bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mandate type, electoral safety, and defections from the party line: The conditional mandate divide in the German Bundestag, 1949–2013
Authors: Sieberer Ulrich , Ohmura Tamaki
Published: October 2019

Research on mixed electoral systems provides inconclusive findings on the question whether members of parliament (MPs) elected in single-member districts are more likely to vote against the party line than MPs elected via closed party lists. This article rejects both the hypothesis of a general “mandate divide” and the competing claim that contamination effects completely wash out behavioral differences. Instead, we argue that electoral incentives to defect are stronger for a specific type of MP—those who run only in a district and are electorally insecure. Statistical analyses of roll call votes in the German Bundestag covering more than 60 years support this “conditional mandate divide” against alternative hypotheses. These findings suggest a more nuanced view on electoral system effects in mixed electoral systems and highlight the importance of electoral competition for incentivizing MPs to side with district demands if those conflict with the party line.
A cost-consequence analysis comparing patient travel, outreach, and telehealth clinic models for a specialist diabetes service to Indigenous people in Queensland
Authors: Snoswell Centaine L , Caffery Liam J , Haydon Helen M , Wickramasinghe Sumudu I , Crumblin Kerry , Smith Anthony C
Published: October 2019

Introduction

The delivery of specialist health services to people living in Indigenous communities is an important challenge. Specialist diabetes outpatient clinics may be delivered via a patient travelling to a metropolitan hospital, during an outreach clinic, or by telehealth. The aim of this study was to compare the costs and consequences of different service models for delivering specialist diabetes clinics for a remote Indigenous community.

Method

Patient travel, outreach and telehealth clinic models were compared using a cost-consequence analysis principles. The setting was Cunnamulla, a remote Indigenous community in Western Queensland. Costs were calculated by quantifying the staff resources and travel costs for each clinic model. Costs were reported in Australian dollars and reported from the health service perspective.

Results

The marginal cost per patient for each clinic were $692 for patient travel, $482 for the outreach and $284 for telehealth. If a patient travel appointment was replaced with telehealth, approximately $517 in costs for patient travel reimbursement would be avoided. While replacing an entire outreach clinic with a telehealth clinic would reduce costs by approximately $3961.

Conclusion

The marginal cost of patient travel to a metropolitan clinic and outreach clinic appointments was greater than telehealth. Telehealth is unlikely to completely replace the need for patient travel or outreach clinics. However, replacing a proportion of these appointments with telehealth may reduce the overall costs of providing specialist diabetes care in remote communities. Telehealth may have advantages beyond economic as it reduces the time away from usual activities for both the patient and endocrinologist.
Implementation of speech pathology telepractice services for clinical swallowing assessment: An evaluation of service outcomes, costs and consumer satisfaction
Authors: Burns Clare L , Ward Elizabeth C , Gray Amy , Baker Lisa , Cowie Brooke , Winter Natalie , Rusch Rukmani , Saxon Robyn , Barnes Sarah , Turvey Jodie
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Timely assessment of swallowing disorders (dysphagia) by speech pathologists helps minimise patient risk, optimise quality of life, and limit healthcare costs. This study involved a multi-site implementation of a validated model for conducting adult clinical swallowing assessments via telepractice and examined its service outcomes, costs and consumer satisfaction.

Methods

Five hub-spoke telepractice services, encompassing 18 facilities were established across a public health service. Service implementation support, including training of the telepractice speech pathologists (T-SP) and healthcare support workers in each site, was facilitated by an experienced project officer. New referrals from spoke sites were managed by the hub T-SP as per published protocols for dysphagia assessments via telepractice. Data was collected on existing service models prior to implementation, and then patient demographics, referral information, session outcomes, costs and patient and T-SP satisfaction when using telepractice.

Results

The first 50 sessions were analysed. Referrals were predominantly for inpatients at spoke sites. Telepractice assessments were completed successfully, with only minor technical issues. Changes to patient management (i.e. food/fluid changes post assessment) to optimise safety or progress oral intake, was required for 64% of patients. Service and cost efficiencies were achieved with an average 2-day reduction in waiting time and an average cost benefit of $218 per session when using the telepractice service over standard care. High clinician and patient satisfaction was reported.

