bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case-only Approach to Identifying Markers Predicting Treatment Effects on the Relative Risk Scale
Authors: Dai James Y. , Liang C. Jason , LeBlanc Michael , Prentice Ross L. , Janes Holly
Published: September 2017

Retrospectively measuring markers on stored baseline samples from participants in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) may provide high quality evidence as to the value of the markers for treatment selection. Originally developed for approximating gene-environment interactions in the odds ratio scale, the case-only method has recently been advocated for assessing gene-treatment interactions on rare disease endpoints in randomized clinical trials. In this article, the case-only approach is shown to provide a consistent and efficient estimator of marker by treatment interactions and marker-specific treatment effects on the relative risk scale. The prohibitive rare-disease assumption is no longer needed, broadening the utility of the case-only approach. The case-only method is resource-efficient as markers only need to be measured in cases only. It eliminates the need to model the marker's main effect, and can be used with any parametric or nonparametric learning method. The utility of this approach is illustrated by an application to genetic data in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) hormone therapy trial.
The impact of immigration on the breastfeeding practices of Mainland Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong
Authors: Lok Kris Yuet Wan , Bai Dorothy Li , Chan Noel P. T. , Wong Janet Y. H. , Tarrant Marie
Published: September 2017

Background

Researchers have found breastfeeding disparities between immigrant and native‐born women in many countries. However, most studies on immigration and breastfeeding practices have been in Western countries. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of length of time since immigration on the breastfeeding practices of Mainland Chinese immigrants living in Hong Kong.

Methods

We recruited 2704 mother‐infant pairs from the postnatal wards of four public hospitals in Hong Kong. We examined the effect of migration status on the duration of any and exclusive breastfeeding.

Results

Breastfeeding duration was progressively shorter as the time since immigration increased. When compared with mothers who had lived in Hong Kong for <5 years, Hong Kong‐born participants had a 30% higher risk of stopping any breastfeeding (hazard ratio [HR] 1.34 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.10‐1.63]) and exclusive breastfeeding (HR 1.33 [95% CI 1.11‐1.58]). In both Hong Kong‐born and immigrant participants, breastfeeding cessation was associated with return to work postpartum and the husband's preference for infant formula or mixed feeding. Intention to exclusively breastfeed and to breastfeed for >6 months, and previous breastfeeding experience substantially reduced the risk of breastfeeding cessation for both Hong Kong‐born and immigrant participants.

Conclusions

Health care professionals should consider immigration history in their assessment of pregnant women and provide culturally adapted breastfeeding support and encouragement to this population.
Mobile‐based collaborative learning in the fitness center: A case study on the development of English listening comprehension with a context‐aware application
Authors: Liu Gi‐Zen , Chen Jing‐Yao , Hwang Gwo‐Jen
Published: September 2017

Mobile applications on the go have been adopted in many fields and areas. However, there has been little research regarding the development and use of a context‐aware application for users to improve their English listening comprehension through collaboration. This research aimed at helping users improve their listening comprehension with a combination of context‐aware tools and video‐based materials and attempted to investigate the learning strategies used in groups. Therefore, the researchers designed a Ubiquitous Fitness English Listening Comprehension System (UFELCS) incorporating collaborative listening activities into a fitness center. The researchers conducted mixed methods research using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The results indicate that the participants' learning performance was significantly improved. Moreover, the analysis of the interview data showed that the interviewees and their own groups held positive attitudes towards the creative ways of language learning, and their use of listening strategies was also revealed.
Perspective on architecture and assembly of membrane contact sites
Authors: Hoffmann Patrick C. , Kukulski Wanda
Published: September 2017

Membrane contact sites (MCS) are platforms of physical contact between different organelles. They are formed through interactions involving lipids and proteins, and function in processes such as calcium and lipid exchange, metabolism and organelle biogenesis. In this article, we discuss emerging questions regarding the architecture, organisation and assembly of MCS, such as: What is the contribution of different components to the interaction between organelles? How is the specific composition of different types of membrane contacts sites established and maintained? How are proteins and lipids spatially organised at MCS and how does that influence their function? How dynamic are MCS on the molecular and ultrastructural level? We highlight current state of research and point out experimental approaches that promise to contribute to a spatiomechanistic understanding of MCS functions.
Spinal Lewy body pathology in older adults without an antemortem diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Buchman Aron S. , Nag Sukriti , Leurgans Sue E. , Miller Jared , VanderHorst Veronique G. J. M. , Bennett David A. , Schneider Julie A.
Published: September 2017

