bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential expression of two genes Oct‐4 and MUC5AC associates with poor outcome in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Javanbakht Milad , Akhavanmoghadam Jamal , Talaei Amir Jouya , Aghyani Maryam , Mozafari Mohamad , Khedmat Leila , Mohebbi Mahdi
Published: August 2017

Gastric cancer (GC) is the most frequent leading cause of cancer‐associated mortality worldwide that is linked to poor prognosis due to the lack of appropriate biomarkers. Our aim was to evaluate the MUC5AC and Oct‐4 expression levels in GC and to assess their association with clinical factors. Immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) and qRT‐PCR were performed in GC patients to examine the MUC5AC and Oct‐4 expression levels. The mRNA level of MUC5AC was significantly decreased in tumour tissues compared with non‐cancerous tissues (1.11 ± 0.69 vs 3.7 ± 0.71; P = .024). On the other hand, Oct‐4 mRNA level was upregulated in tumour tissues as compared to normal tissues (2. 86 ± 0.78 vs 0.87 ± 0.54; P = .0015). Decreased expression of MUC5AC was detected in 27 patients (67.5%), while high to moderate expression levels were observed in 13 cases (32.5%), but in normal tissues the expression levels of MUC5AC were increased (P = .001). The decreased expression of MUC5AC was associated with aggressive tumour characteristics, such as TNM stage (P = .023), histologic type (P = .012) and lymph node metastasis (P = .001). High expression of Oct‐4 was detected in 24 tumour tissues (60%), while 16 cases (40%) showed low expression level. Increased Oct‐4 expression was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics such TNM stage (P = .002), histologic type (P = .008) and lymph node metastasis (P = .001). Our results showed that high Oct‐4 expression and the reduction of MUC5AC expression may be involved in the progression and an unfavorable prognosis of GC.
Associations between systemic bone mineral density, knee cartilage defects and bone marrow lesions in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhu Qicui , Xu Jianhua , Wang Kang , Cai Jingyu , Wu Juan , Ren Jiale , Zheng Shuang , Ding Changhai
Published: August 2017

Aim

The relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoarthritis (OA) remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the cross‐sectional associations between BMD at the total body, hip and spine and joint structural abnormalities including cartilage defects and bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in patients with knee OA.

Method

One hundred and eight‐five subjects with symptomatic knee OA were included in this study. T2‐weighted fast spin echo magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess knee cartilage defects and BMLs. Total body, hip and spine BMD were measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.

Results

After adjustment for potential confounders, total hip BMD was negatively associated with medial tibial cartilage defects, lateral femoral cartilage defects, medial tibial BMLs and lateral tibial BMLs. Spine and total body BMD were negatively associated with lateral femoral cartilage defects, but not with BMLs.

Conclusion

We concluded that BMD particularly at the hip was negatively associated with knee cartilage defects and BMLs.
Effect of pre existing respiratory conditions on survival of lung cancer patients: A nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Hong Seri , Park Eun‐Cheol , Kim Tae Hyun , Kwon Jeoung A , Yoo Ki‐Bong , Han Kyu‐Tae , Yoo Ji Won , Kim Sun Jung
Published: August 2017

Background

Common diseases with potential to increase the risk of death from lung cancer have so far not been studied in large populations.

Methods

We did a population‐based retrospective cohort study using nationwide health insurance claims data from 2005 to 2012 in Korea including 205 403 lung cancer patients. Multivariate‐adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of lung cancer mortality by presence, time intervals with lung cancer diagnosis and combinations of pre‐existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, asthma and tuberculosis were calculated using the Cox‐proportional hazards model.

Results

The total number of person‐years of follow‐up was 397 780 and 60.2% of patients died (mean survival 23.2 months after lung cancer diagnosis). Lung cancer patients with previous respiratory disease had increased aHR for mortality (COPD, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.32, CI 1.29–1.35; pneumonia, HR = 1.14, CI 1.08–1.19; and asthma, HR = 1.11, CI 1.06–1.16). Risks were positively associated with longer duration of pre‐existing disease diagnosis; cases with >5 years since diagnosis compared to <2 years: COPD, HR = 2.91, CI 2.82–3.00; pneumonia, HR = 1.67, CI 1.51–1.85; asthma, HR = 1.56, CI 1.45–1.68; and tuberculosis, HR = 2.03, CI 1.90–2.17. Furthermore, elevated HRs of death were found among patients with multiple pre‐existing co‐morbidities.

Conclusion

Hazards of death from lung cancer are significantly increased in cases with pre‐existing lung disease, and worse with longer durations, and with multiple combinations before cancer diagnosis. Patients and physicians should be aware of these meaningful risk/prognostic factors for lung cancer when identifying high‐risk patient groups.
Medical travel facilitators, private hospitals and international medical travel in assemblage
Authors: Chee Heng Leng , Whittaker Andrea , Por Heong Hong
Published: August 2017

