bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Properties of extruded whole grain cereals and pseudocereals flours
Authors: Robin Frédéric , Théoduloz Christine , Srichuwong Sathaporn
Published: July 2015

Common cereals such as wheat are widely used worldwide in extruded products. Nevertheless, other locally available grains would be beneficial for local consumers regarding taste preference, nutritional needs and sustainability. Locally available cereals, that is millet, teff, sorghum and pseudocereals, that is quinoa and amaranth flours were extruded at the same processing conditions, and the resulting properties were compared to those of extruded refined wheat flour. Amaranth flour contained the highest protein content (16%). Sorghum was the highest in calories because of its high lipid content (10%). The extrusion process greatly increased a water solubility index (WSI) of amaranth from 11% to 61%, while the WSI level of quinoa was almost not affected (WSI of 4%). The expansion properties varied differently among grain types. These grains had a sectional expansion index (SEI) ranging between 11 and 13, which could not achieve the performance of the refined wheat (SEI of 22). The lowest expansion was observed for amaranth flour which contained the lowest starch content. Sorghum extrudates, interestingly, provided comparable stress at rupture value to that of wheat. For the mechanical properties, none of these local grains could fully replace refined wheat at the employed extrusion conditions.
A multiplex method for detection of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene mutations
Authors: Zhang L. , Yang Y. , Liu R. , Li Q. , Yang F. , Ma L. , Liu H. , Chen X. , Yang Z. , Cui L. , He Y.
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common human enzyme defect caused by G6PD gene mutations. This study aimed to develop a cost‐effective, multiplex, genotyping method for detecting common mutations in the G6PD gene.

Methods

We used a SNaPshot approach to genotype multiple G6PD mutations that are common to human populations in South‐East Asia. This assay is based on multiplex PCR coupled with primer extension reactions. Different G6PD gene mutations were determined by peak retention time and colors of the primer extension products.

Results

We designed PCR primers for multiplex amplification of the G6PD gene fragments and for primer extension reactions to genotype 11 G6PD mutations. DNA samples from a total of 120 unrelated G6PD‐deficient individuals from the China–Myanmar border area were used to establish and validate this method. Direct sequencing of the PCR products demonstrated 100% concordance between the SNaPshot and the sequencing results.

Conclusion

The SNaPshot method offers a specific and sensitive alternative for simultaneously interrogating multiple G6PD mutations.
Task‐related differential expression of four cytochrome P450 genes in honeybee appendages
Authors: Mao W. , Schuler M. A. , Berenbaum M. R.
Published: July 2015

In insects, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) contribute to phytochemical and pheromone clearance in chemoreception and xenobiotic detoxification in food processing. In eusocial species, P450 expression varies with anatomy and age‐related behaviour. Adult honeybees (Apis mellifera) possess appendages differentially equipped for chemoreception; antennae and prothoracic and mesothoracic legs assess food and pheromone signals whereas metathoracic legs transport pollen over long distances. Newly eclosed bees and nurses remain in the hive and neither gather nor process food, whereas foragers collect pollen and nectar, thereby encountering phytochemicals. To understand the functions of cytochrome P450, family 4, subfamily G, polypeptide 11 (CYP4G11) in the honeybee genome, we compared its expression relative to worker age and task to expression of cytochrome P450, family 9, subfamily Q, polypeptides (CYP9Qs) known to metabolize xenobiotics. That CYP4G11 is highly expressed in forager antennae and legs, with highest expression in prothoracic and mesothoracic legs, is consistent with chemosensory perception, whereas weak expression of CYP4G11 in nurses suggests that it may process primarily exogenous rather than endogenous chemical signals. By contrast, and consistent with xenobiotic detoxification, the three CYP9Q transcripts were almost undetectable in newly eclosed workers and highest in foragers, with maximal expression in the metathoracic legs that closely contact pollen phytochemicals. These CYP4G11 expression patterns suggest a role in processing environmental signals, particularly those associated with food.
The expression of inflammatory cytokines, TAM tyrosine kinase receptors and their ligands is upregulated in venous leg ulcer patients: a novel insight into chronic wound immunity
Authors: Filkor Kata , Németh Tibor , Nagy István , Kondorosi Éva , Urbán Edit , Kemény Lajos , Szolnoky Győző
Published: July 2015

The systemic host defence mechanisms, especially innate immunity, in venous leg ulcer patients are poorly investigated. The aim of the current study was to measure Candida albicans killing activity and gene expressions of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines and innate immune response regulators, TAM receptors and ligands of peripheral blood mononuclear cells separated from 69 venous leg ulcer patients and 42 control probands. Leg ulcer patients were stratified into responder and non‐responder groups on the basis of wound healing properties. No statistical differences were found in Candida killing among controls, responders and non‐responders. Circulating blood mononuclear cells of patients overexpress pro‐inflammatory (IL‐1α, TNFα, CXCL‐8) and anti‐inflammatory (IL‐10) cytokines as well as TAM receptors (Tyro, Axl, MerTK) and their ligands Gas6 and Protein S compared with those of control individuals. IL‐1α is notably overexpressed in venous leg ulcer treatment non‐responders; in contrast, Axl gene expression is robustly stronger among responders. These markers may be considered as candidates for the prediction of treatment response among venous leg ulcer patients.
Effects of Atmospheric Composition on the Molecular Structure of Synthesized Silicon Oxycarbides
Authors: Narisawa Masaki , Funabiki Fuji , Iwase Akihiro , Wakai Fumihiro , Hosono Hideo
Published: July 2015

