bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANAC005 is a membrane‐associated transcription factor and regulates vascular development inArabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Jun , Liu Jiang‐Shu , Meng Fu‐Ning , Zhang Zhen‐Zhen , Long Hao , Lin Wen‐Hui , Luo Xiao‐Min , Wang Zhi‐Yong , Zhu Sheng‐Wei
Published: July 2015

Vascular tissues are very important for providing both mechanical strength and long‐distance transport. The molecular mechanisms of regulation of vascular tissue development are still not fully understood. In this study we identified ANAC005 as a membrane‐associated NAC family transcription factor that regulates vascular tissue development. Reporter gene assays showed that ANAC005 was expressed mainly in the vascular tissues. Increased expression of ANAC005 protein in transgenicArabidopsiscaused dwarf phenotype, reduced xylem differentiation, decreased lignin content, repression of a lignin biosynthetic gene and genes related to cambium and primary wall, but activation of genes related to the secondary wall. Expression of a dominant repressor fusion of ANAC005 had overall the opposite effects on vascular tissue differentiation and lignin synthetic gene expression. The ANAC005‐GFP fusion protein was localized at the plasma membrane, whereas deletion of the last 20 amino acids, which are mostly basic, caused its nuclear localization. These results indicate that ANAC005 is a cell membrane‐associated transcription factor that inhibits xylem tissue development inArabidopsis.
Linking thermodynamic modelling, Lu–Hf geochronology and trace elements in garnet: new P–T–t paths from the Sevier hinterland
Authors: Cruz‐Uribe A. M. , Hoisch T. D. , Wells M. L. , Vervoort J. D. , Mazdab F. K.
Published: July 2015

Major element, trace element and Lu–Hf geochronological data from amphibolite facies pelitic schist in the Raft River and Albion Mountains of northwest Utah and southern Idaho indicate that garnet grew during increasing pressure, interpreted to be the result of tectonic burial and crustal thickening during Sevier orogenesis. Garnet growth was interrupted by hiatuses interpreted from discontinuities in major element zonation. Pressure–temperature paths were determined from the pre‐hiatus portions of the garnet chemical zoning profiles and indicate an increase of ~2 kbar and ~50 °C in the western Raft River Mountains. Garnet Lu–Hf dates of 150 ± 1 Ma in the western Raft River Mountains and 138.7 ± 0.7 Ma and 132 ± 5 Ma in the southern Albion Mountains indicate the timing of garnet growth. Lutetium garnet zoning profiles indicate that the Lu–Hf ages are biased towards the post‐hiatus or outer pre‐hiatus segments, indicating that the determined ages likely post‐date the recorded P–T path history or date the tail end of the paths. Crustal thickening associated with Sevier orogenesis in the western Raft River Mountains thus began slightly before 150 ± 1 Ma, in the Late Jurassic. This study shows that integrating P–T paths determined from garnet growth zoning with Lu–Hf garnet geochronology and in situ garnet trace element analyses is an effective approach for interpreting and dating deformation events in orogenic belts.
Are positive allosteric modulators of α7 nAChRs clinically safe?
Authors: Uteshev Victor
Published: July 2015

A comment on “Positive allosteric modulation of alpha‐7 nicotinic receptors promotes cell death by inducing Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum” by M. Cano‐Abad et al. (2014) J Neurochem 133(3), 309–319 (DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13049).
Headless Myo10 is a regulator of microtubule stability during neuronal development
Authors: Yu Huali , Sun Dong , Wang Nannan , Wang Min , Lan Yongsheng , Fan Wenqiang , Zhao Yang , Guo Weixiang , Zhu Xiaojuan
Published: July 2015

Stabilized microtubules are required for neuronal morphogenesis and migration. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate that myosin X (Myo10), which is composed of full‐length myosin X (fMyo10) and headless myosin X (hMyo10), is important for axon development. fMyo10 is involved in axon elongation, whereas hMyo10 is critical for Tau‐1 positive axon formation through stabilizing microtubules. Furthermore, in vivo studies reveal that hMyo10‐mediated microtubule stability has a profound effect on both neuronal migration and dendritic arborization in the mammalian cerebral cortex. Taken together, our findings suggest that hMyo10 is involved in neuronal development both in vitro and in vivo by regulating microtubule stability.

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In this study, we demonstrate that headless myosin X (hMyo10) is involved in microtubule stability regulation, which is important for neuronal morphogenesis and migration. In vitro studies reveal that hMyo10 regulates Tau‐1 positive axon formation through stabilizing microtubules. Furthermore, in vivo studies reveal that hMyo10‐mediated microtubule stability has a profound effect on radial cortical neuronal migration and apical dendritic arborization.
Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities of paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1), mild cognitive impairment, and 2‐year conversion to dementia: A pilot study
Authors: Cervellati Carlo , Trentini Alessandro , Romani Arianna , Bellini Tiziana , Bosi Cristina , Ortolani Beatrice , Zurlo Amedeo , Passaro Angelina , Seripa Davide , Zuliani Giovanni
Published: July 2015

