bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IL‐1β associations with posttraumatic epilepsy development: A genetics and biomarker cohort study
Authors: Diamond Matthew L. , Ritter Anne C. , Failla Michelle D. , Boles Jennifer A. , Conley Yvette P. , Kochanek Patrick M. , Wagner Amy K.
Published: July 2015

Objective

Posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a significant complication following traumatic brain injury (TBI), yet the role of genetic variation in modulating PTE onset is unclear. We hypothesized that TBI‐induced inflammation likely contributes to seizure development. We assessed whether genetic variation in the interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β) gene, Il‐1β levels in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and serum, and CSF/serum IL‐1β ratios would predict PTE development post‐TBI.

Methods

We investigated PTE development in 256 Caucasian adults with moderate‐to‐severe TBI. IL‐1β tagging and functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped. Genetic variance and PTE development were assessed. Serum and CSF IL‐1β levels were collected from a subset of subjects (n = 59) during the first week postinjury and evaluated for their associations with IL‐1β gene variants, and also PTE. Temporally matched CSF/serum IL‐1β ratios were also generated to reflect the relative contribution of serum IL‐1β to CSF IL‐1β.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that higher CSF/serum IL‐1β ratios were associated with increased risk for PTE over time (p = 0.008). Multivariate analysis for rs1143634 revealed an association between the CT genotype and increased PTE risk over time (p = 0.005). The CT genotype group also had lower serum IL‐1β levels (p = 0.014) and higher IL‐1β CSF/serum ratios (p = 0.093).

Significance

This is the first report implicating IL‐1β gene variability in PTE risk and linking (1) IL‐1β gene variation with serum IL‐1β levels observed after TBI and (2) IL‐1β ratios with PTE risk. Given these findings, we propose that genetic and IL‐1β ratio associations with PTE may be attributable to biologic variability with blood–brain barrier integrity during TBI recovery. These results provide a rationale for further studies (1) validating the impact of genetic variability on IL‐1β production after TBI, (2) assessing genetically mediated signaling mechanisms that contribute to IL‐1β CSF/serum associations with PTE, and (3) evaluating targeted IL‐1β therapies that reduce PTE.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Framework of barrier reefs threatened by ocean acidification
Authors: Comeau Steeve , Lantz Coulson A. , Edmunds Peter J. , Carpenter Robert C.
Published: July 2015

To date, studies of ocean acidification (OA) on coral reefs have focused on organisms rather than communities, and the few community effects that have been addressed have focused on shallow back reef habitats. The effects of OA on outer barrier reefs, which are the most striking of coral reef habitats and are functionally and physically different from back reefs, are unknown. Using 5‐m long outdoor flumes to create treatment conditions, we constructed coral reef communities comprised of calcified algae, corals, and reef pavement that were assembled to match the community structure at 17 m depth on the outer barrier reef of Moorea, French Polynesia. Communities were maintained under ambient and 1200 μatm pCO2 for 7 weeks, and net calcification rates were measured at different flow speeds. Community net calcification was significantly affected by OA, especially at night when net calcification was depressed ~78% compared to ambient pCO2. Flow speed (2–14 cm s−1) enhanced net calcification only at night under elevated pCO2. Reef pavement also was affected by OA, with dissolution ~86% higher under elevated pCO2 compared to ambient pCO2. These results suggest that net accretion of outer barrier reef communities will decline under OA conditions predicted within the next 100 years, largely because of increased dissolution of reef pavement. Such extensive dissolution poses a threat to the carbonate foundation of barrier reef communities.
Responses of seagrass to anthropogenic and natural disturbances do not equally translate to its consumers
Authors: Tomas Fiona , Martínez‐Crego Begoña , Hernán Gema , Santos Rui
Published: July 2015

Coastal communities are under threat from many and often co‐occurring local (e.g., pollution, eutrophication) and global stressors (e.g., climate change), yet understanding the interactive and cumulative impacts of multiple stressors in ecosystem function is far from being accomplished. Ecological redundancy may be key for ecosystem resilience, but there are still many gaps in our understanding of interspecific differences within a functional group, particularly regarding response diversity, that is, whether members of a functional group respond equally or differently to anthropogenic stressors. Herbivores are critical in determining plant community structure and the transfer of energy up the food web. Human disturbances may alter the ecological role of herbivory by modifying the defense strategies of plants and thus the feeding patterns and performance of herbivores. We conducted a suite of experiments to examine the independent and interactive effects of anthropogenic (nutrient and CO2 additions) and natural (simulated herbivory) disturbances on a seagrass and its interaction with two common generalist consumers to understand how multiple disturbances can impact both a foundation species and a key ecological function (herbivory) and to assess the potential existence of response diversity to anthropogenic and natural changes in these systems. While all three disturbances modified seagrass defense traits, there were contrasting responses of herbivores to such plant changes. Both CO2 and nutrient additions influenced herbivore feeding behavior, yet while sea urchins preferred nutrient‐enriched seagrass tissue (regardless of other experimental treatments), isopods were deterred by these same plant tissues. In contrast, carbon enrichment deterred sea urchins and attracted isopods, while simulated herbivory only influenced isopod feeding choice. These contrasting responses of herbivores to disturbance‐induced changes in seagrass help to better understand the ecological functioning of seagrass ecosystems in the face of human disturbances and may have important implications regarding the resilience and conservation of these threatened ecosystems.
Climate and landscape influence on indicators of lake carbon cycling through spatial patterns in dissolved organic carbon
Authors: Lapierre Jean‐Francois , Seekell David A. , del Giorgio Paul A.
Published: July 2015

