bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Emergency Department Response to Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence: Insights From Interviews With Clinicians in Australia
Authors: Dawson Angela J. , Rossiter Chris , Doab Anna , Romero Bernadine , Fitzpatrick Lesley , Fry Margaret
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives

Emergency departments (EDs) are essential providers of compassionate, immediate treatment and referral for women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV, largely perpetrated by men against women, exerts a substantial burden on the health systems and economies of all nations. There is little known about how staff in Australian EDs respond to the challenges such violence generates. We therefore examined the clinical team response to women experiencing IPV in two large Australian metropolitan hospital EDs.

Methods

We undertook qualitative semistructured interviews and focus group discussions with 35 social workers, nurses, and doctors. Transcripts were recorded and transcribed verbatim. We analyzed the data thematically. We first undertook line‐by‐line coding and organized content into descriptive categories. Latent and manifest patterns were identified across the data and mapped to key themes in negotiation with all authors.

Results

Respondents emphasized challenges identifying IPV resulting from professional uncertainty or discomfort and women's fear of the ramifications of disclosure. Emergency clinicians routinely referred women to social workers after medical treatment and described effective collaboration across professions. Social workers outlined difficulties coordinating care with health and community agencies. Staff highlighted challenges maintaining nonjudgmental attitudes and managing their own feelings—especially clinicians who had personally experienced violence.

Conclusions

Emergency departments can provide caring environments for women experiencing IPV. Effective interprofessional teamwork across nursing, medical, and social work professionals may mitigate the need for formal screening tools. Supportive workforce environments can improve staff understanding, reduce stigma, enhance appropriate treatment, and counsel health professionals experiencing violence. However, staff training and advocacy and referral relationships with local programs require strengthening. A connected multisystems‐level response is required to coordinate and resource services for all affected by violence.
Reasons for regular vaping and for its discontinuation among smokers and recent ex‐smokers: findings from the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey
Authors: Yong Hua‐Hie , Borland Ron , Cummings K. Michael , Gravely Shannon , Thrasher James F. , McNeill Ann , Hitchman Sara , Greenhalgh Elizabeth , Thompson Mary E. , Fong Geoffrey T.
Published: March 2019

Aims

To examine current and ex‐smokers’ reasons for continuing or discontinuing regular use of nicotine vaping products (NVPs).

Design and participants

Cross‐sectional study of 2722 current daily/weekly, and 921 ex‐daily/weekly, adult vapers who were either current or ex‐cigarette smokers when surveyed.

Setting

2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping wave 1 (4CV1) surveys conducted in the United States (n = 1159), England (n = 1269), Canada (n = 964) and Australia (n = 251).

Measurements

Current vapers were asked about the following reasons for regular NVP use: less harmful to others, social acceptance, enjoyment, use in smoke‐free areas, affordability and managing smoking behaviour. Ex‐vapers were asked about the following reasons for discontinuing regular NVP use: addiction concerns, affordability, negative experiences, perceived social unacceptability, safety concerns, product dissatisfaction, inconvenience, unhelpfulness for quitting, unhelpfulness for managing cravings and not needed for smoking relapse prevention. Possible correlates of NVP use and discontinuation, including smoking status, smoking/vaping frequency, quit duration (ex‐smokers only), country, age and type of NVP device used, were examined using multivariate logistic regression models.

Findings

For current smokers, the top three reasons for current regular NVP use were: helpful for cutting down smoking (85.6%), less harmful to others (77.9%) and helpful for quitting smoking (77.4%). The top three reasons for discontinuing vaping were: not being satisfying (77.9%), unhelpfulness for cravings (63.2%), and unhelpfulness for quitting smoking (52.4%). For ex‐smokers, the top three reasons for current vaping were: enjoyment (90.6%), less harmful to others (90%) and affordability (89.5%); and for discontinuing were: not needed to stay quit (77.3%), not being satisfying (49.5%) and safety concerns (44%). Reported reasons varied by user characteristics, including age, country and NVP device type.

Conclusions

Regular use of nicotine vaping products is mainly motivated by its perceived benefits, especially for reducing or quitting smoking, whereas its discontinuation is motivated by perceived lack of such benefits, with some variation by user characteristics.
Renal denervation attenuates pressure overload‐induced cardiac remodelling in rats with biphasic regulation of autophagy
Authors: Huo Jun‐Yu , Jiang Wan‐Ying , Geng Jie , Chen Chu , Zhu Lin , Chen Ran , Ge Tian‐Tian , Chang Qing , Jiang Zhi‐Xin , Shan Qi‐Jun
Published: March 2019

Aim

This study aimed to investigate effects of renal denervation (RDN) on pressure overload‐induced cardiac remodelling in rats and the related mechanisms.

Methods

Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to generate cardiac remodelling. RDN was performed 1 week after TAC. The animals were divided into four groups: control group, TAC group, TAC+RDN group and control+RDN group. Rats in all groups were studied at 3 and 10 weeks after TAC respectively. Echocardiography and histology were used to evaluate cardiac function and pathological changes. TUNEL staining and western blotting were used to assess apoptosis. Western blotting and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate autophagy.

