bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole exome sequencing in the diagnostic workup of patients with a bleeding diathesis
Authors: Saes Joline L. , Simons Annet , de Munnik Sonja A. , Nijziel Marten R. , Blijlevens Nicole M. A. , Jongmans Marjolijn C. , van der Reijden Bert A. , Smit Yolba , Brons Paul P. , van Heerde Waander L. , Schols Saskia E. M.
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Bleeding assessment tools and laboratory phenotyping often remain inconclusive in patients with a haemorrhagic diathesis.

Aim

To describe the phenotype and genetic profile of patients with a bleeding tendency.

Methods

Whole exome sequencing (WES) was incorporated in the routine diagnostic pathway of patients with thrombocytopenia (n = 17), platelet function disorders (n = 19) and an unexplained bleeding tendency (n = 51). The analysis of a panel of 126 OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) genes involved in thrombosis and haemostasis was conducted, and if negative, further exome‐wide analysis was performed if informed consent given.

Results

Eighteen variants were detected in 15 patients from a total of 87 patients (17%). Causative variants were observed in MYH9 (two cases), SLFN14, P2RY12 and GP9. In addition, one case was considered solved due to combined carriership of F7 and F13A1 variants and one with combined carriership of F2, F8 and VWF, all variants related to secondary haemostasis protein aberrations. Two variants of uncertain significance (VUS) were found in two primary haemostasis genes: GFI1B and VWF. Eight patients were carriers of autosomal recessive disorders. Exome‐wide analysis was performed in 54 cases and identified three variants in candidate genes.

Conclusion

Based on our findings, we conclude that performing WES at the end of the diagnostic trajectory can be of additive value to explain the complete bleeding phenotype in patients without a definite diagnosis after conventional laboratory tests. Discovery of combinations of (novel) genes that predispose to bleeding will increase the diagnostic yield in patients with an unexplained bleeding diathesis.
Halitosis: Helicobacter pylori or oral factors
Authors: Anbari Fahimeh , Ashouri Moghaddam Anahita , Sabeti Elham , Khodabakhshi Azin
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Halitosis is a common complaint among people which has various socioeconomic effects. The prevalence of halitosis includes a variety of 22% up to 50% in different societies. According to studies, there have been reports of remarkable improvements in halitosis after Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment. In studies on the relationship between H. Pylori and halitosis, the role of oral factors as the most important cause of halitosis has been neglected. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of oral factors on halitosis in patients with H. Pylori.

Materials and Methods

A total of 100 dyspeptic patients who had H. pylori‐positive serologic test were examined by an organoleptic method for the presence of halitosis. DMFT index was used in order to record the dental status. Oral hygiene was evaluated using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI‐S).

Results

The mean DMFT index was 9.09 ± 3.97. The score of simplified oral hygiene index was 1.79 ± 0.949. There was a direct and significant relationship between halitosis with DMFT, OHI‐S (P < 0.01). There was no significant relationship between halitosis and coated tongue (P > 0.01).

Conclusions

According to the results of this study, there is a relation between oral factors and halitosis in patients with positive H. pylori test. Due to the lower level of all these indices in patients with halitosis, we cannot attribute halitosis in patients with H. pylori infection to the presence of this microorganism with certainty.
Barrett's oesophagus: A qualitative study of patient burden, care delivery experience and follow‐up needs
Authors: Britton James , Hamdy Shaheen , McLaughlin John , Horne Maria , Ang Yeng
Published: November 2018

Background

Barrett's oesophagus (BO), a precursor to oesophageal adenocarcinoma, requires long‐term endoscopic surveillance. The rising incidence of this chronic disease has implications for service provision and patient burden. Few studies have explored BO patients’ personal burden, care delivery experience and participation in health‐care delivery decisions.

Objective

To identify and explore factors impacting BO patients’ health‐related quality of life, follow‐up needs and views on new models of follow‐up care.

Design

An exploratory qualitative approach was adopted using semi‐structured, in‐depth, one‐to‐one interviews, audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Patients undergoing BO surveillance, at a single NHS hospital, were recruited using purposive sampling with the aim of achieving maximum variation. Data were analysed using framework analysis approach, supported by NVivo Pro 11.

Results

Data saturation occurred after 20 participant interviews. Ten subthemes and three main themes emerged from the analysis: (a) burden of disease—symptom control, worry of oesophageal cancer and surveillance endoscopy; (b) follow‐up experiences—follow‐up care, at this NHS hospital, was found to be inconsistent and often inadequate to meet patients’ needs, in particular a lack of disease‐specific information; and (c) follow‐up needs—participants sought enhanced communication, organization and structure of care. They highly valued face‐to‐face interaction with a specialist, and the concept of direct secondary care access in‐between endoscopies was reassuring to participants.

