bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vision problems in ischaemic stroke patients: effects on life quality and disability
Authors: Sand K. M. , Wilhelmsen G. , Næss H. , Midelfart A. , Thomassen L. , Hoff J. M.
Published: November 2015

Background and purpose

Vision problems after cerebral infarction are an increasingly acknowledged problem. Our aim was to investigate the effect on quality of life and post‐stroke disability.

Methods

Patients admitted to the Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, between February 2006 and July 2008 with acute cerebral infarction were prospectively registered in the NORSTROKE Registry. Patients received a postal questionnaire at least 6 months after stroke. The questionnaire included 15D©, EuroQol 5D (EQ‐5D™), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Barthel Index (BI).

Results

Of 328 responders, 83 (25.4%) reported a vision problem. Vision problems were associated with older age (71.8 years vs. 66.5 years, P = 0.001), higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission (5.9 vs. 3.8, P < 0.001), higher modified Rankin Scale day 7 (2.0 vs. 1.4, P < 0.001) and lower BI day 7 (85.7 vs. 93.9, P = 0.002). Patients with vision problems had lower median EQ‐5D utility score (0.62 vs. 0.80, P < 0.001), lower median 15D utility score (0.73 vs. 0.89, P < 0.001), higher median HADS score (12 vs. 5, P < 0.001), higher median FSS score (5.6 vs. 4.3, P < 0.001) and lower median BI (95 vs. 100, P < 0.001) on long‐term follow‐up. Patients with self‐reported vision problems scored lower on all sub‐scores of BI on follow‐up (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

One in four patients reported a vision problem on follow‐up after cerebral infarction. Vision problems after cerebral infarction reduce quality of life and are associated with increased disability. Thorough diagnostic evaluation and targeted rehabilitation is important.
Disease‐modifying treatments for multiple sclerosis – a review of approved medications
Authors: Torkildsen Ø. , Myhr K.‐M. , Bø L.
Published: November 2015

Background and purpose

There is still no curative treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), but during the last 20 years eight different disease‐modifying compounds have been approved for relapsing−remittingMS(RRMS).

Methods

A literature search was conducted on published randomized controlled phase III trials indexed in PubMed on the approved medications until 21 May 2015.

Results

In this review the mode of action, documented treatment effects and side effects of the approvedMStherapies are briefly discussed.

Conclusions

Based on current knowledge of risk−benefit of the approvedMSmedications, including factors influencing adherence, it is suggested that oral treatment with dimethyl fumarate or teriflunomide should be preferred as a starting therapy amongst the first‐line preparations forde novoRRMS. In the case of breakthrough disease on first‐line therapy, or rapidly evolving severeRRMS, second‐line therapy with natalizumab, fingolimod or alemtuzumab should be chosen based on careful risk−benefit stratification.
Antibiotic resistance: are we all doomed?
Authors: Collignon P.
Published: November 2015

Antibiotic resistance is a growing and worrying problem associated with increased deaths and suffering for people. Overall, there are only two factors that drive antimicrobial resistance, and both can be controlled. These factors are the volumes of antimicrobials used and the spread of resistant micro‐organisms and/or the genes encoding for resistance. The One Health concept is important if we want to understand better and control antimicrobial resistance. There are many things we can do to better control antimicrobial resistance. We need to prevent infections. We need to have better surveillance with good data on usage patterns and resistance patterns available across all sectors, both human and agriculture, locally and internationally. We need to act on these results when we see either inappropriate usage or resistance levels rising in bacteria that are of concern for people. We need to ensure that food and water sources do not spread multi‐resistant micro‐organisms or resistance genes. We need better approaches to restrict successfully what and how antibiotics are used in people. We need to restrict the use of ‘critically important’ antibiotics in food animals and the entry of these drugs into the environment. We need to ensure that ‘One Health’ concept is not just a buzz word but implemented. We need to look at all sectors and control not only antibiotic use but also the spread and development of antibiotic resistant bacteria – both locally and internationally.
Measuring efficiency of Vietnamese public colleges: an application of the DEA‐based dynamic network approach
Authors: Tran Carolyn‐Dung T. T. , Villano Renato A.
Published: November 2015

In Vietnam, public colleges play a crucial role in shaping the socioeconomic and educational development strategies and providing a skilled labor force needed for the country's market‐oriented economy. Using balanced panel data for 2011–2013, we use the integrated data envelopment analysis based dynamic network model to examine dynamic changes in efficiencies of public colleges in the education sector. This model allows simultaneously estimating efficiencies of financial and academic operations and the overall dynamic changes of colleges in a network structure. Our findings indicate that the overall efficiencies of colleges are, on average, 0.741 while the average efficiencies of the financial and academic operations are 0.722 and 0.760, respectively. Furthermore, the in‐city colleges are more efficient than others, 0.776 and 0.728, respectively.
MINERALOGY, PETROGRAPHY AND CHEMISTRY OF THE CHONDRITE, KAMIOMI, SASHIMA‐GUN, IBARAKI‐KEN, JAPAN
Authors: Okada Akihiko , Shima Masako , Murayama Sadao
Published: November 2015

The Kamiomi, Sashima‐gun (Iwai‐shi), Ibaraki‐ken, Japan, chondrite (observed to fall in spring, during the period 1913–6), consists of olivine, orthopyroxene, nickel‐iron and troilite with minor amount of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, apatite and chromite. The average molar composition of olivine (Fa19) and orthopyroxene (Fs17) indicates that Kamiomi is a typical olivine bronzite chondrite.

