bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimally‐invasive dental anesthesia: Patients' preferences and analysis of the willingness‐to‐pay index
Authors: Re Dino , Del Fabbro Massimo , Karanxha Lorena , Augusti Gabriele , Augusti Davide , Fessi Sabrine , Taschieri Silvio
Published: May 2017

Aim

The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the impact of a computer‐controlled anesthesia on patients' comfort and to investigate, through the willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) index, and patients' acceptance of this new technology.

Methods

Fifty patients undergoing a class I or II restorative procedure were enrolled. A computer‐controlled device for anesthetic delivery was utilized, and a questionnaire on the level of discomfort and WTP was given to all patients.

Results

A total of 86% of participants declared less discomfort than that perceived during their last traditional procedure for pain control; 58% of patients were willing to pay an additional fee for a modern anesthesia technique, with a median WTP value of 20$.

Conclusions

Computer‐controlled systems for local anesthesia represent a relevant tool for reducing patients' discomfort during dental treatment. The WTP index helps to quantify its relevance.
Natural pathology of the captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): A 35‐year review
Authors: Kumar Shyamesh , Laurence Hannah , Owston Michael A. , Sharp R. Mark , Williams Priscilla , Lanford Robert E. , Hubbard Gene B. , Dick Edward J.
Published: May 2017

We present the spontaneous pathological lesions identified as a result of necropsy or biopsy for 245 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) over a 35‐year period. A review of the pathology database was performed for all diagnoses on chimpanzees from 1980 to 2014. All morphologic diagnoses, associated system, organ, etiology, and demographic information were reviewed and analyzed. Cardiomyopathy was the most frequent lesion observed followed by hemosiderosis, hyperplasia, nematodiasis, edema, and hemorrhage. The most frequently affected systems were the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, urogenital, respiratory, and lymphatic/hematopoietic systems. The most common etiology was undetermined, followed by degenerative, physiologic, neoplastic, parasitic, and bacterial. Perinatal and infant animals were mostly affected by physiologic etiologies and chimpanzee‐induced trauma. Bacterial and physiologic etiologies were more common in juvenile animals. Degenerative and physiologic (and neoplastic in geriatric animals) etiologies predominated in adult, middle aged, and geriatric chimpanzees.
The Effect of Binaural Beat Technology on the Cardiovascular Stress Response in Military Service Members With Postdeployment Stress
Authors: Gantt MeLisa A. , Dadds Stephanie , Burns Debra S. , Glaser Dale , Moore Angelo D.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of embedded theta brainwave frequency in music using binaural beat technology (BBT) compared to music alone on the cardiovascular stress response in military service members with postdeployment stress.

Design

A double‐blinded, randomized, pre‐ and postintervention trial.

Methods

Seventy‐four military services members with complaint of postdeployment stress were randomized to either music with BBT or music alone. Each group listened to their respective intervention for a minimum of 30 min at bedtime for three consecutive nights a week for a total of 4 weeks. A 20‐min pre‐ and postintervention heart rate variability (HRV) stress test and daily perceived stress via diaries assessed intervention efficacy.

Findings

There was a statistical difference (p = .01) in low‐frequency HRV between the music with BBT group compared to the music only group. The average low‐frequency HRV decreased in the music with BBT group 2.5 ms2/Hz, while in the music only group it increased 7.99 ms2/Hz. There was also a significant difference (p = .01) in the high‐frequency HRV measures, with the music with BBT group showing an increase in HRV by 2.5 ms2/Hz compared to the music only group, which decreased by 7.64 ms2/Hz. There were significant (p = .01) differences found in total power measures, with the music only group decreasing by 1,113.64 ms2/Hz compared to 26.68 ms2/Hz for the music with BBT group. Finally, daily diaries consistently showed that participants who used BBT reported less stress over the course of the 4 weeks.

Conclusions

When placed under an acute stressor, participants who used music with embedded BBT showed a decrease in sympathetic responses and an increase in parasympathetic responses, while participants who used music alone had the opposite effect.

Clinical Relevance

The use of BBT in the theta brainwave frequency embedded into music decreases physical and psychological indications of stress. BBT embedded with beta and delta frequencies may improve cognitive functioning and sleep quality, respectively.
Exploring the knowledge, attitudes and needs of advance care planning in older Chinese Australians
Authors: Yap Sok Shin , Chen Karren , Detering Karen M , Fraser Scott A
Published: May 2017

Aims and objectives

To identify factors that influence the engagement of Chinese Australians with advance care planning.

Background

Despite the benefits of advance care planning, there is a low prevalence of advance care planning in the Chinese Australian community. Reasons for this are often cited as cultural considerations and taboos surrounding future medical planning and death; however, other logistical factors may also be important.

Design

This qualitative study used a thematic analysis grounded theory approach to explore facilitators and barriers to engagement in advance care planning.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted in‐language (Mandarin or Cantonese) exploring the views of a purposive sample of 30 community‐dwelling older Chinese Australians within Victoria, Australia.

