bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are there any solutions for improving the cleft area hygiene in patients with cleft lip and palate? A systematic review
Authors: Rodrigues Rita , Fernandes Maria Helena , Bessa Monteiro António , Furfuro Rowney , Carvalho Silva Cátia , Vardasca Ricardo , Mendes Joaquim , Manso Maria Conceição
Published: January 2019

Objective

Children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) present high incidence of oral health problems, namely those associated with the accumulation of dental plaque. The objective of this systematic review was to verify if there is any solution to improve the hygiene of the cleft area.

Materials and methods

A structured systematic review was performed based on articles published in several electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus in the last 20 years. The MeSH terms used were cleft lip, palate, harelip, oral hygiene and toothbrush.

Results

From 270 potentially relevant articles, 39 articles were selected, corresponding to a total of 3226 CLP patients and 914 matched controls. The selected studies exhibited great heterogeneity regarding the type of the study, study population (average range 0 ‐49 years old; sampling sizes 15‐400 CLP patients), evaluation periods, reported variables and oral hygiene routines. Consensual outcomes were the presence of high plaque indexes, high prevalence of dental caries and worse oral hygiene patterns in CLP patients. Additionally, poor education in oral health and low motivation to integrate regular hygiene routines in the daily family life were also evident.

Conclusion

There is a clear need to improve the oral hygiene care of CLP children, but few studies were focused on specific preventive approaches. Development of devices especially designed to the hygiene of the cleft area and implementation of standardized prevention and control programmes targeting education, motivation and compliance would contribute to improve oral health in CLP children.
Bovine teeth can reliably substitute human dentine in an intra‐tooth push‐out bond strength model?
Authors: Silva E. J. N. L. , Carvalho N. K. , Prado M. C. , Senna P. M. , Souza E. M. , De‐Deus G.
Published: January 2019

Aim

To investigate the reliability of using bovine teeth as an alternative to human teeth in an intra‐tooth push‐out model by comparing the bond strength of three root canal sealers in both tooth substrates.

Methodology

From human and bovine incisors (12 per group), one 1‐mm disc was obtained from each root. On each disc, three standard 0.8‐mm‐diameter holes were drilled through the dentine. After irrigation, the holes were filled with one of three root canal sealers: AH Plus, MTA Fillapex or Total Fill BC Sealer. Tooth slices were kept in contact with sterile gauze moistened in PBS solution (pH = 7.2) for 7 days at 37 °C, and finally, a push‐out load was applied until sealer dislocation. The bonded interface area was calculated to obtain data in MPa. The push‐out data for each sealer and the overall push‐out data for human and bovine teeth were compared (Mann–Whitney U). Kruskal–Wallis was used to study the sealers behaviour at each of the dental substrates. Multiple comparisons were performed using Mann–Whitney U after Bonferroni correction (P < 0.05).

Results

Dentine substrate did not influence the push‐out of either individual sealers or overall sealers tested (Mann–Whitney U, P > 0.05). In both human and bovine samples, AH Plus performed better than BC Sealer and MTA Fillapex, whilst BC Sealer also provided a superior push‐out compared to MTA Fillapex (Mann–Whitney U, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

When using an intra‐tooth model, bovine teeth did not significantly influence the bond strength of sealers.
Organ‐specific binding system for β‐galactosidase in the male reproductive tract
Authors: GRIMALT P. , BARBIERI M. A. , SOSA M. A. , BERTINI F.
Published: January 2019

This study reports on the binding of β‐galactosidase obtained from different organs of the rat urogenital tract to membranes of these organs. Homologous and cross binding saturation assays indicated that: (1) high‐affinity sites that recognize fructose‐6‐phosphate derivates (FPR) are present in spermatozoa from the rete testis, epididymal membranes and testes, although the latter may reflect binding to testicular spermatozoa; (2) the membranes of the other organs studied do not have FPR; (3) the FPR of the epididymis does not recognize enzymes purified from other organs of the reproductive tract. These results suggest that the FPR‐binding system belongs to a peculiar transport route that permits maturing spermatozoa to acquire hydrolytic enzymes secreted by the epididymal epithelium. In the epididymis and seminal vesicles more than 50% of the enzymatic activity of β‐galactosidase was recovered in cytosol, suggesting that the enzyme is located mainly in the secretory fluid of these organs.
Characterization of β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase from human epididymis
Authors: MIRANDA P. V. , BRANDELLI A. , TEZÓN J. G.
Published: January 2019

β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity in human epididymal fluid was separated into two forms (I and II) after HPLC‐hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Both forms exhibited maximal activity at a pH of around 4.5 and had a molecular weight of 125 kD when determined by Superose‐HPLC. After incubation at 50°C, form I retained only 30% of its activity while form II retained 90% activity. When analysed by non‐denaturing electrophoresis, form I displayed higher electrophoretic mobility than did form II. These features indicate that the I and II isoforms found in the human epididymis are the A and B forms present in other tissues. NAG activity was measured in the fluid obtained form the different epididymal regions of 13 different samples. An average four‐fold increase in activity between the proximal caput and distal corpus was found. The contribution of each isoform to the total activity was studied. The proximal caput found to be rich in the A isoform (59%), whereas the B form was predominant in the distal corpus (65%). Human spermatozoa contain membrane‐associated NAG activity with an isoform distribution similar to that found in cauda epididymal fluid (CEP, 80% B). Finally, enzyme activity in CEP was two‐fold greater than in seminal plasma. Taken together these results suggest that NAG may become associated with human spermatozoa during epididymal transit.
Outcomes and influential factors applying flipped learning methods in a clinical adult nursing practicum
Authors: Cho Mi‐Kyoung , Kim Mi Young
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and influential factors using flipped learning methods on the education of nursing students in clinical nursing practicums in Korea.

