bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spinal Neurocysticercosis: A Rare Variant of a Common Parasitic Infection
Authors: Mesquita Filho Paulo , Azambuja Junior Nério , Vanzin José , Annes Rafael , Varela Daniel , Araújo Moisés , Araújo Vanderson , Bregalda Candice , Lacerda Almeida Timóteo
Published: February 2016

Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection affecting the central nervous system, usually involving the brain parenchyma, intracranial subarachnoid space, or ventricular system. In rare cases, there is involvement of the spine (vertebral, epidural, subdural, arachnoid, or intramedullary). Even in endemic regions, this variant is rare, with an incidence below 5% of all patients. The diagnosis is made based on the symptoms, which can be very unspecific, imaging and CSF analysis, with biopsy as a possibility. Treatment is usually curative, but important deficits can develop, due to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots, arachnoiditis, or meningitis. We present the case of a patient who developed this entity, with poor clinical scenario, and review the literature on the topic.
Kooperation im Gesundheitswesen: Formative Evaluation des Modellprojekts Regionale Gesundheitskonferenzen in Bayern
Authors: Hollederer A. , Stühler K.
Published: February 2016

Ziel der Studie: Gesundheitskonferenzen bieten eine Möglichkeit zur besseren Kooperation und Steuerung im kommunalen Gesundheitsmanagement. Die explorative Evaluationsstudie hatte zum Ziel, die Strukturen, Prozesse und Ergebnisse von „Regionalen Gesundheitskonferenzen (RGK)“ in 3 Modellregionen zu bewerten, Hinweise auf Entwicklungspotenziale zu geben und die Übertragbarkeit auf andere Regionen zu prüfen.

Methodik: Am Ende der 18-monatigen Modellprojektphase (08/2013 bis 12/2014) wurde eine Vollerhebung bei 80 Teilnehmern der RGK in den 3 Regionen mittels eines teilstandardisierten Fragebogens durchgeführt. Die Rücklaufquote betrug 90%. Die Befunde wurden durch Dokumentenanalyse und separate Geschäftsstellenbefragung ergänzt.

Ergebnisse: Die RGK haben sich in den 3 Modellregionen zügig mit Geschäftsstelle und insgesamt 13 Arbeitsgruppen zur Gesundheitsversorgung etabliert. In der Perspektive fast aller Teilnehmer der RGK waren die Mitgliederzahl angemessen und alle wichtigen Akteure vertreten. Die Mehrheit beteiligte sich nach Einschätzung des Großteils der Befragten überwiegend aktiv und in der Regel hatte jeder Teilnehmer die gleichen Chancen, Themen einzubringen. Obwohl für knapp die Hälfte der Befragten Konflikte deutlich wurden, blieb die Atmosphäre für drei Viertel sehr konstruktiv. Die Wichtigkeit von Vorsitzenden und Geschäftsstellenleitern wurden ebenso wie der Einfluss der Moderatoren von nahezu allen Interviewten bestätigt. Fast alle stimmten zu, dass sich die RGK für die Optimierung der Gesundheitsversorgung und der Kooperation eignen. Aus Teilnehmersicht wurden überwiegend die wichtigsten Versorgungprobleme identifiziert. 94% der Befragten äußerten sich zustimmend, dass die bisherige Arbeit als erfolgreich eingeschätzt werden kann. Mit dem Verlauf der RGK waren 91% insgesamt zufrieden oder eher zufrieden. Während die Zufriedenheitsgrade zwischen den Modellregionen kaum divergierten, unterschieden sie sich aber deutlich zwischen den Akteursgruppen. 98% der Interviewten würden in Zukunft wieder teilnehmen.

Schlussfolgerung: Die RGK stellen nach den Rückmeldungen insgesamt eine gute Plattform für Koordination, Austausch und Zusammenarbeit der Akteure dar und haben sich als Kooperationsinstrument bewährt. Der Ansatz wird in Bayern im Rahmen des neuen Konzepts zu Gesundheitsregionenplus qualitativ und in der regionalen Reichweite ausgebaut.
Language in the United Nations post-2015 development agenda
Authors: Fettes Mark
Published: February 2016

The United Nations system has been engaged for some years in setting new development priorities to replace the Millennium Development Goals following their expiry in 2015. While language issues are almost wholly absent from documents intended to guide this policy process, there are thought-provoking implications for language planners in some of the key ideas advanced by agencies within the UN system. These include the need to address structural inequalities, greater emphasis on cities as loci of social planning and management, growing interest in social protection floors as a policy mechanism, and the implications of sustainable development as an alternative planning paradigm.
Piecewise parameter estimation for stochastic models in COPASI
Authors: Bergmann Frank T. , Sahle Sven , Zimmer Christoph
Published: February 2016

Motivation: Computational modeling is widely used for deepening the understanding of biological processes. Parameterizing models to experimental data needs computationally efficient techniques for parameter estimation. Challenges for parameter estimation include in general the high dimensionality of the parameter space with local minima and in specific for stochastic modeling the intrinsic stochasticity.

