bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of social determinants of health among young adults after they have left foster care in the US
Authors: Collins Jennifer L. , Thomas Laura J.
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To describe the influence of the social determinants of health on health care seeking among young adults after they left foster care.

Background

Extensive research suggests that stakeholders in foster care systems throughout the world struggle to consistently and effectively manage the health and well‐being of youth. These struggles extend beyond time in foster care as indicated by poor health and social outcomes throughout the life course. Evidence that describes how young adults address health and related social needs after leaving foster care is missing.

Design

A phenomenological design, Phenomenology of Practice, was used to collect data. Content analysis was used to analyse the data, using constructs from the Healthy People 2020 SDOH Model to organise the data.

Methods

Thirteen young adults who left foster care in the southwestern US were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected via individual interviews.

Results

Young adults formerly in foster care reported using and lacking social support networks to navigate SDOH. The interrelatedness of SDOH on health outcomes after foster care is evident.

Conclusions

Social support networks can help explain how young adults are both able and unable to navigate systems to address health issues. Evaluating social networks used to access care is an important aspect of assessment and intervention for these vulnerable young adults.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare providers facilitate healthcare access for young adults who have been in foster care through evaluation of social determinants. Assessment and care planning based on social determinants for those who have been in foster care are critical to ensure the efficacy of interventions designed to address health outcomes. Social support systems are key factors for young adults formerly in foster care to access resources, substantiating the need for ongoing assessment and development of these support systems.
Challenges in everyday life among recently diagnosed and more experienced adults with type 2 diabetes: A multistage focus group study
Authors: Gardsten Cecilia , Blomqvist Kerstin , Rask Mikael , Larsson Åse , Lindberg Agneta , Olsson Gith
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To identify perceived challenges related to self‐management among recently diagnosed adults and those with longer experience of type 2 diabetes as a foundation for the future development of a person‐centred information and communication technology service.

Background

Learning self‐management of type 2 diabetes includes mastering the skills required to complete complex emotional and physical tasks. A service developed with the participation of stakeholders may be an alternative way to meet rising needs for self‐management.

Design

Qualitative descriptive design influenced by a participatory approach.

Methods

Multistage focus group interviews among one group of recently diagnosed (≤3 years, n = 4) adults and one group with longer experience (≥5 years, n = 7) of type 2 diabetes.

Results

Challenges in self‐management in everyday life with type 2 diabetes were identified: understanding; developing skills and abilities; and mobilising personal strengths. Both groups described challenges in understanding the causes of fluctuating blood glucose and in developing and mobilising skills for choosing healthful food and eating regularly. The recently diagnosed group was more challenged by learning to accept the diagnosis and becoming motivated to change habits while the experienced group was mainly challenged by issues about complications and medications.

Conclusion

Adults with diabetes have different needs for support during different phases of the disease. From a person‐centred perspective, it would be desirable to meet individual needs for self‐management on peoples’ own terms through a technological service that could reach and connect to a large number of people.

Relevance to clinical practice

Diabetes nurses need to address the knowledge needs of patients with diabetes and support them in developing self‐management skills. Consistent with person‐centred care, practitioners should also encourage patients’ abilities to mobilise their own personal strengths to maintain self‐management.
Influence of physical restraint on delirium of adult patients in ICU: A nested case–control study
Authors: Pan Yanbin , Jiang Zhixia , Yuan Changrong , Wang Lianhong , Zhang Jingjing , Zhou Jing , Tao Ming , Quan Mingtao , Wu Qiong
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To investigate the impact of physical restraint on delirium of adult patients in intensive care unit.

Background

Delirium is a common clinical syndrome in intensive care unit, correlated with various adverse clinical outcomes. Physical restraint is a precipitating factor for delirium; however, the effect of physical restraint on delirium, such as duration, number and appliance is still unclear.

Design

A nested case–control study.

Methods

A cohort of 593 intensive care unit patients were observed for 12 months, and 447 of them who received physical restraint were included for analysis. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit. During hospitalisation in intensive care unit, newly‐onset delirium patients (the delirium group), and nondelirium patients of similar age, same gender, and conditions of mechanical ventilation and sedative drug usage (the nondelirium group) were included as the matching criteria. Patient data were acquired by reviewing medical and nursing electronic records.

Results

Among the 447 patients that had been physically restrained, 178 (39.8%) developed delirium. Delirium risk in patients with restraint ≥6 days was 26.30 times higher than in those <6 days. Patients who had two and three times of restraint had a 2.38‐fold and 3.62‐fold higher risk of delirium than those with one time of restraint. However, the appliance, site, time to apply and remove restraint had no effect on the incidence of delirium.

Conclusions

The incidence of delirium is high when patients use physical restraint. Duration and number of restraint are positively related to delirium. Restrictions on the use of restraint in intensive care unit are required to reduce the occurrence of delirium.

