bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomised clinical trial: mixed soluble/insoluble fibre vs. psyllium for chronic constipation
Authors: Erdogan A. , Rao S. S. C. , Thiruvaiyaru D. , Lee Y. Y. , Coss Adame E. , Valestin J. , O'Banion M.
Published: April 2016

Background

Fibre supplements are useful, but whether a plum‐derived mixed fibre that contains both soluble and insoluble fibre improves constipation is unknown.

Aim

To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of mixed soluble/insoluble fibre vs. psyllium in a randomized double‐blind controlled trial.

Methods

Constipated patients (Rome III) received mixed fibre or psyllium, 5 g b.d., for 4 weeks. Daily symptoms and stool habit were assessed using stool diary. Subjects with ≥1 complete spontaneous bowel movement/week above baseline for ≥2/4 weeks were considered responders. Secondary outcome measures included stool consistency, bowel satisfaction, straining, gas, bloating, taste, dissolvability and quality of life (QoL).

Results

Seventy‐two subjects (mixed fibre = 40; psyllium = 32) were enrolled and two from psyllium group withdrew. The mean complete spontaneous bowel movement/week increased with both mixed fibre (P < 0.0001) and psyllium (P = 0.0002) without group difference. There were 30 (75%) responders with mixed fibre and 24 (75%) with psyllium (P = 0.9). Stool consistency increased (P = 0.04), straining (P = 0.006) and bloating scores decreased (P = 0.02) without group differences. Significantly more patients reported improvement in flatulence (53% vs. 25%, P = 0.01) and felt that mixed fibre dissolved better (P = 0.02) compared to psyllium. QoL improved (P = 0.0125) with both treatments without group differences.

Conclusions

Mixed fibre and psyllium were equally efficacious in improving constipation and QoL. Mixed fibre was more effective in relieving flatulence, bloating and dissolved better. Mixed fibre is effective and well tolerated.
Gossypol inhibits LH‐induced steroidogenesis in bovine theca cells
Authors: Myat Thet Su. , Tetsuka Masafumi
Published: April 2016

Gossypol, a polyphenolic aldehyde found in cottonseed, has been shown to perturb steroidogenesis in granulosa and luteal cells of rats, pigs and cattle. However, little is known about the direct effect of gossypol on theca cell functions in any species. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of gossypol on the steroidogenesis and the expression of genes involved in it in cultured bovine theca cells. Theca cells were isolated from healthy preovulatory follicles and were cultured in the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) for up to 7 days. During the culture period, main steroid products of the theca cells shifted from androstenedione (A4) at day 1 to progesterone (P4) from day 2 onward. At days 1 and 7, theca cells were treated with gossypol (0‐25 μg/mL) for 24 h. Gossypol inhibited LH‐stimulated theca cell A4 and P4 production in a dose‐dependent manner at both occasions. The viability of theca cells was not affected by gossypol at any doses used. Gossypol down‐regulated expressions of steroidogenic enzymes CYP11A1, HSD3B1 and CYP17A1, but not that of LHR. These results indicate that gossypol inhibits thecal steroidogenesis through down‐regulating gene expressions of steroidogenic enzymes but without affecting cell viability in cattle.
Determinants of subjective well‐being in people with psychosis referred for psychological therapy in South London
Authors: Broyd Annabel , Jolley Suzanne , Johns Louise
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Improving subjective well‐being (SWB) for people with mental health problems is a United Kingdom national health priority and is increasingly important in justifying funding of mental health services. Aside from the economic advantages, maximizing SWB confers obvious individual and clinical benefits for people with severe mental illness, such as psychosis. Gaining a better understanding of well‐being and its determinants will enable current evidence‐based interventions to be targeted and refined appropriately. This study therefore sought to identify the cross‐sectional correlates of SWB in an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies for people with Severe Mental Illness psychosis demonstration site, to inform a future longitudinal investigation.

Methods

Participants with a psychosis or bipolar spectrum diagnosis referred to the demonstration site (n = 410) rated SWB as part of their initial assessment before starting psychological therapy. Potential influencing factors including age, gender, ethnicity, employment status, illness duration, perceived social support, perceived coping, and psychotic symptoms (voices and beliefs) were also assessed.

Results

Regression analyses showed that unemployment (β = −.16, p < .001), lack of social support (β = −.20, p < .001), distressing beliefs (β = −.12, p = .004), and poorer coping (β = −.43, p < .001) were associated with reduced SWB, together accounting for 43% of the variance in well‐being, F(5, 392) = 58.42, p < .001; mean SWB = 39.09, SD = 11.61.

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary insights into the determinants of SWB in a large sample of people with psychosis. Improving employability, social interactions, coping strategies, and psychotic symptoms may improve SWB. Further longitudinal investigation will determine the potential value of preferentially targeting these areas in therapy to meet national requirements to prioritize well‐being outcomes.

Practitioner points

Average well‐being in people with psychosis was lower than SWB previously reported for the general population.

Unemployment, lack of social support, poorer coping, and distressing beliefs were all associated with lower levels of well‐being in people with psychosis.

