bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of melatonin and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (liraglutide) on gastric ischaemia–reperfusion injury in high‐fat/sucrose‐fed rats
Authors: Mubarak Hanan A , Mahmoud Manal M , Shoukry Heba S , Merzeban Dina H , Sayed Safinaz S , Rashed Laila A
Published: April 2018

Ischaemia–reperfusion (I–R) injury is a serious pathology that is often encountered with thrombotic events, during surgery when blood vessels are cross‐clamped, and in organs for transplantation. Increased oxidative stress is the main pathology in I–R injury, as assessed in studies on the heart, kidney, and brain with little data available on gastric I–R (GI–R). Liraglutide is aGLP‐1 receptor agonist that has insulinotropic and weight reducing actions, and melatonin that has been much studied as a chronotropic hormone; have also studied as being anti‐oxidative stress agents. Herein, we aimed to explore the effects of liraglutide and melatonin onGI–R injury with high‐fat/sucrose diet. Rats were divided into six groups; two diet‐control, two melatonin‐ and two liraglutide‐pretreated groups. All rats were subjected to 30 minutes of gastric ischaemia followed by 1 hour of reperfusion. Gastric tissues were assessed for the percentage ofDNAfragmentation, myeloperoxidase activity, total oxidant status, total antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress index,BMIand histopathological examination. We showed that high‐fat feeding for four weeks prior toGI–R significantly increasedBMI, oxidative stress indices and decreased total antioxidant capacity, with a neutral effect on apoptosis compared to controls. Pretreatment with either melatonin (10 mg/kg per day orally) or liraglutide (25 μg/kg per day ip) reverses these effects. Furthermore, both drugs reduced weight only inHFS‐fed rats. Both liraglutide and melatonin have nearly similar protective effects on gastric I–R injury through decreasing the oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Abundance and taxonomic affiliation of molybdenum transport and utilization genes in Tengchong hot springs, China
Authors: Srivastava Shreya , Briggs Brandon R. , Dong Hailiang
Published: April 2018

The nitrogen, sulfur and carbon cycles all rely on critical microbial transformations that are carried out by enzymes that require molybdenum (Mo) as a cofactor. Despite Mo importance in these biogeochemical cycles, little information exists about microbial Mo utilization in extreme environments where, due to geochemical conditions, bioavailable Mo may be limited. Using metagenomic data from nine hot springs in Tengchong, Yunnan Province, China, which range in temperature from 42°C to 96°C and pH from 2.3 to 9, the effects of pH, temperature and spring geochemistry on the abundance and taxonomic affiliation of genes related to Mo were studied. Dissolved Mo was only detected at sites with circumneutral pH. However, processes and organisms that require Mo were detected at all sites across all temperature and pH gradients. All sites contained xanthine dehydrogenase, formate dehydrogenase, carbon‐monoxide dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, sulfite oxidase and methionine‐sulfoxide reductase despite different community compositions. This suggests that different microbial communities, resulting from different physicochemical conditions, may be performing similar metabolic functions. Furthermore, the abundance and taxonomic diversity of Mo‐related annotations increased with higher concentrations of Mo. This study shows that despite geochemical conditions that can limit Mo bioavailability, microbes require Mo for a variety of processes.
Conversion of phosphatidylinositol (PI) to PI4‐phosphate (PI4P) and then to PI(4,5)P2is essential for the cytosolic Ca2+concentration under heat stress inGanoderma lucidum
Authors: Liu Yong‐Nan , Lu Xiao‐Xiao , Ren Ang , Shi Liang , Zhu Jing , Jiang Ai‐Liang , Yu Han‐Shou , Zhao Ming‐Wen
Published: April 2018

How cells drive the phospholipid signal response to heat stress (HS) to maintain cellular homeostasis is a fundamental issue in biology, but the regulatory mechanism of this fundamental process is unclear. Previous quantitative analyses of lipids showed that phosphatidylinositol (PI) accumulates after HS inGanoderma lucidum, implying the inositol phospholipid signal may be associated with HS signal transduction. Here, we found that the PI‐4‐kinase and PI‐4‐phosphate‐5‐kinase activities are activated and that their lipid products PI‐4‐phosphate and PI‐4,5‐bisphosphate are increased under HS. Further experimental results showed that the cytosolic Ca2+([Ca2+]c) and ganoderic acid (GA) contents induced by HS were decreased when cells were pretreated with Li+, an inhibitor of inositol monophosphatase, and this decrease could be rescued by PI and PI‐4‐phosphate. Furthermore, inhibition of PI‐4‐kinases resulted in a decrease in the Ca2+and GA contents under HS that could be rescued by PI‐4‐phosphate but not PI. However, the decrease in the Ca2+and GA contents by silencing of PI‐4‐phosphate‐5‐kinase could not be rescued by PI‐4‐phosphate. Taken together, our study reveals the essential role of the step converting PI to PI‐4‐phosphate and then to PI‐4,5‐bisphosphate in [Ca2+]csignalling and GA biosynthesis under HS.
The Timeline Estimation of Bubbles: The Case of Real Estate
Authors: Fabozzi Frank J. , Xiao Keli
Published: April 2018

