bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Red Sea corals under Artificial Light Pollution at Night (ALAN) undergo oxidative stress and photosynthetic impairment
Authors: Ayalon Inbal , de Barros Marangoni Laura F. , Benichou Jennifer I. C. , Avisar Dror , Levy Oren
Published: September 2019

Coral reefs represent the most diverse marine ecosystem on the planet, yet they are undergoing an unprecedented decline due to a combination of increasing global and local stressors. Despite the wealth of research investigating these stressors, Artificial Light Pollution at Night (ALAN) or “ecological light pollution” represents an emerging threat that has received little attention in the context of coral reefs, despite the potential of disrupting the chronobiology, physiology, behavior, and other biological processes of coral reef organisms. Scleractinian corals, the framework builders of coral reefs, depend on lunar illumination cues to synchronize their biological rhythms such as behavior, reproduction and physiology. While, light pollution (POL) may mask and lead de‐synchronization of these biological rhythms process. To reveal if ALAN impacts coral physiology, we have studied two coral species, Acropora eurystoma and Pocillopora damicornis, from the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba, Red Sea, which is undergoing urban development that has led to severe POL at night. Our two experimental design data revealed that corals exposed to ALAN face an oxidative stress condition, show lower photosynthesis performances measured by electron transport rate (ETR), as well as changes in chlorophyll and algae density parameters. Testing different lights such as Blue LED and White LED spectrum showed more extreme impact in comparison to Yellow LEDs on coral physiology. The finding of this work sheds light on the emerging threat of POL and the impacts on the biology and ecology of Scleractinian corals, and will help to formulate specific management implementations to mitigate its potentially harmful impacts.
Post‐grazing cutting management in tall fescue affects the sward structure, forage and liveweight production
Authors: Scheneiter Jorge Omar , Camarasa Jonatan Nicolás , Aperlo Daniel , Ferrari Martín Alejandro , Nalino Martín , Beribe María J.
Published: September 2019

Tall fescue is the main perennial grass of the pastures of the temperate region of Argentina. However, after flowering in spring, tall fescue loses productivity and quality. Based on this, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different post‐grazing mechanical cutting managements on the forage mass, leaf proportion, stocking rate, liveweight gain and liveweight production of tall fescue pastures. The treatments were post‐grazing mechanical cutting at anthesis (FC), post‐grazing mechanical cutting throughout spring and summer (SSC), and no post‐grazing mechanical cutting (NC). The experiment was performed from 2011 to 2014 in Argentina. The greatest and lowest forage mass were determined in September–November and May–September respectively. The leaf proportion of the SSC treatment was greater than that of the NC treatment, except in September–November. NC had higher stocking rate and lower liveweight gain than SSC, and neither NC nor SSC differed from FC. The liveweight production of the treatments was characterized by a trade‐off between stocking rate and liveweight gain. We conclude that FC is an attractive management because, with a single post‐grazing cutting, swards remain productive and leafy.
Automated Analyte Separation by Ion Chromatography Using a Cobot Applied to Geological Reference Materials for Li Isotope Composition
Authors: Kuessner Marie L. , Gourgiotis Alkiviadis , Manhès Gerard , Bouchez Julien , Zhang Xu , Gaillardet Jérôme
Published: September 2019

The demand for large and reliable data sets on isotopic composition has increased in geochemistry and environmental sciences over recent years. We present an automated ion chromatographic separation method using a robotic pipetting arm, termed ‘ChemCobOne’, to reduce sample separation time. Its performance was tested for lithium isotope separation in geological reference materials using a single‐step separation with HCl (0.2 mol l−1) and a 2 ml resin volume. This refined lithium purification method does not forfeit precision, accuracy or purity compared with manual sample processing. In addition, a δ7Li value for NASS‐6 of 30.99 ± 0.50‰ (2s) (95% CI = 0.14‰, n = 44) was determined and the first δ7Li values for the granite rock reference material GS‐N (−0.57 ± 0.25‰ (2s), 95% CI = 0.15‰, n = 15), and for the soil reference material NIST SRM 2709a (−0.37 ± 0.67‰ (2s), 95% CI = 0.15‰, n = 63) are proposed.
Development and content validation of the Telenursing Interaction and Satisfaction Questionnaire (TISQ)
Authors: Mattisson Marie , Johnson Christina , Börjeson Sussanne , Årestedt Kristofer , Lindberg Malou
Published: September 2019

Background

Caller satisfaction with telephone advice nursing (TAN) is generally high, and the interaction is essential. However, a valid questionnaire exploring caller satisfaction in TAN with focus on perceived interaction is lacking.

Objective

To develop and assess content validity and test‐retest reliability of a theoretically anchored questionnaire, the Telenursing Interaction and Satisfaction Questionnaire (TISQ), that explores caller satisfaction in TAN by focusing on perceived interaction between the caller and the telenurse.