From the well‐recrystallized texture, the presence of poorly‐definable chondrules, homogeneous composition of olivine and absence of glass, this chondrite could be classified in petrologic type 5.

The bulk chemical composition, especially, total Fe (27.33%) and metallic Fe (17.00%) as well as Fetotal/SiO2(0.72), Femetal/Fetotal (0–633) and SiO2/MgO (1.59) support the above conclusion.

Coexistence of heavily‐shocked olivine grains in the matrix composed of olivines and pyroxenes which suffered from light to moderate shock effect suggest that impacting phenomena, small‐scaled but locally strong, occurred on the Kamiomi parent body.
DARWIN GLASS AND DARWIN CRATER: A PROGRESS REPORT
Authors: Fudali R.F. , Ford R.J.
Published: November 2015

Tasmanian Darwin glass has a fusion age sensibly identical with that of Australasian tektites and it is reasonable to assume all were produced in the same event. Recently a number of new Darwin glass localities and an associated crater have been discovered. The glass stewnfield covers at least 400 km2 and there is a strong positive correlation between glass fragment size and abundance and proximity to the crater. The glass was distributed from some point near the crater, with the smallest pieces traveling furthest. This structure is apparently an impact crater of rather unusual configuration and fortuitous location. Our gravity survey reveals a closed sedimentary basin about 1000 meters in diameter. A centrally located drill hole penetrated 60 meters of lacustrine clays and 40 meters of mixed clay, sand and rock fragments. The hole was terminated at 100 meters in loose sand containing sand‐sized fragments of Darwin glass and lechetelierite. The 100 meters of cored sediments accounts for only about half of the observed 3.5 milligal negative anomaly and there must be a substantial additional thickness of low density material at depth. Further drilling is essential to confirm an impact origin and to delineate the subsurface crater configuration. This information would be of great calibration value for theoretical modeling studies of explosive cratering. The Darwin strewnfield characteristics support the theory that the distribution of Australasian tektites was aided by an impact‐generated, atmospheric blast wave (or waves). The stratigraphic position of glass below 100 meters of lake sediments is strong evidence that the postulated stratigraphic age of the Australian land tektites is incorrect.
Nest shape explains variation in sexual dichromatism in New World blackbirds
Authors: Drury Jonathan P. , Burroughs Nathan
Published: November 2015

Following Charles Darwin, research on sexual dichromatism has long focused on sexual selection driving ornamentation in males. However, Alfred Russel Wallace proposed another explanation – that dichromatism evolves as a result of selection favoring crypsis in incubating females. Many recent studies suggest that evolutionary changes in sexual dichromatism often result from changes in female, in addition to male, plumage, yet the evolutionary mechanisms driving changes in female plumage remain largely unexplained. To test Wallace's hypothesis, we examined variation in sexual dichromatism and nest shape, a proxy for predation risk, among New World blackbirds (Aves: Icteridae). Phylogenetic models reveal an evolutionary correlation between sexual dichromatism and nest exposure. Specifically, we found that transitions in monochromatic lineages with exposed nests toward either concealed nests or dichromatism were common. Although this evidence supports Wallace's hypothesis that female incubation leads to selection for crypsis or concealment, we also found that transitions to monomorphism were common, even in lineages with exposed nests – a result suggestive of a role for positive selection on female ornamentation. These patterns of plumage evolution support a growing body of work emphasizing the importance of developing and testing hypotheses to explain evolutionary changes in female, as well as male, ornamentation.
Carotenoid‐based plumage colouration is predicted by age and parasites in the male European serin
Authors: Trigo Sandra , Mota Paulo Gama
Published: November 2015

A fundamental assumption of theories on the evolution of sexual signals is that they should be costly to produce in order to honestly signal the quality of the sender. The expression of carotenoid‐based plumage signals is considered to be condition‐dependent, due to the role of carotenoids functioning as pigments and as health modulators. We assessed carotenoid‐based plumage colouration in relation to male condition in a free living population of male European serins Serinus serinus during the breeding season. Male serins were trapped for morphometric and colouration measurements, during a four‐year field study, in order to evaluate the signalling value of colouration in relation to body condition and parasites level. We compared two different forms of colour quantification based on spectral data – the most commonly used tristimulus colour variables and physiological models of avian colour vision – and found that they were highly correlated for this species. We investigated the signalling value of male plumage colouration and it was found to be related to age and ectoparasite load. Plumage double cone and patch size were negatively related to parasites level, whereas SWS ratio was positively related to parasites and age. Colouration was also related with the time since moult. Our results indicate that the colour expression of serin's plumage is age dependent and is related, in complex ways, with the ability to cope with parasitic infection.
Comparison of otolith and scale readings for age and growth estimation of common dentex Dentex dentex
Authors: Baudouin M. , Marengo M. , Pere A. , Culioli J.‐M. , Santoni M.‐C. , Marchand B. , Durieux E. D. H.
Published: November 2015

