bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Effects of Cucumis sativus Seed Extract on Serum Lipids in Adult Hyperlipidemic Patients: A Randomized Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Soltani Rasool , Hashemi Mohammad , Farazmand Alimohammad , Asghari Gholamreza , Heshmat‐Ghahdarijani Kiyan , Kharazmkia Ali , Ghanadian Syed Mustafa
Published: November 2016

Hyperlipidemia is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis; therefore, control of this risk factor is very important in preventing atherosclerosis. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seed is used traditionally as a lipid‐lowering nutritional supplement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cucumber seed extract on serum lipid profile in adult patients with mild hyperlipidemia. In a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial, hyperlipidemic patients with inclusion criteria were randomly and equally assigned to either Cucumis or placebo groups and used one medicinal or placebo capsule, respectively, once daily with food for 6 wk. Body mass index (BMI) as well as fasting serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL‐C), and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL‐C) were measured for all patients pre‐ and post‐intervention and finally the changes were compared between the groups. Twenty‐four patients in Cucumis group and 23 patients in placebo group completed the study. Cucumis seed extract resulted in significant reduction of total cholesterol (P = 0.016), LDL‐C (P < 0.001), TG (P < 0.001), and BMI (P < 0.001) as well as significant increase of HDL‐C (P = 0.012) compared to placebo. In conclusion, the consumption of C. sativus seed extract with daily dose of 500 mg results in desirable effects on serum lipid profile in adult hyperlipidemic patients. Therefore, cucumber seed could be considered as a food supplement for treatment of dyslipidemia.
Essential role of K+ uptake permease (Kup) for resistance to sucrose‐induced stress in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PAl 5
Authors: de Oliveira Marcos V. V. , Intorne Aline C. , Vespoli Luciano de S. , Andrade Leandro F. , Pereira Leandro de M. , Rangel Patrícia L. , de Souza Filho Gonçalo A.
Published: November 2016

Microorganisms are constantly challenged by stressful conditions, such as sugar‐rich environments. Such environments can cause an imbalance of biochemical activities and compromise cell multiplication. Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PAl 5 is among the most sugar‐tolerant bacteria, capable of growing in the presence of up to 876 mM sucrose. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in its response to high sucrose remain unknown. The present work aimed to identify sucrose‐induced stress resistance genes in G. diazotrophicus PAl 5. Screening of a Tn5 transposon insertion library identified a mutant that was severely compromised in its resistance to high sucrose concentrations. Molecular characterization revealed that the mutation affected the kupA gene, which encodes a K+ uptake transporter (KupA). Functional complementation of the mutant with the wild type kupA gene recovered the sucrose‐induced stress resistance phenotype. High sucrose resistance assay, under different potassium concentrations, revealed that KupA acts as a high‐affinity K+ transporter, which is essential for resistance to sucrose‐induced stress, when extracellular potassium levels are low. This study is the first to show the essential role of the KupA protein for resistance to sucrose‐induced stress in bacteria by acting as a high‐affinity potassium transporter in G. diazotrophicus PAl 5.
Bacterial diversity shift determined by different diets in the gut of the spotted wing fly Drosophila suzukii is primarily reflected on acetic acid bacteria
Authors: Vacchini Violetta , Gonella Elena , Crotti Elena , Prosdocimi Erica M. , Mazzetto Fabio , Chouaia Bessem , Callegari Matteo , Mapelli Francesca , Mandrioli Mauro , Alma Alberto , Daffonchio Daniele
Published: November 2016

The pivotal role of diet in shaping gut microbiota has been evaluated in different animal models, including insects. Drosophila flies harbour an inconstant microbiota among which acetic acid bacteria (AAB) are important components. Here, we investigated the bacterial and AAB components of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii microbiota, by studying the same insect population separately grown on fruit‐based or non‐fruit artificial diet. AAB were highly prevalent in the gut under both diets (90 and 92% infection rates with fruits and artificial diet respectively). Fluorescent in situ hybridization and recolonization experiments with green fluorescent protein (Gfp)‐labelled strains showed AAB capability to massively colonize insect gut. High‐throughput sequencing on 16S rRNA gene indicated that the bacterial microbiota of guts fed with the two diets clustered separately. By excluding AAB‐related OTUs from the analysis, insect bacterial communities did not cluster separately according to the diet, suggesting that diet‐based diversification of the community is primarily reflected on the AAB component of the community. Diet influenced also AAB alpha‐diversity, with separate OTU distributions based on diets. High prevalence, localization and massive recolonization, together with AAB clustering behaviour in relation to diet, suggest an AAB role in the D. suzukii gut response to diet modification.
The relationship between gestational age and the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome
Authors: Gibson Kelly S. , Stark Sydney , Kumar Deepak , Bailit Jennifer L.
Published: November 2016

Background and aims

The relationship between gestational age at delivery and the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is poorly understood. Our objective was to compare the length of pharmacotherapy and hospital stay among opioid‐exposed infants born during the late pre‐term, early term, full term and late term periods.

Design

Retrospective cohort study of infants affected by NAS.

Setting

MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, OH, USA: an urban tertiary care hospital serving as the referral center for opioid dependency in pregnancy with a level III neonatal intensive care unit.

