bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applicability of albumin‐bilirubin‐based Japan integrated staging score in hepatitis B‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chan Anthony W H , Chong Charing C N , Mo Frankie K F , Wong John , Yeo Winnie , Johnson Philip J , Yu Shuangni , Lai Paul B S , Chan Anthony T C , To Ka‐Fai , Chan Stephen L
Published: March 2016

Background and Aim

The Japan Integrated Staging (JIS) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been extensively studied in hepatitis virus C‐endemic Japanese population but seldom evaluated outside Japan, while albumin‐bilirubin (ALBI)‐based JIS (ALBI‐T) has never been externally validated. We evaluate the prognostic significance of the ALBI‐T score among Chinese patients with hepatitis virus B (HBV)‐related HCC, and to explore its potential therapeutic application in selecting patients for appropriate treatments in addition to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) recommendation.

Methods

A cohort of 1222 HBV‐associated HCC patients was evaluated to compare the prognostic performance of JIS and ALBI‐T scores by homogeneity likelihood chi‐square and corrected Akaike information criterion. In the subgroup analysis of each BCLC stage, Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank statistics were used to compare overall survival of patients undergoing different treatment options.

Results

The ALBI‐T score showed better prognostic performance than the JIS score, which were indicated by homogeneity likelihood chi‐squares (ALBI‐T 580.12 vs JIS 536.35) and Akaike information criteria (ALBI‐T 9836.57 vs JIS 9880.23). Treatment options significantly influenced prognosis among patients of the same BCLC stage. With the use of ALBI‐T score 4 as the cutoff, the current study identified that a portion of patients (14.7%, 25.2% and 28.6% of BCLC stage B, C and D, respectively) undergoing unnecessary therapy without survival advantage.

Conclusions

The ALBI‐T score is applicable to Chinese patients with HBV‐related HCC to provide reasonable prognostic information as well as potentially helping clinicians to avoid offering non‐beneficial aggressive treatments.
Cost‐effectiveness of strategy‐based approach to treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Zhao Ying Jiao , Khoo Ai Leng , Lin Liang , Teng Monica , Koh Calvin J , Lim Seng Gee , Lim Boon Peng , Dan Yock Young
Published: March 2016

Background and Aim

The high cost of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) poses significant financial challenges for health payers, especially in Asia. A personalized treatment strategy based on individualized probability of virological response using oral DAAs as second‐line therapy would seem practical but has not been studied.

Methods

We performed a Markov model to project health outcomes and costs for patients with genotype 1 HCV through 10 treatment strategies over a lifetime period. The implication of retreatment was also incorporated to reflect real‐life situation.

Results

Using boceprevir and peginterferon/ribavirin (BOC/PR, the least costly treatment) as a base case, the all‐oral therapies such as ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir‐dasabuvir are cost‐effective with an incremental cost‐effective ratio of $US50 828. However, the all‐oral DAAs would no longer be cost‐effective compared with conventional therapies if retreatment were taken into account. A road map strategy using rapid virological response to guide use of BOC/PR and sofosbuvir/PR had the most favorable incremental cost‐effective ratio ($US27 782) relative to BOC/PR. Nevertheless, the trade‐off with the cost‐effectiveness of the road map strategy is an increased number of liver‐related deaths compared with all‐oral DAAs (52 vs 10–20 per 10 000 patients) by incorporating retreatment.

Conclusions

The 12‐week all‐oral DAAs were cost‐effective options using conventional drug‐to‐drug comparison. However, they cease to be cost‐effective when treatment strategies incorporating DAA retreatment for interferon failures are incorporated. HCV management can be optimized by adopting individualized treatment algorithm providing a practical solution to health payers to make oral DAAs accessible to those who need them most.
Human Papillomavirus‐Related Oropharyngeal Cancer in Women
Authors: Scaffidi Rose M. , Gerhardt Jill , Eisele Cheryle
Published: March 2016

The number of women diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) is increasing in the United States. Educating health care providers and women about the link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancers can aid in earlier diagnosis and treatment. This article discusses the etiology and clinical presentation of HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative oropharyngeal cancer, noting distinctions between the 2 types. Recommendations for screening and prevention are provided.
The ABCD's of 5′‐adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase and adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: Weidling Ian , Swerdlow Russell H.
Published: March 2016

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This Editorial highlights a study by Singh and coworkers in the current issue of Journal of Neurochemistry, in which the authors present additional evidence that AMPKα1 is reduced in X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD). They make a case for increasing AMPKα1 activity for therapeutic purposes in this disease, and indicate how this goal may be achieved.

