bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current knowledge of risk factors for testicular germ cell tumors
Authors: Fukawa Tomoya , Kanayama Hiro‐omi
Published: January 2018

The development of the human gonads is tightly regulated by the correct sequential expression of many genes and hormonal activity. Disturbance of this regulation does not only prevent proper development of the gonads, but it also contributes to the development of testicular germ cell tumors. Recent genetic studies, especially genome‐wide association studies, have made great progress in understanding genetic susceptibility. Although there is strong evidence of inherited risks, many environmental factors also contribute to the development of testicular germ cell tumors. Histopathological studies have shown that most testicular germ cell tumors arise from germ cell neoplasia in situ, which is thought to be arrested and transformed primordial germ cells. Seminoma has features identical to germ cell neoplasia in situ or primordial germ cells, whereas non‐seminoma shows varied differentiation. Seminomas and embryonic cell carcinomas have the feature of pluripotency, which is thought to be the cause of histological heterogeneity and mixed pathology in testicular germ cell tumors. Testicular germ cell tumors show high sensitivity to chemotherapies, but 20–30% of patients show resistance to standard chemotherapy. In the present review, the current knowledge of the epidemiological and genomic factors for the development of testicular germ cell tumors is reviewed, and the mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapies are briefly mentioned.
Music reduces state anxiety scores in patients undergoing pleural procedures: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Mackintosh John , Cone Grace , Harland Kate , Sriram Krishna B.
Published: January 2018

Background

Patient anxiety is an often overlooked complication of pleural diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Listening to music is effective in reducing patient anxiety in some endoscopy procedures but has not yet been evaluated in pleural procedures.

Aim

To evaluate the benefits of music therapy during pleural procedures on a patient's anxiety, perceived pain and satisfaction with the procedure.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing therapeutic pleural procedures were randomised to music and control groups. Participants in the music group listened to self‐selected music using ear‐bud headphones for the duration of the procedure. State anxiety was assessed before and after the procedure using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Physiological parameters were also measured.

Results

Sixty patients were included in the study. In the music group, a reduction in state anxiety scores were observed post‐procedure (34 ± 11 vs 48 ± 13, P < 0.001), while no change was observed in the control group (40 ± 11 vs 42 ± 11, P = 0.51). Participants in the music group had reductions in heart rate (87 ± 17 vs 95 ± 15, P = 0.04), systolic (121 ± 13 vs 130 ± 16, P = 0.02) and diastolic blood pressure (72 ± 8 vs 78 ± 9, P = 0.01) post procedure compared to the pre‐procedures values. A similar change was not detected in the control group: heart rate (86 ± 17 vs 85 ± 15, P = 0.73), systolic (133 ± 21 vs 134 ± 20, P = 0.83) and diastolic blood pressure (77 ± 9 vs 79 ± 10, P = 0.30). There was no difference in patient pain scores (P = 0.8), willingness to undergo the procedure again (P= 0.27), satisfaction with the performance of the pleural procedure (P = 0.20) and duration of the procedure (P = 0.68) between the music and control groups.

Conclusions

Listening to music appears to be beneficial in reducing anxiety in patients undergoing pleural procedures.
Hepatitis B screening before rituximab therapy: a multicentre South Australian study of adherence
Authors: Hall Samuel A. L. , Shaikh Abdul , Teh Kailin , Tantiongco Mahsa , Coghlan Douglas , Karapetis Chris S. , Chinnaratha Mohammad A. , Woodman Richard , Muller Kate R. , Wigg Alan J.
Published: January 2018

Background

International guidelines recommend screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection prior to administration of rituximab, due to high risk of HBV reactivation in at‐risk patients.

Aims

To determine: (i) adherence to the South Australian (SA) protocol for HBV screening; (ii) HBV prevalence in patients receiving rituximab; and (iii) outcomes of patients at risk of HBV reactivation.

Methods

All patients commenced on rituximab at the six major SA public hospitals during a 12‐month period were included in the study. Adherence was assessed by documentation of both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) prior to initiation of rituximab. Patients were observed for a minimum of 6 months following rituximab initiation.

Results

Four hundred and thirty eight patients were included in the study. The main indication for rituximab therapy was haematological malignancy (76.0%). Two hundred and nine (47.7%) failed to receive appropriate HBV screening, 86 (19.6%) had neither HBsAg nor HBcAb performed, and 119 (27.2%) had only HBsAg performed. The identified prevalence of at‐risk cases (either HBsAg‐ or HBcAb‐positive) within the study population was 4.6% (20/438 cases). One case of HBV reactivation was identified, but none led to acute liver failure, transplantation or death.