Participants

All deliveries complicated by maternal opioid exposure from January 2000 to October 2014; 403 were eligible to be included [n = 102 late pre‐term, 34–36 weeks (LP), n = 158 early term, 37–38 weeks (ET), n = 122 full term, 39–40 weeks (FT), n = 21 late term, ≥41 weeks (LT)].

Measurements

NAS requiring pharmacotherapy with opioids and hospital stay duration were compared between gestational age cohorts. Interaction by type of maternal medication was evaluated.

Findings

The necessity for pharmacotherapy for NAS was similar in all gestational age groups [LP n = 45/102 (44%), ET n = 65/158 (41%), FT n = 55/122 (45%), LT n = 9/21 (43%); P = 0.92]. However, the median duration of pharmacotherapy for NAS was significantly different between the groups [LP =16.0 median (interquartile range: IQR = 10.0–24.0) days, ET = 22.5 (IQR = 15.0–40.0), FT = 23.0 (IQR = 6.0–38.0), LT = 22.0 (IQR = 6.0–28.0); P = 0.02]. Neonatal intensive care unit admission for NAS (P = 0.07) and total length of stay (P = 0.27), which includes observation for NAS not requiring medication, were not different. There was no significant interaction between gestational age cohorts and maternal medication assisted treatment therapy on the need for or duration of NAS treatment. The results were unchanged when evaluated for potential confounding variables.

Conclusions

Gestational age (pre‐term, term or late term) at birth appears to be unrelated to the need for pharmacotherapy to treat neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in late pre‐term and term infants. If treatment is needed it may tend to be given for longer in term than pre‐term or late term infants.
Influence of polymerisation method and type of fibre on fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth
Authors: Tekçe Neslihan , Pala Kansad , Tuncer Safa , Demirci Mustafa , Serim Merve Efe
Published: November 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate (i) the effect of direct or indirect polymerisation of adhesive‐impregnated ribbon fibre under 4‐mm bulk‐filled composites on fracture strength; (ii) to compare polyethylene ribbon fibre‐reinforcement composites with short fibre‐reinforced composite; and (iii) the effectiveness of polyethylene ribbon fibre according to the restorative materials used (low‐viscous bulk‐fill composite, high‐viscous flowable composite or conventional paste composite). Seventy molars were divided into seven groups; (groups 1–2) Ribbond‐reinforced Surefil‐SDR; (group 3) Ribbond‐reinforced G Aenial Flo; (group 4) Ribbond‐reinforced G Aenial Posterior; (group 5) short fibre‐reinforced composite everX Posterior; (group 6) unfilled cavity; (group 7) intact teeth. Ribbond was adopted to cavity walls by impregnating an adhesive and using a flowable composite. In group 1, adhesive‐impregnated Ribbond was polymerised directly using a light‐curing‐unit, and indirectly in group 2 under 4‐mm bulk‐filled composite. Direct or indirect polymerisation of adhesive impregnated ribbon fibre under 4‐mm bulk‐filled composite did not change the fracture strength results. Polyethylene ribbon fibre‐reinforced groups (groups 1–4) and short fibre‐reinforced composite group (group 5) displayed similar results. Polyethylene ribbon fibre can be used safely under 4‐mm bulk‐filled composites. Ribbond‐reinforced low‐viscous bulk‐fill, high‐viscous flowable, and conventional paste composite exhibited similar fracture strength results.
Green, Yellow, and Red risk perception in everyday life – a communication tool
Authors: Stensgaard A. , DunnGalvin A. , Nielsen D. , Munch M. , Bindslev‐Jensen C.
Published: November 2016

Background

Adolescents have the highest risk for food allergy‐related fatalities. Our main aim was to investigate the level of risk in everyday social situations as perceived by adolescents/young adults with peanut allergy, their families, and their friends.

Methods

The web‐based ‘Colours Of Risks’ (COR) questionnaire was completed by 70 patients (aged 12–23 years), 103 mothers and fathers, 31 siblings (aged 12–26 years), and 42 friends (aged 12–24 years). COR deals with six main contexts (home, school/university, work, visiting/social activities, special occasions/parties, and vacations), each with 1‐12 items. Response categories are green (I feel safe), yellow (I feel uncertain), or red (I feel everything is risky).

Results

There was a high level of agreement between participants in defining situations as safe, uncertain, or risky, but female patients and mothers rated fewer situations as safe compared to male patients and fathers. Being with close friends and family, and attending planned parties without alcohol were perceived as situations of low risk. While 94% of patients took an epinephrine auto‐injector (EAI) into risky situations, only 65% took it into safe situations. In contrast to the close family, 31% of the friends did not know the patient had an EAI, and fewer knew how to administer the EAI.

Conclusion

Young adults with peanut allergy face challenges when moving from the safe home with ready assistance if needed, to independence with unpredictable surroundings and less certain help. Perceived ‘safe’ situations may in fact be the riskiest, as patients often do not take the EAI with them.
Costs of perennial allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma increase with severity and poor disease control
Authors: Belhassen M. , Demoly P. , Bloch‐Morot E. , de Pouvourville G. , Ginoux M. , Chartier A. , Laforest L. , Serup‐Hansen N. , Toussi M. , Van Ganse E.
Published: November 2016

Background

Perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) represents a global and public health problem, due to its prevalence, morbidity, and impact on the quality of life. PAR is frequently associated with allergic asthma (AA). Costs of PAR with or without AA are poorly documented.

