bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of L‐methionine on performance, gut morphology and antioxidant status in gut and liver of piglets in relation to DL‐methionine
Authors: Zeitz Johanna O. , Kaltenböck Susanne , Most Erika , Eder Klaus
Published: October 2018

This study investigated the hypothesis that dietary supplementation of L‐methionine (L‐Met) in weaned piglets in relation to DL‐methionine (DL‐Met) results in a higher antioxidant status and lower need for antioxidant enzyme activation in intestinal epithelium and body tissues, and improves gut morphology and gut barrier function as well as performance. A total of 99 early‐weaned 21‐day old piglets were allotted to six groups and fed a semi‐synthetic wheat–barley‐based basal diet supplemented with 0.067%, 0.107% and 0.147% of either DL‐Met (MetAmino; Evonik, Hanau, Germany) or L‐Met (L‐Met100; CJ Europe, Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany) to reach dietary Met concentrations of 0.16%, 0.20% and 0.24%, of which the latter met the requirements for maintenance and growth based on a pre‐experiment. Feed intake and body weights were recorded weekly, and samples of plasma, liver and duodenum and jejunum mucosa were collected after 3 weeks at slaughter. Plasma concentrations of L‐Met were similar, and those of D‐Met and total Met were higher in piglets fed DL‐Met in relation to those fed L‐Met. Feed intake, daily gains and feed:gain ratio, and the relative bio‐efficacy based on gains and feed:gain ratio were similar for both groups. Likewise, villi length, crypt depth, the villi length:crypt depth ratio in duodenum and jejunum and gene expression of tight junction proteins in the jejunum did not differ. Concentrations of antioxidants like glutathione and tocopherol, the total antioxidant capacity, the mRNA abundance or activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, markers for oxidative damage of lipids and the expression of inflammatory genes were similar in liver and jejunum mucosa. These data indicate that the effects of L‐Met and DL‐Met supplementation are comparable considering both piglet performance and parameters of gut health and function like gut morphology and the intestinal antioxidant status.
Assessment of microRNA‐146a in generalized aggressive periodontitis and its association with disease severity
Authors: Ghotloo S. , Motedayyen H. , Amani D. , Saffari M. , Sattari M.
Published: October 2018

Background and Objective

MicroRNA‐146a (miR‐146a) is a small noncoding RNA that plays a critical role in the negative regulation of the innate immune response, and the dysregulation of miR‐146a has been associated with several inflammatory disorders. In generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) the degree of clinical inflammation appears to be similar to that of chronic periodontitis, and, in this situation, age of onset and family history are important additional criteria for diagnosis. This study was performed to evaluate the level of miR‐146a expressed in gingival tissues of patients with GAgP and its association with disease severity.

Material and Methods

Gingival samples from 18 patients with GAgP and 10 healthy subjects were collected and the level of miR‐146a and its targets, including necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐1beta, and interleukin‐6, were assessed using real‐time PCR.

Clinical parameters, including probing depth and clinical attachment loss, were measured and their correlations with the level of miR‐146a were determined.

Results

Our results demonstrated an elevation in the level of miR‐146a expressed in patients with GAgP compared with healthy controls (P < .001), which was directly associated with disease severity (P < .05). Overexpression of miR‐146a was accompanied by a reduction in the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that there is an association between miR‐146a and GAgP and imply that miR‐146a may serve as an indicator of periodontal disease severity. However, further studies and additional information are required to confirm this relationship and the precise role of miR‐146a in the development and/or progression of periodontitis.
Estimation of liver fibrosis by noncommercial serum markers in comparison with transient elastography in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection receiving direct‐acting antiviral treatment
Authors: Knop Viola , Hofmann Wolf P. , Buggisch Peter , Klinker Hartwig , Mauss Stefan , Günther Rainer , Hinrichsen Holger , Hüppe Dietrich , Pfeiffer‐Vornkahl Heike , Simon Karl‐Georg , Berg Thomas , Manns Michael P. , Friedrich‐Rust Mireen ,   German Hepatitis C‐Registry
Published: October 2018

Treatment decisions are based on extent of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Noninvasive diagnostic tools may help to avoid liver biopsy. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of noncommercial serum scores in comparison with transient elastography (TE). Data analysis was undertaken based on 2458 patients enrolled in the German Hepatitis C Registry, in a prospective, observational study. Aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI), FORNS index and FIB‐4 score were calculated and the diagnostic accuracy was compared to TE. As estimated by TE, 955 (38.9%) patients had absence of significant fibrosis (SF), 736 (29.9%) patients had SF, and 767 (31.2%) patients were shown to have cirrhosis. Patients with absence of SF had a sustained virological response (SVR) rate of 97.9%, whereas SVR was attained in 96.2% and 92.2% in those with SF and cirrhosis, respectively (P < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity and specificity in discriminating of SF were 0.789, 0.596 and 0.939 by APRI; 0.838, 0.852 and 0.748 by FORNS index; and 0.828, 0.658 and 0.946 by FIB‐4 score. AUROCs for the prediction of cirrhosis, sensitivity and specificity were 0.881, 0.851 and 0.854 by APRI; 0.846, 0.948 and 0.628 by FORNS index; and 0.907, 0.907 and 0.848 by FIB‐4 score. In conclusion, in the present multicentre real‐world cohort, SF and cirrhosis were predicted with high accuracy with noncommercial serum markers using TE as reference. Further prospective long‐term follow‐up is necessary to compare biomarkers with TE concerning liver‐related outcome and overall mortality.
Survival after diagnosis of hypertension in cats attending primary care practice in the United Kingdom
Authors: Conroy Megan , Chang Yu‐Mei , Brodbelt Dave , Elliott Jonathan
Published: October 2018