Conclusions

Poor adherence to HBV screening protocols suggests the need for targeted clinician education and system redesign. While the rate of reactivation was low, the prevalence of at‐risk patients in this population was high and justifies further initiatives to increase adherence rates to HBV screening pre‐rituximab.
Exploring the Relations Between Riverbank Erosion and Geomorphological Controls Using Geographically Weighted Logistic Regression
Authors: Atkinson Peter M. , German Sally E. , Sear David A. , Clark Michael J.
Published: January 2018

The relations between riverbank erosion and geomorphological variables that are thought to control or influence erosion are commonly modelled using regression. For a given river, a single regression model might befitted to data on erosion and its geomorphological controls obtained along the river's length. However, it is likely that the influence of some variables may vary with geographical location (i.e., distance upstream). For this reason, the spatially stationary regression model should be replaced with a non‐stationary equivalent. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) is a suitable choice. In this paper, GWR is extended to predict the binary presence or absence of erosion via the logistic model. This extended model was applied to data obtained from historical archives and a spatially intensive field survey of a length of 42 km of the Afon Dyfi in West Wales. The model parameters and the residual deviance of the model varied greatly with distance upstream. The practical implication of the result is that different management practices should be implemented at different locations along the river. Thus, the approach presented allowed inference of spatially varying management practice as a consequence of spatially varying geomorphological process.
Duetting behavior in a Neotropical ovenbird: sexual and seasonal variation and adaptive signaling functions
Authors: Diniz Pedro , da Silva Edvaldo F. , Webster Michael S. , Macedo Regina H.
Published: January 2018

Duetting is a collective behavior and might have multiple functions, including joint territory defense and mate guarding. An important step toward understanding the adaptive function of bird song is to determine if and how singing behavior varies seasonally. However, seasonal patterns for duetting species are different from the pattern described for species in which only the male sings, because song function may vary according to sex, singing role (initiator vs responder) and level of duet organization (individual vs pair). We investigated whether patterns of seasonal variation in duetting depends on these factors, which would suggest different interpretations of song function. We studied social pairs of a Neotropical bird species (rufous hornero Furnarius rufus) for seven consecutive months, recording vocal and territorial behaviors. Overall, partners coordinated 61% of their songs into duets and many song traits (song initiation rate, song output and duet rate) peaked in territorial contexts. Males engaged in territorial interactions with strangers more often, initiated more songs, and answered proportionately more of their partners’ songs than females. Male song initiation rate peaked during the pre‐ and post‐breeding stages, whereas females initiated more songs during the non‐breeding season. Both sexes answered partner songs faster and at higher rates during the pre‐breeding and female fertile stages. Partners duetted at a higher rate during the pre‐ and post‐breeding stages. Finally, song initiation rates and duet rate, but not song answering rates, correlated with frequency of territorial interactions with strangers. Although our findings indicate that song function may vary with sex, singing role and level of duet organization, our results suggest that in general duet functions to defend common territories and as a mutual mate guarding strategy in the rufous hornero.
Improving accuracy of genomic prediction in Brangus cattle by adding animals with imputed low‐density SNP genotypes
Authors: Lopes F.B. , Wu X.‐L. , Li H. , Xu J. , Perkins T. , Genho J. , Ferretti R. , Tait R.G. , Bauck S. , Rosa G.J.M.
Published: January 2018

Reliable genomic prediction of breeding values for quantitative traits requires the availability of sufficient number of animals with genotypes and phenotypes in the training set. As of 31 October 2016, there were 3,797 Brangus animals with genotypes and phenotypes. These Brangus animals were genotyped using different commercial SNP chips. Of them, the largest group consisted of 1,535 animals genotyped by the GGP‐LDV4 SNP chip. The remaining 2,262 genotypes were imputed to the SNP content of the GGP‐LDV4 chip, so that the number of animals available for training the genomic prediction models was more than doubled. The present study showed that the pooling of animals with both original or imputed 40K SNP genotypes substantially increased genomic prediction accuracies on the ten traits. By supplementing imputed genotypes, the relative gains in genomic prediction accuracies on estimated breeding values (EBV) were from 12.60% to 31.27%, and the relative gain in genomic prediction accuracies on de‐regressed EBV was slightly small (i.e. 0.87%–18.75%). The present study also compared the performance of five genomic prediction models and two cross‐validation methods. The five genomic models predicted EBV and de‐regressed EBV of the ten traits similarly well. Of the two cross‐validation methods, leave‐one‐out cross‐validation maximized the number of animals at the stage of training for genomic prediction. Genomic prediction accuracy (GPA) on the ten quantitative traits was validated in 1,106 newly genotyped Brangus animals based on the SNP effects estimated in the previous set of 3,797 Brangus animals, and they were slightly lower than GPA in the original data. The present study was the first to leverage currently available genotype and phenotype resources in order to harness genomic prediction in Brangus beef cattle.
Genetic monitoring of horses in the Czech Republic: A large‐scale study with a focus on the Czech autochthonous breeds
Authors: Putnová L. , Štohl R. , Vrtková I.
Published: January 2018

