bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geography of primary mental health care through the Better Access initiative in South Australia 2006–2010
Authors: Carson Dean , Bidargaddi Niranjan , Schrader Geoffrey , Allison Stephen , Jones Gabrielle Margaret , Bastiampillai Tarun , Strobel Jörg
Published: September 2015

Objective

To examine how the rates of the use of particular face‐to‐face primary mental health care services changed in the first 4 years (2006–2010) of the Better Access initiative in both urban and rural regions of South Australia.

Design

Time‐series analysis of the number of psychology session, psychiatry assessment and general practitioner care plan services recorded in Medicare Australia data.

Setting

South Australia. Pre‐existing data set of South Australian residents who accessed Medicare between 2006 and 2010

Main objective measure

Number of services per 100 000 population (service rate).

Results

Psychology session service rates increased in all regions, but continued to follow a ‘location gradient’, being higher in areas closer to Adelaide and lower in areas more distant from Adelaide. Psychiatry assessment service rates increased in Adelaide but did not change in other regions. Rates in remote areas were subject to substantial variation over time. General practitioner care plan service rates increased in Adelaide and in the Riverland, but declined in the Murray Mallee region.

Conclusions

Overall, service rates increased in Adelaide and nearby regions, but the results for rural and remote regions were mixed. Possible explanations for the geographical variability include population characteristics (such as socio‐economic status), methods of service delivery (visiting practitioners, telepsych), the relative proportion of total health services provided by general practitioners versus other practitioners, or real variations in the need for primary mental health services.
Ischemic Postconditioning and Nitric Oxide Administration Failed to Confer Protective Effects in a Porcine Model of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Authors: Psotova Hana , Ostadal Petr , Mlcek Mikulas , Kruger Andreas , Janotka Marek , Vondrakova Dagmar , Svoboda Tomas , Hrachovina Matej , Taborsky Ludek , Dudkova Vlasta , Strunina Svitlana , Kittnar Otomar , Neuzil Petr
Published: September 2015

The protective effects of ischemic postconditioning (IPC) and nitric oxide (NO) administration have been demonstrated in several ischemic scenarios. However, current evidence regarding the effect of IPC and NO in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation remains lacking. Fifteen female swine (body weight 45 kg) underwent veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) implantation; cardiac arrest‐ventricular fibrillation was induced by rapid ventricular pacing. After 20 min of cardiac arrest, blood flow was restored by increasing the ECMO flow rate to 4.5 L/min. The animals (five per group) were then randomly assigned to receive IPC (three cycles of 3 min ischemia and reperfusion), NO (80 ppm via oxygenator), or mild hypothermia (HT; 33.0°C). Cerebral oximetry and aortic blood pressure were monitored continuously. After 90 min of reperfusion, blood samples were drawn for the measurement of troponin I, myoglobin, creatine‐phosphokinase, alanine aminotransferase, neuron‐specific enolase, cystatin C, and reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) levels. Significantly higher blood pressure and cerebral oxygen saturation values were observed in the HT group compared with the IPC and NO groups (P < 0.05). The levels of troponin I, myoglobin, creatine phosphokinase, and alanine aminotransferase were significantly lower in the HT group (P < 0.05); levels of neuron‐specific enolase, cystatin C, and ROM were not significantly different. IPC and NO were comparable in all monitored parameters. The results of the present study indicate that IPC and NO administration are not superior interventions to HT for the maintenance of blood pressure, cerebral oxygenation, organ protection, and suppression of oxidative stress following extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Planar Shape Detection and Regularization in Tandem
Authors: Oesau Sven , Lafarge Florent , Alliez Pierre
Published: September 2015

We present a method for planar shape detection and regularization from raw point sets. The geometric modelling and processing of man‐made environments from measurement data often relies upon robust detection of planar primitive shapes. In addition, the detection and reinforcement of regularities between planar parts is a means to increase resilience to missing or defect‐laden data as well as to reduce the complexity of models and algorithms down the modelling pipeline. The main novelty behind our method is to perform detection and regularization in tandem. We first sample a sparse set of seeds uniformly on the input point set, and then perform in parallel shape detection through region growing, interleaved with regularization through detection and reinforcement of regular relationships (coplanar, parallel and orthogonal). In addition to addressing the end goal of regularization, such reinforcement also improves data fitting and provides guidance for clustering small parts into larger planar parts. We evaluate our approach against a wide range of inputs and under four criteria: geometric fidelity, coverage, regularity and running times. Our approach compares well with available implementations such as the efficient random sample consensus–based approach proposed by Schnabel and co‐authors in 2007.
Decision Making in Cross‐Functional Teams: The Role of Decision Power*
Authors: Cui Zhijian
Published: September 2015

Through a series of game‐theoretical models, this study systematically examines decision making in cross‐functional teams. It provides a framework for the design of an organization‐specific decision‐making process and for the alignment of a team's microdecision with the “optimal” decision that maximizes the firm's payoff. This study finds that even without changing the team leader, firms could change and even dictate the team's microdecision outcome via adjusting the team member's seniority, empowering team members with veto power or involving a supervisor as a threat to overrule the team decision. This finding implies that to reposition products in the marketplace, structuring cross‐functional teams’ microdecision‐making processes is essential.
Prognostic Value of Real Time Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Yang Lixia , Xia Chunmei , Mu Yuming , Guan Lina , Wang Chunmei , Tang Qi , Verocai Flavia Gomes , Fonseca Lea Mirian Barbosa da , Shih Ming Chi
Published: September 2015

