bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micropulse Cyclophotocoagulation: Initial Results in Refractory Glaucoma
Authors: Emanuel Matthew E. , Grover Davinder S. , Fellman Ronald L. , Godfrey David G. , Smith Oluwatosin , Butler Michelle R. , Kornmann Helen L. , Feuer William J. , Goyal Swati
Published: June 2017

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC), a new and increasingly popular treatment, in patients with uncontrolled glaucoma.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who underwent a MP-TSCPC at the Glaucoma Associates of Texas.

Results:

A total of 84 eyes were treated with MP-TSCPC in this study with a mean follow-up time of 4.3 months. The mean age of treated patients was 74 years and 48 (57%) were female. Preoperatively, mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 27.7 mm Hg and mean number of ocular antihypertensive medications used was 3.3. Mean postoperative IOP at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 were lowered to 16.3 mm Hg (41.2% reduction), 14.6, 13.0, and 11.1 mm Hg, respectively. Postoperative ocular antihypertensive medication use was also lowered to 1.9, 2.0, 2.0, and 2.3 medications at months 1, 3, 6, and 12, respectively. Five patients required further laser or surgical intervention for adequate IOP control. Complications included hypotony, IOP spike, hyphema, serous choroidal detachment, persistent inflammation, and vision loss. At 3 months, inflammation was still present in 46% of eyes and vision loss of at least 1 line was present in 41% of eyes.

Conclusions:

MP-TSCPC is effective at lowering IOP and decreasing the need for ocular antihypertensive medications. Eyes with limited visual potential or at high risk for incisional glaucoma surgery can successfully be treated with MP-TSCPC as a reasonable and effective alternative to traditional CPC. These results present short-term data and both longer follow-up and further studies are necessary.
Designing an Effective, Small-Scope Practice-based Study
Authors: Parker R. David , Regier Michael D.
Published: June 2017

Objective:

Present a methodology to promote good practices in designing small-scale, practice-based studies.

Study Design:

We propose the following methods to assist clinicians and other practice-based researchers in designing and conducting good quality, small-scale studies in a clinical setting.

Methods:

Research projects applied to a limited, practice-based study may require modification to increase the consistency of patient research.

Results:

Although common requests to collaborative methodologists mirror methods for experimental design, clinic-based studies may face different limitations. Each participant enrolled consumes resources, including time, and personnel. If practice-based studies have a different goal, to learn about the health outcomes of patients in a medical practice with limited intent for generalization, should the same methods be used?

Conclusions:

When limitations are clearly stated and the findings are described within the study context, these limitations may not be so severe to discourage the research. We propose a systematic method to conduct practice-based research intended for small-scale study use. Relying heavily on existing research from similar areas, the incorporation of data from the practice, and the a priori defined timelines and resources, we set forth some guiding principles to assist clinic-based investigators. Individualized focus and small-scale studies are growing in use and acceptance especially given the focus on personalized health.
Development of the Barriers to Error Disclosure Assessment Tool
Authors: Welsh Darlene , Zephyr Dominique , Pfeifle Andrea L. , Carr Douglas E. , Fink Joseph L. , Jones Mandy
Published: June 2017

Objectives

An interprofessional group of health colleges’ faculty created and piloted the Barriers to Error Disclosure Assessment tool as an instrument to measure barriers to medical error disclosure among health care providers.

Methods

A review of the literature guided the creation of items describing influences on the decision to disclose a medical error. Local and national experts in error disclosure used a modified Delphi process to gain consensus on the items included in the pilot. After receiving university institutional review board approval, researchers distributed the tool to a convenience sample of physicians (n = 19), pharmacists (n = 20), and nurses (n = 20) from an academic medical center. Means and SDs were used to describe the sample. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to examine test-retest correspondence between the continuous items on the scale. Factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to determine factor loadings and examine internal consistency reliability. Cronbach α coefficients were calculated during initial and subsequent administrations to assess test-retest reliability.

Results

After omitting 2 items with intraclass correlation coefficient of less than 0.40, intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.43 to 0.70, indicating fair to good test-retest correspondence between the continuous items on the final draft. Factor analysis revealed the following factors during the initial administration: confidence and knowledge barriers, institutional barriers, psychological barriers, and financial concern barriers to medical error disclosure. α Coefficients of 0.85 to 0.93 at time 1 and 0.82 to 0.95 at time 2 supported test-retest reliability.

Conclusions

The final version of the 31-item tool can be used to measure perceptions about abilities for disclosing, impressions regarding institutional policies and climate, and specific barriers that inhibit disclosure by health care providers. Preliminary evidence supports the tool’s validity and reliability for measuring disclosure variables.
Burnout and Work Engagement Among US Dentists
Authors: Calvo Jean Marie , Kwatra Japneet , Yansane Alfa , Tokede Oluwabunmi , Gorter Ronald C. , Kalenderian Elsbeth
Published: June 2017

Background

Burnout is a threat to patient safety. It relates to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Work engagement conversely composed of levels of vigor, dedication, and absorption in one’s profession. The aim of this study was to examine burnout and work engagement among US dentists.

