bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An integrative review of fatigue experienced by women before and during myocardial infarction
Authors: Blakeman John R , Stapleton Stephen J
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To explore the extant literature for key features of prodromal and acute myocardial infarction fatigue experienced by women, including estimates of severity, narrative descriptors, impacts on activities of daily living and frequency, and to describe what is known from the current evidence base.

Background

Several studies, conducted across the globe, have investigated prodromal and acute myocardial infarction symptoms experienced by women and suggested that fatigue is prevalent, and they have also sporadically described specific characteristics of fatigue, such as narrative descriptors and severity. However, no review specific to this acute and prodromal fatigue could be located in the literature.

Design

Integrative review, guided by Whittemore and Knafl's approach and the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms.

Methods

We used a comprehensive, systematic approach to searching, screening, selecting, evaluating and analysing the records. Data were collected in February 2017.

Results

Twenty‐one articles were included in the review, including nine quantitative, six qualitative and six mixed‐methods studies, with the majority (14) published in the USA. The average age of participants across the studies was the early 60s. Distress, quality, intensity and timing of prodromal myocardial infarction fatigue were more completely described in the literature than acute myocardial infarction fatigue.

Conclusions

Fatigue is the most common prodromal myocardial infarction symptom experienced by women and is also a common acute symptom. Additional research exploring prodromal and acute myocardial infarction fatigue is necessary.

Relevance to clinical practice

As healthcare professionals work with women across the healthcare spectrum, recognising fatigue as an important potential myocardial infarction symptom is essential. Not only can women be educated about this symptom and other possible myocardial infarction symptoms, but clinicians can consider fatigue as an important symptom in a constellation of factors when evaluating women's health and the potential for coronary disease and myocardial infarction.
The influence of a mental health home visit service partnership intervention on the caregivers’ home visit service satisfaction and care burden
Authors: Cheng Jui‐Fen , Huang Xuan‐Yi , Lin Mei‐Jue , Wang Ya‐Hui , Yeh Tzu‐Pei
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To investigate a community‐based and hospital‐based home visit partnership intervention in improving caregivers’ satisfaction with home service and reducing caregiver burden.

Background

The community‐oriented mental healthcare model prevails internationally. After patients return to the community, family caregivers are the patients’ main support system and they also take the most of the burden of caring for patients. It is important to assist these caregivers by building good community healthcare models.

Design

A longitudinal quasi‐experimental quantitative design.

Methods

The experimental group (n = 109) involved “partnership” intervention, and the control group (n = 101) maintained routine home visits. The results were measured before the intervention, 6 and 12 months after the partnership intervention.

Results

Six months after the partnership intervention, the satisfaction of the experimental group was higher than the control group for several aspects of care. Although the care burden was reduced in the experimental group, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

This study confirms that the partnership intervention can significantly improve caregiver satisfaction with home services, without reducing the care burden.

Relevance to clinical practice

The community‐based and hospital‐based mental health home visit service partnership programme could improve the main caregiver's satisfaction with the mental health home visit services, while the reduction in care burden may need government policies for the provision of more individual and comprehensive assistance.
The characteristics of pressure injury photographs from the electronic health record in clinical settings
Authors: Li Dan , Mathews Carol , Zhang Fei
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To analyse and understand the characteristics of pressure injury images stored in the electronic health record.

Background

To improve the quality of pressure injury documentation, photographing pressure injuries and storing the images in the electronic health record are standard practices in many hospitals. As new technologies develop, the utilisation of computer‐assisted image processing makes automatic measurement of pressure injury size and tissue segmentation through pressure injury images possible. The translation of new technological developments to pressure injury photography conducted in clinical environments faces obstacles such as the complexity of conditions in which photographs are taken.

Design

A cross‐sectional descriptive study.

Methods

A set of 360 pressure injury images were obtained from a hospital in western Pennsylvania. These images were taken in clinical settings during daily wound care service. The authors reviewed the pressure injury images to analyse the relative position of the pressure injury in the images, the shooting angle of the digital camera and the clinical objects in the background.

Results

Only 5.9% of the pressure injury images were confined to only the wound region. In 80.1% of the images, the pressure injury is located in the central part of the image. In 54.0% of the images, the lens of the digital camera was not pointed perpendicularly to the plane of the pressure injury.

Conclusions

Bedside wound assessment of pressure injuries and assessment from photographs of pressure injuries display reasonable agreement with pressure injury staging. To extract wound information (e.g., size and tissue type) from pressure injury images through novel image processing technologies, the characteristics of pressure injury images in clinical settings should be better understood during the development of tools for pressure injury image processing.

Relevance to clinical practice

Our results can help image processing experts understand wound photography characteristics to shorten the gap between laboratory and clinical environments when translating new image processing technologies.
Experiences of encounters with healthcare professionals through the lenses of families living with chronic illness
Authors: Årestedt Liselott , Persson Carina , Rämgård Margareta , Benzein Eva
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To describe and explore the experience of healthcare encounters in families living with chronic illness.

