bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language outcomes of children with cerebral palsy aged 5 years and 6 years: a population‐based study
Authors: Mei Cristina , Reilly Sheena , Reddihough Dinah , Mensah Fiona , Pennington Lindsay , Morgan Angela
Published: November 2015

Aim

To examine the frequency, range, and features of language impairment in a community sample of children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 5 to 6 years.

Method

Children with CP born between 2005 and 2007 were identified through the Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register. Eighty‐four participants were recruited, representing 48% of the contacted families. The recruited sample was representative of non‐participants. Participants completed standardized measures of receptive and expressive language, and non‐verbal cognition.

Results

Language impairment was identified in 61% (51/84) of participants. Twenty‐four per cent (20/84) were non‐verbal. Co‐occurring receptive and expressive language impairment was common (37/84, 44%). Isolated receptive (6/84, 7%) and expressive (4/84, 5%) impairments occurred relatively infrequently. At a group level, verbal and non‐verbal participants demonstrated deficits across language subdomains (i.e. semantics, syntax, morphology), rather than in single domains. Cognitive impairment and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V were associated with higher rates of language impairment (odds ratio [OR] 15.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2–71.8 and OR 8.5, 95% CI 1.8–40.3 respectively). Only cognition was independently associated with language impairment when both of these factors were considered within a multivariable model.

Interpretation

Language impairment was common in 5‐year‐old and 6‐year‐old children with CP, affecting three out of five children. Participants were impaired across linguistic subdomains indicating a generalized language deficit. Findings suggest most children would benefit from a clinical language assessment. To target services effectively, subgroups of individuals with CP at greatest risk for language impairment need to be identified.
MAKING FRIENDS TO INFLUENCE OTHERS: ENTRY AND CONTRIBUTION DECISIONS THAT AFFECT SOCIAL CAPITAL IN AN ASSOCIATION
Authors: Chouinard Hayley H. , Galinato Gregmar I. , Wandschneider Philip R.
Published: November 2015

We examine factors affecting entry and contribution to an association that provides different goods using social capital formed by heterogeneous firms that lobby in a political economy environment. We identify how associations attract the most productive firms or the least productive firms in an industry and explain how such associations differ in their intensive and extensive marginal contributions to social capital. We find that the level of regulatory stringency, association products including capital goods for members or lobbying to influence regulation, and government influenceability affect membership and contribution decisions. These results vary with firm productivity. Often, an increase in government influenceability increases social capital in associations composed of highly productive firms because they prefer to influence policy while less productive firms prefer more association‐produced production inputs. (JEL D71, D73)
Suitability of woodlice prey for generalist and specialist spider predators: a comparative study
Authors: PEKÁR STANO , LÍZNAROVÁ EVA , ŘEZÁČ MILAN
Published: November 2015

1. Predators select a prey according to its energetic and nutritional composition. Generalist predators avoid, whereas specialists often specialise on well‐defended prey. The aim of this study was to find the suitability of woodlice prey for generalist and specialist predators by comparing their handling efficiency.

2. Laboratory experiments were performed in which specialist and generalist predators were reared on monotypic diets comprising one or other of two woodlice species that differ in their defensive strategies: rollers (Armadillidium) and clingers (Porcellio). A control group was reared on a mixture of arthropods (excluding woodlice). Three spider predators were used that differ in their adaptations to deal with woodlice prey: a woodlice specialist, Dysdera crocata; an oligophagous generalist, Pholcus phalangioides, that also captures woodlice; and a euryphagous generalist, Tegenaria domestica, that does not feed on woodlice. The frequency of capture was recorded and various fitness parameters were measured, namely survival, growth rate, and ontogenetic development.

3. It was found that the specialist, D. crocata, performed best on the Porcellio diet, and similarly well on Armadillidium and mixed diets. The two generalists, P. phalangioides and T. domestica, had poor performance on both woodlice diets but performed well on the mixed diet.

4. The results show that woodlice are unsuitable prey for both oligophagous and euryphagous generalist predators.
Bit‐induced asphyxia in the racehorse as a cause of sudden death
Authors: Cook W. R.
Published: November 2015

The prevention of sudden death requires removal of its cause and this is unknown. The author's hypothesis is that bit‐induced asphyxia, partial or complete, is a cause of sudden death.Antemortemdata on bit‐induced asphyxia were compared withpost mortemdata on sudden deaths to explore a possible cause‐and‐effect relationship. Causal categories from sudden death necropsy data were reclassified. Those causing a horse to fall (cardiopulmonary failures) were considered primary effects and those resulting from a fall (CNStrauma and haemorrhagic shock) secondary effects. Cardiac failure from negative pressure pulmonary oedema caused by bit‐induced obstruction of the nasopharynx was consistent with the hypothesis. In 1988,asphyxia from recurrent laryngeal neuropathy was posited as a cause of exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). It is now suggested that the bit is another cause of asphyxia; EIPH is a sign of negative pressure pulmonary oedema which, in turn, causes cardiac failure and sudden death. By breaking the airtight lip‐seal at exercise, a bit dissipates negative pressure in the oral compartments, destabilises the soft palate and obstructs the nasopharynx. Bitted rein pressure, kinking the airway and rendering parts of it flaccid, is a further cause of asphyxia. The data comparison supports a unifying hypothesis on 4 problems currently considered idiopathic; that the bit is an ultimate cause of palatal instability, dynamic collapse of the upper respiratory tract, EIPH and sudden death. Bitless training and racing trials are recommended as a means of demonstrating that bitless racing is possible, preferable and predicted to reduce the prevalence of all 4 problems.
Daclatasvir and asunaprevir treatment improves liver function parameters and reduces liver fibrosis markers in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Miyaki Eisuke , Imamura Michio , Hiraga Nobuhiko , Murakami Eisuke , Kawaoka Tomokazu , Tsuge Masataka , Hiramatsu Akira , Kawakami Yoshiiku , Aikata Hiroshi , Hayes C. Nelson , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: November 2015