The dependence of silicon oxycarbides' chemical composition and molecular structure on their reaction conditions was tested by varying the atmosphere under which pyrolysis was performed. To obtain the silicon oxycarbides, densely cross‐linked silicone resin particles with an averaged diameter of 2 μm were pyrolyzed in various atmospheres of H2, Ar, and CO2, in the temperature range 700°C–1100°C. The residual mass of resin after pyrolysis was almost constant at 700°C, although their apparent colors varied distinctly. The sample obtained from the H2 atmosphere was white, whereas that obtained from the CO2 atmosphere was dark brown. Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of the residues suggested that the Si–O–Si network evolution was accelerated in the CO2 atmosphere. Beyond 800°C, the chemical compositions of the compounds obtained from a H2 atmosphere increasingly approached near‐stoichiometric SiO2–xSiC composition with increasing the pyrolysis temperature. Compounds from a CO2 atmosphere approached a composition of SiO2–xC with no free SiC as the pyrolysis temperature increased. In the products from an Ar atmosphere, SiO2–xSiC–yC compositions were typically obtained. The observed effects of the pyrolysis atmosphere on the resulting chemical compositions were analyzed in terms of thermodynamic calculations. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra revealed broad and intense signals from products obtained from either Ar or CO2. Estimating from the signal intensity, the residual spin concentrations were in the range 1018–1019 g−1. Meanwhile, the spectra from the samples obtained in H2 showed weak and sharp signals with estimated spin concentrations ranging from 1016–1017 g−1. This signal attenuation may have been due to the hydrogen capping of dangling bond formed during pyrolysis.
A Bayesian network model for assessments of coastal inundation pathways and probabilities
Authors: Narayan S. , Simmonds D. , Nicholls R.J. , Clarke D.
Published: July 2015

Coastal flood assessments are often required to describe networks of flood sources, pathways and receptors. This can be challenging within traditional numerical modelling approaches. In this paper, we assess coastal flood plains as networks of interlinked elements using a Bayesian network (Bn) model. The Bn model describes flood pathways and estimate flood extents for different extreme events and is constructed from a quasi‐two‐dimensional Source – Pathway – Receptor (2D SPR) systems diagram. The Bn model is applied in Teignmouth in the UK, a coastal flood plain of typical complexity. It identifies two key flood pathways and assesses their sensitivity to changes in sea levels, beach widths and coastal defences. The process of 2D SPR and Bn model construction helps identify gaps in flood plain understanding and description. The Bn model quantifies inundation probabilities and facilitates the rapid identification of critical pathways and elements before committing resources to further detailed analysis. The advantages, utility and limitations of the Teignmouth Bn model are discussed. The approach is transferable and can be readily applied in localscale coastal flood plains to obtain a systems‐level understanding and inform numerical modelling assumptions.
The efforts of direct support professionals to facilitate inclusion: the role of psychological determinants and work setting
Authors: Venema E. , Otten S. , Vlaskamp C.
Published: July 2015

Background

Various studies have found that direct support professionals (DSPs) play an important role in determining the degree to which people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are included in society. However, less research has been conducted on the psychological processes that may influence the behavioural intentions of DSPs to actually engage with and invest effort in supporting their clients' inclusion. Five possible psychological variables are identified in the literature: attitudes, social norms, experienced competencies, identity and meta‐evaluation. In our research, we tested whether these processes influence the (intended) efforts DSPs make to facilitate their clients' inclusion.

Method

A structured questionnaire was sent to 927 DSPs working in one of three different locations (an ordinary non‐segregated setting, a reversed non‐segregated setting and a residential facility). Of these, 336 DSPs completed the questionnaire.

Results

Several variables revealed differences between the three locations, specifically in efforts to facilitate inclusion, attitudes, social norms, experienced competencies and professional identity. Looking at the overall means, we found (relatively) high scores for the experienced competencies, role identity and meta‐evaluation. In contrast, the means were relatively negative regarding the DSPs' attitudes to inclusion and their assumed social norms.

