer chronischen Sinusitis oder unter einer Nasennebenhöhlen‐mykose litten. Dazu wurde entweder Nasenschleim oder Operationsmaterial aus den Nasennebenhöhlen (NNH) kultiviert und die entstandenen Pilzkulturen mikroskopisch identifiziert. Konnten die Pilze nicht eindeutig bestimmt werden, wurde deren DNA zur molekularbiologischen Untersuchung isoliert. Die Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Region des ribosomalen Gen‐Clusters wurde mit pilzspezifischen Primern amplifiziert und das entstandene PCR‐Produkt sequenziert. Zusätzlich wurden alle sterilen, mit weißem Myzel wachsenden Pilze mit dem Primerpaar scom1/scom2r, welches spezifisch für S. commune ist, amplifiziert. Insgesamt konnten wir im Untersuchungszeitraum von drei Jahren in zwölf Fällen S. commune aus unserem Patientengut isolieren. Die präsentierten Methoden zeigen, dass dieser Basidiomyzet in Patienten mit Erkrankungen der NNH viel häufiger vorkommt, als man bisher angenommen hat.
Gold nanoparticle colorants as traditional ceramic glaze alternatives
Authors: Lambertson Raef H. , Lacy Christie A. , Gillespie Samuel D. , Leopold Michael C. , Coppage Ryan H.
Published: April 2017

Historically, Roman stained glass has been a standard for high‐temperature color stability since biblical times but was not properly characterized as emission from nanoparticle plasmon resonance until the 1990s. The methods under which it was created have been lost, but some efforts have recently been made to recreate these properties using gold nanoparticle inks on glassy surfaces. This body of work employs gold nanoparticle systems ranging from 0.015% to 0.100% (wt/wt), suspended in a clear glaze body. The glazes are fired with traditional ceramic methods—in both gas reduction and electric oxidation kilns—in which nanoparticles are retained and can be imaged via TEM. Various colors intensities are reported in addition to changes in nanoparticle size after application and firing. The nanoparticle glazes are compared to traditional red glazes, highlighting the significantly lower metal loading required (5%‐10% for traditional glazes vs 0.100% for gold (wt/wt)), therein. Finally, proof of concept is provided with a functional gold nanoparticle mug, fired in reduction, that costs roughly 0.98$ USD in gold used.
Physical activity prescription by primary care nurses using health assets: Study design of a randomized controlled trial in patients with cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Riera‐Sampol Aina , Tauler Pedro , Bennasar‐Veny Miquel , Leiva Alfonso , Artigues‐Vives Guillem , De Pedro‐Gómez Joan , Pericàs Jordi , Moreno Carlos , Arbos Maite , Aguilo Antoni
Published: April 2017

Aim

To analyse the efficacy of a 12‐month multifactorial intervention by primary care nurses in increasing adherence to physical activity prescription (150 min/week) in patients with two or more cardiovascular risk factors and with cardiovascular risk up to 15% determined by the REGICOR equation.

Background

In Spain, cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 30.5% of deaths. Regular physical activity decreases mortality risk due to cardiovascular diseases but the effectiveness of physical activity prescription in routine in primary care settings has been shown to be low.

Design

Multicentre, single‐blind, parallel randomized (in two different branches) clinical trial.

Methods

At least 368 participants will be recruited (184 control and 184 intervention), to show an 8% increase in adherence to the physical activity prescription (1.2% control group and 9.2% intervention group). Participants will be patients aged 35–75 years with at least two cardiovascular risk factors and with a cardiovascular risk of up to 15% measured using the Framingham‐REGICOR equation. Intervention will be performed throughout baseline and three follow‐up visits. A motivational interview, the trans‐theoretical stages of changes of Prochaska and DiClemente and an individualized prescription of physical exercise using physical activity assets will be used in the intervention. Data will be collected at baseline and after the 1‐year intervention.

Discussion

The present study will allow us to find out whether this brief multifactorial intervention induces greater adherence to physical activity prescription than usual practice, improving the quality of patient care.

Trial Registration

International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): ISRCTN76069254. Protocol version 1.1, 6 July 2015.
Affective empathy, cognitive empathy and social attention in children at high risk of criminal behaviour
Authors: van Zonneveld Lisette , Platje Evelien , de Sonneville Leo , van Goozen Stephanie , Swaab Hanna
Published: April 2017

Background

Empathy deficits are hypothesized to underlie impairments in social interaction exhibited by those who engage in antisocial behaviour. Social attention is an essential precursor to empathy; however, no studies have yet examined social attention in relation to cognitive and affective empathy in those exhibiting antisocial behaviour.