Conclusion

Telepractice services were successfully introduced across multiple sites, and achieved service and cost benefits with high consumer satisfaction.
Observing postprandial bowel movements in diaper-dependent toddlers
Authors: Van Aggelpoel Tinne , De Wachter Stefan , Neels Hedwig , Vermandel Alexandra
Published: October 2019

The gastrocolic reflex is a response of the colon to the presence of food in the stomach. Our goal was to observe bowel movements in healthy infants and toddlers not yet toilet trained, in response to a meal. Stool behavior of 40 toddlers, aged 18–27 months, was monitored. We observed a bowel movement within the first hour after a meal in 75% of the children. This occurred 15, 30 or 60 minutes after a meal in, respectively, 25%, 48% and 66% of the observations. If we limit to the ones that actually defecated, 37% would defecate within 15 minutes and 72% within half an hour. Fifty-nine percent of all children defecated in the morning, 54% at noon and 28% in the evening. In conclusion, we believe the gastrocolic reflex can be used as a facilitating factor to help a child to defecate on the potty, 15–30 minutes after a meal. In 50% of the cases, a child will have a bowel movement on the potty and learn to defecate on it much easier.
A systematic review of parenting interventions for child chronic health conditions
Authors: Mitchell Amy E , Morawska Alina , Mihelic Mandy
Published: October 2019

This systematic review summarizes the parenting intervention literature for parents of children with chronic health conditions and evaluates intervention effects on parenting (parenting skills and parenting efficacy) and child (behaviour, illness severity/control and quality of life) outcomes. Systematic searches using seven electronic databases (including CINHAL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO) were used to identify relevant papers published in English between 1997 and 2017, and reference lists were searched for additional relevant articles. Ten papers reporting on eight separate studies met inclusion criteria: three studies evaluated stand-alone parenting interventions, while the remaining five studies included parenting components in broader interventions that also targeted medically oriented aspects of illness management. Results suggest that parenting interventions may lead to improved parent self-efficacy, parenting behaviour, illness severity/control, child quality of life and child behaviour; however, intervention effects were mixed and confined to parent-report outcome measures. A paucity of studies using rigorous randomized controlled trial study designs limits the conclusions that can be drawn regarding intervention efficacy. Achieving adequate enrolment and retention of families in parenting intervention trials appears to be problematic within these clinical groups. Larger samples and more diverse clinical populations will support the reliability of future evaluations of parenting interventions in this context and improve generalizability of results.
A Scoping Review of 37 Years of Intimate Partner Violence Research in China
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Zhao Ruohui , Macy Rebecca J. , Wretman Christopher J. , Jiang Yong
Published: October 2019

So far, no Chinese- or English-language journal investigations have been carried out on the entirety of research published on intimate partner violence (IPV) in China. Accordingly, the main purpose of this study was to analyze the contents of the totality of published IPV research articles indexed in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Specifically, the study aimed to investigate the input and output factors relating to published articles concerned with IPV, including their authors and contents. The CNKI was selected for investigation and analysis because it is the largest and most consulted academic online library in China. The analysis was conducted on 3,595 peer-reviewed journal articles on IPV over a 37-year period covering 1982–2018. The findings revealed that only 68 (1.89%) of the articles were empirically and quantitatively based. Findings among these 68 articles show that total contribution of IPV research has increased significantly over time in China, with increasing growth in the past two decades especially. Results also present summaries concerned with the reviewed studies’ inputs (i.e., researchers’ organizational affiliations, funding sources, and geographic settings), outputs (i.e., authors, journals, classifications, pages, topics, key words, definitions, theoretical approaches, samples, and methods), and outcomes (i.e., citations, downloads, prevalence rates, and correlates of violence). To sum, this is the first exploratory study of the unique and diverse body of IPV research in the Chinese-language and scientific literature. Overall, the study’s results both help to inform future IPV research in China and foster and inform communications concerning IPV research globally.
Classification Agreement for Gated Screening in Mathematics: Subskill Mastery Measurement and Classwide Intervention
Authors: VanDerHeyden Amanda M. , Broussard Carmen , Burns Matthew K.
Published: October 2019

This study examined the classification accuracy for subskill mastery measures administered in mathematics for students in kindergarten and Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 at fall ( n = 564) and winter ( n = 602) screening. In addition, response to classwide math intervention was examined as another layer of screening for students in kindergarten and Grades 1, 3, and 5 ( n = 387). Criterion measures were the year-end accountability measure for math in Grades 3, 5, and 7. For kindergarten and Grade 1 a researcher-constructed composite measure was used. For all measures (screening and criterion), 20th percentile performance was the risk criterion. Authors hypothesized that classwide intervention response would provide more accurate identification of risk than fall or winter screening. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)–generated sensitivities and specificities supported this hypothesis. Data indicated that intervention dosage was adequate and did reduce the base rate of risk in each screening group. Posttest probabilities indicated that subskill mastery measures and response to classwide intervention could be used to accurately indicate math risk and the need for more intensive intervention for students in a multitier system of supports (MTSS) model.
Developmental opioid exposures: Neurobiological underpinnings, behavioral impacts, and policy implications
Authors: Goldfarb Samantha S , Stanwood Gregg D , Flynn Heather A , Graham Devon L
Published: October 2019

