bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using game learning analytics for validating the design of a learning game for adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Cano Ana Rus , Fernández‐Manjón Baltasar , García‐Tejedor Álvaro J.
Published: May 2018

Serious Games (SGs), defined as a game in which education (in its various forms) is the primary goal rather than entertainment, have been proven as an effective educational tool for engaging and motivating students. However, more research is needed to sustain the suitability of these games to train users with cognitive impairments. This empirical study addresses the use of a SG for training students with Intellectual Disabilities in traveling around the subway as a complement to traditional training. Fifty‐one adult people with Down Syndrome, mild cognitive disability or certain types of Autism Spectrum Disorder, all conditions classified as intellectual disabilities, played the learning game Downtown, a Subway Adventure which was designed ad‐hoc considering their needs and cognitive skills. We used standards‐based Game Learning Analytics techniques (ie, Experience API –xAPI), to collect and analyze learning data both off‐line and in near real‐time while the users were playing the videogame. This article analyzes and assesses the evidence data collected using analytics during the game sessions, like time completing tasks, inactivity times or the number of correct/incorrect stations while traveling. Based on a multiple baseline design, the results validated both the game design and the tasks and activities proposed in Downtown as a supplementary tool to train skills in transportation. Differences between high‐functioning and medium‐functioning users were found and explained in this paper, but the fact that almost all of the students completed at least one route without mistakes, the general improvement trough sessions and the low‐mistake ratio are good indicators about the appropriateness of the game design.
Drug–gut microbiota interactions: implications for neuropharmacology
Authors: Walsh Jacinta , Griffin Brendan T , Clarke Gerard , Hyland Niall P
Published: May 2018

The fate and activity of drugs are frequently dictated not only by the host per se but also by the microorganisms present in the gastrointestinal tract. The gut microbiome is known to, both directly and indirectly, affect drug metabolism. More evidence now hints at the effects that drugs can have on the function and composition of the gut microbiome. Both microbiota‐mediated alterations in drug metabolism and drug‐mediated alterations in the gut microbiome can have beneficial or detrimental effects on the host. Greater insights into the mechanisms driving these reciprocal drug–gut microbiota interactions are needed to guide the development of microbiome‐targeted dietary or pharmacological interventions, which may have the potential to enhance drug efficacy or reduce drug side effects. In this review, we explore the relationship between drugs and the gut microbiome, with a specific focus on potential mechanisms underpinning the drug‐mediated alterations on the gut microbiome and the potential implications for psychoactive drugs.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on When Pharmacology Meets the Microbiome: New Targets for Therapeutics? To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.24/issuetoc
The Role of Competitive and Cooperative Norms in the Development of Deviant Evaluations
Authors: McGuire Luke , Rizzo Michael T. , Killen Melanie , Rutland Adam
Published: May 2018

The present study examined how peer group norms influence children's evaluations of deviant ingroup members. Following the manipulation of competitive or cooperative norms, participants (children, Mage = 8.69; adolescents, Mage = 13.81; adults, Mage = 20.89; n = 263) evaluated deviant ingroup members from their own and the group's perspective. Children rated cooperative deviancy positively and believed their group would do the same. Adolescents and adults believed that their group would negatively evaluate cooperative deviancy when their group supported a competitive allocation strategy. Reasoning varied based on norm and participants’ agreement with deviancy. Understanding an ingroup may not be favorable toward a cooperative deviant in a competitive context is a developmental challenge requiring the coordination of social and moral norms.
The feared five fungal infections in kidney transplant recipients: A single‐center 20‐year experience
Authors: Parajuli Sandesh , Wick Alexandra , Pandeya Sameer , Astor Brad C. , Smith Jeannina , Djamali Arjang , Mandelbrot Didier A.
Published: May 2018

Invasive fungal infections are a feared complication in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Here we present the University of Wisconsin experience with 5 invasive fungal infections—aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, and coccidioidomycosis—in KTRs transplanted between 01/01/1994 and 06/30/2014. During this period, there were 128 cases of fungal infections; aspergillosis was the most common (72), followed by cryptococcosis (29), histoplasmosis (14), blastomycosis (10), and coccidioidomycosis (3). The mean interval from transplant to fungal infection was 3.19 ± 3.58 years (range 5 days‐15.8 years). By 6 months postinfection, there were 53 (41%) graft failures and 24 (19%) deaths. Graft failure occurred in 46%, 38%, 21%, 40%, and 67% of patients with aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, and coccidioidomycosis, respectively. Anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.03‐2.16; P = .04), diabetes (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.05‐2.21; P = .03), and age (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.27‐1.70; P ≤ .001) were associated with an increased risk for infection in univariate analysis. Multivariate adjustment retained ATG induction and older age. A large proportion of kidney transplant recipients with invasive fungal infections suffer graft failure within 3 years. Preventive, therapeutic, and monitoring strategies are needed to improve graft and patient outcomes.
Hierarchical Bayesian model reveals the distributional shifts of Arctic marine mammals
Authors: Mäkinen Jussi , Vanhatalo Jarno
Published: May 2018

Aim

Our aim involved developing a method to analyse spatiotemporal distributions of Arctic marine mammals (AMMs) using heterogeneous open source data, such as scientific papers and open repositories. Another aim was to quantitatively estimate the effects of environmental covariates on AMMs’ distributions and to analyse whether their distributions have shifted along with environmental changes.

