bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of iprodione fungicide on survival, behavior, and brood development of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) after one foliar application during flowering on mustard
Authors: Berg Christian , Hill Marcus , Bonetti Chelsea , Mitchell Gary C. , Sharma Bibek
Published: September 2018

A semifield study to assess the effects of iprodione on honeybees at label use rates was conducted on a bloom mustard crop. The present study followed the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guideline 75 tunnel test and consisted of 3 groups: the iprodione-treated group, the untreated control group, and the toxic reference item group. In addition to the tunnels used for biological assessments, a tunnel was set up in the treatment and control groups to determine the level of residues in flowers, nectar, and pollen. The major endpoints to assess the effects of the application of iprodione were mortality, flight intensity, behavior, condition of the colonies, and development of the brood. Residue analysis showed that honeybees were exposed to significant residues of iprodione. However, no adverse effects were observed on overall mortality, flight intensity, behavior, or brood development of honeybees compared to control. It is concluded that iprodione does not adversely affect the health of honeybees when applied in agriculture at commercially relevant rates in a worst-case exposure scenario. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:3086–3094. © 2018 SETAC
Compassion focused therapy for people with dementia: A feasibility study
Authors: Craig Catriona , Hiskey Syd , Royan Lindsay , Poz Rebecca , Spector Aimee
Published: September 2018

Objectives

There is a lack of evidence‐based psychological therapies for dementia and psychological distress. The study aimed to develop a compassion focused therapy intervention for people with dementia with depression and/or anxiety, and to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and utility.

Methods

A mixed methods multiple case series (n = 7) was used to assess the intervention's feasibility and changes in self‐compassion, mood, anxiety, and quality of life. Outcome measures were administered at pre‐intervention, midpoint, and post‐intervention. Data were analysed using reliable change and clinically significant change. Thematic analysis on post‐therapy interviews and session rating forms was used to assess acceptability and perceived change from the intervention.

Results

Over the course of the intervention, improvements in mood, anxiety, and self‐compassion were seen, and three of six participants moved out of the clinical depression range. Six participants were able to engage in soothing rhythm breathing, and five in discussion of self‐criticism and developing self‐compassion. Several participants and their carers described increased self‐compassion in response to cognitive decline.

Conclusions

Compassion focused therapy can be adapted to be delivered to people with dementia and low mood, anxiety, or other distress. The intervention may improve self‐compassion, mood, and anxiety. A larger pilot trial with a comparator group and follow‐up is needed to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness for people with dementia.
Clinical Outcome and Viral Genome Variability of Hepatitis B Virus–Induced Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Anastasiou Olympia E. , Widera Marek , Westhaus Sandra , Timmer Lejla , Korth Johannes , Gerken Guido , Canbay Ali , Todt Daniel , Steinmann Eike , Schwarz Tatjana , Timm Jörg , Verheyen Jens , Ciesek Sandra
Published: September 2018

Acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a frequent cause of acute liver failure (ALF) worldwide. ALF occurs in 0.1%‐0.5% of infected patients. The aim of this study was to scrutinize the outcome of patients with HBV‐induced ALF and mutational patterns of HBV variants, which might contribute to ALF. From 2005 to 2016, 42 patients were treated for HBV‐induced ALF in the University Hospital Essen, Germany. Clinical and virological data from these patients were collected. As a control, 38 patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB) without liver failure were included. The HBV genome was sequenced by next‐generation sequencing (NGS). Mutations that were found by NGS were analyzed in vitro. Of 42 patients, 8 had ALF without spontaneous recovery (NSR): Seven patients underwent liver transplantation (LT) and one patient died before LT. Of 42 patients, 34 (81%) had spontaneous recovery (SR) and cleared the infection, achieving either anti‐HBs seroconversion or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss. HBV genotype (GT)‐D was the most frequent GT in patients with ALF. Mutations in HBV core, preS2, and small hepatitis B surface antigen (SHB) were more frequent in patients with ALF‐NSR compared with those with ALF‐SR or AHB. Amino acid deletions (del; 16‐22 and 20‐22) in preS2 and SHB mutation L49R were exclusively detected in patients with ALF‐NSR. In vitro analyses reveal that these mutations did not influence HBsAg secretion or infectivity. Conclusion: HBV GT‐D and increased variability in HBV core, preS2 region, and SHB are associated with a worse clinical outcome of acute HBV infection.
Mediterranean diet adherence and risk of pancreatic cancer: A pooled analysis of two Dutch cohorts
Authors: Schulpen Maya , Peeters Petra H. , van den Brandt Piet A.
Published: September 2018

