bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of care in patients with diabetic kidney disease in Asia: The Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) Registry
Authors: Luk A. O. , Li X. , Zhang Y. , Guo X. , Jia W. , Li W. , Weng J. , Yang W. , Chan W. B. , Ozaki R. , Tsang C. C. , Mukhopadhyay M. , Ojha A. K. , Hong E. G. , Yoon K. H. , Sobrepena L. , Toledo R. M. , Duran M. , Sheu W. , Q. Do T. , Nguyen T. K. , Ma R. C. , Kong A. P. , Chow C. C. , Tong P. C. , So W. Y. , Chan J. C. ,   the JADE Study Group
Published: October 2015

Aims

Diabetic kidney disease independently predicts cardiovascular disease and premature death. We examined the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD, defined as an estimated GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) and quality of care in a cross‐sectional survey of adults (age ≥ 18 years) with Type 2 diabetes across Asia.

Methods

The Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation programme is a disease‐management programme implemented using an electronic portal that systematically captures clinical characteristics of all patients enrolled. Between July 2007 and December 2012, data on 28 110 consecutively enrolled patients (China: 3415, Hong Kong: 15 196, India: 3714, Korea: 1651, Philippines: 3364, Vietnam: 692, Taiwan: 78) were analysed.

Results

In this survey, 15.9% of patients had CKD, 25.0% had microalbuminuria and 12.5% had macroalbuminuria. Patients with CKD were less likely to achieve HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) (36.0% vs. 42.3%) and blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg (20.8% vs. 35.3%), and were more likely to have retinopathy (26.2% vs. 8.7%), sensory neuropathy (29.0% vs. 7.7%), cardiovascular disease (26.6% vs. 8.7%) and self‐reported hypoglycaemia (18.9% vs. 8.2%). Despite high frequencies of albuminuria (74.8%) and dyslipidaemia (93.0%) among CKD patients, only 49.0% were using renin–angiotensin system inhibitors and 53.6% were on statins. On logistic regression, old age, male gender, tobacco use, long disease duration, high HbA1c, blood pressure and BMI, and low LDL cholesterol were independently associated with CKD (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The poor control of risk factors, suboptimal use of organ‐protective drugs and high frequencies of hypoglycaemia highlight major treatment gaps in patients with diabetic kidney disease in Asia.
Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dapagliflozin in patients with type 1 versus type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tang W. , Leil T. A. , Johnsson E. , Boulton D. W. , LaCreta F.
Published: October 2015

Aims

To compare the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dapagliflozin in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) versus type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in order to explore the potential of dapagliflozin as add‐on therapy to insulin in patients with T1DM.

Methods

Steady‐state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dapagliflozin (1–100 mg) were evaluated in a meta‐analysis of patients with T1DM or T2DM. A model was constructed of the relationship between dapagliflozin systemic exposure and urinary glucose excretion (UGE) in patients with T1DM versus those with T2DM.

Results

Data were analysed from 160 patients (T1DM, n = 70; T2DM, n = 90). Dapagliflozin systemic exposure (maximum concentration and area under the curve) increased similarly in a dose‐related manner in both patient populations. Dose‐dependent increases in 24‐h UGE were observed with dapagliflozin in both populations. Unadjusted results showed that with regard to UGE response, dapagliflozin was more potent in patients with T1DM {mean half‐maximum effective concentration [EC50] = 2.72 ng/ml [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14, 5.08]} than in patients with T2DM [EC50 = 12.2 ng/ml (95% CI 4.91, 21.1)]. After normalization for baseline fasting plasma glucose, estimated glomerular filtration rate and UGE, however, the UGE potency of dapagliflozin was similar between the two populations [T1DM: mean EC50, 8.12 ng/ml (95% CI 2.95, 14.6); T2DM: mean EC50, 7.75 ng/ml (95% CI 1.35, 18.1)].

Conclusions

Dapagliflozin pharmacokinetics and the predicted UGE dose exposure response to dapagliflozin were similar in patients with T1DM and those with T2DM and suggest that the dapagliflozin dosages currently used for the treatment of T2DM may provide benefit as add‐on therapy to insulin in patients with T1DM.
Movement patterns of seaward migrating European eel (Anguilla anguilla) at a complex of riverine barriers: implications for conservation
Authors: Piper Adam T. , Svendsen Jon C. , Wright Rosalind M. , Kemp Paul S.
Published: October 2015

River infrastructure such as weirs and hydropower stations commonly present migrating fish with multiple potential passage routes. Knowledge of the cues fish use to navigate such environments is required to protect migrants from hazardous areas and guide them towards safe passage; however, this is currently lacking for many species. Employing high‐resolution positioning telemetry, this study examined movements of downstream migrating adult European eel, Anguilla anguilla, as they encountered a complex of water control structures in one location on the River Stour, southern England. The distribution of eels across five potential routes of passage differed from that predicted based on proportion of discharge alone. Certain routes were consistently avoided, even when the majority of flow passed through them. Passage distribution was partially explained by avoidance in the vicinity of a floating debris boom. Movement paths were nonrandomly distributed across the forebay and eels moved predominantly within a zone 2–4 m from the channel walls. Understanding of avoidance and structure oriented movementation exhibited by eels will help advance effective guidance and downstream passage solutions for adults.
Diabetes mellitus exacerbates the clinical and electrophysiological features of Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Bae J. S. , Kim Y. J. , Kim J. K.
Published: October 2015

Background and purpose

It is known that underlying diabetes mellitus (DM) can affect the clinical and electrophysiological pattern of coexisting peripheral neuropathies of other etiologies. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of underlying DM on the clinical and electrophysiological features of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) and on the prognosis of GBS with regard to functional outcome.

