bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empirical evidence on fiscal forecasting in Eurozone countries
Authors: de Deus Joseph David Barroso Vasconcelos , de Mendonça Helder Ferreira
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on the determinant factors of government budget balance forecast errors for Eurozone countries based on four different database sources from 1998 to 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

– Besides the analysis on quality and efficiency of government budget balance projections, panel data analysis is made from different methods taking into account economic, political, institutional and governance factors, and lagged forecast errors for estimations of budget balance forecast errors.

Findings

– The results show that even with the concern and pressure due to the fiscal crisis in the Eurozone, the bias in fiscal forecasts remains.

Originality/value

– One contribution of this paper, in comparison to other studies, is the use of longer time periods for the analysis of forecast errors as well as the employment of different data sources for detecting systematic patterns of errors, and the use of various estimation methods for the fiscal forecast error determinants, which gives insights into the reliability and robustness of results obtained in earlier studies. In particular, the introduction of variables such as fiscal council and fiscal rules allows one to check whether institutional behavior may change the effect from debt on fiscal forecast errors.
Preoperative and Intraoperative Factors for Early Failure of Native Arteriovenous Fistulas
Authors: Yap Yit‐Sheung , Chuang Hung‐Yi , Wu Chien‐Hung , Chi Wen‐Che , Lin Cheng‐Hao , Liu Yi‐Chun
Published: September 2015

The aim of the study was to assess the potential predictive factors for early arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure following the fistula first initiative. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 159 end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who underwent AVF creation. The preoperative factors such as demographic, comorbidity condition, laboratory parameters and medication, and intraoperative or surgical‐related factors were assessed. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, significant predictive factors of early AVF failure were female gender (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.63 (1.19–5.81); P = 0.017), higher body mass index (P = 0.038), and lower hemoglobin level (P = 0.048), while adjusting for preoperative factors or all factors. For adjusting of intraoperative factors, reduced venous diameter (P = 0.056) tended to be associated with early AVF failure. In conclusion, female gender, higher body mass index and lower hemoglobin level predicted the occurrence of early AVF failure in ESRD patients.
Interleukin‐29 induces receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand expression in fibroblast‐like synoviocytes via MAPK signaling pathways
Authors: Xu Lingxiao , Feng Xiaoke , Shi Yumeng , Wang Xiaoxi , Kong Xiangqing , Zhang Miaojia , Liu Mei , Tan Wenfeng , Wang Fang
Published: September 2015

Aim

We previously reported that interleukin‐29 (IL‐29) was highly expressed in the blood and synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and contributed to synovial inflammation by induction of proinflammatory cytokine production. Given chronic inflammation can trigger the process of bone erosion, and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) plays a crucial role in bone erosion of RA, we hypothesize that IL‐29 mediates bone erosion in RA by regulation of RANKL expression. Here, we investigated the effect of IL‐29 on RANKL expression in RA fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) and the relevant signaling pathways involved in it.

Methods

Primary fibroblast cells isolated from RA patients were stimulated by recombinant IL‐29 in the presence or absence of anti‐IL‐29 antibody, and the expression levels of RANKL were assessed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining. Furthermore, the IL‐29 signaling pathway for regulation of RANKL was also examined by Western blotting assay.

Results

IL‐29 upregulated RANKL expression in a dose‐dependent manner, and blockade of IL‐29 resulted in a significantly reduced RANKL expression in RA‐FLS. Incubation RA‐FLS with IL‐29 (100 ng/mL) led to phosphorylation of ERK (extracellular signal‐regulated kinase), p38 and JNK (c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase). The expression of RANKL induced by IL‐29 could be completely blocked by the inhibitors of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway, including PD98059 (ERK inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 inhibitor) and SP600125 (JNK inhibitor).

Conclusion

These findings indicate, for the first time, that IL‐29 could directly induce RANKL expression in RA‐FLS via MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting IL‐29 might be a new target in the prevention of joint destruction in RA.
Long noncoding RNAs could be potential key players in the pathophysiology of Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Sandhya Pulukool , Joshi Kandarp , Scaria Vinod
Published: September 2015

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a recently discovered class of noncoding functional RNAs encoded by metazoan genomes. Recent studies suggest a larger regulatory role for lncRNAs in critical biological and disease processes. Mounting evidence on the role of lncRNAs in regulating key processes of the immune system prompted us to hypothesize the role of lncRNAs as key regulators of the pathophysiology of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). We used two similar approaches based on reanalysis of microarray expression datasets and curation of lncRNA‐protein coding gene interactions from literature to derive support for our hypothesis. We also discuss potential caveats to our approach and suggest approaches to validate the hypothesis. Our analysis suggests the potential larger and hitherto unknown role of lncRNA regulatory networks in modulating the expression of key genes involved in the pathogenesis of SS and thereby modulating the pathophysiology of SS.
Trait and state binge eating predispose towards cocaine craving
Authors: Barnea Royi , Bekker Liza , Zifman Noa , Marco Asaf , Yadid Gal , Weller Aron
Published: September 2015

