bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential ocean variables for global sustained observations of biodiversity and ecosystem changes
Authors: Miloslavich Patricia , Bax Nicholas J. , Simmons Samantha E. , Klein Eduardo , Appeltans Ward , Aburto‐Oropeza Octavio , Andersen Garcia Melissa , Batten Sonia D. , Benedetti‐Cecchi Lisandro , Checkley David M. , Chiba Sanae , Duffy J. Emmett , Dunn Daniel C. , Fischer Albert , Gunn John , Kudela Raphael , Marsac Francis , Muller‐Karger Frank E. , Obura David , Shin Yunne‐Jai
Published: April 2018

Sustained observations of marine biodiversity and ecosystems focused on specific conservation and management problems are needed around the world to effectively mitigate or manage changes resulting from anthropogenic pressures. These observations, while complex and expensive, are required by the international scientific, governance and policy communities to provide baselines against which the effects of human pressures and climate change may be measured and reported, and resources allocated to implement solutions. To identify biological and ecological essential ocean variables (EOVs) for implementation within a global ocean observing system that is relevant for science, informs society, and technologically feasible, we used a driver‐pressure‐state‐impact‐response (DPSIR) model. We (1) examined relevant international agreements to identify societal drivers and pressures on marine resources and ecosystems, (2) evaluated the temporal and spatial scales of variables measured by 100+ observing programs, and (3) analysed the impact and scalability of these variables and how they contribute to address societal and scientific issues. EOVs were related to the status of ecosystem components (phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass and diversity, and abundance and distribution of fish, marine turtles, birds and mammals), and to the extent and health of ecosystems (cover and composition of hard coral, seagrass, mangrove and macroalgal canopy). Benthic invertebrate abundance and distribution and microbe diversity and biomass were identified as emerging EOVs to be developed based on emerging requirements and new technologies. The temporal scale at which any shifts in biological systems will be detected will vary across the EOVs, the properties being monitored and the length of the existing time‐series. Global implementation to deliver useful products will require collaboration of the scientific and policy sectors and a significant commitment to improve human and infrastructure capacity across the globe, including the development of new, more automated observing technologies, and encouraging the application of international standards and best practices.
Being targeted as a “severely overweight pregnant woman” —A qualitative interview study
Authors: Lauridsen Drude S. , Sandøe Peter , Holm Lotte
Published: April 2018

Background

Pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 have been targeted in health‐care systems in many western countries as a high‐risk group. However, we have limited knowledge of the long‐term significance of this prenatal care policy.

Objective

To investigate accounts women give of their experiences of being targeted as severely overweight during pregnancy when they look back at the intervention 4‐5 years later.

Design

Interpretive analysis based on 21 semi‐structured interviews conducted 4‐5 years after the pregnancy with Danish mothers categorized as having a pre‐pregnancy BMI ≥ 30.

Findings

In the women's retrospective accounts three phases were identified and separated: (i) Being identified as a “severely overweight pregnant woman.” The women differed over whether they accepted this categorization, but all believed that an approach based on weight was acceptable. (ii) Encounters with health‐care professionals. The women differed here: some reported no negative experiences; others reported experiences of prejudice and silence. (iii) Reflections on long‐term outcomes. Most women reported that the interventions during their pregnancies did not lead to any lasting lifestyle change. The women disagreed over whether, in principle, pregnancy was a suitable time to be targeted.

Discussion and conclusion

Our study illustrates the importance of critically considering whether pregnancy is a suitable window of opportunity for obesity prevention, and shows that women's experiences should be examined in relation to each phase of intervention. More interdisciplinary studies are needed to map potential benefits and other consequences over the short‐ and long‐term.
A checklist for managed access programmes for reimbursement co‐designed by Canadian patients and caregivers
Authors: Young Andrea , Menon Devidas , Street Jackie , Al‐Hertani Walla , Stafinski Tania
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Reimbursement decisions on orphan drugs carry significant uncertainty, and as the amount increases, so does the risk of making a wrong decision, where harms outweigh benefits. Consequently, patients often face limited access to orphan drugs. Managed access programmes (MAPs) are a mechanism for managing risk while enabling access to potentially beneficial drugs. Patients and their caregivers have expressed support for these programmes and see patient input as critical to successful implementation. However, they have yet to be systematically involved in their design.

Objective

The aim of this study was to co‐design with patients and caregivers a tool for the development of managed access programmes.

Methods

Building upon established relationships with the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, the project team collaborated with patients and caregivers using the principles of participatory action research. Data were collected at two workshops and analysed using a thematic network approach.

Results

Patients and caregivers co‐designed a checklist comprised of six aspects of an ideal MAP relating to accountability (programme goals); governance (MAP‐specific committee oversight, patient input, international collaboration); and evidence collection (outcome measures and continuation criteria, on‐going monitoring and registries). They recognized that health‐care resources are finite and considered disease or drug eligibility criteria for deciding when to use a MAP (eg drugs treating diseases for which there are no other legitimate alternatives).

