bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluctuations of the Intraocular Pressure in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Normal Eyes Measured by a Contact Lens Sensor
Authors: Tojo Naoki , Hayashi Atsushi , Otsuka Mitsuya , Miyakoshi Akio
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

We compared the fluctuation of the intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PE) and individuals with normal healthy eyes. We measured continuous IOP using a SENSIMED Triggerfish contact lens sensor (CLS).

Methods:

Eleven eyes with PE and 11 healthy eyes were examined. In all 22 participants, the IOP fluctuation was measured continuously for 24 hours with a CLS. The CLS could measure every 5 minutes. We evaluated IOP fluctuations over the 24-hour period separately for diurnal IOP and nocturnal IOP. We also identified each participant’s maximum value. Changes in the corneal thickness and the corneal curvature were measured before and after the CLS use with anterior-segment optical coherence tomography.

Results:

The mean IOP within the PE eyes was 20.3±3.9 mm Hg and that in the healthy eyes was 13.1±2.1 mm Hg (P<0.001). The 24-hour range of IOP fluctuations in the PE group was significantly larger than that in the healthy group (P=0.004). The central corneal thickness was significantly thicker after CLS use (P=0.011). The steeper meridian changed slightly to myopia (P=0.0068). All healthy eyes had their maximum value during the nocturnal period, whereas 7 of the 11 PE eyes (64%) had their maximum value in the nocturnal period.

Conclusions:

The IOP fluctuation was larger in the eyes with PE than in the healthy eyes. This larger fluctuation might be one of the reasons underlying the aggravation of the visual field by PE. Measurements of 24-hour continuous IOP might be useful to evaluate IOP fluctuation.
A Systematic Review of Relaxation, Meditation, and Guided Imagery Strategies for Symptom Management in Heart Failure
Authors: Kwekkeboom Kristine L. , Bratzke Lisa C.
Published: June 2015

Background:

Pain, dyspnea, fatigue, and sleep disturbance are prevalent and distressing symptoms in persons with advanced heart failure. Although many lifestyle and self-care interventions have been developed to control heart failure progression, very few studies have explored treatments exclusively for symptom palliation. Cognitive-behavioral strategies may be effective treatment for these symptoms in advanced heart failure.

Objective:

A systemic review was conducted to describe the effect of cognitive-behavioral strategies on pain, dyspnea, fatigue, and sleep disturbance in patients with heart failure.

Methods:

CINAHL, Medline, and PsychINFO were searched from inception through December 2014. Articles were selected for inclusion if they tested a cognitive-behavioral strategy using a quasi-experimental or experimental design, involved a sample of adults with heart failure, and measured pain, dyspnea, fatigue, sleep disturbance, or symptom-related quality of life. The 2 authors evaluated study quality, abstracted data elements from each study, and synthesized findings.

Results:

Thirteen articles describing 9 unique studies met criteria and were included in the review. Five studies tested relaxation strategies, 3 tested meditation strategies, and 1 tested a guided imagery strategy. Of the 9 studies, 7 demonstrated some improvement in symptom outcomes. Relaxation, meditation, guided imagery, or combinations of these strategies resulted in less dyspnea and better sleep compared with attention control or usual care conditions and reduced pain, dyspnea, fatigue, and sleep disturbance within treatment groups (pretreatment to posttreatment). Symptom-related quality of life was improved with meditation compared with attention control and usual care conditions and improved pre– to post–guided imagery.

Conclusions:

Studies exploring cognitive-behavioral symptom management strategies in heart failure vary in quality and report mixed findings but indicate potential beneficial effects of relaxation, meditation, and guided imagery on heart failure-related symptoms. Future research should test cognitive-behavioral strategies in rigorously designed efficacy trials, using samples selected for their symptom experience, and measure pain, dyspnea, fatigue, and sleep disturbance outcomes with targeted symptom measures.
Interplay Between MMP-9 and TIMP-2 Regulates Ameloblastoma Behavior and Tooth Morphogenesis
Authors: Nunia Kalpana , Urs Aadithya B. , Kumar Priya
Published: June 2015