Binge eating (BE) and drug seeking share similar behavioral features, including loss of control over consumption and compulsive seeking of the craved substance. Previous studies in animal models have demonstrated a complex interaction between ‘state’ BE, produced by intermittent access to a palatable diet, and ‘trait’ BE, a phenotypical proneness towards overeating. In the present study, we examined the relationship between state and trait BE and cocaine seeking. We used Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, a genetic model for obesity that demonstrates BE‐like behavior, and Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka controls. They received a schedule of limited access to a palatable diet (3 days/week or 5 days/week access to Ensure for a month). Next, they underwent cocaine self‐administration training (1 mg/kg, 1 hour/day for 10 days) followed by extinction sessions (7 days). We found that the degree of BE‐like behavior and the state and trait BE combination predicted cocaine craving patterns. Lower levels of dopamine D2 receptors in the prefrontal cortex were correlated with increased drug craving. Moreover, restricted access to an attractive diet was found to be a risk factor for heightened cocaine craving, particularly in trait binge eaters, as rats on the 3 days/week access schedule persistently failed to cease cocaine seeking throughout extinction. Hence, we postulate a joint role of state and trait BE as risk factors for heightened cocaine craving.
The drug situation in Europe: an overview of data available on illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances from European monitoring in 2015
Authors: Mounteney Jane , Griffiths Paul , Sedefov Roumen , Noor Andre , Vicente Julián , Simon Roland
Published: September 2015

Aim

A central task for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is to produce an annual report of the latest data available on drug demand and drug supply in Europe. This paper is intended to facilitate a better understanding of, and easier access to, the main quantitative European level data sets available in 2015.

Methods

The European reporting system formally covers all 28 European Union (EU) Member States, Norway and Turkey and incorporates multiple indicators alongside an early warning system (EWS) on uncontrolled new psychoactive substances (NPS). While epidemiological information is based largely on registries, surveys and other routine data reported annually, the EWS collects case‐based data on an ongoing basis. The 2015 reporting exercise is centred primarily on a set of standardized reporting tools.

Results

The most recent data provided by European countries are presented, including data on drug use, drug‐related morbidity and mortality, treatment demand, drug markets and new psychoactive substances, with data tables provided and methodological information. A number of key results are highlighted for illustrative purposes. Drug prevalence estimates from national surveys since 2012 (last year prevalence of use among the 15–34 age band) range from 0.4% in Turkey to 22.1% in France for cannabis, from 0.2% in Greece and Romania to 4.2% in the United Kingdom for cocaine, from 0.1% in Italy and Turkey to 3% in the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom for ecstasy, and from 0.1% or less in Romania, Italy and Portugal to 2.5% in Estonia for amphetamine. Declining trends in new HIV detections among people who inject drugs are illustrated, in addition to presentation of a breakdown of NPS reported to the EU early warning system, which have risen exponentially from fewer than 20 a year between 2005 and 2008, to 101 reported in 2014.

Conclusions

Structured information is now available on patterns and trends in drug consumption in Europe, which permits triangulation of data from different sources and consideration of methodological limitations. Opioid drugs continue to place a burden on the drug treatment system, although both new heroin entrants and injecting show declines. More than 450 new psychoactive substances are now monitored by the European early warning system with 31 new synthetic cathinones and 30 new synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists notified in 2014.
Twenty‐One Novel EGFR Kinase Domain variants in Patients with Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Hasenahuer Marcia A. , Parisi Gustavo , Gautier Marien , Lazarowski Alberto , Bramuglia Guillermo F. , Fornasari Maria Silvina
Published: September 2015

Somatic sequence variants in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase domain are associated with sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients exhibiting sequence variants in this domain that produce kinase activity enhancement, are more likely to benefit from TKIs than patients with EGFR wild‐type disease. Although most NSCLC EGFR‐related alleles are concentrated in a few positions, established protocols recommend sequencing EGFR exons 18–21. In this study, 21 novel somatic variants belonging to such exons in adult Argentinean patients affected with NSCLC are reported. Of these, 18 were single amino acid substitutions (SASs), occurring alone or in combination with another genetic alteration (complex cases), one was a short deletion, one was a short deletion‐short insertion combination, and one was a duplication. New variants and different combinations of previously reported variants were also found. Moreover, two of the reported SASs occurred in previously unreported positions of the EGFR kinase domain. In order to characterize the new sequence variants, physicochemical, sequence and conformational analyses were also performed. A better understanding of sequence variants in NSCLC may facilitate the most appropriate treatment choice for this complex disease.
Pacific Populations, Metabolic Disease and ‘Just‐So Stories’: A Critique of the ‘Thrifty Genotype’ Hypothesis in Oceania
Authors: Gosling Anna L. , Buckley Hallie R. , Matisoo‐Smith Elizabeth , Merriman Tony R.
Published: September 2015

