bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate modulators in inflammatory skin diseases – lining up for clinical translation
Authors: Thieme Markus , Zillikens Detlef , Sadik Christian D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe bioactive lysophospholipid sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is best known for its activity as T‐cell‐active chemoattractant regulating the egress of T cells from the lymph node and, consequently, the availability of T cells for migration into peripheral tissues. This physiological role of S1P is exploited by the drug fingolimod, a first‐line therapy for multiple sclerosis, which “detains” T cells in the lymph nodes. In recent year, it has been elucidated that S1P exerts regulatory functions far beyond T‐cell egress from the lymph node. Thus, it additionally regulates, among others, homing of several immune cell populations into peripheral tissues under inflammatory conditions. In addition, evidence, mostly derived from mouse models, has accumulated that S1P may be involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory skin disorder and that S1P receptor modulators applied topically are effective in treating skin diseases. These recent developments highlight the pharmacological modulation of the S1P/S1P receptor system as a potential new therapeutic strategy for a plethora of inflammatory skin diseases. The impact of S1P receptor modulation on inflammatory skin diseases next requires testing in human patients.
Effect of oral eicosapentaenoic acid on epidermal Langerhans cell numbers and PGD2 production in UVR‐exposed human skin: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Pilkington Suzanne M. , Gibbs Neil K. , Costello Patrick , Bennett Susan P. , Massey Karen A. , Friedmann Peter S. , Nicolaou Anna , Rhodes Lesley E. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractLangerhans cells (LCs) are sentinels of skin's immune system, their loss from epidermis contributing to UVR suppression of cell‐mediated immunity (CMI). Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids show potential to reduce UVR suppression of CMI in mice and humans, potentially through modulation of LC migration. Our objectives were to examine whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ingestion influences UV‐mediated effects on epidermal LC numbers and levels of immunomodulatory mediators including prostaglandin (PG)D2, which is expressed by LC. In a double‐blind randomised controlled study, healthy individuals took 5‐g EPA‐rich (n=40) or control (n=33) lipid for 12 weeks; UVR‐exposed and unexposed skin samples were taken pre‐ and postsupplementation. Epidermal LC numbers were assessed by immunofluorescence for CD1a, and skin blister fluid PG and cytokines were quantified by LC‐MS/MS and Luminex assay, respectively. Presupplementation, UVR reduced mean (SEM) LC number/mm2 from 913 (28) to 322 (40) (P<.001), and mean PGD2 level by 37% from 8.1 (11.6) to 5.1 (5.6) pg/μL; P<.001), while IL‐8 level increased (P<.001). Despite confirmation of EPA bioavailability in red blood cells and skin in the active group, no between‐group effect of EPA was found on UVR modulation of LC numbers, PGD2 or cytokine levels postsupplementation. Thus, no evidence was found for EPA reduction of photoimmunosuppression through an impact on epidermal LC numbers. Intriguingly, UVR exposure substantially reduced cutaneous PGD2 levels in humans, starkly contrasting with reported effects of UVR on other skin PG. Lowered PGD2 levels could reflect LC loss from the epidermis and/or altered dendritic cell activity and may be relevant for phototherapy of skin disease.
IL‐17F regulates psoriasis‐associated genes through IκBζ