Results

Three weeks after TAC, the TAC rats exhibited cardiac hypertrophy with normal cardiac function and no myocardial interstitial fibrosis or apoptosis, accompanied by a lower LC3 II level and fewer autophagic vacuoles in the left ventricles, both in the presence and absence of chloroquine (CQ), indicating suppressed autophagy at this stage. RDN ameliorated these pathological changes and attenuated the decrease in autophagy. Ten weeks after TAC, the TAC rats had decreased cardiac function, obvious cardiac interstitial fibrosis and apoptosis, with increased autophagy. RDN prevented these pathological changes, coincident with attenuation of increased autophagy.

Conclusion

Autophagy was suppressed at the early stage but activated at the late stage of TAC‐induced cardiac remodelling. RDN attenuated the pathological changes of TAC rats, accompanied by attenuation of the changes in autophagy. Thus, RDN ameliorated TAC‐induced cardiac remodelling partially associated with biphasic modulation of autophagy.
Review article: a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of Budd‐Chiari syndrome
Authors: Khan Faisal , Armstrong Matthew J. , Mehrzad Homoyon , Chen Frederick , Neil Desley , Brown Rachel , Cain Owen , Tripathi Dhiraj
Published: March 2019

Background

Budd‐Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare but fatal disease caused by obstruction in the hepatic venous outflow tract.

Aim

To provide an update of the pathophysiology, aetiology, diagnosis, management and follow‐up of BCS.

Methods

Analysis of recent literature by using Medline, PubMed and EMBASE databases.

Results

Primary BCS is usually caused by thrombosis and is further classified into “classical BCS” type where obstruction occurs within the hepatic vein and “hepatic vena cava BCS” which involves thrombosis of the intra/suprahepatic portion of the inferior vena cava (IVC). BCS patients often have a combination of prothrombotic risk factors. Aetiology and presentation differ between Western and certain Asian countries. Myeloproliferative neoplasms are present in 35%‐50% of European patients and are usually associated with the JAK2‐V617F mutation. Clinical presentation is diverse and BCS should be excluded in any patient with acute or chronic liver disease. Non‐invasive imaging (Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging) usually provides the diagnosis. Liver biopsy should be obtained if small vessel BCS is suspected. Stepwise management strategy includes anticoagulation, treatment of identified prothrombotic risk factors, percutaneous revascularisation and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt to re‐establish hepatic venous drainage, and liver transplantation in unresponsive patients. This strategy provides a 5‐year survival rate of nearly 90%. Long‐term outcome is influenced by any underlying haematological condition and development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Conclusions

With the advent of newer treatment strategies and improved understanding of BCS, outcomes in this rare disease have improved over the last three decades. An underlying haematological disorder can be the major determinant of outcome.
TIPSS for variceal bleeding in patients with idiopathic non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension: comparison with patients who have cirrhosis
Authors: Lv Yong , Li Kai , He Chuangye , Luo Bohan , Zhang Bojing , Liu Haibo , Wang Zhengyu , Guo Wengang , Wang Qiuhe , Chen Hui , Bai Wei , Yuan Xulong , Yu Tianlei , Li Xiaomei , Yuan Jie , Han Na , Zhu Ying , Niu Jing , Xie Huahong , Wang Jianhong , Chen Ling , Yin Zhanxin , Fan Daiming , Li Zengshan , Han Guohong
Published: March 2019

Background

In patients with idiopathic non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH), the usual recommended strategy for management of variceal bleeding is the same as that in cirrhosis. However, this policy has been challenged by the different natural history between INCPH and cirrhosis.

Aim

To compare outcomes after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) between INCPH and cirrhotic patients admitted for variceal bleeding.

Methods

Between March 2001 and September 2015, 76 consecutive patients with biopsy‐proven INCPH undergoing TIPSS for variceal bleeding in a tertiary‐care centre were included. 76 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension receiving TIPSS for variceal bleeding, and matched for age, sex, Child‐Pugh class, stent type and index year of TIPSS creation served as controls.

Results

Patients with INCPH, compared to those with cirrhosis, had significantly lower mortality (11% vs 36% at 5 years, adjusted HR, 0.37; 95% CI 0.15‐0.87, P = 0.022), overt hepatic encephalopathy (16% vs 33% at 5 years, adjusted HR, 0.35; 95% CI 0.16‐0.75, P = 0.007) and hepatic impairment, despite similar rates of further bleeding (33% vs 32% at 5 years, adjusted HR, 0.72; 95% CI 0.36‐1.44, P = 0.358), and shunt dysfunction (35% vs 36% at 5 years, adjusted HR, 0.84; 95% CI 0.41‐1.72, P = 0.627). These findings were consistent across different relevant subgroups.