Conclusions

Direct support professionals' efforts to facilitate inclusion depend on their attitude towards inclusion, the experienced competencies, their role identity, the DSPs' meta‐evaluation and, indirectly through attitudes, also on the assumed social norms of the relevant stakeholders. Organizations responsible for supporting people with ID and which may want their DSPs to make greater efforts to facilitate inclusion should pay attention to these psychological variables.
Reciprocal Influence of Couple Dynamics and Eating Disorders
Authors: Linville Deanna , Cobb Erin , Shen Fei , Stadelman Suzie
Published: July 2015

Little research has focused on the ways that eating disorder processes and adult couple dynamics influence one another. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reciprocal influence of couple dynamics and eating disorder illness and recovery processes. We conducted 51 interviews with 17 couples where one member identified as currently suffering or having recovered from an eating disorder. Using grounded theory analytical methods, findings include the systemic interplay of the eating disorder and relationship, both partners' perspectives on the eating disorder and its role in the relationship, the noneating disorder partner's impact on the eating disorder, and coping strategies for recovery as a couple. Clinical implications for supporting couples experiencing eating disorder illness and recovery are discussed.
Vetting and Letting: Cohabiting Stepfamily Formation Processes in Low‐Income Black Families
Authors: Reid Megan , Golub Andrew
Published: July 2015

The authors examined cohabiting union formation processes by analyzing in‐depth interview data collected from 30 individuals in cohabiting relationships: 15 low‐income Black mothers of adolescents and their partners. Prior research suggests that cohabiting union formation is a gradual, nondeliberative process. In contrast, most couples in this study described a gradual but highly deliberative process. Mothers focused primarily on vetting their partners to ensure child well‐being and less on when and how their partners officially came to live with them, a process the authors call vetting and letting. Mothers delineated 4 strategies to ensure their child's well‐being when vetting their partners, and their partners reported that they understood the importance of participating in this process. The authors argue that vetting and letting is a child‐centered family formation process, not a partner‐centered union formation process, and that cohabiting union processes may vary substantially by subpopulation.
Alteration of serum lipid profile and its prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Gang , Da Mingjie , Zhang Wei , Wu Heming , Ye Jinhai , Chen Jie , Ma Lu , Gu Ning , Wu Yunong , Song Xiaomeng
Published: July 2015

Background

Several serum lipid components have been implicated in the development of cancer. However, the prognostic significance of serum lipid components in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is unknown. Here, we investigated the predictive value of serum lipid profile at diagnosis and in the overall survival of the patients.

Methods

The study population consists of 136 pathologically confirmed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cases diagnosed between years 2009 and 2014 at a tertiary medical center. Levels of preoperative serum lipid component's total cholesterol, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein, low‐density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein (a) were compared between patients and normal controls matched for age and gender. Serum lipid profiles and their association with clinical parameters were analyzed. The effects of the serum lipid components on survival were examined using the proportional hazards regression model to estimate hazard ratio.

Results

Significant lower levels of cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A, and apolipoprotein B were found in patients with oral cancer (P < 0.0001). However, a significantly higher level of lipoprotein (a) was found in the cancer group (P < 0.0001). Patients with higher lipoprotein (a) had significantly shorter overall survival than those with lower lipoprotein (a) (P = 0.0042). Multivariate analysis showed that both higher lipoprotein (a) and lymph node metastasis are independent prognostic factors in the patient population (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

A higher lipoprotein (a) was associated with poorer prognosis and might be a novel marker in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Clinical course of 161 untreated and tenofovir‐treated chronic hepatitisBpregnant patients in a low hepatitisBvirus endemic region
Authors: Samadi Kochaksaraei G. , Castillo E. , Osman M. , Simmonds K. , Scott A. N. , Oshiomogho J. I. , Lee S. S. , Myers R. P. , Martin S. R. , Coffin C. S.
Published: July 2015

Hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis failure is linked to high maternal viraemia. There is limited North American data on hepatitis B outcomes in pregnancy. Pregnant hepatitis B carriers were enrolled January 2011–December 2014 and offered tenofovir in the 3rd trimester if hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐DNAwas >7‐log IU/mL. Outcomes were determined in treatedvsuntreated patients. In total, 161 women with 169 pregnancies (one twin, 170 infants; median age 32 years), 18% (29/161)HBeAg+ and medianHBV‐DNA2.51 logIU/mL (IQR1.66–3.65; range 0.8–8.1) were studied. 14.3% (23/161) received tenofovir due to high viral load (16/23, median 74 days,IQR59–110) or due to liver disease (7/23). In 10/16 treated due to high viraemia, with confirmed adherence, follow‐upHBV‐DNAshowed a 5.49 log decline (P = 0.003). In treatment naïve mothers, median alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased from 17IU/L (IQR12–24) to 29 (IQR18–36) post‐partum (P = 1.5e‐7). In seven highly viraemic mothers who declined therapy (HBV‐DNA>8‐logIU/mL); medianALTincreased ~3X from baseline (P < 0.01). 26% (44/169) had Caesarean section with no difference in treatedvsuntreated subjects. No tenofovir‐treated mothers had renal dysfunction. Data were available on 167/170 infants; in 50.8% (85/167) who completed immunoprophylaxis, 98.8% (84/85, including 12 exposed to tenofovirin utero) wereHBVimmune. One infant born to anHBeAg+ mother withHBV‐DNA>8‐logIU/mL failed immunoprophylaxis. In this prospective Canadian cohort study, most untreated mothers experienced mildHBVflares. Tenofovir in pregnancy is well tolerated and reduces viral load prior to parturition.
Dialysis‐requiring acute kidney injury among hospitalized adults with documented hepatitis C Virus infection: a nationwide inpatient sample analysis
Authors: Nadkarni G. N. , Patel A. , Simoes P. K. , Yacoub R. , Annapureddy N. , Kamat S. , Konstantinidis I. , Perumalswami P. , Branch A. , Coca S. G. , Wyatt C. M.
Published: July 2015

