bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Untimely illness: When diagnosis does not match age‐related expectations
Authors: Kirkpatrick Susan , Locock Louise , Farre Albert , Ryan Sara , Salisbury Helen , McDonagh Janet E.
Published: February 2018

Background

We explore the concept of “untimely diagnosis,” where the onset of a long‐term condition occurs at a life stage which does not conform to traditional expectations, focusing on two conditions (asthma and arthritis) typically associated with a particular life stage (childhood and older adulthood, respectively). Previous literature has focused on the meaning of chronic illness in terms of life history, and the biographical lens has been used in various ways to make sense of the experience. Less attention has been paid to the condition onset when it seems dissonant with chronological age.

Methods

Secondary analysis of two qualitative data sets (total 58 interviews) exploring the experiences of people with adult‐onset asthma and young people diagnosed with arthritis. Data from the original interview transcripts relating to diagnosis and symptom recognition were re‐analysed using a “candidacy” framework to examine how age and diagnosis intersect.

Results

People did not always assert their candidacy for either condition because of pre‐conceived expectations around age. Similarly, health professionals sometimes failed to recognize patients’ candidacy, instead pursuing “age‐plausible” possibilities. In some cases, participants were proactive in suggesting a diagnosis to the health professional where diagnosis was delayed.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of adult‐onset asthma, and arthritis in young people, may be regarded as “untimely.” We suggest that being diagnosed with what is perceived to be a “childhood” condition in adulthood, or “an older person's” condition in childhood, may be viewed as a “biographical paradox” and an “untimely breach” to the expected order.
High density of M2‐macrophages in acral lentiginous melanoma compared to superficial spreading melanoma
Authors: Zúñiga‐Castillo Miguel , Pereira Naiura V , Sotto Mirian N
Published: February 2018

Aims

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the most common type of melanoma in people with darker skin phototypes. There is some evidence that the aetiology, pathogenesis, risk factors and natural history of ALM differ from those of superficial spreading melanoma (SSM). ALM behaves more aggressively than SSM, but the biological explanation for these differences remains unknown. The presence of one subtype of macrophages, termed M2‐macrophage (M2‐M), has been found to be related to local progression, metastasis and poor prognosis in several neoplasms. The aim of this study was to compare the density of M2‐Ms in ALMs versus SSMs, and to examine whether or not the density of M2‐Ms is associated with histopathological features predictive of adverse prognosis in cutaneous melanoma (CM), as well as development of metastasis.

Methods and results

Sixty‐seven ALMs and 67 SSMs cases were analysed. The tumours were classified according to thickness, ulceration, mitosis and metastasis. M2‐M quantity was evaluated using immunohistochemistry with anti‐CD163 and anti‐CD206 antibodies. M2‐Ms were increased in ALM compared with SSM, and were related to the histopathological features predictive of adverse prognosis in CM, such as thickness > 1.0 mm, ulceration and mitotic activity, and the development of metastasis.

Conclusions

Our study is the first, to our knowledge, to demonstrate the increased presence of M2‐Ms in ALM compared with SSM. Our findings suggest that the increased M2‐Ms in ALM are associated with the main histopathological features predictive of adverse prognosis in CM, as well as the presence of metastasis, and that these cells can be related to the aggressive behaviour seen in ALMs.
Behavioural intervention to reduce resistance in those attending adult day care centres: PROCENDIAS study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Rodriguez‐Sánchez Emiliano , Tamayo‐Morales Olaya , González‐Sanchez Jesús , Mora‐Simón Sara , Losada‐Baltar Andrés , Unzueta‐Arce Jaime , Patino‐Alonso María C. , De Dios‐Rodríguez Elena , Gómez‐Marcos Manuel A , García‐Ortiz Luis
Published: February 2018

Aim

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a behavioural intervention programme aimed at reducing the reluctance of dependent people to attend Adult Day Care Centres. We hope that reducing resistance will have a positive influence on the mental health of caregivers.

Background

Care centres offer important relief and rest services for family caregivers. Some caregivers report being affected by behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia when they prepare dependents for the Care Centres, especially when these have dementia. Caregivers often report the need for information about how to manage the behaviour of the sick. Nurses in community healthcare units can investigate cases of patients who present resistance when attending care centres and can promote the use of interventions aimed at reducing this problem.

Design

Randomised controlled clinical trial.

Methods

The reference population will be care centre users in Salamanca (Spain) to select 120 family members responsible for the preparation and transfer of the care‐recipient. Each participant will be randomised to an intervention group or control group (standard care). A baseline assessment and 6 months follow‐up assessment will be performed (study approved in September 2016).

Intervention

The intervention group will consist of 8 sessions, one per week, each lasting 90 min. Each session will be run by a psychologist trained in behaviour analysis and will be tailored to the specific behavioural problems reported by the caregivers.

Discussion

The results of a previously published pilot study allow us to be optimistic about the possibilities of a brief intervention.
Workplace‐related generational characteristics of nurses: A mixed‐method systematic review
Authors: Stevanin Simone , Palese Alvisa , Bressan Valentina , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri , Kvist Tarja
Published: February 2018

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe and summarize workplace characteristics of three nursing generations: Baby Boomers, Generations X and Y.

