bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Power and resistance within the hospital's hierarchical system: the experiences of chronically ill patients
Authors: Griscti Odette , Aston Megan , Warner Grace , Martin‐Misener Ruth , McLeod Deborah
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

To explore experiences of chronically ill patients and registered nurses when they negotiate patient care in hospital settings. Specifically, we explored how social and institutional discourses shape power relations during the negotiation process.

Background

The hospital system is embedded in a hierarchical structure where the voice of the healthcare provider as expert is often given more importance than the patient. This system has been criticised as being oppressive to patients who are perceived to be lower in the hierarchy. In this study, we illustrate how the hospital's hierarchical system is not always oppressing but can also create moments of empowerment for patients.

Design

A feminist poststructuralist approach informed by the teaching of Foucault was used to explore power relations between nurses and patients when negotiating patient care in hospital settings.

Methods

Eight individuals who suffered from chronic illness shared their stories about how they negotiated their care with nurses in hospital settings. The interviews were tape‐recorded. Discourse analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results and Conclusions

Patients recounted various experiences when their voices were not heard because the current hospital system privileged the healthcare provider experts’ advice over the patients’ voice. The hierarchical structure of hospital supported these dynamics by privileging nurses as gatekeepers of service, by excluding the patients’ input in the nursing notes and through a process of self‐regulation. However, patients in this study were not passive recipients of care and used their agency creatively to resist these discourses.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses need to be mindful of how the hospital's hierarchical system tends to place nurses in a position of power, and how their authoritative position may positively or adversely affect the negotiation of patient care.
‘Competent persons who can treat you with competence, as simple as that’ – an interview study with transgender people on their experiences of meeting health care professionals
Authors: Lindroth Malin
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

With a focus on sexual health and rights, this study describes how transgender people experience meetings with health care professionals.

Background

Transgender people face prejudice and discrimination worldwide. Little is known of their experiences in sexual health‐promoting settings.

Method

Within a descriptive design, 20 persons aged 18–74 and identifying as transgender and nonbinary were interviewed. The results were analysed with constructivist grounded theory.

Results

Disrespect among health care professionals is the core category connected to the experiences in the result; transgender people experience estrangement, expectations and eviction in different sexual health‐promoting settings.

Conclusion

Transgender knowledge needs to be increased in general, in both specialised transgender health care and many other health care settings, to prevent transgender peoples' experiences of estrangement. Moreover, an increased knowledge of, and respect for, sexual health and rights is needed to prevent transgender peoples' exposure to gender binary, cis‐ and heteronormative expectations. In addition, access to sexual health care is essential following gender‐confirmatory care as well to avoid transgender peoples' experiences of eviction from the health care system.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses have an important role to play in striving for equity and justice within health care. This study describes how health care professionals appear to be disrespectful and suggestions of how this can be avoided are made.
A simple screen performed at school entry can predict academic under‐achievement at age seven in children born very preterm
Authors: Taylor Rebecca , Pascoe Leona , Scratch Shannon , Doyle Lex W , Anderson Peter , Roberts Gehan
Published: May 2016

Aim

We aimed to compare the academic outcomes of a cohort of children born very preterm (VPT, <32 weeks of gestation) and children born at term at age 7 years and assess the ability of a pre‐academic skill screen at age five to predict later academic impairment in children born VPT at age seven.

Methods

One hundred ninety‐four children born VPT (born with either gestational age <30 weeks or birthweight <1250 g) and 70 controls born at term from a prospective birth cohort were compared on academic outcomes (Wide Range Achievement Test, WRAT4) at age seven using regression analyses. Receiver‐operating characteristic curves were used to determine whether pre‐academic skills (Kaufman Survey of Early Academic and Language Skills, K‐SEALS) at age five predicted academic impairment at age seven in 174 of the VPT cohort.

Results

At the age of 7 years, children born VPT had lower mean word reading (−9.7, 95% CI: −14.7 to −4.6), spelling (−8.3, 95% CI: −13.3 to −3.3) and math computation (−10.9, 95% CI: −15.3 to −6.5) scores (all P‐values ≤0.001) compared with controls born at term, even after adjusting for social risk and time since school commencement. In terms of pre‐academic screening, the Numbers, Letters and Words subtest of the K‐SEALS had adequate sensitivity and specificity (70–80%) for predicting children with academic impairment at age seven.

