bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐mobility group box 1 protein modulated proliferation and radioresistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Di Xiaoke , He Guofeng , Chen Hui , Zhu Caiqiang , Qin Qin , Yan Jingjing , Zhang Xiaowen , Sun Xinchen
Published: July 2018

Background and Aim

The high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein plays an important role in a lot of biological behaviors, including DNA damage repair, gene transcription, cell replication, and cell death, and its expression is higher in many solid tumors tissues than in their adjacent normal tissues, and it is always involved in tumor proliferation, metastasis, therapeutic tolerance, and poor prognosis. However, HMGB1 in proliferation and radioresistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains poorly understood. In this study, the effect of HMGB1 on proliferation, cell death, DNA damage repair and radioresistance, and its underlying mechanism was investigated in human ESCC.

Methods

The immunohistochemistry scores of tumor and adjacent normal tissues in ESCC tissue microarray were analyzed. Stable HMGB1 knockdown cell lines were constructed using Kyse150 and Kyse450 cells. Cell viability, radioresistance, apoptosis, autophagy, and DNA damage were determined using CCK‐8, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine, clonogenic survival assay, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and western blot assays.

Results

Differential analyses showed that the expression of HMGB1 in esophageal cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. The downregulation of HMGB1 could effectively inhibit proliferation, increase radiosensitivity, impair DNA damage repair abilities, reduce autophagy, and increase apoptosis rates in ESCC cells after irradiation.

Conclusions

HMGB1 is expected to be a potential target for ESCC therapy and radiosensitization.
Capability of four sigmoidoscopy‐based screening strategies to predict proximal neoplasia in an asymptomatic Chinese population
Authors: Chen Ping , Huang Jason Liwen , Yuan Xiaoqin , Huang Junjie , Wang Harry Haoxiang , Tse Gary , Wong Martin C S , Wu Yunlin
Published: July 2018

Background and Aim

A proper colonoscopy referral criterion is essential for flexible sigmoidoscopy‐based colorectal cancer screening. We aimed to compare the predictive capability of four existing criteria to detect proximal neoplasia (PN) and advanced proximal neoplasia (APN) in a Chinese population.

Methods

Asymptomatic Chinese participants aged 50–75 years, who received screening colonoscopy, were consecutively recruited. The four criteria included (i) UK flexible sigmoidoscopy; (ii) Italian Screening for COlon REctum; (iii) NORwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention trial; and (iv) US clinical index. The sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value, and the number of subjects needed to screen (NNS)/refer (NNR) to detect one APN/PN were examined. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was evaluated.

Results

Among 5833 subjects, 749 (12.8%) and 151 (2.6%) cases were found to have PN and APN, respectively. US criteria achieved the highest sensitivity for PN (49%) and APN (66%), while UK criteria attained the highest specificity (93%) for PN/APN. The lowest NNS was required by US criteria for PN (16 vs 19–38) and APN (58 vs 69–86), while the lowest NNR was required by UK criteria for PN (3.2 vs 4.0–4.8) and APN (7 vs 10–16). The receiver operating characteristic of all four criteria was 0.57–0.61 for PN and 0.68–0.70 for APN.

Conclusions

Among all the four criteria, US criteria had the highest sensitivity and lowest NNS, while UK criteria achieved the highest specificity and lowest NNR. Their limited discriminatory capability highlighted the need for a new score to predict PN/APN in Chinese populations.
The prevalence of mental health problems in adults with intellectual disabilities in Japan, associated factors and mental health service use
Authors: Shimoyama M. , Iwasa K. , Sonoyama S.
Published: July 2018

Background

People with intellectual disabilities are more likely than people in the general population to experience life events associated with an increased risk of mental health problems. However, there has been little research in Japan on the prevalence of mental health problems in adults with intellectual disability (ID) or on associated factors and access to relevant services.

Methods

Informants completed the Japanese version of the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Checklist, and questions on the use of mental health services, for 126 adults with ID living in Tokyo.

Results

A total of 23.8% of adults with ID had scores above the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Checklist threshold score. Mental health problems were associated with age, gender and life events and not associated with the level of ID or living environment. Approximately 60% of participants with mental health problems were treated by psychiatrists and 6% of them received psychotherapy.

Conclusion

In the present study, mental health problems occurred in adults with ID at similar frequencies as in previous studies. Adults with ID who experienced mental health problems tended to receive less psychological therapy than the general Japanese population experiencing such problems. This result may indicate poor provision of psychological services for people with intellectual disabilities in Japan.
Developmental programming of the female neuroendocrine system by steroids
Authors: Abruzzese Giselle Adriana , Crisosto Nicolás , De Grava Kempinas Wilma , Sotomayor‐Zárate Ramón
Published: July 2018

