bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activity of ceftaroline and comparator agents tested against Staphylococcus aureus from patients with bloodstream infections in US medical centres (2009–13)
Authors: Sader Helio S. , Farrell David J. , Flamm Robert K. , Jones Ronald N.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ceftaroline and comparator agents tested against Staphylococcus aureus isolates causing bloodstream infection (BSI).

Methods

A total of 4426 S. aureus isolates from patients with BSI were collected in 150 medical centres in the USA in 2009–13 and tested for susceptibility to ceftaroline and comparators by the CLSI broth microdilution method.

Results

Overall, 45.5% of isolates were MRSA. Ceftaroline (MIC50/90, 0.25/1 mg/L) was active against 97.9% of S. aureus isolates at ≤1 mg/L (highest MIC, 2 mg/L). Daptomycin (MIC50/90, 0.25/0.5 mg/L), linezolid (MIC50/90, 1/2 mg/L) and vancomycin (MIC50/90, 1/1 mg/L) were active against ≥99.8% of isolates at the respective susceptible breakpoints. Susceptibility rates for clindamycin (MIC50/90, ≤0.25/>2 mg/L) and levofloxacin (MIC50/90, ≤0.5/>4 mg/L) were 80.8% and 59.2%, respectively. Against MSSA, ceftaroline (MIC50/90, 0.25/0.25 mg/L; 100.0% susceptible) was 16-, 4–8- and 4-fold more active in vitro (based on MIC50/90) than ceftriaxone (MIC50/90, 4/4 mg/L), linezolid (MIC50/90, 1/2 mg/L) and vancomycin (MIC50/90, 1/1 mg/L), respectively, and slightly more potent than daptomycin (MIC50/90, 0.25/0.5 mg/L). When tested against MRSA, ceftaroline was active against 95.4% and 100.0% of isolates at ≤1 and ≤2 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, ceftaroline retained significant activity against S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, daptomycin, clindamycin, levofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

Conclusions

Ceftaroline demonstrated potent in vitro activity when tested against a large collection of contemporary (2009–13) S. aureus isolates causing BSI in US hospitals.
A needs assessment of health information technology for improving care coordination in three leading patient-centered medical homes
Authors: Richardson Joshua E , Vest Joshua R , Green Cori M , Kern Lisa M , Kaushal Rainu ,   the HITEC Investigators
Published: March 2015

Objective We investigated ways that patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) are currently using health information technology (IT) for care coordination and what types of health IT are needed to improve care coordination.

Materials and Methods A multi-disciplinary team of researchers conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 28 participants from 3 PCMHs in the United States. Participants included administrators and clinicians from PCMHs, electronic health record (EHR) and health information exchange (HIE) representatives, and policy makers.

Results Participants identified multiple barriers to care coordination using current health IT tools. We identified five areas in which health IT can improve care coordination in PCMHs: 1) monitoring patient populations, 2) notifying clinicians and other staff when specific patients move across care settings, 3) collaborating around patients, 4) reporting activities, and 5) interoperability. To accomplish these tasks, many participants described using homegrown care coordination systems separate from EHRs.

Discussion The participants in this study have resources, experience, and expertise with using health IT for care coordination, yet they still identified multiple areas for improvement. We hypothesize that focusing health IT development in the five areas we identified can enable more effective care coordination. Key findings from this work are that homegrown systems apart from EHRs are currently used to support care coordination and, also, that reporting tools are key components of care coordination.

Conclusions New health IT that enables monitoring, notifying, collaborating, reporting, and interoperability would enhance care coordination within PCMHs beyond what current health IT enables.
Linking acknowledgement to action: closing the loop on non-urgent, clinically significant test results in the electronic health record
Authors: Dalal Anuj K , Pesterev Bailey M , Eibensteiner Katyuska , Newmark Lisa P , Samal Lipika , Rothschild Jeffrey M
Published: March 2015

Failure to follow-up nonurgent, clinically significant test results (CSTRs) is an ambulatory patient safety concern. Tools within electronic health records (EHRs) may facilitate test result acknowledgment, but their utility with regard to nonurgent CSTRs is unclear. We measured use of an acknowledgment tool by 146 primary care physicians (PCPs) at 13 network-affiliated practices that use the same EHR. We then surveyed PCPs to assess use of, satisfaction with, and desired enhancements to the acknowledgment tool. The rate of acknowledgment of non-urgent CSTRs by PCPs was 78%. Of 73 survey respondents, 72 reported taking one or more actions after reviewing a CSTR; fewer (40–75%) reported that using the acknowledgment tool was helpful for a specific purpose. Forty-six (64%) were satisfied with the tool. Both satisfied and nonsatisfied PCPs reported that enhancements linking acknowledgment to routine actions would be useful. EHR vendors should consider enhancements to acknowledgment functionality to ensure follow-up of nonurgent CSTRs.
Clinical information modeling processes for semantic interoperability of electronic health records: systematic review and inductive analysis
Authors: Moreno-Conde Alberto , Moner David , Cruz Wellington Dimas da , Santos Marcelo R , Maldonado José Alberto , Robles Montserrat , Kalra Dipak
Published: March 2015

Objective This systematic review aims to identify and compare the existing processes and methodologies that have been published in the literature for defining clinical information models (CIMs) that support the semantic interoperability of electronic health record (EHR) systems.