Methods

This study prospectively included 27 GBS patients with DM (GBS‐DM+) and 58 GBS patients without DM (GBS‐DM−) from two university‐based hospitals. The clinical and electrophysiological findings were compared between the two groups. The functional outcomes were quantified by measuring the Hughes grade, whose values were compared between the groups at 3 months after symptom onset.

Results

All three sudden deaths that occurred during the acute stage of GBS were GBS‐DM+ patients. GBS‐DM+ patients had a tendency toward more frequent sensory involvement, and specific electrophysiological patterns and calculated indices disclosed a distal accentuation of conduction abnormalities in these patients. In addition, multivariate analysis identified history of mechanical ventilation (odds ratio 10.057, 95% confidence interval 2.057−49.164, P = 0.04) and DM (odds ratio 9.049, 95% confidence interval 2.152−38.044, P = 0.003) as independent factors for poor functional outcome at 3 months.

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that DM exacerbates the clinical and electrophysiological features of GBS and influences long‐term disability. Both chronic inflammation and nerve ischaemia in DM may intervene in the disease course of GBS, which is a prototype of acute inflammatory neuropathy.
Electrical stimulation with periodic alternating intervals stimulates neuronal cells to produce neurotrophins and cytokines through activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways
Authors: Yamamoto Kenta , Yamamoto Toshiro , Honjo Kenichi , Ichioka Hiroaki , Oseko Fumishige , Kishida Tsunao , Mazda Osam , Kanamura Narisato
Published: October 2015

Peripheral neuropathy is a representative complication of dental surgery. Electrical therapy, based on electrical stimulation with periodic alternating intervals (ES‐PAI), may promote nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve injury in a non‐invasive manner, potentially providing an effective therapy for neuropathy. This study aimed to analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying the nerve recovery stimulated by ES‐PAI. In brief, ES‐PAI was applied to a neuronal cell line, Neuro2A, at various intensities using the pulse generator apparatus, FREUDE. Cell viability, neurotrophin mRNA expression, and cytokine production were examined using a tetrazolium‐based assay, real‐time RT‐PCR, and ELISA, respectively. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling was assessed using flow cytometry. It was found that ES‐PAI increased the viability of cells and elevated expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3); ESPAI also augmented vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) expression, which was restored by addition of p38 inhibitors. Phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK‐1/2) was augmented by ES‐PAI. Hence, ES‐PAI may ameliorate peripheral neuropathy by promoting neuronal cell proliferation and production of neurogenic factors by activating p38 and ERK‐1/2 pathways.
Is the eccrine gland an integral, functionally important component of the human scalp pilosebaceous unit?
Authors: Poblet Enrique , Jiménez‐Acosta Francisco , Hardman Jonathan A. , Escario Eduardo , Paus Ralf
Published: October 2015

The pilosebaceous unit (PSU) and the eccrine sweat gland (ESG) are classically described as completely independent skin appendages. However, careful inspection of scalp follicular units reveals that the secretory segment of the ESG spatially approximates the hair follicle in a position below the sebaceous gland and the insertion of the arrector pili muscle. Therefore, we propose here that, contrary to conventional wisdom, the PSU and the ESG should not be viewed in isolation, and may form instead, along with the arrector pili muscle and the apocrine gland (where present),one functional unit. For this, we suggest the more inclusive term of ‘Hair Cluster’ (HC). If confirmed, e.g. by 3D imaging techniques, the novel concept of a functional HC, whose individual components may communicate via secreted molecules and may share selected progenitor cell populations for HC repair/regeneration, has major physiological and pathological implications, which are briefly discussed.
Ultraviolet B stimulates proopiomelanocortin signalling in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus in mice
Authors: Skobowiat Cezary , Slominski Andrzej T.
Published: October 2015

We previously found that ultraviolet B (UVB) could stimulate the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) with activation the systemic hypothalamic–pituitary– adrenal (HPA) axis. To investigate whether UVB can also stimulate other hypothalamic nuclei, we tested its effect on the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) related signalling system in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of female C57BL/6 and FVB albino mice. The shaved back skin of the mice was irradiated with either 100 or 400 mJ/cm2 of UVB. After 1, 3, 6 and 12 h, blood and hypothalamus were collected and processed for gene and protein expression, and measurement of α‐MSH and β‐endorphin (β‐END) levels. An in situ immunohistochemical examination was performed for melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) and POMC‐derived α‐MSH. The expression of Pomc and MC4R mRNAs was stimulated, whereas that of AgRP was inhibited after exposure to UVB. It was accompanied by an increased number of both α‐MSH‐ and MC4R‐immunoreactive neurons in the ARC, and by increased levels of α‐MSH and β‐END (both found in the hypothalamus and plasma). This surprising discovery of UVB stimulating the POMC system in the ARC, accompanied by the increased plasma levels of α‐MSH and β‐END, paves the way for exciting areas of research on the communication between the skin and the brain, as well as is suggesting a new role for UVB in regulation of body metabolism.
The Integration of Family and Group Therapy as an Alternative to Juvenile Incarceration: A Quasi‐Experimental Evaluation Using Parenting with Love and Limits
Authors: Karam Eli A. , Sterrett Emma M. , Kiaer Lynn
Published: October 2015