Developmental programming refers to processes that occur during early life that may have long‐term consequences, modulating adult health and disease. Complex diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease, have a high prevalence in different populations, are multifactorial, and may have a strong environmental component. The environment interacts with organisms, affecting their behaviour, morphology and physiology. This interaction may induce permanent or long‐term changes, and organisms may be more susceptible to environmental factors during certain developmental stages, such as the prenatal and early postnatal periods. Several factors have been identified as responsible for inducing the reprogramming of various reproductive and nonreproductive tissues. Among them, both natural and synthetic steroids, such as endocrine disruptors, are known to have either detrimental or positive effects on organisms depending on the dose of exposure, stage of development and biological sexual background. The present review focuses on the action of steroids and endocrine disruptors as agents involved in developmental programming and on their modulation and effects on female neuroendocrine functions.
CALD Assist—Nursing: Improving communication in the absence of interpreters
Authors: Silvera‐Tawil David , Pocock Courtney , Bradford DanaKai , Donnell Andrea , Harrap Karen , Freyne Jill , Brinkmann Sally
Published: July 2018

Aims and objectives

To develop a communication app to support nursing staff during the provision of standard care of patients from non‐English‐speaking backgrounds (NESBs), when an interpreter is not available. This paper reports on the user needs analysis phase that informed the development, content and functionality of the app.

Background

In 2014 we developed CALD Assist, a communication app to support patient interactions with allied health clinicians when interpreters are not present. It includes 95 commonly used phrases professionally interpreted into 10 languages and grouped by discipline. This work expands upon our previous app to meet the needs of the nursing workforce.

Design

Qualitative through focus groups, observations and interviews, with a quantitative component from observational data and staff surveys.

Methods

Four focus groups with hospital staff, ten interviews with patients from NESBs and 85 observation sessions of everyday patient–staff interactions followed by staff surveys (n = 85) were held between January and June 2017.

Results

Baseline data prior to app development revealed that staff confidence of the patients’ level of understanding and the success of the interaction were significantly greater for English‐speaking (ES) patients, than for non‐English‐speaking patients. A total of 143 phrases were identified and subdivided into 16 categories for inclusion in the new app.

Conclusion

Staff participants highlighted that patients from NESBs are a challenging patient group to interact with. Patient and staff participants identified a range of areas where the nursing app could benefit, including pain management, mobility, hygiene and nutrition.

Relevance to clinical practice

The proposed app can be used to reduce variances in practice and provide a timely and positive patient experience for patients from NESBs who are unable to communicate in English during hospital admissions.
Clinical nurses’ experiences and perceptions after the implementation of an interprofessional team intervention: A qualitative study
Authors: Baik Dawon , Zierler Brenda
Published: July 2018

Aims and objectives

To explore clinical nurses’ experiences and perceptions following a purposeful interprofessional (IP) team intervention in practice.

Background

Despite increasing interest in IP collaborative practice to improve teamwork, nursing outcomes and quality of care, there has been little research that focused on nurses’ perspectives of IP collaboration after a purposeful IP team intervention.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study using focus group interviews of registered nurses who care for patients with advanced heart failure.

Methods

This study is part of a larger study that conducted and evaluated a purposeful IP team intervention. Registered nurses (n = 10) were invited to participate in three focus groups following the IP team intervention. Data were audio‐recorded, transcribed and analysed using a conventional content analysis approach and constant comparative method.

Results

We identified six interrelated themes: (a) IP team building, (b) psychological safety and cultural change, (c) efficiency in delivery of care, (d) quality of patient care, (e) job outcomes and (f) team challenges. Notably, participants reported that they could better understand the patient's care plan of the day because every team member was “on the same page at the same time.” Registered nurses perceived that they were more satisfied with their job through improved IP team performance, enhanced psychological safety and cultural change, efficient workflow and better quality of patient care.

Conclusions

The IP team intervention contributed to enhancing IP team functioning as well as improving registered nurse job satisfaction. To sustain the improved perceptional and behavioural changes, team strategies to improve workflow and communication should be considered.

Relevance to clinical practice

Effective teamwork and communication between multiple healthcare professionals including nurses are the cornerstones to improve care delivery, nursing outcomes and quality of patient care in clinical settings.
Initiatives aimed at retaining ethnically diverse student nurses in undergraduate programmes: An integrative review
Authors: Tranter Siobhan , Gaul Chris , McKenzie Susannah , Graham Karen
Published: July 2018

Aims and objectives

To identify initiatives aimed at retaining ethnically diverse students in Bachelor/Baccalaureate undergraduate nursing programmes. The review focused on identifying strategies attempting to address this issue.

Background

There is a recognised shortage of ethnically diverse registered nurses (RN) worldwide. Multiple strategies have been implemented internationally to create a more linguistically and culturally diverse RN workforce. Governments have invested significant resources into these strategies, but the outcomes have been variable. If a future RN workforce is to be representative of their populations, then effective evidence‐based interventions are required.

Design

An integrative review of the literature published from January 2006–December 2015.

Method

CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest, ERIC and Cochrane databases were searched using the key terms student nurse, attrition and retention to identify papers. The CASP tools were used to evaluate relevant studies for rigour (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme [CASP], 2017). Seventeen papers were identified for inclusion. The findings from these studies were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four themes emerged from the analysis: prediction, recruitment and retention, single approach and multiple approaches.

