bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the abilities of Agaricus bisporus to degrade plant biomass throughout its life cycle
Authors: Patyshakuliyeva Aleksandrina , Post Harm , Zhou Miaomiao , Jurak Edita , Heck Albert J. R. , Hildén Kristiina S. , Kabel Mirjam A. , Mäkelä Miia R. , Altelaar Maarten A. F. , de Vries Ronald P.
Published: June 2015

The economically important edible basidiomycete mushroom Agaricus bisporus thrives on decaying plant material in forests and grasslands of North America and Europe. It degrades forest litter and contributes to global carbon recycling, depolymerizing (hemi‐)cellulose and lignin in plant biomass. Relatively little is known about how A. bisporus grows in the controlled environment in commercial production facilities and utilizes its substrate. Using transcriptomics and proteomics, we showed that changes in plant biomass degradation by A. bisporus occur throughout its life cycle. Ligninolytic genes were only highly expressed during the spawning stage day 16. In contrast, (hemi‐)cellulolytic genes were highly expressed at the first flush, whereas low expression was observed at the second flush. The essential role for many highly expressed plant biomass degrading genes was supported by exo‐proteome analysis. Our data also support a model of sequential lignocellulose degradation by wood‐decaying fungi proposed in previous studies, concluding that lignin is degraded at the initial stage of growth in compost and is not modified after the spawning stage. The observed differences in gene expression involved in (hemi‐)cellulose degradation between the first and second flushes could partially explain the reduction in the number of mushrooms during the second flush.
Maternal cardiac and obstetric performance in consecutive pregnancies in women with heart disease
Authors: Gelson E , Curry R , Gatzoulis MA , Swan L , Lupton M , Steer PJ , Johnson MR
Published: June 2015

Objective

Second pregnancies are usually less complicated than first pregnancies, and have a better outcome in terms of fetal growth. We studied a group of women with heart disease to assess whether their second pregnancy was less complicated and resulted in a larger baby.

Design

Retrospective case control study.

Setting

Tertiary referral academic obstetric unit.

Population

First and second pregnancies in 77 women with congenital and acquired heart disease and in 154 control women were identified.

Methods

Data were collected from medical and obstetric records.

Main outcome measures

Cardiac complications, obstetric complications, intra‐partum events, birthweight and perinatal complications.

Results

The rate of obstetric complication was greater in first pregnancies in both the heart disease and the control groups (38% versus 26%, cf. 20% versus 17%). In the heart disease group, the rate of cardiac complications was similar in first and second pregnancies (9% versus 6%). Overall, significantly more perinatal complications were seen in the heart disease group, with no significant difference between first and second pregnancies (36% versus 27%, cf. 14% versus 12%). Median birthweight was significantly higher in second pregnancies in the control group (3308 versus 3519 g P < 0.001), but not significantly different between pregnancies in the heart disease group (3014 versus 3133 g, P = 0.19).

Conclusions

This case control study demonstrates that women with mild to moderate heart disease have similar pregnancy outcomes in consecutive pregnancies. However, while the median birthweight was higher in the control second pregnancies, it was not increased in the women with heart disease.

Tweetable abstract

A study of women with heart disease to assess whether their second pregnancy was less complicated.
The Role of Patient Factors, Cancer Characteristics, and Treatment Patterns in the Cost of Care for Medicare Beneficiaries with Breast Cancer
Authors: Xu Xiao , Herrin Jeph , Soulos Pamela R. , Saraf Avantika , Roberts Kenneth B. , Killelea Brigid K. , Wang Shi‐Yi , Long Jessica B. , Wang Rong , Ma Xiaomei , Gross Cary P.
Published: June 2015

Objective

To characterize Medicare expenditures on initial breast cancer care and examine variation in expenditures across hospital referral regions (HRRs).

Data Source

We identified 29,110 women with localized breast cancer diagnosed in 2005–2008 and matched controls from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare linked database.

Study Design

Using hierarchical generalized linear models, we estimated per patient Medicare expenditure on initial breast cancer care across HRRs and assessed the contribution of patient, cancer, and treatment factors to regional variation via incremental models.

Principal Findings

Mean Medicare expenditure for initial breast cancer care was $19,255 per patient. The average expenditures varied from $15,053 in the lowest‐spending HRR quintile to $23,480 in the highest‐spending HRR quintile. Patient sociodemographic, comorbidity, and tumor characteristics explained only 1.8 percent of the difference in expenditures between the lowest‐ and highest‐spending quintiles, while use of specific treatment modalities explained 14.5 percent of the difference. Medicare spending on radiation therapy differed the most across the quintiles, with the use of intensity modulated radiation therapy increasing from 1.7 percent in the lowest‐spending quintile to 11.6 percent in the highest‐spending quintile.

