bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeletochronological estimation of age and growth of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the western South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Lenz Ana Júlia , Avens Larisa , Campos Trigo Cariane , Borges‐Martins Márcio
Published: February 2016

Age and growth are important parameters for better understanding of life history and population dynamics of animal species, as well as for formulating management strategies. However, these data are difficult to obtain for sea turtles because of overall slow growth, delayed maturation and highly migratory behaviour. The loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, is a widely distributed species, globally listed as endangered. Although the species has been well‐studied in some regions, little is known about various aspects of its biology in other populations, such as those in the waters of the western South Atlantic Ocean, especially outside nesting areas. To address age and growth, loggerhead turtles found dead stranded on the northern coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul during a period of 16 years (1994–2010) were utilized for estimation of age and growth rates using skeletochronology. The individuals analyzed were predominantly neritic juveniles, ranging from 53 to 101 cm curved carapace length (CCL; mean = 71 cm), with estimated ages between 10 and 29 years (mean = 15 years). Mean estimated annual growth rate was 2.1 cm CCL year−1 (1.9 cm SCL yr−1), showing large variation among individuals and between successive years in the same individual. Generalized additive mixed models analysis indicated that growth response was influenced by age, CCL and year. The results demonstrated that the southern coast of Brazil is an important area for the development of neritic juveniles of this species, which appear to recruit to this region beginning at about 12 years of age and sizes greater than 55 cm CCL.
Targeted high‐throughput growth hormone 1 gene sequencing reveals high within‐breed genetic diversity in South African goats
Authors: Ncube K. T. , Mdladla K. , Dzomba E. F. , Muchadeyi F. C.
Published: February 2016

This study assessed the genetic diversity in the growth hormone 1 gene (GH1) within and between South African goat breeds. Polymerase chain reaction‐targeted gene amplification together with Illumina MiSeq next‐generation sequencing (NGS) was used to generate the full length (2.54 kb) of the growth hormone 1 gene and screen for SNPs in the South African Boer (SAB) (n = 17), Tankwa (n = 15) and South African village (n = 35) goat populations. A range of 27–58 SNPs per population were observed. Mutations resulting in amino acid changes were observed at exons 2 and 5. Higher within‐breed diversity of 97.37% was observed within the population category consisting of SA village ecotypes and the Tankwa goats. Highest pairwise FST values ranging from 0.148 to 0.356 were observed between the SAB and both the South African village and Tankwa feral goat populations. Phylogenetic analysis indicated nine genetic clusters, which reflected close relationships between the South African populations and the other international breeds with the exception of the Italian Sarda breeds. Results imply greater potential for within‐population selection programs, particularly with SA village goats.
Psoriasis and the liver: problems, causes and course
Authors: Tula Elona , Ergun Tulin , Seckin Dilek , Ozgen Zuleyha , Avsar Erol
Published: February 2016

Background/Objectives

Psoriasis patients have a higher risk of liver abnormalities such as non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), drug‐induced hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis and neutrophilic cholangitis, than the general population. Associated liver disease limits therapeutic options and necessitates careful monitoring. The aim of the study was to identify liver problems in psoriasis patients and to investigate the underlying causes as well as their course.

Methods

The files of 518 psoriasis patients were retrospectively reviewed. Among these, 393 patients with relevant laboratory data were analysed for liver enzymes and their relation to the known risk factors for liver disease (obesity, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, hepatotoxic medications, dyslipidemia, psoriatic arthritis and infectious hepatitis).

Results

Among 393 patients, 24% and 0.8% developed liver enzyme abnormalities and cirrhosis, respectively. The most common factors associated with pathological liver enzymes were drugs (57%) and NAFLD (22%). Other rare causes were alcoholic hepatitis, viral hepatitis, neutrophilic cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis and toxic hepatitis due to herbal therapy. Drug‐induced liver enzyme abnormalities were reversible whereas in patients with NAFLD transaminases tended to fluctuate. One patient with herbal medicine‐related cirrhosis died of sepsis.

Conclusion

Liver enzyme abnormalities are common in psoriasis patients and are mostly associated with drugs and NAFLD. Although most cases can be managed by avoiding hepatotoxic medications and close follow up, severe consequences like cirrhosis may develop.
Discriminant ability of the Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB) as a screening tool for the neurological follow‐up of high‐risk infants in Colombia
Authors: Charpak Nathalie , de la Hoz Ana María , Villegas Julieta , Gil Fabián
Published: February 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the discriminative ability of the Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB), applied at 3, 6 and 9 months of corrected age (CA), on neurological outcomes at 1 year of CA.

Method

An observational analytic study was conducted on a cohort of 5857 infants, followed up to 1 year of CA in a Kangaroo Mother Care programme from 1993 to 2010 in Bogotá, Colombia. Infants were included if they had two complete INFANIB results at 3 or 6 or 9 months of CA and at 12 months of CA, including the Griffiths Scale. The outcome was defined as the presence of a neurological abnormality, as evidenced by the results of both the INFANIB and Griffiths Scale.

