bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIV/AIDS
Authors: McMillen Christian W.
Published: April 2017

HIV/AIDS had been percolating in central Africa since the early twentieth century, but it appeared in its now recognizable form in the spring of 1981. Doctors in America spotted a strange increase in rare infections and Kaposi’s sarcoma, especially in sexually active gay men. In 1982, it was named acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). ‘HIV/AIDS’ explains that soon afterward the virus was identified as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a complex retrovirus with several different identities. HIV makes its way into the body via infected fluids and can affect all members of society. There is no vaccine, but HIV/AIDS is now treatable, although access to drugs is uneven.
Epilogue
Authors: McMillen Christian W.
Published: April 2017

There will be more pandemics. A pandemic might come from an old, familiar foe such as influenza or might emerge from a new source—a zoonosis that makes its way into humans, perhaps. The epilogue asks how the world will confront pandemics in the future. It is likely that patterns established long ago will re-emerge. But how will new challenges, like climate change, affect future pandemics and our ability to respond? Will lessons learned from the past help with plans for the future? One thing is clear: in the face of a serious pandemic much of the developing world’s public health infrastructure will be woefully overburdened. This must be addressed.
Annihilation and dislocation
Authors: Echevarria Antulio J.
Published: April 2017

Annihilation and dislocation represent the “ideal outcome” in military strategy: a swift victory with as few casualties and economic costs as possible. Annihilation seeks to reduce an adversary’s physical capacity to fight, usually in a single battle or “lightning” campaign, such as Hannibal’s victory against the Romans in Cannae (216 BCE). Dislocation endeavors to reduce an opponent’s willingness to fight by causing confusion or disorientation through unexpected maneuvers or the use of surprise, such as Hitler’s blitzkrieg conquests in the Second World War. Annihilation and dislocation strategies can be considered high risk, high reward. They both require military forces trained well enough, and led effectively enough, to execute complex maneuvers.
Terror and terrorism
Authors: Echevarria Antulio J.
Published: April 2017

‘Terror and terrorism’ discusses strategies in which terror is used to break an opponent’s willingness to fight or to induce a change in a rival power’s policy or behavior. Terror often causes little damage to a foe’s physical capacity to fight, even if it inflicts mass casualties. Targets are usually chosen for their psychological rather than their material effect. Terror and terrorism are military strategies largely because of their coercive power. Terrorism is violence (discriminate or otherwise) directed against noncombatants to influence public opinion or to modify a government’s policies. Whether terrorism constitutes a strategy or a tactic is still a matter of debate.
Decapitation and targeted killing
Authors: Echevarria Antulio J.
Published: April 2017

The military strategies of decapitation and targeted killing derive from dislocation and attrition, respectively. Decapitation is the attempt to paralyze or destroy a group by removing its leadership, and targeted killing is the systematic elimination of an organization’s members, whether these individuals are in key positions of leadership or in the rank and file. Both strategies have been widely used to combat terrorists and insurgents. ‘Decapitation and targeted killing’ shows that the use of these strategies has increased markedly since the twenty-first century began, particularly with the widespread production of remotely piloted vehicles, but they remain highly controversial as strategic techniques. They may not destroy an organization permanently, but they can temporarily degrade its effectiveness.
Applying meta-analysis to genotype-tissue expression data from multiple tissues to identify eQTLs and increase the number of eGenes
Authors: Duong Dat , Gai Lisa , Snir Sagi , Kang Eun Yong , Han Buhm , Sul Jae Hoon , Eskin Eleazar
Published: April 2017

Motivation

There is recent interest in using gene expression data to contextualize findings from traditional genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Conditioned on a tissue, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are genetic variants associated with gene expression, and eGenes are genes whose expression levels are associated with genetic variants. eQTLs and eGenes provide great supporting evidence for GWAS hits and important insights into the regulatory pathways involved in many diseases. When a significant variant or a candidate gene identified by GWAS is also an eQTL or eGene, there is strong evidence to further study this variant or gene. Multi-tissue gene expression datasets like the Gene Tissue Expression (GTEx) data are used to find eQTLs and eGenes. Unfortunately, these datasets often have small sample sizes in some tissues. For this reason, there have been many meta-analysis methods designed to combine gene expression data across many tissues to increase power for finding eQTLs and eGenes. However, these existing techniques are not scalable to datasets containing many tissues, like the GTEx data. Furthermore, these methods ignore a biological insight that the same variant may be associated with the same gene across similar tissues.

Results

We introduce a meta-analysis model that addresses these problems in existing methods. We focus on the problem of finding eGenes in gene expression data from many tissues, and show that our model is better than other types of meta-analyses.

