bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen addition stimulated compensatory growth responses to clipping defoliation in a Northern Tibetan alpine meadow
Authors: Zong Ning , Shi Peili
Published: December 2018

Grazing and clipping defoliation are the most important human disturbances in natural grasslands. Compensatory growth is a common response to clipping defoliation, which is of great significance for forage production and livestock husbandry development. However, how clipping intensity affects plant compensatory growth and how nitrogen (N) addition regulates this response in alpine ecosystems are still unclear. A manipulative experiment including two clipping intensities (light and heavy) crossed with N addition was conducted in an alpine meadow ecosystem to examine the effects of how N addition regulated plant compensatory growth induced by clipping defoliation. Selective clipping was used to simulate animal feeding, that is, only grasses and sedges were clipped. Under the N addition treatment, the relative growth rate of grasses and total biomass after clipping were significantly higher than those under the no N addition treatment. The total community biomass showed over‐compensatory growth in light clipping under N addition treatment, while it showed equal‐compensatory growth under the other treatments. The over‐compensatory growth in light clipping under the N addition treatments mainly resulted from the stimulated growth of grasses. Regression analysis showed that the relative growth rate and biomass of grasses were positively correlated with soil inorganic N content, but increasing N availability was not conducive to the growth of sedges and other forbs. Divergent responses of different plant functional groups to clipping and N addition would lead to changes in community structure and functioning. Both community biomass and compensatory growth tended to increase first and then reach a stable state with the increase in soil N availability. Our results show that although light clipping could largely stimulate forage production under N addition, excessive clipping cannot lead to a continuous increase in compensatory growth of plant biomass, even under N addition conditions, in this semiarid alpine meadow ecosystem.
(Sr1‐xCax)2TiO4 microwave dielectric ceramics with R‐P structure (x = 0~0.15)
Authors: Hameed Iqra , Liu Bing , Li Lei , Liu Xiao Qiang , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: December 2018

(Sr1‐xCax)2TiO4 ceramics (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) were synthesized by a standard solid state reaction route. Tetragonal Ruddlesden‐Popper (R‐P) solid solutions (Sr1‐xCax)2TiO4 with space group I4/mmm were obtained in the composition range of x = 0~0.15, while Sr3Ti2O7 has been observed as secondary phase in x ≤ 0.10. In the present ceramics, both the dielectric constant ɛr and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τf decreased at first and turned to increase again with increasing x, while the quality factor Qf decreased slightly at first and turned to decrease sharply after x = 0.1. The improved microwave dielectric properties with the best combination were obtained in (Sr1‐xCax)2TiO4 ceramics at x = 0.075: ɛr = 39.3, Qf = 93 550 GHz, τf = 119 ppm/°C The obvious improvement was achieved in temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (from 140 to 119 ppm/°C) with Ca2+‐substitution for Sr2+ in Sr2TiO4 ceramics due to the increased B‐site bond valance.
Clotting and chromogenic factor VIII assay variability in post‐infusion and spiked samples containing full‐length recombinant FVIII or recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc)
Authors: Kitchen Steve , Jennings Ian , Makris Mike , Kitchen Dianne Patricia , Woods Timothy A. L. , Walker Isobel D.
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Variability in FVIII measurement is a recognized problem. There are limited data for samples containing recombinant Factor VIII Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc). Many studies use samples for which factor concentrate has been spiked into FVIII deficient plasma in vitro. This approach requires validation.

Aim/Methods

Four samples were distributed in a UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme for Blood Coagulation (NEQAS BC) survey. One contained Advate (full‐length recombinant FVIII) (rFVIII) added to FVIII deficient plasma, one was from a severe haemophilia A patient after infusion of Advate, one was prepared by addition of rFVIIIFc (marketed as Elocta/Eloctate) to FVIII deficient plasma and the fourth was collected from a severe haemophilia A patient following rFVIIIFc (Eloctate) infusion. Fifty‐three haemophilia centres (UK and Scandinavia) performed one‐stage FVIII assays and 27 performed chromogenic FVIII assays.

Results/Conclusions

One‐stage assays gave significantly lower results than chromogenic assays by 7% (P < 0.01) and 13%(P < 0.001) for post‐Advate and Advate spiked samples, and by 22% (P < 0.001) and 23% (P < 0.001) for post‐rFVIIIFc and rFVIIIFc spiked samples. The interlaboratory variation was similar for all samples, with CVs of 12%‐16% (chromogenic) and 10%‐13% (one stage). The data indicate that either product can be safely monitored by one‐stage or chromogenic assay. Spiked samples behaved in a similar way to post‐infusion samples for both products and could be substituted for post‐infusion samples for use in proficiency testing exercises (ie, samples were commutable).
Barley varieties in semi‐controlled and natural conditions—Response to water shortage and changing environment
Authors: Surma Maria , Kuczyńska Anetta , Mikołajczak Krzysztof , Ogrodowicz Piotr , Adamski Tadeusz , Ćwiek‐Kupczyńska Hanna , Sawikowska Aneta , Pecio Alicja , Wach Damian , Józefaciuk Grzegorz , Łukowska Małgorzata , Zych Józef , Krajewski Paweł
Published: December 2018

