bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effectiveness of a nutrition assistant role in a head and neck cancer clinic
Authors: Kiss Nicole , Gilliland Sarah , Quinn Phoebe , Atkins Lauren , Black Jacqueline , Frowen Jacqui
Published: August 2018

Aim

Acute toxicities secondary to (chemo)radiation for head and neck cancer can substantially impact nutritional intake. Nutrition is usually managed by dietitians, although time constraints may limit capacity to sufficiently deal with complex nutritional issues. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of a nutrition assistant performing screening and intervention of patients in a multidisciplinary head and neck clinic.

Methods

A model of care was developed to guide nutrition assistant practice within the clinic, with training provided to nutrition assistants prior to the clinic's implementation. Outcomes, including amount of dietitian time managing high risk patients, weight change over the duration of treatment, timing of initiation of enteral feeding and patient satisfaction were compared with pre‐ and post‐implementation of the nutrition assistant role.

Results

Ninety‐one patients were included, 43 pre‐implementation and 48 post‐implementation. Overall, (n = 21, 44%) of patients met criteria for nutrition assistant screening or intervention. Mean weight change between groups was comparable both during (−5.6% vs −4.7%, P = 0.3) and post‐radiotherapy (−6.6% vs −6.49%, P = 0.9). Following implementation of the role significant improvement was found for overall patient satisfaction (4.0 ± 1.1 vs 4.6 ± 0.61, P = 0.03), and the dimensions: patient‐perceived benefit (3.8 ± 0.69 vs 4.4 ± 0.62, P < 0.01) and dietitian/nutrition‐assistant interpersonal skills (3.91 ± 1.1 vs 4.6 ± 0.55, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

The nutrition assistant role resulted in improved patient satisfaction and maintenance of nutritional outcomes demonstrating the effectiveness of this role in supporting the management of head and neck cancer patients within a multidisciplinary treatment clinic.
Estimating the number of contributors to DNA mixtures provides a novel tool for ecology
Authors: Sethi Suresh A. , Larson Wesley , Turnquist Keith , Isermann Dan
Published: August 2018

Mixtures of DNA from multiple contributors present a novel opportunity to count individuals to inform fish and wildlife ecology.

We apply a likelihood‐based framework to estimate the number of contributors to a DNA mixture for ecological applications. We then assess the performance of DNA mixture estimation through a combination of simulation analyses, laboratory testing, and a field trial to estimate fish predation rates from stomach content analysis.

Simulations indicated reasonably sized genetic marker panels could estimate the number of contributors to mixtures comprised of up to 10 individuals, with potential to resolve larger mixtures with additional markers. Mixture estimates demonstrated robustness to common genotyping errors associated with fish and wildlife genetics applications. Laboratory trials demonstrated that DNA combined from multiple yellow perch (Perca flavescens) could be successfully genotyped with a 14‐loci microsatellite panel and led to successful estimation for up to 5‐contributor mixtures. Stomach content analysis with DNA mixtures indicated a 5‐fold increase in estimated predation rates of yellow perch by largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) relative to conventional visual assessment of diet contents which can miss partially digested prey items.

DNA mixtures have potential to expand applications of count‐based ecological analyses. Technical challenges in generating genotypes from DNA mixtures may initially limit their use, however, advances in next generation genotyping platforms are anticipated to surmount these obstacles. Chiefly, we envision opportunity for DNA mixtures to advance eDNA analysis beyond presence/absence based inference to enumeration of specimens.
A spatial point process model to estimate individual centres of activity from passive acoustic telemetry data
Authors: Winton Megan V. , Kneebone Jeff , Zemeckis Douglas R. , Fay Gavin
Published: August 2018

Failure to account for time‐varying detection ranges when inferring space use of marine species from passive acoustic telemetry data can bias estimates and result in erroneous biological conclusions. This potential source of bias is widely acknowledged but often ignored in practice due to a lack of available statistical methods.

Here, we describe and apply a spatial point process model for estimating individual centres of activity (COAs) from acoustic telemetry data that can be modified to account for both receiver‐ and time‐specific detection probabilities. We use simulation testing to evaluate the suitability of the proposed models for estimating COAs and compare their performance to that of the popular mean‐weighted COA method for a variety of scenarios. We illustrate how the approach can be applied to correct for variable detection ranges by integrating data from moored test tags and demonstrate how accounting for time‐varying detection probabilities can impact space use estimates by fitting the model to data collected from a black sea bass (Centropristis striata) on a receiver array off the east coast of the United States.

The proposed model reduced bias in COA estimates, particularly when tagged individuals occurred along the periphery of the receiver array. The test tag‐integrated model largely corrected the bias associated with receiver‐ and time‐specific detection probabilities. When applied to the black sea bass detection data, the model revealed fine‐scale movements not apparent when detection ranges were assumed constant.