Availability and Implementation

Source code is at https://github.com/datduong/RECOV.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Multiple network-constrained regressions expand insights into influenza vaccination responses
Authors: Avey Stefan , Mohanty Subhasis , Wilson Jean , Zapata Heidi , Joshi Samit R , Siconolfi Barbara , Tsang Sui , Shaw Albert C , Kleinstein Steven H
Published: April 2017

Motivation

Systems immunology leverages recent technological advancements that enable broad profiling of the immune system to better understand the response to infection and vaccination, as well as the dysregulation that occurs in disease. An increasingly common approach to gain insights from these large-scale profiling experiments involves the application of statistical learning methods to predict disease states or the immune response to perturbations. However, the goal of many systems studies is not to maximize accuracy, but rather to gain biological insights. The predictors identified using current approaches can be biologically uninterpretable or present only one of many equally predictive models, leading to a narrow understanding of the underlying biology.

Results

Here we show that incorporating prior biological knowledge within a logistic modeling framework by using network-level constraints on transcriptional profiling data significantly improves interpretability. Moreover, incorporating different types of biological knowledge produces models that highlight distinct aspects of the underlying biology, while maintaining predictive accuracy. We propose a new framework, Logistic Multiple Network-constrained Regression (LogMiNeR), and apply it to understand the mechanisms underlying differential responses to influenza vaccination. Although standard logistic regression approaches were predictive, they were minimally interpretable. Incorporating prior knowledge using LogMiNeR led to models that were equally predictive yet highly interpretable. In this context, B cell-specific genes and mTOR signaling were associated with an effective vaccination response in young adults. Overall, our results demonstrate a new paradigm for analyzing high-dimensional immune profiling data in which multiple networks encoding prior knowledge are incorporated to improve model interpretability.

Availability and implementation

The R source code described in this article is publicly available at https://bitbucket.org/kleinstein/logminer.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
deBGR: an efficient and near-exact representation of the weighted de Bruijn graph
Authors: Pandey Prashant , Bender Michael A , Johnson Rob , Patro Rob
Published: April 2017

Motivation

Almost all de novo short-read genome and transcriptome assemblers start by building a representation of the de Bruijn Graph of the reads they are given as input. Even when other approaches are used for subsequent assembly (e.g. when one is using ‘long read’ technologies like those offered by PacBio or Oxford Nanopore), efficient k-mer processing is still crucial for accurate assembly, and state-of-the-art long-read error-correction methods use de Bruijn Graphs. Because of the centrality of de Bruijn Graphs, researchers have proposed numerous methods for representing de Bruijn Graphs compactly. Some of these proposals sacrifice accuracy to save space. Further, none of these methods store abundance information, i.e. the number of times that each k-mer occurs, which is key in transcriptome assemblers.

Results

We present a method for compactly representing the weighted de Bruijn Graph (i.e. with abundance information) with essentially no errors. Our representation yields zero errors while increasing the space requirements by less than 18–28% compared to the approximate de Bruijn graph representation in Squeakr. Our technique is based on a simple invariant that all weighted de Bruijn Graphs must satisfy, and hence is likely to be of general interest and applicable in most weighted de Bruijn Graph-based systems.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/splatlab/debgr.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Predicting phenotypes from microarrays using amplified, initially marginal, eigenvector regression
Authors: Ding Lei , McDonald Daniel J
Published: April 2017

Motivation

The discovery of relationships between gene expression measurements and phenotypic responses is hampered by both computational and statistical impediments. Conventional statistical methods are less than ideal because they either fail to select relevant genes, predict poorly, ignore the unknown interaction structure between genes, or are computationally intractable. Thus, the creation of new methods which can handle many expression measurements on relatively small numbers of patients while also uncovering gene–gene relationships and predicting well is desirable.

Results

We develop a new technique for using the marginal relationship between gene expression measurements and patient survival outcomes to identify a small subset of genes which appear highly relevant for predicting survival, produce a low-dimensional embedding based on this small subset, and amplify this embedding with information from the remaining genes. We motivate our methodology by using gene expression measurements to predict survival time for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, illustrate the behavior of our methodology on carefully constructed synthetic examples, and test it on a number of other gene expression datasets. Our technique is computationally tractable, generally outperforms other methods, is extensible to other phenotypes, and also identifies different genes (relative to existing methods) for possible future study.

Availability and Implementation

All of the code and data are available at http://mypage.iu.edu/∼dajmcdon/research/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary material is available at Bioinformatics online.
Social Engagement Care for Frail Older Persons: Desire for It and Provision by Live-In Migrant Caregivers
Authors: Cohen-Mansfield Jiska , Golander Hava , Iecovich Esther , Jensen Barbara
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To describe social engagement care (SEC) provided by live-in migrant caregivers for frail older adults compared with care recipients’ and families’ wishes for such care.

Method

Interviews with care recipients, family members, and migrant caregivers assessed preferences for and provision of five types of SEC activities: knowing the older person as a person, knowing their main concerns, having personal conversations, going for walks, and sharing social or leisure activities.

