bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The International Dementia Alliance Instrument for Feasible and Valid Staging of Individuals with Dementia by Informal Caregivers
Authors: Richters Anke , Melis Rene J.F. , Olde Rikkert Marcel G.M. , van der Marck Marjolein A.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To assess the feasibility and validity of the International Dementia Alliance (IDEAL) instrument for Informal Caregivers (IDEAL‐IC), which is based on the IDEAL instrument for professionals (IDEAL‐P), for staging individuals with dementia.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Setting

Memory clinic of a university hospital.

Participants

Informal caregivers of 73 community‐dwelling elderly adults referred to a memory clinic and six geriatric registrars.

Measurements

Caregivers completed the IDEAL‐IC; physicians completed the original IDEAL‐P and the Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes (CDR‐SB). Missing items and floor and ceiling effects were reviewed to assess feasibility. To test construct validity, a priori hypotheses were defined for expected correlations between IDEAL‐IC, IDEAL‐P, and CDR‐SB scores.

Results

Seventy‐three IDEAL‐IC instruments were completed, 86% of which had no missing items. Three percent of all 730 individual items were missing. No floor or ceiling effects were detected. CDR scores were 0 7%, 0.5 in 33%, 1 in 27%, 2 in 10%, and unknown in 23%. IDEAL‐IC scores correlated highly with IDEAL‐P scores (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.70) and with CDR‐SB scores (r = 0.65) as expected; the difference between these two correlations was smaller than expected. Agreement between IDEAL‐IC and IDEAL‐P scores was 34% within a range of 1 point difference on 36‐point scales, 57% within a range of two points, and 81% within a range of five points. Correlation between IDEAL‐P and CDR‐SB was very high (r = 0.85).

Conclusion

Results of this study indicate good feasibility and high validity of staging dementia by informal caregivers using the IDEAL‐IC.
Qualitative and quantitative interpretation of SEM image using digital image processing
Authors: SALADRA DAWID , KOPERNIK MAGDALENA
Published: June 2016

The aim of the this study is improvement of qualitative and quantitative analysis of scanning electron microscope micrographs by development of computer program, which enables automatic crack analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs. Micromechanical tests of pneumatic ventricular assist devices result in a large number of micrographs. Therefore, the analysis must be automatic. Tests for athrombogenic titanium nitride/gold coatings deposited on polymeric substrates (Bionate II) are performed. These tests include microshear, microtension and fatigue analysis. Anisotropic surface defects observed in the SEM micrographs require support for qualitative and quantitative interpretation. Improvement of qualitative analysis of scanning electron microscope images was achieved by a set of computational tools that includes binarization, simplified expanding, expanding, simple image statistic thresholding, the filters Laplacian 1, and Laplacian 2, Otsu and reverse binarization. Several modifications of the known image processing techniques and combinations of the selected image processing techniques were applied. The introduced quantitative analysis of digital scanning electron microscope images enables computation of stereological parameters such as area, crack angle, crack length, and total crack length per unit area. This study also compares the functionality of the developed computer program of digital image processing with existing applications. The described pre‐ and postprocessing may be helpful in scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy surface investigations.
Development of a practice framework for improving nurses’ responses to intimate partner violence
Authors: Bradbury‐Jones Caroline , Clark Maria T , Parry Jayne , Taylor Julie
Published: June 2016

Aims and objectives

The aim of this article is to discuss critically the theoretical concepts of awareness, recognition and empowerment as manifested in intimate partner violence and to show how these can be translated into a practice framework for improving nurses’ response.

Background

Intimate partner violence is a universal problem and is considered a significant public health issue. Nurses are in an ideal position to recognise and respond to intimate partner violence, but many lack confidence in this area of practice. In our previous empirical work, we identified three concepts through which nurses’ responses to intimate partner violence can be understood: awareness, recognition and empowerment. In this article, we advance nursing knowledge by showing how these concepts can form a practice framework to improve nurses’ responses to intimate partner violence.

Design

A discussion paper and development of a practice framework to improve nurses’ responses to intimate partner violence.

Discussion

The framework comprises three principal needs of women and three related key requirements for nurses to meet these needs. Arising from these are a range of practice outcomes: enhanced understanding of intimate partner violence, increased confidence in recognising intimate partner violence, establishment of trusting relationships, increased likelihood of disclosure and optimised safety.

Conclusions

Nurses sometimes lack confidence in recognising and responding to intimate partner violence. Awareness, recognition and empowerment are important concepts that can form the basis of a framework to support them. When nurses feel empowered to respond to intimate partner violence, they can work together with women to optimise their safety.

Relevance to clinical practice

Access to adequate and timely intimate partner violence education and training is important in improving nurses’ responses to intimate partner violence. Getting this right can lead to enhanced safety planning and better health outcomes for women who experience intimate partner violence. Although difficult to measure as an outcome, nurses’ improved responses can contribute to higher rates of referral for help and reduction in intimate partner violence rates.
Motives that head and neck cancer patients have for contacting a specialist nurse – an empirical study
Authors: Salander Pär , Isaksson Joakim , Granström Brith , Laurell Göran
Published: June 2016

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this study is to systematically explore the motives for patients with head and neck cancer to contact a specialist nurse during two years postdiagnosis.