International medical travel may be viewed as an ‘assemblage’ of various components such as infrastructure, hospitals, finance, transport, technologies, staff, facilitators and patients. In this paper, we focus on the articulations of medical travel facilitators (MTFs) and private hospitals in producing international medical travel in the context of the neoliberalising processes that had led to the rise of corporate hospital care in Malaysia in the 1990s. We draw from three hospital case studies for a comparative perspective. We highlight the shifting, unstable and contingent relations and interactions of the MTFs, as one component of the assemblage of international medical travel, with hospitals and medical travellers. We identify the practices of MTFs in providing patients with information and advice about hospitals and doctors as efforts to shape patients' choices in the selection of health‐care providers and in decision‐making. The assemblage approach allows us to see how the MTFs emerge and stabilise as a collective identity for individuals and companies performing particular functions through their multifarious articulations with other components in various sites of assemblage.
Navigating the ‘grey areas’: Australian medical travellers in China's stem cell bionetwork
Authors: Brophy Jane
Published: August 2017

The last decade has seen a marked rise in the phenomenon of the so‐called stem cell tourism, whereby people travel from their home countries to access unproven stem cell treatments abroad. Despite increasing attempts on an international level from regulators, policy‐makers and scientists to deter people from undergoing potentially harmful treatments, patient demand persists. Over the last decade, China has emerged as a leading destination for people seeking such treatments, where providers of treatments operate in varying ‘shades of grey’. While Chinese government intervention has had some impact on the availability of treatments within China, top‐down regulatory measures face limitations considering strong patient demand and the geographical flexibility demonstrated by both patients and providers. This article draws on interviews with Australian patients who have travelled to China for stem cell treatments, or considered it and decided against it, as well as representatives of stem cell clinics in China and other stakeholders. It argues that Australian patients and/or carers articulate a culturally situated moral imperative to act in the face of limited conventional biomedical options and that commercial clinics capitalise on this to attract new patients and sustain the demand – either ‘underground’ in China, or by moving to other jurisdictions.
Meaning and death‐thought accessibility
Authors: Van Tongeren Daryl R. , Green Jeffrey D.
Published: August 2017

Meaning is a central feature in human life, but death can disrupt a sense of meaning. Two experiments tested the hypothesis that meaning in life and meaning in death are distinct types of meaning when mortality is salient and differentially affect death‐thought accessibility (DTA). In Experiment 1, imagining a specific scenario in which meaning is preserved beyond death reduced DTA relative to a standard mortality salience prime; moreover, these effects were not due to changes in self‐esteem. In Experiment 2, imagining a meaningful life when mortality is salient elicited greater DTA, whereas imagining meaning in death elicited less DTA. Imbuing death with meaning attenuates DTA, whereas meaning in life increases DTA.
Safely removing cell debris with LC3‐associated phagocytosis
Authors: Fazeli Gholamreza , Wehman Ann Marie
Published: July 2017

Phagocytosis and autophagy are two distinct pathways that degrade external and internal unwanted particles. Both pathways lead to lysosomal degradation inside the cell, and over the last decade, the line between them has blurred; autophagy proteins were discovered on phagosomes engulfing foreign bacteria, leading to the proposal of LC3‐associated phagocytosis (LAP). Many proteins involved in macroautophagy are used for phagosome degradation, although Atg8/LC3 family proteins only decorate the outer membrane of LC3‐associated phagosomes, in contrast to both autophagosome membranes. A few proteins distinguish LAP from autophagy, such as components of the autophagy pre‐initiation complex. However, most LAP cargo is wrapped in multiple layers of membranes, making them similar in structure to autophagosomes. Recent evidence suggests that LC3 is important for the degradation of internal membranes, explaining why LC3 would be a vital part of both macroautophagy and LAP. In addition to removing invading pathogens, multicellular organisms also use LAP to degrade cell debris, including cell corpses and photoreceptor outer segments. The post‐mitotic midbody remnant is another cell fragment, which results from each cell division, that was recently added to the growing list of LAP cargoes. Thus, LAP plays an important role during the normal physiology and homoeostasis of animals.
Phase II study of S‐1 plus leucovorin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: Regimen of 1 week on, 1 week off
Authors: Li Jin , Xu Ruihua , Xu Jianming , Denda Tadamichi , Ikejiri Koji , Shen Lin , Toh Yasushi , Shimada Ken , Kato Takeshi , Sakai Kenji , Yamamoto Manabu , Mishima Hideyuki , Wang Jinwan , Baba Hideo
Published: August 2017

A phase II study of S‐1 plus leucovorin (LV) given in a 4‐week schedule (2 weeks’ administration followed by 2 weeks’ rest) for patients with untreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) showed that the combination was effective, but grade 3 toxicities (diarrhea, stomatitis and anorexia) occurred at a relatively high rate. In this phase II study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of a 2‐week schedule of S‐1 plus LV. Patients with mCRC received oral S‐1 (40–60 mg) and LV (25 mg) twice daily for 1 week, followed by 1 week's rest. Treatment was repeated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was response rate. The pharmacokinetics of S‐1 and LV in Chinese patients were evaluated on day 1 of the first cycle. Seventy‐three patients were enrolled in Japan and China. Of 71 eligible patients, the response rate was 53.5%, and the disease control rate was 83.1%. Median progression‐free survival and median overall survival were 6.5 and 24.3 months, respectively. The incidences of grade 3 toxicities were diarrhea 8.3%, stomatitis 8.3%, anorexia 2.8% and neutropenia 9.7%. There were no treatment‐related deaths. The pharmacokinetics profiles of S‐1 plus LV in Chinese patients were similar to those in Japanese patients. This 2‐week schedule of S‐1 plus LV showed good efficacy and better tolerability than the 4‐week schedule. This therapy will be the base regimen for mCRC to be added by other cytotoxic or molecular‐targeted drugs. The optimized treatment schedule for S‐1 plus LV was 1 week on and 1 week off.
Tumor endothelial cells accelerate tumor metastasis
Authors: Maishi Nako , Hida Kyoko
Published: August 2017

