bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Social Perception and Social Monitoring on Structural Priming
Authors: Hwang Heeju , Chun Eunjin
Published: March 2018

Although structural priming has been considered to be an independent cognitive process, recent evidence suggests that structural priming is modulated by sociocognitive factors such as social perception; speakers are more likely to mimic the sentence structure of a socially desirable interlocutor than the structure of a less desirable interlocutor. This study aims to further address the role of sociocognitive factors in language use by investigating how individual differences in social perception and tendency to align with others (i.e., social monitoring) modulate same‐verb structural priming. In particular, we investigate how likely students are to repeat a sentence structure of a teacher depending on their perception of the teacher and their social monitoring tendency. Our results demonstrate that students’ tendency to imitate a sentence structure of the teacher is positively influenced by their perception of the teacher but negatively by social monitoring. We suggest that the effects may be accounted for in terms of their influence on attention and memory encoding.
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors, the latest residents on the block: Impact on glycaemic control at a general practice level in England
Authors: Heald Adrian H. , Fryer Anthony A. , Anderson Simon G. , Livingston Mark , Lunt Mark , Davies Mark , Moreno Gabriela Y. C. , Gadsby Roger , Young Robert J. , Stedman Mike
Published: March 2018

Aims

To determine, using published general practice‐level data, how differences in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prescribing patterns relate to glycaemic target achievement levels.

Methods

Multiple linear regression modelling was used to link practice characteristics and defined daily dose (DDD) of different classes of medication in 2015/2016 and changes between that year and the year 2014/2015 in medication to proportion of patients achieving target glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] ≤58 mmol/mol [7.5%]) and proportion of patients at high glycaemic risk (HbA1c >86 mmol/mol [10.0%]) for practices in the National Diabetes Audit with >100 people with T2DM on their register.

Results

Overall, HbA1c outcomes were not different between the years studied. Although, in percentage terms, most practices increased their use of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (96%), dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors (76%) and glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) analogues (53%), there was wide variation in the use of older and newer therapies. For example, 12% of practices used >200% of the national average for some newer agents. In cross‐sectional analysis, greater prescribing of metformin and analogue insulin were associated with a higher proportion of patients achieving HbA1c ≤58 mmol/mol; the use of SGLT2 inhibitors and metformin was associated with a reduced proportion of patients with HbA1c >86 mol/mol; otherwise associations for sulphonylureas, GLP‐1 analogues, SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP‐4 inhibitors were neutral or negative. In year‐on‐year analysis there was ongoing deterioration in glycaemic control, which was offset to some extent by increased use of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP‐1 analogues, which were associated with a greater proportion of patients achieving HbA1c levels ≤58 mmol/mol and a smaller proportion of patients with HbA1c levels >86 mmol/mol. SGLT2 inhibitor prescribing was associated with significantly greater improvements than those found for GLP‐1 analogues.

Conclusion

Greater use of newer agents was associated with improvement in glycaemic outcomes but was not sufficient to compensate for the prevailing decline. This may reflect wide variability in the prescribing of newer agents. We found that SGLT inhibitors may be superior to other oral agents in relation to HbA1c outcome. Serious consideration should be given to their use.
Ethnic differences in insulin secretory function between black African and white European men with early type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mohandas Cynthia , Bonadonna Riccardo , Shojee‐Moradie Fariba , Jackson Nicola , Boselli Linda , Alberti K. George M. M. , Peacock Janet L. , Umpleby A. Margot , Amiel Stephanie A. , Goff Louise M.
Published: March 2018

Aim

To test the hypothesis that men of black (West) African ethnicity (black African men [BAM]) with early type 2 diabetes (T2D) would have greater insulin secretory deficits compared with white European men (WEM), following prediabetic hypersecretion.

Methods

In 19 BAM and 15 WEM, matched for age, body mass index and duration of diabetes, we assessed and modelled insulin secretory responses to hyperglycaemia stimulated intravenously (hyperglycaemic clamp) and orally (meal tolerance test).

Results

With similar post‐challenge glucose responses, BAM had lower second‐phase C‐peptide responses to intravenous glucose (BAM 70.6 vs WEM 115.1 nmol/L/min [ratio of geometric mean 0.55, 95% confidence interval {CI} 0.37, 0.83];P= .006) and to oral glucose (BAM 65.4 vs WEM 88.5 nmol/L/min [mean difference −23.2, 95% CI −40.0, −6.3];P= .009). Peripheral insulin response in BAM to oral glucose was preserved (BAM 47.4 vs WEM 59.4 nmol/L/min [ratio of geometric mean 0.89, 95% CI 0.59, 1.35];P= .566), with relative reductions in insulin clearance (BAM 506.2 vs WEM 630.1 mL/m2BSA/min [mean difference −123.9, 95% CI −270.5, 22.6];P= .095), associated with enhanced incretin responses (gastric inhibitory polypeptide incremental area under the curve: BAM 46.8 vs WEM 33.9 μg/L/min [mean difference 12.9, 95% CI 2.1, 23.7];P= .021).

