bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular differences in Alzheimer's disease between male and female patients determined by integrative network analysis
Authors: Sun Lin‐Lin , Yang Song‐Lin , Sun Hui , Li Wei‐Da , Duan Shu‐Rong
Published: November 2018

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. There has been increasing recognition of sex differences in AD prevalence, clinical manifestation, disease course and prognosis. However, there have been few studies on the molecular mechanism underlying these differences. To address this issue, we carried out global gene expression and integrative network analyses based on expression profiles (GSE84422) across 17 cortical regions of 125 individuals with AD. There were few genes that were differentially expressed across the 17 regions between the two sexes, with only four (encoding glutamate metabotropic receptor 2, oestrogen‐related receptor beta, kinesin family member 26B, and aspartoacylase) that were differentially expressed in three regions. A pan‐cortical brain region co‐expression network analysis identified pathways and genes (eg, glycogen synthase kinase 3β) that were significantly associated with clinical characteristics of AD (such as neurofibrillary score) in males only. Similarity analyses between region‐specific networks indicated that male patients exhibited greater variability, especially in the superior parietal lobule, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and occipital visual cortex. A network module analysis revealed an association between clinical traits and crosstalk of sex‐specific modules. An examination of temporal and spatial patterns of sex differences in AD showed that molecular networks were more conserved in females than in males in different cortical regions and at different AD stages. These findings provide insight into critical molecular pathways governing sex differences in AD pathology.
Serum Metrnl is associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease
Authors: Liu Zheng‐Xia , Ji Hui‐Hong , Yao Min‐Peng , Wang Li , Wang Yue , Zhou Ping , Liu Ying , Zheng Xi‐Feng , He Hui‐Wei , Wang Lian‐Sheng , Gao Wei , Lu Xiang
Published: November 2018

Meteorin‐like (Metrnl) is a novel adipokine that is highly expressed in white adipose tissue. Metrnl stimulates energy expenditure and improves glucose tolerance in rodents. However, whether Metrnl plays a role in coronary artery disease (CAD) remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the association of serum Metrnl with CAD in Chinese patients. A total of 193 patients with CAD and 156 control subjects were enrolled in this study. Serum Metrnl concentration was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Anthropometric phenotypes, fasting glucose, serum lipids, and inflammatory cytokines were measured. Serum Metrnl was lower in CAD patients when compared to those controls (132.41 vs 173.17 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Serum Metrnl was negatively correlated with metabolic parameters, including body mass index, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as inflammatory markers including high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, IL‐1β, and IL‐11 even after adjustment for potential confounding variables (P < 0.05). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, compared to those in the highest tertile of serum Metrnl levels, subjects in the lowest tertile had the highest risks for CAD (adjusted OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.46‐4.27, P = 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounding variables, serum Metrnl was also decreased as the number of stenosed vessels increased (P < 0.001). Furthermore, decreased Metrnl level was negatively correlated with the severity of CAD quantified by the Gensini score. This first case‐control study shows significant associations of serum Metrnl with the presence and severity of CAD, suggesting Metrnl might be a new promising therapeutic target for CAD.
CPT1A‐mediated succinylation of S100A10 increases human gastric cancer invasion
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhang Chen , Li Xiang , Shen Jiajia , Xu Yue , Shi Hui , Mu Xianmin , Pan Jinshun , Zhao Ting , Li Mengjing , Geng Biao , Xu Che , Wen Hao , You Qiang
Published: November 2018

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignancy of the lining of the stomach and is prone to distant metastasis, which involves a variety of complex molecules. The S100 proteins are a family of calcium‐binding cytosolic proteins that possess a wide range of intracellular and extracellular functions and play pivotal roles in the invasion and migration of tumour cells. Among these, S100A10 is known to be overexpressed in GC. Lysine succinylation, a recently identified form of protein post‐translational modification, is an important regulator of cellular processes. Here, we demonstrated that S100A10 was succinylated at lysine residue 47 (K47), and levels of succinylated S100A10 were increased in human GC. Moreover, K47 succinylation of S100A10 was stabilized by suppression of ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) was found to function as a lysine succinyltransferase that interacts with S100A10. Succinylation of S100A10 is regulated by CPT1A, while desuccinylation is regulated by SIRT5. Overexpression of a succinylation mimetic mutant, K47E S100A10, increased cell invasion and migration. Taken together, this study reveals a novel mechanism of S100A10 accumulation mediated by succinylation in GC, which promotes GC progression and is regulated by the succinyltransferase CPT1A and SIRT5‐mediated desuccinylation.
The role of tumour microenvironment: a new vision for cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Ziyan , Guo Pengyi , Xie Xiaozai , Yu Haitao , Wang Yi , Chen Gang
Published: November 2018

