bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of immune cells in hypertension
Authors: Caillon Antoine , Paradis Pierre , Schiffrin Ernesto L
Published: June 2018

Inflammatory processes have been shown to play an important role in the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Innate and adaptive immune responses participate in BP elevation and end‐organ damage. Here, we discuss recent studies focusing on novel inflammatory and immune mechanisms that play roles in BP elevation. Different subpopulations of cells involved in innate and adaptive immune responses, such as dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages and NK cells, on the one hand, and B and T lymphocytes, on the other, contribute to the vascular and kidney injury in hypertension. Unconventional innate‐like T cells such as γδ T cells also participate in hypertensive mechanisms by priming both innate and adaptive immune cells, contributing to trigger vascular inflammation and BP elevation. These cells exert their effects in part via production of various cytokines including pro‐inflammatory IFN‐γ and IL‐17 and anti‐inflammatory IL‐10. The present review summarizes some of these immune mechanisms that participate in the pathophysiology of hypertension.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Immune Targets in Hypertension. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.12/issuetoc
Tricyclic amine antidepressants suppress β‐lactam resistance in methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by repressing mRNA levels of key resistance genes
Authors: Gillard Kyra , Miller Heather B. , Blackledge Meghan S.
Published: June 2018

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the leading cause of recurrent infections in humans including endocarditis, pneumonia, and toxic shock syndrome. Novel therapeutics to treat MRSA and other resistant bacteria are urgently needed. Adjuvant therapy, which uses a non‐toxic compound to repotentiate the toxic effects of an existing antibiotic, is an attractive response to the growing resistance crisis. Herein, we describe the evaluation of structurally related, FDA‐approved tricyclic amine antidepressants that selectively repotentiate MRSA to β‐lactam antibiotics. Our results identify important structural features of the tricyclic amine class for β‐lactam adjuvant activity. Furthermore, we describe the mechanism of action for our lead compound, amoxapine, and illustrate that it represses the mRNA levels of key β‐lactam resistance genes in response to β‐lactam treatment. This work is novel in that it highlights an important class of small molecules with the ability to simultaneously inhibit production of both β‐lactamase and penicillin binding protein 2a.
Hip Hop Matters: Race, Space, and Islam in Chicago
Authors: Abdul Khabeer Su'ad
Published: June 2018

In this article I examine pious Muslim placemaking against the backdrop of race and class tensions in the United States. I contend that ideologies of anti‐Blackness converge with pious Muslim space and placemaking practices to create a moralized division of space for Chicago Muslims. Specifically, I look at the ways that pious Muslim placemaking in Chicago suburbs by Muslim immigrant parents is entangled in elisions of race and class in the US. I show that whereas a generation of Muslim parents pursued a pious Muslim life in proximity to a White, middle‐class, American dream, groups of young Muslim activists are making Muslim space and place through Blackness in the 'hood. I argue that young Muslim activists embrace hip hop's remaking of space and place to remap the pious geographies of Muslims in Chicago and challenge conceptions of pious Muslim identity that are inflected with anti‐Blackness. I demonstrate how these young Muslims find value in Blackness, as an ethic of social justice and an exemplar of Muslim piety, to contest hegemonic isomorphisms of race, space, place, and morality. Thus, I argue that by reclaiming and remaking space and place, young Muslims oppose anti‐Black racism found within broader US society as well as within the entrenched divisions of pious Muslim space in Chicago.
Minimal clinically important difference for the 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test in medically managed patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Phillips Katie M. , Hoehle Lloyd P. , Caradonna David S. , Gray Stacey T. , Sedaghat Ahmad R.
Published: June 2018

Objective

To determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) in individuals undergoing medical management for their chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Academic, tertiary care centre.

Participants

A total of 247 adults undergoing medical management for CRS.

Main outcome measure

At enrolment, participants completed a SNOT‐22. At a subsequent follow‐up visit, 2‐12 months after enrolment, participants also completed a SNOT‐22. At follow‐up, participants also rated the change in their sinus symptoms and general health as “Much worse,” “A little worse,” “About the same,” “A little better” or “Much better” compared with enrolment; these two questions were used as sinus symptom and general health anchor questions, respectively. The SNOT‐22 MCID was calculated using distribution‐based, anchor‐based and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve‐based methods.

Results

Using the distribution‐based method, the SNOT‐22 MCID was 11.6. Using the sinus symptom anchor question, the SNOT‐22 MCID was 10.5; applying the ROC method to the sinus symptom anchor yielded an MCID of 12.5. In comparison, using the general health anchor question, the SNOT‐22 MCID was 8.3; applying the ROC method to the sinus symptom anchor yielded an MCID of 17.5. In all cases, the calculated MCID had a sensitivity of approximately 50‐60% and specificity of approximately 80‐90%.