Background

Research focusing on the role of specialist nurses in cancer care almost exclusively concern cancers other than head and neck cancer.

Design

Qualitative, descriptive study based on the contacts between patients with head and neck cancer and a specialist nurse.

Methods

Patients were invited to contact a specialist nurse by telephone. The specialist nurse took systematic field notes, that is, she registered who contacted her, the nature of the call and the outcome. Sixty patients were included.

Results

In descending order, the motives for contact were questions about practical and uncomplicated matters, consultations about medical troubles/worries, presenting a report of the patient's situation, requests for additional information about the treatment plan and requests for medical information. The pattern of the patients' motivations for calling was not related to medical or social factors, suggesting that the initiative to make contact is very much a question of the complexity of individual life circumstances. Very few referrals were sent from the specialist nurse to other professionals.

Conclusions

The specialist nurse turned out to be more than just a coordinator of health‐care resources. The findings bring up questions about the potential of the nurse's function as a coordinator, but also as a potential attachment figure, and questions about the nurse's relationships to other professionals.

Relevance to clinical practice

When implementing a specialist nurse function, it is important to decide whether the function should be inspired by a broader relational perspective. In addition to the indispensible competence and experience in the clinical field of head and neck cancer, training in counselling and acquaintance with object‐relational psychology will then be desirable.
Qualified nurses' rate new nursing graduates as lacking skills in key clinical areas
Authors: Missen Karen , McKenna Lisa , Beauchamp Alison , Larkins Jo‐Ann
Published: June 2016

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of qualified nurses on the abilities of newly registered nursing graduates to perform a variety of clinical skills.

Background

Evidence from the literature suggests that undergraduate nursing programmes do not adequately prepare nursing students to be practice‐ready on completion of their nursing courses.

Design

A descriptive quantitative design was used.

Methods

Participants were recruited through the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Victorian branch. A brief explanation of the study and a link to the survey were promoted in their monthly e‐newsletter. A total of 245 qualified nurses in the state of Victoria, Australia participated in this study. A survey tool of 51 clinical skills and open‐ended questions was used, whereby participants were asked to rate new nursing graduates' abilities using a 5‐point Likert scale.

Results

Overall participants rated new nursing graduates' abilities for undertaking clinical skills as good or very good in 35·3% of skills, 33·3% were rated as adequate and 31·4% rated as being performed poorly or very poorly. Of concern, essential clinical skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving, working independently and assessment procedures, were found to be poorly executed and affecting new registered nurses graduates' competence.

Conclusion

The findings from this study can further serve as a reference for nursing education providers to enhance nursing curricula and work collaboratively with healthcare settings in preparing nurses to be competent, safe practitioners on completion of their studies.

Relevance to clinical practice

Identifying key areas in which new nursing graduates are not yet competent means that educational providers and educators from healthcare settings can focus on these skills in better preparing our nurses to be work ready.
Pharmacokinetics and local tolerance of cefovecin sodium after intra‐articular administration in horses
Authors: Pérez‐Nogués M. , Encinas T. , López‐SanRoman J.
Published: June 2016

Searching for new therapeutic options against septic arthritis in horses, this research was focused on the study of the kinetics and local side effects after the intra‐articular treatment of horses with cefovecin sodium. A single dose (240 mg) of the drug (Convenia®) was administered into the radiocarpal joint of adult healthy horses (n = 6), and drug concentrations in plasma and synovial fluid were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Local tolerance was also studied based on the modification of different joint physiopathological parameters (pH, cellular, and protein concentration in synovial fluid). Although no clinically relevant joint damage was noticed, significant increases in the protein concentrations at 5 min and in the cellular concentration at 30 min after cefovecin administration were observed in the treated radiocarpal joints. The duration of the cefovecin above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤1 μg/mLwas 28.80 ± 2.58 h in the radiocarpal joint and 16.00 ± 2.86 h in plasma. The results of this study showed that intra‐articular administration of cefovecin sodium in horses could be considered in the future to manage septic arthritis in horses, as it offers a good pharmacokinetic behavior and good local tolerance.
Effect of benazepril and robenacoxib and their combination on glomerular filtration rate in dogs
Authors: Panteri A. , Kukk A. , Desevaux C. , Seewald W. , King J. N.
Published: June 2016

Combined use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs may induce acute kidney injury, especially when combined with diuretics. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of benazepril, robenacoxib and their combination in healthy dogs. In each of two studies (studies 1 and 2), 32 beagle dogs were randomized into one of four groups in a parallel‐group design. Groups received once‐daily oral treatment for 7 days with placebo, benazepril, robenacoxib or benazepril plus robenacoxib. In study 2, all dogs received additionally 2 mg/kg furosemide orally twice daily. The primary endpoint was the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated from the plasma clearance of iohexol. Secondary endpoints included standard clinical monitoring and, in study 2, plasma renin activity, urine volume, specific gravity and aldosterone concentration and water intake. Administration of furosemide induced diuresis, reducedGFRand activated the renin–aldosterone–angiotensin system. Benazepril and robenacoxib, administered alone or in combination, were tolerated well, did not decreaseGFRwith or without co‐administration of furosemide and significantly reduced urinary aldosterone concentrations. No increased risk of acute kidney injury was identified with the combination of benazepril and robenacoxib in healthy dogs. Different effects might occur in dogs with heart or renal disease.
Pharmacokinetic study of meropenem in healthy beagle dogs receiving intermittent hemodialysis
Authors: Byun S. Y. , Jeong J. W. , Choi J. H. , Lee K. P. , Youn H. Y. , Maeng H. J. , Song K. H. , Koo T. S. , Seo K. W.
Published: June 2016