The current study employed a quasi‐experimental design using both intent‐to‐treat and protocol adherence analysis of 155 moderate‐ to high‐risk juvenile offenders to evaluate the effectiveness of Parenting with Love and Limits® (PLL), an integrative group and family therapy approach. Youth completing PLL had significantly lower rates of recidivism than the comparison group. Parents also reported statistically significant improvements in youth behavior. Lengths of service were also significantly shorter for the treatment sample than the matched comparison group by an average of 4 months. This study contributes to the literature by suggesting that intensive community‐based combined family and group treatment is effective in curbing recidivism among high‐risk juveniles.
NF‐κB and HIF crosstalk in immune responses
Authors: D'Ignazio Laura , Bandarra Daniel , Rocha Sonia
Published: October 2015

Hypoxia and inflammation have been associated with a number of pathological conditions, in particular inflammatory diseases. While hypoxia is mainly associated with the activation of hypoxia‐inducible factors (HIFs), inflammation activates the family of transcription factor called nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB). An extensive crosstalk between these two main molecular players involved in hypoxia and inflammation has been demonstrated. This crosstalk includes common activating stimuli, shared regulators and targets. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the role of NF‐κB and HIF in the context of the immune response. We review the crosstalk between HIF and NF‐κB in the control of the immune response in different immune cell types including macrophages, neutrophils and B and T cells. Furthermore the importance of the molecular crosstalk between HIFs and NF‐κB for a variety of medical conditions will be discussed.
Crystal structure of d‐stereospecific amidohydrolase from Streptomyces sp. 82F2 – insight into the structural factors for substrate specificity
Authors: Arima Jiro , Shimone Kana , Miyatani Kazusa , Tsunehara Yuka , Isoda Yoshitaka , Hino Tomoya , Nagano Shingo
Published: October 2015

d‐Stereospecific amidohydrolase (DAH) from Streptomyces sp. 82F2, which catalyzes amide bond formation from d‐aminoacyl esters and l‐amino acids (aminolysis), can be used to synthesize short peptides with a dl‐configuration. We found that DAH can use 1,8‐diaminooctane and other amino compounds as acyl acceptors in the aminolysis reaction. Low concentrations of 1,8‐diaminooctane inhibited acyl‐DAH intermediate formation. By contrast, excess 1,8‐diaminooctane promoted aminolysis by DAH, producing d‐Phe‐1,8‐diaminooctane via nucleophilic attack of the diamine on enzyme‐bound d‐Phe. To clarify the mechanism of substrate specificity and amide bond formation by DAH, the crystal structure of the enzyme that binds 1,8‐diaminooctane was determined at a resolution of 1.49 Å. Comparison of the DAH crystal structure with those of other members of the S12 peptidase family indicated that the substrate specificity of DAH arises from its active site structure. The 1,8‐diaminooctane molecule binds at the entrance of the active site pocket. The electrkon density map showed that another potential 1,8‐diaminooctane binding site, probably with lower affinity, is present close to the active site. The enzyme kinetics and structural comparisons suggest that the location of enzyme‐bound diamine can explain the inhibition of the acyl‐enzyme intermediate formation, although the bound diamine is too far from the active site for aminolysis. Despite difficulty in locating the diamine binding site for aminolysis definitively, we propose that the excess diamine also binds at or near the second binding site to attack the acyl‐enzyme intermediate during aminolysis.

Database

The coordinates and structure factors for d‐stereospecific amidohydrolase have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank at the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics under code: 3WWX.
Nitrogen enrichment weakens ecosystem stability through decreased species asynchrony and population stability in a temperate grassland
Authors: Zhang Yunhai , Loreau Michel , Lü Xiaotao , He Nianpeng , Zhang Guangming , Han Xingguo
Published: October 2015

