bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of lipid profiles of Malassezia pachydermatis strains isolated from dogs with otitis externa and without clinical symptoms of disease
Authors: Czyzewska Urszula , Siemieniuk Magdalena , Pyrkowska Aleksandra , Nowakiewicz Aneta , Bieganska Malgorzata , Dabrowska Iwona , Bartoszewicz Marek , Dobrzyn Pawel , Tylicki Adam
Published: November 2015

Malassezia pachydermatis can cause infections of the skin and mucous membranes, especially in animals. It becomes a problem also in medicine. It is considered that metabolic disorders as well as hormonal and immunological status of the host promote diseases caused by M. pachydermatis. Here we consider whether specific features of fungi could also favour infections. We checked whether there are differences in lipid profiles between strains obtained from dogs with otitis externa and strains obtained from healthy dogs. Lipid profiles were determined using thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. All analyses were carried out on 32 strains derived from dogs with otitis externa and 31 strains isolated from dogs without symptoms of disease. The results show that strains isolated from dogs without symptoms of otitis externa are characterised by a higher content of fatty acids. They contain significantly more behenic and lignoceric acids on medium without addition of lipids, and more oleic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acids on medium with lipids supplementation. These strains have also a higher content of esters of ergosterol and triglycerides. Data obtained show differences which may be specific features of M. pachydermatis‐specific strains related to the ability of infection, which could be not directly related of the host condition.
Molecular mechanisms of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid in the inhibition of TGF‐β1‐mediated canine corneal fibrosis
Authors: Gronkiewicz Kristina M. , Giuliano Elizabeth A. , Sharma Ajay , Mohan Rajiv R.
Published: November 2015

Objective

To investigate molecular mechanisms mediating anti‐fibrotic effect of SAHA in the canine cornea using an in vitro model. We hypothesized that SAHA attenuates corneal fibrosis by modulating Smad‐dependent and, to a lesser extent, Smad‐independent signaling pathways activated by TGF‐β1, as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity.

Methods

Cultured canine corneal fibroblasts (CCF) were incubated in the presence/absence of TGF‐β1 (5 ng/mL) and SAHA (2.5 μm) for 24 h. Western blot analysis was used to quantify non‐phosphorylated and phosphorylated isoforms of Smad2/3, p38 MAP kinase (MAPK), ERK1/2, and JNK1. Real‐time PCR and zymography were utilized to quantify MMP1, MMP2, MMP8, and MMP9 mRNA expressions and MMP2 and MMP9 protein activities, respectively.

Results

TGF‐β1 treatment caused a significant increase in phospho‐Smad2/3 and phospho‐p38 MAPK. SAHA treatment reduced TGF‐β1‐induced phosphorylation of Smad2/3 but not of p38 MAPK. TGF‐β1 did not modulate the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 or JNK1. SAHA caused a significant reduction in phospho‐ERK1/2 expression regardless of concurrent TGF‐β1 treatment. Neither SAHA alone nor in combination with TGF‐β1 altered phospho‐JNK1 expression. TGF‐β1 significantly increased MMP1 and MMP9 mRNA expressions but did not alter MMP2 mRNA. SAHA treatment attenuated TGF‐β1‐induced MMP9 mRNA expression while significantly enhancing TGF‐β1‐induced MMP1 mRNA expression. Zymography detected reduced expression of MMP2 and MMP9 proteins in untreated control CCF. TGF‐β1 treatment did not alter their expression, but SAHA treatment +/−TGF‐β1 significantly increased MMP2 and MMP9 protein expressions.

Conclusions

The corneal anti‐fibrotic effects of SAHA involve multiple mechanisms including modulation of canonical and non‐canonical components of TGF‐β1 intracellular signaling and MMP activity.
Nanopore formation in TiN membranes by the focused electron beam of a transmission electron microscope
Authors: Kim Hyun-Mi , Cho Seong-Yong , Kim Ki-Bum
Published: November 2015

The authors fabricated 2-nm nanopores in metallic TiN membranes with and without a SiNx layer using the highly focused electron beam (e-beam) of a transmission electron microscope. Nanopore evolution in TiN membranes was observed as a function of e-beam exposure time at e-beam energies of 200 and 300 kV. To investigate the mechanism of nanopore drilling in TiN membranes, plots of nanopore diameter against exposure time were converted to characteristic contrast curves of normalized drilling volume versus electron dose. The curves indicated that nanopore drilling in TiN metallic membranes using a high-energy focused e-beam is governed by direct atomic displacement or surface sputtering by elastic scattering between electrons and stationary atoms. The sputtering energy of TiN is about 9 eV.
High resolution nanofabrication using self-assembly of metal salt-polymer nanocomposite film
Authors: Con Celal , Aydinoglu Ferhat , Cui Bo
Published: November 2015