Spatial management practices for coastal marine species are often based on trends in space use inferred from passive acoustic telemetry data, which can be misinterpreted when factors influencing detection ranges are not accounted for. Our approach provides a general framework for estimating individual COAs that can be modified on a study‐specific basis to ensure resulting patterns of space use reflect a species’ movements and behaviour, rather than variation in receiver detection ranges.
Circulating orexin changes during withdrawal are associated with nicotine craving and risk for smoking relapse
Authors: al'Absi Mustafa , Lemieux Andrine , Hodges James S. , Allen Sharon
Published: August 2018

We examined the extent to which orexin measured during smoking and the early phase of abstinence was related to craving, withdrawal, stress hormones, and risk for smoking relapse in men and women. Considering its role in modulating nicotine‐related reward, we predicted that a reduction in circulating orexin during withdrawal would be associated with increased craving and risk for smoking relapse. Two hundred and eighty five participants provided biological samples and self‐report information to identify predictors of smoking relapse. All participants attended two laboratory sessions, which were before and after a period of required abstinence from smoking. After quitting, participants also attended four weekly sessions to track smoking relapse. Only smokers who relapsed within the follow‐up period exhibited reduced orexin levels during the initial withdrawal period; ACTH, but not craving nor cortisol, increased across the abstinence period for successful abstainers but not for relapsers. Sex differences in orexin and craving or withdrawal associations also emerged. Adding sex, HPA hormones, and self‐reported measures of craving and withdrawal as potential mediators had minimal effects on the above abstinence and orexin effects. These results provide the first evidence that circulating orexin may be a useful marker of risk for relapse; and sex, adrenal hormones, and self‐reported craving and withdrawal were not mediators of this effect. The results point to a promising pathway to investigate objective biological markers for craving and smoking relapse and highlight the complexity of the neurobiology of relapse.
Early outcomes of two‐stage minimally invasive oesophagectomy in an Australian institution
Authors: Johnson Mary A. , Kariyawasam Sanjeeva , Epari Krishna , Ballal Mohammed
Published: August 2018

Background

Minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIO) has a steep learning curve. We report our outcomes of a standardized 25 mm circular‐stapled anastomosis using a trans‐orally placed anvil (Orvil™). The objective of this study is to report the initial experience of introducing two‐stage MIO to an Australian tertiary health service.

Methods

We describe our consecutive case series of all MIOs performed from a prospectively maintained database. We assessed the morbidity and mortality of MIO at our institution. We compared our first 30 cases to the second cohort of 32 cases.

Results

There were 62 two‐stage MIOs performed from 2011 to 2015. The average age was 65 years. Median length of stay was 13 days (5–72 days). Median number of total lymph nodes was 14. Conversion occurred in three patients (5%). Major morbidity was 45%. Delayed gastric emptying 6% (n = 4), pneumonia 6% (n = 4), chyle leak 6% (n = 4), pulmonary embolus 2% (n = 1) and grade II or III anastomotic leak 5% (n = 4). One conduit ischaemia (2%) required reoperation and formation of oesophagostomy. There was one post‐operative death within 30 days. There were five post‐oesophagectomy hiatal hernias requiring re‐operation (8%). There was a significant improvement in operative time (minutes) from the first to second cohort 588 versus 464 (P‐value 0.01).

Conclusion

The introduction of two‐stage MIO to the Australian setting can be safely instituted. Our unit was still within a learning curve after 30 cases.
Prevalence of low anterior resection syndrome at a regional Australian centre
Authors: Croese Alexander D. , Zubair Omar N. , Lonie James , Trollope Alexandra F. , Vangaveti Venkat N. , Mushaya Chrispen , Ho Yik‐Hong
Published: August 2018

Background

With decreasing indication for abdominoperineal resection and an increase in sphincter preserving surgery, there is a growing population of patients who suffer from low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). The aim of this study is to use the LARS score to determine the prevalence of LARS at a regional centre in Australia and determine the effect of short‐ and long‐course neoadjuvant therapy, anastomotic technique and interval from surgery will also be assessed.

Methods

Patients who had undergone an anterior resection (high, low or ultralow) at a regional centre over an 11‐year period were identified. Eligible patients were contacted to complete a LARS score questionnaire. Results were analysed to determine the rate of major LARS and possible causative roles of certain patient and treatment‐related variables.

Results

A total of 64 of 76 patients (84%) returned completed questionnaires. The prevalence of major LARS was 37.5%. Short‐course neoadjuvant therapy appeared to be more likely to be associated with major LARS compared to long course (odds ratio (OR) = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37–15.3, P = 0.35); however, this did not reach statistical significance. Rates of major LARS appear to decrease slowly over time and J‐pouch colonic anastomosis appears to be slightly protective against major LARS (OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.12–3.9, P = 0.70); however, neither results were statistically significant.

