bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling nutritional mutualisms: challenges and opportunities for data integration
Authors: Clark Teresa J. , Friel Colleen A. , Grman Emily , Shachar‐Hill Yair , Friesen Maren L.
Published: July 2017

Nutritional mutualisms are ancient, widespread, and profoundly influential in biological communities and ecosystems. Although much is known about these interactions, comprehensive answers to fundamental questions, such as how resource availability and structured interactions influence mutualism persistence, are still lacking. Mathematical modelling of nutritional mutualisms has great potential to facilitate the search for comprehensive answers to these and other fundamental questions by connecting the physiological and genomic underpinnings of mutualisms with ecological and evolutionary processes. In particular, when integrated with empirical data, models enable understanding of underlying mechanisms and generalisation of principles beyond the particulars of a given system. Here, we demonstrate how mathematical models can be integrated with data to address questions of mutualism persistence at four biological scales: cell, individual, population, and community. We highlight select studies where data has been or could be integrated with models to either inform model structure or test model predictions. We also point out opportunities to increase model rigour through tighter integration with data, and describe areas in which data is urgently needed. We focus on plant‐microbe systems, for which a wealth of empirical data is available, but the principles and approaches can be generally applied to any nutritional mutualism.
Health care resource utilization before and after perampanel initiation among patients with epilepsy in the United States
Authors: Faught Edward , Laliberté François , Wang Zhixiao , Barghout Victoria , Haider Batool , Lejeune Dominique , Germain Guillaume , Choi Jiyoon , Wagh Aneesha , Duh Mei Sheng
Published: July 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in health care resource utilization following the initiation of perampanel for the treatment of epilepsy in the United States.

Methods

Health care claims from Symphony Health's Integrated Dataverse database between December 2012 and November 2015 were analyzed. Patients newly initiated on perampanel, having ≥1 epilepsy (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD‐9‐CM] code 345.xx, ICD‐10‐CM code G40.xxx) or nonfebrile convulsion (ICD‐9‐CM code 780.39, ICD‐10‐CM code R56.9) diagnosis, and having ≥6 months of baseline and observation periods were included. Patients <12 years old at perampanel initiation were excluded.

Results

Of the 2,508 perampanel patients included in the study, the mean [median] (±standard deviation [SD]) age was 35.8 [34] (±16.0) years and 56.2% were female. The mean [median] (±SD) observation duration was 459.8 [462] (±146.3) days in the postperampanel period. The postperampanel period was associated with significantly lower rates of all health care resource utilization outcomes than the pre‐period. For the post‐ versus pre‐period, perampanel users had 42.3 versus 53.8 overall hospitalizations per 100 person‐years (rate ratio [RR] = 0.80, p < 0.001) and 1,240.2 versus 1,343.8 outpatient visits per 100 person‐years (RR = 0.91, p < 0.001). Epilepsy‐related hospitalizations and outpatient visits were 25.2 versus 33.6 per 100 person‐years (RR = 0.76, p < 0.001) and 327.0 versus 389.0 per 100 person‐years (RR = 0.84, p < 0.001), respectively. Additionally, a significantly lower rate of status epilepticus in the post‐period (1.8 events per 100 person‐years) was observed compared to the pre‐period (4.4 events per 100 person‐years; RR = 0.43, p < 0.001). The monthly time trend of hospitalizations showed an increasing trend leading up to the initiation of perampanel, after which the hospitalizations decreased steadily.

Significance

Use of perampanel for the treatment of epilepsy was associated with significant reduction in all‐cause and epilepsy‐related health care resource utilization, including hospitalizations, especially for status epilepticus, and outpatient visits.
Classification of Reynolds phytoplankton functional groups using individual traits and machine learning techniques
Authors: Kruk Carla , Devercelli Melina , Huszar Vera L. M. , Hernández Esnedy , Beamud Guadalupe , Diaz Mónica , Silva Lúcia H. S. , Segura Angel M.
Published: July 2017

The Reynolds Functional Groups (RFG) classification scheme is an informative and widely used method in ecological studies of freshwater phytoplankton. It clusters species with similar traits, as well as common environmental sensitivities and tolerances. However, researchers face the difficulty to classify species into RFG because it relies in expert opinion, taxonomical knowledge and environmental information, which are not always accessible. Thus, a step forward is to build general statistical models to classify species into RFG.

Under the hypothesis that an organism's response to environmental conditions determines their functional traits, here represented by the RFG, we predict that morphology and classification into broad taxonomic groups will explain RFG independently from environmental information and expert knowledge.

To evaluate the predictive ability of morphological traits (e.g. volume) and taxonomic affiliation (e.g. chroococcal Cyanobacteria) as discriminant variables of RFG, we compiled 1,300 species (264 waterbodies) and applied Random Forest (RF) and Classification and Regression Trees (CART). We divided the data to train the models and test their performance.

RF successfully classified species into the 28 RFG (only c. 10% test error) with an average individual RFG success rate of 84.6 (range = 33%–100%). This is a relatively high percentage of success from an ecological point of view. It suggests that the selected variables are able to reconstruct the RFG and represent well environmental preferences, without including information about local environmental conditions as classifiers.