Aim

Although interferon (IFN)‐free antiviral therapy is expected to improve the treatment response for chronic hepatitis C, the effect on liver function and liver fibrosis is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the long‐term follow up of liver function parameters and liver fibrosis markers in genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients treated with daclatasvir and asunaprevir.

Methods

Thirty patients were treated with daclatasvir and asunaprevir for 24 weeks, and 26 patients achieved sustained virological response (SVR). We measured liver function parameters, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and albumin levels and liver fibrosis markers, hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen and Mac‐2‐binding protein (M2BPGi) before and after (median, 27 months; range, 17–47) completion of the treatment in SVR and non‐SVR patients. We also measured serum α‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels during the therapy and follow‐up period.

Results

Pretreatment serum ALT and albumin levels and liver fibrosis markers were similar between SVR and non‐SVR patients. Twenty‐seven months after treatment, serum ALT and albumin levels significantly improved only in SVR patients. Although there was no change in non‐SVR patients, platelet count and serum liver fibrosis markers significantly improved in SVR patients. Serum AFP levels rapidly decreased during the treatment in both SVR and non‐SVR patients, but the change was significant only in SVR patients.

Conclusion

Successful viral eradication by IFN‐free daclatasvir and asunaprevir therapy could lead to improved liver function parameters and reduced liver fibrosis markers and AFP levels. This treatment has the potential to improve liver fibrosis and decrease the incidence of hepatocarcinogenesis.
Absence from the nest due to human disturbance induces higher nest predation risk than natural recesses in Common Eiders Somateria mollissima
Authors: Stien Jennifer , Ims Rolf A.
Published: November 2015

Human disturbance of nesting birds may cause reduced breeding success. It is therefore necessary to assess the impact of disturbance to identify steps that minimize negative impacts. We carried out a study of nesting success at two adjacent colonies of Common Eider Somateria mollissima on the islands of Grindøya and Håkøya in northern Norway between 2006 and 2011. Over the study period, nesting success was consistently higher on Håkøya (69–82%) than on Grindøya (35–60%). Between 2009 and 2011 we used camera monitoring of individual nests to identify determinants of nest survival and predation, focusing in particular on the effect of departures from the nest due to human disturbance, which differed between the colonies due to a long‐term research project on Grindøya. Overall, absence of Common Eiders from nests due to disturbance increased the predation risk by a factor of 6.42 for an increase of one additional daily disturbance. In contrast, absence due to natural recesses did not increase nest losses. Under high levels of human disturbance, camera monitoring indicated that the main cause of breeding failure was predation, primarily by Hooded Crows Corvus cornix, but also to some extent Great Black‐backed Gulls Larus marinus. The presence of cameras did not increase the predation risk. Both the presence of researchers and the sight of Common Eider females conspicuously departing from nests are likely to have provided cues to these predators. We suggest management trials to reduce nesting disturbance through the guarding of unoccupied nests to mitigate the effects of human disturbance on reproductive success.
Enterococcus faecalis attenuates osteogenesis through activation of p38 and ERK1/2 pathways in MC3T3‐E1 cells
Authors: Wang S. , Deng Z. , Ye X. , Geng X. , Zhang C.
Published: November 2015

Aim

To explore the role of Enterococcus faecalis in the proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of osteoblasts.

Methodology

Pre‐osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells were treated with heat‐killed E. faecalis ATCC 29212 and clinical E. faecalis P25RC strains, respectively. Cell proliferation, mineralized calcium deposition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and apoptosis were assessed at various time‐points. The expression levels of osteogenic‐related genes including ALP, osteocalcin (OC), runt‐related protein 2 (Runx2) and collagen type 1 (COL1) were also analysed throughout the duration of the experiment. Additionally, the involvement of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling pathways was analysed by Western blotting. In the presence of culture supernatant from E. faecalis‐treated murine macrophages, apoptosis of MC3T3‐E1 cells was detected with flow cytometry. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (anova), and P < 0.05 was considered significantly different.