To test the hypothesis that Lewy body pathology (LBs) is present in the spinal cord of older community‐dwelling adults without a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied 162 prospective autopsies from older adults with PD (N = 6) and without PD (N = 156). We documented the presence of LBs in cerebrum and brainstem structures from each of the six regions used for Braak PD staging and four spinal cord levels (C5/6, T7, L4/5 and S4/5). Parkinsonism proximate to death was based on a previously validated measure present if two or more of the four signs of parkinsonism were present based on a modified version of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Fifty‐three of 156 individuals without PD (34%) had LBs in a least one site within the CNS. About half of cases with LBs in the cerebrum or brainstem, (25/53, 47%) also had spinal LBs. Almost 90% (22/25, 88%) of cases with spinal LBs had LBs in the cerebrum (Braak stages 4–6) and about 10% (3/25, 12%) had only brainstem LBs (Braak stages 1–3). Four of six cases with PD showed LBs in cerebrum, brainstem and spinal cord. Individuals with LBs in the spinal cord were more likely to have clinical parkinsonism proximate to death compared to individuals with LBs in brainstem and cerebrum alone (52% vs. 32%; Chi‐Square x2 = 5.368, d.f. = 1, P = 0.0.021) and more severe nigral neuronal loss (48% vs. 11%; Chi‐Square x2 = 9.049, d.f. = 1, P = 0.003). These findings were unchanged when we included cases with a history of PD. Older community‐dwelling adults without a clinical diagnosis of PD have evidence of LBs throughout the CNS including the spinal cord which is associated with parkinsonism and more severe nigral neuronal loss.
Multimodal molecular analysis of astroblastoma enables reclassification of most cases into more specific molecular entities
Authors: Wood Matthew D. , Tihan Tarik , Perry Arie , Chacko Geeta , Turner Clinton , Pu Cunfeng , Payne Christopher , Yu Alexander , Bannykh Serguei I. , Solomon David A.
Published: September 2017

Astroblastoma is a rare and controversial glioma with variable clinical behavior. The diagnosis currently rests on histologic findings of a circumscribed glioma with astroblastomatous pseudorosettes and vascular hyalinization. Immunohistochemical studies have suggested different oncogenic drivers, such as BRAF p.V600E, but very few cases have been studied using genome‐wide methodologies. Recent genomic profiling identified a subset of CNS embryonal tumors with astroblastoma‐like morphology that harbored MN1 gene fusions, termed “CNS high‐grade neuroepithelial tumors with MN1 alteration” (CNS‐HGNET‐MN1). To further characterize the genetic alterations that drive astroblastomas, we performed targeted next‐generation sequencing (NGS) of 500 cancer‐associated genes in a series of eight cases. We correlated these findings with break‐apart fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of the MN1 locus and genome‐wide DNA methylation profiling. Four cases showed MN1 alteration by FISH, including two pediatric cases that lacked other pathogenic alterations, and two adult cases that harbored other cancer‐associated gene mutations or copy number alterations (eg, CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion, TP53, ATM and TERT promoter mutations). Three of these cases grouped with the CNS‐HGNET‐MN1 entity by methylation profiling. Two of four MN1 intact cases by FISH showed genetic features of either anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (BRAF p.V600E mutation, CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion and TERT promoter mutation) or IDH‐wildtype glioblastoma (trisomy 7, monosomy 10, CDK4 amplification and TP53, NRAS and TERT promoter mutations) and these cases had an aggressive clinical course. Two clinically indolent cases remained unclassifiable despite multimodal molecular analysis. We conclude that astroblastoma histology is not specific for any entity including CNS‐HGNET‐MN1, and that additional genetic characterization should be considered for astroblastomas, as a number of these tumors likely contain a methylation profile or genetic alterations that suggest classification as other tumor entities. Our heterogeneous molecular findings help to explain the clinical unpredictability of astroblastoma.
Multicentre clinical evaluation of the new highly sensitive Elecsys® thyroglobulin II assay in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Trimboli P. , Imperiali M. , Piccardo A. , CampennÌ A. , Giordani I. , Ruggeri R. M. , Baldari S. , Orlandi F. , Giovanella L.
Published: September 2017

Objective

A highly sensitive thyroglobulin assay (Elecsys® Tg II, Roche Diagnostics, Penzberg, Germany) has become available for monitoring patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Here, we evaluated the clinical performance of Elecsys® Tg II assay in a multicentre patients series and compare it with the established Access® Tg assay (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA).

Design

Retrospective analysis on prospectively selected patients in four thyroid cancer referral centres with uniform DTC management.

Participants

All DTC cases diagnosed, treated and followed up in four tertiary referral centres for thyroid cancer since January 2005 (n = 1456) were retrieved, and predefined selection criteria were applied to prevent relevant enrolment biases. A series of 204 patients was finally selected for this study.

Measurements

Samples had been stored at −80°C. Tg was measured by fully automated immunometric Elecsys® Tg II and Access® Tg assays in a centralized laboratory.

Results

Two hundred and four DTC were finally included. Of these, 10.8% had structural recurrence (sREC), and 81.4% showed no evidence of disease (NED) at the end of follow‐up. There was a significant analytical bias between methods that cannot be used interchangeably. Using ROC curve analysis, the best basal and rhTSH‐stimulated Tg cut‐offs to detect sREC were 0.41 μg/L and 1.82 μg/L for Elecsys® and 0.36 μg/L and 1.62 μg/L for Access® assay, respectively. Using Cox proportional hazard regression, Tg was the only independent predictor of cancer relapse.