Conclusions

A patient and caregiver‐designed checklist was created, which emphasized patient involvement and transparency. Further research is needed to examine the feasibility of this checklist and roles for other stakeholders.
Inflammatory compound lipopolysaccharide promotes the survival of GM‐CSF cultured dendritic cell via PI3 kinase‐dependent upregulation of Bcl‐x
Authors: Chen Shun , Li Xinchen , Zhang Wenjie , Zi Mengting , Xu Yuekang
Published: April 2018

As professional antigen‐presenting cells, dendritic cells (DCs) initiate and regulate immune responses against inflammation. The invasion of pathogens into the body, however, can in turn cause the change of DCs in both activity and viability, which ultimately affect immune homeostasis. The exact mechanisms that the bacteria utilize to alter the lifespan of DCs, however, are far from clear. In this study, we found that the bacterial wall compound lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can promote the survival of GM‐CSF‐differentiated DCs (GM‐DCs). At molecular levels, we demonstrated that GM‐DCs had distinct pattern of mRNA expression for anti‐apoptotic BCL‐2 family members, of which, Bcl‐x increased significantly following LPS stimulation. Interestingly, specific inhibition of BCL‐XL protein alone was sufficient to remove the anti‐apoptotic effects of LPS on BM‐DCs. Further study of the signaling mechanisms revealed that although LPS can activate both Erk MAP kinase and PI3 kinase pathways, only blocking of PI3K abolished both Bcl‐x upregulation and the enhanced survival phenotype, suggesting that the PI3K signaling mediated the upregulation of Bcl‐x for the LPS‐induced pro‐survival in GM‐DCs. Collectively, this study unveils a molecular mechanism that DCs adapt to maintain innate immunity against the invasion of pathogens.
Transcatheter mitral valve intervention: an emerging treatment for mitral regurgitation
Authors: Markham Ryan , Kyranis Stephen , Aroney Nicholas , Lau Katherine , Poon Karl , Scalia Gregory , Walters Darren
Published: April 2018

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a valvular heart disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter mitral valve intervention (TMVI) repairs or replaces the mitral valve through small arterial and venous entry sites and so avoids risks associated with open heart surgery. Transcatheter devices targeting components of the mitral apparatus are being developed to repair or replace it. Numerous challenges remain including developing more adaptable devices and correction of multiple components of the mitral annulus to attain durable results. The mitral valve apparatus is a complex structure and understanding of the mechanisms of MR is essential in the development of TMVI. There will likely be a complementary role between surgery and TMVI in the near future.
Clinical features and outcome of patients with cutaneous melioidosis during a nosocomial outbreak in a temperate region of Australia
Authors: Clark Benjamin , Merritt Adam , Inglis Tim , Manning Laurens
Published: April 2018

Six cases of cutaneous melioidosis from southwestern Australia, a non‐endemic region occurred as a result of Burkholderia pseudomallei contamination of normal saline that was used for irrigating superficial wounds. Treatment with parenteral meropenem, given by continuous infusion for 2 weeks, followed by oral antibiotics was successful in all cases.
Diagnostic utility of an age‐specific cut‐off for d‐dimer for pulmonary embolism assessment when used with various pulmonary embolism risk scores
Authors: Ackerly Imogen , Klim Sharon , McFarlane James , Kelly Anne‐Maree
Published: April 2018

This retrospective cohort study compared the diagnostic utility (sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value (NPV)) of the age‐times‐10 adjusted d‐dimer cut‐off used in combination with the original and simplified Well's pulmonary embolism (PE) scores and the original and simplified revised Geneva scores to identify patients in whom PE is classified as unlikely according to each score. The PE risk scores performed similarly with high sensitivity (97.6, 97.1, 96.9 and 97.1% respectively) and NPV (99.3, 99.3, 99.2 and 99.2% respectively). Each missed only one PE. The age‐times‐10 age‐adjusted d‐dimer assay cut‐off performed similarly with each of the clinical risk scores tested with high sensitivity and NPV.
Electronic cigarettes in physician practice
Authors: Mendelsohn Colin P.
Published: April 2018

There is growing evidence for the effectiveness of e‐cigarettes as a quitting aid and, although not completely harmless, the scientific consensus is that they are substantially less harmful than smoking tobacco. More research is needed, but there is now sufficient empirical evidence and real‐world experience over more than a decade to consider their use as a legitimate tobacco harm reduction tool for smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit with conventional strategies. Smokers should be advised that the highest success rates occur with daily use with nicotine e‐liquid and newer e‐cigarette models. After quitting smoking, it is preferable to aim ultimately to cease vaping if possible, but long‐term use of e‐cigarettes is safer than relapsing to smoking.
Immigration and Access to Fringe Benefits: Evidence from the Tobacco Use Supplements
Authors: Maclean Johanna Catherine , Webber Douglas , Sindelar Jody L.
Published: April 2018