Results

E. faecalis significantly inhibited proliferation (P < 0.05) and also significantly induced apoptosis of MC3T3‐E1 cells (P < 0.05), whilst differentiation seemed to be unaffected after 7 days of E. faecalis treatment. However, osteogenic differentiation was significantly inhibited with 21‐day E. faecalis treatment (P < 0.05). The p38 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation pathways associated with mineral deposition and apoptosis were significantly activated in MC3T3‐E1 cells. The culture supernatants from E. faecalis‐treated macrophages induced osteoblast apoptosis.

Conclusions

E. faecalis exerted an inhibitory effect on osteogenesis in pre‐osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells via phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2.
Why not nursing? A systematic review of factors influencing career choice among healthcare students
Authors: Wu L.T. , Low M.M.J. , Tan K.K. , Lopez V. , Liaw S.Y.
Published: November 2015

Background

A global shortage of healthcare professionals calls for effective recruitment and retention strategies. The nursing profession faces greater staffing shortages compared with other healthcare professions. Identifying these factors for choosing a career in health care is an important step in structuring future nursing recruitment strategies.

Aim

This systematic review examined the motivations for choosing a career in health care, then compared them to factors that influence the choice to pursue a career in nursing.

Methods

A literature search of theCINAHL,PubMed,Web ofScience andScopus databases for articles published between 2002 and 2013 was conducted. The search included studies that focused on factors influencing career choice among undergraduate medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing students.

Results

A total of 29 papers were included in the review. The themes and subthemes that emerged from this review included: (1) intrinsic factors, including a desire to help others and a personal interest in health care, (2) extrinsic factors, such as financial remuneration, job security, professional prestige and job autonomy, (3) socio‐demographic factors such as gender and socio‐economic status, and (4) interpersonal factors, encompassing the influence of family and other professional individuals.

Discussion

Healthcare professionals were generally motivated by intrinsic factors. However, public perceptions of nursing as a low‐paying and low‐status job have significantly hindered the participants' choice to pursue it as a career.

Conclusion and implications for nursing and/or health policy

Nursing institutions could provide more platforms to help school leavers better understand the nursing career. In turn, hospital administrators could invite parents to nursing career fairs, increase financial remuneration for nurses, and provide decision‐making avenues aimed at recruiting and retaining more nurses.
Nurses' perceptions of the challenges related to the Omanization policy
Authors: Al‐Riyami M. , Fischer I. , Lopez V.
Published: November 2015

Background

Human resource development has become a major concern in Oman since the inception of the ‘Omanization’ policy in 1988. The main goal of this policy was to replace the expatriate nursing workforce with similarly qualified local nurses to develop a sustainable workforce and achieve self‐reliance.

Aim

The aim of this study is to explore the nurses' perceptions of Omanization policy.

Methods

A qualitative research design was used and 16 Omani registered nurses and 26 student nurses were interviewed indepth. Transcribed data were analysed using content analysis.

Results

Two main themes emerged from the data: ‘Challenges of sustaining the local nursing workforce’ and ‘Challenges of educational preparation for local nurses’. The participants agreed that Omanization benefited national development, social stability and ensuring local workforce. The challenges faced were cultural and work life balance, preparation of nurses and pace of replacement.

Conclusion

The participants were concerned that the pace of replacement could leave behind a marked experience gap. A slow‐phased approach to Omanization of the nursing workforce was recommended by the participants.

Limitations

Results obtained from this study reflect the perceptions and voices of student nurses and registered nurses only from the Institute of Nursing and Oman Ministry of Health.

Implications for nursing education and policy

A policy of this magnitude requires gradual establishment. The upgrading of the nursing education to degree level, continuous professional development, mentoring and role modeling of expert nurses should be established to prepare local nurses for the localization of the nursing workforce.
Spirituality and spiritual care in Iran: nurses' perceptions and barriers
Authors: Zakaria Kiaei M. , Salehi A. , Moosazadeh Nasrabadi A. , Whitehead D. , Azmal M. , Kalhor R. , Shah Bahrami E.
Published: November 2015

Aim

This study aimed to explore the perception of Iranian nurses concerning spiritual care and to reveal any confronted barriers.

Background

Although the context of spiritual care is a substantial aspect of holistic care, the delivery of spiritual care has been problematic due to lack of nurses' understanding of this concept.

Introduction

Nurses' perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care directly influence their performance as well as their relationships with patients.

Methods

This cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 2013 with 259 nurses working in hospitals affiliated with Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected using the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale alongside qualitative open‐ended questions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the quantitative data and content analysis for the qualitative data.

Results

The overall average for spirituality and spiritual care was 2.84 (score range: 1–4), indicating a moderate mean score. A significant relationship was found between education level and spiritual care. The majority of participants believed that they did not receive enough training in this aspect of care. The main obstacles regarding delivering spiritual care included busy working schedules, insufficient knowledge regarding spiritual care, low motivation, diversity of patients' spiritual needs and feeling ‘unqualified’ to provide spiritual cares.

Discussion

Consistent with the previous studies, this study has demonstrated that nurses had low confidence to meet the spiritual needs of patients due to lack of knowledge and training in this regard.

