bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spinal Metastases from a Primary Fallopian Tube Serous Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Eskander Jonathan P. , Kuris Eren O. , Younghein Andrew J. , Landsman Samuel , Japko Leonard , Eskander Mark S.
Published: March 2015

Study Design

Case report.

Objective

This case exemplifies the importance of a high index of suspicion when dealing with intractable pain and neurologic symptoms in patients with a history of cancer. Fallopian tube cancer is relatively uncommon, accounting for less than 0.2% of all female malignancies. Because of a low index of suspicion, it is often detected at an advanced stage. From an orthopedic perspective, osseous metastasis from primary fallopian tube malignancies is rare with only a few documented cases in the medical literature.

Methods

This case report documents a 68-year-old woman who developed back pain and leg weakness after undergoing surgical resection with adjuvant therapy of a primary fallopian tube adenocarcinoma. Her hospital course and follow-up are documented.

Results

Imaging revealed a compression fracture in the L1 vertebral body that when a biopsy confirmed a soft tissue diagnosis of a high-grade serous papillary adenocarcinoma of fallopian tube origin. The patient underwent a surgical decompression, posterior stabilization, and tumor debulking with postoperative resolution of her symptoms.

Conclusions

This is the first reported case of a spine metastasis from a fallopian tube serous carcinoma in a living patient. This case documents the diagnosis of a pathologic vertebral fracture due to metastasis of an atypical cancer.
Risk Prediction for Development of Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury without Spinal Instability
Authors: Lee Soo Eon , Chung Chun Kee
Published: March 2015

Study Design

Retrospective comparative study.

Objective

A narrow spinal canal is an important risk factor for predicting a spinal cord injury (SCI); however, the radiologic parameters have not been fully established. The authors conducted a comparative study to forecast SCI risk by determining a predictive spinal canal diameter (SCD) cutoff value from magnetic resonance image (MRI) in the Korean population.

Methods

On T2-weighted MRI of the cervical spine, the SCD at the pedicle (SCDpedicle) and the intervertebral disk level (SCDdisk) were measured in patients with SCI without spinal instability and in healthy subjects. Additionally, the vertebral body diameter (Dvertebral body) and intervertebral disk diameter (Dintervertebral disk) were measured, and the two ratios (SCDpedicle to Dvertebral body and SCDdisk to Dintervertebral disk) were calculated. In the SCI group, the extent of high signal intensity on the T2-weighted midsagittal MRI was determined.

Results

The data obtained from 20 patients in the SCI group (18 men, mean age 61.35 years) and 65 individuals in the control group (47 men, mean age 57.05 years) was compared. All the parameters including the SCD and the calculated ratios were significantly smaller in the SCI group than in the control group. Among them, the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) value for the SCDdisk-to-Dintervertebral disk ratio at C2–C3, with a cutoff ratio value of 0.59, provided the greatest positive predictive value. A low SCDdisk-to-Dintervertebral disk ratio at C4–C5 and the presence of >40 mm of high signal intensity on the MRI were related with the presence of complete SCI.

Conclusion

Because the C2–C3 level is relatively wide compared with the subaxial cervical spine, a small ratio at C2–C3 provided the greatest positive predictive value in SCI. Complete SCI is associated with a small SCDdisk-to-Dintervertebral disk ratio at C4–C5 and with extensive high signal intensity on MRI.
Direct transfer and Raman characterization of twisted graphene bilayer
Authors: Othmen R. , Arezki H. , Ajlani H. , Cavanna A. , Boutchich M. , Oueslati M. , Madouri A.
Published: March 2015

Twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) is constituted of a two-graphene layer with a mismatch angle θ between the two hexagonal structures. It has recently attracted much attention—thanks to its diverse electronic and optical properties. Here, we study the tBLG fabricated by the direct transfer of graphene monolayer prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto another CVD graphene layer remaining attached to the copper foil. We show that high quality and homogeneous tBLG can be obtained by the direct transfer which prevents interface contamination. In this situation, the top graphene layer plays a supporting mechanical role to the bottom graphene layer as confirmed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy measurements. The effect of annealing tBLG was also investigated using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra exhibit a splitting of the G peak as well as a change in the 2D band shape indicating a possible decoupling of the two monolayers. We attribute these changes to the different interactions of the top and bottom layers with the substrate.
Direct fabrication of thin layer MoS2 field-effect nanoscale transistors by oxidation scanning probe lithography
Authors: Espinosa Francisco M. , Ryu Yu K. , Marinov Kolyo , Dumcenco Dumitru , Kis Andras , Garcia Ricardo
Published: March 2015

Thin layer MoS2-based field effect transistors (FET) are emerging candidates to fabricate very fast and sensitive devices. Here, we demonstrate a method to fabricate very narrow transistor channel widths on a single layer MoS2 flake connected to gold electrodes. Oxidation scanning probe lithography is applied to pattern insulating barriers on the flake. The process narrows the electron path to about 200 nm. The output and transfer characteristics of the fabricated FET show a behavior that is consistent with the minimum channel width of the device. The method relies on the direct and local chemical modification of MoS2. The straightforward character and the lack of specific requirements envisage the controlled patterning of sub-100 nm electron channels in MoS2 FETs.
Mössbauer spectroscopy study of Al distribution in BaAlxFe12−xO19 thin films
Authors: Przybylski M. , Żukrowski J. , Harward I. , Celiński Z.
Published: March 2015