Converging lines of evidence suggest that paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1) may confer protection against inflammatory and oxidative challenge which, in turn, plays a key‐role in the onset and progression of dementia. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether serum PON‐1 paraoxonase/arylesterase activities might predict the clinical conversion of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) or vascular dementia (VAD). Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured by spectrophotometric assays at baseline in 141 MCI patients (median age: 77 years; interquartile range 71–81) and in 78 healthy controls (median age: 76 years; interquartile range 73–79). After 2 years of follow‐up, 86 MCI remained stable (MCI/MCI), 34 converted to LOAD (MCI/LOAD), whereas 21 converted to VAD (MCI/VAD). Baseline arylesterase activity was lower in all MCI groups compared with controls (all p < 0.01), whereas paraoxonase activity was lower in MCI/VAD group compared to controls (p < 0.05) and MCI/MCI patients (p = 0.009). Low paraoxonase and arylesterase activities (I quartile) were associated to higher risk of conversion to VAD (OR: 3.74, 95% CI: 1.37–10.25 and OR: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.17–8.56, respectively). Our results suggest that in MCI patients low PON‐1 activity might contribute to identify individuals susceptible to develop vascular dementia.

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Our study showed that in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) low serum levels of paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1) activity is associated with a higher likelihood of developing Vascular Dementia, but not Alzheimer's Disease. The observed connection might be explained by the ability of PON‐1 to retard low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, decrease oxidative stress, attenuate inflammation, and increase cholesterol efflux.
The −216‐ to −100‐bp Sequence in the 5′‐Flanking Region of the Oxytocin Gene Contains a Cell‐Type Specific Regulatory Element for its Selective Expression in Oxytocin Magnocellular Neurones
Authors: Fields R. L. , Gainer H.
Published: July 2015

The oxytocin (OXT) gene is abundantly and highly selectively expressed in magnocellular neurones (MCNs) of the hypothalamic‐neurohypophysial system. Previous DNA sequence deletion studies in vivo have shown that the −216‐ to −100‐bp sequence in the 5′‐flanking region of the oxytocin gene was required for its cell‐type specific expression in the rat supraoptic nucleus. In the present study, we test the coupled hypotheses that this −216‐ to −100‐bp sequence is responsible for (i) the selective expression of the OXT gene in OXT‐MNCs and (ii) its selective repression in vasopressin (AVP)‐MCNs. We show that, consistent with hypothesis 1, removal of the −216‐ to −100‐bp sequence from the OXT gene completely eliminates its expression in OXT‐MCNs in vivo but, in contrast to the prediction of hypothesis 2, there was no appearance of OXT gene expression in AVP‐MCNs. Taken together, these and other data demonstrate that the −216‐ to −100‐bp sequence in the 5′‐flanking region of the oxytocin gene contains only an activator of transcription operating in the OXT‐MCNs.
New Measures of Economic Security and Development: Savings Goals for Short‐ and Long‐Term Economic Needs
Authors: Nam Yunju , Lee Yungsoo , McMahon Shawn , Sherraden Michael
Published: July 2015

The long‐term economic security and development of a family depend largely upon saving and asset accumulation, yet most measures of economic well‐being focus on short‐term consumption needs. In this study, we take a broader view by specifying four types of savings goals for US families: precautionary, retirement, homeownership, and education goals. This study develops methods of calculating these savings goals for different types of families under various assumptions, using information from various sources. Our calculations also consider investment gains and differences in dollar values over time. We show that families should save between $155 and $572 every month to address all four savings goals. We find that the number of children in a family affects total monthly savings goals considerably but that the number of adults has limited impact. Savings goals can assist families in making financial plans and provide savings targets useful in development of policy.
Attitude toward Consumption and Subjective Well‐Being
Authors: Iyer Rajesh , Muncy James A.
Published: July 2015

The current study looked at the effects of attitude toward consumption (positive or negative) on subjective well‐being. This research studied attitude toward consumption at both the personal (micro) level and societal (macro) level and subjective well‐being in terms of cognitive well‐being and affective well‐being. Results indicated that micro attitudes, whether positive or negative, were positively related to a consumer's subjective well‐being. In contrast, macro attitudes were negatively related to subjective well‐being. We posit that these findings could be due to micro attitudes enhancing the person's feeling of autonomy and control. In contrast, macro attitudes may create concerns beyond the person's control. For those who wish to impact societal‐level consumption, these findings provide empirical support for the idea that focusing on the personal benefits of anticonsumption may be more effective than emphasizing larger societal concerns. We explore the potential implications of these findings for mandated vs. voluntary approaches to reducing consumption.
Lack of concordance and linkage disequilibrium among brothers for androgenetic alopecia and CAG/GGC haplotypes of the androgen receptor gene in Mexican families
Authors: Arteaga‐Vázquez Jazmín , López‐Hernández María A. , Svyryd Yevgeniya , Mutchinick Osvaldo M.
Published: July 2015

Background

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or common baldness is the most prevalent form of hair loss in males. Familial predisposition has been recognized, and heritability estimated in monozygotic twins suggests an important genetic predisposition. Several studies indicate that the numbers of CAG/GGC repeats in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene (AR) maybe associated with AGA susceptibility.

Aims

To investigate a possible correlation between AR CAG/GGC haplotypes and the presence or not of alopecia in sibships with two or more brothers among them at least one of them has AGA.

Patients/Methods

Thirty‐two trios including an alopecic man, one brother alopecic or not, and their mother were enrolled. Sanger sequencing of the exon 1 of the AR gene was conducted to ascertain the number of CAG/GGC repeats in each individual. Heterozygous mother for the CAG/GGC haplotypes was an inclusion criterion to analyze the segregation haplotype patterns in the family. Concordance for the number of repeats and AGA among brothers was evaluated using kappa coefficient and the probability of association in the presence of genetic linkage between CAG and GGC repeats and AGA estimated by means of the family‐based association test (FBAT).

