bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rutile R632 – A New Natural Reference Material for U‐Pb and Zr Determination
Authors: Axelsson Emelie , Pape Jonas , Berndt Jasper , Corfu Fernando , Mezger Klaus , Raith Michael M.
Published: April 2018

A new natural rutile reference material is presented, suitable for U‐Pb dating and Zr‐in‐rutile thermometry by microbeam methods. U‐Pb dating of rutile R632 using laser ablation ICP‐MS with both magnetic sector field and quadrupole instruments as well as isotope dilution‐thermal ionisation mass spectrometry yielded a concordia age of 496 ± 2 Ma. The high U content (> 300 μg g−1) enabled measurement of high‐precision U‐Pb ages despite its young age. The sample was found to have a Zr content of 4294 ± 196 μg g−1, which makes it an excellent complementary reference material for Zr‐in‐rutile thermometry. Individual rutile grains have homogeneous compositions of a number of other trace elements including V, Cr, Fe, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, Hf, Ta and W. This newly characterised material significantly expands the range of available rutile reference materials relevant for age and temperature determinations.
Isolation and identification of two major acylated anthocyanins from purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. cultivar Eshu No. 8) by UPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS and NMR
Authors: Zhang Jiu‐Liang , Luo Chun‐Li , Zhou Qing , Zhang Zi‐Cheng
Published: April 2018

In recent years, researches on the isolation and preparation of monomeric anthocyanins have intensified because of the requirements of quantitative and structure–bioactivity relationship analyses. However, simple and effective methods about the scale of monomeric anthocyanins from the natural purple sweet potato powder are rarely reported. In this study, high molecular weight acylated monomeric anthocyanins were isolated from purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. cultivar Eshu No. 8) via the combination of column chromatography and semi‐preparative HPLC technology and identified mainly by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS) and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Two major acylated anthocyanins were unambiguously determined as peonidin 3‐O‐(6‐O‐(E)‐caffeoyl‐(2‐O‐(6‐O‐p‐hydroxybenzoyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside)‐5‐O‐(β‐D‐glucopyranoside) and peonidin 3‐O‐(6‐O‐(E)‐caffeoyl‐(2‐O‐(6‐O‐(E)‐feruloyl)‐β‐D‐ glucopyranosyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside)‐5‐O‐(β‐D‐glucopyranoside). The results of this study may help promote the purification of high molecular weight acylated anthocyanins from purple sweet potato as well as from other plant materials in nature.
Comparison of structural, antioxidant and immuno‐stimulating activities of polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis in two different regions of China
Authors: Li Pan , Jiang Zhuo , Sun Tian , Wang Chao , Chen Yiyong , Yang Ziyin , Du Bing , Liu Chunyang
Published: April 2018

In this study, we compared the chemical structure, antioxidant and immuno‐stimulating activities of two polysaccharides, TPS–FJ and TPS–SC, extracted from Tremella fuciformis from two of the major cultivation regions of China. TPS–FJ and TPS–SC contained protein and high uronic acid. Average molecular weights of TPS–FJ and TPS–SC were 45 461 and 25 981 kDa, respectively. A triple‐helix conformation was exhibited by TPS–FJ but not by TPS–SC. TPS–FJ and TPS–SC contained same monosaccharides but in different ratios. Both the polysaccharides displayed characteristic polysaccharide bands in their Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectra, shown high water and oil holding capacity, and retained antioxidant potential after simulated gastrointestinal digestion in vitro. TPS–FJ significantly (P < 0.05) stimulated the nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 production of RAW 264.7 cells with higher reactions than those of TPS–SC in vitro. Thus, Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide can be used as a potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory ingredient in food industry.
Serious game‐based learning: the place of users’ verbalization in the acquisition of specific skills
Authors: Denami Maria
Published: April 2018

This study focuses on the analysis of peripheral phenomena such as verbalization and over‐learning by users while playing serious games (SGs) in order to develop their competences. For this purpose, we used an SG aimed at training the operators who are meant to work in cleanrooms devoted to pharmaceutical production. Data concerning the effectiveness of developing competences will be interpreted here, as well as the unexpected results concerning the way the SG is actually used in a naturalistic context. Indeed, some additional phenomena such as flow, immersion, thinking aloud, problem solving and open discussion will be presented in this paper.
Prostate‐specific antigen screening impacts on biochemical recurrence in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer
Authors: Hashimoto Takeshi , Ohori Makoto , Shimodaira Kenji , Kaburaki Naoto , Hirasawa Yosuke , Satake Naoya , Gondo Tatsuo , Nakagami Yoshihiro , Namiki Kazunori , Ohno Yoshio
Published: April 2018

Objective

To clarify the impact of prostate‐specific antigen screening on surgical outcomes of prostate cancer.

