bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of pretransplant recipient body mass index on post heart transplant mortality: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Foroutan Farid , Doumouras Barbara S. , Ross Heather , Alba Ana C.
Published: July 2018

The ISHLT's 2016 Guidelines on the selection of heart transplant (HT) candidates recommends weight loss prior to listing for persons with body mass (BMI) index greater than 35 kg/m2. We conducted a systematic review to assess the impact of BMI on all‐cause mortality. We searched to identify eligible observational studies that followed HT recipients. We used the GRADE system to quantify absolute effects and quality of evidence, and meta‐analyzed survival curves to assess post‐transplant mortality across BMI categories. We found a significantly increased risk of mortality in patients with BMI > 30 kg/m2 across all age categories, independently of transplant era and study source (BMI 30‐34.9: HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04‐1.17; BMI ≥ 35: HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12‐1.38). We also found an increased risk of death in underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) candidates over 39 years of age (Age 40‐65: HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02‐1.53; Age > 65: HR 1.70, 95% 1.13‐2.57). We found obesity and underweight BMI to be associated with mortality post‐HT. The similar and overlapping increased risk of mortality in patients with BMI 30‐34.9 and BMI ≥ 35 does not support the recently updated ISHLT guidelines. Future evidence in the form of randomized controlled trials is required to assess effectiveness of interventions targeting obesity‐related comorbidities and weight management.
Shared Leadership Regulates Operational Team Performance in the Presence of Extreme Decisional Consensus/Conflict: Evidences from Business Process Reengineering
Authors: Bruccoleri Manfredi , Riccobono Francesca , Größler Andreas
Published: July 2018

This study focuses on decision‐making within operational teams. Grounding our argumentation on group decision‐making literature, we argue that adverse behavior patterns may affect the way in which consensus is achieved within the team, and that team performance has an inverted U‐shaped relationship with the level of consensus. Then, by relying on leadership literature, we pose the hypothesis that the level of shared leadership inside the group moderates this U‐shaped relationship. To empirically test our literature‐based argumentation, we use longitudinal data collected in the years 2014 and 2015 from business process reengineering projects, each lasting three months, conducted by 141 master of science students grouped in 34 teams. We conclude by emphasizing that it is important to control for the occurrence of behaviors which lead to “fake” consensus within operational teams, by observing the individuals’ satisfaction with respect to the group decision as well as their active participation in the decision‐making process.
Assessing the accuracy of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yuen Tracy , Penner Melanie , Carter Melissa T , Szatmari Peter , Ungar Wendy J
Published: July 2018

Aim

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M‐CHAT) could be appropriate for universal screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 18 months and 24 months. Validation studies, however, reported differences in psychometric properties across sample populations. This meta‐analysis summarized its accuracy measures and quantified their change in relation to patient and study characteristics.

Method

Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Embase) were searched to identify articles published between January 2001 and May 2016. Bayesian regression models pooled study‐specific measures. Meta‐regressions covariates were age at screening, study design, and proportion of males.

Results

On the basis of the 13 studies included, the pooled sensitivity was 0.83 (95% credible interval [CI] 0.75–0.90), specificity was 0.51 (95% CI 0.41–0.61), and positive predictive value was 0.53 (95% CI 0.43–0.63) in high‐risk children and 0.06 (95% CI <0.01–0.14) in low‐risk children. Sensitivity was higher for screening at 30 months compared with 24 months.

Interpretation

Findings indicate that the M‐CHAT performs with low to moderate accuracy in identifying ASD among children with developmental concerns, but there was a lack of evidence on its performance in low‐risk children or at age 18 months. Clinicians should account for a child's age and presence of developmental concern when interpreting their M‐CHAT score.

What this paper adds

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M‐CHAT) performs with low‐to‐moderate accuracy in children with developmental concerns.

There is limited evidence supporting its use at 18 months or in low‐risk children.
Serum cardiovascular risk biomarkers in pre‐pubertal obese children
Authors: Maggio Albane B. R. , Farpour‐Lambert Nathalie J. , Aggoun Yacine , Galan Katia , Montecucco Fabrizio , Mach François , Beghetti Maurice
Published: July 2018

Background

Childhood obesity is associated with premature cardiovascular complications. However, little is known about the effect of a family‐based behavioural intervention on the relationship between arterial function, blood pressure and biomarkers in pre‐pubertal children with obesity.

Design

This was a single centre randomized controlled trial (RCT) including 74 children randomized to a 6‐month behavioural intervention to treat obesity. In 48 children (13 controls and 35 interventions), we assessed: serum level of cytokine (CCL2), adiponectin, and neutrophil product (MMP‐8), as well as carotid intima‐media thickness, flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), nitroglycerin‐mediated dilation; arterial stiffness (incremental elastic modulus, Einc), pulse wave velocity (PWV), resting and 24‐hour blood pressure (BP).

