bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin plays divergent roles in murine models of atopic and nonatopic airway inflammation
Authors: Yadava K. , Massacand J. , Mosconi I. , Nicod L. P. , Harris N. L. , Marsland B. J.
Published: June 2014

Background

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine primarily produced by epithelial cells, which has been shown to be a potent inducer of T‐helper 2 (Th2)‐type responses. However, TSLP has pleiotropic effects upon immune cells, and although extensively studied in the context of atopic asthma, its relevance as a therapeutic target and its role in the pathogenesis of nonatopic asthma remains unknown. We sought to investigate the role of TSLP in atopic, nonatopic and viral‐induced exacerbations of pulmonary inflammation.

Methods

Using stringently defined murine models of atopic, nonatopic and virally exacerbated forms of pulmonary inflammation, we compared inflammatory responses of C57BL/6 wild‐type (WT) and TSLP receptor‐deficient (TSLPR KO) mice.

Results

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLPR) signaling was crucial for the development of atopic asthma. Specifically, TSLPR signaling to lung recruited CD4+ T cells enhanced eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia, and overall inflammation within the airways. In contrast, the absence of TSLPR signaling was associated with strikingly exaggerated pulmonary neutrophilic inflammation in a nonatopic model of airway inflammation. The inflammation was associated with excessive levels of interleukin (IL)‐17A in the lungs, indicating that TSLP negatively regulates IL‐17A. In addition, in a model of influenza‐induced exacerbation of atopic airway inflammation, the absence of TSLPR signaling also led to exaggerated neutrophilic inflammation.

Conclusion

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin plays divergent roles in the pathogenesis of atopic and nonatopic asthma phenotypes by either enhancing Th2 responses or curtailing T‐helper 17 responses. These findings raise important caveats for the design of therapeutic interventions targeting TSLP in asthma.
Review article: why, when and how to de‐escalate therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Pariente B. , Laharie D.
Published: June 2014

Background

Therapeutic objectives are currently evolving in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) from control of symptoms towards improvement of long‐term disease outcomes. In patients achieving remission, safety concerns – infections or neoplasia – and economic issues are prompting de‐escalation strategies.

Aim

To give a complete overview of studies on de‐escalating therapy in IBD.

Methods

A structured search in Pubmed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE was performed using defined key words (inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, immunosuppressants, azathioprine, methotrexate, anti‐TNF, infliximab, adalimumab, de‐escalation, dose reduction, cessation, stopping, withdrawal), including full text articles and abstracts in English language.

Results

Eleven studies were identified, investigating cessation of immunosuppressants (IS) and/or anti‐TNF treatments. Patients exposed to a combination of IS and anti‐TNF have an increased risk for infections, especially due to opportunistic agent, without any clear signal for associated cancers when compared to those receiving single therapy. In patients receiving IS alone, relapse rate at 12 months following IS cessation is close to 20% and 30% in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) respectively. There is no study specifically evaluating anti‐TNF treatment withdrawal in case of scheduled anti‐TNF monotherapy in IBD. In patients receiving combination therapy with IS and infliximab (IFX) for at least 6 months, relapse rate of IFX failure following IS cessation is near to 20% at 24 months and seems to be similar in patients who maintained combination therapy. In case of anti‐TNF therapy, cessation in CD patients in combo‐therapy proportion of relapse is high, close to 40% and 50% over 1 year and 2 years respectively. Regarding higher risk of adverse events, some special situations – young males, pregnancy and elderly – should be managed specifically and de‐escalating treatment considered.

Conclusions

De‐escalating treatment strategy should be mainly considered in patients with high risk of severe adverse events and low relapse risk (patients in deep remission) after drug withdrawal. For these reasons, cessation of anti‐TNF treatment and/or immunosuppressants should be a case by case decision in highly selected patients.
Latent profiles of parental self‐efficacy and children's multisource‐evaluated social competence
Authors: Junttila Niina , Vauras Marja
Published: June 2014

Background

The interrelation between mothers' parental self‐efficacy (PSE) and their school‐aged children's well‐being has been repeatedly proved. The lack of research in this area situates mainly on the absence of fathers, non‐existent family‐level studies, the paucity of independent evaluators, and the use of global PSE estimates.

Aims

We aimed to qualitatively identify different subgroups of mothers, fathers, and couples based on their PSE factors. Furthermore, we aimed to study the interrelations between these PSE subgroups and children's school‐related social competence evaluated by the children themselves as well as by their peers, teachers, and parents.

Sample

Sample (n = 981; girls n = 467; boys n = 514) consisted of fourth‐grade (mean age, 10 years old) children, their teachers, peers, and parents (mothers n = 876; fathers n = 696).

Methods

Latent profile analysis was used to identify parents with similar patterns of PSE. The data of mothers and fathers were modelled separately and as a family‐level combination. Interrelations between PSE subgroups and children's multisource‐evaluated social competence were analysed with group comparisons.

Results

Separate subgroups of mothers, fathers, and couples were identified and labelled based on their PSE profiles. Subgroups were found to differ among mothers' age and education and children's academic skills. Most of the interrelations between PSE subgroups and children's social competence were statistically significant in a sense that children of parents with strong PSE were evaluated as more prosocial and less antisocial than others.