Background

Generational differences affect occupational well‐being, nurses’ performance, patient outcomes and safety; therefore, nurse managers, administrators and educators are interested increasingly in making evidence‐based decisions about the multigenerational nursing workforce.

Design

Mixed‐method systematic review.

Data sources

Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus (January 1991–January 2017).

Review methods

(1) The Joanna Briggs Institute's method for conducting mixed‐method systematic reviews; (2) the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses and (3) the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research guidelines. The studies’ methodological quality was assessed with the Mixed‐Methods Appraisal Tool. Quantitative and mixed‐method studies were transformed into qualitative methods using a convergent qualitative synthesis and qualitative findings were combined with a narrative synthesis.

Results

Thirty‐three studies were included with three main themes and 11 subthemes: (1) Job attitudes (work engagement; turnover intentions, reasons for leaving; reasons, incentives/disincentives to continue nursing); (2) Emotion‐related job aspects (stress/resilience; well‐being/job satisfaction; affective commitment; unit climate; work ethic) and (3) Practice and leadership‐related aspects (autonomy; perceived competence; leadership relationships and perceptions). Baby Boomers reported lower levels of stress and burnout than did Generations X and Y, different work engagement, factors affecting workplace well‐being and retention and greater intention to leave compared with Generation Y, which was less resilient, but more cohesive.

Conclusion

Although several studies reported methodological limitations and conflicting findings, generational differences in nurses’ job attitudes, emotional, practice and leadership factors should be considered to enhance workplace quality.
Valuing and understanding fish populations in the Anthropocene: key questions to address
Authors: Obregón C. , Lyndon A. R. , Barker J. , Christiansen H. , Godley B. J. , Kurland S. , Piccolo J. J. , Potts R. , Short R. , Tebb A. , Mariani S.
Published: February 2018

Research on the values of fish populations and fisheries has primarily focused on bio‐economic aspects; a more nuanced and multidimensional perspective is mostly neglected. Although a range of social aspects is increasingly being considered in fisheries research, there is still no clear understanding as to how to include these additional values within management policies nor is there a cogent appreciation of the major knowledge gaps that should be tackled by future research.

This paper results from a workshop held during the 50th anniversary symposium of the Fisheries Society of the British Isles at the University of Exeter, UK, in July 2017. Here, we aim to highlight the current knowledge gaps on the values of fish populations and fisheries thus directing future research. To this end, we present eight questions that are deeply relevant to understanding the values of fish populations and fisheries. These can be applied to all habitats and fisheries, including freshwater, estuarine and marine.
Preserved re‐experience of discrete emotions: Amnesia and executive function
Authors: Stanciu Marian Andrei , Rafal Robert D. , Turnbull Oliver H.
Published: February 2018

Amnesic patients can re‐experience emotions elicited by forgotten events, suggesting that brain systems for episodic and emotional memory are independent. However, the range of such emotional memories remains under‐investigated (most studies employing just positive–negative emotion dyads), and executive function may also play a role in the re‐experience of emotions. This is the first investigation of the intensity of the emotional re‐experience of a range of discrete emotions (anger, fear, sadness, and happiness) for a group of amnesic patients. Twenty Korsakoff syndrome (KS) patients and 20 neurologically normal controls listened to four novel emotional vignettes selectively eliciting the four basic emotions. Emotional experience was measured using pen‐and‐paper Visual Analogue Mood Scales and episodic memory using verbal recollections. After 30 min, the recollection of stories was severely impaired for the patient group, but the emotional re‐experience was no different from that of controls. Notably, there was no relationship between episodic recall and the intensity of the four emotions, such that even profoundly amnesic patients reported moderate levels of the target emotion. Exploratory analyses revealed negative correlations between the intensity of basic emotions and executive functions (e.g., cognitive flexibility and response inhibition) for controls but not patients. The results suggest that discrete emotions can be re‐experienced independently of episodic memory, and that the re‐experience of certain discrete emotions appears to be dampened by executive control. KS patients with absent or mild cognitive symptoms should benefit from emotion‐regulation interventions aimed at reducing the recognized affective burden associated with their episodic memory deficit.
CCL23: a new CC chemokine involved in human brain damage
Authors: Simats A. , García‐Berrocoso T. , Penalba A. , Giralt D. , Llovera G. , Jiang Y. , Ramiro L. , Bustamante A. , Martinez‐Saez E. , Canals F. , Wang X. , Liesz A. , Rosell A. , Montaner J.
Published: February 2018

Background

CCL23 role in the inflammatory response after acute brain injuries remains elusive. Here, we evaluated whether CCL23 blood levels associate with acquired cerebral lesions and determined CCL23 predictive capacity for assessing stroke prognosis. We used preclinical models to study the CCL23 homologous chemokines in rodents, CCL9 and CCL6.

