bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of U.S. Organ Procurement Organizations Regarding Pediatric Organ Donor Management
Authors: Ream Robert S. , Armbrecht Eric S.
Published: August 2016

Objective:

To describe the current practice of pediatric organ donor management in the United States for donors declared dead based upon neurologic criteria. The study directs particular attention to how pediatric donors are defined, the use of donor management guidelines, the use of donor management goals, and the involvement of pediatric critical care or transplantation expertise.

Design:

Cross-sectional observational study using a web-based survey and follow-up telephone interview with respondents from U.S. organ procurement organizations. The study also incorporated organ procurement organization–specific data on organ yield for the 4-year period (2010–2013) preceding the study.

Setting:

The 58 U.S. organ procurement organizations.

Subjects:

Respondents chosen by each organ procurement organization.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

All 58 U.S. organ procurement organizations participated in the study. Fifty-two respondents (90%) indicated that their organ procurement organization distinguished pediatric from adult donors resulting in 28 unique pediatric definitions. Thirty-nine organ procurement organizations utilized some form of written pediatric management guidelines, and 27 (47%) maintained pediatric donor management goals; compliance was infrequently monitored for both guidelines (28%) and goals (33%). A pediatric intensivist was always or usually involved in pediatric donor management at 47 organ procurement organizations (81%); transplant/organ recovery surgeons were always or usually involved at 12 organ procurement organizations (21%). There was an increase in the number of organs transplanted per donor among donors 11–17 years old for organ procurement organizations that used donor management goals for the duration of the period studied (p < 0.01). There was also an increase in the ratio of observed/expected organs transplanted among donors of 0–10 years old for organ procurement organizations that always or usually consulted a transplant/organ recovery surgeon (p = 0.02) although this did not reach our threshold for statistical significance..

Conclusions:

There is little consensus among organ procurement organizations regarding the definition of “pediatric” during organ donor management. Most organ procurement organizations employ written pediatric guidelines and use pediatric intensive care physicians for assistance in managing these donors. There is a positive association between the use of donor management goals and organ yield among pediatric donors in the 11- to 17-year age group.
Intraindividual Analysis of Signal Intensity Changes in the Dentate Nucleus After Consecutive Serial Applications of Linear and Macrocyclic Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents
Authors: Radbruch Alexander , Weberling Lukas D. , Kieslich Pascal J. , Hepp Johanna , Kickingereder Philipp , Wick Wolfgang , Schlemmer Heinz-Peter , Bendszus Martin
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Recent studies reported an increase in the dentate nucleus (DN)-to-pons signal intensity (SI) ratio (DN-pons SI ratio) on unenhanced T1-weighted images in patients who received consecutive serial injections of linear gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). In contrast, most studies found no increase in the DN-pons SI ratio when patients were treated with consecutive serial injections of macrocyclic GBCAs. However, the potential difference between macrocyclic and linear GBCAs has never been assessed in individuals who received subsequent applications of both contrast agents. In this retrospective study, we assessed the evolution of the DN-pons SI ratio change in patients that were treated with a comparable number of serial consecutive injections of the linear GBCA gadopentetate dimeglumine and subsequent serial injections of the macrocyclic GBCAs gadobutrol and gadoterate meglumine.

Materials and Methods

Data of 36 patients was analyzed. All patients underwent at least 5 consecutive administrations of the linear GBCA gadopentetate dimeglumine followed by an equal number of consecutive administrations of the macrocyclic GBCA gadobutrol. In 12 of the 36 patients, 5 or more final consecutive injections of the macrocyclic GBCA gadoterate meglumine were analyzed additionally. The difference of DN-pons SI ratios on unenhanced T1-weighted images was calculated by subtracting the ratio at the first examination from the ratio at the last examination in each of the 3 periods.

Results

The mean DN-pons SI ratio difference in the gadopentetate dimeglumine period was significantly greater than 0 (mean ± SD, 0.0448 ± 0.0345; P < 0.001), whereas the mean DN-pons SI ratio difference in the subsequent gadobutrol and gadoterate meglumine period was significantly smaller than 0 (gadobutrol: −0.0178 ± 0.0459, P = 0.026; gadoterate meglumine: −0.0250 ± 0.0284, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

In this observational study, the application of the linear GBCA gadopentetate dimeglumine was associated with a DN-pons SI ratio increase, whereas subsequent applications of the macrocyclic GBCAs gadobutrol or gadoterate meglumine in the same patients were not. Rather, the current data tentatively suggest a decrease in preexisting hyperintensities over time when linear GBCAs are changed to macrocyclic GBCAs, potentially indicating a washout effect or precipitation of gadolinium. Future patient studies need to include control groups to replicate the present results, and additional animal studies should be conducted to clarify the underlying mechanism of the proposed SI decrease.
The Importance of Reverse Translation for Preclinical Off-Target Mitigation: Quantification and Mitigation of Biases in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
Authors: Maciejewski Mateusz , Lounkine Eugen , Whitebread Steven , Farmer Pierre , DuMouchel Bill , Shoichet Brian K. , Urban Laszlo
Published: August 2016

The Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) is the primary source for post-marketing pharmacovigilance. Though potentially highly useful, the database reflects reporting biases, stimulated reporting, and suffers from lack of standardization and the use of multiple drug synonyms. These biases can suggest adverse drug reactions (ADRs) where none exist, and can obscure others that do exist. To decrease the noise in FAERS, and to reinforce important associations, we mapped over 750,000 drug identifiers in FAERS to the normalized chemical structures of their ingredients. This illuminated associations that would not otherwise be apparent, and also allowed a time-resolved analysis of ADR reporting. It also revealed similarities between drugs and adverse events across therapeutic classes, enabling unbiased classification of adverse events, indications, and drugs with similar clinical profiles. For instance, comparison of two selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, celecoxib and rofecoxib finds distinctive FAERS profiles after time-resolved analysis. We also investigated key idiosyncrasies, such as confusion between drug indications and drug ADRs, which can tar a drug treating a life-threatening disease, like thalidomide’s use against myeloma, with a deadly ADR that is likely the result of the disease itself, multiplications of the same report, which unjustifiably increases its apparent importance, and the correlation of reported ADRs with public events, regulatory announcements, and with publications. Comparing the pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and clinical ADR profiles of methylphenidate, aripiprazole and risperidone, and of kinase drugs targeting the VEGF receptor (VEGF-R2), demonstrates how underlying molecular mechanisms can emerge from ADR co-analysis. The precautions and methods we describe may enable investigators to avoid confounding chemistry-based associations and reporting biases in FAERS, and illustrate how comparative analysis of ADRs can reveal underlaying mechanisms.
The frequency spectrum of chromatin accessibility in Yorubans points toward a significant role of random genetic drift in shaping the chromatin landscape
Authors: Weavil-Abueg Mariah , Schraiber Joshua G.
Published: August 2016

The function of non-coding variation in the human genome is hotly debated. While much of the genome appears to be involved in some kind of molecular activity, a relatively small portion of the genome appears to be conserved across mammalian species. To try to understand part of this seeming paradox, we examined chromatin accessibility as a model molecular phenotype. We modeled chromatin state as either open or closed as looked at the frequency of open chromatin across 70 Yoruban cell lines. We saw that most regions of chromatin accessibility occurred in only a small number of individuals, although there are a number of regions that are accessible across the entire panel. To delve further into understanding the evolutionary mechanisms, we examined nucleotide diversity in and around accessible regions. We found that in the open chromatin access, low frequency regions had decreased nucleotide diversity, however, they were situated within regions of elevated nucleotide diversity. These results point toward a role of random mutation and genetic drift shaping the distribution of accessible regions in the human genome.
A comparison of Species Distribution Modeling approaches for an under-sampled parasite of public health importance,Echinococcus multilocularis
Authors: Williams Heather M. , Egan Brian , Dittmar Katharina
Published: August 2016

Background

Species distribution models (SDMs) have an important role in predicting the range of emerging and understudied pathogens and parasites. Their use, however, is often limited by the lack of high-resolution unbiased occurrence records.Echinococcus multilocularisis a parasitic cestode of public health importance which is widely distributed throughout Eu rasia and is considered an emerging threat in North America. In common with many parasite species, available data forE. multilocularisoccurrence are spatially biased and often poorly geo-referenced.

Results

Here we produce three separate SDMs using MaxEnt forE. multilocularisusing varying complexities of sampling schemes and environmental predictors, designed to make the best possible use of non-ideal occurrence data. The most realistic model utilized both derived and basic climatic predictors; an occurrence sampling scheme which relied primarily on high resolution occurrences from the literature and a bias grid to compensate for an apparently uneven research effort. All models predicted extensive regions of high suitability forE. multilocularisin North America, where the parasite is poorly studied and not currently under coordinated surveillance.

Conclusions

Through a pragmatic approach to non-ideal occurrence data we were able to produce a statistically well supported SDM for an under-studied species of public health importance. Although the final model was only trained on data from Eurasia, the global model projection encompassed all known occurrences in the United States. The approach defined here may be applicable to many other such species and could provide useful information to direct resources for future field based surveillance programs forE. multilocularisin North America.
Evaluating the genetic diagnostic power of exome sequencing: Identifying missing data
Authors: Lorente-Arencibia Pascual , Guacarán Deyán , Tugores Antonio
Published: August 2016

