bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and factors associated with oral potentially malignant disorders in Brazil's rural workers
Authors: Ferreira AM , de Souza Lucena EE , de Oliveira TC , da Silveira ÉJD , de Oliveira PT , de Lima KC
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) in a population of rural workers in the northeast of Brazil and to investigate the association with sociodemographic, occupational, and health factors.

Methods

A total of 1385 workers answered a validated questionnaire and were examined by calibrated dentists. A descriptive analysis, chi‐square homogeneity test, and binary logistic regression were performed.

Results

The prevalence of OPMDs was 29.6%. Actinic cheilitis was the most predominant (28.4%), followed by leukoplakia (2.3%) and erythroplakia (0.3%). Gender, type of skin, and time exposed to the sun explained the presence of OPMD (P < 0.0001). The study found increased prevalence, especially for males over the age of 60 years and being exposed to the sun for more than 45 years.

Conclusion

Rural workers showed high vulnerability to the presence of OPMDs, as estimated prevalence exhibited was high.
Toward an index of desiccation time to tree mortality under drought
Authors: Blackman Chris J. , Pfautsch Sebastian , Choat Brendan , Delzon Sylvain , Gleason Sean M. , Duursma Remko A.
Published: April 2016

Research in plant hydraulics has provided important insights into plant responses to drought and species absolute drought tolerance. However, our ability to predict when plants will die from hydraulic failure under extreme drought is limited by a lack of knowledge with regards to the dynamics of plant desiccation following stomatal closure. Thus, we develop a simple hydraulics model based on branch‐level traits that incorporates key aspects of allometry, rates of water loss and resistance to embolism thresholds in order to define species differences in the time it takes plants to desiccate from stomatal closure to lethal levels of drought stress.
Donor‐specific HLA antibodies and graft function in kidney‐transplanted children – the Vienna cohort
Authors: Rusai Krisztina , Dworak Johanna , Potemkina Alexandra , Fischer Gottfried , Csaicsich Dagmar , Arbeiter Klaus , Aufricht Christoph , Müller‐Sacherer Thomas
Published: April 2016

In the pediatric population, little is known on de novo DSA development, its impact on graft function, and association with suboptimal IS. We assessed the prevalence of de novo DSA in the Vienna cohort of 40 renal transplanted children and adolescents and prospectively followed its association with clinical parameters, graft function, and proteinuria for one yr. At the cross‐sectional analysis (median post‐transplant time of five yr), 17% of the patients had developed de novo DSA. All HLA‐Ab were anti‐HLA class II antibodies and persisted in 85% of the cases until the follow‐up screening performed within one yr. Basic clinical and laboratory parameters did not differ between DSA‐negative and DSA‐positive patients at the time of HLA‐Ab screening. Suboptimal IS due to reduced medication or non‐adherence could not be proven in DSA‐positive patients. The changes in eGFR did not differ during the prospective study period, but there was a significantly higher proteinuria in the DSA‐positive patients during the follow‐up. Our data demonstrate an overall prevalence of 17% of de novo DSA in a pediatric renal transplant cohort. During 12 months of prospective follow‐up time, we could demonstrate a significant impact of de novo DSA presence on proteinuria.
AngioJet™ thrombolysis of SVC thrombosis after orthotopic heart transplantation: A case report
Authors: Sessions Kristen L. , Anderson Jason H. , Johnson Jonathan N. , Taggart Nathaniel W.
Published: April 2016

SVC obstruction is a rare acute complication after bicaval cardiac transplantation and can be catastrophic for the patient. Herein, we report the case of a child who developed SVC thrombosis causing acute SVC syndrome nine days after heart transplantation. Thrombolysis was successfully performed using the AngioJet™ system and subsequent balloon angioplasty with re‐establishment of flow. This procedure allowed for revascularization without repeat sternotomy or stent implantation. The patient is well without recurrence at last follow‐up.
Goal relevance influences performance monitoring at the level of the FRN and P3 components
Authors: Walentowska Wioleta , Moors Agnes , Paul Katharina , Pourtois Gilles
Published: April 2016

The feedback‐related negativity (FRN) provides a reliable ERP marker of performance monitoring (PM). It is usually larger for negative compared to positive feedback, and for unexpected relative to expected feedback. In two experiments, we assessed whether these effects could be modulated by goal relevance, defined as feedback informativeness (reliability) and/or impact on a person's goals. EEG (64‐channel) was recorded while 30 participants (in each experiment) performed a speeded go/no‐go task across blocks in which the feedback on task performance was deemed either relevant or not. At the ERP level, the FRN component was larger for (frequent) negative compared to (deviant) positive feedback exclusively when the feedback was relevant (Experiment 1). When the probability of positive and negative feedback was balanced (Experiment 2), this valence‐driven FRN effect was absent. However, across these two experiments, the FRN was always larger for irrelevant than relevant feedback. Moreover, the subsequent P300 component was larger for feedback in the relevant than the irrelevant blocks. This effect was valence unspecific in Experiment 1, while in Experiment 2 larger P3 amplitudes were recorded for negative than positive (relevant) feedback. Across the two experiments, a larger correct‐related negativity in the irrelevant than relevant context was also observed, suggesting that PM is flexible. These ERP findings indicate that goal relevance influences feedback (and response) processing during PM, with two nonoverlapping neurophysiological effects: It gates reward prediction error brain mechanisms (FRN effect), before enhancing subsequent motivational processes (P300 effect).
Effect of Heat Stress on Concentrations of Faecal Cortisol Metabolites in Dairy Cows
Authors: Rees A , Fischer‐Tenhagen C , Heuwieser W
Published: April 2016

