bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STAT3 Serine 727 Phosphorylation: A Relevant Target to Radiosensitize Human Glioblastoma
Authors: Ouédraogo Zangbéwendé Guy , Müller‐Barthélémy Mélanie , Kemeny Jean‐Louis , Dedieu Véronique , Biau Julian , Khalil Toufic , Raoelfils Lala Ines , Granzotto Adeline , Pereira Bruno , Beaudoin Claude , Guissou Innocent Pierre , Berger Marc , Morel Laurent , Chautard Emmanuel , Verrelle Pierre
Published: March 2015

Radiotherapy is an essential component of glioma standard treatment. Glioblastomas (GBM), however, display an important radioresistance leading to tumor recurrence. To improve patient prognosis, there is a need to radiosensitize GBM cells and to circumvent the mechanisms of resistance caused by interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment. STAT3 has been identified as a therapeutic target in glioma because of its involvement in mechanisms sustaining tumor escape to both standard treatment and immune control. Here, we studied the role of STAT3 activation on tyrosine 705 (Y705) and serine 727 (S727) in glioma radioresistance. This study explored STAT3 phosphorylation on Y705 (pSTAT3‐Y705) and S727 (pSTAT3‐S727) in glioma cell lines and in clinical samples. Radiosensitizing effect of STAT3 activation down‐modulation by Gö6976 was explored. In a panel of 15 human glioma cell lines, we found that the level of pSTAT3‐S727 was correlated to intrinsic radioresistance. Moreover, treating GBM cells with Gö6976 resulted in a highly significant radiosensitization associated to a concomitant pSTAT3‐S727 down‐modulation only in GBM cell lines that exhibited no or weak pSTAT3‐Y705. We report the constitutive activation of STAT3‐S727 in all GBM clinical samples. Targeting pSTAT3‐S727 mainly in pSTAT3‐Y705‐negative GBM could be a relevant approach to improve radiation therapy.
Seven novel modulators of the analgesic target NaV1.7 uncovered using a high‐throughput venom‐based discovery approach
Authors: Klint Julie K , Smith Jennifer J , Vetter Irina , Rupasinghe Darshani B , Er Sing Yan , Senff Sebastian , Herzig Volker , Mobli Mehdi , Lewis Richard J , Bosmans Frank , King Glenn F
Published: March 2015

Background and Purpose

Chronic pain is a serious worldwide health issue, with current analgesics having limited efficacy and dose‐limiting side effects. Humans with loss‐of‐function mutations in the voltage‐gated sodium channel NaV1.7 (hNaV1.7) are indifferent to pain, making hNaV1.7 a promising target for analgesic development. Since spider venoms are replete with NaV channel modulators, we examined their potential as a source of hNaV1.7 inhibitors.

Experimental Approach

We developed a high‐throughput fluorescent‐based assay to screen spider venoms against hNaV1.7 and isolate ‘hit’ peptides. To examine the binding site of these peptides, we constructed a panel of chimeric channels in which the S3b‐S4 paddle motif from each voltage sensor domain of hNaV1.7 was transplanted into the homotetrameric KV2.1 channel.

Key Results

We screened 205 spider venoms and found that 40% contain at least one inhibitor of hNaV1.7. By deconvoluting ‘hit’ venoms, we discovered seven novel members of the NaSpTx family 1. One of these peptides, Hd1a (peptide μ‐TRTX‐Hd1a from venom of the spider Haplopelma doriae), inhibited hNaV1.7 with a high level of selectivity over all other subtypes, except hNaV1.1. We showed that Hd1a is a gating modifier that inhibits hNaV1.7 by interacting with the S3b‐S4 paddle motif in channel domain II. The structure of Hd1a, determined using heteronuclear NMR, contains an inhibitor cystine knot motif that is likely to confer high levels of chemical, thermal and biological stability.

Conclusion and Implications

Our data indicate that spider venoms are a rich natural source of hNaV1.7 inhibitors that might be useful leads for the development of novel analgesics.
Women's attitudes towards a pre‐conception healthy lifestyle programme
Authors: Funk K. L. , LeBlanc E. S. , Vesco K. K. , Stevens V. J.
Published: March 2015

Nearly half of US women begin pregnancy overweight or obese and more than half of overweight or obese pregnant women experience excessive gestational weight gain. Recent lifestyle intervention programmes have helped women avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy, but helping women lose weight before pregnancy may be a more effective way to improve pregnancy outcomes. This study assessed women's attitudes towards pre‐conception diet and weight management interventions. An anonymous survey was conducted in patients waiting in a health maintenance organization's obstetrics and primary care waiting rooms. It focused on attitudes towards participating in a pre‐conception, lifestyle change programme. Eighty percent of the 126 women surveyed were pregnant or considering pregnancy within 5 years. Of the 126 respondents, 60 (48%) were overweight or obese. Of these, 96% rated healthy diet and healthy weight before pregnancy as very important or important and 77% favoured a healthy lifestyle programme (diet, weight management and physical activity) before becoming pregnant. Likewise, overweight or obese women reported being likely or highly likely to participate in specific intervention programme aspects such as keeping phone appointments (77%), using a programme website (70%) and keeping food and exercise records (63%). Survey results show that women in this population believe that adopting a healthy lifestyle and losing weight are important before pregnancy and that they are enthusiastic about programmes that will help them achieve those goals in preparation for pregnancy.
What Holds People Together? First‐Person Anthropology and Perspective‐Taking in Thai Ghost Stories
Authors: Carlisle Steven
Published: March 2015