Conclusion

Despite new perspectives on parents' PSE estimates and use of behaviour evaluators outside the family system, the interrelation between positive PSE and children's social competence and learning remains strong.
WHO‐histological criteria for myeloproliferative neoplasms: reproducibility, diagnostic accuracy and correlation with gene mutations and clinical outcomes
Authors: Alvarez‐Larrán Alberto , Ancochea Agueda , García Mar , Climent Fina , García‐Pallarols Francesc , Angona Anna , Senín Alicia , Barranco Carlos , Martínez‐Avilés Luz , Serrano Sergio , Bellosillo Beatriz , Besses Carlos
Published: June 2014

Bone marrow histology is included in the diagnostic criteria of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). However, some concerns have emerged about its reproducibility. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of histology and to assess its correlation with presence of mutations and clinical outcomes, two pathologists reviewed the bone marrow biopsies corresponding to 211 patients with MPN. Despite the low agreement in the evaluation of individual histopathological characteristics, the concordance among pathologists when establishing the diagnosis was good (Kappa index 0·67). The specificity of histology was 100%, 98·5% and 98% in polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), respectively, whereas the sensitivity of histological diagnosis was low in PV and ET (32·5% and 54% respectively) and acceptable in PMF (75%). Thirteen out of 146 (9%) patients with clinical ET were diagnosed as prefibrotic PMF. No histological agreement or MPN otherwise unspecified was more frequently observed in JAK2 V617F‐positive ET than in CALR‐mutated cases, whereas megakaryocytic abnormalities and prefibrotic PMF were more frequently observed in CALR‐mutated ET. In conclusion, histological criteria of MPN have a limited diagnostic accuracy due to low sensitivity. Patients with JAK2 V617F‐positive MPN have a heterogeneous histology while CALR‐positive ET is associated with megakaryocyte abnormalities and prefibrotic PMF.
Preservation of the saphenous vein during laparoendoscopic single‐site inguinal lymphadenectomy: comparison with the conventional laparoscopic technique
Authors: Yuan Jun‐Bin , Chen Min‐Feng , Qi Lin , Li Yuan , Li Yang‐Le , Chen Cheng , Chen Jin‐bo , Zu Xiong‐Bing , Liu Long‐Fei
Published: June 2014

Objective

To prospectively study the surgical strategies and clinical efficacy of laparoendoscopic single‐site (LESS) inguinal lymphadenectomy compared with conventional endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy for the management of inguinal nodes.

Patients and Methods

A total of 12 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis who underwent penectomy between February and July 2013 were enrolled in the study. All 12 patients underwent bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy (LESS inguinal lymphadenectomy in one limb and conventional endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy in the other) with preservation of the saphenous vein. All lymphatic tissue in the boundaries of the adductor longus muscle (medially), the sartorius muscle (laterally), 2 cm above the inguinal ligament (superiorly), the Scarpa fascia (superficially) and femoral vessels (deeply) was removed in both surgical techniques. All 24 procedures were performed by one experienced surgeon.

Results

All 24 procedures (12 LESS and 12 conventional endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomies) were completed successfully without conversion to open surgery. For LESS inguinal lymphadenectomy and conventional endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy groups, the mean ± sd operating time was 94.6 ± 14.8 min and 90.8 ± 10.6 min, respectively (P = 0.145). No significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications (skin‐related problems, hecatomb, lower extremity oedema, lymphatic complications and overall complications) were noted between the two groups (P > 0.05). No lower extremity oedema occurred in any limbs of the two groups. No significant differences were observed in either lymph node clearance rate or detection rate of histologically positive lymph nodes (P > 0.05). The patient satisfaction rate with scar appearance and cosmetic results was significantly better in the LESS inguinal lymphadenectomy group than in the conventional endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy group of (75 vs 25%; P = 0.039).

Conclusions

This preliminary study suggests that both LESS inguinal lymphadenectomy and conventional endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy are safe and feasible procedures for inguinal lymphadenectomy. Preservation of the saphenous vein during LESS inguinal lymphadenectomy/conventional endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative lower extremity oedema. LESS inguinal lymphadenectomy seems to provide better cosmetic results than conventional endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy.
Cardiovascular research is thriving in China
Authors: Gao F , Sun R J , Ji Y , Yang B F
Published: June 2014

Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death and constitutes a serious public health issue in China. Faced with the burgeoning epidemic of cardiovascular disease and the huge burden and economic losses it causes, the Chinese government has attached the utmost importance to cardiovascular research, increasing funding to support basic and clinical studies, integrating resources and recruiting outstanding talent from overseas. The continued and growing support from the government has yielded substantial changes in terms of new discoveries, scientific publications and drug research and development within the last decade. In spite of the advances in cardiovascular research, China still faces significant challenges ahead in encouraging innovation, developing the prevention‐oriented health policies and strengthening international collaboration.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Chinese Innovation in Cardiovascular Drug Discovery. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-23
S‐nitrosation and neuronal plasticity
Authors: Santos A I , Martínez‐Ruiz A , Araújo I M
Published: June 2014

