bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance to Metals Used in Agricultural Production
Authors: Rensing Christopher , Moodley Arshnee , Cavaco Lina M. , McDevitt Sylvia Franke
Published: April 2018

Metals and metalloids have been used alongside antibiotics in livestock production for a long time. The potential and acute negative impact on the environment and human health of these livestock feed supplements has prompted lawmakers to ban or discourage the use of some or all of these supplements. This article provides an overview of current use in the European Union and the United States, detected metal resistance determinants, and the proteins and mechanisms responsible for conferring copper and zinc resistance in bacteria. A detailed description of the most common copper and zinc metal resistance determinants is given to illustrate not only the potential danger of coselecting antibiotic resistance genes but also the potential to generate bacterial strains with an increased potential to be pathogenic to humans. For example, the presence of a 20-gene copper pathogenicity island is highlighted since bacteria containing this gene cluster could be readily isolated from copper-fed pigs, and many pathogenic strains, includingEscherichia coliO104:H4, contain this potential virulence factor, suggesting a potential link between copper supplements in livestock and the evolution of pathogens.
Structure and Interaction Prediction in Prokaryotic RNA Biology
Authors: Wright* Patrick R. , Mann* Martin , Backofen* Rolf
Published: April 2018

Many years of research in RNA biology have soundly established the importance of RNA-based regulation far beyond most early traditional presumptions. Importantly, the advances in “wet” laboratory techniques have produced unprecedented amounts of data that require efficient and precise computational analysis schemes and algorithms. Hence, many
in silico
methods that attempt topological and functional classification of novel putative RNA-based regulators are available. In this review, we technically outline thermodynamics-based standard RNA secondary structure and RNA-RNA interaction prediction approaches that have proven valuable to the RNA research community in the past and present. For these, we highlight their usability with a special focus on prokaryotic organisms and also briefly mention recent advances in whole-genome interactomics and how this may influence the field of predictive RNA research.
Cost-effectiveness of exercise therapy in the treatment of non-specific neck pain and low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Miyamoto Gisela Cristiane , Lin Chung-Wei Christine , Cabral Cristina Maria Nunes , van Dongen Johanna M , van Tulder Maurits W
Published: April 2018

Objective

To investigate the cost-effectiveness of exercise therapy in the treatment of patients with non-specific neck pain and low back pain.

Design

Systematic review of economic evaluations.

Data sources

The search was performed in 5 clinical and 3 economic electronic databases.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

We included economic evaluations performed alongside randomised controlled trials. Differences in costs and effects were pooled in a meta-analysis, if possible, and incremental cost-utility ratios (ICUR) were descriptively analysed.

Results

Twenty-two studies were included. On average, exercise therapy was associated with lower costs and larger effects for quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) in comparison with usual care for subacute and chronic low back pain from a healthcare perspective (based on ICUR). Exercise therapy had similar costs and effect for QALY in comparison with other interventions for neck pain from a societal perspective, and subacute and chronic low back pain from a healthcare perspective. There was limited or inconsistent evidence on the cost-effectiveness of exercise therapy compared with usual care for neck pain and acute low back pain, other interventions for acute low back pain and different types of exercise therapy for neck pain and low back pain.

Conclusions

Exercise therapy seems to be cost-effective compared with usual care for subacute and chronic low back pain. Exercise therapy was not (more) cost-effective compared with other interventions for neck pain and low back pain. The cost-utility estimates are rather uncertain, indicating that more economic evaluations are needed.

Registration

PROSPERO, CRD42017059025.
Parents’ uptake of human papillomavirus vaccines for their children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Newman Peter A , Logie Carmen H , Lacombe-Duncan Ashley , Baiden Philip , Tepjan Suchon , Rubincam Clara , Doukas Nick , Asey Farid
Published: April 2018

Objective

To examine factors associated with parents’ uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines for their children.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Cochrane Library, AIDSLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Social Sciences Abstracts, Ovid MEDLINE, Scholars Portal, Social Sciences Citation Index and Dissertation Abstracts International from inception through November 2017.

Methods

We included studies that sampled parents and assessed uptake of HPV vaccines for their children (≤18 years) and/or sociodemographics, knowledge, attitudes or other factors associated with uptake. Study risk of bias was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. We pooled data using random-effects meta-analysis and conducted moderation analyses to examine variance in uptake by sex of child and parent.

Results

Seventy-nine studies on 840 838 parents across 15 countries were included. The pooled proportion of parents’ uptake of HPV vaccines for their children was 41.5% (range: 0.7%–92.8%), twofold higher for girls (46.5%) than for boys (20.3%). In the meta-analysis of 62 studies, physician recommendation (r=0.46 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.56)) had the greatest influence on parents’ uptake, followed by HPV vaccine safety concerns (r=−0.31 (95% CI −0.41 to −0.16)), routine child preventive check-up, past 12 months (r=0.22 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.33)) and parents’ belief in vaccines (r=0.19 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.29)). Health insurance-covered HPV vaccination (r=0.16 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.29)) and lower out-of-pocket cost (r=−0.15 (95% CI −0.22 to −0.07)) had significant effects on uptake. We found significant moderator effects for sex of child.