Pacific populations have long been observed to suffer a high burden of metabolic disease, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and gout. The ‘Thrifty Genotype’ hypothesis has frequently been used to explain this high prevalence of disease. Here, the ‘Thrifty Genotype’ hypothesis and the evolutionary background of Pacific populations are examined. We question its relevance not only in the Pacific region but more generally. Not only has the hypothesis not been explicitly tested, but most archaeological and anthropological data from the Pacific fundamentally do not support its application.
Estimation of genetic parameters for carcass defects of Japanese Black cattle in Kagoshima
Authors: Nishi Kazutaka , Shimogiri Takeshi , Kusano Akinori , Sakamoto Shinichi , Shiromoto Kiyomi , Kawabe Kotaro , Okamoto Shin , Honda Takeshi , Oyama Kenji
Published: September 2015

Cattle exhibit a range of carcass defects, including blood splash (BLS), intramuscular edema (INE), muscle steatosis (MUS), bruising (BR), trim loss (TRL) and others (OTH). These defects lower the carcass value and can result in significant economic loss to producers. We estimated the incidence, relationship with inbreeding coefficients and genetic parameters of carcass defects in Japanese Black cattle using 561 619 carcass records from Kagoshima, Japan during April 1988 through March 2011. The defect incidence ranged from 0.22% for TRL to 5.73% for BR. The incidence of MUS and BR increased from 1.21% to 6.57% and from 1.06% to 9.31%, respectively. The incidence of INE peaked at 7.44% in 1999 and decreased thereafter. We observed a positive linear relationship between the defect incidence and the inbreeding coefficients in MUS, BR and TRL (P < 0.01). The heritabilities estimated by univariate animal model with Gibbs sampling for BLS, INE, MUS, BR and TRL were 0.24, 0.06, 0.18, 0.05 and 0.02, respectively. The contribution of farm variance to phenotypic variance was negligible (0.01 to 0.04). Significant genetic correlations of TRL were estimated with MUS (0.63) and BR (0.63). Our results suggest that genetic factors contribute to the incidence of BLS and MUS.
Relationship between serum cortisol levels and some physiological parameters following reining training session in horse
Authors: Casella Stefania , Vazzana Irene , Giudice Elisabetta , Fazio Francesco , Piccione Giuseppe
Published: September 2015

The changes of cortisol, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated after a reining training session in eight Quarter Horses. All parameters were measured before exercise (T0), immediately after exercise (T1), 1 h after exercise (T2), 2 h after exercise (T3) and 24 h after exercise (T4). One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures, followed Bonferroni's post hoc test, showed a significant effect of the reining training session (P < 0.0001) on cortisol, RBC, Hb, Hct, HR, RR and RT. Simple linear regression analysis showed the positive correlation (P < 0.05) between cortisol changes and variations of studied parameters in T1, T3 and T4. Exercise‐induced cortisol concentrations reflect the physiological response of reining training, suggesting that the changes observed are useful to assess the performance in reining horses and their reining training adaptability.
Effective use of the TSPY gene‐specific copy number in determining fetal DNA in the maternal blood of cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Yasmin Lubna , Takano Jun‐ichiro , Sankai Tadashi
Published: September 2015

Since the available concentration of single‐copy fetal genes in maternal blood DNA is sometimes lower than detection limits by PCR methods, the development of specific and quantitative PCR detection methods for fetal DNA in maternal blood is anticipated, which may broaden the methods that can be used to monitor pregnancy. We used the TaqMan qPCR amplification for DYS14 multi‐copy sequence and the SRY gene in maternal blood plasma (cell‐free DNA) and fractional precipitated blood cells (cellular DNA) from individual cynomolgus monkeys at 22 weeks of pregnancy. The availability of cell‐free fetal DNA was higher in maternal blood plasma than that of cellular DNA from fractional precipitated blood cells. There was a significantly higher (P < 0.001) mean copy number of fetal male DYS14 from maternal plasma (4.4 × 104 copies/mL) than that of detected fetal cellular DNA from fractional blood cell pellets. The sensitivity of the DYS14 PCR assay was found to be higher than that of the SRY assay for the detection of fetal DNA when its presence was at a minimum. The DYS14 assay is an improved method for quantifying male fetal DNA in circulating maternal blood in the primate model.
Cascading effects of cannibalism in a top predator
Authors: HOGG BRIAN N. , DAANE KENT M.
Published: September 2015

1. Predator interactions are often driven by size differences, with larger predators consuming smaller ones. Cannibalism is widespread among predators, and can be more intense than antagonistic interactions between different predator species.

2. In a series of greenhouse experiments and a field experiment, we investigated the role of size structure in shaping the impacts of a top predator (the wandering spider Cheiracanthium mildei L. Koch) on an insect herbivore in vineyards of Napa County, California.

3. In greenhouse cages, survival of small C. mildei was lower when large C. mildei were present, and the combined effects of small and large C. mildei on leafhopper numbers and grape leaf damage were non‐additive. The frequency of cannibalism in C. mildei did not change when the abundance of leafhoppers was manipulated. However, in the field experiment small and large C. mildei combined additively to reduce leafhopper numbers.

