bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
'All these allied health professionals and you're not really sure when you use them': insights from Australian international medical graduates on working with allied health
Authors: McGrath Pam D. , Henderson David , Tamargo John , Holewa Hamish A.
Published: October 2018

Objective. This paper presents the findings of research which explored how International Medical Graduates (IMGs) understand and integrate with the allied health system in relation to multidisciplinary care. Methods. An open-ended, exploratory qualitative design comprised of thirty (n = 30) open-ended, in-depth interviews with IMGs employed in a public hospital in Queensland, Australia. Results. Many IMGs have no experience with allied health support in their country of origin. Multidisciplinary collaboration is a new concept for IMGs integrating into the Australia healthcare system. Learning about the allied health system, including how to work effectively within the context of the multidisciplinary team, is an important topic that needs to be addressed as a matter of priority. Conclusions. There is a strong need to focus on improving strategies for integrating IMGs into the allied health system. In particular, IMGs require information to help them understand the roles and referral processes associated with interfacing with the allied health system. What is known about the topic? To date, there is no research available on the important topic of how IMGs understand and integrate with the allied health system in relation to multidisciplinary care in the Australian healthcare system. What does this paper add? The present findings make an important contribution to the literature by highlighting the need to focus on integrating IMGs into the allied health system. The findings presented in this paper indicate that, for the range of reasons summarised the IMGs’ understanding of the allied health system is limited. What are the implications for practitioners? The IMGs in this study called for assistance in understanding the allied health system, a process they considered difficult to do on their own. The strong recommendation is that it is most appropriate for allied health professionals in the hospital to take such leadership, and such efforts will be met by a readiness to learn on the part of the IMGs.
Cyclometalated Ir(III) Complexes Containing Pyrazole/Pyrazine Carboxylate Ligands
Authors: Hajra Tanima , Bera Jitendra K. , Chandrasekhar Vadapalli
Published: October 2018

Two cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes using 2-phenylpyridine (ppy-H) as the cyclometalating ligand, and pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (prca-H) and pyrazine 3,5-dicarboxylic acid (pzdca-H2) as ancillary ligands; were synthesized from the chloro-bridged dimer precursor [{(ppy)2Ir}2(μ-Cl)2]. The title compounds [Ir(ppy)2(prca)] (1) and [{Ir(ppy)2}2(pzdca)] (2) are monomeric and dimeric neutral Ir(iii) complexes, respectively. Their electrochemical and photophysical properties were examined. They exhibit metal-based oxidations and ligand-based reductions. These complexes exhibit emission in the blue-green region with lifetimes in the micro-second range at room temperature. The nature of the emission spectra indicates differences in the origin of emission in these two compounds.
Statistical methods for analysis of multi-harvest data from perennial pasture variety selection trials
Authors: Faveri Joanne De , Verbyla Arūnas P. , Pitchford Wayne S. , Venkatanagappa Shoba , Cullis Brian R.
Published: October 2018

Variety selection in perennial pasture crops involves identifying best varieties from data collected from multiple harvest times in field trials. For accurate selection, the statistical methods for analysing such data need to account for the spatial and temporal correlation typically present. This paper provides an approach for analysing multi-harvest data from variety selection trials in which there may be a large number of harvest times. Methods are presented for modelling the variety by harvest effects while accounting for the spatial and temporal correlation between observations. These methods provide an improvement in model fit compared to separate analyses for each harvest, and provide insight into variety by harvest interactions. The approach is illustrated using two traits from a lucerne variety selection trial. The proposed method provides variety predictions allowing for the natural sources of variation and correlation in multi-harvest data.
A short climatology of nanoparticles at the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, Tasmania
Authors: Jimi S. I. , Gras J.L. , Siems S. T. , Krummel P. B.
Published: October 2018

Environmental context. Atmospheric particles play an important role in the global climate system; they contribute to the radiation balance directly, but they also have an indirect effect by modifying cloud properties and influencing precipitation. Over the Southern Ocean, nanometre-sized particle production is believed to be largely natural, although the processes that lead to these particles are not well understood. This work provides new observations of atmospheric nanoparticles, and shows that they arise from diverse sources of production.
Abstract. This paper presents analyses of a two-year record of aerosol measurements made at the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station (CGBAPS) in Tasmania covering the period 1999 and 2000. The focus of the study is nanoparticles, defined here as particles with diameter Dp, in the range 3 ≤ Dp ≤ 12 nm; with the number concentration determined using two condensation particle counters, a TSI 3025 UCPC (Dp ≥ 3 nm) and a TSI CN3760 (Dp ≥ 12 nm). Total aerosol (Dp ≥ 3 nm) and nanoparticle concentrations were examined for three broad air mass origins, namely ‘Baseline’ or background maritime, continental Australia and Tasmanian air masses. Total median aerosol concentrations in the Baseline, continental and Tasmanian sectors typically ranged from 100 to 900, 1300 to 1900 and 500 to 1200 cm–3, respectively. The median ranges for the nanoparticle concentrations were 50–350 cm–3 in Baseline air, 150–450 cm–3 in continental air and 100–300 cm–3 in Tasmanian air. While the total aerosol concentrations in the three sectors were quite different, the nanoparticle concentrations were less so. Nanoparticle diurnal concentrations showed substantial differences between the three sectors, indicative of different aerosol sources or precursor sources in the regions designated by these wind sectors.
Autoxidation of SIV inhibited by chlorophenols reacting with sulfate radicals
Authors: Ziajka Józef , Rudzinski Krzysztof J.
Published: October 2018