Conclusions

Children born VPT underperformed in academic outcomes at age seven compared with controls born at term. A pre‐academic screening tool used at school entry can predict children born VPT at risk of academic impairment at age seven who could benefit from targeted early intervention.
Natural or replacer sources of milk in lambs during feeding adaptation: influences on performance, metabolism of protein and lipid and oxidative/antioxidant status
Authors: Grosskopf R. K. , Grosskopf H. M. , Boito J. P. , Bottari N. B. , Machado G. , Biazus A. H. , Schetinger M. R. C. , Morsch V. M. , Tonin A. A. , Paiano D. , Balzan A. , da Silva A. S.
Published: May 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of milk feeding using milk replacer (MR) or natural ewe's milk (NEM) for Lacaune lambs on performance, protein and lipid metabolism and oxidative/antioxidant status. These parameters were evaluated during the period of feeding adaptation, which corresponded to 12 days after ewe's separation. Fifteen lambs were selected and divided into two groups: Group A (n = 7) with lambs receiving natural milk; Group B (n = 8) with lambs receiving a milk replacer. Liquid food supply, for both groups, was set according to their body weight, given in two daily periods. Feed intake was also obtained by individual body weight and adjusted according leftovers. Blood samples were collected on three different days (0, 6 and 12) to perform the serum analysis of total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and urea. Additionally, the oxidative profile was analysed in sera samples through the assessment of TBARS (reactive substances thiobarbituric acid) and ROS (reactive oxygen species) which aims to identify lipid peroxidation and free radical levels, respectively, as well as the antioxidant profile evaluating glutathione S‐transferase (GST). There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between groups on levels of total protein, albumin and globulin. However, cholesterol (day 6), triglycerides (days 6 and 12), urea (day 6) and ALT (day 12) levels differed (p < 0.05) between groups. Values of total protein, globulin, ALT and TBARS differed (p < 0.05) along the time. The average weight gain and body weight differed (p < 0.05) only on day 12, showing that weight gain was higher for lambs fed with NEM. The performance of lambs fed with MR was impaired. Biochemical parameters had a slight variation between groups and along the time, as well as oxidative/antioxidant status did not change in the different liquid diets.
Autobiographical memory impairment in obstructive sleep apnea patients with and without depressive symptoms
Authors: Lee V Vien , Trinder John , Jackson Melinda L.
Published: May 2016

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with memory impairments, and higher rates of depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder compared with community estimates. Autobiographical memory overgenerality, a behaviour characterized by difficulty recalling specific memories from one's own life, is recognized as a marker of depression. Previous studies have demonstrated the predictive quality of specific autobiographical memory recall on the course of depression in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. However, it remains unclear whether impaired autobiographical memory is simply a feature of depression, or whether it is also impaired in patients with obstructive sleep apnea without depression. This study aimed to investigate whether autobiographical memory impairments can be observed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, independent of the severity of depressive symptoms. Twenty‐one patients with obstructive sleep apnea symptomatic for depressive symptoms (mean age = 43.43 years, SD = 9.97), 17 patients with obstructive sleep apnea asymptomatic for depressive symptoms (mean age = 40.65 years, SD = 9.39), and 20 healthy controls without sleep‐disordered breathing (mean age = 32.80 years, SD = 6.69) completed an Autobiographical Memory Test. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea symptomatic for depressive symptoms recalled significantly fewer specific memories when compared with healthy controls (P = 0.010). No difference in the recall of specific autobiographical memory was observed between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with obstructive sleep apnea. With regard to valence, symptomatic patients with obstructive sleep apnea recalled significantly fewer negative specific memories when compared with controls (P = 0.010). Impairment in specific autobiographical memory recall can be observed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, regardless of the severity of depressive symptoms; however, this effect may not be as prominent in younger patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Measuring ecological specialization along a natural stress gradient using a set of complementary niche breadth indices
Authors: Carboni Marta , Zelený David , Acosta Alicia T.R.
Published: May 2016

Aims

Ecological specialization refers to a restricted ecological niche breadth for a species, resulting from the trade‐off between range of the resources it can exploit and efficacy in exploiting a specific resource. One hypothesis predicts that specialist species should be dominant in stressful environments, whereas generalist species should be dominant at less extreme environmental gradients. An alternative hypothesis states that specialization should be favoured in stable systems, and that ecological disturbances should affect specialist species negatively. These hypotheses have been poorly tested. Mediterranean coastal dune systems are characterized by strong sea–inland environmental gradients, ideal for tackling this challenge. We ask: (1) is distribution of specialist and generalist plant species related to this gradient; and (2) do different specialization indices indicate congruent or complementary patterns?

Location

Coastal dune systems of central Italy.

Methods

We used data on plant species cover in 570 community plots at varying distance from the sea. We quantified species specialization, following three approaches related to resource use or to ecological impact, based on: (1) variability of measured environmental values (or a proxy); (2) variability of co‐occurring species; (3) variability of community‐weighted trait means. We first compared specialization indices across different habitats of the coastal dune zonation. We then analysed the patterns of variation of communities’ mean specialization values along the sea–inland stress gradient. Finally, we studied congruencies and mismatches among different indices.

Results

We found significant variation in the degree of specialization along the gradient, across several indices. Habitats closer to the sea and under greater stress held higher proportions of specialized species and had higher average specialization levels. Sheltered backdune habitats harboured both generalist and specialist species, but were dominated by generalists.