4. Results show that cannibalism has the potential to dampen the cascading effects of C. mildei in a vineyard food web, but that it may be less important than other mortality factors in the field. Nonetheless, C. mildei substantially impacted leafhoppers in both the greenhouse and the field, suggesting that mortality caused by cannibalism or other factors may not compromise its overall predatory impacts.
A geostatistical method to account for the number of aliquots in composite samples for normal and lognormal random variables
Authors: Orton T. G. , Pringle M. J. , Allen D. E. , Dalal R. C. , Bishop T. F. A.
Published: September 2015

Geostatistical methods can be used to calculate predictions of soil variables at unsampled locations, but the methodology is typically based on samples collected on identical sample supports. In this paper, we provide and test theory that allows the inclusion of data from mixed sample supports in a single analysis. In particular, we consider composite sample supports that are defined by the number of aliquots used to form a single composite sample, ni, and the set of locations, xi, from which the aliquots were collected. We allow both ni and xi to vary between samples (xi can vary in the extent and geometry of the aliquot locations), and thereby show how point data (a special case of composite data, defined by ni = 1 and xi as the known sample point) can be included in the same geostatistical analysis as composite data. A further complication arises when data are not normally distributed, rather their logarithm is. When composite sampling is used for such lognormal data, the sample support affects not only the variance but also the mean. We give the theory for normally distributed variables, and also derive an approximation that can be used when the point‐support variable is lognormal. We focus on this latter case, and test the approach with a series of simulation experiments. Finally, we illustrate the approach on a dataset of soil organic carbon (SOC) values from a grazing property in Queensland, Australia, where soil information from two measurement phases was obtained on different supports.
Plasticity‐related genes in brain development and amygdala‐dependent learning
Authors: Ehrlich D. E. , Josselyn S. A.
Published: September 2015

Learning about motivationally important stimuli involves plasticity in the amygdala, a temporal lobe structure. Amygdala‐dependent learning involves a growing number of plasticity‐related signaling pathways also implicated in brain development, suggesting that learning‐related signaling in juveniles may simultaneously influence development. Here, we review the pleiotropic functions in nervous system development and amygdala‐dependent learning of a signaling pathway that includes brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), extracellular signaling‐related kinases (ERKs) and cyclic AMP‐response element binding protein (CREB). Using these canonical, plasticity‐related genes as an example, we discuss the intersection of learning‐related and developmental plasticity in the immature amygdala, when aversive and appetitive learning may influence the developmental trajectory of amygdala function. We propose that learning‐dependent activation of BDNF, ERK and CREB signaling in the immature amygdala exaggerates and accelerates neural development, promoting amygdala excitability and environmental sensitivity later in life.
Evaluating attention in delirium: A comparison of bedside tests of attention
Authors: Adamis Dimitrios , Meagher David , Murray Orla , O'Neill Donagh , O'Mahony Edmond , Mulligan Owen , McCarthy Geraldine
Published: September 2015

Aim

Impaired attention is a core diagnostic feature for delirium. The present study examined the discriminating properties for patients with delirium versus those with dementia and/or no neurocognitive disorder of four objective tests of attention: digit span, vigilance “A” test, serial 7s subtraction and months of the year backwards together with global clinical subjective rating of attention.

Methods

This as a prospective study of older patients admitted consecutively in a general hospital. Participants were assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method, Delirium Rating Scale–98 Revised and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scales, and months of the year backwards. Pre‐existing dementia was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition criteria.

Results

The sample consisted of 200 participants (mean age 81.1 ± 6.5 years; 50% women; pre‐existing cognitive impairment in 126 [63%]). A total of 34 (17%) were identified with delirium (Confusion Assessment Method +). The five approaches to assessing attention had statistically significant correlations (P < 0.05). Discriminant analysis showed that clinical subjective rating of attention in conjunction with the months of the year backwards had the best discriminatory ability to identify Confusion Assessment Method‐defined delirium, and to discriminate patients with delirium from those with dementia and/or normal cognition. Both of these approaches had high sensitivity, but modest specificity.

Conclusion

Objective tests are useful for prediction of non‐delirium, but lack specificity for a delirium diagnosis. Global attentional deficits were more indicative of delirium than deficits of specific domains of attention. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1028–1035.
7‐Ketocholesterol‐induced lysosomal dysfunction exacerbates vascular smooth muscle cell calcification via oxidative stress
Authors: Sudo Ryo , Sato Fumiaki , Azechi Takuya , Wachi Hiroshi
Published: September 2015

