bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How can we support children, adolescents and young adults in managing chronic health challenges? A scoping review on the effects of patient education interventions
Authors: Stenberg Una , Haaland‐Øverby Mette , Koricho Absera Teshome , Trollvik Anne , Kristoffersen Liv‐Grethe Rajka , Dybvig Stine , Vågan André
Published: May 2019

Objectives

This scoping review aims to give a comprehensive and systematic overview of published evaluations and the potential impact of patient education interventions for children, adolescents and young adults who are living with chronic illness and/or impairment loss.

Methods

Relevant literature published between 2008 and 2018 has been comprehensively reviewed, with attention paid to variations in study, intervention and patient characteristics. Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping studies guided the review process, and thematic analysis was undertaken to synthesize extracted data.

Results

Of the 7214 titles identified, 69 studies were included in this scoping review. Participant‐reported benefits of the interventions included less distress from symptoms, improved medical adherence and/or less use of medication, and improved knowledge. The majority of studies measuring physical activity and/or physiologic outcomes found beneficial effects. Interventions were also beneficial in terms of decreased use of urgent health care, hospitalization, visits to general practitioner and absence from school. By sharing experiences, participants had learned from each other and attained new insight on how they could manage illness‐related challenges.

Discussion

Study results corroborate previous research suggesting that different types of patient education interventions have a positive impact on children, adolescents and young adults, but research on this field is still in a starting phase. The results summed up in the current review supports the utility of patient education interventions that employ behavioural strategies tailored to the developmental needs of children, adolescents and young adults with different cultural backgrounds.
Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement in a doctoral research project exploring self‐harm in older adults
Authors: Troya M. Isabela , Chew‐Graham Carolyn A. , Babatunde Opeyemi , Bartlam Bernadette , Higginbottom Adele , Dikomitis Lisa
Published: May 2019

Background

The contribution of involving patients and public in health research is widely reported, particularly within mental health research. Less is written about such contributions to doctoral research. The research focus of this doctoral research, self‐harm in older adults, was put forward by a Patient Public Involvement Engagement (PPIE) group, who contributed to its development.

Aims

Critically reflect on the process, potential impact and identify challenges and opportunities in involving robust PPIE in a doctoral study.

Methods

Three PPIE members contributed to a systematic review (SR) and a qualitative study through a series of four workshops to meet the aims of the study. PPIE contributed to developing the SR review questions, protocol, data analysis and dissemination of findings. For the qualitative study, they helped develop research questions, protocol, public‐facing documentation, recruitment strategies and data analysis. Involvement followed the GRIPP2‐SF reporting checklist.

Results

PPIE enhanced methodological rigour, data analysis, interpretation and dissemination of findings. Challenges included lack of ethical guidance, time‐related pressures and ensuring support for PPIE members. These were successfully managed through ongoing dialogue and regular communication.

Conclusions

PPIE can enhance the quality and depth of doctoral research, as lived experiences shared by PPIE members add to research's components. Exposing early‐career researchers to PPIE can build research cultures sensitive to PPIE's potential contribution and develop the expertise needed to avoid tokenistic involvement. Capturing lay perspectives is essential in mental health research to ensure research findings are accessible and that findings inform clinical practice. However, clear guidance on the ethical dimensions to PPIE is needed.
Preparing for war in an interdependent world: German financial preparations before 1914
Authors: Mulligan William
Published: May 2019

This article examines German financial preparations for war. In the economically integrated world of Europe before 1914, war threatened to bring about a collapse in credit structures, undermining the war effort. States considered a range of measures to buttress confidence in credit and financial systems. In particular, this article focuses on the financial consequences of a war panic in the Moroccan crisis of 1911 and the German government's response to it.
Death in early America
Authors: Seeman Erik R.
Published: May 2019

Interdisciplinary death studies was born in the 1970s amid critiques of the “high cost of dying” in the United States. In the field of history, this led to pioneering works that contrasted earlier, allegedly simple deathways with elaborate and expensive 20th‐century practices. But because the broader societal critiques were imagined to apply principally to the White middle class, this narrowed the scope of historical inquiry to Euro‐Americans. With the rise of Atlantic and Continental approaches to early American history in the 1990s, the history of death broadened to include American Indians and African Americans. Still, work remains to be done to bring those groups into the history of death in the 19th‐century United States.
Switching to dual antiretroviral regimens is associated with improvement or no changes in activation and inflammation markers in virologically suppressed HIV‐1‐infected patients: the TRILOBITHE pilot study
Authors: Vallejo A , Molano MdC , Monsalvo‐Hernando M , Hernández‐Walias F , Fontecha‐Ortega M , Casado JL
Published: May 2019

Objectives

While the use of dual antiretroviral therapies could reduce the toxicity of antiretroviral treatment in treatment‐experienced HIV‐1‐infected patients, it is crucial to know if reducing the number of drugs could lead to an adverse increase in inflammation and activation markers.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional pilot study conducted at the HIV‐1 Unit at the Tertiary University Hospital in Madrid, Spain, evaluating biomarkers of activation [interferon‐γ‐induced protein 10 (IP10), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), soluble CD14 (sCD14) and sCD163], inflammation [interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)], blood coagulation (d‐dimer), and immune response [interferon (IFN)‐γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and IL‐4] in three groups of suppressed HIV‐1‐infected patients: patients continuing on triple therapy (26 patients), and patients who switched from triple to dual therapy, at 24 or 48 weeks after switching (13 and 36 patients, respectively).