Methods

Baseline CCL23 blood levels were determined on 245 individuals, including ischaemic strokes (IS), stroke mimics and controls. Temporal profile of circulating CCL23 was explored from baseline to 24 h in 20 of the IS. In an independent cohort of 120 IS with a 3‐month follow‐up, CCL23 blood levels were included in logistic regression models to predict IS outcome. CCL9/CCL6 cerebral expression was evaluated in rodent models of brain damage. Both chemokines were also profiled in circulation and histologically located on brain following ischaemia.

Results

Baseline CCL23 blood levels did not discriminate IS, but permitted an accurate discrimination of patients presenting acute brain lesions (P = 0.003). IS exhibited a continuous increase from baseline to 24 h in circulating CCL23 (P < 0.001). Baseline CCL23 blood levels resulted an independent predictor of IS outcome at hospital discharge (ORadj: 19.702 [1.815–213.918], P = 0.014) and mortality after 3 months (ORadj: 21.47 [3.434–134.221], P = 0.001).

In preclinics, expression of rodent chemokines in neurons following cerebral lesions was elevated. CCL9 circulating levels decreased early after ischaemia (P < 0.001), whereas CCL6 did not alter within the first 24 h after ischaemia.

Conclusions

Although preclinical models do not seem suitable to characterize CCL23, it might be a novel promising biomarker for the early diagnosis of cerebral lesions and might facilitate the prediction of stroke patient outcome.
The association and potentially destructive role of Th9/IL‐9 is synergistic with Th17 cells by elevating MMP9 production in local lesions of oral lichen planus
Authors: Wang Hui , Guan Xiaobing , Luo Zhenhua , Liu Yao , Ren Qian , Zhao Xin
Published: February 2018

Background

This study was to investigate association and potentially destructive role of Th9/IL‐9 and their synergistic interaction with Th17 cells in elevating MMP9 production in local lesions of oral lichen planus (OLP) patients.

Methods

Oral mucosal tissues were obtained from OLP patients and healthy controls (HC) and then divided into an epithelial part (EP) or a lamina propria part (LP). Both EP and LP subsets were assessed for IL‐9 and MMP9 mRNA levels by real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Flow cytometry was used to detect the CD4+ T helper subset Th9 (IL‐9+IL‐17−CD4+) and Th17 (IL‐9−IL‐17+CD4+) in co‐cultured CD4+ Th cells and oral keratinocytes of OLP. IL‐9, IL‐17, and MMP9 in co‐culture supernatant were detected by ELISA.

Results

The qPCR results demonstrated that IL‐9 and MMP9 mRNA levels were positively correlated in OLP lesions, and both significantly elevated in EP and LP lesions of erosive type OLP. Th9 and Th17 cells were significantly elevated in co‐cultures of CD4+ Th cells and keratinocytes, and MMP9, IL‐9, and IL‐17 levels were simultaneously increased. In vitro, recombinant human IL‐17 treatment significantly enhanced MMP9 protein and mRNA levels, while a synergistic effect of IL‐9 and IL‐17 was not observed. However, further results showed Th17 cells, IL‐17, and MMP9 were increased significantly when recombinant IL‐9 was added to the cultured CD4+ T cells.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that Th9/IL‐9 can induce elevated levels of MMP9 to aggravate OLP disease severity, which may occur directly through increasing Th17 levels or indirectly through a synergistic role with Th17.
Convex duality for Epstein–Zin stochastic differential utility
Authors: Matoussi Anis , Xing Hao
Published: February 2018

This paper introduces a dual problem to study a continuous‐time consumption and investment problem with incomplete markets and Epstein–Zin stochastic differential utilities. Duality between the primal and dual problems is established. Consequently, the optimal strategy of this consumption and investment problem is identified without assuming several technical conditions on market models, utility specifications, and agent's admissible strategies. Meanwhile, the minimizer of the dual problem is identified as the utility gradient of the primal value and is economically interpreted as the “least favorable” completion of the market.
Distribution‐constrained optimal stopping
Authors: Bayraktar Erhan , Miller Christopher W.
Published: February 2018

We solve the problem of optimal stopping of a Brownian motion subject to the constraint that the stopping time's distribution is a given measure consisting of finitely many atoms. In particular, we show that this problem can be converted to a finite sequence of state‐constrained optimal control problems with additional states corresponding to the conditional probability of stopping at each possible terminal time. The proof of this correspondence relies on a new variation of the dynamic programming principle for state‐constrained problems, which avoids measurable selections. We emphasize that distribution constraints lead to novel and interesting mathematical problems on their own, but also demonstrate an application in mathematical finance to model‐free superhedging with an outlook on volatility.
Integrating genomic and phenotypic data to evaluate alternative phylogenetic and species delimitation hypotheses in a recent evolutionary radiation of grasshoppers
Authors: Noguerales Víctor , Cordero Pedro J. , Ortego Joaquín
Published: February 2018

