bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myotonic dystrophy type 1: role of CCG, CTC and CGG interruptions within DMPK alleles in the pathogenesis and molecular diagnosis
Authors: Santoro M. , Masciullo M. , Silvestri G. , Novelli G. , Botta A.
Published: December 2016

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystem neuromuscular disease caused by a CTG triplet expansion in the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of DMPK gene. This CTG array is usually uninterrupted in both healthy and DM1 patients, but recent studies identified pathological variant expansions containing unstable CCG, CTC and CGG interruptions with a prevalence of 3–5% of cases. In this review, we will describe the clinical, molecular and genetic issues related to the occurrence of variant expansions associated with DM1. Indeed, the identification of these complex DMPK alleles leads to practical consequences in DM1 genetic counseling and testing, because these exams can give false negative results. Moreover, DM1 patients carrying interrupted alleles can manifest either additional atypical neurological symptoms or, conversely, mild, late‐onset forms. Therefore, the prognosis of the disease in these patients is difficult to determine because of the great uncertainty about the genotype–phenotype correlations. We will discuss the putative effects of the variant DM1 alleles on the pathogenic disease mechanisms, including mitotic and meiotic repeats instability and splicing alteration typical of DM1 tissues. Interruptions within the DMPK expanded alleles could also interfere with the chromatin structure, the transcriptional activity of the DM1 locus and the interaction with RNA CUG‐binding proteins.
Dental Implant Survival and Complication Rate over 2 Years for Individuals with Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Eskow Caroline C. , Oates Thomas W.
Published: December 2016

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that implant therapy may be a viable option for diabetic individuals with elevated glycemic levels.

Purpose

The purpose of this 2 year observational study was to evaluate survival and clinical complications of dental implants following placement in type 2 diabetes individuals having poor glycemic control.

Materials and Methods

Adult participants (n = 24) with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (8.0% ≤ HbA1c ≤ 12.0%) received two or more transgingival dental implants. Survival was evaluated after 1 (23 participants, 72 implants) and 2 (20 participants, 59 implants) years. Clinical complications were evaluated in 18 participants (52 implants) after 21‐34 months. Relationships between complications and stratified HbA1c levels were assessed using Pearson's correlation test.

Results

Survival rates were 98.6% (71/72 implants) after 1 year and 96.6% (57/59 implants) after 2 years. Complications were identified in 29% of participants with peri‐implant mucositis, the most common event. Complications correlated directly with number of implants across HbA1c strata (0.42, R2 = 0.66). There was no correlation between HbA1c and the occurrences of complications or mucositis.

Conclusions

This 2‐year evaluation supports the broader application of implant therapy in type 2 diabetes individuals with poor glycemic control in demonstrating high survival rates with limited complications.
The Impact of Local Ethanol Production on the Corn Basis in Ontario
Authors: Wu Zhige , Weersink Alfons , Maynard Alex , Hailu Getu , Vyn Richard
Published: December 2016

This paper investigates the factors affecting the corn basis in Ontario with particular emphasis on the effect of ethanol production given the projected detrimental effect its expansion could have on the red meat sector. We estimate a location‐specific and panel vector error correction models (VECM) for seven elevators in Ontario from 2006 to 2013. We find a long‐run equilibrium relationship exists between the basis and factors affecting local supply and demand including ethanol capacity and that the direction of causality is from these factors to changes in corn price. A one‐time increase in ethanol capacity of 100 million liters is projected to increase the basis by approximately 30 cents per bushel within two years. However, the impact is insignificant for elevators located in the livestock‐intensive regions of the province. The demand for corn as livestock feed is a determinant of the local corn price for all elevators. The decline in the number of hogs and beef cattle along with the 50% increase in corn supply have resulted in the observed decline in the local corn price despite the significant increase in demand from ethanol.

L'impact de la production locale d′éthanol sur le prix de base du maïs en Ontario Cet article cherche à comprendre les facteurs ayant un effet sur le prix de base du maïs en Ontario, en particulier sur les effets de la production d′éthanol étant donné les effets négatifs attendus sur le secteur de la viande rouge causés par son expansion. Nous estimons des modèles vectoriels à correction d'erreurs (MVCE) à emplacements précis et panel entre 2006 et 2013, pour 7 silos‐élévateurs en Ontario. Nous constatons une relation d′équilibre à long terme entre le prix de base et les facteurs ayant un effet sur l'offre et la demande locale incluant la capacité pour l′éthanol. Nous constatons aussi que le sens de la causalité passe de ces facteurs aux changements du prix du maïs. L'on s'attend à voir une augmentation d'environ 30 cents du prix de base du boisseau suivant l'augmentation unique de 100 millions de litres de la capacité d′éthanol. Par contre, l'impact est négligeable pour les silos‐élévateurs situés dans les régions d′élevage intensif de la province. La demande pour le maïs comme aliment pour le bétail est un facteur déterminant du prix local du maïs pour tous les silos‐élévateurs. Le déclin du porc et des bovins ainsi que l'augmentation de 50 % de l'offre de maïs ont mené à la diminution notée du prix du maïs local malgré l'augmentation significative de la demande pour l′éthanol.
Assessing the shelf life of cost‐efficient conservation plans for species at risk across gradients of agricultural land use
Authors: Robillard Cassandra M. , Kerr Jeremy T.
Published: December 2016