We propose the first comprehensive in‐depth study monitoring horses in the Czech Republic. We scanned 9,289 animals from 44 populations for 17 equine STRs. Other equids analysed involved Equus przewalskii and Equus asinus. The total of 228 different alleles were detected, with the mean number of 13.4 per locus. The highest allelic richness (AR) was found in the Welsh Part Bred (6.01), followed by the Camargue (5.93) and Czech Sport Pony (5.91), whereas the Friesian exhibited the lowest AR (3.06). Interpopulation differences explained approximately nine per cent of the total genetic diversity. Reynold's genetic distance ranged from 0.003 between the Czech Warmblood and the Slovak Warmblood to 0.404 between the Friesian and donkeys. Close genetic proximity between the Silesian Noriker and Noriker was revealed. The Moravian Warmblood was better differentiated and more distant from the Czech Warmblood than the Kinsky Horse and retained the original genes of the old Austro‐Hungarian tribes. A high gene flow level and a lack of genetic structure were found in the seven studied populations. Despite the historical bottlenecks and previous inbreeding, the Czech‐Moravian Belgian Horse, Hucul, Old Kladruber Horse and Silesian Noriker did not suffer a serious loss of genetic diversity due to genetic drift/low effective population size. A NeighborNet dendrogram revealed breeds not classified in their groups according to the nomenclature (the Friesian, Hafling and Merens).
Why does freshwater fish species richness differ between Pacific and Atlantic drainages of the Americas?
Authors: Griffiths David
Published: January 2018

Aim

To identify the contributions of geomorphological and hydrological/climatic factors to differences in total and endemic freshwater fish species richness between Atlantic and Pacific drainages.

Location

Glaciated and unglaciated catchments draining to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in North (NA) and South America (SA).

Taxon

Fish.

Methods

A database of native freshwater fish species richnesses in drainage basins was compiled from published information, and the contributions of temperature, rainfall, catchment area, river length, channel gradient, discharge and geographic location in accounting for variation in total and endemic species richness were assessed using boosted regression trees.

Results

Atlantic drainages have larger catchments, with longer rivers, lower channel gradients, greater discharges and lower flow variability than Pacific ones of the same size. Unglaciated Atlantic drainages in bothNAandSAhave more species than Pacific drainages, but glaciated PacificNAhad significantly more species than the other Pacific areas. Geographic location had the greatest influence on total richness, but catchment area, river length and temperature were more important for endemic species. Pacific drainages had proportionally more endemics than Atlantic drainages.

Main conclusions

Tectonically driven topographic change, by altering relief, affects catchment size, slopes and connectivity, with the latter also affected by climatic changes in ice cover and aridity. These geomorphic and long‐term climatic changes, by influencing speciation, extinction and dispersal, govern freshwater fish species richness in Atlantic and Pacific catchments.
Biogeography and diversification of Rhegmatorhina (Aves: Thamnophilidae): Implications for the evolution of Amazonian landscapes during the Quaternary
Authors: Ribas Camila C. , Aleixo Alexandre , Gubili Chrysoula , d'Horta Fernando M. , Brumfield Robb T. , Cracraft Joel
Published: January 2018

Aim

To test the importance of alternative diversification drivers and biogeographical processes for the evolution of Amazonian upland forest birds through a densely sampled analysis of diversification of the endemic Amazonian genus Rhegmatorhina at multiple taxonomic and temporal scales.

Location

Amazonia.

Taxon

Antbirds (Thamnophilidae).

Methods

We sequenced four mtDNA and nuclear gene regions of 120 individuals from 50 localities representing all recognized species and subspecies of the genus. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using both gene tree and species tree methods, molecular dating analysis and estimated population demographic history and gene flow.

Results

Dense sampling throughout the distribution of Rhegmatorhina revealed that the main Amazonian rivers delimit the geographic distribution of taxa as inferred from mtDNA lineages. Molecular phylogenetic analyses resulted in a strongly supported phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus, with two main clades currently separated by the Madeira River. Molecular dating analysis indicated diversification during the Quaternary. Reconstruction of recent demographic history of populations revealed a trend for population expansion in eastern Amazonia and stability in the west. Estimates of gene flow corroborate the possibility that migration after divergence had some influence on the current patterns of diversity.

Main Conclusions

Based on broad‐scale sampling, a clarification of taxonomic boundaries, and strongly supported phylogenetic relationships, we confirm that, first, mitochondrial lineages within this upland forest Amazonian bird genus agree with spatial patterns known for decades based on phenotypes, and second, that most lineages are geographically delimited by the large Amazonian rivers. The association between past demographic changes related to palaeoclimatic cycles and the historically varying strength and size of rivers as barriers to dispersal may be the path to the answer to the long‐standing question of identifying the main drivers of Amazonian diversification.
Areas of endemism persist through time: A palaeoclimatic analysis in the Mexican Transition Zone
Authors: Pinilla‐Buitrago Gonzalo E. , Escalante Tania , Gutiérrez‐Velázquez Ana , Reyes‐Castillo Pedro , Rojas‐Soto Octavio R.
Published: January 2018

Aim

The Mexican Transition Zone (MTZ) is an area where the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographical regions overlap, generating high species richness and endemism. The objective of this study was to analyse if potential changes in the composition and the geographical location of areas of endemism (AEs) for beetles and mammals during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the mid‐Holocene (MH) or the Last Interglacial (LIG) have influenced the definition of the MTZ in the present.

Location

Mexico and Central America.

Methods

Ecological niche models (ENM) were generated describing the current distribution of 218 species associated with the MTZ and then transferred to three periods into the past. A parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) was run to identify current AEs. The transferred models of each set of species that form the current AEs were used to assess if the geographical ranges of the species’ ecological niches changed over time, or whether they remained stable supporting the validation of the AEs during three past recent periods (LGM, MH and LIG).