Nitric oxide (NO) has long been recognized as a multifaceted participant in brain physiology. Despite the knowledge that was gathered over many years regarding the contribution of NO to neuronal plasticity, for example the ability of the brain to change in response to new stimuli, only in recent years have we begun to understand how NO acts on the molecular and cellular level to orchestrate such important phenomena as synaptic plasticity (modification of the strength of existing synapses) or the formation of new synapses (synaptogenesis) and new neurons (neurogenesis). Post‐translational modification of proteins by NO derivatives or reactive nitrogen species is a non‐classical mechanism for signalling by NO. S‐nitrosation is a reversible post‐translational modification of thiol groups (mainly on cysteines) that may result in a change of function of the modified protein. S‐nitrosation of key target proteins has emerged as a main regulatory mechanism by which NO can influence several levels of brain plasticity, which are reviewed in this work. Understanding how S‐nitrosation contributes to neural plasticity can help us to better understand the physiology of these processes, and to better address pathological changes in plasticity that are involved in the pathophysiology of several neurological diseases.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of the Gasotransmitters. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-6
The Multiple Impacts of Leaf‐Cutting Ants and Their Novel Ecological Role in Human‐Modified Neotropical Forests
Authors: Leal Inara R. , Wirth Rainer , Tabarelli Marcelo
Published: June 2014

Herbivory has been identified as a potent evolutionary force, but its ecological impacts have been frequently underestimated. Leaf‐cutting ants represent one of the most important herbivores of the Neotropics and offer an interesting opportunity to address the role played by herbivorous insects through a perspective that embraces population‐ to ecosystem‐level effects. Here we: (1) qualitatively summarize the multiple ways leaf‐cutting ants interact with food plants and their habitats and elucidate the ultimate outcome of such interactions at multiple organization levels; (2) update our understanding of leaf‐cutting ant‐promoted disturbance regimes; and (3) examine potential ecological roles by leaf‐cutting ants within the context of human‐modified landscapes to guide future research agendas. First, we find that leaf‐cutting ants show that some herbivorous insects are able to generate ecologically important disturbance regimes via non‐trophic activities. Second, impacts of leaf‐cutting ants can be observed at multiple spatio‐temporal scales and levels of biological organization. Third, ecosystem‐level effects from leaf‐cutting ants are ecosystem engineering capable not only of altering the abundance of other organisms, but also the successional trajectory of vegetation. Finally, effects of leaf‐cutting ants are context‐dependent, species‐specific, and synergistically modulated by anthropogenic interferences. Future research should examine how leaf‐cutting ants respond to deforestation and influence remaining vegetation in human‐modified landscapes. By promoting either heterogeneity or homogeneity, leaf‐cutting ants operate not only as agricultural pests but also as ecological key players.
Re‐defining the unique roles for eosinophils in allergic respiratory inflammation
Authors: Jacobsen E. A. , Lee N. A. , Lee J. J.
Published: June 2014

The role of eosinophils in the progression and resolution of allergic respiratory inflammation is poorly defined despite the commonality of their presence and in some cases their use as a biomarker for disease severity and/or symptom control. However, this ambiguity belies the wealth of insights that have recently been gained through the use of eosinophil‐deficient/attenuated strains of mice that have demonstrated novel immunoregulatory and remodelling/repair functions for these cells in the lung following allergen provocation. Specifically, studies of eosinophil‐deficient mice suggest that eosinophils contribute to events occurring in the lungs following allergen provocation at several key moments: (i) the initiating phase of events leading to Th2‐polarized pulmonary inflammation, (ii) the suppression Th1/Th17 pathways in lung‐draining lymph nodes, (iii) the recruitment of effector Th2 T cells to the lung, and finally, (iv) mechanisms of inflammatory resolution that re‐establish pulmonary homoeostasis. These suggested functions have recently been confirmed and expanded upon using allergen provocation of an inducible eosinophil‐deficient strain of mice (iPHIL) that demonstrated an eosinophil‐dependent mechanism(s) leading to Th2 dominated immune responses in the presence of eosinophils in contrast to neutrophilic as well as mixed Th1/Th17/Th2 variant phenotypes in the absence of eosinophils. These findings highlighted that eosinophils are not exclusively downstream mediators controlled by T cells, dendritic cells (DC) and/or innate lymphocytic cells (ILC2). Instead, eosinophils appear to be more aptly described as significant contributors in complex interrelated pathways that lead to pulmonary inflammation and subsequently promote resolution and the re‐establishment of homoeostatic baseline. In this review, we summarize and put into the context the evolving hypotheses that are now expanding our understanding of the roles eosinophils likely have in the lung following allergen provocation.
Aspirin‐intolerant asthma in the population: prevalence and important determinants
Authors: Eriksson J. , Ekerljung L. , Bossios A. , Bjerg A. , Wennergren G. , Rönmark E. , Torén K. , Lötvall J. , Lundbäck B.
Published: June 2014

Background

Population‐based studies on aspirin‐intolerant asthma (AIA) are very few, and no previous population study has investigated risk factors for the condition.

Objective

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of AIA in the general population.