Authors: Bertelsen Trine , Ljungberg Christine , Boye Kjellerup Rasmus , Iversen Lars , Johansen Claus 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPsoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory and immune‐mediated skin disease. Antagonists of TNF‐α and, recently, IL‐17 have proven to be highly effective in the treatment for psoriasis; however, the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis are poorly understood. Recently, we presented evidence that IκBζ is a key regulator in the development of psoriasis through its role in mediating IL‐17A‐driven effects. Like IL‐17A, IL‐17F is produced by a variety of immune cells, and the expression of IL‐17F is increased in psoriatic skin. The purpose of this study was to characterize the role of IL‐17F in the regulation of IκBζ expression and to investigate whether IL‐17F regulates psoriasis‐associated genes in human keratinocytes through IκBζ. Here, we demonstrate that IL‐17F stimulation induces IκBζ expression at both the mRNA and the protein levels in normal human keratinocytes. Moreover, silencing IκBζ by siRNA revealed that IκBζ is a key regulator of specific IL‐17F‐inducible psoriasis‐associated genes and proteins, including DEFB4/hBD2, S100A7, CCL20, IL‐8 and CHI3L1. In addition, IL‐17F‐induced IκBζ expression is mediated by a mechanism involving the p38 MAPK and NF‐κB signalling pathways, as shown by the clear reduction in IL‐17F‐mediated expression of IκBζ during chemical inhibition of these two signalling pathways. In summary, we present IκBζ as a novel key regulator of IL‐17F‐driven effects in psoriasis. Thus, antagonists to IκBζ could potentially provide a more targeted approach for treating psoriasis as well as for treating the other inflammatory and immune‐mediated diseases for which IL‐17‐targeting drugs have recently been approved.
Permeable Asphalt: A New Tool to Reduce Road Salt Contamination of Groundwater in Urban Areas
Authors: Dietz Michael E. , Angel Derek R. , Robbins Gary A. , McNaboe Lukas A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractChloride contamination of groundwater in urban areas due to deicing is a well‐documented phenomenon in northern climates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of permeable pavement on degraded urban groundwater. Although low impact development practices have been shown to improve stormwater quality, no infiltration practice has been found to prevent road salt chlorides from entering groundwater. The few studies that have investigated chlorides in permeable asphalt have involved sampling directly beneath the asphalt; no research has looked more broadly at surrounding groundwater conditions. Monitoring wells were installed upgradient and downgradient of an 860 m2 permeable asphalt parking lot at the University of Connecticut (Storrs, Connecticut). Water level and specific conductance were measured continuously, and biweekly samples were analyzed for chloride. Samples were also analyzed for sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Analysis of variance analysis indicated a significantly (p < 0.001) lower geometric mean Cl concentration downgradient (303.7 mg/L) as compared to upgradient (1280 mg/L). Concentrations of all alkali metals increased upgradient and downgradient during the winter months as compared to nonwinter months, indicating that cation exchange likely occurred. Despite the frequent high peaks of chloride in the winter months as well as the increases in alkali metals observed, monitoring revealed lower Cl concentrations downgradient than upgradient for the majority of the year. These results suggest that the use of permeable asphalt in impacted urban environments with high ambient chloride concentrations can be beneficial to shallow groundwater quality, although these results may not be generalizable to areas with low ambient chloride concentrations.
Prescribed burning is an effective and quick method to conserve rare pyrophilous forest‐dwelling flat bugs
Authors: Heikkala Osmo , Martikainen Petri , Kouki Jari 
Published: August 2016