Environmental context. Chlorophenols pollute natural waters and soils, as well as urban waste water systems. Although toxic and carcinogenic to animals and humans, a detailed knowledge of their action is limited. A new approach to effective degradation in the environment is advanced oxidation processes with sulfate radicals. The radicals can originate from the oxidation of sulfur dioxide or sulfites to make these common pollutants and food additives interact with chlorophenols. The main goal of this work is to determine rate constants for reactions of these chlorophenols with sulfate radicals in order to shed some light on the chemical kinetics of these reactions. Abstract. Kinetic experiments have shown that six chlorophenols (CPs) inhibit the autoxidation of SIV catalysed by Fe(ClO4)3 in aqueous solution at 25°C and pH ≈ 3.0. Efficiency of the inhibition decreases with the number of chlorine substituents for all CPs except for 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP), which ranked between the tri- and tetrachlorophenols. The inhibition is explained by reactions of chlorophenols with sulfate radicals, the chain carriers in the mechanism of autoxidation. Rate constants for these reactions are determined for the first time, using the reversed-rates method with ethanol as a reference inhibitor: 8.7 × 109 (4-CP), 7.4 × 109 (2,4-DCP), 1.9 × 109 (2,5-DCP), 2.4 × 109 (2,4,5-TCP), 2.9 × 109 (2,4,6-TCP), and 7.5 × 108 (2,3,5,6-TTCP); 4.3 × 107 (ethanol reference) M–1 s–1. Linear correlations were derived for the estimation of rate constants for the remaining chlorophenols using sums of Brown substituent coefficients or relative strengths of O–H bonds. The results can be used in the development of advanced oxidation processes that utilise sulfate radicals for mineralisation of chlorophenols in wastewaters, and also demonstrate that chlorophenols can extend the lifetimes of SO2 and sulfites in natural and atmospheric waters.
Corrigendum to: Phylogeny of Stenopodidea (Crustacea : Decapoda) shrimps inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial genes reveals non-monophyly of the families Spongicolidae and Stenopididae and most of their composite genera
Authors: Chen Chien-Lin , Goy Joseph W. , Bracken-Grissom Heather D. , Felder Darryl L. , Tsang Ling Ming , Chan Tin-Yam
Published: October 2018

The infraorder Stenopodidea is a relatively small group of marine decapod crustaceans including the well known cleaner shrimps, but their higher taxonomy has been rather controversial. This study provides the most comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analyses of Stenopodidea using sequence data from two mitochondrial (16S and 12S rRNA) and two nuclear (histone H3 and sodium–potassium ATPase ?-subunit (NaK)) genes. We included all 12 nominal genera from the three stenopodidean families in order to test the proposed evolutionary hypothesis and taxonomic scheme of the group. The inferred phylogeny did not support the familial ranking of Macromaxillocarididae and rejected the reciprocal monophyly of Spongicolidae and Stenopididae. The genera Stenopus, Richardina, Spongiocaris, Odontozona, Spongicola and Spongicoloides are showed to be poly- or paraphyletic, with monophyly of only the latter three genera strongly rejected in the analysis. The present results only strongly support the monophyly of Microprosthema and suggest that Paraspongiola should be synonymised with Spongicola. The three remaining genera, Engystenopus, Juxtastenopus and Globospongicola, may need to be expanded to include species from other genera if their statuses are maintained. All findings suggest that the morphological characters currently adopted to define genera are mostly invalid and substantial taxonomic revisions are required. As the intergeneric relationships were largely unresolved in the present attempt, the hypothesis of evolution of deep-sea sponge-associated taxa from shallow-water free-living species could not be verified here. The present molecular phylogeny, nevertheless, provides some support that stenopoididean shrimps colonised the deep sea in multiple circumstances.
Sexually transmissible infection and HIV prevention and treatment for young male sex workers in Vietnam: findings from the SHEATH intervention
Authors: Clatts Michael C. , Goldsamt Lloyd A. , Giang Lê Minh , Quôc Báo Lê , Yu Gary , Colby Donn
Published: October 2018

Background
Urban centres in Vietnam have high rates of HIV infection, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). A subgroup of MSM, young male sex workers (YMSW), are at especially high risk due to concurrent sex with multiple male and female partners, low levels of knowledge regarding HIV and sexually transmissible infection (STI) transmission, and limited engagement with health services, including STI and HIV screening and treatment. Methods: A targeted intervention (SHEATH) derived from Harm Reduction and Sexual Health Promotion intervention technology was implemented in an out-of-treatment population of YMSW in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (n = 919). Results: YMSW reported high levels of satisfaction with each of the seven core modules within the intervention and for the intervention as a whole. The intervention conferred significant benefit in relation to improved knowledge of STI and HIV transmission (P < 0.001). Although only 36% of participants had seen a healthcare provider in the past year, following the intervention 81% intended to see one in the next 6 months. Similarly, although 71% of participants did not disclose that they were MSM the last time they visited a healthcare provider, following the intervention 71% intended to do so at their next visit. High rates of STIs (>10%) and HIV (9.5%) were also found. Conclusion: The data show that the SHEATH intervention can be implemented in this population and setting, is met with high rates of acceptability, and positively impacts STI and HIV knowledge and multiple health services outcomes (including knowledge of HIV status and disposition towards habituation of HIV screening).
Focal adhesion molecules regulate astrocyte morphology and glutamate transporters to suppress seizure-like behavior
Authors: Cho Sukhee , Muthukumar Allie K. , Stork Tobias , Coutinho-Budd Jaeda C. , Freeman Marc R.
Published: October 2018