Read the highlighted article ‘Metformin‐induced mitochondrial function and ABCD2 up regulation in X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy involves AMP activated protein kinase’ on page 86.
Neuroinflammation: the devil is in the details
Authors: DiSabato Damon J. , Quan Ning , Godbout Jonathan P.
Published: March 2016

There is significant interest in understanding inflammatory responses within the brain and spinal cord. Inflammatory responses that are centralized within the brain and spinal cord are generally referred to as ‘neuroinflammatory’. Aspects of neuroinflammation vary within the context of disease, injury, infection, or stress. The context, course, and duration of these inflammatory responses are all critical aspects in the understanding of these processes and their corresponding physiological, biochemical, and behavioral consequences. Microglia, innate immune cells of the CNS, play key roles in mediating these neuroinflammatory responses. Because the connotation of neuroinflammation is inherently negative and maladaptive, the majority of research focus is on the pathological aspects of neuroinflammation. There are, however, several degrees of neuroinflammatory responses, some of which are positive. In many circumstances including CNS injury, there is a balance of inflammatory and intrinsic repair processes that influences functional recovery. In addition, there are several other examples where communication between the brain and immune system involves neuroinflammatory processes that are beneficial and adaptive. The purpose of this review is to distinguish different variations of neuroinflammation in a context‐specific manner and detail both positive and negative aspects of neuroinflammatory processes.

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In this review, we will use brain and spinal cord injury, stress, aging, and other inflammatory events to illustrate the potential harm and benefits inherent to neuroinflammation. Context, course, and duration of the inflammation are highly important to the interpretation of these events, and we aim to provide insight into this by detailing several commonly studied insults.

This article is part of the 60th anniversary supplemental issue.
Neuroprotective Effects of Endurance Exercise Against High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Hippocampal Neuroinflammation
Authors: Kang E.‐B. , Koo J.‐H. , Jang Y.‐C. , Yang C.‐H. , Lee Y. , Cosio‐Lima L. M. , Cho J.‐Y.
Published: March 2016

Obesity contributes to systemic inflammation, which is associated with the varied pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Growing evidence has demonstrated that endurance exercise (EE) mitigates obesity‐induced brain inflammation. However, exercise‐mediated anti‐inflammatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. We investigated how treadmill exercise (TE) reverses obesity‐induced brain inflammation, mainly focusing on toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4)‐dependent neuroinflammation in the obese rat brain after 20 weeks of a high‐fat diet (HFD). TE in HFD‐fed rats resulted in a significant lowering in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, the area under the curve for glucose and abdominal visceral fat, and also improved working memory ability in a passive avoidance task relative to sedentary behaviour in HFD‐fed rats, with the exception of body weight. More importantly, TE revoked the increase in HFD‐induced proinflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin‐1β) and cyclooxygenase‐2, which is in parallel with a reduction in TLR‐4 and its downstream proteins, myeloid differentiation 88 and tumour necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6, and phosphorylation of transforming growth factor β‐activated kinase 1, IkBα and nuclear factor‐κB. Moreover, TE reduced an indicator of microglia activation, ionised calcium‐binding adapter molecule‐1, and also decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein, an indicator of gliosis formed by activated astrocytes in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampal dentate gyrus, compared to HFD‐fed sedentary rats. Finally, EE up‐regulated the expression of anti‐apoptotic protein, Bcl‐2, and suppressed the expression of pro‐apoptotic protein, Bax, in the hippocampus compared to HFD‐fed sedentary rats. Taken together, these data suggest that TE may exert neuroprotective effects as a result of mitigating the production of proinflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the TLR4 signalling pathways. The results of the present study suggest that the unique combination of the beneficial effects of TE on the restoration of the blood profile and the anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic effects on cognitive function should inspire further investigations into its therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
Cardiomyocyte loss is not required for the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy induced by pressure overload in female mice
Authors: Schipke Julia , Grimm Clara , Arnstein Georg , Kockskämper Jens , Sedej Simon , Mühlfeld Christian
Published: March 2016

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in response to hypertension and increased afterload frequently progresses to heart failure. It is under debate whether the loss of cardiomyocytes contributes to this transition. To address this question, female C57BL/6 wild‐type mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and developed compensated LV hypertrophy after 1 week, which progressed to heart failure characterized by reduced ejection fraction and pulmonary congestion 4 weeks post‐TAC. Quantitative, design‐based stereology methods were used to estimate number and mean volume of LV cardiomyocytes. DNA strand breaks were visualized using the TUNEL method 6 weeks post‐TAC to quantify the number of apoptotic cell nuclei. The volume of the LV myocardium as well as the cardiomyocyte mean volume increased progressively after TAC. In contrast, the number of LV cardiomyocytes remained constant 1 and 4 weeks post‐TAC in comparison to sham‐operated mice. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the number of cardiomyocyte nuclei stained for DNA strand breaks at 6 weeks post‐TAC. It was concluded that the loss of cardiomyocytes is not required for the transition from compensated hypertrophy to heart failure induced by TAC in the female murine heart.
Concealing emotions: nurses' experiences with induced abortion care
Authors: Yang Cheng‐Fang , Che Hui‐Lian , Hsieh Hsin‐Wan , Wu Shu‐Mei
Published: March 2016

Aims and Objectives

To explore the experiences of nurses involved with induced abortion care in the delivery room in Taiwan.