Results

At baseline, resting systolic BP was positively associated with MMP‐8 levels which was significantly higher in children with hypertension (P = 0.033). Biochemical markers were not related to endothelial function at baseline, but they globally increased after 6 months in the intervention group. The significant increase of CCL2 levels in the intervention group was associated with a decrease in diastolic BP. Furthermore, adiponectin change was positively related to a change in FMD and negatively to change in Einc and PWV.

Conclusions

The usefulness of serum biomarkers for the detection of cardiovascular diseases is not well established in children. In our population, MMP‐8 concentration was higher in hypertensive children. Furthermore, behavioural interventions resulted in a paradoxical increase in some biomarkers in children, with potentially beneficial effects detected with CCL2 changes. Caution should be taken when using nonspecific serum biomarkers for the clinical monitoring of children with obesity.
Adipokine dysregulation and adipose tissue inflammation in human obesity
Authors: Unamuno Xabier , Gómez‐Ambrosi Javier , Rodríguez Amaia , Becerril Sara , Frühbeck Gema , Catalán Victoria
Published: July 2018

Obesity, a worldwide epidemic, confers increased risk for multiple serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cancer. Adipose tissue is considered one of the largest endocrine organs in the body as well as an active tissue for cellular reactions and metabolic homeostasis rather than an inert tissue for energy storage. The functional pleiotropism of adipose tissue relies on its ability to synthesize and release a large number of hormones, cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins and growth and vasoactive factors, collectively termed adipokines that influence a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. In the obese state, excessive visceral fat accumulation causes adipose tissue dysfunctionality that strongly contributes to the onset of obesity‐related comorbidities. The mechanisms underlying adipose tissue dysfunction include adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, increased inflammation, impaired extracellular matrix remodelling and fibrosis together with an altered secretion of adipokines. This review describes how adipose tissue becomes inflamed in obesity and summarizes key players and molecular mechanisms involved in adipose inflammation.
Effects of neutrality and productivity on mammal richness and evolutionary history in Australia
Authors: Coelho Marco Túlio P. , Dambros Cristian , Rosauer Dan F. , Pereira Elisa Barreto , Rangel Thiago F.
Published: July 2018

Explaining how heterogeneous spatial patterns of species diversity emerge is one of the most fascinating questions of biogeography. One of the great challenges is revealing the mechanistic effect of environmental variables on diversity. Correlative analyses indicate that productivity is associated with taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of communities. Surprisingly, no unifying body of theory have been developed to understand the mechanism by which spatial variation of productivity affects the fundamental processes of biodiversity. Based on widely discussed verbal models in ecology about the effect of productivity on species diversity, we developed a spatially explicit neutral model that incorporates the effect of primary productivity on community size and confronted our model's predictions with observed patterns of species richness and evolutionary history of Australian terrestrial mammals. The imposed restrictions on community size create larger populations in areas of high productivity, which increases community turnover and local speciation, and reduces extinction. The effect of productivity on community size modeled in our study causes higher accumulation of species diversity in productive regions even in the absence of niche‐based processes. However, such a simple model is not capable of reproducing spatial patterns of mammal evolutionary history in Australia, implying that more complex evolutionary mechanisms are involved. Our study demonstrates that the overall patterns of species richness can be directly explained by changes in community sizes along productivity gradients, supporting a major role of processes associated with energetic constraints in shaping diversity patterns.
90Y‐ibritumomab‐tiuxetan as a therapeutic alternative for follicular lymphoma (FL): A single‐center experience
Authors: Spukti Eva U. , Schmidt Lars Henning , Schulze Arik , Schliemann Christoph , Görlich Dennis , Wardelmann Eva , Hartmann Wolfgang , Lenz Georg , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Kerkhoff Andrea
Published: July 2018

Background

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most frequent indolent lymphoma subtype in adults. Maintenance therapy with rituximab is frequently applied to FL patients with complete or partial response following initial chemoimmunotherapy. However, radioimmunotherapy with 90Y‐ibritumomab‐tiuxetan represents a therapeutic alternative.

Methods

To compare the clinical and the prognostic impact of both therapies, a study collective of n = 56 patients diagnosed with indolent B‐cell lymphoma was retrospectively investigated. The study collective was subdivided into two groups: n = 36 patients treated with rituximab maintenance therapy vs n = 20 patients treated with 90Y‐ibritumomab‐tiuxetan.

Results

No prognostic differences for performance status, FLIPI score, gender, or B‐symptoms were found for 90Y‐ibritumomab‐tiuxetan or rituximab maintenance therapy. Overall survival rates and progression‐free survival did not differ between both maintenance therapies.

Conclusion

Our retrospective single‐center analysis of two patient groups without major differences in prognostic parameters revealed similar outcome with two different maintenance therapies. Hence, 90Y‐ibritumomab‐tiuxetan therapy might offer a valuable alternative treatment option for FL patients with partial response. However, large prospective trials are needed to confirm the reported findings.
Combination of 177Lu‐lilotomab with rituximab significantly improves the therapeutic outcome in preclinical models of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Repetto‐Llamazares Ada H. V. , Malenge Marion M. , O'Shea Adam , Eiríksdóttir Bergthóra , Stokke Trond , Larsen Roy H. , Dahle Jostein
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To investigate the therapeutic potential of the next‐generation anti‐CD37 radioimmunoconjugate 177Lu‐lilotomab satetraxetan (177Lu‐lilotomab) in combination with the anti‐CD20 antibody rituximab for treatment of mice with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) xenografts.