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare malignant and lethal tumour derived from bile duct epithelium and the morbidity is now increasing worldwide. This disease is difficult to diagnose at its inchoate stage and has poor prognosis. Therefore, a clear understanding of pathogenesis and major influencing factors is the key to develop effective therapeutic methods for CCA. In previous studies, canonical correlation analysis has demonstrated that tumour microenvironment plays an intricate role in the progression of various types of cancers including CCA. CCA tumour microenvironment is a dynamic environment consisting of authoritative tumour stromal cells and extracellular matrix where tumour stromal cells and cancer cells can thrive. CCA stromal cells include immune and non‐immune cells, such as inflammatory cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages. Likewise, CCA tumour microenvironment contains abundant proliferative factors and can significantly impact the behaviour of cancer cells. Through abominably intricate interactions with CCA cells, CCA tumour microenvironment plays an important role in promoting tumour proliferation, accelerating neovascularization, facilitating tumour invasion, and preventing tumour cells from organismal immune reactions and apoptosis. This review summarizes the recent research progress regarding the connection between tumour behaviours and tumour stromal cells in CCA, as well as the mechanism underlying the effect of tumour stromal cells on the growth of CCA. A thorough understanding of the relationship between CCA and tumour stromal cells can shed some light on the development of new therapeutic methods for treating CCA.
Long non‐coding RNA SNHG20 promotes the tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma via targeting miR‐197/LIN28 axis
Authors: Wu Jie , Zhao Wei , Wang Zhonghou , Xiang Xu , Zhang Shengchi , Liu Lina
Published: November 2018

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) has been verified to participate in the tumour regulation, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Nevertheless, the role of lncRNA SNHG20 on OSCC still remains elusive. Here, we investigate the physiopathologic functions of lncRNA SNHG20 in OSCC tumorigenesis and explore its potential mechanism. LncRNA SNHG20 was up‐regulated in OSCC tissue compared with adjacent non‐tumour tissue. Meanwhile, SNHG20 was overexpressed in cancer stem‐like cells. In vitro and in vivo, loss‐of‐function experiments showed that lncRNA SNHG20 knockdown inhibited proliferative ability, mammosphere‐forming ability, ALDH1 expression, stem factors (LIN28, Nanog, Oct4, SOX2) and tumour growth. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR‐197 targeted the 3′‐untranslated regions of SNHG20 and LIN28 by complementary binding. Validation experiments confirmed the associated functions of SNHG20/miR‐197/LIN28 axis on OSCC proliferation and stemness. In summary, our results reveal the important function of SNHG20/miR‐197/LIN28 axis in the oncogenesis and stemness of OSCC, suggesting the vital role of SNHG20 in OSCC tumorigenesis.
Characteristics of IgG subclasses and complement deposition in BP230‐type bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Zheng M. , Ujiie H. , Iwata H. , Muramatsu K. , Yoshimoto N. , Ito T. , Ujiie I. , Shimizu S. , Sato‐Matsumura K.C. , Shimizu H.
Published: November 2018

Background

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease. BP180 is the primary autoantigen of BP, and in a portion of BP cases, BP230 is the only target of autoantibodies. Such BP is called BP230‐type BP. BP230‐type BP tends to show milder clinical phenotypes than conventional BP, but the reason is unclear. The pathogenic roles of autoantibodies and complement activation have been shown in conventional BP, but the distribution of IgG subclasses and the degree of complement deposition in BP230‐type BP remain unclear.

Objective

To compare the distribution of IgG subclasses and the degree of complement deposition in BP230‐type BP with those in conventional BP with autoantibodies to BP180 and BP230 (BP180‐BP230‐type BP).

Methods

The diagnosis of BP was confirmed by the histopathology of the lesions, the deposition of IgG and complement in the perilesional skin and the presence of circulating autoantibodies to BP180 and BP230. The disease severity was determined by bullous pemphigoid disease area index. The deposition of IgG subclasses and complement deposition were examined by direct immunofluorescence of the perilesional skin in 6 BP230‐type BP cases and 11 BP180‐BP230‐type BP cases.

Results

Sixty seven percent of BP230‐type BP cases show a mild clinical phenotype. All BP230‐type BP cases and 82% of BP180‐BP230‐type BP cases were found to demonstrate the clear deposition of IgG4 at the basement membrane zone of skin specimens. Notably, the deposition of IgG1 and IgG3 was faint or negative in all of the BP230‐type BP cases, whereas they were clearly detected in 91% and 64% of the BP180‐BP230‐type BP cases, respectively. The deposition of complement C3 tended to be weaker in BP230‐type BP than in BP180‐BP230‐type BP.

Conclusion

The mild clinical phenotype of BP230‐type BP may correlate with the weaker deposition of IgG1, IgG3 and complement in the skin lesions.
Morphological classification of melanoma metastasis with reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Farnetani F. , Manfredini M. , Longhitano S. , Chester J. , Shaniko K. , Cinotti E. , Mazzoni L. , Venturini M. , Manganoni A. , Longo C. , Reggiani‐Bonetti L. , Giannetti L. , Rubegni P. , Calzavara‐Pinton P. , Stanganelli I. , Perrot J.L. , Pellacani G.
Published: November 2018

Background

Cutaneous malignant melanoma metastases differential diagnosis is challenging, as clinical and dermoscopic features can simulate primary melanoma or other benign or malignant skin neoplasms, and in‐vivo reflectance confocal microscopy could assist. Our aim was to identify specific reflectance confocal microscopy features for cutaneous malignant melanoma metastases, and epidermal and dermal involvement.