Conclusions

Medicare expenditures on initial breast cancer care vary substantially across regions. Treatment factors are major contributors to the variation.
Adipose‐derived stem cells: A candidate for liver regeneration
Authors: Yang Dan , Wang Zhong Qiong , Deng Jia Qi , Liao Jing Yuan , Wang Xuan , Xie Jing , Deng Ming Ming , Lü Mu Han
Published: June 2015

The scarcity of donor livers and the impracticality of hepatocyte transplantation represent the biggest obstacles for the treatment of liver failure. Adipose‐derived stem cells, with their ability to differentiate into the hepatic lineage, provide a reliable alternative cell source with clear ethical and practical advantages. Moreover, adipose‐derived stem cells can effectively repair liver damage by the dominant indirect pattern and increase the number of hepatocytes by the secondary direct pattern. In recent years, the development of the indirect pattern, which mainly includes immunomodulatory and trophic effects, has become a hot topic in the field of cell engineering. Therefore, adipose‐derived stem cells are considered to be ideal therapeutic stem cells for human liver regeneration. In this article, we reviewed the advantages of adipose‐derived stem cells in liver regeneration, and explore their underlying mechanisms.
Combined effects of sex hormone‐binding globulin and sex hormones on risk of incident type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hu Jinbo , Zhang Aiping , Yang Shumin , Wang Yue , Goswami Richa , Zhou Huang , Zhang Yi , Wang Zhihong , Li Rong , Cheng Qingfeng , Zhen Qianna , Li Qifu
Published: June 2015

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the combined effects of sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) and sex hormones on the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

A nested case‐control study of Chinese participants in the Environment, Inflammation and Metabolic Diseases Study (2008–13) was performed. Of the 3510 subjects free of diabetes, 145 men and 87 women developed diabetes over the 5‐year follow‐up. One age‐ and sex‐matched control subject was selected for each case. Baseline concentrations of SHBG, estradiol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) were divided into tertiles and subjects were classified as having low, intermediate and high levels accordingly.

Results

After multivariate adjustment, men with low SHBG levels had a fourfold greater risk of T2D than men with high SHBG levels. Conversely, men with high estradiol levels had a fourfold greater risk of T2D than men with low estradiol levels. Men with low SHBG + high estradiol had a 20‐fold greater risk of T2D than men with high SHBG + low estradiol (odds ratio [OR] 20.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.62–51.33). These risk associations in men were not observed for testosterone or DHEA‐S, alone or in combination with SHBG. Compared with low SHBG, the risk of T2D decreased with increasing SHBG tertile (OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.21–4.53], 0.14 [95% CI 0.10–0.74]; Ptrend = 0.043) after multivariate adjustment in women. Estradiol, testosterone, and DHEA‐S levels showed no association with T2D in women.

Conclusion

Low SHBG in conjunction with high estradiol has an additive detrimental effect on the risk of T2D in men.
Genetic markers of type 2 diabetes: Progress in genome‐wide association studies and clinical application for risk prediction
Authors: Wang Xueyin , Strizich Garrett , Hu Yonghua , Wang Tao , Kaplan Robert C. , Qi Qibin
Published: June 2015

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a leading public health challenge worldwide. To date, a total of 83 susceptibility loci for T2D have been identified by genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). Application of meta‐analysis and modern genotype imputation approaches to GWAS data from diverse ethnic populations has been key in the effort to discover T2D loci. Genetic information is expected to play a vital role in the prediction of T2D, and many efforts have been made to develop T2D risk models that include both conventional and genetic risk factors. Yet, because most T2D genetic variants identified have small effect size individually (10%–20% increased risk of T2D per risk allele), their clinical utility remains unclear. Most studies report that a genetic risk score combining multiple T2D genetic variants does not substantially improve T2D risk prediction beyond conventional risk factors. In this article, we summarize the recent progress of T2D GWAS and further review the incremental predictive performance of genetic markers for T2D.
Were Information Intermediaries Sensitive to the Financial Statement‐Based Leading Indicators of Bank Distress Prior to the Financial Crisis?
Authors: Desai Hemang , Rajgopal Shiva , Yu Jeff Jiewei
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we address two questions that emerged in the aftermath of the 2008 financial/banking crisis. First, did the financial statements of bank holding companies provide an early warning of their impending distress? Second, were the actions of four key financial intermediaries (short sellers, equity analysts, Standard and Poor's credit ratings, and auditors) sensitive to the information in the banks’ financial statements about their increased risk and potential distress? We find a significant cross‐sectional association between banks’ 2006 Q4 financial information and bank failures over 2008–2010, suggesting that the financial statements reflected at least some of the increased risk of bank distress in advance. The mean abnormal short interest in our sample of banks increased from 0.66 percent in March 2005 to 2.4 percent in March 2007 and the association between short interest and leading financial statement indicators also increased. In contrast, we observe neither a meaningful change in analysts’ recommendations, Standard and Poor's credit ratings, and audit fees nor an increased sensitivity of these actions to financial indicators of bank distress over this time period. Our results suggest that actions of short sellers likely provided an early warning of the banks’ upcoming distress prior to the 2008 financial crisis.
A stakeholder analysis of employee disclosures in annual reports
Authors: Kent Pamela , Zunker Tamara
Published: June 2015

Little empirical research has identified what drives companies to voluntarily report employee‐related information. Ullmann's three‐dimensional stakeholder theory model is applied as a framework to analyse associations with corporate employee‐related disclosures. Measures are developed to estimate stakeholder power, strategic posture and economic performance associated with employee‐related disclosures. Results indicate that employee‐related disclosures increase with more employee share ownership, employee concentration, the quality of corporate governance, employee recognition in corporate mission statements, adverse publicity about employees and economic performance measured by profit per employee.
Consumers’ preferences for fresh broccolis: interactive effects between country of origin and organic labels
Authors: Xie Jing , Gao Zhifeng , Swisher Marilyn , Zhao Xin
Published: June 2015

