bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food chain approach to lowering the saturated fat of milk and dairy products
Authors: Kliem Kirsty E , Humphries David J , Markey Oonagh , Vasilopoulou ;Dafni , Fagan Colette C. , Grandison Alistair S , Jackson Kim G , Todd Susan , Givens D Ian , Lovegrove Julie A
Published: October 2018

Lactating cow diets were supplemented with high‐oleic acid sunflower oil over two production periods spanning two years, to modify the milk fat, partially replacing saturated fatty acids with cis‐monounsaturated fatty acids. The resulting milk was used for ultrahigh‐temperature milk, butter and Cheddar cheese production, and fatty acid profiles were compared with those of conventionally produced products. Fat from products made with modified milk had lower saturated fatty acids and higher cis‐ and trans‐monounsaturated fatty acid concentrations than that of conventional products. This was consistent over both production periods, demonstrating that this food chain approach could be adopted on a wider scale.
Are Social Enterprises Efficient? A Theoretical Approach
Authors: Beckmann Tobias
Published: October 2018

Social enterprises are increasingly being used to distribute income to disadvantaged groups. However, a lack of consensus of what a social enterprise is has prevented researchers from assessing their relative allocative efficiency. I address this gap by extending the standard microeconomic model of a profit‐maximising firm to consider social enterprises as a Social Corporation (SC). I then analyse four types of SC, showing that three can be as allocatively efficient as a for‐profit firm in equilibrium, despite inputs not necessarily being paid their marginal benefit.
Hypothalamic response to cocaine cues and cocaine addiction severity
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Zhornitsky Simon , Angarita Gustavo A. , Li Chiang‐shan R.
Published: October 2018

The dopaminergic motive system is compromised in cocaine addiction. Abundant research has examined the roles of the dopaminergic midbrain and ventral striatum (VS) in cue‐induced craving and habitual drug consumption. Interconnected with the dopaminergic circuits, the hypothalamus is widely implicated in motivated behavior, including food and drug seeking. However, very few studies have investigated how the hypothalamus responds to drug cues and whether hypothalamic responses are related to clinical features such as craving and addiction severity. Here, in 23 cocaine‐dependent individuals (CD) exposed to cocaine vs neutral cues during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we examined regional responses using established routines. At a corrected threshold, CD demonstrated increased activation to cocaine vs neutral cues in bilateral visual cortex, inferior parietal and middle frontal gyri, and the hypothalamus. The extent of hypothalamus but not other regional response was correlated with craving and cocaine addiction severity, each as assessed by the Cocaine Craving Questionnaire (CCQ) and Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA). In contrast, subjective “acute” craving as elicited by cocaine cues during fMRI involved deactivation of bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and angular gyri (AG), and the OFC and AG responses were not related to CCQ or CSSA score. These findings distinguished tonic craving as a critical factor in capturing cocaine addiction severity and substantiated a role of the hypothalamus in motivational dysfunction in cocaine addiction.
Long non‐coding MEG3 is a marker for skeletal muscle development and meat production traits in pigs
Authors: Yu X. , Wang Z. , Sun H. , Yang Y. , Li K. , Tang Z.
Published: October 2018

Long non‐coding RNAmaternally expressed gene 3 (lncRNAMEG3) plays an important role in mammalian muscle development. Our previous transcriptome study showed that lncRNAMEG3 is differentially expressed during postnatal skeletal muscle development in pigs. The objective of the present study was to analyse the role of lncRNAMEG3 in prenatal and postnatal skeletal muscle development and investigate the association of MEG3 with meat production traits in pigs. We investigated the sequence conservation and temporal‐spatial expression of lncRNAMEG3 and identified its core promoter and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our results show that MEG3 is conserved among pig, human and mouse and is expressed in a tissue‐specific manner with high expression levels in kidney and leg and dorsal muscles. In addition, MEG3 is more abundant in prenatal muscle compared to postnatal muscle, and its expression peaks at gestational day 60. Notably, we observed almost no expression 40 days after birth. The core promoter of MEG3 is located upstream of the transcription initiation site between −447 and −40 bp. In our SNP linkage disequilibrium and association analyses, four of the 10 potential polymorphism sites were found to be associated with corrected back fat thickness and age to reach 100 kg (rs325797437, rs344501106, rs81286029 and rs318656749). In addition, three haplotypes were found to be associated with differences in corrected age to reach 100 kg (AAAT, AAAT/GGGC, GAAT/GGGC). Our results indicate that MEG3 regulates skeletal muscle development and is a candidate gene for improving meat production traits in pigs.
Modeling producer responses with dynamic programming: a case for adaptive crop management
Authors: Boussios David , Preckel Paul V. , Yigezu Yigezu A. , Dixit Prakash N. , Akroush Samia , M'hamed Hatem Cheikh , Annabi Mohamed , Aw‐Hassan Aden , Shakatreh Yahya , Abdel Hadi Omar , Al‐Abdallat Ayed , Abu El Enein Jamal , Ayad Jamal
Published: October 2018

