bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors related to dissociation between objective and subjective masticatory function in Japanese community‐dwelling elderly adults
Authors: Murakami M. , Watanabe Y. , Edahiro A. , Ohara Y. , Obuchi S. , Kawai H. , Kim H. , Fujiwara Y. , Ihara K. , Murakami M. , Hirano H.
Published: May 2018

Clinicians' evaluations of older adults sometimes reveal inconsistencies between objective and subjective dental status. This study investigated which factors contribute both to good objective masticatory function (OMF) and the poor subjective masticatory function (SMF) that often becomes a clinical issue. Study participants included 635 elderly community‐dwelling Japanese adults who underwent a comprehensive geriatric health examination in 2012. SMF was assessed with a question from the Kihon Checklist on eating difficulties (poor or good). OMF was assessed by a colour‐changing gum (poor or good). Also investigated were age, sex, depressive symptoms, instrumental activities of daily living (I‐ADLs), number of people who joined the participant at dinner, grip strength, usual walking speed, number of remaining teeth, number of functional teeth and their occlusal force. The group with good OMF and good SMF, defined as group 1, and the group with good OMF but poor SMF, group 2, were compared. Logistic regression analyses confirmed that the number of remaining and functional teeth participants had was statistically unrelated to differences between OMF and SMF. Instead, differences were related to stronger depressive symptoms (OR = 1.67, CI = 1.14‐2.44), less ability to conduct I‐ADL activities (OR = 0.73, CI = 0.59‐0.91), slower usual walking speeds (OR = 0.18, CI = 0.06‐0.58) and less occlusal force (OR = 0.99, CI = 0.99‐1.00). Depressive symptoms, I‐ADLs, and physical function are shown to be significantly related to divergence between objective and subjective masticatory function in elderly Japanese. This suggests that dissociations between objective and subjective dental evaluations of elderly adults indicate need for assessment of their mental and physical function.
Splinted and unsplinted overdenture attachment systems: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Leão R. S. , Moraes S. L. D. , Vasconcelos B. C. E. , Lemos C. A. A. , Pellizzer E. P.
Published: May 2018

Splinted and unsplinted overdenture attachment systems have unique advantages and disadvantages. The aim of the present systematic review was to determine the influence of splinted and unsplinted overdenture attachment systems on the marginal bone loss, prosthetic complications and implant survival rate. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane databases were searched for articles published up to October 2017, using the following search terms: “overdenture AND attachment OR overdenture AND bar OR overdenture splinted.” The PICO question “Do splinted overdenture attachment systems promote better clinical results in comparison to unsplinted systems?” was evaluated. Eligible studies included randomized controlled clinical trials, prospective studies with at least 10 participants and a minimum follow‐up of 6 months, and studies published in English that compared splinted and unsplinted attachment systems within the same study. The 95% confidence interval (CI) was considered for all outcomes analysed. After completion of the different steps in the article selection process, nine articles were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. A total of 984 implants were placed in 380 patients (mean age: 62.8 years). The meta‐analysis demonstrated no statistically significant differences between splinted and unsplinted attachment systems with regard to marginal bone loss (P = .39; MD: −0.11; 95% CI: −0.37 to 0.14), complications (P = .31; RR: 1.26; CI: 0.80‐1.99) and implant survival rate (P = .14; RR: 0.37% CI: 0.10‐1.36). In addition, splinted and unsplinted overdenture attachment systems achieved similar results with regard to marginal bone loss, prosthetic complications and implant survival rate.
Augmentation of the cytotoxic effects of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates in hypoxia
Authors: Minegaki Tetsuya , Koiki Saya , Douke Yutaro , Yamane Chihiro , Suzuki Ai , Mori Misato , Tsujimoto Masayuki , Nishiguchi Kohshi
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Tumour hypoxia is a major obstacle in cancer therapy that leads to poor prognosis. Therefore, the development of cancer treatments that are effective in hypoxia is necessary. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs), which are used to treat bone disease, are cytotoxic to several cancer cells in normoxia. Therefore, we investigated the cytotoxicity of N-BPs in cancer cells in hypoxia.

Methods

We studied the cytotoxicities of N-BPs, statins and anticancer drugs in human cancer cells under hypoxic conditions (1% O2). The expression levels of enzymes in the mevalonate pathway in hypoxia were measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.

Key findings

In hypoxia, cell growth inhibition by 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin was not changed as compared to that in normoxia; however, cell growth inhibition by N-BPs and via zoledronate-induced apoptosis was higher in hypoxia than that in normoxia. Furthermore, geranylgeraniol completely inhibited the growth inhibitory effects of zoledronate. Additionally, the mRNA and protein levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase significantly decreased in hypoxia. Moreover, simvastatin potentiated the growth inhibitory effect of zoledronate.