Conclusions

In early T2D, BAM had significantly lower insulin secretory responses to intravenous and oral stimulation than WEM. Lower insulin clearance, potentially driven by increased incretin responses, may act to preserve peripheral insulin concentrations. Tailoring early management strategies to reflect distinct ethnic‐specific pathophysiology may improve outcomes in this high‐risk population.
What's Meat Got to Do with It? Some Considerations for Ecologizing Education with Respect to Diet
Authors: Rice Suzanne
Published: March 2018

Even in a society of meat‐eaters such as the United States, when diet is addressed in school at all, it is widely treated as matter of personal choice, the consequences of which are borne by individual consumers. Overlooked are myriad connections involved in human diet and the implications of consumption for other entities. In the first part of this essay, Suzanne Rice discusses ways in which diet, particularly meat‐eating, is connected to animal suffering, environmental harms including climate change and pollution, and risks to the health of agricultural workers and consumers. In the second part, she discusses ways in which education might be “ecologized” in efforts to help students gain insight into such connections. There are many ways to ecologize education, but regardless of how teachers proceed, they are likely to encounter not only simple ignorance, relatively unproblematic gaps in students' knowledge linked to youth and inexperience, but also willful ignorance, more problematic gaps linked to avoidance, manipulation, or rejection of evidence perceived as threatening.
Connectivity Thinking, Animism, and the Pursuit of Liveliness
Authors: Rose Deborah Bird
Published: March 2018

In this essay, Deborah Bird Rose takes up Val Plumwood's challenge that Western thought needs radical revitalization by pursuing the liveliness of the biosphere and human ontologies of connectivity. The first part looks at obstacles to the West's understanding of Earth as a place of lively, interactive connectivities that promote diversity, complexity, and relationality. In this context Rose offers a brief overview of Indigenous animisms. The second part explores the question of liveliness. It is taken as given that the West now seeks ontological legitimacy in science, and so this discussion focuses on what biological scientists have contributed to contemporary ontology wars. The third part examines trauma in the Garden of Eden narrative, highlighting both the disaster of the story and its continuing relevance. Drawing on the work of theologians, in particular, Rose seeks in this section to recuperate a mythic foundation for a Western animism from within that great site of loss.
Predators in the plant–soil feedback loop: aboveground plant‐associated predators may alter the outcome of plant–soil interactions
Authors: Smith‐Ramesh Lauren M.
Published: March 2018

Plant–soil feedback (PSF) can structure plant communities, promoting coexistence (negative PSF) or monodominance (positive PSF). At higher trophic levels, predators can alter plant community structure by re‐allocating resources within habitats. When predator and plant species are spatially associated, predators may alter the outcome of PSF. Here, I explore the influence of plant‐associated predators on PSF using a generalised cellular automaton model that tracks nutrients, plants, herbivores and predators. I explore key contingencies in plant–predator associations such as whether predators associate with live vs. senesced vegetation. Results indicate that plant‐associated predators shift PSF to favour the host plant when predators colonise live vegetation, but the outcome of PSF will depend upon plant dispersal distance when predators colonise dead vegetation. I apply the model to two spider‐associated invasive plants, finding that spider predators should shift PSF dynamics in a way that inhibits invasion by one forest invader, but exacerbates invasion by another.
Transcriptomic analysis of FUCA1 knock‐down in keratinocytes reveals new insights into the pathogenesis of fucosidosis skin lesions
Authors: Valero‐Rubio Danyela , Jiménez Karen Marcela , Fonseca Dora Janeth , Payán‐Gómez César , Laissue Paul
Published: March 2018

Fucosidosis is a rare lysosomal storage disease which has been classified into two subtypes, depending on the severity of clinical signs and symptoms. Fucosidosis patients’ skin abnormalities include angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, widespread telangiectasia, thick skin, hyperhidrosis and hypohidrosis, acrocyanosis and distal transverse nail bands. It has been described that >50% of fucosidosis patients have angiokeratoma. At molecular level, fucosidosis is caused by lysosomal alpha‐L‐fucosidase (FUCA1) gene mutations. Obtaining samples for functional studies has been challenging due to the inherent difficulty in finding affected individuals. The effect of FUCA1 dysfunction on gene expression is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyse, in keratinocytes, the transcriptomic effect of FUCA1 knock‐down for a better understanding of skin lesions’ pathogenesis affecting fucosidosis patients. FUCA1 knock‐down (siRNA) was performed in human HaCaT immortalised keratinocytes. Affymetrix arrays and qPCR were used for analysing gene expression. Bioinformatics was used for functional clustering of modified genes. In total, 387 genes showed differential expression between FUCA1 silenced and non‐silenced cells (222 up‐regulated and 165 down‐regulated). Up‐regulated genes belonged to two major groups: keratinocyte differentiation/epidermal development (n = 17) and immune response (n = 61). Several transcription factors were up‐regulated in FUCA1‐siRNA transfected cells. This effect might partly have been produced by abnormal transcription factor expression, that is FOXN1. We thus propose that fucosidosis‐related skin lesions (eg angiokeratoma) and those of other diseases (eg psoriasis) might be caused by dysfunctions in common aetiological overlapping molecular cascades.
Resilience among Nigerian transnational parents in the Netherlands: a strength‐based approach to migration and transnational parenting
Authors: BERCKMOES LIDEWYDE H. , MAZZUCATO VALENTINA
Published: March 2018