Results

Care recipients and family proxies reported a moderate desire for SEC from migrant caregivers, except for sharing leisure activities, for which there was only a slight preference. Migrant caregivers reported these practices at somewhat higher levels compared with the other respondents. Migrant caregivers’ reports of practice show little relationship with care-recipients’ preferences, but care recipients tended to perceive practice as agreeing with their own wishes.

Discussion

It is important to include SEC as part of the role of live-in migrant caregivers of older persons. However, there is a need to differentiate among types of SEC and subsequently optimize the match between the care-recipient’s wishes and needs and the actual care provided.
English Word Reading Difficulties and Orthographic Processing Weaknesses in Chinese–English Bilingual Adolescents With Dyslexia
Authors: Tong Xiuhong , McBride Catherine
Published: April 2017

Is dyslexia in Chinese for Chinese–English bilinguals associated with difficulties in reading English, given differences in L1 and L2 orthographies? Among 11 Hong Kong Chinese adolescents with dyslexia, who were diagnosed by professional psychologists using the diagnostic criteria set out in a standardized test, and 14 adolescents without dyslexia, Chinese word reading was tested at the age of 9 years; English word reading was tested across ages 9, 10, 11, and 12 years; and English orthographic processing was tested in a lexical decision task at the age of 13 years. The lexical decision task required participants to judge whether or not stimuli appeared to “look like” a possible real word in English across 3 conditions (real words, look-like words that were orthographically possible in English, and nonwords that violated orthographic rules of English). English word reading differed significantly between the 2 groups in 2 of the 4 years. Both groups found it easier to identify nonwords that violated English orthographic rules than those that did not. However, compared with peers without dyslexia, adolescents with dyslexia had more difficulties with English orthographic rules in accuracy but not reaction time, suggesting that children with dyslexia may manifest specific difficulties in English orthographic processing.
Persuasiveness of anti-smoking messages: self-construal and message focus
Authors: Yang Bo , Nan Xiaoli , Zhao Xinyan
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of independent vs interdependent self-construal in non-smokers’ responses to an anti-smoking message that focuses on either personal or relational consequences of smoking.

Design/methodology/approach

Two web-based experimental studies were conducted among US college non-smokers. In the first study, participants’ self-construal was measured. Then participants were randomly assigned to view an anti-smoking message emphasizing either relational or personal consequences of smoking. Message evaluation, smoking attitudes, and behavioral intentions were assessed after message exposure. The second study followed the same procedure except that participants’ self-construal was manipulated by randomly assigning participants to an independent or interdependent self-construal priming task prior to message exposure.

Findings

Both studies showed a noticeable pattern of interaction between message focus and self-construal: non-smokers with a salient interdependent self-construal responded more favorably to an anti-smoking message emphasizing personal (vs relational) consequences of smoking whereas non-smokers with a salient independent self-construal responded more favorably to an anti-smoking message emphasizing relational (vs personal) consequences of smoking. However, the interaction effect was small in the first study.

Originality/value

Findings from this study are original in that they run counter to the general belief that messages matching people’s self-perceptions will be more persuasive. On the other hand, matching health risk messages with people’s dominant self-construal may reduce the messages effectiveness due to defensive processing. As a result, communication practitioners should take a great caution of tailoring threatening smoking prevention messages to target audiences’ self-perceptions.
Towards an adapted MHP strategic capabilities model for moderating challenges to quality music festival management
Authors: Simon Alan , Parker Alastair , Stockport Gary , Sohal Amrik
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The music festival industry is challenged by intense competition and financial exigency. As a result, many festivals have either folded or are currently struggling. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to show that motivator-hygiene-professional (MHP) strategic capabilities (SCs) are positively associated with quality music festival management thereby providing a playbook for potentially mitigating these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed methods research design comprised a case study of a leading event management company as well as nation-wide in-depth interviews and questionnaire survey. The authors initially confirmed the nature of the challenges to the industry from the case study and the in-depth interviews. The authors then developed an MHP Model of 15 SCs that were identified from the literature and the qualitative research. The relationship of the MHP SCs model to quality music festival management was tested in the questionnaire survey.

Findings

The respondents suggested that all the SCs were related to quality music festival management. However, Professional SCs were considered comparatively less important than motivator and hygiene SCs. Across all three groups, interviewees highlighted the significance of artists, site and operational planning, financial and stakeholder management and ticket pricing. In addition, careful planning, delegation and quality focus, problem solving, resolve and flexibility, leadership and vision, communication and innovation were considered conducive to the quality management of music festival organisations.

Practical implications

The MHP SCs model and dimensions of quality management offer music festival event managers a detailed practical playbook for moderating challenges to music festival management. In essence the authors provide the specific drivers that festival managers should best focus their attention upon. Visionary leadership, artist differentiation, innovation, customer service and flexible management have priority.

