bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlates of attitudes and perceived behavioural control towards oral care provision among trained and untrained nursing home caregivers in Singapore
Authors: Goh Charlene E , Guay Melissa P , Lim Mei Yian , Lim Shy Min , Loke Shu Yi , Toh Hui En , Nair Rahul 
Published: April 2016

Aims and objectivesTo investigate the perspectives of nursing home caregivers towards oral care and the determinants of their attitudes and perceived behavioural control.BackgroundThere are few studies analysing nursing home caregivers' perspectives on the provision of oral care and factors correlated with these perspectives.DesignCross‐sectional study.MethodsInterviewer‐administered survey questionnaires were completed by caregivers from five nursing homes in Singapore (n = 94). The rating‐scale questionnaire items explored caregivers' attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control, as guided by the theory of planned behaviour. Demographic characteristics, oral care training received, years of work experience, oral hygiene behaviour and dental visit frequency of the caregivers, as well as organisational characteristics such as a requirement for oral care and the number of patients under their care, were obtained.ResultsCaregivers had very positive attitudes towards the provision of oral care. Half of the caregivers lacked confidence in providing oral care without harming the patients and this was not different by oral care training received. Multivariable linear regression analysis found that receiving oral care training and having a requirement by the nursing home to provide oral care were related to higher attitude scores but not perceived behaviour control. Having more residents under their care and on‐the‐job caregiver training were associated with lower perceived behavioural control.ConclusionsThis study found that nursing home caregivers had positive attitudes towards providing oral care, but more modest perspectives about their ability to perform that behaviour.Relevance to clinical practiceThese findings have useful implications for the oral care training of nursing home caregivers. While attitudes towards the importance of oral care may be positive among nursing home caregivers, our study suggests that future interventions should include practical skills training for oral care management and consider organisational strategies for encouraging oral care provision.
Melatonin attenuates traumatic brain injury‐induced inflammation: a possible role for mitophagy
Authors: Lin Chao , Chao Honglu , Li Zheng , Xu Xiupeng , Liu Yinlong , Hou Lijun , Liu Ning , Ji Jing 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMelatonin functions as a crucial mediator of sterile neuroinflammation; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Dysfunctional mitochondria, a main source of reactive oxygen species, are impacted in inflammation activation. This study aimed to examine the effect of melatonin on inflammation via elimination of damaged mitochondria after controlled cortical impact, an in vivo model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Here, we demonstrated that inhibition of mitophagy, the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria by autophagy, markedly enhanced inflammation induced by TBI. Melatonin treatment activated mitophagy through the mTOR pathway, then to attenuate TBI‐induced inflammation. Furthermore, treatment with melatonin significantly ameliorated neuronal death and behavioral deficits after TBI, while 3‐methyladenine reversed this effect by inhibiting mitophagy. Taken together, these results highlight a role for melatonin in protecting against TBI‐triggered immunopathology, which is accomplished by negatively regulating inflammation activation and IL‐1β secretion via the autophagy of damaged mitochondria.
Melatonin enhances mitochondrial ATP synthesis, reduces reactive oxygen species formation, and mediates translocation of the nuclear erythroid 2‐related factor 2 resulting in activation of phase‐2 antioxidant enzymes (γ‐GCS, HO‐1, NQO1) in ultraviolet radiation‐treated normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK)
Authors: Kleszczyński Konrad , Zillikens Detlef , Fischer Tobias W. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMelatonin is an ubiquitous molecule with a variety of functions including potent antioxidative properties. Due to its lipophilic character, it easily crosses cellular and intracellular membranes and reaches all subcellular organelles. Because of its ability to scavenge free radicals, melatonin protects against oxidative stress, for example, induced by ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Here, we investigated, in a dose‐dependent (0, 10, 25, and 50 mJ/cm2) and time‐dependent (0, 4, 24, 48 hr post‐UVR) manner, whether melatonin prevents the UVR‐mediated alterations in ATP synthesis and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). Additionally, we evaluated the molecular mechanism of action of melatonin with regard to activation of phase‐2 antioxidative enzymes via nuclear erythroid 2‐related factor (Nrf2). We found that (i) melatonin counteracted UVR‐induced alterations in the ATP synthesis and reduced free radical formation; (ii) melatonin induced the translocation of Nrf2 transcription factor from the cytosol into the nucleus resulting in, (iii) melatonin enhanced gene expression of phase‐2 antioxidative enzymes including γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ‐GCS), heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), and NADPH: quinone dehydrogenase‐1 (NQO1) representing an elevated antioxidative response of keratinocytes. These results suggest that melatonin not only directly scavenges ROS, but also significantly induces the activation of phase‐2 antioxidative enzymes via the Nrf2 pathway uncovering a new action mechanism that supports the ability of keratinocytes to protect themselves from UVR‐mediated oxidative stress.
Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin in dogs with chronic kidney disease, carcinoma, lymphoma and endotoxaemia
Authors: Cobrin A. R. , Blois S. L. , Abrams‐Ogg A. C. G. , Kruth S. A. , Dewey C. , Holowaychuk M. K. , Gauthier V. 
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVESTo measure serum and urine neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with chronic kidney disease, neoplasia and endotoxaemia.METHODSSerum and urine NGAL concentrations were measured in 42 healthy dogs, 11 dogs with chronic kidney disease, 12 dogs with carcinoma, 20 dogs with lymphoma and 15 dogs with lipopolysaccharide‐induced endotoxaemia. In dogs with chronic kidney disease, NGAL was measured 3 and 6 months later.RESULTSCompared with healthy controls, dogs with chronic kidney disease (PÄ0·0008), carcinoma (PÄ0·0072) and lymphoma (PÄ0·0008) had elevated serum and urine NGAL and urine NGAL‐to‐creatinine ratio. Serum and urine NGAL was not significantly different between dogs with chronic kidney disease, carcinoma or lymphoma (Pê0·12). In dogs with non‐progressive chronic kidney disease, NGAL concentrations did not change significantly over the 6‐month study period.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCENGAL can be elevated by chronic kidney disease and neoplasia, compared with healthy controls. Further research is needed to determine if uNGAL or uNGAL‐to‐creatinine ratio is more specific than serum levels to detect chronic kidney disease.
Adverse urinary effects of allopurinol in dogs with leishmaniasis
Authors: Torres M. , Pastor J. , Roura X. , Tabar M. D. , Espada Y. , Font A. , Balasch J. , Planellas M. 
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to describe the adverse effects of allopurinol on the urinary system during treatment of canine leishmaniasis.METHODSRetrospective case series of 42 dogs that developed xanthinuria while receiving allopurinol treatment for leishmaniasis.RESULTSOf 320 dogs diagnosed with leishmaniasis, 42 (13%) developed adverse urinary effects. Thirteen (of 42) dogs (31%) developed xanthinuria, renal mineralisation and urolithiasis; 11 (26·2%) showed xanthinuria with renal mineralisation; 9 (21·4%) had xanthinuria with urolithiasis and 9 (21·4%) developed xanthinuria alone. Urinary clinical signs developed in 19 dogs (45·2%).CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThis study demonstrates that urolithiasis and renal mineralisation can occur in dogs receiving allopurinol therapy. Dogs receiving therapy should be monitored for the development of urinary adverse effects from the beginning of treatment.
Contact Stresses in Gelatin Spheres Under Compressive Die Loading
Authors: Rosenthal Andrew J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGelatin spheres have been used to model stress/strain behavior of spherical foods (e.g., fruits) during compression testing. Photoelasticity reveals differences in stress distribution within gelatin spheres depending on the way in which the spheres are supported. Moreover, these methods of support appear to result in differences in the elastic modulus at higher levels of applied stress. If differences in the manner of support of model foods under compression result in variation in the stress distribution and moduli, then thought must be given to the way in which real foods are supported during quality and texture testing.Practical ApplicationsThe common practice of supporting materials on a plane surface during texture testing is brought into question due to differences in contact stress when supported in this manner as opposed contouring the object in some kind of supporting mould. Soft gels which deform under gravity maybe tested with a texturometer if immersed in a liquid that provides buoyancy.
Moving beyond biotic homogenization: searching for new insights into vegetation dynamics
Authors: Hahs Amy K. , McDonnell Mark J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBiotic homogenization has been predicted to occur in cities across the world. However, the empirical evidence has been less than convincing. Lososová et al. explore the middle ground between these two points of view in this issue of Journal of Vegetation Science. They take a more sophisticated approach, linking homogenization to bigger questions of vegetation assembly in urban environments.
A spectrum of CodY activities drives metabolic reorganization and virulence gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Waters Nicholas R. , Samuels David J. , Behera Ranjan K. , Livny Jonathan , Rhee Kyu Y. , Sadykov Marat R. , Brinsmade Shaun R. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryThe global regulator CodY controls the expression of dozens of metabolism and virulence genes in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus in response to the availability of isoleucine, leucine and valine (ILV), and GTP. Using RNA‐Seq transcriptional profiling and partial activity variants, we reveal that S. aureus CodY activity grades metabolic and virulence gene expression as a function of ILV availability, mediating metabolic reorganization and controlling virulence factor production in vitro. Strains lacking CodY regulatory activity produce a PIA‐dependent biofilm, but development is restricted under conditions that confer partial CodY activity. CodY regulates the expression of thermonuclease (nuc) via the Sae two‐component system, revealing cascading virulence regulation and factor production as CodY activity is reduced. Proteins that mediate the host‐pathogen interaction and subvert the immune response are shut off at intermediate levels of CodY activity, while genes coding for enzymes and proteins that extract nutrients from tissue, that kill host cells, and that synthesize amino acids are among the last genes to be derepressed. We conclude that S. aureus uses CodY to limit host damage to only the most severe starvation conditions, providing insight into one potential mechanism by which S. aureus transitions from a commensal bacterium to an invasive pathogen.
