bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on serum uric acid level: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhao Yumo , Xu Lubin , Tian Dongli , Xia Peng , Zheng Hua , Wang Li , Chen Limeng
Published: August 2017

The aim of this study was to describe the effects of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on serum uric acid (SUA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for randomized controlled trials of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with T2DM up to May 20, 2017. A total of 62 studies, comprising 34 941 patients, were included. Any of the SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, tofogliflozin, luseogliflozin or ipragliflozin) significantly decreased SUA levels compared with control (total weighted mean difference [WMD] −37.73 μmol/L, 95% CI [−40.51, −34.95]). Treatment with empagliflozin resulted in a superior reduction in SUA (WMD −45.83 μmol/L, 95% CI [−53.03, −38.63]). The effect persisted during long‐term treatment. Dapagliflozin decreased SUA in a dose‐dependent manner (from 5 to 50 mg, P = .014). In subgroup analyses, greater reductions could be observed during the course of early diabetes and the SUA‐lowering effect was abolished in patients with chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2). The effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on SUA reduction suggests that this class of drugs might be beneficial for diabetic patients with hyperuricaemia.
Specters of Social Antagonism: The Cultural Psychodynamics of Dream Aggression among the Tzotzil Maya of San Juan Chamula (Chiapas, Mexico)
Authors: Groark Kevin P.
Published: September 2017

In this article, I present an analysis of “persecution dreams” among the Tzotzil Maya of San Juan Chamula, discussing the complex connections among sickness, interpersonal aggression, ideologies of social antagonism, and the spectral phantasies that shadow these social phenomena. Building on this ethnographic foundation, I present a “cultural psychodynamic” account framed in terms of projective‐introjective dynamics (functioning at both the individual and social levels), arguing that the aggression dream serves as an experience structure in which inner and outer realities become deeply interwoven—often resulting in an increased sense of insecurity and existential threat. At its broadest level, this article is concerned with the affective dimensions of dream life, the processing of real affects and social relations within the register of phantasy, and the transposition of these phantasy‐laden feelings back into waking life, where they influence not only the individual's sense of well‐being, but the tenor of actual interpersonal relations.
Effects of inbreeding on a gregarious parasitoid wasp with complementary sex determination
Authors: Zaviezo Tania , Retamal Romina , Urvois Teddy , Fauvergue Xavier , Blin Aurélie , Malausa Thibaut
Published: August 2017

Inbreeding and inbreeding depression are processes in small populations of particular interest for a range of human activities such as animal breeding, species conservation, or pest management. In particular, biological control programs should benefit from a thorough understanding of the causes and consequences of inbreeding because natural enemies experience repetitive bottlenecks during importation, laboratory rearing, and introduction. Predicting the effect of inbreeding in hymenopteran parasitoid wasps, frequently used in biological control programs, is nonetheless a difficult endeavor. In haplodiploid parasitoids, the purge of deleterious alleles via haploid males should reduce genetic load, but if these species also have complementary sex determination (CSD), abnormal diploid males will be produced, which may jeopardize the success of biological control introductions. Mastrus ridens is such a parasitoid wasp with CSD, introduced to control the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.). We studied its life history traits in the laboratory under two conditions: inbred (full‐sib) and outbred (nonsib) crosses, across five generations, to examine the consequences of inbreeding in this species. We found that in inbred lines, nonreproducing females live less, the number of daughters produced was lower, and sex ratio (proportion of males) and proportion of diploid males were higher. Diploid males were able to produce fertile daughters, but fewer than haploid males. Lineage survival was similar for inbred and outbred lines across the five generations. The most significant decrease in fitness was thus a consequence of the production of diploid males, but this effect was not as extreme as in most other species with CSD, due to the fertility of diploid males. This study highlights the importance of determining the type of sex determination in parasitoid wasps used for biological control, and the importance of maintaining genetic diversity in species with CSD when importation or augmentation is the goal.
Increased fear learning, spatial learning as well as neophobia in Rgs2−/− mice
Authors: Raab A. , Popp S. , Lesch K.‐P. , Lohse M. J. , Fischer M. , Deckert J. , Hommers L.
Published: August 2017

Anxiety disorders result from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors such as stress. On the level of cellular signaling, regulator of G protein signaling 2 (Rgs2) has been implicated in human and rodent anxiety. However, there is limited knowledge about the role of Rgs2 in fear learning and reactivity to stress. In this study, Rgs2−/− mice showed increased fear learning, male mice displayed increased contextual and cued fear learning, while females showed selectively enhanced cued fear learning. Male Rgs2−/− mice displayed increased long‐term‐contextual fear memory, but increased cued fear extinction. Learning in spatial non‐aversive paradigms was also increased in Rgs2−/− mice. Female, but not male mice show increased spatial learning in the Barnes maze, while male mice showed enhanced place preference in the IntelliCage, rendering enhanced cognitive function non‐specific for aversive stimuli. Consistent with the previous results, Rgs2 deletion resulted in increased innate anxiety, including neophobic behavior expressed as hypolocomotion, in three different tests based on the approach‐avoidance conflict. Acute electric foot shock stress provoked hypolocomotion in several exploration‐based tests, suggesting fear generalization in both genotypes. Rgs2 deletion was associated with reduced monoaminergic neurotransmitter levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex and disturbed corresponding GPCR expression of the adrenergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic and neuropeptide Y system. Taken together, Rgs2 deletion promotes improved cognitive function as well as increased anxiety‐like behavior, but has no effect on acute stress reactivity. These effects may be related to the observed disruption of the monoaminergic systems.
Mineral trioxide aggregate and other bioactive endodontic cements: an updated overview – part II: other clinical applications and complications
Authors: Torabinejad M. , Parirokh M. , Dummer P. M. H.
Published: August 2017