We develop and then apply a new recursive regression methodology with a two‐direction searching process for initialization. The methodology improves the reliability of existing models when estimating a bubble's timeline. We apply our proposed methodology to estimate bubbles in U.S. home prices as well as in simulated scenarios. Our results confirm the improvement in reliability of the proposed methodology in obtaining consistent estimators with varying samples. Moreover, we verify the presence of bubbles in the U.S. aggregate data and seven of the eight cities in our study prior to the subprime crisis and find evidence of the bubble's reemergence since October 2013.
Substrate scope of a dehydrogenase from Sphingomonas species A1 and its potential application in the synthesis of rare sugars and sugar derivatives
Authors: Beer Barbara , Pick André , Döring Manuel , Lommes Petra , Sieber Volker
Published: April 2018

Rare sugars and sugar derivatives that can be obtained from abundant sugars are of great interest to biochemical and pharmaceutical research. Here, we describe the substrate scope of a short‐chain dehydrogenase/reductase from Sphingomonas species A1 (SpsADH) in the oxidation of aldonates and polyols. The resulting products are rare uronic acids and rare sugars respectively. We provide insight into the substrate recognition of SpsADH using kinetic analyses, which show that the configuration of the hydroxyl groups adjacent to the oxidized carbon is crucial for substrate recognition. Furthermore, the specificity is demonstrated by the oxidation of d‐sorbitol leading to l‐gulose as sole product instead of a mixture of d‐glucose and l‐gulose. Finally, we applied the enzyme to the synthesis of l‐gulose from d‐sorbitol in an in vitro system using a NADH oxidase for cofactor recycling. This study shows the usefulness of exploring the substrate scope of enzymes to find new enzymatic reaction pathways from renewable resources to value‐added compounds.
A geography‐aware reconciliation method to investigate diversification patterns in host/parasite interactions
Authors: Berry Vincent , Chevenet François , Doyon Jean‐Philippe , Jousselin Emmanuelle
Published: April 2018

Cospeciation studies aim at investigating whether hosts and symbionts speciate simultaneously or whether the associations diversify through host shifts. This problem is often tackled through reconciliation analyses that map the symbiont phylogeny onto the host phylogeny by mixing different types of diversification events. These reconciliations can be difficult to interpret and are not always biologically realistic. Researchers have underlined that the biogeographic histories of both hosts and symbionts influence the probability of cospeciation and host switches, but up to now no reconciliation software integrates geographic data. We present a new functionality in the Mowgli software that bridges this gap. The user can provide geographic information on both the host and symbiont extant and ancestral taxa. Constraints in the reconciliation algorithm have been implemented to generate biologically realistic codiversification scenarios. We apply our method to the fig/fig wasp association and infer diversification scenarios that differ from reconciliations ignoring geographic information. In addition, we updated the reconciliation viewer SylvX to visualize ancestral character states on the phylogenetic trees and highlight parts of reconciliations that are geographically inconsistent when not accounting for geographic constraints. We suggest that the comparison of reconciliations obtained with and without such constraints can help solving ambiguities in the biogeographic histories of the partners. With the development of robust methods in historical biogeography, and the advent of next‐generation sequencing that leads to better‐resolved trees, a geography‐aware reconciliation method represents a substantial advance that is likely to be useful to researchers studying the evolution of biotic interactions and biogeography.
National Cancer Societies and their public statements on alcohol consumption and cancer risk
Authors: Amin Gopal , Siegel Michael , Naimi Timothy
Published: April 2018

Background and aims

Studies have shown that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, esophageal, liver, colon, rectal and breast cancer. It would therefore be expected that cancer prevention organizations would incorporate these facts into their public stance on the consumption of alcohol. The aims of this study were to: (1) assess how national cancer societies in developed English‐speaking countries [i.e. English‐speaking countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD)] communicate alcohol‐related cancer risk to the public and (2) compare whether these organization's advocacy of increased alcohol taxes is in line with their advocacy of tobacco tax increases to reduce cancer risk.

Methods

We searched the websites of the following national cancer organizations for all statements related to the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk: Cancer Council Australia, Canadian Cancer Society, Irish Cancer Society, Cancer Society New Zealand, Cancer Research UK and the American Cancer Society. A categorical system was developed to code the qualitative data for health statements, alcohol consumption recommendations, and tax policy recommendations. Websites were analyzed in March of 2017.

Results

All organizations, with the exception of the American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society, state that alcohol is a group 1 carcinogen and that even low‐level alcohol consumption increases risk for some cancers. Additionally, while the American Cancer Society supports increasing tobacco taxes through its cancer action network, it has not advocated for increased alcohol taxes in relation to support for tobacco tax increases.

