bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does faecal diversion prevent morbidity after ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease? Retrospective series of 80 cases
Authors: Mege Diane , Bege Thierry , Beyer‐Berjot Laura , Loundou Anderson , Grimaud Jean‐Charles , Brunet Christian , Berdah Stéphane
Published: March 2015

Background

After ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease, a temporary faecal diversion is indicated in high‐risk patients. The impact of a temporary stoma on post‐operative morbidity has been poorly assessed so far. The aim was to analyse post‐operative morbidity of temporary faecal diversion after ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease.

Methods

Patients undergoing temporary faecal diversion combined with ileocecal resection were retrospectively included. Patients presenting with complications were compared with patients with an uneventful post‐operative course, to identify any predictive factor for morbidity.

Results

Eighty faecal diversions were performed (43 males, 33.5 (18–75) years), including 63 split stoma (79%) and 17 covering loop ileostomies (21%). Fifty‐two patients (65%) presented with a perforating disease. Post‐operative complications occurred in 15 patients (19%), 15 days after surgery (1–30). The main complications were intra‐abdominal abscess (n = 6), functional renal failure (n = 6), fistula (n = 2) and stomal prolapse (n = 2). Two patients required surgery. Previous bowel resections (60% versus 28%, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with post‐operative morbidity.

Conclusions

Temporary faecal diversion is useful in high‐risk patients after ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease. Patients' information about post‐operative risks remains an important issue. Risk factors for post‐operative morbidity despite faecal diversion are previous bowel resections.
Extended pelvic lymph node dissection for clinically localized prostate cancer: a West Australian experience
Authors: Picardo Alarick , Vivian Justin
Published: March 2015

Background

The role and type of pelvic lymph node dissection for clinically localized prostate cancer is controversial in Australia. Our study aims to determine the incidence of pelvic lymph node involvement and the complication rate of extended lymphadenectomy in a group of West Australian patients who underwent a robotic assisted radical prostatectomy plus extended pelvic lymph node dissection.

Method

Forty‐nine patients underwent a robotic assisted radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection between 2008 and 2012 by a single private urological surgeon. The inclusion criteria for the extended lymph node dissection were clinical localized, intermediate and high‐risk prostate cancer based on preoperative D'Amico classification.

Results

Of the 49 patients, eight patients had positive nodes giving a nodal positivity rate of 16.33%. Six patients had a complication giving a total complication rate of 12.24%. Three of these complications have been attributed to the nodal dissection, thus giving an extended pelvic lymph node dissection complication rate of 6.12%.

Conclusion

Rates of nodal involvement in our West Australian cohort are in keeping with those published in the literature. Extended pelvic lymph node dissection can be performed with an acceptable complication rate. Further research is required to investigate the therapeutic role of pelvic lymph node dissection.
Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio as predictor of mortality and morbidity in cardiovascular surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Tan Tze Ping , Arekapudi Anil , Metha Jigesh , Prasad Arun , Venkatraghavan Lashmi
Published: March 2015

Background

Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an emerging biomarker of inflammation and predicts poorer outcome in cancer surgery. The prognostic value of NLR in cardiovascular surgery is unclear.

Methods

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies of in cardiovascular surgical patients were conducted to assess the role of perioperative NLR in predicting post‐operative mortality and morbidity. Electronic searches were conducted on Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews for all prospective clinical studies reporting on NLR and post‐operative morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular surgical patient population. Our primary end point was all‐cause post‐operative mortality and the secondary end point was post‐operative morbidity. Mortality outcome from prospective studies were pooled for a meta‐analysis using a random‐effect model.

Results

Of the 999 citations identified, five studies with 3487 patients met the inclusion criteria. In a pooled analysis of three prospective studies of 3108 patients, a preoperative increase in NLR (>3.3 in cardiac surgery, >5 in vascular surgery) was associated with increased mortality at a mean follow‐up of 34.8 months (hazard ratio 1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.46–2.36; P < 0.00001). Raised NLR value was also associated with increased cardiac mortality, amputation in vascular operations and raised risk of post‐operative re‐intubation.

Conclusions

Elevated NLR were associated with increased long‐term mortality and morbidity after major cardiac and vascular surgery. NLR may guide perioperative management and risk‐stratification of patients.
Endoscopic sphincterotomy with sphincteroplasty for the management of choledocholithiasis: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Ho Simon , Rayzan Daniel , Fox Adrian , Kalogeropoulos George , Mackay Sean , Hassen Sayed , Banting Simon , Cade Richard
Published: March 2015

Background

Balloon dilatation of the ampulla at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is increasingly utilized in the management of large bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to review and compare the outcomes of using endoscopic sphincterotomy with endoscopic balloon dilatation (sphincteroplasty) in a combined approach as a single‐stage (immediate) or a two‐stage procedure (delayed).