Tumor metastasis is the main cause of cancer‐related death. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor metastasis is crucial to control this fatal disease. Several molecular pathways orchestrate the complex biological cell events during a metastatic cascade. It is now well known that bidirectional interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment, including tumor stroma, is important for tumor progression and metastasis. Tumor stromal cells, which acquire their specific characteristics in the tumor microenvironment, accelerate tumor malignancy. The formation of new blood vessels, termed as tumor angiogenesis, is a requirement for tumor progression. Tumor blood vessels supply nutrients and oxygen and also provide the route for metastasis. Tumor endothelial cells, which line tumor blood vessels, also exhibit several altered phenotypes compared with those of their normal counterparts. Recent studies have emphasized “angiocrine factors” that are released from tumor endothelial cells and promote tumor progression. During intravasation, tumor cells physically contact tumor endothelial cells and interact with them by juxtacrine and paracrine signaling. Recently, we observed that in highly metastatic tumors, tumor endothelial cells interact with tumor cells by secretion of a small leucine‐rich repeat proteoglycan known as biglycan. Biglycan from tumor endothelial cells stimulates the tumor cells to metastasize. In the present review, we highlight the role of tumor stromal cells, particularly endothelial cells, in the initial steps of tumor metastasis.
Mediastinal hydatidosis: Fine needle aspiration and liquid‐based cytology
Authors: Muralidaran C. , Gupta N. , Behera D. , Rajwanshi A.
Published: August 2017

Mediastinal hydatid disease is rare and may present as vocal cord palsy. FNAC is usually not performed in hydatid disease but was in this case. This Enigma Portal article illustrates the interesting LBC features and tests the knowledge of Echinococcus infection.
Psychosocial distress and desire for support among inpatients with skin cancer
Authors: Buchhold Britta , Arnold Andreas , Lutze Stine , Jülich Andreas , Winkler Monique , Bahlmann Johannes , Eggert Claudia , Jünger Michael , Hannich Hans‐Joachim
Published: August 2017

Background

Regular assessment of psychosocial distress is an important component of adequate psycho‐oncological and social support in cancer patients. To date, relevant studies on skin cancer patients have primarily included individuals with melanoma.

Objectives

(1) Does the need for psychosocial support vary with the type of skin cancer? (2) Do mentally distressed patients desire support? (3) From the various individuals in the treatment team, whom do patients choose as potential contact person?

Patients und methods

Inpatients with skin cancer were asked to self‐assess their psychosocial situation using the Hornheide questionnaire. In addition, they were asked about their desire for psychosocial support and the preferred potential contact person.

Results

The need for support among the 116 patients surveyed varied significantly depending on the diagnosis (p = 0.007). However, the direct comparison between patients with melanoma (n = 38; 32.8 %) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 9; 7.8 %) (p = 0.724) or other types of skin cancer (n = 20; 17.2 %) (p = 0.366) revealed no such difference. The prevalence of psychosocial distress (n = 49; 42.2 %) and the desire for support (n = 20; 17.4 %) showed considerable differences. Patients primarily chose a physician (n = 14/35) or a psychologist (n = 13/35) as potential “go‐to” person for their mental distress.

Conclusions

Apart from psychosocial distress, the desire for support should be assessed, and patients should be provided access to additional psychosocial care options. With respect to the need for psychosocial support, it does not seem to be justified to preferentially – or even exclusively – consider melanoma patients in clinical practice and research.
Ceratocystis platani is killing plane trees in Istanbul (Turkey)
Authors: Lehtijärvi A. , Oskay F. , Doğmuş Lehtijärvi H. T. , Aday Kaya A. G. , Pecori F. , Santini A. , Woodward S.
Published: August 2017

Ceratocystis platani was detected at several locations in the European side of Istanbul, causing severe dieback and mortality, mainly on Platanus × acerifolia imported from Italy approximately 160 years ago, but also on Platanus orientalis. In the work reported here, the causal agent of the dieback and mortality was identified based on morphological characteristics in culture and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, confirming the presence of C. platani in Turkey. All analysed C. platani isolates from Istanbul shared the same ITS sequence with European C. platani strains available in the NCBI, but differed from other species previously ascribed to the Ceratocystis fimbriata species complex. Pathogenicity of C. platani was proven by inoculation onto 25‐cm‐long and 4–9 mm diam. P. orientalis twigs and the causal agent reisolated from symptomatic tissues. In a survey of 976 Platanus in streets and parks of Istanbul, 26.5% of trees showed symptoms of C. platani infections, whilst 5.6% were dead. The proportion of symptomatic trees was higher where management interventions, such as topping or pruning and felling infected trees had been carried out.
Impairment of GABAergic system contributes to epileptogenesis in glutaric acidemia type I
Authors: Vendramin Pasquetti Mayara , Meier Letícia , Loureiro Samanta , Ganzella Marcelo , Junges Bernardo , Barbieri Caus Letícia , Umpierrez Amaral Alexandre , Koeller David M. , Goodman Stephen , Woontner Michael , Gomes de Souza Diogo Onofre , Wajner Moacir , Calcagnotto Maria Elisa
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Glutaric acidemia type I (GA‐I) is an inherited neurometabolic disorder caused by deficiency of glutaryl‐CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH) and characterized by increased levels of glutaric, 3‐OH‐glutaric, and glutaconic acids in the brain parenchyma. The increment of these organic acids inhibits glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and consequently lowers the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis. Untreated patients exhibit severe neurologic deficits during development, including epilepsy, especially following an acute encephalopathy outbreak. In this work, we evaluated the role of the GABAergic system on epileptogenesis in GA‐I using the Gcdh−/− mice exposed to a high lysine diet (Gcdh−/−‐Lys).

