bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in muscle blood volume reduction in the tibialis anterior muscle during passive plantarflexion
Authors: Otsuki Aki , Muraoka Yoshiho , Fujita Emi , Kubo Sayaka , Yoshida Misaki , Komuro Yuko , Ikegawa Shigeki , Ohta Yuji , Kuno‐Mizumura Mayumi
Published: January 2015

Physical flexibility, such as joint range of motion and muscle extension, may influence muscle blood volume. Women have been shown to have a greater degree of flexibility than men. We examined whether there is a gender difference in the relationship between fascicle length and muscle blood volume or oxygenation in untrained men and women. In 16 untrained men and thirteen untrained women, we measured the total‐[haemoglobin (Hb) + myoglobin (Mb)] (total‐[Hb + Mb]) and relative oxy‐[Hb + Mb] after calibrating baseline and arterial occlusion deoxygenation levels with near‐infrared spectroscopy. Also, fascicle length was measured with B‐mode ultrasonography at the tibialis anterior muscle during passive plantarflexion. Increases in fascicle length from baseline (ankle joint angle 120°, composed from the caput fibulae, the malleolus (pivot), and the distal epiphysis of the fifth metatarsal bone) were greater in women than in men during plantarflexion of 140° and 160° and the maximal angle without pain. However, the decreases in total‐[Hb + Mb] and relative oxy‐[Hb + Mb] from baseline were not different between women and men at any degree of plantarflexion. Moreover, fascicle length and total‐[Hb + Mb]/muscle thickness (men > women) showed a similar relationship, with muscle thickness increasing capillary compression. These findings indicate the possibility of a mechanical function underlying muscle blood volume during muscle stretching, which is greater in women than in men.
The tracheobronchial foreign body in welder without the history of allotriophagy and foreign body aspiration
Authors: Sun Yi‐Lan , Bao Zhang , Wang Xue‐Fen , Wang Li‐Hong , Zhou Jian‐Ying
Published: January 2015

The typical chest computed tomography (CT) finding of the arc welders is ill‐defined micronodules diffusely distributed in the lung. We report a rare case of tracheobronchial foreign body in welder without the history of allotriophagy and foreign body aspiration. We used the CT and mineralogical analysis in diagnosis and the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope in therapy. The CT showed bronchiectasis with pulmonary infiltration of the right lower lobe and high‐density shadow in the basal bronchus of the right lower lobe. The foreign bodies were removed by a fibreoptic bronchoscope. Semiquantitative chemical analyses showed that the constituent of foreign body was similar to the dregs which were collected in the same garage. This is an unusual case of the welding‐related respiratory diseases, which is different from Welder's siderosis and broncholith.
Initial empirical treatment based on clinical feature of chronic cough
Authors: Deng Hai‐yan , Luo Wei , Zhang Min , Xie Jia‐xing , Fang Zhi‐ye , Lai Ke‐fang
Published: January 2015

Background

An empirical therapy based on the clinical characteristics of cough had not been reported. We evaluated this strategy of empirical therapy on chronic cough.

Methods

Patients with chronic cough were initially diagnosed with corticosteroid‐responsive cough (CRC), postnasal drip syndrome (PNDS) and gastroesophageal reflux‐related cough (GERC) based on their medical history and clinical presentation, and received a sequential three‐step empirical therapy. A successful response was required for final diagnosis.

Results

A total of 96 patients were recruited with a median duration of cough for 4 months (range, 2–100). The primary diagnosis based on history and clinical presentation was CRC in 53 patients (55.2%), PNDS in 36 (37.5%) and GERC in 7 (7.3%). Cough improved in 60 patients (62.5%) at the first step with mean time of 6.2 ± 3.3 days. Three‐step empirical therapy was beneficial in 78 of 96 (81.2%) patients at last. The final spectrum and frequency of causes of cough based on therapeutic response were as follows: CRC (46.7%), PNDS (27.5%) and GERC (10.8%). Eighteen cases (18.8%) were not responsive to empirical treatment, seven of whom were identified as other causes by diagnostic tests.

Conclusions

The empirical therapy aimed at primary diagnosis on the basis of history and clinical characteristics is a more targeted approach, and leads to improvement of chronic cough more quickly in most patients. CRC is the most common cause of chronic cough.
Identification of suitable genes contributes to lung adenocarcinoma clustering by multiple meta‐analysis methods
Authors: Yang Ze‐Hui , Zheng Rui , Gao Yuan , Zhang Qiang
Published: January 2015

Background

With the widespread application of high‐throughput technology, numerous meta‐analysis methods have been proposed for differential expression profiling across multiple studies.

Objectives

We identified the suitable differentially expressed (DE) genes that contributed to lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) clustering based on seven popular multiple meta‐analysis methods.