Material and Methods Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses systematic review methodology, the authors reviewed published papers between 2000 and 2013 that covered that semantic interoperability of EHRs, found by searching the PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and ScienceDirect databases. Additionally, after selection of a final group of articles, an inductive content analysis was done to summarize the steps and methodologies followed in order to build CIMs described in those articles.

Results Three hundred and seventy-eight articles were screened and thirty six were selected for full review. The articles selected for full review were analyzed to extract relevant information for the analysis and characterized according to the steps the authors had followed for clinical information modeling.

Discussion Most of the reviewed papers lack a detailed description of the modeling methodologies used to create CIMs. A representative example is the lack of description related to the definition of terminology bindings and the publication of the generated models. However, this systematic review confirms that most clinical information modeling activities follow very similar steps for the definition of CIMs. Having a robust and shared methodology could improve their correctness, reliability, and quality.

Conclusion Independently of implementation technologies and standards, it is possible to find common patterns in methods for developing CIMs, suggesting the viability of defining a unified good practice methodology to be used by any clinical information modeler.
Virtualization of open-source secure web services to support data exchange in a pediatric critical care research network
Authors: Frey Lewis J , Sward Katherine A , Newth Christopher JL , Khemani Robinder G , Cryer Martin E , Thelen Julie L , Enriquez Rene , Shaoyu Su , Pollack Murray M , Harrison Rick E , Meert Kathleen L , Berg Robert A , Wessel David L , Shanley Thomas P , Dalton Heidi , Carcillo Joseph , Jenkins Tammara L , Dean J Michael
Published: March 2015

Objectives To examine the feasibility of deploying a virtual web service for sharing data within a research network, and to evaluate the impact on data consistency and quality.

Material and Methods Virtual machines (VMs) encapsulated an open-source, semantically and syntactically interoperable secure web service infrastructure along with a shadow database. The VMs were deployed to 8 Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network Clinical Centers.

Results Virtual web services could be deployed in hours. The interoperability of the web services reduced format misalignment from 56% to 1% and demonstrated that 99% of the data consistently transferred using the data dictionary and 1% needed human curation.

Conclusions Use of virtualized open-source secure web service technology could enable direct electronic abstraction of data from hospital databases for research purposes.
Radiation shielding for diagnostic radiology
Authors: Martin Colin J.
Published: March 2015

Scattered radiation makes up the majority of the stray radiation field around an X-ray unit. The scatter is linked to the amount of radiation incident on the patient. It can be estimated from quantities used to assess patient dose such as the kerma-area product, and factors have been established linking this to levels of scattered radiation for radiography and fluoroscopy. In radiography shielding against primary radiation is also needed, but in other modalities this is negligible, as the beam is intercepted by the image receptor. In the same way scatter from CT can be quantified in terms of dose-length product, but because of higher radiation levels, exposure to tertiary scatter from ceilings needs to be considered. Transmission requirements are determined from comparisons between calculated radiation levels and agreed dose criteria, taking into account the occupancy of adjacent areas. Thicknesses of shielding material required can then be calculated from simple equations.
Reconstruction of Unilateral Incomplete Cryptophthalmos in Fraser Syndrome
Authors: Tran Ann Q. , Lee Bradford W. , Alameddine Ramzi M. , Korn Bobby S. , Kikkawa Don O.
Published: March 2015

A full-term baby girl with Fraser syndrome was born with right incomplete cryptophthalmos. On examination, the globe was completely covered with skin with partially formed eyelids laterally. At 3 years of age, she underwent an evisceration with orbital implant and reconstruction of the eyelids and fornices using the pre-existing scleral remnant. Custom ocular prosthetic fitting was performed 5 weeks postoperatively. At 4 years follow up, she continued to successfully retain an ocular prosthesis.
Halobacillus andaensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline and alkaline soil
Authors: Wang Kaibiao , Zhang Lei , Yang Yang , Pan Yuanyuan , Meng Lin , Liu Henan , Hong Shan , Huang Haipeng , Jiang Juquan
Published: March 2015

A Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming, moderately halophilic bacterial strain, NEAU-ST10-40T, was isolated from a saline and alkaline soil in Anda City, China. It was strictly aerobic, rod-shaped and motile by peritrichous flagella. It formed light yellow colonies and grew at NaCl concentrations of 3–15 % (w/v) (optimum, 8 %, w/v), at pH 7.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and at 4–60 °C (optimum, 30 °C). It containedmeso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that it belonged to the genusHalobacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain NEAU-ST10-40Tand the type strains of related species of the genusHalobacillusranged from 98.8 % (Halobacillus alkaliphilusFP5T) to 97.1 % (Halobacillus kuroshimensisIS-Hb7T). DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness values between strain NEAU-ST10-40TandH. alkaliphilusDSM 18525T,Halobacillus campisalisKCTC 13144T,Halobacillus yeomjeoniDSM 17110T,Halobacillus halophilusDSM 2266T,Halobacillus litoralisDSM 10405T,Halobacillus dabanensisDSM 18199T,Halobacillus salinusDSM 18897T,Halobacillus naozhouensisDSM 21183T,Halobacillus trueperiDSM 10404TandHalobacillus salsuginisDSM 21185Twere from 43 ± 1 to 19 ± 1 % (mean ± sd). The DNA G+C content was 39.3 mol%. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0and iso-C16:0, the only respiratory quinone detected was MK-7, and polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unknown phospholipids and three unknown lipids. On the basis of the data presented, strain NEAU-ST10-40Tis considered to represent a novel species, for which the nameHalobacillus andaensissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-ST10-40T( = CGMCC 1.12153T = DSM 25866T).
Aestuariicella hydrocarbonica gen. nov., sp. nov., an aliphatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium isolated from a sea tidal flat
Authors: Lo Naysim , Kim Kyung Hyun , Baek Kyunghwa , Jia Baolei , Jeon Che Ok
Published: March 2015

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic bacterial strain, designated SM-6T, was isolated from a sea tidal flat of the Dangjin bay, South Korea. Strain SM-6T was able to degrade a broad range of aliphatic hydrocarbons. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive and non-motile rods. Growth of strain SM-6T was observed at 10–37 °C (optimum, 20–25 °C), at pH 5.5–9.0 (optimum, pH 6.5–7.5) and in the presence of 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–3 %). The only isoprenoid quinone detected was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). C17:
1ω8c, C11:
0 3-OH, summed feature 3 (comprising C16:
1ω7c and/or C16:
1ω6c), C9:
0 3-OH and C10:
0 3-OH were observed as the major cellular fatty acids and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and four unidentified lipids were detected as polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 47.5 mol%. Strain SM-6T was most closely related to Pseudomaricurvus alkylphenolicus KU41GT (95.5 %), Maricurvus nonylphenolicus KU41ET (94.4 %) and Pseudoteredinibacter isoporae SW-11T (94.3 %), based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, and phylogenetic analyses showed that strain SM-6T formed a phyletic lineage distinct from the closely related genera. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain SM-6T represents a novel genus and species of the order Alteromonadales in the class Gammaproteobacteria, for which name Aestuariicella hydrocarbonica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SM-6T ( = KACC 18121T = JCM 30134T).
Luteolibacter arcticus sp. nov., isolated from high Arctic tundra soil, and emended description of the genus Luteolibacter
Authors: Kim MyongChol , Pak SeHong , Rim SongGuk , Ren Lvzhi , Jiang Fan , Chang Xulu , Liu Ping , Zhang Yumin , Fang Chengxiang , Zheng Congyi , Peng Fang
Published: March 2015

A pale yellow, Gram-reaction-negative, non-motile, aerobic bacterium, designated MC 3726T, was isolated from a tundra soil near Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway (78 °N). Growth occurred at 4–37 °C (optimum 25–30 °C) and at pH 5.0–9.0 (optimum pH 8.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain MC 3726T belonged to the genus Luteolibacter in the family Verrucomicrobiaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of this strain showed 93.18, 92.54 and 92.44 % similarity to those of Luteolibacter cuticulihirudinis E100T, Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis A4T-83T and Luteolibacter yonseiensis EBTL01T, respectively. The cell wall of strain MC 3726T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic amino acid. Strain MC 3726T contained iso-C14:0 (38.28 %), C16:0 (15.89 %), C16:1ω9c (14.24 %), iso-C16:0 (10.42 %) and anteiso-C15:0 (5.75 %) as the predominant cellular fatty acids, MK-9 and MK-10 as the major respiratory quinones, and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as the main polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 60.7 mol %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain MC 3726T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Luteolibacter, for which the name Luteolibacter arcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MC 3726T ( = CCTCC AB 2014275T = LMG 28638T). An emended description of the genus Luteolibacter is also provided, along with emended descriptions of Luteolibacter cuticulihirudinis, Luteolibacter yonseiensis and Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis.
Spatial model predicts dispersal and cell turnover cause reduced intra-tumor heterogeneity
Authors: Waclaw Bartlomiej , Bozic Ivana , Pittman Meredith E , Hruban Ralph H , Vogelstein Bert , Nowak Martin A
Published: March 2015

Most cancers in humans are large, measuring centimeters in diameter, composed of many billions of cells. An equivalent mass of normal cells would be highly heterogeneous as a result of the mutations that occur during each cell division. What is remarkable about cancers is their homogeneity - virtually every neoplastic cell within a large cancer contains the same core set of genetic alterations, with heterogeneity confined to mutations that have emerged after the last clonal expansions. How such clones expand within the spatially-constrained three dimensional architecture of a tumor, and come to dominate a large, pre-existing lesion, has never been explained. We here describe a model for tumor evolution that shows how short-range migration and cell turnover can account for rapid cell mixing inside the tumor. With it, we show that even a small selective advantage of a single cell within a large tumor allows the descendants of that cell to replace the precursor mass in a clinically relevant time frame. We also demonstrate that the same mechanisms can be responsible for the rapid onset of resistance to chemotherapy. Our model not only provides novel insights into spatial and temporal aspects of tumor growth but also suggests that targeting short range cellular migratory activity could have dramatic effects on tumor growth rates.
Cost Signals under Uncertain R&D Outcomes
Authors: Tung Chris Y. , Wang Chun‐Chieh
Published: March 2015