Although resolving phylogenetic relationships and establishing species limits are primary goals of systematics, these tasks remain challenging at both conceptual and analytical levels. Here, we integrated genomic and phenotypic data and employed a comprehensive suite of coalescent‐based analyses to develop and evaluate competing phylogenetic and species delimitation hypotheses in a recent evolutionary radiation of grasshoppers (Chorthippus binotatus group) composed of two species and eight putative subspecies. To resolve the evolutionary relationships within this complex, we first evaluated alternative phylogenetic hypotheses arising from multiple schemes of genomic data processing and contrasted genetic‐based inferences with different sources of phenotypic information. Second, we examined the importance of number of loci, demographic priors, number and kind of phenotypic characters and sex‐based trait variation for developing alternative species delimitation hypotheses. The best‐supported topology was largely compatible with phenotypic data and showed the presence of two clades corresponding to the nominative species groups, one including three well‐resolved lineages and the other comprising a four‐lineage polytomy and a well‐differentiated sister taxon. Integrative species delimitation analyses indicated that the number of employed loci had little impact on the obtained inferences but revealed the higher power provided by an increasing number of phenotypic characters and the usefulness of assessing their phylogenetic information content and differences between sexes in among‐taxa trait variation. Overall, our study highlights the importance of integrating multiple sources of information to test competing phylogenetic hypotheses and elucidate the evolutionary history of species complexes representing early stages of divergence where conflicting inferences are more prone to appear.
Substance P ameliorates tumor necrosis factor‐alpha‐induced endothelial cell dysfunction by regulating eNOS expression in vitro
Authors: Piao Jiyuan , Hong Hyun Sook , Son Youngsook
Published: February 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the beneficial effects of SP on NO production and inflammation‐induced vascular endothelium cell death.

Methods

To mimic the inflammatory environment, TNF‐α was treated with HUVECs, and SP was added prior to TNF‐α to determine its protective effect. WST‐1 assay was performed to detect cell viability. NO level in conditioned medium was measured by Griess Reagent System. The protein level of cleaved caspase‐3, eNOS, and phosphorylated Akt was detected by Western blot analysis.

Results

TNF‐α declined endothelial cell viability by downregulating Akt and NO production. TNF‐α‐induced cell death was reliably restored by NO, confirming the requirement of NO for cell survival. By contrast, pretreatment of SP attenuated TNF‐α‐induced cellular apoptosis, accompanied by an increase in the phosphorylation of Akt, eNOS expression, and NO production. Blockage of NK‐1R, phosphorylated Akt or eNOS by CP‐96345, A6730, or L‐NAME entirely eliminated the effect of SP.

Conclusions

SP can protect the vascular endothelium against inflammation‐induced damage through modulation of the Akt/eNOS/NO signaling pathway.
Partial Resemblance and Property Immanence
Authors: Audi Paul
Published: February 2018

Objects partially resemble when they are alike in some way but not entirely alike. Partial resemblance, then, involves similarityin a respect. It has been observed that talk of “respects” appears to be thinly‐veiled talk of properties. So some theorists take similarity in a respect to require property realism. I will go a step further and argue that similarity inintrinsicrespects (partialintrinsicresemblance) requires properties to be immanent in objects. For a property to be immanent in an object is roughly for it to be wholly present in that object. (So understood, immanence does not imply repeatability, and thus tropes count as immanent.) If two objects are intrinsically similar in one way but not another, there must be a difference between the two ways. And if the similarity is between the objects as they are in themselves, then this difference, too, must be within the objects. Partial intrinsic resemblance thus requires internal structure. Without it, there can be no distinctions between ways in which things are intrinsically alike and ways in which they aren't. I will argue, further, that distinctions between properties that transcend objects fail to account for the possibility of partial intrinsic resemblance.
A novel antisense long noncoding RNA,TWISTED LEAF, maintains leaf blade flattening by regulating its associated sense R2R3‐MYB gene in rice
Authors: Liu Xue , Li Dayong , Zhang Donglei , Yin Dedong , Zhao Yi , Ji Chengjun , Zhao Xianfeng , Li Xiaobing , He Qun , Chen Runsheng , Hu Songnian , Zhu Lihuang
Published: February 2018

Natural antisense long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widespread in many organisms. However, their biological functions remain largely unknown, particularly in plants.

We report the identification and characterization of an endogenous lncRNA, TWISTED LEAF (TL), which is transcribed from the opposite strand of the R2R3 MYB transcription factor gene locus, OsMYB60, in rice (Oryza sativa). TL and OsMYB60 were found to be coexpressed in many different tissues, and the expression level of TL was higher than that of OsMYB60.

Downregulation of TL by RNA interference (RNAi) and overexpression of OsMYB60 resulted in twisted leaf blades in transgenic rice. The expression level of OsMYB60 was significantly increased in TL‐RNAi transgenic plants. This suggests that TL may play a cis‐regulatory role on OsMYB60 in leaf morphological development. We also determined that the antisense transcription suppressed the sense gene expression by mediating chromatin modifications. We further discovered that a C2H2 transcription factor, OsZFP7, is an OsMYB60 binding partner and involved in leaf development.

