bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of real‐time elastography for diagnosing lymph node metastasis of skin cancer: does elastography potentially eliminate the need for sentinel lymph node biopsy in squamous cell carcinoma?
Authors: Tanaka T. , Kamata M. , Fukaya S. , Hayashi K. , Fukuyasu A. , Ishikawa T. , Ohnishi T. , Tada Y.
Published: September 2019

Background

The metastatic involvement of regional lymph nodes is the most important prognostic factor for overall survival of skin cancer patients. The sonographic technique of freehand real‐time tissue elastography (RTE), which displays tissue rigidity as a colour overlay of the tissue image, was developed.

Objective

Our purpose was to evaluate the benefit of RTE for detecting lymph node metastases of skin cancer non‐invasively before operation.

Methods

We first selected lymph nodes of skin cancer patients which had already been diagnosed by biopsy as being reactive or metastatic, and then retrospectively collected images of RTE and B‐mode and colour Doppler ultrasound on those lymph nodes performed preoperatively. Twenty‐one lymph nodes from 12 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 23 lymph nodes from 14 patients with malignant melanoma (MM) and 14 lymph nodes from six patients with extramammary Paget disease (Paget) were investigated. Elastographic images were assessed on a scale of one to four according to the percentage of high elasticity (hard) area (HEA) in the lymph node.

Results

In all three skin cancers, lymph nodes evaluated as grade 3 or 4 by RTE were metastatic. All lymph nodes evaluated as grade 1 or 2 by RTE were reactive in SCC, whereas some lymph nodes evaluated as grade 1 or 2 were metastatic in MM and Paget.

Conclusion

Real‐time tissue elastography may aid in distinguishing reactive lymph nodes from metastatic ones especially in SCC.
Reply to: Comment on Physical Performance in Memory Clinic Patients: The Potential Role of the White Matter Network
Authors: Verwer Jurre H. , Reijmer Yael D. , Koek Huiberdina L. , Biessels Geert Jan
Published: September 2019

This letter comments on the letter by Cooper et al.
Reply to Acetaminophen Use and Stroke Risk
Authors: Girard Philippe , Cantet Christelle , Rolland Yves
Published: September 2019

This letter comments on the letter by Lai and Lin
A method to simulate the optical image from far‐field scattering numerical data and its application to the total internal reflection microscopy of metallic nanowires
Authors: IGLESIAS IGNACIO , MUÑOZ JUAN , COLCHERO JAIME
Published: September 2019

Computational electrodynamics modelling plays an important role in understanding and designing new photonic devices. The results offered by these simulations are usually close‐range field distributions or angular power emission plots. We describe a procedure to compute the optical microscopy image from simulated far‐field scattering data using three‐dimensional discrete Fourier transforms that can be used when the simulation software package do not include proper far‐field to optical imaging projection routines. The method is demonstrated comparing simulated images with real images of nanowires obtained with a total internal reflection microscope.
The activity of the Striatal‐enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase in neuronal cells is modulated by adenosine A2A receptor
Authors: Mallozzi Cinzia , Pepponi Rita , Visentin Sergio , Chiodi Valentina , Lombroso Paul J. , Bader Michael , Popoli Patrizia , Domenici Maria Rosaria
Published: September 2019

We recently demonstrated that a tonic activation of adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) is required for cocaine‐induced synaptic depression and increase in the activity of STriatal‐Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase (STEP). In this study, we elaborated on the relationship between A2AR and STEP using genetic, pharmacological, and cellular tools. We found that the activities of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), and in particular of STEP, are significantly increased in the striatum and hippocampus of a transgenic rat strain over‐expressing the neuronal A2AR (NSEA2A) with respect to wild‐type (WT) rats. Moreover the selective A2AR agonist 4‐[2‐[[6‐Amino‐9‐(N‐ethyl‐β‐d‐ribofuranuronamidosyl)‐9H‐purin‐2‐yl]amino]ethyl]benzenepropanoic acid hydrochloride up‐regulates PTPs and STEP activities in WT but not in NSEA2A rats, while the selective A2AR antagonist 4‐(−2‐[7‐amino‐2‐{2‐furyl}{1,2,4}triazolo{2,3‐a} {1,3,5}triazin‐5‐yl‐amino]ethyl)phenol restores the tyrosine phosphatase activities in NSEA2A, having no effects in WT rats. In addition, while cocaine induced the activation of PTP and STEP in WT rats, it failed to increase phosphatase activity in NSEA2A rats. A2ARs modulate STEP activity also in the SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line, where a calcium‐dependent calcineurin/PP1 pathway was found to play a major role. In summary, the present study identified a novel interaction between A2AR and STEP that could have important clinical implications, since STEP has emerged as key regulator of signaling pathways involved in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases and A2ARs are considered a promising target for the development of therapeutic strategies for different diseases of the central nervous system.