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may cause kidney injury, particularly in the setting of cryoglobulinemia or cirrhosis; however, few studies have evaluated the epidemiology of acute kidney injury in patients with HCV. We aimed to describe national temporal trends of incidence and impact of severe acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement ‘dialysis‐requiring AKI’ in hospitalized adults with HCV. We extracted our study cohort from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project using data from 2004 to 2012. We defined HCV and dialysis‐requiring acute kidney injury based on previously validated ICD‐9‐CM codes. We analysed temporal changes in the proportion of hospitalizations complicated by dialysis‐requiring AKI and utilized survey multivariable logistic regression models to estimate its impact on in‐hospital mortality. We identified a total of 4 603 718 adult hospitalizations with an associated diagnosis of HCV from 2004 to 2012, of which 51 434 (1.12%) were complicated by dialysis‐requiring acute kidney injury. The proportion of hospitalizations complicated by dialysis‐requiring acute kidney injury increased significantly from 0.86% in 2004 to 1.28% in 2012. In‐hospital mortality was significantly higher in hospitalizations complicated by dialysis‐requiring acute kidney injury vs those without (27.38% vs 2.95%; adjusted odds ratio: 2.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.74–2.51). The proportion of HCV hospitalizations complicated by dialysis‐requiring acute kidney injury increased significantly between 2004 and 2012. Similar to observations in the general population, dialysis‐requiring acute kidney injury was associated with a twofold increase in odds of in‐hospital mortality in adults with HCV. These results highlight the burden of acute kidney injury in hospitalized adults with HCV infection.
A functional model for feline P‐glycoprotein
Authors: van Beusekom C. D. , Lange R. , Schrickx J. A.
Published: July 2015

P‐gp (ABCB1) belongs to the group of export transporters that is expressed in various species at biological barriers. Inhibition of P‐gp can lead to changes in pharmacokinetics of drugs (drug–drug interactions), which can lead to toxicity and adverse side effects. This study aimed to establish a functional assay to measure the inhibitory potential of veterinary drugs on feline P‐gp by means of fluorescence‐associated flow cytometry of feline lymphoma cells. In this model, PSC833 and ivermectin potently inhibited P‐gp function; cyclosporine and verapamil moderately inhibited P‐gp function, whereas ketoconazole, itraconazole, diazepam, and its metabolites had no effect on P‐gp function. This model can be used for testing the inhibitory potency of (new) drugs on feline P‐gp.
An American on Paris: Extent of aqueous alteration of a CM chondrite and the petrography of its refractory and amoeboid olivine inclusions
Authors: Rubin Alan E.
Published: July 2015

Paris is the least aqueously altered CM chondrite identified to date, classified as subtype 2.7; however, literature data indicate that some regions of this apparently brecciated meteorite may be subtype 2.9. The suite of CAIs in Paris includes 19% spinel–pyroxene inclusions, 19% spinel inclusions, 8% spinel–pyroxene–olivine inclusions, 43% pyroxene inclusions, 8% pyroxene–olivine inclusions, and 3% hibonite‐bearing inclusions. Both simple and complex inclusions are present; some have nodular, banded, or distended structures. No melilite was identified in any of the inclusions in the present suite, but other recent studies have found a few rare occurrences of melilite in Paris CAIs. Because melilite is highly susceptible to aqueous alteration, it is likely that it was mostly destroyed during early‐stage parent‐body alteration. Two of the CAIs in this study are part of compound CAI–chondrule objects. Their presence suggests that there were transient heating events (probably associated with chondrule formation) in the nebula after chondrules and CAIs were admixed. Also present in Paris are a few amoeboid olivine inclusions (AOI) consisting of relatively coarse forsterite rims surrounding fine‐grained, porous zones containing diopside and anorthite. The interior regions of the AOIs may represent fine‐grained rimless CAIs that were incorporated into highly porous forsterite‐rich dustballs. These assemblages were heated by an energy pulse that collapsed and coarsened their rims, but failed to melt their interiors.
Regulatory rewiring confers serotype‐specific hyper‐virulence in the human pathogen group A Streptococcus
Authors: Miller Eric W. , Danger Jessica L. , Ramalinga Anupama B. , Horstmann Nicola , Shelburne Samuel A. , Sumby Paul
Published: July 2015