Contents

The negative impact of heat stress on health and productivity of dairy cows is well known. Heat stress can be quantified with the temperature–humidity index (THI) and is defined as a THI ≥ 72. Additionally, animal welfare is affected in cows living under heat stress conditions. Finding a way to quantify heat stress in dairy cows has been of increasing interest over the past decades. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites [i.e. 11,17‐dioxoandrostanes (11,17‐DOA)] as an indirect stress parameter in dairy cows without heat stress (DOA 0), with heat stress on a single day (acute heat stress, DOA 1) or with more than a single day of heat stress (chronic heat stress, DOA 2). Cows were housed in five farms under moderate European climates. Two statistical approaches (approach 1 and approach 2) were assessed. Using approach 1, concentrations of faecal 11,17‐DOA were compared among DOA 0, DOA 1 and DOA 2 samples regardless of their origin (i.e. cow, unpaired comparison with a one‐way anova). Using approach 2, a cow was considered as its own control; that is 11,17‐DOA was treated as a cow‐specific factor and only paired samples were included in the analysis for this approach (paired comparison with t‐tests). In approach 1 (p = 0.006) and approach 2 (p = 0.038), 11,17‐DOA values of cows under acute heat stress were higher compared to those of cows without heat stress. Our results also indicate that acute heat stress has to be considered as a confounder in studies measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in cows to evaluate other stressful situations.
Predator–prey interactions in a restored eelgrass ecosystem: strategies for maximizing success of reintroduced bay scallops (Argopecten irradians)
Authors: Schmitt Erika L. , Luckenbach Mark W. , Lefcheck Jonathan S. , Orth Robert J.
Published: April 2016

Predation is a key determinant of community structure and function, and thus should play a central role in successful ecological restoration strategies. The bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, was once abundant in the coastal bays of Virginia, U.S.A., until the complete loss of their eelgrass habitat, Zostera marina, in the 1930s. With the successful restoration of Z. marina in these coastal bays, attention has turned to reintroducing A. irradians with the intent of producing a self‐sustaining population. The success of this effort requires an understanding of the sources and degree of natural mortality that A. irradians experiences throughout their ontogeny. The objectives of this study were to: (1) quantify predatory mortality during two successive life history stages of A. irradians, in both spring and fall spawns and (2) identify possible predators of A. irradians in the Virginia coastal bays. We conducted tethering experiments to quantify the proportional losses due to predation, and used otter trawls and suction samples to characterize the predator community over two consecutive years. Losses due to predation ranged from 4 to 80% per day, with smaller juveniles (<15 mm shell height) experiencing greater mortality in 2013, and larger juveniles (>20 mm shell height) in 2014, which we infer is driven by the absence and presence of adult blue crabs in 2013 and 2014, respectively. We propose that managers should look toward relatively inexpensive predator surveys to best judge both when and at what size restored species should be introduced into the wild.
Nondermal irritating hyperosmotic nanoemulsions reduce treatment times in a contamination model of wound healing
Authors: Connell Sean , Li Jianming , Durkes Abigail , Zaroura Mohammed , Shi Riyi
Published: April 2016

Increased microbial burden within the wound often complicates wound healing and may lead to subsequent infection or delayed healing. Here, we investigate a novel topical for addressing wound contamination that utilizes hyperosmotic saccharides with a cell membrane disrupting emulsion. These hyperosmotic nanoemulsions (HNE) were administered topically in a full‐thickness biopsy model of wound healing. Results show that HNE were well tolerated in noninfected animals with no indications of dermal irritation or acute toxicity. Additionally, HNE was able to reduce bacterial bioburden (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis) levels by 3 logs within 24 h when wounds were inoculated with 5 × 106 total CFU. These bactericidal values were similar to wounds treated with silver sulfadiazine. Wound closure showed HNE wounds closed in 7.6 ± 0.2 days while SSD and control required 10.2 ± 0.4 and 10.4 ± 0.3 days, respectively. HNE maintained a moist wound environment, were well debrided, and exhibited improved hemostatic response. Further histological examination revealed enhanced granulation tissue as compared to silver sulfadiazine and control cohorts. These results were corroborated with 3D topographical imprints of the wounds at day 14 which qualitatively showed a smoother surface. In contrast, silver sulfadiazine appeared to delay wound closure. Finally, dermal sensitization and irritation studies conducted in guinea pig and rabbits did not reveal any acute dermal side effects from HNE exposure. The cumulative data indicates nonantibiotic‐based HNEs may be a promising topical treatment for the management of contaminated wounds.
Carbonate Dynamics and Opportunities With Low Temperature, Anion Exchange Membrane-Based Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Separators
Authors: Rigdon William A. , Omasta Travis J. , Lewis Connor , Hickner Michael A. , Varcoe John R. , Renner Julie N. , Ayers Kathy E. , Mustain William E.
Published: April 2016

