bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digitized Outcrop Geomodeling of Ramp Shoals and its Reservoirs: as an Example of Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation of Eastern Sichuan Basin
Authors: QIAO Zhanfeng , SHEN Anjiang , ZHENG Jianfeng , JANSON Xavier , CHANG Shaoying , WANG Xiaofang , CHEN Yana , LIAO Yisha
Published: August 2017

Numerous hydrocarbon accumulations are found in ramp crest shoals worldwide and therefore this depositional setting has a high potential of being the hydrocarbon reservoir. In this paper, we combined digital outcrop geology and traditional geological mapping to build an outcrop‐based geocellular model of the ramp‐crest shoal complex of the Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation in the Eastern Sichuan Basin. The outcrop model serves as an analogue for the subsurface reservoir of the Feixianguan Formation and illustrates the complexity of the lithofacies types, stratigraphic architecture, and reservoir heterogeneities at a scale below conventional subsurface data resolution. The studied ramp‐crest shoal complex consists of thirteen types of lithofacies that can be grouped into three facies‐groups corresponding to subtidal intraclastic shoal, sub‐ to inter‐tidal oolitic shoal, and tidal flat depositional environments respectively. The stratigraphic architecture of the shoal complex shows mostly a strong progradation of the high energy facies associated with an overall decrease of accommodation space associated with relative sea level still stand. Two reservoir facies associations have been recognized. The first one consists of supratidal dolomudstone and upper intertidal partially dolomitized oolitic packstone with anhydrite or nodules. These facies were deposited above the high energy oolitic grainstones and occurs as thin‐bedded and laterally continuous layers, characterized by high porosity and low permeability. The second reservoir facies association is composed of intertidal crystalline dolomite and subtidal intraclastic bindstone that occurs stratigraphically below the oolitic grainstones. These deposits consist of massive laterally discontinuously beds, and are characterized by high porosity and high permeability. Both types of reservoir facies tend to be stacked vertically and migrated laterally with the progradation of the shoal complex. The construction of the outcrop‐based 3D geological model provide a description and quantification of the facies distribution within a robust stratigraphic framework and the style and amount of reservoir heterogeneities associated with a ramp‐crest shoal complex reservoir such as the one found in Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation and Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation in Sichuan Basin or other ramp‐crest reservoir worldwide.
Association between serum vitamin D levels and neuropathic pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yesil Hilal , Sungur Ulas , Akdeniz Sedef , Gurer Gulcan , Yalcın Basak , Dundar Umit
Published: August 2017

Aim

Recent literature suggests that neuropathic pain (NP) and vitamin D deficiency can occur concurrently in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to examine the development of NP in patients with RA and the relationship between NP and vitamin D.

Methods

We used the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) questionnaire to evaluate NP in 93 patients with RA. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from patient files and interviews, and patients' serum vitamin D levels were recorded. Patients were requested to complete both the Short Form‐36 survey and the Health Assessment Questionnaire.

Results

Seventy‐five of the eligible patients were female (80.6%), and 31 (33.3%) were diagnosed with NP according to the LANSS. There was a negative correlation between vitamin D levels and the LANSS score (P = 0.001). The prevalence of NP was 5.8 times higher among patients with serum vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL than in patients with vitamin D levels ≥ 30 ng/mL. Based on the area under curve (AUC) values, we found that serum levels of vitamin D were a good predictor of NP diagnoses in patients with RA (AUC = 0.71).

Conclusion

We found that vitamin D deficiency was asssociated with increased NP in patients with RA. Although further research is needed to clarify the association between serum vitamin D levels and NP, our study raises awareness of the need to screen for vitamin D deficiency in RA patients with NP.
How Financial Resources Affect the Autonomy of International Public Administrations
Authors: Ege Jörn , Bauer Michael W.
Published: August 2017

Voluntary contributions – often earmarked for specific purposes – have become an indispensable source of revenue for international organizations (IOs) and the UN organizations in particular. While the reasons for this trend are regularly studied, its effects on the internal functioning of the organization (especially on the ‘international public administration’ (IPA) as the organization's secretariat) remain unclear. Given this gap, we study the consequences of increasing financial dependence for the autonomy of IPA staff. Using financial and personnel data of 15 UN agencies over time, our results are in line with the intuitive expectation that more financial resources in the form of voluntary contributions increase the number of staff. We also find evidence, however, that the more an organization depends on voluntary resources (within its broader financial portfolio), the more it reduces the ratio of permanent staff among its total workforce in the subsequent years. The underlying adaption of IPAs’ recruitment and career structures to growing financial insecurities has important implications for the autonomy of international bureaucrats and needs to be considered also in terms of its long‐term impact on administrative professionalism and organizational performance.
Effects of FSTL1 on the proliferation and motility of breast cancer cells and vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Yang Yang , Mu Tianhao , Li Te , Xie Songbo , Zhou Jun , Liu Min , Li Dengwen
Published: August 2017

Background

Treatments that prevent the motility of breast cancer cells and inhibit formation of new capillary vessels are urgently needed. FSTL1 is a secreted protein that has been implicated in maintaining the normal physiological function of the cardiovascular system, in addition to a variety of other biological functions. We investigated the role of FSTL1 in the proliferation and migration of breast cancer and vascular endothelial cells.