Barium hexagonal ferrite (BaM) films grown on Si are a good candidate material for new-generations of on-wafer microwave devices operating at frequencies above 40 GHz. Doping BaM with Al increases the value of anisotropy field even more, and in combination with a large value of remanence, would allow one to create a self-biasing material/structure that would eliminate the need for permanent bias magnets in millimeter wave devices. To examine the occupation of Fe sublattices by Al ions, we carried out Conversion Electron Mössbauer Spectroscopy (CEMS) measurements at room temperature and zero magnetic field (after magnetizing the samples in a strong magnetic field). The spectra can be reasonably fitted with three components (sub-spectra) corresponding to different Fe sublattices. There are significant changes in the spectra with the addition of Al: The magnetic hyperfine field decreases for all three components, and their relative contributions also change remarkably. These observations are in agreement with the fact that the Al substitutes Fe, thus lowering the component contributions and the value of the hyperfine field. In addition, our previous XRD analysis indicates increasing grain misalignment with Al content, further supporting the CEMS data.
Theory and simulations of toroidal and rod-like structures in single-molecule DNA condensation
Authors: Cortini Ruggero , Caré Bertrand R. , Victor Jean-Marc , Barbi Maria
Published: March 2015

DNA condensation by multivalent cations plays a crucial role in genome packaging in viruses and sperm heads, and has been extensively studied using single-molecule experimental methods. In those experiments, the values of the critical condensation forces have been used to estimate the amplitude of the attractive DNA-DNA interactions. Here, to describe these experiments, we developed an analytical model and a rigid body Langevin dynamics assay to investigate the behavior of a polymer with self-interactions, in the presence of a traction force applied at its extremities. We model self-interactions using a pairwise attractive potential, thereby treating the counterions implicitly. The analytical model allows to accurately predict the equilibrium structures of toroidal and rod-like condensed structures, and the dependence of the critical condensation force on the DNA length. We find that the critical condensation force depends strongly on the length of the DNA, and finite-size effects are important for molecules of length up to 105μm. Our Langevin dynamics simulations show that the force-extension behavior of the rod-like structures is very different from the toroidal ones, so that their presence in experiments should be easily detectable. In double-stranded DNA condensation experiments, the signature of the presence of rod-like structures was not unambiguously detected, suggesting that the polyamines used to condense DNA may protect it from bending sharply as needed in the rod-like structures.
Electroplated FeNi ring cores for fluxgates with field induced radial anisotropy
Authors: Butta M. , Ripka P. , Janosek M. , Pribil M.
Published: March 2015

Being able to control the anisotropy of a magnetic core plays an important role in the development of a fluxgate sensor. Our aim is to induce anisotropy orthogonal to the direction of excitation because it generates a stable, low-noise fluxgate, as cited in the literature. In this paper, we present an original method for electroplating a ring core for a fluxgate with built-in radial anisotropy by performing the electroplating in a radial field produced by a novel yoke. The results show that the resulting anisotropy is homogeneously radial and makes the magnetization rotate, avoiding domain wall movement for low excitation fields.
Highly stable thin film transistors using multilayer channel structure
Authors: Nayak Pradipta K. , Wang Zhenwei , Anjum D. H. , Hedhili M. N. , Alshareef H. N.
Published: March 2015

We report highly stable gate-bias stress performance of thin film transistors (TFTs) using zinc oxide (ZnO)/hafnium oxide (HfO2) multilayer structure as the channel layer. Positive and negative gate-bias stress stability of the TFTs was measured at room temperature and at 60 °C. A tremendous improvement in gate-bias stress stability was obtained in case of the TFT with multiple layers of ZnO embedded between HfO2 layers compared to the TFT with a single layer of ZnO as the semiconductor. The ultra-thin HfO2 layers act as passivation layers, which prevent the adsorption of oxygen and water molecules in the ZnO layer and hence significantly improve the gate-bias stress stability of ZnO TFTs.
3C-SiC/ZnS heterostructured nanospheres with high photocatalytic activity and enhancement mechanism
Authors: Zhang J. , Wu X. L. , Liu L. Z. , Yang L. , Gan Z. X. , Chu Paul K.
Published: March 2015

3C-SiC/n-type ZnS heterostructured nanospheres synthesized hydrothermally deliver enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible light excitation. The heterostructured catalysts consisting of 3C-SiC and ZnS nanocrystals with a mean size being less than 5 nm exhibit extended light absorption to the visible range. The proper band structure of the 3C-SiC and ZnS nanocrystals and intrinsic electric field induced by the heterojunction promote separation of photoexcited electrons and holes in the ZnS and 3C-SiC nanocrystals resulting in the increased photocatalytic efficiency. The associated mechanism is studied and proposed.
Selection and identification of ligand peptides targeting a model of castrate-resistant osteogenic prostate cancer and their receptors
Authors: Mandelin Jami , Cardó-Vila Marina , Driessen Wouter H. P. , Mathew Paul , Navone Nora M. , Lin Sue-Hwa , Logothetis Christopher J. , Rietz Anna Cecilia , Dobroff Andrey S. , Proneth Bettina , Sidman Richard L. , Pasqualini Renata , Arap Wadih
Published: March 2015

