bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultivation and characterisation of the surface markers and carbohydrate profile of human corneal endothelial cells
Authors: Nagymihály Richárd , Veréb Zoltán , Albert Réka , Sidney Laura , Dua Harminder , Hopkinson Andrew , Petrovski Goran
Published: December 2016

Background

The study aims to characterise human corneal endothelial cell (HCEnC) cultures generated by the peel‐and‐digest method based on their surface protein/carbohydrate expression pattern.

Methods

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to compare expression of vimentin, CD90, Cytokeratin‐19, ZO‐1 and Claudin 14 in cultured HCEnC and cell line B4G12 versus stromal cells. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting was used to assess surface protein distribution of cultured and uncultured HCEnC. Distribution of surface proteins/carbohydrates was visualised by immunofluorescent and lectin staining.

Results

Human corneal endothelial cell and B4G12 showed lower expression level for vimentin, CD90, Cytokeratin‐19 compared with stromal cells; while ZO‐1 was expressed in endothelial cells, Claudin 14 was detected in B4G12 only. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analyses revealed CD166, CD47, CD44, CD54, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD106, CD112, CD146 and CD325 to be present, with CD34 to be absent from cultured HCEnC. Freshly isolated, non‐cultivated HCEnCs were CD90, CD73, CD146 and CD325 positive. Carbohydrates were detected by lectins LCA, PHA E, PHA L, PSA, sWGA, Con A, RCA 120 and WGA, but cultured HCEnC showed negative for GSL I, SBA, DBA, PNA and UEA I.

Conclusion

Cultures established by the peel‐and‐digest method are probably not prone to stromal contamination, but the cells are likely to undergo endothelial‐to mesenchymal transition as suggested by apparent morphological changes.
Synthesis of yellow pyridonylazo colorants and their application in dye–pigment hybrid colour filters for liquid crystal display
Authors: Park Jong Min , Jung Chang Young , Yao Wang , Song Cheol Jun , Jaung Jae Yun
Published: December 2016

Nine yellow azo dyes were designed and synthesised by using different diazo components and pyridonyl coupling components for application in dye–pigment hybrid colour filters for liquid crystal displays. The synthesised dyes were characterised by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis. The thermal stability was examined by thermogravimetric analysis, and solubility was estimated in industrial solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and propylene glycol methyl ether acetate. The dyes, which exhibited suitable physical properties for use in a dye–pigment hybrid colour filter, were fabricated into colour filters, and their optical properties were measured.
5‐Hydroxymethylcytosine is a nuclear biomarker to assess biological potential in histologically ambiguous heavily pigmented melanocytic neoplasms
Authors: Lee Jonathan J. , Vilain Ricardo E. , Granter Scott R. , Hu Nina R. , Bresler Scott C. , Xu Shuyun , Frank Alexander H. , Mihm Martin C. , Saw Robyn P.M. , Fletcher Christopher D. , Scolyer Richard A. , Murphy George F. , Lian Christine G.
Published: December 2016

Background

5‐Hydroxymethylcytosine (5‐hmC) is an epigenetic marker detectable through immunohistochemistry (IHC) that has been shown to distinguish benign nevi from melanoma with high sensitivity and specificity. The purpose of the study was to explore its diagnostic utility in a subset of histologically challenging, heavily pigmented cutaneous melanocytic neoplasms.

Methods

5‐hmC IHC was performed on 54 heavily pigmented melanocytic tumors. Semi‐quantitative analysis of immunoreactivity was correlated with clinical, pathologic and follow‐up data.

Results

Benign melanocytic neoplasms (4 of 4 blue nevi with epithelioid change; 12 of 12 combined nevi; 5 of 5 deep penetrating nevi, DPN) exhibited strong 5‐hmC nuclear reactivity. Eight heavily pigmented blue nevus‐like melanomas and 7 of 8 pigmented epithelioid melanocytomas (PEM) showed significant 5‐hmC loss. Five of 7 atypical DPN cases and 8 of 10 melanocytic tumors of uncertain malignant potential (MELTUMP) showed low to intermediate 5‐hmC immunoreactivity. These differences were statistically significant (P‐value <.0001).

Conclusions

Loss of 5‐hmC may be helpful in differentiating benign, diagnostically challenging, heavily pigmented melanocytic tumors from those with malignant potential. The intermediate to low 5‐hmC immunoreactivity in atypical DPNs, PEMs and so‐called MELTUMP categories further underscores the need to consider these neoplasms as having some potential for lethal biological behavior.
Who's my little monkey? Effects of infant‐directed speech on visual retention in infant rhesus macaques
Authors: Slonecker Emily M. , Simpson Elizabeth A. , Suomi Stephen J. , Paukner Annika
Published: December 2016