Conclusions

Patients with INCPH treated with TIPSS for variceal bleeding had similar progression of portal hypertension (further bleeding and shunt dysfunction) but fewer complications of liver disease (overt hepatic encephalopathy and hepatic insufficiency) and lower mortality rate compared with cirrhotic patients with comparable liver function.
The international face of Thessaloniki: The “Greek crisis,” the entrepreneurial mayor, and mainstream media discourses
Authors: Katsinas Philipp
Published: March 2019

Thessaloniki and its mayor have been portrayed quite favourably in international mainstream media compared to the Greek state after the 2008 economic crisis. The dominant (media) discourses on Greece interpret the crisis as the result of the failure of the Greek state to reform due to the prevalence of a traditional political culture over a modern one and the moral failures of the population. In the international media representations of Thessaloniki, the local government has been described as “exceptional” in its crisis management compared to the state and other local governments, and the city's mayor, Yiannis Boutaris, has been portrayed as a reform hero, due to the implemented entrepreneurial development strategy and the revamp of the city's image through place branding. Analysing the key role of international media in the production and reproduction of a place‐branding campaign of Thessaloniki in international media by employing critical discourse analysis, the paper questions the favourable representations of the city compared to the Greek state during the same period. I argue that the serial repetition of positive images contributed to Thessaloniki being perceived as an example to be followed by other Greek local governments and the central state, acting as a best practice example for transformations envisioned on wider scales. The paper contributes to place‐branding debates by illustrating the important role of international media in the dissemination of place brands, and by analysing how media representations of place may serve the legitimation of processes of neoliberalisation on scales wider than the concrete urban setting where they occur.
The specialised pro‐resolving lipid mediator maresin 1 reduces inflammatory pain with a long‐lasting analgesic effect
Authors: Fattori Victor , Pinho‐Ribeiro Felipe A. , Staurengo‐Ferrari Larissa , Borghi Sergio M. , Rossaneis Ana C. , Casagrande Rubia , Verri Waldiceu A.
Published: March 2019

Background and Purpose

Maresin 1 (MaR1) is a specialised pro‐resolving lipid mediator with anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities. In this study, we addressed the modulation of peripheral and spinal cord cells by MaR1 in the context of inflammatory pain.

Experimental Approach

Mice were treated with MaR1 before intraplantar injection of carrageenan or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed using the electronic von Frey and thermal hyperalgesia using a hot plate. Spinal cytokine production and NF‐κB activation were determined by ELISA and astrocytes and microglia activation by RT‐qPCR and immunofluorescence. CGRP release by dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons was determined by EIA. Neutrophil and macrophage recruitment were determined by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and colorimetric methods. Trpv1 and Nav1.8 expression and calcium imaging of DRG neurons were determined by RT‐qPCR and Fluo‐4AM respectively.

Key Results

MaR1 reduced carrageenan‐ and CFA‐induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and neutrophil and macrophage recruitment proximal to CGRP+ fibres in the paw skin. Moreover, MaR1 reduced NF‐κB activation, IL‐1β and TNF‐α production, and spinal cord glial cells activation. In the DRG, MaR1 reduced CFA‐induced Nav1.8 and Trpv1 mRNA expression and calcium influx and capsaicin‐induced release of CGRP by DRG neurons.

Conclusions and Implications

MaR1 reduced DRG neurons activation and CGRP release explaining, at least in part, its analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects. The enduring analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects and also post‐treatment activity of MaR1 suggest that specialised pro‐resolving lipid mediators have potential as a new class of drugs for the treatment of inflammatory pain.
Telomeropathies: Etiology, diagnosis, treatment and follow‐up. Ethical and legal considerations
Authors: Armando Romina G. , Mengual Gomez Diego L. , Maggio Julián , Sanmartin María C. , Gomez Daniel E.
Published: March 2019

Telomeropathies involve a wide variety of infrequent genetic diseases caused by mutations in the telomerase maintenance mechanism or the DNA damage response (DDR) system. They are considered a family of rare diseases that often share causes, molecular mechanisms and symptoms. Generally, these diseases are not diagnosed until the symptoms are advanced, diminishing the survival time of patients. Although several related syndromes may still be unrecognized this work describes those that are known, highlighting that because they are rare diseases, physicians should be trained in their early diagnosis. The etiology and diagnosis are discussed for each telomeropathy and the treatments when available, along with a new classification of this group of diseases. Ethical and legal issues related to this group of diseases are also considered.
Generality of genomic findings on blood pressure traits and its usefulness in precision medicine in diverse populations: A systematic review
Authors: Kolifarhood Goodarz , Daneshpour Maryam S. , Khayat Bahareh S. , Saadati Hossein M. , Guity Kamran , Khosravi Nasim , Akbarzadeh Mahdi , Sabour Siamak
Published: March 2019