Methods

Spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS), seizure susceptibility, and changes in brain oscillations were evaluated by video–electroencephalography (EEG). Cortical GABAergic synaptic transmission was evaluated using electrophysiologic and neurochemical approaches.

Results

SRS were observed in 72% of Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice, whereas no seizures were detected in age‐matched controls (Gcdh+/+ or Gcdh−/− receiving normal diet). The severity and number of PTZ‐induced seizures were higher in Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice. EEG spectral analysis showed a significant decrease in theta and gamma oscillations and predominant delta waves in Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice, associated with increased EEG left index. Analysis of cortical synaptosomes revealed a significantly increased percentage of glutamate release and decreased GABA release in Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice that were associated with a decrease in cortical GAD immunocontent and activity and confirmed by reduced frequency of inhibitory events in cortical pyramidal cells.

Significance

Using an experimental model with a phenotype similar to that of GA‐I in humans—the Gcdh−/− mice under high lysine diet (Gcdh−/−‐Lys)—we provide evidence that a reduction in cortical inhibition of Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice, probably induced by GAD dysfunction, leads to hyperexcitability and increased slow oscillations associated with neurologic abnormalities in GA‐I. Our findings offer a new perspective on the pathophysiology of brain damage in GA‐I.
Evaluation of the effects of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on herbage production, utilization, quality and sward morphology in a temperate grazing system
Authors: Earle E. , McHugh N. , Boland T. M. , Creighton P.
Published: August 2017

This study investigated the effect of ewe prolificacy potential (PP; predicted number of lambs born ewe−1 year−1), stocking rate (SR; ewes/ha) and their interaction on herbage dry matter (DM) production, utilization, quality and sward morphology within a temperate grass‐based lamb production system. The study had a 2 × 3 factorial design, consisting of two ewe PP as dictated by sire breed (180 medium prolificacy potential (MP—Suffolk crossbred) and 180 high prolificacy potential ewes (HP—Belclare crossbred)) and three SR: low (LSR; 10 ewes/ha), medium (MSR; 12 ewes/ha) and high (HSR: 14 ewes/ha). Each treatment was managed in a rotational grazing system, with LSR, MSR and HSR treatments grazing to target post‐grazing sward heights (PGSH) of 4.55, 4.15 and 3.75 cm respectively. Herbage DM production (above target PGSH) and utilization were highest at the HSR, intermediate at the MSR and lowest at the LSR (p < .001). Ewe PP had no effect on herbage DM production, utilization, quality or sward morphology (p > .05). The proportion of leaf in the sward (above target PGSH) was 4% greater in MSR and HSR compared with LSR (p < .05). In conclusion, findings demonstrate the potential to support increased ewe PP through the selection of ewe genotypes of a genetically higher PP and lower mature live weight and increased SR within a temperate grass‐based lamb production system.
Plasma cell neoplasm as a risk factor for early thrombosis of arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Kinoshita Yoshitaka , Ishikawa Akira , Hara Konan , Sugihara Toru , Ishibashi Yoshitaka , Homma Yukio
Published: August 2017

Introduction: We hypothesized that presence of plasma cell neoplasms might be a risk for thrombosis of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) as well as other well‐known factors including age, sex, race, and presence of diabetes mellitus or certain vascular disorders.

Methods: In this single‐center, retrospective study based on medical record data, we investigated the influence of plasma cell neoplasms and the above‐mentioned factors on the occurrence of complete occlusive thrombosis of the AVF within 30 days after surgery for creation of the AVF. Thrombosis was defined as the absence of bruit or thrill on auscultation and palpation, throughout systole and diastole.

Findings: We retrospectively assessed the medical records of 91 patients with end‐stage renal failure, including 8 patients with plasma cell neoplasm (5 with multiple myeloma and 3 with amyloid light‐chain amyloidosis), who underwent surgical creation of an AVF at the wrist or anatomical snuff box for the first time between April 2014 and December 2016. Early thrombosis (i.e., within 30 days of surgery) occurred in 50.0% (4/8) and 10.8% (9/83) of patients with and without plasma cell neoplasm, respectively (P = 0.013). Multivariate analysis revealed that, after adjusting for baseline characteristics, plasma cell neoplasm was the only significant risk factor for early AVF thrombosis (odds ratio, 38.8; 95% confidence interval, 4.0–378.9; P = 0.0017).