Both human and nonhuman primate adults use infant‐directed facial and vocal expressions across many contexts when interacting with infants (e.g., feeding, playing). This infant‐oriented style of communication, known as infant‐directed speech (IDS), seems to benefit human infants in numerous ways, including facilitating language acquisition. Given the variety of contexts in which adults use IDS, we hypothesized that IDS supports learning beyond the linguistic domain and that these benefits may extend to nonhuman primates. We exposed 2.5‐month‐old rhesus macaque infants (N = 15) to IDS, adult‐directed speech (ADS), and a non‐social control (CTR) during a video presentation of unrelated stimuli. After a 5‐ or 60‐minute delay, infants were shown the familiar video side‐by‐side with a novel video. Infants exhibited a novelty preference after the 5‐minute delay, but not after the 60‐minute delay, in the ADS and CTR conditions, and a novelty preference in the IDS condition only after the 60‐minute delay. These results are the first to suggest that exposure to IDS affects infants’ long‐term memory, even in non‐linguistic animals.
A Look at Uganda's Early HIV Prevention Strategies Through a Moderate ‘African’ Communitarian Lens
Authors: Wathuta Jane
Published: December 2016

This paper seeks to highlight the benefits of prioritizing moderate African communitarian principles as partly demonstrated in the HIV prevention strategies implemented in Uganda in the late 1980s. Pertinent lessons could be drawn so as to achieve the HIV prevention targets envisioned in the post‐2015 development era. Communitarianism emphasizes the importance of communities as part of healthy human existence. Its core ethical values include the virtues of generosity, compassion, and solidarity. Persuasion through communication, consensus through dialogue, and the awareness and commitment to responsibilities towards other members of the community, are chief practices relied upon to achieve appropriate social behaviour. All these elements signify individual rootedness in communities and contribute to the healthy existence of its members. Communitarianism is usually classified as either authoritarian/radical or responsive/moderate, depending on the primacy given to either community interests or the individual will and rights. Moderate communitarianism recognizes the individual's capacity for moral reasoning, virtue and free choice. The ensuing form of society is deemed more ethical as it relies on education in the virtues, moral persuasion and informal social controls, without stifling individual identity, agency, and capacity for self‐determination. If moderate African communitarianism, in particular, can to a certain extent be associated with the significant aspects of Uganda's HIV prevention strategies in the stated period, then its present‐day relevance for HIV prevention and other public health interventions may be emphasized accordingly. This applies especially in view of the ongoing efforts to achieve a balance between individual and collective interests in bioethics.
Kant's Criticism of Common Moral Rational Cognition
Authors: Sticker Martin
Published: December 2016

There is a consensus that Kant's aim in the Groundwork is to clarify, systematize and vindicate the common conception of morality. Philosophical theory hence serves a restorative function. It can strengthen agents' motivation, protect against self‐deception and correct misunderstandings produced by uncritical moral theory. In this paper, I argue that Kant also corrects the common perspective and that Kant's Groundwork shows in which senses the common perspective, even considered apart from its propensity to self‐deception and without being influenced by misleading theory, is deficient. Critical practical philosophy needs to set right agents about the stringency of some of their duties, and agents need to be made aware that they have certain other duties. I discuss how Kant corrects the common agent's notion of the stringency of the duty to not make false promises and how Kant corrects the common agent's notion of duties to self. I finally discuss how his critical practical philosophy can become popular and achieve the correction of the common perspective. I stress the role of education informed by philosophical theory for this and contrast it with so called ‘popular philosophy’.
Scope of improvement in water usage efficiency in manual dishwashing: A multicountry study by questionnaire survey
Authors: Maitra Writi , Belke Lara , Stamminger Rainer , Nijhuis Bert , Presti Clara
Published: December 2016

Over recent decades, water conservation have become increasingly an utmost important issue for debate, and this includes the domestic sector. Reducing demand water by improving the efficiency of water use in domestic sector requires an understanding of how water is used and in what ways water savings can be realized. The focus of this global, web‐based, consumer questionnaire survey was to analyze individual consumer attitudes towards using water in manual dishwashing and understand the likelihood of a prospect of changing the daily manual dishwashing method resulting to a more efficient domestic usage of water. This study was designed to investigate the manual dishwashing technique used in the 5249 households of nine different countries ‐ China, Germany, Italy, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, India, South Africa and Argentina.

Besides socio‐demographics, technical questions like cleaning steps, hygiene questions motivational question, environmental awareness questions, questions on payment for water and electricity, questions on information sources about household work were included in the study. It was found that the awareness to conserve water was common among the Asian participants but it necessarily was not practiced in the households as individual washing of dishes was found to be quite high. Among the many outcomes, important one was that ‘running tap method’ was found to be most prevalent (86%) among Russian participants, complimenting their detached approach towards conserving domestic water usage. In South American countries like Brazil (66%) and Argentina (51%), high occurrence of ‘running tap rinse’ was found to be a common practice, confirming the lack of conscious use of water in manual dishwashing in the subcontinent. Based on the overall responses, awareness of a new and efficient technique of manual dishwashing could be propagated through the most voted mediums of Internet (81%) and TV (69%).
Using photo interviews to explore children's food preferences
Authors: Alm Siril , Olsen Svein Ottar
Published: December 2016