Methods

Nude mice with subcutaneous (s.c.) Burkitt's lymphoma Daudi xenografts and SCID mice intravenously (i.v.) injected with Mantle cell lymphoma Rec‐1 cells were treated with either 177Lu‐lilotomab or rituximab alone or with the combination of both treatments. Tumour volume, body weight, blood counts and clinical status were monitored. CD20 expression was measured using flow cytometry with fluorescence‐labelled rituximab.

Results

The combination of 177Lu‐lilotomab and rituximab was synergistic for treatment of nude mice with s.c. Daudi xenografts while it was additive for treatment of SCID mice with i.v. injected Rec‐1 cells. Binding of rituximab to NHL cells in‐vitro was increased by pretreatment with 177Lu‐lilotomab.

Conclusions

Treatment of mice with NHL xenografts with 177Lu‐lilotomab synergistically increased tumour suppression of subsequent anti‐CD20 immunotherapy and improved survival. If the same effect is confirmed in a recently started clinical study, it could change the way radioimmunotherapy and CD20 immunotherapy would be used in the future.
Resisting annihilation: relationships between functional trait dissimilarity, assemblage competitive power and allelopathy
Authors: Muhl Rika M. W. , Roelke Daniel L. , Zohary Tamar , Moustaka‐Gouni Maria , Sommer Ulrich , Borics Gábor , Gaedke Ursula , Withrow Frances G. , Bhattacharyya Joydeb
Published: July 2018

Allelopathic species can alter biodiversity. Using simulated assemblages that are characterised by neutrality, lumpy coexistence and intransitivity, we explore relationships between within‐assemblage competitive dissimilarities and resistance to allelopathic species. An emergent behaviour from our models is that assemblages are more resistant to allelopathy when members strongly compete exploitatively (high competitive power). We found that neutral assemblages were the most vulnerable to allelopathic species, followed by lumpy and then by intransitive assemblages. We find support for our modeling in real‐world time‐series data from eight lakes of varied morphometry and trophic state. Our analysis of this data shows that a lake's history of allelopathic phytoplankton species biovolume density and dominance is related to the number of species clusters occurring in the plankton assemblages of those lakes, an emergent trend similar to that of our modeling. We suggest that an assemblage's competitive power determines its allelopathy resistance.
Sediment inputs from retrogressive thaw slumps drive algal biomass accumulation but not decomposition in Arctic streams, NWT
Authors: Levenstein Brianna , Culp Joseph M. , Lento Jennifer
Published: July 2018

Increasing rates of precipitation and higher air temperatures have increased the size and frequency of retrogressive thaw slumps—large depressions of thawed permafrost that form on the landscape—in north‐western Canada. Many of these thaw slumps flow into nearby stream systems, leading to increased sediment, solute and nutrient loads.

We evaluated the impacts of retrogressive thaw slumps on measurements of algal biomass accumulation and decomposition of organic materials in streams in the Peel Plateau, Northwest Territories. We predicted that increased sediment loads from thaw slumps would decrease algal standing stock and decomposition in thaw slump‐impacted streams, overriding the potential positive effects of increased nutrient concentrations.

Chl‐a measurements were obtained as a proxy for algal standing stock from sites upstream and downstream of thaw slumps by performing algae scrapes and deploying artificial substrates in 2014. Cotton strips were deployed at upstream and downstream sites in 2013 and 2014, and tensile strength was measured to assess breakdown. Grab water samples were taken to measure physical and chemical parameters at each site.

Thaw slumps increased total suspended solids, but not dissolved nutrients at downstream sites. Our results indicated a significant negative relationship between Chl‐a and total suspended solids. Decomposition indicated a negative relationship with total suspended solids, but displayed much stronger positive relationships with temperature, pH and dissolved phosphorus.

Our findings indicated that total suspended solids were a stronger driver of change in thaw slump‐impacted stream reaches than nutrients, although nutrients may be more influential during the initiation of thaw slump disturbances. Algal biomass accumulation was found to be more sensitive to thaw slump impacts than decomposition, which may lead to a functional and structural shift in favour of allochthonous‐based food webs over autochthonous ones at thaw slump‐impacted stream reaches.
Nitrogen source and rate effects on grain and potential biodiesel production of camelina in the semiarid environment of northern Nevada
Authors: Neupane Dhurba , Solomon Juan K. Q. , Davison Jason , Lawry Tom
Published: July 2018