Significance

Astrocytes are nonneuronal cells that closely associate with neuronal synapses to regulate synaptic function in brain circuits. A powerful mechanism by which astrocytes can modulate neurotransmission is through their uptake of synaptically released neurotransmitters (NTs). Imbalances in the uptake of the excitatory NT glutamate or inhibitory NT GABBA can change the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signaling in the brain and lead to hyperactivity or seizure. In this study, we explore how astrocytes modulate neuronal hyperactivity and show that focal adhesions, a class of cell-adhesion molecules, are key regulators of astrocyte associations with synapses and astrocyte expression of NT transporters. This work provides potential targets for therapeutic manipulation to suppress seizure activity or excess neuronal excitability.
Shift from androgen to estrogen action causes abdominal muscle fibrosis, atrophy, and inguinal hernia in a transgenic male mouse model
Authors: Zhao Hong , Zhou Ling , Li Lin , Coon V John , Chatterton Robert T. , Brooks David C. , Jiang Enze , Liu Li , Xu Xia , Dong Zhiyong , DeMayo Francesco J. , Stulberg Jonah J. , Tourtellotte Warren G. , Bulun Serdar E.
Published: October 2018

Significance

Inguinal hernia is one of the most common disorders that affect elderly men. A major pathology underlying inguinal hernia is the fibrosis and other degenerative changes that affect the lower abdominal muscle strength adjacent to the inguinal canal. Here we describe a critical role of estrogen and its nuclear receptor that enhance fibroblast proliferation and muscle atrophy, leading to inguinal hernia. Further research may reveal a potential role of estrogen ablation to prevent muscle fibrosis or hernia in a subset of elderly men.
Categorization of endoplasmic reticulum stress as accumulation of unfolded proteins or membrane lipid aberrancy using yeast Ire1 mutants
Authors: Tran Duc Minh , Takagi Hiroshi , Kimata Yukio
Published: October 2018

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-located protein Ire1 triggers the unfolded protein response against ER-stressing stimuli, which are categorized as ER accumulation of unfolded proteins or membrane lipid-related aberrancy. Here we demonstrate that by using yeast Ire1 mutants, we can distinguish the category to which a stress-inducing stimulus belongs. For instance, ethanol was found to activate Ire1 through both types of cellular damage.
Single residue mutation in integrase catalytic core domain affects feline foamy viral DNA integration
Authors: Lee Ga-Eun , Kim Jinsun , Shin Cha-Gyun
Published: October 2018

DD(35)E motif in catalytic core domain (CCD) of integrase (IN) is extremely involved in retroviral integration step. Here, nine single residue mutants of feline foamy virus (FFV) IN were generated to study their effects on IN activities and on viral replication. As expected, mutations in the highly conserved D107, D164, and E200 residues abolished all IN catalytic activities (3′-end processing, strand transfer, and disintegration) as well as viral infectivity by blocking viral DNA integration into cellular DNA. However, Q165, Y191, and S195 mutants, which are located closely to DDE motif were observed to have diverse levels of enzymatic activities, compared to those of the wild type IN. Their mutant viruses produced by one-cycle transfection showed different infectivity on their natural host cells. Therefore, it is likely that effects of single residue mutation at DDE motif is critical on viral replication depending on the position of the residues.
Expanded functionality, increased accuracy, and enhanced speed in the de novo genotyping-by-sequencing pipeline GBS-SNP-CROP
Authors: Melo Arthur T O , Hale Iago
Published: October 2018

GBS-SNP-CROP is a bioinformatics pipeline originally developed to support the cost-effective genome-wide characterization of plant genetic resources through paired-end genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), particularly in the absence of a reference genome. Since its 2016 release, the pipeline’s functionality has greatly expanded, its computational efficiency has improved, and its applicability to a broad set of genomic studies for both plants and animals has been demonstrated. This note details the suite of improvements to date, as realized in GBS-SNP-CROP v.4.0, with specific attention paid to a new integrated metric that facilitates reliable variant identification despite the complications of homologs. Using the new de novo GBS read simulator GBS-Pacecar, also introduced in this note, results show an improvement in overall pipeline accuracy from 66% (v.1.0) to 84% (v.4.0), with a time saving of ∼70%. Both GBS-SNP-CROP versions significantly outperform TASSEL-UNEAK; and v.4.0 resolves the issue of non-overlapping variant calls observed between UNEAK and v.1.0.

