bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An improved method to set significance thresholds for β diversity testing in microbial community comparisons
Authors: Gülay Arda , Smets Barth F.
Published: December 2014

Exploring the variation in microbial community diversity between locations (β diversity) is a central topic in microbial ecology. Currently, there is no consensus on how to set the significance threshold for β diversity. Here, we describe and quantify the technical components of β diversity, including those associated with the process of subsampling. These components exist for any proposed β diversity measurement procedure. Further, we introduce a strategy to set significance thresholds for β diversity of any group of microbial samples using rarefaction, invoking the notion of a meta‐community. The proposed technique was applied to several in silico generated operational taxonomic unit (OTU) libraries and experimental 16S rRNA pyrosequencing libraries. The latter represented microbial communities from different biological rapid sand filters at a full‐scale waterworks. We observe that β diversity, after subsampling, is inflated by intra‐sample differences; this inflation is avoided in the proposed method. In addition, microbial community evenness (Gini > 0.08) strongly affects all β diversity estimations due to bias associated with rarefaction. Where published methods to test β significance often fail, the proposed meta‐community‐based estimator is more successful at rejecting insignificant β diversity values. Applying our approach, we reveal the heterogeneous microbial structure of biological rapid sand filters both within and across filters.
Between Two Paradigms: Harriet Pullen and the Earliest Australian Female Preachers
Authors: Starling Nicole
Published: December 2014

This article focuses on an eye‐witness account of a series of sermons preached in Brown's River, Tasmania, in 1836–1838 by Harriet Pullen — arguably the earliest documented instance of female preaching in Australia. It explores the context, motivation, and reception of Harriet's preaching, comparing it with the two main paradigms of female preachers that can be found in the contemporary literature: the preacher as “prophetess” and the preacher as “helpmeet.” While Harriet has much in common with both paradigms, she does not fit neatly into either. Her preaching activity is best understood as a convergence of the two paradigms, within a context of domestic church gatherings in a frontier missionary situation.
A Longitudinal Study of State Strategies and Policies to Accelerate Evidence‐Based Practices in the Context of Systems Transformation
Authors: Rieckmann Traci , Abraham Amanda , Zwick Janet , Rasplica Caitlin , McCarty Dennis
Published: December 2014

Objective

To profile state agency efforts to promote implementation of three evidence‐based practices (EBPs): screening and brief intervention (SBIRT), psychosocial interventions, and medication‐assisted treatment (MAT).

Data Sources/Study Setting

Primary data collected from representatives of 50 states and the District of Columbia's Single State Authorities from 2007 to 2009.

Study Design/Data Collection

The study used mixed methods, in‐depth, semistructured interviews and quantitative surveys. Interviews assessed state and provider strategies to accelerate implementation of EBPs.

Principal Findings

Statewide implementation of psychosocial interventions and MAT increased significantly over 3 years. In the first two assessments, states that contracted directly with providers were more likely to link use of EBPs to reimbursement, and states with indirect contract, through counties and other entities, increased recommendations, and some requirements for provision of specific EBPs. The number of states using legislation as a policy lever to promote EBPs was unchanged.

Conclusions

Health care reform and implementation of parity in coverage increases access to treatment for alcohol and drug use. Science‐based substance abuse treatment will become even more crucial as payers seek consistent quality of care. This study provides baseline data on service delivery, contracting, and financing as state agencies and treatment providers prepare for implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Refining Fingermark Development using Diacetylene Copolymers on Difficult Surfaces,
Authors: Stojanovska Natasha , De Grazia Adrian , Tahtouh Mark , Shimmon Ronald , Reedy Brian
Published: December 2014

In further work investigating the intriguing application of diacetylene copolymers in fingermark detection, methods were developed to control (inhibit or enhance) the diacetylene polymerization reaction in fingermarks treated with a mixture of the monomers 2,4‐hexadiyne‐1,6‐bis‐(phenylurethane) (HDDPU) and 2,4‐hexadiyne‐1,6‐bis(p‐chlorophenylurethane) (HDDCPU) in acetone solution. These methods included the use of a humidity chamber to reduce the amount of background development while promoting development on the fingermark, subjecting developed fingermarks to freezing temperatures and using a solvent to remove unreacted monomer in order to inhibit the polymerization reaction. Developed fingermarks were enhanced by conventional lighting (white light, filtered light) and fast Raman mapping, which was shown to be advantageous over FTIR imaging. This study also demonstrated the applicability of diacetylene copolymer solutions in the covert detection of fingermarks on difficult surfaces. Furthermore, fingermarks were successfully developed with good ridge detail on pig skin (used as a model for human skin, a notoriously difficult surface on which to develop fingermarks).
Educational disparities in antipsychotic drug use among older people with and without dementia in Sweden
Authors: Wastesson J. W. , Ringbäck Weitoft G. , Johnell K.
Published: December 2014

Objective

Antipsychotic drugs are commonly used to treat behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. The aim was to investigate if socioeconomic position was associated with antipsychotic drug treatment among older adults with and without dementia.