Originality/value

The findings add to the festival management literature by demonstrating the importance of motivator, hygiene and additional professional SCs for moderating challenges to the music festival industry. To the best of authors’ knowledge, no previous studies have directly investigated specific SCs critical for quality event and festival management. In particular, the academic significance of this paper is that the authors have combined Herzberg’s motivator and hygiene factors with SCs, which are in essence success drivers, to create a novel holistic MHP SCs model for quality music festival management. Further explanatory insight is gained by the addition of a third factor of professional SCs.
Continuous improvement strategies across manufacturing SMEs of Northern India
Authors: Sraun Jagdeep Singh , Singh Harwinder
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the contributions of successful continuous improvement (CI) strategic implementation to competitive manufacturing. It also seeks to critically examine the level of importance of CI strategy implementation in Indian manufacturing organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A reasonably large number of manufacturing organizations with successful experience of CI approach have been surveyed to assess the contributions of CI strategies and approach towards accruing useful benefits. The study involves working out the correlations between various CI strategies and manufacturing performance parameters to ascertain the contributions of significant strategies towards realization of manufacturing performance improvement.

Findings

The results of investigation demonstrated that CI strategies and approach significantly aimed at improving the quality of product manufactured by small- and medium-scale manufacturing enterprises. Supportive tools have negative impact on manufacturing performance parameters. Total productive maintenance strategies have highly significant impact on manufacturing performance improvement.

Practical implications

The study establishes that CI strategic implementation can systematically contribute towards realization of significant manufacturing performance enhancements.

Originality/value

The study highlights both positive and negative potentials of CI strategic implementation affecting performance improvements. The achievements of Indian manufacturing organizations through proactive CI approach have been evaluated and the critical impact of CI strategies has been identified for enhancing the effectiveness of CI activities in the Indian context.
The use of fortified foods to treat malnutrition among older adults: a systematic review
Authors: Douglas Joy W. , Lawrence Jeannine C. , Knowlden Adam P.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Food fortification with common kitchen ingredients has been suggested to improve nutritional intake. The purpose of this paper was to systematically review the efficacy of food fortification on calorie and protein intake among older adults.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search was conducted using Boolean search logic and seven research databases to identify interventions using fortified foods to increase calorie and protein intake among older adults. Ten studies published in English since 1996 were eligible for inclusion. Study quality was evaluated using an adapted Modified Jadad Questionnaire.

Findings

Food fortification was associated with increased calorie intake in eight studies, increased protein intake in five studies, and increased body weight in three studies. However, studies were limited by lack of rigor in methodology and small sample sizes.

Originality/value

Food fortification may improve calorie and protein intake, but results are limited by study weaknesses. Additionally, it is unclear whether improved intake results in improved clinical outcomes.
Delivering person-centred holistic care for older people
Authors: Beech Roger , Ong Bie Nio , Jones Sue , Edwards Vicky
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper is an evaluated case study of the Wellbeing Coordinator (WBC) service in Cheshire, UK. WBCs are non-clinical members of the GP surgery or hospital team who offer advice and support to help people with long-term conditions and unmet social needs remain independent at home. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method design assessed the outcomes of care for recipients and carers using interviews, diaries and validated wellbeing measures. Service utilization data, interviews and observations of WBC consultations enabled investigation of changes in processes of care. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics, established instrument scoring systems and accepted social science conventions.

Findings

The WBC complements medical approaches to supporting people with complex health and social care problems, with support for carers often a key service component. Users reported improvements in their wellbeing, access to social networks, and maintenance of social identity and valued activities. Health and social care professionals recognized the value of the service.

Practical implications

The WBC concept relieves the burden on health and social care professionals as the social elements of ill-health are addressed. A shift in thinking from ill-health to wellbeing means older people feel more able to regain control over their own lives, being less dependent on consulting professionals.

Originality/value

The WBC is a new service focussing on the individual in their health, social and economic context. Process and outcomes evaluations are rare in this field.
Mini pretreatment system integrated with micro pre-concentrator and micro GC column
Authors: Zhang Yanni , Sun Jianhai , Zhu Xiaofeng , Liu Jinhua , Ning Zhanwu
Published: April 2017

Purpose

As the concentration of environmental samples was generally very low and existing analytical instruments had limited sensitivity, developing mini pre-treatment systems for effectively concentrating the components was very important and necessary. The purposed of this paper is to develop mini pretreatment system integrated with micro pre-concentrator and micro GC column.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a mini pre-treatment system integrated with a micro pre-concentrator and a micro gas chromatograph (GC) column was proposed. The micro pre-concentrator filled with single-walled carbon nanotubes as adsorbent materials was able to effectively concentrate the trace environmental sample, which dramatically improved the response of detectors. In addition, instead of conventional columns, micro GC columns were able to effectively separate gas mixtures, which are able to overcome low resolution and poor anti-interference ability of portable instruments.

