bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spinal infections in older people: an analysis of demographics, presenting features, microbiology and outcomes
Authors: Amadoru S. , Lim K. , Tacey M. , Aboltins C. 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundClinical features of infection can become more atypical as we age. Spinal infections can be insidious, and timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent adverse outcomes.AimsTo explore differences in presentation and outcomes between younger and older patients with bacterial spinal infections.MethodsClinical, microbiological and radiological information was collected for patients with spinal infections (spondylodiscitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, septic discitis, facet joint septic arthritis and spinal epidural abscess) at a single metropolitan hospital between January 2008 and January 2015. Patients were excluded if they were under 18 years of age or if clinical and imaging findings were inconsistent with the diagnosis. Presenting features, investigations and outcomes were compared for patients ≥65 (older) or <65 (younger) years old.ResultsOf 53 identified patients, 34 (64%) were classified as older, with more males in both older (65%) and younger (79%) groups. Older patients presented later (median symptom duration 13 vs 4 days, P = 0.016). Back pain was nearly ubiquitous. Older patients presented less commonly with fevers (38 vs 63%) and rigors (24 vs 42%) but more commonly with hypotension (18 vs 5%), delirium (24 vs 11%), higher median inflammatory marker levels and variable microbiological findings, although these differences were not statistically significant. They had longer median lengths of stay (24 vs 14 days) and a higher likelihood of death or failure of medical treatment (HR 9.34, P = 0.031). Radicular pain was associated with poor outcome (HR 3.29, P = 0.046).ConclusionOlder patients with spinal infections present later, with higher inflammatory markers and fewer typical infective symptoms and signs; these may contribute to poorer outcomes. A low threshold for promptly investigating older patients with new or worsening back pain should be set.
Formalising multidisciplinary peer review: developing a haematological malignancy‐specific electronic proforma and standard operating procedure to facilitate procedural efficiency and evidence‐based clinical practice
Authors: Trotman Judith , Trinh Jimmy , Kwan Yiu Lam , Estell Jane A. , Fletcher Julie , Archer Kate , Lee Kenneth , Foo Kerwin , Curnow Jennifer , Bianchi Alessandra , Wignall Lynda , Verner Emma , Gasiorowski Robin , Siedlecka Elizabeth , Cunningham Ilona 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundMultidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings aimed at facilitating peer review have become standard practice in oncology. However, there is scant literature on the optimal structure and conduct of such meetings.AimsTo develop a process for formal peer review of patients with haematological malignancies and to audit any resulting changes made to the management recommendations of the treating physician.MethodsA standard operating procedure (SOP) for MDT meetings was developed essentially to integrate clinical peer review with weekly pathology and radiology meetings. The centrepiece is the electronic submission of a patient‐specific proforma (Microsoft InfoPath) prior to the meeting. It serves as the template for presentation, discussion and recording of recommendations and conclusions. The final verified document is stored in the electronic patient record, and a copy is sent to the general practitioner. The proposed management plans were compared to the consensus recommendations of the meeting for the first 4 years since inception.ResultsBoth SOP and proforma underwent continual improvements. These provided the framework for the conduct of a robust weekly MDT meeting for peer review of the management of patients with haematological malignancies. On 20% of occasions, patient management plans were altered to optimise patient care as a direct consequence on peer review at the MDT.ConclusionOur streamlined process, in its ultimate format, has provided a mature and efficient forum for formal peer review in a genuine multidisciplinary environment. Both initial data and informal feedback support its ongoing activity as an integral component of delivering quality patient care.
Host genetics role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and caries
Authors: Nibali Luigi , Di Iorio Anna , Tu Yu‐Kang , Vieira Alexandre R. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to produce the latest summary of the evidence for association of host genetic variants contributing to both periodontal diseases and caries.Materials and MethodsTwo systematic searches of the literature were conducted in Ovid Medline, Embase, LILACS and Cochrane Library for large candidate gene studies (CGS), systematic reviews and genome‐wide association studies reporting data on host genetic variants and presence of periodontal disease and caries.ResultsA total of 124 studies were included in the review (59 for the periodontitis outcome and 65 for the caries outcome), from an initial search of 15,487 titles. Gene variants associated with periodontitis were categorized based on strength of evidence and then compared with gene variants associated with caries. Several gene variants showed moderate to strong evidence of association with periodontitis, although none of them had also been associated with the caries trait.ConclusionsDespite some potential aetiopathogenic similarities between periodontitis and caries, no genetic variants to date have clearly been associated with both diseases. Further studies or comparisons across studies with large sample size and clear phenotype definition could shed light into possible shared genetic risk factors for caries and periodontitis.
