bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Success and survival of post‐restorations: six‐year results of a prospective observational practice‐based clinical study
Authors: Kramer E. J. , Meyer‐Lueckel H. , Wolf T. G. , Schwendicke F. , Naumann M. , Wierichs R. J.
Published: November 2018

Aim

This prospective, noninterventional, multi‐centre, practice‐based study aimed to evaluate the longevity of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) restored with posts and to analyse factors influencing the success and survival of endodontic posts.

Methodology

Eight general dental practitioners each placed up to 27 endodontic posts without any restriction to size and material. Teeth were restricted to incisors, canines and premolars. Multi‐level Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between clinical factors and time until failure.

Results

A total of 195 endodontic posts were followed‐up for up to 6.5 years in 195 patients. Of these, 140 posts were judged as successful [mean success time: 59 (55–63) months]; the mean annual failure rate was 8.6%. This decreased to 4.4% when excluding recementations. 152 posts survived [mean survival time: 64 (60–67) months]. Recemented restorations had an eight times higher failure rate compared with new restorations. Furthermore, restorations with glass fibre post had a significantly lower success rate compared with titanium posts.

Conclusion

Relatively low success and survival rates occurred for restorations with posts after root canal treatment in a private practice setting after a follow‐up of up to 6.5 years. Recemented crowns had a high risk of failure.
Composition of gut microbiota and its association with body mass index and lifestyle factors in a cohort of 7–18 years old children from the American Gut Project
Authors: Bai J. , Hu Y. , Bruner D. W.
Published: November 2018

Background

The association between the gut microbiota and obesity in young children and adolescents is not fully studied.

Objectives

This study investigated the associations between the gut microbiota and body mass index (BMI) level (underweight, normal, overweight, obese) and lifestyles (diet type and exercise frequency), controlling for demographic and clinical factors among children aged 7–18 years.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted on 267 children aged 7–18 years from the American Gut Project. 16S rRNA sequences were analysed by QIIME 2™. Composition of gut microbiota and its associations with BMI level, weight change and lifestyles were analysed using linear decomposition model.

Results

Significant factors affecting the gut microbiota were BMI level (p = 0.009), exercise frequency (p = 0.003) and diet type (p = 0.01), controlling for age, sex and use of antibiotics and probiotics. More bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were associated with BMI level (120 OTUs) and diet type (122 OTUs) than exercise frequency (67 OTUs). Actinobacteria phylum had significantly depleted OTUs for BMI level, diet type and exercise frequency; Proteobacteria phylum had significantly enriched OTUs for higher BMI level and Firmicutes phylum had significantly enriched OTUs for more frequent exercise.

Conclusions

Significant associations were found between the gut microbiota composition and BMI level and lifestyles controlling for demographic and clinical factors in children aged 7–18 years.
Interleukin‐1β influences functional regeneration following nerve injury in mice through nuclear factor‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Ruoyu , Chen Bi , Jia Xiang , Qiu Yu , Liu Mengyu , Huang Chengsheng , Feng Jie , Wu Qingkai
Published: November 2018

This study focuses on investigating the role of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in functional regeneration following nerve injury in mice. A microarray‐based mRNA profiling study was used to analyze the expression level of IL‐1β in peripheral nerve regeneration. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were applied to assess the IL‐1β expressions of C57BL/6J‐crush and C57BL/6J‐crush+IL‐1β mice at different post‐injury time‐points after the standard sciatic nerve crush injury. The outcomes of nerve regeneration were evaluated by behavioral tests. IL‐1β was found to be up‐regulated in peripheral nerve regeneration and significantly raised on the 3rd day and returned to normal levels on the 14th day after nerve injury. Compared with C57BL/6J‐crush+IL‐1β mice, the nerve regeneration of C57BL/6J‐crush mice was worse after nerve crush injury. IL‐1β increased mechanical sensitivity and stimulated amplitude. IL‐1β could benefit the recovery of sciatic nerve crush injury by facilitating nerve regeneration.
Health benefits of an innovative model of care for chronic wounds patients in Queensland
Authors: Tulleners Ruth , Brain David , Lee Xing , Cheng Qinglu , Graves Nicholas , Pacella Rosana E.
Published: November 2018

Wound management in Australia suffers from a lack of adequate coordination and communication between sectors that impacts patient outcomes and costs. Wound Innovations is a specialist service comprising of a transdisciplinary team that aims to streamline and improve patient care and outcomes. We compared patient experiences and outcomes prior to accessing this specialist service, and the 3 months following their enrolment at the clinic. Information on patient experiences, wound history, and outcomes was collected through interviews and a review of medical records for the 12 months prior to enrolment at the clinic. Wound progress, quality of life (QoL) outcomes, and service use were tracked during the 3‐month prospective phase. A sample of 29 participants was recruited. 40% healed completely by 3 months, with the average time to healing being 8 weeks. The average QoL score at baseline was 0.69 (from a score of 1, being best health imaginable). At 3 months, the average QoL score increased significantly to 0.84 (P ≤0.001). On average, participants attended the clinic 4.6 times. The average decrease in wound size was 85.4% (95% CI [75.7%, 95%]). Accessing wound care treatment at a specialist, multidisciplinary wound clinic leads to an increase in QoL and access to consistent evidence‐based practices.
Process evaluation of a cluster‐randomised controlled trial of multi‐component weight management programme in adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity
Authors: Harris L. , Hankey C. , Jones N. , Murray H. , Pert C. , Tobin J. , Boyle S. , Shearer R. , Melville C. A.
Published: November 2018

Background

Providing effective weight management to adults with intellectual disabilities is necessary to challenge the high rates of obesity. The aim of this process evaluation was to explore the feasibility of conducting a full‐scale clinical trial of the TAKE 5 multi‐component weight management programme.