Results

Two current AEs were detected that persisted geographically during the three past periods (LGM, MH and LIG).

Main conclusions

The results show that some AEs change through time as a response of climate, whereas others remained stable. Thus, the MTZ could be considered as a dynamic zone at least over the last 130,000 years. The climate analysis of the AEs allows them to be recognized either as true spatio‐temporal units, or as temporarily restricted patterns of co‐distribution resulting from changes in climate over time.
Durable lesion formation while avoiding esophageal injury during ablation of atrial fibrillation: Lessons learned from late gadolinium MR imaging
Authors: Chelu Mihail G. , Morris Alan K. , Kholmovski Eugene G. , King Jordan B. , Kaur Gagandeep , Silver Michelle A. , Cates Joshua E. , Han Frederick T. , Marrouche Nassir F.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Adequate catheter/atrial tissue contact is critical for lesion formation during radiofrequency (RF) ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE‐MRI) is a unique tool for the evaluation of lesion formation and detection of acute esophageal injury.

Methods

LGE‐MRIs were obtained prior, within 24 hours of, and at 115 ± 62 days after first AF ablation in 36 patients. The Visitag module of CARTO3 was used to collect contact force (CF) and duration from a CF sensing ablation catheter for each registered ablation point. The minimum CF resulting in permanent lesions was determined. Esophageal enhancement detected by acute LGE‐MRI was classified as mild, moderate, and severe. The CF resulting in esophageal enhancement was determined.

Results

A total of 4,642 registered ablation tags at 50 W power were analyzed. The mean RF duration (5.9 ± 3.7 vs. 5.6 ± 3.2 seconds, P < 0.05), CF (11.5 ± 5.6 vs. 10.9 ± 5.4 g, P < 0.001), and force time integral (FTI) (67.3 ± 54.5 vs. 62.2 ± 52.7 gs, P < 0.01) were significantly higher between ablation tags with and without associated LGE‐MRI detected scar. The mean CF (15.7 ± 6.1 vs. 12.6 ± 5.9 g, P < 0.05, n  =  17 patients) in areas of esophageal enhancement was greater than areas without.

Conclusion

Left atrial short duration ablation lesions with a CF greater than 12 g are more likely to be associated with permanent lesion formation. Ablating on top of the esophagus, CF less than 15 g would help minimize esophageal wall injury.
Overweight and obesity in patients with atrial fibrillation: Sex differences in 1‐year outcomes in the EORP‐AF General Pilot Registry
Authors: Boriani Giuseppe , Laroche Cécile , Diemberger Igor , Fantecchi Elisa , Meeder Joan , Kurpesa Malgorzata , Baluta Monica Mariana , Proietti Marco , Tavazzi Luigi , Maggioni Aldo P. , Lip Gregory Y. H. ,   on behalf of the EORP‐AF General Pilot Registry Investigators
Published: January 2018

Background

The impact of overweight and obesity on outcomes in “real world” patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is not fully defined. Second, sex differences in AF outcomes may also exist.

Methods and results

The aim was to investigate outcomes at 1 year follow‐up for AF patients enrolled in the EORP‐AF Registry, according to BMI (kg/m2), comparing patients with normal BMI (18.5 to < 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 to < 30 kg/m2) and obesity (≥ 30 kg/m2), in relation to sex differences. Among 2,540 EORP AF patients (38.9% female; median age 69) with 1 year follow‐up data available, 720 (28.3%) had a normal BMI, 1,084 (42.7%) were overweight, and 736 (29.0%) were obese. Obese patients were younger and with more prevalent diabetes mellitus and hypertension (P < 0. 001). One‐year outcomes showed that all‐cause mortality was significantly different according to BMI among female patients (9.3% normal BMI, 5.3% overweight, and 4.3 % obese, P = 0.023), but not among male patients (P = 0.748). The composite outcome of thromboembolic events and death was also significantly different, being lower in obese females (P = 0.035). Among male patients, bleeding events were significantly more frequent in obese subjects (P = 0.035). On multivariable Cox analysis, BMI was not independently associated with all‐cause mortality.

Conclusions

Among AF patients, overweight and obesity are common and associated with better outcomes in females (a finding previously reported as “obesity paradox”), while no significant differences in outcomes are detected among male patients. Final multivariable model found that increasing BMI was not associated with increased risk of all‐cause death; conversely, age and comorbidities persisted as major determinants.
Dynamic sex chromosomes in Old World chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae)
Authors: Nielsen S. V. , Banks J. L. , Diaz R. E. , Trainor P. A. , Gamble T.
Published: January 2018