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a dental material used extensively for vital pulp therapies (VPT), protecting scaffolds during regenerative endodontic procedures, apical barriers in teeth with necrotic pulps and open apices, perforation repairs as well as root canal filling and root‐end filling during surgical endodontics. A number of bioactive endodontic cements (BECs) have recently been introduced to the market. Most of these materials have calcium and silicate in their compositions; however, bioactivity is a common property of these cements. These materials include the following: BioAggregate, Biodentine, BioRoot RCS, calcium‐enriched mixture cement, Endo‐CPM, Endocem, EndoSequence, EndoBinder, EndoSeal MTA, iRoot, MicroMega MTA, MTA Bio, MTA Fillapex, MTA Plus, Neo MTA Plus, Ortho MTA, Quick‐Set, Retro MTA, Tech Biosealer, and TheraCal LC. It has been claimed that these materials have properties similar to those of MTA but without the drawbacks. In Part I of this review, the available information on the chemical composition of the materials listed above was reviewed and their applications for VPT was discussed. In this article, the clinical applications of MTA and other BECs will be reviewed for apexification, regenerative endodontics, perforation repair, root canal filling, root‐end filling, restorative procedures, periodontal defects and treatment of vertical and horizontal root fractures. In addition, the literature regarding the possible drawbacks of these materials following their clinical applications is reviewed. These drawbacks include their discolouration potential, systemic effects and retreatability following use as a root filling material. Based on selected keywords, all publications were searched regarding the use of MTA as well as BECs for the relevant clinical applications. Numerous publications were found regarding the use of BECs for various endodontic applications. The majority of these investigations compared BECs with MTA. Despite promising results for some materials, the number of publications using BECs for various clinical applications was limited. Furthermore, most studies had several methodological shortcomings and low levels of evidence.
Pooled analysis of 1‐year recall data from three root canal treatment outcome studies undertaken using cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Al‐Nuaimi N. , Patel S. , Davies A. , Bakhsh A. , Foschi F. , Mannocci F.
Published: August 2017

Aim

To provide an estimate of the proportion of successful outcomes of primary and secondary root canal treatments (retreatments) determined by periapical radiographs and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), a pooled analysis of the data collected from three previous prospective clinical outcome studies was undertaken.

Methodology

The analysis pooled the 1‐year results for 354 teeth, including 123 primary treatments and 231 retreatments. All root canals were instrumented with ProTaper Universal and filled using a warm vertical condensation technique. Comparisons of favourable results between root canal treatments and retreatments and between different tooth types were made using chi‐square/Fisher's exact test.

Results

The overall percentage of favourable results was 91% using periapical radiographs and 80% for CBCT (P < 0.001). With CBCT, the percentage of favourable results for primary treatments (84.7%) was not significantly different (P = 0.316) from that of retreatments (77.9%). When assessed by tooth group, the overall percentage of favourable results with CBCT was 75.5%, 90.6% and 91.1% for molar, premolar and anterior teeth, respectively. When CBCT is used to assess the outcome, the proportion of favourable outcomes in molars was significantly lower than that of premolars and anterior teeth (P < 0.05). Teeth with root fillings terminating more than 2 mm short of the radiographic apex had less favourable outcomes (73%) compared to long (83%) and adequate root filling length (84%).

Conclusions

The proportions of favourable outcomes of primary root canal treatments and retreatments assessed with CBCT were lower when compared to periapical radiographs, and also lower than those historically reported by periapical radiograph‐based outcome studies.

Considering the very high favourable outcome of anterior teeth and premolars compared to molar teeth, future studies assessing the effect of new materials and techniques on the outcome of root canal treatments should be based on preoperative and postoperative CBCT images, and focus on molar teeth.
Do environmental conditions experienced in early life affect recruitment age and performance at first breeding in common goldeneye females?
Authors: Pöysä Hannu , Clark Robert G. , Paasivaara Antti , Runko Pentti
Published: August 2017

