bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE TRADE IN TOOLS: THE MARKET FOR ILLICIT GUNS IN HIGH‐RISK NETWORKS
Authors: HUREAU DAVID M. , BRAGA ANTHONY A.
Published: July 2018

Illegal guns circulating among high‐risk networks represent a threat to the security and well‐being of urban neighborhoods. Research findings reveal that illegal firearms are usually acquired through a variety of means, including theft and diversions from legitimate firearms commerce. Little is known, however, about the underground gun markets supplying the gang and drug networks responsible for a large share of gun violence in U.S. cities. In this article, we take a mixed‐methods approach, combining trace analyses of recovered handguns with ethnographic interviews of high‐risk gun users to develop new insights on the entry of guns into three criminal networks in Boston. We find that guns possessed by Boston gang members are of a different character compared with other crime guns; these guns are more likely to be older firearms originating from New Hampshire, Maine, and I‐95 southern states. The results of our qualitative research reveal that gang members and drug dealers pay inflated prices for handguns diverted by traffickers exploiting unregulated secondary market transactions, with significant premiums paid for high‐caliber semiautomatic pistols. Taken together, these findings provide an analytic portrait of the market for illicit guns among those most proximate to violence, yielding novel empirical, theoretical, and practical insights into the problem of criminal gun access.
Metapodials of ancient bison (Bison priscus) of northeast Russia: “stress markers,” sex and withers height
Authors: KIRILLOVA Irina Vladimirovna , SHIDLOVSKIY Fedor Kasperovich , ZINOVIEV Andrei Valerievich
Published: July 2018

A total of 175 metapodials (MP) of Pleistocene and early Holocene bison (Bison priscus Boj.) from the vast area of northeast Russia were studied. MP were attributed to males and females both visually and statistically. Data on the withers height of bison from northeast Russia are provided. Stress markers were recorded, including so‐called “buttresses.” With rare exceptions, stress markers were not of a pathological nature. The origin and development of the buttresses are age‐related; their prevalence in bison females can be considered as the response to an increased load during pregnancy. Changes in the periosteum, found in males, are related to their greater activity. Buttresses are also well developed on metatarsals of the red deer and the elk; they are less developed in reindeer and not found in giant deer. A relationship among stress markers, locomotion and the environment is established. Possible peculiarities of the Rauchua River bison locomotion are discussed.
Trimetazidine suppresses oxidative stress, inhibits MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expression, and prevents cardiac rupture in mice with myocardial infarction
Authors: Gong Wei , Ma Youcai , Li Aobo , Shi Han , Nie Shaoping
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims

Cardiac rupture (CR) is a catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI). At present, there are no effective pharmacological strategies for preventing post‐MI rupture. Here we investigated the effect of trimetazidine (TMZ) on post‐MI CR.

Methods

MI models were induced by left coronary artery ligation in male C57BL/6 mice. Animals allocated to the rupture incidence were closely monitored for 7 days; autopsy was performed once animals were found dead to determine the reason of death. Heart function was detected by echocardiography. Oxidative stress markers and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were analyzed by Western Blotting.

Results

TMZ markedly reduced the post‐MI CR incidence of mice. We found that the expression of metalloproteinase (MMP) ‐2 and MMP‐9 in the TMZ‐treated group was significantly lower than the saline‐treated group. Further, TMZ markedly attenuated MI‐induced oxidative stress. To investigate the mechanism of the effect of TMZ on CR, we pretreated H9c2 cells with H2O2 and found that TMZ treatment markedly decreased H2O2‐induced MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expression. TMZ prevents CR through inhibition of oxidative stress, which is attributable to the down‐regulation of MMP‐2, MMP‐9 expression.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that TMZ suppresses oxidative stress, inhibits MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expression, and prevents CR in mice with MI.
The Lieber‐DeCarli Diet—A Flagship Model for Experimental Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Guo Feifei , Zheng Kang , Benedé‐Ubieto Raquel , Cubero Francisco Javier , Nevzorova Yulia A.
Published: July 2018

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the Western world, and it persists at a high prevalence. Understanding the pathophysiology and successful treatment for ALD is closely associated with the suitability of the animal model, which fully reflects all aspects of the pathogenesis and typical histological findings. This study reviews one of the most widely used experimental models of ALD in rodents—the Lieber‐DeCarli (LDC) liquid diet. It is an easy, accurate, reliable, and inexpensive model to study the pathogenesis of early stages of ALD. Here, we discuss the historical background and provide an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the classical LDC as well as modified “second‐hit” models. We also provide a comprehensive protocol for the application of the LDC diet to perform it successfully, reliably, and reproducibly in mice.
A Clinical Trial with Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Attentional Bias Modification in Alcohol‐Dependent Patients
Authors: den Uyl Tess E. , Gladwin Thomas E. , Lindenmeyer Johannes , Wiers Reinout W.
Published: July 2018

Background

Modifying attentional processes with attentional bias modification (ABM) might be a relevant add‐on to treatment in addiction. This study investigated whether influencing cortical plasticity with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could increase training effects. tDCS could also help alcohol‐dependent patients to overcome craving and reduce relapse, independent of training. These approaches were combined to investigate effects in the treatment of alcoholism.