The yield potential of 60 spring barley varieties was examined under controlled drought and natural conditions in the years 2011–2013. The studied varieties were genotyped with the 1536‐SNP barley oligonucleotide assay. In experiments with controlled drought conditions, the grain yield, 1,000‐grain weight, number of productive tillers and length of the main stem were measured. Physicochemical properties such as the specific surface area, water adsorption energy, fractal dimension and nanopore radius of the plant leaves were determined and correlated with yield‐forming traits. Field trials were conducted over 3 years at 14 locations, where along with the yield‐related traits, monthly rainfall and average temperature were monitored. Five varieties of high yield and five varieties relatively stable under both semi‐controlled and natural conditions were distinguished. The yield‐related traits observed in various locations were related to environmental variables relevant to water availability. The sum of the rainfall in April and May was negatively correlated with the 1,000‐grain weight and positively with the plant height. Positive relationships were found between plant height and temperatures in June and July. Five markers detected earlier as linked to the quantitative trait loci in the mapping populations were identified to have a coherent effect among varieties of various pedigree.
Irrelevant Cultural Influences on Belief
Authors: McKenna Robin
Published: December 2018

Recent work in psychology on ‘cultural cognition’ suggests that our cultural background drives our attitudes towards a range of politically contentious issues in science such as global warming. This work is part of a more general attempt to investigate the ways in which our wants, wishes and desires impact on our assessments of information, events and theories. Put crudely, the idea is that we confirm our assessments of the evidence for and against scientific theories with clear political relevance to our pre‐existing political beliefs and convictions. In this article, I explore the epistemological consequences of cultural cognition. What does it mean for the rationality of our beliefs about issues such as global warming? I argue for an unsettling conclusion. Not only are those on the ‘political right’ who reject the scientific consensus on issues like global warming unjustified in doing so, some of those on the ‘political left’ who accept the consensus are also unjustified in doing so. I finish by addressing the practical implications of my conclusions.
Functional and phylogenetic diversity of bird assemblages are filtered by different biotic factors on tropical mountains
Authors: Hanz Dagmar M. , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin , Ferger Stefan W. , Fritz Susanne A. , Neuschulz Eike Lena , Quitián Marta , Santillán Vinicio , Töpfer Till , Schleuning Matthias
Published: December 2018

Aim

It is not yet clear whether similar mechanisms influence the assembly of ecological communities across different continents. Here, we investigated the functional and phylogenetic diversity of bird assemblages along elevational gradients in two biogeographic regions in order to identify how these are driven by biotic factors, such as food resources and vegetation structure, and abiotic factors, such as ambient temperature and precipitation.

Location

Two 2,000‐m elevational gradients in the Ecuadorian Andes and on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Taxon

Forest‐dwelling bird species.

Methods

We recorded bird species abundances on 18 and 30 plots in the Ecuadorian Andes and on Mount Kilimanjaro respectively. We measured 10 functional morphological traits, related to bird feeding and movement, and utilized bird phylogenies to compare observed values and null‐model corrected effect sizes of functional and phylogenetic diversity along elevational gradients and between biogeographic regions. Furthermore, we assessed how observed values and effect sizes of functional and phylogenetic diversity were associated with the underlying gradients in available food resources, vegetation structure, temperature and precipitation.

Results

Functional and phylogenetic diversity were generally higher in species assemblages in the Ecuadorian Andes than on Mount Kilimanjaro. Both observed values and effect sizes of functional and phylogenetic diversity decreased significantly with increasing elevation in both biogeographic regions. Functional diversity consistently increased with increasing resource availability, whereas phylogenetic diversity increased with increasing vegetation heterogeneity and canopy closure in both biogeographic regions. Temperature and precipitation were not significantly associated with functional and phylogenetic diversity.

Main conclusions

Our results suggest that in both mountain systems the diversity of functional traits in bird species assemblages is the result of environmental filtering by available food resources, whereas phylogenetic diversity is primarily limited by vegetation structure. These findings suggest important differences in the main drivers of functional and phylogenetic diversity. We conclude that biotic factors might be more important for driving bird diversity patterns than abiotic factors and that a loss of resource availability and vegetation structure, e.g., through human impacts, is likely to trigger changes in community assembly on tropical mountains.
A multicentered evaluation of ablation at higher power guided by ablation index: Establishing ablation targets for pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Dhillon Gurpreet , Ahsan Syed , Honarbakhsh Shohreh , Lim Wei , Baca Marco , Graham Adam , Srinivasan Neil , Sawhney Vinit , Sporton Simon , Schilling Richard J. , Chow Anthony , Ginks Matthew , Sohal Manav , Gallagher Mark M. , Hunter Ross J.
Published: December 2018

Background

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using high power delivered by SmartTouch Surround Flow (STSF) catheters guided by ablation index (AI) was evaluated in a multicenter registry.

