bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predonation finger lancet punctures: a potential risk factor for interdonor pathogen transmission in the blood donor clinic
Authors: Greinacher A. , Lubenow N.
Published: February 2016

Background and Objectives

Point‐of‐care testing using capillary blood from a finger prick is widely used for predonation haemoglobin testing of blood donors. It is common practice to cover the finger prick with a cotton swab and to instruct the donor to press for few minutes. The finger prick can cause blood contamination of surfaces in contact with the lanced finger, especially door handles, risking infectious disease transmission, particularly if another person touching the contaminated door handle also has a punctured fingertip.

Materials and Methods

First, we investigated contamination by blood (benzidine assay) of the door handles of our blood donor clinic, taking 175 samples 3 h after opening of the donation centre (baseline). We then introduced band‐aids to cover the finger prick and started an information campaign using educational flyers to sensitize blood donors and staff to this problem (period‐1). Thereafter, the staff was instructed to use the non‐dominant hand for blood sampling and mandated to replace any discarded band‐aids immediately (period‐2).

Results

At baseline, 82% of the nurse room door handles showed contamination with blood. This decreased somewhat (10–40%) after period‐1, but only after immediate mandatory band‐aid replacement on any donor finger without a band‐aid (period‐2), no further blood contaminations were detected.

Conclusion

Blood contamination of shared surfaces can occur after finger prick for capillary blood sampling. Application of a band‐aid and use of the non‐dominant hand for fingertip incision are easy to apply and effective in reducing this iatrogenic health hazard.
A Comparison of Pig Farmers' and Veterinarians' Perceptions and Intentions to Reduce Antimicrobial Usage in Six European Countries
Authors: Visschers V. H. M. , Backhans A. , Collineau L. , Loesken S. , Nielsen E. O. , Postma M. , Belloc C. , Dewulf J. , Emanuelson U. , grosse Beilage E. , Siegrist M. , Sjölund M. , Stärk K. D. C.
Published: February 2016

Antimicrobial (AM) resistance is an increasing problem in human and veterinary medicine. To manage this problem, the usage of AM should be reduced in pig farming, as well as in other areas. It is important to investigate the factors that influence both pig farmers' and veterinarians' intentions to reduce AM usage, which is a prerequisite for developing intervention measures. We conducted a mail survey among pig farmers (N = 1,294) and an online survey among veterinarians (N = 334) in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. The farmers' survey assessed the perceived risks and benefits of and need for AM usage; the intention to reduce AM usage; farmers' efficacy (i.e. perception of their ability to reduce AM usage); support from their veterinarian; and the future reduction potential of AM usage. Additionally, self‐reported reduction behaviours, the perceived farmers' barriers to reduce AM usage and relationships with farmers were assessed in the veterinarians' survey. The results showed that farmers and veterinarians had similar perceptions of the risks and benefits of AM usage. Veterinarians appeared to be more optimistic than pig farmers about reducing AM usage in pig farming. Farmers believed that their efficacy over AM reduction was relatively high. Farmers' intention to reduce AM usage and veterinarians' self‐reported reduction behaviours were mainly associated with factors concerning the feasibility of reducing AM usage. To promote prudent AM usage, pig farmers should learn and experience how to reduce usage by applying alternative measures, whereas veterinarians should strengthen their advisory role and competencies to support and educate farmers.
Reassessment of the evolutionary relationships within the dog‐faced bats, genus Cynomops (Chiroptera: Molossidae)
Authors: Moras Ligiane M. , Tavares Valéria da C. , Pepato Almir R. , Santos Fabrício R. , Gregorin Renato
Published: February 2016

The low representativeness of the dog‐faced bats (genus Cynomops Thomas, ) in collections has constrained the study of the diversity and the evolutionary relationships within this genus. Taxonomic revisions of some taxa, in particular the large‐sized Cynomops abrasus (Temminck, ), are crucial for understanding the phylogeny of Cynomops. A total of four subspecies of C. abrasus have been described to date, all widespread in South America: C. a. mastivus (Thomas, ), C. a. brachymeles (Peters, 1865), C. a. cerastes (Thomas, ) and C. a. abrasus (Temminck, ). Here, we evaluated the phylogenetic relationships within Cynomops, and the status of the four C. abrasus subspecies using complete sequences of two mitochondrial genes (Cyt b and COI) and 39 morphological characters. Maximum‐parsimony, maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions recovered a novel hypothesis for Cynomops, supported the recognition of C. a. mastivus as a distinct species, separated from C. abrasus, and two hypotheses of lineages previously unrecognized for Cynomops. The use of mitochondrial genes combined with morphological characters revealed again to be a powerful tool to recover the phylogenetic relationships within Cynomops and demonstrated that the genus is more diverse than previously thought.
MAPPING ONE WORLD: RELIGION AND SCIENCE FROM AN EAST ASIAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Jaeshik Shin
Published: February 2016