The devastating impact of opioid abuse and dependence on the individual, family, and society are well known but extremely difficult to combat. During pregnancy, opioid drugs and withdrawal also affect fetal brain development and newborn neural functions, in addition to maternal effects. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome/Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NAS/NOWS) rates have drastically increased in the US in the past decade. Solutions to this complex problem must be multi-faceted, which would be greatly enhanced by a translational, multidisciplinary understanding. Therefore, this mini-review incorporates biomedical, clinical, and policy aspects of opioid use during pregnancy. We review the known roles for endogenous opioids in mediating circuit formation and function in the developing brain, discuss how exogenous opioid drug use and addiction impact these processes in animal models and humans, and discuss the implications of these data on public policy. We suggest that some current policy initiatives produce unintended harm on both mothers and their children and delineate recommendations for how legislation could better contribute to addiction recovery and increase neural resilience in affected children.

Impact statement

Opioid abuse is a critical epidemic affecting individuals, families, and communities. This mini-review summarizes current literature on the impact of opioid drugs—including prescription pain relievers and illicit opioids—on neurobiological and neurobehavioral development. Using concepts related to the medical model of addiction as a brain disease, we review the public policy implications of these data and identify needs for future investigations.
Examinations in the Life of Studio Music Teachers in Australia prior to 1920
Authors: Elliott Frances , Southcott Jane
Published: October 2019

Studio music teachers are the backbone of musical communities but their efforts are often overlooked and unsung. We explore one facet of the life of studio music teachers in Australia 1890–1920, graded music examinations conducted by two well-reputed British music education organizations: Trinity College of Music and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. For teachers, acquiring high-level qualifications from these bodies offered teaching credentials. For students, examinations were a feature of their routine studies. Teachers could advertise their abilities via the publication of examination results. We chronicle the introduction of these examinations to Australia and their impact on the lives of studio music teachers.
Community privacy estimation method based on key node method in space social Internet of Things
Authors: Chen Guobin , Huang Tangsen
Published: October 2019

Based on the research of social network and the Internet of Things, a new research topic in the field of Internet of Things, Social Internet of Things is gradually formed. The SIoT applies the research results of SIoT from different aspects of the Internet of Things, and solves the specific problems in the research of Internet of Things, which brings new opportunities for the development of the Internet of Things. With the development of the Internet of Things technology, in the spatial social Internet of Things structure, user information includes sensitive attributes and non-sensitive attribute information. This information can be inferred from public user information to infer the information of the private user and even speculate on sensitive attributes. This article proposes an information speculation method based on the core users of spatial social networks, and estimates the non-core user information through the core user public information. First, the user’s spatial social network is divided into communities, and the core nodes of the community in the spatial social network are calculated by PageRank algorithm and the convergence of the algorithm is proved. Then, through the public information of the core nodes divided by the community in the space social network, the private information of relevant users to these core nodes can be speculated. Finally, by experimental analyzing the community structures of SIoT (Social Internet of Things) like Twitter, Sina Weibo, ER random networks, and NW small-world network, and making 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% information anonymous respectively in these four kinds of networks, we can analyze their clustering coefficient, Q-modularity and properties. Finally, the key node information of the four spatial social structures is speculated to analyze the effectiveness of the proposed method. Compared with the non-core speculation method, this method has advantages in speculative information integrity and time.
Effects of Varied Surgical Simulation Training Schedules on Motor-Skill Acquisition
Authors: Ritter Frank E. , Yeh Martin K.-C. , Yan Yu , Siu Ka-Chun , Oleynikov Dmitry
Published: October 2019

There have been many studies to evaluate the effect of training schedules on retention; however, these usually compare only 2 drastically different schedules, massed and distributed, and they have tended to look at declarative knowledge tasks. This study examined learning on a laparoscopic surgery simulator using a set of procedural or perceptual-motor tasks with some declarative elements. The study used distributed, massed, and 2 hybrid-training schedules that are neither distributed nor massed. To evaluate the training schedules, 23 participants with no previous laparoscopic experience were recruited and randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 training schedules. They performed 3 laparoscopic training tasks in eight 30-minute learning sessions. We compared how task time decreased with each schedule in a between-participants design. We found participants in all groups demonstrated a decrease in task completion time as the number of training sessions increased; however, there were no statistically significant differences in participants’ improvement on task completion time between the 4 different training schedule groups, which suggested that time on task is more important for learning these tasks than the training schedule.
The Tennessee Men’s Health Report Card: A Model for Men’s Health Policy Advocacy and Education
Authors: Griffith Derek M. , Semlow Andrea R. , Leventhal Mike , Sullivan Clare
Published: October 2019