Our results reinforce the functional basis of the RFG and support both morphological traits and taxonomic classification as good proxies of phytoplankton responses to environmental conditions. A dichotomous key based on the CART was constructed, and an R code to classify species into the RFG is freely available. This work may help users to classify species into the RFG, including those that were not previously listed in the Reynolds classification system.
Phylogenetic conservatism of climatic niche in bats
Authors: Peixoto Franciele P. , Villalobos Fabricio , Cianciaruso Marcus V.
Published: July 2017

Aim

Bats are commonly considered in the literature as an example of strong niche conservatism. However, no specific tests have been conducted to investigate the extent to which bat species niches are evolutionarily conserved. We address this question at different phylogenetic scales using phylogenetic and geographical approaches.

Location

Global.

Methods

We used nine climatic variables to describe a multivariate representation of bat climatic niches. We measured niche position, niche breadth and niche overlap between sister species pairs. We performed a Mantel test to verify whether niche overlap was related to phylogenetic distance among species. We also tested for phylogenetic signal and compared the relative fit of evolutionary models with the observed variation of niche features.

Results

Niche overlap and phylogenetic distances were not related. At deeper evolutionary scales, we found evidence that climatic niche evolved more slowly than expected under a Brownian motion model. This indicates phylogenetic conservatism, particularly for niche position of Vespertilionidae and Molossidae.

Main conclusions

We found evidence of phylogenetic niche conservatism at the order and family levels but not at the species level. Evolution of climatic niches is non‐stationary across the order Chiroptera, consistent with the different histories of clades. We stress the importance of taking into account the method of choice, the niche feature and the phylogenetic scale being evaluated when testing for phylogenetic niche conservatism at higher taxonomic levels and its influence on biodiversity gradients.
Rhenium‐Osmium Isotope Measurements of Geological Reference Material BIR‐1a: Evaluation of Homogeneity and Implications for Method Validation and Quality Control
Authors: Zhang Jing , Li Jie , Long Xiaoping , Sun Shengling , Yin Lu , Dai Mengning
Published: July 2017

To evaluate the homogeneity of geological reference material BIR‐1a (basalt; United States Geological Survey, USGS) for Re‐Os isotopic studies at the 0.2–1.0 g test portion size level, sixty‐three precise measurement results of Re and Os mass fractions and isotope amount ratios were obtained over an 18‐month period. These data reveal that the reference material has higher Re (0.691 ± 0.022 ng g−1, 2s, n = 63) and lower Os mass fractions (0.343 ± 0.089 ng g−1, 2s, n = 63) than UB‐N (serpentinite, CRPG) and is homogeneous in 187Os/188Os isotope amount ratio (0.13371 ± 0.00092, 2s, n = 63) at the 0.2–1.0 g test portion size level. The results are essentially consistent with previous views indicating that BIR‐1a gives precise measurement results for Re‐Os isotope amount ratio measurements at the 1 g test portion size level (Ishikawa et al., Chemical Geology, 2014, 384, 27–46; Meisel and Horan, Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 2016, 81, 89–106). Based on these new Re‐Os data and previous studies, we propose BIR‐1a as a useful reference material that can be used in method validation and quality control and interlaboratory comparisons for studies dealing with mafic geological samples at test portion sizes of > 0.4 g.
Multidisciplinary Team Treatment Approaches to Chronic Daily Headaches
Authors: Sahai‐Srivastava Soma , Sigman Erica , Uyeshiro Simon Ashley , Cleary Lyssa , Ginoza Lori
Published: July 2017

Objective

In this review, we focus on nonmedication treatment approaches to chronic daily headaches and chronic migraine. We review the current scientific data on studies using multimodal treatments, especially physical therapy and occupational therapy, and provide recommendations on the formation of interdisciplinary headache teams.

Background

Chronic daily headache, which includes chronic migraine, is a particularly challenging clinical entity which often involves multiple headache types and comorbidities. A team approach in treating these patients may be particularly useful.

Design/Methods

We review all current studies performed with at least one or more other modality in addition to usual medical treatment, with a focus on physical and occupational therapy. Emphasis on physical and occupational therapy with an explanation of their methods and role in multidisciplinary treatment is a pivotal part of this review. We also suggest approaches to setting up a multimodality clinic for the busy headache clinician.

Conclusion

Setting up a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of specialists in headache practices with the goal of modifying physical, environmental, and psychological triggers for chronic daily headaches may facilitate treatment of these refractory patients.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among US Adults With Headache or Migraine: Results from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey
Authors: Zhang Yan , Dennis Jeff A. , Leach Matthew J. , Bishop Felicity L. , Cramer Holger , Chung Vincent C. H. , Moore Craig , Lauche Romy , Cook Ron , Sibbritt David , Adams Jon
Published: July 2017

Background

Given the safety concerns regarding pharmacological agents, and the considerable impact of headache and migraine on the sufferer's quality of life, many people seek other treatment options beyond conventional medication and care to address their symptoms; this includes complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Some CAM interventions have shown promising results in clinical trials of headache and migraine management. Nonetheless, there has been little research exploring the reasons for using CAM, and the types of CAM used, among this population.