Discussion: Considering the poor prognosis of plasma cell neoplasm and its association with higher risk for AVF thrombosis, another type of vascular access is likely to be more suitable than AVF in such patients.
Pregnancy on short‐daily home hemodialysis using low dialysate flow rate: A new hope for the end‐stage renal disease patients
Authors: Leduc Vincent , Ficheux Maxence , Bechade Clémence , Dreyfus Michel , Lobbedez Thierry , Henri Patrick
Published: August 2017

Introduction: In France in 2014, there were approximately 1500 patients of reproductive age treated by dialysis. Pregnancy in these patients remains rare, however, the incidence has increased since the 2000s, with a parallel increase in the fetal survival rate. We report 2 cases of pregnancy in short‐daily home hemodialysis using low dialysate flow rate.

Methods: Short‐daily hemodialysis was continued at the request of the patients. The treatment consisted in an increase of frequency and duration of hemodialysis sessions, an independent blood pressure and dry weight control supervised by nephrological monitoring twice a month and a regular obstetrics follow‐up.

Findings: Both patients continued hemodialysis at home until delivery and gave birth to 2 moderately premature babies, without other complication and resumed short‐daily home hemodialysis fastly after delivery.

Conclusion: Short‐daily hemodialysis using low dialysate flow rate during pregnancy seems to allow a good control of uremia and blood pressure without requiring a major increase of weekly dialysis duration. Therefore, it could become an alternative to other hemodialysis programs while allowing the patients to continue their treatment at home. However, other studies are necessary in order to define the position of this procedure during pregnancy.
Brentuximab vedotin in CD30+ primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas: a review and analysis of existing data
Authors: Enos Tyler H. , Feigenbaum Lawrence S. , Wickless Heather W.
Published: August 2017

Background

The utility of brentuximab vedotin (BV) in CD30+ systemic lymphomas is established, however evidence for treating primary cutaneous lymphoma remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate BV in treating CD30+ transformed mycosis fungoides (MF) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC‐ALCL).

Methods

A literature review was conducted, and we analyzed data from published trials and case reports obtained via search of Ovid‐MEDLINE® and PubMed databases. The search yielded 372 reports, and 10 publications met inclusion criteria. Sixty‐one patients with CD30+ transformed MF and seven with PC‐ALCL were included.

Results

Mean age at BV initiation was 60.8 years (67 – PC‐ALCL; 60.1 – MF), and 4.1 therapies were attempted prior to BV (3.1 – PC‐ALCL; 4.2 – MF). The overall response rate was 67.7% (100% – PC‐ALCL; 63.9% – MF), with 16.2% of patients experiencing complete response (100% – PC‐ALCL; 6.6% – MF). Mean time to clinical response was 5.3 and 9.3 weeks for PC‐ALCL and MF, respectively. Mean response duration for patients with PC‐ALCL was 7.6 and 7.8 months for MF. Peripheral neuropathy (57.2%) and fatigue (35.6%) were the most commonly reported adverse effects.

Conclusions

This analysis summates the current evidence regarding the use of BV in treating CD30+ MF and PC‐ALCL. Preliminary results indicate that BV is effective for CD30+ CTCL, however additional studies with larger sample sizes are necessary. The study provides clinicians with the clinical context in which BV may be appropriate as well as information regarding therapeutic expectations and outcomes.
Changing trends in the etiology and management of vesicovaginal fistula
Authors: Malik Muhammad A , Sohail Muhammad , Malik Muhammad TB , Khalid Nauman , Akram Adeen
Published: August 2017

Vesicovaginal fistula has remained a scourge and of public health importance, causing significant morbidity, and psychological and social problems to the patient. Continuous wetness, odor and discomfort cause serious social issues. The diagnosis has been traditionally based on clinical evaluation, dye testing, cystoscopic examination and contrast studies. A successful repair of such fistulas requires an accurate diagnosis and timely surgical intervention using techniques that are based on basic surgical principles with or without the use of interpositional flaps. The method of repair depends on the type and location of the fistula, and the surgeon's training and expertise. The main complications are recurrence and stress/urge incontinence. Prevention must include universal education, improvement in the social and nutritional status of women, discouraging early marriages, and the provision of improved accessible healthcare services.
The effects of stress and sex on selection, genetic covariance, and the evolutionary response
Authors: Holman L. , Jacomb F.
Published: August 2017

The capacity of a population to adapt to selection (evolvability) depends on whether the structure of genetic variation permits the evolution of fitter trait combinations. Selection, genetic variance and genetic covariance can change under environmental stress, and males and females are not genetically independent, yet the combined effects of stress and dioecy on evolvability are not well understood. Here, we estimate selection, genetic (co)variance and evolvability in both sexes of Tribolium castaneum flour beetles under stressful and benign conditions, using a half‐sib breeding design. Although stress uncovered substantial latent heritability, stress also affected genetic covariance, such that evolvability remained low under stress. Sexual selection on males and natural selection on females favoured a similar phenotype, and there was positive intersex genetic covariance. Consequently, sexual selection on males augmented adaptation in females, and intralocus sexual conflict was weak or absent. This study highlights that increased heritability does not necessarily increase evolvability, suggests that selection can deplete genetic variance for multivariate trait combinations with strong effects on fitness, and tests the recent hypothesis that sexual conflict is weaker in stressful or novel environments.
Building Inventory and Refurbishment Scenario Database Development for Switzerland
Authors: Ostermeyer York , Nägeli Claudio , Heeren Niko , Wallbaum Holger
Published: August 2017