Conclusions

Findings indicate suboptimal levels of HPV vaccine uptake, twofold lower among boys, that may be improved by increasing physician recommendations, addressing parental safety concerns and promoting parents’ positive beliefs about vaccines, in addition to expanding insurance coverage and reducing out-of-pocket costs. Limitations of this meta-analysis include the lack of intervention studies and high risk of bias in most studies reviewed. Further studies should disaggregate HPV vaccine uptake by sex of child and parent.
Development and evaluation of an algorithm-based tool for Medication Management in nursing homes: the AMBER study protocol
Authors: Erzkamp Susanne , Rose Olaf
Published: April 2018

Background

Residents of nursing homes are susceptible to risks from medication. Medication Reviews (MR) can increase clinical outcomes and the quality of medication therapy. Limited resources and barriers between healthcare practitioners are potential obstructions to performing MR in nursing homes. Focusing on frequent and relevant problems can support pharmacists in the provision of pharmaceutical care services. This study aims to develop and evaluate an algorithm-based tool that facilitates the provision of Medication Management in clinical practice.

Methods and analysis

This study is subdivided into three phases. In phase I, semistructured interviews with healthcare practitioners and patients will be performed, and a mixed methods approach will be chosen. Qualitative content analysis and the rating of the aspects concerning the frequency and relevance of problems in the medication process in nursing homes will be performed. In phase II, a systematic review of the current literature on problems and interventions will be conducted. The findings will be narratively presented. The results of both phases will be combined to develop an algorithm for MRs. For further refinement of the aspects detected, a Delphi survey will be conducted. In conclusion, a tool for clinical practice will be created. In phase III, the tool will be tested on MRs in nursing homes. In addition, effectiveness, acceptance, feasibility and reproducibility will be assessed. The primary outcome of phase III will be the reduction of drug-related problems (DRPs), which will be detected using the tool. The secondary outcomes will be the proportion of DRPs, the acceptance of pharmaceutical recommendations and the expenditure of time using the tool and inter-rater reliability.

Ethics and dissemination

This study intervention is approved by the local Ethics Committee. The findings of the study will be presented at national and international scientific conferences and will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

DRKS00010995.
Purpose in life and tobacco use among community-dwelling mothers of early adolescents
Authors: Morimoto Yuko , Yamasaki Syudo , Ando Shuntaro , Koike Shinsuke , Fujikawa Shinya , Kanata Sho , Endo Kaori , Nakanishi Miharu , Hatch Stephani L , Richards Marcus , Kasai Kiyoto , Hiraiwa-Hasegawa Mariko , Nishida Atsushi
Published: April 2018

Objectives

The rising prevalence of tobacco use and tobacco-attributable deaths among women is of worldwide concern. In particular, smoking prevention for mothers in early midlife is a significant international public health goal. A higher sense of purpose in life (PIL) is thought to reduce detrimental health behaviours. However, little is known about the association between a sense of PIL and tobacco use. This study investigates this association among community-dwelling mothers of early adolescents.

Design

This population-based cross-sectional study uses a self-reported questionnaire from the Tokyo Early Adolescence Survey, a large community-based survey conducted in Japan between 2012 and 2015.

Setting

Participants were randomly recruited from the resident registries of three municipalities in Tokyo, Japan.

Participants

A total of 4478 children and their primary parents participated. Responses from 4063 mothers with no missing data were analysed (mean age=42.0 years (SD=4.2)).

Measures

Participants’ tobacco use, including the number of cigarettes smoked per day, was documented using a questionnaire. PIL was assessed using a Purpose in Life scale derived from Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale.

Results

Greater PIL was associated with a decreased likelihood of tobacco use, even when adjusted for confounders (OR=0.80, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.91). Multinomial logistic regression analyses revealed that PIL was inversely associated with tobacco consumption among mothers. These associations remained after controlling for psychological distress, socioeconomic factors and frequency of alcohol consumption among moderate to heavy smokers (OR=0.70, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.86), while attenuated among light smokers.

Conclusions

Increasing PIL may be a valuable intervention for reducing tobacco use among women in early midlife. This study can contribute to our understanding of the psychology of smoking behaviour and shed light on the targeted intervention to reduce tobacco use among early midlife mothers.
Detecting Risk Of Postural hypotension (DROP): derivation and validation of a prediction score for primary care
Authors: Clark Christopher Elles , Thomas Daniel , Warren Fiona C , Llewellyn David J , Ferrucci Luigi , Campbell John L
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Falls are a common problem in older people. Postural hypotension contributes to falls but is often asymptomatic. In the absence of symptoms, postural hypotension is only infrequently checked for in clinical practice. We undertook this study to derive, validate and explore the prospective associations of a prediction tool to identify people likely to have unrecognised postural hypotension.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional and prospective multivariable cohort analysis.

