bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of roots and easily available carbon on the decomposition of soil organic matter fractions in boreal forest soil
Authors: Pumpanen J. , Lindén A. , Bruckman V. J. , Berninger F. , Ilvesniemi H. , Oinonen M. , Sonninen E. , Kukumägi M. , Heinonsalo J.
Published: July 2017

The priming effect induced by carbon (C) that is easily available to microbes has been shown to increase the mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM) that is resistant to decomposition, but the combined effects of easily available carbon and the living root system have rarely been studied. The aim of this research was to study the decomposition of SOM fractions of different solubility in water and their 13C, 14C and 15N abundance with and without the presence of a living root system and easily available carbohydrate in the form of glucose. The SOM collected from the organic horizon of a boreal forest soil in Hyytiälä, southern Finland (61°51′N, 24°17′E), and exposed to laboratory incubations with and without the presence of Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings and glucose, was separated into three chemical fractions with accelerated solvent (ASE) and pressurized hot water extractions (PHWE). Changes in the natural abundance of 13C, 14C and 15N, spectral properties assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the C and N pools of SOM fractions were studied after incubation for 6 months. The extractions separated SOM into fractions with distinctive isotopic composition. The most easily soluble SOM fraction showed the largest abundance of 15N and 14C, and the living root system induced changes in the abundance of 15N and FTIR spectra. Our research suggests that plant roots may induce SOM degradation and N uptake from soluble SOM fractions, but 13C, 14C, 15N or FTIR alone cannot be used to describe the recalcitrance of SOM and its accessibility to microorganisms. It is better to use several methods in parallel to study the decomposability of SOM.

Highlights

We studied the effects of tree roots and addition of glucose on the solubility of soil organic matter (SOM).

SOM can be separated into pools with distinctive isotopic concentrations with pressurized hot water.

Roots may induce organic matter degradation and N uptake from soluble SOM fractions.

Larger 14C abundance in soluble SOM indicated it contained older C than the recently assimilated C.
Comparison of two interdental cleaning aids: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Bahlmann L , Frentzen M , Schroeder J , Fimmers R
Published: July 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was a comparison of the handling and acceptance of two kinds of interdental brushes (interdental brush with a handle [HB] and a newly invented interdental cleaning device [NB]).

Methods and materials

In a randomized crossover trial, 40 test subjects with an average number of 23.5 interdental areas were examined. At two appointments with a “washout” period of one week, the volunteers tried out both cleaning tools (HB and NB). They were asked to clean as many interdental spaces as possible. The percentage of spaces, which could be reached, is the IRI (Interdental Reachability Index). Furthermore, subjective impressions were determined.

Results

The average IRI using HB was 64% compared to 80% using of NB (P<.001); 62.5% of the volunteers found the cleaning with HB painful and 15% the cleaning with NB. The subjective feeling after cleaning was 1.75 with NB compared to 2.2 with HB (P=.015), grading the feeling, from 1 for “very good” to 5 for “poor.” The acceptance of regular interdental hygiene was rated 1.95 in the case of the NB and 2.85 in the case of the HB. After both appointments, the test subjects declared that they would use the NB 3.05 times and the HB 1.78 times a week.

Conclusion

This study shows that the test subjects reached more interdental spaces with NB than with the HB. NB can improve the usage of interdental brushes. Regarding subjective comfort, participants also favoured NB over HB.
Here, there and everywhere: T follicular helper cells on the move
Authors: Ma Cindy S. , Phan Tri Giang
Published: July 2017

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells have the important function of providing B‐cell help for the induction of antigen‐specific antibody production. As such, it is important to determine the factors that regulate the development, differentiation and function of Tfh cells. This review highlights some of the recent advances in our understanding of Tfh cell migration, Tfh cell memory and the origins and fate of circulating Tfh cells in the blood, that have been revealed from studies in humans and mice.
Organised decentralisation, uneven outcomes: employment relations in the Italian public health sector
Authors: Galetto Manuela
Published: July 2017

This article looks at the difficulties of adapting a very centralised employment relations system in a country characterised by a deep regional economic divide. In particular, by looking at the Italian public health sector, it is contended that organised decentralisation of employment relations implemented against wide regional differences led to uneven outcomes in second‐level (organisation) collective bargaining.
Impact of pregnancy on observed sex disparities among adults hospitalized with laboratory‐confirmed influenza, FluSurv‐NET, 2010‐2012
Authors: Kline Kelly , Hadler James L. , Yousey‐Hindes Kimberly , Niccolai Linda , Kirley Pam D. , Miller Lisa , Anderson Evan J. , Monroe Maya L. , Bohm Susan R. , Lynfield Ruth , Bargsten Marisa , Zansky Shelley M. , Lung Krista , Thomas Ann R. , Brady Diane , Schaffner William , Reed Gregg , Garg Shikha
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Previous FluSurv‐NET studies found that adult females had a higher incidence of influenza‐associated hospitalizations than males. To identify groups of women at higher risk than men, we analyzed data from 14 FluSurv‐NET sites that conducted population‐based surveillance for laboratory‐confirmed influenza‐associated hospitalizations among residents of 78 US counties.