Results

Three key themes were identified: knowledge of, attitudes towards and needs for undertaking advance care planning amongst the Chinese Australians. There was a low awareness of advance care planning amongst the participants and some confusion regarding the concept. Most participants reported positive attitudes towards advance care planning but acknowledged that others may be uncomfortable discussing death‐related topics. Participants would want to know the true status of their health and plan ahead in consultation with family members to reduce the burden on the family and suffering for themselves. Language was identified as the largest barrier to overcome to increase advance care planning awareness. In‐language materials and key support networks including GPs, family and Chinese community groups were identified as ideal forums for the promotion of advance care planning.

Conclusions

The participants of this study were open to conversations regarding future medical planning and end‐of‐life care, suggesting the low uptake of advance care planning amongst Chinese Australians is not culturally motivated but may be due a lack of knowledge relating to advance care planning.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results highlight the need to provide access to appropriate in‐language advance care planning resources and promotion of advance care planning across the Chinese community.
Biomarkers associated with mortality in patients undergoing dialysis
Authors: Rebollo Rubio Ana , Morales Asencio Jose Miguel , Pons Raventos Mª Eugenia
Published: May 2017

Background

Survival for patients commencing renal replacement therapy is around 90% in the first year and 83% at two years after starting dialysis. The factors that appear to predict mortality are comorbidity and frailty associated with kidney disease, glomerular filtration rate, age and biochemical factors.

Objectives

To analyse the condition of patients starting renal replacement therapy, based on biomarkers commonly used in clinical practice and their association with mortality, measured 6 and 12 months after initiating replacement therapy.

Methods

A one‐year prospective follow‐up study with 189 patients. Sociodemographic variables, aetiology of renal disease, comorbidities, prior nephrology service monitoring, prior renal transplantation and biochemical parameters at the time of initiating replacement therapy were analysed.

Results

The overall percentage of death during the one‐year follow‐up was 6.87%, with 64% of deaths occurring during the first six months. The only variable independently associated with mortality was low albumin levels.

Conclusion

Although most patients in this centre are monitored by a nephrologist prior to starting replacement therapy, many nevertheless fail to achieve the biochemical targets recommended. One such parameter is albumin, which proved at the start of replacement therapy to be an independent predictor of mortality. Findings of this study show the need to intervene on certain biochemical parameters during the pre‐dialysis stage and at the start of dialysis, in order to improve survival in this group of patients.
Humidified high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen in bronchiolitis reduces need for invasive ventilation but not intensive care admission
Authors: Goh Chong Tien , Kirby Lynette J , Schell David N , Egan Jonathan R
Published: May 2017

Aim

To describe the changes to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission patterns and ventilation requirements for children with bronchiolitis following the introduction of humidified high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen outside the PICU.

Methods

Retrospective study comparing patients <24 months of age with a discharge diagnosis of bronchiolitis admitted to the PICU. A comparison was made between those before humidified high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen use (year 2008) to those immediately following the introduction of humidified high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen use (year 2011) and those following further consolidation of humidified high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen use outside the PICU (year 2013).

Results

Humidified high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen use up to 1 L/kg/min in the hospital did not reduce PICU admission. Intubation rates were reduced from 22.2% in 2008 to 7.8% in 2013. There was a non‐significant trend towards decreased length of stay in the PICU while hospital length of stay showed a significant decrease following the introduction of humidified high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen. Age <6 months and respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis were associated with an increased chance of failing humidified high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy.

Conclusion

Humidified high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen utilised outside of the PICU in our institution for children with bronchiolitis did not reduce admission rates or length of stay to the PICU but was associated with a decreasing need for invasive ventilation and reduced hospital length of stay.
Crosstalk between E2F1 and P53 transcription factors in doxorubicin-induced DNA damage: evidence for preventive/protective effects of silymarin
Authors: Shafiei-Roudbari Seyedeh-Khadijeh , Malekinejad Hassan , Janbaz-Aciabar Hamed , Razi Mazdak
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To study the effects of silymarin in various forms of applications on the molecular mechanism(s) of doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity in male rats.

Methods

Following DOX administration with or without SMN in male rats, sperm quality assays were conducted. Moreover, total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide content of testis were determined. Expression profile of p53 and E2F1 was analysed by PCR technique. Ultimately, the rate of DNA fragmentation in the testes was quantitatively measured.

Key findings

P53 and E2F1 expression in DOX-received animals at mRNA level showed a revers profile of an up- and down-regulation, respectively. Administration of SMN in preventive and protective forms resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in DOX-induced sperm abnormalities, DNA fragmentation, nitric oxide concentration and a marked increase in total antioxidant power, rate of sperm motility and viability. SMN lowered the DOX-up-regulated expression of p53 at mRNA level.

Conclusions

DOX-induced testicular toxicity was characterized by lowering sperm quality values, induction of oxidative and nitrosative stress and DNA fragmentation. Preventive and protective effects of SMN on DOX-induced testicular toxicity may attribute to its antioxidant property. DOX-induced testicular damages and SMN preventive/protective effects might be mediated via up- and down-regulation of p53 and E2F1 transcription factors.
Modulating nasal mucosal permeation using metabolic saturation and enzyme inhibition techniques
Authors: Dhamankar Varsha , Donovan Maureen D
Published: May 2017

Objective

Presystemic elimination resulting from local enzymatic degradation can play a key role in limiting the bioavailability of intranasally administered drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transfer of a metabolically susceptible drug across the nasal mucosa to illustrate the relative contributions of drug diffusivity and metabolic susceptibility on overall nasal mucosal permeation and to understand the effects of changes in enzymatic activity on the transfer across nasal epithelial and submucosal tissues.