Real time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) is a cost‐effective and simple method to quantify coronary flow reserve (CFR). We aimed to determine the value of RTMCE to predict cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We have studied myocardial blood volume (A), velocity (β), flow indexes (MBF, A × β), and vasodilator reserve (stress‐to‐rest ratios) in 36 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent PCI. CFR (MBF at stress/MBF at rest) was calculated for each patient. Perfusion scores were used for visual interpretation by MCE and correlation with TIMI flow grade. In qualitative RTMCE assessment, post‐PCI visual perfusion scores were higher than pre‐PCI (Z = −7.26, P < 0.01). Among 271 arteries with TIMI flow grade 3 post‐PCI, 72 (36%) did not reach visual perfusion score 1. The β‐ and A × β‐reserve of the abnormal segments supplied by obstructed arteries increased after PCI comparing to pre‐PCI values (P < 0.01). Patients with adverse cardiac events had significantly lower β‐ and lower A × β‐reserve than patients without adverse cardiac events. In the former group, the CFR was ≥ 1.5 both pre‐ and post‐PCI. CFR estimation by RTMCE can quantify myocardial perfusion in patients with ACS who underwent PCI. The parameters β‐reserve and CFR combined might predict cardiac events on the follow‐up.
Strain Analysis in the Detection of Myocardial Infarction at the Acute and Chronic Stages
Authors: Bachner‐Hinenzon Noa , Malka Assaf , Barac Yaron , Meerkin David , Ertracht Offir , Carasso Shemy , Shofti Rona , Leitman Marina , Vered Zvi , Adam Dan , Binah Ofer
Published: September 2015

Background

Myocardial ischemia causes contractile dysfunction in ischemic, stunned, and tethered regions with larger infarcted zones having a negative prognostic impact on patients' outcomes. To distinguish the infarcted myocardium from the other regions, we investigated the diagnostic potential of circumferential strain (CS) and radial strain (RS) during the acute and chronic stages of myocardial infarction.

Methods

Ten pigs underwent 90‐minute occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, followed by reperfusion. Echocardiography was performed at baseline, after 90‐minute occlusion, and at 2 hours, 30, and 60 days postreperfusion. CS and RS were measured using speckle tracking echocardiography. Subsequently, the pigs were sacrificed, and histological analysis for infarct size was performed.

Results

After 90‐minute occlusion, reduced strains were detected for all segments (infarcted anterior wall – baseline: CS: −17.6 ± 5.7%, RS: 54.4 ± 16.9%; 90 min: CS: −10.3 ± 3.0%, RS: 23.3 ± 7.0%; tethered posterior wall – baseline: CS: −18.4 ± 3.5%, RS: 68.7 ± 21.1%; 90 min: CS: −10.7 ± 6.4%, RS: 34.5 ± 14.7%, P < 0.001). However, postsystolic shortening was detected only in the infarcted segments, and the time‐to‐peak CS was 25% longer (P < 0.05). At 30 and 60 days postreperfusion, time‐to‐peak CS could only detect large scars in the anterior and anterior‐septum walls (P < 0.05), while peak CS also detected smaller scars in the lateral wall (P < 0.05). RS failed to distinguish between normal, stunned/tethered, and infarcted myocardium.

Conclusions

During occlusion and 2 hours postreperfusion, time‐to‐peak CS could distinguish between infarcted and stunned/tethered myocardial segments, while at 30 and 60 days postreperfusion, peak CS was the best detector of infarction.
Facultative gregarious development in a solitary parasitoid wasp, Dendrocerus carpenteri: larvae may share nutritional resources
Authors: Mackauer M. , Chow A.
Published: September 2015

Solitary parasitoids generally produce only one offspring per host. Dendrocerus carpenteri (Curtis) (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) develops as an idiobiont ectoparasitoid on prepupae and pupae of primary aphid parasitoids inside the mummified aphid host. Females normally deposit a single egg but superparasitize when suitable hosts are scarce. We show that facultative gregarious development may occur but is constrained by resource competition between larvae. The probability of more than one offspring surviving increased with the intensity of parasitism; an age difference of ≤9 h between older and younger first instars did not promote gregarious development. Two female parasitoids and, rarely, up to three male parasitoids could develop together. Average body size in terms of dry mass did not differ between singly developing females and the combined mass of two females sharing host resources, but the combined mass of gregarious males was greater than that of their singly developing counterparts. Females were 3× more likely to eclose from single than gregarious mummies. The amount of host resources available per larva declines with increasing clutch size, in turn causing a corresponding reduction of adult size and size‐dependent fitness attributes. We suggest that competition for limiting host supplies may influence the transition from solitary to gregarious development and should be considered in models of clutch size evolution in parasitoid wasps.
Photosynthetic responses of potato to Colorado potato beetle injury and differences in injury between adult males and females
Authors: Hoback William W. , de Freitas Bueno Adeney , Martinez Carlos A. , Higley Leon G. , Fernandes Odair A.
Published: September 2015