Past research found agricultural producers’ conditional responses during the growing season are important adaptations to weather and other stochastic events. Failing to recognize these responses overstates the risks confronting producers and understates their ability to respond to adverse circumstances. Dynamic programming (DP) provides a means for determining optimal long‐term crop management plans. However, most applications in the literature base their analysis on annual time steps with fixed strategies within the year, effectively ignoring conditional responses during the year. We suggest an alternative approach that captures the strategic responses within a cropping season to random weather variables as they unfold, reflecting farmers’ ability to adapt to weather realizations. We illustrate our approach by applying it to a typical cereal farm in Karak, Jordan. The results show that including conditional within‐year responses to weather reduces the frequency of fallowing by 23% and increases expected income by 9%.
Improving the oral health of older people in hospital
Authors: Gibney Jennifer M , Wright Frederick A , D'Souza Mario , Naganathan Vasi
Published: October 2018

Objective

To determine whether an oral health therapist daily oral hygiene intervention, compared with the same routine performed by nurses with some dental support, can improve the oral health of older inpatients.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted at two tertiary referral hospitals with three phases: (i) pre‐intervention (PI) usual oral care; (ii) oral health therapist intervention (OHTI); and (iii) nurse‐led intervention (NI). Oral health was assessed with the Oral Health Assessment Tool.

Results

Three hundred and fifty nine patients participated across three phases (PI (n = 206); OHTI (n = 77); NI (n = 76)). In the intervention groups, there was a significant decrease in ‘unhealthy’ oral cleanliness at day 7, OHTI; 86 to 53% (P < 0.001), NI; 80 to 50% (P < 0.001) compared to PI; 78 to 72% (P > 0.14). Movement from ‘unhealthy’ oral cleanliness at day 1 to ‘healthy’ at day 7 was significantly higher in the OHTI (35%) and NI (37%) compared to PI (17%) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

With support, nurses can improve the oral health of older patients similarly to an oral health therapist.
Use of gastrografin in the management of faecal impaction in patients with severe chronic constipation: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gu Lili , Ding Chao , Tian Hongliang , Yang Bo , Zhang Xuelei , Hua Yue , Gong Jianfeng , Li Ning
Published: October 2018

Background/Aim

Faecal impaction (FI) is a common cause of lower gastrointestinal tract obstruction. Gastrografin is a water‐soluble radiologic contrast agent that may be orally or rectally administered, with proved therapeutic benefits in adhesive small bowel obstruction. Enemas have long been advocated as the best treatment for FI. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that enteral administration of gastrografin might be more effective than enema in FI treatment inducing intestinal obstruction.

Methods

A double‐blinded, controlled and randomized trial was conducted. Participants received 100 mL of gastrografin (gastrografin group) through nasointestinal tube or enemas (enema group) once daily for six consecutive days. Successful faecal disimpaction, FI time to resolution, Bristol Stool Scale, constipation severity, symptom assessment and adverse events were evaluated.

Results

A total of 124 patients were eligible, but only 83 were enrolled to this trial (mean age: 44 ± 15.8 years). Forty‐two patients received enemas, and 41 patients received gastrografin, with six dropouts in each group. Successful disimpaction was achieved with enemas (69.44%) and gastrografin (88.57%; P = 0.034), mean duration of impaction was strikingly different between the two groups (67.13 versus 31.67, respectively; P < 0.01). Constipation severity and symptom assessment were significantly reduced in the gastrografin group.

Conclusion

Gastrografin given through nasointestinal tube was more effective than enema in the treatment of FI inducing colon obstruction. Gastrografin might be taken into consideration as an effective and safe therapeutic option for FI.
Morbidity and mortality in cervical spine injuries in the elderly
Authors: Bokhari Ali R. , Sivakumar Brahman , Sefton Andrew , Lin Juin‐Lih , Smith Margaret M. , Gray Randolph , Hartin Nathan
Published: October 2018

Background

The aim of our study was to identify the demographics and complications in elderly cervical spine injuries and predictive factors for surgery, complications and mortality. We hypothesized younger healthier patients were more likely to undergo surgical intervention.

Methods

A retrospective review of 225 consecutive patients aged 65 years and over with cervical spine injuries was carried out over a 3‐year period.

Results

There were 113 males and 112 females with an average of 79.7 years (range 65–98). The most common fracture was C2 peg type (21.8%). Five patients had complete spinal cord injury (2.2%), 25 had incomplete spinal cord injury (11.1%) and 84% were neurologically intact. Fifty‐four patients were managed operatively (24%), while 171 patients were managed non‐operatively (76%). The operative group had higher rates of pneumonia (odds ratio (OR) 5.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6–10.7, P < 0.01), cardiac arrhythmia (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.5–11.2, P < 0.01) and respiratory failure (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2–5.5, P < 0.05). There was no difference in mortality between the operative and non‐operative group (18.5% and 12.9%, P = 0.3). Patients with complete spinal cord injury had 100% mortality. Significant predictive factors for complications and death were neurological deficits, comorbidities and the presence of other injuries (P < 0.05). Surgery was not predictive for death and the operative group was younger than the non‐operative group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In the setting of a high complication rate, consideration should be given to palliation in elderly patients with complete spinal cord injury and there must be good rational for surgery.
Cardiac effects of 6 months' dietary nitrate and spironolactone in patients with hypertension and with/at risk of type 2 diabetes, in the factorial design, double‐blind, randomized controlled VaSera trial
Authors: Faconti Luca , Mills Charlotte Elizabeth , Govoni Virginia , Gu Haotian , Morant Steven , Jiang Benju , Cruickshank J. Kennedy , Webb Andrew James
Published: October 2018

