bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of female nest attendance and male feeding throughout the incubation period in Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus
Authors: Bambini Giulia , Schlicht Emmi , Kempenaers Bart
Published: May 2018

Most bird species exhibit biparental care, but the type of care provided by each sex may differ substantially. In particular, during the incubation phase in passerines, females perform most or all of the incubation, while the male cares for the brood indirectly by feeding the female. However, detailed descriptions of this male investment during the incubation period are missing. Here, we quantitatively describe female nest attendance and male incubation feeding throughout the ~ 14‐day incubation period in a population of Eurasian Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus breeding in nestboxes. Males and females progressively increased their daily activity at the nest over the incubation period. The amount of day‐time incubation, measured as the proportion of the active day (time interval between first nestbox exit in the morning and last entry in the evening) a female spent inside the nestbox, varied between 52 and 60% with an average of 55% per day. The frequency of male incubation feeding varied between 0 and 74 times per day with an average of 12 feeds per day. Both male feeding rate and female nest attendance were highest in the morning and declined rapidly throughout the day. Females were more likely to be off the nest during the warmest periods (15–21 °C), as expected based on thermal needs of the developing embryos, but also during the coldest periods (2–5 °C), presumably due to the energetic needs of the female. This was despite the fact that males fed their females more often at the nest when ambient temperatures were low. Females that received more feeds incubated more and their off‐nest bouts were shorter after a feed. The observed variation in female incubation and in male feeding rate was not linked to individual age or to variation in measures of reproductive success. However, direct observations showed that in some pairs a substantial amount of feeding by males occurred outside the nestbox. This suggests that the true male investment might have been underestimated, here and in previous studies.
Intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of human skin melanogenesis and pigmentation
Authors: Serre C. , Busuttil V. , Botto J.‐M.
Published: May 2018

In human skin, melanogenesis is a tightly regulated process. Indeed, several extracellular signals are transduced via dedicated signalling pathways and mostly converge to MITF, a transcription factor integrating upstream signalling and regulating downstream genes involved in the various inherent mechanisms modulating melanogenesis. The synthesis of melanin pigments occurs in melanocytes inside melanosomes where melanogenic enzymes (tyrosinase and related proteins) are addressed with the help of specific protein complexes. The melanosomes loaded with melanin are then transferred to keratinocytes. A more elaborate level of melanogenesis regulation comes into play via the action of non‐coding RNAs (microRNAs, lncRNAs). Besides this canonical regulation, melanogenesis can also be modulated by other non‐specific intrinsic pathways (hormonal environment, inflammation) and by extrinsic factors (solar irradiation such as ultraviolet irradiation, environmental pollution). We developed a bioinformatic interaction network gathering the multiple aspects of melanogenesis and skin pigmentation as a resource to better understand and study skin pigmentation biology.
A retrospective study of dermatitis herpetiformis from an immunobullous disease clinic in north India
Authors: Handa Sanjeev , Dabas Garima , De Dipankar , Mahajan Rahul , Chatterjee Debajyoti , Saika Uma N. , Radotra Bishan D.
Published: May 2018

Background

Indian data on dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is not available. The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with DH and to study its association with other autoimmune diseases.

Methods

All data were collected from case record forms of patients registered in immunobullous disease clinic of our institute. The diagnosis was based on characteristic clinical and immuno/histopathological features.

Results

A total of 65 patients were included, which constituted 9.47% of the registered patients in the immunobullous disease clinic over 3.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1.4 : 1; the average age was 44.35 ± 15.52 years. Direct immunofluorescence showed granular IgA deposits at the papillary tips in 83.07% and basement membrane zone in 12.3% patients. Sixteen (24.1%) patients had associated celiac disease, and 15 (23.07%) patients had other autoimmune comorbidities such as hypothyroidism. Forty percent of patients on strict gluten‐free diet achieved remission in 2 years, while 35.4% had frequent relapses as they continued gluten intake.

Conclusions

Dermatitis herpetiformis is not a rare disease in northern India as previously believed. The clinical, histological, and immunopathological characteristics of Indian DH patients are similar to those reported in Caucasian populations. The limitations of our study include an absence of genetic testing for HLA‐DQ2 or DQ8, nonavailability of kits for detecting IgA specific for epidermal transglutaminase (IgA eTG), and short follow‐up period.
Long‐term safety and efficacy of the novel β3‐adrenoreceptor agonist vibegron in Japanese patients with overactive bladder: A phase III prospective study
Authors: Yoshida Masaki , Kakizaki Hidehiro , Takahashi Satoru , Nagai Shinji , Kurose Takafumi
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the long‐term safety and efficacy of vibegron 50 mg and 100 mg, a novel β3‐adrenoreceptor agonist, in Japanese patients with overactive bladder.

Methods

This was a 1‐year, multicenter, open‐label, non‐controlled study. After a 1‐week observation phase, patients were treated with vibegron for 52 weeks. When the efficacy was insufficient after an 8‐week treatment with 50 mg, the dose was increased to 100 mg and maintained for an additional 44 weeks.