Objective

The study aimed to answer the following questions: (1) Which CAM modalities are used most frequently among migraine/headache sufferers? and (2) What are the self‐reported reasons for CAM use among migraine/headache sufferers?

Methods

This secondary analysis of data from the 2012 U.S. NHIS (a national cross‐sectional survey) examined the use of CAM among migraine/headache sufferers, including the main reasons related to CAM use. Data were weighted and analyzed using STATA 14.0.

Results

The sample of 34,525 adults included 6558 (18.7%) headache/migraine sufferers. Of the headache/migraine sufferers, a substantial proportion (37.6%, n = 2427) used CAM for various conditions; however, CAM use specifically for headache/migraine was much less prevalent (3.3%, n = 216). Of those who used CAM for headache/migraine, about half used CAM in conjunction with prescription (47.8%, n = 100) or over‐the‐counter medication (55.1%, n = 113). As severity of headache/migraine increased so did the likelihood of using CAM (severe migraine odds ratio [OR] = 2.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41, 3.82; both recurring headache/severe migraine OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 2.08, 5.43; when compared to those with recurring headache only). The most frequently used CAM modality among all headache/migraine sufferers (N = 6558) was manipulative therapy (22.0%, n = 1317), herbal supplementation (21.7%, n = 1389) and mind‐body therapy (17.9%, n = 1100). The top 3 reasons for using CAM for headache were general wellness (28.7%, n = 60/209), improving overall health (26.8%, n = 56/209), and reducing stress (16.7%, n = 35/209).

Conclusions

Although CAM is used by many sufferers of headache/migraine, the use of CAM specifically for the treatment of headache/migraine is relatively low in the United States. The study also assesses the key differences of CAM use among headache/migraine sufferers in NHIS 2012 compared with those in NHIS 2007, and identifies shortfalls in the evidence‐base of several CAM modalities used by U.S. adults for headache/migraine. This information may assist health providers and consumers in making informed decisions about the safest and most appropriate approach to managing headache/migraine.
Immunological and virological response to antiretroviral treatment in migrant and native men and women in Western Europe; is benefit equal for all?
Authors:   Migrant Health Working Group for the Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research in Europe (COHERE) in EuroCoord
Published: July 2017

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in immunovirological response to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in migrant and native men and women within a European collaboration of HIV cohorts Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research in Europ (COHERE) in EuroCoord, 2004–2013.

Methods

Migrants were defined as those with geographical origin (GO) different from the reporting country and were grouped as originating from Western Europe and Western Countries (WEWC), Eastern Europe (EE), North Africa and the Middle East (NAME), sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), Latin America (LA), Caribbean (CRB) and Asia/Oceania (ASIA/OCE). Native (NAT) individuals were defined as those originating from the reporting country. CD4 cell counts were modelled using piecewise linear mixed‐effects models with two slopes, whereas models to estimate subdistribution hazard ratios (sHRs) were used for time to virological response (VR) (i.e. time from cART initiation to the first of two successive HIV RNA measurements < 400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/ml).

Results

Of 32 817 individuals, 25 799 (78.6%) were men. The percentage of migrants was higher in women (48.9%) than in men (21.2%) and migrants from SSA accounted for the largest migrant group (29.9% in men and 63.3% in women). Migrant men and women from SSA started at lower CD4 cell counts than NAT individuals, which remained lower over time. VR was ≥ 85% at 12 months for all groups except CRB women (77.7%). Compared with NAT men and women, lower VR was experienced by NAME [sHR 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86–0.97] and SSA (sHR 0.88; 95% CI 0.82–0.95) men and CRB (sHR 0.77; 85% CI 0.67–0.89) women, respectively.

Conclusions

Immunovirological response to cART in Western Europe varies by GO and sex of patients. ART benefits are not equal for all, underlining the point that efforts need to prioritize those most in need.
Hydrothermal method for the synthesis of Sb2Te3, and Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 nanoplates and their thermoelectric properties
Authors: Dharmaiah Peyala , Hong Soon‐Jik
Published: July 2017

In this study, a modified hydrothermal method is reported for the preparation of Sb2Te3 and Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 nanoplates and their bulk samples was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The crystal structure, morphology, and thermoelectric properties were investigated. The microstructure results indicate that the bulk samples consisted nanograins after SPS. The presence of nanograins, high Seebeck coefficient (181 μV/K), high electrical conductivity (763 Ω−1 cm−1), and low thermal conductivity (1.15 W/mK) has been achieved in Sb2Te3 nanoplate bulk samples. As a result, the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of 0.55 at 400 K was achieved. Moreover, the peak ZT shifted to higher temperature compared with other reported results found in literature.
Evaluation of the thermoluminescence kinetic parameters of zinc‐borosilicate glass after gamma‐irradiation
Authors: Soliman Hala A. , Salama Elsayed , Youssef Gamal M. , Hamad Sara
Published: July 2017