Methods

A questionnaire on respiratory health was mailed to 30 000 randomly selected subjects aged 16–75 years in West Sweden, 29 218 could be traced and 18 087 (62%) responded. The questionnaire included questions on asthma, respiratory symptoms, aspirin‐induced dyspnoea and possible determinants.

Results

The prevalence of AIA was 0.5%, 0.3% in men and 0.6% in women (P = 0.014). Sick leave, emergency visits due to asthma and all investigated lower respiratory symptoms were more common in AIA than in aspirin‐tolerant asthma (ATA). Obesity was a strong risk factor for AIA (BMI > 35: odds ratio (OR) 12.1; 95% CI 2.49–58.5), and there was a dose‐response relationship between increasing body mass index (BMI) and risk of AIA. Obesity, airborne occupational exposure and visible mould at home were considerably stronger risk factors for AIA than for ATA. Current smoking was a risk factor for AIA (OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.47–4.42), but not ATA.

Conclusion

Aspirin‐intolerant asthma identified in the general population was associated with a high burden of symptoms, uncontrolled disease and a high morbidity. Increasing BMI increased the risk of AIA in a dose‐response manner. A number of risk factors, including obesity and current smoking, were considerably stronger for AIA than for ATA.
Higher levels of interleukin IL-17 and antigen-specific IL-17 responses in pulmonary sarcoidosis patients with Löfgren's syndrome
Authors: Ostadkarampour M , Eklund A , Moller D , Glader P , Olgart Höglund C , Lindén A , Grunewald J , Wahlström J
Published: June 2014

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder of unknown aetiology. The presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase (mKatG) in sarcoidosis tissue has been reported. T helper type 1 (Th1) responses against mKatG have previously been observed. However, little is known about interleukin (IL)-17 and Th17 responses in sarcoidosis. Here, we investigated the levels of IL-17 and frequencies of IL-17-producing cells responding to mKatG in sarcoidosis patients with different prognosis. Peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells were obtained from sarcoidosis patients with or without Löfgren's syndrome (often associated with spontaneous recovery), and also stratified according to human leucocyte antigen (HLA) type. Cells producing IL-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ after stimulation with mKatG were enumerated by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT). The level of IL-17 in the BAL fluid of sarcoidosis patients and healthy controls was measured by quantitative immuno-polymerase chain reaction (qIPCR). We also performed flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry for further characterization of IL-17 expression. Patients with Löfgren's syndrome had a higher frequency of IL-17-producing cells responding to mKatG in BAL fluid compared to patients without Löfgren's syndrome (P < 0·05). The HLA-DR3+ sarcoidosis patients with Löfgren's syndrome (known to have a particularly good prognosis) also had a clearly higher level of IL-17 in BAL fluid compared to healthy controls and sarcoidosis patients without Löfgren's syndrome (P < 0·01) and (P < 0·05), respectively. No such difference between patient groups was observed with regard to IFN-γ and not with regard to either cytokine in peripheral blood. These findings suggest that IL-17-producing cells may be a useful biomarker for the prognosis of sarcoidosis and play a role in the spontaneous recovery typical of patients with Löfgren's syndrome.
Autoimmune regulator gene, Aire, is involved in central tolerance to the DM20 isoform of proteolipid protein and the prevention of autoimmune inflammation
Authors: Tagawa Asako , Aranami Toshimasa , Matsumoto Mitsuru , Yamamura Takashi
Published: June 2014

Objective

To show the role of the autoimmune regulator (Aire), a gene expressed in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC), in the tolerance to encephalitogenic myelin epitopes.

Methods

C57BL/6J Aire‐deficient and wild‐type mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (MOG35–55) or proteolipid protein peptide (PLP178–191). PLP178–191 is contained only in PLP/DM20, an isoform derived from a splice variant of PLP. We evaluated the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and reported the T cell response to these peptides.

Results

mTEC from wild‐type mice expressed PLP/DM20, but those from Aire‐deficient mice only expressed it at low levels. Immunization with PLP178–191 induced more severe EAE in Aire‐deficient mice than in the wild‐type mice. In contrast, MOG35–55 induced EAE of a similar grade in the wild‐type and Aire‐knockout mice. In recall response assays to PLP178–191, T cells from Aire‐deficient mice produced significantly more interleukin (IL)‐17 and interferon (IFN)‐γ than the wild‐type mice did. Adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells purified from PLP178–191‐immunized Aire‐deficient mice induced a more severe EAE than a similar transfer from the immunized wild‐type mice. In comparison with wild‐type mice, we also found that sera from aged, naive Aire‐deficient mice showed higher titers of PLP178–191‐, but not MOG35–55‐specific immunoglobulin G autoantibodies.

Conclusion

Aire is involved in establishing central tolerance to PLP178–191, but not to MOG35–55, and its deficiency induces spontaneous autoreactivity to PLP178–191.
Peri‐implant soft tissue colour around titanium and zirconia abutments: a prospective randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Cosgarea Raluca , Gasparik Cristina , Dudea Diana , Culic Bogdan , Dannewitz Bettina , Sculean Anton
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To objectively determine the difference in colour between the peri‐implant soft tissue at titanium and zirconia abutments.