Methods

Ninety‐eight patients (analytical sample = 83) were randomly assigned to 4 groups in a 2‐by‐2 factorial design. Patients received 4 sessions of ABM (control or real training) combined with 2 mA tDCS (active: 20 minutes or sham: 30 seconds) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Alcohol bias and craving were assessed, and treatment outcome was measured as relapse after 1 year.

Results

Attentional bias scores indicated that during the training only the group with active tDCS and real ABM displayed an overall avoidance bias (p < 0.05). From pre‐ to postassessment, there were no main or interaction effects of tDCS and ABM on the bias scores, craving, or relapse (p > 0.2). However, effects on relapse after active tDCS were in the expected direction.

Conclusions

There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of tDCS or ABM or the combination. Whether the absence of effect was due to issues with the outcome measurements (e.g., lack of craving, high dropout, and unreliable measurements) or aspects of the intervention should be further investigated.
Modulation of serotonin and noradrenaline in the BLA by pindolol reduces long‐term ethanol intake
Authors: Patkar Omkar L. , Belmer Arnauld , Holgate Joan Y. , Klenowski Paul M. , Bartlett Selena E.
Published: July 2018

Repeated cycles of binge‐like alcohol consumption and abstinence change the activity of several neurotransmitter systems. Some of these changes are consolidated following prolonged alcohol use and are thought to play an important role in the development of dependence. We have previously shown that systemic administration of the dual beta‐adrenergic antagonist and 5‐HT1A/1B partial agonist pindolol selectively reduces long‐term but not short‐term binge‐like consumption of ethanol and alters excitatory postsynaptic currents in basolateral amygdala (BLA) principal neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pindolol microinfusions in the BLA on long‐term ethanol intake using the drinking‐in‐the‐dark paradigm in mice. We also microinfused RU24969 (5‐HT1A/1B receptor partial agonist) and CGP12177 (β1/2 adrenergic antagonist) following long‐term ethanol intake and determined the densities of 5‐HT1A/1B receptors and β1/2 adrenergic in the BLA following short‐term (4 weeks) and long‐term ethanol (12 weeks) consumption. We show that intra‐BLA infusion of pindolol (1000 pmol/0.5 μl), RU24969 (0.3 and 3 pmol/0.5 μl) and CGP12177 (500 pmol/0.5 μl) produce robust decreases in long‐term ethanol consumption. Additionally, we identified reduced β1/2 adrenergic receptor expression and no change in 5‐HT1A/1B receptor density in the BLA of long‐term ethanol‐consuming mice. Collectively, our data highlight the effects of pindolol on voluntary, binge‐like ethanol consumption behavior following long‐term intake.
The effect of high‐flow nasal oxygen on hospital length of stay in cardiac surgical patients at high risk for respiratory complications: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zochios V. , Collier T. , Blaudszun G. , Butchart A. , Earwaker M. , Jones N. , Klein A. A.
Published: July 2018

There has been increased interest in the prophylactic and therapeutic use of high‐flow nasal oxygen in patients with, or at risk of, non‐hypercapnic respiratory failure. There are no randomised trials examining the efficacy of high‐flow nasal oxygen in high‐risk cardiac surgical patients. We sought to determine whether routine administration of high‐flow nasal oxygen, compared with standard oxygen therapy, leads to reduced hospital length of stay after cardiac surgery in patients with pre‐existing respiratory disease at high risk for postoperative pulmonary complications. Adult patients with pre‐existing respiratory disease undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomly allocated to receive high‐flow nasal oxygen (n = 51) or standard oxygen therapy (n = 49). The primary outcome was hospital length of stay and all analyses were carried out on an intention‐to‐treat basis. Median (IQR [range]) hospital length of stay was 7 (6–9 [4–30]) days in the high‐flow nasal oxygen group and 9 (7–16 [4–120]) days in the standard oxygen group (p=0.012). Geometric mean hospital length of stay was 29% lower in the high‐flow nasal group (95%CI 11–44%, p = 0.004). High‐flow nasal oxygen was also associated with fewer intensive care unit re‐admissions (1/49 vs. 7/45; p = 0.026). When compared with standard care, prophylactic postoperative high‐flow nasal oxygen reduced hospital length of stay and intensive care unit re‐admission. This is the first randomised controlled trial examining the effect of prophylactic high‐flow nasal oxygen use on patient‐centred outcomes in cardiac surgical patients at high risk for postoperative respiratory complications.
Beyond medical expulsive therapy: evolution to supported stone passage for ureteric stones
Authors: Portis Andrew J. , Portis Jennifer L. , Borofsky Michael S. , Neises Suzanne M.
Published: July 2018

Objective

To evaluate the impact of removing tamsulosin from standardized ureteric stone clinical protocols on rate of stone surgery.