Conclusions

This qualitative research provides an in‐depth account of the patients’ perspective of BO, the effectiveness of follow‐up care and patient opinion on new follow‐up systems.
Connected seas I
Authors: North Michael
Published: November 2018

In the flourishing fields of World History and Global History, Maritime History has at best played an ancillary role. Although seas and oceans were not at the center of attention, they have received their monographs. Following Fernand Braudel's Méditerranée, historians interpreted the Mediterranean, Baltic, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, or Pacific as closed maritime systems, consisting of multiple microenvironments. This essay seeks to overcome these limited perspectives and to examine how the various seas and oceans were connected by the Vikings, the Cairo Genizah merchants, and the Italian trading companies of the Middle Ages.
Fewer teeth are a risk factor for being underweight in community‐dwelling Japanese aged 40 years and older: The Yamagata (Takahata) Study
Authors: Ishikawa Shigeo , Konta Tsuneo , Susa Shinji , Ishizawa Kenichi , Togashi Hitoshi , Ueno Yoshiyuki , Kubota Isao , Yamashita Hidetoshi , Kayama Takamasa , Iino Mitsuyoshi
Published: November 2018

Objective

The aim of the present study was to investigate comprehensively, the risk factors for underweight in cross‐sectional study in the general population of Japan.

Methods

The survey population was the general population of individuals aged >40 years in Takahata town, Japan in 2005. A postal survey in the form of a self‐administered questionnaire was distributed, and 6084 individuals were entered into the final statistical analysis. The self‐administered questionnaire contained items regarding lifestyle, oral health status, socio‐economic status and dietary intake. To examine the independent relationships between an underweight status and several parameters, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs).

Results

The number of teeth, age, alcohol consumption, hypertension, spousal status, smoking habit, appetite, body weight at 20 years of age, habit of going out and physical activity were independently associated with an underweight status compared with the normal weight group. Individuals with fewer than 10 teeth were especially more likely to be underweight than individuals with more than 20 teeth (OR = 1.956, 95% CI = 1.261‐3.035).

Conclusion

This study showed an independent association between the number of teeth and an underweight status, indicating that fewer teeth can increase the risk of being underweight.
Examining consumer purchase intentions of non-prescription medicines in supermarkets and community pharmacies
Authors: Mortimer Gary , Grimmer Louise , Fazal-e-Hasan Syed M
Published: November 2018

Objective

As supermarkets continue to expand their healthcare categories, consumers now have more choice and access to non-prescription medicines. The aim of this current research is to empirically examine the drivers and barriers of consumer purchase intentions, namely trust and perceived risk, of non-prescription medicines in both supermarkets and community pharmacy settings.

Method

Data were collected using an in-store intercept survey of 402 supermarket shoppers and 310 community pharmacy shoppers. Confirmatory factor analysis including a measurement and structural model tests were employed using AMOS software package to identify variances in the drivers and barriers of purchase intentions between these retail settings.

Key findings

This study found an association between the purchase intention of non-prescription medicines in community pharmacies with their perceived competence, benevolence and provision accurate information. Other than time risk, no other elements of risk were associated with purchase intentions within this setting. In contrast, the perceived risks associated with the purchase of non-prescription medicines within the supermarkets setting – specifically physical and social risk, were present. Results indicate respondents were more likely to intend to purchase medicines from a supermarket if they perceived that the retailer was competent in providing access to safe non-prescription medicines and had the ability to handle transactions.

Conclusions

This is the first study to examine the psychological drivers and barriers of purchase intentions of non-prescription medicines in supermarkets and community pharmacies, finding very different results across both retail settings. The study presents a comprehensive model of purchase intentions of non-prescription medicines and recommends directions for pharmacy practitioners and supermarkets.
Tract creation using plasma vaporization versus metal dilatation in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Chang Yin‐Lun , Chiang Po‐Hui , Cheng Yuan‐Tso , Lee Wei‐Chia
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To share our 10‐year experience of tract creation by using plasma vaporization compared with metal dilatation in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 230 patients who had undergone 244 percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from January 2007 to December 2016, and divided the patients into the plasma (n = 130) and metal (n = 114) groups. All patients underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy by either a bipolar resectoscope mounted with a plasma vaporization button electrode or metal dilatation for tract creation. Propensity score matching was applied to reduce selection bias. Perioperative and postoperative data analysis included procedure time, length of hospital stay, blood transfusion rate, any early and late complications, stone‐free rate, renal function, and time of need for pain control.

Results

Before propensity score matching, there were significantly shorter hospital stay (2.6vs3.8 days,P < 0.01), less operating time (66.1vs108.1 min,P < 0.01) and no blood transfusion rate (0vs4 [3.5%],P = 0.031) in the plasma vaporization group. After propensity score matching, there was no statistically significant difference in the patients’ baseline characteristics. There were significantly shorter hospital stay (odds ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.32–0.66;P < 0.001) and shorter average operating time (odds ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.97–0.99,P < 0.001) in the plasma vaporization group.

Conclusions

In comparison with metal dilatation, the plasma vaporization technique is a safe and effective method for creating the nephrostomy tract for percutaneous nephrolithotomy, based on shorter postoperative stay, less operating time, zero blood transfusion rate, acceptable stone‐free rate and no major complications.
Visual and radiographic merged‐ICDAS caries progression pattern in 2‐6 years old Colombian children: Two‐year follow‐up
Authors: Cortes Andrea , Ekstrand Kim Rud , Martignon Stefania
Published: November 2018

Aim

To describe the 2‐year clinical and combined with radiographic caries progression pattern in three cohorts of 2‐(a), 4‐(b), and 6‐yr‐old children (c).

