bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
25-Hydroxyl-cholesterol Binds and Enhance Anti-viral Effects of Zebrafish Monomeric C-reactive Proteins
Authors: Bello-Perez Melissa , Falco Alberto , Encinar Jose Antonio , Novoa Beatriz , Perez Luis , Coll Julio
Published: July 2018

C-reactive proteins (CRP) are among the faster acute-phase inflammation-responses coded by one gene in humans (hcrp) and seven genes (crp1-7) in zebrafish (Danio rerio). In this study, preferential 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HOCh) binding to zebrafish CRP1-7 compared to other lipids were predicted by in silico docking and confirmed by solid-phase binding-assays. In addition, 25HOCh enhanced methyl-betacyclodextrin-sensitive (Cholesterol-dependent) CRP1-7 anti-viral effects in a fine-tunned isoform-dependent manner. In silico and structural studies suggested that the crosstalk between the anti-viral enhancements of both 25HOCh and CRP1-7 were dependent on protein monomers rather than oligomers but differred among isoforms. The presence of oxidized cholesterols in human atherosclerotic plaques amplifies the importance that similar interactions may have for vascular and/or neurodegenerative diseases during viral infections. In this context, the zebrafish model offers a genetic tool to further investigate how the expression and functions of different CRP isoforms and/or transcript variants may be controlled.
Maternal immunity and antibodies to dengue promote Zika virus-induced microcephaly in fetuses
Authors: Rathore Abhay P. S. , Saron Wilfried A. A. , Lim Ting , Jahan Nusrat , St John Ashley L.
Published: July 2018

Zika virus (ZIKV), a recently emerged flaviviral pathogen, has been linked to microcephaly in neonates1. Yet, it is not understood why some fetuses develop severe microcephaly due to maternal ZIKV infection while others do not. The risk for ZIKV-induced microcephaly is greatest during the first trimester of pregnancy in humans2,3, yet this alone cannot account for the varied presentation of microcephaly observed. Given the antigenic similarity between ZIKV and closely related dengue virus (DENV)4, combined with the substantial immunity to DENV in ZIKV target populations in recent outbreaks, we hypothesized that maternal antibodies against DENV could promote ZIKV-induced microcephaly. Here, using immune-competent mice, we show that maternal to fetal transmission of ZIKV occurs, leading to fetal infection and disproportionate microcephaly. DENV-specific antibodies in pregnant female mice enhance vertical transmission of infection and result in a severe microcephaly like-syndrome during ZIKV infection. Furthermore, fetal infection was promoted by the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRN). Our results identify a novel immune-mediated mechanism of vertical transmission of viral infection and raise caution since ZIKV epidemic regions are also endemic to DENV.
Analysis and Engineering of Substrate Shuttling by the Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP) in Fatty Acid Synthases (FASs)
Authors: Rossini Emanuele , Gajewski Jan , Klaus Maja , Hummer Gerhard , Grininger Martin
Published: July 2018

In the large enzyme complexes of natural biosynthetic pathways, molecules are assembled like in a factory. Carrier domains shuttle substrates and intermediates as covalently attached cargo within the enzyme complex between active sites. The physical confinement of the reaction increases reaction rates and hinders pathway branching. Alternating interactions of substrate-loaded carrier domains with different catalytic domains modulate the chemical environment. In this study, we aim at assessing the impact of domain-domain interactions (DDIs) on the reaction progress of a multienzyme type I fatty acid synthase (FAS) in quantitative terms. We modulate DDIs by single interface mutations, and read out the impact on substrate shuttling by recording fatty acid (FA) chain length product spectra and FAS activities. Our data show that even single interface point mutations can severely affect FA synthesis. With molecular dynamics simulations and modeling, we relate the mutation effects to specific alterations in the molecular interaction networks and domain-domain binding energetics. Some of the presented mutations induce the synthesis of short-chain FAs. These compounds are important commodity products and potent precursors for microbial biofuel production.
Phylogenetic conflicts, combinability, and deep phylogenomics in plants
Authors: Smith Stephen A. , Walker-Hale Nathanael , Walker Joseph F. , Brown Joseph W.
Published: July 2018

Studies have demonstrated that pervasive gene tree conflict underlies several important phylogenetic relationships where different species tree methods produce conflicting results. Here, we present a means of dissecting the phylogenetic signal for alternative resolutions within a dataset in order to resolve recalcitrant relationships and, importantly, identify what the dataset is unable to resolve. These procedures extend upon methods for isolating conflict and concordance involving specific candidate relationships and can be used to identify systematic error and disambiguate sources of conflict among species tree inference methods. We demonstrate these on a large phylogenomic plant dataset. Our results support the placement of Amborella as sister to the remaining extant angiosperms, Gnetales as sister to pines, and the monophyly of extant gymnosperms. Several other contentious relationships, including the resolution of relationships within the bryophytes and the eudicots, remain uncertain given the low number of supporting gene trees. To address whether concatenation of filtered genes amplified phylogenetic signal for relationships, we implemented a combinatorial heuristic to test combinability of genes. We found that nested conflicts limited the ability of data filtering methods to fully ameliorate conflicting signal amongst gene trees. These analyses confirmed that the underlying conflicting signal does not support broad concatenation of genes. Our approach provides a means of dissecting a specific dataset to address deep phylogenetic relationships while also identifying the inferential boundaries of the dataset.
Maizedefective kernel5is a bacterial tamB homolog required for chloroplast envelope biogenesis
Authors: Zhang Junya , Wu Shan , Boehlein Susan K. , McCarty Donald R. , Song Gaoyuan , Walley Justin W. , Myers Alan , Settles A. Mark
Published: July 2018

