bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weight management care practices of English and Chinese nurses
Authors: Zhu D.Q. , While A.E. , Norman I.J. , Ye W.Q.
Published: October 2015

Background

Obesity is a growing global public health problem which requires all healthcare professionals to deliver weight management care within their roles.

Aim

To describe nurses' perceived barriers, skills and practices regarding weight‐related care and explore differences between English and Chinese nurses.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, self‐administered questionnaire survey was distributed to 588 English nurses employed in a range of clinical settings and healthcare organizations and attending a large university in London (October–November 2010), and 519 Chinese nurses working in one of the largest hospitals in Shanghai, China (February–April 2011). Perceived barriers, skills and practices regarding weight‐related care were measured. Data analysis was undertaken using responses from 399 English and 466 Chinese nurses.

Results

English and Chinese nurses reported similar barriers to undertaking weight‐related care practices which included two relatively new barriers, namely complex patients and the absence of clear practice guidelines. Both English and Chinese nurses reported being moderately skilled to perform weight‐related care practices with the most mean skill scores at the moderate level. Up to 11–54% of the English nurses and 10–25% of the Chinese nurses reported providing recommended weight‐related interventions for most of their patients. Generally, the English nurses reported more barriers, high‐level skills and practices regarding weight‐related care than the Chinese nurses.

Limitations

The convenience samples and self‐report data may have been sources of bias.

Conclusions

A variety of barriers and limited skills may help explain the suboptimal weight‐related practices among the nurses.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Skill development of pre‐registration and qualified nurses is indicated as well as the development of the nurse role to include weight management care of obese patients. Evidence‐based guidelines should be readily accessible to support the nurse role in weight‐related care.
A Conversation with Katherine K. Wallman
Authors: Citro Constance F.
Published: October 2015

Katherine Wallman has had a highly distinguished career in federal statistics and has been serving as the Chief Statistician in the USA for the last 22 years. She was also the President of the American Statistical Association (ASA) in 1992. This interview starts with Wallman's early career and introduction to the field of statistics and goes on to describe her fascinating journey and many accomplishments. The interview was conducted on 19 November 2014. The author thanks Mary Ann Kasper, CNSTAT staff, for transcribing.
A model for universal social security coverage: The experience of the BRICS countries
Authors: Ghai Mridula
Published: October 2015

The BRICS countries have made important progress in extending social security coverage. However, much remains to be achieved to realize the goal of comprehensive universal social security protection. Using policy experiences from the BRICS, the article explores the possibility of drawing from existing models of social security provision to design effective policy interventions for universalizing social security. Main principles of a framework for bridging the coverage gap are identified. These principles are then placed in complimentary and supplementary relationships to develop a framework for policy interventions to bridge the social security coverage gap and achieve universal social security.
Causes and characteristics of reverse bird migration: an analysis based on radar, radio tracking and ringing at Falsterbo, Sweden
Authors: Nilsson Cecilia , Sjöberg Sissel
Published: October 2015

That birds migrate in the reverse direction of the expected is a phenomenon of regular occurrence which has been observed at many sites. Here we use three different methods; tracking radar, radiotelemetry and ringing, to characterize the flights of these reverse migrants and investigate possible causes of reverse migration of nocturnally migrating passerines during autumn migration at Falsterbo peninsula, Sweden. Using these different methods we investigated both internal factors, such as age and fuel load, and external factors such as weather variables, competition and predation risk. Birds flying in the reverse direction were more likely to be lean and to be juveniles. Reverse migration was also more common with overcast skies and winds with north and east components. We did not find any effect of temperature, visibility, number of migrating sparrowhawks, or the total number of ringed birds at the site on the day of departure. We found that reverse migration is characterized by slower flight speeds (airspeed) at high altitudes and that it takes place later in the night than forward migration.
Dispersal of fungi spores by non‐specialized flower‐visiting birds
Authors: da Silva Luis P. , Pereira Coutinho António , Heleno Ruben H. , Tenreiro Paulo Q. , Ramos Jaime A.
Published: October 2015

Birds are important biotic dispersers of a wide range of propagules. Fungi spores are mainly dispersed by wind. Nevertheless there are several animals known to disperse fungi spores, which might be particularly important if spores are delivered to particularly favourable sites i.e. directed dispersal. This may be especially important for fungi that require specific microsites such as flowers. We sampled birds for the presence of fungi spores and pollen grains during one year at two forest sites in central Portugal. We found that out of the 894 birds sampled, 131 individuals from 11 species carried spores from at least 6 morphological types, mainly during winter. The great majority of birds found to carry fungi spores was also found to carry pollen grains, suggesting that they were feeding on flowers which are the main origin of the spores. This co‐dispersion of pollen and fungi spores suggest that the latter are not randomly dispersed on the environment, but are likely to have an increased probability of being deposited on flowers propitious to fungi development. Our results suggest that directed dispersal of fungi by flower‐visiting birds might by a common and under‐appreciated phenomenon with potentially important ecological, biogeographic and even economic outcomes.
Speciation in mountain refugia: phylogeography and demographic history of the pine siskin and black‐capped siskin complex
Authors: Alvarez Sofía , Salter Jessie F. , McCormack John E. , Milá Borja
Published: October 2015