Establishing rates of injury to plants and the physiological impact of this injury provides essential data in the development of economic injury levels, but variation of sex effects is not often considered. Here, we examined injury by the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), larvae and adult males and females on potato, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae). Specifically, we looked for adult sex differences between males and females in injury rates (= leaf consumption rates), and examined the impact of all types of injury (larval, adult male, and adult female) on gas exchange parameters of remaining potato leaf tissue. Experiments were conducted in the field and in growth chambers on Frito‐Lay proprietary and Pike chipping‐potato varieties at pre‐blooming and blooming stages. We found no change in photosynthetic rates on remaining (uninjured) leaf tissue infested with male, female, or fourth‐stage larva of Colorado potato beetle. However, when the midrib was cut in trials with male beetles, the remaining tissue above the injury exhibited photosynthetic rate reductions as a result of stomatal limitations. These findings are consistent with the pattern that we and other researchers have observed with gross tissue removal by various insects on other plant species. Adult females consumed more tissue than males, and temperature was positively correlated with feeding rates for both sexes. Sex‐related differences in feeding rate are most important to studies quantifying consumption rates for economically important species because of its potential impact on resulting economic injury level calculations.
Oviposition behaviour and larval development of Anastrepha fraterculus from Argentina in citrus
Authors: Ruiz M.J. , Juárez M.L. , Alzogaray R.A. , Arrighi F. , Arroyo L. , Gastaminza G. , Willink E. , Bardón A. , Vera M.T.
Published: September 2015

Citrus peel physicochemical attributes are considered the main components conferring partial or even total resistance to fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) infestation. Fruit fly females adapt their ovipositional strategies to overcome such resistance. Here, we explored the effects of citrus species (Rutaceae) on the ovipositional behaviour of the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), and on its immature development. Particularly, we investigated the effects of (1) citrus species on oviposition behaviour and immature development, (2) citrus species on oviposition preference and on the location of the eggs at different depth in the citrus peel, and (3) harvest season and post‐harvest storage time on oviposition behaviour and immature development in lemon. Citrus species influenced ovipositional behaviour and affected survival of immature stages. Females laid eggs in lemon [Citrus limon (L.) Burm.], orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck], and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfadyen). In orange and lemon, larvae were found dead close to the oviposition areas, suggesting chemically mediated resistance mechanisms. Under choice conditions, females preferred grapefruit over lemon and bigger clutches were found in the layers where embryonic development is favoured. Unsuitability of lemon as a medium to complete development was neither affected by harvest season nor by storage time of the fruit after harvest. The physical and chemical characteristics of the peel were distinctive to each citrus species and may have affected the specific levels of resistance of these citrus species to infestation by A. fraterculus.
Depression‐like behaviour in mice is associated with disrupted circadian rhythms in nucleus accumbens and periaqueductal grey
Authors: Landgraf Dominic , Long Jaimie E. , Welsh David K.
Published: September 2015

An association between circadian rhythms and mood regulation is well established, and disturbed circadian clocks are believed to contribute to the development of mood disorders, including major depressive disorder. The circadian system is coordinated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master pacemaker in the hypothalamus that receives light input from the retina and synchronizes circadian oscillators in other brain regions and peripheral tissues. Lacking the tight neuronal network that couples single‐cell oscillators in the SCN, circadian clocks outside the SCN may be less stable and more susceptible to disturbances, for example by clock gene mutations or uncontrollable stress. However, non‐SCN circadian clocks have not been studied extensively in rodent models of mood disorders. In the present study, it was hypothesized that disturbances of local circadian clocks in mood‐regulating brain areas are associated with depression‐like behaviour in mice. Using the learned helplessness procedure, depression‐like behaviour was evoked in mice bearing the PER2::LUC circadian reporter, and then circadian rhythms of PER2 expression were examined in brain slices from these mice using luminometry and bioluminescence imaging. It was found that helplessness is associated with absence of circadian rhythms in the nucleus accumbens and the periaqueductal grey, two of the most critical brain regions within the reward circuit. The current study provides evidence that susceptibility of mice to depression‐like behaviour is associated with disturbed local circadian clocks in a subset of mood‐regulating brain areas, but the direction of causality remains to be determined.
The effect of cation–anion interactions on soil pH and solubility of organic carbon
Authors: Tavakkoli E. , Rengasamy P. , Smith E. , McDonald G. K.
Published: September 2015

Alkaline soil is widely distributed and cultivated throughout the agricultural regions of the world. Organic carbon (OC) concentrations in alkaline soil are often small, partly because of the limitations of a high pH on the productivity of crops and pastures together with the effects of high pH on the chemistry of soil OC. Soil pH is often hypothesized to be a major factor in regulating OC turnover in agricultural soil, but there are few detailed studies on the effects of high pH on carbon cycling in alkaline soil. Sodium, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ are the major cations in alkaline soil, whereas Cl−, , and are the major anions. The effect of different combinations of these cations and anions on soil pH and OC is not well described in the literature. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of cations and anions on soil pH and to quantify the dissolution of OC in relation to these changes in pH. The results showed that (Na+, K+ and Mg2+) salts and CaCO3 dominate in the pH range 7.0–8.5, and salts of Na+ and K+ dominate above pH 8.5. The amount of dissolved OC (DOC) increased significantly as pH increased. Therefore, the presence of large concentrations of and not only increased pH but also promoted the dissolution of soil OC. The concentration of Ca2+ modified this effect; large concentrations of Ca2+ increased the adsorption and reduced the concentration of DOC.
Three new species of the genus Caesarodispus (Acari: Microdispidae) associated with ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with a key to species
Authors: Rahiminejad Vahid , Hajiqanbar Hamidreza , Talebi Ali Asghar
Published: September 2015