Aims

The aims of the present study were to explore whether a long‐term intervention with dietary nitrate [(NO3−), a potential tolerance‐free source of beneficial vasoactive nitric oxide] and spironolactone (to oppose aldosterone's potential deleterious cardiovascular effects) improve cardiac structure/function, independently of blood pressure (BP), in patients with/at risk of type 2 diabetes (a population at risk of heart failure).

Methods

A subsample of participants in our double‐blind, randomized, factorial‐design intervention (VaSera) trial of active beetroot juice as a nitrate source (≤11.2 mmol) or placebo (nitrate depleted) beetroot juice, and either ≤50 mg spironolactone or ≤16 mg doxazosin (control), had transthoracic cardiac ultrasounds at baseline (n = 105), and at 3 months and 6 months (n = 87) after the start of the intervention. Analysis was by modified intent‐to‐treat.

Results

Nitrate‐containing juice (n = 40) decreased left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic volume {−6.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) –11.1, –1.6] ml} and end‐systolic volume [−3.2 (95% CI −5.9, –0.5) ml], and increased end‐diastolic mass/volume ratio [+0.04 (95% CI 0.00, 0.07)], relative to placebo juice (n = 47). Spironolactone (n = 44) reduced relative wall thickness compared with doxazosin (n = 43) [−0.01 (95% CI −0.02, –0.00)]. Although spironolactone reduced LV mass index relative to baseline [−1.48 (95% CI −2.08, –0.88) g m–2.7], there was no difference vs. doxazosin [−0.85 (95% CI −1.76, 0.05) g m–2.7]. Spironolactone also decreased the E/A ratio [−0.12 (95% CI −0.19, –0.04)] and increased S′ (a tissue‐Doppler systolic function index) by 0.52 (95% CI 0.05, 1.0) cm s–1. BP did not differ between the juices, or between the drugs.

Conclusions

Six months' dietary nitrate decreased LV volumes ~5%, representing new, sustained, BP‐independent benefits on cardiac structure, extending mechanisms characterized in preclinical models of heart failure. Spironolactone's effects on cardiac remodelling and systolic–diastolic function, although confirmatory, were independent of BP.
Withdrawal from long‐term use of zopiclone, zolpidem and temazepam may improve perceived sleep and quality of life in older adults with primary insomnia
Authors: Lähteenmäki Ritva , Neuvonen Pertti J. , Puustinen Juha , Vahlberg Tero , Partinen Markku , Räihä Ismo , Kivelä Sirkka‐Liisa
Published: October 2018

Long‐term use of benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine receptor agonists is widespread, although guidelines recommend short‐term use. Only few controlled studies have characterized the effect of discontinuation of their chronic use on sleep and quality of life. We studied perceived sleep and quality of life in 92 older (age 55‐91 years) outpatients with primary insomnia before and after withdrawal from long‐term use of zopiclone, zolpidem or temazepam (BZDA). BZDA was withdrawn during 1 month, during which the participants received psychosocial support and blindly melatonin or placebo. A questionnaire was used to study perceived sleep and quality of life before withdrawal, and 1 month and 6 months later. 89 participants completed the 6‐month follow‐up. As melatonin did not improve withdrawal, all participants were pooled and then separated based solely on the withdrawal results at 6 months (34 Withdrawers. 55 Nonwithdrawers) for this secondary analysis. At 6 months, the Withdrawers had significantly (P < 0.05) shorter sleep‐onset latency and less difficulty in initiating sleep than at baseline and when compared to Nonwithdrawers. Compared to baseline, both Withdrawers and Nonwithdrawers had at 6 months significantly (P < 0.05) less fatigue during the morning and daytime. Stress was alleviated more in Withdrawers than in Nonwithdrawers (P < 0.05). Satisfaction with life and expected health 1 year later improved (P < 0.05) in Withdrawers. In conclusion, sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue and impaired quality of life may resolve within 6 months of BZDA withdrawal. These results encourage withdrawal from chronic use of benzodiazepine‐type hypnotics, particularly in older subjects.
Cluster analysis with MOODS‐SR illustrates a potential bipolar disorder risk phenotype in young adults with remitted major depressive disorder
Authors: Kling Leah R , Bessette Katie L , DelDonno Sophie R , Ryan Kelly A , Drevets Wayne C , McInnis Melvin G , Phillips Mary L , Langenecker Scott A
Published: October 2018

Objectives

Delays in the diagnosis and detection of bipolar disorder can lead to adverse consequences, including improper treatment and increased suicide risk. The Mood Spectrum Self‐Report Measure (MOODS‐SR) was designed to capture the full spectrum of lifetime mood symptomology with factor scores for depression and mania symptom constellations. The utility of the MOODS‐SR as a tool to investigate homogeneous subgroups was examined, with particular focus on a possible bipolar risk subgroup. Moreover, potential patterns of differences in MOODS‐SR subtypes were probed using cognitive vulnerabilities, neuropsychological functioning, and ventral striatum connectivity.

