bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sphincter‐Preserving Surgery for Low Rectal Cancers: Incidence and Risk Factors for Permanent Stoma
Authors: Mak Joanna Chung Kiu , Foo Dominic Chi Chung , Wei Rockson , Law Wai Lun
Published: June 2017

Background

Advances in surgical techniques and paradigm changes in rectal cancer treatment have led to a drastic decline in the abdominoperineal resection rate, and sphincter‐preserving operation is possible in distal rectal cancer.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the long‐term incidence of permanent stoma after sphincter‐preserving surgery for low rectal cancer and its corresponding risk factors.

Method

From 2000 to 2014, patients who underwent sphincter‐preserving low anterior resection for low rectal cancer (within 5 cm from the anal verge) were included. The occurrence of permanent stoma over time and its risk factors were investigated by using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

This study included 194 patients who underwent ultra‐low anterior resection for distal rectal cancer, and the median follow‐up period was 77 months for the surviving patients. Forty‐six (23.7%) patients required a permanent stoma eventfully. Anastomotic‐related complications and disease progression were the main reasons for permanent stoma. Clinical anastomotic leakage (HR 5.72; 95% CI 2.31–14.12; p < 0.001) and neoadjuvant chemoradiation (HR 2.34; 95% CI 1.12–4.90; p = 0.024) were predictors for permanent primary stoma. Local recurrence (HR 16.09; 95% CI 5.88–44.03; p < 0.001) and T4 disease (HR 11.28; 95% CI 2.99–42.49; p < 0.001) were predictors for permanent secondary stoma. The 5‐ and 10‐year cumulative incidence for permanent stoma was 24.1 and 28.0%, respectively.

Conclusion

Advanced disease, prior chemoradiation, anastomotic leakage and local recurrence predispose patients to permanent stoma should be taken into consideration when contemplating sphincter‐preserving surgery.
Effects of High Intensity Ultrasound Frequency and High‐Speed Agitation on Fat Crystallization
Authors: Silva R. C. , Lee J. , Gibon V. , Martini Silvana
Published: June 2017

The objective of this research was to examine the effect of ultrasound frequency and high‐speed agitation on lipid crystallization. Interesterified soybean oil was crystallized at 44 °C without and with the application of high intensity ultrasound (HIU—20 and 40 kHz) or with high‐speed agitation (6000 and 24,000 rpm). Two tip amplitudes (24 and 108 µm) and three pulse durations were evaluated (5, 10, and 15 s) for the acoustic frequencies tested. Sonication at 20 kHz of frequency significantly reduced crystal size, increased (p < 0.05) elasticity (435.9 ± 173.3–80,218 ± 15,384 Pa) and SFC (0.2 ± 0.0–4.5 ± 0.4%). No significant difference was observed in the crystallization behavior of these samples when sonicated at different amplitudes for 5 and 10 s. The crystallization behavior was significantly delayed (p < 0.05) in samples sonicated using 108 µm amplitude for 15 s. Larger crystals were formed in samples sonicated at 40 kHz compared to those obtained with 20 kHz and lower SFC (3.7 ± 0.0%) and elasticity (3943 ± 1459 Pa) values were obtained. High‐speed agitation at 24,000 rpm increased SFC (5.5 ± 0.1%) and crystallized area and decreased the elasticity (42,602 ± 11,775 Pa) compared to the samples sonicated at 20 kHz.
LIFELONG HEALTH INSURANCE COVERS WITH SURRENDER VALUES: UPDATING MECHANISMS IN THE PRESENCE OF MEDICAL INFLATION
Authors: Dhaene Jan , Godecharle Els , Antonio Katrien , Denuit Michel , Hanbali Hamza
Published: June 2017

This paper considers the problem of a lifelong health insurance cover where medical inflation is not sufficiently incorporated in the level premium determined at policy issue. We focus on the setting where changes in health benefits, driven by medical inflation, are accounted for by an appropriate update or indexation of the level premium, the policy value, or both premium and policy value, during the term of the contract. Such an updating mechanism is necessary to restore the actuarial equivalence between future health benefits and surrender values on the one hand, and available policy values and future premiums on the other hand. We extend existing literature (Vercruysse et al., 2013; Denuit et al., 2017) by developing updating mechanisms in a discrete-time framework, where medical inflation is only taken into account ex-post as it emerges over time and where surrender values are allowed for. We propose and design two types of surrender values: based on the ageing provision on the one hand and based directly on the premiums paid until surrender on the other hand. We illustrate our updating strategy with numerical examples, using Belgian data, and investigate the sensitivity of our findings with respect to elements from the technical basis (in particular: the lapse rates) used in the actuarial calculations. Our updating mechanism is generic and useful for a wide range of products in life and health insurance, where some elements of the technical basis are guaranteed while others are subject to revision according to policy conditions.
Valuing Ecological Improvements in the Chesapeake Bay and the Importance of Ancillary Benefits
Authors: Moore Chris , Guignet Dennis , Dockins Chris , Maguire Kelly B. , Simon Nathalie B.
Published: June 2017

