bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The clinical relevance of Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network screening criteria for program performance review in the United States
Authors: Salkowski Nicholas , Wey Andrew , Snyder Jon J. , Orlowski Jeffrey P. , Israni Ajay K. , Kasiske Bertram L.
Published: June 2016

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network is charged with overseeing the quality of transplant programs in the United States. However, there has been controversy over whether too many programs are being identified as underperforming. It has also been suggested that dramatic improvements in outcomes throughout the United States have made the thresholds for determining which deceased donor transplant programs are underperforming no longer clinically relevant. The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients compared actual and expected 1‐y graft survival for transplant programs identified as underperforming in the most recent cohort (transplants from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014). For most organs, actual 1‐y graft survival was substantially lower for programs identified as underperforming than for programs identified as performing as expected. Differences were smallest for kidney programs: median 1‐y graft survival 89.2% vs 95.4% in large‐volume programs identified and not identified for Membership and Professional Standards Committee review, respectively. Median expected graft survival was only slightly lower (94.8% vs 95.1%, respectively), suggesting that identified and not identified programs tend to have similar risk tolerances. An excess of 143 grafts were lost from kidney programs identified as underperforming. Transplant programs identified as underperforming generally have reduced 1‐y graft survival that stakeholders may consider clinically relevant.
CYP3A pharmacogenetics and tacrolimus disposition in adult heart transplant recipients
Authors: Deininger Kimberly M. , Vu Anh , Page Robert L. , Ambardekar Amrut V. , Lindenfeld JoAnn , Aquilante Christina L.
Published: June 2016

Background

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A polymorphisms are associated with variable CYP3A metabolizing enzyme activity and tacrolimus pharmacokinetics. We sought to determine the singular and combined impact of CYP3A4*22 and CYP3A5*3 variants on tacrolimus drug disposition in adult heart transplant recipients.

Methods

The retrospective study included 76 patients greater than one year post‐heart transplant and receiving tacrolimus. Patients were genotyped for CYP3A4*22 and CYP3A5*3, and combined genotypes were classified as follows: extensive metabolizers (EM, CYP3A4*1/*1+CYP3A5*1 carriers), intermediate metabolizers (IM, CYP3A4*1/*1+CYP3A5*3/*3, or CYP3A4*22 carriers+CYP3A5*1 carriers), and poor metabolizers (PM, CYP3A4*22 carriers+CYP3A5*3/*3). The primary outcome was tacrolimus dose‐adjusted trough concentration (C0/D, ng/mL per mg/d).

Results

In singular analysis, tacrolimus C0/D did not differ significantly between CYP3A4*22 genotype groups. However, tacrolimus C0/D was 1.8‐fold lower (P<.001) in CYP3A5 expressers vs non‐expressers. When combined CYP3A genotypes were evaluated, tacrolimus C0/D was 1.8‐fold lower in EMs vs IMs (P<.001) and EMs vs PMs (P=.001). Tacrolimus C0/D did not differ significantly between CYP3A IMs vs PMs.

Conclusion

Combined CYP3A genotype was associated with tacrolimus drug disposition in adult heart transplant recipients, but the effect was largely driven by CYP3A5*3. These data suggest that CYP3A4*22 and combined CYP3A genotypes are unlikely to provide additional information beyond CYP3A5 genotype.
Hip health at skeletal maturity: a population‐based study of young adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Wawrzuta Joanna , Willoughby Kate L , Molesworth Charlotte , Ang Soon Ghee , Shore Benjamin J , Thomason Pam , Graham H Kerr
Published: June 2016

Aim

We studied ‘hip health’ in a population‐based cohort of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy to investigate associations between hip morphology, pain, and gross motor function.

Method

Ninety‐eight young adults (65 males, 33 females) from the birth cohort were identified as having developed hip displacement (migration percentage >30) and were reviewed at a mean age of 18 years 10 months (range 15–24y). Hip morphology was classified using the Melbourne Cerebral Palsy Hip Classification Scale (MCPHCS). Severity and frequency of pain were recorded using Likert scales. Gross motor function was classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

Results

Hip pain was reported in 72% of participants. Associations were found between pain scores and both hip morphology and GMFCS. Median pain severity score for MCPHCS grades 1 to 4 was 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.0–3.0) compared to 7 (IQR 6.0–8.0) for grades 5 and 6 (severe subluxation or dislocation). Hip surveillance and access to surgery were associated with improved hip morphology and less pain.

Interpretation

Poor hip morphology at skeletal maturity was associated with high levels of pain. Limited hip surveillance and access to surgery, rather than GMFCS, was associated with poor hip morphology. The majority of young adults who had access to hip surveillance, and preventive and reconstructive surgery, had satisfactory hip morphology at skeletal maturity and less pain.
Difference in the Prognostic Impact of Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain between Anterior and Nonanterior Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Jang Se Yong , Yang Dong Heon , Kim Nam Kyun , Kim Chang‐Yeon , Bae Myung Hwan , Lee Jang Hoon , Park Hun Sik , Cho Yongkeun , Chae Shung Chull
Published: June 2016

Background

Speckle tracking–derived global longitudinal strain (GLS) of left ventricle is a potent prognostic marker for patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of prognostic impact of GLS between anterior and nonanterior myocardial infarction.