The β‐cyanoalanine synthase pathway: beyond cyanide detoxification
Authors: Machingura Marylou , Salomon Eitan , Jez Joseph M. , Ebbs Stephen D. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractProduction of cyanide through biological and environmental processes requires the detoxification of this metabolic poison. In the 1960s, discovery of the β‐cyanoalanine synthase (β‐CAS) pathway in cyanogenic plants provided the first insight on cyanide detoxification in nature. Fifty years of investigations firmly established the protective role of the β‐CAS pathway in cyanogenic plants and its role in the removal of cyanide produced from ethylene synthesis in plants, but also revealed the importance of this pathway for plant growth and development and the integration of nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. This review describes the β‐CAS pathway, its distribution across and within higher plants, and the diverse biological functions of the pathway in cyanide assimilation, plant growth and development, stress tolerance, regulation of cyanide and sulfide signalling, and nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. The collective roles of the β‐CAS pathway highlight its potential evolutionary and ecological importance in plants.
Environmental Harm or Natural Hazard? Problem Identification and Adaptation in U.S. Municipal Climate Action Plans
Authors: Koski Chris , Siulagi Alma 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA number of cities in the United States have devised climate action plans (CAPs) to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, few of these plans address strategies to adapt to the long term effects of climate change that will occur in the near and distant future. The research presented in this article examines why cities choose to embed adaptation provisions in their CAPs. Our study codes the content of CAPs for all cities (N = 98) in the United States with populations greater than 50,000. We find cities that frame problems associated with climate change in the language of hazards are more likely to include adaptation strategies in their CAPs than cities that focus on other types of environmental harm. Our findings suggest that more robust efforts to plan for climate change will require the activation of communities of interest beyond those that have been instrumental in setting the current climate agenda.
The effect of nutritional supplementation on quality of life in people living with HIV: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tesfaye Markos , Kaestel Pernille , Olsen Mette Frahm , Girma Tsinuel , Yilma Daniel , Abdissa Alemseged , Ritz Christian , Michaelsen Kim F. , Hanlon Charlotte , Friis Henrik 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effects of lipid‐based nutrient supplements (LNS) on the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLHIV) during the first 3 months of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and to investigate the effects of timing of supplementation by comparing with supplementation during the subsequent 3 months.MethodsA randomised controlled trial was conducted in three ART clinics within public health facilities in Jimma, Ethiopia. Participants were PLHIV eligible to start ART with body mass index >17 kg/m2 and given daily supplements of 200 g of LNS containing whey or soya either during the first 3 months or the subsequent months of ART. The outcome was measured in terms of total quality‐of‐life scores on the adapted version of the WHOQOL‐HIV‐BREF assessed at baseline, three and six months.ResultsOf the 282 participants, 186 (66.0%) were women. The mean age (SD) was 32.8 (±9.0) years, and the mean (SD) total quality‐of‐life score was 82.0 (±14.8) at baseline assessment. At 3 months, participants who received LNS showed better quality of life than those who only received ART without LNS (β = 6.2, 95% CI: 2.9: 9.6). At 6 months, there was no difference in total quality‐of‐life score between the early and delayed supplementation groups (β = 3.0, 95% CI: −0.4: 6.4). However, the early supplementation group showed higher scores on the social and spirituality domains than the delayed group.ConclusionsLNS given during the first three months of ART improves the quality of life of PLHIV.
Major transfusions remain frequent despite the generalized use of tranexamic acid: an audit of 3322 patients undergoing cardiac surgery
Authors: Stevens Louis‐Mathieu , Noiseux Nicolas , Prieto Ignacio , Hardy Jean‐François 
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUNDAprotinin has been reapproved for use in Europe and in Canada. We sought to determine if its reintroduction was still pertinent given the widespread administration of tranexamic acid, another antifibrinolytic shown to reduce bleeding and transfusions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSAfter institutional review board approval, we examined the cardiac surgery database (2012‐2015; 3322 patients). Major transfusion was defined as 4 or more red blood cell units. A stratified multivariate logistic regression analysis identified predictors of major transfusion; 1064 patients were matched by propensity score to compare outcomes of patients with or without major transfusion.RESULTSCardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was used in 2342 patients; 98.9% received tranexamic acid versus 15.2% (149/980) in off‐pump coronary artery bypass graft patients. Major transfusion was required in 758 patients (23%). Age, low body mass index, low preoperative hemoglobin or platelet count, recent use of P2Y12 receptor blockers, chronic kidney disease, NYHA functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 30%, prior cardiac surgery, urgency, type of cardiac surgery, and duration of CPB were all independent predictors of major transfusions (all p < 0.05). Major transfusion was associated with a more than threefold increase in mortality (7.1% vs. 2.1%; p < 0.001) and increases in major adverse events (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSDespite the use of tranexamic acid, 23% of cardiac surgery patients require a major transfusion. We identified predictors of major transfusion and showed that major transfusion is associated with important increases in mortality and morbidity. We conclude that there is still a need for an effective and safe blood‐sparing drug in cardiac surgery.