Methods

The study was a 12‐month pilot cluster‐randomised controlled trial. Adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity were randomised to either TAKE 5, which included an energy deficit diet (EDD) or Waist Winners Too, based on health education principles. A mixed‐methods process evaluation was conducted focussing on the reach, recruitment, fidelity, implementation, dose (delivered/received) and context.

Results

The study successfully recruited adults with intellectual disabilities. Both weight management programmes were delivered with high fidelity and implemented as intended. Only one weight management programme, TAKE 5, demonstrated potential efficacy in reducing body weight and body composition. The effectiveness was largely attributed to the EDD and social support from carers.

Conclusions

The extensive process evaluation illustrated that a full‐scale trial of a multi‐component programme including an EDD is feasible and an acceptable approach to weight management for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity.
Open Source 3D‐printed focussing mechanism for cellphone‐based cellular microscopy
Authors: JAWALE Y.K. , RAPOL U. , ATHALE C.A.
Published: November 2018

The need to improve access to microscopes in low‐resource and educational settings coupled with the global proliferation of camera‐enabled cellphones has recently led to an explosion in new developments in portable, low‐cost microscopy. The availability of accurate ball lenses has resulted in many variants of van Leeuwenhoek‐like microscopes. Combined with cellphones, they have the potential for use as portable microscopes in education and clinics. The need for reproducibility in such applications implies that control over focus is critical. Here, we describe a 3D‐printed focussing mechanism based on a rack and pinion mechanism, coupled to a ball lens‐ based microscope. We quantify the time‐stability of the focussing mechanism through an edge‐based contrast measure used in autofocus cameras and apply it to ‘thin smear’ blood sample infected with Plasmodium as well as onion skin cells. We show that stability of the z‐focus is in the micrometre range. This development could, we believe, serve to further enhance the utility of a low‐cost and robust microscope and encourage further developments in field microscopes based on the Open Source principle.

Lay Description

The wide spread of cellphones with cameras makes them an attractive platform for digital microscopy. Such microscopes could help improve microscope access in clinics and classrooms in the form of ‘field microscopes’, if they could be adapted for imaging cells. We integrate a 3D printed focussing mechanism made with recyclable plastic with ball‐lens microscope of the Leeuwenhoek type. We demonstrate how the device can help stabilise to a focal plane for acquiring movies of a thin‐smear of blood infected with Plasmodium and onion skin cells using a cellphone. The stability of focus is expectedly less precise as compared to research‐grade microscopes, but is of the range of a few micrometers. We believe, the focussing device demonstrates it is possible to obtain reliable and reproducible images of typical samples used in clinics and classrooms. By making the design files of this device open‐source we believe it could serve as a small step in improved, affordable and accurate ‘field microscopes’.
Fascia thickness, aging and flexibility: is there an association?
Authors: Wilke Jan , Macchi Veronica , De Caro Raffaele , Stecco Carla
Published: November 2018

The morphology of the connective tissue may play an important role in locomotor mechanics. Recent research has revealed an association between increased fascia thickness and reduced joint flexibility in patients with chronic pain. The present study aimed to examine the relationship of both factors in healthy individuals, additionally testing the hypothesis that older subjects display a higher fascia thickness. Young (n = 18, 22 ± 1 years) and old (n = 17, 69 ± 4 years) healthy females were recruited for a quasi‐experimental, cross‐sectional trial. All participants underwent standardized ultrasound‐based thickness measurements of the deep fasciae of the trunk and lower limb. Flexibility was assessed using sit and reach testing (hamstring extensibility) and the Schober test (lumbar flexion and extension). Systematic between‐group differences of fascia thickness and variable associations (i.e. fascia thickness and flexibility) were detected using non‐parametric data analyses. Young adults exhibited higher fascia thickness of the anterior and posterior lower leg, anterior thigh and abdominal wall (+12.3–25.8%, P < 0.05). Conversely, older participants showed higher thickness in the lumbar spine (+40.0–76.7%, P < 0.05). Correlations of both body mass and fascia thickness (τ = 0.45–0.75, P < 0.05), as well as flexibility and fascia thickness (τ = 0.38–0.42, P < 0.05) were found. Age‐related changes in fascia thickness may be a contributing factor of restrictions in joint range of motion. Further study delineating the cause–effect triangle of body mass index, flexibility and fascia thickness is necessary.
'You cannot get enough of them!’ The rise (and fall) of complementary therapies in British nursing practice in the 1980s and 1990s
Authors: Gowing Christine , Gale Nicola
Published: November 2018