Three new species of the genus Caesarodispus (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Microdispidae) phoretic on ants are described from Iran: C. khaustovi Rahiminejad & Hajiqanbar sp. nov., C. pheidolei Rahiminejad & Hajiqanbar sp. nov. and C. nodijensis Rahiminejad & Hajiqanbar sp. nov. All species were associated with alate ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from northern Iran. A key to all species of Caesarodispus is provided.
Genomic confirmation of nutrient‐dependent mutability of mutators in Escherichia coli
Authors: Tsuru Saburo , Ishizawa Yuuka , Shibai Atsushi , Takahashi Yusuke , Motooka Daisuke , Nakamura Shota , Yomo Tetsuya
Published: September 2015

Mutators with increased mutation rates are prevalent in various environments and have important roles in accelerating adaptive evolution. Previous studies on mutator strains of microorganisms have shown that some mutators have constant mutation rates, whereas others exhibit switchable mutation rates depending on nutritional conditions. This suggests that the contributions of mutators on evolution vary with fluctuating nutritional conditions. However, such conditional mutability has been unclear at the genomic level. In addition, it is still unknown why mutation rates change with nutritional condition. Here, we used two mutator strains of Escherichia coli to explore the nutrient dependence of mutation rates at the genomic level. These strains were transferred repeatedly under different nutritional conditions for hundreds of generations to accumulate mutations. Whole‐genome sequencing of the offspring showed that the nutrient dependence of the mutation rates was pervasive at the genomic scale. Neutrality in the mutation accumulation processes and constancy in the mutational bias suggested that nutrient dependence was not derived from conditional selective purges or from shifts of mutational bias. Some mutators could simply switch their mutation rates for both transitions and transversions in response to nutritional shifts.
Recycling of GaN, a Refractory eWaste Material: Understanding the Chemical Thermodynamics
Authors: Swain Basudev , Mishra Chinmayee , Lee Kun‐Jae , Hong Hyun Seon , Park Kyung‐Soo , Lee Chan Gi
Published: September 2015

South Korea is a major producer of light‐emitting diode (LED) material, contributing 31% of total LED demand worldwide, and also a major consumer of electronic devices. During manufacturing and after end of life (EOL) of the consumer electronics, significant amount of GaN‐bearing waste is being generated. As the Republic of Korea depends upon the import of all mineral commodities, under the national policy of securing a stable supply, much attention has been paid to the notion of “urban mining.” The stringent international environmental directive for recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) E‐Waste Management goal, restriction of the use of hazardous substances in EEE (RoHS), and extended producer responsibility (EPR) have made recycling an important responsibility. Recovery of the gallium from GaN‐bearing waste can be a promising feasible option; simultaneously from the waste, the wealth can be generated. As GaN is a refractory material, which is hard to leach in the recovery process, hence, needs a chemical pretreatment. In this study, thermodynamics of GaN oxidation and oxidative roasting using Na2CO3 has been studied. Thermodynamic feasibility for leaching of oxidized GaN either through acidic leaching or through alkali leaching has been explored.
Rice bran as a source of dietary fibre in bread
Authors: SKURRAY G. R. , WOOLDRIDGE D. A. , NGUYEN MINH
Published: September 2015

Samples of wheat bran, parboiled rice bran and fat extracted rice bran were analysed for chemical composition, particle size distribution and farinogram dough characteristics. Fat extraction increased the fibre and protein content of rice bran. Wheat bran had the highest fibre content, water holding capacity and particle size. The farinogram properties indicated that there was no significant change when parboiled or fat extracted rice bran was added to wholemeal dough. However, wheat bran markedly changed the farinogram properties of wholemeal flour dough. Bread was prepared using wholemeal flour and the wheat and rice brans. Wheat bran or fat extracted rice bran decreased the loaf volume, acceptability, texture, flavour and appearance but parboiled rice bran only reduced the loaf volume by 6.9%.
Multiple mechanisms of bean hardening
Authors: HINCKS M. J. , STANLEY D. W.
Published: September 2015

Several aspects of the hard‐to‐cook phenomenon in black beans were investigated. Bean hardening had commenced by the fourth month of storage at 30°C and 85% RH. The heat treatment used in this study caused initial softening but actually potentiated the defect once the beans were subjected to high temperature and high humidity. Both hydration and soaked hardness analyses indicated that the small differences in water absorption between hard and soft beans could not account for the large differences in cooked hardness. Increased hardness of raw defective beans was not related to cooked hardness but to elevated moisture levels. A multiple mechanism for bean hardening is presented which includes phytate loss as a minimal contributor to cooked hardness during initial storage and phenol metabolism as a major contributor on extended storage. The phenol metabolism is thought to be a lignification‐like mechanism.
Improving pectin technology: extraction using pulsating hydrodynamic action
Authors: KRATCHANOV C. , MAREV K. , KIRCHEV N. , BRATANOFF A.
Published: September 2015