Meropenem, a second carbapenem antimicrobial agent with a broad spectrum of activity, is used to treat sepsis and resistant‐bacterial infections in veterinary medicine. The objective of this study was to identify the pharmacokinetics of meropenem in dogs receiving intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) and to determine the proper dosing in renal failure patients receiving IHD. Five healthy beagle dogs were given a single i.v. dose of 24 mg/kg of meropenem and received IHD. The blood flow rate, dialysate flow, and ultrafiltration rate were maintained at 40 mL/min, 300 mL/min, and 40 mL/h, respectively. Blood samples were collected for 24 h from the jugular vein and from the extracorporeal arterial and venous line. Urine samples and dialysate were also collected. The concentrations of meropenem were assayed using HPLC/MS/MS determination. The peak plasma concentration was 116 ± 37 μg/mL at 15 min. The systemic clearance was 347 ± 117 mL/h/kg, and the steady‐state volume of distribution was 223 ± 67 mL/kg. Dialysis clearance was 71.1 ± 34.3 mL/h/kg, and the extraction ratio by hemodialysis was 0.455 ± 0.150. The half‐life (T1/2) in dogs with IHD decreased compared with those without IHD, and the reduction in T1/2 was greater in renal failure patients than in normal patients. Sixty‐nine percent and 21% of the administered drug were recovered by urine and dialysate in the unchanged form, respectively. In conclusion, additional dosing of 24 mg/kg of meropenem after dialysis could be necessary according to the residual renal function of the patient based on the simulated data.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of pergolide mesylate following long‐term administration to horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction
Authors: McFarlane D. , Banse H. , Knych H. K. , Maxwell L. K.
Published: June 2016

The objective of this study was to gain an understanding of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of pergolide in horses with PPID after of long‐term oral administration. Six horses with confirmed PPID were treated with pergolide (Prascend®) at 1 mg/horse po q24 h for 2 months, followed by 2 mg/horse po q24 h for 4 months. Following the last dose, plasma samples were collected for measurement of pergolide using an LC/MS/MS method and ACTH measurement using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. Noncompartmental and compartmental pharmacokinetic analyses were performed, as well as pharmacodynamic assessment of the effect of plasma pergolide concentrations on plasma ACTH concentrations. Pergolide effectively decreased plasma ACTH concentration in aged horses with PPID, with similar pharmacokinetic properties as reported in young horses, including an approximate terminal half‐life of 24 h. Plasma ACTH concentration increased by 50% in 3/6 horses at 2 days and 6/6 horses 10 days after discontinuing drug administration. Pergolide was quantified in all horses at 2 days and in none at 10 days after last dose. In summary, after discontinuing pergolide treatment, plasma ACTH concentration increased while pergolide was still quantifiable in some horses. Once‐daily dosing of pergolide is likely appropriate in most horses with PPID for regulating the plasma ACTH concentration.
Functional compartmentalization of Rad9 and Hus1 reveals diverse assembly of the 9‐1‐1 complex components during the DNA damage response in Leishmania
Authors: Damasceno Jeziel D. , Obonaga Ricardo , Santos Elaine V. , Scott Alan , McCulloch Richard , Tosi Luiz R. O.
Published: June 2016

The Rad9‐Rad1‐Hus1 (9‐1‐1) complex is a key component in the coordination of DNA damage sensing, cell cycle progression and DNA repair pathways in eukaryotic cells. This PCNA‐related trimer is loaded onto RPA‐coated single stranded DNA and interacts with ATR kinase to mediate effective checkpoint signaling to halt the cell cycle and to promote DNA repair. Beyond these core activities, mounting evidence suggests that a broader range of functions can be provided by 9‐1‐1 structural diversification. The protozoan parasite Leishmania is an early‐branching eukaryote with a remarkably plastic genome, which hints at peculiar genome maintenance mechanisms. Here, we investigated the existence of homologs of the 9‐1‐1 complex subunits in L. major and found that LmRad9 and LmRad1 associate with chromatin in response to replication stress and form a complex in vivo with LmHus1. Similar to LmHus1, LmRad9 participates in telomere homeostasis and in the response to both replication stress and double strand breaks. However, LmRad9 and LmHus1‐deficient cells present markedly opposite phenotypes, which suggest their functional compartmentalization. We show that some of the cellular pool of LmRad9 forms an alternative complex and that some of LmHus1 exists as a monomer. We propose that the diverse assembly of the Leishmania 9‐1‐1 subunits mediates functional compartmentalization, which has a direct impact on the response to genotoxic stress.
Plum pox virus capsid protein suppresses plant pathogen‐associated molecular pattern (PAMP)‐triggered immunity
Authors: Nicaise Valerie , Candresse Thierry
Published: June 2016