Method

By record linkage of the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, Patient Register, and Educational Register, we obtained information on antipsychotics, dementia status, and educational level for 641 566 persons aged 75–89 year old in Sweden 2005.

Results

Among persons diagnosed with dementia (n = 32 092), 21% used antipsychotics compared with 4% in the total sample (n = 641 566). Lower education was associated with a higher probability of antipsychotic use in the total sample (adjusted odds ratio [OR] low vs. high education: 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48–1.64). In the dementia subpopulation, lower education was also associated with a higher likelihood of use of antipsychotics (adjusted ORlow vs. high 1.43; 95% CI: 1.28–1.59).

Conclusion

People with dementia were five times more likely to use antipsychotic drugs than the general population of older adults. Also, lower education was associated with a higher use of antipsychotics, both in the general population and in the subgroup of persons with dementia. This finding highlights the importance of investigating healthcare inequalities also among cognitively impaired older adults.
Promoting responsible drinking? A mass media campaign affects implicit but not explicit alcohol‐related cognitions and attitudes
Authors: Glock Sabine , Klapproth Florian , Müller Barbara C. N.
Published: December 2014

Objectives

Rigorous tests are not usually applied to determine whether mass media campaigns that promote responsible drinking are useful, that is whether they lead to responsible drinking or not. In two experiments, we investigated the effectiveness of a mass media campaign that runs in Germany since 2009. This campaign used posters, which emphasized negative alcohol‐related outcome expectancies and challenged the positive expectancies. Based on models of alcohol use, we investigated the influence of the campaign on alcohol‐related outcome expectancies, implicit and explicit attitudes, and drinking intentions.

Design

In Experiment 1, we investigated alcohol‐related outcome expectancies via ratings and response latencies among 81 young adult light drinkers. Employing an affective priming task, Experiment 2 was designed to assess implicit attitudes before and after mass media campaign exposure among 83 young adult light drinkers. In both experiments, the effects of the posters were investigated before and after poster exposure as well as compared to a control group.

Results

Experiment 1 revealed that the campaign affected only the implicit associations of young adult drinkers, whereas explicit outcome expectancies remained unaffected. Experiment 2 showed that implicit attitudes towards alcohol were turned into more negative ones, but explicit attitudes as well as drinking intentions were not influenced.

Conclusions

The mass media campaign was deemed effective even though its influence occurred on an implicit level. This research highlights the need for experimental investigations of mass media campaigns. Reasons that the findings were obtained on an implicit but not on an explicit level are discussed.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Binge drinking has become a serious problem.

Intervention campaigns are important.

Mass media campaigns often work with positive and negative alcohol‐related outcome expectancies.

Mass media campaigns are often not rigorously investigated before introduction.

What does this study add?

Two experiments investigated the effectiveness of already introduced posters of a mass media campaign promoting responsible drinking in Germany.

Implicit as well as explicit measures were considered.

Posters only affected participants on an implicit but not on an explicit level.
Sensitivity and Specificity of Stability Criteria for Immediately Loaded Splinted Maxillary Implants
Authors: Wentaschek Stefan , Scheller Herbert , Schmidtmann Irene , Hartmann Sinsa , Weyhrauch Michael , Weibrich Gernot , Lehmann Karl Martin
Published: December 2014

Background

To assess the suitability of dental implants for immediate loading, primary stability is usually evaluated intraoperatively.

Purpose

This retrospective study aimed to assess the suitability of three stability parameters – namely, insertion torque (IT), implant stability quotient (ISQ; measured by resonance frequency analysis), and Periotest (PT) values – as potential predictors for the risk of nonosseointegration of immediately loaded splinted implants. The stability parameters were routinely collected under immediate loading.

Materials and Methods

Nineteen patients with 11 edentulous and 8 partially edentulous maxillae were treated with 105 dental implants, which were immediately loaded using temporary fixed dentures. The IT results, PT values, and ISQ results were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to assess the quality of each parameter as a diagnostic test.

Results

After a 3‐month observation period, 11 implants in four patients were not osseointegrated. The IT and ISQ (IT 25.0 ± 12.5 Ncm and 8.4 ± 2.3 Ncm; PT −1.5 ± 3.0 and +2.7 ± 3.0; and ISQ 62.6 ± 6.7 and 54.7 ± 6.2) differed significantly between the osseointegrated and failed implants (p < .005). The IT showed the greatest specificity at a sensitivity of 1 and the greatest area under the curve (AUC; 0.929), followed by the PT value (AUC = 0.836) and ISQ (AUC = 0.811).

Conclusions

Among the intraoperative parameters analyzed, IT showed the highest specificity at a high sensitivity of 1. Therefore, the IT can be considered the most valid prognostic factor for osseointegration of immediately loaded splinted dental implants.
Lactotransferrin Gene (LTF) Polymorphisms and Dental Implant Loss: A Case‐Control Association Study
Authors: Doetzer Andrea Duarte , Schlipf Nina , Alvim‐Pereira Fabiano , Alvim‐Pereira Claudia Cristina , Werneck Renata , Riess Olaf , Bauer Peter , Trevilatto Paula Cristina
Published: December 2014

Background

Dental implants have been widely used to replace missing teeth, accomplishing aesthetics and function. Due to its large use worldwide, the small percentage of implant loss becomes significant in number of cases. Lactotransferrin (LTF) is a pleiotropic protein, expressed in various body tissues and fluids, which modulates the host immune‐inflammatory response and bone metabolism, and might be involved in dental implant osseointegration. Recently, a few studies have been investigating genetic aspects underlying dental implant failure.

