bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical safety and effectiveness evaluation of a new antimicrobial wound dressing designed to manage exudate, infection and biofilm
Authors: Metcalf Daniel G , Parsons David , Bowler Philip G
Published: March 2016

The objective of this work was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a next‐generation antimicrobial wound dressing (NGAD; AQUACEL® Ag+ Extra™ dressing) designed to manage exudate, infection and biofilm. Clinicians were requested to evaluate the NGAD within their standard protocol of care for up to 4 weeks, or as long as deemed clinically appropriate, in challenging wounds that were considered to be impeded by suspected biofilm or infection. Baseline information and post‐evaluation dressing safety and effectiveness data were recorded using standardised evaluation forms. This data included wound exudate levels, wound bed appearance including suspected biofilm, wound progression, skin health and dressing usage. A total of 112 wounds from 111 patients were included in the evaluations, with a median duration of 12 months, and biofilm was suspected in over half of all wounds (54%). After the introduction of the NGAD, exudate levels had shifted from predominantly high or moderate to low or moderate levels, while biofilm suspicion fell from 54% to 27% of wounds. Wound bed coverage by tissue type was generally shifted from sloughy or suspected biofilm towards predominantly granulation tissue after the inclusion of the NGAD. Stagnant (65%) and deteriorating wounds (27%) were shifted to improved (65%) or healed wounds (13%), while skin health was also reported to have improved in 63% of wounds. High levels of clinician satisfaction with the dressing effectiveness and change frequency were accompanied by a low number of dressing‐related adverse events (n = 3; 2·7%) and other negative observations or comments. This clinical user evaluation supports the growing body of evidence that the anti‐biofilm technology in the NGAD results in a safe and effective dressing for the management of a variety of challenging wound types.
Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Can Ivabradine Reduce Its Occurrence?
Authors: ABDEL‐SALAM ZAINAB , NAMMAS WAIL
Published: March 2016

Ivabradine in Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction

We compared the efficacy of perioperative ivabradine, bisoprolol, or both for prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods and Results

We enrolled 740 consecutive patients scheduled for elective CABG with/without valve surgery. Patients were assigned to 1 of 3 protocols: ivabradine given perioperatively (48 hours preoperatively, then 1 week postoperatively) 5 mg bid for 24 hours, then 7.5 mg bid thereafter in patients who can tolerate (group 1, n = 212); bisoprolol given perioperatively 5 mg bid (group 2, n = 288); or both drugs given perioperatively (ivabradine as before + bisoprolol 5 mg once daily) (group 3, n = 240). Cardiac rhythm was continuously monitored for 15 days postoperatively by ambulatory event recorder. Clinical follow‐up for the occurrence of arrhythmias was performed for the next 15 days. The primary endpoint was the incidence of AF at 30‐day follow‐up. Mean age was 56.5 ± 8.9 years (30.5% females). All patients completed 30‐day follow‐up. AF occurred in 10.4%. The 3 groups were matched for most baseline characteristics, echocardiographic and angiographic data (P > 0.05 for all). The incidence of AF was significantly lower in group 3 (4.2%), compared with group 1 (15.5%), and group 2 (12.2%), (P < 0.001 both). The duration of stay in the intensive care unit was shorter in group 3 versus group 1 and 2 (P < 0.001 both).

Conclusion

In patients undergoing elective CABG, adding ivabradine to β‐blockers during the perioperative period was associated with reduced incidence of AF at 30‐day follow‐up, compared with either medication alone.
Clinical Impact of Heparin Kinetics During Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Meta‐Analysis and Meta‐Regression
Authors: BRICENO DAVID F. , VILLABLANCA PEDRO A. , LUPERCIO FLORENTINO , KARGOLI FARAJ , JAGANNATH ANAND , LONDONO ALEJANDRA , PATEL JIGNESH , OTUSANYA OLUFISAYO , BREVIK JEANNINE , MARABOTO CAROLA , BERARDI CECILIA , KRUMERMAN ANDREW , PALMA EUGEN , KIM SOO G. , NATALE ANDREA , DI BIASE LUIGI
Published: March 2016

Anticoagulation for Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction

Appropriate activated clotting time (ACT) during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (CA‐AF) is essential to minimize periprocedural complications.

Methods and Results

An electronic search was performed using major databases. Outcomes were thromboembolic (TE) and bleeding complications according to ACT levels (seconds). Heparin dose (U/kg) and time (minutes) to achieve the target ACT was compared among patients receiving vitamin K antagonist (VKA) versus non‐VKA oral anticoagulants (NOAC). Nineteen studies involving 7,150 patients were identified. Patients with ACT > 300 had less TE (OR, 0.51; 95% CI 0.35–0.74) and bleeding (OR, 0.70; 95% CI 0.60–0.83) compared to ACT < 300, when using any type of oral anticoagulation. The use of VKA was associated with reduced heparin requirements (mean dose: 157 U/kg vs. 209 U/kg, P < 0.03; SDM –0.86 [95% CI –1.39 to –0.33]), and with lower time to achieve the target ACT (mean time: 24 minutes vs. 49 minutes, P < 0.03; SDM –11.02 [95% CI –13.29 to –8.75]) compared to NOACs. No significant publication bias was found.