Results

Among a total of 169 patients receiving one or more doses of vibegron, 118 (69.8%) received vibegron 50 mg for 52 weeks, and the dose was increased to 100 mg in 51 (30.2%) patients. The incidence of drug‐related adverse events was 18.1% (21/116) in the vibegron 50 mg group and 11.8% (6/51) in the vibegron 100 mg group. Most frequent drug‐related adverse events were dry mouth (3.0%), residual urine volume increased (3.0%), constipation (2.4%) and cystitis (1.8%). Statistically significant changes in overactive bladder symptom variables (daily means of micturitions, urgency episodes, urgency incontinence episodes, incontinence episodes and night‐time frequency) from baseline were observed at week 4 and maintained until week 52. The condition of patients who did not respond well to vibegron 50 mg was much improved by increasing the dose to 100 mg. Vibegron improved the quality of life, and the proportion of patients’ satisfaction after the treatment with vibegron was high.

Conclusions

Long‐term (52‐week) treatment with vibegron is safe, well‐tolerated and effective in patients with overactive bladder.
Therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome among refractory germ cell tumor patients
Authors: Inoue Yuta , Nakamura Terukazu , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Oishi Masakatsu , Hongo Fumiya , Okihara Koji , Mizutani Shinsuke , Kuroda Junya , Ukimura Osamu
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To analyze cases of therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosed after chemotherapy for refractory testicular and extragonadal germ cell tumor in our experience.

Methods

A total of 171 consecutive patients who were diagnosed and treated as refractory germ cell tumor and had records of detailed chemotherapy doses between April 1998 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Four testicular tumor patients (4/171, 2.3%) developed therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Three of them were affected after complete remission of the primary testicular tumor. A median time interval from a start of chemotherapy to a secondary tumor development was 6.8 years (range 3.7–11.5 years). The median total dose of etoposide, ifosfamide, cisplatin and nedaplatin were 3640 mg/m2 (range 2906–4000 mg/m2), 42.7 g (range 19.5–54.0 g), 1100 mg/m2 (range 600–1500 mg/m2) and 500 mg/m2 (range 300–1600 mg/m2), respectively. Etoposide had the only significant relationship between a cumulative dose and leukemogenesis in univariate analysis (P < 0.05). One patient had complete remission, but the other three patients died.

Conclusions

The present findings show that refractory germ cell tumor patients have an increased risk of therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. A cumulative dose of etoposide is a significant risk of leukemogenesis. As therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome has a poor prognosis, close follow up is required for refractory germ cell tumor patients.
Application of finitized power series distributions to accelerate variate generation. Part I: two useful algorithms
Authors: Levy Martin S. , Cochran James J. , Golnabi Saeed , Kirtland James Andrew
Published: May 2018

Negative Taylor Series Finitization (NTSF) is a moment preserving method that transforms a power series distribution into another having smaller support of size n with moments coinciding with the first n moments of the parent distribution. We present algorithms for addressing two issues that arise when developing an NTSF. The first is based on the Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistic for choosing n. The second produces the maximum feasible parameter space (MFPS), or largest set of parameters yielding a proper distribution, which is necessary because the parameter space of an NTSF distribution is constrained. Both are essential for finitization applications such as fast variate generation. Under well‐defined conditions, (1) the MFPS is determined uniquely via the roots obtained by setting the (n−1)st finitized probability to 0, (2) the MFPS monotonically decreases as a function of increasing n except for the Poisson (where the MFPS is constant for all n), and (3) the Poisson is unique in this regard.
The morphology and structure of crystals in Qing Dynasty purple‐gold glaze excavated from the Forbidden City
Authors: Liu Zhen , Jia Cui , Li Li , Li Xiaolong , Ji Luoyuan , Wang Lihua , Lei Yong , Wei Xiangjun
Published: May 2018

Ancient Chinese purple‐gold glaze (zijinyou) is popular for its beautiful figuration, unique allure and fine craftsmanship. To understand the crystalline nature in the purple‐gold glaze, the morphology and structure of crystals precipitated in the glaze layer of purple‐gold glaze porcelain fired during the Qing Dynasty were characterized by a variety of methods combining X‐ray and electron‐based techniques. A large quantity of single‐phase twinning ε‐Fe2O3 crystals with lengths of 1‐3 μm, widths of less than 1 μm, and thickness of approximately 150 nm are found dispersed across the glaze surface to a depth of approximately tens of micrometers. These crystals show stratification across the cross‐section of the purple glaze consisting of 4 sublayers according to the crystal size. The formation of ε‐Fe2O3 crystals primarily contributed to the reddish‐brown tones of the purple‐gold glaze. The presence of anorthite, a strong reducing atmosphere during the firing process and the vitreous nature of the glaze influenced the growth of ε‐Fe2O3 crystals. These results suggest the controllability of single‐phase ε‐Fe2O3 crystals by identifying and understanding the underlying chemical processes in ancient Chinese crystalline glaze porcelain, and the findings will provide insights for modern material scientists in preparing ε‐Fe2O3 crystals with large sizes and high purities.
Effect of rare‐earth ion size on elasticity and crack initiation in rare‐earth aluminate glasses
Authors: Rosales‐Sosa Gustavo A. , Masuno Atsunobu , Higo Yuji , Watanabe Yasuhiro , Inoue Hiroyuki
Published: May 2018