Conclusions

We conclude that specialist species tend to dominate in the most extreme environmental conditions, but are subordinate in milder conditions. We found a certain degree of congruence among different indices, indicating that most species that are specialists in their resource use also tend to have specialized impacts in the community. Nevertheless, the indices also provided complementary information, suggesting it is important to consider multiple niche dimensions in order to assess more robust patterns of specialism and generalism.
On‐treatment HCV RNA as a predictor of sustained virological response in HCV genotype 3–infected patients treated with daclatasvir and sofosbuvir
Authors: Kowdley Kris V. , Nelson David R. , Lalezari Jacob P. , Box Terry , Gitlin Norman , Poleynard Gary , Rabinovitz Mordechai , Ravendhran Natarajan , Sheikh Aasim M. , Siddique Asma , Bhore Rafia , Noviello Stephanie , Rana Khurram
Published: May 2016

Background and Aims

Many currently available direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) regimens are less effective against HCV genotype 3 than against other HCV genotypes. The all‐oral, pangenotypic DAA combination of daclatasvir (NS5A inhibitor) + sofosbuvir (nucleotide NS5B inhibitor) was studied in genotype 3–infected treatment‐naive and ‐experienced patients (ALLY‐3) who achieved rates of sustained virological response at post‐treatment Week 12 (SVR12) of 90 and 86% respectively. In this analysis, we assessed whether on‐treatment responses to daclatasvir + sofosbuvir in genotype 3–infected patients could predict treatment outcome.

Methods

In ALLY‐3, treatment‐naive and ‐experienced patients, with or without cirrhosis, were treated with daclatasvir + sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. HCV RNA kinetics and categorical virological responses on treatment were assessed. The proportions of responders and nonresponders by study week, and time to first undetectable HCV RNA, were analysed for utility in predicting treatment outcome.

Results

Overall, HCV RNA levels declined rapidly during Week 1 of treatment in both treatment‐naive and ‐experienced cohorts. Although patients with cirrhosis had a slower initial virological response as measured by the proportion of patients with HCV RNA below the lower limit of quantification at Week 1, responses converged thereafter. Positive and negative predictive values calculated for on‐treatment responses were generally comparable with the overall SVR12 rate and were therefore limited indicators of outcome. SVR12 rates were not impacted by time to first undetectable HCV RNA.

Conclusions

On‐treatment responses are not useful predictors of ultimate virological response to the daclatasvir + sofosbuvir regimen.
Ideals and Practices in the Rule of Law: An Essay on Legal Politics
Authors: Massoud Mark Fathi
Published: May 2016

This essay responds to the three commentators in the symposium on my book, Law's Fragile State, by describing the sociolegal study of the rule of law as an investigation into both a set of ideals (the rule of law as a normative question) and a set of practices (the rule of law as an empirical question). Studying the rule of law involves understanding the contingent nature of its ideals as well as investigating the actual work that lawyers, judges, state officials, aid workers, activists, and others have done in specific contexts to promote legal remedies to social or political ills. These overlapping layers of the study of the rule of law—ideals and practices, normative and empirical—provide a sociolegal framework for understanding the successes and failures of legal work and, ultimately, how citizens experience state power in democratic and nondemocratic societies alike.
Development of Comprehensibility and its Linguistic Correlates: A Longitudinal Study of Video‐Mediated Telecollaboration
Authors: AKIYAMA YUKA , SAITO KAZUYA
Published: May 2016

This study examined whether 30 learners of Japanese in the United States who engaged in a semester‐long video‐based eTandem course made gains in global language comprehensibility, that is, ease of understanding (Derwing & Munro, 2009), and what linguistic correlates contributed to these gains. Speech excerpts from Week 2 and 8 of tandem interactions were retrieved and later assessed subjectively and objectively for global comprehensibility and its linguistic correlates (lexical appropriateness, lexical richness, speech rate, and morphological accuracy) in a pre/posttest sample design. The results revealed that, although the group made significant gains in vocabulary and some gains in grammar, improvement in overall comprehensibility was subject to considerable individual variability. According to a follow‐up cluster analysis and discriminant analysis, increase in speech rate was the strongest predictor of those individuals who improved comprehensibility. The findings suggest that telecollaborative interaction may promote the development of vocabulary and, to some extent, grammar, but that significant gains in comprehensibility come mostly from the fluency trait of speech rate and may require longer interactional intervention. The findings have implications for the design of telecollaboration that supports second language learning.
Postinfectious and sporadic functional gastrointestinal disorders have different prevalences and rates of overlap: results from a controlled cohort study 3 years after acute giardiasis
Authors: Wensaas K. A. , Hanevik K. , Hausken T. , Eide G. E. , Langeland N. , Mørch K. , Rortveit G.
Published: May 2016

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common complication following gastroenteritis, and a high prevalence of postgiardiasis IBS has previously been reported. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, adjusted relative risk (RRadj), and overlap of different functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) according to Rome III criteria following infection with Giardia lamblia.

Methods

All patients ≥18 years of age with verified giardiasis during an outbreak in 2004, and a control group matched by age and gender, were mailed a questionnaire 3 years later.

Key Results

The prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) was 25.9% in the exposed and 6.9% in the control group, RRadj: 3.9 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.1–4.8). The prevalence of IBS was 47.9% and 14.3%, respectively, with RRadj: 3.4 (95% CI: 3.0–3.8). Prevalence of other gastrointestinal symptoms ranged from 70.0% vs 39.7% for bloating (RRadj: 1.8) to 8.3% vs 2.9% for nausea (RRadj: 3.0) in the Giardia and the control group, respectively. Among individuals fulfilling criteria for IBS 44% in the exposed group and 29% in the control group also fulfilled criteria for FD. IBS subtypes based on Rome III criteria (stool consistency) showed poor agreement with subtypes based on frequency of bowel movements (Kappa‐values: 0.17 and 0.27).