Methods

Participants were 8‐ to 12‐year‐old children at high risk of developing criminal behaviour (N = 114, 80.7% boys) and typically developing controls (N = 43, 72.1% boys). The high‐risk children were recruited through an ongoing early identification and intervention project of the city of Amsterdam, focusing on the underage siblings or children of delinquents and those failing primary school. Video clips with neutral and emotional content (fear, happiness and pain) were shown, while heart rate (HR), skin conductance level (SCL) and skin conductance responses (SCRs) were recorded to measure affective empathy. Answers to questions about emotions in the clips were coded to measure cognitive empathy. Eye‐tracking was used to evaluate visual scanning patterns towards social relevant cues (eyes and face) in the clips.

Results

The high‐risk group did not differ from the control group in social attention and cognitive empathy, but showed reduced HR to pain and fear, and reduced SCL and SCRs to pain.

Conclusions

Children at high risk of developing criminal behaviour show impaired affective empathy but unimpaired social attention and cognitive empathy. The implications for early identification and intervention studies with antisocial children are discussed.
Sexual coloration and sperm performance in the Australian painted dragon lizard, Ctenophorus pictus
Authors: McDiarmid C. S. , Friesen C. R. , Ballen C. , Olsson M.
Published: April 2017

Theory predicts trade‐offs between pre‐ and post‐copulatory sexually selected traits. This relationship may be mediated by the degree to which males are able to monopolize access to females, as this will place an upper limit on the strength of post‐copulatory selection. Furthermore, traits that aid in mate monopolization may be costly to maintain and may limit investment in post‐copulatory traits, such as sperm performance. Australian painted dragons are polymorphic for the presence or absence of a yellow gular patch (‘bibs’), which may aid them to monopolize access to females. Previous work has shown that there are physiological costs of carrying this bib (greater loss of body condition in the wild). Here, we show that male painted dragons use this bright yellow bib as both an inter‐ and intrasexual signal, and we assess whether this signal is traded off against sperm performance within the same individuals. We found no relationship between aspects of bib colour and sperm swimming velocity or percentage of motile sperm and suggest that the bib polymorphism may be maintained by complex interactions between physiological or life‐history traits including other sperm or ejaculate traits and environmental influences.
Cyst‐Theca Relationship and Phylogenetic Position of Impagidinium caspienense Incubated from Caspian Sea Surface Sediments: Relation to Gonyaulax baltica and Evidence for Heterospory within Gonyaulacoid Dinoflagellates
Authors: Mertens Kenneth N. , Takano Yoshihito , Gu Haifeng , Bagheri Siamak , Pospelova Vera , Pieńkowski Anna J. , Leroy Suzanne A. G. , Matsuoka Kazumi
Published: April 2017

We investigate the cyst‐theca relationship of Impagidinium caspienense. Through an incubation experiment, we succeeded in examining the motile stage. Additional molecular analysis of single‐cyst PCR (LSU and SSU rDNA) reveal that the cyst is related to the species Gonyaulax baltica Ellegaard et al. (). The ability of this species to belong to two types of cyst‐based genera (spiniferate and impagidinioid) suggests that environmental (particularly salinity) and not genetic factors explain the formation of both morphotypes by G. baltica, which provides evidence for heterospory in this species. The affiliation to G. baltica demonstrates that I. caspienense is not endemic to the Caspian Sea. The phylogenetic position of several other gonyaulacoid species is also documented: Impagidinium pallidum, Ataxiodinium choane, Pyxidinopsis psilata, Spiniferites belerius, and Spiniferites ramosus. The LSU and SSU rDNA based phylogenies suggest that the genera Impagidinium and Spiniferites are not monophyletic, and that P. psilata and A. choane are close to Gonyaulax verior and Gonyaulax polygramma, respectively. In addition, this study accentuates the importance of cyst morphology in the classification of the Gonyaulacales.
Brain aging and neurodegeneration: from a mitochondrial point of view
Authors: Grimm Amandine , Eckert Anne
Published: April 2017

Aging is defined as a progressive time‐related accumulation of changes responsible for or at least involved in the increased susceptibility to disease and death. The brain seems to be particularly sensitive to the aging process since the appearance of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, is exponential with the increasing age. Mitochondria were placed at the center of the ‘free‐radical theory of aging’, because these paramount organelles are not only the main producers of energy in the cells, but also to main source of reactive oxygen species. Thus, in this review, we aim to look at brain aging processes from a mitochondrial point of view by asking: (i) What happens to brain mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics during aging? (ii) Why is the brain so sensitive to the age‐related mitochondrial impairments? (iii) Is there a sex difference in the age‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction? Understanding mitochondrial physiology in the context of brain aging may help identify therapeutic targets against neurodegeneration.