In oxide glasses, “hardness” and “damage‐tolerance” are usually competing attributes. The main reason for this is that hard glasses usually have closely packed structures compared to those of damage‐resistant glasses. Recent progress on the mechanical properties of alumina‐rich glasses has thrown some light on how to obtain hard and damage‐tolerant glasses. In this work, the elastic properties and indentation behavior of a glass system based on (R = La, Sm, Gd, Er, Tm, Y), prepared by an aerodynamic levitation technique, was investigated. It was found that the rare‐earth ions exhibited a strong size effect on the mechanical properties of the glasses. The elastic moduli and hardness increased with the packing density and as the ionic radii of the rare‐earth ions decreased. In addition, the resistance to surface damage by indentation increased with larger rare‐earth cations. Our results show that the elastic properties and damage tolerance of rare‐earth aluminate glasses can be tuned depending on the ionic radii of rare‐earth ions.
Optical properties of Cu ions‐doped ZnSe quantum dots in silicate glasses
Authors: Li Kai , Liu Chao , Zhao Zhiyong , Deng Zhao , Xia Mengling , Ye Ying
Published: May 2018

In order to alleviate the effect of the surface defects on the emission properties of quantum dots, copper ions‐doped ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) in the glasses are prepared using melt‐quenching and subsequent thermal annealing methods. For glasses without copper doping, tunable band‐edge emission from ZnSe QDs is achieved. For glasses with copper doping, efficient energy transfer from ZnSe QDs to copper ions is observed, and efficient broad band emission from copper ions is realized at the expense of the band‐edge emission of ZnSe QDs. Absorption spectra, size‐dependent broad‐band emission spectra and electron spin resonance spectra show the cupric ions are doped into the ZnSe QDs. Results reported here shows that doping of transition‐metal ions into semiconductor QDs in glasses is promising for development of high efficient luminescent glasses.
Origin of low dielectric loss and giant dielectric response in (Nb+Al) co‐doped strontium titanate
Authors: He Zichen , Cao Minghe , Zhou Liang , Zhang Lin , Xie Juan , Zhang Shujun , Qi Junlei , Hao Hua , Yao Zhonghua , Yu Zhiyong , Liu Hanxing
Published: May 2018

(Nb+Al) co‐doped SrTiO3 ceramics with a nominal composition of Sr(Nb0.5Al0.5)xTi1‐xO3 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06) were fabricated using the conventional solid‐state reaction method; giant permittivity (10500) and low dielectric loss (0.03) were obtained at x = 0.06. Dielectric and impedance spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, were employed to study why the dielectric property improved. The results indicate that the giant dielectric response occurs because of the combined effects of the off‐center Ti3+ reorientation and conduction of electrons with the polar ordering structure Ti3+/Ti4+. In contrast, the low dielectric loss can be attributed to electron localization that occurs because of the defect dipole . These fundamental understandings will benefit the design of doped SrTiO3 ceramics with desired performance.
Passive oxidation kinetics for glass and cristobalite formation on Hi‐Nicalon™‐S SiC fibers in steam
Authors: Hay Randall S. , Corns Randall
Published: May 2018

Parabolic rate constants for SiO2 glass (BG) and cristobalite (BC) scale formation during passive oxidation of SiC in steam were determined. Cristobalite scale that originally formed as glass and as scale that formed afterward, directly as cristobalite, was distinguished by TEM. A method to determine BG and BC from many thickness measurements of the 2 different scale layers was developed. The method was applied to Hi‐Nicalon™‐S SiC fiber oxidation in Si(OH)4 saturated steam between 500 and 1600°C. At 1500°C and lower temperatures, glass scale formed more rapidly than cristobalite scale. BG and BC had activation energies of 80 ± 5 kJ/mol and 95 ± 5 kJ/mol, respectively. At 1600°C, cristobalite scales formed much faster than glass scales. Many scales spheroidized after oxidation at temperatures beneath 1000°C, and continuous scales that did form had wide variation in thickness. This made kinetics analysis after low temperature steam oxidation problematic.
Assessment of conversion efficiency of Cr4+ ions by aliovalent cation additives in Cr:YAG ceramic for edge cladding
Authors: Chen Xingtao , Wu Yiquan , Lu Zhongwen , Wei Nian , Qi Jianqi , Shi Yanli , Hua Tengfei , Zeng Qiang , Guo Wang , Lu Tiecheng
Published: May 2018