Findings

The results demonstrated that the proposed pre-treatment system was able to concentrate the trace sample with a concentration factor of 15 and effectively separate the gas mixtures with a resolution over 1.5.

Originality/value

A mini pre-treatment system integrated with a micro pre-concentrator and a micro GC column was proposed.
Gas concentration detection via multi-channeled air sampling method
Authors: Hou Longfei , Wang Dan , Du Bingxuan , Qian Xinmin , Yuan Mengqi
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new technique for monitoring gas leakage in underground pipelines to prevent dangerous explosions.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel system for monitoring methane concentration in underground spaces was developed by integrating the multi-channeled air sampling method with an infrared gas sensor. A pipe installation methodology (without excavation) was established and verified accordingly.

Findings

The proposed approach was proven successful in reducing the quantity of sensors needed for real-time monitoring of underground pipeline leakage by about 80 per cent. Furthermore, this system lowers total operational cost by as much as 60 per cent.

Originality/value

The results presented here represent a possible solution to reducing the public safety risks associated with explosions and fires caused by pipeline leakage in underground spaces. Its total cost is low and its monitoring efficiency is high.
Beyond guidelines: discretionary practice in face‐to‐face triage nursing
Authors: Johannessen Lars E.F.
Published: April 2017

This article draws on ethnographic data from a Norwegian emergency primary care clinic (EPCC) to explore nurses’ discretionary application of guidelines. Specifically, it analyses nurses’ discretionary use of the Manchester Triage System (MTS) when performing face‐to‐face triage, that is, assessing the urgency of patients’ complaints. The analysis shows how nurses assessed patients at odds with MTS prescriptions by collecting supplementary data, engaging in differential diagnostic and holistic reasoning, relying on emotion and intuition, and allowing colleagues and patients to influence their reasoning. The findings also show how nurses’ reasoning led them to override guidelines both overtly and covertly. Based on this evidence, it is argued that nurses’ assessments relied more on internalised ‘triage mindlines’ than on codified triage guidelines, although the MTS did function as a support system, checklist and system for supervisory control. The study complements existing research on standardisation in nursing by providing an in‐depth analysis of nurses’ methods for navigating guidelines and by detailing how deviations from those guidelines spring from their clinical reasoning. The challenges of imposing a managerial logic on professional labour are also highlighted, which is of particular relevance in light of the drive towards standardisation in modern healthcare.
Electroencephalographic patterns of lithium poisoning: a study of the effect/concentration relationships in the rat
Authors: Hanak Anne‐Sophie , Malissin Isabelle , Poupon Joël , Risède Patricia , Chevillard Lucie , Mégarbane Bruno
Published: April 2017

Objectives

Lithium overdose may result in encephalopathy and electroencephalographic abnormalities. Three poisoning patterns have been identified based on the ingested dose, previous treatment duration and renal function. Whether the severity of lithium‐induced encephalopathy depends on the poisoning pattern has not been established. We designed a rat study to investigate lithium‐induced encephalopathy and correlate its severity to plasma, erythrocyte, cerebrospinal fluid and brain lithium concentrations previously determined in rat models mimicking human poisoning patterns.

Methods

Lithium‐induced encephalopathy was assessed and scored using continuous electroencephalography.

Results

We demonstrated that lithium overdose was consistently responsible for encephalopathy, the severity of which depended on the poisoning pattern. Acutely poisoned rats developed rapid‐onset encephalopathy which reached a maximal grade of 2/5 at 6 h and disappeared at 24 h post‐injection. Acute‐on‐chronically poisoned rats developed persistent and slightly fluctuating encephalopathy which reached a maximal grade of 3/5. Chronically poisoned rats developed rapid‐onset but gradually increasing life‐threatening encephalopathy which reached a maximal grade of 4/5. None of the acutely, 20% of the acute‐on‐chronically and 57% of the chronically lithium‐poisoned rats developed seizures. The relationships between encephalopathy severity and lithium concentrations fitted a sigmoidal Emax model based on cerebrospinal fluid concentrations in acute poisoning and brain concentrations in acute‐on‐chronic poisoning. In chronic poisoning, worsening of encephalopathy paralleled the increase in plasma lithium concentrations.