Psychological interventions targeting the positive symptoms of psychosis may impact on well‐being.

Greater focus on promoting social contact and inclusion and facilitating a return to employment may further improve well‐being outcomes following psychological intervention.

The cross‐sectional design of the study does not allow for firm conclusions about the causal relationship between well‐being and associated factors in psychosis.

The study was carried out within a particular service context, and the findings need replicating before they can be considered to be generalizable outside this setting.
Unobtrusive monitoring of learners’ interactions with educational games for measuring their working memory capacity
Authors: Khenissi Mohamed Ali , Essalmi Fathi , Jemni Mohamed , Kinshuk  , Chang Ting‐Wen , Chen Nian‐Shing
Published: April 2016

Working memory capacity (WMC) plays an important role in the learning process, because learners need to hold and process some information in the short‐term memory while they are engaged in learning activities. Measuring learners’ WMC can be helpful to support and enhance their learning. For example, teachers can use this information to adapt their teaching strategies according to learners’ level of WMC. In addition, information about learner's WMC can be exploited by adaptive e‐learning systems for providing recommendations to support learners with low and high WMC. Furthermore, early detection of the level of individual learner's WMC is a very important step to be able to provide appropriate intervention for the learners. In this context, a number of tools are available in the literature to explicitly measure learner's WMC. However, most of them require considerable experience in the administration and interpretation of results. This study proposes an approach based on fuzzy logic for measuring learner's WMC in an unobtrusive manner, from learner's interactions with an educational game. Results of experiments proved the effectiveness of this method in measuring WMC. The educational game, used in this work, could help parents and teachers to know the WMC of their kids and learners. In addition, the proposed approach could be adapted by researchers working in this field to measure learners’ WMC using other educational games.
Trends in urological stone disease: a 5‐year update of hospital episode statistics
Authors: Heers Hendrik , Turney Benjamin W.
Published: April 2016

Objective

To provide a 5‐year follow‐on update on the changes in prevalence and treatment of upper urinary tract (UUT) stone disease in England.

Methods

Data from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) website (http://www.hesonline.nhs.uk) were extracted, summarised, analysed, and presented.

Results

The total number of UUT stone hospital episodes increased slightly from 83 050 in 2009–2010 to 86 742 in 2014–2015 (4.4% increase). The use of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for treating all UUT stones remained stable over the 5‐year study period following a significant increase in previous years. There was a 49.6% increase in the number of ureteroscopic stone treatments from 12 062 in 2009–2010 to 18 055 in 2014–2015. Increase in ureterorenoscopy (flexible ureteroscopy) showed the most rapid increase from 3 267 to 6 631 cases in the 5‐year study period (103% increase). The gap between the total number of ureteroscopies and SWL treatments continues to narrow. Open stone surgery continued to decline with only 30 reported cases in 2014–2015. Due to the continued rapid increase in the number of ureteroscopies performed, treatment for stone disease has continued to increase significantly in comparison to other urological activity.

Conclusion

This study provides an update on the changing landscape of the management of UUT stones in England. It shows a sustained high prevalence of stone disease commensurate with levels in other developed countries. This study reveals a trend in the last 5 years to surgically intervene on a higher proportion of patients with stones. As in other countries, there is a significant increase in the use of ureteroscopy (particularly intrarenal flexible ureteroscopy) in England. These data have important implications for work‐force planning, training, service delivery, and research in the field of urolithiasis.
Ana o 1 and Ana o 2 cashew allergens share cross‐reactive CD4+ T cell epitopes with other tree nuts
Authors: Archila L. D. , Chow I‐T. , McGinty J. W. , Renand A. , Jeong D. , Robinson D. , Farrington M. L. , Kwok W. W.
Published: April 2016

Background

Allergies to cashew are increasing in prevalence, with clinical symptoms ranging from oral pruritus to fatal anaphylactic reaction. Yet, cashew‐specific T cell epitopes and T cell cross‐reactivity amongst cashew and other tree nut allergens in humans remain uncharacterized.

Objectives

In this study, we characterized cashew‐specific T cell responses in cashew‐allergic subjects and examined cross‐reactivity of these cashew‐specific cells towards other tree nut allergens.

Methods

CD154 up‐regulation assay was used to determine immunodominance hierarchy among cashew major allergens at the T cell level. The phenotype, magnitude and functionality of cashew‐specific T cells were determined by utilizing ex vivo staining with MHC class II tetramers. Dual tetramer staining and proliferation experiments were used to determine cross‐reactivity to other tree nuts.

Results

CD4+ T cell responses were directed towards cashew allergens Ana o 1 and Ana o 2. Multiple Ana o 1 and Ana o 2 T cell epitopes were then identified. These epitopes elicited either TH2 or TH2/TH17 responses in allergic subjects, which were either cashew unique epitope or cross‐reactive epitopes. For clones that recognized the cross‐reactive epitope, T cell clones responded robustly to cashew, hazelnut and/or pistachio but not to walnut.

Conclusions

Phylogenetically diverse tree nut allergens can activate cashew‐reactive T cells and elicit a TH2‐type response at an epitope‐specific level.