Location

Arctic shelf area. The Kara Sea.

Methods

Our literature search focused on survey data regarding polar bears (Ursus maritimus), Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) and ringed seals (Phoca hispida). We mapped the data on a grid and built a hierarchical Poisson point process model to analyse species’ densities. The heterogeneous data lacked information on survey intensity and we could model only the relative density of each species. We explained relative densities with environmental covariates and random effects reflecting excess spatiotemporal variation and the unknown, varying sampling effort. The relative density of polar bears was explained also by the relative density of seals.

Results

The most important covariates explaining AMMs’ relative densities were ice concentration and distance to the coast, and regarding polar bears, also the relative density of seals. The results suggest that due to the decrease in the average ice concentration, the relative densities of polar bears and walruses slightly decreased or stayed constant during the 17‐year‐long study period, whereas seals shifted their distribution from the Eastern to the Western Kara Sea.

Main conclusions

Point process modelling is a robust methodology to estimate distributions from heterogeneous observations, providing spatially explicit information about ecosystems and thus serves advances for conservation efforts in the Arctic. In a simple trophic system, a distribution model of a top predator benefits from utilizing prey species’ distributions compared to a solely environmental model. The decreasing ice cover seems to have led to changes in AMMs’ distributions in the marginal Arctic region.
Using language input and lexical processing to predict vocabulary size
Authors: Mahr Tristan , Edwards Jan
Published: May 2018

Children learn words by listening to caregivers, and the quantity and quality of early language input predict later language development. Recent research suggests that word recognition efficiency may influence the relationship between input and vocabulary growth. We asked whether language input and lexical processing at 28–39 months predicted vocabulary size one year later in 109 preschoolers. Input was measured using adult word counts from LENA recordings. We used the visual world paradigm and measured lexical processing as the rate of change in proportion of looks to target. Regression analysis showed that lexical processing did not constrain the effect of input on vocabulary size. We also found that input and processing were more reliable predictors of receptive than expressive vocabulary growth.
Political connections and higher education
Authors: Zhuang Maiting
Published: May 2018

Do political connections affect investment in human capital? This paper studies the higher education decisions of politically connected and unconnected students during China's economic transition. Using the sequential introduction of reforms, I show that economic liberalization increased tertiary educational attainment, as well as sorting of students into different degree types depending on family background. Students whose parents were members of the Chinese Communist Party selected into relatively less prestigious vocational colleges with lower admissions standards. In contrast, politically unconnected individuals responded to the higher skill premium following the reforms by studying harder to obtain more demanding and sought‐after university degrees.
Optimization of native biocontrol agents, with parasitoids of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii as an example
Authors: Kruitwagen Astrid , Beukeboom Leo W. , Wertheim Bregje
Published: May 2018

The development of biological control methods for exotic invasive pest species has become more challenging during the last decade. Compared to indigenous natural enemies, species from the pest area of origin are often more efficient due to their long coevolutionary history with the pest. The import of these well‐adapted exotic species, however, has become restricted under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, reducing the number of available biocontrol candidates. Finding new agents and ways to improve important traits for control agents (“biocontrol traits”) is therefore of crucial importance. Here, we demonstrate the potential of a surprisingly under‐rated method for improvement of biocontrol: the exploitation of intraspecific variation in biocontrol traits, for example, by selective breeding. We propose a four‐step approach to investigate the potential of this method: investigation of the amount of (a) inter‐ and (b) intraspecific variation for biocontrol traits, (c) determination of the environmental and genetic factors shaping this variation, and (d) exploitation of this variation in breeding programs. We illustrate this approach with a case study on parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii, a highly invasive pest species in Europe and North America. We review all known parasitoids of D. suzukii and find large variation among and within species in their ability to kill this fly. We then consider which genetic and environmental factors shape the interaction between D. suzukii and its parasitoids to explain this variation. Insight into the causes of variation informs us on how and to what extent candidate agents can be improved. Moreover, it aids in predicting the effectiveness of the agent upon release and provides insight into the selective forces that are limiting the adaptation of indigenous species to the new pest. We use this knowledge to give future research directions for the development of selective breeding methods for biocontrol agents.
Promotion and inhibition of synchronous glycolytic oscillations in yeast by chitosan
Authors: Shibata Kenichi , Amemiya Takashi , Kawakita Yu , Obase Kohei , Itoh Kiminori , Takinoue Masahiro , Nakata Satoshi , Yamaguchi Tomohiko
Published: May 2018

