bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial intracellular nanoparticles exhibiting antioxidant properties and the significance of their formation in ROS detoxification
Authors: Pan Yu , Wang Yongming , Fan Xingyuan , Wang Wenbin , Yang Xiumin , Cui Daizong , Zhao Min
Published: January 2019

Biogenic magnetic nanoparticles (BMNPs) can be formed by numerous microorganisms. However, the significance of their formation and their possible functions have not been explored in detail. To explore a possible function of Fe3O4 NPs in Burkholderia sp. strain YN01, we investigated their catalytic abilities in the elimination of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Changes in ROS content under different conditions were assessed and showed that low oxygen and high iron concentrations in the growth medium promoted ROS production. However, the levels of ROS gradually decreased with BMNP formation, suggesting that these particles possess intrinsic superoxide dismutase (SOD)‐like activity and catalase (CAT)‐like activity, as proven in this study. To ensure that the observed ROS decrease was not due to antioxidase overexpression caused by the oxidative stress response, SOD and CAT were inhibited in vivo to analyse the ROS variation and BMNP yield under microoxic and high‐iron conditions respectively. The results demonstrated that the formation of these intracellular iron nanoparticles was required for the efficient scavenging of excess ROS, which was dependent on their antioxidase‐like properties. This result reveals a novel physiological function of biogenic intracellular Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
The Maternal–Infant Bond: Clarifying the Concept
Authors: Hill Rebecca , Flanagan Jane
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of bonding as a concept using Walker and Avant's (2005) concept analysis guidelines. Data sources include dictionaries and online health databases. Data synthesis revealed frequent misuse of the term attachment to represent the concept of bonding. There are distinct differences between attachment and bonding and the current nursing diagnosis Risk for impaired attachment more accurately represents the concept of bonding. Revision of this NANDA‐I diagnosis may improve diagnosis identification, interventions, and nursing care for mothers and children.
Exposure to and perceptions of health warning labels on nicotine vaping products: findings from the 2016 International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey
Authors: McDermott Máirtín S. , Li Grace , McNeill Ann , Hammond David , Thrasher James F. , O'Connor Richard J. , Cummings K. Michael , Borland Ron , Fong Geoffrey T. , Hitchman Sara C.
Published: January 2019

Background and Aims

The presence and content of health warning labels (HWLs) on nicotine vaping products (NVPs), such as electronic cigarettes, varies by country and manufacturer. We compared proportions of people who report (i) noticing HWLs on NVPs and (ii) feeling concerned having noticed HWLs, by country and by smoking or vaping status. We also examined recall of HWL content and whether this varies by country.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Setting

Australia (AU), Canada (CA), England (EN) and the United States (US). At the time of data collection, HWLs on NVPs were only mandatory in EN.

Participants

A total of 11 561 respondents from the following samples in the 2016 International Tobacco Control Four Country Project: (1) re‐contacted smokers and quitters who had participated in the previous wave of the project; (2) newly recruited current smokers and recent quitters; and (3) newly recruited current vapers from CA, EN and US.

Measurements

Outcomes included: (1) having noticed HWLs on NVPs, (2) feeling concerned having noticed HWLs, and (3) recall of HWL message content.

Findings

Compared with respondents in EN, respondents in CA were more likely to report having noticed HWLs [odds ratio (OR) = 1.58, P = 0.02], whereas respondents in AU (OR = 0.76, P = 1.00) and the US (OR = 1.54, P = 0.09) were not significantly more or less likely to report having noticed HWLs. Compared with concurrent smokers and vapers, daily smokers, non‐daily smokers and quitters were less likely to report having noticed HWLs (ORs = 0.21, 0.33 and 0.19, respectively, all P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in reports of noticing HWLs when comparing concurrent smokers and vapers with daily (OR = 1.62, P = 0.91) or non‐daily (OR = 1.15, P = 1.00) vapers. There were no significant differences by country in reporting that HWLs made them concerned about using NVPs. Daily vapers were less likely to report feeling concerned than concurrent users (OR = 0.11, P = 0.017). Among those who reported reading HWLs (n = 688), there was little evidence of differences in recall of the HWL content.

Conclusions

Respondents in England, where health warning labels on nicotine vaping products are mandatory, were not significantly more likely to report having noticed such warnings than those in Australia, Canada and the United States where warnings are not mandatory.
To sing with another's voice:
Authors: FISHER DANIEL
Published: January 2019

In northern Australia, elaborate forms of indirection and self‐effacement shape the media play of young Indigenous Australians. Young people animate celebrity avatars and their iconic voices as kinds of camouflage, breathing life into the artifacts of social media across a range of online platforms and media networks. In turn, they are themselves addressed, affected, and animated by such media. Informed by widely distributed norms of communicative circumspection, these practices register the reach of institutionalized media activism into the lives of young people and enliven the extrainstitutional circuits to which the latter give shape. Such practices also register the distinctive powers of media artifacts as agentive creatures in contemporary social worlds, and the dialogue of animation and self‐erasure from which their agency derives.
Politics and entrepreneurship in the US
Authors: Beland Louis‐Philippe , Unel Bulent
Published: January 2019