Reducing the excess nutrient and sediment pollution that is damaging habitat and diminishing recreational experiences in coastal estuaries requires actions by people and communities that are within the boundaries of the watershed but may be far from the resource itself, thus complicating efforts to understand tradeoffs associated with pollution control measures. Such is the case with the Chesapeake Bay, one of the most iconic water resources in the United States. All seven states containing part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed were required under the Clean Water Act to submit detailed plans to achieve nutrient and sediment pollution reductions. The implementation plans provide information on the location and type of management practices making it possible to project not only water quality improvements in the Chesapeake Bay but also improvements in freshwater lakes throughout the watershed, which provide important ancillary benefits to people bearing the cost of reducing pollution to the Bay but unlikely to benefit directly. This paper reports the results of a benefits study that links the forecasted water quality improvements to ecological endpoints and administers a stated preference survey to estimate use and nonuse value for aesthetic and ecological improvements in the Chesapeake Bay and watershed lakes. Our results show that ancillary benefits and nonuse values account for a substantial proportion of total willingness to pay and would have a significant impact on the net benefits of pollution reduction programs.
Burden of Clostridium difficile Infections in French Hospitals in 2014 From the National Health Insurance Perspective
Authors: Leblanc Soline , Blein Cécile , Andremont Antoine , Bandinelli Pierre-Alain , Galvain Thibaut
Published: June 2017

OBJECTIVE

To describe the hospital stays of patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and to measure the hospitalization costs of CDI (as primary and secondary diagnoses) from the French national health insurance perspective

DESIGN

Burden of illness study

SETTING

All acute-care hospitals in France

METHODS

Data were extracted from the French national hospitalization database (PMSI) for patients covered by the national health insurance scheme in 2014. Hospitalizations were selected using the International Classification of Diseases, 10threvision (ICD-10) code for CDI. Hospital stays with CDI as the primary diagnosis or the secondary diagnosis (comorbidity) were studied for the following parameters: patient sociodemographic characteristics, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and related costs. A retrospective case-control analysis was performed on stays with CDI as the secondary diagnosis to assess the impact of CDI on the LOS and costs.

RESULTS

Overall, 5,834 hospital stays with CDI as the primary diagnosis were included in this study. The total national insurance costs were €30.7 million (US $33,677,439), and the mean cost per hospital stay was €5,267±€3,645 (US $5,777±$3,998). In total, 10,265 stays were reported with CDI as the secondary diagnosis. The total national insurance additional costs attributable to CDI were estimated to be €85 million (US $93,243,725), and the mean additional cost attributable to CDI per hospital stay was €8,295±€17,163, median, €4,797 (US $9,099±$8,827; median, $5,262).

CONCLUSION

CDI has a high clinical and economic burden in the hospital, and it represents a major cost for national health insurance. When detected as a comorbidity, CDI was significantly associated with increased LOS and economic burden. Preventive approaches should be implemented to avoid CDIs.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:906–911
Evidence for the treatment of moderate depression: a systematic review
Authors: Aherne D. , Fitzgerald A. , Aherne C. , Fitzgerald N. , Slattery M. , Whelan N.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

This study aims to investigate existing evidence for the effectiveness of psychological treatments and/or antidepressant medication as a treatment for those diagnosed with moderate levels of depression.

Methods

A PRISMA systematic review of articles using electronic research databases (2000–2014) was conducted to identify studies investigating the effectiveness of psychotherapy and/or medication as a treatment for people with moderate levels of depression. Search terms included moderate depression, psychotherapy and/or medication, depressive disorders, antidepressants, psychotherapy, mental health services, and randomized-controlled trial (RCT). The included studies were then assessed, extracted, and synthesised.

Results

A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria (11 RCTs and three additional studies) for this review. The findings of the systematic review indicate that there is limited evidence available specific to the treatment of moderate depression and that this research seems to suggest that psychotherapy or combined treatment has a beneficial effect.

Conclusions

Given that depression is one of the biggest challenges the world faces at present, further research is required to examine the effectiveness of treatment for different levels of depression severity.
Geostrophic and chimney regimes in rotating horizontal convection with imposed heat flux
Authors: Vreugdenhil Catherine A. , Griffiths Ross W. , Gayen Bishakhdatta
Published: June 2017

