bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ETV4 is necessary for estrogen signaling and growth in endometrial cancer cells
Authors: Rodriguez Adriana C. , Vahrenkamp Jeffery M. , Berrett Kristofer C. , Clark Kathleen A. , Guillen Katrin P. , Scherer Sandra D. , Yang Chieh-Hsiang , Welm Bryan E. , Janát-Amsbury Margit M. , Graves Barbara J. , Gertz Jason
Published: April 2019

Estrogen signaling through estrogen receptor alpha (ER) plays a major role in endometrial cancer risk and progression; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying ER’s regulatory role in endometrial cancer are poorly understood. In breast cancer cells, ER genomic binding is enabled by FOXA1 and GATA3, but the transcription factors that control ER genomic binding in endometrial cancer cells remain unknown. We previously identified ETV4 as a candidate factor controlling ER genomic binding in endometrial cancer cells and here we explore the functional importance of ETV4. Homozygous deletion of ETV4, using CRISPR/Cas9, led to greatly reduced ER binding at the majority of loci normally bound by ER. Consistent with the dramatic loss of ER binding, the gene expression response to estradiol was dampened for most genes. ETV4 contributes to estrogen signaling in two distinct ways; ETV4 loss impacts chromatin accessibility at some ER bound loci and impairs ER nuclear translocation. The diminished estrogen signaling upon ETV4 deletion led to decreased growth, particularly in 3D culture where hollow organoids were formed and in vivo in the context of estrogen dependent growth. Our results show that ETV4 plays an important role in estrogen signaling in endometrial cancer cells.
Brain endothelial cells are exquisite sensors of age-related circulatory cues
Authors: Chen Michelle B. , Yousef Hanadie , Yang Andrew C. , Lee Davis , Lehallier Benoit , Schaum Nicholas , Quake Stephen R. , Wyss-Coray Tony
Published: April 2019

Brain endothelial cells (BECs) are key elements of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), protecting the brain from pathogens and restricting access to circulatory factors. Recent studies have demonstrated that the circulatory environment can modulate brain aging, yet, the underlying processes remain largely unknown. Given the BBB’s intermediary position, we hypothesized that BECs sense, adapt to, and relay signals between the aging blood and brain. We sequenced single endothelial cells from the hippocampus—a brain region key to learning, memory, and neurogenesis— of healthy young and aged mice as well as post-exposure to inflammatory and age-related circulatory factors. We discovered that aged capillary BECs, compared with arterial and venous cells, exhibit the greatest transcriptional changes, upregulating innate immunity, antigen presentation, TGF-β signaling and oxidative stress response pathways. Remarkably, short-term infusions of aged plasma into young mice recapitulated key aspects of this aging transcriptome, while infusions of young plasma into aged mice reversed select aging signatures, essentially rejuvenating the BBB endothelium transcriptome. We identify candidate pathways mediating blood-borne brain rejuvenation by comparing age-upregulated genes with those modulated by plasma exposure. Together, these findings suggest that the transcriptional age of BECs is exquisitely sensitive to age-related circulatory cues and pinpoint the BBB itself as a promising therapeutic target to treat brain disease.

Highlights

Single-cell RNA sequencing of brain endothelial cells (BECs) reveals transcriptional segmentation into distinct arterial, capillary, and venous identities with age and experimental interventions

Changes with age are heterogenous across vessel segments, with aged capillaries enriched in signatures of innate immunity, TGF-β and VEGF signaling, hypoxia and oxidative stress

BECs sense and respond transcriptionally to diverse circulatory cues: inflammatory, proaging, or rejuvenating

Aged plasma exposure recapitulates—and young plasma reverses—key transcriptomic signatures of normal BEC aging

BEC response to aged and young plasma reveals cell non-autonomous mechanisms of blood-brain-barrier aging
Crystal structure of the cold-adapted haloalkane dehalogenase DpcA fromPsychrobacter cryohalolentisK5
Authors: Tratsiak Katsiaryna , Prudnikova Tatyana , Drienovska Ivana , Damborsky Jiri , Brynda Jiri , Pachl Petr , Kuty Michal , Chaloupkova Radka , Rezacova Pavlina , Kuta Smatanova Ivana
Published: April 2019

Haloalkane dehalogenases (HLDs) convert halogenated aliphatic pollutants to less toxic compounds by a hydrolytic mechanism. Owing to their broad substrate specificity and high enantioselectivity, haloalkane dehalogenases can function as biosensors to detect toxic compounds in the environment or can be used for the production of optically pure compounds. Here, the structural analysis of the haloalkane dehalogenase DpcA isolated from the psychrophilic bacteriumPsychrobacter cryohalolentisK5 is presented at the atomic resolution of 1.05 Å. This enzyme exhibits a low temperature optimum, making it attractive for environmental applications such as biosensing at the subsurface environment, where the temperature typically does not exceed 25°C. The structure revealed that DpcA possesses the shortest access tunnel and one of the most widely open main tunnels among structural homologs of the HLD-I subfamily. Comparative analysis revealed major differences in the region of the α4 helix of the cap domain, which is one of the key determinants of the anatomy of the tunnels. The crystal structure of DpcA will contribute to better understanding of the structure–function relationships of cold-adapted enzymes.
Impacts of globalization on worker injury in host countries
Authors: Stackhouse Michael D. , Misra Kaustav , DelVecchio Micah
Published: April 2019