Methods

The study was performed in three stages. First, variables relevant for patient satisfaction in health care were identified through a literature search. Variables were then structured according to the Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior (IMCHB), which provided theoretical guidance. Items relevant for a TAN context were developed through consensus discussions. Then, evaluation and refinement were performed through cognitive interviews with callers and expert ratings of the Content Validity Index (CVI). Finally, test‐retest reliability of items was evaluated in a sample of 109 individuals using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Results

The TISQ consists of 60 items. Twenty items cover perceived interaction in terms of health information, affective support, decisional control and professional/technical competence. Five items cover satisfaction with interaction and five items overall satisfaction. Remaining items reflect singularity of the caller and descriptive items of the call. The TISQ was found to exhibit good content validity, and test‐retest reliability was moderate to good (ICC = 0.39‐0.84).

Conclusions

The items in the TISQ form a comprehensive and theoretically anchored questionnaire with satisfactory content validity and test‐retest reliability.
Mary Astell on Bad Custom and Epistemic Injustice
Authors: Samantha Forbes Allauren
Published: September 2019

Mary Astell is a fascinating seventeenth‐century figure whose work admits of many interpretations. One feature of her work that has received little attention is her focus on bad custom. This is surprising; Astell clearly regards bad custom as exerting a kind of epistemic power over agents, particularly women, in a way that limits their intellectual capacities. This article aims to link two contemporary sociopolitical/social‐epistemological projects by showing how a seventeenth‐century thinker anticipated these projects. Astell's account of bad custom shows that she was attuned to the kinds of institutional or structural explanations theorized by Sally Haslanger, and that she acknowledges that bad custom—as an institutional or structural explanation—is intimately linked with epistemic injustice, albeit a kind not yet captured by contemporary social epistemologists. I call this form of epistemic injustice found in Astell epistemic internalization injustice. I argue that the epistemic significance of Astell's notion of bad custom is that it enables us to understand how bad custom conditions human relations in such a way as to result in epistemic injustice. Through coming to understand her notion of bad custom, we can expand our understanding of social epistemic phenomena like epistemic injustice.
Beyond Science Wars Redux: Feminist Philosophy of Science as Trustworthy Science Criticism
Authors: Almassi Ben
Published: September 2019

Bruno Latour is not the only scholar to reflect on his earlier contributions to science studies with some regret and resolve over climate skepticism and science denialism. Given the ascendency of merchants of doubt, should those who share Latour's concerns join the scientists they study in circling the wagons, or is there a productive role still for science studies to question and critique scientists and scientific institutions? I argue for the latter, looking to postpositivist feminist philosophy as exemplified by Alison Wylie and Lynn Nelson, among others, as a guide. Feminist philosophers of science who ground their analysis in a detailed understanding of scientific practice are not science's champions nor its antagonists, but they do stand in a distinct relationship to science. If not merchants of doubt, are they scientific gadflies or perhaps in scientific loyal opposition? Though these notions can underwrite useful approaches to science studies, neither captures the distinctive interdependency and interestedness of feminist philosophers and science. I suggest that we would be better served by the notion of trustworthy science criticism, building on the analyses of trust and trustworthiness by Annette Baier, among others, attendant to the dynamics of interdependency in trust relationships.
Influence of surface oxide layer of SiC powder on the rheological properties of its slurry
Authors: Gao Xiaoying , Wang Ruiyu , Zhao Juan , Huang Junxiao , Gao Yuan , Liu Huitao
Published: September 2019

In this paper, the influence of surface oxide layer of SiC powder on the rheological behavior of its slurry was studied by acid washing, HF etching, and calcination oxidation processes. Zeta potential, particle size, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and viscosity tests indicated the main factor that resulted in high viscosity of slurry is impure ions existing either on the powder surface or in the water phase, rather than the surface oxide layer. After the impure ions are removed, the surface oxide layer formed at a calcination temperature range of 400°C‐750°C does not cause an increase in the slurry viscosity, but contributes to an improvement in the rheological properties of SiC slurry.
Willingness to pay for family education and counselling services provided by critical care advanced practice nurses
Authors: Ko Chung Mee , Koh Chin Kang , Kwon Sangho
Published: September 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to estimate the economic value of a family education and counselling service provided by critical care advanced practice nurses in South Korea utilizing a contingent valuation approach.

Methods

A double‐bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method was utilized to estimate the public's willingness to pay value for an education and counselling service provided by critical care advanced practice nurses. A web‐based self‐administered survey was conducted.

Results

Median willingness to pay was 43 112 Korean won (35 US dollars). Higher income and younger age were associated with higher willingness to pay.

Conclusion

This study captured the economic value of an education and counselling service provided by critical care advanced practice nurses that is not on the benefit list under the fee‐for‐service system of the Korean National Health System. Policy makers should consider including such services in the health care system.
Emotional well‐being and work engagement of nurses who moonlight (dual employment) in private hospitals
Authors: Engelbrecht Michelle , Rau Asta , Nel Petrus , Wilke Marisa
Published: September 2019

Background and aim

Given the myriad occupational stressors of nursing itself, plus the challenges of moonlighting, we aimed to investigate the emotional well‐being of moonlighting nurses and their work engagement. Well‐being was defined by levels of general health, mental health, emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue.

