bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee Recommendations and Agency Actions, 2008–2015
Authors: ZHANG AUDREY D. , SCHWARTZ JASON L. , ROSS JOSEPH S.
Published: July 2019

Policy Points

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee recommendations and the agency's final actions exhibit high rates of agreement, with cases of disagreement tending to reflect the proposed action type and degree of advisory committee consensus.

In the case of disagreements, the FDA tended to be less likely than its advisory committees to approve new products, approve new supplemental indications, or enact new safety changes.

These findings raise important issues regarding the factors that differentially shape decision making by advisory committees and the FDA as an agency, including institutional or reputational concerns.

Context

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convenes advisory committees to provide external scientific counsel on potential agency actions and to inform regulatory decision making. The degree to which advisory committees and their respective agency divisions disagree on recommendations has not been well characterized across product and action types.

Methods

We examined public documents from FDA advisory committee meetings and medical product databases for all FDA advisory committee meetings from 2008 through 2015. We classified the 376 voting meetings in that period by medical product, regulatory, and advisory committee meeting characteristics. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine the associations between these characteristics and discordance between the advisory committee's recommendations and the FDA's final actions.

Findings

Twenty‐two percent of the FDA's final actions were discordant with the advisory committee's recommendations. Of these, 75% resulted in the FDA making more restrictive decisions after favorable committee recommendations, and 25% resulted in the agency making less restrictive decisions after unfavorable committee recommendations. Discordance was associated with lower degrees of advisory committee consensus and was more likely for agency actions focused on medical product safety than for novel approvals or supplemental indications. Statements by public speakers, advisory committee conflicts of interest, and media coverage were not associated with discordance between the committee and the agency.

Conclusions

The FDA disagrees with the recommendation of its advisory committees a minority of the time, and in these cases it tends to be less likely to approve new products or supplemental indications and take safety actions. Deviations from recommendations thus offer an opportunity to understand the factors influencing decisions made by both the agency and its expert advisory groups.
Cases of Kava Impairment in Iowa Drivers
Authors: Berry Jonna , Gilbert Ashley , Grodnitzky Justin
Published: July 2019

Kava is an Oceanic plant in which the root is consumed as a beverage and is becoming increasingly popular. The effects of kava consumption may include sedation, euphoria, and impairment of motor coordination. This article demonstrates kava impairment through four cases of self‐reported kava use supported with Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluations of each subject. Subject's urines screened negative for common drugs of abuse by immunoassay analysis. Urine from cases 3 and 4 were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, which yielded the presence of kavalactones. Subjects exhibited poor driving behavior and signs of intoxication. Indicators of impairment from multiple drug categories, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, CNS stimulants, and cannabis were observed, which may be consistent with the presence of multiple kavalactones and their diverse array of mechanisms of action. The consumption of kava can hinder one's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Using unmanned aerial vehicles with thermal‐image acquisition cameras for animal surveys: a case study on the Sichuan snub‐nosed monkey in the Qinling Mountains
Authors: HE Gang , YANG Haitao , PAN Ruliang , SUN Yewen , ZHENG Pengbin , WANG Jinghua , JIN Xuelin , ZHANG Jingjie , LI Baoguo , GUO Songtao
Published: July 2019

Following significant developments in technology, alternative devices have been applied in fieldwork for animal and plant surveys. Thermal‐image acquisition cameras installed on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been used in animal surveys in the wilderness. This article demonstrates an example of how UAVs can be used in high mountainous regions, presenting a case study on the Sichuan snub‐nosed monkey with a detection rate of 65.19% for positive individual identification. It also presents a model that can prospectively predict population size for a given animal species, which is based on combined initial work using UAVs and traditional surveys on the ground. A great potential advantage of UAVs is significantly shortening survey procedures, particularly for areas with high mountains and plateaus, such as the Himalayas, the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, Hengduan Mountains, the Yunnan‐Gui Plateau and Qinling Mountains in China, where carrying out a traditional survey is extremely difficult, so that species and population surveys, particularly for critically endangered animals, are largely absent. This lack of data has impacted the management of endangered animals as well as the formulation and amendment of conservation strategies.
The association between depressive mood and ischemic heart disease: a twin study
Authors: Wium‐Andersen M. K. , Wium‐Andersen I. K. , Jørgensen M. B. , McGue M. , Jørgensen T. S. H. , Christensen K. , Osler M.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Individuals with mood disorders have increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aims of this study were to evaluate if the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with mood disorder could be explained by shared genetic and early environmental factors.

Methods

We included 6714 Danish middle and old aged twins from two large population‐based studies. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to perform individual‐level and intra‐pair analyses of the association between self‐reported depression symptomatology scores and register‐based diagnoses of ischemic heart disease.

Results

Higher depression symptomatology scores (both total, affective, and somatic) were associated with higher incidence of ischemic heart disease after multivariable adjustment in individual‐level analyses. In intra‐pair analyses, this association was similar but with slightly larger confidence intervals. There was no interaction with gender and no major differences between mono‐ or dizygotic twins. Within twin pairs, the twin scoring highest on depressive symptoms developed ischemic heart disease more often or earlier than the lower scoring twin. A sensitivity analysis including a 2‐year time lag of depression symptomatology to limit the risk of reverse causality showed similar results.