Purpose

International expansion is an inevitable consequence for companies that are seeking revenue growth. Foreign direct investment (FDI) by global enterprises is a common route of such expansion. As companies invest abroad, competing interests cause concerns over the impact (both positive and negative) on the local labor force (necessitating corporate social responsibility) caused by FDI. Therefore, there is a logical link between FDI, a country’s labor force and globalization. The purpose of this study is to explore this untested relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This panel study uses cross-country data from the World Bank to understand the pattern of influence of globalization on worker injury. A secondary data set of 36 developed and developing countries from 2003 to 2007 are gathered for this paper to analyze.

Findings

The results of this paper indicate that, companies are seeking to maintain higher levels of social responsibility should not only consider a framework such as ISO 26000 themselves but also they should encourage compliance from their upstream suppliers as well.

Originality/value

Goods for these companies are manufactured in Bangladesh, but unfortunately, a serious tragedy occurred when a building collapsed, resulting in the death of 1,127 people, which was not the first of such events in Bangladesh (The Associated Press, 2013). Inspired by this recent tragedy, this study examines possible connections between globalization and the factors that are associated with the incidences of worker injury. Globalization is a well-studied phenomenon, however very little has been done to examine its impact on worker injuries; this paper helps fill that gap.
Supply chain network design based on cost of quality and quality level analysis
Authors: Alglawe Asama , Schiffauerova Andrea , Kuzgunkaya Onur , Shiboub Itad
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the cost of quality (COQ) expenditure allocations on a capacitated supply chain (SC) network.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a non-linear optimization model which integrates the opportunity cost (OC) (i.e. customer satisfaction cost), into the COQ with consideration of the QL in the supply chain network design decisions. In addition, it examines the effect of considering an investment at each SC echelon to ensure the best overall QL. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the behavior of the model.

Findings

The results show how the QL, COQ and facility location decisions change when incorporating the OC, investments and transportation costs into the SC model.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper is that it considers the effect of OC, investment at each echelon and transportation costs on SC design by minimizing the overall spending on the COQ. These issues have not been explored, and for that reason, this paper contributes to the understanding of the critical factors that optimizes the SC COQ.
Review article: A primer for clinical researchers in the emergency department: Part VIII. Implementation science: An introduction
Authors: Tavender Emma , Babl Franz E , Middleton Sandy
Published: April 2019

New research findings may not lead to change in practice, or a change at the front line may be delayed by years. A number of terms have been used to describe efforts and strategies to speed a change in evidence‐based practice, such as: implementation science, knowledge translation, research translation and others. In contrast to traditional clinical research, implementation science generally aims to understand and change health professional behaviour to promote evidence uptake as opposed to attempting to change patient behaviour. There are now theoretical frameworks and evolving evidence providing guidance how to change clinician behaviour and, specifically, emerging evidence on how to achieve this in the emergency setting. This review will provide an introduction to implementation science and illustrate how to target evidence practice gaps using ED examples.
Employee experiences of HRM through daily affective events and their effects on perceived event‐signalled HRM system strength, expectancy perceptions, and daily work engagement
Authors: Chacko Suja , Conway Neil
Published: April 2019

The importance of events to individual experiences and behaviour within organisational research is increasingly acknowledged. This research examines whether daily positive and negative affective HRM events signal employee perceptions of HRM system strength, which are expected to relate to daily work engagement via clear performance–reward expectancies. Employees completed a daily diary over ten working days and reported positive and negative daily HR events as they arose. Positive HR events associated with higher perceived event‐signalled HRM system strength compared with negative HR events, and expectancy perceptions partially mediated the effects of perceived HRM system strength on daily work engagement. The study's novel contributions include documenting the common occurrence of affective HRM events, identifying such events as an important antecedent to perceived event‐signalled HRM system strength, and extending understanding of the daily consequences of perceived HRM system strength by showing how their effects on daily work engagement are mediated by expectancies.
Neuromodulatory Activity of Dietary Phenolics Derived from Corchorus olitorius L.
Authors: Wagdy Reham , Abdelkader Reham M. , El‐Khatib Ahmed H. , Linscheid Michael W. , Hamdi Nabila , Handoussa Heba
Published: April 2019

Dietary phenolics are known for their potent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities, making them promising candidates for protection against neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Hydroalcohol extract of Egyptian species of Corchorus olitorius L. (Co) leaves was investigated for its neuroprotective effects in a lipopolysaccharide‐induced neuroinflammatory mouse model. Twenty five metabolites were characterized from the bioactive extract using high‐performance liquid chromatography HPLC/PDA/HRESI/MSn, revealing 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid (Co11) as one of the major constituents (5.7%), which was isolated and its identity was confirmed by spectral data as first report. Co significantly protected microglia against H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity and immunohistochemistry showed reduced expression of the astrocytic marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and the inflammatory marker, cyclooxygenase‐2. These findings correlated with significant improvement of cognitive functions and reduction of LPS‐induced neurodegeneration in Co‐treated mice as revealed by histopathology. The current study shows promising effects of Co in limiting neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment caused by neuroinflammation and glial cell activation.