Following Pleistocene glacial maxima, species that adapted to temperate climates in low‐latitude refugia had to modify their ranges as climate changed, expanding either latitudinally towards the poles, or altitudinally to higher elevations in mountainous regions. Within just a few thousand years, populations taking alternative routes during interglacials became isolated from each other and subjected to different selection pressures, often leading to lineage divergence and speciation. The pine siskinSpinus pinusis a common and widespread songbird showing relative phenotypic uniformity across the North American continent. One exception is the subspecies found in the highlands of northern Central America (S. p. perplexus), which shows marked differentiation in plumage color and shares some traits with the endemic and partly sympatric black‐capped siskinS. atriceps, suggesting potential introgression or even a hybrid origin ofperplexus. Relationships and species limits amongpinus, perplexusandatricepshave been controversial for decades. We provide new molecular evidence to help resolve the evolutionary history of the group. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA and nuclear intron sequences revealed three distinct lineages within the complex, corresponding to: 1)S. pinusindividuals from Canada through central Mexico (S. p. pinusandS. p. macropterus), 2) individuals from the highlands of Guatemala and Chiapas (S. p. perplexus), and 3)S. atriceps. Pine siskins across North America show evidence of a recent postglacial population expansion and extremely low levels of diversity and structure. In contrast,S. p. perplexusshows evidence of demographic stasis, reflecting long‐term isolation and restricted dispersal. Marked and diagnostic genetic differences among the three lineages in mtDNA and at least one intron, suggest that a hybrid origin ofS. p. perplexusis unlikely, yet some degree of introgression betweenS. p. perplexusandS. atricepscannot be ruled out in localities where they occur in sympatry.
Impact of Catheter Contact Force on Superior Vena Cava Mapping and Localization of the Right Phrenic Nerve by High Output Pacing
Authors: ICHIHARA NOBORU , MIYAZAKI SHINSUKE , NAKAMURA HIROAKI , TANIGUCHI HIROSHI , TAKAGI TAKAMITSU , HACHIYA HITOSHI , ARAKI MAKOTO , IWASAWA JIN , KUROI AKIO , IESAKA YOSHITO
Published: October 2015

Contact Force and SVC Isolation

Background

Right phrenic nerve injury (PNI) is a major concern during superior vena cava (SVC) isolation. Phrenic nerve (PN) localization by high‐output pacing is a standard technique for anticipating PNI. This study evaluated the impact of catheter contact force (CF) on SVC mapping and PN localization.

Methods

Twenty‐one atrial fibrillation patients undergoing cardiac enhanced computed tomography (CT) were prospectively enrolled. SVC geometries were created at the SVC–right atrium junction level with low (<10 × g) and high (>10 × g) CFs. The PN was localized by high‐output pacing (10 V, 2 milliseconds) at the SVC and anterior right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV) with different CFs.

Results

The SVC cross‐sectional area was significantly greater when created with high (22.1 ± 4.9 × g) compared with low CFs (4.2 ± 1.3 × g) (5.3 ± 1.4 cm2 vs. 2.3 ± 0.7 cm2, P < 0.0001). High CFs distorted the SVC and anterior RSPV by a mean of 4.8 ± 2.5 and 4.4 ± 1.7 mm, with minimal distortion at the anteroseptal SVC. The PN was more frequently captured with a high compared with low CF at the SVC (95.2% vs. 71.4%, P = 0.038) and RSPV (66.7% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.0005). The PN capture area was also wider with a high compared with low CF at the SVC (9.0 ± 4.1 mm vs. 4.5 ± 2.8 mm, P = 0.001). The PN location was at the anterolateral, lateral, and posterolateral SVC in 3 (14.3%), 13 (61.9%), and 5 (23.8%) patients, respectively, which was identical to that identified on CT. No PNs located >1.98 mm from the RSPV were captured by RSPV pacing.

Conclusions

CF impacted the SVC mapping and PN localization. Cardiac CT identified the PN location, and the distance from the pacing site influenced PN capture.
Box Isolation of Fibrotic Areas (BIFA): A Patient‐Tailored Substrate Modification Approach for Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: KOTTKAMP HANS , BERG JAN , BENDER RODERICH , RIEGER ANDREAS , SCHREIBER DOREEN
Published: October 2015

Substrate Modification BIFA in AF Ablation

Background

Catheter ablation strategies beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are less well defined. Increasing clinical data indicate that atrial fibrosis is a critical common left atrial (LA) substrate in AF patients (pts).

Objective

We applied a new substrate modification concept according to the individual fibrotic substrate as estimated from electroanatomic voltage mapping (EAVM) in 41 pts undergoing catheter ablation of AF.

Results

First, EAVM during sinus rhythm was done in redo cases of 10 pts with paroxysmal AF despite durable PVI. Confluent low‐voltage areas (LVA) were found in all pts and were targeted with circumferential isolation, so‐called box isolation of fibrotic areas (BIFA). This strategy led to stable sinus rhythm in 9/10 pts and was transferred prospectively to first procedures of 31 pts with nonparoxysmal AF. In 13 pts (42%), no LVA (<0.5 mV) were identified, and only PVI was performed. In 18 pts (58%), additional BIFA strategies were applied (posterior box in 5, anterior box in 7, posterior plus anterior box in 5, no box in 1 due to diffuse fibrosis). Mean follow‐up was 12.5 ± 2.4 months. Single‐procedure freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia was achieved in 72.2% of pts and in 83.3% of pts with 1.17 procedures/patient.

