bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic ulcers in systemic sclerosis – case series
Authors: Mirasoglu Bengusu , Bagli Bekir S. , Aktas Samil
Published: February 2017

Background

Digital and leg ulcers are extremely painful, hard to heal manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Many treatments have been tried for these challenging complications, but use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is very limited. HBOT has been used as an adjunctive therapy for treating chronic wounds, and nonhealing SSc wounds, which have a hypoxic nature, may also benefit from it.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of six SSc patients who underwent HBOT for their ulcers. Patient demographics, ulcer properties, and details of treatments were evaluated.

Results

Three patients had digital ulcers, and the other three had leg ulcers. Three patients (two leg ulcers and one digital ulcer) had bilateral lesions. All patients had been treated for at least one and a half months with various modalities. After HBOT was applied, four patients’ ulcers healed completely and two patients had near‐complete healing. Amputation was not required for any.

Conclusion

This case series, which has the largest patient population up to present, shows adjunctive HBOT may be helpful in the treatment of SSc ulcers.
Focal Transcatheter Cryoablation: Is a Four‐Minute Application Still Required?
Authors: BESSIÈRE FRANCIS , DUBUC MARC , ANDRADE JASON , SHOHOUDI AZADEH , SIROIS MARTIN G. , MONDÉSERT BLANDINE , DYRDA KATIA , RIVARD LENA , MACLE LAURENT , GUERRA PETER G. , THIBAULT BERNARD , TALAJIC MARIO , ROY DENIS , KHAIRY PAUL
Published: February 2017

Focal Transcatheter Cryoablation

Introduction

The standard 4‐minute application time for transcatheter cryoablation was determined in the 1990s when the system employed less potent chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants. The current refrigerant, nitrous oxide, generates substantially colder temperatures, with a faster cooling rate.

Methods and Results

We conducted a preclinical study on 32 mongrel dogs with stratified randomization of right atrial, right ventricular, and left ventricular chambers to 2‐minute versus 4‐minute application times using 8‐mm electrode tip cryocatheters (Freezor Max, Medtronic CryoCath LP, Montreal, Canada). Animals were sacrificed one month after the procedure. Three‐dimensional morphometric analyses were conducted in a blinded fashion. A total of 193 identified ablation lesions were processed for histological analyses, 102 with 2‐minute applications and 91 with 4‐minute applications. Ablation lesion surface area (167.8 ± 21.6 mm2 vs. 194.3 ± 22.6 mm2, P = 0.40), maximum depth (4.4 ± 0.2 mm vs. 4.5 ± 0.2 mm, P = 0.71), and volume (125.7 ± 69.5 mm3 vs. 141.0 ± 83.5 mm3, P = 0.25) were similar between groups. Overall, 90.2% of ablation lesions in the right atrium were transmural, 45.6% in the right ventricle, and 2.4% in the left ventricle, with no differences between 2‐minute and 4‐minute application times (P = 0.55). Thrombus was detected on the endocardial surface of 0.0% and 3.3% of ablation lesions created with 2‐minute and 4‐minute application times, respectively (P = 0.10).

Conclusion

Single 2‐minute and 4‐minute application times result in catheter ablation lesions of similar size using the modern cryoablation system with nitrous oxide as a refrigerant. While these findings suggest the potential to reduce the standard 4‐minute application time, further studies are required to compare clinical efficacy.
Goosefish Lophius americanus fecundity and spawning frequency, with implications for population reproductive potential
Authors: McBride R. S. , Johnson A. K. , Lindsay E. K. , Walsh H. J. , Richards R. A.
Published: February 2017

To improve knowledge of goosefish Lophius americanus' reproductive biology, females were collected during 2009–2012 from the Mid‐Atlantic Bight shelf region of the U.S. east coast. Batch fecundity increased with total length (LT), from 229 100 to 2 243 300 mature oocytes per female (LT range: 55·5–112 cm; n = 54). This estimate of fecundity at LT is lower than one derived from a sample collected during 1982–1985. Examination of whole oocyte diameters in different months indicated that L. americanus is a serial spawner, releasing more than one egg veil per spawning season, as suspected or observed for other Lophius species. Seasonality of spawning was evident from whole oocytes and gonad histology, and from larval fish surveys spanning the U.S. north‐east shelf, and confirmed a protracted (c. 6 months) spawning period. Peak spawning activity progressed northward from spring to autumn. The population‐level implications of these results were explored by estimating population reproductive potential (PRP), which considered the value of both current and future per capita reproduction using decade‐specific age structure and fecundity at length. PRP is now more than 50% lower compared with the historical period (1982–1985), a result of the lower proportions of large females and reduced fecundity across all sizes. Mechanisms that could explain this loss of stock productivity are fishing‐induced size–age truncation or regime shifts in egg production caused by changes in energy density of common forage species.
Quantitative Analysis of the Anthropogenic Spatial Transfer of Lead in China
Authors: Sun Mengying , Mao Jiansu
Published: February 2017