Chloroplasts are of prokaryotic origin with a double membrane envelope that separates plastid metabolism from the cytosol. Envelope membrane proteins integrate the chloroplast with the cell, but the biogenesis of the envelope membrane remains elusive. We show that the maizedefective kernel5(dek5) locus is critical for plastid membrane biogenesis. Amyloplasts and chloroplasts are larger and reduced in number indek5with multiple ultrastructural defects. We show thatdek5encodes a protein homologous to riceSUBSTANDARD STARCH GRAIN4(SSG4) andE.colitamB. TamB functions in bacterial outer membrane biogenesis. The DEK5 protein is localized to the chloroplast envelope with a topology analogous to TamB. Increased levels of soluble sugars indek5developing endosperm and elevated osmotic pressure in mutant leaf cells suggest defective intracellular solute transport. Both proteomics and antibody-based analyses show thatdek5chloroplasts have reduced levels of chloroplast envelope transporters. Moreover,dek5chloroplasts reduce inorganic phosphate uptake with at least an 80% reduction relative to normal chloroplasts. These data suggest that DEK5 functions in plastid envelope biogenesis to enable metabolite transport.
Mouse REC114 is essential for meiotic DNA double-strand break formation and forms a complex with MEI4
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Oliver Cecilia , Brun Christine , Juarez-Martinez Ariadna B. , Tarabay Yara , Kadlec Jan , de Massy Bernard
Published: July 2018

Programmed formation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) initiates the meiotic homologous recombination pathway. This pathway allows homologous chromosomes to find each other and the formation of crossing overs, the products of reciprocal exchanges, which are required for proper chromosome segregation at the first meiotic division. Meiotic DSBs are catalyzed by Spo11 that forms a complex with a second subunit, TopoVIBL, and mediates a DNA type II topoisomerase-like cleavage. Several other proteins are essential for meiotic DSB formation, including three evolutionarily conserved proteins first identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Mer2, Mei4 and Rec114). These three S. cerevisiae proteins and their mouse orthologs (IHO1, MEI4 and REC114) co-localize on the axes of meiotic chromosomes, and mouse IHO1 and MEI4 are essential for meiotic DSB formation. Here, we show that mouse Rec114 is required for meiotic DSB formation. Moreover, MEI4 forms a complex with REC114 and IHO1 in mouse spermatocytes, consistent with cytological observations. We then demonstrated in vitro the formation of a stable complex between REC114 C-terminal domain and MEI4 N-terminal domain. We further determine the structure of REC114 N-terminal domain that revealed similarity with Pleckstrin Homology domains and its property to dimerize. These analyses provide direct insights into the architecture of these essential components of the meiotic DSB machinery.
qPCR assays for the detection of two western North American freshwater mussel species, Anodonta nuttalliana and Anodonta oregonensis, from environmental DNA
Authors: Rodgers Torrey W. , Mock Karen E.
Published: July 2018

We developed species-specific quantitative PCR assays for the detection of two freshwater mussel species native to the western North America, Anodonta nuttalliana and Anodonta oregonensis, from environmental DNA. These species have experienced dramatic declines over the last century, and are currently threatened in many portions of their range. Improved tools for detecting and monitoring these species are needed. Species-specificity and sensitivity of the assays was empirically tested in the lab, and both assays were also validated with field collected eDNA samples. We found that the assays we designed are species-specific, sensitive, and are effective for detecting Anodonta nuttalliana and Anodonta oregonensis from environmental DNA samples collected from streams and rivers. These assays will aid in the detection, monitoring, management, and conservation of these threatened species.
Comments on A new theory for X-ray diffraction
Authors: Fraser Jack T. , Wark Justin S.
Published: July 2018

In an article entitled A new theory for X-ray diffraction [Fewster (2014). Acta Cryst. A70, 257–282], hereafter referred to as NTXRD, it is claimed that when X-rays are scattered from a small crystallite, whatever its size and shape, the diffraction pattern will contain enhanced scattering at angles of exactly 2θB, whatever the orientation of the crystal. It is claimed that in this way scattering from a powder, with randomly oriented crystals, gives rise to Bragg scattering even if the Bragg condition is never satisfied by an individual crystallite. The claims of the theory put forward in NTXRD are examined and they are found to be in error. Whilst for a certain restricted set of shapes of crystals it is possible to obtain some diffraction close to (but not exactly at) the Bragg angle as the crystallite is oriented away from the Bragg condition, this is generally not the case. Furthermore, contrary to the claims made within NTXRD, the recognition of the origin of the type of effects described is not new, and has been known since the earliest days of X-ray diffraction.
Live, visual, social, and mobile: media ecology in emergencies and ordinary times
Authors: Lev-On Azi , Uziel Vered
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze contemporary uses and gratifications (U&G) of the media, focusing on the differences between emergency and ordinary times, and between media consumers in the border region and in the home front during the Israel-Gaza War (2014).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a questionnaire containing 184 items. This significant number of items was necessary due to the large number of media channels and potential uses examined. Due to the length of the questionnaire, and the inclusion of individuals who are not habitual internet users, data were collected in the field rather than through a telephone survey or online. The list of media and uses was compiled based on a review of existing literature regarding functions of media in emergencies.