Conclusions

Using appropriate assay‐specific cut‐offs, the clinical performance of the Elecsys® Tg II assay was comparable to that provided by the well‐established Access® Tg assay.
SMALL BUSINESS BORROWING AND PEER‐TO‐PEER LENDING: EVIDENCE FROM LENDING CLUB
Authors: Nowak Adam , Ross Amanda , Yencha Christopher
Published: September 2017

We investigate the ability of small business borrowers to signal to investors their credit worthiness through the use of text descriptions in the peer‐to‐peer lending market. Specifically, we examine the relationship between the loan description written by a borrower and whether or not the project is funded by investors. Using textual analysis, we find that small business loan descriptions can be used to predict the likelihood that the loan will be funded. We also find that an index, created from a textual analysis of the words used in the loan description, can forecast the performance of the loan, specifically whether or not the loan defaults. This index has the strongest impact when we focus on borrowers with low FICO scores, suggesting that for these individuals the description can signal information that standard measures used for lending purposes cannot. Overall, it appears as though investors are making investment decisions based on proper and relevant signals given by the borrowers through the loan description. (JELD47, D53, D82, D83, G14, G21)
Reproducibility of peak oxygen consumption and the impact of test variability on classification of individual training responses in young recreationally active adults
Authors: Edgett Brittany A. , Bonafiglia Jacob T. , Raleigh James P. , Rotundo Mario P. , Giles Matthew D. , Whittall Jonathan P. , Gurd Brendon J.
Published: September 2017

This study investigated whether VO2peak is reproducible across repeated tests before (PRE) and after (POST) training, and whether variability across tests impacts how individual responses are classified following 3 weeks of aerobic exercise training (cycle ergometry). Data from 45 young healthy adults (age: 20·1 ± 0·9 years; VO2peak, 42·0 ± 6·7 ml·min−1) from two previously published studies were utilized in the current analysis. Non‐responders were classified as individuals who failed to demonstrate an increase or decrease in VO2peak that was greater than 2·0 times the typical error of measurement (107 ml·min−1) away from zero, while responders and adverse responders were above and below this cut‐off, respectively. VO2peak tests at PRE (three total) and POST (three total) were highly reproducible (PRE and POST average and single measures ICCs: range 0·938–0·992), with low coefficients of variation (PRE:4·9 ± 3·1%, POST: 4·8 ± 2·7%). However, a potential learning effect was observed in the VO2peak tests prior to training, as the initial pretraining test was significantly lower than the third (p = 0·010, PRE 1: 2 946 ± 924 ml·min−1, PRE 3: 3 042 ± 919 ml·min−1). This resulted in fewer individuals classified as adverse responders for Test 3 compared to any combination of tests that included Test 1, suggesting that a single ramp test at baseline may not be sufficient to accurately classify the VO2peak response in young recreationally active individuals. Thus, it is our recommendation that the initial VO2peak test be used as a familiarization visit and not included for analysis.
Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) reduce secretion of extrafloral nectar in broad bean (Vicia faba)
Authors: YOSHIDA TATSUYA , KAKUTA HARUKA , CHOH YASUYUKI
Published: September 2017

1. Herbivores sometimes suppress plant defences. This study tested whether the presence of pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) on broad bean (Vicia faba) led to decreased secretion of extrafloral nectar (EFN) which functions as an indirect plant defence against herbivores.

2. To determine effects of aphid infestation on EFN secretion, a comparison was done between EFN secretion in uninfested plants and that in plants infested by A. pisum and another aphid species (Aphis craccivora Koch).

3. When broad bean plants were infested by A. pisum, they secreted significantly smaller amounts of EFN than did uninfested plants and A. craccivora‐infested plants. There was no significant difference in EFN secretion between uninfested plants and A. craccivora‐infested plants. The number of extrafloral nectaries did not differ among the three treatments.

4. These results suggest that A. pisum reduced EFN production in broad bean plants.
Autism‐relevant traits interact with temporoparietal junction stimulation effects on social cognition: a high‐definition transcranial direct current stimulation and electroencephalography study
Authors: Donaldson Peter H. , Kirkovski Melissa , Rinehart Nicole J. , Enticott Peter G.
Published: September 2017

The temporoparietal junction (TPJ) is implicated in mental and emotional state attribution, processes associated with autism‐relevant traits. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the TPJ can influence social‐cognitive performance. However, associations with electrophysiology and autism‐relevant traits remain relatively unexamined. This study had two aims: first, exploring links between Autism‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores and social‐cognitive performance; second, examining interactions between AQ scores and high‐definition‐tDCS (HD‐tDCS) applied to the right TPJ in terms of mental/emotional state attribution and neurophysiological outcomes. Fifty‐three participants completed mental/emotional state attribution tasks before and after HD‐tDCS. Pre‐stimulation mental state attribution accuracy was reduced in participants with higher AQ Switching scores. Cathodal stimulation was associated with reduced emotion attribution performance in participants with higher AQ Switching and AQ Social scores (the latter at trend‐level). Anodal stimulation more frequently interacted with AQ Social scores in terms of neurophysiology, in particular regarding reduced delta power in the left compared to right TPJ, and trend‐level positive interactions with P100 and P300 latencies during the emotion recognition task. Elements of attention/switching (AQ Switching) may subserve or underpin elements of social cognition (AQ Social), and cathodal and anodal stimulation may have differing effects depending on trait levels in these domains. This study makes an important and original contribution in terms of increasing understanding of how such trait‐level variation might interact with the effects of tDCS and also extending previous studies with regard to understanding potential roles of the rTPJ in both attention and social cognition and how autism‐relevant traits might influence TPJ function.
Interlanguage Pragmatic Development: Internal and External Modification in L2 Arabic Requests
Authors: Al Masaeed Khaled
Published: September 2017