Design

A cross‐sectional descriptive survey (December 2017 to March 2018) at private health care facilities in a Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.

Methods

Two hundred and fifty‐one nurses completed self‐administered questionnaires, which comprised of validated scales.

Results

Nurses were at low risk for emotional exhaustion (M=12.8; SD=11.23) and scored high on compassion satisfaction (M=42.34; SD=7.22) and work engagement (M=4.87, SD=1.18). Personal accomplishment (t= 2.535; P<.05) compassion satisfaction (t= 6.790; P=.000) and mental health (t=3.206; P<.05) made a statistically significant unique contribution to the prediction of work engagement. Nurses who had considered leaving the profession scored significantly higher on emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue.

Conclusion

Nurses who moonlighted in private health care facilities reported low risk for burnout and high levels of compassion satisfaction and work engagement. Further research is needed to explore the reasons for these findings. Attention must be given to ensuring the occupational well‐being of nurses in order to retain them in the profession.
A systematic review examining the effectiveness of medicines information services for patients and the general public
Authors: Williams Matt , Jordan Abbie , Scott Jenny , Jones Matthew D
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Hospital-based patient medicines helpline services (PMHS) and medicines information services for the general public (MISGP) are available in many countries to support people with their medicines. Our aim was to examine the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of PMHS and MISGP.

Methods

Searches were conducted using Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science, on 11 August 2018. Forward and backward citation searches were conducted, grey literature was searched, and study quality/risk of bias was assessed. Findings were synthesised in a narrative synthesis. Where appropriate, weighted means were calculated.

Key findings

Thirty-two studies were identified for inclusion (17 published articles, 15 conference abstracts). Eighteen studies were conducted within the United Kingdom. Mean quality assessment was moderate (51%), and risk of bias was high (63%). PMHS and MISGP are both typically perceived as positive (e.g. 94% and 91% of participants were satisfied with using a PMHS and MISGP, respectively). For PMHS, the advice received is reported to be usually followed (94%, and 66% for MISGP). For both services, users report several positive outcomes (e.g. problems resolved/avoided, feeling reassured and improved health). PMHS may also be effective for correcting medicines-related errors (up to 39% of calls may concern such errors) and for potentially avoiding medicines-related harm (48% of enquiries concerned situations that were judged to have the potential to harm patients).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that both PMHS and MISGP may be beneficial sources of medicines-related support. However, the moderate quality and high risk of bias of studies highlight that more high-quality research is needed.
Long‐term symptomatic outcome after transurethral resection of the prostate: A urodynamics‐based assessment
Authors: Wada Naoki , Kikuchi Daiki , Tateoka Jo , Abe Noriyuki , Banjo Hiroko , Tsuchida Miyu , Hori Junichi , Tamaki Gaku , Kita Masafumi , Kakizaki Hidehiro
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To examine the long‐term outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate.

Methods

We retrospectively collected the data of patients who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate before December 2010. Patients had been evaluated by urodynamics and the International Prostate Symptom Score preoperatively, and they were re‐evaluated by using the International Prostate Symptom Score at the minimum 7 years after transurethral resection of the prostate. Patients who received any treatments to improve voiding symptoms were defined as having a relapse of voiding dysfunction. The Schäfer nomogram was used to assess the degree of obstruction and detrusor contractility. We assessed the change in International Prostate Symptom Score over time depending on obstruction (Schäfer grade 3–6) versus no obstruction (Schäfer grade 0–2), and normal detrusor contractility (strong and normal) versus detrusor underactivity (weak and very weak). Relapse rates of voiding dysfunction were determined using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

A total of 39 patients were included. The mean age at transurethral resection of the prostate was 69.8 years, and the mean observation period after transurethral resection of the prostate was 114 months. During the observation period, eight patients (21%) were categorized as relapse of voiding dysfunction and the mean time to relapse was 4.2 years. Patients categorized as no obstruction or detrusor underactivity had a higher recurrence rate of voiding dysfunction with a statistical significance between those with versus without obstruction. Except for patients with relapse of voiding dysfunction, improvement of the International Prostate Symptom Score was maintained over a period of 10 years after transurethral resection of the prostate.