Conclusion

Iranian nurses' perception of spirituality and spiritual care is moderate, reflecting that they do not receive sufficient training regarding spiritual care.

Implications for nursing and/or health policy

Despite the attention focused on spiritual care in clinical settings in Iran, there remains a significant gap in terms of meeting the spiritual needs of patients in nursing practice. This finding assists nursing clinicians, educators and policy makers to more effectively approach spiritual care as a beneficial component of holistic care. It is proposed that more emphasis is placed on integrating spirituality content into educational programmes to enable more effective clinical delivery. In addition, it would be beneficial to implement more widespread cultural assessment in order to further benefit spiritual care practices.
The Co-optation of LGBT Movements in Mexico and Nicaragua: Modernizing Clientelism?
Authors: McGee Marcus J. , Kampwirth Karen
Published: November 2015

Before the 1980s, LGBT groups in Latin America were largely (though not entirely) excluded from the state. This article argues that a combination of factors—democratization, social movement demands, neoliberal globalization and its accompanying discourse of modernity—has led many state actors to seek to incorporate LGBT groups into the state. Considering two cases of self-proclaimed revolutionary parties, Mexico's PRI and Nicaragua's FSLN, the article examines how and why these parties incorporated LGBT organizations and what impact such incorporation had on the LGBT groups themselves. In both countries, LGBT groups benefited from clientelistic resources at the same time that they found themselves deradicalizing, often forced to accept visibility without rights. But in Nicaragua, a more recent revolutionary experience and ties to a combative, autonomous feminist movement have allowed some LGBT activists to resist the state's efforts to co-opt their movement.
(Un?)Healthy Politics: The Political Determinants of Subnational Health Systems in Brazil
Authors: Alves Jorge Antonio
Published: November 2015

How does political competition shape institutions that govern the expansion of social policy subnationally? Brazilian states have shown a surprising variation in the design of their public health institutions, which regulate the distribution of health resources and citizen access to public health care. While many states have experienced fragmentation, some have remained highly centralized and discretionary, and only a select few have established a coordinated system based on power sharing and rules-based distribution. Accounts that link public health care expansion to federal government imposition, the presence of the public health care movement, and leftist parties cannot fully explain this variation. Instead, in the three Brazilian states examined here, the nature of subnational political competition triggered different institution-building strategies. The findings indicate that plural political competition yielded incentives for limiting state-level discretion and for sharing power with municipal governments, while political concentration reinforced the attraction to centralized and discretionary policymaking.
Bank Liquidity Creation and Risk‐Taking: Does Managerial Ability Matter?
Authors: Andreou Panayiotis C. , Philip Dennis , Robejsek Peter
Published: November 2015

This study investigates the impact of managerial ability on banks' liquidity creation and risk‐taking behavior. We find that higher ability managers create more liquidity and take more risk. During times of financial crisis, however, higher ability bank managers reduce liquidity creation as a way to de‐leverage their balance sheets. Our findings inform recent theoretical and empirical studies that investigate determinants of liquidity creation and risk by introducing managerial ability as a prominent antecedent of the banks' intermediation and risk‐transforming service. Moreover, this study has policy‐related implications, since managerial ability can be quantified as a key performance indicator for prudential supervision of banks and could help regulators to target intervention efforts more purposefully during times of crisis.
Past climate‐driven range shifts and population genetic diversity in arctic plants
Authors: Pellissier Loïc , Eidesen Pernille Bronken , Ehrich Dorothee , Descombes Patrice , Schönswetter Peter , Tribsch Andreas , Westergaard Kristine Bakke , Alvarez Nadir , Guisan Antoine , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Normand Signe , Vittoz Pascal , Luoto Miska , Damgaard Christian , Brochmann Christian , Wisz Mary S. , Alsos Inger Greve
Published: November 2015

Aim

High intra‐specific genetic diversity is necessary for species adaptation to novel environments under climate change, but species tracking suitable conditions are losing alleles through successive founder events during range shift. Here, we investigated the relationship between range shift since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and extant population genetic diversity across multiple plant species to understand variability in species responses.

Location

The circumpolar Arctic and northern temperate alpine ranges.

Methods

We estimated the climatic niches of 30 cold‐adapted plant species using range maps coupled with species distribution models and hindcasted species suitable areas to reconstructions of the mid‐Holocene and LGM climates. We computed the species‐specific migration distances from the species glacial refugia to their current distribution and correlated distances to extant genetic diversity in 1295 populations. Differential responses among species were related to life‐history traits.

Results

We found a negative association between inferred migration distances from refugia and genetic diversities in 25 species, but only 11 had statistically significant negative slopes. The relationships between inferred distance and population genetic diversity were steeper for insect‐pollinated species than wind‐pollinated species, but the difference among pollination system was marginally independent from phylogenetic autocorrelation.