Much of our current state of knowledge concerning sex chromosome evolution is based on a handful of ‘exceptional’ taxa with heteromorphic sex chromosomes. However, classifying the sex chromosome systems of additional species lacking easily identifiable, heteromorphic sex chromosomes is indispensable if we wish to fully understand the genesis, degeneration and turnover of vertebrate sex chromosomes. Squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) are a potential model clade for studying sex chromosome evolution as they exhibit a suite of sex‐determining modes yet most species lack heteromorphic sex chromosomes. Only three (of 203) chameleon species have identified sex chromosome systems (all with female heterogamety, ZZ/ZW). This study uses a recently developed method to identify sex‐specific genetic markers from restriction site‐associated DNA sequence (RADseq) data, which enables the identification of sex chromosome systems in species lacking heteromorphic sex chromosomes. We used RADseq and subsequent PCR validation to identify an XX/XY sex chromosome system in the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), revealing a novel transition in sex chromosome systems within the Chamaeleonidae. The sex‐specific genetic markers identified here will be essential in research focused on sex‐specific, comparative, functional and developmental evolutionary questions, further promoting C. calyptratus’ utility as an emerging model organism.
Diversity and abundance of lepidopteran stem borers and their host plants in Ethiopia
Authors: Goftishu M. , Assefa Y. , Niba A. , Fininsa C. , Le Ru B. P.
Published: January 2018

Lepidopteran stem borers are among the most important insect pests of maize, sorghum and sugarcane in sub‐Saharan Africa. Except for Chilo partellus, the other stem borer pests in Ethiopia are indigenous to Africa and are assumed to have coevolved with some native grasses and sedges in the natural habitat. In addition to pest species, natural habitats harbour diverse non‐economic stem borer species, some of which are new to science. However, with the growing threats to natural habitats, some non‐economic stem borer species may switch or expand their host ranges to include cultivated crops and evolve as “new” pests. Besides host switch, some of the unknown species currently limited to natural habitats may disappear. We examined the diversity, abundance and interactions of lepidopteran stem borers and their wild host plants in five different vegetation mosaics in Ethiopia. The stem borer species diversity varied among vegetation mosaics and host plants. Forty‐four stem borer species belonging to 14 different genera in the families of Noctuidae, Crambidae, Pyralidae and Tortricidae were recorded from 34 wild host plants and through light trap. Among these families, Noctuidae was the highest in species richness in which 31 species were identified, out of which 15 species and two genera were new to science. This paper discusses the ecological interpretation of host plant–stem borer species interactions, particularly in relation to habitat disturbances.
Geriatric Syndromes, Dementia Subtypes, Gizmo Idolatry
Authors: Finucane Thomas E.
Published: January 2018

See the response from Teng et al.
Urinary incontinence type, symptoms, and quality of life: A comparison between grand multipara and non‐grand multipara women aged ≥50 years
Authors: Shlain Iris , Lavy Yuval , Arbel Revital , Shveiky David , Woloski Wruble Anna , Liebergall‐Wischnitzer Michal
Published: January 2018

Aim

Parity and age are risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI). The aim of this study was to compare grand multipara women (GMP) to non‐grand multipara (NGMP) women concerning UI types (stress urinary incontinence [SUI], urge urinary incontinence [UUI]), symptoms, and quality of life.

Methods

This correlation–comparative study used three tools: a demographic/health questionnaire, Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID), and Incontinence Quality of Life (I‐QOL).

Results

The sample included 132 women, from 50–88 years of age: 65 NGMP women (mean age: 67.23 years) and 67 GMP women (mean age: 65.04 years). The GMP group had a higher score, compared to the NGMP group, for UI type (by QUID) and a lower QOL (by I‐QOL) , with none of the scores found to be statistically significant. By dividing the sample into age groups, 50–59 and ≥60 years, the interaction between the parity and the age groups was found to be significant for both the SUI and UUI.

Conclusion

The innovation of this study is the in‐depth insight into the association between parity and age regarding UI type.
Tectonic erosion related to continental subduction: An example from the eastern North Qaidam Mountains,NWChina
Authors: Lu Zenglong , Zhang Jianxin , Mattinson Chris
Published: January 2018

Tectonic erosion has been commonly recognized in oceanic subduction zones, but evidence of tectonic erosion related to continental subduction is rarely reported. In this contribution, we suggest a tectonic erosion process along the North Qaidam Mountains ofNWChina during the Early Palaeozoic continental subduction. To the north of the North Qaidam ultra‐high pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt, the microcontinental Oulongbuluke Block (OB) is characterized by Precambrian metamorphic basement. New and existing zircon U–Pb data show that the OB underwent Early Palaeoproterozoic (2.4–2.3 Ga) magmatism and Late Palaeoproterozoic (c. 1.9 Ga) high‐grade metamorphic and anatectic events. The North QaidamUHPmetamorphic belt has been considered to result from the northward subduction of the Qaidam continental block consisting mainly of Meso‐Neoproterozoic orthogneiss and paragneiss. However, our new data show some gneisses enclosing eclogites in the eastern North QaidamUHPmetamorphic belt (DulanUHPmetamorphic unit) experienced 2.4–2.3 Ga magmatism and 1.9–1.8 Ga metamorphism, similar to those of the OB, prior to Early PalaeozoicUHPmetamorphism. These data suggest that tectonic erosion occurred during north‐dipping subduction: the Precambrian basement from the upper plate (OB) was transported in the subduction zone to more than 80 km depth, resulting inUHPmetamorphism related to Early Palaeozoic continental subduction prior to their exhumation.
Reproductive status‐dependent kisspeptin and RFamide‐related peptide (Rfrp) gene expression in female Damaraland mole‐rats
Authors: Voigt C. , Bennett N. C.
Published: January 2018