This paper examines the emerging use of complementary therapies in British nursing practice at the end of the twentieth century. Many nurses turned to complementary therapies as a means to provide a closer therapeutic relationship with their patients and this paper will establish how nurses were informed and empowered. The paper places complementary practices in the context of nursing developments in the closing decades of the twentieth century and concludes that the extent of the supporting networks that encouraged nurses to incorporate these therapies into their work was more significant than has been previously recognised and exemplifies a distinct period in the history of modern nursing.
The PKCβ-p66shc-NADPH oxidase pathway plays a crucial role in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Cheng Yu-Si , Chao Jie , Chen Chen , Lv Lin-Li , Han Yu-Chen , Liu Bi-Cheng
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). p66shc is closely related to oxidative stress. However, the exact mechanism of its involvement in diabetic nephropathy is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of the p66shc-related pathway in diabetic nephropathy.

Methods

In an in-vivo experiment, rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce early diabetic nephropathy. The treatment groups were an aminoguanidine group and an enzastaurin group. In an in-vitro experiment, human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK-2 cells) were cultured and incubated with high glucose.

Key findings

Upregulated protein expression of p66shc and p-p66shc was found in vivo and in vitro when cells were stimulated by high levels of glucose; this effect was accompanied by enhanced oxidative stress and damaged renal function, both of which were alleviated by p66shc siRNA. p66shc regulated NADPH oxidase, further promoting activation of oxidative stress. As an inhibitor of PKCβ, enzastaurin reduced the abnormal expression of p66shc and NADPH oxidase and alleviated renal injury.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated enzastaurin alleviated diabetic renal injury via modulation of the PKCβ-p66shc-NADPH oxidase pathway, which provided a new perspective for the treatment of early DN.
The α2A‐adrenoceptor subtype plays a key role in the analgesic and sedative effects of xylazine
Authors: Kitano Taisuke , Kobayashi Takeshi , Yamaguchi Soichiro , Otsuguro Ken‐ichi
Published: November 2018

Xylazine, the classical α2‐adrenoceptor (α2‐AR) agonist, is still used as an analgesic and sedative in veterinary medicine, despite its low potency and affinity for α2‐ARs. Previous pharmacological studies suggested that the α2A‐AR subtype plays a role in mediating the clinical effects of xylazine; however, these studies were hampered by the poor subtype‐selectivity of the antagonists used and a lack of knowledge of their bioavailability in vivo. Here, we attempted to elucidate the role of the α2A‐AR subtype in mediating the clinical effects of xylazine by comparing the analgesic and sedative effects of this drug in wild‐type mice with those in α2A‐AR functional knockout mice using the hot‐plate and open field tests, respectively. Hippocampal noradrenaline turnover in both mice was also measured to evaluate the contribution of α2A‐AR subtype to the inhibitory effect of xylazine on presynaptic noradrenaline release. In wild‐type mice, xylazine (10 or 30 mg/kg) increased the hot‐plate latency. Furthermore, xylazine (3 or 10 mg/kg) inhibited the open field locomotor activity and decreased hippocampal noradrenaline turnover. By contrast, all of these effects were abolished in α2A‐AR functional knockout mice. These results indicate that the α2A‐AR subtype is mainly responsible for the clinical effects of xylazine.
Geometric morphometrics reveal interspecific and sexual differences in bill morphology in four sympatric planktivorous petrels
Authors: Trallero L. , Farré M. , Phillips R. A. , Navarro J.
Published: November 2018

Variation in morphological structures may indicate the existence of ecological differences between species or sexes. In birds, the bill is one of the structures most affected by selection pressures because it is directly involved with several biological functions, particularly the acquisition of food. In this study, we combined geometric morphometrics and comparisons of linear measurements to assess the presence of sexual dimorphism and differences in bill shape and size of four species of abundant zooplanktivorous seabirds that coexist during their breeding season in Southern Ocean ecosystems [blue petrel (Halobaena caerulea), Antarctic prion (Pachyptila desolata), common diving petrel (Pelecanoides urinatrix) and South Georgia diving petrel (P. georgicus)]. The results showed that bills of Antarctic prion and blue petrel differed noticeably in size and shape from those of the two diving petrels, whereas those of common diving and South Georgian diving petrels overlapped in bill shape. These differences may be due to diet segregation or factors such as diving strategy, vocalizations or olfactory development. In addition, there was sexual dimorphism in bill shape or size in all four species. However, we could not directly attribute these differences to selection pressures because of the lack of studies comparing feeding ecology between sexes in these seabirds. These results reveal relationships between the bill shape and key factors of the ecology of these species, and demonstrate the usefulness of geometric morphometrics for detecting interspecific and sexual differences in species of otherwise sexually monomorphic petrels.
Flower‐visitor communities of an arcto‐alpine plant—Global patterns in species richness, phylogenetic diversity and ecological functioning
Authors: Tiusanen Mikko , Huotari Tea , Hebert Paul D. N. , Andersson Tommi , Asmus Ashley , Bêty Joël , Davis Emma , Gale Jennifer , Hardwick Bess , Hik David , Körner Christian , Lanctot Richard B. , Loonen Maarten J. J. E. , Partanen Rauni , Reischke Karissa , Saalfeld Sarah T. , Senez‐Gagnon Fanny , Smith Paul A. , Šulavík Ján , Syvänperä Ilkka , Urbanowicz Christine , Williams Sian , Woodard Paul , Zaika Yulia , Roslin Tomas
Published: November 2018

