bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of soil organic carbon at the country scale: stratification strategies for near‐infrared data
Authors: Jaconi A. , Don A. , Freibauer A.
Published: October 2017

Research has shown that the application of near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can be used to predict soil attributes, in particular for regional to continental scales. However, there are challenges when NIR is used at the regional scale because of the considerable spatial variation. This study has predicted SOC at the country scale (German agricultural soil inventory) with different stratification strategies for NIR data: (i) calibration with memory‐based learning (MBL) algorithms that use spectral similarity and (ii) simple stratification based on soil properties (depth, pH and soil texture) and land use. To optimize calibration models, this study aimed to predict soil organic carbon (SOC) determined by these three strategies for 1410 soil profiles selected from the German agricultural soil inventory. The profiles covered a wide range of soil types and characteristics. The calibration procedures were based on complete soil profile data of two‐thirds of the dataset and one‐third of the dataset was used for independent validation (prediction); the profiles were selected randomly. Available soil properties for stratifying the datasets were: soil depth (topsoil 0–30 cm and subsoil 31–100 cm), pH and texture class (silty, clayey, sandy and loamy). The profiles were also stratified by land use (cropland and grassland) and with the MBL method. The calibrations were carried out by partial least‐squares regression (PLSR), and each stratification model was compared with the global model. The root mean square error of cross‐validation (RMSECV) for the global model was 4.2 g SOC kg−1. Stratification according to soil depth reduced the error by 10% (RMSECV 3.8 g kg−1). The best stratification by soil texture was when sandy soil samples were separated from the other samples, which reduced the RMSECV by 14%. Calibration with MBL provided the most accurate predictions of SOC, with an error reduction of 25% (RMSECV 3.2 g kg−1). Thus, calibrations with NIR of country‐scale datasets can be improved easily by stratification or application of the MBL algorithm.

Highlights

Large country‐scale soil dataset of near‐infrared with > 1400 soil profiles was used.

Stratification of NIR data by soil properties increased the accuracy of SOC calibration at country scale.

The best stratification design involved calibrating sandy soil separately from other texture classes.

A decrease of 25% in calibration error and 22% in prediction error with the MBL model compared with global model.
Intractable seizures after a lengthy remission in childhood‐onset epilepsy
Authors: Camfield Peter R. , Camfield Carol S.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To establish the risk of subsequent intractable epilepsy after ≥2, ≥5, and ≥10 years of remission in childhood‐onset epilepsy.

Methods

From the Nova Scotia childhood‐onset epilepsy population‐based cohort patients with all types of epilepsy were selected with ≥20 years follow‐up from seizure onset (incidence cases). Children with childhood absence epilepsy were excluded. The rate of subsequent intractable epilepsy was then studied for patients with ≥5 years remission on or off AED treatment and compared with the rate for those with ≥2 and ≥10 years of remission.

Results

Three hundred eighty‐eight eligible patients had ≥20 years follow‐up (average 27.7 ± (standard deviation) 4 years) until they were an average of 34 ± 6.5 years of age. Overall, 297 (77%) had a period of ≥5 years of seizure freedom (average 21.2 ± 8 years), with 90% of these remissions continuing to the end of follow‐up. Seizures recurred in 31 (10%) and were intractable in 7 (2%). For the 332 with a remission of ≥2 years seizure‐free, 6.9% subsequently developed intractable epilepsy (p = 0.001). For the 260 with ≥10 years remission, 0.78% subsequently developed intractable epilepsy (p = 0.25 compared with ≥5 years remission).

Significance

Even after ≥5 or ≥10 years of seizure freedom, childhood‐onset epilepsy may reappear and be intractable. The risk is fortunately small, but for most patients it is not possible to guarantee a permanent remission.
Epileptogenic networks in nodular heterotopia: A stereoelectroencephalography study
Authors: Pizzo Francesca , Roehri Nicolas , Catenoix Hélène , Medina Samuel , McGonigal Aileen , Giusiano Bernard , Carron Romain , Scavarda Didier , Ostrowsky Karine , Lepine Anne , Boulogne Sébastien , Scholly Julia , Hirsch Edouard , Rheims Sylvain , Bénar Christian‐George , Bartolomei Fabrice
Published: October 2017

Objective

Defining the roles of heterotopic and normotopic cortex in the epileptogenic networks in patients with nodular heterotopia is challenging. To elucidate this issue, we compared heterotopic and normotopic cortex using quantitative signal analysis on stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) recordings.

Methods

Clinically relevant biomarkers of epileptogenicity during ictal (epileptogenicity index; EI) and interictal recordings (high‐frequency oscillation and spike) were evaluated in 19 patients undergoing SEEG. These biomarkers were then compared between heterotopic cortex and neocortical regions. Seizures were classified as normotopic, heterotopic, or normoheterotopic according to respective values of quantitative analysis (EI ≥0.3).