Conclusions

Favorable long‐term symptomatic outcome after transurethral resection of the prostate is likely in patients with urodynamic obstruction. Patients without urodynamic obstruction are likely to have a relapse of voiding symptoms and require additional treatments in the long term.
Toughening of Li2O‐2SiO2 glass‐ceramics induced by intriguing deformation behavior of lithium disilicate nanocrystal
Authors: Deng Binghui , Luo Jian , Harris Jason T. , Smith Charlene M. , McKenzie Matthew E.
Published: September 2019

We report a toughening mechanism of Li2O‐2SiO2 glass‐ceramics induced by intriguing anisotropic deformation behavior of lithium disilicate nanocrystal under tensile loadings using molecular dynamics simulations. The nanocrystal undergoes clear brittle cleavage when loaded in the [010] direction, while exhibiting a first‐order deformation‐induced transition when loaded in the [100] direction. The transition is exclusively facilitated by local Li–O bond breaking, which spreads to the whole sample under continuous loading. This hierarchical deformation mechanism (exclusive Li–O bond breakage prior to any Si–O bond breakage) enables lithium disilicate nanocrystal bearing large amounts of deformation without breaking. We further demonstrate that the toughness of Li2O‐2SiO2 glass‐ceramics can be significantly enhanced by deliberate designs of nanocrystal distributions in glass. The direct observation of this intriguing deformation behavior might inspire new ideas to design tougher lithium disilicate glass‐ceramics.
LncRNA SNHG14 potentiates pancreatic cancer progression via modulation of annexin A2 expression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA for miR‐613
Authors: Deng Peng‐cheng , Chen Wei‐bo , Cai Hui‐hua , An Yong , Wu Xin‐quan , Chen Xue‐min , Sun Dong‐lin , Yang Yu , Shi Long‐qing , Yang Yong
Published: September 2019

This study aimed to determine long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14) expression in pancreatic cancer and to explore the potential molecular actions of SNHG14 in mediating pancreatic cancer progression. Gene expression was detected by quantitative real‐time PCR. Cell proliferation, growth and invasion were detected by respective CCK‐8, colony formation, and transwell invasion assays. Protein levels were measured by Western blotting. Cell apoptosis and caspase‐3 activity were detected by flow cytometry and caspase‐3 activity assay. The link between miR‐613 and its targets was evaluated by luciferase reporter assay. In vivo tumour growth was evaluated using a xenograft model of nude mice. SNHG14 expression was up‐regulated in cancerous tissues from pancreatic cancer patients. High expression of SNHG14 was associated with poor tumour differentiation, advanced TNM stage and nodal metastasis. SNHG14 overexpression enhanced cell proliferative, growth and invasive abilities, and suppressed apoptotic rates and caspase‐3 activity in pancreatic cancer cells, while SNHG14 knockdown exerted opposite effects. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR‐613 was targeted by SNHG14, and Annexin A2 (ANXA2) was targeted and inversely regulated by miR‐613 in pancreatic cancer cells. In vivo studies showed that SNHG14 knockdown attenuated tumour growth. MiR‐613 was down‐regulated and ANXA2 was up‐regulated in the pancreatic cancer tissues, and SNHG14 expression levels were inversely correlated with miR‐613 expression levels and positively correlated with the ANXA2 mRNA expression levels. Collectively, our results suggest that SNHG14 potentiates pancreatic cancer progression through modulation of annexin A2 expression via acting as a competing endogenous RNA for miR‐613.
Association between depressive symptoms and sleep neurophysiology in early adolescence
Authors: Hamann Christoph , Rusterholz Thomas , Studer Martina , Kaess Michael , Tarokh Leila
Published: September 2019

Background

Depression is highly prevalent among adolescents, and depressive symptoms rise rapidly during early adolescence. Depression is often accompanied by subjective sleep complaints and alterations in sleep neurophysiology. In this study, we examine whether depressive symptoms, measured on a continuum, are associated with subjective and objective (sleep architecture and neurophysiology) measures of sleep in early adolescence.

Methods

High‐density sleep EEG, actigraphy, and self‐reported sleep were measured in 52 early adolescents (12.31 years; SD: 1.121; 25 female). Depressive symptoms were measured on a continuum using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D). The association between depressive symptoms and 2 weeks of actigraphy, self‐reported sleep, sleep architecture, and sleep neurophysiology (slow wave activity and sigma power) was determined via multiple linear regression with factors age, sex, and pubertal status.

Results

Despite no association between polysomnography measures of sleep quality and depressive symptoms, individuals with more depressive symptoms manifested worse actigraphically measured sleep. Less sleep spindle activity, as reflected in nonrapid eye movement sleep sigma power, was associated with more depressive symptoms over a large cluster encompassing temporal, parietal, and occipital regions. Furthermore, worse subjectively reported sleep quality was also associated with less sigma power over these same areas. Puberty, age, and sex did not impact this association.

Conclusions

Sleep spindles have been hypothesized to protect sleep against environmental disturbances. Thus, diminished spindle power may be a subtle sign of disrupted sleep and its association with depressive symptoms in early adolescence may signal vulnerability for depression.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and the incidence of myocardial infarction: A cohort study
Authors: Sinn Dong Hyun , Kang Danbee , Chang Yoosoo , Ryu Seungho , Cho Soo Jin , Paik Seung Woon , Song Young Bin , Pastor‐Barriuso Roberto , Guallar Eliseo , Cho Juhee , Gwak Geum‐Youn
Published: September 2019

Background and Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystem disease associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Indeed, CVD is the most common cause of death in NAFLD patients. This study aimed to evaluate the association between NAFLD and the risk of incident myocardial infarction.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study involving 111 492 adults over 40 years old without history of CVD, liver disease, or cancer at baseline who participated in a regular health screening exam between 2003 and 2013. Fatty liver was diagnosed by ultrasonography.