This article is part of a series “Beyond Amyloid”.

image
Immunotropic aspect of the Bacillus coagulans probiotic action
Authors: Bomko Tatiana V , Nosalskaya Tatiana N , Kabluchko Tatiana V , Lisnyak Yury V , Martynov Artur V
Published: April 2017

Objectives

Currently, probiotics are increasingly used as the alternative to antibiotics as well as the preventive measures in humans. In particular, probiotics occupy a key position in the treatment of antibiotics-associated intestinal dysbiosis. A spore-forming microorganism lactobacillus Bacillus coagulans is one of the most promising probiotics. However, some of its pharmacological effects remain poorly understood. This study was aimed at investigation of the effect of B. coagulans (Laktovit Forte) on the intestinal dysbiosis syndrome in mice caused by streptomycin against the background of cyclophosphamide-induced cellular immunodeficiency.

Methods

Pharmacological method: mouse model in vivo with immunodeficiency caused by cyclophosphamide.

Key findings

In mice with colitis caused by streptomycin treatment, the administration of B. coagulans (Laktovit Forte medicinal product) resulted in an antidiarrhoeal effect, normalisation of gastrointestinal motility and prevention of the animals’ weight loss. Given the cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression and streptomycin-associated diarrhoea, the immunity was completely restored only under the action of B. coagulans.

Conclusions

According to all parameters, B. coagulans has been proved to be more effective as compared to the Linex Forte reference product containing lacto- and bifidobacteria.
Usefulness and accuracy of MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry as a supplementary tool to identify mosquito vector species and to invest in development of international database
Authors: RAHARIMALALA F. N. , ANDRIANINARIVOMANANA T. M. , RAKOTONDRASOA A. , COLLARD J. M. , BOYER S.
Published: April 2017

Arthropod‐borne diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality. The identification of vector species relies mainly on morphological features and/or molecular biology tools. The first method requires specific technical skills and may result in misidentifications, and the second method is time‐consuming and expensive. The aim of the present study is to assess the usefulness and accuracy of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) as a supplementary tool with which to identify mosquito vector species and to invest in the creation of an international database. A total of 89 specimens belonging to 10 mosquito species were selected for the extraction of proteins from legs and for the establishment of a reference database. A blind test with 123 mosquitoes was performed to validate the MS method. Results showed that: (a) the spectra obtained in the study with a given species differed from the spectra of the same species collected in another country, which highlights the need for an international database; (b) MALDI‐TOF MS is an accurate method for the rapid identification of mosquito species that are referenced in a database; (c) MALDI‐TOF MS allows the separation of groups or complex species, and (d) laboratory specimens undergo a loss of proteins compared with those isolated in the field. In conclusion, MALDI‐TOF MS is a useful supplementary tool for mosquito identification and can help inform vector control.
Lay perspectives on the costs and risks of forgiving
Authors: STRELAN PETER , CRABB SHONA , CHAN DEBBIE , JONES LAURA
Published: April 2017

In this study, we directly investigated, for the first time, lay perspectives on the costs and risks of forgiveness (N = 130). Participants described previously experienced situations where forgiveness was costly, from the perspective of a grantor, a recipient, and as a third‐party observer. They also identified occasions when they thought it would be risky to forgive. We employed complementary quantitative and thematic analysis strategies to examine prevailing themes. The vast majority of participants believed forgiveness was risky, with approximately two thirds reporting both actual and vicarious experiences of costly forgiveness. An overarching theme was that power relations are particularly relevant to laypeople when they consider the costs and risks of forgiving.
Restoring the foundation of the Everglades ecosystem: assessment of edaphic responses to hydrologic restoration scenarios
Authors: Osborne Todd Z. , Fitz Harold Carl , Davis Stephen E.
Published: April 2017

Because of the significant role soils play in the health and function of the Everglades ecosystem, soil conservation is a central tenet of Everglades restoration. As such, it is critical to anticipate ecosystem responses to hydrologic restoration activities from the perspective of the soil component. The broad goal of this work was to investigate the resulting effects of various hydrologic restoration scenarios on soil processes of phosphorus and carbon accretion by modeling soil edaphic processes using the Everglades Landscape Model. The results of modeling effort suggest that full implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan provides the greatest spatial reduction of phosphorus (P) enrichment throughout the system. The existing condition baseline (ECB) scenario, which represents the current hydrologic and nutrient impaired condition, produced the highest observed rates of soil carbon accretion; however, this scenario is successful in accretion of soil carbon due to elevated P conditions, not restored hydrology. Management implications of restoration with respect to soil elucidated from this work include: (1) prioritization of habitat quality and ecosystem function (via P reduction) over carbon sequestration potential and (2) need to reduce P inputs before restoring hydrologic connectivity and historic flows.
Costa Rica v. Nicaragua and Nicaragua v. Costa Rica: Some Reflections on the Obligation to Conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment
Authors: Tanaka Yoshifumi
Published: April 2017