Conclusion

The rate of major LARS at this regional centre is 37.5%. Larger prospective multicentre studies are required to determine impact of variables such as type of neoadjuvant therapy, anastomotic techniques and progression of LARS over time.
Percolating spaces: Creative ways of using digital technologies to connect young children's school and home lives
Authors: Gillen Julia , Kucirkova Natalia
Published: August 2018

Contemporary research suggests there are many missed opportunities for home and school to work together to define and promote effective practices with digital technologies, especially in early years. This study outlines ways in which one Early Years classroom creatively promoted bidirectional connections between children's learning with technologies at home and in school. Nested in a posthumanist perspective on space and classroomness (Burnett, 2014), the study illuminates the complex spatial entanglement among home, school and technologies in the form of enhanced vignettes. As a space‐based interpretive case study that emerged from a larger project, the data collection methods revolved around a set of two visits by each researcher, one year apart, plus analyses of school documentation and online interactions. We integrate diverse data sources to argue that innovative, multimodal practices of teaching, learning and assessment can be designed and implemented imaginatively, deploying a range of digital technologies to connect with children's and parents' home lives. Use of multimedia affordances of technologies, attention to children's physical and material interactions with resources and strategic school policy made it possible for influences to percolate between home and school, to the enhancement of children's learning in the moment.
How we treat the platelet glycoprotein defects; Glanzmann thrombasthenia and Bernard Soulier syndrome in children and adults
Authors: Grainger John D. , Thachil Jecko , Will Andrew M.
Published: August 2018

The inherited platelet glycoprotein deficiencies, Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) and Bernard Soulier syndrome (BSS) are rare but important long‐term bleeding disorders. Once diagnosed, affected patients should be referred to a specialist centre for bleeding disorders for general advice and ongoing management. Patients do not require prophylactic treatment and so the management of GT and BSS focuses around prophylactic treatment prior to high risk procedures and treatment in response to non‐surgical bleeding events and, in women, the management of menorrhagia and pregnancy. There is no consistent approach to the treatment or prevention of bleeding complications. Management must be tailored for each individual and the approach may not be the same for different events, even for the same patient, depending on the type of accident or invasive procedure, the extent of bleeding and the presence or not of platelet refractoriness.
Patients’ expectations and experiences of eating behaviour change after bariatric procedures
Authors: Opozda M. , Wittert G. , Chur‐Hansen A.
Published: August 2018

Patients’ pre‐surgical expectations and post‐surgical experiences of eating‐related behaviour change after bariatric surgery may vary by procedure and time since surgery. To investigate this, data were coded from 206 Australian adults ≥2 months post‐Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB; 17%), adjustable gastric band (AGB; 23%) or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG; 60%) who completed an online questionnaire including open‐ended questions about pre‐surgical eating‐related expectations and post‐surgical experiences. Participants were 94% female, and mean age was 45.9 (SD = 10.0). Average time since surgery varied (AGB: 69.6 months; RYGB: 22.8; and VSG: 17.8). The proportions reporting any one or more ‘positive’ (healthy, helpful or desired; RYGB 82%; AGB 76%; and VSG 84%) or any one or more ‘negative’ (unhealthy, unhelpful or unwanted; RYGB 46%; AGB 46%; and VSG 42%) post‐surgical eating‐related experience did not differ by procedure. Negative experiences were more often reported at ≥18 months than 2 to <18 months (P = 0.035). After both VSG and AGB, but not RYGB, reporting any one or more positive eating‐related experience was related to better outcomes (VSG: in mental health; AGB: in weight loss, physical health, satisfaction) and negative experiences were linked to poorer outcomes (VSG: in mental health, satisfaction; AGB: in mental and physical health, satisfaction). Reporting any one or more positive experience was related to better mental health improvement at 2 to <18 months and greater satisfaction at 18+ months post‐surgery. The findings highlight the necessity of long‐term, multidisciplinary patient care and further investigation into impacts of eating‐related experiences on outcomes, with attention to procedure‐based and temporal effects.
Optical analysis of functional development of the facial motor nucleus in the embryonic rat brainstem
Authors: Momose‐Sato Yoko , Sato Katsushige
Published: August 2018

Facial motor neurons of the rat embryo are first generated in rhombomere 4 and then migrate in the caudo‐ventral direction. This migration forms a unique axonal trajectory called the genu, a loop of facial motor axons around the abducens nucleus. It is still unclear when and how this unique structure is functionally established during ontogenesis. Using voltage‐sensitive dye (VSD) recording and the DiI staining method, we identified neural responses evoked by facial nerve (N.VII) stimulation and examined developmental processes of the facial motor nucleus in E12‐E17 rat brainstems. We identified two types of fast spike‐like signals; a long‐duration signal, which corresponded to the action potential in the N.VII soma, and a short‐duration signal, which reflected the action potential in the N.VII axons. The long‐duration signal was detected as early as E13, suggesting that the N.VII motor neuron is already excitable at the beginning of cell migration. The response area of the long‐duration signal extended caudally at E13‐E14, and shifted in a ventral direction at E15. At E16‐E17, the long‐duration signal was concentrated in the caudo‐ventral area, which was comparable to the location of the facial motor nucleus in the adult rat brainstem. These results demonstrate that developmental processes of cell migration and nuclear organization can be visualized and identified functionally with the VSD recording. We discuss the results by comparing functiogenesis and morphogenesis of the N.VII pathway.
Cross‐efficiency evaluation method based on the conservative point of view
Authors: Sun Jiasen , Wu Jie , Wang Yingming , Li Lei , Wang Yuhong
Published: August 2018