Methods

This study included 686 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention for their first STEMI between November 2007 and April 2012. Differences in the prognostic impact of GLS between anterior MI group and nonanterior MI group were evaluated. The composite of all‐cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure in 2 years was investigated for outcome.

Results

During the follow‐up period, 77 (11.2%) adverse events occurred. The anterior and nonanterior MI groups included 339 and 347 patients, respectively. Among patients with anterior MI, GLS significantly predicted 2‐year outcome in an adjusted model (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.186; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.071–1.314, P = 0.001), whereas the association between GLS and mortality was weaker in the nonanterior MI group (adjusted HR 0.977; 95% CI 0.884–1.081, P = 0.657). The interaction between the infarction territory and GLS was significant (P for interaction = 0.018), indicating that GLS was a more sensitive predictor of mortality in patients with anterior MI than that in those with nonanterior MI.

Conclusions

Speckle tracking–derived GLS of left ventricle more sensitively predicted clinical outcome in patients with anterior MI than in those with nonanterior MI.
Moderated online social therapy for depression relapse prevention in young people: pilot study of a ‘next generation’ online intervention
Authors: Rice Simon , Gleeson John , Davey Christopher , Hetrick Sarah , Parker Alexandra , Lederman Reeva , Wadley Greg , Murray Greg , Herrman Helen , Chambers Richard , Russon Penni , Miles Christopher , D'Alfonso Simon , Thurley Melissa , Chinnery Gina , Gilbertson Tamsyn , Eleftheriadis Dina , Barlow Emma , Cagliarini Daniella , Toh Jia‐Wern , McAlpine Stuart , Koval Peter , Bendall Sarah , Jansen Jens Einar , Hamilton Matthew , McGorry Patrick , Alvarez‐Jimenez Mario
Published: June 2016

Aim

Implementation of targeted e‐mental health interventions offers a promising solution to reducing the burden of disease associated with youth depression. A single‐group pilot study was conducted to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, usability and safety of a novel, moderated online social therapy intervention (entitled Rebound) for depression relapse prevention in young people.

Methods

Participants were 42 young people (15–25 years) (50% men; mean age = 18.5 years) in partial or full remission. Participants had access to the Rebound platform for at least 12 weeks, including the social networking, peer and clinical moderator and therapy components.

Results

Follow‐up data were available for 39 (92.9%) participants. There was high system usage, with 3034 user logins (mean = 72.2 per user) and 2146 posts (mean = 51.1). Almost 70% of users had ≥10 logins over the 12 weeks, with 78.5% logging in over at least 2 months of the pilot. A total of 32 (84%) participants rated the intervention as helpful. There was significant improvement between the number of participants in full remission at baseline (n = 5; none of whom relapsed) relative to n = 19 at 12‐week follow‐up (P < 0.001). Six (14.3%) participants relapsed to full threshold symptoms at 12 weeks. There was a significant improvement to interviewer‐rated depression scores (Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS); P = 0.014, d = 0.45) and a trend for improved strength use (P = 0.088, d = 0.29). The single‐group design and 12‐week treatment phase preclude a full understanding of the clinical benefits of the Rebound intervention.

Conclusions

The Rebound intervention was shown to be acceptable, feasible, highly usable and safe in young people with major depression.
Temporal sampling helps unravel the genetic structure of naturally occurring populations of a phytoparasitic nematode. 2. Separating the relative effects of gene flow and genetic drift
Authors: Gracianne Cécile , Jan Pierre‐Loup , Fournet Sylvain , Olivier Eric , Arnaud Jean‐François , Porte Catherine , Bardou‐Valette Sylvie , Denis Marie‐Christine , Petit Eric J.
Published: June 2016

Studying wild pathogen populations in natural ecosystems offers the opportunity to better understand the evolutionary dynamics of biotic diseases in crops and to enhance pest control strategies. We used simulations and genetic markers to investigate the spatial and temporal population genetic structure of wild populations of the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii on a wild host plant species, the sea beet (Beta vulgaris spp. maritima), the wild ancestor of cultivated beets. Our analysis of the variation of eight microsatellite loci across four study sites showed that (i) wild H. schachtii populations displayed fine‐scaled genetic structure with no evidence of substantial levels of gene flow beyond the scale of the host plant, and comparisons with simulations indicated that (ii) genetic drift substantially affected the residual signals of isolation‐by‐distance processes, leading to departures from migration–drift equilibrium. In contrast to what can be suspected for (crop) field populations, this showed that wild cyst nematodes have very low dispersal capabilities and are strongly disconnected from each other. Our results provide some key elements for designing pest control strategies, such as decreasing passive dispersal events to limit the spread of virulence among field nematode populations.
Ranking Fuzzy Cognitive Map based scenarios using ELECTRE III: Applied on housing market
Authors: Shafia Mohammad Ali , Rahimi Moghaddam Mohammad , Teimoury Ebrahim
Published: June 2016

