bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of friends on young adults’ drinking over the course of the evening—an event‐level analysis
Authors: Thrul Johannes , Kuntsche Emmanuel
Published: March 2015

Aims

To examine whether young adults’ alcohol consumption during the course of an evening was affected by the number of friends present, and the interaction between participants’ gender and number of friends present.

Design

Participants used the internet‐based cellphone‐optimized assessment technique (ICAT) to complete a series of cellphone questionnaires every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening over five weekends. A multi‐level growth curve model (hourly assessments, clustered within evenings, clustered within individuals) with time‐invariant and time‐varying covariates was estimated.

Setting

French‐speaking Switzerland.

Participants

A total of 183 young adults (53.0% female, mean age = 23.1) who completed 7205 questionnaires on 1441 evenings.

Measurements

Alcohol consumption and number of friends present assessed at 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight.

Findings

Drinking pace accelerated notably over the course of the evening on Saturdays (b = 0.047; P < 0.01). Men consumed more alcohol than women, particularly at the beginning of the evening (b = 0.152; P < 0.05). However, this effect was no longer significant when the impact of friends was accounted for (b = 0.096; P = 0.139). The higher the number of friends present, the higher the number of drinks consumed at a given time during the course of the evening (b = 0.070; P < 0.001). Cross‐level interaction effects indicated that this relationship was stronger for men than women (b = 0.027; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Among young adults in Switzerland, the number of friends present is associated positively with hourly drinking frequency during the course of weekend evenings. The impact of the drinking group size on alcohol use is stronger for men than women.
Transvaginal sonographic evaluation of cervical length in the second trimester of asymptomatic singleton pregnancies, and the risk of preterm delivery
Authors: Kuusela Pihla , Jacobsson Bo , Söderlund Mona , Bejlum Carina , Almström Elisabeth , Ladfors Lars , Hagberg Henrik , Wennerholm Ulla‐Britt
Published: March 2015

Objective

To evaluate cervical length in asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies in the second trimester by means of transvaginal ultrasonography, and to examine the relation between cervical length and spontaneous preterm delivery.

Design

Observational, prospective study.

Setting

A university hospital and a county hospital in Western Sweden.

Population

A total of 2122 asymptomatic women with live singleton pregnancies without fetal anomalies.

Methods

Cervical length was measured at between 16 and 23 weeks of gestation by means of transvaginal ultrasonography. Data were analysed using logistic regression analysis.

Main outcome measures

Cervical length in relation to spontaneous preterm delivery <34 weeks (primary outcome) and <37 weeks of gestation (secondary outcome).

Results

Eleven women had a cervical length of ≤25 mm (0.5%) and 73 women had a cervical length of ≤30 mm (3.4%). Spontaneous preterm delivery at <34 weeks occurred in 22/2061 women (1.1%) and at <37 weeks in 87/2061 women (4.2%). There was a significant association between cervical length and spontaneous preterm delivery at <34 weeks (odds ratio 1.78; 95% confidence interval 1.19–2.65 for a decrease of cervical length by 5 mm) but no significant association at <37 weeks.

Conclusions

The rate of short cervical length of ≤25 mm was lower than expected. The study confirmed the increased risk of spontaneous preterm delivery in women with a short cervix, although the analysis was based on only a few cases. In Sweden, a larger study is needed to evaluate the prevalence of short cervical length and the possible association with preterm delivery before universal screening can be recommended.
Drugs with anticholinergic effects and cognitive impairment, falls and all‐cause mortality in older adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ruxton Kimberley , Woodman Richard J. , Mangoni Arduino A.
Published: March 2015

Aim

The aim was to investigate associations between drugs with anticholinergic effects (DACEs) and cognitive impairment, falls and all‐cause mortality in older adults.

Methods

A literature search using CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase and PubMed databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohort and case‐control studies examining the use of DACEs in subjects ≥65 years with outcomes on falls, cognitive impairment and all‐cause mortality. Retrieved articles were published on or before June 2013. Anticholinergic exposure was investigated using drug class, DACE scoring systems (anticholinergic cognitive burden scale, ACB; anticholinergic drug scale, ADS; anticholinergic risk scale, ARS; anticholinergic component of the drug burden index, DBIAC) or assessment of individual DACEs. Meta‐analyses were performed to pool the results from individual studies.

Results

Eighteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria (total 124 286 participants). Exposure to DACEs as a class was associated with increased odds of cognitive impairment (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.16, 1.73). Olanzapine and trazodone were associated with increased odds and risk of falls (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.05, 4.44; RR 1.79, 95% CI 1.60, 1.97, respectively), but amitriptyline, paroxetine and risperidone were not (RR 1.73, 95% CI 0.81, 2.65; RR 1.80, 95% CI 0.81, 2.79; RR 1.39, 95% CI 0.59, 3.26, respectively). A unit increase in the ACB scale was associated with a doubling in odds of all‐cause mortality (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.82, 2.33) but there were no associations with the DBIAC (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.55, 1.42) or the ARS (OR 3.56, 95% CI 0.29, 43.27).