Abstract

Fire suppression and reduced volumes of dead wood have led to a major decline in pyrophilous and saproxylic insects in Fennoscandian boreal forests. As a consequence, several species are currently seriously threatened. Flat bugs (Heteroptera, Aradidae) is an important invertebrate group that includes several pyrophilous species, including many threatened ones.

We explored whether specific conservation measures – prescribed burning and retention forestry – can facilitate the survival of flat bugs in managed forests. The large‐scale field experiment consisted of a burning treatment (yes/no) and four levels of logging intensity (clear‐cut, retention levels of 10 and 50 m3 ha−1, and unharvested controls). The data included 1224 individuals of 12 species, sampled over a 4‐year period.

Burning increased the species richness and abundance of the pyrophilous species. Two Red‐Listed and very rare pyrophilous species, Aradus angularis J. Sahlberg (Vulnerable) and A. laeviusculus Reuter (Near Threatened), were abundant after burning. The number of non‐pyrophilous flat bugs collapsed after burning but they re‐colonised the stands quickly, becoming as abundant as at the unburned stands. Logging increased the abundance of flat bugs only when retention forestry was applied.

This study shows that pyrophilous flat bugs are quickly able to locate recently burned forests and that these forests are important for their survival. The effect of fire is, however, transient at the stand level and pyrophilous species disappear almost completely quickly after fire. To maintain these species, recently burned forests with a sufficient volume of retention trees should be available continuously at the landscape level.
Incidence of anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis before and after the February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake
Authors: Farquhar H. J. , McGettigan B. , Chapman P. T. , O'Donnell J. L. , Frampton C. , Stamp L. K. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundIt has been suggested that environmental pollution from an earthquake might be associated with anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV).AimTo determine the incidence of AAV during the 3‐year period before (period 1), and the 3 years following (period 2), the earthquake that occurred on 22 February 2011 in Christchurch, New Zealand.MethodsAll ANCA tests performed in the Canterbury region for 3 years before the earthquake (period 1, 2007–2010), and for 3 years after the earthquake (period 2, 2011–2014) were examined. AAV was defined according to The European Medicines Agency classification algorithm. Medical records were reviewed and cases were included if they were newly diagnosed within the study period. Incidence was calculated using population data from the 2013 New Zealand census.ResultsA total of 52 new cases of AAV was identified. The incidence in period 1 was 1.87/100 000/annum (95% C.I. 1.23–2.72), and for period 2 was 1.73/100 000/annum (95% C.I. 1.12–2.55). There was no statistically significant difference in incidence between the two study periods. There was no difference when analysing by myeloperoxidase (MPO) or proteinase‐3 status, or restricting the analyses to those residing in an urban environment. The mean age at diagnosis for MPO AAV was significantly younger in period 2 than period 1 (61 years vs 71 years, P = 0.05). There were no other clinically important differences between the two groups.ConclusionThis study does not support the hypothesis that an environmental agent, caused by dust pollution related to earthquake damage, has a causative role in the pathogenesis of AAV.
Off‐label use of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha inhibitors and anakinra at an Australian tertiary hospital
Authors: Linger M. W. , van Driel M. L. , Hollingworth S. A. , Martin J. H. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundTumour necrosis factor‐alpha inhibitors (anti‐TNFα) and anakinra are monoclonal antibodies against pro‐inflammatory cytokines overexpressed in many systemic inflammatory diseases. In Australia, they are registered for the treatment of several rheumatological, gastroenterological and dermatological indications. Despite increasing observational evidence for their use in off‐label indications, there is a paucity of outcome research from the Australian hospital sector.AimsTo describe the off‐label use of anti‐TNFα and anakinra at a tertiary referral hospital in Queensland, Australia and consideration of a drug register to inform future clinical decision‐making.MethodsWe performed an in‐depth retrospective chart audit of off‐label treatment with anti‐TNFα or anakinra at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital from mid‐2010 to mid‐2014, linking demographic, phenotypic, pathology and outcome data with these drugs.ResultsOff‐label use was identified in 10 patients. The most frequent indications were sarcoidosis and dermatological conditions. Three patients required sequential therapy with a second anti‐TNFα (total responses = 13). Complete response occurred in 46%, partial response in 38% and primary non‐response in 8%. Response was unable to be determined in 8%. We recorded 14 adverse events (infections most common).ConclusionThis study suggests that anti‐TNFα may be beneficial for some off‐label indications (e.g. sarcoidosis). However, the observational design of this study (and pre‐existing research) limits the ability to infer causality and generalise results. We propose the creation of a mandatory drug register to monitor off‐label use. Whilst comparative efficacy cannot be established without a matched placebo arm, a register would enable some reporting on effectiveness in rare diseases and identify infrequent but serious adverse events.
Anger expression, self‐efficacy and interpersonal competency of Korean nursing students
Authors: Jun W.‐H. 
Published: August 2016