Practical Application

Information presented here shed light on the promising effects of Corchorus olitorius (Co) for the modulation of neuroinflammatory pathways improving the neuroinflammation‐related neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. This makes Co a promising candidate as a nutraceutical supplement to be used against neuroinflammation‐related disorders.
Agar plate‐based screening methods for the identification of polyester hydrolysis by Pseudomonas species
Authors: Molitor Rebecka , Bollinger Alexander , Kubicki Sonja , Loeschcke Anita , Jaeger Karl‐Erich , Thies Stephan
Published: April 2019

Hydrolases acting on polyesters like cutin, polycaprolactone or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are of interest for several biotechnological applications like waste treatment, biocatalysis and sustainable polymer modifications. Recent studies suggest that a large variety of such enzymes are still to be identified and explored in a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas. For activity‐based screening, methods have been established using agar plates which contain nanoparticles of polycaprolactone or PET prepared by solvent precipitation and evaporation. In this protocol article, we describe a straightforward agar plate‐based method using emulsifiable artificial polyesters as substrates, namely Impranil® DLN and liquid polycaprolactone diol (PLD). Thereby, the currently quite narrow set of screening substrates is expanded. We also suggest optional pre‐screening with short‐chain and middle‐chain‐length triglycerides as substrates to identify enzymes with lipolytic activity to be further tested for polyesterase activity. We applied these assays to experimentally demonstrate polyesterase activity in bacteria from the P. pertucinogena lineage originating from contaminated soils and diverse marine habitats.
Localized RNA interference therapy to eliminate residual lung cancer after incomplete microwave ablation
Authors: Cao Fei , Wan Chao , Xie Lin , Qi Han , Shen Lujun , Chen Shuanggang , Song Ze , Fan Weijun
Published: April 2019

Background

This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of localized injection of polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI)‐EGFR‐small interfering RNA (siRNA) nanocomposites as a treatment for residual lung cancer after incomplete microwave ablation (MWA).

Methods

Human lung cancer cell lines with high and low EGFR expression were selected for the study. The effects of PEG‐PEI‐EGFR‐siRNA nanocomposite transfection on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of lung cancer cells were verified. Sixteen healthy ICR mice were injected into the lung to test the biological safety of the nanocomposites. In addition, 24 subcutaneous xenograft BALB/C nude mice with high EGFR expression were separated into four groups and then treated with an intratumoral injection of PEG‐PEI‐EGFR‐siRNA, PEG‐PEI‐normal control (NC)‐siRNA, PEG‐PEI‐EGFR‐siRNA after MWA, or PEG‐PEI‐NC‐siRNA after MWA. Tumor growth, pathological changes, and EGFR expression in each group were observed.

Results

PEG‐PEI‐EGFR‐siRNA nanocomposites were transfected to HCC 827 cells showing high EGFR expression and to H23 cells showing low EGFR expression. In HCC827 cells, downregulation of EGFR gene expression reduced cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, whereas cell apoptosis increased. In contrast, in H23 cells, no significant differences in those parameters were detected. No acute toxicity occurred in the ICR mice during the biosafety test. Localized injection of PEG‐PEI‐EGFR‐siRNA nanocomposites significantly inhibited the growth of human lung xenografts in mice and the growth of residual tumors after MWA.

Conclusion

PEG‐PEI‐EGFR‐siRNA nanocomposites may be a supplemental therapy strategy to treat residual lung cancer after incomplete MWA.
Osteogenic circulating endothelial progenitor cells are linked to electrocardiographic conduction abnormalities in rheumatic patients
Authors: Chan Yap‐Hang , Ngai Michael Cheong , Chen Yan , Wu Mei‐Zhen , Yu Yu‐Juan , Zhen Zhe , Lai Kevin , Cheung Tommy , Ho Lai‐Ming , Chung Ho‐Yin , Lau Chak‐Sing , Lau Chu‐Pak , Tse Hung‐Fat , Yiu Kai‐Hang
Published: April 2019

Background

Osteogenic circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) play a pathogenic role in cardiovascular system degeneration through promulgating vasculature calcification, but its role in conduction disorders as part of the cardiovascular degenerative continuum remained unknown.

Aim

To investigate the role of osteocalcin (OCN)‐expressing circulating EPCs in cardiac conduction disorders in the unique clinical sample of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptible to both abnormal bone metabolism and cardiac conduction disorders.

Methods

We performed flow cytometry studies in 134 consecutive asymptomatic patients with rheumatoid arthritis to derive osteogenic circulating OCN‐positive (OCN+) CD34+KDR+ vs. CD34+CD133+KDR+ conventional EPC. Study endpoint was the prespecified combined endpoint of electrocardiographic conduction abnormalities.