Methods

Patients who underwent radical prostatectomy were divided into two groups according to prostate‐specific antigen testing opportunity (group 1, prostate‐specific antigen screening; group 2, non‐prostate‐specific antigen screening). Perioperative clinical characteristics were compared using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum and χ2‐tests. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify independent predictors of postoperative biochemical recurrence‐free survival.

Results

In total, 798 patients (63.2%) and 464 patients (36.8%) were categorized into groups 1 and 2, respectively. Group 2 patients were more likely to have a higher prostate‐specific antigen level and age at diagnosis and larger prostate volume. Clinical T stage, percentage of positive cores and pathological Gleason score did not differ between the groups. The 5‐year biochemical recurrence‐free survival rate was 83.9% for group 1 and 71.0% for group 2 (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, prostate‐specific antigen testing opportunity (hazard ratio 2.530; P < 0.001) was an independent predictive factor for biochemical recurrence after surgery, as well as pathological T stage, pathological Gleason score, positive surgical margin and lymphovascular invasion. Additional analyses showed that prostate‐specific antigen screening had a greater impact on biochemical recurrence in a younger patients, patients with a high prostate‐specific antigen level, large prostate volume and D'Amico high risk, and patients meeting the exclusion criteria of the Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance study.

Conclusions

Detection by screening results in favorable outcomes after surgery. Prostate‐specific antigen screening might contribute to reducing biochemical recurrence in patients with localized prostate cancer.
Thermally reduced rGO‐wrapped CoP/Co2P hybrid microflower as an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Kim Taek‐Seung , Song Hee Jo , Dar Mushtaq Ahmad , Shim Hyun‐Woo , Kim Dong‐Wan
Published: April 2018

Cobalt phosphides (CoPx) are potential candidates for use as high‐efficiency hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalysts that can replace noble metals, such as Pt. Typically, CoPx can be synthesized by phosphidation with Co‐based precursors such as oxides or hydroxides. In this study, we propose a new strategy for synthesizing CoPx through the thermal reduction in cobalt phosphate (Co3(PO4)2). A reduced graphene oxide‐wrapped CoP/Co2P hybrid microflower was successfully synthesized by a facile coprecipitation method in a Co3(PO4)2 matrix, followed by a thermal reduction process. Co3(PO4)2 can be transformed to CoP/Co2P by treatment at 700°C for 1 hour, maintaining the original particle morphology with the assistance of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). In a 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 solution, the rGO‐CoP/Co2P microflower catalyzes the hydrogen evolution reaction with an overpotential of 156 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, a Tafel slope of 53.8 mV dec−1, and good stability as observed through long‐term CV and chronoamperometry tests.
Psychosocial interventions for disruptive behaviour problems in children in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Burkey Matthew D. , Hosein Megan , Morton Isabella , Purgato Marianna , Adi Ahmad , Kurzrok Mark , Kohrt Brandon A. , Tol Wietse A.
Published: April 2018

Background

Most of the evidence for psychosocial interventions for disruptive behaviour problems comes from Western, high‐income countries. The transferability of this evidence to culturally diverse, low‐resource settings with few mental health specialists is unknown.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review with random‐effects meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials examining the effects of psychosocial interventions on reducing behaviour problems among children (under 18) living in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC).

Results

Twenty‐six randomized controlled trials (representing 28 psychosocial interventions), evaluating 4,441 subjects, met selection criteria. Fifteen (54%) prevention interventions targeted general or at‐risk populations, whereas 13 (46%) treatment interventions targeted children selected for elevated behaviour problems. Most interventions were delivered in group settings (96%) and half (50%) were administered by non‐specialist providers. The overall effect (standardized mean difference, SMD) of prevention studies was −0.25 (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.41 to −0.09; I2: 78%) and of treatment studies was −0.56 (95% CI: −0.51 to −0.24; I2: 74%). Subgroup analyses demonstrated effectiveness for child‐focused (SMD: −0.35; 95% CI: −0.57 to −0.14) and behavioural parenting interventions (SMD: −0.43; 95% CI: −0.66 to −0.20), and that interventions were effective across age ranges.

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis supports the use of psychosocial interventions as a feasible and effective way to reduce disruptive behaviour problems among children in LMIC. Our study provides strong evidence for child‐focused and behavioural parenting interventions, interventions across age ranges and interventions delivered in groups. Additional research is needed on training and supervision of non‐specialists and on implementation of effective interventions in LMIC settings.
Why do children read more? The influence of reading ability on voluntary reading practices
Authors: van Bergen Elsje , Snowling Margaret J. , de Zeeuw Eveline L. , van Beijsterveldt Catharina E.M. , Dolan Conor V. , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: April 2018

Background

This study investigates the causal relationships between reading and print exposure and investigates whether the amount children read outside school determines how well they read, or vice versa. Previous findings from behavioural studies suggest that reading predicts print exposure. Here, we use twin‐data and apply the behaviour‐genetic approach of direction of causality modelling, suggested by Heath et al. (), to investigate the causal relationships between these two traits.