Background

Hypertension is common in older cats. There is limited evidence for predictors of survival after diagnosis.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Investigate blood pressure assessment (BPA) and hypertension diagnosis in cats attending UK primary care practices (PCPs) and factors that influence survival.

Animals

Cats (347 889) attending 244 UK PCPs enrolled in the VetCompass program between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013. Cats identified as hypertensive (282) were included in descriptive and survival analyses.

Methods

All electronic patient records (EPRs) were searched to identify cats that potentially had received BPA. EPRs were read in detail to identify those that had BPA. The proportion that received BPA was evaluated using a stratified analysis and the incidence of hypertension estimated. A retrospective cohort study was used to investigate survival after diagnosis (Cox proportional hazard model).

Results

Estimated incidence risk was 19.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.5‐21.6) from the estimated 1.34% (1.30%‐1.38%) of cats that received BPA. Few cats had BPA more than once after diagnosis (median, 1; interquartile range [IQR], 0‐3), with only 9.9% of diagnosed hypertensive cats having urine protein:creatinine ratio determined. Cats diagnosed as a result of monitoring of pre‐existing disease had improved survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; 95% CI, 0.37‐0.89; P = .01) compared to cats diagnosed after clinical signs were recognized. Cats that had an amlodipine dose change had improved survival (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36‐0.87; P = .01) compared to those with no dose change.

Conclusions and clinical importance

These data suggest improved blood pressure monitoring in clinical practice may decrease the morbidity associated with hypertension.
Juvenile‐onset polyneuropathy in American Staffordshire Terriers
Authors: Vandenberghe Hélène , Escriou Catherine , Rosati Marco , Porcarelli Laura , Recio Caride Alfredo , Añor Sonia , Gandini Gualtiero , Corlazzoli Daniele , Thibaud Jean‐Laurent , Matiasek Kaspar , Blot Stéphane
Published: October 2018

Background

The only hereditary neurologic disorder described so far in American Staffordshire Terriers is adult‐onset cerebellar degeneration secondary to ceroid lipofuscinosis. We have seen several dogs with a newly recognized neurological disease characterized by locomotor weakness with or without respiratory signs and juvenile onset consistent with degenerative polyneuropathy of genetic origin.

Objectives

To characterize a novel polyneuropathy in juvenile American Staffordshire Terriers.

Animals

Fourteen American Staffordshire Terriers presented with clinical signs consistent with juvenile‐onset polyneuropathy at 5 veterinary hospitals between May 2005 and July 2017.

Methods

Case series. Dogs were included retrospectively after a diagnosis of degenerative polyneuropathy had been confirmed by nerve biopsy. Clinical, pathological, electrophysiological, histological data, and outcome were reviewed and a pedigree analysis performed.

Results

All dogs displayed clinical signs of neuromuscular disease with generalized motor and sensory involvement, associated with focal signs of laryngeal paralysis (10/14 dogs) and megaesophagus (1/14 dogs). Histopathological findings were consistent with degenerative polyneuropathy. Follow‐up was available for 11 dogs, and 3 dogs were euthanized shortly after diagnosis. In these 11 dogs, the disease was slowly progressive and the animals maintained good quality of life with ability to walk. Pedigree analysis was mostly consistent with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Juvenile polyneuropathy, associated with laryngeal paralysis, is a newly described entity in American Staffordshire Terriers, and results from degenerative neuropathy. When surgery for laryngeal paralysis is performed, lifespan may be similar to that of normal dogs even though affected dogs have locomotor disturbance.
Keeping mum in clinical supervision: private thoughts and public judgements
Authors: Scarff Catherine E , Bearman Margaret , Chiavaroli Neville , Trumble Steve
Published: October 2018

Context

The seemingly obvious claim that people prefer to keep mum about undesirable messages – termed ‘the MUM effect’ – was initially reported in the psychology literature in the 1970s. More recently, it has been discussed in contexts including performance appraisals and the reporting of unsuccessful projects in workplace settings, but only sparsely in educational ones. We wished to review the published literature on the MUM effect in order to understand the implications for clinical assessment.

Methods

We performed a narrative literature review on the MUM effect and clustered findings together into three themes: those that describe what MUM behaviours look like, those that explore potential reasons for the MUM effect and those that consider factors that can influence MUM behaviours.

Results

This paper summarises the extensive literature on the MUM effect, including its manifestations and modifiers and discusses how the effect may be used to consider issues faced by many clinical supervisors faced with delivering ‘negative’ assessment messages to trainees.

