bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lawn to Lake: Lessons Learned from a Collaborative Natural Lawn Care Program
Authors: Schneemann Margaret
Published: January 2016

Illinois‐Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) led a multi‐state, collaborative natural lawn care outreach program promoting sustainable lawn care practices at the community and household level. The programmatic goal was to improve Lake Michigan basin ecosystem health by reducing pesticide, synthetic fertilizer, and irrigation water use and runoff within the watershed through changing the practices of those responsible for the creation and upkeep of lawns. Targeted audiences were educated about the relationship between Great Lakes Basin watershed health and lawn care practices as well as trained in natural, low‐input lawn care methods. The program aimed at achieving efficiency by leveraging collaborating partner resources to adapt existing materials and transfer programs across partners and states. Anticipated program impacts were estimated prior to implementation based on previous program evaluations and available research, and additional evaluations were conducted during the project period (2010–2014). Over the outreach period, over 300 landscape professionals, 400 Master Gardeners and teachers, and 2,000 homeowners were trained in natural lawn care practices. Using an evaluation transfer approach, this effort translates into an estimated reduction of 3.4 million pounds of weed and feed applied to lawns per year with associated decreases in pesticides, phosphorous, and irrigation. This paper reflects on lessons learned though the natural lawn care program evaluation experience and makes recommendations for future programming.
Curvilinear effects of job characteristics on ill‐being in the nursing profession: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Huyghebaert Tiphaine , Gillet Nicolas , Lahiani Fadi‐Joseph , Fouquereau Evelyne
Published: January 2016

Aims

To investigate the curvilinear associations between two job characteristics (i.e. task identity and information processing) and negative outcomes (i.e. nurse need for recovery and negative affect).

Background

Research has historically demonstrated the beneficial effects of motivational job characteristics on several individual and organizational consequences. These job characteristics were indeed found to be positively and linearly related to positive outcomes such as job satisfaction. However, another stream of research contends that job characteristics may have curvilinear effects on employee well‐being.

Design

A cross‐sectional correlational design was used.

Method

Data were collected during June 2014, using a questionnaire survey. A convenience sample of French nurses and assistant nurses was recruited (n = 269). All participants were working in centres specialized in providing care to people with disabilities.

Results

This study demonstrated statistically significant curvilinear effects of job characteristics on nurses' ill‐being, while controlling for their linear effects.

Conclusions

These findings support that nurses' job characteristics are associated with their ill‐being in complex ways and provide organizational and managerial applications for healthcare centres.
Tweet if you want to be sustainable: a thematic analysis of a Twitter chat to discuss sustainability in nurse education
Authors: Richardson Janet , Grose Jane , Nelmes Pam , Parra Gema , Linares Manuel
Published: January 2016

Aim

To explore the concept of sustainability in nursing using social media as a vehicle for discussion on the topic.

Background

There is a need for an increased awareness among nurses of the issues that are crucial for the healthcare sector to prepare for climate change and contribute to sustainable development. However, topics about sustainability and climate change are not a requirement of nursing curricula in Europe; social media provides an opportunity to raise issues and promote discussion.

Design

A thematic analysis of a Twitter discussion.

Methods

A Twitter discussion session hosted by @WeNurses took place on 24 March 2015 over 1 hour. Data were gathered via this online discussion hosted on Twitter, a social media platform. Following the discussion a thematic analysis of the posted Tweets was conducted.

Findings

One hundred and nineteen people posted nine hundred and ninety six Tweets, a reach of 3,306,368. Tweets broadly followed the questions posted by the team. Several threads related to the sustainable use of healthcare resources and the need to reduce waste was evident. A Word Cloud of the Tweets highlighted prominent words in the discussion: sustainability, nursing/nurses, curriculum, important, waste, practice, resources, student, plastic, health, gloves.

Conclusion

Social media is an effective way of engaging nurses and students in a discussion on challenging issues. Sustainability appears to be important for nurses, with a particular emphasis on resource use and the importance of sustainability topics in nurse education.
Managing and mitigating conflict in healthcare teams: an integrative review
Authors: Almost Joan , Wolff Angela C. , Stewart‐Pyne Althea , McCormick Loretta G. , Strachan Diane , D'Souza Christine
Published: January 2016

Aim

To review empirical studies examining antecedents (sources, causes, predictors) in the management and mitigation of interpersonal conflict.

Background

Providing quality care requires positive, collaborative working relationships among healthcare team members. In today's increasingly stress‐laden work environments, such relationships can be threatened by interpersonal conflict. Identifying the underlying causes of conflict and choice of conflict management style will help practitioners, leaders and managers build an organizational culture that fosters collegiality and create the best possible environment to engage in effective conflict management.

Design

Integrative literature review.

Data sources

CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Proquest ABI/Inform, Cochrane Library and Joanne Briggs Institute Library were searched for empirical studies published between 2002–May 2014.

Review methods

The review was informed by the approach of Whittemore and Knafl. Findings were extracted, critically examined and grouped into themes.

Results

Forty‐four papers met the inclusion criteria. Several antecedents influence conflict and choice of conflict management style including individual characteristics, contextual factors and interpersonal conditions. Sources most frequently identified include lack of emotional intelligence, certain personality traits, poor work environment, role ambiguity, lack of support and poor communication. Very few published interventions were found.