Findings

Television and news websites are dominant suppliers of national and local information, but mobile and social channels lead in terms of social uses, discussions, requests and provision of assistance. The same channels were almost always used during emergencies and ordinary times to satisfy a specific need. The leading channels – television, Facebook, WhatsApp and SMS – were used significantly more on the frontlines than on the home front. The findings demonstrate that people use diverse media, but channels that are live, visual, social and mobile are dominant.

Originality/value

Very few academic studies have compared media uses during ordinary times and emergencies, and those existing focus on the uses of a specific medium. The present study examines various U&G of traditional and new media during the war, compares uses during the war with uses during ordinary times, and compares the population in the border region with the population in the home front.
Sport team-endorsed brands on Facebook
Authors: Phua Joe , Pan Po-Lin , Chen Kuan-Ju
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Applying social identity theory, the social identity-brand equity model and excitation-transfer theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine effects of game outcome (win/loss) and location (home/away) on sport fans’ brand attitude and purchase intention toward a brand endorsed by their favorite sport team on Facebook, as well as the mediating role of team identification.

Design/methodology/approach

A two (win/loss) by two (home/away) full-factorial between-subjects experiment was conducted during the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football season over a four-month period. Participants (n=338), who were Facebook users and fans of a NCAA division I football team, completed an online questionnaire assessing brand attitude and purchase intention toward a team-endorsed brand on Facebook, during weeks after the team: won a home game, lost a home game, won an away game, or lost an away game. Results were analyzed using analysis of variance and bootstrapping mediation methods.

Findings

Results revealed a significant main effect for game outcome (win/loss), and a significant interaction effect between game outcome (win/loss) and game location (home/away). Team identification also mediated between game outcome (win/loss) and game location (home/away) to influence brand attitude, but not purchase intention.

Originality/value

Implications for use of social networking site (SNS)-based brand endorsements as an integral part of brands’ advertising strategies were discussed. Specifically, brands utilizing SNSs to advertise to sport fans should highlight team endorsements, particularly after home game wins, and also target highly identified fans, to maximize positive SNS-based brand evaluations.
A novel parameterized digital-mask generation method for projection stereolithography in tissue engineering
Authors: Li Mingke , Liu Wangyu
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the novel parameterized digital-mask generation method which is aimed at enhancing bio-scaffold’s fabricating efficiency with digital micro-mirror device (DMD)-based systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A method to directly generate the digital masks of bio-scaffolds without modeling the entire 3D scaffold models is presented. In most of the conventional methods, it is inefficient to dynamically modify the size of the structural unit cells during design, because it relies more or less on commercial computer aided design (CAD) platforms. The method proposed in this paper can achieve high efficient parameterized design, and it is independent from any CAD platforms. The generated masks in binary bitmap format can be used by the DMD-based to achieve scaffold’s additive manufacture. In conventional methods, the Boolean operation of the external surface and the internal architectures would result in the damage of unit cells in boundary region. These damaged unit cells not only lose its original mechanical property but also cause numbers of gaps and isolated features that would reduce the geometric accuracy of the fabricated scaffolds; the proposed method in this paper provides an approach to tackle this defect.

Findings

The results show that the proposed method can improve the digital masks generation efficiency.

Practical implications

The proposed method can serve as an effective supplement to the slicing method in additive manufacture. It also provides a way to design and fabricate scaffolds with heterogeneous architectures.

Originality/value

This paper gives supports to fabricate bio-scaffold with DMD-based systems.
A dimensional compensation algorithm for vertical bending deformation of 3D printed parts in selective laser sintering
Authors: Ha Sangho , Ransikarbum Kasin , Han Hweeyoung , Kwon Daeil , Kim Hyeonnam , Kim Namhun
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to mitigate the dimensional inaccuracy due to vertical curling/bending deformation of three-dimensional (3D) printed parts produced by selective laser sintering (SLS) using PA12 based on dimensional compensation of the computer-aided design (CAD) model.

Design/methodology/approach

To carry out this study, specially designed features are initially produced as references, and the dimensional deviations from the vertical bending deformation of the SLS process are analyzed. Next, the deformation patterns are formulated using a polynomial regression model in the global Cartesian coordinates of the building platform. Then, the compensation algorithm is implemented and the original 3D CAD file is preprocessed with an inverse transformation of the features to compensate the deformation errors.