Materials and methods

Eleven patients, each with two contralaterally inserted osteointegrated dental implants, were included in this study. The implants were restored either with titanium abutments and porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal crowns, or with zirconia abutments and ceramic crowns. Prior and after crown cementation, multi‐spectral images of the peri‐implant soft tissues and the gingiva of the neighbouring teeth were taken with a colorimeter. The colour parameters L*, a*, b*, c* and the colour differences ΔE were calculated. Descriptive statistics, including non‐parametric tests and correlation coefficients, were used for statistical analyses of the data.

Results

Compared to the gingiva of the neighbouring teeth, the peri‐implant soft tissue around titanium and zirconia (test group), showed distinguishable ΔE both before and after crown cementation. Colour differences around titanium were statistically significant different (P = 0.01) only at 1 mm prior to crown cementation compared to zirconia. Compared to the gingiva of the neighbouring teeth, statistically significant (P < 0.01) differences were found for all colour parameter, either before or after crown cementation for both abutments; more significant differences were registered for titanium abutments. Tissue thickness correlated positively with c*‐values for titanium at 1 mm and 2 mm from the gingival margin.

Conclusions

Within their limits, the present data indicate that: (i) The peri‐implant soft tissue around titanium and zirconia showed colour differences when compared to the soft tissue around natural teeth, and (ii) the peri‐implant soft tissue around zirconia demonstrated a better colour match to the soft tissue at natural teeth than titanium.
Effects of Recent Environmental Change on Accuracy of Inferences of Extinction Status
Authors: CLEMENTS CHRISTOPHER F. , COLLEN BEN , BLACKBURN TIM M. , PETCHEY OWEN L.
Published: June 2014

Correctly classifying a species as extinct or extant is of critical importance if current rates of biodiversity loss are to be accurately quantified. Observing an extinction event is rare, so in many cases extinction status is inferred using methods based on the analysis of records of historic sighting events. The accuracy of such methods is difficult to test. However, results of recent experiments with microcosm communities suggest that the rate at which a population declines to extinction, potentially driven by varying environmental conditions, may alter one's ability accurately to infer extinction status. We tested how the rate of population decline, driven by historic environmental change, alters the accuracy of 6 commonly applied sighting‐based methods used to infer extinction. We used data from small‐scale experimental communities and recorded wild population extirpations. We assessed how accuracy of the different methods was affected by rate of population decline, search effort, and number of sighting events recorded. Rate of population decline and historic population size of the species affected the accuracy of inferred extinction dates; however, faster declines produced more accurate inferred dates of extinction, but only when population sizes were higher. Optimal linear estimation (OLE) offered the most reliable and robust estimates, though no single method performed best in all situations, and it may be appropriate to use a different method if information regarding historic search efforts is available. OLE provided the most accurate estimates of extinction when the number of sighting events used was >10, and future use of this method should take this into account. Data from experimental populations provide added insight into testing techniques to discern wild extirpation events. Care should be taken designing such experiments so that they mirror closely the abundance dynamics of populations affected by real‐world extirpation events.

Efectos del Cambio Ambiental Reciente sobre la Precisión de las Inferencias sobre el Estado de Extinción
Staring us in the face? An embodied theory of innate face preference
Authors: Wilkinson Nick , Paikan Ali , Gredebäck Gustaf , Rea Francesco , Metta Giorgio
Published: June 2014

Human expertise in face perception grows over development, but even within minutes of birth, infants exhibit an extraordinary sensitivity to face‐like stimuli. The dominant theory accounts for innate face detection by proposing that the neonate brain contains an innate face detection device, dubbed ‘Conspec’. Newborn face preference has been promoted as some of the strongest evidence for innate knowledge, and forms a canonical stage for the modern form of the nature–nurture debate in psychology. Interpretation of newborn face preference results has concentrated on monocular stimulus properties, with little mention or focused investigation of potential binocular involvement. However, the question of whether and how newborns integrate the binocular visual streams bears directly on the generation of observable visual preferences. In this theoretical paper, we employ a synthetic approach utilizing robotic and computational models to draw together the threads of binocular integration and face preference in newborns, and demonstrate cases where the former may explain the latter. We suggest that a system‐level view considering the binocular embodiment of newborn vision may offer a mutually satisfying resolution to some long‐running arguments in the polarizing debate surrounding the existence and causal structure of newborns' ‘innate knowledge’ of faces.
Tracing children's vocabulary development from preschool through the school‐age years: an 8‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Song Shuang , Su Mengmeng , Kang Cuiping , Liu Hongyun , Zhang Yuping , McBride‐Chang Catherine , Tardif Twila , Li Hong , Liang Weilan , Zhang Zhixiang , Shu Hua
Published: June 2014