Relevance to clinical practice

To reduce delirium risk of patients in intensive care unit, nurses need to assess the risk of physical restraint and consider alternative measures, thereby to achieve the minimisation of the use of restraint.
Tracking patients with advanced kidney disease in the last 12 months of life
Authors: Bonner Ann , Chambers Shirley , Healy Helen , Hoy Wendy , Mitchell Geoff , Kark Adrian , Ratanjee Sharad , Yates Patsy
Published: March 2018

Background

There is increasing recognition of the clinical need for timely and coordinated supportive and palliative care for those with terminal organ failure.

Objective

To describe symptoms, quality of life and supportive care needs in the anticipated 12‐month period prior to death in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 4 or 5.

Method

An observational, prospective, longitudinal design was used to follow 19 patients. The measures used were the Chronic Kidney Disease‐Symptom Burden Index (CKD‐SBI), the Australian Karnofsky Performance Scale (AKPS), the Functional Assessment of Chronic illness Therapy Palliative‐14 (FACIT PAL‐14), the Assessment of Quality of Life 6 Dimensions (AQoL‐6D) and the Sheffield Profile for Assessment and Referral for Care (SPARC). Data were collected at study entry and three monthly until death or study end.

Results

Patients’ median age was 78 years (range 42–90), most were male (63%), 10 were receiving dialysis and seven died during the study. The most prevalent symptoms reported differed from those that were most troublesome. The median AKPS score did not change over time (60). Quality of life remained steady over time [FACIT‐PAL median range: 43.5‐46; AQoL‐6D means range: 0.66 (SD 0.19) to 0.75 (SD 0.2)]. Supportive care needs were few.

Conclusion

We found a substantial symptom burden and slow functional decline in this group of patients. Regular assessment of both symptoms and QOL is warranted particularly if clinical experience indicates that the person is likely to be in their last year of life. Integrated supportive care programmes could assist with easing symptom burden during this time.
Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory compounds exert similar effects on P-glycoprotein in blood–brain barrier endothelial cells
Authors: Torres-Vergara Pablo , Penny Jeffrey
Published: March 2018

Objectives

The effects of anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids dexamethasone (DX) and hydrocortisone (HC), pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on expression and activity of the ATP-binding cassette transporter P-glycoprotein (P-GP) were studied in porcine brain endothelial cells (PBECs).

Methods

Primary PBECs were treated for 24 h with glucocorticoids, IL-1β and long-chain PUFAs. P-GP activity was determined by measuring intracellular calcein accumulation and P-GP expression by Western blotting. The effect of PUFAs on membrane fluidity was assessed by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP).

Key findings

Dexamethasone, HC and IL-1β significantly increased P-GP expression and activity. The effect of IL-1β was attenuated by the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). This is the first report of the combined actions of IL-1β and IL-1RA on P-GP expression and the first evidence of glucocorticoid-mediated P-GP up-regulation in PBECs. Arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentenoic acid (EPA) significantly decreased P-GP activity without affecting expression or membrane fluidity. AA, DHA and EPA counteracted IL-1β-mediated increases in P-GP activity, while AA and EPA, but not DHA, counteracted glucocorticoid-mediated increase in P-GP activity.

Conclusions

While glucocorticoids and IL-1β possess opposing actions in inflammation, they demonstrate functional consistency by increasing P-GP expression and activity in PBECs.
Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality, immune response, zinc retention, and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production
Authors: Abedini M. , Shariatmadari F. , Karimi Torshizi M. A. , Ahmadi H.
Published: March 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) on the performance, egg quality, Zn retention, immunity responses, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), egg malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum parameters in laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 laying hens at 64 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 12 birds within each group. Experimental diets included a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet (without Zn supplementation) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn‐oxide, ZnO‐NPs, and Zn‐methionine. The results indicated that egg production and egg mass were significantly higher in the Zn‐methionine and ZnO‐NPs groups (p < .05). Also, eggshell thickness and shell strength increased in the ZnO‐NPs group as compared with the other groups (p < .05). Moreover, Zn supplementation decreased egg loss (p < .05). There were significant differences among treatments in Zn deposition in tibiotarsus, liver, pancreas, eggs, and excreta (p < .01). Antibody titre, heterophil (%(, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly higher in birds fed with Zn‐supplemented diets (p < .05). In treatments supplemented with ZnO‐NPs and Zn‐methionine, the SOD activity in the liver, pancreas, and plasma was greater as compared with the other treatments (p < .05). The MDA content in eggs was significantly reduced in groups supplemented with Zn (p < .01). Moreover, dietary Zn supplementation significantly affected serum total protein, albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Zn level (p < .05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ZnO‐NPs can improve the performance of laying hens. Therefore, ZnO‐NPs can enhance zinc absorption in the intestine of aged layers and can be a more suitable source of zinc than regular Zn‐oxide in diets.
Healing of toothbrush‐induced abrasions to keratinized mucosa of the palate in humans: A pilot study
Authors: De Nutte M. , Behaeghe E. , van der Weijden G. A. , Coucke W. , Teughels W. , Quirynen M.
Published: March 2018

Background and Objective

To the best of our knowledge, the healing time for toothbrush‐induced gingival abrasions in humans has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time needed to heal for toothbrush‐induced abrasions of the keratinized mucosa of the palate.