Methods

The concentration-dependent permeation of melatonin, a CYP450 substrate, across excised bovine nasal olfactory and respiratory explants was studied along with quantifying the extent of melatonin 6-hydroxylation. Microsomal preparations were also used to determine the kinetic parameters for melatonin to 6-hydroxymelatonin biotransformation.

Key findings

Enzyme saturation at higher melatonin concentrations and inclusion of a CYP450 inhibitor both resulted in the significant increase in melatonin permeation across the nasal mucosa.

Conclusions

Metabolic loss of melatonin during nasal permeation demonstrates CYP450 activity in the nasal epithelium and submucosal tissues. The extent of biotransformation of melatonin during its transport across the nasal mucosal explants suggests that, although the nasal route bypasses hepatic first-pass metabolism, nasal bioavailability can be significantly influenced by mucosal enzymatic activity.
Taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of Phaeostigma in the subtribe Artemisiinae (Asteraceae)
Authors: Huang Yuan , An Yi‐Ming , Meng Shi‐Yong , Guo Yan‐Ping , Rao Guang‐Yuan
Published: May 2017

Phaeostigma is a controversial taxon for its taxonomic status and phylogenetic position in the subtribe Artemisiinae, Asteraceae. To address those questions, a phylogenetic evaluation of Phaeostigma and its related genera of subtribe Artemisiinae was carried out based on molecular as well as morphological character data. DNA sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer, the single copy nuclear CDS gene, and five chloroplast DNA loci (psbA‐trnH, rpl16, trnC‐ycf6, trnL‐F, and ycf6‐psbM) were used to construct gene trees, and variation patterns of 20 morphological characters were analyzed. In addition, pollen morphology was examined under scanning electron microscopy for representative species of Phaeostigma and Ajania, from which the former was separated by earlier taxonomists. All the above analyses showed: (i) Ajania tibetica (Hook.f. & Thomson) Tzvelev, A. purpurea C. Shih, and A. ramosa (Chang) C. Shih should be merged into Phaeostigma so that it is a monophyletic genus with six species, P. ramosum (A. ramosa), P. purpureum (A. purpurea), P. tibeticum (A. tibetica), P. quercifolium (W. W. Sm.) Muldashev, P. salicifolium (Mattf.) Muldashev, and P. variifolium (C. C. Chang) Muldashev; (ii) all six Phaeostigma species have the Artemisia‐type (microechinate) of pollen, reflexed leaf margin, and flowering branches with sericeous indumentum; (iii) two controversial species of Ajania, A. pallasiana and A. shiwogiku, have closer relationships with Ajania s.str. than with Phaeostigma, and should be kept in Ajania. Considering all the evidence from present and previous studies, we conclude that geographic and ecological factors as well as secondary contacts play important roles in the divergence and speciation of the genus Phaeostigma.
Taxonomy of the Poa laxa group, including two new taxa from Arctic Canada and Greenland, and Oregon, and a re‐examination of P. sect. Oreinos (Poaceae)
Authors: Soreng R. J. , Gillespie L. J. , Consaul L. L.
Published: May 2017

The Poa laxa Haenke species group, comprising four alpine–arctic taxa in P. sect. Oreinos, has a complicated and confusing taxonomic history. Here we re‐examine the taxonomy of the group and section based on sequences of three plastid and two nuclear ribosomal DNA markers. Poa laxa s.l. resolved in a clade with species of sections Abbreviatae, Oreinos, Stenopoa, and Tichopoa. In the plastid analyses, Poa laxa s.s. (type of sect. Oreinos) was placed in a subclade with P. glauca and other sect. Stenopoa species, while all other P. laxa s.l. taxa were placed in a subclade with species of sect. Abbreviatae. We maintain P. laxa s.s. (mainly 2n = 28) of west–central Europe in sect. Oreinos, while the other P. laxa s.l. taxa from northern Europe and North America (all 2n = 42 or higher ploid) are referred to P. sect. Abbreviatae. In North America only one collection of the northern European P. flexuosa subsp. flexuosa is accepted (Greenland, Jensen's Nunatakker), and P. flexuosa subsp. fernaldiana is accepted based on populations in eastern Canada and northeast USA. A new subspecies, P. flexuosa subsp. consauliae, is described from eastern Arctic Canada and Greenland; its variable morphological characteristics suggest introgression with P. glauca and it is predicted to be apomictic. Rocky Mountain P. laxa subsp. banffiana is treated as P. banffiana. Oregon material formerly considered to belong to P. laxa s.l. is named P. wallowensis. Poa sect. Oreinos is thus found to be polyphyletic, and is here emended to comprise only three continental European species, including P. laxa. Lectotypes are designated for P. aspera var. laxiuscula, P. fernaldiana, P. flexuosa, and P. laxa var. debilior. New chromosome numbers are reported for P. flexuosa subsp. consauliae (ca 2n = 42), and P. glauca (2n = 63) from Baffin Island. A key to the species and subspecies found in North America is given.
Assessing the pre‐ and postpeak phases in a swallow using esophageal pressure topography
Authors: Xiao Y. , Carlson D. A. , Lin Z. , Rinella N. , Sifrim D. , Pandolfino J. E.
Published: May 2017