Methods

A retrospective, multicentre observational study of lesions with proven cutaneous malignant melanoma metastases diagnosis between January 2005 and December 2016. Lesions were retrospectively assessed according to morphological features observed at reflectance confocal microscopy. Potential homogeneous subgroups of epidermal or dermal involvement were investigated with cluster analysis.

Results

Cutaneous malignant melanoma metastases (51 lesions in 29 patients) exhibited different frequencies of features according to metastasis dermoscopy patterns. Lesions classified at dermoscopy with nevus‐like globular and non‐globular patterns were more likely to be epidermotropic, showing characteristics of epidermal and dermal involvement at reflectance confocal microscopy. Other dermoscopy pattern classifications were more likely to be dermotropic, showing characteristics od dermal involvement at reflectance confocal microscopy. Distinguishing features at reflectance confocal microscopy included irregular (78%) and altered (63%) epidermis, pagetoid infiltration (51%), disarranged junctional architecture (63%), non‐edged papillae (76%), dense and sparse, and cerebriform nests in the upper dermis (74%), and vascularity (51%). Cluster analysis identified three groups, which were retrospectively correlated with histopathological diagnoses of dermotropic and epidermotropic diagnoses (P < 0.001). The third cluster represents lesions with deep dermis morphological changes, which were too deep for evaluation with reflectance confocal microscopy.

Conclusions

Specific reflectance confocal microscopy features of cutaneous malignant melanoma metastases for correct diagnosis, and subtype diagnosis, seem achievable in most cases where morphological alterations are located above the deep dermis.
Effects of staining and polishing on different types of enamel surface sealants
Authors: Corcodel Nicoleta , Hassel Alexander J. , Sen Sinan , Saure Daniel , Rammelsberg Peter , Lux Christopher J. , Zingler Sebastian
Published: November 2018

Objective

To assess surface discoloration of four enamel sealants based on different chemical compositions after exposure to artificial aging and staining solutions. Furthermore, their cleanability after polishing will be evaluated.

Materials and Methods

Selected sealants were a composite resin‐based sealant with fillers (Pro Seal), a composite resin‐based sealant without fillers (Light BondSealant), a resin‐modified glass ionomer‐based sealant (ClinproXT Varnish) and a silicon‐based sealant (Protecto). Natural teeth served as medium. Immersion solutions were water, juice, tea, and turmeric. In a standardized setting, all samples were measured seven times with a spectroradiometer (Photoresearch PR670) at baseline, after thermocycling; 7 days; 2 and 4 weeks of immersion; and after finally polishing.

Results

Thermocycling had no significant effect on color stability. After exposure to staining solutions, all sealed surfaces showed significant color changes. Color change predominately occurred for all sealants in the first week of staining (P ≤ .01). Best resistance to staining decreased as follows: Protecto > Light Bond Sealant > ProSeal > Clinpro XT Varnish. Surface cleaning by polishing significantly reduced the color change.

Conclusion

Sealed enamel surfaces are prone to discoloration, which is most prominent in filled composite and glass‐ionomer‐based sealants. Staining can be reduced by polishing; however, in this in vitro setting the original color could not be restored.

Clinical Significance

Enamel sealants might exert adverse effects in terms of discoloration. This should be taken into consideration by clinicians and patients, particularly when sealants are applied in esthetically critical areas.
No apparent negative tagging effects after 13 years at liberty for lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris implanted with acoustic transmitter
Authors: Smukall Matthew J. , Kessel Steven T. , Franks Bryan R. , Feldheim Kevin A. , Guttridge Tristan L. , Gruber Samuel H.
Published: November 2018

An intact and uncompromised internal acoustic transmitter was non‐lethally recovered from a lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris, after 13 years at liberty. The shark, first tagged at an estimated age of 2 years old near South Bimini, Bahamas in 2004, was recaptured in 2017 with a total length of 264 cm. The tagged shark displayed typical growth rate, pregnancy, natal homing and pupping behaviour of other individuals in this population. This observation provides important evidence regarding the effects from long‐term retention of implanted acoustic transmitters in a carcharhinid shark.
Variation in rod spectral sensitivity of fishes is best predicted by habitat and depth
Authors: Schweikert Lorian E. , Caves Eleanor M. , Solie Sarah E. , Sutton Tracey T. , Johnsen Sönke
Published: November 2018

Rod spectral sensitivity data (λmax), measured by microspectrophotometry, were compiled for 403 species of ray‐finned fishes in order to examine four hypothesized predictors of rod spectral sensitivity (depth, habitat, diet and temperature). From this database, a subset of species that were known to be adults and available on a published phylogeny (n = 210) were included in analysis, indicating rod λmax values averaging 503 nm and ranging from 477 to 541 nm. Linear models that corrected for phylogenetic relatedness showed that variation in rod sensitivity was best predicted by habitat and depth, with shorter wavelength λmax values occurring in fishes found offshore or in the deep sea. Neither diet, nor the interaction of diet and habitat, had significant explanatory power. Although temperature significantly correlated with rod sensitivity, in that fishes in temperate latitudes had longer wavelength rod λmax values than those in tropical latitudes, sampling inequity and other confounds require the role of the temperature to be studied further. Together, these findings indicate that fish rod λmax is influenced by several ecological factors, suggesting that selection can act on even small differences in fish spectral sensitivity.
Novel GARS mutation presenting as autosomal dominant intermediate Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease
Authors: Nan Haitian , Takaki Ryusuke , Hata Takanori , Ichinose Yuta , Tsuchiya Mai , Koh Kishin , Takiyama Yoshihisa
Published: November 2018