Conclusions

Many factors affect the processes of retaining ethnically diverse student nurses in a Bachelor/Baccalaureate undergraduate programme. Programme single approaches appear to be limiting; however, implementation of a broad range of strategies across the continuum from recruitment to graduation is likely to be a more appropriate solution to achieving higher graduation rates amongst ethnically diverse students.

Relevance to clinical practice

Supporting the recruitment and retention of ethnically diverse students assists in greater numbers of RNs graduating and provides a more linguistically and culturally diverse workforce representative of their population.
In their shoes: An ontological perspective on empathy in nursing practice
Authors: McKinnon John
Published: July 2018

Aims and objectives

To present an enquiry into empathy as part of nursing ontology. The work aims to improve understanding of how empathy is developed and used in practice.

Background

Empathy is the ability to grasp the frame of reference of another. As such, empathy is a key feature of nursing practice involving self‐awareness and the use of emotion in interpersonal understanding.

Method

As part of a larger study into the commonality of emotion in nursing, thirty‐three nurses across a range of settings talked exhaustively about their experiences with empathy in the context of their relationships with service users. The interviews were audio‐taped and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analysed using Grounded Theory Method.

Results

Empathy was experienced as a libidinal entity motivating care dependent on a number of allied skills which formed a process: listening and echoing, knowing another's circumstances, imagining and representing the imagined perception within the self. Empathy was viewed as a tool for person‐centred care with two distinct levels: phenomena related and biography related. Sensitivity to care context in the use of nurses’ life experience also enabled empathy in an emotional kinship. Person‐centred care and empowerment were inhibited where empathy could not be achieved.

Discussion

The findings confirm the place of empathy in the hierarchy of embodied nursing skills and add to the current bank of knowledge on the sharing of emotions and the value of emotion to professional judgement.

Conclusion

Empathy is a tool with which to ascertain the cognitive and emotional perspective of others. Empathy's libidinal properties mean that shared understanding enhances care. Emotional kinship means that life experience can be harnessed for empathy in practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

Insight into the ontology of empathy provides a basis for the construction of teaching tools and learning objects for character and skill development in practice.
CROWDFUNDING AND INNOVATION
Authors: Hervé Fabrice , Schwienbacher Armin
Published: July 2018

Entrepreneurs have started relying on crowdfunding to fund their investments. This paper surveys the literature linking crowdfunding with innovation in entrepreneurial firms. Two distinct areas are discussed. First, crowdfunding has the potential to foster innovation by offering new sources of capital to innovation‐driven firms and thereby reduce the funding gap for innovative startups. Second, crowdfunding offers a way for the crowd to participate in the innovation process by providing feedback to the entrepreneur. This feedback can take various forms, including providing ideas on the development of the product during and after the campaign (in the spirit of crowdsourcing), and providing valuable information on the future demand for the new product.
In Vitro Effect of Mastication on the Retention and Wear of Locator Attachments in a Flat Mandibular Ridge Model
Authors: Tehini Georges , Baba Nadim Z. , Majzoub Zeina , Nahas Paul , Berberi Antoine , Rifai Khaldoun
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The effect of masticatory loads on the retention of overdenture attachments is poorly documented. The aim of this in vitro study is to assess the effect of simulated mastication on the retentive properties and dimensions of Locator inserts.

Materials and Methods

30 specimens simulating nonanatomic edentulous flat ridges with two implant replicas each were fabricated. Overdenture units were connected to the implants with Locator attachments and 3 types of inserts: transparent (Group T; n = 10 pairs), pink (Group P; n = 10 pairs), and blue (Group B; n = 10 pairs). The overdenture units were subjected to simulated bi‐axial masticatory loads of 68.6 N. Locator retention was assessed using axial dislodging forces at baseline (T0) and following 100,000 (T1) and 200,000 (T2) masticatory cycles. The inner diameter of the insert (XY) and the diameter of the central core (AB) were measured under stereomicroscope at T0 and T2. Retention changes and dimensional variations of the inserts were statistically analyzed.

Results

The 3 groups showed significantly different retentions with the highest values recorded for group T followed by group P, and finally group B at T0, T1, and T2. Groups T and P were not affected by loading while group B showed a significant mean retention loss from T0 to T1. XY and AB were significantly different between the 3 color‐coded inserts at baseline and at T2. No correlation could be established between retention changes and dimensional variations of the 3 types of inserts.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this in vitro study, simulated mastication seems to significantly affect the extra‐light blue Locator inserts but not the more‐retentive ones. The transparent and pink inserts may require less frequent replacements and could therefore be recommended under clinical conditions.
Cheering Enhances Inter‐Brain Synchronization Between Sensorimotor Areas of Player and Observer
Authors: Koide Tadayoshi , Shimada Sotaro
Published: July 2018