Taken together, these findings reveal that the cis‐natural antisense lncRNA plays a critical role in maintaining leaf blade flattening in rice. Our study uncovers a regulatory mechanism of lncRNA in plant leaf development.
Stability after sagittal split ramus osteotomy without post‐operative maxillomandibular fixation in the treatment of prognathic patients with asymmetric mandibles
Authors: Harada Kiyoshi , Tajima Keita , Enomoto Shoji
Published: February 2018

This study was designed to examine the post‐operative stability in prognathic patients with mandibular asymmetry, who underwent sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) of the mandible and titanium screw fixation without post‐operative maxillomandibular fixation (MMF). Twenty prognathic patients were examined. An appliance for repositioning the proximal segment was applied during surgery in all patients. Ten patients with symmetric mandibles underwent post‐operative MMF with stainless steel wire and intermaxillary rubber traction after removal of MMF (Group I), and the other 10 patients with asymmetric mandibles received only intermaxillary rubber traction post‐operatively (Group II). Posteroanterior cephalograms were obtained pre‐operatively; 2–3 days post‐operatively; and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Changes in the positions of the gonion points (Go) and upper and lower incisors (U‐1 and L‐1) were examined. In both groups, the Go tended to shift laterally, as a consequence of the operation. Although the tendencies of the post‐operative changes in (Go) points of Groups I and II were different, statistical analyses revealed no differences between the two groups. At the late stage of follow‐up, the absolute value of the change in L‐1 tended to be larger in Group II than in Group I, but without statistical significance. This study suggests that post‐operative change in prognathic patients with asymmetric mandibles treated without post‐operative MMF is comparable to that in patients with symmetric mandibles treated with post‐operative MMF. Therefore, post‐operative MMF might be avoided, even in prognathic patients with asymmetric mandibles.
Context‐dependency and anthropogenic effects on individual plant–frugivore networks
Authors: Miguel M. Florencia , Jordano Pedro , Tabeni Solana , Campos Claudia M.
Published: February 2018

Anthropogenic activities, such as grazing by domestic animals, are considered drivers of environmental changes that may influence the structure of interaction networks. The study of individual‐based networks allows testing how species‐level interaction patterns emerge from the pooled interaction modes of individuals within populations. Exponential random graph models (ERGMs) examine the global structure of networks by allowing the inclusion of specific node (i.e. interacting partners) properties as explanatory covariates. Here we assessed the structure of individual plant–frugivore interaction networks and the ecological variables that influence the mode of interactions under different land‐use (grazed versus ungrazed protected areas). We quantified the number of visits, the number of fruits removed per visit and the interaction strength of mammal frugivore species at each individual tree. Additionally we quantified ecological variables at the individual, microhabitat, neighborhood and habitat scales that generated interaction network structure under the different land uses. Individual plant–frugivore networks were significantly modular in both land uses but the number of modules was higher in the grazed areas. We found interaction networks for grazed and ungrazed lands were structured by phenotypic traits of individual trees, by the microhabitat beneath the tree canopy and were affected by habitat modifications of anthropogenic origin. The neighborhood surrounding each individual plant influenced plant–frugivore interactions only at the grazed‐land trees. We conclude that anthropogenic land uses influence the topological patterns of plant–frugivore networks and the frugivore visitation to trees through modification of both habitat complexity and the ecological traits underlying interactions between individual plants and frugivore species.
Institutional isomorphism, negativity bias and performance information use by politicians: A survey experiment
Authors: George Bert , Baekgaard Martin , Decramer Adelien , Audenaert Mieke , Goeminne Stijn
Published: February 2018

New Public Management popularized performance measurement in public organizations. Underlying performance measurement's popularity is the assumption that it injects performance information (PI) into decision‐making, thus rationalizing the ensuing decisions. Despite its popularity, performance measurement is criticized. In part, this criticism results from the limited knowledge of the conditions under which PI is purposefully used by politicians. We conducted a survey experiment based on real PI with 1,240 politicians. We hypothesized that PI has a positive impact on performance information use (PIU) when PI is benchmarked with coercive, mimetic or normative pressures. Moreover, due to negativity bias we expected this positive impact to be stronger when PI signals low performance. We found that normative pressures had a positive impact on actual PIU while coercive pressures positively affected intended PIU. Negativity bias is only relevant when linked to coercive pressures and intended PIU for analysing the organization's finances.
Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Proportion of patients who continue hospital visits
Authors: Maeda Naoko , Saito Akiko , Kada Akiko , Imamura Toshihiko , Hayakawa Akira , Horibe Keizo , Sato Atsushi
Published: February 2018

Background

Long‐term follow up in adulthood after childhood cancer therapy is particularly important because of the risk of late effects, and information on the rate of continuing hospital visits by childhood cancer survivors (CCS) is also important for the planning of studies on the risk of late effects.

Methods

The rate of continuing hospital visits (“long‐term follow up”) in 1,252 cases registered in the multicenter Japan Association of Childhood Leukemia Study on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (JACLS ALL‐02) was investigated using data from its electronic data capture (EDC) system, including case number, date of diagnosis, date of therapy completion, date of birth, sex, survival or death, date of death, date of last outcome confirmation, and facility code. EDC entries of confirmed survival or death during the 2 years preceding the data lock represented continuing visitors, and the number of those cases, divided by the total number of cases (excluding cases of confirmation of death prior to those 2 years), was calculated as the proportion of continuing visitors (PCV).