Three methods of age estimation were compared for Dentex dentex. Based on sectioned otoliths, scales appeared to be relevant only up to 5 years and whole otoliths up to 12 years. The maximum estimated age was 36 years, which constitutes to date the oldest age reported.
Gingival crevicular fluid levels of protease‐activated receptors type 1 and type 2 in diabetic patients with periodontitis
Authors: Abreu I. S. , Euzebio Alves V. T. , Benedete A. P. S. , Bueno da Silva H. A. , França B. N. , Saraiva L. , Lima L. A. , Carvalho M. H. , Holzhausen M.
Published: November 2015

Background and Objective

Protease activated receptor type 1 (PAR1) seems to play a role in periodontal repair, while PAR2 is associated with periodontal inflammation. As diabetes is a known risk factor for periodontal disease, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of type 2 diabetes on PAR1 and PAR2 mRNA expression in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis before and after non‐surgical periodontal treatment.

Material and Methods

Gingival crevicular fluid samples and clinical parameters consisting of measuring probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing and plaque index were collected from systemically healthy patients and patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis, at baseline and after non‐surgical periodontal therapy. PAR1 and PAR2, as well as the presence of the proteases RgpB gingipain and neutrophil proteinase‐3 were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in the gingival crevicular fluid.

Results

The periodontal clinical parameters significantly improved after periodontal therapy (p < 0.01). Diabetes led to increased expression of PAR1 in gingival crevicular fluid, and in the presence of chronic periodontitis, it significantly decreased the expression of PAR1 and PAR2 (p < 0.05). Moreover, non‐surgical periodontal treatment in diabetics resulted in increased expression of PAR1 and PAR2 (p < 0.05), and decreased expression of RgpB gingipain and proteinase‐3 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The present data demonstrated that diabetes was associated with an altered expression of PAR1 and PAR2 in the gingival crevicular fluid cells of subjects with chronic periodontitis. Future studies are necessary to elucidate the effects of PAR1 upregulation in periodontally healthy sites and PAR2 downregulation in chronic periodontitis sites on the increased susceptibility and severity of periodontitis in diabetes.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome: a comparative study between pugs and French bulldogs
Authors: Haimel G. , Dupré G.
Published: November 2015

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical features of brachycephalic airway syndrome and long‐term surgical outcomes between pugs and French bulldogs and evaluate the influence of laryngeal collapse.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 72 dogs that underwent wedge rhinoplasty and folded flap palatoplasty for brachycephalic airway syndrome. Epidemiological data, clinical signs, postoperative complications and owners’ responses to a questionnaire at least six months after surgery were compared between pugs and French bulldogs. Spearman's rank correlation tests were used for associating laryngeal collapse with age and respiratory signs before and after surgery.

RESULTS

On the basis of the results of the owners’ questionnaires (available in 52/72 dogs), French bulldogs presented with lower activity levels and more severe digestive signs than pugs. Owners perceived clinical improvement in 88 · 5% of all dogs. The grades of respiratory and digestive signs were not different between the breeds in the long‐term follow‐up, and the grade of laryngeal collapse did not influence the grade of respiratory signs or surgical outcome.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Surgical treatment resulted in improved clinical signs in pugs and French bulldogs with brachycephalic airway syndrome, with a high owner satisfaction rate. There were no correlations between the severity of laryngeal collapse and overall respiratory signs or prognosis.
Adjuvant Maneuvers for Residual Curvature Correction During Penile Prosthesis Implantation in Men with Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Berookhim Boback M. , Karpman Edward , Carrion Rafael
Published: November 2015

Introduction

The surgical treatment of comorbid erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease has long included the implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis as well as a number of adjuvant maneuvers to address residual curvature after prosthesis placement.

Aim

To review the various surgical options for addressing curvature after prosthesis placement, with specific attention paid to an original article by Wilson et al. reporting on modeling over a penile prosthesis for the management of Peyronie’s disease.

Methods

A literature review was performed analyzing articles reporting the management of penile curvature in patients undergoing implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis.

Main Outcome Measures

Reported improvement in Peyronie’s deformity as well as the complication rate associated with the various surgical techniques described.

Results

Modeling is a well-established treatment modality among patients with Peyronie’s disease undergoing penile prosthesis implantation. A variety of other adjuvant maneuvers to address residual curvature when modeling alone is insufficient has been presented in the literature.