Methods

We analyzed 6292 laboratory‐confirmed, geocodable (96%) adult cases collected by FluSurv‐NET during the 2010‐12 influenza seasons. We used 2010 US Census and 2008‐2012 American Community Survey data to calculate overall age‐adjusted and age group‐specific female:male incidence rate ratios (IRR) by race/ethnicity and census tract‐level poverty. We used national 2010 pregnancy rates to estimate denominators for pregnant women aged 18‐49. We calculated male:female IRRs excluding them and IRRs for pregnant:non‐pregnant women.

Results

Overall, 55% of laboratory‐confirmed influenza cases were female. Female:male IRRs were highest for females aged 18‐49 of high neighborhood poverty (IRR 1.50, 95% CI 1.30‐1.74) and of Hispanic ethnicity (IRR 1.70, 95% CI 1.34‐2.17). These differences disappeared after excluding pregnant women. Overall, 26% of 1083 hospitalized females aged 18‐49 were pregnant. Pregnant adult females were more likely to have influenza‐associated hospitalizations than their non‐pregnant counterparts (relative risk [RR] 5.86, 95% CI 5.12‐6.71), but vaccination levels were similar (25.5% vs 27.8%).

Conclusions

Overall rates of influenza‐associated hospitalization were not significantly different for men and women after excluding pregnant women. Among women aged 18‐49, pregnancy increased the risk of influenza‐associated hospitalization sixfold but did not increase the likelihood of vaccination. Improving vaccination rates in pregnant women should be an influenza vaccination priority.
Estimating and modelling the transmissibility of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus during the 2015 outbreak in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Zhang Xu‐Sheng , Pebody Richard , Charlett Andre , de Angelis Daniela , Birrell Paul , Kang Hunseok , Baguelin Marc , Choi Yoon Hong
Published: July 2017

Background

Emerging respiratory infections represent a significant public health threat. Because of their novelty, there are limited measures available to control their early spread. Learning from past outbreaks is important for future preparation. The Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus (MERS‐CoV ) 2015 outbreak in the Republic of Korea (ROK) provides one such opportunity.

Objectives

We demonstrated through quantitative methodologies how to estimate MERS‐CoV's transmissibility and identified the effective countermeasures that stopped its spread.

Methods

Using the outbreak data, statistical methods were employed to estimate the basic reproductive numberR0, the average number of secondary cases produced by a typical primary case during its entire infectious period in a fully susceptible population. A transmission dynamics model was also proposed to estimateR0and to identify the most effective countermeasures. The consistency between results will provide cross‐validation of the approaches.

Results

R0ranged from 2.5 with 95% confidence interval (CI): [1.7, 3.1] (using the sequential Bayesian method) to 7.2 with 95% CI: [5.3, 9.4] (using the Nowcasting method). Estimates from transmission model were higher but overlapped with these. Personal protection and rapid confirmation of cases were identified as the most important countermeasures.

Conclusions

Our estimates were in agreement with others from the ROK outbreak, albeit significantly higher than estimates based on other small outbreaks and sporadic cases of MERS‐CoV. The large‐scale outbreak in the ROK was jointly due to the high transmissibility in the healthcare‐associated setting and the Korean culture‐associated contact behaviour. Limiting such behaviour by rapidly identifying and isolating cases and avoiding high‐risk contacts effectively stopped further transmission.
Mentors' competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students during clinical placement
Authors: Oikarainen Ashlee , Mikkonen Kristina , Tuomikoski Anna‐Maria , Elo Satu , Pitkänen Salla , Ruotsalainen Heidi , Kääriäinen Maria
Published: July 2017

Aims

To describe mentors' competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students during clinical placement and identify the factors that affect mentoring.

Background

Healthcare education is confronted by several challenges in a time characterized by globalization and increasing international migration. Nursing students from diverse backgrounds continue to experience difficulties during clinical placement. Students can overcome these difficulties and assume responsibility for their learning when mentored by supportive and competent mentors.

Design

A cross‐sectional, descriptive explorative study design was used.

Methods

Data were collected during spring 2016 through a survey sent to mentors (n = 3,355) employed at five university hospitals in Finland. Mentors' competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students was measured with the self‐assessment Mentors' Competence Instrument and the Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Mentoring scale. The analysis included descriptive statistics, non‐parametric tests and binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

Mentors with experience mentoring nursing students from diverse backgrounds rated their overall competence in mentoring as good. However, the results show continued challenges related to competence in linguistic diversity in mentoring. Seven factors that affect mentors' competence in linguistic diversity were identified. Despite high evaluations by mentors of competence related to cultural diversity in mentoring, there are still opportunities for improvement in this area.

Conclusion

Innovative and effective strategies are needed to develop mentors' competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students. Educational and healthcare organizations should strive to enhance collaboration and increase the competence of both mentors and nursing students to work in increasingly diverse healthcare environments.
The nurse–patient relationship as a story of health enhancement in community care: A meta‐ethnography
Authors: Strandås Maria , Bondas Terese
Published: July 2017

Aim

To explore and improve our understanding of how nurse–patient relationships can enhance patients’ health by synthesizing knowledge from published qualitative studies from both patients’ and nurses’ perspectives in community care.