Methods

Seven microarray expression profiles of ADC and normal controls were extracted from the ArrayExpress database. The Bioconductor was used to perform the data preliminary preprocessing. Then, DE genes across multiple studies were identified. Hierarchical clustering was applied to compare the classification performance for microarray data samples. The classification efficiency was compared based on accuracy, sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Across seven datasets, 573 ADC cases and 222 normal controls were collected. After filtering out unexpressed and noninformative genes, 3688 genes were remained for further analysis. The classification efficiency analysis showed that DE genes identified by sum of ranks method separated ADC from normal controls with the best accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 0.953, 0.969 and 0.932, respectively. The gene set with the highest classification accuracy mainly participated in the regulation of response to external stimulus (P = 7.97E‐04), cyclic nucleotide‐mediated signaling (P = 0.01), regulation of cell morphogenesis (P = 0.01) and regulation of cell proliferation (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Evaluation of DE genes identified by different meta‐analysis methods in classification efficiency provided a new perspective to the choice of the suitable method in a given application. Varying meta‐analysis methods always present varying abilities, so synthetic consideration should be taken when providing meta‐analysis methods for particular research.
Temperature variations in unfrozen soils with variable hydrothermal properties
Authors: Nikoosokhan S. , Nowamooz H. , Chazallon C.
Published: January 2015

A comprehensive understanding of the hydrothermal properties of soil is required to model heat distribution in unsaturated soils. In this study, we aim to model heat distribution throughout the profile of unfrozen soil while its thermal diffusivity varies with time and depth. The proposed model is based on the fundamental solution of the one‐dimensional transient heat conduction equation using the decomposition method. We calibrate our model using experimental data from soils of different textures in the literature. The new model can estimate soil thermal diffusivity at different depths and times and uses easily accessible characteristics such as the degree of saturation and the texture of the soil. In this study, the performance of the new model is compared to the performance of the simplified model in which constant thermal diffusivity is considered throughout the profile. Moreover, the model is validated by comparing it with in‐situ temperature measurements within depth of soil profiles with different textures. The results show a very good agreement between the predicted and the measured temperature throughout the soil profiles. Such a validation shows that with increasing degree of soil saturation, depletions in temperature for fine‐textured soils are more significant than those for coarse‐textured soils. Finally, the new model is applied to a double‐layer soil in the Alsace region to define temperature variation in the profile of soil with different characteristics in each layer. For a double‐layer profile, the continuity of the temperature as well as the heat flux is verified at the interface between the two layers.
Experiences and preferences of patients visiting an otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic: a qualitative study
Authors: van Leijen‐Zeelenberg Janneke E. , Huismans Geert Willem , Bisschop Jeroen A.S. , Brunings Jan Wouter , van Raak Arno J.A. , Ruwaard Dirk , Vrijhoef Hubertus J.M. , Kremer Bernd
Published: January 2015

Background

Patient‐centred care has received considerable attention in the last few decades, but the patients’ perspective remains underexposed. This study reports on an in‐depth evaluation of patients’ experiences and preferences at an otorhinolaryngology outpatient department.

Methods

Qualitative research was conducted on patients’ experiences and preferences at an otorhinolaryngology outpatient department in an academic hospital. The study comprised two phases. First, semi‐structured interviews were held with 22 patients. Second, results from the interviews were verified and deepened in a focus group (N = 7).

Results

Overall, experience with patient‐centred care was positive at the outpatient department. Three of the six dimensions of patient‐centred care predominated in the interviews and the focus group: information, communication and education; coordination and integration of care; and respect for patients’ values, preferences and expressed needs. The negative experiences were mostly in these dimensions. The dimensions physical comfort and involvement of family and friends were of lesser significance. Opinion on emotional support – relieving fear and anxiety differed as to whether this was the responsibility of the doctor or the patient.

Conclusion

Qualitative research provided a deeper understanding of patients’ experiences and preferences at an otorhinolaryngology outpatient department. Such an in‐depth evaluation can be useful in the transition towards patient‐centred care.
Non‐contact low‐frequency ultrasound therapy compared with UK standard of care for venous leg ulcers: a single‐centre, assessor‐blinded, randomised controlled trial
Authors: White Judith , Ivins Nicola , Wilkes Antony , Carolan‐Rees Grace , Harding Keith G
Published: January 2015

‘Hard‐to‐heal’ wounds are those which fail to heal with standard therapy in an orderly and timely manner and may warrant the use of advanced treatments such as non‐contact low‐frequency ultrasound (NLFU) therapy. This evaluator‐blinded, single‐site, randomised controlled trial, compared NLFU in addition to UK standard of care [SOC: (NLFU + SOC)] three times a week, with SOC alone at least once a week. Patients with chronic venous leg ulcers were eligible to participate. All 36 randomised patients completed treatment (17 NLFU + SOC, 19 SOC), and baseline demographics were comparable between groups. NLFU + SOC patients showed a −47% (SD: 38%) change in wound area; SOC, −39% (38%) change; and difference, −7·4% [95% confidence intervals (CIs) −33·4–18·6; P = 0·565]. The median number of infections per patient was two in both arms of the study and change in quality of life (QoL) scores was not significant (P = 0·490). NLFU + SOC patients reported a substantial mean (SD) reduction in pain score of −14·4 (14·9) points, SOC patients' pain scores reduced by −5·3 (14·8); the difference was −9·1 (P = 0·078). Results demonstrated the importance of high‐quality wound care. Outcome measures favoured NLFU + SOC over SOC, but the differences were not statistically significant. A larger sample size and longer follow‐up may reveal NLFU‐related improvements not identified in this study.
Redox halopriming: A Promising Strategy for Inducing Salt Tolerance in Bread Wheat
Authors: Maswada H.F. , Abd El‐Kader N.I.K.
Published: January 2015