Conclusions

In approximately 40% of pts with nonparoxysmal AF, no substantial LVA were identified, and PVI alone showed high success rate. In pts with paroxysmal AF despite durable PVI and in approximately 60% of pts with nonparoxysmal AF, individually localized LVA were identified and could be targeted successfully with the BIFA strategy.
Celecoxib prevents pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction by inhibiting inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress
Authors: Zhang Chi , Wang Fan , Zhang Yingxia , Kang Yimin , Wang Haisheng , Si Mingming , Su Liping , Xin Xue , Xue Feng , Hao Fei , Yu Lechu , Xu Jinzhong , Liu Yanlong , Xue Mingming
Published: October 2015

To explore the effects of celecoxib on pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy (CH), cardiac dysfunction and explore the possible protective mechanisms. We surgically created abdominal aortic constrictions (AAC) in rats to induce CH. Rats with CH symptoms at 4 weeks after surgery were treated with celecoxib [2 mg/100 g body‐weight(BW)] daily for either 2 or 4 weeks. Survival rate, blood pressure and cardiac function were evaluated after celecoxib treatment. Animals were killed, and cardiac tissue was examined for morphological changes, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Four weeks after AAC, rats had significantly higher systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, greater heart weight and enlarged cardiomyocytes, which were associated with cardiac dysfunction. Thus, the CH model was successfully established. Two weeks later, animals had impaired cardiac function and histopathological abnormalities including enlarged cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibrosis, which were exacerbated 2 weeks later. However, these pathological changes were remarkably prevented by the treatment of celecoxib, independent of preventing hypertension. Mechanistic studies revealed that celecoxib‐induced cardiac protection against CH and cardiac dysfunction was due to inhibition of apoptosis via the murine double mimute 2/P53 pathway, inhibition of inflammation via the AKT/mTOR/NF‐κB pathway and inhibition of oxidative stress via increases in nuclear factor E2‐related factor‐2‐mediated gene expression of multiple antioxidants. Celecoxib suppresses pressure overload‐induced CH by reducing apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress.
Positive parenting and children's prosocial behavior in eight countries
Authors: Pastorelli Concetta , Lansford Jennifer E. , Luengo Kanacri Bernadette Paula , Malone Patrick S. , Di Giunta Laura , Bacchini Dario , Bombi Anna Silvia , Zelli Arnaldo , Miranda Maria Concetta , Bornstein Marc H. , Tapanya Sombat , Uribe Tirado Liliana Maria , Alampay Liane Pena , Al‐Hassan Suha M. , Chang Lei , Deater‐Deckard Kirby , Dodge Kenneth A. , Oburu Paul , Skinner Ann T. , Sorbring Emma
Published: October 2015

Background

Research supports the beneficial role of prosocial behaviors on children's adjustment and successful youth development. Empirical studies point to reciprocal relations between negative parenting and children's maladjustment, but reciprocal relations between positive parenting and children's prosocial behavior are understudied. In this study reciprocal relations between two different dimensions of positive parenting (quality of the mother–child relationship and the use of balanced positive discipline) and children's prosocial behavior were examined in Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States.

Methods

Mother–child dyads (N = 1105) provided data over 2 years in two waves (Mage of child in wave 1 = 9.31 years, SD = 0.73; 50% female).

Results

A model of reciprocal relations between parenting dimensions, but not among parenting and children's prosocial behavior, emerged. In particular, children with higher levels of prosocial behavior at age 9 elicited higher levels of mother–child relationship quality in the following year.

Conclusions

Findings yielded similar relations across countries, evidencing that being prosocial in late childhood contributes to some degree to the enhancement of a nurturing and involved mother–child relationship in countries that vary widely on sociodemographic profiles and psychological characteristics. Policy and intervention implications of this study are discussed.
Thuja occidentalis: identification of volatiles and electroantennographic response by the invasive cedar bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei
Authors: Bozsik G. , Tröger A. , Francke W. , Szőcs G.
Published: October 2015