Methods

This study used a nonequivalent comparison group pretest‐posttest design to determine the outcomes and influential factors within flipped learning methods in two forms (flipped‐mastery classroom model and flipped‐mastery practicum model) in clinical practicum nursing education. Flipped learning was applied in two groups (using the flipped‐mastery classroom model and the flipped‐mastery practicum model) to 80 nursing students in E university in Gyeonggi‐do. Teacher‐student interactions, self‐directed learning readiness, clinical practicum stress, confidence in performing core skills, and flipped learning were studied to investigate learner motivation and learner satisfaction.

Results

Teacher‐student interactions were significantly greater in the flipped‐mastery classroom model group both before and after the intervention. Self‐directed learning readiness decreased in both groups after the intervention but less so in the flipped‐mastery classroom model group. The common factor influencing learner motivation in both the flipped‐mastery classroom model and flipped‐mastery practicum model groups was learner satisfaction, while teacher‐student interactions were also influential in the flipped‐mastery classroom model group. Learner motivation influenced learner satisfaction in both groups, while self‐directed learning readiness and clinical practicum self‐confidence influenced the flipped‐mastery practicum model group.

Conclusions

Flipped learning was found to be effective in clinical practicums. Strategies for the efficient application of flipped learning need to be developed and applied.
Explaining variation in the social performance of lean production: a comparative case study of the role played by workplace unions' framing of the system and institutions
Authors: Signoretti Andrea
Published: January 2019

Several studies have acknowledged that lean production is implemented in diverse ways across workplaces, thereby generating different outcomes for workers. However, explanations for this variability needs further development. The present article addresses this issue by considering the role played by workplace unions' framing of lean production. It finds that unions' framing is derived from their identities in interaction with available resources in institutional and organisational terms. A case study comparison of the automotive parts industry in Italy and the United States was conducted.
The biomechanical protective effects of a treatment dressing on the soft tissues surrounding a non‐offloaded sacral pressure ulcer
Authors: Schwartz Dafna , Gefen Amit
Published: January 2019

Patients who are immobile endure prolonged bodyweight‐related compressive, tensional and shear loads at their body‐support contact areas that over time may lead to the onset of pressure ulcers (PUs). Approximately, one‐third of the common sacral PUs are severe and classified as category 3 or 4. If a PU has occurred, off‐loading is the basic, commonly accepted clinical intervention; however, in many situations, complete off‐loading of sacral PUs is not possible. Minimising the exposure of wounds and their surroundings to elevated mechanical loads is crucial for healing. Accordingly, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the biomechanical effects of the structural and mechanical properties of different treatment dressings on stresses in soft tissues surrounding a non‐offloaded sacral PU in a supine patient. Using a novel three‐dimensional anatomically realistic finite element modelling framework, we have compared performances of three dressing designs: (a) The Mepilex Border Sacrum (MBS) multilayer anisotropic silicone foam dressing (Mölnlycke Health Care), (b) an isotropic stiff dressing, and (c) an isotropic flexible dressing. Using our newly developed protective efficacy index (PEI) and aggravation index (AI) for assessing prophylactic and treatment dressings, we identified the anisotropic stiffness feature of the MBS dressing as a key design element.
Structure and photoluminescence properties of Ca0.99−xSrxAlSiN3:0.01Ce3+ solid solutions
Authors: Liu Xiaolang , Song Zhen , Zhang Shiyou , Xia Zhiguo , Liu Quanlin
Published: January 2019

Nitride phosphors of Ca0.99−xSrxAl1.01Si0.99N3:0.01Ce3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) were synthesized by conventional solid‐state method. XRD data analysis shows that all samples are single phase with CaAlSiN3‐type structure. Under blue or near‐ultraviolet (~400 nm) light excitation, the emission peak can be tuned largely from 615 to 568 nm by increasing Sr content, and the emission intensity is maximal at x = 0.8. With the Sr content increase, the emission band blue‐shifts due to the decreased crystal field splitting and the reduced centroid shift; while the thermal luminescence quenching resistance is almost unchanged. The quenching temperature (T50) is well above 500 K for all samples, which satisfies the requirement of commercial application. The quenching process is mainly attributed to the radiationless transitions by thermally activated crossover from the 5d excited state to 4f ground state in the configurational coordinate diagram. The luminescence properties show that the (Ca,Sr)AlSiN3:Ce3+ phosphors are very promising for use in blue and near‐ultraviolet light excited white‐light‐emitting diodes.
Crystallization kinetics for SiO2 formed during SiC fiber oxidation in steam
Authors: Hay Randall S.
Published: January 2019