Phenotypic heterogeneity is commonly observed between isolates of a given pathogen. Epidemiological analyses have identified that some serotypes of the group A Streptococcus (GAS) are non‐randomly associated with particular disease manifestations. Here, we present evidence that a contributing factor to the association of serotype M3 GAS isolates with severe invasive infections is the presence of a null mutant allele for the orphan kinase RocA. Through use of RNAseq analysis, we identified that the natural rocA mutation present within M3 isolates leads to the enhanced expression of more than a dozen immunomodulatory virulence factors, enhancing phenotypes such as hemolysis and NAD+ hydrolysis. Consequently, an M3 GAS isolate survived human phagocytic killing at a level 13‐fold higher than a rocA complemented derivative, and was significantly more virulent in a murine bacteremia model of infection. Finally, we identified that RocA functions through the CovR/S two‐component system as levels of phosphorylated CovR increase in the presence of functional RocA, and RocA has no regulatory activity following covR or covS mutation. Our data are consistent with RocA interfacing with the CovR/S two‐component system, and that the absence of this activity in M3 GAS potentiates the severity of invasive infections caused by isolates of this serotype.
Aerial surveys suggest long‐term stability in the seasonally ice‐free Foxe Basin (Nunavut) polar bear population
Authors: Stapleton Seth , Peacock Elizabeth , Garshelis David
Published: July 2015

Significant information gaps exist regarding the status of polar bears, especially with respect to the impacts of climate change, across large portions of the Arctic. To obtain an updated abundance estimate for the Foxe Basin population, we conducted comprehensive aerial surveys during the 2009 and 2010 ice‐free seasons, when bears are confined to land. We sampled with mark‐recapture distance sampling protocols on inland and coastal transects and surveyed small islands and remnant ice floes. We observed 816 and 1,003 bears in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Although detection functions differed substantially between years, estimates were consistent between analytical methods and years. Averaging four estimates (two from each year) yielded 2,585 (2,096–3,189) bears, which is similar to an estimate from the 1990s. This result, along with robust cub production, suggests a stable and healthy population despite deteriorating sea ice conditions. Collectively, this and other recent on‐land surveys provide a framework for implementing aerial surveys elsewhere. Although aerial surveys do not yield estimates of vital rates or population growth, they enable more rapid and frequent monitoring than mark‐recapture. Integrating them in long‐term monitoring programs will require consideration of ancillary data to infer status and facilitate setting harvest levels.
Pakistan's lady health worker labor movement and the moral economy of heroism
Authors: CLOSSER SVEA
Published: July 2015

In December 2012, militants began targeted attacks on workers going door to door in Pakistan delivering polio vaccine, including members of a community health worker cadre called Lady Health Workers (LHWs). Over the next several years, more than 50 workers, most of them women, were murdered as they worked. Media accounts frequently refer to these workers as “aid workers” or “heroes.” This paper complicates and theorizes this conception. Two conflicting moral economies around the work of LHWs existed before the targeted killings began; both have amplified since. One, shared among the LHWs themselves, centers around ideas of community health work as deserving of remuneration just like other government work. The other, promoted by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at the international level, conceptualizes ground level workers like LHWs as “heroes,” not as labor—eclipsing the LHWs’ own discourse in the international sphere.
What Dispute Systems Design Can Learn from Project Management
Authors: Costantino Cathy A. , Lewis Melinda R.
Published: July 2015

The discipline of project management (PM), a well‐recognized management approach to large‐scale, high‐cost projects, has much to offer the field of dispute systems design (DSD). This article explores the core concepts of each discipline, noting similarities and differences, with a particular focus on stakeholder management, scope management, risk management, and quality management. Two case studies, General Electric's early dispute resolution program and Chevron's corporate social responsibility initiative in the Niger Delta, demonstrate the application of project management priciples in two DSD scenarios: one with internal corporate stakeholders and one with external community stakeholders. The authors identify five key lessons that dispute systems design can draw from project management and identify areas for further study.
Using Devising Seminars to Advance Collaborative Problem Solving in Complicated Public Policy Disputes
Authors: Susskind Lawrence E. , Rumore Danya
Published: July 2015

In many public policy situations, formal negotiations and collective problem solving are inhibited by a lack of good ideas that can get the buy‐in and support of all involved stakeholders. We suggest that devising seminars provide a promising approach for helping to overcome this barrier. A devising seminar is an off‐the‐record, facilitated workshop that brings together representatives of core stakeholding interest groups to brainstorm mutually advantageous approaches to address collective challenges. In this article, we explain what devising seminars are, how they work, and how they can help with complex public policy disputes. We illustrate through the case of the Devising Seminar on Arctic Fisheries and conclude with lessons learned from that experience.
Scandals in health‐care: their impact on health policy and nursing
Authors: Hutchison Jacqueline S.
Published: July 2015