Methods

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human breast cancer BT‐549 cells were used to test the effects of FSTL1 and the N‐terminal domain of FSTL1. Immunofluorescence microscopy and 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazolyl‐2)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide, transwell invasion, and wound healing assays were conducted.

Results

Different doses of the N‐terminal fragment of FSTL1 (FSTL‐N) have variable effects on the migration of these cells. However, FSTL1 does not significantly affect tube formation in vitro from vascular endothelial cells. FSTL1‐FL and FSTL1‐N have modest effects on the invasion of breast cancer and vascular endothelial cells. Interestingly, FSTL1‐FL, but not FSTL‐N, modulates vascular endothelial cell polarization.

Conclusion

FSTL1 modestly affects the proliferation of breast cancer cells and vascular endothelial cells. Our findings improve our understanding of the functions of FSTL1 in breast cancer development and angiogenesis.
Reduced Levels of mGlu2 Receptors within the Prelimbic Cortex Are Not Associated with Elevated Glutamate Transmission or High Alcohol Drinking
Authors: Ding Zheng‐Ming , Ingraham Cynthia M. , Hauser Sheketha R. , Lasek Amy W. , Bell Richard L. , McBride William J.
Published: August 2017

Background

A Grm2 cys407* stop codon mutation, which results in a loss of the metabotropic glutamate 2 (mGlu2) receptor protein, was identified as being associated with high alcohol drinking by alcohol‐preferring (P) rats. The objectives of the current study were to characterize the effects of reduced levels of mGlu2 receptors on glutamate transmission and alcohol drinking.

Methods

Quantitative no‐net‐flux microdialysis was used to test the hypothesis that basal extracellular glutamate levels in the prelimbic (PL) cortex and nucleus accumbens shell (NACsh) will be higher in P than Wistar rats. A lentiviral‐delivered short‐hairpin RNA (shRNA)‐mediated knockdown was used to test the hypothesis that reduced levels of mGlu2 receptors within the PL cortex will increase voluntary alcohol drinking by Wistar rats. A linear regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis that there will be a significant correlation between the Grm2 cys407* mutation and level of alcohol intake.

Results

Extracellular glutamate concentrations within the PL cortex (3.6 ± 0.6 vs. 6.4 ± 0.6 μM) and NACsh (3.2 ± 0.4 vs. 6.6 ± 0.6 μM) were significantly lower in female P than female Wistar rats. Western blot detected the presence of mGlu2 receptors in these regions of female Wistar rats, but not female P rats. Micro‐infusion of shRNAs into the PL cortex significantly reduced local mGlu2 receptor levels (by 40%), but did not alter voluntary alcohol drinking in male Wistar rats. In addition, there was no significant correlation between the Grm2 mutation and alcohol intake in 36 rodent lines (r = 0.29, p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Collectively, these results suggest a lack of association between the loss of mGlu2 receptors and glutamate transmission in the NACsh and PL cortex of female P rats, and between the level of mGlu2 receptors in the PL cortex and alcohol drinking of male Wistar rats.
Incidence of early anxiety aggravation in trials of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in depression
Authors: Näslund J. , Hieronymus F. , Emilsson J. F. , Lisinski A. , Nilsson S. , Eriksson E.
Published: August 2017

Objective

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may aggravate anxiety and agitation during the first days of treatment but the frequency of such reactions remains unknown.

Method

We analysed patient‐level data from placebo‐controlled trials of sertraline, paroxetine or citalopram in depressed adults. Somatic anxiety, psychic anxiety and psychomotor agitation as assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were analysed in all trials (n = 8262); anxiety‐related adverse events were analysed in trials investigating paroxetine and citalopram (n = 5712).

Results

After one but not two weeks, patients on an SSRI were more likely than those on placebo to report enhanced somatic anxiety (adjusted risk 9.3% vs. 6.7%); likewise, mean rating of somatic anxiety was higher in the SSRI group. In contrast, patients receiving an SSRI were less likely to report aggravation of psychic anxiety (adjusted risk: 7.0% vs. 8.5%) with mean rating of psychic anxiety and agitation being lower in the SSRI group. The adverse event ‘nervousness’ was more common in patients given an SSRI (5.5% vs. 2.5%). Neither aggravation of HDRS‐rated anxiety nor anxiety‐related adverse events predicted poor antidepressant response.

Conclusion

Whereas an anxiety‐reducing effect of SSRIs is notable already during the first week of treatment, these drugs may also elicit an early increase in anxiety in susceptible subjects that however does not predict a poor subsequent response to treatment.
Image‐guided IMRT with simultaneous integrated boost as per RTOG 0529 for the treatment of anal cancer
Authors: Arcadipane Francesca , Franco Pierfrancesco , Ceccarelli Manuela , Furfaro Gabriella , Rondi Nadia , Trino Elisabetta , Martini Stefania , Iorio Giuseppe Carlo , Mistrangelo Massimiliano , Cassoni Paola , Racca Patrizia , Morino Mario , Ricardi Umberto
Published: August 2017

Aim

To report on clinical outcomes of simultaneous integrated boost intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy as per Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0529 protocol in anal cancer patients.