Methods

This study used the extensively validated Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale to measure burnout in a self-administered survey of 167 US dentists who attended continuing education courses held in Boston, Pittsburg, Iowa City, and Las Vegas. The mean scores on the 3 subscales of Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were computed. The interscale correlations between the components of burnout and work engagement were assessed using Pearson correlations. We used 1-way analysis of variance and independent 2 sample t tests to examine the relationship between burnout and work engagement across sex and various age categories. Prevalence of burnout in our study population was also computed.

Results

We observed that 13.2% of our study population experienced burnout and 16.2% of our study population was highly work engaged. There was a statistically significant, unadjusted association between burnout risk and work engagement (χ2 = 22.51, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the scores in the subscales of burnout were significantly correlated with scores in the subscales of work engagement.

Conclusions

In this preliminary study, we observed some evidence of burnout among practicing US dentists. It is imperative that the dental profession understands this and works to promote professional practices that increase work engagement and decrease burnout.
Structure-directing effects of ionic liquids in the ionothermal synthesis of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Vaid Thomas P. , Kelley Steven P. , Rogers Robin D.
Published: June 2017

Traditional synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) involves the reaction of a metal-containing precursor with an organic linker in an organic solvent at an elevated temperature, in what is termed a `solvothermal' reaction. More recently, many examples have been reported of MOF synthesis in ionic liquids (ILs), rather than an organic solvent, in `ionothermal' reactions. The high concentration of both cations and anions in an ionic liquid allows for the formation of new MOF structures in which the IL cation or anion or both are incorporated into the MOF. Most commonly, the IL cation is included in the open cavities of the MOF, countering the anionic charge of the MOF framework itself and acting as a template around which the MOF structure forms. Ionic liquids can also serve other structure-directing roles, for example, when an IL containing a single enantiomer of a chiral anion leads to a homochiral MOF, even though the IL anion is not itself incorporated into the MOF. A comprehensive review of ionothermal syntheses of MOFs, and the structure-directing effects of the ILs, is given.
Protein crystallography and drug discovery: recollections of knowledge exchange between academia and industry
Authors: Blundell Tom L.
Published: June 2017

The development of structure-guided drug discovery is a story of knowledge exchange where new ideas originate from all parts of the research ecosystem. Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin obtained insulin from Boots Pure Drug Company in the 1930s and insulin crystallization was optimized in the company Novo in the 1950s, allowing the structure to be determined at Oxford University. The structure of renin was developed in academia, on this occasion in London, in response to a need to develop antihypertensives in pharma. The idea of a dimeric aspartic protease came from an international academic team and was discovered in HIV; it eventually led to new HIV antivirals being developed in industry. Structure-guided fragment-based discovery was developed in large pharma and biotechs, but has been exploited in academia for the development of new inhibitors targeting protein–protein interactions and also antimicrobials to combat mycobacterial infections such as tuberculosis. These observations provide a strong argument against the so-called `linear model', where ideas flow only in one direction from academic institutions to industry. Structure-guided drug discovery is a story of applications of protein crystallography and knowledge exhange between academia and industry that has led to new drug approvals for cancer and other common medical conditions by the Food and Drug Administration in the USA, as well as hope for the treatment of rare genetic diseases and infectious diseases that are a particular challenge in the developing world.
The benchmarking of the use of toolkit for mass customization in the automobile industry
Authors: Fettermann Diego Castro , Echeveste Márcia Elisa Soares , Tortorella Guilherme Luz
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relation between the utilization of the customization strategy and the availability of the online toolkit and its features with the commercial variables of businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample used in this paper consists of 134 cases of corporate brands in the automobile industry; their sales correspond to 49.12 percent of vehicles produced in 2012. The logistic regression analysis was then applied to the sample.

Findings

This paper confirmed the relationship between the use of toolkits for customization and business variables, like vehicle sales.

Originality/value

The generated model allows the prediction of market conditions which recommended to provide the toolkit for customization, and if implemented, what combination of features it must have.
Brand resonance score for CBBE model: an application in financial services
Authors: Ande Raja Ambedkar , Gunasekaran Angappa , Murugesan Punniyamoorthy , Natarajan Thamaraiselvan
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Brand resonance will significantly improve the profits of the services industry in the twenty-first century. The purpose of this paper is to find the resonance score for modified customer-based brand equity (CBBE) model in mutual fund financial services and improve the conceptualization of customer-based mutual fund services’ brand equity through brand resonance.