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Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 270
Salidroside protects dopaminergic neurons by regulating the mitochondrial MEF2D‐ND6 pathway in the MPTP/MPP+‐induced model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Li Tao , Zhang Wei , Kang Xiaogang , Yang Ruixin , Li Ruru , Huang Lu , Chen Jianzong , Yang Qian , Sun Xiaolong
Published: September 2019

Mitochondrial complex I damage and oxidative stress play critical roles in the degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons during the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our previous study showed that NADH dehydrogenase 6 (ND6), exclusively regulated by mitochondrial myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), was critical for mitochondrial complex I assembly. Recently, we found that Salidroside (Sal), isolated from Rhodiola rosea L., protected DA neurons by regulating oxidative stress‐related mitochondrial pathways. Here, we investigated whether the mitochondrial MEF2D‐ND6 pathway was involved in the neuroprotective effects of Sal. Our results showed that in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+)‐injured SN4741 cells, Sal pretreatment improved cellular viability, inhibited apoptosis, and restored both the mitochondrial membrane potential and complex I activity. Similarly, the protective effects of Sal on mitochondrial complex I activity, DA neurons, and behavior were also confirmed in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1, 2, 3, 6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐lesioned mice. Besides, Sal pretreatment restored the expression of mitochondrial MEF2D and ND6 in MPP+‐injured SN4741 cells and MPTP‐lesioned mice. Finally and interestingly, the protective effects of Sal were not observed in cells transfected with Mt2Ddn, a specific blocker of mitochondrial MEF2D function, suggesting that Sal protects DA neurons primarily by regulating the mitochondrial MEF2D‐ND6 pathway. Our study sheds light upon the protective role of Sal through targeting the mitochondrial MEF2D‐ND6 pathway in regulations of mitochondrial function and DA neuronal viability, providing novel mechanistic insights into the neuroprotective effects of Sal against PD.

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Alpha synuclein deficiency increases CD4+ T‐cells pro‐inflammatory profile in a Nurr1‐dependent manner
Authors: Trudler Dorit , Levy‐Barazany Hilit , Nash Yuval , Samuel Liron , Sharon Ronit , Frenkel Dan
Published: September 2019

It has been suggested that extracellular alpha synuclein (αSyn) can mediate neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s disease, and that αSyn affects B‐cell maturation. However, the function of αSyn in T cells is poorly understood. We hypothesized that αSyn can affect CD4+ T‐cell proliferation and activity. We found that αSyn deficiency exacerbates disease progression in 8 weeks old C57BL6/J EAE‐induced mice, and that αSyn‐deficient CD4+ T cells have increased pro‐inflammatory response to myelin antigen relative to wild‐type cells, as measured by cytokine secretion of interleukin IL‐17 and interferon gamma. Furthermore, expression of αSyn on a background of αSyn knockout mitigates the inflammatory responses in CD4+ T cells. We discovered that elevated levels of Nurr1, a transcription factor belonging to the orphan nuclear receptor family, are associated with the pro‐inflammatory profile of αSyn‐deficient CD4+ T cells. In addition, we demonstrated that silencing of Nurr1 expression using an siRNA reduces IL‐17 levels and increases the levels of IL‐10, an anti‐inflammatory cytokine. Study of αSyn‐mediated cellular pathways in CD4+ T cells may provide useful insights into the development of pro‐inflammatory responses in immunity, providing future avenues for therapeutic intervention.

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Relational‐Level Factors Influencing Suicidal Behaviors Among Korean Adolescents
Authors: Noh Dabok
Published: September 2019

Purpose

To identify relational‐level risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt in a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents.

Study Design

This study is a secondary data analysis of cross‐sectional national data on Youth Health Behavior collected in June 2017. The final sample (n = 62,276), collected from 2,400 classes in 800 schools, reflects stratification, clustering, and weight. It is representative of the population (n = 3,027,488).

Methods

This study used relational factor variables, including experiences of assault, living with family or not, and adolescents’ confidants. Dependent variables included suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt. This study used logistic regression analyses on the complex sample to examine relational‐level risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt.

Findings

The adjusted logistic regression models found that experiences of assault, living with family or not, and adolescents’ confidants were all significantly associated with suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt. In particular, 35.3% of victims had thought about suicide seriously, and victims of assault were approximately eight times more likely to attempt suicide compared to nonvictims.

Conclusions

The experience of assault by others was found to be a strongly associated risk factor for suicidal behaviors in adolescents. Living with family and the presence of confidants to talk with were found to be protective factors against suicidal behaviors. To be specific, talking with parents about personal worries and troubles was more protective against suicidal behaviors than talking with a sibling, friend, or teacher.

Clinical Relevance

Nurses should provide crisis intervention for symptoms of trauma and suicidal behaviors among assault victims. Suicide prevention efforts should focus more on adolescents not living with family. They should also aim to enhance adolescents’ family interactions. Encouraging adolescents to talk with their parents may mitigate the effects of risk factors on suicidal behaviors.
Tooth wear in Swedish adults—A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gillborg Susanna , Åkerman Sigvard , Ekberg EwaCarin
Published: September 2019

Background

Tooth wear has been recognised as a growing oral health problem in children and adolescents, with erosion often cited as the main cause of the tooth wear. Most studies on tooth wear have been conducted on children and adolescents, and only few studies focus on adults. Our aim was to study the prevalence of different types of tooth wear in an adult population and investigate related factors to tooth wear.