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) have been implicated in the local invasiveness of ameloblastoma. This study aims to assess the role of MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in regulating tumor progression in ameloblastomas, taking tooth germs as control. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 4 tooth germs and 32 ameloblastomas were immunohistochemically examined using antibodies against MMP-9 and TIMP-2. Strong MMP-9 positivity was seen in the epithelial component in both controls and solid multicystic ameloblastoma. Statistically significant difference was observed in the mean stromal MMP-9 immunoscores between follicular, acanthomatous, and granular ameloblastoma when compared with the tooth germ (P=0.004). TIMP-2 expression in the epithelial and mesenchymal components of solid multicystic ameloblastoma and tooth germ was weak as compared with MMP-9 expression. Highest mean epithelial TIMP-2 immunoscore was observed in follicular ameloblastoma and the difference was statistically significant between follicular and granular ameloblastoma (P=0.05). The comparison of mean stromal TIMP-2 immunoscores showed statistically significant difference between follicular subtype and tooth germ (P=0.048), with tooth germ showing least expression among the groups studied. Strong stromal expression of MMP-9 in ameloblastoma compared with tooth germ mesenchyme indicated the possibility of tumor induction with release of growth factors and cytokines, resulting in invasiveness of ameloblastoma. Epithelial TIMP-2 expression was associated with the least and most aggressive behavior of follicular and granular cell ameloblastoma, respectively. Stromal TIMP-2 expression reflected its role in regulating tumor progression in ameloblastoma and in regulating developmental processes in tooth germs by their inhibitory effect on MMP-9.
The Prognostic Role of Ezrin and HER2/neu Expression in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Abdou Asmaa G. , Kandil Mona , Asaad Nancy Y. , Dawoud Marwa M. , Shahin Ahmed A. , Abd Eldayem Amal F.
Published: June 2015

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in Egypt. Ezrin is involved in cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix and in cell-cell interactions facilitating metastasis. HER2/neu is overexpressed in breast cancer and other types of cancer. This study aimed to assess the expression of ezrin and HER2/neu in 57 primary osteosarcoma cases and to correlate their expression with the available clinicopathologic parameters and the overall, metastasis-free and event-free survival. Both ezrin and HER2/neu were not expressed in the normal bone and they were upregulated in 82.5% and 71.9% of osteosarcoma, respectively. Positive ezrin expression was significantly associated with young age (below 25 y) (P=0.01), high grade (P=0.001), and short survival time (P=0.0001). Positive HER2/neu expression was significantly associated with high-grade osteosarcoma (P=0.04). Membranous HER2/neu expression was the only factor that showed significant impact on metastasis-free (P=0.002) and event-free survival (P=0.002). Ezrin was significantly correlated with HER2/neu expression (P=0.02). Advanced stage (P=0.0001), metastasis (P=0.0001), and recurrence (P=0.01) were the factors affecting the overall survival of osteosarcoma patients. Ezrin and HER2/neu are overexpressed and coexpressed in osteosarcoma with adverse prognostic features such as high grade. Membranous pattern of HER2/neu seems to be more important than the cytoplasmic pattern because of its impact on metastasis-free and event-free survival. Therefore, ezrin and HER2/neu could be potential prognostic markers and treatment targets for osteosarcoma.
VP22 core domain from Herpes simplex virus 1 reveals a surprising structural conservation in both the Alpha- and Gammaherpesvirinae subfamilies
Authors: Hew Kelly , Dahlroth Sue-Li , Pan Lucy Xin , Cornvik Tobias , Nordlund Pär
Published: June 2015

The viral tegument is a layer of proteins between the herpesvirus capsid and its outer envelope. According to phylogenetic studies, only a third of these proteins are conserved amongst the three subfamilies (Alpha-, Beta- and Gammaherpesvirinae) of the family Herpesviridae. Although some of these tegument proteins have been studied in more detail, the structure and function of the majority of them are still poorly characterized. VP22 from Herpes simplex virus 1 (subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae) is a highly interacting tegument protein that has been associated with tegument assembly. We have determined the crystal structure of the conserved core domain of VP22, which reveals an elongated dimer with several potential protein–protein interaction regions and a peptide-binding site. The structure provides us with the structural basics to understand the numerous functional mutagenesis studies of VP22 found in the literature. It also establishes an unexpected structural homology to the tegument protein ORF52 from Murid herpesvirus 68 (subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae). Homologues for both VP22 and ORF52 have been identified in their respective subfamilies. Although there is no obvious sequence overlap in the two subfamilies, this structural conservation provides compelling structural evidence for shared ancestry and functional conservation.
Pathways to accountant fraud: Australian evidence and analysis
Authors: Andon Paul , Free Clinton , Scard Benjamin
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore pathways to fraud perpetrated in accounting-related roles, focusing both on situationally driven attitudes and contextual elements.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on an anomie-based criminological taxonomy developed by Waringet al.(1995) and Weisburd and Waring (2001), which highlights individual attitudes and situational elements and their connection to illegitimate behaviour, the authors perform a qualitative content analysis of available media and court-reported information on a hand-collected database of 192 accountant frauds in Australia during the period 2001-2011.

Findings

– The analysis highlights four distinct pathways to accountant fraud – crisis responders, opportunity takers, opportunity seekers and deviance seekers – and the relative distribution of identified cases among these pathways. It also identifies the prevalence of gambling, female offenders, small and medium enterprises as victims, as factors in fraud, as well as the relatively unsophisticated methods in much accountant fraud. In addition, it establishes the importance of situational attitude in moderating inherent character as it relates to fraudulent behaviour and the variable importance of the fraud triangle elements across the pathways to accountant fraud.

