bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a novel NADPH oxidase inhibitor (S42909) on wound healing in an experimental ischemic excisional skin model
Authors: Sotomayor Sandra , Pascual Gemma , Blanc‐Guillemaud Vanessa , Mesa‐Ciller Claudia , García‐Honduvilla Natalio , Cifuentes Alberto , Buján Julia
Published: June 2016

Chronic wounds are a serious healthcare problem. As non‐healing wounds involve continuous pathologic inflammatory stage, research is focused on anti‐inflammatory treatments. Our objective was to analyze the effect of S42909, a potent NADPH oxidase inhibitor activity, with vascular anti‐inflammatory properties. An ischemic rabbit ear ulcer model (24 New Zealand white rabbits) was used to evaluate the reepithelialization/contraction areas, anti‐/pro‐inflammatory cytokines mRNA (TGF‐β1/IL‐10/IFN‐γ/VEGF) by qRT‐PCR, collagen I/III deposition, and neovascularization (TGF‐β1/VEGF) by morphological and immunohistochemical analyses. Three different doses were administered by gavage for 2 weeks: 10 and 30 mg/kg/d in self‐microemulsion drug delivery system (SMEDDS) and 100 mg/kg/d in arabic gum. Each vehicle was used as control. No signs of infection or necrosis were found. Reepithelialization was almost complete whatever the groups reaching 95% at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Wound contraction was significantly reduced in all S42909‐treated groups. A significant increase in anti‐inflammatory cytokines TGF‐β1 mRNA and IL‐10 mRNA was observed at the dose of 100 and 30 mg/kg/d, respectively. No changes were observed in pro‐inflammatory factors INF‐γ and VEGF mRNA. Ischemic skin wound areas had scarce expression of collagen I/III and showed rich glycosaminoglycans content. Treatment increased the collagen deposition and TGF‐β1 protein expression and decreased glycosaminoglycan content dose dependently; however, no effect in VEGF was appreciated. Therefore, our results indicate that S42909 improved healing process by dampening excessive inflammation and facilitating collagen deposition without wound contraction phenomena. S42909 might be a promising therapy to treat chronic wounds as venous leg ulcers.
Attachment Representation and Sensitivity: The Moderating Role of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Refugee Sample
Authors: van Ee Elisa , Jongmans Marian J. , van der Aa Niels , Kleber Rolf J.
Published: June 2016

It has been hypothesized that adult attachment representations guide caregiving behavior and influence parental sensitivity, and thus affect the child's socio‐emotional development. Several studies have shown a link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and reduced parental sensitivity, so it is possible that PTSD moderates the relationship between insecure attachment representations and insensitivity. In this study symptoms of PTSD (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire), parental sensitivity (Emotional Availability Scales), and attachment representations (Attachment Script Assessment) were assessed in 53 parents who were asylum seekers or refugees. Results showed that when parents were less able to draw on secure attachment representations, symptoms of PTSD increased the risk of insensitive parenting. These findings suggest that parental sensitivity is affected not just by attachment representations, but by a conjunction of risk factors including symptoms of PTSD and insecure attachment representations. These parents should therefore be supported to establish or confirm secure models of attachment experiences, to facilitate their ability interact sensitively and form a secure relationship with their children.
Scale dependence of temperature as an abiotic driver of species' distributions
Authors: Schweiger Andreas H. , Beierkuhnlein Carl
Published: June 2016

Aim Scale dependence of patterns and processes remains one of the major unresolved problems in ecology. The responses of ecosystems to environmental stressors are reported to be strongly scale dependent, but projections of the effects of climate change on species' distributions are still restricted to particular scales and knowledge about scale dependence is lacking. Here we propose that the scale dependence of those species' niche dimensions related to climate change is strongly related to the strength of climatic cross‐scale links. More specifically, we hypothesize that the strong cross‐scale links between micro‐ and macroclimatic conditions are related to high cross‐scale similarity (low scale dependence) of species' realized temperature niches and, thus, species' spatial distributions.

Location This study covers seven orders of magnitude of spatial scale, ranging from local‐scale (below a metre) and regional‐scale (kilometre) investigations in central European wetland ecosystems to continental‐scale (thousands of kilometres) studies of species' distributions.

Methods We combined data on the spatial occurrence of species (vegetation records at local and regional scales, digitized distribution maps at the continental scale) with information about the corresponding temperature regime of vascular plant species occurring in environmentally stable wetland ecosystems characterized by strong cross‐scale links between micro‐ and macroclimatic conditions.

Results We observed high cross‐scale similarity of the characteristics of species temperature niches across seven orders of magnitude of spatial scale. However, the importance of temperature as an abiotic driver decreased nonlinearly with decreasing scale, suggesting greater importance of additional (biotic) drivers of species' occurrence at small spatial scales.