Conclusion

Analysis in 2017 of the websites for national cancer societies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States—including Cancer Council Australia, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Irish Cancer Society, Cancer Society New Zealand, Cancer Research UK and the American Cancer Society—shows that only the American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society websites fail to state that alcohol is a group 1 carcinogen and can cause cancer at low doses, and that there is no safe threshold for cancer risk.
Drawing attention to a neglected injecting‐related harm: a systematic review of AA amyloidosis among people who inject drugs
Authors: Harris Magdalena , Brathwaite Rachel , Scott Jenny , Gilchrist Gail , Ciccarone Dan , Hope Vivian , McGowan Catherine R.
Published: April 2018

Background and Aims

Chronic skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) among people who inject drugs (PWID) can lead to AA amyloidosis: a serious, yet neglected, multi‐organ disease. We aim to synthesize findings on the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical outcomes, screening recommendations and challenges to treatment for AA amyloidosis among PWID.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA). We searched the following bibliographic databases in July 2017: CINAHL Plus, Embase, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycEXTRA, PsycINFO and SCOPUS. Studies were included if they investigated AA amyloidosis in PWID. Studies were not restricted to location, study type, year or language of publication. Study heterogeneity precluded meta‐analysis; we present a narrative review of the literature.

Results

Thirty‐seven papers from eight countries met inclusion criteria. A total of 781 PWID are reported on, of whom 177 had AA amyloidosis. Where disease causality is established, it is attributed to chronic inflammation caused by injecting‐related SSTIs. Most (88.7%) PWID with AA amyloidosis had SSTIs. The proportion of PWID with AA amyloidosis at post‐mortem ranged from 1.6% (Germany) to 22.5% (Serbia). Biopsy studies reported from 5.26% (Portugal) to 50% (Germany) of AA amyloidosis in PWID with suspected or known kidney disease. Following diagnosis, the typical trajectory for PWID with AA amyloidosis was rapid deterioration of renal function requiring haemodialysis. Treatment difficulties, end‐stage renal failure and premature death from sepsis were observed. Good outcomes, including reversibility of AA amyloidosis, are attributed to rapid treatment of the underlining inflammation and injecting cessation. Notably, given the population in question, no studies were published in addiction or harm reduction journals; most (92%) appeared in specialist nephrology and medical journals.

Conclusion

There is strong evidence of an association between skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and AA amyloidosis. Among people who inject drugs, injecting‐related SSTIs are a significant cause of morbidity and premature mortality and there is evidence of increasing SSTI prevalence. Limitations in the literature make it difficult to estimate AA amyloidosis prevalence among people who inject drugs.
For Better or for Worse: Fifty Years Since the Removal of the Marriage Bar in the Australian Public Service
Authors: Colley Linda
Published: April 2018

Fifty years ago, in late 1966, the Australian Public Service officially removed the “marriage bar” policy that had prevented the recruitment or continued employment of married women. The anniversary of this historic milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the introduction and removal of the marriage bar and to reflect on the policy change process and lessons that can be applied to the continuing struggle for gender equality at work. The research uses John Kingdon's framework for policy change to examine the delays and obstacles to the removal of the marriage bar. It highlights a number of occasions when the window of opportunity for policy change was briefly open but rapidly closed again due to changing political and economic circumstances.
Design and construction of a new recombinant fusion protein (2b2t+EPC1) and its assessment for serodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis
Authors: Fathi Saeid , Jalousian Fatemeh , Hosseini Seyed Hossein , Najafi Ali , Darabi Enayat , Koohsar Faramarz
Published: April 2018

The immunodiagnostic tests for cystic echinococcosis (CE) are mostly serological tests based on ELISA that use hydatid cyst antigens for primary screening because of its simple preparation and availability. The challenge to develop new serological methods (as compared to those based on the hydatid cyst fluid antigens) to meet the gold standard remains. Appropriate sources of antigenic material are necessary for application to improve the efficacy of immunodiagnostic tests at a population level. In the current study, a fusion protein containing the coding sequence of antigen B2t and two sequences of EPC1 antigen with some modifications was reconstructed. Using bioinformatics tools, these sequences were joined together by applying the sequence of a rigid α‐helix‐forming linker to obtain an appropriate structure of a fusion protein. Synthetic recombinant fusion protein was expressed using pET28a as a vector and evaluated by indirect ELISA test for sera from patients with hepatic CE and other parasitic infections. The sensitivity of the fusion protein was lower (88.46%) than the available ELISA kit (96.15%). However, the differences in sensitivity were not statistically significant as compared to the recombinant fusion peptide with the commercial kit (p = 0.269). The specificity of the recombinant fusion protein (95.45%) was not significantly lower than the commercial kit (96.59%; p = 1.000). Moreover, surprisingly there was no difference in the cross‐reactivity values of performance between the recombinant‐ELISA and commercial kit. The positive and negative predictive values of the recombinant antigen were achieved as 92% and 93.33%, respectively, while for the commercial kit, they were obtained as 94.33% and 97.70%, respectively. In conclusion, as an early evaluation of these antigens the performance of our recombinant fusion protein in ELISA is relatively promising. Although, it seemed that this peptide with specific antigenic epitopes might be more appropriate for the serological evaluation of CE by use of bioinformatics tools, our findings showed that cross‐reactions and a negative reaction could occur in clinical performance. This fusion protein may have utility for diagnosis in humans, but further evaluation is needed using the WHO ultrasound classification for CE.
Safety and efficacy of pasireotide in dumping syndrome—results from a phase 2, multicentre study
Authors: Tack J. , Aberle J. , Arts J. , Laville M. , Oppert J.‐M. , Bender G. , Bhoyrul S. , McLaughlin T. , Yoshikawa T. , Vella A. , Zhou J. , Passos V. Q. , O'Connell P. , Van Beek A. P.
Published: April 2018

Background

Dumping syndrome is a prevalent complication of oesophageal and gastric surgery characterised by early (postprandial tachycardia) and late (hypoglycaemia) postprandial symptoms.