Design

Baseline sample comprised 600 children (each‐cohort: n = 200). Children's dental surfaces were clinically assessed at schools without air‐drying (epi) in terms of: Clinical (C) caries lesions (d/D) with ICDASepi‐merged system (C‐ICDASepi‐d/D:Sound/Initial‐epi/Moderate/Extensive); fillings (f/F), and missing teeth (m/M). Clinical ICDAS (C) and Radiographic ICDAS (R) indexes were combined (C + R). Caries experience (dmf + DMF) was expressed as: C‐dmfs + DMFS (Moderate/Extensive‐d/D); C‐ICDASepi‐dmfs + DMFS (including Initial‐epi‐d/D); C + R‐dmfs + DMFS; and C + R‐ICDASepi‐dmfs + DMFS. Follow‐up caries progression corresponded to more severe caries score.

Results

Two‐year follow‐up sample was n = 352 (58.7%‐baseline sample): a: n = 81; b: n = 131; c: n = 140. Around 100% of children presented C + R‐ICDASepi‐dmf + DMF ≥ 1, with following C + R‐ICDASepi‐dmfs + DMFS means: a: 7.3 ± 14.1; b: 12.2 ± 19.5; c: 13.3 ± 16.9. Progression was about 60% in all cohorts, mainly corresponding, in cohort b and c, to occlusal and distal surfaces of lower first/second‐molar‐primary teeth, and in cohort a to buccal surfaces of upper primary‐incisor teeth. The addition of radiographs increased caries mean and prevalence in 10% as compared to only visual examination.

Conclusions

Children showed a high C + R caries experience progression rate, mainly related to occlusal and proximal surfaces in lower‐molar teeth and buccal in upper‐incisor teeth.
Mining the seabed, enclosing the Area: ocean grabbing, proprietary knowledge and the geopolitics of the extractive frontier beyond national jurisdiction
Authors: Zalik Anna
Published: November 2018

Over the past 15 years the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the United Nations agency charged with regulating extraction from the ocean floor and seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction (a zone referred to as the “Area”), has assigned exploration contracts for deep sea mineral exploration for specific zones under its purview. Pressures have mounted in recent years for a rapid roll out of an ISA mineral exploitation regime. Under international law, the deep seabed pertains to the entire global community under the principle of the common heritage of (hu)mankind. Parastatal and private firms granted rights by the UN and/or their home states for exploration prior to the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), are among the actors in these contracts. They include US firms, notably Lockheed Martin, which participated in deep‐sea mining consortia in the 1970s and 1980s. The paper argues that the neo‐mercantilist dynamics surrounding ISA negotiations show how the geopolitics of proprietary data and political economy of finance constitute the deep seabed. The power certain states and firms hold in shaping the ISA exploitation regime arises in part from the contested legal position of ocean frontiers beyond state jurisdiction.
A novel Li2CaSi2N4:Eu2+ orange‐red phosphor for field‐emission displays
Authors: Wu Quansheng , He Ziyu , Zhang Hanqiang , Chen Hande , Zhou Jiangcong , Xiong Jinhua , Hu Zhibiao
Published: November 2018

The exploration of suitable phosphors with high efficiency, low saturation, and good stability has always been a key issue for field‐emission displays (FEDs) development. In this work, a novel Li2CaSi2N4:Eu2+ orange‐red phosphors were prepared by solid reaction process and the cathodoluminescence (CL) properties were investigated in detail to explore the potential application for FEDs. Under a low voltage electron‐beam excitation, the phosphors show an intense orange‐yellow emission in the range of 500‐700 nm, which belongs to the 4f65d→4f7 electron transition of Eu2+ ion. The influences of the Eu2+ doping concentration, filament current, accelerating voltage, and bombardment time on the CL emission of Li2CaSi2N4:Eu2+ were investigated in detail. The results indicate that Li2CaSi2N4:Eu2+ phosphors exhibit an intense orange‐red emission, no saturation effect, and excellent degradation property, which give the Li2CaSi2N4:Eu2+ phosphors potential application in full color FEDs.
Limited consequences of infestation with a blood‐feeding ectoparasite for the nestlings of two North Pacific seabirds
Authors: Hipfner J. Mark , Bertram Douglas F. , Drever Mark C.
Published: November 2018