Conclusions

The cytotoxicity of N-BPs, but not 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin, is potentiated in hypoxia, through the loss of HMG-CoA reductase function. N-BPs may be effective against cancer in normoxia and hypoxia.
Game theory, cheap talk and post‐truth politics: David Lewis vs. John Searle on reasons for truth‐telling
Authors: Amadae S.M.
Published: May 2018

I offer two potential diagnoses of the behavioral norms governing post‐truth politics by comparing the view of language, communication, and truth‐telling put forward by David Lewis (extended by game theorists), and John Searle. My first goal is to specify the different ways in which Lewis, and game theorists more generally, in contrast to Searle (in the company of Paul Grice and Jürgen Habermas), go about explaining the normativity of truthfulness within a linguistic community. The main difference is that for Lewis and game theorists, “truthful” signaling follows from an alignment of interests, and deception follows from mixed motives leading to the calculation that sending false information is better for oneself. Following in the Enlightenment tradition, Searle argues that practical reasoning, which involves mastery of at least one language, requires that actors intend to communicate. This intention includes constraining the content of statements to uphold veracity conditions. After distinguishing between these two accounts, I will articulate the implications for explaining, and even informing actions, constitutive of post‐truth politics. I argue that the strategic view of communication is sufficient neither to model everyday conversation nor to reflect a public sphere useful for democratic government. Both the pedagogy of strategic communication as cheap talk, and its concordance with new digital information technologies, challenge norms of truthfulness that underlie modern institutions essential to an effective public sphere.
Autonomous UAVs for Structural Health Monitoring Using Deep Learning and an Ultrasonic Beacon System with Geo‐Tagging
Authors: Kang Dongho , Cha Young‐Jin
Published: May 2018

Visual inspection has traditionally been used for structural health monitoring. However, assessments conducted by trained inspectors or using contact sensors on structures for monitoring are costly and inefficient because of the number of inspectors and sensors required. To date, data acquisition using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with cameras has become popular, but UAVs require skilled pilots or a global positioning system (GPS) for autonomous flight. Unfortunately, GPS cannot be used by a UAV for autonomous flight near some parts of certain structures (e.g., beneath a bridge), but these are the critical locations that should be inspected to monitor and maintain structural health. To address this difficulty, this article proposes an autonomous UAV method using ultrasonic beacons to replace the role of GPS, a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for damage detection, and a geo‐tagging method for the localization of damage. Concrete cracks, as an example of structural damage, were successfully detected with 97.7% specificity and 91.9% sensitivity, by processing video data collected from an autonomous UAV.
Infection of Trichophyton verrucosum in cattle breeders, Poland: A 40‐year retrospective study on the genomic variability of strains
Authors: Gnat Sebastian , Łagowski Dominik , Nowakiewicz Aneta , Trościańczyk Aleksandra , Zięba Przemysław
Published: May 2018

Trichophyton verrucosum is a zoophilic fungus that is the most frequent aetiological agent of dermatophytosis in cattle. During the last few years, the number of cases of T. verrucosum from humans has been increasing constantly, which is correlated with the presence of cattle‐rearing farms. We identified and analysed T. verrucosum strains isolated from humans and cattle. Identification was carried out traditionally by correlating both the clinical manifestations with a micro‐ and macroscopic examination. To confirm the species affiliation fully, molecular differentiation methods were used. Direct analysis revealed the presence of arthrospores. The macro‐ and micromorphology of the isolates obtained from material sampled was homogeneous, and characterised for T. verrucosum. The phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS sequences demonstrated that the strains formed a monophyletic group with T. verrucosum ATCC10 695 with a support of 99%. The MP‐PCR analysis indicates high invariability of genomes of strains from humans and animals. MSP‐fingerprinting analysis gives the same results as the MP‐PCR analysis. To sum up, the rDNA ITS sequence analysis in combination with macro‐ and micro‐morphology only facilitated T. verrucosum species identification without the possibility of intraspecific differentiation. Finding and testing methods, especially molecular technique, with sufficient discriminatory power, is the present challenge for mycologists.
Candidemia in children: Epidemiology, prevention and management
Authors: Mantadakis Elpis , Pana Zoe Dorothea , Zaoutis Theoklis
Published: May 2018

Candidemia is the leading cause of invasive fungal infections in hospitalised children. The highest rates of candidemia have been recorded in neonates and infants <1 year of age. Candidemia is more frequent in neonates and young infants than in adults, and is associated with better clinical outcomes, but higher inpatient costs. Over the last 10 years, a declining trend has been noted in the incidence of paediatric candidemia in the US and elsewhere due to the hospital‐wide implementation of central‐line insertion and maintenance bundles that emphasise full sterile barrier precautions, chlorhexidine skin preparation during line insertion, meticulous site and tubing care, and daily discussion of catheter necessity. Additional interventions aiming at reducing gut‐associated candidemia are required in immunocompromised and critically ill children.
Fast identification of dermatophytes by MALDI‐TOF/MS using direct transfer of fungal cells on ground steel target plates
Authors: da Cunha Keith C. , Riat Arnaud , Normand Anne‐Cecile , Bosshard Philipp P. , de Almeida Margarete T. G. , Piarroux Renaud , Schrenzel Jacques , Fontao Lionel
Published: May 2018