Tennessee is the only state in the United States that has regularly published a document monitoring men’s health and assessing men’s health disparities. Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Tennessee Department of Health, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee Men’s Health Network, and health providers and advocates across the state have come together to publish a set of indicators as the Tennessee Men’s Health Report Card (TMHRC). This article describes the origins, structure, development, and lessons learned from publishing report cards in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2017. The report card highlights statistically significant changes in trends over time, identifies racial, ethnic, age, and geographic differences among men, highlights connections to regional and statewide public health initiatives, and suggests priorities for improving men’s health in Tennessee. State data were compared to Healthy People 2020 Objectives and graded based on the degree of discrepancy between the goal and the current reality for Tennessee men. Over the four iterations of the report card, the TMHRC team has made significant adjustments to the ways they analyze and present the data, utilize grades and graphics, consider the implications of the data for the economic well-being of the state, and disseminate the findings across the state to different stakeholders. It is important to go beyond creating a summary of information; rather, data should be shared in ways that are easily understood, actionable, and applicable to different audiences. It is also critical to highlight promising policy and programmatic initiatives to improve men’s health in the state.
Grounded Theory: The FAQs
Authors: Birks Melanie , Hoare Karen , Mills Jane
Published: October 2019

Since being developed as a research methodology in the 1960s, grounded theory (GT) has grown in popularity. In spite of its prevalence, considerable confusion surrounds GT, particularly in respect of the essential methods that characterize this approach to research. Misinformation is evident in the literature around issues such as the various approaches to GT, how long the process takes, the role of literature and preconceptions, generating and using data and strategies to produce theory. This article examines the most frequently asked questions about GT in an effort to demystify its purpose and use. Understanding the fundamental concepts of GT is critical to the correct use and application of GT methods and the ultimate production of theory that is grounded in data. More significantly, this understanding can prevent researchers encountering common pitfalls that can impede the process and impact the products of research.
Inhibitory Effect of Ocimum gratissimum Leaf Extract on Postprandial Increase of Blood Glucose
Authors: Shimada Hiroaki , Kuma Chiaki , Iseri Taichi , Matsumura Shin-ichi , Kawase Atsushi , Matsuura Masayoshi , Iwaki Masahiro
Published: October 2019

The tea of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) leaves has been commonly consumed by people living in Ishigaki Island, Okinawa prefecture, Japan, and is considered to be effective for improving diabetes mellitus. In this study, we aimed to clarify the inhibitory potential of OG leaves extract (OG-ext) on gastrointestinal glucose absorption and to provide theoretical evidence for the anti-hyperglycemic effect of OG-ext. The increase of blood glucose after oral administration of α-starch and glucose in mice was suppressed by co-administration of OG-ext. An in vitro enzymatic assay suggested that amylase and maltase were inhibited weakly by the addition of OG-ext. In Caco-2 cells, a human intestinal epithelial model, the sodium-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT) 1-mediated uptake of fluorescence glucose analog was inhibited significantly by the addition of OG-ext in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect on SGLT1 is one of the mechanisms of the anti-hyperglycemic effect of the tea of OG leaves.
The Duterte method: A neoclassical realist guide to understanding a small power’s foreign policy and strategic behaviour in the Asia-Pacific
Authors: Magcamit Michael
Published: October 2019

In the contemporary Asia-Pacific context, the fault lines leading to the Thucydides trap can be attributed to the continuing strategic competition between a seemingly declining United States and a rising China. Failure to circumvent this trap can ultimately result in a war of all against all. Against this backdrop, this article investigates how a small power re-evaluates its foreign policy and strategic behaviour using neoclassical realism theory. In particular, I examine President Rodrigo Duterte’s method which is characterized by four key elements: cultivating a more favourable image for China; moderating the country’s American-influenced strategic culture; mobilizing state-society relations supportive of ‘Sinicization’; and reorienting the country’s Western-based institutions to better accommodate Chinese pressures and incentives. Does a China-centric approach give a small power an indispensable strategic capital to successfully navigate and exploit both the challenges and opportunities of the impending new order? Do the Philippines’ shifting rules of engagement under the Duterte administration represent a forward-thinking strategic outlook rather than a defeatist and naïve stance? The article answers these questions by examining the factors and dynamics underpinning the conception and construction of the Duterte method, as well as its implications vis-a-vis a small power’s foreign policy and strategic behaviour.
Patient-Centered Care: An Examination of Provider–Patient Communication Over Time
Authors: Miller Leslie Riggle , Peck B. Mitchell
Published: October 2019

Objective:

To examine the quality of provider communication over time considering the increasing emphasis on patient-centered care (PCC). Patient-centered care has been shown to have a positive impact on health outcomes, care experiences, quality-of-life, as well as decreased costs. Given this emphasis, we expect that provider–patient communication has improved over time.

Data Source:

We collected primary data by self-report surveys between summer 2017 and fall 2018.

Study Design:

We use a quantitative retrospective cohort study of a national sample of 353 patients who had an ostomy surgery.

