bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sentiment analysis as a measure of conservation culture in scientific literature
Authors: Lennox Robert J. , Veríssimo Diogo , Twardek William M. , Davis Colin R. , Jarić Ivan
Published: August 2019

Culturomics is emerging as an important field within science, as a way to measure attitudes and beliefs and their dynamics across time and space via quantitative analysis of digitized data from literature, news, film, social media, and more. Sentiment analysis is a culturomics tool that, within the last decade, has provided a means to quantify the polarity of attitudes expressed within various media. Conservation science is a crisis discipline; therefore, accurate and effective communication are paramount. We investigated how conservation scientists communicate their findings through scientific journal articles. We analyzed 15,001 abstracts from articles published from 1998 to 2017 in 6 conservation‐focused journals selected based on indexing in scientific databases. Articles were categorized by year, focal taxa, and the conservation status of the focal species. We calculated mean sentiment score for each abstract (mean adjustedzscore) based on 4 lexicons (Jockers‐Rinker, National Research Council, Bing, and AFINN). We found a significant positive annual trend in the sentiment scores of articles. We also observed a significant trend toward increasing negativity along the spectrum of conservation status categories (i.e., from least concern to extinct). There were some clear differences in the sentiments with which research on different taxa was reported, however. For example, abstracts mentioning lobe finned fishes tended to have high sentiment scores, which could be related to the rediscovery of the coelacanth driving a positive narrative. Contrastingly, abstracts mentioning elasmobranchs had low scores, possibly reflecting the negative sentiment score associated with the wordshark. Sentiment analysis has applications in science, especially as it pertains to conservation psychology, and we suggest a new science‐based lexicon be developed specifically for the field of conservation.
HOW DID UNCONVENTIONAL MONETARY POLICY AFFECT ECONOMIC FORECASTS?
Authors: Mitchell Karlyn , Pearce Douglas K.
Published: August 2019

We study how unconventional monetary policy announcements affected professional forecasters' predictions of bond rates, gross domestic product growth and inflation using data from the monthly survey by the Wall Street Journal. We find that unconventional monetary policy (UMP) announcements moved predicted bond rates in the direction the Fed intended. UMP announcements had differential impacts on forecasters' predictions; they also tended to move growth and inflation predictions in directions opposite those the Fed intended due to Fed information effects. A policy implication of our study is that the Fed should communicate economic projections to the public separately from monetary policy announcements to mitigate Fed information effects. (JEL E52, E58)
Cutaneous metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma following liver transplantation
Authors: Queen Dawn , Fisher Juliya , Husain Sameera , Linos Konstantinos , Niedt George W. , Samie Faramarz H.
Published: August 2019

Cutaneous metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are extremely rare and can represent a sign of an underlying malignancy or relapse/progression from an existing tumor. We report a case of a cutaneous metastasis arising in a patient with metastatic HCC following orthotopic liver transplantation. Diagnosis is a multistep process as cutaneous HCC metastases must be differentiated from primary cutaneous malignancies as well as other cutaneous metastases. Making this even more challenging, HCC metastases have heterogeneous clinical and histologic appearances. Therefore, the use of immunohistochemical stains, including hepatocyte paraffin‐1, arginase‐1, and glypican‐3, and correlation with the clinical context are essential for a correct diagnosis.
Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and substance‐related disorders in parents of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: Barreto Tainara M , Bento Mayara N , Barreto Tamiris M , Jagersbacher João Gabriel , Jones Nathalia S , Lucena Rita , Bandeira Igor D
Published: August 2019

Aim

To estimate the prevalence of mental illness in parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

This is a systematic review that follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Protocols in the search for observational studies determining the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in parents of individuals with CP. The information sources used for this study were: PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, and Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde.

Results

Fourteen articles were selected and included, investigating 1264 mothers and 105 fathers of children with CP. Data extracted for analysis were divided into three categories: study data, data about participants with CP, and data about parents. All studies included volunteer parents, of whom 95 per cent were female.

Interpretation

CP is related to a higher prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in parents. Factors such as a child's degree of functionality and socioeconomic level may influence the frequency of mental disorders in parents. However, these studies have heterogeneous samples and applied different criteria to characterize their populations.

What this paper adds

Depression and anxiety are more prevalent for parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) than parents of typically developing children.

The child's illness severity is a risk factor for mental illness in parents of children with CP.

The more time spent on child care, the higher the risk of mental illness among mothers of children with CP.

There is a lack of reliable data in the literature on substance abuse in parents of children with CP.
Prevalence, trends, and correlates of malnutrition among hospitalized children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Reyes Fabiola I , Salemi Jason L , Dongarwar Deepa , Magazine Caila B , Salihu Hamisu M
Published: August 2019

Aim

This cross‐sectional study characterized the prevalence, trends, sociodemographic factors, and clinical factors that are associated with a coded diagnosis of malnutrition (CDM) among hospitalized children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the USA.