Biodiversity generally promotes ecosystem stability. To assess whether the diversity–stability relationship observed under ambient nitrogen (N) conditions still holds under N enriched conditions, we designed a 6‐year field experiment to test whether the magnitude and frequency of N enrichment affects ecosystem stability and its relationship with species diversity in a temperate grassland. Results of this experiment showed that the frequency of N addition had no effect on either the temporal stability of ecosystem and population or the relationship between diversity and stability. Nitrogen addition decreased ecosystem stability significantly through decreases in species asynchrony and population stability. Species richness was positively associated with ecosystem stability, but no significant relationship between diversity and the residuals of ecosystem stability was detected after controlling for the effects of the magnitude of N addition, suggesting collinearity between the effects of N addition and species richness on ecosystem stability, with the former prevailing over the latter. Both population stability and the residuals of population stability after controlling for the effects of the magnitude of N addition were positively associated with ecosystem stability, indicating that the stabilizing effects of component populations were still present after N enrichment. Our study supports the theory predicting that the effects of environmental factors on ecosystem functioning are stronger than those of biodiversity. Understanding such mechanisms is important and urgent to protect biodiversity in mediating ecosystem functioning and services in the face of global changes.
Cross‐scale integration of knowledge for predicting species ranges: a metamodelling framework
Authors: Talluto Lauren , Boulangeat Isabelle , Ameztegui Aitor , Aubin Isabelle , Berteaux Dominique , Butler Alyssa , Doyon Frédérik , Drever C. Ronnie , Fortin Marie‐Josée , Franceschini Tony , Liénard Jean , McKenney Dan , Solarik Kevin A. , Strigul Nikolay , Thuiller Wilfried , Gravel Dominique
Published: October 2015

Aim

Current interest in forecasting changes to species ranges has resulted in a multitude of approaches to species distribution models (SDMs). However, most approaches include only a small subset of the available information, and many ignore smaller‐scale processes such as growth, fecundity and dispersal. Furthermore, different approaches often produce divergent predictions with no simple method to reconcile them. Here, we present a flexible framework for integrating models at multiple scales using hierarchical Bayesian methods.

Location

Eastern North America (as an example).

Methods

Our framework builds a metamodel that is constrained by the results of multiple sub‐models and provides probabilistic estimates of species presence. We applied our approach to a simulated dataset to demonstrate the integration of a correlative SDM with a theoretical model. In a second example, we built an integrated model combining the results of a physiological model with presence–absence data for sugar maple (Acer saccharum), an abundant tree native to eastern North America.

Results

For both examples, the integrated models successfully included information from all data sources and substantially improved the characterization of uncertainty. For the second example, the integrated model outperformed the source models with respect to uncertainty when modelling the present range of the species. When projecting into the future, the model provided a consensus view of two models that differed substantially in their predictions. Uncertainty was reduced where the models agreed and was greater where they diverged, providing a more realistic view of the state of knowledge than either source model.

Main conclusions

We conclude by discussing the potential applications of our method and its accessibility to applied ecologists. In ideal cases, our framework can be easily implemented using off‐the‐shelf software. The framework has wide potential for use in species distribution modelling and can drive better integration of multi‐source and multi‐scale data into ecological decision‐making.
Explaining the Relative Frequency of Face‐to‐face Meetings in Cooperative Relationships among Companies: An Econometric Analysis
Authors: Aguiléra Anne , Lethiais Virginie
Published: October 2015

This paper analyses the factors that influence the relative frequency of face‐to‐face meetings when companies cooperate with each other. Specifically, we explore the role of geographical distance between the partners and how it affects the influence of other factors, especially the nature of knowledge and the ability to use information technology. An econometric analysis based on a survey of 338 companies in the Brittany region (France) shows that the factors that influence the relative frequency of face‐to‐face encounters differ according to whether the partners are located within or outside a single region. In particular, the nature of knowledge plays a role only when the partners are remote.
The role of procalcitonin as a marker of diabetic foot ulcer infection
Authors: Massara Mafalda , De Caridi Giovanni , Serra Raffaele , Barillà David , Cutrupi Andrea , Volpe Alberto , Cutrupi Francesco , Alberti Antonino , Volpe Pietro
Published: October 2015

Foot ulcers are frequent in diabetic patients and are responsible for 85% of amputations, especially in the presence of infection. The diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer infection is essentially based on clinical evaluation, but laboratory parameters such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood count (WBC), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and, more recently, procalcitonin (PCT) could aid the diagnosis, especially when clinical signs are misleading. Fifteen diabetic patients with infected foot ulcers were admitted to our department and were compared with an additional group of patients with non‐infected diabetic foot ulcers (NIDFUs). Blood samples were collected from all patients in order to evaluate laboratory markers. In the current study, the diagnostic accuracy of PCT serum levels was evaluated in comparison with other inflammatory markers such as CRP, ESR and WBC as an indicator to make the distinction between infected diabetic foot ulcers (IDFUs) and NIDFUs. CRP, WBC, ESR and especially PCT measurements represent effective biomarkers in the diagnosis of foot infections in diabetic patients particularly when clinical signs are misleading.
Clinical supervision and nursing students' professional competence: support‐seeking behaviour and the attachment styles of students and mentors
Authors: Moked Zahava , Drach‐Zahavy Anat
Published: October 2015

Aims

To examine whether the interdependent attachment style of students is positively related to their support‐seeking behaviour during supervision and whether their over‐dependent and counter‐dependent attachment styles are negatively related to it. Second, to determine whether the mentors' attachment styles moderate the relationship between the students' support‐seeking behaviours and their professional competence, such that this relationship is stronger when supervisors are characterized by higher independent attachment style.

Background

The mentor–student encounter during nursing clinical supervision is expected to create a supportive environment aimed at promoting support‐seeking behaviours and subsequent positive supervision outcomes. Bowlby's attachment theory suggests that the three attachment styles – independent, counter‐dependent and over‐dependent – may have implications for clinical supervision.