3w?>Studies investigating the association of Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence with pancreatic cancer risk are limited and had inconsistent results. We examined the association between MD adherence and pancreatic cancer incidence by pooling data from the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS, 120,852 subjects) and the Dutch cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC‐NL, 40,011 subjects). MD adherence was assessed using alternate and modified Mediterranean diet scores (aMED and mMED, respectively), including and excluding alcohol. After median follow‐ups of 20.3 (NLCS) and 19.2 (EPIC‐NL) years, 449 microscopically confirmed pancreatic cancer (MCPC) cases were included in study‐specific multivariable Cox models. Study‐specific estimates were pooled using a random‐effects model. MD adherence was not significantly associated with MCPC risk in pooled and study‐specific analyses, regardless of sex and MD score. Pooled hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for high (6–8) compared to low (0–3) values of mMED excluding alcohol were 0.66 (0.40–1.10) in men and 0.94 (0.63–1.40) in women. In never smokers, mMED excluding alcohol seemed to be inversely associated with MCPC risk (nonsignificant). However, no association was observed in ever smokers (pheterogeneity = 0.03). Hazard ratios were consistent across strata of other potential effect modifiers. Considering MD scores excluding alcohol, mMED‐containing models generally fitted better than aMED‐containing models, particularly in men. Although associations somewhat differed when all pancreatic cancers were considered instead of MCPC, the overall conclusion was similar. In conclusion, MD adherence was not associated with pancreatic cancer risk in a pooled analysis of two Dutch cohorts.
Comprehensive transcriptome profiling in elderly cancer patients reveals aging‐altered immune cells and immune checkpoints
Authors: Wu Yingcheng , Wei Jinhuan , Chen Xia , Qin Yongwei , Mao Renfang , Song Jian , Fan Yihui
Published: September 2018

Aging is the single most significant risk factor for cancer development. However, the potential impact of aging on cancer microenvironment remains poorly understood. Here, we performed a pan‐cancer transcriptome analysis to identify aging‐specific molecular patterns across 18 cancer types. Strikingly, aging‐specific molecular features define human cancers into two types, including the strong and weak aging‐effect groups. Significant aging associated molecular signature was observed in 16 cancer types (strong aging‐effect group) such as breast invasive carcinoma and acute myeloid leukemia. In such 16 cancer types, old patients showed obvious poor survival compared to young patients, but this observation was not found in the weak aging‐effect cancers. Aging‐associated cancer‐relevant molecules significantly enriched in 23 pathways including EMT and KRAS signaling. More interestingly, in cancer microenvironment, aging significantly restrains adaptive immunity, but strikingly, increases the number of infiltrated innate immune cells. Further analysis shows that the expression of immune checkpoints including PD‐1, PD‐L1, PD‐L2 and CTLA‐4 are mostly correlated with age. In general, cancer cells in elderly patients show a more aggressive phenotype and their surrounding microenvironment is under a more immune suppression status compared to young patients. Our study provides a systematic understanding of aging‐associated molecular features in pan‐cancer and indicates a clinical requirement to develop aging‐specific therapeutic strategies in a majority of cancer types. Furthermore, aging‐altered immune cells and immune checkpoints should be considered in cancer immunotherapy.
Sertad1 promotes prostate cancer progression through binding androgen receptor ligand binding domain
Authors: Hu Bingqing , Hu Haidi , Yin Mingzhu , Sun Zhengrong , Chen Xiaoya , Li Ying , Sun Ziyi , Liu Cong , Li Ling , Qiu Yang
Published: September 2018

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is involved in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer (PCa), which is the most frequently diagnosed nonskin cancer and remains a leading cause of cancer‐related death in men. Further investigation of the involvement of AR signaling in PCa progression is urgently needed. In the present study, we performed a yeast two‐hybrid screen and demonstrated that SERTA domain‐containing protein 1 (Sertad1) is a novel AR‐binding protein that binds to the AR ligand binding domain (LBD). The binding between AR‐LBD and Sertad1 was confirmed by glutathione S‐transferase (GST) pull‐down assays and immunoprecipitation (IP) and confocal immunofluorescence co‐localization experiments. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DHT inhibited Sertad1 protein degradation in prostate cancer cell lines and that Sertad1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells in vitro. In human PCa tumor tissues, Sertad1 expression is positively correlated with AR expression and the Gleason score. Taken together, this report is the first to show that Sertad1 is a novel AR‐LBD‐binding protein, and DHT‐liganded AR‐LBD inhibits Sertad1 degradation. Thus, Sertad1 may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of AR‐positive PCa.
A comparison of group contingencies on academic compliance
Authors: Deshais Meghan A. , Fisher Alyssa B. , Kahng SungWoo
Published: September 2018

We used a reversal design with an embedded multielement design to compare the effects of an independent group contingency and a randomized dependent group contingency on compliance with assigned literacy worksheets in a first‐grade general education classroom. Nine participants were selected based on low levels of compliance in baseline or by teacher identification. Results indicated that both group contingencies increased compliance relative to baseline for the majority of participants. The independent condition produced higher levels of compliance for four students and the randomized dependent condition produced higher levels of compliance for one student. For four students, the two group contingencies were equally effective. A preference assessment indicated that the majority of target students preferred the randomized dependent condition and the majority of nontarget students preferred the independent condition. A number of potential explanations for our preference findings, including the possible role of obtained reinforcement, are discussed.
Sliding behavior of zirconia porous implant surfaces against bone
Authors: Dantas T. A. , Roedel S. , Mesquita‐Guimarães J. , Pinto P. , Souza J.C.M. , Fredel M.C. , Silva F.S. , Henriques B.
Published: September 2018

Different zirconia porous layers were produced on zirconia dense zirconia substrates by slip casting using powder with different mean sizes: 40 μm (Z40), 70 μm (Z70), and 100 μm (Z100). The dynamic and static coefficients of friction against bovine femoral bone, mimicking the implantation process, were conducted using a ball‐on‐flat reciprocating sliding tribometer under 3 N of normal load. Additionally, the porous layers were assessed with regard to their low temperature degradation (aging).