Purpose

This case‐control study aimed to investigate the association of genetic markers (tag SNPs) in LTF gene and clinical parameters with dental implant loss.

Material and Methods

278 patients, both sexes, mean age 51 years old, divided into 184 without and 94 with implant loss, were genotyped for sixteen tag SNPs, representative of the whole LTF gene. Also, clinical oral and systemic parameters were analyzed. Univariate and Multivariate Logistic Regression model were used to analyze the results (p < .05).

Results

No association was found between the tag SNPs and implant loss in the study population. Clinical association was found with medical treatment, hormonal reposition, edentulism, number of placed implants, plaque, calculus, and mobility.

Conclusion

Clinical variables, but not LTF gene polymorphisms, were associated with implant loss.
Evaluation of the clinical and aesthetic outcomes of Straumann® Standard Plus implants supported single crowns placed in non‐augmented healed sites in the anterior maxilla: a 5–8 years retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Xu , Qiao Shi‐Chong , Shi Jun‐Yu , Uemura Naoya , Arai Korenori , Lai Hong‐Chang
Published: December 2014

Purpose

To evaluate the long‐term aesthetic outcome of the single crowns supported by soft tissue level implants placed in healed sites in the anterior maxilla region via the pink aesthetic score (PES) and the white aesthetic score (WES).

Material and methods

According to the inclusion criteria, patients who had received a single Straumann® Standard Plus implant in the anterior maxilla at the Shanghai 9th People's Hospital between 2005 and 2008 were invited for a re‐examination based on a number of inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Clinical, radiographic and aesthetic outcomes (PES/WES) were assessed during their revisit at 5–8 years after crown placement.

Results

Forty‐five patients were enrolled in the study. All 45 implants were successfully integrated and most of the implants did not show signs of peri‐implant disease at the time of the assessment. The marginal bone resorption was 1.10 ± 0.92 mm. The mean total PES was 8.48 ± 2.62 at the baseline, 9.57 ± 2.37 at the 6–10 months revisit and 9.01 ± 2.45 at the 5–8 years follow‐up. The scores of the mesial and distal papillae increased significantly between the baseline and 6–10 months follow‐up, this improvement remained stable at the 5–8 years follow‐up. The scores of soft tissue level, colour of the soft tissue, soft tissue texture and the alveolar process decreased significantly between the 6–10 months and 5‐8 years revisits. The mean WES was 7.83 ± 1.60 at the baseline and 7.72 ± 1.43 at the 5–8 years revisit. There was no significant difference of the WES between the baseline and 5–8 years revisit.

Conclusion

The possibility of spontaneous papillae regeneration after implant treatment and the long‐term stability of the regenerated papillae were confirmed. However, recession of the facial soft tissue has been found. The incidence of the recession at thin biotype sites tended to be higher.
Underload‐induced crack growth behaviour of minor cycles of pipeline steel in near‐neutral pH environment
Authors: Yu M. , Chen W. , Kania R. , Van Boven G. , Been J.
Published: December 2014

Despite decades of research, the mechanisms of near‐neutral pH stress corrosion cracking of pipeline steel are still not fully understood. This investigation was aimed to understand the effect of minor cycles with very high R ratios (minimum stress/maximum stress) on crack growth in air and in near‐neutral pH environments. It has been demonstrated that the minor cycle, even with an R ratio as high as 0.9, could significantly contribute to the crack growth of pipeline steels in the presence of a large underload cycle with a low R ratio of 0.5 in near‐neutral pH environment. Comparing with constant amplitude tests, an increase of crack growth rate by a factor of 3 and 5 was observed when some non‐propagating minor cycles were combined with an underload cycle for tests in air and in near‐neutral pH solution, respectively. Based on the test results, the crack growth mechanisms during minor cycle loading in near‐neutral pH environments were discussed and practical strategies aimed to minimise crack growth during pipeline operation were also proposed.
Regional‐scale dominance of non‐framework building corals on Caribbean reefs affects carbonate production and future reef growth
Authors: Perry Chris T. , Steneck Robert S. , Murphy Gary N. , Kench Paul S. , Edinger Evan N. , Smithers Scott G. , Mumby Peter J.
Published: December 2014