Pollination is an ecosystem function of global importance. Yet, who visits the flower of specific plants, how the composition of these visitors varies in space and time and how such variation translates into pollination services are hard to establish. The use of DNA barcodes allows us to address ecological patterns involving thousands of taxa that are difficult to identify. To clarify the regional variation in the visitor community of a widespread flower resource, we compared the composition of the arthropod community visiting species in the genus Dryas (mountain avens, family Rosaceae), throughout Arctic and high‐alpine areas. At each of 15 sites, we sampled Dryas visitors with 100 sticky flower mimics and identified specimens to Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) using a partial sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene. As a measure of ecosystem functioning, we quantified variation in the seed set of Dryas. To test for an association between phylogenetic and functional diversity, we characterized the structure of local visitor communities with both taxonomic and phylogenetic descriptors. In total, we detected 1,360 different BINs, dominated by Diptera and Hymenoptera. The richness of visitors at each site appeared to be driven by local temperature and precipitation. Phylogeographic structure seemed reflective of geological history and mirrored trans‐Arctic patterns detected in plants. Seed set success varied widely among sites, with little variation attributable to pollinator species richness. This pattern suggests idiosyncratic associations, with function dominated by few and potentially different taxa at each site. Taken together, our findings illustrate the role of post‐glacial history in the assembly of flower‐visitor communities in the Arctic and offer insights for understanding how diversity translates into ecosystem functioning.
Should Labour look forward to the end of austerity?
Authors: Curtice John
Published: November 2018

Has the tide of public opinion turned in favour of more taxation and public spending, and will it necessarily help Labour's prospects at the next general election?
A conceptual framework for clinicians working with artificial intelligence and health‐assistive Smart Homes
Authors: Dermody Gordana , Fritz Roschelle
Published: November 2018

The Smart Home designed to extend older adults independence is emerging as a clinical solution to the growing ageing population. Nurses will and should play a key role in the development and application of Smart Home technology. Accordingly, conceptual frameworks are needed for nurse scientists who are collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams in developing an intelligent Smart Home that assists with managing older adults’ health. We present a conceptual framework that is grounded in critical realism and pragmatism, informing a unique mixed methodological approach to generating, analyzing, and contextualizing sensor data for clinician‐based machine learning. This framework can guide nurse scientists in knowledge construction as they participate in multidisciplinary health‐assistive Smart Home and artificial intelligence research. In this paper, we review philosophical underpinnings and explicate how this framework can guide nurse scientists collaborating with engineers to develop intelligent health‐assistive Smart Homes. It is critical that clinical nursing knowledge is integrated into Smart Home and artificial intelligence features. A conceptual framework and practical method will provide needed structure for knowledge construction by nurse scientists.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a sign of poor outcome in pediatric Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Ali Salah , AlThubaiti Sami , Renzi Samuele , Krueger Joerg , Chiang KY , Naqvi Ahmed , Schechter Tal , Punnett Angela , Ali Muhammad
Published: November 2018

EBV‐related PTLD developing after HSCT is a potentially life‐threatening disease. HLH is uncommon after allogeneic HSCT. Data on outcome of patients with PTLD and concomitant HLH after allogeneic HSCT are limited. In this retrospective study, we collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcome data for 408 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT from 2006 to 2015. Graft source included CB (n = 135; 33.1%), PBSCs (n = 34; 8.3%), and BM (n = 239; 58.6%). Eight out of 408 patients (2%) developed EBV‐PTLD with a median age at HSCT of 5.9 years (range: 2.3‐17.3). All eight patients received ATG as part of the conditioning regimen. Graft source was PBSC in three patients (37.5%), BM in four patients (50%), and CB in one patient (12.5%). Donors were matched unrelated in five patients (62.5%) and matched sibling in three patients (37.5%). Seven out of eight patients developed EBV‐PTLD within the first 100‐day post‐HSCT. Lymph node biopsy revealed early lesions in three patients, polymorphic in three patients, and monomorphic PTLD in two patients. Three patients (37.5%) died within 1 month of EBV‐PTLD diagnosis. All deceased patients developed HLH manifestations with two of them meeting HLH diagnostic criteria and one having an incomplete workup. PTLD after allogeneic HSCT with manifestations of HLH is associated with high mortality. Early identification and treatment of EBV‐PTLD seems imperative to control the disease, especially if signs of HLH are evolving.
Schistosoma haematobium cercarial infection alters subsequent systemic immune responses to eggs but has minimal impact on immune responses to egg injection of the bladder
Authors: Loc Le , Mbanefo Evaristus C. , Khludenev George , Lamanna Olivia , Banskota Nirad , Hsieh Michael H.
Published: November 2018

Aims

Mouse bladder wall injection with Schistosoma haematobium eggs has been used to overcome limitations in animal models of urogenital schistosomiasis. However, the effect of the absence of cercarial infection on immune responses to eggs in this model is unknown. We hypothesized that cercarial infection would alter local bladder and systemic immune responses to eggs in this model.

