bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Formality and informality in an Indian urban waste economy
Authors: Harriss-White Barbara 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute original evidence about the conditions for formal and informal contracts for commodities and labour in the waste economy of a South Indian town.Design/methodology/approachField research was exploratory, based on snowball sampling and urban traversing. The analysis follows capital and labour in the sub-circuits of capital generating waste in production, distribution, consumption, the production of labour and the reproduction of society.FindingsRegardless of legal regulation, which is selectively enforced, formal contracts are limited to active inspection regimes; direct transactions with or within the state; and long-distance transactions. Formal labour contracts are least incomplete for state employment, and for relatively scarce skilled labour in the private sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe research design does not permit quantified generalisations.Practical implicationsWaste management technology evaluations neglect the social costs of displacing a large informal labour force.Social implicationsWhile slowly dissolving occupational barriers of untouchability, the waste economy is a low-status labour absorber of last resort, exit from which is extremely difficult.Originality/valueThe first systematic exploration of formal and informal contracts in an Indian small-town waste economy.
Altered oesophageal mechanosensitivity of secondary peristalsis as a pathophysiological marker in patients with globus sensation
Authors: Lei W‐Y. , Hung J‐S. , Liu T‐T. , Yi C‐H. , Chen C‐L. 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveSecondary peristalsis is important for clearance of retained food bolus and refluxate from the oesophagus. We aimed to investigate whether patients with globus sensation have altered physiological characteristics of secondary peristalsis.DesignProspective case‐controlled studySettingHualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.ParticipantsSeventeen globus patients and 18 healthy controls.Main outcome measuresAfter a baseline recording of primary peristalsis, secondary peristalsis was stimulated with slow and rapid mid‐oesophageal injections of air. Distension thresholds and peristaltic activities of secondary peristalsis were analysed and compared between the patients and healthy controls.ResultsThe threshold volume for generating secondary peristalsis during slow air distension did not differ between the patient and control groups (P = .55). The threshold volume for generating secondary peristalsis during rapid air distension was significantly greater in patients with globus than healthy controls (7.0 ± 0.9 vs 5.0 ± 0.3 mL, P = .04). Secondary peristalsis was triggered less frequently in globus patients as compared with healthy control after rapid air distension (40% [30%‐65%] vs 60% [60%‐83%], P = .001). There was no difference in any of peristaltic parameters for primary and secondary peristalsis between the groups.ConclusionsOur work identifies functional defects of oesophageal secondary peristalsis in patients with globus sensation and such defects are characterised with defective triggering of secondary peristalsis during rapid air distension. Whether current findings have therapeutic implication in the management of patients with globus sensation warrants further investigation.
A holistic dynamic concept on dry eye disease identifies several different interacting self‐enforcing vicious circles of disease progression
Authors: Knop E. , Knop N. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeDry Eye Disease (DED) is a complex alteration of the ocular surface. Typical are self‐enforcing mechanisms that drive the condition are termed ′Vicious Circles′ (VC). It is generally believed that ′a vicious circle′ occurs in DED that is driven by inflammation .MethodsA NLM PubMed based review of the literature review was performed and pathogenetic mechanisms were analyzed according to patho‐physiology.ResultsThis approach in DED indicates that Basic primary causative factors are (A) deficiency of tear SECRETION by the ocular secretory glands (aqueous lacrimal gland, oily Meibomian glands, single conjunctival goblet cell mucin glands) and (B) deficiency in FORMATION of a stable tear FILM by the eye lids & blinking. The two main pathologies are (1) tear film deficiency and (2) tissue damage. Several VC in DED were identified: One important VC is destruction of the surface epithelium by insufficient wetting due to a deficient tear film which, in turn, further reduces the tissue wettability and thus tear film stability. Surface destruction leads to induction of inflammatory pathways that drive VS for progression of disease. Since the destruction of the tissue also impairs the ocular glands, large VC of gland destruction (Pathological Carousels) occur wherein tissue destruction increasingly impairs gland secretion which, in turn, drives further surface destruction. Other VC are hidden in the gland pathology of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction (LGD).ConclusionsA holistic dynamic analysis of DED can identify, In contrast to present over‐simplified models, that Vicious Circles do not necessarily depend on inflammation and that there are in fact several, different, interacting vicious circles instead of just one. The relevant VC must be identified in the individual patient to allow an effective therapy.