To meet human needs, the geographical location of lead changes during the process of mining lead ore to produce lead products for use by humans. These changes reveal the influence of human activities on lead distribution on the surface of Earth. In this study, a framework was built to analyze changes in lead distribution. Lead was traced through its life cycle using this framework. The provincial administrative unit in mainland of China was defined as the unit of space. The process of anthropogenic spatial transfer of lead was quantitatively analyzed by comparing lead distribution between different areas during each stage of its life cycle in 2010. The results showed that in 2010, around 60% of domestic lead resources were distributed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Yunnan Province, and other locations in China. Nearly 80% of the refined lead was produced in Henan, Anhui, Hunan, Yunnan, and Jiangsu provinces. More than 50% of lead products were fabricated and manufactured in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Hebei provinces. The distribution of lead usage and scrap recovery was relatively uniform (approximately 21 provinces accounted for 1% to 6% of all scrap in the country), although lead products and scrap were mainly distributed in Guangdong, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces, which together accounted for nearly 40% of the total. The recycling of lead scrap was mainly concentrated in Anhui (around 57% of the total). Overall, during the whole process, from the mining lead ore from the lithosphere to each stage of the product life cycle, lead was gradually transferred from the south and north of China to the central area and, finally, to the eastern coastal areas.
Sustaining guideline implementation: A multisite perspective on activities, challenges and supports
Authors: Higuchi Kathryn S , Davies Barbara , Ploeg Jenny
Published: February 2017

Aims and objectives

To examine activities conducted, challenges encountered and supports used when sustaining nursing practice guideline implementation in multiple healthcare organisations over 3 years.

Background

Numerous models and frameworks exist to guide the implementation of guidelines, yet very few focus on sustaining improved practice changes. It is not known if one intervention or multiple interventions are required, nor the long‐term activities, challenges and supports for sustaining improved practices.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

We conducted focus group interviews with steering committee members and individual interviews with leaders and direct care providers at the end of a 3‐year guideline implementation study. The National Health Service Sustainability Model was used to guide data collection and analysis.

Results

The eight sites included three teaching hospitals, a community hospital, a long‐term care facility, two community health agencies and a community health centre. Individual interviews were conducted with 36 leaders and 26 direct care providers. Focus group interviews were conducted with steering committee members (n = 70) at each site. Guideline implementation activities (n = 45) included developing new outcome monitoring systems, conducting chart audits, communicating progress to internal stakeholders, appointing interprofessional staff to steering committees, developing educational sessions and resources for staff and patients, revising policies and procedures, and developing partnerships with external organisations. Supports included lessons learned from previous and concurrent change initiatives, and commitment, involvement and positive attitudes of staff and leaders.

Conclusion

Activities identified by the participants addressed all 10 factors in the Sustainability Model in the three areas of process, staff and organisation. The challenges and supports encountered provide insights into the process of guideline implementation and sustainability.

Relevance to clinical practice

A multilevel action plan for staff, leaders and the organisation is recommended when introducing and sustaining practice changes.
Risk factors for the development of post‐traumatic stress disorder and coping strategies in mothers and fathers following infant hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Aftyka Anna , Rybojad Beata , Rosa Wojciech , Wróbel Aleksandra , Karakuła‐Juchnowicz Hanna
Published: February 2017

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study was to identify the potential risk factors for the development of post‐traumatic stress disorder in mothers and fathers following infant hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Background

The development of neonatal intensive care units has increased the survival rate of infants. However, one of the major parental problems is post‐traumatic stress disorder.

Design

An observational study covered 125 parents (72 mothers and 53 fathers) of infants aged 3–12 months who were hospitalised in the neonatal intensive care unit during the neonatal period.

Setting

Third‐referral neonatal intensive care unit. Several standardised and self‐reported research tools were used to estimate the level of post‐traumatic stress symptoms (Impact Event Scale—Revised), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and coping strategies (COPE Inventory). The respondents also completed a Parent and Infant Characteristic Questionnaire.

Results

The mothers and fathers did not differ in their parental and infant characteristics. Post‐traumatic stress disorder was present in 60% of the mothers and 47% of the fathers. Compared to the fathers, the mothers felt greater stress (p = .020) and presented a higher severity of post‐traumatic stress disorder (p < .001). Previous miscarriages (p = .023) and the presence of chronic diseases (p = .032) were risk factors for post‐traumatic stress disorder in the mothers. In the fathers, an Apgar test at 1 min after birth (p = .030) and a partner's post‐traumatic stress disorder (p = .038) were related to post‐traumatic stress disorder. The mothers compared to the fathers were more likely to use strategies such as: positive reinterpretation and growth, focusing on and venting of emotions, instrumental social support, religious coping and acceptance. In the fathers, the predictors included an Apgar score at 1 min after birth, a lack of congenital anomalies in the child and mental disengagement.

Conclusion

Risk factors for post‐traumatic stress disorder, as well as coping strategies, differ in women compare to men.