Conclusion

Genetic factors and early life environment do not seem to explain the association between depressive mood and ischemic heart disease.
Cost‐effectiveness of scaling‐up HCV prevention and treatment in the United States for people who inject drugs
Authors: Barbosa Carolina , Fraser Hannah , Hoerger Thomas J. , Leib Alyssa , Havens Jennifer R. , Young April , Kral Alex , Page Kimberly , Evans Jennifer , Zibbell Jon , Hariri Susan , Vellozzi Claudia , Nerlander Lina , Ward John W. , Vickerman Peter
Published: July 2019

Aims

To examine the cost‐effectiveness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment of people who inject drugs (PWID), combined with medication‐assisted treatment (MAT) and syringe‐service programs (SSP), to tackle the increasing HCV epidemic in the United States.

Design

HCV transmission and disease progression models with cost‐effectiveness analysis using a health‐care perspective.

Setting

Rural Perry County, KY (PC) and urban San Francisco, CA (SF), USA. Compared with PC, SF has a greater proportion of PWID with access to MAT or SSP. HCV treatment of PWID is negligible in both settings.

Participants

PWID data were collected between 1998 and 2015 from Social Networks Among Appalachian People, U Find Out, Urban Health Study and National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System studies.

Interventions and comparator

Three intervention scenarios modeled: baseline—existing SSP and MAT coverage with HCV screening and treatment with direct‐acting antiviral for ex‐injectors only as per standard of care; intervention 1—scale‐up of SSP and MAT without changes to treatment; and intervention 2—scale‐up as intervention 1 combined with HCV screening and treatment for current PWID.

Measurements

Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and uncertainty using cost‐effectiveness acceptability curves. Benefits were measured in quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs).

Findings

For both settings, intervention 2 is preferred to intervention 1 and the appropriate comparator for intervention 2 is the baseline scenario. Relative to baseline, for PC intervention 2 averts 1852 more HCV infections, increases QALYS by 3095, costs $21.6 million more and has an ICER of $6975/QALY. For SF, intervention 2 averts 36 473 more HCV infections, increases QALYs by 7893, costs $872 million more and has an ICER of $11 044/QALY. The cost‐effectiveness of intervention 2 was robust to several sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

Hepatitis C screening and treatment for people who inject drugs, combined with medication‐assisted treatment and syringe‐service programs, is a cost‐effective strategy for reducing hepatitis C burden in the United States.
Buprenorphine prescribing for opioid use disorder in medical practices: can office‐based out‐patient care address the opiate crisis in the United States?
Authors: Rhee Taeho Greg , Rosenheck Robert A.
Published: July 2019

Background and aims

Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a serious public health issue, and treating adults with OUD is a major priority in the United States. Little is known about trends in the diagnosis of OUD and in buprenorphine prescribing by physicians in office‐based medical practices. We sought to characterize OUD diagnoses and buprenorphine prescribing among adults with OUD in the United States between 2006 and 2015.

Design and settings

We used a repeated cross‐sectional design, based on data from the 2006–15 National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys that surveyed nationally representative samples of office‐based out‐patient physician visits.

Participants

Adult patients aged 18 years or older with a diagnosis of OUD (n = 1034 unweighted) were included.

Measurements

Buprenorphine prescribing was defined by whether visits involved buprenorphine or buprenorphine–naloxone, or not. We also examined other covariates (e.g. age, gender, race and psychiatric comorbidities).

Findings

We observed an almost tripling of the diagnosis of OUD from 0.14% in 2006–10 to 0.38% in 2011–15 in office‐based medical practices (P < 0.001). Among adults diagnosed with OUD, buprenorphine prescribing increased from 56.1% in 2006–10 to 73.6% in 2011–15 (P = 0.126). Adults with OUD were less likely to receive buprenorphine prescriptions if they were Hispanic [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.11, 0.60], had Medicaid insurance (aOR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.10, 0.74) or were diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders (aOR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.25, 0.83) or substance use disorders (aOR = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.09, 0.41).

Conclusions

In office‐based medical practices in the United States, diagnoses for opioid use disorder and buprenorphine prescriptions for adults with opioid use disorder increased from 0.14 and 56.1%, respectively, in 2006–10 to 0.38 and 73.6% in 2011–15.
Whole‐genome SNP data unravel population structure and signatures of selection for black plumage of indigenous chicken breeds from Jiangxi province, China
Authors: Mao H. , Wang X. , Fan Y. , Cheng D. , Chen K. , Liu S. , Xi S. , Wan L. , Li X. , Ren J.
Published: July 2019