The perception of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by immune receptors launches defence mechanisms referred to as PAMP‐triggered immunity (PTI). Successful pathogens must suppress PTI pathways via the action of effectors to efficiently colonize their hosts. So far, plant PTI has been reported to be active against most classes of pathogens, except viruses, although this defence layer has been hypothesized recently as an active part of antiviral immunity which needs to be suppressed by viruses for infection success. Here, we report that Arabidopsis PTI genes are regulated upon infection by viruses and contribute to plant resistance to Plum pox virus (PPV). Our experiments further show that PPV suppresses two early PTI responses, the oxidative burst and marker gene expression, during Arabidopsis infection. In planta expression of PPV capsid protein (CP) was found to strongly impair these responses in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis, revealing its PTI suppressor activity. In summary, we provide the first clear evidence that plant viruses acquired the ability to suppress PTI mechanisms via the action of effectors, highlighting a novel strategy employed by viruses to escape plant defences.
Dissecting the multifunctional role of the N‐terminal domain of the Melon necrotic spot virus coat protein in RNA packaging, viral movement and interference with antiviral plant defence
Authors: Serra‐Soriano Marta , Antonio Navarro José , Pallás Vicente
Published: June 2016

The coat protein (CP) of Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) is structurally composed of three major domains. The middle S‐domain builds a robust protein shell around the viral genome, whereas the C‐terminal protruding domain, or P‐domain, is involved in the attachment of virions to the transmission vector. Here, we have shown that the N‐terminal domain, or R‐domain, and the arm region, which connects the R‐domain and S‐domain, are involved in different key steps of the viral cycle, such as cell‐to‐cell movement and the suppression of RNA silencing and pathogenesis through their RNA‐binding capabilities. Deletion mutants revealed that the CP RNA‐binding ability was abolished only after complete, but not partial, deletion of the R‐domain and the arm region. However, a comparison of the apparent dissociation constants for the CP RNA‐binding reaction of several partial deletion mutants showed that the arm region played a more relevant role than the R‐domain in in vitro RNA binding. Similar results were obtained in in vivo assays, although, in this case, full‐length CPs were required to encapsidate full‐length genomes. We also found that the R‐domain carboxyl portion and the arm region were essential for efficient cell‐to‐cell movement, for enhancement of Potato virus X pathogenicity, for suppression of systemic RNA silencing and for binding of small RNAs. Therefore, unlike other carmovirus CPs, the R‐domain and the arm region of MNSV CP have acquired, in addition to other essential functions such as genome binding and encapsidation functions, the ability to suppress RNA silencing by preventing systemic small RNA transport.
Contrasting biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships in phylogenetic and functional diversity
Authors: Steudel Bastian , Hallmann Christine , Lorenz Maike , Abrahamczyk Stefan , Prinz Kathleen , Herrfurth Cornelia , Feussner Ivo , Martini Johannes W. R. , Kessler Michael
Published: June 2016

It is well known that ecosystem functioning is positively influenced by biodiversity. Most biodiversity–ecosystem functioning experiments have measured biodiversity based on species richness or phylogenetic relationships. However, theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that ecosystem functioning should be more closely related to functional diversity than to species richness.

We applied different metrics of biodiversity in an artificial biodiversity–ecosystem functioning experiment using 64 species of green microalgae in combinations of two to 16 species.

We found that phylogenetic and functional diversity were positively correlated with biomass overyield, driven by their strong correlation with species richness. At low species richness, no significant correlation between overyield and functional and phylogenetic diversity was found. However, at high species richness (16 species), we found a positive relationship of overyield with functional diversity and a negative relationship with phylogenetic diversity.

We show that negative phylogenetic diversity–ecosystem functioning relationships can result from interspecific growth inhibition. The opposing performances of facilitation (functional diversity) and inhibition (phylogenetic diversity) we observed at the 16 species level suggest that phylogenetic diversity is not always a good proxy for functional diversity and that results from experiments with low species numbers may underestimate negative species interactions.
Chlorine‐induced cardiopulmonary injury
Authors: Carlisle Matthew , Lam Adam , Svendsen Erik R. , Aggarwal Saurabh , Matalon Sadis
Published: June 2016

Chlorine (Cl2) is utilized worldwide for a diverse range of industrial applications, including pulp bleaching, sanitation, and pharmaceutical development. Though Cl2 has widespread use, little is known regarding the mechanisms of toxicity associated with Cl2 exposure, which occurs during industrial accidents or acts of terrorism. Previous instances of Cl2 exposure have led to reported episodes of respiratory distress that result in high morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, studies suggest that acute Cl2 exposure also results in systemic vascular injury and subsequent myocardial contractile dysfunction. Here, we review both lung and cardiac pathology associated with acute Cl2 inhalation and discuss recently published data that suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction underlies the pathogenesis of Cl2‐induced toxicity. Last, we discuss our findings that suggest that upregulation of autophagy protects against Cl2‐induced lung inflammation and can be a potential therapeutic target for ameliorating the toxic effects of Cl2 exposure.
A general model for the influence of immune priming on disease prevalence
Authors: Tate Ann T.
Published: June 2016