Background

While primary research showing the health benefits of the nurse–patient relationship has been reported, this knowledge has not previously been synthesized.

Design

Meta‐ethnography.

Data sources

A comprehensive search of five relevant databases, without year limitation, was completed. Inclusion criteria were: peer‐reviewed studies exploring patient and/or nurse perspectives in community care settings, using a qualitative approach and published in English in any country.

Review method

Noblit and Hare's meta‐ethnographic approach.

Results

Ten primary studies published between 1997 ‐ 2014 met the research objective and inclusion criteria and were appraised as high quality using CASP. Included studies reported similar findings and reciprocal translational analysis was possible. Six core themes were identified: entering the patient's world; trusting and telling; identifying different needs and uncovering change; patients becoming masters of their own health; patients experiencing health in illness; and nurses going the distance. The core themes were synthesized into a metaphor of “the nurse–patient relationship as a story of health enhancement”, which illustrates the meaning of the “common story” they create together.

Conclusion

The findings help us better understand how the nurse–patient relationship may enhance the patient's health, not only with regard to illness, physical condition and treatment but also physical, emotional, mental and social well‐being. The nurse–patient relationship also has the potential to strengthen the patient's own resources towards maintaining health.
Baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses in nursing homes: Experiences and opinions of administrators and nursing staff
Authors: Backhaus Ramona , Verbeek Hilde , van Rossum Erik , Capezuti Elizabeth , Hamers Jan P.H.
Published: July 2017

Aims

To understand how nursing homes employ baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses (BRNs) and how they view the unique contributions of baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses to staff and residents in their organizations.

Background

Although providing care for nursing home residents is complex and thus requires a high level of skills, organizations often struggle to recruit and retain BRNs. Some nursing home organizations do not employ baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses at all. Among those that do, it is unknown how well these organizations make use of baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses' expertise or if their roles are different from those of other staff.

Design

A qualitative study, consisting of 26 individual and three group interviews was conducted in the Netherlands.

Methods

Interviews were conducted at the board‐, management‐ and staff‐level in six nursing home organizations. Data were collected between January 2016–May 2016.

Results

Organizations employed baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses to fulfil an informal leadership role for direct care teams. Organizations that do not employ baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses were unable to articulate their role in the nursing home setting. Difficulties baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses experienced during role implementation depended on role clarity, the term used to refer to the baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurse, the extent to which nurses received support, openness from direct care teams and baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses’ own behaviour. The unique contribution of baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses perceived by respondents differed between and in organizations.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that there is no “one size fits all” approach to employing baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses in nursing homes. To ensure the satisfaction of both baccalaureate‐educated Registered Nurses and the organizations that employ them, careful implementation and evaluation of their role is crucial.
Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharides affect gingival stem/progenitor cells attributes through NF‐κB, but not Wnt/β‐catenin, pathway
Authors: Zhou Lili , Dörfer Christof E. , Chen Lili , Fawzy El‐Sayed Karim M.
Published: July 2017

Aim

This study investigates for the first time the effect of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharides (Pg‐LPS) on proliferative/regenerative aptitudes of gingival stem/progenitor cells (G‐MSCs).

Material and Methods

G‐MSCs (n = 5) were treated by 0, 10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, 1 μg/ml or 10 μg/ml Pg‐LPS. At 1 hour, Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4) expression and NF‐κB and Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathways were examined. Colony‐forming unit assay was conducted at day 12. At 24 and 48 hours, MTT test, ALP activity, mRNA for tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6, collagen‐I (Col‐I), collagen‐III, RUNX‐2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteonectin and protein expression of interleukin‐6 and TNF‐α were analysed.

Results

With increasing Pg‐LPS, TLR‐4 was upregulated, pNF‐κB‐p65 rose from median (Q25/Q75) 6.56% (4.19/7.90) to 13.02% (8.90/16.50; p = 0.002) and pNF‐κB‐p65/tNF‐κB‐p65 from 0.14(0.10/0.17) to 0.30(0.21/0.42; p = 0.002). pβ‐Catenin, tβ‐catenin and pβ‐catenin/tβ‐catenin showed no differences. Increasing Pg‐LPS concentration increased cell numbers from 288.00(72.98/484.32) to 861.39 (540.41/1599.94; p = 0.002), ALP mRNA from 0.00(0.00/0.01) to 0.56(0.00/1.90; p = 0.004) and TNF‐α from 32.47(12.11/38.57) to 45.32(28.68/48.65; p = 0.036). Over time, ALP activity increased from 0.89(0.78/0.95) to 1.90(1.83/2.09; p < 0.001), mRNA for TNF‐α from 0.00(0.00/0.12) to 0.01(0.00/0.06; p = 0.007), mRNA for Col‐I from 82.70(0.03/171.50) to 124.00(52.85/232.50; p = 0.019), while mRNA for RUNX‐2 decreased from 1.73(0.92/3.20) to 0.84(0.48/1.47; p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Pg‐LPS upregulated G‐MSCs’ proliferation, without attenuation of their regenerative potential. The effects were NF‐κB, but not Wnt/β‐catenin, pathway dependent.
Effect of community‐based education to Korean mothers in relation to the prevention of cervical cancer in their daughters: A non‐randomized trial
Authors: Kim Hae Won , Park Seungmi , Kim Youngji
Published: July 2017