Participants and Methods

We conducted a single‐centre, comparison of all patients with unilateral, <1 cm ureteric stones presenting to a stone clinic after discharge from the emergency department during consecutive years. In the initial year, patients were initially offered medical expulsive therapy (MET) with tamsulosin. In the subsequent year, the protocol was modified to focus on symptom control without tamsulosin; this was termed ‘supported stone passage’ (SSP). The primary outcome was rate of stone surgery within 90 days of the initial clinic encounter.

Results

Among 723 patients (360 MET, 363 SSP), the rate of attempted stone passage increased from 65% to 74%, between the initial and the subsequent year (P < 0.016). Tamsulosin prescription in patients to attempting stone passage decreased from 84% to 13% (P < 0.001). In patients attempting stone passage, the rate of stone surgery was 26% in the METand 19% in the SSP group (P = 0.066). The overall surgery rate decreased from 51% in the MET group to 40% in the SSP group (P = 0.003). Multivariable analysis, controlling for age, sex and stone burden, did not demonstrate a difference in either rate of attempting to pass stones or in rate of failure of passage according to care protocol. We were unable to demonstrate an independent effect of tamsulosin on failure of passage. Overall, surgical intervention was less likely in the SSP phase than in the MET phase, with an odds ratio of 0.64 (confidence interval) 0.44–0.91; P = 0.013).

Conclusions

Removing tamsulosin from clinical protocols did not impair stone passage in patients attempting to pass stones.
Testosterone undecanoate and testosterone enanthate injections are both effective and safe in transmen over 5 years of administration
Authors: Gava Giulia , Mancini Ilaria , Cerpolini Silvia , Baldassarre Maurizio , Seracchioli Renato , Meriggiola Maria C.
Published: July 2018

Objective

To retrospectively evaluate and compare safety and efficacy of short and long‐acting testosterone (T) parenteral formulations over 5 years in transmen.

Design and methods

Fifty transmen between 21 and 42 years of age were enrolled. Twenty‐five received T undecanoate 1000 mg IM (weeks 0 and 6 then every 12‐16 weeks), and 25 received T enanthate 250 mg IM (every 3‐4 weeks). Hormonal and biochemical parameters, anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were assessed at baseline and then every 12 months. Body composition was evaluated at baseline and then after 1, 3 and 5 years of T treatment. Global satisfaction was assessed at baseline and after 1 and 5 years.

Results

Both T formulations led to amenorrhoea in all subjects within 1 year of T administration. Both T treatments led to a similar increase in haemoglobin and haematocrit which always remained within the physiological range. T administration was associated with an increase in total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides and a slight reduction in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Coagulative and glucidic profiles and blood pressure did not change significantly in either group. Body weight and BMI showed a slight but not significant increase in both groups, while lean mass rose significantly in both groups. Global satisfaction was increased at years 1 and 5 in both groups.

Conclusions

Preliminary results from this pilot study suggest that administration of either TU or TE for 5 years in young transmen is both effective and safe. Our study presents the longest follow‐up published so far reporting no adverse events and these data are consistent with previous reports with a shorter follow‐up.
Correcting common misconceptions to inspire conservation action in urban environments
Authors: Soanes Kylie , Sievers Michael , Chee Yung En , Williams Nicholas S. G. , Bhardwaj Manisha , Marshall Adrian J. , Parris Kirsten M.
Published: July 2018

Despite repeated calls to action, proposals for urban conservation are often met with surprise or scepticism. There remains a pervasive narrative in policy, practice, and the public psyche that urban environments, although useful for engaging people with nature or providing ecosystem services, are of little conservation value. We argue that the tendency to overlook the conservation value of urban environments stems from misconceptions about the ability of native species to persist within cities and towns and that this, in turn, hinders effective conservation action. However, recent scientific evidence shows that these assumptions do not always hold. Although it is generally true that increasing the size, quality, and connectivity of habitat patches will improve the probability that a species can persist, the inverse is not that small, degraded, or fragmented habitats found in urban environments are worthless. In light of these findings we propose updated messages that guide and inspire researchers, practitioners, and decision makers to undertake conservation action in urban environments: consider small spaces, recognize unconventional habitats, test creative solutions, and use science to minimize the impacts of future urban development.
Unexplained fever after pancreas transplantation
Authors: Klasek Robin , Kuten Samantha A. , Patel Samir J. , Graviss Edward A. , Nguyen Duc T. , Hobeika Mark J. , Gaber Osama A. , Podder Hemangshu , Knight Richard J.
Published: July 2018

Background

Fever occurs frequently early after pancreas transplant, however, the exact cause is often undetermined. Limited data are available on pancreas recipients experiencing unexplained, noninfectious fever. This study aims to characterize unexplained fever (UF) in pancreas recipients and its effect on patient and graft outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of UF among consecutive pancreas or simultaneous pancreas‐kidney transplant recipients from 1 January 2011 to 31 August 2015. Classification of UF was based on the absence of positive cultures, radiologic findings, and other diagnostic features of infection or rejection.