This methodological paper elaborates on the pitfalls and potentials for using participatory photo interviews that explore children's experiences with food. It aims to show how participatory photo interviews can give a deeper understanding of children's food preferences. Such knowledge will be useful to other researchers who wish to apply the method in social studies involving children and food. We studied 12 families comprising seven‐ and eight‐year‐old children and their parents to illustrate how this method can be used to identify and understand children's food preferences. The children took photographs over a one‐week period while eating family dinners at home and grocery shopping with their parents. The photos were then used to elicit information during separate in‐depth interviews. Qualitative data analysis software (NVivo 10) was used to content analyse the data. We found that participant photo interviews were a useful method for helping children to remember and describe the sensory, cognitive and affective situational associations of their meals. This approach helped to explore interesting aspects of children's preferences such as their response to raw vegetables, the importance of controlling and choosing meal ingredients and ambivalent food preferences. We discuss parental involvement during data collection as it represents one of the methodological pitfalls. Another limitation is the risk of sensitive information to be breached. We conclude that participatory photo interviews have potential for future food research involving children and may provide information difficult to elicit using other methods.
Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of procyanidins extracted from laurel wood against a selection of foodborne microorganisms
Authors: Alejo‐Armijo Alfonso , Glibota Nicolás , Frías María P. , Altarejos Joaquín , Gálvez Antonio , Ortega‐Morente Elena , Salido Sofía
Published: December 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of two procyanidins isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of laurel wood against a selection of foodborne pathogens. The analysis of the extract by HPLC–DAD/ESI–MS allowed us to detect the presence of two procyanidins, which were selectively isolated and identified by chromatographic and spectroscopic means as cinnamtannin B‐1 (1) and procyanidin B‐2 (2). Procyanidins 1 and 2 exhibited two biological activities: inhibition of bacterial growth at high concentrations and prevention of biofilm formation at lower concentrations. Synergistic effect was also detected when both compounds were tested in combination against Listeria monocytogenes. Significant effects were also detected on disruption of preformed biofilm. The ability of procyanidins to inhibit microbial growth and biofilm formation and to synergistically work with each other may stimulate a market as natural food preservatives, and/or natural sanitisers for processing equipment where foodborne pathogens reside.
Characterisation of curcumin‐loaded proliposomes produced by coating of micronised sucrose and hydration of phospholipid powders to obtain multilamellar liposomes
Authors: Silva Guilherme S. , Jange Camila G. , Rocha Juliana S.S. , Chaves Matheus A. , Pinho Samantha C.
Published: December 2016

The objective of this study was to obtain and characterise curcumin‐loaded proliposomes by the method of coating of micronised sucrose. Proliposomes incorporating curcumin were characterised in terms of coating, morphology, crystallinity, solubility and water sorption. The powders showed a good capacity to preserve curcumin, as after 60 days of storage about 80% of the initial amount of curcumin was preserved. The water adsorption on the proliposomes was very low, as was the hygroscopicity (3.4%). The evaluation of the capacity of the multilamellar liposomes produced by the hydration of phospholipid powders to preserve encapsulated curcumin was assessed. Liposome dispersions were produced with different thickeners, and the best results of average size (around 800 nm) and curcumin preservation (72% after 30 days of storage) were obtained with xanthan gum and guar gum. These results evidenced the coating of micronised sucrose is a promising technique to produce liposomes to be incorporated into food.
Structure and phase behaviour of microcrystalline cellulose in mixture with condensed systems of potato starch
Authors: Chuang Lillian , Panyoyai Naksit , Shanks Robert , Kasapis Stefan
Published: December 2016

It has been suggested that microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) can be used in biodegradable films to improve techno‐functionality by providing bulk and enhancing mechanical strength. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MCC addition on the structural properties of potato starch films. Samples were prepared by hot pressing at 120 °C for 7 min to produce systems that covered a broad range of moisture content and relative humidity. Complimentary experimental techniques, including thermomechanical analysis, FTIR, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and SEM, were employed to examine the micro‐ and macromolecular characteristics in these mixtures. Both moisture content and the presence of MCC have a plasticising effect on the composites yielding a reduction in its glass transition temperature. It appears that there is no specific and nontrivial interaction between potato starch and MCC, an outcome which indicates that the cellulose fibres act as inert filler in the polymeric composite.
20‐hydroxyecdysone enhances the expression of the chitinase 5 via Broad‐Complex Zinc‐Finger 4 during metamorphosis in silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Zhang X. , Zheng S.
Published: December 2016