Fossil fuel power plants are responsible for a significant portion of anthropogenic atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and due to concerns over global climate change, finding solutions that significantly reduce emissions at their source has become a vital concern. When oxygen (O2) is reduced along with CO2 at the cathode of an anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrochemical cell, carbonate and bicarbonate are formed which are transported through electrolyte by migration from the cathode to the anode where they are oxidized back to CO2 and O2. This behavior makes AEM-based devices scientifically interesting CO2 separation devices or “electrochemical CO2 pumps.” Electrochemical CO2 separation is a promising alternative to the state-of-the-art solvent-based methods because the cells operate at low temperatures and scale with surface area, not volume, suggesting that the industrial electrochemical systems could be more compact than amine sorption technologies. In this work, we investigate the impact of the CO2 separator cell potential on the CO2 flux, carbonate transport mechanism, and process costs. The applied electrical current and CO2 flux showed a strong correlation that was both stable and reversible. The dominant anion transport pathway, carbonate versus bicarbonate, undergoes a shift from carbonate to mixed carbonate/bicarbonate with increased potential. A preliminary techno-economic analysis shows that despite the limitations of present cells, there is a clear pathway to meet the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2025 and 2035 targets for power plant retrofit CO2 capture systems through materials and systems-level advances.
Research on Relationships Among Institutional Pressure, Stewardship Behavior, Green Supply Chain Management, and Organizational Performance: The Case of Electrical and Electronics Industries in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Yi-Chun , Huang Chih-Hsuan
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impacts of critical elements on green supply chain management (GSCM) in the Electrical and Electronic Industries in Taiwan. One-thousand questionnaires were sent to Electrical and Electronics Industries in Taiwan; 180 valid questionnaires were returned using amos 18.0 to analyze the data. The results suggest that institutional pressure is an important factor affecting companies' promotion of GSCM. Companies face the pressure exerted by the institutional environment, which will affect the enterprises executives' cognition and emotion on the institutional environment, thus leading to an environmental commitment. Additionally, the results demonstrate that GSCM improves the enterprises' environmental performance, economic performance, and operating performance, ultimately leading to sustainable development.
Characterization of Human Dental Pulp Tissue Under Oscillatory Shear and Compression
Authors: Ozcan Burak , Bayrak Ece , Erisken Cevat
Published: April 2016

Availability of material as well as biological properties of native tissues is critical for biomaterial design and synthesis for regenerative engineering. Until recently, selection of biomaterials and biomolecule carriers for dental pulp regeneration has been done randomly or based on experience mainly due to the absence of benchmark data for dental pulp tissue. This study, for the first time, characterizes the linear viscoelastic material functions and compressive properties of human dental pulp tissue harvested from wisdom teeth, under oscillatory shear and compression. The results revealed a gel-like behavior of the pulp tissue over the frequency range of 0.1–100 rps. Uniaxial compression tests generated peak normal stress and compressive modulus values of 39.1±20.4 kPa and 5.5±2.8 kPa, respectively. Taken collectively, the linear viscoelastic and uniaxial compressive properties of the human dental pulp tissue reported here should enable the better tailoring of biomaterials or biomolecule carriers to be employed in dental pulp regeneration.
Computational spatiotemporal analysis identifies WAVE2 and cofilin as joint regulators of costimulation-mediated T cell actin dynamics
Authors: Roybal Kole T. , Buck Taráz E. , Ruan Xiongtao , Cho Baek Hwan , Clark Danielle J. , Ambler Rachel , Tunbridge Helen M. , Zhang Jianwei , Verkade Paul , Wülfing Christoph , Murphy Robert F.
Published: April 2016

Live-cell microscopy determines the relative contributions of different signaling pathways to actin reorganization in T cells.
Dissociating ghrelin-dependent G protein from β-arrestin–2 signaling in transgenic rats
Authors: Smith Roy G.
Published: April 2016

A truncated mutant ghrelin receptor increases fat deposition without altering appetite.
Host exploits bacterial quorum sensing
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: April 2016

When damaged or exposed to bacteria, intestinal epithelial cells release a molecule that activates bacterial quorum-sensing.
Use of Animal Models To Support Revising Meningococcal Breakpoints of β-Lactams
Authors: Belkacem Nouria , Hong Eva , Antunes Ana , Terrade Aude , Deghmane Ala-Eddine , Taha Muhamed-Kheir
Published: April 2016

Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) in
Neisseria meningitidis
is an important part of the management of invasive meningococcal disease. It defines MICs of antibiotics that are used in treatment and/or prophylaxis and that mainly belong to the beta-lactams. The interpretation of the AST results requires breakpoints to classify the isolates into susceptible, intermediate, or resistant. The resistance to penicillin G is defined by a MIC of >0.25 mg/liter, and that of amoxicillin is defined by a MIC of >1 mg/liter. We provide data that may support revision of resistance breakpoints for beta-lactams in meningococci. We used experimental intraperitoneal infection in 8-week-old transgenic female mice expressing human transferrin and human factor H. Dynamic bioluminescence imaging was performed to follow the infection by bioluminescent meningococcus strains with different MICs. Three hours later, infected mice were treated intramuscularly using several doses of amoxicillin or penicillin G. Signal decreased during infection with a meningococcus strain showing a penicillin G MIC of 0.064 mg/liter at all doses. Signals decreased for the strain with a penicillin G MIC of 0.5 mg/liter only after treatment with the highest doses, corresponding to 250,000 units/kg of penicillin G or 200 mg/kg of amoxicillin, although this decrease was at a lower rate than that of the strain with a MIC of 0.064 mg/liter. The decrease in bioluminescent signals was associated with a decrease in the levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). Our data suggest that a high dose of amoxicillin or penicillin G can reduce growth during infection by isolates showing penicillin G MICs of >0.25 mg/liter and ≤1 mg/liter.
Infectious Dose Dictates the Host Response during Staphylococcus aureus Orthopedic-Implant Biofilm Infection
Authors: Vidlak Debbie , Kielian Tammy
Published: April 2016

Staphylococcus aureus
is a leading cause of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) that are typified by biofilm formation. Given the diversity of
S. aureus
strains and their propensity to cause community- or hospital-acquired infections, we investigated whether the immune response and biofilm growth during PJI were conserved among distinct
S. aureus
clinical isolates. Three
S. aureus
strains representing USA200 (UAMS-1), USA300 (LAC), and USA400 (MW2) lineages were equally effective at biofilm formation in a mouse model of PJI and elicited similar leukocyte infiltrates and cytokine/chemokine profiles. Another factor that may influence the course of PJI is infectious dose. In particular, higher bacterial inocula could accelerate biofilm formation and alter the immune response, making it difficult to discern underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. To address this issue, we compared the effects of two bacterial doses (10
3
or 10
5
CFU) on inflammatory responses in interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40) knockout mice that were previously shown to have reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cell recruitment concomitant with bacterial clearance after low-dose challenge (10
3
CFU). Increasing the infectious dose of LAC to 10
5
CFU negated these differences in IL-12p40 knockout animals, demonstrating the importance of bacterial inoculum on infection outcome. Collectively, these observations highlight the importance of considering infectious dose when assessing immune responsiveness, whereas biofilm formation during PJI is conserved among clinical isolates commonly used in mouse
S. aureus
infection models.
Toll-Like Receptor 4 Agonistic Antibody Promotes Host Defense against Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection in Mice
Authors: Nakamura Shigeki , Iwanaga Naoki , Seki Masafumi , Fukudome Kenji , Oshima Kazuhiro , Miyazaki Taiga , Izumikawa Koichi , Yanagihara Katsunori , Miyazaki Yoshitsugu , Mukae Hiroshi , Kohno Shigeru
Published: April 2016

Chronic lower respiratory tract infection with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is difficult to treat due to enhanced antibiotic resistance and decreased efficacy of drug delivery to destroyed lung tissue. To determine the potential for restorative immunomodulation therapies, we evaluated the effect of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation on the host immune response to
Pseudomonas
infection in mice. We implanted sterile plastic tubes precoated with
P. aeruginosa
in the bronchi of mice, administered the TLR4/MD2 agonistic monoclonal antibody UT12 intraperitoneally every week, and subsequently analyzed the numbers of viable bacteria and inflammatory cells and the levels of cytokines. We also performed flow cytometry-based phagocytosis and opsonophagocytic killing assays
in vitro
using UT12-treated murine peritoneal neutrophils. UT12-treated mice showed significantly enhanced bacterial clearance, increased numbers of Ly6G
+
neutrophils, and increased concentrations of macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) in the lungs (
P
< 0.05). Depletion of CD4
+
T cells eliminated the ability of the UT12 treatment to improve bacterial clearance and promote neutrophil recruitment and MIP-2 production. Additionally, UT12-pretreated peritoneal neutrophils exhibited increased opsonophagocytic killing activity via activation of the serine protease pathway, specifically neutrophil elastase activity, in a TLR4-dependent manner. These data indicated that UT12 administration significantly augmented the innate immune response against chronic bacterial infection, in part by promoting neutrophil recruitment and bactericidal function.
CD47-SIRPα Interactions Regulate Macrophage Uptake of Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes and Clearance of Malaria
In Vivo
Authors: Ayi Kodjo , Lu Ziyue , Serghides Lena , Ho Jenny M. , Finney Constance , Wang Jean C. Y. , Liles W. Conrad , Kain Kevin C.
Published: April 2016

CD47 engagement by the macrophage signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) inhibits phagocytic activity and protects red blood cells (RBCs) from erythrophagocytosis. The role of CD47-SIRPα in the innate immune response to
Plasmodium falciparum
infection is unknown. We hypothesized that disruption of SIRPα signaling may enhance macrophage uptake of malaria parasite-infected RBCs. To test this hypothesis, we examined
in vivo
clearance in CD47-deficient mice infected with
Plasmodium berghei
ANKA and
in vitro
phagocytosis of
P. falciparum
-infected RBCs by macrophages from SHP-1-deficient (
Shp-1