Background

Living with chronic illness is a family concern and often includes frequent encounters with healthcare professionals. These encounters affect how persons with illness and family members handle everyday life. Disease‐related explanations are perceived by healthcare professionals as being of higher importance than the actual experience of illness, even though patients are concerned with issues involving their everyday life.

Design

A descriptive design with a qualitative approach.

Methods

Narrative family interviews were conducted with twelve families, using a qualitative content analysis.

Results

One main category was indicated following analysis, specifically “The impact of an accompanying family member.” Additionally, three subcategories were revealed; “The importance of collaboration,” “Mutual understanding,” “A desire to be confirmed in one's illness”.

Conclusions and relevance to clinical practice

Having a participating family member increased the sense of power in families during encounters with healthcare professionals. This participation constitutes a level of support, making it easier for families to handle everyday life due to illness. Family members are, in most cases, included in discussions and decisions, both before and after encounters, and it should be a natural for healthcare professionals to invite them to the encounter too. This is an offer that may not fit every family, but the person with illness or the family should at least have the opportunity to choose.
Barriers to ethical nursing practice for older adults in long‐term care facilities
Authors: Choe Kwisoon , Kang Hyunwook , Lee Aekyung
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To explore barriers to ethical nursing practice for older adults in long‐term care facilities from the perspectives of nurses in South Korea.

Background

The number of older adults admitted to long‐term care facilities is increasing rapidly in South Korea. To provide this population with quality care, a solid moral foundation should be emphasised to ensure the provision of ethical nursing practices. Barriers to implementing an ethical nursing practice for older adults in long‐term care facilities have not been fully explored in previous literature.

Design

A qualitative, descriptive design was used to explore barriers to ethical nursing practice as perceived by registered nurses in long‐term care facilities in South Korea.

Methods

Individual interviews were conducted with 17 registered nurses recruited using purposive (snowball) sampling who care for older adults in long‐term care facilities in South Korea. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Five main themes emerged from the data analysis concerning barriers to the ethical nursing practice of long‐term care facilities: emotional distress, treatments restricting freedom of physical activities, difficulty coping with emergencies, difficulty communicating with the older adult patients and friction between nurses and nursing assistants.

Conclusions

This study has identified methods that could be used to improve ethical nursing practices for older adults in long‐term care facilities. Because it is difficult to improve the quality of care through education and staffing alone, other factors may also require attention.

Relevance for clinical practice

Support programmes and educational opportunities are needed for nurses who experience emotional distress and lack of competency to strengthen their resilience towards some of the negative aspects of care and being a nurse that were identified in this study.
Social support and factors associated with self‐efficacy among acute‐care nurse practitioners
Authors: Hu Sophia H , Yu Ya‐Mei , Chang Wen‐Yin , Lin Yen‐Kuang
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To investigate the relationship of nurse practitioners’ social support as well as other factors associated with perceived self‐efficacy.

Background

There is a growing demand for nurse practitioners in Taiwan, for whom self‐perceived efficacy is associated with performance. Nevertheless, research on the self‐efficacy and social support of nurse practitioners is limited.

Design

This is a cross‐sectional survey study.

Methods

Questionnaires were distributed to nurse practitioners in seven hospitals in northern Taiwan from May 2015 to March 2016. In total, data from 335 (78% return rate) certified nurse practitioners were analysed. Social support was measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and perceived self‐efficacy was measured by the General Self‐Efficacy Scale (GSE). Data were analysed by ANOVAs with post hoc test and multiple linear regression.

Results

The mean score for self‐efficacy was 27.60 ± 6.17. Support scores were 11.574 ± 2.37 for supervisors, 12.795 ± 1.92 for coworkers and 64.07 ± 10.16 for family, friends and significant others. nurse practitioners in the high monthly salary group had significantly higher self‐efficacy than nurse practitioners in the medium and low monthly salary group (F = 8.99; p < .01). Social support from coworkers (β = 0.18, p < .01) and family, friends and significant others (β = 0.15, p < .01) and a higher monthly salary were significant factors.

Conclusions

The self‐efficacy of nurse practitioners in hospitals in Taiwan is insufficient. Monthly salary and levels of social support were found to contribute to nurse practitioners’ self‐efficacy. Thus, to enhance nurse practitioners’ self‐efficacy and work performance, nursing leaders should address these issues.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings inform hospital administrators to be aware of the importance of salary in relation to nurse practitioners’ perceptions of social support and self‐efficacy.
Nurses’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators and their associations with the quality of end‐of‐life care
Authors: Omar Daw Hussin Emni , Wong Li Ping , Chong Mei Chan , Subramanian Pathmawathi
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To examine nurses’ perceptions of barriers to and facilitators of end‐of‐life care, as well as their association with the quality of end‐of‐life care.