Freshwater ecosystems are strongly influenced by both climate and the surrounding landscape, yet the specific pathways connecting climatic and landscape drivers to the functioning of lake ecosystems are poorly understood. Here, we hypothesize that the links that exist between spatial patterns in climate and landscape properties and the spatial variation in lake carbon (C) cycling at regional scales are at least partly mediated by the movement of terrestrial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the aquatic component of the landscape. We assembled a set of indicators of lake C cycling (bacterial respiration and production, chlorophyll a, production to respiration ratio, and partial pressure of CO2), DOC concentration and composition, and landscape and climate characteristics for 239 temperate and boreal lakes spanning large environmental and geographic gradients across seven regions. There were various degrees of spatial structure in climate and landscape features that were coherent with the regionally structured patterns observed in lake DOC and indicators of C cycling. These different regions aligned well, albeit nonlinearly along a mean annual temperature gradient; whereas there was a considerable statistical effect of climate and landscape properties on lake C cycling, the direct effect was small and the overall effect was almost entirely overlapping with that of DOC concentration and composition. Our results suggest that key climatic and landscape signals are conveyed to lakes in part via the movement of terrestrial DOC to lakes and that DOC acts both as a driver of lake C cycling and as a proxy for other external signals.
Decadal warming causes a consistent and persistent shift from heterotrophic to autotrophic respiration in contrasting permafrost ecosystems
Authors: Hicks Pries Caitlin E. , van Logtestijn Richard S. P. , Schuur Edward A. G. , Natali Susan M. , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. , Aerts Rien , Dorrepaal Ellen
Published: July 2015

Soil carbon in permafrost ecosystems has the potential to become a major positive feedback to climate change if permafrost thaw increases heterotrophic decomposition. However, warming can also stimulate autotrophic production leading to increased ecosystem carbon storage—a negative climate change feedback. Few studies partitioning ecosystem respiration examine decadal warming effects or compare responses among ecosystems. Here, we first examined how 11 years of warming during different seasons affected autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration in a bryophyte‐dominated peatland in Abisko, Sweden. We used natural abundance radiocarbon to partition ecosystem respiration into autotrophic respiration, associated with production, and heterotrophic decomposition. Summertime warming decreased the age of carbon respired by the ecosystem due to increased proportional contributions from autotrophic and young soil respiration and decreased proportional contributions from old soil. Summertime warming's large effect was due to not only warmer air temperatures during the growing season, but also to warmer deep soils year‐round. Second, we compared ecosystem respiration responses between two contrasting ecosystems, the Abisko peatland and a tussock‐dominated tundra in Healy, Alaska. Each ecosystem had two different timescales of warming (<5 years and over a decade). Despite the Abisko peatland having greater ecosystem respiration and larger contributions from heterotrophic respiration than the Healy tundra, both systems responded consistently to short‐ and long‐term warming with increased respiration, increased autotrophic contributions to ecosystem respiration, and increased ratios of autotrophic to heterotrophic respiration. We did not detect an increase in old soil carbon losses with warming at either site. If increased autotrophic respiration is balanced by increased primary production, as is the case in the Healy tundra, warming will not cause these ecosystems to become growing season carbon sources. Warming instead causes a persistent shift from heterotrophic to more autotrophic control of the growing season carbon cycle in these carbon‐rich permafrost ecosystems.
Localized juvenile spongiotic gingival hyperplasia possibly originates from the junctional gingival epithelium—an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Allon Irit , Lammert Kaila M , Iwase Rei , Spears Robert , Wright John M , Naidu Aparna
Published: July 2015

Aims

To immunohistochemically evaluate the cytokeratin (CK) pattern of expression in localized juvenile spongiotic gingival hyperplasia (LJSGH) as compared with the gingival epithelium (GE).