Originality/value

– This paper provides direct evidence on the nature and pathways to accountant fraud, thus improving understanding of a significant category of occupational fraud. The evidence challenges conventional characterisations of accountant fraud offenders in prior research.
Critical success factors of supply chain management: a literature survey and Pareto analysis
Authors: Ab Talib Mohamed Syazwan , Abdul Hamid Abu Bakar , Thoo Ai Chin
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is three pronged. First, to review the existing critical success factors (CSF) literature in the context of supply chain management (SCM). Second, to analyze the occurrence frequency of every possible CSF in SCM literature. Third, to identify the “vital few” and the “useful many” CSF that are harmonized across the SCM field.

Design/methodology/approach

– A time-specific and term-sensitive literature review technique is undertaken to generate a list of possible CSF in SCM. The review yielded 55 papers, but only 26 empirical CSF papers were selected for analysis as the reliability and validity of the factors had been rigorously tested. Consequently, a Pareto analysis approach was applied to trace the CSF frequency of occurrence in SCM literature. By performing a Pareto analysis, this present study is able to identify and categorize the “vital few” and “useful many” CSF that are consistent throughout various fields of SCM. The review and results are tabulated and a Pareto diagram has been constructed to provide a summary of findings.

Findings

– Out of the 26 selected empirical papers, 25 potent CSF in SCM literature have been extracted. From the Pareto analysis, nine CSF represent 80.68 percentage of occurrence which is regarded as the “vital few” CSF in SCM. The remaining 16 CSF represent 19.32 percentage of occurrence and is regarded as the “useful many” CSF in SCM. The nine “vital CSF” are immensely important, because in order to achieve supply chain and operation success, one must recognize the few vital factors that are responsible for the larger impact onto the industry compared to the other 16 “useful many” CSF.

Practical implications

– The study offers some sense of assistance to SCM managers in highlighting the vital few CSF that matter most, regardless of their nature of SCM fields. Thus, saving their energy, time, and resources in determining the critical pieces of information. For academicians, this study provides a platform for future SCM CSF research and the results could aid researchers in developing the research instrument.

Originality/value

– This study is the first attempt to apply Pareto analysis for SCM CSF studies and critically analyzing a wide range of SCM CSF literature. The result could allow supply chain managers to focus on the internal factors, as it could implicate the external factors, and is vital for sustainable supply chain operation, plus, it could stimulate potential researcher opportunities in linking SCM CSF and firm performance.
Effect of position and height of a shield on convective heat transfer performances of plate fin heat sink
Authors: Bouchenafa Rachid , Saim Rachid , Abboudi Said , Öztop Hakan  F.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the thermal and dynamic performance of the plate-fin heat sink fitted with a shield in the bypass.

Design/methodology/approach

– The governing equations were solved using the finite volume method based on the SIMPLE algorithm. The k-ω Shear Stress Transport was used to model turbulence. The thermal and dynamic results were presented in term of average Nusselt number and friction factor, respectively. The effect of the height (Hs=6, 10 and 13) and the position (X=0, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 and 3/4) of the shield was studied for a Reynolds number ranging from 2×103 to 12×103 and compared with a heat sink without shield. To evaluate the performance of different heat sink geometries, the efficiency was presented and discussed.

Findings

– By adding a shield in the bypass, a greater amount of air is injected between the heat sink fins, which improves the heat transfer (advantage) of the one part, and increases the friction on the other hand (disadvantage). The efficiency of the heat sink varies inversely proportional with the Reynolds number.

Originality/value

– The originality of this work is the method for enhancement of heat transfer.
Information and punitiveness: trial reconstruction in Ireland
Authors: Sato Mai , Hough Mike
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report results from a rape trial reconstruction in Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

– A studio audience of 100 members of the Irish public were selected to attend a TV programme by the Republic of Ireland’s national broadcasting organisation. This involved the examination of the sentencing of a rape case. The audience’s sentencing preferences were measured at the outset, when they had been given only summary information about the case, and later, when full details had been disclosed.

Findings

– Previous research examining changes in public attitudes to crime and punishment has shown that deliberation, including the provision of new information and discussion with others and experts, tends to decrease public punitiveness and increase public leniency towards sentencing. An experiment in Ireland, however, showed that providing information does not invariably and necessarily moderate punitive attitudes. This paper presents the results, and offers some explanations for the anomalous outcome.

Research limitations/implications

– The pre/post design, in which the audience served as their own controls, is a weak one, and participants may have responded to what they took to be the agenda of the producers. Due to the quality of the sample, the results may not be generalisable to the broader Irish population.