What allows people to share cultural realities? Many theories imply that people orient themselves directly to abstract cultural structures or toward a set of powerful discourses which shape them. But because cultural worlds are understood practically and experienced and communicated through first‐person perspectives, people must engage in empathic perspective taking—orienting themselves toward one another's perspectives—instead. This article explores idiosyncratic Thai interpretations of ghost attacks, shaped by individual and institutionalized experiences. By focusing first on personal perspectives rather than shared conceptions, it proposes that anthropologists can minimize assumptions about shared social and cultural structures in a way that explains how individualized understandings can be accepted by others. Divergent interpretations become comprehensible through empathic reasoning based on shared notions of human nature. This approach contributes to the ongoing anthropological project of minimizing assumptions about what our subjects know and expands anthropology's ability to explore change, intracultural variation, and the relationships between individuals and their cultural contexts.
The Role of Close Relationships in the Mental and Physical Health of Latino Americans
Authors: Priest Jacob B. , Woods Sarah B.
Published: March 2015

The biobehavioral family model (BBFM) is a model that explains the connections between family relationships and mental and physical health. This model may be especially useful for modeling the connections between family relationships and health for Latinos. Using data from the National Latino and Asian American Study, this study tested two models of the BBFM: one using family emotional climate as the predictor variable (N = 2,554) and a second investigating the effects of romantic partner emotional climate as the predictor variable (n = 1,559). The moderating effects of nativity were also tested. Results indicated that as negative family emotional climate worsened, biobehavioral reactivity worsened, and as biobehavioral reactivity became more problematic, disease activity became more severe. The same pattern was found for romantic partner emotional climate. Findings suggest group differences between U.S.‐born and foreign‐born Latinos. Results highlight the applicability of the BBFM for Latino American adults.
Parent–Adolescent Relationship Quality as an Intervening Variable on Adolescent Outcomes among Families at Risk: Dyadic Analyses
Authors: McWey Lenore M. , Claridge Amy M. , Wojciak Armeda Stevenson , Lettenberger‐Klein Cassandra G.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine mother and adolescent reports of relationship quality over time and to test whether mother–adolescent relationship quality intervened with the known association between maternal depressive symptoms and higher levels of adolescent externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors using actor‐partner interdependence modeling. Data were from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect and included a sample of 278 mother–adolescent dyads at risk for child maltreatment. Results revealed that mothers and adolescents reported high‐quality relationships at ages 12 and 14. Mother and adolescent reports of relationship quality were also interdependent such that one's perception of relationship quality significantly influenced the other's report of relationship quality. Importantly, mother–adolescent relationship quality significantly intervened in the association between maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors. These findings have implications for family interventions with mothers and adolescents to strengthen relationship quality.
Forgivingness, Forgivability, and Relationship‐Specific Effects in Responses to Transgressions in Indian Families
Authors: May Ross W. , Kamble Shanmukh V. , Fincham Frank D.
Published: March 2015

To advance understanding of conflict in families, responses to interpersonal transgressions were obtained from the perspective of the victim (transgression‐related interpersonal motivations [TRIMs]) and transgressor (perceived transgression‐related interpersonal motivations [PTRIMs]) in a sample of Indian families (N = 101). Mother, father, and a 12‐ to 14‐year‐old daughter indicated how he or she typically responds to transgressions by each of the other two family members, and how the two other family members perceived motivations toward the respondent following interpersonal transgressions. Social relations modeling showed strong actor effects for TRIMs and PTRIMs for all family members. Partner effects and relationship effects were appreciable for children but largely absent for mothers and fathers. Agreeableness and neuroticism correlated with motivations of forgivingness and forgivability, providing evidence for the dispositional nature of transgression‐related motivations. Analyses demonstrate the necessity of modeling forgiveness within a family context. The application of these findings is discussed.
Reminders of Heteronormativity: Gay Adoptive Fathers Navigating Uninvited Social Interactions
Authors: Vinjamuri Mohan
Published: March 2015

Gay adoptive fathers and their children are becoming more visible in American society. Consequently, a deeper understanding is needed of the challenges and opportunities gay fathers experience in social interactions. Using a phenomenological approach, gay adoptive fathers from 20 families were interviewed about their experiences parenting as gay men. Although fathers led fulfilling lives as parents, many of them faced uninvited social interactions that reminded them of their place in a heterosexual order. These reminders of heteronormativity included scrutiny about their parenting, concerns about the well‐being of their children, and decisions regarding disclosing information about their families. This article illustrates the use of a social constructionist lens to understand the emotional burdens gay adoptive fathers carry navigating these interactions in public settings. By narrowing the focus on such encounters, this article attunes practitioners and educators to gay fathers' emotional worlds while deepening their understanding of the social fabric of heteronormativity.
Comparison Between 10‐ and 14‐Day Hybrid Regimens for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Metanat Hassan Ali , Valizadeh Seyed Mohammad , Fakheri Hafez , Maleki Iradj , Taghvaei Tarang , Hosseini Vahid , Bari Zohreh
Published: March 2015

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication has always been a concern. In our pervious study, 14‐day hybrid regimen showed ideal results. Based on these findings, we decided to compare the efficacy of 10‐ and 14‐day hybrid regimens for H. pylori eradication.