This article aims to delineate a model of religion‐science relationship from an East Asian perspective. The East Asian way of thinking is depicted as nondualistic, relational, and inclusive. From this point of view, most current Western discourses on the religion‐science relationship, including the interconnected models of Pannenberg and Haught, are hierarchical, intellectually centered, and have dualistic tendencies. Taking religion and science as mapping activities, “a multi‐map model” presents nonhierarchical, historical, social, multidimensional, communal, and intimate dimensions of the religion‐science relationship.
KAGAWA'S COSMIC PURPOSE AND MODERNIZATION IN JAPAN
Authors: Hisakazu Inagaki
Published: February 2016

Kagawa Tyohiko (1888–1960), who was a well known Christian leader and social reformer, is re‐evaluated from the perspective of a public philosophy, and as an example of the possibilities for collaboration and conflict between science and the religious humanities in East Asia. His last book, Cosmic Purpose, which appears to be a kind of natural theology, is analyzed from the perspective of the hidden topic of human evil. By considering Kagawa's deep religious sensibility and conscience, the book can be interpreted to reflect on the wrong directionality selected by modern Japan's leaders that resulted in the tragic war.
U233 Data Evaluation for Criticality Study
Authors: Alrwashdeh Mohammad , Kan Wang
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study is to investigate the available U233 cross section data for adequate calculation of critical benchmark experiments, to calculate the multiplication factor Keff for several benchmarks in both fast and thermal energy ranges. The evaluation of the U233 has been investigated using SAMMY code, in order to generate a useful database for criticality calculations; the computer code FITWR for experimental data fitting shows the same results obtained from the Bayes method included within the SAMMY code, with a slight difference in the results in the evaluated cross sections due to different mathematical methods having different results. Excellent results for the calculated Keff values are obtained for several benchmarks in the thermal and fast benchmarks considered in this study.
Sweating Like a Pig: Physics or Irony?
Authors: Bohren Craig F.
Published: February 2016

In his interesting and informative book Is That a Fact?, Joe Schwarcz avers that pigs do not sweat and the saying “sweating like a pig” originates in iron smelting. Oblong pieces of hot iron, with a fancied resemblance to a sow with piglets, cool in sand to the dew point of the surrounding air, and hence water condenses on the “pig.” But this explanation, which I have seen on the Internet, lacks a few caveats. It implies that molten iron, solidifying and cooling, anywhere, anytime, accretes liquid water, as if this were a special property of cooling iron. Set aside that real pigs sweat perceptibly from their snouts; kiss a pig and verify for yourself. Pigs also sweat imperceptibly. Imperceptible (insensible) perspiration is water vapor from the skin and lungs exuded without sensible condensation. That from humans is about 1 liter/day. Sweat is 99% liquid water, NaCl the dominant solute, secreted quickly, sometimes profusely, by subcutaneous sweat glands in response to thermal stress, in contrast to the slow, continuous diffusion of water vapor through skin.
Making Inexpensive 3-D Models
Authors: Manos Harry
Published: February 2016

Visual aids are important to student learning, and they help make the teacher's job easier. Keeping with the TPT theme of “The Art, Craft, and Science of Physics Teaching,” the purpose of this article is to show how teachers, lacking equipment and funds, can construct a durable 3-D model reference frame and a model gravity well tailored to specific class lessons. Most of the supplies are readily available in the home or at school: rubbing alcohol, a rag, two colors of spray paint, art brushes, and masking tape. The cost of these supplies, if you don't have them, is less than $20.
Vertical Impact of a Sphere Falling into Water
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: February 2016

The nature of the drag force on an object moving through a fluid is well documented and many experiments have been described to allow students to measure the force. For low speed flows the drag force is proportional to the velocity of the object, while at high flow speeds the drag force is proportional to the velocity squared. The basic physics depends on whether the flow around the object is laminar or turbulent. It is difficult to observe the flow in a student laboratory, although a dye can be injected into the flow of water for demonstration purposes. An alternative method is described in this paper that allows both the drag force and the initial flow pattern to be measured easily. The technique is simply to film an object when it is dropped into a tank of water. The results can be spectacular when filmed in slow motion, adding to the interest in the experiment itself. The results are directly relevant to the problem of calculating the impact force on an object that falls into water. Water is not as hard as concrete, but it can still exert a large force if the object (or a person) impacts at high speed.
Harmonic Resonances in Metal Rods – Easy Experimentation with a Smartphone and Tablet PC
Authors: Hirth Michael , Gröber Sebastian , Kuhn Jochen , Müller Andreas
Published: February 2016

A variety of experiments with smartphones and tablet PCs allow a precise analysis of acoustic phenomena. For example, we recently described an experiment in which a noise signal simultaneously triggered harmonic acoustic resonances in the air column of a tube open at both ends and a tube closed at one end. The measured resonant frequencies were used to determine the speed of sound in air with an error less than 4%. The present article describes experiments for harmonic resonances in another type of one-dimensional wave carrier, viz. clamped metal rods. Resonances are generated by hitting one end face of the rod; the resonant frequencies can then be measured by an app on a smartphone or tablet PC. The experiments can be used to explore how the excitement of particular resonant frequencies depend on boundary conditions like the length of the rod, the number and specific positions of fixed points of the rod, and the rod's material. In addition the rod's longitudinal (the so-called extensional) speed of sound can be determined.
Dealing with the Ambiguities of Science Inquiry
Authors: Tan Yuen Sze Michelle , Caleon Imelda Santos
Published: February 2016