Optical control of corneal nerve activity using chemical photoswitches
Authors: Gallar J. , Ares‐Suarez D. , Quirce S. , Acosta M.C. , Belmonte C. , Meseguer V. 
Published: September 2017

PurposePhoto‐isomerizable small molecules (photoswitches) allow modulation of neural activity acting on native ion channels without requiring exogenous gene expression. DENAQ, a synthetic photoswitch, confers light‐sensitivity to retinal ganglion cells in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. However, there are no direct evidences on whether photoswitches can modulate electrical activity of neural structures located far away from the neuron cell body, such as corneal sensory nerve terminals. Our objective was to photo‐modulate the activity of corneal cold sensory nerve terminals (CSNTs) in excised guinea‐pig corneas pre‐incubated with DENAQ.MethodsCorneas were incubated with 2 mM DENAQ (40 min at 34°C). Then, electrical activity of CSNTs was recorded extracellularly from corneas superfused at 34°C. A LED was used to deliver pulses of blue light (460 nm, 125 mW/cm2) to the perfused corneas. Light stimulation protocol consisted of 5 cycles of alternating 15s light/dark intervals.ResultsBlue light had no effect on the ongoing activity (OA) of CSNTs recorded from naïve corneas, not pre‐incubated with DENAQ (7.4±0.4 vs 7.4±0.4 imp·s‐1, dark vs blue light, n=8, p=0.79, paired t‐test). In corneas pre‐incubated with DENAQ, OA of CSNTs was significantly higher in the dark than under blue light (4.5±0.8 vs 2.3± 0.4 imp·s‐1, p=0.001, n=8). OA of CSNTs under blue light was significantly lower in DENAQ pre‐incubated corneas than in naïve corneas (p=0.013, t‐test).ConclusionsDENAQ produces a robust decrease of the spontaneous electrical activity of guinea pig corneal cold sensory nerve endings in the presence of blue light. Small molecules acting as chemical photoswitches may be potentially useful as drugs for patients with ectopic corneal nerve activity, such as in dry eye and ocular neuropathic pain. (SAF2014‐54518‐C3‐1‐R and ‐2‐R, MINECO, Spain, and ERDF, EC)
Correlation between electrophysiological test and visual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Vildades Palomar E. , Orduna Hospital E. , Ciprés M. , Obis J. , Rodrigo SanJuan M.J. , Satué Palacian M. , Garcia‐Martin E. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeEvaluate best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (SC), pattern electroretinogram (pERG), multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG), and multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEP) in multiple sclerosis (MS) and compare with healthy controls.MethodsFifty‐eight eyes were included: 14 of healthy controls and 44 of subjects with MS (of whom 17 presented a previous episode of optic neuritis). The BCVA ETDRS was recorded at 100% contrast, 2.5% and 1.25%, CS with CSV1000 test (at 3, 6, 9 and 12 cycles per degree) and Pelli Robson. The pERG, mfERG and mfVEP electrophysiology tests were performed with the Roland Consult's Reti‐port / scan device.ResultsPatients with MS showed a significant reduction of VA at 100% contrast (p = 0.013), 2.5% (p <0.001) and 1.25% (p = 0.008), CSV‐1000 was also affected at 3 (p = 0.017), 9 (p = 0.017), and 12 cycles per degree (p = 0.048), and also Pelli Robson (p <0.001). The mfERG showed in MS patients a significant affectation for amplitude and latency at the inferonasal and superonasal quadrants (p = 0.045 and 0.042 respectively), and the overall values of the mfPEV sown abnormalities at N1 and P1 amplitudes (p = 0.019 and p = 0.039, respectively).ConclusionsPatients with MS have a clear impairment of visual function in both psychophysical and electrophysiological tests.
Reflecting on clinical practice: hectoring talk or reality?