Ten indigenous chicken breeds were originally distributed in Jiangxi Province, China, and they define a critical component of Chinese chicken genetic resources. We have investigated the population genetics of seven Jiangxi chicken breeds using 600K chicken BeadChip SNP data. To provide a genome‐wide perspective for the population structure of all 10 Jiangxi chicken breeds, we herein genotyped 78 additional individuals from the seven breeds and 63 chickens from three uninvestigated breeds—Yugan Black (YG), Nancheng Black (NC) and Wanzai Yellow using 55K chicken SNP arrays. We then explored merged data of 17 101 SNPs from 235 individuals to infer the population structure of the 10 breeds. We showed that NC and YG are two regional populations of the same breed, as individuals from the two populations clustered together to form a branch separate from the other breeds in the neighbor‐joining tree, they always grouped together in multidimensional principal component analyses and they displayed an identical pattern of ancestral lineage composition. Hence, NC and YG should be considered a single breed in the state‐supported conservation scheme. Moreover, we conducted a genome scan for signatures of selection for black plumage. bayescan and hapflk analyses of two contrasting groups (three black‐feathered breeds vs. six non‐black‐feathered breeds) consistently detected 25 putative regions under selection. Nine pigmentation‐ associated genes (DCT, SLC24A5, SLC30A4, MYO5A, CYP19A1, NADK2, SLC45A2, GNAQ and DCP2) reside within these regions, and these genes are interesting candidates for black plumage and provide a starting point for further identification of causative mutations for black feathers in chicken.
Venom immunotherapy in patients with clonal mast cell disorders: IgG4 correlates with protection
Authors: Jarkvist Jesper , Salehi Clara , Akin Cem , Gülen Theo
Published: July 2019

Background

Patients with clonal mast cell disorders (cMCD), systemic mastocytosis (SM) and monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome (MMAS), represent an increased risk for Hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis (HVA). Lifelong venom immunotherapy (VIT) is recommended; however, its efficacy and safety are controversial. Hence, we sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VIT in HVA patients with cMCD.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted among 46 patients with Vespula venom allergy who had experienced severe HVA, 32 cMCD (22 with SM and 10 with MMAS) and 14 controls. There were no differences between cMCD patients and controls in age (58 vs 66) and duration of VIT (47 vs 48 months), respectively.

Results

During VIT, 11 (34%) cMCD patients experienced adverse reactions (ARs) (7% in controls), including 1 anaphylaxis. There were 23 re‐stings in 17 (53%) patients during VIT. Of episodes, four (17%) presented with anaphylaxis, 14 (60%) presented with local reaction, and five (23%) were asymptomatic. In 11 episodes (48%), the patient did not take epinephrine, of these 8 (73%) presented with local reaction, and 3 (27%) were asymptomatic. Patient‐based protection from anaphylaxis was 76% (4/17) in cMCD vs. 100% in controls during VIT. The venom‐specific IgG4 concentrations increased during VIT (P < .001) although tryptase and IgE were unaltered.

Conclusion

Both safety and efficacy of VIT in cMCD patients were slightly reduced than controls. Severe ARs were rare. The elevated IgG4 levels may be a biomarker for efficacy of VIT in cMCD patients, as it correlates with protection from re‐stings.
A realist evaluation of student use of a virtual reality smartphone application in undergraduate legal education
Authors: McFaul Hugh , FitzGerald Elizabeth
Published: July 2019

This paper provides a realist evaluation of the Open Justice virtual reality (VR) smartphone app, designed to develop presentation skills for students on an undergraduate legal education module. This work addresses two research questions: what proportion of students engaged with the Open Justice app, and what worked for whom in what circumstances and why? Questionnaire and interviews were conducted and analysed using a realist evaluation approach. This approach is particularly pertinent to the evaluation of how emerging educational technologies are used, as it can point to the potential affordances of a technological intervention, in addition to assessing its current use. In keeping with the realist evaluation approach, data analysis was completed using the context–mechanism–outcome framework. The findings suggest that more than half of students did not engage with the app during their studies, but this was not surprising as it was a pilot project into using VR with our students and such innovations can be difficult to manage in distance education contexts. Those who did engage with it recognised the potential of immersive VR to contribute to legal skills development, but they found the application of the technology, in this context, to be of limited use. By utilising a realist evaluation framework, this study contributes to the emerging field of programme theory‐based evaluations of educational technology, which might form the basis of further research.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Smartphone‐based virtual reality technology has developed exponentially and is now widely and cheaply available.

Smartphone‐based virtual reality technology has the potential to develop professional skills, and thereby provide a useful addition to experiential learning pedagogies. This is of particular relevance to the development of professional legal skills in the context of clinical legal education.

Realist evaluation methodology is increasingly common in health literature to evaluate the impact of education programmes.

What this paper adds

This is the first empirical study of the use of VR technology to develop professional skills in a distance learning setting.

This is the first paper to use realist methodology to evaluate virtual reality technology in legal education.

It provides a granular analysis of particular contexts and user responses that can facilitate or inhibit learner engagement with VR technology.

Implications for practice and/or policy

It provides an analysis of VR used to support teaching and learning, where the students are distance learners—this highlights issues and challenges to be overcome.

It provides an evidence base to inform the development of, and further research into, smartphone‐based virtual reality for legal education settings.