We examine the extent to which assimilation and residential ethnic enclaves are associated with immigrant access to smoking‐related fringe benefits. In particular, we consider access to office smoking bans and employer‐sponsored smoking cessation programs. We first document differences in access to these benefits between immigrant and native workers. Second, we show that assimilation is positively associated with smoking‐related fringe benefit access while enclave residence does not predict access. These findings broaden our understanding of immigrant employment.
The UK Gender Pay Gap 1997–2015: What Is the Role of the Public Sector?
Authors: Jones Melanie , Makepeace Gerry , Wass Victoria
Published: April 2018

The Labour Force Survey is used to examine the influence of sector on the UK gender pay gap 1997–2015. The assessment is twofold: first comparing gender pay gaps within sectors and second through identifying the contribution of the concentration of women in the public sector to the overall gender pay gap. The long‐term narrowing of the gender pay gap, which predominately reflects relative improvements in women's productivity‐related characteristics, is found to stall in 2010 within each sector. This is considered in the context of claims that public sector austerity represents a critical turning point in progress toward gender equality at work.
Potential impact of future climate change on sugarcane under dryland conditions in Mexico
Authors: Baez‐Gonzalez A. D. , Kiniry J. R. , Meki M. N. , Williams J. R. , Alvarez Cilva M. , Ramos Gonzalez J. L. , Magallanes Estala A.
Published: April 2018

Assessments of impacts of future climate change on widely grown sugarcane varieties can guide decision‐making and help ensure the economic stability of numerous rural households. This study assessed the potential impact of future climatic change on sugarcane grown under dryland conditions in Mexico and identified key climate factors influencing yield. The Agricultural Land Management Alternatives with Numerical Assessment Criteria (ALMANAC) model was used to simulate sugarcane growth and yield under current and future climate conditions. Management, soil and climate data from farm sites in Jalisco (Pacific Mexico) and San Luis Potosi (Northeastern Mexico) were used to simulate baseline yields. Baseline climate was developed with 30‐year historical data from weather stations close to the sites. Future climate for three decadal periods (2021–2050) was constructed by adding forecasted climate values from downscaled outputs of global circulation models to baseline values. Climate change impacts were assessed by comparing baseline yields with those in future decades under the A2 scenario. Results indicate positive impacts of future climate change on sugarcane yields in the two regions, with increases of 1%–13% (0.6–8.0 Mg/ha). As seen in the multiple correlation analysis, evapotranspiration explains 77% of the future sugarcane yield in the Pacific Region, while evapotranspiration and number of water and temperature stress days account for 97% of the future yield in the Northeastern Region. The midsummer drought (canicula) in the Pacific Region is expected to be more intense and will reduce above‐ground biomass by 5%–13% (0.5–1.7 Mg/ha) in July–August. Harvest may be advanced by 1–2 months in the two regions to achieve increases in yield and avoid early flowering that could cause sucrose loss of 0.49 Mg ha−1 month−1. Integrating the simulation of pest and diseases under climate change in crop modelling may help fine‐tune yield forecasting.
Practitioner Review: Emotional dysregulation in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder – implications for clinical recognition and intervention
Authors: Faraone Stephen V. , Rostain Anthony L. , Blader Joseph , Busch Betsy , Childress Ann C. , Connor Daniel F. , Newcorn Jeffrey H.
Published: April 2018

Background

Because emotional symptoms are common in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients and associate with much morbidity, some consider it to be a core feature rather than an associated trait. Others argue that emotional symptoms are too nonspecific for use as diagnostic criteria. This debate has been difficult to resolve due, in part, to the many terms used to describe emotional symptoms in ADHD and to concerns about overlap with mood disorders.

Methods

We sought to clarify the nature of emotional symptoms in ADHD by reviewing conceptual and measurement issues and by examining the evidence base regarding specificity of such symptoms for ADHD. We reviewed the various terms used to define emotional symptoms in ADHD, clarify how these symptoms are demarcated from mood disorders, and assess the possibility that symptoms of emotional impulsivity and deficient emotional self‐regulation should be considered as core symptoms. We addressed psychiatric comorbidities, the effects of ADHD treatments on associated emotional dysregulation, and the utility of current rating scales to assess emotional symptoms associated with ADHD.

Results

Emotional symptoms are common and persistent in youth and adults with ADHD. Although emotional symptoms are common in other psychiatric disorders, emotional impulsivity (EI), and deficient emotional self‐regulation (DESR) may be sufficiently specific for ADHD to function as diagnostic criteria.