Authors: CARR ELOISE C. J. 
Published: September 2017

SUMMARY
Reflection can be seen as a useful tool to enable the practitioner to explore the everyday world of clinical practice. This paper reviews the background to reflection and its relevance to nursing in reducing the theory ‐ practice gap and its role in generating theory from practice.
Exemplars from clinical practice are reflected upon and Carper's (1978) ‘Patterns of Knowing’ are used as a framework to identify nursing knowledge embedded in practice.
The process of reflection is critically discussed in the light of the author's experience.
Protein 4.1R is Involved in the Transport of 5‐Aminolevulinic Acid by Interaction with GATs in MEF Cells
Authors: Ning Shuwei , Kang Qiaozhen , Fan Dandan , Liu Jingjing , Xue Chaoyue , Zhang Xiaolin , Ding Cong , Zhang Jianying , Peng Qian , Ji Zhenyu 
Published: September 2017

Abstract5‐aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA)‐based photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been successfully used in the treatment of cancers. However, the mechanism of 5‐ALA transportation into cancer cells is still not fully elucidated. Previous studies have confirmed that the efficiency of 5‐ALA‐PDT could be affected by the membrane skeleton protein 4.1R. In this study, we investigated the role of 4.1R in the transport of 5‐ALA into cells. Wild‐type (4.1R+/+) and 4.1R gene knockout (4.1R−/−) mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells were incubated with 1 mm 5‐ALA and different concentrations of specific inhibitors of GABA transporters GAT (1‐3). Our results showed that the inhibition of GAT1 and GAT2 in particular markedly attenuated the intracellular PpIX production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and 5‐ALA‐induced photodamage. However, the inhibition of GAT3 did not show such effects. Further research showed that 4.1R−/− MEF cells had a lower expression of GAT1 and GAT2 than 4.1R+/+ MEF cells. Additionally, 4.1R directly bound to GAT1 and GAT2. Taken together, GAT1 and GAT2 transporters are involved in the uptake of 5‐ALA in MEF cells. 4.1R plays an important role in transporting 5‐ALA into cells via at least partly interaction with GAT1 and GAT2 transporters in 5‐ALA‐PDT.
Preference Functions for Spatial Risk Analysis
Authors: Keller L. Robin , Simon Jay 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWhen outcomes are defined over a geographic region, measures of spatial risk regarding these outcomes can be more complex than traditional measures of risk. One of the main challenges is the need for a cardinal preference function that incorporates the spatial nature of the outcomes. We explore preference conditions that will yield the existence of spatial measurable value and utility functions, and discuss their application to spatial risk analysis. We also present a simple example on household freshwater usage across regions to demonstrate how such functions can be assessed and applied.
Translation and field testing of the family functioning, family health and social support questionnaire in Danish outpatients with heart failure
Authors: Østergaard Birte , Pedersen Karen Steenvinkel , Lauridsen Jørgen , Nørgaard Birgitte , Jeune Bernard 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundValid and reliable instruments to assess family functioning, health and social support in families with heart failure constitute a cornerstone in the detection of the families’ needs, in improving their functioning and in evaluating the effects of nursing interventions.AimTo translate the three scales of the Family Functioning, Family Health and Social Support (FAFHES) questionnaire from Finnish into Danish, to test validity and reliability of the Danish version among outpatients with heart failure and to add to previous studies by reconstructing scales using confirmatory factor analysis.MethodsA cross‐sectional design was used to study a sample of 330 patients with heart failure who completed the FAFHES. The validity (dimensionality) and reliability (internal consistency and test–retest) were assessed for each of the three scales. The scales were constructed using confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsPatients were primarily men (76%) with a mean age of 66.5 (SD 12.5), categorised as New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification II (80%) and NYHA III (20%) for clinical severity of symptoms. In all three modified scales, construct validity was supported by the analysis. There were strong correlations within the factors, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.73 to 0.95 across the three scales, and significant, though weak, correlations between most of the factors. None of the revised scales showed good model fit according to the goodness‐of‐fit indices used. The test–retest showed interclass correlation coefficients ranging between 0.69 and 0.86, indicating acceptable test–retest reliability.ConclusionThe Danish version of the FAFHES is an instrument that can be used to measure family functioning, family health and social support from the perspective of the patient with heart failure. Further testing is recommended.