Coral cover on Caribbean reefs has declined rapidly since the early 1980's. Diseases have been a major driver, decimating communities of framework building Acropora and Orbicella coral species, and reportedly leading to the emergence of novel coral assemblages often dominated by domed and plating species of the genera Agaricia, Porites and Siderastrea. These corals were not historically important Caribbean framework builders, and typically have much smaller stature and lower calcification rates, fuelling concerns over reef carbonate production and growth potential. Using data from 75 reefs from across the Caribbean we quantify: (i) the magnitude of non‐framework building coral dominance throughout the region and (ii) the contribution of these corals to contemporary carbonate production. Our data show that live coral cover averages 18.2% across our sites and coral carbonate production 4.1 kg CaCO3 m−2 yr−1. However, non‐framework building coral species dominate and are major carbonate producers at a high proportion of sites; they are more abundant than Acropora and Orbicella at 73% of sites; contribute an average 68% of the carbonate produced; and produce more than half the carbonate at 79% of sites. Coral cover and carbonate production rate are strongly correlated but, as relative abundance of non‐framework building corals increases, average carbonate production rates decline. Consequently, the use of coral cover as a predictor of carbonate budget status, without species level production rate data, needs to be treated with caution. Our findings provide compelling evidence for the Caribbean‐wide dominance of non‐framework building coral taxa, and that these species are now major regional carbonate producers. However, because these species typically have lower calcification rates, continued transitions to states dominated by non‐framework building coral species will further reduce carbonate production rates below ‘predecline’ levels, resulting in shifts towards negative carbonate budget states and reducing reef growth potential.
Experimental climate warming alters aspen and birch phytochemistry and performance traits for an outbreak insect herbivore
Authors: Jamieson Mary A. , Schwartzberg Ezra G. , Raffa Kenneth F. , Reich Peter B. , Lindroth Richard L.
Published: December 2014

Climate change and insect outbreaks are key factors contributing to regional and global patterns of increased tree mortality. While links between these environmental stressors have been established, our understanding of the mechanisms by which elevated temperature may affect tree–insect interactions is limited. Using a forest warming mesocosm, we investigated the influence of elevated temperature on phytochemistry, tree resistance traits, and insect performance. Specifically, we examined warming effects on forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) and host trees aspen (Populus tremuloides) and birch (Betula papyrifera). Trees were grown under one of three temperature treatments (ambient, +1.7 °C, +3.4 °C) in a multiyear open‐air warming experiment. In the third and fourth years of warming (2011, 2012), we assessed foliar nutrients and defense chemistry. Elevated temperatures altered foliar nitrogen, carbohydrates, lignin, and condensed tannins, with differences in responses between species and years. In 2012, we performed bioassays using a common environment approach to evaluate plant‐mediated indirect warming effects on larval performance. Warming resulted in decreased food conversion efficiency and increased consumption, ultimately with minimal effect on larval development and biomass. These changes suggest that insects exhibited compensatory feeding due to reduced host quality. Within the context of observed phytochemical variation, primary metabolites were stronger predictors of insect performance than secondary metabolites. Between‐year differences in phytochemical shifts corresponded with substantially different weather conditions during these two years. By sampling across years within an ecologically realistic and environmentally open setting, our study demonstrates that plant and insect responses to warming can be temporally variable and context dependent. Results indicate that elevated temperatures can alter phytochemistry, tree resistance traits, and herbivore feeding, but that annual weather variability may modulate warming effects leading to uncertain consequences for plant–insect interactions with projected climate change.
Bryophyte responses to a moisture gradient within two different spatial scales in mown meadows and mesic pastures
Authors: Petrášová Anna , Hrivnák Richard , Slezák Michal
Published: December 2014

Soil moisture is one of the most important environmental factors that affects species composition patterns in herbaceous plant communities. Changes in bryophyte cover along moisture gradient were recorded at two spatial scales in the vegetation of mown meadows and mesic pastures (Molinio‐Arrhenatheretea class). The Slovak national dataset (SK) of 1183 vegetation plots and a local subset of 160 plots on the Muránska planina Mts (MP) were analyzed. The main compositional gradient was determined by detrended correspondence analysis and was interpreted using Ellenberg indicator values for vascular plants. Variations in species composition in both datasets were similarly driven by moisture. The most common bryophytes at the national and local scales were the pleurocarpous mosses Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp., Calliergonella cuspidata (Hedw.) Loeske, Climacium dendroides (Hedw.) F. Weber & D. Mohr, Plagiomnium affine agg. (Blandow ex Funck) T. J. Kop. and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus (Hedw.) Warnst. A general linear model using bryophyte cover as a dependent variable was significant for all five taxa in the SK dataset and for four taxa in the MP dataset (except for C. dendroides). The highest explained variation was found for C. cuspidata (8.4% SK; 7.1% MP), R. squarrosus (7.2% SK; 12.5% MP) and P. affine agg. (4.6% SK; 23.2% MP). The shape of the bryophyte cover‐moisture relationship was analyzed for all five mosses using only plots in which they were present. Regression analysis was significant for two mosses at both spatial scales; a monotonic negative trend was found for R. squarrosus and a positive trend for P. affine agg.
Art, Pedagogy and Dyslexia
Authors: Hickman Richard , Brens Madeleine
Published: December 2014