High costs of land in agricultural regions warrant spatial prioritization approaches to conservation that explicitly consider land prices to produce protected‐area networks that accomplish targets efficiently. However, land‐use changes in such regions and delays between plan design and implementation may render optimized plans obsolete before implementation occurs. To measure the shelf life of cost‐efficient conservation plans, we simulated a land‐acquisition and restoration initiative aimed at conserving species at risk in Canada's farmlands. We accounted for observed changes in land‐acquisition costs and in agricultural intensity based on censuses of agriculture taken from 1986 to 2011. For each year of data, we mapped costs and areas of conservation priority designated using Marxan. We compared plans to test for changes through time in the arrangement of high‐priority sites and in the total cost of each plan. For acquisition costs, we measured the savings from accounting for prices during site selection. Land‐acquisition costs and land‐use intensity generally rose over time independent of inflation (24–78%), although rates of change were heterogeneous through space and decreased in some areas. Accounting for spatial variation in land price lowered the cost of conservation plans by 1.73–13.9%, decreased the range of costs by 19–82%, and created unique solutions from which to choose. Despite the rise in plan costs over time, the high conservation priority of particular areas remained consistent. Delaying conservation in these critical areas may compromise what optimized conservation plans can achieve. In the case of Canadian farmland, rapid conservation action is cost‐effective, even with moderate levels of uncertainty in how to implement restoration goals.
Acantholytic invasive squamous cell carcinoma: tumor diameter, invasion depth, grade of differentiation, surgical margins, perineural invasion, recurrence and death rate
Authors: Pyne J. H. , Myint E. , Barr E. M. , Clark S. P. , David M. , Na R.
Published: December 2016

Background

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may present with or without the feature of acantholysis.

Methods

Investigate invasive acantholytic SCC by microscopic maximum tumor surface diameter, depth of invasion, grade of differentiation, perineural invasion (PNI) and percentage of acantholysis. Assess recurrence following excision.

Results

A total of 1658 consecutive invasive SCC cases were examined, comprising 4.9% acantholytic SCC. Median tumor microscopic maximum diameter was 8 mm for acantholytic SCC and 7.3 mm for non‐acantholytic SCC. Median tumor invasion depth was 1.0 mm for acantholytic SCC and 1.5 mm for non‐acantholytic SCC. Well, moderate and poor differentiation were not significantly different between acantholytic SCC and non‐acantholytic SCC. One PNI case was found in 82 acantholytic SCC cases. A total of 77 acantholytic SCC cases were followed up over a median 25 months finding histologic proven recurrence at three acantholytic SCC excision sites.

Conclusions

Acantholytic SCC were more likely to be located on head sites with less median depth than non‐acantholytic SCC. Increasing percentage of acantholysis within acantholytic SCC was not associated with a shift towards poor differentiation. Histologic margins of 1.2 mm may adequately excise small acantholytic SCC. No recorded deaths, low PNI and low recurrence rates suggests acantholytic SCC is low‐risk.
Morphology of rare exogenous materials in dermatopathology
Authors: Fernández‐Flores Angel
Published: December 2016

Dermatopathologists are occasionally challenged by exogenous materials found in their biopsies. Recognition of most of the structures and morphological parts of foreign materials is not always easy because most of the literature thus far has focused on the study of the histological and histopathological aspects of human tissues, as well as on the granulomatous response elicited by such foreign bodies. However, there are some cases of rare exogenous material in biopsies, mainly published as case reports; and dermatopathologists often lose precious time searching for information about such cases. In this article, we examine the morphology of the following elements: alimentary detritus, cacti barbs, cotton fibers, silica particles, nail polish, maggots, sea urchin spines and honey bee stings.
Kompressionstherapie – Versorgungspraxis: Informationsstand von Patienten mit Ulcus cruris venosum
Authors: Protz Kerstin , Heyer Kristina , Dissemond Joachim , Temme Barbara , Münter Karl‐Christian , Verheyen‐Cronau Ida , Klose Katharina , Hampel‐Kalthoff Carsten , Augustin Matthias
Published: December 2016

Hintergrund und Ziele

Eine Säule der kausalen Therapie bei Patienten mit Ulcus cruris venosum ist die Kompressionstherapie. Sie unterstützt die Abheilung, reduziert Schmerzen und Rezidive und steigert die Lebensqualität. Bislang existieren kaum wissenschaftliche Daten zu dem Versorgungsstand und fachspezifischem Wissen von Patienten mit Ulcus cruris venosum.

Patienten und Methodik

Standardisierte Fragebögen wurden bundesweit in 55 Pflegediensten, 32 Arztpraxen, vier Wundzentren und ‐sprechstunden sowie einem Pflegetherapiestützpunkt von Patienten mit Ulcus cruris venosum bei Erstvorstellung anonym ausgefüllt.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt nahmen 177 Patienten (Durchschnittsalter 69,4 Jahre; 75,1 % Frauen) teil. Ein florides Ulcus cruris venosum bestand im Mittel 17 Monate. 31,1 % hatten keine Kompressionstherapie, 40,1 % Binden und 28,8 % Strümpfe. Bei der Bestrumpfung hatten 13,7 % Kompressionsklasse III, 64,7 % Kompressionsklasse II und 19,6 % Kompressionsklasse I. 70,6 % legten die Strümpfe nach dem Aufstehen an, 21,1 % trugen sie Tag und Nacht. 39,2 % bereiteten die Strümpfe Beschwerden. Lediglich 11,7 % hatten eine An‐ und Ausziehhilfe. Die Binden wurden im Mittel 40,7 Wochen getragen und bei 69 % nicht unterpolstert. Bei 2,8 % wurde der Knöchel‐ und Waden‐Umfang zur Erfolgskontrolle gemessen. Venensport machten 45,9 %.