The objective of this two‐year study (2016–2017 spring) carried out at the University of Nevada, Reno Main Station Field Laboratory, Reno, NV, was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen source, rate, and camelina cultivar on grain yield and potential biodiesel production irrigated with reclaimed water. Treatments were two sources of urea fertilizer [conventional urea (CU) and polymer‐coated urea (PCU)], four N rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha–1), and two cultivars of camelina (“Blaine Creek” and “Pronghorn”) arranged in a 4 × 2 × 2 factorial combinations with four replications each in a RCBD experiment. Plot size was 7.6 m long × 1.8 m wide, and camelina was seeded at a rate of 5 kg PLS seed ha‐1. The quantity of light intercepted increased linearly from 44.9% to 65.9% as N application rate increased from 0 to 120 kg N ha–1, and it was greater for CU (59.6%) compared to PCU (54.0%) fertilized plots. There was a linear increased in grain yield ranging from 534 to 1,010 kg/ha as N application rate increased from 0 to 120 kg N ha‐1. In Year 2, grain yield of Blaine Creek (898 kg/ha) was greater than that of Pronghorn (464 kg/ha). Also, there was a linear increase in estimated biodiesel from 51.2 to 94.2 L/ha as N application rate increased. For both grain and biodiesel production, there was no advantage of using controlled‐release PCU fertilizer and 80 to 120 kg N ha–1 is sufficient for the cultivation of camelina in this environment. Based on the range of grain yield obtained in this study, camelina can be a potential alternative crop to integrate into the annual crop production cycle in water‐limited environments like Nevada.
Overexpression of Fra‐1, c‐Jun and c‐Fos in odontogenic keratocysts: potential correlation with proliferative and anti‐apoptotic activity
Authors: Zhang Lin‐Zhou , Man Qi‐Wen , Liu Jin‐Yuan , Zhong Wen‐Qun , Zheng Yue‐Yu , Zhao Yi‐Fang , Liu Bing
Published: July 2018

Aims

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential involvement of Fra‐1, c‐Jun and c‐Fos, three vital members of the AP‐1 complex, in the pathogenesis of odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs).

Methods and results

Tissue samples, containing 10 normal oral mucosa (OM), 10 dentigerous cysts (DC) and 32 OKC specimens, were applied to investigate the expression levels of Fra‐1, c‐Jun and c‐Fos by immunohistochemistry and real‐time–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR). The association between Fra‐1, c‐Jun and c‐Fos expression levels and markers of proliferation [Ki‐67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)], anti‐apoptosis (Bcl‐2) was then investigated in the OKC serial tissue sections. The results showed that Fra‐1, c‐Jun and c‐Fos expression levels were increased significantly in OKCs compared to these in OM and DC tissue samples. Meanwhile, the expression levels of Fra‐1, c‐Jun and c‐Fos were associated positively with the expression levels of Ki‐67, PCNA and Bcl‐2, as confirmed further by double‐labelling immunofluorescence analysis and hierarchical analysis.

Conclusions

This study revealed for the first time that Fra‐1, c‐Jun and c‐Fos were overexpressed in OKCs and had a close correlation with proliferation and anti‐apoptosis potential of OKCs.
Influence of Mg doping on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of Zn0.95Li0.05O Nanoparticles
Authors: Demirozu Senol Sevim
Published: July 2018

This study investigates the effect of Li and Mg codoping on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the ZnO. Zn0.95−xLi0.05MgxO (x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03) nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrothermal method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed that all samples are polycrystalline with a hexagonal‐wurtzite structure. The surface morphology of the samples were examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The SEM analysis showed that all samples exhibit cheese‐like plates and the plate sizes increase with Mg addition. Optical properties were examined by UV‐VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The optical measurements indicate that the reflectance edge of the samples have red shift up to 2% Mg doping level, but blue‐shift for 3% Mg doping. The optical band gap of Zn0.95−xLi0.05MgxO nanostructures are calculated as 3.227, 3.214, 3.209, and 3.221 eV with x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 respectively. Electrical properties including the carrier concentration, Hall mobility, and resistivity were studied using Van‐der Pauw method. The temperature resistivity curves of the samples shown typical semiconductor behavior. The carrier concentration decreases with increasing doping level up to 2% Mg, and it slightly increases for 3% Mg. The variation of the Hall mobility for the samples is inversely proportional to the carrier concentration.
Income distribution and economic crises
Authors: Neyapti Bilin
Published: July 2018

This study presents an original empirical analysis of the relationship between income inequality and recession severity, measured by the length and depth of recessions. For this purpose, an extensive panel data set was constructed, whereby each observation corresponded to a recession episode. The empirical analysis yielded two novel findings. First, pre‐recession inequality and recession severity are weakly related to each other, as a negative and statistically significant relationship is only observed for middle and high levels of income and governance. Second, the relationship between recession length and post‐recession income inequality is positive and highly significant in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This relationship is insignificant in high‐income countries due, possibly, to their high capacity to accommodate for the impacted low‐income groups.
Iron‐depleted Bi‐YIG having enhanced gyromagnetic properties suitable for LTCC processing
Authors: Jia Ning , Zhang Huwiwu , Harris Vincent G.
Published: July 2018