Recently, the distribution of the Mediterranean cedar bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei Perris (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), has expanded to Central Europe. Reported mostly on cypress in the Mediterranean area, potential host plants in the invaded range include other scale‐leafed conifers, such as cultivars of arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis L. To reveal potential kairomonal cues for P. aubei, volatiles of T. occidentalis were collected and analysed by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD). Assignments of chemical structures of antennally active components were carried out by gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) using authentic reference samples. Antennal responses to synthetic samples of the identified compounds were studied by electroantennography (EAG), with antennae of female and male P. aubei. GC‐EAD analysis of head space volatiles of T. occidentalis revealed 22 antennally active compounds, of which 21 were identified. The most abundant components were α‐ and β‐thujone, fenchone, camphor, terpinen‐4‐ol, bornyl acetate and α‐terpinyl acetate, all of which are oxygenated monoterpenes. When EAG activities of synthetic samples were compared, the most intensive responses from female antennae were elicited by a mixture of α‐ and β‐thujone, followed by (–)‐terpinen‐4‐ol, (+)‐camphor, cis‐4‐thujanol, (+)‐sabina ketone, (+)‐terpinen‐4‐ol, isopulegone, (–)‐fenchone, borneol, (3Z)‐hexen‐1‐ol, (–)‐1‐octen‐3‐ol and (+)‐sulcatol. Male antennae responded the most to (–)‐terpinen‐4‐ol and cis‐4‐thujanol followed by the mixture of α‐ and β‐thujone. The next highest responses were elicited by (+)‐camphor, borneol, (+)‐terpinen‐4‐ol, (+)‐sulcatol and (+)‐sabina ketone. Striking differences were found between responses to the enantiomers of fenchone, sulcatol and 1‐octen‐3‐ol, whereas responses to the enantiomers of terpinen‐4‐ol did not differ significantly from each other. Several antennally active volatiles of T. occidentalis have also been reported from cypress and various other members of the Cupressaceae, suggesting that the sensory apparatus of P. aubei may recognize the shared components, which may enable rapid adaptation to new hosts in the invaded areas.
Habitat preferences of Ukrainian brook lamprey Eudontomyzon mariae ammocoetes in the lowland rivers of Central Europe
Authors: Jażdżewski M. , Marszał L. , Przybylski M.
Published: October 2015

The pattern of microhabitat preferences of Ukrainian brook lamprey Eudontomyzon mariae ammocoetes was examined in two rivers of central Poland: the Pilica River (the Vistula River basin) and the Grabia River (the Odra River basin). A comparison of abiotic factors of the rivers revealed differences in water speed and principal components: PC1 (determining gradient from decreasing medium sand to the increasing share of three fractions of gravel), PC2 (a gradient from the declining share of very coarse and coarse sand fractions to the growing content of fine sand) and PC3 (correlated with an increasing proportion of silt). The sites did not differ significantly in terms of water depth. Relative abundance and frequency of ammocoete occurrence in the Grabia River were higher than in the Pilica River. Only speed, PC1 and PC2 made a significant contribution to the prediction of larval occurrence. Eudontomyzon mariae larvae preferred substrata with a reduced amount of medium sand and increased content of gravel (PC1) as well as with a lower content of coarse sand and higher proportion of fine‐grained sand (PC2). The ammocoetes also preferred areas with a water speed of 0·2 m s−1 but avoided speeds ≥0·6 m s−1. The abundance of E. mariae was affected by water speed, as well as by all PCs. The mean ± s.e. optimal current speed was 0·265 ± 0·007 m s−1, while abundance decreased with increasing amounts of gravel (PC1) and increased with increasing amounts of fine sand and silt in the bottom substratum (PC2 and PC3). Comparison of ammocoete microhabitat use in the Pilica and Grabia Rivers showed the lack of differences in distribution in the preferred values of current speed, PC1 and PC2.
Thiopurine metabolite testing in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Goldberg Rimma , Moore Gregory , Cunningham Georgina , Schulberg Julien , Marsh Philip , Brown Steven , Connell William , Lust Mark , Kamm Michael A , Bell Sally
Published: October 2015

Background

Thiopurine use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is limited by drug toxicity and lack of therapeutic efficacy. We assessed the utility of thiopurine metabolite testing and the relationship between disease activity, dose, and metabolite levels in a real world setting.

Methods

Patients identified from pathology databases (2007–2012) at two tertiary IBD centers were included if they had thiopurines for at least four weeks. Demographics, dose, test indication, clinical status, action taken, and outcome were obtained by retrospective medical record review.

Results

A total of 169 patients were included. 6‐Thioguanine (TGN) levels were sub‐therapeutic in 52%, therapeutic in 34%, and supratherapeutic in 14%. Test indication was active disease (79%), adverse effect (11%), or adherence assessment (7%). TGN trended lower in the active disease group compared to those with adverse effects (273 (+/− 23.2) versus 447 (+/− 117.7) pmol/8 × 108 RBC, P = 0.05). Weight‐based dosing did not improve rates of therapeutic TGN levels (under‐dosed 31.5% vs standard dose 35.4%), but was significantly associated with shunting toward 6‐MMP (23.1% vs 6.8%, P = 0.008, OR = 4.1). Testing resulted in a change in patient treatment in 86% of patients with active disease and subtherapeutic levels and in 68% of tested patients overall.

Conclusions

Metabolite testing resulted in a change in management in most patients not responding to thiopurines or experiencing adverse events. Weight‐based dosing did not increase rates of therapeutic levels but was associated with increased 6MMP shunting.
Histopathological analysis of the olfactory epithelium of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to sublethal doses of urea
Authors: Bettini Simone , Lazzari Maurizio , Ferrando Sara , Gallus Lorenzo , Franceschini Valeria
Published: October 2015