Environmental conditions experienced early in life may have long‐term impacts on life history traits and reproductive performance. We investigated whether ambient temperature experienced during the first two to four weeks of life and weather severity during the first two winters affected recruitment age and relative timing of breeding in the year of recruitment in female common goldeneyes Bucephala clangula. Our sample consisted of 141 female recruits hatched in a study population in central Finland between 1985 and 2013 and captured later as breeders. About 56% of the recruited females bred for the first time when two years old (range 2–6 yr). Individuals facing colder ambient temperatures during the first two to four weeks posthatch or more severe winter conditions during the first two winters did not recruit at an older age. Nor did maternal characteristics, relative hatch date or nest site availability affect recruitment age. For females that recruited at two years old, the date of first breeding was usually late relative to the population mean that year (mean difference 6.9 d, range –7 to 21 d). Our results suggest developmental buffering enables female goldeneye ducklings to mitigate the impacts of adverse environmental conditions experienced during the first weeks of life, at least in terms of first breeding.
Long‐term aspirin does not lower risk of stroke and increases bleeding risk in low‐risk atrial fibrillation ablation patients
Authors: Jacobs Victoria , May Heidi T. , Bair Tami L. , Crandall Brian G. , Cutler DO Michael J. , Day John D. , Mallender Charles , Osborn Jeffrey S. , Weiss J. Peter , Bunch T. Jared
Published: August 2017

Background

Stroke risk is a significant concern in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Low stroke risk patients (CHADS2VASc 0–2) are often treated long‐term with aspirin after catheter ablation. Defining the long‐term risks versus benefits of aspirin therapy, after an ablation, is essential to validate this common clinical approach.

Methods

A total of 4,124 AF ablation patients undergoing their index ablation were included in this retrospective observational study. We compared 1‐ and 3‐year outcomes for cerebrovascular accident (CVA), transient ischemic attack (TIA), gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, genitourinary (GU) bleeding, any bleeding, and AF recurrence among patients receiving: none, aspirin, or warfarin as long‐term therapies.

Results

Patient distribution by CHADS2VASc scores was as follows: 0: 1,143 (28%), 1: 1,588 (39%), and 2: 1,393 (34%). Significantly higher incidents of: female gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and vascular disease were seen with higher CHADS2VASc scores (P < 0.0001 for all). At 3 years, 238 (5.9%) patients were on warfarin, 743 (18.6) on aspirin, and 3,013 (75.5%) on no therapy; with occurrences of CVA/TIA (1.4%, 3.0%, 3.9%, P < 0.0001, respectively), GI bleeding (0.8%, 1.9%, 1.1%, P = 0.06, respectively), and GU bleeding (1.7%, 2.8%, 2.1%, P = 0.008, respectively) that increased with advancing CHA2DS2VASc score. There was a significantly increased risk for both CVA/TIA with aspirin therapy, when compared to no therapy or warfarin therapy in general, and across all CHA2DS2VASc scores.

Conclusions

After catheter ablation, low risk patients do not benefit from long‐term aspirin therapy, but are at risk for higher rates of bleeding when compared to no therapy or warfarin.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of sonidegib in patients with locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma: 30‐month analysis of the randomized phase 2 BOLT study
Authors: Lear J.T. , Migden M.R. , Lewis K.D. , Chang A.L.S. , Guminski A. , Gutzmer R. , Dirix L. , Combemale P. , Stratigos A. , Plummer R. , Castro H. , Yi T. , Mone M. , Zhou J. , Trefzer U. , Kaatz M. , Loquai C. , Kudchadkar R. , Sellami D. , Dummer R.
Published: August 2017

Background

Patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC) or metastatic BCC (mBCC), two difficult‐to‐treat populations, have had limited treatment options. Sonidegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HPI), was approved in laBCC based on results from the BOLT trial.

Objective

To evaluate long‐term efficacy and safety of sonidegib in laBCC and mBCC in the BOLT 18‐ and 30‐month analyses.

Methods

BOLT (NCT01327053, ClinicalTrials.gov), a double‐blind phase 2 study, enrolled patients from July 2011 until January 2013. Eligible HPI‐treatment–naïve patients with laBCC not amenable to curative surgery/radiotherapy or mBCC were randomized 1 : 2 to sonidegib 200 mg (laBCC, n = 66; mBCC, n = 13) or 800 mg (laBCC, n = 128; mBCC, n = 23). Tumour response was assessed per central and investigator review.

Results

With 30 months of follow‐up, among patients treated with sonidegib 200 mg (approved dose), objective response rates were 56.1% (central) and 71.2% (investigator) in laBCC and 7.7% (central) and 23.1% (investigator) in mBCC. Tumour responses were durable as follows: median duration of response was 26.1 months (central) and 15.7 months (investigator) in laBCC and 24.0 months (central) and 18.1 months (investigator) in mBCC. Five patients with laBCC and three with mBCC in the 200‐mg arm died. Median overall survival was not reached in either population; 2‐year overall survival rates were 93.2% (laBCC) and 69.3% (mBCC). In laBCC, efficacy was similar regardless of aggressive or non‐aggressive histology. Sonidegib 200 mg continued to have a better safety profile than 800 mg, with lower rates of grade 3/4 adverse events (43.0% vs. 64.0%) and adverse events leading to discontinuation (30.4% vs. 40.0%).

Conclusion

Sonidegib continued to demonstrate long‐term efficacy and safety in these populations. These data support the use of sonidegib 200 mg per local treatment guidelines.
Do Safety Culture Scores in Nursing Homes Depend on Job Role and Ownership? Results from a National Survey
Authors: Banaszak‐Holl Jane , Reichert Heidi , Todd Greene M. , Mody Lona , Wald Heidi L. , Crnich Christopher , McNamara Sara E. , Meddings Jennifer
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To identify facility‐ and individual‐level predictors of nursing home safety culture.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey of individuals within facilities.