Synchronous rhythmic activities play crucial roles in diverse biological systems. Glycolytic oscillations in yeast cells have been studied for 50 years with the aim of elucidating the mechanisms underlying the intracellular oscillations and their synchronization. We investigated the effects of chemical disturbances on the individual and collective glycolytic oscillations in yeast cells encapsulated in alginate microparticles, and demonstrated that the addition of chitosan, an antimicrobial agent, decreased the duration of these oscillations. In contrast, the periods and the synchronicity states showed two different responses to the chitosan treatments. The periods were shown to be prolonged following the treatment with 5–50 mg·L−1 and shortened at 75 mg·L−1 of chitosan. Collective oscillations became more synchronized at 5 mg·L−1 of chitosan, and desynchronized at 25–75 mg·L−1 of this compound. These findings can be explained by the balance between two chitosan features, increasing cell membrane permeability and acetaldehyde scavenging. At low concentrations, chitosan presumably acts as a synchronization promoter that does not mediate the synchronization itself but induces an increase in intercellular coupling. We believe that our findings may provide new insights into the synchronous rhythmic activities in biological systems.
Disentangling the effects of acidic air pollution, atmospheric CO2, and climate change on recent growth of red spruce trees in the Central Appalachian Mountains
Authors: Mathias Justin M. , Thomas Richard B.
Published: May 2018

In the 45 years after legislation of the Clean Air Act, there has been tremendous progress in reducing acidic air pollutants in the eastern United States, yet limited evidence exists that cleaner air has improved forest health. Here, we investigate the influence of recent environmental changes on the growth and physiology of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) trees, a key indicator species of forest health, spanning three locations along a 100 km transect in the Central Appalachian Mountains. We incorporated a multiproxy approach using 75‐year tree ring chronologies of basal tree growth, carbon isotope discrimination (∆13C, a proxy for leaf gas exchange), and δ15N (a proxy for ecosystem N status) to examine tree and ecosystem level responses to environmental change. Results reveal the two most important factors driving increased tree growth since ca. 1989 are reductions in acidic sulfur pollution and increases in atmospheric CO2, while reductions in pollutant emissions of NOx and warmer springs played smaller, but significant roles. Tree ring ∆13C signatures increased significantly since 1989, concurrently with significant declines in tree ring δ15N signatures. These isotope chronologies provide strong evidence that simultaneous changes in C and N cycling, including greater photosynthesis and stomatal conductance of trees and increases in ecosystem N retention, were related to recent increases in red spruce tree growth and are consequential to ecosystem recovery from acidic pollution. Intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) of the red spruce trees increased by ~51% across the 75‐year chronology, and was driven by changes in atmospheric CO2 and acid pollution, but iWUE was not linked to recent increases in tree growth. This study documents the complex environmental interactions that have contributed to the recovery of red spruce forest ecosystems from pervasive acidic air pollution beginning in 1989, about 15 years after acidic pollutants started to decline in the United States.
Religious symbolism in the digital realm: A social advertising approach to motivate bystanders to aid victims of cyberbullying
Authors: Muralidharan Sidharth , La Ferle Carrie
Published: May 2018

Cyberbullying in the digital sphere has impacted individuals of all age groups. Recent findings indicate an increase in suicidal tendencies among victims. An opportunity to prevent cyberbullying exists in the actions of bystanders. The current study proposes the possible impact of religion (Christianity) in motivating bystanders to aid victims of abuse. Using an experimental design, the research explored the interplay of individual religiosity and religious symbolism on American bystanders’ ad attitudes and intentions to call a helpline. Findings indicate a congruency effect for low religiosity individuals between the control and religious ads. High religiosity individuals liked both ads equally well, but within the religious ad, again a congruency effect appeared where highly religious individuals found the religious ad significantly more appealing than low religious individuals. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Affect as a driver to religious‐based consumer boycotts: Evidence from qualitative and quantitative research in the United States
Authors: Kalliny Morris , Minton Elizabeth A. , Benmamoun Mamoun
Published: May 2018

While a fair amount of research has examined consumer boycotts, prior research has yet to adequately examine the interaction of religious boycotts and backing by religious leaders influence consumption behavior, particularly in locations where there is a separation of church and state (a novel contribution that our paper addresses). Through a focus group and an experimental study, this research examines how boycotts that are encouraged by religious leaders versus those that are not influence consumption. Specifically, the focus groups show that refutational defenses and supportive defenses induce participation. The experimental study finds that participation in religiously motivated boycotts is greater for consumers that are more religious and when backed by religious leader support. Additionally, negative attitudes toward a business mediate this relationship. Discussion builds on the literature on consumer boycotts, inoculation theory, and value attribution theory as well as provides implications for marketing practitioners.
Effect of oxidation induced by hydroxyl radical‐mediated model on molecular structural and physical character of egg white powder
Authors: Wang Jianming , Zhao Yarou , Niu Sisi , Wang Xiaojing , Chen Fengqing
Published: May 2018