Conclusions

Performing CA‐AF with a target ACT > 300 decreases the risk of TE without increasing the risk of bleeding. Patients receiving VKAs required less heparin and reached the target ACT faster compared to NOACs.
CD19‐CAR engineered NK‐92 cells are sufficient to overcome NK cell resistance in B‐cell malignancies
Authors: Romanski Annette , Uherek Christoph , Bug Gesine , Seifried Erhard , Klingemann Hans , Wels Winfried S. , Ottmann Oliver G. , Tonn Torsten
Published: March 2016

Many B‐cell acute and chronic leukaemias tend to be resistant to killing by natural killer (NK) cells. The introduction of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) into T cells or NK cells could potentially overcome this resistance. Here, we extend our previous observations on the resistance of malignant lymphoblasts to NK‐92 cells, a continuously growing NK cell line, showing that anti‐CD19‐CAR (αCD19‐CAR) engineered NK‐92 cells can regain significant cytotoxicity against CD19 positive leukaemic cell lines and primary leukaemia cells that are resistant to cytolytic activity of parental NK‐92 cells. The ‘first generation’ CAR was generated from a scFv (CD19) antibody fragment, coupled to a flexible hinge region, the CD3ζ chain and a Myc‐tag and cloned into a retrovirus backbone. No difference in cytotoxic activity of NK‐92 and transduced αCD19‐CAR NK‐92 cells towards CD19 negative targets was found. However, αCD19‐CAR NK‐92 cells specifically and efficiently lysed CD19 expressing B‐precursor leukaemia cell lines as well as lymphoblasts from leukaemia patients. Since NK‐92 cells can be easily expanded to clinical grade numbers under current Good Manufactoring Practice (cGMP) conditions and its safety has been documented in several phase I clinical studies, treatment with CAR modified NK‐92 should be considered a treatment option for patients with lymphoid malignancies.
Chronic urticaria and hormones: Is there a link?
Authors: Amsler E. , Augey F. , Soria A. , Boccon‐Gibod I. , Doutre M.S. , Mathelier‐Fusade P. , Nicolas J.F. , Rayson‐Peyron N. , Gompel A.
Published: March 2016

Background

While the role of oestrogens in bradykinin angioedema (AE) has been clearly demonstrated, scarce data are available about the role of sex hormones in chronic urticaria (CU).

Objectives

To gather information from a population of women with various forms of CU [chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), including a subtype of isolated histaminic AE and a classic subtype of association of wheals and AE, and exclusive inducible urticaria (IU)] about the impact of sex hormones and reproductive factors on their symptoms.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study comprising interviews of 200 women consulting for CU at nine centres throughout France between May and July 2013. The dermatologists filled in an online questionnaire on the impact of reproductive factors (puberty, contraception and pregnancy) and hormonal treatments on the course of CU, including CSU and IU, in the presence of the women.

Results

Most of the women did not experience CU before puberty and if so, puberty did not influence the course of CU. Only 16 women had experienced a pregnancy during CU which caused a worsening of symptoms in four. Hormonal contraception was associated with aggravation in a minority of women, mostly women with CSU (10%). Women with isolated histaminic AE did not exhibit any female sex hormone dependency.

Conclusions

It would appear that sex hormones act as a trigger in only a small subset of women with CU. Nevertheless, this should be taken into account to improve patient management.
Metal allergy in eyelid dermatitis and the evaluation of metal contents in eye shadows
Authors: Oh J.E. , Lee H.J. , Choi Y.W. , Choi H.Y. , Byun J.Y.
Published: March 2016

Background

Allergic contact dermatitis is a common diagnosis in eyelid dermatitis. Sensitization to metals is prevalent in eyelid dermatitis and colour cosmetic products are frequently suspected as the source of metal exposure.

Objective

To investigate the contact allergens for eyelid dermatitis and to assess metal contents in eye shadow products.

Methods

Data were collected in the department of dermatology of Ewha Womans University hospital from December 1998 to February 2014. A total of 983 patients were patch tested during the period and 67 patients had eyelid dermatitis among them. To examine metal elements in colour cosmetic products for eyes, randomly selected 10 eye shadows were analysed.

Results

Frequent allergens were metals, thiomersal and phenylenediamine in patients with eyelid dermatitis. The sensitization rates of individual allergens were not significantly different between patients with eyelid dermatitis and without eyelid dermatitis. All 10 eye shadow products contained more than 5 ppm of at least one element, nickel, cobalt or chromium.

Conclusion

Metals were top‐rank allergens in patients with eyelid dermatitis as in the remaining patients patch tested. The eye shadow products contained significant amount of nickel, cobalt or chromium to elicit allergic reactions.
Pirfenidone‐induced severe phototoxic reaction in a patient with idiopathic lung fibrosis
Authors: Papakonstantinou E. , Prasse A. , Schacht V. , Kapp A. , Raap U.
Published: March 2016

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and lethal pulmonary disease with an estimated 5‐year survival of approximately 20%. Pirfenidone is a novel orally available antifibrotic agent that reduces disease progression and improves survival of patients with IPF. The most common adverse effects of pirfenidone include gastrointestinal symptoms, hepatic dysfunction or skin photosensitivity and rash. A 64‐year‐old male patient presented in our clinic with a strong generalized exfoliative erythema and intense itching accompanied by fatigue and mild fever after a mild sun exposure for 5 days during holidays in Turkey. The patient had been diagnosed with IPF 2 months ago and 1 month later he started a therapy with pirfenidone with good tolerability.