Invertebrate immune priming, and other forms of innate immune memory in bacteria, plants, and mammals, modulate the post‐infection resistance, tolerance, and survival phenotypes of individuals previously exposed to microbes. By influencing the probability of both transmission and disease‐induced mortality, priming is likely to have a significant impact on disease dynamics. Two alternative models have been proposed as frameworks for the role of priming in infected populations, but the differences in their underlying key assumptions yield very different predictions for the effect of priming on disease dynamics. By examining these assumptions from the lens of within‐host dynamics, the model presented in this paper demonstrates that priming systems can be characterized along a continuous dose‐response gradient that unites these disparate frameworks. Moreover, it facilitates the incorporation of different kinds of immunological plasticity mechanisms, as well as the exposure probability and transmission characteristics of parasites. Simulating the interaction of these thresholds with the diversity of parasite life history strategies and distributions predicts that priming may actually inflate disease prevalence under certain conditions. Thus, priming of innate immune systems may act analogously to leaky vaccines and drive parasite virulence evolution. The results underscore the need for experimental studies that determine dose response curves for the both the probability of becoming primed following primary parasite exposure and shifts in resistance and tolerance in infected primed hosts. This framework is applicable to a variety of systems that show immunological memory.
Association mapping identifies markers related to major early‐maturating traits in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors: Li Cheng‐Qi , Xu Xin‐Juan , Dong Na , Ai Ni‐Jiang , Wang Qing‐Lian
Published: June 2016

Association mapping is a promising tool to identify genes for quantitative traits. A total of 172 upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) accessions were assessed. The panel was phenotyped for four major early‐maturating traits across multiple environments and genotyped using 331 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The gene diversity of the 331 markers averaged 0.40 (range: 0.04–0.78), and the polymorphism information content (PIC) averaged 0.34 (range: 0.04–0.75). Thirty‐nine significant markers related to early‐maturating traits were simultaneously detected in at least two environments. Among the 39 markers, 11 for seed period (SP), seven for bud period (BP), six for flower and boll period (FBP), and 15 for growth period (GP). These markers were stable and could be used for marker‐assisted selection (MAS). Favourable alleles for SP, BP, FBP and GP were explored. These alleles can be directly used in MAS to improve cotton early maturity. This study lays the foundation for analysing the genetic mechanisms underlying early maturity, as well as the use of MAS to target traits in cotton.
Adapting Animal‐Assisted Therapy Trials to Prison‐Based Animal Programs
Authors: Allison Molly , Ramaswamy Megha
Published: June 2016

Prison‐based animal programs have shown promise when it comes to increased sociability, responsibility, and levels of patience for inmates who participate in these programs. Yet there remains a dearth of scientific research that demonstrates the impact of prison‐based animal programs on inmates' physical and mental health. Trials of animal‐assisted therapy interventions, a form of human‐animal interaction therapy most often used with populations affected by depression/anxiety, mental illness, and trauma, may provide models of how prison‐based animal program research can have widespread implementation in jail and prison settings, whose populations have high rates of mental health problems. This paper reviews the components of prison‐based animal programs most commonly practiced in prisons today, presents five animal‐assisted therapy case studies, evaluates them based on their adaptability to prison‐based animal programs, and discusses the institutional constraints that act as barriers for rigorous prison‐based animal program research implementation. This paper can serve to inform the development of a research approach to animal‐assisted therapy that nurses and other public health researchers can use in working with correctional populations.
Self‐referential processing in adolescents: Stability of behavioral and ERP markers
Authors: Auerbach Randy P. , Bondy Erin , Stanton Colin H. , Webb Christian A. , Shankman Stewart A. , Pizzagalli Diego A.
Published: June 2016

The self‐referential encoding task (SRET)—an implicit measure of self‐schema—has been used widely to probe cognitive biases associated with depression, including among adolescents. However, research testing the stability of behavioral and electrocortical effects is sparse. Therefore, the current study sought to evaluate the stability of behavioral markers and ERPs elicited from the SRET over time in healthy, female adolescents (n = 31). At baseline, participants were administered a diagnostic interview and a self‐report measure of depression severity. In addition, they completed the SRET while 128‐channel ERP data were recorded to examine early (P1) and late (late positive potential [LPP]) ERPs. Three months later, participants were readministered the depression self‐report measure and the SRET in conjunction with ERPs. Results revealed that healthy adolescents endorsed, recalled, and recognized more positive and fewer negative words at each assessment, and these effects were stable over time (rs = .44–.83). Similarly, they reported a faster reaction time when endorsing self‐relevant positive words, as opposed to negative words, at both the initial and follow‐up assessment (r = .82). Second, ERP responses, specifically potentiated P1 and late LPP positivity to positive versus negative words, were consistent over time (rs = .56–.83), and the internal reliability of ERPs were robust at each time point (rs = .52–.80). As a whole, these medium‐to‐large effects suggest that the SRET is a reliable behavioral and neural probe of self‐referential processing.
Clinical characteristics and factors predicting respiratory failure in adenovirus pneumonia
Authors: Yoon Hee , Jhun Byung Woo , Kim Se Jin , Kim Kang
Published: June 2016

Background and objective

Limited data exist regarding factors predicting respiratory failure (RF) in non‐immunocompromised patients with adenovirus (AdV) pneumonia.