Participants

1317 participants of the Invecchiare in Chianti study, a population-based cohort representative of the older Italian population.

Primary outcome measures

Predictive value of score to suggest presence of postural hypotension.

Methods

Subjects were randomised 1:1 to derivation or validation cohorts. Within the derivation cohort, univariable associations for candidate predictors of postural hypotension were tested. Variables with p<0.1 entered multivariable linear regression models. Factors retaining multivariable significance were incorporated into unweighted and weighted Detecting Risk Of Postural hypotension (DROP) scores. These scores were tested in the validation cohort against prediction of postural hypotension, cognitive decline and mortality over 9 years of follow-up.

Results

Postural hypotension was present in 203 (15.4%) of participants. Factors predicting postural hypotension were: digoxin use, Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, stroke or cardiovascular disease and an interarm systolic blood pressure difference. Area under the curve was consistent at 0.65 for all models, with significant ORs of 1.8 to 2.4 per unit increase in score for predicting postural hypotension. For a DROP score ≥1, five cases need to be tested to identify one with postural hypotension.

Increasing DROP scores predicted mortality (OR 1.8 to 2.8 per unit rise) and increasing rates of decline of Mini Mental State Examination score (analysis of variance p<0.001) over 9 years of follow-up.

Conclusions

The DROP score provides a simple method to identify people likely to have postural hypotension and increased risks to health who require further evaluation.
Protocol for a phase III, non-inferiority, randomised comparison of a new fibrinogen concentrate versus cryoprecipitate for treating acquired hypofibrinogenaemia in bleeding cardiac surgical patients: the FIBRES trial
Authors: Karkouti Keyvan , Callum Jeannie , Rao Vivek , Heddle Nancy , Farkouh Michael E , Crowther Mark A , Scales Damon C
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Coagulopathic bleeding is a serious complication of cardiac surgery to which an important contributor is acquired hypofibrinogenaemia (plasma fibrinogen <1.5–2.0 g/L). The standard intervention for acquired hypofibrinogenaemia is cryoprecipitate, but purified fibrinogen concentrates are also available. There is little comparative data between the two therapies and randomised trials are needed.

Methods and analysis

FIBrinogen REplenishment in Surgery (FIBRES) is a multicentre, randomised (1:1), active-control, single-blinded, phase III trial in adult cardiac surgical patients experiencing clinically significant bleeding related to acquired hypofibrinogenaemia. The primary objective is to demonstrate that fibrinogen concentrate (Octafibrin/Fibryga; Octapharma) is non-inferior to cryoprecipitate. All patients for whom fibrinogen supplementation is ordered by the clinical team within 24 hours of cardiopulmonary bypass will receive 4 g of fibrinogen concentrate or 10 units of cryoprecipitate (dose-equivalent to 4 g), based on random allocation and deferred consent. The primary outcome is total red cell, platelet and plasma transfusions administered within 24 hours of bypass. Secondary outcomes include major bleeding, fibrinogen levels and adverse events within 28 days. Enrolment of 1200 patients will provide >90% power to demonstrate non-inferiority. One preplanned interim analysis will include 600 patients. The pragmatic design and treatment algorithm align with standard practice, aiding adherence and generalisability.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the local research ethics board and will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, Good Clinical Practice guidelines and regulatory requirements. Patient consent prior to treatment is waived, as per criteria in the Tri-Council Policy Statement. Results will be published in the scientific/medical literature, and at international congresses. Non-inferiority of purified fibrinogen concentrate would support its use in acquired hypofibrinogenaemia. The results are likely to improve care for cardiac surgical patients experiencing significant bleeding, an understudied yet high-risk population.

Trial registration number

NCT03037424; Pre-results.
Measurement properties of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) family of measures: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Harris Meredith G , Sparti Claudia , Scheurer Roman , Coombs Tim , Pirkis Jane , Ruud Torleif , Kisely Steve , Hanssen-Bauer Ketil , Siqveland Johan , Burgess Philip M
Published: April 2018

Introduction

The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) for adults, and equivalent measures for children and adolescents and older people, are widely used in clinical practice and research contexts to measure mental health and functional outcomes. Additional HoNOS measures have been developed for special populations and applications. Stakeholders require synthesised information about the measurement properties of these measures to assess whether they are fit for use with intended service settings and populations and to establish performance benchmarks. This planned systematic review will critically appraise evidence on the measurement properties of the HoNOS family of measures.