Results

The sensitivity of the INFANIB at 3 months was 62.2%, and specificity was 76.1%, with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area of 0.69. At 6 months, the results were 77.5% for sensitivity and 74.4% for specificity (ROC 0.76), and at 9 months, they were 77.2% for sensitivity and 91.1% for specificity (ROC 0.84).

Conclusion

The INFANIB was an appropriate neurological screening test with regard to determining which Colombian infants would benefit from a timely intervention for neuromotor disorders.
Propranolol was effective in treating cutaneous infantile haemangiomas in Thai children
Authors: Techasatian Leelawadee , Komwilaisak Patcharee , Panombualert Sunee , Uppala Rattapon , Jetsrisuparb Charoon
Published: February 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of propranolol in treating infantile haemangiomas, the most common benign vascular tumours in children.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective chart review of infantile haemangioma patients admitted to the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, from January 2009 to January 2015.

Results

There were 53 infantile haemangioma cases treated with oral propranolol. Treatment responses occurred as early as two weeks after propranolol administration in 91.5% of the follow‐up patients, with all 53 cases achieving the desired treatment responses two months after propranolol was initiated. No significant differences in treatment responses were found between propranolol as a mono‐therapy or as a combination therapy with prednisolone at the two‐week (p value 0.13) and one‐month follow‐ups (p value 0.98). Complications were documented in three cases (5.6%) when the propranolol dose was increased, and these were asymptomatic hypoglycaemia in two cases and one case of hypotension.

Conclusion

Propranolol was effective in treating infantile haemangiomas, and combining it with prednisolone achieved no significant differences in treatment outcome. Cases should be monitored for hypoglycaemia and hypotension. More data on using propranolol for infantile haemangiomas are needed, including long‐term follow‐up studies.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: diagnostic overlap of microscopic colitis and functional bowel disorders
Authors: Guagnozzi D. , Arias Á. , Lucendo A. J.
Published: February 2016

Background

Microscopic colitis shares certain common clinical manifestations with functional bowel disorders, especially diarrhoea‐dominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional diarrhoea. However, the exact relationship between microscopic colitis and functional bowel disorders has not been systematically assessed.

Aim

To conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis on the diagnostic overlap between functional bowel disorders and microscopic colitis.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and SCOPUS databases, as well as the abstract books of the major gastroenterology meetings, to investigate the prevalence of microscopic colitis among patients with functional bowel disorders (considering all subtypes of both disorders) and vice versa. Data were pooled with a random‐effects model.

Results

Of 227 references identified, data were collected from 26 studies and a total of 5,099 adult patients. The pooled prevalence any type of functional bowel disorders in patients who present diagnostic criteria of microscopic colitis was 39.1% (95% CI: 22.8–56.6%; I2: 97%) and was higher for lymphocytic colitis than for collagenous colitis (40.7% vs. 28.4%, respectively; P = 0.58). The prevalence of microscopic colitis in functional bowel disorders patients was 7% (95% CI: 3.6–11.4%), reaching 9.8% (95% CI: 4.4–17.1%; I2: 95%) in patients exhibiting diarrhoea‐dominant IBS, nonsignificantly higher than microscopic colitis rates among patients with constipation‐dominant IBS (1.3%) or mixed‐dominant IBS (1.9%).

Conclusions

There is a significant overlap of symptoms between microscopic colitis and functional bowel disorders, especially in diarrhoeal subtypes. The high proportion of microscopic colitis among diarrhoea‐dominant functional syndromes should serve as a call for more active diagnosis in selected patients.
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, short term efficacy and safety of RCT‐18, a novel BLyS/APRIL fusion protein, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chen Xia , Zhao Qian , Hou Yong , Jiang Ji , Zhong Wen , Wang Wenxiang , Yao Xuejing , Li Lin , Fang Jianmin , Zhang Fengchun , Hu Pei
Published: February 2016

Aim

RCT‐18 is a recombinant fusion protein that interferes with the selection and survival of mature B‐lymphocytes by inhibiting B‐lymphocyte stimulator and a proliferation‐inducing ligand.

Methods

This single blind, randomized, placebo controlled, clinical pharmacological study explored the short term efficacy and safety of RCT‐18 in 21 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with three different dosing regimens. The pharmacological behaviour of RCT‐18 was also characterized through a six level biomarker cascade approach to identify potential predictors for clinical responses.

Results

Nine out of 10 patients (>80%) experienced moderate to good EULAR response at the end of 3 months with once or twice weekly doses of 180 mg RCT‐18, whereas weekly administration of 360 mg RCT‐18 or placebo, however, only resulted in moderate improvement in one patient in each group. Absence of IgM‐type rheumatoid factor reduction, recovery of IgM 2 weeks after drug cessation, lack of decrease in the count of CD27(+) B‐lymphocytes and a DAS28 change from baseline <6 in 4–6 weeks after the treatment initiation may indicate poor clinical response. No anti‐drug antibody of RCT‐18 was detected. The active treatments were well tolerated, although more mild to moderate infections were reported in patients receiving RCT‐18.