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records for all patients undergoing ERCP and balloon dilatation for choledocholithiasis between January 2010 and December 2012 was undertaken. Outcomes measured included patient demographics, stone size, degree of dilatation performed, success of stone extraction, number of procedures required for duct clearance and procedure‐related complications.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐six ERCPs were performed with balloon sphincteroplasty. One hundred and four had a previous sphincterotomy with a delayed balloon dilatation and 32 had sphincterotomy with immediate dilatation. The overall clearance rate of the common bile duct for immediate and delayed groups was 93% (28/30) and 93% (81/87), respectively. Bile duct clearance after the first procedure was achieved in 70% (21/30) of patients in the immediate group and 74% (64/87) in the delayed group. There were six complications in the delayed group and four in the immediate group. The most frequently used balloon size was 10 mm for both groups with mean sizes of 10.34 (2.93) and 11.73 (2.87) in the immediate and delayed groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that use of a combined approach is safe and effective and may provide benefits over using endoscopic balloon dilatation or endoscopic sphincterotomy alone in the treatment of choledocholithiasis.
Antibiotic prevention of postcataract endophthalmitis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kessel Line , Flesner Per , Andresen Jens , Erngaard Ditte , Tendal Britta , Hjortdal Jesper
Published: March 2015

Endophthalmitis is one of the most feared complications after cataract surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of intracameral and topical antibiotics on the prevention of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. A systematic literature review in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases revealed one randomized trial and 17 observational studies concerning the prophylactic effect of intracameral antibiotic administration on the rate of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. The effect of topical antibiotics on endophthalmitis rate was reported by one randomized trial and one observational study. The quality and design of the included studies were analysed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. We found high‐to‐moderate quality evidence for a marked reduction in the risk of endophthalmitis with the use of intracameral antibiotic administration of cefazolin, cefuroxime and moxifloxacin, whereas no effect was found with the use of topical antibiotics or intracameral vancomycin. Endophthalmitis occurred on average in one of 2855 surgeries when intracameral antibiotics were used compared to one of 485 surgeries when intracameral antibiotics were not used. The relative risk (95% CI) of endophthalmitis was reduced to 0.12 (0.08; 0.18) when intracameral antibiotics were used. The difference was highly significant (p < 0.00001). Intracameral antibiotic therapy is the best choice for preventing endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. We did not find evidence to conclude that topical antibiotic therapy prevents endophthalmitis.
In search for better pharmacological prophylaxis for acute mountain sickness: looking in other directions
Authors: Lu H. , Wang R. , Xiong J. , Xie H. , Kayser B. , Jia Z.P.
Published: March 2015

Despite decades of research, the exact pathogenic mechanisms underlying acute mountain sickness (AMS) are still poorly understood. This fact frustrates the search for novel pharmacological prophylaxis for AMS. The prevailing view is that AMS results from an insufficient physiological response to hypoxia and that prophylaxis should aim at stimulating the response. Starting off from the opposite hypothesis that AMS may be caused by an initial excessive response to hypoxia, we suggest that directly or indirectly blunting‐specific parts of the response might provide promising research alternatives. This reasoning is based on the observations that (i) humans, once acclimatized, can climb Mt Everest experiencing arterial partial oxygen pressures (PaO2) as low as 25 mmHg without AMS symptoms; (ii) paradoxically, AMS usually develops at much higher PaO2 levels; and (iii) several biomarkers, suggesting initial activation of specific pathways at such PaO2, are correlated with AMS. Apart from looking for substances that stimulate certain hypoxia triggered effects, such as the ventilatory response to hypoxia, we suggest to also investigate pharmacological means aiming at blunting certain other specific hypoxia‐activated pathways, or stimulating their agonists, in the quest for better pharmacological prophylaxis for AMS.
Diverse functions of perlecan in central nervous system cells in vitro
Authors: Nakamura Ryosuke , Nakamura Fumio , Fukunaga Shigeharu
Published: March 2015

Therapeutic treatment targeting one cell type is considered ineffective in remedying any injury to the central nervous system (CNS). Perlecan, a multi‐functional, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, shows diverse effects on distinct cell types, suggesting that it is one of the candidates that can augment the regenerative mechanisms in the injured CNS. Therefore, we examined the functions of perlecan in CNS cells in vitro by using perlecan purified from bovine kidney. Perlecan‐coated cell culture plates, unlike their type I/III collagen‐coated counterparts, did not inhibit the adhesion of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) and neurons. The coated perlecan and the perlecan added to the culture medium suppressed astrocyte proliferation; however, perlecan added to the medium promoted NS/PC proliferation. Neurons were promoted to extend their neurites on the perlecan‐coated substrate, and perlecan added to the medium also showed a similar effect. NS/PC proliferation and neurite extension is a major regenerative reaction in CNS injury, whereas excess proliferation of astrocytes cause hypertrophy of glial scars, which repels neurons. Our in vitro study suggests that perlecan is an attractive candidate to promote regenerative mechanisms and to suppress reactions that hamper regenerative processes in cases of CNS injury.
The skin structure of greater rhea (Rheidae, Palaeognathae)
Authors: Picasso Mariana B. J. , Mario Rubén , Barbeito Claudio G.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to describe the histological structure of the skin of greater rhea (Rhea americana), a ratite bird native to South America. Skin samples were taken from three regions of the trunk (alar, dorsal and pelvic) in 14 specimens which ages ranged from 7 days to adulthood. Serial sections were obtained and subjected to different staining procedures (haematoxylin and eosin, orcein, Masson's trichrome and Gomori), and a morphometric analysis was carried out on stained slides. In general, both epidermis and dermis showed increased thickness of its layers with age. Some differences between regions can be detected both in epidermis and in dermis; for example in adults and 7‐day‐old birds, the stratum corneum of the alar region was thicker than of the dorsal region. In general, the skin of greater rhea was similar to that described in ratites and other birds (a thin epidermis compared to dermis, dermis with scarce elastic fibres, a slender and vascularized stratum superficiale, collagen fibres arranged in three directions). The scarcity of elastic fibres and the general cross‐weaved arrangement of the collagen fibres in the dermis of the adult greater rhea provide strength and flexibility to the dermis, two important features in leather industry.
Tyrosine phosphorylation as evidence of epididymal cauda participation in the sperm maturation process of Corynorhinus mexicanus bat
Authors: Rodríguez‐Tobón Ahiezer , Fierro Reyna , León‐Galván Miguel Angel , Rosado Adolfo , Cortés‐Barberena Edith , Arenas‐Ríos Edith
Published: March 2015