While international trade in organic products has grown significantly, understanding consumers’ preferences for imported organic foods has remained limited. This research examines the impact of country‐of‐origin labeling on US consumers’ choices of organic foods. Results show that consumer valuation of domestically produced organic broccoli was significantly higher than that of imported organic broccoli. Adding information about USDA organic certification standards/rules for imported products mildly increases consumer valuation of imported organic broccoli in some cases. These findings suggest that providing such information may have a positive impact on consumer willingness to purchase imported organic products.
Hedging Barrier Options in GARCH Models with Transaction Costs
Authors: Huang Shih‐Feng , Tsai Chan‐Yi
Published: June 2015

This study proposes a modified strike‐spread method for hedging barrier options in generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models with transaction costs. A simulation study was conducted to investigate the hedging performance of the proposed method in comparison with several well‐known static methods for hedging barrier options. An accurate, easy‐to‐implement and fast scheme for generating the first passage time under the GARCH framework which enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the simulation is also proposed. Simulation results and an empirical study using real data indicate that the proposed approach has a promising performance for hedging barrier options in GARCH models when transaction costs are taken into consideration.
Pregnancy outcomes in breech presentation analyzed according to intended mode of delivery
Authors: Mattila Mirjami , Rautkorpi Jatta , Heikkinen Tuija
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Optimal mode of delivery in breech presentation has been widely examined and debated. The aim of this study was to compare perinatal and maternal outcomes with either a policy of planned vaginal delivery or planned cesarean section in breech presentation.

Material and methods

This was a registry‐based retrospective cohort study from Turku University Hospital, Finland with 1418 singleton breech deliveries at term over a period of 11 years (January 2002 to December 2012). Data were collected from the mothers' medical records.

Results

Apgar scores at 5 min as well as umbilical artery pH values were significantly lower in the planned vaginal breech delivery group compared with the planned cesarean section group, suggesting a short‐lasting delayed recovery after birth. There were more puerperal infections in planned cesarean section group compared with the planned vaginal delivery group.

Conclusions

The results confirm that planned vaginal breech delivery results in short‐lasting delayed recovery after birth compared with planned cesarean section.
Randomised clinical trial: a placebo‐controlled study of intravenous golimumab induction therapy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Rutgeerts P. , Feagan B. G. , Marano C. W. , Padgett L. , Strauss R. , Johanns J. , Adedokun O. J. , Guzzo C. , Zhang H. , Colombel J.‐F. , Reinisch W. , Gibson P. R. , Sandborn W. J. ,   the PURSUIT‐IV study group
Published: June 2015

Background

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)‐antagonism effectively treats ulcerative colitis (UC). The golimumab clinical programme evaluated subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) induction, and SC maintenance regimens, in TNFα‐antagonist‐naïve patients with moderate‐to‐severe active UC despite conventional treatment.

Aim

To evaluate dose–response relationship, select IV golimumab induction doses for continued development, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of selected doses.

Methods

Adults with Mayo scores of 6–12 and endoscopic subscores ≥2 were enrolled into this multicentre, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, integrated Phase 2/3 dose‐finding/dose‐confirming study. In Phase 2, 176 patients were randomised (1:1:1:1) to a single IV infusion of placebo, 1‐, 2‐ or 4‐mg/kg golimumab. While Phase 2 data were analysed to select doses for continued development, 71 additional patients were randomised. Phase 3 enrolment stopped after 44 additional patients were randomised (1:1:1) to placebo, 2‐ or 4‐mg/kg golimumab. Due to insufficient power for the Phase 3 primary endpoint analysis (clinical response at week 6), efficacy analyses are considered exploratory and include all randomised patients.

Results

No dose–response was observed in Phase 2; however, higher serum golimumab exposure was associated with greater proportions of patients achieving more favourable clinical outcomes, clinical response and greater improvement in Mayo scores compared with placebo‐treated patients and those with lower serum concentrations. Among all randomised patients, numerically greater proportions were in clinical response at week 6 in the 2‐ and 4‐mg/kg golimumab groups compared with placebo [44.0% (33/75) and 41.6% (32/77) vs. 30.1% (22/73)].

Conclusions

Efficacy with single‐dose golimumab IV induction was lower than expected and less than observed in the SC induction study. No new safety findings were observed. ClinicalTrials.gov Number, NCT00488774.
4β‐hydroxycholesterol as an endogenous CYP3A marker in cancer patients treated with taxanes
Authors: de Graan Anne‐Joy M. , Sparreboom Alex , de Bruijn Peter , de Jonge Evert , van der Holt Bronno , Wiemer Erik A. C. , Verweij Jaap , Mathijssen Ron H. J. , van Schaik Ron H. N.
Published: June 2015

Aim

Taxanes are anti‐cancer agents used to treat several types of solid tumours. They are metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A, displaying a large pharmacokinetic (PK) variability. In this study, we evaluated the endogenous CYP3A4 marker 4β‐hydroxycholesterol (4β‐OHC) as a potential individual taxane PK predictor.