The current vision of science education in myriad educational contexts encourages students to learn through the process of science inquiry. Science inquiry has been used to promote conceptual learning and engage learners in an active process of meaning-making and investigation to understand the world around them. The science inquiry process typically involves asking questions and defining problems; constructing explanations and designing solutions; planning and carrying out investigations; analyzing and interpreting data; and engaging in argument from evidence. Despite the importance and provision of new directions and standards about science inquiry, ambiguities in conceptualizations of inquiry still exist. These conceptualizations may serve as barriers to students learning science. In this article, we detail three main concerns related to teachers' conceptualization of science inquiry in the context of a Singapore classroom—concerns that may be similarly faced by teachers elsewhere.
Whole Class Laboratories: More Examples
Authors: Kouh Minjoon
Published: February 2016

Typically, introductory physics courses are taught with a combination of lectures and laboratories in which students have opportunities to discover the natural laws through hands-on activities in small groups. This article reports the use of Google Drive, a free online document-sharing tool, in physics laboratories for pooling experimental data from the whole class. This pedagogical method was reported earlier, and the present article offers a few more examples of such “whole class” laboratories.
Array model interpolation and subband iterative adaptive filters applied to beamforming-based acoustic echo cancellation
Authors: Bai Mingsian R. , Chi Li-Wen , Liang Li-Huang , Lo Yi-Yang
Published: February 2016

In this paper, an evolutionary exposition is given in regard to the enhancing strategies for acoustic echo cancellers (AECs). A fixed beamformer (FBF) is utilized to focus on the near-end speaker while suppressing the echo from the far end. In reality, the array steering vector could differ considerably from the ideal freefield plane wave model. Therefore, an experimental procedure is developed to interpolate a practical array model from the measured frequency responses. Subband (SB) filtering with polyphase implementation is exploited to accelerate the cancellation process. Generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC) composed of an FBF and an adaptive blocking module is combined with AEC to maximize cancellation performance. Another enhancement is an internal iteration (IIT) procedure that enables efficient convergence in the adaptive SB filters within a sample time. Objective tests in terms of echo return loss enhancement (ERLE), perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ), word recognition rate for automatic speech recognition (ASR), and subjective listening tests are conducted to validate the proposed AEC approaches. The results show that the GSC-SB-AEC-IIT approach has attained the highest ERLE without speech quality degradation, even in double-talk scenarios.
Newcastle Disease Viruses Causing Recent Outbreaks Worldwide Show Unexpectedly High Genetic Similarity to Historical Virulent Isolates from the 1940s
Authors: Dimitrov Kiril M. , Lee Dong-Hun , Williams-Coplin Dawn , Olivier Timothy L. , Miller Patti J. , Afonso Claudio L.
Published: February 2016

Virulent strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) cause Newcastle disease (ND), a devastating disease of poultry and wild birds. Phylogenetic analyses clearly distinguish historical isolates (obtained prior to 1960) from currently circulating viruses of class II genotypes V, VI, VII, and XII through XVIII. Here, partial and complete genomic sequences of recent virulent isolates of genotypes II and IX from China, Egypt, and India were found to be nearly identical to those of historical viruses isolated in the 1940s. Phylogenetic analysis, nucleotide distances, and rates of change demonstrate that these recent isolates have not evolved significantly from the most closely related ancestors from the 1940s. The low rates of change for these virulent viruses (7.05 × 10
−5
and 2.05 × 10
−5
per year, respectively) and the minimal genetic distances existing between these and historical viruses (0.3 to 1.2%) of the same genotypes indicate an unnatural origin. As with any other RNA virus, Newcastle disease virus is expected to evolve naturally; thus, these findings suggest that some recent field isolates should be excluded from evolutionary studies. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses show that these recent virulent isolates are more closely related to virulent strains isolated during the 1940s, which have been and continue to be used in laboratory and experimental challenge studies. Since the preservation of viable viruses in the environment for over 6 decades is highly unlikely, it is possible that the source of some of the recent virulent viruses isolated from poultry and wild birds might be laboratory viruses.
Detection and Whole-Genome Sequencing of Carbapenemase-Producing Aeromonas hydrophila Isolates from Routine Perirectal Surveillance Culture
Authors: Hughes Heather Y. , Conlan Sean P. , Lau Anna F. , Dekker John P. , Michelin Angela V. , Youn Jung-Ho , Henderson David K. , Frank Karen M. , Segre Julia A. , Palmore Tara N.
Published: February 2016

Perirectal surveillance cultures and a stool culture grew
Aeromonas
species from three patients over a 6-week period and were without epidemiological links. Detection of the
bla
KPC-2
gene in one isolate prompted inclusion of non-
Enterobacteriaceae
in our surveillance culture workup. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that the isolates were unrelated and provided data for
Aeromonas
reference genomes.
Prospective Evaluation of a New Aspergillus IgG Enzyme Immunoassay Kit for Diagnosis of Chronic and Allergic Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Dumollard C. , Bailly S. , Perriot S. , Brenier-Pinchart M. P. , Saint-Raymond C. , Camara B. , Gangneux J. P. , Persat F. , Valot S. , Grenouillet F. , Pelloux H. , Pinel C. , Cornet M.
Published: February 2016