The traditional method of ferrite synthesis is based upon solid‐state reaction. The advantages of this approach include simplicity, cost effectiveness, and suitability for commercial process scaling. However, there exist shortcomings in that impurities and defects adversely affect magnetic properties. Here, iron‐depleted compositions of bismuth‐substituted yttrium iron garnet (ie Bi:YIG) were studied with emphasis placed on the impact of synthesis processing parameters upon the structure and gyromagnetic properties. It was shown that ferrimagnetic resonance linewidth experienced a minimum of 180.3 Oe (X‐band) when the sample stoichiometry was 4% depleted in iron (x = 0.2), a reduction of 29.3% from the parent compound. Concomitantly, iron depletion caused a systematic change in lattice parameter that resulted in a dilation of Goodenough‐Kanamori‐Anderson bond angles increasing exchange energy and magnetization. The substitution of Bi for Y on the dodecahedron sites altered the reaction path and decreased the activation energy effectively reducing sintering temperature. To establish a functional processing protocol, an ion diffusion model is presented to explain the demonstrated processing, structure, and performance paradigm.
Young children with significant developmental delay differentiate home observed attachment behaviour towards their parents
Authors: Vandesande Sien , Bosmans Guy , Schuengel Carlo , Maes Bea
Published: July 2018

Background

The hallmark of attachment is that contact, proximity and relief from stress are sought from specific individuals, laying important groundwork for healthy socioemotional functioning. This study investigated the extent to which differentiated attachment behaviour can be observed in young children with significant developmental delay (DD).

Method

Video‐taped observations of the parent–child and stranger–child interaction were conducted at home and complemented with questionnaires in 20 families with a child with significant DD (age 2–7 years with an average DD of 49 months).

Results

Children displayed more intense and persistent contact‐seeking, contact‐maintaining and resistant behaviour in the episodes with their parent compared to the episodes with the stranger. Parent‐reported secure attachment behaviour was slightly more characteristic towards mother compared to father.

Conclusions

Even children with significant DD develop differentiated attachment behaviour. Detailed observations may support parents in identifying the interactions that make the attachment relationship with their child special.
Physical activity levels of children and adolescents with moderate‐to‐severe intellectual disability
Authors: Wouters Marieke , Evenhuis Heleen M. , Hilgenkamp Thessa I. M.
Published: July 2018

Background

Regular participation of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilites in physical activity is important to maintain good health and to acquire motor skills. The aim of this study was to investigate the habitual physical activity in these children.

Methods

Sixty‐eight children and adolescents (2–18 years) with a moderate‐to‐severe intellectual disability were included in the analyses. They wore an accelerometer on eight consecutive days. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses.

Results

The participants took on average 6,677 ± 2,600 steps per day, with intensity of 1,040 ± 431 counts per minute. In total, 47% of the participants were meeting physical activity recommendations. Low motor development was associated with low physical activity.

Conclusions

As more than half of the participants were not meeting the recommendations, family and caregivers of these children should focus on supporting and motivating them to explore and expand their physical activities.
Pan‐Mediterranean Holocene vegetation and land‐cover dynamics from synthesized pollen data
Authors: Woodbridge Jessie , Roberts Neil , Fyfe Ralph
Published: July 2018

Aim

The Mediterranean is characterized by diverse and spatially heterogeneous mosaic landscapes. Within this study, a cluster analysis‐based method is developed for the classification of Mediterranean vegetation types based on modern and fossil pollen datasets. The application of this approach to multiple pollen records spanning the Mediterranean region has allowed temporal variations in vegetation dynamics to be explored throughout the Holocene. We ask how far back stable baseline vegetation communities can be identified in the pollen record, and whether those types considered to be characteristic of the Mediterranean landscapes have been present in the past as well as at the present.

Location

The research location includes the land areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The pollen sites are principally located in mainland Spain, southern France, Greece and Turkey, Italy, North Africa, the Levant, and some Mediterranean islands.

Methods

A total of 5,641 samples from 158 fossil pollen records (cores) and 1,799 modern pollen surface samples were harmonized taxonomically and pollen count data summed into 200‐year time windows on a common time‐scale from 11,000 bp to the present‐day. Cluster analysis and community classification were used to identify major vegetation types along with other approaches to explore patterns in ecological datasets, such as Simpson's diversity index and nonmetric multidimensional scaling.

Results

The pollen datasets were classified into 11 closed forest/woodland and five open or scrubland vegetation types. Closed vegetation clusters declined from the mid‐Holocene with a marked increase in open or human‐modified vegetation types since 3,500 bp and with an increasing rate of vegetation change and habitat diversity through time.

Main conclusions

The Mediterranean has been a dynamic landscape throughout the Holocene with frequent changes in land cover identified in the pollen datasets. The pollen‐inferred clusters reveal a wider range of Mediterranean vegetation types than identified in previous studies; for example, including both beech and alder woods. Evergreen Oleaceae‐dominated shrubland is much better represented in modern than in fossil samples while mesic forest was abundant in the past but is uncommon today.
Reducing pediatric psychiatric hospital readmissions and improving quality care through an innovative Readmission Risk Predictor Tool
Authors: Ramsbottom Helen , Farmer Lisa Collier
Published: July 2018

Problem

Less than 30‐day readmission has become a national problem. This pediatric medical center discovered that the primary diagnosis of Mood Disorder, not otherwise specified, was the third most common readmission diagnosis hospital‐wide. Administration actively sought a resolution to less‐than‐30‐day readmissions because All‐Patient‐Refined‐Diagnostic‐Related Groups would soon include pediatric hospitals with reimbursement impact.