Availability and implementation

GBS-SNP-CROP source code and user manual are available at https://github.com/halelab/GBS-SNP-CROP. The GBS read simulator GBS-Pacecar is available at https://github.com/halelab/GBS-Pacecar.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Quality assessment for the putative intrinsic disorder in proteins
Authors: Hu Gang , Wu Zhonghua , Oldfield Christopher J , Wang Chen , Kurgan Lukasz
Published: October 2018

Motivation

While putative intrinsic disorder is widely used, none of the predictors provides quality assessment (QA) scores. QA scores estimate the likelihood that predictions are correct at a residue level and have been applied in other bioinformatics areas. We recently reported that QA scores derived from putative disorder propensities perform relatively poorly for native disordered residues. Here we design and validate a general approach to construct QA predictors for disorder predictions.

Results

The QUARTER (QUality Assessment for pRotein inTrinsic disordEr pRedictions) toolbox of methods accommodates a diverse set of ten disorder predictors. It builds upon several innovative design elements including use and scaling of selected physicochemical properties of the input sequence, post-processing of disorder propensity scores, and a feature selection that optimizes the predictive models to a specific disorder predictor. We empirically establish that each one of these elements contributes to the overall predictive performance of our tool and that QUARTER’s outputs significantly outperform QA scores derived from the outputs generated the disorder predictors. The best performing QA scores for a single disorder predictor identify 13% of residues that are predicted with 98% precision. QA scores computed by combining results of the ten disorder predictors cover 40% of residues with 95% precision. Case studies are used to show how to interpret the QA scores. QA scores based on the high precision combined predictions are applied to analyze disorder in the human proteome.

Availability and implementation

http://biomine.cs.vcu.edu/servers/QUARTER/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Landscape of multi-tissue global gene expression reveals the regulatory signatures of feed efficiency in beef cattle
Authors: Sun Hui-Zeng , Zhao Ke , Zhou Mi , Chen Yanhong , Guan Le Luo
Published: October 2018

Motivation

Feed efficiency is an important trait for sustainable beef production that is regulated by the complex biological process, but the mode of action behinds it has not been clearly defined. Here, we aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of this trait through studying the landscape of the genome-wide gene expression of rumen, liver, muscle and backfat tissues, the key ones involved in the energy metabolism.

Results

The transcriptome of 189 samples across four tissues from 48 beef steers with varied feed efficiency were generated using Illumina HiSeq4000. The analysis of global gene expression profiles of four tissues, functional analysis of tissue-shared and -unique genes, co-expressed network construction of tissue-shared genes, weighted correlations analysis between gene modules and feed efficiency-related traits in each tissue were performed. Among four tissues, the transcriptome of muscle tissue was distinctive from others, while those of rumen and backfat tissues were similar. The associations between co-expressed genes and feed efficiency related traits at single or all tissues level exhibited that the gene expression in the rumen, liver, muscle and backfat were the most correlated with feed conversion ratio, dry matter intake, average daily gain and residual feed intake, respectively. The 19 overlapped genes identified from the strongest module–trait relationships in four tissues are potential generic gene markers for feed efficiency.

Availability and implementation

The distribution of gene expression data can be accessed at https://www.cattleomics.com/transcriptome.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Mendelian randomization analysis of C-reactive protein on colorectal cancer risk
Authors: Wang Xiaoliang , Dai James Y , Albanes Demetrius , Arndt Volker , Berndt Sonja I , Bézieau Stéphane , Brenner Hermann , Buchanan Daniel D , Butterbach Katja , Caan Bette , Casey Graham , Campbell Peter T , Chan Andrew T , Chen Zhengyi , Chang-Claude Jenny , Cotterchio Michelle , Easton Douglas F , Giles Graham G , Giovannucci Edward , Grady William M , Hoffmeister Michael , Hopper John L , Hsu Li , Jenkins Mark A , Joshi Amit D , Lampe Johanna W , Larsson Susanna C , Lejbkowicz Flavio , Li Li , Lindblom Annika , Le Marchand Loic , Martin Vicente , Milne Roger L , Moreno Victor , Newcomb Polly A , Offitt Kenneth , Ogino Shuji , Pharoah Paul D P , Pinchev Mila , Potter John D , Rennert Hedy S , Rennert Gad , Saliba Walid , Schafmayer Clemens , Schoen Robert E , Schrotz-King Petra , Slattery Martha L , Song Mingyang , Stegmaier Christa , Weinstein Stephanie J , Wolk Alicja , Woods Michael O , Wu Anna H , Gruber Stephen B , Peters Ulrike , White Emily
Published: October 2018

Background

Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). Circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) is also moderately associated with CRC risk. However, observational studies are susceptible to unmeasured confounding or reverse causality. Using genetic risk variants as instrumental variables, we investigated the causal relationship between genetically elevated CRP concentration and CRC risk, using a Mendelian randomization approach.

Methods

Individual-level data from 30 480 CRC cases and 22 844 controls from 33 participating studies in three international consortia were used: the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO), the Colorectal Transdisciplinary Study (CORECT) and the Colon Cancer Family Registry (CCFR). As instrumental variables, we included 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with CRP concentration. The SNP-CRC associations were estimated using a logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, principal components and genotyping phases. An inverse-variance weighted method was applied to estimate the causal effect of CRP on CRC risk.