Material usage and the related embodied environmental impact have grown in significance in the built environment. Therefore, cities and governments need to develop strategies to reduce both the consumption of resources during usage phase as well as the embodied impact of the current building stock. This article proposes a new component‐based building inventory database as a basis to develop such strategies using building stock modeling. The developed database clusters the building stock according to building typology (single‐family houses, multifamily houses, and office buildings), age, and the main construction systems of the different building components. Based on the component makeup, it lists the necessary material input and waste output for different refurbishment options for each building component. The advantages of the proposed database structure are shown based on two applications for the developed database for Switzerland. The component‐based database allows optimization of refurbishment strategies not only from an energetic perspective, but also with respect to materials, both on the input (sourcing of materials) and the output (waste streams) level. The database structure makes it possible to continuously extend the data set by adding new refurbishment options or add data such as component‐specific lifetimes, costs, or labor intensities of the refurbishment options. In combination with an aligned economic model, this would give an even more holistic view, impact, and feasibility of different refurbishment scenarios both in environmental and economic terms.
Efficacy and tolerability of a double‐conjugated retinoid cream vs 1.0% retinol cream or 0.025% tretinoin cream in subjects with mild to severe photoaging
Authors: McDaniel David H , Mazur Christopher , Wortzman Mitchell S , Nelson Diane B
Published: August 2017

Background

Topical retinoids are used to treat the visible signs of photoaging. While efficacious, they are irritating.

Objective

Evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of a double‐conjugate retinoid cream (AlphaRet Overnight Cream; AHA‐Ret) in improving visible signs of photoaging vs 1.0% retinol or 0.025% tretinoin.

Methods

A 12‐week, split‐face, randomized trial was conducted in 48 female subjects, aged 30‐65 years with mild to severe photodamage. AHA‐Ret was applied to one side of the face and either retinol (n=24) or tretinoin (n=24) to the other side (PM). Expert blinded evaluation of images and Nova measurements occurred at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Tolerability was assessed throughout the study.

Results

Forty‐seven subjects completed the study. AHA‐Ret demonstrated significant reductions in average severity from baseline: Fine Lines/Wrinkles (P<.001; all time points); Erythema (P=.004, P<.0001; 8 and 12 weeks, respectively); Dyschromia (P<.0001; all time points); Skin Tone (P<.0001; all time points), and Pore Size (P=.035, P<.0001; 8 and 12 weeks, respectively). AHA‐Ret induced less Erythema vs retinol at 8 (P=.008) and 12 (P<.02) weeks. AHA‐Ret was noninferior to prescription tretinoin in all categories at 4 and 8 weeks, and for Fine Lines/Wrinkles, Erythema, Dyschromia, and Skin Tone at 12 weeks. Improvements in Hydration occurred at every time point with AHA‐Ret only (P<.04, P<.03, P<.01). Less irritation was reported with AHA‐Ret vs retinol or tretinoin.

Conclusions

Treatment with a double‐conjugate retinoid cream demonstrated early reductions in photodamage and improvements in Hydration. AHA‐Ret induced less Erythema vs retinol and was more tolerable vs retinol and tretinoin.
Spiritual Eugenics as Part of the Irish Carceral Archipelago
Authors: Holme Ingrid
Published: August 2017

Institutionalisation has played a key role in Irish social policy, however there is still a lack of clarity regarding the relationship between the governing structures (government departments, medical and education regulators etc.) and those who ran the institutions, such as the Catholic convent institutions for ‘fallen’ women. Specifically a question remains as to the precise logic for transferring girls and women into these settings. This paper expands the debate by exploring the existence of Catholic Convent industries in Ireland through the lenses of spiritual eugenics in the early 20th Century. In contrast to Anglo‐American eugenic practices based on sterilisation and birth control, Latin eugenic practices accepted by the Catholic Church were based on removing women from temptation and may have produced a necessary commitment to long‐term closed institutions. The paper offers a brief description of the differences between eugenics aimed at biological fitness and the practices aimed at spiritual promotion.
European Veterinary Renal Pathology Service: A Survey Over a 7‐Year Period (2008–2015)
Authors: Aresu L. , Martini V. , Benali S.L. , Brovida C. , Cianciolo R.E. , Dalla Riva R. , Trez D. , Van Der Lugt J.J. , Van Dongen A. , Zini E.
Published: August 2017

Background

The European Veterinary Renal Pathology Service (EVRPS) is the first Web‐based registry for canine renal biopsy specimens in Europe.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The aim was to verify whether differences exist between the clinical and laboratory presentation of dogs with nephropathy according to renal pathological findings, as defined by light and electron microscopy of renal biopsy specimens submitted toEVRPS.

Animals

Renal biopsy specimens of dogs were collected from the archive of the service (n = 254). Cases were included if both light and electron microscopy were available (n = 162).

Methods

Renal biopsy specimens were classified based on the morphological diagnoses. Thereafter, they were grouped into 3 disease categories, including immune‐complex‐mediated glomerulonephritis (ICGN), non‐immune‐complex‐mediatedGN(non‐ICGN), and renal lesions not otherwise specified (RL‐NOS). Differences among morphological diagnoses and among disease categories were investigated for clinical and laboratory variables.