Background

The current paradigm of measuring esophageal contractile vigor assesses the entirety of a pressure wave using a single measurement, the distal contractile integral (DCI). We hypothesize that an assessment identifying separate phases of the contractile pressure wave before and after the pressure peak may help distinguish abnormalities in patients presenting with chest pain and dysphagia. The aim of the present study was to develop a technique to assess the individual phases and report on the values in healthy controls.

Methods

Seventy‐one healthy controls were enrolled. High‐resolution manometry studies of five intact liquid swallows in both supine and upright positions were analyzed using a customized MATLAB program to divide swallows into a prepeak phase and postpeak phase, and compute the contractile integral of both phases. The contractile integrals were also controlled by duration over each phase.

Key Results

The composite DCI measurement in healthy controls appears to be weighted toward slightly higher contractile activity during postpeak phase based on postpeak to prepeak ratios in both the supine and upright position (1.50 and 1.49, respectively). The contribution of postpeak phase on the composite DCI was weakened when controlled by time (0.92 and 0.96 in both supine and upright position, respectively).

Conclusions and Inferences

We developed a novel measurement focused on separating the prepeak and postpeak components of the peristaltic contractile activity during swallowing. Using this technique, it appears that overall contractile activity is higher during postpeak phase and this is related to the longer time component during this phase.
Experimental soil warming shifts the fungal community composition at the alpine treeline
Authors: Solly Emily F. , Lindahl Björn D. , Dawes Melissa A. , Peter Martina , Souza Rômulo C. , Rixen Christian , Hagedorn Frank
Published: May 2017

Increased CO2 emissions and global warming may alter the composition of fungal communities through the removal of temperature limitation in the plant–soil system, faster nitrogen (N) cycling and changes in the carbon (C) allocation of host plants to the rhizosphere.

At a Swiss treeline featuring Larix decidua and Pinus uncinata, the effects of multiple years of CO2 enrichment and experimental soil warming on the fungal community composition in the organic horizons were analysed using 454‐pyrosequencing of ITS2 amplicons. Sporocarp production and colonization of ectomycorrhizal root tips were investigated in parallel.

Fungal community composition was significantly altered by soil warming, whereas CO2 enrichment had little effect. Tree species influenced fungal community composition and the magnitude of the warming responses. The abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungal taxa was positively correlated with N availability, and ectomycorrhizal taxa specialized for conditions of high N availability proliferated with warming, corresponding to considerable increases in inorganic N in warmed soils.

Traits related to N utilization are important in determining the responses of ectomycorrhizal fungi to warming in N‐poor cold ecosystems. Shifts in the overall fungal community composition in response to higher temperatures may alter fungal‐driven processes with potential feedbacks on ecosystem N cycling and C storage at the alpine treeline.
Soil fungal diversity in natural grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau: associations with plant diversity and productivity
Authors: Yang Teng , Adams Jonathan M. , Shi Yu , He Jin‐sheng , Jing Xin , Chen Litong , Tedersoo Leho , Chu Haiyan
Published: May 2017

Previous studies have revealed inconsistent correlations between fungal diversity and plant diversity from local to global scales, and there is a lack of information about the diversity–diversity and productivity–diversity relationships for fungi in alpine regions.

Here we investigated the internal relationships between soil fungal diversity, plant diversity and productivity across 60 grassland sites on the Tibetan Plateau, using Illumina sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region for fungal identification.

Fungal alpha and beta diversities were best explained by plant alpha and beta diversities, respectively, when accounting for environmental drivers and geographic distance. The best ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression models, partial least squares regression (PLSR) and variation partitioning analysis (VPA) indicated that plant richness was positively correlated with fungal richness. However, no correlation between plant richness and fungal richness was evident for fungal functional guilds when analyzed individually.

Plant productivity showed a weaker relationship to fungal diversity which was intercorrelated with other factors such as plant diversity, and was thus excluded as a main driver. Our study points to a predominant effect of plant diversity, along with other factors such as carbon : nitrogen (C : N) ratio, soil phosphorus and dissolved organic carbon, on soil fungal richness.
Growth strategy, phylogeny and stoichiometry determine the allelopathic potential of native and non‐native plants
Authors: Grutters Bart M. C. , Saccomanno Benedetta , Gross Elisabeth M. , Van de Waal Dedmer B. , van Donk Ellen , Bakker Elisabeth S.
Published: May 2017