In this 8‐year longitudinal study, we traced the vocabulary growth of Chinese children, explored potential precursors of vocabulary knowledge, and investigated how vocabulary growth predicted future reading skills. Two hundred and sixty‐four (264) native Chinese children from Beijing were measured on a variety of reading and language tasks over 8 years. Between the ages of 4 to 10 years, they were administered tasks of vocabulary and related cognitive skills. At age 11, comprehensive reading skills, including character recognition, reading fluency, and reading comprehension were examined. Individual differences in vocabulary developmental profiles were estimated using the intercept‐slope cluster method. Vocabulary development was then examined in relation to later reading outcomes. Three subgroups of lexical growth were classified, namely high‐high (with a large initial vocabulary size and a fast growth rate), low‐high (with a small initial vocabulary size and a fast growth rate) and low‐low (with a small initial vocabulary size and a slow growth rate) groups. Low‐high and low‐low groups were distinguishable mostly through phonological skills, morphological skills and other reading‐related cognitive skills. Childhood vocabulary development (using intercept and slope) explained subsequent reading skills. Findings suggest that language‐related and reading‐related cognitive skills differ among groups with different developmental trajectories of vocabulary, and the initial size and growth rate of vocabulary may be two predictors for later reading development.
Association between changes in body composition and risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in Koreans
Authors: Kim C.‐H. , Kim H.‐K. , Kim E.‐H. , Bae S.‐J. , Park J.‐Y.
Published: June 2014

Aims

To examine the effects of longitudinal changes in fat mass or lean body mass on risk of Type 2 diabetes in Korean adults.

Methods

Participants included 18 687 Korean adults (aged 20–79 years) who underwent routine medical check‐ups in 2007–2008 and again in 2011–2012 with a mean (range) of 4.3 (3.0–5.7) years interval. Total fat, fat‐free, and soft fat‐free masses were determined using bioelectrical impedance.

Results

A total of 692 subjects (3.7%) developed Type 2 diabetes during follow‐up. Those who developed diabetes had a greater increase in percent body fat (2.9 ± 3.0 vs 2.6 ± 3.2 percentage points, P = 0.043), as well as greater decreases in percent fat‐free mass (−3.0 ± 3.3 vs −2.7 ± 3.3 percentage points, P = 0.008) and percent soft fat‐free mass (−2.8 ± 3.1 vs −2.4 ± 3.1 percentage points, P = 0.003) compared with those who did not develop diabetes. In multiple logistic regression analysis, an increase in total fat mass of > 10% was associated with an increased odds ratio for diabetes (1.29, 1.05–1.60), and a decreased total fat mass was associated with lower odds ratio (0.75, 0.58–0.96). A loss of total fat‐free mass of > 5% (odds ratio 1.08, 0.90–1.30) or an increase in total fat‐free mass (odds ratio 0.96, 0.71–1.28) was not significantly associated with the risk of diabetes after adjustments for baseline waist circumference and glucose levels.

Conclusions

These results show that changes in total body fat mass, but not lean body mass, are associated with development of Type 2 diabetes, independently of baseline measures of general or central obesity.
Heat tolerance of developmental and seasonal stages of Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Lu M.X. , Cao S.S. , Liu Z.X. , Wang X. , Du Y.Z.
Published: June 2014

Global warming means that the ability to withstand heat stress is of crucial importance to insects' survival and reproduction. Insects have various ways of achieving thermal tolerance, which can be affected by thermal history, physiological state, and seasonal cycles. In this study, we compared the thermal tolerance of life stages and seasons of a wild population of the striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an economically significant pest of rice crops in Asia. Our results demonstrate that the eggs, larvae, and adults of C. suppressalis collected in rice fields in Yangzhou, China, are able to tolerate extremely high temperatures, in excess of those this species encounters in nature. We found that egg masses had a survival rate of 75% after being kept at 42 °C for 8 h. Egg masses exposed to 39 °C for 8 h had the longest hatching time (3.3 days). LTemp50 and LTemp90 (i.e., the temperatures at which 50 or 90% of individuals died within 2 h) of larvae collected in late summer were 45.4 and 47.3 °C, respectively. LTime50 and LTime90 (i.e., the time required to kill 50 or 90% of individuals) at 44 °C were 6.2 and 9.6 h, respectively. The corresponding values for 46 °C were 1.5 and 2.6 h. We also found that the heat tolerance of adults collected in late summer was lower than that of larvae. For example, LTemp50 of male and female adults was 43.8 and 43.6 °C, respectively. Other measures of the heat tolerance of adults, such as LTime50 at 42 °C, also differed between the sexes, being 5.9 h for males and 7.2 h for females. Although adult survival was robust to heat stress, adult fertility was more sensitive. Our results also indicate that although the second generation of adults (i.e., the summer generation) typically encountered higher temperatures than the overwintering generation, survival of the second generation adults was lower.
Sirex noctilio flight behavior: toward improving current monitoring techniques
Authors: Martínez Andrés S. , Villacide José , Fernández Ajó Alejandro A. , Martinson Sharon J. , Corley Juan C.
Published: June 2014