Results

The median for the CAG and GGC repeats in the AR is similar to that reported in other populations. The CAG/GGC haplotypes were less polymorphic than that reported in other studies, especially due to the GGC number of repeats found. Kappa coefficient resulted in a concordance of 37.3% (IC 95%, 5.0–69.0%) for the AGA phenotype and identical CAG/GGC haplotypes. There was no evidence of linkage disequilibrium.

Conclusion

Our results do not confirm a possible correlation or linkage disequilibrium between the CAG/GGC haplotypes of the AR gene and androgenetic alopecia in Mexican brothers.
Role of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor expression on placenta structure in pre‐eclamptic pregnancy
Authors: Kurtoglu Emel , Altunkaynak Berrin Z. , Aydin Isinsu , Ozdemir Ayse Z. , Altun Gamze , Kokcu Arif , Kaplan Suleyman
Published: July 2015

Aim

Pre‐eclampsia is a hypertensive disease that is characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria after 20 gestational weeks and complicates 3–8% of all pregnancies. It is classified as either mild or severe pre‐eclampsia according to severity, and the aim of this study was to investigate the structural differences between these two classifications.

Methods

Placenta samples were collected from 68 women who underwent cesarean delivery. Total volume of villi and numerical density of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐ and placental growth factor (PIGF)‐positive cells were estimated on stereology and evaluated using one‐way ANOVA.

Results

There was no significantly difference in total villi volumes between the groups (P > 0.05). In contrast, on immunohistochemistry, the numerical density of VEGF‐positive cells in severe pre‐eclampsia was significantly different to the control and mild pre‐eclampsia groups (P<0.05). Additionally, the numerical density of PIGF‐positive cells in the mild and severe pre‐eclampsia group was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01).

Conclusion

There is no relationship between villi volume and pre‐eclampsia, although growth factors play a role in placental changes. The present results were supported by histopathology and several studies in the literature.
Prospective risk of stillbirth in women with placental mesenchymal dysplasia
Authors: Ishikawa Satoshi , Morikawa Mamoru , Yamada Takahiro , Akaishi Rina , Kaneuchi Masanori , Minakami Hisanori
Published: July 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to provide better counsel to pregnant women with suspected placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) regarding the risks of preterm birth and intrauterine fetal death.

Material and Methods

We reviewed the outcomes of 109 PMD pregnancies with gestational week (GW) ≥ 24 abstracted from 63 reports in the English‐language published reports, including two cases that we encountered recently. The prospective risk of stillbirth at GW N was defined as the number of women with stillbirth at GW ≥ N divided by the number of women giving birth at GW ≥ N.

Results

A total of 32 (29.4%) women experienced stillbirth at a median GW of 31 (range, 24–38). Preterm birth (GW < 37) occurred in 52 (67.5%) of the 77 live‐born infants. Only 25 (22.9%) women had full‐term (GW ≥ 37) live‐born infants. The prospective risks of stillbirth were 29.4% (32/109), 27.5% (25/91), 20.9% (14/67) and 13.0% (6/46) for women who reached GW 24+0, 28+0, 32+0 and 36+0 respectively.

Conclusion

As women with PMD are at markedly elevated risk of intrauterine fetal death, early admission to the hospital and intensive monitoring of fetal status should be considered, although whether this policy improves outcome has not been validated.
Epithelial ovarian cancer with CD117 phenotype is highly aggressive and resistant to chemotherapy
Authors: Conic Irena , Stanojevic Zorica , Jankovic Velickovic Ljubinka , Stojnev Slavica , Ristic Petrovic Ana , Krstic Miljan , Stanojevic Marko , Bogdanović Dragan , Stefanovic Vladisav
Published: July 2015

Aim

CD117 expression has a pathogenic role in many malignancies, including ovarian carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to examine the correlation of stemness‐associated marker CD117 with the clinicopathologic features of epithelial ovarian cancer and patient survival.

Material and Methods

The analysis included 240 primary ovarian carcinomas (OC) diagnosed during the period from 2005 to 2011 in the region of South Serbia. Age, pathohistological characteristics, presence and size of residual tumor, choice of therapy and response to the therapy were studied.

Results

Residual tumors were more frequently present in the patients with positive CD117 expression (18.1% vs 8.0%; P < 0.05). Chemotherapy according to paclitaxel/carboplatin protocol was more frequent in the patients with positive CD117 expression (70.9% vs 54.2%; P < 0.05), while carboplatin monotherapy was more frequent in the patients with negative CD117 expression (18.0% vs 6.4%; P < 0.05). Median survival time in patients with CD117‐positive mucinous and endometrioid OC was significantly shorter, at 20 and 26.8 months, respectively. Median survival in serous OC was not related to CD117 expression.