Practical implications

– Policy makers should recognise that the public is not uniformly punitive for all crimes. There is good research evidence to show that the apparent public appetite for tough punishment is illusory, and is a function of the way that polls measure public attitudes to punishment. Sentencers and those responsible for sentencing policy would benefit from a fuller understanding of the sorts of cases which illicit strong punitive responses from the public, and the reasons for this response. However any such understanding should not simply translate into responsiveness to the public’s punitive sentiments – where these exist. Innovative survey methods – like this experiment – which attempt to look beyond the top-of-the-head opinions by providing information and opportunities for deliberation should be welcomed and used more widely.

Originality/value

– There have been limited research studies which reports factors which may increase punitiveness through the provision of information and deliberation.
‘Gay Enclaves Face Prospect of Being PassÉ': How Assimilation Affects the Spatial Expressions of Sexuality in the United States
Authors: Ghaziani Amin
Published: June 2015

Journalists, activists and academics alike predict that gay neighborhoods in the United States will disappear, yet many of their claims are unsubstantiated or overly determined by economic factors. This article examines 40 years of media accounts to identify the mechanisms that explain why these urban areas are changing. I begin with the observation that the rate of assimilation of sexual minorities into mainstream society has accelerated in today's so‐called ‘post‐gay' era. Assimilation expands the residential imagination of gays and lesbians beyond the boundaries of a specific neighborhood to the entire city itself. Furthermore, as sexual orientation recedes in centrality in everyday life, residents opine that few care if a person self‐identifies as gay or straight. These two respective mechanisms of expansion and cultural sameness bring existing economic wisdom into dialogue with a cultural and political perspective about how our shifting understandings of sexuality also affect the decisions we make about where to live and socialize.
Efflux pump‐deficient mutants as a platform to search for microbes that produce antibiotics
Authors: Molina‐Santiago Carlos , Udaondo Zulema , Daddaoua Abdelali , Roca Amalia , Martín Jesús , Pérez‐Victoria Ignacio , Reyes Fernando , Ramos Juan‐Luis
Published: June 2015

Pseudomonas putida DOT‐T1E‐18 is a strain deficient in the major antibiotic efflux pump (TtgABC) that exhibits an overall increased susceptibility to a wide range of drugs when compared with the wild‐type strain. We used this strain as a platform to search for microbes able to produce antibiotics that inhibit growth. A collection of 2400 isolates from soil, sediments and water was generated and a drop assay developed to identify, via growth inhibition halos, strains that prevent the growth of DOT‐T1E‐18 on solid Luria–Bertani plates. In this study, 35 different isolates that produced known and unknown antibiotics were identified. The most potent inhibitor of DOT‐T1E‐18 growth was an isolate named 250J that, through multi‐locus sequence analysis, was identified as a Pseudomonas sp. strain. Culture supernatants of 250J contain four different xantholysins that prevent growth of Gram‐positive bacteria, Gram‐negative and fungi. Two of the xantholysins were produced in higher concentrations and purified. Xantholysin A was effective against Bacillus, Lysinibacillus and Rhodococcus strains, and the effect against these microbes was enhanced when used in combination with other antibiotics such as ampicillin, gentamicin and kanamycin. Xantholysin C was also efficient against Gram‐positive bacteria and showed an interesting antimicrobial effect against Pseudomonas strains, and a synergistic inhibitory effect with ampicillin, chloramphenicol and gentamicin.
An international perspective of advanced practice nursing regulation
Authors: Heale R. , Rieck Buckley C.
Published: June 2015

Background

There is no common understanding about the role of the advanced practice nurse across the globe and there is wide variation in the regulation of advanced practice nursing roles as well as their educational, licensing and credentialing requirements.

Aim

The goal of this research was to examine the status of advanced practice nursing regulation globally.

Methods

An online survey link was emailed to National Nursing Associations and nursing health policy makers worldwide from June to December 2011. Questions focused on regulation, education, scope of practice, and barriers and opposition. Analysis included frequency statistics and descriptive data for survey questions and content analysis for two open‐ended questions.

Limitations

The survey was offered online and only in English. Therefore, technology and language barriers may have influenced the results.

Results

There is wide variation in educational requirements, regulation and scope of practice of advanced practice nurses. The barriers to advanced practice nursing are often linked to the status of legislation and credentialing in specific jurisdictions.

Conclusion

A database of advanced practice nursing regulation and issues related to practice has the potential to become a valuable resource for individual countries.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Each country has unique challenges related to health policy for advanced practice nursing roles. International nursing organizations have established programmes for regulation development; however, a stronger focus on monitoring regulation and more effective dissemination of information about available supports may have a bigger impact on the development and revision of health policy related to advanced practice nursing.
From new findings in acne pathogenesis to new approaches in treatment
Authors: Gollnick H. P. M.
Published: June 2015