The objective of this study was to determine structure and functional properties changes of oxidised egg white protein derived from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)/ferric chloride (FeCl3) /ascorbic acid hydroxyl radical‐generating systems at room temperature, including carbonyls, sulfhydryl and total sulfhydryl groups, dityrosine, free amino, surface hydrophobicity, particle size distribution, intermolecular forces, and foamability and emulsibility. Protein carbonyl and dityrosine content of egg white protein were increased (P < 0.05) with increasing the concentrations of H2O2. Oxidation decreased free sulfhydryl, total sulfhydryl groups and surface of hydrophobicity comparing with nonoxidised egg white protein. Oxidation also reduced its free amino content (P < 0.05). The low concentration of H2O2 contributing the average particle size of egg white protein was smaller than the control group. However, the high concentrations of H2O2 caused that egg white protein aggregated and the average particle size became larger. To sum up, oxidation made EWP denaturation and aggregation.
Phase control during synthesis of nanocrystalline ultrahigh temperature tantalum‐hafnium diboride powders
Authors: Foroughi Paniz , Rabiei Baboukani Amin , Franco Hernandez Alexander , Wang Chunlei , Cheng Zhe
Published: May 2018

Ta1−xHfxB2 material is attractive for various aerospace applications. In this study, 2 low‐cost approaches were adopted to synthesize nanocrystalline Ta0.5Hf0.5B2 solid solution and related composite powders. The first was based on carbothermal reduction reaction (CTR) of intimately mixed tantalum‐hafnium‐boron oxide(s) and carbon obtained from aqueous solution processing of TaCl5, HfCl4, B2O3, and sucrose as precursors. It was found that when using this method, due to the low solubility of each other for Ta2O5 and HfO2 and the difference in reactivity of those 2 oxides with carbon (as well as B2O3), individual TaB2 (‐rich) and HfB2 phases always form separately. Those borides tend to remain phase separated due to the slow inter‐diffusion between them. However, it was observed that addition of copper “catalyst” noticeably accelerates the inter‐diffusion and the solid solution formation. The second approach was based on alkali metal reduction reaction, in which TaCl5 and HfCl4 are directly reacted with sodium borohydride (NaBH4). This method yields a single phase Ta0.5Hf0.5B2 solid solution nanopowders in one step at much lower temperatures (e.g., 700°C) by avoiding the oxides formation and the associated phase separation of individual borides as observed in the CTR‐based process.
Embodiment analytics of practicing teachers in a virtual immersive environment
Authors: Barmaki Roghayeh , Hughes Charles E.
Published: May 2018

Interactive training environments typically include feedback mechanisms designed to help trainees improve their performance through either guided or self‐reflection. In this context, trainees are candidate teachers who need to hone their social skills for their future classroom. We chose an interactive virtual training system as the basic research environment to investigate the embodiment of the trainees. Using tracking sensors and improvements for existing gesture recognition utilities, we created a gesture database and used it for the implementation of our real‐time feedback application. We also investigated multiple modalities of feedback including visual and haptics. This paper describes the context in which the utilities have been developed, the importance of recognizing nonverbal communication in the teaching context, the means of providing automated feedback associated with nonverbal messaging, and a series of preliminary studies developed to inform the research. Results from the conducted studies indicate the positive impact of the proposed feedback application.
Effects of probiotic supplements on insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus: A double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kijmanawat Athasit , Panburana Panyu , Reutrakul Sirimon , Tangshewinsirikul Chayada
Published: May 2018

Aims/Introduction

To evaluate the effect of probiotic supplements on insulin resistance in pregnant women with diet‐controlled gestational diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was carried out between June 2016 and February 2017. Pregnant women with diet‐controlled gestational diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the study at 24–28 weeks‐of‐gestation and randomized to receive either probiotic supplements containing Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus or a placebo daily for four consecutive weeks. Primary outcomes were mean differences in insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance), fasting insulin and fasting plasma glucose between the two groups. Secondary outcomes were changes in maternal weight after the intervention.

Results

Data from 28 patients in the probiotic group and 29 in the placebo group were analyzed. The changes in metabolic parameters after randomization showed significant improvement in glucose metabolism in the probiotic group compared with the placebo group, including fasting plasma glucose (0.68 ± 5.88 vs 4.620 ± 7.78 mg/dL, mean difference −3.94 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval −7.62, −0.27, P = 0.034), fasting plasma insulin (1.11 ± 1.71 vs 3.77 ± 1.70 mIU/L, mean difference −2.67 mIU/L, 95% confidence interval −3.57, −1.76, P = 0.001) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (0.25 ± 0.37 vs 0.89 ± 0.46, mean difference −0.63, 95% confidence interval −0.86, −0.41, P = 0.001). Weight gain during randomization was similar between the two groups.

Conclusions

Four weeks of probiotic supplements in women with diet‐controlled gestational diabetes in the late second and early third trimester lowered fasting glucose and increased insulin sensitivity. Probiotic supplements may be considered as an adjunct treatment for glycemic control in these patients.
Early gesture use in fragile X syndrome
Authors: Rague L. , Caravella K. , Tonnsen B. , Klusek J. , Roberts J.
Published: May 2018

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) exhibit abnormal gesture use early in development, although few studies have investigated the emergence of gesture use in this population or the impact of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) features on these behaviours. The present study examined the longitudinal development of gesture use in infants with FXS relative to low‐risk controls and infant siblings of children with ASD (high‐risk siblings), with the goal of establishing potentially unique patterns of gesture development in infants with FXS and understanding the relative impact of ASD symptom severity on these patterns.