AimThe purpose of this study was to determine whether self‐efficacy mediated the relationship between anger expression and interpersonal competency in South Korean nursing students.BackgroundInterpersonal competency allows nursing students to increase their self‐confidence in caring for patients. There is evidence of complex relationships between anger expression, self‐efficacy and interpersonal competency. Self‐efficacy could be considered a potential mediator in the association between anger expression and interpersonal competency in nursing students. However, few studies have investigated the mediatory role of self‐efficacy in this association.MethodsA descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted. In total, 207 Korean nursing students completed a structured questionnaire. Measurement tools included the State‐Trait Anger Expression Inventory, Self‐efficacy Scale and Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire.FindingsSignificant correlations were observed between anger expression, self‐efficacy and interpersonal competency. Self‐efficacy exerted a partial mediatory effect on the relationships between interpersonal competency and anger‐in and anger‐control within the anger expression subscales.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that appropriate anger expression could result in enhanced interpersonal competency via an increase in self‐efficacy.Implications for nursing and health policyThe results concerning the mediatory role of self‐efficacy in the association between anger expression and interpersonal competency have provided new knowledge for nursing educators, managers and researchers, allowing them to support nursing students' interpersonal competency. Nursing schools should be required to evaluate students' anger expression patterns and to increase self‐efficacy when developing education programmes that provide interpersonal training for nursing students.
A simple and effective remedial learning system with a fuzzy expert system
Authors: Lin C.‐C. , Guo K.‐H. , Lin Y.‐C. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis study aims at implementing a simple and effective remedial learning system. Based on fuzzy inference, a remedial learning material selection system is proposed for a digital logic course. Two learning concepts of the course have been used in the proposed system: number systems and combinational logic. We conducted an experiment to validate the success of the proposed system where 88 students who studied a computer‐related program at a vocational high school in Taiwan participated in the experiment. The participating students came from three different types of classes. The fuzzy expert system determined the numbers of the remedial material units according to the scores of the pre‐test. Based on the results of the fuzzy expert system, each student then received personalized remedial learning materials by randomly selecting problem‐based learning units from a learning material repository. After reading the remedial learning materials, the students took the post‐test. The experimental results reveal that the students made significant progresses after studying the remedial learning materials. Both of high‐achieving students and low‐achieving students made significant progresses. Moreover, all of the three types of students made significant progresses.Lay descriptionWhat is currently known about the subject matter:

Remedial learning systems are helpful.
Some systems are good for only low‐achieving students.
The remedial systems are complicated.
What their paper adds to this:

A fuzzy expert system has been added to produce remedial materials.
Automatically select the remedial learning units according to the pre‐test.
The implications of study findings for practitioners:

Our remedial system is good for both high‐achieving and low‐achieving students.
Our remedial system is good for different types of students.
Our remedial system is simple and easy‐to‐implement.
Cost Effectiveness of Implantable Cardiac Monitor‐Guided Intermittent Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation: An Analysis of the REACT.COM Pilot Study
Authors: STEINHAUS DANIEL A. , ZIMETBAUM PETER J. , PASSMAN ROD S. , LEONG‐SIT PETER , REYNOLDS MATTHEW R. 
Published: August 2016