Conclusions

Certain individual DACEs or increased overall DACE exposure may increase the risks of cognitive impairment, falls and all‐cause mortality in older adults.
Third‐Generation Beta‐Adrenoceptor Antagonists in the Treatment of Hypertension and Heart Failure
Authors: Fisker Filip Y. , Grimm Daniela , Wehland Markus
Published: March 2015

Hypertensive treatment with beta‐adrenoceptor antagonists (BAAs) has been successfully applied for four decades. These drugs have a beneficial effect on the health of the patients by both decreasing number of deaths and improving morbidity. Nevertheless, the BAAs differ in pharmacological properties. They have different lipophilicity, different adrenoceptor selectivity and/or varying additional abilities in cardiac tissue and periphery vasculature hereby exceeding their known receptor‐blocking effects. Nebivolol shows nitric oxide‐mediated vasodilating properties that improve arterial rigidity. Carvedilol has anti‐oxidative and antiproliferative effects, which exert a beneficial effect on patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). These findings suggest that the true potential of the third‐generation BAAs and their value in the treatment of CHF, hypertension and following cardiovascular events has yet to be acknowledged. This MiniReview provides an overview of the third‐generation BAAs and their effects on the vasculature of hypertensive patients and patients with CHF. Additionally, BAAs that potentially can be used in different patient groups are discussed.
Transformation of teacher practice using mobile technology with one‐to‐one classes: M‐learning pedagogical approaches
Authors: Lindsay Lucie
Published: March 2015

The rapid global uptake of mobile technology is reflected in pioneering New Zealand schools. Teachers of classes where each student uses a mobile device were surveyed on how frequently they use various mobile learning activities and asked to describe the new pedagogical opportunities it offers. The teachers' m‐learning pedagogical approaches and the extent of transformation were considered. This study finds the main use of mobile technology is to enhance learning with task activities and information access; however, innovative content production is also common. The opportunities for pedagogical transformation that collaborative learning offers appear to be partially realised, but the potential for situative learning using authentic contexts and experts seems to be largely unrealised. Presently, transformative pedagogical approaches are not prevalent despite collaborative inquiry and situative approaches with authentic contexts being linked to developing higher order thinking and fostering future focused skills, which are a key focus for educators. The use of one‐to‐one mobile technology in the classroom is a new educational practice with significant potential. This study provides a snapshot to contribute to building the necessary body of work on m‐learning pedagogical transformation.
The influence of paediatric HIV infection on circulating B cell subsets and CXCR5+ T helper cells
Authors: Bamford A , Hart M , Lyall H , Goldblatt D , Kelleher P , Kampmann B
Published: March 2015

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) only partially restores HIV-induced alterations in lymphocyte populations. We assessed B and T cell phenotypes in a cohort of children from a single centre in the United Kingdom with perinatally acquired HIV compared to healthy controls. The majority of HIV infected children (44 of 56) were on fully suppressive combination ART. Children with perinatally acquired HIV had significantly lower memory B and CD4+CD45RO+CXCR5+ [follicular T helper cell (Tfh)-like] T cell percentages. Detectable viraemia was associated with higher CD21− (activated and exhausted/tissue-like memory) B cells. A greater proportion of life spent on suppressive ART was associated with higher memory B cell percentages. These results suggest that early and sustained suppressive ART may preserve B and T cell phenotypes in perinatally acquired HIV and limit deficits in humoral immunity. A lower proportion of circulating Tfh-like cells in HIV infected children appears to be independent of HIV treatment history and ongoing HIV viraemia and warrants further investigation.
Trophy hunters’ willingness to pay for wildlife conservation and community benefits
Authors: Fischer Anke , Tibebe Weldesemaet Yitbarek , Czajkowski Mikołaj , Tadie Degu , Hanley Nick
Published: March 2015

In the face of fundamental land‐use changes, the potential for trophy hunting to contribute to conservation is increasingly recognized. Trophy hunting can, for example, provide economic incentives to protect wildlife populations and their habitat, but empirical studies on these relationships are few and tend to focus on the effects of benefit‐sharing schemes from an ex post perspective. We investigated the conditions under which trophy hunting could facilitate wildlife conservation in Ethiopia ex ante. We used a choice experiment approach to survey international trophy hunters’ (n = 224) preferences for trips to Ethiopia, here operationalized as trade‐offs between different attributes of a hunting package, as expressed through choices with an associated willingness to pay. Participants expressed strong preferences and, consequently, were willing to pay substantial premiums for hunting trips to areas with abundant nontarget wildlife where domestic livestock was absent and for arrangements that offered benefit sharing with local communities. For example, within the range of percentages considered in the survey, respondents were on average willing to pay an additional $3900 for every 10 percentage points of the revenue being given to local communities. By contrast, respondents were less supportive of hunting revenue being retained by governmental bodies: Willingness to pay decreased by $1900 for every 10 percentage points of the revenue given to government. Hunters’ preferences for such attributes of hunting trips differed depending on the degree to which they declared an interest in Ethiopian culture, nature conservation, or believed Ethiopia to be politically unstable. Overall, respondents thus expressly valued the outcomes of nature conservation activities—the presence of wildlife in hunting areas—and they were willing to pay for them. Our findings highlight the usefulness of insights from choice modeling for the design of wildlife management and conservation policies and suggest that trophy hunting in Ethiopia could generate substantially more financial support for conservation and be more in line with conservation objectives than is currently the case.
Effects of neurotrophin receptor‐mediated MAGE homology on proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of mouse dental pulp cells
Authors: Qi S. , Wu Q. , Ma J. , Li J. , Chen F. , Xu Y. , Pan Q. , Wang R.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate effects of neurotrophin receptor‐mediated melanoma antigen‐encoding gene homology (NRAGE) on proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of mouse dental pulp cells (mDPCs).