Results: We implemented the recently suggested multiple shooting for stochastic systems (MSS) objective function for parameter estimation in stochastic models into COPASI. This MSS objective function can be used for parameter estimation in stochastic models but also shows beneficial properties when used for ordinary differential equation models. The method can be applied with all of COPASI’s optimization algorithms, and can be used for SBML models as well.

Availability and implementation: The methodology is available in COPASI as of version 4.15.95 and can be downloaded from http://www.copasi.org.

Contact:  frank.bergmann@bioquant.uni-heidelberg.de or fbergman@caltech.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Protein backbone ensemble generation explores the local structural space of unseen natural homologs
Authors: Schenkelberg Christian D. , Bystroff Christopher
Published: February 2016

Motivation: Mutations in homologous proteins affect changes in the backbone conformation that involve a complex interplay of forces which are difficult to predict. Protein design algorithms need to anticipate these backbone changes in order to accurately calculate the energy of the structure given an amino acid sequence, without knowledge of the final, designed sequence. This is related to the problem of predicting small changes in the backbone between highly similar sequences.

Results: We explored the ability of the Rosetta suite of protein design tools to move the backbone from its position in one structure (template) to its position in a close homologous structure (target) as a function of the diversity of a backbone ensemble constructed using the template structure, the percent sequence identity between the template and target, and the size of local zone being considered in the ensemble. We describe a pareto front in the likelihood of moving the backbone toward the target as a function of ensemble diversity and zone size. The equations and protocols presented here will be useful for protein design.

Availability and implementation: PyRosetta scripts available at www.bioinfo.rpi.edu/bystrc/downloads.html#ensemble

Contact:  bystrc@rpi.edu
Estimating the number and assignment of clock models in analyses of multigene datasets
Authors: Duchêne Sebastián , Foster Charles S. P. , Ho Simon Y. W.
Published: February 2016

Motivation: Molecular-clock methods can be used to estimate evolutionary rates and timescales from DNA sequence data. However, different genes can display different patterns of rate variation across lineages, calling for the employment of multiple clock models. Selecting the optimal clock-partitioning scheme for a multigene dataset can be computationally demanding, but clustering methods provide a feasible alternative. We investigated the performance of different clustering methods using data from chloroplast genomes and data generated by simulation.

Results: Our results show that mixture models provide a useful alternative to traditional partitioning algorithms. We found only a small number of distinct patterns of among-lineage rate variation among chloroplast genes, which were consistent across taxonomic scales. This suggests that the evolution of chloroplast genes has been governed by a small number of genomic pacemakers. Our study also demonstrates that clustering methods provide an efficient means of identifying clock-partitioning schemes for genome-scale datasets.

Availability and implementation: The code and data sets used in this study are available online at https://github.com/sebastianduchene/pacemaker_clustering_methods.

Contact:  sebastian.duchene@sydney.edu.au

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
FamAgg: an R package to evaluate familial aggregation of traits in large pedigrees
Authors: Rainer Johannes , Taliun Daniel , D’Elia Yuri , Pattaro Cristian , Domingues Francisco S. , Weichenberger Christian X.
Published: February 2016

Summary: Familial aggregation analysis is the first fundamental step to perform when assessing the extent of genetic background of a disease. However, there is a lack of software to analyze the familial clustering of complex phenotypes in very large pedigrees. Such pedigrees can be utilized to calculate measures that express trait aggregation on both the family and individual level, providing valuable directions in choosing families for detailed follow-up studies. We developed FamAgg, an open source R package that contains both established and novel methods to investigate familial aggregation of traits in large pedigrees. We demonstrate its use and interpretation by analyzing a publicly available cancer dataset with more than 20 000 participants distributed across approximately 400 families.

Availability and implementation: The FamAgg package is freely available at the Bioconductor repository, http://www.bioconductor.org/packages/FamAgg.

Contact:  Christian.Weichenberger@eurac.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The TraDIS toolkit: sequencing and analysis for dense transposon mutant libraries
Authors: Barquist Lars , Mayho Matthew , Cummins Carla , Cain Amy K. , Boinett Christine J. , Page Andrew J. , Langridge Gemma C. , Quail Michael A. , Keane Jacqueline A. , Parkhill Julian
Published: February 2016

Summary: Transposon insertion sequencing is a high-throughput technique for assaying large libraries of otherwise isogenic transposon mutants providing insight into gene essentiality, gene function and genetic interactions. We previously developed the Transposon Directed Insertion Sequencing (TraDIS) protocol for this purpose, which utilizes shearing of genomic DNA followed by specific PCR amplification of transposon-containing fragments and Illumina sequencing. Here we describe an optimized high-yield library preparation and sequencing protocol for TraDIS experiments and a novel software pipeline for analysis of the resulting data. The Bio-Tradis analysis pipeline is implemented as an extensible Perl library which can either be used as is, or as a basis for the development of more advanced analysis tools. This article can serve as a general reference for the application of the TraDIS methodology.