This study investigated the way in which American university students learning Arabic as a foreign language in the United States developed the ability to make and modify requests both internally, through an addition of mitigating or aggravating modality markers, and externally, via supportive moves before or after the main request in formal and informal situations. Data were gathered from spoken discourse completion tasks for 56 university students from four different proficiency levels. While previous studies showed that learners at lower proficiency levels relied heavily on politeness markers, lower‐proficiency students in this study most frequently used grounders. Also in contrast to previous studies, the ways in which advanced learners mitigated their requests diverged from those used by Arabic native speakers. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
Interactive effects of climate and nutrient enrichment on patterns of herbivory by different feeding guilds in mangrove forests
Authors: Feller Ilka C. , Ball Marilyn C. , Ellis Joanne I. , Lovelock Catherine E. , Reef Ruth
Published: September 2017

Aim

Global warming and eutrophication are major threats to coastal environments worldwide. As a result of differences between temperate and tropical ecosystems in nutrient availability, nitrogen (N):phosphorus (P) coupling and carbon retention, primary productivity and biotic interactions in the tropics are predicted to have stronger responses to increased nutrients than in temperate ecosystems. Habitats that occur across broad climatic ranges, such as mangrove forests, provide an opportunity to test this hypothesis by investigating the responses of herbivores to nutrient enrichment in temperate versus tropical latitudes on the same species.

Location

Australia and New Zealand.

Time period

Fertilization experiments were established at Port Douglas and Cape Cleveland in October 2000; Batemans Bay and Waikopua in August 2001; Whangapoua in January 2003; Tinchi Tamba in September 2005; and Garalia in October 2007. Herbivory was measured in 2009.

Major taxa studied

Insect leaf miners; insect and fungal leaf gallers.

Methods

We used seven fertilization experiments in Australia and New Zealand across 20° of latitude to determine how increased nutrients affected herbivory and diversity of leaf miners and gallers of the mangrove Avicennia marina. Individual trees were fertilized annually with one of three treatments (Control, +N, +P); herbivory was measured in 2009.

Results

Fertilization did not significantly affect herbivory or herbivore diversity. Leaf N:P, latitude and rainfall contributed significantly to herbivory, accounting for > 56% of the variation. Latitude, temperature, %P and salinity differentiated herbivory by feeding guild in the tropical versus subtropical and temperate latitudes. The effect of N fertilization on folivory differed across climatic regions; relative to Control trees, N‐fertilized trees in temperate areas had greater folivory than in tropical and subtropical latitudes. Species richness for leaf miners and gallers was correlated with latitude, with more species in subtropical and tropical latitudes than in temperate latitudes. The abundance of galls and mines differed by location, but differences were not correlated with latitude.

Main conclusions

Results indicate that latitude and nutrients may have had an interactive effect on herbivory and herbivore diversity of A. marina. However, the strength of the interactions varied by climatic region and was not the same for all groups of herbivores.
Suitability of two sheep landraces (Skudde and Bentheimer Landschaf) for extensive farming on fen grasslands
Authors: Kaiser Thomas , Fischer Andreas
Published: September 2017

Sheep landraces are an invigorating element in terms of the biodiversity of the cultural landscape. The present study focused on the question of whether the Bentheimer Landschaf breed, which is a representative of a large sheep landrace, is equally as well‐suited for the maintenance of extensively farmed fen grassland as the smaller, hardy Skudde breed of sheep. For each breed, two flocks with 10 ewes and their lambs were included in a 3‐year grazing trial on long‐standing, extensively used fen grassland paddocks. Our study revealed no major differences between Skudde and Bentheimer Landschaf regarding feed preference, endozoochorous dispersal potential and reproductive performance. The food intake of both breeds was not only limited to high‐quality forage grasses, they also chose more crude fiber‐rich plant species. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was preferably selected. A relevant problem under set stocking conditions with alternate hay cutting was the spread of creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) on the paddocks of both sheep breeds. The majority of the germinable seeds found in fecal samples were contributed by the small‐seeded grass species Poa trivialis L. and Agrostis stolonifera L., which were the most abundant in the vegetation of the paddocks. Juncus spp. seeds were found at above‐average levels in the fecal samples compared with the vegetation percentages of these species. Among the weed species, only stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) showed a higher endozoochorous dispersal potential. The greater slaughter weight of Bentheimer Landschaf lambs has a positive effect on the efficiency of sheep farming. Considering all of the studied characteristics, we concluded that large landrace Bentheimer Landschaf sheep as well as Skudde sheep may be only recommended for the maintenance of drained fen grassland if additional control strategies against the spread of thistles accompany grazing management.
Talking to the people that really matter about their participation in pandemic clinical research: A qualitative study in four European countries
Authors: Gobat Nina H. , Gal Micaela , Butler Christopher C. , Webb Steve A.R. , Francis Nicholas A. , Stanton Helen , Anthierens Sibyl , Bastiaens Hilde , Godycki‐ćwirko Maciek , Kowalczyk Anna , Pons‐Vigués Mariona , Pujol‐Ribera Enriqueta , Berenguera Anna , Watkins Angela , Sukumar Prasanth , Moore Ronald G. , Hood Kerenza , Nichol Alistair
Published: September 2017