Significance

This study shows how phage display technology can be applied successfully to in vivo models and can advance molecular oncology through the identification of tumor-homing peptides and their target receptors. Treatment options are still limited for prostate cancer patients who have progressed to develop castrate-resistant osteoblastic bone metastases. The peptides identified in this study may lead to breakthroughs in fighting metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer by enabling drug targeting and nanotechnology-based therapeutic strategies and may lead to significant advances in the management and therapy of this frequently lethal disease.
Prolonged starvation drives reversible sequestration of lipid biosynthetic enzymes and organelle reorganization inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Suresh Harsha Garadi , da Silveira dos Santos Aline Xavier , Kukulski Wanda , Tyedmers Jens , Riezman Howard , Bukau Bernd , Mogk Axel
Published: March 2015

Cells adapt to changing nutrient availability by modulating a variety of processes, including the spatial sequestration of enzymes, the physiological significance of which remains controversial. These enzyme deposits are claimed to represent aggregates of misfolded proteins, protein storage, or complexes with superior enzymatic activity. We monitored spatial distribution of lipid biosynthetic enzymes upon glucose depletion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Several different cytosolic-, endoplasmic reticulum–, and mitochondria-localized lipid biosynthetic enzymes sequester into distinct foci. Using the key enzyme fatty acid synthetase (FAS) as a model, we show that FAS foci represent active enzyme assemblies. Upon starvation, phospholipid synthesis remains active, although with some alterations, implying that other foci-forming lipid biosynthetic enzymes might retain activity as well. Thus sequestration may restrict enzymes' access to one another and their substrates, modulating metabolic flux. Enzyme sequestrations coincide with reversible drastic mitochondrial reorganization and concomitant loss of endoplasmic reticulum–mitochondria encounter structures and vacuole and mitochondria patch organelle contact sites that are reflected in qualitative and quantitative changes in phospholipid profiles. This highlights a novel mechanism that regulates lipid homeostasis without profoundly affecting the activity status of involved enzymes such that, upon entry into favorable growth conditions, cells can quickly alter lipid flux by relocalizing their enzymes.
Ex Post Use Restriction and Benefit‐sharing Provisions for Access to Non‐plant Genetic Materials for Public Research
Authors: Seyoum Aseffa , Welch Eric W.
Published: March 2015

This study investigates the tradeoffs that providers of genetic materials make between constructing a benefits arrangement and establishing use restrictions. The analysis makes use of individual‐ and project‐level data collected from university and government researchers in the United States. Results show, for instance, that although most genetic resources are exchanged without up‐front payments, when up‐front payments are required for transfer, recipients are less likely to be expected to contribute monetary or non‐monetary benefits after receipt of material. Recipients are also less likely to be subjected to ex post restrictions on the use of the materials they receive. Conversely, when recipients are expected to provide information from project results, up‐front payments for genetic materials are less likely to be assessed. The paper concludes that up‐front payments can be applied in ways that avoid complex restrictions and obligations that may hinder the exchange of genetic materials, public research, and further innovation.
LCZ696, Angiotensin II Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor, Ameliorates High-Salt-Induced Hypertension and Cardiovascular Injury More Than Valsartan Alone
Authors: Kusaka Hiroaki , Sueta Daisuke , Koibuchi Nobutaka , Hasegawa Yu , Nakagawa Takashi , Lin BoWen , Ogawa Hisao , Kim-Mitsuyama Shokei
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

LCZ696, an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, has recently been demonstrated to exert more beneficial effects on hypertensive or heart failure patients than conventional renin-angiotensin system blockers. However, the mechanism underlying the benefit of LCZ696 remains to be understood. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of LCZ696 compared with valsartan on hypertension and cardiovascular injury.

METHODS

(i) Using telemetry, we compared the hypotensive effect of LCZ696 and valsartan in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that were fed a high-salt diet followed by a low-salt diet. (ii) We also examined the comparative effect of LCZ696 and valsartan on salt loaded SHRcp, a model of metabolic syndrome.

RESULTS

(i) LCZ696 exerted a greater blood pressure (BP) lowering effect than valsartan in SHR regardless of high-salt or low-salt intake. Additive BP reduction by LCZ696 was associated with a significant increase in urinary sodium excretion and sympathetic activity suppression. (ii) LCZ696 significantly ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy and inflammation, coronary arterial remodeling, and vascular endothelial dysfunction in high-salt loaded SHRcp compared with valsartan.