Insect chitinases are hydrolytic enzymes required for the degradation of chitin. They are essential for insect moulting and metamorphosis. In this study, the regulation mechanism of a chitinase gene, Bombyx mori chitinase 5 (BmCHT5), was studied. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) analysis showed that BmCHT5 was up‐regulated during the larval–larval and larval–pupa transitions and notably induced by 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E). Analysis of the BmCHT5 promoter revealed the presence of one Bombyx mori Broad‐Complex Zinc‐Finger Isoform 4 (BR‐C Z4), two BR‐C Z2 and two ecdysone‐induced protein 74A (E74A) cis‐regulatory elements (CREs) that are related to 20E. qRT‐PCR showed that the expression of both BmBR‐C Z4 and BmBR‐C Z2 during metamorphosis, and when induced by 20E, was anastomotic with the variations in BmCHT5 mRNA level. In contrast, BmE74A did not follow this trend. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay did not retrieve a binding partner for the two BR‐C Z2 CREs in the BmN cell line nuclear extract, whereas BR‐C Z4 CRE specifically bound to BmBR‐C Z4. Besides, luciferase activity analysis confirmed that BmBR‐C Z4 could enhance the activity of the BmCHT5 promoter with BR‐C Z4 CRE and could not enhance the promoter activity by mutating BR‐C Z4 CRE. Taken together, these data suggest that the transcription factor BmBR‐C Z4 enhances the expression of BmCHT5 during metamorphosis.
NLRP3 inflammasome mediates interleukin‐1β production in immune cells in response to Acinetobacter baumannii and contributes to pulmonary inflammation in mice
Authors: Kang Min‐Jung , Jo Sung‐Gang , Kim Dong‐Jae , Park Jong‐Hwan
Published: December 2016

Acinetobacter baumannii is a multi‐drug resistant, Gram‐negative bacteria and infection with this organism is one of the major causes of mortality in intensive care units. Inflammasomes are multiprotein oligomers that include caspase‐1, and their activation is required for maturation of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). Inflammasome signalling is involved in host defences against various microbial infections, but the precise mechanism by which A. baumannii activates inflammasomes and the roles of relevant signals in host defence against pulmonary A. baumannii infection are unknown. Our results showed that NLRP3, ASC and caspase‐1, but not NLRC4, are required for A. baumannii‐induced production of IL‐1β in macrophages. An inhibitor assay revealed that various pathways, including P2X7R, K+ efflux, reactive oxygen species production and release of cathepsins, are involved in IL‐1β production in macrophages in response to A. baumannii. Interleukin‐1β production in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was impaired in NLRP3‐deficient and caspase‐1/11‐deficient mice infected with A. baumannii, compared with that in wild‐type (WT) mice. However, the bacterial loads in BAL fluid and lungs were comparable between WT and NLRP3‐deficient or caspase‐1/11‐deficient mice. The severity of lung pathology was reduced in NLRP3‐ deficient, caspase‐1/11‐ deficient and IL‐1‐receptor‐deficient mice, although the recruitment of immune cells and production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were not altered in these mice. These findings indicate that A. baumannii leads to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which mediates IL‐1β production and lung pathology.
Body Image Concerns as Predictors of Psychology Students' Confidence with Clients
Authors: Clode Jacqueline , Lewis Vivienne , Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz Matthew
Published: December 2016

Objectification theory posits that social situations invite scrutiny and dissatisfaction with appearance (especially among women), in turn affecting mental health, sexual satisfaction, and enjoyment of social interactions. The limited exploration of body image within the workplace is surprising. Ninety‐three university students studying psychology were tested in a mediation model, which gender predicted body image disturbances and, in turn, undermined client confidence. Female participants were less confident, that confidence was related to weight preoccupation, appearance orientation, and social physique anxiety, and that these body image variables fully mediated the relationship between gender and client confidence. Further research is needed to rule out third variable explanations for these associations (via self‐esteem).
Aboriginal impacts on fire and vegetation on a Tasmanian island
Authors: McWethy D. B. , Haberle S. G. , Hopf F. , Bowman D. M. J. S.
Published: December 2016

Aim

To evaluate the influence of climate and Aboriginal landscape management on Holocene vegetation and fire activity.

Location

Flinders Island, Bass Strait, Tasmania where archaeological data document extended periods of human presence and absence over the past 12,000 years.

Methods

We evaluated climate–human–fire interactions through high‐resolution pollen, charcoal and geochemical analyses of sediment cores from two wetland sites. Proxies for environmental change are qualitatively compared with archaeological data documenting Aboriginal occupation and later abandonment during the mid‐Holocene.

Results

Warm and dry conditions of the early Holocene combined with anthropogenic ignitions promoted frequent fires that sustained highly fire‐tolerant Eucalyptus savanna. During the mid‐Holocene, when both temperatures and precipitation reached Holocene maxima, archaeological data suggest Aboriginal populations abandoned Flinders Island. At this time, Eucalyptus savanna was replaced by Casuarinaceae and broadleaf forests and fire activity decreased. The late Holocene was marked by a transition to increased incidence of intense fires that was associated with a shift from Casuarinaceae forests to xerophytic scrub dominated by Callitris rhomboidea, a conifer that is sensitive to frequent fires but regenerates well following infrequent fires.