Methods

We described characteristics of AdV pneumonia (n = 91) versus non‐AdV pneumonia (n = 55) and compared clinico‐laboratory and radiological characteristics in patient groups categorized by RF.

Results

All 91 AdV pneumonia patients presented with acute respiratory symptoms and radiological infiltrations and had significantly lower levels of white blood cell counts and platelet counts compared with non‐AdV pneumonia. Of them, 67 patients had mild pneumonia without RF (non‐RF), 14 patients had no RF at admission but progressed to RF during hospitalization (progressed to RF) and 10 patients had RF at admission (initial RF). Initial monocyte percentage and absolute monocyte counts in RF patient groups (progressed to RF and initial RF) were significantly lower than those of non‐RF patients (both P < 0.001), and the differences among progressed to RF and initial RF patients were not significant. Chest computed tomography findings such as dominant pattern or distribution, clinical symptoms, and bacterial or viral co‐infections other than AdV were not discriminable between patients who had RF and those who did not. On univariate analysis, initial monocytopenia, multilobar infiltrations and pleural effusion were associated with RF. However, on multivariable analysis, only initial monocytopenia remained significant (P = 0.004) for predicting RF.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that initial monocytopenia may help to predict RF during the course of AdV pneumonia in non‐immunocompromised patients.
How to be Cautious but Open to Learning: Time to Update Biotechnology and GMO Legislation
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove
Published: June 2016

Precautionary measures to protect human health and the environment should be science based. This implies that they should be directed at a potential danger for which there is credible scientific evidence (although that evidence need not be conclusive). Furthermore, protective measures should be updated as relevant science advances. This means that decisionmakers should be prepared to strengthen the precautionary measures if the danger turns out to be greater than initially suspected, and to reduce or lift them, should the danger prove to be smaller. Most current legislation on agricultural biotechnology has not been scientifically updated. Therefore, it reflects outdated criteria for identifying products that can cause problems. Modern knowledge in genetics, plant biology, and ecology has provided us with much better criteria that risk analysts can use to identify the potentially problematic breeding projects at which precautionary measures should be directed. Legislation on agricultural biotechnology should be scientifically updated. Furthermore, legislators should learn from this example that regulations based on the current state of science need to have inbuilt mechanisms for revisions and adjustments in response to future developments in science.
Trends in United States blood collection and transfusion: results from the 2013 AABB Blood Collection, Utilization, and Patient Blood Management Survey
Authors: Whitaker Barbee , Rajbhandary Srijana , Kleinman Steven , Harris Andrea , Kamani Naynesh
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

AABB surveyed AABB institutional members about their 2013 blood collection, transfusion, and patient blood management (PBM) programs. Results were compared with previous US national surveys.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The 2013 AABB Blood Collection, Utilization, and Patient Blood Management Survey was distributed to AABB blood centers (79) and hospitals (1068). Statistical procedures were used to estimate blood collection and transfusion.

RESULTS

Estimated whole blood (WB) and red blood cell (RBC) collections in 2013 totaled 13.6 million units, a 12.1% decrease from 15.5 million units in 2011 (p < 0.0001). Transfusions of WB and RBC units by AABB hospitals totaled 6.1 million units, 7.3% fewer compared to 2011 (p = 0.036). There was no change in overall platelet (PLT) distributions by blood collectors but WB‐derived (WBD) PLT distributions increased significantly (27.1%, p < 0.0001). Transfusion of PLTs increased 15.4% totaling 1.3 million units (p = 0.0423), including increases in apheresis PLT (12.2%) and WBD PLT transfusions (30.7%). Distribution of plasma for transfusion declined 22.4% (p < 0.0001), while transfused plasma decreased only 9.9% (p = 0.036). Hospitals reduced outdated WB, RBC, and PLT components by 14.9% to 26.1% and wasted plasma components by 19.0%. PBM programs were reported by 37.8% of AABB hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to 2011, WB and RBC collections declined significantly in 2013 and disproportionately to the significant reductions in WB and RBC transfusions. Distributions of PLTs and plasma for transfusion declined in 2013, as did transfusions of plasma, while transfusion of PLTs increased significantly. Decreases in outdated and wasted components by hospitals suggest improvements in product and inventory management. Ongoing national surveys allow for trend analysis and are important for future planning.
What Drives India's Surge in Service Exports?
Authors: Sahoo Pravakar , Dash Ranjan Kumar
Published: June 2016

India's prowess in the service sector has been recognised the world over. Sustaining services exports is important not only to sustain India's high growth rate but also to compensate for a consistent deficit in merchandise trade and to maintain stability on the external sector. In this context, we analyse the factors of India's performance in services exports over the past three decades. The results reveal that endowment factors such as human capital, improvement in physical infrastructure and financial development are key drivers for India's surge in services exports along with world demand, exchange rate and manufacturing exports. While factors such as institutions, R&D expenditure, telecommunication, foreign direct investment and financial development significantly impact the export of modern services, traditional services exports are more dependent on infrastructure development, manufacturing exports, world demand and exchange rate. India's economic reforms in the financial sector, FDI, communication so far have helped the services exports, but India needs to focus on supply‐side factors to improve the competitiveness – and thereby volume – of services exports.
Hyperlactatemia and serial lactate measurements in sick cats
Authors: Redavid Lesleigh A. , Sharp Claire R. , Mitchell Mark A. , Beckel Nicole F.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To document the incidence of hyperlactatemia in sick cats hospitalized for emergency care and to evaluate the prognostic utility of serial lactate measurements in cats with hyperlactatemia.