Clinical relevance

Lack of cross‐reactivity between walnut and cashew suggests that cashew peptide immunotherapy approach may not be most effective for walnut.
Bilateral aldosterone suppression and its resolution in adrenal vein sampling of patients with primary aldosteronism: analysis of data from the WAVES‐J study
Authors: Shibayama Yui , Wada Norio , Umakoshi Hironobu , Ichijo Takamasa , Fujii Yuichi , Kamemura Kohei , Kai Tatsuya , Sakamoto Ryuichi , Ogo Atsushi , Matsuda Yuichi , Fukuoka Tomikazu , Tsuiki Mika , Suzuki Tomoko , Naruse Mitsuhide
Published: April 2016

Context

In adrenal vein sampling (AVS) for patients with primary aldosteronism, the contralateral ratio of aldosterone/cortisol (A/C) between the nondominant adrenal vein and the inferior vena cava is one of the best criteria for determining lateralized aldosterone secretion. Despite successful cannulation in some patients, the A/C ratios in the adrenal veins are bilaterally lower than that in the inferior vena cava (bilateral aldosterone suppression; BAS).

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence of BAS in AVS and how to resolve this condition.

Design and setting

Retrospective study involving nine referral centres.

Patients

Four hundred and ninety‐one patients who were confirmed as having primary aldosteronism and had an AVS between January 2006 and December 2013.

Measurements

The prevalence of BAS before and after ACTH stimulation was compared. In addition, we investigated other methods for overcoming BAS.

Results

In 304 patients with successful AVS before ACTH stimulation, BAS was observed in 29 (9·5%). BAS was resolved after ACTH stimulation in 22 patients. In 276 patients with successful AVS both before and after ACTH stimulation, the frequency of BAS was significantly reduced after ACTH (8·7% vs 2·5%, P < 0·01). In a few patients, BAS was also resolved by adding a sampling point at the common trunk of the left adrenal vein and by an alternative drainage vein from the adrenal tumour.

Conclusions

BAS sometimes occurs in AVS without ACTH stimulation. ACTH stimulation significantly reduces BAS with a single AVS procedure.
Phylogeny of the tribe Abrotrichini (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae): integrating morphological and molecular evidence into a new classification
Authors: Teta Pablo , Cañón Carola , Patterson Bruce D. , Pardiñas Ulyses F. J.
Published: April 2016

The tribe Abrotrichini (five genera and 14 living species) is a small clade within the speciose subfamily Sigmodontinae (Rodentia, Cricetidae), representing one of the extant successful radiations of mammals at southern high latitudes of the Neotropics. Its distribution is mostly Andean, reaching its greatest diversity in southern Argentina and Chile. We evaluate the phylogenetic relationships within this tribe through parsimony and Bayesian approaches based on 99 morphological characters (including 19 integumental characters, 38 skull characters, 31 dental characters, three postcranial skeletal characters, seven from the male accessory glands and phallus and one from the digestive system) and six molecular markers (one mitochondrial and five nuclear). We include representatives of all, except one, of the currently recognized species of living Abrotrichini plus one fossil form. Based on total evidence, we recovered a primary division between the genus Abrothrix and a group including the long‐clawed Abrotrichini, Chelemys, Geoxus, Notiomys and Pearsonomys. Both clades are recognized and named here as subtribes. The large degree of morphological variation observed within Abrothrix suggests that species in the genus fall into four groups, which we recognize as subgenera. In addition, the two known species of Chelemys do not form a monophyletic group, and Geoxus was recovered as paraphyletic with respect to Pearsonomys. To reconcile classification and phylogenetics, we describe a new genus for Chelemys macronyx and include Pearsonomys as a junior synonym of Geoxus. Our results highlight the importance of both morphology and molecules in resolving the phylogenetic relationships within this tribe. Based on biogeographical analyses, we hypothesize that Abrotrichini originated in south‐western South America by vicariance and then diversified mostly by successive dispersal events.
Hand Gesture and Mathematics Learning: Lessons From an Avatar
Authors: Cook Susan Wagner , Friedman Howard S. , Duggan Katherine A. , Cui Jian , Popescu Voicu
Published: April 2016

A beneficial effect of gesture on learning has been demonstrated in multiple domains, including mathematics, science, and foreign language vocabulary. However, because gesture is known to co‐vary with other non‐verbal behaviors, including eye gaze and prosody along with face, lip, and body movements, it is possible the beneficial effect of gesture is instead attributable to these other behaviors. We used a computer‐generated animated pedagogical agent to control both verbal and non‐verbal behavior. Children viewed lessons on mathematical equivalence in which an avatar either gestured or did not gesture, while eye gaze, head position, and lip movements remained identical across gesture conditions. Children who observed the gesturing avatar learned more, and they solved problems more quickly. Moreover, those children who learned were more likely to transfer and generalize their knowledge. These findings provide converging evidence that gesture facilitates math learning, and they reveal the potential for using technology to study non‐verbal behavior in controlled experiments.
Moving Word Learning to a Novel Space: A Dynamic Systems View of Referent Selection and Retention
Authors: Samuelson Larissa K. , Kucker Sarah C. , Spencer John P.
Published: April 2016