Aim

To evaluate efficacy and safety of the somatostatin analogue, pasireotide in patients with dumping syndrome after bariatric or upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery.

Methods

A single‐arm, open‐label, multicentre, intrapatient dose‐escalation, phase 2 study with 4 phases: screening, 3‐month SC (subcutaneous), 3‐month IM (intramuscular) and 6‐month optional extension IM phase. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients without hypoglycaemia (plasma glucose <3.3 mmol/L [60 mg/dL] during an oral glucose tolerance test, OGTT) at the end of 3‐month SC phase. A ≥50% response rate was considered clinically relevant.

Results

Forty‐three patients with late dumping were enrolled; 33 completed the 3‐month SC phase and 23 completed the 12‐month study. The proportion of patients without hypoglycaemia at month 3 (primary endpoint) was 60.5% (26 of 43; 95% confidence interval, 44.4%‐75.0%). Improvement in quality of life was observed during SC phase, which was maintained in the IM phase. The proportion of patients with a rise in pulse rate of ≥10 beats/min during OGTT reduced from baseline (60.5%) to month 3 (18.6%) and month 12 (27.3%). Overall (month 0‐12), the most frequent (>20% of patients) adverse events were headache (34.9%); diarrhoea, hypoglycaemia (27.9% each); fatigue, nausea (23.3% each); and abdominal pain (20.9%).

Conclusion

These results suggest that pasireotide is a promising option in patients with dumping syndrome after bariatric or upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery.
Randomised clinical trial: a leucine‐metformin‐sildenafil combination (NS‐0200) vs placebo in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Chalasani N. , Vuppalanchi R. , Rinella M. , Middleton M. S. , Siddiqui M. S. , Barritt A. S. , Kolterman O. , Flores O. , Alonso C. , Iruarrizaga‐Lejarreta M. , Gil‐Redondo R. , Sirlin C. B. , Zemel M. B.
Published: April 2018

Background

Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) is suppressed in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while its’ stimulation or overexpression results in reduced disease severity in pre‐clinical NAFLD models. Leucine allosterically activates Sirt1 and synergise with other Sirt/AMPK/NO pathway activators. We developed a triple combination of leucine, metformin and sildenafil (NS‐0200), which was effective in a mouse model of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Aim

To report the results from a Phase 2, randomised clinical trial of of NS‐0200 in 91 subjects with NAFLD (liver fat ≥15% by magnetic resonance imaging‐proton‐density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF)).

Methods

Subjects were randomised to placebo, low‐dose (1.1 g leucine/0.5 g metformin/0.5 mg sildenafil) or high‐dose NS‐0200 (1.1 g leucine/0.5 g metformin/1.0 mg sildenafil) b.d. for 16 weeks; change in hepatic fat was assessed via MRI‐PDFF, and lipid metabolism was assessed via changes in the lipidomic signature. Seventy subjects completed the trial and met a priori compliance criteria. Analyses were conducted on the full cohort and on those with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values above median (50 U/L; n = 35).

Results

In the full cohort, active treatments did not separate from placebo. High dose NS‐0200 reduced hepatic fat by 15.7% (relative change from baseline) in the high ALT group (P < 0.005) while low dose NS‐0200 and placebo did not significantly change hepatic fat. Lipidomic analysis showed dose‐responsive treatment effects in both overall and high ALT cohorts, with significant decreases in metabolically active lipids and up‐regulation of fatty acid oxidation.

Conclusion

These data support further evaluation of high‐dose NS‐0200 for treating NASH, especially in those with elevated ALT (NCT 02546609).
A pilot single arm observational study of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (200 + 45 mg) in 6‐ to 12‐ year old children
Authors: El‐Shabrawi M. H. F. , Kamal N. M. , El‐Khayat H. R. , Kamal E. M. , AbdElgawad M. M. A. H. , Yakoot M.
Published: April 2018

Background

No available data on the use of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir combination in treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children 6‐ to 12‐ year old.

Aim

To assess the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir in children 6‐ to 12‐ year old with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection.

Methods

This is a pilot prospective single arm observational open‐label multicentre study. A total of 20 consecutive eligible chronic HCV infected children, aged from 6‐ to 12‐ years were included in this study and treated with a fixed sofosbuvir/ledipasvir combination in half the adult dose (200/45 mg) once daily for 12 weeks. Laboratory tests including virological markers were measured at baseline, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks (end of treatment [EOT]), and 12 weeks after end of treatment for sustained virological response 12 (SVR12).