Results

The PCV for survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia was found to decline over time from diagnosis. For subjects aged 21–29 years who were ≥9 years from diagnosis, PCV was approximately 30% overall, representing 23.5% for men and 41.8% for women, thus indicating a gender difference.

Conclusions

Further studies may be necessary to assess whether CCS who stopped visiting childhood cancer treatment facilities, actually received therapeutic intervention or appropriate screening for late effects as adults.
The battle of two ions: Ca2+ signalling against Na+ stress
Authors: Köster P. , Wallrad L. , Edel K. H. , Faisal M. , Alatar A. A. , Kudla J.
Published: February 2018

Soil salinity adversely affects plant growth, crop yield and the composition of ecosystems. Salinity stress impacts plants by combined effects of Na+ toxicity and osmotic perturbation. Plants have evolved elaborate mechanisms to counteract the detrimental consequences of salinity. Here we reflect on recent advances in our understanding of plant salt tolerance mechanisms. We discuss the embedding of the salt tolerance‐mediating SOS pathway in plant hormonal and developmental adaptation. Moreover, we review newly accumulating evidence indicating a crucial role of a transpiration‐dependent salinity tolerance pathway, that is centred around the function of the NADPH oxidase RBOHF and its role in endodermal and Casparian strip differentiation. Together, these data suggest a unifying and coordinating role for Ca2+ signalling in combating salinity stress at the cellular and organismal level.
Ancient rice cultivar extensively replaces phospholipids with non‐phosphorus glycolipid under phosphorus deficiency
Authors: Tawaraya Keitaro , Honda Soichiro , Cheng Weiguo , Chuba Masaru , Okazaki Yozo , Saito Kazuki , Oikawa Akira , Maruyama Hayato , Wasaki Jun , Wagatsuma Tadao
Published: February 2018

Recycling of phosphorus (P) from P‐containing metabolites is an adaptive strategy of plants to overcome soil P deficiency. This study was aimed at demonstrating differences in lipid remodelling between low‐P‐tolerant and ‐sensitive rice cultivars using lipidome profiling. The rice cultivars Akamai (low‐P‐tolerant) and Koshihikari (low‐P‐sensitive) were grown in a culture solution with [2 mg l−1 (+P)] or without (−P) phosphate for 21 and 28 days after transplantation. Upper and lower leaves were collected. Lipids were extracted from the leaves and their composition was analysed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Phospholipids, namely phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), diacylglycerol (DAG), triacylglycerol (TAG) and glycolipids, namely sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG), digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and 1,2‐diacyl‐3‐O‐alpha‐glucuronosyl glycerol (GlcADG), were detected. GlcADG level was higher in both cultivars grown in −P than in +P and the increase was larger in Akamai than in Koshihikari. DGDG, MGDG and SQDG levels were higher in Akamai grown in −P than in +P and the increase was larger in the upper leaves than in the lower leaves. PC, PE, PG and PI levels were lower in both cultivars grown in −P than in +P and the decrease was larger in the lower leaves than in the upper leaves and in Akamai than in Koshihikari. Akamai catabolised more phospholipids in older leaves and synthesised glycolipids in younger leaves. These results suggested that extensive phospholipid replacement with non‐phosphorus glycolipids is a mechanism underlying low‐P‐tolerance in rice cultivars.
Using virtual reality to distinguish subjects with multiple‐ but not single‐domain amnestic mild cognitive impairment from normal elderly subjects
Authors: Mohammadi Alireza , Kargar Mahmoud , Hesami Ehsan
Published: February 2018

Aim

Spatial disorientation is a hallmark of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer’s disease. Our aim was to use virtual reality to determine the allocentric and egocentric memory deficits of subjects with single‐domain aMCI (aMCIsd) and multiple‐domain aMCI (aMCImd). For this purpose, we introduced an advanced virtual reality navigation task (VRNT) to distinguish these deficits in mild Alzheimer’s disease (miAD), aMCIsd, and aMCImd.

Methods

The VRNT performance of 110 subjects, including 20 with miAD, 30 with pure aMCIsd, 30 with pure aMCImd, and 30 cognitively normal controls was compared. Our newly developed VRNT consists of a virtual neighbourhood (allocentric memory) and virtual maze (egocentric memory). Verbal and visuospatial memory impairments were also examined with Rey Auditory‐Verbal Learning Test and Rey‐Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, respectively.

Results

We found that miAD and aMCImd subjects were impaired in both allocentric and egocentric memory, but aMCIsd subjects performed similarly to the normal controls on both tasks. The miAD, aMCImd, and aMCIsd subjects performed worse on finding the target or required more time in the virtual environment than the aMCImd, aMCIsd, and normal controls, respectively. Our findings indicated the aMCImd and miAD subjects, as well as the aMCIsd subjects, were more impaired in egocentric orientation than allocentric orientation.