Main conclusions We report high cross‐scale similarity of realized temperature niches for species inhabiting ecosystems where small‐scale environmental noise is low and cross‐scale links between micro‐ and macroclimatic conditions are strong. By highlighting a strong relationship between abiotic and biotic cross‐scale similarity, our results will help to improve niche‐based species distribution modelling, one of the major assessment tools for determining the ecological effects of climate change.
Application of qualitative response models in a relevance study of older adults' health depreciation and medical care demand
Authors: Weng Shuo‐Chun , Chen Yu‐Chi , Chen Ching‐Yu , Cheng Yuan‐Yang , Tang Yih‐Jing , Yang Shu‐Hui , Lin Jwu‐Rong ,   on behalf of the CGG‐TCVGH investigators
Published: June 2016

Aim

The effect of health depreciation in older people on medical care demand is not well understood. We tried to assess the medical care demand with length of hospitalization and their impact on profits as a result of health depreciation.

Methods

All participants who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment were from a prospective cohort study at a tertiary hospital. A total of 1191 cases between September 2008 to October 2012 were investigated. Three sets of qualitative response models were constructed to estimate the impact of older adults' health depreciation on multidisciplinary geriatric care services. Furthermore, we analyzed the factors affecting the composite end‐point of rehospitalization within 14 days, re‐admission to the emergency department within 3 days and patient death.

Results

Greater health depreciation in elderly patients was positively correlated with greater medical care demand. Three major components were defined as health depreciation: elderly adaptation function, geriatric syndromes and multiple chronic diseases. On admission, the better the basic living functions, the shorter the length of hospitalization (coefficient = −0.35, P < 0.001 in Poisson regression; coefficient = −0.33, P < 0.001 in order choice profit model; coefficient = −0.29, P < 0.001 in binary choice profit model). The major determinants for poor outcome were male sex, middle old age and length of hospitalization. However, factors that correlated with relatively good outcome were functional improvement after medical care services and level of disease education.

Conclusions

An optimal allocation system for selection of cases into multidisciplinary geriatric care is required because of limited resources. Outcomes will improve with health promotion and preventive care services. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 645–652.
Immunohistochemical expression profiles of solute carrier transporters in alpha‐fetoprotein‐producing gastric cancer
Authors: Shimakata Takaaki , Kamoshida Shingo , Kawamura Jumpei , Ogane Naoki , Kameda Yoichi , Yanagita Emmy , Itoh Tomoo , Takeda Risa , Naka Ayano , Sakamaki Kuniko , Hayashi Yurie , Kuwao Sadahito
Published: June 2016

Aims

Alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP)‐producing gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive tumour with high rates of liver metastasis and poor prognosis, and for which a validated chemotherapy regimen has not been established. Drug uptake by solute carrier (SLC) transporters is proposed as one of the mechanisms involved in sensitivity to chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to develop important insights into effective chemotherapeutic regimens for AFP‐producing GC.

Methods and results

We evaluated immunohistochemically the expression levels of a panel of SLC transporters in 20 AFP‐producing GCs and 130 conventional GCs. SLC transporters examined were human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1), organic anion transporter 2 (OAT2), organic cation transporter (OCT) 2, OCT6 and organic anion‐transporting polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3). The rates of high expression levels of hENT1 (hENT1high) and OAT2 (OAT2high) were statistically higher in AFP‐producing GC, compared with conventional GC. When analysing hENT1 and OAT2 in combination, hENT1high/OAT2high was the most particular expression profile for AFP‐producing GC, with a greater significance than hENT1 or OAT2 alone. However, no significant differences in OCT2, OCT6 or OATP1B3 levels were detected between AFP‐producing and conventional GCs. However, immunoreactivity for hENT1, OAT2 and OCT6 tended to be increased in GC tissues compared with non‐neoplastic epithelia.

Conclusions

Because hENT1 and OAT2 are crucial for the uptake of gemcitabine and 5‐fluorouracil, respectively, our results suggest that patients with AFP‐producing GC could potentially benefit from gemcitabine/fluoropyrimidine combination chemotherapy. Increased expression of hENT1, OAT2 and OCT6 may also be associated with the progression of GC.
Effect of continuous ultrasonic irrigation on postoperative pain in mandibular molars with nonvital pulps: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Middha M. , Sangwan P. , Tewari S. , Duhan J.
Published: June 2016

Aim

To evaluate via a randomized clinical trial the effect of continuous ultrasonic irrigation (CUI) on postoperative pain in mandibular molars with nonvital pulps.

Methodology

Seventy mandibular molars with nonvital pulps and apical periodontitis were treated endodontically using two different irrigation techniques. The patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups, CUI (n = 35) and syringe irrigation (SI) (n = 35). The CUI group received irrigant activation using a Proultra Piezoflow ultrasonic needle as the final irrigation protocol, whilst in the SI group, the final irrigation was performed using 27‐gauge needle. All the patients were prescribed ibuprofen 400 mg to be taken every 8 h, if required. Postoperative pain using a visual analog scale and analgesic intake were recorded everyday for 7 days. Data were analysed using chi–Square, Mann–Whitney and multiple linear regression tests.

Results

Mean postoperative pain was lower in the CUI as compared to SI group, but the difference was significant on the first day only (P = 0.032). The overall 24‐h pain prevalence was 41.4%. CUI had a lower incidence of pain (31.4%) as compared to the SI group (51.4%), but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in analgesic consumption between the groups (P > 0.05). Regression analysis revealed a significant association of mean postoperative pain at 24 h with the irrigant protocol (P = 0.017) and preoperative pain (P = 0.000).