Aim

This study was conducted in order to examine the effects of community‐based education on cervical cancer prevention in relation to South Korean mothers’ knowledge about the Papanicolau (Pap) test and human papillomavirus, self‐confidence in communication with their daughters, and health‐related beliefs about their daughters.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental pre–post design was used. For the experimental group, face‐to‐face education was administered to 35 participants for 60 min. For the control group, 35 participants were taught by using standardized materials for 20 min.

Results

The experimental group showed a significant increase in Pap test knowledge, cervical cancer knowledge, and self‐confidence in communication with their daughters, compared to the control group. In the post‐test, the mothers in the experimental group also perceived cervical cancer as more threatening, their daughter as more susceptible to cervical cancer, Pap tests as being recommended for their daughters, and they showed a significant increase in their self‐efficacy of recommending the Pap test to their daughter.

Conclusion

Community‐based education for mothers is effective in increasing their human papillomavirus knowledge, Pap test knowledge, improving their confidence in communication with their daughters, and in some of the health‐related beliefs regarding their daughters.
Enhancing image contrast of carbon nanotubes on cellular background using helium ion microscope by varying helium ion fluence
Authors: DYKAS M.M. , PODDAR K. , YOONG S.L. , VISWANATHAN V. , MATHEW S. , PATRA A. , SAHA S. , PASTORIN G. , VENKATESAN T.
Published: July 2017

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become an important nano entity for biomedical applications. Conventional methods of their imaging, often cannot be applied in biological samples due to an inadequate spatial resolution or poor contrast between the CNTs and the biological sample. Here we report a unique and effective detection method, which uses differences in conductivities of carbon nanotubes and HeLa cells. The technique involves the use of a helium ion microscope to image the sample with the surface charging artefacts created by the He+ and neutralised by electron flood gun. This enables us to obtain a few nanometre resolution images of CNTs in HeLa Cells with high contrast, which was achieved by tailoring the He+ fluence. Charging artefacts can be efficiently removed for conductive CNTs by a low amount of electrons, the fluence of which is not adequate to discharge the cell surface, resulting in high image contrast. Thus, this technique enables rapid detection of any conducting nano structures on insulating cellular background even in large fields of view and fine spatial resolution. The technique demonstrated has wider applications for researchers seeking enhanced contrast and high‐resolution imaging of any conducting entity in a biological matrix – a commonly encountered issue of importance in drug delivery, tissue engineering and toxicological studies.
Role of Prophylactic Oxytocin in the Third Stage of Labor: Physiologic Versus Pharmacologically Influenced Labor and Birth
Authors: Erickson Elise N. , Lee Christopher S. , Emeis Cathy L.
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Maternity care providers administer oxytocin prophylactically to prevent postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Prophylactic oxytocin is generally considered effective and safe and is promoted by national organizations for standardized use. In this article, the evidence supporting prophylactic oxytocin administration for women undergoing spontaneous labor and birth compared with women whose labors included administration of exogenous oxytocin for induction or augmentation is explored.

Methods

Using data from randomized controlled trials included in 2 recent Cochrane meta‐analyses papers, only studies with women in spontaneous labor were selected for inclusion (N = 4 studies). Outcomes of immediate postpartum bleeding volumes (≥ 500 mL or 1000 mL), risk for blood transfusion, and risk for administration of more uterotonic medication were pooled from these 4 studies. Focused random effects meta‐analytics were used.

Results

Compared to women without prophylactic oxytocin, women who received prophylactic oxytocin had a lower risk of having a 500 mL or higher blood loss. However, prophylactic oxytocin did not lower risk of PPH (≥ 1000 mL), blood transfusion, or need for additional uterotonic treatment.

Discussion

Prophylactic oxytocin may not confer the same benefits to women undergoing spontaneous labor and birth compared to women laboring with oxytocin infusion. Reasons for this difference are explored from a pharmacologic perspective. In addition, the value of prophylactic oxytocin given recent changes in the definition of PPH from greater than or equal to 500 mL to 1000 mL or more after birth is discussed. Finally, gaps in research on adverse effects of prophylactic oxytocin are presented. More research is needed on reducing risk of PPH for women in spontaneous labor.
Nursing diagnoses related to psychiatric adult inpatient care
Authors: Frauenfelder Fritz , van Achterberg Theo , Müller Staub Maria
Published: July 2017

Aims and objectives

To detect the prevalence of NANDA‐I diagnoses and possible relationships between those and patient characteristics such as gender, age, medical diagnoses and psychiatric specialty/setting.