Conclusion

The study results support further development of RCT‐18 in RA patients and provide important information for future dose selection.
Inhibition of Protein Disulfide Isomerase in Thrombosis
Authors: Bekendam Roelof H. , Flaumenhaft Robert
Published: February 2016

This MiniReview addresses our current understanding of the mechanisms by which protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) mediates thrombus formation and discusses the potential of blocking thrombosis by targeting PDI. Thiol isomerases are ubiquitous oxidoreductases primarily localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where they serve a critical role in protein folding. PDI is the founding member of the thiol isomerase family. Although PDI is an essential intracellular enzyme, it can participate in pathological processes once released from cells. In particular, PDI serves a critical role in thrombus formation, the underlying cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. Both platelets and endothelial cells secrete PDI upon vascular injury. Secreted PDI appears to activate multiple extracellular substrates in the vasculature, enabling the initiation of thrombus formation. As an essential component of thrombus formation, extracellular PDI represents a new target for pharmacological inhibition of clinical thrombosis. Quercetin‐3‐rutinoside, a flavonol highly abundant in common foods, inhibits PDI and blocks thrombus formation both in vitro and in vivo. Such observations have prompted clinical trials targeting PDI in thrombotic diseases.
Thee, uhh disfluency effect in preschoolers: A cue to discourse status
Authors: Owens Sarah J. , Graham Susan A.
Published: February 2016

Speech disfluencies, such as filled pauses (ummm, uhhh), are increasingly recognized as an informative element of the speech stream. Here, we examined whether 2‐ and 3‐year‐olds expected that the presence of filled pause would signal reference to objects that are new to a discourse. Children viewed pairs of familiar objects on a screen and heard a speaker refer to one of the objects twice in succession. Next, children heard a critical utterance and were asked to look and point at either the discourse‐given (i.e., previously mentioned) or discourse‐new (i.e., previously unmentioned) object using a fluent (‘Look at the ball!’) or disfluent (‘Look at thee uh ball!’) expression. The results indicated that 3‐year‐old children, but not 2‐year‐old children, initially expected the speaker to continue to refer to given information in the critical utterance. Upon hearing a filled pause, however, both 2‐ and 3‐year‐old children's looking patterns reflected increased looks to discourse‐new objects, although the timing of the effect differed between the age groups. Together, these findings demonstrate that young children have an emerging understanding of the role of filled pauses in speech.
Hearing visuo‐tactile synchrony – Sound‐induced proprioceptive drift in the invisible hand illusion
Authors: Darnai Gergely , Szolcsányi Tibor , Hegedüs Gábor , Kincses Péter , Kállai János , Kovács Márton , Simon Eszter , Nagy Zsófia , Janszky József
Published: February 2016

The rubber hand illusion (RHI) and its variant the invisible hand illusion (IHI) are useful for investigating multisensory aspects of bodily self‐consciousness. Here, we explored whether auditory conditioning during an RHI could enhance the trisensory visuo‐tactile‐proprioceptive interaction underlying the IHI. Our paradigm comprised of an IHI session that was followed by an RHI session and another IHI session. The IHI sessions had two parts presented in counterbalanced order. One part was conducted in silence, whereas the other part was conducted on the backdrop of metronome beats that occurred in synchrony with the brush movements used for the induction of the illusion. In a first experiment, the RHI session also involved metronome beats and was aimed at creating an associative memory between the brush stroking of a rubber hand and the sounds. An analysis of IHI sessions showed that the participants’ perceived hand position drifted more towards the body‐midline in the metronome relative to the silent condition without any sound‐related session differences. Thus, the sounds, but not the auditory RHI conditioning, influenced the IHI. In a second experiment, the RHI session was conducted without metronome beats. This confirmed the conditioning‐independent presence of sound‐induced proprioceptive drift in the IHI. Together, these findings show that the influence of visuo‐tactile integration on proprioceptive updating is modifiable by irrelevant auditory cues merely through the temporal correspondence between the visuo‐tactile and auditory events.
Observing real‐world groups in the virtual field: The analysis of online discussion
Authors: Giles David C.
Published: February 2016

This article sets out to establish the naturalistic study of online social communication as a substantive topic in social psychology and to discuss the challenges of developing methods for a formal analysis of the structural and interactional features of message threads on discussion forums. I begin by outlining the essential features of online communication and specifically discussion forum data, and the important ways in which they depart from spoken conversation. I describe the handful of attempts to devise systematic analytic techniques for adapting methods such as conversation and discourse analysis to the study of online discussion. I then present a case study of a thread from the popularUKparenting forum Mumsnet which presents a number of challenges for existing methods, and examine some of the interactive phenomena typical of forums. Finally, I consider ways in which membership categorization analysis and social identity theory can complement one another in the exploration of both group processes and the rhetorical deployment of identities as dynamic phenomena in online discussion.
Surge dynamics of Aavatsmarkbreen, Svalbard, inferred from the geomorphological record
Authors: Sobota Ireneusz , Weckwerth Piotr , Nowak Marcin
Published: February 2016