The crystallization kinetics for SiO2 formed by oxidation of Hi‐Nicalon™‐S SiC fiber between 800 and 1600°C in Si(OH)4(g) saturated steam were determined. Glass SiO2 scale always formed first. Glass scale eventually crystallized to cristobalite, and during further oxidation the scale formed directly as cristobalite. Growth stress relaxed by viscous flow in SiO2 that formed as glass. Cristobalite formed by crystallization of this glass was relatively undeformed. In SiO2 that formed directly as cristobalite, growth stress relaxed by intense plastic deformation accompanied by dynamic recrystallization. There were therefore two layers in cristobalite scale: a heavily deformed inner layer and an undeformed outer layer. These layers were distinguished by TEM. SiO2 crystallization times were determined from the thicknesses of undeformed cristobalite and the SiC oxidation kinetics for glass scale formation. SiO2 crystallization kinetics were determined from the crystallization time distributions at different SiC oxidation temperatures in steam. For all temperatures the crystallization time growth exponent (n) was 1. There was a large decrease in crystallization rate between 1000 and 1100°C. Between 800 and 1000°C the activation energy (Q) for crystallization was 65 kJ/mol, between 1100 and 1500°C it was 110 kJ/mol, and at 1600°C it was ~500 kJ/mol. Analysis methods and results are discussed.
Instruments to assess mental health‐related stigma among health professionals and students in health sciences: A systematic psychometric review
Authors: Sastre‐Rus Meritxell , García‐Lorenzo Alejandro , Lluch‐Canut Maria‐Teresa , Tomás‐Sábado Joaquín , Zabaleta‐Del‐Olmo Edurne
Published: January 2019

Aim

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the instruments to assess the mental health‐related stigma among health professionals and students in health sciences.

Background

Evidence on the stigmatization by health professionals of people with mental health illness is increasingly compelling. Valid and reliable instruments are needed for the assessment of mental health‐related stigma and effectiveness of anti‐stigma interventions.

Design

Systematic psychometric review.

Data sources

MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL (via EBSCO), PsycINFO, Scopus, and Open Grey from their inception to August 2017. No limits were applied.

Review methods

We included studies on the development of a measurement instrument or on the evaluation of one or more of its measurement properties. The methodological quality of the included studies and quality of the measurement instruments identified were assessed using the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist.

Results

We included 25 studies involving 15 measurement instruments. The “Atributtion Questionnaire” (five studies) and the “Opening Minds Scale for Health Care providers (OMS‐HC)” (four studies) were the most investigated instruments. Internal consistency, content validity, structural validity, and hypothesis testing were the measurement properties most commonly evaluated. Measurement error and responsiveness were investigated in only two studies. Eight psychometric properties of OMS‐HC were evaluated, three of which have a positive strong level of evidence.

Conclusions

A substantial number of instruments have been developed to assess mental health‐related stigma among health professionals. There is a lack of any assessment of certain measurement properties. The OMS‐HC is the instrument that had the strongest evidence.
Attribute selection and model evaluation for the maternal and paternal imprinted genes in bovine (Bos Taurus) using supervised machine learning algorithms
Authors: Karami Keyvan , Zerehdaran Saeed , Javadmanesh Ali , Shariati Mohammad Mahdi , Fallahi Hossien
Published: January 2019

Imprinted genes display biased expression of paternal and maternal alleles in mammals. They are marked through epigenetic process during gametogenesis. Characterization of imprinted genes has expanded our understanding of the regulation and function of genes. In the current study, 22 experimentally validated imprinted genes in bovine (Bos Taurus) were analysed. Several supervised machine learning algorithms and attribute weighting methods were used to find characteristics of different types of imprinted genes and suggest a classification method for finding maternally and paternally expressed genes in bovine. For assessing the best model and comparing attributes in other organisms, we have also conducted a comparative analysis for human and sheep imprinted genes. According to the results of the present study, GC contents 10 and 100 kb upstream, Gly and Gln amino acids, Ile/ATC codon usage, LINE and SINE in 100kbup and length of first intron were significantly different between the maternal and paternal genes in cattle. Considering all species together, we found that GC content 100 kb up, LINE 100 kb up and the frequency of amino acids like Gly, Gln and Met were the most important attributes for identifying the paternal and maternal imprinted genes. These findings could imply conservation pattern in the attributes among these species.
Characteristics of recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmia after catheter ablation in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Lin Chin‐Yu , Chung Fa‐Po , Kuo Ling , Lin Yenn‐Jiang , Chang Shih‐Lin , Lo Li‐Wei , Hu Yu‐Feng , Tuan Ta‐Chuan , Chao Tze‐Fan , Liao Jo‐Nan , Chang Ting‐Yung , Yamada Shinya , Te Abigail Louise D. , Huang Ting‐Chun , Chen Shih‐Ann
Published: January 2019

Background

The reason for recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) after catheter ablation in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is not clear.