Methods

K‐mean cluster analysis based on factor scores of MOODS‐SR was used to determine homogeneous subgroupings within a healthy and remitted depressed young adult sample (N = 86). Between‐group comparisons (based on cluster subgroupings) were conducted on measures of cognitive vulnerabilities, neuropsychological functioning, and ventral striatum rs‐fMRI connectivity.

Results

Three groups of participants were identified: one with minimal symptomology, one with moderate primarily depressive symptomology, and one with more severe manic and depressive symptomology. Differences in impulsivity, neuroticism, conscientiousness, facial perception accuracy, and rs‐fMRI connectivity exist between moderate and severe groups.

Conclusions

Within a sample of people with and without depression histories, a severe subgroup was identified with potentially increased risk of developing bipolar disorder through use of the MOODS‐SR. This small subgroup had higher levels of lifetime depression and mania symptoms. Additionally, differences in traits, affective processing, and connectivity exist between those with a more prototypic unipolar subgrouping and those with potential risk for developing bipolar disorder.
The experience of maternity care for migrant women living with female genital mutilation: A qualitative synthesis
Authors: Scamell Mandie , Ghumman Aliyha
Published: October 2018

Background

Increasing numbers of childbearing women with a history of female genital mutilation (FGM) are accessing maternity services in high‐income countries across the world. For many of these women, their first contact with the health services in their host country is when they are pregnant. While the clinical consequences of certain categories of FGM are well documented, how high‐risk maternity services — designed to mitigate the obstetric consequences of FGM — impact upon women's experience of childbearing is less clear.

Methods

Using a meta‐synthesis approach, this paper synthesizes 12 qualitative research papers, conducted in 5 high‐income countries, to explore how migrant women with a history of FGM experience maternity care in their host countries.

Results

One over‐arching theme and four discrete subthemes of migrant women's experience of the maternity services in their host country were identified: feelings of alienation; fatalism and divine providence, positive and negative feelings about maternity care, different understandings of the birthing process, and feelings about FGM.

Conclusions

The findings illustrate that migrant women with a history of FGM frequently encounter negative attitudes when accessing the maternity services in their host countries. Women's experiences suggest a concerning absence of sensitive and empathetic care; a more woman‐centered approach is recommended.
Developing digital pedagogy through learning design: An activity theory perspective
Authors: Lewin Cathy , Cranmer Sue , McNicol Sarah
Published: October 2018

Learning design is growing in importance but is not yet widely adopted by teachers. This paper describes the development of a scenario‐led learning design process, divided into two stages, which was implemented with over 500 teachers altogether from 15 European countries. Activity theory is used to explore the contradictions that arose when such changes were introduced into the established activity system of lesson planning. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires from a small sample of participants including national coordinators (stage 1: n = 8; stage 2: n = 13) and teachers (stage 1: n = 13; stage 2: n = 23). These participants perceived that the scenario‐led learning design process, involving a wide range of stakeholders, was collaborative, supportive and innovative (compared to previous lesson planning practices). However, a number of contradictions were identifiable between: (1) the shift to collaborative learning design from teachers preparing their lessons alone; (2) the new tools and the existing rules of the national/regional education systems; (3) the time required to both understand and implement learning design, and the impact of competing demands. This paper discusses the challenges faced when attempting to scale‐up European school teachers’ development of digital pedagogy. The structured (yet flexible) approach was welcomed and the tools promoted teacher reflection but, as commonly noted, the complexity and time‐constraints were major issues.
New perspectives on binding in visual working memory
Authors: Schneegans Sebastian , Bays Paul M.
Published: October 2018

How does visual working memory (WM) store the binding between different features of a visual object (like colour, orientation, and location), and does memorizing these bindings require additional resources beyond memorizing individual features? These questions have traditionally been addressed by comparing performance across different types of change detection task. More recently, experimental tasks such as analogue (cued) recall, combined with analysis methods including Bayesian hypothesis testing and formal model comparison, have shed new light on the properties of WM. A significant new perspective is that noise in neural representation limits the precision of recall, and several recent models incorporate this view to account for failures of binding in WM. We review the literature on feature binding with a focus on these new developments and discuss their implications for the interpretation of classical findings.
Learning, prices and firm dynamics
Authors: Bastos Paulo , Dias Daniel A. , Timoshenko Olga A.
Published: October 2018