Relevance to clinical practice

Knowledge of risk factors for post‐traumatic stress disorder, specific to men and women, may help identify the parents in whom probability of the occurrence of this disorder is increased.
A Dedicated Nutritional Care Program (NUTRICARE) to reduce malnutrition in institutionalised dysphagic older people: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Zanini Milko , Bagnasco Annamaria , Catania Gianluca , Aleo Giuseppe , Sartini Marina , Cristina Maria Luisa , Ripamonti Stefania , Monacelli Fiammetta , Odetti Patrizio , Sasso Loredana
Published: February 2017

Aims and objectives

To assess the effects of a texture‐modified food program for dysphagia on the nutritional, biochemical and functional profile in a cohort of institutionalised older people in Italy.

Background

Dysphagic institutionalised older people, often also affected by dementia, are frequently exposed to malnutrition. Malnutrition in older people has negative effects on mortality, days of hospitalisation, infection, wound healing and risk of pressure injuries. Therefore, it is very important to prevent malnutrition in this frail population.

Design

A pre–post study without a control group.

Methods

The study included 479 dysphagic institutionalised older people from 20 nursing homes. Anthropometrical, biochemical, nutritional and functional parameters were collected retrospectively, 6 months before the study intervention, at time zero and, prospectively for 6 months after implementing the NUTRICARE food programme, for a total of nine evaluations. The NUTRICARE programme includes meals without nutritional supplementation, and personalised levels of density, viscosity, texture and particle size.

Results

The total mean body mass index of our sample passed from 17.88–19.00; body weight averagely improved by 7.19%, as well as their nutritional and biochemical profiles. There was a progressive improvement of total protein and serum albumin values. Nutritional parameters (serum transferrin and lymphocytes) displayed similar changes. Plasma lymphocytes reached normal levels in 98.23% of the sample. Plasma creatinine levels remained steady throughout the study and within the normal range. No side effects were reported.

Conclusion

The NUTRICARE food programme with a adequate proteins, calories, balanced nutritional and bromatological properties, and appropriate texture and palatability significantly improved the nutritional, biochemical and functional profile in a cohort of institutionalised dysphagic older people.

Relevance to clinical practice

The introduction of a balanced nutritional programme, using high‐quality natural ingredients, appropriate texture and palatability can significantly improve health and quality of life in dysphagic older people.
The role of the family in supporting the self‐management of chronic conditions: A qualitative systematic review
Authors: Whitehead Lisa , Jacob Elisabeth , Towell Amanda , Abu‐qamar Ma'en , Cole‐Heath Amanda
Published: February 2017

Aims and objectives

To explore the contribution of family members in promoting and supporting the self‐management of chronic conditions amongst adult family members.

Background

The prevalence of chronic disease continues to grow globally. The role of the family in chronic condition management and support for self‐management has received little attention.

Design

A systematic review of qualitative literature using the Joanna Briggs Institute approach for qualitative systematic reviews.

Methods

Ovid (MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO) were searched for the period of database inception—2016. The QARI (Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument) critical appraisal instrument was used to assess the quality of each study. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute‐QARI data extraction tool, findings related to the family role in the self‐management of chronic conditions were extracted and each finding rated according to Joanna Briggs Institute‐QARI levels of credibility. Findings were categorised and synthesised to produce a final set of aggregated findings.

Results

Families were key in constructing an environment that was conducive to family engagement and support. Adaptation within the family included maintaining cohesion between family members, normalisation and contextualisation of the chronic condition.

Conclusions

Whilst evidence on the value of the family in promoting positive health outcomes is clear, research on how families can specifically support the self‐management of chronic conditions is emerging.

Relevance to clinical practice

Family adaptability has been found to be the most powerful predictor of carer depression. Families may need support to change their home and family organisation to adapt to the challenges they face overtime. Change in roles and subsequent adaptation can be stressful, even for those family members at a distance. Nurses working in hospital and community settings can play an important role in assessing how families are adapting to living with chronic illness and to explore strategies to cope with challenges in the home setting.
Use of physical restraint: Nurses’ knowledge, attitude, intention and practice and influencing factors
Authors: Eskandari Fatemeh , Abdullah Khatijah Lim , Zainal Nor Zuraida , Wong Li Ping
Published: February 2017

Aims and objectives

To investigate the knowledge, attitude, intention and practice of nurses towards physical restraint and factors influencing these variables.

Background

A literature review showed a lack of studies focused on the intention of nurses regarding physical restraint throughout the world. Considering that very little research on physical restraint use has been carried out in Malaysia, assessment of nurses’ knowledge, attitude, intention and practice is necessary before developing a minimising programme in hospitals.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was used.

Methods

A questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitude, intention and practice was completed by all nurses (n = 309) in twelve wards of a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

Results

Moderate knowledge and attitude with strong intention to use physical restraint were found among the nurses. Less than half of nurses considered alternatives to physical restraint and most of them did not understand the reasons for the physical restraint. Nurses’ academic qualification, read any information source during past year and nurses’ work unit showed a significant association with nurses’ knowledge. Multiple linear regression analysis found knowledge, attitude and intention were significantly associated with nurses’ practice to use physical restraint.

Conclusion

This study showed some important misunderstandings of nurses about using physical restraint and strong intention regarding using physical restraint. Findings of this study serve as a supporting reason for importance of educating nurses about the use of physical restraint.