−/−

) mice and NOD.NOR-
Idd13.Prkdc

scid

(NS-
Idd13
) mice, as well as human macrophages, following disruption of CD47-SIRPα interactions with anti-SIRPα antibodies or recombinant SIRPα-Fc fusion protein. Compared to their wild-type counterparts,
Cd47

−/−

mice displayed significantly lower parasitemia, decreased endothelial activation, and enhanced survival. Using macrophages from SHP-1-deficient mice or from NS-
Idd13
mice, which express a SIRPα variant that does not bind human CD47, we showed that altered SIRPα signaling resulted in enhanced phagocytosis of
P. falciparum
-infected RBCs. Moreover, disrupting CD47-SIRPα engagement using anti-SIRPα antibodies or SIRPα-Fc fusion protein also increased phagocytosis of
P. falciparum
-infected RBCs. These results indicate an important role for CD47-SIRPα interactions in innate control of malaria and suggest novel targets for intervention.
Burkholderia pseudomallei Capsule Exacerbates Respiratory Melioidosis but Does Not Afford Protection against Antimicrobial Signaling or Bacterial Killing in Human Olfactory Ensheathing Cells
Authors: Dando Samantha J. , Ipe Deepak S. , Batzloff Michael , Sullivan Matthew J. , Crossman David K. , Crowley Michael , Strong Emily , Kyan Stephanie , Leclercq Sophie Y. , Ekberg Jenny A. K. , St. John James , Beacham Ifor R. , Ulett Glen C.
Published: April 2016

Melioidosis, caused by the bacteriumBurkholderia pseudomallei, is an often severe infection that regularly involves respiratory disease following inhalation exposure. Intranasal (i.n.) inoculation of mice represents an experimental approach used to study the contributions of bacterial capsular polysaccharide I (CPS I) to virulence during acute disease. We used aerosol delivery ofB. pseudomalleito establish respiratory infection in mice and studied CPS I in the context of innate immune responses. CPS I improvedB. pseudomalleisurvivalin vivoand triggered multiple cytokine responses, neutrophil infiltration, and acute inflammatory histopathology in the spleen, liver, nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, and olfactory mucosa (OM). To further explore the role of the OM response toB. pseudomalleiinfection, we infected human olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs)in vitroand measured bacterial invasion and the cytokine responses induced following infection. Human OECs killed >90% of theB. pseudomalleiin a CPS I-independent manner and exhibited an antibacterial cytokine response comprising granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and several regulatory cytokines. In-depth genome-wide transcriptomic profiling of the OEC response by RNA-Seq revealed a network of signaling pathways activated in OECs following infection involving a novel group of 378 genes that encode biological pathways controlling cellular movement, inflammation, immunological disease, and molecular transport. This represents the first antimicrobial program to be described in human OECs and establishes the extensive transcriptional defense network accessible in these cells. Collectively, these findings show a role for CPS I inB. pseudomalleisurvivalin vivofollowing inhalation infection and the antibacterial signaling network that exists in human OM and OECs.
PRISMA-Children (C) and PRISMA-Protocol for Children (P-C) Extensions: a study protocol for the development of guidelines for the conduct and reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of newborn and child health research
Authors: Kapadia Mufiza Z , Askie Lisa , Hartling Lisa , Contopoulos-Ioannidis Despina , Bhutta Zulfiqar A , Soll Roger , Moher David , Offringa Martin
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Paediatric systematic reviews differ from adult systematic reviews in several key aspects such as considerations of child tailored interventions, justifiable comparators, valid outcomes and child sensitive search strategies. Available guidelines, including PRISMA-P (2015) and PRISMA (2009), do not cover all the complexities associated with reporting systematic reviews in the paediatric population. Using a collaborative, multidisciplinary structure, we aim to develop evidence-based and consensus-based PRISMA-P-C (Protocol for Children) and PRISMA-C (Children) Extensions to guide paediatric systematic review protocol and completed review reporting.

Methods and analysis

This project's methodology follows published recommendations for developing reporting guidelines and involves the following six phases; (1) establishment of a steering committee representing key stakeholder groups; (2) a scoping review to identify potential Extension items; (3) three types of consensus activities including meetings of the steering committee to achieve high-level decisions on the content and methodology of the Extensions, a survey of key stakeholders to generate a list of possible items to include in the Extensions and a formal consensus meeting to select the reporting items to add to, or modify for, the Extension; (4) the preliminary checklist items generated in phase III will be evaluated against the existing evidence and reporting practices in paediatric systematic reviews; (5) extension statements and explanation and elaboration documents will provide detailed advice for each item and examples of good reporting; (6) development and implementation of effective knowledge translation of the extension checklist, and an evaluation of the Extensions by key stakeholders.

Ethics and Dissemination

This protocol was considered a quality improvement project by the Hospital for Sick Children's Ethics Committee and did not require ethical review. The resultant checklists, jointly developed with all relevant stakeholders, will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals as well as national and international conference presentations. Endorsement of the checklist will be sought simultaneously in multiple journals.
An audit of the quality of inpatient care for adults with learning disability in the UK
Authors: Sheehan Rory , Gandesha Aarti , Hassiotis Angela , Gallagher Pamela , Burnell Matthew , Jones Glyn , Kerr Michael , Hall Ian , Chaplin Robert , Crawford Michael J
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To audit patient hospital records to evaluate the performance of acute general and mental health services in delivering inpatient care to people with learning disability and explore the influence of organisational factors on the quality of care they deliver.