Results

Among the 19 CRP-associated SNPs, rs1260326 and rs6734238 were significantly associated with CRC risk (P = 7.5 × 10–4, and P = 0.003, respectively). A genetically predicted one-unit increase in the log-transformed CRP concentrations (mg/l) was not associated with increased risk of CRC [odds ratio (OR) = 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97, 1.12; P = 0.256). No evidence of association was observed in subgroup analyses stratified by other risk factors.

Conclusions

In spite of adequate statistical power to detect moderate association, we found genetically elevated CRP concentration was not associated with increased risk of CRC among individuals of European ancestry. Our findings suggested that circulating CRP is unlikely to be a causal factor in CRC development.
GSDMB promotes non-canonical pyroptosis by enhancing caspase-4 activity
Authors: Chen Qin , Shi Peiliang , Wang Yufang , Zou Dayuan , Wu Xiuwen , Wang Dingyu , Hu Qiongyuan , Zou Yujie , Huang Zan , Ren Jianan , Lin Zhaoyu , Gao Xiang
Published: October 2018

Gasdermin B (GSDMB) has been reported to be associated with immune diseases in humans, but the detailed molecular mechanisms remain unsolved. The N-terminus of GSDMB by itself, unlike other gasdermin family proteins, does not induce cell death. Here, we show that GSDMB is highly expressed in the leukocytes of septic shock patients, which is associated with increased release of the gasdermin D (GSDMD) N-terminus. GSDMB expression and the accumulation of the N-terminal fragment of GSDMD are induced by the activation of the non-canonical pyroptosis pathway in a human monocyte cell line. The downregulation of GSDMB alleviates the cleavage of GSDMD and cell death. Consistently, the overexpression of GSDMB promotes GSDMD cleavage, accompanied by increased LDH release. We further found that GSDMB promotes caspase-4 activity, which is required for the cleavage of GSDMD in non-canonical pyroptosis, by directly binding to the CARD domain of caspase-4. Our study reveals a GSDMB-mediated novel regulatory mechanism for non-canonical pyroptosis and suggests a potential new strategy for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Riding the Waves of Work and Life: Explaining Long-Term Experiences with Work Hour Mismatches
Authors: Reynolds Jeremy , McKinzie Ashleigh Elain
Published: October 2018

Paid work has become more precarious in the recent decades, prompting many conflicts between employers and employees, including struggles over work hours. To better understand these struggles, we provide the first examination of long-term experiences with work hour mismatches (i.e., gaps between the number of hours people prefer to work per week and the number of hours they actually work). Using sequence analysis and nearly two decades of data from the British Household Panel Study, we find heterogeneous but patterned experiences. Nearly everyone has an hour mismatch eventually (typically overemployment), and most people oscillate between having and not having hour mismatches. Existing theoretical accounts anticipate some hour mismatch sequences, but the data contradict several key predictions. Moreover, no account predicts the most dominant pattern: oscillating overemployment. We thus offer a new explanation, which proposes that hour mismatches usually come in waves but can be generated in different ways. Sometimes mismatches are caused by unstable work schedules. Other times, mismatches stem from inflexible work hours or job demands that intentionally or unintentionally prevent employees from altering their work hours to accommodate changing personal needs.
Activation of Parabrachial Nucleus Glutamatergic Neurons Accelerates Reanimation from Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Mice
Authors: Wang Tian-Xiao , Xiong Bo , Xu Wei , Wei Hao-Hua , Qu Wei-Min , Hong Zong-Yuan , Huang Zhi-Li
Published: October 2018

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

What We Already Know about This Topic

The parabrachial nucleus is a brainstem region involved in arousal.

Brain regions involved in arousal regulate anesthetic induction and emergence.

What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Using chemogenetic techniques, activation of parabrachial nucleus glutamatergic neurons prolonged anesthetic induction and hastened emergence in mice. Inhibition of these neurons provided opposite effects.

Modulating the activity of arousal centers may provide an approach to controlling the duration of general anesthesia.

Background

The parabrachial nucleus (PBN), which is a brainstem region containing glutamatergic neurons, is a key arousal nucleus. Injuries to the area often prevent patient reanimation. Some studies suggest that brain regions that control arousal and reanimation are a key part of the anesthesia recovery. Therefore, we hypothesize that the PBN may be involved in regulating emergence from anesthesia.

Methods

We investigated the effects of specific activation or inhibition of PBN glutamatergic neurons on sevoflurane general anesthesia using the chemogenetic “designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs” approach. Optogenetic methods combined with polysomnographic recordings were used to explore the effects of transient activation of PBN glutamatergic neuron on sevoflurane anesthesia. Immunohistochemical techniques are employed to reveal the mechanism by which PBN regulated sevoflurane anesthesia.