Results

Total prevalence of cardiac conduction abnormality was 9% (n = 12). All patients except one had normal sinus rhythm. One patient had atrial fibrillation. No patient had advanced atrioventricular (AV) block. Prevalence of first‐degree heart block (>200 ms), widened QRS duration (>120 ms) and right bundle branch block were 6.7%, 2.1%, and 2.2% respectively. Circulating osteogenic OCN+CD34+KDR+ EPCs were significantly higher among patients with cardiac conduction abnormalities (p = 0.039). Elevated OCN+CD34+KDR+ EPCs> 75th percentile was associated with higher prevalence of cardiac conduction abnormalities (58.3% vs. 20.02%, p = 0.003). Adjusted for potential confounders, elevated OCN+CD34+KDR+ EPCs> 75th percentile remained independently associated with increased risk of cardiac conduction abnormalities (OR = 4.4 [95%CI 1.2–16.4], p = 0.028). No significant relation was found between conventional EPCs CD34+CD133+KDR+ and conduction abnormalities (p = 0.36).

Conclusions

Elevated osteogenic OCN+CD34+KDR+ EPCs are independently associated with the presence of electrocardiographic conduction abnormalities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, unveiling a potential novel pathophysiological mechanism.
The Labor Progression Study: The use of oxytocin augmentation during labor following Zhang's guideline and the WHO partograph in a cluster randomized trial
Authors: Dalbye Rebecka , Bernitz Stine , Olsen Inge Christoffer , Zhang Jun , Eggebø Torbjørn Moe , Rozsa Daniella , Frøslie Kathrine Frey , Øian Pål , Blix Ellen
Published: April 2019

Introduction

This study aims to investigate the use of oxytocin augmentation during labor in nulliparous women following Zhang's guideline or the WHO partograph.

Material and methods

This is a secondary analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial in 14 birth‐care units in Norway, randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which followed Zhang's guideline, or to the control group, which followed the WHO partograph, for labor progression. The participants were nulliparous women who had a singleton full‐term fetus in a cephalic presentation and spontaneous onset of labor, denoted as group 1 in the Ten Group Classification System.

Results

Between December 2014 and January 2017, 7277 participants were included. A total of 3219 women (44%) received augmentation with oxytocin during labor. Oxytocin was used in 1658 (42%) women in the Zhang group compared with 1561 (47%) women in the WHO group. The adjusted relative risk for augmentation with oxytocin was 0.98 (95% CI 0.84‐1.15; P = .8) in the Zhang vs WHO group, with an adjusted risk difference of −0.8% (95% CI −7.8 to 6.1). The participants in the Zhang group were less likely to be augmented with oxytocin before reaching 6 cm of cervical dilatation (24%) compared with participants in the WHO group (28%), with an adjusted relative risk of 0.84 (95% CI 0.75‐0.94; P = .003). Oxytocin was administered for almost 20 min longer in the Zhang group than in the WHO group, with an adjusted mean difference of 17.9 min (95% CI 2.7‐33.1; P = .021). In addition, 19% of the women in the Zhang group and 23% in the WHO group received augmentation with oxytocin without being diagnosed with labor dystocia.

Conclusions

Although no significant difference in the proportion of oxytocin augmentation was observed between the 2 study groups, there were differences in how oxytocin was used. Women in the Zhang group were less likely to receive oxytocin augmentation before 6 cm of cervical dilatation. The duration of augmentation with oxytocin was longer in the Zhang group than in the WHO group.
Letter: paradoxical skin eruptions during anti‐TNF‐α treatment of Crohn's disease
Authors: Murphy Bryan , O’Kane Donal , McCourt Collette
Published: April 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Shivaji et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15097.
Middle Powers in the Indo‐Pacific: Potential Pacifiers Guaranteeing Stability in the Indo‐Pacific?
Authors: Struye de Swielande Tanguy
Published: April 2019

The article examines the potential of middle powers’ cooperation to establish communities of practice to reinforce their ability to influence world affairs. Illustrating the argument with three case studies—Australia, Indonesia, and South Korea—we assert that middle powers play key roles in structuring the world order. We test the following hypotheses: (i) middle powers do not look, nor do they need to look to great powers for leadership, and can influence events by forging new regional relationships; (ii) when leadership topples or tensions emerge between great powers, with a potential or nascent leadership vacuum, the initiative to guarantee the status quo (i.e., a liberal order) can be provided by middle powers. While rooted in IR theories, the research mostly builds upon the framework of communities of practice and management theories, linking them to highlight the importance of existing interactions, the opportunity for and advantage of greater cooperation and its potential systemic impact.
Is State Control in Higher Education Governance Always Bad?: New Public Management and the History of Indonesian Higher Education Reform Policy
Authors: Gaus Nurdiana
Published: April 2019