It provides a detailed example of how realist methodology can be utilised to evaluate educational technology in real‐world settings.
Bleeding and bruising in Osteogenesis Imperfecta: International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis bleeding assessment tool and haemostasis laboratory assessment in 22 individuals
Authors: Gooijer Koert , Rondeel Jan M. M. , van Dijk Fleur S. , Harsevoort Arjan G. J. , Janus Guus J. M. , Franken Anton A. M.
Published: July 2019

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by susceptibility to bone fractures. Other symptoms, such as easy bruising and bleeding complications during surgery necessitating transfusions, have also been reported. The aim of the cross‐sectional pilot study was to assess the bleeding and bruising tendency in OI patients and to screen for possible underlying haematological disorders. Bleeding tendency was investigated using the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis bleeding assessment tool (ISTH‐BAT) in 22 adult OI patients. Laboratory testing was performed to investigate for bleeding disorders or abnormal coagulation. Four patients [OI type 1(n = 3), OI type 4(n = 1)] had a bleeding score (BS) fitting with a bleeding tendency, but without test results pointing to a coagulopathy. Two patients [OI type 1(n = 1), OI type 3 (n = 1)] without a bleeding tendency according to the BS had increased fibrinolysis. This is the second largest study to date addressing bleeding tendency in OI and the first study to use ISTH‐BAT and elaborate laboratory testing for coagulopathies. Four patients had an increased bleeding tendency. However, laboratory testing demonstrated no bleeding disorder or abnormal coagulation. Increased fibrinolysis was demonstrated in two patients without bleeding tendency on BS. Vascular fragility as a cause of bleeding tendency in OI has been suggested earlier. Further research on bleeding tendency in OI is important.
Importance of spatial configuration of deadwood habitats in species conservation
Authors: Ranius Thomas , Snäll Tord , Nordén Jenni
Published: July 2019

Article impact statement: Use occurrence patterns and spatial population dynamics of deadwood‐dependent organisms to evaluate importance of spatial habitat configuration.
A 2‐year retrospective study on pleural effusions: A cancer centre experience
Authors: Valerio Ediel , Nunes Warley , Cardoso Jaqueline , Santos Aline , Bovolim Graziele , Domingos Tabata , De Brot Louise , Saieg Mauro
Published: July 2019

Background

Cytopathological examination of pleural effusions is a fast and minimally invasive method for verification of the presence of neoplastic cells. We report our 2‐year experience using a categorised diagnostic system and reporting risks of malignancy (ROMs) for each defined category.

Methods

Cytological reports of patients between November 2016 and October 2018 were collected, with results primarily classified into a five‐tiered classification scheme. Immunohistochemistry markers used in cytology and their results were also recorded. Final agreement to histology and overall test performance was calculated for cases with available concomitant (up to 3 months) pleural biopsies.

Results

A total of 519 samples from 385 patients were collected, being 29 (5.6%) classified as non‐diagnostic, 291 (56%) as negative, 28 (5.4%) as atypical, 30 (5.8%) as suspicious and 141 (27.2%) as positive. Most requested markers were calretinin, TTF1, Ber‐EP4 and Gata‐3, being conclusive in 45 (76.3%) cases. Total cyto‐histological agreement was achieved in 49 (80.3%) specimens, with an overall sensitivity and specificity of 69.4% and 93.3%, respectively. Positive predictive value was 96.2% and negative predictive value was of 56%. ROM for each diagnostic category was 50% for non‐diagnostic, 44% for negative, 50% for atypical, 83.3% for suspicious and 96.2% for positive.

Conclusions

Our 2‐year retrospective study has shown a high specificity and positive predictive value for pleural cytology. The use of a five‐tiered system has also shown to be highly effective, with a concordantly progressive higher ROM for the assigned diagnostic categories.
Spinal cord involvement by atrophy and associations with disability are different between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Nakamura Y. , Liu Z. , Fukumoto S. , Shinoda K. , Sakoda A. , Matsushita T. , Hayashida S. , Isobe N. , Watanabe M. , Hiwatashi A. , Yamasaki R. , Kira J. ‐i.
Published: July 2019

Background and purpose

The cervical and thoracic cross‐sectional spinal cord area (CS‐SCA) in multiple sclerosis (MS) correlates with disability, whilst such a correlation remains to be established in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Our aim was to clarify differences between MS and NMOSD in spinal cord segments where CS‐SCA is associated with disability.

Methods

The CS‐SCA at C2/C3, C3/C4, T8/T9 and T9/T10 vertebral disc levels was measured in 140 MS patients (111 with relapsing–remitting MS and 29 with progressive MS) and 42 NMOSD patients with anti‐aquaporin‐4 immunoglobulin G. Disability was evaluated by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. Multivariate associations between CS‐SCA and disability were assessed by stepwise forward multiple linear regression.

Results

Thoracic CS‐SCA was significantly smaller in NMOSD patients than in MS patients even after adjusting for age, sex and disease duration (P = 0.002 at T8/T9), whilst there was no difference in cervical CS‐SCA between the two diseases. Cervical and thoracic CS‐SCA had a negative correlation with EDSS scores in MS patients (P < 0.0001 at C3/C4 and P = 0.0002 at T8/T9) whereas only thoracic CS‐SCA correlated with EDSS scores in NMOSD patients (P = 0.0006 at T8/T9). By multiple regression analyses, predictive factors for disability in MS were smaller cervical CS‐SCA, progressive course, older age and a higher number of relapses, whilst those in NMOSD were smaller thoracic CS‐SCA and older age.