Conclusion

Residual tumors and chemotherapy treatment were more frequent in patients with positive CD117 expression. The outcome was dependent on the type of OC; a worse outcome, including a shorter survival, was documented in the mucinous and endometrioid OC cases.
Twin tubal pregnancy: A large unruptured ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Goswami Deepti , Agrawal Nidhi , Arora Vrinda
Published: July 2015

Twin ectopic pregnancy is a rare occurrence, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 20 000 spontaneous pregnancies. We describe a case of unilateral twin ectopic pregnancy in which the gravid fallopian tube showed no signs of tubal rupture despite marked tubal distension. A 25‐year‐old woman presented with clinical features suggestive of large right‐sided tubal ectopic pregnancy. Serum β‐human chorionic gonadotropin was 10 800 IU/mL. Laparotomy revealed markedly distended right fallopian tube. There was no hemoperitoneum. The tube contained twin gestational sacs. The crown–rump length of the embryos was 2 cm. The ectopic gestation was thus unique, in that despite marked tubal distension, the trophoblastic invasion was not significant to cause tubal rupture. There may be a role for medical management based on individual gestational sac size in selected cases of twin tubal pregnancy in which there is no evidence of hemoperitoneum.
Intrapartum risk factors for neonatal encephalopathy leading to cerebral palsy in women without apparent sentinel events
Authors: Yamada Takahiro , Cho Kazutoshi , Morikawa Mamoru , Yamada Takashi , Minakami Hisanori
Published: July 2015

Aim

To determine intrapartum factors associated with neonatal encephalopathy leading to cerebral palsy (NE‐CP).

Methods

A total of 70 NE‐CP patients who fulfilled study criteria (cephalic singleton pregnancy with attempted vaginal delivery [AVD] at gestational week [GW] ≥36; intrapartum occurrence of non‐reassuring fetal status without apparent cause following reassuring fetal status on admission; and development of NE‐CP) were compared with 210 AVD controls who had 1‐ and 5‐min Apgar score ≥8 matched for GW, maternal parity, and use of uterotonics. Suboptimal care was defined as delayed reaction due to misinterpretation of fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing, or inappropriate trial of instrumental delivery (TOID). Successful and failed TOID were defined as vaginal and cesarean delivery after TOID, respectively. The 210 controls were assumed not to have had suboptimal care.

Results

The rates of successful (34% vs 12%) and failed TOID (11% vs 0.0%), cesarean section (34% vs 14%), suboptimal care (57% vs 0.0%), pregnancy‐induced hypertension (11% vs 2.4%), birthweight ≥3800 g (8.6% vs 1.9%), subgaleal hemorrhage (16% vs 0.0%) were significantly higher in NE‐CP patients than in controls. Selection with the stepwise method and logistic regression analysis identified four independent risk factors for NE‐CP: suboptimal intrapartum care (OR, 2.21; 95%CI: 1.99–2.47), cesarean section (OR, 1.19; 95%CI: 1.08–1.31), successful TOID (OR, 1.14; 95%CI: 1.03–1.25), and hypertension (OR, 1.20; 95%CI: 1.01–1.42).

Conclusions

Training programs for improved interpretation of FHR tracing and appropriate TOID are required to prevent NE‐CP among healthy and mature fetuses in Japan.
Impact of interpregnancy interval on the subsequent risk of adverse perinatal outcomes
Authors: Ekin Atalay , Gezer Cenk , Taner Cuneyt Eftal , Ozeren Mehmet , Mat Emre , Solmaz Ulas
Published: July 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of interpregnancy interval as a risk factor on multiple adverse perinatal outcomes.

Material and Methods

Interpregnancy intervals and confounding factors were determined for healthy pregnancies (controls [n = 357]) and for pregnancies complicated by adverse perinatal outcomes. Interpregnancy interval was categorized as <6, 6–11, 12–17, 18–23, 24–35 and ≥36 months. Adverse outcomes included spontaneous labor leading to preterm birth (n = 265), preterm premature rupture of membranes (n = 245), pre‐eclampsia (n = 286), gestational diabetes (n = 302), abnormal placentation (n = 154), anemia (n = 314), congenital anomalies (n = 459), post‐partum hemorrhage (n = 326) and small for gestational age (n = 168). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of each outcome with the interpregnancy interval categories.

Results

Spontaneous labor leading to preterm birth (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–1.97), preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR, 1.69; 95%CI, 1.28–2.39), congenital anomalies (OR, 1.38; 95%CI, 1.09–1.76) and small for gestational age (OR, 1.68; 95%CI, 1.14–2.34) were significantly associated with intervals of <6 months. Among congenital anomalies, short interpregnancy interval represents an increased risk for cardiac defects (OR, 1.55; 95%CI, 1.09–5.46), neural tube defects (OR, 2.06; 95%CI, 1.32–7.64) and central nervous system anomalies (OR, 1.45; 95%CI, 1.12–3.65).

Conclusion

Short interpregnancy interval is an independent risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes.
Laparoscopic temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with silicone tubing to prevent hemorrhage during vacuum aspiration of cesarean scar pregnancies
Authors: Wang Lingling , Sun Lingbin , Wang Lijun , Chen Huifang , Ouyang Xue , Qiu Huiling
Published: July 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and effects of temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with silicone tubing on blood loss during vacuum aspiration of cesarean scar pregnancies (CSP).

Material and Methods

Six patients with CSP underwent removal of gestational masses via vacuum aspiration. At the beginning of the procedure, all patients underwent laparoscopic temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with tubing. The main measurements were the operating time, operative blood loss, Doppler examination of the uterine arteries, and complications of procedure.