Remarkable findings from genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) on blood pressure (BP) traits have made new insights for developing precision medicine toward more effective screening measures. However, generality of GWAS findings in diverse populations is hampered by some technical limitations. There is no comprehensive study to evaluate source(s) of the non‐generality of GWAS results on BP traits, so to fill the gap, this systematic review study was carried out. Using MeSH terms, 1545 records were detected through searching in five databases and 49 relevant full‐text articles were included in our review. Overall, 749 unique variants were reported, of those, majority of variants have been detected in Europeans and were associated to systolic and diastolic BP traits. Frequency of genetic variants with same position was low in European and non‐European populations (n = 38). However, more than 200 (>25%) single nucleotide polymorphisms were found on same loci or linkage disequilibrium blocks (r2 ≥ 80%). Investigating for locus position and linkage disequilibrium of infrequent unique variants showed modest to high reproducibility of findings in Europeans that in some extent was generalizable in other populations. Beyond theoretical limitations, our study addressed other possible sources of non‐generality of GWAS findings for BP traits in the same and different origins.
The chemical surface evaluation of black and white porous titanium granules and different commercial dental implants with energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy analysis
Authors: Guler Berceste , Uraz Ahu , Çetiner Deniz
Published: March 2019

Background

The chemical surface structure of the porous titanium grafts has not been found to study in the literature on the similarity of chemical surfaces of different commercial dental implants.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the chemical composition and surface energies of white (WPTG) and black porous titanium granules (PTG) by energy dispersive x‐ray spectrometry (EDX) analysis to compare with different commercial dental implant surface.

Materials and Methods

The surface chemical compositions of six commercially available dental implants with different surface structures, PTG and WPTG were examined by EDX analysis. Surface analyzes were performed on the apical, middle, and coronal parts of each implant and on the top, flank, and valley regions on each side. Surface analyzes of dental implants were evaluated at ×200 and ×2000 magnifications. The EDX evaluation of PTG grafts were evaluated at ×250, ×2000, ×5000, and ×50 000 magnifications.

Results

PTG grafts showed elements of Na (8.88 ± 9.98%), Cl (2.44 ± 1.96%), and Al (0.99 ± 0.37%) as well as Ti (90.06 ± 11.34%) molecule at ×5000 magnification. In WPTG, Ti (%34.55 ± 6.41%) and O (%65.44 ± 6.42%) molecules were detected.

Conclusions

It has been found that PTG surface was not made of pure titanium, it has different chemical molecules at larger magnifications. Cell culture and experimental studies are needed to establish a relationship between the different commercial implants and the surface structure of the titanium granules.
Repetitive saliva swallowing test and water swallowing test may identify a COPD phenotype at high risk of exacerbation
Authors: Yoshimatsu Yuki , Tobino Kazunori , Sueyasu Takuto , Nishizawa Saori , Goto Yuki , Murakami Kojin , Munechika Miyuki , Yoshimine Kohei , Miyajima Hiroyuki
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are known to present with dysphagia from an early stage. Dysphagia leads to swallowing‐related complications, in turn leading to COPD exacerbation. Dysphagia screening is recommended; however little is known of its utility in detecting a COPD phenotype at risk for exacerbation. The simple swallowing provocation test (SSPT), considered to be a standard screening test, requires specific equipment, physician skill and patient discomfort.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to find an easier and less invasive measure to screen for dysphagia in patients with COPD.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with COPD who were screened for dysphagia [Repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST), water swallowing test (WST), SSPT and a questionnaire] from June to November 2016. The patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of COPD exacerbation in the past 3 years (ie, exacerbation and non‐exacerbation group), and the dysphagia screening results were compared between the groups.

Results

Of the 80 cases included, 42 had 1 or more exacerbations in the past 3 years (exacerbation group), and 38 had none (non‐exacerbation group). Statistically significant differences between the groups were observed in the RSST, and vocal change in the WST (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in the results of SSPT, COPD stage and other clinical status.

Conclusions

Compared to the SSPT, RSST and WST may be more appropriate screening methods in patients with COPD. A prospective study is necessary for further assessment.
Determinants of Cytochrome P450 2D6 mRNA Levels in Healthy Human Liver Tissue
Authors: Ning Miaoran , Duarte Julio D. , Stevison Faith , Isoherranen Nina , Rubin Leah H. , Jeong Hyunyoung
Published: March 2019

Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a major drug‐metabolizing enzyme that exhibits large interindividual variability. Recent studies suggest that differential transcriptional regulation of CYP2D6 in part may be responsible for the variability. In this study, we characterized potential determinants of CYP 2D6  transcript levels in healthy human liver tissue samples (n = 115), including genetic polymorphisms in CYP2D6 and the genes encoding transcription regulators for CYP2D6 expression; mRNA expression of the transcription factors and their known target genes; and hepatic levels of bile acids and retinoids, agents that modulate the expression/activity of the transcription factors. Their associations with CYP2D6 mRNA levels in the tissues were examined. Results from multivariable linear regression analysis revealed CYP8B1 mRNA level and rs3892097, the single‐ nucleotide polymorphism defining the nonfunctional CYP2D6*4 allele, as the two most significant predictors of CYP2D6 mRNA levels in the liver tissue samples, explaining 30% of the variability.
Minima sensibilia: Against the dynamic snapshot model of temporal experience
Authors: Shardlow Jack
Published: March 2019