Material and Methods

In patients without, with mild periodontitis or with periodontitis, gingival abrasion lesions were induced at the keratinized mucosa of the palate by brushing up to 2 minutes. Healing as observed clinically was followed via calibrated digital photographs of the lesion after staining, every 24 hours until the lesion had resolved. In patients without or with only mild periodontitis, the healing time of lesions caused by 30 seconds and 1 minute of brushing was also recorded.

Results

Thirty‐one participants (11 without or with mild periodontitis, 20 with periodontitis) met the inclusion criteria. In patients without or with mild periodontitis, the lesions induced by brushing for 2 minutes diminished by 48.7% of their original surface area within 24 hours. In patients with periodontitis the respective outcome was 45.4% (P = .87). Abrasions caused by 2 minutes of brushing needed more than 24 hours to heal completely. When decreasing the time exposed to trauma, fewer lesions were visible at baseline and the time needed to heal decreased. The subgroup of smokers was too small to evaluate any effect.

Conclusion

The longer the exposure time of the keratinized mucosa of the palate to trauma, the more lesions were visible, the larger the abrasions were and the more time they needed to heal completely. More studies are needed to investigate the role of smoking, gingival biotype and to link these findings with gingival recessions.
Analysis of genotyping for predicting liver injury marker, procollagen III in persons at risk of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Grove Jane I. , Thiagarajan Prarthana , Astbury Stuart , Harris Rebecca , Delahooke Toby , Guha I. Neil , Aithal Guruprasad P.
Published: March 2018

Background & Aims

Chronic liver disease presents a major global public health challenge. Stratification of asymptomatic, at‐risk patients in primary care using non‐invasive methods has the potential to address this by identifying those likely to progress. We, therefore, evaluated variant alleles at loci associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease as genetic determinants of substantial liver injury in patients with disease risk factors.

Methods

Levels of serum procollagen III (PIIINP), an established fibrosis and steatohepatitis marker, were determined in 467 people who had type 2 diabetes and/or BMI > 27.3 (identified from registration with general practitioners) in this observational cross‐sectional study. Patients were genotyped for characterised risk alleles in PNPLA3 (rs738409), GCKR (rs1260326) and TM6SF2 (rs58542926) and associations with PIIINP assessed.

Results

The risk alleles in PNPLA3, GCKR or TM6SF2 were not found to be individually associated with the presence of a disease risk factor and were not significantly more common in patients with raised serum PIIINP. The prevalence of possession of both PNPLA3 and GCKR variant alleles combined was significantly higher in at‐risk patients with clinically significant liver disease indicated by serum PIIINP above 11 ng/mL (P = .014).

Conclusions

Genotyping, therefore, has limited value for predicting severe liver disease in at‐risk individuals identified in a community setting.
Design and implementation of a health systems strengthening approach to improve health and nutrition of pregnant women and newborns in Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger, and Senegal
Authors: Kung'u Jacqueline K. , Ndiaye Banda , Ndedda Crispin , Mamo Girma , Ndiaye Mame Bineta , Pendame Richard , Neufeld Lynnette , Mwitari James , Desta Hentsa Haddush , Diop Marietou , Doudou Maimouna , De‐Regil Luz Maria
Published: March 2018

Maternal and neonatal mortality are unacceptably high in developing countries. Essential nutrition interventions contribute to reducing this mortality burden, although nutrition is poorly integrated into health systems. Universal health coverage is an essential prerequisite to decreasing mortality indices. However, provision and utilization of nutrition and health services for pregnant women and their newborns are poor and the potential for improvement is limited where health systems are weak. The Community‐Based Maternal and Neonatal Health and Nutrition project was established as a set of demonstration projects in 4 countries in Africa with varied health system contexts where there were barriers to safe maternal health care at individual, community and facility levels. We selected project designs based on the need, context, and policies under consideration. A theory driven approach to programme implementation and evaluation was used involving developing of contextual project logic models that linked inputs to address gaps in quality and uptake of antenatal care; essential nutrition actions in antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care; delivery with skilled and trained birth attendant; and postnatal care to outcomes related to improvements in maternal health service utilization and reduction in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Routine monitoring and impact evaluations were included in the design. The objective of this paper is to describe the rationale and methods used in setting up a multi‐country study that aimed at designing the key maternal and neonatal health interventions and identifying indicators related to inputs, outcomes, and impact that were measured to track change associated with our interventions.
Ericoid plant species and Pinus sylvestris shape fungal communities in their roots and surrounding soil
Authors: Sietiö Outi‐Maaria , Tuomivirta Tero , Santalahti Minna , Kiheri Heikki , Timonen Sari , Sun Hui , Fritze Hannu , Heinonsalo Jussi
Published: March 2018

Root‐colonizing fungi can form mycorrhizal or endophytic associations with plant roots, the type of association depending on the host. We investigated the differences and similarities of the fungal communities of three boreal ericoid plants and one coniferous tree, and identified the community structure of fungi utilizing photosynthates from the plants studied.