Conclusions

Based on our results, we propose a SNOT‐22 MCID of 12 in medically managed patients with CRS. The MCID, while specific, was not sensitive for identifying patients with CRS experiencing a noticeable improvement in sinus symptoms or general health.
Translating the ICAP Theory of Cognitive Engagement Into Practice
Authors: Chi Michelene T. H. , Adams Joshua , Bogusch Emily B. , Bruchok Christiana , Kang Seokmin , Lancaster Matthew , Levy Roy , Li Na , McEldoon Katherine L. , Stump Glenda S. , Wylie Ruth , Xu Dongchen , Yaghmourian David L.
Published: June 2018

ICAP is a theory of active learning that differentiates students’ engagement based on their behaviors. ICAP postulates that Interactive engagement, demonstrated by co‐generative collaborative behaviors, is superior for learning to Constructive engagement, indicated by generative behaviors. Both kinds of engagement exceed the benefits of Active or Passive engagement, marked by manipulative and attentive behaviors, respectively. This paper discusses a 5‐year project that attempted to translate ICAP into a theory of instruction using five successive measures: (a) teachers’ understanding of ICAP after completing an online module, (b) their success at designing lesson plans using different ICAP modes, (c) fidelity of teachers’ classroom implementation, (d) modes of students’ enacted behaviors, and (e) students’ learning outcomes. Although teachers had minimal success in designing Constructive and Interactive activities, students nevertheless learned significantly more in the context of Constructive than Active activities. We discuss reasons for teachers’ overall difficulty in designing and eliciting Interactive engagement.
Ipsilateral versus contralateral placement of the pancreas allograft in pancreas after kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Yin Hang , Arpali Emre , Leverson Glen E. , Sollinger Hans W. , Kaufman Dixon B. , Odorico Jon S.
Published: June 2018

Background

In a diabetic, uremic kidney transplant recipient that may receive a future pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplant, the kidney is typically implanted on the left side in anticipation of the subsequent pancreas transplant on the right side. In this study, we sought to determine if ipsilateral PAK (iPAK) is as safe as contralateral PAK (cPAK).

Methods

The 115 PAK transplants (iPAK n = 57, cPAK n = 58) were performed from 1997‐2010 and results were compared between the groups.

Results

Kidney graft survival and pancreas graft survival was similar between the two groups. Kidney graft function according to serum creatinine and eGFR was not different between the cPAK and the iPAK groups and there were no episodes of kidney graft thrombosis in either group. Subgroup analyses focusing on donor source also did not show worse outcomes for graft survivals in iPAK group when compared to cPAK group.

Conclusions

Pancreas and kidney graft survival in PAK transplants is unaffected by the surgical procedure and iPAK is safe.
Contemporary Art, the Archive and Curatorship: Possible Dialogues
Authors: Arantes Priscila
Published: June 2018

In recent years, a growing number of artists have been drawn to working with the documents and testimonies in archive collections to produce work that dialogs with historical events and the history of art itself. This article aims for an understanding of how and why a strand of contemporary art practice – or, more precisely, of present‐day Brazilian art – has been exploring issues that traverse the archive and the act of archiving, and how that focus has impacted on museum practice. The article explores the theme of the archive and takes as its starting point the work of artists such as Rosângela Rennó and Mabé Bethônico, among others, and exhibitions hosted by contemporary art museums. Its five sections examine the concept of archive fever, archives and history, artists who work with archival material, archives and exhibitions, and archives and the contemporary art museum. The article concludes by looking at how this work has implications for the strategies adopted by collections and for archive management.
The Innovative Educational Thought of Jane Roland Martin: A Review Essay
Authors: Mulcahy D. G.
Published: June 2018

D. G. Mulcahy highlights some of Jane Roland Martin's major contributions to the field of philosophy of education in this review essay. He focuses on several of Martin's better‐known works — including Reclaiming a Conversation, The Schoolhome, Changing the Educational Landscape, Coming of Age in Academe, Educational Metamorphoses, and School Was Our Life — tracing through them the development of her reconceptualization of the idea of a liberal education from the early1980s to the present day. Viewing Martin's contribution from the perspective of liberal education, he contends, underscores the optimistic spirit of her work as well as its originality and significance for the theory of education as a whole. Mulcahy gives particular attention to these elements of Martin's thought: the importance she attributes to educating the young for active participation in the world and not mere observation of it; her analysis of the range and complexity of our cultural wealth; her concept of a gender‐sensitive education; and her emphasis on the unique contribution of the experience of women to education. Martin's substantial body of work, Mulcahy concludes, stands as a compelling alternative to mainstream educational theorizing, one that offers hope for the potential of educational renewal.
Stable isotopes and gut contents indicate differential resource use by coexisting asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)
Authors: Vašek Mojmír , Eloranta Antti P. , Vejříková Ivana , Blabolil Petr , Říha Milan , Jůza Tomáš , Šmejkal Marek , Matěna Josef , Kubečka Jan , Peterka Jiří
Published: June 2018