Chronic renal disease is known to alter olfactory function, but the specific changes induced in olfactory organs during this process remain unclear. Of the uraemic toxins generated during renal disease, high levels of urea are known to induce hyposmic conditions. In this study, the effects of environmental exposure to elevated concentrations of urea (7, 13.5 and 20 g L−1) on the sensory mucosa of zebrafish in acute toxicity and chronic toxicity tests were described. It was observed that lamellae maintained structural integrity and epithelial thickness was slightly reduced, but only following exposure to the highest concentrations of urea. Pan‐neuronal labelling with anti‐Hu revealed a negative correlation with levels of urea, leading to investigation of whether distinct neuronal subtypes were equally sensitive. Using densitometric analysis of immunolabelled tissues, numbers of Gα olf‐, TRPC2‐ and TrkA‐expressing cells were compared, representing ciliated, microvillous and crypt neurons, respectively. The three neuronal subpopulations responded differently to increasing levels of urea. In particular, crypt cells were more severely affected than the other cell types, and Gα olf‐immunoreactivity was found to increase when fish were exposed to low doses of urea. It can be concluded that exposure to moderate levels of urea leads to sensory toxicity directly affecting olfactory organs, in accordance with the functional olfactometric measurements previously reported in the literature.
Uncovered secret of a Vasseur‐Tramond wax model
Authors: Pastor J. F. , Gutiérrez B. , Montes J. M. , Ballestriero R.
Published: October 2015

The technique of anatomical wax modelling reached its heyday in Italy during the 18th century, through a fruitful collaboration between sculptors and anatomists. It soon spread to other countries, and prestigious schools were created in England, France, Spain and Austria. Paris subsequently replaced Italy as the major centre of manufacture, and anatomical waxes were created there from the mid‐19th century in workshops such as that of Vasseur‐Tramond. This workshop began to sell waxes to European Faculties of Medicine and Schools of Surgery around 1880. Little is known of the technique employed in the creation of such artefacts as this was deemed a professional secret. To gain some insight into the methods of construction, we have studied a Vasseur‐Tramond wax model in the Valladolid University Anatomy Museum, Spain, by means of multi‐slice computerised tomography and X‐ray analysis by means of environmental scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the hair. These results have revealed some of the methods used to make these anatomical models and the materials employed.
Evolving the practitioner–teacher role to enhance practice–academic partnerships: a literature review
Authors: Kleinpell Ruth M , Faut‐Callahan Margaret , Carlson Elizabeth , Llewellyn Jane , Dreher Melanie
Published: October 2015

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this article was to review the development of the practitioner–teacher model and its use in advancing clinical nursing.

Background

The practitioner–teacher role, or the unification model, incorporates clinical practice, teaching, consultation and research responsibilities for nurses serving in advanced clinical roles or as nursing faculty as part of professional nursing practice. The practitioner–teacher role facilitates a practice–academic partnership that can serve as a beneficial way to advance clinical nursing care.

Design

An exploratory literature review was conducted combined with review of practitioner–teacher and practice–academic exemplars.

Methods

A descriptive review of the practitioner–teacher model of nursing practice reveals that activities of the role include clinical nursing care, serving as a preceptor for nursing students in a focused area of expertise, consulting on patient care issues, presenting in‐services and course lectures, and serving as a member of faculty and nursing division committees.

Results

The practitioner–teacher role lends itself to promoting practice–academic partnerships that combine clinical nursing care with professional nursing activities.

Conclusions

The model of practice, education, consultation and research of the practitioner–teacher position advances practice–academic partnerships.

Relevance to clinical practice

The practitioner–teacher model serves to optimise the way nursing practice and academic work together to integrate knowledge, scholarship, service and learning and to advance the profession and the discipline of nursing. This article discusses aspects of the unique practice–academic partnership using the practitioner–teacher model, how the role evolved, and how it can improve clinical nursing care globally.
Radiopacity of Esthetic Post Materials: Evaluation with Digital Analysis Technique
Authors: Kaval Mehmet Emin , Akin Hakan , Guneri Pelin
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the radiopacity of five post materials using a digital image analysis method.

Materials and Methods

Twelve specimens from each post type (two zirconia and three fiber based) of 2 mm in thickness were obtained using a diamond blade mounted on a cutting machine, and digital radiographs were taken along with aluminum step‐wedge and dentin discs under standard exposure conditions. The mean gray‐values of specimens were measured using a computer graphics program. Data were analyzed using one‐way ANOVA followed by Holm‐Sidak multicomparison test (p = 0.05).

Results

The highest radiopacity was observed in custom zirconia (5.842 millimeters of equivalent Al [mmAl]), and the lowest value was detected with FRC‐Postec (Ivoclar Vivadent) (1.716 mmAl). Significant differences were revealed between the radiopacity values among all groups (p < 0.05), except the Zr post materials (p = 0.56).