New strategies to enhance growth and productivity of food crops in saline soils represent important research priorities. This study has investigated the role of certain priming techniques to induce salt tolerance of bread wheat. Wheat grains were soaked in 0.2 mm sodium nitroprusside as nitric oxide donor (redox priming), diluted sea water (halopriming) and the combination of both (redox halopriming). Grains were also soaked in distilled water (hydropriming); in addition, untreated grains were taken as control. Our results indicated that priming treatments significantly improved all growth traits and increased leaf pigments concentration as compared to the control. Priming treatments markedly enhanced membrane stability index, proline, total soluble sugars and K+ concentration with simultaneous decrease in the concentration of Na+ and malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, yield and yield‐related traits such as plant height, spike length, total number of tillers, 1000‐grain weight, straw and grain yield considerably affected by priming treatments. Moreover, the grain yield of both genotypes was positively affected by redox halopriming treatment. However, the extent of enhancement was more prominent in Gemmiza‐9 (salt sensitive) than that in Sakha‐93 (salt‐tolerant). Overall, this study clearly indicated that redox halopriming treatment is a promising and handy technique to induce salinity tolerance of wheat genotypes.
Polynomial order selection in random regression models via penalizing adaptively the likelihood
Authors: Corrales J.D. , Munilla S. , Cantet R.J.C.
Published: January 2015

Orthogonal Legendre polynomials (LP) are used to model the shape of additive genetic and permanent environmental effects in random regression models (RRM). Frequently, the Akaike (AIC) and the Bayesian (BIC) information criteria are employed to select LP order. However, it has been theoretically shown that neither AIC nor BIC is simultaneously optimal in terms of consistency and efficiency. Thus, the goal was to introduce a method, ‘penalizing adaptively the likelihood’ (PAL), as a criterion to select LP order in RRM. Four simulated data sets and real data (60 513 records, 6675 Colombian Holstein cows) were employed. Nested models were fitted to the data, and AIC, BIC and PAL were calculated for all of them. Results showed that PAL and BIC identified with probability of one the true LP order for the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects, but AIC tended to favour over parameterized models. Conversely, when the true model was unknown, PAL selected the best model with higher probability than AIC. In the latter case, BIC never favoured the best model. To summarize, PAL selected a correct model order regardless of whether the ‘true’ model was within the set of candidates.
Persistent DNA damage‐induced premature senescence alters the functional features of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Minieri Valentina , Saviozzi Silvia , Gambarotta Giovanna , Lo Iacono Marco , Accomasso Lisa , Cibrario Rocchietti Elisa , Gallina Clara , Turinetto Valentina , Giachino Claudia
Published: January 2015

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are adult multipotent stem cells located in various tissues, including the bone marrow. In contrast to terminally differentiated somatic cells, adult stem cells must persist and function throughout life to ensure tissue homeostasis and repair. For this reason, they must be equipped with DNA damage responses able to maintain genomic integrity while ensuring their lifelong persistence. Evaluation of hMSC response to genotoxic insults is of great interest considering both their therapeutic potential and their physiological functions. This study aimed to investigate the response of human bone marrow MSCs to the genotoxic agent Actinomycin D (ActD), a well‐known anti‐tumour drug. We report that hMSCs react by undergoing premature senescence driven by a persistent DNA damage response activation, as hallmarked by inhibition of DNA synthesis, p21 and p16 protein expression, marked Senescent Associated β‐galactosidase activity and enlarged γH2AX foci co‐localizing with 53BP1 protein. Senescent hMSCs overexpress several senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) genes and promote motility of lung tumour and osteosarcoma cell lines in vitro. Our findings disclose a multifaceted consequence of ActD treatment on hMSCs that on the one hand helps to preserve this stem cell pool and prevents damaged cells from undergoing neoplastic transformation, and on the other hand alters their functional effects on the surrounding tissue microenvironment in a way that might worsen their tumour‐promoting behaviour.
Prognostic and predictive values of oncogenic BRAF, NRAS, c‐KIT and MITF in cutaneous and mucous melanoma
Authors: Pracht M. , Mogha A. , Lespagnol A. , Fautrel A. , Mouchet N. , Le Gall F. , Paumier V. , Lefeuvre‐Plesse C. , Rioux‐Leclerc N. , Mosser J. , Oger E. , Adamski H. , Galibert M.‐D. , Lesimple T.
Published: January 2015

Background

Mutations of BRAF, NRAS and c‐KIT oncogenes are preferentially described in certain histological subtypes of melanoma and linked to specific histopathological features. BRAF‐, MEK‐ and KIT‐inhibitors led to improvement in overall survival of patients harbouring mutated metastatic melanoma.

Objectives

To assess the prevalence and types of BRAF, NRAS, c‐KIT and MITF mutations in cutaneous and mucous melanoma and to correlate mutation status with clinicopathological features and outcome.