Findings

It was found that the 3D printed parts from the SLS process have the dimensional inaccuracy due to the vertical bending pattern of the quadratic form. By implementing the compensation algorithm, it was statistically shown to effectively reduce bending deformations of various sample parts, including the automotive components, in SLS.

Research limitations/implications

The position of samples in a batch has a direct impact on not only bending deformation but also on horizontal shape geometry error. However, the application of this algorithm is focused on the vertical bending deformation, which is estimated as a major part of dimensional inaccuracy.

Practical implications

This paper provides a practical case study with a real vehicle part. The algorithm was shown to provide a more realistic solution to the dimensional deformation of printed products, which is not manageable by simply using the constant scale factors provided by SLS 3D printer manufacturers.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that the vertical bending deformation from SLS’s 3D printed complex parts can be improved through the proposed compensation algorithm. The compensation algorithm was constructed by using the predictive regression model created from the bending deformation patterns of reference samples. The proposed compensation algorithm can be further used and applied for other complex samples without making additional reference parts.
Pursuing Innovation: An Investigation of the Foreign Business Relationships of Swedish SMEs*
Authors: Hånell Sara Melén , Nordman Emilia Rovira , Tolstoy Daniel , Sharma Dharam Deo
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study is to contribute to the international business field and research on the innovativeness of international SMEs, by addressing the following research question: To what extent and under which circumstances does relationship connectedness affect perceived innovativeness in international SMEs? To answer this question, the authors create a model that examines the mediating effects of two types of foreign business relationship strategies: relationship differentiation and relationship investments. In order to create this model, the authors draw upon behavioural internationalization process theory, network theory and research into SMEs. The findings reveal that relationship investments mediate the effect relationship connectedness has on perceived innovativeness. This study contributes to research about the innovativeness of international SMEs by showing that being connected to resources in the network is not, in itself, a guarantee of becoming or remaining innovative in foreign markets.
Obstacles to mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in a community‐based heart failure population
Authors: Jonsson Anna , Norberg Helena , Bergdahl Ellinor , Lindmark Krister
Published: July 2018

Aim

Previous studies and national assessments indicate an undertreatment of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This study aimed to investigate why MRA is not used to full extent.

Methods

A complete community‐based heart failure population was studied. Several variables were collected, and medical records were scrutinized to identify reasons for not prescribing MRA.

Results

Of 2029 patients, 812 had EF ≤40%. Five hundred and fifty‐three patients (68%) tried MRA at some point but 184 of these (33%) discontinued therapy. There were 259 patients that never tried MRA with 177 with a listed explanation or contraindication. Eighty‐two patients, 10% of the total HFrEF population, had no clear contraindications. They were older and had less HF hospitalizations compared to patients on MRA (P < 0.05) and 32% did not have any follow‐up at the cardiology clinic. Contraindications to MRA were renal dysfunction (93 patients), hypotension (28 patients), and hyperkalemia (25 patients). Only six patients had hyperkalemia without renal dysfunction. Of the patients with renal dysfunction, 66 (72%) had eGFR >30 mL/min.

Conclusions

The reasons why MRA are underutilized were mainly because of contraindications. However, the data suggest that physicians are overly cautious about moderately reduced kidney function. There seems to be a 10%‐18% avoidable undertreatment with MRA, especially for elderly patients that are admitted to the hospital for other reasons than heart failure. This suggests that patients with heart failure would benefit from routine follow‐up at a cardiology clinic.
Alcohol intake and semen variables: cross‐sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study of men referring to an Italian Fertility Clinic
Authors: Ricci E. , Noli S. , Ferrari S. , La Vecchia I. , Cipriani S. , De Cosmi V. , Somigliana E. , Parazzini F.
Published: July 2018

Background

The association between alcohol intake and male reproductive function is still controversial. In the frame of a prospective cohort study, designed to investigate the relation between life style and fertility, we performed a cross‐sectional analysis of semen quality.

Methods

Men of subfertile couples, referring to an Italian Infertility Unit and eligible for assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), were asked about their lifestyle: BMI, smoking, caffeine intake, occupational and leisure physical activity (PA) and alcohol intake in the last year before ART procedure. Semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count and sperm motility were determined. Age, risk factors for impaired male fertility, caffeine, smoking, leisure PA, days of abstinence and daily calories intake were accounted for in the analyses.

Results

Between September 2014 and December 2016, we enrolled 323 male patients, mean age 39.3 years. Thirty‐one (9.6%) were abstainers, 97 (30.0%) drank <1–3, 98 (30.3%) 4–7 and 97 (30.0%) ≥8 alcohol units per week. As compared to men drinking <1–3 units per week, median semen volume was higher in the 4–7 units/week group (3.0 mL, interquartile range, IQR, 2.0–4.0 vs. 2.4 mL, IQR 1.7–3.5), as well as total sperm count (87.9 mil/mL, IQR 20.2–182.1 vs. 51.5 mil/mL, IQR 15.2–114.7). Association with sperm concentration was also significant, with a U‐shaped trend in groups of alcohol intake. After adjusting for potential confounders, these relations were confirmed. Similar patterns were observed in subgroups of leisure PA and risk factors for impaired male fertility, although these estimates often lacked statistical significance, presumably because of low sample size.