Results

The median operation time was 99 min, the median time needed to put the tubing in place (the time from the opening of the retroperitoneum to positioning of the tubing) was 45.5 min and the median time of bilateral uterine artery occlusion with tubing was 32.5 min. The median blood loss was 97.5 mL, and none of the patients required blood transfusion. Doppler examination showed no difference in the pre‐ and postoperative resistance or pulsatility indices of the uterine vessels. There were no conspicuous complications. The serum ß‐human chorionic gonadotrophin level decreased to normal within 14–27 days after the operation.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with silicone tubing is an effective, minimally invasive procedure for reducing blood loss during vacuum aspiration in patients with CSP.
Should We Require Every New Venture to Be a Hybrid Organization?
Authors: McMullen Jeffery S. , Warnick Benjamin J.
Published: July 2015

Critics of entrepreneurial capitalism have argued that entrepreneurship creates dysfunction in individuals, families, communities, and society because entrepreneurs neglect social and environmental dimensions of value in favour of financial value creation. By way of contrast, hybrid organizations, such as Benefit Corporations, are created explicitly to address social and environmental objectives in addition to their financial objective. Therefore, in this paper we explore the consequences of a world of blended value in which every new venture is required to be a hybrid organization. In doing so, we reveal the boundary conditions of current social criticism levied against entrepreneurship and suggest that blended value may best be relegated to the role of ideal or guideline as opposed to normative or legal obligation.
Regional Cerebral Disease Progression in Friedreich's Ataxia: A Longitudinal Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study
Authors: Mascalchi Mario , Toschi Nicola , Giannelli Marco , Ginestroni Andrea , Della Nave Riccardo , Tessa Carlo , Piacentini Silvia , Dotti Maria Teresa , Aiello Marco , Nicolai Emanuele , Soricelli Andrea , Salvi Fabrizio , Diciotti Stefano
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Imaging biomarkers of disease progression are desirable in inherited ataxias. MRI has demonstrated brain damage in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) in form of regional atrophy of the medulla, peridentate cerebellar white matter (WM) and superior cerebellar peduncles (visible in T1‐weighted images) and of change of microstructural characteristics of WM tracts of the brainstem, cerebellar peduncles, cerebellum, and supratentorial structures (visible through diffusion‐weighted imaging). We explored the potential of brain MR morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to track the progression of neurodegeneration in FRDA.

METHODS

Eight patients (5F, 3M; age 13.4‐41.2 years) and 8 healthy controls (2F, 6M; age 26.2‐48.3 years) underwent 2 MRI examinations (mean 3.9 and 4.1 years apart, respectively) on the same 1.5T scanner. The protocol included 3D T1‐weighted images and axial diffusion‐weighted images (b‐value 1,000 s/mm2) for calculating maps of fractional anisotropy, mean, axial and radial diffusivity, and mode of anisotropy. Tensor‐based morphometry was used to investigate regional volume changes and tract‐based spatial statistics was used to investigate microstructural changes in WM tracts.

RESULTS

Longitudinal analyses showed no differences in regional volume changes but a significant difference in axial diffusivity changes in cerebral and corpus callosum WM of patients as compared to controls (mean longitudinal rate of change for axial diffusivity: −.02 × 10‐3 mm2/s/year in patients vs. .01 × 10‐3 mm2/s/year in controls). No correlation with number of triplets, disease duration, and worsening of the clinical deficit was observed.

CONCLUSION

DTI can track brain microstructural changes in FRDA and can be considered a potential biomarker of disease progression.
Efficacy of stabilisation splint therapy combined with non‐splint multimodal therapy for treating RDC/TMD axis I patients: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Nagata K. , Maruyama H. , Mizuhashi R. , Morita S. , Hori S. , Yokoe T. , Sugawara Y.
Published: July 2015

Stabilisation splint therapy has long been thought to be effective for the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, the superiority of stabilisation splint therapy compared to other TMD treatments remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of stabilisation splint therapy combined with non‐splint multimodal therapy for TMD. A total of 181 TMD participants were randomly allocated to a non‐splint multimodal therapy (NS) group (n = 85) or a non‐splint multimodal therapy plus stabilisation splint (NS+S) group (n = 96). Non‐splint multimodal therapy included self‐exercise of the jaw, cognitive–behavioural therapy, self‐management education and additional jaw manipulation. Three outcome measurements were used to assess treatment efficacy: mouth‐opening limitation, oro‐facial pain and temporomandibular joint sounds. A two‐factor repeated‐measures analysis of variance (anova) was used to evaluate the efficacy of the two treatment modalities (NS vs. NS+S), and Scheffe's multiple comparison test was used to compare the treatment periods. Subgroup analyses were performed to disclose the splint effects for each TMD diagnostic group. All three parameters significantly decreased over time in both groups. However, there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in the total comparison or subgroup analyses; an exception was the group with degenerative joint disease. No significant difference between the NS and NS+S treatment approaches was revealed in this study. Therefore, we conclude that the additional effects of stabilisation splint are not supported for patients with TMD during the application of multimodal therapy.
Personal experience: being depressed is worse than having advanced cancer
Authors: Deacon M.
Published: July 2015