Results

Demographic and immunovirological parameters were similar in the three groups of patients. IL‐6 and sCD14 levels were lower in patients at 48 weeks after switching to dual therapy compared with those found in patients who continued to receive triple therapy (P = 0.012 and P = 0.001, respectively), with no differences in the levels of the remaining biomarkers. Among patients with nadir CD4 count ≤ 200 cells/μL, sCD14 levels were lower in patients who had been on dual therapy for 48 weeks (14 patients) compared with those found in patients who received ongoing triple therapy (11 patients; P = 0.029), with no differences in the levels of the other biomarkers.

Conclusions

HIV‐1‐infected patients receiving dual regimens showed similar or even lower levels of inflammatory and activation markers compared with those found in patients who received ongoing triple therapy. Of note, similar data were obtained in patients with low nadir CD4 count.
Influence of heat treatment on torsional resistance and surface roughness of nickel‐titanium instruments
Authors: Silva E. J. N. L. , Giraldes J. F. N. , de Lima C. O. , Vieira V. T. L. , Elias C. N. , Antunes H. S.
Published: May 2019

Aim

To evaluate the influence of controlled memory (CM) thermal treatment on the torsional resistance and surface roughness of nickel‐titanium instruments with identical geometric and dimensional characteristics. The influence of environmental temperature on torsional resistance was also evaluated.

Methodology

A sample of 25 conventional NiTi alloy and 25 CM thermal‐treated NiTi instruments, with an identical geometric design and a nominal size of 0.25 mm at D0 and a nominal taper of .06 mm mm−1 were selected. The torsional strength and the angle of rotation of the instruments were tested following ISO 3630‐1 at two temperatures: 21 and 35 °C. The fracture surfaces of all tested instruments were verified with a scanning electron microscope. The surface roughness of the blades of conventional NiTi alloy and CM wire files was evaluated by using a New View 7100 Profilometer. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t‐test and paired t‐test to analyse the torsional resistance and surface roughness at a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results

The torsional strength of thermally‐treated instruments was significantly lower than nontreated instruments (P < 0.05). However, thermally‐treated instruments had significantly greater angular rotation to fracture than nontreated instruments (P < 0.05). Temperature did not influence the torsional strength (P > 0.05) and the angular rotation (P > 0.05) of the instruments. Regarding the roughness measurements, groove depth was lower at the surface of thermally‐treated instruments when compared to nontreated instruments (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Thermal treatment influenced the torsional resistance and surface roughness of NiTi instruments with identical geometric and dimensional characteristics. Temperature did not affect torsional behaviour.
Effect of larger apical size on the quality of preparation in curved canals using reciprocating instruments with different heat thermal treatments
Authors: Duque J. A. , Vivan R. R. , Duarte M. A. H. , Alcalde M. P. , Cruz V. M. , Borges M. M. B. , Bramante C. M.
Published: May 2019

Aim

To evaluate the influence of larger apical canal enlargement in curved canals using reciprocating systems subjected to various heat treatments.

Methodology

Ninety mandibular premolars with root curvatures ranging from 20° to 30° were selected and scanned by microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) before and after root canal preparation with reciprocating systems (n = 30): Reciproc Blue (RB size 25, .08 taper and size 40, .06 taper; VDW, Munich, Germany), WaveOne Gold (WOG size 25, .07 taper and size 35, .06 taper; Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and ProDesign R (PDR size 25, .06 taper and size 35, .05 taper; Easy Dental Equipment, Belo Horizonte, Brazil). Canal transportation, untouched areas, and apical and total root canal volumes were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's tests and a significance level set at 5%.

Results

The between‐group comparison revealed no significant difference in untouched areas, canal transportation, and apical root canal volume among the groups (P > 0.05). However, WOG size 35, .06 taper was associated with a significant increase in the percentage of total canal volume in comparison to the PDR size 35, .05 taper (P < 0.05). The within‐group comparison revealed a significant decrease in untouched areas, increase in apical and total root canal volume for all groups when using a larger instrument (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in transportation among the groups and when a larger apical preparation was created (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Larger apical enlargement of curved canals was associated with a decrease in untouched areas, an increase in root canal volume and maintenance of canal trajectory. In addition, all systems were safe and provided similar root canal shapes.
Faking on a situational judgment test in a medical school selection setting: Effect of different scoring methods?
Authors: de Leng W. E. , Stegers‐Jager K. M. , Born M. Ph. , Themmen A. P. N.
Published: May 2019