Discussion

We suggest, that as a pervasive phenomenon, the MUM effect can both help to explain the difficulties that some assessors face when delivering undesirable messages (including feedback or ratings) and offer new insights in how to deal with such issues.
A Meloidogyne graminicola C‐type lectin, Mg01965, is secreted into the host apoplast to suppress plant defence and promote parasitism
Authors: Zhuo Kan , Naalden Diana , Nowak Silke , Xuan Huy Nguyen , Bauters Lander , Gheysen Godelieve
Published: October 2018

C‐type lectins (CTLs), a class of multifunctional proteins, are numerous in nematodes. One CTL gene, Mg01965, shown to be expressed in the subventral glands, especially in the second‐stage juveniles of the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola, was further analysed in this study. In vitro RNA interference targeting Mg01965 in the preparasitic juveniles significantly reduced their ability to infect host plant roots. Immunolocalizations showed that Mg01965 is secreted by M. graminicola into the roots during the early parasitic stages and accumulates in the apoplast. Transient expression of Mg01965 in Nicotiana benthamiana and targeting it to the apoplast suppressed the burst of reactive oxygen species triggered by flg22. The CTL Mg01965 suppresses plant innate immunity in the host apoplast, promoting nematode parasitism in the early infection stages.
The diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: Two steps forward, one step backwards?
Authors: Di Stefano Michele , Quigley Eamonn M. M.
Published: October 2018

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) was originally described decades ago as a cause of malabsorption among individuals with abnormal intestinal anatomy and/or impaired gastric acid secretion and intestinal motor functions. More recently, the concept of SIBO has been expanded to explain symptoms among a much broader patient population—a move that brings the definition of SIBO into much sharper focus. For largely logistical reasons, breath tests and, especially, those based on the excretion of hydrogen consequent on the fermentation of unabsorbed carbohydrate substrates, have almost entirely replaced jejunal aspirates in the diagnosis of SIBO. Ever bedeviled by concerns regarding their reliability, hydrogen breath tests have now come under even more critical scrutiny with the study from Sundin and colleagues in this issue suggesting that their sole function is to detect carbohydrate malabsorption and that they are incapable of defining SIBO.
A critical evaluation of the role of ethylene and MADS transcription factors in the network controlling fleshy fruit ripening
Authors: Li Shan , Chen Kunsong , Grierson Don
Published: October 2018

Contents

Summary
1724

I.
Introduction
1725

II.
Ripening genes
1725

III.
The importance of ethylene in controlling ripening
1727

IV.
The importance of MADS‐RIN in controlling ripening
1729

V.
Interactions between components of the ripening regulatory network
1734

VI.
Conclusions
1736

Acknowledgements
1738

Author contributions
1738

References
1738

Understanding the regulation of fleshy fruit ripening is biologically important and provides insights and opportunities for controlling fruit quality, enhancing nutritional value for animals and humans, and improving storage and waste reduction. The ripening regulatory network involves master and downstream transcription factors (TFs) and hormones. Tomato is a model for ripening regulation, which requires ethylene and master TFs including NAC‐NOR and the MADS‐box protein MADS‐RIN. Recent functional characterization showed that the classical RIN‐MC gene fusion, previously believed to be a loss‐of‐function mutation, is an active TF with repressor activity. This, and other evidence, has highlighted the possibility that MADS‐RIN itself is not important for ripening initiation but is required for full ripening. In this review, we discuss the diversity of components in the control network, their targets, and how they interact to control initiation and progression of ripening. Both hormones and individual TFs affect the status and activity of other network participants, which changes overall network signaling and ripening outcomes. MADS‐RIN, NAC‐NOR and ethylene play critical roles but there are still unanswered questions about these and other TFs. Further attention should be paid to relationships between ethylene, MADS‐RIN and NACs in ripening control.
Combination of Tests for Cointegration in Cross‐Correlated Panels
Authors: Werkmann Verena
Published: October 2018

In this paper, Cheng and Sheng's (2017) combination of ‘combinations of P‐values’ (CCP) is extended to a combination of more than two tests and applied for cointegration testing in cross‐correlated panels. In a Monte Carlo experiment, power and size of the different combinations of combinations are investigated. If uncertainty about the panel configuration is taken into account, the results indicate that a multi‐test combination can minimize power losses. Furthermore, the usefulness of the combinations studied is illustrated by an application to international interest rate linkage. Cross‐sectional dependencies in both the simulation and the empirical studies are accounted for by using the block bootstrap.
The prognostic value of immune checkpoints in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sieviläinen Meri , Almahmoudi Rabeia , Al‐Samadi Ahmed , Salo Tuula , Pirinen Matti , Almangush Alhadi
Published: October 2018

Background

Despite the importance of immune checkpoints in immunotherapy, the prognostic value of these molecules remains controversial in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We performed a systematic review to investigate the prognostic significance of the immune checkpoints in OSCC.

Materials

A systematic search was conducted in Ovid Medline, Scopus and Cochrane libraries, and all studies that evaluated the prognostic significance of immune checkpoints in OSCC were systematically retrieved.