Differential use of habitat and prey resources is an important mechanism that may allow coexistence of sympatric species. Unlike interactions between smaller cyprinid and percid fishes, the resource use by coexisting predatory asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is relatively unknown. Here, gut content and stable isotope analyses were used to study ontogenetic dietary shifts and interspecific trophic niche overlap between asp and pikeperch coexisting in two reservoirs. The hypothesis that both species show an ontogenetic dietary shift from small invertebrates to large fish prey, but at the same time use different prey resources to reduce potential competitive interactions, was validated. The isotopic niches of the two predators showed no, or only a moderate, degree of overlap (0%–65%). The ontogenetic changes in the degree of interspecific isotopic niche overlap were different in the two reservoirs, suggesting that trophic segregation can be dynamic and variable among systems. Gut contents revealed that small (<100 mm standard length) asp consumed mostly terrestrial invertebrates and emerged aquatic insects, whereas small pikeperch foraged on zooplankton, larval and pupal stages of aquatic insects and fish. Larger individuals (>100 mm) of both species were predominantly piscivorous, with asp consuming more cyprinid prey and pikeperch more percid prey. Coexisting asp and pikeperch populations are able to utilise different prey resources, thereby reducing potential negative competitive interactions.
Potential oscillators and keystone modules in food webs
Authors: Kadoya Taku , Gellner Gabriel , McCann Kevin S.
Published: June 2018

Food web theory suggests that the placement of a weak interaction is critical such that under some conditions even one well‐placed weak interaction can stabilise multiple strong interactions. This theory suggests that complex stable webs may be built from pivotal weak interactions such that the removal of even one to a few keystone interactions can have significant cascading impacts on whole system diversity and structure. However, the connection between weak interactions, derived from the theory of modular food web components, and keystone species, derived from empirical results, is not yet well understood. Here, we develop numerical techniques to detect potential oscillators hidden in complex food webs, and show that, both in random and real food webs, keystone consumer–resource interactions often operate to stabilise them. Alarmingly, this result suggests that nature frequently may be dangerously close to precipitous change with even the loss of one or a few weakly interacting species.
Spatial heterogeneity in species composition constrains plant community responses to herbivory and fertilisation
Authors: Hodapp Dorothee , Borer Elizabeth T. , Harpole W. Stanley , Lind Eric M. , Seabloom Eric W. , Adler Peter B. , Alberti Juan , Arnillas Carlos A. , Bakker Jonathan D. , Biederman Lori , Cadotte Marc , Cleland Elsa E. , Collins Scott , Fay Philip A. , Firn Jennifer , Hagenah Nicole , Hautier Yann , Iribarne Oscar , Knops Johannes M. H. , McCulley Rebecca L. , MacDougall Andrew , Moore Joslin L. , Morgan John W. , Mortensen Brent , La Pierre Kimberly J. , Risch Anita C. , Schütz Martin , Peri Pablo , Stevens Carly J. , Wright Justin , Hillebrand Helmut
Published: June 2018

Environmental change can result in substantial shifts in community composition. The associated immigration and extinction events are likely constrained by the spatial distribution of species. Still, studies on environmental change typically quantify biotic responses at single spatial (time series within a single plot) or temporal (spatial beta diversity at single time points) scales, ignoring their potential interdependence. Here, we use data from a global network of grassland experiments to determine how turnover responses to two major forms of environmental change – fertilisation and herbivore loss – are affected by species pool size and spatial compositional heterogeneity. Fertilisation led to higher rates of local extinction, whereas turnover in herbivore exclusion plots was driven by species replacement. Overall, sites with more spatially heterogeneous composition showed significantly higher rates of annual turnover, independent of species pool size and treatment. Taking into account spatial biodiversity aspects will therefore improve our understanding of consequences of global and anthropogenic change on community dynamics.
The Proactive Initiation of SMEs’ Foreign Business Relationships
Authors: Tolstoy Daniel
Published: June 2018

Taking control over one's destiny by proactive internationalization has been considered an important performance indicator in small business research. We develop a model that examines how internal and external contextual factors influence SMEs’ foreign market entry through proactive initiation of business relationships in foreign markets. The ability to proactively leverage such relationships is essential for opening up avenues into foreign markets and serves as a first step in negating the liability of outsidership that could prohibit firms from acquiring relevant market‐specific resources. By examining the dynamics that either can enable or constrain firms in their efforts to become insiders in foreign markets in the entry phase, we contribute to international small business theory. We also add conceptual and practical insights to international small business research by providing valuable empirical verification of how and to what extent the proactive initiation of foreign business relationships of SMEs is internally or externally conditioned.
Fatal oral anticoagulant‐related intracranial hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Katsanos A. H. , Schellinger P. D. , Köhrmann M. , Filippatou A. , Gurol M. E. , Caso V. , Paciaroni M. , Perren F. , Alexandrov A. V. , Tsivgoulis G.
Published: June 2018

Background and purpose

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is the most feared complication in patients treated with oral anticoagulants due to non‐valvular atrial fibrillation. Non‐vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) reduce the risk of ICH compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the risk of fatal NOAC‐related ICH compared with VKA‐related ICH.

Methods

We calculated the corresponding risk ratios (RRs) in each included study to express the relative risk of fatal ICH amongst all patients receiving oral anticoagulation with either NOACs or VKAs. We additionally evaluated the mortality rates in NOAC‐related ICH in patients treated with and without NOAC‐specific reversal agents (idarucizumab and factor Xa inhibitors antidote). Case fatality was evaluated at 30–90 days following symptom onset.