Setting

Nine acute general hospital Trusts and six mental health services.

Participants

Adults with learning disability who received inpatient hospital care between May 2013 and April 2014.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Data on seven key indicators of high-quality care were collected from 176 patients. These covered physical health/monitoring, communication and meeting needs, capacity and decision-making, discharge planning and carer involvement. The impact of services having an electronic system for flagging patients with learning disability and employing a learning disability liaison nurse was assessed.

Results

Indicators of physical healthcare (body mass index, swallowing assessment, epilepsy risk assessment) were poorly recorded in acute general and mental health inpatient settings. Overall, only 34 (19.3%) patients received any assessment of swallowing and 12 of the 57 with epilepsy (21.1%) had an epilepsy risk assessment. For most quality indicators, there was a non-statistically significant trend for improved performance in services with a learning disability liaison nurse. The presence of an electronic flagging system showed less evidence of benefit.

Conclusions

Inpatient care for people with learning disability needs to be improved. The work gives tentative support to the role of a learning disability liaison nurse in acute general and mental health services, but further work is needed to confirm these benefits and to trial other interventions that might improve the quality and safety of care for this high-need group.
Loneliness, social isolation and social relationships: what are we measuring? A novel framework for classifying and comparing tools
Authors: Valtorta Nicole K , Kanaan Mona , Gilbody Simon , Hanratty Barbara
Published: April 2016

Objectives

We present a novel way of classifying and comparing measures of social relationships to help readers interpret the growing literature on loneliness and social isolation and to provide researchers with a starting point to guide their choice of measuring tool.

Methods

Measures of social relationships used in epidemiological studies were identified from two systematic reviews—one review on the association between social relationships and health and social care service use, and a second review on the association between social relationships and health. Questions from each measure were retrieved and tabulated to derive a classification of social relationship measures.

Results

We present a classification of measures according to two dimensions: (1) whether instruments cover structural or functional aspects of social relationships and (2) the degree of subjectivity asked of respondents. We explain how this classification can be used to clarify the remit of the many questionnaires used in the literature and to compare them.

Conclusions

Different dimensions of social relationships are likely to have different implications for health. Our classification of social relationship measures transcends disciplinary and conceptual boundaries, allowing researchers to compare tools that developed from different theoretical perspectives. Careful choice of measures is essential to further our understanding of the links between social relationships and health, to identify people in need of help and to design appropriate prevention and intervention strategies.
Use of okara (aqueous extract residue) in the diet of starter broilers
Authors: Diaz-Vargas M. , Murakami A.E. , Ospina-Rojas I.C. , Zanetti L.H. , Puzotti M.M. , Guerra A.F.Q.G.
Published: April 2016

Two experiments were carried out to determine the chemical composition of okara and to evaluate the performance and carcass yield of broilers fed diets containing increasing levels of okara. In experiment 1, a total of 72 21-d-old Cobb male broilers were distributed in an entirely randomized experimental design consisting of three treatments and four replicates of six birds each. The energy in okara was 2972 kcal of AME kg−1, with an apparent metabolizable energy (AME) coefficient of 60.72 (% dry matter). In experiment 2, a total of 840 male Cobb male chicks were distributed in an entirely randomized experimental design consisting of six treatments (0.0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10% okara inclusion) and six replicates of 28 birds each. The inclusion of increasing levels of okara from 1 to 21 d of age linearly reduced (P < 0.05) weight gain and feed intake, without affecting (P > 0.05) feed conversion, carcass, breast, drumstick, and thigh yields at 42 d of age. Economic analysis indicated that a 10.0% inclusion level of okara in broiler diets during the starter phase produced the best economic results.
Effects of vancomycin, daptomycin, and tigecycline on coagulase-negative staphylococcus biofilm and bacterial viability within biofilm: an in vitro biofilm model
Authors: Ozturk Barcin , Gunay Necati , Ertugrul Bulent M. , Sakarya Serhan
Published: April 2016

Bacteria may hide in a hydrated polysaccharide matrix known as a biofilm. The structure of the bacterial biofilm renders phagocytosis difficult and increases antibiotic resistance. We hypothesized that repeated doses of antibiotics have an effect on bacteria within the biofilm and that it could inhibit or eradicate biofilm formation. Two clinical biofilm-positive coagulase-negative staphylococcus isolates were evaluated. The effects of antibiotics on preformed and nascent biofilm and on bacterial eradication within the biofilm were determined using different doses of vancomycin, daptomycin, and tigecycline for different durations in an in vitro biofilm model. Vancomycin neither penetrated the biofilm nor had any microbicidal effect on bacteria within the biofilm. Daptomycin had a microbicidal effect on bacteria within the biofilm but had no effect on biofilm inhibition and eradication (independent from dose and treatment time). Tigecycline inhibited and eradicated biofilm formation and had a microbicidal effect on bacteria within the biofilm. In conclusion, (i) biofilm formation appeared to be a major barrier to vancomycin activity, (ii) daptomycin had an antimicrobial effect on the bacteria within the biofilm but not on the biofilm burden, and (iii) tigecycline had effects both on bacteria within the biofilm and on biofilm burden. Thus, both tigecycline and daptomycin might be promising candidates for the treatment of biofilm infections.
Exercise training attenuates the pressor response evoked by peripheral chemoreflex in rats with heart failure
Authors: Calegari Leonardo , Mozzaquattro Bruna B. , Rossato Douglas D. , Quagliotto Edson , Ferreira Janaina B. , Rasia-Filho Alberto , Dal Lago Pedro
Published: April 2016