Methods

Two hundred and seventy patients with peptic ulcer disease and H. pylori infection were enrolled in the study. One hundred and thirty‐four patients received 10‐day hybrid regimen (PACT‐10): pantoprazole, 40 mg, and amoxicillin, 1 g, both twice daily for 10 days; plus clarithromycin, 500 mg, and tinidazole, 500 mg, both twice daily just during the last 5 days. One hundred and thirty‐six patients received 14‐day hybrid regimen (PACT‐14): pantoprazole, 40 mg, and amoxicillin, 1 g, both twice a day for 14 days; plus clarithromycin, 500 mg, and tinidazole, 500 mg, both twice daily just for the last 7 days. Eight weeks after treatment, 14C‐urea breath test was performed to evaluate H. pylori eradication.

Results

Two hundred and fifty patients (124 patients in PACT‐10 and 126 patients in PACT‐14 regimens) completed the study. The intention‐to‐treat eradication rates were 77.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 70.6–84.6%) and 86% (95% CI: 80–92%) for the two regimens, respectively (p = .17). Per‐protocol eradication rates were 83.8% (95% CI: 80–86%) and 92.8% (95% CI: 88–96%), respectively (p < .01). There were no significant intergroup differences in compliance to treatment or discontinuation of therapy due to severe side effects.

Conclusion

Ten‐day hybrid regimen could not achieve acceptable eradication rate. However, 14‐day hybrid regimen seems to be an acceptable option for H. pylori eradication in Iran.
Relationship between programmed cell death‐1 polymorphisms and clearance of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Ülger Y. , Bayram S. , Sandıkçı M. Ü. , Akgöllü E. , Bekar A.
Published: March 2015

Programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) plays a critical role in regulating T‐cell function during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study investigated the relationship between the polymorphisms of PD‐1 gene and the susceptibility to HBV infection. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PD‐1 gene at positions +7146 G>A (guanine to adenine substitution) and +7209 C>T (cytosine to thymine substitution) were analysed using a polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method in 220 subjects with chronic hepatitis B infection and 165 spontaneous clearance of HBV subjects. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the genotype distributions of the PD‐1 +7146 G>A and PD‐1 +7209 C>T polymorphisms among chronic hepatitis B and spontaneous clearance subjects. According to stratified analyses, borderline significance was observed between PD‐1 +7146 GA genotype and risk of HBV chronicity in the subgroup of male gender (OR = 1.88, 95% 0.95–3.71; P = 0.07). Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the PD‐1 +7146 G>A and PD‐1 +7209 C>T polymorphisms have not been any major role in genetic susceptibility to chronicity of HBV infection, at least in the population studied here. Independent studies are needed to validate our findings in a larger series, as well as in patients of different ethnic origins.
Simulation of Impedance Spectra for Core–Shell Grain Structures Using Finite Element Modeling
Authors: Heath James P. , Dean Julian S. , Harding John H. , Sinclair Derek C.
Published: March 2015

The volume fraction of core‐ and shell‐regions is an important parameter in the control of temperature‐dependent electrical properties of core–shell‐microstructured electroceramics such as BaTiO3. Here, we highlight the potential unreliability of using capacitance ratios, obtained by simulating impedance spectra, to extract accurate volume fractions of the two regions. Two microstructures were simulated using a finite element approach: an approximation to a core–shell structure (the encased model) and a series‐layer model (SLM). The impedance response of the microstructures was simulated for a range of input volume fractions. The volume fractions obtained from the simulation agreed with the input values for the SLM microstructure but differed for the encased model. Current density and electric field plots revealed that this discrepancy was caused by differences between the physical and electrical microstructures of the encased model. A stream trace analysis of current density demonstrated that the current follows the path of least resistance through the core, leaving regions of shell with lower current density. These differences are important when attempting to extract volume fractions from encased microstructures with small cores. In the present case, core volume fractions less than 0.7 produce differences in excess of 25%.
Grain Boundary Plane Effect on Pr Segregation Site in ZnO Σ13 [0001] Symmetric Tilt Grain Boundaries
Authors: Roh Ji‐Young , Sato Yukio , Ikuhara Yuichi
Published: March 2015