Conclusions

The severity of lithium‐induced encephalopathy is dependent on the poisoning pattern, which was previously shown to determine lithium accumulation in the brain. Our data support the proposition that electroencephalography is a sensitive tool for scoring lithium‐related neurotoxicity.
Working the system: Development of a system model of technology integration to inform learning task design
Authors: Howard Sarah K. , Thompson Kate , Yang Jie , Ma Jun
Published: April 2017

There has been extensive investigation into factors affecting digital technology integration in learning and teaching, but the complexity of integration continues to elude understanding. Thus, questions about how digital technologies can be best used to support learning persist. This paper argues that methods designed to address complex systems are needed to understand the interplay between teaching, learning and digital technologies. Starting with a developing system model of teachers' technology integration, this study revises the model to include factors of students' experience using digital technologies and beliefs about learning. The revised model is then used to demonstrate possible effects of student experiences in a technologically integrated group learning task. Analysis draws on data from a large‐scale Australian study of technology innovation (N = 7406). Data mining techniques are used to identify patterns of students' technology use and perceptions of group work. Findings inform revision of the model to include factors of students' experience and learning and their effects on teachers' practice. Implications for learning design and students' learning experiences are explored.
The incidence of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies in patients with microprolactinoma and idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia
Authors: Behan L.A. , Moyles P. , Cuesta M. , Rogers B. , Crowley R.K. , Ryan J. , Brennan P. , Smith D. , Tormey W. , Sherlock M. , Thompson C.J.
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Patients with microprolactinoma and idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia are not generally considered to be at risk of hypopituitarism and are therefore not routinely screened for this abnormality. In our clinical practice, we have observed a number of patients with nonmacroadenomatous hyperprolactinaemia to have anterior pituitary hormone deficits.

Aims

We aimed to establish the frequency and clinical significance of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies, comparing patients with radiologically proven microprolactinomas and patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia.

Study Design

We retrospectively examined the casenotes of 206 patients with hyperprolactinaemia from our centre. Patients who did not fit the profile of surgically naïve microprolactinoma or idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia or who had incomplete data were excluded, resulting in a study group of 56 patients.

Results

A total of 35 patients with MRI evidence of microprolactinoma were identified, three (8.57%) of whom had one or more anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies. A total of 21 patients with MRI‐negative idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia were identified, nine (42%) of whom had one or more anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies (P<.01). Only one patient in the MRI‐positive group had deficiency that required hormone replacement, in contrast six patients in the MRI‐negative group had deficiencies that were of clinical significance and which required hormone replacement.

This study shows a clinically significant incidence of anterior pituitary hormone deficiency in patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia. The authors recommend that dynamic pituitary assessment should be considered routinely in this patient group. A prospective study would be required to assess the underlying cause for these abnormalities, as they suggest a nontumour pan‐pituitary process.
A multi‐institutional joint study of contact dermatitis related to hair colouring and perming agents in Japan
Authors: Ito Akiko , Nishioka Kazue , Kanto Hiromi , Yagami Akiko , Yamada Shigeki , Sugiura Mariko , Yasunaga Chihiro , Yoshii Keiko , Kobayashi Hiromi , Adachi Atsuko , Ikezawa Yuko , Washizaki Kumiko , Inui Shigeki , Miyazawa Hitoshi , Oiso Naoki , Nakata Tokio , Matsunaga Kayoko
Published: April 2017

Background

In Japan, allergic contact dermatitis caused by hair colouring agents is a considerable problem for those occupationally exposed and also for consumers. Over the last 20 years, p‐phenylenediamine (PPD) has been a common allergen, with ∼7% positive patch test reactions.

Objectives

To investigate which ingredients caused allergic contact dermatitis related to hair dye and perming solutions in Japan, to assess whether PPD is suitable for screening for hair dye allergy, and to propose allergens for a Japanese hairdresser series.

Methods

We selected 19 hair cosmetic allergens, including PPD, Bandrowski's base, cysteamine HCl, and ammonium thioglycolate. Altogether 203 patients (26 males and 177 females) with suspected contact allergy to hair colouring or perming solutions at 14 hospitals in Japan were included.

Results

The highest prevalence of positive reactions (35.1%) was for PPD. p‐Methylaminophenol and o‐aminophenol were often positive, both in the PPD‐positive and in the PPD‐negative patients. Moreover, cysteamine HCl often yielded positive test reactions.

Conclusions

PPD is insufficient to diagnose contact allergy caused by to hair dyes. We recommend 13 allergens to be included in a Japanese hairdresser series.
Hand eczema, atopic dermatitis and filaggrin mutations in adult Danes: a registry‐based study assessing risk of disability pension
Authors: Heede Nina G. , Thuesen Betina H. , Thyssen Jacob P. , Linneberg Allan , Szecsi Pal B. , Stender Steen , Menné Torkil , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: April 2017

Background

Atopic dermatitis and hand eczema often impair the ability of people to work. Only a few studies have investigated whether individuals with loss‐of‐function filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations, who often have severe and early onset of dermatitis, experience occupational consequences.

Objective

To investigate the personal consequences of having atopic dermatitis and/or hand eczema and FLG mutations.