Anti-
Aspergillus
IgG antibodies are important biomarkers for the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). We compared the performance of a new commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Bordier Affinity Products) with that of the Bio-Rad and Virion\Serion EIAs. This assay is novel in its association of two recombinant antigens with somatic and metabolic antigens of
Aspergillus fumigatus
. In a prospective multicenter study, 436 serum samples from 147 patients diagnosed with CPA (136 samples/104 patients) or ABPA (94 samples/43 patients) and from 205 controls (206 samples) were tested. We obtained sensitivities of 97%, 91.7%, and 86.1%, and specificities of 90.3%, 91.3%, and 81.5% for the Bordier, Bio-Rad, and Virion\Serion tests, respectively. The Bordier kit was more sensitive than the Bio-Rad kit (
P
< 0.01), which was itself more sensitive than the Virion\Serion kit (
P
= 0.04). The Bordier and Bio-Rad kits had similar specificity (
P
= 0.8), both higher than that of the Virion\Serion kit (
P
= 0.02). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves confirmed the superiority of the Bordier kit over the Bio-Rad and the Virion\Serion kits (0.977, 0.951, and 0.897, respectively;
P
< 0.01 for each comparison). In a subset analysis of 279 serum samples tested with the Bordier and Bio-Rad kits and an in-house immunoprecipitin assay (IPD), the Bordier kit had the highest sensitivity (97.7%), but the IPD tended to be more specific (71.2 and 84.7%, respectively;
P
= 0.10). The use of recombinant, somatic, and metabolic antigens in a single EIA improved the balance of sensitivity and specificity, resulting in an assay highly suitable for use in the diagnosis of chronic and allergic aspergillosis.
Expression of Oncogenic Alleles Induces Multiple Blocks to Human Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Xu Shihao , Schafer Xenia , Munger Joshua
Published: February 2016

In contrast to many viruses, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is unable to productively infect most cancer-derived cell lines. The mechanisms of this restriction are unclear. To explore this issue, we tested whether defined oncogenic alleles, including the simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen (TAg) and oncogenic H-Ras, inhibit HCMV infection. We found that expression of SV40 TAg blocks HCMV infection in human fibroblasts, whereas the replication of a related herpesvirus, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), was not impacted. The earliest restriction of HCMV infection involves a block of viral entry, as TAg expression prevented the nuclear delivery of viral DNA and pp65. Subsequently, we found that TAg expression reduces the abundance of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα), a host protein important for HCMV entry. Viral entry into TAg-immortalized fibroblasts could largely be rescued by PDGFRα overexpression. Similarly, PDGFRα overexpression in HeLa cells markedly increased the levels of HCMV gene expression and DNA replication. However, the robust production of viral progeny was not restored by PDGFRα overexpression in either HeLa cells or TAg-immortalized fibroblasts, suggesting additional restrictions associated with transformation and TAg expression. In TAg-expressing fibroblasts, expression of the immediate early 2 (IE2) protein was not rescued to the same extent as that of the immediate early 1 (IE1) protein, suggesting that TAg expression impacts the accumulation of major immediate early (MIE) transcripts. Transduction of IE2 largely rescued HCMV gene expression in TAg-expressing fibroblasts but did not rescue the production of infectious virions. Collectively, our data indicate that oncogenic alleles induce multiple restrictions to HCMV replication.

IMPORTANCE
HCMV cannot replicate in most cancerous cells, yet the causes of this restriction are not clear. The mechanisms that restrict viral replication in cancerous cells represent viral vulnerabilities that can potentially be exploited therapeutically in other contexts. Here we found that SV40 T antigen-mediated transformation inhibits HCMV infection at multiple points in the viral life cycle, including through inhibition of proper viral entry, normal expression of immediate early genes, and viral DNA replication. Our results suggest that the SV40 T antigen could be a valuable tool to dissect cellular activities that are important for successful infection, thereby potentially informing novel antiviral development strategies. This is an important consideration, given that HCMV is a leading cause of birth defects and causes severe infection in immunocompromised individuals.
Molluscum Contagiosum Virus Transcriptome in Abortively Infected Cultured Cells and a Human Skin Lesion
Authors: Mendez-Rios Jorge D. , Yang Zhilong , Erlandson Karl J. , Cohen Jeffrey I. , Martens Craig A. , Bruno Daniel P. , Porcella Stephen F. , Moss Bernard
Published: February 2016