Results

A total of 1,246 contacts were analyzed: 259 in heterotopic tissue (heterotopic cortex), 873 in neocortex in the same lobe of the lesion (local neocortex), and 114 in neocortex distant from the lesion (distant neocortex). No significant difference in EI values, high‐frequency oscillations, and spike rate was found comparing local neocortex and heterotopic cortex at a patient level, but local neocortex appears more epileptogenic (p < 0.001) than heterotopic cortex analyzing EI values at a seizure level. According to EI values, seizures were mostly normotopic (48.5%) or normoheterotopic (45.5%); only 6% were purely heterotopic. A good long‐term treatment response was obtained in only two patients after thermocoagulation and surgical disconnection.

Significance

This is the first quantitative SEEG study providing insight into the mechanisms generating seizures in nodular heterotopia. We demonstrate that both the heterotopic lesion and particularly the normotopic cortex are involved in the epileptogenic network. This could open new perspectives on multitarget treatments, other than resective surgery, aimed at modifying the epileptic network.
Influence of the location and type of epileptogenic lesion on scalp interictal epileptiform discharges and high‐frequency oscillations
Authors: Cuello‐Oderiz Carolina , von Ellenrieder Nicolas , Dubeau François , Gotman Jean
Published: October 2017

Objective

To increase the diagnostic power of scalp electroencephalography (EEG) by investigating whether lesion type and location influence the morphology of interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) and the likelihood thatIEDs and high‐frequency oscillations (HFOs) are present.

Methods

We studiedEEGactivity in epilepsy patients with lesional epilepsy. Lesions were classified by type and by location (region and depth). We marked a maximum of 50IEDs during deep non–rapid eye movement sleep.IEDs were identified as spikes or sharp waves with or without slow waves, or bursts of spikes or sharp waves with or without slow waves. We analyzedHFOs in the studies showing at least 50IEDs.

Results

In 192 scalpEEGstudies, the differences in the percentage of studies showingIEDs in each depth‐related group were not statistically significant, whereasHFOs (55 studies) predominated in patients exhibiting superficial lesions (p<0.001). Sharp waves, as predominant pattern, were more prevalent in hippocampal abnormalities (p < 0.001), whereas bursts predominated in patients with malformations of cortical development (p < 0.001).

Significance

The depth of the lesion does not influence the presence ofIEDs, as one might expect, but it influences that ofHFOs. This is explained as follows.HFOs are generated in the epileptogenic region, do not propagate, and hence are only visible on scalpEEGwith superficial lesions.IEDs can result from a nearby focus or propagate from a deep generator and are therefore equally present with deep, intermediate, and superficial lesions. Additionally,IEDmorphology provides information in determining the lesion type.
Intentions to Have a Child: A Couple‐Based Process
Authors: Matias Marisa , Fontaine Anne Marie
Published: October 2017

Objective

To analyze how the endorsement of motives for and against having children act at a dyadic level to predict childbearing intentions.

Background

Understanding what leads individuals to have children is a topic of interest among family researchers and policy makers given that fertility rates have been decreasing in many countries. Most studies on this topic have not examined intentions about children as a dyadic process, yet most childbearing decisions occur within couple relationships.

Method

Using a convenience sample of heterosexual dual‐earner couples with (n = 100 couples) and without children (n = 60 couples), Actor‐Partner‐Interdependence‐Models were fitted to assess the linkages between motives and childbearing intentions.

Results

Different processes occur for parents and nonparents when formulating intentions to have a(nother) child. Compared to nonparents, parents are less concerned about potential changes in lifestyle or to their marital relationship, and worries about child development are subdued; rather, they are more focused on the potential emotional benefits of an additional child. In addition, partner effects were found solely in the parents' group: The more the partner perceived an additional child as enriching, the more the individual intended to have another child. Childless women were also particularly concerned about the costs of parenthood, and childless men were primarily driven by emotional enrichment motives.

Conclusion

Individual attitudes and behaviors with regard to intentions for having a child tend to be affected by their partner's attitudes and behaviors toward the same. Thus, the family systems approach take here provides a more holistic understanding of couple and family decision‐making processes on this issue than is possible when only collecting data from individuals.

Implications

For parents, interventions aimed at enhancing communication and negotiation skills between couple members could foster a more shared and informed decision‐making process. Improving women's sense of control and mastery over the juggling of multiple roles may help reduce childless women's concerns about the costs of having children.
Fatigue characterization of T300/924 polymer composites with voids under tension‐tension and compression‐compression cyclic loading
Authors: Liu H. , Cui H. , Wen W. , Kang H.
Published: October 2017