Traditional cross‐efficiency evaluation models have ignored the problem that large differences may exist among cross‐efficiencies, which may make decision making units (DMUs) unwilling to accept cross‐efficiency evaluation results. Aimed at solving this problem, this paper proposes an altruism cross‐efficiency model based on the conservative point of view. Compared with other cross‐efficiency evaluation models, the proposed model mainly exhibits the following advantages. First, the proposed model no longer guarantees the DMU's self‐evaluation efficiency, allowing the self‐evaluation efficiency to adaptively change. Therefore, the peer‐evaluation process is flexible and adaptable to the actual situation. Second, the proposed model abandons the traditional max‐average secondary objective function and proposes to use a max–min objective function. Thus, the proposed model can maximize the peer‐efficiency of the worst performing peer‐DMU, achieving the effects of reducing the gaps among cross‐efficiencies. Third, the cross‐efficiency evaluation model is based on the conservative point of view, which helps the DMU to distinguish potential competitors among peer‐DMUs. Lastly, to solve the non‐linear model proposed in this paper, the algorithm is designed to describe how to solve the model. The case of a flexible manufacturing system is used to show the appropriateness of the suggested model and algorithm.
Pyrogenic carbon capture and storage
Authors: Schmidt Hans‐Peter , Anca‐Couce Andrés , Hagemann Nikolas , Werner Constanze , Gerten Dieter , Lucht Wolfgang , Kammann Claudia
Published: August 2018

The growth of biomass is considered the most efficient method currently available to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, biomass carbon is easily degraded by microorganisms releasing it in the form of greenhouse gases back to the atmosphere. If biomass is pyrolyzed, the organic carbon is converted into solid (biochar), liquid (bio‐oil), and gaseous (permanent pyrogas) carbonaceous products. During the last decade, biochar has been discussed as a promising option to improve soil fertility and sequester carbon, although the carbon efficiency of the thermal conversion of biomass into biochar is in the range of 30%–50% only. So far, the liquid and gaseous pyrolysis products were mainly considered for combustion, though they can equally be processed into recalcitrant forms suitable for carbon sequestration. In this review, we show that pyrolytic carbon capture and storage (PyCCS) can aspire for carbon sequestration efficiencies of >70%, which is shown to be an important threshold to allow PyCCS to become a relevant negative emission technology. Prolonged residence times of pyrogenic carbon can be generated (a) within the terrestrial biosphere including the agricultural use of biochar; (b) within advanced bio‐based materials as long as they are not oxidized (biochar, bio‐oil); and (c) within suitable geological deposits (bio‐oil and CO2 from permanent pyrogas oxidation). While pathway (c) would need major carbon taxes or similar governmental incentives to become a realistic option, pathways (a) and (b) create added economic value and could at least partly be implemented without other financial incentives. Pyrolysis technology is already well established, biochar sequestration and bio‐oil sequestration in soils, respectively biomaterials, do not present ecological hazards, and global scale‐up appears feasible within a time frame of 10–30 years. Thus, PyCCS could evolve into a decisive tool for global carbon governance, serving climate change mitigation and the sustainable development goals simultaneously.
Self‐crack healing ability and strength recovery in ytterbium disilicate/silicon carbide nanocomposites
Authors: Nguyen Son Thanh , Nakayama Tadachika , Suematsu Hisayuki , Iwasawa Hirokazu , Suzuki Tsuneo , Niihara Koichi
Published: August 2018

The SiO2 volatility and SiC recession in hydrocarbon‐rich combustion atmosphere is the main problem of SiC‐reinforced ceramics when they are utilized as coating materials for gas turbine blades. The composite of Yb2Si2O7‐Yb2SiO5/SiC is expected as a self‐crack healing material that can avoid this problem because the monosilicate can react with the SiO2 glass to form disilicate and hence further reinforce the composite. In this study, the composites, fabricated with various morphology of SiC nanofillers, were precracked and then heat‐treated in an oxidizing environment to activate their crack healing behavior. The healing effect as a function of filler morphology and annealing time was investigated. Healing mechanism and future applications of these composites were also discussed.
What drives voluntary audit adoption in small German companies?
Authors: Weik Andreas , Eierle Brigitte , Ojala Hannu
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study is to validate the drivers of voluntary audit in small companies identified in previous research and uncover additional determinants related to agency conflicts with owners. For our research we use the German institutional setting, documented in the literature as being very different from its Anglo‐Saxon equivalent. Based on a random sample of 405 small companies responding to a postal questionnaire survey, we find that the proportion of owners not involved in management, the subsidiary status of a company, a company's legal form, and the importance of financial statements' information to management activities all increase the likelihood of voluntary audit. In contrast, firms that outsource accounting tasks to an external expert are less likely to opt for voluntary audit, suggesting that an external expert's involvement substitutes for an external audit. In addition, owing to the absence of a statutory audit history for small companies in Germany, we find that voluntary audits are less common compared with findings from previous studies.
Disordered eating in Jordanian adolescents
Authors: Al‐Kloub Manal Ibrahim , Al‐Khawaldeh Omar A. , ALBashtawy Mohammed , Batiha Abdul‐Monim , Al‐Haliq Mahmoud
Published: August 2018

Background

Disordered eating attitudes and behaviours are linked to poor physical and psychological outcomes.