Relevance to clinical practice

Exploring the knowledge, attitude, intention and current practice of nurses towards physical restraint is important so that an effective strategy can be formulated to minimise the use of physical restraints in hospitals.
Different psychometric properties of the Emotional Reaction Instrument‐English (ERI‐E) between hospitalized African American and Caucasian children
Authors: Kim Kye‐ha , Foster Roxie L. , Park Jeong‐hwan
Published: February 2017

Purpose

To demonstrate the psychometric properties of the Emotional Reactions Instrument‐English (ERI‐E) between hospitalized African American and Caucasian children aged 7–12 years.

Design and Method

A methodological study was conducted to examine validity and reliability of the ERI‐E with 230 hospitalized African American and Caucasian children. Data were collected with sociodemographic and clinical forms, and using the ERI‐E, and the Facial Affective Scale (FAS).

Results

Different factor structures were found between hospitalized African American and Caucasian children. In psychometric testing of the ERI‐E with African American children, four items, alone, lonely, shy, and bored, were removed from the original 16‐item ERI‐E after exploratory factor analysis. Three factors, including Fear, Anxiety, and Distress, were identified explaining 60.71% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the revised 12‐item scale was 0.85. Six items, happy, sad, afraid, frightened, hurt, and uncomfortable, in the ERI‐E were significantly correlated with the FAS (r = 0.20–0.59) as evidence of concurrent validity. In the sample with hospitalized Caucasian children, two items, bored and uncomfortable, were eliminated from the original ERI‐E after exploratory factor analysis. Four factors including Fear, Anxiety, Distress, and Loneliness were extracted with 62.61% of total variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the revised 14‐item in the ERI‐E was 0.84 for hospitalized Caucasian children. As evidence of concurrent validity, 10 items, happy, sad, afraid, frightened, bad, lonely, scary, bored, hurt, and uncomfortable, in the ERI‐E were significantly correlated with the FAS (r = 0.20–0.69).

Practice Implication

Because children with different cultural backgrounds understand or use words differently, healthcare providers should assess the cultural norms of pediatric patients and ensure steps have been taken to ensure clear, effective communication with pediatric patients. In addition, healthcare providers should evaluate the meanings of faces in the FAS before using it in a clinical setting because faces have different cultural connotations. The explosive growth of ethnic minority children in the United States makes it paramount for healthcare providers and researchers to consider the measurement equivalence of any measure to better serve different racial and cultural groups.
Species with larger body size do not dominate neighbourhood biomass production in old‐field vegetation
Authors: Tracey Amanda , Irwin Erika , Mcdonald Blaire , Aarssen Lonnie
Published: February 2017

Aims

Competitive ability in plants is defined traditionally by a ‘size advantage’ hypothesis – i.e. larger species are generally expected to be more successful under competition because of greater capacity for resource capture, and thus capacity to deny resources to neighbours (e.g. through shading). We therefore tested the prediction (for crowded herbaceous vegetation) that species with a larger maximum potential body size (dry mass) should: (1) have generally increased resident plant abundance (i.e. more rooted units), resulting from more successful recruitment of reproductive and/or clonal offspring; and (2) account for a relatively large proportion of the standing biomass within crowded neighbourhoods.

Location

Queen's University Biological Station (QUBS), Chaffey's Locks, Ontario, Canada.

Methods

A field experiment was used to record neighbourhood above‐ground biomass (dry mass) and resident plant abundance data for species within replicate plots in an old‐field meadow community – combined with body size metrics recorded for the same species in an earlier study at the same field site.

Results

The results, at both the community and plot level, showed that resident plant abundance was generally higher (as expected) for species that had more total neighbourhood (plot) biomass harvested in the previous year. However, these species tended to be relatively small, with relatively small minimum reproductive threshold size – not those with relatively large maximum potential body size.

Conclusions

These results suggest that in crowded vegetation, bigger species are not more successful competitors in terms of offspring recruitment/numerical abundance, nor do they have a larger contribution to neighbourhood biomass. Smaller species are contributing at least as much biomass as bigger species to their total neighbourhood biomass, in part because of their smaller minimum reproductive threshold size. These smaller species therefore have greater ‘reproductive economy’, which means that they are more likely to produce at least some offspring when conditions are especially crowded.
Linking plant strategies and plant traits derived by radiative transfer modelling
Authors: Kattenborn Teja , Fassnacht Fabian Ewald , Pierce Simon , Lopatin Javier , Grime John Philip , Schmidtlein Sebastian
Published: February 2017

Question

Do spatial gradients of plant strategies correspond to patterns of plant traits obtained from a physically based model and hyperspectral imagery? It has previously been shown that reflectance can be used to map plant strategies according to the established CSR scheme. So far, these approaches have been based on empirical links and lacked transferability. Therefore, we test if physically based derivations of plant traits may help in finding gradients in traits that are linked to strategies.

Location

A raised bog and minerotrophic fen complex, Murnauer Moos, Germany.

Methods

Spatial distributions of plant traits were modelled by adopting an inversion of the PROSAIL radiative transfer model (RTM) on airborne hyperspectral imagery. The traits are derived from reflectance without making use of field data but only of known links between reflectance and traits. We tested whether previously found patterns in CSR plant strategies were related to the modelled traits.