Conclusion

A significant difference was observed between CUI and syringe irrigation on the first postoperative day following chemo‐mechanical preparation. However, the benefit observed was not clinically relevant.
A newly designed observation and response chart's effect upon adverse inpatient outcomes and rapid response team activity
Authors: O'Connell A. , Flabouris A. , Kim S. W. , Horwood C. , Hakendorf P. , Thompson C. H.
Published: June 2016

Background

Adverse inpatient events may diminish with earlier response to clinical deterioration. Observation and response charts with a tiered escalation response are recommended for use.

Aims

To examine the impact of an observation and response chart and altered calling criteria on rapid response team (RRT) calls, cardiac arrests and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions from the ward and hospital deaths.

Methods

Linked administrative and clinical data from an Australian, adult tertiary hospital for August 2007 to June 2013 (pre‐chart) and July 2013 to December 2014 (post‐chart) and analysed using interrupted time series analysis.

Results

Pre‐chart RRT calls were increasing by 1.7 calls per 10 000 hospital admissions per month, whilst ICU admissions from the ward, deaths and cardiac arrests were decreasing by 0.3, 0.25 and 0.079 per 10 000 admissions per month respectively.

Immediately upon chart introduction, the RRT call rate increased by 82% (66–98% CI; P < 0.01), the ward admissions to ICU rate increased by 41% (14–67% CI; P < 0.01) and the rates of deaths and cardiac arrests did not change.

In the post chart period, both the pre‐chart increasing trend in the rate of RRT and decreasing trend in the rate of ICU admissions changed significantly to become constant. The pre chart trends in the cardiac arrest rate and hospital mortality did not change.

Conclusion

Observation and response charts increased RRT and ICU workload without improving cardiac arrest rate or mortality. Future chart evaluation should identify features beneficial to patient outcomes and refine those that consume critical care resources that are not associated with improved patient outcomes.
Anti‐Inflammatory Effects and Prediction of Blood Pressure Response by Baseline Inflammatory State in Catheter‐Based Renal Denervation
Authors: Lang David , Nahler Alexander , Lambert Thomas , Grund Michael , Kammler Jürgen , Kellermair Jörg , Blessberger Hermann , Kypta Alexander , Steinwender Clemens , Auer Johann
Published: June 2016

This retrospective analysis aimed to examine off‐target effects on inflammatory and renal function parameters in n=78 subsequent patients treated with renal denervation (RDN) for resistant hypertension. Ambulatory and office blood pressure (ABP/OBP), serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), cystatin C, C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and white blood cell count (WBC) were assessed before, 6 and 12 months after RDN. ABP was significantly reduced by −8.2/−3.8 mm Hg (P=.002/.021) at 1 year after RDN, while an initial OBP reduction was not sustained during follow‐up. IL‐6 levels significantly decreased by −0.5 pg/mL (P=.042) and by −1.7 pg/mL (P<.001) at 6 and 12 months, baseline IL‐6 levels possibly predicting ABP response to RDN (r=−0.295; P=.020). Concurrently, leukocyte count was reduced by −0.5 × 103/μL (P=.017) and −0.8 × 103/μL (P<.001), respectively. Serum creatinine and GFR remained unchanged, but we observed a significant increase in cystatin C by 0.04 mg/L (P=.026) and 0.14 mg/L (P<.001) at 6 and 12 months after the intervention.
Minoxidil for Treatment of Resistant Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease––A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Mundt Heiko M. , Matenaer Matthias , Lammert Alexander , Göttmann Uwe , Krämer Bernhard K. , Birck Rainer , Benck Urs
Published: June 2016

Resistant hypertension is still a challenge and reserve antihypertensive agents are often necessary to achieve blood pressure control. One reserve antihypertensive is minoxidil, a direct vasodilator that is known for its strong blood pressure–lowering effect, but contemporary studies are sparse. The authors retrospectively analyzed 54 inpatients with uncontrolled hypertension despite the combined use of current antihypertensive agents. To investigate the effect of minoxidil when added to other antihypertensive agents, blood pressure was evaluated at the time minoxidil treatment was initiated and at discharge. Minoxidil treatment was associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure from 162.4±15.1/83.2±12.7 mm Hg to 135.8±12.2/72.8±6.9 mm Hg (P<.0001). This effect was sustained across all analyzed subgroups. Although the well‐known adverse events of minoxidil limit its widespread use, these data show that minoxidil as a reserve antihypertensive agent still has a niche indication in the particular subgroup of patients with treatment‐resistant or uncontrolled hypertension.
Variation of within‐crop microhabitat use by Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in blackberry
Authors: Diepenbrock L. M. , Burrack H. J.
Published: June 2016

Drosophila suzukii Matsumara (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive vinegar fly that infests ripe and ripening soft skinned fruits. In the south‐eastern United States, blackberry (Rubus spp.) crops are heavily impacted by D. suzukii, and current management tactics rely on the use of broad‐spectrum insecticides targeted to adult populations. An improved understanding of D. suzukii biology and ecology are necessary to create sustainable management options. Knowledge of how D. suzukii interacts with resources will enable targeted management actions in the future. In this present study, we monitored larval infestation throughout the blackberry canopy and found that infestation was highest in the inner portion of the canopy and lower in more exposed locations. We also documented higher humidity within the cane canopy relative to the edge of the field. A difference in abiotic conditions may create within‐crop microhabitats that D. suzukii is able to exploit. Future research will explore how to take advantage of these microhabitats in pest management programs.
Three decades of longlining in Bimini, Bahamas, reveals long‐term trends in lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris (Carcharhinidae) catch per unit effort
Authors: Kessel S. T. , Hansell A. C. , Gruber S. H. , Guttridge T. L. , Hussey N. E. , Perkins R. G.
Published: June 2016