Theories of cognitive development must address both the issue of how children bring their knowledge to bear on behavior in‐the‐moment, and how knowledge changes over time. We argue that seeking answers to these questions requires an appreciation of the dynamic nature of the developing system in its full, reciprocal complexity. We illustrate this dynamic complexity with results from two lines of research on early word learning. The first demonstrates how the child's active engagement with objects and people supports referent selection via memories for what objects were previously seen in a cued location. The second set of results highlights changes in the role of novelty and attentional processes in referent selection and retention as children's knowledge of words and objects grows. Together this work suggests that understanding systems for perception, action, attention, and memory, and their complex interaction, is critical to understand word learning. We review recent literature that highlights the complex interactions between these processes in cognitive development and point to critical issues for future work.
Surviving with a resident despot: do revegetated patches act as refuges from the effects of the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala) in a highly fragmented landscape?
Authors: Mortelliti Alessio , Ikin Karen , Tulloch Ayesha I.T. , Cunningham Ross , Stein John , Michael Damian , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: April 2016

Aim

To provide, through a large‐scale long‐term field study, an empirical evaluation of the extent to which revegetated patches act as refuges for woodland bird species in the face of enhanced abundance of a native despotic species in a highly fragmented landscape.

Location

South‐west slopes, New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

Birds were surveyed using point counts over a 9‐year period. Colonization/extinction dynamics of local bird populations were modelled using multiple‐season occupancy models.

Results

We show how the spread of the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala), an indirect effect of habitat loss and fragmentation, is now the main driver of bird distribution patterns, affecting 65% of the studied species, including 10 species of conservation concern. Noisy miners both increased the risk that birds would become extinct in patches and prevented birds colonizing new patches. We discovered that restoration plantings, despite having low noisy miner abundance, rarely acted as a refuge for bird species: only 6 of 42 species, and only one of conservation concern, showed a positive response to plantings. Instead, bird species colonized or persisted more in regrowth or old growth sites where the abundance of the noisy miner was relatively low.

Main conclusions

Despite a major restoration effort of replanted vegetation over several decades, the majority of our target bird species preferred native woodland patches over plantings, and particularly native patches with a low abundance of the noisy miner. Our study showed that conservation actions such as habitat restoration aimed at reversing the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation should be preceded by a careful threat‐mitigation prioritization considering, in particular, the indirect effects of fragmentation, such as the impact of despotic or invasive species. Our results support calls to manage noisy miners by undertaking actions that will reduce their numbers, such as through culling.
Optimal Strategies for Traditional versus Roth IRA/401(k) Consumption During Retirement
Authors: DiLellio James A. , Ostrov Daniel N.
Published: April 2016

We establish an algorithm that produces an optimal strategy for retirees to withdraw funds between their tax‐deferred accounts (TDAs), like traditional IRA/401(k) accounts, and their Roth IRA/401(k) accounts, in the context of a financial model based on American tax law. This optimal strategy follows a geometrically simple, intuitive approach that can be used to maximize the size of a retiree's bequest to an heir or, alternatively, to maximize a retiree's portfolio longevity. We give examples where retirees following the approach currently implemented by major investment firms, like Fidelity and Vanguard, will reduce their bequests by approximately 10% or lose 18 months of portfolio longevity compared to our optimal approach. Further, our strategy and algorithm can be extended to many cases where the retiree has additional, known yearly sources of money, such as income from part‐time work, taxable investment accounts, and Social Security.
The Efficacy of a Decision Support System in Enhancing Risk Assessment Performance
Authors: Song Qian , Chan Siew H. , Wright Arnold M.
Published: April 2016

A pervasive challenge for decision‐makers is evaluating data of varying form (e.g., quantitative vs. qualitative) and credibility in arriving at an overall risk assessment judgment. The current study tests the efficacy of a Decision Support System (DSS) for facilitating auditors’ evaluation and assimilation of financial and nonfinancial information in accurately assessing the risk of material misstatements (RMM) in financial information. Utilizing the proximity compatibility principle, the DSS manipulates the display of cues either in an integral (where pieces of information are displayed on one computer screen) or separable (where pieces of information are displayed on different computer screens) format. Based on cognitive fit theory, we expect that the integral (separable) display best supports financial (nonfinancial) information processing, leading to enhanced risk assessment performance. In addition, we predict that consistent DSS display of financial and nonfinancial information facilitates risk assessment performance. Further, this study accentuates the importance of auditors’ preference for presentation of financial and nonfinancial information and consistent presentation of all the information in strengthening the effect of DSS display format on risk assessment performance. We design a case which includes a seeded high fraud risk. A total of 112 audit seniors participated in the experiment where the DSS display format was manipulated and the auditors’ RMM assessments and display preferences were measured. The results support the hypotheses and highlight the value of the DSS in enhancing risk assessment performance.
Difference among shock‐absorbing capabilities of mouthguard materials
Authors: Fukasawa Shintaro , Churei Hiroshi , Chowdhury Ruman Uddin , Shirako Takahiro , Shahrin Sharika , Shrestha Abhishekhi , Wada Takahiro , Uo Motohiro , Takahashi Hidekazu , Ueno Toshiaki
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shock absorption capability of commercial thermoforming mouthguard sheet materials.