Data Extraction Method:

We measure provider communication from open-ended self-reports from patients of the number of stated inadequacies in their care.

Principal Findings:

Results show that the time since patients had their surgery is related to higher quality provider communication. That is, patients who had their surgery further back in time reported higher quality provider communication compared with patients who had their surgery performed more recently.

Conclusion:

Results suggest that the quality of provider communication has not improved even with an emphasis on PCC.
Early Communication Skills and Special Education Outcomes at School Entry: Implications for Pediatric Care and Screening
Authors: Kim Matthew H. , McIntyre Laura Lee
Published: October 2019

Objective. To examine whether children’s early communication skills at age 3 predict special education outcomes at kindergarten entry. Methods. Data from 139 children eligible for early intervention or early childhood special education services were examined. Early communication was defined separately as expressive and receptive language skills and was measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales–Second Edition. Outcome variables were parent-reported measures of special education use and dosage as well as speech therapy receipt and dosage at kindergarten entry. Results. Better expressive language skills at age 3—but not receptive language skills—predicted a significantly reduced likelihood (odds ratio = 0.79) of receiving speech therapy at kindergarten entry. There were no effects of early communication on broader receipt of special education services as well as on special education dosage. Conclusions. Screening of specific domains of early communication skills during routine pediatric care, in conjunction with the evaluations of other professionals involved in the child’s education and health, might be an effective method for identifying children who are likely to receive speech therapy and other special education services at kindergarten entry.
Inpatient Evaluation of Intra-abdominal Pressure Completed With a Urinary Catheter as Compared With Ultrasonographic Vessel Measurements
Authors: Golshani Keihan , Azizkhani Reza , Foroutan Fereidon
Published: October 2019

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasonography as compared with intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measured with a urinary catheter.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study. The participants consisted of 146 patients hospitalized in the emergency wards of two hospitals in Isfahan (2017-2018). Following measurement of IAP through a urinary catheter, ultrasonographic measurement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter, internal jugular vein diameter, common femoral vein (CFV) diameter, and ratio between the IVC and abdominal aortic diameters was completed. Correlation between these methods of measurements for IAP was investigated.

Results:

There was a significant positive correlation between intrabladder pressure and the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) and CFV ( P < .001, R > 0). There was also a reverse significant correlation between intrabladder pressure and RIJV, IVC, IVC:aorta diameter, systolic blood pressure, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ( P < .001, r < 0). RIJV, CFV, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were suitable predictors for the estimation of intrabladder pressure or IAP ( P < .05), but IVC, IVC:aorta, and systolic blood pressure were not suitable factors for estimating IAP ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

Ultrasonographic measurement is a noninvasive method for determining IAP.
Acute and preventive pharmacological treatment of post-traumatic headache: a systematic review
Authors: Larsen Eigil Lindekilde , Ashina Håkan , Iljazi Afrim , Al-Khazali Haidar Muhsen , Seem Kristoffer , Ashina Messoud , Ashina Sait , Schytz Henrik Winther
Published: October 2019

Background

Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is associated with considerable disability and reduced health-related quality of life. Despite the very high prevalence of PTH, there are no evidence-based guidelines for PTH treatment. Thus, we found it timely to provide a systematic review of the current literature on acute and preventive pharmacological treatment of PTH using PubMed and Embase databases.

Findings

Included studies involved acute and preventive pharmacological treatment of headache attributed to traumatic injury to the head in adherence to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria. Of 1424 potentially relevant articles identified, 63 were retrieved for detailed evaluation and seven studies (one prospective and six retrospective) met the inclusion criteria. None of the seven included studies were randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or used a placebo-controlled study design.

Conclusion

We found that there is a lack of high-quality evidence-based studies on the pharmacological treatment of PTH. Future studies are highly needed and must emphasize open-label studies with rigorous methodology or RCTs with a placebo-controlled design.
Overexpression of a microRNA-targeted NAC transcription factor improves drought and salt tolerance in Rice via ABA-mediated pathways
Authors: Jiang Dagang , Zhou Lingyan , Chen Weiting , Ye Nenghui , Xia Jixing , Zhuang Chuxiong
Published: October 2019

Background

The NAC (NAM, AFAT, and CUC) transcription factors play critical roles in rice (Oryza sativa) development and stress regulation. Overexpressing a microRNA (miR164b)-resistant OsNAC2 mutant gene, which generates transcripts that cannot be targeted by miR164b, improves rice plant architecture and yield; however, the performance of these mOsNAC2-overexpressing lines, named ZUOErN3 and ZUOErN4, under abiotic stress conditions such as drought have not yet been fully characterized.