Methods

Patients with paroxysmal AF underwent PVI with STSF catheters using 30 W on the posterior wall and 40 W elsewhere. AI targets were 350 posterior walls and 450 elsewhere. Procedures were compared with controls using conventionally irrigated contact force‐sensing catheters using conventional powers (25 W posterior wall and 30 W elsewhere) guided by force‐time integral (no agreed targets). The waiting period of 30 minutes was observed before adenosine administration to assess acute pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection.

Results

One hundred patients from four centers were included: 50 patients in the high power ablation index (HPAI) group and 50 controls. Procedure time was 22% shorter in the HPAI group (156 [133.8‐179] vs 199 [178.5‐227] minutes; P < 0.001). Duration of the radiofrequency application was 37% shorter in the HPAI group (27.2 [21.5‐35.8] vs 43.2 [35.1‐52.1] minutes;
P < 0.001). Acute PV reconnection was reduced (28 of 200 [14%] vs 48 of 200 [24%] veins;
P = 0.015). Reconnection was predicted by a largest interlesion distance greater than 6 mm, a lesion with impedance drop less than 2.5 Ω, contact force less than 6 g, or less than 68% of the regional AI target (all
P < 0.001). Freedom from atrial arrhythmia at 1 year off antiarrhythmic drugs after a single procedure was 78% in the HPAI group vs 64% in the control group (
P = 0.186).

Conclusion

High‐powered ablation guided by AI was safe and led to shorter procedure times with reduced acute PV reconnection compared with conventional ablation.
An appraisal of the role of specific bacteria in the initial pathogenesis of periodontitis
Authors: Bartold Peter Mark , Van Dyke Thomas E.
Published: December 2018

Background

Historically, inflammatory periodontal diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis) have been recognized as being primarily of bacterial origin. Bacteria are necessary for disease development, but the presence of specific bacteria does not guarantee progression to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease; specific bacteria are associated with disease, but may not be the target of treatment. Gingivitis and periodontitis are inflammatory conditions associated with bacterial overgrowth.

Aim

To analyse evidence for established thought that specific bacteria directly participate in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and question the long‐held tenet that penetration of the periodontal connective tissues by bacteria and their products is a significant phase in the initial development of periodontitis.

Methods

The literature was searched for studies on initiation of gingivitis and periodontitis by specific pathogens. The search results were insufficient for a systematic review and have been summarized in a commentary instead.

Results

There is very little evidence in the literature to support the commonly held concept that specific bacteria initiate periodontitis.

Conclusion

We present evidence for a paradigm supporting the central role of inflammation, rather than specific microbiota, in the early pathogenesis of periodontitis, and discuss whether controlling the inflammation can influence the character and composition of the periodontal infection.
Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and virulence of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from chicken meat
Authors: Samad Abdul , Abbas Ferhat , Ahmed Zafar , Akbar Ali , Naeem Muhammad , Sadiq Muhammad Bilal , Ali Imran , Saima  , Roomeela  , Bugti Farah Sabeen , Achakzai Safiullah Khan
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from retail chicken meat. The identification of Campylobacter isolates and the presence of virulence factor were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, clove oil, cinnamon, and turmeric extracts were evaluated for the antimicrobial potential against Campylobacter isolates. Out of 200 chicken meat samples, 80 (40%) samples were found contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni. Antibacterial susceptibility testing indicated that out of 80 isolates 60 (75%) were resistant to tetracycline followed by 31 (38.75%) to ciprofloxacin, 12 (15%) to ampicillin, 8 (10%) to erythromycin, and 2 (2.5%) were resistant to chloramphenicol. Clove oil and cinnamon extract showed antibacterial potential against Campylobacter isolates. Furthermore, all the 80 isolates (100%) were found positive for virulence genes (cadF, flaA, and dnaJ). The presence of antibacterial resistance and virulence factors in C. jejuni highlighted the risk associated with retail poultry meat.

Practical applications

Campylobacter jejuni is associated with foodborne illnesses such as gastrointestinal intestinal complications. This study demonstrated that raw chicken meat should be subjected to pretreatment to avoid the foodborne illnesses associated with multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Campylobacter jejuni. Moreover, the use of antibiotics should be strictly monitored in developing countries to avoid the emergence of multidrug‐resistant pathogens.
High‐resolution cost‐effective compact portable inverted light microscope
Authors: PURWAR P. , HAN S. , LEE Y. , SAHA B. , SANDHAN T. , LEE J.
Published: December 2018

Commercial high‐resolution optical microscopes are essential for microscopy imaging; however, they are expensive and bulky, which limits their use in point‐of‐care devices, resource‐limited areas, and real‐time imaging of a sample in a large apparatus. In this study, we report a novel compact (10 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm, without the light source) lightweight (∼0.5 kg) submicron‐resolution inverted optical microscope at low cost (∼$ 300). Our technique utilises the proximity of the image sensor to a commercial microscope objective lens for compactness of the microscope. The use of an image sensor with a small pixel size helps to reduce the information loss, which provides high‐resolution images. Moreover, our technique offers a freedom to tailor the design of microscope according to the required resolution, cost, and portability for specific applications, which makes it a suitable candidate for affordable point‐of‐care devices. Images of several micron‐to‐submicron scale patterns and spherical beads are acquired to observe the resolution and quality of the images obtained using our microscope. In addition, we demonstrate the applications of our microscope in various fields such as recording of high‐speed water microdroplet formation inside a microfluidic device, high‐resolution live cell imaging inside an incubator, and real‐time imaging of crack propagation in a sample under stretching by a material testing system (MTS). Therefore, this portable and inexpensive microscope provides the essential functionalities of a bulky expensive high‐performance microscope at a lower cost.