Policy makers often deal with a wide range of alternative probable future states for the entity they work for – a country, for example. To strive for the most desirable state, the policy makers must evaluate and rank all probable future scenarios. To this end, ‘scenario methods’ gained recent popularity are increasingly being employed. Nevertheless, currently, decisions made based on insight gained from scenarios are not made in an integrated systematic process. Current variants of the method help study the role of any research concept individually; thus, they do not provide a complete picture of the research situation. A more suitable variant of the method for today's world should provide a holistic view of the research situation by modelling possible links among research concepts. This paper, introduces a stepwise methodology that can guide the building, developing, and ranking of possible future scenarios, having factored in the possible causal interrelations among research concepts. The method is enriched with a combination of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, a widely used soft computing method, and ELECTRE III, a popular method of Multi Attribute Decision Making. This paper also presents the results of the application of the proposed methodology for Iran's housing market, highlighting the advantages of the proposed methodology.
Yeast lacking the amphiphysin family protein Rvs167 is sensitive to disruptions in sphingolipid levels
Authors: Toume Moeko , Tani Motohiro
Published: June 2016

Rvs167 and Rvs161 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are amphiphysin family proteins, which are involved in several important cellular events, such as invagination and scission of endocytic vesicles, and actin cytoskeleton organization. It has been reported that cellular dysfunctions caused by deletion of RVS167 or RVS161 are rescued by deletion of specific nonessential sphingolipid‐metabolizing enzyme genes. Here, we found that yeast cells lacking RVS167 or RVS161 exhibit a decrease in sphingolipid levels. In rvs167∆ cells, the expression level of Orm2, a negative regulator of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) catalyzing the initial step of sphingolipid biosynthesis, was increased in a calcineurin‐dependent manner, and the decrease in sphingolipid levels in rvs167∆ cells was reversed on deletion of ORM2. Moreover, repression of both ORM1 and ORM2 expression or overexpression of SPT caused a strong growth defect of rvs167∆ cells, indicating that enhancement of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis is detrimental to rvs167∆ cells. In contrast, partial repression of LCB1‐encoding SPT suppressed abnormal phenotypes caused by the deletion of RVS167, including supersensitivity to high temperature and salt stress, and impairment of endocytosis and actin cytoskeleton organization. In addition, the partial repression of SPT activity suppressed the temperature supersensitivity and abnormal vacuolar morphology caused by deletion of VPS1 encoding a dynamin‐like GTPase, which is required for vesicle scission and is functionally closely related to Rvs167/Rvs161, whereas repression of both ORM1 and ORM2 expression in vps1∆ cells caused a growth defect. Thus, it was suggested that proper regulation of SPT activity is indispensable for amphiphysin‐deficient cells.
The Evolution of Foreign Language AP Exam Candidates: A 36‐Year Descriptive Study
Authors: Brown Alan V. , Thompson Gregory L.
Published: June 2016

Using a data set exclusively prepared for and licensed to them by the College Board, the authors examined the growth of the Advanced Placement program in foreign languages and overall trends in regard to the number of candidates who sat for the foreign language exams, their gender, their scores, and their ethnicity over the 36‐year period covering 1979 to 2014. Results indicated that while the number of candidates for all exams grew, the Spanish Language and Culture exam demonstrated exponential growth unparalleled by any other exam. While scores have varied based on the iteration of the exam, they have continued to improve overall. Females continued to make up the majority of foreign language test takers in every state and outperformed males on average. Data also revealed that white candidates were losing ground to ethnic and racial minority test takers overall, but particularly in the case of the Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese examinees.
Listening and Reading Proficiency Levels of College Students
Authors: Tschirner Erwin
Published: June 2016

This article examines listening and reading proficiency levels of U.S. college foreign language students at major milestones throughout their undergraduate career. Data were collected from more than 3,000 participants studying seven languages at 21 universities and colleges across the United States. The results show that while listening proficiency appears to develop more slowly, Advanced levels of reading proficiency appear to be attainable for college majors at graduation. The article examines the relationship between listening and reading proficiency and suggests reasons for the apparent disconnect between listening and reading, particularly for some languages and at lower proficiency levels.
Impact of land‐use intensity on the relationships between vegetation indices, photosynthesis and biomass of intensively and extensively managed grassland fens
Authors: Metzger C. M. H. , Heinichen J. , Eickenscheidt T. , Drösler M.
Published: June 2016