Conclusion

We concluded that VRNT can distinguish aMCImd subjects, but not aMCIsd subjects, from normal elderly subjects. The VRNT, along with the Rey Auditory‐Verbal Learning Test and Rey‐Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, can be used as a valid diagnostic tool for properly distinguishing different forms of aMCI.
Usefulness of carer‐held records to support informal caregivers of patients with dementia who live at home
Authors: Sato Shunsuke , Kazui Hiroaki , Shimizu Yoshiro , Yoshida Tetsuhiko , Yoshiyama Kenji , Kanemoto Hideki , Suzuki Yukiko , Morikami Toshimi , Fujisue Hiroshi , Tanaka Toshihisa , Ikeda Manabu
Published: February 2018

Aim

It is unclear whether carer‐held records (CHR) are useful for patients with dementia. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of the CHR for patients with dementia at the municipal level.

Methods

Candidates for CHR use in this study were informal caregivers of patients with dementia who lived at home in Kawanishi, Japan. CHR users were those who are involved in the patient's care and treatment, such as informal caregivers, family physicians, dementia specialists, care professionals, and care service coordinators, known as ‛care managersʼ in Japan. Collaborative meetings were held every month mainly to help users, especially care managers, learn how to effectively use CHR. We surveyed informal caregivers before and 1.5 years after the start of CHR use to evaluate whether CHR improved collaboration and information provision. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview and Dementia Behaviour Disturbance Scale were also administered. We divided the informal caregivers who continued CHR use for 1.5 years into two subgroups based on whether their care manager attended the collaborative meetings at least twice. In addition, we divided informal caregivers into three subgroups depending on their relationship to the patient: spouse, child, or daughter‐in‐law.

Results

The study initially consisted of 201 informal caregivers. Among them, 74 informal caregivers continued CHR use for 1.5 years. The information provision score significantly improved after CHR use for all informal caregivers. The collaboration score significantly improved after CHR use only for informal caregivers whose care managers attended at least two collaborative meetings. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview score significantly improved after CHR use for daughter‐in‐law caregivers. The Dementia Behaviour Disturbance Scale scores did not significantly improve after CHR use.

Conclusions

CHR were useful for informal caregivers of patients with dementia. However, care managers need to teach informal caregivers how to properly use CHR.
Clinical characteristics and quality of life of older adults with cognitive impairment in Macao
Authors: Lam Nogueira Bernice O.C. , Li Lu , Meng Li‐Rong , Ungvari Gabor S. , Ng Chee H. , Chiu Helen F.K. , Kuok Kenny C.F. , Tran Linda , Xiang Yu‐Tao
Published: February 2018

Background

Little is known about the characteristics of older adults with cognitive impairment in Macao. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment and the quality of life (QOL) of older adults living in the community and nursing homes.

Methods

A consecutive sample of 413 subjects (199 from the community; 214 from nursing homes) was recruited and interviewed using standardized instruments. Cognition was measured with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status and QOL with the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument.

Results

Altogether 87 subjects (21.0%) had cognitive impairment. On multivariate analyses, advanced age (P < 0.001, OR = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.03–1.1) and depressive symptoms (P = 0.03, OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 0.005–1.1) were positively associated with cognitive impairment. Married marital status (P = 0.01, OR = 0.3, 95%CI: 0.1–0.7) and higher education level (P < 0.001, OR = 0.1, 95%CI: 0.06–0.3) were negatively associated with cognitive impairment. After the confounders were controlled for, cognitive impairment was significantly associated with the lower psychological (F
(11,412) = 6.3, P = 0.01) and social relationship domains of QOL (F
(11,412) = 4.0, P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Cognitive impairment was found to be common in community‐dwelling and nursing home resident older adults in Macao. Given cognitive impairment's negative impact on QOL, appropriate strategies should be implemented to improve access to treatment in this population.
Low resilience to stress is associated with candidate gene expression alterations in the dopaminergic signalling pathway
Authors: Azadmarzabadi Esfandiar , Haghighatfard Arvin , Mohammadi Alireza
Published: February 2018

Background

In stressful situations, a person's ability to appropriately complete tasks with minimal anxiety is known as stress resilience. Genetic variants in neuropeptide Y, Corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1), and serotonin transporter have been previously reported to be associated with low resilience, but the relationship between low resilience and the dopaminergic signalling pathway is not well understood. Here, we aimed to describe the association between comprehensive psychological characteristics and messenger RNA levels of dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1), dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), dopamine receptor D3 (DRD3), dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4), dopamine receptor D5 (DRD5), COMT, Dopamine Beta‐Hydroxylase (DBH), Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), monoamine oxidase A (MAOM), dopa decarboxylase (DDC), dopamine transporter (DAT), serotonin transporter (5‐HTT), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) genes based on peripheral blood samples from 400 subjects who react differently to major life event stressors. The blood samples were analyzed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Methods

Four hundred Iranian individuals (age range: 17–42 years) were selected from 18 of Iran's 31 provinces. They were divided into four groups: (i) group A, persons with normal reactions to major life‐event stressors; (ii) group B, persons with acute stress reactions to major life‐event stressors; (iii) group C, persons with normal reactions to crises/catastrophes; and (iv) group D, persons with acute stress reactions to crises/catastrophes. Individuals were divided into groups by a senior psychiatrist based on an unstructured interview, the 21‐item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale.