Schlussfolgerungen

Ein Drittel hatte keine Kompressionsversorgung, obwohl diese eine Basismaßnahme der Therapie des Ulcus cruris venosum ist. Zudem ist deren korrekte Auswahl und Anwendung angesichts der langen Bestandsdauer der Ulzerationen zu hinterfragen. Weiterführende Fachkenntnisse bei Anwendern und Verordnern sowie Patientenschulungen sind erforderlich.
Verantwortlicher Umgang mit Antibiotika: Notwendigkeit der Antibiotikareduktion in der Aknetherapie
Authors: Gollnick Harald P. M. , Buer Jan , Beissert Stefan , Sunderkätter Cord
Published: December 2016

Der übermäßige oder unkritische weltweite Einsatz von Antibiotika in der Medizin hat die Ausbreitung von Antibiotikaresistenzen beschleunigt. In einigen Bereichen sind viele Antibiotika bei bakteriellen Infektionen, die zuvor noch gut auf antibakterielle Wirkstoffe reagierten, mittlerweile wirkungslos geworden. Dermatologen/Venerologen setzten orale und topische Antibiotika bei der Behandlung von Acne vulgaris routinemäßig ein, obwohl Akne weder eine infektiöse Erkrankung ist noch alleine durch das Propionibacterium getriggert wird. Vielmehr ist sie eine komplexe, chronische entzündliche Hauterkrankung, die durch verschiedene pathogenetische Faktoren wie follikuläre Hyperkeratose, erhöhter Sebumproduktion, bakterielle Proliferation und Entzündung zustande kommt. Folglich sollte eine erfolgreiche Therapie auf die Bekämpfung verschiedener pathogenetischer Faktoren und nicht nur auf die von Propionibacterium acnes abzielen. Daher wurden topische Retinoide und Benzoylperoxid als Mittel der ersten Wahl definiert. Monotherapien mit lokalen Antibiotika sollten insgesamt vermieden werden. Systemische Antibiotika der Tetrazyklin‐Gruppe haben bei bestimmen Krankheitsstadien ihren Sinn, ihre Wirkung könnte aber eher auf der antientzündlichen als auf der antibiotischen Reaktion beruhen. Gesundheitsbehörden ermahnen alle Gesundheitsdienstleister, den Einsatz von Antibiotika einzuschränken. Das Nutzen‐Risiko‐Verhältnis muss bei der Entscheidung für oder gegen eine antibiotische Therapie bei einem einzelnen Patienten immer auch in Bezug auf das öffentliche Interesse am Erhalt der Wirksamkeit von Antibiotika abgewogen werden. Im Folgenden werden das aktuelle Krankheitskonzept zu Acne vulgaris und die sich daraus ableitenden Konsequenzen für den Einsatz von Antibiotika vorgestellt.
The neuropsychological profile of children with basal ganglia encephalitis: a case series
Authors: Pawela Chiara , Brunsdon Ruth K , Williams Tracey A , Porter Melanie , Dale Russell C , Mohammad Shekeeb S
Published: December 2016

Inflammatory basal ganglia encephalitis (BGE) is a rare but distinct entity of putative autoimmune aetiology, with specific basal ganglia inflammation and acute movement disorders. Unlike most brain injuries, BGE is a radiologically pure basal ganglia syndrome. The current study systematically describes the neuropsychological outcomes of four paediatric cases of BGE, and thus the neuropsychological outcomes of focal basal ganglia insult in childhood. Although all patients made significant motor recoveries, all four cases displayed executive dysfunction, fine motor difficulties, and anxiety. Three out of four cases displayed attention deficits. The case who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment and steroids during the acute phase of the disease had the best cognitive outcome. These findings highlight the need for detailed neuropsychological assessment and long‐term follow‐up.
Management of veno‐occlusive disease: the multidisciplinary approach to care
Authors: Wallhult Elisabeth , Kenyon Michelle , Liptrott Sarah , Mank Arno , Ní Chonghaile Mairéad , Babic Aleksandra , Bijkerk Jacobine , Bompoint Caroline , Corbacioglu Selim , de Weijer Roel , Fink Claudia , Marktel Sarah , Soni Vivek , Sprenger Sarah , Arjona Eugenia Trigoso , Mohty Mohamad
Published: December 2016

Although it is considered a relatively rare disorder, veno‐occlusive disease (VOD) is one of the main causes of overall, non‐relapse mortality associated with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This article, based on the consensus opinion of haemato‐oncology nurses, haemato‐oncologists and pharmacists from both adult and paediatric services at the VOD International Multi‐Disciplinary Advisory Board at the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) meeting, Istanbul, 2015, aims to explore the multidisciplinary approach to care for the management of VOD, with an emphasis on current challenges in this area. The careful monitoring of HSCT patients allows early detection of the symptoms associated with VOD and timely treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes. As part of a multidisciplinary team, nurses have an essential role to play, from pretransplant assessment to medical management and overall care of the patient. Physicians and pharmacists have a responsibility to facilitate education and training so that nurses can work effectively within that team.
Binocular function during unequal monocular input
Authors: Kim Taekjun , Freeman Ralph D.
Published: December 2016