Materials and methods

Mouse dental pulp cells were infected with recombinant lentivirus to stably knockdown expression of NRAGE, and biological effects of NRAGE on the cells were detected. Proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of mDPCs were observed. Simultaneously, mRNA and protein levels of NRAGE and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) protein expression were detected. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect expression and location of NRAGE and NF‐κB.

Results

NRAGE mRNA and protein levels reduced significantly after mDPC odontoblastic induction. Knockdown of NRAGE inhibited the proliferation of mDPCs. However, knockdown of NRAGE enhanced their odontoblastic differentiation with up‐regulated ALPase activity. It also promoted mineral nodule formation as well as mRNA and protein expressions of ALP, DSPP and DMP1. Protein levels of NF‐κB/p50 significantly increased, whereas NF‐κB/p105 protein expression decreased in the mDPC/shNRG group. Immunofluorescence revealed that relocation of NF‐κB was similar to that of NRAGE during odontoblastic induction, in which NF‐κB translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.

Conclusion

NRAGE is a potent regulator of proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of mDPCs, which might be via the NF‐κB signalling pathway.
Melanocytic tumors with intraepidermal melanophages: a report of five cases with review of 231 archived cutaneous melanocytic tumors
Authors: Fujimoto Masakazu , Basko‐Plluska Juliana L. , Krausz Thomas , Selim Maria Angelica , Shea Christopher R.
Published: March 2015

Dermal melanophages are frequently encountered in both benign melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma. In contrast, intraepidermal melanophages (IEM) are under‐recognized in melanocytic lesions and their biologic significance is not understood. Herein, we report the clinical and histopathologic features of five melanocytic lesions featuring IEM encountered prospectively in our dermatopathology practice at the University of Chicago. Two hundred and thirty‐one (231) archived skin primary melanocytic proliferations were also investigated retrospectively in a de‐identified, archival teaching set collection. Nineteen of 231 of the archived cases were positive for IEM. Among the total 24 IEM‐positive cases (5 prospective and 19 archived cases), 13 were categorized as Spitz nevi (p < 0.0001) and 3 as atypical Spitz tumors (p = 0.0152). Fourteen of 24 cases with IEM also exhibited intracorneal melanocytes (p < 0.0001). IEM are evidently not rare, especially in spitzoid melanocytic neoplasms. IEM in our series were significantly correlated with intracorneal melanocytosis, possibly indicating an association between IEM and suprabasal melanocytosis and/or transepidermal elimination of melanocytes.
Efficacy and safety of beloranib for weight loss in obese adults: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim D. D. , Krishnarajah J. , Lillioja S. , de Looze F. , Marjason J. , Proietto J. , Shakib S. , Stuckey B. G. A. , Vath J. E. , Hughes T. E.
Published: March 2015

Aim

To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of beloranib treatment for obesity.

Methods

This phase II, double‐blind, randomized study investigated the effects of beloranib suspension (0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 mg) or placebo, administered subcutaneously, for 12 weeks in 147 participants (primarily white women) with obesity. No diet or exercise advice was administered.

Results

At week 12, beloranib resulted in dose‐dependent progressive weight loss of −5.5 ± 0.5, −6.9 ± 0.6 and −10.9 ± 1.1 kg for the 0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 mg beloranib doses, respectively, compared with −0.4 ± 0.4 kg with placebo (all p < 0.0001 vs placebo). Weight loss with beloranib was associated with corresponding reductions in waist circumference and body fat mass, as well as improvements in lipids, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and blood pressure. Sleep disturbance and gastrointestinal adverse events were more common with beloranib than with placebo; these were generally mild to moderate, transient and dose‐related, and led to more early study withdrawals in participants in the group with the highest dose of beloranib.

Conclusions

In this 12‐week phase II study, beloranib produced clinically and statistically significant weight loss and corresponding improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors. Beloranib appeared safe, and the 0.6 and 1.2 mg doses were generally well tolerated. The 2.4 mg dose was associated with increased sleep latency and mild to moderate gastrointestinal adverse events over the first month of treatment. These findings represent a novel mechanism for producing clinically meaningful weight loss.
Endodontic management of immature teeth with spontaneous apical closure and periapical lesions: case series and review of the literature
Authors: Çalışkan Mehmet Kemal , Kaval Mehmet Emin
Published: March 2015