Results

The results confirm close relationships between modelled plant traits and C, S and R strategies that were previously found in the field. The modelled plant traits explained different dimensions of the CSR space. Leaf area index (LAI) and the reciprocal of specific leaf area appeared to be good candidates for reproducing CSR scores as community traits using remote sensing. LAI has not been used in previous studies to allocate plant strategies.

Conclusions

Combining RTMs and the CSR model is a promising approach for establishing a robust link between airborne or spaceborne imagery and plant functioning. The demonstrated potential to map traits with a close relationship to CSR gradients using only our understanding of the relationship between traits and reflectance is a step forward towards operational use of the CSR model in remote sensing.
Distinctive genomic signature of neural and intestinal organoids from familial Parkinson's disease patient‐derived induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Son M.‐Y. , Sim H. , Son Y. S. , Jung K. B. , Lee M.‐O. , Oh J.‐H. , Chung S.‐K. , Jung C.‐R. , Kim J.
Published: February 2017

Aims

The leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S mutation is the most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). There is compelling evidence that PD is not only a brain disease but also a gastrointestinal disorder; nonetheless, its pathogenesis remains unclear. We aimed to develop human neural and intestinal tissue models of PD patients harbouring an LRRK2 mutation to understand the link between LRRK2 and PD pathology by investigating the gene expression signature.

Methods

We generated PD patient‐specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying an LRRK2 G2019S mutation (LK2GS) and then differentiated into three‐dimensional (3D) human neuroectodermal spheres (hNESs) and human intestinal organoids (hIOs). To unravel the gene and signalling networks associated with LK2GS, we analysed differentially expressed genes in the microarray data by functional clustering, gene ontology (GO) and pathway analyses.

Results

The expression profiles of LK2GS were distinct from those of wild‐type controls in hNESs and hIOs. The most represented GO biological process in hNESs and hIOs was synaptic transmission, specifically synaptic vesicle trafficking, some defects of which are known to be related to PD. The results were further validated in four independent PD‐specific hNESs and hIOs by microarray and qRT‐PCR analysis.

Conclusion

We provide the first evidence that LK2GS also causes significant changes in gene expression in the intestinal cells. These hNES and hIO models from the same genetic background of PD patients could be invaluable resources for understanding PD pathophysiology and for advancing the complexity of in vitro models with 3D expandable organoids.
Do Smaller Classes Always Improve Students’ Long‐run Outcomes?
Authors: Falch Torberg , Sandsør Astrid Marie Jorde , Strøm Bjarne
Published: February 2017

We exploit the strict class size rule in Norway and matched individual and school register information for 1982–2011 to estimate long‐run causal effects on income and educational attainment. Contrary to recent evidence from the US and Sweden, we do not find any significant average effect on long‐run outcomes of reduced class size. We further use the large register data set and quasi‐experimental strategy to estimate whether the class size effect depends on external conditions facing students and schools, such as teacher quality, extent of upper secondary school choice, school district size, local fiscal constraints and labour market conditions. Overall, we find that the class size effect does not depend on these factors measured at the school district level. The absence of class size effects on long‐run outcomes in Norway is consistent with earlier findings for short‐run outcomes, using comparable data and empirical strategies.
2p24.1p23.2 deletion and delayed recovery after a general anesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure
Authors: Dewé Guillaume , Hermans Emmanuel , Lavand'homme Patricia
Published: February 2017

Interstitial 2p deletions are very rare and may include proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene (2p23.3). Our 10‐year‐old patient, known to carry this genetic anomaly, underwent an endoscopic interventional procedure under general anesthesia. After a sevoflurane induction, alfentanil (8.5 μg·kg−1) was given. The procedure lasted 22 min. There was an unexpected delayed recovery likely reflecting an unexpected delayed recovery likely due to opioid hypersensitivity. The deletion of POMC may cause a deficit in endorphin and may lead to an up‐regulation of opioid receptors. Exogenous opioids should be used with particular caution in patients suffering a deficit of POMC.
Clonidine may have a beneficial effect on refractory nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Ohtomo Yoshiyuki
Published: February 2017

Background

Although the evidence‐based treatment for nocturnal enuresis is established, nearly one‐third of patients are still enuretic with desmopressin, anti‐cholinergic treatment and alarm. The fourth option, imipramine, is limited because of the risk of cardiotoxicity on overdose. Clonidine, an α2‐adrenoceptor agonist that also has noradrenergic effects like imipramine, is a new option for refractory enuresis.

Methods

A total of 148 patients (6–14 years of age; mean, 9.1 years) with refractory enuresis under desmopressin, anti‐cholinergic treatment and alarm were enrolled. The patients consisted of 100 boys and 48 girls, of whom 23 had monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and 125 had non‐monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. Clonidine 4 μg/kg/day (maximum, 75 μg/day) orally 30 min before bedtime was added and its effects were evaluated after 4 weeks of treatment.

Results

A total of 83 patients (56.1%) achieved partial or complete response with the additional clonidine. No significant adverse reactions were noted.