Objective

In this report, we noted a severe phototoxic reaction under treatment with pirfenidone which underlies the potential phototoxic effect of this drug besides the already reported photosensitivity.

Methods

Routine laboratory tests and a skin biopsy were performed.

Results

Laboratory tests indicated increased markers of inflammation. The skin biopsy showed a perivascular lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate, ballooning of keratinocytes with increased apoptosis. These findings were most consistent with a severe phototoxic reaction to pirfenidone which had been directly discontinued. The patient was started on oral methylprednisolone 100 mg/day which was gradually tapered off along with topical corticosteroids (mometasone furoate 0.1% cream) and oral antihistamines. This treatment led to a slow but complete resolution of the skin lesions within 20 days.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a severe phototoxic reaction during treatment with pirfenidone. Our aim by presenting this case is to increase the awareness of clinicians for severe phototoxic effects of oral pirfenidone.
Discovering phenotypic causal structure from nonexperimental data
Authors: Otsuka J.
Published: March 2016

The evolutionary potential of organisms depends on how their parts are structured into a cohesive whole. A major obstacle for empirical studies of phenotypic organization is that observed associations among characters usually confound different causal pathways such as pleiotropic modules, interphenotypic causal relationships and environmental effects. The present article proposes causal search algorithms as a new tool to distinguish these different modes of phenotypic integration. Without assuming an a priori structure, the algorithms seek a class of causal hypotheses consistent with independence relationships holding in observational data. The technique can be applied to discover causal relationships among a set of measured traits and to distinguish genuine selection from spurious correlations. The former application is illustrated with a biological data set of rat morphological measurements previously analysed by Cheverud et al. (Evolution 1983, 37, 895).
The diet of whiting Merlangius merlangus in the western Baltic Sea
Authors: Ross S. D. , Gislason H. , Andersen N. G. , Lewy P. , Nielsen J. R.
Published: March 2016

The diet of whiting Merlangius merlangus in the western Baltic Sea was investigated and compared to the diet in the southern North Sea. Clupeids were important prey in both areas, but especially in the western Baltic Sea where they constituted up to 90% of the diet of larger individuals. Gobies, brown shrimps and polychaetes were the main prey of juveniles in the western Baltic Sea, while a wider range of species were consumed in the North Sea. The shift to piscivory occurred at smaller sizes in the western Baltic Sea and the fish prey consumed was proportionately larger than in the southern North Sea. Estimates of prey abundance and food intake of M. merlangus are required to evaluate its predatory significance in the western Baltic Sea, but its diet suggests that it could be just as significant a fish predator here as in the southern North Sea.
Miracles, Rituals, Heritage: The Invention of Nature in Candomblé
Authors: Sansi Roger
Published: March 2016

Nas ultimas décadas, a religião Afro‐brasileira Candomblé atravessou um longo processo de patrimonialização. Esse processo tem girado entorno da noção de axé, ou poder ancestral, incorporado em templos, objetos e pessoas. Algumas variantes rituais ou “nações” do Candomblé tem tido mais sucesso que outras em reproduzir o seu poder ancestral, virando também mas identificáveis como objetos de cultura e patrimônio. Nesse artigo vou contrastar esse processo como outro que poderia ser visto como seu oposto: a “naturalização” dos rituais, objetos, espíritos que aparecem no Candomblé como eventos inéditos, novas entidades “naturais”, milagres e lugares de peregrinação, mas no fundo são repetições de antigos mitos e lugares que tem sido conscientemente esquecidos como tais, virando dessa forma irreconhecíveis como objetos de patrimônio. [Arte, Afro‐Latino Americanos, Brasil, Candomblé, Religião]
The Complexity of Simplicity: Role of Sex, Development and Environment in the Modulation of the Stress Response
Authors: Karatsoreos I. N.
Published: March 2016

Anecdotally, we all know that stress is ‘complicated’, although most stress research is undertaken using incredibly simplified models that may not allow us to fully understand the underlying interactive mechanisms present in the ‘real world’. This attempt at simplification, although sometimes necessary, may explain some of the difficulties faced when integrating basic science findings with the clinical and epidemiological data on stress and stress‐related disorders. In a symposium held at the 2015 International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology meeting in Edinburgh, UK, a series of speakers explored ‘The Many Pathways to Plasticity in the Stress System’, specifically focusing on variables that, in many cases, are eliminated from studies of stress to provide increased experimental control. Specifically, four speakers tackled the complex contributions of ‘Sex, Development and Environment’ in stress research, and reported published and unpublished evidence from work conducted in their own laboratories demonstrating that, in our race for simplicity in experimentation, the stories that we tell become all the more complex.
Deception in Networks: A Laboratory Study
Authors: RONG RONG , HOUSER DANIEL
Published: March 2016

Communication between departments within a firm may include deception. Theory suggests that telling lies in these environments may be strategically optimal if there exists a small difference in monetary incentives. We design a laboratory experiment to investigate whether agents with different monetary incentives in a network environment lie to each other. We found that most communication within an incentive group is truthful and deception often occurs between subjects from different groups. These results align with the prediction of the existing theory. Our findings have important implications for intraorganizational conflict management, demonstrating that in order to minimize deceptive communication between departments the firm may need to reduce incentive differences between these groups.
Technology Diffusion on the International Trade Network
Authors: FERRIER GARY D. , REYES JAVIER , ZHU ZHEN
Published: March 2016