Method

Partial data were available for a large sample of twin children (N = 11,559) and 262 siblings, all enrolled in the Netherlands Twin Register. Children were assessed around 7.5 years of age. Mothers completed questionnaires reporting children's time spent on reading activities and reading ability. Additional information on reading ability was available through teacher ratings and performance on national reading tests. For siblings reading test, results were available.

Results

The reading ability of the twins was comparable to that of the siblings and national norms, showing that twin findings can be generalized to the population. A measurement model was specified with two latent variables, Reading Ability and Print Exposure, which correlated .41. Heritability analyses showed that Reading Ability was highly heritable, while genetic and environmental influences were equally important for Print Exposure. We exploited the fact that the two constructs differ in genetic architecture and fitted direction of causality models. The results supported a causal relationship running from Reading Ability to Print Exposure.

Conclusions

How much and how well children read are moderately correlated. Individual differences in print exposure are less heritable than individual differences in reading ability. Importantly, the present results suggest that it is the children's reading ability that determines how much they choose to read, rather than vice versa.
Pyoderma gangrenosum: a clinical conundrum
Authors: Abdelmaksoud A.
Published: April 2018

Linked article: This article is commentary on by A.S. Gupta et al., p. e382 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14977
Increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lee S. , Kim B.J. , Lee C.H. , Lee W.S.
Published: April 2018

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) is a hair follicle‐specific autoimmune disorder. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with various autoimmune disorders for its immunomodulatory effects. However, in previous studies, there had been inconsistent association found between AA and vitamin D deficiency.

Objective

To demonstrate the differences of the mean serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency between AA patients and non‐AA population.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies on AA and serum vitamin D levels and/or prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was performed searching MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases.

Results

In all, 14 studies including a total of 1255 AA subjects and 784 non‐AA control were analysed. The mean serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level was significantly lower in AA subjects (−8.52 ng/dL; 95% confidential interval; −5.50 to −11.53). The AA subjects had higher odds of vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio of 3.89; 2.02 to 7.49, mean prevalence of 73.8%; 59.1 to 84.6%). However, it was difficult to find clear correlation between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level and extent of hair loss in AA subjects.

Conclusion

The AA subjects had lower serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level, and vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent compared to non‐AA controls. Hence, vitamin D deficiency should be assessed in AA patients. Furthermore, nutritional supplementation of vitamin D or topical vitamin D analogues can be considered for AA patients with vitamin D deficiency. The limitation of this study is the highly heterogeneity of the included studies.
Dermoscopic features of melanocytic skin lesions in Greek children and adolescents and their association with environmental factors and skin types
Authors: Papakonstantinou A. , Ioannides D. , Vakirlis E. , Savvoulidis C. , Lallas A. , Apalla Z. , Sotiriou E. , Lazaridou E.
Published: April 2018

Background

Acquired naevi often present in childhood and increase in number and size during early and middle life. As naevi represent potential mimickers of melanoma, the knowledge of their epidemiologic and morphologic characteristics is essential.

Objective

In this study, we intend to determine the prevalence of dermoscopic patterns of naevi, as well their association with environmental and constitutional factors.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data derived from a population‐based cohort of children and adolescents aged 6–18 years, from 12 different schools in Thessaloniki, Greece. For each participant, a consent form and a questionnaire were completed, which included data on age, sex, phototype, sun sensitivity, sun exposure, sunscreen use and previous sunburn history. All naevi, their body distribution, and their dermoscopic patterns were recorded.

Results

Two thousand and five hundred and five (2505) subjects were enrolled into the study (47.8% males and 52.2% females). The mean number of MN counted in a single person was 29.11 (SD = ±23.863). TNC increased continuously with higher age. Males were found to have a significantly increased number on the trunk (11.7 ± 11.2 and 10.0 ± 8.7, respectively, P < 0.001) and face and neck (6.2 ± 5.3 and 5.1 ± 4.3, respectively, P < 0.001) while females on the upper (10.3 ± 10.1 and 9.3 ± 9.4, respectively, P = 0.008) and lower extremities (2.8 ± 3.4 and 2.5 ± 3.2, respectively, P = 0.008). Globular pattern was the most frequent dominant pattern in lower age groups, and its percentage fell as age increased. On the contrary, the reticular pattern was more often documented in individuals in adolescence.