Conclusions

Clonidine could be an aid for refractory enuresis, although further randomized controlled trials are needed.
Transgenic tobacco plants having a higher level of methionine are more sensitive to oxidative stress
Authors: Hacham Yael , Matityahu Ifat , Amir Rachel
Published: February 2017

Methionine is an essential amino acid the low level of which limits the nutritional quality of plants. We formerly produced transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants overexpressing CYSTATHIONE γ‐SYNTHASE (CGS) (FA plants), methionine's main regulatory enzyme. These plants accumulate significantly higher levels of methionine compared with wild‐type (WT) plants. The aim of this study was to gain more knowledge about the effect of higher methionine content on the metabolic profile of vegetative tissue and on the morphological and physiological phenotypes. FA plants exhibit slightly reduced growth, and metabolic profiling analysis shows that they have higher contents of stress‐related metabolites. Despite this, FA plants were more sensitive to short‐ and long‐term oxidative stresses. In addition, compared with WT plants and transgenic plants expressing an empty vector, the primary metabolic profile of FA was altered less during oxidative stress. Based on morphological and metabolic phenotypes, we strongly proposed that FA plants having higher levels of methionine suffer from stress under non‐stress conditions. This might be one of the reasons for their lesser ability to cope with oxidative stress when it appeared. The observation that their metabolic profiling is much less responsive to stress compared with control plants indicates that the delta changes in metabolite contents between non‐stress and stress conditions is important for enabling the plants to cope with stress conditions.
‘Development’, resistance and the geographies of affect in Oecussi: Timor‐Leste's Special Economic Zone (ZEESM)
Authors: Rose Michael
Published: February 2017

In 2013, it was announced that Timor‐Leste's Oecussi enclave would become the site of a special economic zone. Arid, and inhabited mostly by semi‐subsistence farmers from West Timor's Meto ethno‐linguistic group, the plan entails remaking the enclave as an industrial, transport and tourism hub. To facilitate this, in mid‐2015 the authorities began the process of clearing hundreds of indigenous gardens and homes from land slated for mega‐projects intended to make the region attractive to foreign investors. In this paper, I describe how, for many Meto, land tends to be experienced as a spiritually mediated ‘geography of affect’ (Lea & Woodward, 2010) in which questions of place, belonging, spirituality and personal fortune cannot easily be divided, a reality that raises questions about the suitability of the plan's vision of globalized and investment driven ‘development’. Drawing on Scott, I argue that in Oecussi, spirits associated with the land are not apolitical, but are sometimes perceived as acting to protect locals against powerful outsiders – a characteristically Meto ‘weapon of the weak’ that is in keeping with their previous encounters with colonial regimes.
Is Achilles tendon blood flow related to foot pronation?
Authors: Wezenbeek E. , Willems T. M. , Mahieu N. , Van Caekenberghe I. , Witvrouw E. , De Clercq D.
Published: February 2017

In the etiology of Achilles tendinopathy (AT), it is frequently suggested that excessive pronation causes a vascular constriction of the Achilles tendon, described as the “whipping phenomenon” (Clement et al., 1984). Although previous studies focused on the association between pronation andAT, it is striking that the underlying association between foot pronation and blood flow has not been studied yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the amount of pronation during running influences the Achilles tendon blood flow. Twenty‐five experienced runners, aged 34.5±10.2 years, participated in this study. 2D‐lower limb kinematics during barefoot and shod running in both frontal and sagittal plane were assessed. Blood flow of the Achilles tendon was measured before and after barefoot and shod running, using the oxygen‐to‐see device. The results of this study showed a significant effect of eversion excursion on the increase in Achilles tendon blood flow after shod running. More specifically, the more the eversion excursion observed, the lower the increase in blood flow (P=.013). We therefore suggest, in individuals with increased inversion at touchdown and increased eversion around midstance during shod running, that antipronation measures could be useful in both preventing and managing Achilles tendinopathy.
HLA‐C*07:566, a novel HLA‐C*07 variant, detected in a Taiwanese hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang E. K.‐L. , Lin P. Y.
Published: February 2017

One nucleotide replacement in codon 334 of HLA‐C*07:02:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐C*07:566.
Identification of a novel HLA‐C allele, HLA‐C*15:134, in a Taiwanese hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang K. L. , Lin P. Y.
Published: February 2017

One nucleotide substitution in codon 17 of
HLA‐C*15:02:01:01 results in a novel allele,
HLA‐C*15:134.
ENCHONDROMATOSIS IN AN ADULT DOG
Authors: Movilla Rebeca , Dominguez Elisabet , Novellas Rosa , Martinez Jorge , Mesa Ignacio , Roura Xavier
Published: February 2017

A 7‐year‐old crossbreed dog presented for lameness with diffuse soft tissue swelling in the right fore limb. Radiographs identified increased opacity of medullary cavity involving the radius and ulna. Whole‐body computed tomography (CT) revealed mineral attenuation in the medullary cavity of multiple bones. Histopathology of the right distal tibia showed a fibrocartilaginous matrix occupying intertrabecular spaces. The final diagnosis was enchondromatosis. Long‐term favorable progression of the dog's clinical condition further supported the benign histopathologic classification. This is the fifth case of canine enchondromatosis reported so far and the first documentation of further characterization with CT.
Influence of in‐house rehabilitation on the postoperative outcome of dogs with intervertebral disk herniation
Authors: Hodgson Michelle M. , Bevan John M. , Evans Richard B. , Johnson Thai I.
Published: February 2017

Objective

To determine the influence of in‐house rehabilitation on the postoperative outcome of dogs with intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Animals

Dogs (n = 248) under 20 kg of weight, with single site, thoracolumbar, Hansen Type I IVDH.