Results revealed that the porous layers were able to keep their integrity during the sliding testes against bone, with no zirconia particles being transferred to the bone. Results did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) in kinetic and static COF values for Z40, Z70, Z100, and GRAD specimens, ranging from 0.53 to 0.77 and 0.65 to 0.90, respectively. The aging tests revealed that all surfaces were prone to low temperature degradation (~49% of monoclinic content after 18 h). In conclusion, the cohesive integrity of the layers and relatively high COF observed reveled that zirconia porous layers may be considered for replacing the current implant surfaces, and are expected to improve their primary stability. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1113–1121, 2019.
Long noncoding RNA DGCR5 represses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inactivating Wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Lan , Shi Min , Xiang Tian , Bu Yan‐Zhi
Published: September 2018

Increasing studies have indicated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert important roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, it is of great significance to identify the dysregulated lncRNAs in HCC. According to the previous reports, it has been suggested that DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 5 (DGCR5) might participate in HCC and can serve as potential biomarker for HCC. In our current study, we concentrated on the biological function and roles of lncRNA‐DGCR5 in HCC. It was indicated that DGCR5 was decreased in HCC tissues and HCC cells including HepG2, Hep3B, MHCC‐97L, SNU‐449, and SNU‐182 cells compared with the normal human liver cell line LO2. Overexpression of DGCR5 was able to restrain HCC growth, migration, and invasion capacity in HepG2 and SNU‐449 cells. In addition, whether lncRNA‐DGCR5 can regulate Wnt/β‐catenin pathway during HCC progression is unclear. In our study, it was found that upregulation of DGCR5 inactivated Wnt signaling pathway through inhibiting β‐catenin, cyclin D1 and increasing GSK‐3β levels. Subsequently, in vivo tumor xenografts were established using HepG2 cells to investigate the function of DGCR5 in HCC development. Inconsistent with the in vitro findings, increase of DGCR5 dramatically suppressed HCC tumor progression in vivo. Taken these together, it was uncovered in our research that DGCR5 could play tumor suppressive role by targeting Wnt signaling in HCC progression.
Efficient penetration of Scp01‐b and its DNA transfer abilities into cells
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhao Xueli , Geng Jingping , Liu Huiting , Zeng Fanhui , Qin Yanyan , Li Jason , Liu Changbai , Wang Hu
Published: September 2018

The in vivo application potential of viral‐based gene delivery approaches is hindered by a risk of insertional oncogenesis. Of the many delivery methods, cell‐penetrating peptides (CPP)‐based delivery has good biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, low efficiency is still the disadvantage of CPPs‐based nucleic acid transfection, and delivery efficiency may vary from different CPPs. Here, we describe Scp01‐b, as a new CPP, which can enter cultured cell lines and primary cultured cells examined by fluorescence microscopy and quantitative assay, the internalization process is a concentration, temperature, and incubation time‐dependent manner. Scp01‐b does not insert into the membrane directly and its uptake is mediated through endocytosis pathway. Moreover, Scp01‐b could mediate the uptake of plasmid DNA into the Caski and HSC‐T6 cells, and we noted that Scp01‐b‐mediated transfection efficiency was nearly the same with traditional liposome (TurboFectin)‐mediated transfection. These findings suggest that Scp01‐b can act as a useful tool for non‐viral‐based delivery in further application such as reprogramming and gene editing.
Slug mediates myofibroblastic differentiation to promote fibrogenesis in buccal mucosa
Authors: Fang Chih‐Yuan , Hsia Shih‐Min , Hsieh Pei‐Ling , Liao Yi‐Wen , Peng Chih‐Yu , Wu Ching‐Zong , Lin Kuan‐Chou , Tsai Lo‐Lin , Yu Cheng‐Chia
Published: September 2018

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis; however, the exact role of EMT‐inducer Slug in the progression of precancerous oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) has not been investigated. In the current study, we showed that the expression of Slug was upregulated in OSF tissues and associated with various myofibroblast markers. After silence of Slug in fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs), the elevated myofibroblast activities and fibrosis markers were all downregulated. Our data revealed that arecoline, an areca nut alkaloid, increased the expression of Slug in normal BMFs, and inhibition of Slug successfully prevented the arecoline‐induced myofibroblast activation. Additionally, overexpression of Slug in BMFs stimulated the activities of myofibroblasts, indicating that upregulation of Slug by arecoline contributes to the myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Most importantly, Slug was able to bind to the E‐box of type I collagen, leading to increased expression of type I collagen. Altogether, this study demonstrated the abnormal elevation of Slug in OSF and its significance in arecoline‐induced fibrogenesis. Moreover, downregulation of Slug could be a potential target for OSF remedy via suppression of myofibroblast activities and type I collagen.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Exposure‐Response Relationship of Intravenous and Subcutaneous Abatacept in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Roy Amit , Murthy Bindu
Published: September 2018