Results

Twelve immune checkpoints/modulators were studied for their prognostic values in OSCC patients between 1985 and 2017. Seven immune checkpoints (FKBP51, B7‐H4, B7‐H6, ALHD1, PD‐L1, B7‐H3 and IDO1) were reported to be associated with poor patients’ survival in at least one study, and five (CTLA‐4, TLT‐2, VISTA, PD‐L2 and PD‐1) did not have a significant prognostic value. PD‐L1 results were controversial as it was reported to be associated with both better and worse patients’ survival.

Conclusions

Even though immune checkpoint markers had high expectation for OSCC prognostication, our systematic review revealed that the majority of them had been studied only once. The other molecules, which had been studied more than once, had controversial findings, except B7‐H3.
Two‐tier morpho‐chemical defence tactic inAethionemavia fruit morph plasticity and glucosinolates allocation in diaspores
Authors: Bhattacharya Samik , Mayland‐Quellhorst Sara , Müller Caroline , Mummenhoff Klaus
Published: October 2018

Fruit dimorphism and the production of glucosinolates (GSLs) are two specific life history traits found in the members of Brassicales, which aid to optimize seed dispersal and defence against antagonists, respectively. We hypothesized that the bipartite dispersal strategy demands a tight control over the production of fruit morphs with expectedly differential allocation of defensive anticipins (GSLs). In dimorphicAethionema, herbivory byPlutella xylostellaat a young stage triggered the production of more dehiscent (seeds released from fruit) than indehiscent fruit morphs (seeds enclosed within persistent pericarp) on the same plant upon maturity. Total GSL concentrations were highest in the mature seeds of dehiscent fruits fromAethionema arabicumandAethionemasaxatileamong the different ontogenetic stages of the diaspores. Multivariate analyses of GSL profiles indicated significantly higher concentrations of specific indole GSLs in the diaspores, which require optimal defence after dispersal (i.e., seeds of dehiscent and fruit/pericarp of indehiscent fruit). Bioassays with a potentially coinhabitant fungus,Aspergillus quadrilineatus, support the distinct defensive potential of the diaspores corresponding to their GSL allocation. These findings indicate a two‐tier morpho‐chemical defence tactic ofAethionemavia better protected fruit morphs and strategic provision of GSLs that optimize protection to the progeny for survival in nature.
Modelling predicts that soybean is poised to dominate crop production across Africa
Authors: Foyer Christine H. , Siddique Kadambot H.M. , Tai Amos P.K. , Anders Sven , Fodor Nándor , Wong Fuk‐Ling , Ludidi Ndiko , Chapman Mark A. , Ferguson Brett J. , Considine Michael J. , Zabel Florian , Prasad P.V. Vara , Varshney Rajeev K. , Nguyen Henry T. , Lam Hon‐Ming
Published: October 2018

The superior agronomic and human nutritional properties of grain legumes (pulses) make them an ideal foundation for future sustainable agriculture. Legume‐based farming is particularly important in Africa, where small‐scale agricultural systems dominate the food production landscape. Legumes provide an inexpensive source of protein and nutrients to African households as well as natural fertilization for the soil. Although the consumption of traditionally grown legumes has started to decline, the production of soybeans (Glycine max Merr.) is spreading fast, especially across southern Africa. Predictions of future land‐use allocation and production show that the soybean is poised to dominate future production across Africa. Land use models project an expansion of harvest area, whereas crop models project possible yield increases. Moreover, a seed change in farming strategy is underway. This is being driven largely by the combined cash crop value of products such as oils and the high nutritional benefits of soybean as an animal feed. Intensification of soybean production has the potential to reduce the dependence of Africa on soybean imports. However, a successful “soybean bonanza” across Africa necessitates an intensive research, development, extension, and policy agenda to ensure that soybean genetic improvements and production technology meet future demands for sustainable production.
Immunotherapy of alveolar echinococcosis via PD‐1/PD‐L1 immune checkpoint blockade in mice
Authors: Wang Junhua , Jebbawi Fadi , Bellanger Anne‐Pauline , Beldi Guido , Millon Laurence , Gottstein Bruno
Published: October 2018

The growth potential of the tumour‐like Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode (causing alveolar echinococcosis, AE) is directly dependent upon the nature/function of the periparasitic adaptive host immune‐mediated processes. PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway (programmed cell death 1), which inhibits lymphocytic proliferation in tumour development, is over‐expressed at the chronic stage of AE. We tested the impact of a PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway blockade on the outcome of both chronic AE (intraperitoneal metacestode inoculation, secondary AE and SAE) and acute AE (peroral egg infection, primary AE and PAE). To assess the parasite proliferation potential, we measured parasite mass weight for SAE and liver lesion number for PAE. In both models, the parasite load was significantly decreased in response to anti‐PD‐L1 antibody treatment. In SAE, anti‐PDL1 administration was associated with increased Th1 response parameters and decreased Treg responses, while in PAE anti‐PDL1 administration was associated with fewer lesions in the liver and decreased Treg/Th2 responses. Our findings highly suggested that a PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway blockade triggered the host immune responses in favour of an immune‐mediated control of E. multilocularis proliferation. Based on this, future studies that combine PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade with a parasitostatic albendazole medication may yield in a putatively curative therapeutic approach to control alveolar echinococcosis.
Toxicological characterization of Fukuyoa paulensis (Dinophyceae) from temperate Australia
Authors: Larsson Michaela E. , Harwood Tim D. , Lewis Richard J. , S. W. A. Himaya , Doblin Martina A.
Published: October 2018