Design/methodology/approach

The path values of SEM model was used to estimate the relative weights of criteria and sub-criteria in analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model and it was empirically tested with a sample of 240 mutual fund investors.

Findings

The brand resonance using AHP has been quantified. The resonance quantification of each brand has been demonstrated using two renowned Indian mutual fund services brands State Bank of India and Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.

Research limitations/implications

The interdependency of the factors which influence the resonance score is not explored.

Practical implications

Research findings provide useful guidelines for fund managers/analysts of mutual fund services companies while improving the brand equity and strong brand’s resonance with investors.

Originality/value

The paper examines quantification of resonance for modified CBBE model in mutual fund services using data from a sample of investors in India with two mutual fund brands. The AHP structure model helps firms effectively quantify the resonance score.
Flexibility in the European telecommunications industry
Authors: Ribeiro Vitor Miguel
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expose the necessity of introducing some degree of flexibility in the definition of wholesale access price of FTTx, in the EU competition regulatory framework, and incorporating new regulatory actions to boost investment substitutability to ensure that NRAs accomplish dynamic and/or static efficiency targets.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the European historical context, the current preponderance of cable and the strong heterogeneity in NGA networks rollout across Europe, a policy-oriented analysis defines a set of recommendations useful for member states whose NGA networks market is in a more advanced state of development.

Findings

Flexibility is necessary in jurisdictions holding a highly competitive NGA wholesale market at the three previously described levels to avoid that strong dynamic efficiency is passed-through into excessive retail prices which may decrease static efficiency in greater proportion, thereby generating a deadweight loss.

Originality/value

The novel measures pointed out are part of the on-going debate concerning the revision of the European regulatory framework for NGA networks.
Exploring multidimensional quality attributes of incentive travels
Authors: Lee Jin-Soo , Chiang Chia-Hao
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore a multidimensional quality scale for the identification of incentive travel attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

The combined qualitative and quantitative method was used.

Findings

The resulting quality scale comprises 32 items with eight factors: image and attractions, accessibility, site environment, hotel facilities, opportunities for networking and sense of achievement/reward, program, specially arranged program and local people.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide insights for practitioners in Taiwan, particularly the government bodies concerned and incentive event organizers, and thus assist the practitioners in making strategic plans and decisions to ensure event quality and overall attendee satisfaction.

Originality/value

The value of this study is the first attempt to develop and validate a scale for capturing the quality of incentive events.
Effect of information quality of employment website on attitude toward the website
Authors: Priyadarshini Chetna , Sreejesh S. , Anusree M.R.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate an empirical model examining the job seekers’ perception about information quality of corporate employment websites and its impact on their attitude toward the websites through perceived playfulness and usefulness. Furthermore, the study also examines the job seekers’ e-trust as condition under which these mechanisms generate website attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 385 active job seekers was selected through systematic random sampling. A web-based questionnaire was used to elicit responses for the study. Structural equation modeling was used to validate the proposed model.

Findings

Results indicate that the information quality dimensions positively influence perceived playfulness and perceived usefulness, which in turn evoke the website attitude. Furthermore, e-trust was found to moderate the above said relationships.

Originality/value

The study contribution lies in an empirical validation of a model showing the mechanisms and the condition through which the relationship exists between perceived information quality of e-recruitment websites and job seekers’ website attitude, and thus responds to the call for additional research that generalizes the influence of information characteristics of websites on job seekers’ behavioral outcomes.
Academic social networking sites
Authors: Bhardwaj Raj Kumar
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare four popular academic social networking sites (ASNSs), namely, ResearchGate, Academia.edu, Mendeley and Zotero.

Design/methodology/approach

Evaluation method has been used with the help of checklist covering various features of ASNSs. A structured checklist has been prepared to compare four popular ASNSs, comprising 198 dichotomous questions divided into 12 broad categories.

Findings

The study found that performance of ASNSs using the latest features and services is not up to the mark, and none of the site is rated as “Excellent”. The sites lack in incorporation of session filters; output features; privacy settings and text display; and search and browsing fields. Availability of bibilographic features and general features is poor in these sites. Further, altmetrics and analytics features are not incorporated properly. User interface of the sites need to improve to draw researchers to use them. The study report reveals that ResearchGate scored the highest, 61.1 per cent points, and was ranked “above average”, followed by Academia.edu with 48.0 per cent and Mendeley with 43.9 per cent are ranked “average”. However, the Zotero (38.9 per cent) was ranked “below average”.

Practical implications

Accreditation agencies can identify suitable sites in the evaluation of institutions’ research output. Further, students and faculty members can choose the site suiting their needs. Library and information science professionals can use the checklist to impart training to the academic community which can help fostering research and development activities.