Results

The intention‐to‐treat (ITT) SVR12 rate was 19/20 (95%; 95% CI: 76.4%‐99.1%). SVR12 was not assessed in one patient who was lost to follow‐up after showing viral negativity at the EOT12. All the remaining 19 patients (100%, 95% CI: 83.18%‐100%) who completed the full protocol and follow‐up visits achieved SVR12 with normal liver, haematological, and renal function tests and no side effects or fatalities.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated that the fixed dose sofosbuvir/ledipasvir combination could be safe and effective treatment in children 6‐ to 12‐ years with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 infection. Our pilot results might encourage larger and multicentre studies in this age group.
Does the Reporting Location of Other Comprehensive Income Matter? The Investor's Perspective
Authors: Wang Xin , Jiang Haiyan , Lu Meiting
Published: April 2018

In the context of changes mandated by the Chinese Ministry of Finance in January 2009 regarding the location in which other comprehensive income (OCI) is reported, this paper finds that reporting OCI on the performance statement significantly improves its value relevance. The improvement is driven by two OCI items: unrealised holding gains/losses on available‐for‐sale securities and the share of other comprehensive income of investees under the equity method. Our results show that the OCI reporting location matters, which supports the psychological perspective that investors pay more attention to salient information. Our findings lend strong support to the approach of standard setters in reporting OCI on the performance statement.
The Value Relevance of Operating Lease Liabilities: Economic Effects of IFRS 16
Authors: Giner Begoña , Pardo Francisca
Published: April 2018

The new IASB and FASB models for leases aim to improve the quality of financial reporting. To this end, both standard setters impose the recognition of assets and liabilities for operating leases. Meanwhile, preparers have been strongly lobbying against these changes, as in their view the new treatment will lead to negative economic consequences. We undertake a value‐relevance study to examine whether as‐if capitalised operating leases are priced by market users in a relatively unexplored setting. We consider Spanish listed firms, and employ hand‐collected data on operating leases disclosed in the notes to the financial statements to constructively capitalise the assets and liabilities. Our analysis suggests that investors in code‐law countries with less developed markets and low enforcement quality do not behave any differently to those in common‐law countries that have more developed markets and stricter enforcement policies. Investors equally value recognised debts and operating lease liabilities resulting from information in the notes in retail sectors. In our view, these results could provide some comfort to managers in the most affected industries, as they suggest the change will not have a major impact on the stock exchange.
Current use of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma
Authors: Varga Cindy , Maglio Michelle , Ghobrial Irene M. , Richardson Paul G.
Published: April 2018

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common haematological malignancy after non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite the improvement in outcomes over the last decade with the introduction of novel therapies, such as immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) and proteasome inhibitors (PIs), MM remains an incurable disease. Patients who are both refractory to IMiDs and PIs carry a particularly dismal prognosis. The development of targeted therapy in the form of monoclonal antibodies has shifted the treatment paradigm of this disease, resulting in unprecedented response rates, even among the highest‐risk patients. In this review, we will summarize the mechanism of action and provide an overview of the clinical trials that have led to the US Food and Drug Administration approval of Daratumumab and Elotuzumab, and their current use in the treatment of MM.
National implementation of multi‐parametric magnetic resonance imaging for prostate cancer detection – recommendations from a UK consensus meeting
Authors: Brizmohun Appayya Mrishta , Adshead Jim , Ahmed Hashim U. , Allen Clare , Bainbridge Alan , Barrett Tristan , Giganti Francesco , Graham John , Haslam Phil , Johnston Edward W. , Kastner Christof , Kirkham Alexander P.S. , Lipton Alexandra , McNeill Alan , Moniz Larissa , Moore Caroline M. , Nabi Ghulam , Padhani Anwar R. , Parker Chris , Patel Amit , Pursey Jacqueline , Richenberg Jonathan , Staffurth John , van der Meulen Jan , Walls Darren , Punwani Shonit
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To identify areas of agreement and disagreement in the implementation of multi‐parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate in the diagnostic pathway.

Materials and Methods

Fifteen UK experts in prostate mpMRI and/or prostate cancer management across the UK (involving nine NHS centres to provide for geographical spread) participated in a consensus meeting following the Research and Development Corporation and University of California‐Los Angeles (UCLA‐RAND) Appropriateness Method, and were moderated by an independent chair. The experts considered 354 items pertaining to who can request an mpMRI, prostate mpMRI protocol, reporting guidelines, training, quality assurance (QA) and patient management based on mpMRI levels of suspicion for cancer. Each item was rated for agreement on a 9‐point scale. A panel median score of ≥7 constituted ‘agreement’ for an item; for an item to reach ‘consensus’, a panel majority scoring was required.

Results

Consensus was reached on 59% of items (208/354); these were used to provide recommendations for the implementation of prostate mpMRI in the UK. Key findings include prostate mpMRI requests should be made in consultation with the urological team; mpMRI scanners should undergo QA checks to guarantee consistently high diagnostic quality scans; scans should only be reported by trained and experienced radiologists to ensure that men with unsuspicious prostate mpMRI might consider avoiding an immediate biopsy.