This paper is based on research examining strategies that some art teachers with dyslexia employ in the classroom. The research assumes that teachers with dyslexia must have devised personal ways to navigate through the educational system to achieve qualified teacher status. The question that this assumption generates is therefore: ‘what learning strategies, used by art teachers with dyslexia, can be used as pedagogical tools?’ To help answer this question, a group of art teachers with ‘severe’ dyslexia were purposefully chosen to participate in the research through interviews, observation and by providing autobiographical details. Through focused reflection on their teaching and learning, they were able to identify particular approaches that they had used in their own learning to inform their teaching. Some positive attributes associated with dyslexia, such as visual spatial awareness, were found to have helped them in their professional lives, in addition to a predictable empathy with struggling students.
Off Limits: Cultural Participation and Art Education
Authors: Edge Nina
Published: December 2014

Written from the direct experience of a practitioner, this is an autobiographic paper by a contemporary artist that recounts and explores creative and political activism through contemporary art. This article examines the tensions around status: the status of objects, materials and production methods, and the status of people and their drive to self‐definition. The text addresses how a hierarchy of values can struggle to catch up with creative practice in education.
Heart failure symptom clusters and functional status – a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Herr Janet K. , Salyer Jeanne , Flattery Maureen , Goodloe Lauren , Lyon Debra E. , Kabban Christine Schubert , Clement Dolores G.
Published: December 2014

Aim

To identify symptom clusters in individuals with heart failure and evaluate the relationship of the identified clusters to functional status.

Background

Heart Failure is a global health problem affecting approximately 1–2% of the adult population in developed countries worldwide. Individuals with heart failure may experience as many as nine symptoms and may limit activities that worsen their symptoms or adjust the way they engage in activities.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

A convenience sample of individuals (n = 117) with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure was recruited from an academic medical centre during 2011–2012. Prevalent heart failure symptoms and functional status outcomes (functional limitations and mobility) were evaluated. Factor analysis using the principal components method was used to extract symptom clusters. Regression analysis using a backwards stepwise model‐building approach was used to examine the effects of the symptom clusters, age and co‐morbidity on functional limitations and mobility.

Results

Three symptom clusters, sickness behaviour, discomforts of illness and gastrointestinal distress were extracted. When sickness behaviours and discomforts of illness were both present, functional limitations were more sensitive to sickness behaviours. Sickness behaviour and co‐morbidity were related to limited mobility.

Conclusions

Individuals with heart failure may be helped to improve their functional status by managing sickness behaviour and discomforts of illness symptoms. Identification of symptom clusters may lead to the development of interventions focusing on a cluster of heart failure symptoms.
The multiple functional roles of mesenchymal stem cells in participating in treating liver diseases
Authors: Liu Wei‐hui , Song Fu‐qiang , Ren Li‐na , Guo Wen‐qiong , Wang Tao , Feng Ya‐xing , Tang Li‐jun , Li Kun
Published: December 2014

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a group of stem cells derived from the mesodermal mesenchyme. MSCs can be obtained from a variety of tissues, including bone marrow, umbilical cord tissue, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood and adipose tissue. Under certain conditions, MSCs can differentiate into many cell types both in vitro and in vivo, including hepatocytes. To date, four main strategies have been developed to induce the transdifferentiation of MSCs into hepatocytes: addition of chemical compounds and cytokines, genetic modification, adjustment of the micro‐environment and alteration of the physical parameters used for culturing MSCs. Although the phenomenon of transdifferentiation of MSCs into hepatocytes has been described, the detailed mechanism is far from clear. Generally, the mechanism is a cascade reaction whereby stimulating factors activate cellular signalling pathways, which in turn promote the production of transcription factors, leading to hepatic gene expression. Because MSCs can give rise to hepatocytes, they are promising to be used as a new treatment for liver dysfunction or as a bridge to liver transplantation. Numerous studies have confirmed the therapeutic effects of MSCs on hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and other liver diseases, which may be related to the differentiation of MSCs into functional hepatocytes. In addition to transdifferentiation into hepatocytes, when MSCs are used to treat liver disease, they may also inhibit hepatocellular apoptosis and secrete various bioactive molecules to promote liver regeneration. In this review, the capacity and molecular mechanism of MSC transdifferentiation, and the therapeutic effects of MSCs on liver diseases are thoroughly discussed.
Pretransplant replacement of donor liver grafts with recipient Kupffer cells attenuates liver graft rejection in rats
Authors: Endo Kosuke , Hori Tomohide , Jobara Kanta , Hata Toshiyuki , Tsuruyama Tatsuaki , Uemoto Shinji
Published: December 2014

Background and Aim

Rejection of liver grafts is a difficult issue that has not been resolved. Preoperative replacement of liver cells in the graft with cells from the intended recipient may attenuate rejection. We investigated whether preoperative transplant of recipient bone marrow cells (BMCs) to the donor replaced liver allograft cells and attenuated rejection.

Methods

We used a rat model of allogeneic liver transplant (LT) from Dark Agouti (DA) to Lewis (LEW) rats. In BMC group, DA rats received BMC transplants from LacZ‐transgenic LEW rats at 1 week before LT. In the control group, DA rats received no preoperative treatment. We evaluated graft damage at 7 days after LT and the survival of the recipient rats.