Methods

Clinicopathological features and mutation status of 108 samples and of 98 consecutive patients were, respectively, assessed in one retrospective and one prospective study. Clinicopathological features were correlated with mutation status and the predictive value of these mutations was studied.

Results

This work identified significant correlations between BRAF mutations and melanoma occurring on non‐chronic sun‐damaged skin and superficial spreading melanoma (P < 0.05) on one hand, and between NRAS mutations and nodular melanoma (P < 0.05) on the other hand. Younger age (P < 0.05), microscopic (P < 0.05) and macroscopic (P < 0.05) lymphatic involvement at diagnosis of primary melanoma were significantly linked to BRAF mutations. A mutated status was a positive predictive factor of a response to BRAF inhibitors (OR = 3.44). Mutated melanoma showed a significantly (P = 0.038) higher objective response rate to cytotoxic chemotherapy (26.3%) than wild‐type tumours (6.7%).

Conclusion

Clinical and pathological characteristics of the primary melanoma differed between wild‐type and BRAF‐ or NRAS‐mutated tumours. Patients with BRAF‐mutated tumours were younger at diagnosis of primary melanoma. Patients carrying mutations showed better responses better to specific kinase inhibitors and interestingly also to systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Morphological and molecular variation in the least madtom Noturus hildebrandi (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae), a Mississippi Embayment endemic: evidence for a cryptic lineage in the Hatchie River
Authors: Egge J. J. D. , Nicholson P. W. , Stark A. W.
Published: January 2015

Sheared principal component analysis of 40 morphometric characteristics measured for 146 individuals and relative frequencies of pigmentation patterns scored for 980 individuals of the least madtom Noturus hildebrandi, a diminutive catfish endemic to eastern lowland drainages of the Mississippi Embayment region of North America, suggested a clinal pattern of morphological variation extending across the range from north to south. DNA sequence data representing 90 individuals from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (cytb) analysed using Bayesian phylogenetic methods recovered four major haplotype clades, suggestive of a high degree of isolation by drainage. Individual gene trees of cytb and four additional nuclear loci as well as trees based on concatenated datasets of these genes consistently recovered a cryptic lineage of individuals from the Hatchie River drainage that is morphologically indistinguishable from surrounding populations. Gene‐tree analyses failed to recover a monophyletic N. hildebrandi with respect to Noturus baileyi. A coalescence‐based species tree analysis, however, did recover N. hildebrandi monophyly with high support, suggesting that relationships reflected in individual gene trees and concatenated datasets are in part artefacts of incomplete lineage sorting or an ancient introgressive event. Results are consistent with the hypothesis of an ancient connection between the Hatchie and Tennessee River systems. Current subspecific designations are of limited utility as they reflect morphological variation and are not entirely consistent with phylogeny. Discrepancies between the pattern of variation observed in the morphological and molecular data may be explained by recent local adaptation to individual stream conditions that masks deeper evolutionary divergences.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease comorbid with major depressive disorder: The pathological features and poor therapeutic efficacy
Authors: Tomeno Wataru , Kawashima Keigo , Yoneda Masato , Saito Satoru , Ogawa Yuji , Honda Yasushi , Kessoku Takaomi , Imajo Kento , Mawatari Hironori , Fujita Koji , Saito Satoru , Hirayasu Yoshio , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: January 2015

Background and Aim

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an important public health problem, and it is often comorbid with many chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical features of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients comorbid with MDD and to investigate the influence of MDD on the effect of treatment in patients with NAFLD.

Methods

A total of 258 patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD were included. MDD was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, text revision. The patients were followed up for 48 weeks under standard care for NAFLD, which consisted mainly of lifestyle modification.

Results

There were 32 patients comorbid with MDD. They were characterized by more severe histological steatosis and higher NAFLD activity score, and also significantly higher levels of serum aminotransferase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase and ferritin, than age‐and‐sex‐matched NAFLD patients without MDD. Moreover, NAFLD patients with MDD showed poor response to the standard care for NAFLD, in body weight loss and in other parameters. Particularly, NAFLD patients with unstable MDD (not in full/partial remission) showed severe resistance to the treatment.

Conclusion

This is the first study to demonstrate the clinical features and response to therapy of NAFLD patients comorbid with MDD. The comorbid state of MDD was associated with more severe histological liver steatosis and worse treatment outcomes in patients with NAFLD. Further investigations are required to develop new lifestyle modification programs that enable NAFLD patients with MDD to achieve the treatment goal.
An exploration of food and the lived experience of individuals after treatment for colorectal cancer using a phenomenological approach
Authors: Burden S. T. , Stamataki Z. , Hill J. , Molasiotis A. , Todd C.
Published: January 2015

Background

There is a paucity of qualitative literature investigating people's experiences of food and nutrition after treatment for cancer. The present study aimed to explore people's relationships with food and nutrition throughout their colorectal cancer journey.

Methods

In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants who had undergone surgery for colorectal cancer. The study design was informed by principles of phenomenology. Data were collected then transcribed and analysed using an inductive coding process and a thematic analysis to allow the themes to highlight people's lived experiences.