When it is difficult for firms to differentiate their products from those of their competitors, research and development (R&D) spending on process innovation to lower the cost of production is crucial for profitability. However, the information asymmetry in production costs that results from innovation reduces the efficiency of all firms in a market for a homogeneous good. We employ a signalling game to discuss the feasibility of utilising R&D spending and output levels as cost signals in an environment of quantity competition. The results show that a firm does not spend its money on R&D solely to signal the type of cost. Rather, R&D spending may be chosen as a cost signal over the output level only if expenditures on R&D can lead to a sufficiently high probability of reducing production costs.
Does Real Exchange Rate Depreciation Boost Capital Accumulation? An Intertemporal Analysis
Authors: van Pham Dai , Delpachitra Sarath
Published: March 2015

This paper examines the investment‐enhancing effect of real exchange rate (RER) depreciation in a two‐sector small open economy model where a representative firm in the tradable sector maximises its discounted profit over an infinite planning period. In this framework, a one‐time, permanent, unanticipated depreciation in theRERleads to a higher steady‐state level of capital stock and investment. This consequently increases the optimal investment rate associated with an arbitrary level of capital stock as the saddle path shifts upwards. In the benchmark calibration, the investment‐enhancing effect ofRERdepreciation is sizeable. One per cent depreciation in theRERleads to an increase of 0.4444 per cent in the rate of capital accumulation.
Old‐Age Income Insecurity in Singapore: A Problem of Non‐Inclusive Development
Authors: Mukhopadhaya Pundarik , Venaik Sunil
Published: March 2015

With a growing old‐age population, ensuring income security for the elderly is becoming an increasingly important element of public policy worldwide. The World Bank report proposed a three‐tier system to avert old‐age crisis, which was extended into a five‐tier system by Holzmann et al. Our analysis of Singapore's old‐age income security system in light of these two systems shows that it lacks the basic zero and first pillars of protection against old‐age hardships. We show that a budget allocation of less than half a percent of national gross domestic product (GDP) can ensure that no elderly citizen suffers from poverty in Singapore. As Singapore occupies the status of a developed country, a government‐financed pension system that is adequate, affordable, sustainable and robust is long overdue.
Nulliparous pregnant women's narratives of imminent childbirth before and after internet‐based cognitive behavioural therapy for severe fear of childbirth: a qualitative study
Authors: Nieminen K , Malmquist A , Wijma B , Ryding E‐L , Andersson G , Wijma K
Published: March 2015

Objective

To describe the expectations concerning imminent childbirth before and after 8 weeks of internet‐based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) among nulliparous pregnant women with severe fear of childbirth.

Design

Qualitative study of nulliparous pregnant women's narratives before and after CBT.

Setting

The first ICBT programme for treating severe fear of childbirth.

Sample

Fifteen nulliparous pregnant Swedish women with severe fear of childbirth participating in an ICBT self‐help programme.

Methods

Semi‐structured open‐ended questions over the internet before and after 8 weeks of ICBT. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Main outcome measures

The participants’ narratives pertaining to five different situations during labour and delivery before and after ICBT.

Results

After therapy, participants described a more realistic attitude towards imminent childbirth, more self‐confidence and more active coping strategies. They perceived their partners and the staff as more supportive. They were more aware of the approaching meeting with their baby when giving birth.

Conclusions

Following the ICBT programme, participants changed their attitude towards imminent childbirth from negative to more positive. This was manifested in positive and more realistic expectations regarding themselves, their partner and the staff that would look after them.
A View of Oral Communication Activities in Food Science From the Perspective of a Communication Researcher
Authors: Ann Vrchota Denise
Published: March 2015

Food science researchers have pronounced the Institute of Food Technologists Success Skills to be the most important competency mastered by graduates entering the work force. Much of the content and outcomes of the Success Skills pertains to oral communication skills of public speaking and interpersonal and group communication. This qualitative study reports the results of an examination of oral communication activities in the classes of 9 faculty in the food science program at Iowa State Univ. The findings revealed communication activities in the classes that support the Success Skills oral communication mandates; however, the food science faculty did not explicitly teach these skills. Faculty assumed the students would acquire proficiency in oral communication through participation in disciplinary activities that required them to practice the skills. A situated communication framework cautions communication researchers to honor the oral communication traditions in other disciplines. Still, the practice of preparing students to communicate in professional contexts without formal instruction raises 2 questions from the perspective of a communication researcher: first, are students aware of the communication skills they applied in classroom activities? Second, are students able to transfer communication skills to other classes and, more importantly to professional practice, when they graduate, as a result of this approach? The discussion suggests exercises that direct students’ attention to the specific skill sets inherent in the oral communication activities in the Success Skills while enabling faculty to maintain the communication traditions of food science as they prepare students for professional practice.
Fits, misfits and interactions: learning at work, job satisfaction and job‐related well‐being
Authors: Felstead Alan , Gallie Duncan , Green Francis , Inanc Hande
Published: March 2015

The resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm has focused attention on the importance of aligning employees' needs with the requirements of the jobs they do. This article focuses on how these needs and requirements interact in terms of learning. It does so in two ways. First, it develops new survey instruments to capture the learning demands of jobs and the learning dispositions of workers and uses them for the first time in a survey of 2,810 employees. Second, it examines how these person and job characteristics correlate with specific aspects of job satisfaction and job‐related well‐being. The results show that although learning alignment is associated with high levels of satisfaction and well‐being, not all learning misalignments are associated with the reverse.
Pyrosequencing andde novoassembly ofAntarctic krill (Euphausia superba)transcriptome to study the adaptability of krill to climate‐induced environmental changes
Authors: Meyer B. , Martini P. , Biscontin A. , De Pittà C. , Romualdi C. , Teschke M. , Frickenhaus S. , Harms L. , Freier U. , Jarman S. , Kawaguchi S.
Published: March 2015

TheAntarctic krill,Euphausia superba, has a key position in theSouthernOcean food web by serving as direct link between primary producers and apex predators. The south‐westAtlantic sector of theSouthernOcean, where the majority of the krill population is located, is experiencing one of the most profound environmental changes worldwide. Up to now, we have only cursory information about krill's genomic plasticity to cope with the ongoing environmental changes induced by anthropogenicCO2emission. The genome of krill is not yet available due to its large size (about 48Gbp). Here, we present two cDNAnormalized libraries from whole krill and krill heads sampled in different seasons that were combined with two data sets of krill transcriptome projects, already published, to produce the first knowledgebase krill ‘master’ transcriptome. The new library produced 25% moreE. superbatranscripts and now includes nearly all the enzymes involved in the primary oxidative metabolism (Glycolysis,Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation) as well as all genes involved in glycogenesis, glycogen breakdown, gluconeogenesis, fatty acid synthesis and fatty acidsβ‐oxidation. With these features, the ‘master’ transcriptome provides the most complete picture of metabolic pathways inAntarctic krill and will provide a major resource for future physiological and molecular studies. This will be particularly valuable for characterizing the molecular networks that respond to stressors caused by the anthropogenicCO2emissions and krill's capacity to cope with the ongoing environmental changes in theAtlantic sector of theSouthernOcean.
Rare case of primary pleural lymphoma presenting with pleural effusion
Authors: Sun Mei‐ling , Shang Bin , Gao Jian‐hua , Jiang Shu‐juan
Published: March 2015

Primary pleural lymphoma is rare and has been described in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or pyothorax. We report a rare case of primary pleural lymphoma in a 73‐year‐old man who presented with chest pain and no history of HIV infection or pyothorax. Chest imaging showed pleural thickening and pleural effusion. Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations conformed to that of a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma. Physicians should be aware of this rare location of primary lymphoma and implement thoracoscopy as soon as possible.
CtPMK1, a mitogen‐activated‐protein kinase gene, is required for conidiation, appressorium formation, and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum truncatum on soybean
Authors: Xiong Q. , Xu J. , Zhao Y. , Wang K.
Published: March 2015

Colletotrichum truncatum, the causal agent of soybean anthracnose, invades host plants by forming a specialised infection structure called an appressorium. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) genes have been shown to play vital roles in several phytopathogenic fungi in regulating various infection processes, including spore germination, melanised appressorium formation, appressorial penetration and subsequent invasive growth in host plants. In this study, we identified and characterised the first Fus3/Kss1‐related MAPK gene, CtPMK1, in Colletotrichum truncatum, which is related to PMK1 in Magnaporthe oryzae. Disruption of CtPMK1 in C. truncatum resulted in a mutant with slightly reduced mycelial growth (‐30%) and melanisation that is deficient in sporulation (‐99%), as observed in the CMK1 mutant of Colletotrichum lagenarium (a synonym of Colletotrichum orbiculare, which is now the accepted name for this taxon). In contrast to CMK1 of C. lagenarium, conidia from the Ctpmk1 mutant germinated normally on glass slides and onion epidermal surfaces. Our findings suggest that there are differences in the types of in vitro functions controlled by PMK1, even between closely related species. Furthermore, the Ctpmk1 mutant failed to form appressoria or hyphopodia, subsequently resulting in the complete loss of pathogenicity on host plants. Overall, the results indicate that the Fus3/Kss1‐related MAPK gene has a conserved role in infection structure formation and pathogenicity in phytopathogenic fungi.
Monitoring required for effective sustainable use of wildlife
Authors: Selier S. A. J. , Di Minin E.
Published: March 2015

Read the Feature Paper: Does trophy hunting matter to long‐term population trends in African herbivores of different dietary guilds?; other Commentaries on this paper: Hunting tourism and animal conservation and the Response from the authors: The assessment of the role of trophy hunting in wildlife conservation
EAACI IG Biologicals task force paper on the use of biologic agents in allergic disorders
Authors: Boyman O. , Kaegi C. , Akdis M. , Bavbek S. , Bossios A. , Chatzipetrou A. , Eiwegger T. , Firinu D. , Harr T. , Knol E. , Matucci A. , Palomares O. , Schmidt‐Weber C. , Simon H.‐U. , Steiner U. C. , Vultaggio A. , Akdis C. A. , Spertini F.
Published: March 2015