Results

Twenty‐three of 92 (25%) patients experienced UF. The UF episode first occurred at a mean of 31 ± 17 days post‐transplant and accounted for 34 admissions with an average length of stay of 5.1 ± 3.4 days. Intravenous corticosteroid was administered following confirmation of negative diagnostic tests in 77% of patients, with fever resolution occurring in all. No differences were seen in rates of biopsy‐proven rejection, graft loss, death, or documented infections compared to UF‐free patients during the first‐year post‐transplant.

Conclusion

UF is a common cause for readmission following pancreas transplantation. While the etiology of UF remains difficult to identify, UF occurrence was not associated with adverse outcomes during the first‐year post‐transplant.
Enigma portal case: Thyroid FNA
Authors: Mistry Sabina Kaur , Perez‐Machado Miguel
Published: July 2018

Oncocytic tumours of the thyroid can be difficult to differentiate on cytology. Knowledge of the cytological appearance and behviour of all, but particularly rare, types is important to facilitate best patient management.
Peripheral lymphocytes analyses in children with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Nafady Asmaa , Nafady‐Hego Hanaa , Abdelwahab Nadia M. , Eltellawy Radwa H. N. , Abu Faddan Nagla H.
Published: July 2018

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐specific immune response is believed to play a crucial role in viral clearance. There is, nevertheless, no reliable parameter to monitor this immune response or predict chronic HCV infection development.

Method

An observational case‐control study was performed to identify such parameters, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 57 children with chronic HCV were systemically phenotyped, and the serum level of Interferon gamma and interleukin (IL) ‐17 was measured. The data were compared with 37 age‐matched healthy volunteers (controls).

Results

Children with chronic HCV infection had a lower frequency of natural killer cells (NK) cells, CD56Dim NK cells and expansion of CD56Bright NK cells compared with controls (P = 0.001, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001 respectively). Increased CD56Dim NK cells were negatively correlated with the higher viral load, R2 = 0.29, P = 0.05, while, increased NK T cells were positively correlated with high viral load, R2 = 0.17, P = 0.011. T helper cells, naive T cells, CD127 negative T cells, and HLA‐DR‐positive T cells significantly increased in patients than in controls. The frequency of CD4+CD25high+ T regulatory (Treg) cells increased in HCV‐infected patients, compared with those in control, and FOXP3 was upregulated within them. Treg cells’ increase was positively correlated with high viral load, R2 = 0.45, P = 0.004. The level of IL‐17 was higher in HCV patients than that in control, P < 0.0001.

Conclusion

Although the contribution of those markers to the chronic HCV establishment in children remains elusive, the results may provide important clues for reliable indicators of HCV infection.
On the Determinants of Slum Formation
Authors: Cavalcanti Tiago , Da Mata Daniel , Santos Marcelo
Published: July 2018

We construct a simple model of a city with heterogeneous agents and housing choice to explain the determinants of slums, home to about one-third of the urban population in developing countries. The model supports the main empirical evidence regarding slum formation and is able quantitatively to assess the role of each determinant of slum growth. We show that urban poverty, inequality and rural–urban migration explain much of the variation in slum growth in Brazil from 1980 to 2000. Ex ante evaluation of the impacts of policy interventions shows that removing barriers to formalisation has a strong impact on slum reduction.
DREEM‐ing of dentistry: Students’ perception of the academic learning environment in Australia
Authors: Stormon Nicole , Ford Pauline J. , Eley Diann S.
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Continuous evaluation and improvement of the learning environment are required to respond to the changing nature of dental practice and dental education. This study aimed to describe a cohort of undergraduate dentistry students’ perceptions of their learning environment.

Methods

Students enrolled in years 1‐4 of the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) programme at The University of Queensland were invited to complete an online survey which included demographics and the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM). This scale measures students’ perception of the educational environment overall, and for five domains: Learning, Teaching, Academic self‐perception, Atmosphere and Social self‐perception. Data analysis was mostly descriptive, t tests and univariate statistics compared groups.

Results

Participants (N = 192; females = 57%) were generally positive about their learning environment, with a total DREEM score of 127 of 200. Overall, Academic and Social self‐perception domain scores were ranked lower than others. Students in preclinical years of study and/or had dentistry as a first career preference were more positive across all domains, except Social self‐perception.