Convection in a rotating rectangular basin with differential thermal forcing at one horizontal boundary is examined using laboratory experiments. The experiments have an imposed heat flux boundary condition, are at large values of the flux Rayleigh number ($Ra_{F}\sim O(10^{13}{-}10^{14})$based on the box length$L$), use water with Prandtl number$Pr\approx 4$and have a small depth to length aspect ratio. The results show the conditions for transition from non-rotating horizontal convection governed by an inertial–buoyancy balance in the thermal boundary layer, to circulation governed by geostrophic flow in the boundary layer. The geostrophic balance constrains mean flow and reduces the heat transport as Nusselt number$Nu\sim (Ra_{F}Ro)^{1/6}$, where$Ro=B^{1/2}/f^{3/2}L$is the convective Rossby number,$B$is the imposed buoyancy flux and$f$is the Coriolis parameter. Thus flow in the geostrophic boundary layer regime is governed by the relative roles of horizontal convective accelerations and Coriolis accelerations, or buoyancy and rotation, in the boundary layer. Experimental evidence suggests that for more rapid rotation there is another transition to a regime in which the momentum budget is dominated by fluctuating vertical accelerations in a region of vortical plumes, which we refer to as a ‘chimney’ following related discussion of regions of deep convection in the ocean. Coupling of the chimney convection in the region of destabilising boundary flux to the diffusive boundary layer of horizontal convection in the region of stabilising boundary flux gives heat transport independent of rotation in this ‘inertial chimney’ regime, and the new scaling$Nu\sim Ra_{F}^{1/4}$. Scaling analysis predicts the transition conditions observed in the experiments, as well as a further ‘geostrophic chimney’ regime in which the vertical plumes are controlled by local geostrophy. When$Ro<10^{-1}$, the convection is also observed to produce a set of large basin-scale gyres at all depths in the time-averaged flow.
Stability and three-dimensional evolution of a transitional dynamic stall vortex
Authors: Buchner Abel-John , Honnery Damon , Soria Julio
Published: June 2017

This paper describes a series of experiments using particle image velocimetry to investigate the dynamic stall resulting due to a rapid pitching motion of a flat plate. There exist in such unsteady separated flows multiple time-dependent coherent structures, whose interaction and evolution are complex and nonlinear. The experiments presented here are aimed at determining the behaviour of a dynamic stall vortex system in the Reynolds number range $10^{3}<Re<10^{4}$. Evidence is presented for the development of the three-dimensional structure associated with the dynamic stall vortex and its interaction with the no-slip boundary condition at the surface of the pitching plate. The analysis presented suggests that a centrifugal instability exists, and that the form of the three-dimensional structure is consistent with that expected of a centrifugal instability. The structure and scale dependence of the flow are explored using wavelet and Fourier methods, with the dependence of the flow on Reynolds number examined, as well as the influence of spanwise end boundary conditions.
Scaling and modelling of turbulence in variable property channel flows
Authors: Pecnik Rene , Patel Ashish
Published: June 2017

We derive an alternative formulation of the turbulent kinetic energy equation for flows with strong near-wall density and viscosity gradients. The derivation is based on a scaling transformation of the Navier–Stokes equations using semi-local quantities. A budget analysis of the semi-locally scaled turbulent kinetic energy equation shows that, for several variable property low-Mach-number channel flows, the ‘leading-order effect’ of variable density and viscosity on turbulence in wall bounded flows can effectively be characterized by the semi-local Reynolds number. Moreover, if a turbulence model is solved in its semi-locally scaled form, we show that an excellent agreement with direct numerical simulations is obtained for both low- and high-Mach-number flows, where conventional modelling approaches fail.
Comparison of measured and predicted energy density of an oral care chew for dogs
Authors: Nuttall Danielle , Butterwick Richard , Strauhs Katja , McGenity Phil
Published: June 2017

The dog chew studied here is a starch-based, twin-screw cooker extruded dog care and treat (C&T) product with oral health benefits. The manufacturing process and nutrient profile of such products are markedly different from those of main meal pet foods. Predicted metabolisable energy (PME) in pet food is calculated using equations derived from main meal feeding studies so it is unclear whether these equations can be applied to C&T products. The present study aimed to directly measure metabolisable energy (ME) content of the dog chew in dogs and compare with calculated PME. A batch of dog chews was manufactured and the product rendered micronutrient complete to allow solus feeding. Following a 3 d standard diet pre-feed phase, the test product was fed solus to a panel of seven adult dogs for a period of 8 d. Dietary intake was recorded daily and faecal matter collected for the last 5 d. Test product and pooled faecal samples were analysed for proximate nutrients, and digestibility coefficients were calculated as the difference in intake and faecal excretion (7–11 d). Digestible energy was converted to ME by correcting for energy losses in urine. PME was calculated using proximate analysis and modified Atwater factors according to National Research Council 2006. The results showed close agreement between actual ME (1272 (sd 12·1) kJ/100 g) and calculated PME (1268 (sd 12·6) kJ/100 g), indicating transferability of the NRC 2006 PME equations to the dog chew tested here.
Prior exercise alters the difference between arterialised and venous glycaemia: implications for blood sampling procedures
Authors: Edinburgh Robert M. , Hengist Aaron , Smith Harry A. , Betts James A. , Thompson Dylan , Walhin Jean-Philippe , Gonzalez Javier T.
Published: June 2017

Oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity are common measures, but are determined using various blood sampling methods, employed under many different experimental conditions. This study established whether measures of oral glucose tolerance and oral glucose-derived insulin sensitivity (insulin sensitivity indices; ISI) differ when calculated from venousv.arterialised blood. Critically, we also established whether any differences between sampling methods are consistent across distinct metabolic conditions (after restv.after exercise). A total of ten healthy men completed two trials in a randomised order, each consisting of a 120-min oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), either at rest or post-exercise. Blood was sampled simultaneously from a heated hand (arterialised) and an antecubital vein of the contralateral arm (venous). Under both conditions, glucose time-averaged AUC was greater from arterialised compared with venous plasma but importantly, this difference was larger after rest relative to after exercise (0·99 (sd0·46)v.0·56 (sd0·24) mmol/l, respectively;P<0·01). OGTT-derived ISIMatsudaand ISICederholmwere lower when calculated from arterialised relative to venous plasma and the arterialised–venous difference was greater after restv.after exercise (ISIMatsuda: 1·97 (sd0·81)v.1·35 (sd0·57) arbitrary units (au), respectively; ISICederholm: 14·76 (sd7·83)v.8·70 (sd3·95) au, respectively; bothP<0·01). Venous blood provides lower postprandial glucose concentrations and higher estimates of insulin sensitivity, compared with arterialised blood. Most importantly, these differences between blood sampling methods are not consistent after restv.post-exercise, preventing standardised venous-to-arterialised corrections from being readily applied.
Dynamic Portfolio Choice with Linear Rebalancing Rules
Authors: Moallemi Ciamac C. , Sağlam Mehmet
Published: June 2017

We consider a broad class of dynamic portfolio optimization problems that allow for complex models of return predictability, transaction costs, trading constraints, and risk considerations. Determining an optimal policy in this general setting is almost always intractable. We propose a class of linear rebalancing rules and describe an efficient computational procedure to optimize with this class. We illustrate this method in the context of portfolio execution and show that it achieves near optimal performance. We consider another numerical example involving dynamic trading with mean-variance preferences and demonstrate that our method can result in economically large benefits.
How does peer similarity influence adult children caregivers' perceptions of support from peers? A mixed-method study
Authors: WASILEWSKI MARINA BASTAWROUS , STINSON JENNIFER N. , WEBSTER FIONA , CAMERON JILL I.
Published: June 2017

Due to the growing elderly population, adult children care-givers (ACCs) are increasingly providing complex care for one or both elderly parents. Social support from similar peers can mitigate care-giving-related health declines. To date, ‘peer similarity’ amongst care-givers has been predominantly investigated in the context of peer-matching interventions. However, because peer similarity is especially influential in ‘naturally occurring’ support networks, care-givers' everyday peer support engagement warrants further attention. Our goal was to explore care-givers' everyday peer support engagement and the influence of peer similarity on support perceptions. We employed a mixed-method design using Web-based surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews. The quantitative data were analysed using a hierarchical multiple while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Seventy-one ACCs completed the online questionnaire and 15 participated in a telephone interview. Peer similarity was positively and significantly associated with perceived support (β = 0.469, p < 0.0005) and explained 18.5 per cent of the additional variance. ACCs' narratives suggested the most important aspect of similarity was ‘shared care-giving experience’ as it optimised the support received from peers, and also enhanced the quality of the relationship. In conclusion, both data-sets underscored that peer similarity importantly influences support perceptions. The importance of ‘shared care-giving experience’ suggests that a more comprehensive understanding of this concept is needed to optimise peer-matching endeavours. Peer similarity's influence on relationship quality should also be explored.
On the asymptotic expansions of the Kashaev invariant of the knots with 6 crossings
Authors: OHTSUKI TOMOTADA , YOKOTA YOSHIYUKI
Published: June 2017

We give presentations of the asymptotic expansions of the Kashaev invariant of the knots with 6 crossings. In particular, we show the volume conjecture for these knots, which states that the leading terms of the expansions present the hyperbolic volume and the Chern--Simons invariant of the complements of the knots. As higher coefficients of the expansions, we obtain a new series of invariants of these knots.

A non-trivial part of the proof is to apply the saddle point method to calculate the asymptotic expansion of an integral which presents the Kashaev invariant. A key step of this part is to give a concrete homotopy of the (real 3-dimensional) domain of the integral in ℂ3 in such a way that the boundary of the domain always stays in a certain domain in ℂ3 given by the potential function of the hyperbolic structure.
Retrospective genomic analysis ofVibrio choleraeO1 El Tor strains from different places in India reveals the presence ofctxB-7allele found in Haitian isolates
Authors: DE R. , RAMAMURTHY T. , SARKAR B. L. , MUKHOPADHYAY A. K. , PAZHANI G. P. , SARKAR S. , DUTTA S. , NAIR G. B.
Published: June 2017

A total of 45 strains ofVibrio choleraeO1 isolated from 10 different places in India where they were associated with cases of cholera between the years 2007 and 2008 were examined by molecular methods. With the help of phenotypic and genotypic tests the strains were confirmed to be O1 El Tor biotype strains with classicalctxBgene. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis by double – mismatch amplification mutation assay PCR showed 16 of these strains carried thectxB-7allele reported in Haitian strains. Sequencing of thectxBgene in all the 45 strains revealed that in 16 strains the histidine at the 20th amino acid position had been replaced by asparagine and this single nucleotide polymorphism did not affect cholera toxin production as revealed by beads enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This study shows that the newctxBgene sequence was circulating in different places in India. Seven representatives of these 45 strains analysed by pulsed – field gel electrophoresis showed four distinctNot Idigested profiles showing that multiple clones were causing cholera in 2007 and 2008.
PhD Abstracts
Authors: HUTTON GRAHAM
Published: June 2017

Many students complete PhDs in functional programming each year. As a service to the community, the Journal of Functional Programming publishes the abstracts from PhD dissertations completed during the previous year.
A rapid echocardiographic screening protocol for rheumatic heart disease in Samoa: a high prevalence of advanced disease
Authors: Allen Marvin , Allen John , Naseri Take , Gardner Rebecca , Tolley Dennis , Allen Lori
Published: June 2017

Background

Echocardiography has been proposed as a method to screen children for rheumatic heart disease. The World Heart Federation has established guidelines for echocardiographic screening. In this study, we describe a rapid echocardiogram screening protocol according to the World Heart Federation guidelines in Samoa, endemic for rheumatic heart disease.