Acne is a chronic disease of the pilosebaceous unit which is most common during adolescence. Four factors are believed to play a key role in the development of acne lesions: excess sebum production, disturbed keratinization within the follicle, colonization of the pilosebaceous duct by Propionibacterium acnes, and the release of inflammatory mediators into the skin. Consequently, in order to effectively and rapidly reduce acne lesions, treatments need to address as many of these underlying factors as possible. Currently, about half of patients have poor adherence to acne treatments. To overcome this limitation, treatments need to be developed which are well tolerated by patients, and easy for them to use, handle and apply. Topical monotherapies for acne such as retinoids and antimicrobials by themselves have a restricted range of actions against the pathogenic factors of acne. Instead, the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne Group recommends combination therapy with a topical retinoid and an antimicrobial agent as the preferred approach for almost all acne patients. The principal advantage of such combinations is that they target more of the underlying pathogenic factors of acne than individual monotherapies and this results in faster and more complete clearing of acne lesions. Fixed‐dose combinations are also more convenient than applying two medications separately, which leads to improved adherence with the regimen. By normalizing desquamation, the retinoid component of these combinations allows entry of the antimicrobial agent into the pilosebaceous unit resulting in faster clearance of P. acnes. In conclusion, topical retinoid/antimicrobial fixed‐dose combinations represent a rational approach for the treatment of acne. They should be considered as the cornerstone of acne management and should be used much more in the future.
Pressure placed on paediatric haematopoietic stem cell donors: Views from health professionals
Authors: Then Shih‐Ning
Published: June 2015

Aim

Paediatric haematopoietic stem cell donors undergo non‐therapeutic procedures and endure known and unknown physical and psychosocial risks for the benefit of a family member. One ethical concern is the risk that they may be pressured by parents or health professionals to act as a donor. This paper adds to what is known about this topic by presenting the views of health professionals.

Methods

This qualitative study involved semi‐structured interviews with 14 health professionals in Australasia experienced in dealing with paediatric donors. Transcripts were analysed using established qualitative methodologies.

Results

Health professionals considered that some paediatric donors experience pressure to donate. Situations that were likely to increase the risk of pressure being placed on donors were identified, and views were expressed about the ethical ‘appropriateness’ of these practices within the family setting.

Conclusions

Children may be subject to pressure from family and health professionals to be tested and act as donors, Therefore, our ethical obligation to these children extends to implementing donor‐focused processes – including independent health professionals and the appointment of a donor advocate – to assist in detecting and addressing instances of inappropriate pressure being placed on a child.
Bioactive natural products with anti-herpes simplex virus properties
Authors: Hassan Sherif T S , Masarčíková Radka , Berchová Kateřina
Published: June 2015

Objectives

In this review, we highlight and summarise the most promising extracts, fractions and pure compounds as potential anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) agents derived from microorganisms, marine organisms, fungi, animals and plants. The role of natural products in the development of anti-HSV drugs will be discussed.

Key findings

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and -2) are common human pathogens that remain a serious threat to human health. In recent years, a great interest has been devoted to the search for integrated management of HSV infections. Acyclovir and related nucleoside analogues have been licensed for the therapy that target viral DNA polymerase. Although these drugs are currently effective against HSV infections, the intensive use of these drugs has led to the problem of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, the search for new sources to develop new antiherpetic agents has gained major priority to overcome the problem.

Natural products as potential, new anti-HSV drugs provide several advantages such as reduced side effects, less resistance, low toxicity and various mechanisms of action. This paper aims to provide an overview of natural products that possess antiviral activity against HSV.
Antioxidant and renoprotective activity of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in nephrectomized rats
Authors: Anraku Makoto , Iohara Daisuke , Wada Koki , Taguchi Kazuaki , Maruyama Toru , Otagiri Masaki , Uekama Kaneto , Hirayama Fumitoshi
Published: June 2015

Objectives

Oxidative stress is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic renal failure (CRF). In this study, the effect of cyclodextrins (CDs) on oxidative stress and CRF was investigated using 5/6 nephrectomized rats as model animals.

Methods

CRF model rats were divided into five groups and treated for 8 weeks as follows: control, α-CD, β-CD, γ-CD and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HP-β-CD). Blood was collected from the rats after 4 and 8 weeks for an analysis of renal function and oxidative stress tests were carried out.

Key findings

An oral administration of HP-β-CD over an 8-week period resulted in a significant decrease in serum indoxyl sulphate, creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, compared with the other CDs. The ingestion of HP-β-CD also resulted in an increase in antioxidant potential, compared with the other CDs. In in vitro studies, the interaction of HP-β-CD with a uremic toxin, indole molecule, was much higher than that for the other CDs, as evidenced by Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) measurements.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the ingestion of HP-β-CD might result in a significant reduction in the levels of pro-oxidants in the gastrointestinal tract, such as uremic toxins, thereby inhibiting the subsequent development of oxidative stress in the systemic circulation.
How sleep and wakefulness influence circadian rhythmicity: effects of insufficient and mistimed sleep on the animal and human transcriptome
Authors: Archer Simon N. , Oster Henrik
Published: June 2015