A hurdle of exome sequencing is its limited capacity to represent the entire exome. To ascertain the diagnostic power of this approach we determined the extent of coverage per individual sample. Using alignment data (BAM files) from 15 exome samples, sequences of any length that were below a determined sequencing depth coverage (DP) were detected and annotated with the Ensembl exon database using MIST, a novel software tool. Samples sequenced at 50X mean coverage had, on average, up to 50% of the Ensembl annotated exons with at least one nucleotide (L=1) with a DP<20, improving to 35% at 100X mean coverage. In addition, almost 15% of annotated exons were never sequenced (L=50, DP<1) at 50x mean coverage, reaching down to 5% at 100x. The diagnostic utility of this approach was tested for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetically heterogeneous disease, where exome sequencing covered as much as 80% of all candidate genes exons at DP≥20. This report stresses the value of identifying, precisely, which sequences are below a specific depth in an individual’s exome, and provides a useful tool to assess the potential and pitfalls of exome sequencing in a diagnostic or gene discovery setting.

COMPETING INTERESTS

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Phylogenomic Analysis of Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps: Improved Taxon Sampling Enhances Understanding of Hymenopteran Evolution
Authors: Branstetter Michael G. , Danforth Bryan N. , Pitts James P. , Faircloth Brant C. , Ward Philip S. , Buffington Matthew L. , Gates Michael W. , Kula Robert R. , Brady Seán G.
Published: August 2016

The importance of taxon sampling in phylogenetic accuracy is a topic of active debate. We investigated the role of taxon sampling in causing incongruent results between two recent phylogenomic studies of stinging wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata), a diverse lineage that includes ants, bees and the majority of eusocial insects. Using target enrichment of ultraconserved element (UCE) loci, we assembled the largest aculeate phylogenomic data set to date, sampling 854 loci from 187 taxa, including 30 out of 31 aculeate families, and a diversity of parasitoid outgroups. We analyzed the complete matrix using multiple analytical approaches, and also performed a series of taxon inclusion/exclusion experiments, in which we analyzed taxon sets identical to and slightly modified from the previous phylogenomic studies. Our results provide a highly supported phylogeny for virtually all aculeate lineages sampled, supporting ants as sister to Apoidea (bees+apoid wasps), bees as sister to Philanthinae+Pemphredoninae (lineages within a paraphyletic Crabronidae), Melittidae as sister to remaining bees, and paraphyly of cuckoo wasps (Chrysidoidea). Our divergence dating analyses estimate ages for aculeate lineages in close concordance with the fossil record. Our analyses also demonstrate that outgroup choice and taxon evenness can fundamentally impact topology and clade support in phylogenomic inference.
Managing cooperation, coordination, and legitimacy
Authors: Johansson Tobias , Siverbo Sven , Camén Carolina
Published: August 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to create knowledge about what factors explain the design of control systems for contracted public services.

Design/methodology/approach

– Questionnaire data analyzed with structural equation models.

Findings

– Legitimacy-seeking is the most important driver in explaining intensity in control of contracted public services. Competition increases the intensity of control which is opposite to standard transaction cost reasoning. Coordination requirements do not affect the design of control systems for contracted public services.

Research limitations/implications

– The study suffers from limitations in the form of the use of perception and questionnaire data and imposes restrictions on empirical generalization.

Practical implications

– Supplier competition may add control costs rather than lower them. The strong focus on stakeholder alignment may induce more intensive control than necessary for supplier alignment.

Originality/value

– The authors add important knowledge on the determinants of control system design for contracted public sector services. The authors conceptualize and measure the control system in use in a more compelling manner than previous research.
Evolution of national heritage inventories for Scotland and Wales
Authors: McKeague Peter , Thomas David
Published: August 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a review of the origins and development of national inventories in Scotland and Wales from paper-based records to digital databases. The impact of digital technologies on data management and dissemination is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

– Exploring the evolution of historic environment inventories in Scotland and Wales highlights the common issues faced and solutions adopted. In considering the longue durée, the durability and flexibility of information is highlighted.

Findings

– Inventories may combine locational, descriptive and visual material to help document a fragile, finite and non-renewable resource. They provide the evidence base for decision making and stewardship in managing change, stimulating interest in and valuing the historic environment. Contribution to recognised inventories should be a requirement for activities documenting the historic environment. Digital technologies shape the expectations of a modern inventory and associated digital archives, with emphasis placed on the repurposing of inventory contents so that they can better contribute to an information network serving multiple audiences.

Social implications

– Transformation from paper records to digital data has radically enhanced and democratised access to knowledge about the historic environment. Digital delivery helps place heritage data within mainstream societal activities and fosters public interest and engagement in the historic environment.

Originality/value

– Inventories are the foundation building blocks of informed decision making. Digital technologies have transformed these resources to help place the historic environment within mainstream societal activities and interest.
Heritage inventories: promoting effectiveness as a vital tool for sustainable heritage management
Authors: Myers David
Published: August 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify key elements of what makes an inventory program effective for cultural heritage conservation and management. It is hoped that it will spur discussion among heritage professionals about increasing the effectiveness of inventory programs.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reflects on more than a decade of experience with the establishment of heritage surveys and inventories at national and citywide scales in the Middle East and North America, and through site-based heritage management projects. In addition, it reflects on engagement with international professionals involved with heritage inventories.