The seabird tick Ixodes uriae parasitizes over 60 host species in the circumpolar regions of both hemispheres. To assess the impacts of these ticks on the growth and development of nestling seabirds, we used a logistic growth model to interpolate between successive measures of mass (g) and wing chord (mm) for 558 Cassin's auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus and 344 rhinoceros auklet Cerorhinca monocerata chicks over 11 years (1997–2008, less 2003) on Triangle Island, British Columbia, Canada. From the model, we estimated the asymptotic measure and the age at inflection point for each chick's growth trajectory, and assessed their relationships with tick load relative to other sources of annual and seasonal variation in growth. Most chicks (72.4% of Cassin's auklets, 62.2% of rhinoceros auklets) hosted ≥ 1 ticks, and the median tick load on infested chicks was two in both species. Infestation rates varied by a factor of about two among years (0.42 to 0.87 overall), but were uncorrelated between species and with air temperatures over the preceding winter. The probability of hosting a tick declined strongly with chick age, mainly in the first 20 days after hatching, and to near zero by fledging. Asymptotic weights and/or wing lengths declined with tick load in both species, but at normal loads the reductions were minor relative to those imposed by other factors; only at very high loads, which were rare, were effects likely to be biologically relevant. Tick load and survival to fledging were unrelated in both species. While our study found little influence of ticks, we believe there is need for further study of the relationships between parasites and seabird demography, especially in light of ongoing environmental change.
Faster migration in autumn than in spring: seasonal migration patterns and non‐breeding distribution of Icelandic whimbrelsNumenius phaeopus islandicus
Authors: Carneiro Camilo , Gunnarsson Tómas G. , Alves José A.
Published: November 2018

Migration is fundamental in the life of many birds and entails significant energetic and time investments. Given the importance of arrival time in the breeding area and the relatively short period available to reproduce (particularly at high latitudes), it is expected that birds reduce spring migration duration to a greater extent than autumn migration, assuming that pressure to arrive into the wintering area might be relaxed. This has previously been shown for several avian groups, but recent evidence from four tracked Icelandic whimbrelsNumenius phaeopus islandicus, a long distance migratory wader, suggests that this subspecies tends to migrate faster in autumn than in spring. Here, we 1) investigate differences in seasonal migration duration, migration speed and ground speed of whimbrels using 56 migrations from 19 individuals tracked with geolocators and 2) map the migration routes, wintering and stopover areas for this population. Tracking methods only provide temporal information on the migration period between departure and arrival. However, migration starts with the fuelling that takes place ahead of departure. Here we estimate the period of first fuelling using published fuel deposition rates and thus explore migration speed using tracking data. We found that migration duration was shorter in autumn than in spring. Migration speed was higher in autumn, with all individuals undertaking a direct flight to the wintering areas, while in spring most made a stopover. Wind patterns could drive whimbrels to stop in spring, but be more favourable during autumn migration and allow a direct flight. Additionally, the stopover might allow the appraisal of weather conditions closer to the breeding areas and/or improve body condition in order to arrive at the breeding sites with reserves.
Knowledge, attitudes and practice of physicians toward evidence‐based medicine: A systematic review
Authors: Barzkar Farzaneh , Baradaran Hamid Reza , Koohpayehzadeh Jalil
Published: November 2018

Aim

To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of graduate physicians toward evidence‐based medicine (EBM) and the barriers to the implementation of EBM worldwide.

Methods

Relevant databases were searched systematically with appropriate search terms up to September 2017. References of the articles detected by the search were screened for any new articles. Risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted from the full‐text articles based on the study summary measures and were collected in a data table.

Results

Fifty‐seven articles were finally included in this systematic review. The studies were of variable and moderate quality. Based on our results, physicians have a generally positive attitude toward EBM and most of them believe that its implementation improves patient care. However, their self‐reported awareness and knowledge regarding EBM concepts and the main databases are generally poor. The major barriers to the practice of EBM were related to patient overload and lack of personal time, knowledge, and skills rather than a lack of facilities and resources. However, this pattern varied among the studies. Most of the physicians in the included studies referred to their colleagues and textbooks to answer most of their clinical questions.

Conclusion

Although many physicians have poor EBM knowledge and skills, the majority of them have a positive attitude toward the implication of EBM. To overcome the barriers against the evidence‐based practice, it is recommended that appropriate policies be adopted to decrease physicians’ workload and to provide them with preappraised evidence.
“Attenuating Anxieties”: A grounded theory study of mental health nurses’ responses to clients with suicidal behaviour
Authors: Morrissey Jean , Higgins Agnes
Published: November 2018

Aims and objectives

To develop a grounded theory to explain mental health nurses’ responses to clients with suicidal behaviour.

Background

Mental health nurses are an integral part of the multi‐disciplinary teams supporting people who experience suicidal behaviour, yet limited research is available that explores how nurses respond to the needs of people at risk of suicide and what factors influence their responses and actions.

Methods

Grounded theory was the methodology for this study. Interviews were conducted with 33 mental health nurses working in an urban area in the Republic of Ireland. Data were analysed using the concurrent processes of comparative analysis, theoretical sampling, theoretical sensitivity and memo writing.COREQ32‐item checklist was used.

Results

The core category from the data was “Attenuating Anxieties.” Participants’ main concerns about caring for suicidal clients were related to their feelings of professional and personal vulnerability and the need to protect clients and themselves. This theory “Attenuating Anxieties” highlights the way in which nurses allay their anxieties by utilising historically known risk adverse strategies to care for the suicidal person. Acquisition of further psychotherapeutic training, clinical supervision as well as increased reflexivity protected some participants and enabled them to work creatively and collaboratively while supporting and facilitating therapeutic risk‐taking.