Sirex noctilio Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), an invasive woodwasp from Spain and North Africa, has an expanding global presence in pine forests. Although their populations are managed in most parts of the world, the success rate of existing prevention and control strategies has been historically variable, and there is consensus that monitoring techniques could be improved with increased knowledge about the behavioral biology of this insect. We conducted descriptive field studies in pine plantations in northern Patagonia to establish the flight behavior of S. noctilio. Specifically, the aim was to characterize male and female vertical flight distributions to assess ideal trap placement in pest monitoring programs. Our results indicated that males fly higher than females. A post‐hoc analysis revealed two distinct flight patterns of females; when males are present, females fly higher than when males are absent. This behavioral variance is likely linked to (1) oviposition substrate location and (2) mate location. Results suggest that the most effective trapping and monitoring strategies for females should be deployed at 1.8 m height, whereas monitoring of males or females that are searching for mates would occur at greater heights. Results also suggest that if future techniques involving pheromones are developed, trap placement should be reassessed.
Perinatal aspects of haemophilia
Authors: Economou Marina , Banov Laura , Ljung Rolf
Published: June 2014

Haemophilia is an X‐linked recessive genetic disease of haemostasis. Women carriers may present with a bleeding tendency similar to milder forms of the disease. Haemophilic newborns present risk factors and patterns of bleeding that are challenging. Identification of carriers and genetic counselling before conception is considered optimal to help decide on available conception options and during pregnancy to help minimise bleeding risks for both carrier mother and affected baby. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is attractive to many couples at risk of having a child with haemophilia and relevant technology is becoming more available although it has both practical and ethical limitations. Pregnancy in carriers should be managed by a multidisciplinary team in a comprehensive treatment centre. The optimal mode of delivery for carriers expecting a baby known to have or being at risk of haemophilia is an issue of great debate. The general consensus among authors is avoidance of instrumental delivery, foetal scalp electrodes and blood sampling in pregnancies at risk of carrying an affected foetus, as well as early recourse to Caesarean section as guided by obstetric indications. Intracranial haemorrhage, although infrequent, is one the most devastating types of bleeding in haemophilic newborns and can occur regardless of the mode of delivery or the severity of haemophilia. Early screening is proposed for all infants with severe or moderate haemophilia who have had traumatic delivery and/or have evidence of extracranial haemorrhage. Women with postpartum haemorrhage should have a bleeding work‐up.
Long‐term results of a phase II trial with frontline concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy for localized nasal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Tsai Hui‐Jen , Lin Sheng‐Fung , Chen Chu‐Chih , Chen Tsai‐Yun , Su Wu‐Chou , Hwang Wen‐Li , Lin Jin‐Ching , Chiou Tzeon‐Jye , Kao Weio‐Yau , Chiu Chang‐Fang , Chang Yi‐Fang , Chang Jeffrey S. , Chang Ming‐Chih , Su Ih‐Jen
Published: June 2014

Purpose

A phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety profiles of frontline concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) plus consolidation chemotherapy for patients with stage I/II nasal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma (NKTCL).

Patients and methods

Patients with newly diagnosed, measurable stage I/II nasal NKTCL were eligible. The CCRT included two cycles of the DEP regimen (dexamethasone, etoposide, and cisplatin) every 4 wk with concurrent 5040 cGy radiation in 28 fractions for 5 wk. Patients without disease progression after CCRT were subjected to two cycles of DVIP consisted of dexamethasone, etoposide, ifosphamide, mesna, and cisplatin every 4 wk. The primary endpoint was tumor response rate, and secondary endpoints were survival and toxicities. This phase II study has been registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00292695).

Results

Thirty‐three patients received CCRT, and 29 patients received two cycles of consolidation DVIP after CCRT. Among the 32 evaluable patients, 20 achieved complete response and 6 achieved partial response. The overall and complete response rate was 81% (95% CI, 68–95%) and 63% (95% CI, 46–79%), respectively. The 2‐yr and 5‐yr progression‐free survival rate for intention‐to‐treat population was 64% (95% CI, 47–80%) and 60% (95% CI, 39–73%), respectively; while the corresponding overall survival rate was 73% (95% CI, 57–88%) and 66% (95% CI, 50–83%), respectively. The most common treatment‐related grade 3/4 adverse event was leukopenia (85%).

Conclusion

Frontline CCRT plus consolidation chemotherapy is feasible and effective for treating localized nasal NKTCL.
From bedside to bench – reverse translational medicine. Scientific lessons from revertant mosaicism in ‘knockout’ humans
Authors: Recke Andreas , Ludwig Ralf J.
Published: June 2014

While the transition from basic life science research to clinical applications is often much more cumbersome than promised, Gostyński et al. took the opposite approach and demonstrated how a scholarly, biology‐guided perspective on human skin disease can reveal basic principles of human biology. Hereditary blistering diseases represent not only a disastrous fate for affected patients, but also an opportunity for understanding human molecular physiology and pathophysiology. On the basis of their clinical expertise, Gostyński et al. have elegantly used differences between lesional and non‐lesional as a unique opportunity to dissect the role of structural skin proteins – namely type XVII collagen, laminin β3 and type VII collagen – in melanocyte biology, thus elucidating a new concept in melanocyte biology by transferring knowledge in reverse direction from bedside to bench.
Immunomodulatory effects of heat shock protein 90 inhibition on humoral immune responses
Authors: Tukaj Stefan , Tiburzy Benjamin , Manz Rudolf , de Castro Marques Andreia , Orosz Antal , Ludwig Ralf J. , Zillikens Detlef , Kasperkiewicz Michael
Published: June 2014