Method

We used data from the 2002 to 2015 National Inpatient Sample database and restricted the analysis to hospitalized children with CP between 2 and 17 years of age. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for CP, malnutrition, and comorbidities associated with CP were used to characterize hospitalizations for this population. Logistic regression models were conducted to identify the sociodemographic factors and comorbidities associated with a diagnosis of malnutrition.

Results

The average documented rate of CDM among hospitalized children with CP was 7.9% and nearly doubled during the study period. The model suggests that younger age, non‐white ethnicity, lower income, and non‐private insurance/payer status were associated with increased odds of documented malnutrition. Concomitant inpatient diagnoses of epilepsy, dysphagia, scoliosis, reflux, and constipation were associated with higher rates of CDM.

Interpretation

The rate of CDM in hospitalized patients with CP is well under the estimated clinical prevalence of 30% to 40%. Multiple sociodemographic, hospital, and clinical factors are associated with higher rates of CDM.

What this paper adds

The documented rate of malnutrition in hospitalized children with cerebral palsy (CP) averaged 7.9% yearly.

For hospitalized children with CP, documentation of malnutrition nearly doubled between 2002 and 2015.

Economically disadvantaged and minority ethnic groups had a greater likelihood of malnutrition documentation.

Inpatient malnutrition documentation was more likely with some comorbidities indicative of greater impairments.

Gastrointestinal disorders increased the likelihood of an inpatient‐documented diagnosis of malnutrition.
Diabetes drugs and stroke risk: Intensive versus conventional glucose‐lowering strategies, and implications of recent cardiovascular outcome trials
Authors: Lim Soo , Oh Tae Jung , Dawson Jesse , Sattar Naveed
Published: August 2019

People with diabetes mellitus are at higher risk of ischaemic stroke and worse outcomes thereafter. However, whether it is better to prescribe intensive glucose‐lowering treatment compared with conventional treatment in people with diabetes to prevent recurrent stroke is debated. It is also crucial to consider whether specific antidiabetic agents are more efficacious and safer than others for prevention of stroke. In this review, we provide an overview of the efficacy of intensive and conventional glucose‐lowering treatment in post‐stroke management. Our conclusion is that the overall evidence for a beneficial effect of intensive glycaemic control on risk of stroke is limited. We also discuss evidence from recent large clinical trials of thiazolidinediones and new antidiabetic medications, including dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs), and sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors. On the basis of the findings of these trials, our conclusion is that pioglitazone and the GLP‐1RA class (other than short‐acting lixisenatide) are likely to lessen the occurrence of cerebrovascular disease (by mechanisms not dependent on glucose‐lowering per se), whereas there is no consistent evidence for other drug classes.
Dapagliflozin vs non‐SGLT‐2i treatment is associated with lower healthcare costs in type 2 diabetes patients similar to participants in the DECLARE‐TIMI 58 trial: A nationwide observational study
Authors: Norhammar Anna , Bodegard Johan , Nyström Thomas , Thuresson Marcus , Rikner Klas , Nathanson David , Eriksson Jan W.
Published: August 2019

Aims

To investigate how the cardiovascular (CV) risk benefits of dapagliflozin translate into healthcare costs compared with other non‐sodium–glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor glucose‐lowering drugs (oGLDs) in a real‐world population with type 2 diabetes (T2D) that is similar to the population of the DECLARE‐TIMI 58 trial.

Methods

Patients initiating dapagliflozin or oGLDs between 2013 and 2016 in Swedish nationwide healthcare registries were included if they fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria of the DECLARE‐TIMI 58 trial (DECLARE‐like population). Propensity scores for the likelihood of dapagliflozin initiation were calculated, followed by 1:3 matching with initiators of oGLDs. Per‐patient cumulative costs for hospital healthcare (in‐ and outpatient) and for drugs were calculated from new initiation until end of follow‐up.

Results

A total of 24 828 patients initiated a new GLD; 6207 initiated dapagliflozin and 18 621 initiated an oGLD. After matching based on 96 clinical and healthcare cost variables, groups were balanced at baseline. Mean cumulative 30‐month healthcare cost per patient was similar in the dapagliflozin and oGLD groups ($11 807 and $11 906, respectively; difference, −$99; 95% CI, −$629, $483; P = 0.644). Initiation of dapagliflozin rather than an oGLD was associated with significantly lower hospital costs (−$658; 95% CI, −$1169, −$108; P = 0.024) and significantly higher drug costs ($559; 95% CI, $471, $648; P < 0.001). Hospital cost difference was related mainly to fewer CV‐ and T2D‐associated complications with use of dapagliflozin compared with use of an oGLD (−$363; 95% CI, −$665, −$61; P = 0.008).