Results

Our literature search identified six eligible studies (four randomized controlled trials and two open‐label trials of NOAC‐specific reversal agents). In pairwise analyses, NOACs were found to have a lower risk of fatal ICH compared with VKAs [RR, 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.36–0.58] with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0%) across included randomized controlled trials. However, the case fatality rate was similar in NOAC‐related and VKA‐related (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.84–1.19) ICH with no evidence of heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). In the indirect analysis, the case fatality rate of NOAC‐related ICH in patients treated with specific reversal agents was lower compared with the remainder of the patients [17% (95% CI, 11–24%) vs. 41% (95% CI, 34–49%); P < 0.001].

Conclusions

Non‐vitamin K oral anticoagulants halve the risk of fatal ICH in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation compared with VKAs, whereas indirect comparisons indicate that NOAC‐specific reversal agents may be associated with a lower case fatality rate in NOAC‐related ICH.
Equine emergency upper airway management
Authors: Byrne C. A. , Barakzai S. Z.
Published: June 2018

Respiratory distress due to acute upper respiratory tract obstruction is an uncommon emergency in equine practice. However, clinicians should be confident with the approach to this truly life‐threatening scenario. Clinical signs are obvious at rest and include increased respiratory effort, loud respiratory noise and recumbency as asphyxiation progresses. Many cases of upper respiratory tract obstruction involve the pharynx or larynx, though obstruction in other regions of the upper respiratory tract and other causes of respiratory distress should be considered. Generally, the obstruction can be bypassed by placing a nasotracheal tube under endoscopic guidance or by making a temporary tracheotomy to ensure a patent airway. Following this stabilisation, further investigation into the cause of airway obstruction can be performed. Endoscopy is usually the most valuable diagnostic tool, though other imaging modalities can be useful. Further empirical treatment is often required, though the specific management will vary depending on the pathology present.
CHIP promotes autophagy‐mediated degradation of aggregating mutant p53 in hypoxic conditions
Authors: Maan Meenu , Pati Uttam
Published: June 2018

Tumor suppressor protein p53 aggregates in the hypoxic core of solid tumors. C terminus of Hsc70‐interacting protein (CHIP) displays chaperone as well as E3 ligase activities in both stabilizing and degrading wild‐type and mutant p53. In this study, we have discovered that CHIP selectively degrades aggregating mutant p53 under both normal and hypoxic conditions. Silencing of CHIP alleviates degradation of aggregating mutant p53 in both normoxia and hypoxia, but has no significant effect on the level of nonaggregating mutant p53. Although both U‐box and TPR domains of CHIP are responsible for p53 degradation, the U‐box domain selectively binds to aggregating mutant p53, whereas the TPR domain interacts with nonaggregating mutant p53. The degradation of mutant p53 by CHIP is shown to be via autophagy through K63‐linked polyubiquitination. Both in normoxia and under physiological hypoxia, the level of aggregating mutant p53 in the presence of CHIP was reduced threefold, whereas under serum starvation, it was reduced fivefold. Interestingly, both wild‐type and mutant p53 interact with and stabilize CHIP at the post‐translational level, suggesting a chaperone synergy between p53 and CHIP. This finding may have strong therapeutic significance via selective degradation of oncogenic mutant p53 in regressing hypoxic tumors.
‘Strategic (dis)obedience’: Female entrepreneurs reflecting on and acting upon patriarchal practices
Authors: Barragan Salvador , Erogul Murat S. , Essers Caroline
Published: June 2018

It has been suggested that entrepreneurship is a form of emancipation and social change for women. We adopt a more comprehensive view by considering micro‐emancipation at the level of both agency and identity of women entrepreneurs in patriarchal and Islamic societies. We borrow from organization studies literature to draw on the notions of the dynamic and ongoing process between dominators (i.e., men of the patriarchal family) and the dominated (i.e., women entrepreneurs). In this process micro‐emancipation and active obedience are intertwined. For this purpose, we contextualize the study in the United Arab Emirates, where men of the family regulate women's agency and identity. The men of the family are not only the gatekeepers of societal culture, but also the potential supporters for women to navigate the societal arrangements. By adopting an interpretive approach, we analyse the narratives of Emirati female entrepreneurs in their early stages of becoming an entrepreneur who engage in strategic (dis)obedience. The article contributes to the literature on micro‐emancipation in the context of gender and entrepreneurship.
Rheological and spectral analysis of xanthan gum/lysozyme system during nanoparticle fabrication
Authors: Xu Wei , Li Bin , Li Juan , Huang Lu , Liu Huan , Zhu Dandan , Liu Mengru , Liu Xinfang
Published: June 2018

Nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated by xanthan gum (XG) and lysozyme (Ly), and the preparation was further analysed to explore the synthesis mechanism. Measurement of sizes and zeta (ζ) potential, transmission electron microscopy, and rheological and spectral demonstration were conducted to investigate molecular changes and interactions between XG and Ly under alkaline conditions and in the gelatinisation process. Results indicated that the ζ potential of the Ly/XG mixture was lower than the sum of Ly and XG at initial alkalisation. The interactions, hyperchromic effect and emission intensity of Ly were enhanced with increased XG concentration. Thus, XG and Ly lost their initial structures and formed metastable state complex. Heating at a high temperature promoted Ly/XG gelatinisation and fabricated stable Ly/XG nanogel for further molecular rearrangement. The worthwhile endeavour prepared Ly/XG NPs through alkali‐coupled thermal method and attempted to provide useful information regarding the synthesis mechanism from rheological and spectral perspectives by simulating preparation condition.
Evaluating Caregiver Sensitivity to Infants: Measures Matter
Authors: Bohr Yvonne , Putnick Diane L. , Lee Yookyung , Bornstein Marc H.
Published: June 2018

