bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Folic acid reduces doxorubicin‐induced cardiomyopathy by modulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Octavia Yanti , Kararigas Georgios , de Boer Martine , Chrifi Ihsan , Kietadisorn Rinrada , Swinnen Melissa , Duimel Hans , Verheyen Fons K. , Brandt Maarten M. , Fliegner Daniela , Cheng Caroline , Janssens Stefan , Duncker Dirk J. , Moens An L.
Published: June 2017

The use of doxorubicin (DOXO) as a chemotherapeutic drug has been hampered by cardiotoxicity leading to cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Folic acid (FA) is a modulator of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS), which in turn is an important player in diseases associated with NO insufficiency or NOS dysregulation, such as pressure overload and myocardial infarction. However, the role of FA in DOXO‐induced cardiomyopathy is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that FA prevents DOXO‐induced cardiomyopathy by modulating eNOS and mitochondrial structure and function. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomized to a single dose of DOXO (20 mg/kg intraperitoneal) or sham. FA supplementation (10 mg/day per oral) was started 7 days before DOXO injection and continued thereafter. DOXO resulted in 70% mortality after 10 days, with the surviving mice demonstrating a 30% reduction in stroke volume compared with sham groups. Pre‐treatment with FA reduced mortality to 45% and improved stroke volume (both P < 0.05 versus DOXO). These effects of FA were underlain by blunting of DOXO‐induced cardiomyocyte atrophy, apoptosis, interstitial fibrosis and impairment of mitochondrial function. Mechanistically, pre‐treatment with FA prevented DOXO‐induced increases in superoxide anion production by reducing the eNOS monomer:dimer ratio and eNOS S‐glutathionylation, and attenuated DOXO‐induced decreases in superoxide dismutase, eNOS phosphorylation and NO production. Enhancing eNOS function by restoring its coupling and subsequently reducing oxidative stress with FA may be a novel therapeutic approach to attenuate DOXO‐induced cardiomyopathy.
Factors associated with the choice of the first biologic in psoriasis: real‐life analysis from the Psobioteq cohort
Authors: Sbidian E. , Giboin C. , Bachelez H. , Paul C. , Beylot‐Barry M. , Dupuy A. , Viguier M. , Lacour J.‐P. , Schmutz J.‐L. , Bravard P. , Mahé E. , Beneton N. , Misery L. , Delaporte E. , Modiano P. , Barbarot S. , Regnier E. , Jullien D. , Richard M.‐A. , Joly P. , Tubach F. , Chosidow O.
Published: June 2017

Background

Decision‐making is a complex process. The aim of our study was to assess factors associated with the choice of the first biological treatment in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis.

Methods

Data on all patients included in the French prospective, observational, cohort, Psobioteq and initiating a first biologic prescription between July 2012 and July 2016 were analysed. Demographic information and clinical features were collected during routine clinical assessments by the dermatology team at the recruiting centres using a standardized case report form. The primary outcome was the nature of the first biologic treatment. Four groups were identified as follows: adalimumab, etanercept, ustekinumab and infliximab groups. Factors associated with the choice of the first biological agent were determined by a multinomial logistic regression model adjusted on year of inclusion.

Results

The study population included the 830 biological‐naïve patients who initiated a first biological agent. The mean age was 46.6 years (±SD 13.9), and 318 patients (38.3%) were female. The most commonly prescribed biologic was adalimumab: 355 (42.8%) patients, then etanercept (n = 247, 29.8%), ustekinumab (n = 194, 23.4%) and infliximab (n = 34, 4.0%). In the multinomial logistic regression analysis, patients were significantly more likely to receive adalimumab if they had a severe psoriasis as defined by baseline PASI or if they had psoriatic arthritis compared to etanercept (aOR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.16–1.07) and ustekinumab (aOR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.04–0.52). Patients were significantly more likely to receive ustekinumab (aOR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.04–5.50) if they had a positive screening for latent tuberculosis compared to adalimumab. Younger patients were also more likely to receive ustekinumab. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more likely to be prescribed ustekinumab or etanercept compared to adalimumab. There was a trend in favour of etanercept prescription in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities, metabolic syndrome and in patients with a history of cancer.

Conclusion

We identified patient‐ and disease‐related factors that have important influence on the choice of the first biological agent in clinical practice. Clinicians appear to have a holistic approach to patient characteristics when choosing a biological agent in psoriasis.
Ecological drivers of body size evolution and sexual size dimorphism in short‐horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
Authors: García‐Navas V. , Noguerales V. , Cordero P. J. , Ortego J.
Published: June 2017