Aim

To examine the individual, psychological, and socio‐cultural factors associated with disordered eating attitudes among Jordanian adolescents.

Methods

A stratified sampling method was used to select school students aged 15 to 18 years from three governates in Jordan in 2013/2014. Participants filled out questionnaires on socio‐demographic variables, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT‐26; to discriminate adolescents with disordered eating); the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ; used to measure psychological factors associated with disordered eating); Body Mass Index was calculated and obesity evaluated according to international cut off points (to categorize normal weight, overweight, and obese adolescents, and these categories were used as individual factors associated with disordered eating).

Results

A total of 963 (460 boys and 503 girls) participated in the study. Disordered eating (EAT score ≥ 20) was present in 389 (40.4%); body shape dissatisfaction (BSQ scores ≥110) was present in 161 (16.8%). Overweight and obesity were found in 332 (34.5%) participants. Unhealthy weight loss behaviours (such as self‐induced vomiting, substance abuse, and smoking) were very common. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that female sex, urban residence, distorted perceptions of weight, BMI (excess weight), body dissatisfaction, and socio‐cultural variables (parents, peers and mass media) were significantly associated with disordered eating.

Conclusion

Jordanian urban adolescents seem to embrace Western norms to fit in with the demands of Western culture. Socio‐cultural factors, particularly mass media, play a significant role in changing adolescents' norms. Prevention and intervention programs are needed to control these disorders.
An addiction model‐based mobile health weight loss intervention in adolescents with obesity
Authors: Vidmar A. P. , Pretlow R. , Borzutzky C. , Wee C. P. , Fox D. S. , Fink C. , Mittelman S. D.
Published: August 2018

Background

Clinical approaches to treating childhood obesity can be expensive and poorly reimbursed, and often produce suboptimal results. It has been theorized that overeating may have addictive qualities, and a sizable number of adolescents with obesity endorse addictive habits. Interestingly, few weight management interventions have tested techniques founded in addiction medicine principles. We therefore performed a pilot study of an addiction model based mHealth weight loss intervention in adolescents.

Methods

Adolescents with obesity were recruited from an multidisciplinary weight management clinic (EMPOWER). Adolescents without significant obesity comorbidities, who exhibited signs of addictive eating, based on the Yale Food Addiction Scale, were enrolled in a pilot study of an interactive, addiction‐based, weight loss smartphone app with coaching (http://clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02689154). The app was designed to help subjects omit problem foods, avoid snacking and reduce meal size. A contemporary cohort of adolescents who completed the EMPOWER program were evaluated. Feasibility of recruitment, adherence, retention rates, BMI change and cost of intervention were examined.

Results

Eighteen participants were recruited to app intervention. App participants had higher retention (100% vs. 37%) and lower total cost per patient ($855.15 vs. $1428.00) than the EMPOWER clinic participants. App participants exhibited a significant decrease in zBMI and %BMIp95 over the 6 months (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001), which was comparable to the age‐matched EMPOWER program completers (p = 0.31 and p = 0.06).

Conclusions

An addiction medicine‐based mHealth intervention targeted for adolescents was feasible to implement, resulted in high retention and adherence rates, and reduced zBMI and %BMIp95 in a more cost‐effective manner than an in‐clinic intervention.
An evidence‐based review of split‐thickness skin graft donor site dressings
Authors: Brown Julie E , Holloway Samantha L
Published: August 2018

This evidence‐based review aimed to identify and evaluate current existing evidence relating to the efficacy of dressing materials for spit‐thickness skin graft donor site wounds in relation to promoting rapid healing and reducing patient pain. A comprehensive systematic search of the literature between 2006 and 2016 identified 35 publications that were included in the review.

Based on the results of the review, it was found that moist wound‐healing products have a clear advantage over non‐moist products in the reduction of pain and increased healing rates. This review concluded that moist wound‐healing products are more effective than non‐moist wound‐healing products in reducing pain and promoting healing in split‐thickness skin graft donor site wounds. A recommendation based on this review is that further research examine the role of secondary dressing usage in donor site wound management, and the consideration of using more than one primary dressing product during the donor site wound‐healing process should be undertaken.
Appropriate use of dressings containing nanocrystalline silver to support antimicrobial stewardship in wounds
Authors: Woodmansey Emma J. , Roberts Christopher D.
Published: August 2018