Conclusion

By synthesizing the knowledge and identifying antecedents, this review offers evidence to support recommendations on managing and mitigating conflict. As inevitable as conflict is, it is the responsibility of everyone to increase their own awareness, accountability and active participation in understanding conflict and minimizing it. Future research should investigate the testing of interventions to minimize these antecedents and, subsequently, reduce conflict.
Integrated long non‐coding RNA analyses identify novel regulators of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in the mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Sun Hao , Chen Junjie , Qian Wenyi , Kang Jiang , Wang Jun , Jiang Lei , Qiao Li , Chen Wei , Zhang Jinsong
Published: January 2016

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fatal lung disease characterized by aberrant accumulation of fibroblast population and deposition of extra cellular matrix. Increasing evidence support that epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of alveolar epithelial cells is a critical process in the pathogenesis of IPF. Although delivery of bleomycin to induce acute lung injury is the most well‐studied animal model of pulmonary fibrosis, there is considerable interest to pursue other models to understand the common and/or specific pathological mechanisms. In this study, we established a mouse model of pulmonary injury and progressive interstitial fibrosis via intraperitoneal injection of paraquat, a widely used herbicide known to cause pulmonary fibrosis in human. Using transcriptome sequencing and microarray analysis, we profiled expression of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and identified 513 up‐regulated and 204 down‐regulated lncRNAs in paraquat‐induced fibrotic lung tissues. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the differentially expressed lncRNAs are implicated in cell differentiation, epithelium morphogenesis and wound healing, pathways closely associated with EMT. Furthermore, we identified the evolutionally conserved target genes of two up‐regulated lncRNAs, uc.77 and 2700086A05Rik, as Zeb2 and Hoxa3, respectively, both of which are important modulators of EMT. Consistently, overexpression of uc.77 or 2700086A05Rik in human lung epithelial cells induced EMT as demonstrated by changes in gene and protein expression of various EMT markers and cell morphology. Collectively, our results uncovered a crucial role of lncRNA in the regulation of EMT during lung fibrosis and provide potential avenues for the discovery of novel molecular markers and therapeutic targets for IPF.
Testing monophyly of the freshwater fishLeporinus(Characiformes, Anostomidae) through molecular analysis
Authors: Ramirez J. L. , Carvalho‐Costa L. F. , Venere P. C. , Carvalho D. C. , Troy W. P. , Galetti P. M.
Published: January 2016

Monophyly of the genusLeporinus(Characiformes: Anostomidae) was tested by sequencing and analysing a total of 4732 bp, including two mitochondrial [cytochrome oxidase subunit 1(CO1) andcytochrome b(Cytb)] and three nuclear [myosin heavy chain 6 cardiac muscle alpha (Myh6),recombination activating gene 1(RAG1) andrecombination activating gene 2(RAG2)] loci for 22 species ofLeporinus, orc.25% of all described species in the genus. Phylogenetic tree analyses (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian species tree) indicateLeporinusto be paraphyletic, with monophyly being rejected by both Kishino–Hasegawa and Shimodaira–Hasegawa tests. The sequenced species ofLeporinusare distributed across five clades that are interleaved among other anostomid genera. Several taxonomic changes are suggested as being necessary to restore monophyly for the group. The clade containing the type species,Leporinus fasciatus, should be consideredLeporinus sensu strictoand at least three new genera should be described for other species currently considered part ofLeporinus.
MiR 21‐5p as a predictor of recurrence in young gastric cancer patients
Authors: Park Soo‐Kyung , Park Young Soo , Ahn Ji Yong , Do Eun‐Ju , Kim Dongho , Kim Jee Eun , Jung kyoungwon , Byeon Jeong‐Sik , Ye Byong Duk , Yang Dong Hoon , Park Sang Hyoung , Hwang Sung Wook , Jung Hwoon‐Yong , Myung Seung‐Jae
Published: January 2016

Background and Aim

It is generally assumed that gastric cancer (GC) in young patients has different clinicopathologic characteristics than that of elderly patients. Although recurrence is an important factor in determining prognosis, traditional clinicopathological factors are sometimes inadequate for predicting recurrence in individuals. Therefore, we aimed to identify miRNAs with the potential to predict recurrence in young patients.

Methods

Young patients (age <40 years) undergoing gastrectomy for potentially curable GC (stage III) at Asan Medical Center participated in this study. A total of 50 GC patients with (n = 28) and without (n = 22) GC recurrence were selected for analysis. miRNA microarrays were analyzed to screen tissue samples (n = 7), and we validated the selected miRNAs by quantitative PCR in validation samples (n = 43).

Results

Two miRNAs (hsa‐miR‐21‐5p and hsa‐miR‐451a) identified in the microarray analysis were evaluated in the validation samples. Among the validation samples containing intratumoral stroma ≥ 70 (n = 35), hsa‐miR‐21‐5p was more highly expressed in the recurrence group than in the nonrecurrence group (fold change 1.82, P = 0.03). In the validation samples with intratumoral stroma ≥ 70, the ΔCt of hsa‐miR‐21‐5p, which was >3.35, had a sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% and 65.5%, respectively, for predicting recurrence, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.723.