Abatacept population pharmacokinetics (PK) and exposure‐response (E‐R) models for selective efficacy end points were developed using phase 2 and 3 study data in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with abatacept (intravenous [IV] or subcutaneous [SC]), followed by simulations. Two efficacy end points were assessed in the E‐R analyses: Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and American College of Rheumatology response criteria for 20/50/70% improvement (ACR20/50/70). The analyses were performed with data from 11 clinical studies for the population PK analysis and from 3 clinical studies for the E‐R analyses (DAS28 and ACR20/50/70). The PK of abatacept were time invariant and can be described by a linear 2‐compartment model with first‐order elimination and with zero‐order IV infusion or first‐order absorption for SC abatacept. Baseline body weight was the only clinically meaningful covariate; that is, abatacept clearance and volume of central compartment increased with increasing baseline body weight. Steady‐state trough concentration (Cminss) of abatacept was identified as the best exposure predictor of DAS28 response compared with other exposure measures. In addition, the E‐R relationship was the same for IV and SC abatacept. Similar results were confirmed in the ACR20/50/70 E‐R analyses. Efficacy responses increased with increasing Cminssand a near‐maximal response was associated with Cminss≥10 μg/mL. The model‐based analyses confirmed that the weight‐tiered ∼10 mg/kg IV and fixed 125 mg SC abatacept dosing regimens are comparable and achieved plateau responses, by delivering Cminss≥10 μg/mL in RA patients across all body weights.
Counterfeit Luxury Consumption in a Social Context: The Effects on Females’ Moral Disengagement and Behavior
Authors: Wang Yajin , Stoner Jennifer L. , John Deborah Roedder
Published: September 2018

What happens when females use counterfeit luxury products in a social context? The authors show that counterfeit users view social interactions they have with other people as a possible signal that their counterfeit product has been judged to be an authentic luxury product (high authenticity signal) or a counterfeit product (low authenticity signal). Low authenticity signals trigger higher levels of social anxiety than do high authenticity signals. And, higher levels of social anxiety result in decreases in moral disengagement regarding counterfeit purchases. The end result is that low authenticity signals lead to lower purchase intentions and actual spending on counterfeit luxury goods compared to high authenticity signals. In a final study, the authors use these findings to develop a new anticounterfeit advertising strategy, and show it to be effective in reducing females’ interest in purchasing counterfeit luxury products in the future.
Immunomodulatory placental‐expanded, mesenchymal stromal cells improve muscle function following hip arthroplasty
Authors: Winkler Tobias , Perka Carsten , von Roth Philipp , Agres Alison N. , Plage Henning , Preininger Bernd , Pumberger Matthias , Geissler Sven , Hagai Esther Lukasiewicz , Ofir Racheli , Pinzur Lena , Eyal Eli , Stoltenburg‐Didinger Gisela , Meisel Christian , Consentius Christine , Streitz Mathias , Reinke Petra , Duda Georg N. , Volk Hans‐Dieter
Published: September 2018

Background

No regenerative approach has thus far been shown to be effective in skeletal muscle injuries, despite their high frequency and associated functional deficits. We sought to address surgical trauma‐related muscle injuries using local intraoperative application of allogeneic placenta‐derived, mesenchymal‐like adherent cells (PLX‐PAD), using hip arthroplasty as a standardized injury model, because of the high regenerative and immunomodulatory potency of this cell type.

Methods

Our pilot phase I/IIa study was prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo‐controlled. Twenty patients undergoing hip arthroplasty via a direct lateral approach received an injection of 3.0 × 108 (300 M, n = 6) or 1.5 × 108 (150 M, n = 7) PLX‐PAD or a placebo (n = 7) into the injured gluteus medius muscles.

Results

We did not observe any relevant PLX‐PAD‐related adverse events at the 2‐year follow‐up. Improved gluteus medius strength was noted as early as Week 6 in the treatment‐groups. Surprisingly, until Week 26, the low‐dose group outperformed the high‐dose group and reached significantly improved strength compared with placebo [150 M vs. placebo: P = 0.007 (baseline adjusted; 95% confidence interval 7.6, 43.9); preoperative baseline values mean ± SE: placebo: 24.4 ± 6.7 Nm, 150 M: 27.3 ± 5.6 Nm], mirrored by an increase in muscle volume [150 M vs. placebo: P = 0.004 (baseline adjusted; 95% confidence interval 6.0, 30.0); preoperative baseline values GM volume: placebo: 211.9 ± 15.3 cm3, 150 M: 237.4 ± 27.2 cm3]. Histology indicated accelerated healing after cell therapy. Biomarker studies revealed that low‐dose treatment reduced the surgery‐related immunological stress reaction more than high‐dose treatment (exemplarily: CD16+ NK cells: Day 1 P = 0.06 vs. placebo, P = 0.07 vs. 150 M; CD4+ T‐cells: Day 1 P = 0.04 vs. placebo, P = 0.08 vs. 150 M). Signs of late‐onset immune reactivity after high‐dose treatment corresponded to reduced functional improvement.

Conclusions

Allogeneic PLX‐PAD therapy improved strength and volume of injured skeletal muscle with a reasonable safety profile. Outcomes could be positively correlated with the modulation of early postoperative stress‐related immunological reactions.
Long‐term safety and efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate substitution for hepatitis B immunoglobulin following liver transplantation
Authors: Vasudevan Abhinav , Ardalan Zaid S , Ahmed Navera , Apostolov Ross , Gow Paul J , Testro Adam G , Gane Ed J , Angus Peter W
Published: September 2018

Background and Aims

Limitations to the use of long‐term Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIg) following liver transplantation for hepatitis B (HBV) have led to the substitution of HBIg with oral nucleo(s)tide analogue prophylaxis. We prospectively assessed the long‐term safety and efficacy of switching to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) from HBIg.