Dermatophytes cause human infections limited to keratinised tissues. We showed that the direct transfer method allows reliable identification of non‐dermatophytes mould and yeast by MALDI‐TOF/MS. We aimed at assessing whether the direct transfer method can be used for dermatophytes and whether an own mass spectra library would be superior to the Bruker library. We used the Bruker Biotyper to build a dermatophyte mass spectra library and assessed its performance by 1/testing a panel of mass spectrum produced with strains genotypically identified and, 2/comparing MALDI‐TOF/MS identification to morphology‐based methods. Identification of dermatophytes using the Bruker library is poor. Our library provided 97% concordance between ITS sequencing and MALDI‐TOF/MS analysis with a panel of 1104 spectra corresponding to 276 strains. Direct transfer method using unpolished target plates allowed proper identification of 85% of dermatophytes clinical isolates most of which were common dermatophytes. A homemade dermatophyte MSP library is a prerequisite for accurate identification of species absent in the Bruker library but it also improves identification of species already listed in the database. The direct deposit method can be used to identify the most commonly found dermatophytes such as T. rubrum and T. interdigitale/mentagrophytes by MALDI‐TOF/MS.
Surgical treatment of esophageal cancer in the era of multimodality management
Authors: Borggreve Alicia S. , Kingma B. Feike , Domrachev Serg A. , Koshkin Mikhail A. , Ruurda Jelle P. , van Hillegersberg Richard , Takeda Flavio R. , Goense Lucas
Published: May 2018

Over the last decades, the treatment of resectable esophageal cancer has evolved into a multidisciplinary process in which all players are essential for treatment to be successful. Medical oncologists and radiation oncologists have been increasingly involved since the implementation of neoadjuvant therapy, which has been shown to improve survival. Although esophagectomy is still considered the cornerstone of curative treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer, it remains associated with considerable postoperative morbidity, despite promising results of minimally invasive techniques. In this light, both physical status and response to neoadjuvant therapy may be important factors for selecting patients who will benefit from surgery. Furthermore, it is important to optimize the entire perioperative trajectory: from the initial outpatient clinic visit to postoperative discharge. Enhanced recovery after surgery is increasingly recognized for esophagectomy and emphasizes perioperative aspects, such as nutrition, physiotherapy, and pain management. To date, several facets of esophageal cancer treatment remain topics of debate, such as the preferred neoadjuvant treatment, anastomotic technique, extent of lymphadenectomy, organization of postoperative care, and the role of surgery beyond locally advanced disease. Here, we describe the current and future perspectives in the surgical treatment of patients with esophageal cancer in the context of the available literature.
The microscopic anatomy of the esophagus including the individual layers, specialized tissues, and unique components and their responses to injury
Authors: Zhang Xuchen , Patil Deepa , Odze Robert D. , Zhao Lei , Lisovsky Mikhail , Guindi Maha , Riddell Robert , Bellizzi Andrew , Yantiss Rhonda K. , Nalbantoglu Ilke , Appelman Henry D.
Published: May 2018

The esophagus, a straight tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach, has the complex architecture common to the rest of the gastrointestinal tract with special differences that relate to its function as a conduit of ingested substances. For instance, it has submucosal glands that are unique and have a specific protective function. It has a squamous lining that exists nowhere else in the gut except the anus and it has a different submucosal nerve plexus when compared to the stomach and intestines. All of the layers of the esophageal wall and the specialized structures including blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves have specific responses to injury. The esophagus also has unique features such as patches of gastric mucosa called inlet patches at the very proximal part and it has a special sphincter mechanism at the most distal aspect. This review covers the normal microscopic anatomy of the esophagus and the patterns of reaction to stress and injury of each layer and each special structure.
Stress‐related salivary proteins affect the production of volatile sulfur compounds by oral bacteria
Authors: de Lima Patricia Oliveira , Nani Bruno Dias , Almeida Barbara , Marcondes Fernanda Klein , Groppo Francisco Carlos , de Moraes Antonio Bento Alves , Franz‐Montan Michelle , Cogo‐Müller Karina
Published: May 2018

Objective

To determine whether stress‐related substances and sex hormones influence the growth and in vitro production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) by Solobacterium moorei and Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Materials and Methods

Bacteria growth and VSCs production were evaluated in the presence of alpha‐amylase, beta‐defensin‐2, mucin, estradiol, and progesterone. Growth was evaluated by colony counting, and the production of the VSCs hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) was measured using the Oral Chroma™ instrument.

Results

Mucin induced the production of H2S by both bacteria, but had a slight inhibitory effect on CH3SH production by F. nucleatum. It also increased the viability of F. nucleatum. Alpha‐amylase increased H2S production by S. moorei and CH3SH production by F. nucleatum, but had no effect on H2S production by F. nucleatum. No substance altered the viability of S. moorei. No effects of beta‐defensin‐2, estradiol, or progesterone were observed.

Conclusion

The salivary stress‐related proteins mucin and alpha‐amylase altered VSCs production by F. nucleatum and S. moorei, favoring H2S production. These findings are a step toward understanding the relation between stress and increased amounts of H2S.
Stem radial growth and water storage responses to heat and drought vary between conifers with differing hydraulic strategies
Authors: Manrique‐Alba Àngela , Sevanto Sanna , Adams Henry D. , Collins Adam D. , Dickman Lee T. , Chirino Esteban , Bellot Juan , McDowell Nate G.
Published: May 2018