Method

Participants included 86 male infants (39 FXS, 27 high‐risk siblings and 20 low‐risk infants) assessed at 9, 12 and 24 months of age. Multilevel modelling was used to assess differences in number of gestures used and rates of gesture use across groups, as well as the relative impact of ASD symptom severity and nonverbal skills on these patterns.

Results

Infants with FXS used fewer gestures than high‐risk siblings and low‐risk infants, with this difference being primarily accounted for by the effect of low nonverbal abilities in the FXS group. Furthermore, although higher ASD symptom severity was associated with the use of fewer gestures in both the FXS and high‐risk sibling groups, a significant amount of variance was shared between ASD symptom severity and nonverbal skills in FXS, but not in high‐risk siblings.

Conclusions

This study presents the first longitudinal analysis of early gesture development in FXS by using a multigroup design, clarifying the relative roles of cognitive deficits and ASD symptom severity in the development of gesture use in FXS. These findings offer novel evidence that early gesture use in FXS may reflect broader features of the FXS phenotype rather than predicting later social‐communicative deficits characteristic of comorbid ASD.
Creditor Control Rights and Board Independence
Authors: FERREIRA DANIEL , FERREIRA MIGUEL A. , MARIANO BEATRIZ
Published: May 2018

We find that the number of independent directors on corporate boards increases by approximately 24% following financial covenant violations in credit agreements. Most of these new directors have links to creditors. Firms that appoint new directors after violations are more likely to issue new equity, and to decrease payout, operational risk, and CEO cash compensation, than firms without such appointments. We conclude that a firm's board composition, governance, and policies are shaped by current and past credit agreements.
Lessons in Democracy: America's Tenuous History with Immigrants
Authors: Obinna Denise N.
Published: May 2018

Taking an uncompromising stance on immigration enforcement, the Trump administration has been sharply criticized for its policies and racially coded rhetoric of immigrants as criminals or undesirables. Despite this criticism, the administration's policies fall in line with historically widespread, exclusionary, nativist and xenophobic attitudes towards immigrants. Much of the American immigrant story has been a tortuous struggle for equality, integration and civil rights. This essay takes a critical look at the complicated history of immigration policy during the last century, focusing on the social, economic and political forces that helped shape legislation.
Valve in valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV‐TAVI) versus redo—Surgical aortic valve replacement (redo‐SAVR): A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nalluri Nikhil , Atti Varunsiri , Munir Abdullah B. , Karam Boutros , Patel Nileshkumar J. , Kumar Varun , Vemula Praveen , Edla Sushruth , Asti Deepak , Paturu Amrutha , Gayam Sriramya , Spagnola Jonathan , Barsoum Emad , Maniatis Gregory A. , Tamburrino Frank , Kandov Ruben , Lafferty James , Kliger Chad
Published: May 2018

Background

Bioprosthetic (BP) valves have been increasingly used for aortic valve replacement over the last decade. Due to their limited durability, patients presenting with failed BP valves are rising. Valve in Valve − Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (ViV‐TAVI) emerged as an alternative to the gold standard redo‐Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (redo‐SAVR). However, the utility of ViV‐TAVI is poorly understood.

Methods

A systematic electronic search of the scientific literature was done in PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Only studies which compared the safety and efficacy of ViV‐TAVI and redo‐SAVR head to head in failed BP valves were included.

Results

Six observational studies were eligible and included 594 patients, of whom 255 underwent ViV‐ TAVI and 339 underwent redo‐SAVR. There was no significant difference between ViV‐TAVI and redo‐ SAVR for procedural, 30 day and 1 year mortality rates. ViV‐TAVI was associated with lower risk of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) (OR: 0.43, CI: 0.21‐0.89; P = 0.02) and a trend toward increased risk of paravalvular leak (PVL) (OR: 5.45, CI: 0.94‐31.58; P = 0.06). There was no significant difference for stroke, major bleeding, vascular complications and postprocedural aortic valvular gradients more than 20 mm‐hg.

Conclusion

Our results reiterate the safety and feasibility of ViV‐TAVI for failed aortic BP valves in patients deemed to be at high risk for surgery. VIV‐TAVI was associated with lower risk of permanent pacemaker implantation with a trend toward increased risk of paravalvular leak.
Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy: An efficacy study for mental health care staff
Authors: Askey‐Jones Ryan
Published: May 2018

Accessible summary

What is known of the subject

Burnout is a major concern within the NHS impacting negatively on mental healthcare professionals. Evidence suggests that burnout can lead to reduced productivity and reduced quality of care for patients.

Mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating burnout for healthcare professionals.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge

This paper reinforces the positive outcomes within the current literature that MBIs can help reduce burnout amongst mental healthcare professionals. The strength of the paper is that it reports significant correlations between decreased burnout following an increase in mindfulness. No previous research has examined this area and this is the first study to do so.

