bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MTMR4, a phosphoinositide‐specific 3’‐phosphatase, regulates TFEB activity and the endocytic and autophagic pathways
Authors: Pham Hoa Q. , Yoshioka Kazuaki , Mohri Hiromi , Nakata Hiroki , Aki Sho , Ishimaru Kazuhiro , Takuwa Noriko , Takuwa Yoh
Published: July 2018

Phosphatidylinositol 3‐phosphate (PI(3)P) is the predominant phosphoinositide species in early endosomes and autophagosomes, in which PI(3)P dictates traffic of these organelles. Phosphoinositide levels are tightly regulated by lipid‐kinases and ‐phosphatases; however, a phosphatase that converts PI(3)P back to phosphatidylinositol in the endosomal and autophagosomal compartments is not fully understood. We investigated the subcellular distribution and functions of myotubularin‐related protein‐4 (MTMR4), which is distinct among other MTMRs in that it possesses a PI(3)P‐binding FYVE domain, in lung alveolar epithelium‐derived A549 cells. MTMR4 was localized mainly in late endosomes and autophagosomes. MTMR4 knockdown markedly suppressed the motility, fusion, and fission of PI(3)P‐enriched structures, resulting in decreases in late endosomes, autophagosomes, and lysosomes, and enlargement of PI(3)P‐enriched early and late endosomes. In amino acid‐ and serum‐starved cells, MTMR4 knockdown decreased both autophagosomes and autolysosomes and markedly increased PI(3)P‐containing autophagosomes and late endosomes, suggesting that the fusion with lysosomes of autophagosomes and late endosomes might be impaired. Notably, MTMR4 knockdown inhibited the nuclear translocation of starvation stress responsive transcription factor‐EB (TFEB) with reduced expression of lysosome‐related genes in starved cells. These findings indicate that MTMR4 is essential for the integrity of endocytic and autophagic pathways.
Pre‐adolescent children's experiences of receiving diabetes‐related support from friends and peers: A qualitative study
Authors: Rankin David , Harden Jeni , Barnard Katharine D. , Stephen John , Kumar Simita , Lawton Julia
Published: July 2018

Background

While pre‐adolescent children with type 1 diabetes receive most support from their parents/caregivers, others also contribute to their care. This study explored pre‐adolescent children's experiences of receiving diabetes‐related support from friends and peers. The objective was to identify how children could be better supported by their friends and peers to undertake diabetes self‐management.

Methods

In‐depth interviews with 24 children (aged 9‐12 years) with type 1 diabetes. Data were analysed using an inductive, thematic approach.

Results

Children gave mixed accounts of their experiences of speaking to their school/class about diabetes with some indicating that this had resulted in unwanted attention. Most individuals reported that other children had a limited understanding of diabetes and sometimes acted in insensitive ways or said things they found upsetting. Virtually all children described having a small number of close friends who were interested in learning about diabetes and provided them with support. These friends provided support in three overlapping ways, as “monitors and prompters,” “helpers” and “normalizers.” While some children described benefiting from meeting peers with type 1 diabetes, most indicated that they would prefer to develop friendships based on shared interests rather than a common disease status.

Discussion and conclusions

Friends and peers provide several kinds of support to pre‐adolescent children with diabetes. Health professionals could consider ways to assist small friendship groups to undertake monitoring and prompting, helping and normalizing roles. Parents, schools and health professionals could explore ways to normalize self‐management practices to better support children with diabetes in school settings.
Controlled before‐after study to evaluate change in evidence‐based practice of speech and language therapy students
Authors: Durieux Nancy , Maillart Christelle , Donneau Anne‐Françoise , Pasleau Françoise
Published: July 2018

Background

The integration of evidence‐based practice (EBP) into speech and language therapy (SLT) curricula has been increasingly encouraged in recent years.

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate whether an educational module on EBP for undergraduate SLT students can improve their EBP competencies.

Methods

The EBP module, taught by a SLT faculty member and a librarian, was delivered over 2 months. All fourth year SLT students (trained group) and all fourth year psychology students (control group) of the University of Liège (Belgium) were asked to participate in the study. Their performance on an adapted Fresno test was measured before and after the module. In addition, the SLT students took a computer‐based searching task. They were also asked to share their perceptions towards the module.

Results

All the 47 SLT students and 57/108 psychology students took the pre‐ and post‐tests. Although both groups performed similarly at the baseline, only the trained students gained new skills and knowledge. Furthermore, 36 SLT students shared their perceptions on the module and offered suggestions on ways to improve it.