The fine task of stereoscopic depth discrimination in human subjects requires a functional binocular system. Behavioral investigations show that relatively small binocular abnormalities can diminish stereoscopic acuity. Clinical evaluations are consistent with this observation. Neurons in visual cortex represent the first stage of processing of the binocular system. Cells at this level are generally acutely sensitive to differences in relative depth. However, an apparent paradox in previous work demonstrates that tuning for binocular disparities remains relatively constant even when large contrast differences are imposed between left and right eye stimuli. This implies a range of neural binocular function that is at odds with behavioral findings. To explore this inconsistency, we have conducted psychophysical tests by which human subjects view vertical sinusoidal gratings drifting in opposite directions to left and right eyes. If the opposite drifting gratings are integrated in visual cortex, as wave theory and neurophysiological data predict, the subjects should perceive a fused stationary grating that is counter‐phasing in place. However, this behavioral combination may not occur if there are differences in contrast and therefore signal strength between left and right eye stimuli. As expected for the control condition, our results show fused counter‐phase perception for equal inter‐ocular grating contrasts. Our experimental tests show a striking retention of counter‐phase perception even for relatively large differences in inter‐ocular contrast. This finding demonstrates that binocular integration, although relatively coarse, can occur during substantial differences in left and right eye signal strength.
Magnetic resonance imaging‐guided injection of platelet‐rich plasma for treatment of an insertional core lesion of the deep digital flexor tendon within the foot of a horse
Authors: Marcatili M. , Marshall J. , Voute L.
Published: December 2016

Definitive diagnosis of a deep digital flexor tendon insertional lesion within the right fore foot was made by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination and the lesion subsequently treated by injection with platelet‐rich plasma. MRI was used to guide positioning of the needle to achieve highly accurate injection. The volume injected was found to approximate the calculated lesion volume. On the basis of experience with this case, MRI‐guided injection of insertional deep digital flexor tendon lesions of the foot of horses under general anaesthesia is practicable. This technique is likely to be more accurate than the other techniques described (computed tomography, ultrasonography) and carries no risk of exposure to radiation (radiography).
Non‐invasive metabolic imaging of melanoma progression
Authors: Pastore Michael N. , Studier Hauke , Bonder Claudine S. , Roberts Michael S.
Published: December 2016

Skin cancer is associated with abnormal cellular metabolism which if identified early introduces the possibility of intervention to prevent its progress to a deadly metastatic stage. This study combines multiphoton microscopy with fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) using a syngeneic melanoma mouse model, to detect changes in metabolic state of single epidermal cells as a metabolic marker to monitor the progress of tumor growth. This method utilizes imaging of the ratio of the amounts of the free and protein‐bound forms of the intracellular autofluorescent metabolic co‐enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). Here, we investigate the impact of the primary tumor lesion on the epidermal layers at three different growth stages of melanoma lesion compared to normal skin as a control. We showed a significant increase in the free‐to‐bound NADH ratio with the growth of the solid melanoma tumor, while concurrently the short and the long lifetime components of NADH remained constant. These results demonstrate the ability of FLIM for rapid, non‐invasive and sensitive assessment of melanoma progression revealing its potential as a diagnostic tool for melanoma detection and as an aid for melanoma staging.
Expression of claudin‐11 by tumor cells in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is dependent on the activity of p38δ
Authors: Nissinen Liisa , Siljamäki Elina , Riihilä Pilvi , Piipponen Minna , Farshchian Mehdi , Kivisaari Atte , Kallajoki Markku , Raiko Laura , Peltonen Juha , Peltonen Sirkku , Kähäri Veli‐Matti
Published: December 2016

The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is rapidly increasing, and the prognosis of patients with metastatic disease is poor. There is an emerging need to identify molecular markers for predicting aggressive behaviour of cSCC. Here, we have examined the role of tight junction (TJ) components in the progression of cSCC. The expression pattern of mRNAs for TJ components was determined with RNA sequencing and oligonucleotide array‐based expression analysis from cSCC cell lines (n=8) and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK, n=5). The expression of CLDN11 was specifically elevated in primary cSCC cell lines (n=5), but low or absent in metastatic cSCC cell lines (n=3) and NHEKs. Claudin‐11 was detected in cell‐cell contacts of primary cSCC cells in culture by indirect immunofluorescence analysis. Analysis of a large panel of tissue samples from sporadic UV‐induced cSCC (n=65), cSCC in situ (n=56), actinic keratoses (n=31), seborrhoeic keratoses (n=7) and normal skin (n=16) by immunohistochemistry showed specific staining for claudin‐11 in intercellular junctions of keratinizing tumor cells in well and moderately differentiated cSCCs, whereas no staining for claudin‐11 was detected in poorly differentiated tumors. The expression of claudin‐11 in cSCC cells was dependent on the activity of p38δ MAPK and knock‐down of claudin‐11 enhanced cSCC cell invasion. These findings provide evidence for the role of claudin‐11 in regulation of cSCC invasion and suggest loss of claudin‐11 expression in tumor cells as a biomarker for advanced stage of cSCC.
Double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase signalling and paradigms of cardiometabolic syndrome
Authors: Kalra Jaspreet , Dhar Arti
Published: December 2016