Vascular calcification is known to reduce the elasticity of aorta. Several studies have suggested that autophagy–lysosomal pathway (ALP) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is associated with vascular calcification. A major component of oxidized low‐density lipoproteins, 7‐ketocholesterol (7‐KC), has been reported to promote inorganic phosphorus (Pi)‐induced vascular calcification and induce ALP. The aim of this study was to unravel the relationship between ALP and the progression of calcification by 7‐KC. Calcification of human VSMCs was induced by Pi stimulation in the presence or absence of 7‐KC. FACS analysis showed that 7‐KC‐induced apoptosis at a high concentration (30 μm), but not at a low concentration (15 μm). Interestingly, 7‐KC promoted calcification in VSMCs regardless of apoptosis. Immunoblotting and immunostaining showed that 7‐KC inhibits not only the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes but also causes a swell of lysosomes with the reduction of cathepsin B and D. Moreover, lysosomal protease inhibitors exacerbated the apoptosis‐independent calcification by 7‐KC although inhibition of autophagosome formation by Atg5 siRNA did not. Finally, the 7‐KC‐induced progression of calcification was alleviated by the treatment with antioxidant. Taken together, our data showed that 7‐KC promotes VSMC calcification through lysosomal‐dysfunction‐dependent oxidative stress.
Changes in biochemical, hemodynamic, and dialysis adherence parameters in hemodialysis patients during Ramadan
Authors: Alshamsi Shaikha , Binsaleh Fatima , Hejaili Fayez , Karkar Ayman , Moussa Dujana , Raza Hamad , Parbat Parkash , Al Suwida Abdulkareem , Alobaili Saad , AlSehli R. , Al Sayyari Abdulla
Published: September 2015

This paper aimed to study the effect of Ramadan fasting on biochemical and clinical parameters and compliance for dialysis. A prospective multicenter observational cross‐sectional study comparing fasting with a non‐fasting stable adult hemodialysis patients for demographic and biochemical parameters, compliance with dialysis, inter‐dialytic weight gain, pre‐ and post‐blood pressure, and frequency of intradialytic hypotensive episodes was carried out. Six hundred thirty‐five patients, of whom 64.1% fasted, were studied. The fasters were younger (53.3 ± 16.2 vs. 58.4 ± 16.1 years; P = 0.001) but had similar duration on dialysis (P = 0.35). More fasters worked (22.0% vs. 14.6%; P = 0.001) and missed dialysis sessions during Ramadan. No differences were noted between groups in sex, diabetic status, or dialysis shift or day. There were no differences in the pre‐ and post‐dialysis blood pressure; serum potassium, albumin or weight gain; diabetic status; sex; and dialysis shift time or days. However, serum phosphorous was significantly higher in the fasting group (2.78 ± 1.8 vs. 2.45 ± 1.6 mmol/L; P = 0.045). There were no intragroup differences in any of the parameters studied when comparing the findings during Ramadan with those in the month before Ramadan. Fasters were significantly younger and more likely to be working, to miss dialysis sessions, and to have higher serum phosphorous levels. No other differences were observed.
Efficacy of entecavir therapy for hepatitis B e‐antigen positive chronic hepatitis B patients with prior exposure to interferon or nucleoside/nucleotide analogues
Authors: Tseng Kuo‐Chih , Tseng Chih‐Wei , Hsieh Tsai‐Yuan , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Lin Chih‐Lin , Su Tung‐Hung , Tseng Tai‐Chung , Lin Hans Hsienhong , Wang Chia‐Chi , Kao Jia‐Horng
Published: September 2015

Aim

The efficacy of entecavir (ETV) in treatment‐experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remains unclear. We evaluated the therapeutic responses and virological breakthrough following ETV treatment in hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) positive CHB patients with prior exposure to interferon or nucleoside/nucleotide analog and treatment‐naive patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective, multicenter study of treatment (>1 year) with 0.5 mg ETV in 248 treatment‐naive and 48 treatment‐experienced HBeAg positive CHB patients (70.5% male; mean age, 40.5 years). The rates of undetectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, HBeAg loss and virological breakthrough were analyzed.

Results

The median duration of ETV treatment was 27.3 months (range, 18.4–34.5). The rate of HBeAg loss was 41.9% (104/248) in treatment‐naive and 45.8% (22/48) in treatment‐experienced patients. The baseline serum HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase levels were significant predictors for HBeAg loss (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively). There was no statistical difference between the groups in the rates of undetectable HBV DNA and HBeAg loss at any time point. Virological breakthrough occurred in 1.6% (4/248) of treatment‐naive and 8.3% (4/48) of treatment‐experienced patients. The four treatment‐experienced patients with virological breakthrough had received prior lamivudine treatment. After excluding those treated with interferon, lamivudine‐experienced patients had significantly greater virological breakthrough compared with treatment‐naive patients (log–rank test, P = 0.034; univariate Cox regression, P = 0.047).