Methods

An open‐label, multicenter switch study was conducted to evaluate the substitution of TDF for HBIg whilst continuing lamivudine (LAM) therapy in preventing the recurrence of HBV in patients who had been maintained as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative posttransplantation for at least 12 months.

Results

Eighteen patients were enrolled (median age 66 years, range 42–78 years); 84% were male, and 78% on calcineurin inhibitors. Median time after transplantation was 14 years (range 5–19), and median duration of HBIg/LAM prior to the switch was 10 years (range 1–14). Median follow‐up was 5 years (range 5–8). Of 18 patients, 16 (89%) remained HBsAg and HBV DNA negative at the end of follow‐up. Two patients had re‐emergence of HBsAg without a detectable HBV DNA and no clinical sequelae. Creatinine clearance significantly reduced (median 59 mL/min to 51 mL/min, P = 0.03), necessitating dose reduction of TDF in six (33%) participants, with two eventually ceasing TDF. One patient switched back to HBIg by choice. All patients who changed therapy maintained an undetectable HBsAg.

Conclusion

Substitution of HBIg with TDF in patients on LAM is well tolerated and effective for the long‐term prevention of HBV recurrence posttransplantation. Renal dysfunction occurs frequently in the posttransplant setting and can require dose adjustment of TDF or change of therapy.
Resolution of ascites and hepatic encephalopathy and absence of variceal bleeding in decompensated hepatitis C virus cirrhosis patients
Authors: Romano John , Sims Omar T. , Richman Joshua , Guo Yuqi , Matin Tasnia , Shoreibah Mohamed , Kommineni Vishnu , Venkata Krishna , Massoud Omar I.
Published: September 2018

Background and Aims

The aims of this study were to examine changes in the proportion of decompensated hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis patients with ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and variceal bleeding at pretreatment compared to 3 and 12 months post‐sustained virological response (SVR) and to compare pretreatment and post‐SVR model of end‐stage liver disease and Child‐Pugh scores and alpha‐fetoprotein levels.

Methods

Electronic medical records of 64 decompensated HCV cirrhosis patients who received direct‐acting antivirals were reviewed. The McNemar–Bowker test and the Wilcoxon‐Signed Rank test were used to compare patient outcomes.

Results

Ascites was resolved in 29% of patients 3 months post‐SVR (65% vs 36%, P < 0.01) and in 35% of patients 12 months post‐SVR (65% vs 30%, P = 0.07). Hepatic encephalopathy was resolved in 54% of patients 3 months post‐SVR (70% vs 16%, P < 0.01) and in 48% of patients 12 months post‐SVR (70% vs 22% P = 0.03). Variceal bleeding was absent in 32% of patients 3 months post‐SVR (35% vs 3%, P < 0.01) and in 27% of patients 12 months post‐SVR (35% vs 8%, P < 0.01). Alpha‐fetoprotein levels were significantly reduced post‐SVR, but model of end‐stage liver disease and Child‐Pugh scores were not.

Conclusions

Decompensated HCV cirrhosis patients who achieved SVR with direct‐acting antiviral treatment had significant reductions in manifestations of hepatic decompensation sustainable up to 1 year post‐SVR.
Distribution of the Epstein‐Barr virus in the normal stomach and gastric lesions in Thai population
Authors: Wanvimonsuk Supitcha , Thitiwanichpiwong Pichaya , Keelawat Somboon , Mutirangura Apiwat , Kitkumthorn Nakarin
Published: September 2018

The Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is one of the infectious agents found in stomach tissue. Recently, EBV‐associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) was classified as a new subtype of gastric carcinoma. To date, there is a lack of knowledge about the distribution and prevalence of EBV infection in both the normal stomach and various gastric lesions, including EBVaGC, in the Thai population. In this study, we detected EBV in the normal stomach (NS; n = 19), chronic gastritis (CG; n = 36), intestinal metaplasia (IM; n = 40), gastric dysplasia (GD; n = 15), and gastric adenocarcinoma (GC; n = 33) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the latent membrane protein (LMP1) gene of EBV. EBV‐PCR amplification was positive in 42.1%, 36.1%, 22.5%, 13.3%, and 33.3% of NS, CG, IM, GD, and GC, respectively. For further clarification in EBVaGC, we performed EBV‐encoded small RNA in situ hybridization (EBER‐ISH) in PCR‐positive cases of GD and GC. Four GC cases were EBER‐ISH positive (12.1%), while both GD cases were EBER‐ISH negative. In addition, we determined the distribution of the EBV strain (type A or B) based on EBNA3C sequence and EBV variants based on LMP1 variation (wild‐type and 30‐bp deletion variants; wt‐LMP1 or del‐LMP1). The results showed that type A and wt‐LMP1 were the most prevalent in all lesions. In conclusion, EBV is common in both the NS and gastric lesions, and the frequency of EBVaGC was 12.1% in Thai patients.
Biotic controls on Holocene fire frequency in a temperate mountain forest, Czech Republic
Authors: Bobek Přemysl , Šamonil Pavel , Jamrichová Eva
Published: September 2018