In our wakeful conscious lives, the experience of time and dynamic temporal phenomena—such as continuous motion and change—appears to be ubiquitous. How is it that temporality is woven into our conscious experience? Is it through perceptual experience presenting a series of instantaneous states of the world, which combine together—in a sense which would need to be specified—to give us experience of dynamic temporal phenomena? In this paper, I argue that this is not the case. Several authors have recently proposed dynamic snapshot models of temporal experience—such as Prosser and Arstila, building upon Le Poidevin—according to which, perceptual experience has no temporal content of a non‐zero extent. I argue that there is an absence of motivation for such a view; I develop and defend the claim that perceptual experience minimally presents something of some non‐zero temporal extent as such.
To scan or not to scan? Occurrence of the group‐size effect in a seasonally nongregarious forager
Authors: Fattorini Niccolò , Ferretti Francesco
Published: March 2019

Group‐living requires a compromise between safety and direct/indirect costs for individuals. The larger is the group, the greater is the collective vigilance, leading to a greater net food intake per forager because of the time saved individually from scanning behaviour. In turn, individual alertness usually decreases with increasing group size (“group‐size effect”). Information on the occurrence of group‐size effect is still unclear. Previous studies have shown that it may fail to occur or even reverse, for example when costs of interference between conspecifics are high. In turn, assessing whether the group‐size effect would occur in weakly or seasonally gregarious species may help to understand its drivers. We evaluated the occurrence and the extent of group‐size effect in a seasonally nongregarious herbivore, the roe deer Capreolus capreolus. We examined the roles of sex/age class and season as drivers of vigilance behaviour. In roe deer, the group‐size effect did not depend on sex/age class: time spent foraging increased with increasing group size; in turn, vigilance increased with decreasing group size, in all sex/age classes. Females with fawns were the most vigilant sex/age class, thus revealing the cost of offspring protection. Accordingly, the higher spring vigilance levels of does could be related to reproductive costs (e.g., defence of newborn fawns). Conversely, the greater summer vigilance of bucks could result from patrolling/defence of territories. Both adult males and females also showed the higher vigilance in winter, likely because of an increase in the perception of predation risk and/or, possibly, hormones linked to an increase in intolerance of conspecifics, in males. However, the group‐size effect occurred in all the seasons, for adult males and females. Our findings suggest that foraging benefits provided by the group‐size effect may have overcome costs of group‐living, even in a weakly gregarious forager.
Meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, can discriminate between scents of individual house cats, Felis catus
Authors: Rohrer Karl N. , Ferkin Michael H.
Published: March 2019

Individual discrimination provides animals the opportunity to adjust their exposure and behavior when interacting with other animals, both conspecifics and heterospecifics. Meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, were exposed to scents of house cats, Felis catus. Our first experiment tested whether meadow voles could discriminate between caudal, interdigital, and facial scents produced by a cat with a habituation–dishabituation paradigm. Upon exposure to the familiar scent and a novel one, meadow voles did not investigate either scent more than the other. Our second experiment tested whether meadow voles discriminate between the facial scents of different cats. When exposed to a familiar scent of one cat and the unfamiliar scent of another cat, the meadow voles did discriminate and investigated the unfamiliar scent more than the familiar scent. The results suggest that meadow voles will discriminate between cats using any scent that the cat may inadvertently leave within the environment, thereby reducing the vole's risk of predation by that individual.
Climatic impact, future biomass production, and local adaptation of four switchgrass cultivars
Authors: Zhang Li , Juenger Thomas E. , Lowry David B. , Behrman Kathrine D.
Published: March 2019

Previous studies have shown that switchgrass has a wide range of genetic variation and that productivity is linked to local adaptation to the location of origin for many cultivars. In this meta‐analysis, we compiled and analyzed 900 observations associated with 41 field trials for four switchgrass cultivars (two lowlands, Alamo and Kanlow, and two uplands, Cave‐In‐Rock and Shelter). This extensive dataset and machine learning were used to identify the most influential variables impacting switchgrass productivity, to search for evidence of local adaptation to each cultivar's location of origin, and to predict change in productivity under future climate for each cultivar. In general, variables associated with climate and management are more important predictors of productivity relative to soil variables. Three climatic variables, annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, and precipitation in the wettest month, are identified as key environmental variables for productivity of all cultivars. Productivity under future climate (2041–2060) is predicted to stay stable for all cultivars relative to the prediction under current climate (1986–2005) across all trial locations and over a 20‐year simulation period. However, the productivity of each cultivar varies from location to location and from year to year, although productivity varies more between locations than between years. Additionally, we observe shifts in the most productive cultivar at the local field scale depending on the combination of management practice and climates. The shape of the relationship between productivity and the annual mean temperature relative to the cultivar's location of origin is a bell‐shaped curve for Kanlow, Cave‐in‐Rock, and Shelter, indicative of local adaptation. Identifying influential environmental variables and their relationships to productivity with respect to cultivar's location of origin help predicting productivity on the local field scale, and will help with the biofuel production planning through the selection of suitable cultivars for different locations under climate changes.
Teaching undergraduate geriatric dentistry in five South America countries
Authors: del Rosario Ruiz Núñez María , Finkler Mirelle , Castro Renata Goulart , Carcereri Daniela Lemos , Ferreira de Mello Ana Lucia Schaefer
Published: March 2019

Objective

This study aimed to qualitatively analyse undergraduate geriatric dentistry (GD) teaching characteristics identified by geriatric dentistry teachers and senior students in five South American countries.