Background

Often, dying patients and their families receive their care from general nurses. The quality of end‐of‐life care in hospital wards is inadequate.

Method

A self‐administered questionnaire was completed by 553 nurses working in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia.

Results

The barrier with the highest mean score was “dealing with distressed family members.” The facilitator with the highest mean score was “providing a peaceful and dignified bedside scene for the family once the patient has died.” With regard to barrier and facilitator categories, the barrier category with the highest total mean score was patient‐related barriers and the facilitator category with the highest total mean score concerned facilitators related to healthcare professionals. In the multivariate analysis, age, patient family‐related barriers and healthcare professional‐related facilitators significantly predict the quality of end‐of‐life care.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that there is an urgent need to overcome barriers related to the patient and family members that hinder the quality of care provided for dying patients, as well as to enhance and implement the facilitators related to healthcare providers. In addition, there is also a need to enhance the quality of end‐of‐life care provided by younger nurses through end‐of‐life care courses and training.

Relevance to clinical practice

Helping nurses overcome barriers and implement facilitators may lead to enhanced quality of care provided for dying patients.
Perceived language proficiency and pain assessment by registered and student nurses in native English‐speaking and EAL children aged 4–7 years
Authors: Azize Pary M , Cattani Allegra , Endacott Ruth
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To identify the factors that influence decisions made by health professionals when assessing the pain of native English speaking and children whose English is an additional language.

Background

Pain assessment in children is often poorly executed following acute injury. Whilst a range of pain assessment tools have been developed, little guidance is provided for assessing pain in children with English as an additional language.

Design

Factorial survey design.

Methods

Twenty minor injuries unit nurses and 20 children's nursing students participated in an electronic survey to make judgements on 12 scenarios describing a child attending a minor injuries unit following an incident, accompanied by a parent. Respondents had to decide the most important form of pain assessment, and whether they would ask a parent or an interpreter to assess the pain of the child. An open‐ended question asked about the difficulties found in making a judgement.

Results

Observation of the child's behaviour was the most common pain assessment reported. The visual analogue scale was significantly associated with children with proficient English. Respondents were significantly more likely to involve parents in the assessment if they could speak English well compared to parents with poor English skills. Moreover, nursing students were significantly more likely than registered nurses to call for support from an interpreter. Thematic analysis identified three themes related to difficulties with pain assessment: contrasting approaches, differing perceptions of pain and overcoming challenges.

Conclusions

The reduced ability to communicate between child, parent and healthcare professional highlights the need to identify forms of assessment based on individual cases.

Relevance to clinical practice

The number of children with English as an additional language has seen a marked rise over the last decade. In situations where communication ability is reduced, assessment of pain should be tailored to meet the needs of the child. This may require timely access to interpreter services.
Beginners in prescribing practice: Experiences and perceptions of nurses and doctors
Authors: Lim Anecita Gigi , North Nicola , Shaw John
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To investigate and compare the experiences and perceptions of nurses and doctors in becoming prescribers.

Background

The development of core skills, knowledge and attitudes as a prescriber is among the present foci of current medical education, and the requirements for ongoing mentorship, support and education for novice medical prescribers have been identified as important training components. However, little is known of the prescribing practices of other health professionals who are also new to prescribing, for example, nurse prescribers.

Design

This qualitative study was guided by a constructivist narrative approach using a multiple case narrative strategy.

Methods

A purposive sampling approach was used, with a view to selecting participants to best illuminate the experiences of beginning to prescribe. Individual interviews were conducted, 26 in total, lasting approximately one hour each and were audio‐recorded.

Results

Common themes were found across prescribing groups: fear and anxiety when taking on prescribing responsibility; the strategy of using a personal list of medicines to support safe practice; how this list was expanded over time; referring to senior colleagues in prescribing decision‐making.

Conclusions

This study shows that the journeys are similar for nurses and doctors as beginning prescribers. The effort required for a novice prescriber to select the most appropriate medication and write prescriptions can be extensive as development of expertise takes time and occurs over months or years.

Relevance to clinical practice

Medical and nurse prescribers differ in term of educational preparation, their journeys as beginner prescribers share common behaviour and practices. Clinical experience and mentorship important to enhance skill development in prescribing and should be advocated for all prescribers. Beginner prescribers require ongoing education and support when prescribing for high risk patients or when prescribing new drugs
Risk factors associated with newly psychiatric disorder in spinal cord injury: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chuang Ching‐Hui , Chen Chung‐Hey , Bai Chyi‐Huey , Chen Po‐Cheng , Wu Shih‐Chung , Liu Chun‐Hao
Published: October 2017

Aim and objectives

To predict the risk factors related to newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders resulting from spinal cord injuries (SCIs).