The mammalian circadian system is a multi‐oscillator, hierarchically organised system where a central pacemaker synchronises behavioural, physiological and gene expression rhythms in peripheral tissues. Epidemiological studies show that disruption of this internal synchronisation by short sleep and shift work is associated with adverse health outcomes through mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. Here, we review recent animal and human studies demonstrating the profound effects of insufficient and mistimed sleep on the rhythms of gene expression in central and peripheral tissues. In mice, sleep restriction leads to an ~80% reduction in circadian transcripts in the brain and profound disruption of the liver transcriptome. In humans, sleep restriction leads to a 1.9% reduction in circadian transcripts in whole blood, and when sleep is displaced to the daytime, 97% of rhythmic genes become arrhythmic and one‐third of all genes show changes in temporal expression profiles. These changes in mice and humans include a significant reduction in the circadian regulation of transcription and translation and core clock genes in the periphery, while at the same time rhythms within the suprachiasmatic nucleus are not disrupted. Although the physiological mediators of these sleep disruption effects on the transcriptome have not been established, altered food intake, changes in hormones such as cortisol, and changes in body and brain temperature may play important roles. Processes and molecular pathways associated with these disruptions include metabolism, immune function, inflammatory and stress responses, and point to the molecular mechanisms underlying the established adverse health outcomes associated with short sleep duration and shift work, such as metabolic syndrome and cancer.
A normative analysis of nursing knowledge
Authors: Zanotti Renzo , Chiffi Daniele
Published: June 2015

This study addresses the question of normative analysis of the value‐based aspects of nursing. In our perspective, values in science may be distinguished into (i) epistemic when related to the goals of truth and objectivity and (ii) non‐epistemic when related to social, cultural or political aspects. Furthermore, values can be called constitutive when necessary for a scientific enterprise, or contextual when contingently associated with science. Analysis of the roles of the various forms of values and models of knowledge translation provides the ground to understand the specific role of values in nursing. A conceptual framework has been built to classify some of the classical perspectives on nursing knowledge and to examine the relationships between values and different forms of knowledge in nursing. It follows that adopting a normative perspective in the analysis of nursing knowledge provides key elements to identify its proper dimension.
Splitting livers: Trans‐hilar or trans‐umbilical division? Technical aspects and comparative outcomes
Authors: de Ville de Goyet J. , di Francesco F. , Sottani V. , Grimaldi C. , Tozzi A. E. , Monti L. , Muiesan P.
Published: June 2015

Controversy remains about the best line of division for liver splitting, through Segment IV or through the umbilical fissure. Both techniques are currently used, with the choice varying between surgical teams in the absence of an evidence‐based choice. We conducted a single‐center retrospective analysis of 47 left split liver grafts that were procured with two different division techniques: “classical” (N = 28, Group A) or through the umbilical fissure and plate (N = 19, Group B). The allocation of recipients to each group was at random; a single transplant team performed all transplantations. Demographics, characteristics, technical aspects, and outcomes were similar in both groups. The grafts in Group A, prepared with the classical technique, were procured more often with a single BD orifice compared with the grafts in Group B; however, this was not associated with a higher incidence of biliary problems in this series of transplants (96% actual graft survival rate [median ± s.d. follow‐up: 26 ± 20 months]). Both techniques provide good quality split grafts and an excellent outcome; surgical expertise with a given technique is more relevant than the technique itself. The classical technique, however, seems to be more flexible in various ways, and surgeons may find it to be preferable.
Grounding Perceptual Dogmatism: What are Perceptual Seemings?
Authors: Ghijsen Harmen
Published: June 2015

Perceptual Dogmatism (PD) holds that if it perceptually seems to S that p, then S has immediate prima facie justification for the belief that p. Various philosophers have made the notion of a perceptual seeming more precise by distinguishing perceptual seemings from both sensations and beliefs to accommodate a) the epistemic difference between perceptual judgments of novices and experts, and, b) the problem of the speckled hen. Using somewhat different terminology, perceptual seemings are supposed to be high‐level percepts instead of low‐level sensations. I argue that although it is right that perceptual seemings should not be identified with sensations, they should also not be identified with percepts. There is no strong reason to assume that sensations and percepts exist as separate conscious states, and it appears therefore best to identify perceptual seemings simply with perceptual experiences interpreted as entities incorporating aspects from both sensations and percepts. However, even with this plausible identification in hand, the speckled hen will remain problematic for PD.
Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Pipe Flow for Water Hammer
Authors: Shamloo Hamid , Mousavifard Maryam
Published: June 2015