Conclusions

Emotional symptoms in ADHD cause clinically significant impairments. Although there is a solid theoretical rationale for considering EI and DESR to be core symptoms of ADHD, there is no consensus about how to define these constructs sin a manner that would be specific to the disorder. An instrument to measure EI and DESR which demarcates them from irritability and other emotional symptoms could improve the accuracy of diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
Commentary: Whither the epigenetics of child psychopathology? Some reflections provoked by Barker et al. (2018)
Authors: Sonuga‐Barke Edmund J.S. , Fearon Pasco
Published: April 2018

Barker et al.'s. () review addresses one of the most fundamental questions in the fields of child psychology and psychiatry – How can adverse experiences shape development to a sufficient degree and in profound and enduring ways to create long term risk for later mental disorder and disability? In particular they discuss the plausibility of differential methylation as an epigenetic mechanism by which such exposures can become neuro‐biologically embedded. Our commentary rises six question relating to key issues that need to be addressed as we search for definitive evidence from human studies that such mechanisms actually do make an important causal contribution to abnormal trajectories of development to disorder.
Juvenile migration of the exclusively pelagic cyprinid, Gnathopogon caerulescens (Honmoroko) in Lake Biwa, Central Japan
Authors: Kikko T. , Ishizaki D. , Kuwamura K. , Okamoto H. , Ujiie M. , Ide A. , Saegusa J. , Kai Y. , Nakayama K. , Fujioka Y.
Published: April 2018

Migration of wild and cultivated juvenile honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens of from the spawning and nursery areas in Lake Biwa were investigated, both in the Ibanaiko Lagoon and its outlet to Daido River, using beam‐trawl surveys in 2013 and 2014. The study demonstrated migration of G. caerulescens from a nursery lagoon toward Lake Biwa after the juvenile stage. These findings appear to be the first direct evidence for migration of an exclusively pelagic cyprinid species from a littoral nursery to a pelagic adult habitat in a large deep lake.
Working Less and Bargain Hunting More: Macroimplications of Sales during Japan's Lost Decades
Authors: SUDO NAO , UEDA KOZO , WATANABE KOTA , WATANABE TSUTOMU
Published: April 2018

Standard New Keynesian models have often neglected temporary sales. In this study, we ask whether this treatment is appropriate. We use Japanese scanner data covering the last two decades and find a negative correlation between the frequency of sales and hours worked. We then construct a model that takes households' decisions regarding their allocation of time for work, leisure, and bargain hunting into account. We show that the decline in hours worked explains the rise in the frequency of sales. The real effect of monetary policy shocks weakens by around 40% due to temporary sales, but monetary policy still matters.
Health Literacy Teaching Beliefs, Attitudes, Efficacy, and Intentions of Middle School Health and Physical Education Teachers
Authors: Lai Hsiang‐Ru , Wu Der‐Min , Lee Pi‐Hsia , Jhang Yu‐Siang
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Health education (HE) courses in schools are vital paths for improving teenagers' health literacy. HE and physical education (PE) teachers lead HE courses, and their teaching intentions and competency influence the effectiveness of the courses and the ability to promote students' health literacy. This study attempted to understand HE and PE teachers' health literacy teaching intentions and professional competency and to investigate their relationships.

METHODS

This study adopted a cross‐sectional design. A questionnaire survey was administered to 906 middle school HE and PE teachers in Taiwan by mail, and 545 provided valid data with consent.

RESULTS

Participants had a favorable health literacy (47.78/50), positive health literacy teaching beliefs and attitudes, and acceptable efficacy. They intended to implement health literacy instruction within the subsequent year. Teaching beliefs, attitudes, and efficacy were all positively correlated with intentions (all p < .001). Demographic variables, health literacy, and teaching beliefs, attitudes, and efficacy explained 33.5% of the variance of teaching intentions.

CONCLUSION

Teaching beliefs, attitudes, and efficacy were crucial predictors of health literacy teaching intentions. To improve students' health literacy, educational authorities and schools should pay attention to HE and PE teachers' intentions and vital factors, thereby enhancing teachers' willingness to perform health literacy instruction.
Leadership Diversity: Effects of Counterstereotypical Thinking on the Support for Women Leaders under Uncertainty
Authors: Randsley de Moura Georgina , Leicht Carola , Leite Ana C. , Crisp Richard J. , Gocłowska Małgorzata A.
Published: April 2018

Despite societal shifts, women are still underrepresented in leadership positions. Previous research has found that women are often placed in risky and precarious leadership positions. This is likely to be the case when the context (economic, social, political) is uncertain. This article investigates (1) the support given to women leaders with leadership styles that are congruent or not with gender stereotypes, under uncertainty (Study 1) and (2) the role of counterstereotypical thinking in strengthening the support for women leaders who are role congruent (vs. incongruent) under uncertainty (Study 2). Study 1 found a preference for strong, role incongruent women leaders in times of uncertainty (vs. certainty). Study 2 found that this preference can be attenuated and role congruent women leaders perceived as more effective following a counterstereotypical thinking intervention that challenge participants’ social cognitive processing styles. We discuss applied implications regarding how to effectively promote diversity in leadership.
Recurrent erythema and hyperpigmentation
Authors: Ng Su Yuen , Chong Sze Yee
Published: April 2018

See Answer
The efficiency of decentralized environmental policies under global pollution and tradable emission permits
Authors: Tsakiris Nikos , Hatzipanayotou Panos , Michael Michael S.
Published: April 2018