The bat Corynorhinus mexicanus provides an interesting experimental model for the study of epididymal sperm maturation because after spermatogenesis and the regression of the testes, this bat stores sperm in the epididymal cauda for several months. Earlier research conducted by our group suggested that sperm maturation in this species must be completed in the caudal region of the epididymis. One of the major signal transduction events during sperm maturation is the tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins. The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate tyrosine phosphorylation in spermatozoa obtained from the caput, corpus and cauda of the epididymis during the sperm storage period. The maturation status of the sperm was determined by the percentage of capacitation and tyrosine phosphorylation in sperm obtained from the epididymis. The highest proportion of tyrosine phosphorylation was registered after the sperm had reached the cauda epididymis during the middle of the storage period. In conclusion, in Corynorhinus mexicanus and most likely in other chiropteran species with an asynchronous male reproductive pattern, epididymal sperm maturation ends in the caudal region of the epididymis and is related to the time that the sperm remains in the epididymis before mating activity.
Time‐trends in the prescribing of gastroprotective agents to primary care patients initiating low‐dose aspirin or non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Warlé‐van Herwaarden Margaretha F. , Koffeman Aafke R. , Valkhoff Vera E. , ’t Jong Geert W. , Kramers Cornelis , Sturkenboom Miriam C. , De Smet Peter A. G. M.
Published: March 2015

Aims

Low‐dose aspirin (LDA) and non‐steroidal‐anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) both increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal events (UGIEs). In the Netherlands, recommendations regarding the prescription of gastroprotective agents (GPAs) in LDA users were first issued in 2009 in the HARM‐Wrestling consensus. National guidelines on gastroprotective strategies (GPSs) in NSAID users were issued in the first part of the preceding. The aim of the present study was to examine time‐trends in GPSs in patients initiating LDA and those initiating NSAIDs between 2000 and 2012.

Methods

Within a large electronic primary healthcare database, two cohorts were selected: (i) patients newly prescribed LDA and (ii) patients newly prescribed NSAIDs between 2000 and 2012. Patients who had been prescribed a GPA in the previous six months were excluded. For both cohorts, patients’ risk of a UGIE was classified as low, moderate or high, based on the HARM‐Wrestling consensus, and the presence of an adequate GPSwas determined.

Results

A total of 37 578 patients were included in the LDA cohort and 352 025 patients in the NSAID cohort. In both cohorts, an increase in GPSs was observed over time, but prescription of GPAs was lower in the LDA cohort. By 2012, an adequate GPS was present in 31.8% of high‐risk LDA initiators, vs. 48.0% of high‐risk NSAID initiators.

Conclusions

Despite a comparable risk of UGIEs, GPSs are prescribed less in high‐risk LDA initiators than in high‐risk NSAID initiators. For both groups of patients, there is still room for improvement in guideline adherence.
Effects of food on pharmacokinetics of immediate release oral formulations of aspirin, dipyrone, paracetamol and NSAIDs – a systematic review
Authors: Moore Robert Andrew , Derry Sheena , Wiffen Philip J. , Straube Sebastian
Published: March 2015

Aims

It is common to advise that analgesics, and especially non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), be taken with food to reduce unwanted gastrointestinal adverse effects. The efficacy of single dose analgesics depends on producing high, early, plasma concentrations; food may interfere with this. This review sought evidence from single dose pharmacokinetic studies on the extent and timing of peak plasma concentrations of analgesic drugs in the fed and fasting states.

Methods

A systematic review of comparisons of oral analgesics in fed and fasting states published to October 2014 reporting kinetic parameters of bioavailability, time to maximum plasma concentration (tmax), and its extent (Cmax) was conducted. Delayed‐release formulations were not included.