Secondary compounds can contribute to the success of non‐native plant species if they reduce damage by native herbivores or inhibit the growth of native plant competitors. However, there is opposing evidence on whether the secondary compounds of non‐native plant species are stronger than those of natives. This may be explained by other factors, besides plant origin, that affect the potential of plant secondary compounds. We tested how plant origin, phylogeny, growth strategy and stoichiometry affected the allelopathic potential of 34 aquatic plants. The allelopathic potential was quantified using bioassays with the cyanobacterium Dolichospermum flos‐aquae. The allelopathic potential showed a strong phylogenetic signal, but was similar for native and non‐native species. Growth strategy was important, and emergent plants had twice the allelopathic potential as compared to submerged plants. Furthermore, the allelopathic potential was positively correlated to the foliar carbon‐to‐phosphorus (C:P) and total phenolic content. We conclude that eudicot plant species with an emergent growth strategy and high plant C:P ratio exhibit a high allelopathic potential. Unless non‐native plant species match this profile, they generally have a similar allelopathic potential as natives.
Balancing yield with resilience and conservation objectives in harvested predator–prey communities
Authors: Tromeur Eric , Loeuille Nicolas
Published: May 2017

The global overexploitation of fish stocks is endangering many marine food webs. Scientists and managers now call for an ecosystem‐based fisheries management, able to take into account the complexity of marine ecosystems and the multiple ecosystem services they provide. By contrast, many fishery management plans only focus on maximizing the productivity of harvested stocks. Such practices are suggested to affect other ecosystem services, altering the integrity and resilience of natural communities. Here we show that while yield‐maximizing policies can allow for coexistence and resilience in predator–prey communities, they are not optimal in a multi‐objective context. We find that although total prey and predator maximum yields are higher with a prey‐oriented harvest, focusing on the predator improves species coexistence. Also, moderate harvesting of the predator can enhance resilience. Furthermore, increasing maximum yields by changing catchabilities improves resilience in predator‐oriented systems, but reduces it in prey‐oriented systems. In a multi‐objective context, optimal harvesting strategies involve a general tradeoff between yield and resilience. Resilience‐maximizing strategies are however compatible with quite high yields, and should often be favored. Our results further suggest that balancing harvest between trophic levels is often best at maintaining simultaneously species coexistence, resilience and yield.
The differential impact of a native and a non‐native ragwort species (Senecioneae) on the first and second trophic level of the rhizosphere food web
Authors: Harkes Paula , Verhoeven Ava , Sterken Mark G. , Snoek L. Basten , van den Elsen Sven J. J. , Mooijman Paul J. W. , Quist Casper W. , Vervoort Mariëtte T. W. , Helder Johannes
Published: May 2017

Whereas the impact of exotic plant species on above‐ground biota is relatively well‐documented, far less is known about the effects of non‐indigenous plants on the first and second trophic level of the rhizosphere food web. Here, rhizosphere communities of the invasive narrow‐leaved ragwort Senecio inaequidens and the native tansy ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris, co‐occurring in three semi‐natural habitats are compared. For both species, two life stages were taken into consideration. Quantitative PCR assays for the analyses of bacterial and fungal communities at a high taxonomic level were optimized, and it was investigated whether changes in the primary decomposer community were translated in alterations in bacterivorous and fungivorous nematode communities. In contrast to J. vulgaris, small but significant reductions were observed for Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes (both p < 0.05) in case of the invasive S. inaequidens. More pronounced changes were detected for the overall nematode community density, and, more specifically, for the bacterivorous genus Anaplectus and the family Monhysteridae (both p < 0.05), as well as the necromenic Pristionchus (p < 0.001). At high taxonomic level, no differences were observed in fungal rhizosphere communities between native and non‐native ragwort species. The impact of plant developmental stages on rhizosphere biota was prominent. The overall bacterial and fungal biomasses, as well as a remarkably consistent set of constituents (Actinobacteria, α‐ and β‐Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes) were negatively affected by plant stage for both ragwort species. Although later developmental stages of plants generally coincided with lower levels for individual nematode taxa, densities of the fungivorous genera Diphtherophora and Tylolaimophorus remain unaltered. Hence, even at a high taxonomic level, differential effects of native and non‐native ragwort could be pinpointed. However, plant developmental stage has a more prominent impact and this impact was similar in nature for both native and non‐native ragwort species.
Stricter criteria for left bundle branch block diagnosis do not improve response to CRT
Authors: Bertaglia Emanuele , Migliore Federico , Baritussio Anna , De Simone Antonio , Reggiani Albino , Pecora Domenico , D'Onofrio Antonio , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Savarese Gianluca , Pierantozzi Attilio , Marenna Biondino , Ruffa Franco , Campari Monica , Malacrida Maurizio , Stabile Giuseppe
Published: May 2017

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has proved to be effective in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB). Recently, new electrocardiography criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of LBBB. These criteria are stricter than the current American Heart Association (AHA) criteria. We assessed the rate of echocardiographic response to CRT in patients with traditional LBBB versus patients who met the new criteria (strict LBBB).

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing CRT were enrolled in the CRT MORE registry. Patients with no‐LBBB QRS morphology according to AHA criteria, atrial fibrillation, right bundle branch block, and right ventricular pacing were excluded. Strict LBBB was defined as: QRS ≥ 140 ms for men and ≥130 ms for women, QS or rS in V1–V2, mid‐QRS notching or slurring in ≥2 contiguous leads. Patients showing a relative decrease of ≥15% in left ventricular end‐systolic volume (LVESV) at 12 months were defined as responders.