Results

Serum albumin concentration was lower in dogs withICGNthan in those with non‐ICGN(P = 0.006) orRL‐NOS(P = 0.000), and the urine protein‐to‐creatinine ratio (UPC) was significantly higher inICGNthan in the other 2 disease categories. Regarding morphological diagnoses, albumin was significantly lower in amyloidosis (AMY) and membranous (MGN), membranoproliferative (MPGN) or mixed glomerulonephritis (MixGN) than in minimal change disease, primary (FSGSI) or secondary (FSGS II) focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis and juvenile nephropathies (JN). TheUPCwas higher inMPGNthan inFSGSI andFSGS II.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Dogs withICGN, in particularMPGN, had higher protein loss than those with non‐ICGNorRL‐NOS, leading to more severe hypoalbuminemia. Clinical and laboratory differentiation among dogs with the different morphological diagnoses and among dogs with different disease categories was difficult due to overlapping results.
Review Essay: Divestment, Nonstate Governance, and Climate Change
Authors: Gunningham Neil
Published: August 2017

This review essay examines the divestment movement's evolution, aims, and strategies as well as why it is both distinctive and important. It then locates the movement within the broader literature on nonstate climate change governance, suggesting how studying the movement may contribute to this literature. Finally, seeking to take stock some five years on from its inception, it assesses the movement's impact and effectiveness over that period.
F‐group bZIPs in barley—a role in Zn deficiency
Authors: Nazri Ahmad Zulhilmi , Griffin Jonathan H.C. , Peaston Kerry A. , Alexander‐Webber Douglas G.A. , Williams Lorraine E.
Published: August 2017

Zinc (Zn) deficiency negatively impacts the development and health of plants and affects crop yield. When experiencing low Zn, plants undergo an adaptive response to maintain Zn homeostasis. We provide further evidence for the role of F‐group transcription factors, AtbZIP19 and AtbZIP23, in responding to Zn deficiency in Arabidopsis and demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of this response. Despite their economic importance, the role of F‐group bZIPs in cereal crops is largely unknown. Here, we provide new insights by functionally characterizing these in barley (Hordeum vulgare), demonstrating an expanded number of F‐group bZIPs (seven) compared to Arabidopsis. The F‐group barley bZIPs, HvbZIP56 and HvbZIP62, partially rescue the Zn‐dependent growth phenotype and ZIP‐transporter gene regulation of an Arabidopsis bzip19‐4 bzip23‐2 mutant. This supports a conserved mechanism of action in adapting to Zn deficiency. HvbZIP56 localizes to the cytoplasm and nucleus when expressed in Arabidopsis and tobacco. Promoter analysis demonstrates that the barley ZIP transporters that are upregulated under Zn deficiency contain cis Zn‐deficiency response elements (ZDREs). ZDREs are also found in particular barley bZIP promoters. This study represents a significant step forward in understanding the mechanisms controlling Zn responses in cereal crops, and will aid in developing strategies for crop improvement.
LED Phototherapy with Gelatin Sponge Promotes Wound Healing in Mice
Authors: Zhang Heng , Liu Shupeng , Yang Xiangfei , Chen Na , Pang Fufei , Chen Zhenyi , Wang Tingyun , Zhou Jianshe , Ren Fuji , Xu Xiaoyin , Li Taihao
Published: August 2017

Tiny but highly efficient, a light‐emitting diode (LED) can power a therapy device, such as a phototherapy device, and, at the same time, decrease the device's size requirements. In this study, a LED phototherapy device was designed to investigate the possible impact on wound healing using a mouse model and a cell line exposed to red and blue light. To enhance wound phototherapy, a gelatin sponge was fabricated. Results showed that the red and blue lights promoted cell growth and wound healing, while the blue light with a gelatin sponge protected the wound from infection in the early stages of wound healing. The LED phototherapy device combined with the gelatin sponge, therefore, has potential significance in clinical application for wound healing.
Physiological Doses of Red Light Induce IL‐4 Release in Cocultures between Human Keratinocytes and Immune Cells
Authors: Leong Cheryl , Bigliardi Paul L. , Sriram Gopu , Au Veonice B. , Connolly John , Bigliardi‐Qi Mei
Published: August 2017

Phototherapy is routinely used for the treatment of various skin conditions and targeted therapy of superficial cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms behind their biological effects and the need for efficacy enhancing photosensitizers are not well addressed. Particularly, not much is known about the inherent effect of light from the visible spectrum on cytokine release and its downstream effects in keratinocytes and immune cells located in skin and therefore exposed to light. To address this, we delivered calibrated doses of well‐defined light qualities (380 to 660 nm) to cocultures of human keratinocytes and macrophage/dendritic cells in the absence or presence of the commonly used photosensitizer 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP). The experiments identified IL‐4 as a key effector cytokine released by this coculture model with need for 8‐MOP in the UVA1/blue (380 nm) and no requirement for photosensitizer in the red light spectrum (627 nm). 3D organotypic skin cultures treated with IL‐4 showed thickening of the epidermal layer and delayed differentiation. However unlike IL‐4 and UVA1/blue light treatment, red light did not reduce the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers or increase signs of photo‐oxidative damage. This supports the application of isolated red light as a possible alternative for photo‐immunotherapy without need for additional photosensitizers.
Multi‐sited ethnography: Opportunities for the study of race
Authors: Carney Nikita
Published: August 2017

