bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Entero-Chromaffin-like Cell Hyperplasia: Early Detection and Somatostatin Analogue Treatment
Authors: Renzullo A. , Accardo G. , Esposito D. , De Bellis A. , Bizzarro A. , Romano M. , Federico A. , Gravina A.G. , Conzo G. , Pannone G. , Faggiano A. , Colao A. , Pasquali D.
Published: January 2017

Type IIIb polyglandular autoimmune disease comprises autoimmune thyroid disease (HT) and chronic atrophic gastritis (AIG). Hypergastrinemia, secondary to AIG, predisposes to gastric enterochromaffin-like cell (ECL) hyperplasia, a preneoplastic condition. We evaluated the prevalence of AIG, hypergastrinemia and ECL hyperplasia in HT patients. A secondary end-point was to assess the efficacy of treatment with a somatostatin analogue in HT patient with ECL hyperplasia. From 2009 to 2011, 146 HT patients were enrolled in a prospective study. All cases underwent hormonal profile, and parietal cell antibody (PCA), gastrin, and chromogranin A (CgA) serum level assays. Selected patients with elevated gastrin and CgA levels underwent gastro esophageal endoscopy (EGDS). Patients positive for ECL hyperplasia received Octreotide LAR 30 mg/28 days for 12 months. Gastrin and CgA assays were repeated every three months and EGDS after one year. The results show that gastrin and CgA were significantly higher than normal in 17/115 (14.7%) patients. Seven more HT had isolated PCA positivity and in the 17 PCA positive patients histology diagnosed AIG, corpus prevalent, with mild to moderate atrophy. Diffuse ECL hyperplasia of the gastric body was present in three subjects, one of them presenting a type-1 carcinoid. Gastrin and CgA levels were significantly reduced (p<0.01) after 3 months of therapy with a somatostatin analogue and returned to normal after 1 year. ECL hyperplasia regressed in all three patients. We suggest that selected HT patients may need a more accurate surveillance for early signs of gastric EC risk. In the case of altered values of gastrin and in the presence of PCA positivity, EGDS and histology should be performed for an early diagnosis of AIG and treatment of ECL hyperplasia.
Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Retrospective Study on the Role of Dental Prophylaxis
Authors: Sciannameo V. , Matteini C. , Perugini M. , Di Curzio P. , Saponaro G. , Taglia C.
Published: January 2017

Clinicians use bisphosphonates in neoplastic and metabolic bone diseases. Osteonecrosis is the main complication of the maxillary bones, along with late mucosal healing with necrotic bone exposure, pain, burning sensation, paresthesia, and is commonly associated with osteonecrosis. In the dental unit of our department, we checked 181 patients, and divided them into three groups: patients who had not undergone therapy, patients who were currently undergoing bisphosphonate therapy, and those who had completed bisphosphonate therapy (but who had not been followed-up). For clinical management, patients were treated with a dental prophylaxis protocol or drug therapy, involving topical and/or systemic administration, and then underwent surgical resections when the osteonecrosis did not improve with any treatment. Variability with the percent of complications was statistically significant in the three groups. Despite the limited number of patients in this study, which will require further investigation, our experience demonstrated that preventive strategies in relation to complications are crucial. At this point, a satisfactory treatment for this pathology does not exist.
Asthma and Mast Cell Biology
Authors: Kritas S.K. , Saggini A. , Cerulli G. , Speziali A. , Caraffa A. , Antinolfi P. , Pantalone A. , Rosati M. , Tei M. , Saggini R. , Conti P.
Published: January 2017

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung and its pathophysiology is initiated by mast cell activation in response to the antigen binding to IgE receptor as well as by TH2 cell activation. Mast cells are well established effector cells in asthma where they exacerbate the inflammatory response, playing a key role in early phase, degranulating and increasing histamine. Human mast cells possess high affinity IgE receptors and are ubiquitous but predominantly localized in mucosal and connective tissue and are distributed along blood vessels. There are two types of mast cells: connective tissue mast cells (TC) and mucosal mast cells (T mast cells). TC mast cells contain more heparin, whereas T mast cells contain more chondroitin sulfate. In asthma, mast cell activation can trigger degranulation, releasing secretory granule complex and preformed mediators, such as histamine and proteases, along with the synthesis of leukotrines and prostaglandins, and induction of cytokines and chemokines. Leukotrine inhibitors and omalizumab, which inhibits IgE, both relieve the asthma exacerbation when administered to humans and permit to reduce the use of other drugs. The release of cytokines by mast cells, such as TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-33, participate in the pathogenesis of asthma. Stress worsens asthma, and this effect is also mediated by mast cell activation through the release of cytokines. Administration of IL-33 in experimental animals provokes pathological effects in the mucosal tissues and augments antibody IgE and IgA in blood vessels. Here, we report the impact of mast cell biology in asthma pathogenesis.
Hypovitaminosis D and Low Urinary Tract Symptoms in a Female Population
Authors: Foti D. , Greco M. , Cantiello F. , Damiano R. , Gulletta E. , Pujia A. , Montalcini T.
Published: January 2017