Design

A correlative‐prospective study.

Method

One hundred and seventy‐eight students and 66 clinical mentors completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of a clinical supervision session during 2012–2013.

Results

Results demonstrated that high compared with low independent nursing students tended to seek less support. Second, students who seek less support evaluated their professional competence as higher than students who seek more support. Third, mentor's counter‐dependent attachment style moderated the relationship between students' support‐seeking behaviour and their professional competencies.

Conclusions

The results allude to the detrimental meaning of support‐seeking in the eyes of nursing students. Results can guide administrators in promoting supervision processes that are compatible with the students' independent learning style, while also preventing the negative implications of autonomic learning. Furthermore, as mentors' counter‐dependent attachment style can hinder students' support‐seeking, attachment styles should be considered in the selection of mentors.
Genetic markers validate using the natural phenotypic characteristics of shed feathers to identify individual northern goshawks Accipiter gentilis
Authors: Hoy Sarah R. , Ball Rachel E. , Lambin Xavier , Whitfield D. Philip , Marquiss Michael
Published: October 2015

The recognition of individual animals is essential for many types of ecological research, as it enables estimates of demographic parameters such as population size, survival and reproductive rates. A popular method of visually identifying individuals uses natural variations in spot, stripe or scar markings. Although several studies have assessed the accuracy of these methods in mammals, crustaceans and fish, there have been few attempts to determine whether phenotypic characteristics are accurate when used for birds. Furthermore, even less is known about whether shed or moulted body parts can be reliably used to visually identify individuals. Here we assessed the accuracy of using phenotypic characteristics to identify avian individuals using a double‐marking experiment, whereby nine microsatellite genetic markers and natural markings on shed feathers were used to independently identify northern goshawks Accipiter gentilis. Phenotypic and genetic identification of individuals was consistent in 94.4% (51/54) comparisons. Our results suggest that the phenotypic characteristics of shed feathers can be reliably used as a non‐invasive and relatively inexpensive technique to monitor populations of an elusive species, the northern goshawk, without having to physically re‐capture or re‐sight individuals. We posit that using natural markings on shed feathers will also be a reliable method of identifying individuals in avian species with similar phenotypic characteristics, such as other Accipiter species.
The migration of the great snipe Gallinago media: intriguing variations on a grand theme
Authors: Lindström Åke , Alerstam Thomas , Bahlenberg Peter , Ekblom Robert , Fox James W. , Råghall Johan , Klaassen Raymond H. G.
Published: October 2015

The migration of the great snipe Gallinago media was previously poorly known. Three tracks in 2010 suggested a remarkable migratory behaviour including long and fast overland non‐stop flights. Here we present the migration pattern of Swedish male great snipes, based on 19 individuals tracked by light‐level geolocators in four different years. About half of the birds made stopover(s) in northern Europe in early autumn. They left the breeding area 15 d earlier than those which flew directly to sub‐Sahara, suggesting two distinct autumn migration strategies. The autumn trans‐Sahara flights were on average 5500 km long, lasted 64 h, and were flown at ground speeds of 25 m s−1 (90 km h−1). The arrival in the Sahel zone of west Africa coincided with the wet season there, and the birds stayed for on average three weeks. The birds arrived at their wintering grounds around the lower stretches of the Congo River in late September and stayed for seven months. In spring the great snipes made trans‐Sahara flights of similar length and speed as in autumn, but the remaining migration through eastern Europe was notably slow. All birds returned to the breeding grounds within one week around mid‐May. The annual cycle was characterized by relaxed temporal synchronization between individuals during the autumn–winter period, with maximum variation at the arrival in the wintering area. Synchronization increased in spring, with minimum time variation at arrival in the breeding area. This suggests that arrival date in the breeding area is under strong stabilizing selection, while there is room for more flexibility in autumn and arrival to the wintering area. The details of the fast non‐stop flights remain to be elucidated, but the identification of the main stopover and wintering areas is important for future conservation work on this red‐listed bird species.
The risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy – a re‐examination using a sibling design
Authors: Obel Carsten , Zhu Jin Liang , Olsen Jørn , Breining Sanni , Li Jiong , Grønborg Therese K. , Gissler Mika , Rutter Michael
Published: October 2015

Background

Conventional cohort studies have consistently shown that exposure to maternal smoking in pregnancy is associated with about twice the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the offspring. However, recent studies using alternative designs to disentangle the effect of social and genetic confounders have suggested that confounding may account for the association. In this study we aimed to estimate the association by a sibling design.

Methods

We used a design with half and full siblings in a Danish national register‐based cohort on all singletons born between January 1991 and December 2006 and followed until January 2011. Data were available for 90% (N = 968,665) of the singleton live births in the period. We used the combination of the International Classification of Diseases (10th version) diagnosis of hyperkinetic disorder (HKD) and ADHD medication to identify children. We used sibling‐matched (conditional) Cox regression to control social and genetic confounding.