The significance of caregiver sensitivity for child development has been debated among scholars, not least due to sensitivity's inconsistent predictive value over time and across contexts. A lack of uniformity in the definition of sensitivity contributes to this debate, but shortfalls of intertool concordance and construct validity in the instruments used to assess sensitivity may also be at issue. This study examines correspondences among four established standardized measures of caregiver sensitivity in independent classifications of the same sample of mothers of infants. Fifty European American mother–infant dyads of diverse SES were independently assessed with three observational caregiver sensitivity measures: the Emotional Availability Scales (EAS; Biringen, 2008, Emotional availability (EA) scales manual (4th ed.): Part 1. Infancy/early childhood version (child aged 0–5 years). Colorado State University. Unpublished manuscript), the Parent Child Interaction—Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training Feeding Scale (PCI‐NCAFS; Oxford & Findlay, NCAST caregiver/parent‐child interaction feeding manual, Seattle, WA: NCAST Programs, University of Washington, School of Nursing, 2015), and the Maternal Behavior Q‐Sort (MBQS; Moran, Pederson, & Bento, 2009, Maternal Behavior Q‐Sort (MBQS)–Overview, available materials and support. University of Western Ontario. Unpublished). Ratings were juxtaposed with classifications of the same sample based on the original Ainsworth Maternal Sensitivity Scales (AMSS; Ainsworth, 1969, Power, 6, 1379). The EAS, NCAFS, and MBQS are related to the AMSS, but large proportions of variance were unshared. Researchers and clinicians should be cautious when assuming that popular observational assessment instruments, commonly believed to measure a generic construct of caregiver sensitivity, are interchangeable, as these measures may evaluate different features of sensitivity to infants.
Feasibility of in situ de‐agglomeration during powder consolidation
Authors: Giuntini Diletta , Bordia Rajendra K. , Olevsky Eugene A.
Published: June 2018

Consolidation of nano‐sized powders is a growing area in manufacturing of advanced materials, thanks to the reduced processing times, enhanced mechanical properties and high potential for the introduction of multi‐functionality enabled by such reduced particle sizes. Nanopowders, however, are particularly prone to the agglomeration phenomena, and thus to the formation of hierarchical porous structures. The presence of pores differing up to several orders of magnitude in size leads to undesired differential shrinkage and localized grain growth. In order to avoid such issues, strategies for in situ de‐agglomeration are proposed here. These optimization strategies are based on the development of an analytical model for shrinkage kinetics and mechanical properties of a hierarchical porous structure, containing both small‐size intra‐agglomerate pores and large‐size inter‐agglomerate ones. The modeling approach is an expansion of the continuum theory of sintering to the case of biporous materials presenting nonlinear viscous rheology, as expected for nano‐sized crystalline powders. Considering the nonlinear viscous constitutive behavior of the solid phase also allows assessing the influence of the temperature on the microstructural evolution during processing, due to the dependence of the creep characteristic parameter, strain‐rate sensitivity, on the thermal history. Material structure optimization strategies, aimed at de‐agglomeration or at the design of tailored porous structures, become then possible and are here explored.
Properties of t‐zirconia prepared by a composite‐assisted nonhydrolytic sol‐gel
Authors: Warwar Damouny Christine , Khoury Christine , Gazit Oz M.
Published: June 2018

High surface area and highly crystalline tetragonal Ni‐Si‐doped ZrO2 samples were prepared using a nonhydrolytic sol‐gel method. The synthesis involved the condensation of zirconium chloride and isopropyl ether in the presence of a chitosan‐based composites containing Ni and Si (Ni@Si‐CS), followed by calcination to remove the CS. The interactions between the zirconium precursor and the Ni@Si‐CS composites were studied and correlated with the effect on morphologies, crystalline structure, phase compositions, and surface area. These parameters were evaluated for different Ni@Si‐CS to ZrO2 mass ratios. It was found that increasing the concentration of Ni@Si‐CS composite led to smaller grains of ZrO2 nanocrystals and an overall material with a higher surface area. The stability of the tetragonal/cubic phases following calcination at 800°C was correlated with the presence of low amounts of Ni2+ in the sublattice of ZrO2 and the presence of the Si‐chitosan, which acted as steric stabilizer.
Ecologically flexible endemics dominate Indo‐Pacific bird communities
Authors: Reeve Andrew Hart , Fjeldså Jon , Borregaard Michael Krabbe
Published: June 2018