Technological innovations generate knowledge spillovers—non‐innovators benefit through the adoption, imitation, and extension of new technologies. International trade facilitates technology diffusion by providing importing countries access to technical knowledge that they can potentially internalize. Previous studies of the effect of trade on technology diffusion typically only consider the impact of direct (bilateral) trade on indirect measures of technology (e.g., total factor productivity). We contend that the analysis of trade's impact on technology diffusion would be more accurately assessed by using direct measures of specific technologies (e.g., intensity levels) and by allowing for the influence of both the direct and indirect effects of trade in the analysis. The latter is accomplished by modeling the international trade system as a weighted network, which quantifies both direct and indirect trade linkages. Combining trade data with data on the adoption of specific technologies, we find that the network effects of trade play a significant role in technology diffusion. In most cases, countries that are better‐connected on the trade network have higher technology intensities. Further support for the importance of trade is provided by the finding that for “outdated” technologies, better‐connected countries have lower technology intensities because of their adoption of newer, substitute technologies.
Different physical forms of one diet fed to growing pigs induce morphological changes in mandubular glands and local leptin (Ob) production and receptor (ObR) expression
Authors: Cappai M. G. , Dall'Aglio C. , Sander S. J. , Ratert C. , Dimauro C. , Pinna W. , Kamphues J.
Published: March 2016

The physical form of the diet plays an important role for morphological adaptations of organs in the gastrointestinal tract. It was hypothesized that different physical forms of one diet could exert extra‐enteric effects, under local and systemic neuroendocrine regulation. Gross morphology, fresh mass and cytoarchitecture of mandibular glands (MG) were studied in growing pigs fed with one diet processed under four different physical forms. Four dietary treatments were offered for 4 weeks to 32 growing pigs (initial BW: 8.30 ± 0.83 kg) allotted into 4 experimental groups: FP, finely ground pellet (dMean, 0.46 mm); CM, coarsely ground meal (dMean, 0.88 mm); CP, coarsely ground pellet (dMean, 0.84); CE, coarsely ground extruded (dMean, 0.66). Conventional and immuonohistochemical techniques were used to immunolocalize, in particular, leptin (Ob) and its receptor (ObR). A significant effect was observed on the relative mass of the MG, depending on the diet (p < 0.03) and on the BW (p < 0.04), with no interactions (diet*BW). The immunohistochemical reactions for Ob and ObR showed a marked positivity in the MG from the group fed with the CM diet, displaying Ob‐positive acinar cells and ObR‐positive cells in the striated ducts, together with endocrine‐like cells. The intensity of chromogenic reactions positively testing to ObR was used to evaluate the cytoarchitecture of the MG and its possible correlations. Pearson's correlation coefficient resulted to positively link (p < 0.0001) the ObR expression with the absolute mass of MG in the 61.1% of pigs. The physical form of the diet is related to extra‐enteral effects, inducing changes in gross and microscopic morphology of the MG in the growing pig. The local production of Ob and the expression of the respective ObR in the striated duct cells shed a new light on the mitogenic activity of Ob in extra‐enteral organs, like the MG, in relation to the physical form of the diet.
Access to therapy and therapy outcomes in the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study: a person‐centred approach
Authors: Giudici F. , Bertisch B. , Negro F. , Stirnimann G. , Müllhaupt B. , Moradpour D. , Cerny A. , Keiser O. ,   the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study
Published: March 2016

Socio‐demographic and behavioural characteristics are associated with delayed diagnosis and disease progression in HCV‐infected persons. However, many analyses focused on single variables rather than groups defined by several variables. We used latent class analysis to study all 4488 persons enrolled in the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study. Groups were identified using predefined variables at enrolment. The number of groups was selected using the Bayesian information criterion. Mortality, loss to follow‐up, cirrhosis, treatment status and response to antivirals were analysed using Laplace and logistic regressions. We identified five groups and named them according to their characteristics: persons who inject drugs, male drinkers, Swiss employees, foreign employees and retirees. Two groups did not conform to common assumptions about persons with chronic hepatitis C and were already in an advanced stage of the disease at enrolment: ‘male drinkers’ and ‘retirees’ had a high proportion of cirrhosis at enrolment (15% and 16% vs <10.3%), and the shortest time to death (adjusted median time 8.7 years and 8.8 years vs >9.0). ‘Male drinkers’ also had high substance use, but they were well educated and were likely to be employed. This analysis may help identifying high‐risk groups which may benefit from targeted interventions.
Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis E virus
Authors: Kamar Nassim , Marion Olivier , Abravanel Florence , Izopet Jacques , Dalton Harry R.
Published: March 2016