Conclusion

This first study of MN in our young population aims to be the basis of further investigation for the MM preventive policy of our state.
Assessment of burbot Lota lota (L. 1758) population sustainability in central European reservoirs
Authors: Blabolil P. , Duras J. , Jůza T. , Kočvara L. , Matěna J. , Muška M. , Říha M. , Vejřík L. , Holubová M. , Peterka J.
Published: April 2018

A novel sampling scheme, using a combination of electrofishing, visual exploration by scuba divers, two types of fyke nets and longlines, was tested in four reservoirs (including their inlets and outlets) to monitor a population of burbot Lota lota. This was supplemented by fry trawling and vertical hydro‐acoustics, to detect L. lota larvae in two deep reservoirs that have had a long‐term stocking programme. The majority of the L. lota detected were juveniles, captured by electrofishing in the littoral zones of the reservoirs and in running waters. Older individuals were rarely captured with longlines or fyke nets in deeper zones or structured habitats within the reservoirs. A combination of multiple sampling methods provided an assessment of the whole population. Population establishment could not be demonstrated as the age structure of the sampled fish corresponded with that of the stocked fish. Low post‐stocking survival, migratory behaviour, interactions with other species and warmer water temperatures are considered the potential drivers for unsuccessful establishment of L. lota populations in these reservoirs.
Use of Intensive Glycemic Management in Older Adults with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Arnold Suzanne V. , Lipska Kasia J. , Wang Jingyan , Seman Leo , Mehta Sanjeev N. , Kosiborod Mikhail
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To examine the proportion of older adults with diabetes mellitus treated with tight glucose control and the factors associated with this practice.

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Setting

Outpatient sites in the Diabetes Collaborative Registry (N=151).

Participants

Adults aged 75 and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus (N=42,669).

Measurements

Participants were categorized based on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glucose‐lowering medications: poor control (HbA1c >9%), moderate control (HbA1c 8–9%), conservative control (HbA1c 7–8%), tight control (HbA1c <7%) with low‐risk agents (low risk for hypoglycemia), tight control with high‐risk agents, and diet control (HbA1c <7% taking no glucose‐lowering medications). We used hierarchical logistic regression to examine participant and site factors associated with tight control and high‐risk agents versus conservative or tight control and low‐risk agents.

Results

Of 30,696 participants without diet‐controlled diabetes, 5,596 (18%) had moderate or poor control, 9,227 (30%) had conservative control, 7,893 (26%) had tight control taking low‐risk agents, and 7,980 (26%) had tight control taking high‐risk agents. Older age, male sex, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease were each independently associated with greater odds of tight control with high‐risk agents. There were no differences according to practice specialty (endocrinology, primary care, cardiology) in how aggressively participants were managed.

Conclusion

One‐quarter of U.S. older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus are tightly controlled with glucose‐lowering medications that have a high risk of hypoglycemia. These results suggest potential overtreatment of a substantial proportion of people and should encourage further efforts to translate guidelines to daily practice.
Lineages of the Islamic State: An International Historical Sociology of State (De‐)Formation in Iraq
Authors: Matin Kamran
Published: April 2018

Existing accounts of the Islamic State (IS) tend to rely on orientalist and technicist assumptions and hence insufficiently sensitive to the historical, sociological, and international conditions of the possibility of IS. The present article provides an alternative account through a conjunctural analysis that is anchored in an international historical sociology of modern Iraq informed by Leon Trotsky's idea of ‘uneven and combined development’. It foregrounds the concatenation of Iraq's contradictory (post‐)colonial nation‐state formation with the neoliberal conjuncture of 1990‐2014. It shows that the former process involved the tension‐prone fusion of governing institutions of the modern state and the intermittent but steady reproduction, valorization, and politicization of supra‐national (religious‐sectarian) and sub‐national (ethno‐tribal) collective identities, which subverted the emergence of an Iraqi nation. The international sanctions regime of the 1990s transformed sectarian and tribaldifferenceinto communitariantensionby fatally undermining the integrative efficacy of the Ba’ath party's authoritarian welfare‐state. Concurrently, the neo‐liberal demolition of the post‐colonial authoritarian welfare states in the region gave rise to the Arab Spring revolutions. The Arab Spring however elicited a successful authoritarian counter‐revolution that eliminated secular‐nationalist forms of oppositional politics. This illiberal neoliberalisation of the region's political economy valorised the religionisation of the domestic effects of the 2003 US‐led destruction of the Iraqi state and its reconstruction on a majoritarian basis favouring the Shi’as and hence transforming sectarian tension into sectarianconflictculminating in IS. Thus, IS is, the paper demonstrates, the result of neither an internal cultural pathology nor sheerly external forces. Rather, it is the novel product of an utterly historical congealment of the intrinsically interactive and multilinear dynamics of socio‐political change.
‘Bourdieu goes to Baghdad’: Explaining hybrid political identities in Iraq
Authors: Dodge Toby
Published: April 2018

This paper critiques the primordial and ethnosymbolic theories of identity that have come to dominate explanations of Iraq's descent into violent instability after the 2003 invasion. It argues that Iraq's contemporary politics can only be understood by examining its history over the longue durée not the past fifteen years. The paper critically interacts with modernist theories of nationalism and their relevance to explaining identities in the Middle East. It then deploys the work of Pierre Bourdieu, specifically his notion of field and capital, to explain the relationship between four ‘principles of visions' that have competed to dominate Iraq's political field.
Environmental determinism as Orientalism: The geo‐political ecology of crisis in the Middle East
Authors: Hoffmann Clemens
Published: April 2018