We investigated stem radial growth and water storage dynamics of 2 conifer species differing in hydraulic carbon strategies, Juniperus monosperma and Pinus edulis, under conditions of ambient, drought (∼45% reduction in precipitation), heat (∼4.8 °C temperature increase), and the combination of drought + heat, in 2013 and 2014. Juniper maintained low growth across all treatments. Overall, the relatively isohydric piñon pine showed significantly greater growth and water storage recharge than the relatively anisohydric juniper across all treatments in the average climate year (2014) but no differences in the regionally dry year (2013). Piñon pine ceased growth at a constant predawn water potential across all treatments and at a less negative water potential threshold than juniper. Heat has a greater negative impact on piñon pines' growth and water storage than drought, whereas juniper was, in contrast, unaffected by heat but strongly impacted by drought. The whole‐plant hydraulic carbon strategies, in this case captured using the isohydric/anisohydric concept, translate into alternative growth and water storage strategies under drought and heat conditions.
Polypharmacy and psychotropic drug loading in patients with schizophrenia in Asian countries: Fourth survey of Research on Asian Prescription Patterns on antipsychotics
Authors: Yang Shu‐Yu , Chen Lian‐Yu , Najoan Eunice , Kallivayalil Roy Abraham , Viboonma Kittisak , Jamaluddin Ruzita , Javed Afzal , Hoa Duong Thi Quynh , Iida Hitoshi , Sim Kang , Swe Thiha , He Yan‐Ling , Park Yongchon , Ahmed Helal Uddin , De Alwis Angelo , Chiu Helen Fung‐Kum , Sartorius Norman , Tan Chay‐Hoon , Chong Mian‐Yoon , Shinfuku Naotaka , Lin Shih‐Ku
Published: May 2018

Aim

The aim of the present study was to survey the prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy and combined medication use across 15 Asian countries and areas in 2016.

Methods

By using the results from the fourth survey of Research on Asian Prescription Patterns on antipsychotics, the rates of polypharmacy and combined medication use in each country were analyzed. Daily medications prescribed for the treatment of inpatients or outpatients with schizophrenia, including antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antiparkinson agents, were collected. Fifteen countries from Asia participated in this study.

Results

A total of 3744 patients’ prescription forms were examined. The prescription patterns differed across these Asian countries, with the highest rate of polypharmacy noted in Vietnam (59.1%) and the lowest in Myanmar (22.0%). Furthermore, the combined use of other medications, expressed as highest and lowest rate, respectively, was as follows: mood stabilizers, China (35.0%) and Bangladesh (1.0%); antidepressants, South Korea (36.6%) and Bangladesh (0%); anxiolytics, Pakistan (55.7%) and Myanmar (8.5%); hypnotics, Japan (61.1%) and, equally, Myanmar (0%) and Sri Lanka (0%); and antiparkinson agents, Bangladesh (87.9%) and Vietnam (10.9%). The average psychotropic drug loading of all patients was 2.01 ± 1.64, with the highest and lowest loadings noted in Japan (4.13 ± 3.13) and Indonesia (1.16 ± 0.68), respectively.

Conclusion

Differences in psychiatrist training as well as the civil culture and health insurance system of each country may have contributed to the differences in these rates. The concept of drug loading can be applied to other medical fields.
Autoimmune thyroiditis following HLA‐matched sibling hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome
Authors: Knight Tristan , Kotz Katherine , Savaşan Süreyya
Published: May 2018

WAS is a fatal X‐linked combined immunodeficiency syndrome, the only cures for which are HSCT or gene therapy. AID occur in up to 72% of patients with WAS who do not receive HSCT, likely arising secondary to impaired multilineage immune autoregulatory function; AITD is not typically seen. In this article, we describe the case of a male patient who underwent HLA‐matched HSCT for WAS at the age of 5 months, with his sister (a WAS carrier) acting as his donor and subsequently developed AITD 12 months post‐transplant, with marked elevation of antithyroid peroxidase antibody titer. His donor sister was subsequently found to have elevated antithyroid peroxidase antibody titer with increasing trend and normal thyroid function. Although several mechanisms exist by which our patient may have developed AITD, we suggest the transfer of autoreactive donor immune cells as the most plausible explanation.
The use of hepatitis B immunoglobulin with or without hepatitis B vaccine to prevent de novo hepatitis B in pediatric recipients of anti‐HBc–positive livers
Authors: Yamashiki Noriyo , Yoshizawa Atsushi , Ueda Yoshihide , Kaido Toshimi , Okajima Hideaki , Marusawa Hiroyuki , Seno Hiroshi , Uemoto Shinji
Published: May 2018

Prophylactic measures are used to reduce DNHB after HBsAg‐negative patients receive anti‐HBc–positive liver grafts. This study investigated the incidence of DNHB and clinical outcomes in pediatric LT recipients under HBIG prophylaxis, with or without hepatitis B vaccination. Between 1995 and 2013, 51 HBsAg‐negative pediatric recipients underwent living‐donor LT from anti‐HBc–positive donors. The median (range) age was 4 (0.1‐17) years, 23 (45%) were male, and 71% were negative for both anti‐HBc and anti‐HBc. During a median follow‐up of 12.1 (0.06‐19.9) years, 13 (25.4%) developed DNHB; 7 of the 13 achieved HBsAg seroconversion after administration of LAM or ETV. Among studied patients, 20 (39%) received hepatitis B vaccination, and 2 of them (10%) developed DNHB. At last follow‐up, 41% (21/51) discontinued HBIG either after successful HBV vaccination (n = 17) or retransplantation with anti‐HBc–negative grafts (n = 4). In conclusion, pediatric LT recipients of anti‐HBc–positive grafts, most of them were naïve to HBV infection, were at high risk of DNHB, and consistent monitoring for the early detection of DNHB was necessary. A combination use of post‐LT vaccination is promising prophylactic strategy against DNHB.
Associative bacteria influence maize (Zea mays L.) growth, physiology and root anatomy under different nitrogen levels
Authors: Calzavara A. K. , Paiva P. H. G. , Gabriel L. C. , Oliveira A. L. M. , Milani K. , Oliveira H. C. , Bianchini E. , Pimenta J. A. , de Oliveira M. C. N. , Dias‐Pereira J. , Stolf‐Moreira R.
Published: May 2018