Procedures: Medical records of non‐ambulatory dogs with IVDH treated via hemilaminectomy were reviewed. Dogs were classified in 2 groups depending on whether their postoperative management included an in‐house rehabilitation program. Preoperative and sequential postoperative modified Frankel scores (MFSs) were recorded. Time to ambulation, time to normal conscious proprioception, final MFS, and complications were compared between the groups.

Results

More dogs returned to full neurologic function (final MFS of Grade 5) when in‐house rehabilitation was included in the postoperative management (33% compared to 9%). Normal conscious proprioception and ambulation returned earlier in the control group (42 days and 14 days, respectively) compared to the group with rehabilitation (49 days and 28 days, respectively). The complication rate was higher in the control group (29%) compared with the group with rehabilitation (16%).

Conclusions and clinical relevance: In‐house rehabilitation should be included in the postoperative management in dogs after surgical treatment of IVDH to improve neurologic function and reduce postoperative complications.
Ultrasonic wave transmission and bandgap in multidirectional composite laminates with spring-type interlayer interfaces
Authors: Ishii Yosuke , Biwa Shiro
Published: February 2017

The ultrasonic wave transmission through multidirectional composite laminates is studied theoretically by accounting for the effect of thin interlayer resin-rich regions based on the spring-type interface model. Using the stiffness-matrix method, the energy transmission spectrum of the longitudinal wave impinging obliquely on cross-ply and quasi-isotropic laminates immersed in water is calculated. The location and bandwidth of the frequency ranges where the transmissivity becomes vanishingly small are shown to be significantly influenced by the incident angle, the laminate lay-up, and the interlayer interfacial stiffnesses. By examining the energy flux density of partial waves inside the laminate, these frequency ranges are shown to be the bandgaps due to the constructive interference of scattered waves from the interlayer interfaces. The mode combination causing the interference is found to vary remarkably with the bandgap location. Furthermore, the interference in the finite laminate structure is shown to occur in almost the same manner as the Floquet wave does in the infinitely extended laminate structure. The energy transmission spectrum is experimentally measured for 16-ply carbon/epoxy cross-ply and quasi-isotropic composite laminates using the through-transmission technique. The transmission and bandgap characteristics observed in the experimental results are reasonably reproduced by the present theory incorporating the interlayer resin-rich regions.
Draft Genome Sequences of Enterotoxigenic Bacillus cereus Strains Obtained from Powdered Infant Formula
Authors: Carter Laurenda , Chase Hannah R. , Choi Hyerim , Jun SoYoung , Park JiHyeon , Jeong Seungeun , Kim MiJeong , Han KyuYoung , Lee ChaeYoon , Jeong HyeJin , Finkelstein Samantha , Negrete Flavia , Cinar Hediye N. , Tall Ben D. , Gopinath Gopal R.
Published: February 2017

We introduce the draft genome sequences of five enterotoxigenic
Bacillus cereus
strains: Bc 12, Bc 67, Bc 111, Bc 112, and Bc 113, which were obtained from powdered infant formula. The genome sizes of the strains ranged from 5.5 to 5.8 Mb, and the G+C contents were ~35.2%.
Draft Genome Sequences of Carboxydothermus pertinax and
C. islandicus
, Hydrogenogenic Carboxydotrophic Bacteria
Authors: Fukuyama Yuto , Omae Kimiho , Yoneda Yasuko , Yoshida Takashi , Sako Yoshihiko
Published: February 2017

Carboxydothermus
spp. are some of the most studied carbon monoxide–oxidizing anaerobic thermophiles. For further investigation into the carbon monoxide metabolism of
Carboxydothermus
spp., we report here the draft genome sequences of the hydrogenogenic carboxydotrophs
Carboxydothermus pertinax
(2.47 Mb; G+C content, 40.7%) and
C. islandicus
(2.39 Mb; G+C content, 42.0%).
First Complete Genome Sequences of Zika Virus Isolated from Febrile Patient Sera in Ecuador
Authors: Márquez S. , Carrera J. , Pullan S. T. , Lewandowski K. , Paz V. , Loman N. , Quick J. , Bonsall D. , Powell R. , Thézé J. , Pybus O. G. , Klenerman P. , Eisenberg J. , Coloma J. , Carroll M. W. , Trueba G. , Logue C. H.
Published: February 2017