For fabrication of nanostructures that do not need long range ordering and precise placement, such as antireflective structure for photovoltaic and display applications and super-hydrophobic surface for lab-on-chip applications, bottom-up fabrication techniques are more preferable than top-down techniques due to their low cost. Here, the authors report a simple process to obtain nanostructures using low-cost spin-coating method and pattern transfer. They first dissolved metal salt and polymer in a solvent. After spin-coating to form a thin film, the authors annealed the film to attain a phase separation. Next, the nanocomposite film was etched with oxygen plasma to remove the polymer matrix, leaving behind nanoscale metal salt islands that can be used as a hard mask for dry etching the substrate or sublayer. With optimal metal salt (nickel nitrate hexahydrate) and polymer (polymethylmethacrylate) weight ratio, the authors achieved wafer-scale high resolution (down to 20 nm) pillar structures etched in silicon with 100 nm height and ∼100 nm spacing.
A quantitative acoustic analysis of the vocal repertoire of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Agamaite James A. , Chang Chia-Jung , Osmanski Michael S. , Wang Xiaoqin
Published: November 2015

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a highly vocal New World primate species, has emerged in recent years as a promising animal model for studying brain mechanisms underlying perception, vocal production, and cognition. The present study provides a quantitative acoustic analysis of a large number of vocalizations produced by marmosets in a social environment within a captive colony. Previous classifications of the marmoset vocal repertoire were mostly based on qualitative observations. In the present study a variety of vocalizations from individually identified marmosets were sampled and multiple acoustic features of each type of vocalization were measured. Results show that marmosets have a complex vocal repertoire in captivity that consists of multiple vocalization types, including both simple calls and compound calls composed of sequences of simple calls. A detailed quantification of the vocal repertoire of the marmoset can serve as a solid basis for studying the behavioral significance of their vocalizations and is essential for carrying out studies that investigate such properties as perceptual boundaries between call types and among individual callers as well as neural coding mechanisms for vocalizations. It can also serve as the basis for evaluating abnormal vocal behaviors resulting from diseases or genetic manipulations.
Fossils, cells point to early appearance of the brain
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: November 2015

Nervous systems were well developed by the Cambrian explosion, having evolved in earlier organisms.
The silent services of the world ocean
Authors: Stocker Thomas F.
Published: November 2015

The most recent comprehensive assessment carried out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that “Human influence on the climate system is clear,” a headline statement that was approved by all governments in consensus. This influence will have long-lasting consequences for ecosystems, and the resulting impacts will continue to be felt millennia from now. Although the terrestrial impacts of climate change are readily apparent now and have received widespread public attention, the effects of climate change on the oceans have been relatively invisible. However, the world ocean provides a number of crucial services that are of global significance, all of which come with an increasing price caused by human activities. This needs to be taken into account when considering adaptation to and mitigation of anthropogenic climate change.
Mind meets machine
The Brain Electric: The Dramatic High-Tech Race to Merge Minds and Machines
Malcolm Gay
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015. 275 pp.
Authors: Faisal A. Aldo
Published: November 2015

High-profile researchers take center stage in a quest to build a brain-machine interface.
One era you are in—the next you are out
Authors: Wagner Peter J.
Published: November 2015

Evolutionary trends in body size changed during a past mass extinction event

[Also see Report by
Sallan and Galimbertin
]
More efficient together
Authors: Zhang Tian
Published: November 2015

Hybrid bioinorganic photosynthesis yields a wide range of chemicals
Climate warning, 50 years later
Authors: McNutt Marcia
Published: November 2015

Long before geophysicist Michael Mann's hockeystick graph became the icon for anthropogenic global warming, the U.S. President's Science Advisory Committee [now known as the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)] cautioned President Lyndon B. Johnson that the continued release of CO
2
to the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels would “almost certainly cause significant changes” and “could be deleterious from the point of view of human beings.” The committee's report concluded that there could be “marked changes in climate, not controllable through local or even national efforts.” In recognition of the 50th anniversary of that first official warning from scientists to policy-makers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Carnegie Institution for Science, the American Meteorological Society, and the Linden Trust for Conservation sponsored a 1-day climate symposium on 29 October.
Epidemiology of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease in Alaska, 2001 to 2013
Authors: Rudolph Karen , Bruce Michael G. , Bruden Dana , Zulz Tammy , Reasonover Alisa , Hurlburt Debby , Hennessy Thomas
Published: November 2015

The Arctic Investigations Program (AIP) began surveillance for invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections in Alaska in 2000 as part of the invasive bacterial diseases population-based laboratory surveillance program. Between 2001 and 2013, there were 516 cases of GAS infection reported, for an overall annual incidence of 5.8 cases per 100,000 persons with 56 deaths (case fatality rate, 10.7%). Of the 516 confirmed cases of invasive GAS infection, 422 (82%) had isolates available for laboratory analysis. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, cefotaxime, and levofloxacin. Resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin was seen in 11% (n= 8), 5.8% (n= 20), and 1.2% (n= 4) of the isolates, respectively. A total of 51emmtypes were identified, of whichemm1 (11.1%) was the most prevalent, followed byemm82 (8.8%),emm49 (7.8%),emm12 andemm3 (6.6% each),emm89 (6.2%),emm108 (5.5%),emm28 (4.7%),emm92 (4%), andemm41 (3.8%). The five most commonemmtypes accounted for 41% of isolates. Theemmtypes in the proposed 26-valent and 30-valent vaccines accounted for 56% and 78% of all cases, respectively. GAS remains an important cause of invasive bacterial disease in Alaska. Continued surveillance of GAS infections will help improve understanding of the epidemiology of invasive disease, with an impact on disease control, notification of outbreaks, and vaccine development.
A Cell-Free Assembly System for Generating Infectious Human Papillomavirus 16 Capsids Implicates a Size Discrimination Mechanism for Preferential Viral Genome Packaging
Authors: Cerqueira Carla , Pang Yuk-Ying S. , Day Patricia M. , Thompson Cynthia D. , Buck Christopher B. , Lowy Douglas R. , Schiller John T.
Published: November 2015