There is a strong belief that Republicans are more pro‐business than Democrats. In this paper, we investigate the causal impact of partisan allegiance of governors (Republican or Democratic) on entrepreneurial activity by exploiting random variation in close gubernatorial elections in 50 states over the last three decades in a regression discontinuity design. We find that Republican governors are no different than Democratic governors in their effects on entrepreneurship. Our findings are robust to several sensitivity checks.
p53/Lactate dehydrogenase A axis negatively regulates aerobic glycolysis and tumor progression in breast cancer expressing wild‐type p53
Authors: Zhou Yao , Niu Weihong , Luo Yanwei , Li Hui , Xie Yong , Wang Heran , Liu Yukun , Fan Songqing , Li Zheng , Xiong Wei , Li Xiaoling , Ren Caiping , Tan Ming , Li Guiyuan , Zhou Ming
Published: January 2019

Tumor suppressor p53 is a master regulator of apoptosis and plays key roles in cell cycle checkpoints. p53 responds to metabolic changes and alters metabolism through several mechanisms in cancer. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), a key enzyme in glycolysis, is highly expressed in a variety of tumors and catalyzes pyruvate to lactate. In the present study, we first analyzed the association and clinical significance of p53 and LDHA in breast cancer expressing wild‐type p53 (wt‐p53) and found that LDHA mRNA levels are negatively correlated with wt‐p53 but not with mutation p53 mRNA levels, and low p53 and high LDHA expression are significantly associated with poor overall survival rates. Furthermore, p53 negatively regulates LDHA expression by directly binding its promoter region. Moreover, a series of LDHA gain‐of‐function and rescore experiments were carried out in breast cancer MCF7 cells expressing endogenous wt‐p53, showing that ectopic expression of p53 decreases aerobic glycolysis, cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor formation of breast cancer cells and that restoration of the expression of LDHA in p53‐overexpressing cells could abolish the suppressive effect of p53 on aerobic glycolysis and other malignant phenotypes. In conclusion, our findings showed that repression of LDHA induced by wt‐p53 blocks tumor growth and invasion through downregulation of aerobic glycolysis in breast cancer, providing new insights into the mechanism by which p53 contributes to the development and progression of breast cancer.
Third‐Party Sociomoral Evaluations in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Li Tianbi , Decety Jean , Hu Xiaoyi , Li Jiao , Lin Jinling , Yi Li
Published: January 2019

We examined explicit and implicit processes in response to third‐party moral transgressions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty 4‐ to 7‐year‐old children with ASD and 19 typically developing controls evaluated dynamic visual stimuli depicting intentional or accidental harm to persons or damage to objects. Moral evaluations, eye fixations, and pupil dilations toward the stimuli were collected. Results indicate a preserved capacity to understand the mental states of perpetrators and an implicit moral sensitivity to the third‐party harms in children with ASD. Nonetheless, children with ASD showed specific sensitivity and emotional arousal when viewing damage to objects. These findings contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of moral reasoning in ASD and its possible association with the autistic symptoms.
Variants of the ectodysplasin A1 receptor gene underlying homozygous cases of autosomal recessive hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia
Authors: Wohlfart Sigrun , Schneider Holm
Published: January 2019

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a rare genetic condition resulting from defective development of ectodermal derivatives, such as hair, teeth, and sweat glands. Autosomal recessive (AR) forms of HED may be caused by pathogenic variants of the ectodysplasin A1 receptor (EDAR) gene that encodes a receptor involved in the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Here, we describe three cases of AR‐HED in families of Turkish, Austrian, and German‐American origin (with or without known consanguinity). In these cases, two out‐of‐frame deletions and a pathogenic missense variant of EDAR were found to be disease‐causing due to reduced availability of the respective messenger RNA or impaired interaction of the encoded protein with its binding partner leading to diminished signal transduction. The same missense variant, c.1258C>T (p.Arg420Trp), has actually been reported to be restricted to the Icelandic population and to be associated with non‐syndromic tooth agenesis but not HED. As our patient has no known relationship to Icelandic individuals and displays a rather severe HED phenotype, we suggest that EDAR‐Arg420Trp is a more widespread variant, possibly with variable clinical expressivity.
Kein Überlebensvorteil beim Sentinel‐Lymphknoten‐positiven Melanom mit sofortiger kompletter Lymphadenektomie – eine Übersicht
Authors: Stadler Rudolf , Leiter Ulrike , Garbe Claus
Published: January 2019