Cost‐Effectiveness of ICM Guided Anticoagulation for AFIntroductionAnticoagulation guidelines for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) disregard AF burden. A strategy of targeted anticoagulation with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) based on continuous rhythm assessment with an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) has recently been explored. We evaluated the potential cost‐effectiveness of this strategy versus projected outcomes with continuous anticoagulation.Methods and ResultsWe developed a Markov model using data from the Rhythm Evaluation for AntiCoagulaTion With COntinuous Monitoring (REACT.COM) pilot study (N = 59) and prior NOAC trials to calculate the costs and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with ICM‐guided intermittent anticoagulation for AF versus standard care during a 3‐year time horizon. Health state utilities were estimated from the pilot study population using the SF‐12. Costs were based on current Medicare reimbursement. Over 14 ± 4 months of follow‐up, 18 of 59 patients had 35 AF episodes. The ICM‐guided strategy resulted in a 94% reduction in anticoagulant use relative to continuous treatment. There were no strokes, 3 (5.1%) TIAs, 2 major bleeding events (on aspirin) and 3 minor bleeding events with the ICM‐guided strategy. The projected total 3‐year costs were $12,535 for the ICM‐guided strategy versus $13,340 for continuous anticoagulation. Projected QALYs were 2.45 for both groups.ConclusionBased on a pilot study, a strategy of ICM‐guided anticoagulation with NOACs may be cost‐saving relative to expected outcomes with continuous anticoagulation, with similar quality‐adjusted survival. This strategy could be attractive from a health economic perspective if shown to be safe and effective in a rigorous clinical trial.
Hard‐line Euroscepticism and the Eurocrisis: Evidence from a Panel Study of 108 Elections Across Europe
Authors: Nicoli Francesco 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe 2014 European elections led to a sharp rise in the electoral consensus of parties and independent parliament members perceived as eurosceptic. This paper analyzes the interconnections between distressed economies and the electoral success of hard‐line eurosceptic parties. On a panel of 108 elections between 2008 and 2015, the random‐effects model shows the relative effect of long‐ and short‐term political trust, economic performance indicators, and institutional variables in determining the rise of hard‐line eurosceptic parties. In contrast with previous studies, which have tended to de‐emphasize the effect of economic performance in determining the success of eurosceptic forces, the results of this paper detect both a direct and a mediated effect of the economic crisis on the electoral success of hard‐line eurosceptic parties.
Fisher's sons’ effect in sexual selection: absent, intermittent or just low experimental power?
Authors: Sharma M. D. , Wilson A. J. , Hosken D. J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe Fisherian sexual selection paradigm has been called the null model of sexual selection. At its heart is the expectation of a genetic correlation (rG) between female preference and male trait. However, recent meta‐analysis has shown estimated correlations are often extremely weak and not statistically significant. We show here that systematic failure of studies to reject the null hypothesis that rG = 0 is almost certainly due to the low power of most experimental designs used. We provide an easy way to assess experimental power a priori and suggest that current data make it difficult to definitively test a key component of the Fisher effect.
An randomized controlled trial of Post‐it® notes did not increase postal response rates in older depressed participants
Authors: Lewis Helen , Keding Ada , Bosanquet Katharine , Gilbody Simon , Torgerson David 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesOur aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Post‐it® note to increase response rates and shorten response times to a 4‐month postal follow‐up questionnaire sent to participants taking part in the Collaborative Care in Screen‐Positive Elders (CASPER) trials.MethodOur trial was a two‐arm randomized controlled trial comparing response rates to questionnaires with a printed Post‐it® note (intervention) and without (control), nested in multi centred randomized controlled trials of older people with varying levels of depressive symptoms; the CASPER+ and CASPER Self Help for those At Risk of Depression (SHARD) trials. A total of 611 participants were eligible and randomized. The primary outcome was response rates, secondary outcomes were time to response and need for a reminder.ResultsOf 297 participants, 266 (89.6%) returned their 4‐month questionnaire in the post‐it note arm, compared with 282 of 314 participants (89.8%) in the control arm (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.65, P = 0.913). There were no statistically significant differences in time to respond or the need to be sent a reminder. Patients with a major depressive episode were more likely to return questionnaires with post‐it notes (P of interaction = .019).ConclusionThere was no significant difference in response rates, time to response, or the need for a reminder between the intervention and control at 4‐month follow up for older people with depressive symptoms. However, there was a significant interaction between the Post‐it® note group and level of depression.
Intergenerational Support and Marital Satisfaction: Implications of Beliefs About Helping Aging Parents
Authors: Polenick Courtney A. , Zarit Steven H. , Birditt Kira S. , Bangerter Lauren R. , Seidel Amber J. , Fingerman Karen L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractEveryday support given to aging parents is a salient aspect of married life that may have implications for marital quality. Among 132 middle‐aged couples drawn from Wave 1 of the Family Exchanges Study, the authors examined the moderating effects of each spouse's normative and motivational beliefs about helping parents on associations between the frequency of everyday support that wives and husbands gave to their own parents and marital satisfaction. Husbands' more frequent provision of support was linked to wives' greater marital satisfaction when reports of personal rewards linked to helping parents were high for wives or low for husbands. Conversely, wives' more frequent provision of support was linked to husbands' lower marital satisfaction when reports of filial obligation were low for husbands or high for wives. Findings highlight the interdependence within couples and indicate that both spouses' perceptions are important in understanding linkages between intergenerational support and marital satisfaction.