We have established a cell-free
in vitro
system to study human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) assembly, a poorly understood process. L1/L2 capsomers, obtained from the disassembly of virus-like particles (VLPs), were incubated with nuclear extracts to provide access to the range of cellular proteins that would be available during assembly within the host cell. Incorporation of a reporter plasmid “pseudogenome” was dependent on the presence of both nuclear extract and ATP. Unexpectedly, L1/L2 VLPs that were not disassembled prior to incubation with a reassembly mixture containing nuclear extract also encapsidated a reporter plasmid. As with HPV pseudoviruses (PsV) generated intracellularly, infection by cell-free particles assembled
in vitro
required the presence of L2 and was susceptible to the same biochemical inhibitors, implying the cell-free assembled particles use the infectious pathway previously described for HPV16 produced in cell culture. Using biochemical and electron microscopy analyses, we observed that, in the presence of nuclear extract, intact VLPs partially disassemble, providing a mechanistic explanation to how the exogenous plasmid was packaged by these particles. Further, we provide evidence that capsids containing an <8-kb pseudogenome are resistant to the disassembly/reassembly reaction. Our results suggest a novel size discrimination mechanism for papillomavirus genome packaging in which particles undergo iterative rounds of disassembly/reassembly, seemingly sampling DNA until a suitably sized DNA is encountered, resulting in the formation of a stable virion structure.

IMPORTANCE
Little is known about papillomavirus assembly biology due to the difficulties in propagating virus
in vitro
. The cell-free assembly method established in this paper reveals a new mechanism for viral genome packaging and will provide a tractable system for further dissecting papillomavirus assembly. The knowledge gained will increase our understanding of virus-host interactions, help to identify new targets for antiviral therapy, and allow for the development of new gene delivery systems based on
in vitro
-generated papillomavirus vectors.
Minor Contribution of Chimeric Host-HIV Readthrough Transcripts to the Level of HIV Cell-Associated
gag
RNA
Authors: Pasternak Alexander O. , DeMaster Laura K. , Kootstra Neeltje A. , Reiss Peter , O'Doherty Una , Berkhout Ben
Published: November 2015

Cell-associated HIV unspliced RNA is an important marker of the viral reservoir. HIV
gag
RNA-specific assays are frequently used to monitor reservoir activation. Because HIV preferentially integrates into actively transcribed genes, some of the transcripts detected by these assays may not represent genuine HIV RNA but rather chimeric host-HIV readthrough transcripts. Here, we demonstrate that in HIV-infected patients on suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy, such host-derived transcripts do not significantly contribute to the HIV
gag
RNA level.
Occupancy of RNA Polymerase II Phosphorylated on Serine 5 (RNAP S5
P
) and RNAP S2
P
on Varicella-Zoster Virus Genes 9, 51, and 66 Is Independent of Transcript Abundance and Polymerase Location within the Gene
Authors: Henderson Heather H. , Timberlake Kensey B. , Austin Zoe A. , Badani Hussain , Sanford Bridget , Tremblay Keriann , Baird Nicholas L. , Jones Kenneth , Rovnak Joel , Frietze Seth , Gilden Don , Cohrs Randall J.
Published: November 2015

Regulation of gene transcription in varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a ubiquitous human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus, requires coordinated binding of multiple host and virus proteins onto specific regions of the virus genome. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is widely used to determine the location of specific proteins along a genomic region. Since the size range of sheared virus DNA fragments governs the limit of accurate protein localization, particularly for compact herpesvirus genomes, we used a quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based assay to determine the efficiency of VZV DNA shearing before ChIP, after which the assay was used to determine the relationship between transcript abundance and the occupancy of phosphorylated RNA polymerase II (RNAP) on the gene promoter, body, and terminus of VZV genes 9, 51, and 66. The abundance of VZV gene 9, 51, and 66 transcripts in VZV-infected human fetal lung fibroblasts was determined by reverse transcription-linked quantitative PCR. Our results showed that the C-terminal domain of RNAP is hyperphosphorylated at serine 5 (S5
P
) on VZV genes 9, 51, and 66 independently of transcript abundance and the location within the virus gene at both 1 and 3 days postinfection (dpi). In contrast, phosphorylated serine 2 (S2
P
)-modified RNAP was not detected at any virus gene location at 3 dpi and was detected at levels only slightly above background levels at 1 dpi.