An increasing number of studies have suggested a key role for low levels of vitamin D in the development of several chronic diseases and bacterial infections. In particular, its role in acute respiratory infection has been clarified, while the potential role of vitamin D for susceptibility to urinary tract infections still remains unexplored. Since the typical symptoms associated with urinary infections or with other conditions, like overactive bladder, include dysuria, urgency and frequency, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between these symptoms and vitamin D status. We conducted a retrospective study on 233 women who, in the previous year, had their serum levels of vitamin D measured. The subjects were queried about the presence of urinary symptoms and their frequency over the previous year. Women with low serum levels of vitamin D had a higher prevalence of symptoms than those with normal levels of vitamin D (p<0.001). In particular, women who reported high frequency of symptoms had a mean vitamin D level of ∼ 27 ng/mL, those with low frequency had a mean vitamin D level of ∼ 24 ng/mL, while asymptomatic women had mean levels of ∼ 37 ng/mL (p=0.004 among group). In this study hypovitaminosis D is associated with urinary symptoms in a population of women, and it may suggest a key role of this vitamin in the development of infections or other conditions affecting the urinary tract.
Is a chlorine dioxide wiping procedure suitable for the high-level disinfection of nasendoscopes?
Authors: Henoun Loukili Noureddine , Lemaitre Nadine , Guery Benoit , Gaillot Olivier , Chevalier Dominique , Mortuaire Geoffrey
Published: January 2017

Background:

Nasendoscopes are widely used in the outpatient ENT setting. Their reprocessing requires high-level disinfection (HLD). Recently, a wiping procedure using chlorine dioxide (ClO2) has been proposed as an alternative to HLD traditional procedures.

Objective:

To assess the effectiveness of the HLD wiping procedure versus soaking procedure on a contaminated nasendoscope.

Method:

A nasendoscope was contaminated with four strains of bacteria and Bacillus subtilis spores. After HLD either with the wiping procedure or with the soaking procedure (PA), the reduction of the initial contamination was determined.

Findings:

The wiping procedure with ClO2 displayed more than 5 log reduction for vegetative bacteria after 30 s contact time (CT) and 4 log reduction on B. subtilis spores after 2 min CT. The soaking procedure with PA displayed similar results on planktonic bacteria after 10 min CT but the log reduction of B. subtilis remained below 4.

Conclusion:

The ClO2 wiping procedure showed bactericidal and sporicidal efficacy on a contaminated nasendoscope in a shorter time compared to the PA soaking procedure. Thus, ClO2 wiping procedure might be considered as an alternative to the traditional HLD procedure for nasendoscopes.
Snapshot of the AAOHN Membership—Health Risk Appraisal Priority Areas
Authors: DeAngelis Matthew P. , Burgel Barbara J.
Published: January 2017

A 2012 American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) web-based membership survey of 5,138 members was designed to identify occupational health and safety issues facing members. A total of 2,123 members responded to the survey (41% response rate). Of the AAOHN members who responded to this survey, 61% reported health risk appraisal (HRA) priorities for 2012. HRA priority areas are identified among various subgroups of the AAOHN responders in this article. The top three HRA priority areas identified were weight management/nutrition/healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health/stress management. These priority areas were consistent across three industry sectors, three occupational health nurse job titles, and the smallest and largest employers. These results suggest that occupational health nurses should consider prioritizing their employee wellness efforts in these areas.
Is it Time for a More Systematic Approach to the Hazards of Surgical Smoke?
Authors: Mellor Gary , Hutchinson Marie
Published: January 2017

Despite recognition of the potential hazards of surgical smoke in the operating room and the adoption of costly extraction devices, little attention has been given to a systematic review of available evidence to inform risk management strategies. Therefore, a comprehensive search of the surgical smoke literature over a 20-year period (1981 to 2011) was undertaken. This search identified 42 appropriate publications. Although a reasonable body of research on the hazardous nature of surgical smoke was found, little substantive data on exposures among operating room personnel or the most appropriate methods to reduce risks were identified. Further empirical data are needed to conclusively establish actual risks, exposure standards, and protective strategies.
Exploring Workplace Bullying in Nursing
Authors: Etienne Emerald
Published: January 2017

Bullying in the nursing workplace has been identified as a factor that affects patient outcomes and increases occupational stress and staff turnover. The purpose of this project was to assess registered nurses' perceived exposure to workplace bullying. A convenience sample of a Pacific Northwest state professional nurses' association membership was solicited for this descriptive study using the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ—R). Forty-eight percent of respondents admitted to being bullied in the workplace during the previous 6 months, with respondents choosing “being ignored or excluded” as the most common negative experience in the workplace. The results of this study suggest that workplace bullying remains a problem for which reduction strategies must be devised as a means of retaining nurses and preventing adverse outcomes. One strategy shown to be effective in curbing bullying is assertiveness and aggression training for nurses.
Firefighters' Cardiovascular Risk Behaviors
Authors: Banes Catherine J.
Published: January 2017