Background

Pandemics of new and emerging infectious diseases are unpredictable, recurrent events that rapidly threaten global health and security. We aimed to identify public views regarding provision of information and consent to participate in primary and critical care clinical research during a future influenza‐like illness pandemic.

Methods

Descriptive‐interpretive qualitative study, using focus groups (n = 10) and semi‐structured interviews (n = 16), with 80 members of the public (>18 years) in Belgium, Spain, Poland and the UK. Local qualitative researchers followed a scenario‐based topic guide to collect data. Data were transcribed verbatim, translated into English and subject to framework analysis.

Results

Public understandings of pandemics were shaped by personal factors (illness during the previous H1N1 pandemic, experience of life‐threatening illness) and social factors (historical references, media, public health information). Informants appreciated safeguards provided by ethically robust research procedures, but current enrolment procedures were seen as a barrier. They proposed simplified enrolment processes for higher risk research and consent waiver for certain types of low‐risk research. Decision making about research participation was influenced by contextual, research and personal factors. Informants generally either carefully weighed up various approaches to research participation or responded instinctively. They supported the principle of using routinely collected, anonymized clinical biological samples for research without explicit consent, but regarded this as less acceptable if researchers were motivated primarily by commercial gain.

Conclusions

This bottom‐up approach to ascertaining public views on pandemic clinical research has identified support for more proportionate research protection procedures for publically funded, low‐risk studies.
Male feeding contribution facilitates multiple brooding in a biparental songbird
Authors: Nomi Daisuke , Yuta Teru , Koizumi Itsuro
Published: September 2017

Despite the cost of lost mating opportunities, biparental care is routinely observed across different groups of animals. Theory predicts that paternal care will increase reproductive success, yet many empirical studies have failed to find a direct link. Most studies have focused on the effect of paternal care on current breeding attempts, but male contributions may benefit future reproduction. Species producing clutches or litters more than once per season (i.e. multiple breeding attempts per season) are suitable for investigating whether paternal care contributes to current or future reproductive success, or both. We investigated the importance of the male's feeding contribution to multiple brooding in Japanese Tits Parus minor in northern Japan, where approximately 50% of pairs were known to reproduce multiple times within a breeding season. Male feeding contribution (proportion of provisioning delivered by the male) was positively correlated with the probability of the female multiple brooding and with nestling body mass. However, it was not correlated with fledging success in the current breeding attempt. Our results demonstrate the importance of male parental care for annual reproductive success in this multi‐brooded species and provide insights into the evolution of biparental care.
Detoxification of ivermectin by ATP binding cassette transporter C4 and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 6CJ1 in the human body louse,Pediculus humanus humanus
Authors: Kim J. H. , Gellatly K. J. , Lueke B. , Kohler M. , Nauen R. , Murenzi E. , Yoon K. S. , Clark J. M.
Published: September 2017

We previously observed that ivermectin‐induced detoxification genes, includingATP binding cassette transporter C4(PhABCC4) andcytochrome P450 6CJ1(CYP6CJ1) were identified from body lice following a brief exposure to a sublethal dose of ivermectin using a non‐invasive induction assay. In this current study, the functional properties of PhABCC4 and CYP6CJ1 were investigated after expression in eitherX. laevisoocytes or using a baculovirus expression system, respectively. Efflux of [3H]‐9‐(2‐phosphonomethoxyethyl) adenine ([3H]‐PMEA), a known ABCC4 substrate in humans, was detected fromPhABCC4cRNA‐injected oocytes by liquid scintillation spectrophotometric analysis and PhABCC4 expression in oocytes was confirmed using ABC transporter inhibitors. Efflux was also determined to be ATP‐dependent. Using a variety of insecticides in a competition assay, only co‐injection of ivermectin and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane led to decreased efflux of [3H]‐PMEA. PhABCC4‐expressing oocytes also directly effluxed [3H]‐ivermectin, which increased over time. In addition, ivermectin appeared to be oxidatively metabolized and/or sequestered, although at low levels, following functional expression of CYP6CJ1 along with cytochrome P450 reductase in Sf9 cells. Our study suggests that PhABCC4 and perhaps CYP6CJ1 are involved in the Phase III and Phase I xenobiotic metabolism of ivermectin, respectively, and may play an important role in the evolution of ivermectin resistance in lice and other insects as field selection occurs.
Implementing statistical modeling approach towards development of ultrafine grained bioceramics: Case of ZrO2‐toughened Al2O3
Authors: Sarkar Debasish , Reddy Bhimavarapu Sambi , Basu Bikramjit
Published: September 2017