Materials and methods

Twelve commercial thermoforming mouthguard sheet materials were selected as test materials. The impact test was applied by a free‐falling steel ball. When impact forces of approximately 660 N were applied on the commercial thermoforming mouthguard materials, the peak intensities were measured using the load cell sensor. The peak intensity and the time to peak intensity from the onset of the transmitted force were statistically analyzed using one‐way anova and Tukey's honest significant difference post hoc test (P < 0.05).

Results

Statistical analysis for the peak intensity and the time to peak intensity from the onset of the transmitted force revealed significant differences among the thirteen groups including the control. The peak intensity of the polystyrene–polyolefin copolymer‐based material was lower than the peak intensity of the EVA‐, polyolefin‐based material. Polyolefin‐based materials had a tendency of a long duration to reach peak intensity from the onset of the transmitted force.

Conclusion

These results suggest that all of the commercially available mouthguard sheet materials had high shock‐absorbing capabilities.
Environmental tolerance governs the presence of reef corals at latitudes beyond reef growth
Authors: Mizerek Toni L. , Baird Andrew H. , Beaumont Linda J. , Madin Joshua S.
Published: April 2016

Aim

Understanding mechanisms that enhance survival outside the usual range of a taxonomic group is key to understanding diversity gradients, how range boundaries operate and how environmental change might influence geographical distributions. Our aims were: (1) to identify species‐level traits associated with reef‐building coral species whose ranges extend into high‐latitude, non‐reefal habitats (i.e. ‘beyond reef’), (2) determine if these patterns were consistent in different global regions, and (3) determine if traits associated with living beyond reef were related to enhanced dispersal or tolerance to harsher environmental conditions.

Location

Three regions of the Central Indo‐Pacific with tropical–temperate gradients from 35° N to 36° S.

Methods

Scleractinian coral richness was collated and analysed as a function of latitude, region and whether or not reef accretion occurred. Species traits that are hypothesized to contribute to living beyond the environmental limits of carbonate reef accretion were compiled; these included traits associated with dispersal potential and environmental tolerance. The contribution of species traits to presence beyond reefs was then quantified using a binomial generalized linear mixed effects model.

Results

In each region, coral species richness dropped by up to 73% where reef accretion ceased. Compared with corals restricted to coral reefs, the subset of species extending beyond reefs shared common traits related to environmental tolerance (larger depth ranges, more robust morphologies and tolerance of turbid water), but not to dispersal potential. Patterns were mostly consistent among regions.

Main conclusions

We show for the first time that coral species living successfully in beyond‐reef habitats share common characteristics that are consistent in three global regions. Environmental tolerance appears to play the dominant role in determining which species successfully establish beyond reefs. Our trait‐based approach sheds light on how species assemblages and ranges might be altered by environmental change or loss of reef habitats.
Meta‐analysis reveals an association between signal transducer and activator of transcription‐4 polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma risk
Authors: Zhang Li , Xu Kuihua , Liu Chuanmiao , Chen Jiasheng
Published: April 2016

Aim

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins play a multitude of important functions in liver pathophysiology. Recent studies have indicated associations of rs7574865 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the STAT4 gene with various autoimmune diseases. The association between STAT4 polymorphism and the risk of HCC has been analyzed in several studies, but results remain inconsistent. This study used a meta‐analysis approach to comprehensively investigate the correlation between STAT4 polymorphism and HCC risk based on previously published reports.

Methods

Studies were searched from the databases of PubMed, EMBase, Web of Science, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure up to 31 December 2015. The meta‐analysis was carried out based on the statement of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses.

Results

Eight published studies, consisting of 7503 HCC patients (cases) and 13 831 individuals without HCC (controls), were included in the present study. Meta‐analysis of the included studies revealed that STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism contributed to the risk of HCC under all four genetic models, consisting of the allelic model (G vs. T: odds ratio [OR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19–1.30), the dominant effect model (GG + GT vs. TT: OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.26–1.84), the recessive effect model (GG vs. GT + TT: OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.21–1.50), and the co‐dominant effect model (GG vs.. TT: OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.42–2.10) comparisons. No publication bias was indicated from either visualization of the funnel plot or Egger's test.

Conclusion

A significantly increased risk of HCC associated with the rs7574865 G was found. The rs7574865 polymorphism might be used as one risk factor for HCC.
Climate warming effects in the tropical Andes: first evidence for upslope shifts of Carabidae (Coleoptera) in Ecuador
Authors: Moret Pierre , Aráuz María de los Ángeles , Gobbi Mauro , Barragán Álvaro
Published: April 2016

In order to assess the impact of global warming on the biodiversity of the tropical high Andean páramo ecosystem, we compared historical and recent surveys of ground beetle communities along elevational gradients of the Pichincha volcano (Northern Ecuador). The studied datasets date to 1880, 1985/86 and 2013/15.