The fungal communities of roots and soils of Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea, Calluna vulgaris and Pinus sylvestris were studied in an 18‐month‐long experiment where the plants were grown individually in natural substrate. Photosynthates utilizing fungi were detected with DNA stable‐isotope probing using 13CO2 (13C‐DNA‐SIP).

The results indicated that the plants studied provide different ecological niches preferred by different fungal species. Those fungi which dominated the community in washed roots had also the highest 13C‐uptake. In addition, a common root endophyte without confirmed mycorrhizal status also obtained 13C from all the plants, indicating close plant‐association of this fungal species.

We detect several fungal species inhabiting the roots of both ericoid mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal plants. Our results highlight that the ecological role of co‐occurrence of fungi with different life styles (e.g. mycorrhizal or endophytic) in plant root systems should be further investigated.
Assessment of sella turcica area and skeletal maturation patterns of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate
Authors: Cesur E. , Altug A. T. , Toygar‐Memikoglu U. , Gumru‐Celikel D. , Tagrikulu B. , Erbay E.
Published: March 2018

Structured Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this case‐control study was to assess sella turcica area and skeletal maturity in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and compare with those of non‐cleft children.

Setting and Sample Population

A total of 85 UCLP patients aged 7.5‐17.08 years (Group 1: age 7‐11 years, Group 2: age 11‐14 years and Group 3: age 14‐18 years) were compared with 85 control subjects without clefts who were divided into similar age groups.

Materials and Methods

Hand‐wrist radiographs and cervical vertebra maturation stages (CVMS) were used to evaluate growth. Lateral cephalograms were traced, and reference points of sella were determined. Sella turcica area was measured using a digital planimeter.

Results

Comparison of overall growth on hand‐wrist radiographs revealed no significant difference between cleft and non‐cleft subjects. However, according to the chronological age groups, Group 1‐UCLP showed statistically significant delay in skeletal maturation when compared with the age‐matched control subjects (P = .05). This difference was due to the delay among male subjects (P = .05). As for CVMS, more significant maturation delay was observed in Group 1‐UCLP (P = .001) and was attributable to both male and female subjects (P = .05). Comparison of sella turcica area showed no significant difference between UCLP patients and controls.

Conclusion

Although children with CLP showed significant delay in growth when they are younger compared with the non‐cleft children, sella turcica area measurements were similar for individuals in both groups.
Phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate 3‐kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA)‐related overgrowth spectrum: A brief report
Authors: Denorme Pieter , Morren Marie‐Anne , Hollants Silke , Spaepen Marijke , Suaer Kate , Zutterman Nele , Labarque Veerle , Legius Eric , Brems Hilde
Published: March 2018

A patient with extensive multisystem overgrowth caused by a somatic gain of function PIK3CA‐mutation is described. This case is an example of the clinical diversity of the PIK3CA‐Related Overgrowth Spectrum (PROS) as the patient had overlapping features of Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth Vascular malformations Epidermal nevi and Skeletal abnormalities (CLOVES) syndrome and Megalencephaly‐Capillary malformation Polymicrogyria (MCAP) syndrome and underlines the utility of this umbrella term.
Crown lengthening and restorative procedures in the esthetic zone
Authors: Marzadori Matteo , Stefanini Martina , Sangiorgi Matteo , Mounssif Ilham , Monaco Carlo , Zucchelli Giovanni
Published: March 2018

Crown lengthening is one of the most common surgical procedures in periodontal practice. Its indications include subgingival caries, crown or root fractures, altered passive eruption, cervical root resorption and short clinical abutment, and its aim is to re‐establish the biologic width in a more apical position. While the procedure in posterior areas of the dentition has been thoroughly investigated, crown lengthening performed for esthetic reasons in the anterior areas is still a matter of debate and an evidence‐based technique is not available. This paper provides accurate descriptions of the surgical and restorative phases of the esthetic crown‐lengthening procedure by answering the following questions: what is the ideal surgical flap design? how much supporting bone should be removed? how should the position of the flap margin relate to the alveolar bone at surgical closure? and how should the healing phase be managed in relation to the timing and the position of the provisional restoration with respect to the gingival margin?
Soft‐tissue augmentation procedures in edentulous esthetic areas
Authors: Marzadori Matteo , Stefanini Martina , Mazzotti Claudio , Ganz Sabrina , Sharma Praveen , Zucchelli Giovanni
Published: March 2018

Loss of dentition leads to functional and esthetic challenges that are determined by the anatomic features of the edentulous area. These features can complicate the prosthetic rehabilitation of such patients, especially in situations where optimal esthetic outcomes are desired. For these reasons, reconstructive plastic surgery procedures, aimed at restoring the alveolar ridge to its former dimensions, have become of great clinical interest. These reconstructive plastic surgery procedures frequently involve soft‐tissue augmentation, performed to improve the quality and quantity of mucogingival tissue with the aim to achieve an ideal esthetic result. This review will focus on the description and expected outcomes of different surgical techniques for soft‐tissue augmentation in edentulous areas, as described in the literature. Although more information from a larger number of studies and randomized controlled clinical trials is needed, it is possible to draw some conclusions, namely: pouch procedures are the first choice for soft‐tissue augmentation, especially in high‐demand esthetic areas; roll techniques are possible in shallow buccolingual soft‐tissue augmentations; and onlay, inlay and combination grafts are less suitable for soft‐tissue augmentation because of their poor esthetic results.
The ecosystem approach to aquaculture 10 years on – a critical review and consideration of its future role in blue growth
Authors: Brugère Cecile , Aguilar‐Manjarrez José , Beveridge Malcolm C. M. , Soto Doris
Published: March 2018