This article examines the oxymoronic issues regarding the role of the state in higher education under the implementation of New Public Management (NPM) advocated by neoliberal ideology. According to its proponents, NPM can increase success and productivity and, thus, foster more democratic governance. In this NPM‐driven web of relationships, the central issue always lies in whether the state should play minimal or maximal roles via a set of performative measurements. This article analyzes this interaction and relationship between the state and higher education, taking Indonesia as an object of analysis. It seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the theory and practice of public administration and public policy on education, particularly regarding the role of state in a particular context, like that of Indonesia, in which NPM and the neoliberal agenda are taking root.
Conservation publications and their provisions to protect research participants
Authors: Ibbett Harriet , Brittain Stephanie
Published: April 2019

Social science methods are increasingly applied in conservation research. However, the conservation sector has received criticism for inadequate ethical rigor when research involves people, particularly when investigating socially sensitive or illegal behaviors. We conducted a systematic review to investigate conservation journals’ ethical policies when research involves human participants, and to assess the types of ethical safeguards documented in conservation articles. We restricted our review to articles that used social science methods to gather data from local people about a potentially sensitive behavior: hunting. Searches were conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for research articles in English published from January 2000 to May 2018. Only studies conducted in countries in south and Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central and South America were considered. In total, 4456 titles and 626 abstracts were scanned, with 185 studies published in 57 journals accepted for full review. For each article, any information regarding ethical safeguards implemented to protect human participants was extracted. We identified an upward trend in the documentation of provisions to protect human participants. Overall, 55% of articles documented at least one ethical safeguard. However, often safeguards were poorly described. In total, 37% of journals provided ethics guidelines and required authors to report ethical safeguards in manuscripts, but a significant mismatch between journal policies and publication practice was identified. Nearly, half the articles published in journals that should have included ethics information did not. We encourage authors to rigorously report ethical safeguards in publications and urge journal editors to make ethics statements mandatory, to provide explicit guidelines to authors that outline journal ethical reporting standards, and to ensure compliance throughout the peer‐review process.
Experimenting with prequential variations for data stream learning evaluation
Authors: Hidalgo Juan I. González , Maciel Bruno I. F. , Barros Roberto S. M.
Published: April 2019

Processing data streams requires new demands not existent on static environments. In online learning, the probability distribution of the data can often change over time (concept drift). The prequential assessment methodology is commonly used to evaluate the performance of classifiers in data streams with stationary and non‐stationary distributions. It is based on the premise that the purpose of statistical inference is to make sequential probability forecasts for future observations, rather than to express information about the past accuracy achieved. This article empirically evaluates the prequential methodology considering its three common strategies used to update the prediction model, namely, Basic Window, Sliding Window, and Fading Factors. Specifically, it aims to identify which of these variations is the most accurate for the experimental evaluation of the past results in scenarios where concept drifts occur, with greater interest in the accuracy observed within the total data flow. The prequential accuracy of the three variations and the real accuracy obtained in the learning process of each dataset are the basis for this evaluation. The results of the carried‐out experiments suggest that the use of Prequential with the Sliding Window variation is the best alternative.
Analysis of Global Drug Development Pathways and Postmarketing Safety in Japan: Local Studies May Reduce Drug‐Related Deaths
Authors: Okubo Tomoko Kawamura , Ono Shunsuke
Published: April 2019

Recent International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines provide pharmaceutical companies with regulatory justifications to pursue various global drug‐development pathways, in some of which “local” dose‐ranging and/or pivotal phase III studies are skipped. We examined the association between the clinical development pathway and postmarketing safety in Japan for 177 new molecular entities approved between 2004 and 2013 focusing on dose setting histories for each drug. The risk of drug‐related deaths was higher when companies did not conduct local (i.e., Japanese) dose‐ranging studies and/or pivotal studies. Even when local dose‐ranging studies were conducted, the risk remained higher in some drugs for which the approved dose in Japan was set equal to that in the United States. Drugs developed under a bridging strategy tended to show lower risks. These results suggested that local clinical studies may play a substantial role in achieving optimization of postmarketing drug use in each local target population.
The relationship between biological and psychosocial risk factors and resting‐state functional connectivity in 2‐month‐old Bangladeshi infants: A feasibility and pilot study
Authors: Turesky Ted K. , Jensen Sarah K.G. , Yu Xi , Kumar Swapna , Wang Yingying , Sliva Danielle D. , Gagoski Borjan , Sanfilippo Joseph , Zöllei Lilla , Boyd Emma , Haque Rashidul , Hafiz Kakon Shahria , Islam Nazrul , Petri William A. , Nelson Charles A. , Gaab Nadine
Published: April 2019