Cheering for another person is a common experience. Cheering may facilitate the cheerer's subjective unity with the cheered‐for person, potentially involving synchronized activity between the two individuals’ brains. In the current study, we measured the sensorimotor cortical activity of a player and an observer simultaneously during a competitive game, using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy. The player performed the rock‐paper‐scissors game against an experimenter while the observer either cheered for that player (cheering group) or judged whether the player cheated or not (control group). In the cheering group, observers reported a significantly stronger sense of unity with the player, and exhibited greater sensorimotor activation when observing the player win, compared with the control group. The functional connectivity between the sensorimotor areas of the player and observer was significantly greater in the cheering group, exhibiting a significant correlation with the subjective sense of unity between the player and observer. These results suggest that cheering enhances the synchronization of the player's and the observer's internal states, establishing a sense of unity.
The Representation of Imagery of the City: The Impact of Studies and Imagery Ability
Authors: Campos Alfredo , Campos‐Juanatey Diego
Published: July 2018

This study aimed to assess the impact of the type of undergraduate studies and the ability to form mental images on representations of city imagery. A total of 291 Architecture and Business Studies undergraduates participated in the study. Participants completed a 5‐min task of drawing their own mental map of a city. The number of point marks, line marks, and area marks drawn and the system of representation were assessed. Business Studies undergraduates represented more point marks using a point than Architecture undergraduates, whereas the latter drew more point marks in plan and in 3D than the former. The ability to form spatial images had no influence on the number of point, line, or area marks drawn. Significant differences between women and men were observed in the 3D representations, and in the configuration.
Toward Relationship Resilience: Managing Buyer‐Induced Breaches of Psychological Contracts During Joint Buyer–Supplier Projects
Authors: Kaufmann Lutz , Esslinger Jens , Carter Craig R.
Published: July 2018

This research examines buyer–supplier relationship resilience associated with a psychological contract breach by the buying organization. Our study covers the span of buyer‐induced negative events from prebreach to postrepair. Specifically, we investigate the role of the nature of the interorganizational and interpersonal relationships in preventing initial trust loss (prebreach) and the effectiveness of different repair processes (penance and regulation) in promoting subsequent trust repair (postbreach). The effects are analyzed on two levels: interorganizational and interpersonal. We use social exchange theory to derive the study's hypotheses and a scenario‐based role‐playing experiment to test them. The results suggest that effective interorganizational trust repair can help to transform the nature of an interorganizational buyer–supplier relationship from adversarial to collaborative. Furthermore, initially adversarial interpersonal ties exacerbate the extent of interorganizational trust loss in collaborative interorganizational buyer–supplier relationships, while collaborative interpersonal ties help prevent initial interorganizational trust loss. Our study makes three contributions. First, it extends the psychological contract literature by investigating purchasing managers’ mitigation strategies in response to a buyer‐induced negative event. Second, it accounts for the role of interpersonal ties in buyer–supplier relationship resilience. Third, it underscores the effectiveness of trust repair mechanisms, such as penance and regulation, in actually improving buyer–supplier relationship resilience after a psychological contract breach.
Transplanting organs from hepatitis B positive donors: Is it safe? Is it ethical?
Authors: Anwar Nadeem , Sherman Kenneth E.
Published: July 2018

Liver transplant centres throughout the USA face a huge shortage of liver organs for their wait‐listed patients. Various types of innovations are being considered for expansion of this donor pool. Organs that were previously deemed to be high risk are now being considered for transplantation. For the last 25 years, hepatitis B core antibody (anti‐HBc+) organs have been used for liver transplantation. While the initial transplantations did reveal a high incidence of de novo hepatitis (DNH) in the recipients, the medical knowledge and experience have evolved and this risk has been markedly decreased. In this paper, medical literature evaluating the safety of such organ transplants has been reviewed. There is strong evidence to suggest that using anti‐HBc+ organs with appropriate prophylaxis after transplant is a safe practice with good patient and graft survivals. In the second half of the paper, we discuss whether it is ethical to use anti‐HBc+ organs. We argue that the use of such organs is in compliance with the principles of medical ethics and that society at large benefits from the use of these organs. Hence, we recommend that the use of such organs is both safe and ethical and this practice should be continued in the future.
UBE2L3, a susceptibility gene that plays oncogenic role in hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yao , Song Ci , Ni Hengli , Jiao Weijuan , Gan Wenjuan , Dong Xiaoqiang , Liu Jibin , Zhu Liguo , Zhai Xiangjun , Hu Zhibin , Li Jianming
Published: July 2018

Previously, we identified UBE2L3 as a susceptibility gene for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection through genome‐wide association study. Here, we analysed the association between genetic variants of UBE2L3 and the susceptibility to HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and further explored its role in HCC. This case‐control study included 1344 subjects who cleared HBV, 1560 HBV carriers and 1057 HBV‐related HCC patients. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped, including rs2266959 and rs4821116. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compute the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We further analysed the expression of UBE2L3 and its association with pathological features based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and our tissue microarray. Proliferation and migration assays were performed in hepatoma cell lines with or without UBE2L3 knockdown. Further RNA‐seq analysis was performed to explore the underlying oncogenic mechanism. The variant genotypes of rs4821116 in UBE2L3 were associated with decreased risk for HCC and chronic HBV infection. Moreover, based on both TCGA and our tissue microarray data, higher levels of UBE2L3 expression were correlated with higher tumour grade, advanced tumour stage and poor survival. In vitro analysis revealed that UBE2L3 may promote hepatocyte proliferation and migration. RNA‐seq analysis showed that UBE2L3 was inversely correlated with CDKN2B, a negative regulator of cell cycle, and CLDN1, loss of which may promote cancer metastasis. In conclusion, UBE2L3 may also be a susceptibility gene in HBV‐related HCC, and it may promote HCC proliferation and migration by negatively regulating CDKN2B and CLDN1.
Acute echocardiographic effects of sotalol on ventricular systolic function in dogs with ventricular arrhythmias
Authors: Visser Lance C. , Kaplan Joanna L. , Nishimura Satoko , Gunther‐Harrington Catherine T. , Bélanger Catherine , Oldach Maureen S. , Stern Joshua A. , Mueller Mikaela S.
Published: July 2018