Background

GD involves the knowledge and skills required to provide oral health care for older people.

Methods

Exploratory‐descriptive research with a qualitative approach developed in the undergraduate context of public universities in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Nine dental schools were intentionally selected. The participants were GD module teachers (20) and their senior students (30). Data were collected through open interviews via Skype®conducted between May and August 2015 and were analysed using a content analysis technique with ATLAS.ti®software, resulting in four categories.

Results

GD modules are theoretical or a theoretical‐practical mix. Most teachers are prosthodontists without specific training in GD. Their motivations to teach GD are related to personal, family, professional and social reasons. Humanity, sensitivity and knowledge of older people are considered fundamental characteristics of a GD teacher.

Conclusions

Students' first contact with an older person usually occurs during clinical activities. The participants mentioned insufficient hours for GD modules in the curricula and exclusively theoretical modules that do not allow students to learn typical specificities of older people. In the context of this study, the undergraduate GD teaching‐learning process presented some weaknesses regarding educational methods, professor training and the interaction between older people and students. Diversification of learning scenarios and GD professor training are highly recommended.
Seeding strategies of bahiagrass and pintoi peanut affect pasture establishment under weed competition
Authors: Sanchez Joao M. D. , Vendramini Joao M. B. , Silveira Maria L. , Sollenberger Lynn E. , Dubeux Jose C. B. , Moriel Philipe , Sellers Brent , Yarborough James K. , Leite de Oliveira Fabio C.
Published: March 2019

Pintoi peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg.) is a warm‐season perennial legume with potential for use in grass–legume mixtures in Florida; however, limited information exists about its establishment in mixtures with bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the establishment of bahiagrass cv. “Argentine” and pintoi peanut cv. “Amarillo” as monocultures or mixture. The experiment was conducted in Ona, FL, from June to October of 2014 and 2015. Treatments were a split‐plot design of seeding strategies (bahiagrass monoculture, pintoi peanut monoculture or bahiagrass‐pintoi peanut mixtures; main plots) and two N fertilization strategies (30 or 80 kg/ha N; 30N and 80N; subplots), with four replicates. Measurements of plant density and frequency were taken every 4 weeks after seeding. Ground cover and herbage mass (HM) measurements were taken 112 days after seeding. Pintoi peanut ground cover was affected by seeding strategy × N level interaction. Ground cover was greater with 80N than 30N when pintoi was seeded in monoculture (3.6% vs 1.5% respectively) but not when it was seeded with bahiagrass (2.1%). There was no effect of seeding or N strategy on pintoi peanut proportion in HM (1.4%). Bahiagrass ground cover was not affected by seeding or N strategy (15.9%); however, its proportion in the HM was greater in 80N than 30N (12.1% vs 9.4% respectively). Mixed seeding did not negatively affect the establishment of bahiagrass and pintoi peanut and greater N fertilization levels improved some establishment parameters, with no negative effect for pintoi peanut.
Thirteen‐year variation in biomass allocation under climate change in an alpine Kobresia meadow, northern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Dai Licong , Guo Xiaowei , Du Yangong , Ke Xun , Cao Yingfang , Li Yikang , Cao Guangmin , Zhang Fawei
Published: March 2019

Alpine grassland ecosystems are thought to be the most sensitive ecosystems to climate change, yet the responses of their belowground biomass and potential climatic controls are poorly understood. Thirteen‐year (2004 ‐ 2016) time‐series of observational belowground biomass data and environmental factors were analysed in a humid alpine Kobresia meadow on the Northern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Results showed that the mean air temperature increased by 0.44°C from 2004 to 2016, while annual precipitation remained relatively stable. The belowground biomass across all soil depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–40 cm) increased significantly, while aboveground biomass showed little change. The proportion of 0–10 cm belowground biomass decreased, whereas the other proportions both increased, which could be mostly attributed to variations in maximum air temperature. There was no significant relationship between aboveground biomass of plant functional groups and belowground biomass across all depths, indicating that the impact of maximum air temperature on belowground biomass should not be limited by aboveground biomass. The asymmetrical response of aboveground and belowground biomass under current climate fluctuations could provide new insights for the appropriate management of the alpine ecosystem.
Integrated phenotype–genotype approach in diagnosis and classification of common central nervous system tumours
Authors: Merve Ashirwad , Millner Thomas O , Marino Silvia
Published: March 2019

After nearly a century of histological classification of central nervous system tumours, the 2016 revised WHO classification has incorporated molecular features with clinical and prognostic relevance into brain tumour classification. In this review, we discuss the latest integrated phenotype–genotype approach to the most common intrinsic brain tumours in adults and children. The key genetic mutations and abnormalities, essential to the definition of these tumours, in line with the current WHO classification are described. Practical dilemmas, including ‘difficult’ tumours, the utility of DNA methylation classifiers and relevant recent advances post‐WHO 2016 consensus are also discussed.
Two‐drug vs. three‐drug combinations for HIV‐1: Do we have enough data to make the switch?
Authors: Moreno S , Perno CF , Mallon PW , Behrens G , Corbeau P , Routy J‐P , Darcis G
Published: March 2019