Hepatitis E virus can cause acute, fulminant and chronic hepatitis and has been associated with a range of extrahepatic manifestations. Guillain–Barré syndrome, neuralgic amyotrophy and encephalitis are the main neurological manifestations associated with acute and chronic hepatitis E virus infection. Renal injuries have been also reported, including membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with or without cryoglobulinemia and membranous glomerulonephritis. Acute pancreatitis, haematological disorders and other autoimmune extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis E virus, such as myocarditis and thyroiditis, have been also reported. In this comprehensive article, we review all published reports describing hepatitis E virus–associated extrahepatic manifestations.
The two Suvasvesi impact structures, Finland: Argon isotopic evidence for a “false” impact crater doublet
Authors: Schmieder Martin , Schwarz Winfried H. , Trieloff Mario , Buchner Elmar , Hopp Jens , Tohver Eric , Pesonen Lauri J. , Lehtinen Martti , Moilanen Jarmo , Werner Stephanie C. , Öhman Teemu
Published: March 2016

The two neighboring Suvasvesi North and South impact structures in central‐east Finland have been discussed as a possible impact crater doublet produced by the impact of a binary asteroid. This study presents40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data for impact melt rocks recovered from the drilling into the center of the Suvasvesi North impact structure and melt rock from glacially transported boulders linked to Suvasvesi South.40Ar/39Ar step‐heating analysis yielded two essentially flat age spectra indicating a Late Cretaceous age of ~85 Ma for the Suvasvesi North melt rock, whereas the Suvasvesi South melt sample gave a Neoproterozoic minimum (alteration) age of ~710 Ma. Although the statistical likelihood for two independent meteorite strikes in close proximity to each other is rather low, the remarkable difference in40Ar/39Ar ages of >600 Myr for the two Suvasvesi impact melt samples is interpreted as evidence for two temporally separate, but geographically closely spaced, impacts into the Fennoscandian Shield. The Suvasvesi North and South impact structures are, thus, interpreted as a “false” crater doublet, similar to the larger East and West Clearwater Lake impact structures in Québec, Canada, recently shown to be unrelated. Our findings have implications for the reliable recognition of impact crater doublets and the apparent rate of binary asteroid impacts on Earth and other planetary bodies in the inner solar system.
Hypoxia attenuates anti‐Aspergillus fumigatus immune responses initiated by human dendritic cells
Authors: Fliesser Mirjam , Wallstein Marion , Kurzai Oliver , Einsele Hermann , Löffler Jürgen
Published: March 2016

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic mould that causes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), a life‐threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. During the course of IPA, localised areas of tissue hypoxia occur. Bacterial infection models revealed that hypoxic microenvironments modulate the function of host immune cells. However, the influence of hypoxia on anti‐fungal immunity has been largely unknown. We evaluated the impact of hypoxia on the human anti‐A. fumigatus immune response. Human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (DCs) were stimulated in vitro with germ tubes of A. fumigatus under normoxia or hypoxia (1% O2), followed by analysis of DC viability, maturation and cytokine release. While DC viability was unaffected, hypoxia attenuated cytokine release from DCs and maturation of DCs upon stimulation with A. fumigatus. These data suggest that hypoxia at the site of A. fumigatus infection inhibits full activation and function of human DCs. Thereby, this study identified hypoxia as a crucial immune‐modulating factor in the human anti‐fungal immune response that might influence the course and outcome of IPA in immunocompromised patients.
Effectiveness of centre‐based childcare interventions in increasing child physical activity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis for policymakers and practitioners
Authors: Finch M. , Jones J. , Yoong S. , Wiggers J. , Wolfenden L.
Published: March 2016

Context

The review describes the effectiveness of physical activity interventions implemented in centre‐based childcare services and (i) examines characteristics of interventions that may influence intervention effects; (ii) describes the effects of pragmatic interventions and non‐pragmatic interventions; (iii) assesses adverse effects; and (iv) describes cost‐effectiveness of interventions

Methods

Data sources were Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ERIC, CINAHL, SCOPUS and SPORTDISCUS. Studies selected included randomized controlled trials conducted in centre‐based childcare including an intervention to increase objectively measured physical activity in children aged less than 6 years. Data were converted into standardized mean difference (SMD) and analysed using a random effects model.

Results

Overall interventions significantly improved child physical activity (SMD 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12–0.76). Significant effects were found for interventions that included structured activity (SMD 0.53; 95% CI: 0.12–0.94), delivery by experts (SMD 1.26; 95% CI: 0.20–2.32) and used theory (SMD 0.76; 95% CI: 0.08–1.44). Non‐pragmatic (SMD 0.80; 95% CI: 0.12–1.48) but not pragmatic interventions (SMD 0.10; 95% CI:−0.13–0.33) improved child physical activity. One trial reported adverse events, and no trials reported cost data.

Conclusions

Intervention effectiveness varied according to intervention and trial design characteristics. Pragmatic trials were not effective, and information on cost and adverse effects was lacking. Evidence gaps remain for policymakers and practitioners regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of childcare‐based physical activity interventions.
Thiodigalactoside shows antitumour activity by beta‐galactoside‐binding protein and regulatory T cells inhibition in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Aggarwal S , Das SN
Published: March 2016

Objective

Thiodigalactoside (TDG), a synthetic inhibitor of β‐galactoside‐binding protein (β‐GBP) suppresses tumour growth by inhibiting multiple cancer enhancing activities of β‐GBP. Hence, we attempted to understand whether disruption of β‐GBP functions and indirect inhibition of Treg cells by TDG affect the growth and establishment of oral cancer cells.