Background

SCIs are a common result of devastating accidents; they can have an essential negative impact on the psychological health of those so afflicted. Psychiatric disorders commonly occur worldwide and are often associated with pain and disability; however, few studies have investigated the risk factors of psychiatric disorders among persons with SCIs.

Design

A retrospective cohort study design with data obtained from the Taiwan Health Insurance Research Database (THIRD). THIRD involves the claims data on recipients recorded in the Taiwan National Health Insurance (TNHI), which was set up in 1995 and covers about 99% of the 23 million persons in Taiwan.

Methods

We used THIRD to predict the risk factors related to newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders among victims of spinal cord injury.

Results

The majority of persons with SCI were men (51.2%), and their average age was 52.8 years. All 5,828 newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders were included from 1997–2009 in 64,907 SCI in the THIRD data set. These results demonstrated notable differences in hazard risk (HR); the injured persons were inspected for the level of SCI, age, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR: 1.637, 95% CI: 1.452–1.844, p < .0001; HR: 1.005, 95% CI: 1.002–1.009, p = .0019; HR: 0.724, 95% CI: 0.642–0.816; HR: 1.267, 95% CI: 1.105–1.454, p = .0007; HR: 1.368, 95% CI: 1.183–1.582, p < .0001, respectively); the persons with SCI exhibited significant independent associations with psychiatric disorders.

Conclusions

The results revealed that the level of SCI, female gender and age, respectively, affects the incidence of newly diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to SCI.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study showed that psychiatric disorders may be associated with the development of SCI, and that this risk was more predominant in females with SCI. Our results are of direct clinical relevance as they are meant to assist clinical assessment, counselling, guidance of symptomatic monitoring and early clinical intervention.
Identification of factors which affect the tendency towards and attitudes of emergency unit nurses to make medical errors
Authors: Kiymaz Dilek , Koç Zeliha
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To determine individual and professional factors affecting the tendency of emergency unit nurses to make medical errors and their attitudes towards these errors in Turkey.

Background

Compared with other units, the emergency unit is an environment where there is an increased tendency for making medical errors due to its intensive and rapid pace, noise and complex and dynamic structure.

Design

A descriptive cross‐sectional study.

Methods

The study was carried out from 25 July 2014–16 September 2015 with the participation of 284 nurses who volunteered to take part in the study. Data were gathered using the data collection survey for nurses, the Medical Error Tendency Scale and the Medical Error Attitude Scale.

Results

It was determined that 40.1% of the nurses previously witnessed medical errors, 19.4% made a medical error in the last year, 17.6% of medical errors were caused by medication errors where the wrong medication was administered in the wrong dose, and none of the nurses filled out a case report form about the medical errors they made. Regarding the factors that caused medical errors in the emergency unit, 91.2% of the nurses stated excessive workload as a cause; 85.1% stated an insufficient number of nurses; and 75.4% stated fatigue, exhaustion and burnout.

Conclusions

The study showed that nurses who loved their job were satisfied with their unit and who always worked during day shifts had a lower medical error tendency.

Relevance to clinical practice

It is suggested to consider the following actions: increase awareness about medical errors, organise training to reduce errors in medication administration, develop procedures and protocols specific to the emergency unit health care and create an environment which is not punitive wherein nurses can safely report medical errors.
The predictive role of health‐promoting behaviours and perceived stress in aneurysmal rupture
Authors: Lee Mi‐Sun , Park Chang G , Hughes Tonda L , Jun Sang‐Eun , Whang Kum , Kim Nahyun
Published: October 2017

Aims and objectives

To examine the roles of two modifiable factors—health‐promoting behaviours and perceived stress—in predicting aneurysmal rupture.

Background

Unruptured intracranial aneurysm detection produces significant stress and anxiety in patients because of the risk of rupture. Compared to nonmodifiable risk factors for rupture such as age, gender and aneurysm size/location, less attention has been given to modifiable risk factors. Two modifiable factors, health‐promoting behaviours and perceived stress, have hardly been examined as potential predictors of rupture.

Design

This study used a cross‐sectional design.

Methods

We assessed 155 patients with intracranial aneurysms—that is, subarachnoid haemorrhage (n = 77) or unruptured intracranial aneurysm (n = 78)—to examine (i) baseline characteristics (patient and aneurysmal factors), (ii) health‐related factors (lifestyle habits and health‐promoting behaviour) and (iii) perceived stress levels (psychological stress and physical stress). Patient records provided medical histories and aneurysmal factors; other data were collected using a structured questionnaire addressing lifestyle habits, the Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile‐II to measure health‐promoting behaviour and the Perceived Stress Questionnaire to measure perceived‐psychological stress and perceived‐physical stress levels.