Originality/value

The study identifies features that ought to be available in a model ASNS. These features are categorized into 12 broad categories. The findings can also be used by developers of the sites to enhance functionalities. Institutions can choose suitable sites while collaborating with other institutions.
Mental health of people in the military depends on social inclusion: why not for all of us?
Authors: Holttum Sue
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss five recent papers on military people and those close to them, and to suggest how taking into account their families and sense of social inclusion is key to mental well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

There are four papers about military people’s adjustment when they return from a war zone, often with experience of traumatic stress. A fifth paper discusses getting soldiers back to war when they experience traumatic stress.

Findings

The studies on reintegration into civilian life focus mainly on the family. They suggest that involvement of the spouse or close partner in treatment may be crucial. The military person and their family are faced with forging new roles and ways of doing things. Joint treatment may best help them do this and functioning well as a family with everyone feeling they belong. The fifth paper argues for similar kinds of social support and sense of belonging, but to the military rather than the family, to support return to battle.

Originality/value

Few studies to date have included military people’s spouses or intimate partners. These studies either include these contacts or pay attention to the social context when considering military people returning home or experiencing traumatic stress and injuries. Attention to the social context may protect social inclusion when military people return home, or support their military role. The potential contribution of working with that context has lessons for civilian mental health services in preserving social inclusion.
The future of student life: living
Authors: Romero Maria
Published: June 2017

Purpose

A research project exploring emerging student needs explored six aspects of student life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. Living is explored here. Increasing numbers of empowered students are actively considering the long-term effects and values in their decision-making that could drive a shift towards a more student-centric educational approach. This paper aims to summarize two scenarios about the Living domain from the Student Needs 2025+ project and highlights implications for the future of higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life.

Findings

Values shift: the introduction of more postmodern values in the student body will change their dynamic not only as a group but also as individual patterns of consumption and behavior. Technology is a double-edged sword: as an important variable of the social system, technological developments come with unintended consequences that will impact apparently distant areas of the system, like health and personal wellbeing. Lack of long-term vision: students today are not trained to make decisions considering long-term consequences; instead, they would rather choose instant rewards.

Research limitations/implications

In terms of research limitations, the paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all of the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs.

Practical implications

The paper is intended for educators, researchers and administrators to provide insight on how the needs of students and their key customers are evolving.

Originality/value

This piece explores student life in its totality as way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.
The return of “pay” and how to optimise it
Authors: Thomas Ruth
Published: June 2017

Purpose

There is a strange paradox at play in workplaces today – and it has all to do with that most basic of needs: “pay”. Employees might well be working longer hours and taking out more second jobs, but the amount of money they have left in their pockets simply is not keeping pace with the cost of living.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines how pay has shot back to the top of the things employees most want from their employer, but (despite this) it also examines the extent to which pay – the greatest cost most businesses face – seems overlooked in terms of being measured with the same sort of ROI rigour as other business costs.

Findings

Most firms would not invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in new IT if it did not yield some form of efficiency/productivity return but, as this paper argues, many firms can quite easily see the total pay of their employees’ pay rise by the same amount, and yet they know nothing about whether paying some staff more than others will actually boost productivity and profitability.

Originality/value

It is this paper’s view that compensation measurement and management is vital if businesses are to understand how what they pay impacts performance. Firms that use data may discover they do not need to improve everyone’s pay by the same amount to boost their productivity, but they can do more targeting compensation around key people and key performers.
Anterior gradient 2 is induced in cutaneous wound and promotes wound healing through its adhesion domain
Authors: Zhu Qi , Mangukiya Hitesh Bhagavanbhai , Mashausi Dhahiri Saidi , Guo Hao , Negi Hema , Merugu Siva Bharath , Wu Zhenghua , Li Dawei
Published: June 2017

Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2), a member of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, is both located in cytoplasm and secreted into extracellular matrix. The orthologs of AGR2 have been linked to limb regeneration in newt and wound healing in zebrafish. In mammals, AGR2 influences multiple cell signaling pathways in tumor formation and in normal cell functions related to new tissue formation like angiogenesis. However, the function of AGR2 in mammalian wound healing remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate AGR2 expression and its function during skin wound healing and the possible application of external AGR2 in cutaneous wound to accelerate the healing process. Our results showed that AGR2 expression was induced in the migrating epidermal tongue and hyperplastic epidermis after skin excision. Topical application of recombinant AGR2 significantly accelerated wound‐healing process by increasing the migration of keratinocytes (Kera.) and the recruitment of fibroblasts (Fibro.) near the wounded area. External AGR2 also promoted the migration of Kera. and Fibro. in vitro in a dose‐dependent manner. The adhesion domain of AGR2 was required for the formation of focal adhesions in migrating Fibro., leading to the directional migration along AGR2 gradient. These results indicate that recombinant AGR2 accelerates skin wound healing through regulation of Kera. and Fibro. migration, thus demonstrating its potential utility as an alternative strategy of the therapeutics to accelerate the healing of acute or chronic skin wounds.
A prospective 20‐year longitudinal follow‐up of dementia in persons with Down syndrome
Authors: McCarron M. , McCallion P. , Reilly E. , Dunne P. , Carroll R. , Mulryan N.
Published: June 2017

Goal

To examine dementia characteristics, age at onset and associated co‐morbidities in persons with Down syndrome.