We examined the occurrence of faking on a rating situational judgment test (SJT) by comparing SJT scores and response styles of the same individuals across two naturally occurring situations. An SJT for medical school selection was administered twice to the same group of applicants (N = 317) under low‐stakes (T1) and high‐stakes (T2) circumstances. The SJT was scored using three different methods that were differentially affected by response tendencies. Applicants used significantly more extreme responding onT2 thanT1. Faking (higher SJT score onT2) was only observed for scoring methods that controlled for response tendencies. Scoring methods that do not control for response tendencies introduce systematic error into the SJT score, which may lead to inaccurate conclusions about the existence of faking.
Quality of life after external beam radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: Comparison with other modalities
Authors: Nakamura Katsumasa , Konishi Kenta , Komatsu Tetsuya , Ishiba Ryo
Published: May 2019

In external beam radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer, acute toxicities are typically transient and mild. These symptoms will disappear within 4–8 weeks after external beam radiotherapy. Some patients might suffer from proctitis with bloody stools as late rectal toxicity. Therefore, it has been shown that external beam radiotherapy has a more pronounced negative impact on bowel function compared with other treatment modalities. However, the recent development of modern beam delivery techniques, including intensity‐modulated radiotherapy, allows us not only to deliver higher doses to the prostate, but also to decrease the doses to the critical organs, resulting in the maintenance of patients’ quality of life within satisfactory levels. Patients’ quality of life after external beam radiotherapy is also strongly related to the total dose, fractionation regimens, dose parameters of the critical organs and treatment plan quality, with a trade‐off between the radicality of external beam radiotherapy and potentially increased toxicity. Radiation oncologists should choose treatment parameters carefully to achieve a reasonable balance between a good oncological outcome and the patient's quality of life.
A longitudinal examination of the interrelationships between multiple health behaviors in cancer patients
Authors: Bernard Paquito , Ivers Hans , Savard Marie‐Hélène , Savard Josée
Published: May 2019

Purpose

A healthy lifestyle following a cancer diagnosis is associated with reduced risk for a cancer recurrence. Better understanding the interrelationships between multiple health behaviors (HB) in cancer survivors could inform the development of more effective interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Methods

This prospective study assessed the longitudinal interrelationships between smoking, physical activity, alcohol intake, and caffeine consumption among patients with mixed cancer sites at the peri‐operative period and 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18 months later. A cross‐lagged design and structural equation modeling were used to assess the relationships between all four HBs over time.

Results

The study included 962 participants. The model showed a good fit to the data. For all four HBs, continuity paths consistently indicated that one particular health behavior was significantly predicted by the same health behavior at the previous time point. However, no consistent pattern of cross‐lagged relationships between HBs emerged. Physical activity at 14‐ and 18‐month evaluations was the HB most consistently involved either as a predictor as a predicted variable.

Conclusion

Overall, this study indicates that HBs assessed following cancer surgery are mostly independent and that interventions promoting HB changes during the cancer treatment trajectory need to target each health behavior separately.
Addressing the issue of job performance among hospital physicians in Pakistan: The role of job security, organizational support, and job satisfaction
Authors: Umrani Waheed Ali , Afsar Bilal , Khan Mirwise , Ahmed Umair
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The success of any organization is highly dependent on how it attracts, recruits, motivates, and retains a high‐performing workforce. The reason is that performance as a phenomenon is closely related to aspects of effectiveness, knowledge management and quality from one side and to management, financing and development of the organization from the other. Especially for hospital physicians, job performance issues are inextricably linked to patient safety. Explaining the factors that influence employee performance remain a fundamental question for human resources management practitioners. The literature shows that a large number of factors influence job performance such as satisfaction from the profession, work environment, compensation policies, quality of work life, ability, effort, motivation, attitude, personality, and competence. This study looked at selected employee related factors, namely job security, organizational support, and job satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of job security and organizational support on hospital physician's job performance and the mediating role of job satisfaction on these relationships.

Methods

A cross‐sectional quantitative approach was employed for this study. Hospital physicians working in public and private hospitals of Pakistan were selected. The sample comprised of 361 hospital physicians who were approached using the self‐administered technique. To outline and explain the relationship of job security and organizational support with job performance and how job satisfaction could mediate these relationship, the data were analyzed using partial least squares‐structural equation model (PLS‐SEM).

Results

The results indicated that job security and organizational support positively affected job performance of hospital physicians. Moreover, job satisfaction mediated the link between job security and job performance as well as between organizational support and job performance.

Conclusions

We conclude that by providing job security and organizational support to hospital physicians, their job performance can be boosted. Physician satisfaction impacts physician behavior and, consequently, the quality of medical care. Physician satisfaction needs to be measured and monitored to improve working conditions and increase employment stability in the healthcare sector. Due to the health workforce crisis, knowledge regarding physician satisfaction and job security is essential to healthcare managers and policy makers for more effective human resources management.
Nicorandil alleviates apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy through PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Wang Xuyang , Pan Jinyu , Liu Dian , Zhang Mingjun , Li Xiaowei , Tian Jingjing , Liu Ming , Jin Tao , An Fengshuang
Published: May 2019