Findings

– Heritage inventories are permanent, ongoing records that require long-term institutional resource commitments. To be effective for heritage management, inventory programs should be established with links to heritage legislation, built upon data standards, and maintain dedicated personnel, programs of activity, and systems on an ongoing basis. Inventories are fundamentally different than heritage surveys, or other data collection activities, which collect information within a specific timeframe.

Practical implications

– The findings are based on engagement with real-world, practical applications. It is hoped that the recommendations included will be useful to professionals working in heritage institutions that are establishing inventory programs, or seeking to modernize, invigorate, or increase the effectiveness of their inventory programs.

Originality/value

– This paper presents insights gained through engagement with a large number and variety of heritage inventory and survey programs and projects from across the world, reflecting on broad trends and patterns.
Recording the past: heritage inventories in England
Authors: Carlisle Philip , Lee Edmund
Published: August 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the history of heritage inventories in England and look at the requirements for a future vision of networked, digital heritage inventories to support heritage protection in England as outlined in the Heritage Information Access Strategy (HIAS). The strategy, led by Historic England, the UK Government-funded agency for heritage in England, is proposing a more formalized network where the prime sources of data relating to non-designated heritage assets will be the local authority historic environment records.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper looks at the historic development of the inventories from paper-based publications to digital data sets and the proliferation of data. The Monument Inventory Data Standard Heritage will also be discussed in the context of providing a common framework.

Findings

– The present loose network presents several challenges for the multiple organizations maintaining similar data sets on disparate IT software, namely, the duplication of content, ownership of content and different approaches to recording practice and standards. There is a need for common data standards and controlled vocabularies in order to facilitate data exchange and interoperability across the network.

Practical implications

– The findings are based on the common experience of heritage inventory providers in England, but are relevant to any country where multiple inventories exist. It is anticipated that the implementation of the HIAS will provide a future-proofed environment for a shared national inventory.

Originality/value

– This paper presents the HIAS in its historic context. It is hoped that this may be of value to inventory programmes from outside the UK.
Behavioural intention to adopt mobile wallet: a developing country perspective
Authors: Madan Khushbu , Yadav Rajan
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the factors that affect consumers’ adoption of mobile wallet as an alternative method of making payments to purchase goods and services.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of over 210 mobile phone consumers was made. The study added two additional constructs – perceived regulatory support (PRS) and promotional benefits (PBs) – and proposed an integrated approach to understanding mobile wallet adoption. The hypothesized relationships were analysed via structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results indicated performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived risk, perceived value, PRS, as well as PBs, to be significant factors in predicting behavioural intentions to adopt mobile wallet solutions. The impact of effort expectancy was found to be statistically insignificant.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size and the possibility of including new variables such as personal innovativeness, which have not been addressed here, are some of the limitations of this study.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper would be useful for mobile wallet service providers, mobile app writers and institutions involved in the facilitation and regulation of such services to develop suitable strategic frameworks to encourage the adoption of mobile wallets.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind in India and has added a new dimension in the assessment of technology adoption by proposing two new variables.
Role of personal values in investment decisions
Authors: Agyemang Otuo Serebour , Ansong Abraham
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role personal values play in investment decision-making processes among Ghanaian shareholders.

Design/methodology/approach

In consequence of the recent emergence of the issue of corporate governance practices in Ghana, and the kind of the research objective of this paper, a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods was used. These methods were used in two stages. The first stage was qualitative, which purposively selected 20 individual shareholders to solicit their perspectives on how personal values influence investment decisions. Their responses were used to construct the content of this enquiry. The second stage, which was quantitative, used stratified sampling technique to select 503 individual shareholders to confirm the responses obtained from stage one of the enquiry.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that individual shareholders in Ghana hold value priorities and that honesty, a comfortable life and family security play a significant role in their lives and their investment decision-making processes, and the kind of companies they choose to invest in. Also, to Ghanaian individual shareholders, there is a clear distinction between a comfortable life and a prosperous life in the sense that they are not incentivized more by the latter but by the former in their investment decisions.