As grain boundary (GB) and GB segregation often have significant impact on various properties of polycrystalline materials, their atomic structures as well as the location of segregated dopant should be intensively investigated. We have thus reported several papers about segregation of Pr (praseodymium) in ZnO (zinc oxide) GBs for case study. In this study, we study the atomic structure of Pr‐doped ZnO [0001]/(130) Σ13 symmetric tilt GB, and the results are compared with that for the (250) GB [Sato et al., Phys. Rev. B, 87,140101 (2013)]. Although atomic arrangements of these GBs can be characterized using the same kinds of structural units (SUs), Pr segregation sites relative to the SU vary with GBs. It is suggested that change in strain distribution for different GBs would cause the variation in the segregation sites and Pr would prefer the Zn site of locally highest tension.
How to define nativeness in organisms with high dispersal capacities? A comment on Essl et al.
Authors: Patiño Jairo , Vanderpoorten Alain
Published: March 2015

Essl and colleagues documented worldwide invasion patterns in bryophytes, which so far have been neglected in invasion biology. In the absence of historical evidence, Essl and colleagues used criteria such as anomalous geographical distribution, preference for disturbed habitats, and indirect associations with some means of human transport as criteria to identify aliens. Because bryophytes exhibit high long‐distance dispersal capabilities, disjunct distribution patterns are, however, the rule rather than the exception in the group. In our opinion, none of the previously proposed criteria to characterize aliens can be satisfactorily applied to groups like bryophytes, for which historical and fossil records are extremely scarce. We suggest that, in order to validate the conclusions of Essl and colleagues, further taxonomic and phylogeographical studies are needed. This is especially true for island floras, for which recent critical taxonomic work and updated checklists, which compose the primary source of information for biodiversity, are largely missing.
Contributions of Social Learning Theory to the Promotion of Healthy Relationships: Asset or Liability?
Authors: Johnson Matthew D. , Bradbury Thomas N.
Published: March 2015

Although social learning theory provides the conceptual basis for behavioral interventions designed to treat and prevent relationship distress, the results of large, recently published experiments cast doubt on the long‐term viability of this approach. For example, couple therapies can produce lasting improvements in relationships, yet these improvements do not appear to be mediated by changes in communication in the manner suggested by social learning theory. Preventive interventions that teach couples communication skills produce inconsistent effects on communication and unexpectedly small effects on relationship outcomes. Because social learning theory may not provide the strongest foundation for relationship‐sustaining interventions, new approaches are needed, especially those that articulate how diverse contexts and life circumstances constrain couples' opportunities for closeness and stability.
Risk of Major Morbidity and Death in Older Adults with Suicidal Intent: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis from the National Poison Data System, 2000–2009
Authors: Cobaugh Daniel J. , Miller Michael J. , Pham Timothy T. , Krenzelok Edward P.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To describe suicide‐related exposures in older persons according to sex, age, and substance category reported to U.S. poison control centers (PCCs) and report the crude relative risk (RR) of major effects and death from pharmaceuticals and nonpharmaceutical substances after single‐ and multiple‐substance exposures.

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of American Association of Poison Control Centers National Poison Data System (NPDS) data.

Setting

Calls to U.S. PCCs.

Participants

NPDS cases involving individuals aged 60 and older with an exposure to a pharmaceutical or nonpharmaceutical substance and suicide as the reason (n = 46,494).

Measurements

Major effect and death probabilities for single‐ and multiple‐substance exposures to pharmaceuticals and nonpharmaceuticals were determined. In the NPDS, a major effect is defined as symptoms or signs that are life‐threatening or resulted in significant residual disability or disfigurement. Crude RRs of major effects or death were estimated for single and multiple pharmaceutical substances in comparison with nonpharmaceutical substances.

Results

Single‐substance exposures occurred in 53.3% of cases. Overall, 92.3% involved pharmaceuticals and 64.4% involved women. In the total sample, 12.7% (5,895/46,494) of exposures resulted in major effect, and 1.9% (884/46,494) resulted in death. The crude RR of major effects in single‐substance pharmaceutical exposures was significantly lower than with nonpharmaceutical exposures (RR = 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.49–0.59), as was death (RR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.20–0.30). For multiple‐substance exposures, the crude RR of major effects from pharmaceuticals was similar to that for nonpharmaceuticals (RR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.80–1.06), whereas the crude RR of death from pharmaceuticals was significantly lower (RR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.40–0.77).

Conclusion

These findings can inform suicide prevention strategies that focus on decreasing at‐risk older adults' access to dangerous medications and chemicals in the home.
Molecular evolution and species‐specific expansion of the NAP members in plants
Authors: Fan Kai , Shen Hao , Bibi Noreen , Li Feng , Yuan Shuna , Wang Ming , Wang Xuede
Published: March 2015

The NAP (NAC‐Like, Activated by AP3/PI) subfamily is one of the important plant‐specific transcription factors, and controls many vital biological processes in plants. In the current study, 197 NAP proteins were identified from 31 vascular plants, but no NAP members were found in eight non‐vascular plants. All NAP proteins were phylogenetically classified into two groups (NAP I and NAP II), and the origin time of the NAP I group might be relatively later than that of the NAP II group. Furthermore, species‐specific gene duplications, caused by segmental duplication events, resulted in the expansion of the NAP subfamily after species‐divergence. Different groups have different expansion rates, and the NAP group preference was found during the expansion in plants. Moreover, the expansion of NAP proteins may be related to the gain and loss of introns. Besides, functional divergence was limited after the gene duplication. Abscisic acid (ABA) might play an important role in leaf senescence, which is regulated by NAP subfamily. These results could lay an important foundation for expansion and evolutionary analysis of NAP subfamily in plants.
The Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Coordinator of Autonomic, Neuroendocrine and Behavioural Responses to Stress
Authors: McKlveen J. M. , Myers B. , Herman J. P.
Published: March 2015