Seit Jahrzehnten wird die Melanomchirurgie von dem Halstedischen Konzept der schrittweisen Metastasierung zunächst in die Lymphknoten und anschließend an entfernte Stellen geleitet. Daher wurde eine frühe komplette Lymphknoten‐Dissektion (CLND) empfohlen, um das Überleben zu verbessern. Bis in die 1990er Jahre wurden elektive Lymphadenektomien durchgeführt, vorzugsweise bei Patienten mit einer mittleren Tumordicke von 1–4 mm. Vier große prospektiv randomisierte Studien zeigten keinen Überlebensvorteil für CLND im Vergleich zur reinen Beobachtung. Die Sentinel‐Lymphknotenbiopsie wurde in den 1990er Jahren eingeführt und die CLND war auf Patienten mit positiven Sentinelknoten beschränkt. Basierend auf der Lymphoszintigraphie wurde postuliert, dass die drainierenden Lymphknoten nun genauer erkannt werden. In einer großen Studie wurde das Sentinel‐Lymphknoten‐geführte CLND im Vergleich zur reinen Beobachtung untersucht, und es wurde kein Vorteil für das melanomspezifische Überleben festgestellt. Vor kurzem haben zwei prospektive randomisierte Studien untersucht, ob CLND bei Patienten mit positiven Sentinelknoten das melanomspezifische Überleben oder das Gesamtüberleben verbessert. Beide Studien fanden keinen Überlebensvorteil für Patienten mit CLND im Vergleich zur reinen Beobachtung. Der Grund für das Versagen von CLND, das Überleben zu verbessern, ist offensichtlich eine parallele und nicht eine schrittweise Entwicklung der Lymphknotenmetastasen und der Fernmetastasen. Daher sollte eine sofortige CLND in der Melanomchirurgie in Frage gestellt werden.
S2k‐Leitlinie Basalzellkarzinom der Haut – Teil 1: Epidemiologie, Genetik und Diagnostik
Authors: Lang Berenice M. , Balermpas Panagiotis , Bauer Andrea , Blum Andreas , Brölsch G. Felix , Dirschka Thomas , Follmann Markus , Frank Jorge , Frerich Bernhard , Fritz Klaus , Hauschild Axel , Heindl Ludwig M. , Howaldt Hans‐Peter , Ihrler Stephan , Kakkassery Vinodh , Klumpp Bernhard , Krause‐Bergmann Albrecht , Löser Christoph , Meissner Markus , Sachse Michael M. , Schlaak Max , Schön Michael P. , Tischendorf Lutz , Tronnier Michael , Vordermark Dirk , Welzel Julia , Weichenthal Michael , Wiegand Susanne , Kaufmann Roland , Grabbe Stephan
Published: January 2019

Das Basalzellkarzinom ist der häufigste maligne Tumor der hellhäutigen Bevölkerung mit jährlich steigender Inzidenz. Eine Aktualisierung der S2k‐Leitlinie unter Beteiligung aller mit dem Krankheitsbild vertrauten Fachgesellschaften sowie vorangegangener Literaturrecherche ist für die Qualität der Versorgung der betroffenen Patienten von essentieller Bedeutung. Im vorliegenden Teil 1 wird neben Epidemiologie insbesondere auf die neuen Erkenntnisse der Genetik eingegangen sowie Diagnostik und Histologie diskutiert.
Skin inflammation associated with arthritis, synovitis and enthesitis. Part 1: psoriatic arthritis, SAPHO syndrome, Still's disease, Behçet's disease
Authors: Huhn Christian K. , Schauer Franziska , Schempp Christoph M. , Venhoff Nils , Finzel Stephanie
Published: January 2019

The coincidence of skin and joint inflammation poses a challenge for both dermatologists and rheumatologists. Adequate management of such disorders requires that physicians of both specialties have sound knowledge of the other discipline. In case of suspected joint involvement, familiarity with the diagnostic options available to rheumatologists enables dermatologists to selectively refer their patients for a rheumatology consult. The objective of the present review is to familiarize the reader with the stepwise diagnostic workup performed by rheumatologists today, including laboratory tests, musculoskeletal ultrasound, X‐ray studies, and magnetic resonance imaging. Subsequently, we will discuss a number of disorders characterized by the concurrence of skin and joint inflammation, highlighting aspects of epidemiology, etiology and pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. These disorders include psoriatic arthritis as well as autoinflammatory disorders such as SAPHO syndrome, Still's disease and Behçet's disease.
Governance and Resource‐Sharing Ambidexterity for Generating Relationship Benefits in Supply Chain Collaborations*
Authors: Im Ghiyoung , Rai Arun , Lambert Lisa Schurer
Published: January 2019

This study investigates how long‐term partners can establish successful supply chain collaboration to accrue relationship benefits. Informed by the relational view, we identify governance and resource sharing as key mechanisms to create relationship benefits in supply chain relationships. We draw on the ambidexterity perspective to suggest that long‐term relationships require governance ambidexterity and resource‐sharing ambidexterity to handle new problems emerging in the future while successfully managing current problems, or to have a duality of short‐ and long‐term orientation. We also draw on the alignment perspective to suggest that governance ambidexterity mechanisms and resource‐sharing ambidexterity mechanisms need to be aligned. We develop a research model that explains the influence of (1) alignment/misalignment of two governance ambidexterity mechanisms (incentives and goals) on one resource‐sharing ambidexterity mechanism (knowledge sharing) and (2) alignment/misalignment of each of these governance ambidexterity mechanisms (incentives and goals) with resource sharing (knowledge sharing) ambidexterity on relationship benefits. The data for our empirical study were collected from 238 customers of a leading logistics vendor firm. A polynomial regression and response surface approach was employed to test our model. The results were supportive of our model and suggest that establishing and aligning governance ambidexterity mechanisms and resource‐sharing ambidexterity mechanisms enable firms to generate relationship benefits from supply chain relationships.
The Evolution of Charter School Quality
Authors: Baude Patrick L. , Casey Marcus , Hanushek Eric A. , Phelan Gregory R. , Rivkin Steven G.
Published: January 2019