Lay Description

Microscope is an essential tool in research allowing for observation of microsized objects and life forms. Contemporary commercial high‐resolution microscopes have long optical paths involving series of lenses and filters. Although this configuration precisely corrects for optical distortions and produces clear images, it makes modern microscopes very costly and bulky, restricting their usage to low‐funded research laboratories and at remote places. We have developed a simple digital microscope with high‐resolution but with much smaller size and lighter in weight at low cost by removing the long optical terrain. Our microscope consists of a commercial microscope objective lens for magnification and semiconductor image sensor with small pixels placed right after the lens, both of which are affordable and easily available. The small pixel size helps to translate the magnified analogue sample image to high‐resolution digital image. In our paper, we show that our microscope can view micro and submicron‐sized patterns and beads. Moreover, our fist‐sized microscope can be placed inside an incubator for real‐time imaging of cells or rotated sideways for recording submicron‐sized crack generation due stretching of novel materials, both of which could not be accomplished with the 2 feet tall laboratory microscopes.
VGLUT3 gates psychomotor effects induced by amphetamine
Authors: Mansouri‐Guilani Nina , Bernard Véronique , Vigneault Erika , Vialou Vincent , Daumas Stéphanie , El Mestikawy Salah , Gangarossa Giuseppe
Published: December 2018

Several subtypes of modulatory neurons co‐express vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) in addition to their cognate vesicular transporters. These neurons are believed to establish new forms of neuronal communication. The atypical VGLUT3 is of particular interest since in the striatum this subtype is found in tonically active cholinergic interneurons (TANs) and in a subset of 5‐HT fibers. The striatum plays a major role in psychomotor effects induced by amphetamine. Whether and how VGLUT3‐operated glutamate/ACh or glutamate/5HT co‐transmissions modulates psychostimulants‐induced maladaptive behaviors is still unknown. Here, we investigate the involvement of VGLUT3 and glutamate co‐transmission in amphetamine‐induced psychomotor effects and stereotypies. Taking advantage of constitutive and cell‐type specific VGLUT3‐deficient mouse lines, we tackled the hypothesis that VGLUT3 could gate psychomotor effects (locomotor activity and stereotypies) induced by acute or chronic administration of amphetamine. Interestingly, VGLUT3‐null mice demonstrated blunted amphetamine‐induced stereotypies as well as reduced striatal ∆FosB expression. VGLUT3‐positive varicosities within the striatum arise in part from 5HT neurons. We tested the involvement of VGLUT3 deletion in serotoninergic neurons in amphetamine‐induced stereotypies. Mice lacking VGLUT3 specifically in 5HT fibers showed no alteration to amphetamine sensitivity. In contrast, specific deletion of VGLUT3 in cholinergic neurons partially phenocopied the effects observed in the constitutive knock‐out mice. Our results show that constitutive deletion of VGLUT3 modulates acute and chronic locomotor effects induced by amphetamine. They point to the fact that the expression of VGLUT3 in multiple brain areas is pivotal in gating amphetamine‐induced psychomotor adaptations.

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Late onset obesity in mice with targeted deletion of potassium inward rectifier Kir7.1 from cells expressing the melanocortin‐4 receptor
Authors: Anderson Erica J. P. , Ghamari‐Langroudi Masoud , Cakir Isin , Litt Michael J. , Chen Valerie , Reggiardo Roman E. , Millhauser Glenn L. , Cone Roger D.
Published: December 2018

Energy stores in fat tissue are determined in part by the activity of hypothalamic neurones expressing the melanocortin‐4 receptor (MC4R). Even a partial reduction in MC4R expression levels in mice, rats or humans produces hyperphagia and morbid obesity. Thus, it is of great interest to understand the molecular basis of neuromodulation by the MC4R. The MC4R is a G protein‐coupled receptor that signals efficiently through GαS, and this signalling pathway is essential for normal MC4R function in vivo. However, previous data from hypothalamic slice preparations indicated that activation of the MC4R depolarised neurones via G protein‐independent regulation of the ion channel Kir7.1. In the present study, we show that deletion of Kcnj13 (ie, the gene encoding Kir7.1) specifically from MC4R neurones produced resistance to melanocortin peptide‐induced depolarisation of MC4R paraventricular nucleus neurones in brain slices, resistance to the sustained anorexic effect of exogenously administered melanocortin peptides, late onset obesity, increased linear growth and glucose intolerance. Some MC4R‐mediated phenotypes appeared intact, including Agouti‐related peptide‐induced stimulation of food intake and MC4R‐mediated induction of peptide YY release from intestinal L cells. Thus, a subset of the consequences of MC4R signalling in vivo appears to be dependent on expression of the Kir7.1 channel in MC4R cells.
Peripheral nervous system involvement in lymphomas
Authors: Briani Chiara , Visentin Andrea , Campagnolo Marta , Salvalaggio Alessandro , Ferrari Sergio , Cavallaro Tiziana , Manara Renzo , Gasparotti Roberto , Piazza Francesco
Published: December 2018