Method

A total of 77 people with Down syndrome aged 35 years and older were followed up from 1996 to 2015. The diagnosis of dementia was established using the modified ICD 10 Criteria and a combination of objective and informant‐based tests. Cognitive tests included the Test for Severe Impairment and the Down Syndrome Mental Status Examination; adaptive behaviour was measured using the Daily Living Skills Questionnaire, and data from the Dementia Questionnaire for People with Intellectual Disabilities have been available since 2005.

Results

Over the 20‐year period, 97.4% (75 of 77) persons developed dementia with a mean age of dementia diagnosis of 55 years (SD = 7.1, median = 56 years). Clinical dementia was associated with cognitive and function decline and seizure activity. Risk for dementia increased from 23% in those aged 50 years to 80% in those aged 65 years and above. There were no differences by level of ID.

Conclusion

The previously reported high risk levels for dementia among people with Down syndrome were confirmed in this data as was the relationship with late onset epilepsy. The value of the instruments utilised in tracking decline and helping to confirm diagnosis is further highlighted.
Between the military government and the minority affairs ministry: The construction of the Palestinian minority as a security threat during the first years of the existence of Israel
Authors: Korn Alina
Published: June 2017

This study examines correspondence and documents on various matters handled by Israel's Ministry of Minority Affairs during its brief period of operation. The extensive correspondence illuminates aspects relating to the distress faced by Palestinian citizens as a result of the 1948 War and the restrictions imposed on them by the military government, as well as the nature of the emerging relationship between the State and the minority population during the crucial first year following the establishment of Israel. We argue that the construction of the Palestinian minority as a security threat was not a product of the war circumstances, but rather an outcome of interests and political considerations. This construction grew gradually, along with the developing of practices of supervision and means of control, peaking with the subjugation of the Arab population to military government.
The PKR regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) is involved in the regulation of growth, sexual and asexual development, and pathogenesis in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Li Chaoqun , Zhang Yonghui , Wang Huan , Chen Lingfeng , Zhang Ju , Sun Manli , Xu Jin‐Rong , Wang Chenfang
Published: June 2017

Fusarium graminearum is a causal agent of wheat scab disease and a producer of deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxins. Treatment with exogenous cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) increases its DON production. In this study, to better understand the role of the cAMP–protein kinase A (PKA) pathway in F. graminearum, we functionally characterized the PKR gene encoding the regulatory subunit of PKA. Mutants deleted of PKR were viable, but showed severe defects in growth, conidiation and plant infection. The pkr mutant produced compact colonies with shorter aerial hyphae with an increased number of nuclei in hyphal compartments. Mutant conidia were morphologically abnormal and appeared to undergo rapid autophagy‐related cell death. The pkr mutant showed blocked perithecium development, but increased DON production. It had a disease index of less than unity and failed to spread to neighbouring spikelets. The mutant was unstable and spontaneous suppressors with a faster growth rate were often produced on older cultures. A total of 67 suppressor strains that grew faster than the original mutant were isolated. Three showed a similar growth rate and colony morphology to the wild‐type, but were still defective in conidiation. Sequencing analysis with 18 candidate PKA‐related genes in three representative suppressor strains identified mutations only in the CPK1 catalytic subunit gene. Further characterization showed that 10 of the other 64 suppressor strains also had mutations in CPK1. Overall, these results showed that PKR is important for the regulation of hyphal growth, reproduction, pathogenesis and DON production, and mutations in CPK1 are partially suppressive to the deletion of PKR in F. graminearum.
Multi‐decadal and ontogenetic trophic shifts inferred from stable isotope ratios of pinniped teeth
Authors: Hanson Nora , Jones Esther L. , Harris Robert N.
Published: June 2017