0.25at.% Cr:YAG ceramics were successfully fabricated as the edge cladding of Yb:YAG transparent ceramic slabs through vacuum sintering of co‐precipitated powders, using oxide additives to introduce different cations. The effects of various cation additives (Si4+, Ca2+, and Si4+ + Ca2+) on the conversion efficiency of Cr4+ ions and optical characteristics of the Cr:YAG edge cladding were investigated. Measurements of the absorption spectra of the Cr:YAG ceramics without any additives revealed 2 absorption bands centered at 430 nm and 600 nm, which imparted the sample with a green color. The introduction of only Si4+‐bearing additive did not promote the transition of Cr ions from the 3+ to 4+ state. Theoretical analysis and experimentation revealed that the addition of CaO not only enhanced the microstructure and improved the transmittance of the Cr:YAG ceramic, but also introduced vacancies that assisted in the formation of Cr4+ ions. It was determined that CaO has the same effect on the conversion efficiency of Cr4+ ions whether it is added as a single additive or in combination with SiO2. The underlying mechanisms by which these aliovalent cation additives influence the formation of Cr4+ ions and affect optical properties are discussed in detail. High quality composite ceramics with Yb:YAG transparent ceramic slabs and dark brown‐colored Cr4+: YAG ceramic edge cladding were achieved through the addition of 0.05 wt.% CaO to the edge cladding, with no interfacial effects between the 2 regions being observed.
Salutogenic service user involvement in nursing research: A case study
Authors: Mjøsund Nina Helen , Vinje Hege Forbech , Eriksson Monica , Haaland‐Øverby Mette , Jensen Sven Liang , Kjus Solveig , Norheim Irene , Portaasen Inger‐Lill , Espnes Geir Arild
Published: May 2018

Aim

The aim was to explore the process of involving mental healthcare service users in a mental health promotion research project as research advisors and to articulate features of the collaboration which encouraged and empowered the advisors to make significant contributions to the research process and outcome.

Background

There is an increasing interest in evaluating aspects of service user involvement in nursing research. Few descriptions exist of features that enable meaningful service user involvement. We draw on experiences from conducting research which used the methodology interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore how persons with mental disorders perceived mental health. Apart from the participants in the project, five research advisors with service user experience were involved in the entire research process.

Design

We applied a case study design to explore the ongoing processes of service user involvement.

Methods

Documents and texts produced while conducting the project (2012–2016), as well as transcripts from multistage focus group discussions with the research advisors, were analysed.

Results

The level of involvement was dynamic and varied throughout the different stages of the research process. Six features: leadership, meeting structure, role clarification, being members of a team, a focus on possibilities and being seen and treated as holistic individuals, were guiding principles for a salutogenic service user involvement. These features strengthened the advisors’ perception of themselves as valuable and competent contributors.

Conclusion

Significant contributions from research advisors were promoted by facilitating the process of involvement. A supporting structure and atmosphere were consistent with a salutogenic service user involvement.
Training informal caregivers to care for older people after stroke: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Araújo Odete , Lage Isabel , Cabrita José , Teixeira Laetitia
Published: May 2018

Aims

This study aimed at evaluating whether training on practical skills involved in providing care reduces the burden experienced by informal caregivers and improves their general health condition.

Background

A substantial number of informal caregivers lack skills to deliver poststroke assistance to older people after hospital discharge, which leads to burden situations as well as mental and physical health deterioration of the former.

Design

A quasi‐experimental design.

Methods

This study involved 174 informal caregivers of older people who overcame a stroke. The control group (N = 89) received the usual type of care delivered in healthcare units. The experimental group (N = 85) adopted the InCARE programme for 1 week (T0), 1 month (T1) and 3 (T2) months and received telephone support by counselling caregivers on the subsequent 3rd, 6th, 8th and 10th weeks to hospital discharge. It aimed at facilitating the caregiver's adjustment to the demands of a poststroke stage and at increasing knowledge and practical skills to support the decision‐making. Data collection occurred between February–December 2014 at the Community Home Care Services in northern Portugal.

Results

The experimental group obtained significantly better results regarding practical skills as well as lower burden levels and a better general mental health condition when compared with the control group 1 (T1) and 3 (T2) months after intervention.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that our programme improved practical skills, helped reduce burden levels with better scores and improvement regarding general mental health condition of informal caregivers.
Mesenchymal stem cells promote lymphangiogenic properties of lymphatic endothelial cells
Authors: Robering Jan W. , Weigand Annika , Pfuhlmann Romy , Horch Raymund E. , Beier Justus P. , Boos Anja M.
Published: May 2018

Lymphatic metastasis is one of the main prognostic factors concerning long‐term survival of cancer patients. In this regard, the molecular mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis are still rarely explored. Also, the interactions between stem cells and lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) in humans have not been well examined. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the interactions between mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and LEC using in vitro angiogenesis assays. Juvenile LEC were stimulated with VEGF‐C, bFGF, MSC‐conditioned medium (MSC‐CM) or by co‐culture with MSC. LEC proliferation was assessed using a MTT assay. Migration of the cells was determined with a wound healing assay and a transmigration assay. To measure the formation of lymphatic sprouts, LEC spheroids were embedded in collagen or fibrin gels. The LEC's capacity to form capillary‐like structures was assessed by a tube formation assay on Matrigel®. The proliferation, migration and tube formation of LEC could be significantly enhanced by MSC‐CM and by co‐culture with MSC. The effect of stimulation with MSC‐CM was stronger compared to stimulation with the growth factors VEGF‐C and bFGF in proliferation and transmigration assays. Sprouting was stimulated by VEGF‐C, bFGF and by MSC‐CM. With this study, we demonstrate the potent stimulating effect of the MSC secretome on proliferation, migration and tube formation of LEC. This indicates an important role of MSC in lymphangiogenesis in pathological as well as physiological processes.
Chloromonas svalbardensis n. sp. with Insights into the Phylogroup Chloromonadinia (Chlorophyceae)
Authors: Barcytė Dovilė , Hodač Ladislav , Nedbalová Linda , Elster Josef
Published: May 2018