Background

Induced abortion has emotional, ethical and legal facets. In Taiwan, several studies have addressed the ethical issues, abortion methods and women's experiences with abortion care. Although abortion rates have increased, there has been insufficient attention on the views and experiences of nurses working in the delivery room who are involved with induced abortion care.

Design

Qualitative, semistructured interviews.

Methods

This study used a purposive sampling method. In total, 22 nurses involved with induced abortion care were selected. Semistructured interviews with guidelines were conducted, and the content analysis method was used to analyse the data.

Results

Our study identified one main theme and five associated subthemes: concealing emotions, which included the inability to refuse, contradictory emotions, mental unease, respect for life and self‐protection.

Conclusion

This is the first specific qualitative study performed in Taiwan to explore nurses' experiences, and this study also sought to address the concealing of emotions by nurses when they perform induced abortion care, which causes moral distress and creates ethical dilemmas. The findings of this study showed that social‐cultural beliefs profoundly influence nurses' values and that the rights of nurses are neglected.

Relevance to clinical practice

The profession should promote small‐group and case‐study discussions, the clarification of values and reflective thinking among nurses. Continued professional education that provides stress relief will allow nurses to develop self‐healing and self‐care behaviours, which will enable them to overcome the fear of death while strengthening pregnancy termination counselling, leading to better quality professional care.
A qualitative study of experienced nurses' voluntary turnover: learning from their perspectives
Authors: Hayward Dana , Bungay Vicky , Wolff Angela C , MacDonald Valerie
Published: March 2016

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this research was to critically examine the factors that contribute to turnover of experienced nurses' including their decision to leave practice settings and seek alternate nursing employment. In this study, we explore experienced nurses' decision‐making processes and examine the personal and environmental factors that influenced their decision to leave.

Background

Nursing turnover remains a pressing problem for healthcare delivery. Turnover contributes to increased recruitment and orientation cost, reduced quality patient care and the loss of mentorship for new nurses.

Design

A qualitative, interpretive descriptive approach was used to guide the study.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 12 registered nurses, averaging 16 years in practice. Participants were equally represented from an array of acute care inpatient settings. The sample drew on perspectives from point‐of‐care nurses and nurses in leadership roles, primarily charge nurses and clinical nurse educators.

Results

Nurses' decisions to leave practice were influenced by several interrelated work environment and personal factors: higher patient acuity, increased workload demands, ineffective working relationships among nurses and with physicians, gaps in leadership support and negative impacts on nurses' health and well‐being. Ineffective working relationships with other nurses and lack of leadership support led nurses to feel dissatisfied and ill equipped to perform their job. The impact of high stress was evident on the health and emotional well‐being of nurses.

Conclusions

It is vital that healthcare organisations learn to minimise turnover and retain the wealth of experienced nurses in acute care settings to maintain quality patient care and contain costs.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study highlights the need for healthcare leaders to re‐examine how they promote collaborative practice, enhance supportive leadership behaviours, and reduce nurses' workplace stressors to retain the skills and knowledge of experienced nurses at the point‐of‐care.
Computer technology for self‐management: a scoping review
Authors: Jacelon Cynthia S , Gibbs Molly A , Ridgway John VE
Published: March 2016

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this scoping review of literature is to explore the types of computer‐based systems used for self‐management of chronic disease, the goals and success of these systems, the value added by technology integration and the target audience for these systems.

Background

Technology is changing the way health care is provided and the way that individuals manage their health. Individuals with chronic diseases are now able to use computer‐based systems to self‐manage their health. These systems have the ability to remind users of daily activities, and to help them recognise when symptoms are worsening and intervention is indicated. However, there are many questions about the types of systems available, the goals of these systems and the success with which individuals with chronic illness are using them.

Design

This is a scoping review in which the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed and IEEE Xplore databases were searched. A total of 303 articles were reviewed, 89 articles were read in‐depth and 30 were included in the scoping review. The Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition model was used to evaluate the value added by the technology integration.

Findings

Research on technology for self‐management was conducted in 13 countries. Data analysis identified five kinds of platforms on which the systems were based, some systems were focused on a specific disease management processes, others were not.

Conclusions

For individuals to effectively use systems to maintain maximum wellness, the systems must have a strong component of self‐management and provide the user with meaningful information regarding their health states.

Relevance to clinical practice

Clinicians should choose systems for their clients based on the design, components and goals of the systems.
Inevitable problems of older people: presurgery information effect on anxiety levels in patients undergoing cataract surgery
Authors: Karaman Özlü Zeynep , Tuğ Özgür , Çay Yayla Ayşegül
Published: March 2016

Aims and objectives

This study was to determine the effect of preoperative patient training on the concern level of patients who would be undergoing cataract surgery.