Method

Adult Danes from the general population (n = 3247) and patients with atopic dermatitis and/or hand eczema (n = 496) were genotyped for common FLG mutations, and completed a questionnaire about skin symptoms and hand eczema. Socioeconomic variables, including disability pension, and information on work in risk occupations were retrieved from national registries. The reasons for granting disability pension were unknown.

Results

Disability pension was associated with hand eczema in the general population, especially among individuals with a history of atopic dermatitis. Moreover, self‐reported hand eczema and atopic dermatitis were associated with particularly high risk of disability pension among FLG mutation carriers [odds ratio (OR) 4.02 and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–14.11; and OR 6.01 and 95%CI: 2.37–15.34, respectively]. Furthermore, 60% of the FLG mutation carriers with atopic dermatitis who developed hand eczema had experienced symptoms before adulthood.

Conclusion

In the general population, self‐reported hand eczema and atopic dermatitis, particularly in individuals with a genetically impaired skin barrier, were associated with disability pension, suggesting that FLG mutations carriers with a history of atopic dermatitis and hand eczema could benefit from early attention with respect to choice of occupation.
Determinants of the postpericardiotomy syndrome: a systematic review
Authors: van Osch Dirk , Nathoe Hendrik M. , Jacob Kirolos A. , Doevendans Pieter A. , van Dijk Diederik , Suyker Willem J. , Dieleman Jan M.
Published: April 2017

Background

Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a common complication following cardiac surgery; however, the exact pathogenesis remains uncertain. Identifying risk factors of PPS might help to better understand the syndrome. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of existing literature around determinants of PPS in adult cardiac surgery patients.

Material and methods

Two independent investigators performed a systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register. The search aimed to identify studies published between January 1950 and December 2015, in which determinants of PPS were reported.

Results

A total of 19 studies met the selection criteria. In these studies, 14 different definitions of PPS were used. The median incidence of PPS was 16%. After quality assessment, seven studies were considered eligible for this review. Lower preoperative interleukin‐8 levels and higher postoperative complement conversion products were associated with a higher risk of PPS. Among other clinical factors, a lower age, transfusion of red blood cells and lower preoperative platelet and haemoglobin levels were associated with a higher risk of PPS. Colchicine use decreased the risk of PPS.

Conclusion

We found that both the inflammatory response and perioperative bleeding and coagulation may play a role in the development of PPS, suggesting a multifactorial aetiology of the syndrome. Due to a lack of a uniform definition of PPS in the past, study comparability was poor across the studies.
The PRIAMO study: urinary dysfunction as a marker of disease progression in early Parkinson's disease
Authors: Picillo M. , Palladino R. , Barone P. , Erro R. , Colosimo C. , Marconi R. , Morgante L. , Antonini A. ,   the PRIAMO Study Group
Published: April 2017

Background and purpose

New venues are currently being explored to predict disease progression in Parkinson's disease (PD), such as non‐motor subtypes and models merging motor and non‐motor symptoms (NMS). By involving a subgroup of 585 patients from the PRIAMO (Parkinson Disease Non‐motor Symptoms) study, the present 24‐month longitudinal prospective analysis aimed to demonstrate that urinary dysfunction is an early marker of higher motor and non‐motor burden as well as lower health‐related quality of life.

Methods and results

Multivariable mixed‐effect logistic regression models controlling for demographic and clinical variables showed that the following NMS domains were associated with urinary dysfunction: gastrointestinal [odds ratio (OR) 2.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67–3.97, P < 0.001], cardiovascular (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.18–4.17, P = 0.013), skin (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.06–3.08, P = 0.029), sleep (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.34–3.16, P = 0.001), pain (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.21–2.83, P = 0.004), fatigue (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.56–3.68, P < 0.001), apathy (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.72–4.52, P < 0.001) and respiratory (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.02–3.23, P = 0.039). Analysis also demonstrated that urinary dysfunction was associated with higher motor disability (coefficient 1.73, 95% CI 0.68–2.78, P = 0.001) and lower health‐related quality of life (coefficient −0.05, 95% CI −0.08 to −0.02, P < 0.001, and coefficient −3.49, 95% CI −5.21 to −1.77, P < 0.001) but not with more severe cognitive disability (coefficient −0.34, 95% CI −0.92 to 0.24, P = 0.251).