Results

During 725 706.9 person‐years of follow‐up, 183 participants developed myocardial infarction (incidence rate 0.3 cases per 1000 person‐years). The age, sex, and year of visit‐adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for incident myocardial infarction comparing participants with NAFLD with those without it was 2.14 (95% confidence interval 1.59, 2.89). This association remained significant in fully adjusted models (HR 1.54; 95% confidence interval 1.11, 2.14). Compared with participants without NAFLD, in participants with low NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) (< −1.455) and with intermediate‐to‐high NFS (≥ −1.455), the fully adjusted HRs for incident myocardial infarction were 1.70 (1.22, 2.36) and 1.88 (1.24, 2.87), respectively.

Conclusion

In this large cohort study, NAFLD was associated with an increased incidence of myocardial infarction independently of established risk factors. In addition, this association was similar in participants with and without evidence of more advanced NAFLD as indicated by the NFS. NAFLD patients may need to be carefully monitored and managed early to prevent myocardial infarction.
Update on Research and Practices in Major Sleep Disorders: Part I. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Chaiard Jindarat , Weaver Terri E.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this first of two review articles providing an update on sleep disorders was to examine the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a common sleep disorder whose prevalence is similar to asthma. As with other sleep disorders, OSA has a broad impact on individuals, affecting their daily behaviors, cognitive abilities, and performance, and putting them at increased risk for accidents, mood disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Thus, early recognition and management, much of which can be implemented by nurses, can reduce health and accident risks and improve daily functioning.

Methods

This narrative review utilized medical databases such as PubMed to identify relevant English language original and systematic review articles predominantly from peer‐reviewed journals from 2012 to 2018. However, as background, findings from classic articles prior to 2012 were also included.

Clinical Relevance

OSA is a common condition with considerable impact on daily functioning and potential for accidents and serious comorbidities such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depressed mood. The impairments and comorbidities associated with OSA can be reduced through early detection, encouraging treatment, providing education about sleep and OSA, and, importantly, promoting adherence to the predominant therapy, positive airway pressure.
Health and medical device development for fundamental care: Scoping review
Authors: Matinolli Hanna‐Maria , Mieronkoski Riitta , Salanterä Sanna
Published: September 2019

Background

The use of technology and health and medical devices as a part of fundamental nursing care is increasing. Although involving users in the device development process is essential, the role of nurses in the process has not yet been discussed.

Objectives

To examine and map what kind of health and medical devices have been developed specifically for fundamental nursing care and to examine the design and development of the devices, particularly focusing on the role of nurses in the process.

Design

Scoping review.

Data sources

The Medline, Cinahl, Web of Science, IEEE Explore and ACM DL databases

Review methods

The databases were searched to identify studies describing health and medical devices developed for fundamental nursing care published between the years 2008–2018 in English language. References of included articles were reviewed for additional eligible studies. Two research team members screened the abstracts and full articles against the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The PRISMA‐ScR checklist was used.

Results

Of the 7223 reports identified, a total of 19 were chosen for the scoping review. Of these, five were further analysed regarding the development process. Main focus areas of the included reports were patient monitoring, pressure ulcer prevention and patient transfer and mobility. Device development process, divided into three phases, was mainly driven by technological expertise and healthcare personnel were mainly involved in the evaluation phases.

Conclusions

Health and medical devices are a crucial part of the healthcare today and nurses are increasingly involved with their use. Most of the devices have been developed mainly by using technological expertise although they are directly aimed at fundamental aspects of nursing care. The results of our review suggest that the expertise of the nurses as the end‐users of the devices could be much more exploited.

Relevance to clinical practice

A combination of expertise of device development from both nursing professionals and technical experts is necessary to disentangle the requirements of increased quality in nursing care combined with the ever‐growing technological requirements.
Occurrence, management and outcome of immune‐complex glomerulonephritis in dogs with suspected glomerulopathy in the UK
Authors: Vessieres F. , Cianciolo R. E. , Gkoka Z. G. , Kisielewicz C. , Bazelle J. , Seth M. , Adam F. H. , Matiasovic M. , Aresu L. , Jepson R. E. , Walker D. J.
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To determine the proportion of dogs diagnosed with immune‐complex glomerulonephritis in a large cohort of UK dogs with clinical suspicion of glomerular disease in which renal histopathology, including routine light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence, had been performed. The second objective was to describe treatment and long‐term clinical outcome of dogs diagnosed with immune‐complex glomerulonephritis.