Methods and analysis

Journal articles meeting inclusion criteria will be identified via a search of seven electronic databases: MEDLINE via EBSCOhost, PsycINFO via APA PsycNET, Embase via Elsevier, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature via EBSCOhost, Web of Science via Thomson Reuters, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library. Variants of ‘Health of the Nation Outcome Scales’ or ‘HoNOS’ will be searched as text words. No restrictions will be placed on setting or language of publication. Reference lists of relevant studies and reviews will be scanned for additional eligible studies. Appraisal of reliability, validity, responsiveness and interpretability will be guided by the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments checklist. Feasibility/utility will be appraised using definitions and criteria derived from previous reviews. For reliability studies, we will also apply the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies to assess quality of reporting. Results will be synthesised narratively, separately for each measure, and by subgroup (eg, treatment setting, rater profession/experience or training) where possible. Meta-analyses will be undertaken where data are adequate.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required as no primary data will be collected. Outcomes will be disseminated to stakeholders via reports, journal articles and presentations at meetings and conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017057871.
Improving medication reconciliation at hospital admission, discharge and ambulatory care through a transition of care team
Authors: Kreckman John , Wasey Waiz , Wise Sharron , Stevens Tammy , Millburg Lance , Jaeger Cassie
Published: April 2018

Medication reconciliation is an important component to the care of hospitalised patients and their safe transition to the ambulatory setting. In our Family Medicine Hospitalist Service, patient care is frequently transferred between the various physicians, residents, nurses and eventually to a separate group of providers who provide ambulatory management. Due to frequent transitions of care, there was no clear ownership of the medication reconciliation process. To improve the medication reconciliation process, a Transition of Care Team composed of registered nurses was created to oversee the entire reconciliation process. The team engaged the patient and their family, when needed, contacted patients’ pharmacies and their providers, reconciled the patients’ hospital medication list with the ambulatory list at hospital admission and within 24 hours of discharge, and attended the hospital follow-up visit to verify medications and provide continuity of care. Implementation of the team allowed for additional investigative resources, redundancy in preventing errors and early recovery should an error occur. The percent of medications with error after implementation of the Transition of Care Team was reduced from 131/386 (33.9%) to 147/787 (18.7%) at hospital admission, 81/354 (22.9%) to 42/834 (5.0%) at discharge and 43/337 (12.8%) to 6/809 (0.7%) at follow-up visit (two proportion tests, p<0.001). In addition, the percent of charts without any errors improved at hospital discharge from 8/31 (25.8%) to 46/70 (65.7%) and at hospital follow-up visit from 16/31 (51.6%) to 64/70 (91.4%) (two-proportion test, p<0.001). Previously viewed as three separate reconciliations occurring at admission, discharge and hospital follow-up, the approach to medication reconciliation was reframed as a continuous process occurring throughout the hospitalisation and hospital follow-up resulting in improved reconciliation accuracy and safer transitions to the ambulatory setting.
Associations between diagnostic pathways and care experience in colorectal cancer: evidence from patient-reported data
Authors: Salika Theodosia , Abel Gary A , Mendonca Silvia C , von Wagner Christian , Renzi Cristina , Herbert Annie , McPhail Sean , Lyratzopoulos Georgios
Published: April 2018

Objective

To examine how different pathways to diagnosis of colorectal cancer may be associated with the experience of subsequent care.

Design

Patient survey linked to information on diagnostic route.

English patients with colorectal cancer (analysis sample n=6837) who responded to a patient survey soon after their hospital treatment.

Main outcome measures

Odds Ratios and adjusted proportions of negative evaluation of key aspects of care for colorectal cancer, including the experience of shared decision-making about treatment, specialist nursing and care coordination, by diagnostic route (ie, screening detection, emergency presentation, urgent and elective general practitioner referral).

Results

For 14 of 18 questions, there was evidence (p≤0.02) for variation in patient experience by diagnostic route, with 6–31 percentage point differences between routes in adjusted proportions of negative experience. Emergency presenters were more likely to report a negative experience for most questions, including those about adequacy of information about their diagnosis and sufficient explanation before operations. Screen-detected patients were least likely to report negative experiences except for support from primary care. Patients diagnosed through elective primary care referrals were most likely to report worse experience for questions for which overall variation by route was generally small.