Results

Bivariate analysis indicated that aneurysm rupture risk was associated with female gender, aneurysm size/location, defecation frequency, hyperlipidaemia, sedentary time, low Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile‐II mean scores and high perceived‐psychological stress scores. After adjusting for known risk factors, the mean Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile‐II and perceived‐psychological stress scores remained robust predictors of rupture. Furthermore, known risk factors combined with these scores had greater predictive power than known risk factors alone.

Conclusion

Health‐promoting behaviour and psychological stress are promising modifiable factors for reducing risk of aneurysmal rupture.

Relevance to clinical practice

Our findings may stimulate greater understanding of mechanisms underlying aneurysmal rupture and suggest practical strategies for nurses to employ in optimising conservative management of rupture risk by teaching patients how to modify their risk. Both health‐promoting behaviour and perceived stress should be addressed when designing preventive nursing interventions for patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm.
Annual report of the Women's Health Care Committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2017
Authors: Takamatsu Kiyoshi , Kitawaki Jo
Published: October 2017

To improve women's quality of life, the activity of the Women's Health Care Committee over a year up to July 2017 focused upon: (i) breast management; (ii) the influence of gynecological disease therapy on physical condition; (iii) non‐surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse; (iv) survey of infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology in Japan; (v) health care for female athletes; (vi) a training program for women's health care advisors; (vii) revising the Japanese guidelines on hormone replacement therapy; and (viii) revising the 2016 Japanese guidelines for the proper use of emergency contraceptives. The detailed activity of the eight subcommittees is described herein. This report is based on the Japanese version of our annual report (Acta Obst Gynaec Jpn 2017;69(6):1480–1491), to publicize the activities of our committee.
“Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris” and “Candidatus Phytoplasma mali” strains infecting sweet and sour cherry in the Czech Republic
Authors: Fránová Jana , Lenz Ondřej , Přibylová Jaroslava , Špak Josef , Koloniuk Igor , Suchá Jana , Paprštein František
Published: October 2017

A survey for phytoplasma diseases was conducted in a sweet and sour cherry germplasm collection and in cherry orchards within the Czech Republic during 2014–2015. Phytoplasmas were detected in 21 symptomatic trees. Multiple infections of cherry trees by diverse phytoplasmas of 16SrI and 16SrX groups and 16SrI‐A, 16SrI‐B, 16SrI‐L, 16SrX‐A subgroups were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Nevertheless, phylogenetic analysis placed subgroups 16SrI‐B and 16SrI‐L inseparable together onto one branch of phylogenetic tree. This is the first report of subgroups 16SrI‐A and 16SrI‐L in Prunus spp., and subgroup 16SrX‐A in sour cherry trees. Additionally, novel RFLP profiles for 16SrI‐A and 16SrI‐B‐related phytoplasmas were found in cherry samples. Phytoplasmas with these novel profiles belong, however, to their respective 16SrI‐A or 16SrI‐B phylogenetic clades.
Leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence in soybean leaves infected by Phakopsora pachyrhizi
Authors: Rios Vinícius Souza , Rios Jonas Alberto , Aucique‐Pérez Carlos Eduardo , Silveira Patrícia Ricardino , Barros Aline Vieira , Rodrigues Fabrício Ávila
Published: October 2017

Asian soybean rust (ASR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is one of the most important foliar diseases affecting soybean production worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the photosynthetic performance (leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence images and photosynthetic pigment pools) of soybean plants sprayed with Acibenzolar‐S‐Methyl (ASM) and the fungicide epoxiconazole + pyraclostrobin (Epo+Pyr) and further inoculated with P. pachyrhizi. The ASR symptoms progressed much faster on the leaves of plants from the control treatment (water spray) in comparison with the ASM and Epo+Pyr treatments. In general, the values for the leaf gas exchange parameters net carbon assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs), internal CO2 concentration (Ci) and transpiration rate (E) increased for the infected plants sprayed with ASM or Epo+Pyr in comparison with plants from the control treatment. The values for the initial fluorescence (Fo), maximal fluorescence (Fm), maximal photosystem II quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm), effective photosystem II quantum yield (Y(II)) and quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (Y(NPQ)) were consistently higher for the ASM and Epo+Pyr treatments in comparison with the control treatment at advanced stages of fungal infection. By contrast, the values for quantum yield of non‐regulated energy dissipation (Y(NO) were significantly lower for the ASM and Epo+Pyr treatments. The concentrations of total Chl a+b and carotenoids significantly increased for infected plants sprayed with ASM and Epo+Pyr in comparison with plants from the control treatment. The results of this study demonstrated that the spray of soybean plants with either ASM or Epo+Pyr contributed to reduce the negative effect of ASR on the photosynthesis of soybean plants.
Ottia meiospora (Ottiaceae, Rhodophyta), a new genus and family endophytic within the thallus of Nothocladus (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Entwisle Timothy J. , Evans Joshua R. , Vis Morgan L. , Saunders Gary W.
Published: October 2017