Availability and implementation: The optimized sequencing protocol is included as supplementary information. The Bio-Tradis analysis pipeline is available under a GPL license at https://github.com/sanger-pathogens/Bio-Tradis

Contact:  parkhill@sanger.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
An efficient gene–gene interaction test for genome-wide association studies in trio families
Authors: Sung Pei-Yuan , Wang Yi-Ting , Yu Ya-Wen , Chung Ren-Hua
Published: February 2016

Motivation: Several efficient gene–gene interaction tests have been developed for unrelated case–control samples in genome-wide association studies (GWAS), making it possible to test tens of billions of interaction pairs of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a reasonable timeframe. However, current family-based gene–gene interaction tests are computationally expensive and are not applicable to genome-wide interaction analysis.

Results: We developed an efficient family-based gene–gene interaction test, GCORE, for trios (i.e. two parents and one affected sib). The GCORE compares interlocus correlations at two SNPs between the transmitted and non-transmitted alleles. We used simulation studies to compare the statistical properties such as type I error rates and power for the GCORE with several other family-based interaction tests under various scenarios. We applied the GCORE to a family-based GWAS for autism consisting of approximately 2000 trios. Testing a total of 22 471 383 013 interaction pairs in the GWAS can be finished in 36 h by the GCORE without large-scale computing resources, demonstrating that the test is practical for genome-wide gene–gene interaction analysis in trios.

Availability and implementation: GCORE is implemented with C ++ and is available at http://gscore.sourceforge.net.

Contact:  rchung@nhri.org.tw

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Putative BRAF activating fusion in a medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Kasaian Katayoon , Wiseman Sam M. , Walker Blair A. , Schein Jacqueline E. , Hirst Martin , Moore Richard A. , Mungall Andrew J. , Marra Marco A. , Jones Steven J.M.
Published: February 2016

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a malignancy of the calcitonin-producing parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. Surgery is the only curative treatment for this cancer. External beam radiation therapy is reserved for adjuvant treatment of MTC with aggressive features. Targeted therapeutics vandetanib and cabozantinib are approved for the treatment of aggressive and metastatic tumors that are not amenable to surgery. The use of these multikinase inhibitors are supported by the observed overactivation of the RET oncoprotein in a large subpopulation of MTCs. However, not all patients carry oncogenic alterations of this kinase. Hence, there is still a need for comprehensive molecular characterization of MTC utilizing whole-genome and transcriptome-sequencing methodologies with the aim of identifying targetable mutations. Here, we describe the genomic profiles of two medullary thyroid cancers and report the presence of a putative oncogenic BRAF fusion in one. Such alterations, previously observed in other malignancies and known targets of available drugs, can benefit patients who currently have no treatment options.
Unequal egalitarianism
Authors: Chin Lynn Gencianeo
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate how organizational structure (i.e. centralized hierarchical vs decentralized egalitarian decision-making) can color leadership evaluations of equivalently positioned men and women independent of their actual leadership style. This study addresses three questions: Are men’s leadership abilities, in terms of competence, dominance and interpersonal skills, evaluated more positively than women when they lead a hierarchical company? Are men and women’s leadership abilities evaluated similarly when they lead an egalitarian company? Do organizational outcomes change these effects?

Design/methodology/approach

– The research performs an eight-condition online vignette experiment on American community college students.

Findings

– The findings suggest that organizational structure and outcomes influence how male versus female leaders are perceived. When leading a hierarchical company, male leaders not only gain more in perceived leadership ability when their company succeeds but are also less likely to lose legitimacy when their company fails. When leading successful egalitarian organizations, men and women’s leadership skills are thought to gain similar legitimacy, but when an egalitarian organization fails, perceptions of female leaders’ competence, status dominance and interpersonal skills drop more than those of men.

Research limitations/implications

– This study’s generalizablity is limited given the sample of participants and the context of the industry utilized in the vignette.

Practical implications

– This study suggests that women’s promotion into leadership can be impeded by the decision-making structure of the organizations they lead independent of their individual choice in management style. Women leaders face not only disadvantaged evaluations of their leadership abilities in hierarchical organizations but are also not unilaterally advantaged in egalitarian organizations.

Originality/value

– This paper highlights the need to theoretically examine how organizational structures fundamentally embed gender stereotypes.
“Selling” Europe on free enterprise
Authors: Stole Inger L.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– A number of scholars have explored the US Government’s postwar efforts, often in collaboration with the business community, to “sell America” to Americans themselves; others have documented the means through which such information was aimed at audiences behind the Iron Curtain. Few scholars have explored the use of the US “propaganda” to secure political loyalty and financial markets among Western allies, and fewer still have studied the government’s use of commercial marketing methods for this purpose. Attempting to fill a void, this paper aims to explore the US State Department’s postwar collaboration with the Advertising Council, a non-profit organization funded and organized by American business, to “sell” the 16 countries that were receiving aid under the Marshall Plan on “the American way of life”.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing primarily from archival sources, the underlying research here is heavily based on various State Department collections housed at the National Archives in Washington, DC, and College Park, Maryland, as well as documents from the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, and the Advertising Council Archives at the University of Illinois.