Nicorandil exerts myocardial protection through its antihypoxia and antioxidant effects. Here, we investigated whether it plays an anti‐apoptotic role in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed with high‐fat diet; then single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was performed. Rats with fasting blood glucose (FBG) higher than 11.1 mmol/L were selected as models. Eight weeks after the models were built, rats were treated with nicorandil (7.5 mg/kg day and 15 mg/kg day respectively) for 4 weeks. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were treated with nicorandil and then stimulated with high glucose (33.3 mmol/L). TUNEL assay and level of bcl‐2, bax and caspase‐3 were measured. 5‐HD was used to inhibit nicorandil. Also, PI3K inhibitor (Miltefosine) and mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) were used to inhibit PI3K/Akt pathway. The results revealed that nicorandil (both 7.5 mg/kg day and 15mg/kg day) treatment can increase the level of NO in the serum and eNOS in the heart of diabetic rats compared with the untreated diabetic group. Nicorandil can also improve relieve cardiac dysfunction and reduce the level of apoptosis. In vitro experiments, nicorandil (100 µmol) can attenuate the level of apoptosis stimulated by high glucose significantly in H9C2 cardiomyocyte compared with the untreated group. The effect of nicorandil on apoptosis was blocked by 5‐HD, and it was accompanied with inhibition of the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, eNOS, and mTOR. After inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway, the protective effect of nicorandil is restrained. These results verified that as a NO donor, nicorandil can also inhibit apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy which is mediated by PI3K/Akt pathway.
Epigenetic and inflammatory events in experimental periodontitis following systemic microbial challenge
Authors: Palioto Daniela B. , Finoti Livia S. , Kinane Denis F. , Benakanakere Manjunatha
Published: May 2019

Aim

The purpose of this study was to determine inflammatory and epigenetic features following induction of oral and gut dysbiosis in experimental periodontitis in order to examine the interplay between oral and systemic infection.

Materials and Methods

Periodontitis was induced in 6‐ to 8‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice by (a) Ligature placement (Lig group) (oral challenge); (b) P. gingivalis gavage (Pg group) (systemic challenge); and (c) the combination of the two models oral and systemic challenge (Pg + Lig). The duration of the experiment was 60 days, and the animals were then sacrificed for analyses. Alveolar bone loss was assessed, and a multiplex immunoassay was performed. Maxillae and gut tissues were immunostained for DNMT3b (de novo methylation marker), B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and IL‐18R1 (inflammation markers).

Results

Pg and Pg + Lig groups exhibited higher bone loss when compared to Sham. BAFF, VEGF, RANKL, RANTES and IP‐10 were significantly higher with Pg gavage. Likewise, DNMT3b was overexpressed in both gut and maxilla after the Pg administration. The same pattern was observed for BTLA and IL‐18R1 in gut tissues.

Conclusions

The systemic microbial challenge either alone or in combination with local challenge leads to distinct patterns of inflammatory and epigenetic features when compared to simply locally induced experimental periodontitis.
Examining the association between pruritus and quality of life in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with crisaborole
Authors: Ständer S. , Yosipovitch G. , Bushmakin A.G. , Cappelleri J.C. , Luger T. , Tom W.L. , Ports W.C. , Zielinski M.A. , Tallman A.M. , Tan H. , Gerber R.A.
Published: May 2019

Background

Pruritus is a leading cause of reduced health‐related quality of life (QoL) in atopic dermatitis (AD). Crisaborole ointment is a non‐steroidal phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor for the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate AD. In identical Phase 3 studies (NCT02118766, NCT02118792), crisaborole reduced disease and pruritus severity versus vehicle.

Objective

Quantify the relationship between pruritus and QoL using data from these studies.

Methods

Patients aged ≥2 years were randomly assigned 2 : 1 to receive crisaborole:vehicle twice daily for 28 days. QoL was measured at baseline and day 29 using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; patients aged ≥16 years), the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI; patients aged 2–15 years) and the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI; caregivers of patients aged 2–17 years). Pruritus was measured using the Severity of Pruritus Scale (SPS), a 4‐point scale from 0 (‘no itching’) to 3 (‘bothersome itching/scratching that disturbs sleep’), and captured morning and evening via electronic diary. Data from crisaborole and vehicle arms were pooled for this analysis. A repeated‐measures longitudinal model was used to estimate relationships between pruritus (SPS) and QoL (DLQI, CDLQI and DFI in separate analyses).

Results

One thousand five hundred and twenty two patients received crisaborole or vehicle. A linearity assumption for the relationship between SPS and DLQI (n = 294), CDLQI (n = 1200), and DFI (n = 1293) was appropriate. For DLQI, SPS score of 0 was associated with ‘no negative effect on patient QoL’; SPS score of 1 was associated with ‘small effect on patient QoL’; SPS score of 2 was associated with ‘moderate effect on patient QoL’; and SPS score of 3 was associated with ‘very large effect on patient QoL’. The pattern of relationships between SPS and CDLQI and DFI was similar.