In this article, we adopt a strength‐based approach to transnational parenting. Recent studies have shown that not all transnational parents have a negative sense of well‐being. Here, we explore parental resilience over a lifespan to understand how mothers and fathers alleviate the strain of spatial separation from their children. Having established from a quantitative study on the same group that neither men nor women necessarily suffer emotionally from separation from their children, we report the findings of a qualitative study on 18 Nigerian men and women in the Netherlands. We look at the strategies and resources that parents employ to overcome the challenges of migration and transnational parenting, to forge a sense of identity and belonging in a migratory context, to ‘do family’ while spatially separated, to deal with the difficult life events associated with migration, and to maintain a sense of agency amid stringent migration regulations. By revealing the importance of cultural and individual resources in fostering resilience, the contribution of our study is to the literature on the influence of structural factors in the promotion of well‐being.
CBT for Pediatric Migraine: A Qualitative Study of Patient and Parent Experience
Authors: Kroon Van Diest Ashley M. , Ernst Michelle M. , Vaughn Lisa , Slater Shalonda , Powers Scott W.
Published: March 2018

Objective

The goal of this study was to determine which cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT‐HA) treatment components pediatric headache patient stakeholders would report to be most helpful and essential to reducing headache frequency and related disability to develop a streamlined, less burdensome treatment package that would be more accessible to patients and families.

Background

Pediatric migraine is a prevalent and disabling condition. CBT‐HA has been shown to reduce headache frequency and related disability, but may not be readily available or accepted by many migraine sufferers due to treatment burden entailed. Research is needed to determine systematic ways of reducing barriers to CBT‐HA.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 patients and 9 of their parents who had undergone CBT‐HA. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach based upon modified grounded theory. Patients were 13‐17.5 years of age (M = 15.4, SD = 1.63) and had undergone CBT‐HA ∼1‐2 years prior to participating in the study.

Results

Overall, patients and their parents reported that CBT‐HA was helpful in reducing headache frequency and related disability. Although patients provided mixed reports on the effectiveness of different CBT‐HA skills, the majority of patients indicated that the mind and body relaxation skills of CBT‐HA (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and activity pacing in particular) were the most helpful and most frequently used skills. Patients and parents also generally reported that treatment was easy to learn, and noted at least some aspect of treatment was enjoyable.

Conclusions

Results from these qualitative interviews indicate that mind and body CBT‐HA relaxation skills emerged as popular and effective based on patient and parent report. Future research examining the effectiveness of streamlined pediatric migraine nonpharmacological interventions should include these patient‐preferred skills.
Patterns and processes in shorebird survival rates: a global review
Authors: Méndez Verónica , Alves José A. , Gill Jennifer A. , Gunnarsson Tómas G.
Published: March 2018

Changes in demographic rates underpin changes in population size, and understanding demographic rates can greatly aid the design and development of strategies to maintain populations in the face of environmental changes. However, acquiring estimates of demographic parameters at relevant spatial scales is difficult. Measures of annual survival rates can be particularly challenging to obtain because large‐scale, long‐term tracking of individuals is difficult and the resulting data contain many inherent biases. In recent years, advances in both tracking and analytical techniques have meant that, for some taxonomic groups, sufficient numbers of survival estimates are available to allow variation within and among species to be explored. Here we review published estimates of annual adult survival rates in shorebird species across the globe, and construct models to explore the phylogenetic, geographical, seasonal and sex‐based variation in survival rates. Models of 295 survival estimates from 56 species show that survival rates calculated from recoveries of dead individuals or from return rates of marked individuals are significantly lower than estimates from mark–recapture models. Survival rates also vary across flyways, largely as a consequence of differences in the genera that have been studied and the analytical methods used, with published estimates from the Americas and from smaller shorebirds (Actitis, Calidris and Charadrius spp.) tending to be underestimated. By incorporating the analytical method used to generate each estimate within a mixed model framework, we provide method‐corrected species‐specific and genus‐specific adult annual survival estimates for 52 species of 15 genera.
The impact of menopause on the sexual health of Chinese Cantonese women: A mixed methods study
Authors: Wong Eliza L.Y. , Huang Fenwei , Cheung Annie W.L. , Wong Carmen K.M.
Published: March 2018

Aims

This study explored the impact of menopause on sexual health and marital relationships, the associated factors and the support needed among middle‐aged and older women.

Background

Although women experiencing menopause are more vulnerable to sexual health and marital problems, few studies have addressed this topic.

Design

A mixed methods design was used, comprising primarily quantitative methods with a qualitative component to evaluate the impact of menopause on sexual health.

Methods

Eligible women from community‐based women centre in Hong Kong were recruited for a survey. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to evaluate sexual function and risk factors for developing sexual dysfunction. Purposively selected women were invited to participate in in‐depth individual interviews to explore the impact of menopause on sexual health, the barriers encountered and the desired support.