This study investigated the surge dynamics of Aavatsmarkbreen, a glacier in Svalbard and its geomorphological impact based on remote sensing data and field observations. The main objective was to analyse and classify subglacial and supraglacial landforms in the context of glacial deformation and basal sliding over a thin layer of thawed, water‐saturated deposits. The study also focused on the geomorphological evidence of surge‐related sub‐ and supraglacial crevassing and glacier front fracturing. From 2006 to 2013, the average recession of Aavatsmarkbreen was 363 m (52 m a−1). A subsequent surge during 2013–2015 resulted in a substantial advance of the glacier front of over 1 km and an increase in its surface area of more than 2 km2. The surface of Aavatsmarkbreen was severely fractured. Significant ice‐flow acceleration was noted whereby the highest surface velocity reached 4.9 m day−1. The ephemeral water‐escape structures and mini‐flutings on the fine‐grained till surface that formed during the surge are indicative of high subglacial pore‐water pressure and enhanced basal sliding. Two genetic types of clast pavements occur in the marginal zone of Aavatsmarkbreen. The results of this study will help to constrain glaciological and geomorphological processes involved in surge phenomena. Understanding the scale and effects of these processes provides insight into the behaviour of fast‐flowing glaciers and ice streams and reveals their relationships with external factors.
Aristolochic acid, a plant extract used in the treatment of pain and linked to Balkan endemic nephropathy, is a regulator of K2P channels
Authors: Veale Emma L , Mathie Alistair
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose

Aristolochic acid (AristA) is found in plants used in traditional medicines to treat pain. We investigated the action of AristA on TREK and TRESK, potassium (K2P) channels, which are potential therapeutic targets in pain. Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is a renal disease associated with AristA consumption. A mutation of TASK‐2 (K2P5.1) channels (T108P) is seen in some patients susceptible to BEN, so we investigated how both this mutation and AristA affected TASK‐2 channels.

Experimental Approach

Currents through wild‐type and mutated human K2P channels expressed in tsA201 cells were measured using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings in the presence and absence of AristA.

Key Results

TREK‐1‐ and TREK‐2‐mediated currents were enhanced by AristA (100 μM), whereas TRESK was inhibited. Inhibition of TRESK did not depend on the phosphorylation of key intracellular serines but was completely blocked by mutation of bulky residues in the inner pore (F145A_F352A). The TASK‐2_T108P mutation markedly reduced both current density and ion selectivity. A related mutation (T108C) had similar but less marked effects. External alkalization and application of flufenamic acid enhanced TASK‐2 and TASK‐2_T108C current but did not affect TASK‐2_T108P current. AristA (300 μM) produced a modest enhancement of TASK‐2 current.

Conclusions and Implications

Enhancement of TREK‐1 and TREK‐2 and inhibition of TRESK by AristA may contribute to therapeutically useful effects of this compound in pain. Whilst AristA is unlikely to interact directly with TASK‐2 channels in BEN, loss of functional TASK‐2 channels may indirectly increase susceptibility to AristA toxicity.
Drp‐1, a potential therapeutic target for brain ischaemic stroke
Authors: Zuo W , Yang P F , Chen J , Zhang Z , Chen N H
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose

The resistance of CA3 neurons to ischaemia and the ischaemic tolerance conferred by ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) are two well‐established endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms. Elucidating the molecules involved may help us find new therapeutic targets. Thus, we determined whether dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp‐1) is involved in these processes.

Experimental Approach

In vivo, we subjected rats to either 10 min severe global ischaemia using a four‐vessel occlusion (4‐VO) model or 2 min IPC before the onset of 4‐VO.In vitro, we performed oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) studies in rat hippocampal neurons. Drp‐1 was silenced or inhibited by siRNA or pharmacological inhibitor Mdivi1. To assess whether mitochondrial Drp‐1 alters neuronal vulnerability to ischaemic injury, various approaches were used including western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and electron microscopy. Hippocampal function was assessed using an open‐field test.

Key Results

Mitochondrial dynamin‐related protein 1 (mtDrp‐1) was selectively induced by ischaemia in hippocampal CA3 neurons. In hippocampal CA1 neurons, mtDrp‐1 was not affected by ischaemia but significantly up‐regulated by IPC. Suppression of Drp‐1 increased the vulnerability of cells to OGD and global ischaemia. Inhibition of Drp‐1in vivoresulted in loss of acquisition and encoding of spatial information, and also prevented ischaemia‐induced mitophagy in CA3. Thus mitochondrial‐mediated injury was amplified and resistance to ischaemic injury lost.