Diagnosis of Elder Abuse in U.S. Emergency Departments
Authors: Evans Christopher S. , Hunold Katherine M. , Rosen Tony , Platts‐Mills Timothy F. 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesTo estimate the proportion of visits to U.S. emergency departments (EDs) in which a diagnosis of elder abuse is reached using two nationally representative datasets.DesignRetrospective cross‐sectional analysis.SettingU.S. ED visits recorded in the 2012 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) or the 2011 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS).ParticipantsAll ED visits of individuals aged 60 and older.MeasurementsThe primary outcome was elder abuse defined according to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. The proportion of visits with elder abuse was estimated using survey weights. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to identify demographic characteristics and common ED diagnoses associated with elder abuse.ResultsIn 2012, NEDS contained information on 6,723,667 ED visits of older adults, representing an estimated 29,056,673 ED visits. Elder abuse was diagnosed in an estimated 3,846 visits, corresponding to a weighted diagnosis period prevalence of elder abuse in U.S. EDs of 0.013% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.012–0.015%). Neglect and physical abuse were the most common types diagnosed, accounting for 32.9% and 32.2% of cases, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed greater weighted odds of elder abuse diagnosis in women (odds ratio (OR) = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.68–2.26) and individuals with contusions (OR = 2.91, 95% CI = 2.36–3.57), urinary tract infection (OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.84–2.65), and septicemia (OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.44–2.55). In the 2011 NHAMCS dataset, no cases of elder abuse were recorded for the 5,965 older adult ED visits.ConclusionThe proportion of U.S. ED visits by older adults receiving a diagnosis of elder abuse is at least two orders of magnitude lower than the estimated prevalence in the population. Efforts to improve the identification of elder abuse in EDs may be warranted.
High‐grade metamorphism and partial melting in Archean composite grey gneiss complexes
Authors: White R. W. , Palin R. M. , Green E. C. R. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractMuch of the exposed Archean crust is composed of composite gneiss which includes a large proportion of intermediate to tonalitic material. These gneiss terranes were typically metamorphosed to amphibolite to granulite facies conditions, with evidence for substantial partial melting at higher grade. Recently published activity–composition (a−x) models for partial melting of metabasic to intermediate compositions allows calculation of the stable metamorphic minerals, melt production and melt composition in such rocks for the first time. CalculatedP−Tpseudosections are presented for six bulk rock compositions taken from the literature, comprising two metabasic compositions, two intermediate/dioritic compositions and two tonalitic compositions. This range of bulk compositions captures much of the diversity of rock types found in Archean banded gneiss terranes, enabling us to present an overview of metamorphism and partial melting in such terranes. If such rocks are fluid saturated at the solidus, they first begin to melt in the upper amphibolite facies. However, at such conditions, very little (< 5%) melt is produced and this melt is granitic in composition for all rocks. The production of greater proportions of melt requires temperatures ∼800–850 °C and is associated with the first appearance of orthopyroxene at pressures below 8–9 kbar or with the appearance and growth of garnet at higher pressures. The temperature at which orthopyroxene appears varies little with composition providing a robust estimate of the amphibolite–granulite facies boundary. Across this boundary, melt production is coincident with the breakdown of hornblende and/or biotite. Melts produced at granulite facies range from tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite for the metabasic protoliths, granodiorite to granite for the intermediate protoliths and granite for the tonalitic protoliths. Under fluid‐absent conditions the melt fertility of the different protoliths is largely controlled by the relative proportions of hornblende and quartz at high grade, with the intermediate compositions being the most fertile. The least fertile rocks are the most leucocratic tonalites due to their relatively small proportions of hydrous mafic phases such as hornblende or biotite. In the metabasic rocks, melt production becomes limited by the complete consumption of quartz to higher temperatures. The use of phase equilibrium forward‐modelling provides a thermodynamic framework for understanding melt production, melt loss and intracrustal differentiation during the Archean.
What is important for student nurses to know about cancer treatment and care: a qualitative study of student nurses' and stakeholder perspectives
Authors: Edwards Deborah , Anstey Sally , Kelly Daniel , Ballie Jessica , Hopkinson Jane 
Published: October 2016

Aims and objectivesTo explore the views of student nurses' and stakeholders of what is important for student nurses to know about cancer treatment and care.BackgroundWorldwide, the number of people living with cancer is increasing because the population is ageing and effective cancer treatments are prolonging survival. All nurses need knowledge, skills, confidence and competence to support people living with cancer. Education is an important tool in preparing a nursing workforce that can support people affected by cancer.DesignA descriptive, explorative qualitative design.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews with 12 student nurses and seven stakeholders were conducted in 2014 (a subgroup of participants in a mixed‐methods study investigating an innovation in undergraduate cancer education and reported elsewhere). The interviews were audio‐taped, transcribed and analysed using content analysis.ResultsTwo key findings emerged: the benefits of learning from people affected by cancer and knowledge deficits. Students valued the opportunity to meet people affected by cancer away from a clinical environment. It gave them the opportunity to gain skills and confidence, in providing information and psycho‐educational support, in a safe and facilitated context. Students and stakeholders reported blended learning (lectures and engaging with both cancer clinicians and people affected by cancer) important for developing confidence and competence in cancer care. However, at the end of their education students identified knowledge deficits in relation to cancer screening, common cancers, treatment side effects and supporting people who have been given ‘bad news’.ConclusionsCollaborative working with people affected by cancer and educationalists has allowed the patient and carer experience to be placed at the centre of the undergraduate cancer education.Relevance to clinical practiceThis research reveals the potential importance of the coproduction of undergraduate nurse cancer education, if nurses are to understand and improve the experience of people living with cancer and beyond.