Cardiac events are strongly associated with line-of-duty deaths among firefighters. The frequency with which firefighters succumb to cardiovascular events while on duty is well documented. Many firefighters have undiagnosed or undertreated hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity, as well as poor dietary habits and marginal physical fitness. Extremely high heart rates while engaged in fire suppression increase the risk for cardiovascular line-of-duty death. Exposure to smoke and unsafe levels of carbon monoxide is an occupational hazard that intensifies cardiovascular risk within the fire service. Cultural factors such as shift work and crew cohesion create multiple levels of influence on firefighters' decisions about engaging in positive health behaviors. This review highlights the significance of primordial and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease that is culturally congruent with the fire service.
Occupational Health Nurses' Achievement of Competence and Comfort in Respiratory Protection and Preferred Learning Methods
Authors: Burgel Barbara J. , Novak Debra A. , Carpenter Holly Elizabeth , Gruden MaryAnn , Lachat Ann M. , Taormina Deborah
Published: January 2017

Additional findings are presented from a 2012 nationwide survey of 2,072 occupational health nurses regarding how they achieved competence in respiratory protection, their preferred methods of learning, and how they motivated employees to use respiratory protection. On-the-job training, taking a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health spirometry course, or attending professional conferences were the primary ways occupational health nurses gained respiratory protection knowledge. Attending professional conferences was the preferred method of learning, varying by type of industry and years of occupational health nurse experience. Employee motivational strategies were not widely used; the most common strategy was to tailor respiratory protection training to workplace culture. Designing training methods that match learning preferences, within the context of the organization's safety and quality improvement culture, is a key recommendation supported by the literature and these findings. Including respiratory protection content and competencies in all levels of academic nursing education is an additional recommendation. Additional research is needed to link training strategies with consistent and correct use of respiratory protection by employees.
Synthetic Drugs: Bath Salts and Spice
Authors: Randolph Susan A.
Published: January 2017

Occupational and environmental health nurses should be aware of bath salts and spice as drugs of abuse that have increased in recent years and educate workers and management about their harmful effects.
Industrialized Farm Animal Production: Health Concerns
Authors: Phillips Jennan A.
Published: January 2017

Modern livestock farming industry practice continues to cause concern about hazardous exposures among workers and nearby residents. Occupational and environmental health nurses can join other advocates and encourage policies that protect workers, communities, and the environment from confined animal feeding operations health hazards.
Promoting Health and Safety Virtually
Authors: Wolf Debra M. , Anton Bonnie B. , Wenskovitch John
Published: January 2017

Nurses' use of the Internet and social media has surfaced as a critical concern requiring further exploration and consideration by all health care organizations and nursing associations. In an attempt to support this need, the American Nurses Association (2011) published six principles of social networking that offered guidance and direction for nurses. In addition, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (2011) published a nurse's guide to using social media. Surfing the Internet and using social media for professional and personal needs is extremely common among nurses. What is concerning is when nurses do not separate their professional and personal presence in the Virtual world. This article presents an Institutional Review Board-approved pilot survey that explored nurses' use of social media personally and professionally and offers recommendations specifically directed to the occupational health nurse.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Randolph Susan A.
Published: January 2017

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common and painless eye condition that is the leading cause of vision loss for people older than 50 years. Occupational and environmental health nurses can aid in slowing the progression of AMD by encouraging workers to have periodic eye examinations, maintain good health practices, and notify health care professionals if they notice blurred vision or blind spots in central vision.
Green Care Farms
Authors: de Bruin Simone R. , Stoop Annerieke , Molema Claudia C. M. , Vaandrager Lenneke , Hop Peter J. W. M. , Baan Caroline A.
Published: January 2017

Objective: To explore the value of day services at green care farms (GCFs) in terms of social participation for people with dementia. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with dementia who attended day services at a GCF (GCF group, n = 21), were on a waiting list (WL) for day services at a GCF (WL group, n = 12), or attended day services in a regular day care facility (RDCF group, n = 17) and with their family caregivers. Results: People with dementia in the GCF and WL group were primarily males, with an average age of 71 and 76 years, respectively, who almost all had a spousal caregiver. People with dementia in the RDCF group were mostly females with an average age of 85 years, most of whom had a non-spousal caregiver. For both the GCF and RDCF groups, it was indicated that day services made people with dementia feel part of society. The most important domains of social participation addressed by RDCFs were social interactions and recreational activities. GCFs additionally addressed the domains “paid employment” and “volunteer work.” Conclusion: GCFs are valuable in terms of social participation for a particular group of people with dementia. Matching characteristics of adult day services (ADS) centers to the preferences and capacities of people with dementia is of importance. Diversity in ADS centers is therefore desirable.
Quantitative stability of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell clonal output in rhesus macaques receiving transplants
Authors: Koelle Samson J. , Espinoza Diego A. , Wu Chuanfeng , Xu Jason , Lu Rong , Li Brian , Donahue Robert E. , Dunbar Cynthia E.
Published: January 2017