Conclusions

Thoracic CS‐SCA is a useful predictive marker for disability in patients with NMOSD whilst cervical CS‐SCA is associated with disability in patients with MS.
The influence of defect and temperature on the fatigue behaviours of Al‐Si‐Cu‐Mg‐Ni alloy
Authors: Liu Haiquan , Pang Jianchao , Wang Meng , Li Jianping , Guo Yongchun , Li Shouxin , Zhang Zhefeng
Published: July 2019

High‐cycle fatigue (HCF) properties of two Al‐Si‐Cu‐Mg‐Ni alloys with different defect sizes named as alloys A (smaller ones) and B (bigger ones) were investigated at 350°C and 425°C, respectively. The results indicate that fatigue strengths of both alloys decrease as the temperature increases. Fatigue cracks originated from pores and oxide films at both temperatures. They propagated preferentially through cracked matrix at 350°C and debonded interface and grain boundary at 425°C. Alloy A exhibits higher fatigue life and fatigue strength than alloy B at 350°C due to its smaller pore sizes. However, it has slightly worse fatigue properties than alloy B at 425°C because the fatigue crack initiation is controlled by oxide film at this temperature and is not affected by its size. This indicates that there is a transition of predominant initiation site from pores to oxide films when the temperature increases. The fatigue strength estimated through defect size is consistent with the experimental results at 350°C, while unsuitable at 425°C.
Effects of climate and land‐use change scenarios on fire probability during the 21st century in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Fonseca Marisa Gesteira , Alves Lincoln Muniz , Aguiar Ana Paula Dutra , Arai Egidio , Anderson Liana Oighenstein , Rosan Thais Michele , Shimabukuro Yosio Edemir , de Aragão Luiz Eduardo Oliveira e Cruz
Published: July 2019

The joint and relative effects of future land‐use and climate change on fire occurrence in the Amazon, as well its seasonal variation, are still poorly understood, despite its recognized importance. Using the maximum entropy method (MaxEnt), we combined regional land‐use projections and climatic data from the CMIP5 multimodel ensemble to investigate the monthly probability of fire occurrence in the mid (2041–2070) and late (2071–2100) 21st century in the Brazilian Amazon. We found striking spatial variation in the fire relative probability (FRP) change along the months, with October showing the highest overall change. Considering climate only, the area with FRP ≥ 0.3 (a threshold chosen based on the literature) in October increases 6.9% by 2071–2100 compared to the baseline period under the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 27.7% under the RCP 8.5. The best‐case land‐use scenario (“Sustainability”) alone causes a 10.6% increase in the area with FRP ≥ 0.3, while the worse‐case land‐use scenario (“Fragmentation”) causes a 73.2% increase. The optimistic climate‐land‐use projection (Sustainability and RCP 4.5) causes a 21.3% increase in the area with FRP ≥ 0.3 in October by 2071–2100 compared to the baseline period. In contrast, the most pessimistic climate‐land‐use projection (Fragmentation and RCP 8.5) causes a widespread increase in FRP (113.5% increase in the area with FRP ≥ 0.3), and prolongs the fire season, displacing its peak. Combining the Sustainability land‐use and RCP 8.5 scenarios causes a 39.1% increase in the area with FRP ≥ 0.3. We conclude that avoiding the regress on land‐use governance in the Brazilian Amazon (i.e., decrease in the extension and level of conservation of the protected areas, reduced environmental laws enforcement, extensive road paving, and increased deforestation) would substantially mitigate the effects of climate change on fire probability, even under the most pessimistic RCP 8.5 scenario.
Antimicrobial activity of Arg–Ser–Ser against the food‐borne pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Liu Huifan , Li Sufen , Brennan Charles Stephen , Wang Qin
Published: July 2019

We had previously reported a peptide sequence, Arg–Ser–Ser (RSS), which was identified after coincubation of an edible orchid species, Dendrobium aphyllum, with Lactobacillus amylolyticus. In this study, we investigated the potential mechanism of the antibacterial effect of RSS on the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration of RSS for P. aeruginosa was 6.3%, and the peptide was shown to induce morphological damage to bacterial cells. RSS treatment increased the cell surface zeta potential, hydrophobicity and cell membrane permeability, indicating that the positively charged RSS likely interacted with the negatively charged bacterial membrane. Moreover, leakage of potassium ions and proteins from bacterial cells was increased by RSS by 30 ppm and 13.5 μg mL−1, respectively. In conclusion, RSS treatment caused leakage of cellular components from P. aeruginosa cells, mainly through damaging the cell membrane by electrostatic action. Thus, RSS may be a potent new antimicrobial agent.
Physical, chemical and nutritional characteristics of puffed quinoa
Authors: Zapana Franklyn , de Bruijn Johannes , Vidal Leslie , Melín Pedro , González María Eugenia , Cabrera Gustavo , Williams Pamela , Bórquez Rodrigo
Published: July 2019