The Costa Rica v. Nicaragua and Nicaragua v. Costa Rica cases gave rise to important questions concerning States’ procedural and substantive obligations under international environment law, namely: the obligation to conduct an environmental impact assessment; the obligation to notify and consult; and substantive obligations concerning transboundary harm. The joint decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) provides interesting insights into the interpretation of these obligations, especially that of conducting an environmental impact assessment. In particular, the ICJ has highlighted the interlinkage between the obligations of due diligence, to conduct an environmental impact assessment, and to notify and consult; as well as the importance of scientific evidence in the settlement of disputes concerning environmental matters.
A Universal Human Right to Shape Responses to a Global Problem? The Role of Self‐Determination in Guiding the International Legal Response to Climate Change
Authors: Maguire Amy , McGee Jeffrey
Published: April 2017

International climate change law is at a critical juncture. Two decades of international treaty negotiations have delivered rising greenhouse gas emissions and minimal adaptation funding. The pattern of negotiations suggests that key States will often only make significant commitments that are aligned with their material interests and reciprocated by their competitors. This ‘logic of reciprocity’ in international climate negotiations has limited ambition such that vulnerable States are facing existential threats from sea level rise, storm surge and salt‐water inundation. We consider whether the international legal system offers any alternative logics that might found a duty on emitters to reduce their emissions in a timelier fashion and respond to climate‐change‐induced forced migration. We therefore focus on the foundational principle of the self‐determination of peoples, a collective human right which has supported movements towards decolonization and the emancipation of oppressed peoples. We argue that self‐determination might offer an alternative logic of duty on high‐emitting States to the plight of populations who find their territory (and potentially their nationhood) under threat from anthropogenic climate change.
Determinants of peripheral airway function in adults with and without asthma
Authors: Robinson Paul D. , King Gregory G. , Sears Malcolm R. , Hong Chuen Y. , Hancox Robert J.
Published: April 2017

Background and objective

Peripheral airway involvement in asthma remains poorly understood. We investigated impulse oscillometry (IOS) measures of peripheral airway function in a population‐based birth cohort.

Methods

Pre‐ and post‐bronchodilator spirometry and IOS measures of respiratory resistance and reactance were measured in 915 participants at age 38 years.

Results

Current asthma was associated with impairments in both spirometry and IOS parameters. These impairments were greater in men and in those with childhood persistent asthma. Spirometry and IOS values for those whose asthma was in remission were not different to non‐asthmatic participants. There were significant changes in IOS in both asthmatic and non‐asthmatic participants after bronchodilator, but between‐group differences persisted. Higher BMIs were associated with impairments in IOS but not spirometry. Cumulative tobacco use was associated with spirometric airflow obstruction in both sexes, whereas cannabis use was associated with impairments in IOS in women. Despite higher lifetime exposure, there were few associations between cannabis and IOS in men.

Conclusion

Asthma is associated with abnormalities in IOS measures of peripheral airway dysfunction. This association is stronger in men and in those with asthma persisting since childhood. Tobacco and cannabis use are associated with different patterns of spirometry and IOS abnormalities and may affect the bronchial tree at different airway generations with differences in susceptibility between sexes.
Mucoactive agents for chronic, non‐cystic fibrosis lung disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tarrant Benjamin J. , Le Maitre Caitlin , Romero Lorena , Steward Ranjana , Button Brenda M. , Thompson Bruce R. , Holland Anne E.
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Inhaled mucoactive agents are used in respiratory disease to improve mucus properties and enhance secretion clearance. The effect of mannitol, recombinant human deoxyribonuclease/dornase alfa (rhDNase) and hypertonic saline (HS) or normal saline (NS) are not well described in chronic lung conditions other than cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this review was to determine the benefit and safety of inhaled mucoactive agents outside of CF. We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL and CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of mucoactive agents on lung function, adverse events (AEs), health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), hospitalization, length of stay, exacerbations, sputum clearance and inflammation. There were detrimental effects of rhDNase in bronchiectasis, with average declines of 1.9–4.3% in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1
) and 3.7–5.4% in forced vital capacity (FVC) (n = 410, two studies), and increased exacerbation risk (relative risk = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.01–1.79 n = 349, one study). Some participants exhibited a reduction in FEV1
(≥10–15%) with mucoactive agents on screening (mannitol = 158 of 1051 participants, rhDNase = 2 of 30, HS = 3 of 80). Most AEs were mild and transient, including bronchospasm, cough and breathlessness. NS eased symptomatic burden in COPD, while NS and HS improved spirometry, HRQOL and sputum burden in non‐CF bronchiectasis. Mannitol improved mucociliary clearance in asthma and bronchiectasis, while the effects of N‐acetylcysteine were unclear. In chronic lung diseases outside CF, there are small benefits of mannitol, NS and HS. Adverse effects of rhDNase suggest this should not be administered in non‐CF bronchiectasis.
Prevalence of obesity hypoventilation syndrome in ambulatory obese patients attending pathology laboratories
Authors: Borel Jean‐Christian , Guerber Fabrice , Jullian‐Desayes Ingrid , Joyeux‐Faure Marie , Arnol Nathalie , Taleux Nellie , Tamisier Renaud , Pépin Jean‐Louis
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