Practical implications

The results can inform corporate directors and managers what values are considered in investment decisions, and that it is not purely financial. With these results, they can be informed that while some financial values are important, it is just to live a comfortable life and not a prosperous life. This may influence these directors and managers to have a more long-run focus and to have more of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) focus by putting implementable measures in place to tackle corporate responsibility issues and to take up a responsibility for their CSR feat. Also, the results can be used for public policy in that if regulators find out that more CSR-type information is important to investors, they might require additional CSR-type disclosures in financial statements.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the knowledge on the stakeholder perspective of corporate governance that individual shareholders’ personal values have influence on their investment decisions and the choice of companies they invest in.
Coexistence of acquired hemophilia A and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: Two case reports and published work review
Authors: Yan Tian‐Meng , He Chun‐Xia , Hua Bao‐Lai , Li Li , Jin Hong‐Zhong , Liu Yue‐Hua , Zuo Ya‐Gang
Published: August 2016

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a rare chronic subepidermal bullous autoimmune disease. The occurrence of acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is low and so the coexistence of EBA and AHA is extremely rare. We herein described a case of EBA coexisting with AHA and a case of EBA coexisting with AHA and hepatitis B. These EBA may be related to the pathogenesis of AHA. In this study, we analyzed the clinical features in the two Chinese cases of EBA coexisting with AHA, and found esophageal hemorrhage and hematemesis were the main symptoms of both patients. Cyclosporin, prednisone and lamivudine effectively control EBA with AHA and hepatitis B. The dose of cyclosporin should be more than 4 mg/kg per day and the period of treatment should be longer than 5 months to reduce the risk of EBA co‐occurring with AHA.
Parenthood and the polarisation of political attitudes in Europe
Authors: BANDUCCI SUSAN , ELDER LAUREL , GREENE STEVEN , STEVENS DANIEL
Published: August 2016

Becoming a parent can affect the lives of men and women by introducing salient new social roles and identities, altered social networks and tighter constraints on financial resources and time. Even though modern family life has evolved in many important respects, parenthood continues to shape the lives of men and women in very different ways. Given that parenthood can change the lives of men and women in profoundly different ways, it seems that it would bring about changes in the way women and men think about politics and policy issues. Using data from the Wave 4 of the European Social Survey, this article investigates how parenthood, and the distinctions of motherhood and fatherhood, influence attitudes. The findings suggest that parenthood can have a polarising effect on attitudes, and that the polarising effect is most evident in countries where there is less support from the state for parental responsibilities.
Consequences of coinfection with protective symbionts on the host phenotype and symbiont titres in the pea aphid system
Authors: Leclair Mélanie , Polin Sarah , Jousseaume Thibaut , Simon Jean‐Christophe , Sugio Akiko , Morlière Stéphanie , Fukatsu Takema , Tsuchida Tsutomu , Outreman Yannick
Published: August 2016

Symbiotic associations between microbes and insects are widespread, and it is frequent that several symbionts share the same host individual. Hence, interactions can occur between these symbionts, influencing their respective abundance within the host with consequences on its phenotype. Here, we investigate the effects of multiple infections in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, which is the host of an obligatory and several facultative symbionts. In particular, we study the influence of a coinfection with 2 protective symbionts: Hamiltonella defensa, which confers protection against parasitoids, and Rickettsiella viridis, which provides protection against fungal pathogens and predators. The effects of Hamiltonella‐Rickettsiella coinfection on the respective abundance of the symbionts, host fitness and efficacy of enemy protection were studied. Asymmetrical interactions between the 2 protective symbionts have been found: when they coinfect the same aphid individuals, the Rickettsiella infection affected Hamiltonella abundance within hosts but not the Hamiltonella‐mediated protective phenotype while the Hamiltonella infection negatively influences the Rickettsiella‐mediated protective phenotype but not its abundance. Harboring the 2 protective symbionts also reduced the survival and fecundity of host individuals. Overall, this work highlights the effects of multiple infections on symbiont abundances and host traits that are likely to impact the maintenance of the symbiotic associations in natural habitats.
Cognitive Biases for Social Alcohol‐Related Pictures and Alcohol Use in Specific Social Settings: An Event‐Level Study
Authors: Groefsema Martine , Engels Rutger , Kuntsche Emmanuel , Smit Koen , Luijten Maartje
Published: August 2016

Background

Alcohol use occurs mainly among friends, in social contexts, and for social reasons. Moreover, cognitive biases, such as attentional and approach biases, have repeatedly been associated with alcohol use. This study aimed to test whether nondependent drinkers display cognitive biases for social alcohol‐related (SA) pictures and whether these biases are associated with alcohol use in social drinking contexts.

Methods

The visual dot probe task and stimulus–response compatibility tasks were used to measure attentional and approach biases for alcohol‐related pictures at baseline. Event‐level alcohol use was measured using Ecological Momentary Assessments via personal smartphones. One hundred and ninety‐two young adults (51.6% men; Mage = 20.73) completed the study, resulting in 11,257 assessments conducted on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings for 5 consecutive weeks.

Results

While no overall attentional bias for alcohol‐related pictures was found, young adults showed an approach bias for both social and nonsocial alcohol‐related pictures. Multilevel models revealed no direct association between cognitive biases for alcohol‐related pictures and alcohol use. However, higher levels of attentional bias for SA pictures were associated with more drinking when individuals were surrounded by a greater number of friends of opposite gender. Higher levels of an approach bias for SA pictures were associated with more drinking in women surrounded by a greater number of friends of the same gender.