Up until this moment, there was no detailed study concerning the kinetic parameters of zinc‐doped borosilicate glass thermoluminescent (TL) material. A significant TL peak was observed upon gamma irradiating the samples, at around 185°C. Evaluating activation energy (E), frequency factor (s), and order of kinetics (b) were conventionally obtained by peak shape (PS) method, repeated initial rise (RIR), and variable heating rate (VHR) methods. The obtained results indicated that the zinc‐doped borosilicate glass glow curve after gamma irradiation is legitimately a superposition of seven interfered glow peaks. Therefore, we cannot use computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) method alone in determining the kinetic parameters in this case. Additive dose (AD), repeated initial raise (RIR), and variable heating rate (VHR) methods together with computerized deconvolution (CGCD) method by using the TolAnal software have been applied to determine the kinetic parameters of zinc‐borosilicate glass due to the existence of several nearby overlapped peaks. RIR method gives the value of ± 2.3% average variation, for the activation energies, compared with those obtained by GCDC. The obtained results clearly show the consequences reliability.
Intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillation in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: A review
Authors: Saluja Manmeet , Gilling Peter
Published: July 2017

Intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin has been the standard of care for high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer for 40 years. It remains one of the most successful immunotherapies ever used. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin shows superior efficacy to alternative intravesical treatments, and has an established role in reducing both recurrence and progression in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. It remains relatively safe, and has acceptable tolerability of both local and systemic side‐effects. The present review provides insights into the role of bacillus Calmette–Guérin compared with alternative treatments both in primary and refractory settings.
Association between obesity with low muscle mass and dialysis mortality
Authors: Wu Hung‐Chieh , Tseng Shih‐Fen , Wang Wei‐Jie , Chen Hsin‐Jen , Lee Lin‐Chien
Published: July 2017

Background/Aim

To examine the association between body composition and dialysis mortality.

Methods

Adult patients who underwent haemodialysis in Taoyuan General Hospital from 2012 to 2016 were enrolled. We reviewed their baseline characteristics and followed up their treatment over 5 years after dialysis. Patients with body mass index >25 kg/m2 were defined as obese. High or low muscle mass were classified by skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) based on consensus from Chinese population. All age‐matched subjects were classified into four groups: (A) optimal; (B) obesity; (C) low muscle mass; and (D) obesity with low muscle mass. Adjusted hazard ratios for mortality and cumulative survival curves were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan–Meier method. The discriminative power of SMMI was calculated according to the area under the curve and the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

From a total of 176 age‐matched patients, the incidence rates of mortality for different groups were 3.7, 7.8, 10.3 and 16.5 per 1000 person‐months. After adjusting for continuous variables, SMMI was independently associated with mortality. The difference between groups A and D was more significant in women than in men after multivariate adjustment (adjusted hazard ratios: 7.465 vs 1.682) (P = 0.035 and 0.553). The discriminative power of SMMI to predict 5‐year mortality was 0.700 for men and 0.750 for women, and the best cut‐off values were 11.1 and 8.4 kg/m2

Conclusions

Low muscle mass was associated with dialysis mortality. Obesity with low muscle mass was a predictor for dialysis mortality in women.
Malignancy screening in autoimmune myositis among Australian rheumatologists
Authors: Dutton Katherine , Soden Muriel
Published: July 2017

Background

The international literature advocates for cancer screening in newly diagnosed patients with autoimmune myositis; however, there is no widely accepted consensus or guideline to outline the optimal cancer screening strategy and the evidence is currently insufficient to support any recommendation.

Aim

Our study aimed to establish the current trends in practice in malignancy screening in autoimmune myositis among Australian rheumatologists.

Methods

All rheumatologists who were full members of the Australian Rheumatology Association in 2016 (386) were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Respondent demographics and information on screening approach and concerns were collected using multiple choice and open‐response questions. There were 60 respondents (16% response rate). All available quantitative data were analysed and reported using statistical software. Qualitative data were analysed and grouped according to themes.

Results

Most respondents (93%) performed cancer screening. Significant variation was found in terms of approach to patient selection, choice of screening test, delegation of screening and repeat screening. A lack of clinical practice consensus and guideline (77%), test selection knowledge (37%), knowledge on repeated screening (53%) and the potential for harm (62%) were identified challenges in this area.

Conclusion

Malignancy screening in autoimmune myositis was variable among this small cohort of Australian rheumatologists. The observed differences were driven by patient factors and clinician preferences. The group identified several challenges in the cancer screening process. Further research is warranted to address these challenges, close the evidence gap and develop workable guidelines.
Documentation of penicillin adverse drug reactions in electronic health records: inconsistent use of allergy and intolerance labels
Authors: Inglis Joshua M. , Caughey Gillian E. , Smith William , Shakib Sepehr
Published: July 2017

Background

The majority of patients with penicillin allergy labels tolerate penicillins. Inappropriate avoidance of penicillin is associated with increased hospitalisation, infections and healthcare costs.

Aims

To examine the documentation of penicillin adverse drug reactions (ADR) in a large‐scale hospital‐based electronic health record.

Methods

Penicillin ADR were extracted from 96 708 patient records in the Enterprise Patient Administration System in South Australia. Expert criteria were used to determine consistency of ADR entry and suitability for further evaluation.