Conclusion

In a nationwide, real‐world, DECLARE‐like population, dapagliflozin was associated with lower hospital costs compared with an oGLD, mainly as a result of reduced rates of CV‐ and T2D‐associated complications.
Forage quality and quantity affect red mason bees and honeybees differently in flowers of strawberry varieties
Authors: Ahrenfeldt Erica Juel , Sigsgaard Lene , Hansted Lise , Jensen Anders Christian , Toldam‐Andersen Torben Bo
Published: August 2019

Nectar is a vital source of energy for bees and other pollinators and pollen represents the only source of protein in the diet of bees. Nectar and pollen quality and quantity can therefore affect foraging choices. Strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa (Rosaceae), is a flowering crop that requires insect pollination for the berries to develop optimally. The solitary red mason bee, Osmia bicornis L. (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), occurs naturally but like the eusocial western honeybee, Apis mellifera mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), it is also a commercially reared pollinator used in strawberry production. We hypothesized that strawberry nectar and pollen quality would affect the foraging choice of these two types of bees. In this study nectar and pollen quality is represented by various levels of sugar and protein content, respectively, as well as the number of open strawberry flowers in the experimental field, would affect the foraging choice of these two types of bees. Consistent with previous studies, we found significant and major differences between strawberry varieties in proportions of sucrose in the nectar sugar and in pollen viability – a proxy for pollen protein content. All measured parameters had a significant effect on red mason bee visitation frequency. Contrary to expectations, honeybee foraging behavior was only affected by the number of open flowers and not by any of the quality parameters measured. Our findings indicate that red mason bees were capable of assessing nectar and pollen quality and prioritize accordingly. The pattern observed indicates that individual red mason bees changed foraging focus between strawberry varieties depending on whether nectar or pollen was collected. Our results suggest that targeted breeding of varieties toward high levels of nectar sugar and sucrose concentrations and high pollen protein content may increase pollination success from red mason bees and possibly other solitary bees.
Associative learning in immature lacewings (Ceraeochrysa cubana)
Authors: de Oliveira Cleber M. , Pallini Angelo , Bernardo Ana M.G. , Veiga Valéria R. , de Brito Luan A.R. , Venzon Madelaine , de Lima Eraldo R. , Janssen Arne
Published: August 2019

It is known that many social insects and arthropod predators and parasitoids can learn the association between a resource and volatile cues. Although there are various studies on the effect of experience in immature arthropods on behavior later in adult life, not much is known about the effects of such experiences on immature behavior. This was investigated here in the lacewing Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Whereas adults of this lacewing feed on plant‐provided food and honeydew, larvae are voracious polyphagous predators of several insect pests, and therefore important for biological control. Hence, studying the foraging behavior and the effects of learning in immatures of this species is important. We exposed immatures to the volatile methyl salicylate (MeSA), which was either associated with food or with the absence of food. Subsequently, their response to this volatile was tested in an olfactometer. Immatures that had experienced the association of MeSA with food were attracted to it and immatures that were exposed to MeSA during food deprivation were repelled. Subsequently, predator immatures that had experienced the association between MeSA and food were released on a plant without food and were found to use this volatile in locating patches with food. In contrast, larvae without such experience were found equally on food patches with and without the volatile. We conclude that these immature predators are capable of learning the association between volatiles and food, or the absence of food, and use this during foraging.
African American Couples in the 21st Century: Using Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) to Translate Science into Practice
Authors: Chambers Anthony L.
Published: August 2019

The complexity of the African American community in the United States continues to evolve. The growing number of professional African Americans who grew up in the postcivil rights era combined with the persistent reminders of inequity paints a complex backdrop for understanding African American relationships. The majority of our knowledge about African American couples disproportionately comes from nonclinical social science fields such as sociology and demography. Unfortunately, the scholarly literature on how to work with African American couples is relatively scant. This paper seeks to add to this limited literature by providing clinicians and scholars with a proposed set of issues to consider when conceptualizing and treating African American couples. In particular, the complexity and nuance needed to work with African American couples are best done by using an integrative model. Thus, this paper will discuss how the Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) model is particularly well suited for working with African American couples. This paper will summarize the science on African American marriages with a focus on salient factors such as gender, SES, and trust, which will then be translated into clinical practice by utilizing a case example. The case example will be of a middle‐class couple in order to delineate the challenges and the growing heterogeneity of African Americans. The article will conclude with a commentary on the evolving heterogeneity of African Americans, which sheds light on how an integrative perspective is important for disentangling and embracing the growing complexity of African American couples.
Metal ions and the extracellular matrix in tumor migration
Authors: Stelling Mariana P. , Motta Juliana M. , Mashid Marjon , Johnson Wyatt E. , Pavão Mauro S. , Farrell Nicholas P.
Published: August 2019

In this review, we explore the roles of divalent metal ions in structure and function within the extracellular matrix (ECM), specifically, their interaction with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) during tumor progression. Metals and GAGs have been individually associated with physiological and pathological processes, however, their combined activities in regulating cell behavior and ECM remodeling have not been fully explored to date. During tumor progression, divalent metals and GAGs participate in central processes, such as cell migration and angiogenesis, either by modulating cell surface molecules, as well as soluble signaling factors. In addition, studies on metals and polysaccharides interactions have been of great value, as they provide structural information that can be correlated with function. Finally, we believe that understanding how metals are regulated in physiological and pathological conditions is paramount for the development of new treatment strategies, as well as diagnostic and exploratory tools.
Understanding the motivations of patients: A co‐designed project to understand the factors behind patient engagement
Authors: McCarron Tamara L. , Noseworthy Thomas , Moffat Karen , Wilkinson Gloria , Zelinsky Sandra , White Deborah , Hassay Derek , Lorenzetti Diane L. , Marlett Nancy J.
Published: August 2019

Background

Large‐scale transformation depends on effective engagement of diverse stakeholders. With the evolution of the role of the ‘patient partner’ in health‐care decision making, understanding the motivations of these individuals is essential to the success of engagement initiatives. This study reports on motivational factors associated with patient engagement in health care.