The traditional green algal genus Chloromonas accommodates mesophilic, cold‐tolerant and cold‐adapted microorganisms. In this paper, we studied a new strain isolated from a wet hummock meadow in the High Arctic. We used morphological, ultrastructural and molecular data to assess the taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships of the new isolate. The observed morphological features generally corresponded to the cold‐tolerant Chloromonas characteristics. However, ellipsoidal or wide ellipsoidal vegetative cells, a massive parietal cup‐shaped chloroplast with a number of continuously connected lobes, a thick cell wall, a prominent hemispherical papilla and the anterior position of an oblong or round eyespot distinguished the alga from all previously described Chloromonas species. Analyses of rbcL and 18S rRNA genes showed that the new strain formed an independent lineage within a clade containing mesophilic and psychrotolerant Chloromonas species. Comparisons of secondary structure models of a highly variable ITS2 rDNA marker supported a separate species identity of the new isolate. Considering the morphological and molecular differences from its relatives, a new psychrotolerant species, Chloromonas svalbardensis, is proposed. Further, our results demonstrated the paraphyletic origin of Chloromonas within Chloromonadinia with genetically, morphologically and ecologically well‐defined clades. We discuss a scenario of a possible Chloromonas split and revision.
Occurrence, Molecular Characterization, and Assessment of Zoonotic Risk of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Pigs in Henan, Central China
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Zhang Yiqi , Wu Yayun , Li Junqiang , Qi Meng , Li Tingwen , Wang Jianling , Wang Rongjun , Zhang Sumei , Jian Fuchun , Ning Changshen , Zhang Longxian
Published: May 2018

Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are common gastrointestinal pathogens in humans and animals. Little is known about them and the range of species/assemblages/genotypes occurring in domestic pigs in China. Here, we present data on the occurrence and molecular diversity of these pathogens detected in the feces from farms in Henan, central China. Of 897 fecal samples tested, 28 (3.1%), 15 (1.7%), and 408 (45.5%) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium, G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi, respectively. Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis were most frequently detected in piglets, while E. bieneusi was markedly more prevalent in fattening pigs. Sequence analysis of SSU rRNA gene revealed that positive Cryptosporidium strains belonged to C. suis (n = 18) and C. scrofarum (n = 10). Giardia duodenalis assemblages E (n = 9), assemblages A (n = 3), and assemblages C (n = 3) were characterized based on the sequence analysis of tpi gene. Thirteen E. bieneusi genotypes comprising four novel (pigHN‐I to pigHN‐IV) and nine known (EbpC, EbpA, pigEbITS5, LW1, H, CM8, G, CHG19, and CHS5) genotypes were identified by ITS sequence analysis of a large proportion (n = 200) of E. bieneusi‐positive samples. EbpC was the most frequent genotype, detected in 60 specimens. All 13 genotypes identified in this study clustered in zoonotic Group 1. The findings indicate that the presence of zoonotic species/assemblages/genotypes of these pathogens poses a threat to public health, suggesting that pigs in Henan province could be a significant source of human infection and water pollution.
Ethylene‐induced microtubule reorientation is essential for fast inhibition of root elongation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Yichuan , Ji Yusi , Fu Ying , Guo Hongwei
Published: May 2018

Microtubule reorientation is a long‐standing observation that has been implicated in regulating the inhibitory effect of ethylene on axial elongation of plant cells. However, the signaling mechanism underlying ethylene‐induced microtubule reorientation has remained elusive. Here, we reveal, by live confocal imaging and kinetic root elongation assays, that the time courses of ethylene‐induced microtubule reorientation and root elongation inhibition are highly correlated, and that microtubule reorientation is required for the full responsiveness of root elongation to ethylene treatment. Our genetic analysis demonstrated that the effect of ethylene on microtubule orientation and root elongation is mainly transduced through the canonical linear ethylene signaling pathway. By using pharmacological and genetic analyses, we demonstrate further that the TIR1/AFBs‐Aux/IAAs‐ARFs auxin signaling pathway, but not the ABP1‐ROP6‐RIC1 auxin signaling branch, is essential for ethylene‐induced microtubule reorientation and root elongation inhibition. Together, these findings offer evidence for the functional significance and elucidate the signaling mechanism for ethylene‐induced microtubule reorientation in fast root elongation inhibition in Arabidopsis.
Feeding and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor activation stabilise β‐catenin in specific hypothalamic nuclei in male rats
Authors: McEwen H. J. L. , Cognard E. , Ladyman S. R. , Khant‐Aung Z. , Tups A. , Shepherd P. R. , Grattan D. R.
Published: May 2018