Methods

We performed echocardiogram screening in schoolchildren in Samoa between 2013 and 2015. A brief screening echocardiogram was performed on all students. Children with predefined criteria suspicious for rheumatic hear diseases were referred for a more comprehensive echocardiogram. Complete echocardiograms were classified according to the World Heart Federation guidelines and severity of valve disease.

Results

Echocardiographic screening was performed on 11,434 children, with a mean age of 10.2 years; 51% of them were females. A total of 558 (4.8%) children underwent comprehensive echocardiography, including 49 students who were randomly selected as controls. Definite rheumatic heart disease was observed in 115 students (10.0 per 1000): 92 students were classified as borderline (8.0 per 1000) and 23 with CHD. Advanced disease was identified in 50 students (4.4 per 1000): 15 with severe mitral regurgitation, five with severe aortic regurgitation, 11 with mitral stenoses, and 19 with mitral and aortic valve disease.

Conclusions

We successfully applied a rapid echocardiographic screening protocol to a large number of students over a short time period – 28 days of screening over a 3-year time period – to identify a high prevalence of rheumatic heart disease. We also reported a significantly higher rate of advanced disease compared with previously published echocardiographic screening programmes.
Neuropsychological Clustering in Bipolar and Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Cotrena Charles , Damiani Branco Laura , Ponsoni André , Milman Shansis Flávio , Paz Fonseca Rochele
Published: June 2017

Objectives: Cognitive dysfunction is a key feature of major depressive (MDD) and bipolar (BD) disorders. However, rather than a single cognitive profile corresponding to each diagnostic categories, recent studies have identified significant intra- and cross-diagnostic variability in patterns of cognitive impairment. The goal of this study was to contribute to the literature on cognitive heterogeneity in mood disorders by identifying cognitive subprofiles in a population of patients with MDD, BD type I, BD type II, and healthy adults. Methods: Participants completed a neuropsychological battery; scores were converted into Z-scores using normative data and submitted to hierarchical cluster analysis. Results: Three distinct neuropsychological clusters were identified: (1) a large cluster containing mostly control participants, as well as some patients with BD and MDD, who performed at above-average levels on all neuropsychological domains; (2) a cluster containing some patients from all diagnostic groups, as well as healthy controls, who performed worse than cluster 1 on most tasks, and showed impairments in motor inhibition and verbal fluency; (3) a cluster containing mostly patients with mood disorders with severe impairments in verbal inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Conclusions: These findings revealed multiple cognitive profiles within diagnostic categories, as well as significant cross-diagnostic overlap, highlighting the importance of developing more specific treatment approaches which consider patients’ demographic and cognitive profiles in addition to their diagnosis. (JINS, 2017, 23, 584–593)
Front-of-package nutrition references are positively associated with food processing
Authors: Christoforou Anthea , Dachner Naomi , Mendelson Rena , Tarasuk Valerie
Published: June 2017

Objective

Foods characterized by a high degree of processing are pervasive in the global food supply and concerns have been raised about their contribution to the escalating burden of diet-related disease. It has been suggested that the dominance of these products relates in part to their aggressive on-package marketing. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between the extent and nature of front-of-package (FOP) nutrition references on products sold in Canadian supermarkets and the level of food processing.

Design

FOP references were recorded from all packaged foods. Nutrition references were classified as ‘negative’ and ‘positive’ and further differentiated in terms of the use of regulated and unregulated text. Foods were coded for level of processing, using three different classification systems. Logistic and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted to assess associations.

Setting

Three large Toronto supermarkets, from the top Canadian food retailers.

Subjects

Packaged foods (n20 520).

Results

Forty-one per cent of products had FOP nutrition references. Irrespective of the classification system considered, the most processed category comprised the greatest proportion of products and nearly half of these bore FOP references. Foods deemed most processed were more likely than less processed products to bear FOP references and regulated and unregulated references to negative ingredients, but they were equally or less likely to bear positive nutrition references, depending on the classification system.