Results

Data enabled five primary themes to be drawn including: ‘appetite swings’, ‘emotions on a changing physicality’, ‘the medicalisation of food’, ‘taking control of symptom management’ and a cross‐cutting theme ‘drivers and vehicles for action’. Feelings and emotions described by participants around their relationship with food and nutritional status often guided decisions on what was eaten more than objective nutritional measure or dietary advice. Participants used weight changes, appetite and food as barometers to measure their overall recovery. Food was an area over which people exhibited control of their lives and they could quantify, in measurable units, their overall well‐being and rehabilitation. They did this either by using the currency of body weight in pounds or the size of portions eaten.

Conclusions

Appetite, weight and symptoms influenced dietary intake substantially and were poignant issues affecting people's lives. The relationship people have with food determines their eating habits and an understanding of the essences and nuances of their experiences is essential to enable the delivery of patient‐centred care.
How do pregnant women manage lumbopelvic pain? Pain management and their perceived effectiveness
Authors: Chang Hao‐Yuan , Jensen Mark P. , Lai Yeur‐Hur
Published: January 2015

Aims and objectives

This study aims to (1) investigate the pain management treatments used by pregnant women with lumbopelvic pain and their perceived effectiveness and (2) identify the predictors of pain treatment use.

Background

A variety of treatments have been shown to be effective for reducing pregnancy‐related lumbopelvic pain. However, the frequency of use of pain treatments and their perceived efficacy in pregnant women is still unknown. Knowledge regarding the use and perceived efficacy of these treatments would help guide clinical practice and inform future research.

Design

A cross‐sectional design with consecutive sampling.

Methods

Participants were pregnant women in the 35th to 40th gestational week who reported lumbopelvic pain in an antenatal clinic of a medical centre in Taiwan. Questionnaires were administered assessing pain treatment use, pain relief associated with each treatment (e.g. perceived effectiveness), pain intensity, pain interference, pain endurance beliefs and demographic variables.

Results

Among 295 participants with lumbopelvic pain, only 34 (12%) sought pain treatment. The pain management treatments used included mechanical treatments (80% = 27/34), herbal medicine (9% = 3/34), exercise (6% = 2/34) and medications (6% = 2/34). Average perceived effectiveness associated with the treatments was 55%. Use of pain management strategies was negatively associated with pain endurance beliefs, but not with pain intensity or pain interference.

Conclusions

Pregnant women with lumbopelvic pain are unlikely to seek or use pain management treatments for pain, suggesting a greater need for adopting effective pain treatment in clinical settings.

Relevance to clinical practice

The study contributes new knowledge regarding how pregnant women cope with lumbopelvic pain and reveals very low rates in the use of pain treatments. Health professionals should assess pregnant women's pain beliefs about pain endurance and emphasise the safety and effectiveness of interventions that have empirical support, to help minimise unnecessary pain during pregnancy.
Mental health trajectories and related factors among perinatal women
Authors: Lin Pei‐Chao , Hung Chich‐Hsiu
Published: January 2015

Aims and objectives

To investigate Taiwanese women's mental health trajectories from the third trimester of pregnancy to four weeks postpartum and the correlations of these trajectories with perceived social support and demographic characteristics.

Background

Previous studies have reported differences between prenatal and postpartum mental health status.

Design

A repeated design study was conducted in a medical hospital in Southern Taiwan.

Methods

One‐hundred and ninety‐four Taiwanese women completed the Chinese Health Questionnaire and Social Support Scale at the 36th prenatal week and first and fourth week postpartum.

Results

Three linear mental health trajectories for perinatal women were identified. Consistently poor perinatal mental health was reported by 16·0% of the participants. Less social support was associated with lower prenatal mental health scores. Younger age was a risk factor for consistently poor perinatal health. Vaginal delivery was associated with improved mental health after childbirth.

Conclusions

Mental health was worse in the third trimester of pregnancy than postpartum. Less social support was associated with lower prenatal mental health scores, and this association was similarly distributed between women with consistently poor and improved mental health after birth.

Relevance to clinical practice

Health care providers should assess women's mental health status and provide timely interventions during the perinatal period. Social support should be provided for pregnant women, especially younger women or those with lower perceived social support.
Factors influencing the degree of eating ability among people with dementia
Authors: Lee Kyoung Min , Song Jun‐Ah
Published: January 2015

Aims and objectives

To explore the degree of eating ability in people with dementia and identify what factors affect their eating ability.

Background

Appropriate food consumption is important to human life. Although eating difficulties are common among people with dementia, little is known about what factors might influence their eating ability.

Design

Descriptive, cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A total of 149 people with dementia residing in nursing facilities in Seoul or the Gyeonggi area of Korea were evaluated using the Korean Mini‐Mental State Examination, Korean Activities of Daily Living Scale and Eating Behaviour Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one‐way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.

Results

The participants showed a moderate level of dependency with respect to eating ability and were most dependent on the use of utensils. There were significant differences in eating ability according to general characteristics such as duration of residence, duration of illness, degree of visual impairment, eating place, and diet type. The eating ability of the participants was significantly correlated with cognitive function and physical function. Cognitive function, physical function, duration of illness, eating place (living room or dining room), and diet type (soft or liquid) significantly predicted eating ability in people with dementia.