Studies of the charter sector typically compare charters and traditional public schools at a point in time. These comparisons are potentially misleading, because many charter‐related reforms require time to generate results. We study quality dynamics among charter schools in the State of Texas from 2001 to 2011. School quality in the charter sector was initially highly variable and on average lower than in traditional public schools. However, exits, improvement of existing charter schools, and higher quality of new entrants increased charter effectiveness relative to traditional public schools despite an acceleration in the rate of sector expansion in the latter half of the decade. We present evidence that reduced student mobility and an increased share of charters adhering to No‐Excuses‐style curricula contribute to these improvements. Although selection into charter schools becomes more favourable over time in terms of prior achievement and behaviour, such compositional improvements appear to contribute little to the charter sector gains. Moreover, accounting for composition in terms of prior achievement and behaviour has only a small effect on estimates of the higher average quality of No Excuses schools.
Changes in mechanical dyssynchrony in severe aortic stenosis patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Truong Vien , Mazur Wojciech , Magier Adam , Broderick John , Safdar Komal , Volz Brian , Bartone Cheryl , Kereiakes Dean J. , Chung Eugene S.
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Aortic stenosis (AS) imposes a significant afterload on the left ventricle, but regional manifestations of the overall load may not be uniform, leading to mechanical dyssynchrony. Accordingly, we evaluated the prevalence of dyssynchrony in patients with severe AS at baseline as well as changes after transfemoral aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods

This study is a retrospective analysis of 225 patients in sinus rhythm who underwent TAVR for severe AS, in whom inter‐ventricular and intra‐ventricular dyssynchrony were measured at baseline, discharge, 1 month, and 1 year. Inter‐ventricular dyssynchrony was defined as the difference between left and right ventricular pre‐ejection intervals; intra‐ventricular dyssynchrony was defined as the difference between time to peak systolic velocity of the basal septal and lateral segments. Patients were further stratified into those with QRS <120 ms or >120 ms.

Results

At baseline, a quarter of patients met the criterion for significant inter‐ventricular dyssynchrony, and a third had evidence of intra‐ventricular dyssynchrony. Both decreased after TAVR although only the intra‐ventricular dyssynchrony reached statistical significance. The interplay between QRS duration and changes in inter‐ and intra‐ventricular dyssynchrony are also explored.

Conclusions

In patients with severe AS, there was evidence of mechanical dyssynchrony that is improved post‐TAVR. Whether dyssynchrony is clinically and prognostically significant, and if it represents a potential target for additional therapy remains to be studied.
Systemic proinflammation after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was correlated to the gut microbiome in HIV‐uninfected humans
Authors: Huang Shiang‐Fen , Yang Ying‐Ying , Chou Kun‐Ta , Fung Chang‐Phone , Wang Fu‐Der , Su Wei‐Juin
Published: January 2019

Background

The dysbiosis of gut microbiome and interaction with host immunity after Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection are under investigation. We had found fatigue symptom concurrent with dysbiosis by decreasing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B ratio) in active tuberculosis (TB). The study aims to assess the inflammatory biomarkers and their interaction with gut microbiome in active TB and latent TB infection before starting anti‐TB regimens.

Materials and method

Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1B), IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) releasing assay (IGRA) were measured in 25 active TB patients, 32 LTBI subjects and 23 healthy controls (HC). Gut microbiome profiles were obtained using 16S rRNA MiSeq sequencing method.

Results

The leucocytosis (7032 ± 387 cell/cum, P < 0.05), increase in IL‐6 (229.7 ± 104 µg/dL, P < 0.05), and decrease in IL‐4 (0.27 µg/dL ± 0.1, P < 0.05) were presented in active TB. The proportion of polymorphic neutrophil (PMN) in peripheral blood was positively related to the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in LTBI and active TB (R2 = 0.23, P < 0.05). The F/B ratio was positively related to the detectable IL‐1B in TB (R2 = 0.97, P < 0.01) and to the IL‐4 in LTBI (R2 = 0.27, P < 0.05). In LTBI, the relative abundances of Coriobacteriaceae were positively related to the secretion of IFN‐gamma against MTB‐antigens more likely associated with of CD4+ T cell (R2 = 0.42, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In active TB, dysbiosis with higher relative abundances of Bacteroidetes in stool and low F/B ratio was related to systemic proinflammation. In LTBI, dose‐response relationship between peripheral PMN and relative abundances of Bacteroidetes was remained but not leads to systemic inflammation.
Quantitative and qualitative changes in anti‐Neu5Gc antibody response following rabbit anti‐thymocyte IgG induction in kidney allograft recipients
Authors: Rousse Juliette , Salama Apolline , Leviatan Ben‐Arye Shani , Hruba Petra , Slatinska Janka , Evanno Gwénaëlle , Duvaux Odile , Blanchard Dominique , Yu Hai , Chen Xi , Bach Jean‐Marie , Padler‐Karavani Vered , Viklicky Ondrej , Soulillou Jean‐Paul
Published: January 2019