The application of statistical modeling approach with the predictive capability of sinter density and grain size is perceived as a central theme in the development of next generation ceramics. Such computationally intensive method can be equally significant, if the predicted process conditions can be adapted experimentally to develop complex shaped ceramics with variable sizes. In the first ever attempt to address such issues for the ceramics, we have, in the present work, considered a range of factors and levels from relevant process variables (sintering temperature, sintering time) and material variables (sinter‐aid addition and reinforcement content) as input parameters to formulate data‐driven, high throughput analytical assays by response surface method (RSM). Using ZrO2 toughened Al2O3 (ZTA) as a model system, the adopted RSM approach has been used to quantitatively predict independent and interactive role of process and material variables on sinter density and grain size.
Liquid‐phase sintering, microstructural evolution, and microwave dielectric properties of Li2Mg3SnO6–LiF ceramics
Authors: Zuo Ruzhong , Zhang Jian , Song Jie , Xu Yudong
Published: September 2017

The liquid‐phase sintering behavior and microstructural evolution of x wt% LiF aided Li2Mg3SnO6 ceramics (x = 1‐7) were investigated for the purpose to prepare dense phase‐pure ceramic samples. The grain and pore morphology, density variation, and phase structures were especially correlated with the subsequent microwave dielectric properties. The experimental results demonstrate a typical liquid‐phase sintering in LiF–Li2Mg3SnO6 ceramics, in which LiF proves to be an effective sintering aid for the Li2Mg3SnO6 ceramic and obviously reduces its optimum sintering temperature from ~1200°C to ~850°C. The actual sample density and microstructure (grain and pores) strongly depended on both the amount of LiF additive and the sintering temperature. Higher sintering temperature tended to cause the formation of closed pores in Li2Mg3SnO6‐x wt% LiF ceramics owing to the increase in the migration ability of grain boundary. An obvious transition of fracture modes from transgranular to intergranular ones was observed approximately at x = 4. A single‐phase dense Li2Mg3SnO6 ceramic could be obtained in the temperature range of 875°C‐1100°C, beyond which the secondary phase Li4MgSn2O7 (<850°C) and Mg2SnO4 (>1100°C) appeared. Excellent microwave dielectric properties of Q × f = 230 000‐330 000 GHz, εr = ~10.5 and τf = ~−40 ppm/°C were obtained for Li2Mg3SnO6 ceramics with x = 2‐5 as sintered at ~1150°C. For LTCC applications, a desirable Q × f value of ~133 000 GHz could be achieved in samples with x = 3‐4 as sintered at 875°C.
Examining missed care in community nursing: A cross section survey design
Authors: Phelan Amanda , McCarthy Sandra , Adams Elizabeth
Published: September 2017

Aim

To examine the prevalence of missed care in the community nursing.

Background

Previous studies have used a missed care framework to identify challenges routine nursing care in acute care environments. Several issues related to quality of care, safe staffing, job satisfaction and poor teamwork. However, this concept has not been examined in the community nursing context.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey design was used to explore the concept of missed care in community nursing using demographical information, community nursing roles and reasons for missed care.

Methods

Online questionnaires were completed by 458 community nurses in the Republic of Ireland to determine the prevalence of and reasons for missed care (31 July–25 September 2015).

Results/Findings

With a response rate of 29%, findings were above 70% in several routine care responsibilities. Other findings point to a higher level of missed care in nurses who had less than five years’ experience and other variables such as age, those who worked additional unpaid hours and there were some regional variations.

Conclusion

The results of the study indicate a high prevalence of missed care in the community nurses surveyed and that preventative care was the type of care most likely to be missed. This has serious implications for a nursing service that is preventative in nature and suggests that the missed care framework could benefit workforce planning for community nursing services both in Ireland and elsewhere. Accordingly, policy, practice and educational reforms are fundamental to meet current and future population needs.
Kagan on Speciesism and Modal Personism
Authors: Smolkin Doran
Published: September 2017

Shelly Kagan argues in his ‘What's Wrong with Speciesism?’ for four provocative claims: 1. speciesism is not necessarily a mere prejudice; 2. most people are not speciesists; 3. ‘modal personism’ more closely reflects what most people believe, and 4. modal personism might be true. In this article, I object to Kagan's account of what constitutes a ‘mere prejudice’, and I object to the sort of argument he uses to show that most people are not speciesist. I then attempt to motivate, and defend what I take to be the best version of modal personism; answer several problems for the view; and raise other problems that I think are harder to answer.
Engaging street‐involved youth using an evidence‐based intervention: A preliminary report of findings
Authors: Lynch Joanna , McCay Elizabeth , Aiello Andria , Donald Faith
Published: September 2017

Problem

Street‐involved youth experience many barriers to accessing health and social services. There is a literature gap in the literature regarding evidence‐based interventions to facilitate engagement with street‐involved youth.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study of preliminary findings from a large mixed‐methods study was undertaken to assess the impact of a resilience‐based motivational intervention. This intervention was grounded in frameworks including strengths‐based and resilience‐based communication using the Seven C's Model of Resilience, positive youth development, and motivational interviewing that are particularly relevant to youth. Individual interviews were conducted with two subsets of youth who participated (n = 3) or did not participate (n = 3) in the intervention. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes between the intervention and comparison groups.