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that it is necessary to thoroughly assess the eating ability of people with dementia and to develop appropriate training programs to maintain or improve their remaining eating ability. The creation of a pleasurable physical and social environment for eating might also be helpful.

Relevance to clinical practice

These findings would be able to serve a useful basis in the development of materials for nursing intervention programs for people with dementia during mealtimes by improving the techniques and care qualities of nursing caregivers.
Association of an HLA‐G 14‐bp Insertion/Deletion polymorphism with high HBV replication in chronic hepatitis
Authors: Laaribi A. B. , Zidi I. , Hannachi N. , Ben Yahia H. , Chaouch H. , Bortolotti D. , Zidi N. , Letaief A. , Yacoub S. , Boudabous A. , Rizzo R. , Boukadida J.
Published: January 2015

Identification of an HLA‐G 14‐bp Insertion/Deletion (Ins/Del) polymorphism at the 3′ untranslated region of HLA‐G revealed its importance in HLA‐G mRNA stability and HLA‐G protein level variation. We evaluated the association between the HLA‐G 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism in patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a case–control study. Genomic DNA was extracted from 263 patients with chronic HBV hepatitis and 246 control subjects and was examined for the HLA‐G 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism by PCR. The polymorphic variants were genotyped in chronic HBV seropositive cases stratified according to HBV DNA levels, fibrosis stages and in a control population. There was no statistical significant association between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and increased susceptibility to HBV infection neither for alleles (P = 0.09) nor for genotypes (P = 0.18). The stratification of HBV patients based on HBV DNA levels revealed an association between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and an enhanced HBV activity with high HBV DNA levels. In particular, the Ins allele was significantly associated with high HBV DNA levels (P = 0.0024, OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.2–2.4). The genotype Ins/Ins was associated with a 2.5‐fold (95% CI, 1.29–4.88) increased risk of susceptibility to high HBV replication compared with the Del/Del and Ins/Del genotypes. This susceptibility is linked to the presence of two Ins alleles. No association was observed between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and fibrosis stage of HBV infection. We observed an association between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and high HBV replication characterized by high HBV DNA levels in chronic HBV patients. These results suggest a potential prognostic value for disease outcome evaluation.
The Life Cycle of Phonological Processes: Accounting for Dialectal Microtypologies
Authors: Ramsammy Michael
Published: January 2015

This article reviews and exemplifies the theory of the life cycle of phonological processes and illustrates how diachronic phonological changes can be accounted for in a stratal/cyclic model of phonology. The life cycle captures the fact that sound change operates in orderly stages and that phonological processes become increasing integrated with morphosyntactic structure as they age. Phonological rules also often display different rates of application across a given dialect continuum. Thus, the developmental phases that a phonological innovation goes through in its life cycle define a template of language change; and these stages of change reflect synchronic patterns of microtypological variation.
Differences in eating behaviour, well‐being and personality between mothers following baby‐led vs. traditional weaning styles
Authors: Brown Amy
Published: January 2015

Baby‐led weaning, where infants self‐feed family foods in place of traditional spoon‐feeding of purees, is continuing to grow in popularity. Evidence is emerging which suggests that the method may promote healthier eating behaviour and weight gain in children, but the research is in its infancy. One issue is the self‐selecting nature of participants to the approach. Although those who follow a baby‐led approach are known to have a higher education and more professional occupation, little is known about wider maternal characteristics, which might affect either adoption of or outcomes of the method. The aim of this study was to explore differences in maternal characteristics between those adopting a baby‐led or traditional approach. Six hundred four mothers with an infant aged 6–12 months completed a questionnaire including a copy of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) (anxiety, obsessive–compulsive and depression scales) and Ten Item Personality Questionnaire (TIPQ) alongside details of weaning approach (baby‐led vs. traditional). Mothers who adopted a baby‐led weaning style scored significantly lower on restrained eating (DEBQ), anxiety and introversion (TIPQ) and anxiety and obsessive–compulsive symptoms (BSI). Mothers who currently adopt a baby‐led approach are therefore significantly different in personality, eating behaviour and well‐being characteristics compared with those adopting a traditional approach. These characteristics may affect likelihood of choosing a baby‐led approach or indirectly affect outcomes for infants weaned using the approach. Further research exploring baby‐led weaning in a wider population sample is needed.
A unique open reading frame within the comX gene of Streptococcus mutans regulates genetic competence and oxidative stress tolerance
Authors: Kaspar Justin , Ahn Sang‐Joon , Palmer Sara R. , Choi Sang Chul , Stanhope Michael J. , Burne Robert A.
Published: January 2015