The peripheral nervous system may be involved at any stage in the course of lymphoproliferative diseases. The different underlying mechanisms include neurotoxicity secondary to chemotherapy, direct nerve infiltration (neurolymphomatosis), infections, immune‐mediated, paraneoplastic or metabolic processes and nutritional deficiencies. Accordingly, the clinical features are heterogeneous and depend on the localization of the damage (ganglia, roots, plexi, and peripheral nerves) and on the involved structures (myelin, axon, and cell body). Some clinical findings, such a focal or diffuse involvement, symmetric or asymmetric pattern, presence of pain may point to the correct diagnosis. Besides a thorough medical history and neurological examination, neurophysiological studies, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, nerve biopsy (in selected patients with suspected lymphomatous infiltration) and neuroimaging techniques (magnetic resonance neurography and nerve ultrasound) may be crucial for a proper diagnostic workup.
Dermoscopic pre‐ and posttreatment evaluation in patients with androgenetic alopecia on platelet‐rich plasma—A prospective study
Authors: Shetty Vinma H. , Goel Saumya
Published: December 2018

Background

Platelet‐rich plasma is rich in growth factors that promote differentiation and growth of dermal papilla cells by various signaling pathways. Dermoscopy is handy, bedside tool that helps to improve diagnostic accuracy in various hair disorders.

Objectives

To evaluate and study the role of dermoscopy in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) pre‐ and posttreatment with platelet‐rich plasma (PRP).

Methods

It is a prospective comparative study. Twenty male patients with AGA, aged 18‐45 years with modified Norwood‐Hamilton classification grade II‐VI were included in this study. Patients were given platelet‐rich plasma injections every 3 week for a period of 3 months. Dermoscopy was performed with 10 x magnifications in polarized mode at baseline and at 3 months from the baseline and photographs were taken. Patients were evaluated based on following dermoscopic findings (a) hair count, (b) hair density, (c) hair diameter diversity, perifollicular pigmentation, yellow dots, multi‐hair follicular units, honeycomb pigment pattern and white dots, (d) patient's hair growth assessment score.

Results

Posttherapy, patients showed significant improvement in hair count (27.4%), hair diversity (84.2%), increase in number of thick, terminals hairs, reduction in yellow dots (60%), perifollicular pigmentation (92.3%) was appreciated. Hair pull test negative after treatment in 10 patients (50%). Patient's hair growth assessment score showed 50%‐75% improvement in 7 (35%) patients.

Conclusion

Dermoscopy helps to easily evaluate and compare the therapeutic response pre‐ and posttreatment which can be easily documented and visualized at every visit.
Sentiment Metrics and Investor Demand
Authors: DeVAULT LUKE , SIAS RICHARD , STARKS LAURA
Published: December 2018

Recent work suggests that sentiment traders shift from safer to more speculative stocks when sentiment increases. Exploiting these cross‐sectional patterns and changes in share ownership, we find that sentiment metrics capture institutional rather than individual investors’ demand shocks. We investigate the underlying economic mechanisms and find that common institutional investment styles (e.g., risk management, momentum trading) explain a significant portion of the relation between institutions and sentiment.
Catabolic changes of rat temporomandibular joint discs induced by unilateral anterior crossbite
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Yun , Xie Mian‐Jiao , Yang Hong‐Xu , Liu Xin , Ren Hao‐Tian , Zhang Mian , Lu Lei , Liu Xiao‐Dong , Zhang Jing , Wang Mei‐Qing
Published: December 2018

Background

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc plays a role in joint movement and in load absorbance and distribution. An experimental unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) prosthesis induces mandibular condylar cartilage degeneration in rats. However, the changes in the articular disc are still unknown.

Objective

To describe changes in the TMJ discs of UAC rats.

Methods

The discs of fifty‐four Sprague‐Dawley rats, equally distributed into a UAC group and an age‐matched sham‐operated control group at 4, 12 and 20 weeks (n = 9), were evaluated by gross and histomorphological observation and by detection at the mRNA or protein expression levels of the markers related to the matrix elements.

Results

No macro‐ or micro‐morphological differences were observed between groups. However, there were catabolic degradative changes at the molecular level in the UAC group, showing a significant reduction in the mRNA and/or protein expression levels of many molecules. The reduction became worse with time (P < 0.05). The reduced molecules included: (a) those related to the extracellular matrix, such as type I collagen, decorin and fibromodulin; (b) those related to chondrogenesis, such as type II collagen and aggrecan; and (c) those related to osteogenesis, such as alkaline phosphatase and runt‐related transcription factor 2. The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor did not change. In contrast, fibronectin, which can promote wound healing, and its N‐terminal fragment, which can induce cartilage degradation, were accumulated (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