The participants within this study demonstrated increased personal accomplishment and decreased emotional exhaustion following an 8‐week MBCT course which was maintained at 6‐month follow‐up.

What are the implications for practice

Occupational departments should consider MBI's as part of a package of care for mental healthcare staff as a preventative intervention or as a means of reducing burnout amongst healthcare staff that are currently experiencing emotional and physical exhaustion.

Introduction

Burnout is a major concern within the NHS impacting negatively on mental healthcare professionals. Evidence suggests that burnout can lead to reduced productivity and reduced quality of care for patients. Mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating burnout for healthcare professionals; however, no previous research has directly reported correlations between burnout and mindfulness.

Aim

Does mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) reduce burnout amongst mental healthcare professionals and are there any direct correlations between mindfulness and burnout itself?

Method

This effectiveness study evaluated a series of 8‐week (MBCT) groups adapted for healthcare professionals. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Friedberg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI) at pre, post and 6‐month follow‐up.

Results

Analysis revealed overall significance and large effect sizes on all three subscales of the MBI and the FMI. There were significant correlations in mindfulness when burnout was reduced.

Discussion

These results suggest that MBCT groups for healthcare professionals offer a promising intervention for reducing burnout.

Implications for Practice

Occupational departments could consider MBI's as part of a package of care for mental healthcare staff as a preventative intervention or as a means of reducing burnout amongst healthcare staff.
Feline ureteral obstructions Part 2: surgical management
Authors: Clarke D. L.
Published: May 2018

Feline obstructive ureteral disease will likely remain a common and frustrating cause of critical illness in cats for the foreseeable future. Since many cats are uraemic and cardiovascularly unstable secondary to obstructive nephropathy, prompt recognition using clinical intuition, blood work and diagnostic imaging is essential to make a timely diagnosis and decision about timing for intervention, if indicated. Multiple surgical and interventional procedures exist for the management of feline ureteral obstructions but there is no ideal technique and all currently available procedures carry risk of infection, re‐obstruction, urine leakage and the need for additional procedures in the future. Therefore, until clear, evidence‐based guideline exist, the decision about which ureteral procedure to perform in cats should be guided by nature of the obstruction, location, concurrent urolithiasis, infection and surgeon preference. In all likelihood, ureteral surgery, stents and ureteral bypass devices will continue to remain viable options and the decision about which procedure to use will be made on a case‐by‐case basis.
Stereotactic radiation therapy for the treatment of functional pituitary adenomas associated with feline acromegaly
Authors: Wormhoudt Tiffany L. , Boss Mary‐Keara , Lunn Katharine , Griffin Lynn , Leary Del , Dowers Kristy , Rao Sangeeta , LaRue Susan M.
Published: May 2018

Background

Conventional fractionated radiotherapy has been shown to be partially effective for management of pituitary tumors in cats that cause acromegaly and diabetes mellitus (DM), but, the efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) as a treatment for acromegalic cats has not been described.

Hypothesis

Stereotactic radiation therapy is an effective and safe treatment for controlling acromegaly associated with pituitary adenomas in cats. Additionally, SRT‐treated acromegalic cats with DM will experience a decrease in insulin requirements after radiation therapy.

Animals

Fifty‐three client‐owned cats referred to Colorado State University for SRT to treat pituitary tumors causing poorly controlled DM secondary to acromegaly.

Methods

Retrospective study of cats treated for acromegaly with SRT between 2008 and 2016 at Colorado State University. Diagnosis of acromegaly was based on history, physical examination, laboratory results, and cross‐sectional imaging of the pituitary. Signalment, radiation protocol, insulin requirements over time, adverse effects, and survival were recorded.

Results

Median survival time was 1072 days. Of the 41 cats for which insulin dosage information was available, 95% (39/41) experienced a decrease in required insulin dose, with 32% (13/41) achieving diabetic remission. Remission was permanent in 62% (8/13) and temporary in 38% (5/13) cats. Median duration to lowest insulin dose was 9.5 months. Of the treated cats, 14% developed hypothyroidism and required supplementation after SRT.

Conclusions

Stereotactic radiation therapy is safe and effective for treating cats with acromegaly. Cats treated with SRT have improved survival time and control of their DM when compared to previously reported patients treated with non‐SRT.
Neuroglial ectopia of the vestibular nerve masquerading as a vestibular schwannoma: A case report
Authors: Sheppard John P. , Lagman Carlito , Nguyen Thien , Khanlou Négar , Gopen Quinton , Yang Isaac
Published: May 2018