A model of an extraction process of pectin from vegetable raw material is proposed, and factors determining the extraction efficiency are discussed. Based on the model, a new method of pectin extraction has been developed using pulsating hydrodynamic action on fruit mass during turbulent recirculation. An appropriate flow pattern and diagrams of typical cyclic changes in local time‐mean velocity and pressure of the fluid are presented. These show steep local gradients which are thought to cause flexing and disruption of cell walls thereby accelerating pectin removal. Laboratory and industrial tests of the new method and equipment resulted in an increased yield of pectin (30‐60%), faster extraction (2‐5 times) and increased extract concentration (over 0.5%) compared to already established processes.
Using classical psychophysics to determine ideal flavour intensity
Authors: MCBRIDE R. L. , BOOTH D. A.
Published: September 2015

In Experiment 1 a classical psychophysical method, the method of constant stimuli, is adapted to determine the most preferred flavour intensity of an orange drink. Twentyfive assessors were each presented with five concentrations of the drink, and were required to respond either ‘too strong’ or ‘not strong enough’, the notional concept of ideal‐intensity serving as the standard in the comparison. All assessors exhibited an ideal‐point within the stimulus range presented, and the overall estimate of optimum concentration was close to that of previous work. In Experiment 2, the method of constant stimuli was applied in orthodox manner, with the optimum concentration (as determined from Experiment 1) physically presented as the standard in a series of paired comparisons. Assessors were required to identify the stronger drink within each pair. The estimates of discriminability in Experiments 1 (the ‘hedonic’ just noticeable difference) and 2 (the conventional just noticeable difference) were found to be almost identical.
Serotonin immunoreactivity in the nervous system of the free‐swimming larvae and sessile adult females of Stephanoceros fimbriatus (Rotifera: Gnesiotrocha)
Authors: Hochberg Adele , Hochberg Rick
Published: September 2015

Unlike most rotifers (Rotifera), which are planktonic and direct developers, many gnesiotrochan rotifers (Monogononta: Gnesiotrocha) are sessile and have indirect development. Few details exist on larval metamorphosis in most gnesiotrochans, and considering the drastic transformation that takes place at metamorphosis—the replacement of the ciliated corona with a new head that bears ciliated tentacles (the infundibulum)—it is perhaps surprising that there are limited data on the process. Here, we document part of this metamorphosis by examining the presence and distribution of neurons with serotonin immunoreactivity in the nervous system of both planktonic larvae and sessile adult females. Using antibodies against serotonin combined with confocal laser‐scanning microscopy (CLSM) and 3D reconstruction software, we mapped the immunoreactive cell bodies and neurites in both life stages and found that relatively few changes occurred during metamorphosis. The larvae possessed a total of eight perikarya with serotonergic immunoreactivity (5HT‐IR) in the brain, with at least two pairs of perikarya outside the brain in the region of the corona. Cells with 5HT‐IR in the brain innervated the larval corona and also sent neurites to the trunk via the nerve cords. During metamorphosis, the corona was replaced by the infundibulum, which emerged from the larval mouth to become the new functional head. This change led to a posterior displacement of the brain and also involved the loss of 5HT‐IR in the lateral brain perikarya and the gain of two perikarya with 5HT‐IR in the anterior brain region. The innervation of the anterior end was retained in the adult; neurites that extended anteriorly to the mouth of the larva formed a distinct neural ring that encircled the infundibulum after metamorphosis. Significantly, there was no innervation of the infundibular tentacles by neurites with 5HT‐IR, which suggests that ciliary control is unlikely to be modulated by serotonin within the tentacles themselves.
Helping smokers quit: behaviours and attitudes of Chinese Registered Nurses
Authors: Sarna Linda , Bialous Stella Aguinaga , Zou Xiao Nong , Wang Weili , Hong Jingfang , Chan Sophia , Wells Marjorie J. , Brook Jenny
Published: September 2015

Aims

To describe the self‐reported frequency of Chinese nurses’ interventions to help smokers quit, using the 5 As (i.e. Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange), attitudes towards tobacco control and differences in consistency interventions by demographic and professional characteristics prior to an educational intervention to increase nurses’ support for quit efforts.

Background

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in China; quitting smoking reduces health risks and premature death. The China Tobacco Cessation Treatment Guideline supports the 5 As model for intervention, but nurses’ frequency of delivering smoking cessation interventions is unknown.

Design

Descriptive survey using a convenience sample.

Methods

Nurses from eight hospitals in Beijing and Hefei, China completed a web‐based survey in 2012. Differences in consistency of the 5 As by nurse characteristics were determined using multivariate logistic regression. Overall importance of nurses in tobacco control was evaluated on a 1‐5 scale (5 = most important).