Molluscum contagiosum virus (MOCV), the only circulating human-specific poxvirus, has a worldwide distribution and causes benign skin lesions that may persist for months in young children and severe infections in immunosuppressed adults. Studies of MOCV are restricted by the lack of an efficient animal model or a cell culture replication system. We used next-generation sequencing to analyze and compare polyadenylated RNAs from abortive MOCV infections of several cell lines and a human skin lesion. Viral RNAs were detected for 14 days after MOCV infection of cultured cells; however, there was little change in the RNA species during this time and a similar pattern occurred in the presence of an inhibitor of protein synthesis, indicating a block preventing postreplicative gene expression. Moreover, a considerable number of MOCV RNAs mapped to homologs of orthopoxvirus early genes, but few did so to homologs of intermediate or late genes. The RNAs made during
in vitro
infections represent a subset of RNAs detected in human skin lesions which mapped to homologs of numerous postreplicative as well as early orthopoxvirus genes. Transfection experiments using fluorescent protein and luciferase reporters demonstrated that vaccinia virus recognized MOCV intermediate and late promoters, indicating similar gene regulation. The specific recognition of the intermediate promoter in MOCV-infected cells provided evidence for the synthesis of intermediate transcription factors, which are products of early genes, but not for late transcription factors. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and reporter gene assays may be useful for testing engineered cell lines and conditions that ultimately could provide an
in vitro
replication system.

IMPORTANCE
The inability to propagate molluscum contagiosum virus, which causes benign skin lesions in young children and more extensive infections in immunosuppressed adults, has constrained our understanding of the biology of this human-specific virus. In the present study, we characterized the RNAs synthesized in abortively infected cultured cells and a human skin lesion by next-generation sequencing. These studies provided an initial transcription map of the MOCV genome, suggested temporal regulation of gene expression, and indicated that the
in vitro
replication block occurs prior to intermediate and late gene expression. RNA-seq and reporter assays, as described here, may help to further evaluate MOCV gene expression and define conditions that could enable MOCV replication
in vitro
.
Differential Expression of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Receptor in the Upper Respiratory Tracts of Humans and Dromedary Camels
Authors: Widagdo W. , Raj V. Stalin , Schipper Debby , Kolijn Kimberley , van Leenders Geert J. L. H. , Bosch Berend J. , Bensaid Albert , Segalés Joaquim , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Koopmans Marion P. , van den Brand Judith M. A. , Haagmans Bart L.
Published: February 2016

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is not efficiently transmitted between humans, but it is highly prevalent in dromedary camels. Here we report that the MERS-CoV receptor—dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4)—is expressed in the upper respiratory tract epithelium of camels but not in that of humans. Lack of DPP4 expression may be the primary cause of limited MERS-CoV replication in the human upper respiratory tract and hence restrict transmission.
The C-Terminal Tail of TRIM56 Dictates Antiviral Restriction of Influenza A and B Viruses by Impeding Viral RNA Synthesis
Authors: Liu Baoming , Li Nan L. , Shen Yang , Bao Xiaoyong , Fabrizio Thomas , Elbahesh Husni , Webby Richard J. , Li Kui
Published: February 2016

Accumulating data suggest that tripartite-motif-containing (TRIM) proteins participate in host responses to viral infections, either by acting as direct antiviral restriction factors or through regulating innate immune signaling of the host. Of >70 TRIMs, TRIM56 is a restriction factor of several positive-strand RNA viruses, including three members of the family
Flaviviridae
(yellow fever virus, dengue virus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus) and a human coronavirus (OC43), and this ability invariably depends upon the E3 ligase activity of TRIM56. However, the impact of TRIM56 on negative-strand RNA viruses remains unclear. Here, we show that TRIM56 puts a check on replication of influenza A and B viruses in cell culture but does not inhibit Sendai virus or human metapneumovirus, two paramyxoviruses. Interestingly, the anti-influenza virus activity was independent of the E3 ligase activity, B-box, or coiled-coil domain. Rather, deletion of a 63-residue-long C-terminal-tail portion of TRIM56 abrogated the antiviral function. Moreover, expression of this short C-terminal segment curtailed the replication of influenza viruses as effectively as that of full-length TRIM56. Mechanistically, TRIM56 was found to specifically impede intracellular influenza virus RNA synthesis. Together, these data reveal a novel antiviral activity of TRIM56 against influenza A and B viruses and provide insights into the mechanism by which TRIM56 restricts these medically important orthomyxoviruses.

IMPORTANCE
Options to treat influenza are limited, and drug-resistant influenza virus strains can emerge through minor genetic changes. Understanding novel virus-host interactions that alter influenza virus fitness may reveal new targets/approaches for therapeutic interventions. We show here that TRIM56, a tripartite-motif protein, is an intrinsic host restriction factor of influenza A and B viruses. Unlike its antiviral actions against positive-strand RNA viruses, the anti-influenza virus activity of TRIM56 was independent of the E3 ligase activity. Rather, expression of a short segment within the very C-terminal tail of TRIM56 inhibited the replication of influenza viruses as effectively as that of full-length TRIM56 by specifically targeting viral RNA synthesis. These data reveal the remarkable multifaceted activity of TRIM56, which has developed multiple domains to inhibit multiple viral families. They also raise the possibility of developing a broad-spectrum, TRIM56-based antiviral approach for addition to influenza prophylaxis and/or control strategies.
Single-Particle Tracking Shows that a Point Mutation in the Carnivore Parvovirus Capsid Switches Binding between Host-Specific Transferrin Receptors
Authors: Lee Donald W. , Allison Andrew B. , Bacon Kaitlyn B. , Parrish Colin R. , Daniel Susan
Published: February 2016