Conclusions

This is the first prospective longitudinal study involving a large cohort of PD patients demonstrating the relevance of urinary dysfunction as an early marker of higher motor and non‐motor disability as well as lower health‐related quality of life. These findings support a role for urinary dysfunction as an early marker of more severe disease progression.
Couples with Intimate Partner Violence Seeking Relationship Help: Associations and Implications for Self‐Help and Online Interventions
Authors: Roddy McKenzie K. , Georgia Emily J. , Doss Brian D.
Published: April 2017

In‐person conjoint treatments for relationship distress are effective at increasing relationship satisfaction, and newly developed online programs are showing promising results. However, couples reporting even low levels intimate partner violence (IPV) are traditionally excluded from these interventions. To improve the availability of couple‐based treatment for couples with IPV, the present study sought to determine whether associations with IPV found in community samples generalized to couples seeking help for their relationship and whether web‐based interventions for relationship distressed worked equally well for couples with IPV. In the first aim, in a sample of 2,797 individuals who were seeking online help for their relationship, the levels and correlates of both low‐intensity and clinically significant IPV largely matched what is found in community samples. In the second aim, in a sample of 300 couples who were randomly assigned to a web‐based intervention or a waitlist control group, low‐impact IPV did not moderate the effects of the intervention for relationship distress. Therefore, web‐based interventions may be an effective (and easily accessible) intervention for relationship distress for couples with low‐intensity IPV.
The biogeographical history of the interaction between mycoheterotrophic Thismia (Thismiaceae) plants and mycorrhizal Rhizophagus (Glomeraceae) fungi
Authors: Merckx Vincent S. F. T. , Gomes Sofia I. F. , Wapstra Mark , Hunt Colin , Steenbeeke Greg , Mennes Constantijn B. , Walsh Neville , Smissen Rob , Hsieh Tsung‐Hsin , Smets Erik F. , Bidartondo Martin I.
Published: April 2017

Aim

Achlorophyllous mycoheterotrophic plants and mycorrhizal fungi often have highly specific interactions that potentially limit the plants’ distribution and diversification potential. However, specificity in biotic interactions may differ considerably over a species’ distribution range and therefore interactions need to be studied over their entire range to assess their evolution in space and time. The present study investigates the biogeographical history of the interaction between five closely related mycoheterotrophic Thismia species and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi over the distribution range of the plant species.

Location

Temperate south‐east Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

Phylogenetic relationships of Thismia (nrITS and mtcob) and their arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (partial nrSSU) were reconstructed based on data from 65 plant specimens. The diversification times in Thismia were estimated with a Bayesian relaxed clock approach using a Dioscoreales framework (nrSSU, mtatp1, mtmatR, mtnad1 b‐c). Ancestral geographical ranges were reconstructed using a maximum likelihood approach. The same approach was used to reconstruct ancestral mycorrhizal associations.

Results

Our analysis shows that Thismia plants have highly specific, phylogenetically conserved and evolutionarily persistent interactions with Rhizophagus fungi. Nevertheless, Thismia was able to diversify and radiate recently due to the wide geographical distribution of the host fungi. In addition, we find that although the mycorrhizal interactions of this clade of mycoheterotrophs are strictly bound to a fungal lineage, host switches remain possible.

Main conclusions

In this clade of closely related mycoheterotrophs, dependency on highly specific fungal interactions is the result of phylogenetic niche conservatism, acting over at least 12 million years. Nevertheless, plants that are dependent on highly specific fungal interactions have ample opportunities to disperse and radiate over the geographical range of their hosts. Our study highlights the need to link the ecology and evolution of species interactions over broad geographical and evolutionary scales for understanding mycorrhizal interactions.
Dispersal is more important than climate in structuring turtle communities across different biogeographical realms
Authors: Rodrigues João Fabrício Mota , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre Felizola
Published: April 2017

Aim

Ecological communities may be structured by deterministic processes commonly related to climatic conditions or to neutral processes commonly associated with dispersal limitation. This study aims to evaluate the processes responsible for structuring the composition of turtle communities across different biogeographical realms.

Location

Global

Methods

We used distribution maps of 290 non‐marine turtle species to determine the components of beta diversity (turnover and nestedness/richness difference) within the biogeographical realms. We also used a recently published phylogeny to calculate phylogenetic beta diversity. Then, we used partial Mantel tests and multiple regressions on distance matrices (MRM) to evaluate the importance of ecological and spatial factors in determining turtle beta diversity. We also used multiple regressions to evaluate whether temperature instability since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) or topographical heterogeneity was the main driver of beta diversity.

Results

The beta diversity of turtles in all realms was mainly influenced by the turnover component. However, the nestedness/richness difference component was also important, mainly in realms subject to large climatic variations since theLGM. Environmental distance was positively related to beta diversity in some realms, but this effect was generally low. Geographical distance explained a higher amount of variance than environmental distances in all the realms. Phylogenetic beta diversity provided similar results to taxonomic beta diversity. Temperature instability since theLGMwas a strong driver of taxonomic beta diversity in the Nearctic realm, but its effect on the Neotropical realm was mainly concentrated in the turnover component.

Main conclusions

Spatial processes such as dispersal may be more important than climatic differences in structuring the composition of turtle communities in the distinct biogeographical realms. However, when climate is also important, the effect of environmental processes such as temperature instability since theLGMand topographical heterogeneity are not the same in the different biogeographical realms.