Childhood poverty has been associated with structural and functional alterations in the developing brain. However, poverty does not alter brain development directly, but acts through associated biological or psychosocial risk factors (e.g. malnutrition, family conflict). Yet few studies have investigated risk factors in the context of infant neurodevelopment, and none have done so in low‐resource settings such as Bangladesh, where children are exposed to multiple, severe biological and psychosocial hazards. In this feasibility and pilot study, usable resting‐state fMRI data were acquired in infants from extremely poor (n = 16) and (relatively) more affluent (n = 16) families in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Whole‐brain intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) was estimated using bilateral seeds in the amygdala, where iFC has shown susceptibility to early life stress, and in sensory areas, which have exhibited less susceptibility to early life hazards. Biological and psychosocial risk factors were examined for associations with iFC. Three resting‐state networks were identified in within‐group brain maps: medial temporal/striatal, visual, and auditory networks. Infants from extremely poor families compared with those from more affluent families exhibited greater (i.e. less negative) iFC in precuneus for amygdala seeds; however, no group differences in iFC were observed for sensory area seeds. Height‐for‐age, a proxy for malnutrition/infection, was not associated with amygdala/precuneus iFC, whereas prenatal family conflict was positively correlated. Findings suggest that it is feasible to conduct infant fMRI studies in low‐resource settings. Challenges and practical steps for successful implementations are discussed.
When alien catfish meet—Resource overlap between the North American Ictalurus punctatus and immature European Silurus glanis in the Arno River (Italy)
Authors: Haubrock Phillip Joschka , Azzini Martina , Balzani Paride , Inghilesi Alberto Francesco , Tricarico Elena
Published: April 2019

Due to the increasing globalisation and ongoing introduction of alien species specifically regarding European freshwater ecosystems, native and already present alien species will be confronted with competitors with unknown outcomes. One such case is the situation of the European catfish Silurus glanis introduced in the Arno River (Central Italy), a species sought after by anglers, which is facing competition from the later introduced alien North American channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Large catfish species are highly valued among anglers, but their interspecific interactions and potential ecosystem‐level impacts are still poorly known. We used stomach contents and stable isotope analyses to study niche partitioning between these two alien catfish species, coexisting in the Arno River. The results suggest partial niche segregation, with immature S. glanis showing a narrower dietary and isotopic niche and a slightly higher trophic position than I. punctatus. Monitoring the catfish population sizes, trophic niches and effects on lower trophic levels are essential for future management and mitigation of their potential impacts on invaded freshwater ecosystems.
Feeding in the frequency domain: coarser‐grained environments increase consumer sensitivity to resource variability, covariance and phase
Authors: Koussoroplis Apostolos‐Manuel , Schälicke Svenja , Raatz Michael , Bach Moritz , Wacker Alexander
Published: April 2019

Theory predicts that resource variability hinders consumer performance. How this effect depends on the temporal structure of resource fluctuations encountered by individuals remains poorly understood. Combining modelling and growth experiments with Daphnia magna, we decompose the complexity of resource fluctuations and test the effect of resource variance, supply peak timing (i.e. phase) and co‐limiting resource covariance along a gradient from high to low frequencies reflecting fine‐ to coarse‐grained environments. Our results show that resource storage can buffer growth at high frequencies, but yields a sensitivity of growth to resource peak timing at lower ones. When two resources covary, negative covariance causes stronger growth depression at low frequencies. However, negative covariance might be beneficial at intermediate frequencies, an effect that can be explained by digestive acclimation. Our study provides a mechanistic basis for understanding how alterations of the environmental grain size affect consumers experiencing variable nutritional quality in nature.
Health‐related quality of life and health status in persons with haemophilia A with inhibitors: A prospective, multicentre, non‐interventional study (NIS)
Authors: Mahlangu Johnny , Oldenburg Johannes , Callaghan Michael U. , Shima Midori , Mancuso Maria Elisa , Trask Peter , Recht Michael , Garcia Claudia , Yang Renchi , Lehle Michaela , Macharia Harrison , Asikanius Elina , Levy Gallia G. , Kruse‐Jarres Rebecca , von Mackensen Sylvia
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Real‐world data (RWD) on health‐related outcomes in persons with haemophilia A (PwHA) provide insights into patient needs and can guide clinical study design. A global, prospective, non‐interventional study (NIS; NCT02476942) collected detailed RWD on bleeding outcomes, health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and health status in PwHA treated per local routine clinical practice.

Aim

To report HRQoL and health status in the adult/adolescent PwHA with inhibitors cohort in the NIS.

Methods

This cohort enrolled PwHA aged ≥12 years with high‐titre factor VIII inhibitor history. Participants remained on their usual treatment (no protocol‐specified interventions). Health‐related outcomes: Haemophilia Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults (Haem‐A‐QoL), Haemophilia‐specific Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children Short Form (Haemo‐QoL SF), EuroQol 5‐Dimensions 5‐Levels (EQ‐5D‐5L) index utility score (IUS) and visual analogue scale (EQ‐VAS).

Results

One hundred three participants were enrolled on episodic (n = 75) or prophylactic treatment (n = 28); median (range) age, 31 (12‐75) years; median (range) observation time, 26 (4‐70) weeks. Haem‐A‐QoL scores indicated impairments in HRQoL aspects; comparable between episodic/prophylactic regimens and relatively consistent over time. Haemo‐QoL SF scores with both regimens varied over time, and appeared poorer with episodic than prophylactic treatment. IUS and EQ‐VAS were comparable between regimens, stable over time and lower on bleeding days. Mean proportions of missed work and school days were 16% and 23%, respectively; mean (standard deviation) number of days hospitalized was 3.2 (8.8) (comparable between groups).