Methods and results

Ten cases of LJSGH were semiquantitatively evaluated for the immunohistochemical pattern of CK1/10, CK4, CK8/18, and CK19. GE controls were taken from 10 cases of reactive gingival fibroepithelial hyperplasia. GEs showed mean positivity rates of 80% for both CK1/10 and CK4, and 5% for both CK8/18 and CK19. LJSGHs showed mean positivity rates of 65% for CK19, 60% for CK8/18, 30% for CK4, and 5% for CK1/10. The differences between LJSGHs and GEs were statistically significant (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The LJSGH pattern of CK expression is reminiscent of the profile described in the literature for the junctional epithelium (JE). Possibly, JE exteriorized from the gingival sulcus would be more prone to irritation from a variety of sources, resulting in inflammation and hyperplasia, with the subsequent development of LJSGH.
Bringing together scattered and localized actors: political consumerism as a tool for self‐organizing anti‐mafia communities
Authors: Forno Francesca
Published: July 2015

By introducing political consumerism into the vocabulary of the anti‐Mafia movement, Addiopizzo activists – a group of post‐grad students formed in 2004 – have been able to effectively encourage a growing number of entrepreneurs and shopkeepers to join together to oppose the extortion racket systems in the city of Palermo, Italy. By referring to social movements approaches, the paper discusses how a small, locally‐based Social Movement Organization (SMO) has succeeded in mobilizing different segments of society by connecting its symbolic, material and structural dimensions. Data for the analysis came from several sources: interviews with the activists themselves, participant observation, media analysis and a structured questionnaire distributed to 277 entrepreneurs who had joined the mobilization.
Safety and quality evaluation of large meat joints cooled by a precommercial immersion vacuum cooling prototype
Authors: Drummond Liana , Meinert Lene , Koch Anette Granly , Würtz Jens , Zhang Zhihang , Sun Da‐Wen
Published: July 2015

A series of independent studies were conducted to document the performance of an immersion vacuum cooling (IVC) prototype. Pork hams of commercial size were cured, cooked and then cooled using either a chill cabinet, a chilling room or the IVC prototype. Cooking and cooling losses, temperature profiles and selected product quality properties were compared. Results showed that no growth of spores was detected on either IVC or chill cabinet hams, while growth was detected on chilling room hams. Texture attributes comparison concluded that all tested samples were equally juicy and tender. Thiamine retention analysis showed that the observed decrease in concentration was irrespective of cooling method. Average cooling time from 50 to 20 °C (at sample core) was approximately 90 min. Overall, it can be concluded that IVC is a time‐reducing cooling method that has no deleterious consequences on product safety or quality.
Change management in pharmacy: a simulation game and pharmacy leaders’ rating of 35 barriers to change†
Authors: Guérin Aurélie , Lebel Denis , Hall Kevin , Bussières Jean-François
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The primary objective was to rank barriers to change in pharmacy practice. Our secondary objective was to create a simulation game to stimulate reflection and discussion on the topic of change management.

Methods

The game was created by the authors and used during a symposium attended by 43 hospital pharmacy leaders from all regions of Canada (Millcroft Conference, Alton, Ontario, June 2013). The main theme of the conference was ‘managing change’.

Key findings

The simulation game, the rating of 35 barriers to change and the discussion that followed provided an opportunity for hospital pharmacy leaders to reflect on potential barriers to change, and how change might be facilitated through the use of an organized approach to change, such as that described in Kotter’s eight-step model.

Conclusions

This simulation game, and the associated rating of barriers to change, provided an opportunity for a group of hospital pharmacy leaders in Canada to reflect on the challenges associated with managing change in the healthcare setting. This simulation game can be modified and used by pharmacy practitioners in other countries to help identify and rank barriers to change in their particular pharmacy practice setting.
Public knowledge and factors associated with inappropriate analgesic use: a survey in Thailand
Authors: Saengcharoen Woranuch , Buasri Nutdaporn , Khantapokha Boonyisa , Lerkiatbundit Sanguan
Published: July 2015

Objective

This study aims to evaluate knowledge of analgesics and factors associated with inappropriate analgesic use among the public.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was carried out in one large city in the south of Thailand. The survey was conducted using interview of people of age 16 or older. The questionnaire elicited information regarding knowledge, attitudes and behaviours on analgesic use including prevalence of taking paracetamol >4 g/day (overdosage) and not taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with meals (inappropriate taking).

Key findings

Of 1982 participants, paracetamol overdose (n = 595) and inappropriate NSAID users (n = 751) were less likely to give correct answers about analgesics compared with appropriate users. The overdose use was inversely associated with knowledge on paracetamol (odds ratio (OR) 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83, 0.98) but directly associated with positive attitudes towards high dose taking (OR 2.15; 95% CI, 1.49, 3.11), and high frequency of analgesic use (OR 1.78; 95% CI, 1.24, 2.54). Inappropriate NSAID ingestion was inversely associated with knowledge on NSAIDs and directly associated with more commonly obtaining analgesics from community pharmacies (OR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.82, 0.92 and OR 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.61, respectively).