A new genus, Ottia, and family, Ottiaceae, are proposed within the Acrochaetiales to accommodate the uniseriate red algal endophyte of batrachspermalean taxa previously named Balbiania meiospora. Prior to this study, Balbiania investiens was transferred to its own family and order (Balbianiales) based on comparative DNA sequence data and a distinctive reproductive morphology. However, the second species described in this genus, B. meiospora, continued to be treated as a species of Audouinella (A. meiospora) pending further investigation. Phylogenetic analyses of sequence data confirmed only a distant relationship between the two endophytes, and a closer alliance of B. meiospora to Acrochaetiales. The data also showed that Ottia meiospora was the deepest diverging lineage in the Acrochaetiales, sister to all of the currently recognized genera and families. In this study, we review the classification of what we now call O. meiospora – reported from Australia, New Zealand and Brazil – based on sequence and morphological data. Morphological observations provided little clarity around the reproductive morphology or the life cycle of this endophyte of Nothocladus s. lat. found commonly in mainland Australia but, to date, less so in New Zealand.
Safety and efficacy of telbivudine for chronic hepatitis B during the entire pregnancy: Long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Shang J. , Wen Q. , Wang C. C. , Liu K. , Bai L. , Tang H.
Published: October 2017

The management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnancy is a unique issue. Telbivudine (LdT) is recommended to blockHBVmother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) in the third trimester. However, the safety of LdT treatment during the entire pregnancy for the long‐term growth of infants is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and long‐term safety of LdT for the entire pregnancy period. This retrospective cohort study included 40 pregnant women and 43 children from 2011 to 2017. The antiviral effects and maternal abnormalities were evaluated. In addition, adverse events regarding infants at delivery andHBVvaccination outcomes were recorded. The status of physical development in the children during follow‐up was also evaluated. Among pregnant women, the rates ofHBV DNAflare were 5.00% during pregnancy and 7.50% postpartum, and theHBeAg seroconversion rates were 7.50% during pregnancy and 7.50% postpartum. No severe maternal abnormalities were observed. Regarding the infants, no one was positive forHBsAg, and only one infant was negative for anti‐HBs in children over 7 months of age. Furthermore, no birth defects or severe adverse events were observed at delivery, and 97.67% normal height and 93.02% normal weight in children were observed on follow‐up until 5 years of age. In conclusion, LdT use for the entire pregnancy is both effective for treating pregnant women and blockingHBV MTCT. Moreover, LdT is safe for women and infants. Most importantly, the long‐term follow‐up indicated that LdT is safe and does not affect the growth of children.
When bats go viral: negative framings in virological research imperil bat conservation
Authors: López‐Baucells Adrià , Rocha Ricardo , Fernández‐Llamazares Álvaro
Published: October 2017

The recent upsurge in bat‐borne virus research has attracted substantial news coverage worldwide. A systematic review of virological literature revealed that bats were described as a major concern for public health in half of all studies (51%), and that their key role in delivering ecosystem services was disregarded in almost all studies (96%). Although research on zoonoses is of the utmost importance, biased framings of bats can undermine decades of conservation efforts. We urge researchers and science communicators to consider the conservation impacts of how research findings are presented to the public carefully, and, whenever possible, to highlight the ecological significance of bats, their dire conservation situation and their importance for human well‐being.
An account of evolutionary specialization: the AbcR small RNAs in the Rhizobiales
Authors: Sheehan Lauren M. , Caswell Clayton C.
Published: October 2017

The AbcR small RNAs (sRNAs) are a fascinating example of two highly conserved sRNAs that differ tremendously at the functional level among organisms. From their transcriptional activation to their regulatory capabilities, the AbcR sRNAs exhibit varying characteristics in three well‐studied bacteria belonging to the Rhizobiales order: the plant symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti, the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and the animal pathogen Brucella abortus. This review outlines the similarities and differences of the AbcR sRNAs between each of these organisms, and discusses reasons as to why this group of sRNAs has diverged in their genetic organization and regulatory functions across species. In the end, this review will shed light on how regulatory systems, although seemingly conserved among bacteria, can vary based on the environmental niche and lifestyle of an organism.
Apocalyptic Specularity in Dante's Eschatology: Narcissus and the Imagination of Salvation
Authors: Shah Bruno M.
Published: October 2017

Dante's Commedia provides a performative eschatology or “apocalyptic specularity” that shows well how to keep concerns for apophasis, imagination, and salvation in balance. His literary appreciation for mirroring enables him to re‐present and imitate revelation. Displaying a metaphysically robust imagination, Dante's eschatology is akin to the biblical genre of apocalypse. Dantean analogy—personal and historical while theological and apocalyptical—resists tendencies to account for theology in reducibly negativist terms. The Divine Comedy hopes for the salvation of Narcissus, whose figure reflects the “everyman,” who would furthermore reflect even the triune God.
A modular toolbox for Golden‐Gate‐based plasmid assembly streamlines the generation of Ralstonia solanacearum species complex knockout strains and multi‐cassette complementation constructs
Authors: Wu Dousheng , Schandry Niklas , Lahaye Thomas
Published: October 2017