Reeve et al. (2016, Ecography, 39, 990‐997) found that ecologically flexible endemics dominate Indo‐Pacific bird communities. This negative relationship between local abundance and global range size contrasts strongly with the positive range size‐abundance relationship “rule,” which would predict community dominance by globally widespread species. Theuerkauf et al. (2017, Journal of Biogeography, 44, 2161–2163) provide new data from New Caledonia which they claim invalidate our study. They find positive relationships between local abundance and local range size, which they attribute to endemic species having narrower habitat niches than globally widespread species. We reanalysed their data using global range sizes, corroborating the pattern we originally reported: negative relationships between local abundance and global range size, driven by a subset of adaptable endemic species. We stress the importance of being explicit about the scale of ecological mechanisms, and ensuring that the scale of analysis matches the scale of interpretation.
Macro‐spatial structure of biotic interactions in the distribution of a raptor species
Authors: Aragón Pedro , Carrascal Luis M. , Palomino David
Published: June 2018

Aim

While the contribution of abiotic factors to species distribution is well known, the geographic structure, if any, of biotic interactions within the species range is poorly understood. Most studies neglect biotic interactions when generating Species Distribution Models (SDMs) and projecting them, using future climatic scenarios, while others argue that biotic interactions may extend species tolerances to suboptimal abiotic conditions. Elucidating the extent to which biotic interactions play a role at a macro‐scale is challenging due to its inherent complexity. In this study, we characterized the independent contribution of prey abundance distributions on the Merlin's wintering distribution (Falco columbarius). Then, to examine the hypothesis that biotic interactions may counteract other suboptimal conditions, we tested for a differential importance of physical habitat characteristics and prey abundance distributions along the species’ wintering range.

Location

Peninsular Spain.

Methods

We modelled the Merlin's geographic distribution with Boosted Classification Trees as a function of environmental predictors (environmental model) and prey relative abundances (prey model), either separately or jointly (combined model). We tested whether the predictive success of environmental and prey models differ spatially.

Results

Partialling out the variation into independent components we found that the prey abundance distributions explained the largest part of variation. Furthermore, the first four predictors with the highest contribution in our combined models were the abundances of prey species. Finally, our model predictions revealed a north‐to‐south increase in the importance of prey abundance distributions. Interestingly, our results suggest that biotic interactions can enable species to inhabit a wider range of suboptimal habitat conditions on range margins.

Main conclusions

Relevant biotic interactions may not be always fully interchangeable with environmental surrogates. Abiotic factors and biotic interactions may shape species range limits and cores of distributions differently. Neglecting biotic interactions may compromise spatiotemporal transferability of SDMs, especially on species margins, and hence their applicability.
Evaluating the quality of medical evidence in real‐world contexts
Authors: Jones Andrew , Steel Daniel
Published: June 2018

How should the quality of medical evidence be evaluated? Proponents of evidence‐based medicine advocate the use evidence hierarchies to rank the quality of evidence on the basis that certain methods produce more reliable evidence. Some criticisms of this approach focus on whether certain methods deserve their place in the hierarchy, while others claim that evidence hierarchies should be abandoned in favour of other evidence assessment techniques. We claim that this debate pays insufficient attention to the real‐world contexts in which medical decisions are made. To address this limitation, we explore the value of using evidence hierarchies and other evidence assessment techniques in differing contexts of medical decision making and argue that the way in which the quality of medical evidence should be evaluated depends on context. Focusing the discussion of the evaluation of medical evidence on real‐world contexts has implications for the viability of the principle of total evidence.
Early post‐operative diet upgrade in older patients may improve energy and protein intake but patients still eat poorly: an observational pilot study
Authors: Byrnes A. , Worrall J. , Young A. , Mudge A. , Banks M. , Bauer J.
Published: June 2018

Background

Malnutrition is prevalent across acute care facilities, particularly in older patients, and contributes to poor surgical outcomes. Clinical practice guidelines recommend the early reintroduction of a full oral diet post‐operatively. The present study aimed to compare estimated energy (EEI) and protein (EPI) intake of patients who received early diet upgrade with those who did not.

Methods

Patients ≥65 years admitted post‐operatively to general surgical wards were included.EEIandEPIwere calculated and dichotomised as meeting ≥50% or <50% estimated energy (EER) and protein (EPR) requirements. Mean intake and proportion of patients meeting <50% estimated requirements were compared between those who received early upgrade and those who did not at post‐operative day (POD)2.

Results

Thirty‐four patients [mean (SD) age 72.9 (5.7) years, 59% male] were analysed atPOD2 [EEI: mean 4.2 (2.6)MJ day–1, 56% (n = 19) met ≥50%EER;EPI: mean 38.7 (29.5) g day–1, 26% (n = 9) met ≥50%EPR]. The majority (n = 25, 74%) were upgraded to a nonfluid diet byPOD2. More patients on fluid diets consumed <50%EER(P = 0.025) and <50%EPR(P = 0.073). No patient on a fluid diet met ≥50% ofEPR.