β‐catenin is a multifunctional protein that not only acts in the canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway to regulate gene expression but also binds to cadherin proteins in adherens junctions, where it plays a key role in regulating cytoskeleton linked with these junctions. Recently, evidence has been presented indicating an essential role for β‐catenin in regulating the trafficking of insulin vesicles in β‐cells and showing that changes in nutrient levels rapidly alter levels of β‐catenin in these cells. Given the importance of neuroendocrine hormone secretion in the regulation of whole body glucose homeostasis, the present study aimed to investigate whether β‐catenin signalling is regulated in the hypothalamus during the normal physiological response to food intake. Rats were subjected to a fasting/re‐feeding paradigm, and then samples were collected at specific timepoints for analysis of β‐catenin expression by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Changes in gene expression were assessed by a quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Using immunohistochemistry, feeding acutely increased detectable cytoplasmic levels of β‐catenin (‘stabilised β‐catenin’) in neurones in specific regions of the hypothalamus involved in metabolic regulation, including the arcuate, dorsomedial and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. Feeding‐induced elevations in β‐catenin in these nuclei were associated with an increased transcription of several genes known to be responsive to Wnt/β‐catenin signalling. The effect of feeding was mimicked by administration of the GLP‐1 agonist exendin‐4 and was also characterised by cAMP‐dependent phosphorylation of β‐catenin at serine residues 552 and 675. These data suggest that β‐catenin/T cell factor signalling is involved in metabolic sensing in the hypothalamus.
Understanding the invisibility of black nurse leaders using a black feminist poststructuralist framework
Authors: Jefferies Keisha , Goldberg Lisa , Aston Megan , Tomblin Murphy Gail
Published: May 2018

Aim

This paper explores the invisibility and underrepresentation of Black nurses in formal and informal leadership roles using a Black feminist poststructuralist framework. The paper describes historical and contemporary challenges experienced by Black nurses throughout their nursing education and in practice. It also highlights how social and institutional discourses continue to marginalise and oppress Black nurses as leaders and render them invisible.

Background

Diversity among nursing leaders is essential to inform health care delivery, develop inclusive practices and provide culturally sensitive care. Despite this glaring need for diversity within nursing in Canada, there remains a significant underrepresentation of Black nurses in the workforce and as leaders.

Design

This is a discursive paper on Black nurses in nursing education and the workforce as well as their location as leaders in health care through a critical analysis using Black feminist poststructuralism.

Methods

A review of the literature involved searching electronic databases CINAHL, NovaNet, PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords including: Black; African; Nurses; Leaders; Feminism; Poststructural. Articles were screened by titles and abstracts before accessing full‐text for relevant articles.

Results

Black feminist poststructuralism uncovers how power, language, subjectivity and agency are constructed by the historically ingrained social and institutional discourses of everyday life for Black nurses. Experiences of discrimination and oppression were common throughout nursing education and practice for Black nurses, resulting in feelings of marginalisation and isolation.

Conclusion

The invisibility of Black nurse leaders is the result of generational oppression and discrimination manifested through discourses. Systemic, institutional and historical discourses perpetuate barriers for Black nurse leaders, resulting in their invisibility or absence in practice.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This paper is designed to generate discussion related to the invisibility of Black nurse leaders by providing an understanding of the historical experiences of Black people, their entry into the nursing profession and the present day challenges they face. This discussion will inform health care practice, policy, and structuring by identifying the barriers to leadership for Black nurses.
Shifts in nursing and medical students’ attitudes, beliefs and behaviours about interprofessional work: An interprofessional placement in ambulatory care
Authors: Seaman Karla , Saunders Rosemary , Dugmore Helen , Tobin Claire , Singer Rachel , Lake Fiona
Published: May 2018

Aim and objectives

To examine students’ beliefs, behaviours and attitudes in relation to interprofessional socialisation, and their expectations and experience, before and after a 2‐week clinical placement in ambulatory care.

Background

Interprofessional clinical placements for students are important for developing an understanding of interprofessional collaboration and identity, for the benefit of patient care. Ambulatory care environment involves collaborative management of complex chronic problems. This educator supported placement that enabled final‐year nursing and medical students to work together.

Design

A descriptive matched before‐after study was conducted.

Methods

Students’ completed an online questionnaire before and after their clinical placement. The questionnaire comprised of three sections: demographic information, the Interprofessional Socialisation and Valuing Scale and open‐ended questions. Descriptive analysis and paired t‐tests were conducted for the three subscales, and thematic analysis of qualitative responses was conducted.

Results

Sixty‐two of the 151 students between 2011–2014 completed both surveys. There was a significant increase after placement in the overall Interprofessional Socialisation and Valuing Scale scores. The change was greater for nursing students compared with medical students, although for both groups the change was small. The majority had a good‐to‐very good experience learning each other's and their own professions and identified the nurse educator and teaching registrar as key to success.

Conclusion

A clinical placement in an ambulatory setting for nursing and medical students resulted in an increase in self‐perceived ability to work with others and in valuing working with others.