Conclusions

In a nondependent sample, cognitive biases for SA pictures could not be associated with drinking directly. However, a cognitive bias for SA pictures moderated the association between alcohol use and number of friends present. As most observed effects were gender and situation specific, replication of these effects is warranted.
Of Gardens, Hopes, and Spirits: Unravelling (Extra)Ordinary Community Economic Arrangements as Sites of Transformation in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Hosking Emma Noëlle , Palomino‐Schalscha Marcela
Published: August 2016

Debates around diverse economies have flourished in geography in recent years, challenging the consistent and limiting hegemonic framing of the economy as singularly capitalist and global, through making visible the vast array of economic practices that are taking place alongside and beyond capitalist ones at multiple sites and scales. Bringing together debates around community economies, (relational) approaches to scales and place, and Actor Network Theory, in this article we focus on the narrative of Mama Bokolo, a healer/gardener/diverse economic actor in Cape Town. Grounded on her lived experience, we suggest that allegedly local, marginalised actors like Mama are actively contributing to enact liberatory diverse economic arrangements beyond‐the‐local, by articulating networks across places and scales and fostering relations with a range of diverse, human, natural and supernatural actors. In doing so, we elucidate why precisely these more‐than‐local and more‐than‐human elements can be instrumental to enable transformative economic spaces of hope.
Optimizing identification and management of COPD patients – reviewing the role of the community pharmacist
Authors: van der Molen Thys , van Boven Job F. M. , Maguire Terence , Goyal Pankaj , Altman Pablo
Published: August 2016

The aim of this paper was to propose key steps for community pharmacist integration into a patient care pathway for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. A literature search was conducted to identify publications focusing on the role of the community pharmacist in identification and management of COPD. The literature search highlighted evidence supporting an important role for pharmacists at each of the four key steps in the patient care pathway for COPD management. Step 1 (primary prevention): pharmacists are ideally placed to provide information on disease awareness and risk prevention campaigns, and to encourage lifestyle interventions, including smoking cessation. Step 2 (early detection/case finding): pharmacists are often the first point of contact between the patient and the healthcare system and can therefore play an important role in the early identification of patients with COPD. Step 3 (management and ongoing support): pharmacists can assist patients by providing advice and education on dosage, inhaler technique, treatment expectations and the importance of adherence, and by supporting self‐management, including recognition and treatment of COPD exacerbations. Step 4 (review and follow‐up): pharmacists can play an important role in monitoring adherence and ongoing inhaler technique in patients with COPD. In summary, pharmacists are ideally positioned to play a vital role in all key stages of an integrated COPD patient care pathway from early disease detection to the support of management plans, including advice and counselling regarding medications, inhaler technique and treatment adherence. Areas requiring additional consideration include pharmacist training, increasing awareness of the pharmacist role, administration and reimbursement, and increasing physician–pharmacist collaboration.
Long‐term survival and regeneration of neuronal and vasculature cells inside the core region after ischemic stroke in adult mice
Authors: Jiang Michael Qize , Zhao Ying‐Ying , Cao Wenyuan , Wei Zheng Zachory , Gu Xiaohuan , Wei Ling , Yu Shan Ping
Published: August 2016

Focal cerebral ischemia results in an ischemic core surrounded by the peri‐infarct region (penumbra). Most research attention has been focused on penumbra while the pattern of cell fates inside the ischemic core is poorly defined. In the present investigation, we tested the hypothesis that, inside the ischemic core, some neuronal and vascular cells could survive the initial ischemic insult while regenerative niches might exist many days after stroke in the adult brain. Adult mice were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia induced by permanent occlusion of distal branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) plus transient ligations of bilateral common carotid artery (CCA). The ischemic insult uniformly reduced the local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) by 90%. Massive cell death occurred due to multiple mechanisms and a significant infarction was cultivated in the ischemic cortex 24 h later. Nevertheless, normal or even higher levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) persistently remained in the core tissue, some NeuN‐positive and Glut‐1/College IV‐positive cells with intact ultrastructural features resided in the core 7‐14 days post stroke. BrdU‐positive but TUNEL‐negative neuronal and endothelial cells were detected in the core where extensive extracellular matrix infrastructure developed. Meanwhile, GFAP‐positive astrocytes accumulated in the penumbra and Iba‐1‐positive microglial/macrophages invaded the core several days after stroke. The long term survival of neuronal and vascular cells inside the ischemic core was also seen after a severe ischemic stroke induced by permanent embolic occlusion of the MCA. We demonstrate that a therapeutic intervention of pharmacological hypothermia could save neurons/endothelial cells inside the core. These data suggest that the ischemic core is an actively regulated brain region with residual and newly formed viable neuronal and vascular cells acutely and chronically after at least some types of ischemic strokes.
West Nile virus-infected human dendritic cells fail to fully activate invariant natural killer T cells
Authors: Kovats S , Turner S , Simmons A , Powe T , Chakravarty E , Alberola-Ila J
Published: August 2016