Methods and results

Mice were infected or not infected with S haematobium cercariae, and then, their bladder walls injected with S haematobium eggs or vehicle 5 weeks following cercarial infection. Three weeks later, mice were bled, sacrificed, perfused and their bladders harvested. Parasitological parameters and gross bladder pathology were not changed in egg‐injected bladders by cercarial exposure. Figure S1 shows no changes in either granulomas or fibrosis. The only bladder cytokine upregulated in egg‐injected bladders by cercarial exposure (vs no exposure) was leptin. Cercarial exposure, compared to no exposure, resulted in increased serum, IL‐1α, IL‐13 and TGF‐β in bladder egg‐injected mice.

Conclusion

Cercarial exposure altered systemic responses of several cytokines in bladder egg‐injected mice, but surprisingly, only modified leptin expression in bladder tissue. This suggests that depending on the specific application, cercarial exposure may not be strictly necessary to model local immune responses in the bladder wall egg injection mouse model of urogenital schistosomiasis.
“Integrated diagnosis” of pilocytic astrocytoma: Molecular diagnostic procedure for an unusual case
Authors: Ishida Yusuke , Tsuda Masumi , Sawamura Yutaka , Fujii Kyoko , Murai Hiroshi , Horiuchi Naruyoshi , Orba Yasuko , Sawa Hirofumi , Hall William W , Nagashima Kazuo , Tanaka Shinya
Published: November 2018

A 24 year‐old female presented with a mass lesion in the right temporal lobe. This case was difficult to diagnose using histological and immunological methods and therefore molecular analyses were applied to provide a definitive diagnosis. The tumor was well‐demarcated, partially cystic, and irregularly‐enhanced on gadolinium‐enhanced T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images. Pathologically, a large part of the tumor consisted of cells with fine cytoplasmic processes on a myxoid and mucinous background. Cells formed a microcystic structure around the mucinous tissue. Numerous eosinophilic granular bodies, but not Rosenthal fibers, were present. The solid and compact regions of the tumor were composed of fasciculation of dense fibrous glial tissues and occasional multinucleated giant cells. Tumor cells and their fragmented cytoplasmic processes were positively stained with GFAP, while eosinophilic granular bodies were both positive and negative. Xanthomatous changes were not detected and the reticulin fibers were restricted to vascular tissues. The MIB1 index was scored as approximately 10%. In molecular analyses of BRAF, the KIAA1549‐BRAF (K16‐B9) fusion gene was detected in all tumor regions, whereas BRAF V600E mutation was not detected by either conventional Sanger sequencing or the Eprobe‐PCR method. Based on the results of the molecular analyses, this case was diagnosed as pilocytic astrocytoma.
Arabidopsis PLDs with C2‐domain function distinctively in hypoxia
Authors: Premkumar Albert , Lindberg Sylvia , Lager Ida , Rasmussen Ulla , Schulz Alexander
Published: November 2018

Hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) causes metabolic disturbances at physiological, biochemical and genetic levels and results in decreased plant growth and development. Phospholipase D (PLD)‐mediated signaling was reported for abiotic and biotic stress signaling events in plants. To investigate the participatory role of PLDs also in hypoxia signaling, we used wild type of Arabidopsis thaliana and 10 pld isoform mutants containing C2‐domain. Hypoxia‐induced changes in three major signaling players, namely, cytosolic free calcium (Ca2+cyt), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phosphatidic acid (PA), were determined in mesophyll protoplasts. The Ca2+cyt and ROS levels were monitored by fluorescence microscopy and confocal imaging, while PA levels were quantified by an enzymatic method. Our findings reveal that the elevations of cytosolic calcium and PA are reduced in all the 10 mutants dysfunctional in PLD isoforms. The hypoxia‐related changes in both calcium and ROS show different kinetic patterns depending on the type of PLD studied. Pharmacological experiments confirm that both external and internal sources contribute to calcium and ROS accumulation under hypoxia. PLDα1‐3, PLDβ1 and PLDγ1‐3 are likely involved in calcium signaling under hypoxia as well as in PA production, while all investigated PLDs, except for PLDγ3, take part in ROS elevation.
A Proteomics and other Omics approach in the context of farmed fish welfare and biomarker discovery
Authors: Raposo de Magalhães Cláudia Sofia Ferreira , Cerqueira Marco Alexandre Cavaco , Schrama Denise , Moreira Márcio Júlio Vicente , Boonanuntanasarn Surintorn , Rodrigues Pedro Miguel Leal
Published: November 2018

The rapid and intensive growth of aquaculture over the last decade, poses a tremendous challenge to this industry in order to comply with the latest guidelines, established to minimise its negative effects on the environment, animal welfare and public health. Farmed fish welfare has become one of the main priorities towards sustainable aquaculture production with several initiatives launched by the European Union within the framework of the 2030 agenda. It is clear that an unbiased and reliable way to access farmed fish welfare needs to be implemented due to the lack of reliable indicators and standardised methods that are used at present.