In Bimini, Bahamas, the consistent employment of longlines, beginning in 1982, provided a rare opportunity to explore population trends for large resident sharks. This study assessed three shallow water longline survey periods at this location; 1982–1989, 1992–2002 and 2003–2014, with the aim of determining trends in annual catch per unit effort (CPUE) for an IUCN listed near‐threatened species, the lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris. A general additive model (GAM) was used to analyse the non‐linear annual CPUE values over the entire 32‐year research period. The GAM displayed high variability of annual CPUE, with a peak value of 0·026 N. brevirostris per hook day (hooks day−1) in 2000. The temporal pattern of CPUE indicated an abundance trend with a complete cycle, from trough to trough, occurring over a period of approximately 18 years. The 1982–1989 survey period saw the highest proportion of mature individuals (19·8%) and the smallest average pre‐caudal length (LPC; 124·8 cm). The 1992–2002 survey period had the highest average annual CPUE (0·018 hooks day−1), while the 2003–2014 research period saw largest average LPC size (134·8 cm) and the lowest average CPUE values (0·009 hooks day−1) of the entire research period. The long‐term trend identified in this study provides a baseline for future assessment.
Decolonizing Research Methods for Family Science: Creating Space at the Center
Authors: Bermúdez J. Maria , Muruthi Bertranna A. , Jordan Lorien S.
Published: June 2016

North America has a strong legacy of colonization, and a decolonizing agenda has important implications for the field of family science. Decolonizing epistemologies and research methods have gained momentum in the biological and social sciences. These research methods challenge the status quo and the superiority of Western ideologies and focus on agendas meant to honor marginalized people and their local knowledge and experiences. Decolonizing ideologies and practices offer an opportunity for researchers to decenter the existing power structure of neocolonial paradigms and knowledge production while simultaneously acknowledging the needs of multiple stakeholders in research. Our goal is to review the various forms of colonialisms, offer methodological considerations for family research, highlight the advantages and challenges of using a decolonizing approach, and offer reflexive questions to situate the researcher focused on a decolonizing research agenda for family science.
“It Has to be Perfect!”: The Development of Perfectionism and the Family System
Authors: Rasmussen Katie E. , Troilo Jessica
Published: June 2016

Perfectionism has deleterious effects on developmental outcomes for children, youth, and adults. Despite this, there is controversy regarding the nature of perfectionism itself and whether it can be positive or negative. This article identifies key findings in the perfectionism literature, reviews current research literature on the conceptualizations and antecedents of perfectionism, and outlines concepts of family systems theory that help explain how perfectionism develops in families. Three models are proposed to explain the development of maladaptive perfectionism, socially prescribed and self‐oriented perfectionism, and other‐oriented perfectionism—all in the context of the family system. Implications for future theory development, research, and practices are discussed, emphasizing the role of resilient processes within and outside the family unit.
Edge‐to‐Edge Technique to Minimize Ovelapping of Multiple Bioresorbable Scaffolds Plus Drug Eluting Stents in Revascularization of Long Diffuse Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Rigatelli Gianluca , Avvocata Fabio Dell’ , Ronco Federico , Giordan Massimo , Roncon Loris , Caprioglio Francesco , Grassi Giuseppe , Faggian Giuseppe , Cardaioli Paolo
Published: June 2016

Background

Implantation of Drug Eluting Stents (DES) plus bioresorbable scaffolds (BVS) in very long diffuse left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) disease may be problematic because of multiple devices overlapping. We sought to assess the short and mid‐tern outcomes of combined implantation of DES and BVS using a novel “edge‐to‐edge” technique in patients with diffuse LAD disease.

Methods

Patients with long diffuse LAD disease were enrolled in a prospective registry from 1st August 2014 to 1st August 2015 and treated with IVUS‐aided percutaneous coronary intervention using a DES plus a single or multiple BVS using a novel “edge‐to‐edge” technique. Clinical follow up and invasive follow up driven by clinical justification was performed.

Results

Twenty‐three patients (5 females, mean age 59.1± 9.1 years) were enrolled. Mean length of LAD disease was 73.1 ± 20.6 mm. Mean number of DES and BVS implanted was 1.2 ± 0.4 and 1.7 ± 1.3, respectively. At a mean follow‐up of 11.3 ± 3.8 months, no stent thrombosis or MACE were observed. Angiographic and IVUS follow‐up at a mean of 6.6 ± 0.7 months showed no significant angiographic restenosis and no appreciable stent gaps.