Through an analysis of several high‐profile scandals in health‐care in the UK, this article discusses the nature of scandal and its impact on policy reform. The nursing profession is compared to social work and medicine, which have also undergone considerable examination and change as a result of scandals. The author draws on reports from public inquiries from 1945 to 2013 to form the basis of the discussion about policy responses following scandals in health‐care. In each case, the nature of the scandal, the public and government discourses generated by events and the policy response to those failings are explored. These scandals are compared to the recent scandal at Mid Staffordshire Hospital. Conclusions are drawn about the impact of these events on the future of the profession and on health policy directions. Recent events have raised public anxieties about caring practices in nursing. Health policy reform driven by scandal may obscure the effect of under resourcing in health services and poses a very real threat to the continued support for state‐run services. Understanding the socially constructed nature of scandal enables the nurse to develop a greater critical awareness of policy contexts in order that they can influence health service reform.
The scope of Baker's law
Authors: Pannell John R. , Auld Josh R. , Brandvain Yaniv , Burd Martin , Busch Jeremiah W. , Cheptou Pierre‐Olivier , Conner Jeffrey K. , Goldberg Emma E. , Grant Alannie‐Grace , Grossenbacher Dena L. , Hovick Stephen M. , Igic Boris , Kalisz Susan , Petanidou Theodora , Randle April M. , de Casas Rafael Rubio , Pauw Anton , Vamosi Jana C. , Winn Alice A.
Published: July 2015

Baker's law refers to the tendency for species that establish on islands by long‐distance dispersal to show an increased capacity for self‐fertilization because of the advantage of self‐compatibility when colonizing new habitat. Despite its intuitive appeal and broad empirical support, it has received substantial criticism over the years since it was proclaimed in the 1950s, not least because it seemed to be contradicted by the high frequency of dioecy on islands. Recent theoretical work has again questioned the generality and scope of Baker's law. Here, we attempt to discern where the idea is useful to apply and where it is not. We conclude that several of the perceived problems with Baker's law fall away when a narrower perspective is adopted on how it should be circumscribed. We emphasize that Baker's law should be read in terms of an enrichment of a capacity for uniparental reproduction in colonizing situations, rather than of high selfing rates. We suggest that Baker's law might be tested in four different contexts, which set the breadth of its scope: the colonization of oceanic islands, metapopulation dynamics with recurrent colonization, range expansions with recurrent colonization, and colonization through species invasions.

ContentsSummary656I.Introduction657II.What is Baker's law, and how did it originate?658III.Mate limitation during mainland–island colonization660IV.Mate limitation in metapopulations661V.Mate limitation during species introductions and invasions663VI.Mate limitation during range expansions and evolution at range margins663VII.Pollinator limitation, the evolution of dispersal, and the scope of Baker's law664VIII.Conclusions and future perspectives664Acknowledgements665References665
A macro‐ecological perspective on crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis evolution in Afro‐Madagascan drylands: Eulophiinae orchids as a case study
Authors: Bone Ruth E. , Smith J. Andrew C. , Arrigo Nils , Buerki Sven
Published: July 2015

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis is an adaptation to water and atmospheric CO2 deficits that has been linked to diversification in dry‐adapted plants. We investigated whether CAM evolution can be associated with the availability of new or alternative niches, using Eulophiinae orchids as a case study.

Carbon isotope ratios, geographical and climate data, fossil records and DNA sequences were used to: assess the prevalence of CAM in Eulophiinae orchids; characterize the ecological niche of extant taxa; infer divergence times; and estimate whether CAM is associated with niche shifts.

CAM evolved in four terrestrial lineages during the late Miocene/Pliocene, which have uneven diversification patterns. These lineages originated in humid habitats and colonized dry/seasonally dry environments in Africa and Madagascar. Additional key features (variegation, heterophylly) evolved in the most species‐rich CAM lineages. Dry habitats were also colonized by a lineage that includes putative mycoheterotrophic taxa.

These findings indicate that the switch to CAM is associated with environmental change. With its suite of adaptive traits, this group of orchids represents a unique opportunity to study the adaptations to dry environments, especially in the face of projected global aridification.
B cells in the aging immune system: time to consider B‐1 cells
Authors: Holodick Nichol E. , Rothstein Thomas L.
Published: July 2015

The investigation of immune senescence has uncovered many changes in B cell development, maintenance, and function with increasing age. However, most of these studies have focused on conventional B cell subsets in the spleen. The B‐1 cell subset is an essential arm of the innate immune system, which in general has been understudied in terms of immune senescence. Here, we review what is currently known about B cells during aging and go on to describe why B‐1 cell biology is an important component of the aging immune system in the context of diseases that most affect the aged population.
Induction of a dwarf phenotype with IBH1 may enable increased production of plant‐made pharmaceuticals in plant factory conditions
Authors: Nagatoshi Yukari , Ikeda Miho , Kishi Hiroyuki , Hiratsu Keiichiro , Muraguchi Atsushi , Ohme‐Takagi Masaru
Published: July 2015