Conclusions

The relationships between SPS and DLQI, CDLQI and DFI substantiate the significant link between pruritus and patient/caregiver QoL in AD.
Bacteriological quality and the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 in ready‐to‐eat foods from Barbados, WI
Authors: Hull‐Jackson Carol , Mota‐Meira Marilaine , Adesiyun Abiodun
Published: May 2019

The bacteriological quality and safety of ready‐to‐eat (RTE) foods in Barbados were assessed in two separate studies conducted between 2014 and 2016. In Study 1, 206 food samples were processed for Salmonella spp. by conventional bacteriological methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serotyping were used for confirmation. In Study 2, 120 food samples were processed for the total aerobic plate count (TAPC), coliform count, and E. coli count using conventional bacteriological methods. After a 24 hr pre‐enrichment, the food samples were screened for Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 by PCR. To validate the PCR screening method for use after pre‐enrichment, the detection limit was investigated in cooked chicken samples spiked with 10‐fold serial dilutions of an overnight culture of Salmonella Enteritidis. In Study 1, the prevalence of Salmonella Enteritidis was 1.5% (3/206). In Study 2, the prevalence of E. coli was 1.7%, and unsatisfactory TAPC (12.5%) and coliform counts (4.2%) were documented. The PCR screen detected DNA extracted from homogenates with as low as 6 CFU/mL, after a 24 hr pre‐enrichment. However, all samples screened negative (0.0%) for Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7. Compared with other developing countries, the prevalence of pathogens in RTE foods in Barbados is low.

Practical applications

Salmonella and E.coli are major causes of food borne illness globally and antibiotic resistance among these bacteria have presented increasing challenges for clinicians. Studies demonstrate that bacterial contamination in ready‐to‐eat (RTE) foods have varied among developed and developing nations. While there are several published reports on the bacterial contamination of RTE foods from the developing Caribbean region, none have originated from Barbados. This study is the first to report a low prevalence of Salmonella, E. coli and other microbial contaminants in RTE foods sold in popular tourist districts in Barbados. This information can be applied to food safety considerations for public health and the tourism industry.
Decrease in fat de novo synthesis and chemokine ligand expression in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by inhibition of mixed lineage kinase domain‐like pseudokinase
Authors: Saeed Waqar Khalid , Jun Dae Won , Jang Kiseok , Oh Ju Hee , Chae Yeon Ji , Lee Jai Sun , Koh Dong Hee , Kang Hyeon Tae
Published: May 2019

Background and Aim

Receptor‐interacting serine/threonine kinase 3 and mixed lineage kinase domain‐like pseudokinase (MLKL) have gained attention as apoptosis alternate cell death signaling molecules. We aimed to evaluate the role of MLKL in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

Hepatic tissue MLKL expression was compared between NAFLD patients and healthy controls. High‐fat diet was fed to wild‐type and MLKL‐knockout (KO) mice for 12 weeks. Brown adipose fat tissue was measured by [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry. Anti‐MLKL effects were also evaluated in in vitro setting using U937 and HepG2 cells.

Results

Hepatic tissue MLKL expression increased in NAFLD patients compared with healthy controls. MLKL expression increased according to the degree of steatosis, ballooning, and inflammation. High‐fat diet‐fed MLKL‐KO mice displayed decreased alanine aminotransferase, triglycerides, liver weight, NAFLD activity score (6.3 vs 3.5, P < 0.001), steatosis score (3.0 vs 1.8, P < 0.001), inflammation, and ballooning degeneration compared with wild‐type mice. SREBP1c, fatty acid synthase, and SCD‐1 expressions decreased in MLKL‐KO mice. Adipose tissue F4/80‐positive crown‐like structures were also reduced in MLKL‐KO mice. HepG2 cells treated with necrosulfonamide (an MLKL inhibitor) showed reduced Nile red staining and reduced SREBP1c and SCD‐1 expressions. Stimulation of necroptosis using lipopolysaccharide + caspase inhibitor (zVAD) increased CXCL1/2 expressions in U937 monocyte cells. Lipopolysaccharide + zVAD‐induced increased expressions of CXCL1/2 were reduced with necrosulfonamide treatment.

Conclusions

Mixed lineage kinase domain‐like pseudokinase inhibition has protective effects in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis by decreasing hepatic de novo fat synthesis and chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand expressions.
Q‐FACTORS IN EMPIRICAL ASSET PRICING: A REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS
Authors: Datta Smita , Chakraborty Anindita
Published: May 2019

The latest development in the asset pricing literature is the emergence of empirical asset pricing models comprising q‐factors (profitability and investment factors) in conjunction with other factors. However, as in the case of the older empirical models, there is scepticism regarding the application of these newer factor models consisting of q‐factors because of the debate surrounding the explanatory power of these empirically inspired asset pricing models. This review attempts to synthesize studies pertaining to the four alternative explanations of the asset pricing models comprising the q‐factors (profitability and investment) – the data snooping hypothesis, the risk‐based explanation, the irrational investor behaviour explanation and the interpretation that suggest that the combination of the risk‐free asset and the factors comprising the model span the mean‐variance efficient tangency portfolio that prices the universe of assets.
Dilated cardiomyopathy: from epidemiologic to genetic phenotypes
Authors: Reichart D. , Magnussen C. , Zeller T. , Blankenberg S.
Published: May 2019