Vegetation indices are widely used as model inputs and for non‐destructive estimation of biomass and photosynthesis, but there have been few validation studies of the underlying relationships. To test their applicability on temperate fens and the impact of management intensity, we investigated the relationships between normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), leaf area index (LAI), brown and green above‐ground biomass and photosynthesis potential (PP). Only the linear relationship betweenNDVIandPPwas management independent (R2 = 0·53).LAItoPPwas described by a site‐specific and negative logarithmic function (R2 = 0·07–0·68). The hyperbolic relationship ofLAIversusNDVIshowed a high residual standard error (s.e.) of 1·71–1·84 and differed between extensive and intensive meadows. Biomass andLAIcorrelated poorly (R2 = 0·30), with high species‐specific variability. Intensive meadows had a higher ratio ofLAIto biomass than extensive grasslands. The fraction of green to total biomass versusNDVIshowed considerable noise (s.e. = 0·13). These relationships were relatively weak compared with results from other ecosystems. A likely explanation could be the high amount of standing litter, which was unevenly distributed within the vegetation canopy depending on the season and on the timing of cutting events. Our results show there is high uncertainty in the application of the relationships on temperate fen meadows. For reliable estimations, management intensity needs to be taken into account and several direct measurements throughout the year are required for site‐specific correction of the relationships, especially under extensive management. UsingNDVIinstead ofLAIcould reduce uncertainty in photosynthesis models.
Hemodialysis‐induced regional left ventricular systolic dysfunction
Authors: Nie Yuxin , Zhang Zhen , Zou Jianzhou , Liang Yixiu , Cao Xuesen , Liu Zhonghua , Shen Bo , Chen Xiaohong , Ding Xiaoqiang
Published: June 2016

Introduction Hemodialysis (HD) patients are under observably elevated cardiovascular mortality. Cardiac dysfunction is closely related to death caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In the general population, repetitive myocardial ischemia induced left ventricular (LV) dysfunction may progress to irreversible loss of contraction step by step, and finally lead to cardiac death. In HD patients, to remove water and solute accumulated from 48 or 72 hours of interdialysis period in a 4‐hour HD session will induce myocardial ischemia. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with HD‐induced LV systolic dysfunction and provide some evidences for clinical strategies.

Methods We recruited 31 standard HD patients for this study from Fudan University Zhongshan hospital. Echocardiography was performed predialysis, at peak stress during HD (15 minutes prior to the end of dialysis), and 30 minutes after HD. Auto functional imaging (AFI) was used to assess the incidence and persistence of HD‐induced regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs). Blood samples were drawn to measure biochemical variables.

Findings Among totally 527 segments of 31 patients, 93.54% (29/31) patients and 51.40% (276/527) segments were diagnosed as RWMAs. Higher cTnT (0.060 ± 0.030 vs. 0.048 ± 0.015 ng/mL, P = 0.023), phosphate (2.07 ± 0.50 vs. 1.49 ± 0.96 mmol/L, P = 0.001), UFR (11.00 ± 3.89 vs. 8.30 ± 2.66 mL/Kg/h, P = 0.039) and lower albumin (37.83 ± 4.48 vs. 38.38 ± 2.53 g/L, P = 0.050) were found in patients with severe RWMAs (RWMAs in more than 50% segments). After univariate and multivariate analysis, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was found as independent risk factor of severe RWMAs (OR = 1.047, 95%CI 1.155–4.732, P = 0.038).

Discussion LV systolic dysfunction induced by HD is prevalent in conventional HD patients and should be paid attention to. Patients would benefit from better weight control during interdialytic period to reduce ultrafiltration rate.
Public consultation changes guidance on the use of health‐care interventions. An observational study
Authors: Campbell Bruce , Tabiri‐Essuman Jeffrey , Gallo Helen , Verdiel Vassilia , Mandava Lakshmi , Azhar Mohamed Ansaf , Powell John
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To investigate the responses to public consultation on draft guidance on interventional procedures (IP) for the UK National Health Services, and the changes made as a result of consultation.

Design

Retrospective review of responses received during public consultation for 183 pieces of draft guidance, and subsequent changes made.

Setting

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK. Guidance produced December 2009–December 2014.

Main outcome measures

Numbers (%) of public consultations receiving responses, and resulting changes made to draft guidance.

Results

Responses were received during 159 (86.9%) periods of public consultation, from a total of 853 people or organizations (median number per consultation 3; range 0–82; interquartile range 1–5). Changes were made to draft guidance following 136 (74.3%) consultations. These changes were to the category (2.7%) or wording (8.7%) of the main recommendation; to other recommendations (about consent, patient selection, training and future research) (31.1%); and to other sections of guidance (description of the procedure and of the evidence on its efficacy and safety) (70.5%). Additional published evidence was proffered for 22.4%. Health‐care professionals or their specialist societies were the most frequent responders to consultation (68.8%), patients or patient organizations accounted for 22.4% and medical device companies accounted for 8.8%.

Conclusions

This study shows substantial engagement with public consultation and frequent changes made to draft guidance as a result. These findings are likely to be relevant to other areas of health‐care and national policymaking that seek to be responsive to their stakeholders.
Can undergraduate student learning in prevention influence oral health self‐care practices? – a report from a South African University
Authors: Singh S
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Student attitudes and behaviour towards their own oral health status could reflect their understanding of the importance of oral health promotive activities.