Three‐drug combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) became available in 1996, dramatically improving the prognosis of people living with HIV. The clinical benefits of ART are due to the sustained viral load suppression and CD4 T cell gains. Major drawbacks of the first ART regimens were adverse events, and high pill burden, which led to the reduction of drug adherence resulting in frequent treatment discontinuations and the development of drug resistance. Due to increased viral potency of new antiretroviral drugs consideration of a two‐drug combination therapy repositioning occurred in an effort to reduce adverse events, drug‐drug interactions and cost, while maintaining a sustained antiviral effect. Various combinations of two‐drug regimens have been studied, and non‐inferiority compared to a three‐drug regimen has been shown only for some of them. In addition, a two‐drug combination regimen may not be suitable for every patient, especially those who are pregnant, those with tuberculosis or coexisting HBV infection. Furthermore no information has been generated concerning the secondary transmission of HIV from patients who have undetectable plasma viral load on two‐drug regimens. Additional studies of two‐drug combinations are also necessary to evaluate the debated existence of low viral replication in tissues and on immune activation. While there is no urgent need to routinely switch patients to two‐drug combination therapy, due to the availability of drug combinations without significant toxicities, dual regimens represent a suitable option that deserve long‐term evaluation before being introduced to clinical practice.
Evaluation of changes in ion release and biological properties of NeoMTA‐Plus and Endocem‐MTA exposed to an acidic environment
Authors: Rodríguez‐Lozano F. J. , Collado‐González M. , López‐García S. , García‐Bernal D. , Moraleda J. M. , Lozano A. , Forner L. , Murcia L. , Oñate‐Sánchez R. E.
Published: March 2019

Aim

To analyse in vitro changes in ion release and biological properties of Endocem‐MTA (Maruchi, Wonju, Korea) and NeoMTA‐Plus (Avalon Biomed Inc, Bradenton, FL, USA) exposed to acidic or neutral environment on human dental periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).

Methodology

Cell viability and wound healing assays were performed using eluates of each material. Cell death and changes in phenotype induced by the set endodontic sealer eluates were evaluated through flow cytometry. To evaluate cell attachment to the different materials, hPDLSCs were directly seeded onto the material surfaces and analysed by scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition of the materials was determined by energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), and ion release was evaluated by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance and a Bonferroni or Tukey post‐test (α < 0.05).

Results

The MTT assay revealed non‐cytotoxic effects of NeoMTA‐Plus and Endocem‐MTA at pH 5.2 and 7.4. However, there were minor differences compared with the control, especially at pH 5.2, where both materials were associated with significantly greater cell viability (P < 0.05). In both environments, the materials stimulated hPDLSCs to migrate. hPDLSCs were attached to the bioactive cements, with multiple prolongations proliferated on the surface of the samples. Moreover, there were no changes to cell phenotype or apoptosis/necrosis rates, indicating that the acidic environment did not induce cell death. Prismatic crystalline structures were seen on the surface of the cements exposed to butyric acid and EDX analysis identified a marked peak of Ca2+ from NeoMTA‐Plus and Endocem‐MTA in acidic and physiological environments.

Conclusions

An acidic environment favoured the release of Ca2+ ions from both bioactive cements, and the cytotoxicity of these bioactive cements was low in both environments studied.
Evolving trends in the surgical management of renal masses over the past two decades: A contemporary picture from a large prospectively‐maintained database
Authors: Chen Kenneth , Lee Alvin , Huang Hong Hong , Tay Kae Jack , Sim Allen , Lee Lui Shiong , Cheng Christopher Wai Sam , Ng Lay Guat , Ho Henry Sun Sien , Yuen John Shyi Peng
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To investigate the trends in the presentation and surgical management of renal tumors at Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Methods

We accessed our uro‐oncological registry to extract the clinicopathological data of patients with renal tumors who underwent nephrectomy from 2000 to 2015. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of nephron‐sparing surgery utilization, Clavien–Dindo grade ≥III complications and progression to stage ≥3 chronic kidney disease. Cox regression models were created to evaluate the proportional hazards of the risk factors for overall survival and cancer‐specific survival.

Results

A total of 1208 cases of nephrectomy were carried out between 2000 and 2015. The proportion of cT1a tumors increased from 2000–2004 to 2010–2015, which was accompanied by the doubling of utilization rates of nephron‐sparing surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Charlson Comorbidity Index score <2, asymptomatic presentation, clinical T1a tumors and having an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2 were all independent predictors of nephron‐sparing surgery utilization. Age, symptomatic presentation and nephron‐sparing surgery utilization were all significantly associated with greater odds of having Clavien–Dindo grade ≥III complications, whereas minimally invasive surgery was associated with decreased risk. The utilization of partial nephrectomy and minimally invasive surgery was significantly associated with a decreased risk of developing postoperative stage ≥3 chronic kidney disease. Both overall survival and cancer‐specific survival were not significantly affected by whether nephron‐sparing surgery was utilized.