Results

Bioavailability was not different between fasted and fed states. Food typically delayed absorption for all drugs where the fasting tmax was less than 4 h. For the common analgesics (aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, paracetamol) fed tmax was 1.30 to 2.80 times longer than fasted tmax. Cmax was typically reduced, with greater reduction seen with more rapid absorption (fed Cmax only 44–85% of the fasted Cmax for aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen and paracetamol).

Conclusion

There is evidence that high, early plasma concentrations produces better early pain relief, better overall pain relief, longer lasting pain relief and lower rates of remedication. Taking analgesics with food may make them less effective, resulting in greater population exposure. It may be time to rethink research priorities and advice to professionals, patients and the public.
Pharmacodynamic interactions of a solid formulation of sodium oxybate and ethanol in healthy volunteers
Authors: Pross Nathalie , Patat Alain , Vivet Philippe , Bidaut Michelle , Fauchoux Nicolas
Published: March 2015

Aim

The pharmacologic effects of sodium oxybate (SO) have a number of similarities with those of alcohol. This study evaluated the pharmacodynamic interaction of SMO.IR (a solid immediate release formulation of SO) and alcohol (0.7 (males) or 0.57 (females) g kg–1 alcohol using 40% vodka).

Methods

In a randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, crossover trial, 24 healthy volunteers received randomly a) 2.25 g SMO.IR and placebo alcohol preparation, b) 2.25 g f SMO.IR and alcohol, c) 2.25 g SMO.IR matching placebo and alcohol and d) 2.25 g of SMO.IR matching placebo and placebo alcohol preparation. Objective and subjective cognitive parameters, adverse events and vital signs were assessed before, 15 and 165 min after treatment administration.

Results

Alcohol produced the expected cognitive impairment and the expected subjective sedation rapidly after intake (from 15 min). The objective effects of SMO.IR were much less pronounced than those of alcohol. The reverse was observed for subjective complaints, which were related to lesser stimulation and greater sedation. Nevertheless, 165 min after administration this sedation feeling was less with SMO.IR than with alcohol. There was a significant interaction between SMO.IR and alcohol at 15 min (i.e. increase in alertness and stimulation and decrease in sedation). In addition, an isolated mild decrease in digit vigilance accuracy occurred at 165 min post‐dose after the combination. The co‐administration of SMO.IR and alcohol was safe and well‐tolerated.

Conclusion

SMO.IR and alcohol have distinct adverse effect profiles. The objective effects of SMO.IR are much less marked than those of alcohol. No deleterious interaction was observed.
A comparative analysis of robotic vs laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer
Authors: Harris Kelly T. , Gorin Michael A. , Ball Mark W. , Pierorazio Phillip M. , Allaf Mohamad E.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To compare the safety and perioperative outcomes of robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R‐RPLND) vs laparoscopic RPLND (L‐RPLND).

Patients and Methods

Our Institutional Review Board‐approved retrospective testicular cancer registry was queried for patients who underwent a primary unilateral R‐RPLND or L‐RPLND by a single surgeon for a stage I testicular non‐seminomatous germ cell tumour. Groups were compared for differences in baseline and outcome variables.

Results

Between July 2006 and July 2014, 16 R‐RPLND and 21 L‐RPLND cases were performed by a single surgeon. Intra‐ and perioperative outcomes including operative time, estimated blood loss, lymph node yield, complicate rate, and ejaculatory status were similar between groups (all P > 0.1).

Conclusions

As an early checkpoint, R‐RPLND appears comparable to L‐RPLND in terms of safety and perioperative outcomes. It remains unclear if R‐RPLND offers any tangible benefits over standard laparoscopy.
Impact of stage migration and practice changes on high‐risk prostate cancer: results from patients treated with radical prostatectomy over the last two decades
Authors: Fossati Nicola , Passoni Niccolò M. , Moschini Marco , Gandaglia Giorgio , Larcher Alessandro , Freschi Massimo , Guazzoni Giorgio , Sjoberg Daniel D. , Vickers Andrew J. , Montorsi Francesco , Briganti Alberto
Published: March 2015

Objective

To evaluate the impact of year of surgery on clinical, pathological and oncological outcomes of patients with high‐risk prostate cancer.

Patients and Methods

We evaluated 1 033 patients with clinically high‐risk prostate cancer, defined as the presence of at least one of the following risk factors: preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level >20 ng/mL, and/or clinical stage ≥T3, and/or biopsy Gleason score ≥8. Patients were treated between 1990 and 2013 at a single institution. The year‐by‐year trends in clinical and pathological characteristics were examined. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to test the relationship between year of surgery and oncological outcomes.

Results

We observed a decrease over time in the proportion of patients with high‐risk disease (preoperative PSA >20 ng/mL or clinical stage cT3). A trend in the opposite direction was seen for biopsy Gleason score ≥8 tumours. We observed a considerable increase in the median number of lymph nodes removed, which was associated with an increased rate of lymph node invasion (LNI). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, year of surgery was associated with a reduced risk of biochemical recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] per 5‐year interval 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84–0.96; P = 0.01) and distant metastasis (HR per 5‐year interval 0.91, 95% CI 0.83–0.99; P = 0.039), after adjusting for age, preoperative PSA, pathological stage, LNI, surgical margin status, and pathological Gleason score.