Background

Sotalol is a commonly used antiarrhythmic drug that may alter ventricular function.

Objective

To determine the effect of sotalol on echocardiographic indices of ventricular systolic function in dogs with ventricular arrhythmias.

Animals

Thirty‐five client‐owned dogs with ventricular arrhythmias.

Methods

Dogs with ventricular arrhythmias (n = 27) had an echocardiogram and 5‐minute ECG performed at baseline and 2‐4 hours post‐sotalol (2‐2.5 mg/kg PO once). Eight additional dogs underwent the same protocol but did not receive sotalol (within‐day variability controls). Left ventricular (LV) internal dimension at end‐systole normalized to bodyweight (LVIDs_N), LV ejection fraction (LV EF), LV shortening area, LV fractional shortening, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and right ventricular systolic myocardial velocity were evaluated as indices of systolic function.

Results

All indices except TAPSE had mild decreases in systolic function post‐sotalol (allP ≤ .0007) compared with baseline but only the percent change in LVIDs_N and LV EF were significantly (P ≤ .0079) different from the percent change of the same indices in control dogs. Sinus heart rate, ventricular premature complexes/5‐minutes, and arrhythmia grade also were decreased post‐sotalol (allP ≤ .01) compared with baseline when assessed by a 5‐minutes ECG. No dog experienced an adverse event post‐sotalol, including dogs with systolic dysfunction or atrial enlargement.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

A single dose of sotalol may cause a mild decrease in LV systolic function in dogs with ventricular arrhythmias. Sotalol appears to be well tolerated, even in dogs with atrial enlargement or systolic dysfunction.
How Responsive Are Legislators to Policy Information? Evidence from a Field Experiment in a State Legislature
Authors: Zelizer Adam
Published: July 2018

Theories of legislative committees, lobbying, and cue‐taking assume information affects legislators' support for policy alternatives. However, there is little direct, empirical evidence to support this foundational assumption about legislative behavior. This article reports results from a field experiment in which state legislators were randomly assigned to receive policy research about pending proposals. Results show that policy information increased aggregate cosponsorship by 60% above baseline rates. For one bill covered critically, information diminished cosponsorship and roll‐call voting support. Results are broadly consistent with information signaling models' predictions about the importance of information to position taking.
The Binds of Global Health Partnership: Working out Working Together in Sierra Leone
Authors: Herrick Clare , Brooks Andrew
Published: July 2018

Global health partnerships (GHPs) are the conceptual cousin of partnerships in the development sphere. Since their emergence in the 1990s, the GHP mode of working and funding has mainly been applied to single‐disease, vertical interventions. However, GHPs are increasingly being used to enact Health Systems Strengthening and to address the global health worker shortage. In contrast to other critical explorations of GHPs, we explore in this article how the fact, act, and aspiration of binding different actors together around the ideology and modes of partnership working produces the perpetual state of being in a bind. This is an original analytical framework drawing on research in Sierra Leone and London. We offer new insights into the ways in which GHPs function and are experienced, showing that along with the successes of partnership work, such arrangements are often and unavoidably tense, uncomfortable, and a source of frustration and angst.
Peacemaking at the Workplace: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Bollen Katalien , Pei Rong , Euwema Martin C.
Published: July 2018

Research on third party interventions in conflict has mostly focused on formal interventions by professional mediators or supervisors. Studies on informal and voluntary third party interventions by peers or someone else in a nonhierarchical position are very limited. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate empirical studies on peacemaking to (a) define the concept; (b) search for scales that measure peacemaking; (c) and identify outcomes of peacemaking. In total, our search led to 713 unique hits of which 12 were retained based on the predefined selection criteria. Based on the findings from the reviewed articles, we propose a definition of peacemaking and identify four components of peacemaking: relational, procedural, emotional, and content help. This study contributes to the current conflict management literature by focusing on informal and voluntary helping behavior in the context of conflicts (instead of formal interventions), while linking the literature on organizational citizenship behavior and research on third party interventions in the context of conflict. In practice, peacemakers play a crucial role in solving conflicts constructively and contribute as such to both individual and team functioning.
Effect of steroid pulse therapy on post‐transplant immunoglobulin A nephropathy
Authors: Matsukuma Yuta , Masutani Kosuke , Tsuchimoto Akihiro , Okabe Yasuhiro , Nakamura Masafumi , Kitazono Takanari , Tsuruya Kazuhiko
Published: July 2018