Methods

Patient co‐investigators and a researcher co‐designed and conducted this study. A survey was administered to patients and family members. Key informant interviews and previous research informed the development of the survey tool. The survey data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis to identify the underlying dimensions in the data. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine reliability.

Results

A total of 1449 individuals participated in the survey. Of these, 543 completed and 427 partially completed the survey (67% complete rate). The mean age of the respondents was 54 years. The majority of participants were female, well‐educated, retired, married and lived in an urban centre. Seven motivational factors explained 65% of the total variance. Analysis of internal consistency revealed acceptable reliability for all items. The seven motivations were as follows: Self‐fulfillment, Improving Healthcare, Compensation, Influence, Learning New Things, Conditional and Perks.

Conclusion

The results of this research describe a sample of patient and family members currently engaged with health systems. We identified seven motivational factors underlying their engagement. A deeper knowledge of volunteer motivations will not only create meaningful engagement opportunities for patients, but also enable health organizations to gain from the experience of these individuals, thereby enhancing quality and sustainability of patient engagement programmes.
Characterization and topical delivery of phenylethyl resorcinol
Authors: Zhang Y. , Sil B. C. , Kung C.‐P. , Hadgraft J. , Heinrich M. , Sinko B. , Lane M. E.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Phenylethyl resorcinol (PR) has been used widely in the personal care industry as a novel skin lightening ingredient. Surprisingly, there is only limited information describing the physicochemical properties of this active. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive characterization of PR. A secondary objective was to investigate the delivery of this molecule to mammalian skin.

Methods

Phenylethyl resorcinol was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). A new high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for analysis of PR was developed and validated. The log P (octanol water partition coefficient), value, solubility and short‐term stability of PR in a series of vehicles were also determined using HPLC. The evaporation of the selected vehicles was examined using dynamic vapour sorption (DVS). The permeation profiles of PR were investigated under finite dose conditions in porcine and human skin.

Results

The melting point of PR was determined to be 79.13 °C and the measured log P (octanol water partition coefficient) at 21 °C was 3.35 ± 0.03. The linearity of the HPLC analytical method was confirmed with an r2 value of 0.99. Accuracy of the method was evaluated by average recovery rates at three tested concentrations, and the values ranged from 99 to 106%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.19 and 0.57 μg mL−1, respectively. The solubility of PR in PG, DMI, glycerol was within the range of 367 to 877 mg mL−1. The stability of PR in tested solvents was also confirmed by the 72 h stability studies. From the DVS studies, 70–125% of applied formulations were recovered at 24 h. The permeation through porcine skin at 24 h ranged from 4 to 13 μg cm−2, while the corresponding amounts of PR delivered through human skin were 2 to 10 μg cm−2.

Conclusion

The physicochemical properties of PR confirm it is suitable for dermal delivery. In this study, propylene glycol was the most promising vehicle for PR delivery to human skin. Future work will expand the range of vehicles studied and explore the percutaneous absorption from more complex formulations.
Potential immunomodulatory effects of stem cells from the apical papilla on Treg conversion in tissue regeneration for regenerative endodontic treatment
Authors: Liu X. M. , Liu Y. , Yu S. , Jiang L. M. , Song B. , Chen X.
Published: August 2019

Aim

To evaluate the expression of Foxp3‐positive lymphocytes around newly formed tissue after regenerative endodontic treatment (RET) in vivo and investigate the effects of stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP) on the conversion of CD4+CD25− T cells to CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro.

Methodology

Three 6‐month‐old beagles with nine doubled‐rooted premolars in each dog were randomly assigned to the RET group and the control group. RET was performed after apical periodontitis had been induced in the experimental immature teeth. Three months later, the expression of Foxp3 was detected in the histological sections by immunofluorescent staining. Human SCAP and CD4+CD25− T cells from mice spleens (1 : 1 and 1 : 5) were co‐cultured in cell–cell contact or in Transwells, respectively, for 24 and 72 h in vitro. The percentage of Tregs was evaluated by flow cytometry. The results were analysed using the Fisher's exact test and analysis of variance. P < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.