Antibodies of non‐human mammals are glycosylated with carbohydrate antigens, such as galactose‐α‐1‐3‐galactose (α‐Gal) and N‐glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). These non‐human carbohydrate antigens are highly immunogenic in humans due to loss‐of‐function mutations of the key genes involved in their synthesis. Such immunogenic carbohydrates are expressed on therapeutic polyclonal rabbit anti‐human T‐cell IgGs (anti‐thymocyte globulin; ATG), the most popular induction treatment in allograft recipients. To decipher the quantitative and qualitative response against these antigens in immunosuppressed patients, particularly against Neu5Gc, which may induce endothelial inflammation in both the graft and the host. We report a prospective study of the antibody response against α‐Gal and Neu5Gc‐containing glycans following rabbit ATG induction compared to controls. We show a drop in the overall levels of anti‐Neu5Gc antibodies at 6 and 12 months post‐graft compared to the pre‐existing levels due to the major early immunosuppression. However, in contrast, in a cross‐sectional study there was a highly significant increase in anti‐Neu5Gc IgGs levels at 6 months post‐graft in the ATG‐treated compared to non‐treated patients(P = 0.007), with a clear hierarchy favouring anti‐Neu5Gc over anti‐Gal response. A sialoglycan microarray analysis revealed that the increased anti‐Neu5Gc IgG response was still highly diverse against multiple different Neu5Gc‐containing glycans. Furthermore, some of the ATG‐treated patients developed a shift in their anti‐Neu5Gc IgG repertoire compared with the baseline, recognizing different patterns of Neu5Gc‐glycans. In contrast to Gal, Neu5Gc epitopes remain antigenic in severely immunosuppressed patients, who also develop an anti‐Neu5Gc repertoire shift. The clinical implications of these observations are discussed.
Prevalence and evolution of spasticity in patients suffering from first‐ever stroke with carotid origin: a prospective, longitudinal study
Authors: Dorňák T. , Justanová M. , Konvalinková R. , Říha M. , Mužík J. , Hoskovcová M. , Srp M. , Navrátilová D. , Otruba P. , Gál O. , Svobodová I. , Dušek L. , Bareš M. , Kaňovský P. , Jech R.
Published: January 2019

Background and purpose

The main aim of the study was to document the occurrence and evolution of post‐stroke spasticity (PSS). The secondary goal was to identify predictors for increases and decreases in PSS rates during 12 months of subsequent follow‐up.

Methods

In a longitudinal, multicenter, prospective cohort study, assessments were done at 7 days (V1), 6 months (V2), and 12 months (V3) after stroke onset. A total of 307 consecutive patients from four comprehensive stroke centers with the first‐ever stroke of carotid origin and the presence of motor deficit at day 7 were included. The demographic data, baseline characteristics, Barthel index, degree and pattern of paresis and muscle tone were evaluated and recorded. Spasticity was assessed using the modified Ashworth scale.

Results

Spasticity was present in 45.0% of patients at V1, in 49.5% at V2, and in 43.2% at V3. A significant number of patients experienced changes in spasticity between visits: increased/new occurrence of spasticity in 32.5% (V1 and V2) and in 13.6% (V2 and V3) of patients; decreased occurrence/disappearance of spasticity in 18.5% (V1 and V2) and in 18.3% (V2 and V3) of patients. The number of patients with severe spasticity increased throughout the year, from 2.6% to 13.0% (V2) and 12.5% (V3).

Conclusions

Spasticity developed in almost half of the included patients. The degree of spasticity often changed over time, in both directions. The rate of severe spasticity increased during the first year, with the maximum at 6 months following stroke onset.
Comparative efficacy of valnoctamide and sec‐butylpropylacetamide (SPD) in terminating nerve agent–induced seizures in pediatric rats
Authors: Haines Kari M. , Matson Liana M. , Dunn Emily N. , Ardinger Cherish E. , Lee‐Stubbs Robyn , Bibi David , McDonough John H. , Bialer Meir
Published: January 2019

Objectives

Children and adults are likely to be among the casualties in a civilian nerve agent exposure. This study evaluated the efficacy of valnoctamide (racemic‐VCD), sec‐butylpropylacetamide (racemic‐SPD), and phenobarbital for stopping nerve agent seizures in both immature and adult rats.

Methods

Female and male postnatal day (PND) 21, 28, and 70 (adult) rats, previously implanted with electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes were exposed to seizure‐inducing doses of the nerve agents sarin or VX and EEG was recorded continuously. Five minutes after seizure onset, animals were treated with SPD, VCD, or phenobarbital. The up‐down method was used over successive animals to determine the anticonvulsant median effective dose (ED50) of the drugs.

Results

SPD‐ED50 values in the VX model were the following: PND21, 53 mg/kg (male) and 48 mg/kg (female); PND28, 108 mg/kg (male) and 43 mg/kg (female); and PND70, 101 mg/kg (male) and 40 mg/kg (female). SPD‐ED50 values in the sarin model were the following: PND21, 44 mg/kg (male) and 28 mg/kg (female); PND28, 79 mg/kg (male) and 34 mg/kg (female); and PND70, 53 mg/kg (male) and 53 mg/kg (female). VCD‐ED50 values in the VX model were the following: PND21, 34 mg/kg (male) and 43 mg/kg (female); PND28, 165 mg/kg (male) and 59 mg/kg (female); and PND70, 87 mg/kg (male) and 91 mg/kg (female). VCD‐ED50 values in the sarin model were the following: PND21, 45 mg/kg (male), 48 mg/kg (female); PND28, 152 mg/kg (male) 79 mg/kg (female); and PND70, 97 mg/kg (male) 79 mg/kg (female). Phenobarbital‐ED50 values in the VX model were the following: PND21, 43 mg/kg (male) and 18 mg/kg (female); PND28, 48 mg/kg (male) and 97 mg/kg (female). Phenobarbital‐ED50 values in the sarin model were the following: PND21, 32 mg/kg (male) and 32 mg/kg (female); PND28, 58 mg/kg (male) and 97 mg/kg (female); and PND70, 65 mg/kg (female).