Key Points

Output from individual rhesus macaque hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells is stable for years, with little evidence of clonal succession. Individual clones may display stable myeloid or lymphoid bias for many years.
International, evidence-based consensus diagnostic criteria for HHV-8–negative/idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease
Authors: Fajgenbaum David C. , Uldrick Thomas S. , Bagg Adam , Frank Dale , Wu David , Srkalovic Gordan , Simpson David , Liu Amy Y. , Menke David , Chandrakasan Shanmuganathan , Lechowicz Mary Jo , Wong Raymond S. M. , Pierson Sheila , Paessler Michele , Rossi Jean-François , Ide Makoto , Ruth Jason , Croglio Michael , Suarez Alexander , Krymskaya Vera , Chadburn Amy , Colleoni Gisele , Nasta Sunita , Jayanthan Raj , Nabel Christopher S. , Casper Corey , Dispenzieri Angela , Fosså Alexander , Kelleher Dermot , Kurzrock Razelle , Voorhees Peter , Dogan Ahmet , Yoshizaki Kazuyuki , van Rhee Frits , Oksenhendler Eric , Jaffe Elaine S. , Elenitoba-Johnson Kojo S. J. , Lim Megan S.
Published: January 2017

Key Points

An international panel established the first ever diagnostic criteria for iMCD based on review of 244 clinical cases and 88 tissue samples. The criteria require multicentric lymphadenopathy with defined histopathology, ≥2 clinical/laboratory changes, and exclusion of iMCD mimics.
Simultaneous analyses of N-linked and O-linked glycans of ovarian cancer cells using solid-phase chemoenzymatic method
Authors: Yang Shuang , Höti Naseruddin , Yang Weiming , Liu Yang , Chen Lijun , Li Shuwei , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2017

Background

Glycans play critical roles in a number of biological activities. Two common types of glycans, N-linked and O-linked, have been extensively analyzed in the last decades. N-glycans are typically released from glycoproteins by enzymes, while O-glycans are released from glycoproteins by chemical methods. It is important to identify and quantify both N- and O-linked glycans of glycoproteins to determine the changes of glycans.

Methods

The effort has been dedicated to study glycans from ovarian cancer cells treated with O-linked glycosylation inhibitor qualitatively and quantitatively. We used a solid-phase chemoenzymatic approach to systematically identify and quantify N-glycans and O-glycans in the ovarian cancer cells. It consists of three steps: (1) immobilization of proteins from cells and derivatization of glycans to protect sialic acids; (2) release of N-glycans by PNGase F and quantification of N-glycans by isobaric tags; (3) release and quantification of O-glycans by β-elimination in the presence of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP).

Results

We used ovarian cancer cell lines to study effect of O-linked glycosylation inhibitor on protein glycosylation. Results suggested that the inhibition of O-linked glycosylation reduced the levels of O-glycans. Interestingly, it appeared to increase N-glycan level in a lower dose of the O-linked glycosylation inhibitor. The sequential release and analyses of N-linked and O-linked glycans using chemoenzymatic approach are a platform for studying N-glycans and O-glycans in complex biological samples.

Conclusion

The solid-phase chemoenzymatic method was used to analyze both N-linked and O-linked glycans sequentially released from the ovarian cancer cells. The biological studies on O-linked glycosylation inhibition indicate the effects of O-glycosylation inhibition to glycan changes in both O-linked and N-linked glycan expression.
Diabetes does not impact the diagnostic performance of contrast-based fractional flow reserve: insights from the CONTRAST study
Authors: Gargiulo Giuseppe , Stabile Eugenio , Ferrone Marco , Barbato Emanuele , Zimmermann Frederik M. , Adjedj Julien , Hennigan Barry , Matsumura Mitsuaki , Johnson Nils P. , Fearon William F. , Jeremias Allen , Trimarco Bruno , Esposito Giovanni ,   On behalf of the CONTRST Study Investigators
Published: January 2017

Background

Adenosine-free coronary pressure wire metrics have been proposed to test the functional significance of coronary artery lesions, but it is unexplored whether their diagnostic performance might be altered in patients with diabetes.

Methods

We performed a post-hoc analysis of the CONTRAST study, which prospectively enrolled an international cohort of patients undergoing routine fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment for standard indications. Paired, repeated measurements of all physiology metrics (Pd/Pa, iFR, contrast-based FFR, and FFR) were made. A central core laboratory analyzed blinded pressure tracings in a standardized fashion.

Results

Of 763 subjects enrolled at 12 international centers, 219 (29%) had diabetes. The two groups were well-balanced for age, clinical presentation (stable or unstable), coronary vessel studied, volume and type of intracoronary contrast, and volume of intracoronary adenosine. A binary threshold of cFFR ≤ 0.83 produced an accuracy superior to both Pd/Pa and iFR when compared with FFR ≤ 0.80 in the absence of significant interaction with diabetes status; indeed, accuracy in subgroups of patients with or without diabetes was similar for cFFR (86.7 vs 85.4% respectively; p = 0.76), iFR (84.2 vs 80.0%, p = 0.29) and Pd/Pa (81.3 vs 78.9%, p = 0.55). There was no significant heterogeneity between patients with or without diabetes in terms of sensitivity and specificity of all metrics. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was largest for cFFR compared with Pd/Pa and iFR which were equivalent (cFFR 0.961 and 0.928; Pd/Pa 0.916 and 0.870; iFR 0.911 and 0.861 in diabetic and non-diabetic patients respectively).