Relevance to clinical practice

Interprofessional clinical placements are essential for students to understand interprofessional practice for better patient outcomes and developing their own perspective of future work within an interprofessional team. Ambulatory care is an ideal environment for nursing and other health professional students to engage in interprofessional clinical placements.
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of living with colorectal cancer as a chronic illness
Authors: McGeechan Grant J , McPherson Kerri E , Roberts Karen
Published: May 2018

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of patients living with cancer as a chronic illness.

Background

Due to recent advances in detection and treatment, cancer is now regarded as a chronic illness. However, living with cancer as a chronic illness can lead to a number of physical and psychosocial consequences all of which can lead to uncertainty over how patients view and plan for their future.

Design

A longitudinal qualitative study.

Methods

Individuals attending oncology follow‐up clinics with their clinical nurse specialist at a hospital in the North East of England were invited to participate in two semistructured interviews over a 6‐month period. A total of six individuals consented to participate, of whom two were women. One participant could not be contacted for the second interview, resulting in 11 interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

Two super‐ordinate themes emerged from the analysis: physical and psychological consequences of cancer and adapting to life after treatment.

Conclusion

The experience of future disorientation was common among participants; however, this was impacted on by a number of factors such as functional impairment and fear of recurrence. Furthermore, future disorientation does not appear to be stable and may ease as patients begin to adjust to the uncertainty of living with colorectal cancer as a chronic illness.
Efficiently Inefficient Markets for Assets and Asset Management
Authors: GÂRLEANU NICOLAE , PEDERSEN LASSE HEJE
Published: May 2018

We consider a model where investors can invest directly or search for an asset manager, information about assets is costly, and managers charge an endogenous fee. The efficiency of asset prices is linked to the efficiency of the asset management market: if investors can find managers more easily, more money is allocated to active management, fees are lower, and asset prices are more efficient. Informed managers outperform after fees, uninformed managers underperform, while the average manager's performance depends on the number of “noise allocators.” Small investors should remain uninformed, but large and sophisticated investors benefit from searching for informed active managers since their search cost is low relative to capital. Hence, managers with larger and more sophisticated investors are expected to outperform.
Mothers' Partnerships, Men in the Home, and Adolescents' Secondary Exposure to Violence
Authors: Crosnoe Robert , Stritzel Haley , Smith Chelsea , Cavanagh Shannon E.
Published: May 2018

Family instability means that many U.S. youth spend time without biological fathers and with other men. This study extends the literature on the developmental implications of living with fathers and father figures by investigating the association between the presence of mothers' male romantic partners in the home and secondary exposure to violence with a focus on variability according to the identities of the men and the communities of the family. Fixed effects models of multilevel data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (N = 2,201) revealed that living with mothers' partners did not have a general protective or risky association with youths' secondary exposure to violence. This exposure, however, was lower when such men were youths' biological fathers (vs. social fathers) and when they were married to (vs. cohabiting with) youths' mothers. The link between men's marital status and exposure to violence appeared stronger in higher crime neighborhoods.
The Intergenerational Transmission of Gender Roles: Children's Contribution to Housework in Germany
Authors: Cordero‐Coma Julia , Esping‐Andersen Gøsta
Published: May 2018

Research on children's participation in housework is scarce and mainly descriptive. Drawing on theories of gender role socialization, the authors identify how children's contributions are influenced by how their parents allocate domestic tasks. Using data from the German Socioeconomic Panel, which include annual information on time dedicated to housework for all family members, they analyze a sample of 2,293 sons and daughters born 1976 to 1995 who live with their parents at ages 18 and 19 and whose parents reported their own time spent on housework when the children were aged 8 to 11 years. The authors find that parents' housework division when children were ages 8 to 11 affects the likelihood of sons (and less so, daughters) participating in such tasks, even after controlling for parental education, the mother's work attachment, time constraints, and parents' division of housework in adolescence. Analysis of siblings provides additional support for our hypothesis.
Prognostic significance of elevated serum CD44 levels in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sawant Sharada , Ahire Chetan , Dongre Harsh , Joshi Shriya , Jamghare Sayli , Rane Pallavi , Kane Shubhada , Chaukar Devendra
Published: May 2018

Background

Availability of reliable methods distinguishing high‐risk recurrent tumours from regressive tumours prior to surgery could help in better management of the disease. This study was aimed to estimate pre‐surgical serum CD44 concentration and assess the possibility of using it as a non‐invasive prognostic tool in oral cancer.

Methods

ELISA was performed on pre‐surgical serum samples from 64 primary oral cancer patients and 16 healthy individuals to estimate soluble CD44 levels. Immunohistochemistry was performed on parallel 64 solid tumours and 10 recurrent tumours. All patients clinically followed up for median period of 19.2 months and obtained prognostic information correlated with CD44 concentration in serum as well as in tumours.