Conclusions

Over 20 years of experience with modeling over a penile prosthesis have proven the efficacy and safety of this treatment option, providing the surgeon a simple initial step for the management of residual curvature after penile implantation which allows for the use of additional adjuvant maneuvers in those with significant deformities.
Uranium isotopic composition and absolute ages of Allende chondrules
Authors: Brennecka G. A. , Budde G. , Kleine T.
Published: November 2015

A handful of events, such as the condensation of refractory inclusions and the formation of chondrules, represent important stages in the formation and evolution of the early solar system and thus are critical to understanding its development. Compared to the refractory inclusions, chondrules appear to have a protracted period of formation that spans millions of years. As such, understanding chondrule formation requires a catalog of reliable ages, free from as many assumptions as possible. The Pb‐Pb chronometer has this potential; however, because common individual chondrules have extremely low uranium contents, obtaining U‐corrected Pb‐Pb ages of individual chondrules is unrealistic in the vast majority of cases at this time. Thus, in order to obtain the most accurate 238U/235U ratio possible for chondrules, we separated and pooled thousands of individual chondrules from the Allende meteorite. In this work, we demonstrate that no discernible differences exist in the 238U/235U compositions between chondrule groups when separated by size and magnetic susceptibility, suggesting that no systematic U‐isotope variation exists between groups of chondrules. Consequently, chondrules are likely to have a common 238U/235U ratio for any given meteorite. A weighted average of the six groups of chondrule separates from Allende results in a 238U/235U ratio of 137.786 ± 0.004 (±0.016 including propagated uncertainty on the U standard [Richter et al. 2010]). Although it is still possible that individual chondrules have significant U isotope variation within a given meteorite, this value represents our best estimate of the 238U/235U ratio for Allende chondrules and should be used for absolute dating of these objects, unless such chondrules can be measured individually.
Shock effects in the Willamette ungrouped iron meteorite
Authors: Rubin Alan E. , Breen John P. , Wasson John T. , Pitt Darryl
Published: November 2015

A slab of the Willamette ungrouped iron contains elongated troilite nodules (up to ~2 × 10 cm) that were crushed and penetrated by wedges of crushed metal during a major impact event. What makes this sample unique is the contrast between the large amount of shock damage and the very small (~1%) amounts of shock melting in the large troilite nodules. The postshock temperature was low, probably ≾960 °C. The Widmanstätten pattern has been largely obscured by an episode of postshock annealing that caused recrystallization of the kamacite. The shock and thermal history of Willamette includes (1) initial crystallization and formation of multicentimeter‐size troilite nodules from trapped melt, (2) impact‐induced melting of metal‐sulfide assemblages to form lobate taenite masses a few hundred micrometers in size, (3) impact‐crushing of the nodules and jamming of metal wedges into them, (4) simultaneous crushing of metal grains adjacent to sulfide throughout the meteorite, (5) postshock annealing causing minor recrystallization of metal and troilite, and (6) a late‐stage shock event (and additional annealing) producing Neumann lines in the kamacite.
Serum retinol in post‐partum mothers and newborns from an impoverished South African community where liver is frequently eaten and vitamin A deficiency is absent
Authors: van Stuijvenberg Martha E. , Schoeman Serina E. , Nel Jana , Lombard Carl J. , Dhansay Muhammad A.
Published: November 2015

Serum retinol was assessed in mothers and newborns from an impoverished South African community where liver is frequently eaten and vitamin A deficiency known to be absent. Paired cord and maternal blood (n = 201) were collected after delivery and analysed for serum retinol and C‐reactive protein (CRP). Liver intake during pregnancy and intention to breastfeed were also assessed. Mean serum retinol was 1.03 µmol/L ± 0.40 in mothers and 0.73 ± 0.24 µmol/L in newborns, with 21.4% and 49.3% having serum retinol <0.70 µmol/L (<20 µg/dL), respectively. Raised CRP was found in 59.9% of mothers, with a significant negative correlation between serum retinol and CRP (r = −0.273;p < 0.0001). Liver was eaten by 87.6% of mothers, and 99% indicated their intention to breastfeed. Despite consumption of liver, serum retinol was low in both the mother and the newborn. The conventional cut‐off for serum retinol, i.e. <0.70 µmol/L may therefore not apply for the mother and newborn in the period immediately after delivery. Serum retinol may be influenced by factors other than vitamin A status, e.g. the haemodilution of pregnancy, as well as the acute phase response induced by the birth process, as suggested by raised CRP in 60% of mothers. In the newborns, the low serum retinol is likely to increase rapidly, as liver is frequently eaten by mothers and practically all of them intended to breastfeed. Our results confirm the need for better indicators of vitamin A status or alternative cut‐off values during this period.
Appearance and Reality in The Philosophical Gourmet Report: Why the Discrepancy Matters to the Profession of Philosophy
Authors: Bruya Brian
Published: November 2015

This article is a data‐driven critique of The Philosophical Gourmet Report (PGR), the most institutionally influential publication in the field of Anglophone philosophy. The PGR is influential because it is perceived to be of high value. The article demonstrates that the actual value of the PGR, in its current form, is not nearly as high as it is assumed to be and that the PGR is, in fact, detrimental to the profession. The article lists and explains five objections to the methods and methodology of the report. Taken together, the objections demonstrate that the report is severely flawed, failing to provide the information it purports to and damaging the profession overall. Finally, the article explains how several modifications may improve the PGR so that it can more legitimately and equitably play the role it already plays.
Philosophical Error and the Economics of Belief Formation
Authors: Skene Matthew
Published: November 2015