Significance

SPD and VCD demonstrated anticonvulsant activity in both immature and adult rats in the sarin‐ and VX‐induced status epilepticus models. Phenobarbital was effective in immature rats, whereas in adult rats, higher doses were required that were accompanied by toxicity. Overall, significantly less drug was required to stop seizures in PND21 animals than in the older animals, and overall, males required higher amounts of drug than females.
Genetic and environmental risk factors for vitiligo and melanoma in Pura Raza Español horses
Authors: Sánchez‐Guerrero M. J. , Solé M. , Azor P. J. , Sölkner J. , Valera M.
Published: January 2019

Background

Vitiligo and melanoma are relatively common disorders in grey Pura Raza Español horses and other horse breeds with grey‐coloured coats.

Objectives

To determine the breed prevalence, environmental risks factors and estimate the genetic parameters for vitiligo and melanoma in Pura Raza Español horses.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

We analysed data from a large worldwide population of Pura Raza Español horses. The database included the vitiligo and melanoma scores, on either a four‐ or six‐point linear scale, of 11,436 horses. Genetic parameters were estimated using a Bayesian genetic animal model including the four associated environmental risk factors as systematic effects. Inbreeding was used as a covariate, and animal and residual effects were included as random effects.

Results

Of the horses included in the study, 2.8 and 20.5% showed some traces of vitiligo around the eyes and mouth, respectively, while 1.6% showed varying degrees of melanoma. Age, coat colour and inbreeding were significantly associated with the three outcomes studied. The estimated heritability for the whole population was 0.09 (s.d. +0.019), 0.44 (s.d. +0.031) and 0.13 (s.d. +0.037), for eye vitiligo score, nostril vitiligo score and melanoma scores respectively. The genetic correlations ranged from 0.42 (s.d. +0.084) between eye and nostril vitiligo score to 0.15 (s.d. +0.096) between nostril vitiligo and melanoma.

Main limitations

Vitiligo scores for the perianal regions were not collected. The veterinarian responsible for each assessment was not recorded.

Conclusions

Vitiligo and melanoma are prevalent in this population and those environmental risk factors and genetics both have an effect on the clinical expression of the diseases. These findings may help to reduce prevalence through breeding programmes.
Study on the mechanism of customers' participation in knowledge sharing
Authors: Wang Jiuhe , Liu Lin
Published: January 2019

Knowledge has replaced capital and energy as an important resource to enable a company to gain a competitive advantage. Knowledge sharing is the core content of knowledge management and the source of knowledge innovation. As an important resource of the company, the customer plays a vital role in the process of knowledge sharing. Therefore, research on the mechanism of customers' participation in knowledge sharing is especially important. In this paper, from the perspective of knowledge sharing between customers and enterprises, a customer participation model of a knowledge‐sharing mechanism is built based on three aspects: subjective influencing factors of knowledge sharing, objective influencing factors of knowledge sharing, and environmental influencing factors of knowledge sharing. On the basis of 222 valid questionnaires, the theoretical model was verified by using the experimental data analysed by the SPSS and AMOS software. The research shows the following: with respect to the objective influencing factors of knowledge sharing, the timeliness, scarcity, complexity, and economy of knowledge will affect the sharing cost and the expected return of knowledge sharing. With respect to the subjective factors, the sharing ability, the sharing cost, and customer loyalty will affect the knowledge‐sharing behaviour by influencing the knowledge‐sharing willingness. With respect to the environmental influencing factors, technical support and incentive mechanisms can indirectly affect knowledge‐sharing behaviour. In addition, on the one hand, customer loyalty can enhance the knowledge‐sharing ability and sharing willingness. On the other hand, knowledge‐sharing behaviour can enhance customer loyalty and thus form a virtuous cycle.
Is there overuse of proton pump inhibitors in B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphomas? A cohort study based on the French health insurance database in the Midi‐Pyrénées region
Authors: Conte Cécile , Bourrel Robert , Despas Fabien , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse
Published: January 2019

Patients suffering from B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (B‐NHL) have an increased likelihood of being exposed to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), related to several factors which have been reported in the literature. PPIs are among the drugs most likely to be prescribed inappropriately. Consequently, B‐NHL patients could be particularly at risk of inappropriate PPI prescription, with potential adverse drug reactions. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of PPIs use and to identify factors associated with PPIs initiation during the active treatment phase of B‐NHL. We conducted a new‐user cohort study using regional data from the French national health insurance database in the Midi‐Pyrénées region (southwestern France). Incident B‐NHL patients were selected according to an algorithm of selection, validated with data from a cancer registry. Our study revealed that 48.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.2–52.6) of patients initiated PPIs during chemotherapy after B‐NHL diagnosis. According to information available in the SNDS, recommended indications for PPI prescriptions were identified in 21.1% of cases. Median duration of treatment was 65.3 days (CI: 35–112). Determinants of PPIs initiation were peptic ulcer disease, gastroprotection (appropriate or not) for medications considered at risk (NSAIDs, glucocorticoids and anticoagulants), age, nonfollicular lymphoma, polypharmacy, gastroenterologists’ consultations and being hospitalized in a university hospital. Around 50% of patients initiated PPI treatment during the chemotherapy phase with only one‐fifth identified as appropriate prescriptions and with long durations of treatment in most cases. Given this background, appropriate PPI prescription should be promoted in B‐NHL to avoid potential inappropriate chronic use and related adverse events.
Effect of retained austenite stability on cyclic deformation behavior of low‐alloy transformation‐induced plasticity steels
Authors: Christodoulou Peter I. , Kermanidis Alexis T. , Haidemenopoulos Gregory N. , Krizan Daniel , Polychronopoulou Kyriaki
Published: January 2019