Methods

A total of 831 adults in Sweden participated in the study by completing a questionnaire about oral health, a clinical examination, saliva sample and intraoral photographs. Tooth wear was estimated according to the Basic Erosive Wear Examination index, and the aetiology was determined based on the clinical appearance.

Results

Almost 80% of the individuals had signs of erosion, and over 90% had signs of attrition. A high level of tooth wear was found in 4.6% of the individuals, few of who reported having received information about both attrition and erosion. Significantly, more men had tooth wear. Daily consumption of fruit had a stronger correlation to tooth wear than acidic drinks.

Discussion & Conclusion

A high level of tooth wear was found in 4.6% of the individuals, and it was more common in men than women. Aside from attrition, tooth wear due to erosion was a frequent finding in adults. Only a few of the individuals with a high level of tooth wear reported to have received information about tooth wear from their dentist or dental hygienist.
Treatment outcome of supervised exercise, home exercise and bite splint therapy, respectively, in patients with symptomatic disc displacement with reduction: A randomised clinical trial
Authors: Wänman Anders , Marklund Susanna
Published: September 2019

The best treatment strategy for disturbing temporomandibular clicking sounds is not known. The aim was to evaluate the effect of exercise and bite splint therapy, respectively, in patients with symptomatic disc displacement with reduction. The study was a randomised clinical trial of subjects with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking sounds with a reported severity/intensity of ≥4 on a numerical rating scale (0‐10) and signs fulfilling the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) for disc displacement with reduction. Thirty subjects each were randomised to bite splint, home exercise, or supervised exercise programme at the clinic. Two examiners (authors), blinded to the treatment modality, examined the same subject at baseline and at a 3‐month follow‐up. Non‐parametric statistical methods were applied for analyses. A P‐value <.05 was considered statistically significant. The dropout rate was highest in the home exercise group. About 50% of the participants reported improvement of their TMJ sounds with no significant difference between treatments. In the supervised exercise and the bite splint groups, approximately 2/3 of the patients reported 30% or more improvement of their TMJ sounds and half reported 50% improvement or more. The supervised exercise group also showed reductions in TMD pain, neck disability, mood disturbances and somatisation. Jaw exercise programmes and bite splint treatments had positive effects on TMJ clicking. The supervised exercise programme had an additional effect on the subject's well‐being and thus may help to encourage patient's empowerment and coping strategies.
Intra‐oral trigeminal‐mediated sensations influencing taste perception: A systematic review
Authors: Braud Adeline , Boucher Yves
Published: September 2019

Food perception is a multimodal sensation which implies cross‐modal interplays. Tactile, thermal, painful and kinaesthetic stimuli arising from food intake may impact on flavour perception, especially taste perception. The influence of oral somatosensory signals on food taste perception remains unclear. The aim of the present systematic review was to appraise the effects of oral mechanical, thermal, chemical and pain sensations on taste perception. In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement, a search of the literature from 1968 to 2018 was conducted using MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE and clinical trials (PROSPERO registration reference: CRD42018100176). A total of 105 articles were included for analysis. The results from this review suggest that taste abilities and taste perception are frequently modified by food textural and chemical properties. Furthermore, saliva features, dental and prosthetic status and oral pain can also modulate taste perception. Biological and physiological phenomena underlying these results may be involved such as tastant release, tastant detection, taste transduction and central trigemino‐gustatory interplays.
The sociolinguistics of late modern publics
Authors: Heyd Theresa , Schneider Britta
Published: September 2019

This issue examines struggles over public discursive power in late modern society, understanding that late modern publics are characterized by a destabilization of formerly unmarked public authorities, in other words, an unsettling of standardized “voices from nowhere” (Gal & Woolard, 2001). The contributions to the issue illustrate traditional social and academic elites’ discursive reactions to such developments. In the introduction, we outline different theoretical frameworks of modern and late‐modern publics, identify factors that contribute to a destabilization of modern certainties of social public order, and argue that a weakening of traditional public norms not only implies emancipation but also, as the contributions to the issue demonstrate, may bring along new forms of public dominance. For the positioning of contemporary sociolinguistic theory and practice, we conclude that it is the crucial task of the current public moment to critically self‐engage with our own relations with, and ideologies of, the public.

Dieses Themenheft befragt Strukturen öffentlicher Diskursmacht in spätmoderner Gesellschaft und zeigt auf, dass spätmoderne Öffentlichkeit durch eine Destabilisierung von vormals unmarkierten Autoritäten ist, in anderen Worten, von standardisierten “voices from nowhere” (Gal & Woolard, 2001). Die Beiträge illustrieren Reaktionen traditioneller sozialer und akademischer Eliten hierauf. In dieser Einleitung skizzieren wir verschiedene theoretische Zugänge zu moderner und spätmoderner Öffentlichkeit, identifizieren Faktoren, die zu einer Destabilisierung von sozialen Gewissheiten der Moderne beitragen und legen dar, dass eine Schwächung traditioneller öffentlichen Normen nicht nur soziale Emanzipation impliziert sondern, wie die Beiträge zu diesem Heft zeigen, auch neue Formen öffentlicher Dominanz hervorbringt. In Bezug auf zeitgenössische soziolinguistische Theorie und Praxis schlussfolgern wir daraus, dass es im aktuellen öffentlichen Kontext eine zentrale Aufgabe der Soziolinguistik ist, sich kritisch mit den eigenen Beziehungen zu und Ideologien von Öffentlichkeit befassen. Das Themenheft soll zu dieser Auseinandersetzung beitragen.
Generalist Life Cycle Aids Persistence of Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) in Seasonal Coastal Habitats of the Baltic Sea
Authors: Jerney Jacqueline , Ahonen Salla Annika , Hakanen Päivi , Suikkanen Sanna , Kremp Anke
Published: September 2019