From 1880 to 1985, the bottom range of at least one stenotopic and wingless high‐altitude species, Dyscolus diopsis, has shifted approximately 300 m upward, with the resulting area reduction of more than 90% from >12 km2 to <1 km2, which highlights the probability of future local extinctions on the Pichincha as well as on other mountains of Ecuador.

Over a shorter period of time, the comparison of the 1985/86 and 2013/14 datasets indicates that the lower limit of the superpáramo ground beetle community has shifted upwards from circa 4300 m to circa 4400 m. Different individual responses are recorded among the species. Some of them did not experience any significant change, whereas the upper limit of one of the grassland generalists has shifted upwards at least 400 m in 28 years.

These results suggest that the response to global warming varies from one species to the other, depending on their degree of specialisation and tolerance. They call for the implementation of a monitoring programme that would use carabid assemblages as an indicator of the impact of climate change on the páramo ecosystem, in combination with other proxies.
Myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis: countries with increased risk for travelers going to neotropic areas
Authors: Villalobos Guiehdani , Vega‐Memije Maria Elisa , Maravilla Pablo , Martinez‐Hernandez Fernando
Published: April 2016

Here, we review the human botfly (Dermatobia hominis), which belongs to a group of Diptera generically known as “myiasis‐causing flies,” characterized by the ability of their larvae to develop in animal flesh. In addition to its medical and economic importance, there is an academic interest in this botfly because of its peculiar biology, particularly because a phoretic diptera is needed to complete the life cycle. The larvae penetrate the host's skin, causing furuncle‐like lesions that are pruritic, painful, and resemble subcutaneous nodules, producing irreversible perforations in the skin. Although D. hominis is distributed from Mexico to Argentina, a review performed by our working group from 1999 to 2015 determined that the countries with the highest infection rates in travelers are Belize, Bolivia, and Brazil. Interestingly, infected men show a higher variation in the distribution of the lesions than in women. Many treatment schemes have been suggested, including the application of highly dense liquids to the lesion to cause anoxia in the D. hominis larvae. We showed, for the first time, a Bayesian inference between D. hominis and other myiasis‐causing flies. The flies grouped into two main clusters according to their capacity to produce facultative and obligatory myiasis, and D. hominis was phylogenetically close to Cuterebra spp.
First protein and peptide characterization of the tarsal adhesive secretions in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa
Authors: Betz O. , Maurer A. , Verheyden A. N. , Schmitt C. , Kowalik T. , Braun J. , Grunwald I. , Hartwig A. , Neuenfeldt M.
Published: April 2016

Peptides and proteins have been largely neglected in the analysis of insect tarsal adhesives. After extraction of the protein fraction of the tarsal secretion of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa, we combined Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) analyses for protein mass detection. In both these insects, SDS‐PAGE analysis revealed several protein bands ranging from 8–190 kDa in both the tarsal secretion and the tibia control sample. Two (S. gregaria) and one (G. portentosa) protein bands exclusively occurred in the tarsal secretion and can be considered to belong to peptides and proteins specific to this secretion. MALDI‐TOF analyses revealed 83 different proteins/peptides of 1–7 kDa in S. gregaria, and 48 of 1–11 kDa in G. portentosa. 59 (S. gregaria) and 27 (G. portentosa) proteins exclusively occurred in the tarsal secretion. In G. portentosa, a characteristic series of signal peaks occurred in the range of c. 10–12 kDa, each peak being approximately 160 Da apart. Such a pattern is indicative of proteins modified by glycosylation. Our approach demonstrates that extensive sampling involving considerable time and manpower to sample the adhesive fluid directly from the tarsi opens up a perspective for extracting peptides and proteins in sufficient quantities. This makes them accessible to the field of proteomics and thus to elucidate their possible function in the adhesive process.
Hemopoietic tissue volume is a heritable trait in the schistosome‐transmitting snail Biomphalaria glabrata
Authors: Sullivan John T. , Beltran Roxxana V. , Cruz Brandon C. , Manuel Rhea A. , White John K.
Published: April 2016

The anterior pericardial wall or amebocyte‐producing organ (APO) is a site of hemocyte formation in the schistosome‐transmitting snail Biomphalaria glabrata. Histological sections of the APOs of adult schistosome‐resistant Salvador strain snails, and two schistosome‐susceptible M‐line strains, BRI‐M and USF‐M, showed qualitatively differing amounts of hemopoietic tissue (HT), with Salvador>BRI‐M>USF‐M. Adult Salvador snails also had a significantly higher concentration of hemocytes in the hemolymph than the two M‐Line strains. In juvenile snails of the same three strains, measurements of total APO HT volume confirmed the qualitative differences seen in adults, and differences between the three strains were statistically significant. Crosses between Salvador (large HT volume) and USF‐M (small HT volume) show that a large HT volume is dominant in juvenile F1s. Analysis of the distribution of HT volume among F2s shows it to be a quantitative trait. Although USF‐M juvenile F0s had a significantly lower APO HT volume than that of BRI‐M F0s, they had a significantly higher mitotic index, possibly as a compensatory mechanism. Salvador APO allografts maintained HT volume and mitotic activity equally well in USF‐M and Salvador recipients after 2 weeks, suggesting that the low HT volume in USF‐M snails may result from a developmental defect rather than a lack of HT‐supportive plasma factors.
Cardiotoxic heart failure in breast cancer survivors: a concept analysis
Authors: Harrison Jordan M. , Pressler Susan J. , Friese Christopher R.
Published: April 2016

Aim

To report an analysis of the concept of cardiotoxic heart failure in breast cancer survivors.