Results

Inflammatory cells were present with tissue regeneration in the RET group, and Foxp3‐positive T cells were enriched around the newly formed tissues. SCAP promoted Treg conversion after 72 h in vitro. Cell–cell contact played an important role after the 24 h co‐culture, whilst soluble factors were also involved after 72 h (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

SCAP promoted the conversion of pro‐inflammatory T cells to Tregs in vitro. Tregs were enriched around the regenerating tissues in the root canals after RET, which may create a suitable immune microenvironment for the differentiation of SCAP. This study provides an underlying mechanism for tissue regeneration during RET.
Excellent piezoelectric properties of PNN‐PHT ceramics sintered at low temperature with CuO addition
Authors: Xia Yushun , Li Zhimin , Yan Yangxi , Zhao Mo , Zhang Maolin , Zhang Dongyan
Published: August 2019

Multilayer components with excellent piezoelectric performance have been developed for fulfilling the requirement of new‐generation electromechanical devices and systems. Multilayering of the piezoelectric ceramic requires good sinterability preferentially at lower temperature. In this study, copper (II) oxide (CuO) was utilized as the sintering additive to increase the sinterability of 0.49Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.51Pb(Hf0.3Ti0.7)O3 (PNN‐PHT) ceramics at low temperature, and simultaneously enhance the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the ceramics. The results demonstrated that the addition of CuO influenced the sintering behavior, grain growth, and piezoelectric properties of the PNN‐PHT ceramics. A ternary high performance piezoelectric PNN‐PHT ceramic sintered at 1050°C with 0.5 mol% CuO exhibited excellent properties as follows: d33 = 912 pC N−1 and εr = 6665.
Physico‐chemical, orosensory and microstructural properties of meat products containing rye bran, pea fibre or a combination of the two
Authors: Kehlet Ursula , Christensen Lars Bager , Raben Anne , Aaslyng Margit D.
Published: August 2019

Functionality of dietary fibres depends on their interaction with the food matrix to where they are added and gastrointestinal conditions. The present study investigated the physico‐chemical, orosensory and microstructural properties of meatballs and sausages containing different fibre ingredients (six recipes in total). The fibre‐rich meat products had a dietary fibre content of 3.0 g per 100 g. Viscosity and water‐holding capacity (WHC) were determined after an in vitro simulated digestion model. Fourteen subjects assessed chewing time. Microstructural characteristics were determined by CT scanning. Sausages had a longer chewing time and higher water content, but a lower WHC than meatballs. In contrast, the differences in viscosity were low. Moreover, the microstructural characteristics differed between sausages and meatballs and the differences seemed to be influenced by the fibre type. In conclusion, fibre ingredients affect meat quality‐related properties in terms of chewing time and microstructure when added to meatballs or sausages.
Proteome changes in lamb semimembranosus muscles associated with the inclusion of sunflower cake in their diet
Authors: de Melo Aline Moreira Portela , López‐Pedrouso María , Costa Roberto Germano , Franco Daniel , de Alencar Araripe Noronha Moura Arlindo , da Silva Taciane Alves , Moreno Frederico Bruno Mendes Batista , de Lima Júnior Valdi , de Oliveira Monteiro‐Moreira Ana Cristina , de Medeiros Ariosvaldo Nunes , de Azevedo Moreira Renato , Lorenzo Jose M.
Published: August 2019

A diet based on sunflower cake for lambs was assayed in order to reuse biodiesel industrial by‐products with the aim of reducing livestock costs and evaluating their influence on meat quality. To achieve these goals, sixteen male lambs were fed diets containing different levels of sunflower cake (control, 5%, 10% and 15%). Afterwards, their semimembranosus muscles were analysed by two‐dimensional electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry and their functional protein association was examined using STRING. Structural and metabolic proteins in the lambs’ proteomes changed significantly according to their diet. Fifteen proteins showed significant changes caused by the inclusion of sunflower cake, and the most differentially abundant structural proteins were detected in 2‐DE gels from the lambs. Differentially abundant metabolic proteins such as ENO3 (enolase 3), MDH1 (malate dehydrogenase) and ALDH1A1 (retinal dehydrogenase) have been proposed as biomarkers of quality parameters in other species.
Potato Glycoalkaloids: occurrence, biological activities and extraction for biovalorisation – a review
Authors: Benkeblia Noureddine
Published: August 2019

Potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth most important agricultural product after wheat, rice and maize. With a total production of 388 million in 2017, c.a. 70% of this total production is processed in developed countries, producing a large amount of potato peel waste (PPW) as by‐product. Although PPW is considered as a zero‐value by‐product by the feed industry because it is too fibrous, for other recycling industries it is an inexpensive by‐product due to its significant contents of some interesting nutrients particularly polyphenols and glycoalkaloids. In potato, and Solanum species in general, many glycoalkaloids, predominantly α‐chaconine and α‐solanine, have been chemically and structurally identified. However, further research is needed to expand the knowledge of the biological values of potato glycoalkaloids in order to develop a recycling process to extract these technologically and nutritionally interesting bioactive ingredients for different sectors, in particular, the agricultural, food and pharmaceutical ones, which are demanding natural, safe and eco‐friendly ingredients.
Differences in professional values between nurses and nursing students: a gender perspective
Authors: Fernández‐Feito A. , Basurto‐Hoyuelos S. , Palmeiro‐Longo M.R. , García‐Díaz V.
Published: August 2019

Aim

To compare Spanish nursing students' and registered nurses' perception of professional values from the perspective of gender and professional experience.