Conclusions

Moderate alcohol intake appears positively associated to semen quality in male partners of infertile couples undergoing ARTs.
The influence of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on academic performance is mediated by sleep quality in adolescents
Authors: Adelantado‐Renau Mireia , Beltran‐Valls Maria Reyes , Esteban‐Cornejo Irene , Martínez‐Vizcaíno Vicente , Santaliestra‐Pasías Alba María , Moliner‐Urdiales Diego
Published: July 2018

Aim

This study examined the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet with academic performance and tested whether this association was mediated by sleep in Spanish adolescents.

Methods

We recruited 269 adolescents (52% boys) aged 13.9 ± 0.3 years from the Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud study of 38 secondary schools and sport clubs in Castellon, Spain, between February and May 2015. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by the KIDMED questionnaire, sleep quality was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index test and sleep duration was objectively computed using a wrist‐worn accelerometer. Academic performance was assessed through final school grades and a validated test.

Results

Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with higher scores in language, core subjects, grade point average and verbal ability (p < 0.05). Sleep quality acted as a significant mediator of the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and final grades in maths, language, core subjects and the grade point average.

Conclusion

Our data show that the influence of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on academic performance was mediated by sleep quality in adolescents. Education and public health professionals should work together to achieve both improved health status and academic performance in adolescents.
EXCHANGE RATE PASS‐THROUGH IN A SMALL OPEN ECONOMY: A STRUCTURAL VAR APPROACH
Authors: TUNC Cengiz , Kilinc Mustafa
Published: July 2018

Studying exchange rate pass‐through in Turkey for the period of 2006m1‐2015m6, we first show that the commonly used recursive VAR model generates unrealistic dynamics like effects of domestic variables on external variables in small open economies and biased estimates. Bias comes from unrealistic decline in energy prices in response to depreciation of currency. However, a more realistic structural VAR model suitable for small open economies generates more sensible dynamics and suggests a higher pass‐through than the recursive VAR model. Overall, our analysis demonstrates the importance of using a more realistic model setup and checking the relationships across variables when estimating ERPT in small open economies.
Novel SUZ12 mutations in Weaver‐like syndrome
Authors: Imagawa Eri , Albuquerque Edoarda V.A. , Isidor Bertrand , Mitsuhashi Satomi , Mizuguchi Takeshi , Miyatake Satoko , Takata Atsushi , Miyake Noriko , Boguszewski Margaret C.S. , Boguszewski César L. , Lerario Antonio M. , Funari Mariana A. , Jorge Alexander A.L. , Matsumoto Naomichi
Published: July 2018

SUZ12 is a core component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) along with EZH2 and EED. Recently, germline mutations in the SUZ12, EZH2 and EED genes have been reported in Weaver syndrome (WS) or Weaver‐like syndrome, suggesting a functional link between PRC2 deficits and WS. However, only one case of a SUZ12 mutation presenting with Weaver‐like syndrome has been reported. Here, we report a missense and a frameshift mutation in SUZ12 (c.1797A>C; p.Gln599His and c.844_845del; p.Ala282Glnfs*7), both of which are novel, in two individuals. Their clinical features included postnatal overgrowth, increased bifrontal diameter, large ears, round face, horizontal chin crease and skeletal anomalies, but did not fulfill the WS diagnostic criteria. These data provide strong evidence that SUZ12 mutations cause Weaver‐like syndrome.
Stylized Image Triangulation
Authors: Lawonn Kai , Günther Tobias
Published: July 2018

The art of representing images with triangles is known as image triangulation, which purposefully uses abstraction and simplification to guide the viewer's attention. The manual creation of image triangulations is tedious and thus several tools have been developed in the past that assist in the placement of vertices by means of image feature detection and subsequent Delaunay triangulation. In this paper, we formulate the image triangulation process as an optimization problem. We provide an interactive system that optimizes the vertex locations of an image triangulation to reduce the root mean squared approximation error. Along the way, the triangulation is incrementally refined by splitting triangles until certain refinement criteria are met. Thereby, the calculation of the energy gradients is expensive and thus we propose an efficient rasterization‐based GPU implementation. To ensure that artists have control over details, the system offers a number of direct and indirect editing tools that split, collapse and re‐triangulate selected parts of the image. For final display, we provide a set of rendering styles, including constant colours, linear gradients, tonal art maps and textures. Finally, we demonstrate temporal coherence for animations and compare our method with existing image triangulation tools.
WHO‐5 and BDI‐II are acceptable screening instruments for depression in people with diabetes
Authors: Rauwerda N. L. , Tovote K. A. , Peeters A. C. T. M. , Sanderman R. , Emmelkamp P. M. G. , Schroevers M. J. , Fleer J.
Published: July 2018

Aims

To investigate the acceptability of two questionnaires, the five item WHO Well‐being Index (WHO‐5) and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI‐II), which differ in length and focus, by comparing three screening groups: (1) WHO‐5, (2) BDI‐II and (3) WHO‐5 and BDI‐II.