Results

Chemogenetic activation of PBN glutamatergic neurons by intraperitoneal injections of clozapine-N-oxide decreased emergence time (mean ± SD, control vs. clozapine-N-oxide, 55 ± 24 vs. 15 ± 9 s, P = 0.0002) caused by sevoflurane inhalation and prolonged induction time (70 ± 15 vs. 109 ± 38 s, n = 9, P = 0.012) as well as the ED50 of sevoflurane (1.48 vs. 1.60%, P = 0.0002), which was characterized by a rightward shift of the loss of righting reflex cumulative curve. In contrast, chemogenetic inhibition of PBN glutamatergic neurons slightly increased emergence time (56 ± 26 vs. 87 ± 26 s, n = 8, P = 0.034). Moreover, instantaneous activation of PBN glutamatergic neurons expressing channelrhodopsin-2 during steady-state general anesthesia with sevoflurane produced electroencephalogram evidence of cortical arousal. Immunohistochemical experiments showed that activation of PBN induced excitation of cortical and subcortical arousal nuclei during sevoflurane anesthesia.

Conclusions

Activation of PBN glutamatergic neurons is helpful to accelerate the transition from general anesthesia to an arousal state, which may provide a new strategy in shortening the recovery time after sevoflurane anesthesia.
Norm-Critical Potential in Undergraduate Nursing Education Curricula
Authors: Tengelin Ellinor , Bülow Pia H. , Berndtsson Ina , Lyckhage Elisabeth Dahlborg
Published: October 2018

The documents and literature that regulate nursing education are based on certain values and knowledge, and the underlying power in the curriculum raises the question of how health care professionals are molded during the course of their education. Norm criticism is a concept with its roots in critical pedagogy and gender and queer studies, emphasizing the origins as well as the consequences of marginalization, power, and knowledge of what is generally accepted as “normal” and “true.” Norm criticism is used in this article to analyze the documents and literature underlying a nursing program in Sweden, which are shown to include a sometimes politically correct rhetoric, but one lacking a firm basis in social justice values.
Estrogen Deficiency Exacerbates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Induced by Spinal Instability in Rats
Authors: Liu Qi , Wang Xiaomeng , Hua Yue , Kong Ganggang , Wu Xiuhua , Huang Zhiping , Huang Zucheng , Liu Junhao , Yang Zhou , Zhu Qingan
Published: October 2018

Study Design.

An experimental animal study of osteoporosis (OP) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

Objective.

The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of estrogen deficiency and supplement on cervical IDD induced by bilateral facetectomy in rats.

Summary of Background Data.

The relationship between IDD and OP is still controversy with the wide prevalence in aged people.

Methods.

Seventy-two Sprague–Dawley female rats were randomly divided into ovariectomy (OVX) group, facet joints resection of C4-6 (FR), FR–OVX group, estrogen replacement therapy (ERT, based on the FR-OVX group) group, and sham group. Specimens of C4-6 segment were harvested at 12 and 24 weeks. The microstructures of C5 vertebrae, vertebral endplate lesions and calcification, and IDD of C5/6 disc were evaluated by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histology. The protein and gene levels of aggrecan, Col2α1, matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-3, and MMP-13 in the C5/6 and C4/5 discs were measured.

Results.

Microstructures of C5 vertebral body were weakened significantly after ovariectomy, while restored effectively with estradiol supplementation. The facetectomy led to significant IDD, and the IDD was aggravated when combined with OVX. The IDD of the ERT group was alleviated effectively and similar to that of the FR group in intervertebral disc height, vertebral endplate lesions and calcification, and disc degeneration scores. In addition, the estrogen supplement maintained the extracellular matrix by decreasing MMP-3 and MMP-13, and increasing aggrecan and Col2α1 expression.

Conclusion.

The present study demonstrated that estrogen deficiency exacerbated IDD induced by spinal instability, while estrogen supplementation alleviated the progression of disc degeneration related to osteoporosis.

Level of Evidence: N/A
Impulsive choice does not predict binge-like eating in rats
Authors: Moore Catherine F. , Blasio Angelo , Sabino Valentina , Cottone Pietro
Published: October 2018

Binge eating disorder is an addiction-like disorder characterized by recurrent, excessive food consumption within discrete periods of time, and it has been linked to increased trait impulsivity. Within impulsivity components, while impulsive action was shown to predict binge-like and addictive-like eating, the role of impulsive choice is instead unknown. The goal of this study was to determine if impulsive choice predicted, or was altered by binge-like eating of a sugary, highly palatable diet. We utilized a modified adjusting delay task procedure in free-fed rats to assess impulsive choice behavior, that is. the tendency to respond for a larger, delayed reward over a lesser, immediate reward. We found that baseline impulsive choice was not a predictor of binge-like eating in 1-h sessions of palatable diet operant self-administration. Furthermore, binge-like eating of the same palatable diet had no effect on later impulsive choice behavior. Thus, our data suggest that, unlike impulsive action, impulsive choice behavior does not predict binge-like eating in rats.
Reconstruction of Medial Canthal Tendon Using Novel Suture Anchoring System: A Case Report
Authors: Kakudo Natsuko , Takegawa Masayasu , Hihara Masakatsu , Morimoto Naoki , Masuoka Hiromu , Kusumoto Kenji
Published: October 2018

For medial canthal tendon reattachment, many kinds of surgical technique have previously been reported. They are complicated and generally require technical skill and prolonged operating times. We, for the first time, describe a novel device, the Caraji Anchor Suture System, used for reattaching the medial canthal tendon to the medial orbital wall after removal of squamous cell carcinoma. The medial canthal tendon was excellently fixed with this rapid and simple method. No complications, such as local infection or exposure, have occurred up to the present. This technique appears to be safe, fast, and effective for reconstruction of the medial canthus after tendon avulsion or loss from excision of cutaneous carcinoma in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Exploring the Hidden Functions of Nursing Bedside Shift Report
Authors: Manges Kirstin A. , Groves Patricia S.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Implementing Nursing Bedside Shift Report (NBSR) is challenging for nurse leaders. Before implementing or improving NBSR, nurse leaders need a clear understanding of the process and functions of nursing shift report. However, the social-cultural latent functions (unrecognized or unintended uses) of NBSR are poorly understood.