Conclusions

miR‐21‐5p may be useful as a predictor of recurrence in young GC patients whose tumors contain a high proportion of intratumoral stroma. The combination of this miRNA with conventional clinicopathological factors should allow patient prognoses to be more accurately predicted.
Nursing Students’ Willingness to Care for Older Adults in Taiwan
Authors: Chi Mei‐Ju , Shyu Meei‐Ling , Wang Shou‐Yu , Chuang Hsiu‐Ching , Chuang Yeu‐Hui
Published: January 2016

Background: The possibilities that nurses will take care of persons 65 years of age or older in hospitals and communities are increasing due to a growing aged population. Nursing students should be prepared to face the challenges of their future practice. Therefore, factors associated with nursing students’ willingness to care for older adults need to be identified.

Aim: This study aimed to explore Taiwanese nursing students’ willingness to work with older persons and factors associated with this.

Methods: A cross‐sectional research design was used. Stratified sampling was applied to recruit participants from seven nursing schools in northern, central, southern, and eastern areas of Taiwan. There were 612 nursing students who successful completed the questionnaire including demographic data, the Attitudes Toward the Elderly Scale, and the Willingness Toward the Elderly Care Scale. Data were collected between November 2012 and January 2013. A stepwise regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of nursing students’ willingness to care for older adults.

Findings: The mean score of nursing students’ attitudes toward older people was 73.86 (SD = 8.9), with a range of 44–106. The mean score on the willingness to care for older adults was 55.01 (SD = 6.4), with a range of 36–75. The length of time with older adults per week (r = 0.12, p = .003) and grandparents having served as caregivers during the students’ childhood (t = –2.147, β = .032) were both positively associated with the willingness to care for older adults. The best predictors of nursing students’ willingness to care for older adults were students’ attitudes toward older adults (β = 0.38, p < .001), paying attention to issues related to older adults (β = 0.24, p < .001), and having the experience of being a volunteer who served older people (β = 0.10, p = .005), which explained 26.8% of the total variance.

Conclusions: Taiwanese undergraduate nursing students had neutral to slightly favorable attitudes toward working with older adults. Nursing students’ positive attitudes about older adults, paying attention to issues related to older adults, and having been a volunteer that served older people were predictors of their willingness to care for older persons. Appropriate and practical strategies should be developed for students in order to increase their preference for caring for older people.

Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study can provide information for faculty members and clinical preceptors for designing curricula and related activities or arranging practicum in the future.
Diaphragm degeneration and cardiac structure in mdx mouse: potential clinical implications for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Barbin Isabel Cristina Chagas , Pereira Juliano Alves , Bersan Rovere Matheus , de Oliveira Moreira Drielen , Marques Maria Julia , Santo Neto Humberto
Published: January 2016

We examined the effects of exercise on diaphragm degeneration and cardiomyopathy in dystrophin‐deficient mdx mice. Mdx mice (11 months of age) were exercised (swimming) for 2 months to worsen diaphragm degeneration. Control mdx mice were kept sedentary. Morphological evaluation demonstrated increased fibrosis in the diaphragm of exercised mdx mice (33.3 ± 6.0% area of fibrosis) compared with control mdx mice (20.9 ± 1.7% area of fibrosis). Increased (26%) activity of MMP‐2, a marker of fibrosis, was detected in the diaphragms from exercised mdx mice. Morphological evaluation of the heart demonstrated a 45% increase in fibrosis in the right ventricle (8.3 ± 0.6% in sedentary vs. 12.0 ± 0.6% of fibrosis in exercised) and in the left ventricle (35% increase) in the exercised mdx mice. The density of inflammatory cells–degenerating cardiomyocytes increased 95% in the right ventricle (2.3 ± 0.6 in sedentary vs. 4.5 ± 0.8 in exercised) and 71% in the left ventricle (1.4 ± 0.6 sedentary vs. 2.4 ± 0.5 exercised). The levels of both active MMP‐2 and the pro‐fibrotic factor transforming growth factor beta were elevated in the hearts of exercised compared with sedentary mdx mice. The wall thickness to lumen diameter ratio of the pulmonary trunk was significantly increased in the exercised mdx mice (0.11 ± 0.04 in sedentary vs. 0.28 ± 0.12 in exercised), as was the thickness of the right ventricle wall, which suggests the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension in those animals. It is suggested that diaphragm degeneration is a main contributor to right ventricle dystrophic pathology. These findings may be relevant for future interventional studies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy‐associated cardiomyopathy.
Experiences of registered nurses who supervise international nursing students in the clinical and classroom setting: an integrative literature review
Authors: Newton Louise , Pront Leeanne , Giles Tracey M
Published: January 2016

Aims and objectives

To examine the literature reporting the experiences and perceptions of registered nurses who supervise international nursing students in the clinical and classroom setting.

Background

Nursing education relies on clinical experts to supervise students during classroom and clinical education, and the quality of that supervision has a significant impact on student development and learning. Global migration and internationalisation of nursing education have led to increasing numbers of registered nurses supervising international nursing students. However, a paucity of relevant literature limits our understanding of these experiences.