Methods

In this study, 91 ARVC patients (age, 47 ± 13 years; 47 men) who underwent catheter ablation for drug‐refractory ventricular arrhythmia (VA) were enrolled. The patients were categorized into single or multiple procedures (n = 28). The baseline characteristics and electrophysiological features of the patients were examined to elucidate the reason of the VA recurrences.

Results

A total of 186 VAs were induced during the index procedure and 176 (94.6%) were eliminated. Successful, partially successful, and failed ablations were achieved in 89.0%, 8.8%, and 2.2% of the patients, respectively. During a mean follow‐up period of 32 ± 26 months, 35 patients had VA recurrences. Forty‐two repeat procedures were performed for 81 induced VAs in 28 patients. Of the 42 repeat procedures, successful, partially successful, and failed ablations were achieved in 37, 4, and 1 of the procedures, respectively. Most of the recurrent VAs (70 [72.9%]) originated from the newly‐developed circuits owing to the scar progression. The patients with repeat procedure had worsening right ventricular remodeling. The multivariate analysis revealed that history as endurance athlete significantly predicted the need of a repeat procedure in spite of the initially successful endocardial/epicardial ablation and negative inducibility (hazard ratio: 3.014, 95% confidence interval: 1.493‐6.084,
P = 0.002).

Conclusions

In spite of the initial complete VA elimination, history as an athlete was associated with scar progression, RV remodeling, and VA recurrences from the newly developed arrhythmogenic substrates/circuit in ARVC.
Absence of PARP‐1 affects Cxcl12 expression by increasing DNA demethylation
Authors: Tolić Anja , Grdović Nevena , Dinić Svetlana , Rajić Jovana , Đorđević Miloš , Sinadinović Marija , Arambašić Jovanović Jelena , Mihailović Mirjana , Poznanović Goran , Uskoković Aleksandra , Vidaković Melita
Published: January 2019

Poly [ADP‐ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP‐1) has an inhibitory effect on C‐X‐C motif chemokine 12 gene (Cxcl12) transcription. We examined whether PARP‐1 affects the epigenetic control of Cxcl12 expression by changing its DNA methylation pattern. We observed increased expression of Cxcl12 in PARP‐1 knock‐out mouse embryonic fibroblasts (PARP1−/−) in comparison to wild‐type mouse embryonic fibroblasts (NIH3T3). In the Cxcl12 gene, a CpG island is present in the promoter, the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR), the first exon and in the first intron. The methylation state of Cxcl12 in each cell line was investigated by methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) and high resolution melting analysis (HRM). Both methods revealed strong demethylation in PARP1−/− compared to NIH3T3 cells in all four DNA regions. Increased expression of the Ten‐eleven translocation (Tet) genes in PARP1−/− cells indicated that TETs could be important factors in Cxcl12 demethylation in the absence of PARP‐1, accounting for its increased expression. Our results showed that PARP‐1 was a potential upstream player in (de)methylation events that modulated Cxcl12 expression.
TGFβ1 and HGF regulate CTGF expression in human atrial fibroblasts and are involved in atrial remodelling in patients with rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Chen Jian‐Quan , Guo Yan‐Song , Chen Qian , Cheng Xian‐Lu , Xiang Guo‐Jian , Chen Mei‐Yan , Wu Hong‐Lin , Huang Qi‐Lei , Zhu Peng‐Li , Zhang Jian‐Cheng
Published: January 2019

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF β1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in human atrial fibroblasts, and to explore the relationship of these factors in atrial fibrosis and atrial anatomical remodelling (AAR) of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

Fresh right auricular appendix tissue of 20 patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing valve replacement surgery was collected during surgeries, 10 patients had sinus rhythm(SR), and 10 patients had chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF). Atrial fibroblasts were then cultured from the tissues with differential attachment technique and treated with either TGFβ1 (10 ng/mL) or HGF (100 ng/mL). CTGF mRNA levels were measured by RT‐PCR, and CTGF protein content was determined using immunofluorescence and Western blotting assays.

Results

CAF group had higher left atrial diameters (LADs) and higher CTGF mRNA expression in atrial fibroblasts compared with SR group. The CTGF protein content in CAF group was higher than that of SR group and positively correlated with LAD and AF duration. After CAF group was treated with TGFβ1, CTGF mRNA and protein expression were significantly down‐regulated, whereas when treated with HGF, expression was up‐regulated compared with SR group.

Conclusions

Increased CTGF expression was associated with enlarged LAD, atrial fibrosis and AAR in patients with AF. TGFβ1 and HGF regulate CTGF expression in human atrial fibroblasts with up‐regulation of mRNA and down‐regulation of protein, therefore, either promote or inhibit atrial fibrosis, which could be related to the incidence and persistence of AF.
Self‐regenerative capacity of intra‐oral bone defects
Authors: Sculean Anton , Stavropoulos Andreas , Bosshardt Dieter D.
Published: January 2019

Objective

To provide an overview on the self‐regenerative capacity of various types of intra‐oral bone defects.