Background

Cataract is one of the main causes of blindness in the world. Cataract surgery is located among the quite frequently performed surgeries today.

Design

This study was an experimental study.

Methods

The subject pool for this research consisted of patients admitted to the Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty Hospital Ophthalmology Department for cataract surgery. The sampling consisted of volunteers who were able to communicate and were deemed suitable patients within the limitations of this study (a total of 100 patients; control group = 50, experimental group = 50). Patient identification forms and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory I‐II scale were used as data collection tools.

Results

The mean State Trait Anxiety Inventory pretest score for the experimental group was significantly higher than the mean final test score (53·30 ± 7·02 and 27·54 ± 3·25, respectively, p < 0·05). The mean State Trait Anxiety Inventory pretest score of the control group was 53·82 ± 7·42 and the mean final test score was 49·22 ± 13·17; there was no significant difference between these average scores (p > 0·05). However, the mean final test scores of the experimental and control groups were significantly different (p < 0·05).

Conclusions

In the experimental group in this study, informative, educational and planned nursing care had a significant impact on anxiety levels in patients who had cataract surgery.

Relevance to clinical practice

Although it is not implemented in most hospitals, and implementation in some hospitals is unplanned, systematically planned preoperative education should take place as part of standard nursing practices.
Identification of metformin poor responders, requiring supplemental insulin, during randomization of metformin versus insulin for the control of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ashoush Sherif , El‐Said Mourrad , Fathi Hisham , Abdelnaby Mohamed
Published: March 2016

Aim

To evaluate glycemic control among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) under insulin versus metformin (with or without insulin supplementation), and to identify metformin poor responders requiring supplemental insulin.

Methods

In Ain Shams University Hospital, mothers with 26–32‐week GDM pregnancies, failing diet control, were randomized to receive metformin (n = 47) or insulin (n = 48). The primary outcome was glycemic control. Secondary outcomes included maternal weight, parameters predicting successful metformin monotherapy, neonatal hypoglycemia, and birthweight.

Results

Women using metformin (23.4% needing supplemental insulin) gained less weight (P < 0.001), and had lower fasting glucose during the first and last 2 weeks of treatment (P = 0.014 and 0.008, respectively) when compared with insulin monotherapy. Insulin supplementation in the metformin group was related to initial body mass index, HbA1c, oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), and first week mean glucose level. The 1‐h glucose level during initial GTT (Hr1‐GTT) and the mean fasting glucose level during the first week of therapy (Wk1‐mFG) were the two independent parameters associated with requiring supplemental insulin. Women with Hr1‐GTT >212 mg/dL and Wk1‐mFG >95 mg/dL had a risk ratio of 58.6 (95%CI: 3.68–933.35, P = 0.004) and 11.5 (95%CI: 2.77–47.34,= 0.0008), respectively for needing supplemental insulin during the course of the study compared with women without.

Conclusion

Metformin is an effective and safe alternative to insulin in GDM. Women using metformin (± supplemental insulin) had similar glycemic control, less weight gain, and similar rates of side‐effects as those on insulin monotherapy. Insulin supplementation to metformin therapy was more likely with elevated Hr1‐GTT and Wk1‐mFG.
Pulmonary thromboembolism as a result of ovarian vein thrombosis after laparoscopic‐assisted vaginal hysterectomy for uterine myoma
Authors: Takeda A. , Yamase Y. , Koike W. , Hayashi S. , Imoto S. , Nakamura H.
Published: March 2016

Pulmonary thromboembolism is a potentially life‐threatening disorder, which can occur secondary to deep vein thrombosis. Ovarian vein thrombosis has classically been considered to be a postpartum complication and is less frequently associated with other disease processes, such as recent pelvic surgery. Herein, we report a case of pulmonary thromboembolism as a result of ovarian vein thrombosis in a 39‐year‐old woman after an uneventful laparoscopic‐assisted vaginal hysterectomy for uterine myoma. On postoperative day 3, the patient experienced fever of unknown origin, followed by lower abdominal pain, chest discomfort and shortness of breath. A hematological examination revealed an elevated D‐dimer level. Computerized tomography revealed pulmonary thromboembolism caused by left ovarian vein thrombosis. The administration of anticoagulants resolved the symptoms. In order to avoid significant morbidities and potential mortality, attention should be paid to the possibility of pulmonary thromboembolism resulting from ovarian vein thrombosis, even after minimally invasive gynecologic surgery for benign conditions.
Pulmonary vein triggers, focal sources, rotors and atrial cardiomyopathy: implications for the choice of the most effective ablation therapy
Authors: Pison L. , Tilz R. , Jalife J. , Haïssaguerre M.
Published: March 2016

Understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism(s) underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) is the foundation on which current ablation strategies are built. In the vast majority of patients with paroxysmal AF, the ablation procedure should target the pulmonary veins. In patients with nonparoxysmal AF, however, pulmonary vein isolation alone seems to be insufficient to prevent the arrhythmia. Several recent clinical trials have investigated the concept that rotors (re‐entry based on a meandering central core from which spiral waves emanate) might be the mechanism responsible for sustaining AF. Ablation of these localized AF sources is an important step towards substrate‐driven procedures in persistent AF. Hybrid AF ablation procedures, based on the integration of endocardial transcatheter and epicardial off‐pump surgical techniques, have been introduced to overcome their mutual shortcomings. The long‐term results are encouraging, especially in currently challenging settings such as nonparoxysmal AF and failed endocardial catheter ablation procedures.
Romantic Relationship Commitment Behavior Among Emerging Adult African American Men
Authors: Kogan Steven M. , Yu Tianyi , Brown Geoffrey L.
Published: March 2016

Contextual and intrapersonal factors affecting the development of African American men's romantic relationship commitment‐related behavior were investigated. Socioeconomic disadvantage during early adolescence was hypothesized to predict harsh, unsupportive parenting practices. Harsh parenting was hypothesized to result in youths' emotion‐regulation difficulties, indicated by elevated levels of anger during mid‐adolescence, particularly when men were exposed to racial discrimination. Young African American men's anger during mid‐adolescence, a consequence of harsh, unsupportive parenting and racial discrimination, was expected to predict commitment‐related behavior. Hypotheses were tested with a sample of rural African American men participating in a panel study from the ages of 11 through 21. Data from teachers, parents, and youths were integrated into a multi‐reporter measurement plan. Results confirmed the hypothesized associations. Study findings indicate that the combination of harsh parenting and racial discrimination is a powerful antecedent of young men's commitment‐related behavior. Anger across mid‐adolescence mediated this interaction effect.
The Combined Effect of Women's Neighborhood Resources and Collective Efficacy on IPV
Authors: Jackson Aubrey L.
Published: March 2016

This study integrates gender stratification and social disorganization theories to examine neighborhood effects on intimate partner violence (IPV). Using data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, multilevel models assessed the influences of women's neighborhood‐level socioeconomic resources relative to men's and collective efficacy on a woman's risk of IPV victimization by her spouse or cohabiting partner. The findings indicate that women's relative neighborhood resources protect against IPV victimization only in neighborhoods with sufficiently high collective efficacy. Likewise, the results show that collective efficacy protects against IPV victimization only when women have at least a modicum of control over neighborhood resources compared to men. The findings emphasize the importance of considering group resources along with neighborhood social organization to better understand IPV. More broadly, this study demonstrates how a group's position in a neighborhood social hierarchy helps determine the extent to which its members benefit from neighborhood social control.
Parenting Gains in Head Start as a Function of Initial Parenting Skill
Authors: Ansari Arya , Purtell Kelly M. , Gershoff Elizabeth T.
Published: March 2016

Using data from the Head Start Impact Study (n = 3,696), this article examines whether one year of Head Start differentially benefited parents as a function of their initial parenting behaviors. Four outcomes are examined, namely, parents' rates of engaging in cognitive stimulation, reading to their child, and spanking, as well as their depressive symptoms. In general, most parents demonstrated improvements in their reading practices and cognitive stimulation regardless of their parenting behaviors at baseline. However, depressive symptoms and spanking behavior showed improvements only among parents who began the Head Start program with the most depressive symptoms and the most frequent spanking, respectively. These findings suggest that treatment‐induced changes in parenting can vary by parents' incoming attributes and that heterogeneity of effects should be considered. Implications for Head Start and other parenting interventions are discussed.
Effect of topical neuromodulatory medications on oral and skin keratinocytes
Authors: Al‐Musawi Mustafa , Durham Justin , Whitworth John M. , Stone Simon J. , Nixdorf Donald R. , Valentine Ruth A.
Published: March 2016

Background

Neuromodulatory medications (NMs), such as amitriptyline, carbamazepine and gabapentin, are used as topical preparations for the management of neuropathic orofacial pain (NOP) and have produced promising preliminary results. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three aforementioned NMs on cell lines relevant to the orofacial tissues in vitro as no published studies have examined the effect of these topical NMs.

Methods

Cellular viability was measured using alamarBlue®, testing cumulative and specific time point effects of NMs on human skin keratinocytes and oral keratinocytes. Effects of the NMs on cell counts were investigated by CCK‐8 assay. Drug concentrations released from NM orabase pastes after 30‐min incubation were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Using these clinical concentrations, morphological changes and cytokine expression were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and human inflammatory antibody array (AAH), respectively.