Mountain spruce–beech–fir mixed forests are an important type of vegetation at higher elevations in temperate Europe. We aimed to determine how fire disturbances have affected long‐term vegetation dynamics and to assess their contribution to soil formation. We detected fire episodes using a soil charcoal record extensively dated based on14C and combined with pollen and macrocharcoal records from a local peat bog. Altitudinal shifts of the timberline during the Younger Dryas–Holocene transition seem to be responsible for an abrupt occurrence of fire at 11 200 cal a BP. The minimum fire frequency estimation based on dated soil charcoal particles showed variation during the early to mid‐Holocene in response to climatic changes. A marked decrease of fire frequency since 6200 cal a BP is attributed to the transformation of vegetation fromPicea abies‐dominated forests into mixedFagus sylvatica–Abies albastands. OnceFagus sylvaticaestablished a dense canopy a profound alteration of the disturbance regime occurred, leading to the exclusion of fire, and has indirectly accelerated the process of podzolization. Thus, the synergistic effects of biotic change are capable of amplifying a climatic impulse, illustrating the important influence of bottom‐up controls on fire regimes and soil development.
A stable mesoporous metal‐organic framework as highly efficient sorbent of dispersive micro solid‐phase extraction for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by HPLC
Authors: Xia Lian , Liu Lijie , Dou Yanan , Guo Lan , Li Guoliang , Sun Zhiwei , You Jinmao
Published: September 2018

Owing to the large molecular sizes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, their adsorption using microporous sorbents leads to a low adsorption capacity. Here, to increase the extraction capacity and detection sensitivity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a highly efficient dispersive micro solid‐phase extraction method was developed based on a stable mesoporous metal‐organic framework named Jilin University China 48. Jilin University China 48 is a super hybrid with large one‐dimensional hexagonal nanotube‐like channels of 24.5 × 27.9 Å, which exhibits high potential to be an efficient sorbent of dispersive micro solid‐phase extraction to adsorb polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. By combining with high‐performance liquid chromatography, a sensitive method was developed for the determination of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The synthesized Jilin University China 48 exhibited excellent characteristics of stability, good morphology, large surface area, and open adsorption sites. Under the optimized extraction conditions, better extraction results were obtained than that of other methods reported previously. The proposed method exhibited high sensitivity with the limit of detections in the range of 0.021–0.13 ng/mL, good linearity in the range of 0.068–50 ng/mL with related coefficients of >0.9988, satisfactory precision with relative standard deviation of <4.3%, and adequate recoveries between 85.8 to 109.55% for all the target compounds.
Estimates of tidal‐marsh bird densities using Bayesian networks
Authors: Wiest Whitney A. , Correll Maureen D. , Marcot Bruce G. , Olsen Brian J. , Elphick Chris S. , Hodgman Thomas P. , Guntenspergen Glenn R. , Shriver W. Gregory
Published: September 2018

Conserving tidal‐marsh bird communities requires strategies to address continuing pressures from human development to the effects of increasing rates of sea‐level rise. Knowing tidal‐marsh bird distributions and population sizes are important for developing these strategies. In the Northeast United States, where estimates of sea‐level rise are 3 times higher than the global average, 5 bird species are tidal‐marsh specialists: clapper rail (Rallus crepitans), willet (Tringa semipalmata), Nelson's sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni), saltmarsh sparrow (A. caudacuta), and seaside sparrow (A. maritima). We used a regional marsh bird survey to develop Bayesian network models to identify factors that influence patch‐scale species density and to estimate regional population sizes. We modeled species density as a function of habitat covariates at the patch, local, landscape, and regional spatial scales. Densities were most sensitive to patch location and dimension, patch geomorphic setting, indices of human development, and changes in mean sea level. We estimated 110,000 clapper rails (95% CI = 61,000–159,000), 111,000 willets (95% CI = 70,000–152,000), 7,000 Nelson's sparrows (95% CI = 4,000–10,000), 60,000 saltmarsh sparrows (95% CI = 40,000–80,000), and 234,000 seaside sparrows (95% CI = 112,000–356,000) from the United States–Canada border to, and including, the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA. Our abundance estimates can be used to identify priority conservation areas at multiple geographic scales and our models help identify key habitat and landscape components for tidal‐marsh restoration and management to benefit tidal‐marsh birds and can be modified for other species. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Diagnosis of vocal cord leukoplakia: The role of a novel narrow band imaging endoscopic classification
Authors: Ni Xiao‐Guang , Zhu Ji‐Qing , Zhang Qing‐Qing , Zhang Bao‐Gen , Wang Gui‐Qi
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to introduce a new narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopic classification for the diagnosis of vocal cord leukoplakia.

Study Design

Case series.

Methods

From January 2010 to February 2018, a total of 120 cases of vocal cord leukoplakia were enrolled in this study. The NBI endoscopic system was used to examine the vocal cords. Each lesion was observed by NBI endoscopy and evaluated according to the detailed morphologic findings of intraepithelial papillary capillary loop (IPCL). The superficial IPCL patterns were classified into six types (types I–VI). The differential diagnosis abilities of NBI classification for benign and malignant leukoplakia were investigated.

Results

Out of the 120 cases of vocal cord leukoplakia, 81% (97 of 120) related to benign lesions (including inflammation, epithelial proliferation, hyperkeratosis, dyskeratosis, mild dysplasia, and moderate dysplasia); the remaining 19% (23 of 120) consisted of malignant lesions (including severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma). The accuracy of differential diagnosis for vocal cord leukoplakia using NBI endoscopy was up to 90.8% (109 of 120), significantly higher than that of white light imaging (70.0%, 84 of 120) (χ2 = 16.536, P =  0.000). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the diagnosis for malignant vocal cord leukoplakia under the NBI endoscope were 82.6%, 92.8%, 73.1%, and 95.7%, respectively. There is relatively good consistency between the NBI endoscopic diagnosis and pathological diagnosis (kappa = 0.718, P = 0.000).