Conclusions

In revascularization of long diffuse disease of the LAD, the edge‐to‐edge implantation technique appears to be feasible resulting in no restenosis or thrombosis on the short‐term follow‐up. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:275–284)
Comparison of 4.5‐Year Outcomes of Bare‐Metal and Zotarolimus‐Eluting Stents in New York
Authors: Qian Feng , Zhong Ye , Kheocha‐On Pornchanok , Hannan Edward L.
Published: June 2016

Background

Both bare‐metal stents (BMS; the first‐generation coronary stent) and zotarolimus‐eluting stents (ZES; a second‐generation drug‐eluting stent [DES]) have been widely utilized to treat coronary heart disease. However, the long‐term comparative effectiveness of BMS and ZES remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long‐term comparative effectiveness of BMS versus ZES.

Methods

We created a longitudinal database by linking the New York State (NYS) cardiac registries, statewide hospital discharge data, the National Death Index (NDI), and the U.S. Census file (2010) for patients receiving either BMS or ZES during the 2008–2009 period. We examined the rates of all‐cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), target‐lesion PCI (TLPCI), and target‐vessel coronary artery bypass graft (TVCABG) surgery for a follow‐up period of 4.5 years. A total of 10,443 propensity score matched pairs were compared using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression adjusting for patient risk factors.

Results

We found that patients receiving ZES had a lower rate of 4.5‐year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio AHR: 0.68, 95% confidence interval CI: 0.63–0.73), AMI (AHR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80–0.98), and TVCABG (AHR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71–0.99) but a similar rate of TLPCI (AHR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.93–1.12). For “off‐label” and “high‐risk” subgroups, ZES was associated with improved mortality and generally better or non‐inferior AMI, TLPCI, and TVCABG outcomes relative to BMS.

Conclusions

Compared with BMS, ZES was associated with lower long‐term mortality, AMI and TVCABG. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:265–274)
Project ReFresh: Testing the Efficacy of a School‐Based Classroom and Cafeteria Intervention in Elementary School Children
Authors: Song Hee‐Jung , Grutzmacher Stephanie , Munger Ash L.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a school‐based nutrition program using a cafeteria environment intervention and classroom nutrition education on self‐reported fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, self‐efficacy to select FV, and preference for healthy foods.

METHODS

Using quasi‐experimental pre‐post design with 3 study conditions, a total of 665 fourth‐ and fifth‐grade students participated in the study. The comprehensive intervention included a behavioral economics cafeteria intervention and weekly classroom nutrition education for 1 academic year. The intervention was designed and delivered by the extension system.

RESULTS

The comprehensive group showed significant improvement in some indicators including eating vegetables for lunch (p = .007), number of days eating vegetables (p < .001) and fruits (p < .001) in the last week, and self‐efficacy in preparing FV at home (p = .034) compared to the control and cafeteria groups. Food preference of some food items, including oatmeal (p = .036 for cafeteria group, p < .001 for comprehensive group), whole grain noodles (p = .011 for comprehensive group), and vegetables (p = .003 for comprehensive group), significantly improved in the cafeteria and/or comprehensive group.

CONCLUSIONS

Classroom nutrition education combined with cafeteria improvement has the potential to improve diet‐related behavior of elementary school children. Also, collaborative partnership between schools and extension can enhance program sustainability.
Adoption of Preventive Measures and Attitudes Toward the H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Schools
Authors: Pérez Anna , Rodríguez Tània , López Maria José , Continente Xavier , Nebot Manel
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

This study describes the perceived impact of H1N1 influenza and the adoption of the recommended measures to address the pandemic in schools.

METHODS

A cross‐sectional self‐reported survey was conducted in 433 schools in Barcelona addressed to the school principal or the H1N1 influenza designated person. A descriptive analysis was performed, stratifying by educational level and type of school. A logistic regression analysis also was conducted.

RESULTS

Around 70% of the respondents reported that there had been H1N1 influenza cases among students, being this percentage significantly higher among those schools offering primary education (74.4%) (p < .05). The main measures (single‐use paper towels, availability of sanitizer solutions and 15 minutes ventilation per day of enclosed spaces) were implemented in most of the centers. However, the correct adoption of the main measures took place in around 30% of the schools, being the percentage lower in those offering only secondary education (Odds ratio [OR]: 0.518; 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.272‐0.986) and those located in medium (OR: 0.438, 95% CI: 0.234‐0.811) or low socioeconomic status (SES) districts (OR: 0.321, 95% CI: 0.159‐0.649).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the climate of social alarm, the perceived impact of H1N1 influenza in most schools was moderate. In future potential threats, the educational level and the SES of the school should be considered, especially when measures requiring purchasing any product are recommended but not provided.
Promoting Fitness and Safety in Elementary Students: A Randomized Control Study of the Michigan Model for Health
Authors: O'Neill James M. , Clark Jeffrey K. , Jones James A.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

In elementary grades, comprehensive health education curricula have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing singular health issues. The Michigan Model for Health (MMH) was implemented and evaluated to determine its impact on nutrition, physical fitness, and safety knowledge and skills.

METHODS

Schools (N = 52) were randomly assigned to intervention and control conditions. Participants received MMH with 24 lessons in grade 4 and 28 more lessons in grade 5 including material focusing on nutrition, physical fitness, and safety attitudes and skills. The 40‐minute lessons were taught by the classroom teacher who received curriculum training and provided feedback on implementation fidelity. Self‐report survey data were collected from the fourth‐grade students (N = 1983) prior to the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention, with the same data collection schedule repeated in fifth grade. Analysis of the scales was conducted using a mixed‐model approach.