Background

Nursing has traditionally been a female profession; however, the analysis of professional nursing values from a gender perspective has received little attention. The integration of professional values typically begins during academic life and is, thereafter, reinforced during professional activities.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted with 159 students (97.4% females) and 386 registered nurses (86.8% females) from primary healthcare centres, hospitals and management positions within the public health system. The validated Spanish adaptation of the Nurses Professional Values Scale was used. This instrument measures three dimensions: ethics, commitment and professional mastery. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data, together with bivariate analysis using the chi‐squared test.

Results

Females granted more importance to professional values. Important gender differences among students were detected. Ethical values were considered to be the most important for both students and nurses, followed by professional mastery and commitment. The importance given to values progressively decreased in the groups under study: students, less‐experienced nurses and expert nurses (in decreasing order).

Conclusions

Significant gender differences exist with regard to professional nursing values. The values related to professional commitment and mastery should be integrated and promoted during academic education and specifically focus on male students' perceptions. As professional experience increases, the importance attributed to professional values decreases.

Implications for Nursing Policy

Professional nursing values should be promoted among universities, health services and professional organizations, encouraging their dissemination, implementation and evaluation.
Utility of local atrial electrogram pattern for predicting left main coronary artery anatomical distance during mapping in the left pulmonary sinus of valsalva
Authors: Dong Xiaonan , Tang Min , Sun Qi , Zhang Shu
Published: August 2019

Background

Ablation of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) ventricular arrhythmia (VA) within the left pulmonary sinus of Valsalva (LPSV) may increase the risk of left main coronary artery (LMCA) injury.

Purpose

To delineate the anatomical characteristics between LMCA and LPSV and their association with atrial potential (AP) mapping in LPSV.

Methods

A total of 104 consecutive patients with RVOT‐VA undergoing cardiac‐gated computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) after ablation were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The LMCA‐LPSV anatomic relationship was classified into three types based on the CTCA measurements. Types 1 and 2 had a shorter LMCA‐LPSV distance than that of type 3 (P < .001). The left atrial appendage (LAA)‐LMCA distance and LAA‐LPSV distance were associated with the incidence of AP in LPSV (odds ratio [OR] = 3.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86‐6.34, P < .001; OR = 1.196, 95% CI: 1.09‐1.31, P < .001, respectively). Furthermore, the LMCA‐LPSV distance showed a linear correlation with the LAA‐LPSV distance (r2 = 0.93, P < .001). According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, a LMCA‐LPSV distance <5.4 mm could predict the possibility of AP during LPSV mapping (sensitivity 83%, specificity 81%, and area under the ROC curve 0.86).

Conclusions

The presence of AP in the LPSV may be useful to predict a short distance from the LPSV to the LMCA and to identify patients at higher risk of LMCA injury. This information may contribute to efficient and safe ablation in this area but should be confirmed in future studies.
Validation of recommended definition in identifying elevated blood pressure in adolescents
Authors: Fan Hui , Liu Yudan , Zhang Xingyu
Published: August 2019

Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended 120/80 mm Hg as thresholds for identifying elevated blood pressure (BP) in adolescents aged 13‐17 years. The authors aimed to compare the performance of the new definition in identifying elevated BP with traditional percentile‐based definition. Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999‐2014, which included 7485 adolescents aged 13‐17 years. Elevated BP was defined using the recommended (≥120/80 mm Hg) and traditional definition (≥90th percentile for sex, age, and height or 120/80 mm Hg) presented in AAP guideline. The prevalence of elevated BP was 15.7% and 17.2% using the recommended and traditional definition, respectively (P < .001). The recommended definition had high sensitivity (90.9%), perfect specificity (100.0%), perfect positive predictive value (100.0%), and very high negative predictive value (98.1%) compared with the traditional definition. The Kappa correlation coefficient between two definitions was 0.94 (P < .001). Similar results can be observed in subgroups across sex, age, and sex‐ and age‐specific height percentile except for both sexes with young age and low height percentile. Generally, our results supported the use of the recommended definition for identifying elevated BP in adolescents.
Poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibition protects against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury via suppressing mitophagy
Authors: Cao Shengchuan , Sun Yiying , Wang Wenjun , Wang Bailu , Zhang Qun , Pan Chang , Yuan Qiuhuan , Xu Feng , Wei Shujian , Chen Yuguo
Published: August 2019

Myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury attenuates the beneficial effects of reperfusion therapy. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) is overactivated during myocardial I/R injury. Mitophagy plays a critical role in the development of myocardial I/R injury. However, the effect of PARP activation on mitophagy in cardiomyocytes is unknown. In this study, we found that I/R induced PARP activation and mitophagy in mouse hearts. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibition reduced the infarct size and suppressed mitophagy after myocardial I/R injury. In vitro, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) activated PARP, promoted mitophagy and induced cell apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibition suppressed H/R‐induced mitophagy and cell apoptosis. Parkin knockdown with lentivirus vectors inhibited mitophagy and prevented cell apoptosis in H/R‐treated cells. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibition prevented the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Cyclosporin A maintained ΔΨm and suppressed mitophagy but FCCP reduced the effect of PARP inhibition on ΔΨm and promoted mitophagy, indicating the critical role of ΔΨm in H/R‐induced mitophagy. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and poly(ADP‐ribosylation) of CypD and TSPO might contribute to the regulation of ΔΨm by PARP. Our findings thus suggest that PARP inhibition protects against I/R‐induced cell apoptosis by suppressing excessive mitophagy via the ΔΨm/Parkin pathway.
Oral bacteriome of HIV‐1‐infected children from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Next‐generation DNA sequencing analysis
Authors: Gonçalves Lucio Souza , Ferreira Dennis de Carvalho , Heng Nicholas C. K. , Vidal Fabio , Santos Henrique Fragoso , Zanicotti Diogo Godoy , Vasconcellos Mariana , Stambovsky Mayra , Lawley Blair , Rubini Norma de Paula Motta , dos Santos Katia Regina Netto , Seymour Gregory J.
Published: August 2019

Background and Aim

This study compared the oral bacteriome between HIV‐1‐infected and non‐HIV‐1‐infected Brazilian children/teenagers.

Methods

Whole saliva, biofilm from the dorsal surface of the tongue and biofilm from supragingival and subgingival sites were collected from 27 HIV‐1‐infected and 30 non‐HIV‐1‐infected individuals. Bacterial genomic DNA was extracted and 16S rRNA genes were sequenced using next‐generation sequencing technology (Ion Torrent).

Results

In the supragingival biofilm, the phylum Firmicutes and genus Streptococcus sp. were more frequent in HIV‐1‐infected (95% and 78%, respectively) than in non‐HIV‐1‐infected individuals (40% and 24%, respectively). In the subgingival biofilm of HIV‐infected participants, the relative abundance of the Veillonella sp. and Prevotella sp. genera were higher than in non‐HIV‐1‐infected participants. On the tongue, the genera with greater relative abundance in HIV‐1‐infected individuals were Neisseria sp. (21%). In saliva, the difference of the genus Prevotella sp. between non‐HIV‐1‐infected and HIV‐1‐infected individuals was 15% and 7%, respectively. The Chao index revealed an increase in the richness of both sub‐ and supragingival biofilms in the HIV‐1‐infected samples compared with non‐HIV‐1‐infected samples.

Conclusion

HIV‐1‐infected children/teenagers have a higher frequency of the phyla Firmicutes and genus Streptococcus, and their oral microbiome shows more complexity than that of non‐HIV‐1‐infected children/teenagers.
Starvation tolerance associated with prolonged sleep bouts upon starvation in a single natural population of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Miura Mai , Takahashi Aya
Published: August 2019

Large genetic variations in starvation tolerance in animals indicate that there are multiple strategies to cope with low‐nutrient conditions. Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) typically respond to starvation by suppressing sleep and enhancing locomotor activity presumably to search for food. However, we hypothesized that in a natural population, there are costs and benefits to sleep suppression under low‐nutrient conditions and that conserving energy through sleep could be a better strategy depending on food availability. In this study, we quantified the variation in sleep‐related traits in 21 wild‐derived inbred lines from Katsunuma, Japan, under fed and starved conditions and analysed the relationship between those traits and starvation tolerance. Although most of the lines responded to starvation by suppressing the total time in sleep, there were indeed two lines that responded by significantly increasing the sleep‐bout durations and thus not reducing the total time in sleep. These genotypes survived longer in acute starvation conditions compared to genotypes that responded by the immediate suppression of sleep, which could be due to the reduced metabolic rate during the long uninterrupted sleep bouts. The coexistence of the enhanced foraging and resting strategies upon starvation within a single population is consistent with the presence of a behavioural trade‐off between food search and energy conservation due to unpredictable food availability in nature. These results provide insights into the evolutionary mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of genetic variations underlying environmental stress resistance.
Predicting Operational Rater‐Type Classifications Using Rasch Measurement Theory and Random Forests: A Music Performance Assessment Perspective
Authors: Wesolowski Brian C.
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study was to build a Random Forest supervised machine learning model in order to predict musical rater‐type classifications based upon a Rasch analysis of raters’ differential severity/leniency related to item use. Raw scores (N = 1,704) from 142 raters across nine high school solo and ensemble festivals (grades 9–12) were collected using a 29‐item Likert‐type rating scale embedded within five domains (tone/intonation, n = 6; balance, n = 5; interpretation, n = 6; rhythm, n = 6; and technical accuracy, n = 6). Data were analyzed using a Many Facets Rasch Partial Credit Model. An a priori k‐means cluster analysis of 29 differential rater functioning indices produced a discrete feature vector that classified raters into one of three distinct rater‐types: (a) syntactical rater‐type, (b) expressive rater‐type, or (c) mental representation rater‐type. Results of the initial Random Forest model resulted in an out‐of‐bag error rate of 5.05%, indicating that approximately 95% of the raters were correctly classified. After tuning a set of three hyperparameters (ntree, mtry, and node size), the optimized model demonstrated an improved out‐of‐bag error rate of 2.02%. Implications for improvements in assessment, research, and rater training in the field of music education are discussed.
Linear‐array endoscopic ultrasound improves the accuracy of preoperative submucosal invasion prediction in suspected early gastric cancer compared with radial endoscopic ultrasound: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Lan Zhixian , Hu Haiyan , Mandip Rai , Zhu Wei , Guo Wen , Wen Jing , Xie Fang , Qiao Weiguang , Venkata Akshintala , Huang Ying , Liu Side , Li Yue
Published: August 2019