Determining how viruses infect new hosts via receptor-binding mechanisms is important for understanding virus emergence. We studied the binding kinetics of canine parvovirus (CPV) variants isolated from raccoons—a newly recognized CPV host—to different carnivore transferrin receptors (TfRs) using single-particle tracking. Our data suggest that CPV may utilize adhesion-strengthening mechanisms during TfR binding and that a single mutation in the viral capsid at VP2 position 300 can profoundly alter receptor binding and infectivity.
Structural Basis for Norovirus Inhibition by Human Milk Oligosaccharides
Authors: Weichert Stefan , Koromyslova Anna , Singh Bishal K. , Hansman Satoko , Jennewein Stefan , Schroten Horst , Hansman Grant S.
Published: February 2016

Histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) are important binding factors for norovirus infections. We show that two human milk oligosaccharides, 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL) and 3-fucosyllactose (3FL), could block norovirus from binding to surrogate HBGA samples. We found that 2′FL and 3FL bound at the equivalent HBGA pockets on the norovirus capsid using X-ray crystallography. Our data revealed that 2′FL and 3FL structurally mimic HBGAs. These results suggest that 2′FL and 3FL might act as naturally occurring decoys in humans.
Novel Feline Leukemia Virus Interference Group Based on the
env
Gene
Authors: Miyake Ariko , Watanabe Shinya , Hiratsuka Takahiro , Ito Jumpei , Ngo Minh Ha , Makundi Isaac , Kawasaki Junna , Endo Yasuyuki , Tsujimoto Hajime , Nishigaki Kazuo
Published: February 2016

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) subgroups have emerged in infected cats via the mutation or recombination of the
env
gene of subgroup A FeLV (FeLV-A), the primary virus. We report the isolation and characterization of a novel
env
gene, TG35-2, and report that the TG35-2 pseudotype can be categorized as a novel FeLV subgroup. The TG35-2 envelope protein displays strong sequence identity to FeLV-A Env, suggesting that selection pressure in cats causes novel FeLV subgroups to emerge.
Discovery of a Novel Bat Gammaherpesvirus
Authors: Host Kurtis M. , Damania Blossom
Published: February 2016

Zoonosis is the leading cause of emerging infectious diseases. In a recent article, R. S. Shabman et al. (mSphere 1[1]:e00070-15, 2016,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00070-15
) report the identification of a novel gammaherpesvirus in a cell line derived from the microbat
Myotis velifer incautus.
This is the first report on a replicating, infectious gammaherpesvirus from bats. The new virus is named bat gammaherpesvirus 8 (BGHV8), also known as
Myotis
gammaherpesvirus 8, and is able to infect multiple cell lines, including those of human origin. Using next-generation sequencing technology, the authors constructed a full-length annotated genomic map of BGHV8. Phylogenetic analysis of several genes from BGHV8 revealed similarity to several mammalian gammaherpesviruses, including Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV).
Perspectives on the provision of GDM screening in general practice versus the hospital setting: a qualitative study of providers and patients
Authors: Tierney Marie , O'Dea Angela , Danyliv Andrii , Carmody Louise , McGuire Brian E , Glynn Liam G , Dunne Fidelma
Published: February 2016

Objective

A novel gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening programme which involved offering screening at the patient's general practitioner (GP) compared with the traditional hospital setting was trialled. This study investigates perspectives of involved stakeholders on the provision of GDM screening at both settings.

Design

Thematic analysis of the perspectives of stakeholders involved in the receiving and provision of GDM screening in both the GP and hospital settings drawn from focus groups and interviews.

Participants

3 groups of participants are included in this research—patient participants, GP screening providers and hospital screening providers. All were recruited from a larger sample who participated in a randomised controlled screening trial. Purposeful sampling was utilised to select participants with a wide variety of perspectives on the provision of GDM screening.

Setting

Participants were recruited from a geographical area covered by 3 hospitals in Ireland.

Results

4 themes emerged from thematic analysis—namely (1) travel distance, (2) best care provision, (3) sense of ease created and (4) optimal screening.

Conclusions

The influence of travel distance from the screening site is the most important factor influencing willingness to attend for GDM screening among women who live a considerable distance from the hospital setting. For patients who live equidistance from both settings, other factors are important; namely the waiting facilities including parking, perceived expertise of screening provider personnel, access to emergency treatment if necessary, accuracy of tests and access to timely results and treatment. Optimal screening for GDM should be specialist led, incorporate expert advice of GDM screening, treatment and management, should be provided locally, offer adequate parking and comfort levels, provide accurate tests, and timely access to results and treatment. Such a service should result in improved rates of GDM screening uptake.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN41202110.
Sleep duration and mortality in the elderly: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Silva Andressa Alves da , Mello Renato Gorga Bandeira de , Schaan Camila Wohlgemuth , Fuchs Flávio D , Redline Susan , Fuchs Sandra C
Published: February 2016

Objective

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the association between short and long sleep duration and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among elderly individuals.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies.