In seasonal environments, strong gradients of environmental parameters can shape life cycles of phytoplankton. Depending on the rate of environmental fluctuation, specialist or generalist strategies may be favored, potentially affecting life cycle transitions. The present study examined life cycle transitions of the toxin producing Baltic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii and their regulation by environmental factors (temperature and nutrients). This investigation aimed to determine whether genetic recombination of different strains is required for resting cyst formation and whether newly formed cysts are dormant. Field data (temperature and salinity) and sediment surface samples were collected from a site with recurrent blooms and germination and encystment experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Results indicate a lack of seasonal germination pattern, set by an endogenous rhythm, as commonly found with other dinoflagellates from the Baltic Sea. Germination of quiescent cysts was triggered by temperatures exceeding 10°C and combined nutrient limitation of nitrogen and phosphorus or a drop in temperature from 16 to 10°C triggered encystment most efficiently. Genetic recombination was not mandatory for the formation of resting cysts, but supported higher numbers of resistant cysts and enhanced germination capacity after a resting period. Findings from this study confirm that A. ostenfeldii follows a generalist germination and cyst formation strategy, driven by strong seasonality, which may support its persistence and possibly expansion in marginal environments in the future, if higher temperatures facilitate a longer growth season.
Phylogenomic analyses of thePhotiniacomplex support the recognition of a new genusPhippsiomelesand the resurrection of a redefinedStranvaesiain Maleae (Rosaceae)
Authors: Liu Bin‐Bin , Hong De‐Yuan , Zhou Shi‐Liang , Xu Chao , Dong Wen‐Pan , Johnson Gabriel , Wen Jun
Published: September 2019

Photiniaand its morphologically similar allies in Maleae (Rosaceae) consist of five currently recognized genera:Aronia, Heteromeles, Photinia, Pourthiaea, andStranvaesia, and 68 species, distributed in Asia and North and Central America. Despite previous efforts to clarify relationships in this group, the generic delimitations have remained uncertain. Our goals were to reconstruct a robust phylogeny ofPhotiniaand its close allies to test the monophyly of the currently recognized genera, especiallyPhotiniaandStranvaesia, and the hybrid origin hypothesis ofPhotinia bodinieri. This study employs complete plastomes and the entire nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) repeats assembled from the genome skimming approach with a broad taxon sampling of 81 species in 30 genera of Rosaceae, especially Maleae. Based on three datasets, including the whole plastome, coding sequence, and nrDNA repeats, the results of maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses showed that the previously circumscribedStranvaesiaandPhotiniawere each non‐monophyletic. Six clades have been recovered herein withinPhotiniaand its allied genera:Aronia, Heteromeles, Photinias.s.,Pourthiaea, Stranvaesia, and a new genusPhippsiomelesconsisting of the Central American species formerly placed inPhotinia. The strong conflicts between the plastome and nrDNA phylogenies ofPhippsiomelesandStranvaesia tomentosasuggest the possibility that they may have each originated involving hybridization events, while no incongruence among datasets was detected to support the hybrid origin ofPhotinia bodinieri. We provide 12 new combinations, to transfer eight taxa of the New WorldPhotiniaintoPhippsiomelesand clarify the generic placements of several species ofPhotiniaandStranvaesia.
The testing of people with any risk factor for hepatitis C in community pharmacies is cost‐effective
Authors: Buchanan Ryan , Cooper Keith , Grellier Leonie , Khakoo Salim I. , Parkes Julie
Published: September 2019

New antiviral drugs with high efficacy mean the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can now be eliminated. To achieve this, it is necessary to identify undiagnosed cases of HCV. However, the costs of testing should be considered when judging the overall cost‐effectiveness of treatment. This study describes the cost‐effectiveness of a community pharmacy testing service in a population of people at risk of HCV living on the Isle of Wight (United Kingdom). Dry blood spot testing was conducted in anyone with a known risk factor for HCV in 20 community pharmacies. The outcomes and costs were entered into a Markov model. Cost and health utilities from the model were used to calculate an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER). In 24 months, 186 tests were conducted, 13 were positive for HCV RNA and six of these (46%) received treatment during the follow‐up period. All achieved a sustained virological response at 3 months. The overall cost of the testing and treatment intervention was £242 183, and the ICER for the service was £3689 per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) gained. If screening had been restricted to just people with a history of injecting drug use (PWID) the ICER would have been £4865 per QALY gained. The service was effective at identifying people with HCV infection, and despite the additional cost of targeted testing, its cost‐effectiveness was below the commonly accepted thresholds. In this setting, restricting targeted testing to PWID would not improve the cost‐effectiveness.
Safety and efficacy of coblopasvir and sofosbuvir in patients with genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 6 HCV infections without or with compensated cirrhosis
Authors: Rao Huiying , Song Guangjun , Li Guangming , Yang Yongfeng , Wu Xiaofeng , Guan Yujuan , Mao Qing , Jiang Xiangjun , Wang Changyuan , Zhang Ying , Jia Jidong , Guo Xiaolin , Li Chenghao , Ning Jing , Qin Hong , Pan Hai , Wei Lai
Published: September 2019