Main conclusions

Palaeoenvironmental analyses from Flinders Island document significant shifts in fire regimes and vegetation types through the Holocene. In the early Holocene, Aboriginal landscape management played a key role in maintaining open Eucalyptus savanna, a prime habitat for marsupial prey species. Increasing aridity and strengthening of the El Niño Southern Oscillation climate mode during the mid to late Holocene contributed to the cessation of permanent human occupation and concomitant reduction of ignitions. Infrequent fire activity led to the dominance of xerophytes, especially Callitris, a genus adapted to drought and infrequent high‐severity fires. This study highlights how climate change affects the persistence of human populations on islands and the capacity of human‐set fires to create savanna habitats.
Serum lipids modify periodontal infection – interleukin‐6 association
Authors: Haro Anniina , Saxlin Tuomas , Suominen Anna Liisa , Jula Antti , Knuuttila Matti , Ylöstalo Pekka
Published: December 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the systemic response against a local inflammatory process in periodontium is dependent on the individual's serum lipid composition.

Material and methods

This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey that included 878 subjects who were aged between 45 and 64 years, dentate, non‐diabetic and non‐rheumatic. The inflammatory condition of periodontium was measured by means of the number of teeth with deepened (4 mm or deeper) periodontal pockets. Systemic inflammation was assessed by means of the serum levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α). The association between an inflammatory condition in the periodontium and the systemic inflammatory response was analysed using linear regression models.

Results

The number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets was associated with elevated serum IL‐6 levels among subjects with an unfavourable lipid composition (low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥3.7 mmol/l or high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol <1.3 mmol/l). There was no association between serum TNF‐α levels and the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets in these data.

Conclusion

The systemic response against the inflammatory condition of periodontium varied between individuals. The variation appeared to be dependent on the serum lipid composition or related factors.
Adjunctive efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of experimental peri‐implant mucositis with mechanical and photodynamic therapy: a randomized, cross‐over clinical trial
Authors: Mongardini Claudio , Pilloni Andrea , Farina Roberto , Di Tanna Gianluca , Zeza Blerina
Published: December 2016

Aim

To evaluate the adjunctive clinical efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of peri‐implant mucositis (p‐iM) with professionally administered plaque removal (PAPR) and photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Materials and methods

Following p‐iM induction, patients underwent PAPR + PDT and were randomly assigned to receive the professional and home‐based administration of probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis) (test treatment) or placebo preparation (control treatment) according to a cross‐over design. Clinical parameters were assessed at six sites for each implant before as well as at 2 and 6 weeks after professional treatment administration.

Results

Twenty patients contributing one dental implant each were included. Immediately before treatment and at 6 weeks, the median number of sites with bleeding on probing (BoP+) sites per implant unit was 4 (3–6) and 2 (0–2) (p < 0.001), respectively, for test treatment, and 3.5 (2–4) and 2 (0–3) (p = 0.03), respectively, for control treatment. No significant difference in clinical outcomes was observed between treatment groups.

Conclusion

The combination of PAPR and PDT either alone or associated with probiotics determined a significant reduction in the number of BoP+ sites at 2 and 6 weeks around implants with p‐iM. The adjunctive use of probiotics did not significantly enhance the clinical outcomes of PAPR + PDT.
Estimating Corporate Carbon Footprints with Externally Available Data
Authors: Goldhammer Bernhard , Busse Christian , Busch Timo
Published: December 2016

Corporate carbon footprints (CCFs) are a core tool in greenhouse gas emissions reporting. Established approaches for CCF calculation are based on an internal perspective that requires detailed corporate information. However, many firms do not publish information about their emissions. We seek to close this data gap by estimating scope 1 and 2 CCFs from an external perspective. The study uses a regression analysis approach, using actual firm‐internally computed CCFs to assess their degree of predictability from the outside. Data were collected from 93 European companies belonging to the chemicals, construction and engineering, and industrial machinery sectors. As predictors, we use five measures that are computed with publicly available corporate data: firm size; level of vertical integration; capital intensity; centrality of production; and carbon intensity of the national energy mix. The analysis shows that significant explanatory power for the CCF can be observed for size, capital intensity, and centrality of production. The best estimation results are achieved when data from different sectors are integrated into a comprehensive all‐sector model, while accounting for sector‐specific emission intensities by means of dummy variables. With an adjusted R² value of 0.817, the proposed procedure estimates CCFs in an accurate, yet also efficient, manner. Moreover, the study enhances trust in the current CCF calculation practices by showing that their results are plausible from a third‐party perspective.
Action learning: an effective way to improve cancer‐related pain management
Authors: Kasasbeh Mohammed Ali Mohammed , McCabe Catherine , Payne Sheila
Published: December 2016

Aims and Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of action learning for improving cancer related pain management in the acute healthcare settings.

Background

Despite the prevalent use of action learning in private, public, clinical and non‐clinical settings, no studies were found in the literature that either examined cancer pain management or used action learning as an approach to improve patient care in acute healthcare settings.

Methods

An intervention pre – posttest design was adopted using an action learning programme (ALPs) as the intervention. Healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes and practice were assessed and evaluated before and after the implementation of the six‐month ALPs. A pre and post audit and survey were conducted for data collection. The data were collected from the entire population of 170 healthcare professionals in one healthcare organisation.

Results

The management of cancer related pain improved significantly following the intervention. Significant improvement were also seen in healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes with improved cancer related pain management as a consequence of this.