Over a decade ago, the ecosystem approach to aquaculture (EAA) emerged from discussions between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and international aquaculture experts on how to move aquaculture development towards greater sustainability. The purpose of this review is to critically examine the use and mainstreaming of the EAA in aquaculture development to date and consider its possible evolution in the next decade. We systematically searched citations of key EAA publications in the academic and related literature for the period 2007–2016 and analysed all relevant FAO publications and project documents. We assessed the lessons learnt from the past decade of EAA experiences, the opportunities the EAA has created and the links between the EAA and the new development agenda. Our review suggests that mainstreaming the EAA in planning processes has raised awareness of the usefulness of holistic and participatory approaches in aquaculture and helped to steer the sector towards greater sustainability. However, the approach has had varying degrees of resonance and uptake with different user groups. The emphasis on spatial planning that has developed as part of the EAA implementation efforts, and close links between the EAA and initiatives such as ‘blue growth’, constitute significant opportunities for the future of the approach, although its ability to tackle increasingly complex governance issues may be limited. Thus, it is now opportune to reconsider the EAA's raison d’être, taking into account ongoing developments within and outside the aquaculture sector.
Beyond the cool pose: Black men and emotion management strategies
Authors: Jackson Brandon A.
Published: March 2018

This review presents an overview of research on qualitative work that has documented emotion management strategies among Black men. I emphasize qualitative work here as it gives us insight into the processes that account for particular strategies. Research on Black men and emotions has focused on their class‐based experiences, as either lower SES working‐class or poor Black men in settings concentrated by people of color or higher SES middle‐class Black men in White‐dominated spaces. Within these two class positions, Black men adopt emotion management strategies for both the frontstage and backstage meant to best navigate their surroundings. This research emphasizes that Black men's emotional strategies are often a reaction to larger systems that oppress and discriminate against their race and gender status.
Vacuolar Protein Sorting 26C encodes an evolutionarily conserved large retromer subunit in eukaryotes that is important for root hair growth in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Jha Suryatapa Ghosh , Larson Emily R. , Humble Jordan , Domozych David S. , Barrington David S. , Tierney Mary L.
Published: March 2018

The large retromer complex participates in diverse endosomal trafficking pathways and is essential for plant developmental programs, including cell polarity, programmed cell death and shoot gravitropism in Arabidopsis. Here we demonstrate that an evolutionarily conserved VPS26 protein (VPS26C; At1G48550) functions in a complex with VPS35A and VPS29 necessary for root hair growth in Arabidopsis. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation showed that VPS26C forms a complex with VPS35A in the presence of VPS29, and this is supported by genetic studies showing that vps29 and vps35a mutants exhibit altered root hair growth. Genetic analysis also demonstrated an interaction between a VPS26C trafficking pathway and one involving the SNARE VTI13. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that VPS26C, with the notable exception of grasses, has been maintained in the genomes of most major plant clades since its evolution at the base of eukaryotes. To test the model that VPS26C orthologs in animal and plant species share a conserved function, we generated transgenic lines expressing GFP fused with the VPS26C human ortholog (HsDSCR3) in a vps26c background. These studies illustrate that GFP‐HsDSCR3 is able to complement the vps26c root hair phenotype in Arabidopsis, indicating a deep conservation of cellular function for this large retromer subunit across plant and animal kingdoms.
Evaluation of transconjunctival thermal electrocautery for treatment of canine distichiasis: 88 eyelids (2013‐2016)
Authors: Zimmerman Kelli L , Reinstein Shelby L
Published: March 2018

Objective

To describe a successful, simple treatment for canine distichiasis.

Animals studied

Client‐owned dogs presenting to Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Levittown, Pennsylvania.

Procedure

Retrospective analysis of medical records for canine patients that underwent transconjunctival thermal electrocautery treatment (TCEC) for distichiasis alone or with concurrent eyelid surgery between 2013 and 2016. Fifty eyes of 26 dogs (n = 88 eyelids) were included in the study. Sixty‐five eyelids (74%) were treated for distichia only, while 23 eyelids (26%) underwent concurrent eyelid surgery. Successful treatment was defined as resolution of clinical signs attributable to distichiasis. Forty‐eight of 50 eyes (96%) were successfully treated with a single TCEC treatment (mean follow‐up 187 ± 222 days). Sixty‐one of 88 eyelids (69%) had no distichia at any follow‐up time. Twenty‐two eyelids (25%) had recurrence at or near a previously treated site (mean 150 ± 152 days). Of the eyes with recurrent distichia, all but 2 (91%) remained asymptomatic, requiring no further treatment. One dog with extensive TCEC treatment had significant recurrence on all eyelids requiring retreatment that resulted in focal entropion of 1 eyelid. Transient eyelid margin pigment loss and mild‐to‐moderate eyelid swelling were noted in all treated eyelids postoperatively. Suspected treatment site infection occurred 2 days postoperatively in 2/50 eyes (4%) of 1 patient. Two of 10 eyes (20%) with extensive eyelid treatment developed qualitative tear film deficiency OU (554 days postoperatively) and responded to topical tear stimulant therapy.