Identifying and characterizing top predators’ use of trophic resources provides important information about animal ecology and their response to changing conditions. Information from sources such as stable isotopes can be used to infer changes in resource use as direct observations in the wild are difficult to obtain, particularly in the marine environment. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values were recovered from the canine teeth of grey seals collected from haul outs in the central North Sea in the 1970/1980s (n = 44) and 2000s (n = 25), spanning a period of marked ecosystem changes in the region. Extracting material deposited during juvenile and adult life‐stages, we reconstructed a multi‐decadal record of δ15N and δ13C variation. Using established correlations between stable isotope ratios and sea bottom temperature we created a proxy for baseline isotopic variability to account for this source of temporal change. We found 1) a significant long‐term decline in juvenile grey seal δ15N values, suggesting trophic position has decreased over time; 2) a decline in adult δ15N values and contraction in stable isotopic niche space after the North Sea regime shift, signifying both a decline in trophic position and change in foraging habits over the 20th century; and 3) evidence for dietary segregation between juvenile and adult animals, showing juvenile individuals feeding at a lower trophic position and in more nearshore areas than adults. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of mining archived biological samples to address ecological questions and imply important ontogenetic and long‐term shifts in the feeding ecology of a top predator. Long‐term changes in grey seal trophic dynamics may be partly in response to well documented ecosystem changes in the North Sea. Such indirect monitoring of marine predators may have utility when set in the context of ecosystem assessments where paucity of long‐term monitoring data is prevalent.
A D53 repression motif induces oligomerization of TOPLESS corepressors and promotes assembly of a corepressor-nucleosome complex
Authors: Ma Honglei , Duan Jingbo , Ke Jiyuan , He Yuanzheng , Gu Xin , Xu Ting-Hai , Yu Hong , Wang Yonghong , Brunzelle Joseph S. , Jiang Yi , Rothbart Scott B. , Xu H. Eric , Li Jiayang , Melcher Karsten
Published: June 2017

Rice D53 repression motif links two sites of TPL corepressors to mediate TPL oligomerization and nucleosome association.
Biofuel by isomerizing metathesis of rapeseed oil esters with (bio)ethylene for use in contemporary diesel engines
Authors: Pfister Kai F. , Baader Sabrina , Baader Mathias , Berndt Silvia , Goossen Lukas J.
Published: June 2017

A biofuel that fulfills the petrodiesel engine standard EN 590 was generated from rapeseed oil methyl ester and (bio)ethylene.
Dynamic fracture of tantalum under extreme tensile stress
Authors: Albertazzi Bruno , Ozaki Norimasa , Zhakhovsky Vasily , Faenov Anatoly , Habara Hideaki , Harmand Marion , Hartley Nicholas , Ilnitsky Denis , Inogamov Nail , Inubushi Yuichi , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Katayama Tetsuo , Koyama Takahisa , Koenig Michel , Krygier Andrew , Matsuoka Takeshi , Matsuyama Satoshi , McBride Emma , Migdal Kirill Petrovich , Morard Guillaume , Ohashi Haruhiko , Okuchi Takuo , Pikuz Tatiana , Purevjav Narangoo , Sakata Osami , Sano Yasuhisa , Sato Tomoko , Sekine Toshimori , Seto Yusuke , Takahashi Kenjiro , Tanaka Kazuo , Tange Yoshinori , Togashi Tadashi , Tono Kensuke , Umeda Yuhei , Vinci Tommaso , Yabashi Makina , Yabuuchi Toshinori , Yamauchi Kazuto , Yumoto Hirokatsu , Kodama Ryosuke
Published: June 2017

The dynamic fracture of tantalum is observed at the atomic scale using an x-ray monitoring technique at the SACLA XFEL facility.
Photonic-plasmonic hybrid single-molecule nanosensor measures the effect of fluorescent labels on DNA-protein dynamics
Authors: Liang Feng , Guo Yuzheng , Hou Shaocong , Quan Qimin
Published: June 2017

Probing the interaction between single molecules with a label-free nanosensor reveals labeling effects in fluorescence approaches.
Increasing probability of mortality during Indian heat waves
Authors: Mazdiyasni Omid , AghaKouchak Amir , Davis Steven J. , Madadgar Shahrbanou , Mehran Ali , Ragno Elisa , Sadegh Mojtaba , Sengupta Ashmita , Ghosh Subimal , Dhanya C. T. , Niknejad Mohsen
Published: June 2017

An increase of 0.5°C in summer mean temperatures increases the probability of mass heat-related mortality in India by 146%.
Vasculogenic hydrogel enhances islet survival, engraftment, and function in leading extrahepatic sites
Authors: Weaver Jessica D. , Headen Devon M. , Aquart Jahizreal , Johnson Christopher T. , Shea Lonnie D. , Shirwan Haval , García Andrés J.
Published: June 2017

VEGF-delivering synthetic hydrogel improves islet survival and function in extrahepatic transplant sites over current clinical method.
Dependence of drivers affects risks associated with compound events
Authors: Zscheischler Jakob , Seneviratne Sonia I.
Published: June 2017

Compound extremely hot and dry summers become more frequent with higher CO
2
concentrations due to stronger interdependence.
Comment on “Marine plastic debris emits a keystone infochemical for olfactory foraging seabirds” by Savoca
et al.
Authors: Dell’Ariccia Gaia , Phillips Richard A. , van Franeker Jan A. , Gaidet Nicolas , Catry Paulo , Granadeiro José P. , Ryan Peter G. , Bonadonna Francesco
Published: June 2017