Conclusions

Although the majority of older patients received early diet upgrade and these patients consumed more energy and protein than those on fluid diets, as a whole, older patients ate poorly post‐operatively. Fluid diets should therefore not be used indiscriminately and other approaches to improve post‐operative intake of older patients, such as fortified diets, oral nutritional supplements and meal environment interventions, should be adopted.
A Comprehensive Material Flow Account for Lao PDR to Inform Environmental and Sustainability Policy
Authors: Vilaysouk Xaysackda , Schandl Heinz , Murakami Shinsuke
Published: June 2018

Modern environmental and sustainability policy that acknowledges the linkages between socioeconomic processes and environmental pressures and impacts, and designs policies to decouple economic activity from environmental pressures and impacts, requires a sophisticated and comprehensive knowledge base. The concept of industrial metabolism provides a sound conceptual base, and material flow accounting—including primary material inputs and outflows of waste and emissions—provides a well‐accepted operationalization. Studies presenting a comprehensive material flow account for a national economy are rare, especially for developing countries. Countries such as Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR or Laos) face dual objectives of improving the material standard of living of their people while managing natural resources sustainably and mitigating adverse environmental impacts from growing resource throughput. Our research fills a knowledge gap, presents a comprehensive account of material inputs and outflows of waste and emissions for the Lao PDR national economy, and applies the accounting approach for a low‐income economy in Asia. We present a material balance for the years 2000 and 2015. For this research, we used data from Lao PDR national statistics and the accounting guidelines of the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), which pioneered the use of material flow data as part of its official statistical reporting. We demonstrate the feasibility of the accounting approach and discuss the robustness of results using uncertainty analysis conducted with statistical approaches commonly used in the field of industrial ecology, including Gauss's law of error propagation and Monte Carlo simulation. We find that the fast‐changing scale and composition of Lao PDR material flows, waste, and emissions presents challenges to the existing policy capacity and will require investment into governance of changed patterns of material use, waste disposal, and emissions. We consider the data analysis sufficiently robust to inform such a change in policy direction.
An entirely enclosed scanning tunnelling microscope capable of being fully immersed in liquid helium
Authors: FENG Q. , MENG W. , WANG J. , WANG Z. , ZHANG J. , WANG Q. , HOU Y. , LU Q.
Published: June 2018

We present an ultrahigh‐vacuum (UHV)‐sealed high‐stability scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) that can be entirely immersed in liquid helium and readily used in a commercial Dewar or superconducting magnet. The STM head features a horizontal microscanner that can become standalone and ultrastable when the coarse approach inertial motor retracts. Low voltage is enough to operate the STM even at low temperature owing to the powerful motor. It is housed in a tubular chamber of 49 mm outer diameter, which can be pumped via a detachable valve (DV), UHV‐sealed and remain sealed after the DV is removed. The entire so‐sealed chamber can then be inserted into liquid helium, where in situ sample cleavage is done via vacuum bellow. This allows sample cleavage and STM measurements to take place in better UHV with higher cooling power. Quality atomic resolution images of graphite and charge density wave on 1T‐TiSe2 taken in ambient and 14 K conditions, respectively, are presented.
Negative predictors of clinical response to amitriptyline in Japanese patients with migraine
Authors: Naito Yuika , Ishii Masakazu , Ishibashi Masaaki , Kasai Hideyo , Katoh Hirotaka
Published: June 2018

Background

Migraine is the most common neurological disease. Recently, there is a wide variety of prophylactic drugs, but their effects differ among individuals.

Aim

To investigate clinical factors affecting the response to amitriptyline therapy and establish a scoring system for predicting the negative response to prophylactic therapy.

Methods

We examined clinical factors from medical records of 29 consistent responders (CRs) and 21 inconsistent responders (IRs) to amitriptyline.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed that a past history of medication overuse headache (MOH) and allodynia from associated symptoms were significant factors that independently contributed to a negative response. Odds ratio of MOH was 4.489 (no vs yes; 95% CI = 1.109–14.224), and odds ratio of allodynia was 4.489 (yes vs no; 95% CI = 1.109–14.224). A predictive index (PI) of the negative response to amitriptyline in patients with migraine was calculated using the regression coefficients of these two factors as integers, and the index was significantly higher for IRs than CRs (1.33 ± 0.58 vs 0.76 ± 0.69, mean ± SD, P = 0.003)

Conclusion

The obtained PI may represent an appropriate scoring system for negative responses in patients using amitriptyline.
Rare valiant vertical one‐and‐a‐half syndrome without ipsilateral upward gaze palsy in a patient with thalamomesencephalic stroke
Authors: Sato Kota , Takahashi Yoshiaki , Matsumoto Namiko , Yunoki Taijun , Takemoto Mami , Hishikawa Nozomi , Ohta Yasuyuki , Yamashita Toru , Abe Koji
Published: June 2018

Bilateral upward and ipsilateral downward gaze palsy due to a unilateral thalamomesencephalic stroke is called vertical one‐and‐a‐half syndrome (VOHS). Here, we report a valiant VOHS case who presented contralateral upward and ipsilateral downward gaze palsy due to a unilateral thalamomesencephalic stroke. The neuronal fiber connections associated with vertical gaze are not completely understood, so the present case provides an important proof to obtain a better understanding of vertical gaze mechanisms.
Peripheral type facial palsy caused by pontine lacunar infarction
Authors: Furuhashi Yuri , Furuya Kohei , Yokose Misato , Suzuki Masayuki , Kim Younhee , Miura Kumiko , Ozawa Tadashi , Matsuzono Kosuke , Mashiko Takafumi , Shimazaki Haruo , Koide Reiji , Fujimoto Shigeru
Published: June 2018