We report the first family with a glycyl‐tRNA synthetase (GARS) mutation with autosomal dominant intermediate Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (DI‐CMT). The proband and the proband's father presented with gait disturbance and hand weakness. Both patients displayed moderately decreased conduction velocities (MNCV) (ranging from 29.2 to 37.8 m/s). A sural nerve biopsy of the father revealed evidence of both axonal loss and demyelination. On exome sequencing, in both the proband and his father, we identified a novel missense mutation (c.643G > C, p.Asp215His) in the GARS gene in a heterozygous state, which is considered to be pathogenic for this DI‐CMT family. The present study broadens current knowledge about intermediate CMT and the phenotypic spectrum of defects associated with GARS.
Scientific publication in obstetrics and gynecology from Mainland China and other top‐ranking countries: A 10‐year survey of the literature
Authors: Nie Xiao‐Fei , Ouyang Yan‐Qiong , Redding Sharon R.
Published: November 2018

Aim

To evaluate the output of scientific publications in obstetrics and gynecology journals from Mainland China and six other countries, to compare the difference of research situation between Mainland China and the developed countries in order to measure the trend of number of publication in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Methods

Information on article amounts, impact factors (IF), citation and publication in high‐impact obstetrics and gynecology journals by seven top‐ranking countries between January 1, 2007 and August 31, 2017, was extracted from Web of Science databases.

Results

A total of 137 661 articles were published between 2007 and 2017 in the 98 obstetrics and gynecology journals. The cumulative IF and citations of articles from USA were the highest. The highest average citation was France and Mainland China ranked fourth. There were 52 631 papers published in the top 10 obstetrics and gynecology journals and the USA accounted for the majority of these papers (33 978, 64.6%), followed by England (8347, 15.9%). Articles from the USA were most often published in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (10658) and those from Mainland China were mostly published in Fertility and Sterility (809).

Conclusion

The USA published the most articles having high IF, making the greatest contribution to the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Although the number of scientific publications from Mainland China has rapidly increased from 2007 to 2017, the quality of these publications has not been as satisfactory. It implys that Chinese current academic evaluation system should pay special attention to the quality of academic papers, instead of the number of papers published by scientists.
Estimating the Cost of Equity Capital for Insurance Firms With Multiperiod Asset Pricing Models
Authors: Barinov Alexander , Xu Jianren , Pottier Steven W.
Published: November 2018

Previous research on insurer cost of equity (COE) focuses on single‐period asset pricing models. In reality, however, investment and consumption decisions are made over multiple periods, exposing firms to time‐varying risks related to economic cycles and market volatility. We extend the literature by examining two multiperiod models—the conditional capital asset pricing model (CCAPM) and the intertemporal CAPM (ICAPM). Using 29 years of data, we find that macroeconomic factors significantly influence and explain insurer stock returns. Insurers have countercyclical beta, implying that their market risk increases during recessions. Further, insurers are sensitive to volatility risk (the risk of losses when volatility goes up), but not to insurance‐specific risks, financial industry risks, liquidity risk, or coskewness after controlling for other economy‐wide factors.
The Reinsurance Network Among U.S. Property–Casualty Insurers: Microstructure, Insolvency Risk, and Contagion
Authors: Chen Hua , Cummins J. David , Sun Tao , Weiss Mary A.
Published: November 2018

Reinsurance is the primary source of interconnectedness in the insurance industry. As such, reinsurance connectivity provides a transmission mechanism for financial shocks and potentially exposes insurers to contagion and systemic risk. In this article, connectivity within the U.S. property–casualty (P/C) reinsurance market is modeled as a network. We model the network of all primary insurers and reinsurers in the market. We analyze all bilateral reinsurance counterparty relationships (domestic and foreign) of U.S. P/C insurers, and we model both intra‐ and intergroup transactions. We extend the prior literature by providing a detailed examination of the reinsurance network structure, including network density, network components, centrality of individual insurers, and sub‐network analysis for top insurers. Our analysis of contagion and insolvency risk reveals that even the failure of the top 10 in‐degree or in‐strength insurers with 100 percent loss given default would not lead to widespread insolvencies in the U.S. P/C insurance industry.
Biking to School: The Role of Bicycle‐Sharing Programs in Adolescents
Authors: Estevan Isaac , Queralt Ana , Molina‐García Javier
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to: (1) describe modes of transport to school, with a specific focus on the use of public bicycle share programs (PBSP); and (2) assess sociodemographic, psychosocial, and environmental correlates of bike and PBSP use to go to school.