From ‘Resource Curse’ to ‘Climate Conflict’, more and more analyses of the current crisis in the Middle East start their reasoning from geo‐physical or natural conditions as determinants of social life. Paradoxically, despite its resource riches giving rise to conflict, the region's ecology is portrayed as fragile, alien and hostile. This imperial oriental imagination, assumes that a scarce nature is mismanaged by societies and states overall incapable of negotiating modernity. This precarious, crisis driven environment is now pushed to the edge by the effects of climate change with looming desertification and weather extremes and a scramble for shrinking oil reserves threatening to make the region all but inhabitable. This article suggests that this environmental oriental determinism in Middle East can be overcome by entering political ecology into the register of historical sociological analysis. Re‐socialising and historicising nature‐society relations avoids reifying the Cartesian nature/society divide, offering historical sociology a better toolkit to navigate the current crisis. Vice‐versa, it argues that political ecology can benefit from recognising the role of geopolitical relations in the social reproduction nature.
Crafting a job in ‘tough times’: When being proactive is positively related to work attachment
Authors: Wang Hai‐Jiang , Demerouti Evangelia , Blanc Pascale Le , Lu Chang‐Qin
Published: April 2018

Employee work attachment has been found to predict many important work attitudes and behaviours. In this article, we hypothesize that job crafting will be positively associated with work attachment as indicated by psychological ownership of the job and affective organizational commitment. Moreover, drawing on theories and research on work meaning and work identity, we propose that the positive association between job crafting and work attachment will be stronger when employees experience tough times at work (i.e., low‐quality leader‐member dynamics that result from being rated as a poor performer, or experiencing job insecurity). We test our hypotheses in two studies: the first using cross‐sectional survey data from a sample of 295 employees matched with archival performance evaluation data and the second using data collected from two, time‐lagged surveys from a sample of 194 employees and their supervisors. Results from these two studies supported the main effect of job crafting on work attachment. Moreover, the analyses of moderators showed that job crafting was strongly related to work attachment for low performers or insecure job‐holders (i.e., those who experience tough times). The present research provides insights into how to build work attachment by highlighting the proactive role of employees and advances job crafting theory by identifying moderators of job crafting effects.

Practitioner points

Employee job crafting is positively related to work attachment (e.g., feelings of job ownership and organizational commitment).

Organizations should provide employees with more opportunities to job craft so that employees would get more attached to their work and may thus achieve more positive work outcomes.

Low performers and insecure job‐holders develop greater work attachment through job crafting (e.g., seeking more job resources and challenges) than high performers and secure job‐holders.
The pig as a preclinical model for predicting oral bioavailability and in vivo performance of pharmaceutical oral dosage forms: a PEARRL review
Authors: Henze Laura J , Koehl Niklas J , O'Shea Joseph P , Kostewicz Edmund S , Holm René , Griffin Brendan T
Published: April 2018

Objectives

In pharmaceutical drug development, preclinical tests in animal models are essential to demonstrate whether the new drug is orally bioavailable and to gain a first insight into in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters that can subsequently be used to predict human values. Despite significant advances in the development of bio-predictive in vitro models and increasing ethical expectations for reducing the number of animals used for research purposes, there is still a need for appropriately selected pre-clinical in vivo testing to provide guidance on the decision to progress to testing in humans. The selection of the appropriate animal models is essential both to maximise the learning that can be obtained from such experiments and to avoid unnecessary testing in a range of species.

Key findings

The present review, provides an insight into the suitability of the pig model for predicting oral bioavailability in humans, by comparing the conditions in the GIT. It also contains a comparison between the bioavailability of compounds dosed to both humans and pigs, to provide an insight into the relative correlation and examples on why a lack of correlation may be observed.

While there is a general trend towards predicting human bioavailability from pig data, there is considerable variability in the data set, most likely reflecting species specific differences in individual drug metabolism. Nonetheless, the correlation between pigs vs. humans was comparable to that reported for dogs vs. humans. The presented data demonstrate the suitability of the pig as a preclinical model to predict bioavailability in human.
Culture‐expanded mesenchymal stem cell sheets enhance extraction‐site alveolar bone growth: An animal study
Authors: Mu S. , Tee B. C. , Emam H. , Zhou Y. , Sun Z.
Published: April 2018

Background and Objectives

Impaired bone formation of the buccal alveolar plate after tooth extraction during adolescence increases the difficulty of future implant restoration. This study was undertaken to assess the feasibility and efficacy of transplanting autogenous scaffold‐free culture‐expanded mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sheets to the buccal alveolar bone surface to stimulate local bone growth.