TMJ discs were stimulated to catabolic changes by the aberrant dental occlusion and seemed to go to inanimate with time.
Investigation of the genetic diversity of Phytophthora capsici in China using a universal fluorescent labelling method
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Ren , Zhang Ye , Huang Shen‐Xin , Liu Ting‐Ting , Qiao Guang‐Hang
Published: December 2018

Phytophthora capsici is an important oomycete pathogen threatening the vegetable production in China, but very little is known about its population structure. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of 49 P. capsici isolates obtained from 2007 to 2014 at nine provincial locations in China. Isolates were assessed for mating type, metalaxyl resistance and simple sequence repeat (SSR) genotype. Mating‐type analyses of the isolates showed that both mating types were present in all of the sampled production regions, and the mating‐type frequency in the total Chinese population did not deviate significantly from a 1:1 ratio. Responses of isolates to the fungicide metalaxyl indicated the presence of intermediate resistance to metalaxyl among the field population. A universal fluorescent labelling method was adapted in this study to improve the efficiency of SSR genotyping. Microsatellite genotyping of the isolates using seven SSR markers revealed 44 unique multilocus genotypes. Genetic analyses indicated the existence of two genetic clusters within Chinese P. capsici collection. Clonal reproduction may play a more prominent role in Yunnan Province, but non‐existence of repeated genotypes and existence of both mating types throughout all regions suggest outcrossing and sexual recombination likely play an important role in the overall epidemiology in China. Future studies would include expanded scale sampling at single regions over multiple years to better define the genetic diversity of P. capsici in China.
Assertive Community Treatment for People With Mild Intellectual Disability or Borderline Intellectual Functioning and Mental Health Problems or Challenging Behavior: State of the Art and Implementation in the Netherlands
Authors: Neijmeijer Laura J. , Didden Robert , Nijman Henk L. I. , Kroon Hans
Published: December 2018

Individuals with mild intellectual disabilities (MID) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) and mental health problems or challenging behavior are difficult to reach by mainstream healthcare facilities and support organizations and frequently avoid the care they need. To improve the care for this client group in the Netherlands, the (Flexible) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model—originally developed for people with severe mental illness—was adapted and implemented by five organizations specialized in the care for people with MID/BIF and mental health problems or challenging behavior. After an introduction of the original ACT model and a description of the international state of the art of ACT for people with (M)ID/BIF, this paper describes the (Flexible) ACT‐MID/BIF model as developed and implemented in the Netherlands. Professionals' and clients' experiences with this new type of care are reported as well. Implications for clinical practice, policy and research are discussed.
Promoting Independence of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Focus Group Study Perspectives from People with Intellectual Disabilities, Legal Representatives, and Support Staff
Authors: Sandjojo Janice , Gebhardt Winifred A. , Zedlitz Aglaia M.E.E. , Hoekman Joop , den Haan Jeanet A. , Evers Andrea W.M.
Published: December 2018

Abstract

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) commonly struggle with managing their affairs, while they consider it important to be independent. This study aimed to gain insight into the perspectives of people with ID, legal representatives, and support staff on promoting independence in this population. Two focus groups were conducted with people with ID (n = 7), two with legal representatives (n = 13), and three with support staff (n = 17). Topics included the meaning of independence, the current level and needs of people with ID regarding their independence, and what they perceived as barriers and requirements when wanting to promote independence in this group. Possible outcomes of a greater independence of people with ID were also discussed. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed qualitatively with a general inductive approach. According to the respondents, people with ID require support from others, but most want to be more independent. Various barriers are experienced when trying to promote independence. These concern barriers at the level of support staff (e.g., lack of time), family (e.g., taking over tasks), and of the persons with ID themselves (e.g., emotional difficulties). When promoting independence in this population, more support and time seem necessary, as well as a clear, step‐by‐step tailored approach and good communication between all parties involved. Last, several advantages (e.g., greater self‐worth) and risks (e.g., overestimation by others, greater exposure to hazards) were proposed that could result from a greater independence of people with ID. As this study showed that people with ID generally want to become more independent. This stresses the need for the development of interventions, which could benefit from the findings from this study.
Evaluating Health Visitors' Existing Knowledge of Down Syndrome and the Effect of a Training Workshop
Authors: Mengoni Silvana E. , Redman Sandra
Published: December 2018

Children with Down syndrome are at an increased risk of health and development issues in early childhood, therefore monitoring their development and identifying health conditions as early as possible is critical. Health professionals may not always have the training and knowledge to effectively support families of children with disabilities, including Down syndrome. In the UK, health visitors conduct health and development reviews for children under 5 years, therefore they have a key role to play in monitoring and identifying health issues in young children with Down syndrome. However there has been no research on health visitors' knowledge and training needs regarding Down syndrome. This study aimed to assess health visitors' existing knowledge of Down syndrome and evaluate a pilot Down syndrome training session for health visitors. Twenty‐six health visitors from two NHS Trusts in England participated in 1 of 5 group training workshops. Pretraining and posttraining questionnaires assessed knowledge about Down syndrome, and feedback on the training session. Knowledge about Down syndrome was low prior to the training and increased significantly following the training session. Health visitors rated the training workshop very highly and would recommend it to a colleague. Health visitors identified a need for training to enable them to increase their knowledge about Down syndrome and better support families. In summary, a pilot training session about Down syndrome received positive feedback from health visitors, and led to improvements in knowledge and understanding about Down syndrome. This has the potential to improve health outcomes for children with Down syndrome.
Quality of Life Is to Experience Adult Social Status
Authors: Umb Carlsson Õie , Adolfsson Päivi
Published: December 2018