Findings

– In contrast to its many successes during the Second World War, the Advertising Council’s first international project was plagued by erroneous assumptions and unforeseen problems, making the “Overseas Information” campaign far less successful than its previous projects. Thus, the case study holds lessons for the US Government in any future attempts to use the assistance of commercial advertisers in attaining its “soft power” objectives.

Research limitations/implications

– The study explores the “Overseas Information” campaign from an institutional perspective only. Future research should focus on public perceptions of the campaign and possibly a rhetorical analysis of the actual advertisements.

Practical implications

– The case study holds lessons for the US Government in any future attempts to use the assistance of commercial advertisers in attaining its “soft power” objectives.

Social implications

– The study reveals interesting, and heretofore, unrevealed information about collaborations between the government and US business in the postwar era.

Originality/value

– Up till this point, the Advertising Council’s “Overseas Information” has received very scant scholarly attention and few, if any, have recognized its importance in the ongoing quest for government “soft power” in the postwar era.
The Prague Spring and the Big Chill: the marketing moment in communist Czechoslovakia
Authors: Patterson Patrick Hyder
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyze an important series of events in the history of marketing in socialist Europe and the internationalization of marketing thought and practice. Examining the reception of the marketing concept in communist Czechoslovakia, the study shows the effective blockage of the implementation of marketing approaches by orthodox communist authorities. The paper demonstrates the distinctiveness and importance of the Czechoslovak case and provides a basis for integrating that experience into the larger history of marketing under socialism.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on an extensive review of the most relevant Czech and Slovak primary sources including trade journals, manuals and textbooks in marketing and related fields, party and government documents and statements on commercial issues, and other important professional literature on domestic commerce.

Findings

– The paper provides insights into the use of communist political power to suppress the use of marketing as contrary to the social and ideological goals of socialism. It identifies the rise of marketing approaches during a brief “marketing moment” following market-oriented economic reforms in 1965 and lasting through the “Prague Spring” of 1968. Following the restoration of orthodox communist control, new policies of “normalization” dictated the decline of marketing, which returned to its earlier status of near-invisibility. The suppression of marketing thought and practice lasted until the end of communist rule in 1989.

Originality/value

– This paper analyzes an unexamined case of marketing in a socialist society and places the case in broader comparative context.
Causal Inference in Accounting Research
Authors: GOW IAN D. , LARCKER DAVID F. , REISS PETER C.
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the approaches accounting researchers adopt to draw causal inferences using observational (or nonexperimental) data. The vast majority of accounting research papers draw causal inferences notwithstanding the well‐known difficulties in doing so. While some recent papers seek to use quasi‐experimental methods to improve causal inferences, these methods also make strong assumptions that are not always fully appreciated. We believe that accounting research would benefit from more in‐depth descriptive research, including a greater focus on the study of causal mechanisms (or causal pathways) and increased emphasis on the structural modeling of the phenomena of interest. We argue these changes offer a practical path forward for rigorous accounting research.
Histological Changes in the Thyroid Gland in Cases of Infant and Early Childhood Asphyxia—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Byard Roger W. , Bellis Maria
Published: February 2016

A retrospective blinded study of thyroid gland histology was undertaken in 50 infants and young children aged from 1 to 24 months. Deaths were due to (i) suffocation (N = 7), hanging (4), wedging (3), and chest and/or neck compression (4), and (ii) SIDS (20), noncervical trauma (7), organic disease, (4) and drug toxicity (1). In the asphyxia group (N = 18), thyroid gland congestion ranged from 0 to 3+ with 39% of cases (7/18) having moderate/marked congestion. In three cases, focal aggregates of red blood cells (blood islands) were observed within the intrafollicular colloid. These deaths involved chest compression, chest and/or neck compression, and crush asphyxia in a vehicle accident, and all had facial petechiae. Only 22% of the 32 control cases (7/32) had moderate/marked congestion with no blood islands being identified (p < 0.05). Blood islands within the thyroid gland may be caused by congestion associated with crushing or compression and may provide supportive evidence for this diagnosis.
Skill and masculinity in Olympic weightlifting: Training cues and cultivated craziness in Georgia
Authors: SHEROUSE PERRY
Published: February 2016

At the Georgian Weightlifting Federation in Tbilisi, Georgia, a mainstay of coaching is the training cue, a shouted word or phrase that coaches use to prompt weightlifters to perform in a certain psychological, physical, or technical way. In this practice, coaches cultivate and naturalize dimensions of physiology and psychology, aligning masculinity with animality, lack of restraint, and emotional surfeit, and femininity with gracefulness, control, and good technique. Although Olympic weightlifting remains stereotypically hypermasculine, coaches compliment female weightlifters’ technique as superior to men's and train their athletes to integrate masculine “nature” and feminine “culture” in the expression of physical strength. In doing so, coaches do not instill fully formed subjectivities but manage embodied forms, using exclamatory cues to disaggregate the athlete into action, affect, and anatomy. [post‐Soviet sport,masculinity,coaching,weightlifting,strength,technique,Georgia]
Detection of Vaccinia virus during an outbreak of exanthemous oral lesions in Brazilian equids
Authors: Abrahão J. S. , de Souza Trindade G. , Pereira‐Oliveira G. , de Oliveira Figueiredo P. , Costa G. , Moreira Franco‐Luiz A. P. , Lopes Assis F. , Bretas de Oliveira D. , Mattos Paim L. R. , de Araújo Oliveira C. E. , Lemos Maia Neto A. , Geessien Kroon E.
Published: February 2016