Despite the great diversity of plant growth‐promoting bacteria (PGPB) with potential to partially replace the use of N fertilisers in agriculture, few PGPB have been explored for the production of commercial inoculants, reinforcing the importance of identifying positive plant–bacteria interactions. Aiming to better understand the influence of PGPB inoculation in plant development, two PGPB species with distant phylogenetic relationship were inoculated in maize.

Maize seeds were inoculated with Bacillus sp. or Azospirillum brasilense. After germination, the plants were subjected to two N treatments: full (N+) and limiting (N−) N supply. Then, anatomical, biometric and physiological analyses were performed.

Both PGPB species modified the anatomical pattern of roots, as verified by the higher metaxylem vessel element (MVE) number. Bacillus sp. also increased the MVE area in maize roots. Under N+ conditions, both PGPB decreased leaf protein content and led to development of shorter roots; however, Bacillus sp. increased root and shoot dry weight, whereas A. brasilense increased photosynthesis rate and leaf nitrate content. In plants subjected to N limitation (N−), photosynthesis rate and photosystem II efficiency increased in maize inoculated with Bacillus sp., whilst A. brasilense contained higher ammonium, amino acids and total soluble sugars in leaves, compared to the control.

Plant developmental and metabolical patterns were switched by the inoculation, regardless of the inoculant bacterium used, producing similar as well as distinct modifications to the parameters studied. These results indicate that even non‐diazotrophic inoculant strains can improve the plant N status as result of the morpho‐anatomical and physiological modifications produced by the PGPB.
Compositional and transcriptomic analysis associated with cuticle lipid production on rosette and inflorescence stem leaves in the extremophyte Thellungiella salsuginea
Authors: Tang Shuai , Chen Ningmei , Song Buerbatu , He Junqing , Zhou Yijun , Jenks Matthew A. , Xu Xiaojing
Published: May 2018

The plant cuticle is a complex structure composed primarily of wax and cutin, but also contains cutan, glycerolipids, phenolics, polysaccharides and proteins. The cuticle plays an important protective role as barrier between plants and their environment. In this paper, 4‐week‐old leaves produced either on the rosette or on the inflorescence stem of the model extremophyte Thellungiella salsuginea were examined using scanning electron microscopy, cuticle permeability assays and chemical composition analysis. Results showed that stem leaves (SL) had more abundant cuticle lipids and lower cuticle permeability than rosette leaves (RL). SL were dominated by alkanes, especially the C29 and C31 homologs, whereas in RL the most abundant wax class was free very long‐chain acids. The major cutin monomers for both leaf types were C18:2 dioic acids and 18‐OH C18:2 acids. We performed Illumina high‐throughput sequencing for SL and RL, and 3577 differentially expressed genes were identified. Sixty‐five genes possibly involved in cuticular lipid biosynthesis, transport, or regulation was selected for further analysis. Many cuticle‐associated genes exhibited differential expression levels that could be associated with compositional differences between these two leaf types. Furthermore, transcription factors and other regulatory proteins previously associated with cuticle production were expressed at higher levels in SL than in RL. The associations between gene expression and characteristics of this extremophile's leaf cuticles sheds new light on cuticle as an adaptive trait in extreme environments, and contributes new information that may guide efforts to modify crop cuticles for improved stress tolerance.
The Arabidopsis CrRLK1L protein kinases BUPS1 and BUPS2 are required for normal growth of pollen tubes in the pistil
Authors: Zhu Lei , Chu Liang‐Cui , Liang Yan , Zhang Xue‐Qin , Chen Li‐Qun , Ye De
Published: May 2018

In flowering plants, the interaction of pollen tubes with female tissues is important for the accomplishment of double fertilization. Little information is known about the mechanisms that underlie signalling between pollen tubes and female tissues. In this study, two Arabidopsis pollen tube‐expressed CrRLK1L protein kinases, Buddha's Paper Seal 1 (BUPS1) and BUPS2, were identified as being required for normal tip growth of pollen tubes in the pistil. They are expressed prolifically in pollen and pollen tubes and are localized on the plasma membrane of the pollen tube tip region. Mutations in BUPS1 drastically reduced seed set. Most of the bups1 mutant pollen tubes growing in the pistil exhibited a swollen pollen tube tip, leading to failure of fertilization. The bups2 pollen tubes had a slightly abnormal morphology but could still accomplish double fertilization. The bups1 bups2 double mutant exhibited a slightly enhanced phenotype compared to the single bups1 mutants. The BUPS1 proteins could form homomers and heteromers with BUPS2, whereas BUPS2 could only form heteromers with BUPS1. The BUPS proteins could interact with the Arabidopsis pollen‐expressed RopGEFs in the yeast two‐hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. The results indicated that the BUPSs may mediate normal polar growth of pollen tubes in the pistil.
A prospective pilot study on early toxicity from a simultaneously integrated boost technique for canine sinonasal tumours using image‐guided intensity‐modulated radiation therapy
Authors: Soukup A. , Meier V. , Pot S. , Voelter K. , Rohrer Bley C.
Published: May 2018