Objective

Our study aimed to detail medical resource utilization (MRU) and related direct cost for PAR, with or without concomitant AA, in France.

Methods

Using Electronic Health Records (EHRs), we identified in 2010 two cohorts of PAR patients, based on General Practitioners' diagnoses and prescribing data, with and without concomitant AA. For each patient, the EHRs were linked to corresponding claims data with MRU and costs during years 2011 to 2013. Predefined subgroup analyses were performed according to severity of PAR and level of AA control.

Results

The median annual cost reimbursed by social security system for a patient with PAR, and no AA was 159€ in 2013. This varied from 111€ to 188€ depending on PAR severity. For patients with PAR and concomitant AA, the median annual cost varied between 266€ and 375€, and drug treatment accounted for 42–55% of the costs, depending on asthma control.

Conclusion

This study linking diagnoses from EHRs to claims data collected valid information on PAR management, with or without concomitant AA, and on related costs. There was a clear increase in costs with severity of PAR and control of AA.
Why babies die in unplanned out‐of‐institution births: an enquiry into perinatal deaths in Norway 1999–2013
Authors: Gunnarsson Björn , Fasting Sigurd , Skogvoll Eirik , Smárason Alexander K. , Salvesen Kjell Å.
Published: November 2016

Introduction

The aims were to describe causes of death associated with unplanned out‐of‐institution births, and to study whether they could be prevented.

Material and methods

Retrospective population‐based observational study based on data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and medical records. Between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2013, 69 perinatal deaths among 6027 unplanned out‐of‐institution births, whether unplanned at home, during transportation, or unspecified, were selected for enquiry. Hospital records were investigated and cases classified according to Causes of Death and Associated Conditions.

Results

63 cases were reviewed. There were 25 (40%) antepartum deaths, 10 (16%) intrapartum deaths, and 24 neonatal (38%) deaths. Four cases were in the unknown death category (6%). Both gestational age and birthweight followed a bimodal distribution with modes at 24 and 38 weeks and 750 and 3400 g, respectively. The most common main cause of death was infection (n = 14, 22%), neonatal (n = 14, 22%, nine due to extreme prematurity) and placental (n = 12, 19%, seven placental abruptions). There were 86 associated conditions, most commonly perinatal (n = 32), placental (n = 15) and maternal (n = 14). Further classification revealed that the largest subgroup was associated perinatal conditions/sub‐optimal care, involving 25 cases (40%), most commonly due to sub‐optimal maternal use of available care (n = 14, 22%).

Conclusions

Infections, neonatal, and placental causes accounted for almost two‐thirds of perinatal mortality associated with unplanned out‐of‐institution births in Norway. Sub‐optimal maternal use of available care was found in more than one‐fifth of cases.
Dynamics of occurrence of refractory coeliac disease and associated complications over 25 years
Authors: Eigner W. , Bashir K. , Primas C. , Kazemi‐Shirazi L. , Wrba F. , Trauner M. , Vogelsang H.
Published: November 2016

Background

Refractory coeliac disease, enteropathy associated T‐cell lymphoma and small bowel adenocarcinoma are rare but prognostically important complications in coeliac disease.

Aim

To analyse potential changes in occurrence of complicated coeliac disease over the last 25 years.

Methods

One thousand one hundred and thirty eight patients were included and evaluated based on their time of first presentation at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Occurrences of refractory coeliac disease and associated malignancies were evaluated for 5‐year intervals from January 1990 until December 2014 and were compared over time.

Results

2.6% (n = 29) were diagnosed with refractory coeliac disease (females 65.6%, mean age at diagnosis 62.8 years). The proportion of those patients was 2.6%, 3.1%, 3.3%, 2.7% and 0.5% for the 5 year intervals from 1990 onwards. Thus, the number of refractory cases has been decreasing since 2000 (P = 0.024). The number of patients presenting with lymphoma (n = 7) was 0.6%, 0.4%, 1.1%, 0.8% and 0% from 1990 to 2014. Similarly the number of patients with adenocarcinoma (n = 4) decreased to 0% until 2014. Overall mortality in patients suffering from refractory disease was 48%. Of all patients diagnosed with lymphoma 71.4% died with a 5‐year survival rate of 28.6%.

Conclusions

Over the past 15 years the occurrence of complicated coeliac disease has been decreasing. This possibly reflects a higher awareness of coeliac disease and optimised diagnosis and treatment with avoidance of long‐term immunological disease activity. Symptomatic disease and a delay in diagnosis are risk factors for refractory coeliac disease and related cancer.
Drivers of species richness and compositional change in Scottish coastal vegetation
Authors: Pakeman Robin J. , Hewison Richard L. , Lewis Rob J.
Published: November 2016

Question

What are the main drivers of vegetation change within coastal dune and machair habitats and are these amenable to action to protect biodiversity at a local and national scale?