Methods

A total of 699 individuals with diabetes were approached to participate in the study, of whom 95 completed the WHO‐5, 254 completed the BDI‐II and 350 completed both the WHO‐5 and the BDI‐II questionnaires. Five facets of acceptability were compared, including objective aspects (response rate and completion level) and subjective aspects (appreciation, agreeableness and accuracy of the screening questionnaire). Data were analysed using logistic regression analysis and (multivariate) analysis of covariance.

Results

The overall response rate was 65% (453 out of 699). No differences between the three groups were found with respect to the response rate (WHO‐5: 66%; BDI‐II: 63%; WHO‐5 and BDI‐II: 66%; P ≥ 0.19) and completion level (WHO‐5: 99.5%; BDI‐II: 97.8%; WHO‐5 and BDI‐II: 98.7%; P=0.45). The three groups did differ significantly in their scores on two of the three subjective indicators (P<0.03), i.e. appreciation (P=0.002) and agreeableness (P=0.035), with those completing only the WHO‐5 reporting greater appreciation and agreeableness.

Conclusions

A brief well‐being questionnaire, such as the WHO‐5, results in greater appreciation of mood screening and appreciation of completing the questionnaire, but this does not result in a better response rate and higher questionnaire completion. Given these results, either or both questionnaires can be used to screen for depressive symptoms in people with diabetes in clinical practice.
A randomized clinical trial of the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin compared with dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and mild renal insufficiency: The CompoSIT‐R study
Authors: Scott Russell , Morgan Jerry , Zimmer Zachary , Lam Raymond L. H. , O'Neill Edward A. , Kaufman Keith D. , Engel Samuel S. , Raji Annaswamy
Published: July 2018

Aim

To compare the efficacy and safety of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor sitagliptin with the sodium‐glucose transporter‐2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes and mild renal insufficiency.

Materials and Methods

Patients with HbA1c ≥7.0 to ≤9.5% (≥53 to ≤80 mmol/mol) and estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 to <90 mL/min/1.73m2 on metformin (≥1500 mg/d) ± sulfonylurea were randomized to sitagliptin 100 mg (n = 307) or dapagliflozin 5 mg titrated to 10 mg (n = 306) once daily for 24 weeks. A longitudinal data analysis model was used to test the primary hypothesis that sitagliptin is non‐inferior to dapagliflozin in reducing HbA1c at Week 24, with superiority to be tested if non‐inferiority is met. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02532855.

Results

Baseline mean HbA1c (% [mmol/mol]) was 7.7 (60.9) and 7.8 (61.2), and mean eGFR (mL/min/1.73m2) was 79.4 and 76.9 for the sitagliptin and dapagliflozin groups, respectively. After 24 weeks, the between‐group difference in least squares mean (95% CI) changes from baseline in HbA1c was −0.15% (−0.26, −0.04) (−1.67 mmol/mol [−2.86, −0.48]), P = 0.006, meeting the prespecified criteria for declaring both non‐inferiority and superiority of sitagliptin versus dapagliflozin. The HbA1c goal of <7% (<53 mmol/mol) was met by 43% (sitagliptin) and 27% (dapagliflozin) of patients. No meaningful between‐group difference was observed in a pre‐specified analysis of 2‐hour incremental postprandial glucose excursion. A review of adverse events (AEs) was notable for a lower incidence of drug‐related AEs with sitagliptin compared with dapagliflozin.

Conclusions

In patients with type 2 diabetes, mild renal insufficiency and inadequate glycaemic control on metformin ± sulfonylurea, sitagliptin treatment resulted in greater improvement in glycaemic control compared with dapagliflozin and was generally well tolerated.
Changes of motor corticobulbar projections following different lesion types affecting the central nervous system in adult macaque monkeys
Authors: Fregosi Michela , Contestabile Alessandro , Badoud Simon , Borgognon Simon , Cottet Jérôme , Brunet Jean‐François , Bloch Jocelyne , Schwab Martin E. , Rouiller Eric M.
Published: July 2018

Functional recovery from central nervous system injury is likely to be partly due to a rearrangement of neural circuits. In this context, the corticobulbar (corticoreticular) motor projections onto different nuclei of the ponto‐medullary reticular formation (PMRF) were investigated in 13 adult macaque monkeys after either, primary motor cortex injury (MCI) in the hand area, or spinal cord injury (SCI) or Parkinson's disease‐like lesions of the nigro‐striatal dopaminergic system (PD). A subgroup of animals in both MCI and SCI groups was treated with neurite growth promoting anti‐Nogo‐A antibodies, whereas all PD animals were treated with autologous neural cell ecosystems (ANCE). The anterograde tracer BDA was injected either in the premotor cortex (PM) or in the primary motor cortex (M1) to label and quantify corticobulbar axonal boutons terminaux and en passant in PMRF. As compared to intact animals, after MCI the density of corticobulbar projections from PM was strongly reduced but maintained their laterality dominance (ipsilateral), both in the presence or absence of anti‐Nogo‐A antibody treatment. In contrast, the density of corticobulbar projections from M1 was increased following opposite hemi‐section of the cervical cord (at C7 level) and anti‐Nogo‐A antibody treatment, with maintenance of contralateral laterality bias. In PD monkeys, the density of corticobulbar projections from PM was strongly reduced, as well as that from M1, but to a lesser extent. In conclusion, the densities of corticobulbar projections from PM or M1 were affected in a variable manner, depending on the type of lesion/pathology and the treatment aimed to enhance functional recovery.
Domesticating Bodies: The Role of Shame in Obstetric Violence
Authors: Shabot Sara Cohen , Korem Keshet
Published: July 2018