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is widespread and variable in nature. Although female‐biasedSSDpredominates among insects, the proximate ecological and evolutionary factors promoting this phenomenon remain largely unstudied. Here, we employ modern phylogenetic comparative methods on eight subfamilies of Iberian grasshoppers (85 species) to examine the validity of different models of evolution of body size andSSDand explore how they are shaped by a suite of ecological variables (habitat specialization, substrate use, altitude) and/or constrained by different evolutionary pressures (female fecundity, strength of sexual selection, length of the breeding season). Body size disparity primarily accumulated late in the history of the group and did not follow a Brownian motion pattern, indicating the existence of directional evolution for this trait. We found support for the converse of Rensch's rule (i.e. females are proportionally bigger than males in large species) across all taxa but not within the two most speciose subfamilies (Gomphocerinae and Oedipodinae), which showed an isometric pattern. Our results do not provide support for the fecundity or sexual selection hypotheses, and we did not find evidence for significant effects of habitat use. Contrary to that expected, we found that species with narrower reproductive window are less dimorphic in size than those that exhibit a longer breeding cycle, suggesting that male protandry cannot solely account for the evolution of female‐biasedSSDin Orthoptera. Our study highlights the need to consider alternatives to the classical evolutionary hypotheses when trying to explain why in certain insect groups males remain small.
Remote control improves quality of life in elderly pacemaker patients versus standard ambulatory‐based follow‐up
Authors: Comoretto Rosanna Irene , Facchin Domenico , Ghidina Marco , Proclemer Alessandro , Gregori Dario
Published: June 2017

Background

Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) improves shortly after pacemaker (PM) implantation. No studies have investigated the HRQoL trend for elderly patients with a remote device monitoring follow‐up system.

Methods

Using EuroQol‐5D Questionnaire and the PM‐specific Assessment of Quality of Life and Related Events Questionnaire, HRQoL was measured at baseline and then repeatedly during the 6 months following PM implantation in a cohort of 42 consecutive patients. Twenty‐five patients were followed‐up with standard outpatient visits, while 17 used a remote monitoring system.

Results

Aquarel scores were significantly higher in patients with remote device monitoring system regarding chest discomfort and arrhythmia subscales the first month after PM implant and remained stable until 6 months. Remote monitoring affected the rate of HRQoL improvement in the first 3 months after pacemaker implantation more than ambulatory follow‐up.

Conclusions

Remote device monitoring has a significant impact on HRQoL in pacemaker patients, increasing its levels up to 6 months after implant.
Deprivation and healthy food access, cost and availability: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Williamson S. , McGregor‐Shenton M. , Brumble B. , Wright B. , Pettinger C.
Published: June 2017

Background

Food access, cost and availability have been identified as determinants of dietary choice. It has been suggested that these are socio‐economically patterned; however, the evidence is inconclusive. The present study investigated whether differences exist with respect to healthy food access, cost and availability between areas of contrasting deprivation.

Methods

An ecological, cross‐sectional study was conducted in two of the most and two of the least deprived wards in Plymouth. Food retail outlets (FROs) (n = 38) were identified and mapped using Geographic Information Systems to assess ‘physical access’, by foot, to food retail provision. Healthy food basket (HFB) surveys were conducted (n = 32) to compare the cost and availability of 28 healthy food items between the more and less deprived areas.

Results

Areas of poor access to food retail provision were identified in both study areas, with a higher number of households in the more‐deprived areas being affected than in the less‐deprived areas, after accounting for car ownership levels. Median [IQR] HFB availability was lower in more‐deprived than the less‐deprived areas (48%, [39‐71%] vs. 75%, [68‐82%]; P=0.003), and in convenience stores than supermarkets (54%, [43‐72%] vs. 78%, [72‐96%]; P=0.001). Descriptive summaries revealed negligible differences in total median HFB cost between the more‐deprived and less‐deprived areas (£55.97 versus £55.94) and a larger cost difference between convenience stores and supermarkets (£62.39 versus £44.25).

Conclusions

Differences were found with respect to healthy food access, cost and availability in areas of contrasting deprivation. These appeared to be related to FRO type rather than deprivation alone.
Epidermal growth factor signals attenuate phenotypic and functional development of neocortical GABA neurons
Authors: Namba Hisaaki , Nagano Tadasato , Jodo Eiichi , Eifuku Satoshi , Horie Masao , Takebayashi Hirohide , Iwakura Yuriko , Sotoyama Hidekazu , Takei Nobuyuki , Nawa Hiroyuki
Published: June 2017

Phenotypic development of neocortical GABA neurons is highly plastic and promoted by various neurotrophic factors such as neuregulin‐1. A subpopulation of GABA neurons expresses not only neuregulin receptor (ErbB4) but also epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (ErbB1) during development, but the neurobiological action of EGF on this cell population is less understood than that of neuregulin‐1. Here, we examined the effects of exogenous EGF on immature GABA neurons both in culture and in vivo and also explored physiological consequences in adults. We prepared low density cultures from the neocortex of rat embryos and treated neocortical neurons with EGF. EGF decreased protein levels of glutamic acid decarboxylases (GAD65 and GAD67), and EGF influences on neuronal survival and glial proliferation were negligible or limited. The EGF treatment also diminished the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). In vivo administration of EGF to mouse pups reproduced the above GABAergic phenomena in neocortical culture. In EGF‐injected postnatal mice, GAD‐ and parvalbumin‐immunoreactivities were reduced in the frontal cortex. In addition, postnatal EGF treatment decreased mIPSC frequency in, and the density of, GABAergic terminals on pyramidal cells. Although these phenotypic influences on GABA neurons became less marked during development, it later resulted in the reduced β‐ and γ‐powers of sound‐evoked electroencephalogram in adults, which is regulated by parvalbumin‐positive GABA neurons and implicated in the schizophrenia pathophysiology. These findings suggest that, in contrast to the ErbB4 ligand of neuregulin‐1, the ErbB1 ligand of EGF exerts unique maturation‐attenuating influences on developing cortical GABAergic neurons.