Methods

Serum 4β‐OHC and cholesterol concentrations were determined in 291 paclitaxel and 151 docetaxel‐treated patients, and were subsequently correlated with taxane clearance.

Results

In the patients treated with paclitaxel, no clinically relevant correlations between the 4β‐OHC or 4β‐OHC : cholesterol ratio and paclitaxel clearance were found. In the patients treated with docetaxel, 4β‐OHC concentration was weakly correlated with docetaxel clearance in males (r = 0.35 P = 0.01, 95% CI 0.08, 0.58). Of the 10% patients with taxane outlier clearance values, 4β‐OHC did correlate with docetaxel clearance in males (r = 0.76, P = 0.03, 95% CI 0.12, 0.95).

Conclusion

There was no clinical correlation between paclitaxel clearance and the CYP3A4 activity markers 4β‐OHC or the 4β‐OHC : cholesterol ratio. A weak correlation was observed between 4β‐OHC and docetaxel clearance, but only in males. This endogenous CYP3A4 marker has limited predictive value for taxane clearance in patients.
Personalized peptide vaccination for cervical cancer patients who have received prior platinum‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Kawano Kouichiro , Tsuda Naotake , Waki Kayoko , Matsueda Satoko , Hata Yoshiro , Ushijima Kimio , Itoh Kyogo , Yamada Akira , Kamura Toshiharu
Published: June 2015

A feasibility study was performed to evaluate the immunological efficacy and safety of a personalized peptide vaccine (PPV) for cervical cancer patients who have received platinum‐based chemotherapy. A total of 24 patients with standard chemotherapy‐resistant cervical cancer, including 18 recurrent cases, were enrolled in this study and received a maximum of 4 peptides based on HLA‐A types and IgG levels to the vaccine candidate peptides in pre‐vaccination plasma. The parental protein expression of most of the vaccine peptides was confirmed in the cervical cancer tissues. No vaccine‐related systemic grade 3 or 4 adverse events were observed in any patients. Due to disease progression, 2 patients failed to complete the first cycle of vaccinations (sixth vaccination). Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) or IgG responses specific for the peptides used for vaccination were augmented in half of cases after the first cycle. The median overall survival was 8.3 months. The clinical responses of the evaluable 18 cases consisted of 1 case with a partial response and 17 cases with disease progression; the remaining 6 cases were not evaluable. Performance status, injection site skin reaction and circulating PD‐1+CD4+ T‐cells were significantly prognostic of overall survival, and multivariate analysis also indicated that the performance status and circulating PD‐1+CD4+ T‐cells were prognostic. Because of the safety and immunological efficacy of PPV and the possible prolongation of overall survival, further clinical trials of PPV at a larger scale in advanced or recurrent cervical cancer patients who have received prior platinum‐based chemotherapy are recommended.
Inhibition of microRNA‐214 ameliorates hepatic fibrosis and tumor incidence in platelet‐derived growth factor C transgenic mice
Authors: Okada Hikari , Honda Masao , Campbell Jean S. , Takegoshi Kai , Sakai Yoshio , Yamashita Taro , Shirasaki Takayoshi , Takabatake Riuta , Nakamura Mikiko , Tanaka Takuji , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: June 2015

Differentially regulated microRNA (miRNA) are associated with hepatic fibrosis; however, their potential usefulness for blocking hepatic fibrosis has not been exploited fully. We examined the expression of miRNA in the liver of a transgenic mouse model in which platelet‐derived growth factor C (PDGF‐C) is overexpressed (Pdgf‐c Tg), resulting in hepatic fibrosis and steatosis and the eventual development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Robust induction of miR‐214 correlated with fibrogenesis in the liver of Pdgf‐c Tg mice, atherogenic high‐fat diet‐induced NASH mice, and patients with chronic hepatitis B or C. Pdgf‐c Tg mice were injected with locked nucleic acid (LNA)‐antimiR‐214 via the tail vein using Invivofectamine 2.0 and the degree of hepatic fibrosis and tumor incidence were evaluated. Pdgf‐c Tg mice treated with LNA‐antimiR‐214 showed a marked reduction in fibrosis and tumor incidence compared with saline or LNA‐miR‐control‐injected control mice. In vitro, LNA‐antimiR‐214 significantly ameliorated TGF‐β1‐induced pro‐fibrotic gene expression in Lx‐2 cells. MiR‐214 targets a negative regulator of EGFR signaling, Mig‐6. Mimic‐miR‐214 decreased the expression of Mig‐6 and increased the levels of EGF‐mediated p‐EGFR (Y1173 and Y845) and p‐Met (Tyr1234/1235) in Huh‐7 cells. Conversely, LNA‐antimiR‐214 repressed the expression of these genes. In conclusion, miR‐214 appears to participate in the development of hepatic fibrosis by modulating the EGFR and TGF‐β signaling pathways. LNA‐antimiR‐214 is a potential therapy for the prevention of hepatic fibrosis.
Enhanced osteoconductivity of polyethersulphone nanofibres loaded with bioactive glass nanoparticles inin vitroandin vivomodels
Authors: Ardeshirylajimi A. , Farhadian S. , Jamshidi Adegani F. , Mirzaei S. , Soufi Zomorrod M. , Langroudi L. , Doostmohammadi A. , Seyedjafari E. , Soleimani M.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

There is growing need for new scaffold constructions for synthetic bone graft substitutes to repair large bone lesions. A very promising and important class of new implants for tissue engineering is based on three‐dimensional scaffolds and bioceramics.