We document new facts about the evolution of firm performance and prices in international markets and propose a theory of firm dynamics emphasizing the interaction between learning about demand and quality choice to explain the observed patterns. Using data from the Portuguese manufacturing sector, we find that: (1) firms with longer spells of activity in export destinations tend to ship larger quantities at lower prices; (2) older exporters tend to use more expensive inputs; (3) the volatility of output and input prices tends to decline with export experience; and (4) input prices and quantities tend to increase with revenue growth within firms. We develop a model of endogenous input and output quality choices in a learning environment that is able to account for these patterns. Counterfactual simulations reveal that minimum quality standards on traded goods reduce welfare by lowering entry in export markets and reallocating resources from old and large towards young and small firms.
Differential Effects of Salient Visual Events on Memory‐Guided Attention in Adults and Children
Authors: Nussenbaum Kate , Scerif Gaia , Nobre Anna C.
Published: October 2018

Both salient visual events and scene‐based memories can influence attention, but it is unclear how they interact in children and adults. In Experiment 1, children (N = 27; ages 7–12) were faster to discriminate targets when they appeared at the same versus different location as they had previously learned or as a salient visual event. In contrast, adults (N = 30; ages 18–31) responded faster only when cued by visual events. While Experiment 2 confirmed that adults (N = 27) can use memories to orient attention, Experiment 3 showed that, even in the absence of visual events, the effects of memories on attention were larger in children (N = 27) versus adults (N = 28). These findings suggest that memories may be a robust source of influence on children's attention.
Modeling the Structure and Dynamics of Semantic Processing
Authors: Rotaru Armand S. , Vigliocco Gabriella , Frank Stefan L.
Published: October 2018

The contents and structure of semantic memory have been the focus of much recent research, with major advances in the development of distributional models, which use word co‐occurrence information as a window into the semantics of language. In parallel, connectionist modeling has extended our knowledge of the processes engaged in semantic activation. However, these two lines of investigation have rarely been brought together. Here, we describe a processing model based on distributional semantics in which activation spreads throughout a semantic network, as dictated by the patterns of semantic similarity between words. We show that the activation profile of the network, measured at various time points, can successfully account for response times in lexical and semantic decision tasks, as well as for subjective concreteness and imageability ratings. We also show that the dynamics of the network is predictive of performance in relational semantic tasks, such as similarity/relatedness rating. Our results indicate that bringing together distributional semantic networks and spreading of activation provides a good fit to both automatic lexical processing (as indexed by lexical and semantic decisions) as well as more deliberate processing (as indexed by ratings), above and beyond what has been reported for previous models that take into account only similarity resulting from network structure.
Protection of brain development by antenatal magnesium sulphate for infants born preterm
Authors: Chollat Clément , Sentilhes Loic , Marret Stéphane
Published: October 2018

Cerebral palsy (CP) remains the most significant neurological disorder associated with preterm birth. It disrupts quality of life and places huge cost burdens on society. Antenatal magnesium sulphate administration to females before 32 weeks’ gestation has proven to be an effective intervention to reduce the rate ofCP. In models of hypoxia, hypoxia‐ischemia, inflammation, and excitotoxicity in various animal species, magnesium sulphate preconditioning decreased the resulting lesion sizes and inflammatory cytokine levels, prevented cell death, and improved long‐term cognitive and motor behaviours. In humans, meta‐analyses of five randomized controlled trials using magnesium sulphate as a neuroprotectant showed prevention ofCPat 2 years. The benefit remained consistent regardless of gestational age, cause of preterm birth, and total dose received. Antenatal magnesium sulphate treatment is now recommended by the World Health Organization and by many obstetric societies. Its cost‐effectiveness further justifies its widespread implementation.

What this paper adds

Neuroprotective effect of magnesium sulphate to reduce cerebral palsy in infants born preterm when administered to females at risk of imminent preterm birth.

Neuroprotection regardless of gestational age, cause of preterm birth, and total dose.

Antenatal magnesium sulphate treatment has good cost‐effectiveness.
Family‐centred health care for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Shevell Michael , Oskoui Maryam , Wood Ellen , Kirton Adam , Van Rensburg Esias , Buckley David , Ng Pamela , Majnemer Annette
Published: October 2018

Aim

To identify characteristics of young children with cerebral palsy (CP), and intrinsic and extrinsic factors, that may be associated with parental perceptions regarding family‐centred health care services.

Method

We conducted a cross‐sectional study, drawing our sample from the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Registry (CCPR). Parents rated the extent of family‐centred care provided by their child's health care teams using the 56‐item Measures of Process of Care (MPOC) questionnaire. Environmental and CP phenotypic variables were extracted from the CCPR for group comparisons. Low and high MPOC‐56 raters were also compared.

Results

Valid responses were obtained from 282 families (90%). All MPOC‐56 subscales were highly rated (median ≥6.0), indicating satisfaction with health care services, with the exception of the Providing General Information subscale (median 4.8, interquartile range 3.2–6.0). Parents from Nova Scotia rated all subscales significantly higher than parents from other regions. CP subtype and severity were not significantly associated with MPOC‐56 subscale scores. Higher socio‐economic status was associated with lower MPOC‐56 subscale scores. Higher paternal educational attainment and household income were significantly associated with lower scores on the Providing General Information and Providing Specific Information about the Child subscales respectively.

Interpretation

Participants affirmed the provision of family‐centred services from Canadian pediatric rehabilitation centres. Sociodemographic factors were associated with parental perceptions of family‐centred services.