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibition blocks T‐cell‐linked inflammatory disease pathways and exhibits therapeutic activity in autoimmune disease mouse models, including the blistering disease epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Although we previously showed that preformed autoreactive plasma cells do not seem to be directly affected by anti‐Hsp90 treatment, immunomodulatory effects of Hsp90 inhibition on (auto‐)antibody responses are not yet fully understood. In this study, the Hsp90 blocker 17‐DMAG inhibited proliferation of activated total B cells and their IgG secretion in cultures of human peripheral B cells from healthy subjects, but IgG production was no longer affected when these activated B cells were allowed to differentiate prior to a deferred application of the inhibitor. 17‐DMAG treatment was associated with induction of nuclear and cytoplasmic heat shock factor 1 and Hsp70 in stimulated human B cells, respectively. Type VII collagen (epidermolysis bullosa acquisita)‐immunized mice early treated with 17‐DMAG had reduced total B cells in spleens, a relative increase in splenic regulatory B cell fractions, higher serum IL‐10 concentrations, and lower levels of circulating autoantibodies (paralleled by less pronounced disease induction) compared with vehicle‐treated immunized mice. Autoantibody production was blunted in isolated and autoantigen‐restimulated lymph node cells from immunized mice by either 17‐DMAG or purified autologous splenic regulatory B cells. Thus, in addition to the previously described T cell inhibitory effects of Hsp90 blockade, this treatment potently modulates humoral immune responses at the B cell level, further supporting the introduction of Hsp90 inhibitors into the clinical setting for treatment of autoantibody‐mediated disorders.
Efficacy and safety of cisplatin versus miriplatin in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and transarterial infusion chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Otsuji Kentarou , Takai Koji , Nishigaki Yoichi , Shimizu Shougo , Hayashi Hideki , Imai Kenji , Suzuki Yusuke , Hanai Tatsunori , Ideta Takayasu , Miyazaki Tsuneyuki , Tomita Eiichi , Shimizu Masahito , Moriwaki Hisataka
Published: June 2014

Aim

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial infusion chemotherapy (TAI) are the main therapeutic strategies for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy and safety of cisplatin and miriplatin in TACE and TAI.

Methods

Patients with HCC of indication for TACE or TAI were randomly assigned to receive either cisplatin or miriplatin (49 patients per group) between April 2010 and May 2013. The primary end‐point was the therapeutic effect (TE) 3 months after initial treatment, and the secondary end‐point was overall survival.

Results

TE could be evaluated in 26 patients of the cisplatin group and 20 patients of the miriplatin group. In the cisplatin group, 11 (42.3%) and 15 (57.7%) patients were classified as showing TE3 + 4 and TE1 + 2, respectively, while in the miriplatin group, each number was nine (45.0%) and 11 (55.0%) (P = 0.8551). Furthermore, no significant difference in overall survival was found between two groups for all patients (P = 0.905) or those treated only with TAI (10 in the cisplatin group and eight in the miriplatin group; P = 0.695). TE3 + 4 group showed better overall survival than TE1 + 2 group (P = 0.0263). Grade 4 or higher adverse event did not occur in either group. Creatinine levels in the cisplatin group rose 3 days after TACE or TAI (P = 0.0397).

Conclusion

Cisplatin and miriplatin had equal efficacy for TACE and TAI, but cisplatin should be avoided for patients with renal dysfunction or inadequate hydration. Good TE improved overall survival.
Effectiveness of several solutions to prevent the formation of precipitate due to the interaction between sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine and its effect on bond strength of an epoxy‐based sealer
Authors: Magro M. G. , Kuga M. C. , Aranda‐Garcia A. J. , Victorino K. R. , Chávez‐Andrade G. M. , Faria G. , Keine K. C. , Só M. V. R.
Published: June 2014

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of isopropyl alcohol, saline or distilled water to prevent the precipitate formed between sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX) and its effect on the bond strength of an epoxy‐based sealer in radicular dentine.

Methodology

The root canals of 50 extracted human canines (n = 10) were instrumented. In G1, root canals were irrigated with 17% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl; G2, as G1, except that 2% CHX was used as the final irrigant. In the other groups, intermediate flushes with isopropyl alcohol (G3), saline (G4) or distilled water (G5) were used between NaOCl and CHX. The specimens were submitted to SEM analysis to evaluate the presence of debris and smear layer, in the apical and cervical segments. In sequence, fifty extracted human canines were distributed into five groups (n = 10), similar to the SEM study. After root filling, the roots were sectioned transversally to obtain dentine slices, in the cervical, middle and apical thirds. The root filling was submitted to a push‐out bond strength test using an electromechanical testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's tests (α = 5%).

Results

All groups had similar amounts of residue precipitated on the canal walls (P > 0.05). The push‐out bond strength values were similar for all groups, independently of the root third evaluated (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Isopropyl alcohol, saline and distilled water failed to prevent the precipitation of residues on canal walls following the use of NaOCl and CHX. The residues did not interfere with the push‐out bond strength of the root filling.