RESULTS

Students who received the curriculum had better nutrition, physical activity, and safety skills than the control‐group students. Intervention students also reported higher consumption of fruits; however, no difference was reported for other types of food consumption.

CONCLUSION

The effectiveness of the MMH in promoting fitness and safety supports the call for integrated strategies that begin in elementary grades, target multiple risk behaviors, and result in practical and financial benefits to schools.
Phylogeny of the Rosidae: A dense taxon sampling analysis
Authors: Sun Miao , Naeem Rehan , Su Jun‐Xia , Cao Zhi‐Yong , Burleigh J. Gordon , Soltis Pamela S. , Soltis Douglas E. , Chen Zhi‐Duan
Published: June 2016

Rosidae, a clade of approximately 90 000 species of angiosperms, exhibits remarkable morphological diversity and extraordinary heterogeneity in habitats and life forms. Resolving phylogenetic relationships within Rosidae has been difficult, in large part due to nested radiations and the enormous size of the clade. Current estimates of phylogeny contain areas of poor resolution and/or support, and there have been few attempts to synthesize the available data into a comprehensive view of Rosidae phylogeny. We aim to improve understanding of the phylogeny of Rosidae with a dense sampling scheme using both newly generated sequences and data from GenBank of the chloroplast rbcL, atpB, and matK genes and the mitochondrial matR gene. We combined sequences from 9300 species, representing 2775 genera, 138 families, and 17 orders into a supermatrix. Although 59.26% of the cells in the supermatrix have no data, our results generally agree with previous estimates of Rosidae phylogeny and provide greater resolution and support in several areas of the topology. Several noteworthy phylogenetic relationships are recovered, including some novel relationships. Two families (Euphorbiaceae and Salvadoraceae) and 467 genera are recovered as non‐monophyletic in our sampling, suggesting the need for future systematic studies of these groups. Our study shows the value of a botanically informed bioinformatics approach and dense taxonomic sampling for resolving rosid relationships. The resulting tree provides a starting point for large‐scale analyses of the evolutionary patterns within Rosidae.
The role of floating mucilage in the invasive spread of the benthic microalga Chrysophaeum taylorii
Authors: Caronni Sarah , Delaria Maria Anna , Heimann Kirsten , Macri Giovanni , Navone Augusto , Panzalis Pieraugusto , Ceccherelli Giulia
Published: June 2016

Chrysophaeum taylorii Lewis & Bryan (Pelagophyceae) is a mucilage‐producing benthic microalga that has recently begun to spread in the Mediterranean Sea, where a range expansion is occurring. This paper presents the results of three field experiments that aimed to increase the knowledge on mucilage provision mechanisms for this benthic microalga and to evaluate the importance of mucilage in its range expansion. By means of two correlative field experiments (several years of data were considered to encompass the variability of mucilage cover) we found that, on the sea bottom, mucilage cover does not depend on epilithic cell density and that both its cover and settling are affected by water flow. We also tested the hypothesis that cells embedded in floating mucilage fall on the underlying substratum, where their abundance depends on water flow. To this aim, in the field we manipulated the presence of floating mucilaginous aggregates in cages with different levels of exposure to winds. The abundance of C. taylorii cells on the substratum under cages with mucilage was compared with that of two control treatments: cages without mucilage and mucilage in still water, in the field and lab, respectively. The results suggested that mucilage can represent an excellent strategy for the species to disperse, as C. taylorii cells fall from the floating mucilage and, if the water flow is unimportant, settle on hard substrata just underneath the cage. This study enriches the portfolio of knowledge of the dispersal strategies of microalgae and contributes to the understanding of the spread of invasive species.
Adaptation to warmer climates by parallel functional evolution of CBF genes in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Monroe J. Grey , McGovern Cullen , Lasky Jesse R. , Grogan Kelsi , Beck James , McKay John K.
Published: June 2016

The evolutionary processes and genetics underlying local adaptation at a specieswide level are largely unknown. Recent work has indicated that a frameshift mutation in a member of a family of transcription factors, C‐repeat binding factors or CBFs, underlies local adaptation and freezing tolerance divergence between two European populations of Arabidopsis thaliana. To ask whether the specieswide evolution of CBF genes in Arabidopsis is consistent with local adaptation, we surveyed CBF variation from 477 wild accessions collected across the species’ range. We found that CBF sequence variation is strongly associated with winter temperature variables. Looking specifically at the minimum temperature experienced during the coldest month, we found that Arabidopsis from warmer climates exhibit a significant excess of nonsynonymous polymorphisms in CBF genes and revealed a CBF haplotype network whose structure points to multiple independent transitions to warmer climates. We also identified a number of newly described mutations of significant functional effect in CBF genes, similar to the frameshift mutation previously indicated to be locally adaptive in Italy, and find that they are significantly associated with warm winters. Lastly, we uncover relationships between climate and the position of significant functional effect mutations between and within CBF paralogs, suggesting variation in adaptive function of different mutations. Cumulatively, these findings support the hypothesis that disruption of CBF gene function is adaptive in warmer climates, and illustrate how parallel evolution in a transcription factor can underlie adaptation to climate.
Impact of end‐stage renal disease on hospital outcomes among patients admitted to intensive care units: A retrospective matched‐pair cohort study
Authors: Iwagami Masao , Yasunaga Hideo , Matsui Hiroki , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Fushimi Kiyohide , Noiri Eisei , Nangaku Masaomi , Doi Kent
Published: June 2016

Aim

We aimed to estimate the burden of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) among patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), by comparing hospital outcomes between patients with and without ESRD.