Location

Coastal areas of Scotland.

Methods

A national‐scale, quadrat‐based re‐visitation survey was used to assess where changes were occurring in terms of species richness and composition. Regression trees and linear mixed modelling were used to identify the main drivers of change between 1976 and 2010.

Results

There were losses of habitat to erosion (4.7% of previously visited quadrats) and development (2.3%). Species richness changes were largely positive where sand dune and machair habitats remain part of an agricultural management system in the Inner and southern part of the Outer Hebrides. Richness losses were driven by acidic deposition and reduced grazing. Compositional changes were less related to agricultural changes, climate change and pollutant deposition than species richness changes.

Conclusions

Reintroduction of grazing to coastal areas appears to be a policy that would have positive effects on biodiversity, as would continued efforts to reduce atmospheric deposition and coastal planning that allowed for realignment as sediment supply decreases and sea level rise continues.
Usefulness of Transthoracic Echocardiography Parameters and Brain Natriuretic Peptide as Mortality Predictors in Hospitalized Acutely Poisoned Patients: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Lionte Catalina , Sorodoc Victorita , Bologa Cristina , Tuchilus Cristina , Jaba Elisabeta
Published: November 2016

Acute poisonings represent a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prognostic utility of the transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) parameters combined with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in acute poisoning with different xenobiotics, upon admission in the hospital, was not evaluated. This prospective observational cohort study included 229 acutely poisoned non‐diabetic adults, with a median age of 44 years (range 18–90 years), 50.7% women, with an in‐hospital mortality rate of 8.7%. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, the left ventricle kinetic abnormalities, the E‐wave deceleration time (EDT) and BNP correlated significantly with mortality in acutely poisoned patients. Multivariate logistic regression showed that only EDT [odds ratio (OR) 3.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54–7.69, p 0.003], BNP (OR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02–2.55, p 0.04) and age (OR 2.66, 95% CI: 1.23–5.76, p 0.013) are predictive for mortality. The receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis proved EDT [area under the ROC curve (AUC), 0.85; CI: 0.76–0.94; p 0.001], BNP (AUC, 0.83; CI: 0.75–0.91; p 0.001) and age (AUC, 0.82; CI: 0.74–0.90; p 0.001) as indicators for fatalities. In hospitalized patients acutely intoxicated with undifferentiated poisons, EDT as a parameter of left ventricle diastolic function and BNP are useful to early predict mortality.
Meditation awareness training for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Van Gordon William , Shonin Edo , Dunn Thomas J. , Garcia‐Campayo Javier , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to conduct the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of a second‐generation mindfulness‐based intervention (SG‐MBI) for treating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Compared to first‐generation mindfulness‐based interventions,SG‐MBIs are more acknowledging of the spiritual aspect of mindfulness.

Design

A RCT employing intent‐to‐treat analysis.

Methods

Adults withFMSreceived an 8‐weekSG‐MBIknown as meditation awareness training (MAT;n = 74) or an active control intervention known as cognitive behaviour theory for groups (n = 74). Assessments were performed at pre‐, post‐, and 6‐month follow‐up phases.

Results

Meditation awareness training participants demonstrated significant and sustained improvements over control group participants inFMSsymptomatology, pain perception, sleep quality, psychological distress, non‐attachment (to self, symptoms, and environment), and civic engagement. A mediation analysis found that (1) civic engagement partially mediated treatment effects for all outcome variables, (2) non‐attachment partially mediated treatment effects for psychological distress and sleep quality, and (3) non‐attachment almost fully mediated treatment effects forFMSsymptomatology and pain perception. Average daily time spent in meditation was found to be a significant predictor of changes in all outcome variables.

Conclusions

Meditation awareness training may be a suitable treatment for adults withFMSand appears to ameliorateFMSsymptomatology and pain perception by reducing attachment to self.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Designing interventions to treat fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) continues to be a challenge.

There is growing interest into the applications of mindfulness‐based interventions for treatingFMS.

Second‐generation mindfulness‐based interventions (SG‐MBIs) are a key new direction in mindfulness research.

What does this study add?

Meditation awareness training – anSG‐MBI– resulted in significant reductions inFMSsymptomatology.

SG‐MBIs recognize the spiritual aspect of mindfulness and may have a role in the treatment ofFMS.
Clemizole hydrochloride blocks cardiac potassium currents stably expressed in HEK 293 cells
Authors: Jie Ling‐Jun , Wu Wei‐Yin , Li Gang , Xiao Guo‐Sheng , Zhang Shetuan , Li Gui‐Rong , Wang Yan
Published: November 2016

Background and Purpose

Clemizole, a histamine H1 receptor antagonist has a potential therapeutic effect on hepatitis C infection and also potently inhibits TRPC5 ion channels. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether clemizole blocks cardiac K+ currents and thus affects cardiac repolarization.

Experimental Approach

Whole‐cell patch techniques was used to examine the effects of clemizole on hERG channel current, IKs and Kv1.5 channel current in HEK 293 cell expression systems as well as on ventricular action potentials of guinea pig hearts. Isolated hearts from guinea pigs were used to determine the effect on the ECG.