What this paper adds

Sociodemographic factors were associated with parental perceptions of family‐centred care.

Factors intrinsic to the child's cerebral palsy were not associated with parental perceptions.
Accessory tricuspid leaflet associated with persistent left superior vena cava
Authors: Ozturk Semi , Can Mehmet Mustafa
Published: October 2018

Right atrioventricular valve is historically named as tricuspid valve. However, cases depicting multi‐leaflet morphology of the right atrioventricular valve were reported. Accessory leaflet of the tricuspid valve is a rare entity and associated with congenital cardiac anomalies. We present an accessory tricuspid valve in a patient with isolated persistent left superior vena cava.
Speckle tracking echocardiography and right ventricle dysfunction in acute respiratory distress syndrome: A pilot study
Authors: Bonizzoli Manuela , Cipani Simone , Lazzeri Chiara , Chiostri Marco , Ballo Piercarlo , Sarti Armando , Peris Adriano
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Speckle tracking echocardiography is a novel echocardiographic technique to assess RV myocardial function but no data are so far available in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and we aimed at assessing the feasibility of 2 dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography and the prognostic role of RV free wall speckle tracking strain in 30 consecutive patients with moderate‐severe ARDS

Materials and Methods

In an observational prospective study, 30 consecutive patients with moderate‐severe ARDS were enrolled. Echocardiography was performed within 12 hours from ICU admission.

Results

Mortality rate was 33% (10/30). Non‐survivors showed lower values of pH (7.32 ± 0.09, P = 0.03) and higher troponin I levels (0.32 (0.08–0.46), P = 0.04), NT‐pro BNP (3091 (2662–7128), P = 0.009), and SAPS II (60.3 ± 9.6, P < 0.001). At echocardiographic examination, non‐survivors showed lower values of TAPSE (18.3 ± 3, P = 0.034) and higher systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (49.6 ± 16, P = 0.05). Two patients (6.6%) did not show valid acoustic windows. Only three patients showed normal values of RV strain free wall (22%, 25%, and 28% absolute values, respectively), among whom one patient died. When compared to survivors, non‐survivors showed significantly lower values of RV strain free wall (−10.4 ± 0.10, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In mechanically ventilated moderate‐severe ARDS, 2D speckle tracking is feasible even though difficult acoustic windows are common. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings in a larger cohort of patients.
No country for young men: International migration and left‐behind children in Tajikistan
Authors: Jaupart Pascal
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates the effects of international migration on the schooling and labour outcomes of left‐behind children in rural Tajikistan. Using three‐wave panel survey data, I rely on an instrumental variable strategy to address the non‐random selection into migration. I identify important and gender‐differenced schooling and labour supply responses. My findings suggest that boys living in migrant households are less likely to lag behind at school or work. At the intensive margin, they also report fewer hours of work per week. On the other hand, left‐behind teenage females undertake a higher number of domestic chores. They appear to marry earlier as well. The migration impact on boys appears to be driven by remittances and the improved financial situation of households. The absence of any positive influence on the education of left‐behind girls is likely to be explained by Tajikistan's cultural norms and institutions.
The “Plan” phase of a Deming cycle: Measurement of quality and outcome of root canal treatments in a university hospital
Authors: Cousson Pierre‐Yves , Decerle Nicolas , Munoz‐Sanchez Marie‐Laure , Roux Dominique , Doméjean Sophie , Nicolas Emmanuel , Hennequin Martine
Published: October 2018

Introduction

In many countries, dental students are taught in private or university hospitals where they treat patients under the supervision of teachers. Assessing the quality of root canal treatments (RCT) would provide information about the quality of care patients receive when treated by students.

Methods

This study describes the six‐step “Plan” phase of a Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act (PDCA) cycle that identifies and analyses clinical practices in endodontics in a university dental hospital service.

Results

Step 3 reported that the proportion of RCTs of adequate quality reached 57.1% and this proportion was significantly decreased when specific indicators for treatment difficulties were present. The proportion of successful RCTs after 1 year was 65.6%, and its variation was influenced by the preoperative periapical status rather than the quality of RCTs. The consensual meeting in Step 6 proposed to introduce three new procedures for the further Do, Check and Act phases of the PDCA cycle.

Conclusion

This study encourages systematic evaluation of RCTs and provides the first step of the methodology that can be reproduced in private and hospital practices where students are asked to treat patients.
The “flawless” school and the problematic actors: Research on policy documents to counteract discrimination and degrading treatment in schools in Sweden
Authors: Lundin Mattias , Torpsten Ann‐Christin
Published: October 2018