Spontaneous apical closure in non‐vital immature teeth has been rarely encountered and outcome of non‐surgical endodontic treatment of related teeth associated with periapical lesions has not yet been adequately elucidated. The aim of this article was to report endodontic management of spontaneous apical closure of infected untreated immature teeth with periapical lesions and to review previously proposed mechanisms for the development of spontaneous hard tissue barrier. Three patients were referred at different time intervals to the endodontic clinic for treatment of their maxillary anterior incisors with acute or chronic apical periodontitis. Dental histories indicated that related teeth had been subjected to trauma approximately 12–18 years previously. Radiographically, the involved teeth exhibited incomplete root formation with spontaneous apical closure and were associated with an apical radiolucency. After biomechanical preparation, calcium hydroxide paste was applied and was changed once or twice within 3 months. All canals were then filled with gutta‐percha and AH Plus and the follow‐up period was 16–50 months; both clinical and radiographic examinations revealed adequate function, the absence of clinical symptoms and significant healing of the periapical radiolucency.
A conceptual framework for studying the strength of plant–animal mutualistic interactions
Authors: Vázquez Diego P. , Ramos‐Jiliberto Rodrigo , Urbani Pasquinell , Valdovinos Fernanda S.
Published: March 2015

The strength of species interactions influences strongly the structure and dynamics of ecological systems. Thus, quantifying such strength is crucial to understand how species interactions shape communities and ecosystems. Although the concepts and measurement of interaction strength in food webs have received much attention, there has been comparatively little progress in the context of mutualism. We propose a conceptual scheme for studying the strength of plant–animal mutualistic interactions. We first review the interaction strength concepts developed for food webs, and explore how these concepts have been applied to mutualistic interactions. We then outline and explain a conceptual framework for defining ecological effects in plant–animal mutualisms. We give recommendations for measuring interaction strength from data collected in field studies based on a proposed approach for the assessment of interaction strength in plant–animal mutualisms. This approach is conceptually integrative and methodologically feasible, as it focuses on two key variables usually measured in field studies: the frequency of interactions and the fitness components influenced by the interactions.
High‐throughput screens in mammalian cells using the CRISPR‐Cas9 system
Authors: Peng Jingyu , Zhou Yuexin , Zhu Shiyou , Wei Wensheng
Published: March 2015

As a powerful genome‐editing tool, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‐clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has been quickly developed into a large‐scale function‐based screening strategy in mammalian cells. This new type of genetic library is constructed through the lentiviral delivery of single‐guide RNA collections that direct Cas9 or inactive dead Cas9 fused with effectors to interrogate gene function or regulate gene transcription in targeted cells. Compared with RNA interference screening, the CRISPR‐Cas9 system demonstrates much higher levels of effectiveness and reliability with respect to both loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function screening. Unlike the RNA interference strategy, a CRISPR‐Cas9 library can target both protein‐coding sequences and regulatory elements, including promoters, enhancers and elements transcribing microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs. This powerful genetic tool will undoubtedly accelerate the mechanistic discovery of various biological processes. In this mini review, we summarize the general procedure of CRISPR‐Cas9 library mediated functional screening, system optimization strategies and applications of this new genetic toolkit.
Prevalence and correlates of functional dependence among maintenance dialysis patients
Authors: Kavanagh Niall T. , Schiller Brigitte , Saxena Anjali B. , Thomas I‐Chun , Kurella Tamura Manjula
Published: March 2015

Functional dependence is an important determinant of longevity and quality of life. The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of functional dependence among patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving maintenance dialysis. We enrolled 148 participants with ESRD from five clinics. Functional status, as measured by basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL, IADL), was ascertained by validated questionnaires. Functional dependence was defined as needing assistance in at least one of seven IADLs or at least one of four ADLs. Demographic characteristics, chronic health conditions, anthropometric measurements, and laboratories were assessed by a combination of self‐report and chart review. Cognitive function was assessed with a neurocognitive battery, and depressive symptoms were assessed by questionnaire. Mean age of the sample was 56.2 ± 14.6 years. Eighty‐seven participants (58.8%) demonstrated dependence in ADLs or IADLs, 70 (47.2%) exhibited IADL dependence alone, and 17 (11.5%) exhibited combined IADL and ADL dependence. In a multivariable‐adjusted model, stroke, cognitive impairment, and higher systolic blood pressure were independent correlates of functional dependence. We found no significant association between demographic characteristics, chronic health conditions, depressive symptoms or laboratory measurements, and functional dependence. Impairment in executive function was more strongly associated with functional dependence than memory impairment. Functional dependence is common among ESRD patients and independently associated with stroke, systolic blood pressure, and executive function impairment.
An unusual cause of postdialysis dyspnea: Percutaneous endovascular management
Authors: Patidar Yashwant , Yadav Taruna , Rajesh S , Lata Suman , Kumar Sachin , Mukund Amar
Published: March 2015

Vascular access through femoral vein is commonly used for hemodialysis treatment in patients with end‐stage renal disease. Consequently, iatrogenic complications, such as femoral arteriovenous fistula, are increasingly being reported in these patients. Percutaneous endovascular management of such iatrogenic arteriovenous fistulas with stent graft placement is a minimally invasive technique with decreased morbidity and hospital stay compared with surgical repair. Here, we report a case with postcatheterization arteriovenous fistula between superficial femoral artery and femoral vein which was successfully managed with a placement of a self‐expanding stent graft.
Morphometric and histological parameters in veins of diabetic patients undergoing brachiocephalic fistula placement
Authors: Lazich Ivana , Chang Anthony , Watson Sydeaka , Dhar Promila , Madhurapantula Rama S. , Hammes Mary
Published: March 2015