Recent work has demonstrated that academic research faces serious challenges. Incentives to defend publishable ideas often lead researchers astray. Despite their tendency to produce error, efforts to publish erroneous results typically help a researcher's career. In addition, errors often arise from seemingly innocent methodological assumptions that allow researchers to believe their research is sound. This article discusses this research, as well as research into difficulties facing epistemic rationality caused by nonepistemic incentives. It then applies the lessons of this research to philosophical practice. It explains why philosophy likely suffers from these problems. It then provides an example of a widely shared methodological assumption that allows such research to be pursued and regularly published. It claims that the significance philosophers place on arguments is inappropriate, and that typical evaluations of philosophical arguments involve an instance of the base‐rate fallacy. It concludes by discussing whether or not this article is self‐defeating.
Cyclic di‐AMP mediates biofilm formation
Authors: Peng Xian , Zhang Yang , Bai Guangchun , Zhou Xuedong , Wu Hui
Published: November 2015

Cyclic di‐AMP (c‐di‐AMP) is an emerging second messenger in bacteria. It has been shown to play important roles in bacterial fitness and virulence. However, transduction of c‐di‐AMP signaling in bacteria and the role of c‐di‐AMP in biofilm formation are not well understood. The level of c‐di‐AMP is modulated by activity of di‐adenylyl cyclase that produces c‐di‐AMP and phosphodiesterase (PDE) that degrades c‐di‐AMP. In this study, we determined that increased c‐di‐AMP levels by deletion of the pdeA gene coding for a PDE promoted biofilm formation in Streptococcus mutans. Deletion of pdeA upregulated expression of gtfB, the gene coding for a major glucan producing enzyme. Inactivation of gtfB blocked the increased biofilm by the pdeA mutant. Two c‐di‐AMP binding proteins including CabPA (SMU_1562) and CabPB (SMU_1708) were identified. Interestingly, only CabPA deficiency inhibited both the increased biofilm formation and the upregulated expression of GtfB observed in the pdeA mutant. In addition, CabPA but not CabPB interacted with VicR, a known transcriptional factor that regulates expression of gtfB, suggesting that a signaling link between CabPA and GtfB through VicR. Increased biofilm by the pdeA deficiency also enhanced bacterial colonization of Drosophila in vivo. Taken together, our studies reveal a new role of c‐di‐AMP in mediating biofilm formation through a CabPA/VicR/GtfB signaling network in S. mutans.
AmrZ regulates cellulose production in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000
Authors: Prada‐Ramírez Harold A. , Pérez‐Mendoza Daniel , Felipe Antonia , Martínez‐Granero Francisco , Rivilla Rafael , Sanjuán Juan , Gallegos María‐Trinidad
Published: November 2015

In Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, the second messenger c‐di‐GMP has been previously shown to stimulate pellicle formation and cellulose biosynthesis. A screen for genes involved in cellulose production under high c‐di‐GMP intracellular levels led to the identification of insertions in two genes, wssB and wssE, belonging to the Pto DC3000 cellulose biosynthesis operon wssABCDEFGHI. Interestingly, beside cellulose‐deficient mutants, colonies with a rougher appearance than the wild type also arouse among the transposants. Those mutants carry insertions in amrZ, a gene encoding a transcriptional regulator in different Pseudomonas. Here, we provide evidence that AmrZ is involved in the regulation of bacterial cellulose production at transcriptional level by binding to the promoter region of the wssABCDEFGHI operon and repressing cellulose biosynthesis genes. Mutation of amrZ promotes wrinkly colony morphology, increased cellulose production and loss of motility in Pto DC3000. AmrZ regulon includes putative c‐di‐GMP metabolising proteins, like AdcA and MorA, which may also impact those phenotypes. Furthermore, an amrZ but not a cellulose‐deficient mutant turned out to be impaired in pathogenesis, indicating that AmrZ is a key regulator of Pto DC3000 virulence probably by controlling bacterial processes other than cellulose production.
Delaying diagnostic procedure significantly increases mortality in patients with invasive mucormycosis
Authors: Jeong Su Jin , Lee Ji Un , Song Young Goo , Lee Kyoung Hwa , Lee Min Joo
Published: November 2015

Invasive mucormycosis is an uncommon but increasing life‐threatening fungal infection. The present study investigated clinical characteristics and mortality among patients diagnosed as invasive mucormycosis infection. We retrospectively reviewed a total of 24 histologically proven cases of invasive mucormycosis at two tertiary care referral hospitals between November 2005 and February 2014. Overall survival was 50% (n = 12). The time between onset of symptom and diagnostic procedure proved to be associated with mortality (P = 0.009). In addition, preexisting renal failure and thrombocytopenia demonstrated trends toward a poor outcome in our study (P = 0.089 and 0.065, respectively). On multivariate regression analysis, delayed diagnostic procedure (more than 16 days after the onset of symptoms) was an independent predictor of mortality (OR= 12.34, 95% CI, 1.43–10.64; P = 0.022). Mucormycosis is a destructive fungal infection that is associated with high mortality rates, ranging from 40% to 100% depending on the form of disease. When a clinician suspects invasive mucormycosis infection, an early diagnostic procedure performed within 16 days from the onset of symptom and early initiation of antifungal therapy will lead to successful management of this highly fatal disease.
α‐Synuclein pathology in the cranial and spinal nerves in Lewy body disease
Authors: Nakamura Keiko , Mori Fumiaki , Tanji Kunikazu , Miki Yasuo , Toyoshima Yasuko , Kakita Akiyoshi , Takahashi Hitoshi , Yamada Masahito , Wakabayashi Koichi
Published: November 2015