Metabolic syndrome (Met S) is a collection of the most severe cardiometabolic risk factors that encompasses raised fasting plasma glucose, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, obesity and hypertension. The precise mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of Met S remains unclear. More often oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis are implicated in its aetiology. Recently, double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase has been found to intersect at the cross‐road of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in several metabolic diseases. Therefore, an effort has been made in the present review to discuss the role of double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase and above‐mentioned mechanisms in the progression of Met S, along with its interlinking in major clinical manifestations of Met S such as hypertension and diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Landscape simplification weakens the association between terrestrial producer and consumer diversity in Europe
Authors: Dainese Matteo , Isaac Nick J. B. , Powney Gary D. , Bommarco Riccardo , Öckinger Erik , Kuussaari Mikko , Pöyry Juha , Benton Tim G. , Gabriel Doreen , Hodgson Jenny A. , Kunin William E. , Lindborg Regina , Sait Steven M. , Marini Lorenzo
Published: December 2016

Land‐use change is one of the primary drivers of species loss, yet little is known about its effect on other components of biodiversity that may be at risk. Here, we ask whether, and to what extent, landscape simplification, measured as the percentage of arable land in the landscape, disrupts the functional and phylogenetic association between primary producers and consumers. Across seven European regions, we inferred the potential associations (functional and phylogenetic) between host plants and butterflies in 561 seminatural grasslands. Local plant diversity showed a strong bottom‐up effect on butterfly diversity in the most complex landscapes, but this effect disappeared in simple landscapes. The functional associations between plant and butterflies are, therefore, the results of processes that act not only locally but are also dependent on the surrounding landscape context. Similarly, landscape simplification reduced the phylogenetic congruence among host plants and butterflies indicating that closely related butterflies become more generalist in the resources used. These processes occurred without any detectable change in species richness of plants or butterflies along the gradient of arable land. The structural properties of ecosystems are experiencing substantial erosion, with potentially pervasive effects on ecosystem functions and future evolutionary trajectories. Loss of interacting species might trigger cascading extinction events and reduce the stability of trophic interactions, as well as influence the longer term resilience of ecosystem functions. This underscores a growing realization that species richness is a crude and insensitive metric and that both functional and phylogenetic associations, measured across multiple trophic levels, are likely to provide additional and deeper insights into the resilience of ecosystems and the functions they provide.
Gross primary production responses to warming, elevated CO2, and irrigation: quantifying the drivers of ecosystem physiology in a semiarid grassland
Authors: Ryan Edmund M. , Ogle Kiona , Peltier Drew , Walker Anthony P. , De Kauwe Martin G. , Medlyn Belinda E. , Williams David G. , Parton William , Asao Shinichi , Guenet Bertrand , Harper Anna B. , Lu Xingjie , Luus Kristina A. , Zaehle Sönke , Shu Shijie , Werner Christian , Xia Jianyang , Pendall Elise
Published: December 2016

Determining whether the terrestrial biosphere will be a source or sink of carbon (C) under a future climate of elevated CO2 (eCO2) and warming requires accurate quantification of gross primary production (GPP), the largest flux of C in the global C cycle. We evaluated 6 years (2007–2012) of flux‐derived GPP data from the Prairie Heating and CO2 Enrichment (PHACE) experiment, situated in a grassland in Wyoming, USA. The GPP data were used to calibrate a light response model whose basic formulation has been successfully used in a variety of ecosystems. The model was extended by modeling maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax) and light‐use efficiency (Q) as functions of soil water, air temperature, vapor pressure deficit, vegetation greenness, and nitrogen at current and antecedent (past) timescales. The model fits the observed GPP well (R2 = 0.79), which was confirmed by other model performance checks that compared different variants of the model (e.g. with and without antecedent effects). Stimulation of cumulative 6‐year GPP by warming (29%, P = 0.02) and eCO2 (26%, P = 0.07) was primarily driven by enhanced C uptake during spring (129%, P = 0.001) and fall (124%, P = 0.001), respectively, which was consistent across years. Antecedent air temperature (Tairant) and vapor pressure deficit (VPDant) effects on Amax (over the past 3–4 days and 1–3 days, respectively) were the most significant predictors of temporal variability in GPP among most treatments. The importance of VPDant suggests that atmospheric drought is important for predicting GPP under current and future climate; we highlight the need for experimental studies to identify the mechanisms underlying such antecedent effects. Finally, posterior estimates of cumulative GPP under control and eCO2 treatments were tested as a benchmark against 12 terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs). The narrow uncertainties of these data‐driven GPP estimates suggest that they could be useful semi‐independent data streams for validating TBMs.
The global pyrogenic carbon cycle and its impact on the level of atmospheric CO2 over past and future centuries
Authors: Landry Jean‐Sébastien , Matthews H. Damon
Published: December 2016