Damaraland mole rats (Fukomys damarensis) are cooperatively breeding, subterranean mammals that exhibit a high reproductive skew. Reproduction is monopolised by the dominant female of the group, whereas subordinates are physiologically suppressed to the extent that they are anovulatory. In these latter animals, it is assumed that normal gonadotropin‐releasing hormone secretion from the hypothalamus is disrupted. The RFamide peptides kisspeptin (Kiss1) and RFamide‐related peptide‐3 (RFRP‐3) are considered as potent regulators of gonadotropin release. To assess whether these neuropeptides are involved in the mechanism of reproductive suppression, we investigated the distribution and gene expression of Kiss1 and Rfrp by means of in situ hybridisation in wild‐caught female Damaraland mole‐rats with different reproductive status. In both reproductive phenotypes, substantial Kiss1 expression was found in the arcuate nucleus and only few Kiss1‐expressing cells were detected in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV), potentially as a result of low circulating oestradiol concentrations in breeding and nonbreeding females. Rfrp gene expression occurred in the dorsomedial nucleus, the paraventricular nucleus and the periventricular nucleus. While in female breeders and nonbreeders, plasma oestradiol levels were low and not significantly different, quantification of the hybridisation signal for both genes revealed significant differences in relation to reproductive status. Reproductively active females had more Kiss1‐expressing cells and a higher number of silver grains per cell in the arcuate nucleus compared to nonreproductive females. This difference was most pronounced in the caudal part of the nucleus. No such differences were found in the AVPV. Furthermore, breeding status was associated with a reduced number of Rfrp‐expressing cells in the anterior hypothalamus. This reproductive status‐dependent expression pattern of Kiss1 and Rfrp suggests that both neuropeptides play a role in the regulation of reproduction in Damaraland mole‐rats. Enhanced long‐term negative feedback effects of oestradiol could be responsible for the lower Kiss1 expression in the arcuate nucleus of reproductively suppressed females.
Systemic patterns of trabecular bone across the human and chimpanzee skeleton
Authors: Tsegai Zewdi J. , Skinner Matthew M. , Pahr Dieter H. , Hublin Jean‐Jacques , Kivell Tracy L.
Published: January 2018

Aspects of trabecular bone architecture are thought to reflect regional loading of the skeleton, and thus differ between primate taxa with different locomotor and postural modes. However, there are several systemic factors that affect bone structure that could contribute to, or be the primary factor determining, interspecific differences in bone structure. These systemic factors include differences in genetic regulation, sensitivity to loading, hormone levels, diet, and activity levels. Improved understanding of inter‐/intraspecific variability, and variability across the skeleton of an individual, is required to interpret properly potential functional signals present within trabecular structure. Using a whole‐region method of analysis, we investigated trabecular structure throughout the skeleton of humans and chimpanzees. Trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), degree of anisotropy (DA) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) were quantified from high resolution micro‐computed tomographic scans of the humeral and femoral head, third metacarpal and third metatarsal head, distal tibia, talus and first thoracic vertebra. We found that BV/TV is, in most anatomical sites, significantly higher in chimpanzees than in humans, suggesting a systemic difference in trabecular structure unrelated to local loading regime. Differences in BV/TV between the forelimb and hindlimb did not clearly reflect differences in locomotor loading in the study taxa. There were no clear systemic differences between the taxa in DA and, as such, this parameter might reflect function and relate to differences in joint loading. This systemic approach reveals both the pattern of variability across the skeleton and between taxa, and helps identify those features of trabecular structure that may relate to joint function.
Effectiveness of a patient education plan on knowledge of post‐op venous thromboembolism survival skills
Authors: Green Julie , Bernhofer Esther I
Published: January 2018

Aims and objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of a multimethod venous thromboembolism prevention patient education plan on participants' knowledge retention.

Background

A potential complication of surgery requiring general anaesthesia, worldwide, is the development of life‐threatening venous thromboembolism. Patients need education on preventing, recognising and immediately responding to a suspected thromboembolism. Written instructional materials given to patients at discharge may be inadequate.

Design

A randomised controlled trial.

Methods

Setting was multiple general surgery units at a large Midwestern United States academic medical centre. Sample included patients recovering from surgery with general anaesthesia: (N = 66), 68% female, 34 = experimental, 32 = usual care. Prior to discharge, participants in the experimental group were given a multimethod venous thromboembolism prevention education plan including a video, pamphlet and verbal instruction; control group received usual instructional pamphlet. Both groups received a knowledge test immediately before instruction. Two weeks following discharge, a phone call was made to participants to complete the postinstruction test. The relevant EQUATOR guideline, CONSORT checklist, was used for reporting this study.

Conclusions

There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, race, length of stay, surgery and history of venous thromboembolism among participants and group or test score results. No statistically significant difference in postinstruction score was found between groups. However, there was a trend in greater perception of importance in all groups and higher knowledge scores in the experimental group, with the percentage of participants in the experimental group answering all questions correctly rising from 38.2% correct to 73.5% correct.