Streptococcus mutans displays complex regulation of genetic competence, with ComX controlling late competence gene transcription. The rcrRPQ operon has been shown to link oxidative stress tolerance, (p)ppGpp metabolism and competence in S. mutans. Importantly, an rcrR polar (ΔrcrR‐P) mutant is hyper‐transformable, but an rcrR non‐polar (ΔrcrR‐NP) mutant cannot be transformed. Transcriptome comparisons of the rcrR mutants using RNA‐Seq and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed little expression in the 5′ region of comX in ΔrcrR‐NP, but high level expression in the 3′ region. Northern blotting with comX probes revealed two distinct transcripts in the ΔrcrR‐P and ΔrcrR‐NP strains, and 5′ Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends mapped the 5′ terminus of the shorter transcript to nt +140 of the comX structural gene, where a unique 69‐aa open reading frame, termed XrpA, was encoded in a different reading frame than ComX. Two single‐nucleotide substitution mutants (comX::T162C; comX::T210A) were introduced to disrupt XrpA without affecting the sequence of ComX. When the mutations were in the ΔrcrR‐NP genetic background, ComX production and transformation were restored. Overexpression of xrpA led to impaired growth in aerobic conditions and decreased transformability. These results reveal an unprecedented mechanism for competence regulation and stress tolerance by a gene product encoded within the comX gene that appears unique to S. mutans.
Accuracy of hiatal hernia detection with esophageal high‐resolution manometry
Authors: Weijenborg P. W. , van Hoeij F. B. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Bredenoord A. J.
Published: January 2015

Background

The diagnosis of a sliding hiatal hernia is classically made with endoscopy or barium esophagogram. Spatial separation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and diaphragm, the hallmark of hiatal hernia, can also be observed on high‐resolution manometry (HRM), but the diagnostic accuracy of this finding has not yet been investigated. To determine the diagnostic value of HRM in the detection of hiatal hernia.

Methods

HRM recordings, endoscopy reports, and barium esophagograms of 90 patients were analyzed for the presence and size of a hiatal hernia. The diagnostic value of a hernia specific HRM pressure pattern was calculated, and the agreement of HRM with endoscopy and barium esophagogram for the assessment of hernia size.

Key Results

HRM was found to be highly sensitive and specific for hiatal hernia detection, with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 95%, exceeding the sensitivity of endoscopy or radiography alone (both 73%). Patients with a hiatal hernia on HRM were manometrically characterized by an esophagogastric junction (EGJ) with partial or complete separation of the LES and crural diaphragm (CD), the latter being associated with significantly lower EGJ pressure. A cutoff value of spatial LES‐CD separation on HRM of 1.85 cm yielded the optimal performance in identifying hiatal hernia. Agreement between HRM, endoscopy, and radiography for size of hiatal hernias was good (ICC [95% CI] 0.74 [0.65–0.82]).

Conclusions & Inferences

With HRM, the presence or absence and size of a hiatal hernia can be assessed with greater sensitivity than with endoscopy or radiography alone.
Transcriptional networks in plant immunity
Authors: Tsuda Kenichi , Somssich Imre E.
Published: January 2015

Next to numerous abiotic stresses, plants are constantly exposed to a variety of pathogens within their environment. Thus, their ability to survive and prosper during the course of evolution was strongly dependent on adapting efficient strategies to perceive and to respond to such potential threats. It is therefore not surprising that modern plants have a highly sophisticated immune repertoire consisting of diverse signal perception and intracellular signaling pathways. This signaling network is intricate and deeply interconnected, probably reflecting the diverse lifestyles and infection strategies used by the multitude of invading phytopathogens. Moreover it allows signal communication between developmental and defense programs thereby ensuring that plant growth and fitness are not significantly retarded. How plants integrate and prioritize the incoming signals and how this information is transduced to enable appropriate immune responses is currently a major research area. An important finding has been that pathogen‐triggered cellular responses involve massive transcriptional reprogramming within the host. Additional key observations emerging from such studies are that transcription factors (TFs) are often sites of signal convergence and that signal‐regulated TFs act in concert with other context‐specific TFs and transcriptional co‐regulators to establish sensory transcription regulatory networks required for plant immunity.

Contents

Summary
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I.
Introduction
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II.
Major transcription factor families involved in plant immunity
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III.
Regulation of transcriptional complexes
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IV.
Transcription factor networks in phytohormone signaling
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V.
Discussion and perspectives
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Acknowledgements
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References
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Sustainable deployment of QTLs conferring quantitative resistance to crops: first lessons from a stochastic model
Authors: Bourget Romain , Chaumont Loïc , Durel Charles‐Eric , Sapoukhina Natalia
Published: January 2015

Quantitative plant disease resistance is believed to be more durable than qualitative resistance, since it exerts less selective pressure on the pathogens. However, the process of progressive pathogen adaptation to quantitative resistance is poorly understood, which makes it difficult to predict its durability or to derive principles for its sustainable deployment. Here, we study the dynamics of pathogen adaptation in response to quantitative plant resistance affecting pathogen reproduction rate and its colonizing capacity.

We developed a stochastic model for the continuous evolution of a pathogen population within a quantitatively resistant host. We assumed that pathogen can adapt to a host by the progressive restoration of reproduction rate or of colonizing capacity, or of both.

Our model suggests that a combination of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting distinct pathogen traits was more durable if the evolution of repressed traits was antagonistic. Otherwise, quantitative resistance that depressed only pathogen reproduction was more durable.