Setting

Articles were retrieved from international and national electronic databases.

Study selection

Studies were identified in PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), IBECS (Bibliographic Index on Health Sciences from Spain) and CAPES (PhD thesis repository) between 1980 and 2015. Studies which met all criteria were eligible: participants aged 60 years or over, assessment of sleep duration as 24 h, nighttime or daytime sleep, evaluation of all-cause or cause-specific mortality, population-based cohort studies conducted on representative samples. There was no language restriction and studies published as abstracts were excluded.

Data extraction

Data were analysed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (V.3.3.070), and summary estimates (relative risk (RR), 95% CI) were calculated using a random effects model. Heterogeneity and consistency were evaluated through Cochran's Q and the I2statistics, respectively, and sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

All-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Results

Overall, 27 cohort studies were selected, comprising >70 000 elderly individuals, and followed up from 3.4 to 35 years. In the pooled analysis, long and short sleep duration were associated with increased all-cause mortality (RR 1.33; 95% CI 1.24 to 1.43 and RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.11, respectively), compared with the reference category. For cardiovascular mortality, the pooled relative risks were 1.43 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.78) for long sleep, and 1.18 (95% CI 0.76 to 1.84) for short sleep. Daytime napping ≥30 min was associated with risk of all-cause mortality (RR 1.27; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.49), compared with no daytime sleep, but longer sleep duration (≥2.0 h) was not (RR 1.34; 95% CI 1.95 to 1.90).

Conclusions

Among elderly individuals, long and short sleep duration are associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality. Long sleep duration is associated with cardiovascular mortality.
Understanding vulnerability to self-harm in times of economic hardship and austerity: a qualitative study
Authors: Barnes M C , Gunnell D , Davies R , Hawton K , Kapur N , Potokar J , Donovan J L
Published: February 2016

Objective

Self-harm and suicide increase in times of economic recession, but little is known about why people self-harm when in financial difficulty, and in what circumstances self-harm occurs. This study aimed to understand events and experiences leading to the episode of self-harm and to identify opportunities for prevention or mitigation of distress.

Setting

Participants’ homes or university rooms.

Participants

19 people who had attended hospital following self-harm in two UK cities and who specifically cited job loss, economic hardship or the impact of austerity measures as a causal or contributory factor.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Semistructured, in-depth interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed cross-sectionally and as case studies.

Results

Study participants described experiences of severe economic hardship; being unable to find employment or losing jobs, debt, housing problems and benefit sanctions. In many cases problems accumulated and felt unresolvable. For others an event, such as a call from a debt collector or benefit change triggered the self-harm. Participants also reported other current or past difficulties, including abuse, neglect, bullying, domestic violence, mental health problems, relationship difficulties, bereavements and low self-esteem. These contributed to their sense of despair and worthlessness and increased their vulnerability to self-harm. Participants struggled to gain the practical help they felt they needed for their economic difficulties or therapeutic support that might have helped with their other co-existing or historically damaging experiences.

Conclusions

Economic hardships resulting from the recession and austerity measures accumulated or acted as a ‘final straw’ to trigger self-harm, often in the context of co-existing or historically damaging life-experiences. Interventions to mitigate these effects should include providing practical advice about economic issues before difficulties become insurmountable and providing appropriate psychosocial support for vulnerable individuals.
Acknowledging unreported problems with active surveillance for prostate cancer: a prospective single-centre observational study
Authors: Hefermehl Lukas J , Disteldorf Daniel , Lehmann Kurt
Published: February 2016

Objective

To report outcomes of patients with localised prostate cancer (PCa) managed with active surveillance (AS) in a standard clinical setting.

Design

Single-centre, prospective, observational study.

Setting

Non-academic, average-size hospital in Switzerland.

Participants

Prospective, observational study at a non-academic, average-size hospital in Switzerland. Inclusion and progression criteria meet general recommendations. 157 patients at a median age of 67 (61–70) years were included from December 1999 to March 2012. Follow-up (FU) ended June 2013.

Results

Median FU was 48 (30–84) months. Overall confirmed reclassification rate was 20% (32/157). 20 men underwent radical prostatectomy with 1 recurrence, 11 had radiation therapy with 2 prostate-specific antigen relapses, and 1 required primary hormone ablation with a fatal outcome. Kaplan-Meier estimates for those remaining in the study showed an overall survival of 92%, cancer-specific survival of 99% and reclassification rate of 41%. Dropout rate was 36% and occurred at a median of 48 (21–81) months after inclusion. 68 (43%) men are still under AS.