Biologic agents (also termed biologicals or biologics) are therapeutics that are synthesized by living organisms and directed against a specific determinant, for example, a cytokine or receptor. In inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, biologicals have revolutionized the treatment of several immune‐mediated disorders. Biologicals have also been tested in allergic disorders. These include agents targeting IgE; T helper 2 (Th2)‐type and Th2‐promoting cytokines, including interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), IL‐5, IL‐9, IL‐13, IL‐31, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP); pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐1β, IL‐12, IL‐17A, IL‐17F, IL‐23, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF); chemokine receptor CCR4; and lymphocyte surface and adhesion molecules, including CD2, CD11a, CD20, CD25, CD52, and OX40 ligand. In this task force paper of the Interest Group on Biologicals of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, we review biologicals that are currently available or tested for the use in various allergic and urticarial pathologies, by providing an overview on their state of development, area of use, adverse events, and future research directions.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: early infant feeding and coeliac disease – update 2015
Authors: Szajewska H. , Shamir R. , Chmielewska A. , Pieścik‐Lech M. , Auricchio R. , Ivarsson A. , Kolacek S. , Koletzko S. , Korponay‐Szabo I. , Mearin M. L. , Ribes‐Koninckx C. , Troncone R. ,   the PREVENTCD Study Group
Published: March 2015

Background

New evidence emerged on early feeding practices and the risk of coeliac disease.

Aim

To systematically update evidence on these practices to find out whether there is a need to revise current recommendations.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched from July 2012 (end of last search) to February 2015 for studies of any design that assessed the effect of gluten consumption and breastfeeding on the development of coeliac disease and/or coeliac disease‐related autoimmunity.

Results

We identified 21 publications, including two, new, large, randomised controlled trials performed in high‐risk infants. Exclusive or any breastfeeding, as well as breastfeeding at the time of gluten introduction, did not reduce the risk of developing coeliac disease during childhood. For infants at high risk of developing coeliac disease, gluten introduction at 4 months of age in very small amounts, or at 6 or 12 months of age, resulted in similar rates of coeliac disease diagnosis in early childhood. Later gluten introduction was associated with later development of coeliac specific autoimmunity and coeliac disease during childhood, but not total risk reduction. Observational studies indicate that consumption of a higher amount of gluten at weaning may increase the risk for coeliac disease development.

Conclusions

Infant feeding practices (breastfeeding, time of gluten introduction) have no effect on the risk of developing coeliac disease during childhood (at least at specific timeframes evaluated in the included studies), necessitating an update of current European recommendations.
Preoperative factors associated with hypotension in young anaesthetised dogs undergoing elective desexing
Authors: Costa RS , Raisis AL , Hosgood G , Musk GC
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Document the proportion of dogs with perioperative hypotension and explore the association of sex, age and body mass and indices of hydration with mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in two cohorts of young, healthy anaesthetised dogs.

Methods

Dogs were anaesthetised with a standardised protocol. The proportion of dogs with invasively measured MAP <60 mmHg for ≥10 min was recorded. The area under the MAP*time curve (MAP‐AUC) was calculated for a standard perioperative period. The association of explanatory variables, including sex, age, body mass and indices of hydration (urine specific gravity (USG), packed cell volume and total solids) measured prior to surgery, with the MAP‐AUC was explored using regression analysis in the first cohort (n = 71) and externally validated in the second cohort (n = 24).

Results

In cohort 1, 35 of 71 dogs (0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37–0.61) dogs and 17/24 dogs in cohort 2 (0.71, 95% CI 0.53–0.89) developed hypotension. Regression analysis showed that age and USG were significantly associated with MAP‐AUC for cohort 1 (P = 0.0138). There was a positive association of MAP‐AUC with age and a negative association with USG. The association of MAP‐AUC with USG was supported in cohort 2, with a significant negative association (P = 0.014, r = −0.54)

Conclusion

The high frequency of hypotension in both cohorts supports blood pressure monitoring during anaesthesia of young, healthy dogs. USG, an index of hydration, appears negatively associated with MAP during anaesthesia, suggesting that subclinical dehydration may contribute to lower MAP during surgical anaesthesia.
Effect of an anti‐gonadotropin‐releasing factor vaccine on sexual and aggressive behaviour in male pigs during the finishing period under Australian field conditions
Authors: Karaconji B , Lloyd B , Campbell N , Meaney D , Ahern T
Published: March 2015

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an anti‐gonadotropin‐releasing factor vaccine in controlling sexual and aggressive behaviour of male pigs in the late finishing period under Australian field conditions.