Fibrous polymer composites exhibit excellent properties such as high specific stiffness/strength and good fatigue performance. However, as inherent defects of polymer composites, voids have been reported to have an impact on their load‐bearing properties including fatigue resistance. In the interest of safety, the effect of voids on fatigue behaviours of composites should be understood and quantified. In this article, the effect of voids on the fatigue of T300/924 composites was evaluated in terms of their fatigue life, stiffness degradation, and cracks propagation under tension‐tension and compression‐compression loadings. The failure probability was assessed by Weibull distribution. Furthermore, crack measurement and fractographic analysis reveal that the effect of voids on the failure mechanisms of the material under various loading configurations could be different. Lastly, an analytical residual stiffness model was proposed, and a good correlation was obtained between the experimental data and the prediction results.
Characterizing the Spatial Structure(s) of Cities “on the fly”: The Space‐Time Calendar
Authors: Arribas‐Bel Daniel , Tranos Emmanouil
Published: October 2017

Our understanding of the spatial structure of cities has been traditionally shaped by the availability of static data. In the last few years, thanks to improvements in geospatial technology as well as computing storage and power, there has been an explosion of geo‐referenced data, which monitor cities and urban activities in real time. Although this shift in the data landscape promises to change and augment the way we measure, understand, and act on cities, it poses significant methodological challenges and uncovers substantial gaps in the analytics required. This article contributes in this direction by delivering insights on two fundamental fronts: first, we compare several methods that conceptualize both space and time in rather different ways, highlighting their main advantages and limitations; second and more important, we propose a novel approach the Space‐Time Calendar that uncovers, characterizes and visualizes in an explicitly spatial way both fast and slow urban dynamics. We illustrate its advantages using a data set derived from over 2 years of mobile phone activity in Amsterdam (the Netherlands). Our findings highlight the advantages of the Space‐Time Calendar approach, but also the benefits of appropriately matching the methodological approach to the nature of the data at hand.
Navigating a world of religious NGOs: Ethnography, abstraction, and views of the horizon
Authors: Fountain Philip , Feener R. Michael
Published: October 2017

Since the turn of the twenty‐first century, there has been a prodigious production of typological studies seeking to “map” religious NGOs. In this paper, our intention is not to construct yet another new map of religious NGOs, or even to map these earlier mappings. Rather we would like to open up here some new conversations about the ways in which we might better understand, appreciate, and build upon work that has been done to date on NGOs at the intersection of religion and development. In doing this, we explore some alternative technologies for the navigation of this brave new world.
Spacing the subject: Thinking subjectivity after non‐representational theory
Authors: Simpson Paul
Published: October 2017

This paper reviews work in geography concerned with the spatialities of “the subject” after non‐representational theory (NRT). The paper looks at what talking about “the subject” might refer to, particularly amid the aftermath of the decentering of the subject that took place in the latter part of the 20th century across the humanities and social sciences. The paper then provides an overview of the impacts that NRT has had on how geographers have understood and approached the subject. In particular, the paper focuses on recent work in human geography which takes the subject to be in some way emergent from encounters with various more‐than human others/alterity. Reflecting on that work, the paper broaches questions around difference and distribution. Here, a range of questions and lines of enquiry which might now be pursued in developing this work further are offered. These are summarised around the need for a “spacing” of the subject.
Limits of the New Green Revolution for Africa: Reconceptualising gendered agricultural value chains
Authors: Gengenbach Heidi , Schurman Rachel A. , Bassett Thomas J. , Munro William A. , Moseley William G.
Published: October 2017

In order to address food insecurity, the New Green Revolution for Africa (GR4A) promotes tighter integration of African smallholder farmers, especially women, into formal markets via value chains to improve farmers’ input access and to encourage the sale of crop surpluses. This commentary offers a theoretical and practical critique of the GR4A model, drawing on early findings from a five‐year study of value chain initiatives in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mozambique. It highlights the limitations of a model that views heightened market interactions as uniformly beneficial for smallholder farmers. We challenge the notion that there is a broadly similar and replicable process for the construction of markets and the development of gender‐sensitive value chains in all recipient countries. Instead we build upon the feminist network political ecology and coproduction literatures to conceptualise value chains as complex assemblages co‐produced by a broad set of actors, including socially differentiated farmers.
Fresh and ensiled forage plants—total composition, silage losses and the prediction of silage composition from the crop
Authors: Udén P.
Published: October 2017

Twenty ley and whole‐crop samples were analysed before and after ensiling to determine the proportion of dry matter (DM) that could be accounted for by the sum of 12 chemical assays for ash, ash‐excluded‐amylase‐treated neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom), starch, water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC), pectin, crude protein (CP),CPinaNDFom (CPndf), ammonia, crude fat, phenolics, plant organic acids and liquid fermentation products (acids and alcohols). Crop components, utilized during silage fermentation and the possibility of predicting silage composition from that of the crop, were also investigated. Samples consisted of timothy and red and white clover, harvested at early and late maturities in two cuts per maturity and of whole‐crop barley, wheat and maize, harvested at early, intermediate and late stages of maturity. Ley crops were wilted to reach aDMcontent of approximately 400 g/kg, whereas whole crops (WC) were not wilted (151–757 gDM/kg) before ensiling. The average sum of analytes was 1022 and 981 g/kgDMfor crops and silages respectively. An overall closeness to complete recovery indicates that no major plant components were missing from the analyses. Relative proportions of pectin, plant organic acids and phenolics, which are rarely analysed, were approximately 60:40:2 (w/w). Ash,aNDFom, crude fat andCPwere almost completely recovered after ensiling, whereas partial metabolism reduced recoveries of starch (81%),CPndf (62%), plant organic acids (65%), pectin (64%) andWSC(29%). Only the four analytes with high silage recoveries could be reasonably well predicted from parent crop levels with mean prediction error from 0.065 foraNDFom to 0.167 for crude fat.
A Real‐World Analysis of Migraine: A Cross‐Sectional Study of Disease Burden and Treatment Patterns
Authors: Ford Janet H. , Jackson James , Milligan Gary , Cotton Sarah , Ahl Jonna , Aurora Sheena K.
Published: October 2017