Dinoflagellates of the genus Gambierdiscus are known to produce neurotoxins that cause the human illness ciguatera, a tropical and sub‐tropical fish poisoning. Some species from the Gambierdiscus genus were recently re‐classified into a new genus, Fukuyoa based on their phylogenetic and morphological divergence, however, little is known about their distribution, ecology and toxicology. Here we report the first occurrence of F. paulensis in the temperate coastal waters of eastern Australia and characterize its toxicology. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) did not detect the presence of ciguatoxins, however, a putative maitotoxin congener (MTX‐3) was present. Similarly, high maitotoxin‐like activity was detected in High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fractionated cell extracts using a Ca2+ influx bioassay on a Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR), but no ciguatoxin‐like activity was detected.
Personal responsibility modulates neural representations of anticipatory and experienced pain
Authors: Pu Min , Yu Rongjun
Published: October 2018

An individual's sense of personal responsibility is crucial for adaptive functioning in ever‐changing social situations. This study investigated how the sense of personal responsibility affected the neural dynamics of anticipating one's own pain and another person's pain, using EEG. Participants played a cooperation game in which either the participant (self‐context) or the confederate (other‐context) received a mild electric shock whenever one of them erred. At the anticipatory stage of pain, feedback‐related negativity (FRN) and P300 were sensitive to the degree of responsibility in both contexts. The FRN was more negative when the participant had full responsibility (only the participant had erred) than when the participant shared responsibility with the confederate (both had erred) or had no responsibility (only the confederate had erred), and shared responsibility elicited more negative FRN than no responsibility. Having no responsibility produced larger P300 amplitudes than having shared or full responsibility, whereas there was no significant difference in P300 amplitude between the shared responsibility and the full responsibility conditions. When the shock was delivered to the participants, the P2 was smaller when there was no responsibility than when there was shared or full responsibility. When participants observed the painful facial expressions of the confederates, the P300 was not sensitive to responsibility level. Our results suggest that responsibility level modulates FRN and P300 in anticipation of pain experienced by both self and others, reflecting the attentional and affective experiences in both pain‐ and empathy‐related processes.
Double combination inhalers in COPD: How to get your head around this data
Authors: Singh Dave
Published: October 2018

See related Article
What is the concept of parental ‘emotional transference’ to children? A Walker and Avant concept analysis
Authors: Oh Won‐Oak , Yeom Insun , Kim Dong‐Seok
Published: October 2018

Problem

Human emotions come from relationships with others, and emotional states can be transferred to others through emotional transfer, leading people to experience identical emotions unconsciously. Emotional transference is not a new concept; however, no concept analysis has been performed on emotional transference from parents to children.

Eligibility criteria

A literature search was conducted of terms related to ‘emotional transference’, (e.g. ‘emotional transfer’ and ‘affective transference’) in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, RISS and DBPIA published between 1987 and 2016; documents were published in English or Korean.

Sample

Forty‐four studies met review criteria.

Results

This review highlighted analysis of the concept of emotional transference from parent to child, a unidirectional process. The apparent attributes which are of importance to the child during parental interaction consist of parental expression (facial, voice, postural), child's interpretation of parental emotional expression and child's emotional formation.

Conclusions

Understanding parental emotional transference to children is very important in effecting positive outcomes in the nursing environment.

Implications

Nurses need to be aware that parental emotional transference to children and its attributes essential to assessment and intervention. Further study and education are needed to develop nursing care for children.
Lived experiences of surviving in‐hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Bremer Anders , Dahné Tova , Stureson Lovisa , Årestedt Kristofer , Thylén Ingela
Published: October 2018

Background

Out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest survivors suffer from psychological distress and cognitive impairments. They experience existential insecurity and vulnerability and are striving to return to a life in which well‐being and the meaning of life have partly changed. However, research highlighting the experiences of in‐hospital cardiac arrest survivors is lacking. This means that evidence for postresuscitation care has largely been extrapolated from studies on out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest survivors, without considering potential group differences. Studies investigating survivors’ experiences of an in‐hospital cardiac arrest are therefore needed.

Aim

To illuminate meanings of people's lived experiences of surviving an in‐hospital cardiac arrest.

Design

An explorative, phenomenological hermeneutic method to illuminate meanings of lived experiences.

Method

Participants were identified through the Swedish national register of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and recruited from two hospitals. A purposive sample of eight participants, 53–99 years old, who survived an in‐hospital cardiac arrest 1–3 years earlier, was interviewed.

Findings

The survivors were striving to live in everyday life and striving for security. The struggle to reach a new identity meant an existence between restlessness and a peace of mind, searching for emotional well‐being and bodily abilities. The search for existential wholeness meant a quest for understanding and explanation of the fragmented cardiac arrest event and its existential consequences. The transition from hospital to home meant a transition from care and protection to uncertainty and vulnerability with feelings of abandonment, which called for a search for security and belonging, away from isolation and loneliness.