Conclusions

Our consensus statements demonstrate a set of criteria that are required for the practical dissemination of consistently high‐quality prostate mpMRI as a diagnostic test before biopsy in men at risk.
Family caregivers of people who have intellectual/developmental disabilities and asthma: Caregiver knowledge of asthma self‐management concepts—A pilot study
Authors: Erickson Steven R. , Juncaj Sophia , Buckley Charlotte
Published: April 2018

Accessible Summary

Asthma is a problem for many people.

Some people need help with their medicines for asthma.

People who help with medicines should know how medicines work and how they are used.

This study found that many helpers need more education about asthma medicines.

Background

People who have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) and asthma are at greater risk of poor health outcomes. They often require assistance from caregivers when managing their medicines. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the level of understanding of asthma self‐management concepts of family caregivers who provide assistance to people who IDD and asthma. Results will inform future needs assessment and intervention studies.

Materials and Methods

Nineteen caregivers of people who have asthma and IDD completed a mailed survey. The survey included scales to measure asthma self‐management concepts, inhaler technique knowledge, medication adherence and control of asthma. The caregivers were instructed to complete most of the scales with reference to the person with IDD.

Results

Most caregivers had acceptable health literacy, but had low scores on the asthma self‐management and inhaler technique tests. The most frequently cited barriers to controlling asthma were inadequate caregiver and patient education about the illness as well as knowing and avoiding asthma triggers. The most frequently cited barriers to medication management were knowing inhaler technique, knowledge of medication and forgetting to use medication. Asthma was controlled in 63.2% of patients, while almost 75% of patients were considered nonadherent to controller therapy.

Conclusions

Most caregivers had inadequate understanding of asthma self‐management as well as inhaler technique despite having high health literacy. Improving caregiver and patient knowledge and skills may lead to better asthma control.
Components of responsibility in estimating relative value units: How do dentists value their work?
Authors: Brennan DS , Ju X , Teusner DN
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Responsibility weights can translate services into a common scale of work effort (relative value units). The aims were to describe the responsibility weights for main areas of dental services and assess associations of ratings of the importance of the components of responsibility with responsibility weights.

Methods

Mailed questionnaires were used to collect responsibility weights and components of responsibility from a random sample of Australian dentists who were randomly assigned into panels. Across the panels, weights were elicited for 299 service items from 9 service areas. Data were weighted to the age and sex distribution of the workforce. Ordered logit regression models assessed differences in weights by ratings of importance of the 8 components of responsibility.

Results

Responses were collected from 846 dentists (response rate = 37%). Adjusted models showed that, with the exception of general/miscellaneous services, all remaining service areas were associated with between 3 and 7 components. Preventive weights were associated with dexterity and mental effort but negatively with perception. Diagnostic weights were associated with knowledge, judgement, experience, perception, physical and mental effort, and negatively with dexterity. Ratings of components of responsibility were associated with responsibility weights and showed varying patterns across service areas. Mental effort, invasiveness, dexterity, experience and knowledge were associated with responsibility weights in the majority of service areas.

Conclusions

The observed variation in weights across service areas showed that dentists discriminated between services in a systematic and cognizant manner and so provided broad validation of weights assigned by dentists.
Short‐term effect of outdoor mould spore exposure on prescribed allergy medication sales in Central France
Authors: Caillaud D. , Cheriaux M. , Martin S. , Ségala C. , Dupuy N. , Evrard B. , Thibaudon M.
Published: April 2018

Background

Outdoor moulds are classically associated with exacerbations of asthma.

Objective

The aim of this paper was to examine nasal allergy morbidity by studying the short‐term relationship between mould spore exposure and daily sales of reimbursable anti‐allergic treatment in central France.

Methods

The relationship between daily changes in mould concentrations and daily sales obtained from the national healthcare database was analysed with generalized additive models, taking into account confounding factors such as air pollution, weather conditions, pollen counts, and days of the week.

Results

During the study, the average total yearly number of treated people was around 10 000 over approximately 230 000 surveyed. The relative risk (95% CI confidence interval) of sales of oral antihistamines with topical treatment associated with an interquartile increase in mould concentration was significant for Cladosporium 1.079 [1.019‐1.142] and Aspergillus‐Penicillium (Asp‐Pen) 1.051 [1.021‐1.082] in the whole population. When the influence of age and sex was considered, the relationship was significant only in male children aged 0‐12 years and those aged between 13 and 49 years for Cladosporium: 1.256 [1.081‐1.460] and 1.151 [1.063‐1.245], respectively. The relationship was also significant for Asp‐Pen: 1.038 [1.003‐1.075] for those aged between 13 and 49 years and 1.056 [1.007‐1.108] for adults over 50 years of age.