Objective

The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to assess the sociodemographics, disease burden, and treatment patterns of patients with episodic and chronic migraine in the United States.

Background

Migraine is a disabling neurological disease that places an enormous burden on patients.

Methods

Data were drawn from the Adelphi Migraine United States Disease Specific Programme (index period: January to March 2014). Physicians (N = 150) completed a patient report form on 10 consulting patients with migraine. Episodic migraineurs had ≤14 headache days per month (HDM) and those with chronic migraine had ≥15. Headache‐related disability was assessed with the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire. Disability was also compared across subgroups based on the number of HDM (≤3, 4‐7, 8‐14, and ≥15).

Results

A total of 1487 patient report forms were completed. Over 70% of the patients were female, 90.8% (n = 1350) were episodic migraineurs, and 9.2% (n = 137) were chronic migraineurs. Acute treatment was prescribed for >90% of the patients, and >50% had a current prescription for preventive treatment. Despite taking acute and/or preventive treatment, 29.2% of episodic migraineurs (including some patients with ≤3 headache days/month) and 73.2% of chronic migraineurs had moderate‐to‐severe headache‐related disability (MIDAS total score ≥11). Preventive treatment was discontinued/switched at least once by 26.4% of episodic migraineurs and by 53.3% of chronic migraineurs. Of those patients (n = 382) who gave collective reasons for discontinuation/switching preventive treatment, over 70% selected lack of efficacy and tolerability/safety.

Conclusions

This real‐world analysis provides additional support for the unmet medical need for efficacious therapies that reduce migraine frequency and severity, headache‐related disability, and have better tolerability for patients with migraine. In addition, further research is needed to better understand the burden of illness among patients with lower migraine frequency, and to implement treatment strategies to prevent progression of the disease.
Increased serum C‐reactive protein and decreased urinary aquaporin 2 levels are predictive of the efficacy of tolvaptan in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Nakai Masato , Ogawa Koji , Takeda Rei , Ohara Masatsugu , Kawagishi Naoki , Izumi Takaaki , Umemura Machiko , Ito Jun , Sho Takuya , Suda Goki , Morikawa Kenichi , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: October 2017

Aim

Water retention, hepatic ascites, and peripheral edema are significant problems in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Although furosemide and spironolactone are commonly used as treatment, they are often insufficient to treat hyponatremia and renal insufficiency in patients with LC. Tolvaptan (TVP) could provide an effective treatment alternative. However, predictive factors of a therapeutic response to TVP are unclear. Our aim was to examine clinical predictors of the response to TVP in patients with LC and water retention.

Methods

Fifty‐two patients were treated with TVP, with therapeutic effects judged by a decrease in body weight (≥2 kg) and increase in urinary volume (≥500 mL) within 7 days. Blood biochemical tests were carried out at baseline and post‐treatment, including serum soluble CD14 (sCD14) and urinary aquaporin 2 (AQP2) levels. Clinical and laboratory predictive factors of a TVP response were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The overall response to TVP was 55.8%. On univariate analyses, serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, urinary blood urea nitrogen, and urinary AQP2 were predictors of the TVP response, with only serum CRP retained on multivariate analysis. A higher serum sCD14 level was strongly associated with a non‐response to TVP. A decrease in urinary AQP2 to undetectable level was associated with a response.

Conclusion

Tolvaptan provides a rapid and strong effect to improve water retention in patients with LC. Baseline serum sCD14 and CRP levels are useful predictors of a response to TVP, with a decrease in urinary AQP2 during treatment indicating an early response.
An empirically based conceptual framework for fostering meaningful patient engagement in research
Authors: Hamilton Clayon B. , Hoens Alison M. , Backman Catherine L. , McKinnon Annette M. , McQuitty Shanon , English Kelly , Li Linda C.
Published: October 2017

Background

Patient engagement in research (PEIR) is promoted to improve the relevance and quality of health research, but has little conceptualization derived from empirical data.