Setting

Nursing homes participating in the national Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Long‐Term Care: Healthcare‐Associated Infections/Catheter‐Associated Urinary Tract Infections Project.

Participants

Responding nursing home staff (N = 14,177) from 170 (81%) of 210 participating facilities.

Measurements

Staff responses to the Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture (NHSOPS), focused on five domains (teamwork, training and skills, communication openness, supervisor expectations, organizational learning) and individual respondent characteristics (occupation, tenure, hours worked), were merged with data on facility characteristics (from the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting): ownership, chain membership, percentage residents on Medicare, bed size. Data were analyzed using multivariate hierarchical models.

Results

Nursing assistants rated all domains worse than administrators did (P < .001), with the largest differences for communication openness (24.3 points), teamwork (17.4 points), and supervisor expectations (16.1 points). Clinical staff rated all domains worse than administrators. Nonprofit ownership was associated with worse training and skills (by 6.0 points, P =.04) and communication openness (7.3 points, P =.004), and nonprofit and chain ownership were associated with worse supervisor expectations (5.2 points, P =.001 and 3.2 points, P =.03, respectively) and organizational learning (5.6 points, P =.009 and 4.2 points, P = .03). The percentage of variation in safety culture attributable to facility characteristics was less than 22%, with ownership having the strongest effect.

Conclusion

Perceptions of safety culture vary widely among nursing home staff, with administrators consistently perceiving better safety culture than clinical staff who spend more time with residents. Reporting safety culture scores according to occupation may be more important than facility‐level scores alone to describe and assess barriers, facilitators, and changes in safety culture.
Development and Validation of a Geriatrics Knowledge Test to Evaluate Geriatrics Fellowship Programs
Authors: Tuqan Alia T. , Lee Ming , Weintraub Nancy T. , Reuben David B.
Published: August 2017

Background/Objectives

Although the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires that geriatrics fellowship programs be evaluated, evaluation is challenging because of lack of appropriate instruments. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a geriatrics knowledge test appropriate for evaluation of geriatrics fellowship programs.

Design

Initial and replication cross‐sectional validation studies.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Participants

Initial study: 11 postgraduate year (PGY)‐2 and five PGY‐3 internal medicine residents, eight incoming and eight graduating geriatrics fellows, and 11 geriatrics faculty (N = 43). Replication study: nine graduating fellows and three mid‐year fellow cohorts (n = 11, 8, and 9) (N = 37).

Measurements

A geriatrics knowledge test was developed consisting of 31 multiple‐choice questions (MCQs) selected from a 54‐item pool of MCQs that the authors created. Selection criteria included content appropriateness, item correlation with total score, item discriminatory power, and item difficulty.

Results

The instrument demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach alpha = 0.83) and known group validity. The mean percentage correct scores on the knowledge test were progressively higher with more geriatrics training (P < .001). The replication study continued to show patterns of progressive increases in score with additional training. There were no floor or ceiling effects.

Conclusion

A 31‐item geriatrics knowledge test demonstrates sound reliability and validity. The findings support that it is appropriate as a tool for evaluation of geriatrics fellowship programs.
Rmg8 and Rmg7, wheat genes for resistance to the wheat blast fungus, recognize the same avirulence gene AVR‐Rmg8
Authors: Anh Vu Lan , Inoue Yoshihiro , Asuke Soichiro , Vy Trinh Thi Phuong , Anh Nguyen Tuan , Wang Shizhen , Chuma Izumi , Tosa Yukio
Published: August 2017

Rmg8 and Rmg7 are genes for resistance to the wheat blast fungus (Pyricularia oryzae), located on chromosome 2B in hexaploid wheat and chromosome 2A in tetraploid wheat, respectively. AVR‐Rmg8, an avirulence gene corresponding to Rmg8, was isolated from a wheat blast isolate through a map‐based strategy. The cloned fragment encoded a small protein containing a putative signal peptide. AVR‐Rmg8 was recognized not only by Rmg8, but also by Rmg7, suggesting that these two resistance genes are equivalent to a single gene from the viewpoint of resistance breeding.
Prevalence and distribution of Borrelia and Babesia species in ticks feeding on dogs in the U.K.
Authors: ABDULLAH S. , HELPS C. , TASKER S. , NEWBURY H. , WALL R.
Published: August 2017