Methods

Male pigs from four consecutive batches over a 4‐month period were randomly assigned to two groups: an untreated control group (n = 434) or a group treated with Improvac® (n = 433). The vaccine was administered at 10 and 16 weeks of age. Pigs were housed under commercial conditions in ecoshelters, a commonly used housing system in Australia in which pigs are kept in large pens often containing >100 animals. The occurrence of sexual and aggressive behaviours was recorded and evaluated after second vaccination until slaughter at 22 weeks of age.

Results

Male pigs treated with Improvac demonstrated significant reductions in mounting, fighting, pushing, head butting and tail manipulation when compared with control animals.

Conclusion

This study confirms that vaccination with Improvac can improve the welfare of entire male pigs by inhibiting sexual and aggressive behaviour.
Pharmacovigilance in children: detecting adverse drug reactions in routine electronic healthcare records. A systematic review
Authors: Black Corri , Tagiyeva‐Milne Nara , Helms Peter , Moir Dorothy
Published: March 2015

Aims

A systematic review of the literature published in English over 10 years was undertaken in order to describe the use of electronic healthcare data in the identification of potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in children.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using MESH headings and text words. Titles, keywords and abstracts were checked for age <18 years, potential ADRs and electronic healthcare data. Information extracted included age, data source, pharmacovigilance method, medicines and ADRs. Studies were quality assessed.

Results

From 14 804 titles, 314 had a full text review and 71 were included in the final review. Fifty were published in North America, 10 in Scandinavia. Study size ranged from less than 1000 children to more than 10 million. Sixty per cent of studies used data from one source. Comparative observational studies were most commonly reported (66.2%) with 15% using passive surveillance. Electronic healthcare data set linkage and the quality of the data source were poorly reported. ADRs were classified using the International Classification of Disease (ICD10). Multi‐system reactions were most commonly studied, followed by central nervous system and mental and behavioural disorders. Vaccines were most frequently prescribed followed by corticosteroids, general anaesthetics and antidepressants.

Conclusions

Routine electronic healthcare records were increasingly reported to be used for pharmacovigilance in children. This growing and important health protection activity could be enhanced by consistent reporting of studies to improve the identification, interpretation and generalizability of the evidence base.
Treatment of spontaneous preterm labour with retosiban: a phase 2 proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Thornton Steven , Miller Hugh , Valenzuela Guillermo , Snidow Jerry , Stier Brendt , Fossler Michael J. , Montague Timothy H. , Powell Marcy , Beach Kathleen J.
Published: March 2015

Aim

The aim was to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous retosiban in women with spontaneous preterm labour.

Methods

This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase 2 trial. Retosiban was administered intravenously for 48 h to women in spontaneous preterm labour between 300/7 and 356/7 weeks’ gestation with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy in an in‐patient obstetric unit. Outcome measures were uterine quiescence (primary endpoint), days to delivery, preterm delivery and safety.

Results

Uterine quiescence was achieved in 62% of women who received retosiban (n = 30) compared with 41% who received placebo (n = 34). The relative risk (RR) was 1.53 (95% credible interval [CrI] 0.98, 2.48; NS). Retosiban resulted in a significant increase in time to delivery compared with placebo (mean difference 8.2 days, 95% CrI 2.7, 13.74). This difference was consistent across all gestational ages. The proportion of preterm births in the retosiban and placebo groups was 18.7% (95% CrI 7.4%, 33.7%) and 47.2% (95% CrI 31.4%, 63.4%), respectively. The RR of preterm birth in women treated with retosiban was 0.38 (95% CrI 0.15, 0.81). There were no deliveries within 7 days in the retosiban group, but there were six (17.6%) births in the placebo group. The maternal, fetal and neonatal adverse events were comparable in the retosiban and placebo groups.

Conclusions

Intravenous administration of retosiban in women with spontaneous preterm labour was associated with a greater than 1 week increase in time to delivery compared with placebo, a significant reduction in preterm deliveries, a non‐significant increase in uterine quiescence and a favourable safety profile.
The Effect of a Polyvalent Antivenom on the Serum Venom Antigen Levels of Naja sputatrix (Javan Spitting Cobra) Venom in Experimentally Envenomed Rabbits
Authors: Yap Michelle Khai Khun , Tan Nget Hong , Sim Si Mui , Fung Shin Yee , Tan Choo Hock
Published: March 2015

The treatment protocol of antivenom in snake envenomation remains largely empirical, partly due to the insufficient knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of snake venoms and the effects of antivenoms on the blood venom levels in victims. In this study, we investigated the effect of a polyvalent antivenom on the serum venom antigen levels of Naja sputatrix (Javan spitting cobra) venom in experimentally envenomed rabbits. Intravenous infusion of 4 ml of Neuro Polyvalent Snake Antivenom [NPAV, F(ab′)2] at 1 hr after envenomation caused a sharp decline of the serum venom antigen levels, followed by transient resurgence an hour later. The venom antigen resurgence was unlikely to be due to the mismatch of pharmacokinetics between the F(ab′)2 and venom antigens, as the terminal half‐life and volume of distribution of the F(ab′)2 in serum were comparable to that of venom antigens (p > 0.05). Infusion of an additional 2 ml of NPAV was able to prevent resurgence of the serum venom antigen level, resulting in a substantial decrease (67.1%) of the total amount of circulating venom antigens over time course of envenomation. Our results showed that the neutralization potency of NPAV determined by neutralization assay in mice may not be an adequate indicator of its capability to modulate venom kinetics in relation to its in vivo efficacy to neutralize venom toxicity. The findings also support the recommendation of giving high initial dose of NPAV in cobra envenomation, with repeated doses as clinically indicated in the presence of rebound antigenemia and symptom recurrence.
The Autonomy‐Connection Challenge in Adolescent–Peer Relationships
Authors: Allen Joseph P. , Loeb Emily L.
Published: March 2015