Accumulation of phosphorylated α‐synuclein in neurons and glial cells is a histological hallmark of Lewy body disease (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Recently, filamentous aggregations of phosphorylated α‐synuclein have been reported in the cytoplasm of Schwann cells, but not in axons, in the peripheral nervous system in MSA, mainly in the cranial and spinal nerve roots. Here we conducted an immunohistochemical investigation of the cranial and spinal nerves and dorsal root ganglia of patients with LBD. Lewy axons were found in the oculomotor, trigeminal and glossopharyngeal‐vagus nerves, but not in the hypoglossal nerve. The glossopharyngeal‐vagus nerves were most frequently affected, with involvement in all of 20 subjects. In the spinal nerve roots, Lewy axons were found in all of the cases examined. Lewy axons in the anterior nerves were more frequent and numerous in the thoracic and sacral segments than in the cervical and lumbar segments. On the other hand, axonal lesions in the posterior spinal nerve roots appeared to increase along a cervical‐to‐sacral gradient. Although Schwann cell cytoplasmic inclusions were found in the spinal nerves, they were only minimal. In the dorsal root ganglia, axonal lesions were seldom evident. These findings indicate that α‐synuclein pathology in the peripheral nerves is axonal‐predominant in LBD, whereas it is restricted to glial cells in MSA.
Common foliar fungi of Populus trichocarpa modify Melampsora rust disease severity
Authors: Busby Posy E. , Peay Kabir G. , Newcombe George
Published: November 2015

Nonpathogenic foliar fungi (i.e. endophytes and epiphytes) can modify plant disease severity in controlled experiments. However, experiments have not been combined with ecological studies in wild plant pathosystems to determine whether disease‐modifying fungi are common enough to be ecologically important.

We used culture‐based methods and DNA sequencing to characterize the abundance and distribution of foliar fungi of Populus trichocarpa in wild populations across its native range (Pacific Northwest, USA). We conducted complementary, manipulative experiments to test how foliar fungi commonly isolated from those populations influence the severity of Melampsora leaf rust disease. Finally, we examined correlative relationships between the abundance of disease‐modifying foliar fungi and disease severity in wild trees.

A taxonomically and geographically diverse group of common foliar fungi significantly modified disease severity in experiments, either increasing or decreasing disease severity. Spatial patterns in the abundance of some of these foliar fungi were significantly correlated (in predicted directions) with disease severity in wild trees.

Our study reveals that disease modification is an ecological function shared by common foliar fungal symbionts of P. trichocarpa. This finding raises new questions about plant disease ecology and plant biodiversity, and has applied potential for disease management.
Genome‐wide association analysis and differential expression analysis of resistance to Sclerotinia stem rot in Brassica napus
Authors: Wei Lijuan , Jian Hongju , Lu Kun , Filardo Fiona , Yin Nengwen , Liu Liezhao , Qu Cunmin , Li Wei , Du Hai , Li Jiana
Published: November 2015

Brassica napus is one of the most important oil crops in the world, and stem rot caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum results in major losses in yield and quality. To elucidate resistance genes and pathogenesis‐related genes, genome‐wide association analysis of 347 accessions was performed using the Illumina 60K Brassica SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) array. In addition, the detached stem inoculation assay was used to select five highly resistant (R) and susceptible (S) B. napus lines, 48 h postinoculation with S. sclerotiorum for transcriptome sequencing. We identified 17 significant associations for stem resistance on chromosomes A8 and C6, five of which were on A8 and 12 on C6. The SNPs identified on A8 were located in a 409‐kb haplotype block, and those on C6 were consistent with previous QTL mapping efforts. Transcriptome analysis suggested that S. sclerotiorum infection activates the immune system, sulphur metabolism, especially glutathione (GSH) and glucosinolates in both R and S genotypes. Genes found to be specific to the R genotype related to the jasmonic acid pathway, lignin biosynthesis, defence response, signal transduction and encoding transcription factors. Twenty‐four genes were identified in both the SNP‐trait association and transcriptome sequencing analyses, including a tau class glutathione S‐transferase (GSTU) gene cluster. This study provides useful insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the plant's response to S. sclerotiorum.
Mechanisms of waterlogging tolerance in wheat – a review of root and shoot physiology
Authors: Herzog Max , Striker Gustavo G. , Colmer Timothy D. , Pedersen Ole
Published: November 2015