Findings

In total, 540 respondents completed the survey with response rate of 59.7% where 30 respondents participated in the in‐depth individual interview. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the overall respondents and postmenopause were 85.1% and 91.2% respectively. Depression was found as a strong factor associated with sexual dysfunction. The qualitative data showed that menopause had a considerable negative impact on women's sexual lives. Vaginal dryness and low sexual desire were most commonly reported. Knowledge, financial support and family understanding were important to helping women manage menopause.

Conclusion

This study gives further knowledge for healthcare providers and policy makers to develop appropriate strategies and deliver suitable services to improve the quality of sexual health of menopausal women.
First record of the Pacific seahorse Hippocampus ingens in Guadalupe Island, Mexico
Authors: Becerril‐Garcia E. E. , Petatan‐Ramirez D. , Ortiz‐Aguirre I. , Ayala‐Bocos A.
Published: March 2018

This is the first record of the Pacific seahorse Hippocampus ingens at a northern oceanic island from the eastern Pacific Ocean. The photographic record of the juvenile female H. ingens was made in November 2015 during a cage diving trip at Guadalupe Island, Mexico. The presence of H. ingens in this area could be related to long distance dispersal mechanisms, as has been observed in other species of seahorses.
The Relationship Among Change Fatigue, Resilience, and Job Satisfaction of Hospital Staff Nurses
Authors: Brown Robin , Wey Howard , Foland Kay
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between change fatigue, resilience, and job satisfaction among novice and seasoned hospital staff nurses.

Background

Health care is typified by change. Frequent and vast changes in acute care hospitals can take a toll on nurses and cause change fatigue, which has been largely overlooked and under‐researched.

Design and Method

A descriptive correlational design was employed with 521 hospital staff nurses in one midwestern state. Participants completed three online surveys: (a) Change Fatigue Scale, (b) Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale, and (c) McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale.

Findings

In a multiple regression model, job satisfaction had a statistically significant negative association with change fatigue (p < .001) and significant positive association with resilience (p < .001). A linear trend was found with hospital size (number of beds) and change fatigue (p = .001) and education level and resilience (p = .03).

Conclusions

The results are consistent with job satisfaction among hospital nursing staff being negatively influenced by change fatigue and positively influenced by resilience, although reverse causal connections are also possible. Change fatigue may be increased by larger hospital size (number of beds), and resilience may be increased by higher educational level of hospital staff nurses.

Clinical Relevance

The study advanced the nursing knowledge on change fatigue, resilience, and job satisfaction of staff nurses working in acute care hospitals. Engaging in strategies aimed at preventing change fatigue in nursing staff can enhance workplace environments, job satisfaction, and retention of nurses.
Beliefs and implementation of evidence‐based practice among community health nurses: A cross‐sectional descriptive study
Authors: Pereira Filipa , Pellaux Victoria , Verloo Henk
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To describe beliefs about evidence‐based practice and record levels of implementation among community health nurses working independently and in community healthcare centres in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.

Background

In many settings, evidence‐based practice is considered a key means of delivering better and secure health care. However, there is a paucity of published studies on the implementation of evidence‐based practice in community health care.

Design

Cross‐sectional descriptive study (n = 100).

Methods

Beliefs about evidence‐based practice and levels of implementation were measured using validated scales developed by Melnyk et al. (Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 5, 2008, 208). Information on respondents’ sociodemographic and professional characteristics was collected. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The final response rate was 32.3% (n = 100). More than half of respondents had previously heard about evidence‐based practice; most believed in the value of using evidence to guide their practice and were prepared to improve their skills to be able to do so. However, the rate of implementation of evidence‐based practice in daily practice in the 8 weeks before the survey was poor. Statistically significant positive associations were found between beliefs about evidence‐based practice and how respondents had heard about it and between implementation rates and whether they had heard about evidence‐based practice and how they had done so. Evidence‐based practices requiring scientific knowledge and skills were implemented less frequently. Greater professional community healthcare experience and management roles did not increase implementation of evidence‐based practice.

Conclusions

The systematic implementation of evidence‐based practice by community health nurses working independently and in healthcare centres in Valais was rare, despite their positive beliefs about it.

Relevance to clinical practice

These results revealed the level of implementation of evidence‐based practice by nurses in community healthcare settings in Valais. Further research is required to better understand their needs and expectations and to develop suitable strategies that will allow the integration of evidence‐based practice into nurses’ daily practice.
Attributions of victim blame in stranger and acquaintance rape: A quantitative study
Authors: Persson Sofia , Dhingra Katie , Grogan Sarah
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To, on a sample of nurses and the general public, examine whether victim blame varies according to level of familiarly between victim and perpetrator. It also examines how Ambivalent Sexism and Rape Myth Acceptance impact on this.

Background

Around one in five women will be victims of sexual assault during their lifetime. The majority are acquaintance rapes, and these victims are generally attributed more blame than victims of stranger rape. Research indicates that nurses hold similar attitudes on gender roles and victim blame as do the general public.

Methods

Eighty‐one participants read a story depicting a sexual assault of a woman by either a stranger or an acquaintance and completed scales measuring victim blame, Ambivalent Sexism and Rape Myth Acceptance.