Conclusions

All tested post materials had higher radiopacity than dentin. Further studies will be required to clarify optimum radiopacity properties of the post materials to provide a precise clinical observation.
Melatonergic system‐based two‐gene index is prognostic in human gliomas
Authors: Kinker Gabriela S. , Oba‐Shinjo Sueli M. , Carvalho‐Sousa Claudia E. , Muxel Sandra M. , Marie Suely K. N. , Markus Regina P. , Fernandes Pedro A.
Published: October 2015

Gliomas, the most common primary brain tumors in adults, are classified into four malignancy grades according to morphological features. Recent studies have shown that melatonin treatment induces cytotoxicity in glioma‐initiating cells and reduces the invasion and migration of glioma cell lines, inhibiting the nuclear factor κB (NFκB) oncopathway. Given that C6 rat glioma cells produce melatonin, we investigated the correlation between the capacity of gliomas to synthesize/metabolize melatonin and their overall malignancy. We first characterized the melatonergic system of human gliomas cell lines with different grades of aggressiveness (HOG, T98G, and U87MG) and demonstrated that glioma‐synthesized melatonin exerts an autocrine antiproliferative effect. Accordingly, the sensitivity to exogenous melatonin was higher for the most aggressive cell line, U87MG, which synthesized/accumulated less melatonin. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas RNAseq data of 351 glioma patients, we designed a predictive model of the content of melatonin in the tumor microenvironment, the ASMT:CYP1B1 index, combining the gene expression levels of melatonin synthesis and metabolism enzymes. The ASMT:CYP1B1 index negatively correlated with tumor grade, as well as with the expression of pro‐proliferation and anti‐apoptotic NFκB target genes. More importantly, the index was a grade‐ and histological type‐independent prognostic factor. Even when considering only high‐grade glioma patients, a low ASMT:CYP1B1 value, which suggests decreased melatonin and enhanced aggressiveness, was strongly associated with poor survival. Overall, our data reveal the prognostic value of the melatonergic system of gliomas and provide insights into the therapeutic role of melatonin.
Safety of Intraperitoneal Injection of Adipose Tissue‐Derived Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cats
Authors: Parys M. , Nelson N. , Koehl K. , Miller R. , Kaneene J.B. , Kruger J.M. , Yuzbasiyan‐Gurkan V.
Published: October 2015

Background

Chronic inflammatory diseases are common in cats and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a promising therapeutic approach for management of these disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of intraperitoneal injection of MSC in cats.

Hypothesis

Intrapertioneal injection of autologous MSC in cats is safe.

Animals

Ten healthy adult purpose‐bred cats.

Methods

Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue collected during ovariohysterectomy and characterized for expression of CD90, CD105 and CD44 and trilineage differentiation. Three weeks postoperatively a complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, and abdominal ultrasound were performed. Five cats then received 1 × 106 of autologous MSC/kg of body weight intraperitoneally with ultrasound guidance; 5 additional cats were sham injected. Cats were monitored for 6 weeks with daily physical examinations and weekly clinicopathological evaluations. Abdominal ultrasonography was repeated at weeks 1 and 5 after injection.

Results

Serious adverse effects were not observed in any MSC‐injected cat. Two animals developed transient lethargy and decreased activity. Jejunal lymph node size was increased in MSC‐injected cats compared to controls at weeks 1 (1.38 ± 0.25 versus 0.88 ± 0.25 cm2; P = .036) and 5 (1.75 ± 0.82 versus 0.79 ± 0.12 cm2; P = .047). A hyperechoic renal segmental cortical lesion was observed in 1 MSC‐injected cat.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Intraperitoneal MSC injection was well tolerated with only mild, self‐limiting adverse effects being observed in 2 cats. This route provides a safe means of administration for cell‐based treatment in cats.
Developing environmental law scholarship: going beyond the legal space
Authors: Little Gavin
Published: October 2015

Elizabeth Fisher, Bettina Lange, Eloise Scotford and Cinnamon Carlarne have delivered a hard but justified message: environmental law scholarship is still perceived by many in the field as immature, and this is a reflection of the methodological challenges posed by its subject. This paper expands on their argument that scholars should think more closely about what can be learnt from debates about method in the wider legal mainstream and interdisciplinarity as part of the process of developing the discipline. It locates what is called ‘classic’ and ‘novel’ environmental law scholarship at the margins of the legal academy, which is conceptualised as an imagined legal ‘space’. The paper then explores the ways in which insights derived from the environmental humanities and sciences can invigorate and mature environmental law scholarship by creating exciting new interdisciplinary contexts for the development of legal research methods.
Discriminant ability of the Eating Assessment Tool‐10 to detect aspiration in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Plowman E. K. , Tabor L. C. , Robison R. , Gaziano J. , Dion C. , Watts S. A. , Vu T. , Gooch C.
Published: October 2015

Background

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is prevalent in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) leading to malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and death. These factors necessitate early detection of at‐risk patients to prolong maintenance of safe oral intake and pulmonary function. This study aimed to evaluate the discriminant ability of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT‐10) to identify ALS patients with unsafe airway protection during swallowing.

Methods

Seventy ALS patients completed the EAT‐10 survey and underwent a standardized videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing. Two blinded raters determined airway safety using the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS). A between groups anova (safe vs penetrators vs aspirators) was conducted and sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), and likelihood ratios calculated.

Key Results

Mean EAT‐10 scores for safe swallowers, penetrators, and aspirators (SEM) were: 4.28 (0.79) vs 7.10 (1.79) vs 20.50 (3.19), respectively, with significant differences noted for aspirators vs safe swallowers and aspirators vs penetrators (p < 0.001). The EAT‐10 demonstrated good discriminant ability to accurately identify ALS penetrator/aspirators (PAS ≥3) with a cut off score of 3 (AUC: 0.77, sensitivity: 88%, specificity: 57%). The EAT‐10 demonstrated excellent accuracy at identifying aspirators (PAS ≥6) utilizing a cut off score of 8 (AUC: 0.88, sensitivity: 86%, specificity: 72%, likelihood ratio: 3.1, negative predictive value: 95.5%).