Diabetic patients with end‐stage renal failure have higher rates of arteriovenous failures when compared with nondiabetics. The aim was to compare differences in indicators of vascular remodeling and endothelial dysfunction in veins of patients with or without diabetes at the time of surgical placement. In this prospective observational trial, vein samples were collected from patients when a brachiocephalic fistula was created. Morphometric measurements and extent of fibrosis were determined using Image J software. Histological analysis, for the presence of myofibroblasts and level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, was performed by immunohistochemical staining and scored in semi‐quantitative manner. Asymmetric dimethylarginine was determined at the time of access placement. Comparison of diabetics and nondiabetics was performed using Wilcoxon rank sum and Fisher's exact tests. Eighteen patients were included; 10 were diabetics. There was a significant difference in the measurement of vein area between groups, with diabetic vein samples having larger luminal area of average 832,001.18 μm2 (317,582.17–3,695,670.36, P = 0.04). The maximal intimal to medial thickness ratio was higher in diabetic vein samples (0.71 vs. 0.24, P = 0.03) along with statistically significant higher maximal intimal thickness (312.12 vs. 115.14 μm, P = 0.03). There is a significant difference in vascular wall remodeling between diabetics and nondiabetics at the level of the cephalic vein at the time of brachiocephalic placement. The unexpected finding of significantly larger luminal area in diabetic veins could be a major factor positively affecting brachiocephalic outcomes in otherwise impaired remodeling in this patient population.
Reappraisal of shunt surgery for extrahepatic portal vein obstruction in adults: Report of a single‐center case series
Authors: Kokudo Takashi , Bonard Estelle , Gillet Michel , Kokudo Norihiro , Halkic Nermin
Published: March 2015

Aim

Extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) is a relatively rare disease in adults. The clinical significance of shunt surgery for EHPVO in adult cases remains unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the patient characteristics and the results of shunt surgery in 13 adult cases of EHPVO treated between March 1995 and March 2013 at a tertiary care hospital in Switzerland. The indication for shunt surgery was recurrent bleeding after endoscopic treatment. To update the outcomes of shunt surgery in adult cases of EHPVO, we performed a systematic review of published work to examine this issue.

Results

The mean age of the 13 patients in the present case series was 41.8 years (range, 20–68), and the mean follow‐up duration after surgery was 4.4 years (range, 1–16). The types of shunt surgery performed were mesocaval shunt (n = 8), portacaval shunt (n = 2), splenorenal shunt (n = 1) and mesorenal shunt (n = 2). Two patients (15%) developed postoperative rebleeding, which was successfully treated by endoscopic treatment. None of the patients developed postoperative hepatic encephalopathy. No operative‐related deaths occurred in this series. Six studies, including our own, were identified in the published work. The overall mortality rate was 0–3.7%, and no cases of encephalopathy were observed. The rebleeding rate ranged 2.5–23%.

Conclusion

Shunt surgery for EHPVO in adults after the failure of endoscopic treatment is feasible, with acceptable outcomes at specialized centers. This surgical procedure should always be taken into consideration when managing adult cases of EHPVO.
Prospects for improving outcomes in systemic sclerosis‐related pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Thakkar V. , Nikpour M. , Stevens W. M. , Proudman S. M.
Published: March 2015

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Approximately one in 10 will develop PAH during their lifetime. These patients have a worse prognosis than those with PAH due to other causes. The most common clinical feature of SSc‐PAH in the early stages is non‐specific exercise intolerance that can be erroneously attributed to other manifestations of SSc. Screening provides an opportunity for early identification of SSc‐PAH and prompt initiation of therapies with the potential to improve quality of life and survival. International guidelines recommend annual transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE), but TTE has limitations. The tricuspid regurgitant jet required for estimating the systolic pulmonary artery pressure is absent in up to 39% of patients, including a proportion with PAH. This has prompted a move to new screening algorithms that are less dependent on TTE. Not all pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with SSc is PAH. Other causes include PH secondary to left heart disease, interstitial lung disease‐related PH, chronic thromboembolic PH and pulmonary veno‐occlusive disease. With the advent of evidence‐based therapies, including newer agents such as macitentan, riociguat and selexipag, the establishment of centres with expertise in PAH and the focus on early detection, there has been considerable improvement in survival. The role of anti‐coagulation for SSc‐PAH has been the subject of a recent meta‐analysis of nine observational studies that suggests it may confer a survival benefit, but to date, there have been no randomised controlled trials to confirm this.
Physicians need to take the lead in deprescribing
Authors: Scott I. A. , Le Couteur D. G.
Published: March 2015

Inappropriate polypharmacy and its associated harm pose a significant threat to older patients. The prescribing decisions of physicians greatly influence what other practitioners prescribe. Minimising medication‐related harm requires physicians to adopt a systematic approach to the deliberate and judicious deprescribing of potentially inappropriate medicines in at‐risk individuals.
Political Determinants of State E‐Commerce Sales Tax Policy
Authors: Propheter Geoffrey
Published: March 2015