In this review, we start by addressing the status quo of animal and fish welfare definition in particular, describing the methods and assays currently used to measure it. We then explain why we believe these methods are unreliable and why there is a need to establish new ones that will promote productivity and consumer's acceptance of farmed fish. The establishment of a new type of welfare biomarkers using cutting‐edge technologies like proteomics and other omics technologies is proposed as a solution to this issue. Therefore, we provide a brief description of these new methodologies, describing for each one how they can improve our scientific knowledge and the role they can play in farmed fish welfare biomarker discovery.
Effect of high‐density lipoprotein on oocyte maturation and bovine embryo development in vitro
Authors: Rincón Joao Alveiro Alvarado , Pradieé Jorgea , Remião Mariana Härter , Collares Tiago Veiras , Mion Bruna , Gasperin Bernardo Garziera , Tomazele Rovani Monique , Corrêa Marcio Nunes , Pegoraro Ligia Margareth Cantarelli , Schneider Augusto
Published: November 2018

High‐density lipoprotein (HDL) is the main lipoprotein in the follicular fluid, and it has anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and cryoprotectant properties. The anti‐inflammatory potential and antioxidant potential are derived from its lipid composition, especially the apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HDL during in vitro maturation (IVM) on oocyte maturation and early bovine embryo development. For this, cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained from bovine ovaries collected at a local slaughterhouse. COCs (n = 2,250) were allocated into three groups (n = 50 COCs/group) according to the addition of HDL protein (HDL‐P) during IVM for 22 hr: 0 (control), 50 and 150 mg/dl. After IVM, COCs were inseminated (in vitro fertilization) and cultivated for 7 days. Total cholesterol concentration, total protein, triglycerides and ApoAI concentrations on IVM medium increased proportionally to HDL‐P addition. However, PON1 activity was not detected in any treatment. The addition of HDL‐P did not affect nuclear maturation rate, endogenous reactive oxygen species and glutathione levels in COCs (p > 0.05). The highest HDL‐P concentration (150 mg/dl) decreased cleavage and blastocyst rate (p < 0.05). Moreover, the HDL‐P 150 mg/dl group had lower cellular count/blastocyst than the 50 mg/dl group (p < 0.05). However, the addition of HDL‐P did not affect relative gene expression of evaluated genes. In conclusion, the complex HDL/ApoAI obtained from human plasma, in the absence of PON1 activity during in vitro oocyte maturation, decreased initial embryo development.
Living Well in Times of Threat: The Importance of Adjustment Processes to Explain Functional Adaptation to Uncertain Security in Expatriates Deployed in the Sudan
Authors: Leder Johannes
Published: November 2018

The present study investigated expatriate humanitarian aid workers’ perceptions and responses to uncertain security while deployed in the Sudan. Interviews conducted in Khartoum (n = 7) and Darfur (n = 17) focused on risk perception, concern for personal security, and strategies used to function well in an insecure environment. Despite a high perceived general risk, as well as broad knowledge and experience with security incidents, participants often expressed low concern. General adjustment processes were drawn on to explain this finding, while different constellations of processes resulted in different patterns of adjustment. Functional adjustment, resulting in adequate risk perception, protective behavior, protection, and low concern, was characterized by a constellation of complementary activation of accommodation and assimilation processes.
Gardner syndrome with maxillofacial manifestation: A case report
Authors: Baldino Maria Eduarda , Koth Valesca Sander , Silva Daniela Nascimento , Figueiredo Maria Antonia , Salum Fernanda Gonçalves , Cherubini Karen
Published: November 2018

Gardner syndrome is a hereditary disease in which patients develop gastrointestinal polyps, osteomas, desmoid tumors, epidermoid cysts, fibromas, lipomas, and retinal lesions. Dental abnormalities such as supernumerary or impacted teeth, odontomas and dentigerous cysts are also reported. The most serious concern in this syndrome is the extremely high risk of gastrointestinal polyps undergoing malignant transformation. Since the maxillofacial findings usually precede gastrointestinal polyps, the dentist plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of Gardner syndrome, and panoramic radiography is an important tool in the diagnosis of the disease. We report here a case of Gardner syndrome in a patient showing mandibular osteomas and impacted teeth. Also, cases of Gardner syndrome with maxillofacial manifestations reported in the literature were reviewed and compared with ours. According to the findings, osteomas are important manifestations of this syndrome, and regardless of the absence of family history of intestinal polyposis, their occurrence should prompt diagnostic evaluation for this disease.
Is successful treatment of depression in dialysis patients an achievable goal?
Authors: Chilcot Joseph , Hudson Joanna L.
Published: November 2018

Depression is undisputedly common among individuals with End‐Stage Kidney Failure and associated with adverse outcomes. It is well recognized that effective treatments for depression are needed within routine dialysis care. But, are we any closer to successfully treating depression in dialysis patients? We consider this question here with respect to two common treatments, antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Currently, there are limited data from randomized placebo‐controlled trials regarding the acceptability and efficacy of antidepressants. CBT trials appear to show more consistent treatment effects, albeit the feasibility of routine delivery remains unknown. No studies in dialysis patients has evaluated the combined effects of CBT with antidepressants. There is a need to consider pragmatic depression treatment trials in dialysis patients in order to increase study recruitment in order to have more reliable data from which to evaluate the evidence base. Furthermore, we need to understand why treatments work, and for whom do they work? Lastly, addressing issues surrounding treatment acceptability and implementation as part of regular care remain as key challenges that require attention if we are to improve the mental health of individuals on dialysis.
Ichnology of prodeltaic hyperpycnite–turbidite channel complexes and lobes from the Upper Cretaceous Prairie Canyon Member of the Mancos Shale, Book Cliffs, Utah, USA
Authors: Buatois Luis A. , Mángano Maria G. , Pattison Simon A. J.
Published: November 2018