Conclusions

cFFR provides superior diagnostic performance compared with Pd/Pa or iFR for predicting FFR irrespective of diabetes (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02184117).
Comparison of two adult mosquito sampling methods with human landing catches in south-central Ethiopia
Authors: Kenea Oljira , Balkew Meshesha , Tekie Habte , Gebre-Michael Teshome , Deressa Wakgari , Loha Eskindir , Lindtjørn Bernt , Overgaard Hans J.
Published: January 2017

Background

The human landing catch (HLC) is the standard reference method for measuring human exposure to mosquito bites. However, HLC is labour-intensive, exposes collectors to infectious mosquito bites and is subjected to collector bias. These necessitate local calibration and application of alternative methods. This study was undertaken to determine the relative sampling efficiency (RSE) of light traps with or without yeast-produced carbon dioxide bait vs. HLC in south-central Ethiopia.

Methods

The experiment was conducted for 39 nights in a 3 × 3 Latin square randomized design with Anopheles arabiensis as the target species in the period between July and November 2014 in Edo Kontola village, south-central Ethiopia. Center for Disease Control and Prevention light trap catches (LTC) and yeast-generated carbon dioxide-baited light trap catches (CB-LTC) were each evaluated against HLC. The total nightly mosquito catches for each Anopheles species in either method was compared with HLC by Pearson correlation and simple linear regression analysis on log-transformed [log10(x + 1)] values. To test if the RSE of each alternative method was affected by mosquito density, the ratio of the number of mosquitoes in each method to the number of mosquitoes in HLC was plotted against the average mosquito abundance.

Results

Overall, 7606 Anopheles females were collected by the three sampling methods. Among these 5228 (68.7%) were Anopheles ziemanni, 1153 (15.2%) An. arabiensis, 883 (11.6%) Anopheles funestus s.l., and 342 (4.5%) Anopheles pharoensis. HLC yielded 3392 (44.6%), CB-LTC 2150 (28.3%), and LTC 2064 (27.1%) Anopheles females. The RSEs of LTC and HLC for An. arabiensis were significantly correlated (p < 0.001) and density independent (p = 0.65). However, for outdoor collection of the same species, RSEs of LTC and CB-LTC were density dependent (p < 0.001). It was estimated that on average, indoor LTC and CB-LTC each caught 0.35 and 0.44 times that of indoor HLC for An. arabiensis respectively.

Conclusions

Results showed that HLC was the most efficient method for sampling An. arabiensis. LTC can be used for large-scale indoor An. arabiensis surveillance and monitoring when it is difficult to use HLC. CB-LTC does not substantially improve sampling of this major vector compared to LTC in this setting.

Trial registration PACTR201411000882128 (retrospectively registered 8 September, 2014)
Effects of the intradiscal implantation of stromal vascular fraction plus platelet rich plasma in patients with degenerative disc disease
Authors: Comella Kristin , Silbert Robert , Parlo Michelle
Published: January 2017

Background

Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) can easily be obtained from a mini-lipoaspirate procedure of fat tissue and platelet rich plasma (PRP) can be obtained from peripheral blood. The SVF contains a mixture of cells including ADSCs and growth factors and has been depleted of the adipocyte (fat cell) population. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of administering SVF and PRP intra-discally into patients with degenerative disc disease.

Methods

A total of 15 patients underwent a local tumescent liposuction procedure to remove approximately 60 ml of fat tissue. The fat was separated to isolate the SVF and the cells were delivered into the disc nucleus of patients with degenerative disc disease. The subjects were then monitored for adverse events, range of motion, visual analog scale (VAS), present pain intensity (PPI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Dallas Pain Questionnaire and Short Form (SF)-12 scores over a period of 6 months. Safety events were followed for 12 months.

Results

No severe adverse events (SAEs) were reported during a 12 month follow up period with no incidences of infection. Patients demonstrated statistically significant improvements in several parameters including flexion, pain ratings, VAS, PPI, and short form questionnaires. In addition, both ODI and BDI data was trending positive and a majority of patients reported improvements in their Dallas Pain Questionnaire scores.

Conclusions

Overall, patients were pleased with the treatment results. More importantly, the procedure demonstrated a strong safety profile with no severe adverse events or complications linked to the therapy.

Trial registration NCT02097862. Name of registry: www.clinicaltrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02097862?term=bioheart&rank=6. Date of registration: March 25, 2014; Date of enrollment: March 2014
Using Intervention Mapping to develop the Parents as Agents of Change (PAC©) intervention for managing pediatric obesity
Authors: Ball Geoff D. C. , Mushquash Aislin R. , Keaschuk Rachel A. , Ambler Kathryn A. , Newton Amanda S.
Published: January 2017

Background

Pediatric obesity has become increasingly prevalent over recent decades. In view of the psychosocial and physical health risks, and the high likelihood that children with obesity will grow to become adults with obesity, there is a clear need to develop evidence-based interventions that can be delivered in the health care system to optimize the health and well-being of children with obesity and their families. The aim of this paper is to describe the development, implementation, and planned evaluation of a parent-based weight management intervention designed for parents of 8–12 year olds with obesity.