CONCLUSIONS

LCZ696 caused greater BP reduction than valsartan in SHR regardless of the degree of salt intake, which was associated with a significant enhancement in urinary sodium excretion and sympathetic activity suppression. Furthermore, an additive BP lowering effect of LCZ696 led to greater cardiovascular protection in hypertensive rats.
A simple technical measure to reduce bycatch and discard of skates and sharks in mixed-species bottom-trawl fisheries
Authors: Kynoch R. J. , Fryer R. J. , Neat F. C.
Published: March 2015

Due to global declines, skates and sharks have become a focus of marine conservation in recent years. Despite protective measures, they remain vulnerable to bycatch by fisheries, especially bottom-trawls and pose a problem for fisheries management measures that aim to eliminate discards in the future. In the mixed-species bottom-trawl fisheries of the North Atlantic catches can be increased by fitting a length of chain known as a “tickler” in front of the groundgear of the trawl. It was hypothesized that the tickler is especially effective at catching skates and rays that may otherwise escape beneath the net. A trial was undertaken with paired tows with and without the tickler chain. The trial demonstrated that the catch rate of skates and sharks can be significantly lowered by removing the tickler. A set of secondary nets (groundgear bags) attached behind the groundgear of the main net allowed the number of fish escaping under the net to be estimated and showed that the reduction of skates and sharks in the main net was accompanied by an increase in number in the groundgear bags. This suggests that prohibition of the use of tickler chains in areas that are known to be especially important to skates and sharks could have conservation benefits. The removal of the tickler chain had little effect on catch rates of haddock, whiting, and flatfish, but caused a marked decrease in the catch rate of commercially valuable anglerfish.
Under the sword of Damocles: plausible regeneration of dark matter cusps at the smallest galactic scales
Authors: Laporte Chervin F. P. , Peñarrubia Jorge
Published: March 2015

We study the evolution of the dark matter (DM) halo profiles of dwarf galaxies driven by the accretion of DM substructures through controlled N-body experiments. Our initial conditions assume that early supernova feedback erases the primordial DM cusps of haloes with z = 0 masses of 109 − 1010 M⊙. The orbits and masses of the infalling substructures are borrowed from the Aquarius cosmological simulations. Our experiments show that a fraction of haloes that undergo 1:3 down to 1:30 mergers are susceptible to reform a DM cusp by z ≈ 0. Cusp regrowth is driven by the accretion of DM substructures that are dense enough to reach the central regions of the main halo before being tidally disrupted. The infall of substructures on the mean of the reported mass–concentration relation and a mass ratio above 1:6 systematically leads to cusp regrowth. Substructures with 1:6–1:8, and 1:8–1:30 only reform DM cusps if their densities are 1σ and 2σ above the mean, respectively. The merging time-scales of these dense, low-mass substructures is relatively long (5 − 11 Gyr), which may pose a time-scale problem for the longevity of DM cores in dwarfs galaxies and possibly explain the existence of dense dwarfs-like Draco. These results suggest that within cold dark matter a non-negligible level of scatter in the mass profiles of galactic haloes acted on by feedback is to be expected given the stochastic mass accretion histories of low-mass haloes and the diverse star formation histories observed in the Local Group dwarfs.
Psychiatric Disorders and Psychopharmacologic Treatment as Risk Factors in Elective Fast-track Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Jørgensen Christoffer C. , Knop Joachim , Nordentoft Merete , Kehlet Henrik
Published: March 2015

AbstractAbstract

In a Danish evaluation of 8,757 knee or hip procedures, 11.4% of patients were receiving psychopharmacological treatment therapy for mental disorders according to a preoperative questionnaire and nationwide prescription data. Patients treated with serotonin inhibitors, other antidepressants, and/or antipsychotics had increased risk of postoperative morbidity after fast-track arthroplasty, regardless of treatment type and preoperative comorbidities.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background

Psychiatric disorder (PsD) is rarely considered when evaluating perioperative risk factors. Studies on PsD are often limited by use of administrative coding, incomplete follow-up, and lack of preoperative data on psychopharmacological treatment.

Methods

A multicenter study with prospective registration on preoperative comorbidity, complete 90-day follow-up, and information on dispensed prescriptions on psychopharmacological treatment (excluding benzodiazepines). All departments used similar fast-track approaches and discharge to home. Evaluation of postoperative morbidity was based on discharge records. Odds ratios for length of stay (LOS) more than 4 days and surgery-related readmissions were calculated using multiple logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Of 8,757 procedures, 1,001 (11.4%) were in PsD patients. Of these, 43.4% used selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs), 31.6% used other antidepressants, 8.5% used a combination, and 16.5% used antipsychotics. PsD was associated with increased risk of LOS more than 4 days (16.5 vs. 7.3%; odds ratio, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.52 to 2.37), regardless of treatment with SSRIs (2.19; 1.62 to 2.97), other antidepressants (1.81; 1.25 to 2.61), or antipsychotics (1.90; 1.62 to 3.16). PsD was associated with increased 30- (9.9 vs. 5.1%; 1.93; 1.49 to 2.49) and 90-day surgery-related readmissions (12.8 vs. 7.4%; 1.68; 1.34 to 2.10), significant for SSRIs (1.97; 1.38 to 2.82 and 1.77; 1.29 to 2.43), other antidepressants (2.24; 1.51 to 3.32 and 1.82; 1.27 to 2.61), and antipsychotics (1.85; 1.03 to 3.31, 30 days only). In PsD patients, pain (1.4%), postoperative anemia (1.1%), and pulmonary complications (1.1%) were the most frequent causes of LOS more than 4 days. Hip displacements (2.8%) and falls (1.9%) were the most frequent readmissions, and 90-day surgery-related mortality was 0.7% with and 0.2% without PsD.