Materials and methods

In this study, after investigation of mechanical properties of polyethersulphone (PES) nanofibres, fabricated by electrospinning methodology and coated with bioactive glass (BG), cells of theMG‐63 line were cultured on surfaces of these scaffolds. Their capacity to supportMG‐63 proliferation was also investigatedin vitrobyMTTassay. Osteoconductivity on these scaffolds was investigated by the common osteogenic markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium mineral deposition and bone‐related gene activation. Next, a bone reconstruction of rat critical‐size defects model was evaluated using radiographic imaging analysis (digital mammography), computed tomography and histological examination.

Results

In vitroresults indicated that biocompatibility and osteogenic markers ofMG‐63 cells were significantly enhanced after coatingPESwithBG. Based onin vivoresults, new bone formation in the defect site was enhanced in implanted rats in comparison with a control group. The highest reconstruction was observed in animals implanted withBG‐coated nanofibres.

Conclusions

Osteoconductivity ofPESnanofibres was markedly enhanced after coating them withBG, and introduction of this construct as new bone‐graft substitute for bone loss and defects is indicated.
Influences on the drinking of heavier drinkers: Interactional realities in seeking to ‘change drinking cultures’
Authors: Room Robin , Callinan Sarah , Dietze Paul
Published: June 2015

Introduction and Aims

‘Changing drinking culture’ is a prominent goal in the Australian state of Victoria's current alcohol strategy—seeking a shift so that ‘excessive drinking isn't seen as the norm’. As a social activity, there is a strong collective aspect to drinking and associated behaviour: customs within the drinking group and at the level of social worlds of drinking operate both to increase and to control drinking patterns and associated behaviours. The paper considers how risky drinkers and those in social worlds of heavy drinking experience others' expectations about drinking.

Design and Methods

Using Victorian population survey responses (n = 2092 adults who had consumed alcohol in previous year) to identify those in a social world of group drinking, and a subcategory who are also risky drinkers, the paper explores pressures on those in these categories both to drink more and to drink less, whether from family members, from work colleagues, or from friends.

Results

Those who are both risky and social drinkers are much more likely than other drinkers to report pressures to drink more from friends and workmates, and even from family members, although they more often report pressures from family members to drink less than to drink more.

Discussion and Conclusions

Efforts to change a drinking culture, it is argued, must take account of the collective nature of drinking and of the interplay of influences at interpersonal and subcultural levels if they are to be effective in reducing rates of heavy drinking and alcohol problems. [Room R, Callinan S, Dietze P. Influences on the drinking of heavier drinkers: Interactional realities in seeking to ‘change drinking cultures’. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015]
A systematic review of behavioural interventions to reduce preoperative alcohol use
Authors: Fernandez Anne C. , Claborn Kasey R. , Borsari Brian
Published: June 2015

Issues

Preoperative alcohol use is associated with an increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. Short‐term abstinence prior to elective surgery has been shown to reduce postoperative risks. Therefore, behavioural intervention (BI) targeting risky drinking may have significant utility in preventing surgical complications.

Approach

The literature was systematically reviewed to identify the scope and outcomes of BIs aiming to reduce alcohol use in risky drinkers before they underwent surgery. Five databases were searched using PRISMA criteria. Of 1243 studies identified, four met pre‐established inclusion criteria: (i) implementation of a BI prior to an elective surgery; (ii) the BI‐targeted alcohol use among risky drinkers; and (iii) printed in English.

Key Findings

Two studies indicated significant reductions in alcohol use at follow ups, and one study demonstrated reductions in postoperative risks. These findings are encouraging, but in light of methodological limitations, the efficacy of preoperative BIs for risky drinking could not be determined.

Implications

Future efforts to screen and implement BIs addressing alcohol use in preoperative patients should carefully define risky drinking, allow ample time for recruitment prior to surgery, implement empirically supported interventions, examine the impact of relevant covariates, and consider the statistical power needed to detect change in postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Given the strong link between preoperative alcohol use and postoperative risks, additional research on preoperative BIs is critically needed. Existing research suggests several promising directions for research that may enhance future intervention efforts with this high‐risk population. [Fernandez AC, Claborn KR, Borsari B. A systematic review of behavioural interventions to reduce preoperative alcohol use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:508–20]
Individual, school‐related and family characteristics distinguish co‐occurrence of drinking and depressive symptoms in very young adolescents
Authors: Salom Caroline L. , Kelly Adrian B. , Alati Rosa , Williams Gail M. , Patton George C. , Williams Joanne W.
Published: June 2015

Introduction and Aims

Alcohol misuse and depressed mood are common during early adolescence, and comorbidity of these conditions in adulthood is associated with poorer health and social outcomes, yet little research has examined the co‐occurrence of these problems at early adolescence. This study assessed risky and protective characteristics of pre‐teens with concurrent depressed mood/early alcohol use in a large school‐based sample.