In the absence of congressional action, states have two nonexclusive e‐commerce sales tax policy options: membership in the Streamlined Sales Tax Project or enactment of Amazon tax legislation. Previous research has suggested that economic factors are important predictors of adopting the former, and legislators frequently assert that lost revenue is a motivation for adopting either. There is also some evidence that a state's political environment determines policy selection. This article tests these claims. Using two unique datasets, one for each policy, economic factors and foregone revenue are found to not be statistically significant predictors of e‐commerce tax policy adoption. Instead, the political environment matters. The analysis concludes that governors drive state e‐commerce sales tax policy, and that the naïve perception that Republicans are less willing to tax than Democrats is misleading. Furthermore, the analysis finds indirect evidence that retail lobby influence is an important factor in a state's enactment of Amazon tax legislation.

Related Articles

Bauroth, Nicholas. 2007. “.” Politics & Policy 35 (): 366‐394. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00064.x/abstract

Smith, Robert W. 2004. “.” Politics & Policy 32 (): 636‐659. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2004.tb00199.x/abstract

Farnsworth, Stephen J. 2002. “.” Politics & Policy 30 (): 460‐480. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2002.tb00130.x/abstract

Related Media

Film Clip: . 2011. “.” http://www.bloomberg.com/video/74930810/

Ante la falta de acción del Congreso, los estados tienen dos opciones no exclusivas para su política fiscal de comercio electrónico: una afiliación al Streamlined Sales Tax Project o el establecimiento de la ley fiscal Amazon. Investigaciones anteriores sugieren que los factores económicos son importantes predictores para adoptar este último, mientras que los legisladores afirman frecuentemente que la pérdida de ingresos es un incentivo para adoptar cualquiera de las dos opciones. También existe evidencia de que el contexto político de un estado determina la elección de política fiscal. Este estudio pone a prueba estas afirmaciones. Usando dos conjuntos separados de datos, uno para cada política, se encontró que los factores económicos y el ingreso perdido no son predictores estadísticamente significativos de la adopción de políticas fiscales para el comercio electrónico. De hecho, el contexto político sí importa. El análisis concluye que los gobernadores son quienes estatales impulsan la política fiscal para el comercio electrónico y que la imagen ingenua de que los republicanos están menos dispuestos a gravar que los demócratas es engañosa. Además, nuestro análisis muestra evidencia directa de que la influencia el cabildeo de los vendedores al por menor es un factor importante en la promulgación estatal de la ley fiscal Amazon.
Applying imagined contact to improve physiological responses in anticipation of intergroup interactions and the perceived quality of these interactions
Authors: West Keon , Turner Rhiannon , Levita Liat
Published: March 2015

This experiment (N = 49) is the first to show that imagined contact can buffer anticipatory physiological responses to future interactions, and improve the quality of these interactions. Participants imagined a positive interaction with a person with schizophrenia, or in a control condition, a person who did not have schizophrenia.

They then interacted with a confederate whom they believed had schizophrenia. Participants in the imagined contact condition reported more positive attitudes and less avoidance of people with schizophrenia, displayed smaller anticipatory physiological responses, specifically smaller changes in interbeat interval and skin conductance responses, and had a more positive interaction according to the confederate. These findings support applying imagined contact to improve interactions with people with severe mental illnesses.
Light and laser therapies for the treatment of sebaceous gland hyperplasia a review of the literature
Authors: Simmons B.J. , Griffith R.D. , Falto‐Aizpurua L.A. , Bray F.N. , Nouri K.
Published: March 2015

Sebaceous gland hyperplasia (SGH) is a benign cutaneous condition that presents primarily on the face and increases with UVB exposure and ageing. These lesions are a common cosmetic concern but are difficult to treat, as the entire sebaceous gland needs to be destroyed to prevent recurrence. Traditional methods of treatment include: cryosurgery, electrodessication, curettage, shave excision and topical trichloroacetic acid. These methods have an increased risk of skin discoloration and scarring to the area of treatment that may lead to inferior cosmetic outcomes. Alternatively, oral isotretinoin can treat SGH, but is a known teratogen in pregnancy and has high relapse rates with discontinuation. A systematic review of the literature was performed to look at photodynamic therapy (PDT) and laser treatment for SGH. According to the results of this study, PDT, lasers and combinations of the two treatments were found to offer alternatives to the more conventional techniques with better outcomes. In particular, the use of wavelength‐specific laser for the sebaceous gland of 1720 nm were found to have better outcomes and provide minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Additionally, combination PDT with aminolevulinic acid and pre‐treatment with carbon dioxide laser ablation or pulse‐dyed laser offered higher cure rates over stand‐alone laser or PDT treatments in a shorter number of sessions with similar transient side‐effects. However, further large‐scale prospective studies with adequate follow‐up are required to confirm these findings and those for sebaceous gland‐specific lasers.
One Size (Never) Fits All: Segment Differences Observed Following a School‐Based Alcohol Social Marketing Program
Authors: Dietrich Timo , Rundle‐Thiele Sharyn , Leo Cheryl , Connor Jason
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

According to commercial marketing theory, a market orientation leads to improved performance. Drawing on the social marketing principles of segmentation and audience research, the current study seeks to identify segments to examine responses to a school‐based alcohol social marketing program.