Conclusions & Inferences

There were high prevalences and RRs of IBS, FD and other gastrointestinal symptoms following acute giardiasis, and a high degree of overlap between the disorders. The agreement between different IBS subtype criteria varied, and there were also differences between the exposed and control group.
To what extent can and should revegetation serve as restoration?
Authors: Kelt Douglas A. , Meserve Peter L.
Published: May 2016

Desertification and climate change are degrading large areas of arid and semiarid habitat in many regions. In response, many countries have implemented revegetation programs, commonly using Atriplex nummularia, native to Australia. Although not intrinsically targeted at habitat restoration, these programs aim to restore (stabilize) erosional processes and provide livestock forage (usually goats, sheep). Few investigators have assessed the utility of these novel habitats for native fauna. In a recent, extensive survey of small mammal communities in lands revegetated with A. nummularia in north‐central Chile, we captured a single animal, the marsupial (Thylamys elegans). We also captured no birds in our live traps and saw numerous darkling beetles in traps. These striking results contrasted with data from a nearby ungrazed park with natural vegetation where 10 small mammal species are known with total abundances ranging from 15 to 80 animals in similar sampling efforts. These revegetated lands provide poor habitat for native mammals, and we argue that revegetation efforts should include proactive risk assessment and cost‐benefit analyses in a structured decision‐making framework. In addition, managers should target increased plant species diversity to support broader biological diversity in addition to the need to control erosion. Although our work has focused on revegetation with Atriplex, numerous other plant species have been intentionally introduced to arid lands, usually for economic reasons; many of these, like Atriplex, have unintended consequences for native biota.
Contained density currents with high volume of release
Authors: Theiler Quentin , Franca Mário J.
Published: May 2016

Contained density currents with high volume of release reflect against the boundaries of the reception environment commonly leading to oscillatory flow. These flows exist in sediment clarifiers, compromising their operations, and deposited signatures of contained turbidity currents are found as part of the infill of sedimentary basins; for operation of the former and interpretation of the latter it is essential to understand the dynamic processes of these flows. Six lock‐exchange experiments with different initial densities were made in a horizontal flume, where the volume of the saline mixture in the lock was equivalent to the volume of the ambient fluid. A further two tests, with a repeated initial density, were made: one with high volume of release and very long duration; and another with low volume of release. Firstly, the movement of the current is discussed, including the oscillations within the experimental tank involving the density current and an upper layer counter‐current. It is shown that the cyclic behaviour is self‐similar with the reduced gravity of the initial density in the lock. Secondly, entrainment and water mixing processes are characterized. The time evolution of mixing is characterized qualitatively by analysing the background potential energy of the density distributions to show that mixing occurs even in the earlier stages of the current, and mainly within the first cycle of the oscillation. Quantified analysis reveals that, in currents with high volume of release, entrainment discharge is one order of magnitude higher, mainly due to the larger interface between the ambient fluid and the current. A model for the evolution of the mixing process is proposed for density currents with high volume of release. Finally, the dynamics of the head of the current is analysed. The entrainment in the head, when compared to the entrainment in the remainder body of the flows, is less important for the configuration with a larger lock.
Progressive increase of resistance in Enterobacteriaceae urinary isolates from kidney transplant recipients over the past decade: narrowing of the therapeutic options
Authors: Origüen J. , Fernández‐Ruiz M. , López‐Medrano F. , Ruiz‐Merlo T. , González E. , Morales J.M. , Fiorante S. , San‐Juan R. , Villa J. , Orellana M.Á. , Andrés A. , Aguado J.M.
Published: May 2016

Background

Antibiotic resistance is an emerging phenomenon in kidney transplantation (KT).

Methods

We compared species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in 1052 isolates from urine cultures obtained in 2 different cohorts of kidney transplant recipients in a single center (Cohort A: 189 patients undergoing KT between January 2002 and December 2004 [336 isolates]; Cohort B: 115 patients undergoing KT between January 2011 and December 2013 [716 isolates]).

Results

Asymptomatic bacteriuria accounted for most of the isolates (86.9% in Cohort A and 92.3% in Cohort B). Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.5% vs. 15.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.8% vs. 7.9%), and Enterobacter cloacae (0.6% vs. 3.1%) were significantly more common in Cohort B. The isolation of K. pneumoniae in Cohort B was associated with the occurrence of acute pyelonephritis (9.8% of all K. pneumoniae isolates vs. 2.8% of the remaining uropathogens; P = 0.001). Non‐susceptibility rates among Enterobacteriaceae in Cohort B were higher for every class of antibiotics (P ≤ 0.003) with the exception of fosfomycin. Compared to Cohort A, significant increases were seen in isolates from Cohort B for multidrug‐resistant (MDR) (43.9% vs. 67.8%, respectively; P = 0.001), extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing (6.6% vs. 26.1%; P = 0.001), and carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae strains (0.0% vs. 5.0%; P = 0.001). Such differences were mostly attributable to K. pneumoniae (as 54.5% and 13.4% of isolates in Cohort B were ESBL‐producing and carbapenemase‐producing, respectively). MDR isolates were responsible for 69.1% of episodes of symptomatic urinary tract infection in Cohort B.