Discussion‐Conclusion

Trained students improved their EBP competencies. Nevertheless, the module could be strengthened along with better integration of EBP into clinical modules and across the curriculum.
Measuring ketones in the field: rapid and reliable measures of β‐hydroxybutyrate in birds
Authors: Lindholm Caroline , Altimiras Jordi , Lees John
Published: July 2018

Ketone bodies such as β‐hydroxybutyrate are important indicators of metabolic condition in birds and are linked to a suite of ecologically relevant factors including migratory decision‐making, hunger level and ectoparasite load. Portable point‐of‐care (POC) devices designed to measure ketones in humans offer a cheap and easy solution to field physiologists in comparison with previous laboratory methods; however, their accuracy for use in birds has received scant attention. Here, we assessed the accuracy of a POC ketone meter (FreeStyle Precision Neo, Abbott, IL, USA) using samples from intermittently fed Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus. Although the device overestimated ketone levels in comparison with laboratory‐derived values, random error was low and laboratory vs. device values correlated well, indicating that the Precision Neo is of sufficient accuracy for use in the field and is a pragmatic choice for avian physiologists.
Independent determinants of periodontitis in Yemeni adults: A case‐control study
Authors: Al‐Alimi A , Halboub E , Al‐Sharabi AK , Taiyeb‐Ali T , Jaafar N , Al‐Hebshi NN
Published: July 2018

Objectives

The relative importance of risk factors of periodontitis varies from one population to another. In this study, we sought to identify independent risk factors of periodontitis in a Yemeni population.

Methods

One hundred and fifty periodontitis cases and 150 healthy controls, all Yemeni adults 30‐60 years old, were recruited. Sociodemographic data and history of oral hygiene practices and oral habits were obtained. Plaque index (PI) was measured on index teeth. Periodontal health status was assessed using Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL) according to WHO. Periodontitis was defined as having one or more sextants with a CPI score ≥ 3. Multiple logistic regression modelling was employed to identify distal, intermediate and proximal determinants of periodontitis, while ordinal regression was used to identify those of CAL scores.

Results

In logistic regression, PI score was associated with the highest odds of periodontitis (OR = 82.9) followed by cigarette smoking (OR = 12.8), water pipe smoking (OR = 10.2), male gender (OR = 3.4) and age (OR = 1.19); on the other hand, regular visits to the dentist (OR = 0.05), higher level of education (OR = 0.37) and daily dental flossing (OR = 0.95) were associated with lower odds. Somewhat similar associations were seen for CAL scores (ordinal regression); however, qat chewing was identified as an additional determinant (OR = 4.69).

Conclusion

Water pipe smoking is identified as a risk factor of periodontitis in this cohort in addition to globally known risk factors. Adjusted effect of qat chewing is limited to CAL scores, suggestive of association with recession.
Schools and Refugee Children: The Case of Syrians in Turkey
Authors: Çelik Çetin , İçduygu Ahmet
Published: July 2018

Education is the most effective tool for migrant and refugee integration. When successfully provided, it is particularly useful for eradicating the traces of trauma among refugee children, offering means to social mobility and enhancing social and structural integration into society. This article introduces schooling options for Syrian children in Turkey and deals with how school types shape experiences of these students through the accounts of their parents with attention to the notion of institutional habitus. Drawing on a comparative qualitative case study of refugee children in Temporary Education Centres and Public Schools in Turkey, it specifically investigates how schools with their practices, organization, and regulations contribute to or hinder the integration and adaptation of Syrian refugee children to school and society in Turkey.
Speciation in the mountains and dispersal by rivers: Molecular phylogeny of Eulamprus water skinks and the biogeography of Eastern Australia
Authors: Pepper Mitzy , Sumner Joanna , Brennan Ian G. , Hodges Kate , Lemmon Alan R. , Lemmon Emily Moriarty , Peterson Garry , Rabosky Daniel L. , Schwarzkopf Lin , Scott Ian A. W. , Shea Glenn , Keogh J. Scott
Published: July 2018

Aim

To develop a robust phylogeny for the iconic Australian water skinks (Eulamprus) and to explore the influence of landscape evolution of eastern Australia on phylogeographic patterns.

Location

Eastern and south‐eastern Australia.

Methods

We used Sanger methods to sequence a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) locus for 386 individuals across the five Eulamprus species to elucidate phylogeographic structure. We also sequenced a second mtDNA locus and four nuclear DNA (nDNA) loci for a subset of individuals to help inform our sampling strategy for next‐generation sequencing. Finally, we generated an anchored hybrid enrichment (AHE) approach to sequence 378 loci for 25 individuals representing the major lineages identified in our Sanger dataset. These data were used to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among the species using coalescent‐based species tree inference in *BEAST and ASTRAL.

Results

The relationships between Eulamprus species were resolved with a high level of confidence using our AHE dataset. In addition, our extensive mtDNA sampling revealed substantial phylogeographic structure in all species, with the exception of the geographically highly restricted E. leuraensis. Ratios of patristic distances (mtDNA/nDNA) indicate on average a 30‐fold greater distance as estimated using the mtDNA locus ND4.