Objectives

This was a qualitative and exploratory study designed to gain a deeper understanding of the extent to which the undergraduate curriculum could act as an enabler for student oral health self‐care practices.

Methods

Data collection comprised of document analysis (curriculum review) and in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews with undergraduate dental therapy and oral health students and academic staff at the University of KwaZulu‐Natal. Ten students volunteered to participate in the study while five academic staff were purposively selected. A separate interview schedule was developed for students and staff, respectively. The emergent themes from document analysis were compared to the analysed data from the interviews.

Results

The curriculum was underpinned by a strong foundation in prevention, and there was consensus among respondents that the curriculum met the needs for undergraduate training in preventive dentistry. The following themes emerged from data analysis: curriculum support for self‐care practices; depth and scope of clinical training; role of clinical supervisors and challenges in clinical training. Respondents agreed that the curriculum could influence students’ attitudes towards self‐care practices such as toothbrushing and flossing but that academic responsibilities and clinical contact time placed constraints on these practices.

Conclusion

The undergraduate curriculum does provide support for enabling student knowledge acquisition and positive attitudes, but more effort is required to enable oral health behavioural modifications among students.
Modern diaper performance: construction, materials, and safety review
Authors: Dey Swatee , Kenneally Dianna , Odio Mauricio , Hatzopoulos Ioannis
Published: June 2016

A review of the literature on diapers and diaper rash reveals that many clinicians are unfamiliar with modern diaper construction and materials as well as diaper safety testing methods. Typical modern diapers do not contain ingredients of concern such as latex and disperse dyes, but use ingredients such as spandex and pigments with a favorable safety profile. Today's disposable diaper is a high performance product whose carefully designed layers and liners provide optimal urine and feces absorption and an ever more clothing‐like and comfortable fit. This is possible due to a variety of specialized polymer materials that provide optimal absorption of urine and feces, thereby minimizing skin exposure.
Understanding irritant napkin dermatitis
Authors: Atherton David J.
Published: June 2016

Irritant napkin dermatitis (IND, often referred to as irritant diaper dermatitis) is an exceedingly common problem in the first 2 years of life. It is now established that a number of factors are considered important in the etiology of IND. The principal irritants are fecal enzymes, which damage infant skin and are further amplified by a number of factors, including skin maceration and friction, high pH, the presence of urine, and the duration of contact with feces. In recent years, the decreasing incidence and severity of IND reflects improvements in the design and performance of diapers, diaper skin care products, and overall awareness about maintaining infant skin health.
Detection of newly antibody‐defined epitopes on HLA class I alleles reacting with antibodies induced during pregnancy
Authors: Duquesnoy R. J. , Hönger G. , Hösli I. , Marrari M. , Schaub S.
Published: June 2016

The determination of HLA mismatch acceptability at the epitope level can be best performed with epitopes that have been verified experimentally with informative antibodies. The website‐based International Registry of HLA Epitopes (http://www.epregistry.com.br) has a list of 81 antibody‐verified HLA‐ABC epitopes but more epitopes need to be added. Pregnancy offers an attractive model to study antibody responses to mismatched HLA epitopes which can be readily determined from the HLA types of child and mother. This report describes a HLAMatchmaker‐based analysis of 16 postpregnancy sera tested in single HLA‐ABC allele binding assays. Most sera reacted with alleles carrying epitopes that have been antibody‐verified, and this study focused on the reactivity of additional alleles that share other epitopes corresponding to eplets and other amino acid residue configurations. This analysis led in the identification of 16 newly antibody‐defined epitopes, seven are equivalent to eplets and nine correspond to combinations of eplets in combination with other nearby residue configurations. These epitopes will be added to the repertoire of antibody‐verified epitopes in the HLA Epitope Registry.
‘God, the Father Almighty’: A Theological Excursus
Authors: McFarland Ian A.
Published: June 2016

The confession of ‘God, the Father almighty’ in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds can be interpreted as offering a progressively more focused characterization of the First Person of the Trinity, such that ‘Father’ clarifies the meaning of ‘God’, and the force of ‘almighty’ is controlled by the meaning of ‘Father’. The results of such an exegesis accentuate divine transcendence in a way that raises questions about theological claims to natural knowledge of God. More specifically, they suggest that the very comprehensiveness of God's relationship to the world implied by divine almightiness blocks any direct line of inference from creation to Creator.
Non‐respect du salaire minimum en Amérique latine: l'incidence des facteurs institutionnels
Authors: MARINAKIS Andrés
Published: June 2016