METHODS

A group of 465 adolescents from the International Physical Activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) Adolescent Study (Valencia, Spain) participated in the research. Mixed regression analyses were conducted on the data obtained.

RESULTS

Not having bicycle access, a PBSP card, or a public bike lane close to the school is negatively associated with bicycle use. PBSP is positively associated with physical self‐efficacy and bicycle availability and negatively associated with the number of vehicles per drivers at home and not having PBSP stations close to the school.

CONCLUSIONS

The strongest predictive factor, as regards cycling as an active mode of transport to school among adolescents is having a PBSP card. Schools have a crucial role in promoting bicycle use through collaboration when designing public policies that consider access to bike lane networks and PBSP stations and therefore should encourage local government implementation policies and/or increase PBSP stations within 250 m of the school.
Impact of Parents' Comprehensive Health Literacy on BMI in Children: A Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Study in Japan
Authors: Nakamura Daisuke , Ogawa Masato , Nakamura Teruhiko , Izawa Kazuhiro P.
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Low‐functional health literacy (HL) of parents influences poor child health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the relationship between comprehensive HL of parents and body mass index (BMI) of their children.

METHODS

We enrolled 3‐ to 6‐year‐old preschool‐aged children and their parents in this multicenter cross‐sectional cohort study. We evaluated parents' comprehensive HL with the 14‐item HL scale. Children's BMI categories were defined using International Obesity Task Force cutoffs according to age and sex. We analyzed differences in data between the high‐HL group and the low‐HL group and investigated the association between HL of parents and their children's BMI by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The high‐HL group comprised 208 (75.1%) children and the low‐HL group comprised 69 (24.9%) children of whom 23 (8.3%) were overweight and 35 (12.6%) were thin. The low‐HL group had more children with poor BMI than the high‐HL group. Multivariate analysis showed an association between the low HL of parents and the poor BMI of their children after adjustment for all other confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive HL of parents appears to affect the BMI of their children independently, suggesting that interventions to improve HL in parents are necessary.
“Even If They're Being Bad, Maybe They Need a Chance to Run Around”: What Children Think About Recess
Authors: Fink Dale B. , Ramstetter Catherine L.
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

The withholding of recess for disciplinary purposes has been acknowledged but studied on a limited basis. The perspectives of children have not been heard at all on this subject.

METHODS

Our paper draws upon semistructured child interviews, which were one activity within a multifaceted study. A subset of students was interviewed about recess and about the experience of having teachers who withheld recess.

RESULTS

Interviewees favored recess and other parts of school that allowed physical activity and social interaction over more sedentary, isolating parts of school. Many understood teachers' rationale for withholding recess; some thought it was helpful, up to a point. Others did not think it was solving the problems it was designed to address. They were skeptical it was having a beneficial effect on the small number of peers who lost recess regularly.

CONCLUSION

Most respondents showed deference to their teachers and were inclined to regard them as wise and fair. The data from these interviews indicated that many children experienced anxiety, regret, and sometimes resentment with regard to the practice of withholding recess. Many wished teachers could identify other means of discipline to address issues that led to losing recess. This study provides a valuable perspective that has been missing from the policy discussions about recess.
The social cost problem, rights, and the (non)empty core
Authors: Gonzalez Stéphane , Marciano Alain , Solal Philippe
Published: November 2018

We revisit the “Coase theorem” through the lens of a cooperative game model which takes into account the assignment of rights among agents involved in a problem of social cost. We consider the case where one polluter interacts with many potential victims. Given an assignment or a mapping of rights, we represent a social cost problem by a cooperative game. A solution consists in a payoff vector. We introduce three properties for a mapping of rights. First,core compatibilityindicates that the core of the associated cooperative games is nonempty. Second,Kaldor‐Hicks core compatibilityindicates that there is a payoff vector in the core where victims are fully compensated for the damage once the negotiations are completed. Third,no veto power for a victimsays that no victim has the power to veto an agreement signed by the rest of the society. We then demonstrate two main results. First,core compatibilityis satisfied if and only if the rights are assigned either to the polluter or to the entire set of victims. Second, there is no mapping of rights satisfyingKaldor‐Hicks core compatibilityandno veto power for a victim.
Tax havens, income shifting, and redistributive taxation
Authors: Lai Yu‐Bong
Published: November 2018

This paper investigates the effects of tax havens on nonhaven countries’ redistributive policies. We consider that a nonhaven country contains individuals with different labor productivities. A tax is imposed on the income, and the revenues are evenly distributed. The tax rate is determined by majority voting, which reflects the median voter’s preferences. The presence of havens gives rise to the mobility of tax bases, which may increase the nonhaven country’s tax rate in two ways. First, it leads to a median voter with a lower productivity; second, it may enlarge the marginal tax revenue from raising the tax rate. In addition, we find that a stricter antihavens regulation may lower the tax rate. We further show that income shifting is likely to reduce the amount of the transfers. The case of tax evasion is also taken into consideration.
Taxonomic status and distribution of Mirabilis himalaica (Nyctaginaceae)
Authors: Wang Shu‐Li , Li Lang , Ci Xiu‐Qin , Conran John G. , Li Jie
Published: November 2018