Design

An integrative literature review.

Methods

Comprehensive database searches of CINAHL, Informit, PubMed, Journals@Ovid, Findit@flinders and Medline were undertaken. Screening of 179 articles resulted in 10 included for review. Appraisal and analysis using Whittemore and Knafl's (Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52, 2005, 546) five stage integrative review recommendations was undertaken.

Results

This review highlighted some unique challenges for registered nurses supervising international nursing students. Identified issues were, a heightened sense of responsibility, additional pastoral care challenges, considerable time investments, communication challenges and cultural differences between teaching and learning styles.

Conclusion

It is possible that these unique challenges could be minimised by implementing role preparation programmes specific to international nursing student supervision. Further research is needed to provide an in‐depth exploration of current levels of preparation and support to make recommendations for future practice, education and policy development.

Relevance to clinical practice

An awareness of the specific cultural learning needs of international nursing students is an important first step to the provision of culturally competent supervision for this cohort of students. There is an urgent need for education and role preparation for all registered nurses supervising international nursing students, along with adequate recognition of the additional time required to effectively supervise these students.
Thrombin‐Induced Platelet‐Fibrin Clot Strength Identified by Thrombelastography
Authors: Bliden Kevin P. , Tantry Udaya S. , Gesheff Martin G. , Franzese Christopher J. , Pandya Shachi , Toth Peter P. , Mathew Denny P. , Chaudhary Rahul , Gurbel Paul A.
Published: January 2016

Background and Objective

In‐stent restenosis (ISR) is a limitation of percutaneous coronary intervention and has been linked to specific clinical and angiographic variables. We aimed to simultaneously assess thrombosis biomarkers and lipid levels in patients with and without ISR.

Methods

Consecutive patients (n = 170) with a history of coronary stenting undergoing elective angiography were studied. Blood samples for thrombelastography, light transmittance aggregometry, and lipid levels were obtained prior to cardiac catheterization.

Results

Sixty‐nine patients (41%) had ISR (>50% luminal diameter stenosis). Among patients with ISR, 40 (58%) had ISR in more than one stent bed. Patients with ISR were more often female (37.7% vs. 21.8%, P = 0.04), had higher thrombin‐induced platelet‐fibrin clot strength (TIP‐FCS) (69.9 mm vs. 65.6 mm, P < 0.001), and a higher ApoB/A1 ratio (0.65 vs. 0.59, P = 0.03). In patients on dual antiplatelet therapy (n = 86), there were no differences in ADP‐, arachidonic acid‐, and collagen‐induced platelet aggregation between groups. The frequency of patients with ISR increased with TIP‐FCS quartiles and by ROC analysis, TIP‐FCS = 67.0 mm was the cutpoint for identification of ISR (AUC = 0.80 (95%CI 0.73–0.87, P < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, TIP‐FCS ≥67.0 mm strongly associated with ISR (OR = 7.3, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Patients with ISR identified at the time of cardiac catheterization have a prothrombotic phenotype indicated by high TIP‐FCS, a novel marker. Studies to confirm the prognostic utility of high TIP‐FCS for the development of ISR are ongoing. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:168–178)
Odontogenic myxoma: a clinicopathological study in a South African population
Authors: Titinchi Fadi , Hassan Bassam A. , Morkel Jean A. , Nortje Christoffel
Published: January 2016

Background

Odontogenic myxoma is a benign, locally aggressive neoplasm of the jaws. Prevalence rates range between 0.5% and 17.7% of odontogenic tumours. There are few reports in the literature on this lesion in African populations, and therefore, this study aimed to report on odontogenic myxoma in a South African population over a 40‐year period.

Methods

The clinical records and orthopantomograms of 29 histopathologically diagnosed odontogenic myxoma were retrospectively analysed. Details of age, gender, ethnic origin and clinical, histological as well as radiological features were recorded.

Results

The ages of patients ranged from 7 to 44 years with a mean of 21.3 years. The male‐to‐female ratio was 1:2.6 with the majority of patients being of mixed race and Africans. Clinically, 31% complained of pain while 58.6% had a history of swelling. The majority of odongenic myxomas (62.1%) were located in the mandible with the posterior region being most commonly affected. Multilocular lesions (69.2%) were more common and were significantly larger than unilocular lesions (P < 0.05). The outline of these tumours was mostly well‐defined (84.6%) with different degrees of cortication. Only one tumour caused tooth resorption, while 20 cases (76.9%) caused tooth displacement. Six tumours expanded into the maxillary sinus, and 14 tumours caused expansion of the mandible.

Conclusions

Odontogenic myxomas have variable clinical, radiological and histological features. Most of these features in this population were similar to other populations. It is mandatory to use conventional radiographs along with histopathological examination to aid in arriving at an accurate diagnosis.
Biotic homogenization of urban floras by alien species: the role of species turnover and richness differences
Authors: Lososová Zdeňka , Chytrý Milan , Danihelka Jiří , Tichý Lubomír , Ricotta Carlo
Published: January 2016

Question

The spread of alien species has been changing the diversity of plant communities all over the world, perhaps most notably in urban habitats. It has been shown that alien species with different residence times have different impacts on the β‐diversity of urban plant communities: archaeophytes tend to contribute to homogenization, while neophytes tend to increase differentiation among sites. However, it has not been determined whether these processes result from changes in species turnover or from differences in species richness. Here, we use an additive partitioning framework to disentangle the contribution of species turnover and richness difference to β‐diversity patterns in invaded urban plant communities.