Conclusions and Implications

Our findings that Drp‐1 increases the resistance of neurons of hippocampal CA3 affected by global ischaemia and contributes to the tolerance conferred by IPC highlight Drp‐1 as a potential therapeutic target for brain ischaemic stroke.
The role of COMT and plasma proline in the variable penetrance of autistic spectrum symptoms in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Hidding E. , Swaab H. , de Sonneville L.M.J. , van Engeland H. , Vorstman J.A.S.
Published: February 2016

This paper examines how COMT158 genotypes and plasma proline levels are associated with variable penetrance of social behavioural and social cognitive problems in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). Severity of autistic spectrum symptoms of 45 participants with 22q11DS was assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised. Face and facial emotion recognition was evaluated using standardized computer‐based test‐paradigms. Associations with COMT158 genotypes and proline levels were examined. High proline levels and poor face recognition in individuals with the COMTMET allele, and poor facial emotion recognition, explained almost 50% of the variance in severity of autism symptomatology in individuals with 22q11DS. High proline levels and a decreased capacity to break down dopamine as a result of the COMTMET variant are both relevant in the expression of the social phenotype in patients. This epistatic interaction effect between the COMT158 genotype and proline on the expression of social deficits in 22q11DS shows how factors other than the direct effects of the deletion itself can modulate the penetrance of associated cognitive and behavioural outcomes. These findings are not only relevant to our insight into 22q11DS, but also provide a model to better understand the phenomenon of variable penetrance in other pathogenic genetic variants.
Initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy within 8 weeks of elective colorectal resection improves overall survival regardless of reoperation
Authors: Nachiappan S. , Askari A. , Mamidanna R. , Munasinghe A. , Currie A. , Stebbing J. , Faiz O.
Published: February 2016

Aim

Reoperation after elective colorectal resection may delay the start of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). The study investigated the dual impact of a reoperation and AC delay on overall survival (OS).

Method

The Hospital Episode Statistics database was analysed between 1997 and 2012. Patients were divided into colon and rectal cancer cohorts and data were analysed based on whether there was delay in receiving AC beyond 8 weeks and whether a patient suffered reoperation within 30 days. Multivariate regression analysis was undertaken to investigate the relationship between delay in giving AC and reoperation and their combined effect on OS.

Results

Logistic regression showed reoperation, amongst other things, to be an independent predictor of AC delay, in both colon and rectal cancer (colon, odds ratio 2.31, P < 0.001; rectal, odds ratio 2.19, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in OS between patients who had no AC delay but suffered a reoperation and patients who had no AC delay and no reoperation. Patients who had AC delay but no reoperation, however, had significantly worse OS compared to those who had no AC delay and no reoperation [colon, hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, P < 0.001; rectal, HR 1.17, P < 0.001]. Individuals who had both AC delay and a reoperation also had worse OS compared with patients who had neither (colon, HR 1.33, P = 0.037; rectal, HR 1.38, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Delayed receipt of AC beyond 8 weeks after surgery is associated with significantly reduced OS regardless of reoperation status in both colon and rectal cancer patients.
Single and combined associations of accelerometer‐assessed physical activity and muscle‐strengthening activities on plasma homocysteine in a national sample
Authors: Buckner Samuel L. , Loenneke Jeremy P. , Loprinzi Paul D.
Published: February 2016

Background

Aerobic exercise and resistance training (RT) are individually associated with positive health outcomes. It has been shown that combining both aerobic and RT exercise may produce greater outcomes than each type alone. Homocysteine has been shown to decrease with aerobic and RT exercise. However, no study has examined the combined effects of both types on homocysteine, which was the purpose of this study.

Methods

Data from the 2003–2006 NHANES were used. Homocysteine values were obtained from a blood sample. Accelerometer‐derived physical activity (PA) was measured using accelerometry, and MSA was measured via a questionnaire.

Results

Meeting the recommendations for accelerometer‐derived PA was associated with lower homocysteine (βadjusted = −0·29; P = 0·04), as was meeting the recommendations for MSA (βadjusted = −0·30; P = 0·028). Compared to those meeting zero recommendations, there was no difference between those meeting 1 and those meeting both (P = 0·08). Further, higher homocysteine was linked with increased all‐cause mortality (HR = 1·47; 95% CI: 1·29–1·69) and CVD‐specific mortality (HR = 1·48; 95% CI: 1·20–1·81).

Conclusion

These results suggest that PA and MSA are associated with lower homocysteine and that there may be a dose–response relationship when combining both forms of exercise, which is an important finding as higher homocysteine is predictive of increased all‐cause and CVD‐specific mortality.
Re‐transplants compared to primary kidney transplants recipients: a mate kidney paired analysis of the OPTN/UNOS database
Authors: Khalil Ali K. , Slaven James E. , Mujtaba Muhammad A. , Yaqub Muhammad S. , Mishler Dennis P. , Taber Tim E. , Sharfuddin Asif A.
Published: February 2016