Conclusions

Poor knowledge, positive attitudes towards high dose or high frequency of analgesic consumption and the patterns of using drugs were associated with inappropriate analgesic use especially that of paracetamol.
Simultaneous ureteroscopic lithotripsy and contralateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy for ureteral calculi combined with renal staghorn calculi
Authors: Shen Peng Fei , Liu Nian , Wei Wu Ran , Xu Peng , Li Si , Luo Yu Hui , Zhao Tao , Zhang Xing Ming , Zeng Hao , Wang Jia
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy, safety, and cost‐effectiveness of simultaneous ureteroscopic lithotripsy and contralateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy for ureteral calculi combined with contralateral renal staghorn calculi.

Methods

The present prospective controlled trial had been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR‐ONRC‐13004146). Patients with ureteral calculi and contralateral renal staghorn calculi were enrolled into the staged (ureteroscopic lithotripsy first followed by a staged percutaneous nephrolithotomy) or the simultaneous (synchronous ureteroscopic lithotripsy and contralateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy) treatment group according to the odd or even number of the last hospitalization number. All patients signed informed consent. The primary outcomes were the stone‐free rate and total hospital costs. The second outcomes were the operative and anesthesia times, the complication rate, and hospital stay.

Results

A total of 51 patients were enrolled into the staged group and 52 patients were enrolled into the simultaneous group. There were no statistically significant differences in patients’ characteristics. The overall stone‐free rate was 94.1% in the staged group and 92.3% in the simultaneous group. No severe complication was observed. The total hospital stay of the staged group was longer, and it was negatively correlated to different procedures. The cost in the staged group was higher, and it was correlated with total operation time and postoperative hospital stay.

Conclusions

Simultaneous ureteroscopic lithotripsy and contralateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy represent safe and effective procedures, and they can be considered as a first‐line treatment for selected patients presenting with ureteral calculi combined with contralateral renal calculi.
Novel BiFeO3–BaTiO3–Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 Lead‐Free Relaxor Ferroelectric Ceramics for Energy‐Storage Capacitors
Authors: Zheng Donggeng , Zuo Ruzhong , Zhang Dongshuai , Li Yang
Published: July 2015

A novel lead‐free relaxor ferroelectric ceramic of (0.67−x)BiFeO3–0.33BaTiO3–xBa(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 [(0.67−x)BF–0.33BT–xBMN, x = 0–0.1] was prepared by a solid‐state reaction method. A relatively high maximum polarization Pmax of 38 μC/cm2 and a low remanent polarization Pr of 5.7 μC/cm2 were attained under 12.5 kV/mm in the x = 0.06 sample, leading to an excellent energy‐storage density of W ~1.56 J/cm3 and a moderate energy‐storage efficiency of η ~75%. Moreover, a good temperature stability of the energy storage was obtained in the x = 0.06 sample from 25°C to 190°C. The achievement of these characteristics was basically attributed to an electric field induced reversible ergodic to ferroelectric phase transition owing to similar free energies near a critical freezing temperature. The results indicate that the (0.67−x)BF–0.33BT–xBMN lead‐free realxor ferroelectric ceramic could be a promising dielectric material for energy‐storage capacitors.
Genetic control of the environmental variance for birth weight in seven generations of a divergent selection experiment in mice
Authors: Formoso‐Rafferty N. , Cervantes I. , Ibáñez‐Escriche N. , Gutiérrez J.P.
Published: July 2015

Data from seven generations of a divergent selection experiment designed for environmental variability of birth weight were analysed to estimate genetic parameters and to explore signs of selection response. A total of 10 783 birth weight records from 638 females and 1127 litters in combination with 10 007 pedigree records were used. Each record of birth weight was assigned to the mother of the pup in a heteroscedastic model, and after seven generations of selection, evidence of success in the selection process was shown. A Bayesian analysis showed that success of the selection process started from the first generation for birth weight and from the second generation for its environmental variability. Genetic parameters were estimated across generations. However, only from the third generation onwards were the records useful to consider the results to be reliable. The results showed a consistent positive and low genetic correlation between the birth weight trait and its environmental variability, which could allow an independent selection process. This study has demonstrated that the genetic control of the birth weight environmental variability is possible in mice. Nevertheless, before the results are applied directly in farm animals, it would be worth confirming any other implications on other important traits, such as robustness, longevity and welfare.
Political parties and the EU in national election campaigns: who talks about Europe, and how?
Authors: Senninger Roman , Wagner Markus
Published: July 2015

This paper examines political party mobilization on European Union issues during national election campaigns. We consider which actors talk about the EU, specifically which parties and which actors within parties, as well as how these actors talk about the EU, specifically the types of EU issues addressed as well as their framing. We argue that issue‐based strategies and government participation may provide important reasons why parties only mobilize selectively on EU issues. We test our expectations using data from party press releases in Austrian general election campaigns in 2008 and 2013. We find that selective mobilization is most prevalent in terms of content, thus in how parties talk about the EU. This article provides new evidence on the extent of party political contestation over EU issues and shows how strategic incentives limit the ways in which they are incorporated into national politics.
The effect of an integrated syndromic respiratory disease guideline in primary health care settings
Authors: Abouda Maher , Hamzaoui Agnes , Drira Ekram , Djebeniani Ridha , Othmani Salah , Ben Kheder Ali
Published: July 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

The use of integrated syndromic guidelines (ISG) aims to improve the quality of care for patients with respiratory diseases. The impact of such ISG in clinical practice can be potentially significant in primary health care (PHC) settings. We report the impact of the use by general practitioners (GPs) of a Tunisian ISG for respiratory diseases in management of respiratory patients in PHC.