Background and Aim

There is a lack of literature comparing linear endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and radial EUS for the prediction of the depth of invasion in early gastric cancer (EGC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of linear EUS for the diagnosis of submucosal (SM) invasion and compare linear EUS with radial EUS in suspected EGC patients.

Methods

Seventy‐two consecutive patients with suspected EGC who underwent a preoperative assessment using linear EUS or radial EUS were prospectively enrolled. The depth of invasion was categorized into mucosal to SM (< T1b) and SM or deeper (≥ T1b), and the EUS‐determined diagnosis was compared with postoperative histopathological findings.

Results

Thirty‐nine patients underwent radial EUS, and 33 patients underwent linear EUS examination. The baseline characteristics between the groups were well balanced. The diagnostic accuracy was much higher for patients who underwent linear EUS compared with radial EUS (90.9% vs 69.2%, P = 0.024). The sensitivity was 92.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 66.7–98.6%) for linear EUS and 90.9% (95% CI 62.3–98.4%) for radial EUS. The specificity was 90.0% (95% CI 69.9–97.2%) in the linear EUS group, while the specificity was 60.7% (95% CI 42.4–76.4%) in the radial EUS group. Univariate analysis showed that EUS type (odds ratio 0.225, 95% CI 0.057–0.884, P = 0.033) was an associated risk factor of incorrect T1b staging in EGC patients. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.912 and 0.758 for linear and radial EUS, respectively.

Conclusion

Linear EUS was more accurate for determining SM invasion and therapeutic strategy in suspected EGC patients compared with radial EUS.
Escrevendo e Criando a Diferença: Os Maroon Ndyuka e os usos da arte no Cottica (Suriname)
Authors: da Cunha Olivia Gomes
Published: August 2019

In describing specialized readings about the discovery of a “Ndyuka script” in the last century, the article seeks to analyze procedures that provide context and assumptions of continuity that limits our understanding of the use of Afaka signs in the works of Maroon artists, in particular, of Marcel Pinas as well as young people in Moengo (Suriname). If, for the specialists, the invention of a script was the result of contact of literate Ndyukas with Christianity, new uses of the Afaka have left behind the notebooks and these attempts of translation. In the Cottica landscape and the current forms of art expression, a variety of the uses of Afaka signs have gained new colors and spatial dimensions, and are associated to the modes of existence of Cottica Ndyuka in the region in the post–civil war (1986–1992). [Maroons, Cottica Ndyuka, Suriname, Escrita, Art, Caribbean, Afaka]
Marine bacterial extracts as a new rich source of drugs against Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhu Beika , Li Zhongrui , Qian Pei‐Yuan , Herrup Karl
Published: August 2019

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent, progressive and irreversible, neurodegenerative disease with no disease modifying treatment yet available. The projected burden of AD on our healthcare system is immense and thus there is an immediate need for new drugs that prevent or attenuate AD symptoms. While most efforts in the field are directed at treatments that reduce amyloid or tau burden in the brain, we have taken an alternate approach – a model based on reducing AD‐associated neuronal cell cycle events. Using this model, we have screened a largely unexplored source of compounds with therapeutic potential – the natural products created by diverse strains of marine bacteria. Two hundred and twenty‐five bacterial extracts from different strains were tested for both toxicity and neuroprotective properties by crystal violet and In‐cell Western – first in HT22 cells and then in mouse primary neuronal cultures. Based on these screens, we have identified several promising leads, and here we focus on the most promising of these. We found that we could directly assay even a crude bacterial extract in our E16 mouse cortical neuronal cultures and screen for activities that prevent cell cycle reentry and preserve synaptic structure. Preliminary tests in 1‐month‐old animals from a mouse model of Ataxia telangiectasia, showed that blockage of cell cycle‐related neuronal death could also be successful in vivo. This adds an important extension to our in vitro studies. These findings showcase a new effective and efficient assay system and validate the use of marine natural compounds as a novel source for new drugs to fight Alzheimer’s disease.

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Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14733.