Outcomes of kidney re‐transplant recipients (RTR) were compared to primary recipients (FTR) from paired donor kidneys. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) database was used to identify deceased donors (n = 6266) who donated one kidney to an RTR and the mate kidney to an FTR between January 2000 to December 2010. As compared to FTR, RTR were younger (45 vs. 52 yr, p < 0.001) and had higher proportion of plasma reactive antibody >80 (25% vs 7%, p < 0.001). There were higher 0 mismatches in RTR (19% vs. 16%, p < 0.001). There were more pre‐emptive transplants in RTR (24% vs. 21%, p = 0.002). Delayed graft function (28% vs. 25%, p = 0.007) was higher in RTR. Patient survival was similar in FTR and RTR groups at one, three, and five yr (95.7%, 90.2%, and 82.5% vs. 95.2%, 89.8% and 82.7%). Allograft survival rates were higher in FTR group compared to RTR group at one, three, and five yr (91.1%, 82.4%, and 70.9% vs. 87.8%, 77.4%, and 66.1% p < 0.001). Death‐censored allograft survival rates were higher in FTR group at one, three, and five yr (91.3%, 82.7% and 71.4% vs. 88%, 77.7% and 66.5% p < 0.001). In today's era of modern immunosuppression, graft survival in RTR has improved but remains inferior to FTR when controlling for donor factors.
Alcohol and economic development: Observations on the kingdom of Bhutan
Authors: Kypri Kypros , Dorji Gampo , Dalton Craig
Published: February 2016

Bhutan is a small country undergoing rapid social change arising from income growth, urbanisation and Western cultural influence. Markers of poverty, namely infectious disease and infant mortality, have improved dramatically. The attention of health authorities is now focused on the non‐communicable disease and injury burdens, to which alcohol consumption is a major contributor. The paper draws on official data to characterise the consumption of alcohol and related harm, and the nature of the alcohol market, with commentary on crucial aspects of availability policies and drink‐driving regulation that need reform. Kypri K, Dorji G, Dalton C. Alcohol and economic development: Observations on the kingdom of Bhutan. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:333ȃ336.]
Impact of centralized evaluation of bone marrow histology in systemic mastocytosis
Authors: Jawhar Mohamad , Schwaab Juliana , Horny Hans‐Peter , Sotlar Karl , Naumann Nicole , Fabarius Alice , Valent Peter , Cross Nicholas C.P. , Hofmann Wolf‐Karsten , Metzgeroth Georgia , Reiter Andreas
Published: February 2016

Background

Bone marrow (BM) histology/immunohistochemistry, KIT D816V mutation analysis and serum tryptase measurements are mandatory tools for diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis (SM).

Materials and methods

Within the ‘German Registry of Disorders on Eosinophils and Mast Cells’, we identified 65 patients with SM who had two consecutive BM biopsies. The first biopsy was evaluated by a local pathologist (LP) and the second biopsy by a reference pathologist (RP) of the ‘European Competence Network on Mastocytosis (ECNM)’.

Results

Final diagnoses by RP were SM (n = 27), SM or aggressive SM (ASM) with associated clonal haematological non‐mast cell lineage disease [(A)SM‐AHNMD, n = 34)] or mast cell leukaemia ± AHNMD (n = 4). In 15 of 65 patients (23%), initial diagnoses by LP were incorrect (by overlooking SM), for example primary myelofibrosis (n = 3), myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm unclassified (n = 3) or B‐cell lymphoma (n = 2). Fourteen of 15 patients (93%) with incorrect diagnosis had an advanced SM, mostly (A)SM‐AHNMD. In the 50 concordantly diagnosed patients, immunohistochemical markers for quantitative assessment of mast cell infiltration, for example CD117 (KIT) or CD25, were applied by LP in only 34 of 50 patients (68%), and mutational analysis for KIT D816V was performed or recommended in only 13 of 50 patients (26%). Finally, the subclassification of SM was discordant because LP did not diagnose AHNMD in nine of 50 (18%) patients.

Conclusions

In summary, adequate diagnosis and subclassification of SM requires an in‐depth evaluation of the BM by experienced haematopathologists (preferably in a reference centre) in combination with molecular genetics, serum tryptase level and clinical parameters.
National curves of foetal growth in singleton foetuses of Greek origin
Authors: Sotiriadis Alexandros , Eleftheriades Makarios , Chatzinikolaou Fotios , Hassiakos Demetrios , Chrousos George P. , Pervanidou Panagiota
Published: February 2016

Background

Foetal growth monitoring is an essential component of prenatal care with postnatal impact. The aim of the study was to construct reference ranges for foetal biometric parameters in Greek foetuses and to compare them with previously published models.

Materials and Methods

Measurements from 1200 Greek foetuses were used to construct normal curves for biparietal diameter (BPD), occipitofrontal diameter (OFD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femoral length (FL) and the BPD/FL ratio according to the methodology described by Royston and Wright (1998). The model was validated in a second group of 1200 different foetuses using analysis of the corresponding standardized residuals (z‐scores). The z‐scores which were derived by our model were compared to those calculated using previously published models from other populations.

Results

BPD, OFD, HC, AC, FL and the BPD/FL ratio are accurately described by simple quadratic equations (R2 > 0·96 for most of the parameters tested). Statistically significant differences were observed for most of the z‐scores when our models were compared to previously published models. Less than 10% of our foetuses were < 5th or > 95th centile of the latter models. About 10% of our foetuses were > 95th centile for FL and HC when the INTERGROWTH‐21st formulas were used.