Methods

The short‐term impact was assessed through the results of the feasibility study. This study included a baseline survey, before training on ISG, and an impact survey, after training on ISG. The same 73 GPs practicing within 28 PHCs were involved in the two surveys at an interval of 6 weeks. Information on each patient mentioned gender, age, underlying conditions, symptoms, referral, diagnosis and drug prescription details.

Results

During the periods of the baseline and impact surveys, 36.0 and 31.1% of PHC attendees, respectively, sought care for respiratory symptoms. Acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases accounted for more than 85% of patients with respiratory disease. In the impact survey, chronic respiratory disease (CRD) diagnosis increased by approximately 50%. In the same way, the proportion of tuberculosis suspects increased 5.5 times. The number of drugs prescribed per patient decreased by 18.8%, and the proportion of patients who were prescribed antibiotics decreased by 19.0%. The prescription of steroids also significantly decreased while inhaled β‐agonist prescription increased. The average cost of drug prescription was reduced by 19%.

Conclusion

Training on ISG for respiratory diseases improved the diagnosis of CRD and tuberculosis, and lead to a more rational use of drugs for ARIs in PHCs.
Simple Pretreatment and Portable UV‐Vis Spectrum Instrument for the Rapid Detection of Melamine in Milk Products
Authors: Xie Wanyi , Huang Yu , Yun Wen , Tang Dongyun , Zhang Hua , Du Chunlei , Zhu Yonghong , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we report a simple and reliable method for detection of melamine (MEL) in the field of milk products safety screening. This method is developed based on gold nanoparticle (AuNP) probe as the presence of MEL can induce the AuNPs to aggregate and make its color change from wine red to purple. This color change can be quantitatively recorded by a portable UV‐vis spectrophotometer so as to calculate the amount of MEL simultaneously. Herein, alcohol is used as MEL extraction solvent without other complex sample processing method because alcohol can easily denature the casein in milk. Furthermore, under the optimized condition, only about 15 min for whole detection process is required to determine the amount of MEL in milk, and the detection limit of MEL can be as low as 2 ppm.

Practical Applications

At present, analysis of melamine (MEL) in these milk products is urgent and required. However, most of the published assays require expensive instruments and complicated pretreatment. Herein, a reliable and simple method for MEL detection for field screening of milk was developed, which is based on gold nanoparticle probe with a portable UV‐vis spectrophotometer. Herein, ethanol was used as an environmentally friendly solvent to extract MEL from milk, and the whole detection process only required about 15 min.
The Association Between Asthma and Sleep in Urban Adolescents With Undiagnosed Asthma
Authors: Koinis Mitchell Daphne , Kopel Sheryl J. , Williams Brittney , Cespedes Amarilis , Bruzzese Jean‐Marie
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

We examined associations between asthma and sleep in a sample of inner‐city adolescents with asthma‐like symptoms who are undiagnosed, and to assess the extent to which youth's report of perceived stress moderates this association.

METHODS

A total of 349 adolescents (83% girls), with a mean age of 15.8 years, and their primary caregivers participated. Large segments of the sample were Latinos (46%) or African Americans (37%). Adolescents reported on asthma—namely, rate of waking up at night due to asthma‐like symptoms and perceived severity of breathing problems—and sleep, specifically sleep‐wake behavior problems and daytime sleepiness during activities. Caregivers provided demographic information by telephone.

RESULTS

Night awakenings and perceived severity of breathing problems were each independently associated with sleep‐wake behavior problems and daytime sleepiness during activities. Youth report of perceived stress moderated the association between perceived severity of breathing problems and sleep‐wake behavior problems, and perceived severity of breathing problems and daytime sleepiness during activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest the importance of interventions that consider undiagnosed asthma and its effects on sleep indicators related to daytime functioning in this high risk group of youth. This study highlights the need for interventions that consider asthma severity, nocturnal asthma, and sleep problems among urban adolescents with no asthma diagnosis.
Examination of Substance Use, Risk Factors, and Protective Factors on Student Academic Test Score Performance
Authors: Arthur Michael W. , Brown Eric C. , Briney John S. , Hawkins J. David , Abbott Robert D. , Catalano Richard F. , Becker Linda , Langer Michael , Mueller Martin T.
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

School administrators and teachers face difficult decisions about how best to use school resources to meet academic achievement goals. Many are hesitant to adopt prevention curricula that are not focused directly on academic achievement. Yet, some have hypothesized that prevention curricula can remove barriers to learning and, thus, promote achievement. We examined relationships among school levels of student substance use and risk and protective factors that predict adolescent problem behaviors and achievement test performance.