Conclusions

These RWD demonstrate that PwHA with inhibitors have impaired HRQoL, despite standard treatment, and that more effective treatment options are needed.
From the voices of people with haemophilia A and their caregivers: Challenges with current treatment, their impact on quality of life and desired improvements in future therapies
Authors: Wiley Ryan E. , Khoury Charles P. , Snihur Adrian W. K. , Williams Marni , Page David , Graham Nicole , Laudenbach Lori , Milne‐Wren Cindy , Stoffman Jayson M.
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Haemophilia A is a chronic disease requiring frequent intravenous infusions of recombinant factor VIII. Previous studies have shown that challenges associated with current treatments may have significant impacts on quality of life (QoL) that are as important as the health outcomes conferred by the therapy. Emerging therapeutic innovations offer the potential to mitigate treatment‐related challenges, and it is therefore important to develop a better understanding of patient and caregiver experiences with existing haemophilia A treatments in order to characterize the full value of new treatments.

Aim

To gather firsthand perspectives from people with haemophilia A (PWHA) and caregivers on the challenges with current treatment, their impact on QoL and desired improvements in future therapies.

Methods

Qualitative insights were gathered from 20 non‐inhibitor PWHA or caregivers of PWHA across Canada through one‐on‐one interviews; insights were further explored through focus group sessions to uncover overarching themes and prioritize issues with current treatments.

Results

PWHA and caregivers identified several challenges, including administration of intravenous infusions, coordination of treatment schedules and ensuring adequate medication and supplies. Participants described how these challenges impact psychosocial well‐being, physical health, personal/social life and work. Alternate modes of administration and longer‐lasting treatment effects were identified as desired improvements over current treatments.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the impact that existing haemophilia A treatments have on psychological well‐being, employment opportunities and adherence to treatment regimens. These considerations may help to inform decision‐making for policymakers and health systems around the true value of new therapies entering the haemophilia market.
Patient experience feedback in UK hospitals: What types are available and what are their potential roles in quality improvement (QI)?
Authors: Marsh Claire , Peacock Rosemary , Sheard Laura , Hughes Lesley , Lawton Rebecca
Published: April 2019

Background & objectives

The comparative uses of different types of patient experience (PE) feedback as data within quality improvement (QI) are poorly understood. This paper reviews what types are currently available and categorizes them by their characteristics in order to better understand their roles in QI.

Methods

A scoping review of types of feedback currently available to hospital staff in the UK was undertaken. This comprised academic database searches for “measures of PE outcomes” (2000‐2016), and grey literature and websites for all types of “PE feedback” potentially available (2005‐2016). Through an iterative consensus process, we developed a list of characteristics and used this to present categories of similar types.

Main results

The scoping review returned 37 feedback types. A list of 12 characteristics was developed and applied, enabling identification of 4 categories that help understand potential use within QI—(1) Hospital‐initiated (validated) quantitative surveys: for example the NHS Adult Inpatient Survey; (2) Patient‐initiated qualitative feedback: for example complaints or twitter comments; (3) Hospital‐initiated qualitative feedback: for example Experience Based Co‐Design; (4) Other: for example Friends & Family Test. Of those routinely collected, few elicit “ready‐to‐use” data and those that do elicit data most suitable for measuring accountability, not for informing ward‐based improvement. Guidance does exist for linking collection of feedback to QI for some feedback types in Category 3 but these types  are not routinely used.

Conclusion

If feedback is to be used more frequently within QI, more attention must be paid to obtaining and making available the most appropriate types.
Effect of recreational‐fisheries management on fish biodiversity in gravel pit lakes, with contrasts to unmanaged lakes
Authors: Matern Sven , Emmrich Matthias , Klefoth Thomas , Wolter Christian , Nikolaus Robert , Wegener Nicola , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: April 2019

Gravel pit lakes are novel ecosystems that can be colonized by fish through natural or anthropogenic pathways. In central Europe, many of them are managed by recreational anglers and thus experience regular fish stocking. However, also unmanaged gravel pits may be affected by stocking, either through illegal fish introductions or, occasionally, by immigration from connected water bodies. We sampled 23 small (< 20 ha) gravel pit lakes (16 managed and 7 unmanaged) in north‐western Germany using littoral electrofishing and multimesh gillnets. Our objective was to compare the fish biodiversity in gravel pit lakes in the presence or absence of recreational fisheries. Given the size of the sampled lakes, we expected species poor communities and elevated fish diversity in the managed systems due to regular stocking of game fish species. Our study lakes were primarily mesotrophic and did not differ in key abiotic and biotic environmental characteristics. Lakes of both management types hosted similar fish abundances and biomasses, but were substantially different in terms of fish community structure and species richness. Fish were present in all lakes, with a minimum of three species. Higher α‐diversity and lower β‐diversity was discovered in managed gravel pit lakes compared to unmanaged lakes. Consequently, recreational‐fisheries management fostered homogenization of fish communities, by stocking a similar set of fish species desired by anglers such as piscivorous fish and large bodied cyprinids. However, unmanaged gravel pit lakes were also affected by human‐mediated colonization, presumably by illegal fish releases. Hardly any non‐native species were detected, suggesting that recreational‐fisheries management did not foster the spread of exotic species in our study region.
Selection of reference genes for quantitative real‐time PCR normalisation in largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides fed on alternative diets
Authors: Ma Dongmei , Fan Jiajia , Tian Yuanyuan , Jiang Peng , Wang Junjie , Zhu Huaping , Bai Junjie
Published: April 2019