Methods

Clinical stage T1–T4 N0–N3 anal cancer patients were submitted to concomitant chemoradiation. Patients with cT2N0 disease were prescribed 50.4 Gy/28 fractions to the gross tumor planning target volume (PTV) and 42 Gy/28 fractions to the elective nodal PTV. Patients staged as cT3–T4/N0–N3 were given 54 Gy/30 fractions to the macroscopic anal PTV, while clinical nodes were prescribed 50.4 Gy/30 fractions if <3 cm or 54 Gy/30 fractions if ≥3 cm; elective nodal PTV was prescribed 45 Gy/30 fractions. Two cycles of concomitant 5‐fluorouracil and mitomycin C were planned for all patients. Oncological outcomes, acute and late toxicity profiles and pattern of failure were reported.

Results

The 3‐year colostomy‐free survival rate was 64% (95% CI 0.52–0.75). The 3‐year local control, disease‐free and overall survival rates were 69% (95% CI 0.57–0.79), 71% (95% CI 0.59–0.80) and 79% (95% CI 0.66–0.87), respectively. The cumulative incidence of colostomies was 15.1% (95% CI 8.15–23.88) at 24 months. The cumulative incidence of cancer‐specific deaths was 16.4% (95% CI 8.60–26.47) at 36 months. Major acute toxicity consisted of hematological (G3–G4: 26%) and cutaneous (G3–G4: 16%) events. Only one case of ≥G3 late toxicity was documented.

Conclusions

Simultaneous integrated boost IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy as per RTOG 0529 protocol seems to be safe and feasible with consistent oncological outcomes and a mild acute and late toxicity profile in anal cancer patients.
CCL19/CCR7 contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis via PI3K/Akt pathway by regulating the proliferation and invasion of ESCs
Authors: Diao Ruiying , Wei Weixia , Zhao Jinghui , Tian Fuying , Cai Xueyong , Duan Yong‐Gang
Published: August 2017

Problem

The level of CCL19 increased in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis, but the precise mechanism of CCL19/CCR7 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unknown.

Methods

ELISA and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyze CCL19/CCR7 expressions in peritoneal fluid and endometrium from women with endometriosis (n = 38) and controls (n = 32). Cell proliferation and transwell invasion assays were applied to detect proliferation and invasion of human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Expressions of Bcl2, MMP2, MMP9, and p‐AKT/AKT were analyzed by Western blot.

Results

Peritoneal fluid concentration of CCL19 in patients with endometriosis was higher than that in controls. Those patients with moderate/severe endometriosis had significantly higher peritoneal fluid concentrations of CCL19 compared to those with minimal/mild endometriosis. Higher CCL19 and CCR7 were found in the endometrium with endometriosis compared to control. CCL19 significantly enhanced ESC proliferation and invasion through CCR7 via activating PI3K/Akt signal pathways. CCL19/CCR7 interaction significantly enhanced phosphorylation of Akt, Bcl2, MMP2, and MMP9 in ESCs.

Conclusion

These data indicate CCL19/CCR7 contributes to proliferation and invasion of ESCs, which are conducive to the pathogenesis of endometriosis through activating PI3K/Akt pathway.
Fly Thru imaging: Feasibility study and comparison with outpatient hysteroscopy
Authors: Rajendran Sumathi , Mogra Ritu , Li Ying , de Vries Bradley , Hyett Jon
Published: August 2017

Background

In the investigation of abnormal uterine bleeding, hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy is considered the gold standard. Fly Thru™ imaging is a new application used to generate virtual hysteroscopy clips.

Aims

We aimed to investigate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of sonohysterogram with virtual hysteroscopy as an alternative to outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy.

Materials and Methods

Two separate cohorts of women were recruited. The first cohort was to assess feasibility of the application. The second cohort included women recruited to undergo a sonohysterogram, with virtual hysteroscopy, prior to their scheduled outpatient hysteroscopy. Pain scores were recorded after each procedure.

Results

Sixteen women were recruited to the feasibility cohort and virtual hysteroscopy post‐processing was successfully applied in 14/16 (88%). Clips were produced in less than one minute in 12/16 (75%). Both tubal ostia were identified in 12/16 (75%). Twenty‐nine women were enrolled in the correlation cohort with two women excluded as they did not proceed to hysteroscopy according to study protocol. Virtual hysteroscopy, successfully generated in 23/27 women (85%), detected all intra‐cavitary pathologies (9/27) detected on outpatient hysteroscopy. Tubal ostia were visualised less often with virtual hysteroscopy (37%) when compared with outpatient hysteroscopy (74%). Sonohysterogram with virtual hysteroscopy was associated with less pain with a median difference in pain score of 2 (interquartile range 1.0–4.0, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Sonohysterogram with virtual hysteroscopy is feasible; however, the addition of virtual hysteroscopy to sonohysterogram alone has limited value. Larger studies are required to determine whether it can be used as a diagnostic alternative to outpatient hysteroscopy.
The future of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic gynaecologic surgery in Australia – A time and a place for everything
Authors: Nicklin James
Published: August 2017