Main conclusions

The major divergences between lineages strongly support previously identified biogeographic barriers in eastern Australia based on studies of other taxa. These breaks appear to correlate with regions where the Great Escarpment is absent or obscure, suggesting topographic lowlands and the accompanying dry woodlands are a major barrier to dispersal for water skinks. While some river corridors, such as the Hunter Valley, were likely historically dry enough to inhibit the movement of Eulamprus populations, our data indicate that others, such as the Murray and Darling Rivers, are able to facilitate extensive gene flow through the vast arid and semi‐arid lowlands of New South Wales and South Australia. Comparing the patristic distances between the mitochondrial and AHE datasets highlights the continued value in analysing both types of data.
Early developmental pathways to childhood symptoms of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Shephard Elizabeth , Bedford Rachael , Milosavljevic Bosiljka , Gliga Teodora , Jones Emily J.H. , Pickles Andrew , Johnson Mark H. , Charman Tony ,   The BASIS Team
Published: July 2018

Background

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have co‐occurring symptoms of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or anxiety. It is unclear whether these disorders arise from shared or distinct developmental pathways. We explored this question by testing the specificity of early‐life (infant and toddler) predictors of mid‐childhood ADHD and anxiety symptoms compared to ASD symptoms.

Methods

Infants (n = 104) at high and low familial risk for ASD took part in research assessments at 7, 14, 24 and 38 months, and 7 years of age. Symptoms of ASD, ADHD and anxiety were measured by parent report at age 7. Activity levels and inhibitory control, also measured by parent report, in infancy and toddlerhood were used as early‐life predictors of ADHD symptoms. Fearfulness and shyness measured in infancy and toddlerhood were used as early‐life predictors of anxiety symptoms. Correlations and path analysis models tested associations between early‐life predictors and mid‐childhood ADHD and anxiety symptoms compared to mid‐childhood ASD symptoms, and the influence of controlling for ASD symptoms on those associations.

Results

Increased activity levels and poor inhibitory control were correlated with ADHD symptoms and not ASD or anxiety; these associations were unchanged in path models controlling for risk‐group and ASD symptoms. Increased fearfulness and shyness were correlated with anxiety symptoms, but also ASD symptoms. When controlling for risk‐group in path analysis, the association between shyness and anxiety became nonsignificant, and when further controlling for ASD symptoms the association between fearfulness and anxiety became marginal.

Conclusions

The specificity of early‐life predictors to ADHD symptoms suggests early developmental pathways to ADHD might be distinct from ASD. The overlap in early‐life predictors of anxiety and ASD suggests that these disorders are difficult to differentiate early in life, which could reflect the presence of common developmental pathways or convergence in early behavioural manifestations of these disorders.
An updated phylogeny of the redlip blenny genus Ophioblennius
Authors: Lastrucci Naomi S. , Nunes Lucas T. , Lindner Alberto , Floeter Sergio R.
Published: July 2018

An updated molecular phylogeny of the blenny genus Ophioblennius, with a focus on two geographically disjunct morphotypes observed in Brazil, is presented. The analyses showed that specimens from the north‐eastern Brazilian coast are the endemic redlip blenny Ophioblennius trinitatis, but specimens from the southern Brazilian coast are conspecific to an undescribed east Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea) species, previously unknown in Brazil. Possible explanations for this geographical pattern include: natural larval dispersal and rafting across the Atlantic; an unknown ecological attribute that enabled this species to colonize southern Brazil; oil platforms as introduction vectors.
Effect of extracorporeal low‐energy shock wave on diabetic gastroparesis in a rat model
Authors: Wu Keng‐Liang , Chiu Yi‐Chun , Yao Chih‐Chien , Tsai Cheng‐En , Hu Ming‐Luen , Kuo Chung‐Mou , Tai Wei‐Chen , Chuah Seng‐Kee , Hsiao Chang‐Chun
Published: July 2018

Background and Aim

Delayed gastric emptying occurs in more than 50% of chronic diabetic patients, and this is associated with significant impairments in quality of life. Traditional therapy for delayed gastric emptying has focused on supportive treatment, and there is no significant effective therapy. The effect of low‐energy shock wave on gastric motility is never studied. We investigated low‐energy shock wave on gastric motility in a diabetic rat model.

Methods

Twenty‐eight male Wistar rats were studied and separated in three groups in randomized order as control, diabetic rats received shock wave, and diabetic rats received the sham procedure. Antral area and motility were recorded using the transabdominal ultrasound. Blood was taken for measurement of gastric motility peptides. Subjects were killed for immunohistochemical stain analysis of enteric plexus of the stomach.

Results

We successfully induced 20 diabetic rats and set ultrasound for measuring rat gastric contract and emptying model and demonstrated that 6 weeks of low‐energy shock wave could promote gastric contraction and emptying in diabetic rats. Moreover, we demonstrated that shock wave could increase defecation and feces and decrease serum cholesterol and triglycerol. However, no effect on glycohemoglobin and gastric motility peptides was recorded. In the immunohistochemical staining, shock wave increased expression of gastric myenteric neuron plexus.