Neuroglial ectopia is a rare entity of undetermined clinical significance. Here, we report a unique case of neuroglial ectopia of the vestibular nerve. A 27‐year‐old pharmacy student with a previous radiological diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma presented to our clinic for surgical evaluation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a 17‐mm T1 hypo‐ to isointense, T2 iso‐ to hyperintense, poorly enhancing left cerebellopontine angle mass extending into the left internal auditory canal compatible by imaging with a vestibular schwannoma. The lesion was resected under MRI guidance. The frozen specimen came back as a benign hypocellular lesion. Histological assessment revealed a peripheral nerve engulfed by glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive, S‐100‐negative cells, suggestive of neuroglial ectopia. There was no evidence of schwannoma. The main concerns were benign neoplasm with potential for progression or sampling artifact. The patient had an uncomplicated hospital course. This case report demonstrates an unusual case of neuroglial ectopia of the vestibular nerve. The differential diagnoses for a poorly enhancing cerebellopontine angle mass should include neuroglial ectopia.
Paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalitis associated with pleomorphic lung carcinoma: An autopsy case report
Authors: Ando Takashi , Goto Yoji , Mano Kazuo , Nomura Fumio , Kurashige Masako , Ito Masafumi , Mimuro Maya , Iwasaki Yasushi , Katsuno Masahisa , Yoshida Mari
Published: May 2018

A 64‐year‐old man was admitted with acute onset disturbed consciousness. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed pleocytosis and elevated protein, with negative cultures and PCR. Serum antibodies for autoimmune encephalitis were also negative. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was unremarkable, but whole‐body CT scan showed a tumor in the left lower lung lobe. Bronchial brush cytology demonstrated clusters of malignant cells, and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed multiple lesions and increased uptake in the lung tumor. Clinically the patient had a stage IV lung carcinoma, graded as T3N3M1b (OSS). Steroid therapy had limited efficacy, but chemotherapy dramatically improved his neurological symptoms. Therefore, he was diagnosed with paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalitis based on the diagnostic criteria for paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. He died due to disease progression 14 months later. Subsequent postmortem examination revealed white ill‐defined nodules in the left lung, with similar nodules in other organs. The brain weighed 1500 g before fixation, and a nodule was observed in the right precentral gyrus. Microscopically, the lung tumor was a pleomorphic carcinoma with an adenocarcinoma component. Multiple areas of micro‐softening (≤500 μm) were identified in the cerebral cortex, gray–white matter junction and basal ganglia, and were distributed diffusely in both the limbic and non‐limbic systems. Mild lymphocytic infiltrates were observed involving few intraparenchymal vessels. Few tumor metastases were observed in the right precentral gyrus. The multiple micro‐softenings may reflect a chronic neuropathologic change of paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalitis. They were too small to be detected by brain MRI. However, these lesions may have the potential to cause the neurological symptoms in the acute phase because they were observed in many anatomical regions. We should pay attention to subtle findings such as micro‐softenings when estimating the neuropathology of autoimmune encephalitis. Further investigations are needed to understand the characteristic neuropathology of this condition.
How do Beliefs Simplify Reasoning?
Authors: Staffel Julia
Published: May 2018

According to an increasingly popular epistemological view, people need outright beliefs in addition to credences to simplify their reasoning. Outright beliefs simplify reasoning by allowing thinkers to ignore small error probabilities. What is outright believed can change between contexts. It has been claimed that thinkers manage shifts in their outright beliefs and credences across contexts by an updating procedure resembling conditionalization, which I call pseudo‐conditionalization (PC). But conditionalization is notoriously complicated. The claim that thinkers manage their beliefs via PC is thus in tension with the view that the function of beliefs is to simplify our reasoning. I propose to resolve this puzzle by rejecting the view that thinkers employ PC. Based on this solution, I furthermore argue for a descriptive and a normative claim. The descriptive claim is that the available strategies for managing beliefs and credences across contexts that are compatible with the simplifying function of outright beliefs can generate synchronic and diachronic incoherence in a thinker's attitudes. Moreover, I argue that the view of outright belief as a simplifying heuristic is incompatible with the view that there are ideal norms of coherence or consistency governing outright beliefs that are too complicated for human thinkers to comply with.
Physcomitrella patens MAX2 characterization suggests an ancient role for this F‐box protein in photomorphogenesis rather than strigolactone signalling
Authors: Lopez‐Obando Mauricio , de Villiers Ruan , Hoffmann Beate , Ma Linnan , de Saint Germain Alexandre , Kossmann Jens , Coudert Yoan , Harrison C. Jill , Rameau Catherine , Hills Paul , Bonhomme Sandrine
Published: May 2018

Strigolactones (SLs) are key hormonal regulators of flowering plant development and are widely distributed amongst streptophytes. In Arabidopsis, SLs signal via the F‐box protein MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2 (MAX2), affecting multiple aspects of development including shoot branching, root architecture and drought tolerance. Previous characterization of a Physcomitrella patens moss mutant with defective SL synthesis supports an ancient role for SLs in land plants, but the origin and evolution of signalling pathway components are unknown.

Here we investigate the function of a moss homologue of MAX2, PpMAX2, and characterize its role in SL signalling pathway evolution by genetic analysis.