En s'appuyant sur des données provenant d'enquêtes auprès des ménages, l'auteur calcule, pour seize pays d'Amérique latine, le niveau du salaire minimum par rapport à divers indicateurs (salaire du marché, PIB par habitant, seuil de pauvreté et pouvoir d'achat). Il estime ensuite le degré de non‐respect de la législation et sa corrélation avec le salaire minimum rapporté au salaire moyen. Enfin, il analyse la situation dans quatre pays (Chili, Costa Rica, Pérou et Uruguay) et conclut que, hormis pour les rapports extrêmes, la bonne application des salaires minima dépend du cadre institutionnel et de la qualité de l'inspection du travail, pour laquelle il formule quelques suggestions d'amélioration.
Interleukin‐4‐ and NACHT, LRR and PYD domains‐containing protein 3‐independent mechanisms of alum enhanced T helper type 2 responses on basophils
Authors: Huang Feng‐Juan , Ma Yi‐Lei , Tang Ruo‐Yu , Gong Wen‐Ci , Li Jun , Chen Chun‐Xia , Yin Lan , Chen Xiao‐Ping
Published: June 2016

Aluminium hydroxide (alum), the most widely used adjuvant in human and animal vaccines, has long been known to promote T helper type 2 (Th2) responses and Th2‐associated humoral responses, but the mechanisms have remained poorly understood. In this study, we explored whether alum is able to directly modulate antigen‐presenting cells to enhance their potency for Th2 polarization. We found that alum treatment of dendritic cells failed to show any Th2‐promoting activities. In contrast, alum was able to enhance the capacity of basophils to induce Th2 cells. When basophils from interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) knockout mice were examined, the intrinsic Th2‐promoting activities by basophils were largely abrogated, but the alum‐enhanced Th2‐promoting activities on basophils were still detectable. More importantly, Th2‐promoting adjuvant activities by alum found in IL‐4 knockout mice were also largely reduced when basophils were depleted by antibody administration. Therefore, basophils can mediate Th2‐promoting activities by alum both in vitro and in vivo through IL‐4‐independent mechanisms. Further studies revealed that secreted soluble molecules from alum‐treated basophils were able to confer the Th2‐promoting activities, and neutralization of thymic stromal lymphopoietin or IL‐25 attenuated the IL‐4‐independent development of Th2 cells elicited by alum‐treated basophils. Finally, alum was able to activate NACHT, LRR and PYD domains‐containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in murine basophils in the same way as alum in professional antigen‐presenting cells, but NLRP3 was not required for Th2‐promoting activities on basophils by alum in vitro. These results demonstrated that alum can enhance the capacities of basophils to polarize Th2 cells via IL‐4‐ and NLRP3‐independent pathways.
The interests of white‐collar workers and their representation in the German manufacturing sector: new initiatives, opportunity structures, framing and resources
Authors: Haipeter Thomas
Published: June 2016

In the German manufacturing sector, white‐collar workers have outpaced blue‐collar workers in numbers. Therefore, unions and works councils have launched initiatives to attract, mobilise and organise white‐collar workers. The analysis is drawing on a conceptual framework that looks at the opportunity structures, framing processes and resources of the initiatives.
Contribution of influenza viruses to medically attended acute respiratory illnesses in children in high‐income countries: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Buchan Sarah A. , Hottes Travis S. , Rosella Laura C. , Crowcroft Natasha S. , Tran Dat , Kwong Jeffrey C.
Published: June 2016

Aim:

The burden of disease in children attributable to influenza viruses is difficult to quantify given the similarity of symptoms caused by infection due to influenza and other viruses. This uncertainty impacts clinical decision‐making and estimates of burden. We aimed to systematically review the literature to determine the proportion of healthy children presenting for health care with an acute respiratory illness (ARI) who have laboratory‐confirmed seasonal influenza (PROSPERO ID#CRD42014013896).

Method:

We searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and references of included articles. We included studies that used polymerase chain reaction methods to test for influenza in healthy children aged ≤5 years who presented for health care in high‐income countries with an influenza‐like or ARI. A standardized form was used to collect data on positivity and other relevant study elements.

Results

Seventeen studies covering 12 different influenza seasons were included. The proportion of influenza positivity ranged from 11% to 56%. Subgroup analyses were performed by influenza season, continent, healthcare setting, age group, and vaccination status. Higher influenza positivity was reported among children aged 3–5 years compared with children aged ≤2 years, and for unvaccinated children.

Conclusion

The minority of healthy patients aged ≤5 years with medically attended influenza‐like or acute respiratory symptoms have laboratory‐confirmed influenza virus infection, although this varied by influenza season. Prevention efforts should be targeted accordingly.