Puffed quinoa can be used as ready‐to‐eat breakfast food or as an ingredient in snack formulations. In this study, puffed quinoa products with and without starch–chitosan coating were developed by gun, extrusion and microwave puffing at different process conditions (pressure, power, moisture content and energy consumption). Size, bulk density, colour, expansion index, water absorption and solubility, microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties, chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of organic matter and proteins of popped quinoa were assessed. Optimal process conditions for gun puffing were maximum 1.31 MPa after 780 s, 500 r.p.m. and 180 s for extrusion puffing and 1200 W for 60 s applying microwave puffing at 18–20% moisture contents. Gun and extrusion puffing yielded high‐quality popped quinoa with a biological availability of organic matter between 84–88% and 79–90% for proteins. Extrusion and gun puffing are the most promising processes to prepare quinoa snacks.
“I feel that if I didn’t come to it anymore, maybe I would go back to my old ways and I don't want that to happen”: Adapted sex offender treatment programmes: Views of service users with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Melvin Clare L. , Langdon Peter E. , Murphy Glynis H.
Published: July 2019

Background

The cognitive and behavioural profile associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) includes difficulties with social interaction, communication and empathy. Each of these may present barriers to effective participation in sexual offending treatment, leading to poorer outcomes.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 13 men with autism and an intellectual disability (including the borderline range) who had completed an adapted sex offender treatment programme. Grounded Theory was used to explore the men's experiences of treatment and perceptions of risk.

Results

The men's perceptions of sexual risk were inextricably linked to constructs of identity and shaped their opinions of treatment effectiveness. Risk of reoffending was conveyed through narratives of changes in self and circumstances and included notions of blame and culpability.

Conclusions

The findings illustrated some clear benefits for men with ASD associated with attending adapted sex offender treatment programmes, including delivery of treatment within groups and opportunities for social development. The study supports the view that difficulties with empathy and cognitive flexibility complicates treatment for sexual offending.
MicroRNA‐92b‐5p modulates melatonin‐mediated osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targeting ICAM‐1
Authors: Li Yuan , Feng Chao , Gao Manqi , Jin Mengyu , Liu Tianyi , Yuan Ye , Yan Gege , Gong Rui , Sun Yi , He Mingyu , Fu Yutuo , Zhang Lai , Huang Qi , Ding Fengzhi , Ma Wenya , Bi Zhenggang , Xu Chaoqian , Sukhareva Natalia , Bamba Djibril , Reiters Russel , Yang Fan , Cai Benzhi , Yang Lei
Published: July 2019

Osteoporosis is closely associated with the dysfunction of bone metabolism, which is caused by the imbalance between new bone formation and bone resorption. Osteogenic differentiation plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of bone microenvironment. The present study investigated whether melatonin participated in the osteogenic commitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and further explored its underlying mechanisms. Our data showed that melatonin exhibited the capacity of regulating osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which was blocked by its membrane receptor inhibitor luzindole. Further study demonstrated that the expression of miR‐92b‐5p was up‐regulated in BMSCs after administration of melatonin, and transfection of miR‐92b‐5p accelerated osteogenesis of BMSCs. In contrast, silence of miR‐92b‐5p inhibited the osteogenesis of BMSCs. The increase in osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs caused by melatonin was attenuated by miR‐92b‐5p AMO as well. Luciferase reporter assay, real‐time qPCR analysis and western blot analysis confirmed that miR‐92b‐5p was involved in osteogenesis by directly targeting intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1). Melatonin improved the expression of miR‐92b‐5p, which could regulate the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts by targeting ICAM‐1. This study provided novel methods for treating osteoporosis.
DNA barcode and minibarcode identification of freshwater fishes from Cerrado headwater streams in Central Brazil
Authors: Bagley Justin C. , de Aquino Pedro De Podestà Uchôa , Breitman María Florencia , Langeani Francisco , Colli Guarino R.
Published: July 2019

The extraordinary species diversity of the Neotropical freshwater fish fauna is world renown. Yet, despite rich species diversity, taxonomic and genetic resources for its Cerrado ichthyofauna remain poorly developed. We provide a reference library of 149 DNA barcodes for 39 species/lineages of Cerrado headwater stream fishes from the Brazilian Distrito Federal and nearby areas and test the utility of distance‐based criteria, tree‐based criteria and minibarcodes for specimen identification. Mean Kimura 2‐parameter genetic distances within species to orders ranged 1·8–12·1%. However, mean intraspecificv. congeneric‐interspecific distances (0·9–1·3%) overlapped extensively and distance‐based barcoding failed to achieve correct identifications due toc. 4–12·1% error rates and 19·5% ambiguous identifications related to the presence of singletons. Overlap was reduced and best‐match success rates improved drastically to 83·5% whenCharacidiumbarcodes representing potential misidentifications or undescribed species were removed. Tree‐based monophyly criteria generally performed similarly to distance methods, correctly differentiating up toc. 85% of species/lineages despite neighbour‐joining and Bayesian tree errors (random lineage‐branching events, long‐branch attraction). Five clusters (Ancistrus aguaboensis,Characidiumspp.,Eigenmannia trilineata,Hasemania hanseniandHypostomussp. 2) exhibited deep intraspecific divergences or para−/polyphyly and multiple Barcode Index Number assignments indicative of putative candidate species needing taxonomic re‐examination. Sliding‐window analyses also indicated that a 200 bp minibarcode region performed just as well at specimen identification as the entire barcode gene. Future DNA barcoding studies of Distrito Federal–Cerrado freshwater fishes will benefit from increased sampling coverage, as well as consideration of minibarcode targets for degraded samples and next‐generation sequencing.
Improved stability of (W1/O/W2) double emulsions based on dual gelation: Oleogels and hydrogels
Authors: Sun Rui , Zhang Ming , Xia Qiang
Published: July 2019