Methods

The Iowa Model for evidence‐based practice framed the work of case management to identify readmission risk, reduce readmissions, and improve patient quality. In July 2014, the Readmit Predictor Tool (RPT) and Protocol were developed from literature review of contributing factors of pediatric psychiatric readmissions and assessed levels of readmission risk. The nurse case manager provided follow‐up telephone calls to caregivers with children identified as moderate‐to‐high risk for readmissions.

Findings

Effects of RPT use resulted in decreased readmissions by 29.5% in the first year, followed by 7.8% and 5.1% reductions in the second and third years, respectively, despite substantial increases in patient acuity during the period.

Conclusion

Using the RPT and initiating the psychiatry nurse case manager position, less‐than‐30‐day readmissions decreased over a 3‐year period.
Salmo macrostigma(Teleostei, Salmonidae): Nothing more than a brown trout (S. trutta) lineage?
Authors: Tougard Christelle , Justy Fabienne , Guinand Bruno , Douzery Emmanuel J. P. , Berrebi Patrick
Published: July 2018

We examined specimens of the macrostigma troutSalmo macrostigma, which refers to big black spots on the flanks, to assess whether it is an example of taxonomic inflation within the brown troutSalmo truttacomplex. Using new specimens, publicly available data and a mitogenomic protocol to amplify the control and cytochromebregions of the mitochondrial genome from degraded museum samples, including one syntype specimen, the present study shows that the macrostigma trout is not a valid species. Our results suggest the occurrence of a distinct evolutionary lineage ofS. truttain North Africa and Sicily. The name of the North African lineage is proposed for this lineage, which was found to be sister to the Atlantic lineage of brown trout,S. trutta.
Proposed a simple score for recommendation of scheduled ultrasonography surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma after Direct Acting Antivirals: multicenter analysis
Authors: Hiraoka Atsushi , Kumada Takashi , Ogawa Chikara , Kariyama Kazuya , Morita Masahiro , Nouso Kazuhiro , Toyoda Hidenori , Tada Toshifumi , Ochi Marie , Murakami Taisei , Izumoto Hirofumi , Ueki Hidetaro , Kitahata Shogo , Aibiki Toshihiko , Okudaira Tomonari , Yamago Hiroka , Iwasaki Ryuichiro , Tomida Hideomi , Miyamoto Yuji , Mori Kenichiro , Miyata Hideki , Tsubouchi Eiji , Kishida Masato , Ninomiya Tomoyuki , Michitaka Kojiro
Published: July 2018

Background and Aim

To develop a scoring method using with common clinical data for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development after sustained virological response at 24 weeks (SVR24) after treatment with direct acting antivirals (DAAs), we retrospectively evaluated clinical features of patients who obtained SVR24.

Methods

From October 2014 to December 2017, 1069 hepatitis C virus patients without a past history of HCC, who obtained SVR24 by DAAs at two different areas, were enrolled (the training [n = 484, ChuShikoku‐group] and validation [n = 585, Chubu‐group] sets). All were examined by ultrasonography as surveillance for HCC at the time of starting DAAs and twice a year after SVR24. We identified three parameters at SVR24, male gender, FIB‐4 index > 3.25, and α‐fetoprotein level > 5.0 ng/mL, as risk factors for HCC development and gave them point values, with the sum used as After DAAs Recommendation for Surveillance (ADRES) score.

Results

In the ChuShikoku‐group, the respective 1‐/2‐year rates for HCC incidence rates ADRES score 0 were 0.0%/0.0%, for a score 1 were 1.1%/2.1%, score 2 were 8.8%/15.9%, and score 3 were 17.1%/28.1%. On the other hand, those respective scores for the Chubu‐group were 0.0%/0.0%, 0.0%/0.7%, 7.9%/10.6%, and 19.5%/not available. The c‐index of the predictive value for HCC development in the training set after SVR24 was 0.835 while 0.899 in the validation set. Finally, those of the entire cohort were 0.0%/0.0%, 0.5%/1.6%, 8.4%/13.4%, and 18.0%/32.8%.

Conclusion

The present ADRES score was simple and easy to use and may be useful for predicting risk of HCC development in short term after reaching SVR24 by DAAs.
Texture‐modified foods and thickened fluids used in dysphagia: Israeli standardised terminology and definitions
Authors: Icht M. , Bergerzon‐Bitton O. , Kachal J. , Goldsmith R. , Herzberg O. , Endevelt R.
Published: July 2018

Background

Texture‐modified foods and thickened fluids are used as a strategy that aims to compensate for dysphagia and improve the safety and efficiency of swallowing. Currently, in Israel, there are no standardised terminologies and definitions for texture‐modified diets. The inconsistent terminology adversely affects patient safety and the efficiency of communication between staff members both within and between health institutions. This present study describes a project of the Israeli Ministry of Health in which the labels and definitions of prevalent foods and fluids used in health institutions are mapped to develop a consensus on national standards.