Conclusion

The association between prescribed daily sales of oral antihistamines with topical treatment sales is associated with temporal changes to Cladosporium and Aspergillus‐Penicillium in the whole population. When the influence of age and sex was considered, these two moulds contributed to prescribed medication sales only in the male general population.
Tuftsin–phosphorylcholine (TPC) equally effective to methylprednisolone in ameliorating lupus nephritis in a mice model
Authors: Shemer A , Kivity S , Shovman O , Bashi T , Perry O , Watad A , Ben-Ami Shor D , Volkov A , Barshack I , Bragazzi N L , Krule A , Fridkin M , Amital H , Blank M , Shoenfeld Y
Published: April 2018

The role of helminth treatment in autoimmune diseases is growing constantly. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disease with challenging treatment options. Tuftsin–phosphorylcholine (TPC) is a novel helminth-based compound that modulates the host immune network. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential value of TPC in ameliorating lupus nephritis in a murine model and specifically to compare the efficacy of TPC to the existing first-line therapy for SLE: corticosteroids (methylprednisolone). Lupus-prone NZBxW/F1mice were treated with TPC (5 µg/mouse), methylprednisolone (MP; 5 mg/body weight) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (control) three times per week once glomerulonephritis, defined as proteinuria of grade > 100 mg/dl, was established. Levels of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), splenic cytokines were measured in vitro and the kidney microscopy was analysed following staining. TPC and MP treatments improved lupus nephritis significantly and prolonged survival in NZBxW/F1 mice. TPC-treated mice showed a significantly decreased level of proteinuria (P < 0·001) and anti-dsDNA antibodies (P < 0·001) compared to PBS-treated mice. Moreover, TPC and MP inhibited the production of the proinflammatory cytokines interferon IFN-γ, interleukin IL-1β and IL-6 (P < 0·001) and enhanced expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P < 0·001). Finally, microscopy analysis of the kidneys demonstrated that TPC-treated mice maintained normal structure equally to MP-treated mice. These data indicate that the small molecule named TPC hinders lupus development in genetically lupus-prone mice equally to methylprednisolone in most of the cases. Hence, TCP may be employed as a therapeutic potential for lupus nephritis.
Grandparents matter: Optimizing grandparents' involvement after child safety concerns
Authors: Gair Susan , Zuchowski Ines , Munns Lyn , Thorpe Ros , Henderson Debbie
Published: April 2018

Across Australia and internationally, growing numbers of grandparents are becoming primary carers for grandchildren, both within and outside of formal state care arrangements. Underlying factors include family breakdown, family circumstances where parents are unable to care for their children, or where there are child safety concerns. Some grandparents report a pattern of initially providing care for grandchildren but then experiencing reduced or lost contact that sometimes is not restored, in turn impacting ongoing relationships with grandchildren. A prevailing concern is the disproportional numbers of Aboriginal children in state care in all Australian states. Reported here are findings from a recent partnership research project focused on optimizing grandparent contact and ongoing relationships with grandchildren after child safety concerns. Qualitative in‐depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with 77 participants. Findings revealed grandparents yearned to maintain a significant role in grandchildren's lives after child safety issues emerged, however, they often felt powerless, unsupported, and sidelined from decision‐making in the best interests of their grandchildren. Participants made strong recommendations for more inclusive processes.
Increased Soluble CD137 Levels and CD4+ T‐Cell‐Associated Expression of CD137 in Acute Atherothrombotic Stroke
Authors: He Yang , Ao Dong‐Hui , Li Xiao‐Qing , Zhong Shan‐Shan , A Rong , Wang Yang‐Yang , Xiang Ya‐Juan , Xu Bao‐Lei , Yang Ting‐Ting , Gao Xu‐Guang , Liu Guang‐Zhi
Published: April 2018

As a proinflammatory cytokine, CD137 (4‐1BB, TNFRSF9) is present in membrane‐bound and soluble forms. Increased expression of CD137 was recently found in T cells in human atherosclerotic plaques. However, the exact role of CD137 in ischemic stroke is not clear. In this study we analyzed the protein levels of soluble CD137 (sCD137) and the expression of CD137 on CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with acute atherothrombotic stroke by using the cytometry beads array (CBA) and flow cytometry. Within 24 hours of onset, the stroke patients showed elevated levels of sCD137 (2.7 pg/ml) and CD137 expression on CD4+ T cells (4.9 ± 3.2%) compared with normal controls (1.1 pg/ml, P < 0.01; 1.3 ± 1.0%, P < 0.01). Alterations in CD137 expression may enhance ischemia‐induced inflammatory responses via bidirectional signaling and, consequently, aggravate brain injury in early stages of this disorder.
Perceived stress and well‐being in UK and Australian dental hygiene and dental therapy students
Authors: Harris M. , Wilson J. C. , Hughes S. , Knevel R. J. M. , Radford D. R.
Published: April 2018

Introduction

This study aimed to explore United Kingdom (UK) and Australian (Aus) dental hygiene and dental therapy students’ (DHDTS) perception of stress and well‐being during their undergraduate education. Upon qualification, DHDTS in the UK register as dental therapists (DT), and in Australia, they register as Oral Health Therapists (OHT).

Materials and methods

A questionnaire was distributed to years 1, 2 and 3 DHDTS at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy (UPDA) in the UK and La Trobe Rural Health School in Australia. The questionnaire consisted of 5 well‐used measurement instruments which included the following: Dental Environment Stress questionnaire (DES); Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS‐21); Scales of Psychological Well‐Being (SPWB); Valuing Questionnaire (VQ); and the Adult Hope Scale (AHS) to collect data on students’ perception of levels of stress and well‐being.