The incomplete combustion of vegetation and dead organic matter by landscape fires creates recalcitrant pyrogenic carbon (PyC), which could be consequential for the global carbon budget if changes in fire regime, climate, and atmospheric CO2 were to substantially affect gains and losses of PyC on land and in oceans. Here, we included global PyC cycling in a coupled climate–carbon model to assess the role of PyC in historical and future simulations, accounting for uncertainties through five sets of parameter estimates. We obtained year‐2000 global stocks of (Central estimate, likely uncertainty range in parentheses) 86 (11–154), 47 (2–64), and 1129 (90–5892) Pg C for terrestrial residual PyC (RPyC), marine dissolved PyC, and marine particulate PyC, respectively. PyC cycling decreased atmospheric CO2 only slightly between 1751 and 2000 (by 0.8 Pg C for the Central estimate) as PyC‐related fluxes changed little over the period. For 2000 to 2300, we combined Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 with stable or continuously increasing future fire frequencies. For the increasing future fire regime, the production of new RPyC generally outpaced the warming‐induced accelerated loss of existing RPyC, so that PyC cycling decreased atmospheric CO2 between 2000 and 2300 for most estimates (by 4–8 Pg C for Central). For the stable fire regime, however, PyC cycling usually increased atmospheric CO2 (by 1–9 Pg C for Central), and only the most extreme choice of parameters maximizing PyC production and minimizing PyC decomposition led to atmospheric CO2 decreases under RCPs 4.5 and 8.5 (by 5–8 Pg C). Our results suggest that PyC cycling will likely reduce the future increase in atmospheric CO2 if landscape fires become much more frequent; however, in the absence of a substantial increase in fire frequency, PyC cycling might contribute to, rather than mitigate, the future increase in atmospheric CO2.
Massive gastric juvenile‐type polyposis: a clinicopathological analysis of 22 cases
Authors: Gonzalez Raul S , Adsay Volkan , Graham Rondell P , Shroff Stuti G , Feely Michael M , Drage Michael G , Lewin David N , Swanson Eric A , Yantiss Rhonda K , Bağci Pelin , Krasinskas Alyssa M
Published: December 2016

Aims

Massive gastric polyposis is a rare entity that is often associated with juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features of 22 patients with abundant gastric juvenile‐type or hyperplastic‐like polyps.

Methods and results

The study included 12 males and 10 females with a median age of 48 years (range: 13–79 years). Fourteen (64%) patients carried a diagnosis of JPS, and three had prior gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. Patients without known JPS presented at an older median age (60 years versus 40 years; P = 0.0068). Clinical symptoms included nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain; 23% of patients were asymptomatic. Eighteen cases showed complete or near‐complete carpeting of the gastric mucosa by innumerable polyps, ranging from a few millimetres to ~100 mm. Most polyps formed long, bulbous projections and had characteristic histological features, including a smooth outer contour, prominent stromal oedema, and widely spaced, often cystically dilated glands lined by foveolar epithelium; some polyps had less stroma and more hyperplastic foveolar epithelium. All had normal underlying or adjacent mucosa. Four (18%) cases harboured adenocarcinoma, and seven (32%) others showed dysplasia. SMAD4 immunohistochemical staining showed patchy loss in polyps from 19 of 20 cases tested. Five of six (84%) patients tested had a germline SMAD4 mutation.

Conclusions

Massive gastric juvenile‐type polyposis can occur in patients with and without known JPS, and may mimic different conditions, such as other polyposis syndromes and Ménétrier disease. Pathologists play an important role in disease classification, as some patients lack a family or personal history of JPS, have few if any colonic polyps, and may not harbour diagnostic germline mutations.
Histological analysis of vasculopathy associated with pulmonary hypertension in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema: comparison with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or emphysema alone
Authors: Awano Nobuyasu , Inomata Minoru , Ikushima Soichiro , Yamada Daisuke , Hotta Masatoshi , Tsukuda Shunji , Kumasaka Toshio , Takemura Tamiko , Eishi Yoshinobu
Published: December 2016

Aims

To evaluate pulmonary vasculopathy in an autopsy series of patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE), and compare these findings with those of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) alone and emphysema alone.

Methods and results

We retrospectively analysed the clinical, radiological and pathological features of 26 patients with CPFE, 11 with IPF, and 23 with emphysema. We evaluated pulmonary vascular, venous–venular and arteriolar tissue changes in the fibrotic, emphysematous and relatively unaffected (preserved) areas by using the Heath–Edwards scoring system. We found moderate‐to‐severe vasculopathy in the CPFE group, but no significant differences in the fibrotic and emphysematous areas among the three groups. However, in the preserved area, the grading was significantly different among the three groups (P < 0.001), and vasculopathy in the CPFE group was the most severe. Although venous–venular and arteriolar changes in almost all fibrotic and emphysematous areas in the three groups showed no significant differences, there were significant differences in venous–venular (P = 0.004) and arteriolar (P < 0.001) changes in the preserved area among the three groups, which were most prevalent in the CPFE group. In the CPFE group, venous–venular changes and vasculopathy by Heath–Edwards grading were highest in the fibrotic area and lowest in the preserved area.

Conclusions

These results imply that pulmonary vasculopathy in patients with CPFE could occur in the whole lung tissue. This may explain the tendency for it to lead to the development of pulmonary hypertension in CPFE cases.
Self-Selection and Host Country Context in the Economic Assimilation of Political Refugees in the United States, Sweden, and Israel
Authors: Birgier Debora Pricila , Lundh Christer , Haberfeld Yitchak , Elldér Erik
Published: December 2016

We study the interplay between host countries’ characteristics and self-selection patterns in relation to refugees’ economic assimilation using a natural experiment in which immigrants from one region migrated to three destinations under similar circumstances. We focus on emigrants fleeing from Argentina and Chile during the military regimes there to the United States, Sweden, and Israel. We find that those refugees show patterns of selection and assimilation similar to those of economic immigrants. Immigrants to the United States and Israel exhibit better selection patterns and consequently faster assimilation than immigrants to Sweden even considering the positive effect of the Swedish market structure.
Quantitative Measurement of Communication Ability in Children with Angelman Syndrome
Authors: Grieco Joseph C. , Bahr Ruth H. , Schoenberg Mike R. , Conover Laura , Mackie Lauren N. , Weeber Edwin J.
Published: December 2016

Background

Angelman syndrome is a rare disorder in which most individuals do not develop speech. Testing of communication ability using traditional neuropsychological measures reveals a performance level at or near the floor of the instrument resulting in an inability to detect change when experimental therapeutics are applied.