IMPORTANCE
Regulation of herpesvirus gene transcription is an elaborate choreography between proteins and DNA that is revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). We used a quantitative PCR-based assay to determine fragment size after DNA shearing, a critical parameter in ChIP assays, and exposed a basic difference in the mechanism of transcription between mammalian cells and VZV. We found that hyperphosphorylation at serine 5 of the C-terminal domain of RNAP along the lengths of VZV genes (the promoter, body, and transcription termination site) was independent of mRNA abundance. In contrast, little to no enrichment of serine 3 phosphorylation of RNAP was detected at these virus gene regions. This is distinct from the findings for RNAP at highly regulated host genes, where RNAP S5
P
occupancy decreased and S2
P
levels increased as the polymerase transited through the gene. Overall, these results suggest that RNAP associates with human and virus transcriptional units through different mechanisms.
The Effect and Mechanism of Electroacupuncture at Li11 and St37 on Constipation in a Rat Model
Authors: Zhu Xianwei , Liu Zhibin , Qu Hongyan , Niu Wenmin , Gao Li , Wang Yuan , Zhang Aimin , Bai Lu
Published: November 2015

Background

Electroacupuncture (EA) is used clinically for the treatment of constipation. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) plays an important role in colonic motility; however it is unknown whether alterations in colonic 5-HT are associated with EA. In this study, the effect and mechanism of EA at acupuncture points LI11 and ST37 were examined using a cold saline-induced rat model of constipation.

Methods

A rat constipation model was induced by cold saline gavage in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats. A further six rats were included as a Control group. The constipated rats were divided into four groups (n=6 each): a Constipation group that remained untreated; a Constipation+LI11 group that received EA at LI11; a Constipation+ST37 groups that received EA at ST37; and a Constipation+LI11+ST37 group that received EA at both LI11 and ST37. After EA treatment, faecal water content, defaecation frequency, and gastrointestinal (GI) transit were measured, as well as the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in colonic tissues (by Western blot analysis) and 5-HT in both faeces and colonic tissues (by ELISA).

Results

All three EA-treated groups demonstrated significant improvements in faecal water content, defaecation frequency and GI transit (p<0.05). In addition, TPH and 5-HT expression were both increased by EA at LI11 and/or ST37 (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the three EA groups for any outcomes.

Conclusions

EA at LI11 and/or ST37 had a positive effect on objective markers of constipation in a rat model. In addition, EA increased 5-HT and TPH in the colonic tissues.
Unusual mode of failure of intertrochanteric femur fracture fixation
Authors: Roy Kunal , Nemade Pradip , Aggarwal Rishi , Patil Nirmal
Published: November 2015

The dynamic hip screw fixation is a commonly used modality of treatment for intertrochanteric femur (ITF) fractures. Various modes of failure in an operated case of ITF fracture have been described. The most frequent mode of failure is screw cut-out through the head. Occurrence of mechanical failure is rare and usually involves the shaft of the plate. We describe an unusual case with failure at the barrel of the plate and hip screw. A middle-aged man with a previously operated ITF fracture presented with pain in the same hip. Radiographs revealed non-union of the fracture with an implant failure. Revision surgery was performed during which a unique mode of implant failure was found to have occurred. The barrel of the plate had broken resulting in a bent Richard's screw. This case underlines the importance of high stress failure in non-union as opposed to high cycle, low stress failure, which is more frequently seen.
Evidence used in model-based economic evaluations for evaluating pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic tests: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Peters Jaime L , Cooper Chris , Buchanan James
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Decision models can be used to conduct economic evaluations of new pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic tests to ensure they offer value for money to healthcare systems. These models require a great deal of evidence, yet research suggests the evidence used is diverse and of uncertain quality. By conducting a systematic review, we aim to investigate the test-related evidence used to inform decision models developed for the economic evaluation of genetic tests.

Methods and analysis

We will search electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE and NHS EEDs to identify model-based economic evaluations of pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic tests. The search will not be limited by language or date. Title and abstract screening will be conducted independently by 2 reviewers, with screening of full texts and data extraction conducted by 1 reviewer, and checked by another. Characteristics of the decision problem, the decision model and the test evidence used to inform the model will be extracted. Specifically, we will identify the reported evidence sources for the test-related evidence used, describe the study design and how the evidence was identified. A checklist developed specifically for decision analytic models will be used to critically appraise the models described in these studies. Variations in the test evidence used in the decision models will be explored across the included studies, and we will identify gaps in the evidence in terms of both quantity and quality.

Dissemination

The findings of this work will be disseminated via a peer-reviewed journal publication and at national and international conferences.
Defining venous thromboembolism and measuring its incidence using Swedish health registries: a nationwide pregnancy cohort study
Authors: Abdul Sultan Alyshah , West Joe , Stephansson Olof , Grainge Matthew J , Tata Laila J , Fleming Kate M , Humes David , Ludvigsson Jonas F
Published: November 2015

Objective

To accurately define venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the routinely collected Swedish health registers and quantify its incidence in and around pregnancy.