Antimicrobial resistance is an ever‐increasing global concern, with the era of untreatable infection becoming a reality. Wound care is no exception, with increasing issues of antibiotic‐resistant infections across different wound types and care settings. Antibiotic resistance and stewardship have been the priority for most strategic interventions so far; however, in wound care, alternative or supplementary strategies using antiseptics should be considered. Antiseptics such as silver can provide effective cidal activity across a broad range of wound pathogens, assuming they are used at the correct level for an appropriate duration. Evidence summarised in this manuscript suggests that effective antiseptics, such as nanocrystalline silver, have an increasing body of evidence in support of their use to minimise transmission of antibiotic‐resistant organisms as part of institutional infection control procedures and, in addition, through appropriate early use and stewardship on local wound infections, in conjunction with local procedures, to minimise the need for systemic antibiotic therapy. Engagement, alignment, and collaboration between wound care professionals and wider related teams and governments on antimicrobial stewardship, and the potential role of antiseptics within this, will help to generate further evidence for such interventions in the fight against antimicrobial‐resistant infections in wound care.
Synthesis and thermal shock evaluation of porous SiC ceramic foams for solar thermal applications
Authors: Parvanian Amir M. , Salimijazi Hamid R. , Fathi Mohammadhossein , Saadatfar Mohammad
Published: August 2018

Reticulated porous ceramics with structural features spanning across multiple length scales are emerging as the primary media in a variety of demanding mass and heat transfer applications, most notably solar‐assisted synthetic fuel processing. In this study, we focus on engineering of the open pore silicon carbide (SiC)‐based foams in such catalytic applications. We evaluate the mechanical integrity and thermal stability of these porous structures. X‐ray tomography analyses of the 3D structures reveal the presence of dual pore size distribution different by up to an order of magnitude in length scale. We further study the effect of thermal shock—induced via water quenching—on the SiC structures and we conclude that the mechanical properties of the ceramic foams are significantly reduced after thermal stress. Comparison of SEM micrographs—before and after thermal shock—reveals that needle‐like features appear inside the foam matrix. These elongated defects may be responsible for structural and mechanical weakening.
Characterization of bacteriophage HN48 and its protective effects in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus against Streptococcus agalactiae infections
Authors: Luo X , Liao G , Liu C , Jiang X , Lin M , Zhao C , Tao J , Huang Z
Published: August 2018

Streptococcus agalactiae is a causative agent responsible for massive mortalities of tilapia that has led to catastrophic losses to tilapia culture globally. Bacteriophages represent a new class of antimicrobials against bacteria. In this study, we characterized the bacteriophage HN48, which formed small and round‐transparent plaques on a double‐layer plate. With a hexagonal head and a long tail, this phage may belong to the Caudovirales according to the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. HN48 was found to have a relatively wide and highly specific host range, to be sensitive to high temperature (60–80°C) and low pH (3–5), and to be relatively stable at alkaline pH (8–10). Intraperitoneal injection with HN48 had no adverse effects on tilapia and effectively inactivated the bacteria in the kidney. Fish that received phage therapy had 60% ± 3.3% survival rates and a delayed mean death time of about 3 days when compared to the control group. To the best of knowledge, this is the first study of tilapia streptococcal phage. Overall, the results indicated that phage HN48 could prevent tilapia from experimental S. agalactiae infection, suggesting it has the potential to control this disease.
Biodiversity and environmental characteristics of the bycatch assemblages from the tropical tuna purse seine fisheries in the eastern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Lezama‐Ochoa Nerea , Murua Hilario , Ruiz Jon , Chavance Pierre , Delgado de Molina Alicia , Caballero Ainhoa , Sancristobal Igor
Published: August 2018

The impact of human activities such as fishing has been identified as a main factor in diversity loss in the open ocean. This paper studies the diversity patterns and environmental characteristics of the bycatch assemblages in Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and Free School sets (sets made on schools of tuna) from the tropical tuna purse seine fishery in the eastern Atlantic Ocean (35°W–15°E and 20°N–15°S). Data were collected from scientific observer programmes carried out between 2003 and 2011 on board Spanish and French fleets. The results showed different structure and diversity patterns of the bycatch assemblages depending on the fishing mode, with higher number of species and diversity found in FAD sets than in Free School sets. Bycatch assemblages showed preferences for specific oceanographic characteristics of the Atlantic Ocean, such as the equatorial and seasonal coastal upwelling systems, the Cape Lopez front system and the Guinea dome. The type of set and sea surface temperature play an important role to describe the diversity patterns of these species. These results confirm the importance of integrating different methods to study the marine ecosystem towards the correct implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fishery Management (EAFM).
Conditional convergence in energy consumption per capita of OPEC member countries: evidence from non‐linearity tests
Authors: Solarin Sakiru Adebola , Lean Hooi Hooi
Published: August 2018

This paper examines the convergence of energy consumption in Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) countries. A new non‐linear unit root test is principally utilized in the convergence analysis. We support the convergence of energy consumption in the OPEC member countries. Convergence of energy consumption is associated with the call for energy conservation policies, in order to improve energy efficiency and reduce global greenhouse emissions.
An Arabidopsis E3 ligase HUB2 increases histone H2B monoubiquitination and enhances drought tolerance in transgenic cotton
Authors: Chen Hong , Feng Hao , Zhang Xueyan , Zhang Chaojun , Wang Tao , Dong Jiangli
Published: August 2018