Ticks were collected during March–July 2015 from dogs by veterinarians throughout the U.K. and used to estimate current prevalences and distributions of pathogens. DNA was extracted from 4750 ticks and subjected to polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis to identify Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) and Babesia (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) species. Of 4737 ticks [predominantly Ixodes ricinus Linneaus (Ixodida: Ixodidae)], B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 94 (2.0%). Four Borrelia genospecies were identified: Borrelia garinii (41.5%); Borrelia afzelli (31.9%); Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (25.5%), and Borrelia spielmanii (1.1%). One Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille (Ixodida: Ixodidae), collected from a dog with a history of travel outside the U.K., was positive for B. garinii. Seventy ticks (1.5%) were positive for Babesia spp. Of these, 84.3% were positive for Babesia venatorum, 10.0% for Babesia vulpes sp. nov., 2.9% for Babesia divergens/Babesia capreoli and 1.4% for Babesia microti. One isolate of Babesia canis was detected in a Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) tick collected from a dog that had recently travelled to France. Prevalences of B. burgdorferi s.l. and Babesia spp. did not differ significantly between different regions of the U.K. The results map the widespread distribution of B. burgdorferi s.l. and Babesia spp. in ticks in the U.K. and highlight the potential for the introduction and establishment of exotic ticks and tick‐borne pathogens.
Spectrum of biopsy proven renal disease in South Asian children: Two decades at a tropical tertiary care centre
Authors: Mohapatra Anjali , Kakde Shailesh , Annapandian Vellaichamy M , Valson Anna T , Duhli Neelaveni , Korula Anila , Matthai Smita M , Pulimood Anna B , David Vinoi G , Alexander Suceena , Jacob Shibu , Varughese Santosh , Basu Gopal , Tamilarasi Veerasamy , John George T
Published: August 2017

Aim

We report findings from a large single centre paediatric renal biopsy cohort in South Asia.

Methods

We analyzed all renal biopsies performed on children aged ≤18 years between 1996 and 2015 at our centre. The clinical characteristics and histological diagnosis pertaining to each case, distribution of renal diseases in children with various clinical presentations, and changes in the pattern of kidney disease during the study period were analyzed.

Results

A total of 1740 paediatric kidney biopsies were performed during the study period. The mean age was 12.8 ± 4.9 years (8 months to 18 years) and the male: female ratio was 1.5:1. The most common indication for renal biopsy was nephrotic syndrome (63.2%) followed by acute nephritic syndrome (13%). Minimal change disease was the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome while endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis (65.7% infection related), remained the commonest cause of acute nephritic syndrome. IgA nephropathy was the commonest cause of chronic kidney disease. Contrary to trends in European paediatric cohorts, the frequency of lupus nephritis increased over the two decades of the study, while that of endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis did not show any appreciable decline.

Conclusion

This study provides the largest data on biopsy proven renal disease in children from South Asia published till date and highlights important differences in the spectrum and trends of kidney disease compared to data from other regions.
The function of dendritic cells in modulating the host response
Authors: Song L. , Dong G. , Guo L. , Graves D.T.
Published: August 2017

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen‐presenting cells that capture, process, and present antigens to lymphocytes to initiate and regulate the adaptive immune response. DCs detect bacteria in skin and mucosa and migrate into regional lymph nodes, where they stimulate antigen‐specific T and B lymphocyte activation and proliferation. DCs direct CD4 T cells to differentiate to T‐cell subsets such as T helper cells types 1, 2, and 17, and regulatory T cells. The periodontium is chronically exposed to oral bacteria that stimulate an inflammatory response to induce gingivitis or periodontitis. DCs play both protective and destructive roles through activation of the acquired immune response and are also reported to be a source of osteoclast precursors that promote bone resorption. FOXO1, a member of the forkhead box O family of transcription factors, plays a significant role in the activation of DCs. The function of DCs in periodontal inflammation has been investigated in a mouse model by lineage‐specific deletion of FOXO1 in these cells. Deletion of FOXO1 reduces DC protective function and enhances susceptibility to periodontitis. The kinase Akt, phosphorylates FOXO1 to inhibit FOXO activity. Hence the Akt–FOXO1 axis may play a key role in regulating DCs to have a significant impact on periodontal disease.
SMU.940 regulates dextran‐dependent aggregation and biofilm formation in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Senpuku Hidenobu , Yonezawa Hideo , Yoneda Saori , Suzuki Itaru , Nagasawa Ryo , Narisawa Naoki
Published: August 2017

The oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans is the principal agent in the development of dental caries. Biofilm formation by S. mutans requires bacterial attachment, aggregation, and glucan formation on the tooth surface under sucrose supplementation conditions. Our previous microarray analysis of clinical strains identified 74 genes in S. mutans that were related to biofilm morphology; however, the roles of almost all of these genes in biofilm formation are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of 21 genes randomly selected from our previous study regarding S. mutans biofilm formation, regulation by the complement pathway, and responses to competence‐stimulating peptide. Eight competence‐stimulating peptide‐dependent genes were identified, and their roles in biofilm formation and aggregation were examined by mutational analyses of the S. mutansUA159 strain. Of these eight genes, the inactivation of the putative hemolysin III family SMU.940 gene of S. mutansUA159 promoted rapid dextran‐dependent aggregation and biofilm formation in tryptic soy broth without dextrose (TSB) with 0.25% glucose and slightly reduced biofilm formation in TSB with 0.25% sucrose. The SMU.940 mutant showed higher expression of GbpC and gbpC gene than wild‐type. GbpC is known to be involved in the dextran‐dependent aggregation of S. mutans. An SMU.940‐gbpC double mutant strain was constructed in the SMU.940 mutant background. The gbpC mutation completely abolished the dextran‐dependent aggregation of the SMU.940 mutant. In addition, the aggregation of the mutant was abrogated by dextranase. These findings suggest that SMU.940 controls GbpC expression, and contributes to the regulation of dextran‐dependent aggregation and biofilm formation.
Impact of ICD lead on the system durability, predictors of long‐term survival following ICD system extraction
Authors: Jacheć Wojciech , Tomasik Andrzej , Polewczyk Anna , Kutarski Andrzej
Published: August 2017

Background

Implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT‐D) systems are considered as having higher risk of complication and shorter durability but reasons of this multifactorial phenomenon remain unclear. We aimed to analyze this problem in population of patients with ICD leads referred for lead extraction (TLE).