Key Results

Clemizole decreased hERG current by blocking both open and closed states of the channel in a concentration‐dependent manner (IC50: 0.07 μM). The S631A, S636A, Y652A and F656V hERG mutant channels reduced the inhibitory effect of clemizole (IC50: 0.82, 0.89, 1.49 and 2.98 μM, respectively), suggesting that clemizole is a pore blocker of hERG channels. Clemizole also moderately decreased IKs and human Kv1.5 channel current. Moreover, clemizole increased the duration of the ventricular action potential in guinea pig hearts and the QTc interval in isolated perfused hearts from guinea pigs, in a concentration‐dependent manner (0.1–1.0 μM).

Conclusion and Implications

Our results provide the first evidence that clemizole potently blocks hERG channels, moderately inhibits cardiac IKs, delays cardiac repolarization and thereby prolongs QT interval. Thus, caution should be taken when clemizole is used as a TRPC5 channel blocker or for treating hepatitis C infection.
Magnetostratigraphy, age and depositional environment of the Lobo Formation, southwest New Mexico: implications for the Laramide orogeny in the southern Rocky Mountains
Authors: De los Santos Marie G. , Lawton Timothy F. , Copeland Peter , Licht Alexis , Hall Stuart A.
Published: November 2016

The Lobo Formation of southwestern New Mexico consists of spatially variable continental successions attributed to the Laramide orogeny (80–40 Myr), although its age and provenance are virtually undocumented. This study combines sedimentological, magnetostratigraphical and geochronological data to infer the timing and origin of the Lobo Formation. Measured sections of Lobo strata at two locations, Capitol Dome in the Florida Mountains and in the Victorio Mountains, indicate significant differences in depositional environments and sediment provenance. At Capitol Dome, where Lobo strata were deposited above a syncline developed in Palaeozoic strata, deposition took place in fluvial, palustrine and marginal lacustrine settings, with alluvial‐fan deposits only at the top of the formation. Combined magnetostratigraphy and a young U–Pb detrital zircon age suggest deposition of the section at Capitol Dome from ~60 to 52 Ma. The Lobo Formation in the Victorio Mountains was deposited in alluvial‐fan and fluvial settings; the age of deposition is poorly bracketed between 66 ± 2 Ma, the weighted‐mean age of two young zircons, and middle Eocene (~40 Ma), the approximate age of overlying volcanic rocks. U–Pb zircon ages from sandstones at the Victorio and Capitol Dome localities indicate that different source rocks provided sediment to the Lobo Formation. Local Proterozoic basement (~1.47–1.45 Ga) dominated the source of the Lobo Formation in the Victorio Mountains, consistent with abundant granitic clasts that are present in the proximal facies there; a diverse range of grain ages suggest that recycled Lower Cretaceous strata provided the dominant source for Lobo Formation sediment at the Capitol Dome locality. The U–Pb data suggest that the depositional systems at the two sites were not connected. Contrasts in depositional setting and detrital zircon provenance indicate that the Palaeogene Lobo Formation in southwest New Mexico was deposited in an assemblage of local depositional settings, possibly in separate structural basins, as a consequence of Laramide tectonics in the region.
Emotional kinship care and neutral non‐kinship care — the struggle between discourses
Authors: Ponnert Lina
Published: November 2016

In this paper, social workers' ideas of kinship care and non‐kinship care as foster placement alternatives for vulnerable children are analysed and discussed. The study is based on group interviews with Swedish social workers, using a discourse analytic approach. The interviews took two vignettes of children who needed an immediate and long‐term placement because one of the parents had killed the other parent, as their point of departure. Domestic violence is a common social problem across countries, and controversies about placement alternatives become even more apparent when discussing lethal violence. The analysis revealed three main discourses: ‘emotional kinship care’, ‘neutral non‐kinship care’ and ‘a real family’. The emotional kinship care discourse also revealed two competing sub‐discourses: ‘emotions as glue that binds’ and ‘emotions as obscuring a child perspective’, displaying a struggle concerning the advantages and risks that social workers connected to kinship care. In this paper, the results and their implications for vulnerable children are discussed.
Association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index
Authors: Choi S.A. , Shim H.S. , Jung J.Y. , Kim H.J. , Kim S.H. , Byun J.Y. , Park M.S. , Yeo S.G.
Published: November 2016

Background

Although many factors have been found to be involved in recovery from Bell's palsy, no study has investigated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and obesity. This study therefore evaluated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

Subjects were classified into five groups based on BMI (kg/m2). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared among these groups. Assessed factors included sex, age, time from paralysis to visiting a hospital, the presence of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, degree of initial facial nerve paralysis by House–Brackmann (H‐B) grade and neurophysiological testing, and final recovery rate.