Design

Prospective observational study over a 10‐month period (July 2010–May 2011).

Setting

Private veterinary referral center with 24‐hour hospital care.

Animals

One hundred and twenty‐three privately owned cats admitted to a private referral center.

Interventions

Blood was collected by direct venipuncture from the jugular or medial saphenous vein at the time of hospital admission and at 6 and 24 hours following admission.

Measurements and Main Results

The median plasma lactate concentration for all cats at admission (T0) was 1.89 mmol/L (17.0 mg/dL) (range: 0.3–12.48). Twenty‐three percent (28/123) of cats admitted were hyperlactatemic (ie, >2.87 mmol/L; >25.86 mg/dL) upon admission. Lactate concentration at presentation and serial lactate measurements were not found to be related with survival to discharge or correlated with duration of hospitalization. The overall survival rate of all cats in this study was 81%.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the incidence of hyperlactatemia in sick cats being admitted for hospitalization in a private referral center was 23%, and that lactate concentration on admission and serial lactate measurements over time were not prognostic in this group of hospitalized cats. Future studies are needed to evaluate the prognostic utility of lactate and serial lactate measurements in specific disease states and in a larger population of critically ill cats.
Effect of prolonged photoperiod on ocular tissues of domestic turkeys
Authors: Leis Marina L. , Dodd Mary‐Magdalene U. , Starrak Gregory , Vermette Catherine J. , Gomis Susantha , Bauer Bianca S. , Sandmeyer Lynne S. , Schwean‐Lardner Karen , Classen Henry L. , Grahn Bruce H.
Published: June 2016

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate the structural and functional ocular changes that develop in turkeys exposed to a photoperiod of 23 h of light (23L) compared with a photoperiod of 14 h of light (14L).

Procedures

Ten‐day‐old Nicholas heavy strain poults were exposed to either a 14L or 23L photoperiod. Between 16 and 18 weeks of age, equal numbers of turkeys per treatment group underwent ophthalmic examination (biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy) (n = 14), refractometry (n = 20), keratometry (n = 20), tonometry (n = 20), and full‐field electroretinography (ERG) (n = 14). Postmortem analyses included orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n = 10) and light microscopy (n = 24) at 18 weeks of age.

Results

Autorefraction revealed a median of −0.13 for sphere in both groups (P = 0.69), which is approximately emmetropia. The radius of curvature of the cornea was significantly higher (P = 0.0001) and the refractive power of the cornea was significantly lower (P = 0.0001) in the 23L group. The astigmatic power was significantly greater in the 23L group (P = 0.0001). Mean intraocular pressure did not differ between groups (P = 0.085). Turkeys from the 23L group had significantly larger globes in nasotemporal (P = 0.0007), dorsoventral (P = 0.015), and anterioposterior (P = 0.021) directions, and anterior chambers were more shallow (P = 0.0002). ERGs revealed the 23L group to have lower a‐ and b‐wave amplitudes and significantly lower cone flicker amplitudes (P = 0.0008). Light microscopic examination revealed 23L turkeys to have significantly decreased numbers of nuclei in the outer nuclear layer (P = 0.0001) and inner nuclear layer (P = 0.0186), and decreased choroidal thickness (P = 0.0008). The prevalence of cataract in the 23L group was significantly higher (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Exposing turkeys to a prolonged photoperiod induces significant ocular disease.
Meta‐Analysis of the Effects of Adhesion Barriers on Adhesion Formation in the Horse
Authors: Munsterman Amelia S. , Kottwitz Jack J. , Reid Hanson R.
Published: June 2016

Objective

To determine the efficacy of adhesion barriers in horses using quantitative statistical analysis.

Study Design

Meta‐analytical review.

Methods

A search using PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar was performed, followed by secondary searches of veterinary trade journals, bibliographies of relevant articles, manufacturer websites, and technical reference guides. Randomized experimental trials in healthy horses were considered that included both a treatment and control group. The endpoint required was euthanasia or laparoscopy to identify adhesion formation. A meta‐analysis was performed using a random effects model, with the effect size calculated as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical significance was set atP<.05.

Results

Out of 354 peer reviewed publications that met the search criteria, a total of 9 relevant studies were identified and investigated the use of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solutions, sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose (HA/CMC) membranes, hyaluronate (HA), and fucoidan solutions. The odds of adhesions in horses treated with an adhesion barrier were significantly lower than untreated controls (OR=0.102; 95% CI [0.041, 0.254];P<.001). When analyzed as subsets for each type of barrier, horses treated with HA/CMC membranes and CMC solutions had significant OR for fewer adhesions (OR=0.061; 95% CI [0.013, 0.292]; OR=0.119; 95% CI [0.034, 0.415], respectively;P<.001).