Conclusion

ETV treatment efficacy, including virological response and HBeAg loss, was comparable between treatment‐naive and treatment‐experienced HBeAg positive CHB patients. Lamivudine‐experienced patients had a higher risk of virological breakthrough than treatment‐naive patients.
Dignity, Disability, and Lifespan
Authors: Kerstein Samuel J.
Published: September 2015

In the Paraplegia Case, we must choose either to preserve the life of a paraplegic for 10 years or that of someone in full health for the same duration. Non‐consequentialists reject a benefit‐maximising view, which holds that since the person in full health will have a higher quality of life, we ought to save him straightaway. In the Unequal Lifespan Case, we face a choice between saving one person for 5 years in full health and another for 25 years in full health. Frances Kamm has recently unfurled an Equal Respect Argument in an effort to support the position that while we ought to give each person a 50% chance of being saved in the Paraplegia Case, we are morally permitted to save straightaway the person who would live longer in the Unequal Lifespan case. The article tries to show that a Kant‐inspired account of the dignity of persons is far more successful than Kamm's argument in supporting this position. The Kant‐inspired account owes this success to its conceiving of respect for persons not primarily as respect for their pursuit of what is of value for them, but rather as respect for the value in them.
Initiation of medications for Parkinson's disease: a qualitative description
Authors: Shin Ju Young , Habermann Barbara
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

To understand experiences of people with Parkinson's disease to initiate medication therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Background

Nonadherence to medication regimens and reluctance to initiate medication therapy among people with Parkinson's disease has been documented in previous research. However, little is known about experiences and decisions of people with Parkinson's disease to initiate antiparkinsonian medications and their beliefs or levels of understanding of antiparkinsonian medications in the USA.

Design

An exploratory, descriptive qualitative study was employed.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 16 community‐dwelling individuals with Parkinson's disease (69% male) and five family caregivers (40% male). Data analysis was performed using content analysis.

Results

Two domains emerged from the data: decision‐making to initiate antiparkinsonian medications as prescribed and reasons to delay initiation of levodopa to a later stage of Parkinson's disease.

Conclusions

Acceptance of antiparkinsonian medications at the early stage of Parkinson's disease was influenced by the trusting relationship between participants and their health care provider. Fear of levodopa's long‐term side effects led to acceptance of non‐levodopa therapies first. Complementary and Alternative Medicine was used to manage Parkinson's disease symptoms among participants who delayed antiparkinsonian medication therapy.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses may have a role to assess individuals’ beliefs and concerns about antiparkinsonian medication therapy and to provide adequate information to assist with the decision about Parkinson's disease symptom management.
Intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns preceding terminal bradycardia in infants (>34 weeks) with poor neurological outcome: A regional population‐based study in Japan
Authors: Kodama Yuki , Sameshima Hiroshi , Yamashita Rie , Oohashi Masanao , Ikenoue Tsuyomu
Published: September 2015

Aim

Intrapartum fetal bradycardia necessitates immediate operative delivery. Our aim was to investigate the hypothesis that some non‐reassuring fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns were present before the onset of terminal bradycardia in infants who developed subsequent brain damage.

Material and Methods

From a population‐based study of 65 197 deliveries, 190 stillbirths, 115 neonatal deaths, and 136 neurologically high‐risk infants were registered by the Miyazaki Perinatal Conference. There were 15 cases of neurologically high‐risk infants born at >34 weeks of gestation exhibiting intrapartum terminal bradycardia. Focusing on the brain‐damaged infants, we retrospectively analyzed FHR patterns for at least 1 h prior to the bradycardia.

Results

Brain damage (cerebral palsy [n = 11] and mental retardation [n = 2]) was diagnosed at 2 years old in 13 out of 15 neurologically high‐risk infants. Two infants had bradycardia on admission. In the remaining 11 infants, FHR patterns were reassuring in six (55%) and non‐reassuring in five (45%), including late decelerations (n = 4) and variable decelerations (n = 2). Clinically relevant factors in the non‐reassuring group included intrauterine infection (n = 3), malpresentation with umbilical cord coiling (n = 1), and unknown causes (n = 1). Clinically relevant features in the reassuring group included cord prolapse (n = 1), vaginal breech delivery (n = 1), shoulder dystocia (n = 1), rupture of membranes (n = 1), and unknown causes (n = 2).

Conclusion

More than half of the brain‐damaged infants born at >34 weeks of gestation who exhibited intrapartum terminal bradycardia had unremarkable FHR patterns before abrupt‐onset bradycardia. For those with non‐reassuring patterns preceding bradycardia, intrauterine infection was the major sentinel event.
Mandibular Overdentures Retained by Two Mini‐Implants: A Seven‐Year Retention and Satisfaction Study
Authors: Catalán Alfonso , Martínez Alejandra , Marchesani Francisco , González Urcesino
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Patients with atrophic edentulous ridges generally have problems with retention, therapeutic satisfaction, and comfort with their complete dentures. An alternative treatment to assist in improving retention and stability involves the use of mini‐implants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the retention of mandibular overdentures connected to two mini‐implants and overall patient satisfaction with them.