Materials and Methods

Sixty‐two UK dogs that underwent renal biopsies for investigation of suspected glomerulopathy (urine protein‐to‐creatinine ratio persistently >0.5) were included in this retrospective multicentre study. Signalment, clinico‐pathological abnormalities, histopathological diagnosis, treatment following diagnosis and survival were recorded.

Results

Seventeen (27%) of the dogs with suspected glomerular disease were diagnosed with immune‐complex glomerulonephritis and nine (53%) of these were still alive at the study end point, with a median follow‐up of 366 days (range 52 to 1299). Six dogs diagnosed with immune‐complex glomerulonephritis were treated with mycophenolate. Four received mycophenolate alone for immunosuppression and two received mycophenolate and chlorambucil; all these six dogs were alive at data collection [median follow‐up time 712.5 days (range 73 to 1299)]. Seven dogs diagnosed with immune‐complex glomerulonephritis did not receive immunosuppressive treatment; only one of these dogs was alive at study end point [median survival time 302 days (range 52 to 723)].

Clinical Significance

Immune‐complex glomerulonephritis may be less common in the UK than previously reported in North America and mainland Europe, reducing the likelihood of treatment modification following renal biopsy. Mycophenolate was the most commonly used immunosuppressant for cases of immune‐complex glomerulonephritis.
Parental anxiety regarding premature infants and factors affecting parental concern
Authors: Lee Ju Yun , Lee Jung Hyun , Yeon Gyu Min , Jung Yu Jin
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Premature births have a great impact on the parents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anxieties of parents of premature infants regarding infantile diseases and to help medical staff better communicate with parents of premature infants.

Design and Methods

This study included premature infants <37 weeks of age who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Kosin University Gospel Hospital between August 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017. The eligible subjects included 51 premature infants with their 75 parents (45 mothers and 30 fathers) listed in the children's medical records. Parental anxieties regarding the infants were determined by retrospective interviews at various time points as follows: before and after the birth, on postnatal Days 3 and 7, before discharge, in the first week after discharge, and at “whenever” time point.

Results

The highest parental anxiety during all time points was regarding the respiratory system of the premature infants. Parental concerns regarding the metabolic–endocrine system of their infants significantly correlated with the presence of maternal diabetes mellitus. Parental anxiety significantly differed depending on the use of resuscitation after birth. A statistically significant difference in parental anxiety was observed in relation to the birth weight before discharge. The premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed a significant difference in the level of parental anxiety concerning the infant's illness in the first week after discharge.

Conclusions

The parents of the premature infants were greatly concerned about their infants’ respiratory system. Careful prenatal counseling and support are needed for mothers with diabetes.
Symmetric dimethylarginine concentrations in dogs with International Renal Interest Society stage 4 chronic kidney disease undergoing intermittent hemodialysis
Authors: Le Sueur André Nanny Vieira , Geraldes Silvano Salgueiro , Melchert Alessandra , Takahira Regina Kiomi , Coyne Michael , Murphy Rachel , Szlosek Donald , Guimarães‐Okamoto Priscylla Tatiana Chalfun
Published: September 2019

Background

Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a methylated arginine derived from intranuclear methylation of l‐arginine by protein‐arginine methyltransferase and released into circulation after proteolysis. It is primarily eliminated by renal excretion, and its concentration is highly correlated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in animals and humans and is an earlier indicator of kidney dysfunction than serum creatinine concentration (sCr).

Objectives

To evaluate and quantify the effects of IV fluid therapy (IF) or intermittent hemodialysis (IH) on renal function in a randomized group of dogs previously diagnosed with International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Animals

Twenty‐four client‐owned dogs with naturally occurring CKD.

Methods

Serum from 14 dogs treated by IH and 10 dogs treated with IF was submitted for measurement of sCr and SDMA. Dogs in each treatment group received up to 5 treatment sessions, administered 48 hours apart.

Results

Significant differences (P ≤ .05) were seen between treatment groups, but dogs from the IH group were the most affected based on SDMA (P < .001), sCr (P < .001), and blood urea (P < .001) concentrations. Furthermore, for each 10% increase in urea reduction ratio, there was a 6.2 μg/dL decrease in SDMA (P = .002).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Although SDMA is dialyzable biomarker and despite its removal by IH, SDMA correlates better with renal function than does sCr in dogs with CKD undergoing IF and IH.
Development and validation of a multivariate predictive model to estimate serum ionized calcium concentration from serum biochemical profile results in cats
Authors: Hodgson Natasha , McMichael Maureen A. , Jepson Rosanne E. , Le Boedec Kevin
Published: September 2019

Background

Measurement of serum ionized calcium is not always available in practice. Total calcium (tCa) might not be reliable for determination of calcium status in cats.

Objectives

To predict serum ionized calcium concentration from signalment, biochemistry profile and T4, and compare predicted ionized calcium (piCa) to tCa.

Animals

A total of 1701 cats from two hospitals.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study. Cats with serum ionized calcium, biochemistry profile and T4 available were screened over 6 years and included in the training set (569 cats) to create a multivariate adaptive regression splines model to calculate piCa. Diagnostic performances of tCa and piCa and its prediction interval (PI) were compared in 652 cats from the same institution (test set) and 480 cats from a different hospital (external set).