Main conclusion

The relationships between inferred migration distances and genetic diversities in 11 species, independent from current isolation, indicate that past range shifts were associated with a genetic bottleneck effect with an average of 21% loss of genetic diversity per 1000 km−1. In contrast, the absence of relationship in many species also indicates that the response is species specific and may be modulated by plant pollination strategies or result from more complex historical contingencies than those modelled here.
Syphilis iridocyclitis in a patient with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Comassi Mario , Natali Andrea , Solini Anna
Published: November 2015

We present a rare cause of iridocyclitis in a patient with vitiligo and type 1 diabetes who showed poor metabolic control, and suffered from remitting fever, weight loss, fatigue, diffuse arthralgias and reduced visual acuity. Mild systemic symptoms coupled with increased cholestasis enzymes, insulin resistance, mild inflammation and a functioning adrenal gland focused our clinical work‐up on granulomatous causes of iridocyclitis. Specific tests confirmed syphilis, with no involvement of the central nervous system. Ocular syphilis, despite being unusual, can be the only manifestation of the disease. The work‐up of any unexplained ocular inflammation should include testing for syphilis so as to not delay the diagnosis.
Evolution of increased adult longevity in Drosophila melanogaster populations selected for adaptation to larval crowding
Authors: Shenoi V. N. , Ali S. Z. , Prasad N. G.
Published: November 2015

In holometabolous animals such as Drosophila melanogaster, larval crowding can affect a wide range of larval and adult traits. Adults emerging from high larval density cultures have smaller body size and increased mean life span compared to flies emerging from low larval density cultures. Therefore, adaptation to larval crowding could potentially affect adult longevity as a correlated response. We addressed this issue by studying a set of large, outbred populations of D. melanogaster, experimentally evolved for adaptation to larval crowding for 83 generations. We assayed longevity of adult flies from both selected (MCUs) and control populations (MBs) after growing them at different larval densities. We found that MCUs have evolved increased mean longevity compared to MBs at all larval densities. The interaction between selection regime and larval density was not significant, indicating that the density dependence of mean longevity had not evolved in the MCU populations. The increase in longevity in MCUs can be partially attributed to their lower rates of ageing. It is also noteworthy that reaction norm of dry body weight, a trait probably under direct selection in our populations, has indeed evolved in MCU populations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the evolution of adult longevity as a correlated response of adaptation to larval crowding.
Comparison of Contrast Ratio, Translucency Parameter, and Flexural Strength of Traditional and “Augmented Translucency” Zirconia for CEREC CAD/CAM System
Authors: Vichi Alessandro , Sedda Maurizio , Fabian Fonzar Riccardo , Carrabba Michele , Ferrari Marco
Published: November 2015

Purpose

Tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (TZP) can be used via CAD/CAM technique as metal replacement for fixed partial dentures. However, its intense white color and high opacity may represent an aesthetic limit. New TZPs with a claimed higher degree of translucency were recently marketed. The aim of the study was to investigate contrast ratio (CR), translucency parameter (TP), flexural strength (σ), Weibull characteristic strength (σ0), and Weibull modulus (m) of three “traditional” (IPS e.max Zir‐CAD, inCoris ZI, VITA In‐Ceram YZ) and two “increased translucency” (inCoris TZI, VITA In‐Ceram YZ HT) Y‐TZPs.

Methods

For flexural strength, ISO 6872:2008 was followed. Bars (N = 40) were cut from pre‐sintered blocks. Dense‐sintering, finishing, and polishing were performed in order to obtain specimens of 15 × 4 × 1.2 mm. Samples were tested with three‐point bending setup in a universal testing machine. For CR and TP, specimens (N = 10) were cut perpendicularly to the long axis from pre‐sintered blocks. After the dense‐sintering, specimens were finished and polished in order to obtain tiles of 12 × 15 × 1 mm. CR and TP were measured with a spectrophotometer equipped with an integrating sphere.

Results

No significant difference was found regarding flexural strength. A significant difference was found both for CR and TP among tested groups. VITA In‐Ceram YZ HT and inCoris TZI showed the higher translucency. The difference was not statistically significant when compared with VITA In‐Ceram YZ, and statistically significant when compared with IPS e.max Zir‐CAD and inCoris ZI.

Conclusion

The new “augmented translucency” TZPs showed higher translucency and similar flexural strength than “traditional” TZPs.

Clinical Significance

Monolithic zirconia use is partially restricted due to the zirconia low translucency. The new “augmented translucency” zirconia showed a modest but perceptible increase in translucency and a similar flexural resistance, thus increasing the clinically suitable thickness range with optimized aesthetic and resistance. (J Esthet RestorDent 28:S32–S39, 2016)
A 96‐week randomized trial of switching to entecavir in patients who achieved virological suppression on lamivudine therapy
Authors: Ahn Sang Hoon , Heo Jeong , Park Jun Yong , Woo Hyun Young , Lee Heon Ju , Tak Won Young , Um Soon Ho , Yoon Ki Tae , Park Soo Young , Kim Chang Wook , Kim Hyung Hoi , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Cho Mong
Published: November 2015

Background and Aim:

There are limited data assessing whether patients who achieved virological suppression on lamivudine but remain hepatitis B “e” antigen‐positive should be switched to a more potent antiviral with a high genetic barrier to resistance or continue with lamivudine. We compared the safety and efficacy of switching with entecavir versus continuing lamivudine.