In order to overcome the common local treatment failure of canine sinonasal tumours, integrated boost techniques were tried in the cobalt/orthovoltage era, but dismissed because of unacceptable early (acute) toxicity. Intriguingly, a recent calculation study of a simultaneously integrated boost (SIB) technique for sinonasal irradiation using intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) predicted theoretical feasibility. In this prospective pilot study we applied a commonly used protocol of 10 × 4.2 Gy to the planning target volume (PTV) with a 20%‐SIB dose to the gross tumour volume (GTV). Our hypothesis expected this dose escalation to be clinically tolerable if applied with image‐guided IMRT. We included 9 dogs diagnosed with sinonasal tumours without local/distant metastases. For treatment planning, organs at risk were contoured according to strict anatomical guidelines. Planning volume extensions (GTV/CTV/PTV) were standardized to minimize interplanner variability. Treatments were applied with rigid patient positioning and verified daily with image guidance. After radiation therapy, we set focus on early ophthalmologic complications as well as mucosal and cutaneous toxicity. Early toxicity was evaluated at week 1, 2, 3, 8 and 12 after radiotherapy. Only mild ophthalmologic complications were found. Three patients (33%) had self‐limiting moderate to severe early toxicity (grade 3 mucositis) which was managed medically. No patient developed ulcerations/haemorrhage/necrosis of skin/mucosa. The SIB protocol applied with image‐guided IMRT to treat canine sinonasal tumours led to clinically acceptable side effects. The suspected increased tumour control probability and the risk of late toxicity with the used dose escalation of 20% has to be further investigated.
Hemodialysis catheter‐associated fibrin sheath in a dog
Authors: Langston Cathy E. , Eatroff Adam E.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To describe an intravascular fibrin sheath associated with a hemodialysis catheter in a dog.

Case Summary

A 4‐year‐old dog presented for hemodialysis to treat acute kidney injury. Hemodialysis catheter dysfunction during the course of treatment was temporarily alleviated using a tissue plasminogen activator. A thrombus composed of fibrin and granulation tissue creating a sheath around the catheter and focally adherent to the vessel wall was identified on postmortem evaluation.

New or Unique Information Provided

Fibrin sheath formation is a commonly recognized problem of central venous catheters used for hemodialysis in people and is likely a common problem in veterinary patients undergoing dialysis as well. This report provides a description of the clinical features of the catheter dysfunction, response to treatment, postmortem radiographic and direct imaging, and histology of the fibrin sheath, and also provides a brief review of potential management techniques that have been described in people.
Accuracy of a history of blood donation from surrogate witnesses: data from the UK TMER study
Authors: Mackenzie J. M. , Turner M. , Morris K. , Field S. , Molesworth A.M. , Pal S. , Will R. G. , Llewelyn C. A. , Hewitt P. E.
Published: May 2018

Look‐back studies of blood transfusion in Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease commonly rely on reported history from surrogate witnesses. Data from the UK Transfusion Medicine Epidemiology Review have been analysed to determine the accuracy of the blood donation history provided by the relatives of cases. Our results show that only a small percentage of cases were found to be registered as donors on UK Blood Service (UKBS) databases when there was no family report of blood donation. In contrast, a history of reported donation was less accurate.
Transforming Care to Evidence‐Based Practice With Scripted Messages: An Improvement Project for Pain Management in Outpatient Surgical Patients
Authors: Bellury Lanell M. , Mullinax Karen , Mozingo Judi , Dantzler Berta , McGee Nancy
Published: May 2018

Background

Outpatient surgeries are common and most patients experience pain postoperatively requiring nursing attention to pain management. Scripting, recommended for consistent, targeted communication to improve patient satisfaction, has limited evidence to support its use.

Aims

To explore the effect of scripted messages on self‐reported pain control and patient satisfaction with care in outpatient surgical patients.

Methods

A retrospective medical record review pre‐ and postintervention evaluated a pain management scripted message delivered at two time points (preoperatively and postoperatively). Intention to treat analysis compared patient reports of pain control and patient satisfaction with care 48 hours postdischarge from outpatient surgical procedures.

Results

A total of 231 records (98 preintervention; 133 postintervention) were analyzed. The sample included 144 (62%) male, 156 (68%) married with mean age of 57.6 (SD = 16.1) years. The majority (90%) received general anesthesia, and the most common surgical procedures were urologic (24%), colorectal (17%), and laparoscopy (13%). A Mann–Whitney U test indicated patient reported pain control was statistically significantly greater for the postintervention group (mean rank = 62.66) compared to the preintervention group (mean rank = 51.95), U = 1,258, p = .01 with an effect size φ = .223.