Materials and Methods

This paper has narratively reviewed the most important aspects of bone biology and the healing outcomes related to the self‐regenerative capacity (i.e. without the placement of any biomaterial) of bone defects that occur following tooth extraction, autogenous graft harvesting, periapical lesions, cystic lesions of the jaws, third molar extraction and experimentally created ridge defects.

Results

In animals (i.e. dogs and monkeys), the greatest changes in horizontal and vertical dimension occur during the first 6 months following tooth extraction. In humans, bone remodelling may take from several months to years and exhibits marked inter‐individual variability. Following tooth extraction at compromised sites (e.g. presence of severe bone loss at the time‐point of extraction), the healing may occur slower and a substantial volume reduction can be expected than following tooth extraction at non‐compromised sites.

In the mandibular symphysis and ramus, the bone defects resulting following bone block harvesting are gradually healing to a large extent, but complete healing appears not to occur due to poorer space provision and wound stability capacities.

Defects after peri‐apical surgery display a substantial self‐regenerative capacity and heal at a great extent without the use of any adjunct measures. The vast majority of jawbone defects after cystectomy heal at a great extent and without apparent influence in the shape of the jaw, without the need of adjunct measures.

After surgical removal of mandibular third molars, bone fill can be observed over a period of at least 12 months, with the most substantial change (e.g. the greatest bone fill) occurring during the first 3 months after surgery. However, complete fill of these residual bone defects does not always occur.

Conclusions

Intra‐oral bone defects possess a high self‐regenerative capacity. Factors such as extent of bone loss, presence of bony walls, closed healing environment, space provision and mechanical wound stability substantially influence healing/regeneration.
Contact allergy to methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone in north‐eastern Italy: a temporal trend from 1996 to 2016
Authors: Dusefante A. , Mauro M. , Belloni Fortina A. , Corradin M.T. , Larese Filon F.
Published: January 2019

Background

Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/methylisothiazolinone (MI) (Kathon® CG) is a common preservative used in industrial products, owing to its strong biocide effect. Contact allergy to MCI/MI has been reported in different occupations, including mechanics, hairdressers and healthcare workers.

Objective

To retrospectively analyse the temporal trend of MCI/MI sensitization in north‐eastern Italy and to evaluate the associations with occupations in our geographical area.

Methods

From 1996 to 2016, 27 381 patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested in eight departments of Dermatology or Occupational Medicine in north‐eastern Italy. Individual characteristics were collected through a standardized questionnaire.

Results

The overall prevalence of MCI/MI sensitization was 4.2%, with the highest prevalence found in women and in patients younger than 25 years. MCI/MI sensitization was significantly associated with atopic eczema (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.10–1.70), hand/forearm dermatitis (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05–1.36) and face dermatitis (OR 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10–1.40). There was a significant association between MCI/MI sensitization and chemical processing workers (OR 1.74, 95% CI: 1.03–2.94), while mechanics and healthcare workers resulted more sensitized to this hapten only in the last 3 years.

Conclusion

Sensitization to MCI/MI is rising in the last years in Triveneto region, the ‘epidemic’ of sensitization to MCI/MI is mainly driven by extra‐occupational dermatitis, and sensitization in some occupational groups is emerging only in the last years. A full labelling is compulsory for all products that contain isothiazolinones, to permit to identify the culprit agent.
The management and genetic background of pityriasis rubra pilaris: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Gál B. , Göblös A. , Danis J. , Farkas K. , Sulák A. , Varga E. , Nagy N. , Széll M. , Kemény L. , Bata‐Csörgő Z.
Published: January 2019

Background

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare chronic inflammatory dermatosis with multifactorial aetiology. It is known that particular caspase recruitment domain family member 14 (CARD14) gene mutations are associated with familial PRP and certain forms of psoriasis. Additionally, few data are available about the role of CARD14 gene variants in sporadic PRP. The clinical picture is variable for the different types of PRP, therefore choosing the adequate treatment is often difficult, furthermore there are no specific guidelines for therapy.

Objective

Our aim was to survey the efficacy of the applied therapies and to screen the CARD14 gene variants in our PRP patients.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with PRP between 2006 and 2016 at our clinic were involved. Besides the follow‐up study of the treatments, the genetic analysis of CARD14 gene was performed.

Results

We analysed 19 patients, among whom 17 were diagnosed with type I, one with type III, and one with type V PRP. The majority of the patients were successfully treated with acitretin in combination with systemic corticosteroids, and the remaining patients were treated with other systemic therapies with diverse effects. The genetic screening of CARD14 gene revealed two previously described mutations (rs114688446, rs117918077) and six polymorphisms (rs28674001, rs2066964, rs34367357, rs11653893, rs11652075, rs2289541). Ten of 19 patients carried different CARD14 genetic variants either alone or in combination.