Location

Thirty‐two cities in ten countries of Central Europe and Benelux.

Methods

We analysed the effects of alien species on β‐diversity of urban plant communities separately for archaeophytes and neophytes to assess whether the observed patterns differ between these two groups of species with different residence times in the invaded region. We used additive as well as non‐additive measures of species turnover and richness difference. For this purpose, we proposed a new index that complements the recently proposed Podani‐Schmera index of richness difference.

Results

We confirmed the results of earlier studies that neophytes tend to differentiate the urban plant communities, while archaeophytes tend to homogenize, although in some specific habitats they can also contribute to differentiation. The observed changes in β‐diversity were related to the turnover component of β‐diversity in most cases, especially for neophytes. In contrast, the richness difference component was not significantly different between neophytes and native species. The trends for archaeophytes were less consistent, but in most habitats their turnover and richness difference were not significantly different from native species.

Conclusions

Changes in β‐diversity of urban plant communities induced by the establishment of alien species reflect mainly species turnover, whereas the richness difference component has small effects restricted to certain habitats only.
Understanding trends in biological invasions by introduced mammals in southern South America: a review of research and management
Authors: Ballari Sebastián A. , Anderson Christopher B. , Valenzuela Alejandro E. J.
Published: January 2016

Invasive introduced mammals (IIMs) have ecological and social dimensions that require holistic research to integrate academic disciplines with basic and applied sciences.

We assessed current knowledge of IIMs to determine trends in their study and management in southern South America.

A keyword search was used to select indexed papers in the Web of Science. These were reviewed to assess each study's objective, methodology, country, publication year, and taxa. Unpublished ‘grey’ literature was added to evaluate further each species’ native range, year of introduction, the reason for its introduction, its distribution, dispersal pathways, impacts, and management.

Most of the 190 peer‐reviewed publications were focused on autecology and impacts of IIMs; less than 4% addressed management or social topics. Twenty‐three IIMs have been documented in the study area. The southern Magellanic subpolar forest was the most invaded ecoregion (17 spp.), and the most studied orders, from 440 records in 190 papers, were Artiodactyla (35%) and Rodentia (28%). Together, livestock and commensals brought during early European colonisation constituted 44% of this assemblage, but hunting was the major reason behind the introduction of IIMs (30%).

To enhance policies and institutional frameworks pertaining to biological invasions, we highlight the importance of: 1) recognising the presence and spread of IIMs in ‘pristine’ or protected areas; 2) improving controls to prevent new introductions and escapes; 3) including social and cultural aspects of biological invasions in research and management plans; 4) reinforcing hunting regulations; 5) establishing long‐term programmes to monitor distribution and dispersion; 6) creating mechanisms for scientists and managers to co‐produce research and policy programmes oriented towards applied issues; 7) developing pilot management projects in critical areas; 8) achieving societal involvement in management programmes to ensure public acceptance; and 9) developing prioritisation tools, as resources needed to manage IIMs are often limited.
Science Supports Education: The Behavioral Research Base for Psychology's Top 20 Principles for Enhancing Teaching and Learning
Authors: Lucariello Joan M. , Nastasi Bonnie K. , Anderman Eric M. , Dwyer Carol , Ormiston Heather , Skiba Russell
Published: January 2016

Psychological science has much to contribute to preK‐12 education because substantial psychological research exists on the processes of learning, teaching, motivation, classroom management, social interaction, communication, and assessment. This article details the psychological science that led to the identification, by the American Psychological Association's Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education, of the “Top 20 Principles from Psychology for PreK‐12 Teaching and Learning.” Also noted are the major implications for educational practice that follow from the principles.
Examining the Role of Sphingosine Kinase‐2 in the Regulation of Endothelial Cell Barrier Integrity
Authors: Dimasi David P. , Pitson Stuart M. , Bonder Claudine S.
Published: January 2016

Objective

A key mediator of vascular EC barrier integrity, S1P, is derived from phosphorylation of sphingosine by the SK‐1 and SK‐2. While previous work indicates that SK‐1 can regulate EC barrier integrity, whether SK‐2 has a similar role remains to be determined.

Methods

A cell impedance assay was used to assess human umbilical vein EC and bone marrow EC barrier integrity in vitro, with application of the SK inhibitors ABC294640, PF543, SKi, and MP‐A08. In vivo studies were conducted using intravital microscopy to assess EC barrier integrity in SK‐1 (Sphk1−/−) and SK‐2 (Sphk2−/−) knock‐out mice.