Conclusions & Inferences

The EAT‐10 differentiated safe vs unsafe swallowing in ALS patients. This patient self‐report scale could represent a quick and meaningful aide to dysphagia screening in busy ALS clinics for the identification and referral of dysphagic patients for further instrumental evaluation.
The effect of opioid agonists and antagonists on gastrointestinal motility in mice selected for high and low swim stress‐induced analgesia
Authors: Wasilewski A. , Lesniak A. , Bujalska‐Zadrozny M. , Sadowski B. , Fichna J. , Sacharczuk M.
Published: October 2015

Background

The opioid system in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays an important physiological role, but is also responsible for the side effect of opioid drugs, including troublesome constipation in chronic pain treatment. The aim of this study was to characterize and validate a new mouse model to study the effects of opioid agonists and antagonists in theGItract.

Methods

Six‐week‐old male Swiss‐Webster mice, divergently bred for high (HA) and low (LA) swim stress‐induced analgesia (SSIA), were used in the study. To assess the influence of opioid agonists (morphine and loperamide) and antagonists (naloxone hydrochloride,NLXand naloxone methiodide,NLXM) onGImotility, wholeGItransit (wholeGIT) and upperGITassays were conducted. To evaluate the expression of opioid receptors in the ileum and colon ofHAandLAmice, immune staining was performed.

Key Results

The effect of morphine was more pronounced inHAline, whereas loperamide exerted a stronger effect inLAmice. Furthermore,NLXandNLXMdifferentially abolished the inhibitory action of the central and peripheral opioid system on whole and upperGITinHAandLAmice. The differences inGImotility betweenHAandLAmice coexisted with parallel changes in the expression of opioid receptors in the ileum and colon.

Conclusions & Inferences

Differences in the activity of the endogenous opioid system are responsible for the vulnerability to changes inGImotility during treatment with opioids. Our findings validate theHA/LAmodel for further studies on opioids in theGItract.
Escape from the competence state in Streptococcus mutans is governed by the bacterial population density
Authors: Dufour D. , Villemin C. , Perry J.A. , Lévesque C.M.
Published: October 2015

Horizontal gene transfer through natural DNA transformation is an important evolutionary mechanism among bacteria. Transformation requires that the bacteria are physiologically competent to take and incorporate free DNA directly from the environment. Although natural genetic transformation is a remarkable feature of many naturally competent bacteria, the process is energetically expensive for the cells. Consequently, a tight control of the competence state is necessary. The objective of the present work was to help decipher the molecular mechanisms regulating the escape from the competence state in Streptococcus mutans, the principal etiological agent responsible for tooth decay in humans. Our results showed that the cessation of competence in S. mutans was abrupt, and did not involve the accumulation of a competence inhibitor nor the depletion of a competence activator in the extracellular environment. The competence state was repressed at high cell population density via concomitant repression of sigX gene encoding the master regulator of the competence regulon. Co‐culture experiments performed with oral and non‐oral bacteria showed that S. mutans assesses its own population density and also the microbial density of its surroundings to regulate its competence escape. Interestingly, neither the intra‐species and extra‐species quorum‐sensing systems nor the other 13 two‐component regulatory systems identified in S. mutans were involved in the cell‐density‐dependent escape of the competence state. Altogether, our results suggest a complex mechanism regulating the competence shut‐off involving cell‐density‐dependent repression of sigX through an as yet undefined system, and possibly SigX protein stability.
Lipid signalling in plant responses to abiotic stress
Authors: Hou Quancan , Ufer Guido , Bartels Dorothea
Published: October 2015

Lipids are one of the major components of biological membranes including the plasma membrane, which is the interface between the cell and the environment. It has become clear that membrane lipids also serve as substrates for the generation of numerous signalling lipids such as phosphatidic acid, phosphoinositides, sphingolipids, lysophospholipids, oxylipins,N‐acylethanolamines, free fatty acids and others. The enzymatic production and metabolism of these signalling molecules are tightly regulated and can rapidly be activated upon abiotic stress signals. Abiotic stress like water deficit and temperature stress triggers lipid‐dependent signalling cascades, which control the expression of gene clusters and activate plant adaptation processes. Signalling lipids are able to recruit protein targets transiently to the membrane and thus affect conformation and activity of intracellular proteins and metabolites. In plants, knowledge is still scarce of lipid signalling targets and their physiological consequences. This review focuses on the generation of signalling lipids and their involvement in response to abiotic stress. We describe lipid‐binding proteins in the context of changing environmental conditions and compare different approaches to determine lipid–protein interactions, crucial for deciphering the signalling cascades.
Stomatal dynamics are limited by leaf hydraulics in ferns and conifers: results from simultaneous measurements of liquid and vapour fluxes in leaves
Authors: Martins Samuel C. V. , McAdam Scott A. M. , Deans Ross M. , DaMatta Fábio M. , Brodribb Tim J.
Published: October 2015