Conclusion

Low‐energy shock wave can increase gastric contraction and emptying by activating axonal regeneration and increasing myenteric plexus, but not related with motility peptides.
Subanesthetic ketamine reverses neuronal and astroglial metabolic activity deficits in a social defeat model of depression
Authors: Mishra Pravin K. , Kumar Arvind , Behar Kevin L. , Patel Anant B.
Published: July 2018

Depression is one of the most debilitating neuropsychiatric disorders. Most of the current antidepressants have long remission time and low recovery rate. This study explores the impact of ketamine on neuronal and astroglial metabolic activity in prefrontal cortex in a social defeat (SD) model of depression. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a social defeat paradigm for 5 min a day for 10 consecutive days. Ketamine (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was administered to mice for two consecutive days following the last defeat stress. Mice were infused with [1,6‐13C2]glucose or [2‐13C]acetate to assess neuronal and astroglial metabolic activity, respectively, together with proton‐observed carbon‐edited nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in prefrontal cortex tissue extract. The 13C labeling of amino acids from glucose and acetate was decreased in SD mice. Ketamine treatment in SD mice restored sucrose preference, social interaction and immobility time to control values. Acute subanesthetic ketamine restored the 13C labeling of brain amino acids from glucose as well as acetate in SD mice to the respective control values, suggesting that rates of neuronal and astroglial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and neurotransmitter cycling were re‐established to normal levels. The finding of improved energy metabolism in SD mice suggests that fast anti‐depressant action of ketamine is linked with improved neurotransmitter cycling.

image
Perceived Marketplace Influence and Consumer Ethical Action
Authors: Bret Leary R. , Vann Richard J. , Mittelstaedt John D.
Published: July 2018

The present work presents two studies exploring the impact of perceived marketplace influence (PMI) on consumer decisions to engage in ethical marketplace action. Study 1 shows that PMI is associated with positive (negative) word‐of‐mouth in response to the ethical (unethical) actions of an organization. Study 2 shows that PMI is associated with the purchase of and willingness to pay for ethical products Fair Trade and philanthropy‐linked ethical products. Differences emerge between the two dimensions of PMI (PMI Consumer and PMI Organization) based on the hedonic or utilitarian features of the products. Results also show autonomous motivation to mediate the relationship between PMI and ethical intentions. We conclude with discussion of the implications of PMI for policy and consumer well‐being.
Frequency of circulating CD14++CD16+ intermediate monocytes as potential biomarker for the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Song Yuxian , Zhou Qian , Zhu Huidong , Jing Yue , Zhang Xiaoxin , Yang Yan , Hu Qingang , Huang Xiaofeng , Ni Yanhong
Published: July 2018

Background

Monocytes, which subdivided into three functional subsets (classical, intermediate, and nonclassical), play important roles in the progression of cancer. The subset composition is altered in several pathologic conditions including cancers. However, the composition and function of circulating monocyte subsets in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are still obscure.

Methods

The frequencies of monocyte subsets in peripheral blood of patients with OSCC and healthy donors are determined by flow cytometry, and their diagnostic values for OSCC were evaluated. The associations between levels of monocyte subsets and clinicopathological features of patients with OSCC were analyzed using cross‐tabulation with the chi‐square test.

Results

We demonstrated that the frequency of CD14++CD16+ intermediate monocytes was remarkably increased (P < 0.0001) in OSCC patients compared with healthy controls (7.33% ± 2.56% of total monocytes, n = 68 versus 4.78% ± 1.50% of total monocytes, n = 57). A trend of decrease in CD14++CD16− classical subset was observed between these two groups (P = 0.0508), whereas no significant difference was detected in CD14+CD16++ nonclassical subset (P > 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the frequency of intermediate monocytes (AUC = 0.810, P < 0.0001) could be a potential diagnostic biomarker to discriminate patients with OSCC from healthy subjects. Moreover, this parameter was significantly correlated to the worst pattern of invasion (WPOI, P < 0.05) of OSCC tissues.

Conclusions

Detection of monocyte subsets in peripheral blood sheds a light on utilizing the frequency of intermediate monocytes as a potential diagnostic biomarker for OSCC.
Diversity and characterization of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus strains causing huanglongbing disease in Iran, based on two prophage loci
Authors: Saberi Esmeil , Alavi Seyed Mehdi , Safaie Nasr
Published: July 2018

Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, is a destructive disease of citrus; it is considered a newly emerging disease which has spread to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In Iran, the disease was first found in 2009. In this study, two hypervariable prophage and phage‐related loci, bacteriophage repressor protein C1 (CLIBASIA_ 01645 locus) and prophage terminase gene (CLIBASIA_05610 locus), were used to determine the diversity and characterization of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) strains associated with HLB samples. Analyses of the CLIBASIA_01645 locus, characteristic of variable tandem repeat numbers (VTRNs), revealed the homogeneity of Iranian CLas isolates: However, this result showed two distinct genotypes (TRN < 10 and TRN > 10) of CLas in Iran. This is the first report documenting the presence of two differentially distributed genotypes of CLas in Iran. Sequence analysis of prophage terminase revealed the presence of two putative prophages (prophage I and prophage II) in the genome of CLas isolates of Iran. Frequency analysis of these two prophages by specific loci revealed the association between prophages populations, the development HLB symptoms and CLas genotypes and their interactions with another obligate symbiontic, HLB phytoplasma.
An evaluation of preoperative anxiety in Spanish‐speaking and Latino children in the United States
Authors: Mamtora Pragati H. , Kain Zeev N. , Stevenson Robert S. , Golianu Brenda , Zuk Jeannie , Gold Jeffrey I. , Fortier Michelle A.
Published: July 2018

Background

There is a large body of literature examining factors associated with children's preoperative anxiety; however, cultural variables such as ethnicity and language have not been included.