Quality of life (QoL) has become an important outcome in evaluations of services and support for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Many people with ID request more say and want to be involved in the development of services and support provision. The original Uppsala QoL (UQoL) model consists of a general essence and hierarchically ordered themes and describes QoL from the perspective of people with ID through individual interviews. The aim of the present study is to examine the UQoL regarding its inherent component parts and to explore the interrelationship between them. The study contributes to the understanding of the concept of QoL from the perspective of people with ID. Focus group interviews were conducted with people with mild and moderate ID. The results indicate that QoL is to experience well‐being. The key component of QoL is to experience adult social status. which is determined by whether the individual experiences having control of their life, experiences a sense of personal safety and feels social belonging. In concordance with the original model, the UQoL2 is mainly made up of components equivalent to those frequently reported in the QoL literature. Nevertheless, some differences require attention. The primary component, adult social status, has not previously been highlighted in the QoL literature. The point of departure in the UQoL model is the users´ perspective rather than the user perspective as perceived by professionals or researchers. The UQoL is not primarily linked to the quality of service provision, but to peoples' daily life. A revised version of the original UQoL is suggested. Unlike the original model, other than the fact which that adult social status is superior, the components are not hierarchically organized, rather the interrelation between them is emphasized.
Clinical findings and outcome of dogs with unilateral masticatory muscle atrophy
Authors: Milodowski Emily Jayne , Amengual‐Batle Pablo , Beltran Elsa , Gutierrez‐Quintana Rodrigo , De Decker Steven
Published: December 2018

Background

Little is known about the spectrum of underlying disorders in dogs with unilateral masticatory muscle (MM) atrophy.

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and outcome of dogs with unilateral MM atrophy.

Animals

Sixty‐three client‐owned dogs.

Methods

The medical database was retrospectively reviewed for dogs that underwent MRI for evaluation of unilateral MM atrophy. Imaging studies were reviewed and follow‐up information was obtained from telephone interviews.

Results

Presumptive trigeminal nerve sheath tumor (pTNST) was diagnosed in 30 dogs (47.6%); survival time varied from 1 day to 21 months (median, 5 months). Other extra‐axial mass lesions were observed in 13 dogs (20.6%); survival time varied from 6 days to 25 months (median, 2.5 months). In 18 dogs (28.6%), no abnormalities were observed on MRI; neurological signs only progressed in 1 dog. Diagnosis had a significant influence on the type of neurological abnormalities, with additional neurological deficits observed in most dogs with pTNST and in all dogs with other extra‐axial mass lesions. Diagnosis had a significant effect on euthanasia at the time of diagnosis and likelihood of neurological deterioration. Dogs with mass lesions were more likely to be euthanized or experience neurological deterioration, whereas these outcomes occurred less often in dogs in which no causative lesion could be identified.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Trigeminal nerve sheath tumors should not be considered the only cause of unilateral MM atrophy. Our results illustrate the importance of performing a neurological examination and MRI when evaluating dogs with unilateral MM atrophy.
Mild dehydration in dyspeptic athletes is able to increase gastrointestinal symptoms: Protective effects of an appropriate hydration
Authors: Zito Francesco Paolo , Gala Antonietta , Genovese Daniela , Vozzella Letizia , Polese Barbara , Cassarano Sara , Cargiolli Martina , Andreozzi Paolo , Gelzo Monica , Sarnelli Giovanni , Frisso Giulia , Cuomo Rosario
Published: December 2018

Background

Water balance influences gastrointestinal (GI) activity. Our aim was to evaluate how dehydration and rehydration with different types of water are able to affect GI activity in healthy and dyspeptic athletes.

Methods

Twenty non‐competitive athletes, respectively 10 healthy and 10 dyspeptic subjects, were enrolled. All subjects underwent three test sessions (0, A, B) of 6 hours. Dehydration was achieved with a walking/jogging exercise test on a treadmill. After exercising, 500 mL of calcium‐bicarbonate (Test A) or soft water (Test B) were administered, while no rehydration was provided during Test 0; thereafter, all subjects consumed a light lunch. GI symptoms were evaluated during each test and an electrocardiogram (ECG) Holter recording was performed at the end of the exercise.

Key Results

Dyspeptic subjects exhibited higher overall symptoms during Test 0 (VAS: 30.8 ± 0.8 mm) compared to Test A (18.4 ± 1.1, P < 0.001) and Test B (24.4 ± 1.3, P < 0.001). However, analyzing GI symptoms, only subjects receiving calcium‐bicarbonate water (Test A) showed significantly lower symptomatic scores compared to Test 0 or Test B. Moreover, heart rate variability analyses revealed that only in Test A dyspeptic patients exhibit a trend to a decrease in the post‐prandial low/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio, similarly to healthy subjects, while in Test 0 and Test B, post‐prandial LF/HF ratio was increased compared to the pre‐prandial phase.