Methods:

This was a Phase IV, randomized, open‐label, prospective study in a tertiary care setting. Seventy‐three chronic hepatitis B patients who achieved virological suppression on lamivudine (serum hepatitis B virus DNA < 60 International Unit (IU)/mL) were enrolled. Entecavir or lamivudine were administered orally for up to 96 weeks. Virologic and serologic responses were measured throughout the study.

Results:

A significantly higher proportion of patients in the entecavir group achieved hepatitis B virus DNA < 60 IU/mL at Weeks 48 (100% [38/38] vs 62.8% [22/35]; P < 0.001) and 96 (97.4% [37/38] vs 57.1% [20/35]; P<0.001). A greater number of patients had virologic breakthrough (Week 96 cumulative incidence 42.9% vs 2.6%; P<0.001) and genotypic lamivudine resistance (28.6% [10/35] vs 0% [0/38]; P<0.001) in the lamivudine group. No serious adverse events or laboratory abnormalities were reported.

Conclusions:

Even after achieving virological suppression on lamivudine therapy, the risk of emergent lamivudine resistance increases over time. Switching to entecavir resulted in a maintained virologic response and superior serologic responses versus continued lamivudine therapy. This study supports a rationale for switching to entecavir in chronic hepatitis B patients with virological suppression on lamivudine.
Fluid‐induced breakdown of monazite in medium‐grade metasedimentary rocks of the Pontremoli basement (Northern Apennines, Italy)
Authors: Lo Pò D. , Braga R. , Massonne H.‐J. , Molli G. , Montanini A. , Theye T.
Published: November 2015

The last (decompression) stages of the metamorphic evolution can modify monazite microstructure and composition, making it difficult to link monazite dates with pressure and temperature conditions. Monazite and its breakdown products under fluid‐present conditions were studied in micaschist recovered from the cuttings of the Pontremoli1 well, Tuscany. Coronitic microstructures around monazite consist of concentric zones of apatite + Th‐silicate, allanite and epidote. The chemistry and microstructure of the monazite grains, which preserve a wide range of chemical dates ranging from Upper Carboniferous to Tertiary times, suggest that this mineral underwent a fluid‐mediated coupled dissolution–reprecipitation and crystallization processes. Consideration of the chemical zoning (major and selected trace elements) in garnet, its inclusion mineralogy (including xenotime), monazite breakdown products and phase diagram modelling allow the reaction history among accessory minerals to be linked with the reconstructed P–T evolution. The partial dissolution and replacement by rare earth element‐accessory minerals (apatite–allanite–epidote) occurred during a fluid‐present decompression at 510 ± 35 °C. These conditions represent the last stage of a metamorphic history consisting of a thermal metamorphic peak at 575 °C and 7 kbar, followed by the peak pressure stage occurring at 520 °C and 8 kbar. An anticlockwise P–T path or two clockwise P–T loops can fit the above P–T constraints. The former path may be related to a context of late Variscan strike‐slip‐dominated exhumation with minor Tertiary (Alpine‐related) reworking and fluid infiltration, while the latter requires an Oligocene–Miocene fluid‐present tectono‐metamorphic overprint on the Variscan paragenesis.
Detection and spatial characterization of minicolumnarity in the human cerebral cortex
Authors: RAFATI A.H. , SAFAVIMANESH F. , DORPH‐PETERSEN K.‐A. , RASMUSSEN J.G. , MØLLER J. , NYENGAARD J.R.
Published: November 2015

Background

Spatial characterization of vertical organization of neurons in human cerebral cortex, cortical columnarity or minicolumns, and its possible association with various psychiatric and neurological diseases has been investigated for many years.

New method

In this study, we obtained 3D coordinates of disector sampled cells from layer III of Brodmann area 4 of the human cerebral cortex using light microscopy and 140‐μm‐thick glycolmethacrylate sections. A new analytical tool called cylindrical K‐function was applied for spatial point pattern analysis of 3D datasets to see whether there is a spatially organized columnar structure. In order to demonstrate the behaviour of the cylindrical K‐function, the result from brain tissues was compared with two models: A homogeneous Poisson process exhibiting complete spatial randomness, and a Poisson line cluster point process. The latter is a point process model in 3D space, which exhibits spatial structure of points similar to minicolumns.

Results

The data show in three out of four samples nonrandom patterns in the 3D neuronal positions with the direction of minicolumns perpendicular to the pial surface of the brain – without a priori assuming the existence of minicolumns.

Comparison with existing methods

Studies on columnarity are difficult and have mainly been based on two‐dimensional images analysis of thin sections of the cerebral cortex with the a priori assumption that minicolumns existed.