Conclusions

Careful administration of AS can and will yield excellent results in long-term management of PCa, and also helps physicians and patients alike to balance quality of life and mortality. Our data revealed significant dropout from FU. Patient non-compliance can be a relevant problem in AS.
Gaining an accurate reflection of the reality of palliative care through the use of free-text feedback in questionnaires: the AFTER study
Authors: Bowyer Anna Victoria , Finlay Ilora , Baillie Jessica , Byrne Anthony , McCarthy Jacqui , Sampson Catherine , Snow Veronica , Nelson Annmarie
Published: February 2016

Background

In healthcare, many service evaluation questionnaires use free-text boxes without formal mechanisms for analysis. Patients and carers spend time documenting concerns that are often ignored or managed locally in an ad hoc manner. Currently, palliative care experiences of patients and carers in Wales are measured using a service evaluation questionnaire, comprising both closed and open-ended questions. Previous research, exploring free-text responses from this questionnaire, suggests that questionnaire refinement should accommodate service users’ expressed priorities and concerns, and highlights the need to incorporate free-text data analysis strategies during study design.

Methods

Results from a previous analysis of 596 free-text responses provided the basis for an expert consensus day, where the current service evaluation questionnaire was refined. The refined version was tested during cognitive interviews with patients (n=10) and carers (n=7) receiving palliative care from 1 of 2 UK hospices. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Interviews highlighted minor areas for change within the questionnaire and provided broader insight into patients’ experiences of palliative care services. Patients and carers place an emphasis on simplifying language, decreasing the numeric response range and reducing written instructions; relying instead on visual cues, including formatting and layout. Findings highlighted the importance patients attached to providing meaningful free-text contributions.

Conclusions

Questionnaire refinement should use the patient perspective to effectively facilitate respondent understanding, pertinence and usability. The importance of employing data analysis strategies during questionnaire design may reduce research waste, thus enabling a better interrogation of service provision.
Point-of-care testing of electrolytes and calcium using blood gas analysers: it is time we trusted the results
Authors: Mirzazadeh Mehdi , Morovat Alireza , James Tim , Smith Ian , Kirby Justin , Shine Brian
Published: February 2016

Background

Point-of-care testing allows rapid analysis of samples to facilitate prompt clinical decisions. Electrolyte and calcium abnormalities are common in acutely ill patients and can be associated with life-threatening consequences. There is uncertainty whether clinical decisions can be based on the results obtained from blood gas analysers or if laboratory results should be awaited.

Objectives

To assess the agreement between sodium, potassium and calcium results from blood gas and laboratory mainstream analysers in a tertiary centre, with a network consisting of one referral and two peripheral hospitals, consisting of three networked clinical biochemistry laboratories.

Method

Using the laboratory information management system database and over 11 000 paired samples in three hospital sites, the results of sodium, potassium and ionised calcium on blood gas analysers were studied over a 5-year period and compared with the corresponding laboratory results from the same patients booked in the laboratory within 1 h.

Results

The Pearson's linear correlation coefficient between laboratory and blood gas results for sodium, potassium and calcium were 0.92, 0.84 and 0.78, respectively. Deming regression analysis showed a slope of 1.04 and an intercept of −5.7 for sodium, slope of 0.93 and an intercept of 0.22 for potassium and a slope of 1.23 with an intercept of −0.55 for calcium. With some strict statistical assumptions, percentages of results lying outside the least significant difference were 9%, 26.7% and 20.8% for sodium, potassium and calcium, respectively.

Conclusions

Most clinicians wait for the laboratory confirmation of results generated by blood gas analysers. In a large retrospective study we have shown that there is sufficient agreement between the results obtained from the blood gas and laboratory analysers to enable prompt clinical decisions to be made.
Abstracts from international Emergency Medicine journals
Authors: Weber Ellen J
Published: February 2016

Editor's note: EMJhas partnered with the journals of multiple international emergency medicine societies to share from each a highlighted research study, as selected by their editors.Ellen J Weber
Summary of suspected adverse events, 2014
Authors: Davis G. , Cooles S. , Diesel G. , Blenkinsop J.
Published: February 2016

The following article has been produced by the pharmacovigilance unit at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to provide a summary of some of the results from its surveillance work carried out in 2014
Exploring the linkages between multifunctional forestry goals and the legacy of spruce plantations in Scotland
Authors: Nijnik Maria , Nijnik Albert , Brown Iain
Published: February 2016

This paper explores the ecosystem services associated with woodlands, as they are viewed by individuals in Scotland, with the idea to reconcile objectives for multifunctionality with the legacy of past forestry systems that were not designed with multifunctionality in mind. Research follows a semi-qualitative route and applies the Q method to identify and explain a range of attitudes among the general public and forestry-associated stakeholders regarding the functional future of forestry in Scotland. Four distinctive groups of attitudes were identified and key factors influencing the attitudinal diversity were explained. Despite the uncovered attitudinal heterogeneity, all groups of attitudes have strong emphasis on native woodland regeneration and on improvement of aesthetic values of woodlands but differ concerning afforestation. An improved understanding of what people think provided an indication of their recognition of ecosystem services types and the trade-offs between these, opportunities available, and factors that can hamper forestry development (e.g., concerning the aspiration of increasing Scotland’s forest cover to 25%). Findings suggest that the productivists’ position (for which the economic objectives are important) remains strong in Scotland. Results (compared with those in several other countries) demonstrate comparability between public and stakeholder perspectives in support of the multifunctional forestry, and this has distinct policy relevance and implications for decision-making.