Results

Nurses (N = 2440; 1404 Beijing, 1036 Hefei) participated. 64% consistently asked about smoking status, 85% advised patients to quit, 52% assessed readiness to quit and assisted with smoking cessation and 17% arranged for follow‐up. Interventions varied by nurses’ education and clinical setting. Nurses positively viewed involvement in tobacco control (4·3/5) and thought nurses should be smoke‐free role models (4·8/5·0).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the majority of nurses asked about smoking status, but few assisted patients with quitting. Further efforts are needed to help nurses actively promote smoking cessation interventions.
Cow‐specific diet digestibility predictions based on near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy scans of faecal samples
Authors: Mehtiö T. , Rinne M. , Nyholm L. , Mäntysaari P. , Sairanen A. , Mäntysaari E.A. , Pitkänen T. , Lidauer M.H.
Published: September 2015

This study was designed to obtain information on prediction of diet digestibility from near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) scans of faecal spot samples from dairy cows at different stages of lactation and to develop a faecal sampling protocol. NIRS was used to predict diet organic matter digestibility (OMD) and indigestible neutral detergent fibre content (iNDF) from faecal samples, and dry matter digestibility (DMD) using iNDF in feed and faecal samples as an internal marker. Acid‐insoluble ash (AIA) as an internal digestibility marker was used as a reference method to evaluate the reliability of NIRS predictions. Feed and composite faecal samples were collected from 44 cows at approximately 50, 150 and 250 days in milk (DIM). The estimated standard deviation for cow‐specific organic matter digestibility analysed by AIA was 12.3 g/kg, which is small considering that the average was 724 g/kg. The phenotypic correlation between direct faecal OMD prediction by NIRS and OMD by AIA over the lactation was 0.51. The low repeatability and small variability estimates for direct OMD predictions by NIRS were not accurate enough to quantify small differences in OMD between cows. In contrast to OMD, the repeatability estimates for DMD by iNDF and especially for direct faecal iNDF predictions were 0.32 and 0.46, respectively, indicating that developing of NIRS predictions for cow‐specific digestibility is possible. A data subset of 20 cows with daily individual faecal samples was used to develop an on‐farm sampling protocol. Based on the assessment of correlations between individual sample combinations and composite samples as well as repeatability estimates for individual sample combinations, we found that collecting up to three individual samples yields a representative composite sample. Collection of samples from all the cows of a herd every third month might be a good choice, because it would yield a better accuracy.
Skin telocytes versus fibroblasts: two distinct dermal cell populations
Authors: Kang Yuli , Zhu Zaihua , Zheng Yonghua , Wan Weiguo , Manole Catalin G. , Zhang Qiangqiang
Published: September 2015

It is already accepted that telocytes (TCs) represent a new type of interstitial cells in human dermis. In normal skin, TCs have particular spatial relations with different dermal structures such as blood vessels, hair follicles, arrector pili muscles or segments of sebaceous and/or eccrine sweat glands. The distribution and the density of TCs is affected in various skin pathological conditions. Previous studies mentioned the particular (ultra)structure of TCs and also their immunophenotype, miR imprint or proteome, genome or secretome features. As fibroblast is the most common intersitital cell (also in human dermis), a dedicated comparison between human skin TCs and fibroblasts (Fbs) was required to be performed. In this study, using different techniques, we document several points of difference between human dermis TCs and Fbs. By transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we demonstrated TCs with their hallmark cellular prolongations – telopodes. Thus, we showed their ultrastructural distinctiveness from Fbs. By RayBio Human Cytokine Antibody Array V analyses performed on the supernatant from separately cultured TCs and Fbs, we detected the cytokine profile of both cell types, individually. Two of 79 detected cytokines – epithelial‐derived neutrophil‐activating peptide 78 and granulocyte chemotactic protein‐2 – were 1.5 times higher in the supernatant of TCs (comparing with Fbs). On the other hand, 37 cytokines were at least 1.5 higher in Fbs supernatant (comparing with TCs), and among them six cytokines – interleukin 5, monocyte chemotactic protein‐3 (MCP‐3), MCP‐4, macrophage inflammatory protein‐3, angiogenin, thrombopoietin – being 9.5 times higher (results also confirmed by ELISA testing). In summary, using different techniques, we showed that human dermal TCs and Fbs are different in terms of ultrastructure and cytokine profile.
Oral microbiome in chinese patients with aggressive periodontitis and their family members
Authors: Li Yi , Feng Xianghui , Xu Li , Zhang Li , Lu Ruifang , Shi Dong , Wang Xiane , Chen Feng , Li Jie , Meng Huanxin
Published: September 2015

Aim

To investigate the microbiome composition in Chinese patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP), and to compare the similarity of bacterial profiles between AgP patients and their family members.

Material and Methods

Pooled subgingival plaque and saliva samples were collected from 10 AgP patients and 10 of their first‐degree blood relatives with chronic periodontitis. DNA amplicons of the V1‐V3 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were generated, and were subjected to 454‐pyrosequencing.

Results

In subgingival plaque, the unweighted UniFrac distances between family members were significantly lower than those in unrelated participants (p = 0.039). Compared with the relatives, the microbiota of subgingival plaque and saliva from AgP patients revealed significantly lower taxonomic diversity. High relative abundance of Porphyromonas gingivalis (about 35.88%) was detected in subgingival plaque from AgP patients. The relative abundance of P. gingivalis and Red complex pathogens (P. gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia) in the subgingival plaque and saliva samples from the same individual were significantly correlated in AgP patients (ρ= 0.687 and 0.678, respectively).