Results

The results of this study indicated that victim–perpetrator relationship, Benevolent Sexism, Hostile Sexism and whether the participant was a nurse contributed to the variance in attributed victim blame. Hierarchical regressions revealed that whether or not the participant was a nurse contributed to the variance in victim blame in the acquaintance rape condition, and Hostile Sexism and Benevolent Sexism contributed to the variance in victim blame in the stranger rape condition.

Conclusions

This paper gives a novel insight into attitudes involved in victim blame in rape cases and makes a unique comparison between nurses and the general public. Findings suggest that victim blame correlates primarily with aggressively sexist attitudes and that nurses generally attribute more blame to the victim of acquaintance rape.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study has practical implications for the provision of medical services for victims of sexual assault, as it highlights problems in identifying and accessing rape victims, as well as recommending the sexual assault training of all practicing nurses.
In vitro activity of azole derivatives and griseofulvin against planktonic and biofilm growth of clinical isolates of dermatophytes
Authors: Brilhante Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira , Correia Edmilson Emanuel Monteiro , Guedes Glaucia Morgana de Melo , de Oliveira Jonathas Sales , Castelo‐Branco Débora de Souza Collares Maia , Cordeiro Rossana de Aguiar , Pinheiro Adriana de Queiroz , Chaves Lúcio Jackson Queiroz , Pereira Neto Waldemiro de Aquino , Sidrim José Júlio Costa , Rocha Marcos Fábio Gadelha
Published: March 2018

As shown by recent research, most of the clinically relevant fungi, including dermatophytes, form biofilms in vitro and in vivo, which may exhibit antimicrobial tolerance that favour recurrent infections. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VCZ) and griseofulvin (GRI) against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum in planktonic and biofilm growth. For the planktonic form, susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), document M38‐A2, while biofilm susceptibility was evaluated using the XTT colorimetric essay. The planktonic growth of all strains was inhibited, with MIC values ranging from 0.00195 to 0.1225 μg/mL for VRC, 0.00195 to 0.25 μg/mL for ITC and <0.0039 to 4 μg/mL for GRI, while a 50‐fold increase in the MIC was required to significantly reduce the metabolic activity (P < .05) of dermatophyte biofilms. In brief, the ability of dermatophytes to form biofilms may be a contributing factor for the recalcitrance of dermatophytoses or the dissemination of the disease.
The effect of adipokinetic hormones on the activity of digestive enzymes
Authors: Bodláková Karolina , Beňová Michaela , Kodrík Dalibor
Published: March 2018

The role of the adipokinetic hormone (AKH) in the control of protease, amylase and lipase activities is examined using the cockroach Periplaneta americana and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as model species. The effects of Peram‐CAH‐I and ‐II on the activity of cockroach digestive enzymes in the gastric caeca and midgut are measured both in vivo and in vitro. The results show the activity of proteases, amylases and lipases in both parts of the gut: amylase activity is higher in the gastric caeca than in the midgut; lipase activity presents the opposite trend; and protease activity is similar in both organs. The applied hormones stimulate the activity of all digestive enzymes, although this stimulation is not uniform; AKHs affect enzymes selectively, and in some cases unequally, in the gastric caeca and midgut. No substantial differences between Peram‐CAH‐I and ‐II stimulation are recorded. The in vitro results demonstrate that AKH stimulates digestive enzyme activity directly. In agreement with the cockroach results, enzymatic activity in D. melanogaster larvae producing nonfunctional AKH is lower than that in the larvae with ectopically expressed Akh gene, where enzyme activity reaches or even exceeds that of the controls. Overall, the results demonstrate the active role of AKHs in the stimulation of digestive enzyme activity in insects.
Computational Models of Miscommunication Phenomena
Authors: Purver Matthew , Hough Julian , Howes Christine
Published: March 2018

Miscommunication phenomena such as repair in dialogue are important indicators of the quality of communication. Automatic detection is therefore a key step toward tools that can characterize communication quality and thus help in applications from call center management to mental health monitoring. However, most existing computational linguistic approaches to these phenomena are unsuitable for general use in this way, and particularly for analyzing human–human dialogue: Although models of other‐repair are common in human‐computer dialogue systems, they tend to focus on specific phenomena (e.g., repair initiation by systems), missing the range of repair and repair initiation forms used by humans; and while self‐repair models for speech recognition and understanding are advanced, they tend to focus on removal of “disfluent” material important for full understanding of the discourse contribution, and/or rely on domain‐specific knowledge. We explain the requirements for more satisfactory models, including incrementality of processing and robustness to sparsity. We then describe models for self‐ and other‐repair detection that meet these requirements (for the former, an adaptation of an existing repair model; for the latter, an adaptation of standard techniques) and investigate how they perform on datasets from a range of dialogue genres and domains, with promising results.
A Social Approach to Rule Dynamics Using an Agent‐Based Model
Authors: Cuskley Christine , Loreto Vittorio , Kirby Simon
Published: March 2018