Material and Methods

Mandibular bone marrow was aspirated from 3‐month‐old pigs (n = 5), from which MSCs were isolated and culture expanded. Triple‐layer MSC sheets were then fabricated using temperature‐responsive tissue culture plates. One month after bone marrow aspirations, the same pigs underwent bilateral extraction of mandibular primary molars, immediately followed by transplantation of 3 autogenous triple‐layer MSC sheets on to the subperiosteal buccal alveolar surface of 1 randomly chosen side. The contralateral side (control) underwent the same periosteal reflection surgery without receiving MSC sheet transplantation. Six weeks later, the animals were killed and specimens from both sides were immediately harvested for radiographic and histological analysis. Buccal alveolar bone thickness, tissue mineral density (TMD), mineral apposition and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) were quantified and compared between the MSC sheet and control sides using paired t‐tests.

Results

Triple‐layer MSC sheets were reliably fabricated and the majority of cells remained vital before transplantation. The thickness of buccal bone tended to increase with MSC sheet transplantation (P = .18), with 4 of 5 animals showing an average of 1.82 ± 0.73 mm thicker bone on the MSC sheet side than the control side. After being normalized by the TMD of intracortical bone, the TMD of surface cortical bone was 0.5‐fold higher on the MSC sheet side than the control side (P < .05). Likewise, the BV/TV measurements of the buccal surface region were also 0.4‐fold higher on the MSC sheet side than the control side (P < .05) after being normalized by measurements from the intracortical region. Mineral apposition measurements were not different between the 2 sides.

Conclusion

Mandibular marrow‐derived MSCs can be fabricated into cell sheets and autogenous transplantation of MSC sheets onto the subperiosteal buccal alveolar bone surface at the tooth‐extraction site may increase local bone density.
FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, interleukin 17 and mast cells in chronic inflammatory periodontal disease
Authors: Parachuru V. P. B. , Coates D. E. , Milne T. J. , Rich A. M. , Seymour G. J.
Published: April 2018

Background and Objective

T cells are known to play a pivotal role in periodontal disease; however, less is known about the T‐helper subsets of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the cell types expressing FoxP3 and interleukin (IL)‐17A within periodontal disease tissues and to determine gene and protein expression profiles associated with periodontitis.

Material and Methods

A total of 10 healthy/gingivitis and 10 chronic periodontitis tissues were investigated. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques were used to identify the FoxP3 and IL17‐positive cells and to determine the cell types respectively. Gene expression was determined using semi‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction array technology that allowed the analysis of 84 pathway‐focused genes known to be associated with Tregs and Th17 cells. Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, IL10 and IL17A protein levels were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Double immunofluorescence labeling revealed that all FoxP3+ cells were CD4+, while IL17+ cells were neither CD4+ nor CD8+ but were tryptase+, suggestive of mast cells. More FoxP3+ cells than IL17+ cells were found in all the tissues examined and overall there were few IL17+ cells. Statistically significant increases in gene expression were found for STAT5A, STAT3, SOCS1, TGFβ1 and IL10 in the chronic periodontitis specimens predominantly infiltrated with B cells and plasma cells when compared with healthy/gingivitis specimens predominantly infiltrated with T cells. Protein analysis demonstrated higher levels of the TGFβ1 and IL10 cytokines in periodontitis tissues and in B‐cell and plasma cell predominant gingival tissues than in healthy/gingivitis tissues and T‐cell predominant gingival tissues. IL17A gene and protein expression was not detected in any of the tissues.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, we suggest that the source of low levels of IL17A in periodontal tissues is mast cells not Th17 cells and that Tregs may have a more prominent role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease than Th17 cells.
Clinical findings and survival time in dogs with advanced heart failure
Authors: Beaumier Amelie , Rush John E. , Yang Vicky K. , Freeman Lisa M.
Published: April 2018

Background

Dogs with advanced heart failure are a clinical challenge for veterinarians but there are no studies reporting clinical features and outcome of this population.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe clinical findings and outcome of dogs with advanced heart failure caused by degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD).

Animals

Fifty‐four dogs with advanced heart failure because of DMVD.

Methods

For study purposes, advanced heart failure was defined as recurrence of congestive heart failure signs despite receiving the initially prescribed dose of pimobendan, angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), and furosemide >4 mg/kg/day. Data were collected for the time of diagnosis of Stage C heart failure and time of diagnosis of advanced heart failure. Date of death was recorded.

Results

At the diagnosis of advanced heart failure, doses of pimobendan (n = 30), furosemide (n = 28), ACEI (n = 13), and spironolactone (n = 4) were increased, with ≥1 new medications added in most dogs. After initial diagnosis of advanced heart failure, 38 (70%) dogs had additional medications adjustments (median = 2 [range, 0‐27]), with the final total medication number ranging from 2‐10 (median = 5). Median survival time after diagnosis of advanced heart failure was 281 days (range, 3‐885 days). Dogs receiving a furosemide dose >6.70 mg/kg/day had significantly longer median survival times (402 days [range, 3‐885 days] versus 129 days [range 9‐853 days];P = .017).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs with advanced heart failure can have relatively long survival times. Higher furosemide dose and non‐hospitalization were associated with longer survival.
Protozoal coinfection in horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in the eastern United States
Authors: Schale Sarah , Howe Daniel , Yeargan Michelle , Morrow Jennifer K. , Graves Amy , Johnson Amy L.
Published: April 2018

Background

Infection by 2 or more protozoa is linked with increased severity of disease in marine mammals with protozoan encephalitis.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To assess whether horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona also have evidence of infection with Neospora hughesi or Toxoplasma gondii. We hypothesized that horses with EPM would be more likely than horses with cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) to be positive for antibodies to multiple protozoan parasites.