Aims

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the role of Latino ethnicity and Spanish‐speaking families in pediatric preoperative anxiety.

Methods

Participants were 294 children aged 2‐15 years of age undergoing outpatient, elective tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy surgery and general anesthesia. Participants were recruited and categorized into 3 groups: English‐speaking non‐Latino White (n = 139), English‐speaking Latino (n = 88), and Spanish‐speaking Latino (n = 67). Children's anxiety was rated at 2 time points before surgery: the time the child entered the threshold of the operating room (Induction 1) and the time when the anesthesia mask was placed (Induction 2).

Results

Results from separate linear regression models at Induction 1 and Induction 2, respectively, showed that being from a Spanish‐speaking Latino family was associated with higher levels of preoperative anxiety compared with being from an English‐speaking family. In addition, young age and low sociability was associated with higher preoperative anxiety in children.

Conclusion

Clinicians should be aware that younger, less sociable children of Spanish‐speaking Latino parents are at higher risk of developing preoperative anxiety and manage these children based on this increased risk.
Inpatient burden of pediatric dermatology in the United States
Authors: Arnold Justin D. , Yoon SunJung , Kirkorian A. Yasmine
Published: July 2018

Background/Objectives

It is known that inpatient care accounts for a significant portion of health care expenditures, but the national burden of inpatient pediatric dermatology is poorly characterized. We sought to assess risk factors, conditions, and financial costs associated with pediatric hospitalizations for skin disease.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional study of pediatric dermatology hospitalizations using the 2012 Kids’ Inpatient Database, which samples 80% of non‐birth‐related pediatric admissions from 44 states to generate national estimates. The demographic characteristics of children admitted for dermatologic and nondermatologic conditions were compared, and the financial costs of these admissions were analyzed.

Results

In 2012, there were 74 229 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 68 620‐79 978) pediatric dermatology hospitalizations, accounting for 4.2% of all pediatric admissions and $379.8 million (95% CI = $341.3‐418.4 million) in health care costs. Bacterial infections (n = 59 115, 95% CI = 54 669‐63 561), viral diseases (n = 3812, 95% CI = 3457‐4167), and noncancerous skin growths (n = 2931, 95% CI = 2318‐3545) were the most common conditions requiring hospitalization. The highest mean cost per hospitalization was for admissions for cutaneous lymphomas ($58 294, 95% CI = $31 694‐84 893), congenital skin abnormalities ($24 186, 95% CI = $16 645‐31 728), and ulcers ($17 064, 95% CI = $14 683‐19 446). Pediatric dermatology hospitalizations were most strongly associated with living in a low‐income community (odds ratio (OR) = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.16‐1.29) and the South (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.19‐1.46) and being uninsured (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.26‐1.45) or having Medicaid insurance (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.13‐1.22).

Conclusion

Skin disease is a common cause of hospitalizations in children, and there are disparities in these admissions that could reflect inadequate access to outpatient pediatric dermatologists.
Childhood pilomatricomas: Associated anomalies
Authors: Richet Camile , Maza Aude , Dreyfus Isabelle , Bourrat Emmanuelle , Mazereeuw‐Hautier Juliette
Published: July 2018

Pilomatricoma is a common benign tumor in children. We present a review of the literature with the aim of helping clinicians manage these patients. A detailed review of the literature was performed in the PubMed database using an exhaustive list of Medical Subject Heading words. One thousand four hundred fifty‐eight children were described in retrospective series and case reports. An associated disease was found in 32 children (2.2%), most of whom had several pilomatricomas (n = 23); 9 had a single lesion. Based on this literature review, we recommend reassuring the family and then conducting a detailed interview regarding past medical and family history and a thorough clinical examination for signs of Turner syndrome, constitutional mismatch repair deficiency, Kabuki syndrome, Steiner's myotonic dystrophy, or Gardner syndrome. Regular long‐term clinical follow‐up is recommended. Specific paraclinical examinations should be performed only in cases of other clinical anomalies or a positive family history. Pilomatricoma requires management because it may be associated with other potentially serious diseases, especially when multiple lesions are present.
Risk factors for pleural effusion recurrence in patients with malignancy
Authors: Grosu Horiana B. , Molina Sofia , Casal Roberto , Song Juhee , Li Liang , Diaz‐Mendoza Javier , Reddy Chakravarthy , Yarmus Lonny , Schiavo Dante , Simoff Michael , Johnstun Jared , Raid Abu‐Awwad , Feller‐Kopman David , Lee Hans , Sahetya Sarina , Foley Finbar , Maldonado Fabien , Tian Xin , Noor Laila , Miller Russell , Mudambi Lakshmi , Saettele Timothy , Vial‐Rodriguez Macarena , Eapen Gerogie A. , Ost David E.
Published: July 2018

Background and objective

The main purpose of treatment in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is symptom palliation. Currently, patients undergo repeat thoracenteses prior to receiving a definitive procedure as clinicians are not aware of the risk factors associated with fluid recurrence. The primary objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with recurrent symptomatic MPE.