Conclusion

Surviving an in‐hospital cardiac arrest can be further understood by means of the concept of hospital‐to‐home transition. Following hospital discharge, patients felt vulnerable and abandoned when pending between denial and acceptance of the ‘new’ life. Hence, the healthcare system should play a significant role when it comes to facilitate cardiac arrest survivors’ security during hospital‐to‐home transition.
Effects of care assistant communication style on communicative behaviours of residents with dementia: a systematic multiple case study
Authors: Stanyon Miriam , Thomas Shirley , Gordon Adam , Griffiths Amanda
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To determine whether varying the communication style of care assistants, encouraging them to use direct instructions and allowing more time for residents’ responses influenced the communicative behaviour of care home residents living with dementia.

Design

This study used a multiple systematic case study design. Participants were video‐recorded during morning care routines in three communication conditions: usual communication, direct instructions and pacing (allowing more time for resident responses). Each dyad acted as its own control.

Setting

The study took place in a residential care home in the East Midlands, UK.

Participants

Three dyads (person with dementia/care worker)

Measures

The level of compliance with instructions was measured. Validated measures were used to rate positive communicative behaviour (engagement with care tasks, eye contact and initiation of interaction) and negative communicative behaviour (e.g. shouting and kicking).

Results

Care assistants were able to employ direct instructions after brief training. The use of direct instructions was positively correlated with positive communicative behaviour from residents (p < 0.05). The pacing condition was not employed adequately to evaluate effectiveness. Negative communicative behaviour (resistiveness to care) was rare.

Conclusion

The use of direct instructions by care assistants holds promise for effective communication with people with dementia and warrants further investigation in larger samples and in varied contexts.
Nonfatal Suicidal Behaviors of Chinese Rural‐to‐Urban Migrant Workers: Attitude Toward Suicide Matters
Authors: Zhong Bao‐Liang , Chan Sandra Sau Man , Liu Tie‐Bang , Chiu Helen Fung‐Kum
Published: October 2018

Objective

To examine the attitude toward suicide (ATS) and its influence on nonfatal suicidal behaviors of Chinese rural‐to‐urban migrant workers (MWs).

Method

Altogether, 3031 MWs completed the positive ATS Scale and structured questions regarding lifetime suicide ideation, plan, and attempt. Mental health help‐seeking behaviors of MWs were also investigated.

Results

Overall, MWs held a more negative ATS than the Chinese general population. The lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation, plan, and attempt was 5.5%, 1.3%, and 1.1%, respectively. After controlling for lifetime depressive disorders and other covariates, a negative ATS was still significantly associated with lower risk of lifetime suicide ideation (OR = 0.32), plan (OR = 0.22), and attempt (OR = 0.26). MWs with a negative ATS were more likely to talk to others and seek help by online/telephone consultation for their mental health and suicidal problems (p < .05). A more positive ATS was significantly associated with male gender, low education level, ethnic minority of Miao, low monthly income, and originating from western China.

Conclusions

The majority of MWs hold a negative ATS, which significantly contributes to their relatively low risk of nonfatal suicidal behaviors. The more help‐seeking from others and online/telephone consultation in MWs with a negative ATS may lower their risk of nonfatal suicidal behaviors.
Mother–Daughter Interpersonal Processes Underlying the Association Between Child Maltreatment and Adolescent Suicide Ideation
Authors: Handley Elizabeth D. , Adams Tangeria R. , Manly Jody Todd , Cicchetti Dante , Toth Sheree L.
Published: October 2018

Objective

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether mother‐daughter relationship quality and mother‐daughter conflict represent mechanisms underlying the association between child maltreatment and adolescent passive or active suicide ideation.

Method

The sample included 164 socioeconomically disadvantaged depressed adolescent girls and their mothers (adolescents: mean age = 14.00 years; 66.3% African‐American, 21.3% white, 14.0% Latina). Structural equation modeling was used to test three simultaneous and distinct mediating pathways linking child maltreatment to adolescent suicide ideation: (1) mother‐daughter relationship quality, (2) mother‐daughter conflict, and 3) adolescent depressive symptoms.

Results

Consistent with the interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide (Joiner, Why people die by suicide, 2005, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA), both mother‐daughter relationship quality and mother‐daughter conflict mediated the effect of child maltreatment on adolescent suicide ideation, over and above the significant depressive symptoms mediational pathway.