Responding to real or potential threats in the environment requires the coordination of autonomic, neuroendocrine and behavioural processes to promote adaptation and survival. These diverging systems necessitate input from the limbic forebrain to integrate and modulate functional output in accordance with contextual demand. In the present review, we discuss the potential role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as a coordinator of behavioural and physiological stress responses across multiple temporal and contextual domains. Furthermore, we highlight converging evidence from rodent and human research indicating the necessity of the mPFC for modulating physiological energetic systems to mobilise or limit energetic resources as needed to ultimately promote behavioural adaptation in the face of stress. We review the literature indicating that glucocorticoids act as one of the primary messengers in the reallocation of energetic resources having profound effects locally within the mPFC, as well as shaping how the mPFC acts within a network of brain structures to modulate responses to stress. Finally, we discuss how both rodent and human studies point toward a critical role of the mPFC in the coordination of anticipatory responses to stress and why this distinction is an important one to make in stress neurobiology.
Patients' perceptions of their postoperative recovery for one month
Authors: Forsberg Angelica , Vikman Irene , Wälivaara Britt‐Marie , Engström Åsa
Published: March 2015

Aims and objectives

To explore orthopaedic and general surgery patients' perceptions of their postoperative recovery for one month.

Background

In general, nursing research in the postoperative context has been directed towards a single symptom or area, which is valuable. However, there is a lack of studies of orthopaedic and general surgery patients' perceptions of postoperative recovery from a short‐term perspective.

Design

A quantitative approach with a longitudinal design was used.

Methods

A total of 180 patients participated in the study. Data were collected using a standardised questionnaire, the Postoperative Recovery Profile, for self‐assessment of recovery. Descriptive statistics reported as proportions were used for the categorical variables. Analytic statistics were used to identify statistically significant differences. Mean values and t‐tests were used for quantity variables, and Mann–Whitney U‐tests and Chi‐squared tests were used for nonparametric variables.

Results

Overall, the orthopaedic patients were substantially less recovered than the general surgery patients. Two‐thirds of the orthopaedic patients and half of the general surgery patients perceived severe or moderate pain in the acute recovery phase. Within the general surgery group, there were significant differences in the recovery between the Gastric Bypass patients and colon/ileum surgery patients. The gastric bypass patients were overall more recovered than the other groups of patients. The Gastric Bypass patients reported that they had improved after one month compared to their own status prior to surgery.

Conclusions and relevance to clinical practice

Nursing support for orthopaedic patients must be improved, especially after they are discharged from the hospital. To structure and monitor individual recovery, a top‐five priority profile of the most important problems should be used during follow‐up calls after the patient is discharged from the hospital. Postoperative pain continues to represent a clinical problem that requires attention. Heterogeneity in the perceptions of recovery within the general surgery group was indicated, which may depend on the surgical procedure as well as the patients' expectations and comparisons with their lives before surgery. Rather than return to their preoperative levels, certain patients tend to continue towards a new or different life postoperatively.
Balancing hope with reality: how neonatal nurses manage the uncertainty of caring for extremely premature babies
Authors: Green Janet , Darbyshire Philip , Adams Anne , Jackson Debra
Published: March 2015

Aims and objectives

This article aims to explore the ways in which neonatal nurses manage the uncertainty associated with the treatment and outcomes of extremely premature babies.

Background

Current literature suggests that survival rates of extremely premature babies have increased; however, the incidence of long‐term problems has not decreased among survivors. The outcomes can often not be predicted; therefore, there is much uncertainty associated with survival and outcomes. Neonatal nurses care for babies and families during these times of uncertainty. This article will focus on how neonatal nurses manage and survive the challenges associated with uncertainty when caring for extremely premature babies.

Design

Qualitative.

Methods

This article used a series of interviews in a qualitative study informed by phenomenological insights. The analysis of the interview data involved the discovery of thematic statements and the analysis of the emerging themes.

Results

Three themes captured the experience of working with uncertainty from the perspective of the neonatal nurses: ‘Everything is fine, then they crash’: When the honeymoon is over; ‘“I don't know which one is going to be fine”: it's like a lottery’ and ‘Balancing hope with reality’.

Conclusion

Uncertainty had both positive and negative aspects, because while ever there was uncertainty, there was room for hope. While initial uncertainty of the baby's prognosis and outcome gave the nurses hope, certainty of diagnosis and poor outcome could take that hope away.