Objective

To address this issue, we sought to develop an empirically based conceptual framework for meaningful PEIR founded on a patient perspective.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative secondary analysis of in‐depth interviews with 18 patient research partners from a research centre‐affiliated patient advisory board. Data analysis involved three phases: identifying the themes, developing a framework and confirming the framework. We coded and organized the data, and abstracted, illustrated, described and explored the emergent themes using thematic analysis. Directed content analysis was conducted to derive concepts from 18 publications related to PEIR to supplement, confirm or refute, and extend the emergent conceptual framework. The framework was reviewed by four patient research partners on our research team.

Results

Participants’ experiences of working with researchers were generally positive. Eight themes emerged: procedural requirements, convenience, contributions, support, team interaction, research environment, feel valued and benefits. These themes were interconnected and formed a conceptual framework to explain the phenomenon of meaningful PEIR from a patient perspective. This framework, the PEIR Framework, was endorsed by the patient research partners on our team.

Conclusions

The PEIR Framework provides guidance on aspects of PEIR to address for meaningful PEIR. It could be particularly useful when patient‐researcher partnerships are led by researchers with little experience of engaging patients in research.
Influence of a preschool preventive dental programme on caries prevalence, oral care and secretory immunity to Streptococcus mutans in young adults
Authors: Aida KL , de Paula Ramos S , Seixas GF , Bozza A , Couto de Almeida RS , Dezan Garbelini CC
Published: October 2017

Objective

To evaluate oral hygiene habits, decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) and surfaces (DMFS), dental care, dietetic habits and anti‐Streptococcus mutans salivary secretory Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in young adults who attended a preventive programme during preschool age.

Material and methods

The study group (Baby Clinic) comprised 72 patients, aged 18‐25 years, who had participated in the Baby Clinic preventive programme. The control group was age‐ and gender‐matched. The patients were examined and unstimulated whole saliva was sampled for detection of anti‐S. mutansSIgA antibodies.

Results

Control patients presented increased DMFS scores (P < .05). Hygiene habits, cariogenic diet and antibody levels were not different between groups (P > .05). Baby Clinic patients presented better periodontal status (P < .005), less calculus (P < .005) and bleeding on probing (P < .005), and reported visiting dental services more regularly (P < .05). Adjusted multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that DMFT was associated with study group (P < .05), gender (P < .05), parents’ education (P < .05), carbohydrate intake (P < .001) and levels of anti‐S. mutansSIgA (P < .007). DMFS was associated with time elapsed since the last visit to the dentist (P < .005) and weekly carbohydrate intake (P < .005).

Conclusion

Preventive programmes for preschool children positively impact on DMFS and periodontal status in young adults, but have no long‐term effects on dietary or hygiene habits.
Performance evaluation of the microINR® point‐of‐care INR‐testing system
Authors: Joubert J. , van Zyl M.C. , Raubenheimer J.
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Point‐of‐care International Normalised Ratio (INR) testing is used frequently. We evaluated the microINR® POC system for accuracy, precision and measurement repeatability, and investigated instrument and test chip variability and error rates.

Methods

Venous blood INRs of 210 patients on warfarin were obtained with Thromborel® S on the Sysmex CS‐2100i® analyser and compared with capillary blood microINR® values. Precision was assessed using control materials. Measurement repeatability was calculated on 51 duplicate finger‐prick INRs. Triplicate finger‐prick INRs using three different instruments (30 patients) and three different test chip lots (29 patients) were used to evaluate instrument and test chip variability.

Results

Linear regression analysis of microINR® and Sysmex CS2100i® values showed a correlation coefficient of 0.96 (P < .0001) and a positive proportional bias of 4.4%. Dosage concordance was 93.8% and clinical agreement 95.7%. All acceptance criteria based on ISO standard 17593:2007 system accuracy requirements were met. Control material coefficients of variation (CV) varied from 6.2% to 16.7%. The capillary blood measurement repeatability CV was 7.5%. No significant instrument (P = .93) or test chip (P = .81) variability was found, and the error rate was low (2.8%).

Conclusion

The microINR® instrument is accurate and precise for monitoring warfarin therapy.
Clinical and pathological feature of bone marrow granulomas: A modern Australian series
Authors: Crispin P. , Holmes A.
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Marrow granulomas have been commonly associated with mycobacterial infections, prompting extensive investigations in some cases where they are found, but in the setting of changing infectious epidemiology, there is a lack of recent data to guide the search for probable causes.

Methods

A retrospective case series examining the clinical and pathological findings in all cases where marrow granulomas were reported over a 10‐year period at The Canberra Hospital, Australia.

Results

Of the 6062 marrow biopsies performed, 73 (1.2%) from 66 individuals had confirmed granulomas. Some patients had multiple potential causes found. B‐cell non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma, sarcoidosis and autoimmune disease were the most frequently observed causes. Infections were less common in this cohort than in the previous series, with no tuberculosis seen. The presence of granulomas in the marrow did not signify the presence of active malignancy in the marrow. There were no associations with any specific morphological characteristics of the granulomas and the presumed causes.