Findings

Preliminary themes identified across the sample include (1) establishing a trusting relationship, (2) strengthening self‐worth and resilience, (3) focusing on goals, and (4) perceiving a sense of hope and possibility.

Conclusions

The themes identified the importance of positive relationships with care providers built upon a foundation of trust to engage youth to remain motivated and focused on their goals.
Zero‐fluoroscopy cryothermal ablation of atrioventricular nodal re‐entry tachycardia guided by endovascular and endocardial catheter visualization using intracardiac echocardiography (Ice&ICE Trial)
Authors: Luani Blerim , Zrenner Bernhard , Basho Maksim , Genz Conrad , Rauwolf Thomas , Tanev Ivan , Schmeisser Alexander , Braun‐Dullaeus Rüdiger C.
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Stochastic damage of the ionizing radiation to both patients and medical staff is a drawback of fluoroscopic guidance during catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, emerging zero‐fluoroscopy catheter‐guidance techniques are of great interest.

Methods and results

We investigated, in a prospective pilot study, the feasibility and safety of the cryothermal (CA) slow‐pathway ablation in patients with symptomatic atrioventricular‐nodal‐re‐entry‐tachycardia (AVNRT) using solely intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for endovascular and endocardial catheter visualization. Twenty‐five consecutive patients (mean age 55.6 ± 12.0 years, 17 female) with ECG‐documentation or symptoms suggesting AVNRT underwent an electrophysiology study (EPS) in our laboratory utilizing ICE for catheter navigation. Supraventricular tachycardia was inducible in 23 (92%) patients; AVNRT was confirmed by appropriate stimulation maneuvers in 20 (80%) patients. All EPS in the AVNRT subgroup could be accomplished without need for fluoroscopy, relying solely on ICE‐guidance. CA guided by anatomical location and slow‐pathway potentials was successful in all patients, median cryo‐mappings = 6 (IQR:3–10), median cryo‐ablations = 2 (IQR:1–3). Fluoroscopy was used to facilitate the trans‐septal puncture and localization of the ablation substrate in the remaining 3 patients (one focal atrial tachycardia and two atrioventricular‐re‐entry‐tachycardias). Mean EPS duration in the AVNRT subgroup was 99.8 ± 39.6 minutes, ICE guided catheter placement 11.9 ± 5.8 minutes, time needed for diagnostic evaluation 27.1 ± 10.8 minutes, and cryo‐application duration 26.3 ± 30.8 minutes.

Conclusions

ICE‐guided zero‐fluoroscopy CA in AVNRT patients is feasible and safe. Real‐time visualization of the true endovascular borders and cardiac structures allow for safe catheter navigation during the ICE‐guided EPS and might be an alternative to visualization technologies using geometry reconstructions.
Pterygium inversum unguis secondary to gel polish
Authors: Cervantes J. , Sanchez M. , Eber A.E. , Perper M. , Tosti A.
Published: September 2017

Background

Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) is characterized by the abnormal adherence of the hyponychium to the ventral surface of the nail plate. It can be both unsightly and painful, resulting in morbidity for patients. Gel polish is a popular nail cosmetic that has been reported to cause several complications. PIU may be another adverse outcome.

Objective

To highlight a newly recognized adverse effect of a popular beauty technique.

Methods

This retrospective and prospective case series reports 17 women who developed PIU after gel polish use. All study‐related activities occurred at a University of Miami dermatology outpatient clinic.

Results

All 17 subjects developed PIU after two to five years of gel polish application. Nine of 17 patients reported using both UVA and LED light to cure gel polish. Of the remaining eight, five used LED light only and three did not know or could not remember. All but two patients had a resolution of PIU a few weeks after switching from gel polish to regular polish manicures.

Conclusion

While it remains undiscerned whether PIU is related to chemicals present in the gel polish or to the application and/or removal process of such, patients and dermatologists should be aware of the potential risks of gel manicures.
Clinical interpretation of the Uremic Pruritus in Dialysis Patients (UP‐Dial) scale: a novel instrument for the assessment of uremic pruritus
Authors: Nochaiwong S. , Ruengorn C. , Koyratkoson K. , Chaisai C. , Awiphan R. , Thavorn K. , Noppakun K. , Suteeka Y. , Panyathong S. , Chongruksut W. , Nanta S. , Chiewchanvit S. ,   The Thai Renal Outcomes Research (THOR) Investigators
Published: September 2017

Background

The Uremic Pruritus in Dialysis Patients (UP‐Dial) scale is valid and reliable for uremic pruritus (UP) assessment. However, it remains unknown how the scores should be interpreted in clinical practices.