Conclusion

The meta‐analysis demonstrated adhesion barriers provide a positive effect on the odds of adhesion formation. These results are tempered by the limitations of the study, including the small sample size and a bias towards publication of studies with only positive findings.
Ventral Midline Preputial Approach to the Caudal Abdomen in Male Dogs
Authors: Daniel Samson S. , Sardinas Juan C. , Montavon Pierre M.
Published: June 2016

Objective

To describe a ventral midline preputial approach to the caudal abdominal cavity of male dogs.

Study Design

Retrospective clinical study.

Sample Population

Client‐owned dogs (n=12).

Method

Medical records of dogs which underwent a ventral midline preputial approach to the caudal abdominal cavity were reviewed. The procedure, outcome, and complication were recorded.

Results

Dogs underwent the preputial approach to the caudal abdominal cavity for various conditions. All dogs had an uneventful postoperative recovery and no major complications were recorded until suture removal at 10–14 days postoperative. Two dogs had minor complications treated conservatively which resolved.

Conclusion

The use of ventral midline preputial approach is an option for access to the caudal abdomen. The approach preserves the protractor preputii muscles, obviates ligation of the branches of the caudal superficial epigastric vessels and eliminates the need for extensive subcutaneous dissection.
Thyroid hormone activation by type 2 deiodinase mediates exercise‐induced peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1α expression in skeletal muscle
Authors: Bocco Barbara M. L. C. , Louzada Ruy A. N. , Silvestre Diego H. S. , Santos Maria C. S. , Anne‐Palmer Elena , Rangel Igor F. , Abdalla Sherine , Ferreira Andrea C. , Ribeiro Miriam O. , Gereben Balázs , Carvalho Denise P. , Bianco Antonio C. , Werneck‐de‐Castro João P.
Published: June 2016

Key points

In skeletal muscle, physical exercise and thyroid hormone mediate the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1a) expression that is crucial to skeletal muscle mitochondrial function.

The expression of type 2 deiodinase (D2), which activates thyroid hormone in skeletal muscle is upregulated by acute treadmill exercise through a β‐adrenergic receptor‐dependent mechanism.

Pharmacological block of D2 or disruption of the Dio2 gene in skeletal muscle fibres impaired acute exercise‐induced PGC‐1a expression.

Dio2 disruption also impaired muscle PGC‐1a expression and mitochondrial citrate synthase activity in chronically exercised mice.

Thyroid hormone promotes expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1a), which mediates mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle (SKM). Skeletal myocytes express the type 2 deiodinase (D2), which generates 3,5,3′‐triiodothyronine (T3), the active thyroid hormone. To test whether D2‐generated T3 plays a role in exercise‐induced PGC‐1a expression, male rats and mice with SKM‐specific Dio2 inactivation (SKM‐D2KO or MYF5‐D2KO) were studied. An acute treadmill exercise session (20 min at 70–75% of maximal aerobic capacity) increased D2 expression/activity (1.5‐ to 2.7‐fold) as well as PGC‐1a mRNA levels (1.5‐ to 5‐fold) in rat soleus muscle and white gastrocnemius muscle and in mouse soleus muscle, which was prevented by pretreatment with 1 mg (100 g body weight)−1 propranolol or 6 mg (100 g body weight)−1 iopanoic acid (5.9‐ vs. 2.8‐fold; P < 0.05), which blocks D2 activity . In the SKM‐D2KO mice, acute treadmill exercise failed to induce PGC‐1a fully in soleus muscle (1.9‐ vs. 2.8‐fold; P < 0.05), and in primary SKM‐D2KO myocytes there was only a limited PGC‐1a response to 1 μm forskolin (2.2‐ vs. 1.3‐fold; P < 0.05). Chronic exercise training (6 weeks) increased soleus muscle PGC‐1a mRNA levels (∼25%) and the mitochondrial enzyme citrate synthase (∼20%). In contrast, PGC‐1a expression did not change and citrate synthase decreased by ∼30% in SKM‐D2KO mice. The soleus muscle PGC‐1a response to chronic exercise was also blunted in MYF5‐D2KO mice. In conclusion, acute treadmill exercise increases SKM D2 expression through a β‐adrenergic receptor‐dependent mechanism. The accelerated conversion of T4 to T3 within myocytes mediates part of the PGC‐1a induction by treadmill exercise and its downstream effects on mitochondrial function.
Tissue-engineered autologous grafts for facial bone reconstruction
Authors: Bhumiratana Sarindr , Bernhard Jonathan C. , Alfi David M. , Yeager Keith , Eton Ryan E. , Bova Jonathan , Shah Forum , Gimble Jeffrey M. , Lopez Mandi J. , Eisig Sidney B. , Vunjak-Novakovic Gordana
Published: June 2016

Anatomically shaped living bone formed in a portable bioreactor using autologous cells and bone matrix repaired the facial ramus-condyle unit in pigs.
Imaging tumor pH-ysiology with smart contrast agents
Authors: Castro Cesar M.
Published: June 2016

Nanoparticle-based pH-sensitive contrast agents induce selective release of manganese ions to amplify MRI signals within hypoxic regions of tumors.