Antibacterial Efficacy of Several Surgical Hand Preparation Products Used by Veterinary Students
Authors: Chou Po‐Yen , Doyle Aimie J. , Arai Shiori , Burke Pierre J. , Bailey Trina R. 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveTo compare the antibacterial efficacy of different surgical hand antisepsis protocols used by veterinary students.Study DesignProspective, randomized, controlled study.Study PopulationThird year veterinary students (n=45).MethodsThe participants were randomly assigned to 4 of the following 12 hand preparation product/time combinations: nonabrasive hand scrub method with 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CH); hand rub with a mixture of 30% 1‐propanol and 45% 2‐propanol solution (MPS), 70% 2‐propanol solution (IPS), or 61% ethanol solution with 1% chlorhexidine gluconate (ES/CH), with a contact time of 1.5, 3, or 5 minutes. Antibacterial efficacy was assessed after surgical hand preparation and at the end of surgery. Log reductions of total bacterial colony forming unit (CFU)/mL and positive aerobic culture rates were compared using multivariable analysis of variance and multivariable logistic regression, respectively.ResultsAfter surgical hand preparation, CH and ES/CH provided significantly higher log CFU reduction and lower positive culture rate for Gram‐positive and spore‐forming bacteria compared to MPS and IPS. Increase in contact time did not provide significant improvement in bacterial reduction. At the end of surgery, ES/CH provided significantly higher log CFU reduction compared to IPS and lower positive culture rate for Gram‐positive bacteria compared to CH, MPS, and IPS. Increase in contact time significantly improved log CFU reduction in ES/CH and MPS groups.ConclusionIn our population of veterinary students ES/CH hand rubs or CH scrubs were more effective in reducing bacterial CFU during surgical hand preparation than MPS or IPS.
Deletion of a Yci1 Domain Protein of Candida albicans Allows Homothallic Mating in
MTL
Heterozygous Cells
Authors: Sun Yuan , Gadoury Christine , Hirakawa Matthew P. , Bennett Richard J. , Harcus Doreen , Marcil Anne , Whiteway Malcolm 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

It has been proposed that the ancestral fungus was mating competent and homothallic. However, many mating-competent fungi were initially classified as asexual because their mating capacity was hidden behind layers of regulation. For efficient
in vitro
mating, the essentially obligate diploid ascomycete pathogen
Candida albicans
has to change its mating type locus from heterozygous
MTL
a
/α to homozygous
MTL
a
/
a
or
MTL
α/α and then undergo an environmentally controlled epigenetic switch to the mating-competent opaque form. These requirements greatly reduce the potential for
C. albicans
mating. Deletion of the Yci1 domain gene
OFR1
bypasses the need for
C. albicans
cells to change the mating type locus from heterozygous to homozygous prior to switching to the opaque form and mating and allows homothallic mating of
MTL
heterozygous strains. This bypass is carbon source dependent and does not occur when cells are grown on glucose. Transcriptional profiling of
ofr1
mutant cells shows that in addition to regulating cell type and mating circuitry, Ofr1 is needed for proper regulation of histone and chitin biosynthesis gene expression. It appears that
OFR1
is a key regulator in
C. albicans
and functions in part to maintain the cryptic mating phenotype of the pathogen.

IMPORTANCE
Candida albicans
is a human fungal pathogen with a recently discovered, highly cryptic mating ability. For efficient mating, it has to lose heterozygosity at its mating type locus. Then,
MTL
homozygous strains can undergo an epigenetic switch to an elongated yeast state, termed the opaque form, and become mating competent. This infrequent two-step process greatly reduces the potential for mating; few strains are
MTL
homozygous, and the opaque state is unstable at the temperature of the mammalian host.
C. albicans
has a complex mechanism for mating that appears designed to ensure that mating is infrequent. Here, we have characterized a new gene, opaque-formation regulator 1 (
OFR1
). Deleting the
OFR1
gene allows
MTL
a
/α strains to mate efficiently with either mating type or even mate homothallically. It is possible that downregulating
OFR1
in the host environment could allow mating in
C. albicans
by a route that does not involve
MTL
homozygosis.