Conclusion

We present national foetal biometric references. Using charts from other populations (including INTERGROWTH‐21st) may be unrepresentative of local populations and lead to misclassification of foetal growth status.
EVALUATING PENSION PORTABILITY REFORMS: THE TAX REFORM ACT OF 1986 AS A NATURAL EXPERIMENT ABSTRACT
Authors: Andrietti Vincenzo , Hildebrand Vincent A.
Published: February 2016

This article exploits a change in the vesting rules for employer‐sponsored pension plans introduced by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to identify the causal effect of pension portability legislation on workers' voluntary mobility decisions. We pool data from different years of the Survey of Income and Program Participation to estimate the impact of this reform using difference‐in‐differences methods. Our results suggest that the reform had a positive and significant impact on voluntary job mobility of the treatment group. (JEL J24, J44, J62, J63, J68)
THE ECONOMICS OF EXOGAMOUS MARRIAGE IN SMALL‐SCALE SOCIETIES
Authors: Dow Gregory K. , Reed Clyde G. , Woodcock Simon
Published: February 2016

Marriage is a core institution in almost every human society, including small‐scale societies based on foraging or subsistence agriculture. A crucial dimension of the marriage systems in such societies involves endogamy and exogamy, that is, the choice of a marriage partner from within one's own community or from an outside community. We develop a model in which the exogamy rate is higher when good local matches are scarce due to small community sizes, and when productivity differs across communities due to environmental shocks. These theoretical predictions are supported by econometric analysis of data from the standard cross‐cultural sample. (JEL D13, J11, N30, Z13)
Incidence and prognosis of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in HIV‐associated progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy
Authors: Sainz‐de‐la‐Maza S. , Casado J. L. , Pérez‐Elías M. J. , Moreno A. , Quereda C. , Moreno S. , Corral I.
Published: February 2016

Background and purpose

Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy‐associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (PML‐IRIS) is the paradoxical worsening or unmasking of preexisting infection with JC virus attributable to a rapid recovery of the immune system after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation. We investigated the incidence and factors associated with PML‐IRIS in HIV‐infected patients. We also studied its influence on mortality of PML and the effect of corticosteroid therapy.

Methods

Single‐center retrospective analysis of HIV‐infected patients diagnosed with PML from 1996 to 2012 who received HAART.

Results

Among 59 PML patients treated with HAART, 18 (30.51%) developed PML‐IRIS (five delayed PML‐IRIS, 13 simultaneous PML‐IRIS). Patients who developed IRIS had lower CD4 counts prior to treatment (102 vs. 68.5, P < 0.05) and experienced a greater decline in HIV‐RNA levels in response to HAART (2.5log vs. 2.95log, P < 0.05). Gadolinium enhancement on MRI was observed in 31.25% of PML‐IRIS cases versus 2.56% of PML non‐IRIS (P < 0.01). Survival rates were higher in patients with PML‐IRIS compared to those with PML non‐IRIS. Eight patients received corticosteroids, five of which had a good outcome. Patients who died were severely ill when treatment was initiated whereas patients who survived were treated before major neurological deterioration occurred.

Conclusions

Nearly one‐third of HIV‐infected patients with PML develop IRIS after initiating HAART. Patients severely immunocompromised who experience a rapid virological response to HAART have a higher risk for PML‐IRIS. There was a trend for lower mortality in patients with IRIS. Early treatment with corticosteroids might be useful.
Effect of somatosensory amplification and trait anxiety on experimentally induced orthodontic pain
Authors: Cioffi Iacopo , Michelotti Ambrosina , Perrotta Stefania , Chiodini Paolo , Ohrbach Richard
Published: February 2016

The perception of pain varies considerably across individuals and is affected by psychological traits. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of somatosensory amplification and trait anxiety on orthodontic pain. Five‐hundred and five adults completed the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS). Individuals with combined STAI and SSAS scores below the 20th percentile (LASA group: five men and 12 women; mean age ± SD = 22.4 ± 1.3 yr) or above the 80th percentile (HASA group: 13 men and seven women; mean age ± SD = 23.7 ± 1.0 yr) were selected and filled in the Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC). Orthodontic separators were placed for 5 d in order to induce experimental pain. Visual analog scales (VAS) were administered to collect ratings for occlusal discomfort, pain, and perceived stress. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured. A mixed regression model was used to evaluate pain and discomfort ratings over the 5‐d duration of the study. At baseline, the LASA group had statistically significantly higher PPT values for the masseter muscle than did the HASA group. During the experimental procedure, the HASA group had statistically significantly higher discomfort and pain. A significant difference in pain ratings during the 5 d of the study was found for subjects in the HASA group. Higher OBC values were statistically significantly positively associated with pain. Somatosensory amplification and trait anxiety substantially affect experimentally induced orthodontic pain.
Are dermal adipocytes involved in psoriasis?
Authors: Kruglikov Ilja L. , Scherer Philipp E. , Wollina Uwe
Published: February 2016