METHODS

A sample of 371 year 10 students (aged: 14–16 years; 51.4% boys) participated in a prospective (pre‐post) multisite alcohol social marketing program. Game On: Know Alcohol (GO:KA) program included 6, student‐centered, and interactive lessons to teach adolescents about alcohol and strategies to abstain or moderate drinking. A repeated measures design was used. Baseline demographics, drinking attitudes, drinking intentions, and alcohol knowledge were cluster analyzed to identify segments. Change on key program outcome measures and satisfaction with program components were assessed by segment.

RESULTS

Three segments were identified; (1) Skeptics, (2) Risky Males, (3) Good Females. Segments 2 and 3 showed greatest change in drinking attitudes and intentions. Good Females reported highest satisfaction with all program components and Skeptics lowest program satisfaction with all program components.

CONCLUSION

Three segments, each differing on psychographic and demographic variables, exhibited different change patterns following participation in GO:KA. Post hoc analysis identified that satisfaction with program components differed by segment offering opportunities for further research.
A biogeographical regionalization of Angolan mammals
Authors: Rodrigues Patrícia , Figueira Rui , Vaz Pinto Pedro , Araújo Miguel B. , Beja Pedro
Published: March 2015

We developed a biogeographical regionalization of Angolan mammals based on data collected before major declines occurred during the civil war (1975–2002). In terms of its biodiversity, Angola is one of the least known of all African countries.

We used 9880 grid records of 140 species (rodents, ungulates and carnivores) collected mainly in 1930–80, at a quarter degree cell resolution. Biogeographical regions were identified by using cluster analysis, based on βsim dissimilarity matrices and a hierarchical classification using Ward's method. An indicator value analysis was used to identify species characterizing each region. Distance‐based redundancy analysis was used to investigate the environmental correlates of mammalian assemblages.

Four biogeographical subdivisions emerged from ungulate distributions, while rodent and carnivore data were largely uninformative. In the north, the Zaire‐Lunda‐Cuanza region was mainly characterized by ungulate species associated with Congolian forests. In the south, the Namibe and Cunene‐Cuando Cubango regions were mainly characterized by ungulates widespread in south‐western and southern Africa. In between these regions, the Central Plateau region was mainly characterized by a few widespread ungulate species that are relatively common in dense miombo woodlands.

Biogeographical patterns were significantly associated with a dominant north–south gradient of decreasing humidity and increasing temperature, and with a concurrent gradient from dense forests and woodlands to open savannas, grasslands and deserts.

The biogeographical regions we identified in Angola were largely consistent with other bioregionalizations developed using various taxonomic groups at larger spatial scales. Biogeographical patterns reflected the southward penetration of Congolian forest species in the north, and the northward penetration of southern African desert/grassland species in the south‐west and of open savanna species in the south. These processes seem to be controlled by the distribution of vegetation types, which in turn are associated with climatic gradients and soil types. The stronger patterns observed for ungulates than for other mammals may reflect the close association of ungulates to specific vegetation types.
The scientific profiles of terrestrial mammals in Great Britain as measured by publication metrics
Authors: Robertson Peter A. , McKenzie Ailsa J.
Published: March 2015

Research on mammals provides the evidence base for their conservation, management and related policy. We assess the effect of study choices on the composition of this evidence base. We derived species h‐index (SHI) for 67 breeding terrestrial mammals from 2305 publications based on field research carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. Native species had higher SHI than introduced species, but SHI was not related to the level of species conservation concern. SHI was positively related to geographical range and/or population size and to functional group: large herbivores had higher SHI, then carnivores, rodents, small herbivores, bats and insectivores.
Yap7 is a transcriptional repressor of nitric oxide oxidase in yeasts, which arose from neofunctionalization after whole genome duplication
Authors: Merhej Jawad , Delaveau Thierry , Guitard Juliette , Palancade Benoit , Hennequin Christophe , Garcia Mathilde , Lelandais Gaëlle , Devaux Frédéric
Published: March 2015

Flavohemoglobins are the main detoxifiers of nitric oxide (NO) in bacteria and fungi and are induced in response to nitrosative stress. In fungi, the flavohemoglobin encoding gene YHB1 is positively regulated by transcription factors which are activated upon NO exposure. In this study, we show that in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in the human pathogen Candida glabrata, the transcription factor Yap7 constitutively represses YHB1 by binding its promoter. Consequently, YAP7 deletion conferred high NO resistance to the cells. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments and mutant analyses indicated that Yap7 represses YHB1 by recruiting the transcriptional repressor Tup1. In S. cerevisiae, YHB1 repression also involves interaction of Yap7 with the Hap2/3/5 complex through a conserved Hap4‐like‐bZIP domain, but this interaction has been lost in C. glabrata. The evolutionary origin of this regulation was investigated by functional analyses of Yap7 and of its paralogue Yap5 in different yeast species. These analyses indicated that the negative regulation of YHB1 by Yap7 arose by neofunctionalization after the whole genome duplication which led to the C. glabrata and S. cerevisiae extant species. This work describes a new aspect of the regulation of fungal nitric oxidase and provides detailed insights into its functioning and evolution.
The endosomal sorting complex required for transport machinery influences haem uptake and capsule elaboration in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Hu Guanggan , Caza Mélissa , Cadieux Brigitte , Bakkeren Erik , Do Eunsoo , Jung Won Hee , Kronstad James W.
Published: March 2015