In order to decelerate the progressive pathogen adaptation, QTLs that decrease the pathogen's maximum capacity to colonize must be combined with QTLs that decrease the spore production per lesion or the infection efficiency or that increase the latent period. Our theoretical framework can help breeders to develop principles for sustainable deployment of QTLs.
Initial orthodontic tooth movement of a multirooted tooth: a 3D study of a rat molar
Authors: Naveh G. R. S. , Weiner S.
Published: January 2015

Structured Abstract

Objective

To elucidate the 3D interactions in the tooth–PDL–bone complex immediately after application of orthodontic forces and their implications on tooth movement and function.

Methods

A special visualization method using microCT allows us to directly image in 3D the movements of a multirooted molar tooth inside the alveolar bone as well as the collagenous network of the PDL. Using fresh, unstained rat mandibular 1st molar under mesial loads of 0.5–1 N, we address basic concepts in orthodontics during the initial stages of orthodontic movement.

Results

We show that immediately after the application of orthodontic load, direct distinct contacts between the tooth and the bone form in the furcation area. These contacts limit tooth movement and interfere with whole body translation. Only localized sites of highly compressed PDL between the root surfaces and the bone were observed. In general, the collagenous network of the PDL appeared loose and not densely packed in the compressed side. On the tension side, the fibers maintained their overall orientation without any significant extension of the fibers.

Conclusions

Localized direct contact areas between the tooth roots and the bone at the furcation already form within a few minutes of orthodontic tooth movement. This direct and localized bone involvement guides the movement trajectory and provides a mechanism for the miscorrelation found between force levels and tooth movement during the initial stages of an orthodontic tooth movement.
Effects of contract‐relax vs static stretching on stretch‐induced strength loss and length–tension relationship
Authors: Balle S. S. , Magnusson S. P. , McHugh M. P.
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of contract‐relax stretching (CRS) vs static stretching (SS) on strength loss and the length‐tension relationship. We hypothesized that there would be a greater muscle length‐specific effect of CRS vs SS. Isometric hamstring strength was measured in 20 healthy people at four knee joint angles (90°, 70°, 50°, 30°) before and after stretching. One leg received SS, the contralateral received CRS. Both stretching techniques resulted in significant strength loss, which was most apparent at short muscle lengths [SS: P = 0.025; stretching × angle P < 0.001; 11.7% at 90° P < 0.01; 5.6% at 70° nonsignificant (ns); 1.3% at 50° ns; −3.7% at 30° ns. CRS: P < 0.001; stretching × angle P < 0.001; 17.7% at 90°, 13.4% at 70°, 11.4% at 50°, all P < 0.01, 4.3% at 30° ns]. The overall stretch‐induced strength loss was greater (P = 0.015) after CRS (11.7%) vs SS (3.7%). The muscle length effect on strength loss was not different between CRS and SS (stretching × angle × stretching technique P = 0.43). Contrary to the hypothesis, CRS did not result in a greater shift in the length–tension relationship, and in fact, resulted in greater overall strength loss compared with SS. These results support the use of SS for stretching the hamstrings.
Maximum likelihood estimation of a binomial proportion using one‐sample misclassified binary data
Authors: Rahardja Dewi , Yang Ying
Published: January 2015

In this article, we construct two likelihood‐based confidence intervals (CIs) for a binomial proportion parameter using a double‐sampling scheme with misclassified binary data. We utilize an easy‐to‐implement closed‐form algorithm to obtain maximum likelihood estimators of the model parameters by maximizing the full‐likelihood function. The two CIs are a naïve Wald interval and a modified Wald interval. Using simulations, we assess and compare the coverage probabilities and average widths of our two CIs. Finally, we conclude that the modified Wald interval, unlike the naïve Wald interval, produces close‐to‐nominal CIs under various simulations and, thus, is preferred in practice. Utilizing the expressions derived, we also illustrate our two CIs for a binomial proportion parameter using real‐data example.
Investigation of the cytotoxic effect of flavopiridol in canine lymphoma cell lines
Authors: Ema Y. , Igase M. , Takeda Y. , Yanase T. , Umeki S. , Hiraoka H. , Okuda M. , Mizuno T.
Published: January 2015

The cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, flavopiridol, was tested as a potential new cancer therapeutic agent to treat canine lymphoma by examining its effect on cell growth of canine lymphoma cell lines in vitro. Flavopiridol induced profound cell death in all eight lymphoma cell lines at 400 nM, and in all cases cell death was due to apoptosis. Apoptosis was inhibited by caspase inhibitor, despite the variable sensitivities between cell lines. Analysis of the mechanism of flavopiridol‐induced apoptosis showed that Rb phosphorylation was inhibited, possibly due to CDK4 or CDK6 inhibition. There was also decreased expression of Rb protein and anti‐apoptotic proteins, Mcl‐1 and XIAP, possibly through transcriptional regulation by inhibition of CDK7 or CDK9 activation. Canine lymphoma cell line‐xenotransplanted mice were then treated with flavopiridol and profound tumour shrinkage was observed. This study describes a new therapeutic approach using flavopiridol for canine lymphoma treatment.