The world of peers presents a unique developmental challenge to adolescents—one that is likely to be linked to prior experiences within the family, affected by concurrent experiences with adults outside the family, and predictive of future mental and physical health. To negotiate relationships with peers successfully, adolescents must manage the challenge of connecting with peers while establishing autonomy regarding peer influences. Both the nature of this challenge and how it is handled are linked closely to the ways adolescents are treated by the adults in their lives. Adolescents’ capacities for autonomy and connection can be developed both in the family and in interventions that engage youth with adults outside the family, suggesting a substantial role for adults in easing adolescents’ peer challenges.
Does airway hyperresponsiveness monitoring lead to improved asthma control?
Authors: Galera R. , Casitas R. , Martínez‐Cerón E. , Romero D. , García‐Río F.
Published: March 2015

The current guidelines recommend an approach to asthma management based on asthma control, rather than asthma severity. Although several specific questionnaires have been developed and control criteria have been established based on clinical guidelines, the evaluation of asthma control is still not optimal. In general, these indicators provide adequate assessment of current control, but they are more limited when estimating future risk. There is much evidence demonstrating the persistence of airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in patients with total control. Therefore, the objective of this review was to analyse the possible role of AHR monitoring as an instrument for assessing asthma control. We will evaluate its capacity as an indicator for future risk, both for estimating the possibility of clinical deterioration and loss of lung function or exacerbations. Furthermore, its relationship with inhaled corticosteroid treatment will be analysed, while emphasizing its capacity for predicting response and adjusting dosage, as well as information about the capability of AHR for monitoring treatment. Last of all, we will discuss the main limitations and emerging opportunities of AHR as an assessment instrument for asthma control.
807. CEPHALANTHERA RUBRA
Authors: Fay Michael F. , Taylor Ian
Published: March 2015

Cephalanthera rubra(L.)Rich., the red helleborine, is described and illustrated with an historical plate. Details of its distribution, relationships, pollination, patterns of hybridization and its history and conservation inEngland are provided. Notes relating to the difficulty of propagating and cultivating this species are also included.
805. ORCHIS ANTHROPOPHORA
Authors: Fay Michael F. , Taylor Ian
Published: March 2015

Orchis anthropophora (L.) All., man orchid, is described and illustrated. Details of its distribution, relationships, pollination, patterns of hybridization and its conservation status in England are provided. Notes on propagation and cultivation are also included.
Development of a technical external quality assurance scheme in non‐gynaecological cytology in UK
Authors: Cross P. A. , Hodgson C. , Crossley J. , Crossley B.
Published: March 2015

Technical external quality assurance (EQA) schemes are well established for histopathology and cervical cytology but, to date, sadly lacking for diagnostic cytology (DC). This timely review redresses the balance by describing the development and evaluation of a technical EQA scheme for DC available to the UK, Europe and beyond.
Functional structure and specialization in three tropical plant–hummingbird interaction networks across an elevational gradient in Costa Rica
Authors: Maglianesi María A. , Blüthgen Nico , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin , Schleuning Matthias
Published: March 2015

Understanding causes of variation in multispecies assemblages along spatial environmental gradients is a long‐standing research topic in ecology and biogeography. Ecological networks comprising interacting species of plants and pollinators are particularly suitable for testing effects of environmental gradients on the functional structure and specialization in multispecies assemblages. In this study, we investigated patterns in functional assemblage structure and specialization of hummingbirds at the individual and species level along a tropical elevational gradient. We mist‐netted hummingbirds at three elevations in Costa Rica in seven temporally distinct sampling periods and used the pollen carried by hummingbird individuals to construct plant–hummingbird networks at each elevation. We measured four functional traits of hummingbird species and quantified different metrics of functional community structure. We tested the effect of elevation on functional metrics of hummingbird assemblages and specialization within the networks, employing the variability across sampling periods and hummingbird species to compare the respective metrics among elevations. Hummingbird species and individuals were more specialized at low and mid elevations than at the highest elevation. This pattern corresponded to a more even and over‐dispersed assemblage structure at the lower elevations throughout the year and suggests a high level of floral resource partitioning in functionally diversified communities. In contrast, an uneven and clustered functional structure of the highland assemblage across all sampling periods suggests that this assemblage was structured by environmental filtering and by niche expansion of hummingbird individuals and species at this elevation. We conclude that high degrees of specialization on specific floral resources might be crucial for the coexistence of hummingbird species in diversified lowland communities. Spatial variation in animal resource use may be an important crucial driver of spatial patterns in the functional structure of diversified species assemblages also in other types of ecological networks.