The objective of the present study was to improve the stability of (water‐in‐oil‐in‐water) double emulsions by dual gelation, including the gelation of lipid phase through oleogels and the gelation of continuous aqueous phase through hydrogels. Glycerol monostearate (GMS) could be used to form the oleogels and improve the stability of primary emulsions and double emulsions through reinforcing oil film. However, the redundant GMS crystals in both the oil phase and the continuous phase could cause the destabilization of double emulsions. The double emulsions reinforced by oleogels were successfully encapsulated in Ca‐alginate hydrogel beads, and this encapsulation would not influence the integrity of double emulsions. The redundant GMS crystals might cause the leakage of the inner aqueous phase in the encapsulation process, and this leakage was more likely to happen during the mixing step, rather than the crosslinking step. Ca‐alginate hydrogel beads were conducive to the confinement of the encapsulated oil globules.

Practical Applications

The potential applications of (water‐in‐oil‐in‐water [W1/O/W2]) double emulsions in food industry are limited by their low stability, including the weakness of the thin liquid oil film and the low thermodynamic stability of oil globules. The combination of oleogels and hydrogels could effectively improve the stability of double emulsions through the reinforcement of the oil film and the confinement of oil globules. This work provides a feasible method to improve the stability of (W1/O/W2) double emulsions, obtaining an applicable delivery system for hydrophilic active ingredients in food industry. The stable double emulsions could be used to encapsulate and control the release of hydrophilic bioactive ingredients and protect sensitive bioactive ingredients from chemical degradation. Otherwise, this system might achieve the co‐delivery of hydrophilic ingredients and hydrophobic ingredients.
Effects of metal oxide nanoparticles with plant extract on viability of foodborne pathogens
Authors: Osaili Tareq M. , Albiss Borhan A. , Al–Nabulsi Anas A. , Alromi Rawan F. , Olaimat Amin , Al‐Holy Murad , Savvaidis Ioannis , Holley Richard
Published: July 2019

The present study tested the antibacterial activity, expressed as minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs), copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO‐NPs) and their combination with or without rosemary, clove or cinnamon extract against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. The NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The sizes of ZnO‐NPs and CuO‐NPs were in the range of 56–71 and 171–204 nm, respectively. Results showed that ZnO‐NPs had a greater inhibitory effect against both E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes than CuO‐NPs. The MBC of ZnO‐NPs against E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes was 300 and 350 μg/mL, respectively, while the MBC of CuO‐NPs was >1,000 and 400 μg/mL, respectively. When combined, ZnO‐NPs and CuO‐NPs had additional inhibitory effects against L. monocytogenes, but not against E. coli O157:H7. In general, the antibacterial activity of the NPs against E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes was enhanced by rosemary or cinnamon extract. Incorporation of clove extract into the NPs improved the antibacterial effect against E. coli O157:H7, but not against L. monocytogenes. Thus, plant extracts may be useful adjuncts for the synthesis of ZnO‐NPs or CuO‐NPs which can be used to control foodborne pathogens.

Practical Application

Incorporation of plant extracts in the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) can be applied to improve the antimicrobial activity of NPs against foodborne pathogens.
Dietary intake of isoflavones is associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women: cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ferreira L. L. , Silva T. R. , Maturana M. A. , Spritzer P. M.
Published: July 2019

Background

Menopause has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It has been shown that isoflavones protect vascular endothelial cells against induced oxidative stress injury. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between the dietary intake of isoflavones and the presence of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in postmenopausal women.

Methods

Ninety‐six postmenopausal women [mean (SD) age 55.2 (4.9) years, body mass index (BMI) 27.2 (4.6) kg m−2] completed the study protocol. Habitual physical activity was assessed using a digital pedometer, resting metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetry and dietary intake was assessed via a validated food frequency questionnaire. Subclinical CVD was defined as carotid artery intima‐media thickness (C‐IMT) >0.9 mm and/or the presence of one or more atherosclerotic plaques in any of the studied segments.

Results

Mean (SD) C‐IMT was 0.74 (0.2) mm, 25% of participants were found to have atherosclerotic plaques and the prevalence of subclinical CVD was 35%. Participants with subclinical CVD were more likely to consume less selenium, magnesium, folate and isoflavones, even after adjusting for total energy intake. A multivariate‐adjusted regression model showed that a BMI >27 kg m–2 was associated with 90% higher risk of having ≥1 plaque and/or C‐IMT >0.9 mm (P = 0.017). Higher oestradiol levels (P = 0.004) and isoflavone intake (P = 0.021) were independently associated with a lower risk of having subclinical CVD.

Conclusions

In the present study, we observed that a higher isoflavone dietary intake was associated with a lower risk of subclinical CVD in postmenopausal women, independent of BMI and endogenous oestradiol levels.
Advancements in nanotherapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease: current perspectives
Authors: Harilal Seetha , Jose Jobin , Parambi Della Grace Thomas , Kumar Rajesh , Mathew Githa Elizabeth , Uddin Md Sahab , Kim Hoon , Mathew Bijo
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Considerable progress has been made in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but all available strategies focus on alleviating symptoms rather than curing, which means that AD is viewed as an unresolvable neurodegenerative disease. Nanotechnological applications offer an alternative platform for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to summarize the recent nanomedicine and nanotechnology developments for the treatment of AD.