A simple, pangenotypic and effective treatment regimen for patients with a broad range of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections remains an unmet medical need. We conducted a phase 2, randomized, open study involving untreated patients with chronic HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3, or 6 infections. Patients without cirrhosis were randomly assigned in a 1:2 ratio to receive capsules of the NS5A inhibitor coblopasvir at a dose of 30 or 60 mg plus tablets of the nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir (400 mg) once daily for 12 weeks. Patients with cirrhosis received 60 mg coblopasvir plus sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the end of therapy (SVR12). Of the 110 patients who were enrolled in the study, 59 were male, 62.7% had HCV genotype 1, 24.5% had genotype 2, 6.4% had genotype 3, and 6.4% had genotype 6. The average age was 45.5 years. A total of 10.9% of patients had compensated cirrhosis. The rate of SVR12 was 98.2% in the intention‐to‐treat (ITT). One genotype 6 patient with cirrhosis experienced virologic relapse. One genotype 2 patient without cirrhosis failed to complete the follow‐up and quit the study. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported in 2 patients and were not related to coblopasvir and sofosbuvir. Most adverse events (AEs) did not require treatment. Coblopasvir plus sofosbuvir taken once daily for 12 weeks provided high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) and had a good safety profile among patients with HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3, or 6 infections, including those with compensated cirrhosis.
Gap junctions regulate vessel diameter in chick chorioallantoic membrane vasculature by both tone‐dependent and structural mechanisms
Authors: Maibier Martin , Bintig Willem , Goede Andrean , Höpfner Michael , Kuebler Wolfgang M. , Secomb Timothy W. , Nitzsche Bianca , Pries Axel R.
Published: September 2019

Objective

In this study, we examined the impact of gap junction blockade on chick chorioallantoic membrane microvessels.

Methods

Expression of Cx37, Cx40/42, and Cx43 in chick chorioallantoic membrane tissue was studied by PCR, Western blot, and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Vessel diameter changes occurring under gap junction blockade with carbenoxolone (175 µmol/L), palmitoleic acid (100 µmol/L), 43GAP27 (1 mmol/L) were analyzed by intravital microscopy. To analyze vascular tone, chick chorioallantoic membrane vessels were exposed to a vasodilator cocktail consisting of acetylcholine (10 μmol/L), adenosine (100 μmol/L), papaverine (200 μmol/L), and sodium nitroprusside (10 μmol/L).

Results

In chick chorioallantoic membrane lysates, Western blot analysis revealed the expression of Cx40 and Cx43. Immunofluorescence in intact chick chorioallantoic membrane vasculature showed only Cx43, limited to arterial vessel walls. Upon gap junction blockade (3 hours) arterial and venous diameters decreased to 0.50 ± 0.03 and 0.36 ± 0.06 (carbenoxolone), 0.72 ± 0.08 and 0.63 ± 0.15 (palmitoleic acid) and 0.77 ± 0.004 and 0.58 ± 0.05 (GAP27), relative to initial values. Initially, diameter decrease was dominated by increasing vascular tone. After 6 hours, however, vessel tone was reduced, suggesting structural network remodeling.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest a major role for connexins in mediating acute and chronic diameter changes in developing vascular networks.
Assessing the hemodynamic contribution of capillaries, arterioles, and collateral arteries to vascular adaptations in arterial insufficiency
Authors: Arciero Julia , Lembcke Lauren , Burch Myson , Franko Elizabeth , Unthank Joseph
Published: September 2019

Objective

There is currently a lack of clarity regarding which vascular segments contribute most significantly to flow compensation following a major arterial occlusion. This study uses hemodynamic principles and computational modeling to demonstrate the relative contributions of capillaries, arterioles, and collateral arteries at rest or exercise following an abrupt, total, and sustained femoral arterial occlusion.

Methods

The vascular network of the simulated rat hindlimb is based on robust measurements of blood flow and pressure in healthy rats from exercise and training studies. The sensitivity of calf blood flow to acute or chronic vascular adaptations in distinct vessel segments is assessed.

Results

The model demonstrates that decreasing the distal microcirculation resistance has almost no effect on flow compensation, while decreasing collateral arterial resistance is necessary to restore resting calf flow following occlusion. Full restoration of non‐occluded flow is predicted under resting conditions given all chronic adaptations, but only 75% of non‐occluded flow is restored under exercise conditions.