Conclusions

The theory of “Attenuating Anxieties” identifies how participants worked within the context of mental health as members of the “risk society,” wherein they worried about the possibility and probability of a negative or adverse effect for both the client and self, leaving them to feel constantly vulnerable and unsafe.

Relevance to clinical practice

This theory highlights the need for a culture of openness that acknowledges nurses’ and organisations’ anxieties surrounding suicide and promotes a discourse among nurses that moves from a position of risk aversion to a relational and recovery‐orientated approach.
Fatty acid profiles of the outer membrane of ATCC strains 35405, 35404 and 33521 of Treponema denticola
Authors: Yotis W. , Keene J. , Hoerman K. , Simonson L. G.
Published: November 2018

The fatty acid composition of the outer membrane (outer sheath) of Treponema denticola is not known. This study examined the fatty acid profiles of the outer membranes of T. denticola ATCC strain 35405, 35404, 33521. Homogeneous outer membranes were prepared from the three strains of T. denticola. The fatty acids were extracted and converted to methyl esters, and their mass spectra were determined with a sensitive Hewlett Packard 5880A‐5970 gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry system. Fatty acids were identified by comparing the unknown fatty acid mass spectra to computer stored known mass spectra standards. Dodccanoic, 2 hydroxy dodecanoic, tridecanoic, tetradecanoic, pentadccanoic, hexadecanoic. 2‐hydroxy hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acid were found in the assay spirochetes yielding correlation indices (r) of 0.81–100. Isotetradccanoic acid was found in the outer membranes of strains 33521 and 35405 (r=0.913–0.967). Anteiso pentadecanoic and heptadecanoic acids were found in the outer membrane of strains 33521 and 35404 (r=0.94–10.996) while cis 9, 12 octadccadicnoic was found only in the outer sheath of strain 35405 (r=0.922–0.958). The average concentration of dodecanoic, tridecanoic, tetradecanoic, pentadecanoic, hexadecanoic, heptadecanoic and octadecanoic acid in the outer membranes of strains 35405, 35404 and 33521 were as follows. Strain 35404: 138, 178, 845, 296, 751, not detected, and 699 nanogram per mg dry weight of the outer membrane. Strain 35404: 96, 125, 670, 306, 597, 38 and 249 nanograms per mg dry weight of the outer membrane. Strain 33521: 323, 135, 1650, 125, 9080, 235 and 618 nanograms per mg dry weight of the outer membrane. This is the first report on the fatty acid profiles of the outer membrane of strains 35405, 35404 and 33521 of T. denticola. The experiments described here are in harmony with our previously reported data which suggested that the outer membrane of T. denticola contains lipoproteins and lipoplysaccharide. Furthermore, this study indicates that fatty acid analysis may be used as an additional tool for the characterization of strains 35405, 35404 and 33521 of T. denticola.
Brachystelma vemanae (Apocynaceae–Asclepiadoideae), a new species with completely reflexed corolla lobes and solitary flowers from Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Reddy A. Madhusudhana , Suresh Babu M. V. , Nagendra C. , Gangadhar P. , Prasad K.
Published: November 2018

Brachystelma vemanae, a new species of Apocynaceae, is described and illustrated. The relationships of new species to other known taxa of the genus from India are discussed.
Reliabilism without Epistemic Consequentialism
Authors: Sylvan Kurt L.
Published: November 2018

This paper argues that reliabilism can plausibly live without epistemic consequentialism, either as part of a non‐consequentialist normative theory or as a non‐normative account of knowledge on a par with certain accounts of the metaphysics of perception and action. It argues moreover that reliabilism should not be defended as a consequentialist theory. Its most plausible versions are not aptly dubbed ‘consequentialist’ in any sense that genuinely parallels the dominant sense in ethics. Indeed, there is no strong reason to believe reliabilism was ever seriously intended as a form of epistemic consequentialism. At the heart of its original motivation was a concern about the necessity ofnon‐accidentalityfor knowledge, a concern quite at home in a non‐consequentialist or non‐normative setting. Reliabilism's connection to epistemic consequentialism was an accretion of the ’80s, and a feature of only one of its formulations in that decade.
Differential responses of molecular mechanisms and physiochemical characters in wild and cultivated soybeans against invasion by the pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl
Authors: Chang Chunling , Tian Lei , Ma Lina , Li Weiqiang , Nasir Fahad , Li Xiujun , Tran Lam‐Son Phan , Tian Chunjie
Published: November 2018