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Effects of milk thistle meal on performance, ileal bacterial enumeration, jejunal morphology and blood lipid peroxidation in laying hens fed diets with different levels of metabolizable energy
Authors: Hashemi Jabali N. S. , Mahdavi A. H. , Ansari Mahyari S. , Sedghi M. , Akbari Moghaddam Kakhki R.
Published: June 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of milk thistle meal on performance, blood biochemical indices, ileal bacterial counts and intestinal histology in laying hens fed diets containing different levels of metabolizable energy. A total number of 200 Leghorn laying hens (Hy‐Line W‐36) were randomly assigned to eight experimental treatments with five cage replicates of five birds each. Dietary treatments consisted of four levels of milk thistle meal (0%, 15%, 30% and 60%) and two levels of AMEn (11.09 and 12.34 MJ/kg) fed over a period of 80 days. In vitro studies revealed that the total phenolic component of milk thistle meal was 470.64 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of the sample, and its antioxidant activity for inhibiting the 2‐2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrichydrazyl free radical and reducing ferric ions was about 21% higher than that of butylated hydroxyltoluene (p < .05). Diets containing high level of AMEn led to improved egg production (p < .05), egg weight (p < .05), egg mass (p < .01) and feed conversion ratio (p < .01). In addition, offering diets containing high energy significantly enhanced (p < .01) serum triglyceride and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations as well as jejunal villus height. Dietary supplementation of 3% milk thistle meal resulted in the best feed conversion ratio (p < .05), reduction of ileal Escherichia coli enumeration (p < .01) and an enhancement in the villus height‐to‐crypt depth ratio (p < .05). Furthermore, feeding incremental levels of this meal led to remarkable decrease in serum cholesterol, triglyceride and MDA (p < .01) concentrations while significant increase in blood high‐density lipoprotein content and goblet cell numbers (p < .05). The present findings indicate that milk thistle meal with high antioxidant and antibacterial properties in laying hen diets may improve health indices and productive performance.
Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on vitamin A status of lactating rats and their offspring
Authors: Zeitz J. O. , Most E. , Eder K.
Published: June 2017

The absorption and metabolism of vitamin A is linked with that of lipids. It is known that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) affects the lipid metabolism in growing and lactating animals. In the present study, the hypothesis was investigated that dietary CLA influences vitamin A status of lactating rats and their pups during the suckling period. For this purpose, Wistar Han rats were fed either a control diet (control group, n = 14) or a diet containing 0.87% of cis‐9, trans‐11 and trans‐10, cis‐12 (1:1) CLA (CLA group, n = 14) during pregnancy and lactation. Vitamin A concentrations in various body tissues were determined 14 days after delivery in dams and 1, 7 and 14 days after birth in pups, and expression of selected genes involved in metabolism of retinoids was determined in dams. Vitamin A concentrations in liver, plasma and muscle were similar in control and CLA‐fed dams. Expression of genes involved in retinoid transport, storage and degradation in liver and adipose tissue in dams was also not different between control and CLA‐fed dams. Vitamin A concentrations in milk curd, sampled at d 1, 7 and 14 of lactation were not different between control and CLA‐fed dams. Vitamin A concentrations in liver, lung and adipose tissue were also not different in pups from control dams and pups from CLA‐fed dams. In conclusion, we show for the first time that dietary CLA has little effect on vitamin A concentrations and vitamin A metabolism in lactating rat dams and, moreover, does not influence tissue vitamin A concentrations in their newborn and suckling pups.
Renal energy excretion of horses depends on renal hippuric acid and nitrogen excretion
Authors: Hipp B. , Südekum K.‐H. , Zeyner A. , Goren G. , Kienzle E.
Published: June 2017

The prediction of renal energy excretion is crucial in a metabolizable energy system for horses. Phenolic acids from forage cell walls may affect renal energy losses by increasing hippuric acid excretion. Therefore, the relationships were investigated between renal energy, nitrogen (N) and hippuric acid excretion of four adult ponies (230–384 kg body weight (BW)) consuming diets based on fresh grass, grass silage, grass cobs (heat‐dried, finely chopped, pressed grass), alfalfa hay, straw, extruded straw and soybean meal. Feed intake was measured; urine and faeces were quantitatively collected for three days. Feed was analysed for crude nutrients, gross energy, amino acids and neutral‐detergent‐insoluble crude protein (CP); faeces were analysed for crude nutrients and cross energy; urine was analysed for N, hippuric acid, creatinine and gross energy. Renal energy excretion (y; kJ/kg BW0.75) correlated with renal N excretion (x1; g/kg BW0.75) and renal hippuric acid excretion (x2; g/kg BW0.75): y = 14.4 + 30.2x1+20.7x2 (r = .95; n = 30; p < .05). Renal hippuric acid excretion was highest after intake of fresh grass and lowest after intake of soybean meal. The ratio of hippuric acid to creatinine in urine and the excretion of hippuric acid per gram of dry matter intake was significantly higher for fresh grass than for all other rations. There was no relationship between aromatic amino acid intake and renal hippuric acid excretion. The results of the present study and literature data suggest that feed can be categorized into four groups with regard to the energy losses per gram CP intake: (i) protein supplements (e.g., soybean meal): 4.2–4.9 kJ/g CP intake (ii) alfalfa hay, grains, dried sugar beet pulp: 6.4 kJ/g CP intake, (iii) hay, preserved grass products, straw: 5.2–12.3 kJ/g CP intake (mean 8) and (iv) fresh grass. For group (iii) a negative relationship was observed between renal energy losses per gram of CP and the content of CP or neutral‐detergent‐insoluble CP in dry matter.
The effect of stress on haematologic response and physicochemical parameters of muscle meat in rabbits
Authors: Reséndiz‐Cruz V. , Ramírez‐Bribiesca J. E. , Mota‐Rojas D. , Guerrero‐Legarreta I. , Cruz‐Monterrosa R. G. , Hernandez‐Sanchez D.
Published: June 2017