Conclusions

Differences between the preclinical and clinical phases of the curriculum point to the structure of teaching and learning in health professional degrees. Further research should investigate how each environmental domain more specifically correlates with other aspects of the curriculum and student progression, including well‐being. This could include logistical factors such as timetabling and its effect on physical well‐being, to less tangible factors that may impact on mental well‐being.
FENS‐Kavli winter symposium: Review and perspectives on neurological diseases
Authors: Andreae Laura C.
Published: July 2018

The FENS‐Kavli winter symposium was held in December, 2017 at the Institute of Science and Technology, Austria. This short report reviews the session on neurological disorders, which included presentations on recent research into chronic pain, demyelinating disease, Alzheimer’s disease and autism spectrum disorder. Key advances, emerging themes and major challenges remaining in the field are discussed.
Temporal information in tones, broadband noise, and natural vocalizations is conveyed by differential spiking responses in the superior paraolivary nucleus
Authors: Gómez‐Álvarez Marcelo , Gourévitch Boris , Felix Richard A. , Nyberg Tobias , Hernández‐Montiel Hebert L. , Magnusson Anna K.
Published: July 2018

Communication sounds across all mammals consist of multiple frequencies repeated in sequence. The onset and offset of vocalizations are potentially important cues for recognizing distinct units, such as phonemes and syllables, which are needed to perceive meaningful communication. The superior paraolivary nucleus (SPON) in the auditory brainstem has been implicated in the processing of rhythmic sounds. Here, we compared how best frequency tones (BFTs), broadband noise (BBN), and natural mouse calls elicit onset and offset spiking in the mouse SPON. The results demonstrate that onset spiking typically occurs in response to BBN, but not BFT stimulation, while spiking at the sound offset occurs for both stimulus types. This effect of stimulus bandwidth on spiking is consistent with two of the established inputs to the SPON from the octopus cells (onset spiking) and medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (offset spiking). Natural mouse calls elicit two main spiking peaks. The first spiking peak, which is weak or absent with BFT stimulation, occurs most consistently during the call envelope, while the second spiking peak occurs at the call offset. This suggests that the combined spiking activity in the SPON elicited by vocalizations reflects the entire envelope, that is, the coarse amplitude waveform. Since the output from the SPON is purely inhibitory, it is speculated that, at the level of the inferior colliculus, the broadly tuned first peak may improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the subsequent, more call frequency‐specific peak. Thus, the SPON may provide a dual inhibition mechanism for tracking phonetic boundaries in social‐vocal communication.
Sexual identity and sexual attractiveness of a gynandromorph of the lawn ground cricket, Polionemobius mikado (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae)
Authors: Taniyama Katsuya , Onodera Kaori , Tanaka Kazuhiro
Published: July 2018

A gynandromorph adult of the lawn ground cricket Polionemobius mikado (Shiraki, 1913) (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae) was collected from a natural population. It had complete male forewings and a female ovipositor at the end of abdomen. A normal male that encountered the gynandromorph performed a courtship song and tried to transmit a spermatophore, whereas a normal female was indifferent to the gynandromorph. The gynandromorph showed aggressive behavior toward the normal male but not against the normal female. The gynandromorph raised its forewings immediately after the antenna touched the body of the normal male and female, but no sound was produced. Overall, the gynandromorph behaved as a male, but was courted by conspecific males. Thus, the sexual identity of the gynandromorph was masculine, but sexual attractiveness was feminine.
Provisioning control during maternal care by the earwigAnisolabis maritima(Dermaptera: Anisolabididae): Do mothers adjust provisioning according to offspring need?
Authors: Suzuki Seizi
Published: July 2018

Provisioning offspring is an important form of parental care for the improvement of offspring survival and growth. Because provisioning can be costly for parents, parents may change their investment levels in response to offspring need and begging signals.Anisolabis maritimais a cosmopolitan species of earwig that shows subsocial behavior. Females progressively provision their young in soil burrows. The present study investigated whetherA. maritimamothers carry food to the nest for their offspring (nymphs) and whether the mothers adjust the amount of food carried to the burrow according to the degree of the nymphs’ hunger. Through laboratory experiments, I found that mothers carried food to sites where more nymphs were present, and more food to broods of more hungry nymphs. These results have revealed that mothers recognize the presence of offspring and the degree of their hunger. This study, therefore, indicates the presence of offspring begging signals inA. maritima.
Female clustering in cockroach aggregations—A case of social niche construction?
Authors: Stanley Christina R. , Liddiard Williams Huw , Preziosi Richard F.
Published: July 2018

Individuals in groups can suffer costs through interactions with adversarial or unknown conspecifics. Social niche construction allows individuals to buffer such potential costs by only engaging in preferred associations. This may be particularly beneficial in insect aggregations, which are often large and highly fluid. However, little is known regarding the structuring of such aggregations. Here we use social network analyses to test for fine‐scale social structure in resting aggregations of the sub‐social cockroach Diploptera punctata and to explore the social pressures that contribute towards such structure. We showed that females were significantly more gregarious than males and formed the core of the proximity network, thus demonstrating a higher level of social integration. This fine‐scale structure is likely to result from females displacing males; females initiated most displacements whilst males received the majority. We explain this behaviour in terms of social niche construction by showing that females received significantly fewer approaches and investigations at more female‐biased local sex ratios. We therefore suggest that female social clustering occurs in this, and presumably other, species to reduce potential costs associated with male harassment. This demonstrates how social niche construction can lead to higher level social structure; we suggest this approach could be used across a range of species in order to improve our understanding of the evolution of sociality.
In silico and in vitro immunogenicity assessment of B‐domain‐modified recombinant factor VIII molecules
Authors: Bartholdy C. , Reedtz‐Runge S. L. , Wang J. , Hjerrild Zeuthen L. , Gruhler A. , Gudme C. N. , Lamberth K.
Published: July 2018