There has been a significant increase in minimally invasive surgery in gynaecology over the last 15 years, with approximately only one‐third of hysterectomies for benign disease now performed via laparotomy. While robotic surgery offers considerable technical advantages over conventional laparoscopy and is associated with only a modest learning curve, the improvement in clinical outcomes is marginal and there are several disadvantages. There are increased set‐up and operating times, the need to accommodate and maintain large sophisticated equipment, and the requirement for additional training. The preeminent issue regarding the place of robotic gynaecological surgery is cost. How this is addressed and contained will ultimately determine uptake in Australia. From the published literature to date, robotic surgery compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery is associated with marginal improvements in clinical outcomes for benign hysterectomy and endometrial cancer surgery, but little improvement for other benign gynaecological surgery or for cervical cancer surgery. Robotic surgery probably does improve clinical outcomes in obese and morbidly obese patients and is associated with improved ergonomics for the surgeon. It is likely that there will be continued substantial improvements in robotic surgical platforms into the foreseeable future and that robotic surgery will play an increasingly important role in gynaecological surgery in Australia.
5‐/12‐Lipoxygenase‐linked cascade contributes to the IL‐33‐induced synthesis of IL‐13 in mast cells, thus promoting asthma development
Authors: Ro MyungJa , Lee A‐Jin , Kim Jae‐Hong
Published: August 2017

Background

As asthma progresses, the levels of IL‐33 in serum are markedly increased and contribute to asthmatic development and exacerbation. Mast cells, one of the principal effector cells in the pathogenesis of asthma, express high levels of the IL‐33 receptor ST2 and have been shown to be activated by IL‐33. Thus, IL‐33 stimulates mast cells to produce Th2‐type cytokines such as IL‐13, thus contributing to asthmatic development. However, the signaling mechanism for IL‐33‐induced synthesis of Th2 cytokines, particularly IL‐13, has not been fully elucidated in mast cells.

Methods

The role of 5‐ or 12‐LO in the IL‐33‐induced synthesis of IL‐13 was investigated using knockdown or pharmacological inhibitors in bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMCs) and animal model.

Results

Blockade of 5‐ or 12‐LO significantly suppressed IL‐33‐induced synthesis of IL‐13 in BMMCs. The subsequent action of 5‐ and 12‐LO metabolites through their specific receptor, BLT2, was also critical for IL‐33‐induced synthesis of IL‐13. We also demonstrated that the MyD88‐p38 kinase cascade lies upstream of 5‐/12‐LO and that NF‐κB lies downstream of 5‐/12‐LO to mediate the IL‐33‐induced synthesis of IL‐13 in mast cells. Consistent with these findings, we observed that in an IL‐33‐administered asthmatic airway inflammation model, IL‐13 levels were markedly increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but its levels were markedly suppressed by treatment with inhibitors of 5‐LO, 12‐LO or BLT2, further suggesting roles of 5‐/12‐LO in IL‐33‐induced IL‐13 production.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that “MyD88‐5‐/12‐LO‐BLT2‐NF‐κB” cascade significantly contributes to the IL‐33‐induced synthesis of IL‐13 in mast cells, thus potentially contributing to asthmatic development and exacerbation.
Intravitreal gas for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion: a synthesis of the literature
Authors: Neffendorf James E. , Simpson Andrew R.H. , Steel David H.W. , Desai Riti , McHugh Dominic A. , Pringle Edward , Jackson Timothy L.
Published: August 2017

Symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (sVMA) is defined as visual loss secondary to foveal damage from vitreomacular traction (VMT) and includes isolated VMT, impending macular hole (MH), and full‐thickness MH with persisting vitreous attachment. Management options include pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), intravitreal ocriplasmin, intravitreal gas injection or observation. This synthesis of the literature aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of intravitreal gas for sVMA. Articles describing patients with VMT or MH treated with intravitreal expansile gas were selected by systematic literature review using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to September 2016. The main outcomes at 1 month and final review were logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity (VA), anatomical success (absence of both VMT and MH, without PPV) and adverse events (AEs). The intended comparator was observation. Nine of 106 identified articles were eligible, and none were randomized controlled trials. The mean VA of 91 eyes improved from 0.55 (Snellen equivalent 6/21) to 0.48 (6/18) logMAR at 1 month and to 0.35 (6/13) logMAR at final review. The mean VA at final review, prior to a vitrectomy, was 0.42 (6/16). Anatomic success was 48% at 1 month and 57% at final review. The reported AEs comprised retinal detachment in two highly myopic eyes. Intravitreal gas injection can relieve sVMA. Larger controlled studies are needed to determine safety and efficacy relative to observation, ocriplasmin, or vitrectomy.
Micro‐bodily mobilities: Choreographing geographies and mobilities of dance and disability
Authors: Veal Charlotte
Published: August 2017