Results

Among 335 patients with LBBB, 131 (39%) had strict LBBB. Patients with and without strict LBBB showed comparable baseline characteristics, except for QRS duration (166 ± 20 ms vs 152 ± 25 ms, P < 0.001). On 12‐month evaluation, 205 patients (61%) were responders; 85 of 131 (65%) had strict LBBB and 120 of 204 (59%) had traditional LBBB (P = 0.267). On multivariate analysis, a history of atrial fibrillation, larger LVESV, and the presence of mid‐QRS notching in ≥1 lead (odds ratio 2.099; 95% confidence interval 1.061–4.152, P = 0.033) were independently associated with echocardiographic response.

Conclusion

Stricter definition of LBBB did not improve response to CRT in comparison to the current AHA definition.
Lichenoid Drug Eruption with Prominent Nail Changes Due to Leflunomide in a 12‐Year‐Old Child
Authors: May Caitlin , Fleckman Philip , Brandling‐Bennett Heather A. , Cole Bonnie , Sidbury Robert
Published: May 2017

We present the case of a 12‐year‐old‐girl who developed lichenoid dermatitis approximately 1 year after starting leflunomide for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The eruption resolved promptly with discontinuation of the suspected culprit agent, supportive of a lichenoid drug eruption, but she subsequently developed markedly dystrophic nails with lichen planus–like features. A biopsy of her cutaneous findings at the time of initial presentation demonstrated lichenoid dermatitis, and a nail matrix biopsy was deferred given clinical correlation. Prominent nail changes in lichenoid drug eruptions, particularly in children, are rare but should be considered in children with new‐onset nail dystrophy.
Panchromatic Osmium Complexes for Photodynamic Therapy: Solutions to Existing Problems and New Questions
Authors: Glazer Edith C.
Published: May 2017

This article is a highlight of the paper by Lazic et al. in this issue of Photochemistry and Photobiology, https://doi.org/10.1111/php.12767. It describes the validation of osmium coordination complexes as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, with very promising in vivo results that demonstrate radical improvements in survival following irradiation with visible (635 nm) or near‐IR (NIR; 808 nm) light. An unusual feature in the study is that the different complexes exhibit disparate photophysical and photobiological characteristics, despite sharing common structural motifs. These findings raise hopes for the development of novel photosensitizers that overcome the limitations of current commercially available systems for PDT, but also raise questions regarding the most efficacious biological mechanisms of action for this treatment modality.
Interest group representation in the formal design of European Union agencies
Authors: Pérez Durán Ixchel
Published: May 2017

This article examines the decision to include interest group representation (IGR) in the most important decisionmaking bodies of European Union agencies (EAs). The study shows that there is considerable variation among agencies: some agencies have no IGR, others have formal rules that establish a clear distribution of the number of representatives among stakeholders, while other agencies are ambiguous with regard to the number of representatives that each group should have. In addition, interest group representatives have the right to vote in some of the agencies with IGR, while in others they only have an advisory role. This article identifies three broad types of groups normally represented: representatives of capital (e.g. industry), representatives of labor (e.g. trade unions), and citizens' representatives (e.g. non‐governmental organizations, consumer groups). The findings suggest that informative agencies are more likely to have IGR than agencies performing operational/management tasks. The findings also suggest that the involvement of the European Parliament in the design of EAs is more likely to lead to a provision for the representation of stakeholders. Finally, case studies of the European Food Safety Agency and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work demonstrate that interest groups could play an important role by pushing European Union institutions to include stakeholder representatives in EAs.
Exact Bayesian Inference in Spatiotemporal Cox Processes Driven by Multivariate Gaussian Processes
Authors: Gonçalves Flávio B. , Gamerman Dani
Published: May 2017

We present a novel inference methodology to perform Bayesian inference for spatiotemporal Cox processes where the intensity function depends on a multivariate Gaussian process. Dynamic Gaussian processes are introduced to enable evolution of the intensity function over discrete time. The novelty of the method lies on the fact that no discretization error is involved despite the non-tractability of the likelihood function and infinite dimensionality of the problem. The method is based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm that samples from the joint posterior distribution of the parameters and latent variables of the model. A particular choice of the dominating measure to obtain the likelihood function is shown to be crucial to devise a valid Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. The models are defined in a general and flexible way but they are amenable to direct sampling from the relevant distributions because of careful characterization of its components. The models also enable the inclusion of regression covariates and/or temporal components to explain the variability of the intensity function. These components may be subject to relevant interaction with space and/or time. Real and simulated examples illustrate the methodology, followed by concluding remarks.
Cooperative Membership and Community Engagement: Findings From a Latin American Survey
Authors: Tak Sangdong
Published: May 2017