Members of the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (Rssc) cause bacterial wilt, a devastating plant disease that affects numerous economically important crops. Like other bacterial pests, Rssc injects a cocktail of effector proteins via the bacterial type III secretion system into host cells that collectively promote disease. Given their functional relevance in disease, the identification of Rssc effectors and the investigation of their in planta function are likely to provide clues on how to generate pest‐resistant crop plants. Accordingly, molecular analysis of effector function is a focus of Rssc research. The elucidation of effector function requires corresponding gene knockout strains or strains that express the desired effector variants. The cloning of DNA constructs that facilitate the generation of such strains has hindered the investigation of Rssc effectors. To overcome these limitations, we have designed, generated and functionally validated a toolkit consisting of DNA modules that can be assembled via Golden‐Gate (GG) cloning into either desired gene knockout constructs or multi‐cassette expression constructs. The Ralstonia‐GG‐kit is compatible with a previously established toolkit that facilitates the generation of DNA constructs for in planta expression. Accordingly, cloned modules, encoding effectors of interest, can be transferred to vectors for expression in Rssc strains and plant cells. As many effector genes have been cloned in the past as GATEWAY entry vectors, we have also established a conversion vector that allows the implementation of GATEWAY entry vectors into the Ralstonia‐GG‐kit. In summary, the Ralstonia‐GG‐kit provides a valuable tool for the genetic investigation of genes encoding effectors and other Rssc genes.
The Sphagnome Project: enabling ecological and evolutionary insights through a genus‐level sequencing project
Authors: Weston David J. , Turetsky Merritt R. , Johnson Matthew G. , Granath Gustaf , Lindo Zoë , Belyea Lisa R. , Rice Steven K. , Hanson David T. , Engelhardt Katharina A. M. , Schmutz Jeremy , Dorrepaal Ellen , Euskirchen Eugénie S. , Stenøien Hans K. , Szövényi Péter , Jackson Michelle , Piatkowski Bryan T. , Muchero Wellington , Norby Richard J. , Kostka Joel E. , Glass Jennifer B. , Rydin Håkan , Limpens Juul , Tuittila Eeva‐Stiina , Ullrich Kristian K. , Carrell Alyssa , Benscoter Brian W. , Chen Jin‐Gui , Oke Tobi A. , Nilsson Mats B. , Ranjan Priya , Jacobson Daniel , Lilleskov Erik A. , Clymo R. S. , Shaw A. Jonathan
Published: October 2017

Considerable progress has been made in ecological and evolutionary genetics with studies demonstrating how genes underlying plant and microbial traits can influence adaptation and even ‘extend’ to influence community structure and ecosystem level processes. Progress in this area is limited to model systems with deep genetic and genomic resources that often have negligible ecological impact or interest. Thus, important linkages between genetic adaptations and their consequences at organismal and ecological scales are often lacking. Here we introduce the Sphagnome Project, which incorporates genomics into a long‐running history of Sphagnum research that has documented unparalleled contributions to peatland ecology, carbon sequestration, biogeochemistry, microbiome research, niche construction, and ecosystem engineering. The Sphagnome Project encompasses a genus‐level sequencing effort that represents a new type of model system driven not only by genetic tractability, but by ecologically relevant questions and hypotheses.
Mindfulness‐based interventions for weight loss: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Carrière K. , Khoury B. , Günak M. M. , Knäuper B.
Published: October 2017

Background

An increasing number of studies are investigating the efficacy of mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs) for weight loss and obesity‐related eating behaviours. However, the results of past reviews are inconsistent.

Objective

To clarify these inconsistencies, we conducted a comprehensive effect‐size analysis to evaluate the efficacy of MBIs on weight loss and eating behaviours.

Data source

Data sources were identified through a systematic review of studies published in journals or as dissertations in PsychINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Medline and Scopus, ProQuest or OATD from the first available date to March 10, 2017.

Review methods

A total of 18 publications (19 studies, n = 1,160) were included.

Results

Mean weight loss for MBIs at post‐treatment was 6.8 and 7.5 lb at follow‐up. In pre–post comparisons, effect‐size estimates suggest that MBIs are moderately effective for weight loss (n = 16; Hedge's g = .42; 95% CI [.26, .59], p < .000001) and largely effective in reducing obesity‐related eating behaviours (n = 10; Hedge's g = .70; CI 95% [.36, 1.04], p < .00005). Larger effects on weight loss were found in studies that used a combination of informal and formal meditation practice (n = 6; Hedge's g = .55; CI 95% [.32, .77], p < .00001) compared with formal meditation practice alone (n = 4; Hedge's g = .46; CI [.10, .83], p < .05).