Conclusion

The increase in resistance rates among Enterobacteriaceae uropathogens is significant and may have an effect on KT programs.
Post‐renal transplant infections: single‐center experience from Nigeria
Authors: Iliyasu G. , Abdu A. , Dayyab F.M. , Tiamiyu A.B. , Habib Z.G. , Adamu B. , Habib A.G.
Published: May 2016

Background

Infections are the leading cause of hospitalization and mortality in transplant recipients. Nigeria has a growing number of renal transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of infections in renal allograft recipients in one of the major renal transplant centers in Nigeria.

Methods

All case records of renal allograft recipients on follow‐up were retrieved. Those that had infection at any time after transplantation were selected. Demographic and clinical information was collected and analyzed.

Results

Thirty‐three case records were analyzed, out of which 24/33 (72.7%) were males, with a mean age of 42.3 years (± 7.38). The median duration of developing infection post transplant was 270 days (range 2–2190). Most of the infections occurred after 6 months in 15/33 (45.5%). Urinary tract infection was the most common infection, noted in 13/33 (39.4%), followed by pneumonia, which was seen in 12 (33.3%), 9/12 (75%) of which were culture‐positive. There were 2 cases (5.6%) of tuberculosis and 1 case (2.8%) of cytomegalovirus colitis. Out of the 9 culture‐positive pneumonia cases, 6 (66.7%) were caused by gram‐negative pathogens, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most common isolate seen in 3/9 (33.3%) of the patients. Among those with urinary tract infection, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species were isolated with equal proportion in 3/13 (23.1%), while Enterococcus faecalis was the most common isolate in 4/13 (30.8%). Overall infection‐related mortality was 10/33 (30.3%), out of which 5/10 (50%) of deaths were from pneumonia.

Conclusion

Post‐transplant infection surveillance must be strengthened. The role of multidrug‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria in post‐renal transplant infection in Nigeria needs to be evaluated.
Repression of callus initiation by the miRNA‐directed interaction of auxin–cytokinin in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Liu Zhenhua , Li Juan , Wang Long , Li Qiang , Lu Qing , Yu Yanchong , Li Shuo , Bai Ming‐yi , Hu Yuxin , Xiang Fengning
Published: May 2016

In tissue culture systems plant cells can be induced to regenerate to whole plants. A particularly striking example of cellular reprogramming is seen in this regeneration process, which typically begins with the induction of an intermediate cell mass referred to as callus. The identity of the key genetic cues associated with callus formation is still largely unknown. Here a microRNA‐directed phytohormonal interaction is described which represses callus initiation and formation in Arabidopsis thaliana. miR160 and ARF10 (At2g28350), a gene encoding an auxin response factor, were shown to exhibit a contrasting pattern of transcription during callus initiation from pericycle‐like cells. The callus initiation is faster and more prolific in a miR160‐resistant form of ARF10 (mARF10), but slower and less prolific in the transgenic line over‐expressing miR160c (At5g46845), arf10 and arf10 arf16 mutants than that in the wild type. ARF10 repressed the expression of Arabidopsis Response Regulator15 (ARR15, At1g74890) via its direct binding to the gene's promoter. The loss of function of ARR15 enhanced callus initiation and partly rescued the phenotype induced by the transgene Pro35S:miR160c. Overexpression of ARR15 partly rescues the callus initiation defect of mARF10 plants. Our findings define miR160 as a key repressor of callus formation and reveal that the initiation of callus is repressed by miR160‐directed interaction between auxin and cytokinin.
Initial characterization of stiff skin‐like syndrome in West Highland white terriers
Authors: Doelle Maren , Linder Keith E. , Boche Janna , Jagannathan Vidhya , Leeb Tosso , Linek Monika
Published: May 2016

Background

Stiff skin syndrome and systemic or localized scleroderma are cutaneous disorders characterized by dermal fibrosis and present clinically with induration of the skin, with or without joint, internal organ or vascular involvement.

Objectives

To provide clinical, histological and preliminary genetic analysis of two West Highland white terrier siblings presenting with indurated skin resembling stiff skin syndrome in humans.

Animals

Two client owned full sibling West Highland white terriers from two different litters.

Methods

Clinical examination, histopathological examination and whole genome sequencing analysis of affected and unaffected West Highland white terriers.

Results

Affected dogs exhibited markedly indurated skin that was attached firmly to the underlying tissue and incomplete closure of the mouth and eyes. No abnormalities were found by neurological or orthopaedic examination, radiographs of the head or whole body computed tomography. Histologically, the dermis and pannicular septa were thickened by a marked increase in coarse collagen fibres and a mild to moderate increase in collagen fibre diameter. The syndrome most likely follows an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The sequence analysis did not reveal any obvious causative variant in the investigated candidate genes ADAMTSL2 and FBN1.

Conclusion and clinical importance

The clinical phenotype and histopathological features of two West Highland white terrier siblings resembled stiff skin syndrome in humans. Unlike in humans, or previously described beagles with stiff skin, there was no restriction of joint mobility. Genetic analysis did not detect a candidate causative variant and warrants further research.
Bowenoid in situ carcinomas in two Devon Rex cats: evidence of unusually aggressive neoplasm behaviour in this breed and detection of papillomaviral gene expression in primary and metastatic lesions
Authors: Munday John S. , Benfell Mike W. , French Adrienne , Orbell Geoff M.B. , Thomson Neroli
Published: May 2016

Background

Bowenoid in situ carcinomas (BISCs) are rare feline tumours that are thought to be caused by papillomavirus infection. Although they usually develop in old cats and are slowly progressive, multiple aggressive BISCs have been reported previously in a comparatively young Devon Rex cat.