Conclusions

The greater frequency of FOP nutrition references on heavily processed foods raises questions about the extent to which discretionary FOP labelling supports public health efforts to promote healthy eating.
Histomorphometric Parameters of the Growth Plate and Trabecular Bone in Wild-Type and Trefoil Factor Family 3 (Tff3)-Deficient Mice Analyzed by Free and Open-Source Image Processing Software
Authors: Bijelić Nikola , Belovari Tatjana , Stolnik Dunja , Lovrić Ivana , Baus Lončar Mirela
Published: June 2017

Trefoil factor family 3 (Tff3) peptide is present during intrauterine endochondral ossification in mice, and its deficiency affects cancellous bone quality in secondary ossification centers of mouse tibiae. The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze parameters describing the growth plate and primary ossification centers in tibiae of 1-month-old wild-type andTff3knock-out mice (n=5 per genotype) by using free and open-source software. Digital photographs of the growth plates and trabecular bone were processed by open-source computer programs GIMP and FIJI. Histomorphometric parameters were calculated using measurements made with FIJI.Tff3knock-out mice had significantly smaller trabecular number and significantly larger trabecular separation. Trabecular bone volume, trabecular bone surface, and trabecular thickness showed no significant difference between the two groups. Although such histomorphological differences were found in the cancellous bone structure, no significant differences were found in the epiphyseal plate histomorphology. Tff3 peptide probably has an effect on the formation and quality of the cancellous bone in the primary ossification centers, but not through disrupting the epiphyseal plate morphology. This work emphasizes the benefits of using free and open-source programs for morphological studies in life sciences.
Women’s experiences, beliefs and knowledge of urinary symptoms in the postpartum period and the perceptions of health professionals: a grounded theory study
Authors: Wagg Ann R. , Kendall Sally , Bunn Frances
Published: June 2017

Aim

This study aimed to explore, describe and enhance understanding of women’s experiences, beliefs and knowledge of urinary symptoms in thepostpartumperiod and also sought to understand the perceptions of health professionals of these issues.

Background

Women often take no action with regard to urinary symptoms particularly in the postnatal period, which can lead to the adoption of coping mechanisms or normalisation of symptoms. The true prevalence is difficult to assess due to differing age groups and time spans in studies. There is only a small body of work available to try to understand the lack of action on the part of the women, and even less around the attitudes of health professionals.

Methods

Grounded theory was selected for a qualitative inductive approach, to attempt to understand the social processes involved and generate new knowledge by examining the different interactions. Recruitment was by theoretical sampling. In total, 15 women were interviewed and two focus groups of health professionals were undertaken. In addition, an antenatal clinic and a postnatal mothers group were observed. All information was analysed manually using constant comparison.

Findings

The findings revealed that at times poor communication, lack of clear education and the power of relative’s stories of the past were barriers to help seeking, and were disempowering women, creating a climate for normalisation. Women were willing to talk but preferred the health professional to initiate discussion. In addition, health professionals were concerned about a lack of time and knowledge and were uncertain of the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises due to some research indicating improvement may not be maintained over time. The core category was; ‘overcoming barriers to facilitate empowerment’, indicating that improving communication and education could reduce barriers and enable them to seek help.
Nicotine protects rat hypoglossal motoneurons from excitotoxic death via downregulation of connexin 36
Authors: Corsini Silvia , Tortora Maria , Rauti Rossana , Nistri Andrea
Published: June 2017

Motoneuron disease including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may be due, at an early stage, to deficit in the extracellular clearance of the excitatory transmitter glutamate. A model of glutamate-mediated excitotoxic cell death based on pharmacological inhibition of its uptake was used to investigate how activation of neuronal nicotinic receptors by nicotine may protect motoneurons. Hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs) in neonatal rat brainstem slices were exposed to the glutamate uptake blocker DL-threo-β-benzyloxyaspartate (TBOA) that evoked large Ca2+ transients time locked among nearby HMs, whose number fell by about 30% 4 h later. As nicotine or the gap junction blocker carbenoxolone suppressed bursting, we studied connexin 36 (Cx36), which constitutes gap junctions in neurons and found it largely expressed by HMs. Cx36 was downregulated when nicotine or carbenoxolone was co-applied with TBOA. Expression of Cx36 was preferentially observed in cytosolic rather than membrane fractions after nicotine and TBOA, suggesting protein redistribution with no change in synthesis. Nicotine raised the expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), a protective factor that binds the apoptotic-inducing factor (AIF) whose nuclear translocation is a cause of cell death. TBOA increased intracellular AIF, an effect blocked by nicotine. These results indicate that activation of neuronal nicotinic receptors is an early tool for protecting motoneurons from excitotoxicity and that this process is carried out via the combined decrease in Cx36 activity, overexpression of Hsp70 and fall in AIF translocation. Thus, retarding or inhibiting HM death may be experimentally achieved by targeting one of these processes leading to motoneuron death.
Isodeoxyelephantopin induces protective autophagy in lung cancer cells via Nrf2-p62-keap1 feedback loop
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Jing , Huang Zhi-Hao , Huang Xiao-Hui , Zheng Wei-Bin , Yin Xing-Feng , Li Yao-Lan , Li Bin , He Qing-Yu
Published: June 2017