There is rapidly growing evidence that adipose tissue is involved in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. Recent results demonstrate that murine skin can react to pathogens with the expansion of its dermal adipose depot and an increased production of antimicrobial peptides, which in turn can cause exacerbation of psoriasis‐associated inflammation. We hypothesize that dermal adipocytes rather than subcutaneous adipose tissues are involved in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. This model is supported by the observations that the use of a number of different therapeutic options to alleviate psoriasis invariably leads to a modulation of the dermal adipose tissue. We propose to test this hypothesis through a detailed profiling effort of adipocytes from psoriatic lesions prior to and after psoriasis‐relevant therapies.
High‐order oligomers of intrinsically disordered brain proteins BASP1 and GAP‐43 preserve the structural disorder
Authors: Forsova Oksana S. , Zakharov Vladislav V.
Published: February 2016

Brain acid‐soluble protein‐1 (BASP1) and growth‐associated protein‐43 (GAP‐43) are presynaptic membrane proteins participating in axon guidance, neuroregeneration and synaptic plasticity. They are presumed to sequester phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2) in lipid rafts. Previously we have shown that the proteins form heterogeneously sized oligomers in the presence of anionic phospholipids or SDS at submicellar concentration. BASP1 and GAP‐43 are intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). In light of this, we investigated the structure of their oligomers. Using partial cross‐linking of the oligomers with glutaraldehyde, the aggregation numbers of BASP1 and GAP‐43 were estimated as 10–14 and 6–7 monomer subunits, respectively. The cross‐linking pattern indicated that the subunits are circularly arranged. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the monomers were characteristic of coil‐like IDPs showing unordered structure with a high population of polyproline‐II conformation. The oligomerization was accompanied by a minor CD spectral change attributable to formation of a small amount of α‐helix. The number of residues in the α‐helical conformation was estimated as 13 in BASP1 and 18 in GAP‐43. However, the overall structure of the oligomers remained disordered, indicating a high degree of ‘fuzziness’. This was confirmed by measuring the hydrodynamic dimensions of the oligomers using polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis and size‐exclusion chromatography, and by assaying their sensitivity to proteolytic digestion. There is evidence that the observed α‐helical folding occurs within the basic effector domains, which are presumably tethered together via anionic molecules of SDS or PIP2. We conclude that BASP1 and GAP‐43 oligomers preserve a mostly disordered structure, which may be of great importance for their function in PIP2 signaling pathway.
Supporting Second Language Writing Using Multimodal Feedback
Authors: Elola Idoia , Oskoz Ana
Published: February 2016

The educational use of computer‐based feedback in the classroom is becoming widespread. However, less is known about (1) the extent to which tools influence how instructors provide written and oral comments, and (2) whether receiving oral or written feedback influences the nature of learners' revisions. This case study, which expands existing research on computer‐mediated feedback, examines how four Spanish learners enrolled in a Spanish advanced writing course received multimodal feedback while working on the different drafts of a narrative essay. The instructor provided written feedback via Microsoft Word and oral feedback using screencast software. Results indicate that the tool used affected the quantity and quality of the instructor's comments. When using the screencast software, the instructor provided additional and lengthier comments on content, structure, and organization; the instructor was more explicit on form when using the coding system in Word. Although learners revised similarly regardless of the tool being used, they tended to prefer the oral feedback for global aspects, such as content, structure, and organization, and the written feedback for form. However, learners agreed that no matter the mode and the tool, both approaches to feedback helped them improve their writing skills.
The importance of biogeographical history and extant environmental conditions as drivers of freshwater decapod distribution in southern South America
Authors: Tumini Georgina , Giri Federico , Williner Verónica , Collins Pablo A.
Published: February 2016

A topical issue in macroecology is whether the distribution of organisms is related to biogeographical history or current environmental conditions. Distributions of freshwater decapods in southern South America have been mainly attributed to historical factors, such as geoclimatic events, marine ingressions, tectonic uplifts and glaciations. Here, we test the hypothesis that current distributions are strongly influenced by local environmental conditions.

Generalised linear models were used to quantify the importance of altitude, stability of the waterbody, annual temperature range (ATR), pH and conductivity on the distribution of five freshwater decapod families in Argentina (Sergestidae, Palaemonidae, Parastacidae, Aeglidae and Trichodactylidae), while accounting for effects of latitude and longitude.

Decapod occurrence was strongly associated with interacting spatial and environmental factors. Latitudinal and/or longitudinal gradients were important predictors for the occurrence of Acetes paraguayensis (Sergestidae), Palaemonidae, Aeglidae and Trichodactylidae. However, the longitudinal pattern for Palaemonidae was reversed, increasing from east to west, when environmental variables were included in the analyses, whereas for Trichodactylidae, the longitudinal pattern was sufficiently explained by inclusion of local environmental variables.

Altitude, water stability and ATR were important predictors of all families, while Palaemonidae, Parastacidae and Trichodactylidae were significantly associated with pH and Palaemonidae and Aeglidae with conductivity. Interactions terms were often significant, especially with latitude.

Our results show that the macrodistribution of freshwater decapods is not solely a result of historical processes, a finding that disagrees with current understandings. Significant relationships between decapod occurrence and environmental variables indicates limited plasticity and strong adaptation to local habitats, highlighting the importance of including environmental factors in studies of crustacean biogeography and macroecology.