Conclusion

Marrow granulomas are seen in a variety conditions. Neither their presence nor their morphological features are a guide to further investigations, which should be determined by the clinical presentation as appropriate.
Relevance of sample preparation for flow cytometry
Authors: Muccio V. E. , Saraci E. , Gilestro M. , Oddolo D. , Ruggeri M. , Caltagirone S. , Bruno B. , Boccadoro M. , Omedè P.
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Flow cytometry is a useful tool for diagnosis and minimal residual disease (MRD) study of hematological diseases. Standard sample preparation protocols are characterized by stain‐lyse‐wash (SLW). To prevent nonspecific bindings and achieve high sensitivity in MRD studies, lyse‐wash‐stain‐wash (LWSW) is required. To our knowledge, no comparison between the two methods has been performed.

Methods

We compared mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), stain index, signal‐to‐noise ratio, and percentage of positive cells of 104 antibodies and of 13 selected antibodies tested in 10 samples simultaneously prepared with the two methods.

Results

MFI and percentages of positive cells obtained by the two methods did not show significant differences and showed a very high correlation. Stain index and signal‐to‐noise ratio presented higher values for kappa and lambda surface chains in LWSW samples and a trend of higher values for the other antibodies in SLW samples.

Conclusions

We suggest to use LWSW method also at diagnosis to obtain more comparable antibody intensity expressions when samples from the same patient are processed for MRD evaluation after bulk lysis. Moreover, LWSW can prevent nonspecific bindings, shows no differences in the identification and quantitation of the populations of interest, and reduces acquisition of cell debris.
Impact of nurses' perceptions of work environment and communication satisfaction on their intention to quit
Authors: Özer Özlem , Şantaş Fatih , Şantaş Gülcan , Şahin Deniz Say
Published: October 2017

Aim

This study examines the association of nurses' perception of their work environment and communication satisfaction with their intention to quit.

Method

The implementation part of the study was conducted with nurses working in a public hospital in the city of Burdur, Turkey. Data were collected in January 2017 from 175 participants and then assessed.

Results

The analysis showed that perceptions of the work environment and communication satisfaction taken together explain the total variance of the intention to quit. While participants' perceptions of the work environment become increasingly positive, their communication satisfaction increases and their intention to quit decreases.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that making improvements to the nursing work environment and nurses' communication satisfaction will decrease their intention to quit.
Insights from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations for a multicomponent oxide glass
Authors: Ohkubo Takahiro , Tsuchida Eiji , Deguchi Kenzo , Ohki Shinobu , Shimizu Tadashi , Otomo Toshiya , Iwadate Yasuhiko
Published: October 2017

It remains a challenge to establish structural models of multicomponent oxide glass systems. In this study, we have investigated 68.3SiO2–16.1B2O3–4.2Al2O3–11.4Na2O glass and melt structures by ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. The atomic configurations obtained from AIMD simulations were validated against 17O solid‐state NMR spectrum under 24.0 T and neutron diffraction data, and excellent agreement was achieved. The bond lengths, angles, and coordination geometries were statistically analyzed for each atomic species. Here we particularly address the role of minor atomic species such as five‐coordinate Si (SiV) and Al (AlV). The SiV–O bond lengths and O–SiV–O angle distribution in the glass indicated 1.718 Å and three peaks at 90°, 120°, and 175°, which are assigned to a coordination geometry of the trigonal bipyramidal structure. Ring statistic analysis revealed that SiV and AlV were found to preferentially contribute to the formation of small ring sizes.
Factors associated with change in health‐related quality of life among individuals treated with long‐term mechanical ventilation, a 6‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Markussen Heidi , Lehmann Sverre , Nilsen Roy M. , Natvig Gerd K.
Published: October 2017

Aims

To examine changes and explanatory variables for changes in health‐related quality of life in patients treated with long‐term mechanical ventilation over a 6‐year period.

Background

Long‐term mechanical ventilation is a treatment for individuals with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure, primarily caused by neuromuscular diseases, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary and restrictive thoracic diseases. Studies on long‐term outcome on health‐related quality of life and factors influencing it are lacking.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Data were collected from the Norwegian Long‐Term‐Mechanical‐Ventilation Registry and from patient‐reported questionnaire in 2008 and 2014. Health‐related quality of life was measured by the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency questionnaire, containing 49 items and seven subdomains. Linear mixed effects models were used to measure changes and identify factors for changes.

Results

After 6 years, 60 patients were still participating, out of 127 at baseline. Health‐related quality of life improved significantly in the total score and in four subdomains of the questionnaire. Satisfaction with training in long‐term mechanical ventilation was an explanatory variable for improved ‘psychological well‐being’ and follow‐up for improvement of ‘anxiety’. Side effects of the treatment like facial soreness were associated with the total score. High age and high forced vital capacity were related to lower ‘physical function’ and improved ‘social functioning’, respectively.