Conclusion

Despite many organisational challenges to practice development and collaborative working in healthcare settings there is evidence that action learning can achieve positive outcomes for improving CRP and supporting collaborative working.

Relevance to clinical practice

Action learning needs to be considered as a strategy for achieving high quality standards.
Sensitivity to Fludioxonil of Botrytis cinerea Isolates from Tomato in Henan Province of China and Characterizations of Fludioxonil‐resistant Mutants
Authors: Liu Shengming , Hai Fei , Jiang Jia
Published: December 2016

Grey mould, caused by Botrytis cinerea Pers ex Fr., is one of the most common diseases of tomato worldwide. Fludioxonil belongs to the phenylpyrrole fungicides, which have high activity against B. cinerea. The sensitivity of fludioxonil was evaluated on the basis of the level of inhibition of mycelium growth in 274 B. cinerea isolates collected from different locations (untreated with this fungicide) in Henan Province, China. The EC50 values for fludioxonil ranged from 0.0033 to 0.0415 mg/l, and the average EC50 values were 0.0156 ± 0.0078 mg/l. Three fludioxonil‐resistant mutants were obtained by subculturing fludioxonil‐sensitive wild‐type isolates on continuously increasing fludioxonil concentrations. For the cross‐resistance assay, fludioxonil revealed positive cross‐resistance with procymidone but did not reveal cross‐resistance with pyrimethanil, boscalid and trifloxystrobin. Mycelial growth, conidial production, hyphal dry weight and pathogenicity were diminished significantly between the fludioxonil‐resistant mutants and their sensitive wild‐type parental isolates. This study shows for the first time that fludioxonil‐resistant isolates of B. cinerea are still not present in Henan Province because this fungicide is an attractive and effective fungicide for chemical control. Recommendations can be made to growers to use fludioxonil to control grey mould and to consider the potential moderate resistance risk of using this fungicide.
Changes in cardiovascular performance, biochemistry, gastric motility and muscle temperature induced by acute exercise on a treadmill in healthy military dogs
Authors: Queiroz R. W. , Silva V. L. , Rocha D. R. , Costa D. S. , Turco S. H. N. , Silva M. T. B. , Santos A. A. , Oliveira M. B. L. , Pereira A. S. R. , Palheta‐Junior R. C.
Published: December 2016

Changes in physiological parameters that are induced by acute exercise on a treadmill in healthy military dogs have not been thoroughly investigated, especially with regard to age. This study investigated the effects of acute exercise on a treadmill on cardiovascular function, biochemical parameters and gastric antral motility in military dogs. Thermography was used to assess variations in superficial hindlimb muscle temperature. Nine healthy dogs were distributed into three groups according to their age (Group I: 25 ± 7 months; Group II: 51 ± 12 months; Group III: 95 ± 10 months) and sequentially subjected to running exercise on a treadmill for 12 min (3.2 km/h at 0° incline for 4 min, 6.4 km/h at 0° incline for 4 min and 6.4 km/h at 10° incline for 4 min). Heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), gastric motility, haematocrit and biochemical analyses were performed at rest and after each session of treadmill exercise. Infrared thermographic images of muscles in the pelvic member were taken. Exercise decreased DAP in Group I, increased systolic arterial pressure in Groups II and III and increased mean arterial pressure in Group III (all p < 0.05). After the exercise protocol, plasma creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels increased only in Group I (p < 0.05). Exercise increased heart rate and decreased the gastric motility of a solid meal at 180 min in all groups (all p < 0.05). Exercise also elevated temperature in the femoral biceps muscles in Group I compared with the older dogs. The results indicate that acute exercise decreased gastric motility in dogs, regardless of age, and caused more pronounced cardiovascular changes in older dogs than in younger dogs. Acute exercise also altered biochemical parameters and superficial hindlimb muscle temperature in younger military dogs.
Impaired visual processing in patients with insomnia disorder revealed by a dissociation in visual search
Authors: Giora Enrico , Galbiati Andrea , Marelli Sara , Zucconi Marco , Ferini‐Strambi Luigi
Published: December 2016

Insomnia disorder is associated with both subjective and objective daytime impairments. In particular, cognitive impairments are frequently reported. However, little is known about the effects of this pathology on perceptual processes. In this study we aim at evaluating the effect of insomnia disorder on visual processing by employing a visual search paradigm. Twenty‐three patients with insomnia disorder and 20 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects participated in the study. After a polysomnographic recording night patients performed a visual search task in which they had to respond to the presence/absence of a target (letter T) embedded into a set of distractors (letters Os, Xs or Ls). Target's salience and distractors’ numerosity were manipulated, while accuracy and reaction times were recorded as dependent variables. The results mainly confirmed the typical effects of a visual search task. An overall delay in performing the task was observed for patients with insomnia disorder. However, distinguishing the reaction times to stimuli containing the target from reaction times to stimuli in which the target was absent, the clinical group differed from controls solely in the condition of target absent. The performance (reaction times) of the subjects correlated with the age in the control group, whereas no correlation between reaction times and age, disease duration and quality of sleep was found in patients with insomnia disorder. These results experimentally demonstrate the presence of a daytime impairment in patients with insomnia disorder revealed by a dissociation in visual search, and are discussed in the light of the hyperarousal concept of insomnia.
The Utility of Acute‐Phase Proteins in the Assessment of Treatment Response in Dogs With Bacterial Pneumonia
Authors: Viitanen S.J. , Lappalainen A.K. , Christensen M.B. , Sankari S. , Rajamäki M.M.
Published: December 2016