Results

Based on BMI, 37 subjects were classified as underweight, 169 as normal weight, 140 as overweight, 155 as obese and 42 as severely obese. Classification of the degree of initial facial nerve paralysis as moderate or severe, according to H‐B grade and electroneurography, showed no difference in severity of initial facial paralysis among the five groups (P > 0.05). However, the final recovery rate was significantly higher in the normal weight than in the underweight or obese group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Obesity or underweight had no effect on the severity of initial facial paralysis, but the final recovery rate was lower in the obese and underweight groups than in the normal group.
Complement C3F allotype synthesized by liver recipient modifies transplantation outcome independently from donor hepatic C3
Authors: Valero‐Hervás Diana María , Sánchez‐Zapardiel Elena , Castro María José , Gallego‐Bustos Fernando , Cambra Félix , Justo Iago , Laguna‐Goya Rocío , Jiménez‐Romero Carlos , Moreno Enrique , López‐Medrano Francisco , San Juan Rafael , Fernández‐Ruiz Mario , Aguado José María , Paz‐Artal Estela
Published: November 2016

Complement component 3 (C3) presents both slow (C3S) and fast (C3F) variants, which can be locally produced and activated by immune system cells. We studied C3 recipient variants in 483 liver transplant patients by RT‐PCR‐HRM to determine their effect on graft outcome during the first year post‐transplantation. Allograft survival was significantly decreased in C3FF recipients (C3SS 95% vs C3FS 91% vs C3FF 83%; P=.01) or C3F allele carriers (C3F absence 95% vs C3F presence 90%, P=.02). C3FF genotype or presence of C3F allele independently increased risk for allograft loss (OR: 2.38, P=.005 and OR: 2.66, P=.02, respectively). C3FF genotype was more frequent among patients whose first infection was of viral etiology (C3SS 13% vs C3FS 18% vs C3FF 32%; P=.04) and independently increased risk for post‐transplant viral infections (OR: 3.60, P=.008). On the other hand, C3FF and C3F protected from rejection events (OR: 0.54, P=.03 and OR: 0.63, P=.047, respectively). Differences were not observed in hepatitis C virus recurrence or patient survival. In conclusion, we show that, independently from C3 variants produced by donor liver, C3F variant from recipient diminishes allograft survival, increases susceptibility to viral infections, and protects from rejection after transplantation. C3 genotyping of liver recipients may be useful to stratify risk.
Disrupted pancreatic duct treated with a combination of endoscopic cystoduodenostomy and pancreatic duct fistualization through a pseudocyst wall using a lumen‐apposing metal stent
Authors: Wilechansky Robert M. , Khan Ali S. , Sethi Amrita
Published: November 2016

Management of disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome is complex and is increasingly approached using emerging endoscopic techniques. Herein, we present a case of recurrent pancreatitis in an elderly woman complicated by pseudocyst formation and complete pancreatic duct disruption. Her condition was treated with a novel combination of transpapillary stenting and cystduodenostomy in which a pancreatic duct stent was placed into an opening in the pseudocyst wall through a lumen‐apposing metal stent. This allowed for effective drainage into the gastrointestinal tract and resolution of duct disruption. Post‐procedure, the patient has had recovery of nutritional status and no further recurrence of pancreatic fluid collection. Endoscopic approaches to complete pancreatic duct disruption represent a viable and less invasive alternative to surgical management in selected cases.
A bilingual advantage in 54‐month‐olds’ use of referential cues in fast mapping
Authors: Yow W. Quin , Li Xiaoqian , Lam Sarah , Gliga Teodora , Chong Yap Seng , Kwek Kenneth , Broekman Birit F.P.
Published: November 2016

Research has demonstrated a bilingual advantage in how young children use referential cues such as eye gaze and pointing gesture to locate an object or to categorize objects. This study investigated the use of referential cues (i.e. eye gaze) in fast mapping in three groups of children that differed in their language exposure. One hundred and seven 54‐month‐old children who were English monolinguals (n = 28), English‐Mandarin bilinguals (n = 48), and English‐Mandarin bilinguals with exposure to a third language (i.e. trilinguals, n = 31) were assessed with a word learning task using two types of test – a referent test and a mutual exclusivity test. During the task, following the gaze of an adult speaker was needed to be able to indicate the correct referent of a novel word at test. All three groups of children demonstrated successful word learning in explicit selection of and implicit looking time toward the target object during testing. However, bilingual and trilingual children outperformed their monolingual peers in both types of test when they were asked to explicitly select the correct objects. These findings suggest positive effects of bilingualism on children's use of referential cues in fast mapping.
CDC25B is involved in the centrosomal microtubule nucleation in two‐cell stage mouse embryos
Authors: Cui Cheng , Zang Tianxia , Cao Yu , Qin Xin , Zhang Xuewei
Published: November 2016

CDC25B has been demonstrated to activate the complex of CDK1/Cyclin B and trigger mitosis. We have recently demonstrated that p‐CDC25B‐Ser351 is located at the centrosomes of mouse oocytes and contributes to the release of mouse oocytes from prophase I arrest. But much less is known about CDC25B function at the centrosome in two‐cell stage mouse embryos. Here we investigate the effect of CDC25B regulating the microtubules nucleation. Microinjection of anti‐CDC25B antibody caused aberrant microtubule nucleation. In addition, embryos injected with anti‐CDC25B antibody showed the marked absence of microtubule repolymerization and Nek2 foci after nocodazole washout. CDC25B overexpression caused microtubule‐organizing center (MTOC) overduplication. Moreover, overexpression of CDC25B–▵65 mutant resulted in the loss of CDC25B localization in the perinuclear region and made CDC25B less efficient in inducing mitosis. We additionally identified that CDC25B is responsible for the pericentrin localization to the MTOC. Our data suggest an important role of CDC25B for microtubule nucleation and organization. N‐terminal of CDC25B is required for regulating the microtubule dynamics and mitotic function.
Housing affordability during the urban transition in Spain
Authors: Carmona Juan , Lampe Markus , Rosés Joan
Published: November 2016