Results

Using conventional cohort analyses, we found the expected association between pregnancy smoking and offspring ADHD (adjusted HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.94–2.07). In the sibling analysis, however, we did not detect such a strong association (adjusted HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.94–1.22). There was no difference between results for half‐ and full sibling analyses. The link between pregnancy smoking and low birth weight remained robust in the sibling design (adjusted OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.33–2.12).

Conclusions

We found no support for prenatal smoking as a strong causal factor in ADHD. Our findings suggest that the strong association found in most previous epidemiological studies is likely to be due to a strong link between maternal smoking and maternal ADHD genetics or shared family environment. Pregnant women should still be encouraged to stop smoking because of other risks, but we have no reason to believe that this would reduce the risk of ADHD in the offspring.
Parasitism, host feeding and immature development of Encarsia formosa reared from Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci on Trialeurodes ricini
Authors: Wang X.‐S. , Chen Q.‐Z. , Zhang S.‐Z. , Liu T.‐X.
Published: October 2015

Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a thelytokous parasitoid, is an important biological control agent of whiteflies because of its outstanding reproduction and host‐feeding ability. In this study, we evaluated the parasitism, host feeding and developmental time of E. formosa populations reared on Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (EFT) or on Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (EFB) when different nymphal instars of the castor whitefly, Trialeurodes ricini (Misra), were offered as hosts, with an aim to understand the preference of the parasitoid on nymphal instars of T. ricini. Experiments were conducted on castor bean plants at 26 ± 2°C, 50–60% RH and 16 : 8 (L : D) photoperiod. The results showed that E. formosa successfully oviposited and fed on all nymphal instars of T. ricini. However, numbers of the first instars fed on by the E. formosa populations reared on T. vaporariorum (EFT) and B. tabaci (EFB) were significantly greater (45.9 and 31.3, respectively) than those of the second (EFT: 30.4 and EFB: 15.8), the third (EFT: 22.4 and EFB: 13.2) and the fourth nymphal instars (EFT: 6.0 and EFB: 3.8). The number of T. ricini nymphs parasitized by E. formosa varied significantly among different instars, and the parasitism rates on the first instar (EFT: 15.2; EFB: 7.7) and fourth instar (EFT: 19.3; EFB: 4.9) were greater than those on the second and third instars. Encarsia formosa reared on T. vaporariorum had a significantly higher host feeding and ovipositing potential on T. ricini than EFB. When parasitizing the fourth instar nymphs, E. formosa completed development in a significantly shorter time (12.9 day) than when ovipositing in other instars (17.8–19.1 day). These results showed that EFT had a better host adaption than EFB. The information from this study should be useful for us to better understand the performance and nymphal preference of E. formosa from T. vaporariorum and B. tabaci when they parasitized and fed on T. ricini, and the interactions of parasitoids with different host whitefly species.
To Madagascar and back: long‐distance, return migration across open ocean by a pregnant female bull shark Carcharhinus leucas
Authors: Lea J. S. E. , Humphries N. E. , Clarke C. R. , Sims D. W.
Published: October 2015

A large, pregnant, female bull shark Carcharhinus leucas was tracked migrating from Seychelles across open ocean to south‐east Madagascar, c. 2000 km away, and back again. In Madagascar, the shark spent a prolonged period shallower than 5 m, consistent with entering estuarine habitat to pup, and upon return to Seychelles the shark was slender and no longer gravid. This represents an unprecedented return migration across the open ocean for a C. leucas and highlights the need for international collaboration to manage the regional C. leucas population sustainably.
The behaviour and recovery of juvenile lemon sharks Negaprion brevirostris in response to external accelerometer tag attachment
Authors: Bullock R. W. , Guttridge T. L. , Cowx I. G. , Elliott M. , Gruber S. H.
Published: October 2015

Behavioural responses of lemon sharks Negaprion brevirostris to a fin‐mounted tag package (CEFAS G6A tri‐axial accelerometer with epoxied Sonotronics PT4 acoustic transmitter) were measured in a controlled captive environment (n = 10, total length, LT range 80–140 cm) and in free‐ranging sharks upon release (n = 7, LT range100–160 cm). No changes were detected in behaviour (i.e. swimming speed, tailbeat frequency, time spent resting and frequency of chafing) between control and tagged captive shark trials, suggesting that the tag package itself does not alter behaviour. In the free‐ranging trials, an initial period of elevated swimming activity was found in all individuals (represented by overall dynamic body acceleration). Negaprion brevirostris, however, appeared to recover quickly, returning to a steady swimming state between 2 and 35 min after release. Post‐release tracking found that all sharks swim immediately for the shoreline and remain within 100 m of shore for prolonged periods. Hence, although N. brevirostris are capable of quick adaptation to stressors and demonstrate rapid recovery in terms of activity, tracking data suggest that they may modify their spatial use patterns post release. This research is important in separating deviation in behaviour due to environmental stressors from artefacts caused by experimental techniques.
The anterior process of the malleus in Cetartiodactyla
Authors: Maier Wolfgang , Ruf Irina
Published: October 2015