Conclusions

Psychopharmacologically treated PsD is a risk factor for postoperative morbidity after fast-track arthroplasty, regardless of treatment type. This may be due to PsD per se and/or drug-related side effects.
Intraoperative Methadone for the Prevention of Postoperative Pain
Authors: Murphy Glenn S. , Szokol Joseph W. , Avram Michael J. , Greenberg Steven B. , Marymont Jesse H. , Shear Torin , Parikh Kruti N. , Patel Shivani S. , Gupta Dhanesh K.
Published: March 2015

AbstractAbstract

Intraoperative methadone administration may be superior to intraoperative fentanyl for the control of pain during the 24-h period following cardiac surgery. The superior pain control provided by methadone does not appear to involve a higher likelihood of opioid-related adverse events in this setting.

Background:

The intensity of pain after cardiac surgery is often underestimated, and inadequate pain control may be associated with poorer quality of recovery. The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of intraoperative methadone on postoperative analgesic requirements, pain scores, patient satisfaction, and clinical recovery.

Methods:

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 156) were randomized to receive methadone (0.3 mg/kg) or fentanyl (12 μg/kg) intraoperatively. Postoperative analgesic requirements were recorded. Patients were assessed for pain at rest and with coughing 15 min and 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after tracheal extubation. Patients were also evaluated for level of sedation, nausea, vomiting, itching, hypoventilation, and hypoxia at these times.

Results:

Postoperative morphine requirements during the first 24 h were reduced from a median of 10 mg in the fentanyl group to 6 mg in the methadone group (median difference [99% CI], −4 [−8 to −2] mg; P < 0.001). Reductions in pain scores with coughing were observed during the first 24 h after extubation; the level of pain with coughing at 12 h was reduced from a median of 6 in the fentanyl group to 4 in the methadone group (−2 [−3 to −1]; P < 0.001). Improvements in patient-perceived quality of pain management were described in the methadone group. The incidence of opioid-related adverse events was not increased in patients administered methadone.

Conclusions:

Intraoperative methadone administration resulted in reduced postoperative morphine requirements, improved pain scores, and enhanced patient-perceived quality of pain management.
The importance of delineating networks by activity type in bottlenose dolphins (
Tursiops truncatus
) in Cedar Key, Florida
Authors: Gazda Stefanie , Iyer Swami , Killingback Timothy , Connor Richard , Brault Solange
Published: March 2015

Network analysis has proved to be a valuable tool for studying the behavioural patterns of complex social animals. Often such studies either do not distinguish between different behavioural states of the organisms or simply focus attention on a single behavioural state to the exclusion of all others. In either of these approaches it is impossible to ascertain how the behavioural patterns of individuals depend on the type of activity they are engaged in. Here we report on a network-based analysis of the behavioural associations in a population of bottlenose dolphins (
Tursiops truncatus
) in Cedar Key, Florida. We consider three distinct behavioural states—socializing, travelling and foraging—and analyse the association networks corresponding to each activity. Moreover, in constructing the different activity networks we do not simply record a spatial association between two individuals as being either present or absent, but rather quantify the degree of any association, thus allowing us to construct weighted networks describing each activity. The results of these weighted activity networks indicate that networks can reveal detailed patterns of bottlenose dolphins at the population level; dolphins socialize in large groups with preferential associations; travel in small groups with preferential associates; and spread out to forage in very small, weakly connected groups. There is some overlap in the socialize and travel networks but little overlap between the forage and other networks. This indicates that the social bonds maintained in other activities are less important as they forage on dispersed, solitary prey. The overall network, not sorted by activity, does not accurately represent any of these patterns.
A Branching Process to Characterize the Dynamics of Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Míguez David G.
Published: March 2015

The understanding of the regulatory processes that orchestrate stem cell maintenance is a cornerstone in developmental biology. Here, we present a mathematical model based on a branching process formalism that predicts average rates of proliferative and differentiative divisions in a given stem cell population. In the context of vertebrate spinal neurogenesis, the model predicts complex non-monotonic variations in the rates of pp, pd and dd modes of division as well as in cell cycle length, in agreement with experimental results. Moreover, the model shows that the differentiation probability follows a binomial distribution, allowing us to develop equations to predict the rates of each mode of division. A phenomenological simulation of the developing spinal cord informed with the average cell cycle length and division rates predicted by the mathematical model reproduces the correct dynamics of proliferation and differentiation in terms of average numbers of progenitors and differentiated cells. Overall, the present mathematical framework represents a powerful tool to unveil the changes in the rate and mode of division of a given stem cell pool by simply quantifying numbers of cells at different times.
PoMo: An Allele Frequency-based Approach for Species Tree Estimation
Authors: Maio Nicola De , Schrempf Dominik , Kosiol Carolin
Published: March 2015