West Nile virus (WNV) infection is a mosquito-borne zoonosis with increasing prevalence in the United States. WNV infection begins in the skin, and the virus replicates initially in keratinocytes and dendritic cells (DCs). In the skin and cutaneous lymph nodes, infected DCs are likely to interact with invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs). Bidirectional interactions between DCs and iNKTs amplify the innate immune response to viral infections, thus controlling viral load and regulating adaptive immunity. iNKTs are stimulated by CD1d-bound lipid antigens or activated indirectly by inflammatory cytokines. We exposed human monocyte-derived DCs to WNV Kunjin and determined their ability to activate isolated blood iNKTs. DCs became infected as judged by synthesis of viral mRNA and Envelope and NS-1 proteins, but did not undergo significant apoptosis. Infected DCs up-regulated the co-stimulatory molecules CD86 and CD40, but showed decreased expression of CD1d. WNV infection induced DC secretion of type I interferon (IFN), but no or minimal interleukin (IL)−12, IL-23, IL-18 or IL-10. Unexpectedly, we found that the WNV-infected DCs stimulated human iNKTs to up-regulate CD69 and produce low amounts of IL-10, but not proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Both CD1d and IFNAR blockade partially abrogated this iNKT response, suggesting involvement of a T cell receptor (TCR)–CD1d interaction and type I interferon receptor (IFNAR) signalling. Thus, WNV infection interferes with DC–iNKT interactions by preventing the production of proinflammatory cytokines. iNKTs may be a source of IL-10 observed in human flavivirus infections and initiate an anti-inflammatory innate response that limits adaptive immunity and immune pathology upon WNV infection.
On the margins of the child protection system: creating space for relational social work practice
Authors: Kirk Guy , Duschinsky Robbie
Published: August 2016

In the UK, a threshold divides between two categories of children, child protection (CP) and child in need. Each category tends to be treated as a homogeneous entity, despite containing heterogeneous levels and forms of risk and need. CP practice, accompanied by regulation, protocols and procedures, aspires to achieve a coordinated multi‐agency response to identified concerns with available resources targeted towards this category. However, it is well known that those children assessed as falling just below the CP threshold can still have high levels of need and risk, requiring a level of social work involvement beyond the low‐resource and low‐oversight model that generally accompanies a child in need categorisation. This paper probes an approach to practice, which divides levels of risk within the child in need category enabling adequate, coordinated support and oversight to be provided for children and families with complex needs. Evidence from our study evaluating this approach suggests that a simple protocol provided a clear process within, which social workers and agency partners felt confident and safe to practice outside of the formal CP framework. The protocol prevented drift and helped to create a space within, which relational social work practice flourished.
Effectiveness of temporary implants in teenage patients: a prospective clinical trial
Authors: Lambert France , Botilde Gaëlle , Lecloux Geoffrey , Rompen Eric
Published: August 2016

Aims

The objective of this study was to assess prospectively the outcomes of extra‐narrow diameter implants (XNDI) placed in teenage patients as a temporary restorative option.

Material and Methods

Twenty consecutive young patients presenting one or several missing teeth received XNDI that were immediately restored with composite, Polymethylmethacrylate (Acrylic) or ceramic crown. Clinical and radiographical outcomes were assessed for a minimum follow‐up period of 1 year. Additionally, each patient completed retrospectively a satisfaction questionnaire using Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Results

A total of 30 implants were placed and followed for a period of 1–7.4 years (mean: 3.59 years). One implant failed after 3 weeks and was replaced successfully. No further biological complications occurred during the follow‐up period, leading to an implant survival rate of 96.6%. The patient satisfaction evaluations displayed high levels of comfort and function.

Conclusion

Immediately restored XNDI to replace missing teeth on teenager patients seems to be an effective temporary restorative option to replace missing teeth in young patients. Composite or ceramic crowns should be preferred. Clinical trials with long‐term follow‐ups and the assessment of passive egression are needed.
Botulinum toxin therapy in Frey's syndrome: a retrospective study of 440 treatments in 100 patients
Authors: Jansen S. , Jerowski M. , Ludwig L. , Fischer‐Krall E. , Beutner D. , Grosheva M.
Published: August 2016

Objective

Frey's syndrome is characterised as sweating, redness and warmth of the parotideal area and is often treated with botulinum toxin A. The objective of this retrospective study was to prove whether the toxin dosage and time‐to‐treatment intervals change after repeated botulinum toxin injections.