Materials and Methods

Seven patients with atrophic mandibular ridges (Type 4D Misch classification), aged 62 to 74 years old were rehabilitated with complete dentures. In each patient, two mini‐implants measuring 15 or 13 mm in length and 1.8 mm in diameter were placed. After 15 days, overdentures were connected to the mini‐implants with O‐ring attachments. In each patient, retention of the overdentures was measured, and a survey of therapeutic satisfaction before and after connection to the mini‐implants was administered. Prosthesis retention was measured with a digital dynamometer at 1 month, 6 months, and 2, 3, 5, and 7 years after mini‐implant placement. Patient satisfaction was assessed with a survey. Data were analyzed with Student's t‐test (satisfaction survey) and the Friedman test (retention measurements and satisfaction survey).

Results

The initial retention values (0.34 to 0.63 N without mini‐implants) varied significantly (p ≤ 0.050). These values were less than the subsequent measurements of 3.92 to 9.64 N, taken after placement of the mini‐implants and connecting them to the dentures. Satisfaction was good to very good over the 7‐year observation period. Mucosa and peri‐implant bone showed no pathological changes.

Conclusions

In this limited sample size clinical study the results indicated that after connecting mandibular overdentures to two mini‐implants, patient satisfaction significantly increased and retention significantly improved during the 7‐year observation period.
Frontal metabolic activity contributes to individual differences in vulnerability toward total sleep deprivation‐induced changes in cognitive function
Authors: Xu Junling , Zhu Yuanqiang , Fu Chang , Sun Jinbo , Li Huiqiang , Yang Xuejuan , Li Weiling , Qin Wei , Shi Dapeng , Tian Jie
Published: September 2015

Substantial individual differences characterize the changes induced by total sleep deprivation on cognitive functions. Despite some progress having been achieved, the mechanisms of individual differences in response to total sleep deprivation have not been clearly elucidated. Cerebral metabolism in the resting state is among the key physiological processes supporting the daily function of the brain, and may play an important role in these individual differences. Twenty‐two right‐handed participants (nine females and 13 males) between 20 and 26 years old completed a mathematical processing task both in resting wakefulness and after 24 h of total sleep deprivation. Fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography‐computed tomography was used to investigate brain metabolism changes. The mathematical task was performed after the positron emission tomography scans were completed. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlations between cognitive performance changes and brain metabolism changes. Large inter‐individual differences were found in the throughput changes, but these inter‐individual differences were not associated with baseline or post‐deprivation performance levels. Specifically, deterioration of throughput on the mathematical processing task was significantly correlated with metabolism changes in the superior frontal medial gyrus. These findings suggested that frontal metabolic activity contributes to individual differences in waking‐induced impairment of cognitive performance.
Yeast nitrogen catabolite repression is sustained by signals distinct from glutamine and glutamate reservoirs
Authors: Fayyad‐Kazan Mohammad , Feller A. , Bodo E. , Boeckstaens M. , Marini A. M. , Dubois E. , Georis I.
Published: September 2015

Nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) is a wide transcriptional regulation program enabling baker's yeast to downregulate genes involved in the utilization of poor nitrogen sources when preferred ones are available. Nowadays, glutamine and glutamate, the major nitrogen donors for biosyntheses, are assumed to be key metabolic signals regulating NCR. NCR is controlled by the conserved TORC1 complex, which integrates nitrogen signals among others to regulate cell growth. However, accumulating evidence indicate that the TORC1‐mediated control of NCR is only partial, arguing for the existence of supplementary regulatory processes to be discovered. In this work, we developed a genetic screen to search for new players involved in NCR signaling. Our data reveal that the NADP‐glutamate dehydrogenase activity of Gdh1 negatively regulates NCR‐sensitive gene transcription. By determining the total, cytoplasmic and vacuolar pools of amino acids, we show that there is no positive correlation between glutamine/glutamate reservoirs and the extent of NCR. While our data indicate that glutamine could serve as initial trigger of NCR, they show that it is not a sufficient signal to sustain repression and point to the existence of yet unknown signals. Providing additional evidence uncoupling TORC1 activity and NCR, our work revisits the dogmas underlying NCR regulation.
Ammonia activates pacC and patulin accumulation in an acidic environment during apple colonization by Penicillium expansum
Authors: Barad Shiri , Espeso Eduardo A. , Sherman Amir , Prusky Dov
Published: September 2015