Conclusions and Inferences

Our results show that mild dehydration in dyspeptic athletes is able to increase GI symptoms but an adequate rehydration, with calcium‐bicarbonate water, is able to improve post‐exercise disturbances restoring sympathovagal imbalance.
Presidential Address 2011: Autonomic modes of control and health
Authors: Berntson Gary G.
Published: December 2018

Understanding psychosomatic relations, and their implications for heath, is importantly dependent on our conceptual and measurement models. The historical view of reciprocal control of the autonomic branches is applicable in some contexts, but not others. Control of the autonomic branches can vary reciprocally, independently, and even coactively. Assessment of sympathovagal balance, based on a reciprocal model of regulation of the autonomic branches, may have applications in orthostatic contexts and in insulin resistance in diabetes. However, it does not adequately capture the pattern of autonomic control that is relevant for myocardial infarction (MI; in humans) and experimental cardiac arrest (in mice). A measure of sympathovagal balance (cardiac autonomic balance) was predictive and informative of the autonomic contributions to diabetes but was blind to autonomic contributions to cardiac arrest and its sequelae. However, a metric designed to capture the coactivity dimension of cardiac autonomic regulation (CAR) was predictive of MI and its sequelae. Both human and animal model studies revealed that low CAR (low sympathetic and especially low parasympathetic control) predicted the occurrence of MI and the neuroinflammatory consequences of cardiac arrest. These effects were importantly modulated by social support in both humans and animals, via an apparent oxytocinergic pathway that impacts parasympathetic cardiac control and CAR, and thus neuroinflammation. Results indicate the importance of a physiologically meaningful model of autonomic control in understanding health implications of the modes of autonomic control.
A Conceptual Model for Pricing Health and Life Insurance Using Wearable Technology
Authors: McCrea Michael , Farrell Mark
Published: December 2018

A health risk score was created to investigate the possibility of using data provided by wearable technology to help predict overall health and mortality, with the ultimate goal of using this score to enhance the pricing of health or life insurance. Subjects were categorized into low‐, increased‐, and high‐risk groups, and after results were adjusted for age and sex, Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed a high level of significance when predicting mortality. High‐risk subjects were shown to have a hazard ratio of 2.1 relative to those in the low‐risk group, which can be interpreted as an equivalent increase in age of 7.8 years. Our findings help to demonstrate the predictive capabilities of potential new rating factors, measured via wearables, that could feasibly be incorporated into actuarial insurance pricing models. The model also provides an initial step for insurers to begin to consider the incorporation of continuous wearable data into current risk models. With this in mind, an emphasis is placed on the limitations of the study in order to highlight the areas that must be addressed before incorporating aspects of this model within current pricing models.
Topic Modelling for Medical Prescription Fraud and Abuse Detection
Authors: Zafari Babak , Ekin Tahir
Published: December 2018

Medical prescription fraud and abuse have been a pressing issue in the USA, resulting in large financial losses and adverse effects on human health. The size and complexity of the healthcare systems as well as the cost of medical audits make use of statistical methods necessary to generate investigative leads in prescription audits. We analyse prescriber–drug associations by utilizing the real world Medicare part D prescription data from New Hampshire. In particular, we propose the use of topic models to group drugs with respect to the billing patterns and exhibit the potential aberrant behaviours while using medical specialities as a covariate. The prescription patterns of the providers are retrieved with an emphasis on opioids and aggregated into distance-based measures which are visualized by concentration functions. This output can enable healthcare auditors to identify leads for audits of providers prescribing medically unnecessary drugs.
Suicides between 2010 and 2014 in the German Armed Forces—Comparison of Suicide Registry Data and a German Armed Forces Survey
Authors: Willmund Gerd‐Dieter , Heß Julius , Helms Christian , Wertenauer Florian , Seiffert Anja , Nolte Almut , Wesemann Ulrich , Zimmermann Peter L.
Published: December 2018

Background

The last 10 years have seen an increase in the number of suicides in the US Armed Forces. Accordingly, the topic of suicides in the German military has received a lot of attention in media and science alike.

Methods

This study retrospectively examined all suicides (N = 107) committed by active, nonretired German military personnel from 2010 to the end of 2014, analyzing archived medical records. In a second step, these data were compared to a representative German Armed Forces survey conducted in 2012 (N = 1,549).

Results

The following risk groups for suicide were identified: male (OR = 9.6), single (OR = 7.8), aged over 45 years (OR = 4.0), short period of service (<2 years; OR = 2.7), and low level of education (OR = 2.2). Surprisingly, military personnel with little experience in deployments abroad (<2 missions) showed double the risk (OR = 2.0) compared to those who had been deployed more than once.

Discussion

Multiple robustness checks show that being single, aged over 45 years, and having obtained a low level of education exhibit the most robust effects on suicide risk.

Conclusion

Efforts should be made to develop and evaluate risk group‐focused prevention programs. We conclude, that further studies should be initiated to show differences of risk groups between lethal and nonlethal suicidal behavior.