Animals

A 5‐year‐old (Case 1) and an 8‐year‐old (Case 2) Devon Rex cat developed numerous BISCs. Rapid progression resulted in euthanasia of both cats after 8 months. A postmortem examination was possible only for Case 2 and revealed pulmonary metastases.

Methods and results

Consensus PCR amplified only Felis catus papillomavirus type 2 (FcaPV‐2) DNA from lesions from both cats. High FcaPV‐2 copy number and FcaPV‐2 E6/E7 gene expression were detected in a BISC from Case 1. High FcaPV‐2 copy number and FcaPV‐2 gene expression were detected in a BISC, a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the pulmonary metastases from Case 2, but not in two other cutaneous SCCs.

Conclusions

The results provide additional evidence that BISCs develop at a younger age in Devon Rex cats and that BISCs in Devon Rex cats have a more aggressive behaviour than BISCs in other cat breeds. These unusual features should be considered when evaluating and treating skin disease in Devon Rex cats. The detection of FcaPV‐2 gene expression in the lung neoplasms suggests a potential role of FcaPV‐2 in the development of metastatic disease. However, the absence of FcaPV‐2 gene expression in two cutaneous SCCs suggests that other factors could have also promoted cancer development.
The Impact of Distraction on Laparoscopic Skills in Veterinary Medical Students
Authors: Kilkenny Jessica J. , Mrotz Victoria J. , Khosa Deep K. , Kerr Carolyn L. , Denstedt John D. , Singh Ameet
Published: May 2016

Objective

To investigate the impact of distraction on the performance of a simulator‐based laparoscopic task in veterinary students.

Study Design

Prospective, randomized trial.

Sample Population: Years 1–4 veterinary students (n=41).

Methods

Participants repeated a simulated laparoscopic peg transfer task to eliminate any learning effects and were subsequently randomized to receive either a cognitive (double‐digit addition questions, n=21) or sensory distraction (dogs barking and anesthesia monitor alerts, n=20). The laparoscopic task scores were compared between baseline and in the presence and absence of each distraction. The number of addition questions attempted, and the number of questions answered correctly in 1 minute were compared between baseline and during a concurrent laparoscopic task.

Results

Baseline laparoscopic task scores were not significantly different between groups (P=.09). Laparoscopic task scores were significantly lower than baseline when performed with the cognitive distraction (P<.001) and significantly higher than baseline when performed with the sensory distraction (P=.005). Participants undergoing cognitive distraction attempted significantly fewer addition questions (P<.001) and answered significantly fewer addition questions correctly (P<.001) when a concurrent laparoscopic task was performed.

Conclusion

Cognitive distraction had a negative impact on the performance of a laparoscopic task in this cohort of veterinary students, whereas sensory distraction had a positive effect.
As2O3 combined with leflunomide prolongs heart xenograft survival via suppressing the response of Th1, Th2, and B cells in a rat model
Authors: Jiao Zhi‐Xing , Leng Yun , Xia Jun‐Jie , Wu Hai‐Qiao , Jin Ning , Fu Jia‐Zhao , Cheng Lian‐Na , Wang Jin‐Hua , Ni Shao‐Bin , Qi Zhong‐Quan
Published: May 2016

Xenotransplantation remits the severe shortage of human organs and tissues for transplantation, which is a problem that severely limits the application of transplantation to the treatment of human disease. However, severe immune rejection significantly limits the efficacy of xenotransplantation. In this study, we systematically investigated the immunosuppressive effect and mechanism of action of As2O3 and leflunomide using a hamster‐to‐rat heart xenotransplantation model. We initially examined heart xenograft survival following As2O3 and leflunomide treatment alone or combined treatment. We found that treatment with As2O3 combined with leflunomide can significantly prolong the survival of heart xenograft by inhibiting Th1 and Th2 differentiation and reducing the production of IgG and IgM. Interestingly, As2O3 and leflunomide showed low toxicity to the organs of the recipient. Taken together, these observations indicate that treatment with As2O3 combined with leflunomide may be a promising immunosuppressive schedule for xenotransplantation.
Nano-Alumina Accommodation Coefficient Measurement Using Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Incandescence
Authors: Allen David , Krier Herman , Glumac Nick
Published: May 2016