Background

Despite numerous studies describing cardiotoxic effects of breast cancer therapies, the literature lacks consistent terminology to describe cancer treatment‐induced heart failure, defined by the authors as ‘cardiotoxic heart failure’. Breast cancer survivors who develop heart failure may not fit existing conceptual models. A concept analysis of cardiotoxic heart failure in breast cancer survivors is needed to integrate previous research findings and establish the scientific foundation for future intervention research.

Design

Concept analysis.

Data sources

An integrative review (1999–2014) was conducted to examine aetiologies and risk factors for heart failure in female breast cancer survivors. Databases searched were CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EmBase, Medline and Scopus.

Methods

Walker and Avant's method for concept analysis includes: select concept; determine purpose; identify uses; define attributes; identify model case; describe borderline, related and contrary cases; identify antecedents/consequences; define empirical referents.

Results

In the literature, substantial variation was noted in terminology for breast cancer treatment‐induced cardiotoxicity. The authors define cardiotoxic heart failure in breast cancer survivors as chronic heart failure resulting from breast cancer treatment‐induced cardiotoxicity among women without pre‐existing heart failure diagnosis. No studies were found that described quality of life or tested interventions to preserve quality of life for this population.

Conclusion

Prospective studies are needed to develop interventions for symptom management to improve quality of life in breast cancer survivors with heart failure. New conceptual paradigms may be needed to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Genome‐wide identification of suitable zebrafish Danio rerio reference genes for normalization of gene expression data by RT‐qPCR
Authors: Xu H. , Li C. , Zeng Q. , Agrawal I. , Zhu X. , Gong Z.
Published: April 2016

In this study, to systematically identify the most stably expressed genes for internal reference in zebrafish Danio rerio investigations, 37 D. rerio transcriptomic datasets (both RNA sequencing and microarray data) were collected from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database and unpublished data, and gene expression variations were analysed under three experimental conditions: tissue types, developmental stages and chemical treatments. Forty‐four putative candidate genes were identified with the c.v. <0·2 from all datasets. Following clustering into different functional groups, 21 genes, in addition to four conventional housekeeping genes (eef1a1l1, b2m, hrpt1l and actb1), were selected from different functional groups for further quantitative real‐time (qrt‐)PCR validation using 25 RNA samples from different adult tissues, developmental stages and chemical treatments. The qrt‐PCR data were then analysed using the statistical algorithm refFinder for gene expression stability. Several new candidate genes showed better expression stability than the conventional housekeeping genes in all three categories. It was found that sep15 and metap1 were the top two stable genes for tissue types, ube2a and tmem50a the top two for different developmental stages, and rpl13a and rp1p0 the top two for chemical treatments. Thus, based on the extensive transcriptomic analyses and qrt‐PCR validation, these new reference genes are recommended for normalization of D. rerio qrt‐PCR data respectively for the three different experimental conditions.
Population size, growth and movements of Anguilla australis in a small lake
Authors: Jellyman D. J. , Crow S. K.
Published: April 2016

To study growth rates, movements and estimate population size of shortfin eels Anguilla australis in a small lake (2·5 ha) near Christchurch, New Zealand, 617 A. australis were tagged with PIT tags. Tag retention was high (95%) and over the seven recapture events spread over 2 years, 55% of tagged A. australis were recaptured. Growth of recaptured A. australis averaged 13·1 mm year−1 and declined slightly with increasing total length. Distance moved from original capture site increased with increasing time at large. Population estimates of A. australis > 400 mm (susceptible to capture by fyke net) from recaptures of individuals averaged 1451 A. australis, with a biomass of 170 kg ha−1. An average of 6·6% of the estimated total population matured as male silver A. australis each year. Results from radio‐tracking of four A. australis gave an average nightly foraging area of 2780 m2, and there was no apparent preference for inshore movement (within 5–6 m of the shoreline) or offshore movement. Fyke‐net efficiency (total catch relative to the estimated total population available to each net) measured over four consecutive nights fishing was 88%. The lack of precision of the shoreline triangulation system used, ±10 m, meant that the positional data were considered too coarse to be used in a proposed novel population estimation technique based on determining population size within foraging areas.
Spawning behaviour of Allis shad Alosa alosa: new insights based on imaging sonar data
Authors: Langkau M. C. , Clavé D. , Schmidt M. B. , Borcherding J.
Published: April 2016