Methods

Nine individuals, with molecularly confirmed AS, ranging in age from 34 to 126 months, and a single healthy control child (age 16 months) were audio and video‐recorded while interacting with a licensed speech‐language pathologist in an attempt to elicit vocalization and non‐verbal communication. Thirty‐minute audio recordings were transcribed and categorized per the Stark Assessment of Early Vocal Development‐Revised and a phonetic inventory was created. Using video recordings, gestures were classified by function, either behavioral regulation or social interaction and further categorized as deictic or representational (i.e., behavioral regulation) and joint attention or shared engagement (i.e., social interaction).

Results

The range of vocalizations produced by the children with AS was characteristic of children between 0–6 months and none of the children with AS used advanced forms of vocalizations. The mean frequency of reflexive vocalizations, control of phonation and expansion far exceeded the number of uses of canonical syllables, consistant with the characteristics of children around 12 months of age. Most vocalizations were either laughter or isolated vowels, only three children with AS produced consonant‐vowel combinations. Children with AS tended to use central and low vowels with few producing high vowels, suggesting the presence of childhood apraxia of speech.

Conclusion

Our results show the utilization of video‐recorded behavioral observations provides a feasible and reliable alternative for quantification of communication ability in this patient population and may be employed during future clinical studies of potential therapeutics.
Contribution of serum adipocyte fatty acid‐binding protein levels to the presence of microalbuminuria in a Chinese hyperglycemic population
Authors: Hu Xiang , Ma Xiaojing , Luo Yuqi , Xu Yiting , Xiong Qin , Pan Xiaoping , Bao Yuqian , Jia Weiping
Published: December 2016

Aims/Introduction

Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus are vulnerable to micro‐ and macrovascular complications in the presence of microalbuminuria. Adipocyte fatty acid‐binding protein (A‐FABP) was proposed as an indicator for albuminuria in patients with diabetes. The present study aimed to explore the associations between serum A‐FABP levels and microalbuminuria in the hyperglycemic population.

Materials and Methods

Serum A‐FABP levels were detected using sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Microalbuminuria was identified by urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR), when the value was between 30–300 mg/g. The participants were divided into the subgroups based on sex and the status of impaired glucose regulation or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Results

A total of 939 participants, consisting of 436 men and 503 women, were enrolled. Serum levels of A‐FABP were much higher in participants with microalbuminuria than those without microalbuminuria. This result held true for all subgroups (all P < 0.05). For Spearman's correlation analyses, serum A‐FABP levels showed a positive relationship with the UACR in men and women (both P < 0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that serum A‐FABP levels were independently and positively correlated with UACR in both sexes (men: standardized β = 0.256, P < 0.001; women: standardized β = 0.155, P = 0.001). This relationship remained significant in every subgroup (all P < 0.01).

Conclusions

For hyperglycemic individuals, serum A‐FABP levels increased in the presence of microalbuminuria. Serum A‐FABP levels were identified as an independent factor positively associated with the UACR.
Trends in Prevalence of Dementia in French Farmers from Two Epidemiological Cohorts
Authors: Pérès Karine , Brayne Carol , Matharan Fanny , Grasset Leslie , Helmer Catherine , Letenneur Luc , Foubert‐Samier Alexandra , Baldi Isabelle , Tison François , Amieva Hélène , Dartigues Jean‐François
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment in older people across generations.

Design

Two prospective cohort studies (Personnes Agées QUID (PAQUID), Aging Multidisciplinary Investigation (AMI)).

Setting

Baseline data from two subsamples of older farmers in southwestern France.

Participants

PAQUID (n = 595) and AMI (n = 906) participants aged 65 and older living at home at baseline (1988 PAQUID, 2008 AMI).

Measurements

Two methods were used to diagnose dementia: a clinical consensus diagnosis and a computer‐assisted taxonomy approach (cognitive impairment with disability (CIWD)) using Mini‐Mental State Examination and instrumental activity of daily living scores. Crude and standardized prevalences (using PAQUID age‐sex structure) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and logistic regression was used to explore confounding.

Results

The prevalence of consensus diagnosis of dementia was higher in AMI in 2008 than in PAQUID in 1988 (12.0% vs 5.7%, P < .001), whereas the reverse was observed for CIWD (14.8% vs 23.8%, P < .001), confirmed by logistic regressions (odds ratio (OR)AMIvsPAQUID = 2.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.52–4.12; ORAMIvs.PAQUID = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.42–0.87, respectively). Educational level increased and management of vascular risk factors improved over the study period, and health and living conditions improved globally.