Method

The growth, morphology, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis induction and angiogenesis of oral cancer cell lines (SCC‐4, SCC‐9, SCC‐25) via MACS‐purified Treg cells were performed by MTT, propidium iodide (PI) staining, annexin‐V‐binding assay and ELISA respectively.

Results

Treatment with β‐GBP showed growth‐promoting effects on Tregs and oral cancer cells. However, the treatment with its inhibitor TDG resulted in inhibition of Treg subsets and also decreased the frequency of IL10+ and IL35+ Tregs indicating its immunomodulatory effects. Additionally, TDG treatment significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited the growth of OSCC cells with a concomitant induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and anti‐angiogenesis.

Conclusion

It appears that TDG concurrently prevents many tumour‐promoting effects of β‐GBP in oral cancer cells possibly by Treg inhibition. This offers a preclinical proof of the concept that therapeutic targeting of β‐GBP can overcome Treg‐mediated tumour promotion and immunosuppression in oral cancer patients.
Abscisic acid and sucrose regulate tomato and strawberry fruit ripening through the abscisic acid‐stress‐ripening transcription factor
Authors: Jia Haifeng , Jiu Songtao , Zhang Cheng , Wang Chen , Tariq Pervaiz , Liu Zhongjie , Wang Baoju , Cui Liwen , Fang Jinggui
Published: March 2016

Although great progress has been made towards understanding the role of abscisic acid (ABA) and sucrose in fruit ripening, the mechanisms underlying the ABA and sucrose signalling pathways remain elusive. In this study, transcription factor ABA‐stress‐ripening (ASR), which is involved in the transduction of ABA and sucrose signalling pathways, was isolated and analysed in the nonclimacteric fruit, strawberry and the climacteric fruit, tomato. We have identified four ASR isoforms in tomato and one in strawberry. All ASR sequences contained the ABA stress‐ and ripening‐induced proteins and water‐deficit stress‐induced proteins (ABA/WDS) domain and all ASR transcripts showed increased expression during fruit development. The expression of the ASR gene was influenced not only by sucrose and ABA, but also by jasmonic acid (JA) and indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), and these four factors were correlated with each other during fruit development. ASR bound the hexose transporter (HT) promoter, which contained a sugar box that activated downstream gene expression. Overexpression of the ASR gene promoted fruit softening and ripening, whereas RNA interference delayed fruit ripening, as well as affected fruit physiological changes. Change in ASR gene expression influenced the expression of several ripening‐related genes such as CHS, CHI, F3H, DFR, ANS, UFGT, PG, PL, EXP1/2, XET16, Cel1/2 and PME. Taken together, this study may provide new evidence on the important role of ASR in cross‐signalling between ABA and sucrose to regulate tomato and strawberry fruit ripening. The findings of this study also provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism underlying fruit development.
A novel genetic engineering platform for the effective management of biological contaminants for the production of microalgae
Authors: Loera‐Quezada Maribel M. , Leyva‐González Marco Antonio , Velázquez‐Juárez Gilberto , Sanchez‐Calderón Lenin , Do Nascimento Mauro , López‐Arredondo Damar , Herrera‐Estrella Luis
Published: March 2016

Microalgal cultivation that takes advantage of solar energy is one of the most cost‐effective systems for the biotechnological production of biofuels, and a range of high value products, including pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and feed. However, one of the main constraints for the cultivation of microalgae is the potential contamination with biological pollutants, such as bacteria, fungi, zooplankton or other undesirable microalgae. In closed bioreactors, the control of contamination requires the sterilization of the media, containers and all materials, which increases the cost of production, whereas open pond systems severely limits the number of species that can be cultivated under extreme environmental conditions to prevent contaminations. Here, we report the metabolic engineering of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to use phosphite as its sole phosphorus source by expressing the ptxD gene from Pseudomonas stutzeri WM88, which encodes a phosphite oxidoreductase able to oxidize phosphite into phosphate using NAD as a cofactor. Engineered C. reinhardtii lines are capable of becoming the dominant species in a mixed culture when fertilized with phosphite as a sole phosphorus source. Our results represent a new platform for the production of microalgae, potentially useful for both closed photobioreactors and open pond systems without the need for using sterile conditions nor antibiotics or herbicides to prevent contamination with biological pollutants.
Pediatric hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae septic arthritis
Authors: Kishibe Shun , Okubo Yusuke , Morino Saeko , Hirotaki Shintaro , Tame Tomoyuki , Aoki Kotaro , Ishii Yoshikazu , Ota Norikazu , Shimomura Satoshi , Sakakibara Hiroshi , Terakawa Toshiro , Horikoshi Yuho
Published: March 2016

Cases of infection with hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae are gradually increasing in number, and cause life‐threatening community‐acquired infection even in immunocompetent patients. A 14‐year‐old boy developed septic hip arthritis due to hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (sequence type 23, serotype K1, magA positive). The patient initially seemed to have been successfully treated with antibiotics and surgical intervention, but septic arthritis developed into osteomyelitis of the femoral head and myositis, which required long‐term antibiotic therapy and additional surgical intervention. This is the first pediatric case of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae septic hip arthritis. Treatment plans should mainly consist of antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention. Clinicians, even pediatricians, in developed countries should be aware of the increasing incidence of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.
Low 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with vitiligo: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Upala Sikarin , Sanguankeo Anawin
Published: March 2016

Background

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a number of autoimmune diseases. We completed a meta‐analysis of observational studies to establish whether there was a relationship between hypovitaminosis D and the autoimmune skin disease vitiligo.