A numerical model of turbulent transient flow is used to study the dynamics of turbulence during different periods of water hammer in a polymeric pipe. The governing equations of the transient flow are solved by using the finite difference (FD) method, and the effects of viscoelasticity are modeled by means of a two-dimensional (2D) Kelvin–Voigt model. The experimental data with the Ghidaoui parameter P in the order of one are chosen in which the generated shear wave propagates toward the center of the pipe, while the pressure wave passes the length of the pipe. By studying the turbulence shear force during different times, it is shown that the turbulence structure changes considerably in the first cycle of water hammer. In the accelerated phases, the dominant feature is the creation of a shear wave near the wall, and in the decelerated phases the dominant feature is the propagation of the shear wave created in the accelerated phase.
New Approaches for Immunization and Therapy against Human Metapneumovirus
Authors: Wen Sherry C. , Williams John V.
Published: June 2015

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a paramyxovirus discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands. Studies have identified HMPV as an important causative agent of acute respiratory disease in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Clinical signs of infection range from mild upper respiratory illness to more serious lower respiratory illness, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia. There are currently no licensed therapeutics or vaccines against HMPV. However, several research groups have tested vaccine candidates and monoclonal antibodies in various animal models. Several of these approaches have shown promise in animal models. This minireview summarizes the current therapies used to treat HMPV infection as well as different approaches for immunization.
Two Mutations Were Critical for Bat-to-Human Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Authors: Yang Yang , Liu Chang , Du Lanying , Jiang Shibo , Shi Zhengli , Baric Ralph S. , Li Fang
Published: June 2015

To understand how Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) transmitted from bats to humans, we compared the virus surface spikes of MERS-CoV and a related bat coronavirus, HKU4. Although HKU4 spike cannot mediate viral entry into human cells, two mutations enabled it to do so by allowing it to be activated by human proteases. These mutations are present in MERS-CoV spike, explaining why MERS-CoV infects human cells. These mutations therefore played critical roles in the bat-to-human transmission of MERS-CoV, either directly or through intermediate hosts.
Evidence of population resistance to extreme low flows in a fluvial-dependent fish species
Authors: Katz Rachel A. , Freeman Mary C.
Published: June 2015

Extreme low streamflows are natural disturbances to aquatic populations. Species in naturally intermittent streams display adaptations that enhance persistence during extreme events; however, the fate of populations in perennial streams during unprecedented low-flow periods is not well-understood. Biota requiring swift-flowing habitats may be especially vulnerable to flow reductions. We estimated the abundance and local survival of a native fluvial-dependent fish species (Etheostoma inscriptum) across 5 years encompassing historic low flows in a sixth-order southeastern USA perennial river. Based on capture–mark–recapture data, the study shoal may have acted as a refuge during severe drought, with increased young-of-the-year (YOY) recruitment and occasionally high adult immigration. Contrary to expectations, summer and autumn survival rates (30 days) were not strongly depressed during low-flow periods, despite 25%–80% reductions in monthly discharge. Instead, YOY survival increased with lower minimum discharge and in response to small rain events that increased low-flow variability. Age-1+ fish showed the opposite pattern, with survival decreasing in response to increasing low-flow variability. Results from this population dynamics study of a small fish in a perennial river suggest that fluvial-dependent species can be resistant to extreme flow reductions through enhanced YOY recruitment and high survival.
Three-band decomposition analysis in multiscale FSI models of abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Nestola Maria G. C. , Gizzi Alessio , Cherubini Christian , Filippi Simonetta
Published: June 2015

Computational modeling plays an important role in biology and medicine to assess the effects of hemodynamic alterations in the onset and development of vascular pathologies. Synthetic analytic indices are of primary importance for a reliable and effective a priori identification of the risk. In this scenario, we propose a multiscale fluid-structure interaction (FSI) modeling approach of hemodynamic flows, extending the recently introduced three-band decomposition (TBD) analysis for moving domains. A quantitative comparison is performed with respect to the most common hemodynamic risk indicators in a systematic manner. We demonstrate the reliability of the TBD methodology also for deformable domains by assuming a hyperelastic formulation of the arterial wall and a Newtonian approximation of the blood flow. Numerical simulations are performed for physiologic and pathologic axially symmetric geometry models with particular attention to abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Risk assessment, limitations and perspectives are finally discussed.
A Consensus Model for Group Decision Making with Hesitant Fuzzy Information
Authors: Zhang Zhiming , Wang Chao , Tian Xuedong
Published: June 2015

Hesitant fuzzy sets, permitting the membership of an element to be a set of several possible values, can be used as an efficient mathematical tool for modeling people's hesitancy in daily life. The aim of this paper is to present a consensus support model for group decision making with hesitant fuzzy information. This model is composed of two processes: a consensus process and a selection process. The consensus process is carried out to reach a high level of consensus among experts' opinions before applying a selection process. We first aggregate the hesitant fuzzy decision matrix into a group decision matrix by using the additive aggregation (AA) operator. Then the consensus measure is used to design a feedback mechanism that generates advice to the experts on how they should change their preferences to obtain a solution with a high consensus degree. In the selection process, based on the consentaneous group decision matrix, the additive weighted aggregation (AWA) operator is utilized to derive the overall attribute values of alternatives, by which the most desirable alternative can be found out. Finally, a practical example is proposed to illustrate the application of the proposed model.
Conditionally free semi-stable distributions
Authors: Krystek Anna Dorota , Wojakowski Łukasz Jan
Published: June 2015