Results

In this study, we showed that the germination of ZUOErN3 and ZUOErN4 seeds was delayed in comparison with the wild-type (WT) seeds, although the final germination rates of all lines were over 95%. The quantification of the endogenous ABA levels revealed that the germinating mOsNAC2-overexpressing seeds had elevated ABA levels, which resulted in their slower germination. The mOsNAC2-overexpressing plants were significantly more drought tolerance than the WT plants, with the survival rate increasing from 11.2% in the WT to nearly 70% in ZUOErN3 and ZUOErN4 plants after a drought treatment. Salt (NaCl) tolerance was also increased in the ZUOErN3 and ZUOErN4 plants due to significantly increased ABA levels. A reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed a significant increase in the expression of the ABA biosynthesis genes OsNCED1 and OsNCED3 in the mOsNAC2-overexpressing lines, and the expression levels of the stress-responsive genes OsP5CS1, OsLEA3, and OsRab16 were significantly increased in these plants. Moreover, OsNAC2 directly interacted with the promoters of OsLEA3 and OsNCED3 in yeast one-hybrid assays.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results show that OsNAC2 plays a positive regulatory role in drought and salt tolerance in rice through ABA-mediated pathways.
Mathematical model of hypoxia and tumor signaling interplay reveals the importance of hypoxia and cell-to-cell variability in tumor growth inhibition
Authors: Chen Emile P. , Song Roy S. , Chen Xueer
Published: October 2019

Background

Human tumor is a complex tissue with multiple heterogeneous hypoxic regions and significant cell-to-cell variability. Due to the complexity of the disease, the explanation of why anticancer therapies fail cannot be attributed to intrinsic or acquired drug resistance alone. Furthermore, there are inconsistent reports of hypoxia-induced kinase activities in different cancer cell-lines, where increase, decreases, or no change has been observed. Thus, we asked, why are there widely contrasting results in kinase activity under hypoxia in different cancer cell-lines and how does hypoxia play a role in anti-cancer drug sensitivity?

Results

We took a modeling approach to address these questions by analyzing the model simulation to explain why hypoxia driven signals can have dissimilar impact on tumor growth and alter the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. Repeated simulations with varying concentrations of biomolecules followed by decision tree analysis reveal that the highly differential effects among heterogeneous subpopulation of tumor cells could be governed by varying concentrations of just a few key biomolecules. These biomolecules include activated serine/threonine-specific protein kinases (pRAF), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (pMEK), protein kinase B (pAkt), or phosphoinositide-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (pPI3K). Additionally, the ratio of activated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (pERK) or pAkt to its respective total was a key factor in determining the sensitivity of pERK or pAkt to hypoxia.

Conclusion

This work offers a mechanistic insight into how hypoxia can affect the efficacy of anti-cancer drug that targets tumor signaling and provides a framework to identify the types of tumor cells that are either sensitive or resistant to anti-cancer therapy.
Microbial biofilm correlates with an increased antibiotic tolerance and poor therapeutic outcome in infective endocarditis
Authors: Di Domenico Enea Gino , Rimoldi Sara Giordana , Cavallo Ilaria , D’Agosto Giovanna , Trento Elisabetta , Cagnoni Giovanni , Palazzin Alessandro , Pagani Cristina , Romeri Francesca , De Vecchi Elena , Schiavini Monica , Secchi Daniela , Antona Carlo , Rizzardini Giuliano , Dichirico Rita Barbara , Toma Luigi , Kovacs Daniela , Cardinali Giorgia , Gallo Maria Teresa , Gismondo Maria Rita , Ensoli Fabrizio
Published: October 2019

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with high rates of mortality. Prolonged treatments with high-dose intravenous antibiotics often fail to eradicate the infection, frequently leading to high-risk surgical intervention. By providing a mechanism of antibiotic tolerance, which escapes conventional antibiotic susceptibility profiling, microbial biofilm represents a key diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians. This study aims at assessing a rapid biofilm identification assay and a targeted antimicrobial susceptibility profile of biofilm-growing bacteria in patients with IE, which were unresponsive to antibiotic therapy.

Results

Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolate (50%), followed by Enterococcus faecalis (25%) and Streptococcus gallolyticus (25%). All microbial isolates were found to be capable of producing large, structured biofilms in vitro. As expected, antibiotic treatment either administered on the basis of antibiogram or chosen empirically among those considered first-line antibiotics for IE, including ceftriaxone, daptomycin, tigecycline and vancomycin, was not effective at eradicating biofilm-growing bacteria. Conversely, antimicrobial susceptibility profile of biofilm-growing bacteria indicated that teicoplanin, oxacillin and fusidic acid were most effective against S. aureus biofilm, while ampicillin was the most active against S. gallolyticus and E. faecalis biofilm, respectively.