Ante‐mortem studies of stress in rabbits are few and can potentially impact the haematologic response and physicochemical parameters of muscle meat. The aim of this study was to investigate the induction of stress by transport and simulation at two different times. Two hundred rabbits divided in a similar proportion of male and female were stressed by vehicular transportation and with motion simulation, using a vibration platform. They were divided into five groups: Control (without stress), Stress with Short Transportation (30 min), Stress with Long Transportation (60 min), Stress with Short Vibration Platform (30 min) and Stress with Long Vibration Platform (60 min). Transportation caused a decrease in the haematic potassium in both sexes (<5.2 mmol/L). The glucose and lactate concentrations increased in the transported rabbits (>219 and >61 mg/dl respectively). The differences between sexes showed that the PCO2 in males decreased <8.5 mmHg in stress groups compared to without stress group. Glucose concentration was 61.5 mg/dl for females and 38.0 mg/dl for males (p < .01). We concluded that in rabbits induced stress by transport increased the energetic metabolites in the blood tissue. This increase did not affect the production parameters and the quality of muscle meat.
Use of a Granulocyte Immunofluorescence Assay Designed for Humans for Detection of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathies
Authors: Florey J. , Viall A. , Streu S. , DiMuro V. , Riddle A. , Kirk J. , Perazzotti L. , Affeldt K. , Wagner R. , Vaden S. , Harris T. , Allenspach K.
Published: June 2017

Background

Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) previously have been shown to be serum markers in dogs with chronic enteropathies, with dogs that have food‐responsive disease (FRD) having higher frequencies of seropositivity than dogs with steroid‐responsive disease (SRD). The indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay used in previous publications is time‐consuming to perform, with low interobserver agreement.

Hypothesis/Objectives

We hypothesized that a commercially available granulocyte IIF assay designed for humans could be used to detect perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in dogs.

Animals

Forty‐four dogs with FRD, 20 dogs with SRD, 20 control dogs, and 38 soft‐coated wheaten terrier (SCWT) or SCWT‐cross dogs.

Methods

A granulocyte assay designed for humans was used to detect pANCA, cANCA, and antinuclear antibodies (ANA), as well as antibodies against proteinase‐3 protein (PR‐3) and myeloperoxidase protein (MPO) in archived serum samples.

Results

Sensitivity of the granulocyte assay to predict FRD in dogs was 0.61 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45, 0.75), and specificity was 1.00 (95% CI, 0.91, 1.00). A significant association was identified between positive pANCA or cANCA result and diagnosis of FRD (P < 0.0001). Agreement between the two assays to detect ANCA in the same serum samples from SCWT with protein‐losing enteropathy/protein‐losing nephropathy (PLE/PLN) was substantial (kappa, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.53, 1.00). Eight ANCA‐positive cases were positive for MPO or PR‐3 antibodies.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The granulocyte immunofluorescence assay used in our pilot study was easy and quick to perform. Agreement with the previously published method was good.
Cardiac and Metabolic Variables in Obese Dogs
Authors: Tropf M. , Nelson O.L. , Lee P.M. , Weng H.Y.
Published: June 2017

Background

The etiology of obesity‐related cardiac dysfunction (ORCD) is linked to metabolic syndrome in people. Studies have indicated that obese dogs have components of metabolic syndrome, warranting evaluation for ORCD in obese dogs.

Objectives

To evaluate cardiac structure and function and metabolic variables in obese dogs compared to ideal weight dogs.

Animals

Forty‐six healthy, small‐breed (<25 pounds), obese dogs (n = 29) compared to ideal weight dogs (n = 17).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of cardiac structure and function by standard and strain echocardiographic measurements and quantification of serum metabolic variables (insulin:glucose ratios, lipid analysis, adiponectin, inflammatory markers).