We report that the moss Ppmax2 mutant shows very distinct phenotypes from the moss SL‐deficient mutant. In addition, the Ppmax2 mutant remains sensitive to SLs, showing a clear transcriptional SL response in dark conditions, and the response to red light is also altered. These data suggest divergent evolutionary trajectories for SL signalling pathway evolution in mosses and vascular plants.

In P. patens, the primary roles for MAX2 are in photomorphogenesis and moss early development rather than in SL response, which may require other, as yet unidentified, factors.
OPRM1 influence on and effectiveness of an individualized treatment plan for prescription opioid use disorder patients
Authors: Muriel Javier , Margarit César , Planelles Beatriz , Serralta María J. , Puga Carmen , Inda María‐del‐Mar , Cutillas Esperanza , Morales Domingo , Horga José F. , Peiró Ana M.
Published: May 2018

Screening for opioid use disorder should be considered in chronic non‐cancer pain (CNCP) patients with long‐term use of opioids. The aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of an individualized treatment plan (ITP) for prescription opioid dependence that included screening of pharmacogenetic markers. An observational prospective study was performed using prescription opioid‐dependent CNCP outpatients (n = 88). Patients were divided into nonresponders, responders, or high responders according to their response to the ITP. Genotyping of OPRM1 (A118G), OPRD1 (T921C), COMT (G472A), ABCB1 (C3435T), and ARRB2 (C8622T) was performed by real‐time PCR. Our ITP achieved a significant reduction of the morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) in 64% of responders, including 33% of high responders. Nonopioid medication or buprenorphine use was significantly higher at final versus basal visit. 118‐AA OPRM1 patients required significantly lower MEDD at basal and final visits. Our ITP showed effectiveness and security in reducing MEDD in opioid‐dependent patients, with good conversion to buprenorphine that was more pronounced in 118‐AA OPRM1 patients.
Overexpression of OsTF1L, a rice HD‐Zip transcription factor, promotes lignin biosynthesis and stomatal closure that improves drought tolerance
Authors: Bang Seung Woon , Lee Dong‐Keun , Jung Harin , Chung Pil Joong , Kim Youn Shic , Choi Yang Do , Suh Joo‐Won , Kim Ju‐Kon
Published: May 2018

Drought stress seriously impacts on plant development and productivity. Improvement of drought tolerance without yield penalty is a great challenge in crop biotechnology. Here, we report that the rice (Oryza sativa) homeodomain‐leucine zipper transcription factor gene, OsTF1L (Oryza sativa transcription factor 1‐like), is a key regulator of drought tolerance mechanisms. Overexpression of the OsTF1L in rice significantly increased drought tolerance at the vegetative stages of growth and promoted both effective photosynthesis and a reduction in the water loss rate under drought conditions. Importantly, the OsTF1L overexpressing plants showed a higher drought tolerance at the reproductive stage of growth with a higher grain yield than nontransgenic controls under field‐drought conditions. Genomewide analysis of OsTF1L overexpression plants revealed up‐regulation of drought‐inducible, stomatal movement and lignin biosynthetic genes. Overexpression of OsTF1L promoted accumulation of lignin in shoots, whereas the RNAi lines showed opposite patterns of lignin accumulation. OsTF1L is mainly expressed in outer cell layers including the epidermis, and the vasculature of the shoots, which coincides with areas of lignification. In addition, OsTF1L overexpression enhances stomatal closure under drought conditions resulted in drought tolerance. More importantly, OsTF1L directly bound to the promoters of lignin biosynthesis and drought‐related genes involving poxN/PRX38, Nodulin protein, DHHC4, CASPL5B1 and AAA‐type ATPase. Collectively, our results provide a new insight into the role of OsTF1L in enhancing drought tolerance through lignin biosynthesis and stomatal closure in rice.
Melanocyte development in the mouse tail epidermis requires the Adamts9 metalloproteinase
Authors: Tharmarajah Grace , Eckhard Ulrich , Jain Fagun , Marino Giada , Prudova Anna , Urtatiz Oscar , Fuchs Helmut , de Angelis Martin H. , Overall Christopher M. , Van Raamsdonk Catherine D.
Published: May 2018

The mouse tail has an important role in the study of melanogenesis, because mouse tail skin can be used to model human skin pigmentation. To better understand the development of melanocytes in the mouse tail, we cloned two dominant ENU‐generated mutations of the Adamts9 gene, Und3 and Und4, which cause an unpigmented ring of epidermis in the middle of the tail, but do not alter pigmentation in the rest of the mouse. Adamts9 encodes a widely expressed zinc metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 repeats with few known substrates. Melanocytes are lost in the Adamts9 mutant tail epidermis at a relatively late stage of development, around E18.5. Studies of our Adamts9 conditional allele suggest that there is a melanocyte cell‐autonomous requirement for Adamts9. In addition, we used a proteomics approach, TAILS N‐terminomics, to identify new Adamts9 candidate substrates in the extracellular matrix of the skin. The tail phenotype of Adamts9 mutants is strikingly similar to the unpigmented trunk belt in Adamts20 mutants, which suggests a particular requirement for Adamts family activity at certain positions along the anterior–posterior axis.