Linking Evidence to Action

A scripted message showed statistical significance and a small clinical effect in pain control that adds to the body of knowledge around the effectiveness of scripting delivered by nurses. Although it is encouraging that even the small dose of scripting had a significant effect on postoperative pain control, the feasibility issues around similar study designs will require considerable resources to surmount. Practice change is a complex process requiring sensitivity to work and patient flow especially in specialty care units. Resistance to change when evidence is not robust may be especially difficult related to scripting, often perceived as a mandated intrusion into the nurse–patient relationship.
In vitro and in vivo efficacy of a live attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium vaccine at preventing intestinal colonization in chicks
Authors: Howard Alexander J. , Chousalkar Kapil K. , McWhorter Andrea R.
Published: May 2018

Vaccination of chicks with Salmonella (S.) Typhimurium aroA deletion mutants has previously been shown to inhibit intestinal colonization of wild‐type S. Typhimurium strains. In Australia, Bioproperties VaxSafe™ STM1 strain is the only licensed and commercially available S. Typhimurium vaccine. This vaccine is a live attenuated aroA deletion mutant. Currently, it is recommended that the first dose of the STM1 vaccine is administered through coarse spray. It is unclear whether this mode of administration effectively permits intestinal colonization. Furthermore, it is not known whether the STM1 strain prevents or inhibits Salmonella colonization of chicks following this first dose. This study investigated both in vitro and in vivo colonization parameters. Invasiveness was assessed using an in vitro invasion assay into sections of ileum and caecum collected from day‐old chicks. The S. Typhimurium definitive types (DT) 9 and 44 exhibited the greatest invasion into both intestinal segments. STM1 was invasive but was significantly less so than both isolates of S. Typhimurium. In dual and triple infections, no competitive microbial interactions between STM1 and wild‐type Salmonella were observed. In vivo colonization inhibition was also tested. Vaccinated and nonvaccinated day‐old chicks were challenged with S. Typhimurium DT9. Both STM1 and S. Typhimurium DT9 were found in spleen, liver, ileum, caecum and caecal contents from day 2 postinfection. No significant exclusion effect was observed in vaccinated and challenged chicks.
Experiences and perceptions of physical restraint policies and practices by health professionals in the acute care sector: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Lockwood Craig , Stannard Daphne , Munn Zachary , Porritt Kylie , Carrier Judith , Rittenmeyer Leslie , Bjerrum Merete , Salmond Susan
Published: May 2018

Review question:

What are the experiences and perceptions of physical restraint policies and practices by health professionals, administrators and policy makers in the acute care sector?
Effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication versus anterior and posterior partial fundoplications for treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Marshall-Webb Matthew , Peters Micah D.J. , Bright Tim , Watson David I.
Published: May 2018

Review question/objective:

The objective of this review is to determine the relative effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication compared to anterior and posterior partial fundoplication in controlling the symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease and reducing their side effect profile in adults.

The specific questions posed by this review are: what is the effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication in comparison to anterior partial fundoplication (90 degree, 120 degree and 180 degree) and posterior 270 degree fundoplication in terms of symptom control of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and what are the side effects of these surgical interventions?
Prevalence and incidence of congenital anomalies amongst babies born to women with sickle cell disease and exposed to hydroxyurea during pregnancy: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Gwer Stephen Otieno , Onyango Kennedy Odoyo
Published: May 2018

Review question/objective:

What is the prevalence and incidence of congenital anomalies among babies born to women with sickle cell disease (SCD) and who have been exposed to hydroxyurea (HU) therapy at any time in their pregnancy?

The objective of this review is to identify the proportion of babies born with congenital anomalies among babies born to mothers with SCD who have been exposed to HU therapy at any point during pregnancy and to describe the specific types of congenital anomalies encountered.
Hyperelastic antiplane ground cloaking
Authors: Zhang Pu , Parnell William J.
Published: May 2018

Hyperelastic materials possess the appealing property that they may be employed as elastic wave manipulation devices and cloaks by imposing pre-deformation. They provide an alternative to microstructured metamaterials and can be used in a reconfigurable manner. Previous studies indicate that exact elastodynamic invariance to pre-deformation holds only for neo-Hookean solids in the antiplane wave scenario and the semi-linear material in the in-plane compressional/shear wave context. Furthermore, although ground cloaks have been considered in the acoustic context they have not yet been discussed for elastodynamics, either by employing microstructured cloaks or hyperelastic cloaks. This work therefore aims at exploring the possibility of employing a range of hyperelastic materials for use as antiplane ground cloaks (AGCs). The use of the popular incompressible Arruda-Boyce and Mooney-Rivlin nonlinear materials is explored. The scattering problem associated with the AGC is simulated via finite element analysis where the cloaked region is formed by an indentation of the surface. Results demonstrate that the neo-Hookean medium can be used to generate a perfect hyperelastic AGC as should be expected. Furthermore, although the AGC performance of the Mooney-Rivlin material is not particularly satisfactory, it is shown that the Arruda-Boyce medium is an excellent candidate material for this purpose.
Intelligibility of naturally produced and synthesized Mandarin speech by cochlear implant listeners
Authors: Shi Ying , Chen Jingyuan , Gong Yue , Chen Biao , Li Yongxin , Galvin John J. , Fu Qian-Jie
Published: May 2018