Results

Compared to the ideal weight controls, obese dogs had cardiac changes characterized by an increased interventricular septal width in diastole to left ventricular internal dimension in diastole ratio, decreased ratios of peak early to peak late left ventricular inflow velocities, and ratios of peak early to peak late mitral annular tissue velocities, and increased fractional shortening and ejection fraction percentages. The left ventricular posterior wall width in diastole to left ventricular internal dimension in diastole ratios were not significantly different between groups. Systolic blood pressure was not significantly different between groups. Obese dogs had metabolic derangements characterized by increased insulin:glucose ratios, dyslipidemias with increased cholesterol, triglyceride, and high‐density lipoprotein concentrations, decreased adiponectin concentrations, and increased concentrations of interleukin 8 and keratinocyte‐derived chemokine‐like inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Compared to ideal weight controls, obese dogs have alterations in cardiac structure and function as well as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypoadiponectinemia, and increased concentrations of inflammatory markers. These findings warrant additional studies to investigate inflammation, dyslipidemia, and possibly systemic hypertension as potential contributing factors for altered cardiac function.
Sorafenib vs surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with macrovascular invasion: A propensity score analysis
Authors: Costentin Charlotte E. , Decaens Thomas , Laurent Alexis , Nault Jean‐Charles , Paule Bernard , Letoublon Christian , Luciani Alain , Calderaro Julien , Adam René , Bricault Ivan , Amaddeo Giuliana , Cherqui Daniel , Mallat Ariane , Samuel Didier , Duvoux Christophe , Ganne‐Carrié Nathalie , Roudot‐Thoraval Françoise , Vibert Eric
Published: June 2017

Background & Aim

Sorafenib is the standard of care for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macrovascular invasion (MVI), with limited survival. Retrospective surgical studies have reported prolonged survival in this situation. This study aimed to compare the overall survival of patients with HCC and MVI treated with surgical resection or sorafenib.

Methods

A total of 143 patients with HCC and MVI but no extra‐hepatic spread, treated with surgical resection (SR‐patients; n=75) or sorafenib (SOR‐patients; n=68) in four French centres between 1990 and 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. A propensity score analysis was performed to reduce bias.

Results

SR‐patients were significantly younger and had a lower tumour burden than SOR‐patients. Median overall survival (OS) rates were 10.1 months [95% CI: 4.1‐16.1] in SR‐patients and 12.9 months [95% CI: 7.9‐17.9] in SOR‐patients (P=.959). The 90‐day mortality rate was 16% (n=12) in SR‐patients and 7.5% (n=5) in SOR‐patients (P=.196). SR‐patients had a median disease‐free survival of 4.60 months [95% CI: 3.3‐5.9]. Under the propensity analysis, median OS was 12.0 months [95% CI: 5.5‐18.5] in SR‐patients vs 9.7 months [95% CI: 6.1‐13.3] in SOR‐patients (P=.682). Under multivariate analysis, extensive MVI (HR=1.956, P=.024) and bilirubin >17 μmol/L (HR=1.738, P=.011) were the two factors significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusion

Under a propensity score analysis, the overall survival of patients with HCC and MVI undergoing surgical resection was similar to that achieved with sorafenib. We were not able to identify a patient subgroup experiencing a surgery‐related improvement in survival, and quality of life was not evaluable.
WUSCHEL‐RELATED HOMEOBOX4 (WOX4)‐like genes regulate cambial cell division activity and secondary growth in Populus trees
Authors: Kucukoglu Melis , Nilsson Jeanette , Zheng Bo , Chaabouni Salma , Nilsson Ove
Published: June 2017

Plant secondary growth derives from the meristematic activity of the vascular cambium. In Arabidopsis thaliana, cell divisions in the cambium are regulated by the transcription factor WOX4, a key target of the CLAVATA3 (CLV3)/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION (ESR)‐RELATED 41 (CLE41) signaling pathway. However, function of the WOX4‐like genes in plants that are dependent on a much more prolific secondary growth, such as trees, remains unclear.

Here, we investigate the role of WOX4 and CLE41 homologs for stem secondary growth in Populus trees.

In Populus, PttWOX4 genes are specifically expressed in the cambial region during vegetative growth, but not after growth cessation and during dormancy, possibly involving a regulation by auxin. In PttWOX4a/b RNAi trees, primary growth was not affected whereas the width of the vascular cambium was severely reduced and secondary growth was greatly diminished.

Our data show that in Populus trees, PttWOX4 genes control cell division activity in the vascular cambium, and hence growth in stem girth. This activity involves the positive regulation of PttWOX4a/b through PttCLE41‐related genes. Finally, expression profiling suggests that the CLE41 signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved program for the regulation of vascular cambium activity between angiosperm and gymnosperm tree species.
Circular linkages between soil biodiversity, fertility and plant productivity are limited to topsoil at the continental scale
Authors: Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Powell Jeff R. , Hamonts Kelly , Reith Frank , Mele Pauline , Brown Mark V. , Dennis Paul G. , Ferrari Belinda C. , Fitzgerald Anna , Young Andrew , Singh Brajesh K. , Bissett Andrew
Published: June 2017

The current theoretical framework suggests that tripartite positive feedback relationships between soil biodiversity, fertility and plant productivity are universal. However, empirical evidence for these relationships at the continental scale and across different soil depths is lacking.

We investigate the continental‐scale relationships between the diversity of microbial and invertebrate‐based soil food webs, fertility and above‐ground plant productivity at 289 sites and two soil depths, that is 0–10 and 20–30 cm, across Australia.