Conclusion

Based on our experience, we propose that acitretin and an initial combination of short‐term systemic corticosteroid therapy could be a successful treatment option for PRP. Although we identified several CARD14 variants in almost half of our cases, we did not find a correlation between the therapeutic response and the genetic background. Our data support the previous observation that CARD14 genetic variants are not specific to PRP, although they may indicate chronic inflammation.
Co‐inheritance of sea age at maturity and iteroparity in the Atlantic salmon vgll3 genomic region
Authors: Aykanat Tutku , Ozerov Mikhail , Vähä Juha‐Pekka , Orell Panu , Niemelä Eero , Erkinaro Jaakko , Primmer Craig R.
Published: January 2019

Co‐inheritance in life‐history traits may result in unpredictable evolutionary trajectories if not accounted for in life‐history models. Iteroparity (the reproductive strategy of reproducing more than once) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a fitness trait with substantial variation within and among populations. In the Teno River in northern Europe, iteroparous individuals constitute an important component of many populations and have experienced a sharp increase in abundance in the last 20 years, partly overlapping with a general decrease in age structure. The physiological basis of iteroparity bears similarities to that of age at first maturity, another life‐history trait with substantial fitness effects in salmon. Sea age at maturity in Atlantic salmon is controlled by a major locus around the vgll3 gene, and we used this opportunity demonstrate that these two traits are co‐inherited around this genome region. The odds ratio of survival until second reproduction was up to 2.4 (1.8–3.5 90% CI) times higher for fish with the early‐maturing vgll3 genotype (EE) compared to fish with the late‐maturing genotype (LL). The L allele was dominant in individuals remaining only one year at sea before maturation, but the dominance was reversed, with the E allele being dominant in individuals maturing after two or more years at sea. Post hoc analysis indicated that iteroparous fish with the EE genotype had accelerated growth prior to first reproduction compared to first‐time spawners, across all age groups, whereas this effect was not detected in fish with the LL genotype. These results broaden the functional link around the vgll3 genome region and help us understand constraints in the evolution of life‐history variation in salmon. Our results further highlight the need to account for genetic correlations between fitness traits when predicting demographic changes in changing environments.
Color change, ascorbic acid degradation kinetics, and rehydration behavior of kiwifruit as affected by different drying methods
Authors: Akar Göksu , Barutçu Mazı Işıl
Published: January 2019

In this study, the drying kinetics, ascorbic acid degradation, and color change kinetics of kiwifruit during hot air drying (HAD), vacuum drying (VD), freeze drying (FD), and hot air–microwave‐assisted vacuum combination drying (HA–MVD) were investigated. The applicability of Weibull model for describing the rehydration kinetics of dried kiwifruits was also assessed. The ascorbic acid content of the kiwi fruit decreased by 77.52, 75.41, 39.86, and 29.64%, and the total phenolic content decreased by 26.62, 29.24, 19.16, and 1.99% after HAD, VD, HA–MVD, and FD, respectively. For all drying processes, the ascorbic acid degradation was best described by the Weibull model. Zero‐order, first‐order, and combined kinetic models were examined to fit data of color parameters (L*, a*, and b*). Scanning electron microscopy images of the dried products were also obtained. The results indicate that HA–MVD may be an alternative method for the drying of kiwifruit since it provides good quality product in shorter time.

Practical applications

Kinetic modeling of changes in foods during drying is an important issue in relation to predicting quality changes and setting optimal processing conditions. In this study kinetic models describing the ascorbic acid degradation and also the color change of kiwifruit during four different drying methods were determined. Kiwifruit contains high amount ascorbic acid which is widely considered as a marker of nutritional quality for fruits and vegetables subjected to various drying treatments. That is why it is important to build kinetic models to estimate the degradation rate of ascorbic acid during various drying processes. When the ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content, color, and rehydration properties of the final dried products were compared, it was seen that the hot air–microwave‐assisted vacuum combination drying (HA–MVD) method yielded good quality dried product in quite shorter time as compared to other methods. The results of this study show that the HA–MVD method could be successfully applied for drying of kiwifruits.
Reply to Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Sarcopenia: Is It Real?
Authors: Follis Shawna , Bea Jennifer W. , Cauley Jane A. , Shadyab Aladdin H. , Cook Alan , Chen Zhao
Published: January 2019

This letter comments on the letter by Ünsal et al.
A strategy for generating rice apomixis by gene editing
Authors: Xie En , Li Yafei , Tang Ding , Lv Yanli , Shen Yi , Cheng Zhukuan
Published: January 2019

Apomixis is an asexual reproduction way of plants that can produce clonal offspring through seeds. In this study, we introduced apomixis into rice (Oryza sativa) by mutating OsSPO11‐1, OsREC8, OsOSD1, and OsMATL through a CRISPR/Cas9 system. The quadruple mutant showed a transformation from meiosis to mitosis and produced clonal diploid gametes. With mutated Osmatl, which gives rise to haploid induction in plants, the quadruple mutant is expected to be able to be produced apomictic diploid offspring. We named this quadruple mutant as AOP (Apomictic Offspring Producer) for its ability to produce apomictic offspring.
Induction of desiccation tolerance in desiccation sensitive Citrus limon seeds
Authors: Marques Alexandre , Nijveen Harm , Somi Charles , Ligterink Wilco , Hilhorst Henk
Published: January 2019