Cooperatives as organization have mainly been explored in the field of business and management due to their operation in the business sector, and studies of nonprofit organizations have given little attention to them. Consequently, cooperatives studies have tended to examine economic outcomes, such as productivity and job security, comparing them to conventional business firms. Nevertheless, cooperatives are membership associations and have organizational characteristics in common with other types of voluntary associations. Furthermore, one explicit organizational principle of cooperatives is concern for community, and their contributions to the community have been covered frequently by media. Therefore, it is imperative to examine cooperative members’ community engagement, and compare it to other types of association members. Using a national sample of Venezuelans, the relationships between association memberships and community involvement were compared across different types of associations. The results showed that cooperative members had a higher likelihood of being involved in community matters than those from other types of associations. Although the Venezuelan cooperatives have received vast support from the Chavez government for community development, this result can have an implication on the cooperatives’ organizational identity as those who provide members with resources necessary for civic engagement beyond the organizations.
Comparison of histologic margin status in low‐grade cutaneous and subcutaneous canine mast cell tumours examined by radial and tangential sections
Authors: Dores C.B. , Milovancev M. , Russell D.S.
Published: May 2017

Background

Radial sections are widely used to estimate adequacy of excision in canine cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCTs); however, this sectioning technique estimates only a small fraction of total margin circumference. This study aimed to compare histologic margin status in grade II/low grade MCTs sectioned using both radial and tangential sectioning techniques.

Materials and Methods

A total of 43 circumferential margins were evaluated from 21 different tumours. Margins were first sectioned radially, followed by tangential sections. Tissues were examined by routine histopathology.

Results

Tangential margin status differed in 10 of 43 (23.3%) margins compared with their initial status on radial section. Of 39 margins, 9 (23.1%) categorized as histologic tumour‐free margin (HTFM) >0 mm were positive on tangential sectioning. Tangential sections detected a significantly higher proportion of positive margins relative to radial sections (exact 2‐tailed P‐value = .0215). The HTFM was significantly longer in negative tangential margins than positive tangential margins (mean 10.1 vs 3.2 mm; P = .0008). A receiver operating characteristic curve comparing HTFM and tangentially negative margins found an area under the curve of 0.83 (95% confidence interval: 0.71−0.96). Although correct classification peaked at the sixth cut‐point of HTFM ≥1 mm, radial sections still incorrectly classified 50% of margins as lacking tumour cells. Radial sections had 100% specificity for predicting negative tangential margins at a cut‐point of 10.9 mm.

Conclusion

These data indicate that for low grade MCTs, HTFMs >0 mm should not be considered completely excised, particularly when HTFM is <10.9 mm. This will inform future studies that use HTFM and overall excisional status as dependent variables in multivariable prognostic models.
Afoxolaner and fluralaner treatment do not impact on cutaneous Demodex populations of healthy dogs
Authors: Zewe Christine M. , Altet Laura , Lam Andrea T. H. , Ferrer Lluís
Published: May 2017

Background

Fluralaner and afoxolaner are isoxazolines licensed for the treatment of flea and tick infestations. Isoxazolines have also shown efficacy for treatment of demodicosis. Nothing is known about the impact of these compounds on the populations of Demodex in healthy dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of Demodex in the skin of healthy dogs prior to and following the use of either afoxolaner or fluralaner, using real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) for Demodex DNA. Our hypothesis was that the use of an isoxazoline at the labelled dose would eliminate Demodex populations from the skin of healthy dogs.

Animals and methods

Twenty healthy dogs with no history of skin disease were recruited. Dogs were divided into two groups of ten, with each group receiving afoxolaner or fluralaner for the 90 day study period. Hairs were plucked from three body sites on Day 0 prior to medication administration, then again on days 30 and 90. RT‐PCR amplifying Demodex DNA was performed on all samples.

Results

At Day 0 (prior to treatment), five of the 20 dogs were positive for Demodex DNA at least in one skin site (25%). At Day 60, three of 18 dogs were positive (16.7%) and on Day 90, six of 20 dogs were positive (30%). No significant difference in numbers of positive dogs was found between groups or timepoints.

Conclusion

Treatment with afoxolaner or fluralaner does not impact on cutaneous Demodex populations of normal dogs over a 90 day period.
Prevalence of and risk factors for intraoperative gastroesophageal reflux and postanesthetic vomiting and diarrhea in dogs undergoing general anesthesia
Authors: Torrente Carlos , Vigueras Isabel , Manzanilla Edgar G. , Villaverde Cecilia , Fresno Laura , Carvajal Bibiana , Fiñana Marina , Costa‐Farré Cristina
Published: May 2017

Objective

To determine the prevalence of intraoperative gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and postanesthetic vomiting and diarrhea, and to evaluate risk factors associated with these gastrointestinal disorders (GID) in dogs undergoing general anesthesia.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Two hundred thirty‐seven client‐owned dogs undergoing general inhalant anesthesia for diagnostic or surgical purposes.