Results

Only ABC294640 and MP‐A08, which can both inhibit SK‐2, caused a decrease in EC barrier integrity in vitro in both cell types. Intravital microscopy revealed that Sphk1−/− mice had reduced EC barrier integrity compared to WT mice, whereas no change was evident in Sphk2−/− mice.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that in vitro inhibition of SK‐2, can compromise the integrity of the EC monolayer, while SK‐1 exerts a more dominant control in vivo. These data may have clinical implications and could aid in the development of new treatments for disorders of vascular barrier function.
Odontocete occurrence in relation to changes in oceanography at a remote equatorial Pacific seamount
Authors: Baumann‐Pickering Simone , Trickey Jennifer S. , Wiggins Sean M. , Oleson Erin M.
Published: January 2016

Seamounts are considered hot spots of biodiversity and can aggregate pelagic predators and their prey. Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted over 3 mo in 2012 to document the occurrence of odontocetes near a seamount chain in the central equatorial Pacific in relation to oceanographic changes over time. Beaked whale echolocation signals were most frequently encountered. The main beaked whale signal was an unknown type, BW38, which resembled signals produced by Blainville's beaked whales. It had high occurrence during high sea surface temperature and low sea surface salinity. Cuvier's beaked whales were the second most detected. They had an opposite pattern and were encountered more often when sea surface temperature was low and net primary productivity was high. Risso's dolphins and short‐finned pilot whales had high acoustic densities, and echolocated predominantly at night. Risso's dolphins occurred more often during low sea surface height deviation. False killer whales were less frequently detected and mostly occurred during the day. Sperm whale detections were fewer than expected and associated with high chlorophyll a. Short duration Kogiidae encounters occurred on average every third day. These types of long‐term site studies are an informative tool to comparatively assess species composition, relative abundance, and relationship to oceanographic changes.
A transcription activator‐like effector from Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola elicits dose‐dependent resistance in rice
Authors: Hummel Aaron W. , Wilkins Katherine E. , Wang Li , Cernadas R. Andres , Bogdanove Adam J.
Published: January 2016

Xanthomonas spp. reduce crop yields and quality worldwide. During infection of their plant hosts, many strains secrete transcription activator‐like (TAL) effectors, which enter the host cell nucleus and activate specific corresponding host genes at effector binding elements (EBEs) in the promoter. TAL effectors may contribute to disease by activating the expression of susceptibility genes or trigger resistance associated with the hypersensitive reaction (HR) by activating an executor resistance (R) gene. The rice bacterial leaf streak pathogen X. oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) is known to suppress host resistance, and no host R gene has been identified against it, despite considerable effort. To further investigate Xoc suppression of host resistance, we conducted a screen of effectors from BLS256 and identified Tal2a as an HR elicitor in rice when delivered heterologously by a strain of the closely related rice bacterial blight pathogen X. oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) or by the soybean pathogen X. axonopodis pv. glycines. The HR required the Tal2a activation domain, suggesting an executor R gene. Tal2a activity was differentially distributed among geographically diverse Xoc isolates, being largely conserved among Asian isolates. We identified four genes induced by Tal2a in next‐generation RNA sequencing experiments and confirmed them using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). However, neither individual nor collective activation of these genes by designer TAL effectors resulted in HR. A tal2a knockout mutant of BLS256 showed virulence comparable with the wild‐type, but plasmid‐based overexpression of tal2a at different levels in the wild‐type reduced virulence in a directly corresponding way. Overall, the results reveal that host resistance suppression by Xoc plays a critical role in pathogenesis. Further, the dose‐dependent avirulence activity of Tal2a and the apparent lack of a single canonical target that accounts for HR point to a novel, activation domain‐dependent mode of action, which might involve, for example, a non‐coding gene or a specific pattern of activation across multiple targets.
New Brunswick nurses' views on nursing research, and factors influencing their research activities in clinical practice
Authors: Robichaud‐Ekstrand Sylvie
Published: January 2016

New Brunswick became the first province in Canada to require a baccalaureate degree in nursing as the entry to practice, yet nursing research in hospital settings remains quite low. This study examined clinical nurses' views on nursing research, and identified some contributing factors to the research‐practice gap. This descriptive, cross‐sectional multicenter study involved 1081 nurses working in the Francophone Regional Health Authority in New Brunswick, Canada. Nurses were eager to identify nursing‐care problems to improve patient care (92.9%), and to be involved in collecting data for nursing research studies (95.2%). However, without research supervision, few had engaged in basic research activities, such as formulating or refining research questions (24.5%), presenting at research conferences (6.9%), or changing their practice based on research findings (27.2%). Younger, more educated nurses, nurse managers, and educators participated more readily in research. Sharing research and clinical expertise, as well as infrastructures between academic and clinical institutions is the key to enduring successful patient‐centered nursing research in clinical settings. Concrete actions are proposed to build clinical nursing research.
Plant connectivity underlies plant‐pollinator‐exploiter distributions in Ficus petiolaris and associated pollinating and non‐pollinating fig wasps
Authors: Duthie A. Bradley , Nason John D.
Published: January 2016