Conclusion

TCEC is a successful, simple treatment for canine distichiasis.
ToF-SIMS investigation of tribochemical surface reaction films built up by specially added cooling lubricants
Authors: Britt Lukas G. H. , Jenke Philipp K. , Lipinsky Dieter , Arlinghaus Heinrich F.
Published: March 2018

Cooling lubricants based on polyalphaolefin (PAO) are used in finishing processes for metallic components, but their influence on the formation of lifespan increasing tribochemical surface reaction films (boundary films) is poorly understood. The binding characteristics of different additives during finishing processes have been investigated using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Steel substrates heated to selected temperatures between 150 and 700 °C were dipped in four different cooling lubricants based on PAO to study fundamental binding processes. The boundary films built up on the steel surfaces were analyzed using ToF-SIMS via acquiring surface spectra as well as depth profiles. The results of these studies reveal the temperatures at which additives bind to steel surfaces and provide information regarding the thickness of the boundary films formed during the finishing. They also show that the temperature at which the boundary film formation starts is at around 400 to 450 °C. The starting temperature, as well as the thickness of the boundary films formed, depends on the composition of the cooling lubricants and on the concentration of additives. Thus, an increase in additive concentration leads not only to delayed starting temperatures, but also to greater film thicknesses.
Coefficient of thermal expansion and biaxial Young's modulus in Si-rich silicon nitride thin films
Authors: Habermehl Scott
Published: March 2018

The coefficient of thermal expansion (α) and biaxial Young's modulus is determined by comparing the differential thermal stress induced in Si-rich silicon nitride thin films deposited on single-crystal Si and sapphire substrates. The amorphous films are deposited in mixtures of dichlorosilane and ammonia, by low pressure chemical vapor deposition, in a temperature range of 1050–1115 K. Temperature-dependent wafer curvature measurements are performed to determine the differential thermal stress, across a temperature range spanning 300–800 K. Observations indicate that both α and the biaxial modulus decrease as the silicon content in the films increases. The trend of reduction in α is consistent with the relative α values for the limiting-case compositions of cubic-Si3N4 and amorphous Si. The decrease in α is attributed to a reduction in anharmonicity associated with Si–Si bonds relative to Si–N bonds. The biaxial modulus is observed to be proportional to the inverse cube root of the amorphous Si volume fraction. This observation is shown to be consistent with volumetric dilation of basal Si-SiyN4-y tetrahedra (y = 0–4), when substoichiometric films are formed through the substitution of Si for N. Additionally, the intrinsic film stress is observed to vary in proportion to the square of the inverse cube root of the amorphous Si volume fraction, which is shown to be consistent with compositionally induced intrinsic strain variation in Si-rich silicon nitride thin films.
Replacement of sensor cables for reducing effects on articulation in the Northern Digital Incorporated's Wave electromagnetic articulography system
Authors: Kitamura Tatsuya , Nota Yukiko , Hashi Michiko , Hatano Hiroaki
Published: March 2018

This study attempted to improve the five-degrees-of-freedom sensors of the Northern Digital Incorporated's Wave electromagnetic articulography system by replacing their cables with thinner and more flexible cables to reduce interference in articulation. Measurement errors and data loss rates were compared between the original and the proposed sensors. The proposed sensors showed twofold tracking accuracy and data loss rates compared to the original sensors in an experiment using a crank-rocker mechanism. Data loss rates of the proposed sensors increased in articulatory data collection from four speakers. The proposed sensors have been made available commercially.
Evolution of alluvial mudrock forced by early land plants
Authors: McMahon William J. , Davies Neil S.
Published: March 2018

Mudrocks get a vegetative assist

Mudrocks such as slate and shale are rarely found in stratigraphy older than about 500 million years. McMahon and Davies compiled a large database of mudrock occurrence over the past 3.5 billion years to help assess the origin of this ubiquitous rock type (see the Perspective by Fischer). Mudrocks appeared at the same time as did deep-rooted land plants. The interplay between plants and sedimentary rocks suggests that a change in erosion rate and the chemistry of sediments delivered to the oceans occurred around 500 million years ago.