This paper examines the mobile and embodied geographies of four able‐bodied dancers following their artistic encounters with disability in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Uniquely, I work with the dancing body to examine the differentiated experiences of mobility, and to uncover the performative role of the able body in unravelling assumptions around the skills and artistry of disability dance. Empirical research developed in response to a choreographic dialogue held between the British dance company BalletBoyz and the disabled dancers of Ethiopia's Adugna Potentials. Post‐artistic exchange interviews and performance‐based observations with the BalletBoyz are mobilised here to advance geographical knowledge about the embodied, performative and practised dimensions of micro‐bodily mobility. Equally, I assert the creative potential of the dancing body to probe the social construction of imperfect mobility by exceeding an ablest mobile experience, and inverting expectations around bodily disability.
Beyond happy meat: Body mapping (dis)connections to animals in alternative food networks
Authors: Bruckner Heide K.
Published: August 2017

This paper explores the use of body mapping methods in the study of human–animal relations in alternative food networks. While research on alternative food networks is prolific, it has paid little attention to the bodily intimacies of eating‐as‐relational, particularly regarding meat. As recent scholarship on visceral geographies of food claims the body as central, meat and accompanying human–animal relations remain in the shadows. How do conscientious meat eaters relate rationally, affectively and metabolically to animals in consumption practices? Building on current work in geographies of food and feeling, I argue that body mapping serves as a device to probe the visceral realm of practices and feelings in meat consumption. Drawing on focus group fieldwork in Austria, I illustrate how body mapping brings attention to the intertwined material‐affective dimensions of food by eliciting data on both representational and material (dis)engagement with animal life. Furthermore, it facilitates individual and group reflexivity of uncomfortable practices. As a performative method, body mapping opens space for new considerations of the “animal” in relation to food practice. For geographers of food and feeling, body mapping addresses the call for critical methods that illuminate the complexity and contradictions of how bodies respond to – and care for – others within the food system.
Pfannenstiel laparoendoscopic reduced‐port bilateral radical nephrectomy for a patient with renal cell carcinoma undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Nomura Takeo , Yamasaki Mutsushi , Takei Kohei , Sato Fuminori , Terachi Toshiro , Mimata Hiromitsu
Published: August 2017

We performed Pfannenstiel laparoendoscopic reduced‐port bilateral radical nephrectomy on a patient with renal cell carcinoma undergoing hemodialysis. A 4‐cm Pfannenstiel incision was made, and a GelPOINT access was inserted. Three trocars were placed through the access platform, and additional 5‐ and 3‐mm trocars were inserted in the umbilicus and paraumbilical area, respectively. After left nephrectomy, right nephrectomy was successfully completed in 401 min, with an estimated blood loss of 70 mL. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, and the patient was discharged 10 days postoperatively. The umbilical scar was concealed within the umbilical fold, and the scar from the 3‐mm trocar was almost invisible. The Pfannenstiel scar was minimal and concealed by the patient's underwear. Pfannenstiel laparoendoscopic reduced‐port simultaneous bilateral radical nephrectomy is a safe and technically feasible procedure that offers great cosmesis for patients with bilateral renal tumors and end‐stage renal disease.
Meat and nutritional quality comparison of purebred and crossbred pigs
Authors: Zhang Jie , Chai Jie , Luo Zonggang , He Hang , Chen Lei , Liu Xueqin , Zhou Qinfei
Published: August 2017

Crossbreeding is an effective method of improving the efficiency and profit of production in commercial pig operations. To understand the effect of crossbreeding on meat and nutrient quality, a combination including three purebred (Duroc, D; Landrace, L; Yorkshire, Y) and two crossbred pig lines (Landrace × Yorkshire, LY; Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), DLY) frequently used internationally were studied. The results showed that meat from the LY and DLY crosses had lower values for lightness , shear force and epinephrine and higher values for drip loss, C18:1, insulin, glucagon and monounsaturated fatty acids than D, L and Y pigs. Moreover, LY had higher values for post mortem pH and lower values for a* and b* than the purebreds. In contrast, DLY had lower values for pH and higher values for a* and b* than the purebreds. Meat quality‐related gene analysis showed that the CAST, IGF2 and MC4R gene expression levels in the LY and DLY pigs were significantly higher than those in the D, L and Y pigs. These results indicate that crossbreeding can alter the meat quality, nutritive value, energy metabolism and gene expression of pigs. Future research should focus on microRNA expression and DNA methylation that regulate gene expression and thus affect the meat quality.
Survival and developmental competence of bovine embryos at different developmental stages and separated blastomeres after vitrification in different solutions
Authors: Juanpanich Theesit , Suttirojpattana Tayita , Takayama Mari , Liang Yuanyuan , Dochi Osamu , Parnpai Rangsun , Imai Kei
Published: August 2017