Results

Serum CD44 concentration was found significantly high in patients as compared to healthy individuals (P < .001) and also in patients whose disease locally recurred as compared to those did not recur (P = 0026). High serum CD44 concentration inversely affected on patients survival (P = .032). CD44v6 staining intensity was detected significantly high in recurrent tumours as compared to primary tumours (P < .001), and it also correlated with poor survival (P < .001). Furthermore, in combination, patients with increased CD44 concentration in serum and CD44v6 expression in tumours significantly correlated with local recurrence (P < .001) and poor survival (P < .001).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the ELISA‐based estimation of pre‐surgical serum CD44 concentration could be a non‐invasive reliable method distinguishing high‐risk recurrent tumours which can further assist in post‐surgery treatment planning.
Immunohistochemical diagnosis of mucous membrane pemphigoid
Authors: Shimanovich Iakov , Nitz Julia Marie , Witte Mareike , Zillikens Detlef , Rose Christian
Published: May 2018

Background

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is an autoimmune subepithelial blistering disease with predominant involvement of mucosal surfaces. It is usually diagnosed by direct immunofluorescence microscopy of frozen biopsies, demonstrating linear deposits of complement, IgG or IgA along the basement membrane. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of immunohistochemistry on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue biopsies for the diagnosis of MMP and to compare its sensitivity to that of direct immunofluorescence microscopy.

Methods

We examined 50 biopsies from 34 patients with immunologically confirmed MMP by immunohistochemistry for C3d, C4d, IgG and IgA.

Results

Linear deposits of C3d were detected in 46% of biopsies, and 53% of patients had at least one biopsy positive for C3d. Linear deposits of C4d were detected in 52% of biopsies and 59% of patients had at least one biopsy positive for C4d. Overall, 56% of biopsies and 68% of patients were positive by either C3d or C4d or both stainings. The sensitivity of either staining in mucosal biopsies was lower than in skin samples. Basement membrane deposits of IgG or IgA could not be detected in any biopsy.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that immunohistochemistry for C3d or C4d is a helpful screening procedure for cases of suspected MMP where frozen tissue is not readily available. Negative findings, however, do not exclude a possible diagnosis of MMP and should prompt an additional biopsy for direct immunofluorescence studies. Immunohistochemical detection of IgG or IgA cannot yet be used for the diagnosis of MMP.
Associations between loneliness and personality are mostly driven by a genetic association with Neuroticism
Authors: Abdellaoui Abdel , Chen Hsi‐Yuan , Willemsen Gonneke , Ehli Erik A. , Davies Gareth E. , Verweij Karin J. H. , Nivard Michel G. , de Geus Eco J. C. , Boomsma Dorret I. , Cacioppo John T.
Published: May 2018

Objective

Loneliness is an aversive response to a discrepancy between desired and actual social relationships and correlates with personality. We investigate the relationship of loneliness and personality in twin family and molecular genetic data.

Method

Phenotypic correlations between loneliness and the Big Five personality traits were estimated in 29,625 adults, and in a group with genome‐wide genotype data (N = 4,222), genetic correlations were obtained. We explored whether genetic correlations may reflect causal relationships by investigating within monozygotic twin pair differences (Npairs = 2,662), by longitudinal within‐subject changes in personality and loneliness (N = 4,260–9,238 longitudinal comparisons), and by longitudinal cross‐lagged panel analyses (N = 15,628). Finally, we tested whether genetic correlations were due to cross‐trait assortative mating (Nspouse pairs = 4,436).

Results

The strongest correlations with loneliness were observed for Neuroticism (r = .55) and Extraversion (r = –.33). Only Neuroticism showed a high correlation with loneliness independent of other personality traits (r = .50), so follow‐up analyses focused on Neuroticism. The genetic correlation between loneliness and Neuroticism from genotyped variants was .71; a significant reciprocal causal relationship and nonsignificant cross‐trait assortative mating imply that this is at least partly due to mediated pleiotropy.

Conclusions

We show that the relationship between loneliness and personality is largely explained by its relationship with Neuroticism, which is substantially genetic in nature.
Oral health and school performance in a group of schoolchildren from the Federal District, Brazil
Authors: Almeida Raquel Francis , Leal Soraya Coelho , Medonca Jordana Guedes Amorim , Hilgert Leandro Augusto , Ribeiro Ana Paula Dias
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To evaluate whether an association exists between school performance, quality of life, dental caries, and dental pain in children between 6 and 8 years of age.

Methods

All 6‐ to 8‐year‐old children enrolled in the second year of the six public schools in Paranoá‐FD were invited to participate in this cross‐sectional study. In total, 374 consented. Dental caries was recorded according to the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) index by two trained examiners. Dental pain was assessed during clinical examination. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) was used to assess the oral health‐related quality of life, and sociodemographic data were collected. The child's school performance was measured through Provinha Brasil according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and a multivariate regression model were used for data analysis.

Results

185 boys and 189 girls participants with a mean age of 7.2 (±0.5) years were included in the study. The prevalence of dentin carious lesions for this group was 40.6 and 49.2 percent, including enamel‐only lesions. The prevalence of dental pain was 2.8 percent. A high performance in reading (63.6 percent) and in mathematics (79.4 percent) was observed and were not associated with the presence of cavitated dentin carious lesions or dental pain. A significant association was found between school performance and the final CPQ score.

Conclusion

School performance as measured by the Provinha Brasil examination was not associated with carious lesions or dental pain. Students with lower school performance had higher CPQ scores.