Aim

Recent studies have suggested that patients with post‐transplant immunoglobulin A nephropathy have poor graft survival. There is limited research on the therapeutic effectiveness for post‐transplant immunoglobulin A nephropathy, especially steroid pulse therapy. The present study evaluated the efficacy of steroid pulse therapy on post‐transplant immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with de novo or recurrent immunoglobulin A nephropathy at Kyushu University Hospital between January 2013 and August 2015. Patients with moderate proteinuria (≥0.5 g/g creatinine) and/or cellular or fibrocellular crescents on a graft biopsy were treated with steroid pulse therapy. Steroid pulse therapy was 500 mg/day for 3 days in weeks 1 and 2, followed by 20 mg of oral prednisolone that was tapered after 6 months. Patients were followed for 2 years, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate, urinary findings, and adverse events were recorded.

Results

Seven patients received steroid pulse therapy. The mean duration after kidney transplantation was 6.6 ± 4.7 years. After 2 years of treatment, 85.7% of patients reached complete remission of proteinuria, urinary protein excretion declined (0.82 ± 0.51 to 0.26 ± 0.22 g/g creatinine, P = 0.007), and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was maintained (48.7 ± 12.8 to 47.4 ± 14.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2, P = 0.98). Adverse events were observed in one patient who developed herpes zoster infection.

Conclusion

Steroid pulse therapy for post‐transplant immunoglobulin A nephropathy effectively reduces proteinuria over 2 years. However, comparison of steroid pulse therapy and other regimens with a high‐quality design is required.
Impact of primary diabetic nephropathy on arteriolar hyalinosis lesions in patients following kidney transplantation
Authors: Yamakawa Takafumi , Kobayashi Akimitsu , Yamamoto Izumi , Kawaguchi Takehiko , Imasawa Toshiyuki , Aoyama Hiromichi , Akutsu Naotake , Maruyama Michihiro , Saigo Kenichi , Yokoo Takashi , Kitamura Hiroshi
Published: July 2018

Aim

Arteriolar hyalinosis (AH) is a common lesion in allograft biopsies taken following kidney transplantation. Recent studies have shown that severe AH may predict transplant outcomes and provide information about previous exposure to certain drugs, such as calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). However, the incidence of AH as a direct result of diabetic nephropathy (DN) after kidney transplantation has not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to assess the impact of primary DN on the development of AH lesions in patients who underwent kidney transplantation.

Methods

Eighty‐three patients who underwent living‐donor kidney transplantation between April 2005 and June 2015 were enrolled in this study. A total of 33 patients had DN prior to transplantation. Allograft biopsies were scored according to the Banff classification, and the relationship between the individual histological lesions and clinical baseline data was assessed.

Results

At early biopsy (3–12 months), there were no differences in the rates of AH lesions between the DN group and the non‐DN group (ah ≥ 1: 37% vs. 41.3%, P = 0.719; aah ≥ 1: 14.8% vs. 6.5%; P = 0.453). However, there were significant differences between the groups in biopsies taken more than 3 years after the transplant (ah ≥ 2: 83.3% vs. 36.8%, P = 0.013; aah ≥ 2: 66.7% vs. 21.1%, P = 0.011). Multivariable analysis showed that both the length of time after transplantation and the presence of DN were independent risk factors for ah ≥ 2 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47–19.54, P = 0.011) and aah ≥ 2 (OR: 7.55, 95% CI: 1.49–38.33, P = 0.015).

Conclusion

This is the first report showing that the presence of primary DN disease contributes to the development of severe AH late in the course after kidney allografts.
Antibody‐mediated rejection due to anti‐HLA‐DQ antibody after pregnancy and delivery in a female kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Sagasaki Makoto , Nakada Yasuyuki , Yamamoto Izumi , Kawabe Mayuko , Yamakawa Takafumi , Katsumata Haruki , Mafune Aki , Katsuma Ai , Kobayashi Akimitsu , Koike Kentaro , Koike Yusuke , Miki Jun , Yamada Hiroki , Kimura Takahiro , Tanno Yudo , Ohkido Ichiro , Tsuboi Nobuo , Yamamoto Hiroyasu , Yokoo Takashi
Published: July 2018

Herein, we report a case of antibody‐mediated rejection (ABMR) due to anti‐HLA‐DQ antibody after pregnancy and delivery in a female kidney transplant recipient. A 34‐year‐old female recipient was admitted at 2 years after delivery for an examination of an elevated serum creatinine (S‐Cr) level. The patient had received a living kidney transplantation from her mother at 22 years of age, and her kidney graft function was almost stable. The episode biopsy showed peritubular capillaritis and transplant capillaropathy with C4d immunoreactivity in the peritubular capillaries. Additional examination revealed expression of a donor‐specific antibody (DSA) against HLA‐DQ5, leading to the diagnosis of chronic active ABMR. Intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, and rituximab were administered, and her S‐Cr level was maintained stable. This case demonstrates a possible relationship between pregnancy/delivery and development of ABMR due to a de novo DSA in a female kidney transplant recipient.
Cell mediated rejection revisited: Past, current, and future directions
Authors: Hara Shigeo
Published: July 2018