METHODS

Hierarchical generalized linear models were used to predict associations involving school‐averaged levels of substance use and risk and protective factors and students' likelihood of meeting achievement test standards on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, statistically controlling for demographic and economic factors known to be associated with achievement.

RESULTS

Levels of substance use and risk/protective factors predicted the academic test score performance of students. Many of these effects remained significant even after controlling for model covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing prevention programs that target empirically identified risk and protective factors has the potential to have a favorable effect on students' academic achievement.
Homelessness and Sexual Identity Among Middle School Students
Authors: Rice Eric , Petering Robin , Rhoades Harmony , Barman‐Adhikari Anamika , Winetrobe Hailey , Plant Aaron , Montoya Jorge , Kordic Timothy
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ) high school students experience higher rates of homelessness than their heterosexual peers. Moreover, LGBQ high school students are more likely to stay in riskier locations (eg, with a stranger) and less likely to stay in a shelter. This study tested whether these trends also apply to middle school students.

METHODS

Using representative data, we examined sexual identity and homelessness among Los Angeles Unified School District middle school students.

RESULTS

Nearly 10% of middle school students identified as LGBQ and 23.5% experienced at least 1 night of homelessness during the previous year. Contrary to high school data, LGBQ students did not experience higher rates of homelessness overall. However, when limiting the sample to students who had experienced homelessness, LGBQ students were more than 5 times as likely as heterosexual students to have stayed in a public place and 63% as likely to have stayed in a shelter.

CONCLUSIONS

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning students are more likely to experience public homelessness. Schools must implement homelessness surveillance systems to assist in identifying early episodes of homelessness, thereby reducing the likelihood of poor physical and mental health outcomes associated with chronic homelessness.
Concept analysis of recovery in mental illness in young adulthood
Authors: McCauley C. O. , McKenna H. P. , Keeney S. , McLaughlin D. F.
Published: July 2015

Accessible summary

The analysis of the concept of mental health recovery in young adulthood uses Rodger's (2000) evolutionary method.

This concept analysis suggests that in some contexts the word ‘recovery’ does not reflect the conceptual components identified in this paper and reveals a disparity between professional and personal interpretations of mental health recovery.

A new conceptual definition of mental health recovery in young adulthood is presented.

Conceptual clarity will facilitate the congruence of mental health recovery and nursing practice with the process of recovery experienced by young adult service users.

Recovery, as a concept, emerged as a core philosophy of the service user movement that began in the late 1960s and 1970s. Previous reviews on recovery in mental health have presented definitions or a conceptual framework; however, over time it has been open to disparate interpretations. The aim of this paper was to conduct the first concept analysis of mental health recovery in young adulthood within various multidisciplinary contexts. Rodgers's (2000) six‐stepped evolutionary method enabled the analysis of recovery's conceptual characteristics, the identification of an exemplar and the proposition of a hypothesis with implications for practice. This analysis has revealed the derivation of the term recovery does not convey its identified conceptual characteristics. Identified attributes include the reawakening of hope, reclaiming a positive self and meaning through personal growth. Antecedents include the disruption of illness, stigmatization, internal inventory and contemplative recovery. Identified consequences include the return to normality, reconstruction of self and active social connection. The new conceptual definition is the reawakening of hope and rediscovery of a positive sense of self through finding meaning and purpose within personal growth and connection using creative self‐care coping strategies. This paper reveals an apparent disparity between professional and personal interpretations of recovery. Therefore, the implication for mental health nursing is the congruence of recovery‐orientated practice with the process of recovery experienced by young adult service users.
The prevalence and related factors of depressive symptoms among junior college nursing students: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chen C.‐J. , Chen Y.‐C. , Sung H.‐C. , Hsieh T.‐C. , Lee M.‐S. , Chang C.‐Y.
Published: July 2015

Accessible summary

The process of nursing professional training may cause emotional stress on nursing students, potentially resulting in depressive symptoms.

As the problems of nurse shortage and increase of nursing student graduates who tend not to pursue nursing career continue to exist, it is important for nursing educators to investigate the factors causing depressive symptoms, and further develop strategies to manage their stress and depressive problems.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among junior college nursing students in Taiwan is high. Grade point average, interest in nursing, interest in clinical placement, career planning after graduation, relieving stress by overeating, sleep quality, stress, and anxiety were correlated with depressive symptoms. Sleep quality, stress, and the degree of anxiety can predict the degree of depressive symptoms among young nursing students in Taiwan.

Development of proper strategies to help young nursing students manage stress, anxiety, and facilitate better learning experiences tailored to their problems and needs may be helpful for alleviation or prevention of depressive symptoms.