Many economically important perennial species bear recalcitrant seeds, including tea, coffee, cocoa, mango, citrus, rubber, oil palm and coconut. Orthodox seeds can be dried almost completely without losing viability, but so‐called recalcitrant seeds have a very limited storage life and die upon drying below a higher critical moisture content than orthodox seeds. As a result, the development of long‐term storage methods for recalcitrant seeds is compromised. Lowering this critical moisture content would be very valuable since dry seed storage is the safest, most convenient and cheapest method for conserving plant genetic resources. Therefore, we have attempted to induce desiccation tolerance (DT) in the desiccation sensitive seeds of Citrus limon. We show that DT can be induced by paclobutrazol (an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis) and we studied its associated transcriptome to delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying this induction of DT. Paclobutrazol not only interfered with gibberellin related gene expression but also caused extensive changes in expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis and signaling of other hormones. Paclobutrazol induced a transcriptomic switch encompassing suppression of biotic‐ and induction of abiotic responses. We hypothesize that this is the main driver of the induction of DT by paclobutrazol in C. limon seeds.
Lysosomal storage disorders: pathology within the lysosome and beyond
Authors: Kielian Tammy
Published: January 2019

This Preface introduces the articles of the special issue on “Lysosomal Storage Disorders” in which several recognized experts provide an overview of this research field. Lysosomes were first described in the 1950s and recognized for their role in substrate degradation and recycling. Because lysosomes impact numerous fundamental homeostatic processes, research on lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) is crucial to advance our understanding of this intriguing organelle. This Special Issue highlights some of the LSDs that impact the central nervous system (CNS) as well as comprehensive overviews of lysosomal biology, CNS metabolism, and sphingolipid biosynthesis and turnover, all of which are critical toward our understanding of normal lysosomal function and how this is perturbed in the context of LSDs.

image

This is the Preface for the special issue “Lysosomal Storage Disorders”.

Cover Image for this issue: doi:10.1111/jnc.14496.
Nurse–Family Communication During and After Family Meetings in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Pecanac Kristen , King Barbara
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To explore nurse–family communication during and after family meetings.

Design

A cross‐sectional study in which 36 family meetings were audio‐recorded in two intensive care units in an urban, community hospital.

Methods

Data were analyzed using conversation analysis, a qualitative method.

Findings

Nurses spoke during 10 (28%) of the family meetings. During the family meetings, nurses mostly self‐selected to take a turn by interrupting a physician or family member, finishing their sentences, responding to questions, and, in one instance, asking a question. Nurses were mostly selected as the next speaker to address logistical issues, but were also asked questions. Most of nurses’ turns were short and simple, and aimed to provide clarification, reassurance, and information regarding the patient's status. Immediately after the family meetings, nurses offered to provide family members clarification or gestures of empathy, but these offers were met with resistance from family members.

Conclusions

Despite calls for nurses to take a more active role in surrogate decision making, nurses minimally participated during family meetings. Empowering nurses to share their expertise is one solution for nurses to contribute during family meetings. Further research is needed to explore nurse–family bedside interactions to improve our understanding of the nurse's role in the surrogate decision‐making process.

Clinical Relevance

Findings from this exploration of nurse communication during and after family meetings can inform how nurses may best assist families during surrogate decision making in the intensive care unit.
Transdermal absorption of active substances from cosmetic vehicles
Authors: Pavlačková Jana , Egner Pavlína , Polašková Jana , Hojerová Jarmila , Pinďáková Lucie , Mokrejš Pavel , Varaďová Vendula
Published: January 2019

Background

Cosmetic products mean any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body (eg, epidermis, lips) and should not pass to the lower parts and penetrate to the skin. As a part of evaluation of cosmetic safety, the transdermal absorption of substances should be investigated.

Materials and Methods

In vitro absorption was investigated with Franz diffusion cells on untreated porcine skin and specimens of the same treated with 15%wt. SLS. The integrity of the skin was discerned by gauging transdermal electrical conductivity (TEC), the concentration of caffeine absorbed by the samples of skin membrane by liquid chromatography, which took place by applying an emulsion and/or a gel containing active hydration agents (urea, sodium hyaluronate, and sericin).

Results

The greatest extent of caffeine penetration was seen for pretreatment with just SLS; similar results were in skin treated with the base gel with 10%wt. urea. In the skin treated with the base emulsion only, the amount of caffeine absorbed was twofold less; this increased after adding the active hydration substances. The values measured for TEC corresponded with the amount of caffeine absorbed.

Conclusion

The gel proved to be the more potent vehicle for the active ingredient, as it demonstrated greater transdermal caffeine penetration than the emulsions, correlating with the degree of damage to the skin as detected by TEC.
Factors influencing caregiver burden in families of hospitalised patients with lung cancer
Authors: Seo Ye Ji , Park Heeok
Published: January 2019

Aims and objectives

To investigate the factors influencing caregiver burden in families of hospitalised lung cancer patients.