The Banff histopathology classification system is the gold standard for assessing the causes of kidney allograft dysfunction triggered by antibody‐mediated and T‐cell‐mediated immune reactions, thereby providing mechanistic insight and guiding therapeutic decisions. The original Banff classification (1993) consisted of four histological categories representing cell‐mediated rejection: interstitial inflammation (i), tubulitis (t), endoarteritis (v), and transplant glomerulitis (g). The revised Banff 2007 classification added total inflammation score (ti) from both scarred and unscarred areas based on evolving interpretations of interstitial infiltrates. Further reappraisal of cell‐mediated interstitial inflammation led to the introduction of a new inflammation score specific for areas of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, termed i‐IF/TA, in the Banff 2015 scheme, establishment of a new Banff working group on T‐cell‐mediated rejection (TCMR), and revised criteria of chronic active TCMR in Banff 2017 classification. These Banff scheme updates reflect the general recognition that chronic interstitial inflammation is a common denominator of poor kidney allograft outcome. However, revised theories on the pathogenic importance of interstitial infiltrates have created difficulties in interpretation of chronic tubulointerstitial inflammation, as there are currently no histological criteria to discriminate immune‐mediated tissue injury from ‘non‐specific’ injury. Evolving theories on vascular lesions, both active and chronic, have also complicated histological assessment by obscuring the distinction between antibody‐mediated and T‐cell‐mediated tissue injury. This review provides an overview of recent ideas on interstitial inflammation and vascular lesions based on emerging concepts of T‐cell‐mediated rejection.
Genetic analysis: Wnt and other pathways in nonsyndromic tooth agenesis
Authors: Yu Miao , Wong Sing‐Wai , Han Dong , Cai Tao
Published: July 2018

Tooth agenesis (TA) is one of the most common developmental anomalies that affects the number of teeth. An extensive analysis of publicly accessible databases revealed 15 causative genes responsible for nonsyndromic TA, along with their signaling pathways in Wnt/β‐catenin, TGF‐β/BMP, and Eda/Edar/NF‐κB. However, genotype–phenotype correlation analysis showed that most of the causal genes are also responsible for syndromic TA or other conditions. In a total of 198 different mutations of the 15 genes responsible for nonsyndromic TA, 182 mutations (91.9%) are derived from seven genes (AXIN2, EDA, LRP6, MSX1, PAX9, WNT10A, and WNT10B) compared with the remaining 16 mutations (8.1%) identified in the remaining eight genes (BMP4, DKK1, EDAR, EDARADD, GREM2, KREMEN1, LTBP3, and SMOC2). Furthermore, specificity analysis in terms of the ratio of nonsyndromic TA mutations versus syndromic mutations in each of the aforementioned seven genes showed a 98.2% specificity rate in PAX9, 58.9% in WNT10A, 56.6% in MSX1, 41.2% in WNT10B, 31.4% in LRP6, 23.8% in AXIN2%, and 8.4% in EDA. These findings underscore an important role of the Wnt and Wnt‐associated pathways in the genetic etiology of this heterozygous disease and shed new lights on the discovery of novel molecular mechanisms associated with tooth agenesis.
Cariogenic microbiome and microbiota of the early primary dentition: A contemporary overview
Authors: Fakhruddin Kausar Sadia , Ngo Hien Chi , Samaranayake Lakshman Perera
Published: July 2018

Recent advances in the field of molecular microbiology provide an unprecedented opportunity to decipher the vast diversity of the oral microbiome in health and disease. Here, we provide a contemporary overview of the oral microbiome and the microbiota of early childhood caries (ECC) with particular reference to newer analytical techniques. A MEDLINE search revealed a total of 20 metagenomic studies describing cariogenic microbiomes of ECC, 10 of which also detailed the healthy microbiomes. In addition, seven studies on site‐specific microbiomes, focusing on acidogenic and aciduric microbiota of deep‐dentinal lesions, were also reviewed. These studies evaluated plaque and saliva of children aged 1.5–11 years, in cohorts of 12–485 individuals. These studies reveal a very rich and diverse microbial communities, with hundreds of different phylotypes and microbial species, including novel species and phyla such as Scardovia wiggsiae, Slackia exigua, Granulicatella elegans, Firmicutes in the plaque biofilms of children with ECC. On the contrary, bacteria such as Streptococcus cristatus, S. gordonii, S. sanguinis, Corynebacterium matruchotii, and Neisseria flavescens were common in plaque biofilm of noncarious, healthy, tooth surfaces in subjects with caries. The review illustrates the immense complexity and the diversity of the human oral microbiota of the cariogenic plaque microbiome in ECC, and the daunting prospect of its demystification.
CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated knockout of six glycosyltransferase genes in Nicotiana benthamiana for the production of recombinant proteins lacking β‐1,2‐xylose and core α‐1,3‐fucose
Authors: Jansing Julia , Sack Markus , Augustine Sruthy Maria , Fischer Rainer , Bortesi Luisa
Published: July 2018