It has recently been suggested that the accommodation coefficient of nano-aluminum/alumina particles may be significantly smaller than previously assumed. This result has significant implications on the heat transfer and performance of the nanoparticles in combustion environments. Currently, the accommodation coefficient has been deduced only after assuming a combustion model for the nano-aluminum particle and changing the accommodation coefficient to fit experimental temperature data. Direct measurement is needed in order to decouple the accommodation coefficient from the assumed combustion mechanism. Time-resolved laser-induced incandescence (TiRe-LII) measurements were performed to measure the accommodation coefficient of nano-alumina particles in various gaseous environments. The accommodation coefficient was found to be 0.03, 0.07, and 0.15 in helium, nitrogen, and argon, respectively, at 300 K and 2 atm in each environment. These values represent upper limits for the accommodation coefficient as it is expected to decrease with increasing ambient temperature. The values are similar to what has been seen for other metallic nanoparticles and significantly smaller than values used in soot measurements. The results will allow for additional modeling of the accommodation coefficient extended to other environments and support previous measurements of high combustion temperatures during nano-aluminum combustion.
Effect of Phase Thermal Modulation Without Stationary Temperature Gradient on the Threshold of Convection
Authors: Souhar K. , Aniss S.
Published: May 2016

The convective instability of a horizontal fluid layer subject to a time varying gradient of temperature is investigated. The stationary component of the temperature gradient is considered equal to zero and the oscillating components imposed on the horizontal boundaries are in phase and with the same amplitude. The aim of the present paper is to examine the effect of this type of modulation on the onset of convective instability. We show that unlike the case where the equilibrium configuration is stable in the absence of modulation, we have instability when the temperature at the horizontal boundaries is modulated in phase. Also, we observe that in the limit of low and high dimensionless frequency of modulation, ω < 0.5 and ω > 140, the basic state tends to a stable equilibrium configuration and for an intermediate dimensionless frequency, the system is potentially unstable. The results obtained from analytical asymptotic study for low and high dimensionless frequency are in good agreement with the numerical ones.
Start-up shear of concentrated colloidal hard spheres: Stresses, dynamics, and structure
Authors: Koumakis N. , Laurati M. , Jacob A. R. , Mutch K. J. , Abdellali A. , Schofield A. B. , Egelhaaf S. U. , Brady J. F. , Petekidis G.
Published: May 2016

The transient response of model hard sphere glasses is examined during the application of steady rate start-up shear using Brownian dynamics simulations, experimental rheology and confocal microscopy. With increasing strain, the glass initially exhibits an almost linear elastic stress increase, a stress peak at the yield point and then reaches a constant steady state. The stress overshoot has a nonmonotonic dependence with Peclet number, Pe, and volume fraction, φ, determined by the available free volume and a competition between structural relaxation and shear advection. Examination of the structural properties under shear revealed an increasing anisotropic radial distribution function, g(r), mostly in the velocity-gradient (xy) plane, which decreases after the stress peak with considerable anisotropy remaining in the steady-state. Low rates minimally distort the structure, while high rates show distortion with signatures of transient elongation. As a mechanism of storing energy, particles are trapped within a cage distorted more than Brownian relaxation allows, while at larger strains, stresses are relaxed as particles are forced out of the cage due to advection. Even in the steady state, intermediate super diffusion is observed at high rates and is a signature of the continuous breaking and reformation of cages under shear.
Determinant Factors of Long-Term Performance Development in Young Swimmers
Authors: Morais Jorge E. , Silva António J. , Marinho Daniel A. , Lopes Vítor P. , Barbosa Tiago M.
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

To develop a performance predictor model based on swimmers’ biomechanical profile, relate the partial contribution of the main predictors with the training program, and analyze the time effect, sex effect, and time × sex interaction.

Methods:

91 swimmers (44 boys, 12.04 ± 0.81 y; 47 girls, 11.22 ± 0.98 y) evaluated during a 3-y period. The decimal age and anthropometric, kinematic, and efficiency features were collected 10 different times over 3 seasons (ie, longitudinal research). Hierarchical linear modeling was the procedure used to estimate the performance predictors.

Results:

Performance improved between season 1 early and season 3 late for both sexes (boys 26.9% [20.88;32.96], girls 16.1% [10.34;22.54]). Decimal age (estimate [EST] –2.05, P < .001), arm span (EST –0.59, P < .001), stroke length (EST 3.82; P = .002), and propelling efficiency (EST –0.17, P = .001) were entered in the final model.

Conclusion:

Over 3 consecutive seasons young swimmers’ performance improved. Performance is a multifactorial phenomenon where anthropometrics, kinematics, and efficiency were the main determinants. The change of these factors over time was coupled with the training plans of this talent identification and development program.
The Effect of Caffeine on Repeat-High-Intensity-Effort Performance in Rugby League Players
Authors: Wellington Brandon M. , Leveritt Michael D. , Kelly Vincent G.
Published: May 2016

Context:

Repeat-high-intensity efforts (RHIEs) have recently been shown to occur at critical periods of rugby league matches.

Purpose:

To examine the effect that caffeine has on RHIE performance in rugby league players.

Methods:

Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, 11 semiprofessional rugby league players (age 19.0 ± 0.5 y, body mass 87.4 ± 12.9 kg, height 178.9 ± 2.6 cm) completed 2 experimental trials that involved completing an RHIE test after either caffeine (300 mg caffeine) or placebo (vitamin H) ingestion. Each trial consisted of 3 sets of 20-m sprints interspersed with bouts of tackling. During the RHIE test, 20-m-sprint time, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate were measured.