Methods/results

The principles of Intervention Mapping (IM) were used to develop an intervention called Parents as Agents of Change (PAC©). From 2006 to 2009, an environmental scan plus qualitative (individual interviews with parents and children), quantitative (medical record reviews), and literature review data were collected to gain broad insight into family factors related to pediatric obesity and its management. Theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence guided curriculum development, which was founded primarily on the tenets of family systems theory and cognitive behavioral theory. PAC was developed as a manualized, 16-session, group-based, health care professional-led intervention for parents to address individual, family, and environmental factors related to the management of pediatric obesity. The intervention was refined based on feedback from local and international experts, and has been implemented successfully in a multi-disciplinary weight management centre in a children’s hospital.

Conclusion

IM provided a practical framework to guide the systematic development of a pediatric weight management intervention for parents of children with obesity. This logical, step-by-step process blends theory and practice and is broadly applicable in the context of obesity management intervention development and evaluation. Following intervention development, the PAC intervention was evaluated within a randomized clinical trial.

Trial registration NCT01267097; clinicaltrials.gov
Role of the phagosomal redox-sensitive TRP channel TRPM2 in regulating bactericidal activity of macrophages
Authors: Di Anke , Kiya Tomohiro , Gong Haixia , Gao Xiaopei , Malik Asrar B.
Published: January 2017

Acidification of macrophage phagosomes serves an important bactericidal function. We show here that the redox-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel TRPM2 is expressed in the phagosomal membrane and regulates macrophage bactericidal activity through the activation of phagosomal acidification. Measurement of the TRPM2 current in phagosomes identified TRPM2 as a functional redox-sensitive cation channel localized in the phagosomal membrane. Simultaneous measurements of phagosomal Ca2+ changes and phagosome acidification in macrophages undergoing phagocytosis demonstrated that TRPM2 was required to mediate the efflux of cations and for phagosomal acidification during the process of phagosome maturation. Acidification in phagosomes was significantly reduced in macrophages isolated from Trpm2−/− mice as compared to wild type, and acidification was coupled to reduced bacterial clearance in Trpm2−/− mice. Trpm2+/+ macrophages treated with the vacuolar H+-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin showed reduced bacterial clearance, similar to that in Trpm2−/− macrophages. Direct activation of TRPM2 using adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPR) induced both phagosomal acidification and bacterial killing. These data collectively demonstrate that TRPM2 regulates phagosomal acidification, and is essential for the bacterial killing function of macrophages.
Accumulation of nuclear ADAR2 regulates adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing during neuronal development
Authors: Behm Mikaela , Wahlstedt Helene , Widmark Albin , Eriksson Maria , Öhman Marie
Published: January 2017

Adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing is important for a functional brain, and most known sites that are subject to selective RNA editing have been found to result in diversified protein isoforms that are involved in neurotransmission. In the absence of the active editing enzymes ADAR1 or ADAR2 (also known as ADAR and ADARB1, respectively), mice fail to survive until adulthood. Nuclear A-to-I editing of neuronal transcripts is regulated during brain development, with low levels of editing in the embryo and a dramatic increase after birth. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate editing during development. Here, we demonstrate lower levels of ADAR2 in the nucleus of immature neurons than in mature neurons. We show that importin-α4 (encoded by Kpna3), which increases during neuronal maturation, interacts with ADAR2 and contributes to the editing efficiency by bringing it into the nucleus. Moreover, we detect an increased number of interactions between ADAR2 and the nuclear isomerase Pin1 as neurons mature, which contribute to ADAR2 protein stability. Together, these findings explain how the nuclear editing of substrates that are important for neuronal function can increase as the brain develops.
On the proper rearing density in domesticated zebrafish to avoid unwanted masculinization. Links with the stress response
Authors: Ribas Laia , Valdivieso Alejandro , Díaz Noelia , Piferrer Francesc
Published: January 2017

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a well-established experimental model in many research fields but the loss of the primary sex determining region during the process of domestication renders laboratory strains of zebrafish susceptible to the effects of environmental factors on sex ratios. Further, an essential husbandry aspect such as what is the optimal rearing density to avoid stress-induced masculinization is not known. We carried out two experiments: one focusing on the density effects on survival, growth and sex ratio by rearing zebrafish at different initial densities (9, 19, 37 and 74 fish per liter) for three months (6–90 days post fertilization, dpf), and a second experiment focusing on the effects of cortisol during the sex differentiation period (15–45 dpf) on zebrafish reared at low density. Results showed an increase in the number of males in groups subjected to the two highest initial rearing densities. We also observed a reduction of survival and growth in a density-dependent manner. Furthermore, zebrafish treated with cortisol during the sex differentiation period showed a complete masculinization of the population. However, treatment with metyrapone negated the effects of exogenous cortisol. Our results indicate that the process of sex differentiation in domesticated zebrafish can be perturbed by elevated stocking density and that this effect is likely mediated by an increase of cortisol through the stress response. However, the underlying mechanism needs further study.
Archerfish use their shooting technique to produce adaptive underwater jets
Authors: Dewenter Jana , Gerullis Peggy , Hecker Alexander , Schuster Stefan
Published: January 2017