The HUB2 gene encoding histone H2B monoubiquitination E3 ligase is involved in seed dormancy, flowering timing, defence response and salt stress regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, we used the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter to drive AtHUB2 overexpression in cotton and found that it can significantly improve the agricultural traits of transgenic cotton plants under drought stress conditions, including increasing the fruit branch number, boll number, and boll‐setting rate and decreasing the boll abscission rate. In addition, survival and soluble sugar, proline and leaf relative water contents were increased in transgenic cotton plants after drought stress treatment. In contrast, RNAi knockdown of GhHUB2 genes reduced the drought resistance of transgenic cotton plants. AtHUB2 overexpression increased the global H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) level through a direct interaction with GhH2B1 and up‐regulated the expression of drought‐related genes in transgenic cotton plants. Furthermore, we found a significant increase in H3K4me3 at the DREB locus in transgenic cotton, although no change in H3K4me3 was identified at the global level. These results demonstrated that AtHUB2 overexpression changed H2Bub1 and H3K4me3 levels at the GhDREB chromatin locus, leading the GhDREB gene to respond quickly to drought stress to improve transgenic cotton drought resistance, but had no influence on transgenic cotton development under normal growth conditions. Our findings also provide a useful route for breeding drought‐resistant transgenic plants.
Acidic mammalian chitinase tuning after enteric helminths eradication in inflammatory respiratory disease patients
Authors: Hasby Saad Marwa A. , Watany Mona , Tomoum Mohamed , El‐Mehy Dalia , Elsheikh May , Sharshar Ragia
Published: August 2018

Aim

This study aimed at investigating the presence of intestinal parasitic infections in inflammatory respiratory diseases patients during the disease attack, and measuring the acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) gene expression in blood before and after infection eradication.

Methodology

This case‐control study included 123 inflammatory respiratory diseases patients and 120 apparently healthy individuals. Repeated stool examination was done, while total and specific IgE were measured. AMCase gene expression was analysed by real time‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).

Results

Infection was detected in 32.5% of the diseased and 23.25% of the healthy individuals. Higher rate of the helminthic infection was detected (23.57) in comparison to the protozoal (12.19%) in the patients. A significantly higher rate of infection with the chitin‐rich helminths “Enterobius vermicularis & Hymenolepis nana” and level of anti‐Dermatophagoide‐IgE were reported in the patients (14.63%, 6.5% and 23.57%, respectively). AMCase expression was significantly higher in helminths‐infected patients than the noninfected, or protozoa infected. After infection eradication, AMCase expression significantly declined in the previously helminth‐infected patients (mean ± SD = 13.9 ± 3.918 before and 4.515 ± 1.93 after), but insignificantly affected in the protozoa infected (mean ± SD = 2.095 ± .285 before and 2.675 ± 1.181 after).

Conclusion

Chitin‐rich intestinal helminths are suspected to precipitate Th2‐immune response in remote tissues by enhancing systemic AMCase expression through intestinal mucosa and macrophages irritation.
Changes in biomechanical knee injury risk factors across two collegiate soccer seasons using the 11+ prevention program
Authors: Arundale Amelia J. H. , Silvers‐Granelli Holly J. , Marmon Adam , Zarzycki Ryan , Dix Celeste , Snyder‐Mackler Lynn
Published: August 2018

The 11+ injury prevention program effectively reduces injuries in high school‐aged female soccer player, but the mechanism of the 11+ is unknown, particularly whether it impacts biomechanical risk factors associated with knee injuries. The purpose of this study was to report the changes in hip and knee biomechanics with use of the 11+ over two soccer seasons. Two collegiate women's soccer teams performed the 11+ for two soccer seasons. A control team was followed for one season. Athletes performed motion analysis of a drop vertical jump during preseason and postseason. Both groups had meaningful increases in peak knee abduction angle over the first season, and there were no meaningful changes in peak knee abduction moment over either season. The control group had bilateral decreases in knee flexion angle. The program did not seem to systematically impact biomechanical risk factors associated with knee injuries, with increases in peak knee abduction angle and no bilateral changes in frontal or transverse hip motion. The 11+ may have mitigated clinically meaningful decreases in knee flexion; however, as ACL injuries do not occur purely in the sagittal plane, it is unclear the impact of these changes. The results of this study indicate that the 11+ may require some modifications to impact landing biomechanics and potentially risky movement patterns, particularly when used in collegiate women over multiple seasons.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐A*80:04 allele identified in a Spanish volunteer donor
Authors: Santos Silvia , Rodriguez Clara , Eguizabal Cristina , Balas Antonio , Vicario José L.
Published: August 2018