Year‐round production in a contained, environmentally controlled ‘plant factory’ may provide a cost‐effective method to produce pharmaceuticals and other high‐value products. However, cost‐effective production may require substantial modification of the host plant phenotype; for example, using dwarf plants can enable the growth of more plants in a given volume by allowing more plants per shelf and enabling more shelves to be stacked vertically. We show here that the expression of the chimeric repressor for Arabidopsis AtIBH1 (P35S:AtIBH1SRDX) in transgenic tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum) induces a dwarf phenotype, with reduced cell size. We estimate that, in a given volume of cultivation space, we can grow five times more AtIBH1SRDX plants than wild‐type plants. Although, the AtIBH1SRDX plants also showed reduced biomass compared with wild‐type plants, they produced about four times more biomass per unit of cultivation volume. To test whether the dwarf phenotype affects the production of recombinant proteins, we expressed the genes for anti‐hepatitis B virus antibodies (anti‐HBs) in tobacco plants and found that the production of anti‐HBs per unit fresh weight did not significantly differ between wild‐type and AtIBH1SRDX plants. These data indicate that P35S:AtIBH1SRDX plants produced about fourfold more antibody per unit of cultivation volume, compared with wild type. Our results indicate that AtIBH1SRDX provides a useful tool for the modification of plant phenotype for cost‐effective production of high‐value products by stably transformed plants in plant factory conditions.
Conditioned and extinguished fear modulate functional corticocardiac coupling in humans
Authors: Panitz Christian , Hermann Christiane , Mueller Erik M.
Published: July 2015

Although the conditioned cardiac fear response is an important index of psychophysiological fear processing, underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear.N = 22 participants underwent differential fear conditioning and extinction with face pictures as conditioned stimuli (CS) and loud noise bursts as aversive unconditioned stimulus (US) on Day 1 and a recall test 1 day later. We assessed ERPs, evoked heart period (HP), and time‐lagged within‐subject correlations of single‐trial EEG amplitude and HP as index for corticocardiac coupling in response to the CS. Fear‐conditioned stimuli (CS+) triggered cardiac deceleration during fear acquisition and recall. Meanwhile, only during Day 1 acquisition, CS+ evoked larger late positivities in the ERP than CS−. Most importantly, during Day 2 recall, stimulus‐evoked single‐trial EEG responses in the time window between 250 and 500 ms predicted the magnitude of cardiac fear responses 2 to 5 s later. This marker of corticocardiac coupling selectively emerged in response to not previously extinguished CS+ but was absent in response to CS− or previously extinguished CS+. The present results provide first evidence that fear conditioning and extinction modulate functional corticocardiac coupling in humans. Underlying mechanisms may involve subcortical structures enhancing corticocardiac transmission to facilitate processing of consolidated conditioned fear.
Malnutrition in Dialysis Patients—The Need for Intervention Despite Uncertain Benefits
Authors: Kovesdy Csaba P.
Published: July 2015

We are in the midst of an epidemic of overnutrition which has resulted in a widespread increase in obesity rates in modern societies. Yet for patients suffering from serious chronic illnesses such as end stage renal disease (ESRD), malnutrition (encompassing both inadequate quantity and quality of nutrient intake) represents a far more significant danger. Protein‐energy wasting has been identified as one of the strongest risk factor for adverse outcomes in ESRD patients, and modeling studies have suggested that improving nutrition could result in substantial lowering of mortality rates and other benefits. To date there is ample evidence that various interventions can have a positive impact on the nutritional status of ESRD patients, yet we still lack randomized controlled clinical trials showing that the same interventions could indeed lead to better survival or other clinical benefits. This knowledge gap, which is all too common for clinical problems encountered in nephrology, should not act as a deterrent, but it should rather incentivize us to continue exploring novel interventions aimed at improving malnutrition in ESRD.
The role of tense‐copying and syncretism in the licensing of morphological passives in the nordic languages
Authors: Lundquist Björn
Published: July 2015

This paper discusses the morphological passive (the so‐called ‐s(t) passive) in Swedish, Danish, Bokmål and Nynorsk. There are two problematic aspects about the morphological passive: (1) in all the languages mentioned except Swedish, it is restricted to certain tenses and/or conjugation classes, and (2) from a theoretical perspective, it constitutes what looks like a mirror violation: the passive voice‐marker surfaces outside of the tense‐marker, even though it arguably originates between tense and the lexical verb. I argue that previous analyses of the passive ‐s(t) as either a clitic realizing the external argument (Julien 2007), or as a mood marker (Heltoft and Jakobsen 1996) can neither explain the tense/declension class restrictions, nor the semantics of the ‐s(t)‐passive. I argue instead that morphological passives in Danish, Bokmål and Nynorsk never contain a tense projection, and they are licensed in finite contexts when the finite form is form‐identical with a non‐finite form, that “fools” the syntax in the C‐phase of the clause (where at least some of the underlying syntactic features of the lexical items are no longer active). In Swedish on the other hand, the tensed forms are licensed through Tense‐copying, which is known to exist in Swedish to a much higher degree than in the other Scandinavian languages (Wiklund 2007). My proposal thus gets around the mirror‐violation, and manages to relate the variation in restrictions on morphological passives to other familiar differences between the languages, namely differences in conjugation classes and the availability of tense copying.
Infectious complications after liver transplantation in human immunodeficiency virus‐infected recipients
Authors: Teicher E. , Boufassa F. , Vittecoq D. , Antonini T.M. , Tateo M.‐G. , Coilly A. , Roque‐Afonso A.‐M. , Kassis‐Chikhani N. , Lambotte O. , Ichai P. , Samuel D. , Duclos‐Vallee J.‐C.
Published: July 2015

Background

Few studies have investigated infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected liver transplant patients. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, time of onset, mortality of infectious complications, other than hepatitis C virus (HCV), and to identify risk factors for their development in a large single‐center cohort of HIV‐infected liver transplant patients.