Archerfish are renowned for dislodging aerial prey by well-aimed shots of water. Recently it has been shown that these fish can shape their aerial jets by adjusting the dynamics of their mouth opening and closing. This allows the fish to adjust their jet to target distance so that they can forcefully hit prey over considerable distances. Here we suggest that archerfish use the same technique to also actively control jets under water. Fired from close ranges the underwater jets are powerful enough to lift up buried food particles, which the fish then can pick up. We trained fish so that we could monitor the mouth opening and closing manoeuvers during underwater shooting and compare them with those employed in aerial shooting. Our analysis suggests that the fish use the same dynamic mechanism to produce aerial and underwater jets and that they employ the same basic technique to adjust their jets in both conditions. When food is buried in substrate that consists of larger particles the fish use a brief pulse but a longer one when the substrate is more fine-grained. These findings extend the notion that archerfish can flexibly shape their jets to be appropriate in different contexts and suggest that archerfish shooting might have been shaped both by constraints in aerial and underwater shooting.
Development of a vortex generator to perturb fish locomotion
Authors: Seth Deeksha , Flammang Brooke E. , Lauder George V. , Tangorra James L.
Published: January 2017

Knowledge about the stiffness of fish fins, and if stiffness is modulated during swimming, is important for understanding the mechanics of a fin's force production. However, the mechanical properties of fins have not been studied during natural swimming, in part, because of a lack of instrumentation. To remedy this, a vortex generator was developed that produces travelling vortices of adjustable strength which can be used to perturb the fins of swimming fish. Experiments were conducted to understand how the generator's settings affected the resulting vortex rings. A variety of vortices (14 to 32 mm diameter travelling at 371 to 2155 mm s−1) were produced that elicit adequate responses from the fish fins that can help understand the fin's mechanical properties at various swimming speeds (0 to 350 mm s−1).
The Complex Phenotype of the Athlete's Heart: Implications for Preparticipation Screening
Authors: Brown Benjamin , Somauroo John , Green Daniel J. , Wilson Mathew , Drezner Jonathan , George Keith , Oxborough David
Published: January 2017

Preparticipation screening is vital to exclude inherited cardiac conditions that have the potential to cause sudden cardiac death in seemingly healthy athletes. Recent research has questioned traditional theories of load-induced, dichotomous cardiac adaptation. We therefore considered whether a one-size-fits-all approach to screening can account for interindividual differences brought about by sporting discipline, training volume, ethnicity, body size, sex, and age.
An ELISA DYRK1A non-radioactive assay suitable for the characterization of inhibitors
Authors: Liu Yong , Adayev Tatyana , Hwang Yu-Wen
Published: January 2017

The DYRK1A (dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A) gene encodes a proline-directed Ser/Thr kinase. Elevated expression and/or altered distribution of the kinase have been implicated in the neurological impairments associated with Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Consequently, DYRK1A inhibition has been of significant interest as a potential strategy for therapeutic intervention of DS and AD. Many classes of novel inhibitors have been described in the past decade. Although non-radioactive methods for analyzing DYRK1A inhibition have been developed, methods employing radioactive tracers are still commonly used for quantitative characterization of DYRK1A inhibitors. Here, we present a non-radioactive ELISA assay based on the detection of DYRK1A-phosphorylated dynamin 1a fragment using a phosphorylation site-specific antibody. The assay was verified by the use of two well-characterized DYRK1A inhibitors, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and harmine. The IC50s for EGCG and harmine determined by the ELISA method were found to be comparable to those previously measured by radioactive tracing methods.  Furthermore, we determined the mode of inhibition for EGCG and harmine by a modification of the ELISA assay. This assay confirms the mode of inhibition of EGCG (non-ATP-competitive) and harmine (ATP-competitive), as previously determined. We conclude that the ELISA platform demonstrated here is a viable alternative to the traditional radioactive tracer assays for analyzing DYRK1A inhibitors.
Digital Methodology to implement the ECOUTER engagement process
Authors: Wilson Rebecca C. , Butters Oliver W. , Clark Tom , Minion Joel , Turner Andrew , Murtagh Madeleine J.
Published: January 2017

ECOUTER (Employing COnceptual schema for policy and Translation E in Research – French for ‘to listen’ – is a new stakeholder engagement method incorporating existing evidence to help participants draw upon their own knowledge of cognate issues and interact on a topic of shared concern. The results of an ECOUTER can form the basis of recommendations for research, governance, practice and/or policy. This paper describes the development of a digital methodology for the ECOUTER engagement process based on currently available mind mapping freeware software. The implementation of an ECOUTER process tailored to applications within health studies are outlined for both online and face-to-face scenarios. Limitations of the present digital methodology are discussed, highlighting the requirement of a purpose built software for ECOUTER research purposes.
Five CPD resolutions
Authors: Clay Bridget
Published: January 2017

Will you make CPD a priority in 2017? Bridget Clay offers five new year's resolutions for your CPD – whether you are a teacher, a middle or a senior leader
Teatro De Fantoches: Uma Apresentação Lúdica de Física Moderna em Escolas do Ensino Fundamental.
Authors: Aringhieri Luiz Fernando , Silva F A.R.
Published: January 2017