Conclusion

This computational method establishes the hemodynamic significance of acute and chronic adaptations in the microvasculature and collateral arteries under rest and exercise conditions. Regardless of the metabolic level being simulated, this study consistently shows the dominating significance of collateral vessels following an occlusion.
Framework for city‐scale building seismic resilience simulation and repair scheduling with labor constraints driven by time–history analysis
Authors: Xiong Chen , Huang Jin , Lu Xinzheng
Published: September 2019

A city‐scale time–history analysis‐driven framework is proposed for the quantitative evaluation of building seismic resilience and repair scheduling with repair resource constraints. First, a calculation method for the post‐earthquake residual functionality of buildings based on engineering demand parameters is proposed. Second, the repair‐scheduling unit (RSU) concept is proposed for city‐scale repair scheduling. Moreover, two repair priority indices are introduced to evaluate the repair priority of each RSU. Next, the concept of job block is proposed to compute the repair time of an RSU with insufficient repair resources. Subsequently, the workflow of repair simulation is presented to calculate the community recovery curve and resilience index quantitatively. Finally, 68,930 residential buildings of Beijing City's 16 administrative districts are simulated to demonstrate the proposed method. The outcomes of this work are expected to be a useful reference for building seismic resilience evaluation and repair scheduling of communities. Consequently, it could be an aid to pre‐earthquake disaster risk reduction planning and post‐earthquake rapid recovery of building functionalities.
Ibrutinib‐associated invasive fungal diseases in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: An observational study
Authors: Ruchlemer Rosa , Ben‐Ami Ronen , Bar‐Meir Maskit , Brown Jennifer R. , Malphettes Marion , Mous Rogier , Tonino Sanne H. , Soussain Carole , Barzic Noelie , Messina Julia A. , Jain Preetesh , Cohen Regev , Hill Brian , Mulligan Stephen P. , Nijland Marcel , Herishanu Yair , Benjamini Ohad , Tadmor Tamar , Okamoto Koh , Arthurs Benjamin , Gottesman Batsheva , Kater Arnon P. , Talha Munir , Eichhorst Barbara , Korem Maya , Bogot Naama , De Boer Fransien , Rowe Jacob M. , Lachish Tamar
Published: September 2019

Background

Invasive fungal diseases (IFD) are life‐threatening infections most commonly diagnosed in acute leukaemia patients with prolonged neutropenia and are uncommonly diagnosed in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases.

Objectives

Following the initial report of aspergillosis diagnosed shortly after beginning ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, a survey was developed to seek additional cases of IFD during ibrutinib treatment.

Methods

Local and international physicians and groups were approached for relevant cases. Patients were included if they met the following criteria: diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/non‐Hodgkin lymphoma; proven or probable IFD; and ibrutinib treatment on the date IFD were diagnosed. Clinical and laboratory data were captured using REDCap software.

Result

Thirty‐five patients with IFD were reported from 22 centres in eight countries: 26 (74%) had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The median duration of ibrutinib treatment before the onset of IFD was 45 days (range 1‐540). Aspergillus species were identified in 22 (63%) of the patients and Cryptococcus species in 9 (26%). Pulmonary involvement occurred in 69% of patients, cranial in 60% and disseminated disease in 60%. A definite diagnosis was made in 21 patients (69%), and the mortality rate was 69%. Data from Israel regarding ibrutinib treated patients were used to evaluate a prevalence of 2.4% IFD.

Conclusions

The prevalence of IFD among chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/non‐Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with ibrutinib appears to be higher than expected. These patients often present with unusual clinical features. Mortality from IFD in this study was high, indicating that additional studies are urgently needed to identify patients at risk for ibrutinib‐associated IFD.
Comparing the effectiveness and adverse effects of pilocarpine and cevimeline in patients with hyposalivation
Authors: Farag Arwa M. , Holliday Craig , Cimmino Joseph , Roomian Tamar , Papas Athena
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Pilocarpine (PILO) and cevimeline (CEV) are muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists that stimulate salivary gland function. The aim of this investigation was to retrospectively run a head‐to‐head comparison for their effectiveness and frequency of adverse effects in patients with hyposalivation.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients seen at the Oral Medicine Clinic at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) and was prescribed PILO or CEV. Patients’ demographics, medical history/medication, stimulated salivary (SS), and unstimulated salivary (US) flow recorded at the initial visit and at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups were collected. Changes in dosage/frequency, side effects, and drug discontinuation were also reported.

Results

A total of 110 patients’ charts were reviewed. The majority of subjects (91%) were females with an average age of 61. At 3‐month follow‐up, the use of CEV showed significant improvement in SS compared to PILO (p = .033) but not in US (p = .10). At 6‐month follow‐up, there was no significant difference in SS or US between the two groups (SS: p = .09; US: p = .71). The use of PILO was associated with a higher proportion of adverse effects compared to CEV (p = .04). The overall adherence rate was significantly higher in the CEV group (p = .0056).