The retained austenite (RA) characteristics of Al‐containing TRIP700 steels have been manipulated using varying bainitic isothermal transformation (BIT) processing. The microstructural evolution was investigated using optical microscopy and quantitative image analysis, while the amount of transformed RA was evaluated with the saturation magnetization (SM) technique. Cyclic behavior is found to depend on the applied strain amplitude and stability of RA. At strain amplitudes with comparable elastic and plastic strain components, cyclic softening prevails, facilitated by more stable RA microstructures and Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) performance benefits from a lower RA stability, which controls the amount of cyclic softening rate. With increasing plastic strain component, a transition to cyclic hardening is observed, and the transition strain increases with increasing RA stability. LCF performance deteriorates because of excessive cyclic strain hardening promoting martensitic transformation. The effect is accompanied by a transition from mixed dimple/cleavage to cleavage‐type fracture characteristics.
Space–Time Sequential Similarity for Identifying Factors of Activity‐Travel Pattern Segmentation: A Measure of Sequence Alignment and Path Similarity
Authors: Cho Sung‐Jin , Janssens Davy , Joh Chang‐Hyeon , Kim Hyunmyung , Choi Keechoo , Park Dongjoo
Published: January 2019

The article develops a new method that compares activity‐travel patterns in both terms of the sequential order of activities and the shape of activity‐travel trajectory in time and space. The similarity of the list of activities and their order between activity‐travel patterns are computed by a sequence alignment method. The shape of activity‐travel trajectory is compared between the patterns using a path similarity technique that captures the direction and speed of a movement from the current location and the duration of staying at each location. The comparison results, therefore capture how people move around in three‐dimensional space–time choreography that indicates how people conduct which activities in what order. A total of 1,000 individuals are sampled from the data of 2016 Household Travel Survey, South Korea. The data provide the information of individual activity‐travel behavior and personal characteristics. The suggested method computes the pairwise distance matrix, and Ward clustering algorithm segments the pattern groups of similar activity sequences and space–time trajectories. A CHAID analysis then associates personal and household characteristics with the pattern groups to identify important factors for the segmentation. The analysis provides a significant implication in both terms of research and practice in transportation.
Incidence and circumstances of falls among community‐dwelling ambulatory stroke survivors: A prospective study
Authors: Goto Yuto , Otaka Yohei , Suzuki Ken , Inoue Seigo , Kondo Kunitsugu , Shimizu Eiji
Published: January 2019

Aim

To elucidate the incidences and circumstances of falls and fall‐related injuries, and to explore the physical characteristics of community‐dwelling ambulatory stroke survivors who experienced falls.

Methods

A total of 144 community‐dwelling ambulatory survivors of hemiparetic stroke (mean age 68.0 years [SD 10.4 years]) who were undergoing rehabilitation in an adult daycare center participated in this prospective study. The mean duration from stroke onset was 5.21 years (SD 3.15 years). The occurrence of falls was collected for 1 year with a fall diary. The incidence rates of falls and fall‐related injuries, and the detailed circumstances of falls were descriptively analyzed. The characteristics of fallers were explored by comparing background information, motor impairments and results of physical function tests, including the 10‐m walk test, Timed Up and Go test and five‐times‐sit‐to‐stand test, between fallers and non‐fallers.

Results

The incidence rates of falls and fall‐related fractures were 0.88 per person‐year and 2.8 per 100 person‐years, respectively. Falls occurred more frequently during daytime and in winter. Falls were caused most often by losing balance while walking indoors, especially on the way to the toilet. After falling, 34.1% of individuals who fell could not stand up by themselves. The time of the five‐times‐sit‐to‐stand test was significantly longer in fallers than in non‐fallers (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The incidence rate of falls was high among community‐dwelling ambulatory survivors of hemiparetic stroke. Appropriate approaches, including mastering the skills to cope with falling, are required, especially for individuals with reduced lower limb muscle strength. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 240–244.
Citrullinated histone H3 expression in anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis in older Japanese autopsy patients
Authors: Matsuda Yoko , Itabashi Mitsuyo , Tachibana Yasuko , Sugihara Takahiko , Sakashita Yasuhiro , Matsubara Tomoyasu , Murayama Shigeo , Yumura Wako , Shimizu Akira , Takei Takashi , Arai Tomio
Published: January 2019

Aim

Neutrophil extracellular traps play key roles in the necrotizing vasculitis associated with anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis (AAV). However, the relationships between neutrophil extracellular traps formation and the distribution and phase of vasculitis are not well understood. In the present study, we clarified the clinicopathological characteristics of older AAV patients, as well as the expression of citrullinated histone H3 (citH3), a marker of neutrophil extracellular traps, in autopsied AAV patients.

Methods

We reviewed autopsy cases that were carried out at Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, from 2001 to 2018. The expression of citH3 was determined by immunostaining.

Results

AAV patients (six cases) were elderly (aged 73–94 years; three men and three women; myeloperoxidase anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐positive, five cases; proteinase‐3 anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐positive, one case; disease duration was 1.5–5.5 months; and patients were treated with steroids. All patients had necrotizing vasculitis in the medium‐to‐small‐sized vessels in various organs, and also severe vasculitis‐associated lesions including brain hemorrhage, alveolar bleeding, interstitial pneumonia, crescentic nephritis, acute pancreatitis and gastrointestinal bleeding. Expression of citH3 was associated with the activity of inflammation.