Generating techniques to enhance the success of blastomere separation is important for bovine economy, because it increases the number of transferable embryos. This study aimed to identify the optimum cryoprotectants for the vitrification of bovine embryos and the separation of blastomeres at different stages. In experiment 1, expanded blastocysts were vitrified in two different vitrification solutions, either (1) ethylene glycol (EG) + propylene glycol (PG) or (2) EG. The survival rate of blastocysts in the EG + PG was higher than that of the EG. In experiment 2, intact two‐cell and eight‐cell stage embryos were vitrified in the same solutions used in experiment 1. The EG + PG produced more dead embryos than the EG (P < 0.05). In the EG, the rate of blastocyst formation was similar for the vitrified two‐ and eight‐cell embryos and the non‐vitrified ywo‐cell embryos. In experiment 3, separated blastomeres of two‐ and eight‐cell embryos were vitrified in EG. There was no difference in the rate of blastocyst formation and total number of cells between the two vitrified groups. In summary, at the blastocyst stage, EG + PG was superior, based on both survival rates and cell numbers; however, at the 2–8 cell stage, the use of EG alone was better than the other groups.
Effects of correcting missing daily feed intake values on the genetic parameters and estimated breeding values for feeding traits in pigs
Authors: Ito Tetsuya , Fukawa Kazuo , Kamikawa Mai , Nikaidou Satoshi , Taniguchi Masaaki , Arakawa Aisaku , Tanaka Genki , Mikawa Satoshi , Furukawa Tsutomu , Hirose Kensuke
Published: August 2017

Daily feed intake (DFI) is an important consideration for improving feed efficiency, but measurements using electronic feeder systems contain many missing and incorrect values. Therefore, we evaluated three methods for correcting missing DFI data (quadratic, orthogonal polynomial, and locally weighted (Loess) regression equations) and assessed the effects of these missing values on the genetic parameters and the estimated breeding values (EBV) for feeding traits. DFI records were obtained from 1622 Duroc pigs, comprising 902 individuals without missing DFI and 720 individuals with missing DFI. The Loess equation was the most suitable method for correcting the missing DFI values in 5–50% randomly deleted datasets among the three equations. Both variance components and heritability for the average DFI (ADFI) did not change because of the missing DFI proportion and Loess correction. In terms of rank correlation and information criteria, Loess correction improved the accuracy of EBV for ADFI compared to randomly deleted cases. These findings indicate that the Loess equation is useful for correcting missing DFI values for individual pigs and that the correction of missing DFI values could be effective for the estimation of breeding values and genetic improvement using EBV for feeding traits.
The indispensability of labelled groups to vulnerability in bioethics
Authors: Kwek Adrian
Published: August 2017

Regarding the determination of vulnerability, the bioethics community has univocally jettisoned “labelled groups”, groups whose membership confers a context‐invariant “vulnerable” status to their members. While the usual reasons against the sole use of labelled groups to determine the vulnerability of individuals are sound, labelled groups as exemplars of vulnerability can play indispensable roles in bioethical reasoning. In this article, I argue against the wholesale jettisoning of labelled groups by showing how they can be useful.
Reconsidering paternalism in clinical research
Authors: Jansen Lynn A. , Wall Steven
Published: August 2017

The ethical standards that regulate clinical research have multiple rationales. Among them is the need to protect potential subjects from making imprudent decisions, which extends beyond the soft paternalistic concern to protect people from making uninformed decisions to participate in trials. This article argues that a plausible risk/benefit restriction on clinical trials is presumptively justified by hard paternalism, which in turn is supported by a deeper fairness‐based rationale. This presumptive case for hard paternalism in research is not defeated by the alleged right to participate in clinical trials, by concerns about insult or status, by the need to conduct early phase trials that promise little to no benefit to participants, or by the recognition that some potential subjects are altruistically motivated.
Sources of influence on pregnant women's preferred mode of delivery in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Amyx Melissa , Gibbons Luz , Xiong Xu , Mazzoni Agustina , Althabe Fernando , Buekens Pierre , Belizán José M.
Published: August 2017

Background

Understanding influences on women's preferred delivery mode is vital for planning interventions to reduce cesarean rates and for ensuring that women receive correct information. Our objectives were to: determine if sources of information influencing a pregnant woman's preferred delivery mode and knowledge of cesarean indications differ by sociodemographic characteristics; to conduct a factor analysis of items related to information sources influencing this preference; and to determine if knowledge differs by information sources influencing this preference or their underlying latent constructs.

Methods

Data from a prospective cohort study conducted in Buenos Aires was analyzed. Healthy nulliparous women aged 18‐35, at >32 weeks of gestation and with live, singleton pregnancies participated. The primary research questions were evaluated using Chi‐square tests, factor analysis, logistic regression, and generalized estimating equations.

Results

A total of 382 women participated in the study. Women of lower socioeconomic status were more influenced by people, magazines and TV/movies in their mode of delivery preferences, and had poorer knowledge of cesarean indications. Sources of influence for preferred delivery mode and factors derived in factor analysis were not associated with knowledge level when considered individually or together, or when adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, or when accounting for clustering by the hospital sector (public or private).

Conclusions

Higher socioeconomic status is associated with being less influenced by people and with better knowledge of indications for cesarean delivery. Knowledge of cesarean indications was not associated with the source of information about mode of delivery preferences.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for clinically distressed health care workers: Waitlist‐controlled evaluation of an ACT workshop in a routine practice setting
Authors: Waters Cerith S. , Frude Neil , Flaxman Paul E. , Boyd Jane
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To examine the effects of a 1‐day acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) workshop on the mental health of clinically distressed health care employees, and to explore ACT's processes of change in a routine practice setting.