Key findings

A plethora of nanocarriers and nanoparticle prodrugs have been reported to have negligible cytotoxicity in animal models, and these developments have revealed new opportunities for development of new classes of potent drug formulations for AD. Different nanotechnology-based approaches such as polymers, emulsions, lipo-carriers, solid lipid carriers, carbon nanotubes and metal-based carriers have been developed over the past decade, and they have been focusing on both neuroprotective and neurogenerative techniques to treat AD. Studies also reveal that nanotechnological approaches can aid in early diagnosis of AD and enhance therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability.

Notably, the drugs used conventionally to target the central nervous system have limitations that include an inability to cross the ‘blood–brain barrier’ or the ‘blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier’ effectively and high drug efflux due to the activity of P-glycoprotein, but these limitations can be successfully overcome when nanocarriers are used for targeted drug delivery in AD.
Geological and geophysical studies of the Agoudal impact structure (Central High Atlas, Morocco): New evidence for crater size and age
Authors: El Kerni Houda , Chennaoui Aoudjehane Hasnaa , Baratoux David , Aoudjehane Mohammed , Charrière André , Ibouh Hassan , Rochette Pierre , Quesnel Yoann , Uehara Minoru , Kenkmann Thomas , Wulf Gerwin , Poelchau Michael , Nguyen Van Binh , Aboulahris Maria , Makhoukhi Samira , Aumaître Georges , Bourlès Didier , Keddadouche Karim
Published: July 2019

Since the discovery of shatter cones (SCs) near the village of Agoudal (Morocco, Central High Atlas Mountains) in 2013, the absence of one or several associated circular structures led to speculation about the age of the impact event, the number, and the size of the impact crater or craters. Additional constraints on the crater size, age, and erosion rates are obtained here from geological, structural, and geophysical mapping and from cosmogenic nuclide data. Our geological maps of the Agoudal impact site at the scales of 1:30,000 (6 km2) and 1:15,000 (2.25 km2) include all known occurrences of SCs in target rocks, breccias, and vertical to overturned strata. Considering that strata surrounding the impact site are subhorizontal, we argue that disturbed strata are related to the impact event. Three types of breccias have been observed. Two of them (br1‐2 and br2) could be produced by erosion–sedimentation–consolidation processes, with no evidence for impact breccias, while breccia (br1) might be impact related. The most probable center of the structure is estimated at 31°59′13.73ʺN, 5°30′55.14ʺW using the concentric deviation method applied to the orientation of strata over the disturbed area. Despite the absence of a morphological expression, the ground magnetic and electromagnetic surveys reveal anomalies spatially associated with disturbed strata and SC occurrences. The geophysical data, the structural observations, and the area of occurrence of SCs in target rocks are all consistent with an original size of 1.4–4.2 km in diameter. Cosmogenic nuclide data (36Cl) constrain the local erosion rates between 220 ± 22 m Ma−1and 430 ± 43 m Ma−1. These erosion rates may remove the topographic expression of such a crater and its ejecta in a time period of about 0.3–1.9 Ma. This age is older than the Agoudal iron meteorite age (105 ± 40 kyr). This new age constraint excludes the possibility of a genetic relationship between the Agoudal iron meteorite fall and the formation of the Agoudal impact site. A chronolgy chart including the Atlas orogeny, the alternation of sedimentation and erosion periods, and the meteoritic impacts is presented based on all obtained and combined data.
Factors influencing oral care in intubated intensive care patients
Authors: Tanguay Andréanne , LeMay Sylvie , Reeves Isabelle , Gosselin Émilie , St‐Cyr‐Tribble Denise
Published: July 2019

Background

The practice of oral care in intensive care settings remains inconsistent among intubated patients, yet these patients are at high risk of developing ventilator‐associated pneumonia. Therefore, it is important to adopt safe professional behaviour based on clinical practice guidelines. This study was based on Ajzen's (1985) theory of planned behavior, a conceptual framework that allows a better understanding of how internal and external factors influence behaviour adoption.

Aims and objectives

To study influential factors in how nurses practice oral care with intubated clients in intensive care settings, referring to the theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs.

Design

A cross‐sectional descriptive correlational design was conducted through a provincial postal survey in Quebec, Canada.

Methods

A questionnaire was completed by 375 nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs).

Results

Perceived behavioural control and attitude were the most important determinants in the level of intention to engage in oral care. Knowledge, available human and material resources, and number of years of experience in critical care nursing also seemed to be significant influencing factors.

Conclusions

This study improved our understanding of the factors influencing the practice of oral care in intubated patients in the ICU, relying on TPB as an explanatory framework. It would be important to continue to study this professional behaviour and to work in collaboration with health care facilities to promote the importance of oral care as an imperative for the safety and quality of health care.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results of this study represent a solid foundation for advancing continuing education programmes and intensive care orientation programmes tailored to the needs of nurses.