Incomplete lineage sorting can cause incongruencies of the overall species-level phylogenetic tree with the phylogenetic trees for individual genes or genomic segments. If these incongruencies are not accounted for, it is possible to incur several biases in species tree estimation. Here, we present a simple maximum likelihood approach that accounts for ancestral variation and incomplete lineage sorting. We use a POlymorphisms-aware phylogenetic MOdel (PoMo) that we have recently shown to efficiently estimate mutation rates and fixation biases from within and between-species variation data. We extend this model to perform efficient estimation of species trees. We test the performance of PoMo in several different scenarios of incomplete lineage sorting using simulations and compare it with existing methods both in accuracy and computational speed. In contrast to other approaches, our model does not use coalescent theory but is allele-frequency based. We show that PoMo is well suited for genome-wide species tree estimation and that on such data it is more accurate than previous approaches.
Proteomic analysis of Dhh1 complexes reveals a role for Hsp40 chaperone Ydj1 in yeast P-body assembly
Authors: Cary Gregory A. , Vinh Dani B.N. , May Patrick , Kuestner Rolf , Dudley Aimee M.
Published: March 2015

P-bodies (PB) are ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes that aggregate into cytoplasmic foci when cells are exposed to stress. While the conserved mRNA decay and translational repression machineries are known components of PB, how and why cells assemble RNP complexes into large foci remain unclear. Using mass spectrometry to analyze proteins immunoisolated with the core PB protein Dhh1, we show that a considerable number of proteins contain low-complexity (LC) sequences, similar to proteins highly represented in mammalian RNP granules. We also show that the Hsp40 chaperone Ydj1, which contains an LC domain and controls prion protein aggregation, is required for the formation of Dhh1-GFP foci upon glucose depletion. New classes of proteins that reproducibly co-enrich with Dhh1-GFP during PB induction include proteins involved in nucleotide or amino acid metabolism, glycolysis, tRNA aminoacylation, and protein folding. Many of these proteins have been shown to form foci in response to other stresses. Finally, analysis of RNA associated with Dhh1-GFP shows enrichment of mRNA encoding the PB protein Pat1 and catalytic RNAs along with their associated mitochondrial RNA-binding proteins, suggesting an active role for RNA in PB function. Thus, global characterization of PB composition has uncovered proteins and RNA that are important for PB assembly.
Metacognitive online reading strategy use: Readers' perceptions in L1 and L2
Authors: Taki Saeed
Published: March 2015

This study aimed to explore whether first‐language (L1) readers of different language backgrounds would employ similar metacognitive online reading strategies and whether reading online in a second language (L2) could be influenced by L1 reading strategies. To this end, 52 Canadian college students as English L1 readers and 38 Iranian university students as both Farsi L1 and English L2 readers were selected. After completing three reading tasks on the Web, their perceptions about their use of strategies were assessed via a survey of reading strategies. Analyses of the data, using an analysis of variance and the Scheffé post hoc test, revealed certain differences. The Canadian readers perceived themselves to be high‐strategy users employing mostly a top‐down approach, whereas the Iranian readers in both Farsi and English appeared to be medium‐strategy users, favouring mostly a bottom‐up approach. Additionally, the correlation between readers' perceived use of strategies and their reading scores was statistically significant.
Quality of first trimester risk prediction models for pre‐eclampsia: a systematic review
Authors: Brunelli VB , Prefumo F
Published: March 2015

Background

There is an increasing interest in first trimester risk prediction models for pre‐eclampsia.

Objectives

To systematically review and critically assess the building and reporting of methods used to develop first trimester risk prediction models for pre‐eclampsia.

Search strategy

Search of PubMed and EMBASE databases from inception to July 2013.

Selection criteria

Logistic regression model for predicting the risk of pre‐eclampsia in the first trimester, including uterine artery Doppler among independent variables.

Data collection and analysis

We extracted information on study design, outcome definition, participant recruitment, sample size and number of events, risk predictors and their selection and treatment, model‐building strategies, missing data, overfitting and validation.

Main results

The initial search identified 80 articles. A total of 24 studies were eligible for review, from which 38 predictive models were identified. The median number of study participants was 697 [interquartile range (IQR) 377– 5126]. The median number of cases of pre‐eclampsia per model was 37 (IQR 19–97). The median number of risk predictors was 5 (IQR 3.75–7). In 22% of the models, the number of events per variable was fewer than the commonly recommended value of 10 events per predictor; this proportion increased to 94% in models for early pre‐eclampsia. Treatment and handling of missing data were not reported in 37 models. Only three models reported model validation.

Conclusions

We found frequent methodological deficiencies in studies reporting risk prediction models for pre‐eclampsia. This may limit their reliability and validity.
Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and twin births: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Løvvik TS , Wikström A‐K , Neovius M , Stephansson O , Roos N , Vanky E
Published: March 2015

Objective

To investigate pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in twin births among women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Sweden.

Population

We identified 20 965 women with twin births between 1995 and 2009 of whom 226 had a PCOS diagnosis through linkage between the Swedish Medical Birth Register and the Swedish National Patient Register.