We build a two asymmetric regions model with cross‐border pollution related to production. Each region issues emission permits and revenues from their sales finance public pollution abatement. The decentralized level of emission permits is efficient when permits are interregionally tradable and cross‐border pollution is perfect. This result is robust in a variety of cases—for example, when (i) capital is immobile or internationally mobile or only mobile between the two regions, and (ii) revenue from permits sales is transferred to a federal authority.
In vitro evaluation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall fermentability using a dog model
Authors: Musco N. , Calabrò S. , Roberti F. , Grazioli R. , Tudisco R. , Lombardi P. , Cutrignelli M. I.
Published: April 2018

Six Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall samples were tested by the in vitro gas production technique using dog faeces as inoculum. In particular, the substrates resulted from three different production processes (alcoholic_A, bakers_BA and brewers_BR) and were characterized by two different carbohydrates (mannans + glucans) concentrations nitrogen‐free extract (NFE high and low). Gas production of fermenting cultures was recorded for 72 hr to estimate the fermentation profiles. The organic matter degradability (OMD), fermentation liquor pH, short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) and ammonia (NH3) productions were also measured. All substrates presented a high percentage of OMD (>92%) and moderate fermentability in terms of cumulative volume of gas related to incubated OM (OMCV >50 ml/g) and short‐chain fatty acids production (>25 mmol/g), proving their functional properties. Comparing the substrates, it seems evident that the production process affects the chemical composition of the yeast cell wall in terms of crude protein, ether extract and ash content. Consequently, the in vitro fermentation process was significantly different among substrates for volume of gas, SCFA and ammonia production. Regarding the fermentation rate profiles, the production process influenced mainly the curve shape, whereas the NFE concentration affected the quantity of gas produced per hour. In particular, both S. cerevisiae_BR showed very high percentage of OM degradability, gas and SCFA productions and a fast fermentation process due to their high content of fermentable carbohydrates. On the contrary, both S. cerevisiae_BA yeast cell walls appeared to be less degradable and fermentable, probably due to their high content of ether extract. Regarding both S. cerevisiae_A, the high protein content of these substrates could explain the contrasting in vitro results (high degradability with low gas and SCFA production).
Serologic and fecal markers to predict response to induction therapy in dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Otoni Cristiane C. , Heilmann Romy M. , García‐Sancho Mercedes , Sainz Angel , Ackermann Mark R. , Suchodolski Jan S. , Steiner Jörg M. , Jergens Albert E.
Published: April 2018

Background

Little information is available of markers that assess the disease course in dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Objectives

Evaluate relationship between disease severity and serum and fecal biomarkers in dogs with idiopathic IBD before and after treatment.

Animals

Sixteen dogs with idioptahic IBD and 13 healthy dogs.

Methods

Prospective case control study. Canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI) clinical score, serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA), and serum and fecal canine calprotectin (cCP) were measured before and after 21 days of treatment.

Results

Serum CRP (median 3.5 mg/L; range: 0.1‐52.4 mg/L), fecal cCP (median 92.3 μg/g; range: 0.03‐637.5 μg/g), and CIBDAI scores significantly increased in dogs with IBD before treatment compared with serum CRP (median 0.2 mg/L; range: 0.1‐11.8 mg/L; P < .001), fecal cCP (median 0.67 μg/g; range: 0.03‐27.9 μg/g; P < .001) and CIBDAI (P < .001) after treatment. No significant associations between CIBDAI scores and before or after treatment serum biomarkers. There was a significant association between fecal cCP and CIBDAI scores before treatment (rho = 0.60, P = .01). CRP and fecal cCP significantly decreased after treatment (median 3.5 mg/L v. 0.2 mg/L; P < .001 and 92.3 μg/g v. 0.67 μg/g; P = .001, respectively).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Our data indicate that measurement of fecal cCP concentration is a useful biomarker for noninvasive evaluation of intestinal inflammation. Dogs with severe signs of GI disease more often have abnormal markers than dogs having less severe disease.
Characterising infant and young child feeding practices and the consumption of poultry products in rural Tanzania: A mixed methods approach
Authors: de Bruyn Julia , Bagnol Brigitte , Darnton‐Hill Ian , Maulaga Wende , Thomson Peter C. , Alders Robyn
Published: April 2018