Methods

A multidisciplinary committee of speech‐language pathologists (SLPs) and registered dietitians (RDs) was appointed. A questionnaire was developed to identify the labels of texture‐modified foods and fluids used in the Israeli healthcare system. The questionnaire included questions on knowledge, attitudes and barriers related to the need for a consistent national terminology for texture‐modified diets. Questionnaires were sent to 120 institutions. The project was conducted between September 2016 and December 2017.

Results

Twenty‐six SLPs and 42 RDs responded. The answers revealed that there were 50 labels in use for texture‐modified foods. When asked to describe the texture of a particular food item, up to 17 different labels were used. There was broad support for a standardised terminology.

Conclusions

The results of the present study confirm the lack of national standards in clinical practice and the need for a consistent terminology. A consensus was achieved between the committee members and the committee adopted the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) recommendations and adapted the terminology to Hebrew.
Estimating the Material Stock of Roads: The Vietnamese Case Study
Authors: Nguyen Thi Cuc , Fishman Tomer , Miatto Alessio , Tanikawa Hiroki
Published: July 2018

This study is a pioneering effort to quantify the materials stocked in the road network of a developing country, Vietnam, and analyze its relationships to the country's recent economic development. National road networks function as capital and infrastructure investments that are necessary catalysts for countries’ development, while requiring the extraction of vast amounts of construction materials for expansion and maintenance causing environmental impacts. However, there has so far been little research on the subject, especially in developing countries. We compile material stock and flow accounts for Vietnam's roads from 2003 to 2013 on the national and provincial levels, finding that approximately 40% of the domestic consumption of construction materials is for expanding and maintaining the road network, and the materials stocked in the road network doubled from 1,321 million metric tons in 2003 to 2,660 million metric tons in 2012. Material stock growth rates closely resembled those of gross domestic product (GDP) in this period, suggesting a codependency of physical infrastructure development and economic development. On the provincial level, our results show local disparities in the stock and its capacity to support the transportation of passengers and freight, especially considering the surging growth of vehicles in urban centers. By showcasing the challenges of conducting a material flow and stock analysis in a developing country, this study not only sheds light on Vietnam's transportation material stock and its policy implications, but also serves as a case study for further work in similar countries.
Access to assistive technology for people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review to identify barriers and facilitators
Authors: Boot F. H. , Owuor J. , Dinsmore J. , MacLachlan M.
Published: July 2018

Background

The World Health Organisation has launched a programme to promote Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology. Its aim is to increase access to high‐quality affordable assistive products (AP) for everybody in need. People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are a specific group that could benefit from AP, but use less AP compared to their non‐intellectual disabled peers.

Method

A systematic literature search was carried out to identify barriers and potential facilitators for access to AP for people with ID globally. The search strategy terms were ‘Intellectual Disability’ and ‘Assistive Technology’ with the following electronic literature databases PubMed, Embase, ASSIA, Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL complete, PsycInfo, Scopus and ERIC. The quality and relevance of the studies were assessed. Factors associated with access were identified thematically, categorised into barriers and facilitators and mapped into themes.

Results

In all, 22 key studies were retrieved, describing 77 barriers and 56 facilitators. The most frequently reported barriers were related to lack of funding and cost of AP, lack of awareness about AP and inadequate assessment. An increase of knowledge and awareness about AP and the need of AP for people with ID were most often extracted as factors that could potentially facilitate access.

Conclusions

This review proposes actions linked to the barriers and facilitators that have a particular importance for people with ID to access AP. Yet, only limited research is available describing factors that influence access to AP for people with ID in low and middle income countries and rural areas.
Effects of sperm direction in Piezo‐ICSI on oocyte survival, fertilization, embryo development and implantation ability in humans: A preliminary study
Authors: Hiraoka Kenichiro , Kitamura Seiji , Otsuka Yoshihito , Kawai Kiyotaka , Harada Tatsuya , Ishikawa Tomonori
Published: July 2018

Aims

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the head‐first or tail‐first injection of sperm into the cytoplasm by Piezo‐ICSI (PICSI) on oocyte survival, fertilization, embryo development and implantation ability in humans.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 632 mature oocytes retrieved from 152 infertile patients who attended our PICSI‐ET program at the Niji Clinic between October 2010 and January 2014. Of these, 342 mature oocytes retrieved from 75 patients were injected with sperm head first, and 290 mature oocytes retrieved from 77 patients were injected with sperm tail first into the cytoplasm. The rates of oocyte survival, fertilization, good‐quality day‐3 embryos, pregnancy, implantation and live birth were evaluated in both groups.

Results

There were no differences among the two groups with respect to survival, fertilization, good‐quality day‐3 embryos, pregnancy, implantation and live birth rates.