Relevance to clinical practice

Teaching patients the importance of knowing venous thromboembolism signs and preventive/survival skills is potentially life‐saving and nurses must know the importance of using the most effective methods for the learning needs of their patients. Further research including different education methods and testing is suggested.
The lived experience of autologous stem cell‐transplanted patients: Post‐transplantation and before discharge
Authors: Alnasser Qasem , Abu Kharmah Salahel Deen , Attia Manal , Aljafari Akram , Agyekum Felicia , Ahmed Falak Aftab
Published: January 2018

Aims and objectives

To explore the lived experience of the patients post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and specifically after engraftment and before discharge.

Background

Patients post‐stem cell transplantation experience significant changes in all life aspects. Previous studies carried out by other researchers focused mainly on the postdischarge experience, where patients reported their perceptions that have always been affected by the life post‐transplantation and influenced by their surroundings. The lived experience of patients, specifically after engraftment and prior to discharge (the “transition” phase), has not been adequately explored in the literature. Doing so might provide greater insight into the cause of change post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Design

This study is a phenomenological description of the participants’ perception about their lived experience post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The study used Giorgi's method of analysis.

Methods

Through purposive sampling, 15 post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients were recruited. Data were collected by individual interviews. Data were then analysed based on Giorgi's method of analysis to reveal the meaning of a phenomenon as experienced through the identification of essential themes.

Results

The analysis process revealed 12 core themes covered by four categories that detailed patients lived experience post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The four categories were general transplant experience, effects of transplantation, factors of stress alleviation and finally life post‐transplantation.

Conclusion

This study showed how the haematopoietic stem cell transplantation affected the patients’ physical, psychological and spiritual well‐being. Transplantation also impacted on the patients’ way of thinking and perception of life. Attending to patients’ needs during transplantation might help to alleviate the severity of the effects and therefore improve experience.

Relevance to clinical practice

Comprehensive information about transplantation needs to be provided over different intervals and at different occasions. The role of the haematopoietic stem cell transplantation coordinators is important, and their communication skills and knowledge were found to be significant in patients’ preparation and decision‐making. As healthcare providers usually attend to only the patients’ physical and psychological needs, spirituality was found to play an important role in maintaining morale and making sense of the meaning of life.
Influence of maternal obesity on fetal growth at different periods of pregnancies with normal glucose tolerance
Authors: Tanaka Kei , Matsushima Miho , Izawa Tomoko , Furukawa Seishi , Kobayashi Yoichi , Iwashita Mitsutoshi
Published: January 2018

Aim

We aimed to examine the influence of maternal obesity on fetal growth in utero at different periods of pregnancies with normal glucose tolerance.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study on 356 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance was conducted. The women were categorized by pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) as obese (OB; BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2) or non‐obese (n‐OB). Z‐scores of the fetal abdominal circumference (AC) and the rate of fetal macrosomia (AC ≥ 90th percentile) at 19, 30, and 36 gestational weeks (GW) were compared between the two groups. Maternal demographics (age, parity, height, pre‐pregnancy BMI, history of prior large‐for‐gestational‐age delivery) were compared between the pregnancies with and without fetal macrosomia at each gestational age. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent risk factors for fetal macrosomia.

Results

Birthweights of the neonates were significantly higher in the OB group. Z‐scores of the fetal AC were significantly higher in the OB group at 30 and 36 GW, while no significant difference was found at 19 GW. The rates of fetal macrosomia in the OB group were also higher at 30 and 36 GW, while maternal obesity was not associated with fetal macrosomia at 19 GW. Pre‐pregnancy BMI was detected as the independent predictor of fetal macrosomia at 30 GW (odds ratio, 1.19 [95% CI]) and 36 GW (odds ratio, 1.13 [95% CI]).

Conclusion

Maternal pre‐pregnancy obesity has a promoting effect on fetal growth from the third trimester through birth.
Polyols and UV‐sunscreens in the Prasiola‐clade (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) as metabolites for stress response and chemotaxonomy
Authors: Hotter Vivien , Glaser Karin , Hartmann Anja , Ganzera Markus , Karsten Ulf
Published: January 2018

In many regions of the world, aeroterrestrial green algae of the Trebouxiophyceae (Chlorophyta) represent very abundant soil microorganisms, and hence their taxonomy is crucial to investigate their physiological performance and ecological importance. Due to a lack in morphological features, taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Trebouxiophycean algae can be a challenging task. Since chemotaxonomic markers could be a great assistance in this regard, 22 strains of aeroterrestrial Trebouxiophyceae were chemically screened for their polyol‐patterns as well as for mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) in their aqueous extracts using RP‐HPLC and LC‐MS. d‐sorbitol was exclusively detected in members of the Prasiolaceae family. The novel MAA prasiolin and a related compound (“prasiolin‐like”) were present in all investigated members of the Prasiola‐clade, but missing in all other tested Trebouxiophyceae. While prasiolin could only be detected in field material directly after extraction, the “prasiolin‐like” compound present in the other algae was fully converted into prasiolin after 24 h. These findings suggest d‐sorbitol and prasiolin‐like compounds are suitable chemotaxonomic markers for the Prasiolaceae and Prasiola‐clade, respectively. Additional UV‐exposure experiments with selected strains show that MAA formation and accumulation can be induced, supporting their role as UV‐sunscreen.
Quorum‐sensing molecule dihydroxy‐2,3‐pentanedione and its analogs as regulators of epithelial integrity
Authors: Elmanfi S. , Ma X. , Sintim H. O. , Könönen E. , Syrjänen S. , Gursoy U. K.
Published: January 2018

Background and Objective

Quorum‐sensing molecules regulate the behavior of bacteria within biofilms and at the same time elicit an immune response in host tissues. Our aim was to investigate the regulatory role of dihydroxy‐2,3‐pentanedione (DPD), the precursor of universal autoinducer‐2 (AI‐2), and its analogs (ethyl‐DPD, butyl‐DPD and isobutyl‐DPD) in the integrity of gingival epithelial cells.