Design and Methods

School children aged 10–14 years (n = 7289) from late primary and early secondary school classes in government, Catholic and independent sectors participated with parental consent in the cross‐sectional Healthy Neighbourhoods Study. Key measures included depressed mood, recent alcohol use, school mobility, family relationship quality, school engagement and coping style. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to identify school and family‐related factors that distinguished those with co‐occurring drinking and depressive symptoms from those with either single condition. Gender and school‐level interactions for each factor were evaluated.

Results

Co‐occurring conditions were reported by 5.7% of students [confidence interval (CI)95 5.19, 6.19]. Recent drinkers were more likely than non‐drinkers to have symptoms consistent with depression (odds ratio 1.80; CI95 1.58, 2.03). Low school commitment was associated with co‐occurring drinking/depressive symptoms (odds ratio 2.86; CI95 2.25, 3.65 compared with null condition). This association appeared to be weaker in the presence of adaptive stress‐coping skills (odds ratio 0.18; CI95 0.14, 0.23).

Conclusions

We have identified factors that distinguish pre‐teens with very early co‐occurrence of drinking and depressed mood, and protective factors with potential utility for school‐based prevention programmes targeting these conditions. [Salom CL, Kelly AB, Alati R, Williams GM, Patton GC, Williams JW. Individual, school‐related and family characteristics distinguish co‐occurrence of drinking and depressive symptoms in very young adolescents. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:387–396]
Market Impact under a New Regulatory Regime: Credit Rating Agencies in Europe
Authors: Alsakka Rasha , Gwilym Owain ap , Klusak Patrycja , Tran Vu
Published: June 2015

We investigate whether there are any identifiable differences in market perceptions of rating news released by Moody's, S&P and Fitch following the establishment of a new regulatory regime in July 2011, when the European Securities and Markets Authority assumed responsibility for rating agencies' regulation in Europe. We focus the analysis on the impact of bank rating actions on stock returns and volatility during 2008–2013. Among the intended effects of the new regulatory regime are higher rating quality and enhanced market stability, yet we find very mixed evidence. Many differentials in market responses across CRAs are identified, which mean that a consistent effect of the new regulatory regime is not discernible.
Seizure characteristics of epilepsy in childhood after acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion
Authors: Ito Yuji , Natsume Jun , Kidokoro Hiroyuki , Ishihara Naoko , Azuma Yoshiteru , Tsuji Takeshi , Okumura Akihisa , Kubota Tetsuo , Ando Naoki , Saitoh Shinji , Miura Kiyokuni , Negoro Tamiko , Watanabe Kazuyoshi , Kojima Seiji
Published: June 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to clarify characteristics of post‐encephalopathic epilepsy (PEE) in children after acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD), paying particular attention to precise diagnosis of seizure types.

Methods

Among 262 children with acute encephalopathy/encephalitis registered in a database of the Tokai Pediatric Neurology Society between 2005 and 2012, 44 were diagnosed withAESDaccording to the clinical course and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and were included in this study. Medical records were reviewed to investigate clinical data,MRIfindings, neurologic outcomes, and presence or absence ofPEE. Seizure types ofPEEwere determined by both clinical observation by pediatric neurologists and ictal video–electroencephalography (EEG) recordings.

Results

Of the 44 patients afterAESD, 10 (23%) hadPEE. The period between the onset of encephalopathy andPEEranged from 2 to 39 months (median 8.5 months). Cognitive impairment was more severe in patients withPEEthan in those without. Biphasic seizures and status epilepticus during the acute phase of encephalopathy did not influence the risk ofPEE. The most common seizure type ofPEEon clinical observation was focal seizures (n = 5), followed by epileptic spasms (n = 4), myoclonic seizures (n = 3), and tonic seizures (n = 2). In six patients withPEE, seizures were induced by sudden unexpected sounds. Seizure types confirmed by ictal video‐EEG recordings were epileptic spasms and focal seizures with frontal onset, and all focal seizures were startle seizures induced by sudden acoustic stimulation. Intractable daily seizures remain in six patients withPEE.

Significance

We demonstrate seizure characteristics ofPEEin children afterAESD. Epileptic spasms and startle focal seizures are common seizure types. The specific seizure types may be determined by the pattern of diffuse subcortical white matter injury inAESDand age‐dependent reorganization of the brain network.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in the control of HF development and cycling: the next frontiers in hair research
Authors: Andl Thomas , Botchkareva Natalia V.
Published: June 2015

Hair follicle development and its postnatal regeneration are characterized by dramatic changes in its microanatomy and cellular activity, which are controlled by multiple signalling pathways, transcription factors and epigenetic regulators, including microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs and their targets form remarkably diverse regulatory networks, playing a key role in the execution of gene expression programmes in the different cell lineages of the hair follicle. This review summarizes the roles of miRNAs in the control of hair follicle development, cycling and hair pigmentation, emphasizes the remaining problems/unanswered questions, and provides future directions in this rapidly growing and exciting area of research.
Nicotine and metabolites determination in human plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: a simple approach for solving contamination problem and clinical application
Authors: Liachenko Natalia , Boulamery Audrey , Simon Nicolas
Published: June 2015