This short paper addresses the experiences of a recently retired mental health nurse who has suffered from several episodes of depression during her long career and is now experiencing a life‐limiting illness. Rather than feeling safe within the embrace of the health profession family, the author feared negative consequences of exposing her mental health difficulties to her colleagues. Comparing the anguish of depression to the knowledge that she will die fairly soon has lead the author to question which experience is worse (for her, depression), thus emphasizing how trivializing depression may be a consequence of professional stigma and organizational neglect, as depression is not always prioritized in UK mental health services. Both of these matters may add layers of shame and fear to the sufferer's experience. The author argues that care workers should not take their criticism of stigma as a matter to be taken for granted but instead should be brave enough to face their own assumptions about who service users are and just what they experience. Stigma has real‐life consequences for those with mental health problems, particularly with regard to help‐seeking behaviour.
Effects of replacing wheat bran by pistachio skins on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, milk composition and blood metabolites of dairy Saanen goats
Authors: Naserian A. A. , Staples C. R. , Ghaffari M. H.
Published: July 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of pistachio skins (PiS) as a replacement of wheat bran on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, milk composition and blood metabolites of dairy Saanen goats. Eight multiparous lactating Saanen goats (55 ± 7.2 days post‐partum, 45 ± 2 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments arranged in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The dietary treatments were 1) 0 g/kg PiS and 210 g/kg wheat bran in the TMR (0PiS), 2) 70 g/kg PiS and 140 g/kg wheat bran in the TMR (7PiS), 3) 140 g/kg PiS and 70 g/kg wheat bran in the TMR (14PiS) and 4) 210 g/kg PiS and 0 g/kg wheat bran in the TMR (21PiS). The trial consisted of four 21‐day periods, each composed of 14 days adaptation and 7 days data collection. Dry matter intake (p < 0.05) and crude protein digestibility (p < 0.01) increased linearly with increasing PiS proportions in the diet. Increasing the proportion of PiS in the diet caused a quadratic increase in apparent digestibility of dry matter (p < 0.05), and tended (p = 0.05) to increase quadratically organic matter, and ether extract digestibility. Replacing wheat bran with PiS in the diet had no effects on milk yield, whereas milk fat concentration increased linearly (p < 0.01) with increasing inclusion of PiS in the diet. As the dietary proportion of PiS increased, ruminal pH tended (p = 0.07) to increase linearly, whereas ammonia‐N concentration declined in the rumen. Plasma concentrations of glucose and BUN remained unaffected, whereas triglycerides (p < 0.05) and cholesterol (p < 0.01) concentrations increased linearly with increasing inclusion of PiS in the diet. It was concluded that PiS based on local ingredients can successfully replace wheat bran in diets of dairy goats without detrimental effects on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and milk production.
Effect of glycated albumin and cranberry components on interleukin‐6 and matrix metalloproteinase‐3 production by human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Tipton D. A. , Hatten A. A. , Babu J. P. , Dabbous M. Kh.
Published: July 2015

Background and Objective

Gingival fibroblasts have the potential to participate in periodontal inflammation and breakdown, producing interleukin (IL)‐6 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐3. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), formed during diabetic hyperglycemia, might aggravate periodontal inflammation. The cranberry contains anti‐inflammatory polyphenols, which inhibit proinflammatory activities of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ and IL‐1β‐stimulated human cells. Little is known of its effects on gingival fibroblast IL‐6 or MMP‐3 production stimulated by AGEs. The objectives were to determine cranberry effects on IL‐6 and MMP‐3 production by gingival fibroblasts exposed to the representative AGE, glycated human serum albumin (G‐HSA), or LPS ± G‐HSA.

Material and Methods

Cranberry high molecular weight non‐dialyzable material (NDM), was derived from cranberry juice. Normal human gingival fibroblasts were incubated with G‐HSA or normal HSA or Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS (1 μg/mL) ± G‐HSA, in the presence or absence of preincubation with NDM. IL‐6 and MMP‐3 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using one‐way analysis of variance and Scheffe's F procedure.

Results

IL‐6 production was stimulated by G‐HSA or LPS (p < 0.01), which was inhibited in both cases by NDM (p < 0.002). [G‐HSA+LPS] synergistically stimulated IL‐6 production (p < 0.0001), which was inhibited by NDM. MMP‐3 levels were not stimulated by G‐HSA but were decreased by LPS (p < 0.02). [G‐HSA+LPS] increased MMP‐3 production significantly, vs. LPS (p = 0.0005). NDM inhibited MMP‐3 levels in the presence of G‐HSA or LPS, and in the presence of [G‐HSA+LPS] (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

G‐HSA ± LPS may have differential effects on IL‐6 and MMP‐3 production by human gingival fibroblasts, but both are inhibited by NDM. The study suggests that cranberry phenols may be useful in regulating the host response and perhaps treating periodontitis in patients with poorly controlled diabetes.
Participants’ Reactions to and Suggestions for Conducting Intimate Partner Violence Research: A Study of Rural Young Adults
Authors: Edwards Katie M. , Greaney Kayleigh , Palmer Kelly M.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To document rural young adults’ reasons for emotional reactions to participating in intimate partner violence (IPV) research as well as to hear young adults’ perspectives on how to most effectively conduct comprehensive IPV research in their rural communities.

Methods

The data presented in this paper draw from 2 studies (ie, an online survey study and an in‐person or telephone interview study) that included the same 16 US rural counties in New England and Appalachia. Participants, 47% of whom were in both studies, were young (age range 18‐24), white (92%‐94%), heterosexual (89%‐90%), female (62%‐68%), and mostly low to middle income.