Conclusions

In this single‐centre study, an increased diagnosis of localized and less extensive high‐grade prostate cancer was observed over the last two decades. Patients with high‐risk disease who were selected for radical prostatectomy showed better cancer control over time. Better definitions of what constitutes high‐risk prostate cancer among contemporary patients are needed.
Targeting the canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in hematological malignancies
Authors: Ashihara Eishi , Takada Tetsuya , Maekawa Taira
Published: March 2015

The canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway plays an important role in different developmental processes through the regulation of stem cell functions. In the activation of the canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, β‐catenin protein is imported into the nucleus and activates transcription of target genes including cyclin D1 and c‐myc. Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway contributes to carcinogenesis and malignant behaviors, and Wnt signaling is essential for the maintenance of cancer stem cells. The canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway has been investigated extensively as a target in cancer treatment and several specific inhibitors of this signaling pathway have been identified through high‐throughput screening. In this review, the significance of the canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in hematological carcinogenesis and screening methods for specific inhibitors are discussed.
Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins: Rare case of ischemic colitis mimicking inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Sahara Kota , Yamada Rin , Fujiwara Takashi , Koizumi Koichi , Horiguchi Shin‐ichiro , Hishima Tsunekazu , Yamaguchi Tatsuro
Published: March 2015

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins (IMHMV) is a rare and poorly understood ischemic colitis that occurs in the rectosigmoid colon of predominantly young, previously healthy, male patients. A 76‐year‐old Japanese man presented to our hospital with a 1‐year history of worsening diarrhea, lower abdominal pain, and weight loss (−6 kg). Laboratory evaluation revealed white blood cell count of 13 200/μL, C‐reactive protein level of 2.0 mg/dL (normal range, 0.0–0.3), and negative results for stool culture (including Clostridium difficile). Colonoscopy showed circumferential and edematous narrowing of the sigmoid colon with deep longitude ulceration. Biopsy was done and examination of the specimen demonstrated no specific ischemia. The patient was treated with bowel rest, antibiotics, and i.v. fluids; however, his symptoms worsened. Finally, sigmoidectomy was carried out. Histological examination demonstrated significant myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins leading to thickening and stenosis of the venous lumen. Therefore, the final diagnosis was IMHMV. Three months following sigmoidectomy, he was asymptomatic.
Going beyond the Human: Christians and Other Transhumanists
Authors: Cole‐Turner Ronald
Published: March 2015

Transhumanism is a Christian concept. Although today's transhumanism has secularized the original Christian promise for divinization or theosis by adding evolution and technological progress, Christians should critically re‐take ownership of the role transhumanism plays in the sanctification process.
Predation Risk Drives Habitat‐Specific Sex Ratio in a Monomorphic Species, the Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Authors: Hušek Jan , Panek Marek , Tryjanowski Piotr
Published: March 2015

In dimorphic species, sexual habitat segregation is generally explained by the differences in nutritional needs or by a trade‐off between fulfilling food requirements and avoiding predation. However, it remains unclear whether predation risk is strong enough to drive the differences in habitat use between sexes as predicted by the predation sensitivity hypothesis. Here we test in a monomorphic species, the brown hare (Lepus europaeus), the prediction that abundance of the gender more sensitive to predation is higher in safer habitat. We used data on 1645 individually marked hares in western Poland during autumn–winter seasons of 1966/1967–1978/1979 to estimate sex‐specific annual survival rates. We analyzed the stomach contents of 134 foxes shot in 1965/1966–1994/1995 to evaluate fox predation on hares. Finally, we employed data on 26 790 hares live‐trapped in 1965/1966–1994/1995 to analyze hare sex ratio across habitats. We found that male annual survival rate was lower than that of females and that the predation risk by foxes on hares was lower in agricultural than forest habitat. Our finding, that males were more often trapped by nets in agricultural than the forest habitat, provides indirect evidence for the predation sensitivity hypothesis. We conclude that predation risk can be a driving force for habitat‐specific sex ratio in a monomorphic species such as the brown hare.
Democracy in Europe: Why the Development of the EU into a Transnational Democracy Is Necessary and How It Is Possible
Authors: Habermas Jürgen
Published: March 2015

Can the process of European unification lead to a form of democracy that is at once supranational and situated above the organisational level of a state? The supranational federation should be constructed in such a way that the heterarchical relationship between the Member States and the federation remains intact. The author finds the basis for such an order in the idea of the EU constituted by a ‘doubled’ sovereign—the European citizens and the European peoples (the States). In order to sustain such an order, reforms of the existing European treaties are needed. It is necessary to eliminate the legitimation deficits of the EU in a future Euro‐Union—that is, a more closely integrated core Europe. The European Parliament would have to gain the right to take legislative initiatives, and the so‐called ‘ordinary legislative procedure’, which requires the approval of both chambers, would have to be extended to all policy fields.
Obesity exacerbates imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like epidermal hyperplasia and interleukin‐17 and interleukin‐22 production in mice
Authors: Kanemaru Kaori , Matsuyuki Ayano , Nakamura Yoshikazu , Fukami Kiyoko
Published: March 2015