Conclusions

The effectiveness of CEV and PILO is comparable. However, PILO seems to be associated with more reporting of side effects.
Risk factors affecting the prognosis of urinary tract infection in Chinese pediatric patients: Single‐center experience
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhu Haobo , Huang Liqu , Zhu Xiaojiang , Dong Jun , Sha Jintong , Gu Nannan , Ge Zheng , Deng Yongji , Ma Geng , Guo Yunfei
Published: September 2019

Background

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in children. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the various risk factors that usually affect the prognosis of UTI in children diagnosed with the disease.

Methods

In the present retrospective study, we enrolled all pediatric patients diagnosed with UTI and hospitalized between 1 January 2013 and 31 July 2016 at Nanjing Children's Hospital. We then collected all the relevant patient clinical demographics and characteristics.

Results

The study involved 2,092 pediatric patients diagnosed with UTI. On logistic regression analysis, factors that could affect the prognosis of pediatric UTI were complications, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, type of UTI, urine culture results, blood lymphocytes, urine nitrites (NIT) and antibiotics (unstandardized coefficients, 0.06, <0.001, −0.28, 0.32, <0.001, 0.01, −0.11, 0.01, respectively, all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Complications, hospitalization, type of UTI, urine culture results, blood lymphocytes, and antibiotics had a significant, positive association with UTI prognosis. Meanwhile, ICU admission and urine NIT had a negative association with prognosis.
Pediatric electrical injury in Turkey: Five year retrospective hospital‐based study
Authors: Ozdel Semanur , Cakıcı Evrim Kargın , Sayli Tülin Revide
Published: September 2019

Background

We aimed to evaluate children who presented with electrical injury to the emergency department. We tried to reveal the complications of these patients and the measures to be taken in this regard.

Methods

Medical records of pediatric patients who were admitted with electrical injury to emergency department between January 2007 and January 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. An information form was completed about demographic data, clinical features, exposure place, electrical current type, clinical course, duration of hospitalization, electrocardiography, echocardiography and other systems findings.

Results

Children who were the most exposed to electrical injury were children 4 years and under. While low‐voltage current exposure was more common in younger ages, high‐voltage current exposure was more common in older ages. Most of our patients (%72) were exposed to low voltage. Patients who exposed to high‐voltage electricity had significantly higher levels of CPK, CK‐MB, LDH, AST, and ALT compared to patients who were exposed to low voltage electricity. None of the patients have died.

Conclusion

Young children are often exposed to electric shock at home. Increasing precautions to be taken at home reduces electrical shock injuries. Children and especially families should be educated in this regard.
Motivated to be socially mindful: Explaining age differences in the effect of employees’ contact quality with coworkers on their coworker support
Authors: Fasbender Ulrike , Burmeister Anne , Wang Mo
Published: September 2019

In this research, we examine how high‐quality contact can facilitate employees’ coworker support and explain why the benefits of high‐quality contact are contingent upon age. First, we employ a social mindfulness lens to decipher the motivational mechanisms of high‐quality contact with coworkers on providing coworker support via coworker‐oriented perspective taking and empathic concern. Second, we utilize socioemotional selectivity theory to overcome the current age‐blind view on workplace interactions and examine the indirect moderating effect of age via future time perspective on the link between contact quality, social mindfulness, and coworker support. We tested our hypotheses based on data from a sample of 575 employees collected in three waves. Results showed that both coworker‐oriented perspective taking and empathic concern mediated the positive effects of contact quality on coworker support. The effect of contact quality on coworker‐oriented empathic concern was stronger for older employees with a more constrained future time perspective as compared to younger employees with a more extensive future time perspective. Overall, we extend research on aging, workplace interactions, and support behavior by linking the literature on these topics using a social mindfulness lens and by adding employee age and age‐related mechanisms as important boundary conditions that qualify the outcomes of positive workplace contact.
Application of energy‐filtering electron microscopy (EFEM) for analysis of hydrogen peroxide and lignin in epidermal walls of cucumber leaves triggered by acibenzolar‐S‐methyl treatment prior to inoculation with Colletotrichum orbiculare
Authors: Park P. , Kurihara T. , Nita M. , Ikeda K. , Inoue K. , Ishii H.
Published: September 2019

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lignin induced by acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (ASM) during the expression of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) of cucumber plants against the fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare was analysed with electron microscopy and energy‐filtering electron microscopy (EFEM). ASM pretreatment consistently led to the blockage of appressorial penetration pegs into leaves at early stages after inoculation, whereas the fungus was able to grow into the vascular tissue after distilled water pretreatment. The blocked pegs, seen frequently at epidermal pectin layers in leaves of ASM‐treated plants, were surrounded by abundant electron‐dense amorphous material and dots. These were identified as lignin, based on their appearance and high reactivity with KMnO4. Lignin first appeared as an amorphous material at pectin layers, and then as dots in some areas of the material. The results showed that ASM caused SAR in leaves via faster formation of lignin within 1 day after inoculation. After CeCl3 treatment to detect H2O2, H2O2‐reactive products (cerium perhydroxides) were seen near ASM‐induced lignin formation sites in pectin layers. EFEM analysis showed that Ce and O were located at the same sites as the lignin dots, suggesting that lignin was associated with sources of H2O2 generation. The results indicate that the faster H2O2 generation and lignification induced by ASM were the potential causes of SAR.
Fish trait preferences: a review of existing knowledge and implications for breeding programmes
Authors: Mehar Mamta , Mekkawy Wagdy , McDougall Cynthia , Benzie John A.H.
Published: September 2019