Findings

Nine percent of participants reported they were upset by the questions due to personal experiences with IPV or for other reasons not related to personal IPV experiences. Forty percent of participants reported they personally benefited from participating in the study, and they provided various reasons for this benefit. Regarding suggestions for conducting IPV research with rural young adults, participants believed that both online recruitment and online data collection methods were the best ways to engage young adults, although many participants suggested that more than 1 modality was ideal, which underscores the need for multimethod approaches when conducting research with rural young adults.

Conclusions

These findings are reassuring to those committed to conducting research on sensitive topics with rural populations and also shed light on best practices for conducting this type of research from the voices of rural young adults themselves.
Rural‐Urban Differences in Prostate‐Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening and Its Outcomes in New Zealand
Authors: Obertová Zuzana , Hodgson Fraser , Scott‐Jones Joseph , Brown Charis , Lawrenson Ross
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To examine prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening patterns and outcomes in rural and urban men in New Zealand.

Methods

Men aged 40+ years were identified from 18 rural and 13 urban general practices across the Midland Cancer Network region. Computerized practice records were cross‐referenced with community laboratory data to ascertain the number and level of PSA tests undertaken in 2010 and 3 years prior. For men with an elevated PSA result in 2010, practice records were searched for information on specialist visits, and they were cross‐referenced with histology reports regarding biopsy and prostate cancer diagnosis.

Findings

The study population included 34,960 men aged 40+ years, of whom 48% were enrolled in rural practices. Men in rural practices were 43% less likely to be screened with a PSA test in 2010, but they were 53% more likely to have an elevated PSA result. The prostate cancer detection rate from all screened men was 6 per 1,000 for rural men compared with 3 per 1,000 for urban men. Rural men were more likely diagnosed with Gleason score 9 tumors and metastatic disease.

Conclusion

Significant differences were found in PSA screening patterns between rural and urban general practices. Due to lower screening rates, rural men were more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer when screened and also seemed to be diagnosed with more advanced disease compared with urban men. Despite ongoing discussions about the benefits and harms of PSA screening, PSA testing as such seems to be under‐utilized in New Zealand rural practices.
The Rising Rate of Rural Hospital Closures
Authors: Kaufman Brystana G. , Thomas Sharita R. , Randolph Randy K. , Perry Julie R. , Thompson Kristie W. , Holmes George M. , Pink George H.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Since 2010, the rate of rural hospital closures has increased significantly. This study is a preliminary look at recent closures and a formative step in research to understand the causes and the impact on rural communities.

Methods

The 2009 financial performance and market characteristics of rural hospitals that closed from 2010 through 2014 were compared to rural hospitals that remained open during the same period, stratified by critical access hospitals (CAHs) and other rural hospitals (ORHs). Differences were tested using Pearson's chi‐square (categorical variables) and Wilcoxon rank test of medians. The relationships between negative operating margin and (1) market factors and (2) utilization/staffing factors were explored using logistic regression.

Findings

In 2009, CAHs that subsequently closed from 2010 through 2014 had, in general, lower levels of profitability, liquidity, equity, patient volume, and staffing. In addition, ORHs that closed had smaller market shares and operated in markets with smaller populations compared to ORHs that remained open. Odds of unprofitability were associated with both market and utilization factors. Although half of the closed hospitals ceased providing health services altogether, the remainder have since converted to an alternative health care delivery model.

Conclusions

Financial and market characteristics appear to be associated with closure of rural hospitals from 2010 through 2014, suggesting that it is possible to identify hospitals at risk of closure. As closure rates show no sign of abating, it is important to study the drivers of distress in rural hospitals, as well as the potential for alternative health care delivery models.
Preserved calibration of persistence based on delay‐timing distribution during sleep deprivation
Authors: Massar Stijn A. A. , Chee Michael W. L.
Published: July 2015

We frequently encounter decisions where we have to determine whether to wait for a certain reward delayed for an uncertain duration or to move on. The appropriate decision depends upon the underlying temporal distribution of the delay. With some distributions it is best to be completely persistent, whereas in others it is more appropriate to abandon waiting after a certain period of time. The current study examined whether the ability to form temporal expectations and adjust persistence accordingly is compromised by sleep deprivation. Participants performed a willingness‐to‐wait task either in a well‐rested state or after a night of total sleep deprivation. Participants had to decide either to wait for a larger reward or to abandon waiting in favour of a smaller immediate reward. Delays were drawn from either a uniform distribution, where being persistent yields maximal returns, or from a heavy‐tailed distribution, where occasional long delays render full persistence suboptimal. In spite of increased sleepiness and decreased vigilance, sleep‐deprived participants were able to adjust waiting time appropriate to the experienced timing distribution. Additionally, sleep deprivation did not affect the foreperiod effect, indicating intact perception of conditional probability of temporal events and ability to adjust preparation accordingly.
Relationship between species diversity, biomass and light transmittance in temperate semi‐natural grasslands: is productivity enhanced by complementary light capture?
Authors: Feßel Carola , Meier Ina C. , Leuschner Christoph
Published: July 2015

Question

A positive plant diversity–above‐ground productivity relationship is often demonstrated in synthetic grassland stands established for functional biodiversity research, but this relationship is rarely found along diversity gradients in natural and semi‐natural grasslands. One of the key mechanisms proposed to cause a positive species diversity–above‐ground productivity relationship is increased complementarity in resource use. Using light transmittance to the ground as a measure of resource use intensity in semi‐natural grasslands, we tested the hypothesis that peak above‐ground biomass (as a proxy for productivity) increases and light transmittance decreases with increasing species richness, which would reflect higher complementarity in light capture.