Results

Of 43 011 unique ADR reports, there were 5023 ADR to penicillins with most being entered as allergy (n = 4773, 95.0%) rather than intolerance (n = 250, 5.0%). A significant proportion did not include a reaction description (n = 1052, 20.9%). Using pre‐set criteria, 10.1% of reports entered as allergy had a reaction description that was consistent with intolerance and 31.0% of the entered intolerances had descriptions consistent with allergy. Virtually all ADR (n = 4979, 99.1%) were appropriate for further evaluation by history taking or immunological testing and half (50.7%, n = 2549) had documented reactions suggesting low‐risk of penicillin allergy.

Conclusion

The frequency of penicillin allergy label in this data set is consistent with the known overdiagnosis of penicillin allergy in the hospital population. ADR documentation was poor with incomplete entries and inconsistent categorisation. The concepts of allergy and intolerance for ADR classification, whilst mechanistically valid, may not be useful at the point of ADR entry by generalist clinicians. Systematic evaluation of reported ADR is needed to improve the quality of information for future prescribers.
The acceptability and validity of self‐collected nasal swabs for detection of influenza virus infection among older adults in Thailand
Authors: Goyal Sonal , Prasert Kriengkrai , Praphasiri Prabda , Chittaganpitch Malinee , Waicharoen Sunthareeya , Ditsungnoen Darunee , Jaichuang Siriluk , Lindblade Kim A.
Published: July 2017

Background

Self‐collection of nasal swabs could improve the timeliness of influenza virus detection in older adults.

Objectives

Measure the acceptability, adequacy, timeliness, and validity of self‐collected nasal swabs among adults >65 years in Thailand.

Methods

Our evaluation consisted of two parts: a one‐month study among randomly selected, community‐dwelling older adults to simulate community‐based surveillance for acute respiratory infections (ARI); and a clinic study of older adults with ARI to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of self‐collected nasal swabs for influenza virus infection compared with healthcare worker (HCW)‐collected nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs.

Results

In the community study, 24% of participants experienced an ARI during the observation period. All (100%) participants with an ARI self‐collected nasal swabs within 72 hours of symptom onset of which 92% were considered adequate samples. In the clinic study, 45% of patients with ARI presented within 72 hours of symptom onset. The sensitivity of self‐collected nasal swabs for detection of influenza virus infection was 78% (95% CI 40‐97) compared to nasopharyngeal and 88% (95% CI 47‐100) compared to nasal swabs collected by HCWs. Specificity was 100% (95% CI 97‐100) compared to both methods. Self‐collection of nasal swabs was found acceptable by 99% of participants in both studies.

Conclusions

Self‐collection of nasal swabs was acceptable to older adults in Thailand who were able to take adequate samples. Self‐collection of nasal swabs may improve the timeliness of sample collection but lower sensitivity will need to be considered.
Circadian principles: Behavioral health implications
Authors: DeSanctis Michael V.
Published: July 2017

In the context of inter‐disciplinary and collaborative practice models, this article introduces behavioral health clinicians to circadian concepts such as chronotype, phase‐response curve and entrainment as they impact self‐regulation, behavior, and neuro‐cognitive performance. A review of selected research studies and theoretical commentary represents the basis for describing chronobiologic principles and their pertinence to everyday mental health practice. Despite scholarly references to methodologic limitations in the research, environmental and clinical applications of chronobiologic knowledge/techniques, including but not limited to bright light therapy, for managing mood and the sleep‐wake balance, continue to be documented in the scientific literature with subjective as well as measurable benefit in practice and community settings. In the developed world, urban environments expose individuals to excessive and ill‐ timed artificial illumination across the 24‐hr period, leading to varying degrees of circadian shifting. Seasonal rhythms related to natural light availability, reflect additional, recurring disruptions in sleep‐wake patterning and impacts on behavior. Circadian management principles, mindful of external and internal clock time, and strategically integrated with psychological services, provide further clues to understanding downstream fluctuations in levels of alertness, neuro‐cognitive performance, mood and sleep quality and inform risk management practices.
Reliability of visual and instrumental color matching
Authors: Igiel Christopher , Lehmann Karl Martin , Ghinea Razvan , Weyhrauch Michael , Hangx Ysbrand , Scheller Herbert , Paravina Rade D.
Published: July 2017

Objective

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliability of visual and instrumental shade matching.

Materials and Methods

Forty individuals with normal color perception participated in this study. The right maxillary central incisor of a teaching model was prepared and restored with 10 feldspathic all‐ceramic crowns of different shades. A shade matching session consisted of the observer (rater) visually selecting the best match by using VITA classical A1‐D4 (VC) and VITA Toothguide 3D Master (3D) shade guides and the VITA Easyshade Advance intraoral spectrophotometer (ES) to obtain both VC and 3D matches. Three shade matching sessions were held with 4 to 6 weeks between sessions. Intra‐rater reliability was assessed based on the percentage of agreement for the three sessions for the same observer, whereas the inter‐rater reliability was calculated as mean percentage of agreement between different observers. The Fleiss' Kappa statistical analysis was used to evaluate visual inter‐rater reliability.