The effects of exercise training (ExT) on the pressor response elicited by potassium cyanide (KCN) in the rat model of ischemia-induced heart failure (HF) are unknown. We evaluated the effects of ExT on chemoreflex sensitivity and its interaction with baroreflex in rats with HF. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: trained HF (Tr-HF), sedentary HF (Sed-HF), trained sham (Tr-Sham), and sedentary sham (Sed-Sham). Trained animals underwent to a treadmill running protocol for 8 weeks (60 m/day, 5 days/week, 16 m/min). After ExT, arterial pressure (AP), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), peripheral chemoreflex (KCN: 100 μg/kg body mass), and cardiac function were evaluated. The results demonstrate that ExT induces an improvement in BRS and attenuates the pressor response to KCN relative to the Sed-HF group (P < 0.05). The improvement in BRS was associated with a reduction in the pressor response following ExT in HF rats (P < 0.05). Moreover, ExT induced a reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and pulmonary congestion compared with the Sed-HF group (P < 0.05). The pressor response to KCN in the hypotensive state is decreased in sedentary HF rats. These results suggest that ExT improves cardiac function and BRS and attenuates the pressor response evoked by KCN in HF rats.
Reflective three-port high-efficiency grating with two dielectric layers based on a sandwiched configuration
Authors: Li Hongtao , Wang Bo , Pei Hao , Shu Wenhao , Chen Li , Lei Liang , Zhou Jinyun
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we describe a novel reflective sandwiched three-port grating with two dielectric layers. The two-layer sandwiched grating can separate incident wave into the [Formula: see text] and the 0th-order with high-efficiency beam splitting and good splitting ratios for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarizations. The grating parameters can be optimized by using rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) with a special duty cycle of 0.6. With the optimized results, efficiencies more than 32% in the [Formula: see text]st-orders and the 0th-order can be obtained. Furthermore, performance of the incident bandwidth and aspect ratio can be improved. Compared with conventional surface-relief grating, the grating with sandwiched structure is aimed at cleaning and protecting grating surface. The presented reflective two-layer sandwiched three-port grating would be put into practical applications for its beneficial performances.
Testing for uniformity of ultra-high energy cosmic ray arrival directions
Authors: Ivanov A. A.
Published: April 2016

Arrival directions of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) exhibit mainly an isotropic distribution with some small deviations in particular energy bins. In this paper, the Yakutsk array data are tested for circular uniformity of arrival directions in right ascension (RA) using two methods appropriate for the energy ranges below and above [Formula: see text] eV. No statistically significant deviation from uniformity is found in the arrival directions of cosmic rays (CRs) detected within the observation period 1974–2000.
Validity of classical coupled oscillators model for elucidating surface plasmon effects on optical scattering by silver nanocylinders
Authors: Widiasari Fransiska R. , Iskandar Alexander A. , Tjia May-On
Published: April 2016

A study is conducted to examine the possibility of explaining the spectral features TE wave scattered by a single and two silver nanocylinders on the basis of a classical coupled oscillators model. The two oscillators representing the nanocylinder are specified by separate eigen frequencies and damping factors with a coupling constant between them, while the influences of the incoming wave on the oscillators are represented by separate driving forces. The validity of the model is examined by the quality of fitting and its resulted spectral profiles with those calculated from the exact formulation of Mie theory. In the case of a single nanocylinder, excellent fit of [Formula: see text] is found for cylinder radius ranging from 20[Formula: see text]nm to 40[Formula: see text]nm. The best fitted parameters show that the so-called dark oscillator has a narrow spectral profile representing the contribution of surface plasmon resonance while the other so-called bright oscillator has a broad spectral profile that can be associated with the contribution of the slowly-varying scattered background. For scattering by two nanocylinders with separation [Formula: see text], excellent fits are also obtained for wide range of [Formula: see text] from 15[Formula: see text]nm to 100[Formula: see text]nm by introducing Lorentzian-like dispersive coupling between the dark oscillators for both incident light normal and along the axis connecting the cylinders. This study has thus demonstrated the roles of surface plasmon and the plasmonic interactions for the appearance of Fano-like asymmetric cross-section profile.
The role of ferroelectric domain wall in nonlinear Cerenkov frequency up-conversion in 1D nonlinear crystal
Authors: An Ning , Ren Huaijin , Deng Xuewei , Zhao Xiaohui , Gao Yanqi , Xu Zhongyang , Rao Daxing , Cui Yong , Ji Lailin , Zhao Zexi , Liu Dong , Wang Tao , Chen Ming , Xia Lan , Feng Wei , Cao Zhaodong , Yang Xuedong , Ma Weixin , Chen Xianfeng
Published: April 2016