Animals

One hundred one horses with neurologic disease: 49 with EPM and 52 with CVSM.

Methods

Case review. Archived serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 101 horses were examined. Inclusion criteria included neurologic disease, antemortem or postmortem diagnosis of EPM or CVSM, and availability of serological results or archived samples for testing. Additional testing for antibodies was performed on serum for T. gondii, as well as serum and CSF for N. hughesi.

Results

Horses with EPM were more likely than horses with CVSM to have positive immunologic results for S. neurona on serum (95.9% versus 76.9%, P = .0058), CSF (98.0% versus 44.2%, P < .00001), and serum : CSF titer ratio (91.8% versus 0%, P < .00001). Positive results for Neospora and Toxoplasma were uncommon, with total seroprevalence rates of 12.9% and 14.9%, respectively. The proportions of EPM cases testing positive for Neospora and Toxoplasma (16% and 12%) were not different from the proportions of CVSM cases testing positive (10% and 17%, P = .31 and .47, respectively).

Conclusion

Results do not indicate an important role for protozoal coinfection in EPM in the eastern United States.
The Romanthropocene
Authors: Ford Thomas H.
Published: April 2018

The Romanthropoceneis a neologism that names the transits of meaning which shuttle between the terms it joins together. I explore this complex of meaning by retracing the histories of its component lexical, semantic, and conceptual elements. The wordAnthropoceneis constructed from two etyma,anthroposandcene, which first acquired their current sense in the Romantic period. The Anthropocene then brings together a Romantic conception of geological time with a Romantic conception of human cultures as empirical objects of naturalist study. While the history of the wordRomanticis better known, it too merits retelling in the Anthropocene epoch. Its reflexive naming of the textualisation and historicisation of nature reads differently now that the human spirit has impressed its law on all earthly things. I would call the approach taken in this paperecophilology, but one polysyllabic neologism per paper is probably more than enough already.
Factors influencing nurses' intentions to leave adult critical care settings
Authors: Khan Nadeem , Jackson Debra , Stayt Louise , Walthall Helen
Published: April 2018

Background

The shortage of critical care and specialist nurses has been an ongoing issue for many decades. Although all areas of nursing are affected, critical care areas are especially vulnerable to recruitment and retention problems. High nursing turnover in critical care areas is evident; however, research into the factors that influence nurses' intentions to leave adult critical care areas is limited.

Aim

To explore factors that may influence nurses' intentions to leave adult critical care areas.

Objectives

To appraise existing evidence and highlight gaps in knowledge regarding factors that may influence nurses' intentions to leave adult critical care areas.

Methods

A systematic mixed‐method literature review was conducted. The search strategy was developed using the List, Keep and Delete approach, a framework used to identify search terms for systematic health care reviews. The following key words were used: intentions to leave, nurses, adult and critical care. The databases searched were BNI, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase and Health B Elite from 2005 to 2016. Primary data from non‐critical care areas and neonatal and paediatric critical care areas were excluded. Comprehensive supplementary searching was performed. Papers were critically appraised using the NICE (2012) checklists. Data were analysed using the Braun and Clarke (2006) thematic framework.

Results

A total of 15 studies, including 13 cross‐sectional studies and 2 qualitative studies, were reviewed. Three main themes emerged following data analysis. These themes were quality of the work environment, nature of working relationships and traumatic/stressful workplace experiences.

Conclusions

The literature review highlighted the need for further research and greater understanding of how these themes may impact critical care nurses. Nurse managers and leaders should consider these findings when developing strategies to improve nurse retention.

Relevance to practice

The shortage of critical care nurses is currently a global issue impacting costs and quality of patient care.
Plastid‐encoded rbcL phylogeny suggests widespread distribution of Galdieria phlegrea (Cyanidiophyceae, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Barcytė Dovilė , Elster Josef , Nedbalová Linda
Published: April 2018

The rare microscopic red alga Galdieria phlegrea (Cyanidiohyceae, Rhodophyta) has been discovered in the extremely acid Tinto River in Spain and this occurrence is here related to previous knowledge about the distribution and ecology of this enigmatic alga. The taxonomic affiliation of the new isolate of G. phlegrea was revealed by reconstructing the phylogeny of plastid‐encoded rbcL. According to this phylogeny, the Tinto River alga is closely related to other G. phlegrea strains originating from extreme habitats in Czechia, Italy and Turkey, suggesting a wider distribution and higher ecological versatility than previously thought. The results suggest that G. phlegrea, and then possibly also other cyanidiophycean algae, are not as restricted to strongly acidic and hot microhabitats as previously believed, which, in turn, may indicate that they may commonly have been overlooked and possibly are much more widespread than is currently believed.
Is refreshing in working memory impaired in older age? Evidence from the retro‐cue paradigm
Authors: Loaiza Vanessa M. , Souza Alessandra S.
Published: April 2018