Mutualism is ubiquitous in nature, and nursery pollination mutualisms provide a system well suited to quantifying the benefits and costs of symbiotic interactions. In nursery pollination mutualisms, pollinators reproduce within the inflorescence they pollinate, with benefits and costs being measured in the numbers of pollinator offspring and seeds produced. This type of mutualism is also typically exploited by seed‐consuming non‐pollinators that obtain resources from plants without providing pollination services. Theory predicts that the rate at which pollen‐bearing ‘foundresses’ visit a plant will strongly affect the plant's production of pollinator offspring, non‐pollinator offspring, and seeds. Spatially aggregated plants are predicted to have high rates of foundress visitation, increasing pollinator and seed production, and decreasing non‐pollinator production; very high foundress visitation may also decrease seed production indirectly through the production of pollinators. Working with a nursery mutualism comprised of the Sonoran Desert rock fig, Ficus petiolaris, and host‐specific pollinating and non‐pollinating fig wasps, we use linear models to evaluate four hypotheses linking species interactions to benefits and costs: 1) foundress density increases with host‐tree connectivity, 2) pollinator production increases with foundress density, and 3) non‐pollinator production and 4) seed production decrease with pollinator production. We also directly test how tree connectivity affects non‐pollinator production. We find strong support for our four hypotheses, and we conclude that tree connectivity is a key driver of foundress visitation, thereby strongly affecting spatial distributions in the F. petiolaris community. We also find that foundress visitation decreases at the northernmost edge of the F. petiolaris range. Finally, we find species‐specific effects of tree connectivity on non‐pollinators to be strongly correlated with previously estimated non‐pollinator dispersal abilities. We conclude that plant connectivity is highly important for predicting plant‐pollinator‐exploiter dynamics, and discuss the implications of our results for species coexistence and adaptation.
Linking the green and brown worlds through nonconsumptive predator effects
Authors: Sitvarin Michael I. , Rypstra Ann L. , Harwood James D.
Published: January 2016

Predators can indirectly affect lower trophic levels by either consuming their prey (consumptive effect, CE) or by changing the physiology or behavior of their prey (nonconsumptive effect, NCE). Cascading effects of predators on primary producers are common, and can be propagated by CEs, NCEs, or a combination of both mechanisms.

Predator impacts in detrital food webs (the ‘brown world’) have received considerably less attention than their effects on systems with primary producers at the base (the ‘green world’), and only recently have we begun to appreciate the importance of above‐ground predators indirectly impacting below‐ground processes.

Numerous studies reveal the total impact (CEs and NCEs) of predators in brown food webs, but our understanding of the role of isolated NCEs is limited. Many habitats and major taxa have not been studied, and patterns are difficult to distinguish due to frequent reporting of mixed effects.

Predators play an important role as connectors between brown and green worlds when they feed from both food webs (multichannel feeding). We are only beginning to understand how NCEs influence detrital food webs, and it is unknown whether multichannel fear is an essential component of predator–prey ecology that regulates ecosystem function.

Synthesis

Predators have been shown to impact ecosystems through both consumptive and nonconsumptive effects on their prey Historically, herbivory‐based ‘green’ systems have been the venue for documenting these predator effects, while detritus‐based ‘brown’ systems received considerably less attention. However, similar mechanisms exist in green and brown worlds, suggesting strong parallels. We review and synthesize predator effects in detrital systems, highlighting important shortcomings in current understanding. Furthermore, we build upon the idea of multichannel feeding (i.e. consumption of prey from both green and brown food webs) to propose the existence of ‘multichannel fear’. We provide a framework for documenting multichannel fear to facilitate continued exploration of how predators link seemingly disparate systems.
Fourier transform infrared characterization of the Middle Devonian non‐vascular plant Spongiophyton
Authors: Matsumura Willian M. K. , Balzaretti Naira M. , Iannuzzi Roberto
Published: January 2016

Spectroscopy information (functional groups and semiquantitative data) by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of Spongiophyton Kräusel emend. Chaloner et al. is reported for the first time, in an attempt to identify spectroscopic patterns that would differentiate species of these taxa. A total of 33 specimens identified as S. lenticularis, S. nanum and S. minutissimum and preserved as compressions were analysed. They come from the same fossiliferous horizon of one outcrop situated in the uppermost Middle Devonian São Domingos Formation of the Paraná Basin in southern Brazil. The results reveal that functional groups in the 3000–2800 and 1800–700 cm−1 wavenumber regions are present in all specimens. Infrared‐derived ratios (CH2/CH3, Al/Ox, Ox1/Ox2, C=O cont., C=C cont., Al2 and Ar/Al) and types of kerogen led to a comparison of the morphological characteristics of the studied material and indicate that compressions of S. lenticularis, S. nanum and S. minutissimum contain different organic compounds. S. nanum and S. minutissimum show higher oxidation and lower aromaticity of its organic matter than S. lenticularis. Additionally, S. lenticularis shows low A‐factor values, suggesting a composition similar to type III kerogen, while S. nanum and S. minutissimum showed intermediate to high A‐factor values, suggesting a composition similar to type II kerogen. In conclusion, the chemical‐analytical techniques and statistical analysis (using PCA technique) reveal a closer taxonomic relationship between S. nanum and S. minutissimum than either has with S. lenticularis, supporting their taxonomic separation, previously proposed in the literature on the basis of morphological features. Lastly, the chemical signatures support the hypothesis that links these enigmatic fossils to a type of lichen or other early inland plant.
Functional cloning of a gp100‐reactive T‐cell receptor from vitiligo patient skin
Authors: Klarquist Jared , Eby Jonathan M. , Henning Steven W. , Li Mingli , Wainwright Derek A. , Westerhof Wiete , Luiten Rosalie M. , Nishimura Michael I. , Le Poole I Caroline
Published: January 2016