Conclusions

Screening-detected patients tend to report the best and emergency presenters the worst experience of subsequent care. Improvement efforts can target care integration for screening-detected patients and provision of information about the diagnosis and treatment of emergency presenters.
Reliability estimation of public bus routes: Applicability of multivariate adaptive regression splines approach
Authors: Özuysal Mustafa , Çalişkanelli̇ S. Pelin
Published: April 2018

The performance of public bus lines is generally evaluated by comparing demand and ridership. However, reliability gain or loss by a proposed bus route should also be considered in the decision-making process to ensure a service that is preferable for users and operable for providers. In this study, it is aimed to provide a tool for predicting the reliability of a proposed bus route by considering route layout and traffic conditions. Travel time based reliability is predicted by using a novel nonparametric method, multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). Some critical thresholds of route layout parameters that should be considered for higher reliability are found. It is concluded that route lengths longer than 10 km, and number of intersections over 22 considerably decrease whole day based reliability. For peak hour based reliability, the types and numbers of intersections are found to be more efficient than the ones in whole day based model and a reliability regulator impact of roundabout numbers under nine is observed.
Large mothers, but not large fathers, influence offspring number in a caridean shrimp
Authors: Sganga D.E. , Tropea C. , Valdora M. , Statti M.F. , López Greco L.S.
Published: April 2018

The relationship between parental mass and female reproductive output, as well as offspring quality, was studied in the red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi (Bouvier, 1904)) under controlled laboratory conditions. Adult males and females of the same age were paired combining different shrimp masses. The number of hatched juveniles from large females was higher than that from small ones, but no influence of paternal mass was detected on this variable. Both the mass of newly hatched juveniles and their growth increment during a 60-day period were similar for all parental masses. Shrimps reached sexual maturity at the end of the growth period in all treatments, and their biochemical reserves (glycogen, lipid, and protein concentrations) were not associated with maternal and paternal masses. However, lipid concentration was higher in female offspring than in male offspring. The present results show that, unlike maternal mass, paternal mass had no effect on female reproductive output and offspring quality, suggesting that the contribution of males to offspring development was adequate regardless of male size.
Exploring Energy Landscapes
Authors: Wales David J.
Published: April 2018

Recent advances in the potential energy landscapes approach are highlighted, including both theoretical and computational contributions. Treating the high dimensionality of molecular and condensed matter systems of contemporary interest is important for understanding how emergent properties are encoded in the landscape and for calculating these properties while faithfully representing barriers between different morphologies. The pathways characterized in full dimensionality, which are used to construct kinetic transition networks, may prove useful in guiding such calculations. The energy landscape perspective has also produced new procedures for structure prediction and analysis of thermodynamic properties. Basin-hopping global optimization, with alternative acceptance criteria and generalizations to multiple metric spaces, has been used to treat systems ranging from biomolecules to nanoalloy clusters and condensed matter. This review also illustrates how all this methodology, developed in the context of chemical physics, can be transferred to landscapes defined by cost functions associated with machine learning.
Measuring Electric Fields in Biological Matter Using the Vibrational Stark Effect of Nitrile Probes
Authors: Slocum Joshua D. , Webb Lauren J.
Published: April 2018

Measurement of the electrostatic interactions that give rise to biological functions has been a longstanding challenge in biophysics. Advances in spectroscopic techniques over the past two decades have allowed for the direct measurement of electric fields in a wide variety of biological molecules and systems via the vibrational Stark effect (VSE). The frequency of the nitrile stretching oscillation has received much attention as an electric field reporter because of its sensitivity to electric fields and its occurrence in a relatively transparent region of the infrared spectrum. Despite these advantages and its wide use as a VSE probe, the nitrile stretching frequency is sensitive to hydrogen bonding in a way that complicates the straightforward relationship between measured frequency and environmental electric field. Here we highlight recent applications of nitrile VSE probes with an emphasis on experiments that have helped shape our understanding of the determinants of nitrile frequencies in both hydrogen bonding and nonhydrogen bonding environments.
Meeting report: IUPS and ADInstruments 2017 Teaching Workshop
Authors: Marcondes Fernanda Klein , Cardozo Lais Tono , Luchi Kelly Cristina Gaviao , Irfannuddin Muhammad , Karatzaferi Christina , Rocha Maria José , Carroll Robert G.
Published: April 2018

Every 4 yr, the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) Teaching Workshop is held as a traditional satellite event of the IUPS Congress. The 2017 satellite workshop was held August 5–8, 2017 in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The workshop provided an opportunity for discussion and experiences in physiology teaching for educators at various levels, graduate students, and undergraduate students. This report describes the workshop activities and reports the participants' perceptions of this event. For evaluation of perception, an anonymous questionnaire was sent by e-mail to all participants, addressing nine items: appropriate topics, time of activities, poster session, congress venue, registration fee, attention of the organizing committee before and during the event, social event, and food. Responses were ranked according to a five-point Likert scale. Of the 145 participants, 77 answered the questionnaire. The participants' perception was positive, noting in particular opportunities to share knowledge, space for reflection of teaching practice, contact networks for future, exchanges of experience, and collaborations in research in physiological education.
Ondansetron blocks wild-type and p.F503L variant small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels
Authors: Ko Jum-Suk , Guo Shuai , Hassel Jonathan , Celestino-Soper Patricia , Lynnes Ty C. , Tisdale James E. , Zheng James J. , Taylor Stanley E. , Foroud Tatiana , Murray Michael D. , Kovacs Richard J. , Li Xiaochun , Lin Shien-Fong , Chen Zhenhui , Vatta Matteo , Chen Peng-Sheng , Rubart Michael
Published: April 2018