A well‐trod debate at the nexus of cognitive science and linguistics, the so‐called past tense debate, has examined how rules and exceptions are individually acquired (McClelland & Patterson, ; Pinker & Ullman, ). However, this debate focuses primarily on individual mechanisms in learning, saying little about how rules and exceptions function from a sociolinguistic perspective. To remedy this, we use agent‐based models to examine how rules and exceptions function across populations. We expand on earlier work by considering how repeated interaction and cultural transmission across speakers affects the dynamics of rules and exceptions in language, measuring linguistic outcomes within a social system rather than focusing individual learning outcomes. We consider how population turnover and growth effect linguistic rule dynamics in large and small populations, showing that this method has considerable potential particularly in probing the mechanisms underlying the linguistic niche hypothesis (Lupyan & Dale, ).
Development of a proof of principle for universal neutralization of antibiotics in cord blood by‐products used for sterility testing
Authors: Kou Yuntong , Halpenny Mike , Elmoazzen Heidi , Ramirez‐Arcos Sandra
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Bacterial contamination of cord blood (CB) represents a safety risk for transplantation patients. CB sterility testing at Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank is performed using a 1:1 mix of CB‐derived plasma and red blood cells (RBCs). Culture bottles of an automated culture system, which lack antimicrobial neutralization properties, are used for bacterial screening of CB. This process is unsuitable for CB‐containing antibiotics, potentially resulting in false‐negative results. This study was aimed at developing a protocol for antibiotic neutralization in CB used for sterility testing.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Phase 1: four neutralizers—penicillinase, ion exchange resins L and A, lecithin + Tween80, and activated charcoal (AC)—were individually tested to neutralize penicillin or gentamicin in cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis or Klebsiella pneumoniae, respectively, adjusted to 100 colony forming units/mL, in Müller‐Hinton broth (MHB). Phase 2: combinations of penicillinase plus resin L or penicillinase plus AC were assayed for the simultaneous neutralization of both antibiotics in MHB. Phase 3: penicillinase plus resin L was used to neutralize both antibiotics in CB sterility testing samples (plasma + RBCs).

RESULTS

Phase 1: penicillin was neutralized by penicillinase and resin A, while gentamicin was neutralized by resin L and AC. Phase 2: the antibiotics were simultaneously neutralized by the two neutralizer combinations tested. Phase 3: neutralization of both antibiotics in CB was achieved with penicillinase and resin L.

CONCLUSION

A protocol for antibiotic neutralization in CB sterility testing samples has been successfully developed at Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood bank. This in‐house assay applies to any culture‐based CB bacterial screening method.
Traumatic phacocele in an American Miniature Horse
Authors: Knickelbein Kelly E. , Stock Mallory , Carrasco Sebastian E. , Reilly Christopher M. , Lassaline Mary E.
Published: March 2018

An 18‐year‐old American Miniature Horse mare was presented with a complaint of a scleral swelling affecting the right eye and a history of suspected trauma 6 weeks prior to evaluation. Clinical findings included severe blepharospasm, a bulbous swelling of the dorsotemporal bulbar conjunctiva, and phthisis bulbi. Ocular ultrasound was recommended but declined. Enucleation was elected for the blind, painful eye and was performed standing. Gross and histopathologic examinations of the globe were consistent with extrusion of the lens to the episcleral space, which is classified as a traumatic phacocele when associated with naturally occurring trauma. The location of lens entrapment suggested globe rupture occurred at the limbus, which is described as one of the weakest points of the equine globe. Subconjunctival dislocation of the lens and development of a traumatic phacocele should be considered as a differential diagnosis for horses presenting with subconjunctival masses, apparent aphakia, and historical trauma.
Immunohistochemical characterization of feline lymphoplasmacytic anterior uveitis
Authors: Crossfield Lawrence , Fortuna Luca , Carling Rebekah , Scurrell Emma , Matas Riera Marian , Chang Yu‐Mei , Dawson Charlotte , Pittaway Rachael , Yeung Ian YL , Thaung Caroline , Priestnall Simon L , Garden Oliver A
Published: March 2018

Objective

To characterize the immune cells present in different forms of feline anterior uveitis.

Samples

Eyes were obtained from 49 cats diagnosed with chronic idiopathic lymphoplasmacytic anterior uveitis, 7 cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), and 9 cats euthanized for nonocular disease.

Methods

H&E sections were scored on the level of infiltrate in the anterior uvea. Immunohistochemistry was performed for FoxP3,CD3, andIL‐17A, and positive cells were quantified in multiple images of each sample. A generalized estimating equation tested for an association between the level of inflammation and the prevalence of these cell types.

Results

Cells stained positive forIL‐17A in idiopathic uveitis but not inFIPsamples. We found significantly fewer FoxP3+andCD3+cells in low‐grade compared with high‐grade inflammation in idiopathic uveitis orFIPsamples (Pvalues all <.005), but no difference betweenFIPand high‐grade samples.