Methods

We have compared TLE indications, procedural results, and defined the long‐term outcomes of TLE in patients with ICD/CRT‐D devices (n  =  482, ICD (+)) with lead extractions in patients with standard pacemakers (n  =  1,402, ICD (−)). Demographic, clinical characteristics, and procedural outcomes were ascertained from single, primary operator registry. Long‐term survival data were provided by the National Health Fund.

Results

The ICD (+) subgroup had a significantly higher incidence rate of either infective or noninfective indications for TLE. The clinical success rate of extraction was 99.2% in ICD (+) versus 97.4% in ICD (−) (P  =  0.05) at a complication rate of 1.04% versus 2.14% (NS), respectively. In the median follow‐up of 3.39 years, 142 patients from the ICD (+) subgroup and 303 from the ICD (−) subgroup died. The highest mortality rate of 41.1% was observed in the ICD (+) subgroup with infective indications. Infection, renal failure, diabetes, and age were the multivariate factors associated with increased mortality in the ICD (+) subgroup.

Conclusion

ICD leads remain more vulnerable, with respect to mechanical failure and their propensity to infection, in comparison to pacing leads. Their TLE is very effective at least complication rate, when performed by a highly skilled and experienced operator. However, long‐term mortality after their TLE is high and is affected mostly by infections or patient‐related factors.
Cardiac mapping and pulmonary vein isolation using a novel ablation catheter with tip minielectrodes
Authors: Heringhaus Florian , Lotz Tanja , Loehr Lena , Gelep Julia , Lask Sebastian , Kara Kaffer , Mügge Andreas , Wutzler Alexander
Published: August 2017

Background

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a standard treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Identification of gaps in the ablation line is difficult. Tip‐ring electrograms from ablation catheters represent relative large areas of myocardial tissue. Recently, an ablation catheter with three minielectrodes (ME) on the catheter tip with closer interelectrode spacing was introduced. The aim of our study was to evaluate the novel electrodes during PVI.

Methods

PVI was performed with an irrigated ablation catheter equipped with conventional electrodes and three additional radial tip electrodes. Detection of pulmonary vein potentials (PVPs), local signal amplitude, amplitude reduction during ablation, and loss of capture after ablation were compared between the ME and the conventional tip‐ring electrodes.

Results

Thirty‐one patients (mean age 67.8 ± 10.3 years, 45.2 % men) were included. A total of 306 mapping/lesion points were analyzed. A PVP was significantly more often obtained with the ME compared to the conventional tip‐ring electrodes (99.2% vs 83.5%, P < 0.001). Local amplitude was significantly higher on the ME (0.8 ± 0.6 mV vs 0.67 ± 0.46 mV, P  =  0.003). Amplitude reduction during 1 RF pulse was significantly greater on the ME (82.9 ± 19.5% vs. 61.8 ± 26.9%, P < 0.001). During pace mapping, loss of capture after 1 RF pulse was observed significantly more often on ME (98.3% vs 63.3%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Signal amplitude is higher and sensitivity during PVP mapping and ablation is increased when ME are used. ME may facilitate catheter ablation of AF in the future.
The role of ultrasound in appropriate endotracheal tube size selection in pediatric patients
Authors: Altun Demet , Orhan‐Sungur Mukadder , Ali Achmet , Özkan‐Seyhan Tülay , Sivrikoz Nükhet , Çamcı Emre
Published: August 2017

Background

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the success of ultrasound in pediatric patients in determining the appropriate sized cuffed endotracheal tube and to compare the results with conventional height‐based (Broselow) tape and age‐based formula tube size.

Methods

One hundred and fifty‐two children of 1‐10 years of age, who received general anesthesia for adenotonsillectomy were enrolled to the study. In all participants, the transverse diameter of the subglottis was measured with ultrasound during apnea. An endotracheal tube was chosen with the outer diameter matched to the measured subglottic airway diameter. An age‐based (Motoyama‐Khine) and height‐based (Broselow) endotracheal tube size was calculated. If there was resistance to passage of the tube into the trachea or an airway pressure >25 cmH20 was required to detect an audible leak, the endotracheal tube was replaced with internal diameter of 0.5 mm smaller. If there was an audible leak at airway pressure <10 cmH2O, or peak pressure >25 cmH20 or a cuff pressure > 25 cmH2O was required to seal, the tube was changed to the 0.5 mm larger internal diameter. Best‐fit tube internal diameter was the resultant tube internal diameter that met the previously stated conditions. The need for endotracheal tube replacement and peak airway pressure were recorded.