Science, this issue
p.
1022
; see also p.
994
β
2
-adrenergic receptor–mediated negative regulation of group 2 innate lymphoid cell responses
Authors: Moriyama Saya , Brestoff Jonathan R. , Flamar Anne-Laure , Moeller Jesper B. , Klose Christoph S. N. , Rankin Lucille C. , Yudanin Naomi A. , Monticelli Laurel A. , Putzel Gregory Garbès , Rodewald Hans-Reimer , Artis David
Published: March 2018

An off switch for helminth immunity

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are involved in responses to helminths, viruses, and allergens. Moriyama
et al.
found that ILC2s interact with the nervous system to modulate helminth immunity. ILC2s from the small intestine expressed the β
2
-adrenergic receptor (β
2
AR), which normally interacts with the neurotransmitter epinephrine. Inactivating β
2
AR resulted in lower helminth burden and more ILC2s, eosinophils, and type 2 cytokine production in mice. Conversely, treatment of helminth-infected mice with a β
2
AR agonist enhanced worm burden and reduced proliferation of ILC2s. Thus, β
2
AR negatively regulates ILC2-driven protective immunity.

Science
, this issue p.
1056
Incomplete host immunity favors the evolution of virulence in an emergent pathogen
Authors: Fleming-Davies Arietta E. , Williams Paul D. , Dhondt André A. , Dobson Andrew P. , Hochachka Wesley M. , Leon Ariel E. , Ley David H. , Osnas Erik E. , Hawley Dana M.
Published: March 2018

Ratcheting up wild virulence

Partially protective vaccination can sometimes select for increasingly virulent pathogens. Fleming-Davieset al.asked what happens in a natural system. In the United States, the house finch population is suffering an increasingly virulent epidemic caused byMycoplasma gallisepticum. The pathogen induces incomplete immunity that clears less virulent pathogens and offers partial protection against strains of greater virulence. In the birds, the partial immune response does away with competition from the less virulent pathogens. The partial immunity of the host also hinders replication of the more virulent pathogens enough to allow some birds to survive. This allows increasingly virulent forms of the pathogen to be transmitted.

Science, this issue p.1030
Evidence for a neural law of effect
Authors: Athalye Vivek R. , Santos Fernando J. , Carmena Jose M. , Costa Rui M.
Published: March 2018

How to select and shape neural activity

When we learn a new skill or task, our movements are reinforced and shaped. Learning occurs because the neural activity patterns in the movement control–related brain regions that are rewarded are repeated. But how does this reinforcement work? Athalyeet al.developed a closed-loop self-stimulation paradigm in which a target motor cortical activity pattern resulted in the optogenetic stimulation of dopaminergic neurons. With training, mice learned to reenter specific neuronal activity patterns, which triggered self-stimulation and shaped their neural activity to be closer to the target pattern.

Science, this issue p.1024
Selective targeting of engineered T cells using orthogonal IL-2 cytokine-receptor complexes
Authors: Sockolosky Jonathan T. , Trotta Eleonora , Parisi Giulia , Picton Lora , Su Leon L. , Le Alan C. , Chhabra Akanksha , Silveria Stephanie L. , George Benson M. , King Indigo C. , Tiffany Matthew R. , Jude Kevin , Sibener Leah V. , Baker David , Shizuru Judith A. , Ribas Antoni , Bluestone Jeffrey A. , Garcia K. Christopher
Published: March 2018

Engineering cytokine-receptor pairs

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important cytokine that helps T cells destroy tumors and virus-infected cells. IL-2 has great therapeutic promise but is limited by toxic side effects and its capacity to both activate and repress immune responses. Sockolosky
et al.
set out to improve IL-2–based immunotherapy by engineering synthetic IL-2–receptor pairs (i.e., IL-2 and its receptor, IL-2R) (see the Perspective by Mackall). Engineered complexes transmitted IL-2 signals but only interacted with each other and not with endogenous IL-2/IL-2R. Treatment of mice with IL-2 improved the ability of engineered T cells to reject tumors with no obvious side effects. This type of approach may provide a way to mitigate toxicities associated with some cytokine-based immunotherapies.

Science
, this issue p.
1037
; see also p.
990
What makes a terrestrial ecosystem resilient?
Authors: Willis Kathy J. , Jeffers Elizabeth S. , Tovar Carolina
Published: March 2018

A complex set of biotic and abiotic factors determines the resilience of an ecosystem
Human-in-the-loop optimization of hip assistance with a soft exosuit during walking
Authors: Ding Ye , Kim Myunghee , Kuindersma Scott , Walsh Conor J.
Published: March 2018

Human-in-the-loop optimization achieved a substantial metabolic reduction and demonstrated the value of individualization.
Evaluation of a PCR Method for Detection of Entamoeba polecki, with an Overview of Its Molecular Epidemiology
Authors: Stensvold Christen Rune , Winiecka-Krusnell Jadwiga , Lier Tore , Lebbad Marianne
Published: March 2018