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by left ventricular dilatation and, consecutively, contractile dysfunction. The causes of DCM are heterogeneous. DCM often results from myocarditis, exposure to alcohol, drugs or other toxins and metabolic or endocrine disturbances. In about 35% of patients, genetic mutations can be identified that usually involve genes responsible for cytoskeletal, sarcomere and nuclear envelope proteins. Due to its heterogeneity, a detailed diagnostic work‐up is necessary to identify the specific underlying cause and exclude other conditions with phenotype overlap. Patients with DCM show typical systolic heart failure symptoms, but, with progress of the disease, diastolic dysfunction is present as well. Depending on the underlying pathology, DCM patients also become apparent through arrhythmias, thromboembolic events or cardiogenic shock. Disease progression and prognosis are mostly driven by disease severity and reverse remodelling within the heart. The worst prognosis is seen in patients with lowest ejection fractions or severe diastolic dysfunction, leading to terminal heart failure with subsequent need for left ventricular assist device implantation or heart transplantation. Guideline‐based heart failure medication and device therapy reduces the frequency of heart failure hospitalizations and improves survival.
Altered expression of TIM‐3, LAG‐3, IDO, PD‐L1, and CTLA‐4 during nimotuzumab therapy correlates with responses and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Wang Hong , Mao Lu , Zhang Tian , Zhang Liming , Wu Yuteng , Guo Wei , Hu Jingzhou , Ju Houyu , Ren Guoxin
Published: May 2019

Background

Since the inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors have been described to benefit the OSCC patients clinically, it is unknown that whether their expression in tumor immune microenvironment (TME) can determine the clinical outcome in response to nimotuzumab therapy.

Methods

We examined the expression patterns of immune checkpoint receptors (including TIM‐3, LAG‐3, PD‐L1, and CTLA‐4) and an immunoregulatory enzyme called IDO in 36 OSCC patients during nimotuzumab therapy by immunohistochemistry. Then, we divided the recruited patients into clinical responders and non‐responders according to computed tomography (CT) scan and analyzed the relationship between the immunological parameters and clinical outcome.

Results

We observed that nimotuzumab therapy significantly increased the expression of TIM‐3, LAG‐3, IDO, PD‐L1, and CTLA‐4 in the TME, and the expression of LAG‐3 and PD‐L1 before nimotuzumab therapy was inversely correlated with the overall survival. In clinical non‐responders, we found the expression of TIM‐3, LAG‐3, IDO, PD‐L1, and CTLA‐4 was significantly increased during nimotuzumab therapy, and the expression of TIM‐3, LAG‐3, IDO, PD‐L1, and CTLA‐4 before nimotuzumab therapy was negatively correlated with the overall survival. However, in clinical responders, neither of those showed significant.

Conclusions

It suggests that these immune checkpoint receptors and IDO could be considered as biomarkers to reflect immune status in the tumor microenvironment during nimotuzumab therapy. Blockade of these immune checkpoint receptors might enhance nimotuzumab‐based cancer immunotherapy, thus potentially improving clinical outcomes of OSCC patients.
Simultaneous activation of impaired autophagy and the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yin Xubin , Hu Liang , Feng Xiaoyu , Wang Hongyun , Zhang Chunmei , Wang Hao , Wang Songlin
Published: May 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of the expression levels of autophagy markers and proteins of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in normal, margin and tumour tissues of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Materials and Methods

Three regional specimens, including normal, margin and tumour tissues, were collected from 26 patients with OSCC. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect mTOR, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E‐binding protein 1 (4E‐BP1), p70 ribosomal S6 protein kinase (p70S6K) and the corresponding phosphorylated proteins, as well as the light chain 3 (LC3) and sequestosome‐1 (SQSTM1, also known as p62) autophagy indicators.

Results

LC3‐II, p62, mTOR, phospho‐mTOR, 4E‐BP1 and phospho‐4E‐BP1 were highly expressed in the margin and tumour groups. There were positive correlations between mTOR/phospho‐mTOR, mTOR/4E‐BP1, mTOR/phospho‐4E‐BP1, mTOR/p70S6K, LC3‐II/p62, LC3‐II/p70S6K, p62/4E‐BP1 and p62/phospho‐4E‐BP1 in normal group, while LC3‐II/p62, LC3‐II/mTOR, LC3‐II/4E‐BP1, LC3‐II/phospho‐4E‐BP1, phospho‐4E‐BP1/mTOR, phospho‐4E‐BP1/4E‐BP1 and p62/4E‐BP1 showed positive relationships in margin group; however, in tumour group, only mTOR/phospho‐mTOR, 4E‐BP1/phospho‐4E‐BP1 and phospho‐mTOR/p70S6K showed positive correlations.

Conclusion

The study suggests that autophagy is impaired in patients with OSCC and impaired autophagy and the mTOR pathway are simultaneously activated in OSCC cells.
Effects of Spirulina algae as a feed supplement on nutritional value and flavour components of silkie hens eggs
Authors: Chen Guoshun , Cai Yu , Su Yingyu , Gao Bolan , Wu Hongbin , Cheng Jiyou
Published: May 2019

Objective

Silkie chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus brisson) is also named Chinese Taihe chicken, characterized by blue comb, green earlobes, black skin, meat and bones. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of spirulina feeding on the nutritive value and flavour of silkie hens eggs.