Methods

Comprehensive search was applied in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from their inception to December 2015. Inclusion criteria were observational studies that assessed 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in adults with vitiligo. The main outcome was the mean difference in serum 25(OH)D level between patients with vitiligo and controls.

Results

Our search strategy identified 383 articles; seventeen studies met the criteria for full‐length review and seven studies, containing the data of 1200 patients, were included in a random‐effects model meta‐analysis. The pooled mean difference in serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration between patients with vitiligo and controls was −7.45 ng/ml (95% confidence interval, −12.99 to −1.91, P‐value = 0.01). The between‐study heterogeneity (I2) was 96%, P = value<0.001.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis identifies a significant relationship between low 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels and vitiligo, but does not prove causation. Our findings emphasize the importance of measuring 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with vitiligo. Further studies will be needed to establish whether vitamin D supplementation in this population improves the outcome of vitiligo.
Arabidopsis thalianaMRE11 is essential for activation of cell cycle arrest, transcriptional regulation and DNA repair upon the induction of double‐stranded DNA breaks
Authors: Šamanić I. , Cvitanić R. , Simunić J. , Puizina J.
Published: March 2016

Given the fundamental role of MRE11 in many aspects of DNA metabolism and signalling in eukaryotes, we analysed the impact of several MRE11 mutations on DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair in Arabidopsis thaliana. Three different atmre11 and an atatm‐2 mutant lines, together with the wild type (WT), were compared using a new Arabidopsis genotoxic assay for in situ evaluation of genome integrity and DNA damage repair efficiency after double strand break (DSB) induction. The results showed that, despite the phenotypic differences and different lengths of the putative truncated AtMRE11 proteins, all three atmre11 and the atatm‐2 mutant lines exhibited common hypersensitivity to bleomycin treatment, where they only slightly reduced mitotic activity, indicating a G2/M checkpoint abrogation. In contrast to the WT, which reduced the frequency of chromosomal aberrations throughout the recovery period after treatment, none of the three atmre11 and atatm‐2 mutants recovered. Moreover, atmre11‐3 mutants, similarly to atatm‐2 mutants, failed to transcriptionally induce several DDR genes and had altered expression of the CYCB1;1::GUS protein. Nevertheless, numerous chromosomal fusions in the atmre11 mutants, observed after DNA damage induction, suggest intensive DNA repair activity. These results indicate that functional and full‐length AtMRE11 is essential for activation of the cell cycle arrest, transcriptional regulation and DNA repair upon induction of DSB.
Preventing (impulsive) errors: Electrophysiological evidence for online inhibitory control over incorrect responses
Authors: Burle Borís , van den Wildenberg Wery P. M. , Spieser Laure , Ridderinkhof K. Richard
Published: March 2016

In a rich environment, with multiple action affordances, selective action inhibition is critical in preventing the execution of inappropriate responses. Here, we studied the origin and the dynamics of incorrect response inhibition and how it can be modulated by task demands. We used EEG in a conflict task where the probability of compatible and incompatible trials was varied. This allowed us to modulate the strength of the prepotent response, and hence to increase the risk of errors, while keeping the probability of the two responses equal. The correct response activation and execution was not affected by compatibility or by probability. In contrast, incorrect response inhibition in the primary motor cortex ipsilateral to the correct response was more pronounced on incompatible trials, especially in the condition where most of the trials were compatible, indicating a modulation of inhibitory strength within the course of the action. Two prefrontal activities, one medial and one lateral, were also observed before the response, and their potential links with the observed inhibitory pattern observed are discussed.
The Value of Information in Decision‐Analytic Modeling for Malaria Vector Control in East Africa
Authors: Kim Dohyeong , Brown Zachary , Anderson Richard , Mutero Clifford , Miranda Marie Lynn , Wiener Jonathan , Kramer Randall
Published: March 2016

Decision analysis tools and mathematical modeling are increasingly emphasized in malaria control programs worldwide to improve resource allocation and address ongoing challenges with sustainability. However, such tools require substantial scientific evidence, which is costly to acquire. The value of information (VOI) has been proposed as a metric for gauging the value of reduced model uncertainty. We apply this concept to an evidenced‐based Malaria Decision Analysis Support Tool (MDAST) designed for application in East Africa. In developing MDAST, substantial gaps in the scientific evidence base were identified regarding insecticide resistance in malaria vector control and the effectiveness of alternative mosquito control approaches, including larviciding. We identify four entomological parameters in the model (two for insecticide resistance and two for larviciding) that involve high levels of uncertainty and to which outputs in MDAST are sensitive. We estimate and compare a VOI for combinations of these parameters in evaluating three policy alternatives relative to a status quo policy. We find having perfect information on the uncertain parameters could improve program net benefits by up to 5–21%, with the highest VOI associated with jointly eliminating uncertainty about reproductive speed of malaria‐transmitting mosquitoes and initial efficacy of larviciding at reducing the emergence of new adult mosquitoes. Future research on parameter uncertainty in decision analysis of malaria control policy should investigate the VOI with respect to other aspects of malaria transmission (such as antimalarial resistance), the costs of reducing uncertainty in these parameters, and the extent to which imperfect information about these parameters can improve payoffs.
Alternative Food Networks and the Labor of Food Provisioning: A Third Shift?
Authors: Som Castellano Rebecca L.
Published: March 2016