Reasons for performing study

In August 2014, an outbreak of oral exanthematous disease in equids was reported in Brazil, affecting 11 donkeys and 3 mules.

Objectives

To investigate if Vaccinia virus (VACV) was the aetiological agent in this outbreak.

Study design

Investigation of clinical cases using serological, molecular and phylogenetic approaches.

Methods

To analyse the presence of neutralising antibodies against VACV, samples were submitted in triplicate to a plaque‐reduction neutralisation test (PRNT50%). On the basis of previous studies which detected VACV DNA in sera, we submitted extracted DNA samples to different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platforms targeting Orthopoxvirus (OPV) genes (C11R, A56R and A26L). The PCR products were directly sequenced in both orientations using specific primers and capillary electrophoresis. The alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the A26L and A56R nucleotide sequences (maximum likelihood) were prepared with the obtained nucleotide fragments.

Results

Serological and molecular data suggested VACV as the aetiological agent. The neutralising antibodies against OPV were detected in 5 (55.5%) of the equids, with titres ≥40 neutralising u/ml. Based on the results obtained from all PCR platforms, all samples were positive for OPV: 9 (100%) for A56R, 4 (44.4%) for C11R and 3 (33.3%) for A26L. The alignment of the nucleotide sequences of the A26L and A56R fragments revealed that the samples were highly similar to the homologous genes from other Brazilian VACV Group 1 isolates (98.8% identity on average). Furthermore, both the A26L and A56R sequences showed signature deletions also present in the sequences of Group 1 VACV isolates from Brazil.

Conclusions

Our data raises questions about the role of equids in the chain of VACV epidemiology. The surveillance of equids in VACV‐affected areas worldwide is relevant.
What do patients need to know? A study to assess patients' satisfaction with information about medicines
Authors: Twigg Michael J , Bhattacharya Debi , Clark Allan , Patel Rina , Rogers Hannah , Whiteside Hattie , Yaqoob Mahavish , Wright David J
Published: February 2016

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the information needs and reported adherence of patients prescribed medicines for chronic conditions in those who have received a community pharmacy advanced service and those who have not.

Methods

A questionnaire was constructed using validated tools to measure medication information satisfaction and adherence together with questions eliciting information regarding the use of pharmacy services and demographic characteristics. This questionnaire was distributed from four community pharmacies to a convenience sample of 400 patients as they collected their medicines. Patients were eligible if prescribed more than one regular medicine and attending the pharmacy for longer than 3 months. The questionnaire was returned directly to the university.

Key Findings

Two hundred and thirty-two (58%) questionnaires were returned. All respondents desired further information about their prescribed medicines, particularly about potential medication problems. Dissatisfaction centred on side effects, interactions and certain medicine characteristics such as how long it will take to act. Satisfaction with information about medicines and adherence were significantly greater in a subgroup reporting that they had received an advanced pharmacy service, e.g. medicine use review (MUR).

Conclusion

Patients who had received an advanced service reported greater adherence and satisfaction with medicine-related information. This was a small, observational study, using a convenience sample of four pharmacies; in order to draw definitive conclusions, a larger study with participants randomised to receive an advanced service is required.
Hijos y movilidad laboral en el sur de Europa
Authors: MÉNDEZ Ildefonso
Published: February 2016

Se investiga la asociación entre la disponibilidad de servicios de guardería y la baja movilidad laboral en el sur de Europa, donde, según el autor, las parejas que tienen o piensan tener hijos permanecen cerca de sus padres para conciliar trabajo y responsabilidades familiares, aprovechando la baja tasa de actividad de sus madres. Se propone un modelo conductual para predecir las decisiones de las parejas sobre fecundidad, empleo de la mujer y movilidad, y se pone a prueba con estimaciones probit y logit de efectos fijos y datos del Panel de Hogares de la Comunidad Europea. El efecto negativo de que la mujer trabaje en la movilidad solo es significativo para las parejas con hijos que viven en el sur de Europa.
Modelling Weather Effects on Road Casualty Statistics
Authors: Mais David , Lloyd Daryl , Davies Jennifer
Published: February 2016

David Mais, Daryl Lloyd and Jennifer Davies explain how statistical models can be used to estimate the effect of temperature and precipitation on the number of road casualties in Great Britain

Weather effects

Modelling the effect of temperature and precipitation on road casualty statistics
The nurse practitioner–client therapeutic encounter: an integrative review of interaction in aged and primary care settings
Authors: Bentley Michael , Stirling Christine , Robinson Andrew , Minstrell Melinda
Published: February 2016

Aims

To review the key features of the nurse practitioner–client interaction in the thera‐peutic encounter to inform the development of nurse practitioner‐led memory clinics.