The anterior fixation of the anterior process of the malleus has been studied in a number of Cetartiodactyla. This anterior process, also known as processus gracilis, is provided by the prearticular (gonial), a dermal bone, whereas the cartilage of Meckel becomes resorbed in perinatal ontogenetic stages. Posteriorly, the prearticular fuses with the cartilaginous caput of the malleus; rostrally, the prearticular (= processus gracilis) is always fixed to the anterior crus of the ectotympanic by an extremely thin splint (thickness < 50 μm). From the rostral part of the processus gracilis all studied cetartiodactyls develop a processus internus of considerable size. This process was known as ‘ossiculum accessorium mallei’ in former times, and its homology has been disputed; from our microscopic‐anatomical study we can definitely state that it is always a ‘processus internus praearticularis’. This process contacts the fascia of the tensor tympani muscle. In non‐ruminants, it articulates dorsally with the tegmen tympani and dorsolaterally with the ectotympanic; whereas the processus gracilis becomes more and more slender, the processus internus may grow to considerable size and normally is fused to the adjacent bones already in juveniles. However, in ruminants, the tegmen tympani tends to disappear and the processus internus praearticularis appears as relatively small bony knob at the floor of the medial cranial cavity, and it seems not to be fused to the surrounding bones; in later age stages, it may become secondarily overgrown by the petrosal. This dorsally exposed processus internus praearticularis seems to be a synapomorphy of the Ruminantia. The functional meaning of this internal process of the prearticular, which is also developed to a minor degree in Carnivora, remains unclear at the moment – but we present some speculations about this.
Inhomogeneity of collagen organization within the fibrotic scar after myocardial infarction: results in a swine model and in human samples
Authors: Hervas Arantxa , Ruiz‐Sauri Amparo , de Dios Elena , Forteza Maria Jose , Minana Gema , Nunez Julio , Gomez Cristina , Bonanad Clara , Perez‐Sole Nerea , Gavara Jose , Chorro Francisco Javier , Bodi Vicente
Published: October 2015

We aimed to characterize the organization of collagen within a fibrotic scar in swine and human samples from patients with chronic infarctions. Swine were subjected to occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by reperfusion 1 week (acute myocardial infarction group) or 1 month (chronic myocardial infarction group) after infarction. The organization of the collagen fibers (Fast Fourier Transform of samples after picrosirius staining; higher values indicate more disorganization) was studied in 100 swine and 95 human samples. No differences in collagen organization were found between the acute and chronic groups in the core area of the scar in the experimental model. In the chronic group, the endocardium [0.90 (0.84–0.94); median (interquartile range)], epicardium [0.84 (0.79–0.91)] and peripheral area [0.73 (0.63–0.83)] displayed a much more disorganized pattern than the core area of the fibrotic scar [0.56 (0.45–0.64)]. Similarly, in human samples, the collagen fibers were more disorganized in all of the outer areas than in the core of the fibrotic scar (P < 0.0001). Both in a highly controlled experimental model and in patient samples, collagen fibers exhibited an organized pattern in the core of the infarction, whereas the outer areas displayed a high level of inhomogeneity. This finding contributes pathophysiological information regarding the healing process and may lead to a clearer understanding of the genesis and invasive treatment of arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction.
Quantitative imaging of tissue sections using infrared scanning technology
Authors: Eaton Samantha L. , Cumyn Elizabeth , King Declan , Kline Rachel A. , Carpanini Sarah M. , Del‐Pozo Jorge , Barron Rona , Wishart Thomas M.
Published: October 2015

Quantification of immunohistochemically (IHC) labelled tissue sections typically yields semi‐quantitative results. Visualising infrared (IR) ‘tags’, with an appropriate scanner, provides an alternative system where the linear nature of the IR fluorophore emittance enables realistic quantitative fluorescence IHC (QFIHC). Importantly, this new technology enables entire tissue sections to be scanned, allowing accurate area and protein abundance measurements to be calculated from rapidly acquired images. Here, some of the potential benefits of using IR‐based tissue imaging are examined, and the following are demonstrated. Firstly, image capture and analysis using IR‐based scanning technology yields comparable area‐based quantification to those obtained from a modern high‐resolution digital slide scanner. Secondly, IR‐based dual target visualisation and expression‐based quantification is rapid and simple. Thirdly, IR‐based relative protein abundance QIHC measurements are an accurate reflection of tissue sample protein abundance, as demonstrated by comparison with quantitative fluorescent Western blotting data. In summary, it is proposed that IR‐based QFIHC provides an alternative method of rapid whole‐tissue section low‐resolution imaging for the production of reliable and accurate quantitative data.
Nurses’ attitude and intention of medication administration error reporting
Authors: Hung Chang‐Chiao , Chu Tsui‐Ping , Lee Bih‐O , Hsiao Chia‐Chi
Published: October 2015

Aims and objectives

The Aims of this study were to explore the effects of nurses’ attitudes and intentions regarding medication administration error reporting on actual reporting behaviours.

Background

Underreporting of medication errors is still a common occurrence. Whether attitude and intention towards medication administration error reporting connect to actual reporting behaviours remain unclear.

Design

This study used a cross‐sectional design with self‐administered questionnaires, and the theory of planned behaviour was used as the framework for this study.