Results

The internal diameter of ultrasound determined tube was the same as best‐fit tube in 88% of children. Endotracheal tube was replaced in 15 patients with a one size larger, and in three patients with one size smaller tube. Using Bland‐Altman analysis, a better agreement was observed with ultrasound measurement rather than height‐based estimation and age‐based formulas.

Conclusion

Our findings show that subglottic diameter measured by ultrasound appears to be a reliable predictor for the assessment of the subglottic diameter of the airway in estimating appropriate size pediatric endotracheal tube.
Development of a measure for the assessment of peer‐related positive emotional memories
Authors: Ferreira Cláudia , Cunha Marina , Marta‐Simões Joana , Duarte Cristiana , Matos Marcela , Pinto‐Gouveia José
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Previous research has demonstrated a link between early experiences of warmth, safeness, and soothing, and positive feelings, health, and well‐being outcomes. Although the impact of positive parent‐related early relationships and its posterior recall is well documented, research on the recall of warmth and safeness experiences within early peer relationships remains scarce. In fact, it is considered that the protective role of early positive peer relationships deserves intensive research; however, a specific measure that assesses this construct is still to be created. This study describes the development and validation of a new measure designed to assess the recall of early experiences of warmth, safeness, and affection in relation to peers (EMWSS‐peers).

Design and methods

Distinct samples, comprising individuals of both genders aged between 18 and 68 years old, were used to test theEMWSS‐peers factorial structure through principal axis factoring (PAF) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and to examine its psychometric properties.

Results

Principal axis factoring's results indicated that the 12‐item scale presents a one‐factor structure explaining a total of 71.50% of the variance. TheCFAconfirmed the plausibility of this structure. TheEMWSS‐peers also presented excellent internal consistency and construct, concurrent, and divergent validities.

Conclusions

TheEMWSS‐peers seems to be a new avenue for the study of memories of early experiences with friends and colleagues and may entail a relevant contribution to clinical and research fields, particularly for upcoming investigations on the relationship of peer‐related affiliative memories with well‐being and mental health.

Practitioner points

The EMWSS‐peers is a specific measure to assess the recall of warmth and safeness in early peer relationships.

The EMWSS‐peers is a brief, robust, and reliable self‐report instrument.

The EMWSS‐peers presented excellent internal consistency and construct, concurrent, and divergent validities.

The EMWSS‐peers may open a new avenue for the study of memories of early peer‐related experiences, with potential clinical and research implications.
No Contractual Obligation to Improve Education: School Boards and Their Superintendents
Authors: Maranto Robert , Trivitt Julie , Nichols Malachi , Watson Angela
Published: August 2017

Since the passage of No Child Left Behind, public schools have felt pressure to emphasize equitable academic outcomes. We investigate whether contracts agreed to by school boards and the superintendents they employ include academic and equity criteria to judge the performance of superintendents. Data come from the universe of 2013‐14 school superintendent contracts in North Carolina. Only nine of the 115 contracts include academic goals of any kind, and none include equity‐related criteria. Similarly, the universe of model superintendent contracts provided by state school boards associations (N = 20) rarely mention such criteria. Findings suggest that one reason for the relatively static equity and achievement outcomes in American public schools since the national introduction of accountability‐oriented reforms is that local school boards refuse to use academic and equity criteria to evaluate superintendents. The political science literature on elections and accountability suggests possible explanations.

Related Articles

Patrick,Barbara.2016. “”Politics & Policy44():1116‐1157.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12185/full

Webber,David J.2010. “.”Politics & Policy38():81‐95.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2009.00229.x/full

Patrick,Barbara.2012. “”Politics & Policy40():593‐628.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00370.x/full
Robust Mean-Squared Error Estimation for Poverty Estimates Based on the Method of Elbers, Lanjouw and Lanjouw
Authors: Das Sumonkanti , Chambers Ray
Published: August 2017

The method of Elbers, Lanjouw and Lanjouw (ELL) is the small area estimation method developed by the World Bank for poverty mapping and is widely used in developing countries. However, it has been criticized because of its assumption of negligible between-area variability when used to calculate small area poverty estimates. In particular, the mean-squared errors (MSEs) of these estimates are significantly underestimated when this between-area variability cannot be adequately explained by the model covariates. A method of MSE estimation for ELL-type estimates is proposed which is robust to significant unexplained between-area variability. Simulation results show that the method proposed performs better than standard ELL MSE estimators when the area homogeneity assumption is violated. An application to a Bangladesh poverty mapping study provides some empirical evidence for this robustness.
Sports Participation and Social Capital Formation During Adolescence*
Authors: Schüttoff Ute , Pawlowski Tim , Downward Paul , Lechner Michael
Published: August 2017

Objective

National and international policies claim that young people's sports participation improves their social capital. This article is the first to examine if sports participation has a causal effect on social capital formation during adolescence and whether such effects depend on the organizational format or the type of sports practiced.

Methods

Propensity score matching is employed in the analysis with possible endogeneity removed by exploiting the information in, and the structure of, the German Socio‐Economic Panel.