HLA‐A*80:04 shows one amino acid replacement, A76 > E, when compared with the A*80:01 allele.
Full gene HLA class I sequences of 79 novel and 519 mostly uncommon alleles from a large United States registry population
Authors: Lazaro Ana , Hou Lihua , Tu Bin , Masaberg Carly , Enriquez Elizabeth , Gerfen Jennifer , Kariyawasam Kanthi , Persaud Misti , Qin Xihan , Simbulan Dannah , Xiao Yi , Xun Lisa , Yang Ruyan , Ng Jennifer , Hurley Carolyn K.
Published: August 2018

HLA class I assignments were obtained at single genotype, G‐level resolution from 98 855 volunteers for an unrelated donor registry in the United States. In spite of the diverse ancestry of the volunteers, over 99% of the assignments at each locus are common. Within this population, 52 novel alleles differing in exons 2 and 3 are identified and characterized. Previously reported alleles with incomplete sequences in the IPD‐IMGT/HLA database (n = 519) were selected for full gene sequencing and, from this sampling, another 27 novel alleles are described.
NRand‐K: Minimizing the impact of location obfuscation in spatial analysis
Authors: Zurbarán Mayra , Wightman Pedro , Brovelli Maria , Oxoli Daniele , Iliffe Mark , Jimeno Miguel , Salazar Augusto
Published: August 2018

Location privacy, or geoprivacy, is critical to secure users’ privacy in context‐aware applications. Location‐based services pose privacy risks for users, due to the inferences that could be made about them from their location information and the potential misuse of this data by service providers or third‐party companies. A common solution is to apply masking or location obfuscation, which degrades location information quality while keeping a geographic coordinate structure. However, there is a trade‐off between privacy, quality of service, and quality of information, the last one being a valuable asset for companies. NRand is a location privacy mechanism with obfuscation capabilities and resistance against filtering attacks. In order to minimize the impact on location information quality, NRand‐K has been introduced. This algorithm is designed for use when releasing location information to third parties or as open data with privacy concerns. To assess the impact of location obfuscation on exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), a comparison is performed between obfuscated data with NRand, NRand‐K, and unaltered data. For the experiments, geolocated tweets collected during the Central Italy 2016 earthquake are used. Results show that NRand‐K reduces the impact on ESDA, where inferences were similar to those obtained with the unaltered data.
Canine T cell lymphoma treated with lomustine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisolone chemotherapy in 35 dogs
Authors: Morgan E. , O'Connell K. , Thomson M. , Griffin A.
Published: August 2018

Canine T cell lymphoma has previously been found to be a poor prognostic indicator compared with its B cell counterpart. The cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone protocol is widely accepted as a first line treatment for canine lymphoma. There have been several studies investigating alternative protocols for T cell lymphoma. This study investigated the use of a modified lomustine, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone protocol as a first line treatment in 35 dogs with T Cell lymphoma. Median progression free survival (PFS) time for all 35 dogs was 431 days with a 6‐month, 1‐year, 2‐year, and 3‐year PFS of 69%, 54%, 29%, and 12%. Median survival time (MST) was 507 days. Twenty‐nine dogs attained a complete response and had a median PFS time of 509 days. Thirty dogs experienced adverse events during the protocol, with 73% of these being grade 1 or 2. This protocol has shown increased median PFS time and MST compared with previous studies and suggests its use as a first line chemotherapy protocol against canine T cell lymphoma.
Tissue oxygen saturation in dogs with acute hemorrhage
Authors: Gray Sarah L. , Hall Kelly E. , Powell Lisa L. , Schildt Julie , Brearley Ann M. , Beilman Greg J.
Published: August 2018

Objective

To evaluate initial tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation (StO2) in dogs presenting to an emergency room (ER) for acute hemorrhage.

Design

Prospective, observational study.

Setting

University veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Thirty‐eight dogs with acute hemorrhage were enrolled between July 2009 and October 2010. Seventy‐eight normal dogs from a previous observational study were included to represent healthy controls (“no shock”).

Interventions

Tissue oxygen saturation measurement was obtained at enrollment on dogs presented to the ER for acute hemorrhage. Baseline clinicopathologic (CBC, serum biochemical profile, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time) and physiologic (plasma lactate concentration, venous blood gas, blood pressure, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry) data were recorded from all patients with hemorrhage. An ER clinician blinded to the StO2 value guided patient management. Patient survival to discharge from the hospital in the study group was recorded. Once data collection was complete, 3 emergency and critical care clinicians blinded to the StO2 data retrospectively classified patients into 1 of 4 shock categories (no shock, mild, moderate, or severe shock).

Measurements and Main Results

The historical group of healthy dogs had higher StO2 concentrations compared to the dogs classified with shock at all 3 levels (mild, moderate, and severe, P = 0.0006, <0.0001, and 0.0018, respectively); however, there was no statistical difference in StO2 between the levels of shock. A cut‐off StO2 value of 87.6% identified a patient as having shock (area under the curve: 0.824, 95% confidence interval 0.749, 0.899).

Conclusions

Dogs with hemorrhagic shock have lower StO2 than a population of healthy dogs.