The Upper Cretaceous Prairie Canyon Member of the Mancos Shale, Book Cliffs, Utah, contain outstanding examples of prodeltaic turbidity and hyperpycnal flow deposits. Sandstone‐rich, heterolithic and mudstone‐rich channel fills occur near the north‐west entrance to Tusher Canyon, Gunnison Butte and Bootlegger Wash. Mudstone‐rich and heterolithic‐rich hyperpycnal channel deposits are mostly unbioturbated, locally displaying a few specimens of Phycosiphon incertum, Protovirgularia dichotoma, Rosselia socialis, Schaubcylindrichnus coronus and Palaeophycus tubularis. Sandstone‐rich channel deposits consist of wave‐reworked turbidites and hyperpycnites, containing Helminthoidichnites tenuis, Lockeia siliquaria, Phycodes isp., Phycosiphon incertum, Protovirgularia dichotoma, Rosselia socialis, Skolithos linearis and Fugichnia. Scolicia isp. and Chondrites isp. occur locally. Strata along the south‐west entrance of Tusher Canyon record deposition in a prodelta turbidite lobe, but far from its axis. With the exception of a few specimens of Ophiomorpha isp., bioturbation is restricted to the top of the succession, where Curvolithus simplex, Gyrochorte comosa, Lockeia siliquaria, Palaeophycus tubularis and Ptychoplasma excelsum occur. Strata at Hatch Mesa record deposition in a hyperpycnal lobe, near to its axis. Sandstone beds include Curvolithus simplex, Gyrochorte comosa, Ophiomorpha nodosa, Palaeophycus tubularis, Phycosiphon incertum, Protovirgularia dichotoma, Ptychoplasma excelsum, Schaubcylindrichnus freyi, Skolithos linearis, large specimens of Rosselia socialis and indeterminate crustacean burrows. Chondrites isp. is present in the mudstone. High rates of both episodic and sustained sedimentation, degree of substrate consolidation, freshwater discharge and water turbidity are the most important stress factors in both channels and lobes. Taxonomic composition, uneven distribution of bioturbation through the successions, and overall low ichnodiversity help to distinguish these prodeltaic deposits from bathymetrically equivalent offshore strata in the same basin. Hyperpycnal flow deposits are formed in a wide variety of environmental settings, therefore displaying high ichnological variability. Such variability is summarized by characterising ichnofaunas from four different depositional settings: (i) lakes; (ii) shelf deltas; (iii) shelf‐edge deltas; and (iv) deep‐marine systems.
Candidate gene identification of existing or induced mutations with pipelines applicable to large genomes
Authors: Dong Jiaqiang , Tu Min , Feng Yaping , Zdepski Anna , Ge Fei , Kumar Dibyendu , Slovin Janet P. , Messing Joachim
Published: November 2018

Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) is used to identify existing or induced variants that are linked to phenotypes. Although it is widely used in Arabidopsis and rice, it remains challenging for crops with large genomes, such as maize. Moreover, analysis of huge data sets can present a bottleneck linking phenotypes to their molecular basis, especially for geneticists without programming experience. Here, we identified two genes of maize defective kernel mutants with newly developed analysis pipelines that require no programing skills and should be applicable to any large genome. In the 1970s, Neuffer and Sheridan generated a chemically induced defective kernel (dek) mutant collection with the potential to uncover critical genes for seed development. To locate such mutations, the dek phenotypes were introgressed into two inbred lines to take advantage of maize haplotype variations and their sequenced genomes. We generated two pipelines that take fastq files derived from next‐generation (nextGen) paired‐end DNA and cDNA sequencing as input, call on several well established and freely available genomic analysis tools to call SNPs and INDELs, and generate lists of the most likely causal mutations together with variant index plots to locate the mutation to a specific sequence position on a chromosome. The pipelines were validated with a known strawberry mutation before cloning the dek mutants, thereby enabling phenotypic analysis of large genomes by next‐generation sequencing.
Immunomodulatory in vitro effects of oclacitinib on canine T‐cell proliferation and cytokine production
Authors: Banovic Frane , Tarigo Jaime , Gordon Hannah , Barber James P. , Gogal Robert M.
Published: November 2018

Background

Oclacitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor used to control pruritus and skin lesions in canine allergic skin disease; its effect on canine T cells is not well‐characterized.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate the impact of oclacitinib on cultured T cells using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from dogs.

Animals

Six bluetick coonhounds.

Methods and materials

Lymphocyte‐enriched cells were incubated with or without the T‐cell mitogen concanavalin A (Con A), oclacitinib (0.5, 1 or 10 μM), ciclosporin (200 ng/mL), Con A + oclacitinib 1 μM and Con A + ciclosporin. We assessed both T‐cell proliferation and the secretion of cytokines.