Study design/methods

The charts of patients, who were treated for Frey′s syndrome during the last 16 years, were assessed. Three brands of botulinum toxin A were available for therapy. The Minor test was used to confirm the sweating before each treatment and to determine the toxin dosage. Constant amount of botulinum toxin was injected per cm2 of the affected area. Patients consulted our department for the next treatment as soon as they felt disturbed by recurring sweating and when the sweating was objectively evident in the Minor test. Time intervals between treatments and injected toxin dosages were assessed.

Results

In total, 100 patients received 440 treatments in 16 years. Repeated injections, median 4.0, were carried out in 70.5% of patients. Median time interval to the first injection was 2.8 years. Median time interval between treatments was 12.0 months and showed to be steady (anova, P = .49, F = 1.01).

Conclusion

Duration of effect of botulinum toxin on Frey's syndrome was long‐lasting and stable with no significantly different time intervals between treatments. The extent of the sweating area did not vary significantly after repeated treatments and required a constant dose of botulinum toxin A.
Tracking Progress Toward EU Biodiversity Strategy Targets: EU Policy Effects in Preserving its Common Farmland Birds
Authors: Gamero Anna , Brotons Lluís , Brunner Ariel , Foppen Ruud , Fornasari Lorenzo , Gregory Richard D. , Herrando Sergi , Hořák David , Jiguet Frédéric , Kmecl Primož , Lehikoinen Aleksi , Lindström Åke , Paquet Jean‐Yves , Reif Jiří , Sirkiä Päivi M. , Škorpilová Jana , van Strien Arco , Szép Tibor , Telenský Tomáš , Teufelbauer Norbert , Trautmann Sven , van Turnhout Chris A.M. , Vermouzek Zdeněk , Vikstrøm Thomas , Voříšek Petr
Published: August 2016

Maximizing the area under biodiversity‐related conservation measures is a main target of the European Union (EU) Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. We analyzed whether agrienvironmental schemes (AES) within EU common agricultural policy, special protected areas for birds (SPAs), and Annex I designation within EU Birds Directive had an effect on bird population changes using monitoring data from 39 farmland bird species from 1981 to 2012 at EU scale. Populations of resident and short‐distance migrants were larger with increasing SPAs and AES coverage, while Annex I species had higher population growth rates with increasing SPAs, indicating that SPAs may contribute to the protection of mainly target species and species spending most of their life cycle in the EU. Because farmland birds are in decline and the negative relationship of agricultural intensification with their population growth rates was evident during the implementation of AES and SPAs, EU policies seem to generally attenuate the declines of farmland bird populations, but not to reverse them.
Skin punch biopsy sectioning: before or after tissue processing?
Authors: Sungu Nuran , Yavuz Sibel , Marali Seda , Balci Serdar , Kilicarslan Aydan , Altunkaya Canan , Tatli Dogan Hayriye , Güler Gülnur
Published: August 2016

Background

We intended to study whether there is a meaningful difference in microscopic examination between dividing a biopsy section into two equal parts before tissue processing (first method) or after (second method).

Methods

A total of 400 cases were included in the study. Punch biopsies (PB) were cut into two pieces using the first method in 200 cases and just before paraffin embedding in another 200 cases using the second method. We microscopically evaluated the epidermal mesh view, the presence of a cross‐cut hair follicle and bow shape because of epidermal angling, the presence of two pieces on the slide and if there was a difference of >2 mm between the parts, and the number of new sections and new slides.

Results

Cross‐cut hair follicle
(p = 0.018), epidermal mesh view (p = 0.036), difference of >2 mm between the parts (p = 0.008), the number of new sections (p < 0.001) and new slides (p < 0.001) were considerably higher when the first method was used compared with the second method. The presence of two pieces was less (p < 0.001) when using the first method.

Conclusions

We noted a meaningful difference in the quality of microscopic evaluation between the first and second methods. Better sections were obtained with the second method. In addition, the decrease in the number of new slides will reduce workload, archival work and cost.
Endoscopic biodegradable biliary stents in the treatment of benign biliary strictures: First report of clinical use in patients
Authors: Siiki Antti , Rinta‐Kiikka Irina , Sand Juhani , Laukkarinen Johanna
Published: August 2016

The first clinical experience of endoscopically inserted polydioxanone biodegradable biliary stents (BDBS) in the treatment of benign biliary strictures is reported. Two patients with a benign common bile duct stricture were endoscopically treated with 8‐mm‐bore BDBS during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Both BDBS insertions were technically successful and without adverse events. At 6 months, the stricture resolution was excellent and BDBS degradation was predicted in repeated magnetic resonance imaging. The first experience with endoscopic BDBS seems promising in the treatment of benign biliary strictures. During 6 months of follow up, BDBS seemed sufficient for remodeling and resolution of strictures. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of biodegradable biliary stents in endoscopic management of benign biliary strictures.