Introduction

B‐domain modification can improve production of recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) proteins. However, the engineered junction results in non‐native peptide sequences with the potential to elicit immune responses via major histocompatibility complex class‐II (MHC‐II)‐binding and CD4+ T cell activation.

Aim

Assess the immunogenic potential of B‐domain junction peptides of turoctocog alfa and other B‐domain‐modified rFVIII proteins using in silico and in vitro immunogenicity assessment techniques.

Methods

Peptides with amino acid sequences identical to the B‐domain junction of turoctocog alfa, simoctocog alfa and moroctocog alfa were evaluated by in silico peptide‐MHC‐II binding prediction, in vitro peptide‐MHC‐II‐binding measurement and in vitro T cell‐activation assays. Moreover, turoctocog alfa was assessed for peptide presentation on dendritic cells (DCs) using MHC‐associated peptide proteomics.

Results

In silico analysis predicted virtually no neo‐epitopes in the B‐domain junction for turoctocog alfa, whereas some were predicted for simoctocog alfa and moroctocog alfa. Turoctocog alfa and moroctocog alfa peptides showed minimal capacity to bind high‐frequency MHC‐II molecules in vitro, whereas simoctocog alfa peptide demonstrated some degree of binding to approximately half of the MHC‐II molecules tested. In line with this, no B‐domain peptides from turoctocog alfa were found to be presented on MHC‐II complexes on DCs. B‐domain junction peptides from all 3 compounds induced T cell responses in only a few percentages of donors.

Conclusion

All 3 junction peptides were found to have a low immunogenicity potential, suggesting that modification of the B‐domain does not constitute an increased immunogenicity risk for any of the products examined.
Postanalytical considerations that may improve the diagnosis or exclusion of haemophilia and von Willebrand disease
Authors: Favaloro Emmanuel J. , Mohammed Soma , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: July 2018

von Willebrand disease (VWD) and haemophilia represent the most common inherited or acquired bleeding disorders. However, many laboratories and clinicians may be challenged by their accurate diagnosis or exclusion. Difficulties in diagnosis/exclusion may include analytical issues, where assays occasionally generate an incorrect result (ie representing an analytical error) or have limitations in their measurement range of and/or low analytical sensitivity. Also increasingly recognized is the influence of preanalytical issues on the diagnosis of VWD or haemophilia. Unfortunately, postanalytical considerations are often not well considered in the diagnostic process. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide an overview of some important postanalytical considerations that may help improve the diagnosis of VWD and haemophilia. This review primarily discusses aspects around reporting of test results. However, we also discuss other less well‐recognized postanalytical considerations, including the use of assay ratios to help identify differential diagnoses and then guide further investigation.
Influence of dentine debris and organic tissue on the properties of sodium hypochlorite solutions
Authors: Tejada S. , Baca P. , Ferrer‐Luque C. M. , Ruiz‐Linares M. , Valderrama M. J. , Arias‐Moliz M. T.
Published: July 2018

Aim

To determine the free available chlorine of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) alone and combined with 9% etidronic acid (HEDP) in the presence of inhibitors, organic tissue and organic tissue plus dentine debris; to evaluate the influence of dentine debris on the tissue‐dissolving capacity of both NaOCl solutions; and to determine the antimicrobial action of these solutions when in contact with organic tissue and organic tissue plus dentine debris.

Methodology

The available chlorine of the solutions over time in the absence and presence of the inhibitors was measured using a titration method. The organic tissue dissolution by the solutions alone and in the presence of dentine powder was evaluated by weighing bovine tissue specimens before and after exposure to the solutions for 3 and 10 min. For the antimicrobial activity, biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis were exposed to the solutions for 3 min in the absence and presence of organic tissue and organic tissue + dentine debris. The biovolume and percentage of damaged membrane cells of the biofilm were measured by means of confocal microscopy and the live/dead technique. Nonparametric tests were used to determine statistical differences (P < 0.05).

Results

Both inhibitors consumed the free available chlorine of the solutions over time. The presence of dentine debris significantly reduced the tissue dissolution capacity of the NaOCl solutions (P < 0.05). The percentages of biovolume reduction were not affected by the presence of the inhibitors in the two NaOCl solutions, whereas the percentage of damaged membrane cells was significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Overall, a similar behaviour was observed in the NaOCl and NaOCl/HEDP groups.