The partial cDNA sequences of eight reference genes (actb, tuba1, gapdh58, gapdh59, eef1a1, RNA 18 s, pabpc1, ube2I) were cloned from largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. The expression levels of these eight genes were compared in the various tissues (eye, spleen, kidney, gill, muscle, brain, liver, heart, gut and gonad) of M. salmoides fed on forage fish. The results showed that the candidate genes exhibited tissue‐specific expression to various degrees and the stability ranking order was eef1a1 > tuba1 > RNA 18 s > pabpc1 > ube2I > actb > gapdh58 > gapdh59 among tissue types. Four candidate genes eef1a1, tuba1, RNA 18 s and actb were used to analyse the stability in liver tissues of largemouth bass between the forage‐fish group and the formulated‐feed group. The candidate genes also showed some changes in expression levels in the livers, while eef1a1 and tuba1 had the most stable expression in livers of fish fed on alternative diets within 10 candidates. So eef1a1 and tuba1 were recommended as optimal reference gene in quantitative real‐time PCR analysis to normalise the expression levels of target genes in tissues and lives of the M. salmoides fed on alternative diets. In livers, the expression levels of gck normalised by eef1a1 and tuba1 showed the significant up‐regulation in formulated feed group (P < 0.05) than those in forage‐fish group. While sex difference has no significant effects on the expression levels of gck in both groups.
From thinking to acting: occupational self‐analysis tools for use with people with intellectual disability. A pilot study
Authors: Fernández‐Solano A. J. , del Baño‐Aledo M. E. , Rodríguez‐Bailón M.
Published: April 2019

Background

Occupational self‐analysis programmes have been developed to promote health, mainly in older adults. However, we have found no published studies dealing with this in people with intellectual disability (ID). The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an occupational self‐analysis programme in people with ID, focusing on the areas of subjective health perception and participation.

Methods

This study explored the benefits of the ‘Occupational Self‐Analysis Programme’ in people with ID. The intervention group comprised 12 participants and the control group comprised 13 participants. Outcomes were measured using the SF‐36 Health Survey and the Role Checklist. The contents of participants' journals and a focus group discussion were also analysed.

Results

Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in role limitations because of physical health and role limitations because of emotional problems, social functioning and the cumulative scores of the mental component in the SF‐36 Health Survey. The qualitative analysis revealed that participants in the intervention group increased their participation in activities related with daily living, leisure, employment seeking and acquisition, and social participation. These participants also became more aware of issues that lead to a greater engagement in meaningful occupations.

Conclusion

This programme allowed participants to engage in meaningful activities with other people and to increase their perceived health status by raising awareness of the strengths and difficulties of participation.
Patient acceptability of wearable vital sign monitoring technologies in the acute care setting: A systematic review
Authors: Sprogis Stephanie K. , Currey Judy , Considine Julie
Published: April 2019

Aims and objectives

To examine patient acceptability of wearable vital sign monitoring devices in the acute setting.

Background

Wearable vital sign monitoring devices may improve patient safety, yet hospital patients' acceptability of these devices is largely unreported.

Design

A systematic review.

Methods

Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Complete, MEDLINE Complete and EMBASE were searched, supplemented by reference list hand searching. Studies were included if they involved adult hospital patients (≥18 years), a wearable monitoring device capable of assessing ≥1 vital sign, and measured patient acceptability, satisfaction or experience of wearing the device. No date restrictions were enforced. Quality assessments of quantitative and qualitative studies were undertaken using the Downs and Black Checklist for Measuring Study Quality and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Research Checklist, respectively. Meta‐analyses were not possible given data heterogeneity and low research quality. Reporting adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines and a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses checklist was completed.

Results

Of the 427 studies screened, seven observational studies met the inclusion criteria. Six studies were of low quality and one was of high quality. In two studies, patient satisfaction was investigated. In the remaining studies, patient experience, patient opinions and experience, patient perceptions and experience, device acceptability, and patient comfort and concerns were investigated. In four studies, patients were mostly accepting of the wearable devices, reporting positive experiences and satisfaction relating to their use. In three studies, findings were mixed.

Conclusion

There is limited high‐quality research examining patient acceptability of wearable vital sign monitoring devices as an a priori focus in the acute setting. Further understanding of patient perspectives of these devices is required to inform their continued use and development.

Relevance to clinical practice

The provision of patient‐centred nursing care is contingent on understanding patients' preferences, including their acceptability of technology use.