Impairments in refreshing have been suggested as one source of working memory (WM) deficits in older age. Retro‐cues provide an important method of investigating this question: a retro‐cue guides attention to one WM item, thereby arguably refreshing it and increasing its accessibility compared with a no‐cue baseline. In contrast to the refreshing deficit hypothesis, intact retro‐cue benefits have been found in older adults. Refreshing, however, is assumed to boost not one but several WM representations when sequentially applied to them. Hence, intact refreshing requires the flexible switching of attention among WM items. So far, it remains an open question whether older adults show this flexibility. Here, we investigated whether older adults can use multiple cues to sequentially refresh WM representations. Younger and older adults completed a continuous‐color delayed‐estimation task, in which the number of retro‐cues (0, 1, or 2) presented during the retention interval was manipulated. The results showed a similar retro‐cue benefit for younger and older adults, even in the two‐cue condition in which participants had to switch attention between items to refresh representations in WM. These findings suggest that the capacity to use cues to refresh information in visual WM may be preserved with age.
The Central Adriatic Wine Trade of Italy Revisited
Authors: Van Limbergen Dimitri
Published: April 2018

Since Maria Teresa Cipriano's and Marie‐Brigitte Carre's seminal 1989 paper ‘Production et typologie des amphores sur la côte adriatique de l'Italie’ in the volume ‘Amphores romaines et histoire économique’, our knowledge of Adriatic Italian wine amphorae has much improved. Most of these ‘new data’, however, remain poorly known among the wider scholarly community and no real update regarding their production loci and distribution patterns has as yet been attempted. This paper fills the void for the central part of the eastern coastline between Rimini and Pescara and reviews the latest evidence regarding the manufacture and circulation of these amphorae. In the process, the central Adriatic area of Italy emerges as a key player in the Late Republican and Early Imperial wine trade. This reassessment provides a new starting point for the diachronic exploration of the Adriatic wine commerce between c.250 BC and AD 150.
Medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw: an adjunctive medical regime
Authors: Martin K. , Nathwani S. , Bunyan R.
Published: April 2018

Background

Antiresorptive and antiangiogenic agents, including bisphosphonates, have been revolutionary in the treatment of malignancy and osteoporosis, providing benefit to this group of patients over the past 10 years. Their use has lead to an increasingly well recognised complication of medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws (mRONJ).

Aim

(1) Provide an overview of the pathophysiology and current evidence based management of mRONJ.

(2) Introduce adjunctive medical regime in managing patients with mRONJ.

Method

A series of three patients diagnosed with mRONJ were treated with Pentoxifylline and α‐Tocopherol (PENTO), a medical regime revolutionary for the management of osteoradionecrosis. Their clinical and radiographic findings were recorded alongside changes in their neuropathic symptoms.

Results

All three patients were treated with PENTO either in isolation or in conjunction with conventional surgical measures. All showed improvement in their neuropathic symptoms, and had partial/complete reduction in exposed necrotic bone with radiographic evidence of bony healing.

Conclusion

Not all patients are suitable for conventional surgical intervention, and the implementation of a medical regimen as an alternative or adjunctive treatment for mRONJ patients has had promising results both within this case series and across the literature. Further controlled studies in this field are required.
Eosinophilia in the muscle layer of the esophagus and the urinary bladder in a Multiple System Atrophy patient with dysphagia and dysuria
Authors: Song Misa , Kimura Hayato , Ogiyama Hideharu , Nishigami Takayuki
Published: April 2018

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a spinocerebellar degenerative disease characterized by cerebellar ataxia, parkinsonism, and autonomic failure. A 75‐year‐old woman who had suffered from dysphagia and dysuria under a diagnosis of probable MSA with predominant cerebellar ataxia underwent autopsy. Eosinophilia was seen extensively in the muscle layer of the esophagus and urinary bladder. Eosinophilic infiltration to the esophagus was localized in the smooth muscle layer and could be considered as “eosinophilic esophageal myositis” identified in patients with nutcracker esophagus and jackhammer esophagus. Dense eosinophilia was present within the smooth muscle layer of the urinary bladder along with muscle fiber degeneration. We suspected a neuropathic etiology associated with MSA as the cause of the histological changes in the esophagus and urinary bladder; however, the possibility that some other disease might also have been responsible for the eosinophilic infiltration of the muscle layer cannot be denied. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing localized eosinophilia in the muscle layers of the esophagus and urinary bladder in the same patient. Although localized eosinophilia in visceral muscle has not been understood well, our case suggests the possibility that it is a feature of functional motility disorders and may have a neuropathic etiology.