Background

Acute‐phase proteins (APPs) are sensitive markers of inflammation, and serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) recently has been shown to be a useful diagnostic marker in dogs with bacterial pneumonia (BP). In humans with community‐acquired pneumonia, APPs also have great utility as follow‐up markers aiding in the assessment of treatment response.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to investigate the applicability of APPs as markers of treatment response in dogs with BP.

Animals

Nineteen dogs diagnosed with BP and 64 healthy dogs.

Methods

The study was conducted as a prospective longitudinal observational study. Serum CRP, serum amyloid A (SAA), and haptoglobin concentrations were followed during a natural course of BP. Normalization of serum CRP was used to guide the duration of antibiotic treatment (treatment was stopped 5–7 days after CRP normalized) in 8 of 17 dogs surviving to discharge; 9 of 17 dogs were treated according to conventional recommendations.

Results

All measured APPs initially were significantly increased, but the magnitude of increase was not correlated to disease severity. C‐reactive protein and SAA concentrations decreased rapidly after initiation of antimicrobial treatment. When normalization of serum CRP was used to guide the duration of antibiotic treatment, treatment duration was significantly (P = .015) decreased without increasing the number of relapses.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Serum CRP and SAA reflected the recovery process well and therefore may be used as markers of treatment response. According to the results, the normalization of serum CRP may be used to guide the duration of antibiotic treatment in dogs with BP.
Divergence in a Neotropical forest during 33 years of succession following clear‐cutting
Authors: Rolim Samir G. , Machado Rafael E. , Pillar Valério D.
Published: December 2016

Questions

Are vegetation recovery trajectories converging or diverging during succession following clear‐cutting? Are the trajectories approaching the species composition of surrounding old‐growth forests?

Location

Atlantic forest, Vale Natural Reserve, Linhares, southeast Brazil.

Methods

A forest management experiment was established in an old‐growth forest using 0.5‐ha plots arranged in a randomized block design with five replicates. We analysed data collected from two treatments: plots that were clear‐cut in 1980 without burning or tree stump removal, and control plots with old‐growth forest that was left unmanaged. We analysed species abundance data (DBH ≥ 10 cm) recorded for both treatments between 6 and 33 yr after clear‐cutting. We computed mean multidimensional compositional distance of stands of the same successional age, and compared different ages to test whether trajectories during succession were divergent or convergent. Furthermore, we explored successional trajectories using ordination.

Results

Regenerating stands were more similar to each other at 6 yr than at 33 yr after clear‐cutting. Trajectories of the five recovering stands showed nearly monotonic divergence during succession and gradually approached the composition of surrounding old‐growth stands. Furthermore, pioneer and non‐pioneer species colonized the stands throughout the successional trajectory. Species recruitment occurred at different times and the species composition changed substantially during the 33 yr after clear‐cutting. As expected, species richness increased over time. Our findings suggest that successional trajectories have their own attractors: the surrounding old‐growth stands towards which the composition of the regenerating community tends to return. Even so, 33 yr after clear‐cutting, regenerating stands had distinctly different communities from surrounding old‐growth forest.

Conclusions

Secondary succession in the Atlantic forest shows that multiple, divergent trajectories which started with more similar species composition were directly influenced by their surrounding vegetation and gradually increased their similarities to the surrounding old‐growth forest.
Community response to alkaline pollution as an adjusting re‐assembly between alternative stable states
Authors: Suija Ave , Liira Jaan
Published: December 2016

Aims

We hypothesize that the community response to disturbances can be interpreted as a large‐scale dynamic equilibrium between multiple alternate states stemming from different species pools within a regional meta‐pool and being limited by species’ multi‐dimensional niches. We explore this hypothesis by examining the re‐assembly of an acidophilous lichen community in response to long‐term alkaline dust pollution, assuming understorey as a potential side‐factor.

Location

Around a cement factory in Kunda, Estonia.

Methods

Lichen communities on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trunks in 40 stands around a cement factory and in nine distant limestone habitats were assessed.

Results

The formed bark pH gradient from pH 2.4 to 8.1 was reflected in a continuum of lichen communities on pines from acidophilous to basidophilous communities. Besides suppressing species richness, understorey density more evidently caused the compositional divergence from neutral bark conditions. The effect of hidden interactions among drivers was explained through reactions of individual species – almost all species across the pollution gradient were pH‐limited, whereas species adapted to neutral or alkaline substrate were additionally sensitive to understorey conditions. The hump‐shaped distribution of pH niche ranges along the observed niche optima, rather than ecological indicator values, showed that the shape of species’ multi‐dimensional niche‐space still needs to be quantified.