We isolated gp100‐reactive T cells from perilesional skin of a patient with progressive vitiligo with superior reactivity toward melanoma cells compared with tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes 1520, a melanoma‐derived T‐cell line reactive with the same cognate peptide. After dimer enrichment and limited dilution cloning, amplified cells were subjected to reverse transcription and 5′ RACE to identify the variable TCRα and TCRβ subunit sequences. The full‐length sequence was cloned into a retroviral vector separating both subunits by a P2A slippage sequence and introduced into Jurkat cells and primary T cells. Cytokine secreted by transduced cells in response to cognate peptide and gp100‐expressing targets signifies that we have successfully cloned a gp100‐reactive T‐cell receptor from actively depigmenting skin.
Reduced duration of untreated illness over time in patients with schizophrenia spectrum, mood and anxiety disorders
Authors: Dell'Osso Bernardo , Oldani Lucio , Camuri Giulia , Benatti Beatrice , Grancini Benedetta , Arici Chiara , Cremaschi Laura , Palazzo Mariacarlotta , Spagnolin Gregorio , Dobrea Cristina , Altamura A. Carlo
Published: January 2016

Aims

Psychiatric disorders represent highly impairing conditions, often underdiagnosed and undertreated, with a conspicuous duration of untreated illness (DUI). Given that social and cultural factors influence the DUI and assuming that progress in diagnosis and treatment determines a reduced latency to pharmacotherapy, we assessed and compared DUI and related variables in a large sample of psychiatric patients (n = 562) whose onset occurred within three different a priori‐defined epochs.

Methods

Two temporal cut‐offs were established – the year 1978, when Law 180 (redefining standards for mental care) was introduced in Italy, and the year 2000 – in order to divide patients into three subgroups: onset before 1978, onset 1978–2000 and onset after 2000.

Results

A significant difference in terms of age at onset, age at first diagnosis and age at first treatment was observed in patients with onset 1978–2000 and in those with onset after 2000. In addition, a significant reduction of the DUI was found across epochs (onset before 1978: 192.25 ± 184.52 months; onset 1978–2000: 77.00 ± 96.63 months; and onset after 2000: 19.00 ± 31.67 months; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the proportion of patients with onset‐related stressful events, use of benzodiazepines and neurological referral was found to be significantly different between the three epochs (χ2 = 23.4, P < 0.001; χ2 = 9.92, P = 0.007; χ2 = 16.50, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

Present data indicate a progressive, statistically significant reduction of latency to treatment and other related changes across subsequent epochs of onset in patients with different psychiatric disorders. Future studies will assess specific changes within homogeneous diagnostic subgroups.
Recurrent Coxsackievirus Infection in a Patient with Lamellar Ichthyosis
Authors: Damsky William E. , Leventhal Jonathan S. , Khalil David , Vesely Matthew D. , Craiglow Brittany G. , Milstone Leonard M. , Choate Keith A.
Published: January 2016

We describe a case of coxsackievirus (CV) A6 infection in a patient with lamellar ichthyosis followed by subsequent CV A8 infection within the same year. Atypical cutaneous features characterized the infection. This observation, combined with the rapidity with which reinfection occurred, suggests that the natural history of CV infection may be altered in patients with underlying ichthyoses.
Erythema Ab Igne in Three Girls with Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Dessinioti Clio , Katsambas Andreas , Tzavela Eleni , Karountzos Vasileios , Tsitsika Artemis K.
Published: January 2016

We present three girls with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa (AN) presenting with erythema ab igne (EAI), a benign, reticular, erythematous dermatosis caused by repeated prolonged skin exposure to mild heat. AN has been associated with abnormal peripheral vascular response to cold, vasoconstriction of the limbs, low hand blood flow, exaggerated response to cold stimuli, subnormal core temperature, and a general feeling of cold that may encourage prolonged heat exposure and induce EAI.
Nostalgia for Communist Times and Autobiographical Memory: Negative Present or Positive Past?
Authors: Prusik Monika , Lewicka Maria
Published: January 2016

Twenty‐five years after the fall of communism in Poland, a considerable number of citizens manifest nostalgia for the communist times. In this article, we approach this phenomenon within the framework of autobiographical memory and decide between two sets of hypotheses, one predicting that postcommunist nostalgia is experienced mostly by people who are dissatisfied with the present time (transformation “losers”) and the other predicting that it is the memory of the happy and most recollected past, and memories of particular decades of communism, that mostly trigger nostalgia. The study, carried out on a representative sample of Poles who remembered communism, provided stronger confirmation of the “negative present” hypothesis, but the positive past is also shown to matter. The decade of communism whose memory turned out to predict nostalgia the best was the 1980s and not, as predicted, the 1970s.