Nursing students have particularly experienced stressful lives during nursing education. This cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate depressive symptoms and related factors in junior college nursing students. A total of 625 nursing students from a junior college in Taiwan were assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Adolescent Depression Inventory, Situational Anxiety Scale and the Taiwanese‐Chinese version of Stress in Nursing Students Scale. The results showed that (1) the prevalence of depressive symptoms among junior college nursing students was 32.6%; (2) depressive symptoms are significantly related to grade point average, interest in nursing, interest in their clinical placement, career planning after graduation, overeating as a stress‐relief strategy, sleep problems, stress, and anxiety; and (3) anxiety, sleep quality, and stress are three major variables that can significantly predict depressive symptoms. Psychological factors may influence young nursing students' willingness to seek assistance from teachers. These factors should be considered when designing strategies to promote their emotional health and well‐being. Nursing educators can plan appropriate strategies tailored to junior college nursing students' problems and needs, which thereby may facilitate learning experience and prevent depressive symptoms.
A review of nutritional and toxicological implications of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) meal in animal feeding systems
Authors: Akande T. O. , Odunsi A. A. , Akinfala E. O.
Published: July 2015

The nutrient‐rich defatted castor meal has been tested as a potential source of protein in diets of many livestock species but has limitation due to challenges of toxins. This review was conducted to compile the relevant research information on advances in the use of raw and differently processed castor seed meal in animal feed. In this article, distribution and uses of castor and its products were identified. Research findings on the nutrients profile, principal toxins, various detoxification strategies, nutritional value and toxicity on common livestock species were compiled and reviewed. The defatted seed meal had crude protein range of 32–48%, gross energy of about 3200 kcal/kg. Ricin content was 9.3 mg/g seed, and the average RCA content was 9.9 mg/g. The meal had high activity of lectin, which produced agglutination at about 4.70 mg/ml minimum assays. Reports of detoxification strategies showed varying degrees of success but high pH, moist heating and microbial techniques appeared to exert greater effect on deactivating ricin. Detoxification strategy for the allergen component is inconclusive. Tannins and the phenolic contents were present at trace level and did not constitute notable threat. It was concluded that castor seed holds great potential as feedstuff when upgraded but such upgrading must be safe, cost‐effective and labour efficient for commercial acceptability.
Loss and rebuilding: A qualitative study of late diagnosis of cleft palate
Authors: Tierney Stephanie , Blackhurst Maria , Scahill Rachael , Callery Peter
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To explore the experiences of parents whose child received a late diagnosis of cleft palate (>24 hr after birth).

Design and Methods

Parents of 17 children and three nurses specialised in cleft care (specialist nurses) took part in a qualitative, semi‐structured interview. Framework analysis was applied to data.

Results

Loss and rebuilding was an overarching concept—from the crescendo leading up to the bombshell of diagnosis, followed by the aftermath of dealing with the child's long‐term condition.

Practice implications

Specialist nurses can help parents to trust healthcare professionals and to feel confident in their ability to nurture by listening, informing, and supporting.
Linking trait similarity to interspecific spatial associations in a moist tropical forest
Authors: Velázquez Eduardo , Paine C. E. Timothy , May Felix , Wiegand Thorsten
Published: July 2015

Aim

Community assembly theory predicts that niche differentiation promotes the spatial clustering of functionally dissimilar species, whereas habitat filtering has the converse effect. We used these predictions to assess the relative effects of habitat filtering and niche differentiation on recruit community assembly over spatial (5‐ and 30‐m neighbourhoods) and temporal (20‐yr) scales in the Forest Dynamics Plot at Barro Colorado Island.

Location

Barro Colorado Island, Panama.

Methods

We integrated data on the spatial patterns of ≥1 cm DBH (diameter at 1.3 m above ground) recruits with data on seven functional traits for 64 species. First, we quantified the interspecific association patterns of all species pairs i and j using the K‐function Kij(r) and the nearest‐neighbour distribution function Dij(r). Second, for those pairs with significant spatial associations, we calculated an index of interspecific spatial association using the results of these two summary statistics. Finally, we examined the relationship between interspecific spatial association and trait similarity using simple and partial Mantel tests.

Results

In all censuses, almost one‐half of species pairs had no spatial associations, but for pairs that were significantly spatially associated, positive relationships between trait similarity and spatial association occurred in 5‐m and 30‐m neighbourhoods, whereas significant negative relationships only appeared in 5‐m neighbourhoods. This suggests that habitat filtering was more important than niche differentiation in assembling recruit communities at 5‐ and 30‐m scales. Habitat filtering mainly acted upon traits related to topographic habitat preferences and dispersal mode, whereas spatial association was inversely related to similarity in terms of wood specific gravity and shade tolerance.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that both stochastic and deterministic processes operate in species‐rich ecological communities, but the role of habitat filtering and niche differentiation as determinants of community assembly vary over spatial and temporal scales. Species co‐occurrence was driven by habitat filtering at small and large scales, but also by a combination of niche differentiation and weaker‐competitor exclusion effects at small scales. Temporal variations in the importance of habitat filtering and niche differentiation could be related to the occurrence of disturbances such as tree falls. Our results emphasize the role of trait‐based processes in plant community assembly.
Protecting one, protecting both? Scale‐dependent ecological differences in two species using dead trees, the rosalia longicorn beetle and the barbastelle bat
Authors: Russo D. , Di Febbraro M. , Cistrone L. , Jones G. , Smeraldo S. , Garonna A. P. , Bosso L.
Published: July 2015