We review the detrimental effects of waterlogging on physiology, growth and yield of wheat. We highlight traits contributing to waterlogging tolerance and genetic diversity in wheat. Death of seminal roots and restriction of adventitious root length due to O2 deficiency result in low root:shoot ratio. Genotypes differ in seminal root anoxia tolerance, but mechanisms remain to be established; ethanol production rates do not explain anoxia tolerance. Root tip survival is short‐term, and thereafter, seminal root re‐growth upon re‐aeration is limited. Genotypes differ in adventitious root numbers and in aerenchyma formation within these roots, resulting in varying waterlogging tolerances. Root extension is restricted by capacity for internal O2 movement to the apex. Sub‐optimal O2 restricts root N uptake and translocation to the shoots, with N deficiency causing reduced shoot growth and grain yield. Although photosynthesis declines, sugars typically accumulate in shoots of waterlogged plants. Mn or Fe toxicity might occur in shoots of wheat on strongly acidic soils, but probably not more widely. Future breeding for waterlogging tolerance should focus on root internal aeration and better N‐use efficiency; exploiting the genetic diversity in wheat for these and other traits should enable improvement of waterlogging tolerance.
Multiplex detection and identification of Phytophthora spp. using target‐specific primer extension and Luminex xTAG technology
Authors: Kostov K. , Verstappen E. C. P. , Bergervoet J. H. W. , de Weerdt M. , Schoen C. D. , Slavov S. , Bonants P. J. M.
Published: November 2015

There are more than 100 species that belong to the fungus‐like genus Phytophthora, many of which can cause severe damage to plants in both natural and agricultural ecosystems. The availability of techniques for detection and identification are crucial for monitoring and control of these pathogens. In recent years, new methods using molecular approaches have been developed. However, the majority of them are designed to detect single Phytophthora species. Techniques that are able to target multiple species in one sample would offer advantages, especially for the assessment of Phytophthora diversity in the environment. This paper describes a multiplex assay for simultaneous detection and identification of 26 members of Phytophthora down to species level and another 22 to clade or subclade level through target‐specific primer extension (TSPE) and the Luminex xTAG array detection system. The assay starts with PCR amplification of two genomic regions, ITS and coxI, followed by a multiplex TSPE reaction with clade‐, subclade‐ and species‐specific probes. As a result, biotin‐dCTP labelled products are generated and subsequently detected through hybridization with a set of anti‐TAG coupled, colour‐coded paramagnetic beads. The specificity of the method has been tested using DNA extracts from over 400 isolates representing 110 Phytophthora species and subspecies. The sensitivity and robustness have been determined by the use of DNA mixtures, dilution series and environmental samples. Thus the developed technique allows simultaneous identification of multiple Phytophthora species, particularly useful for the detection of these pathogens in environmental samples such as soil, water and plant tissue.
Immigrants’ Social Capital and Labor Market Performance: The Effect of Social Ties on Earnings and Occupational Prestige*
Authors: Tegegne Mesay A.
Published: November 2015

Objectives

While a growing body of literature investigates the role of social capital in the labor market outcomes of immigrants, the verdict is still out on whether or not reliance on social networks enhances or constrains labor market performance. This study explores the effect of relying on social ties to find a job on the hourly earnings and occupational prestige of new legal immigrants in the United States.

Methods

Utilizing data from the New Immigrant Survey 2003 cohort, the effect on occupational outcomes of relying on social ties to locate a job is estimated using both ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and propensity score matching (PSM), to minimize observable selection bias. Propensity score matching is used to identify the treatment effect of using social contacts by comparing the outcomes of closely matched treatment and control groups.

Results

Both OLS and PSM estimates indicate that using a close contact to find a job has a detrimental effect on earnings and occupational prestige. The effect of social capital, however, varies across groups. Particularly, while social capital has little or no effect on the labor market outcomes of black and Hispanic immigrants, it has a detrimental effect on the occupational prestige of Asian and white immigrants (the effect being stronger for Asians than for whites).

Conclusion

Social capital research on immigrants’ outcomes should, therefore, take caution in generalizing from group‐specific research, as these findings point to contextual labor market effects of social capital.
Gender Differences in Response to Setbacks: Evidence from Professional Tennis*
Authors: Banko Lauren , Leeds Eva Marikova , Leeds Michael A.
Published: November 2015

Objective

We inquire whether the glass ceiling stems in part from the fact that women are more discouraged by setbacks than men are, as suggested by economic and psychological experiments. We use data from professional tennis to test this hypothesis.

Method

We apply ordered probit, ordinary least squares, and binomial probit to data from the 2012 ATP and WTA tennis tours.

Results

Women are not more likely than men to lose in straight sets or to lose the second two sets. Women who lose in straight sets win fewer games in the second set than men do. Women who lose the second set are more likely than men to withdraw from the third set.

Conclusion

Women are not more likely to lose because of setbacks, but those who do tend to lose by wider margins than men. This suggests that the glass ceiling is not the result of women being more easily discouraged than men.
False‐positive hepatitis C virus serology after placement of a ventricular assistance device
Authors: Durand C.M. , Marr K.A. , Ostrander D. , Subramanian A. , Valsamakis A. , Cox A. , Neofytos D.
Published: November 2015

Background

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been associated with immune activation and sensitization. We observed several cases of false‐positive (FP) hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab) tests in patients being evaluated for orthotopic heart transplant (OHT), prompting us to investigate this further.