Background

There is a lack on studies about psychiatric inpatient characteristics and possible relationships among these characteristics with nursing diagnoses.

Design

A quantitative‐descriptive, cross‐sectional, completed data sampling study was performed.

Methods

The data were collected from the electronic patient record system. Frequencies for the social‐demographic data, the prevalence of the NANDA‐I diagnoses and the explanatory variables were calculated.

Results

In total, 410 nursing phenomena were found representing 85 different NANDA‐I diagnoses in 312 patients. The NANDA‐I diagnosis “Ineffective Coping” was the most frequently stated diagnosis followed by “Ineffective Health Maintenance,” “Hopelessness” and “Risk for Other‐Directed Violence”. Men were more frequently affected by the diagnoses “Ineffective Coping,” “Hopelessness,” “Risk for Self‐Directed Violence,” “Defensive Coping” and “Risk for Suicide,” whereas the diagnoses “Insomnia,” “Chronic Confusion,” “Chronic Low Self‐Esteem” and “Anxiety” were more common in women. Patients under the age of 45 years were more frequently affected by “Chronic Low Self‐Esteem” and “Anxiety” than older patients. “Ineffective Coping” was the most prevalent diagnosis by patients with mental disorders due to psychoactive substance use. Patients with schizophrenia were primarily affected by the diagnoses “Ineffective Coping,” “Impaired Social Interaction” and “Chronic Low Self‐Esteem.”

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the complexity and diversity of nursing care in inpatient psychiatric settings. Patients’ gender, age and psychiatric diagnoses and settings are a key factor for specific nursing diagnosis.

Relevance to clinical practice

There are tendencies for relationships between certain nursing diagnosis and patient characteristics in psychiatric adult inpatients. This enhances the specific, extended knowledge for nursing care and its demands in this setting and therefore supports the daily nursing psychiatric care and its needs.
Topotecan-loaded lipid nanoparticles as a viable tool for the topical treatment of skin cancers
Authors: Venâncio João Hélio , Andrade Lígia Marquez , Esteves Najla Locatelli Santos , Brito Lara Barroso , Valadares Marize Campos , Oliveira Gisele Augusto Rodrigues , Lima Eliana Martins , Marreto Ricardo Neves , Gratieri Tais , Taveira Stephânia Fleury
Published: July 2017

Objectives

This work aimed to evaluate semisolid formulations containing topotecan (TPT) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for topical treatment of skin cancers, as TPT is effective against a variety of tumours. A formulation which increases TPT skin permeation would be extremely desirable.

Methods

TPT-NLC were prepared and incorporated in hydrogels with hydroxyethyl cellulose and chitosan (TPT-NLC-HEC and TPT-NLC-Ch, respectively). Control formulations were obtained by dispersing TPT in HEC and Ch hydrogels (TPT-HEC and TPT-Ch).

Key findings

TPT-NLC-HEC and TPT-NLC-Ch showed to maintain the drug and nanoparticle dispersions stable for up to 30 days. When nanoparticles were incorporated into gels, TPT release was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Still, TPT-NLC-HEC increased 2.37 times permeation compared with TPT-HEC (11.9 and 5.0 μg/cm2, respectively). Cell culture experiments with B16F10 melanoma demonstrated that nanoencapsulation significantly increased TPT cytotoxicity (P < 0.05). TPT-NLC was more toxic than free TPT, with IC50 value of 5.74 μg/ml, whereas free TPT had an IC50 > 20 μg/ml. As skin permeated values of TPT from developed formulation (TPT-NLC) were superior to melanoma IC50, it can be extrapolated that chemotherapeutic permeated amounts may be sufficient for a therapeutic effect.

Conclusions

TPT-NLC-HEC may be a valuable tool for the topical treatment of skin cancers.
Disinfection of the peritoneal dialysis bag medication port: Comparison of disinfectant agent and disinfection time
Authors: Conti Adriana , Katzap Roberta M , Poli‐de‐Figueiredo Carlos E , Pagnussatti Vany , Figueiredo Ana E
Published: July 2017

Summary at a Glance

This is an in vitro study looking at the effectiveness of the types and duration of application of disinfectants in eliminating several micro‐organisms at the medication port of peritoneal dialysis bags. The authors found that disinfecting with 2% chlorhexidine for at least 5 s was effective.
Successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection with directly acting antivirals in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Taneja Sunil , Duseja Ajay , De Arka , Kumar Vivek , Ramachandran Raja , Sharma Ashish , Dhiman Radha K , Gupta Krishan L , Chawla Yogesh
Published: July 2017

Summary at a Glance

This is a single‐centre case series reporting the efficacy and safety of direct acting antivirals in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection after kidney transplantation in India. Treatment with these antivirals was highly effective in achieving sustained viral clearance, without compromising renal allograft function.
Assessing musical ability quickly and objectively: development and validation of the Short‐PROMS and the Mini‐PROMS
Authors: Zentner Marcel , Strauss Hannah
Published: July 2017