Obstetric violence—violence in the labor room—has been described in terms not only of violence in general but specifically of gender violence. We offer a philosophical analysis of obstetric violence, focused on the central role of gendered shame for construing and perpetuating such violence. Gendered shame in labor derives both from the reifying gaze that transforms women's laboring bodies into dirty, overly sexual, and “not‐feminine‐enough” dysfunctional bodies and from a structural tendency to relate to laboring women mainly as mothers‐to‐be, from whom “good motherhood” is demanded. We show that women who desire a humane birth are thus easily made to feel ashamed of wanting to be respected and cared for as subjects, rather than caring exclusively for the baby's well‐being as a good altruistic mother supposedly should. We explore how obstetric violence is perpetuated and expanded through shaming mechanisms that paralyze women, rendering them passive and barely able to face and fight against this violence. Gendered shame has a crucial role in returning women to “femininity” and construing them as “fit mothers.” To stand against gendered shame, to resist it, on the other hand, is to clearly challenge obstetric violence and its oppressive power.
Increased brain and behavioural susceptibility to portion size in children with loss of control eating
Authors: English L. K. , Masterson T. D. , Fearnbach S. N. , Tanofsky‐Kraff M. , Fisher J. , Wilson S. J. , Rolls B. J. , Keller K. L.
Published: July 2018

Background

Portion size influences intake (i.e. the portion size effect [PSE]), yet determinants of susceptibility to the PSE are unclear.

Objective

We tested whether children who reported an episode of loss of control (LOC) eating over the last 3 months would be more susceptible to the PSE and would show differential brain responses to food cues compared with children with no‐LOC.

Methods

Across five sessions, children (n = 47; 7–10 years) consumed four test meals at 100%, 133%, 167% and 200% conditions for portion size and completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan while viewing pictures of foods varied by portion size and energy density (ED). Incidence of LOC over the past 3 months was self‐reported. Random coefficient models were tested for differences in the shape of the PSE curve by LOC status. A whole‐brain analysis was conducted to determine response to food cues during the functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Reported LOC (n = 13) compared with no‐LOC (n = 34) was associated with increased susceptibility to the PSE, as evidenced by a positive association with the linear slope (P < 0.005), and negative association with the quadratic slope (P < 0.05) of the intake curve. Children who reported LOC compared with no‐LOC showed increased activation in the left cerebellum to small relative to large portions (P < 0.01) and right cerebellum to High‐ED relative to Low‐ED food cues (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Children who reported LOC were more susceptible to the PSE and showed alterations in food‐cue processing in the cerebellum, a hindbrain region implicated in satiety signalling.
Chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer: The first nationwide multi‐institutional study by the Cancer Registration Committee of the Japanese Urological Association
Authors: Shiraishi Takumi , Nakamura Terukazu , Ukimura Osamu ,   the Cancer Registration Committee of the Japanese Urological Association
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To assess clinicopathological data and oncological outcomes focused on metastatic testicular cancer patients, who received chemotherapy as the initial treatment, in the nationwide multi‐institutional study by the Cancer Registration Committee of the Japanese Urological Association.

Methods

A testicular cancer survey was carried out by the Japanese Urological Association in 2011 to register newly diagnosed testicular cancers in 2005 and 2008. Among 1121 registered patients, 278 patients with metastases who received chemotherapy as the initial treatment and could be categorized by the Japanese Urological Association classification were eligible for the analysis.

Results

As first‐line chemotherapy, bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin, and etoposide and cisplatin therapies were chosen for 260 patients (93.5%). As second‐line therapy, vinblastine, ifosfamide and cisplatin/etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin; and paclitaxel, ifosfamide and cisplatin/paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin therapies were carried out in 23 out of 63 (36.5%) and 29 out of 63 (46.0%) patients, respectively. The response rate and serum tumor marker normalization rate were 93.4% and 81.3% at first line, 75.4% and 60.7% at second line, and 41.7% and 16.7% at third line, respectively. The Japanese Urological Association classification (≥IIIB2 vs ≤IIIB1) and choriocarcinoma component in primary histology were independent prognostic factors of overall survival before starting chemotherapy. Furthermore, in patients with non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors, serum tumor marker normalization was an independent factor that was associated with better outcome of overall survival after completion of the initial series of chemotherapies.