DMS odors on plastic debris may not explain plastic ingestion by seabirds.
Decreasing cloud cover drives the recent mass loss on the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Hofer Stefan , Tedstone Andrew J. , Fettweis Xavier , Bamber Jonathan L.
Published: June 2017

Reduction in summer cloud cover over the Greenland Ice Sheet is the main driver of recent melt.
Phage Therapy Approaches to Reducing Pathogen Persistence and Transmission in Animal Production Environments: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Colavecchio Anna , Goodridge Lawrence D.
Published: June 2017

The era of genomics has allowed for characterization of phages for use as antimicrobials to treat animal infections with a level of precision never before realized. As more research in phage therapy has been conducted, several advantages of phage therapy have been realized, including the ubiquitous nature, specificity, prevalence in the biosphere, and low inherent toxicity of phages, which makes them a safe and sustainable technology for control of animal diseases. These unique qualities of phages have led to several opportunities with respect to emerging trends in infectious disease treatment. However, the opportunities are tempered by several challenges to the successful implementation of phage therapy, such as the fact that an individual phage can only infect one or a few bacterial strains, meaning that large numbers of different phages will likely be needed to treat infections caused by multiple species of bacteria. In addition, phages are only effective if enough of them can reach the site of bacterial colonization, but clearance by the immune system upon introduction to the animal is a reality that must be overcome. Finally, bacterial resistance to the phages may develop, resulting in treatment failure. Even a successful phage infection and lysis of its host has consequences, because large amounts of endotoxin are released upon lysis of Gram-negative bacteria, which can lead to local and systemic complications. Overcoming these challenges will require careful design and development of phage cocktails, including comprehensive characterization of phage host range and assessment of immunological risks associated with phage treatment.
A case of acute confusion: Cushing’s syndrome presenting with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Irvine Esmee , Yap Yew Wen , Purewal Tej , Irvine Esmee
Published: June 2017

Cushing’s syndrome is a rare disease. Cushing’s syndrome presenting as acute psychosis is an exceptional occurrence. We present the case of a 37-year-old woman who was admitted with acute confusion associated with mild hypercalcaemia and was subsequently diagnosed with parathyroid and adrenal adenomas. Our hospital sees approximately 6000 endocrine patients per year, with an incidence of around four Cushing’s cases annually. This is the first such case to occur in our hospital and one of few described in the literature.
Vitreoretinal interface abnormalities in middle-aged adults with visual impairment in the UK Biobank study: prevalence, impact on visual acuity and associations
Authors: McKibbin Martin , Farragher Tracey , Shickle Darren
Published: June 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitreoretinal interface abnormalities (VRIA), the degree of visual impairment and associations with VRIA among adults, aged 40–69 years, in the UK Biobank study.

Methods and analysis

Colour fundus photographs and spectral domain optical coherence tomography images were graded for 25% of the 8359 UK Biobank participants with mild visual impairment or worse (LogMAR >0.3 or Snellen <6/12) in at least one eye. The prevalence and contribution of VRIA to visual impairment was determined and multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate association with known risk factors and other predetermined socioeconomic, biometric, lifestyle and medical variables for cases and matched controls.

Results

The minimum prevalence of any VRIA was 17.6% and 8.1% in the eyes with and without visual impairment, respectively. VRIA were identified as the primary cause of visual impairment in 3.6% of eyes. Although epiretinal membrane and vitreomacular traction were the most common VRIA, the degree of visual impairment was typically milder with these than with other VRIA. Visual impairment with a VRIA was positively associated with increasing age (relative risk ratio (RRR) 1.22 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.40)), female gender (RRR 1.28; 1.08 to 1.52) and Asian or Asian British ethnicity (RRR 1.60; 1.10 to 2.32).

Conclusions

VRIA are common in middle-aged adults in the UK Biobank study, especially in eyes with visual impairment. VRIA were considered to be the primary cause of visual impairment in 3.6% of all eyes with visual impairment, although there was variation in the degree of visual impairment for each type of VRIA.
Oral administration of the 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor RO5093151 to patients with glaucoma: an adaptive, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical study
Authors: Schwab Dietmar , Sturm Carolina , Portron Agnès , Fuerst-Recktenwald Sabine , Hainzl Dominik , Jordan Paul , Stewart William C , Tepedino Michael E , DuBiner Harvey
Published: June 2017

Background/aims

Cortisol is involved in the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP). This study aimed to assess the effect of 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) inhibition by oral administration of RO5093151 on IOP.