Cultivated soybean (Glycine max) was derived from the wild soybean (Glycine soja), which has genetic resources that can be critically important for improving plant stress resistance. However, little information is available pertaining to the molecular and physiochemical comparison between the cultivated and wild soybeans in response to the pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. In this study, we first used comparative phenotypic and paraffin section analyses to indicate that wild soybean is indeed more resistant to F. oxysporum than cultivated soybean. Genome‐wide RNA‐sequencing approach was then used to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying the differential physiological and biochemical responses of the cultivated soybean, and its relative, to F. oxysporum. A greater number of genes related to cell wall synthesis and hormone metabolism were significantly altered in wild soybean than in cultivated soybean under F. oxysporum infection. Accordingly, a higher accumulation of lignins was observed in wild soybean than cultivated soybean under F. oxysporum infection. Collectively, these results indicated that secondary metabolites and plant hormones may play a vital role in differentiating the response between cultivated and wild soybeans against the pathogen. These important findings may provide future direction to breeding programs to improve resistance to F. oxysporum in the elite soybean cultivars by taking advantage of the genetic resources within wild soybean germplasm.
Right hippocampus atrophy is independently associated with Alzheimer's disease with psychosis
Authors: Lee Kangyoon , Lee Young Min , Park Je‐Min , Lee Byung‐Dae , Moon Eunsoo , Jeong Hee‐Jeong , Kim Soo Yeon , Chung Young‐In , Kim Ji‐Hoon
Published: November 2018

Aim

The purpose of this study was to determine whether regionally distributed medial temporal cortex thickness (or hippocampal volume) and frontal lobe volume are independently associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with psychosis.

Methods

We identified 26 AD patients with psychosis (AD+P) and 48 AD patients without psychosis (AD−P) from the Memory Impairment Clinic at Pusan National University Hospital in South Korea. They were matched for age, gender, duration of AD, and Clinical Dementia Rating sum of box score. All participants met the National Institute of Neurological and Communication Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria for probable AD. Psychosis was diagnosed according to Jeste and Finkel's proposed diagnostic criteria for psychosis of AD. All participants underwent 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging, and 3‐D magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient echo sequence was acquired for each. The FreeSurfer version 5.1 software package was used to analyze cortical thickness and volume on 3‐D T1‐weighted images. anova was used to investigate the differences in cortical thickness and the volume of the total frontal cortex, total temporal cortex, and subregions of the medial temporal cortex between groups after age, gender, years of education, Clinical Dementia Rating sum of box score, duration of AD, and total intracranial volume were controlled for. Furthermore, we added the total frontal volume as an additional variable to investigate whether the association between the medial temporal cortex and AD+P is independent of the frontal cortex.

Results

We found that both left and right hippocampal volume were smaller in AD+P than in AD−P. In particular, there was a significant difference in right hippocampal volume between the AD+P and AD−P groups after total frontal volume was added as an additional variable.

Conclusion

We found that more severe hippocampal atrophy is associated with AD+P than with AD−P. In addition, atrophy of the right hippocampus remained significant among AD+P after adjustment for frontal volume. These findings suggest that right hippocampal atrophy is independently associated with AD+P.
GnRH‐agonist deslorelin implant alters the progesterone release pattern during early pregnancy in gilts
Authors: Haen Silke M. , Heinonen Mari , Kauffold Johannes , Heikinheimo Markku , Hoving Lia L. , Soede Nicoline M. , Peltoniemi Olli A. T.
Published: November 2018

Contents

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of progesterone (P) and luteinizing hormone (LH) during recognition and establishment of pregnancy in the gilt. Therefore, the effects of eliminating episodic LH pulses on P patterns were determined during early pregnancy. To this end, a slow‐release GnRH implant deslorelin was used for GnRH down‐regulation. A group of gilts (GnRHa, n = 8) was implanted with the GnRH‐agonist on Day 11 of pregnancy, while a control group (C, n = 5) was treated with a non‐impregnated placebo implant. Blood was collected via a vena cava caudalis catheter at 10‐min intervals for 8 hr on Day 16 and 21 of pregnancy. As expected, the GnRH implant reduced LH secretion (p < 0.01) and abolished LH pulses completely at Day 16 and Day 21 of pregnancy. On Day 16, there was no difference in P levels between the treatments. However, on Day 21, the GnRH‐agonist treatment led to significantly increased P concentrations (p < 0.01) compared with the control gilts. Progesterone was secreted in a pulsatile manner in both treatment groups and no relationship between LH pulsatility and P pulsatility was observed. In conclusion, abolishment of LH pulsatility did not affect the pulsatile pattern of P secretion but led to an unexpected overall increase in P on Day 21 of pregnancy; this effect was delayed and occurred 10 days after commencing treatment with the GnRH depot agonist. The elevation of P on Day 21 of pregnancy in the GnRHa group suggests either a reduced negative feedback effect or an increased autocrine response by the corpora lutea.
Trends in Modern Contraceptive Use among Young Adult Women in sub‐Saharan Africa 1990 to 2014
Authors: Behrman Julia Andrea , Wright Kelsey Quinn , Grant Monica J. , Soler‐Hampejsek Erica
Published: November 2018

This article provides updated estimates of trends in modern contraceptive use among young adult women (aged 15–24) who have had sex, using Demographic and Health Survey data from 23 sub‐Saharan African countries (1990–2014). In East/South Africa, parous women had higher modern contraceptive use than nulliparous women and larger increases in modern contraceptive use over time. In the West/Central region, nulliparous women had higher modern contraceptive use than parous women and larger increases in modern contraceptive use over time. Most of the increase in modern contraceptive use was driven by an increase in short‐acting—rather than long‐acting—methods across regions and parity groups. Although parous women had higher unmet need for family planning in both regions, nulliparous women had larger increases in unmet need for family planning over time in the East/South region. Decomposition analysis suggests that increases in use of modern contraceptives are largely driven by increases in the rate of contraceptive use rather than changes in the parity composition of women.
Substances Involved in Suicidal Poisonings in the United States
Authors: Kang Aaron Min
Published: November 2018

Objective

This study investigated specific substances most commonly involved in suicidal poisonings, causing severe clinical effects, and leading to intensive treatments.