Melatonin rescues cardiac thioredoxin system during ischemia‐reperfusion injury in acute hyperglycemic state by restoring Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling in a membrane receptor‐dependent manner
Authors: Yu Liming , Fan Chongxi , Li Zhi , Zhang Jian , Xue Xiaodong , Xu Yinli , Zhao Guolong , Yang Yang , Wang Huishan 
Published: October 2016

AbstractStress hyperglycemia is commonly observed in patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. It not only worsens cardiovascular prognosis but also attenuates the efficacies of various cardioprotective agents. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of melatonin against myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion (MI/R) injury in acute hyperglycemic state with a focus on Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling and intracellular thioredoxin (Trx) system. Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to MI/R surgery and high‐glucose (HG, 500 g/L) infusion (4 mL/kg/h) to induce temporary hyperglycemia. Rats were treated with or without melatonin (10 mg/kg/d) during the operation. Furthermore, HG (33 mmol/L)‐incubated H9c2 cardiomyoblasts were treated in the presence or absence of luzindole (a competitive melatonin receptor antagonist), DAPT (a γ‐secretase inhibitor), LY294002 (a PI3‐kinase/Akt inhibitor), or thioredoxin‐interacting protein (Txnip) adenoviral vectors. We found that acute hyperglycemia aggravated MI/R injury by suppressing Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling and intracellular Trx activity. Melatonin treatment effectively ameliorated MI/R injury by reducing infarct size, myocardial apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Moreover, melatonin also markedly enhanced Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling and rescued intracellular Trx system by upregulating Notch1, N1ICD, Hes1, and p‐Akt expressions, increasing Trx activity, and downregulating Txnip expression. However, these effects were blunted by luzindole, DAPT, or LY294002. Additionally, Txnip overexpression not only decreased Trx activity, but also attenuated the cytoprotective effect of melatonin. We conclude that impaired Notch1 signaling aggravates MI/R injury in acute hyperglycemic state. Melatonin rescues Trx system by reducing Txnip expression via Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling in a membrane receptor‐dependent manner. Its role as a prophylactic/therapeutic drug deserves further clinical study.
Diatom growth responses to photoperiod and light are predictable from diel reductant generation
Authors: Li Gang , Talmy David , Campbell Douglas A. 
Published: October 2016

Light drives phytoplankton productivity, so phytoplankton must exploit variable intensities and durations of light exposure, depending upon season, latitude, and depth. We analyzed the growth, photophysiology and composition of small, Thalassiosira pseudonana, and large, Thalassiosira punctigera, centric diatoms from temperate, coastal marine habitats, responding to a matrix of photoperiods and growth light intensities. T. pseudonana showed fastest growth rates under long photoperiods and low to moderate light intensities, while the larger T. punctigera showed fastest growth rates under short photoperiods and higher light intensities. Photosystem II function and content responded primarily to instantaneous growth light intensities during the photoperiod, while diel carbon fixation and RUBISCO content responded more to photoperiod duration than to instantaneous light intensity. Changing photoperiods caused species‐specific changes in the responses of photochemical yield (e−/photon) to growth light intensity. These photophysiological variables showed complex responses to photoperiod and to growth light intensity. Growth rate also showed complex responses to photoperiod and growth light intensity. But these complex responses resolved into a close relation between growth rate and the cumulative daily generation of reductant, across the matrix of photoperiods and light intensities.
Genetic and genomic aspects of hybridization in ferns
Authors: Sigel Erin M. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe morphological and ecological intermediacy of hybrid taxa has long interested and challenged fern biologists, resulting in numerous systematic contributions focused on disentangling relationships within reticulate species complexes. From a genetic perspective, hybrid ferns are especially interesting because they represent the union of divergent parental genomes in unique evolutionary entities. This review summarizes advances in our knowledge of the genetic and genomic aspects of hybridization in ferns from the mid‐20th century to the present. The different organismal products of hybridization, evolutionary aspects of additive and non‐additive gene expression in allopolyploids, genetic and genomic mechanisms leading to gene silencing and loss, the roles of multiple origins and introgression for imparting genetic variation to hybrid fern taxa and their progenitors, and the utility of allopolyploid ferns to investigate mechanisms of genome evolution in the homosporous ferns are discussed. Comparisons are made to other plant lineages and important future research directions are highlighted, with the goal of stimulating additional research on hybrid ferns.