Results

We found that the upregulation of DRD1, DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, DBH, DAT, and BDNF and the downregulation of serotonin transporter, monoamine oxidase A, and COMT are associated with stress resilience, which is modulated by dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways.

Conclusions

Gene expression variations were not only correlated with stress resilience, but they were also associated with other psychological parameters including personality, depression, anxiety, and intelligence.
Has the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath changed the impact of inflation on inflation uncertainty in member states of the european monetary union?
Authors: Nonejad Nima
Published: February 2018

We study to what extent the financial crisis of 2008 and its aftermath have changed the impact of inflation on inflation uncertainty in the 12 original member states of the European Monetary Union (EMU). We adopt a time‐varying coefficient regression model with stochastic volatility effects, and extract two measures of inflation uncertainty from our data, namely, (1) The conditional volatility of inflation, (2) The conditional volatility of steady‐state inflation. (1)–(2) represent short‐run and steady‐state inflation uncertainty, respectively. The time‐varying impact of inflation on inflation uncertainty is analyzed using Markov‐switching regressions, where switching between the low and high inflation uncertainty regime is determined via an unobserved Markov process. Results suggest that the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath have changed the impact of inflation on (1) and (2) across the selected EMU member states. However, a uniform pattern cannot be detected. For some member states, we document a strong link, whereas for others, the impact of inflation on inflation uncertainty is relatively weaker.
Sac1, a lipid phosphatase at the interface of vesicular and nonvesicular transport
Authors: Del Bel Lauren M. , Brill Julie A.
Published: February 2018

The lipid phosphatase Sac1 dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate (PI4P), thereby holding levels of this crucial membrane signaling molecule in check. Sac1 regulates multiple cellular processes, including cytoskeletal organization, membrane trafficking and cell signaling. Here, we review the structure and regulation of Sac1, its roles in cell signaling and development and its links to health and disease. Remarkably, many of the diverse roles attributed to Sac1 can be explained by the recent discovery of its requirement at membrane contact sites, where its consumption of PI4P is proposed to drive interorganelle transfer of other cellular lipids, thereby promoting normal lipid homeostasis within cells.
Extraocular muscle architecture in hawks and owls
Authors: Plochocki Jeffrey H. , Segev Tamar , Grow Wade , Hall Margaret I.
Published: February 2018

Objective

A complete and accurate understanding of extraocular muscle function is important to the veterinary care of the avian eye. This is especially true for birds of prey, which rely heavily on vision for survival and yet are prone to ocular injury and disease. To better understand the function of extraocular muscles in birds of prey, we studied extraocular muscle architecture grossly and histologically.

Animals studied

This sample was composed of two each of the following species: red‐tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), and barn owl (Tyto alba).

Procedures

All extraocular muscles were dissected and weighed. To analyze muscle fiber architecture, the superior oblique and quadratus muscles were dissected, weighed, and sectioned at 5 μm thickness in the transverse plane. We calculated the physiologic cross‐sectional area and the ratio of muscle mass to predicted effective maximum tetanic tension.

Results and Conclusions

Hawk and owl extraocular muscles exhibit significant physiological differences that play roles in ocular movements and closure of the nictitating membrane.

Owls, which do not exhibit extraocular movement, have muscle architecture suited to stabilize the position of a massive, tubular eye that protrudes significantly from the orbit.

Hawks, which have a more globose eye that is largely contained within the orbit, do not require as much muscular stability and instead have muscle architecture that facilitates rapid eye movement.
Transfusion leadership in the hospital
Authors: Cole‐Sinclair M. , Wynne A. , Maddy L.
Published: February 2018

The hospital environment, across multidisciplinary transfusion processes, is complex involving various organizations and agencies, staff and patients. A comprehensive, robust, collaborative, inclusive and effective clinical governance framework for transfusion/blood management activities is essential for patient safety and optimal outcomes; this should include integrated systems across the transfusion chain which is intrinsically high risk, given the possible severe adverse outcomes of error, multiple potential vulnerabilities and various components not being supported by electronic systems. Strong, informed clinician leadership provides inspiration, motivation and support to staff to achieve excellence in transfusion practice; key leaders should be involved with patient care and facilitate a culture of collaborative teamwork, accountability, openness, engagement and improvement. The transfusion committee (TC) should focus on actions, outcomes, improvement and staff/consumer engagement and be integral to the hospital's overall governance structure; clear accountability to executive is essential so that effective change can be supported, resourced, implemented and maintained. TC membership, activities and reporting lines should be clearly documented. Key clinical personnel, the laboratory, quality and executive all contribute as well as relevant external agencies, for example the blood supplier. The TC leadership team should have expertise in transfusion, leadership qualities and should include a haematologist, transfusion nurse/officer and laboratory scientist. The TC agenda should encompass regular items and reports, policy review, illustrative cases, improvement projects, education, guidelines/research and information sharing/benchmarking with other groups. Small TC working groups facilitate progress between meetings. Enablers and barriers to good transfusion practice include system issues, evidence barriers and individual factors.