We define a notion of semi–stability in the conditionally free probability and explain that the semi–stable measures are infinitely divisible. We also show that in the conditionally free probability stable measures are semi–stable, and that semi–stability for all r implies stability.
A RESPIRATORY MECHANICAL PARAMETERS ESTIMATION TECHNOLOGY BASED ON EXTENDED LEAST SQUARES
Authors: SHI YAN , NIU JINGLONG , CAI MAOLIN , XU WEIQING
Published: June 2015

Respiratory mechanical parameters of ventilated patients are usually referred in the respiratory diagnosis and treatment. However, the effectiveness of the modern estimation methods is limited. To estimate the overall breathing resistance, overall respiratory compliance, and residual volume simultaneously, a new mathematical model of mechanical ventilation system was proposed. Furthermore, to improve the estimation accuracy, the noise model of mechanical ventilation system was taken into consideration. Based on the mathematical model, a respiratory mechanical parameters estimation method based on extended least squares (ELS) algorithm was derived. Finally, to test the respiratory mechanical parameters estimation method, it was studied experimentally and numerically, and it was approved that the proposed method is effective to estimate the three respiratory mechanical parameters simultaneously and precisely. The estimated values of the parameters can be adopted in the clinical practice. The study provides a new method to estimate respiratory mechanical parameters.
Dynamic sound localization in cats
Authors: Ruhland Janet L. , Jones Amy E. , Yin Tom C. T.
Published: June 2015

Sound localization in cats and humans relies on head-centered acoustic cues. Studies have shown that humans are able to localize sounds during rapid head movements that are directed toward the target or other objects of interest. We studied whether cats are able to utilize similar dynamic acoustic cues to localize acoustic targets delivered during rapid eye-head gaze shifts. We trained cats with visual-auditory two-step tasks in which we presented a brief sound burst during saccadic eye-head gaze shifts toward a prior visual target. No consistent or significant differences in accuracy or precision were found between this dynamic task (2-step saccade) and the comparable static task (single saccade when the head is stable) in either horizontal or vertical direction. Cats appear to be able to process dynamic auditory cues and execute complex motor adjustments to accurately localize auditory targets during rapid eye-head gaze shifts.
Proregenerative Microenvironment Triggered by Donor Mesenchymal Stem Cells Preserves Renal Function and Structure in Mice with Severe Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ezquer Fernando , Giraud-Billoud Maximiliano , Carpio Daniel , Cabezas Fabián , Conget Paulette , Ezquer Marcelo
Published: June 2015

The aim of our work was to evaluate, in an animal model of severe diabetes mellitus, the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) administration on diabetic nephropathy (DN) progression. After diabetes induction, one group of mice received the vehicle (DM) and other group received a single dose of MSCs (DM + MSCs). DM + MSCs mice showed a significant improvement in functional parameters of the kidney compared with untreated mice. While DM mice presented marked histopathological changes characteristics of advanced stages of DN (fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis, glomerular basement membrane thickening, capillary occlusion, decreased podocyte density, and effacement of foot processes), DM + MSCs mice showed only slight tubular dilatation. The renoprotection was not associated with an improvement in diabetic condition and very low number of donor cells was found in the kidney of DM + MSCs mice, suggesting that renoprotection could be mediated by paracrine effects. Indeed, DM + MSC mice presented increased renal proliferation index, decreased renal apoptotic index and the restoration of proregenerative factors, and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Moreover, macrophage infiltration and oxidative stress damage were also reduced in DM + MSCs mice. Our data demonstrate that MSC administration triggers a proregenerative microenvironment in DN kidney, which allows the preservation of the renal function even if diabetes was uncorrected.
Induction Murine Models of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome byBrucella abortusAntigen Injections: Is Anemia Induced or Not?
Authors: Moriya Junji , He Qiang , Uenishi Hiroaki , Akazawa Sumiyo , Yamakawa Jun-ichi , Kobayashi Junji , Ishigaki Yasuhito
Published: June 2015

To investigate whetherBrucella abortus(BA) antigen injections lead to anemia, and to establish an appropriate Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) animal model by BA injections, 6 repeated injections of BA antigen were fulfilled every 2 weeks. At a high dose of1∗1010particles/mouse, anemia was induced within 2 weeks and then recovered a lot at the end of the research, while at a moderate dose of1∗108(3 injections) shifting to1∗109/mouse (3 injections) anemia was absent. In both groups running wheel activity remained very low even 6 weeks after the last injection.