Soil biodiversity, fertility and plant productivity are strongly positively related in surface soils. Conversely, in the deeper soil layer, the relationships between soil biodiversity, fertility and plant productivity weaken considerably, probably as a result of a reduction in biodiversity and fertility with depth. Further modeling suggested that strong positive associations among soil biodiversity–fertility and fertility–plant productivity are limited to the upper soil layer (0–10 cm), after accounting for key factors, such as distance from the equator, altitude, climate and physicochemical soil properties.

These findings highlight the importance of surface soil biodiversity for soil fertility, and suggest that any loss of surface soil could potentially break the links between soil biodiversity–fertility and/or fertility–plant productivity, which can negatively impact nutrient cycling and food production, upon which future generations depend.
Ministerial advisers in executive government: Out from the dark and into the limelight
Authors: Hustedt Thurid , Kolltveit Kristoffer , Salomonsen Heidi Houlberg
Published: June 2017

Ministers increasingly rely on advisers for support and advice. In many countries, these political aides are labelled differently. Generally, they serve as close confidants to their political masters and operate in the ‘shadowland’ between politics and bureaucracy. Scholarship has dragged the ministerial advisers out of the dark and described their background and functions. Still, the field of scholarship has a Westminster bias, is characterized by single case studies, and remains under‐theorized. The lack of comparative focus and theoretical underpinnings can be explained by the complex nature of ministerial advisers. This introductory article suggests a definition for ministerial advisers and reviews the extant literature on these important actors. The main argument is that the extent and relevance of ministerial advisers in executive government merits integration into mainstream public administration and political science theory and research.
Prolonged elevated body mass index in preschool children after the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Isojima Tsuyoshi , Yokoya Susumu , Ono Atsushi , Kato Noriko , Tanaka Toshiaki , Yokomichi Hiroshi , Yamagata Zentaro , Tanaka Soichiro , Matsubara Hiroko , Ishikuro Mami , Kikuya Masahiro , Chida Shoichi , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Kuriyama Shinichi , Kure Shigeo
Published: June 2017

Background

The Great East Japan Earthquake followed by tsunamis and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident caused catastrophic damage. The effects of the disaster on the growth of affected children are of great concern but remain unknown.

Methods

The subject group was derived from two Japanese nationwide retrospective cohorts (historical control and exposure groups, respectively). The exposure group experienced the disaster at 47–59 months of age. We analyzed longitudinal changes in standard deviation score (SDS) for height and body mass index (BMI) using normal Japanese children's standards. Moreover, we analyzed the details of the affected children in Fukushima using Fukushima‐specific growth charts established with the historical control data to clarify any indirect effect of the disaster on growth.

Results

Affected children in Fukushima had significantly higher BMI SDS than the historical control group (difference, 0.13; 95% CI: 0.044–0.21, P = 0.0029) and the regional controls (difference, 0.14; 95% CI: 0.074–0.20, P < 0.0001) 1.5 years after the disaster. Similar sustained increases in BMI SDS were also found with Fukushima‐specific growth charts, but the phenomenon was detected only in boys. Notably, the BMI SDS of affected children who lived near the NPP had been increasing after the disaster, whereas those in distant areas had not changed. In contrast, height SDS had not changed throughout the analysis.

Conclusions

Prolonged elevated BMI SDS was detected only in affected children in Fukushima. This phenomenon may be explained by an indirect effect of the NPP accident.
Clothing Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation: A New Method for Assessment
Authors: Gage Ryan , Leung William , Stanley James , Reeder Anthony , Barr Michelle , Chambers Tim , Smith Moira , Signal Louise
Published: June 2017

Clothing modifies ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure from the sun and has an impact on skin cancer risk and the endogenous synthesis of vitamin D. There is no standardized method available for assessing body surface area (BSA) covered by clothing, which limits generalizability between study findings. We calculated the body cover provided by 38 clothing items using diagrams of BSA, adjusting the values to account for differences in BSA by age. Diagrams displaying each clothing item were developed and incorporated into a coverage assessment procedure (CAP). Five assessors used the CAP and Lund & Browder chart, an existing method for estimating BSA, to calculate the clothing coverage of an image sample of 100 schoolchildren. Values of clothing coverage, inter‐rater reliability and assessment time were compared between CAP and Lund & Browder methods. Both methods had excellent inter‐rater reliability (>0.90) and returned comparable results, although the CAP method was significantly faster in determining a person's clothing coverage. On balance, the CAP method appears to be a feasible method for calculating clothing coverage. Its use could improve comparability between sun‐safety studies and aid in quantifying the health effects of UVR exposure.
Natural history and clinical characteristics of multiple pulmonary nodules with ground glass opacity
Authors: Sato Yuki , Fujimoto Daichi , Morimoto Takeshi , Uehara Keiichiro , Nagata Kazuma , Sakanoue Ichiro , Hamakawa Hiroshi , Takahashi Yutaka , Imai Yukihiro , Tomii Keisuke
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Ground glass nodules (GGNs) are frequently encountered in the lungs. We report the natural history and characteristics of multiple GGNs, and propose a management plan for patients with multiple GGNs.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed patients with GGNs that met the following criteria: (i) GGN diameter of 3 cm or less, (ii) ground glass opacity proportion of 50% or more and (iii) observation without treatment for ≥6 months. We evaluated size changes in computed tomography images. Two end points, ‘incidence of growth at 36 months’ and ‘time to growth’ were analysed using logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Between April 2008 and December 2014, 187 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (78 (42%) had multiple lesions). Among the multiple‐GGN patients, the median observation period was 45.5 months, 25 patients (32%) experienced GGN progression at 36 months and 4 patients (5.1%) after 36 months. Between the multiple and single GGNs, there were no significant differences in growth incidence at 36 months (P = 0.1), after 36 months (P = 0.6) or in time to growth (P = 0.3). Among patients with multiple GGNs who experienced one GGN growth, 41% of patients experienced residual GGN growth afterwards.