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that is accompanied by an imbalance between the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. A number of studies have suggested an association between obesity and severe psoriasis; however, it remains to be clarified whether obesity exacerbates psoriasis. To address this unsolved question, we induced psoriasiform dermatitis in mouse models for obesity. We found that obesity exaggerated the severity of psoriasiform dermatitis induced by topical application of the Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 7 agonist, imiquimod. Ear swelling and epidermal hyperplasia were more prominent in the obese mice than in the control mice. When compared to imiquimod‐treated control mice, imiquimod‐treated obese mice expressed higher levels of psoriasis mediators, interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A) and IL‐22 in the skin. Food intake restriction partially abrogated enhanced ear swelling and cytokine overproduction in obese mice. Furthermore, the obesity environment and imiquimod treatment synergistically induced an IL‐17A downstream molecule, regenerating islet‐derived 3γ (Reg3γ), which is a critical molecule for psoriatic epidermal hyperplasia. Palmitic acid, one of the fatty acids released by subcutaneous adipocytes, increased the expression of REG3A (a human homologue of mouse Reg3γ) in both the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line and normal human keratinocytes. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that obesity exacerbates psoriasiform dermatitis in mice by upregulating IL‐17A, IL‐22 and Reg3γ.
Chloride ion concentrations during the compression of rocks to extract pore water
Authors: Nakata K. , Hasegawa T. , Higashihara T. , Oyama T.
Published: March 2015

Pore water needs to be extracted from rocks with low permeabilities to allow the major ion concentrations in the pore water to be estimated. Compressing a rock is the most widely used method of extracting the pore water. However, ion concentrations have been found to change during compression in previous studies, and the mechanisms involved in such ion concentration changes have not yet been fully assessed. In this study, two natural rocks and four artificially prepared samples were compressed, and changes in the chloride ion (Cl−) concentrations as the compression pressure increased were investigated. Mechanisms that could have caused the changes observed were then assessed. The Cl− concentrations in squeezed water decreased as the pressure increased if the sample contained a significant amount of smectite. The strong dependence of Cl− concentration on the amount of smectite indicated that smectite played an important role in decreasing the Cl− concentration. The dilution of the pore water with interlayer water from the smectite appeared to be the dominant mechanism involved in the decrease in Cl− concentration found in a Kunigel‐V1 sample, because dilution of the pore water with interlayer water quantitatively explained the decrease in the Cl− concentration. The filter effect caused by the anion exclusion effect did not appear to be a dominant mechanisms in our case. However, Cl− concentration decrease found in natural rocks could not be fully explained by dilution with interlayer water, so other mechanisms must be involved the phenomenon in natural rocks.
Confirmation of a wintering ground of Ross's Gull Rhodostethia rosea in the northern Labrador Sea
Authors: Maftei Mark , Davis Shanti E. , Mallory Mark L.
Published: March 2015

Ross's Gull Rhodostethia rosea is one of the world's least known seabirds; < 1% of the estimated global population can be accounted for at known breeding sites, and its wintering range has never been determined. Anecdotal reports over the last two centuries have prompted extensive speculation as to possible wintering areas used by this species in the north Pacific/Bering Sea region, but none has ever been confirmed. Using satellite and geolocator telemetry, we show that some Ross's Gulls from a colony in the Canadian Arctic winter in a restricted area of the northern Labrador Sea. Our discovery of a wintering area in the northwest Atlantic indicates that Ross's Gulls breeding in the Nearctic may be part of a disjunct population, or that birds breeding in the Palaearctic may winter off the east coast of North America.
Survey of bullous pemphigoid disease in northern Iran
Authors: Banihashemi Mahnaz , Zabolinejad Naghmeh , Vahabi Sadegh , Razavi Hamed S.
Published: March 2015

Background

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering skin and mucous membrane disease that usually occurs in elderly people. This study was done to determine clinical features, paraclinical findings, incidence of mucosal lesions, prognosis, course of the disease, and mortality rate of patients with bullous pemphigoid.

Method

Retrospective descriptive study that reviews the existing files of 122 patients with bullous pemphigoid referred to dermatology clinics of Ghaem and Imam Reza hospitals in Mashhad, Iran, from 1995 to 2010.

Result

The majority of patients were aged between 60 and 79 years, and 53% of them were women. The major prodromal lesions were erythematous and urticarial (36.8%) and eczematous lesions (32.7%); 84.3% of patients complained of pruritus, and mucosal lesions were observed in 31.1% of patients (all in the oral mucosa). The most frequent concurrent diseases with pemphigoid were hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion

Clinical features, paraclinical findings, incidence of mucosal lesions, prognosis, course of the disease, and mortality rate of bullous pemphigoid in the Khorasan region were approximately similar to results from other regions.
Oncological outcome after radical prostatectomy: Marital status does not make a difference
Authors: Schiffmann Jonas , Beyer Burkhard , Tennstedt Pierre , Boehm Katharina , Mehring Gisa , Schlomm Thorsten , Salomon Georg , Karakiewicz Pierre , Graefen Markus
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To examine the impact of marital status on prostate cancer characteristics at radical prostatectomy and oncological outcome after surgery at a high‐volume center.