Results

Rats in the BMC group experienced prolonged survival that was abrogated by the administration of gadolinium chloride to donors at 24 h before LT. Serum concentrations of total bilirubin and hyaluronic acid on day 7 were significantly lower in the BMC group, and histopathological analyses revealed that rejection of the liver graft was attenuated. X‐gal staining and immunohistostaining of the liver graft revealed that BMCs engrafted in the sinusoidal space differentiated into Kupffer cells.

Conclusions

Preoperative transplant of recipient BMCs to LT donors replaced donor Kupffer cells and attenuated post‐LT rejection, indicating that this strategy may increase the success of LT.
Combining age and HBsAg level predicts post‐treatment durability of nucleos(t)ide analogue‐induced HBeAg seroconversion
Authors: Yao Chih‐Chien , Lee Chuan‐Mo , Hung Chao‐Hung , Wang Jing‐Houng , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Lu Sheng‐Nan , Changchien Chi‐Sin , Hsu Mei‐Chin , Chen Chien‐Hung
Published: December 2014

Background and Aims

Previous studies have indicated that lamivudine‐induced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion may not be durable in the Asian population. We investigated the useful predictors of post‐treatment hepatitis B virus (HBV) relapse in patients with nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)‐induced HBeAg loss/seroconversion.

Methods

A total of 157 non‐cirrhotic patients with NA‐induced HBeAg loss/seroconversion (78, lamivudine; 68, entecavir; 11, telbivudine) were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had at least 12 months of post‐treatment follow‐up and consolidation therapy duration.

Results

The cumulative rate of post‐treatment HBV relapse at 5 years was 57.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed that age and baseline hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels independently predicted post‐treatment HBV relapse. The post‐treatment HBV relapse rate was significantly higher in patients aged > 40 years than in those < 40 years (P < 0.001). A baseline HBsAg level of 2000 IU/mL was the optimal cut‐off value for predicting post‐treatment HBV relapse (P = 0.002). The post‐treatment HBV relapse risk further increased with the presence of both risk factors (age ≥ 40 years and baseline HBsAg level ≥ 2000 IU/mL; P < 0.001). A prolonged consolidation therapy period of ≥ 18 or 24 months had no positive effect on sustained viral suppression. There was no significant difference in post‐treatment HBV relapse rates between patients with lamivudine‐ and entecavir‐induced HBeAg loss/seroconversion during the off‐treatment follow‐up (P = 0.31).

Conclusion

The combination of an age of 40 years and a baseline HBsAg level of 2000 IU/mL was a useful marker for predicting post‐treatment HBV relapse in patients with NA‐induced HBeAg loss/seroconversion.
Teaching Geriatric Fellows How to Teach: A Needs Assessment Targeting Geriatrics Fellowship Program Directors
Authors: Rivera Veronica , Yukawa Michi , Aronson Louise , Widera Eric
Published: December 2014

The entire healthcare workforce needs to be educated to better care for older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine whether fellows are being trained to teach, to assess the attitudes of fellowship directors toward training fellows to be teachers, and to understand how to facilitate this type of training for fellows. A nine‐question survey adapted from a 2001 survey issued to residency program directors inquiring about residents‐as‐teachers curricula was developed and administered. The survey was issued electronically and sent out three times over a 6‐week period. Of 144 ACGME‐accredited geriatric fellowship directors from geriatric, internal medicine, and family medicine departments who were e‐mailed the survey, 101 (70%) responded; 75% had an academic affiliation, 15% had a community affiliation, and 10% did not report. Academic and community programs required their fellows to teach, but just 55% of academic and 29% of community programs offered teaching skills instruction as part of their fellowship curriculum; 67% of academic programs and 79% of community programs felt that their fellows would benefit from more teaching skill instruction. Program directors listed fellow (39%) and faculty (46%) time constraints as obstacles to creation and implementation of a teaching curriculum. The majority of fellowship directors believe that it is important for geriatric fellows to become competent educators, but only approximately half of programs currently provide formal instruction in teaching skills. A reproducible, accessible curriculum on teaching to teach that includes a rigorous evaluation component should be created for geriatrics fellowship programs.
Comparison of chemiluminescence and toluidine blue in the diagnosis of dysplasia in leukoplakia: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chaudhry Astha , Manjunath Muniraju , Ashwatappa Deepak , Krishna Sowmya , Krishna Annaji Gopal
Published: December 2014

Aims

The early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer at a potentially‐malignant stage would reduce morbidity and improve the survival rates and quality of life of patients. Leukoplakia is the most common potentially‐malignant disorder. Clinical examination alone cannot differentiate between dysplastic and non‐dysplastic leukoplakia. Chemiluminescence and toluidine blue are adjuncts to conventional examination for the early detection of dysplasia. The present study was conducted to compare the efficacies of chemiluminescence and toluidine blue for the diagnosis of dysplasia in leukoplakia.