Conclusions

There is a kinship in the phylogenetic architecture of microbiota among Chinese AgP patients and their family members. P. gingivalis might be a predominant pathogen in these Chinese AgP patients.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by tunicamycin increases resistin messenger ribonucleic acid through the pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum eukaryotic initiation factor 2α kinase–activating transcription factor 4–CAAT/enhancer binding protein‐α homologous protein pathway in THP‐1 human monocytes
Authors: Hamada Junpei , Onuma Hiroshi , Ochi Fumihiro , Hirai Hiroki , Takemoto Koji , Miyoshi Akiko , Matsushita Manami , Kadota Yuko , Ohashi Jun , Kawamura Ryoichi , Takata Yasunori , Nishida Wataru , Hashida Seiichi , Ishii Eiichi , Osawa Haruhiko
Published: September 2015

Aims/Introduction

Resistin, secreted from adipocytes, causes insulin resistance in mice. In humans, the resistin gene is mainly expressed in monocytes and macrophages. Tunicamycin is known to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and reduce resistin gene expression in 3T3‐L1 mouse adipocytes. The aim of the present study was to examine whether ER stress affects resistin gene expression in human monocytes.

Materials and Methods

The relationship between resistin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and ER stress markers mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in isolated monocytes of 30 healthy volunteers. The effect of endotoxin/lipopolysaccharides or tunicamycin on resistin gene expression was analyzed in THP‐1 human monocytes. Signaling pathways leading to resistin mRNA were assessed by the knockdown using small interfering RNA or overexpression of key molecules involved in unfolded protein response.

Results

Resistin mRNA was positively associated with immunoglobulin heavy chain‐binding protein (BiP) or CAAT/enhancer binding protein‐α homologous protein (CHOP) mRNA in human isolated monocytes. In THP‐1 cells, lipopolysaccharides increased mRNA of BiP, pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum eukaryotic initiation factor 2α kinase (PERK) and CHOP, as well as resistin. Tunicamycin also increased resistin mRNA. This induction appeared to be dose‐ and time‐dependent. Tunicamycin‐induced resistin mRNA was inhibited by chemical chaperone, 4‐phenylbutyric acid. The knockdown of either PERK, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) or CHOP reduced tunicamycin‐induced resistin mRNA. Conversely, overexpression of ATF4 or CHOP increased resistin mRNA.

Conclusions

Endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by tunicamycin increased resistin mRNA through the PERK–ATF4–CHOP pathway in THP‐1 human monocytes. ER stress could lead to insulin resistance through enhanced resistin gene expression in human monocytes.
Pancreatic tuberculosis
Authors: Sharma Vishal , Rana Surinder S , Kumar Amit , Bhasin Deepak K
Published: September 2015

Pancreatic tuberculosis is very rare, but recently, there has been a spurt in the number of reports on pancreatic involvement by tuberculosis. It closely mimics pancreatic cancer, and before the advent of better imaging modalities it was often detected as a histological surprise in patients resected for a presumed pancreatic malignancy. The usual presentation involves abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight, jaundice which can be associated with cholestasis, fever and night sweats, palpable abdominal lump, and peripheral lymphadenopathy. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen is an important tool for evaluation of patients with pancreatic tuberculosis. This CT imaging yields valuable information about the size and nature of tubercular lesions along with the presence of ascites and lymphadenopathy. However, there are no distinctive features on CT that distinguish it from pancreatic carcinoma. Endoscopic ultrasound provides high resolution images of the pancreatic lesions as well as an opportunity to sample these lesions for cytological confirmation. The presence of granulomas is the most common finding on histological/cytological examination with the presence of acid fast bacilli being observed only in minority of patients. As there are no randomized or comparative studies on treatment of pancreatic tuberculosis it is usually treated like other forms of tuberculosis. Excellent cure rates are reported with standard anti tubercular therapy given for 6–12 months.
Immunoglobulin A deficiency in celiac disease in the United States
Authors: Pallav Kumar , Xu Hua , Leffler Daniel A. , Kabbani Toufic , Kelly Ciaran P.
Published: September 2015

Background and Aims:

Multiple European studies report increased prevalence of selective immunoglobulin A deficiency (SIgAD) and partial immunoglobulin A deficiency (PIgAD) in patients with celiac disease (CD). However; prospective data representing North American adults are lacking. While SIgAD precludes the use of IgA‐tissue‐transglutaminase antibody (IgA‐tTG), the effect of PIgAD on IgA‐tTG sensitivity is not well documented. We aim to determine the prevalence and impact of IgA deficiency on CD presentation and diagnosis in North American adult patients.

Methods:

We reviewed 1000 consecutive patients undergoing IgA‐tTG testing and 243 healthy controls. Eligible sera were tested for IgA‐tTG, serum immunoglobulins, and IgA/IgG‐deamidated gliadin peptide (IgA/IgG‐DGP).