Design

A quasi‐controlled design, with participants block allocated to an ACT intervention or waiting list control group based on self‐referral date.

Methods

Participants were 35 health care workers who had self‐referred for the ACT workshop via a clinical support service for staff. Measures were completed by ACT and control group participants at pre‐intervention and 3 months post‐intervention. Participants allocated to the waitlist condition went on to receive the ACT intervention and were also assessed 3 months later.

Results

At 3 months post‐intervention, participants in the ACT group reported a significantly lower level of psychological distress compared to the control group (d = 1.41). Across the 3‐month evaluation period, clinically significant change was exhibited by 50% of ACT participants, compared to 0% in the control group. When the control group received the same ACT intervention, 69% went on to exhibit clinically significant change. The ACT intervention also resulted in significant improvements in psychological flexibility, defusion, and mindfulness skills, but did not significantly reduce the frequency of negative cognitions. Bootstrapped mediation analyses indicated that the reduction in distress in the ACT condition was primarily associated with an increase in mindfulness skills, especially observing and non‐reactivity.

Conclusions

These findings provide preliminary support for providing brief ACT interventions as part of routine clinical support services for distressed workers.

Practitioner points

A 1‐day ACT workshop delivered in the context of a routine staff support service was effective for reducing psychological distress among health care workers.

The brief nature of this group intervention means it may be particularly suitable for staff support and primary care mental health service settings.

The findings indicate that the beneficial effects of an ACT workshop on distressed employees' mental health were linked to improvements in specific mindfulness skills.

Study limitations include non‐random allocation of participants to the ACT and control groups, and measurement of mediators and outcome at the same time point (3 months post‐intervention).
Impact of genetic variants on haematopoiesis in patients with thrombocytopenia absent radii (TAR) syndrome
Authors: Manukjan Georgi , Bösing Hendrik , Schmugge Markus , Strauß Gabriele , Schulze Harald
Published: August 2017

Thrombocytopenia absent radii (TAR) syndrome is clearly defined by the combination of radial aplasia and reduced platelet counts. The genetics of TAR syndrome has recently been resolved and comprises a microdeletion on Chromosome 1 including the RBM8A gene and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) either at the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) or within the first intron of RBM8A. Although phenotypically readily diagnosed after birth, the genetic determination of particular SNPs in TAR syndrome harbours valuable information to evaluate disease severity and treatment decisions. Here, we present clinical data in a cohort of 38 patients and observed that platelet counts in individuals with 5′UTR SNP are significantly lower compared to patients bearing the SNP in intron 1. Moreover, elevated haemoglobin values could only be assessed in patients with 5′UTR SNP whereas white blood cell count is unaffected, indicating that frequently observed anaemia in TAR patients could also be SNP‐dependent whereas leucocytosis does not correlate with genetic background. However, this report on a large cohort provides an overview of important haematological characteristics in TAR patients, facilitating evaluation of the various traits in this disease and indicating the importance of genetic validation for TAR syndrome.
Widespread brain distribution and activity following i.c.v. infusion of anti‐β‐secretase (BACE1) in nonhuman primates
Authors: Yadav Daniela Bumbaca , Maloney Janice A , Wildsmith Kristin R , Fuji Reina N , Meilandt William J , Solanoy Hilda , Lu Yanmei , Peng Kun , Wilson Blair , Chan Pamela , Gadkar Kapil , Kosky Andrew , Goo Marisa , Daugherty Ann , Couch Jessica A , Keene Thomas , Hayes Karen , Nikolas Lisa Jungbauer , Lane Deanna , Switzer Robert , Adams Eric , Watts Ryan J , Scearce‐Levie Kimberly , Prabhu Saileta , Shafer Lisa , Thakker Deepak R , Hildebrand Keith , Atwal Jasvinder K
Published: August 2017

Background and Purpose

The potential for therapeutic antibody treatment of neurological diseases is limited by poor penetration across the blood–brain barrier. I.c.v. delivery is a promising route to the brain; however, it is unclear how efficiently antibodies delivered i.c.v. penetrate the cerebrospinal spinal fluid (CSF)‐brain barrier and distribute throughout the brain parenchyma.

Experimental Approach

We evaluated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of an inhibitory monoclonal antibody against β‐secretase 1 (anti‐BACE1) following continuous infusion into the left lateral ventricle of healthy adult cynomolgus monkeys.

Key Results

Animals infused with anti‐BACE1 i.c.v. showed a robust and sustained reduction (~70%) of CSF amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides. Antibody distribution was near uniform across the brain parenchyma, ranging from 20 to 40 nM, resulting in a ~50% reduction of Aβ in the cortical parenchyma. In contrast, animals administered anti‐BACE1 i.v. showed no significant change in CSF or cortical Aβ levels and had a low (~0.6 nM) antibody concentration in the brain.

Conclusion and Implications

I.c.v. administration of anti‐BACE1 resulted in enhanced BACE1 target engagement and inhibition, with a corresponding dramatic reduction in CNS Aβ concentrations, due to enhanced brain exposure to antibody.
Trait emotional intelligence in a sample of Egyptian children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Abo Elella Eman , Hassan Ghada A.M. , Sabry Walaa , Hendawy Heba , Shorub Eman , Zyada Fadia , Medany Omar
Published: August 2017

Background

The link between types and severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and trait emotional intelligence (TEI) is still underinvestigated, especially in children. We aimed to examine the relationship between TEI and ADHD symptoms in a sample of Egyptian children.