Conclusions

A clear difference from complete spatial randomness in the data could be detected with the new tool, the cylindrical K‐function, although classical functional summary statistics are less useful in this connection.
How Religious are American Women and Men? Gender Differences and Similarities
Authors: Schnabel Landon
Published: November 2015

Are women universally more religious than men? Some research on gender differences has argued that biology leads women to be innately more religious than men, but other research has highlighted the importance of avoiding universal claims and recognizing complexity. This brief note uses General Social Survey data to report gender differences in predicted religiosity by religious category across eight measures. In the United States, gender differences seem to be primarily a Christian phenomenon. Although women reveal higher levels of religiosity across Christian groups, this trend does not extend to non‐Christian groups. Furthermore, there is variation even among Christian groups, with women not revealing higher levels of religiosity for all measures. Nevertheless, there does seem to be a general trend for women to report daily prayer more often than men. These findings further problematize the idea that there are innate gender differences in religiosity rooted in biology, and provide a descriptive foundation for future attempts to explain why (American) Christian groups reveal gender differences in religiosity.
Open‐label study of faldaprevir plus peginterferon and ribavirin in hepatitis C virus genotype 1‐infected patients who failed placebo plus peginterferon and ribavirin
Authors: Foster G. R. , Ferenci P. , Asselah T. , Mantry P. , Dufour J.‐F. , Bourlière M. , Forton D. , Maevskaya M. , Wright D. , Yoshida E. M. , García‐Samaniego J. , Oliveira C. , Wright M. , Warner N. , Sha N. , Quinson A.‐M. , Stern J. O.
Published: November 2015

Faldaprevir, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor, was evaluated in HCV genotype 1‐infected patients who failed peginterferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) treatment during one of three prior faldaprevir trials. Patients who received placebo plus PegIFN/RBV and had virological failure during a prior trial were enrolled and treated in two cohorts: prior relapsers (n = 43) and prior nonresponders (null responders, partial responders and patients with breakthrough; n = 75). Both cohorts received faldaprevir 240 mg once daily plus PegIFN/RBV for 24 weeks. Prior relapsers with early treatment success (ETS; HCV RNA <25 IU/mL detectable or undetectable at week 4 and <25 IU/mL undetectable at week 8) stopped treatment at week 24. Others received PegIFN/RBV through week 48. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virological response (HCV RNA <25 IU/mL undetectable) 12 weeks post treatment (SVR12). More prior nonresponders than prior relapsers had baseline HCV RNA ≥800 000 IU/mL (80% vs 58%) and a non‐CC IL28B genotype (91% vs 70%). Rates of SVR12 (95% CI) were 95.3% (89.1, 100.0) among prior relapsers and 54.7% (43.4, 65.9) among prior nonresponders; corresponding ETS rates were 97.7% and 65.3%. Adverse events led to faldaprevir discontinuations in 3% of patients. The most common Division of AIDS Grade ≥2 adverse events were anaemia (13%), nausea (10%) and hyperbilirubinaemia (9%). In conclusion, faldaprevir plus PegIFN/RBV achieved clinically meaningful SVR12 rates in patients who failed PegIFN/RBV in a prior trial, with response rates higher among prior relapsers than among prior nonresponders. The adverse event profile was consistent with the known safety profile of faldaprevir.
Long‐term Intrinsic Rhythm Evaluation in Dogs with Atrioventricular Block
Authors: Santilli R.A. , Porteiro Vázquez D.M. , Vezzosi T. , Perego M.
Published: November 2015

Background

Atrioventricular block (AVB) is a conduction abnormality along the atrioventricular node that, depending on etiology, may lead to different outcomes.

Objectives

To evaluate variations of intrinsic rhythm (IR) in dogs that underwent pacemaker implantation (PMI).

Animals

Medical records of 92 dogs affected by 3rd degree atrioventricular block (3AVB), advanced 2nd degreeAVB(2AVB), paroxysmal 3AVB, 2:1 2AVB, or 3AVBwith atrial fibrillation (AF) were retrospectively reviewed.

Method

The patientIRwas documented with telemetry on the day of 1 – (95%CI, 1–2), 33 – (95%CI, 28–35), 105 – (95%CI, 98–156), and 275 days (95%CI, 221–380) afterPMI. According toAVBgrade at different examinations,AVBwas defined as progressed, regressed, or unchanged.

Results

In 48 dogs, 3AVBremained unchanged, whereas in 7 it regressed. Eight cases of 2AVBprogressed, 3 regressed and 2 remained unchanged. Eight cases of paroxysmal 3AVBprogressed and 3 remained unchanged. Four dogs affected by 2:1 2AVBprogressed, 2 regressed, and 1 remained unchanged. All cases with 3AVBwithAFremained unchanged. Regression occurred within 30 days afterPMI, whereas progression was documented at any time. Variations inIRwere associated with type ofAVB(P< .03) and time of follow‐up (P< .0001).