Statement

Most influenza‐like illnesses are not laboratory‐confirmed and have similar clinical presentations. Consequently, the true contribution of influenza to acute respiratory infections in children remains uncertain. Our systematic review estimates that this proportion ranges from 11% to 56%. This finding can help both clinicians and public health professionals target prevention.
Genome Editing by CRISPR/Cas9: A Game Change in the Genetic Manipulation of Protists
Authors: Lander Noelia , Chiurillo Miguel A. , Docampo Roberto
Published: June 2016

Genome editing by CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR‐associated gene 9) system has been transformative in biology. Originally discovered as an adaptive prokaryotic immune system, CRISPR/Cas9 has been repurposed for genome editing in a broad range of model organisms, from yeast to mammalian cells. Protist parasites are unicellular organisms producing important human diseases that affect millions of people around the world. For many of these diseases, such as malaria, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and cryptosporidiosis, there are no effective treatments or vaccines available. The recent adaptation of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to several protist models will be playing a key role in the functional study of their proteins, in the characterization of their metabolic pathways, and in the understanding of their biology, and will facilitate the search for new chemotherapeutic targets. In this work we review recent studies where the CRISPR/Cas9 system was adapted to protist parasites, particularly to Apicomplexans and trypanosomatids, emphasizing the different molecular strategies used for genome editing of each organism, as well as their advantages. We also discuss the potential usefulness of this technology in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
Addressing the Carbon‐Crime Blind Spot: A Carbon Footprint Approach
Authors: Skudder Helen , Druckman Angela , Cole John , McInnes Alan , Brunton‐Smith Ian , Ansaloni Gian Paolo
Published: June 2016

Governments estimate the social and economic impacts of crime, but its environmental impact is largely unacknowledged. Our study addresses this by estimating the carbon footprint of crime in England and Wales and identifies the largest sources of emissions. By applying environmentally extended input‐output analysis–derived carbon emission factors to the monetized costs of crime, we estimate that crime committed in 2011 in England and Wales gave rise to over 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. Burglary resulted in the largest proportion of the total footprint (30%), because of the carbon associated with replacing stolen/damaged goods. Emissions arising from criminal justice system services also accounted for a large proportion (21% of all offenses; 49% of police recorded offenses). Focus on these offenses and the carbon efficiency of these services may help reduce the overall emissions that result from crime. However, cutting crime does not automatically result in a net reduction in carbon, given that we need to take account of potential rebound effects. As an example, we consider the impact of reducing domestic burglary by 5%. Calculating this is inherently uncertain given that it depends on assumptions concerning how money would be spent in the absence of crime. We find the most likely rebound effect (our medium estimate) is an increase in emissions of 2%. Despite this uncertainty concerning carbon savings, our study goes some way toward informing policy makers of the scale of the environmental consequences of crime and thus enables it to be taken into account in policy appraisals.
Puzzling out presynaptic differentiation
Authors: Pinto Maria J. , Almeida Ramiro D.
Published: June 2016

Proper brain function in the nervous system relies on the accurate establishment of synaptic contacts during development. Countless synapses populate the adult brain in an orderly fashion. In each synapse, a presynaptic terminal loaded with neurotransmitters‐containing synaptic vesicles is perfectly aligned to an array of receptors in the postsynaptic membrane. Presynaptic differentiation, which encompasses the events underlying assembly of new presynaptic units, has seen notable advances in recent years. It is now consensual that as a growing axon encounters the receptive dendrites of its partner, presynaptic assembly will be triggered and specified by multiple postsynaptically‐derived factors including soluble molecules and cell adhesion complexes. Presynaptic material that reaches these distant sites by axonal transport in the form of pre‐assembled packets will be retained and clustered, ultimately giving rise to a presynaptic bouton. This review focuses on the cellular and molecular aspects of presynaptic differentiation in the central nervous system, with a particular emphasis on the identity of the instructive factors and the intracellular processes used by neuronal cells to assemble functional presynaptic terminals.

image

We provide a detailed description of the mechanisms leading to the formation of new presynaptic terminals. In brief, soma‐derived packets of pre‐assembled material are trafficked to distant axonal sites. Synaptogenic factors from dendritic or glial provenance activate downstream intra‐axonal mediators to trigger clustering of passing material and their correct organization into a new presynaptic bouton.

This article is part of a mini review series: “Synaptic Function and Dysfunction in Brain Diseases”.
Consumer Shopping Strategies and Prices Paid in Retail Food Markets
Authors: Binkley James K. , Chen Susan E.
Published: June 2016

We examine price search in retail food markets. Previous studies have concentrated on one aspect of search, shopping at multiple stores. We expand this by examining several strategies used to find low prices, including buying on sale and concentrating purchases at a store with low average prices. Using scanner data from 38 markets, we find that the effect of factors motivating search vary by the type of search strategy considered. We also find evidence that financial savings is not the only motivation for search. In particular, transaction utility, in which the value of a purchase depends on price paid relative to a reference price, may also play a role.
Cash versus Debit Card: The Role of Budget Control
Authors: Hernandez Lola , Jonker Nicole , Kosse Anneke
Published: June 2016

Due to the financial crisis, an increasing number of households face financial problems. This may lead to an increasing need for monitoring spending and budgets. We demonstrate that both cash and the debit card are perceived as helpful in this respect. We show that, on average, consumers responsible for financial decision making within a household find cash and the debit card equally helpful for monitoring their household finances. Individuals differ in major respects, however. In particular, low earners and the liquidity‐constrained prefer cash as a budgeting tool. Finally, we present evidence that at an aggregated level, such preferences strongly affect consumer payment behavior. These findings suggest that the substitution of cash by cards may slow down because of the financial crisis.
Palliative care needs of patients with gynaecologic cancer
Authors: Seven Memnun , Sahin Eda , Yilmaz Sakine , Akyuz Aygul
Published: June 2016

Aims and objectives

To identify gynaecologic cancer patients' palliative care needs using the three levels of needs questionnaire.