Determining the inventory impact of extended‐shelf‐life platelets with a network simulation model
Authors: Blake John T. 
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUNDThe regulatory shelf life for platelets (PLTs) in many jurisdictions is 5 days. PLT shelf life can be extended to 7 days with an enhanced bacterial detection algorithm. Enhanced testing, however, comes at a cost, which may be offset by reductions in wastage due to longer shelf life. This article describes a method for estimating systemwide reductions in PLT outdates after PLT shelf life is extended.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA simulation was used to evaluate the impact of an extended PLT shelf life within a national blood network. A network model of the Canadian Blood Services PLT supply chain was built and validated. PLT shelf life was extended from 5 days to 6, 7, and 8 days and runs were completed to determine the impact on outdates.RESULTSResults suggest that, in general, a 16.3% reduction in PLT wastage can be expected with each additional day that PLT shelf life is extended. Both suppliers and hospitals will experience fewer outdating units, but wastage will decrease at a faster rate at hospitals. No effect was seen by blood group, but there was some evidence that supplier site characteristics influences both the number of units wasted and the site's ability to benefit from extended‐shelf‐life PLTs.CONCLUSIONExtended‐shelf‐life PLTs will reduce wastage within a blood supply chain. At 7 days, an improvement of 38% reduction in wastage can be expected with outdates being equally distributed between suppliers and hospital customers.
An exploratory investigation of echocardiographic parameters and the effects of posture on cardiac structure and function in the Livingstone's fruit bat (Pteropus livingstonii)
Authors: Drane Aimee L. , Shave Robert , Routh Andrew , Barbon Alberto 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThere is growing evidence that dilated cardiomyopathy may be a major cause of death in captive Livingstone's fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii). Therefore, the primary aim of this prospective, exploratory study was to examine whether a systematic cardiac ultrasound protocol is feasible in this critically endangered species and to report basic measures of cardiac structure and function from a cohort of apparently healthy bats. A secondary aim was to test the effect posture (dorsal recumbency vs. roosting) has upon cardiac function in this species. Transthoracic echocardiograms, including 2D, Doppler, and tissue Doppler measures of cardiac structure and function were completed as part of routine health examinations for bats at a single center (n = 19). Bats were then grouped by age and disease status and the mean and range data reported for each group. In healthy adult bats, with the exception of a reduction in heart rate (P ≤ 0.05), right atrial systolic area (P ≤ 0.05), and right ventricular velocity during atrial contraction, there were no significant changes in cardiac structure or function in response to the roosting position. However, in the bats presenting with dilated cardiomyopathy the current data suggest that left ventricular ejection fraction is improved while roosting. Further work is required to confirm our initial findings, generate diagnostic reference intervals, and explore the causes of dilated cardiomyopathy in this species.