Methods

Calculating risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a log‐binomial regression model and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI for preterm birth.

Main outcome measures

Preterm birth, low birthweight, caesarean section, pre‐eclampsia, Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes and perinatal mortality.

Results

PCOS diagnosis in twin pregnancy was associated with increased risk of preterm delivery (51% versus 43%, RR 1.18 [95% CI 1.03–1.37]), particularly spontaneous preterm delivery (37% versus 28%; RR 1.30 [95% CI 1.09–1.55]) and very preterm birth (<32 weeks) (14% versus 8%, RR 1.62 [95% CI 1.10–2.37]). Twins of PCOS mothers had more often low birthweight (48% versus 39%, adjusted RR 1.40 [95% CI 1.09–1.80]). This difference disappeared when adjusting for gestational age. No risk difference was found for caesarean section, pre‐eclampsia, low 5‐minute Apgar score or perinatal mortality.

Conclusions

The risk of preterm delivery in twin pregnancies is increased by having a PCOS diagnosis. This should be considered in risk estimation and antenatal follow‐up of twin pregnancies.
Severe adverse effects of bromocriptine in lactation inhibition: a pharmacovigilance survey
Authors: Bernard N , Jantzem H , Becker M , Pecriaux C , Bénard‐Laribière A , Montastruc JL , Descotes J , Vial T ,   the French Network of Regional Pharmacovigilance Centres
Published: March 2015

Objective

To assess the nature and conditions of the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of bromocriptine, which is used to inhibit lactation.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Cases from the French pharmacovigilance database and the marketing authorisation holders.

Sample

Serious ADRs reported between 1994 and 2010 in association with bromocriptine used for lactation inhibition in France.

Methods

Each case was checked to confirm the bromocriptine indication, the seriousness of the ADR, the modalities of bromocriptine use, and to identify possible associated predisposing factors.

Main outcome measures

Number and description of serious ADRs, with a particular focus on misuse and associated predisposing factors.

Results

Among 105 serious ADRs, including two fatal cases, the most frequent were cardiovascular (70.5%), neurological (14.3%), and psychiatric (8.6%) disorders. Cardiovascular disorders primarily consisted of ischaemic manifestations (n = 47): acute ischaemic stroke (n = 18, one death), myocardial infarction (n = 11, one death), and reversible postpartum cerebral angiopathy (n = 10). Misuse was identified in 52 cases (70.3%) of cardiovascular disorders, and mostly consisted of bromocriptine continuation despite the occurrence of first symptoms suggesting an ADR or the absence of a progressive titration of bromocriptine. About half of these women had cardiovascular predisposing factors, mainly tobacco smoking, overweight or obesity, or a history of hypertension or pre‐eclampsia.

Conclusions

This survey, together with published data, provides further evidence that serious ADRs still occur after bromocriptine use in lactation inhibition, and that most of these ADRs could have been avoided. The use of bromocriptine should therefore be limited to cases where no other options are available to inhibit lactation.
Prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in Chinese patients with high‐risk coronary artery disease classified by the Asia–Pacific Colorectal Screening score
Authors: Yang Xiao Bo , Xu Qing Ling , Xu Chen Ying , Wu Chao , Yu Li Fen
Published: March 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasms in patients coronary artery disease (CAD) with or without a family history of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, individuals with suspected CAD in the absence of cancer‐related symptoms underwent coronary angiography for the first time, and were divided into CAD and non‐CAD groups. Colonoscopy was performed in individuals at high‐risk tier based on their Asia–Pacific colorectal screening (APCS) score. Their waist circumference (WC), height and body weight were measured.

Results

There were 634 of 1157 individuals at a high risk of developing advanced colorectal neoplasms, 91.0% (577/634) of whom were male smokers. The proportion of CAD patients in the high‐risk tier was 81.5% (517/634), while the prevalences of adenomas (32.1% vs 22.2%, P < 0.05) and advanced adenomas (14.7% vs 8.5%, P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the CAD group than in the non‐CAD group. After 83 individuals with a family history of CRC were excluded, only the prevalence of adenomas was still significantly higher in the CAD group than in the non‐CAD group (25.5% vs 16.0%, P < 0.01). Body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 was correlated with the occurrence of adenomas (OR 2.133, 95% CI 1.219–3.730, P = 0.008) in CAD patients.

Conclusions

Even in the absence of family history of CRC, CAD patients at a high risk of developing advanced colorectal neoplasms classified by the APCS score still showed a remarkably high prevalence of colorectal adenomas. Moreover, the association between the occurrence of adenomas and CAD was stronger in overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) individuals.
Temporal patterns of citrus greasy spot‐induced defoliation of sweet orange cultivars in Brazil
Authors: Silva S.X.B. , Soares A.C.F. , Almeida D.O. , Santos‐Filho H.P. , Laranjeira F.F.
Published: March 2015