Apamin-sensitive small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) current ( IKAS) is encoded by Ca2+-activated K+ channel subfamily N ( KCNN) genes. IKAS importantly contributes to cardiac repolarization in conditions associated with reduced repolarization reserve. To test the hypothesis that IKAS inhibition contributes to drug-induced long QT syndrome (diLQTS), we screened for KCNN variants among patients with diLQTS, determined the properties of heterologously expressed wild-type (WT) and variant KCNN channels, and determined if the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron blocks IKAS. We searched 2,306,335 records in the Indiana Network for Patient Care and found 11 patients with diLQTS who had DNA available in the Indiana Biobank. DNA sequencing discovered a heterozygous KCNN2 variant (p.F503L) in a 52-yr-old woman presenting with corrected QT interval prolongation at baseline (473 ms) and further corrected QT interval lengthening (601 ms) after oral administration of ondansetron. That patient was also heterozygous for the p.S38G and p.P2835S variants of the QT-controlling genes KCNE1 and ankyrin 2, respectively. Patch-clamp experiments revealed that the p.F503L KCNN2 variant heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells augmented Ca2+ sensitivity, increasing IKAS density. The fraction of total F503L-KCNN2 protein retained in the membrane was higher than that of WT KCNN2 protein. Ondansetron at nanomolar concentrations inhibited WT and p.F503L SK2 channels expressed in HEK-293 cells as well as native SK channels in ventricular cardiomyocytes. Ondansetron-induced IKAS inhibition was also demonstrated in Langendorff-perfused murine hearts. In conclusion, the heterozygous p.F503L KCNN2 variant increases Ca2+ sensitivity and IKAS density in transfected HEK-293 cells. Ondansetron at therapeutic (i.e., nanomolar) concentrations is a potent IKAS blocker.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We showed that ondansetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, blocks small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) current. Ondansetron may be useful in controlling arrhythmias in which increased SK current is a likely contributor. However, its SK-blocking effects may also facilitate the development of drug-induced long QT syndrome.
LncRNA HOTAIR is a Prognostic Biomarker for the Proliferation and Chemoresistance of Colorectal Cancer via MiR-203a-3p-Mediated Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Xiao Zhigang , Qu Zhan , Chen Zhikang , Fang Zhixue , Zhou Ke , Huang Zhongcheng , Guo Xiong , Zhang Yang
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) plays a vital role in carcinogenesis. However, its functional and regulatory roles remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate its biological function and clinical significance in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: We examined the expression levels of lncRNA HOTAIR and miR-203a-3p in CRC tissues and CRC cell lines by qRT-PCR. Gain and loss-of-function assays were performed to examine the effects of HOTAIR and miR-203a-3p on the proliferation and chemoresistance of CRC cells. The possible mechanisms of HOTAIR were also explored by fluorescence reporter assay and Western blot. Results: The expressions of HOTAIR were upregulated in CRC tissue tissues compared to adjacent control tissues. We also found HOTAIR was downregulated by miR-203a-3p in CRC cell lines. Both HOTAIR knockdown and miR-203a-3p overexpression in CRC cell lines led to inhibited cell proliferation and reduced chemoresistance. We also determined that β-catenin and GRG5 were inhibitory targets of miR-203a-3p, and that Wnt/β-catenin signaling was inhibited by both HOTAIR knockdown and miR-203a-3p overexpression. Significantly, we found that increased expression of miR-203a-3p is essential for cell proliferation repression, chemoresistance reduction, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibition induced by HOTAIR knockdown. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the lncRNA HOTAIR could regulate the progression and chemoresistance of CRC via modulating the expression levels of miR-203a-3p and the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Ethnic Diversity and Access to Healthcare from a Human Rights Perspective: The Case of the Roma in Europe
Authors: Alexiadou Elisavet Athanasia
Published: April 2018

Roma, the largest and oldest ethnic group in Europe, systematically encounter difficulties in healthcare settings, while they are often exposed to high levels of poverty and social exclusion, adversely affecting their health and well-being. In light of this disturbing situation, this paper sets out to examine Roma access to healthcare in Europe from a human rights perspective. This will be followed by an assessment of the status of the Roma right to health (care) within a particular national reality (resource constraints and rising health inequalities). In fact, this case study tends to serve as a piece of discussion about issues relating to Roma access to healthcare, many of which exist (to some extent) in every country across Europe. Finally, practical recommendations are proposed as a way for remedying human rights abuses against Roma in healthcare settings and ultimately, for effectively realizing the Roma right to health (care).
A new species of Catolesia (Asteraceae, Eupatorieae) from Chapada Diamantina, Brazil
Authors: ROQUE NÁDIA , FERREIRA SILVANA C. , AMORIM VIVIAN O. , VAN DEN BERG CÁSSIO
Published: April 2018