Background

Measuring both the burden of symptoms and patient‐reported palliative care needs is valuable to improve cancer care. Data representing the palliative care needs of cancer patients in Turkey remain limited.

Design

A cross‐sectional descriptive study.

Methods

A total of 134 cancer patients were included in the study at an oncology hospital in Turkey. A data collection form, a short‐form medical outcomes health survey, and the three levels of needs questionnaire were used to collect data.

Results

The mean age of participants was 59 ± 8·76, of 69·4% were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 52·2% had stage‐3‐4 cancer. Of patients, 69·3% had no desire for sexual intimacy, 33·5% expressed feeling as though they burden their families and 28·4% feel lonely at some level. The most prevalent problems were tiredness, to feel depressed and problems performing physical activities. The most frequent unmet needs were tiredness (60·5%), feel depressed (47·4%) and lack of appetite (38·5%).

Conclusions

Gynaecologic cancer patients have relatively high prevalence of symptoms and unmet palliative care needs. Health professions mostly were unable to recognise and properly manage tiredness, depression as well as lack of appetite as an integral part of quality cancer care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses trained in palliative care are needed to evaluate and meet cancer patients' needs regularly to improve quality of palliative care. Nurses should examine the underlying reasons for most prevalent problems and give nursing care accordingly.
Don't Simplify, Complexify: From Disjunctive to Conjunctive Theorizing in Organization and Management Studies
Authors: Tsoukas Haridimos
Published: June 2016

In this paper I argue that, rather than theory development aim at simplifying complex organizational phenomena, it should aim at complexifying theories – theoretical complexity is needed to account for organizational complexity. Defining the latter as the capacity for ‘nontrivial’ action, I explore a complex ‘system of picturing’ organizations as objects of study that provides an alternative to the hitherto dominant disjunctive style of thinking. A complex ‘system of picturing’ consists of an open‐world ontology, a performative epistemology, and a poetic praxeology. Complex theorizing is conjunctive: it seeks to make connections between diverse elements of human experience through making those analytical distinctions that will enable the joining up of concepts normally used in a compartmentalized manner. Insofar as conjunctive theorizing is driven by the need to preserve the ‘living‐forward – understanding backward’ dialectic, it is better suited to grasping the logic of practice and, thus, to doing justice to organizational complexity. We come close to grasping complexity when we restore the past to its own present and make distinctions that overcome dualisms, preserving as much as possible relationality, temporality, situatedness and, interpretive open‐endedness. I illustrate the argument with several examples from organizational and management research.
Evaluation of efficacy of aloe vera in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis – a clinical study
Authors: Anuradha Ardra , Patil Bharati , Asha Venkataswamy Reddy
Published: June 2016

Background

Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic disease, treatment of which has largely been symptomatic. Aloe vera has immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory, wound healing, antioxidant, and antineoplastic activities. All such properties of aloe vera suggest the possibility of its use in the management of oral submucous fibrosis.

Methods

Seventy‐four patients of oral submucous fibrosis were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A patients were treated with systemic (juice) and topical aloe vera (gel) for 3 months. Group B patients were treated with intralesional injection of hydrocortisone and hyaluronidase for 6 weeks with antioxidant supplements for 3 months. Patients were assessed for reduction in burning sensation and increase in mouth opening, cheek flexibility, and tongue protrusion at an interval of 1, 2, and 3 months.

Results

Both the groups showed statistically significant improvements in all the study parameters at the end of study period (P < 0.001). The clinical response to aloe vera was comparable to that of intralesional injections of hydrocortisone and hyaluronidase with antioxidant supplementation.

Conclusion

The study concludes that aloe vera can be an alternative, safe, and effective treatment regime in the management of oral submucous fibrosis. Long‐term follow‐up studies with larger sample size are recommended.
Literacy as material engagement: the abstract, tangible and mundane ingredients of childhood reading
Authors: Mackey Margaret
Published: June 2016

This article explores questions that arise when we consider the things that make literacy possible. How do they interact with ordinary household objects and activities, and what intertextual implications arise from such mundane interactions? The concept of dual representation suggests that some objects may have both a physical and a symbolic existence; a book is a thing that sits on a shelf but it is also a representation of an imaginary content. It is commonplace to think of electronic texts as having only a virtual life, but they also reside within an object that has a tangible household existence. Objects are very often managed by hands, and this article explores the role of the hands in directing attention and in connecting the objects of literacy to their surrounding environment. It draws on an extended study of one child's access to analogue literacy material. Comparing that access to the repertoire of contemporary children, it suggests that we may better understand the role of literacy in our lives if we attend to the tangible as well as the abstract associations the objects of literacy evoke and if we think of literacy as a form of material as well as intellectual engagement.