Study design

Cohort study using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry (MBR) linked to the National Patient Registry (NPR) and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register (PDR).

Setting

Secondary care centres, Sweden.

Participant

509 198 women aged 15–44 years who had one or more pregnancies resulting in a live birth or stillbirth between 2005 and 2011.

Main outcome measure

To estimate the incidence rate (IR) of VTE in and around pregnancy using various VTE definitions allowing direct comparison with other countries.

Results

The rate of VTE varied based on the VTE definition. We found that 43% of cases first recorded as outpatient were not accompanied by anticoagulant prescriptions, whereas this proportion was much lower than those cases first recorded in the inpatient register (9%). Using our most inclusive VTE definition, we observed higher rates of VTE compared with previously published data using similar methodology. These reduced by 31% (IR=142/100 000 person-years; 95% CI 132 to 153) and 22% (IR=331/100 000 person-years; 95% CI 304 to 361) during the antepartum and postpartum periods, respectively, using a restrictive VTE definition that required anticoagulant prescriptions associated with diagnosis, which were more in line with the existing literature.

Conclusions

We found that including VTE codes without treatment confirmation risks the inclusion of false-positive cases. When defining VTE using the NPR, anticoagulant prescription information should therefore be considered particularly for cases recorded in an outpatient setting.
Half-life of a printed handoff document
Authors: Rosenbluth Glenn , Jacolbia Ronald , Milev Dimiter , Auerbach Andrew D
Published: November 2015

Background

Printed handoff documents are nearly universally present in the pockets of providers taking inhouse call. They are frequently used to answer clinical questions. However, the static nature of printed documents makes it likely that information will quickly become inaccurate as a result of ongoing management. This increases the potential for medical errors, especially in clinical services which rely heavily on printed documents for ongoing patient management.

Objective

To measure the average time to potential inaccuracy, represented as the ‘half-life’ of printed handoff documents.

Design, setting, participants

Cross-sectional analysis of 100 adult inpatients during a single 24 h period at an academic medical centre in 2014.

Main outcome and measure

The half-life was defined as the time at which half of the patients would be expected to have inaccurate information on a printed handoff document, based on review of orders which populate data fields on these printed handoff documents.

Results

In our sample, the half-life was 6 h on the 12 h night shift and 3.3 h on the day shift. We identified at least on change within the 24 h period for 92% of patients. Most changes (90% n=1411) were medication-related, but the overall distribution of order types was significantly different between day and night (p=0.002).

Conclusions and relevance

The accuracy of printed handoff documents quickly deteriorated over the course of a physician shift. Based on this decay rate, a typical physician getting sign-out on 20 patients overnight can safely assume that the data for 10 of them will be inaccurate or outdated in 6 h and that it will be inaccurate on another two by the morning.
Coaching for recovery: a quality improvement project in mental healthcare
Authors: Burhouse Anna , Rowland Madeleine , Marie Niman Heather , Abraham Daisy , Collins Elizabeth , Matthews Helen , Denney Joanna , Ryland Howard
Published: November 2015

Approximately one in four adults in the UK will experience a mental health difficulty at some point in their life. This figure is approximately 400 million people worldwide.[1] Depression alone is currently estimated to cost the UK 1.7% of GDP and is one of the largest causes of ill health in the world.[2] For conditions like psychosis, evidence tells us that people have poorer quality of life outcomes, are more likely to die early, become obese, smoke, be unemployed, and have long term physical conditions than average.[3] People’s social situation is also likely to be more complex, with housing needs, social isolation, stigma, and poverty.[4] All of these factors can make it hard for a person with a long-term mental health condition, or those supporting them, to hold onto a sense of hope that positive change is possible or that "recovery" towards a life that holds optimum meaning to them is achievable.

An innovative "pop up" Recovery College model was co-produced, delivered, and evaluated by a team of people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, known as peer trainers. The Recovery College offered courses containing the best evidence-based knowledge about recovery in mental health, self-care and self-management. Each learning session included theory, personal testament from peer trainers, and volunteers and demonstrations of practical self-care skills and techniques.

The courses were open to people experiencing mental health difficulties, their families, friends, and professionals. After the college course finished each student was offered up to three individual coaching sessions to help support putting the lessons learnt from the college into practice.

The project aimed to test whether this innovative educational and coaching model could offer hope, knowledge and practical skills in self-management to support resilience and recovery. The project was underpinned by quality improvement methodologies to develop, deliver, and refine the model.
Getting Access to Toxbase for Doctors in the Avon and Wiltshire Partnership
Authors: Coombs Catherine , Ewins Liz
Published: November 2015

Doctors working in mental health often review patients who have taken an overdose. Having an evidence based resource which has information regarding the toxic doses of the drug taken enables informed discussions with senior doctors and decision making about whether to admit the patient to hospital. No site across the Avon and Wiltshire Partnership (AWP) Trust had access to TOXBASE, the Public Health England drug Toxicology database.

A primary questionnaire (N= 39) found 97% of doctors thought that TOXBASE would be useful and 84.5% could not think of a better alternative.