Conclusions

The initial accurate diagnosis and risk stratification is an important prognostic factor to achieve better oncological outcomes. In patients with non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors, aiming for serum tumor marker normalization with continuous sequential chemotherapy could improve overall survival.
Establishing the new playbook for interactions among microbiota, bacterial metabolites, adaptive immunity, autoimmune disease and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Altmann Daniel M.
Published: July 2018

There is an increasingly rich, functionally annotated data set for the microbiota heterogeneity of humans and mice, especially with respect to the gut. This has engaged the attention of immunologists, motivated to comprehend the rules for immune recognition of this vast array of microbial species, once largely ignored as commensals. For some prototypic examples, T‐cell immunology has been well characterized. This includes effects on preferential expansion of T‐cell subsets, and the immune‐modulatory effects of bacterial metabolites such as short‐chain fatty acids. However, much of this territory remains uncharted. Understanding these interactions has profound implications for therapeutic modulation of disease susceptibility, spanning autoimmune/inflammatory disease processes and development of obesity‐related metabolic syndrome.
Key considerations for selecting instruments when evaluating healthcare professionals’ evidence‐based practice competencies: A discussion paper
Authors: Saunders Hannele , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri
Published: July 2018

Aim

A discussion of key considerations related to selecting instruments and tools for evaluating healthcare professionals’ evidence‐based practice (EBP) competencies.

Design

A discussion paper.

Data Sources

Articles published in international peer‐reviewed journals from January 2000 ‐ November 2017 on validated instruments for assessing healthcare professionals’ performance‐based EBP competencies.

Implications for Nursing

Validated EBP competency instruments based on actual performance to evaluate the EBP competencies of healthcare professionals are currently available in the field of medicine. Although some of these instruments have already been adapted for use in physical and occupational therapy, their modification for use in nursing has begun only in the last few months.

Conclusion

A concerted effort on modifying and validating objective measures of actual performance for use in nursing should be commenced to evaluate directly measurable EBP competencies, instead of continuing to rely on nurses’ self‐assessments. Future studies focusing on development and validation of objective instruments to evaluate EBP competencies based on actual performance and exploring the modification of currently available objective instruments from medicine are urgently needed in nursing.

Impact

Instead of measuring actual EBP competencies, the majority of competency evaluations in nursing are still being conducted via self‐assessments, despite growing evidence of their poor accuracy in evaluating directly measurable constructs such as evidence‐based practice knowledge and skills. Accurate measurement of nurses’ EBP competencies is essential to increasing systematic implementation of EBP in healthcare organizations, thus promoting the attainment of improved care quality and patient outcomes in healthcare delivery.
Nurses’ experiences of undertaking fertility‐related discussions with teenagers and young adults with cancer: An interpretive phenomenological analysis
Authors: Wright Elaine , Norton Wendy , Geary Martyn
Published: July 2018

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore and interpret nurses’ experiences, feelings and associated meanings attached to undertaking fertility‐related discussions with teenagers and young adults with cancer. The study also aims to advance an understanding of factors which facilitate or hinder such discussions, to progress clinical practice.

Background

Improved cancer treatments have increased survival rates for many teenagers and young adults. However, as a side‐effect of treatment, infertility may result. International and UK studies suggest this patient population may not be provided with adequate opportunities to discuss this important issue. Little is known about nurses’ experiences of undertaking fertility‐related discussions.

Design

Qualitative Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.

Methods

Eleven semistructured interviews were conducted between February and May 2016 with purposively selected nurses working in a Teenage Cancer Trust Unit in a UK hospital. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.

Findings

Nurses experienced a perceived lack of knowledge resulting in avoidance of raising fertility issues. Nurses expressed a specific need for more knowledge and education which was viewed as an essential prerequisite to their participation in discussions. The limited time frame for female patients to preserve fertility prior to commencement of treatment was felt to inhibit both fertility‐related discussion and fertility preservation.

Conclusion

Ongoing education and support for nurses may ensure teenage and young adult cancer patients’ reproductive needs are met. Nurses need to consider ways to ensure female patients benefit from improved information regarding infertility risks and preservation options to support their reproductive needs.
Relationships between leadership, structural empowerment, and engagement in nurses
Authors: García‐Sierra Rosa , Fernández‐Castro Jordi
Published: July 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationships among structural empowerment, the leadership style of managers, and the engagement of nurses in a health organization of Spain.

Background

Transformational leadership has an impact on patient security and satisfaction as well as the well‐being and engagement of healthcare workers. Empowerment is a management practice that is fundamental for professional growth and positively affects the quality of patient care.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Randomized sample of 131 nurses recruited from 11 health centres with different levels of care was surveyed to assess managers’ leadership style, nurse empowerment, and work engagement.

The data were analysed by descriptive and correlational statistics and hierarchical mediated regression.

Results

The transformational leadership of the nurse manager directly and positively influences the structural empowerment of nurses. The structural empowerment of nurses directly and positively influences engagement.

The transformational leadership of managers positively influences nurse engagement through the mediating effect of structural empowerment.

Conclusion

The structural empowerment of nurses acts as a mediator between the transformational leadership of nurse managers and nurse engagement.

Practical implication

The transformational leadership of nurse managers at the unit level has a double impact on staff nurses: first, increasing empowerment and second, increasing the engagement of the nurse staff.