Conclusions

These findings advance our understanding of why individuals who experienced child maltreatment are at risk for suicide ideation and highlight the importance of relationship‐based interventions for these vulnerable youths.
Umbilical cord blood as a source for red‐blood‐cell transfusion in neonatology: a systematic review
Authors: Bianchi Maria , Papacci Patrizia , Valentini Caterina Giovanna , Barbagallo Ombretta , Vento Giovanni , Teofili Luciana
Published: October 2018

The prevention and treatment of anaemia in newborn patients made tremendous progress in the last decades. However, red‐blood‐cell (RBC) transfusions remain unavoidable in many neonates candidate to surgery and especially in preterm infants. In particular, anaemia occurring in neonates born at extremely low gestational age is actually severe and frequently requires transfusions. Several approaches have been explored to prevent or even to reduce the threshold and the frequency of RBC transfusions. Among these, umbilical cord blood (UCB) collection and processing to obtain RBC components for autologous or allogeneic transfusion have been extensively investigated. In this systematic review, we revised the literature concerning the use of UCB for either autologous or allogeneic transfusion purposes and we illustrated the rationale for a transfusion therapy tailored to extremely preterm neonates, based on RBC concentrates from allogeneic UCB donations.
Demographic and health profile of older Australian blood donors: results from the Extended Donor Vigilance data linkage study (EDV:Link)
Authors: Gemelli Carley N. , Thijsen Amanda , Karki Surendra , Davison Tanya E. , Irving David O. , Wright Stephen T.
Published: October 2018

Background and Objectives

Within Australia, there is a desire to increase blood donation frequency to meet the increasing demand for plasma and certain blood types. However, little is known about any long‐term health consequences for donors. To address this gap, a data linkage study has been conducted, linking routine blood collection data to existing health outcome related data sources to create the Extended Donor Vigilance (EDV:Link) cohort. This paper describes the demographics and health characteristics of this cohort.

Materials and Methods

Australian Red Cross Blood Service data were linked to the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study, to asses self‐reported health risk behaviours, and the New South Wales Admitted Patients Database Collection (hospital records), to examine the hospitalization pattern. Participants were classified and described as current donors, lapsed donors and non‐donors.

Results

Of the 266 885 participants in the 45 and Up Study, 25 231 (9·5%) were identified as current donors and 12 452 (4·7%) as lapsed donors. Compared to non‐donors, current donors were younger, more highly educated, more likely to be in paid employment, more likely to be a non‐smoker, consumed more alcohol and were more physically active. Compared to lapsed donors, current donors were younger, had fewer comorbidities and better self‐reported health, consumed more alcohol and were more physically active.

Conclusion

Through the linkage of various health administrative data sets, the EDV:Link cohort provides rich information to answer important research questions relating to the sustainability of the Australian blood supply and long‐term health outcomes of blood donors.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Experiences of Mothers Before and After Their Children’s Diagnosis and Implications for Early Special Education Services
Authors: Tekinarslan İlknur Çifci
Published: October 2018

Mothers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face various burdensome challenges in many stages of their lives. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Turkish mothers whose children were diagnosed with ASD in terms of the emotions they felt and the challenges they encountered before and after the diagnosis. 17 mothers participated in this study which was designed in line with qualitative research methods and participant information form based on demographic characteristics was utilized to collect data along with the interview form composed of 11 questions. Findings from face-to-face interviews conducted with mothers showed that mothers thought their children had some problems as a result of their observations of limitations in communication skills, limitations in social interactions and some problem behaviors in their children. Children were diagnosed with ASD by doctors during the preschool period. Mothers expressed that they had experienced grief, denial, anxiety and fear after the diagnosis and stated that these feelings had not changed. In addition, mothers mentioned that they had changes in their family lives and that they maintained a child-centered life. Mothers pointed out that they generally spent their time doing research and gathering information on the subject. Research findings reveal the necessity of taking these mothers’ experiences into account in early special education services and the need for planning these services to meet these mothers’ needs.
Enhanced availability of serotonin increases activation of unfatigued muscle but exacerbates central fatigue during prolonged sustained contractions
Authors: Kavanagh Justin J. , McFarland Amelia J. , Taylor Janet L.
Published: October 2018

Key points

Animal preparations have revealed that moderate synaptic release of serotonin (5‐HT) onto motoneurones enhances motor activity via activation of 5‐HT2 receptors, whereas intense release of 5‐HT causes spillover of 5‐HT to extrasynaptic 5‐HT1A receptors on the axon initial segment to reduce motoneurone activity.

We explored if increasing extracellular concentrations of endogenously released 5‐HT (via the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine) influences the ability to perform unfatigued and fatigued maximal voluntary contractions in humans.

Following the ingestion of paroxetine, voluntary muscle activation and torque generation increased during brief unfatigued maximal contractions. In contrast, the ability to generate maximal torque with increased 5‐HT availability was compromised under fatigued conditions, which was consistent with paroxetine‐induced reductions in motoneurone excitability and voluntary muscle activation.

This is the first in vivo human study to provide evidence that 5‐HT released onto the motoneurones could play a role in central fatigue.