Through a series of Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles, TOXBASE access was gained for one site (Imber ward, Devizes) and following successful implementation this could be rolled out across all sites in the Trust. Doctors were surveyed and one month after the first site gained access, two out of seven doctors had used TOXBASE and found it useful. Further questionnaires were distributed following three months at three sites and then at six months to everyone. The final questionnaire showed that one third knew they had access and five doctors had used it in clinical context. Action was then taken by creating a TOXBASE on the Intranet site which directed doctors to their local inpatient unit for login details. By the end of the project access to TOXBASE was successfully gained at six out of the seven sites in the Trust. The surveys showed that access to the resource was highly regarded by doctors, and that it had enabled informed discussions with medical colleagues leading to reduced potentially lengthy transfers of patients to medical units. This has high cost implications of the transport of mental health patients, as well as reducing the distress caused to patients.
Utilisation of a trauma meeting handover proforma to improve trauma patient pathway
Authors: Smyth Rachel , Parton Felicity , Trikha Paul
Published: November 2015

Decision making within orthopaedic centres predominantly occurs at the trauma meeting, where all decisions are made as a part of the multidisciplinary process. This is an essential handover process.

Difficulties occur when teaching and detailed case discussions detract from the actual decision making process, leading to failure in documentation and implementing treatment plans.

An audit was carried out in a busy district general hospital (DGH), assessing the quality of trauma meeting documentation in patient records, and assessing whether the introduction of a proforma document would improve this.

Prospective clinical reviews were performed on all patients discussed in the trauma meeting over a one month period. Following the initial audit cycle a proforma was introduced, and the audit process was repeated at a two month and six month interval.

The quality of the entries were assessed and compared to the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Standards for the clinical structure and content of patient records, and The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) of England Guidelines for Clinicians on Medical Records and Notes.

Sixty three patient records during a one month period from 1 August 2014 found that only 16% had any documentation of the trauma meeting, none of which met the standard set at the beginning of the audit. Following the introduction of the proforma, 102 patient records were reviewed from October 2014, showing 70% had documentation of the trauma meeting. This improved further to 84% in February 2015.

The proforma has provided an effective means of documenting and communicating management plans, and in turn also improved the trauma patient pathway to theatre or discharge.
Postoperative analgesia for Enhanced recovery in Joint replacement: Audit of a new electronic prescribing order set
Authors: Wright Jonathan , Cullinger Benjamin , Bacarese-Hamilton Ian
Published: November 2015

Enhanced recovery in joint replacement has been shown to reduce length of inpatient stay, reduce re-admission rates, and can improve early functional recovery. Postoperative analgesia is an important component of the group of interventions required to form a holistic enhanced recovery protocol. The introduction of electronic prescribing provides the opportunity to introduce some standardisation, where clinically appropriate, in the prescription of an evidence based postoperative analgesia protocol.

Enhanced recovery following joint replacement has been used at this institution since 2011. An order set for the postoperative analgesia protocol was introduced to the in house electronic prescribing system in August 2014 (JAC Medicines Management; JAC Computer Services Ltd., Basildon, UK). An audit was performed to follow the effect of the new system on compliance with the postoperative analgesia guidelines.

Improvements were seen following introduction of the electronic prescribing protocol in all criteria of the guideline with a demonstrated improvement in overall compliance from 0% to 35% in the first loop, with subsequent audit showing further improvement to 59% compliance.

Use of an embedded order set within an electronic prescribing system has demonstrated improved compliance with an enhanced recovery protocol. This ensures that the correct evidence based protocol is available to guide the junior clinician at the point of care, when the medication is being prescribed.
Potential underestimation of pesticide suicide and its impact on secular trends in South Korea, 1991–2012
Authors: Cha Eun Shil , Chang Shu-Sen , Lee Won Jin
Published: November 2015

Background

Pesticide ingestion is among the most commonly used suicide methods globally. Underestimation of deaths by pesticide self-poisoning is thought to be common but under-researched. We investigated potential misclassification and underestimation of suicide by pesticide poisoning and their impact on trends in pesticide suicide in South Korea.

Methods

We compared sociodemographic profiles between deaths certified as suicide, undetermined deaths and injuries by poisoning using pesticides, unspecified chemicals and medicines/alcohol in South Korea (1991–2012), and calculated similarity scores. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to examine time trends.

Results

The profiles of deaths classified as pesticide suicides showed generally similar patterns to those for undetermined deaths/injuries by poisoning using pesticides and suicides/undetermined deaths/injuries by poisoning using unspecified chemicals. Over the study period, the number of pesticide suicides (on average 2033 per year; range 623–3530) would increase by 15%, 23% and 31%, when assuming that 20%, 30% and 40% of deaths in alternative cause-of-death categories were misclassified pesticide suicides respectively. Age-standardised rates of pesticide suicide increased more than four times in 1991–2003 but fell by around 50% in 2003–2012. This trend did not change when the assumed proportion of misclassification was 20%, whereas the rapid increase in 2000–2003 would be lessened if misclassification occurred by 30% or more.