Stomatal responsiveness to vapour pressure deficit (VPD) results in continuous regulation of daytime gas‐exchange directly influencing leaf water status and carbon gain. Current models can reasonably predict steady‐state stomatal conductance (gs) to changes in VPD but the gs dynamics between steady‐states are poorly known. Here, we used a diverse sample of conifers and ferns to show that leaf hydraulic architecture, in particular leaf capacitance, has a major role in determining the gs response time to perturbations in VPD. By using simultaneous measurements of liquid and vapour fluxes into and out of leaves, the in situ fluctuations in leaf water balance were calculated and appeared to be closely tracked by changes in gs thus supporting a passive model of stomatal control. Indeed, good agreement was found between observed and predicted gs when using a hydropassive model based on hydraulic traits. We contend that a simple passive hydraulic control of stomata in response to changes in leaf water status provides for efficient stomatal responses to VPD in ferns and conifers, leading to closure rates as fast or faster than those seen in most angiosperms.
Inadequate sociomedical evaluation of possible abusive head trauma in Yokohama
Authors: Sato Atsuo , Kikuchi Nobuyuki , Yokota Shumpei
Published: October 2015

Background

There have been no previous studies on the adequacy of combined evaluation of possible abusive head trauma cases by frontline medical personnel, hospital‐based child protection teams, and child protective services in local districts of Japan.

Methods

We conducted a questionnaire survey of hospitalized patients under 24 months old with a diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) from January 2011 to December 2013. Eleven large‐scale general hospitals in Yokohama, Japan were surveyed, which provide centralized inpatient care to moderately–severely ill children.

Results

A total of 51 ICH patients were listed from eight hospitals. Median patient age was 7 months, and 84% were younger than 12 months. The most common diagnosis on computed tomography was subdural hematoma (n = 26; 51%). Of a total of 51 cases, 31 (61%) occurred inside the home; the injury scene was unknown in six cases (12%). We reviewed these 37 cases from the viewpoint of evaluation with concern for suspected child abuse. Three out of 37 patients (8%) were not examined for inflicted skin lesions, and skeletal surveys and funduscopy were not conducted in 14 (38%) and 15 (41%), respectively. Thirteen out of 37 cases (35%) were not reported to hospital‐based child protection teams and 22 (59%) were not reported to regional child protective services.

Conclusion

The sociomedical evaluation of possible child abuse appears to be systematically inadequate in Yokohama.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Chediak–Higashi syndrome
Authors: Umeda Katsutsugu , Adachi Souichi , Horikoshi Yasuo , Imai Kohsuke , Terui Kiminori , Endo Mikiya , Mitsui Tetsuo , Kato Keisuke , Koh Katsuyoshi , Kajiwara Ryosuke , Ito Rieko , Otsuka Yoshitoshi , Inoue Masami , Ishii Eiichi , Yabe Hiromasa
Published: October 2015

The clinical outcome of allogeneic HSCT was retrospectively analyzed in eight patients with CHS. In total, six of these eight patients are alive. Four of five patients transplanted with MAC achieved prompt engraftment, and three of the four patients, including two patients with AP before transplant, are alive without disease. In contrast, three patients transplanted with RIC without active AP disease achieved prompt engraftment and survive long term. RIC‐HSCT might be an alternative treatment for CHS similar to other types of HLH, at least for patients without active AP disease.
Influence of pneumonia complications on the prognosis of patients with autopsy‐confirmed Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and vascular dementia
Authors: Manabe Toshie , Mizukami Katsuyoshi , Akatsu Hiroyasu , Teramoto Shinji , Yamaoka Kazue , Nakamura Seiji , Ohkubo Takayoshi , Kudo Koichiro , Hizawa Nobuyuki
Published: October 2015

Background

Pneumonia is a major, complicated disease in patients with dementia. However, the influence of pneumonia on the prognosis of patients with varying types of dementia has not been fully evaluated.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data from medical and autopsy reports. All study patients had been hospitalized and underwent brain autopsy in a hospital in Toyohashi, Japan, between 2005 and 2014. The patients with subtypes of dementia, specifically Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), or vascular dementia (VaD), were neuropathologically diagnosed and examined. Pneumonia incidence, cause of death, and the clinical time‐course of dementia were compared among the dementia subtypes. The time to death from dementia onset (survival time) was compared by the Kaplan–Meier method among subtypes of dementia with or without pneumonia. Risk factors for survival time on all study patients were analyzed with the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

Of the 157 eligible patients, 63 (40.1%) had AD, 42 (26.8%) had DLB, and 52 (33.1%) had VaD. Pneumonia complication was observed with high incidence in each subtype of dementia, especially in DLB (90.5%). The median total duration from dementia onset to death was 8 years in AD and DLB, and 5 years in VaD. The VaD subtype had more male patients than AD or DLB (P = 0.010), and age of death in this group was the youngest among the three groups (P = 0.018). A significant difference was observed in the survival time by the Kaplan–Meier method among the three groups (P < 0.001) and among the groups with pneumonia (P = 0.002). The factors associated with shorter survival time were male gender, pneumonia complications, diabetes mellitus, age of dementia onset ≥ 75 years, and VaD.

Conclusions

Pneumonia complications shortened the survival time of patients with AD, DLB, and VaD.