Methods

One hundred patients with leukoplakia were subjected to conventional oral examination, chemiluminescent examination with ViziLite and toluidine blue test, followed by histopathological confirmation of dysplasia.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of chemiluminescence was 84.84%, 41.17%, 73.68%, 58.33%, and 70%, respectively. For toluidine blue it was 42.4%, 88.23%, 87.50%, 44.11%, and 58% respectively.

Conclusions

Both the techniques have adjunctive utility in the diagnosis of dysplasia in leukoplakia, but toluidine blue was more effective in identifying the more severe grades of dysplasia, and thus it effectively discriminated high‐risk from low‐risk lesions.
Fine motor and self‐care milestones for individuals with Down syndrome using a Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Frank K. , Esbensen A. J.
Published: December 2014

Background

Developmental milestone markers for fine motor and self‐care skills among children with Down syndrome (DS) are either minimal, anecdotal or out‐of date. Our goal was to produce normative expectations for the development of fine motor and self‐care milestones specific to children with DS.

Method

A cross‐sectional retrospective chart review was completed on 274 children with DS seen at a specialty clinic that ranged in age from 4 months to 18 years. Specific skills were assessed at occupational therapy assessments as either present or absent, including fine motor, handwriting, scissor usage, self‐feeding and clothing management.

Results

Fine motor milestones describing when 10–30% (‘early achievers’) and 75–95% (‘representative achievement’) of children with DS had mastered each skill were developed based upon descriptive review. As the fine motor and self‐care skills advanced in complexity, the range of ages for documented skill acquisition was observed to increase.

Conclusions

Age ranges for the mastery of fine motor developmental milestones for early and representative achievement were developed based upon descriptive analysis of cross‐sectional retrospective clinical chart reviews. That the age range for mastering fine motor and self‐care skills broadens as children with DS get older is in agreement with what is identified in the DS behavioural phenotype with regard to variable motor skills overall. These fine motor and self‐care developmental milestone markers contribute to the field by informing parents, caregivers and healthcare providers of potential fine motor and self‐care outcomes and describing normative development for children with DS.
Transfer from Planned Home Birth to Hospital: Improving Interprofessional Collaboration
Authors: Vedam Saraswathi , Leeman Lawrence , Cheyney Melissa , Fisher Timothy J. , Myers Susan , Low Lisa Kane , Ruhl Catherine
Published: December 2014

Women's heightened interest in choice of birthplace and increased rates of planned home birth in the United States have been well documented, yet there remains significant public and professional debate about the ethics of planned home birth in jurisdictions where care is not clearly integrated across birth settings. Simultaneously, the quality of interprofessional interactions is recognized as a predictor of health outcomes during obstetric events. When care is transferred across birth settings, confusion and conflict among providers with respect to roles and responsibilities can adversely affect both outcomes and the experience of care for women and newborns. This article reviews findings of recent North American studies that examine provider attitudes toward planned home birth, differing concepts of safety of birthplace as reported by women and providers, and sources of conflict among maternity care providers during transfer from home to hospital. Emerging evidence and clinical exemplars can inform the development of systems for seamless transfer of women and newborns from planned home births to hospital and improve experience and perceptions of safety among families and providers. Three successful models in the United States that have enhanced multidisciplinary cooperation and coordination of care across birth settings are described. Finally, best practice guidelines for roles, communication, and mutual accommodation among all participating providers when transfer occurs are introduced. Research, health professional education, and policy recommendations for incorporation of key components into existing health care systems in the United States are included.
Evidence‐Based Practice for Intrapartum Care: The Pearls of Midwifery
Authors: King Tekoa L. , Pinger Whitney
Published: December 2014

Care for women in labor in the United States is in a period of significant transition. Many intrapartum care practices that are standard policies in hospitals today were instituted in the 20th century without strong evidence for their effect on the laboring woman, labor progress, or newborn outcomes. Contemporary research has shown that many common practices, such as routine intravenous fluids, electronic fetal monitoring, and routine episiotomies, do more harm than good. In 2010, the American College of Nurse‐Midwives released a PowerPoint presentation titled Evidence‐Based Practice: Pearls of Midwifery. This presentation reviews 13 intrapartum‐care strategies that promote normal physiologic vaginal birth and are associated with a lower cesarean rate. They are also practices long associated with midwifery care. This article reviews the history of intrapartum practices that are now changing, the evidence that supports these changes, and the practical applications for the 13 Pearls of Midwifery.
The role of cytosolic phospholipase A2α in amyloid precursor protein induction by amyloid beta1‐42: implication for neurodegeneration
Authors: Sagy‐Bross Chen , Kasianov Ksenia , Solomonov Yulia , Braiman Alex , Friedman Alon , Hadad Nurit , Levy Rachel
Published: December 2014