The study of musical ability has gained considerable traction across disciplines in recent years. In comparison, less effort has been invested in the development of sound measures of musical ability. To redress this gap, we conducted four studies to empirically validate two brief measures derived from the Profile of Music Perception Skills (PROMS)—an exceptionally inclusive battery of musical abilities that takes about 1 h to complete. In the Short‐PROMS, test duration was reduced to less than half an hour by substantially reducing the number of trials per subtest. In the Mini‐PROMS, the number of subtests was reduced to four, resulting in a battery that takes 15 min to complete. Both measures exhibited good internal consistency and retest reliability. Support for convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity was found across the studies. Additional strengths of the new instruments include their suitability for online administration and a feature called Modular PROMS, which offers researchers the possibility to request customized batteries that may include any combination of the subtests. The role of refining objective assessment instruments in research on music and the mind is discussed.
Perturbation approaches for integral projection models
Authors: Griffith Alden B.
Published: July 2017

Perturbation analysis of population models is fundamental to elucidating mechanisms of population dynamics and examining scenarios of change. The use of integral projection models (IPMs) has increased in the last decade, and while many of the tools and approaches developed for matrix models remain relevant, the nature of IPMs expands the framework of perturbation analysis, with different approaches often requiring important considerations. This article provides a review of – and practical guide to – different perturbation approaches for IPMs, formalizes methodologies for perturbing IPM size transition probabilities, and highlights areas where researchers should be particularly careful and critical when conducting and interpreting perturbation analysis. I use a simulated dataset to compare five hierarchical perturbation approaches for IPMs found within 63 published studies, and apply a combination of approaches to the example of an invasive perennial plant. Other perturbation approaches for IPMs are also highlighted.

Most perturbation analyses for IPMs to date have focused on the response of the asymptotic population growth rate (λ) to changes in elements of the discretized projection kernel and/or the growth– survival and reproduction– recruitment sub‐kernels. Perturbations to vital rate functions and regression predictions underlying these kernels provide mechanistic insight, but are less common and can require important considerations regarding the perturbation of size transitions separate from survival and the nature of the state variable (used to represent size). The second most common approach is more specific to IPMs and examines the influence of vital rate regression parameters, each of which can have broad influence on the population growth rate. Researchers using IPMs have many perturbation options available and should carefully consider which approach or combination of approaches is most applicable and interpretable for their specific questions.
5‐aminolaevulinic acid patch‐photodynamic therapy in the treatment of actinic cheilitis
Authors: Radakovic Sonja , Tanew Adrian
Published: July 2017

Background

Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a common disease caused by chronic ultraviolet exposure.

Objective

Alacare is a self‐adhesive, skin coloured 5‐aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) patch that has been developed for the treatment of mild to moderate actinic keratosis (AK). Considering the good results in the treatment of AK, the standardized delivery of ALA and the simple application Alacare patch‐ photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears as an interesting treatment option for AC.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed the efficacy, tolerability and cosmetic outcome of Alacare patch‐PDT in eleven patients with AC. After occlusion with the Alacare patches for 4 hours, the AC lesions were illuminated with narrowband red light and a dose of 37 J/cm2. All patients were clinically assessed for efficacy, side effects and cosmetic outcome at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment.

Results

Complete clinical response at the 3‐month follow‐up was achieved in eight of 11 patients (72,7%) and 12 of 15 AC lesions (80,0%), respectively. Up to the final 12‐month follow‐up, a recurrence was observed in two lesions. The complete clinical cure rate at 1 year after Alacare patch‐PDT, thus, was 66,6% (10/15 lesions). The cosmetic outcome of the treatment was excellent in all cases.

Conclusion

Alacare patch‐PDT was found to have substantial efficacy in the treatment of mild to moderate AC. Given its ease of use, absence of long‐term side effects and the excellent cosmetic results Alacare patch‐PDT might be considered as a promising new treatment option for the management of AC.
Race scholarship “with, by, and for” children: How critical youth studies can inform research on race
Authors: Hagerman Margaret Ann
Published: July 2017

Children's perspectives on race and their own racialized experiences are often overlooked in traditional social scientific race scholarship. From psychological and child development studies of racial identity formation, to social psychological survey research on children's racial attitudes, to sociological research conductedonchildren in order to quantify racially disproportionate child outcomes, the unique perspectives of young people are often marginalized. I explore some of the key themes in existing sociological and psychological research involving race and young people and demonstrate the important contributions of this expansive body of scholarship but also highlight limitations. I argue that when it comes specifically to the sociological study of young people and race, much can be learned from an emerging field known as “critical youth studies.” Further, I argue that more research on race that, as Kate Telleczek (2014, p. 16) describes, is “with,by, andfor” young people, grounded in the epistemological and methodological tenants of critical youth studies, can lead to new sociological understandings of race and childhood, serve to inform public policies and practices intended to improve children's lives, and provide a platform for young people to express their own concerns and ideas about the racialized society in which they live.
The operational implications of donor behaviors following enrollment in STRIDE (Strategies to Reduce Iron Deficiency in blood donors)
Authors: Cable Ritchard G. , Birch Rebecca J. , Spencer Bryan R. , Wright David J. , Bialkowski Walter , Kiss Joseph E. , Rios Jorge , Bryant Barbara J. , Mast Alan E.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Donor behaviors in STRIDE (Strategies to Reduce Iron Deficiency), a trial to reduce iron deficiency, were examined.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Six hundred ninety‐two frequent donors were randomized to receive either 19 or 38 mg iron for 60 days or an educational letter based on their predonation ferritin. Compliance with assigned pills, response to written recommendations, change in donation frequency, and future willingness to take iron supplements were examined.