Conclusions

Idiopathic, but notFIP‐associated, uveitis appears to have Th17 cell involvement. The numbers of FoxP3+andCD3+T‐cells present appear directly correlated; thus, the severity of disease does not appear directly determined by the numbers of regulatory cells.
Non-pharmacological fever management for persons living with HIV: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Yang Fengdan , Wang Lin , Zhao Rui
Published: March 2018

Objectives:

The aim of this evidence implementation project was to integrate the best available evidence on non-pharmacological fever and febrile symptom management into nursing practice at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre, China.

Introduction:

Fever is challenging for patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Guidelines assert that successful non-pharmacological fever management should be the standard of care. To introduce evidence into clinical practice, the Department of Infectious Disease of the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre implemented a best practice project.

Methods:

This evidence implementation project utilized the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES) and Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) audit and feedback tool. Seven audit criteria were established on the best available evidence. The project was divided into three phases and conducted over five months.

Results:

Follow-up audits showed significant improvements. The most significant improvements in compliance occurred in the assessment of suitability of external cooling methods (100%), education for nurses (100%) and patients (100%), and monitoring (93%). A moderate increase was noted in the assessment of fluid intake and output volume (73%). A small increase of 30% in compliance was found in hydration support. No changes in compliance were found in assessment of the cause of fever in the HIV-positive population.

Conclusions:

This project led to various changes in the unit including a formal assessment of intake and output volume for PLWHs with chronic fever, a formal assessment of some factors related to the “cause of fever”, tailored education programs and materials for both nurses and patients. All these changes are now part of routine nursing practice. Further audits will need to be carried out to sustain practice behavior change and monitor areas for further improvements.
The association of premorbid neuropsychological conditions with pediatric mild traumatic brain injury/concussion recovery time and symptom severity: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Goreth Michelle Borzik , Palokas Michelle
Published: March 2018

Review question:

The question of this review is: What is the association of premorbid neuropsychological conditions with mild traumatic brain injury/concussion recovery time and symptom severity in children?
Adverse drug reactions in primary care: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Khalil Hanan , Kirschbaum Mark
Published: March 2018

Review question/objective:

The objective of the scoping review is to examine the types of adverse drug reactions experienced by patients in the primary care setting and to map the classes of medications associated with adverse drug reactions.
Perceptions of blood donation among people in Africa: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Tanywe Asahngwa , Matchawe Chelea , Fernandez Ritin , Lapkin Samuel
Published: March 2018

Review question/objective:

The aim of this review is to synthesize the best available evidence on the perceptions of blood donation among people living in Africa.
Hallmarks of science missing from North American wildlife management
Authors: Artelle Kyle A. , Reynolds John D. , Treves Adrian , Walsh Jessica C. , Paquet Paul C. , Darimont Chris T.
Published: March 2018

Fundamental components of science are often lacking in U.S. state and Canadian provincial hunt management systems.
Immune evasion mediated by PD-L1 on glioblastoma-derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Ricklefs Franz L. , Alayo Quazim , Krenzlin Harald , Mahmoud Ahmad B. , Speranza Maria C. , Nakashima Hiroshi , Hayes Josie L. , Lee Kyungheon , Balaj Leonora , Passaro Carmela , Rooj Arun K. , Krasemann Susanne , Carter Bob S. , Chen Clark C. , Steed Tyler , Treiber Jeffrey , Rodig Scott , Yang Katherine , Nakano Ichiro , Lee Hakho , Weissleder Ralph , Breakefield Xandra O. , Godlewski Jakub , Westphal Manfred , Lamszus Katrin , Freeman Gordon J. , Bronisz Agnieszka , Lawler Sean E. , Chiocca E. Antonio
Published: March 2018

Glioblastoma can suppress immunity by using surface PD-L1 on extracellular vesicles to block T cell receptor–mediated T cell activation.
Slow coolant phaseout could worsen warming
Authors: Reese April
Published: March 2018

As countries crank up the AC, emissions of potent greenhouse gases are likely to skyrocket.
Who holds the power?
The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook
Niall Ferguson
Penguin Press, 2018. 607 pp.
Authors: Cornelius Sean P.
Published: March 2018

A careful history examines pivotal moments and the networks that made them possible
Will marine productivity wane?
Authors: Laufkötter Charlotte , Gruber Nicolas
Published: March 2018

A model study points to slow but extensive nutrient removal from the surface ocean under long-term climate change
Posaconazole-Induced Pseudohyperaldosteronism
Authors: Kuriakose Kevin , Nesbitt Whitney J. , Greene Matthew , Harris Bryan
Published: March 2018

A woman in her late 60s with disseminated histoplasmosis was treated with posaconazole because first-line therapies were not tolerated. She subsequently presented with decompensated heart failure, hypertension, and hypokalemia. Laboratory tests revealed low renin and aldosterone levels. A potential mechanism is inhibition of the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2, with resultant apparent mineralocorticoid excess.
Porcine MKRN1 Modulates the Replication and Pathogenesis of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 by Inducing Capsid Protein Ubiquitination and Degradation
Authors: Wang Tongtong , Du Qian , Wu Xingchen , Niu Yingying , Guan Lijuan , Wang Zhenyu , Zhao Xiaomin , Liu Shan-Lu , Tong Dewen , Huang Yong
Published: March 2018