Methods

The exposure of key ocular compartments following oral administration was assessed in rabbits. An adaptive, randomised, placebo-controlled study gated by a Bayesian decision criterion was performed in 35 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). Following a 7-day placebo-controlled run-in period, 200 mg twice daily RO5093151 or placebo (4:1) were administered for 7 days. The extent of 11βHSD1 inhibition was assessed by the ratio of urinary tetrahydrocortisol (5α and 5β)/tetrahydrocortisone (THF/THE). Time-matched IOP assessments were performed.

Results

A high distribution of RO5093151 into the rabbit eye was observed. In humans, a high and sustained inhibition of 11βHSD1 was shown by the decrease of THF/THE from 0.9 at baseline to 0.18 on day 7. There was no statistically significant difference in change of IOP from baseline. In the ‘worse eye’, the adjusted least square mean change from baseline was −2.7 mm Hg (95% CI −4.2 to –1.2) and −2.9(95% CI −5.9 to 0.1) in the RO5093151 and placebo group, respectively.

Conclusions

Despite high inhibition of 11βHSD1 and expected moderate to high tissue distribution in ocular tissues, a 7-day treatment with a high oral dose of RO5093151 did not result in a clinically meaningful effect on IOP in patients with POAG or OHT.
Determinants of hospital death in haematological cancers: findings from a qualitative study
Authors: McCaughan Dorothy , Roman Eve , Smith Alexandra G , Garry Anne , Johnson Miriam , Patmore Russell , Howard Martin , Howell Debra A
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Current UK health policy promotes enabling people to die in a place they choose, which for most is home. Despite this, patients with haematological malignancies (leukaemias, lymphomas and myeloma) are more likely to die in hospital than those with other cancers, and this is often considered a reflection of poor quality end-of-life care. This study aimed to explore the experiences of clinicians and relatives to determine why hospital deaths predominate in these diseases.

Methods

The study was set within the Haematological Malignancy Research Network (HMRN—www.hmrn.org), an ongoing population-based cohort that provides infrastructure for evidence-based research. Qualitative interviews were conducted with clinical staff in haematology, palliative care and general practice (n=45) and relatives of deceased HMRN patients (n=10). Data were analysed for thematic content and coding and classification was inductive. Interpretation involved seeking meaning, salience and connections within the data.

Results

Five themes were identified relating to: the characteristics and trajectory of haematological cancers, a mismatch between the expectations and reality of home death, preference for hospital death, barriers to home/hospice death and suggested changes to practice to support non-hospital death, when preferred.

Conclusions

Hospital deaths were largely determined by the characteristics of haematological malignancies, which included uncertain trajectories, indistinct transitions and difficulties predicting prognosis and identifying if or when to withdraw treatment. Advance planning (where possible) and better communication between primary and secondary care may facilitate non-hospital death.
Outcome after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair for functional and degenerative mitral regurgitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chiarito Mauro , Pagnesi Matteo , Martino Enrico Antonio , Pighi Michele , Scotti Andrea , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Latib Azeem , Landoni Giovanni , Mario Carlo Di , Margonato Alberto , Maisano Francesco , Feldman Ted , Alfieri Ottavio , Colombo Antonio , Godino Cosmo
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Differences in terms of safety and efficacy of percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair between patients with functional and degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) are not well established. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify these differences.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Google scholar database and international meeting abstracts were searched for all studies about MitraClip. Studies with <25 patients or where 1-year results were not delineated between MR aetiology were excluded. This study is registered with PROSPERO.

Results

A total of nine studies investigating the mid-term outcome of percutaneous edge-to-edge repair in patients with functional versus degenerative MR were included in the meta-analysis (n=2615). At 1 year, there were not significant differences among groups in terms of patients with MR grade≤2 (719/1304 vs 295/504; 58% vs 54%; risk ratio (RR) 1.12; 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.47; p=0.40), while there was a significantly lower rate of mitral valve re-intervention in patients with functional MR compared with those with degenerative MR (77/1770 vs 80/818; 4% vs 10%; RR 0.60; 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.97; p=0.04). One-year mortality rate was 16% (408/2498) and similar among groups (RR 1.26; 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.77; p=0.18). Functional MR group showed significantly higher percentage of patients in New York Heart Association class III/IV (234/1480 vs 49/583; 16% vs 8%; p<0.01) and re-hospitalisation for heart failure (137/605 vs 31/220; 23% vs 14%; p=0.03). No differences were found in terms of single leaflet device attachment (25/969 vs 20/464; 3% vs 4%; p=0.81) and device embolisation (no events reported in both groups) at 1 year.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that percutaneous edge-to-edge repair is likely to be an efficacious and safe option in patients with both functional and degenerative MR. Large, randomised studies are ongoing and awaited to fully assess the clinical impact of the procedure in these two different MR aetiologies.