Brief stimulation of the raphe–spinal pathway in the turtle spinal cord releases serotonin (5‐HT) onto motoneurones to enhance excitability. However, intense release of 5‐HT via prolonged stimulation results in 5‐HT spillover to the motoneurone axon initial segment to activate inhibitory 5‐HT1A receptors, thus providing a potential spinal mechanism for exercise‐induced central fatigue. We examined how increased extracellular concentrations of 5‐HT affect the ability to perform brief, as well as sustained, maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) in humans. Paroxetine was used to enhance 5‐HT concentrations by reuptake inhibition, and three studies were performed. Study 1 (n = 14) revealed that 5‐HT reuptake inhibition caused an ∼4% increase in elbow flexion MVC. However, when maximal contractions were sustained, time‐to‐task failure was reduced and self‐perceived fatigue was higher with enhanced availability of 5‐HT. Study 2 (n = 11) used twitch interpolation to reveal that 5‐HT‐based changes in motor performance had a neural basis. Enhanced 5‐HT availability increased voluntary activation for the unfatigued biceps brachii and decreased voluntary activation of the biceps brachii by 2–5% following repeated maximal elbow flexions. The final study (n = 8) investigated whether altered motoneurone excitability may contribute to 5‐HT changes in voluntary activation. F‐waves of the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) were unaffected by paroxetine for unfatigued muscle and marginally affected following a brief 2‐s MVC. However, F‐wave area and persistence were significantly decreased following a prolonged 60‐s MVC of the ADM. Overall, high serotonergic drive provides a spinal mechanism by which higher concentrations of 5‐HT may contribute to central fatigue.
ACT: An Automatic Centroid Tracking tool for analyzing vocal tract actions in real-time magnetic resonance imaging speech production data
Authors: Oh Miran , Lee Yoonjeong
Published: October 2018

Real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) speech production data have expanded the understanding of vocal tract actions. This letter presents an Automatic Centroid Tracking tool, ACT, which obtains both spatial and temporal information characterizing multi-directional articulatory movement. ACT auto-segments an articulatory object composed of connected pixels in a real-time MRI video, by finding its intensity centroids over time and returns kinematic profiles including direction and magnitude information of the object. This letter discusses the utility of ACT, which outperforms other similar object tracking techniques, by demonstrating its successful online tracking of vertical larynx movement. ACT can be deployed generally for dynamic image processing and analysis.
Pressure calibration of a digital microelectromechanical system microphone by comparison
Authors: Prato Andrea , Montali Nicola , Guglielmone Claudio , Schiavi Alessandro
Published: October 2018

In the field of noise control and monitoring, a new generation of small and low-cost microelectro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphones is nowadays widely adopted. MEMS microphones, after recognition as traceable measurement instruments, could open up promising measurements based on wireless sensor networks. Current standards do not apply specifically to digital microphones. In this work, a pressure calibration procedure by comparison is carried out for a digital MEMS microphone and a sensitivity parameter suitable for metrological purposes is proposed. Measurement procedure and results between 20 Hz and 20 kHz are presented along with uncertainty contributions.
A New Era for Governance Structures and Processes in Canadian National Sport Organizations
Authors: Parent Milena M. , Naraine Michael L. , Hoye Russell
Published: October 2018

With the numerous changes to the sport system landscape since Slack and his colleagues examined national sport organizations’ governance in the 1990s, the purpose of this paper was to begin exploring the impact of these environmental changes on Canadian national sport organizations. To do so, we focused on five Canadian national sport organizations, from large Olympic sport organizations to small non-Olympic sport organizations. The two-pronged content and network analyses point to a convergence of governance structures and stakeholder interactions between the five organizations due in no small part to the new Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. We found organizations coordinating with both traditional (e.g., athletes) and nontraditional (e.g., social media public) stakeholder groups as well as renewing their focus on accountability and transparency. These findings imply a need to revisit the kitchen table–boardroom–executive office archetype continuum and demonstrate the extent of influence environmental changes (e.g., technological advancement and new laws) can have on sport organizations.
Sports Participation Decreases the Incidence of Traumatic, Nonsports-Related Fractures Among Adolescents
Authors: Lynch Kyle R. , Fredericson Michael , Turi-Lynch Bruna , Agostinete Ricardo R. , Ito Igor H. , Luiz-de-Marco Rafael , Rodrigues-Junior Mario A. , Fernandes Rômulo A.
Published: October 2018

Objectives: To investigate the effects of different sports on the incidence of traumatic fractures (TF; sport-related fractures and those occurring in daily activities) among adolescents during the 9-month follow-up period. Methods: The adolescents were contacted in 11 different locations (3 public/private schools and 8 sports clubs), and the final sample was divided into 3 groups: control (n = 121), swimming (n = 51), and impact sports (n = 142). The incidence of TF was calculated by considering the exposure to sports (TF/1000 h). Results: In the overall sample, the incidence of TF was 1.29 TF/1000 hours of sports exposure, while the incidence of sport-related TF was 0.39 TF/1000 hours of sports exposure. Adolescents engaged in sports (P = .004), independently of type (P = .001), for 3 or more days per week (P = .004) and more than 60 minutes per day (P = .001) had lower incidence of TF. Adolescents engaged in more than 300 minutes per week of sport (0.17 TF/1000 h) had lower incidence than those who did not (2.06 TF/1000 h [P = .001]). A similar finding was observed for sport-related TF (≥300 min/wk: 0.08 TF/1000 h vs 300 min/wk: 0.615 TF/1000 h [P = .02]). Conclusion: Adolescents engaged in sports showed a lower incidence of TF than nonengaged adolescents.