Conclusions

There has been an increasing proportion of small renal masses diagnosed incidentally with a shift towards nephron‐sparing surgery for clinically localized tumors. With the adoption of nephron‐sparing surgery, progression to stage 3 chronic kidney disease has decreased, without any compromise in oncological and survival outcomes.
Role of employee felt obligation and endorsement of the just world hypothesis: A social exchange theory investigation in an organizational justice context
Authors: Roch Sylvia G. , Shannon Choe E. , Martin Jeremiah J. , Swiderski David , Agosta John P. , Shanock Linda R.
Published: March 2019

According to social exchange theory, felt obligation after being treated justly is key to explaining why justice perceptions influence behaviors important to organizations, such as task performance and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Perhaps those who believe in a just world (Just World Hypothesis, JWH) are more likely to feel obligated to reciprocate just treatment with behaviors benefiting the organization. Thus, our goal was to investigate whether belief in the JWH influences to what extent people feel obligated after being treated justly and the importance of felt obligation in regard to behavioral outcomes, such as OCB and task performance. Based on 160 university alumni and their supervisors, results provide support that justice perceptions can relate to both job performance and OCB via felt obligation, providing empirical support for the theoretical role of felt obligation in the social exchange theory explanation of how justice perceptions can translate into employee behaviors benefiting the organization. Results also suggest that endorsement of the JWH interacts with procedural and distributive justice perceptions, but not interpersonal justice perceptions, to influence felt obligation and that the indirect effect of distributive and procedural justice perceptions on both OCB and task performance via felt obligation is only significant for individuals with relatively high levels of endorsement of the JWH. Implications are discussed.
Mitigation system threat partially mediates the effects of right‐wing ideologies on climate change beliefs
Authors: Clarke Edward J. R. , Ling Mathew , Kothe Emily J. , Klas Anna , Richardson Ben
Published: March 2019

Research consistently shows that right‐wing ideological adherents are more likely to deny climate change. However, less is known about how right‐wing ideological subtypes are uniquely related to climate change denial, as well as what explains these relationships. This study examines whether threat to the socioeconomic system in the form of climate change mitigation policies, referred to as Climate Change Mitigation Threat (CCMT), mediates the relationships between Right‐Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) and Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) subtypes and four forms of climate change denial (existence denial, human cause denial, impact denial and climate science denial). U.S. participants (N = 334; Mage = 34.70, SD = 5.98) were recruited via Amazon MTurk. When shared variance in the predictors was accounted for, we found that: (a) Conventionalism (RWA‐C) positively predicted all forms of climate change denial; (b) Dominance (SDO‐D) positively predicted existence denial; (c) Anti‐Egalitarianism (SDO‐E) positively predicted both human cause and impact denial; and (d) Aggression (RWA‐A) negatively predicted existence denial. All significant direct relationships were partially mediated by CCMT, except for the direct paths between SDO‐D and existence denial, and RWA‐A and existence denial. These findings suggest that right‐wing adherents who conform to societal norms and prefer unequal social systems may deny climate change partly due to a perception that mitigation strategies proposed to combat climate change threaten the existing socioeconomic system.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices and transvenous leads
Authors: Dinshaw Leon , Schäffer Benjamin , Akbulak Özge , Jularic Mario , Hartmann Jens , Klatt Niklas , Dickow Jannis , Gunawardene Melanie , Münkler Paula , Hakmi Samer , Pecha Simon , Sultan Arian , Lüker Jakob , Pinnschmidt Hans , Hoffmann Boris , Gosau Nils , Eickholt Christian , Willems Stephan , Steven Daniel , Meyer Christian
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Long‐term efficacy and safety are uncertain in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) and transvenous leads (TVL) undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus, we assessed the outcome of AF ablation in those patients during long‐term follow‐up using continuous atrial rhythm monitoring (CARM).

Methods and Results

A total of 190 patients (71.3 ± 10.7 years; 108 (56.8% men) were included in this study. At index procedure 81 (42.6%) patients presented with paroxysmal AF and 109 (57.4%) with persistent AF. The ablation strategy included pulmonary vein isolation in all patients and biatrial ablation of complex fractionated electrograms with additional ablation lines, if appropriate. AF recurrences were assessed by CARM‐ and CIED‐related complications by device follow‐up. After a mean follow‐up of 55.4 ± 38.1 months, freedom of AF was found in 86 (61.4%) and clinical success defined as an AF burden less than or equal to 1% in 101 (72.1%) patients. Freedom of AF was reported in 74.6% and 51.9% (P = 0.006) and clinical success in 89.8% and 59.3% (P < 0.001) of patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF, respectively. In 3 of 408 (0.7%) ablation procedures, a TVL malfunction occurred within 90 days after catheter ablation. During long‐term follow‐up 9 (4.7%) patients showed lead dislodgement, 2 (1.1%) lead fracture, and 2 (1.1%) lead insulation defect not related to the ablation procedure.

Conclusion

Our findings using CARM demonstrate long‐term efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation of AF in patients with CIED and TVL.