Objectives

To establish a clinical interpretation of the UP‐Dial by identifying severity cut‐off scores according to the disease severity and burden of pruritus.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study developed a classification system for the UP‐Dial scores using the patient‐based anchors method. From May 2012 through January 2017, 697 dialysis patients were screened. Of these, a total of 258 met the criteria for UP and completed the UP‐Dial scale and three sets of patient‐assessed anchor questions: (i) global UP intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS)‐UP, (ii) Dermatology Life Quality Index and (iii) global kidney disease‐related quality of life. The cut‐off scores were generated based on the kappa (κ) coefficient of agreement and the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AuROC) statistics. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore associations between patient characteristics and the UP‐Dial severity bands.

Results

The proposed scores were ≤12 (mild), 13–21 (moderate) and ≥22 (severe) with κ coefficient ranging between 0.39 and 0.46. Assigned scores were associated with all patient‐based anchors. The highest association was with the VAS‐UP, and AuROC was 0.80 (mild; 95% CI, 0.75–0.86), 0.66 (moderate; 0.60–0.71) and 0.83 (severe; 0.77–0.89). In subgroup analysis according to patient characteristics, we did not find any significant difference.

Conclusions

The estimated UP‐Dial severity band can facilitate the interpretation of UP in practice‐based research settings and can be used to support treatment decisions.
Understanding Quality of Care in Medicare Home Health Agency Care
Authors: Boling Peter A.
Published: September 2017

This editorial comments on the article by Krumholz et al.
Nutrition‐related hospital presentations and admissions among radiotherapy outpatients: a systematic literature review
Authors: Hazzard E. , Walton K. , McMahon A.‐T. , Milosavljevic M. , Tapsell L. C.
Published: September 2017

Background

Unplanned presentations and admissions to hospital among outpatients with cancer are a key indicator of quality care in cancer services. Nutritional issues including malnutrition and dehydration, which fall under the dietitian's scope of practice, can result in unplanned contacts. The present review focused on cancer outpatients undergoing radiotherapy as a particular at risk group and aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the range and prevalence of nutrition‐related unplanned contacts and the associated factors, including the role of dietetic intervention.

Methods

A systematic review analysed studies published between 1990 and August 2016 from five databases. Eligible studies reported rates of nutrition‐related unplanned contacts among adult nonhaematological cancer outpatients, treated with nonpalliative radiotherapy. Studies were screened for eligibility, extracted, descriptively analysed and synthesised.

Results

Fifteen studies were included. Common causes of nutrition‐related unplanned contacts included dehydration and enteral feeding commencement and complications. Factors that influenced nutrition‐related unplanned contacts included tumour location and stage, treatment modality and the presence of a feeding tube. There were issues in determining the prevalence and identifying dietetic interventions partly as a result of the heterogeneity in reported study designs and varying definitions of nutrition‐related unplanned contacts.

Conclusions

Nutrition‐related problems appear to be associated with unplanned contacts in cancer outpatients undergoing radiotherapy. Hence, there is a strategic need for dietetic involvement aiming to reduce these. Further research is required to define the role of the dietitian in managing nutrition‐related unplanned contacts, particularly for dehydration. This may help to define the full scope of practice for dietitians caring for these nutritionally vulnerable and complex outpatients.
Advanced spinning disk‐TIRF microscopy for faster imaging of the cell interior and the plasma membrane
Authors: ZOBIAK BERND , FAILLA ANTONIO VIRGILIO
Published: September 2017

Understanding the cellular processes that occur between the cytosol and the plasma membrane is an important task for biological research. Till now, however, it was not possible to combine fast and high‐resolution imaging of both the isolated plasma membrane and the surrounding intracellular volume. Here, we demonstrate the combination of fast high‐resolution spinning disk (SD) and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy for specific imaging of the plasma membrane. A customised SD‐TIRF microscope was used with specific design of the light paths that allowed, for the first time, live SD‐TIRF experiments at high acquisition rates. A series of experiments is shown to demonstrate the feasibility and performance of our setup.
Imaging analysis of the interface between osteoblasts and microrough surfaces of laser‐sintered titanium alloy constructs
Authors: CHENG A. , CHEN H. , SCHWARTZ Z. , BOYAN B.D.
Published: September 2017

Previous work using focused ion beam (FIB) analysis of osteoblasts on smooth and microrough Ti surfaces showed that the average cell aspect ratio and distance from the surface are greater on the rough surface. In order to better interrogate the relationship between individual cells and their substrate using multiple imaging modalities, we developed a method that tracks the same cell across confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to correlate surface microroughness with cell morphology and cytoskeleton; scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to provide higher resolution for observation of nanoroughness as well as chemical mapping via energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy; and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for high‐resolution imaging. FIB was used to prepare thin sections of the cell‐material interface for TEM, or for three‐dimensional electron tomography. Cells were cultured on laser‐sintered Ti‐6Al‐4V substrates with polished or etched surfaces. Direct cell to surface attachments were observed across surfaces, though bridging across macroscale surface features occurred on rough substrates. Our results show that surface roughness, cell cytoskeleton and gross morphology can be correlated with the cell‐material cross‐sectional interface at the single cell level across multiple high‐resolution imaging modalities. This work provides a platform method for further investigating mechanisms of the cell‐material interface.