Method

Suicidal poisoning cases for individuals ≥13 years old were obtained from the National Poison Data System for 2011‐2015. The most common products involved in single and multiple‐product poisonings were identified. Single product cases were used to calculate substances causing the largest numbers of serious clinical effects and leading to intensive treatments.

Results

More than half of reported cases involved only a single product (54.4%), but this frequency was higher at the extremes of age (66.7% in adolescents 13–19 years old and 70.5% in individuals ≥90 years old) and among pregnant women (65.8%). The top three substances involved in single‐product poisonings were over‐the‐counter (OTC) medications, while alcohol and prescription sedatives were most common in multiple‐product poisonings. One OTC medication, diphenhydramine, was a frequent cause of several serious clinical effects and intensive treatments.

Conclusions

Single product suicidal poisonings were more frequent with extremes of age and in pregnancy. OTC products were more frequently used in single product attempts. Products causing serious clinical effects can be targeted for suicide prevention efforts as well as education of health care providers.
Identification of the new HLA‐DRB5*01:01:01:02 allele in a Chinese individual
Authors: Wu Riga , Peng Dan , Wang Nana , Sun Hongyu , Li Jianjin
Published: November 2018

DRB5*01:01:01:02 differs from DRB5*01:01:01 by four nucleotide changes in intron 2.
NFKB1 promoter polymorphism: A new predictive marker of cytomegalovirus infection after kidney transplantation
Authors: Leone Francesca , Gigliotti Paolo , La Russa Antonella , Lofaro Danilo , Perri Anna , Vizza Donatella , Lupinacci Simona , Toteda Giuseppina , Bonofiglio Martina , Presta Pierangela , Talarico Roberta , Aquino Benedetta , Bonofiglio Renzo
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represents a common cause of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). The NF‐kB signaling pathway is highly involved in the pathogenesis of CMV infection. The ‐94ins/delATTG functional polymorphism in the promoter of NFKB1 has been associated with low intracellular levels of the protein and high incidence of inflammatory and autoimmune disease. In this study, we evaluated the association of this NFKB1 polymorphism with the risk of CMV infection.

Methods

CMV infection was defined as virus isolation or detection of viral antigens or nucleic acid in any body fluid or tissue specimen. Using Cox regression and survival analysis, we analyzed the association between the polymorphism and CMV infection as well as recurrence in the first 12 months after transplantation.

Results

We analyzed the ‐94ins/delATTG NFKB1 polymorphism of 189 KTRs. The 65% of CMV infections occurred in ins/ins group. Survival free from CMV infection was 54.7% for ins/ins group and 79.4% for deletion carriers one year after transplantation (P < 0.0001). At multivariate regression, deletion carriers showed a lower risk of CMV infection and recurrence with respect to ins/ins KTRs (HR = 0.224 P = 0.0002; HR = 0.307, P = 0.012, respectively).

Conclusions

In conclusion, pretransplantation screening for NFKB1 ‐94ins/delATTG polymorphism may predict CMV infection and improve the management of patients at higher risk of infection in the post‐transplant period.
Differences in barriers to birth and death registration in Guinea‐Bissau: implications for monitoring national and global health objectives
Authors: Fisker Ane B. , Rodrigues Amabélia , Helleringer Stéphane
Published: November 2018

Objective

Improving civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems is essential to monitoring health objectives locally and globally. The barriers to birth and particularly death registration in low‐ and middle‐income countries are however poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted a survey among women of reproductive age in Bissau, the capital of Guinea‐Bissau. We asked women with a birth in the past two years whether their child had been registered and had obtained a birth certificate. We elicited the sources of information about birth registration and asked respondents to list their reasons for (not) registering a birth. If their child had died, we asked similar questions about death registration.

Results

Most women (86%) had received messages about birth registration, but few women whose child had died had heard about the need to register deaths (22%). The primary sources of information about birth registration were messages broadcast on the radio or displayed at health facilities. Information about death registration was primarily obtained through informal social networks. Only 16% of births, and 2% of deaths, had been registered. The main barriers to birth registration were administrative pre‐requisites and paternal absence. The main reasons for not registering a death were lack of knowledge about death registration and lack of perceived benefits.