Methods

We studied 109 consecutive HIV‐infected patients who underwent liver transplantation (LT) between 1999 and 2010 and followed until December 2012.

Results

The median age was 44 years (interquartile range [IQR] 41–49), 82.6% were male, and the median follow‐up was 45.7 months (IQR 14–65). The major indications for LT were HCV cirrhosis (61%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (19%). Forty patients (37%) developed at least 1 infection during the first year after LT. Twenty‐eight (26%) patients had an episode of bacteremia. Five (4.6%) patients developed a cytomegalovirus infection. Fungal infections occurred in 5 (4.5%) patients. Four (3.6%) patients developed an HIV‐related opportunistic infection. A total of 43 (39.4%) patients died during follow‐up. Mortality related to infection occurred in 9 (7%) cases, and 20 (42.5%) patients died because of HCV recurrence. No patients died from opportunistic infections. Model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score >17 was associated with a 2‐fold higher risk (hazard ratio 1.96; 95% confidence interval 1.01–3.80) of developing infectious complications.

Conclusions

Infections are not a major cause of mortality after LT in HIV patients and opportunistic infections of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are infrequent. A MELD score >17 increased the risk of developing post‐LT infectious complications. Recurrence of HCV infection remains a major cause of mortality.
Who should donate blood? Policy decisions on donor deferral criteria should protect recipients and be fair to donors
Authors: Brailsford S. R. , Kelly D. , Kohli H. , Slowther A. , Watkins N. A. ,   on behalf of the Blood Donor Selection Steering Group of the Advisory Committee for the Safety of Blood, Tissues, Organs
Published: July 2015

An important element in the development of voluntary blood donation schemes throughout the world has been the attention given to minimising the risk to recipients of donated blood, primarily the risk of transfusion transmitted infections. In response to the appearance of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the 1980s a range of national policies emerged that excluded populations at high risk of contracting HIV from donating blood, with a particular focus on men who have sex with men (MSM), the primary reason being the protection of recipients of donated blood. Recently some countries, including the UK, have revised their policies, informed by advances in screening tests, epidemiological evidence of transmission rates and an increasing concern about unfair discrimination of specific groups in society. Policy makers face a difficult task of balancing safety of recipients; an adequate blood supply for those who require transfusion; and societal/legal obligations to treat everyone fairly. Given that no transfusion is risk free, the question is what degree of risk is acceptable in order to meet the needs of recipients and society. Decisions about acceptance of risk are complex and policy makers who set acceptable risk levels must provide ethically justifiable reasons for their decisions. We suggest it is possible to provide a set of reasons that stakeholders could agree are relevant based on careful evaluation of the evidence of all relevant risks and explicit acknowledgement of other morally relevant values. We describe using such a process in the Safety of Blood Tissue and Organs (SaBTO) review of donor deferral criteria related to sexual behaviour.
Similarities and differences between WHO criteria and two other approaches for maternal near miss diagnosis
Authors: Menezes Filipe Emanuel Fonseca , Galvão Larissa Paes Leme , de Mendonça Caio Menezes Machado , Góis Kaique Andre do Nascimento , Ribeiro Ruy Farias , Santos Victor Santana , Gurgel Ricardo Queiroz
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the similarities, differences and diagnostic aspects between World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and two other maternal near miss (MNM) diagnostic tools.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted from June 2011 to May 2012 in two reference maternity hospitals in Aracaju, Brazil. Prospective case identification and data collection were performed and patients were classified as an MNM case according to WHO, Waterstone and literature‐based criteria. The diagnostic properties and concordance of literature‐based and Waterstone criteria were calculated using WHO criteria as standard.

Results

Of a total of 20 435 patients, 19 239 women did not have potentially life‐threatening conditions, there were 17 maternal deaths, and 77 MNM cases based on the WHO criteria. Waterstone and literature‐based criteria identified 404 and 959 MNM cases, respectively, most of them related to hypertensive disorders and haemorrhage. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in diagnosing MNM cases using Waterstone and literature‐based criteria were above 90%, but Waterstone sensitivity was 48.1%. The similarities between the Waterstone and literature‐based criteria were very weak compared to WHO criteria, with a positive percentage concordance below 9%.

Conclusions

Although using WHO guidelines to detect MNM cases can be difficult when implemented in low‐resource settings, the results from this study reinforce the importance of this tool in detecting the truly severe cases. Waterstone and literature‐based criteria are not suitable for identifying indubitable MNM. However, they remain useful as a preliminary step to select potentially severe cases, mainly those related to hypertension and haemorrhage.