Mirabilis himalaica (Edgew.) Heimerl (Nyctaginaceae) is endemic to the Himalayas where it is used in traditional Tibetan folk medicine and is the only Old World representative of a large New World genus. The systematic position of M. himalaica and historical biogeography of Mirabilis and related genera was evaluated using two loci (nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, rps16), with divergence times estimated using internal transcribed spacer sequences. All 16 sampled provenances of M. himalaica formed a strongly supported terminal clade and at the sectional level formed a clade with sect. Quamoclidion sensu stricto, despite their morphology. Section Oxybaphoides and sect. Oxybaphus were not closely related to M. himalaica, suggesting their apparent morphological similarities are convergent. The beast analysis and ancestral area reconstruction indicated that M. himalaica separated from related North American species during the late Miocene to early Pleistocene ∼5.22 Ma (95% highest posterior density, 2.53–8.18). Both migration by way of the Quaternary Bering land bridge (Beringia) and long‐distance dispersal could have contributed to the present‐day disjunction between M. himalaica and the American species. These results agree with previous studies that suggest Oxybaphus should be merged into Mirabilis. However, although the infrageneric position of M. himalaica is still uncertain, it is not close to sect. Oxybaphus as has been suggested previously.
Phylogeny and spatio‐temporal diversification of Prunus subgenus Laurocerasus section Mesopygeum (Rosaceae) in the Malesian region
Authors: Zhao Liang , Potter Daniel , Xu Yuan , Liu Pei‐Liang , Johnson Gabriel , Chang Zhao‐Yang , Wen Jun
Published: November 2018

The goals of this study were to reconstruct the phylogeny of Prunus subgenus Laurocerasus section Mesopygeum and to provide a preliminary assessment of its spatio‐temporal diversification in the Malesian region. We inferred the phylogeny using nuclear ITS and ETS and plastid psbA‐trnH, rps16, rpl16, and trnC‐petN sequences. Our analyses support the monophyly of sect. Mesopygeum. Within sect. Mesopygeum, we identified four main subclades: (i) Prunus lancilimba from continental Asia; (ii) Prunus ruthii from Malay Peninsula; (iii) a subclade comprising species from areas centered on the Sunda shelf and also a few species from continental Asia and Wallacea; and (iv) a subclade composed of species from areas of the Sahul shelf, with a small number of taxa also from areas of the Sunda shelf, continental Asia, and the Philippines. We estimated that sect. Mesopygeum originated in continental Asia at c. 44.71 Mya (95% HPD: 31.66–46.90). Nine dispersals between major geographic areas were inferred. From continental Asia, three and two dispersals were inferred to the Sunda shelf and the Sahul shelf in the mid‐Oligocene, respectively. Two dispersals were inferred from the Sahul shelf region to the Sunda shelf in late Oligecene and early Miocene, respectively. There were also two dispersals inferred from the Sunda shelf region, one to the Philippines and one to Wallacea, in the middle and late Miocene, respectively. The diversification in sect. Mesopygeum was likely driven by active geologic events and orogenies in the Neogene in the Malesian region.
Effect of plant density in coupled aquaponics on the welfare status of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus
Authors: Baßmann Björn , Harbach Harvey , Weißbach Stephan , Palm Harry W.
Published: November 2018

We investigated the effects of plant density on the welfare of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, in coupled aquaponics over 85 days. The moderate density (mpd) of basil, Ocimum basilicum, was compared with the high density (hpd) and control (n = 0). The behavior was analyzed by visual and video observations, and after the application of induced stressors, skin injuries, blood glucose, lactate, and plasma cortisol responses were considered. The hpd fish showed the least activity (control: visual 77.8%, video 81.6%; mpd: 74.6%, 82.6%; hpd: 63.2% [p < 0.05], 78.8%). High agonistic behavior (control: 5, 131; mpd: 4, 57; hpd: 1, 45) and the highest number of injuries (control: 3.9; mpd: 2.9; hpd: 3.4) were observed in the control. Glucose and lactate levels did not differ significantly (control: 5.5, 2.6 mmol/L; mpd: 5.6, 2.7 mmol/L; hpd: 5.3, 2.6 mmol/L); however, cortisol levels did (control: 18.8 ng/mL, mpd: 19.9 ng/mL, hpd: 25.8 ng/mL). pH adjustment led to additional stress, resulting in temporal cortisol alterations. While in the control and mpd, low cortisol levels were followed by acute responses and downregulation, the hpd fish showed prior elevation and lagged an acute response. However, comparing injuries and behavioral patterns with control, aquaponics with high basil density influenced African catfish positively.
Stop, Frisk, and Assault? Racial Disparities in Police Use of Force During Investigatory Stops
Authors: Kramer Rory , Remster Brianna
Published: November 2018