Eupatorieae (Asteraceae) is the largest tribe of the Phytomelanic Fruit Clade, mostly restricted to the western hemisphere. Phylogenetic studies in Eupatorieae recovered some clades endemic to the Brazilian rocky fields. In one of these clades Catolesia is composed up to now by only two species, C. mentiens and C. huperzioides and it is distinguished by characters such as sessile leaves, capitulescence or heads surrounded by leafy-bracts, convex to conical, paleaceous receptacle, and pappus absent. In this study, we propose a new species of Catolesia, C. monocephala, characterized by the pedunculate and solitary capitula at the apex of the branches, aciculate leaf laminae, conical, paleaceous receptacle, paleae 60–70, spatulate, apex acute, and 60–100 flowers per head. The new species is endemic to the rocky fields vegetation from Esbarrancado mountain in the Mucugê and Palmeira municipalities, in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil.
A new species of Onobrychis sect. Onobrychis (Fabaceae) from Iran
Authors: RANJBAR MASSOUD , ASKARI ALI , KARAMIAN ROYA , JOHARCHI MOHMAD REZA , TOLUI ZEINAB
Published: April 2018

Onobrychis farimanensis is described as a new species and an identification key, illustrations and distribution map provided. The new species is restricted to the north Zharf Mountains between Fariman and Torbat-e Heydarieh, in the Khorasan Razavi Province of Iran. It is a perennial herb, becoming woody at the base and has long wing petals, standard as long as the keel, and pods loosely covered by appressed hairs. The new species differs from morphologically similar taxa, O. alamutensis and O. major, in several morphological characters such as plant height, stem indumentum, leaflet length and indumentum, bract length, calyx length, corolla colour, and pod size and shape.
New synonyms for Brazilian Sphagnaceae, Subgenus Acutifolia (Bryophyta)
Authors: COSTA DENISE PINHEIRO DA
Published: April 2018

A taxonomic review is currently underway to help resolve some taxonomic problems concerning the Sphagnaceae of Brazil. As part of that effort, six new synonyms are treated in the present work for the subgenus Acutifolia. A key is presented for all the Brazilian species of the subgenus Acutifolia, as well as, descriptions and illustrations.
Objective Characterization of Rain Microphysics: Validating a Scheme Suitable for Weather and Climate Models
Authors: Tapiador F. J. , Berne A. , Raupach T. , Navarro A. , Lee G. , Haddad Z. S.
Published: April 2018

Improving the atmospheric component of hydrological models is beneficial for applications such as water resources assessment and hydropower operations. Within this goal, precise characterization of rain microphysics is key for climate and weather modeling, and thus for hydrometeorological applications. Such characterization can be achieved by analyzing the evolution in time of the particle size distribution (PSD) of hydrometeors, which can be measured at ground using disdrometers for validation. The estimation, however, depends on the choice of the PSD form (the shape) and on the parameters to define the exact shape. In the case of modeling rain microphysics, two approaches compete: the use of the number concentration of drops decoupled from the shape of the distribution (the [NT, E(D), E(D2)] and the {NT, E(D), E[log(D)]} models), and the (N0, Λ, μ) model that embeds in N0 both the shape of the distribution and the number concentration of drops. Here we use a comprehensive dataset of disdrometer measurements to show that the NT-based approaches allow a more precise characterization of the drop size distribution (DSD) and also a physically based modeling of the microphysical processes of rain since NT is analytically independent of the shape of the DSD {parameterized by E(D), and E(D2) or E[log(D)]}. The implication is that numerical models would benefit from decoupling the number of drops from the shape of distribution in their modules of precipitation microphysics in order to improve outputs that eventually feed hydrological models.
Subseasonal Forecasting with an Icosahedral, Vertically Quasi-Lagrangian Coupled Model. Part II: Probabilistic and Deterministic Forecast Skill
Authors: Sun Shan , Green Benjamin W. , Bleck Rainer , Benjamin Stanley G.
Published: April 2018

Subseasonal forecast skill of the global hydrostatic atmospheric Flow-Following Icosahedral Model (FIM) coupled to an icosahedral-grid version of the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (iHYCOM) is evaluated through 32-day predictions initialized weekly using a four-member time-lagged ensemble over the 16-yr period 1999–2014. Systematic biases in forecasts by the coupled system, referred to as FIM–iHYCOM, are described in a companion paper (Part I). This present study (Part II) assesses probabilistic and deterministic model skill for predictions of surface temperature, precipitation, and 500-hPa geopotential height in different seasons at different lead times ranging from 1 to 4 weeks. The coupled model appears to have reasonable agreement with reanalysis in terms of simulated weekly variability in sea surface temperatures, except in extratropical regions because the ocean model cannot explicitly resolve eddies there. This study also describes the ability of the model to simulate midlatitude tropospheric blocking frequency, Madden–Julian oscillation patterns, and sudden stratospheric warming events—all of which have been shown to be relevant on subseasonal time scales. The metrics used here indicate that the subseasonal forecast skill of the model is comparable to that of several operational models, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) operational Climate Forecast System version 2 and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts model. Therefore, FIM–iHYCOM—as a participant in NOAA’s Subseasonal Experiment—is expected to add value to multimodel ensemble forecasts produced through this effort.
Symptoms of prolonged grief and posttraumatic stress following loss: A latent class analysis
Authors: Maccallum Fiona , Bryant Richard A
Published: April 2018