RESULTS

Donors who were randomized to receive iron pills had increased red blood cell donations and decreased hemoglobin deferrals compared with controls or with pre‐STRIDE donations. Donors who were randomized to receive educational letters had fewer hemoglobin deferrals compared with controls. Of those who received a letter advising of low ferritin levels with recommendations to take iron supplements or delay future donations, 57% reported that they initiated iron supplementation, which was five times as many as those who received letters lacking a specific recommendation. The proportion reporting delayed donation was not statistically different (32% vs. 20%). Of donors who were assigned pills, 58% reported taking them “frequently,” and forgetting was the primary reason for non‐compliance. Approximately 80% of participants indicated that they would take iron supplements if provided by the center.

CONCLUSIONS

Donors who were assigned iron pills had acceptable compliance, producing increased red blood cell donations and decreased low hemoglobin deferrals compared with controls or with pre‐STRIDE rates. The majority of donors assigned to an educational letter took action after receiving a low ferritin result, with more donors choosing to take iron than delay donation. Providing donors with information on iron status with personalized recommendations was an effective alternative to directly providing iron supplements.
Transient hemolysis due to anti‐D and anti‐A1 produced by engrafted donor's lymphocytes after allogeneic unmanipulated haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Bailén Rebeca , Kwon Mi , Pérez‐Corral Ana María , Pascual Cristina , Buño Ismael , Balsalobre Pascual , Serrano David , Gayoso Jorge , Díez‐Martín José Luis , Anguita Javier
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Development of de novo alloantibodies against recipient's red blood cell (RBC) antigens by engrafted donor's lymphocytes is a known phenomenon in the setting of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This situation is usually clinically insignificant. We report a case of early clinically relevant hemolytic anemia in a blood group A1 D+ patient, due to a limited production of anti‐D and anti‐A1 produced by nonpreviously sensitized newly engrafted donor's immune system.

CASE REPORT

A 31‐year‐old Caucasian woman, blood group A1, D+, with Hodgkin's lymphoma, received an unmanipulated haploidentical allogeneic peripheral blood HSCT after a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen. Donor blood group was A2B, D–. The patient had an uneventful course until Day +34, when she developed clinically significant hemolytic anemia with a positive direct antiglobulin test. Anti‐D and anti‐A1 produced by the donor‐engrafted lymphocytes were detected both in serum and in eluate. The hemolysis produced an accelerated group change, turning the patient's ABO group into A2B 2 weeks after the detection of the alloantibodies. As the residual patient's RBCs progressively disappeared, anti‐D and anti‐A1 production decreased and were not detected in serum by Day +41.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrates that de novo alloantibody production against ABO and D antigens by the newly engrafted donor's lymphocytes can occasionally cause clinically significant anemia. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of clinically significant hemolytic anemia due to a transient anti‐D anti‐A1 alloimmunization after T‐cell‐repleted haploidentical HSCT.
Implementation of a new blood cooler insert and tracking technology with educational initiatives and its effect on reducing red blood cell wastage
Authors: Fadeyi Emmanuel A. , Emery Wanda , Simmons Julie H. , Jones Mary Rose , Pomper Gregory J.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

The objective was to report a successful implementation of a blood cooler insert and tracking technology with educational initiatives and its effect on reducing red blood cell (RBC) wastage.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The blood bank database was used to quantify and categorize total RBC units issued in blood coolers from January 2010 to December 2015 with and without the new inserts throughout the hospital. Radiofrequency identification tags were used with special software to monitor blood cooler tracking. An educational policy on how to handle the coolers was initiated. Data were gathered from the software that provided a real‐time location monitoring of the blood coolers with inserts throughout the institution.

RESULTS

The implementation of the blood cooler with inserts and tracking device reduced mean yearly RBC wastage by fourfold from 0.64% to 0.17% between 2010 and 2015. The conserved RBCs corresponded to a total cost savings of $167,844 during the 3‐year postimplementation period.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of new blood cooler inserts, tracking system, and educational initiatives substantially reduced the mean annual total RBC wastage. The cost to implement this initiative may be small if there is an existing institutional infrastructure to monitor and track hospital equipment into which the blood bank intervention can be adapted when compared to the cost of blood wastage.
Platelet storage performance is consistent by donor: a pilot study comparing “good” and “poor” storing platelets
Authors: Bontekoe Ido J. , van der Meer Pieter F. , van den Hurk Katja , Verhoeven Arthur J. , de Korte Dirk
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

In retrospective studies, it has been shown that differences in storage variables of platelet (PLT) concentrates (PCs) are partially donor dependent. It was our aim to prospectively determine the donor effect on PLT quality.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Based on quality control data of outdated apheresis PCs, male donors were selected with at least one PC with a pH value of more than 7.0 (“good,” n = 6) or one PC with a pH value of less than 6.7 (“poor,” n = 6) on Day 8. These donors donated a PC (Trima Accel, Terumo) and completed a short questionnaire about their health and lifestyle. PCs were stored for 12 days and analyzed at regular intervals for in vitro quality.