Conclusions

The presence of organic tissue and organic tissue + dentine debris favoured rapid consumption of the free chlorine of NaOCl and NaOCl/HEDP. This resulted in a decreased ability to dissolve organic tissue without affecting the short‐term antimicrobial activity.
Australian community pharmacist experiences with smoking cessation and opinions of health warnings on individual cigarette sticks
Authors: Drovandi Aaron , Teague Peta-Ann , Glass Beverley , Malau-Aduli Bunmi
Published: July 2018

Objectives

We aimed to identify the experiences of Australian community pharmacists with smokers and their associated perceptions of effective health warnings on individual cigarette sticks.

Methods

A mixed-methods online survey was distributed to Australian pharmacists through pharmacy-specific social media pages, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, followed by semi-structured face-to-face interviews with pharmacists in Townsville, Australia, who were purposively sampled. The interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. Participants described their experiences with smokers, perceptions and effectiveness ratings of current cigarette packaging warnings, and 12 text warnings (divided into four themes) on individual cigarette sticks, and their general opinions on effective anti-tobacco health warnings.

Key findings

Seventy pharmacists participated in the survey and 17 pharmacists in the interviews. Both groups of pharmacists cited smoking-related personal or close-contact illness, pressure by family members or physicians and the financial costs of smoking as being the main drivers for quit attempts. Most interviewed pharmacists interact with smokers several times per week. Cigarette stick warnings describing mortality consequences (especially the ‘minutes of life lost’ warning) and the financial consequences of tobacco use were rated as significantly more effective than current packaging warnings (odds ratio [OR] = 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–4.12, P = 0.02, and 1.97; 95%CI: 1.01–3.84, P = 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions

Pharmacists have considerable experience assisting smokers with quitting and based on these experiences believe that novel and tangible health warnings on cigarette sticks may be an effective future measure to combat tobacco use. Further research on the opinions of a more diverse range of health professionals and the general community will generate more robust findings regarding this method of intervention.
Relations sociales et ajustements à la crise: une analyse microstatistique comparative franco‐britannique
Authors: AMOSSÉ Thomas , ASKENAZY Philippe , CHEVALIER Martin , ERHEL Christine , PETIT Héloïse , REBÉRIOUX Antoine
Published: July 2018

Dans cette étude comparative sur la France et la Grande‐Bretagne, les auteurs analysent les liens entre relations professionnelles et ajustements (des effectifs et des salaires) face à la crise de 2007–2008, en s'appuyant sur deux enquêtes au niveau des établissements, fortement comparables, l'une britannique (WERS), l'autre française (REPONSE), collectées en 2010–2012. Malgré des contextes différents (composition du tissu productif, temporalité et impact de la crise), les liens entre relations sociales et stratégies d'ajustement semblent proches (la présence syndicale ne suffisant pas à empêcher les ajustements). La différenciation des systèmes de relations professionnelles ne permet donc pas d'expliquer les divergences de modes d'ajustement constatées au niveau macroéconomique.
The immune system and stroke: from current targets to future therapy
Authors: Malone Kyle , Amu Sylvie , Moore Anne C , Waeber Christian
Published: July 2018

Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the intensive search for new therapies, hundreds of agents targeting various pathophysiological mechanisms have failed clinical trials, and the thrombolytic agent tissue plasminogen activator is currently the only FDA‐approved medication for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The immune system is involved in all stages of stroke, from the pathogenesis of risk factors to neurotoxicity, to tissue remodeling and repair. There is a bidirectional interaction between the brain and the immune system, with stroke‐induced immunosuppression and subsequent infection a principal source of patient mortality. Newer work also points to a role for the gut microbiota in the immune response to stroke, while clinical sequelae such as dementia might now also be explained in immune terms. However, the exact roles of innate and adaptive components have not been fully elucidated, with studies reporting both detrimental and beneficial functions. Time is a key determinant in defining whether immunity and inflammation are neuroprotective or neurotoxic. The local inflammatory milieu also has a clear influence on many proposed treatments. This review examines the individual components of the immune response to stroke, highlighting the most promising future stroke immunotherapies.
A randomised controlled trial of patient information leaflets as a medication counselling aid
Authors: McNeill Richard , Chin Paul , Coberger Elle , Doogue Matthew
Published: July 2018

Background

Medication counselling improves patient safety, adherence and satisfaction but is poorly done in clinical practice. Written aids further improve outcomes when used with verbal counselling. No studies have previously compared two types of written counselling aid.

Aim

To compare the utility of a patient information leaflet (PIL) with a drug monograph as a medication counselling tool for patients starting a new medicine.

Methods

A single‐blinded randomised controlled trial of medical students counselling simulated patients during a clinical examination. The PIL was compared with the drug monographs as counselling aids by assessing information transfer and aid usage.