Black civilians are more likely to be stopped by police than white civilians net of relevant factors. Less is known about whether or not racial inequalities exist in police use of force during stops. Using data on over 2 million police stops in New York City from 2007 to 2014 and drawing on literatures on race, policing, and the Black Lives Matter movement, we test hypotheses regarding the associations between race, civilian behavior, age, and police use of force. We also investigate whether recent reforms reduced any observed inequality in police violence during stops. Findings show that Black and White civilians experience fundamentally different interactions with police. Black civilians are particularly more likely to experience potential lethal force when police uncover criminal activity and this disparity is greatest for black youth compared to white youth. Overall, if there were no racial disparities in police use of force, we estimate that approximately 61,000 fewer stops of black civilians would have included police use of force and 1,000 fewer stops would have included potential lethal force from 2007 to 2014. Furthermore, while reform efforts substantially reduced the number of stops annually, inequalities in police use of force persist.
The Unequal Distribution of Speaking Time in Parliamentary‐Party Groups
Authors: Bäck Hanna , Baumann Markus , Debus Marc , Müller Jochen
Published: November 2018

Parliamentary debates provide an arena where Members of Parliament (MPs) present, challenge, or defend public policies. However, the “plenary bottleneck” allows the party leadership to decide who participates in a debate. We argue that in this decision the timing of a debate matters: in proximity of elections, the leadership should be concerned with maintaining its brand name and therefore restrict floor access, in particular if the debate is salient for the respective party. We evaluate our hypotheses in a cross‐country study drawing on a novel data set covering all speeches given during one or two legislative terms in six European parliaments. We find that the electoral cycle matters for the distribution of speaking time: Party leaders do restrict parliamentary speechmaking to a smaller number of MPs at the end of the term. This has important implications for our understanding of parliaments as an electoral arena and for our understanding of intraparty politics.
The performance of fiscal policy under an inflation targeting regime: What can be learned by the Brazilian fiscal rules?
Authors: Díaz‐Roldán Carmen , Ferrari‐Filho Fernando , da Silva Bichara Julimar
Published: November 2018

This paper aims at, on the one hand, analyzing the Brazilian fiscal performance since the implementation of inflation targeting regime (ITR), June 1994, and the usefulness of fiscal rules to reach fiscal discipline in Brazil. On the other hand, it tries to evaluate what would have happened to the Brazilian government deficit if the new fiscal regime, that was implemented in 2016, would have been applied after the implementation of the ITR. Into this direction, we present an empirical analysis to describe three different fiscal rule scenarios, which includes a restriction related to inflation, depending on the preferences of the fiscal authorities: the austere, the symmetric or indifferent or the growth‐promoting environment. The main result of our empirical analysis is that, even in a context of ITR, the use of proper fiscal rule (countercyclical fiscal policy) helps to rationalize fiscal consolidation efforts by promoting a favorable environment for economic growth.
C3 glomerulopathy in children: Is there still a place for anti‐cellular immunosuppression?
Authors: Kojc Nika , Bahovec Alenka , Levart Tanja Kersnik
Published: November 2018

Aim

To contribute additional clinical experience to the paucity of reports on C3 glomerulopathy (C3GP) in children, we are reporting our cohort of 11 children with C3GP, emphasizing the therapeutic options in this peculiar entity.

Methods

We describe the incidence, manifestation, histopathology findings, follow‐up, treatment and outcome of C3GP in 11 children with C3GP by retrospectively analyzing their clinical charts and renal biopsy reports.

Results

Eleven C3GP patients were identified among 240 children who had undergone renal biopsy, accounting for a 4.6% incidence of C3GP. A light microscopy examination showed a membranoproliferative pattern (n = 8), mesangial proliferation (n = 1), a mesangial/membranoproliferative pattern (n = 1) and endocapillary proliferation (n = 1). All children presented with proteinuria of varying degrees, the majority of them with additional hematuria, three with full‐blown nephrotic‐nephritic syndrome, and two with renal insufficiency at presentation. Very diverse treatments were applied in our cohort of patients, from no specific treatment to different mono or combined anti‐cellular immunosuppression treatments, as well as a trial of plasma therapy or eculizumab. Our results are in to some extend in concordance with other studies revealing that an optimal therapy for C3GP is still unknown, but we believe that a trial of classical immunosuppression before eculizumab is still worth trying, while eculizumab can have a beneficial effect, but not in all patients.

Conclusion

A diverse histological pattern and clinical picture and no known optimal therapy are a hallmark of C3GP.
Health‐related quality of life following kidney and simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation
Authors: Rajkumar Theepika , Mazid Shenaaz , Vucak‐Dzumhur Mirna , Sykes Tanya M , Elder Grahame J
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Kidney and simultaneous pancreas kidney (SPK) transplant recipients are younger and fitter than most other dialysis patients, but are also more vulnerable in areas of social, emotional and physical interaction. Few studies have tracked their post‐transplant health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Aim

To assess HRQoL following kidney and SPK transplantation, with comparison to dialysis patients, people with multiple co‐morbidities and general population data.

Methods

Patients completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL‐SF™) 1.3 to assess their pre‐transplant HRQoL within 4 weeks of transplantation and 12 months later. Demographic and laboratory data were collected on participating patients and on non‐participating patients at both time‐points.