Results

The final model included tCa, chloride, albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, BUN, body condition score, GGT, age, and potassium. For hypercalcemia, piCa was highly specific (test set: 99.8%; confidence interval [CI]: 99.5‐100; external set: 97%; CI: 95.3‐98.7) but poorly sensitive (test set: 30.4%; CI: 18.3‐42.4; external set: 42.5%; CI: 31.7‐53.3). For hypocalcemia, piCa was also highly specific (test set: 81.6%; CI: 78‐85; external set: 99.6%; CI: 99‐100) but poorly sensitive (test set: 57.6%; CI: 50.6‐64.6; external set: 0%). These diagnostic performances were comparable to those of tCa. The upper and lower limits of piCa PI had high sensitivity for detecting ionized hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia, respectively.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Predicted ionized calcium is useful to confirm suspected hypercalcemia in cats and screen for hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia.
Estimation of relative growth of Minor carp Labeo bata (Cyprinidae) through multi‐linear dimensions
Authors: Hossen Md. Alomgir , Rahman Md. Ataur , Hossain Md. Yeamin , Islam Md. Akhtarul , Hasan Md. Rabiul , Mawa Zannatul , Ohtomi Jun
Published: September 2019

This study focuses on relative growth through length‐weight relationships (LWRs) and length‐length relationships (LLRs) using a total of 15 linear dimensions of Minor carp Labeo bata (Hamilton, 1822) from the Ganges River, northwestern (NW) Bangladesh. Also, meristic counts covering various fin rays and scales from different body parts (including lateral line scales) of L. bata (Hamilton, 1822) have been studied. A total of 300 individuals of L. bata were sampled occasionally from the Ganges River from July 2013 to June 2014, using various traditional fishing gears (e.g., Cast net, Gill net and Square lift net). Number of fin rays from all fins and scales were counted using magnifying glass. Additionally, a total of 15 different lengths were measured to 0.1 cm and whole body weight (BW) was taken to the nearest 0.1 g for each individual. Fin formula of L. bata is as follows: dorsal, D. 10–12 (i–ii/9‐10); pectoral, P1. 12–16 (iii–iv/9–12); pelvic, P2. 9 (i/8); anal, A. 6–7 (ii/4–5); and caudal, C. 20–24 (iv–vi/16–18), respectively. Minimum and maximum lengths were found as 8.0 to 25.1 cm in total length (TL) and body weight (BW) ranges from 4.8 to 161.0 g. All LWRs were highly significant (p < .001) with r2 values ≥0.960. Based on r2 value, LWR by BW versus TL was the best fitted model among 13 equations. In addition, the LLRs were also significant with r2 values ≥ 0.959. According to r2 value, LLR by TL versus FL was the best fitted model among 15 equations. This study would be very effective for species identification and stock assessment in the Ganges River, NW Bangladesh and surrounding ecosystems.
Phyllosticta citricarpa and sister species of global importance to Citrus
Authors: Guarnaccia Vladimiro , Gehrmann Thies , Silva‐Junior Geraldo J. , Fourie Paul H. , Haridas Sajeet , Vu Duong , Spatafora Joseph , Martin Francis M. , Robert Vincent , Grigoriev Igor V. , Groenewald Johannes Z. , Crous Pedro W.
Published: September 2019

Several Phyllosticta species are known as pathogens of Citrus spp., and are responsible for various disease symptoms including leaf and fruit spots. One of the most important species is P. citricarpa, which causes a foliar and fruit disease called citrus black spot. The Phyllosticta species occurring on citrus can most effectively be distinguished from P. citricarpa by means of multilocus DNA sequence data. Recent studies also demonstrated P. citricarpa to be heterothallic, and reported successful mating in the laboratory. Since the domestication of citrus, different clones of P. citricarpa have escaped Asia to other continents via trade routes, with obvious disease management consequences. This pathogen profile represents a comprehensive literature review of this pathogen and allied taxa associated with citrus, focusing on identification, distribution, genomics, epidemiology and disease management. This review also considers the knowledge emerging from seven genomes of Phyllosticta spp., demonstrating unknown aspects of these species, including their mating behaviour.

Taxonomy

Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Aa, 1973. Kingdom Fungi, Phylum Ascomycota, Class Dothideomycetes, Order Botryosphaeriales, Family Phyllostictaceae, Genus Phyllosticta, Species citricarpa.

Host range

Confirmed on more than 12 Citrus species, Phyllosticta citricarpa has only been found on plant species in the Rutaceae.

Disease symptoms

P. citricarpa causes diverse symptoms such as hard spot, virulent spot, false melanose and freckle spot on fruit, and necrotic lesions on leaves and twigs.