Methods

A total of 280 Silkie hens of 42 weeks old were fed 4 different diets, including basal diet and basal diet containing 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% spirulina. Each diet group was divided into 70 Silkie hens experimentally. The production performance of silkie hens, the nutritional compositions [e.g., amino acids (AAs) and fatty acids] and flavour substances of silkie hens eggs were compared with control.

Results

A 0.3% and 0.5% spirulina feeding significantly increased the average egg production rate and average egg weight, while only 0.3% spirulina feeding decreased both the average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of silkie hens compared with the controls (p < 0.05). The contents of crude protein, fat, cholesterol and Ca in silkie hens eggs were significantly increased by 0.3% spirulina feeding (p < 0.05). Only fat and cholesterol were significantly increased by 0.5% spirulina but had no significant difference compared with 0.3% spirulina. The flavour, amino acids/total AAs, and saturated fatty acids/unsaturated fatty acids in silkie hens eggs were significantly increased by 0.3% spirulina feeding than other groups (p < 0.05). A total of 46 volatile substances were identified in silkie hens eggs, and the substances of total acids, alkanes and aldehydes were significantly increased by 0.3% spirulina feeding.

Conclusion

Spirulina feeding at a proportion of 0.3% improved the production performance of silkie hens, and nutritive value and flavour of silkie hens eggs.
Associations between sleep disturbances, mental health outcomes and burnout in firefighters, and the mediating role of sleep during overnight work: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wolkow Alexander P. , Barger Laura K. , O'Brien Conor S. , Sullivan Jason P. , Qadri Salim , Lockley Steven W. , Czeisler Charles A. , Rajaratnam Shantha M. W.
Published: May 2019

This study investigated whether sleep disorder risk and mental health outcomes in firefighters were associated with burnout, particularly emotional exhaustion, and examined the mediating role of sleep at work in these relationships. A secondary aim was to investigate associations between habitual sleep characteristics and burnout. North American firefighters (n = 6,307) completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, personal accomplishment), and were screened for sleep disorders and self‐reported current mental health conditions and sleep characteristics. Multiple logistic regression analyses examined associations between sleep, mental health outcomes and burnout. Firefighters screening positive for a sleep disorder, particularly insomnia, had increased risk of emotional exhaustion (adjusted odds ratio 3.78, 95% confidence interval 2.97–4.79). Firefighters self‐reporting a current mental health condition were at greater risk of emotional exhaustion (adjusted odds ratio 3.45, 95% confidence interval 2.79–4.27). Sleep during overnight work mediated the impact of having a sleep disorder and mental health condition on high burnout. Sleepiness and sleep deficit (difference between required and actual sleep), even in firefighters without sleep disorder risk, were associated with depersonalisation (adjusted odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.34–2.03 and adjusted odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.57, respectively) and low personal accomplishment (adjusted odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.07–1.47 and adjusted odds ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.35, respectively). Sleep and mental health problems were associated with increased risk of burnout in firefighters, and sleep during overnight work mediated these relationships. The results suggest the need to examine the effectiveness of occupational interventions that improve the opportunity for sleep, together with screening for and treating sleep disorders, to reduce burnout risk.
Evidence for the genetic basis and epistatic interactions underlying ocean‐ and river‐maturing ecotypes of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) returning to the Klamath River, California
Authors: Parker Keith A. , Hess Jon E. , Narum Shawn R. , Kinziger Andrew P.
Published: May 2019

Surveys of genomic variation have improved our understanding of the relationship between fitness‐related phenotypes and their underlying genetic basis. In some cases, single large‐effect genes have been found to underlie important traits; however, complex traits are expected to be under polygenic control and elucidation of multiple gene interactions may be required to fully understand the genetic basis of the trait. In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of the ocean‐ and river‐maturing ecotypes in anadromous Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus). In Pacific lamprey, the ocean‐maturing ecotype is distinguished by advanced maturity of females (e.g., large egg mass) at the onset of freshwater migration relative to immature females of the river‐maturing ecotype. We examined a total of 219 adult Pacific lamprey that were collected at‐entry to the Klamath River over a 12‐month period. Each individual was genotyped at 308 SNPs representing known neutral and adaptive loci and measured at morphological traits, including egg mass as an indicator of ocean‐ and river‐maturing ecotype for females. The two ecotypes did not exhibit genetic structure at 148 neutral loci, indicating that ecotypic diversity exists within a single population. In contrast, we identified the genetic basis of maturation ecotypes in Pacific lamprey as polygenic, involving two unlinked gene regions that have a complex epistatic relationship. Importantly, these gene regions appear to show stronger effects when considered in gene interaction models than if just considered additive, illustrating the importance of considering epistatic effects and gene networks when researching the genetic basis of complex traits in Pacific lamprey and other species.
Epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida isolates from Greek women with vulvovaginal candidiasis
Authors: Maraki Sofia , Mavromanolaki Viktoria Eirini , Stafylaki Dimitra , Nioti Eleni , Hamilos George , Kasimati Anna
Published: May 2019