Methods

We relied on the Martini‐Clinic Prostate Cancer database and investigated 8088 prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy between January 2000 and March 2011. We analyzed differences in clinical and pathological characteristics according to marital status (married and partnership vs single). Additionally, we relied on multivariable Cox regression analyses to predict biochemical recurrence, metastases and death after radical prostatectomy. Finally, Kaplan–Meier analyses were used in a propensity score‐matched cohort, adjusted for clinical and pathological characteristics, to examine differences in biochemical recurrence‐free, metastases‐free and overall survival according to marital status.

Results

According to marital status, no significant differences were recorded within clinical and pathological characteristics (all P > 0.05). The impact of marital status on biochemical recurrence (hazard ratio 1.0, 95% confidence interval 0.9–1.3, P = 0.7), metastases (hazard ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 0.8–2.1, P = 0.3) and death (hazard ratio 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.4–1.6, P = 0.6) after radical prostatectomy was not significant (median follow up 48 months). Kaplan–Meier analyses recorded no significant differences for biochemical recurrence‐free, metastases‐free and overall survival (all log–rank P > 0.05) according to marital status.

Conclusions

Marital status does not affect the clinical and pathological characteristics of radical prostatectomy patients treated at a high‐volume center. Furthermore, marital status does not affect biochemical recurrence‐free and metastases‐free survival after radical prostatectomy.
Once‐daily oxybutynin patch improves nocturia and sleep quality in Japanese patients with overactive bladder: Post‐hoc analysis of a phase III randomized clinical trial
Authors: Yokoyama Osamu , Yamaguchi Akito , Yoshida Masaki , Yamanishi Tomonori , Ishizuka Osamu , Seki Narihito , Takahashi Satoru , Yamaguchi Osamu , Higo Naruhito , Minami Hidenao , Masegi Yu
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy of a once‐daily oxybutynin patch for nocturia, and its influence on sleep quality in patients with overactive bladder.

Methods

We carried out post‐hoc analysis of a phase III, randomized, double‐blind, comparative study in which an oxybutynin patch was administered once daily for 12 weeks to Japanese patients with overactive bladder. Patients with a baseline mean of one or more episodes of nocturia per night (data from voiding diaries) were analyzed. The mean number of micturitions, mean voided volume per micturition, mean first voided volume at night, mean sleep duration, and hours of undisturbed sleep were compared between the once‐daily oxybutynin patch group and the placebo group. All parameters were expressed as the least squares mean values.

Results

The analysis included 576 patients. The number of nocturia episodes decreased by 0.66 in the oxybutynin patch group versus 0.51 in the placebo group (P = 0.0249). Also, the voided volume per nocturnal micturition and the first voided volume at night showed a significant increase in the oxybutynin patch group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.0073 and P = 0.0005, respectively). The hours of undisturbed sleep showed significant prolongation by 76.14 min in the oxybutynin patch group versus 56.07 min in the placebo group (P = 0.0257).

Conclusions

Oxybutynin patch treatment reduces the number of nocturia episodes and prolongs the hours of undisturbed sleep, thus improving sleep quality and sleep‐related quality of life in patients with overactive bladder.
The Relation between Mothers' Mirroring of Infants' Behavior and Maternal Mind‐Mindedness
Authors: Bigelow Ann E. , Power Michelle , Bulmer Maria , Gerrior Katlyn
Published: March 2015

Maternal mind‐mindedness, which is a measure of maternal mentalization involving mothers' speech, was examined as a predictor of mothers' mirroring of infant behavior during interaction. Five‐month‐old infants and their mothers engaged in a Still‐Face Task in which the mother's mirroring of the infant's behavior was assessed. After the task, the mother was shown a video of her infant in the task and asked to comment on what was happening for her infant; her comments were assessed for mind‐mindedness. Maternal mind‐mindedness when mothers were asked to reflect upon what was happening for their infants during the task predicted mothers' mirroring behaviors while engaged with their infants in the task. Maternal mirroring behavior may be a manifestation of maternal mentalization that is salient to infants.
From modelling to inversion: designing a well‐adapted simulator
Authors: Symes William W. , Sun Dong , Enriquez Marco
Published: March 2015

This paper describes a few mild design constraints that permit rapid adaptation of the modelling code for linear wave propagation to imaging/inversion or design optimization applications, retaining parallelism and other performance enhancements of the underlying simulator. It also describes an abstract software framework preserving the modularity of both optimization and modelling software in building inversion applications and illustrates this possibility via an example framework implemented in C++. Wave inverse problems tend to be afflicted by a variety of features, including extreme ill‐conditioning and nonlinearity, which degrade the performance of optimization formulations. Extended modelling variants of least‐squares inversion, motivated by migration velocity analysis, may relieve some of these difficulties. The framework described also accommodates these extensions to standard inversion.
On 3D modeling of seismic wave propagation via a structured parallel multifrontal direct Helmholtz solver
Authors: Wang Shen , de Hoop Maarten V. , Xia Jianlin
Published: March 2015