A quantitative method using ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry is described for simultaneous determination of nicotine and its metabolites (cotinine and trans‐3′‐ hydroxycotinine) in human plasma. Aliquots of 0.25 mL of plasma specimens were used for analysis, and 3 analytes were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction. The main problem was blank plasma contamination with environmental nicotine. Activated charcoal was used to avoid this analytical interference. For optimized chromatographic performance, a basic mobile phase consisting of 0.2% ammonia in water (mobile phase A, pH10.6) and acetonitrile (mobile phase B) was selected. The analytes were separated on a 50 mm × 2.1 mm BEH C18 column, 1.7 μm particle size, and quantified by MS/MS using multiple‐reaction monitoring (MRM) in positive mode. The chromatographic separation was achieved in 3 min followed by 1.2 min of column equilibration. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 10–1000 ng/mL with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. Within‐day precisions and between‐day precisions (CV, %) were <15 %. The accuracy expressed as bias was within ±15% for all analytes. The recovery values ranged from 50% to 97%. The ions used for quantification of nicotine, cotinine and 3‐OH‐cotinine were 166.9 > 129.7; 176.9 > 79.7; 192.9 > 79.7 m/z, respectively. The original blank sample preparation solved the problem of contamination in a cost‐effective and efficient way. The validated method has been routinely used for analysis of nicotine and metabolites and determination of hydroxycotinine/cotinine metabolic ratio. This biomarker seems to be interesting at predicting response of nicotine patch replacement therapies.
Fatigue life behaviour of TiAlN and TiAlN/CrN coated notched P20 steel specimens
Authors: Rahmat M.  A. , Ibrahim R.  N. , Oskouei R.  H. , Bushroa A.  R.
Published: June 2015

The performance of single layer TiAlN and multilayered TiAlN/CrN physical vapour deposition coatings deposited on AISI P20 steel substrate in affecting overall fatigue resistance of notched specimens was assessed and compared with the performance of the uncoated counterparts. V‐shaped circumferential notches on cylindrical specimens were adopted for fatigue tests. Surface coating characteristics such as hardness, elastic modulus and microstrains were measured and found to be different and often larger than those of the steel substrate. Unlike the un‐notched (smooth) coated specimens, which are known to exhibit large improvements in fatigue life in the high cycle fatigue regime, considerable reductions in fatigue life of the coated notched samples were observed. This was understood to be because of the coating's brittleness, which induces at the notch tip early and frequent fatigue crack initiations, especially in the case of multiple layered coatings. Scanning electron microscope images showed more crack initiation sites in both the coated specimens compared with the uncoated specimen. Also, presence of dimples on the surface confirmed dimple rupture mechanism in the ductile steel substrate in the coated and uncoated specimens.
Traditional management strategies fail to arrest a decline in the catch‐per‐unit‐effort of an iconic marine recreational fishery species with evidence of hyperstability
Authors: Maggs J. Q. , Mann B. Q. , Potts W. M. , Dunlop S. W.
Published: June 2015

The paucity of long‐term marine recreational fisheries data limits understanding of the effects of exploitation on target species. Long‐term catch‐per‐unit‐effort (CPUE) datasets for a large piscivorous carangid species, Lichia amia (L.), from 3 South African recreational fishery sectors were examined. Although standardised CPUE for all sectors showed an overall long‐term decline, there was considerable variability in trends between the recreational sectors and between datasets. Contrasting trends between competitive shore angling and general shore angling datasets were ascribed to hyperstability in competition CPUE data, which was most influenced by rapidly improving technology, techniques and communication networks amongst anglers. Month and locality were significant factors explaining the probability of catching L. amia. This suggests that the predictable aggregation behaviour of this species could further compound the observed CPUE hyperstability. Although the CPUE responded positively for 6 years after implementation of the first minimum size and bag limits, and for 1 year after the decommercialisation of the species, these regulations and their amendments failed to arrest a long‐term decline in CPUE despite ample evidence for hyperstability. Additional regulations, including a spatio‐temporal closure and the implementation of a voluntary regulation framework of catch and release, are recommended for this species.
Area, climate heterogeneity, and the response of climate niches to ecological opportunity in island radiations ofAnolislizards
Authors: Algar Adam C. , Mahler D. Luke
Published: June 2015

Aim

Rates of climate niche evolution underlie numerous fundamental ecological processes and patterns. However, while climate niche conservatism varies markedly among regions and clades, the source of this variation remains poorly understood. We tested whether ecological opportunity can stimulate radiation within climate niche space at biogeographic scales, predicting that rates of climate niche evolution will scale with geographic area and climate heterogeneity.

Location

Caribbean

Methods

We quantified two temperature axes (mean temperature and temperature seasonality of species' localities) of the climate niche for 130Anolisspecies onCuba,Hispaniola,PuertoRico,Jamaica and the northern and southernLesserAntilles. Using a species‐level phylogeny, we fitted macroevolutionary models that either constrained rates of climate niche evolution or allowed them to vary among regions. Next, we regressed region‐specific evolutionary rates against area, species richness and climate heterogeneity. We evaluated whether results were robust to uncertainty in phylogenetic and biogeographic reconstructions and the assumed mode of evolution.