Conclusion

The new NBI endoscopic classification of vocal cord leukoplakia can improve the accuracy of distinguishing benign and malignant leukoplakia.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 129:429–434, 2019
Do demographic disparities exist in the diagnosis and surgical management of otitis media?
Authors: Chang Janice Erica , Shapiro Nina Lisbeth , Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: September 2018

Objective

Determine if demographic disparities exist between the diagnosis of otitis media (OM) and the provision of myringotomy and tubes in children.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of a national database.

Methods

The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 2010 and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey–Ambulatory Surgery 2010 were abstracted for cases with a diagnosis of OM and myringotomy and tube (MT) procedures in children, respectively. Sex, race, ethnic, and insurance distributions were computed for OM and MT and then compared for healthcare disparities between rates of OM diagnoses and MT procedures.

Results

A total of 13.6 million ambulatory pediatric OM diagnoses were identified in 2010 (55.9% male; 82.4% white, 11.3% black, and 6.3% other; 14.3% Hispanic, 85.7% non‐Hispanic). A total of 413 thousand ambulatory myringotomy procedures were identified (59.6% male; 86.0% white, 11.0% black, and 3.0% other; 13.0% Hispanic, 87.0% non‐Hispanic). There was no statistically significant difference in the provision of MT versus OM diagnosis according to sex (P = 0.400), race (P = 0.313), or ethnicity (P = 0.228). There was also no statistically significant difference in the percentage of Medicaid coverage for OM children (37.0%) versus those undergoing MT (31.1%; P = 0.376). There does, however, appear to be a statistically higher percentage of non‐Hispanic children being diagnosed with otitis media than Hispanic children (P = 0.049).

Conclusion

There were no significant demographic differences in the incidence of children with OM undergoing MT with respect to sex, race, ethnicity, or insurance status. As a specialty, otolaryngology does not appear to exhibit any disparate healthcare access bias in providing MT to children with OM.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 128:2898–2901, 2018
Continuous‐cropping tobacco caused variance of chemical properties and structure of bacterial network in soils
Authors: Chen Shu , Qi Gaofu , Luo Tian , Zhang Hongchun , Jiang Qiankun , Wang Rui , Zhao Xiuyun
Published: September 2018

Continuous cropping of the same crop leads to land degradation. This is also called the continuous‐cropping obstacle. Here, we investigated how long‐term continuous cropping of tobacco influences soil biochemical properties and bacterial networks in the mountain lands of China. Two different fields were sampled: one with 25 years of continuous cropping tobacco and one with noncontinuous cropping tobacco. Soil chemical and biological properties were measured including available phosphorus and potassium, soil organic matter, pH, alkali‐hydrolysable nitrogen, micronutrients contents, and activity of urease, catalase, invertase, and phosphatase as well as tobacco agronomic characteristics. Bacterial communities of the two different soils were sequenced by metabarcoding of the 16S ribosomal RNA, and, with these data, network analysis was done. Soil chemical properties and tobacco agronomical properties were negatively affected by the continuous‐cropping obstacle, and this treatment has a less complex network (less modules, nodes, and connectivity) than the soil with noncontinuous cropping treatment. For continuous cropping, there were less generalists, which were key species that connect network, than noncontinuous cropping. Moreover, the taxonomic composition of bacterial network was different in the two different treatments. In the continuous‐cropping network, 40% nodes had negative interactions, suggesting that more competition or antagonism existed among bacterial species. It concluded that continuous cropping has a detrimental effect on soil chemical and that the bacterial network properties under continuous cropping are more sensitive to soil variables (so more unstable and inefficient) because there are less bacterial species that interact each other and this is due to limited nutrients or excessive toxic nutrient.
Post‐little ice age paraglacial processes and landforms in the high Iberian mountains: A review
Authors: Serrano Enrique , Oliva Marc , González‐García María , López‐Moreno Juan Ignacio , González‐Trueba Juan , Martín‐Moreno Raúl , Gómez‐Lende Manuel , Martín‐Díaz Jordi , Nofre Jordi , Palma Pedro
Published: September 2018

Three Iberian mountain ranges encompassed glaciers during the Little Ice Age (LIA): the Pyrenees, Cantabrian Mountains, and Sierra Nevada. The gradual warming trend initiated during the second half of the 19th century promoted the progressive shrinking of these glaciers, which completely melted during the first half of the 20th century in the Cantabrian mountains and Sierra Nevada and reduced by 80% of their LIA extent in the Pyrenees. In these formerly glaciated environments, the transition between glacial and periglacial conditions results in an accelerated paraglacial readjustment, with very active geomorphic processes. Cirque walls generate a large amount of sediments through rock‐falls and slides. LIA moraines, devoid of vegetation and composed of highly unstable sediments, are being intensely mobilized by slope processes. Inside the moraines, the shrinking of LIA glaciers favoured the development of buried ice patches, with permafrost‐related landforms, small periglacial features generated by solifluction, and cryoturbation processes and remarkable hydrological changes. Present‐day morphodynamics is mostly related to seasonal frost, though patches of permafrost have formed in contact with the buried ice, undergoing a process of degradation because it is not balanced with present‐day climate. This is reflected in the occurrence of multiple collapses and subsidence of the debris cover where the frozen bodies sit. Next to the small glaciated environments in the highest Pyrenean massifs, there is a permafrost belt undergoing also rapid geomorphic changes. Based on the observed processes, we discuss spatio‐temporal patterns of paraglacial readjustment in Iberian mountains and compare it with other midlatitude mountain environments.
Optically based quantification of fluxes of mercury, methyl mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at Berry's Creek tidal estuary, New Jersey
Authors: Chang G. , Martin T. , Whitehead K. , Jones C. , Spada F.
Published: September 2018