Here, we present the complete genome sequences of two Zika virus (ZIKV) strains, EcEs062_16 and EcEs089_16, isolated from the sera of febrile patients in Esmeraldas City, in the northern coastal province of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, in April 2016. These are the first complete ZIKV genomes to be reported from Ecuador.
Genome Sequences of
Beet curly top Iran virus
,
Oat dwarf virus
,
Turnip curly top virus
, and
Wheat dwarf virus
Identified in Leafhoppers
Authors: Kamali Mehdi , Heydarnejad Jahangir , Pouramini Najmeh , Masumi Hossain , Farkas Kata , Kraberger Simona , Varsani Arvind
Published: February 2017

Implementation of a vector-enabled metagenomics approach resulted in the identification of various geminiviruses. We identified the genome sequences of
Beet curly top Iran virus
,
Turnip curly top viruses
,
Oat dwarf viruses
, the first from Iran, and
Wheat dwarf virus
from leafhoppers feeding on beet, parsley, pumpkin, and turnip plants.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Archangium
sp. Strain Cb G35
Authors: Adaikpoh Barbara I. , Dowd Scot E. , Stevens D. Cole
Published: February 2017

In an effort to explore myxobacterial natural product biosynthetic pathways, the draft genome sequence of
Archangium
sp. strain Cb G35 has been obtained. Analysis of the genome using antiSMASH predicts 49 natural product biosynthetic pathways. This genome will contribute to the investigation of myxobacterial secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways.
Genome Sequence of
Dehalobacter
sp. Strain TeCB1, Able To Respire Chlorinated Benzenes
Authors: Alfán-Guzmán Ricardo , Ertan Haluk , Manefield Mike , Lee Matthew
Published: February 2017

Dehalobacter
sp. strain TeCB1 was isolated from groundwater contaminated with a mixture of organohalides and is able to respire 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. Here, we report its 3.13-Mb draft genome sequence.
Genome Sequence of Megasphaera cerevisiae NSB1, a Bacterium Isolated from a Canning Line and Able To Grow in Beer with High Alcohol Content
Authors: Bergsveinson Jordyn , Thomson Euan , Jacoby Derek , Coady Yvonne , Ziola Barry
Published: February 2017

The genome sequence of the brewery isolate
Megasphaera cerevisiae
NSB1 was determined. Strain NSB1 tolerates 5% (vol/vol) alcohol, which is higher than previously reported for
M. cerevisiae
. The NSB1 genome will help elucidate genetics required for alcohol tolerance and niche adaptation of this Gram-negative beer-spoilage bacterium.
Environmental Microbial Forensics and Archaeology of Past Pandemics
Authors: Fornaciari Antonio
Published: February 2017

The development of paleomicrobiology with new molecular techniques such as metagenomics is revolutionizing our knowledge of microbial evolution in human history. The study of microbial agents that are concomitantly active in the same biological environment makes it possible to obtain a picture of the complex interrelations among the different pathogens and gives us the perspective to understand the microecosystem of ancient times. This research acts as a bridge between disciplines such as archaeology, biology, and medicine, and the development of paleomicrobiology forces archaeology to broaden and update its methods. This chapter addresses the archaeological issues related to the identification of cemeteries from epidemic catastrophes (typology of burials, stratigraphy, topography, paleodemography) and the issues related to the sampling of human remains for biomolecular analysis. Developments in the field of paleomicrobiology are described with the example of the plague. Because of its powerful interdisciplinary features, the paleomicrobiological study of
Yersinia pestis
is an extremely interesting field, in which paleomicrobiology, historical research, and archeology are closely related, and it has important implications for the current dynamics of epidemiology.
The Pathogenic Potential of a Microbe
Authors: Casadevall Arturo
Published: February 2017

Virulence is a microbial property that is realized only in susceptible hosts. There is no absolute measurement for virulence, and consequently it is always measured relative to a standard, usually another microbe or host. This article introduces the concept of pathogenic potential, which provides a new approach to measuring the capacity of microbes for virulence. The pathogenic potential is proportional to the fraction of individuals who become symptomatic after infection with a defined inoculum and can include such attributes as mortality, communicability, and the time from infection to disease. The calculation of the pathogenic potential has significant advantages over the use of the lethal dose that kills 50% of infected individuals (LD
50
) and allows direct comparisons between individual microbes. An analysis of the pathogenic potential of several microbes for mice reveals a continuum, which in turn supports the view that there is no dividing line between pathogenic and nonpathogenic microbes.
Opposing Transcriptional Mechanisms Regulate
Toxoplasma
Development
Authors: Hong Dong-Pyo , Radke Joshua B. , White Michael W.
Published: February 2017

Toxoplasma
infections are lifelong because of the development of the bradyzoite tissue cyst, which is effectively invisible to the immune system. Despite the important clinical consequences of this developmental pathway, the molecular basis of the switch mechanisms that control tissue cyst formation is still poorly understood. Significant changes in gene expression are associated with tissue cyst development, and ApiAP2 transcription factors are an important mechanism regulating this developmental transcriptome. However, the molecular composition of these ApiAP2 complexes and the operating principles of ApiAP2 mechanisms are not well defined. Here we establish that competing ApiAP2 transcriptional mechanisms operate to regulate this clinically important developmental pathway.