Suboptimal breastfeeding practices, early initiation of complementary feeding, and monotonous cereal‐based diets have been implicated as contributors to continuing high rates of child undernutrition in sub‐Saharan Africa. Nutrition‐sensitive interventions, including agricultural programs that increase access to nutrient‐rich vegetables, legumes, and animal‐source foods, have the potential to achieve sustainable improvements in children's diets. In the quest to evaluate the efficacy of such programs in improving growth and development in the first 2 years of life, there is a role for mixed methods research to better understand existing infant and young child feeding practices. This analysis forms part of a longitudinal study assessing the impact of improvements to poultry health and crop production on diets and growth of 503 randomly selected children from eight rural communities in Manyoni District in central Tanzania. Using an explanatory sequential design, the quantitative phase of data collection was conducted between May 2014 and May 2016, comprising six monthly structured questionnaires, four monthly household‐level documentation of chicken and egg consumption, and fortnightly records of children's breastfeeding status. The subsequent qualitative phase involved in‐depth interviews with a subset of 39 mothers in October 2016. Breastfeeding was almost universal (96.8%) and of long duration (mean = 21.7 months, SD = 3.6), but early initiation of complementary feeding was also common (74.4%; mean = 4.0 months, SD = 1.8), overwhelmingly driven by maternal perceptions of insufficient milk supply (95.0%). Chicken and eggs were infrequently eaten, but close associations between maternal and child consumption patterns (p < .001) suggest the potential for strategies that increase household‐level consumption to bring nutritional benefits to young children.
In rural Gambia, do adolescents have increased nutritional vulnerability compared with adults?
Authors: Schoenbuchner Simon M. , Moore Sophie E. , Johnson William , Ngum Mohammed , Sonko Bakary , Prentice Ann , Prentice Andrew M. , Ward Kate A.
Published: April 2018

Adolescents may be particularly susceptible to malnutrition owing to the energy and nutrient costs of the pubertal growth spurt. Here, our aim is to compare differences in selected markers of nutritional status between adolescents and adults in rural Gambia. The Keneba Biobank collects cross‐sectional data and samples for all consenting individuals resident in the West Kiang region of the Gambia. For this study, participants between the ages of 10 and 40 years were selected (n = 4201, females 2447). Height, body mass index, body composition, hemoglobin concentration, fasting glucose concentration, and blood pressure were compared using linear regression models adjusting for age, parity, season of measurement, and residence, across three age groups: early adolescent (10–14.9 years), late adolescent (15–19.9 years), and adult (20–39.9 years). Adolescents, particularly early‐adolescent girls and boys, were shorter, lighter, and leaner than adults. By late adolescence, differences were smaller, particularly in girls where, notably, the prevalence of overweight, hypertension, and impaired fasting glucose was low. Given the importance of maternal health for reproductive outcomes and intergenerational health, the results of the study, albeit with limited biomarkers available, indicate that adolescent girls are no more compromised than adult women or males from the same population.
Atopic dermatitis: Interaction between genetic variants of GSTP1,TNF,TLR2, and TLR4 and air pollution in early life
Authors: Hüls Anke , Klümper Claudia , MacIntyre Elaina A. , Brauer Michael , Melén Erik , Bauer Mario , Berdel Dietrich , Bergström Anna , Brunekreef Bert , Chan‐Yeung Moira , Fuertes Elaine , Gehring Ulrike , Gref Anna , Heinrich Joachim , Standl Marie , Lehmann Irina , Kerkhof Marjan , Koppelman Gerard H. , Kozyrskyj Anita L. , Pershagen Göran , Carlsten Christopher , Krämer Ursula , Schikowski Tamara ,   for the TAG Study Group
Published: April 2018

Background

Associations between traffic‐related air pollution (TRAP) and childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) remain inconsistent, possibly due to unexplored gene‐environment interactions. The aim of this study was to examine whether a potential effect of TRAP on AD prevalence in children is modified by selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Methods

Doctor‐diagnosed AD up to age 2 years and at 7‐8 years, as well as AD symptoms up to age 2 years, was assessed using parental‐reported questionnaires in six birth cohorts (N = 5685). Associations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) estimated at the home address of each child at birth and nine SNPs within the GSTP1, TNF, TLR2, or TLR4 genes with AD were examined. Weighted genetic risk scores (GRS) were calculated from the above SNPs and used to estimate combined marginal genetic effects of oxidative stress and inflammation on AD and its interaction with TRAP.

Results

GRS was associated with childhood AD and modified the association between NO2 and doctor‐diagnosed AD up to the age of 2 years (P(interaction) = .029). This interaction was mainly driven by a higher susceptibility to air pollution in TNF rs1800629 minor allele (A) carriers. TRAP was not associated with the prevalence of AD in the general population.

Conclusions

The marginal genetic association of a weighted GRS from GSTP1, TNF, TLR2, and TLR4SNPs and its interaction with air pollution supports the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in AD.
How Radical Is Too Radical? Public Perception of Taiwanese Environmental Nonprofit Organizations’ Activism*
Authors: Liu Li‐Yin
Published: April 2018

Objective

This study sought answers to two important unasked questions: (1) How does the Taiwanese public perceive different types of environmental activism initiated by environmental nonprofit organizations (ENPOs)? And (2) How does culture influence these perceptions?

Methods

This study utilized cultural theory (CT) to develop hypotheses to test data collected through an online survey in Taiwan.

Results

The evidence confirms what CT predicted: egalitarians tended to consider protest‐based environmental activities as effective and acceptable, while individualists tended to have negative thoughts about the effectiveness and acceptance of protest‐based activities.