Material and Methods

Human gingival keratinocytes were incubated with four concentrations (10 μmol L−1, 1 μmol L−1, 100 nmol L−1 and 10 nmol L−1) of DPD and its analogs for 24 hours. The numbers of viable cells were determined using a proliferation kit, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and ‐9 activities were determined by gelatin zymography, and expression of occludin protein and occludin mRNA were determined by western blotting and RT‐qPCR, respectively.

Results

Increased cell proliferation was observed in gingival keratinocytes incubated with 100 nmol L−1 of butyl‐DPD. MMP‐9 activity was elevated in cells incubated with 10 μmol L−1 of ethyl‐DPD. On the other hand, MMP‐2 activity did not show any significant change when gingival keratinocytes were incubated with or without DPD or analogs. Western blot analyses demonstrated five forms (105, 61, 52.2, 44 and 37 kDa) of occludin. Incubation with 1 μmol L−1 and 100 nmol L−1 of DPD and with 10 nmol L−1 of ethyl‐DPD increased dimeric (105 kDa) forms of occludin, while incubation with 100 nmol L−1 of isobutyl‐DPD increased monomeric (61 kDa) forms. DPD and ethyl‐DPD decreased, and 100 nmol L−1 of isobutyl‐DPD and 10 nmol L−1 of butyl‐DPD increased, the monomeric (52.2 kDa and 44 kDa) forms of occludin, whereas ethyl‐DPD decreased and isobutyl‐DPD increased, the low‐molecular‐weight (37 kDa) forms. According to RT‐qPCR analysis, the exposure of gingival keratinocytes to 10 μmol L−1 of isobutyl‐DPD up‐regulated expression of occludin.

Conclusion

The results indicate that isobutyl‐DPD has the potential to enhance the integrity of the epithelium by stimulating the formation of occluding, without affecting the proliferation or gelatinolytic enzyme activities of the exposed cells. The modulatory effect of an AI‐2 analog on the epithelial cell response is shown for the first time.
Assessing hepatitis C spontaneous clearance and understanding associated factors—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Aisyah D. N. , Shallcross L. , Hully A. J. , O'Brien A. , Hayward A.
Published: January 2018

New advances in the treatment of hepatitis C provide high levels of sustained viral response but their expense limits availability in publicly funded health systems. The aim of this review was to estimate the proportion of patients who will spontaneously clear HCV, to identify factors that are associated with clearance and to support better targeting of directly acting antivirals. We searched Ovid EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed from 1 January 1994 to 30 June 2015 for studies reporting hepatitis C spontaneous clearance and/or demographic, clinical and behavioural factors associated with clearance. We undertook meta‐analyses to estimate the odds of clearance for each predictor. Forty‐three studies met the inclusion criteria, representing 20 110 individuals, and 6 of these studies included sufficient data to estimate spontaneous clearance. The proportion achieving clearance within 3, 6, 12 and 24 months following infection were, respectively, 19.8% (95% CI: 2.6%‐47.5%), 27.9% (95% CI: 17.2%‐41.8%), 36.1% (95% CI: 23.5%‐50.9%) and 37.1% (95% CI: 23.7%‐52.8%). Individuals who had not spontaneously cleared by 12 months were unlikely to do so. The likelihood of spontaneous clearance was lower in males and individuals with HIV co‐infection, the absence of HBV co‐infection, asymptomatic infection, black or nonindigenous race, nongenotype 1 infection, older age and alcohol or drug problems. This study suggests that patients continue to spontaneously clear HCV for at least 12 months following initial infection. However, injecting drug users are comparatively less likely to achieve clearance; thus, they should be considered a priority for early treatment given the continuing risks that these individuals pose for onwards transmission.
There Is No Place Like Home: Imitation and the Politics of Recognition in Bolivian Obstetric Care
Authors: Morales Gabriela Elisa
Published: January 2018

This article examines how efforts to “culturally adapt” birthing spaces in a rural Bolivian hospital are generating debates among doctors about what constitutes proper obstetric care. Working at the intersection of national and transnational projects, NGOs in Bolivia have remade the birthing rooms of some public health institutions to look more like a home, with the goal of making indigenous women feel more comfortable and encouraging them to come to the clinic to give birth. Yet narratives of transformation also obscure ongoing conditions of racial and gendered inequality in health services. I demonstrate how doctors’ use of culturally adapted technologies enacts shifting affective relations—warm, cold, gentle, harsh—that draws on preoccupations with indigenous culture as a threat to maternal and infant life. In tracing practices of care, I argue that culturally adapted birthing in many ways extends historically rooted practices of doing biomedical work on indigenous bodies.