Conclusion

Strengthening CRVS systems requires addressing the specific barriers preventing birth and death registration. In Bissau, interventions to improve knowledge about death registration are needed. Simplifying registration procedures, as well as providing additional incentives, might help improve the coverage of birth registration.
Significant Asia‐Europe divergence in the middle spotted woodpecker (Aves, Picidae)
Authors: Kamp Laura , Pasinelli Gilberto , Milanesi Pietro , Drovetski Sergei V. , Kosiński Ziemowit , Kossenko Serguei , Robles Hugo , Schweizer Manuel
Published: November 2018

Population divergence could be strongly affected by species’ ecology and might not be a direct response to climate‐driven environmental change. We tested this in the middle spotted woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius), a non‐migratory, low‐dispersal habitat specialist associated with old deciduous forests of the Western Palearctic. We present the first phylogeographic study of this species integrating genetic data (three mitochondrial loci, one autosomal and one Z‐linked intron) with species distribution modelling. Based on this species’ ecology, we predicted that the middle spotted woodpecker could have colonized its current range from multiple Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) refugia and that strongly structured populations could be expected. Indeed, we discovered a strong genetic divergence between Asian and European populations, with a split estimated at around one million of years ago. This was surprising given only slight intraspecific variation in plumage and morphology. Although there was no significant phylogeographic structure within the Asian and European groups, we cannot exclude the possibility of multiple refugia within either group during the LGM. This has to be further investigated with more extensive geographic sampling and larger number of variable independently evolving markers. Future studies should also investigate potential differences in vocalizations and ecology between the two groups. Lineages showing similar level of genetic differentiation including woodpeckers are often treated as species‐level taxa. Comparison of our results with the phylogeographic history of other woodpeckers, suggests that sympatric species with similar life‐histories might have idiosyncratic phylogeographic patterns probably resulting from different ecological requirements or historic stochasticity.
CO2 Absorption with NaOH Solution through the Porous PVDF Hollow Fibre Membrane Contactor
Authors: Mansourizadeh A. , Ismail A. F.
Published: November 2018

In this study, porous hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes were fabricated via a wet phase inversion process. In order to improve the phase inversion rate and provide porous membranes, 4 wt.% lithium chloride (LiCl) was used in the spinning dope. The prepared membrane morphology was studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Chemical CO2absorption by NaOH solution (1M) was conducted through the PVDF hollow fiber membrane contactor. The effect of the main operating condition such as absorbent temperature, CO2 pressure and absorbent flow rate on the performance of CO2 absorption was investigated. From FESEM examination, the membrane possesses an almost sponge–like structure with ultra thin skin layer. Results of CO2absorption test showed that by increasing the absorbent flow rate the CO2 flux increased which confirmed the existence of liquid side mass transfer resistance. It was found that by increasing the absorbent temperature the CO2 flux considerably improved. Meanwhile, the effect of CO2 pressure on the absorption rate was insignificant. Therefore, it can be concluded that by applying a porous hydrophobic membrane with improved structure and optimizing the operating conditions, high CO2 removal efficiency can be achieved through gas–liquid membrane contactors
The Influence of Magnetic Field on the Enrichment by Polymeric Membranes
Authors: Grzywna Z. J. , Rybak A. , Borys P. , Pawelek K.
Published: November 2018

An idea of using magnetic field to enhance oxygen transport, as an effective factor for the air enrichment, has already been successfully demonstrated. Direct consequence of this concept was to produce polymeric magnetic membranes by casting technique. An analysis of experimental data, obtained from transient and stationary states of mass transport, allowed to formulate a hypothesis of a “dead thickness” of magnetic membranes in question, i.e. the bulk polymer phase as a part of membrane with no magnetic channels but limiting the overall transport through it. It will be shown that removing this part increases the rate of transport and enhances the air separation. To complete the overall approach, the theory is provided both on phenomenological and molecular levels. The simulation by Monte Carlo and Brownian dynamics, to show some molecular properties of magnetic field and its activity during separation, was performed.
Effect of Gas Sparging on Fouling and Fouling Mechanism During Microfiltration of Pineapple Juice and Coconut Water
Authors: Laorko A. , Youravong W. , Tongchitpakdee S.
Published: November 2018

Flux reduction due to fouling is the major problem during microfiltration. This study aimed to investigate the role of gas sparging, an effective technique for flux enhancement, on fouling and fouling mechanism during microfiltration pineapple juice and coconut water. A hollow fiber membrane was used and the experiments were performed at cross flow velocity (CFV) of 1.5 m/s, transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 0.7 bar for pineapple juice and CFV of 1.6 m/s, TMP of 0.6 bar for coconut water, as varying gas injection factors (e). It was found that the fouling mechanism during microfiltration of pineapple juice and coconut water began with complete blocking, followed by an intermediate blocking and finally cake filtration. The use of gas sparging did not affect the sequence of fouling mechanism but affected both intensity duration of these fouling mechanisms. The duration of complete blocking stage was about 5-6 min at the beginning of the microfiltration for both feed. The initial points of defined cake filtration stages reduced from 1.3 to 0.9 h for pineapple juice and 1.0 to 0.67 h for coconut water when the e was varied from 0 to 0.35. Regarding fouling resistance analysis, increase in gas injection factor could significantly reduce the reversible fouling, external irreversible fouling but internal irreversible fouling.