Conclusions

This study indicates that biofilm-producing bacteria, from surgically treated IE, display a high tolerance to antibiotics, which is undetected by conventional antibiograms. The rapid identification and antimicrobial tolerance profiling of biofilm-growing bacteria in IE can provide key information for both antimicrobial therapy and prevention strategies.
Auxin regulates adventitious root formation in tomato cuttings
Authors: Guan Ling , Tayengwa Reuben , Cheng Zongming (Max) , Peer Wendy Ann , Murphy Angus S. , Zhao Mizhen
Published: October 2019

Background

Adventitious root (AR) formation is a critical developmental process in cutting propagation for the horticultural industry. While auxin has been shown to regulate this process, the exact mechanism and details preceding AR formation remain unclear. Even though AR and lateral root (LR) formation share common developmental processes, there are exist some differences that need to be closely examined at the cytological level. Tomato stem cuttings, which readily form adventitious roots, represent the perfect system to study the influence of auxin on AR formation and to compare AR and LR organogenesis.

Results

Here we show the progression by which AR form from founder cells in the basal pericycle cell layers in tomato stem cuttings. The first disordered clumps of cells assumed a dome shape that later differentiated into functional AR cell layers. Further growth resulted in emergence of mature AR through the epidermis following programmed cell death of epidermal cells. Auxin and ethylene levels increased in the basal stem cutting within 1 h. Tomato lines expressing the auxin response element DR5pro:YFP showed an increase in auxin distribution during the AR initiation phase, and was mainly concentrated in the meristematic cells of the developing AR. Treatment of stem cuttings with auxin, increased the number of AR primordia and the length of AR, while stem cuttings treated with the pre-emergent herbicide/auxin transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) occasionally developed thick, agravitropic AR. Hormone profile analyses showed that auxin positively regulated AR formation, whereas perturbations to zeatin, salicylic acid, and abscisic acid homeostasis suggested minor roles during tomato stem rooting. The gene expression of specific auxin transporters increased during specific developmental phases of AR formation.

Conclusion

These data show that AR formation in tomato stems is a complex process. Upon perception of a wounding stimulus, expression of auxin transporter genes and accumulation of auxin at founder cell initiation sites in pericycle cell layers and later in the meristematic cells of the AR primordia were observed. A clear understanding and documentation of these events in tomato is critical to resolve AR formation in recalcitrant species like hardwoods and improve stem cutting propagation efficiency and effectiveness.
Comprehensive analysis of multiprotein bridging factor 1 family genes and SlMBF1c negatively regulate the resistance to Botrytis cinerea in tomato
Authors: Zhang Xu , Xu Zhixuan , Chen Lichen , Ren Zhonghai
Published: October 2019

Background

Multiprotein bridging factor 1 s (MBF1s) are members of the transcriptional co-activator family that have involved in plant growth, development and stress responses. However, little is known about the Solanum lycopersicum MBF1 (SlMBF1) gene family.

Results

In total, five SlMBF1 genes were identified based on the tomato reference genome, and these genes were mapped to five chromosomes. All of the SlMBF1 proteins were highly conserved, with a typical MBF1 domain and helix-turn-helix_3 domain. In addition, the promoter regions of the SlMBF1 genes have various stress and hormone responsive cis-regulatory elements. Encouragingly, the SlMBF1 genes were expressed with different expression profiles in different tissues and responded to various stress and hormone treatments. The biological function of SlMBF1c was further identified through its overexpression in tomato, and the transgenic tomato lines showed increased susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea). Additionally, the expression patterns of salicylic acid (SA)-, jasmonic acid (JA)- and ethylene (ET)- mediated defense related genes were altered in the transgenic plants.

Conclusions

Our comprehensive analysis provides valuable information for clarifying the evolutionary relationship of the SlMBF1 members and their expression patterns in different tissues and under different stresses. The overexpression of SlMBF1c decreased the resistance of tomato to B. cinerea through enhancing the gene expression of the SA-mediated signaling pathway and depressing JA/ET-mediated signaling pathways. These results will facilitate future functional studies of the transcriptional co-activator family.
The intraoperative use of non-opioid adjuvant analgesic agents: a survey of anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Thiruvenkatarajan Venkatesan , Wood Richard , Watts Richard , Currie John , Wahba Medhat , Van Wijk Roelof M.
Published: October 2019

Background

Opioids have long been the mainstay of drugs used for intra-operative analgesia. Due to their well-known short and long term side effects, the use of non-opioid analgesics has often been encouraged to decrease the dose of opioid required and minimise these side effects. The trends in using non-opioid adjuvants among Australian Anaesthetists have not been examined before. This study has attempted to determine the use of non-opioid analgesics as part of an opioid sparing practice among anaesthetists across Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

A survey was distributed to 985 anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand. The questions focused on frequency of use of different adjuvants and any reasons for not using individual agents. The agents surveyed were paracetamol, dexamethasone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), tramadol, ketamine, anticonvulsants, intravenous lidocaine, systemic alpha 2 agonists, magnesium sulphate, and beta blockers. Descriptive statistics were used and data are expressed as a percentage of response for each drug.