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the latent functions of NBSR from the perspectives of frontline nurses.

Methods:

Thematic analysis of previously collected semistructured interviews with nurses (n = 13) about NBSR was used to explore NBSR's latent functions.

Results:

Three latent functions emerged; nurses used bedside shift report as a performance, ritual, and sensemaking opportunity. The latent functions are described, and corresponding recommendations for successful implementation of NBSR are provided.

Conclusions:

Nurse leaders can use this study's findings to inform the development or improvement of an efficient, effective, and sustainable NBSR process at their local institution.
Circulating Tumor Cells: Overview and Opportunities in Cytology
Authors: Sundling Kaitlin E. , Lowe Alarice C.
Published: October 2018

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have long been assumed to be the substrate of cancer metastasis. However, only in recent years have we begun to leverage the potential of CTCs found in minimally invasive peripheral blood specimens to improve care for cancer patients. Currently, CTC enumeration is an accepted prognostic indicator for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer; however, CTC enumeration remains largely a research tool. More recently, the focus has shifted to CTC characterization and isolation which holds great promise for predictive testing. This review summarizes the relevant clinical, biological, and technical background necessary for pathologists and cytopathologists to appreciate the potential of CTC techniques. A summary of relevant systematic reviews of CTCs for specific cancers is then presented, as well as potential applications to precision medicine. Finally, we suggest future applications of CTC technologies that can be easily incorporated in the pathology laboratory, with the recommendation that pathologists and particularly cytopathologists apply these technologies to small specimens in the era of “doing more with less.”
A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded Trial Comparing Digital Simulation to Textbook for Cleft Surgery Education
Authors: Plana Natalie M. , Rifkin William J. , Kantar Rami S. , David Joshua A. , Maliha Samantha G. , Farber Scott J. , Staffenberg David A. , Grayson Barry H. , Diaz-Siso J. Rodrigo , Flores Roberto L.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Simulation is progressively being integrated into surgical training; however, its utility in plastic surgery has not been well described. The authors present a prospective, randomized, blinded trial comparing digital simulation to a surgical textbook for conceptualization of cleft lip repair.

Methods:

Thirty-five medical students were randomized to learning cleft repair using a simulator or a textbook. Participants outlined markings for a standard cleft lip repair before (preintervention) and after (postintervention) 20 minutes of studying their respective resource. Two expert reviewers blindly graded markings according to a 10-point scale, on two separate occasions. Intrarater and interrater reliability were calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients. Paired and independent t tests were performed to compare scoring between study groups. A validated student satisfaction survey was administered to assess the two resources separately.

Results:

Intrarater grading reliability was excellent for both raters for preintervention and postintervention grading (rater 1, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94 and 0.95, respectively; rater 2, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.60 and 0.92, respectively; p < 0.001). Mean preintervention performances for both groups were comparable (0.82 ± 1.17 versus 0.64 ± 0.95; p = 0.31). Significant improvement from preintervention to postintervention performance was observed in the textbook (0.82 ± 1.17 versus 3.50 ± 1.62; p < 0.001) and simulator (0.64 ± 0.95 versus 6.44 ± 2.03; p < 0.001) groups. However, the simulator group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement (5.81 ± 2.01 versus 2.68 ± 1.49; p < 0.001). Participants reported the simulator to be more effective (p < 0.001) and a clearer tool (p < 0.001), that allowed better learning (p < 0.001) than textbooks. All participants would recommend the simulator to others.

Conclusion:

The authors present evidence from a prospective, randomized, blinded trial supporting online digital simulation as a superior educational resource for novice learners, compared with traditional textbooks.
A Case of Tophaceous Pseudogout on 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging
Authors: Shen Guohua , Su Minggang , Liu Bin , Kuang Anren
Published: October 2018

A 53-year-old man with a 10-year history of gout was admitted to our hospital due to chronic low back pain. Initial CT examinations showed a high-density mass with bone destruction of bilateral facet joints at the L3 to L5 level. MRI findings also revealed lesion with the dural sac compression. On PET/CT, the juxta-articular mass of bilateral L3 to L5 facet joints showed abnormal FDG uptake with an SUVmaxof 4.2. The possible diagnosis may be gouty tophi; however, the biopsy revealed the diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease, also referred to as pseudogout.
A Feasibility Study of a Multifaceted Walking Intervention to Maintain the Functional Mobility, Activities of Daily Living, and Quality of Life of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia
Authors: Chu Charlene H. , Puts Martine , Brooks Dina , Parry Monica , McGilton Katherine S.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a multifaceted walking intervention (MWI) aimed to maintain the functional mobility, activities of daily living function, and quality of life of long-term care home residents with dementia.