Results

The mean intra‐rater reliability for the visual shade selection was 64(11) for VC and 48(10) for 3D. The corresponding ES values were 96(4) for both VC and 3D. The percentages of observers who matched the same shade with VC and 3D were 55(10) and 43(12), respectively, while corresponding ES values were 88(8) for VC and 92(4) for 3D.

Conclusions

The results for visual shade matching exhibited a high to moderate level of inconsistency for both intra‐rater and inter‐rater comparisons. The VITA Easyshade Advance intraoral spectrophotometer exhibited significantly better reliability compared with visual shade selection.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study evaluates the ability of observers to consistently match the same shade visually and with a dental spectrophotometer in different sessions. The intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliability (agreement of repeated shade matching) of visual and instrumental tooth color matching strongly suggest the use of color matching instruments as a supplementary tool in everyday dental practice to enhance the esthetic outcome.
How does mandibular bone atrophy influence the masticatory function, OHRQoL and satisfaction in overdenture wearers? Clinical results until 1‐year post‐loading
Authors: Marcello‐Machado R. M. , Faot F. , Schuster A. J. , Bielemann A. M. , Chagas Júnior O. L. , Del Bel Cury A. A.
Published: July 2017

This longitudinal clinical study investigated the differences in the masticatory function (MF), satisfaction and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) between atrophic patients (AP) and non‐atrophic patients (NAP) before and after rehabilitation with mandibular overdenture (MO). Twenty‐six complete denture (CD) wearers were categorised into two groups, according to the mandibular bone atrophy (MBA) degree. MF was evaluated before and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of the MO loading via 2 standardised tests: (i) MP, masticatory performance (MP_X50, MPB, ME 5·6, ME 2·8) and (ii) ST, swallowing threshold (time, number of cycles, ST_X50, STB, ME 5·6, ME 2·8). The dental impact on daily living (DIDL) questionnaire measured changes in the satisfaction level and OHRQoL. MP comparisons showed significant difference only for ME 5·6 12 months after MO loading (AP=33·79 ± 23·6; NAP=17·58 ± 20·1). ST presented significant differences before MO loading for: ST_X50 (AP=5·48 ± 0·83; NAP=4·31 ± 1·44), ME 5·6 (AP=53·17 ± 24·71; NAP=29·83 ± 31·45) and ME 2·8 (AP=8·76 ± 6·91; NAP=18·61 ± 10·71). One month after MO loading, NAP performed the ST test 21% faster than AP. After 3 months, significant improvements in STB (AP=4·93 ± 4·82; NAP=2·73 ± 1·27) and ME 2·8 (AP=17·15 ± 10·00; NAP=24·69 ± 7·82) also were observed. DIDL evaluation showed significant differences in the oral comfort domain after 3 months (AP=0·66 ± 0·29; NAP=0·87 ± 0·16) and after 6 months (AP=0·79 ± 0·22; NAP=0·98 ± 0·08), with lower satisfaction levels in the AP. MBA negatively affects the MF mainly the ST. After 6 months, differences between AP and NAP disappeared and ST results were equalised. AP initially has lower satisfaction levels reaching similar levels of satisfaction as NAP after 1 year.
Early burst of reactive oxygen species positively regulates resistance of eggplant against bacterial wilt
Authors: Xiao Xi‐ou , Lin Wenqiu , Li Ke , Li Wei , Gao Xiaomin , Lv Lingling
Published: July 2017

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in the early response to plant biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, bacterial wilt‐resistant and wilt‐susceptible eggplants were inoculated with Ralstonia solanacearum and the ROS content was analysed. The result revealed an increased accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2−) in resistant and susceptible eggplant roots after R. solanacearum inoculation. H2O2 and O2− accumulation increased earlier in the inoculated resistant eggplant root than in the inoculated susceptible eggplant root. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction results revealed that respiratory burst oxidase homologue (Rboh) A, RbohB, RbohF and PR1 expression levels increased in inoculated resistant eggplant roots at an early stage (0–60 h postinoculation) and were at higher expression levels than those in susceptible eggplant roots. Ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase and catalase activities were higher in inoculated resistant eggplant roots than in susceptible eggplant roots at the early stage. Hence, an early ROS burst positively regulates bacterial wilt resistance in eggplant.
Attitudes towards suicidal behaviour and associated factors among nursing professionals: A quantitative study
Authors: Giacchero Vedana K. G. , Magrini D. F. , Zanetti A. C. G. , Miasso A. I. , Borges T. L. , dos Santos M. A.
Published: July 2017

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Self‐confident health professionals with positive and understanding attitudes can take better care of people with suicidal behaviour, but the factors associated with these attitudes are not known.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

The majority of nursing professionals had no experience or training in mental health or suicide. They were less self‐confident and had more negative attitudes.

Nurses and nursing assistants who worked before in mental health services were more understanding with people with suicidal behaviour.

Nurses and nursing assistants who were working in prehospital services were less self‐confident to taking care of people with suicidal behaviour.

Some members of the nursing team had already seriously considered committing suicide.

What are the implications for practice?

The practicing, support and training in mental health may improve the nurses’ attitudes and emotional competencies.