Isodeoxyelephantopin (ESI), isolated from Elephantopus scaber L. has been reported to exert anticancer effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether and how cancer cells exert protective responses against ESI treatment. Confocal fluorescence microscopy showed that ESI significantly induced autophagy flux in the lung cancer cells expressing mCherry-EGFP-LC3 reporter. Treatment of the cells with ESI increased the expression levels of the autophagy markers including LC3-II, ATG3 and Beclin1 in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) not only attenuated the effects of ESI on autophagy, but also enhanced the effects of ESI on cell viability and apoptosis. Mechanistically, the SILAC quantitative proteomics coupled with bioinformatics analysis revealed that the ESI-regulated proteins were mainly involved in Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response. We found that ESI induced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 for activating the downstream target genes including HO-1 and p62 (SQSTM1). More importantly, ESI-induced p62 could competitively bind with Keap1, and releases Nrf2 to activate downstream target gene p62 as a positive feedback loop, therefore promoting autophagy. Furthermore, knockdown of Nrf2 or p62 could abrogate the ESI-induced autophagy and significantly enhanced the anticancer effect of ESI. Taken together, we demonstrated that ESI can sustain cell survival by activating protective autophagy through Nrf2-p62-keap1 feedback loop, whereas targeting this regulatory axis combined with ESI treatment may be a promising strategy for anticancer therapy.
Dynamics of valence-shell electrons and nuclei probed by strong-field holography and rescattering
Authors: Walt Samuel G. , Bhargava Ram Niraghatam , Atala Marcos , Shvetsov-Shilovski Nikolay I , von Conta Aaron , Baykusheva Denitsa , Lein Manfred , Wörner Hans Jakob
Published: June 2017

Strong-field photoelectron holography and laser-induced electron diffraction (LIED) are two powerful emerging methods for probing the ultrafast dynamics of molecules. However, both of them have remained restricted to static systems and to nuclear dynamics induced by strong-field ionization. Here we extend these promising methods to image purely electronic valence-shell dynamics in molecules using photoelectron holography. In the same experiment, we use LIED and photoelectron holography simultaneously, to observe coupled electronic-rotational dynamics taking place on similar timescales. These results offer perspectives for imaging ultrafast dynamics of molecules on femtosecond to attosecond timescales.
In situ targeted MRI detection of Helicobacter pylori with stable magnetic graphitic nanocapsules
Authors: Li Yunjie , Hu Xiaoxiao , Ding Ding , Zou Yuxiu , Xu Yiting , Wang Xuewei , Zhang Yin , Chen Long , Chen Zhuo , Tan Weihong
Published: June 2017

Helicobacter pylori infection is implicated in the aetiology of many diseases. Despite numerous studies, a painless, fast and direct method for the in situ detection of H. pylori remains a challenge, mainly due to the strong acidic/enzymatic environment of the gastric mucosa. Herein, we report the use of stable magnetic graphitic nanocapsules (MGNs), for in situ targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection of H. pylori. Several layers of graphene as the shell effectively protect the magnetic core from corrosion while retaining the superior contrast effect for MRI in the gastric environment. Boronic-polyethylene glycol molecules were synthesized and modified on the MGN surface for targeted MRI detection. In a mouse model of H. pylori-induced infection, H. pylori was specifically detected through both T2-weighted MR imaging and Raman gastric mucosa imaging using functionalized MGNs. These results indicated that enhancement of MRI using MGNs may be a promising diagnostic and bioimaging platform for very harsh conditions.
January 2016 extensive summer melt in West Antarctica favoured by strong El Niño
Authors: Nicolas Julien P. , Vogelmann Andrew M. , Scott Ryan C. , Wilson Aaron B. , Cadeddu Maria P. , Bromwich David H. , Verlinde Johannes , Lubin Dan , Russell Lynn M. , Jenkinson Colin , Powers Heath H. , Ryczek Maciej , Stone Gregory , Wille Jonathan D.
Published: June 2017

Over the past two decades the primary driver of mass loss from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) has been warm ocean water underneath coastal ice shelves, not a warmer atmosphere. Yet, surface melt occurs sporadically over low-lying areas of the WAIS and is not fully understood. Here we report on an episode of extensive and prolonged surface melting observed in the Ross Sea sector of the WAIS in January 2016. A comprehensive cloud and radiation experiment at the WAIS ice divide, downwind of the melt region, provided detailed insight into the physical processes at play during the event. The unusual extent and duration of the melting are linked to strong and sustained advection of warm marine air toward the area, likely favoured by the concurrent strong El Niño event. The increase in the number of extreme El Niño events projected for the twenty-first century could expose the WAIS to more frequent major melt events.
Group additivity-Pourbaix diagrams advocate thermodynamically stable nanoscale clusters in aqueous environments
Authors: Wills Lindsay A. , Qu Xiaohui , Chang I-Ya , Mustard Thomas J. L. , Keszler Douglas A. , Persson Kristin A. , Cheong Paul Ha-Yeon
Published: June 2017