Location

Semi‐natural temperate grasslands in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Methods

We investigated 31 grasslands with variable species richness on three different geological substrates (greywacke, limestone and sandstone) at two spatial scales (sub‐regional and regional).

Results

Structural equation modelling (SEM) and generalized linear models (GLM) revealed that species richness (5–22 species · 0.09 m−2) was negatively related to above‐ground biomass (AGB; 200–1350 g·m−2) and sward cover. The most influential determinant of AGB at the regional scale was temperature. Light transmittance was determined by sward cover, the cover of competitive species and AGB at the regional, and in part also at the sub‐regional level. We found no evidence for increased light capture complementarity with higher species richness.

Conclusion

This suggests that competitive exclusion, but not complementarity in above‐ground resource use, mediates above‐ground productivity in species‐rich plant assemblages.
Evaluation of Heterotrophic Algae Meal as a Diet Ingredient for Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
Authors: Kupchinsky Zachary A. , Coyle Shawn D. , Bright Leigh A. , Tidwell James H.
Published: July 2015

Most microalgae evaluated in aquaculture diets have been produced autotrophically. In order to produce a cost‐efficient biomass at greater magnitudes for biofuel feedstock, heterotrophic production may be warranted. However, the chemical/nutritional attributes of these microalgae could differ from those grown autotrophically. An 8‐wk feeding trial was conducted to evaluate Chlorella spp. algae meal (AM) that had been cultured heterotrophically. The oil (lipid) was extracted to simulate biofuel production. Juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (5.7 ± 1.4 g; 8.9 ± 0.8 cm), were stocked at 10 fish/tank into fifteen 37.7‐L aquaria in a closed recirculating system and fed one of the five experimental diets to apparent satiation twice daily. Diets contained either 0 (control, CTL), 10, 20, or 40% AM and an additional diet containing 40% AM was supplemented with 2% lysine (40% AM+LYS). After 8 wk, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of survival, dressout percentages, whole‐body proximate composition, or fatty acid composition of the fillets among fish fed the diets containing varying levels of AM without added lysine. Feed consumption and weight gain for fish fed the 10, 40, and 40% AM+LYS diets were significantly greater than those fed the CTL diet. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower for fish fed the 40% AM+LYS diet compared to those fed all other diets, which did not differ significantly from each other. These data indicate that channel catfish readily accept and can efficiently utilize heterotrophically produced AM at levels up to at least 40% of the total diet and that AM may enhance diet palatability.
‘Place‐ing’ fear of crime
Authors: Innes Martin
Published: July 2015

This commentary seeks to situate the work of Solymosi, Bowers, and Fujiyama (2015) in the literature on fear of crime, identifying several future opportunities where the methodological innovations they describe could be gainfully applied.
An evaluation of active acoustic methods for detection of marine mammals in the Canadian Beaufort Sea
Authors: Pyć Cynthia D. , Geoffroy Maxime , Knudsen Frank Reier
Published: July 2015

A commercially available fisheries sonar was mounted on an icebreaker and evaluated during an environmental baseline study in the Canadian Beaufort Sea, to determine the applicability of active acoustic monitoring (AAM) for marine mammal detection by comparing marine mammal observer (MMO) visual sightings and active acoustic detections. During 170 h of simultaneous MMO and AAM, 115 bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) and four beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) were visually sighted by MMOs, while 59 sonar detections of bowhead whales occurred using AAM. The fisheries sonar detected 92% of the cetaceans observed within 2,000 m. Additional observations of ringed seals (Pusa hispida) and bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) were recorded both by MMOs and AAM. Comparative results indicate that a commercially available active acoustic system can consistently detect marine mammals within varying ranges dictated by water column properties. Shallow environments and strong pycnoclines currently present challenges to AAM.
A phage display‐selected peptide inhibitor of Agrobacterium vitis polygalacturonase
Authors: Warren Jeremy G. , Kasun George W. , Leonard Takara , Kirkpatrick Bruce C.
Published: July 2015

Agrobacterium vitis, the causal agent of crown gall of grapevine, is a threat to viticulture worldwide. A major virulence factor of this pathogen is polygalacturonase, an enzyme that degrades pectin components of the xylem cell wall. A single gene encodes for the polygalacturonase gene. Disruption of the polygalacturonase gene results in a mutant that is less pathogenic and produces significantly fewer root lesions on grapevines. Thus, the identification of peptides or proteins that could inhibit the activity of polygalacturonase could be part of a strategy for the protection of plants against this pathogen. A phage‐displayed combinatorial peptide library was used to isolate peptides with a high binding affinity to A. vitis polygalacturonase. These peptides showed sequence similarity to regions of Oryza sativa (EMS66324, Japonica) and Triticum urartu (NP_001054402, wild wheat) polygalacturonase‐inhibiting proteins (PGIPs). Furthermore, these panning experiments identified a peptide, SVTIHHLGGGS, which was able to reduce A. vitis polygalacturonase activity by 35% in vitro. Truncation studies showed that the IHHL motif alone is sufficient to inhibit A. vitis polygalacturonase activity.