Methods

A total of 596 staff nurses who worked in general wards and intensive care units in a hospital were invited to participate in this study. The researchers used the instruments measuring nurses’ attitude, nurse managers’ and co‐workers’ attitude, report control, and nurses’ intention to predict nurses’ actual reporting behaviours. Data were collected from September–November 2013. Path analyses were used to examine the hypothesized model.

Results

Of the 596 nurses invited to participate, 548 (92%) completed and returned a valid questionnaire. The findings indicated that nurse managers’ and co‐workers’ attitudes are predictors for nurses’ attitudes towards medication administration error reporting. Nurses’ attitudes also influenced their intention to report medication administration errors; however, no connection was found between intention and actual reporting behaviour.

Conclusions

The findings reflected links among colleague perspectives, nurses’ attitudes, and intention to report medication administration errors. The researchers suggest that hospitals should increase nurses’ awareness and recognition of error occurrence.

Relevance to clinical practice

Regardless of nurse managers’ and co‐workers’ attitudes towards medication administration error reporting, nurses are likely to report medication administration errors if they detect them. Management of medication administration errors should focus on increasing nurses’ awareness and recognition of error occurrence.
Reduced healthcare utilization following successful hepatitis C virus treatment in HIV‐co‐infected patients with mild liver disease
Authors: Padam P. , Clark S. , Irving W. , Gellissen R. , Thomson E. , Main J. , Cooke G. S.
Published: October 2015

New direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have achieved high cure rates in many patient groups previously considered difficult‐to‐treat, including those HIV/HCV co‐infected. The high price of these medications is likely to limit access to treatment, at least in the short term. Early treatment priority is likely to be given to those with advanced disease, but a more detailed understanding of the potential benefits in treating those with mild disease is needed. We hypothesized that successful HCV treatment within a co‐infected population with mild liver disease would lead to a reduction in the use and costs of healthcare services in the 5 years following treatment completion. We performed a retrospective cohort study of HIV/HCV‐co‐infected patients without evidence of fibrosis/cirrhosis who received a course of HCV therapy between 2004 and 2013. Detailed analysis of healthcare utilization up to 5 years following treatment for each patient using clinical and electronic records was used to estimate healthcare costs. Sixty‐three patients were investigated, of whom 48 of 63 (76.2%) achieved sustained virological response 12 weeks following completion of therapy (SVR12). Individuals achieving SVR12 incurred lower health utilization costs (£5000 per‐patient) compared to (£10 775 per‐patient) non‐SVR patients in the 5 years after treatment. Healthcare utilization rates and costs in the immediate 5 years following treatment were significantly higher in co‐infected patients with mild disease that failed to achieve SVR12. These data suggest additional value to achieving cure beyond the prevention of complications of disease.
Multiple estimates of effective population size for monitoring a long‐lived vertebrate: an application to Yellowstone grizzly bears
Authors: Kamath Pauline L. , Haroldson Mark A. , Luikart Gordon , Paetkau David , Whitman Craig , van Manen Frank T.
Published: October 2015

Effective population size (Ne) is a key parameter for monitoring the genetic health of threatened populations because it reflects a population's evolutionary potential and risk of extinction due to genetic stochasticity. However, its application to wildlife monitoring has been limited because it is difficult to measure in natural populations. The isolated and well‐studied population of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem provides a rare opportunity to examine the usefulness of different Ne estimators for monitoring. We genotyped 729 Yellowstone grizzly bears using 20 microsatellites and applied three single‐sample estimators to examine contemporary trends in generation interval (GI), effective number of breeders (Nb) and Ne during 1982–2007. We also used multisample methods to estimate variance (NeV) and inbreeding Ne (NeI). Single‐sample estimates revealed positive trajectories, with over a fourfold increase in Ne (≈100 to 450) and near doubling of the GI (≈8 to 14) from the 1980s to 2000s. NeV (240–319) and NeI (256) were comparable with the harmonic mean single‐sample Ne (213) over the time period. Reanalysing historical data, we found NeV increased from ≈80 in the 1910s–1960s to ≈280 in the contemporary population. The estimated ratio of effective to total census size (Ne/Nc) was stable and high (0.42–0.66) compared to previous brown bear studies. These results support independent demographic evidence for Yellowstone grizzly bear population growth since the 1980s. They further demonstrate how genetic monitoring of Ne can complement demographic‐based monitoring of Nc and vital rates, providing a valuable tool for wildlife managers.
Solicited kidney donors: Are they coerced?
Authors: Serur David , Bretzlaff Gretchen , Christos Paul , Desrosiers Farrah , Charlton Marian
Published: October 2015

Most non‐directed donors (NDDs) decide to donate on their own and contact the transplant centre directly. Some NDDs decide to donate in response to community solicitation such as newspaper ads or donor drives. We wished to explore whether subtle coercion might be occurring in such NDDs who are part of a larger community. One successful organization in a community in Brooklyn, NY, provides about 50 NDDs per year for recipients within that community. The donors answer ads in local papers and attend donor drives. Herein, we evaluated the physical and emotional outcomes of community‐solicited NDDs in comparison to traditional NDDs who come from varied communities and are not responding to a specific call for donation. An assessment of coercion was used as well.