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common infection of the genital tract affecting millions of women worldwide. Data on epidemiological trends of VVC in Greece are scarce. This study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of VVC among symptomatic women in Crete, Greece, identify the Candida species involved and determine their susceptibility to antifungals. Over a 6‐year period (2012‐2017), 10 256 symptomatic women with vaginitis were evaluated. Isolation of yeasts was performed on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol, and the isolates were identified using the API 20 C AUX and/or the Vitek 2 YST card. Susceptibility of the isolates to amphotericin, fluconazole, voriconazole and flucytosine was determined by the Vitek 2 automated system. The results were interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards criteria. Vaginal swab cultures of 1217 (11.9%) women yielded Candida species. Recurrent VVC was documented in 62 (5.1%) of them. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species (75.6%), followed by Candida glabrata (13.6%). Overall, resistance rates to amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole and flucytosine were 0.2%, 6.6%, 1.4% and 2.1%, respectively. Fluconazole resistance of C. albicans significantly increased in the second period of the study (2015‐2017) (P = 0.031). This study demonstrated that VVC is a common infection among women in our region, with C. albicans being the predominant species involved. Although resistance to antifungals was infrequent, resistance to fluconazole among C. albicans isolates was found to significantly increase with time. Continued surveillance of changes in species distribution and susceptibility to antifungals are necessary to guide treatment.
Patients’ experiences of using the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale for a person‐centered care: A qualitative study in the specialized palliative home‐care context
Authors: Högberg Cecilia , Alvariza Anette , Beck Ingela
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study was to explore patients’ experiences of using the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) during specialized palliative home care. The study adopted a qualitative approach with an interpretive descriptive design. Interviews were performed with 10 patients, of whom a majority were diagnosed with incurable cancer. Our findings suggest that the use of IPOS as a basis for conversation promotes safe care by making the patients feel confident that the care provided was adapted to them which gives them a sense of safety. IPOS facilitated discussions between patients and nurses about care needs. The patients believed that using IPOS enabled reflection on their well‐being and life situation. In conclusion, the study finds that using IPOS is beneficial and provide ways to enable person‐centered care and with advantage could be used in specialized palliative home care. The results may help overcome barriers and facilitate the use of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). To enable the use of PROMs such as IPOS in palliative home care, nurses need education and opportunities to develop routines that enable patients’ voice to be heard and thereby compose a basis for care.
Boeica konchurangensis sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from Gia Lai plateau, Vietnam
Authors: Quang Bui Hong , Hai Do Van , Khang Nguyen Sinh , Linh Le Thi Mai , Binh Tran Duc , Son Doan Hoang , Anh Tran Thi Phuong , Möller Michael
Published: May 2019

Boeica konchurangensis B.H.Quang, D.V.Hai & Mich.Möller, a new species of Gesneriaceae from the Gia Lai Province of Vietnam is described, illustrated, and colour photographs of the species are provided. This new species has an almost actinomorphic corolla and shows morphological similarities with B. porosa, but differs from it by a shorter peduncle, a near‐actinomorphic purple corolla with a distinctly broad campanulate tube and a shorter capsule.
Molecular and electrophysiological characterization of anion transport in Arabidopsis thaliana pollen reveals regulatory roles for pH, Ca2+ and GABA
Authors: Domingos Patrícia , Dias Pedro N. , Tavares Bárbara , Portes Maria Teresa , Wudick Michael M. , Konrad Kai R. , Gilliham Matthew , Bicho Ana , Feijó José A.
Published: May 2019

We investigated the molecular basis and physiological implications of anion transport during pollen tube (PT) growth in Arabidopsis thaliana (Col‐0).

Patch‐clamp whole‐cell configuration analysis of pollen grain protoplasts revealed three subpopulations of anionic currents differentially regulated by cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]cyt). We investigated the pollen‐expressed proteins AtSLAH3, AtALMT12, AtTMEM16 and AtCCC as the putative anion transporters responsible for these currents.

AtCCC‐GFP was observed at the shank and AtSLAH3‐GFP at the tip and shank of the PT plasma membrane. Both are likely to carry the majority of anion current at negative potentials, as extracellular anionic fluxes measured at the tip of PTs with an anion vibrating probe were significantly lower in slah3−/− and ccc−/− mutants, but unaffected in almt12−/− and tmem16−/−. We further characterised the effect of pH and GABA by patch clamp. Strong regulation by extracellular pH was observed in the wild‐type, but not in tmem16−/−. Our results are compatible with AtTMEM16 functioning as an anion/H+ cotransporter and therefore, as a putative pH sensor. GABA presence: (1) inhibited the overall currents, an effect that is abrogated in the almt12−/− and (2) reduced the current in AtALMT12 transfected COS‐7 cells, strongly suggesting the direct interaction of GABA with AtALMT12.

Our data show that AtSLAH3 and AtCCC activity is sufficient to explain the major component of extracellular anion fluxes, and unveils a possible regulatory system linking PT growth modulation by pH, GABA, and [Ca2+]cyt through anionic transporters.