Results

A total of 96 students was recruited. The PIL was superior to the drug monograph for counselling relating to missed doses (P = 0.02), and non‐inferior for other domains of information transfer. The aid was used more frequently in the PIL arm (91% vs 77%, P = 0.09) and for longer (4.6 min vs 2.9 min, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The PIL was non‐inferior to the drug monograph for overall information transfer, but superior for contingency planning. Aid usage was greater in the PIL arm, which may reflect greater student satisfaction with the tool.
Perceptions of nurses working with psychiatric consumers regarding the elimination of seclusion and restraint in psychiatric inpatient settings and emergency departments: An Australian survey
Authors: Gerace Adam , Muir‐Cochrane Eimear
Published: July 2018

Seclusion and restraint continue to be used across psychiatric inpatient and emergency settings, despite calls for elimination and demonstrated efficacy of reduction initiatives. This study investigated nurses’ perceptions regarding reducing and eliminating the use of these containment methods with psychiatric consumers. Nurses (n = 512) across Australia completed an online survey examining their views on the possibility of elimination of seclusion, physical restraint, and mechanical restraint as well as perceptions of these practices and factors influencing their use. Nurses reported working in units where physical restraint, seclusion, and, to a lesser extent, mechanical restraint were used. These were viewed as necessary last resort methods to maintain staff and consumer safety, and nurses tended to disagree that containment methods could be eliminated from practice. Seclusion was considered significantly more favourably than mechanical restraint with the elimination of mechanical restraint seen as more of a possibility than seclusion or physical restraint. Respondents accepted that use of these methods was deleterious to relationships with consumers. They also felt that containment use was a function of a lack of resources. Factors perceived to reduce the likelihood of seclusion/restraint included empathy and rapport between staff and consumers and utilizing trauma‐informed care principles. Nurses were faced with threatening situations and felt only moderately safe at work, but believed they were able to use their clinical skills to maintain safety. The study suggests that initiatives at multiple levels are needed to help nurses to maintain safety and move towards realizing directives to reduce and, where possible, eliminate restraint use.
Readiness and recovery: Transferring between methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone for the treatment of opioid use disorder
Authors: Bishop Blair , Gilmour Jean , Deering Daryle
Published: July 2018

Long‐acting opioids are prescribed as part of treatment for opioid use disorders; methadone and buprenorphine are well researched and commonly prescribed for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Meta‐analysis suggests that buprenorphine has a slightly poorer retention rate in treatment as compared to methadone. Benefits of buprenorphine/naloxone include greater ease in ceasing treatment and less use of illicit opioids while in treatment as compared to methadone. There are a number of qualitative and mixed‐method studies that ask patients about their experiences of methadone maintenance and buprenorphine maintenance treatment. This research aimed to understand perspectives of receiving buprenorphine/naloxone for the treatment of opioid use disorder. A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Seven participants with a current diagnosis of opioid use disorder treated with buprenorphine/naloxone were interviewed. Thematic analysis extracted four themes: drivers for opioid substitution treatment change; readiness for buprenorphine/naloxone substitution treatment; absence of effect from buprenorphine/naloxone; and an increased sense of citizenship on buprenorphine/naloxone. This study identified a number of factors influencing participants’ decision‐making in transferring between methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone for the treatment of their opioid use disorder. Methadone was preferred by those seeking sedation and wishing to continue using other opioids, and buprenorphine/naloxone was most effective for participants no longer wishing to experience sedation and seeing opioid abstinence as an end point in their recovery. Changing treatment expectations are important to consider when determining medication selection and highlight the importance of quality information when determining the most suitable medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Use of an aseptically processed, dehydrated human amnion and chorion membrane improves likelihood and rate of healing in chronic diabetic foot ulcers: A prospective, randomised, multi‐centre clinical trial in 80 patients
Authors: DiDomenico Lawrence A , Orgill Dennis P , Galiano Robert D , Serena Thomas E , Carter Marissa J , Kaufman Jarrod P , Young Nathan J , Jacobs Allen M , Zelen Charles M
Published: July 2018

Amnion and chorion allografts have shown great promise in healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Results from an interim analysis of 40 patients have demonstrated the accelerated healing ability of a novel aseptically processed, dehydrated human amnion and chorion allograft (dHACA). The goal of this study was to report on the full trial results of 80 patients where dHACA was compared with standard of care (SOC) in achieving wound closure in non‐healing DFUs. After a 2‐week screening period, during which patients with DFUs were unsuccessfully treated with SOC, patients were randomised to either SOC alone or SOC with dHACA applied weekly for up to 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, 85% (34/40) of the dHACA‐treated DFUs healed, compared with 33% (13/40) treated with SOC alone. Mean time to heal within 12 weeks was significantly faster for the dHACA‐ treated group compared with SOC, 37 days vs 67 days in the SOC group (P = .000006). Mean number of grafts used per healed wound during the same time period was 4.0, and mean cost of the tissue to heal a DFU was $1771. The authors concluded that aseptically processed dHACA heals DFUs significantly faster than SOC at 12 weeks.