Methods

Retrospective multicentre cohort study of patients who underwent first thoracentesis was performed. The primary outcome was time to fluid recurrence requiring intervention in patients with evidence of metastatic disease. We used a cause‐specific hazard model to identify risk factors associated with fluid recurrence. We also developed a predictive model, utilizing Fine–Gray subdistribution hazard model, and externally validated the model.

Results

A total of 988 patients with diagnosed metastatic disease were included. Cumulative incidence of recurrence was high with 30% of patients recurring by day 15. On multivariate analysis, size of the effusion on chest X‐ray (up to the top of the cardiac silhouette (hazard ratio (HR): 1.84, 95% CI: 1.21–2.80, P = 0.004) and above the cardiac silhouette (HR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.43–3.46, P = 0.0004)), larger amount of pleural fluid drained (HR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04–1.07, P < 0.0001) and higher pleural fluid LDH (HR: 1.008, 95% CI: 1.004–1.011, P < 0.0001) were associated with increased hazard of recurrence. Negative cytology (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.43–0.64, P < 0.0001) was associated with decreased hazard of recurrence. The model had low prediction accuracy.

Conclusion

Pleural effusion size, amount of pleural fluid drained, LDH and pleural fluid cytology were found to be risk factors for recurrence.
Establishment and characterization of a canine keratinocyte organoid culture system
Authors: Wiener Dominique J. , Basak Onur , Asra Priyanca , Boonekamp Kim E. , Kretzschmar Kai , Papaspyropoulos Angelos , Clevers Hans
Published: July 2018

Background

Perturbations of epidermal and follicular homeostasis have been attributed to a variety of skin diseases affecting dogs. The availability of an in vitro system to investigate these diseases is important to understand underlying pathomechanisms.

Objectives

To establish an accurate and reliable in vitro 3D system of canine keratinocyte organoids to lay the basis for studying functional defects in interfollicular epidermis (IFE) and hair follicle (HF) morphogenesis, reconstitution and differentiation that lead to alopecic and epidermal diseases.

Animals

Skin biopsies were obtained from freshly euthanized dogs of different breeds with no skin abnormalities.

Methods

Cells derived from microdissected IFE and HFs were seeded in Matrigel and keratinocyte organoids were grown and characterized using immunohistochemistry, RT‐qPCR and RNA sequencing.

Results

Both organoid lines develop into a basal IFE‐like cell type. Gene and protein expression analysis revealed high mRNA and protein levels of keratins 5 and 14, IFE differentiation markers and intercellular molecules. Key markers of HF stem cells were lacking. Withdrawal of growth factors resulted in upregulation of markers such as KRT16, Involucrin, KRT17 and SOX9, showing the potential of the organoids to develop towards more differentiated tissue.

Conclusion and clinical importance

Our 3D in vitro culture system provides the basis to explore epidermal function, to investigate the culture conditions necessary for the development of organoids with a HF signature and to address cutaneous disorders in dogs. However, for induction of HF signatures or hair growth, addition of different growth factors or co‐culture with dermal papilla will be required.
Evaluation of the secretion of antimicrobial peptides and antimicrobial effect of skin wash in atopic and healthy dogs: a preliminary study
Authors: Santoro Domenico
Published: July 2018

Background

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an important component of cutaneous innate immunity. The amount of AMPs secreted in healthy and atopic patients is controversial.

Hypotheses/Objectives

To evaluate the antimicrobial effect of skin wash harvested from healthy and atopic dogs, the amount of AMPs (cBD3‐like/cBD122, cCath, S100A8/9/12) present in the skin washes, and the correlation between AMP levels and severity of the clinical signs.

Animals

Fifteen healthy and 15 mildly atopic, privately owned dogs.

Methods and materials

Skin washes were performed on a 15 cm2 area of nonlesional abdominal skin. The area was rinsed with 2.7 mL of saline using a sterile tube. Commercially available (S100A8/9/12) or in‐house (cBD3‐like and cCath) canine‐specific ELISAs were performed. Skin washes were incubated with different concentrations (5 × 105 to 4 × 103 cfu/mL) of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and the bacterial density measured after 24 h of incubation. Severity of clinical signs was assessed by the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th version (CADESI‐04). Data were analysed statistically and significance level was set as P ≤ 0.05.