We consider the modeling of (polarized) seismic wave propagation on a rectangular domain via the discretization and solution of the inhomogeneous Helmholtz equation in 3D, by exploiting a parallel multifrontal sparse direct solver equipped with Hierarchically Semi‐Separable (HSS) structure to reduce the computational complexity and storage. In particular, we are concerned with solving this equation on a large domain, for a large number of different forcing terms in the context of seismic problems in general, and modeling in particular. We resort to a parsimonious mixed grid finite differences scheme for discretizing the Helmholtz operator and Perfect Matched Layer boundaries, resulting in a non‐Hermitian matrix. We make use of a nested dissection based domain decomposition, and introduce an approximate direct solver by developing a parallel HSS matrix compression, factorization, and solution approach. We cast our massive parallelization in the framework of the multifrontal method. The assembly tree is partitioned into local trees and a global tree. The local trees are eliminated independently in each processor, while the global tree is eliminated through massive communication. The solver for the inhomogeneous equation is a parallel hybrid between multifrontal and HSS structure. The computational complexity associated with the factorization is almost linear in the size, n say, of the matrix, viz. between O(n log n) and O(n4/3 log n), while the storage is almost linear as well, between O(n) and O(n log n). We exploit the use of a regular (Cartesian) mesh common in many seismic applications.
Aqueous fluids at elevated pressure and temperature
Authors: LIEBSCHER A.
Published: March 2015

The general major component composition of aqueous fluids at elevated pressure and temperature conditions can be represented by H2O, different non‐polar gases like CO2 and different dissolved metal halides like NaCl or CaCl2. At high pressure, the mutual solubility of H2O and silicate melts increases and also silicates may form essential components of aqueous fluids. Given the huge range of P–T–x regimes in crust and mantle, aqueous fluids at elevated pressure and temperature are highly variable in composition and exhibit specific physicochemical properties. This paper reviews principal phase relations in one‐ and two‐component fluid systems, phase relations and properties of binary and ternary fluid systems, properties of pure H2O at elevated P–T conditions, and aqueous fluids in H2O–silicate systems at high pressure and temperature. At metamorphic conditions, even the physicochemical properties of pure water substantially differ from those at ambient conditions. Under typical mid‐ to lower‐crustal metamorphic conditions, the density of pure H2O is , the ion product Kw = 10−7.5 to approximately 10−12.5, the dielectric constant ε = 8–25, and the viscosity η = 0.0001–0.0002 Pa sec compared to , Kw = 10−14, ε = 78 and η = 0.001 Pa sec at ambient conditions. Adding dissolved metal halides and non‐polar gases to H2O significantly enlarges the pressure–temperature range, where different aqueous fluids may co‐exist and leads to potential two‐phase fluid conditions under must mid‐ to lower‐crustal P–T conditions. As a result of the increased mutual solubility between aqueous fluids and silicate melts at high pressure, the differences between fluid and melt vanishes and the distinction between fluid and melt becomes obsolete. Both are completely miscible at pressures above the respective critical curve giving rise to so‐called supercritical fluids. These supercritical fluids combine comparably low viscosity with high solute contents and are very effective metasomatising agents within the mantle wedge above subduction zones.
New Jurassic Cercopoidea from China and their evolutionary significance (Insecta: Hemiptera)
Authors: WANG BO , SZWEDO JACEK , ZHANG HAICHUN
Published: March 2015

Abstract:  A new family, Sinoalidae Wang and Szwedo fam. nov., is described from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou Biota (Inner Mongolia, China). Two new genera with three new species (Sinoala parallelivena Wang and Szwedo gen. et sp. nov., Jiania crebra Wang and Szwedo gen. et sp. nov., and Jiania gracila Wang and Szwedo sp. nov.) are erected based on well‐preserved whole‐bodied specimens. The morphological characters of Procercopidae and the new family are given, and a key to the species of Sinoalidae is presented. The genera Luanpingia Hong, 1983 and Huabeicercopis Hong, 1983 are revised and attributed to Sinoalidae. The genera Mesocercopis Hong, 1983 and Sinotettegarcta Hong, 1986 are considered junior synonyms of Anthoscytina Hong, 1983. Taxa assigned to Sinoalidae fam. nov. cannot be attributed to any previously known family, but share some general (plesiomorphic) characters with ancient Clypeata, for example, postclypeus distinctly swollen, transversely wrinkled, antenna with a flagellum of a few elongate segments, frons with median ocellus and lateral ocelli on crown. Moreover, the new family is closely related to Procercopidae (Cercopoidea) based on a pronotum with a median incision at the hind margin; tegmen slender, partly punctuate, basal portion of Sc not exceeding apex of basal cell, and hind legs with lateral spines. It has a mixture of ancestral characters shared with Hylicelloidea and Jurassic Procercopidae and some derived characters. Therefore, it is tentatively placed in Cercopoidea. A preliminary phylogram of Clypeata is presented based on the combination of fossil and morphological data.