Results

The response rate was 33.4%. Paracetamol was the most frequently used; with 72% of the respondents describing frequent usage (defined as usage above 70% of the time); followed by parecoxib (42% reported frequent usage) and dexamethasone (35% reported frequent usage). Other adjuvants were used much less commonly, with anaesthetists reporting their frequent usage at less than 10%. The majority of respondents suggested that they would never consider dexmedetomidine, magnesium, esmolol, pregabalin or gabapentin. Perceived disincentives for the use of analgesic adjuvants varied. The main concerns were side effects, lack of evidence for benefit, and anaesthetists’ experience. The latter two were the major factors for magnesium, dexmedetomidine and esmolol.

Conclusion

The uptake of tramadol, lidocaine and magnesium amongst respondents from anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand was poor. Gabapentin, pregabalin, dexmedetomidine and esmolol use was relatively rare. Most anaesthetists need substantial evidence before introducing a non-opioid adjuvant into their routine practice. Future trials should focus on assessing the opioid sparing benefits and relative risk of using individual non-opioid adjuvants in the perioperative period for specific procedures and patient populations.
Risk of subsequent ventricular arrhythmia is higher in primary prevention patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator than in secondary prevention patients
Authors: Zhou You , Zhao Shuang , Chen Keping , Hua Wei , Su Yangang , Chen Silin , Liang Zhaoguang , Xu Wei , Zhang Shu
Published: October 2019

Background

Because of previous ventricular arrhythmia (VA) episodes, patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for secondary prevention (SP) are generally considered to have a higher burden of VAs than primary prevention (PP) patients. However, when PP patients experienced VA, the difference in the prognosis of these two patient groups was unknown.

Methods

The clinical characteristics and follow-up data of 835 ICD patients (364 SP patients and 471 PP patients) with home monitoring feature were retrospectively analysed. The incidence rate and risk of subsequent VA and all-cause mortality were compared between PP patients after the first appropriate ICD therapy and SP patients.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 44.72 ± 20.87 months, 210 (44.59%) PP patients underwent appropriate ICD therapy. In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the PP patients after appropriate ICD therapy were more prone to VA recurrence and all-cause mortality than SP patients (P<0.001 for both endpoints). The rate of appropriate ICD therapy and all-cause mortality in PP patients after the first appropriate ICD therapy was significantly higher than that in SP patients (for device therapy, 59.46 vs 20.64 patients per 100 patient-years; incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.880, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.305–3.599; P<0.001; for all-cause mortality, 14.08 vs 5.40 deaths per 100 patient-years; IRR 2.607, 95% CI: 1.884–3.606; P<0.001). After propensity score matching for baseline characteristics, the risk of VA recurrence in PP patients with appropriate ICD therapy was still higher than that in SP patients (41.80 vs 19.10 patients per 100 patient-years; IRR 2.491, 95% CI: 1.889–3.287; P<0.001), but all-cause mortality rates were similar between the two groups (12.61 vs 9.33 deaths per 100 patient-years; IRR 1.352, 95% CI: 0.927–1.972; P = 0.117).

Conclusions

Once PP patients undergo appropriate ICD therapy, they will be more prone to VA recurrence and death than SP patients.
Minimally invasive drainage versus open surgical debridement in SAP/SMAP – a network meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Kai , Zhu Xiaole , Hou Chaoqun , Shi Chenyuan , Miao Yi , Li Qiang
Published: October 2019

Background

The efficacy of some therapeutic methods (open surgical debridement (OSD), conservative treatment (CST) and minimally invasive drainage (MID)) for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and moderately severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) has been widely evaluated. However, the results remained controversial. We performed this study to illuminate whether any difference in incidence exists on patients with SAP/MSAP treated with OSD and MID.

Methods

Eligible articles were collected base of a comprehensive review of PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, CKNI and WANGFANG for published randomized controlled trials. Two steps of meta-analysis were performed, routine pair-wise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis.

Results

Thirteen studies were included in this study. Participants were classed as 5 groups, CST, early MID (EMID), late MID (LMID), early OSD (EOSD) and late OSD (LOSD). And MID contains endoscopic drainage (ESD), percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Compared with CST, MID could decrease both mortality and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) rate but OSD couldn’t. Both EMID and MID can significantly decrease the mortality and MODS rate compared to CST. PCD might be most likely to have a benefit compared to CST.

Conclusion

Existing evidence for the use of MID in SAP/MSAP is reliable and it can be used as early treatment. OSD, if necessary, should be avoided or delayed as long as possible.