During the decades prior to the Civil War, Spain experienced a rapid process of urbanization, which was accompanied by the demographic transition and sizeable rural–urban migrations. This article investigates how urban housing markets reacted to these far‐reaching changes, which increased demand for dwellings. To this end, this study employs a new hedonic index of real housing prices and constructs a cross‐regional panel dataset of rents and housing price fundamentals. This new evidence indicates that rents were not a significant financial burden on low‐income families and, hence, housing was affordable for the working classes. The article also shows that families’ access to new homes was facilitated by a sizeable growth in the housing supply. Substantial investments in urban infrastructure and the institutional framework enabled the construction of new homes at affordable prices. Our results suggest that housing problems were not as pervasive during the urban transition as the literature often seems to claim.
Children's growth in an adaptive framework: explaining the growth patterns of American slaves and other historical populations
Authors: Schneider Eric B.
Published: November 2016

This article presents a new adaptive framework for understanding children's growth in the past. Drawing upon the recent work on adaptive responses in relation to growth, it presents prenatal and postnatal adaptive mechanisms that affect the growth patterns of children. The most novel adaptive response to the historical literature is the prenatal predictive adaptive response where the metabolism and growth trajectory of a child is programmed to match predicted conditions later in life. Having discussed the framework in detail, a reinterpretation of the growth pattern of American slaves is then suggested. It seems likely that a mismatch between relatively good conditions in utero and absolutely appalling conditions in infancy and early childhood led slave children to become extremely stunted by the age of three or four. However, after this age, slave children experienced catch‐up growth because their immune systems had become more developed and because their diet improved tremendously and hookworm exposure was reduced. Thus, it seems that American slave children may have experienced substantial catch‐up growth because they were prenatally programmed for a higher metabolism and growth trajectory. The article concludes by setting out some stylized facts about children's growth in the past and pointing toward areas of future research.
Chronic ghrelin treatment reduced photophobia and anxiety‐like behaviors in nitroglycerin‐ induced migraine: role of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide
Authors: Farajdokht Fereshteh , Babri Shirin , Karimi Pouran , Alipour Mohammad Reza , Bughchechi Ramin , Mohaddes Gisou
Published: November 2016

Chronic migraine is a debilitating disorder that has a significant impact on patients and society. Nearly all migraineurs frequently reported light sensitivity during a headache attack. Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) plays an important role in the activation of trigeminal system and migraine pain. To identify the effect of chronic ghrelin treatment on endogenous PACAP and associated symptoms of migraine, an experimental chronic migraine model was induced by intermittent intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of nitroglycerin (NTG). Photophobia and anxiety‐like behaviors were determined in the modified elevated plus maze on days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 and in the light/dark box on days 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Blood levels of PACAP and cortisol were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent (ELISA) kits. Chronic injection of NTG evoked photophobia and anxiety‐like behaviors and treatment with ghrelin (150 μg/kg) for 11 days effectively attenuated photophobia and anxiety‐like behaviors in the both paradigms. We further found that NTG increased the blood levels of PACAP and cortisol, which was significantly reduced by ghrelin treatment. Additionally, staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) revealed that ghrelin reduced NTG‐induced increase in the number of satellite glial cells in the trigeminal ganglion. Furthermore, for the first time we showed that repeated administrations of NTG increased white blood cell (WBC) counts and mean platelet volume (MPV), and decreased platelet counts. These results indicated that ghrelin decreased migraine associated symptoms possibly through attenuating endogenous PACAP and cortisol levels. Therefore, ghrelin may hold therapeutic potentialities in managing the chronic migraine.
Evolutionary consequences of ecological factors: pollinator reliability predicts mating‐system traits of a perennial plant
Authors: Opedal Øystein H. , Albertsen Elena , Armbruster W. Scott , Pérez‐Barrales Rocío , Falahati‐Anbaran Mohsen , Pélabon Christophe
Published: November 2016

The reproductive‐assurance hypothesis predicts that mating‐system traits will evolve towards increased autonomous self‐pollination in plant populations experiencing unreliable pollinator service. We tested this long‐standing hypothesis by assessing geographic covariation among pollinator reliability, outcrossing rates, heterozygosity and relevant floral traits across populations of Dalechampia scandens in Costa Rica. Mean outcrossing rates ranged from 0.16 to 0.49 across four populations, and covaried with the average rates of pollen arrival on stigmas, a measure of pollinator reliability. Across populations, genetically based differences in herkogamy (anther–stigma distance) were associated with variation in stigmatic pollen loads, outcrossing rates and heterozygosity. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that, when pollinators are unreliable, floral traits promoting autonomous selfing evolve as a mechanism of reproductive assurance. Extensive covariation between floral traits and mating system among closely related populations further suggests that floral traits influencing mating systems track variation in adaptive optima generated by variation in pollinator reliability.
VP1, the major capsid protein of the mouse polyomavirus, binds microtubules, promotes their acetylation and blocks the host cell cycle
Authors: Horníková Lenka , Fraiberk Martin , Man Petr , Janovec Václav , Forstová Jitka
Published: November 2016