Methods

We reviewed all VAD and OHT cases at Johns Hopkins from 2005 to 2012. FP HCV serology was defined as an equivocal or low‐positive HCV Ab, plus either (i) a negative recombinant immunoblot (RIBA) and/or HCV nucleic acid test (NAT), or (ii) an indeterminate RIBA and negative NAT.

Results

In 53 patients with available HCV testing, nearly 40% of patients (21/53: 39.6%) developed FP HCV Ab tests after VAD placement: 4 patients had negative NAT, 12 had negative RIBA, and 5 had an indeterminate RIBA and negative NAT. All patients with indeterminate RIBA tests had isolated reactivity to the same HCV protein, c100p/5‐1‐1p (NS4b protein). In 3 of 4 VAD patients who had OHT and repeat HCV Ab testing after VAD removal, repeat HCV Ab was negative (699–947 days after OHT); in 1 case, FP HCV serology persisted (5 days after OHT). Thirteen patients had OHT alone and none developed a FP HCV Ab.

Conclusions

FP HCV Ab results following VAD placement are very common. Reversal of FP serology in several patients after VAD removal is suggestive of a possible association with the VAD hardware. Clinicians should be aware of this phenomenon, as it could lead to delays in determining eligibility for OHT and increased costs.
High rate of vaccine failure after administration of acellular pertussis vaccine pre‐ and post‐liver transplantation in children at a children's hospital in Japan
Authors: Ito K. , Kasahara M. , Saitoh A. , Honda H. , Miyairi I.
Published: November 2015

We assessed the serological response to pertussis vaccines administered pre‐ and post‐liver transplantation in 58 pediatric patients at a children's hospital in Japan. A high rate of pertussis vaccine failure was observed, 44.8% against the pertussis toxin and 69.0% against filamentous hemagglutinin, with no difference in the seropositivity rate with respect to the timing of the vaccination during the peritransplant period.
The prevalence of hepatitis A virus and parvovirus B19 in source‐plasma donors and whole blood donors in China
Authors: Han T. , Li C. , Zhang Y. , Wang Y. , Wu B. , Ke L , Liu G , Li L. , Liu Y. , Liu Z.
Published: November 2015

Aims

To compare the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and human parvovirus B19 (B19V) between source‐plasma (SP) donors and whole blood (WB) donors.

Background

In China, source plasma is in severe shortage while plasma recovered from WB is in surplus. Thus, the government is considering transferring the recovered plasma (RP) to produce plasma derivatives. HAV and B19V are two pathogens threatening the safety of plasma‐based derivatives. However, there is no data about if transferring of the RP to produce plasma derivatives will increase the risk of HAV and B19V infection. Thus, we compared the prevalence of HAV and B19V between SP donors and WB donors in this study.

Methods

A total of 5030 samples from SP donors and 5040 samples from WB donors were collected. All the samples were tested for HAV RNA and B19V DNA and tested for HAV IgM by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

The prevalence of B19V DNA was 0·06% (95% confidence interval (CI), 0–0·09%) in WB donors and 0·079% (95%CI, 0–0·12%) in SP donors, respectively. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of B19V DNA between SP donors and WB donors. The prevalence of anti‐HAV IgM in SP donors was 0·079% whereas no WB donor sample was found anti‐HAV IgM reactive.

Conclusions

The transfer of RP to producing plasma derivatives will not increase the risk of transmission of HAV and B19 through plasma products.
(STILL) DISAGREEING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE: WHICH WAY FORWARD?
Authors: Hulme Mike
Published: November 2015

Why does climate change continue to be a forceful idea which divides people? What does this tell us about science, about culture, and about the future? Despite disagreement, how might the idea of climate change nevertheless be used creatively? In this essay I develop my investigation of these questions using four lines of argument. First, the future risks associated with human‐caused climate change are severely underdetermined by science. Scientific predictions of future climates are poorly constrained; even more so the consequences of such climates for evolving human socio‐technological and natural ecosystems. Second, I argue that to act politically in the world, people have to pass judgments on the facts of science; facts do not speak for themselves. Third, because these judgments are different, the strategic goals of policy interventions developed in response to risks associated with future climate change are inevitably multiple and conflicting. Finally, reconciling and achieving diverse goals requires political contestation. “Moving forward” on climate change then becomes a task of investing in the discursive and procedural preconditions for an agonistic politics to work constructively, to enable ways of implementing policies when people disagree.
THE HUMAN BEING SHAPING AND TRANSCENDING ITSELF: WRITTEN LANGUAGE, BRAIN, AND CULTURE
Authors: Colagè Ivan
Published: November 2015

Recent theological anthropology emphasizes a dynamic and integral understanding of the human being, which is also related to Karl Rahner's idea of active self‐transcendence and to the imago Dei doctrine. The recent neuroscientific discovery of the “visual word form area” for reading, regarded in light of the concept of cultural neural reuse, will produce fresh implications for the interrelation of brain biology and human culture. The theological and neuroscientific parts are shown in their mutual connections thus articulating the notion that human beings shape and transcend themselves both at the biological and at the cultural level. This will have relevant implications for the timely topic of human uniqueness in science and theology, and in proposing a new research perspective in which theology may consider culture along with its biological import, but not necessarily in strictly evolutionary terms alone.