Scholars have increasingly examined the sphere of consumption in alternative food networks (AFNs). However, research has largely overlooked women's experiences as food provisioners. This is problematic, as AFNs prescribe practices that could be expanding women's food provisioning labor. This article addresses this gap in the literature by examining how the physical labor of food provisioning varies for women engaged in AFNs relative to those not engaged in AFNs, and how diverse AFNs as well as socioeconomic status (SES) influence the labor of food provisioning for women engaged in AFNs. Using data from the 2012 Ohio Survey of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Issues, I demonstrate that women engaged in AFNs, relative to women not engaged in AFNs, exert more physical labor in food provisioning, that prioritizing local food systems involves more physical labor than prioritizing organic foods, and that women with lower household incomes who prioritize organic foods exert greater physical labor in food provisioning than women with higher incomes who prioritize organic foods. I conclude by arguing that women who prioritize local food systems are engaging in a third shift and that greater attention should be paid to the role of SES in shaping women's experiences as food provisioners in AFNs.
Healthy Preterm Newborns Show an Increased Frequency of CD4+CD25highCD127lowFOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells with a Naive Phenotype and High Expression of Gut‐Homing Receptors
Authors: Rennó C. , Nadaf M. I. V. , Zago C. A. , Carneiro‐Sampaio M. , Palmeira P.
Published: March 2016

Treg cells are crucial to prevent immune dysregulation, but little is known about the frequency of these cells in neonates, particularly in very/moderate and late preterm newborns studied as separate groups. The CD4+CD25hiCD127loFOXP3+Treg population was phenotypically characterized to assess maturation markers and gut‐homing integrins by flow cytometry in the cord blood of healthy preterm newborns born at 30–336/7 gestation weeks (Group 1), at 34–366/7 gestation weeks (Group 2) and term newborns born at 37–41 gestation weeks (Group 3), compared to healthy adults. An inverse correlation of the Treg percentage and gestational age was found, with significantly higher frequencies in Group 1 compared to Groups 2 and 3 and in Group 2 compared to Group 3, and significantly higher Treg frequencies and numbers in the neonates compared to the adults. All of the newborns exhibited increased Treg frequencies with a naive phenotype compared to adults. Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 CTLA‐4 expression in the naive Treg was decreased in both preterm groups compared with those from term newborns and adults, and in the memory Treg from Group 1 compared with the other groups. The frequencies of Treg expressing α4β7 and α4β1 integrins were higher in both preterm groups, but significantly different only in Group 1, when compared with those from the term newborns and the adults. In conclusion, although a high frequency of Treg is present in newborns, an immature phenotype with a higher expression of CD45RA and α4β7/α4β1 and a lower expression of CTLA‐4 is found, particularly in the very preterm group.
The rich get richer, the poor get even: Perceived socioeconomic position influences micro‐social distributions of wealth
Authors: Bratanova Boyka , Loughnan Steve , Klein Olivier , Wood Robert
Published: March 2016

Economic inequality has a robust negative effect on a range of important societal outcomes, including health, wellbeing, and education. Yet, it remains insufficiently understood why, how, and by whom unequal systems tend to be perpetuated. In two studies we examine whether psychological mindsets adopted by the wealthy and the poor in their micro‐social transactions act to perpetuate or challenge inequality. We hypothesized that occupying a wealthier socioeconomic position promotes the pursuit of self‐interest and contributes to inequality maintenance; poorer socioeconomic position, on the other hand, should promote the pursuit of fairness and equality restoration. In Study 1, participants completed an ultimatum game as proposers after being primed to believe they are wealthier or poorer, offering money to either poor or wealthy responders. As expected, the wealthy pursued their self‐interest and the net effect of this behavior contributes to the maintenance of inequality. Conversely, the poor pursued fairness and the net effect of this behavior challenges inequality. In Study 2, participants were responders deciding whether to accept or reject unfair distributions. Compared to the wealthier, the poorer challenged inequality by rejecting unequal offers. The links between micro‐social processes and macro‐societal inequality are discussed.
The effects of mood on spontaneous trait inferences about the actor: Evidence from Chinese undergraduates
Authors: Wang Meifang , Zhao Yaolong , Li Qianqian , Yang Feng
Published: March 2016

Prior research has indicated that positive moods increase but negative moods decrease the trait activation of spontaneous trait inferences (STIs). However, it is unknown whether this difference is also present in STIs about the actor. In Study 1, using a false recognition paradigm, we found that Chinese undergraduates made STIs about the actor. In Study 2, we found that the happy Chinese undergraduates were more likely to make STIs about the actor than the sad Chinese undergraduates. These findings showed that Chinese people made STIs about the actor and moods had an influence on their STIs about the actor.
A novel allele HLA‐C*07:445 identified in a French hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Delbos F. , Poulet E. , Guillot M. , Pare B. , Ansart‐Pirenne H.
Published: March 2016

The novel allele HLA‐C*07:445 has 1 nucleotide change from HLA‐C*07:01 at nucleotide 277 C>A in exon 2.