Exogenous N‐acyl‐homoserine lactones enhance the expression of flagella of Pseudomonas syringae and activate defence responses in plants
Authors: Cheng Feifei , Ma Anzhou , Zhuang Guoqiang , Fray Rupert G. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryIn order to cope with pathogens, plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to sense pathogenic attacks and to induce defence responses. The N‐acyl‐homoserine lactone (AHL)‐mediated quorum sensing in bacteria regulates diverse physiological processes, including those involved in pathogenicity. In this work, we study the interactions between AHL‐producing transgenic tobacco plants and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 11528 (P. syringae 11528). Both a reduced incidence of disease and decrease in the growth of P. syringae 11528 were observed in AHL‐producing plants compared with wild‐type plants. The present data indicate that plant‐produced AHLs enhance disease resistance against this pathogen. Subsequent RNA‐sequencing analysis showed that the exogenous addition of AHLs up‐regulated the expression of P. syringae 11528 genes for flagella production. Expression levels of plant defence genes in AHL‐producing and wild‐type plants were determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. These data showed that plant‐produced AHLs activated a wide spectrum of defence responses in plants following inoculation, including the oxidative burst, hypersensitive response, cell wall strengthening, and the production of certain metabolites. These results demonstrate that exogenous AHLs alter the gene expression patterns of pathogens, and plant‐produced AHLs either directly or indirectly enhance plant local immunity during the early stage of plant infection.
A thiadiazole reduces the virulence of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae by inhibiting the histidine utilization pathway and quorum sensing
Authors: Liang Xiaoyu , Yu Xiaoyue , Pan Xiayan , Wu Jian , Duan Yabing , Wang Jianxin , Zhou Mingguo 
Published: October 2016

SummaryThiazole, isothiazole, thiadiazole and their derivatives are widely thought to induce host defences against plant pathogens. In this article, we report that bismerthiazol, a thiadiazole molecule, reduces disease by inhibiting the histidine utilization (Hut) pathway and quorum sensing (QS). Bismerthiazol provides excellent control of bacterial rice leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), but does not greatly inhibit Xoo growth in vitro. According to RNA‐sequencing analysis, the transcription of the Hut pathway genes of Xoo ZJ173 was inhibited after 4.5 and 9.0 h of bismerthiazol treatment. Functional studies of hutG and hutU indicated that the Hut pathway had little effect on the growth and bismerthiazol sensitivity of Xoo in vitro, but significantly reduced the aggregation of Xoo cells. Deletion mutants of hutG or hutU were more motile, produced less biofilm and were less virulent than the wild‐type, indicating that the Hut pathway is involved in QS and contributes to virulence. The overexpression of the hutG‐U operons in ZJ173 reduced Xoo control by bismerthiazol. Bismerthiazol did not inhibit the transcription of Hut pathway genes, QS or virulence of the bismerthiazol‐resistant strain 2‐1‐1. The results indicate that bismerthiazol reduces Xoo virulence by inhibiting the Hut pathway and QS.
CD36 is upregulated in mice with periodontitis and metabolic syndrome and involved in macrophage gene upregulation by palmitate
Authors: Lu Z , Li Y , Brinson CW , Kirkwood KL , Lopes‐Virella MF , Huang Y 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundWe reported that high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) exacerbates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated periodontitis and palmitate, the major saturated fatty acid in the HFD, amplified LPS‐stimulated gene expression in vitro. As CD36 is a major receptor for fatty acids, we investigated periodontal CD36 expression in mice with periodontitis and MetS, and the role of CD36 in inflammatory gene expression in macrophages stimulated by palmitate.MethodsMetS and periodontitis were induced in mice by HFD and periodontal injection of LPS, respectively. The periodontal CD36 expression and its relationship with alveolar bone loss were studied using immunohistochemistry, real‐time PCR, and correlation analysis. The role of CD36 in upregulation of inflammatory mediators by LPS and palmitate in macrophages was assessed using pharmacological inhibitor and small interfering RNA.ResultsPeriodontal CD36 expression was higher in mice with both MetS and periodontitis than that in mice with periodontitis or MetS alone and was correlated with osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone loss. In vitro studies showed that CD36 expression in macrophages was upregulated by LPS and palmitate, and targeting CD36 attenuated palmitate‐enhanced gene expression.ConclusionCD36 expression is upregulated in mice with periodontitis and MetS and involved in gene expression in macrophages stimulated by palmitate and LPS.