Objective:

Individuals vary in how they respond to bereavement. Those who experience poor bereavement outcomes often report symptoms from more than one diagnostic category. This study sought to identify groups of individuals who share similar patterns of prolonged grief disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms to determine whether these profiles are differentially related to negative appraisals thought to contribute to prolonged grief disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology.

Methods:

Participants were 185 bereaved adults. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of individuals who showed similar patterns of co-occurrence of prolonged grief disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Multinomial regression was used to examine the extent to which appraisal domains and sociodemographic and loss factors predicted class membership.

Results:

Latent class analysis revealed three classes of participants: a low symptom group, a high prolonged grief disorder symptom group, and a high prolonged grief disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom group. Membership of the prolonged grief disorder group and prolonged grief disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder group was predicted by higher mean negative self-related appraisals. Demographic and loss-related factors did not predict group membership.

Conclusion:

These findings have implications for understanding co-occurrence of prolonged grief disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms following bereavement. Findings are consistent with theoretical models highlighting the importance of negative self-related beliefs in prolonged grief disorder.
Employer and employer association matters in Australia in 2017
Authors: Barry Michael , You Kevin
Published: April 2018

Employers saw some progress in their favour in 2017, including the Fair Work Commission's decision to cut penalty rates in various retail and hospitality awards, and the introduction of legislation to repeal the 4-yearly awards review process. But in spite of these advances, progress on their desired wholesale reform of Australia's industrial relations system had taken a back seat. Much of employer activity had been directed at fending off unions' claims for changes, such as the automatic conversion of casuals to permanent employment, paid domestic violence leave and for a high increase to the nominal minimum wage. Employers' defensive stance on the aforementioned matters was in contrast to the unions' more forceful positioning. Consequently, we argue that in 2017, as in the past few years, employers' remained frustrated at a lack of progress in reforming industrial relations in their favour.
The Australian labour market in 2017
Authors: Oliver Damian , Yu Serena
Published: April 2018

Low wage growth consistently featured as the main underlying characteristic of the Australian labour market in 2017. Overall economic conditions remained weak, although unemployment was fairly static. All indicators of average wage growth declined: average weekly earnings, the wage price index and the average annual wage increase in enterprise agreements. Collective bargaining coverage continued to decline. Although the 3.3% minimum wage increase represents a modest increase in real wages for low-paid workers, the Fair Work Commission decision to reduce Sunday and public holiday penalty rates for some award-reliant workers would put further downward pressure on workers’ incomes. There were more successful applications to terminate expired enterprise agreements, including those where wage rates were thought to be uncompetitive and unsustainable. The underlying causes of low wage growth remain contested. Despite some agreement that the regulatory framework is a contributing factor, firm proposals for regulatory change are yet to emerge.
Factors influencing intensification of dairy production systems in Ethiopia
Authors: Didanna Habtamu L , Wossen Ashenafi Mengistu , Worako Tadesse Kuma , Shano Berhanu Kuma
Published: April 2018

Little is known of how dairy intensification driven by socioeconomic issues and dairy development efforts works as well as the challenges of changing production systems in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. A study was carried out to analyze factors determining intensification of dairy production systems and the present status of market-oriented smallholder dairy operations in Ethiopia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 200 dairy farmers. The results revealed that 77% of respondents reared improved/crossbred dairy cows, 53.5% acquired good manure management besides crossbreeding, and 44% of the sampled rural households were involved in cultivating improved forage crops and crossbreeding practices. The binary logistic regression model output showed that herd size, farmland size, dairy training, and cooperative membership had significant effects on cultivating improved forages. Dairy production system, dairying experience, and herd size were significantly associated with rearing only crossbred dairy cows. Farmland size, dairy system, and awareness of manure handling were significantly associated with practicing good manure management. Further analysis of the extent of intensification indicated that mean daily milk yield per cow and household milk market share were significantly related to crossbreeding and manure management practices in combination. Thus, production systems–based dairy breeding and manure management, related input supply, and alternative formal marketing options are the key attributes of the intensification and improved productivity of smallholder dairy production that need to be considered while designing policy and intervention.