Cases of central nervous system (CNS) disorders manifesting peripheral type facial palsy are rare. We report a 70‐year‐old man with a small infarct of the pontine tegmentum who presented with acute‐onset peripheral facial palsy. In the case of infarction in this area, combined symptoms of peripheral facial palsy and abducens nerve palsy are often found, but peripheral facial palsy may occur as the only symptom as in our present case. In the differential diagnosis of peripheral facial nerve palsy, we should also consider the possibility of stroke such as pontine tegmentum infarction.
Embracing the wild profusion: A Foucauldian analysis of the impact of healthcare standardization on nursing knowledge and practice
Authors: Slemon Allie
Published: June 2018

Standardization has emerged as the dominant principle guiding the organization and provision of healthcare, with standards resultantly shaping how nurses conceptualize and deliver patient care. Standardization has been critiqued as homogenizing diverse patient experiences and diminishing nurses’ skills and critical thinking; however, there has been limited examination of the philosophical implications of standardization for nursing knowledge and practice. In this manuscript, I draw on Foucault's philosophy of order and categorization to inform an analysis of the consequences of healthcare standardization for the profession of nursing. I utilize three exemplars to illustrate the impact of the primacy of standardized thinking and practices on nurses, patients and families: pain assessments using the 0‐10 pain scale; patient triage emergency departments through the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale; and determination of cause of death within the context of the current opioid crisis. Through each exemplar, I demonstrate that standardization reductively constrains nursing knowledge and the health and healthcare experiences of patients and populations. I argue that the centrality of standardization must be re‐envisioned to embrace the complexity of health and more effectively and meaningfully frame nursing knowledge and practice within healthcare systems.
Scientific progress: Four accounts
Authors: Dellsén Finnur
Published: June 2018

Scientists are constantly making observations, carrying out experiments, and analyzing empirical data. Meanwhile, scientific theories are routinely being adopted, revised, discarded, and replaced. But when are such changes to the content of science improvements on what came before? This is the question of scientific progress. One answer is that progress occurs when scientific theories “get closer to the truth,” i.e., increase their degree of truthlikeness. A second answer is that progress consists in increasing theories' effectiveness for solving scientific problems. A third answer is that progress occurs when the stock of scientific knowledge accumulates. A fourth and final answer is that scientific progress consists in increasing scientific understanding,i.e., the capacity to correctly explain and reliably predict relevant phenomena. This paper compares and contrasts these four accounts of scientific progress, considers some of the most prominent arguments for and against each account, and briefly explores connections to different forms of scientific realism.
Comparative RNA‐seq analysis of nickel hyperaccumulating and non‐accumulating populations of Senecio coronatus (Asteraceae)
Authors: Meier Stuart K. , Adams Nicolette , Wolf Michael , Balkwill Kevin , Muasya Abraham Muthama , Gehring Christoph A. , Bishop Jacqueline M. , Ingle Robert A.
Published: June 2018

Most metal hyperaccumulating plants accumulate nickel, yet the molecular basis of Ni hyperaccumulation is not well understood. We chose Senecio coronatus to investigate this phenomenon as this species displays marked variation in shoot Ni content across ultramafic outcrops in the Barberton Greenstone Belt (South Africa), thus allowing an intraspecific comparative approach to be employed. No correlation between soil and shoot Ni contents was observed, suggesting that this variation has a genetic rather than environmental basis. This was confirmed by our observation that the accumulation phenotype of plants from two hyperaccumulator and two non‐accumulator populations was maintained when the plants were grown on a soil mix from these four sites for 12 months. We analysed the genetic variation among 12 serpentine populations of S. coronatus, and used RNA‐seq for de novo transcriptome assembly and analysis of gene expression in hyperaccumulator versus non‐accumulator populations. Genetic analysis revealed the presence of hyperaccumulators in two well supported evolutionary lineages, indicating that Ni hyperaccumulation may have evolved more than once in this species. RNA‐Seq analysis indicated that putative homologues of transporters associated with root iron uptake in plants are expressed at elevated levels in roots and shoots of hyperaccumulating populations of S. coronatus from both evolutionary lineages. We hypothesise that Ni hyperaccumulation in S. coronatus may have evolved through recruitment of these transporters, which play a role in the iron‐deficiency response in other plant species.
Effect of Micropattern-Processed Array of Groove on the Tensile Properties of Stem Cell-Based Self-Assembled Tissues
Authors: Sato Yoshihide , Sudama Hiroki , Emura Ryo , Oya Key , Nakamura Norimasa , Suzuki Kenji , Fujie Hiromichi
Published: June 2018

We have been developing a novel tissue-engineering technique for the repair of ligaments and tendons which involves stem cell-based self-assembled tissues (scSAT) derived from synovium1). As the scSAT is composed of cells with their native extracellular matrix, it is free from concern regarding long-term immunological effects. In our previous study, the scSATs were produced on micropattern-processed culture plates having the array of grooves of 100 μm in width and 10 or 30 μm in depth2). We found that the modulus and strength of the scSATs increased depth-dependently. Therefore, in the present study, the scSATs were produced on similar plates that had deeper grooves of 60 or 90 μm. The effect of the groove depth on the tensile properties of the scSATs was determined.