Plants offer fast, flexible and easily scalable alternative platforms for the production of pharmaceutical proteins, but differences between plant and mammalian N‐linked glycans, including the presence of β‐1,2‐xylose and core α‐1,3‐fucose residues in plants, can affect the activity, potency and immunogenicity of plant‐derived proteins. Nicotiana benthamiana is widely used for the transient expression of recombinant proteins so it is desirable to modify the endogenous N‐glycosylation machinery to allow the synthesis of complex N‐glycans lacking β‐1,2‐xylose and core α‐1,3‐fucose. Here, we used multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to generate N. benthamiana production lines deficient in plant‐specific α‐1,3‐fucosyltransferase and β‐1,2‐xylosyltransferase activity, reflecting the mutation of six different genes. We confirmed the functional gene knockouts by Sanger sequencing and mass spectrometry‐based N‐glycan analysis of endogenous proteins and the recombinant monoclonal antibody 2G12. Furthermore, we compared the CD64‐binding affinity of 2G12 glycovariants produced in wild‐type N. benthamiana, the newly generated FX‐KO line, and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, confirming that the glyco‐engineered antibody performed as well as its CHO‐produced counterpart.
Uric Acid: A Less‐than‐Perfect Probe for Singlet Oxygen
Authors: Bregnhøj Mikkel , Dichmann Lea , McLoughlin Ciaran K. , Westberg Michael , Ogilby Peter R.
Published: July 2018

Uric acid and/or its monoanion has long been used as chemical‐trapping agents to demonstrate the presence of singlet oxygen, O2(a1Δg), in aqueous systems. “Oxidative bleaching” of uric acid, generally monitored through changes in the uric acid absorption spectrum, is often used in support of claims for the intermediacy of O2(a1Δg). The bleaching of uric acid has also been used to quantify photosensitized O2(a1Δg) yields in selected systems. Unfortunately, experiments performed to these ends often neglect processes and phenomena that can influence the results obtained. For the present study, we experimentally examined the behavior of uric acid under a variety of conditions relevant to the photoinitiated creation and subsequent removal of O2(a1Δg). Although the oxidative destruction of uric acid can indeed be a useful tool in some cases, we conclude that caution must be exercised such as not to incorrectly interpret the data obtained.
RT‐PCR tests for sensitive detection of the major Ranunculus‐infecting viruses: field and in vitro applications
Authors: Sacco E. , Borghi C. , Rabaglio M. , Lenzi R. , Ciuffo M. , Ruffoni B. , Vaira A. M.
Published: July 2018

Buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus, family Ranunculaceae) hybrids are considered a popular and valuable ornamental crop in Europe and are cultivated both for cut flowers and for pot or border plants. In the Liguria region of northern Italy, Ranunculus hybrid cultivation has dramatically increased over recent years and the related sanitary issues regarding virus infection need to be carefully monitored in order to maintain commercial competitiveness. Presently, ELISA is the most used diagnostic tool for virus diagnosis, but if ‘mother plants’ with high economic value are to be tested, more sensitive molecular diagnostic tools are needed, together with efficient protocols for in vitro culture to eradicate viruses. In this study, new RT‐PCR protocols were tested on virus‐infected Ranunculus hybrid plants, indexed for the 13 most important Ranunculus‐infecting viruses. Rapid, uniform and effective procedures for molecular diagnosis were devised in order to promote an easy technology transfer from scientific institutions to laboratories of small and medium private enterprises. Moreover, an in vitro culture procedure was established for this species, which proved to be extremely effective in virus eradication. Advanced technology and sustainable quality production of high economic value plants are keys for future competitiveness in floriculture.
Contributions from carbon and nitrogen in roots to closing the yield gap between conventional and organic cropping systems
Authors: Córdoba E. M. , Chirinda N. , Li F. , Olesen J. E.
Published: July 2018

This study investigates the effect of different crop rotation systems on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in root biomass as well as on soil organic carbon (SOC). Soils under spring barley and spring barley/pea mixture were sampled both in organic and conventional crop rotations. The amounts of root biomass and SOC in fine (250–253 μm), medium (425–250 μm) and coarse (>425 μm) soil particulate organic matter (POM) were determined. Grain dry matter (DM) and the amount of N in harvested grain were also quantified. Organic systems with varying use of manure and catch crops had lower spring barley grain DM yield compared to those in conventional systems, whereas barley/pea showed no differences. The largest benefits were observed for grain N yields and grain DM yields for spring barley, where grain N yield was positively correlated with root N. The inclusion of catch crops in organic rotations resulted in higher root N and SOC (g C/m2) in fine POM in soils under barley/pea. Our results suggest that manure application and inclusion of catch crops improve crop N supply and reduce the yield gap between conventional and organic rotations. The observed positive correlation between root N and grain N imply that management practices aimed at increasing grain N could also increase root N and thus enhance N supply for subsequent crops.