Conclusions

Pesticide suicides may be underestimated in South Korea as some are possibly misclassified as deaths due to other causes; however, such underestimation would not substantially affect estimated secular trends.
Observational study of the relationship between volume and outcomes using data from the National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Doherty Patrick , Harrison Alexander S , Knapton Mike , Dale Veronica
Published: November 2015

Objective

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based intervention delivered by a wide range of high-volume and low-volume centres; however, the extent of volume–outcome relationship is yet to be studied. There is a lack of consensus about the effect of volume on outcomes, with evidence of mixed effects in acute and chronic care. The aim of this study is, to investigate the extent of association of outcomes in CR with patient volume.

Methods

Data was validated and extracted from the national audit from 2012 to 2013 for each CR centre. Volume was calculated as the total number of patients entering outpatient CR. Hierarchical multiple regression models were used to test for relationships between volume and outcomes. The outcomes included body mass index, blood pressure, psychosocial well-being, cholesterol, smoking cessation and physical activity. The analyses were adjusted for centre and patient characteristics and confounders.

Results

The number of patients included in the volume analysis was 48 476, derived from 178 CR centres. The average age per centre was 66 years with a 70% male distribution of patients enrolled. Regression analysis revealed no volume–outcome relationship, additionally no statistical significance existed.

Conclusions

Unlike cardiac surgery this study, after accounting for staffing, age, gender and comorbidity, shows no effect of volume on outcome following CR delivered by high-volume and low-volume programmes. Based on our data there is no support for centralisation of services. Our findings and methodology can be used as a benchmark for future volume–outcome relationship studies in CR.
Intravesical foreign body and transitional cell carcinoma in a dog
Authors: Rainer Johanna , Neiger Reto
Published: November 2015

A nine‐year‐old chemically neutered male hovawart was referred due to dysuria, stranguria, haematuria and inappetence. Initial examinations suggested a transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder with pulmonary metastases and ureteral ectopia. To confirm the diagnosis and rule out possible ureteral ectopia, cystoscopy was performed. Transitional cell carcinoma was confirmed, and a urethral foreign body was revealed. After successful removal, the foreign body turned out to be a 17‐cm long piece of a urinary catheter. The dog's clinical signs ceased completely a few days after extraction of the foreign object and palliative therapy with meloxicam. Approximately four weeks later its condition deteriorated and the owner elected euthanasia.
Pursuing a career in veterinary public health
Authors: Radakovic Milorad
Published: November 2015

Milorad Radakovic is a teaching fellow in veterinary public health (VPH) at the University of Cambridge. Here, he explains why he believes the challenges in this field of veterinary medicine make for an exciting career path. In a second article to be published in Vet Record Careers next week, he will share some of his own experiences of working in this field
Peridotite and pyroxenite xenoliths from the Muskox kimberlite, northern Slave craton, Canada
Authors: Newton David E. , Kopylova Maya G. , Burgess Jennifer , Strand Pamela
Published: November 2015

We present petrography, mineralogy, and thermobarometry for 53 mantle-derived xenoliths from the Muskox kimberlite pipe in the northern Slave craton. The xenolith suite includes 23% coarse peridotite, 9% porphyroclastic peridotite, 60% websterite, and 8% orthopyroxenite. Samples primarily comprise forsteritic olivine (Fo 89–94), enstatite (En 89–94), Cr-diopside, Cr-pyrope garnet, and chromite spinel. Coarse peridotites, porphyroclastic peridotites, and pyroxenites equilibrated at 650–1220 °C and 23–63 kbar (1 kbar = 100 MPa), 1200–1350 °C and 57–70 kbar, and 1030–1230 °C and 50–63 kbar, respectively. The Muskox xenoliths differ from xenoliths in the neighboring and contemporaneous Jericho kimberlite by their higher levels of depletion, the presence of a shallow zone of metasomatism in the spinel peridotite field, a higher proportion of pyroxenites at the base of the mantle column, higher Cr2O3 in all pyroxenite minerals, and weaker deformation in the Muskox mantle. We interpret these contrasts as representing small-scale heterogeneities in the bulk composition of the mantle, as well as the local effects of interaction between metasomatizing fluid and mantle wall rocks. We suggest that asthenosphere-derived pre-kimberlitic melts and fluids percolated less effectively through the less permeable Muskox mantle, resulting in lower degrees of hydrous weakening, strain, and fertilization of the peridotitic mantle. Fluids tended to concentrate and pool in the deep mantle, causing partial melting and formation of abundant pyroxenites.
Impacts of hydraulic fracturing on water quality: a review of literature, regulatory frameworks and an analysis of information gaps
Authors: Gagnon G.A. , Krkosek W. , Anderson L. , McBean E. , Mohseni M. , Bazri M. , Mauro I.
Published: November 2015