Background

Even though cancer symptoms among hospitalised lung cancer patients are serious and negatively affect caregivers, few research regarding to the factors of caregiver burden in hospitalised lung cancer patient has been carried out.

Design

Cross‐sectional, descriptive and correlational study.

Methods

A convenience sample of hospitalised lung cancer patients (n = 107) was recruited from K University hospital in South Korea. Family depression, social support and caregiver burden as well as patients’ lung cancer symptoms were measured using peer‐reviewed and standard measurement tools. Descriptive statistics and parametric tests including stepwise regression were used to analyse the data. The STROBE guideline has been used to report this study.

Results

Caregiver burden among the families of hospitalised lung cancer patients was high; the regression model for caregiver burden among participants’ families was significant. Depression among families was found to be the most influential factor for caregiver burden, followed by patients’ lung cancer symptoms.

Conclusions

This study revealed that family caregivers’ depression and patients’ lung cancer symptoms were the most significant factors for families’ caregiver burden. Future research should be conducted to identify the causes of depression among families of hospitalised lung cancer patients and develop management programmes to address such causes. It is also necessary to investigate the causes of increased caregiver burden that differentiate families of lung cancer patients from other cancer patients and provide education to help such families understand such causes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Findings from this study show that family's depression and lung cancer symptoms were significant factors for caregivers’ burden. Hence, it is suggested for the healthcare providers to find for the best solution/strategies to reduce the caregiver's burden.
Design and evaluation of an assertiveness communication training programme for nursing students
Authors: Omura Mieko , Levett‐Jones Tracy , Stone Teresa E.
Published: January 2019

Aims

The aims of this paper are to (a) outline the design and implementation of an evidence‐based assertiveness communication workshop for Japanese nursing students; and (b) report on the evaluation of nursing students’ satisfaction with the workshop using the Satisfaction with Assertiveness Communication Training Program Survey.

Background

A body of research attests to the relationship between assertive communication and patient safety. This paper reports the design and evaluation of an assertiveness communication training programme designed to enhance students’ ability to communicate safety in clinical practice.

Design

A culturally appropriate and evidence‐based assertiveness communication workshop, informed by Gagne's instructional design principles, was implemented for third‐year nursing students in two Japanese higher educational institutions in December 2017. A descriptive study design was used to evaluate the workshop.

Methods

Students’ perceptions of the workshop were evaluated using the Satisfaction with Assertiveness Communication Training Program Survey, which includes ten items that are rated using a 5‐point Likert scale from strongly disagree [1] to strongly agree [5]. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The Revised Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE 2.0) guidelines were used in the reporting of this study.

Results

A total of 111 students from a population of 150 participated in the study giving a response rate of 74%. The overall mean satisfaction score was 4.12 indicating a high level of agreement with each of the survey items. With the exception of two items, the mean scores were above 4.0. “Confidence in using assertiveness communication skills” and “Utilising role‐plays to practice learnt skills” received mean scores of 3.71 and 3.90, respectively.

Conclusion

Given the compelling research about the importance of assertive communication in health care, the results from this study support continuing investment in assertiveness communication training programmes for nursing students.

Relevance to clinical practice

Assertive communication is an essential communication skill for safe nursing practice. Culturally appropriate assertiveness communication training programmes are of particular relevance in hierarchical healthcare contexts.
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experiences among COPD patients with comorbid gastrooesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Lin Yu‐Huei , Tsai Chen‐Liang , Tsao Lee‐Ing , Jeng Chii
Published: January 2019

Aims and objectives

To explore perceptions of experience exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with comorbid gastrooesophageal reflux disease by focusing on unravelling how patients differentiate and react to symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gastrooesophageal reflux disease.

Background

While gastrooesophageal reflux disease has been suggested to be a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, no study has explored perceptions of the symptoms leading up to severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease events among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with comorbid gastrooesophageal reflux disease.

Design

Qualitative design.

Methods

The analysis was performed in accordance with principles of Grounded Theory methodology. Data were collected via semi‐structured interviews from 12 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with endoscopy‐diagnosed gastrooesophageal reflux disease who had experienced a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation with hospitalisation. Appraisal and analysis using consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist were undertaken.

Results

The core category of this study was the ineffective management of exacerbation symptoms, which was associated with perceived symptoms pre‐exacerbation which contained three overlapping categories of symptom presentation experienced, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease‐related coping strategies, high anxiety and a sense of helplessness in disease management.

Conclusions

Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with comorbid gastrooesophageal reflux disease presented with some distinctly different atypical symptoms yet used common respiratory symptom management strategies. Patients and practitioners alike need to be more aware of the possibility of other symptoms such as nonspecific symptoms being clues of exacerbation onset for a more effective intervention.

Relevance to clinical practice

The medical community needs to educate patients to understand and manage not only chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but also gastrooesophageal reflux disease symptoms so that they are better able to identify the cause of their symptoms, treat them appropriately and seek out medical assistance when necessary.