Conclusions

We report severe clinicopathological characteristics of AAV in older patients. Expression of citH3 was a useful marker to evaluate vasculitis severity. Identification of these features might aid in the diagnosis of AAV. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 259–264.
Do undergraduate dental students perform well detecting and staging caries and assessing activity by visual examination? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Turchiello Ronairo Z. , Pedrotti Djessica , Braga Mariana M. , Rocha Rachel O. , Rodrigues Jonas A. , Lenzi Tathiane L.
Published: January 2019

Aim

To assess the undergraduate students’ performance in detecting and staging caries and assessing activity using visual inspection.

Design

Two independent reviewers searched the literature through PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Lilacs databases, and OpenSINGLE. Meta‐analyses summarized the results concerning reproducibility and accuracy at D1 (considering all lesions) and D3 (including only cavitated lesions or lesions into dentin) levels. For activity, we considered sound surfaces plus inactive caries lesions vs active lesions. Meta‐regression assessed the effect of methodological variables on the outcomes.

Results

Fourteen studies were included. The mean reproducibility values were ≥0.52, except for interexaminer agreement when assessing caries activity (0.39; 95% CI 0.10‐0.67). The intra‐examiner reproducibility tended to be higher than the interexaminer reproducibility. Overall, undergraduate students’ performance in staging caries lesions using visual examination was good (AUC>0.85 and DOR>25). The sensitivity values were moderate; however, these were associated with excellent specificity values. Despite few pooled studies, caries activity assessment revealed moderate overall performance, with lower pooled sensitivity than pooled specificity. Students’ education level and background clinical experience had no influence on the accuracy and reproducibility of the visual inspection.

Conclusion

Undergraduate students’ performance in detecting and staging caries using visual inspection was good, although caries activity assessment still requires improvement.
Flash sintering of ceramic films: The influence of surface to volume ratio
Authors: Avila Viviana , Raj Rishi
Published: January 2019

We measure the sintering behavior of thin and thick films of ceramics made by stacking several layers of tapes. The stack thickness was varied from 0.12 to 0.50 mm. A powder‐pressed dog‐bone sample, ~1 mm thick served as the baseline. While all specimens exhibit flash sintering, the following differences are noted. (a) The onset of flash, which has been shown to occur within a narrow band of volumetric power density for powder‐pressed dog‐bone shaped specimens, moves to a higher value for the thinner specimens. (b) The power transition collapses, again, to within a narrow band when the power density is normalized with respect to the surface area rather than the volume. (c) Sintering of thinner specimens to full density required a higher current‐density limit. These results point to a deeper significance of black body radiation than its use in estimating the specimen temperature in a steady state of flash that is calculated from the energy balance between electrical and radiated energy. The experiments were carried out on 3 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia at constant heating rate
Catalytic synthesis of SiC nanowires in an open system
Authors: Kao Kechen , Jiang Min , Ding Lijuan , Lin Wenxin , Chen Jianjun
Published: January 2019

SiC nanowires (NWs) are usually synthesized in a closed vacuum reaction system which limits the yield of SiC NWs. In this work, SiC NWs and carbon nanotubes were synthesized in an open tube furnace at 1550°C with Si powder as silicon sources, ethanol as carbon sources and ferrocene as catalyst. The as‐synthesized products were ultralong β‐SiC NWs with the diameter about 80‐100 nm and the length up to several tens micrometers. The diameter of the carbon nanotubes was about 20‐30 nm. The carbon nanotube yarns about 20 cm in length were obtained at the end of the tube furnace. The growth mechanism of SiC NWs and carbon nanotubes were proposed. Compared with the traditional synthetic techniques in the high vacuum closed system, the novel synthesis method in the open system provided a new approach to the synthesis of SiC NWs.
Anger in Wikipedia: Perceived intentionality and threat appraisal as mediators of anger about man‐made attacks
Authors: Greving Hannah , Cress Ulrike , Kimmerle Joachim
Published: January 2019

The online encyclopedia Wikipedia has established strict guidelines for the objectivity of content. At the same time, Wikipedia includes articles on negative events, such as disasters or man‐made attacks. These events can elicit strong emotions, which in turn may spill over into Wikipedia articles. Previous research has shown that Wikipedia articles on man‐made attacks contain more anger‐related content than Wikipedia articles on disasters. Building on these findings, we aimed to investigate whether the threat that Wikipedia authors experience when they learn of an attack is relevant as a factor in explaining the anger effect. Threat is known to elicit active and engaged reactions, such as anger, which is why it is a likely explaining factor. Our research also aimed to replicate the findings from the linguistic analysis of the Wikipedia articles using controlled scenario‐based laboratory experiments. Three studies demonstrated that man‐made attacks (terrorist attack, shooting rampage) elicited more threat, more anger, and more expressions of anger‐related content in Wikipedia texts than nature‐made disasters (earthquake, flood) and man‐made disasters (train accident). Moreover, threat was relevant as a factor in explaining the effects on anger and anger‐related content in the Wikipedia texts. These mediations could be explained by the perceived intentionality of the event. This research highlights the findings that perceived intentionality and threat are relevant mediating factors for feelings and expressions of anger after man‐made attacks.