Methods

Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we identified patients aged 20 years or older who were admitted to ICUs for ≥3 days (2 nights) in 2011. We created a matched cohort of patients with and without ESRD for hospital, age, sex, main diagnosis category, and ICU admission type (medical or surgical) at a maximum ratio of 1:3. For these matched patients, we compared patient characteristics, treatment regimens at ICU admission, and hospital outcomes. We also performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis for the associations between ESRD and 28‐day (counting from ICU admission) and in‐hospital mortality.

Results

Among the 164 423 eligible patients, 7998 (4.9%) had ESRD, from which 5228 ESRD and 12 274 non‐ESRD patients were matched for the aforementioned factors. Compared to non‐ESRD patients, ESRD patients were on more intensive treatment regimens, including mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drugs, and blood transfusion. Patients with ESRD showed significantly higher ICU, 28‐day, and in‐hospital mortality and longer lengths of stay in the ICU and hospital (28‐day mortality: 11.7% vs. 8.3%; P < 0.001, in‐hospital mortality: 21.1% vs. 12.0%; P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, ESRD was independently associated with 28‐day mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–1.52) and in‐hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.69–2.02).

Conclusion

This study involving the Japanese national inpatient database, with a matched‐pair cohort design, suggested that ESRD is an important burden in the critical care setting.
Deception and self‐deception in health care
Authors: de Vries Jan M. A. , Timmins Fiona
Published: June 2016

Deception is part of the natural repertoire of adaptive behaviours in many organisms. In humans we see it in all domains of human activity including health care. Within health care, deception can be a matter of concern, but it is also used to protect patients, for instance against overwhelming and negative diagnostics. This paper demonstrates that deception and self‐deception are closely interlinked and that self‐deception facilitates deception. Furthermore, self‐deception tends to be used to reduce the discomfort we feel when we are dishonest (cognitive dissonance). The paper includes references to core psychological mechanisms and ethical aspects.
Femoral arterial cannulation performed by residents: a comparison between ultrasound‐guided and palpation technique in infants and children undergoing cardiac surgery
Authors: Siddik‐Sayyid Sahar M. , Aouad Marie T. , Ibrahim Muhammad H. , Taha Samar K. , Nawfal Maud F. , Tfaili Youssef J. , Kaddoum Roland N.
Published: June 2016

Background

Percutaneous cannulation of the femoral artery in the pediatric age group can be technically challenging, especially when performed by residents in training.

Objective

We examined whether the use of real‐time ultrasound guidance is superior to a palpation landmark technique for femoral artery catheterization in children undergoing heart surgery.

Methods

Patients were prospectively randomized into two groups. In the palpation group, the femoral artery was cannulated using the traditional landmark method of palpation of arterial pulse. In the ultrasound group, cannulation was guided by real‐time scanning with an ultrasound probe. Ten minutes were set as time limit for the resident's trials during which the time taken for attempted cannulation (primary outcome), number of attempts, number of successful cannulations on first attempt, and success rate were compared between the two groups. Adverse events were monitored on postoperative days 1 and 3.

Results

A total of 106 patients were included in the study. The time taken for attempted femoral artery cannulation was shorter (301 ± 234 vs 420 ± 248 s; difference in mean: 119; 95% confidence interval (CI) of difference: 26–212; P = 0.012) and the number of attempts was lower [1 (1–10) vs 2 (1–5); difference in median: 1, 95% CI of difference: 0.28–1.72; P = 0.003] in the ultrasound group compared with the palpation group. The number of successful cannulations on first attempt was higher in the ultrasound group compared with palpation group [24/53 (45%) vs 13/53 (25%); odds ratio (OR): 2.54, 95% CI: 1.11–5.82; P = 0.025]. The number of patients who had successful cannulation was 31 of 55 (58%) in the palpation group and 40 of 53 (75%) in the ultrasound group (OR: 2.18, 95% CI: 0.95–5.01; P = 0.06). None of the patients had adverse events at days 1 and 3.

Conclusions

Ultrasound‐guided femoral arterial cannulation in children when performed by anesthesia residents is superior to the palpation technique based on the reduction of the time taken for attempted cannulation and the number of attempts, and improvement in first attempt success.
Mindfulness‐of‐breathing exercise modulates EEG alpha activity during cognitive performance
Authors: Bing‐Canar Hanaan , Pizzuto Jacquelyne , Compton Rebecca J.
Published: June 2016