Conclusions

Each alternative community state along the disturbance gradient represents a realization of its specific species pool within the meta‐pool. Degradation can be defined if the community state is not supported by a meta‐pool. Species infiltration during community re‐assembly can be predicted using species source communities as cost‐efficient proxies.
An Arabidopsis NAC transcription factor NAC4 promotes pathogen‐induced cell death under negative regulation by microRNA164
Authors: Lee Myoung‐Hoon , Jeon Hwi Seong , Kim Hye Gi , Park Ohkmae K.
Published: December 2016

Hypersensitive response (HR) is a form of programmed cell death (PCD) and the primary immune response that prevents pathogen invasion in plants. Here, we show that a microRNAmiR164 and its target gene NAC4 (At5g07680), encoding a NAC transcription factor, play essential roles in the regulation of HR PCD in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cell death symptoms were noticeably enhanced in NAC4‐overexpressing (35S:NAC4) and mir164 mutant plants in response to avirulent bacterial pathogens. NAC4 expression was induced by pathogen infection and negatively regulated by miR164 expression.

NAC4‐binding DNA sequences were determined by in vitro binding site selection using random oligonucleotide sequences. Microarray, chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analyses, followed by cell death assays in protoplasts, led to the identification of NAC4 target genes LURP1, WRKY40 and WRKY54, which act as negative regulators of cell death.

Our results suggest that NAC4 promotes hypersensitive cell death by suppressing its target genes and this immune process is fine‐tuned by the negative action of miR164.
Ocular response to environmental variations in contact lens wearers
Authors: López‐de la Rosa Alberto , Martín‐Montañez Vicente , López‐Miguel Alberto , Fernández Itziar , Calonge Margarita , González‐Méijome José M. , González‐García María J.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To assess the influence of different indoor environments simulated in an environmental chamber on soft contact lens (CL) wearers.

Methods

Fifty‐four CL wearers were grouped based on their symptoms while wearing their CLs. Subjects were fitted with two different CL types, conventional hydrogel (Omafilcon A) and silicone hydrogel (comfilcon A), and exposed to two controlled indoor environmental conditions, standard [50% relative humidity (RH), 23°C, 930 mb of atmospheric pressure] and adverse (in‐flight air cabin environment: 5% RH, localised air flow, 23°C, 750 mb atmospheric pressure), for 90 min in an environmental chamber, making a total of four visits. Symptoms, tear osmolarity, pre‐lens tear breakup time (PLBUT), phenol red thread test, visual acuity, bulbar and limbal hyperaemia, corneal and limbal staining, and CL dehydration were assessed using repeated measures analysis of variance. A linear mixed model was used to analyse the effect of environment, CL type, discomfort‐based grouping, and time on blink rate.

Results

Environment was found to significantly (p ≤ 0.018) affect limbal and bulbar hyperaemia, PLBUT, tear osmolarity, and CL dehydration. Likewise, CL type significantly (p ≤ 0.04) affected nasal and total corneal staining, limbal conjunctival staining, CL dehydration, comfort, and blurred vision. The environment, CL type, and time had significant effects (p ≤ 0.0001) on the blink rate.

Conclusions

Ocular surface integrity and blink rate in CL wearers depend on the environment CL users are exposed to, as well as on the soft CL type that they are wearing. Tight control of environmental conditions can contribute to a better understanding of CL‐related discomfort.
Quality of life following injury to the inferior dental or lingual nerve – a cross‐sectional mixed‐methods study
Authors: Patel N. , Ali S. , Yates J.M.
Published: December 2016

Objective

Trigeminal nerve injury is one of the most problematic complications of dental/oral surgical procedures with significant consequences for patients, including neuropathy and facial pain. This presentation demonstrates the results of a cross‐sectional survey studying the impact of nerve injury on patients’ quality of life.

Method

Thirty patients attending a specialist nerve injury clinic at Manchester Dental Hospital were asked to complete an Oral Impact on Daily Performance (ODIP) questionnaire. Five further patients took part in semi‐structured interviews. Each interview was recorded and responses were thematically analysed.

Results

Eighteen patients had an inferior alveolar nerve injury and 12 had lingual nerve injuries. There was no significant difference in mean ODIP score – and therefore effect on quality of life, for gender or type of nerve injured (P < 0.05). Nerve injury most affected patients who enjoyed social contact with other people, their ability to eat and enjoy food. It also affected their capacity to maintain an emotional state without becoming irritable. The majority (70%) of nerve injuries were caused by dental extractions. There was also some evidence to show that patients who had sustained a nerve injury following the surgical removal of a wisdom tooth had a worse quality of life when compared to the other injury groups (P < 0.05, 95% CI). Results of the interviews further demonstrated a universal dissatisfaction of how the patient was initially managed following injury.

Conclusion

Iatrogentic trigeminal nerve injury still remains a significant complication in dentistry with significant impact on patients’ quality of life. Managing patients appropriately after nerve injury may help to improve the overall care given to this patient group.