Relevance to clinical practice

Increasing survival of extremely premature babies will see neonatal nurses caring for more babies ≤24 weeks gestation. Prematurity has risks associated with life‐sustaining treatments. Uncertainty is a reality of life for these babies, their families and the nursing and medical teams who care for them. It is important to recognise the challenges associated with uncertainty.
Heterozygote deficits in cyst plant‐parasitic nematodes: possible causes and consequences
Authors: Montarry Josselin , Jan Pierre‐Loup , Gracianne Cecile , Overall Andrew D. J. , Bardou‐Valette Sylvie , Olivier Eric , Fournet Sylvain , Grenier Eric , Petit Eric J.
Published: March 2015

Deviations of genotypic frequencies from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) expectations could reveal important aspects of the biology of populations. Deviations from HWE due to heterozygote deficits have been recorded for three plant‐parasitic nematode species. However, it has never been determined whether the observed deficits were due (i) to the presence of null alleles, (ii) to a high level of consanguinity and/or (iii) to a Wahlund effect. The aim of the present work was, while taking into the possible confounding effect of null alleles, to disentangle consanguinity and Wahlund effect in natural populations of those three economically important cyst nematodes using microsatellite markers: Globodera pallida, G. tabacum and Heterodera schachtii, pests of potato, tobacco and sugar beet, respectively. The results show a consistent pattern of heterozygote deficiency in the three nematode species sampled at the spatial scale of the host plant. We demonstrate that the prevalence of null alleles is weak and that heterozygote deficits do not have a single origin. Our results suggested that it is restricted dispersal that leads to heterozygote deficits through both consanguinity and substructure, which effects can be linked to soil movement, cyst density, and the number of generations per year. We discuss potential implications for the durability of plant resistances that are used to protect crops against parasites in which mating between relatives occur. While consanguineous mating leads to homozygosity at all loci, including loci governing avirulence/virulence, which favours the expression of virulence when recessive, the Wahlund effect is expected to have no particular effect on the adaptation of nematodes to resistances.
YKL‐40 level in gingival crevicular fluid from patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kido J , Bando Y , Bando M , Kajiura Y , Hiroshima Y , Inagaki Y , Murata H , Ikuta T , Kido R , Naruishi K , Funaki M , Nagata T
Published: March 2015

Objective

YKL‐40 is a chitin‐binding glycoprotein, the level of which increases in inflammatory diseases, diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular diseases, and tumors. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) contains many proteins and markers of periodontitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate YKL‐40 level in GCF from patients with periodontitis and DM and the association between YKL‐40 level and chronic periodontitis (CP) or DM.

Subjects and Methods

The subjects were 121 patients with DM, CP, DM and periodontitis (DM‐P), and healthy subjects (H). GCF was collected using paper strips after the sites for GCF collection were clinically evaluated for probing depth (PD), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BOP). YKL‐40 in GCF was identified by Western blotting, and its level was determined by ELISA.

Results

YKL‐40 was contained in GCF samples from H, DM, CP, and DM‐P sites, and its levels (amount and concentration) in CP and DM‐P were significantly higher than those in H and DM. GCF YKL‐40 level significantly correlated with PD and GI, and its level in BOP‐positive sites was significantly higher than that in BOP‐negative ones.

Conclusions

GCF YKL‐40 level was elevated in periodontitis, but not DM. YKL‐40 in GCF may be an inflammatory marker for periodontitis.
Measuring Potential Output for the South African Economy: Embedding Information About the Financial Cycle
Authors: Kemp Johannes Hermanus
Published: March 2015

Borio et al. show that information embedded in the financial cycle can serve to improve measures of potential output and output gaps. They show that incorporating information on the financial cycle yields measures of potential output and output gaps for the United States, United Kingdom and Spain that are estimated more precisely and are more robust in real time. With its well‐developed financial markets and relatively open capital markets, the South African economy is potentially susceptible to the build‐up of the sort of financial imbalances that characterised the recent financial crisis. Using the framework developed in Borio et al., a finance‐neutral measure of the output gap is estimated for South Africa. The traditional Hodrick–Prescott filter is extended to incorporate information on credit and property prices. Including financial cycle proxies result in output gaps that are estimated more precisely and are more robust to data revisions and the arrival of new data points (i.e. estimated output gaps are more robust in real time), while also reflecting the impact of financial variables on economic activity. As such, the estimated finance‐neutral output gap seems to represent a more appropriate measure on which to base monetary policy decisions.
Peptide‐induced HLA‐E expression in human PBMCs is dependent on peptide sequence and the HLA‐E genotype
Authors: Lauterbach N. , Wieten L. , Popeijus H. E. , Vanderlocht J. , van Zon P. M. H. , Voorter C. E. M. , Tilanus M. G. J.
Published: March 2015