Background

Nurse practitioners spend significant time interacting with clients and their families/caregivers yet there is limited research on this interaction during therapeutic encounters in aged and primary care contexts.

Design

Integrative review.

Data sources

Electronic search of CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science 2004–2013; hand search of the Journal of Advanced Nursing, Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Review methods

Integrative literature review using Whittemore and Knafl's methodology.

Results

Ten published studies were included, representing over 900 nurse practitioners and their clients. Three key factors of nurse practitioner–client interaction were identified: nurse practitioner expertise and the influence of the therapeutic encounter context; affirming exchange as a bedrock of communication; and high levels of client engagement. In aged and primary care settings, where the therapeutic encounter requires and allows longer consultations, such as nurse practitioner‐led memory clinics, patient‐centred approaches can engage clients in consultations using a biopsychosocial framework, resulting in improved client satisfaction and, potentially, increased adherence to treatment plans. Nurse practitioners who are open and respectful, who encourage patients to provide more information about their lives and condition and are perceived by the client to be empathetic, are providing affirmation to the client.

Conclusion

Affirming interactions are a key feature of successful therapeutic encounters when time and context do not allow or warrant the full repertoire of patient‐centred communication.
Shade of Resin‐Based Luting Agents and Final Color of Porcelain Veneers
Authors: Perroni Ana Paula , Amaral Camila , Kaizer Marina R. , Moraes Rafael Ratto De , Boscato Noéli
Published: February 2016

Objectives

This study evaluated the influence of different shades of flowable resin composite used as luting agent on the final shade of porcelain veneers of different opacities over A2 and B1 simulated dental substrate.

Materials and Methods

One millimeter monolithic (enamel E1.0 or dentin D1.0) and bilayer (E0.5D0.5) porcelain discs shade A2 were paired with flowable resin composite disks (0.1 mm thick) of different shades (A1, A2, B1, white opaque – WO or IL – translucent), as veneer + luting agent (n = 10). The CIE L*a*b* color coordinates were measured with a spectrophotometer over white and black standard background, as well as over A2 and B1 simulated dental substrates. Translucency of all specimens and the shade matching of the pairs over the A2 and B1 substrates (ΔE*00) were calculated by Translucency Parameter and CIEDE2000 methods. Data were statistically analyzed by 95% confidence interval.

Results

Porcelain veneer E1.0 groups were the most translucent, while the pairs veneer + luting agent WO showed the lowest translucency, and A1, A2, B1, and IL yielded little to no differences in translucency of the pairs. The overall best shade matching with A2 substrate was observed for D1.0 veneer + WO luting agent.

Conclusion

The opacity of the porcelain veneer paired with luting agents of different shades affected the final appearance of the restorations over distinct simulated tooth substrates.

Clinical Significance

Distinct shades of flowable resin composites used as luting agent might yield clinically visible color differences on porcelain veneers facilitating an excellent shade match with adjacent teeth. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:295–303, 2016)
The overlap of upper functional gastrointestinal disorders with irritable bowel syndrome in Chinese outpatients: A multicenter study
Authors: Yao Xin , Yang Yun Sheng , Cui Li Hong , Sun Gang , Peng Li Hua , Wang Wei Feng , Hyder Qurratulain , Zhang Xiao Lin
Published: February 2016

Background and Aim

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disease, and the overlap with upper functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is popular. However, the coexistent upper GI symptom profiles, upper FGID spectra, and related risk factors among IBS subjects remain unclear in mainland of China.

Methods

Consecutive patients from the outpatient gastroenterology clinics of three tertiary hospitals in China were enrolled in this multicenter study. All upper GI symptoms occurring at least once a week in the last 3 months were recorded. Diagnostic criteria of functional esophageal, gastroduodenal disorders and IBS were based on Rome III criteria. Risk factors were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results

Of the 8906 consecutive patients, 751 patients met Rome III criteria for IBS and 735 IBS patients participated in the interview. Postprandial fullness (30.6%), belching (27.1%), and regurgitation (21.8%) were the three most prevalent upper GI symptoms in IBS. Functional dyspepsia (FD, 36.7%), belching disorders (27.1%), and functional heartburn (16.3%) were the three most frequent upper FGID in IBS patients. Female sex, divorced or widowed versus married status, defecation straining, reduced bowel movement, mixed IBS, abdominal distention, mild abdominal pain, moderate discomfort were positively associated with IBS‐FD overlap. Female sex, drinking, moderate discomfort, and mild to moderate distension were independent risk factors for IBS‐belching disorder overlap.