Interventions

None

Measurements and Main Results

Patient, surgical, and anesthetic variables, and postanesthetic treatments administered in the immediate postanesthesia period were evaluated in relation to GID using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis (P < 0.05). Seventy‐nine of the 237 (33.4%) dogs developed GID during the perianesthetic period. The prevalences of GER, vomiting, and diarrhea were 17.3%, 5.5%, and 10.5%, respectively. Intraabdominal surgery (P = 0.016; odds ratio [OR] 2.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21–6.62), changes in body position (P = 0.003; OR 3.17, 95% CI: 1.47–6.85), and length of anesthesia (P = 0.052; OR 1.006, 95% CI: 1.000–1.013) were associated with GER. Changes in the ventilation mode during surgery (P = 0.011; OR 6.54, 95% CI: 1.8–23.8), length of anesthesia (P = 0.024; OR 1.001, 95% CI: 1.001–1.020), and rescue synthetic colloid support due to hypotension (P = 0.005; OR 6.9, 95% CI: 1.82–26.3) were positively associated with postanesthetic vomiting. On the contrary, dogs that received acepromazine as premedication were significantly less likely (P < 0.019; OR 12.3, 95% CI: 1.52–100) to vomit. Finally, length of anesthesia, changes in body position, changes in ventilation mode, or hypoxemia during the procedure tended to increase the risk (univariate model) of diarrhea during the recovery phase.

Conclusions

GID are common in dogs undergoing general anesthesia. Duration and characteristics of the procedure, anesthetic management, and changes in certain patient variables are significant risk factors for the presence of GID in the perioperative period.
Use of a vascular closure device during percutaneous arterial access in a dog with impaired hemostasis
Authors: Scansen Brian A. , Hokanson Caitlin M. , Friedenberg Steven G. , Khabiri Hooman
Published: May 2017

Objective

To report the use of a vascular closure device (VCD) to provide rapid arterial hemostasis following percutaneous femoral arterial catheterization and diagnostic angiography in a thrombocytopenic and coagulopathic dog.

Case Summary

A 6‐year‐old female spayed Kai Ken Tora dog presented after vehicular trauma. The dog was diagnosed with traumatic pneumothorax, degloving wounds of the right antebrachium, subcutaneous hemorrhage within the axillary tissues of the left thoracic limb, and anemia and thrombocytopenia secondary to acute hemorrhage. Treatment included therapeutic thoracocentesis and open wound management of the right thoracic limb as well as packed RBC and fresh frozen plasma transfusions. Diagnostic angiography of the left brachial artery was performed via percutaneous femoral arterial access to investigate the source of a persistent axillary hematoma. The arterial access site was closed using an extraluminal VCD and hemostasis was immediate with normal femoral arterial blood flow documented by Doppler ultrasound.

New or Unique Information Provided

This report describes use of a VCD for arterial closure following percutaneous access in a dog with impaired hemostasis; to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first clinical report of a VCD used in a veterinary species.
Bio-Based Epoxy Resins Derived From Eugenol With Low Dielectric Constant
Authors: Liu Yuan , Dai Jinyue , Liu Xiaoqing , Luo Jun , You Shusen , Zhu Jin , Ma Songqi , Jia Zhen
Published: May 2017

In this paper, a series of bio-based epoxy resins containing organic silicone were prepared from eugenol through a mild synthetic route. Then, 4,4′-diaminophenyl methane (DDM) was applied to cure these epoxy resins, and bisphenol A epoxy resin (DGEBA) was used as a control. The chemical structures of the synthesized resins were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). Properties of the cured epoxy resins were investigated by dielectric test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Compared with DGEBA, the bio-based epoxy resin containing cyclic organic silicon structure exhibited a dramatically lower dielectric constant at both low and high frequencies (3.46, 1 kHz, room temperature). Moreover, the silicone-modified bio-based epoxy resins demonstrated no weight loss below 325 °C and higher residues at 800 °C than that of DGEBA.
On the Displacement of a Two-Dimensional Eshelby Inclusion of Elliptic Cylindrical Shape
Authors: Jin Xiaoqing , Zhang Xiangning , Li Pu , Xu Zheng , Hu Yumei , Keer Leon M.
Published: May 2017

In a companion paper, we have obtained the closed-form solutions to the stress and strain fields of a two-dimensional Eshelby inclusion. The current work is concerned with the complementary formulation of the displacement. All the formulae are derived in explicit closed-form, based on the degenerate case of a three-dimensional (3D) ellipsoidal inclusion. A benchmark example is provided to validate the present analytical solutions. In conjunction with our previous study, a complete elasticity solution to the classical elliptic cylindrical inclusion is hence documented in Cartesian coordinates for the convenience of engineering applications.
A New Family of Higher-Order Time Integration Algorithms for the Analysis of Structural Dynamics
Authors: Kim Wooram , Reddy J. N.
Published: May 2017

For the development of a new family of implicit higher-order time integration algorithms, mixed formulations that include three time-dependent variables (i.e., the displacement, velocity, and acceleration vectors) are developed. Equal degree Lagrange type interpolation functions in time are used to approximate the dependent variables in the mixed formulations, and the time finite element method and the modified weighted-residual method are applied to the velocity–displacement and velocity–acceleration relations of the mixed formulations. Weight parameters are introduced and optimized to achieve preferable attributes of the time integration algorithms. Specific problems of structural dynamics are used in the numerical examples to discuss some fundamental limitations of the well-known second-order accurate algorithms as well as to demonstrate advantages of using the developed higher-order algorithms.