Iron availability is a key determinant of virulence in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Previous work revealed that the ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) protein Vps23 functions in iron acquisition, capsule formation and virulence. Here, we further characterized the ESCRT machinery to demonstrate that defects in the ESCRT‐II and III complexes caused reduced capsule attachment, impaired growth on haem and resistance to non‐iron metalloprotoporphyrins. The ESCRT mutants shared several phenotypes with a mutant lacking the pH‐response regulator Rim101, and in other fungi, the ESCRT machinery is known to activate Rim101 via proteolytic cleavage. We therefore expressed a truncated and activated version of Rim101 in the ESCRT mutants and found that this allele restored capsule formation but not growth on haem, thus suggesting a Rim101‐independent contribution to haem uptake. We also demonstrated that the ESCRT machinery acts downstream of the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway to influence capsule elaboration. Defects in the ESCRT components also attenuated virulence in macrophage survival assays and a mouse model of cryptococcosis to a greater extent than reported for loss of Rim101. Overall, these results indicate that the ESCRT complexes function in capsule elaboration, haem uptake and virulence via Rim101‐dependent and independent mechanisms.
ArsH is an organoarsenical oxidase that confers resistance to trivalent forms of the herbicide monosodium methylarsenate and the poultry growth promoter roxarsone
Authors: Chen Jian , Bhattacharjee Hiranmoy , Rosen Barry P.
Published: March 2015

Environmental organoarsenicals are produced by microorganisms and are introduced anthropogenically as herbicides and antimicrobial growth promoters for poultry and swine. Nearly every prokaryote has an ars (arsenic resistance) operon, and some have an arsH gene encoding an atypical flavodoxin. The role of ArsH in arsenic resistance has been unclear. Here we demonstrate that ArsH is an organoarsenical oxidase that detoxifies trivalent methylated and aromatic arsenicals by oxidation to pentavalent species. Escherichia coli, which does not have an arsH gene, is very sensitive to the trivalent forms of the herbicide monosodium methylarsenate [MSMA or MAs(V)] and antimicrobial growth promoter roxarsone [Rox(V)], as well as to phenylarsenite [PhAs(III), also called phenylarsine oxide or PAO]. Pseudomonas putida has two chromosomally encoded arsH genes and is highly resistant to the trivalent forms of these organoarsenicals. A derivative of P. putida with both arsH genes deleted is sensitive to MAs(III), PhAs(III) or Rox(III). P. putida arsH expressed in E. coli conferred resistance to each trivalent organoarsenical. Cells expressing PpArsH oxidized the trivalent organoarsenicals. PpArsH was purified, and the enzyme in vitro similarly oxidized the trivalent organoarsenicals. These results suggest that ArsH catalyzes a novel biotransformation that confers resistance to environmental methylated and aromatic arsenicals.
Dimeric chlorite dismutase from the nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacterium Cyanothece sp. PCC7425
Authors: Schaffner Irene , Hofbauer Stefan , Krutzler Michael , Pirker Katharina F. , Bellei Marzia , Stadlmayr Gerhard , Mlynek Georg , Djinovic‐Carugo Kristina , Battistuzzi Gianantonio , Furtmüller Paul G. , Daims Holger , Obinger Christian
Published: March 2015

It is demonstrated that cyanobacteria (both azotrophic and non‐azotrophic) contain heme b oxidoreductases that can convert chlorite to chloride and molecular oxygen (incorrectly denominated chlorite ‘dismutase’, Cld). Beside the water‐splitting manganese complex of photosystem II, this metalloenzyme is the second known enzyme that catalyses the formation of a covalent oxygen–oxygen bond. All cyanobacterial Clds have a truncated N‐terminus and are dimeric (i.e. clade 2) proteins. As model protein, Cld from Cyanothece sp. PCC7425 (CCld) was recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli and shown to efficiently degrade chlorite with an activity optimum at pH 5.0 [kcat 1144 ± 23.8 s−1, KM 162 ± 10.0 μM, catalytic efficiency (7.1 ± 0.6) × 106 M−1 s−1]. The resting ferric high‐spin axially symmetric heme enzyme has a standard reduction potential of the Fe(III)/Fe(II) couple of −126 ± 1.9 mV at pH 7.0. Cyanide mediates the formation of a low‐spin complex with kon = (1.6 ± 0.1) × 105 M−1 s−1 and koff = 1.4 ± 2.9 s−1 (KD ∼ 8.6 μM). Both, thermal and chemical unfolding follows a non‐two‐state unfolding pathway with the first transition being related to the release of the prosthetic group. The obtained data are discussed with respect to known structure–function relationships of Clds. We ask for the physiological substrate and putative function of these O2‐producing proteins in (nitrogen‐fixing) cyanobacteria.