How Germinal Centers Evolve Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies: the Breadth of the Follicular Helper T Cell Response
Authors: De Boer Rob J. , Perelson Alan S. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTMany HIV-1-infected patients evolve broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). This evolutionary process typically takes several years and is poorly understood as selection taking place in germinal centers occurs on the basis of antibody affinity. B cells with the highest-affinity receptors tend to acquire the most antigen from the follicular dendritic cell (FDC) network and present the highest density of cognate peptides to follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, which provide survival signals to the B cell. bnAbs are therefore expected to evolve only when the B cell lineage evolving breadth is consistently capturing and presenting more peptides to Tfh cells than other lineages of more specific B cells. Here we develop mathematical models of Tfh cells in germinal centers to explicitly define the mechanisms of selection in this complex evolutionary process. Our results suggest that broadly reactive B cells presenting a high density of peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex class II molecules (pMHC) are readily outcompeted by B cells responding to lineages of HIV-1 that transiently dominate the within host viral population. Conversely, if broadly reactive B cells acquire a large variety of several HIV-1 proteins from the FDC network and present a high diversity of several pMHC, they can be rescued by a large fraction of the Tfh cell repertoire in the germinal center. Under such circumstances the evolution of bnAbs is much more consistent. Increasing either the magnitude of the Tfh cell response or the breadth of the Tfh cell repertoire markedly facilitates the evolution of bnAbs. Because both the magnitude and breadth can be increased by vaccination with several HIV-1 proteins, this calls for experimental testing.IMPORTANCEMany HIV-infected patients slowly evolve antibodies that can neutralize a large variety of viruses. Such broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) could in the future become therapeutic agents. bnAbs appear very late, and patients are typically not protected by them. At the moment, we fail to understand why this takes so long and how the immune system selects for broadly neutralizing capacity. Typically, antibodies are selected based on affinity and not on breadth. We developed mathematical models to study two different mechanisms by which the immune system can select for broadly neutralizing capacity. One of these is based upon the repertoire of different follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in germinal centers. We suggest that broadly reactive B cells may interact with a larger fraction of this repertoire and demonstrate that this would select for bnAbs. Intriguingly, this suggests that broadening the Tfh cell repertoire by vaccination may speed up the evolution of bnAbs.
APpropriAteness of percutaneous Coronary interventions in patients with ischaemic HEart disease in Italy: the APACHE pilot study
Authors: Leonardi Sergio , Marino Marcello , Crimi Gabriele , Maiorana Florinda , Rizzotti Diego , Lettieri Corrado , Bettari Luca , Zuccari Marco , Sganzerla Paolo , Tresoldi Simone , Adamo Marianna , Ghiringhelli Sergio , Sponzilli Carlo , Pasquetto Giampaolo , Pavei Andrea , Pedon Luigi , Bassan Luciano , Bollati Mario , Camisasca Paola , Trabattoni Daniela , Brancati Marta , Poli Arnaldo , Panciroli Claudio , Lettino Maddalena , Tarelli Giuseppe , Tarantini Giuseppe , De Luca Leonardo , Varbella Ferdinando , Musumeci Giuseppe , De Servi Stefano 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesTo first explore in Italy appropriateness of indication, adherence to guideline recommendations and mode of selection for coronary revascularisation.DesignRetrospective, pilot study.Setting22 percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-performing hospitals (20 patients per site), 13 (59%) with on-site cardiac surgery.Participants440 patients who received PCI for stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome were independently selected in a 4:1 ratio with half diabetics.Primary and secondary outcome measuresProportion of patients who received appropriate PCI using validated appropriate use scores (ie, AUS≥7). Also, in patients with stable CAD, we examined adherence to the following European Society of Cardiology recommendations: (A) per cent of patients with complex coronary anatomy treated after heart team discussion; (B) per cent of fractional flow reserve-guided PCI for borderline stenoses in patients without documented ischaemia; (C) per cent of patients receiving guideline-directed medical therapy at the time of PCI as well as use of provocative test of ischaemia according to pretest probability (PTP) of CAD.ResultsOf the 401 mappable PCIs (91%), 38.7% (95% CI 33.9 to 43.6) were classified as appropriate, 47.6% (95% CI 42.7 to 52.6) as uncertain and 13.7% (95% CI 10.5% to 17.5%) as inappropriate. Median PTP in patients with stable CAD without known coronary anatomy was 69% (78% intermediate PTP, 22% high PTP). Ischaemia testing use was similar (p=0.71) in patients with intermediate (n=140, 63%) and with high PTP (n=40, 66%). In patients with stable CAD (n=352) guideline adherence to the three recommendations explored was: (A) 11%; (B) 25%; (C) 23%. AUS was higher in patients evaluated by the heart team as compared with patients who were not (7 (6.8) vs 5 (4.7); p=0.001).ConclusionsUse of heart team approaches and adherence to guideline recommendations on coronary revascularisation in a real-world setting is limited. This pilot study documents the feasibility of measuring appropriateness and guideline adherence in clinical practice and identifies substantial opportunities for quality improvement.Trial registration numberNCT02748603.