Conclusion

Patients with multiple GGNs showed a tendency to growth within the first 36 months, and a significant proportion of patients experienced multiple GGN progression. We suggest that the optimal observation period for patients with multiple GGNs is 36 months, but careful observation is needed after a lesion begins to grow.
Data Integration Model for Air Quality: A Hierarchical Approach to the Global Estimation of Exposures to Ambient Air Pollution
Authors: Shaddick Gavin , Thomas Matthew L. , Green Amelia , Brauer Michael , Donkelaar Aaron , Burnett Rick , Chang Howard H. , Cohen Aaron , Dingenen Rita Van , Dora Carlos , Gumy Sophie , Liu Yang , Martin Randall , Waller Lance A. , West Jason , Zidek James V. , Prüss-Ustün Annette
Published: June 2017

Air pollution is a major risk factor for global health, with 3 million deaths annually being attributed to fine particulate matter ambient pollution (PM2.5). The primary source of information for estimating population exposures to air pollution has been measurements from ground monitoring networks but, although coverage is increasing, regions remain in which monitoring is limited. The data integration model for air quality supplements ground monitoring data with information from other sources, such as satellite retrievals of aerosol optical depth and chemical transport models. Set within a Bayesian hierarchical modelling framework, the model allows spatially varying relationships between ground measurements and other factors that estimate air quality. The model is used to estimate exposures, together with associated measures of uncertainty, on a high resolution grid covering the entire world from which it is estimated that 92% of the world's population reside in areas exceeding the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines.
Asymptotics of Pseudo‐Jacobi Polynomials with Varying Parameters
Authors: Song Z. , Wong R.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we study the asymptotic behavior of the Pseudo‐Jacobi polynomials as for z in the whole complex plane. These polynomials are also known as the Romanovski–Routh polynomials. They occur in quantum mechanics, quark physics, and random matrix theory. When the parameter a is fixed or , there is no real‐line orthogonality. Here, we consider the case when the parameters a and b depend on n; more precisely, we assume and , where are real constants. Our main tool is the asymptotic method developed for differential equations with a large parameter.
Sleep disturbance and sleep‐disordered breathing in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Chu Ginger , Choi Peter , McDonald Vanessa M.
Published: June 2017

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common dialysis‐related symptoms reported by hemodialysis patients. Poor sleep confers significant physical and psychological burden on patients with kidney disease and is associated with reduced quality of life and survival. More recent evidence also indicates that sleep‐disordered breathing may be a risk factor for kidney injury.
Health‐related quality of life of patients on chronic dialysis: The need for a focused effort
Authors: Bossola Maurizio , Pepe Gilda , Marzetti Emanuele
Published: June 2017

Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients on chronic hemodialysis has not improved significantly in the last 20 years. This is largely due to their substantial symptom burden which is rarely assessed and treated in routine clinical practice. It also is a consequence of the lack of an appropriate armamentarium for the treatments of such symptoms. Adequate studies on the causes and pathogenesis of the symptoms of hemodialysis patients are needed followed by high quality studies on possible therapeutic pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions.
Dialysis in the undocumented: The past, the present, and what lies ahead
Authors: Gupta Shruti , Fenves Andrew Z.
Published: June 2017

In many states undocumented immigrants with end stage renal disease (ESRD) do not have access to regular, thrice weekly dialysis. The term “compassionate dialysis” is used to describe dialysis that is provided on an emergent basis, when patients are in extremis from symptoms of volume overload or suffer from life‐threatening electrolyte abnormalities. In this editorial, one particularly poignant anecdote is presented from the experience of one of the authors (AZF) as a nephrologist in Texas, a state where undocumented immigrants have faced difficulties in accessing regular dialysis. We then describe the legislation that allows the right to regular dialysis to be determined on a state by state basis. We offer some potential solutions to this challenging issue, and we describe the difficulties that lay ahead given the uncertain future of the Affordable Care Act.
The Case of the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora and Homeland: A Shared Ethnic Identity?
Authors: Thurairajah Kalyani
Published: June 2017

The conceptualization of an ethnic identity is complicated when one considers how this identity is understood by the diasporic community and by the homeland community. This article argues that the second‐generation Sri Lankan Tamil diasporic community in Toronto conceptualize their Tamil ethnic identity in a manner that supports their right to engage in homeland politics. However, not all Tamils in Sri Lanka share this understanding. Drawing on over one hundred interviews conducted among second‐generation Tamils in Toronto and their age‐cohort in Sri Lanka, this article argues that the very premise upon which the diasporic population base their right to engage in homeland politics and their right to claim membership of a shared ethnic identity may not be justified by those in the homeland. These diverging perspectives of ethnic identity challenge the role of the diasporic community in homeland affairs.
The Importance of Sexuality for Research on Ethnicity and Nationalism
Authors: Stambolis‐Ruhstorfer Michael
Published: June 2017