Results

There was no significant difference in any of the tested AMPs between healthy and atopic dogs. Strong/moderate positive correlations were seen between total and inguinal CADESI‐04 (r = 0.69; P = 0.0061) and between AMPs [cBD3‐like/cCath (r = 0.69; P = 0.011), S100A8/S100A9 (r = 0.8; P = 0.0016) and S100A9/S100A12 (r = 0.57; P = 0.047)]. Significantly less antimicrobial activity was seen in skin washes from atopic versus healthy dogs (P < 0.05).

Conclusions and clinical importance

This study found no difference in AMP secretion levels between healthy and nonlesional atopic canine skin. However, a significantly lower antimicrobial activity was present in the skin washes from atopic compared to healthy skin.
Additive design: the concept and data analysis
Authors: Oliveira M C , Pereira G A M , Ferreira E A , Santos J B , Knezevic S Z , Werle R
Published: July 2018

Crop–weed competition is extensively studied in weed science. The additive design, in which weed density varies and the crop density is kept constant, is the most commonly utilised design in plant competition studies. The additive design is important to calculate economic weed thresholds and improve weed control decision‐making. Crop–weed competition studies are usually conducted by weed scientists, who sometimes report misleading conclusions because of lack of statistical knowledge needed for data analysis of such studies. Therefore, the objective of this manuscript is to provide the concept of additive design and demonstrate the model selection approach for describing crop–weed density relationship to non‐statisticians. We evaluated three models routinely used in the literature to interpret data from additive designs, including polynomial quadratic, sigmoid and rectangular hyperbola curves. Based on the described statistical criteria, we demonstrated the rectangular hyperbola to be the most appropriate model to describe data from an additive design study looking at Richardia brasiliensis and Commelina benghalensis competition with maize (Zea mays). Moreover, we describe step‐by‐step how to perform the statistical analysis in R software and interpret the results of crop–weed competition studies. We suggest the use of the rectangular hyperbola as a standardised model for crop–weed competition in additive design.
International Financial Reporting Standards Adoption and Value Relevance of Financial Information of Quoted Healthcare Firms in Nigeria
Authors: Atoyebi Taibat A. , Salaudeen Yinka M. , Onyilokwu Jerry Y. A.
Published: July 2018

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) was first adopted in 2005 by European Union countries while Nigeria mandatorily adopted in 2012 to participate in opportunities offered by globalization. This study, therefore, investigated the impact of IFRS adoption on the value relevance of financial information of quoted Healthcare Firms in Nigeria. The study conducted a pre (2008-2011) and post (2012-2015) IFRS analyses on six Healthcare firms quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. The study sourced data on Earnings per Share (EPS), Change in Earnings per Share (CEPS), Book Value per Share (BVPS) and Share Price (SP) from published annual reports of the quoted Healthcare firms and Cashcraft Asset Management. Using the Multiple regression model the study revealed that Pre- IFRS financial information is value relevant; Post-IFRS financial information is also value relevant; and Post-IFRS financial information has relative value relevance over Pre- IFRS financial information.
A laboratory investigation into the effect of quiet-time interval between aircraft noise events on overall noisiness
Authors: Morinaga Makoto , Tsukioka Hidebumi , Kaku Jiro , Kuwano Sonoko , Namba Seiichiro
Published: July 2018

In order to investigate the effect of the quiet-time interval between aircraft noise events on the overall negative impression of aircraft noise, psychological experiments were conducted in which the quiet-time interval was varied and the number of events and duration of each stimulus were taken into account. For equal A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) among the stimuli, it was found that overall noisiness decreased as the quiet-time interval ratio of the stimulus was increased. It was also found that the correlation between overall noisiness and LAeq was improved by adjusting for the quiet-time interval ratio or the number of events included in the stimuli, especially when participants paid attention to changes in the instantaneous noise level. This study reveals that LAeq is a good basis for evaluating the negative impressions of aircraft noise, but that correcting for the quiet-time interval and/or number of flights improves the correlation between LAeq and the negative impression in such aircraft noise situations.
Environmental Controls on Soil Microbial Communities in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest
Authors: Pajares Silvia , Campo Julio , Bohannan Brendan J. M. , Etchevers Jorge D.
Published: July 2018

Understanding the response of soil microbial communities to environmental factors is important for predicting the contribution of forest ecosystems to global environmental change. Seasonally dry tropical forests are characterized by receiving less than 1,800 mm of rain per year in alternating wet and dry seasons and by high heterogeneity in plant diversity and soil chemistry. For these reasons, N deposition may affect their soils differently than those in humid tropical forests. This study documents the influence of rainfall seasonality, soil heterogeneity, and N deposition on soil chemical and microbiological properties in a seasonally dry tropical forest. Our findings suggest that soil heterogeneity and rainfall seasonality are likely the main factors controlling soil bacterial community structure and function in this tropical forest. Nitrogen enrichment was likely too low to induce significant short-term effects on soil properties, because this tropical forest is not N limited.
Electrochemical and Chemical Insertion for Energy Transformation and Switching
Authors: Li Yiyang , Chueh William C.
Published: July 2018