The present study investigated whether engaging in a mindful breathing exercise would affect EEG oscillatory activity associated with self‐monitoring processes, based on the notion that mindfulness enhances attentional awareness. Participants were assigned to either an audio exercise in mindful breathing or an audio control condition, and then completed a Stroop task while EEG was recorded. The primary EEG measure of interest was error‐related alpha suppression (ERAS), an index of self‐monitoring in which alpha power is reduced, suggesting mental engagement, following errors compared to correct responses. Participants in the mindful‐breathing condition showed increased alpha power during the listening exercise and enhanced ERAS during the subsequent Stroop task. These results indicate enhanced error‐monitoring among those in the mindful‐breathing group.
Conservation of native fauna in highly invaded systems: managing mammalian predators in New Zealand
Authors: Pech Roger , Maitland Matt
Published: June 2016

Programs to conserve native fauna in invaded ecosystems often aim to reduce the impacts of alien predators. This approach can lead to unexpected outcomes in the native and the remaining invasive components of restored ecosystems. In New Zealand, suppression and eradication of invasive mammalian predators are well‐established conservation strategies, particularly on offshore islands and in mainland ecosanctuaries. Predator control has achieved important conservation gains over increasingly large areas but these can be offset by the ecological release of other uncontrolled pest species. In addition, novel ecosystems created by selective predator control and reintroductions of locally extinct or depleted native species may have unexpected trajectories as they evolve. Effective conservation requires new techniques for controlling entire suites of invasive predators over large areas, routine monitoring of the conservation outcomes of predator control, and better understanding of how modified, and in some cases reconstructed, seminatural ecosystems change when invasive predators are removed.
Die Zusammensetzung des Schweizerischen Bundesrates nach Partei, Region, Sprache und Religion, 1848–2015
Authors: Giudici Anja , Stojanović Nenad
Published: June 2016

Verschiedene Kriterien sind für die Wahl in den Bundesrat bedeutend. Seit 1999 muss die Bundesversammlung darauf Rücksicht nehmen, dass verschiedene Sprachen und Regionen der Schweiz im Bundesrat angemessen vertreten sind (Art. 175 Ab. 4 BV). Zusätzlich achtet das Parlament darauf, dass ein gewisser Parteiproporz und die Präsenz beider Geschlechter in der Regierung gesichert werden. Früher war auch die konfessionelle Zugehörigkeit der Bundesratsmitglieder ein Thema und bis 1999 durfte maximal eine Person pro Kanton amtieren. Mittels einer Vollerhebung relevanter Merkmale aller Mitglieder des Bundesrates seit 1848 und einer, verglichen mit bisherigen Studien, differenzierteren Auswertungsmethode legen wir einen präzisen Überblick über die Vertretung der Parteien, Regionen, Sprachen und Religionen in der Regierung vor. Ein Anwendungsbeispiel – der potentielle Einfluss des Übergangs vom Majorz‐ aufs Proporz‐Wahlsystem für die Wahl des Nationalrates im Jahr 1919 – illustriert, wie diese Daten für wissenschaftliche Zwecke genutzt werden können.
Shintani descent for algebraic groups and almost characters of unipotent groups
Authors: Deshpande Tanmay
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we extend the notion of Shintani descent to general (possibly disconnected) algebraic groups defined over a finite field $\mathbb{F}_{q}$. For this, it is essential to treat all the pure inner $\mathbb{F}_{q}$-rational forms of the algebraic group at the same time. We prove that the notion of almost characters (introduced by Shoji using Shintani descent) is well defined for any neutrally unipotent algebraic group, i.e. an algebraic group whose neutral connected component is a unipotent group. We also prove that these almost characters coincide with the ‘trace of Frobenius’ functions associated with Frobenius-stable character sheaves on neutrally unipotent groups. In the course of the proof, we also prove that the modular categories that arise from Boyarchenko and Drinfeld’s theory of character sheaves on neutrally unipotent groups are in fact positive integral, confirming a conjecture due to Drinfeld.
Evaluation of Eight Methods for Aligning Orientation of Two Coordinate Systems
Authors: Mecheri Hakim , Robert-Lachaine Xavier , Larue Christian , Plamondon André
Published: June 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate eight methods for aligning the orientation of two different local coordinate systems. Alignment is very important when combining two different systems of motion analysis. Two of the methods were developed specifically for biomechanical studies, and because there have been at least three decades of algorithm development in robotics, it was decided to include six methods from this field. To compare these methods, an Xsens sensor and two Optotrak clusters were attached to a Plexiglas plate. The first optical marker cluster was fixed on the sensor and 20 trials were recorded. The error of alignment was calculated for each trial, and the mean, the standard deviation, and the maximum values of this error over all trials were reported. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that the alignment error differed significantly across the eight methods. Post-hoc tests showed that the alignment error from the methods based on angular velocities was significantly lower than for the other methods. The method using angular velocities performed the best, with an average error of 0.17 ± 0.08 deg. We therefore recommend this method, which is easy to perform and provides accurate alignment.
Modeling of a Rolling Flexible Spherical Shell
Authors: Robert Hogan François , Richard Forbes James
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this paper is to develop the motion equations of a flexible spherical shell rolling without slip on a flat surface. The motivation for this paper stems from tumbleweed rovers, which are envisioned to roll, deform, and bounce on the Martian surface due to the flexible nature of their thin walls. The motion equations are derived using a constrained Lagrangian approach and capture the rolling without slip nonholonomic constraint. Numerical simulations are performed to validate the dynamic model developed and to investigate the effect of the flexibility of the spherical shell on its trajectory.