It is important to know why few nurses had suicide‐related training, despite the relevance of this issue.

Training in mental health or suicide need to include attitudinal and emotional competencies.

It is important to offer emotional support to emergency nursing professionals.

Background

The attitudes towards suicide of emergency nurses may affect the care provided. However, the factors associated with these attitudes remain unclear.

Objective

To investigate attitudes towards suicidal behaviour and associated factors among nursing professionals working in emergency settings.

Methods

A cross‐sectional observational study including 28 nurses and 118 who were nursing assistants employed at two emergency services in Brazil was conducted. Data were collected in 2015 using a self‐administered sociodemographic questionnaire and the Suicide Behavior Attitude Questionnaire (SBAQ).

Results

The majority of participants reported having no experience or training in mental health or suicide. They reported more negative feelings towards the patient and a lower self‐perception of professional competence regarding suicidal behaviours, and these attitudes seemed to reinforce each other. Nurses who worked in mental health services reported less moralistic/judgemental attitudes. Working in prehospital services was associated with having a lower self‐perception of professional competence. There were professionals who reported thinking seriously about committing suicide.

Conclusion

When combined with support and training, practicing mental health nursing may serve as an opportunity to develop favourable attitudes and emotional competences, and these issues need to be addressed in suicide education strategies.
The flagellar apparatus of the glaucophyte Cyanophora cuspidata
Authors: Heiss Aaron A. , Heiss Alaric W. , Lukacs Kaleigh , Kim Eunsoo
Published: July 2017

Glaucophytes are a kingdom‐scale lineage of unicellular algae with uniquely underived plastids. The genus Cyanophora is of particular interest because it is the only glaucophyte that is a flagellate throughout its life cycle, making its morphology more directly comparable than other glaucophytes to other eukaryote flagellates. The ultrastructure of Cyanophora has already been studied, primarily in the 1960s and 1970s. However, the usefulness of that work has been undermined by its own limitations, subsequent misinterpretations, and a recent taxonomic revision of the genus. For example, Cyanophora's microtubular roots have been widely reported as cruciate, with rotationally symmetrical wide and thin roots, although the first ultrastructural work described it as having three wide and one narrow root. We examine Cyanophora cuspidata using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and construct a model of its cytoskeleton using serial‐section TEM. We confirm the earlier model, with asymmetric roots. We describe previously unknown and unsuspected features of its microtubular roots, including (i) a rearrangement of individual microtubules within the posterior right root, (ii) a splitting of the posterior left root into two subroots, and (iii) the convergence and termination of the narrow roots against wider ones in both the anterior and posterior subsystems of the flagellar apparatus. We also describe a large complement of nonmicrotubular components of the cytoskeleton, including a substantial connective between the posterior right root and the anterior basal body. Our work should serve as the starting point for a re‐examination of both internal glaucophyte diversity and morphological evolution in eukaryotes.
Telomerase enzyme deficiency promotes metabolic dysfunction in murine hepatocytes upon dietary stress
Authors: Alves‐Paiva Raquel M. , Kajigaya Sachiko , Feng Xingmin , Chen Jichun , Desierto Marie , Wong Susan , Townsley Danielle M. , Donaires Flávia S. , Bertola Adeline , Gao Bin , Young Neal S. , Calado Rodrigo T.
Published: July 2017

Background & Aims

Short telomeres and genetic telomerase defects are risk factors for some human liver diseases, ranging from non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis to cirrhosis. In murine models, telomere dysfunction has been shown to metabolically compromise hematopoietic cells, liver and heart via the activation of the p53‐PGC axis.

Methods

Tert‐ and Terc‐deficient mice were challenged with liquid high‐fat diet. Liver metabolic contents were analysed by CE‐TOFMS and liver fat content was confirmed by confocal and electronic microscopy.

Results

Tert‐deficient but not Terc‐deficient mice develop hepatocyte injury and frank steatosis when challenged with liquid high‐fat diet. Upon high‐fat diet, Tert−/− hepatocytes fail to engage the citric acid cycle (TCA), with an imbalance of NADPH/NADP+ and NADH/NAD+ ratios and depletion of intermediates of TCA cycle, such as cis‐aconitic acid. Telomerase deficiency caused an intrinsic metabolic defect unresponsive to environmental challenge. Chemical inhibition of telomerase by zidovudine recapitulated the abnormal Tert−/− metabolic phenotype in Terc−/− hepatocytes.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that in telomeropathies short telomeres are not the only molecular trigger and telomerase enzyme deficiency provokes hepatocyte metabolic dysfunction, abrogates response to environmental challenge, and causes cellular injury and steatosis, providing a mechanism for liver damage in telomere diseases.
Aquatic animals promote antibiotic resistance gene dissemination in water via conjugation: Role of different regions within the zebra fish intestinal tract, and impact on fish intestinal microbiota
Authors: Fu Jialun , Yang Dong , Jin Min , Liu Weili , Zhao Xin , Li Chenyu , Zhao Tianyu , Wang Jingfeng , Gao Zhixian , Shen Zhiqiang , Qiu Zhigang , Li Jun‐Wen
Published: July 2017