Mandarin is a tonal language, and it is important to preserve lexical tone information in synthesized speech. With natural speech, Chinese cochlear implant (CI) users have difficulty perceiving voice pitch cues important for lexical tone perception; it is unclear whether this difficulty persists in Mandarin synthesized speech. In this study, intelligibility of naturally produced and synthesized Mandarin speech was measured in Chinese CI listeners; intelligibility was also measured in a control group of normal-hearing (NH) listeners. Five synthesized voices were selected to represent different talker genders (male, female, child), speaking rates (normal, slow), and speaking styles (emotional, accent). The data showed that while modern Mandarin text-to-speech (TTS) systems can provide perfect speech intelligibility for NH listeners, overall intelligibility was much poorer for CI than for NH listeners. CI performance was significantly poorer with synthesized speech than with natural speech (p < 0.001). CI listeners were highly sensitive to the “extra-atypical” synthesized emotional and accented speech. Performance with each of the synthesized speech types was significantly correlated with performance with natural speech in CI users (p < 0.01 in all cases). While modern TTS systems offer educational and communication benefits to CI users and hearing-impaired individuals, the selection of synthesized voices should be carefully considered in education applications of TTS for hearing-impaired individuals, especially CI children, since poor intelligibility performance may affect language learning.
A DGKζ-FoxO-ubiquitin proteolytic axis controls fiber size during skeletal muscle remodeling
Authors: You Jae-Sung , Dooley Matthew S. , Kim Chan-Ran , Kim Eui-Jun , Xu Wei , Goodman Craig A. , Hornberger Troy A.
Published: May 2018

Increasing DGKζ abundance could enhance skeletal muscle growth or prevent muscle wasting under atrophy-promoting conditions.
New connections: Kinases and phosphatases in control of mitosis
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: May 2018

Two studies in this week’s issue of
Science Signaling
reveal coordinated regulation of kinases and phosphatases during cell cycle progression.
Personalizing Polymyxin B Dosing Using an Adaptive Feedback Control Algorithm
Authors: Lakota Elizabeth A. , Landersdorfer Cornelia B. , Nation Roger L. , Li Jian , Kaye Keith S. , Rao Gauri G. , Forrest Alan
Published: May 2018

Polymyxin B is used as an antibiotic of last resort for patients with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections; however, it carries a significant risk of nephrotoxicity. Herein we present a polymyxin B therapeutic window based on target area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) values and an adaptive feedback control algorithm (algorithm) which allows for the personalization of polymyxin B dosing. The upper bound of this therapeutic window was determined through a pharmacometric meta-analysis of polymyxin B nephrotoxicity data, and the lower bound was derived from murine thigh infection pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) studies. A previously developed polymyxin B population pharmacokinetic model was used as the backbone for the algorithm. Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) were performed to evaluate the performance of the algorithm using different sparse PK sampling strategies. The results of the nephrotoxicity meta-analysis showed that nephrotoxicity rate was significantly correlated with polymyxin B exposure. Based on this analysis and previously reported murine PK/PD studies, the target AUC
0–24
(AUC from 0 to 24 h) window was determined to be 50 to 100 mg · h/liter. MCS showed that with standard polymyxin B dosing without adaptive feedback control, only 71% of simulated subjects achieved AUC values within this window. Using a single PK sample collected at 24 h and the algorithm, personalized dosing regimens could be computed, which resulted in >95% of simulated subjects achieving AUC
0–24
values within the target window. Target attainment further increased when more samples were used. Our algorithm increases the probability of target attainment by using as few as one pharmacokinetic sample and enables precise, personalized dosing in a vulnerable patient population.
Copper Acyl Salicylate Has Potential as an Anti-Cryptococcus Antifungal Agent
Authors: Ogundeji Adepemi O. , Porotloane Boitumelo F. , Pohl Carolina H. , Kendrekar Pravin S. , Sebolai Olihile M.
Published: May 2018

The
in vitro
antifungal activity of aspirin against cryptococcal cells has been reported. However, the unwanted effects of aspirin may limit its clinical application. Conceivably, a derivative of aspirin could overcome this challenge. Toward this end, this study considered the usage of an aspirinate-metal complex, namely, copper acyl salicylate (CAS), as an anti-
Cryptococcus
antifungal agent. Additionally, the study examined the effects of this compound on macrophage function. The
in vitro
susceptibility results revealed that cryptococcal cells were vulnerable (in a dose-dependent manner) to CAS, which might have effected growth inhibition by damaging cryptococcal cell membranes. Interestingly, when CAS was used in combination with fluconazole or amphotericin B, synergism was observed. Furthermore, CAS did not negatively affect the growth or metabolic activity of macrophages; rather, it sensitized those immune cells to produce interferon gamma and interleukin 6, which, in turn, might have aided in the phagocytosis of cryptococcal cells. Compared to our aspirin data, CAS was noted to be more effective in killing cryptococcal cells (based on susceptibility results) and less toxic toward macrophages (based on growth inhibition results). Taking these findings together, it is reasonable to conclude that CAS may be a better anti-
Cryptococcus
drug that could deliver better therapeutic outcomes, compared to aspirin.