Conclusion

Results suggest that MBIs are effective in reducing weight and improving obesity‐related eating behaviours among individuals with overweight and obesity. Further research is needed to examine their efficacy for weight loss maintenance.
What is the best size predictor for dose in the obese child?
Authors: Anderson Brian J , Holford Nick HG
Published: October 2017

Lean body mass is commonly proposed for anesthesia maintenance drug dosing calculations. However, total body mass used with allometric scaling has been shown to be better for propofol in obese adults and children. Fat‐free mass has also been used instead of lean body mass. Fat‐free mass is essentially the same as lean body mass but excludes a small percentage of mass of lipids in cell membranes, CNS, and bone marrow. Normal fat mass is a size descriptor that partitions total body mass into fat‐free mass and fat mass calculated from total body mass minus fat‐free mass. The relative influence of fat mass compared with fat‐free mass is described by the fraction of fat mass that makes fat equivalent to fat‐free mass in terms of allometric size. This fraction (Ffat) will differ for each drug and each parameter affected by body size (eg, clearance and volume of distribution). This fraction is based on the concept of theory‐based allometric size. The normal fat mass based on allometric theory and partition of body mass into fat and fat‐free components provides a principle‐based approach explaining size and body composition effects on pharmacokinetics of all drugs in children and in adults.
Successful second hematopoietic cell transplantation in severe congenital neutropenia
Authors: Hashem H. , Abu‐Arja R. , Auletta J. J. , Rangarajan H. G. , Varga E. , Rose M. J. , Bajwa R. P. S.
Published: October 2017

Allogeneic HCT is curative for SCN; however, a standard conditioning regimen or intensity has not been established. We describe a patient with SCN associated with c.1A>G (M1V) mutation in ELANE gene resulting in refractoriness to G‐CSF, who received reduced‐intensity HCT and developed secondary graft failure requiring a second myeloablative HCT. This case suggests that M1V mutation confers a poor G‐CSF response and HCT using the best available donor is beneficial.
Salesforce Incentives and Remanufacturing
Authors: Kovach Jeremy J. , Atasu Atalay , Banerjee Sumitro
Published: October 2017

We analyze how salesforce incentives influence a firm's remanufacturing strategy and profitability. We first consider a salesforce incentive model based on the practice of a North American consumer products firm, which offers commissions based on the total revenue generated from new and remanufactured product sales. We then consider a model with differentiated linear commissions for new and remanufactured products. We show that the incentives offered to a salesforce to induce effort can create conditions where a firm should not sell remanufactured products, even if the cost of remanufacturing is negligible. We demonstrate that this result holds for the compensation plan observed in practice of the focal firm as well as with differentiated linear commissions. We further find that linear sales commissions for remanufactured products should generally be lower than those for new products under both compensation models. However, commissions based on the total sales revenue generated by a salesperson, which do not differentiate between the sales of the two products, are not well suited for remanufacturing. This is because incentives based on total sales revenue result in unit sales commissions that are proportional to product prices, which always induce lower than optimal remanufactured product sales due to their lower prices. We show that by offering differentiated commissions for new and remanufactured products, firms can expand the conditions favoring remanufacturing and substantially improve profits.
Pleiotropic effects of enhancing vacuolar K/H exchange in tomato
Authors: De Luca Anna , Pardo José M. , Leidi Eduardo O.
Published: October 2017

Cation antiporters of the NHX family are widely regarded as determinants of salt tolerance due to their capacity to drive sodium (Na) and sequester it into vacuoles. Recent work shows, however, that NHX transporters are primarily involved in vacuolar potassium (K) storage. Over‐expression of the K/H antiporter AtNHX1 in tomato increases K accumulation into vacuoles and plant sensitivity to K deprivation. Here we show that the appearance of early leaf symptoms of K deficiency was associated with higher concentration of polyamines. Transgenic roots exhibited a greater sensitivity than shoots to K deprivation with changes in the composition of the free amino acids pool, total sugars and organic acids. Concentrations of amides (glutamine), amino acids (arginine) and sugars significantly increased in root, together with a reduction in malate and succinate concentrations. The concentration of pyruvate and the activity of pyruvate kinase were greater in the transgenic roots before K withdrawal although both parameters were depressed by K deprivation and approached wild‐type levels. In the longer term, the over‐expression of the NHX1 antiporter affected root growth and biomass partitioning (shoot/root ratio). Greater ethylene release produced longer stem internodes and leaf curling in the transgenic line. Our data show that enhanced sequestration of K by the NHX antiporter in the vacuoles altered cellular K homeostasis and had deeper physiological consequences than expected. Early metabolic changes lead later on to profound morphological and physiological adjustments resulting eventually in the loss of nutrient use efficiency.