The aqueous environment is one of many reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Fish, as important aquatic animals which possess ideal intestinal niches for bacteria to grow and multiply, may ingest antibiotic resistance bacteria from aqueous environment. The fish gut would be a suitable environment for conjugal gene transfer including those encoding antibiotic resistance. However, little is known in relation to the impact of ingested ARGs or antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) on gut microbiota. Here, we applied the cultivation method, qPCR, nuclear molecular genetic marker and 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing technologies to develop a plasmid‐mediated ARG transfer model of zebrafish. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the dissemination of ARGs in microbial communities of zebrafish guts after donors carrying self‐transferring plasmids that encode ARGs were introduced in aquaria. On average, 15% of faecal bacteria obtained ARGs through RP4‐mediated conjugal transfer. The hindgut was the most important intestinal region supporting ARG dissemination, with concentrations of donor and transconjugant cells almost 25 times higher than those of other intestinal segments. Furthermore, in the hindgut where conjugal transfer occurred most actively, there was remarkable upregulation of the mRNA expression of the RP4 plasmid regulatory genes, trbBp and trfAp. Exogenous bacteria seem to alter bacterial communities by increasing Escherichia and Bacteroides species, while decreasing Aeromonas compared with control groups. We identified the composition of transconjugants and abundance of both cultivable and uncultivable bacteria (the latter accounted for 90.4%–97.2% of total transconjugants). Our study suggests that aquatic animal guts contribute to the spread of ARGs in water environments.
The proteome and transcriptome of the infectious metacyclic form of Trypanosoma brucei define quiescent cells primed for mammalian invasion
Authors: Christiano Romain , Kolev Nikolay G. , Shi Huafang , Ullu Elisabetta , Walther Tobias C. , Tschudi Christian
Published: July 2017

The infectious metacyclic forms of Trypanosoma brucei result from a complex development in the tsetse fly vector. When they infect mammals, they cause African sleeping sickness in humans. Due to scarcity of biological material and difficulties of the tsetse fly as an experimental system, very limited information is available concerning the gene expression profile of metacyclic forms. We used an in vitro system based on expressing the RNA binding protein 6 to obtain infectious metacyclics and determined their protein and mRNA repertoires by mass‐spectrometry (MS) based proteomics and mRNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) in comparison to non‐infectious procyclic trypanosomes. We showed that metacyclics are quiescent cells, and propose this influences the choice of a monocistronic variant surface glycoprotein expression site. Metacyclics have a largely bloodstream‐form type transcriptome, and thus are programmed to translate a bloodstream‐form type proteome upon entry into the mammalian host and resumption of cell division. Genes encoding cell surface components showed the largest changes between procyclics and metacyclics, observed at both the transcript and protein levels. Genes encoding metabolic enzymes exhibited expression in metacyclics with features of both procyclic and bloodstream forms, suggesting that this intermediate‐type metabolism is dictated by the availability of nutrients in the tsetse fly vector.
Neo‐bureaucratic organisational forms, technology, control and contingent work: the case of UK TV
Authors: Farrell Catherine , Morris Jonathan
Published: July 2017

A feature in contemporary labour markets has been the growth of non‐standard work. This has to be set within a context of evolving new organisational forms and the ways that large organisations control these forms. Based on a qualitative study of freelance work in television, we have witnessed considerable vertical‐disintegration of the industry and a substantial growth of freelance working. Control over the network is maintained by employing former large broadcaster staff, and in turn their own preferred freelancers. This has significant implications for the nature of freelance work. While work is characterised as more insecure, generally the degree varies. This is based, in part, on occupation but also on access to social capital. Freelancers also reported a positive attitude to work, but more negative findings on working hours, work intensification and on related benefits.
IL17A polymorphism and elevated IL17A serum levels are associated with oral lichen planus
Authors: Gueiros LA , Arão T , Souza T , Vieira CL , Gomez RS , Almeida OP , Lodi G , Leão JC
Published: July 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of IL17A G197A polymorphism and serum levels with oral lichen planus (OLP) susceptibility and clinical presentation.

Subjects and Methods

Eighty‐three individuals diagnosed with OLP and 99 healthy controls (C) were consecutively recruited. All participants had desquamating oral mucosal cells collected and DNA isolated for IL17A (G197A) genotyping. Blood samples of 42 OLP individuals and 23 healthy controls were collected for evaluation of IL17A serum levels.

Results

IL17A G197A genotypes were associated with an increased chance of having OLP (GA/AA × GG, OR = 3.44, 95% CI = 1.87–6.33, p < .001). Overall A carriers (GA or AA) were more common in OLP (38.1%) than in C (20.2%; OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.53–3.87, p < .001). Serum levels of IL17A were higher among patients with OLP than in healthy controls (reticular, p = .0003; erosive, p < .001), but no difference was found among the disease types.

Conclusions

IL17A G197A is associated with a higher susceptibility of developing OLP and these patients seem to present a considerable increase in IL17A serum levels. These findings suggest that Th17 cells, and IL17A in particular, may play a pivotal role in OLP pathogenesis.