Conclusion

This study found that CT can also be helpful in studying environmental activism, especially in countries, like Taiwan, where ideological lines and partisan differences on environmental issues are not clear. Moreover, compared to conventional partisan and ideological explanations, CT better explains the determinants of public perceptions regarding environmental activities.
Soil–landscape variability: mapping and building detail information for soil management
Authors: Iticha B. , Takele C.
Published: April 2018

The study of soil–landscape relationships at a detailed scale (1:10 000) and its use for soil management was less common in developing countries. The study was conducted in western Ethiopia with the aim to explain the soil variability across landscapes, classify soils into mapping units and produce a map of these soils. This study was performed based on a discrete model of spatial variation. Five soil reference groups: Vertisols, Cambisols, Fluvisols, Luvisols and Leptosols were identified in the study site. Distribution of the soil reference groups was determined by landscape position. Variation in soil texture, colour, pH, exchangeable acidity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus (av. P), carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), exchangeable potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) was observed within and among soil mapping units (SMUs). Variability was considerably high for exchangeable Ca and CEC. Factor analysis result indicated that variation in soil properties within land unit was comparatively highest in Leptosols of SMU9 (88.87%) and lowest in Vertisols of SMU1 (60.82%). Moderate‐to‐fine scale mapping of soil properties helps to build detail information for soil management. Grouping fields into mapping units that require more or less similar management measure would be an important soil–landscape concept. As a result, mapping units could be used as cost‐effective means of treating variable field so as to optimize the forecasted benefits.
Combined and breed‐specific RIs for hematologic, biochemical, and hormonal analytes in Chios and Florina adult rams
Authors: Oikonomidis Ioannis L. , Brozos Christos , Kiossis Evangelos , Kritsepi‐Konstantinou Maria
Published: April 2018

Background

Clinical pathology investigations are essential to evaluate the health status and practice management of ruminants. Appropriate and accurate RIs are required for the interpretation of laboratory results. Despite substantial phenotypic differences and management‐related disparities between male and female sheep, RIs in rams are sparse and limited by small reference populations and outdated methods.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to establish RIs for hematologic, biochemical, and hormonal analytes in adult rams using controlled preanalytic and analytic procedures, and to investigate whether breed‐dependent partitioning of RIs is required.

Methods

Reference individuals were selected by a direct a priori method. Blood was collected from 128 healthy adult rams representing 2 Greek breeds (64 Chios and 64 Florina). Hematologic analysis was performed on the Advia 120, while differential WBC counts were manually performed on Giemsa‐stained blood smears. Flexor E, AVL 9180 Electrolyte Analyzer, and Immulite 1000 were used for biochemical and hormonal analyses, respectively. Combined and breed‐specific RIs were calculated using nonparametric and robust methods, respectively.

Results

Five outliers were detected based on laboratory results. Partitioning of RIs, based on both statistical and nonstatistical criteria, was recommended for some of the analytes.

Conclusions

The RIs are in some agreement with those in the literature. The observed differences may be attributed to preanalytic and analytic factors. The RIs determined in this study can be used as a guide for the interpretation of laboratory results in rams and can potentially be adopted by veterinary laboratories, provided that similar equipment and reagents are used.
Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles and Sodium Nitroprusside Alleviate the Adverse Effects of Cadmium Stress on Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Faraji Javad , Sepehri Ali
Published: April 2018

Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) (0, 500, 1 000 and
2 000 mg/L) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (0 and 100 M) as nitric
oxide (NO) donor, on wheat seed germination and seedling growth
were investigated under cadmium (Cd) stress (0, 50 and 100 mM CdCl2).
Concentration-dependent declining trends were observed in wheat
germination indices upon seed exposure to CdCl2 suspensions which
were more obvious under higher Cd stress. Exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) positively affected most germination indices under normal and stress conditions. In most cases, combined application of TiO2 NPs and SNP suspensions boosted stimulatory function of both compounds and moderated adverse effects of Cd treatments on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. 2 000 mg/L TiO2 + SNP (100 M) treatment recorded the best results regarding most germination indices under lower and higher (50 and 100 mM CdCl2) Cd stress. Overall, it could be concluded that application of TiO2 NPs in combination with SNP might be a promising approach in counteracting the adverse effects of Cd stress on wheat seed germination and early growth.
Desagregando los qualia: un análisis de su función en los procesos cognitivos
Authors: Bächler Silva Rodolfo
Published: April 2018