RESULTS

Donor characteristics were comparable, except that zero of six good and four of six poor donors reported high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol/fat and/or use of medicines. Lactate production in good PCs was lower than that in poor PCs (0.09 ± 0.03 mmol/day/1011 PLTs vs. 0.13 ± 0.04 mmol/day/1011 PLTs, p < 0.05) resulting in a higher pH from Day 5 onward. At the end of storage, the good PCs showed lower CD62P expression, lower phosphatidylserine exposure, and higher mitochondrial membrane potential. PLT functional properties were only slightly different. Despite having lower pH, the poor PCs also fulfilled European Guidelines during 7‐day storage.

CONCLUSION

Platelet storage performance is consistent when donors are dichotomized as having good or poor storing PLTs. Metabolic differences are perhaps due to different functionality of the mitochondria. More research is needed to establish the underlying causes and the implications for donors and blood products.
Escherichia coli isolates from commercial chicken meat and eggs cause sepsis, meningitis and urinary tract infection in rodent models of human infections
Authors: Mellata M. , Johnson J. R. , Curtiss R.
Published: July 2017

The zoonotic potential of Escherichia coli from chicken‐source food products is important to define for public health purposes. Previously, genotypic and phenotypic screening of E. coli isolates from commercial chicken meat and shell eggs identified some E. coli strains that by molecular criteria resembled human‐source extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Here, to clarify the zoonotic risk of such chicken‐source E. coli, we compared selected E. coli isolates from chicken meat and eggs, stratified by molecularly defined ExPEC status, to human‐source ExPEC and to laboratory E. coli for virulence in rodent models of sepsis, meningitis and UTI, and evaluated whether specific bacterial characteristics predict experimental virulence. Multiple chicken‐source E. coli resembled human‐source ExPEC in their ability to cause one or multiple different ExPEC‐associated infections. Swimming ability corresponded with urovirulence, K1 capsule corresponded with ability to cause neonatal meningitis, and biofilm formation in urine corresponded with ability to cause sepsis. In contrast, molecularly defined ExPEC status and individual genotypic traits were uncorrelated with ability to cause sepsis, and neither complement sensitivity nor growth in human urine corresponded with virulence in any infection model. These findings establish that chicken‐derived food products contain E. coli strains that, in rodent models of multiple human‐associated ExPEC infections, are able to cause disease comparably to human‐source E. coli clinical isolates, which suggests that they may pose a significant food safety threat. Further study is needed to define the level of risk they pose to human health, which if appreciable would justify efforts to monitor for and reduce or eliminate them.
Effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy for anxiety and stress in adults living with a chronic illness: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Blaskovits Farriss , Tyerman Jane , Luctkar-Flude Marian
Published: July 2017

Review question/objective:

The objective of this review is to systematically examine the effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy for managing anxiety and stress in adults living with a chronic illness.

The specific objectives are to identify which neurofeedback systems and/or protocols demonstrate effectiveness and determine the level of supporting evidence.

The review question is as follows: What is the effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy for managing anxiety and stress in an adult population aged 18 years of age or older living with a chronic illness?
Experiences of Scandinavian nurses in discussing sexuality with patients, clients and residents: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Laursen Birgitte Schantz , Rasmussen Philippa , Conroy Tiffany
Published: July 2017

Review question/objective:

: The objective of this review is to critically appraise, synthesize, and present the best available evidence to address the question: How do Scandinavian nurses experience discussing sexual issues with patients, residents and clients?
Physical therapy and exercise interventions in Huntington's disease: a mixed methods systematic review protocol
Authors: Quinn Lori , Busse Monica , Carrier Judith , Fritz Nora , Harden Jane , Hartel Lynda , Kegelmeyer Deb , Kloos Anne , Rao Ashwini
Published: July 2017

Review question/objective:

: The review seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy and exercise interventions in Huntington's disease (HD). The review question is: What is the effectiveness of physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise interventions in people with HD, and what are patients’, families’ and caregivers’ perceptions of these interventions?

The specific objectives are:

To determine the effectiveness of physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise interventions in people with HD on physical and cognitive function.

To explore the perceptions of people with HD and their families and caregivers with regard to their experience of physiotherapy and exercise interventions.

This mixed methods review seeks to develop an aggregated synthesis of quantitative, qualitative and narrative systematic reviews on physiotherapy and exercise interventions in HD, in an attempt to derive conclusions and recommendations useful for clinical practice and policy decision-making.