Conclusion

Sperm direction (i.e., head first or tail first) does not influence the outcome of PICSI in human oocytes, including oocyte survival, fertilization, embryo development and implantation ability. These findings contribute to an understanding of factors that influence the success of human intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) techniques.
Body Dissatisfaction, Perceptions of Competence, and Lesson Content in Physical Education
Authors: Kerner Charlotte , Haerens Leen , Kirk David
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Significant proportions of young people experience body dissatisfaction, which has implications for psychological and physical well‐being. Lesson content and perceived competence may be important variables for the experience of body dissatisfaction, yet these have been underexplored in physical education. The aim of this cross‐sectional study is to identify the relationships between body dissatisfaction and perceptions of competence, and to explore whether body dissatisfaction depends on lesson content.

METHODS

A paper‐and‐pencil questionnaire was completed by 446 (210 boys, 236 girls) 13‐ to 14‐year‐old pupils from 37 physical education classes. The questionnaire assessed body dissatisfaction and perceived competence in physical education. Lesson content was also recorded. Twenty‐nine of the classes were engaged in team activities, eg, ball games. Eight classes were engaged in individual activities, eg, fitness.

RESULTS

Multilevel analysis identified a significant negative association between body dissatisfaction and perceptions of competence in physical education. Lesson content did not significantly predict variations in body dissatisfaction scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Teachers should focus on enhancing pupils' perceptions of competence in physical education to support the development of body satisfaction.
Development and Validity Testing of the School Health Score Card
Authors: Yun Young Ho , Kim Yaeji , Sim Jin A. , Choi Soo Hyuk , Lim Cheolil , Kang Joon‐ho
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to develop the School Health Score Card (SHSC) and validate its psychometric properties.

METHODS

The development of the SHSC questionnaire included 3 phases: item generation, construction of domains and items, and field testing with validation. To assess the instrument's reliability and validity, we recruited 15 middle schools and 15 high schools in the Republic of Korea.

RESULTS

We developed the SHSC questionnaire of 158 items categorized into 5 domains: (1) Governance and Infrastructure, (2) Need Assessment, (3) Planning, (4) Health Prevention and Promotion Program, and (5) Monitoring and Feedback. All SHSC domains and subdomains demonstrated acceptable reliability with good internal consistency. Each domain and subdomain except for “Planning” was associated significantly with students' health status. Most subdomains, including school health philosophy, school policy, communication, the evaluation system, and monitoring, were significantly and negatively associated with student absence.

CONCLUSIONS

The SHSC shows significant association with the overall student health and can be useful in assessing comprehensive school health programs.
Examining Time to Treatment and the Role of School‐Based Health Centers in a School‐Based Sexually Transmitted Infection Program
Authors: Sabharwal Mallika , Masinter Lisa , Weaver Kingsley N.
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Barriers to health care service utilization contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among teens. School‐based STI screening programs reach adolescents outside of the clinic‐based health care model and schools with school‐based health centers (SBHCs) may expedite treatment because of their proximity to the population. This study examined whether students who tested positive for STIs in a school‐based screening program had differing times to treatment based on treatment location.

METHODS

All positive cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea from the 2012‐2013 school year in a Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Chicago Public Schools school‐based STI screening program were reviewed. Median time to treatment was compared for those treated at an SBHC versus those treated elsewhere (CDPH STI clinic, community health center, private physician).

RESULTS

Overall, 540 students had positive results. The median age was 17 years, 427 had chlamydia (79.1%), 59 had gonorrhea (10.9%), and 54 had dual infections (10.0%); 144 were tested in a school with a SBHC on site (26.7%). Of the 483 students who received treatment (89.4%), those treated at a SBHC had a faster time to treatment compared to CDPH STI clinics (median 17 days versus 28 days, respectively, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

For students testing positive in the Chicago school‐based STI program, time to treatment is accelerated in locations with SBHCs.
Antiageing properties of Damaurone D in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Kim Yong Seong , Han Young Taek , Jeon Hoon , Cha Dong Seok
Published: July 2018

Objectives

This study was conducted to evaluate the longevity potential of damaurone D (DaD), a component of the damask rose, in the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans.

Methods

To investigate the effect of DaD on the longevity, lifespan assay was carried out. Fluorescence intensity of transgenic mutants was quantified to test the expression levels of stress proteins. A genetic study using single gene knockout mutants was designed to determine the target genes of DaD.

Key findings

DaD prolonged the mean lifespan of wild-type nematodes by 16.7% under normal conditions and also improved their stress endurance under thermal, osmotic, and oxidative stress conditions. This longevity-promoting effect could be attributed to in vivo antioxidant capacity and its up-regulating effects on the expressions of stress-response proteins such as SOD-3 and HSP-16.2. In addition, DaD treatment attenuated food intake, body length, lipofuscin accumulation and age-dependent decline of motor ability. Gene-specific mutant studies showed the involvement of genes such as daf-2, age-1, and daf-16.

Conclusions

These results suggest that DaD has beneficial effects on the longevity, and thus it can be a valuable plant origin lead compound for the development of nutraceutical preparations targeting ageing and ageing-related diseases.