Results

Cumulative and specific time point viability and cell count methods revealed that amitriptyline caused a significant decrease in cellular viability and counts in both cell lines. Carbamazepine also had significant effects after long‐term exposure and at higher concentrations, whilst gabapentin had little demonstrable effect. SEM confirmed the cytotoxicity of amitriptyline, whilst AAH revealed no significant changes in cytokine expression following amitriptyline, carbamazepine or gabapentin exposure compared with control.

Conclusions

The results raise concerns about the safety of topical amitriptyline as it was cytotoxic to skin and oral keratinocytes in both exposure times and concentrations, whilst carbamazepine was cytotoxic only at high concentrations and after longer exposure times and gabapentin had no demonstrable effects.
Optimal Growth Strategy under Dynamic Threshold
Authors: VAN CUONG LE , SAĞLAM ÇAĞRı , TURAN AGAH
Published: March 2016

We consider an economy in which the technology exhibits nonconvexities due to fixed costs associated with production. Taking into account the incentives for investment to decrease fixed costs, we characterize the circumstances under which an underdeveloped economy can catch up with the developing ones. We show that it is optimal to get rid of the fixed costs inherent in production in finite time provided that the initial level of fixed costs are not too high and the technology for reducing fixed costs is sufficiently efficient. Indeed, we obtain that even though the income disparities may be very persistent and can be perceived as poverty traps, economies with not very high initial fixed costs and sufficiently efficient technology for reducing fixed costs would ultimately converge to the same steady state level of per capita income.
Melatonin promotes development of haploid germ cells from early developing spermatogenic cells of Suffolk sheep under in vitro condition
Authors: Deng Shou‐Long , Chen Su‐Ren , Wang Zhi‐Peng , Zhang Yan , Tang Ji‐Xin , Li Jian , Wang Xiu‐Xia , Cheng Jin‐Mei , Jin Cheng , Li Xiao‐Yu , Zhang Bao‐Lu , Yu Kun , Lian Zheng‐Xing , Liu Guo‐Shi , Liu Yi‐Xun
Published: March 2016

Promotion of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) differentiation into functional sperms under in vitro conditions is a great challenge for reproductive physiologists. In this study, we observed that melatonin (10−7 m) supplementation significantly enhanced the cultured SSCs differentiation into haploid germ cells. This was confirmed by the expression of sperm special protein, acrosin. The rate of SSCs differentiation into sperm with melatonin supplementation was 11.85 ± 0.93% which was twofold higher than that in the control. The level of testosterone, the transcriptions of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) were upregulated with melatonin treatment. At the early stage of SSCs culture, melatonin suppressed the level of cAMP, while at the later stage, it promoted cAMP production. The similar pattern was observed in testosterone content. Expressions for marker genes of meiosis anaphase, Dnmt3a, and Bcl‐2 were upregulated by melatonin. In contrast, Bax expression was downregulated. Importantly, the in vitro‐generated sperms were functional and they were capable to fertilize oocytes. These fertilized oocytes have successfully developed to the blastula stage.
P and Ca requirements for Japanese quail
Authors: Mariz C. B. L. , Silva J. H. V. , Filho J. J. , Lima M. R. , Costa F. G. P.
Published: March 2016

Four experiments were conducted to estimate the phosphorus and calcium requirements for weight maintenance and weight gain in Japanese quails during their growth phase from 16 to 36 days. Japanese quails aged 16 days were used for estimating the phosphorous and calcium requirements for weight maintenance or weight gain, with these quails composing each reference slaughter group and the others distributed in a completely randomized design, housed in cages of galvanized wire (33 × 33 × 16 cm) that were stored in acclimatized chambers with specific environmental temperatures. The light programme used during the 20‐day experimental period was 24 h of artificial light. Analysis of the data showed that the prediction equations for estimating the phosphorus and calcium requirements for weight maintenance and weight gain of Japanese quails between 16 and 36 days of age were P (g/quail/day) = P0.75*(9.3695 + 7.7397*T) + 9.70*WG, in which P is the phosphorus requirement, and Ca (g/quail/day) = P0.75*(363.99 – 8.0262*T) + 28.15*WG, in which Ca is the calcium requirement, P is BW (kg), T is temperature (°C) and WG (g/quail/day).
On Theory in Supply Chain Uncertainty and its Implications for Supply Chain Integration
Authors: Flynn Barbara B. , Koufteros Xenophon , Lu Guanyi
Published: March 2016