Continued growth of the aquaculture sector will rely on the availability of fish with traits that respond to the needs and preferences of these users along the value chain. Such trait responsiveness requires that fish breeding programmes have reliable knowledge of these users’ trait preferences. The present study found from a non‐systematic literature review, that no fish breeding programme had reported user preference in their product‐profile design. A systematic literature review was then carried out to identify studies which have assessed fish trait preferences of different users, categorized by market segment and gender. This identified relatively few such studies (n = 28 total), highlighting a lack of published information in this area. Some preferences were shared broadly among a range of users (e.g. size measures such as length or weight). A number of traits were of restricted preferences such as survival (important to farmers, hatchery and nursery operators) while appearance or taste dominated in the preferences for traders and consumers. Some of the preferred traits of users are not targets for selection in breeding programmes reported to date (e.g. body texture, nutritional value) The review also makes clear that there can be range of preferences that differ by gender and social or economic status of the user. Greater acceptance of more sustainable aquaculture products will require improved information on user preferences. This will need innovative tools to translate generally expressed preferences into well‐defined traits and to assess their trade‐offs for their incorporation in genetic improvement programmes that will better target benefits to users.
Effects of melatonin on morphology and development of primordial follicles during in vitro culture of bovine ovarian tissue
Authors: Cavalcante Barbara N. , Matos‐Brito Bruno G. , Paulino Lais R. F. M. , Silva Bianca R. , Aguiar Antonio Wesley Melo , de Almeida Edmar Felipe Maia , Souza Ana Liza Paz , Vasconcelos Gisvani Lopes , De Assis Ernando Igo Teixeira , Silva Anderson W. B. , Silva José Roberto V.
Published: September 2019

This study aims to investigate the effect of melatonin on activation, growth and morphology of bovine primordial follicles, as well as on stromal cells density in ovarian tissues after in vitro culture. Ovarian fragments were cultured in α‐MEM+ alone or supplemented with melatonin (250, 500, 1,000 or 2,000 pM) for a period of six days. Non‐cultured and cultured tissues were processed for histological analysis; according to developmental stages, follicles were classified as primordial or growing follicles. These follicles were further classified as morphologically normal or degenerated. Ovarian stromal cell density was also evaluated. The percentages of primordial and developing follicles, as well as those classified of normal follicles, were compared by Fisher's exact test, and the differences were considered significant when p < .05. The results showed that the presence of 1,000 and 2,000 pM melatonin in culture medium promoted a reduction in the percentage of primordial follicles and an increase in the percentage of development follicles, when compared to follicles cultured in control medium. On the other hand, the presence of 250 or 500 pM melatonin did not show a significant effect on the percentage of primordial and developing follicles. Besides that, the presence of 500, 1,000 and 2,000 pM melatonin maintained the percentage of normal follicles similar to those seen uncultured control. Moreover, tissues cultured in presence of 1,000 pM melatonin showed a higher percentage of normal follicles when compared to follicles cultured in the presence of 250 pM melatonin. It was observed a similar profile of stromal density in both uncultured tissues and those cultured in vitro in the presence of melatonin. In conclusion, melatonin (1,000 and 2,000 pM) promotes bovine primordial follicles activation and maintains the stromal cell density during in vitro culture of ovarian cortical tissue.
Respiratory and allergic disorders in children with severe and partial immunoglobulin A immunodeficiency
Authors: Živković Jelena , Lipej Marcel , Banić Ivana , Bulat Lokas Sandra , Nogalo Boro , Lulić Jurjević Rajka , Turkalj Mirjana
Published: September 2019

Background

Immunoglobulin A deficiency (IgAD) is the most common primary immunodeficiency. Although most people with selective IgAD (sIgAD) are asymptomatic, many patients often suffer from recurrent respiratory infections and different allergic disorders. Our aim was to investigate connection between subtypes of sIgAD and incidence of respiratory and allergic disorders, as well as connection with lung function changes in children.

Methods

Children with IgAD where divided into two groups; severe IgAD in patients was defined as serum IgA level <7 mg/dL, while partial IgA deficiency diagnosis was made when serum IgA levels was higher than 7 mg/dL but at least two standard deviations (SD) below mean normal concentrations for their age. All patients were evaluated by their clinical and laboratory investigation parameters and compared to control group of children.

Results

Group of children with IgAD, severe as well as partial, showed higher prevalence of allergic diseases and total number of infections, compared to controls. There was a statistically significant difference in lung function for peak expiratory flow (PEF), the maximal expiratory flow at 50% of the forced vital capacity (MEF50) and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) between group of patients with severe as well as partial IgAD and control group, where children with IgAD showed reduced lung function.

Conclusions

Children with sIgAD are at increased risk for higher number of respiratory infections and developing allergic diseases, resulting in significantly lower pulmonary function which is related with the severity of sIgAD.