Entamoeba
polecki
is a parasite of human and nonhuman primates, other mammals, and birds. Due to overlapping morphological features, cysts of
E. polecki
may be confused with those of other
Entamoeba
species commonly found in human fecal samples, including immature cysts of
Entamoeba histolytica
. Although the presence of
E. polecki
in human
Entamoeba
-positive stool samples may be rare, its prevalence is likely underestimated due to such confusion. Here, we give examples of diagnostic approaches applied so far and summarize data on the molecular epidemiology of
E. polecki
, including host specificity and phylogeography. Moreover, we evaluate a novel diagnostic conventional PCR developed for the screening of fecal samples for
E. polecki
. The assay was highly sensitive and specific when used on genomic DNA extracted directly from stool and Swedish wastewater samples. The PCR enabled the identification of all four subtypes (ST1 to ST4) of
E. polecki
by PCR product sequencing. Most (23/28) subtyped
E. polecki-
positive samples detected in patients in Sweden between 2002 and 2015 reflected colonization by ST4 and were seen in travelers/foreigners. Two and three human cases of ST2 and ST3, respectively, were also detected. Subtypes 1, 2, and 3 were detected in 3/21 wastewater samples, suggesting local endemicity of these
E. polecki
subtypes; interestingly, ST4 was not detected in wastewater. In conclusion, the current PCR assay enables simple and cost-effective screening of fecal and wastewater samples for
E. polecki
. Human cases of
E. polecki
appear to involve primarily ST4, while
E. polecki
detected in wastewater may be primarily of animal origin.
Mutations in the Basic Region of the Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus Nucleocapsid Protein Affect Reverse Transcription, Genomic RNA Packaging, and the Virus Assembly Site
Authors: Dostálková Alžběta , Kaufman Filip , Křížová Ivana , Kultová Anna , Strohalmová Karolína , Hadravová Romana , Ruml Tomáš , Rumlová Michaela
Published: March 2018

In addition to specific RNA-binding zinc finger domains, the retroviral Gag polyprotein contains clusters of basic amino acid residues that are thought to support Gag-viral genomic RNA (gRNA) interactions. One of these clusters is the basic K
16
NK
18
EK
20
region, located upstream of the first zinc finger of the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) nucleocapsid (NC) protein. To investigate the role of this basic region in the M-PMV life cycle, we used a combination of
in vivo
and
in vitro
methods to study a series of mutants in which the overall charge of this region was more positive (RNRER), more negative (AEAEA), or neutral (AAAAA). The mutations markedly affected gRNA incorporation and the onset of reverse transcription. The introduction of a more negative charge (AEAEA) significantly reduced the incorporation of M-PMV gRNA into nascent particles. Moreover, the assembly of immature particles of the AEAEA Gag mutant was relocated from the perinuclear region to the plasma membrane. In contrast, an enhancement of the basicity of this region of M-PMV NC (RNRER) caused a substantially more efficient incorporation of gRNA, subsequently resulting in an increase in M-PMV RNRER infectivity. Nevertheless, despite the larger amount of gRNA packaged by the RNRER mutant, the onset of reverse transcription was delayed in comparison to that of the wild type. Our data clearly show the requirement for certain positively charged amino acid residues upstream of the first zinc finger for proper gRNA incorporation, assembly of immature particles, and proceeding of reverse transcription.

IMPORTANCE
We identified a short sequence within the Gag polyprotein that, together with the zinc finger domains and the previously identified RKK motif, contributes to the packaging of genomic RNA (gRNA) of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV). Importantly, in addition to gRNA incorporation, this basic region (KNKEK) at the N terminus of the nucleocapsid protein is crucial for the onset of reverse transcription. Mutations that change the positive charge of the region to a negative one significantly reduced specific gRNA packaging. The assembly of immature particles of this mutant was reoriented from the perinuclear region to the plasma membrane. On the contrary, an enhancement of the basic character of this region increased both the efficiency of gRNA packaging and the infectivity of the virus. However, the onset of reverse transcription was delayed even in this mutant. In summary, the basic region in M-PMV Gag plays a key role in the packaging of genomic RNA and, consequently, in assembly and reverse transcription.
Prevalence of frailty and prefrailty among community-dwelling older adults in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Siriwardhana Dhammika D , Hardoon Sarah , Rait Greta , Weerasinghe Manuj C , Walters Kate R
Published: March 2018

Objective

To systematically review the research conducted on prevalence of frailty and prefrailty among community-dwelling older adults in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and to estimate the pooled prevalence of frailty and prefrailty in community-dwelling older adults in LMICs.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42016036083.

Data sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, Web of Science, CINAHL and WHO Global Health Library were searched from their inception to 12 September 2017.

Setting

Low-income and middle-income countries.

Participants

Community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years.

Results

We screened 7057 citations and 56 studies were included. Forty-seven and 42 studies were included in the frailty and prefrailty meta-analysis, respectively. The majority of studies were from upper middle-income countries. One study was available from low-income countries. The prevalence of frailty varied from 3.9% (China) to 51.4% (Cuba) and prevalence of prefrailty ranged from 13.4% (Tanzania) to 71.6% (Brazil). The pooled prevalence of frailty was 17.4% (95% CI 14.4% to 20.7%, I2=99.2%) and prefrailty was 49.3% (95% CI 46.4% to 52.2%, I2=97.5%). The wide variation in prevalence rates across studies was largely explained by differences in frailty assessment method and the geographic region. These findings are for the studies with a minimum recruitment age 60, 65 and 70 years.

Conclusion

The prevalence of frailty and prefrailty appears higher in community-dwelling older adults in upper middle-income countries compared with high-income countries, which has important implications for healthcare planning. There is limited evidence on frailty prevalence in lower middle-income and low-income countries.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016036083.