Results:

Total time to complete the nine 20-m sprints during the caffeine condition was 1.0% faster (28.46 ± 1.4 s) than during the placebo condition (28.77 ± 1.7 s) (ES = 0.18, 90%CI –0.7 to 0.1 s). This resulted in a very likely chance of caffeine being of benefit to RHIE performance (99% likely to be beneficial). These improvements were more pronounced in the early stages of the test, with a 1.3%, 1.0%, and 0.9% improvement in sprint performance during sets 1, 2, and 3 respectively. There was no significant difference in RPE across the 3 sets (P = .47, 0.48, 1.00) or mean HR (P = .36), maximal HR (P = .74), or blood lactate (P = .50) between treatment conditions.

Conclusions:

Preexercise ingestion of 300 mg caffeine produced practically meaningful improvements in RHIE performance in rugby league players.
Cumulative Training Dose’s Effects on Interrelationships Between Common Training-Load Models During Basketball Activity
Authors: Scanlan Aaron T. , Fox Jordan L. , Borges Nattai R. , Dascombe Ben J. , Dalbo Vincent J.
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

The influence of various factors on training-load (TL) responses in basketball has received limited attention. This study aimed to examine the temporal changes and influence of cumulative training dose on TL responses and interrelationships during basketball activity.

Methods:

Ten state-level Australian male junior basketball players completed 4 × 10-min standardized bouts of simulated basketball activity using a circuit-based protocol. Internal TL was quantified using the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), summated heart-rate zones (SHRZ), Banister training impulse (TRIMP), and Lucia TRIMP models. External TL was assessed via measurement of mean sprint and circuit speeds. Temporal TL comparisons were performed between 10-min bouts, while Pearson correlation analyses were conducted across cumulative training doses (0–10, 0–20, 0–30, and 0–40 min).

Results:

sRPE TL increased (P < .05) after the first 10-min bout of basketball activity. sRPE TL was only significantly related to Lucia TRIMP (r = .66–.69; P < .05) across 0–10 and 0–20 min. Similarly, mean sprint and circuit speed were significantly correlated across 0–20 min (r = .67; P < .05). In contrast, SHRZ and Banister TRIMP were significantly related across all training doses (r = .84–.89; P < .05).

Conclusions:

Limited convergence exists between common TL approaches across basketball training doses lasting beyond 20 min. Thus, the interchangeability of commonly used internal and external TL approaches appears dose-dependent during basketball activity, with various psychophysiological mediators likely underpinning temporal changes.
The Influence of Pole Length on Performance, O2 Cost, and Kinematics in Double Poling
Authors: Losnegard Thomas , Myklebust Håvard , Skattebo Øyvind , Stadheim Hans Kristian , Sandbakk Øyvind , Hallén Jostein
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

In the double-poling (DP) cross-country-skiing technique, propulsive forces are transferred solely through the poles. The aim of the current study was to investigate how pole length influences DP performance, O2 cost, and kinematics during treadmill roller skiing.

Methods:

Nine male competitive cross-country skiers (24 ± 3 y, 180 ± 5 cm, 72 ± 5 kg, VO2max running 76 ± 6 mL · kg–1 · min–1) completed 2 identical test protocols using self-selected (84% ± 1% of body height) and long poles (self-selected + 7.5 cm; 88% ± 1% of body height) in a counterbalanced fashion. Each test protocol included a 5-min warm-up (2.5 m/s; 2.5°) and three 5-min submaximal sessions (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 m/s; 2.5°) for assessment of O2 cost, followed by a selfpaced 1000-m time trial (~3 min, >5.0 m/s; 2.5°). Temporal patterns and kinematics were assessed using accelerometers and 2D video.

Results:

Long poles reduced 1000-m time (mean ± 90% confidence interval; –1.0% ± 0.7%, P = .054) and submaximal O2 cost (–2.7% ± 1.0%, P = .002) compared with self-selected poles. The center-of-mass (CoM) vertical range of displacement tended to be smaller for long than for self-selected poles (23.3 ± 3.0 vs 24.3 ± 3.0 cm, P = .07). Cycle and reposition time did not differ between pole lengths at any speeds tested, whereas poling time tended to be shorter for self-selected than for long poles at the lower speeds (≤3.5 m/s, P ≤ .10) but not at the higher speeds (≥4.0 m/s, P ≥ .23).

Conclusions:

DP 1000-m time, submaximal O2 cost, and CoM vertical range of displacement were reduced in competitive cross-country skiers using poles 7.5 cm longer than self-selected ones.
Applying the Critical Speed Concept to Racing Strategy and Interval Training Prescription
Authors: Pettitt Robert W.
Published: May 2016

The use of personal records (PRs) for running different distances may be used to derive critical speed (CS) and the finite capacity for running speeds exceeding CS (D′). Using CS and D′, individualized speed-time and distance-time relationships can be modeled (ie, time limits associated with running at a given speed or a given distance can be derived via linear regression with a high degree of accuracy). The running 3-min all-out exercise test (3 MT) has emerged as a method for estimating CS and D′ on a large group of athletes in a single visit. Such a procedure is useful when PRs are not readily available (eg, team-sport athletes). This article reviews how to administer and interpret the running 3 MT, how CS and D′ can inform racing strategy, and how CS and D′ can be used to prescribe and evaluate high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Directions for deriving HIIT bouts using either fixed distances or fixed speeds are provided along with CS dose-responses to short-term HIIT programs.