Results

Ciclosporin and oclacitinib both inhibited the spontaneous proliferation of T cells; this effect was significant only after incubation with oclacitinib at 10 μM. At this concentration, oclacitinib significantly reduced the spontaneous secretion of clonal activator cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐15], pro‐inflammatory cytokines (interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), IL‐18) and the regulatory cytokine IL‐10; tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and IL‐6 cytokine production was mildly inhibited. After Con A stimulation, only T cells co‐treated with ciclosporin achieved a significant proliferation inhibition and reduction of IL‐2, IL‐10, IL‐15, IL‐18, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α. Surprisingly, oclacitinib at 1 μM (337 ng/mL, corresponding to the oral dosage of 0.4–0.6 mg/kg) did not significantly affect Con A‐stimulated T‐cell proliferation nor cytokine production (IL‐2, IL‐10, IL‐15, IL‐18, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α).

Conclusions

Although a limited number of dogs were investigated, these preliminary results suggest that oclacitinib appears to have immunosuppressive properties, but only at dosages above those used to treat allergic pruritus in dogs.
Code-Switching in Mathematics Classroom: Relationship between Students’ Attention and Attitude and their Learning Success
Authors: Yusob Khairul Firhan , Abd Nassir Asyura , Tarmuji Nor Habibah
Published: November 2018

Issues involving code-switching have been widely discussed in many studies. Nevertheless, studies on the relationship between students’ preferences of code-switching and their learning satisfaction in content subjects have been scarce. Using mathematics (math) classroom lesson, this paper aims to see the relationship between students’ preferences of code-switching and their learning satisfaction used in the math classroom. This study took place in a university which English is regarded as the medium of instruction. It involved 100 students from different faculties as respondents. They were asked to answer a set of questionnaires and using SPSS, their response was correlated with their satisfaction in learning math. The findings highlighted a significant relationship these two variables have.
Spinal plasticity with motor imagery practice
Authors: Grosprêtre Sidney , Lebon Florent , Papaxanthis Charalambos , Martin Alain
Published: November 2018

Key points

While a consensus has now been reached on the effect of motor imagery (MI) – the mental simulation of an action – on motor cortical areas, less is known about its impact on spinal structures.

The current study, using H‐reflex conditioning paradigms, examined the effect of a 20 min MI practice on several spinal mechanisms of the plantar flexor muscles.

We observed modulations of spinal presynaptic circuitry while imagining, which was even more pronounced following an acute session of MI practice.

We suggested that the small cortical output generated during MI may reach specific spinal circuits and that repeating MI may increase the sensitivity of the spinal cord to its effects.

The short‐term plasticity induced by MI practice may include spinal network modulation in addition to cortical reorganization.

Kinesthetic motor imagery (MI) is the mental simulation of a movement with its sensory consequences but without its concomitant execution. While the effect of MI practice on cortical areas is well known, its influence on spinal circuitry remains unclear. Here, we assessed plastic changes in spinal structures following an acute MI practice. Thirteen young healthy participants accomplished two experimental sessions: a 20 min MI training consisting of four blocks of 25 imagined maximal isometric plantar flexions, and a 20 min rest (control session). The level of spinal presynaptic inhibition was assessed by conditioning the triceps surae spinal H‐reflex with two methods: (i) the stimulation of the common peroneal nerve that induced D1 presynaptic inhibition (HPSI response), and (ii) the stimulation of the femoral nerve that induced heteronymous Ia facilitation (HFAC response). We then compared the effects of MI on unconditioned (HTEST) and conditioned (HPSI and HFAC) responses before, immediately after and 10 min after the 20 min session. After resting for 20 min, no changes were observed on the recorded parameters. After MI practice, the amplitude of rest HTEST was unchanged, while HPSI and HFAC significantly increased, showing a reduction of presynaptic inhibition with no impact on the afferent‐motoneuronal synapse. The current results revealed the acute effect of MI practice on baseline spinal presynaptic inhibition, increasing the sensitivity of the spinal circuitry to MI. These findings will help in understanding the mechanisms of neural plasticity following chronic practice.
Robotic Visible Forceps Manipulator With a Novel Linkage Bending Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Boyu , Liao Zhuxiu , Yang Penghui , Liao Hongen
Published: November 2018

In minimally invasive surgery (MIS), surgeons often suffer from occlusion region problems. It is difficult to solve these problems with traditional surgical instruments because of their size and rigid mechanical structure, such as endoscopes and corresponding operating tools. Thus, flexible manipulators and related robotic systems have been proposed for enhancing intraoperative inspection and surgical operation in MIS. Although a variety of flexible manipulators using different mechanisms have been developed, most of them are designed with a single function. In this paper, we present the concept of visible forceps that enriches the forceps function, which realizes the flexible bending capability and high output force, as well as the integrated endoscopic function. We developed a novel simplified linkage bending mechanism for forceps with a bendable tip and fabricated a robotic visible forceps manipulator system. According to this prototype, we performed experiments to evaluate the mechanical performance and the abdominal phantom test to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness. Preliminary results show that the forceps manipulator can realize both flexible bending capability and high output force, which implies promising applications in future MIS.