Conclusion

Long‐term mechanical ventilation over 6 years improved health‐related quality of life in most patients. Patient training, follow‐up and reduction of side effects, largely delivered by trained nurses, contribute to achieve the main goal of the treatment—improved health‐related quality of life.
General and professional values of student nurses and nurse educators
Authors: Riklikiene Olga , Karosas Laima , Kaseliene Snieguole
Published: October 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore and compare the self‐reported general and professional values in undergraduate student nurses and nurse educators in Lithuania.

Background

Contemporary nursing requires strong moral motivation and clear values as nurses confront many ethical dilemas in their practice. Students acquire essential values of the nursing profession through the appropriate role modelling of their educators. Nursing students seek to become capable in providing ethical and professional patient care while their educators attempt to model desired behaviours.

Design

A national cross‐sectional comparative study was carried out in March 2011. Four‐hundred eight respondents participated: 316 undergraduate nursing students and 92 nurse educators.

Methods

A 57‐item questionnaire was delivered to nursing programs at three universities and six colleges. Permission to conduct the study was granted by The Center on Bioethics.

Results

Student nurses and their educators rated the general value of altruism equally. Educators, in comparison with students, ranked honesty and intellectualism significantly higher and more often admired truth‐telling in any circumstance. Students were more likely to avoid intellectual challenges in reading and placed lower importance on academic qualifications for career advancement. The professional nursing values of honesty, intellectualism and authority were ranked significantly higher by nurse educators than student nurses.

Conclusions

The study revealed differences in self‐reported general and professional values in undergraduate student nurses and nurse educators. The values of nurse educators were not always stronger than those of students. Positive relationships between particular general and professional values in both students and educators confirmed the link between professional and personal values.
Effects and associations of nutrition in patients with venous leg ulcers: A systematic review
Authors: Barber Georgina A , Weller Carolina D , Gibson Simone J
Published: October 2017

Aims

To identify the associations and effects of nutritional characteristics and interventions on ulcer outcomes in adult patients with venous leg ulcers.

Background

Venous leg ulcers are the most prevalent type of lower limb ulcer; however, little evidence exists regarding the relationship between nutritional status and ulcer healing.

Design

A systematic search of English language articles was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

Data sources

A search of databases Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL and Scopus was performed for studies published between January 2004 ‐ May 2017.

Review methods

Quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Assessment tool and the relevant Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal checklists.

Results

Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. All participants had Clinical Aetiology Anatomy Pathophysiology classification C5 (healed) or C6 (active) ulcers. Studies were conducted in a range of clinical settings with relatively small sample sizes. The majority of patients were overweight or obese. Increased body mass index was associated with delayed wound healing. Vitamin D, folic acid and flavonoids were associated with some beneficial effects on ulcer healing. Dietary intakes of omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamin C and zinc were low for some patients.

Conclusion

Current evidence suggests that venous leg ulcer patients are more likely to be overweight or obese. However, evidence for weight management improving wound healing is lacking. Micronutrients, including vitamin D and folic acid, may improve wound healing in at‐risk patients.
Cosleeping, sleep disturbances, children's behavioral problems, and parenting self‐efficacy among Korean American families
Authors: Kim Eunjung , Lee Rachel , Cain Kevin C.
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study was to compare sleep disturbances of children and their mothers, children's behavioral problems, and parenting self‐efficacy between Korean American families who coslept and those who did not cosleep. Forty‐eight mothers of children between 3 and 8 years of age completed the following surveys: Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Pediatric Symptom Checklist, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Parenting Self‐Efficacy Questionnaire, and Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans II. Overall, 48% (n = 23) of families coslept, and families with younger children coslept more than families with older children (). When the families were divided into non‐cosleeping (i.e., rarely) and cosleeping (i.e., sometimes and usually) groups, 100% of the cosleeping children had sleep disturbances compared to 56% of the non‐cosleeping children (). For mothers, 28% (n = 7) of the non‐cosleeping mothers reported sleep disturbances, compared to 52% (n = 12) of the cosleeping mothers ). Children's behavioral problems were not different between the two groups (F = 1.78, p = NS). Cosleeping mothers reported lower parenting self‐efficacy than non‐cosleeping mothers (F = 6.26, p < .05). When providing care to Korean American families with young children, their cosleeping, sleep disturbances, and parenting self‐efficacy need to be addressed.
When Practice Goes beyond Legislators' Expectations: Analysis of Practical Implementation Exceeding Legal Compliance with EU Directives
Authors: Zhelyazkova Asya , Kaya Cansarp , Schrama Reini
Published: October 2017