Spawning behaviour of Alosa alosa was observed by high resolution imaging sonar. Detected clouds of sexual products and micro bubbles served as a potential indicator of spawning activity. Peak spawning time was between 0130 and 0200 hours at night. Increasing detections over three consecutive nights were consistent with sounds of mating events (bulls) assessed in hearing surveys in parallel to the hydro acoustic detection. In 70% of the analysed mating events there were no additional A. alosa joining the event whilst 70% of the mating events showed one or two A. alosa leaving the cloud. In 31% of the analysed mating events, however, three or more A. alosa were leaving the clouds, indicating that matings are not restricted to a pair. Imaging sonar is suitable for monitoring spawning activity and behaviour of anadromous clupeids in their spawning habitats.
Effects of hydropeaking on the spawning behaviour of Atlantic salmonSalmo salarand brown troutSalmo trutta
Authors: Vollset K. W. , Skoglund H. , Wiers T. , Barlaup B. T.
Published: April 2016

Anin situcamera set‐up was used to study the spawning activity of Atlantic salmonSalmo salarand brown troutSalmo truttathroughout two consecutive seasons in a spawning area affected by hydropower‐related pulse flows due to hydropeaking. The purpose was to test whether the flow variation discouraged spawning in shallow areas or motivated spawning into areas with elevated risk of incubation mortality. There were moreS. salarobserved on the spawning ground during days with high discharge. The presence ofS. salarin the spawning grounds was not affected by the hydropeaking cycles of the preceding night. FemaleS. salarwere observed preparing nests within the first hour after water discharge had increased to levels suitable for spawning. In contrast, the number ofS. truttawas not correlated with flow and nest preparation was also observed at a discharge corresponding to the lowest discharge levels during a hydropeaking cycle. Survival was generally high in nests excavated the following winter, with only 5·4% suffering mortality due to dewatering. The results suggest thatS. salarmay respond rapidly to variable‐flow conditions and utilize short windows with suitable flows for spawning. SmallerS. truttamay utilize low‐flow conditions to spawn in areas that are not habitable by largerS. salarduring low flow.
Effects of acute stress on aggression and the cortisol response in the African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus: differences between day and night
Authors: Manuel R. , Boerrigter J. G. J. , Cloosterman M. , Gorissen M. , Flik G. , van den Bos R. , van de Vis H.
Published: April 2016

African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus were housed under continuous dim light (1 lx) or 12L:12D (350–0 lx) cycles. The number of skin lesions, as indicator of aggressive acts, and plasma cortisol levels, as indicator of stress‐axis activity, were measured at baseline as well as following a stressor (given in the light or dark phase). Results showed that (1) baseline plasma cortisol levels were not different between photoperiods, (2) the number of baseline skin lesions was highest for C. gariepinus housed under continuous dim light, (3) stressor‐induced peak levels of plasma cortisol were highest in the light phase and (4) the number of skin lesions following a stressor was highest in the dark phase. The higher number of stressor‐related skin lesions in the dark (active) phase suggests increased stressor‐induced aggression while in the active phase. In addition, the data suggest that housing under continuous dim light does not result in higher stress‐axis activity, as measured by baseline levels of cortisol, but does result in more stressor‐induced aggression, as measured by the higher number of skin lesions. The latter may be related to the fact that the continuous dim light photoperiod has twice the number of dark‐phase (active) hours in which stressor‐induced aggression is stronger compared to the 12L:12D photoperiod, which has a light phase in which stressor‐induced aggression is lower.
Paediatric International Nursing Study: using person‐centred key performance indicators to benchmark children's services
Authors: McCance Tanya , Wilson Val , Kornman Kelly
Published: April 2016

Aims and objectives

The aim of the Paediatric International Nursing Study was to explore the utility of key performance indicators in developing person‐centred practice across a range of services provided to sick children. The objective addressed in this paper was evaluating the use of these indicators to benchmark services internationally.

Background

This study builds on primary research, which produced indicators that were considered novel both in terms of their positive orientation and use in generating data that privileges the patient voice. This study extends this research through wider testing on an international platform within paediatrics.

Design

The overall methodological approach was a realistic evaluation used to evaluate the implementation of the key performance indicators, which combined an integrated development and evaluation methodology.

Methods

The study involved children's wards/hospitals in Australia (six sites across three states) and Europe (seven sites across four countries). Qualitative and quantitative methods were used during the implementation process, however, this paper reports the quantitative data only, which used survey, observations and documentary review.

Results

The findings demonstrate the quality of care being delivered to children and their families across different international sites. The benchmarking does, however, highlight some differences between paediatric and general hospitals, and between the different key performance indicators across all the sites.

Conclusions

The findings support the use of the key performance indicators as a novel method to benchmark services internationally. Whilst the data collected across 20 paediatric sites suggest services are more similar than different, benchmarking illuminates variations that encourage a critical dialogue about what works and why.

Relevance to clinical practice

The transferability of the key performance indicators and measurement framework across different settings has significant implications for practice. The findings offer an approach to benchmarking and celebrating the successes within practice, while learning from partners across the globe in further developing person‐centred cultures.