In Sweden, the anti‐discrimination initiatives and the efforts against degrading treatment are promoted by two laws indicating self‐regulatory and transparent actions toward preventing both. To be successful, it is important that everybody involved in the work has the same understanding of the task and that everybody understands written formulations of local policy documents, here labelled equity plans, in order not to reinforce inequalities when counteracting discrimination and degrading treatment. Our aim is to explore the world‐views that are expressed by the schools in their equity plans. We ask what are the perceived causes of discrimination and degrading treatment within the schools, what solutions in the equity plans emerge and which subject positions are constructed and made possible. The analysis rendered three discourses of which we can see recurring signs in the material and these have been labelled The perfect school discourse, The designated discourse and The educational discourse. These discourses are different in how they relate to discrimination and degrading treatment in school and they also provide different opportunities for students. We conclude that policy‐making is important as a means to change discriminatory patterns and we suggest how to avoid drawing on discourses that are likely to counteract the goals.
FIP4/Arfophilin‐2 plays overlapping but distinct roles from FIP3/Arfophilin‐1 in neuronal migration during cortical layer formation
Authors: Hara Yoshinobu , Fukaya Masahiro , Sugawara Takeyuki , Sakagami Hiroyuki
Published: October 2018

The class II Rab11 family‐interacting proteins, FIP3 and FIP4, also termed Arfophilin‐1 and Arfophilin‐2, respectively, are endosomal proteins that function as dual effector proteins for Rab11 and ADP ribosylation factor (Arf) small GTPases. In the present study, we examined the expression and role of FIP4 in neuronal migration during cerebral layer formation. FIP4 mRNA was first weakly detected in post‐mitotic migrating neurons in the upper intermediate zone, and expression was markedly increased in the cortical layer. Exogenously expressed FIP4 protein was localized to subpopulations of EEA1‐ and syntaxin 12‐positive endosomes in migrating neurons, and was partially colocalized with FIP3. Knockdown of FIP4 by in utero electroporation significantly stalled transfected neurons in the lower cortical layer and decreased the speed of neuronal migration in the upper intermediate zone and in the cortical plate compared with control small hairpin RNA (shRNA)‐transfected neurons. Furthermore, co‐transfection of shRNA‐resistant wild‐type FIP4, but not wild type FIP3 or FIP4 mutants lacking the binding region for Rab11 or Arf, significantly improved the disturbed cortical layer formation caused by FIP4 knockdown. Collectively, our findings suggest that FIP4 and FIP3 play overlapping but distinct roles in neuronal migration downstream of Arf and Rab11 during cortical layer formation.
Using the raz‐rru method to examine linkages between substrate, biofilm colonisation and stream metabolism in open‐canopy streams
Authors: Hanrahan Brittany R. , Tank Jennifer L. , Shogren Arial J. , Rosi Emma J.
Published: October 2018

Understanding the mechanisms that control gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) is important in open‐canopy streams, particularly as their prevalence increases across the landscape with the expansion of human land use.

We measured resazurin (raz) transformation to resorufin (rru) as an indicator of ER in two contrasting experimental stream systems to examine the linkages between underlying substrate, biofilm colonisation and stream metabolism in open‐canopy systems.

We implemented a gradient of biofilm coverage (0%–100%) in 20 recirculating streams and found that raz transformation (kτ) increased proportionally with algal biomass and gross primary production (GPP). We then conducted multiple short‐term additions of raz over a 5‐month biofilm colonisation sequence in four groundwater‐fed, experimental streams (Q = 1.5 L/s, 50 m long) at the Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND‐LEEF). Streams at ND‐LEEF were lined with two different substrate sizes (pea gravel vs. cobble) and two levels of heterogeneity (alternating sections vs. well‐mixed).

We found that longitudinal patterns of kτ varied with substrate type and heterogeneity on the majority of sampling days. Temporal patterns of kτ over the trajectory of biofilm growth were similar among streams, with “peak” kτ occurring after three months of biofilm growth; kτ decreased with the onset of algal senescence and decreasing temperatures. Raz transformation was also positively correlated with algal biomass and GPP in the streams at ND‐LEEF, which varied with substrate composition.

Overall, the raz‐rru method identified spatial and temporal variability in the linkages between substrate, algal biofilms, and metabolism in open‐canopy streams.
Analysis of the Location of Rescue Ambulance Dispatch Bases: A Case Study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Ferrari Thayse , Camara Marcus Vinicius Oliveira , Nassi Carlos David , Ribeiro Glaydston Mattos , Costa Junior Roberto Robadey , Ribeiro Júnior Célio , Bilate Andrea
Published: October 2018

Emergency Medical Services are considered critical elements of modern health services, to assure the appropriate level of service to the population. We applied the facility location theory to indicate strategic points to establish ambulance dispatch centers to attend emergency calls. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to promote an analysis of the locations of rescue ambulance bases in the city of Rio de Janeiro, focusing on reducing the response time of calls. We propose a mathematical model which aims at maximizing the number of people served by the ambulance dispatch bases and the different types of calls answered (general or calls related to traffic accidents), and minimizing the number of ambulance dispatch centers and the distances from demand points to centers. We used a real dataset from 2014 (approximately 105,000 emergency calls) to perform our evaluations. We concluded that two planning areas exist with potential to improve the service, and with the inclusion of 10 new dispatch bases in the areas with low coverage and only five new vehicles in the system, the number of attended people would increase by 6.4% in relation to the current situation (approximately 409,000 inhabitants served).
Is the Lack of Women in Philosophy a Universal Phenomenon? Exploring Women's Representation in Greek Departments of Philosophy
Authors: Iliadi Simoni , Theologou Kostas , Stelios Spyridon
Published: October 2018