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)‐E is a low‐polymorphic non‐classical HLA class I molecule which plays a crucial role in immune surveillance by presentation of peptides to T and natural killer (NK) cells. HLA‐E polymorphism is related to HLA‐E surface expression and is associated with patient outcome after stem cell transplantation. We aim to investigate the regulation of HLA‐E expression level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy individuals homozygous for HLA‐E*01:01 or HLA‐E*01:03, by using a panel of HLA‐E binding peptides derived from CMV, Hsp60 and HLA class I. Basal and peptide‐induced HLA‐E surface expression levels were higher in PBMC from HLA‐E*01:03 homozygous subjects as compared to PBMC from HLA‐E*01:01 homozygous subjects. HLA‐E mRNA levels were comparable between the two genotypes and remained constant after peptide stimulation. HLA‐E surface expression seemed to be not only dependent on the HLA‐E genotype, but also on the sequence of the peptide as evidenced by the profound difference in HLA‐E upregulation with the Hsp60 and the B7 peptide. Our results showed that peptide‐induced HLA‐E expression is regulated at the posttranscriptional level as extracellular peptide stimulation did not influence RNA expression. This study provides new insights in the mechanism by which HLA‐E expression is regulated and underlines a new role for extracellular peptides in inducing HLA‐E translation, which may represent a defense mechanism against lytic viral infections and necrosis.
Efficiency Improvement of Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems by Means of Water Flow Beneath Photovoltaic Cells Surface
Authors: Habiballahi M. , Ameri M. , Mansouri S. H.
Published: March 2015

Efficiency of photovoltaic water pumping systems (PVPS) decreases remarkably as PV cells temperature rises, thus to improve the performance of such systems and their efficiency, PV cells temperature should be kept as low as possible. In this research, a PVPS with collectors installed beneath the panels was used to cool down the PV cells. Pumped water by the solar pump is divided into two parts: the first part joins the second one after passing through the collectors installed beneath the panels and flows to the outlet. The second part passing through the collectors cools down the PV panels and therefore increases the efficiency of PVPS. Effect of flow of water through these collectors on PV cells output power and efficiencies of PVPS were analyzed. Water used to cool down the panel was pump outlet flow; thus, no extra power was consumed to decrease PV cells temperature.
Analysis of Steady-State Rolling Contact Problems in Nonlinear Viscoelastic Materials
Authors: Abdelrahman Alaa A. , El-Shafei Ahmed G. , Mahmoud Fatin F.
Published: March 2015

A comprehensive numerical model is developed using Lagrangian finite element (FE) formulation for investigating the steady-state viscoelastic (VE) rolling contact response. Schapery's nonlinear viscoelastic (NVE) model is adopted to simulate the VE behavior. The model accounts for large displacements and rotations. A spatially dependent incremental form of the VE constitutive equations is derived. The dependence on the history of the strain rate is expressed in terms of the spatial variation of the strain. The Lagrange multiplier approach is employed. The classical Coulomb's friction law is used. The developed model is verified and its applicability is demonstrated.
Mathematical Insights Into Linear Mode Localization in Nearly Cyclic Symmetric Rotors With Mistune
Authors: Chen Y. F. , Shen I. Y.
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we develop a mathematical analysis to gain insights of mode localization often encountered in nearly cyclic symmetric rotors that contain slight mistune. First, we conduct a Fourier analysis in the spatial domain to show that mode localization can appear only when a group of tuned rotor modes form a complete set in the circumferential direction. In light of perturbation theories, these tuned rotor modes must also have very similar natural frequencies, so that they can be linearly combined to form localized modes when the mistune is present. Second, the natural frequency of these tuned rotor modes can further be represented in terms of a mean frequency and a deviatoric component. A Rayleigh–Ritz formulation then shows that mode localization occurs only when the deviatoric component and the rotor mistune are about the same order. As a result, we develop an effective visual method—through use of the deviatoric component and the rotor mistune—to precisely identify those modes needed to form localized modes. Finally, we show that curve veering is not a necessary condition for mode localization to occur in the context of free vibration. Not all curve veering leads to mode localization, and not all modes in curve veering contribute to mode localization. Numerical examples on a disk–blade system with mistune confirm all the findings above.
Channel-hot-carrier degradation of strained MOSFETs: A device level and nanoscale combined approach
Authors: Wu Qian , Porti Marc , Bayerl Albin , Martin-Martínez Javier , Rodriguez Rosana , Nafria Montserrat , Aymerich Xavier , Simoen Eddy
Published: March 2015

Strained MOSFETs with SiGe at the source/drain regions and different channel lengths have been studied at the nanoscale with a conductive atomic force microscope (CAFM) and at device level, before and after channel-hot-carrier (CHC) stress. The results show that although strained devices have a larger mobility, they are more sensitive to CHC stress. This effect has been observed to be larger in short channel devices. The higher susceptibility of strained MOSFETs to the stress has been related to a larger density of defects close to the diffusions, as suggested by CAFM data.
System-level prescriptions for adaptive drug licensing
Authors: Drum Chester L.
Published: March 2015

A multistakeholder position paper presents a vision of the future for therapeutic translation.
Boosting our brains
Authors: Tesar Paul J.
Published: March 2015

A human-specific enhancer of the
FZD8
gene increases size and neuronal density of the brain.
Major haemorrhage in pubic rami fractures
Authors: Tang Chun Hong , Shivji Faiz , Forward Daren
Published: March 2015

A 62-year-old man presented to the emergency department, having fallen 6 ft from a ladder, with pain over his left hip and shoulder. He was managed according to the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocol, and his primary survey showed no haemodynamic compromise. Initial radiographs showed a unilateral left superior and inferior pubic rami fracture, which was treated conservatively. Forty-eight hours post-admission, the patient became tachycardic and hypotensive and was found to have dropped his haemoglobin from 125 to 89 g/L. After resuscitation, a repeat contrast CT scan revealed an enlarging haematoma in his pelvis. This was treated with urgent angioembolisation and the patient was further stabilised in the intensive care unit. This report shows the need for a low threshold in suspecting intrapelvic bleeds in patients with pubic rami fractures, and the need for prompt treatment of such patients, either surgically or radiologically.
A cross-sectional assessment of the prevalence of multiple chronic conditions and medication use in a sample of community-dwelling adults with fibromyalgia in Olmsted County, Minnesota
Authors: Vincent Ann , Whipple Mary O , McAllister Samantha J , Aleman Katherine M , St Sauver Jennifer L
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the problem of multiple chronic conditions and polypharmacy in patients with fibromyalgia.