Results

For both niche axes, anOrnstein‐Uhlenbeck model that allowed the net rate of evolution (σ2) to vary among island groups fit the data considerably better than a single‐rateBrownian motion model. Nagelkerke pseudo‐R2values of the fit of these OU models to mean temperature and seasonality axes were 0.43 and 0.66, respectively. Evolutionary rates for both axes were higher in larger areas, which also have more species. Only the rate of mean occupied temperature evolution was positively related to climate heterogeneity, and only after accounting for region size.

Conclusions

Rates of climate niche evolution scale consistently with the area available for radiation, but responses to climate heterogeneity vary among niche axes. For the mean temperature axis, climate heterogeneity generated additional opportunities for radiation, but for seasonality it did not. Overall, the physical setting in which a clade diversifies can influence where it falls on the evolutionary continuum, from climate niche conservatism to radiation.
Nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonate therapy: assessment of the alveolar bone structure in rats – a blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pacheco Viviane N. , Langie Renan , Etges Adriana , Ponzoni Deise , Puricelli Edela
Published: June 2015

This study aimed to assess the effect of zoledronic acid exposure on structures of the alveolar bone of rats. The sample was composed of 42 male Wistar rats. Animals in the T1 and T2 groups received weekly doses of 0.2 mg/kg intraperitoneal zoledronic acid for 3 weeks, while animals in the T3 group received the same treatment for 8 weeks. The control groups C1, C2 and C3 received equivalent doses of saline. The first upper molars of Wistar rats in the C2, T2, C3 and T3 groups were extracted. Cone‐beam computerized tomography scans were performed, and the image density was analysed by grey levels. The presence and type of inflammatory infiltrate, vascularization and bone necrosis were assigned by histological qualitative scores. Histomorphometric analysis of bone density was performed in the groups without extraction. No significant differences were found in the bone grey density estimated by grey‐level value and histomorphometric analysis between the C1 and T1 groups (P > 0.05). The grey levels in the T3 group were lower (P < 0.05) than in the C3 group, corresponding to the bone defect. Histological assessments showed the presence of bone necrosis in the T3 group and lower levels of bone remodelling in the test groups (T2 and T3) compared to the control groups (C2 and C3). The results of qualitative analyses did not differ significantly between the groups (P > 0.05). Zoledronic acid‐exposed animals showed maxillary changes including reduced grey levels, the presence of bone necrosis and a higher prevalence of inflammatory signs.
Impact of initial symptom for accurate diagnosis of vertebral artery dissection
Authors: Fukuhara Kousuke , Ogata Toshiyasu , Ouma Shinji , Tsugawa Jun , Matsumoto Juntaro , Abe Hiroshi , Higashi Toshio , Inoue Tooru , Tsuboi Yoshio
Published: June 2015

Background

It has been recognized that spontaneous vertebral artery dissection without neurological symptoms is not rare and easily misdiagnosed. Clinical clue for diagnosis of vertebral artery dissection includes initial symptoms such as headache, neck pain, or dizziness.

Aim

To assess the role of initial symptoms for diagnosis of spontaneous vertebral artery dissection.

Methods

Between September 2007 and January 2014, we retrospectively reviewed clinical records of 83 patients with unilateral vertebral artery dissection without consciousness disturbance at admission. Based on the diagnostic criteria of the Spontaneous Cervicocephalic Arterial Dissections Study, the patients were divided into three groups: possible, probable, and definite cases of vertebral artery dissection. Initial symptoms were collected at the time of diagnosis from medical record for the presence or absence of headache, neck pain, tinnitus and vertigo, as well as the area of pain and its characteristics.

Results

The numbers of definite, probable, and possible vertebral artery dissection were 39, 26, and 18, respectively. Out of 83 cases, unilateral or bilateral headache was the most commonly seen (in 60 cases), followed by neck pain (in 41 cases) and vertigo (in 20 cases). Statistically, unilateral headache and/or neck pain was more common in cases with definite vertebral artery dissection group compared with other classification of the Spontaneous Cervicocephalic Arterial Dissections Study ( P = 0.040). Vertigo was also associated with the stratification of Spontaneous Cervicocephalic Arterial Dissections Study criteria ( P = 0.012).

Conclusions

In our study, headache and/or neck pain, especially unilateral presentation, and vertigo were symptoms associated with the stratification of Spontaneous Cervico-cephalic Arterial Dissections Study criteria. Physicians should carefully obtain clinical history for the presence of a unilateral headache and/or neck pain and vertigo when vertebral artery dissection is suspected in patients with or without objective neurological signs.
A Review on Modal Clustering
Authors: Menardi Giovanna
Published: June 2015

In spite of the current availability of numerous methods of cluster analysis, evaluating a clustering configuration is questionable without the definition of a true population structure, representing the ideal partition that clustering methods should try to approximate. A precise statistical notion of cluster, unshared by most of the mainstream methods, is provided by the density‐based approach, which assumes that clusters are associated to some specific features of the probability distribution underlying the data. The non‐parametric formulation of this approach, known as modal clustering, draws a correspondence between the groups and the modes of the density function. An appealing implication is that the ill‐specified task of cluster detection can be regarded to as a more circumscribed problem of estimation, and the number of clusters is also conceptually well defined. In this work, modal clustering is critically reviewed from both conceptual and operational standpoints. The main directions of current research are outlined as well as some challenges and directions of further research.