A proposta de se introduzir os conceitos de Física Moderna no ensino básico é muito instigante, vários estudos já se voltam com esse objetivo, principalmente com o uso de abordagens mais contextualizadas, que envolva os alunos na construção desses conceitos, usando por exemplo, aparatos experimentais através das feiras de ciência, fugindo da metodologia tradicional. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma metodologia lúdica, através da utilização de bonecos de fantoche e experimentos de baixo custo para disseminar já no ensino fundamental, um pensamento crítico sobre a utilização da tecnologia e as suas consequências para o meio ambiente. Para avaliação da eficácia da proposta foi aplicado um questionário sobre o entendimento do tema antes e reaplicado após da apresentação, visto que um dos objetivos deste trabalho é avaliar o grau de desenvolvimento cognitivo alcançado pelos alunos envolvidos por este projeto, a fim de aprimorar as atividades e técnicas abordadas com os alunos para que estes absorvam com o maior aproveitamento o conteúdo trabalhado. Verificou-se com esse trabalho o envolvimento dos alunos do ensino fundamental a respeito da Física Moderna, associando o conhecimento de forma geral a experimentos elaborados facilitando o processo ensino/aprendizagem. Como resultado obteve-se a melhoria da percepção, a análise critica, e o contexto do mundo ao seu redor.
A Física Nuclear sob uma perspectiva interdisciplinar
Authors: Pires Adriano Do Rego , Andrade José Elisandro de , Dantas Jeânderson De Melo
Published: January 2017

A Física Nuclear é um campo da Ciência e Tecnologia extremamente vasto de estudos e pesquisas, e que ao longo da história da humanidade permitiu ao homem explicar fenômenos naturais, como o decaimento radioativo, descobertas de partículas como os neutrinos, construção de bombas, reatores, aceleradores de partícula, instrumentos para medicina, satélites, agricultura etc. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho é de direcionar os docentes para o desenvolvimento em parceria de uma proposta interdisciplinar promovendo interação entre as diferentes abordagens feitas pelas disciplinas de História e Física acerca do tema Física nuclear, assim como compreender a ligação entre elas na busca da construção de informações relevantes ao desenvolvimento de uma aprendizagem contextualizada e significativa considerando aspectos históricos e científicos. A metodologia desenvolvida se deu a partir de um questionário, aplicado a 30 alunos do 3° ano do ensino médio no Colégio Estadual Anunciada Chaves, sendo este situado no município de Goianésia do Pará, o estudo foi desenvolvido a partir de uma pesquisa quanti – qualitativa exploratória a qual constitui – se no método mais adequado para obter resultados importantes sobre os autores delimitados como a falta de conhecimento acerca do tema e a incoerência do processo educativo que ainda preconiza a fragmentação e o isolamento de disciplinas reiterando o objetivo e permitindo-nos ampliar esse estudo.
Big Science e a formação do modelo de partículas elementares
Authors: Nunes Roberto Costa , Dantas Jeânderson De Melo , Andrade José Elisandro de
Published: January 2017

O presente trabalho procura discursar um pouco acerca do modelo de partículas elementares com base no Modelo Padrão da física de partículas. Para isso será versado sobre o termo Big Science e ainda um breve processo histórico da formação do modelo de partículas elementares. Diante disso, será exposto o modelo discutido atualmente das partículas elementares, concluindo a imensa capacidade da produção de conhecimento, que leva ao entendimento do comportamento da natureza.
A Data Assimilation Algorithm for the Subcritical Surface Quasi-Geostrophic Equation
Authors: Jolly Michael S. , Martinez Vincent R. , Titi Edriss S.
Published: January 2017

In this article, we prove that data assimilation by feedback nudging can be achieved for the three-dimensional quasi-geostrophic equation in a simplified scenario using only large spatial scale observables on the dynamical boundary. On this boundary, a scalar unknown (buoyancy or surface temperature of the fluid) satisfies the surface quasi-geostrophic equation. The feedback nudging is done on this two-dimensional model, yet ultimately synchronizes the streamfunction of the three-dimensional flow. The main analytical difficulties are due to the presence of a nonlocal dissipative operator in the surface quasi-geostrophic equation. This is overcome by exploiting a suitable partition of unity, the modulus of continuity characterization of Sobolev space norms, and the Littlewood–Paley decomposition to ultimately establish various boundedness and approximation-of-identity properties for the observation operators.
Structural symmetry within nonlocal integral elasticity: theoretical issues and computational strategies
Authors: Pisano Aurora Angela , Fuschi Paolo
Published: January 2017

The structural symmetry and the appropriate definition of a reduced (symmetric) mechanical/ numerical model is discussed within a nonlocal elasticity context. In particular, reference is made to an integral model of Eringen-type. The paper highlights how the classical, i.e. local, concepts of structural symmetry have to be rephrased through the definition of an enlarged symmetric model of the analyzed structure. This enlarged model, endowed with apposite nonlocal boundary conditions enforced in an iterative fashion, is proved to be able to recover the nonlocal effects that the neglected portion of the structure exerts on the portion chosen for the analysis. It is shown how the mirrored symmetric solution exactly matches the complete one. Theoretical issues and computational strategies referred to a nonlocal version of the finite element method are discussed with reference to the analysis of a case-study.