Results

A response rate of 58% (UK) and 55% (Australia) was achieved. Clinical factors and academic work were perceived as stressful for DHDTS in both the UK and Australia. The Australian DHDTS‐perceived stress in the educational environment was significantly higher (P < .002) than the UK DHDTS. The majority of respondents reported levels of depression, anxiety and stress to be within the normal‐to‐moderate range. All students reported high levels of positive well‐being, with no significant differences between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

DHDTS in the UK and Australia identified sources of stress within their undergraduate education, but also perceived themselves as positively functioning individuals.
Increased cardiac stiffness is associated with autonomic dysfunction in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Fialho Guilherme L. , Wolf Peter , Walz Roger , Lin Katia
Published: April 2018

Autonomic dysfunction is linked to sudden death regardless of the presence of structural heart disease. The pathway from autonomic dysfunction to sudden death is not fully understood, but myocardial sympathetic stimulation leading to arrhythmia and/or cardiac fibrosis might play a role. Our goal was to evaluate cardiac stiffness by echocardiography and its association with clinical, structural, and autonomic variables in people with epilepsy (PWE) compared to healthy controls. A 12‐lead electrocardiogram, treadmill testing, and transthoracic echocardiography from 30 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) without any known cardiovascular disorders were compared to 30 individuals without epilepsy matched by sex, age, and body mass index. Distribution of cardiovascular risk factors was similar in both groups. PWE had a higher left ventricle stiffness, left ventricle filling pressure, and greater left atrial volume as well as markers of autonomic dysfunction such as impaired chronotropic index and percentage achieved of predicted peak heart rate at effort. In multiple regressions, autonomic dysfunction explained 52% of stiffness and carbamazepine treatment and polytherapy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) explained, additionally, 6% each. Stiffness is increased in young patients with TLE and is related to autonomic dysfunction and to a lesser extent, carbamazepine use and polytherapy with AEDs.
Small scale temporal patterns of recruitment and hatching of Atlantic horse mackerel (L.) at a nearshore reef area
Authors: Klein Maria , Beveren Elisabeth Van , Rodrigues Diana , Serrão Ester A. , Caselle Jennifer E. , Gonçalves Emanuel J. , Borges Rita
Published: April 2018

Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus, Linnaeus, 1758) is a highly exploited species, common throughout the North‐East Atlantic. As a pelagic‐neritic fish it typically occurs over the shelf from the surface to 200 m deep on sandy bottoms. Most research has focused on distributions of adults or early life stages (eggs and larvae) of this species in offshore waters and only a few studies have reported the occurrence of early stages near the coast. However, these nearshore environments might be important for the early growth and survival of the Atlantic horse mackerel. In addition, little is known on how environmental processes might affect the early stages of this species. Here, we monitored weekly recruitment of horse mackerel to artificial substrates (SMURFS) deployed near the coast at both the surface and near the bottom, and back‐calculated hatching cohorts. The relationship of both recruitment and hatching patterns with environmental factors was investigated. From a total of 2,515 fish, 2,490 (99%) recruited to surface SMURFS. A GAM and GAMM analysis of the recruitment and hatching patterns, respectively, revealed a strong relationship with the lunar cycle and upwelling. Both recruitment and hatching showed lunar periodicity, with peaks near the new moon and revealed to be influenced negatively by upwelling. This study suggests that the nearshore environment might be an important nursery area for post‐larval and early juvenile Atlantic horse mackerel.
Cross‐scale controls on carbon emissions from boreal forest megafires
Authors: Walker Xanthe J. , Rogers Brendan M. , Baltzer Jennifer L. , Cumming Steven G. , Day Nicola J. , Goetz Scott J. , Johnstone Jill F. , Schuur Edward A. G. , Turetsky Merritt R. , Mack Michelle C.
Published: April 2018

Climate warming and drying is associated with increased wildfire disturbance and the emergence of megafires in North American boreal forests. Changes to the fire regime are expected to strongly increase combustion emissions of carbon (C) which could alter regional C balance and positively feedback to climate warming. In order to accurately estimate C emissions and thereby better predict future climate feedbacks, there is a need to understand the major sources of heterogeneity that impact C emissions at different scales. Here, we examined 211 field plots in boreal forests dominated by black spruce (Picea mariana) or jack pine (Pinus banksiana) of the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada after an unprecedentedly large area burned in 2014. We assessed both aboveground and soil organic layer (SOL) combustion, with the goal of determining the major drivers in total C emissions, as well as to develop a high spatial resolution model to scale emissions in a relatively understudied region of the boreal forest. On average, 3.35 kg C m−2 was combusted and almost 90% of this was from SOL combustion. Our results indicate that black spruce stands located at landscape positions with intermediate drainage contribute the most to C emissions. Indices associated with fire weather and date of burn did not impact emissions, which we attribute to the extreme fire weather over a short period of time. Using these results, we estimated a total of 94.3 Tg C emitted from 2.85 Mha of burned area across the entire 2014 NWT fire complex, which offsets almost 50% of mean annual net ecosystem production in terrestrial ecosystems of Canada. Our study also highlights the need for fine‐scale estimates of burned area that represent small water bodies and regionally specific calibrations of combustion that account for spatial heterogeneity in order to accurately model emissions at the continental scale.