VP1, the major structural protein of the mouse polyomavirus (MPyV), is the major architectural component of the viral capsid. Its pentamers are able to self‐assemble into capsid‐like particles and to non‐specifically bind DNA. Surface loops of the protein interact with sialic acid of ganglioside receptors. Although the replication cycle of the virus, including virion morphogenesis, proceeds in the cell nucleus, a substantial fraction of the protein is detected in the cytoplasm of late‐phase MPyV‐infected cells. In this work, we detected VP1 mainly in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells transfected with plasmid expressing VP1. In the cytoplasm, VP1‐bound microtubules, including the mitotic spindle, and the interaction of VP1 with microtubules resulted in cell cycle block at the G2/M phase. Furthermore, in the late phase of MPyV infection and in cells expressing VP1, microtubules were found to be hyperacetylated. We then sought to understand how VP1 interacts with microtubules. Dynein is not responsible for the VP1–microtubule association, as neither overexpression of p53/dynamitin nor treatment with ciliobrevin‐D (an inhibitor of dynein activity) prevented binding of VP1 to microtubules. A pull‐down assay for VP1‐interacting proteins identified the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) chaperone, and Hsp90 was also detected in the VP1–microtubule complexes. Although Hsp90 is known to be associated with acetylated microtubules, it does not mediate the interaction between VP1 and microtubules. Our study provides insight into the role of the major structural protein in MPyV replication, indicating that VP1 is a multifunctional protein that participates in the regulation of cell cycle progression in MPyV‐infected cells.
Standardized experiments in mutant mice reveal behavioural similarity on 129S5 and C57BL/6J backgrounds
Authors: van de Lagemaat L. N. , Stanford L. E. , Pettit C. M. , Strathdee D. J. , Strathdee K. E. , Elsegood K. A. , Fricker D. G. , Croning M. D. R. , Komiyama N. H. , Grant S. G. N.
Published: November 2016

Behavioural analysis of mice carrying engineered mutations is widely used to identify roles of specific genes in components of the mammalian behavioural repertoire. The reproducibility and robustness of phenotypic measures has become a concern that undermines the use of mouse genetic models for translational studies. Contributing factors include low individual study power, non‐standardized behavioural testing, failure to address confounds and differences in genetic background of mutant mice. We have examined the importance of these factors using a statistically robust approach applied to behavioural data obtained from three mouse mutations on 129S5 and C57BL/6J backgrounds generated in a standardized battery of five behavioural assays. The largest confounding effect was sampling variation, which partially masked the genetic background effect. Our observations suggest that strong interaction of mutation with genetic background in mice in innate and learned behaviours is not necessarily to be expected. We found composite measures of innate and learned behaviour were similarly impacted by mutations across backgrounds. We determined that, for frequently used group sizes, a single retest of a significant result conforming to the commonly used P < 0.05 threshold results in a reproducibility of 60% between identical experiments. Reproducibility was reduced in the presence of strain differences. We also identified a P‐value threshold that maximized reproducibility of mutant phenotypes across strains. This study illustrates the value of standardized approaches for quantitative assessment of behavioural phenotypes and highlights approaches that may improve the translational value of mouse behavioural studies.
Climate‐related changes of soil characteristics affect bacterial community composition and function of high altitude and latitude lakes
Authors: Rofner Carina , Peter Hannes , Catalán Núria , Drewes Fabian , Sommaruga Ruben , Pérez María Teresa
Published: November 2016

Lakes at high altitude and latitude are typically unproductive ecosystems where external factors outweigh the relative importance of in‐lake processes, making them ideal sentinels of climate change. Climate change is inducing upward vegetation shifts at high altitude and latitude regions that translate into changes in the pools of soil organic matter. Upon mobilization, this allochthonous organic matter may rapidly alter the composition and function of lake bacterial communities. Here, we experimentally simulate this potential climate‐change effect by exposing bacterioplankton of two lakes located above the treeline, one in the Alps and one in the subarctic region, to soil organic matter from below and above the treeline. Changes in bacterial community composition, diversity and function were followed for 72 h. In the subarctic lake, soil organic matter from below the treeline reduced bulk and taxon‐specific phosphorus uptake, indicating that bacterial phosphorus limitation was alleviated compared to organic matter from above the treeline. These effects were less pronounced in the alpine lake, suggesting that soil properties (phosphorus and dissolved organic carbon availability) and water temperature further shaped the magnitude of response. The rapid bacterial succession observed in both lakes indicates that certain taxa directly benefited from soil sources. Accordingly, the substrate uptake profiles of initially rare bacteria (copiotrophs) indicated that they are one of the main actors cycling soil‐derived carbon and phosphorus. Our work suggests that climate‐induced changes in soil characteristics affect bacterioplankton community structure and function, and in turn, the cycling of carbon and phosphorus in high altitude and latitude aquatic ecosystems.