Amyloid‐β peptides generated by proteolysis of the β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP) play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The present study aimed to determine whether cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) plays a role in elevated APP protein expression induced by aggregated amyloid‐β1‐42 (Aβ) in cortical neurons and to elucidate its specific role in signal events leading to APP induction. Elevated cPLA2α and its activity determined by phosphorylation on serine 505 as well as elevated APP protein expression, were detected in primary rat cortical neuronal cultures exposed to Aβ for 24 h and in cortical neuron of human amyloid‐β1‐42 brain infused mice. Prevention of cPLA2α up‐regulation and its activity by oligonucleotide antisense against cPLA2α (AS) prevented the elevation of APP protein in cortical neuronal cultures and in mouse neuronal cortex. To determine the role of cPLA2α in the signals leading to APP induction, increased cPLA2α expression and activity induced by Aβ was prevented by means of AS in neuronal cortical cultures. Under these conditions, the elevated cyclooxygenase‐2 and the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were prevented. Addition of PGE2 or cyclic AMP analogue (dbcAMP) to neuronal cultures significantly increased the expression of APP protein, while the presence protein kinase A inhibitor (H‐89) attenuated the elevation of APP induced by Aβ. Inhibition of elevated cPLA2α by AS prevented the activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) as detected by its phosphorylated form, its translocation to the nucleus and its DNA binding induced by Aβ which coincided with cPLA2α dependent activation of CREB in the cortex of Aβ brain infused mice. Our results show that accumulation of Aβ induced elevation of APP protein expression mediated by cPLA2α, PGE2 release, and CREB activation via protein kinase A pathway.

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Amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides generated by proteolysis of the β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP) play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. We show here that cytosolic phospholipase A2α has a profound role in APP over‐expression induced by Aβ both in vitro and in vivo via PGE2 production and CREB activation through cAMP/PKA pathway and thus may serve as a therapeutic target. AS, oligonucleotide antisense against cPLA2α; cAMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate; COX‐2, cyclooxygenase‐2; cPLA2α, cytosolic phospholipase A2α; CREB, cAMP response element binding protein; EP, E‐prostanoid receptors; H89, a PKA inhibitor; PGE2, prostaglandin E2; PKA, protein kinase A.
Alterations in microRNA Expression in a Murine Model of Diet-Induced Vasculogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Barbery Carlos E. , Celigoj Frank A. , Turner Stephen D. , Smith Ryan P. , Kavoussi Parviz K. , Annex Brian H. , Lysiak Jeffrey J.
Published: December 2014

Introduction

MicroRNAs (miRs) are noncoding, endogenous RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and play roles in response to vascular injury.

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify miRs expressed in corporal tissue (CT) and to determine whether miRs demonstrate differential expression in a mouse model of diet-induced erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods

RNA was isolated from the CT from control mice and mice with diet-induced ED. A quantifiable miR profiling technique (NanoString) was used to determine the expression of over 600 miRs.

Main Outcome Measures

Differential expression analysis was performed using a negative binomial regression model for count-based data. Mean expression levels, fold change, and false discovery-corrected P values were determined. Candidate miRs were validated via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

Results

In control mice, NanoString analysis revealed that 181 miRs were expressed above background levels and 5 miRs were expressed at high levels. Diet-induced ED resulted in the up-regulation of 6 miRs and the down-regulation of 65 miRs in the CT compared with mice on control diet. Focusing on the upregulated miRs, we chose five for Q-PCR validation. Of these five, two (miR-151-5p and miR-1937c) demonstrated significance via Q-PCR, whereas the other three (miR-720, miR-1937a, miR-205) trended in the correct direction.

Conclusions

MiRs may play a significant role in mRNA regulation in CT and specific miRs may be involved in diet-induced vasculogenic ED. Future studies are aimed at determining the mRNA targets of these miRs.
PCR‐based techniques to determine diet of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea): a comparison with morphological analysis
Authors: Peters Kristian J. , Ophelkeller Kathy , Herdina   , Bott Nathan J. , Goldsworthy Simon D.
Published: December 2014

Comprehensive dietary information for the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is currently limited by the deficiency and poor quality of identifiable prey remains recovered from regurgitate and faeces and the difficulty of observing feeding in the wild. In this study, we investigated DNA‐based prey detection methods using conventional (end‐point) and quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) on faeces collected from two captive Australian sea lions fed experimental diets of whole teleost fish, squid and shark tissue. PCR prey detection methods using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S genes combined with clone sequencing were compared with prey identified using traditional hard part analysis. The molecular results indicated that prey DNA was degraded. However, prey amplification was successful by targeting short (71 bp) DNA fragments. Both conventional PCR and qPCR techniques significantly increased prey detection compared with analysis of hard parts. For both sea lions, the hard part analysis was constrained by sporadic and extremely low recovery of fish otoliths (<2%), and cephalopod beaks were not recovered from the 116 squid fed. Comparisons between PCR techniques indicated comparable prey detection frequencies for all species tested; however, the sensitivity and greater resolution of qPCR improved prey detection by ~25% in one sea lion fed the experimental squid and perch. The detection of squid DNA ≤ 6 day post‐ingestion by qPCR further exhibits the ability and potential of this method to detect low concentrations of infrequent or pulse prey. This study highlights the use of DNA‐based analysis to detect prey taxa in the absence of identifiable hard prey remains.