Results

Of 118 patients who completed the baseline KDQOL‐SF™, 75 (57 kidney and 18 SPK) completed the 1 year survey. Compared to baseline, 12 months HRQoL scores improved in all domains except for work status, exceeded those of patients on dialysis and, except for emotional wellbeing and mental health, exceeded the scores of people with multiple co‐morbidities. For female transplant recipients, 12 months HRQoL scores were not statistically different from similarly aged women in the general population. Male transplant recipients had similar scores for bodily pain and energy/fatigue, but lower scores in other domains. Compared to kidney‐only transplant recipients, SPK recipients achieved higher scores in work and sleep domains.

Conclusion

Improvements in most HRQoL domains occur within 1 year of kidney or SPK transplantation, and women achieve similar HRQoL to women in the general population. These data are encouraging for patients contemplating transplant listing.
Nocturnal home haemodialysis: The 17 years experience of a single Australian dialysis service
Authors: Choo Shi Z , See Emily J , Simmonds Rosemary E , Somerville Christine A , Agar John W M
Published: November 2018

Aim

The Barwon Health nocturnal home haemodialysis (NHHD) program was established in 2000 as the first formal NHHD program in Australia. We aimed to assess reasons for and factors associated with program exit, and technique and patient survival rates.

Methods

This retrospective audit included all patients enrolled in the NHHD program from 1st September 2000 to 31st July 2017. The primary outcome was technique failure, defined as transfer to satellite haemodialysis (HD) or to peritoneal dialysis (PD) for greater than or equal to 60 days, or death. Predictors of technique failure were identified by competing risk regression analyses. Patient and technique survival were estimated by Kaplan–Meier methods.

Results

A total of 109 patients underwent 112 periods of NHHD during the study period. Technique failure occurred in 33 patients (30%), of whom 16 were transferred to satellite HD for medical reasons, 16 died, and 1 transferred to PD due to a lack of vascular access. Median technique survival was 7.8 years (interquartile range 4.1, 11.1) and median patient survival 14.6 years (interquartile range 6.2,‐). Average NHHD duration for those who transferred to satellite HD was 5.2 ± 3.6 years, and for those who died was 4.7 ± 3.8 years. Older age and diabetes were associated with technique failure. However, due to a small number of events the risk of confounding in this study was high.

Conclusion

Nocturnal home haemodialysis has excellent long‐term technique and patient outcomes. Clinicians should be aware of factors associated with poorer outcomes, to ensure that additional support can be provided to patients at greatest risk.
Oncology in nephrology comes of age: A focus on chronic dialysis patients
Authors: Cheung Chi Yuen , Tang Sydney C W
Published: November 2018

Dialysis is the commonest modality of renal replacement therapy for patients suffering from end‐stage kidney disease. Different registry studies showed that the risks of overall cancer occurrence were significantly higher in chronic dialysis patients than in the age‐matched general population. However, the frequency and pattern of different cancers may vary among different geographical areas. Since chronic dialysis patients tend to have multiple comorbidities and a shorter life expectancy, routine cancer screening in all dialysis patients may not be cost‐effective; rather screening should be personalized according to the patient's expected survival, candidacy for kidney transplant together with patient preferences.
Diversity and spacio‐temporal distribution of mushrooms in a Nigerian savanna: implication for their conservation
Authors: Buba Toma , Ezra Gaya Abalis , Bako Sunday Paul , Sabo Mohammad Umar
Published: November 2018

We surveyed the macrofungi of an area dominated by northern Guinea savanna habitats in north‐east Nigeria. A total of 93 different species of mushrooms were found in the study area. These species belong to 29 different families, most species belonging to the family Agaricaceae, Lyophyllaceae, Bolbitiaceae, Pluteaceae and Polyporaceae. A total of 48 species belonged to the Agaricaceae, followed by Lyophyllaceae represented by 6 species. The micro‐habitats of mushrooms in the study area include wood, soil around dead tree stump, waste dump, cow dung, fallow, arable land, and 22 different living trees species. The most important habitats in term of mushroom species diversity wereParkia biglobosa, Tamarindus indicaand dead wood. TheParkia biglobosatree had the highest species richness (45) and species diversity (Shannon diversity index, SDI: 3.6).Tamarindus indicawas the second, having 28 species richness and 2.7 SDI. These were followed by dead wood where 22 different mushroom species were recorded and has of 2.1 SDI. Also, these three habitats (Parkia biglobosa,dead wood andTamarindus indica) had the highest number of mushroom species (14, 8 and 6 respectively) that were confined to them. Most of the other mushroom species were confined to only one microhabitat. There was no statistically significant difference in mushroom abundance between arable land and fallow. Collectively, the indigenous trees were associated by more mushroom species (63) than the exotic trees (20) and the indigenous trees also had significantly higher mushroom abundance than the exotic trees. However, the non‐indegenous trees had more species forming mycorrhiza than the indegenous trees, presumaby because the former were able to form symbioses with both native fungi and introduced species from their origina habitats. Inter‐annual variation of mushroom species diversity was also observed. Human activities contribute positively to mushroom diversity in the study area by creating some unique micro‐habitats that support the growth of certain unique mushroom species. Therefore, for maximum conservation of mushroom diversity, conservation measures excuding all human activities should be avoided.