Method

The study included 50 children with ADHD, who were compared on the basis of their TEI and contrasted with 25 matched healthy controls. They were subjected to the Arabic version of the following scales: Connors scale 3rd edition, parent rating form, Kiddie‐Schedule for affective disorders and Schizophrenia present and Lifetime Version (K‐SADS‐PL), Stanford Binet intelligence scale, 4th edition and Trait Emotional Intelligence Child form (TEI) and a semistructured clinical data sheet for sociodemographic data.

Results

Using TEI scale, the control group was shown to have higher scores in TEI than cases, there was a high significant difference with regards to eight of nine TEI facets together with the TEI global score. Moreover, the control group significantly outperformed ADHD children with mixed and hyperactive subtypes on TEI global score in all facets except for adaptability. Meanwhile, the inattentive group performed significantly poorer than those in the control group on TEI global score, adaptability, emotional expression, self‐motivation and emotion regulation facets. Trait Emotional Intelligence was negatively correlated with four of ADHD symptom groups assessed by Connors test, namely; impulsivity, cognitive, social problem, and emotional liability symptoms. However, Impulsivity was negatively correlated with all the domains of TEI except for adaptability and emotional expression. On the other hand, oppositional symptoms did not show a significant correlation with any of the TEI facets.

Conclusions

Trait emotional intelligence is highly impaired in children with ADHD and emotional deficits are corner stone features of that disorder, low impulsivity facet of TEI is highly correlated with social problems and poor peer relations.
Lipocalin 2 negatively regulates cell proliferation and epithelial to mesenchymal transition through changing metabolic gene expression in colorectal cancer
Authors: Kim Se‐Lim , Lee Soo Teik , Min In Suk , Park Young Ran , Lee Ju Hyung , Kim Dae‐Ghon , Kim Sang‐Wook
Published: August 2017

Lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a member of the lipocalin superfamily, plays an important role in oncogenesis and progression in various types of cancer. However, the expression pattern and functional role of LCN2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether LCN2 is associated with proliferation and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CRC and to elucidate the underlying signaling pathways. LCN2 was preferentially expressed in CRC cells compared to normal tissues. However, LCN2 expression was significantly lower in metastatic or advanced‐stage CRC than in non‐metastatic or early stage CRC. Knockdown of LCN2 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in CRC cells expressing a high level of LCN2 induced cell proliferation and a morphological switch from an epithelial to mesenchymal state. Furthermore, downregulation of LCN2 in CRC cells increased cell migration and invasion involved in the regulation of EMT markers. Knockdown of LCN2 also induced glucose consumption and lactate production, accompanied by an increase in energy metabolism‐related genes. Taken together, our findings indicated that LCN2 negatively modulated proliferation, EMT and energy metabolism in CRC cells. Accordingly, LCN2 may be a candidate metastasis suppressor and potential therapeutic target in CRC.
Relations of Inhibition and Emotion‐Related Parenting to Young Children's Prosocial and Vicariously Induced Distress Behavior
Authors: Eisenberg Nancy , Spinrad Tracy L. , Taylor Zoe E. , Liew Jeffrey
Published: August 2017

Children's prosocial behavior and personal distress are likely affected by children's temperament as well as parenting quality. In this study, we examined bidirectional relations from age 30 to 42 months between children's (N = 218) prosocial or self‐focused (presumably distressed) reactions to a relative stranger's distress and both supportive emotion‐related maternal reactions to children's emotions and children's shyness/inhibition. When controlling for 30‐month prosocial behavior and personal distress behavior, maternal supportive (emotion‐focused and problem‐focused) reactions were positively related to prosocial behavior and marginally negatively related to children's personal distress behaviors and shyness/inhibition at 42 months. Thirty‐month personal distress behavior predicted greater shyness/inhibition at 42 months, and 30‐month shyness/inhibition was negatively related to prosocial behavior at 30 months.
A Model of Maternal and Paternal Ethnic Socialization of Mexican‐American Adolescents’ Self‐Views
Authors: Knight George P. , Carlo Gustavo , Streit Cara , White Rebecca M.B.
Published: August 2017

Data from a sample of 462 Mexican‐American adolescents (M = 10.4 years, SD = .55; 48.1% girls), mothers, and fathers were used to test an ethnic socialization model of ethnic identity and self‐efficacy that also considered mainstream parenting styles (e.g., authoritative parenting). Findings supported the ethnic socialization model: parents’ endorsement of Mexican‐American values were associated with ethnic socialization at fifth grade and seventh grade; maternal ethnic socialization at fifth grade and paternal ethnic socialization at seventh grade were associated with adolescents’ ethnic identity exploration at 10th grade and, in turn, self‐efficacy at 12th grade. The findings support ethnic socialization conceptions of how self‐views of ethnicity develop from childhood across adolescence in Mexican‐American children.