We reveal a variety of nonlinear Cerenkov radiation (NCR) patterns that occur in a single photonic crystal modulated by domain walls, which manifest themselves as normal, degenerated, and anomalous-dispersion-like NCR type sum-frequency generation. The phase-matching geometries of the evolution of Cerenkov radiation varying with the dispersion relationship among the interaction waves are exploited, respectively.
All-optical high frequency clock pulse generator using the feedback mechanism in Toffoli gate with Kerr material
Authors: Dey Shuvra , Mukhopadhyay Sourangshu
Published: April 2016

Optics is found as a potential information carrier in information processing because of its superfast speed of operation. For such operations, optical Kerr materials are highly sensitive for use as optical switches. In this paper, the authors for thr first time propose a new scheme of generation of an all-optical pulse train generator using the feedback mechanism in an all-optical Toffoli gate with Kerr material.
Brain Disorders Due to Lysosomal Dysfunction
Authors: Fraldi Alessandro , Klein Andrés D. , Medina Diego L. , Settembre Carmine
Published: April 2016

Recent studies of autophagic and lysosomal pathways have significantly changed our understanding of lysosomes; once thought to be simple degradative and recycling centers, lysosomes are now known to be organelles capable of influencing signal transduction, via the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), and regulating gene expression, via transcription factor EB (TFEB) and other transcription factors. These pathways are particularly relevant to maintaining brain homeostasis, as dysfunction of the endolysosomal and autophagic pathways has been associated with common neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's, and lysosomal storage disorders, a group of inherited disorders characterized by the intralysosomal buildup of partially degraded metabolites. This review focuses on the cellular biology of lysosomes and discusses the possible mechanisms by which disruption of their function contributes to neurodegeneration. We also review and discuss how targeting TFEB and lysosomes may offer innovative therapeutic approaches for treating a wide range of neurological conditions.
Atomic and Molecular Collisions at Liquid Surfaces
Authors: Tesa-Serrate Maria A. , Smoll Eric J. , Minton Timothy K. , McKendrick Kenneth G.
Published: April 2016

The gas–liquid interface remains one of the least explored, but nevertheless most practically important, environments in which molecular collisions take place. These molecular-level processes underlie many bulk phenomena of fundamental and applied interest, spanning evaporation, respiration, multiphase catalysis, and atmospheric chemistry. We review here the research that has, during the past decade or so, been unraveling the molecular-level mechanisms of inelastic and reactive collisions at the gas–liquid interface. Armed with the knowledge that such collisions with the outer layers of the interfacial region can be unambiguously distinguished, we show that the scattering of gas-phase projectiles is a promising new tool for the interrogation of liquid surfaces with extreme surface sensitivity. Especially for reactive scattering, this method also offers absolute chemical selectivity for the groups that react to produce a specific observed product.
The C‐ETS2‐TFEB Axis Promotes Neuron Survival under Oxidative Stress by Regulating Lysosome Activity
Authors: Ma Shumin , Fang Zijun , Luo Wenwen , Yang Yunzhi , Wang Chenyao , Zhang Qian , Wang Huafei , Chen Huaiyong , Chan Chi bun , Liu Zhixue
Published: April 2016

Excessive reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) produced as a result of ageing causes damage to macromolecules and organelles or leads to interference of cell signalling pathways, which in turn results in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs in many neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease) and contributes to progressive neuronal loss. In this study, we show that cell apoptosis is induced by oxidative stress and that lysosomes play an important role in cell survival under oxidative stress. As a compensatory response to this stress, lysosomal genes were upregulated via induction of transcription factor EB (TFEB). In addition, localization of TFEB to the nucleus was increased by oxidative stress. We also confirmed that TFEB protects cells from oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we found that C‐ETS2 senses oxidative stress, activates TFEB transcription, and mediates the upregulation of lysosomal genes. Our results demonstrate a mechanistic pathway for inducing lysosomal activity during ageing and neurodegeneration.
A Novel Degradation Estimation Method for a Hybrid Energy Storage System Consisting of Battery and Double-Layer Capacitor
Authors: Yu Yuanbin , Zhang Dongdong , Min Haitao , Tang Yi , Zhu Tao
Published: April 2016

This paper presents a new method for battery degradation estimation using a power-energy (PE) function in a battery/ultracapacitor hybrid energy storage system (HESS), and the integrated optimization which concerns both parameters matching and control for HESS has been done as well. A semiactive topology of HESS with double-layer capacitor (EDLC) coupled directly with DC-link is adopted for a hybrid electric city bus (HECB). In the purpose of presenting the quantitative relationship between system parameters and battery serving life, the data during a 37-minute driving cycle has been collected and decomposed into discharging/charging fragments firstly, and then the optimal control strategy which is supposed to maximally use the available EDLC energy is presented to decompose the power between battery and EDLC. Furthermore, based on a battery degradation model, the conversion of power demand by PE function and PE matrix is applied to evaluate the relationship between the available energy stored in HESS and the serving life of battery pack. Therefore, according to the approach which could decouple parameters matching and optimal control of the HESS, the process of battery degradation and its serving life estimation for HESS has been summed up.