Berry's Creek is an urban tidal estuary of the Hackensack River (New Jersey, U.S.A.), with over 10 km of waterways and over 3 km2 of tidal marsh. More than a century of industrial activity has resulted in elevated contaminant concentrations in sediment, water, and biota. Mercury, methyl mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been identified as the primary chemicals of concern (COCs) due to their persistence and bioaccumulation potential in aquatic and nearshore wildlife. As part of a multi‐phased remedial investigation program, OPTically‐based In‐situ Characterization System (OPTICS) field studies were conducted in Berry's Creek to characterize water column contaminant dynamics, specifically to (1) improve understanding of the interrelationship(s) between surface sediment and water column contaminants and (2) quantify the transport of water column COCs between waterways and marshes. Results from OPTICS monitoring indicated that particulate resuspension from the upper 5 mm of the sediment bed during flood and ebb tides and storm flows is the primary process by which COCs are exchanged from bedded sediment to the water column. Analysis of mass exchange of COCs indicated that COCs associated with resuspended particulates are transported from the waterways to the marshes, where they are retained. Dissolved COC exchange from marshes to the waterways was minor (less than 8% of total COC mass in water). Overall, marshes were observed to be net sinks for COCs.
Piggyback or Cava Replacement: Which Implantation Technique Protects Liver Recipients From Acute Kidney Injury and Complications?
Authors: Widmer Jeannette D. , Schlegel Andrea , Ghazaly Mohamed , Richie Davidson Brian , Imber Charles , Sharma Dinesh , Malago Massimo , Pollok Joerg‐Matthias
Published: September 2018

The cava‐preserving piggyback (PB) technique requires only partial cava clamping during the anhepatic phase in liver transplantation (LT) and, therefore, maintains venous return and may hemodynamically stabilize the recipient. Hence, it is an ongoing debate whether PB implantation is more protective from acute kidney injury (AKI) after LT when compared with a classic cava replacement (CR) technique. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of AKI and other complications after LT comparing both transplant techniques without the use of venovenous bypass. We retrospectively analyzed the adult donation after brain death LT cohort between 2008 and 2016 at our center. Liver and kidney function and general outcomes including complications were assessed. Overall 378 transplantations were analyzed, of which 177 (46.8%) were performed as PB and 201 (53.2%) as CR technique. AKI occurred equally often in both groups. Transient renal replacement therapy was required in 22.6% and 22.4% comparing the PB and CR techniques (P = 0.81). Further outcome parameters including the complication rate were similar in both cohorts. Five‐year graft and patient survival were comparable between the groups with 81% and 85%, respectively (P = 0.48; P = 0.58). In conclusion, both liver implantation techniques are equal in terms of kidney function and overall complications following LT.
Expansion of the Liver Donor Supply Through Greater Use of Split‐Liver Transplantation: Identifying Optimal Recipients
Authors: Mogul Douglas B. , Luo Xun , Garonzik‐Wang Jacqueline , Bowring Mary G. , Massie Allan B. , Schwarz Kathleen B. , Cameron Andrew M. , Bridges John F. P. , Segev Dorry L.
Published: September 2018

The increased use of split‐liver transplantation (SLT) represents a strategy to increase the supply of organs. Although outcomes after SLT and whole liver transplantation (WLT) are similar on average among pediatric recipients, we hypothesized that the relationship between graft type and outcomes may vary depending on patient, donor, and surgical characteristics. We evaluated graft survival among pediatric (<18 years) deceased donor, liver‐only transplant recipients from March 2002 until December 2015 using data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Graft survival was assessed in a Cox proportional hazards model, with and without effect modification between graft type and donor, recipient, and surgical characteristics, to identify conditions where the risk of graft loss for SLT and WLT were similar. In a traditional multivariable model, characteristics associated with graft loss included donor age >50 years, recipient weight <10 kg, acute hepatic necrosis, autoimmune diseases, tumor, public insurance, and cold ischemia time (CIT) >8 hours. In an analysis that explored whether these characteristics modified the relationship between graft type and graft loss, many characteristics associated with loss actually had similar outcomes regardless of graft type, including weight <10 kg, acute hepatic necrosis, autoimmune diseases, and tumor. In contrast, several subgroups had worse outcomes when SLT was used, including recipient weight 10‐35 kg, non–biliary atresia cholestasis, and metabolic disease. Allocation score, share type, or CIT did not modify risk of graft type and graft failure. Although one might anticipate that individuals with higher rates of graft loss would be worse candidates for SLT, data suggest that these patients actually have similar rates of graft loss. These findings can guide surgical decision making and may support policy changes that promote the increased use of SLT for specific pediatric recipients.