Multi‐sited ethnography (MSE) is an underutilized research method that presents particular challenges and unique possibilities for generative research that can build upon existing theories of race and ethnicity. This review discusses the theoretical and methodological components of MSE and provides examples of both transnational and translocal ethnographic studies. These examples illustrate how MSE as a method can enrich analyses of race and ethnicity by enabling ethnographers to identify site‐specific phenomena as well as social processes that transcend a single locale. MSE, when intentionally paired with methodological framings in line with research priorities, can enable scholars to produce rigorous sociological analysis and theory building. Multi‐sited ethnographies of race can provide a set of analyses that complement a range of other sociological research tools, including single‐sited ethnography and quantitative studies, to deepen our understandings about the production and maintenance of racial and ethnic categories in the United States and transnationally.
Exploring How National Politics Influences the Outcome of Intergroup Contact among Muslim Minority Members
Authors: Thomsen Jens Peter Frølund , Rafiqi Arzoo
Published: August 2017

This article adds to the existing research in intergroup contact among ethnic minority members by hypothesizing that national political debate has the capacity to enhance the positive outcomes of cross‐group interaction. Analyses show that the capacity of intergroup contact to reduce prejudice toward majority members is disproportionately stronger among Muslims than among non‐Muslim minority members. Specifically, at the time of data collection, the two categories—Muslims and majority members—were highly salient in the public debate, whereas the non‐Muslim minority member category was not primed as a contrast to the majority culture. The political debate most likely stimulated Muslims to generalize their positive contact experiences to the entire majority group. The analysis contributes to the theoretical refinement of the so‐called categorization model by focusing on politically induced reactions among contacted ethnic minority members toward majority members. The analysis utilizes a tailor‐made national sample (fielded during the Mohammad Cartoon Crisis in 2006) among ethnic minority members in Denmark (N = 3,272).
Modelling future impacts of urban development in Kuwait with the use of ABM and GIS
Authors: Alghais Nayef , Pullar David
Published: August 2017

During the last six decades, Kuwait has experienced rapid and unprecedented population growth with only a small increase in the urban areas. The alarming rise in urban density in Kuwait has caused issues for the residents' lifestyles, the economy and the environment. These issues have been aggravated by urban planning which perpetuated a city‐centric urban form without modelling the impacts of current patterns of urban growth. A spatial model using Agent Based Modelling (ABM) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is proposed to model disaggregate future changes in land‐use patterns given forecast population estimates and planning policies. The two main impacts considered are housing shortage and traffic congestion, as these are the two most significant social impacts for Kuwaitis. This article discusses the design methodology and parameterization of the ABM and the agent groups. It characterizes urban growth by rules for different citizen groups, historical growth patterns and the influence of decision‐makers. The model is validated against data for the period 1995‐2015 and simulations run to 2050; the results predict that continued city‐centric growth will aggravate the problems, with more than 50% increase in housing shortage and congestion unless the government intervenes to rectify the situation.
OPTIMISATION OF MICROENCAPSULATION OF CITRUS HYSTRIX L. OIL SUB AND SUPERCRITICAL CO2 USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Authors: Mohd Sarmin Noorrasyidah , Azfar Razali Shazana , Markom Masturah
Published: August 2017

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise the microencapsulation process of Citrus Hystrix L. Oil (CHO) by depressurization of an expanded liquid organic solution (DELOS) sub and supercritical CO2. The particle size and yield (%) was studied with considered to three key factors variables including pressure (30-80 bar), temperature (40-60˚C) and resident time (10-60 minutes) on the microencapsulation process. The optimum result from RSM is 549.4 nanometer for the particle size and 38.193% yield at optimum pressure 54.14bar, temperature 59.65˚C and resident time 58 minutes. The results clearly show that the interactions between pressure, temperature and time have a significant effect on the microencapsulation process. Thus, the microencapsulated formulation has potential to be applied to other volatile compounds.
THE EFFECT OF GLYCEROL CONTENT ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES, SURFACE MORPHOLOGY AND WATER ABSORPTION OF THERMOPLASTIC FILMS FROM TACCA LEONTOPETALOIDES STARCH
Authors: Mohd Amin Ainatul Mardhiah , Mohd Sauid Suhaila , Musa Mohibah , Ku Hamid Ku Halim
Published: August 2017

Tacca leontopetaloides is a new plant source of starch and has high potential to produce film of thermoplastic. In this study, thermoplastic starch (TPS) derived from T.leontopetaloides was developed with glycerol as plasticizer through casting method at temperature range from 85 °C to 90 °C and enhanced with sulphur vulcanization method. It was found that the addition of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% (v/v) of glycerol into T.leontopetaloides starch had affected the mechanical properties, surface morphology, and water absorption of the thermoplastic films. In the mechanical properties study, the TPS films have the highest tensile strength (47.96 MPa) at 5% glycerol content in the formulation. Conversely, the TPS films have increasing value of elongation at break (EAB) with increasing glycerol concentration with the higher EAB obtained at 25% glycerol content (52.90%). The morphology of thermoplastic film was examined by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). As glycerol content increased, thermoplastic films showed smoother surface, homogenous and good distribution. In water absorption test, TPS films showed lower affinity to water absorption at lower glycerol content. The weight of the TPS films increased ranging from 80.3% to 107.4% after 12 hour of immersion in water. It can be concluded that, glycerol significantly affected the properties of TPS film within the range of glycerol concentration studied.