Design

Retrospective medical record review.

Setting

Olmsted County, Minnesota.

Participants

1111 adults with fibromyalgia.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Number and type of chronic medical and psychiatric conditions, medication use.

Results

Medical record review demonstrated that greater than 50% of the sample had seven or more chronic conditions. Chronic joint pain/degenerative arthritis was the most frequent comorbidity (88.7%), followed by depression (75.1%), migraines/chronic headaches (62.4%) and anxiety (56.5%). Approximately, 40% of patients were taking three or more medications for symptoms of fibromyalgia. Sleep aids were the most commonly prescribed medications in our sample (33.3%) followed by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (28.7%), opioids (22.4%) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (21.0%).

Conclusions

The results of our study highlight the problem of multiple chronic conditions and high prevalence of polypharmacy in fibromyalgia. Clinicians who care for patients with fibromyalgia should take into consideration the presence of multiple chronic conditions when recommending medications.
Impact of an electronic consultant system on hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated radiocontrast media: an observational study
Authors: Yang Min-Suk , Choi Sang-Il , Song Woo-Jung , Kim Sae-Hoon , Kang Hye-Ryun , Park Heung-Woo , Cho Sang-Heon , Min Kyung-Up , Kim Jae-Hyoung , Chang Yoon-Seok
Published: March 2015

Objective

To evaluate the impact of an electronic consultation support system on the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated radiocontrast media (RCM).

Materials and methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted before and after the introduction of the consultation support system. The 1-year study period was divided into two 6-month periods: before and after 1 December 2012 (baseline and intervention periods, respectively), which was when our consultation support system was introduced. Data from examinations were collected retrospectively from the hospital information centre and problem reporting sheets in the radiology department. The primary outcome was the incidence of RCM reactions before and after the introduction of the consultation support system. Generalised estimating equations were used to account for the correlation between the same patients measured on multiple occasions.

Results

There were 317/20 179 (1.6%) and 186/19 873 (0.9%) hypersensitivity reactions during the baseline and intervention periods, respectively. The consultation support system significantly decreased the odds of the occurrence of a RCM reaction (OR=0.59, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.71, p<0.001) compared with baseline. There was also a twofold increase in the premedication rate after initiation of the consultation support system (OR=2.05, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.65 p=0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the periods (OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.65, p<0.93).

Conclusions

The introduction of the consultation support system reduced the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions to RCM and increased the use of premedication in patients with known hypersensitivity to RCM.
Homogenization of random elliptic systems with an application to Maxwell's equations
Authors: Barbatis G. , Stratis I. G. , Yannacopoulos A. N.
Published: March 2015

We study the homogenization of elliptic systems of equations in divergence form where the coefficients are compositions of periodic functions with a random diffeomorphism with stationary gradient. This is done in the spirit of scalar stochastic homogenization by Blanc, Le Bris and Lions. An application of the abstract result is given for Maxwell's equations in random dissipative bianisotropic media.
Effect of electronic excitation to intermolecular proton transfer in bulk nitromethane: Tuned parameter SCC-DFTB and first principles study
Authors: Guo Feng , Zhang Hong , Zhang Chao-Yang , Cheng Xin-Lu , Hu Hai-Quan
Published: March 2015

To understand the reaction mechanism involving hydrogen transfers through hydrogen-bond bridge, we carried out both Self-Consistent Charge Density Functional Tight-Binding (SCC-DFTB) calculations of bulk nitromethane and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of singlet ground state/triplet excited state molecular nitromethane using B3LYP functional. Firstly, we tuned the repulsive parameters of the SCC-DFTB method for nitromethane with dataset calculated from DFT at B3LYP/6-311g level. The molecular dynamics simulations are carried out with tuned parameters to get the dynamical properties of the bulk nitromethane, and the static calculations are intended to give energy profile of the reaction process. These calculations indicate the excitation of nitromethane molecule making the proton transfer reactions possible, and lowering the reaction barrier.
Early Life Stress: Long-Term Physiological Impact in Rodents and Primates
Authors: Pryce Christopher R. , Rüedi-Bettschen Daniela , Dettling Andrea C. , Feldon Joram
Published: March 2015

Rat, monkey, and human infants have evolved to expect certain patterns of care. Spontaneous or experimental deviations of care from the norm result in infant stress responses. Hyperactivity of immature stress systems such as the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the limbic-sympatho-adrenomedullary axis can alter their subsequent reactivity across the life span.