Results:

Prevalence of SIgAD was marginally higher in patients with CD (1.9%) compared with healthy controls (0.4%, P = 0.24) and patients without CD (0.7%, P = 0.173). Prevalence of PIGAD was similar in patients with CD (4.8%) compared with healthy controls (5.9%, P = 0.57) and patients without CD (7.2%, P = 0.22). One (16.7%) of 6 patients with CD with SIgAD and all 15 (100%) with PIGAD tested IgA‐tTG positive prior to gluten‐free diet initiation. Patients with CD with SIGAD showed lower frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms (33% vs 82%, P = 0.01) and more co‐morbid autoimmune disease (67% vs 23%, P = 0.03) when compared with patients with CD with normal IgA.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of SIgAD in North American patients with CD is comparable with European data but not significantly different than control populations. Patients with CD with SIgAD exhibit decreased IgA‐tTG sensitivity and lack of gastrointestinal symptoms. PIgAD is common in patients with gastrointestinal disorders but does not alter CD presentation or IgA‐tTG sensitivity.
Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of flumequine in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) after intravascular and oral administrations
Authors: Xu N. , Dong J. , Yang Y. , Yang Q. , Liu Y. , Ai X.
Published: September 2015

In this study, the pharmacokinetic profile of flumequine (FMQ) was investigated in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) after intravascular (3 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) and oral (50 mg/kg b.w.) administrations. The plasma samples were determinedby ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with fluorescence detection. After intravascular administration, plasma concentration–time curves were best described by a two‐compartment open model. The distribution half‐life (t1/2α), elimination half‐life (t1/2β), and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) of blunt snout bream were 0.6 h, 25.0 h, and 10612.7 h·μg/L, respectively. After oral administration, a two‐compartment open model with first‐order absorption was also best fit the data of plasma. The t1/2α, t1/2β, peak concentration (Cmax), time‐to‐peak concentration (Tmax), and AUC of blunt snout bream were estimated to be 2.5 h, 19.7 h, 3946.5 μg/L, 1.4 h, and 56618.1 h. μg/L, respectively. The oral bioavailability (F) was 32.0%. The pharmacokinetics of FMQ in blunt snout bream displayed low bioavailability, rapid absorption, and rapid elimination.
Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in snakehead fish, Channa argus
Authors: Fang X. , Zhou J. , Liu X.
Published: September 2015

The pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin (EF) was investigated after single intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) dose of 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) in snakehead fish at 24–26 °C. The plasma concentrations of EF and its metabolite ciprofloxacin (CF) were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentration–time data were described by an open two‐compartment model for both routes. After intravenous administration, the elimination half‐life (T1/2β), area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) and total body clearance of EF were 19.82 h, 75.79 μg h/mL and 0.13 L/h/kg, respectively. Following p.o. administration, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), T1/2β and AUC of EF were 1.86 μg/mL, 35.8 h and 49.98 μg h/mL, respectively. Absorption of EF was good with a bioavailability (F) of 65.82%, which was higher than that calculated in most seawater fish. CF, an active metabolite of EF, was detected occasionally in this study, which indicates a low extent of deethylation of EF in snakehead fish.
Interaction with therapeutic soft contact lenses affects the intraocular efficacy of tropicamide and latanoprost in dogs
Authors: Hatzav M. , Bdolah‐Abram T. , Ofri R.
Published: September 2015

Therapeutic soft contact lenses (TSCLs) are frequently used to support or protect the cornea during healing. Our aim was to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of topical medications inTSCL‐fitted dogs and determine whether it is affected by the presence ofTSCLs. InPhase I, pupil diameter was measured in eyes treated with tropicamide and in eyes covered withTSCLs and then treated with tropicamide, with 1‐week intervals between sessions. In PhaseII, intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in uncovered andTSCL‐covered eyes treated with latanoprost, with 1‐week intervals between sessions. Tropicamide caused significant mydriasis in both uncovered andTSCL‐covered eyes (P = 0.005). On the other hand, latanoprost caused a significant decrease inIOPwhen applied to uncovered eyes (P = 0.002), but had no significant effect onIOPwhen applied toTSCL‐covered eyes (P = 0.7). As we used the same dogs and identicalTSCLs throughout the study, we conclude that the different outcomes of the two drugs are due to properties of the drugs themselves, or their formulations, affecting their interaction with theTSCLs. The clinical efficacy of topical drugs applied toTSCL‐covered eyes may have to be determined for each drug and/or formulation.
Comparing Elicited Imitation and Word Monitoring as Measures of Implicit Knowledge
Authors: Suzuki Yuichi , DeKeyser Robert
Published: September 2015

The present study challenges the validity of elicited imitation (EI) as a measure for implicit knowledge, investigating to what extent online error detection and subsequent sentence repetition draw on implicit knowledge. To assess online detection during listening, a word monitoring component was built into an EI task. Advanced‐level Japanese L2 speakers with Chinese as their native language performed the EI task with the built‐in word monitoring component, a metalinguistic knowledge test, and a probabilistic serial reaction time (SRT) task, which served as a measure of aptitude for implicit learning. Results showed that EI scores were correlated positively with metalinguistic knowledge, but they were not related to the SRT scores. Word monitoring performance, in contrast, was not related to metalinguistic knowledge but correlated positively with SRT scores only among L2 speakers with longer lengths of residence. These results suggest that online error detection can index implicit knowledge, whereas EI may measure automatized explicit knowledge.

Open Practices

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