Recôncavo Baiano is an area favourable for the occurrence of citrus greasy spot (CGS) (Mycosphaerella citri), but there has been no study of this pathosystem in Brazil. This work aimed to characterise the temporal patterns of CGS‐induced defoliation in sweet orange cultivars ‘Bahia’ (Washington Navel) and ‘Pêra’. Temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were recorded, as well as weekly defoliation (fallen leaves/canopy m2 or m3). Considering the mean of fallen leaves per canopy m2, and mean canopy area, the total annual defoliation was estimated to be around 32 000 leaves per plant for ‘Bahia’ and 18 500 for ‘Pêra’ sweet orange. Spectral density analysis showed that defoliation has a 5‐week‐long main cycle for both cultivars. The proportion of symptomatic fallen leaves was never below 0.97. The monthly number of fallen leaves per canopy area was positively correlated with the mean CGS incidence on leaves. Defoliation was significant, resulting in a low leaf density throughout the year. Many defoliation cycles and the very high proportion of symptomatic fallen leaves assure a constant inoculum supply. Based on these results, CGS cannot be considered a minor disease, at least in Recôncavo Baiano.
Implants for the ageing population
Authors: Dudley J
Published: March 2015

Dental implant treatment has established benefits over traditional alternatives. Age‐related changes in systemic and oral health in conjunction with social, economic and resource considerations often introduce complexities into dental implant treatment of ageing patients. When time, opportunity, discomfort and maintenance costs are coupled with cost‐benefit and quality of life predictions, otherwise simple treatment decisions can become more difficult. Implants for different types of prostheses in both arches and the different types of prostheses themselves present a variety of treatment challenges, risks, benefits and maintenance requirements. This narrative review discusses selective literature pertinent to the provision of dental implant treatment in the ageing population.
Medico‐legal aspects of dental treatment of the ageing and aged patient
Authors: Story RD
Published: March 2015

The medico‐legal aspects of the dental management of ageing and aged patients relate mainly to the assessment of the patient's competence and the role of substitute decision makers. Dentists will assess whether or not a patient is competent to give informed consent to treatment. Lawyers use the word ‘capacity’ when deciding whether a person can make an important decision about their life. Competence and capacity mean the same thing.

Assessment of competence and the role of substitute decision makers rests firmly on a sound understanding of the ethical basis of dental practice. This article will discuss the ethical basis of dental practice; the assessment of competence and the gaining of informed consent; the role of substitute decision makers and the nature of the decisions that are made at the end of life.
Ageing, dementia and oral health
Authors: Foltyn P
Published: March 2015

Neurocognitive decline and delirium, frailty, incontinence, falls, hearing and vision impairment, medication compliance and pharmacokinetics, skin breakdown, impaired sleep and rest are regarded as geriatric giants by gerontologists, geriatricians and nursing home staff. As these are all interrelated in the elderly, failure to act on one can impact on the others. However, the implications of poor oral health have for too long been ignored and deserve equal status. Mouth pain can be devastating for the elderly, compound psychosocial problems, frustrate carers and nursing home staff and disrupt family dynamics. As appearance, function and comfort suffer, so may a person's self‐esteem and confidence. The contributing factors for poor oral health such as rapid dental decay, acute and chronic periodontal infections and compromised systemic health on a background of a dry mouth, coupled with xerostomia‐inducing medications, reduced fine motor function, declining cognition and motivation will not only lead to an increase in both morbidity and mortality but also impact on quality of life.
Cultural aspects of ageing and health promotion
Authors: Mariño RJ
Published: March 2015

The emphasis of Australian Government policy is on the promotion of good health in later life and positive experiences with ageing. Conceptually, a new gerontology framework has replaced the study of disease, decline, loss and disability. Within this framework, health promotion offers a mechanism by which individuals can be assisted to create environments that offer better opportunities for continued participation in society and improved quality of health and self‐care. Oral health is instrumental to older people's health, life satisfaction, quality of life and perception of self. Australia is culturally diverse, composed of numerous ethno‐cultural groups coexisting within a larger, predominant culture, creating a multicultural and multiracial society. However, despite this cultural diversity, the well documented ageing profile of the Australian population and repeated calls for comprehensive geriatric assessment, the oral health of older adults remains a challenge for oral health providers and for society. A major challenge will be to translate existing knowledge and experience of disease prevention and health promotion into appropriate programmes for older adults. Health promotion is the key to improving oral health in later life as it encourages older adults to be proactive in regard to their health. Therefore, increased efforts should be directed towards identifying opportunities for health promotion activities and the development of community based models that encourage older people to improve and maintain their oral health. Ignoring opportunities for health promotion may increase inequalities in oral health and may lead to even greater demands for curative and oral rehabilitative services from these groups This article firstly provides a brief rationale for oral health promotion. Its second part explores the influence of culture on health beliefs, behaviours and outcomes in older adults and how oral health can relate to cultural background. The last section presents the results of an oral health promotion programme for older adults.
Accessing habitats first helps less when your competitors themselves have help
Authors: Tanentzap Andrew J.
Published: March 2015

Species that arrive early into a new habitat influence the interspecific interactions of later arrivals, thereby shaping the structure, functioning and evolutionary potential of biological communities. Burkle & Belote (Applied Vegetation Science, this issue) show that the advantage conferred to pioneer species by earlier access is reduced in the presence of soil mutualists, offering important lessons for restoration.