The characterization of water-based corrosion, geochemical, environmental and catalytic processes rely on the accurate depiction of stable phases in a water environment. The process is aided by Pourbaix diagrams, which map the equilibrium solid and solution phases under varying conditions of pH and electrochemical potential. Recently, metastable or possibly stable nanometric aqueous clusters have been proposed as intermediate species in non-classical nucleation processes. Herein, we describe a Group Additivity approach to obtain Pourbaix diagrams with full consideration of multimeric cluster speciation from computations. Comparisons with existing titration results from experiments yield excellent agreement. Applying this Group Additivity-Pourbaix approach to Group 13 elements, we arrive at a quantitative evaluation of cluster stability, as a function of pH and concentration, and present compelling support for not only metastable but also thermodynamically stable multimeric clusters in aqueous solutions.
In silico designing of power conversion efficient organic lead dyes for solar cells using todays innovative approaches to assure renewable energy for future
Authors: Kar Supratik , Roy Juganta K. , Leszczynski Jerzy
Published: June 2017

Advances in solar cell technology require designing of new organic dye sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells with high power conversion efficiency to circumvent the disadvantages of silicon-based solar cells. In silico studies including quantitative structure-property relationship analysis combined with quantum chemical analysis were employed to understand the primary electron transfer mechanism and photo-physical properties of 273 arylamine organic dyes from 11 diverse chemical families explicit to iodine electrolyte. The direct quantitative structure-property relationship models enable identification of the essential electronic and structural attributes necessary for quantifying the molecular prerequisites of 11 classes of arylamine organic dyes, responsible for high power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. Tetrahydroquinoline, N,N′-dialkylaniline and indoline have been least explored classes under arylamine organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Therefore, the identified properties from the corresponding quantitative structure-property relationship models of the mentioned classes were employed in designing of “lead dyes”. Followed by, a series of electrochemical and photo-physical parameters were computed for designed dyes to check the required variables for electron flow of dye-sensitized solar cells. The combined computational techniques yielded seven promising lead dyes each for all three chemical classes considered. Significant (130, 183, and 46%) increment in predicted %power conversion efficiency was observed comparing with the existing dye with highest experimental %power conversion efficiency value for tetrahydroquinoline, N,N′-dialkylaniline and indoline, respectively maintaining required electrochemical parameters.
The cannabinoid ligand LH-21 reduces anxiety and improves glucose handling in diet-induced obese pre-diabetic mice
Authors: Romero-Zerbo Silvana Y. , Ruz-Maldonado Inmaculada , Espinosa-Jiménez Vanesa , Rafacho Alex , Gómez-Conde Ana I. , Sánchez-Salido Lourdes , Cobo-Vuilleumier Nadia , Gauthier Benoit R. , Tinahones Francisco J. , Persaud Shanta J. , Bermúdez-Silva Francisco J.
Published: June 2017

LH-21 is a triazol derivative that has been described as a low-permeant neutral CB1 antagonist, though its pharmacology is still unclear. It has been associated with anti-obesity actions in obese rats. However, its role in preventing type 2 diabetes (T2D) onset have not been studied yet. Given CB1 receptors remain as potential pharmacological targets to fight against obesity and T2D, we wanted to explore the metabolic impact of this compound in an animal model of obesity and pre-diabetes as well as the lack of relevant actions in related central processes such as anxiety. C57BL/6J mice were rendered obese and pre-diabetic by feeding a high-fat diet for 15 weeks and then treated with LH-21 or vehicle for two weeks. Food intake, body weight and glucose handling were assessed, together with other relevant parameters. Behavioural performance was evaluated by the open field test and the elevated plus maze. LH-21 did not affect food intake nor body weight but it improved glucose handling, displaying tissue-specific beneficial actions. Unexpectedly, LH-21 induced anxiolysis and reverted obesity-induced anxiety, apparently through GPR55 receptor. These results suggest that LH-21 can be a new candidate to fight against diabetes onset. Indeed, this compound shows potential in counteracting obesity-related anxiety.
Diet-induced reconstruction of mucosal microbiota associated with alterations of epithelium lectin expression and regulation in the maintenance of rumen homeostasis
Authors: Shen Hong , Lu Zhongyan , Xu Zhihui , Shen Zanming
Published: June 2017

It is unknown whether lectins of the rumen epithelium contribute to the recognition of mucosal microbes and activation of tolerogenic cytokines in ruminant animals. We applied an integrated method of RNA-seq and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate alterations of epithelial lectin expression and regulation with a diet-induced reconstruction of the mucosal microbiota in the goat rumen. Our results showed that the diversity and richness of the rumen mucosal microbiota were promoted by the dietary concentrate. Meantime, in the rumen epithelium, five lectin genes, namely, sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 14 (LOC102180073), C-type lectin domain family 4, member E (CLEC4E), C-type lectin domain family 7, member A (CLEC7A), C-type lectin domain family 16, member A (CLEC16A), and lectin, mannose-binding 2 (LMAN2), were indicated to promote the expression of 8 tolerogenic cytokines, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) and 4 enzyme genes involved in retinoic acid biosynthesis via 6 signaling pathways. Analysis of the combined data showed that 9 microbial genera (Clostridium_IV, Desulfobulbus, Eubacterium, Ochrobactrum, Propionibacterium, Pseudomonas, Slackia, Staphylococcus and Subdivision5_genera_IS) were highly related to the expression of functional lectins. These findings provide new insights into the interactions between the rumen epithelium and mucosal microbiota in the maintenance of rumen homeostasis.