Conclusions

The study provides detailed overlap spectra of upper FGID with IBS. Mixed IBS is an important risk factor for IBS‐FD overlap, which deserved more concern.
Unique features associated with hepatic oxidative DNA damage and DNA methylation in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Nishida Naoshi , Yada Norihisa , Hagiwara Satoru , Sakurai Toshiharu , Kitano Masayuki , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: February 2016

Background and Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previously, we reported that DNA oxidation induced epigenetic alteration of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and contributed to HCC emergence. Here, we examine the associations between clinicopathological characteristics of NAFLD and advanced oxidative DNA damage that is associated with TSG methylation in the NAFLD liver.

Methods

Liver biopsies from 65 NAFLD patients were analyzed for clinicopathological features and oxidative DNA damage using immunohistochemistry of 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG). Abnormal DNA methylation in the promoters of 6 TSGs, HIC1, GSTP1, SOCS1, RASSF1, CDKN2A, and APC, was examined using MethyLight. Associations between clinicopathological characteristics, methylation of TSGs, and accumulation of 8‐OHdG were analyzed.

Results

We found that aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, the fibrosis‐4 index, and serum α‐fetoprotein (AFP) level were associated with degree of 8‐OHdG, and AFP was an independent factor among them (P = 0.0271). Regarding pathological findings, hepatocellular ballooning and stage of fibrosis were also associated with oxidative DNA damage (P = 0.0021 and 0.0054); ballooning was an independent risk for detecting high degree of 8‐OHdG in hepatocytes (odds ratio 7.38, 95% confidence interval 1.41‐49.13, P = 0.0171). Accumulation of methylated TSGs was significantly associated with deposition of 8‐OHdG (P = 0.0362).

Conclusions

Patients with high serum AFP and high degree of ballooning showed accumulation of oxidative DNA damage that could be a seed of DNA methylation responsible for hepatocarcinogenesis. These characteristics could be risk of HCC; such patients require urgent intervention such as lifestyle modification.
Dissecting the role of redox signaling in neuronal development
Authors: Bórquez Daniel A. , Urrutia Pamela J. , Wilson Carlos , van Zundert Brigitte , Núñez Marco Tulio , González‐Billault Christian
Published: February 2016

The generation of abnormally high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is linked to cellular dysfunction, including neuronal toxicity and neurodegeneration. However, physiological ROS production modulates redox‐sensitive roles of several molecules such as transcription factors, signaling proteins, and cytoskeletal components. Changes in the functions of redox‐sensitive proteins may be important for defining key aspects of stem cell proliferation and differentiation, neuronal maturation, and neuronal plasticity. In neurons, most of the studies have been focused on the pathological implications of such modifications and only very recently their essential roles in neuronal development and plasticity has been recognized. In this review, we discuss the participation of NADPH oxidases (NOXs) and a family of protein‐methionine sulfoxide oxidases, named molecule interacting with CasLs, as regulated enzymatic sources of ROS production in neurons, and describes the contribution of ROS signaling to neurogenesis and differentiation, neurite outgrowth, and neuronal plasticity.

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We review the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neurogenesis, axon growth, and guidance and NMDA‐receptor‐mediated plasticity, LTP, and memory. ROS participation is presented in the context of NADPH oxidase and MICAL functions and their importance for brain functions.
Dopamine D2 and serotonin 5‐HT1A receptor interaction in the context of the effects of antipsychotics – in vitro studies
Authors: Łukasiewicz Sylwia , Błasiak Ewa , Szafran‐Pilch Kinga , Dziedzicka‐Wasylewska Marta
Published: February 2016

The serotonin 5‐HT1A receptor (5‐HT1AR) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) have been implicated as important sites of action in antipsychotics. Several lines of evidence indicate the key role of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) heteromers in pathophysiology of schizophrenia and highlight these complexes as novel drug targets. Because heterodimers can form only on those cells co‐expressing constituent receptors, they present a target of high pharmacological specificity in the context of biochemical effects induced by antipsychotic drugs. In studies conducted in the HEK 293 cell line, we demonstrated that 5‐HT1AR and D2R are able to form constitutive heterodimers, and antipsychotic drugs (clozapine, olanzapine, aripiprazole, and lurasidone) enhanced this process, with clozapine being most effective. Various functional tests (cAMP and IP1 as well as ERK activation) indicated that the drugs had different effects on signal transduction by the heteromer. Interestingly, co‐incubation of heterodimer‐expressing HEK 293 cells with clozapine and the 5‐HT1AR agonist 8‐OH DPAT potentiated post‐synaptic effects, especially with respect to ERK activation. Our results indicate that the D2‐5‐HT1A complex possesses biochemical, pharmacological, and functional properties distinct from those of mono‐ and homomers. This result has implications for the development of improved pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia or other disorders (activating the heteromer might be cognitive enhancing, since it is expressed in frontal cortex) through the specific targeting of heterodimers.