This article argues for a more systematic inclusion of human sexuality in studies of ethnicity and nationalism. Reviewing key extant social science research on sexuality, it highlights how scholars can leverage its theories, methods, and findings to enhance our understanding of the ways people build imagined ethnic and national communities and draw symbolic boundaries around them. This research reveals that sexuality is not tangential to those activities. Rather, policymakers, religious institutions, local communities, families, and other organizations all participate in more or less obvious ways to define what kinds of sexual desires, behaviours, and identities are acceptable for legitimate citizenship and group belonging. Those decisions have ramifications on both the global scale of international relations and the local scale of personal self‐understanding. For these reasons, this article argues that scholarship that elides sexuality may run the risk of painting an incomplete picture of social processes related to ethnicity and nationalism.
Towards Better Economic Models of Social Behaviour? Identity Economics
Authors: Ille Sebastian
Published: June 2017

In recent years, a growing literature emerged studying the role of identity in economics. Yet, mainstream economists and other social scientists still eye identity economics with suspicion. This article illustrates the underlying assumptions of identity economics, gaps in the literature, as well as existing tools and research in other domains of economic theory that help to close these gaps, while demonstrating that identity economics is able to provide sophisticated approaches and additional findings that support transdisciplinary research on the topic. In order to demonstrate how these tools can be used to study the complex social systems in which identity, preferences, and institutions co‐evolve, I develop a number of simple analytical models and elaborate on their implications, while keeping technicalities to a minimum. In addition, I show how findings in behavioural economics apply to identity economics and prove insightful for our understanding of the complex interdependencies between identity and group formation.
Risk factors for Pneumocystis pneumonia after the first 6 months following renal transplantation
Authors: Faure Emmanuel , Lionet Arnaud , Kipnis Eric , Noël Christian , Hazzan Marc
Published: June 2017

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) incidence was decreased in renal transplant thanks to prophylaxis, recommended during the first months after transplantation. However, many late PCP cases are observed after the first 6 months and recommendations to maintain or reintroduce prophylaxis are lacking. The objective of the study was to identify risk factors to guide the individual prescription of prophylaxis, 6 months after transplantation. Thirty‐three late PCP cases were identified between 1995 and 2012 in Lille Hospital, France, and were compared to 72 randomized controls transplant recipients. In univariate analysis, age of donor (>48 years), retransplantation, a decrease glomerular filtration rate (≤45 mL/min), induction therapy mediated by anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG), steroid maintenance, high calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) doses (tacrolimus ≥0.5 mg/kg/day and cyclosporine ≥2.1 mg/kg/day), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection were significantly associated with PCP. In multivariate analysis, ATG (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.4 [1.1‐5.4]), steroid therapy (HR: 3.1 [1.20‐7.84], CNI (HR: 2.9 [1.28‐6.38], and CMV (HR: 6.1 [2.74‐16.33] remained associated with late PCP. In conclusion, we confirm that intensive immunosuppressive regimen and CMV infection are critical risk factors for late PCP and should be taken into account to decide on maintenance or reintroduction of a prophylactic treatment.
The indirect effects of foreign direct investment on trade: A network perspective
Authors: Metulini Rodolfo , Riccaboni Massimo , Sgrignoli Paolo , Zhu Zhen
Published: June 2017

The relationship between international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) is one of the main features of globalisation. In this paper, we investigate the effects of FDI on trade from a network perspective, since FDI takes not only direct but also indirect channels from origin to destination countries because of firms’ incentive to reduce tax burden, to minimise coordination costs and to break barriers to market entry. We use a unique data set of international corporate control as a measure of stock FDI to construct a corporate control network (CCN), where the nodes are the countries and the edges are the corporate control relationships. Network measures, as the shortest path length and the communicability, are then computed on the CCN to capture the indirect channel of FDI. Empirically, we find that corporate control has a positive effect on trade both directly and indirectly. The result is robust with different specifications and estimation strategies. Hence, our paper provides strong empirical evidence of the indirect effects of FDI on trade. Moreover, we identify a number of interplaying factors such as regional trade agreements and the region of Asia. We also find that the indirect effects are more pronounced for the manufacturing sector than for primary sectors such as oil extraction and agriculture.
Islamic economics and Islamic finance in the world economy
Authors: Ibrahim Mansor H. , Alam Nafis
Published: June 2017

This paper places the articles in this special issue in the contexts of Islamic economics and finance research. It highlights the foundations of Islamic economics, which are in practice manifested in Islamic finance. Then, the paper brings up three key issues in Islamic finance today – the Islamicity of Islamic banking, real contributions of Islamic finance, and Islamic finance in the present monetary framework. While there are some promising theoretical and empirical findings pointing to positive contributions of Islamic finance, there is still a need for Islamic finance to distinguish itself from the conventional finance and to further demonstrate its real effect.