Conclusions and clinical importance

The degree ofAVBassessed at the time ofPMIshould not be considered definitive because more than one‐third of the cases in this study either progressed or regressed. Additional studies would be necessary to elucidate possible causes for transientAVBin dogs.
Narrative Texts and Issues in Medical Humanities
Authors: van den Berg Sara
Published: November 2015

Medical Humanities began in the late 1970s as an attempt to supplement the emphasis on technology and science in medical education with renewed attention to the role of personal care. Today, more than 80% of all medical schools offer courses in Medical Humanities. Most of these courses emphasize fiction and nonfiction by physicians and patients that depict the experience of disease and care. This essay surveys foundational works in the field as well as relevant recent narratives of physicians, patients, caregivers, and families. The agenda of Medical Humanities is to explore how these interrelated and competing narratives can improve health care. Narrative is regarded as a necessary tool in medical practice, supplementing other components of evidence‐based medicine. The field has begun to be theorized by physicians who use narrative to describe how physicians and patients think and feel and how they reflect on their experience. Texts described in this essay address major issues in medicine, including multicultural medicine, access to care, death and dying, pain, empathy, medical mistakes, and physician impairment.
A cyst nematode effector binds to diverse plant proteins, increases nematode susceptibility and affects root morphology
Authors: Pogorelko Gennady , Juvale Parijat S. , Rutter William B. , Hewezi Tarek , Hussey Richard , Davis Eric L. , Mitchum Melissa G. , Baum Thomas J.
Published: November 2015

Cyst nematodes are plant‐parasitic roundworms that are of significance in many cropping systems around the world. Cyst nematode infection is facilitated by effector proteins secreted from the nematode into the plant host. The cDNAs of the 25A01‐like effector family are novel sequences that were isolated from the oesophageal gland cells of the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines). To aid functional characterization, we identified an orthologous member of this protein family (Hs25A01) from the closely related sugar beet cyst nematode H. schachtii, which infects Arabidopsis. Constitutive expression of the Hs25A01 CDS in Arabidopsis plants caused a small increase in root length, accompanied by up to a 22% increase in susceptibility to H. schachtii. A plant‐expressed RNA interference (RNAi) construct targeting Hs25A01 transcripts in invading nematodes significantly reduced host susceptibility to H. schachtii. These data document that Hs25A01 has physiological functions in planta and a role in cyst nematode parasitism. In vivo and in vitro binding assays confirmed the specific interactions of Hs25A01 with an Arabidopsis F‐box‐containing protein, a chalcone synthase and the translation initiation factor eIF‐2 β subunit (eIF‐2bs), making these proteins probable candidates for involvement in the observed changes in plant growth and parasitism. A role of eIF‐2bs in the mediation of Hs25A01 virulence function is further supported by the observation that two independent eIF‐2bs Arabidopsis knock‐out lines were significantly more susceptible to H. schachtii.
A curious case of resistance to a new encounter pathogen: myrtle rust in Australia
Authors: Tobias Peri A. , Guest David I. , Külheim Carsten , Hsieh Ji‐Fan , Park Robert F.
Published: November 2015

Resistance genes (Rgenes) in plants mediate a highly specific response to microbial pathogens, often culminating in localized cell death. Such resistance is generally pathogen race specific and believed to be the result of evolutionary selection pressure. Where a host and pathogen do not share an evolutionary history, specific resistance is expected to be absent or rare.Puccinia psidii, the causal agent of myrtle rust, was recently introduced to Australia, a continent rich in myrtaceous taxa. Responses within species to this new pathogen range from full susceptibility to resistance. Using the myrtle rust case study, we examine models to account for the presence of resistance to new encounter pathogens, such as the retention of ancientRgenes through prolonged ‘trench warfare’, pairing of resistance gene products and the guarding of host integrity.
Skp1, a component of E3 ubiquitin ligase, is necessary for growth, sporulation, development and pathogenicity in rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae)
Authors: Prakash Chandra , Manjrekar Johannes , Chattoo Bharat B.
Published: November 2015

Ubiqitination is an important process in eukaryotic cells involving E3 ubiquitin ligase, which co‐ordinates with cell cycle proteins and controls various cell functions. Skp1 (S‐phase kinase‐associated protein 1) is a core component of the SCF (Skp1‐Cullin 1‐F‐box) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex necessary for protein degradation by the 26S proteasomal pathway. The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae has a single MoSKP1(MGG_04978) required for viability. Skp1 has multiple functions; however, its roles in growth, sporulation and appressorial development are not understood. MoSKP1 complements Skp1 function in the fission yeast temperature‐sensitive mutant skp1 A7, restoring the normal length of yeast cells at restrictive temperature. The MoSkp1 protein in M. oryzae is present in spores and germ tubes, and is abundantly expressed in appressoria. Various RNA interference (RNAi) and antisense transformants of MoSKP1 in B157 show reduced sporulation, defective spore morphology, lesser septation and diffuse nuclei. Further, they show elongated germ tubes and are unable to form appressoria. Transformants arrested in G1/S stage during initial spore germination show a similar phenotype to wild‐type spores treated with hydroxyurea (HU). Reduced MoSkp1 transcript and protein levels in knockdown transformants result in atypical germ tube development. MoSkp1 interacts with the putative F‐box protein (MGG_06351) revealing the ability to form protein complexes. Our investigation of the role of MoSKP1 suggests that a decrease in MoSkp1 manifests in decreased total protein ubiquitination and, consequently, defective cell cycle and appressorial development. Thus, MoSKP1 plays important roles in growth, sporulation, appressorial development and pathogenicity of M. oryzae.