This article develops a theoretical conceptualization of supply chain uncertainty, based on the foundation provided by contingency theory, classical organization theory, and information processing theory. We develop a theoretical analogy between a supply chain and an organization, then highlight key differences, which leads us to hypothesize that there are three key types of supply chain uncertainty. Micro‐level uncertainty is based on the variability of inputs to the technical core of a supply chain, corresponding to the traditional operationalization of uncertainty in the supply chain and operations management literature. Meso‐level uncertainty is the lack of information needed by a supply chain member, corresponding to the information processing theory perspective. This is often due to the conflicting pressures of differentiation and interdependence in a supply chain, where members may withhold information that they feel could compromise their interests. Macro‐level uncertainty, based on the equivocality construct, is related to unclear and ambiguous situations faced by supply chain members in rapidly changing external environments. We propose that all three types of uncertainty coexist in a supply chain and may interact with each other. Based on contingency theory's focus on alignment of process and structure with the environment, we test the relationship among supply chain integration (process), centralization, formalization and flatness (organization structure) and the dimensions of uncertainty (environment). Hypotheses are tested using hierarchical regression on data collected from 339 globally distributed manufacturing plants. It reveals that, as hypothesized, micro‐level and meso‐level uncertainty are positively related to SCI and that macro‐level uncertainty is inversely related to it. The organization structure variables of centralization and formalization had a moderating effect, strengthening or reducing the main effects of uncertainty. The results are discussed in terms of their consistency with the theoretical foundation, implications for decision makers facing supply chain uncertainty and future research opportunities.
Model‐based assessment of ecological community classifications
Authors: Lyons Mitchell B. , Keith David A. , Warton David I. , Somerville Michael , Kingsford Richard T.
Published: March 2016

Aim

A ‘good’ classification should provide information about the composition and abundance of the species within communities, if it serves as an informative surrogate for biodiversity. A natural way to formalize this is with a predictive model, where group membership (clusters) is the predictor, and multivariate species data (site by species matrix) is the response. In this study, we aimed to develop a predictive model‐based framework for evaluating the predictive performance of alternative classifications of vegetation communities, and apply it to make objective and automated decisions about classification structure.

Methods

We used GLMs fit to multivariate species data to predict occurrence of individual species with site groupings. We used AIC to estimate predictive performance of alternative models to: (1) identify optimal partitioning of sites among multiple competing flexible‐β clustering solutions; (2) identify species that contribute most to compositional differences between clusters (i.e. characteristic species); and (3) automatically merge clusters to maximize expected predictive performance using an iterative pruning approach. Using field data from southeastern Australia, and simulated data, we demonstrate our approach for common ecological data types (presence/absence, counts, cover–abundance scores, percentage cover). We supply all code and data required for these analyses.

Results

AIC was a useful metric for assessing competing classification solutions. Our method produced outputs that were simple to interpret and required few subjective choices to be made by the user, while performing similarly to the popular OptimClass assessment methodology. Characteristic species defined by predictive performance were consistent between data types, and had good general agreement with existing methods for defining characteristic species. Using model performance to iteratively refine clustering produced classifications with better than expected predictive performance compared to the dendrogram hierarchy, although the flexible‐β hierarchy did a reasonable job of improving predictive performance.

Conclusions

Appropriately specified models are a natural way to maximize the predictive performance of a classification and its associated diagnostics. We show that a model‐based assessment provides a clear decision framework based on data type, offering an objective pathway to make classification assessment decisions, as well as evaluate methodological choice and performance.
Response of tree species diversity to disturbance in humid tropical forests of Borneo
Authors: Imai Nobuo , Samejima Hiromitsu , Demies Malcom , Tanaka Atsushi , Sugau John Baptist , Pereira Joan T. , Kitayama Kanehiro
Published: March 2016

Questions

The intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) predicts that the highest species diversity occurs at an intermediate level of disturbance. The validity of the IDH remains contentious in tropical forests because the IDH has been supported in tropical dry forests but often not in humid tropical forests. We addressed the following questions: (1) is the IDH valid in humid tropical forests of Borneo; (2) how does the disturbance index (DI) influence conformity to the IDH; and (3) does the rainfall regime influence conformity to the IDH within the tropical biome?

Location

Humid tropical forests of northern Borneo.

Methods

We established approximately 50 20‐m radius circular plots across primary to highly degraded forests in each of three logging concessions. Species richness was regressed against the following four DIs: above‐ground biomass (AGB), relative number (RNO) of pioneer trees, average wood density, and the principal component analysis (PCA) axis 1 score for the three DIs. For studies that examined the IDH in tropical forests, the relationship between total and dry season precipitation and the percentage reduction in species diversity from a unimodal maximum to the lowest disturbance level was examined.

Results

Species richness peaked at intermediate disturbance levels when average wood density and PCA 1 score, but not AGB and pioneer RNO, were used as DIs. The peaks were relatively flat, with 8–11% reduction in species richness from a unimodal maximum to the lowest disturbance level. The percentage reduction in species richness from a unimodal maximum to the lowest disturbance level increased with decreasing total and dry season precipitation within the tropical biome.