Se expone una reflexión acerca de los distintos tipos de propiedades fenomenológicas de algunos estados mentales, también conocidos como qualia, con el objetivo de identificar los roles que cumplen en la cognición. Para ello se releva primero el carácter cualitativo de la fenomenología, proponiéndose que conocer es un proceso que consiste en dar nuevos formatos a la experiencia a través de su progresiva explicitación. En segundo lugar, se analizan las características de dos diferentes tipos de qualia y sus papeles en la cognición. Un primer tipo, de características intrinsecamente cognitivas, se encuentra asociado a las emociones y otros estados similares que participan como centro del pensamiento, producto de su posibilidad de acceso a la autoconsciencia. Un segundo tipo, conformado por qualia vinculados a la percepción, corresponde a fenomenología autoconscientemente inaccesible, razón por la cual juega un rol representacional que no depende de sus características cualitativas específicas.
A Phage Lysin Fused to a Cell-Penetrating Peptide Kills Intracellular Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Keratinocytes and Has Potential as a Treatment for Skin Infections in Mice
Authors: Wang ZhaoFei , Kong LiCheng , Liu Yang , Fu Qiang , Cui ZeLin , Wang Jian , Ma JingJiao , Wang HengAn , Yan YaXian , Sun JianHe
Published: April 2018

Staphylococcus aureusis the main pathogen that causes skin and skin structure infections and is able to survive and persist in keratinocytes of the epidermis. Since the evolution of multidrug-resistant bacteria, the use of phages and their lysins has presented a promising alternative approach to treatment. In this study, a cell wall hydrolase (also called lysin) derived fromStaphylococcusphage JD007 (JDlys) was identified. JDlys showed strong lytic activity against methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) strains from different sources and of different multilocus sequence typing (MLST) types. Furthermore, a fusion protein consisting of a cell-penetrating peptide derived from thetrans-activating transcription (Tat) factor fused to JDlys (CPPTat-JDlys) was used to kill MRSA bacteria causing intracellular infections. CPPTat-JDlys, in which the fusion of CPPTatto JDlys had almost no effect on the bacteriolytic activity of JDlys, was able to effectively eliminate intracellular MRSA bacteria and alleviate the inflammatory response and cell damage caused by MRSA. Specifically, CPPTat-JDlys was able to combat MRSA-induced murine skin infections and, consequently, expedite the healing of cutaneous abscesses. These data suggest that the novel antimicrobial CPP-JDlys may be a worthwhile candidate as a treatment for skin and skin structure infections caused by MRSA.

IMPORTANCES. aureusis the main cause of skin and skin structure infections due to its ability to invade and survive in the epithelial barrier. Due to the overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals,S. aureushas shown a high capacity for acquiring and accumulating mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics. Moreover, most antibiotics are usually limited in their ability to overcome the intracellular persistence of bacteria causing skin and skin structure infections. So, it is critical to seek a novel antimicrobial agent to eradicate intracellularS. aureus. In this study, a cell-penetrating peptide fused to lysin (CPP-JDlys) was engineered. Our results show that CPP-JDlys can enter keratinocytes and effectively eliminate intracellular MRSA. Meanwhile, experiments with mice revealed that CPP-JDlys efficiently inhibits the proliferation of MRSA in murine skin and thus shortens the course of wound healing. Our results indicate that the CPP-fused lysin has potential for use for the treatment of skin infections caused by MRSA.
Quantitative Thresholds Enable Accurate Identification of Clostridium difficile Infection by the Luminex xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel
Authors: Leal Sixto M. , Popowitch Elena B. , Levinson Kara J. , John Teny M. , Lehman Bethany , Rios Maria Bueno , Gilligan Peter H. , Miller Melissa B.
Published: April 2018

Clostridium difficile
colonizes the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in either asymptomatic carriage or a spectrum of diarrheal illness. If clinical suspicion for
C. difficile
is low, stool samples are often submitted for analysis by multiplex molecular assays capable of detecting multiple GI pathogens, and some institutions do not report this organism due to concerns for high false-positive rates. Since clinical disease correlates with organism burden and molecular assays yield quantitative data, we hypothesized that numerical cutoffs could be utilized to improve the specificity of the Luminex xTAG GI pathogen panel (GPP) for
C. difficile
infection. Analysis of cotested liquid stool samples (
n
= 1,105) identified a GPP median fluorescence intensity (MFI) value cutoff of ≥1,200 to be predictive of two-step algorithm (2-SA; 96.4% concordance) and toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) positivity. Application of this cutoff to a second cotested data set (
n
= 1,428) yielded 96.5% concordance. To determine test performance characteristics, concordant results were deemed positive or negative, and discordant results were adjudicated via chart review. Test performance characteristics for the MFI cutoff of ≥150 (standard), MFI cutoff of ≥1,200, and 2-SA were as follows (respectively): concordance, 95, 96, and 97%; sensitivity, 93, 78, and 90%; specificity, 95, 98, and 98%; positive predictive value, 67, 82, and 81%;, and negative predictive value, 99, 98, and 99%. To capture the high sensitivity for organism detection (MFI of ≥150) and high specificity for active infection (MFI of ≥1,200), we developed and applied a reporting algorithm to interpret GPP data from patients (
n
= 563) with clinician orders only for syndromic panel testing, thus enabling accurate reporting of
C. difficile
for 95% of samples (514 negative and 5 true positives) irrespective of initial clinical suspicion and without the need for additional testing.