Conclusion

These findings suggest global cognitive and functional improvement in old farmers (the prevalence of CIWD decreased by 40% over 20 years) and simultaneously a marked change in the subjective boundary between dementia and nondementia according to clinicians.
Distribution of Corticotrophin‐Releasing Factor Type 1 Receptor‐Like Immunoreactivity in the Rat Pituitary
Authors: Mano‐Otagiri A. , Nemoto T. , Yamauchi N. , Kakinuma Y. , Shibasaki T.
Published: December 2016

Corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) regulates the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis response to stress through its type 1 receptor (CRF1) in the corticotrophs of the anterior pituitary. Although CRF1 mRNA expression has been confirmed in the rat pituitary, the distribution pattern of CRF1 protein in the pituitary has not been reported. Therefore, we generated an antiserum against the amino acid fragment corresponding to the 177–188 sequence of the first extracellular loop of the rat CRF1. Using the antiserum, CRF1‐like immunoreactivity (CRF1‐LI) was detected in the anterior lobe cells of the rat pituitary where some of them expressed intense signals. CRF1‐LI also appeared in the intermediate lobe cells and on the fibre‐like elements of the posterior lobe of the pituitary. Dual immunofluorescence labelling showed that corticotrophs exhibited the highest percentage of CRF1 (male: 27.1 ± 3.0%, female: 18.0 ± 3.0%), followed by lactotrophs (male: 6.7 ± 3.0%, female: 12.1 ± 1.3%), gonadotrophs (male: 2.6 ± 1.0%, female: 7.5 ± 0.5%), thyrotrophs (male: 2.9 ± 0.1%, female: 5.3 ± 1.2%) and somatotrophs (male: 1.1 ± 0.3%, female: 1.2 ± 0.5%). The percentage of CRF1‐LI‐positive cells that were corticotrophs was significantly higher in male rats than in female rats, whereas CRF1‐LI‐positive lactotrophs and gonadotrophs were significantly higher in female rats than in male rats. Almost all of the melanotrophs were positive for CRF1 in the intermediate lobe (98.9 ± 0.2%). CRF1‐LI and the percentage of CRF1‐LI in corticotrophs were decreased in the anterior pituitary, and the distribution patterns were altered from a diffuse to punctate one by adrenalectomy; the changes were restored by treatment with dexamethasone (100 μg/kg bw). These results suggest that CRF1 is involved in the modulation of the functions of the pituitary; moreover, protein expression and the distribution patterns of CRF1 are regulated by glucocorticoids in the rat anterior pituitary.
Progressive left leg swelling
Authors: Di Martino Federica , Cirillo Marco , Casazza Ines , Geraci Filippo , Schingo Paolo Maria Salvatore , Tomà Paolo
Published: December 2016

See Answer
VARIATIONS IN PETROPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF UPPER PALAEOZOIC MIXED CARBONATE AND NON‐CARBONATE DEPOSITS, SPITSBERGEN, SVALBARD ARCHIPELAGO
Authors: Jafarian E. , Kleipool L.M. , Scheibner C. , Blomeier D.P.G. , Reijmer J.J.G.
Published: December 2016

The Late Carboniferous – Early Permian Gipsdalen Group and the Early to Late Permian Templefjorden Group are known hydrocarbon plays in the Arctic region, e.g. on the Finnmark Platform, Loppa High and Sverdrup Basin. Time‐equivalent deposits crop out on the island of Spitsbergen and consist of mixed carbonate and non‐carbonate (primarily siliciclastic, siliceous, organic‐carbon rich and clayey) sediments deposited in continental to deep‐marine settings.

In rock samples (n = 73) collected from five outcrop locations on Spitsbergen, thin‐section analysis showed the presence of ten microfacies types ranging from claystones and spiculitic cherts to rudstones and dolostones. Petrophysical and textural properties of the samples were measured to evaluate the link with the acoustic (P‐ and S‐wave) velocities of these generally tight rocks, which have an average porosity of about 2%.

Variations in acoustic velocity measurements primarily depend on variations in mineralogical composition (silica versus carbonate) and, to a lesser extent, on variations in porosity and bulk density. Pore networks in the sediments are dominated by microporosity and (micro)cracks, followed by interparticle porosity. Recrystallization effects and pore shape variations show a lesser effect on the P‐wave velocity. Clay content does not exceed 12.7% and also has a secondary impact on the acoustic velocities.

Defining which textural and physical parameters control the acoustic properties of these carbonate and non‐carbonate sedimentary rocks will help with the interpretation of the seismic response of equivalent deposits in the subsurface.
Monitoring cell‐specific neutral lipid accumulation in Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae) with Nile Red staining – a new method for FlowCAM
Authors: Natunen Katariina , Seppälä Jukka , Koivula Riikka‐Juulia , Pellinen Jukka
Published: December 2016

With the fluorescent stain Nile Red (NR), phytoplankton lipid accumulation can be monitored quickly and in situ. In the light of recent results in phytoplankton diversity research, there is also a need for cell‐ and species‐specific lipid measurement techniques. The objective of this work was to investigate whether cell‐specific phytoplankton lipid accumulation could be monitored with the image‐based particle analyzer FlowCAM™ and NR staining. Applying Phaeodactylum tricornutum as a model species, we compared the FlowCAM method to two established lipid quantification methods: spectrofluorometric NR fluorescence measurement and total lipid analysis by gas chromatography. The experiment was carried out in batch cultures under nitrogen limitation to induce lipid accumulation. We showed significant correlation between the three different lipid quantification methods confirming the applicability of the novel FlowCAM method in cell‐specific and near real‐time lipid quantification. Furthermore, with the method described here, the lipid content of taxonomically distinguished cells can eventually be measured from multispecies cultures, opening several new possibilities to study species‐specific responses to stress conditions and the complementarity effect.