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We reported the constitutive formation of D2‐5‐HT1A heteromers, which possess biochemical, pharmacological, and functional properties distinct from those of mono‐ and homomers, as revealed by antipsychotics action. We also showed that these two receptors are co‐expressed in mouse cortical neurons; therefore their potential to heterodimerize may comprise an essential target for the development of novel strategies for schizophrenia treatment.
Assessment of salivary total antioxidant capacity in patients with primary untreated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with ORAC
Authors: Wesołowski Piotr , Zawada Katarzyna , Wojtowicz Andrzej , Strużycka Izabela , Kamiński Tomasz
Published: February 2016

Background

Oxidative DNA damage leads to abnormalities in endogenous cellular processes and constitutes a direct link between free radicals, antioxidants and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method is used to measure antioxidant capacity versus oxygen free radicals. There is no report on the application of ORAC to evaluate salivary antioxidant capacity in patients with head and neck SCC. This study investigated the relation between total antioxidant capacity of saliva, measured with ORAC method, and the incidence, location, size and histopathological grading of SCC.

Methods

Salivary antioxidant capacity was assessed in 30 male and female patients with histopathologically confirmed oral and laryngeal SCC. Histopathological grading of SCC was based on WHO classification.

Results

Mean ORAC in patients with SCC was higher than the mean value in the control group. Statistically significant difference was observed in the study group versus the control group. No significant differences were observed for ORAC values in relation to histopathological grading, tumour size and spread to lymph nodes.

Conclusions

The obtained results can advocate local compensatory mechanism in saliva in response to increased oxidative stress associated with primary tumour. ORAC can become an additional factor in head and neck SCC prognosis, but further investigation is required.
Concentration of Potassium in Plasma, Erythrocytes, and Muscle Tissue in Cows with Decreased Feed Intake and Gastrointestinal Ileus
Authors: Schneider S. , Müller A. , Wittek T.
Published: February 2016

Background

Healthy cows consume large amounts of potassium and a sudden loss in appetite can lead to hypokalemia. The routine method to evaluate potassium homeostasis is the measurement of the extracellular potassium in plasma or serum, but this does not provide information about the intracellular potassium pool.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate potassium homeostasis by comparing the extracellular and intracellular potassium concentration in cows with reduced feed intake and gastrointestinal ileus.

Animals

Twenty cows 1–3 days postpartum (group 1) and 20 cows with gastrointestinal ileus (group 2).

Methods

Observational cross‐sectional study. Plasma potassium was measured by using an ion‐sensitive electrode. Intracellular potassium was measured in erythrocytes and muscle tissue (muscle biopsy) by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy.

Results

Cows of group 1 did not have hypokalemia. Overall cows with gastrointestinal ileus were hypokalemic (mean ±SD, 2.9 mmol/L ± 0.78), but potassium concentration in erythrocytes and muscle tissue was not lower than in postpartum cows. Intracellular potassium in erythrocytes varied very widely; group 1: 3497–10735 mg/kg (5559 ± 2002 mg/kg), group 2: 4139–21678 mg/kg (7473 ± 4034 mg/kg). Potassium in muscle tissue did not differ between group 1 (3356 ± 735 mg/kg wet weight) and group 2 (3407 ± 1069 mg/kg wet weight). No association between extracellular and intracellular potassium concentrations was detected.

Conclusions and clinical importance

That measurement of plasma potassium concentration is not sufficient to evaluate potassium metabolism of cows.
Mitogen activated protein kinases SakAHOG1 and MpkC collaborate for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence
Authors: Bruder Nascimento Ariane Cristina Mendes de Oliveira , dos Reis Thaila Fernanda , de Castro Patrícia Alves , Hori Juliana I. , Bom Vinícius Leite Pedro , de Assis Leandro José , Ramalho Leandra Naira Zambelli , Rocha Marina Campos , Malavazi Iran , Brown Neil Andrew , Valiante Vito , Brakhage Axel A. , Hagiwara Daisuke , Goldman Gustavo H.
Published: February 2016

Here, we investigated which stress responses were influenced by the MpkC and SakA mitogen‐activated protein kinases of the high‐osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway in the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. The ΔsakA and the double ΔmpkC ΔsakA mutants were more sensitive to osmotic and oxidative stresses, and to cell wall damaging agents. Both MpkC::GFP and SakA::GFP translocated to the nucleus upon osmotic stress and cell wall damage, with SakA::GFP showing a quicker response. The phosphorylation state of MpkA was determined post exposure to high concentrations of congo red and Sorbitol. In the wild‐type strain, MpkA phosphorylation levels progressively increased in both treatments. In contrast, the ΔsakA mutant had reduced MpkA phosphorylation, and surprisingly, the double ΔmpkC ΔsakA had no detectable MpkA phosphorylation. A. fumigatus ΔsakA and ΔmpkC were virulent in mouse survival experiments, but they had a 40% reduction in fungal burden. In contrast, the ΔmpkC ΔsakA double mutant showed highly attenuated virulence, with approximately 50% mice surviving and a 75% reduction in fungal burden. We propose that both cell wall integrity (CWI) and HOG pathways collaborate, and that MpkC could act by modulating SakA activity upon exposure to several types of stresses and during CW biosynthesis.