Design/Methods

A quasiexperimental time-series design was used. The 4-month intervention provided one-on-one walking 2–4 days a week, guided by an individualized communication care plan and interviews with collaterals and staff.

Results

The MWI was feasible based on high recruitment and adherence rates (86% and 94%, respectively) and highly acceptable to stakeholders. Residents (n = 25) showed significant improvements after the intervention: Timed Up-and-Go (−8.85 seconds, p = .00), Two-Minute Walk Test (27.47 m, p = .00), Functional Independence Measure (0.72, p = .00), and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Quality of Life (2.44, p = .05).

Conclusion

The MWI was feasible and improved functional mobility compared to usual care.

Clinical Relevance

Physical activity delivered with a person-centered care was feasible and may be beneficial to mitigate decline in long-term care home residents with dementia.
Gene Expression of Neurotrophins and Their Receptors in Keloids
Authors: Petecof Rafael de Moraes , Gragnani Alfredo , Isoldi Felipe Contoli , Munoz Gibrán Elias Harcha , de Noronha Samuel Marcos Ribeiro , Corrêa Silvana Aparecida Alves , Ferreira Lydia Masako
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to assess gene expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in keloids. Skin samples of normal skin and keloids were obtained from patients in the control (n = 12) and keloid (n = 12) groups, respectively. Ribonucleic acid was extracted from the skin specimens, purified, evaluated by spectrophotometry, and used to synthesize complementary DNA. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of 84 human neurotrophin genes and their receptors was performed. Twelve genes, including heat shock 27-kDa protein 1, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2, neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor, interleukin 6 signal transducer, nerve growth factor, metallothionein 3, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma 2, cholecystokinin A receptor, persephin, galanin receptor 2, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, were down-regulated in keloid tissue compared with normal skin. The genes 27-kDa heat shock protein 1, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2, nerve growth factor, metallothionein 3, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma 2, and persephin protein were considered priority genes associated with keloid formation.
Inferring linguistic transmission between generations at the scale of individuals
Authors: Thouzeau Valentin , Affholder Antonin , Mennecier Philippe , Verdu Paul , Austerlitz Frédéric
Published: October 2018

Historical linguistics strongly benefited from recent methodological advances inspired by phylogenetics. Nevertheless, no available method uses contemporaneous within-population linguistic diversity to reconstruct the history of human populations. Here, we developed an approach inspired from population genetics to perform historical linguistic inferences from linguistic data sampled at the individual scale, within a population. We built four within-population demographic models of linguistic transmission over generations, each differing by the number of teachers involved during the language acquisition and the relative roles of the teachers. We then compared the simulated data obtained with these models with real contemporaneous linguistic data sampled from Tajik speakers from Central Asia, an area known for its large within-population linguistic diversity, using approximate Bayesian computation methods. Under this statistical framework, we were able to select the models that best explained the data, and infer the best-fitting parameters under the selected models. This demonstrates the feasibility of using contemporaneous within-population linguistic diversity to infer historical features of human cultural evolution.
A Novel Dual And Triple RSVP Paradigm For P300 Speller
Authors: Mohammad Mijani Amir , Bagher Shamsollahi Mohammad , Sheikh Hassani Mohsen
Published: October 2018

Objective

A speller system enables disabled people, specifically those with spinal cord injuries, to visually select and spell characters. A problem of primary speller systems is that they are gaze shift dependent. To overcome this problem, a single RSVP paradigm was introduced in which characters are displayed one by one at the center of a screen. In this paper, two new protocols named Dual and Triple RSVP paradigms are introduced and their results are compared against the single paradigm.

Methods

In the Dual and Triple paradigms, two and three characters are displayed at the center of the screen simultaneously, therefore holding the advantage of displaying the target character twice and three times respectively, compared to the one-time appearance in the single paradigm. Subsequently, by reducing the number of repetitions in the Dual and Triple paradigms, it is expected that ITR decreases. To compare the results of these three paradigms, three subjects participated in experiments using all three paradigms.

Results

The offline results demonstrate an average character detection accuracy of 97% for the single and double protocols, and 80% for the Triple paradigm. In addition, average ITR is calculated to be 5.45, 7.62 and 7.90 bit/min for the single, Dual and Triple paradigms respectively. Results demonstrate an equally good character detection accuracy for the single and Dual paradigms, and a significant increase in ITR in the Dual paradigm compared to the single. The Triple RSVP paradigm demonstrates an almost equal ITR to that of the Dual paradigm, while decreasing character detection accuracy significantly.

Conclusions

Results demonstrate that the Dual RSVP paradigm can be recognized as the most suitable approach, by providing the best balance between ITR and character detection accuracy.

Significance

This research demonstrates the improved performance of a newly proposed speller system (the Dual RSVP paradigm). By replacing existing methods with this new approach, the performance of speller matrices will be enhanced, and in addition the gaze dependency issue that caused limitations for users suffering from unimpaired oculomotor control will be overcome.