Penicillium expansum, the causal agent of blue mould rot, causes severe post‐harvest fruit maceration simultaneously with the secretion of d‐gluconic acid (GLA) and the mycotoxin patulin in colonized tissue. The factor(s) inducing patulin biosynthesis during colonization of the host acidic environment is unclear. During the colonization of apple fruit in vivo and growth in culture, P. expansum secretes pH‐modulating GLA and ammonia. Although patulin and its possible opportunistic precursor GLA accumulate together during fungal development, ammonia is detected on the colonized tissue's leading edge and after extended culture, close to patulin accumulation. Here, we demonstrate ammonia‐induced transcript activation of the global pH modulator PacC and patulin accumulation in the presence of GLA by: (i) direct exogenous treatment of P. expansum growing on solid medium; (ii) direct exogenous treatment on colonized apple tissue; (iii) growth under self‐ammonia production conditions with limited carbon; and (iv) analysis of the transcriptional response to ammonia of the patulin biosynthesis cluster. Ammonia induced patulin accumulation concurrently with the transcript activation of pacC and patulin biosynthesis cluster genes, indicating the regulatory effect of ammonia on pacC transcript expression under acidic conditions. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using P. expansum PacC and antibodies to the different cleaved proteins showed that PacC is not protected against proteolytic signalling at pH 4.5 relative to pH 7.0, but NH4 addition did not further enhance its proteolytic cleavage. Ammonia enhanced the activation of palF transcript in the Pal pathway under acidic conditions. Ammonia accumulation in the host environment by the pathogen under acidic pH may be a regulatory cue for pacC activation, towards the accumulation of secondary metabolites, such as patulin.
Multiple stressors: using the honeybee model BEEHAVE to explore how spatial and temporal forage stress affects colony resilience
Authors: Horn Juliane , Becher Matthias A. , Kennedy Peter J. , Osborne Juliet L. , Grimm Volker
Published: September 2015

The causes underlying the increased mortality of honeybee Apis mellifera colonies observed over the past decade remain unclear. Since so far the evidence for monocausal explanations is equivocal, involvement of multiple stressors is generally assumed. We here focus on various aspects of forage availability, which have received less attention than other stressors because it is virtually impossible to explore them empirically. We applied the colony model BEEHAVE, which links within‐hive dynamics and foraging, to stylized landscape settings to explore how foraging distance, forage supply, and “forage gaps”, i.e. periods in which honeybees cannot find any nectar and pollen, affect colony resilience and the mechanisms behind. We found that colony extinction was mainly driven by foraging distance, but the timing of forage gaps had strongest effects on time to extinction. Sensitivity to forage gaps of 15 days was highest in June or July even if otherwise forage availability was sufficient to survive. Forage availability affected colonies via cascading effects on queen's egg‐laying rate, reduction of new‐emerging brood stages developing into adult workers, pollen debt, lack of workforce for nursing, and reduced foraging activity. Forage gaps in July led to reduction in egg‐laying and increased mortality of brood stages at a time when the queen's seasonal egg‐laying rate is at its maximum, leading to colony failure over time. Our results demonstrate that badly timed forage gaps interacting with poor overall forage supply reduce honeybee colony resilience. Existing regulation mechanisms which in principle enable colonies to cope with varying forage supply in a given landscape and year, such as a reduction in egg‐laying, have only a certain capacity. Our results are hypothetical, as they are obtained from simplified landscape settings, but they are consistent with existing empirical knowledge. They offer ample opportunities for testing the predicted effects of forage stress in controlled experiments.
Predator kairomones change food web structure and function, regardless of cues from consumed prey
Authors: Marino Nicholas A. C. , Srivastava Diane S. , Farjalla Vinicius F.
Published: September 2015

Predation risk in aquatic systems is often assessed by prey through chemical cues, either those released by prey or by the predator itself. Many studies on predation risk focus on simple pairwise interactions, with only a few studies examining community‐level and ecosystem responses to predation risk in species‐rich food webs. Further, of these few community‐level studies, most assume that prey primarily assess predation risk through chemical cues from consumed prey, even heterospecific prey, rather than just those released by the predator. Here, we compared the effects of different predation cues (predator presence with or without consumed prey) on the structure and functioning of a speciose aquatic food web housed in tropical bromeliads. We found that the mere presence of the top predator (a damselfly) had a strong cascading effect on the food web, propagating down to nutrient cycling. This predation risk cue had no effect on the identity of colonizing species, but strongly reduced the abundance and biomass of the macroinvertebrate colonists. As a result, bacterial biomass and nitrogen cycling doubled, with a concomitant decrease in bacterial production, but CO2 flux was unaffected. These community and ecosystem effects of predator presence cues were not amplified by the addition of chemical cues from consumed prey. Our results show that some of the consequences of predation risk observed in controlled experiments with simplified food webs may be observed in a natural, species‐rich food web.
A descriptive review of cardiac tumours in dogs and cats
Authors: Treggiari E. , Pedro B. , Dukes‐McEwan J. , Gelzer A. R. , Blackwood L.
Published: September 2015

Cardiac tumours are uncommon in the canine and feline population and often an incidental finding. Common types include haemangiosarcoma (HSA), aortic body tumours (chemodectoma and paraganglioma) and lymphoma. These neoplasms can cause mild to severe, life‐threatening clinical signs that are independent of the histological type and may be related to altered cardiovascular function or local haemorrhage/effusion into the pericardial space. Cardiac tumours may require symptomatic treatment aimed at controlling tumour bleeding and potential arrhythmias, and other signs caused by the mass effect. Additional treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. For all medical therapies, complete remission is unlikely and medical management, beyond adjunctive chemotherapy inHSA, requires further investigation but combination chemotherapy is recommended for lymphoma. The aim of this report is to summarize and critically appraise the current literature in a descriptive review. However, interpretation is limited by the lack of definitive diagnosis and retrospective nature of most studies.