Organisms sharing the same habitats may differ in small‐scale microhabitat requirements or benefit from different management. In this study, set in Italy, we focused on two species of high conservation value, the cerambycid beetle Rosalia alpina and the bat Barbastella barbastellus, which often share the same forest areas and in several cases the same individual trees. We compared the potential distribution and, at two spatial scales, the niches between such species. The predicted distributions largely overlapped between the beetle and the bat. The niches proved to be similar on a broad scale, yet not on the plot one. Compared with B. barbastellus, R. alpina tends to occur at lower altitude in more irradiated sites with lower canopy closure and uses shorter trees with wider diameters. B. barbastellus occurred more often in trees within forest or along its edges, whereas R. alpina lays eggs in trees found in clearings. B. barbastellus plots were more frequent in forest, R. alpina plots in forested pasture and open‐shredded forest. Overall, exposure to sun influenced more critically site and tree selection by R. alpina, as a warm microclimate is essential for larval development. Although B. barbastellus reproduction may be favored by warmer roosting conditions, bats may also find such conditions in dense forest and in strongly irradiated cavities high up in tall trees that project above the canopy. We emphasize that subtle differences in the ecological requirements of syntopic taxa could be missed at broad scales, so multiple‐scale assessment is always advisable.
Phase III Study to Assess Long‐Term (52‐Week) Safety and Efficacy of Mirabegron, a β3‐Adrenoceptor Agonist, in Japanese Patients with Overactive Bladder
Authors: YAMAGUCHI Osamu , IKEDA Yasushi , OHKAWA Sumito
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To investigate safety, tolerability and efficacy of long‐term (52 weeks) open‐label treatment with mirabegron 50 mg, with an optional dose increase to 100 mg, in patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods

Patients received mirabegron 50 mg once daily for 52 weeks. If efficacy was insufficient at week 8, the dose could be increased to 100 mg. Safety was evaluated based on vital signs, adverse events (AEs), laboratory findings, electrocardiogram and post‐void residual volume. Treatment efficacy was assessed with a 3‐day micturition diary and the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ).

Results

Two hundred and four patients were enrolled; mirabegron dose was maintained at 50 mg in 153 patients and increased to 100 mg in 50 patients. Mirabegron was well tolerated at both doses. Incidences of AEs and treatment‐related AEs were 91.4% and 33.6% in patients on 50 mg, and 100% and 30.0% in patients on 100 mg, respectively. Time course changes in systolic or diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were not considered clinically significant. At the end of treatment (EOT), patients on 50 mg and 100 mg showed improvement in frequency and urgency. Improvements from baseline to EOT in quality of life scores were observed for all KHQ domains.

Conclusions

There were no safety or tolerability concerns associated with mirabegron 50 mg (with an optional dose increase to 100 mg) over 52 weeks. Improvement in micturition variables was maintained with mirabegron 50 mg from weeks 8 to 52.
Evaluation of virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility patterns of different Candida species isolated from the female camel (Camelus dromedarius) genital tract
Authors: Sharifzadeh Aghil , Soltani Minoo , Shokri Hojjatollah
Published: July 2015

The purposes of this study were to investigate the enzymatic activity of different Candida species and their antifungal susceptibility patterns. The study involved a total of 83 isolates of Candida from the genital tract of the female Camelus dromedarius. After species identification, the isolates were analysed for the production/activity of phospholipase, proteinase and haemolysin. In addition, the agar disc diffusion method was performed on the basis of CLSI guidelines M44‐A2 protocol for antifungal susceptibility testing. All the isolates were able to produce phospholipase, proteinase and haemolysin. A total of 35.48%, 87.09% and 64.51% of C. albicans isolates exhibited very high phospholipase, proteinase and haemolytic activities, respectively, whereas very high phospholipase, proteinase and haemolytic activities were determined in 5.76%, 23.07% and 45.16% of non‐C. albicans isolates respectively. Overall, 61 (73.5%) of Candida isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, 70 (84.3%) susceptible to clotrimazole, 82 (98.8%) susceptible to voriconazole, 76 (91.6%) susceptible to itraconazole, 75 (90.4%) susceptible to ketoconazole, 83 (100%) susceptible to amphotericin B, 81 (97.6%) susceptible to nystatin and 36 (43.4%) susceptible to flucytosine. Candida isolates showed higher haemolytic activity than that of other secreted hydrolases among vaginal Candida species. In addition, amphotericin B was the most in vitro effective antifungal drug and flucytosine had the poorest activity under such conditions.