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) capsid protein (Cap) is a unique structure protein that plays pivotal roles in the process of viral replication and pathogenesis. Herein, we characterized a putative porcine Makorin RING finger protein 1 (pMKRN1) variant, an N-terminal-truncated variant of putative full-size porcine MKRN1 which has a unique expression pattern resulting from the porcine
mkrn1
gene and which interacts with PCV2 Cap. A domain mapping assay showed that the C terminus of pMKRN1 and fragments (amino acids 108 to 198) of Cap are required for this interaction. PCV2 transiently upregulated pMKRN1 in PK-15 cells, but persistent viral infection downregulated pMKRN1 in major pathological tissues of PCV2-infected piglets. Overexpression of pMKRN1 significantly inhibited the generation of progeny PCV2 via ubiquitination and degradation of Cap, whereas knockout of pMKRN1 blocked Cap degradation and promoted progeny virus replication. pMKRN1 specifically targeted PCV2 Cap lysine residues 164, 179, and 191 to induce polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Mutation of either of the three lysine residues in the Cap protein or mutation of the histidine at residue 243 within the RING finger domain of pMKRN1 abrogated the E3 ligase activity of pMKRN1, rendering cells incapable of inducing Cap ubiquitination and degradation. Consistent with this finding, a Cap ubiquitination-deficient PCV2 strain showed enhanced virus replication and produced severe histological lesions in the lung and lymph node tissues compared with wild-type PCV2. Taken together, the results presented here suggest that PCV2 downregulates the pMKRN1 variant to avoid pMKRN1-mediated Cap ubiquitination and degradation, thus promoting viral replication and pathogenesis in its targeted tissues.

IMPORTANCE
Porcine circovirus type 2 is the pathogen to which pigs are the most susceptible, causing immense economic losses in the global swine industry, but whether host cells have developed some strategies to prevent viral replication is still unclear. Here, we found that porcine MKRN1 (pMKRN1) was upregulated in the early stage of PCV2 infection and mediated the polyubiquitination and degradation of Cap protein to block PCV2 replication, yet persistent PCV2 infection downregulated pMKRN1 levels to avoid degradation, promoting viral replication and pathogenesis in its targeted tissues. These data present new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiviral effects of pMKRN1 E3 ligase during PCV2 infection and also suggest potential new control measures for PCV2 outbreaks.
Distinct Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Poxvirus-Based Vaccine Candidates against Ebola Virus Expressing GP and VP40 Proteins
Authors: Lázaro-Frías Adrián , Gómez-Medina Sergio , Sánchez-Sampedro Lucas , Ljungberg Karl , Ustav Mart , Liljeström Peter , Muñoz-Fontela César , Esteban Mariano , García-Arriaza Juan
Published: March 2018

Zaire
and
Sudan ebolavirus
species cause a severe disease in humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs) characterized by a high mortality rate. There are no licensed therapies or vaccines against Ebola virus disease (EVD), and the recent 2013 to 2016 outbreak in West Africa highlighted the need for EVD-specific medical countermeasures. Here, we generated and characterized head-to-head the immunogenicity and efficacy of five vaccine candidates against Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) and Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) based on the highly attenuated poxvirus vector modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing either the virus glycoprotein (GP) or GP together with the virus protein 40 (VP40) forming virus-like particles (VLPs). In a human monocytic cell line, the different MVA vectors (termed MVA-EBOVs and MVA-SUDVs) triggered robust innate immune responses, with production of beta interferon (IFN-β), proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. Additionally, several innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells, neutrophils, and natural killer cells, were differentially recruited in the peritoneal cavity of mice inoculated with MVA-EBOVs. After immunization of mice with a homologous prime/boost protocol (MVA/MVA), total IgG antibodies against GP or VP40 from Zaire and Sudan ebolavirus were differentially induced by these vectors, which were mainly of the IgG1 and IgG3 isotypes. Remarkably, an MVA-EBOV construct coexpressing GP and VP40 protected chimeric mice challenged with EBOV to a greater extent than a vector expressing GP alone. These results support the consideration of MVA-EBOVs and MVA-SUDVs expressing GP and VP40 and producing VLPs as best-in-class potential vaccine candidates against EBOV and SUDV.

IMPORTANCE
EBOV and SUDV cause a severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and NHPs. Since their discovery in 1976, they have caused several sporadic epidemics, with the recent outbreak in West Africa from 2013 to 2016 being the largest and most severe, with more than 11,000 deaths being reported. Although some vaccines are in advanced clinical phases, less expensive, safer, and more effective licensed vaccines are desirable. We generated and characterized head-to-head the immunogenicity and efficacy of five novel vaccines against EBOV and SUDV based on the poxvirus MVA expressing GP or GP and VP40. The expression of GP and VP40 leads to the formation of VLPs. These MVA-EBOV and MVA-SUDV recombinants triggered robust innate and humoral immune responses in mice. Furthermore, MVA-EBOV recombinants expressing GP and VP40 induced high protection against EBOV in a mouse challenge model. Thus, MVA expressing GP and VP40 and producing VLPs is a promising vaccine candidate against EBOV and SUDV.