The prevalence of obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) in the unselected obese is unknown. Our objectives were: (i) to determine the prevalence of OHS in ambulatory obese patients not previously referred to a pulmonologist for suspicion of sleep breathing disorders and (ii) to assess whether venous bicarbonate concentration [HCO3

−
v] can be used to detect OHS.

Methods

In this prospective multicentric study, we measured [HCO3

−
v] in consenting obese patients attending pathology analysis laboratories. Patients with [HCO3

−
v] ≥ 27 mmol/L were referred to a pulmonologist for comprehensive sleep and respiratory evaluations. Those with [HCO3

−
v] < 27 mmol/L were randomized to either referral to a pulmonologist or ended the study.

Results

For the 1004 screened patients, the [HCO3

−
v] was ≥27 mmol/L in 24.6% and <27 mmol/L in 45.9%. A total of 29.5% who had previously consulted a pulmonologist were excluded. A population of 241 obese patients underwent sleep and respiratory assessments. The prevalence of OHS in this population was 1.10 (95% CI = 0.51; 2.27). In multivariate analysis, PaCO2
, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1
), apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), BMI, use of ≥3 anti‐hypertensive drugs, anti‐diabetics, proton pump inhibitors and/or paracetamol were related to raised [HCO3

−
v].

Conclusion

The prevalence of OHS in our obese population was lower than previous estimations based on hospitalized patients or clinical cohorts with sleep breathing disorders. Apart from hypercapnia, increased [HCO3

−
v] may also reflect multimorbidity and polypharmacy, which should be taken into account when using [HCO3

−
v] to screen for OHS.
Growth in a time of austerity: evidence from the UK
Authors: Amann Juergen , Middleditch Paul
Published: April 2017

This paper uses an empirical approach to test the specific causal relationship between debt and growth in the UK, in the context of the debate surrounding the use of a policy known as austerity measures. This time series perspective makes use of more recent Granger causality and cointegration tests that allow for non‐stationarity in macroeconomic time series data in the presence of structural breaks. Controlling for exogenous shocks associated with the period around the financial crisis, we find no evidence of a causal relationship between economic growth and public debt for the UK.
The JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target in canine mastocytoma
Authors: Keller Alexandra , Wingelhofer Bettina , Peter Barbara , Bauer Karin , Berger Daniela , Gamperl Susanne , Reifinger Martin , Cerny‐Reiterer Sabine , Moriggl Richard , Willmann Michael , Valent Peter , Hadzijusufovic Emir
Published: April 2017

Background

Mastocytoma are frequently diagnosed cutaneous neoplasms in dogs. In non‐resectable mastocytoma patients, novel targeted drugs are often applied. The transcription factor STAT5 has been implicated in the survival of human neoplastic mast cells (MC). Our study evaluated the JAK2/STAT5 pathway as a novel target in canine mastocytoma.

Materials and Methods

We employed inhibitors of JAK2 (R763, TG101348, AZD1480, ruxolitinib) and STAT5 (pimozide, piceatannol) and evaluated their effects on 2 mastocytoma cell lines, C2 and NI‐1.

Results

Activated JAK2 and STAT5 were detected in both cell lines. The drugs applied were found to inhibit proliferation and survival in these cells with the following rank‐order of potency: R763 > TG101348 > AZD1480 > pimozide > ruxolitinib > piceatannol. Moreover, synergistic anti‐neoplastic effects were obtained by combining pimozide with KIT‐targeting drugs (toceranib, masitinib, nilotinib, midostaurin) in NI‐1 cells.

Conclusion

The JAK2/STAT5 pathway is a novel potential target of therapy in canine mastocytoma.