A review of available literature and current governance approaches related to the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on water quality (including drinking water) was developed. The paper identifies gaps in literature and (or) current governance approaches that should be addressed to guide decision-makers in the development of appropriate regulatory regimes that will enable assessment of the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on water quality. The lack of credible and comprehensive data are shown to have been a major setback to properly investigate and monitor hydraulic fracturing activities and their potential risks on the environment and water quality. A review of current governance approaches demonstrates that some jurisdictions have implemented baseline and post-operation water quality monitoring requirements; however, there are large variations in site-specific monitoring requirements across Canada and the United States. In light of recent information, a targeted approach is suggested based on risk priorities, which can prioritize sample collection and frequency, target contaminants, and the needed duration of the sampling. The steps outlined in this review help to interface with the public concerns associated with water quality, and appropriately ensure that public health is protected through appropriate water safety planning.
A samarium hybrid with porphyrin and amino acid as mixed ligands: Electrochemical and photophysical properties
Authors: Pei Yun-Peng , Huang Jian-Gen , Chen Hua-Long , Kuang Han-Mao , Zhou Jie , Yang Yun-Xia , Chen Wen-Tong
Published: November 2015

A samarium hybrid with porphyrin and amino acid as mixed ligands {[Sm(His)(H2O)][Sm(H3O)3](H2TPPS)2} • 5H2O (1) (His = histidine; H6TPPS = tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin) has been synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1is crystallized in the space group [Formula: see text] of the triclinic system. Compound 1is characteristic of a three-dimensional (3-D) open framework with the samarium ions in two types of coordinating environments and a saddle-distorted nonplanar porphyrin macrocycle. Compound 1 exhibits fluorescence in the red region. The fluorescence lifetime of 1 is 15.65 ns and the emission quantum yield is 4.1%. The CV/DPV, UV-vis and FT-IR are also reported in detail.
Experimental Research on Out-of-Plane Cyclic Behavior of Steel-Plate Composite Walls
Authors: Yang Yue , Liu Jingbo , Nie Xin , Fan Jiansheng
Published: November 2015

Three steel-plate composite walls were tested under reversal loads. The primary purpose of this experiment was to investigate the out-of-plane behavior of steel-plate composite walls under seismic actions, including the failure modes, hysteretic behavior, strength, and stiffness while emphasizing the effects of shear span, connection details, and thickness of the steel plates. All specimens showed some pinching effect in the hysteresis loops. Both shear failure and flexural failure occurred in the tests depending on the shear span and steel plate thickness of the specimens. All surface steel plates of the specimens remained unbuckled before yielding during the loading process, which indicated that the ratio of connector spacing to surface steel plate thickness adopted for the specimens satisfied the requirement of yielding before buckling. The test results also showed that the tie bars contributed significantly to the out-of-plane shear strength of the steel-plate composite walls.
A peculiar bored crinoid from Salthill Quarry, Clitheroe, Lancashire (Mississippian; Tournaisian), UK
Authors: Donovan S. K. , Tenny A.
Published: November 2015

Salthill Quarry, Clitheroe, Lancashire, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and important for its Mississippian (Tournaisian, Chadian) crinoids. A pluricolumnal,
Pentagonocyclicus
? (col.) sp., preserves multiple pits,
Oichnus paraboloides
Bromley. Pits on one side of the specimen sit atop cyst-like structures and infested the crinoid when it was alive; the protuberances represent a growth reaction. At the time, the column was either upright, pits concentrating on one side presumably in response to current direction, or recumbent (and distal). Pits on the other side engendered no growth reactions; the crinoid was dead and lying on the sea floor when infested. The infestation of the live crinoid must be considered ectoparasitic.
Dysregulation of bile acid homeostasis in parenteral nutrition mouse model
Authors: Zhan Le , Yang Ill , Kong Bo , Shen Jianliang , Gorczyca Ludwik , Memon Naureen , Buckley Brian T. , Guo Grace L.
Published: November 2015

Long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) administration can lead to PN-associated liver diseases (PNALD). Although multiple risk factors have been identified for PNALD, to date, the roles of bile acids (BAs) and the pathways involved in BA homeostasis in the development and progression of PNALD are still unclear. We have established a mouse PN model with IV infusion of PN solution containing soybean oil-based lipid emulsion (SOLE). Our results showed that PN altered the expression of genes involved in a variety of liver functions at the mRNA levels. PN increased liver gene expression of Cyp7a1 and markedly decreased that of Cyp8b1, Cyp7b1, Bsep, and Shp. CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 are important for synthesizing the total amount of BAs and regulating the hydrophobicity of BAs, respectively. Consistently, both the levels and the percentages of primary BAs as well as total non-12α-OH BAs increased significantly in the serum of PN mice compared with saline controls, whereas liver BA profiles were largely similar. The expression of several key liver-X receptor-α (LXRα) target genes involved in lipid synthesis was also increased in PN mouse livers. Retinoid acid-related orphan receptor-α (RORα) has been shown to induce the expression of Cyp8b1 and Cyp7b1, as well as to suppress LXRα function. Western blot showed significantly reduced nuclear migration of RORα protein in PN mouse livers. This study shows that continuous PN infusion with SOLE in mice leads to dysregulation of BA homeostasis. Alterations of liver RORα signaling in PN mice may be one of the mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of PNALD.