Although recent empirical research suggests that there is a gender gap in Anglophone philosophy, no research has been done on the representation of women in non‐Anglophone philosophy. The present study constitutes a first step toward filling this void in the literature by providing empirical evidence on the representation of female students and female faculty members in Greek universities' departments of philosophy. Our findings indicate that the underrepresentation of female students in philosophy is not a universal phenomenon, since female students constitute the majority of philosophy students in Greece at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels. However, our findings also suggest that the low number of women in philosophy at the faculty level is not a problem unique to Anglophone philosophy, since female faculty members comprise, on average, only 29% of philosophy faculty members in Greece. In order to explain these findings, we argue, first, that the teaching of philosophy at the secondary level may motivate female students in Greece to enter and persist in philosophy, and, second, that since the gender gap at the faculty level in Greece cannot be attributed to the low number of female students in the philosophy pipeline, the causes of women's poor participation in philosophy at the faculty level should be looked for elsewhere.
Primary cutaneous lymphoma in Argentina: a report of a nationwide study of 416 patients
Authors: Abeldaño Alejandra , Enz Paula , Maskin Matias , Cervini Andrea B. , Torres Natallia , Acosta Ana C. , Narbaitz Marina , Vanzulli Silvia , Orentrajch Mirta , Villareal Marta A. , Garcia Pazos Maria L. , Arias Mariana , Zambrano Franco Evelyn A. , Fontana Maria I. , Chuit Roberto
Published: October 2018

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency of primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL) in Argentina according to the new World Health Organization (WHO)‐European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification system.

Methods

A total of 416 patients from 21 dermatology services were included during a 5‐year period (2010–2015); these patients were classified using WHO‐EORTC criteria.

Results

There were 231 (55.2%) males and 185 (44.8%) females; the male‐to‐female ratio was 1.35. The median age of the patients was 57 years (range, 0–90 years). Most patients were Caucasian (79%), and only 16% of patients were registered as Amerindian. Most patients (387/416, 93%) had cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL); 28 patients (6.7%) were diagnosed with cutaneous B‐cell lymphoma (CBCL). The most frequent CTCL subtypes, in decreasing order of prevalence, were mycosis fungoides (MF), including its variants (75.7%); CD30+ primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (7.2%); and Sézary syndrome (SS) (3.1%). Cutaneous follicle center lymphoma was the most common CBCL subtype (2.9%). In the subset of patients ≤20 years of age, the most common condition was MF (57%), followed by extranodal NK‐T nasal‐type lymphoma (14%).

Conclusions

This study revealed relatively higher rates of MF and lower rates of CBCL in Argentinean patients that have been reported in American and European countries.
Metabolic regulation of innate and adaptive lymphocyte effector responses
Authors: Joseph Ann M. , Monticelli Laurel A. , Sonnenberg Gregory F.
Published: October 2018

Innate and adaptive lymphocytes employ diverse effector programs that provide optimal immunity to pathogens and orchestrate tissue homeostasis, or conversely can become dysregulated to drive progression of chronic inflammatory diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that CD4+ T helper cell subsets and their innate counterparts, the innate lymphoid cell family, accomplish these complex biological roles by selectively programming their cellular metabolism in order to instruct distinct modules of lymphocyte differentiation, proliferation, and cytokine production. Further, these metabolic pathways are significantly influenced by tissue microenvironments and disease states. Here, we summarize our current knowledge on how cell‐intrinsic metabolic factors modulate the context‐dependent bioenergetic pathways that govern innate and adaptive lymphocytes. Further, we propose that a greater understanding of these pathways may lead to the identification of unique features in each population and provoke the development of novel therapeutic strategies to modulate lymphocytes in health and disease.
Thinking differently about ILCs—Not just tissue resident and not just the same as CD4+ T‐cell effectors
Authors: Huang Yuefeng , Mao Kairui , Germain Ronald N.
Published: October 2018

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) resemble adaptive T lymphocytes based on transcription factor expression, cytokine production, and their presumptive roles in immunity, but are activated for effector function through cytokine signaling and not antigen‐specific receptors. The prevailing view is that ILCs adapt to specific microenvironments during development and operate as tissue‐resident cells in co‐operation with antigen‐specific T cells to provide host protection and contribute to tissue maintenance. In particular, conventional models equate the activity of different ILC subsets with CD4+ effector T‐cell types based on corresponding transcription factor expression and a potential for comparable cytokine production. Based on recent data from our laboratory, we suggest that these views on tissue residence and parallel functioning to CD4+ T cells are too restrictive. Our findings show that ILC2s can be mobilized from the gut under inflammatory conditions and contribute to distal immunity in the lungs during infection, whereas gut‐resident ILC3s operate in a quite distinct manner from Th17 CD4+ effector cells in responding to commensal microbes, with important implications for control of metabolic homeostasis. In this review, we discuss the recent advances leading to these revised views of ILC inter‐organ trafficking and the distinct and complementary function of ILCs with respect to adaptive T cells in establishing and maintaining a physiologic host environment.