Whereas most research focuses on non‐compliant implementation, we lack understanding of implementers' incentives and abilities to outperform national legislation. This study investigates a largely under‐researched question: to what extent practical implementation exceeds levels of legislative compliance with EU requirements? To explain this phenomenon, we focus on the responsiveness of implementing actors to external (participation in transnational networks) and domestic pressures (national societal attitudes) for compliance with EU requirements and the availability of additional expertise at the implementation stage (bottom‐up). Moreover, implementing actors are unlikely to respond in the same way to different types of national legislative problems (top‐down). The findings suggest that implementers often outperform the transposition of EU laws. Practical outperformance depends on the level of societal support for external policies and is a response to incomplete or ambiguous domestic formal rules.
Patterns of periodontal disease progression based on linear mixed models of clinical attachment loss
Authors: Teles Ricardo , Moss Kevin , Preisser John S. , Genco Robert , Giannobile William V. , Corby Patricia , Garcia Nathalia , Jared Heather , Torresyap Gay , Salazar Elida , Moya Julie , Howard Cynthia , Schifferle Robert , Falkner Karen L. , Gillespie Jane , Dixon Debra , Cugini MaryAnn
Published: October 2017

Aim

The goal of the present longitudinal cohort study was to examine patterns of periodontal disease progression at progressing sites and subjects defined based on linear mixed models (LMM) of clinical attachment loss (CAL).

Materials and Methods

A total of 113 periodontally healthy and 302 periodontitis subjects had their CAL calculated bimonthly for 12 months. LMMs were fitted for each site and the predicted CAL levels used to categorize their progression state. Participants were grouped based on the number of progressing sites into unchanged, transitional and active subjects. Patterns of periodontal disease progression were explored using descriptive statistics.

Results

Progression occurred primarily at molars (50% of progressing sites) and inter‐proximal sites (72%), affected a higher proportion of deep than shallow sites (2.7% versus 0.7%), and pocketing was the main mode of progression (49%). We found a low level of agreement (47%) between the LMM and traditional approaches to determine progression such as change in CAL ≥3 mm. Fourteen per cent of subjects were classified as active and among those 93% had periodontitis. The annual mean rate of progression for the active subjects was 0.35 mm/year.

Conclusion

Progressing sites and subjects defined based on LMMs presented patterns of disease progression similar to those previously reported in the literature.
Periodontal disease and pneumonia mortality in haemodialysis patients: A 7‐year cohort study
Authors: Iwasaki Masanori , Taylor George W. , Awano Shuji , Yoshida Akihiro , Kataoka Shota , Ansai Toshihiro , Nakamura Hidetoshi
Published: October 2017

Aim

To evaluate the association between periodontal disease and pneumonia mortality in haemodialysis patients.

Materials and Methods

This prospective cohort study included 211 patients (mean age, 64.4 years) undergoing haemodialysis at a single medical centre. The patients underwent a baseline clinical dental examination in 2008 and were then followed up until July 2015. Periodontal disease was defined as the presence of clinical attachment loss of ≥4 mm in ≥30% of the probed sites. The primary endpoint, that is death from pneumonia, was determined by reviewing death certificates and was analysed using the competing‐risks regression model.

Results

At baseline, 92 patients (43.6%) had periodontal disease. The median follow‐up period was 84 months (interquartile range, 36–86 months). Of the 68 deaths that occurred, 21 were from pneumonia. The multivariable competing‐risks regression model showed that periodontal disease was significantly associated with death from pneumonia (adjusted subhazard ratio, 3.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–10.64), after adjusting for other baseline health characteristics.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that periodontal disease is independently associated with pneumonia mortality in haemodialysis patients. Future studies evaluating the potential effect of oral interventions for periodontal health improvement on pneumonia in haemodialysis patients would be of great interest.
Beta‐cell replacement strategies for diabetes
Authors: Kieffer Timothy J , Woltjen Knut , Osafune Kenji , Yabe Daisuke , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: October 2017

Diabetes is characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose as a result of insufficient production of insulin from loss or dysfunction of pancreatic islet β‐cells. Here, we review several approaches to replacing β‐cells that were recently discussed at a symposium held in Kyoto, Japan. Transplant of donor human islets can effectively treat diabetes and eliminate the need for insulin injections, supporting research aimed at identifying abundant supplies of cells. Studies showing the feasibility of producing mouse islets in rats support the concept of generating pigs with human pancreas that can serve as donors of human islets, although scientific and ethical challenges remain. Alternatively, in vitro differentiation of both human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells is being actively pursued as an islet cell source, and embryonic stem cell‐derived pancreatic progenitor cells are now in clinical trials in North America in patients with diabetes. Macro‐encapsulation devices are being used to contain and protect the cells from immune attack, and alternate strategies of immune‐isolation are being pursued, such as islets contained within long microfibers. Recent advancements in genetic engineering tools offer exciting opportunities to broaden therapeutic strategies and to probe the genetic involvement in β‐cell failure that contributes to diabetes. Personalized medicine might eventually become a possibility with genetically edited patient‐induced pluripotent stem cells, and the development of simplified robust differentiation protocols that ideally become standardized and automated. Additional efforts to develop a safe and effective β‐cell replacement strategy to treat diabetes are warranted.