Results

Regular sports participation positively impacts adolescents’ social capital through volunteering, helping friends, and civic involvement. Furthermore, these effects seem to develop predominantly in sports clubs (in contrast to other organizational formats).

Conclusion

The empirical evidence of this study is suggestive of the relevant societal role of nonprofit clubs as institutions for practicing sport.
From Categories to Context: Identity Meaning and Political Engagement*
Authors: Bouché Vanessa
Published: August 2017

Objectives

The objective of this article is to set forth and test the identity meaning theory. Borne out of extant theories in sociology and social psychology, this theory posits that all individuals have a salient identity that is hierarchically superior, that individuals attach a subjective meaning to their salient identity that varies in an interpersonal‐intergroup matrix, and that the subjective meaning of the salient identity ultimately guides behavior, in this context specifically political engagement.

Methods

I operationalize the identity meaning concepts in a public opinion survey and test the reliability and validity of these new measures on a matched representative sample of 400 Americans. I then test whether these concepts predict individual political engagement.

Results

I find strong support for the identity meaning theory as a predictive measure of political engagement. The meaning individuals attach to their salient identity has a significant impact on affective and behavioral political engagement.

Conclusions

While a shared categorical identity (e.g., race or gender) impacts political behavior, this research shows that a shared meaning of a salient identity—regardless of what the salient identity is—can also have an impact on political behavior, even if the categorical identities are different. Thus, there is room for a new understanding and conceptualization of identity in political science.
Identification of a novel allele, HLA‐A*02:01:131, by full‐length genomic sequencing
Authors: Park Y. , Kim H. , Im J. , Yoon C. E. , Kim H. S.
Published: August 2017

The HLA‐A*02:01:131 allele differs by a single nucleotide at codon 236 compared with HLA‐A*02:01:01:01.
HLA‐A*33:74N, a novel HLA‐A*33 variant, identified by sequence‐based typing in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Lin C. Y. , Chang C. L.
Published: August 2017

A one nucleotide replacement in codon 803 of HLA‐A*33:03:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐A*33:74N
Regulatory‐associated protein of TOR (RAPTOR) alters the hormonal and metabolic composition of Arabidopsis seeds, controlling seed morphology, viability and germination potential
Authors: Salem Mohamed A. , Li Yan , Wiszniewski Andrew , Giavalisco Patrick
Published: August 2017

Target of Rapamycin (TOR) is a positive regulator of growth and development in all eukaryotes, which positively regulates anabolic processes like protein synthesis, while repressing catabolic processes, including autophagy. To better understand TOR function we decided to analyze its role in seed development and germination. We therefore performed a detailed phenotypic analysis using mutants of the REGULATORY‐ASSOCIATED PROTEIN OF TOR 1B (RAPTOR1B), a conserved TOR interactor, acting as a scaffold protein, which recruits substrates for the TOR kinase. Our results show that raptor1b plants produced seeds that were delayed in germination and less resistant to stresses, leading to decreased viability. These physiological phenotypes were accompanied by morphological changes including decreased seed‐coat pigmentation and reduced production of seed‐coat mucilage. A detailed molecular analysis revealed that many of these morphological changes were associated with significant changes of the metabolic content of raptor1b seeds, including elevated levels of free amino acids, as well as reduced levels of protective secondary metabolites and storage proteins. Most of these observed changes were accompanied by significantly altered phytohormone levels in the raptor1b seeds, with increases in abscisic acid, auxin and jasmonic acid, which are known to inhibit germination. Delayed germination and seedling growth, observed in the raptor1b seeds, could be partially restored by the exogenous supply of gibberellic acid, indicating that TOR is at the center of a regulatory hub controlling seed metabolism, maturation and germination.
Comparison of anterior segment health in wild and captive common murres
Authors: Freeman Kate S. , Fiorello Christine , Murray Michael
Published: August 2017

Objective

To evaluate and compare the anterior segment health of wild and captive common murres.

Procedures

Thirty wild common murres (Uria aalge) were captured and housed in freshwater pools and had an adnexal and anterior segment exam performed prior to a subsequent wildlife health study. The examination included phenol red thread tear tests, fluorescein staining, slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, rebound tonometry, and conjunctival culture sampling. Six captive common murres housed in natural seawater at the Monterey Bay Aquarium were examined in a similar manner.

Results

The most common ophthalmic lesion in the wild birds was corneal fibrosis with 55% prevalence, and over half of these were potentially vision threatening. Lenticular opacity (cataract or sclerosis or both) was the most common lesion in captive murres seen in 67% of the eyes. Mean phenol red tear test for all eyes without ulcers was 20 ± 3.6 mm. Mean intraocular pressure for all eyes without ulcers or flare was 23 ± 2.6 mmHg. The wild murres had a low percentage (17%) of positive conjunctival cultures. The captive murres had no growth on any culture.

Conclusions

Wild murres are more likely to suffer corneal lesions, whereas captive murres are more likely to experience age‐related lenticular diseases. Corneal scarring indicates that wild murres are frequently exposed to ocular trauma and the body condition scores indicate they appear to remain successful predators despite some vision compromise.