Conclusion

Species richness showed a unimodal response to disturbance, but conformity to the IDH varied with DI because different DIs may have different biological meanings. Species richness changed little from a moderately disturbed to the least disturbed stand in humid tropical forests compared with tropical dry forests, indicating that IDH is dependent on rainfall regime.
The interaction between elevational gradient and substratum reveals how bryophytes respond to the climate
Authors: Spitale Daniel
Published: March 2016

Questions

Why does bryophyte richness increase along the elevational gradient? Even though a number of studies have documented the peculiar positive (or hump‐shaped) relationship between species richness and elevation in bryophytes, it is still unclear which underlying mechanisms cause the pattern.

Location

Norway spruce forests, Italian Alps, South Tyrol.

Methods

Eight gradients from 900 to 1900 m a.s.l. and three different substrata (forest floor, deadwood, tree trunks) were examined. Three responses from the bryophyte communities were analysed: species richness of mosses and liverworts, functional diversity (considering the morphological characteristics of species) and β‐diversity (separating the two components: richness difference and species turnover).

Results

On deadwood and tree trunks a quadratic relationship was found between bryophyte richness and elevation, but not on the forest floor. On all three substrata, the moss assemblages along the elevational gradient were dominated by the turnover process and not by the richness component of β‐diversity. In liverworts, the two components of β‐diversity were equally important. Temperature was the most important predictor of bryophyte richness, whereas model selection suggested that temperature, solar radiation and rainfall had equal effects on functional diversity.

Conclusions

The substrata affect the response of bryophytes to the elevational gradient. The bryophyte assemblages inhabiting the forest floor, being less subject to climatic variability than deadwood and tree trunks, could be less affected by the temperature increase where climate change is occurring.
The modified iron avidity index: a promising phenotypic predictor in HFE‐related haemochromatosis
Authors: Verhaegh Pauline L. M. , Moris Wenke , Koek Ger H. , van Deursen Cees Th. B. M.
Published: March 2016

Objective

Phenotypes of the HFE‐related haemochromatosis vary considerably, making it hard to predict the course of iron accumulation. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine if the Iron Avidity Index (IAI) is a good phenotypic predictor of the number of phlebotomies needed per year during maintenance treatment (NPDMT) in patients with homozygous p.C282Y hereditary haemochromatosis (HH).

Methods

Patients with HH homozygous for p.C282Y, on maintenance treatment for at least 1 year were included. The IAI (ferritin level at diagnosis/age at diagnosis) was calculated.

Results

Ninety‐five patients were included in the analysis. Linear regression analysis showed the confounding effect of sex on the relationship between IAI and NPDMT. A modified IAI, adjusted for sex, was calculated. As proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was independently associated with NPDMT, the group was split in PPI‐ and non‐PPI‐users. A positive correlation between the modified IAI and the NPDMT was shown in both groups (PPI r = 0.367, P = 0.023; non‐PPI r = 0.453, P < 0.001). An ROC was computed to measure the accuracy of the modified IAI to predict who needed 0–2 vs. ≥3 maintenance treatments per year. The AUROC in the PPI and non‐PPI group were respectively 0.576 (0.368–0.784) and 0.752 (0.606–0.899).

Conclusion

The modified IAI is a fairly good predictor in non‐PPI‐using homozygous C282Y HH patients, to differentiate who needs ≥3 maintenance phlebotomies per year. Therefore, this index might help to select patients that benefit from an alternative less frequent therapy, e.g. erythrocytapheresis.
The influence of hypo‐osmotic stress on the regenerative capacity of the invasive polychaete Marenzelleria viridis from its native range
Authors: David Andrew A. , Williams Jason D.
Published: March 2016

The euryhaline polychaete Marenzelleria viridis is a notorious invader of the Baltic region and while many studies have focused on the effects of osmotic stress on larval development of the species, few have assessed its effect on adult specimens. This study investigated the effects of low salinity on the physiology of M. viridis by using its regenerative capacity as a proxy for physiologic performance. Specimens were collected in spring 2015 on sandy flats in Hempstead Bay (Long Island, New York), a site that falls within its native range. Worms were ablated between the 14th and 20th chaetigers and cultured at five different salinity treatments (24psu, 15psu, 10psu, 5psu and 0psu) that reflected the broad salinity regimes of its distributional range. Data for anterior regeneration were analysed and presented. Morphogenesis during anterior regeneration was characterized by the formation of a blastema from which the major anatomic structures emerged. All specimens cultured at 5–24psu successfully completed regeneration whereas 75% of specimens cultured at 0psu died and the survivors were unable to proceed beyond the blastema stage. Salinity did not have an effect on regeneration time (14.5–15.1 days) but did have an effect on the percentage of chaetigers regenerated (lowest – 77% at 5psu, highest – 97.5% at 15‰). The post‐regeneration phase was characterized by variability in pigmentation patterns in the regenerated anterior structures, which appear to be independent of salinity treatments. In conclusion, adult M. viridis appears to exhibit high tolerance to low salinity environments, which may have been inherited from its larval stages. In addition, the different pigmentation patterns observed in regenerated structures may allude to the variability of this feature in spionids.