Useful websites

DOE Joint Genome Institute MycoCosm portals for the Phyllosticta capitalensis (https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/Phycap1), P. citriasiana (https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/Phycit1), P. citribraziliensis (https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/Phcit1), P. citrichinaensis (https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/Phcitr1), P. citricarpa (https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/Phycitr1, https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/Phycpc1), P. paracitricarpa (https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/Phy27169) genomes.

All available Phyllosticta genomes on MycoCosm can be viewed at https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/Phyllosticta.
Clinical features and outcome of hepatosplenic fungal infections in children with haematological malignancies
Authors: Madney Youssef , Shalaby Lobna , Elanany Mervat , Adel Naglaa , Nasr Eman , Alsheshtawi Khaled , Younes Alaa , Hafez Hanafy
Published: September 2019

Hepatosplenic fungal infection (HSFI) is a severe invasive fungal infection observed during neutrophil recovery in patients with acute leukaemia treated with intensive chemotherapy. Retrospective analysis including all paediatric haematological malignancies patients with HSC treated in Children Cancer Hospital Egypt (2013‐2018). Twenty‐five patients with acute leukaemia developed HSFI (19 patients diagnosed as hepatosplenic candidiasis). Most of the cases (92%) occurred during the induction phase. Organs affected were as follows: liver in 18 patients, renal in 13 patients, spleen in 12 patients, skin in four patients and retina in one patient. Five (20%) patients had proven HSC, 14 (56%) probable and six (24%) possible HSFI. Ten patients had a PET‐CT for response assessment. Candida tropicalis was the most common isolated spp. from blood/tissue culture. Six (24%) patients developed HSFI on top of antifungal prophylaxis. Steroids were given in 12 (52%) patients with HSFI as immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS). Caspofungin was the first line of treatment in 14 (56%) patients, liposomal amphotericin B in six (24%) patients and azoles in five (20%) patients. HSFI was associated with delayed of intensification phase of chemotherapy (median 42 days). The success rate was reported in 24 patients with complete response (68%) and partial response in (28%) patients, while failure (death) seen in 1(4%) patient. HSC is still a major challenge in paediatric leukaemias patients with impact on treatment delay and survival outcome. PET scan, non‐culture diagnostics and steroid role evidence in IRS are growing. Antifungal stewardship for screening, early detection for high‐risk patients and better response assessment is challenging.
Projected warming disrupts the synchrony of riparian seed release and snowmelt streamflow
Authors: Perry Laura G. , Shafroth Patrick B. , Hay Lauren E. , Markstrom Steven L. , Bock Andrew R.
Published: September 2019

Globally, spring phenology and abiotic processes are shifting earlier with warming. Differences in the magnitudes of these shifts may decouple the timing of plant resource requirements from resource availability. In riparian forests across the northern hemisphere, warming could decouple seed release from snowmelt peak streamflow, thus reducing moisture and safe sites for dominant tree recruitment.

We combined field observations with climate, hydrology, and phenology models to simulate future change in synchrony of seed release and snowmelt peaks in the South Platte River Basin, Colorado, for three Salicaceae species that dominate western USA riparian forests.

Chilling requirements for overcoming winter endodormancy were strongest in Salix exigua, moderately supported for Populus deltoides, and indiscernible in Salix amygdaloides. Ensemble mean projected warming of 3.5°C shifted snowmelt peaks 10–19 d earlier relative to S. exigua and P. deltoides seed release, because decreased winter chilling combined with increased spring forcing limited change in their phenology. By contrast, warming shifted both snowmelt peaks and S. amygdaloides seed release 21 d earlier, maintaining their synchrony.

Decoupling of snowmelt from seed release for Salicaceae with strong chilling requirements is likely to reduce resources critical for recruitment of these foundational riparian forests, although the magnitude of future decoupling remains uncertain.
The gap between macroeconomic and microeconomic health resources allocation decisions: The case of nurses
Authors: Igoumenidis Michael , Kiekkas Panagiotis , Papastavrou Evridiki
Published: September 2019

The allocation of healthcare resources takes place at two distinct levels. At the macroeconomic level, policymakers decide on budgets, staffing, cost‐effectiveness thresholds, clinical guidelines and insurance payments; at the microeconomic level, healthcare professionals decide on whom to treat, what the appropriate treatment is, how much time and effort should each patient receive and how urgent the need for care is. At both levels, there is a constant social need for just allocation. Policymakers are mostly guided by abstract principles of justice, thinking in terms of groups of patients, epidemiological data, impersonal statistics and economic costs. On the other hand, healthcare professionals understand the need for justice at a more personal level, as they interact with patients and, in a sense, put theory into practice. Nurses hold a unique position in healthcare systems, as, traditionally, they are closer to patients than other health professionals. This means that they have a firsthand view of the effect that their decisions have on specific patients and, therefore, nurses tend to get more influenced by their personal feelings, values and beliefs at the microeconomic level. This presentation shall examine the gap between abstract macroeconomic and concrete microeconomic health resources allocation decisions, with a particular emphasis on the role of the nurse.