Insertion is a widely utilized process for reversibly changing the stoichiometry of a solid through a chemical or electrochemical stimulus. Insertion is instrumental to many energy technologies, including batteries, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage, and has been the subject of extensive investigations. More recently, solid-state switching devices utilizing insertion have drawn significant interest; such devices dynamically switch a material's chemical stoichiometry, changing it from one state to another. This review illustrates the fundamental properties and mechanisms of insertion, including reaction, diffusion, and phase transformation, and discusses recent developments in characterization in these fields. We also review new classes of recently demonstrated insertion devices, which reversibly switch mechanical and electronic properties, and show how the fundamental mechanisms of insertion can be used to design improved switching devices.
Characteristics of Pores under the Influence of Cyclic Cryogenic Liquid Carbon Dioxide Using Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Xu Jizhao , Zhai Cheng , Qin Lei , Wu Shangjian , Sun Yong , Dong Ruowei
Published: July 2018

The enhancement of coalbed methane extraction by repeatedly injecting CO2 has been investigated for many decades, mostly focusing on the fracturing and flooding effect in numerous lab experiments, simulations, and field applications, whereas the effect of the accompanying heat transfer during cyclic liquid CO2 (LCO2) injection has rarely been studied. In this paper, the influence of the cyclic injection of cryogenic LCO2 with different cycle numbers and time on the coal pore variation was explored using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance to extract the T2 spectral information. The results have shown that as the cycle number increased, the adsorbed water (AW) decreased while the capillary water (CW) and bulk water (BW) values increased, and the pore volumes were magnified greatly based on the tendencies of fitted polynomial curves of Isa1 values and fitted exponential curve of Isa2 values. With increasing cycle time, the increase ratios of AW, CW, and BW were not independent but mutually influenced, and the Isa1 values approximately displayed a “rapid increase-slow increase” tendency, while Isa2 roughly showed fluctuating or “increase-decrease” tendencies. The changes in the IWS and FWS showed that the increased pore connectivity could allow more water to infiltrate into the pores at the saturation state and accelerate the removal of fluid water during the centrifugation state. The φe and φr variations indicated that longer cycle time coupled with a larger cycle number could cause damage generation and enhance the pore connectivity.
Medical Image Blind Integrity Verification with Krawtchouk Moments
Authors: Zhang Xu , Liu Xilin , Chen Yang , Shu Huazhong
Published: July 2018

A new blind integrity verification method for medical image is proposed in this paper. It is based on a new kind of image features, known as Krawtchouk moments, which we use to distinguish the original images from the modified ones. Basically, with our scheme, image integrity verification is accomplished by classifying images into the original and modified categories. Experiments conducted on medical images issued from different modalities verified the validity of the proposed method and demonstrated that it can be used to detect and discriminate image modifications of different types with high accuracy. We also compared the performance of our scheme with a state-of-the-art solution suggested for medical images—solution that is based on histogram statistical properties of reorganized block-based Tchebichef moments. Conducted tests proved the better behavior of our image feature set.
Turbogenerator Steam Turbine Variation in Developed Power: Analysis of Exergy Efficiency and Exergy Destruction Change
Authors: Mrzljak Vedran , Senčić Tomislav , Žarković Božica
Published: July 2018

Developed power variation of turbogenerator (TG) steam turbine, which operates at the conventional LNG carrier, allows insight into the change in turbine exergy efficiency and exergy destruction during the increase in turbine power. Measurements of required operating parameters were performed in eight different TG steam turbine operating points during exploitation. Turbine exergy efficiency increases from turbine power of 500 kW up to 2700 kW, and maximum exergy efficiency was obtained at 70.13% of maximum turbine developed power (at 2700 kW) in each operating point. From turbine developed power of 2700 kW until the maximum power of 3850 kW, exergy efficiency decreases. Obtained change in TG turbine exergy efficiency is caused by an uneven intensity of increase in turbine developed power and steam mass flow through the turbine. TG steam turbine exergy destruction change is directly proportional to turbine load and to steam mass flow through the turbine—higher steam mass flow results in a higher turbine load which leads to the higher exergy destruction and vice versa. The higher share of turbine developed power and the lower share of turbine exergy destruction in the TG turbine exergy power inlet lead to higher turbine exergy efficiencies. At each observed operating point, turbine exergy efficiency in exploitation is lower when compared to the maximum obtained one for 8.39% to 12.03%.
Carney Complex: A Rare Case of Multicentric Cardiac Myxoma Associated with Endocrinopathy
Authors: Saleh Yehia , Hammad Basma , Almaghraby Abdallah , Abdelkarim Ola , Seleem Mohamed , Abdelnaby Mahmoud , Shehata Hoda , Hammad Mahmoud , Ramadan Bassem , Elshafei Mohamed , Elsharkawy Eman , Abdel-hay Mohamed Ayman
Published: July 2018

Carney complex is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple tumors, including cardiac and extracardiac myxomas, skin lesions, and various endocrine disorders. We are reporting a 21-year-old female patient with past surgical history significant for excision of a cutaneous myxoma who presented with multicentric cardiac myxomas involving the four cardiac chambers. She also presented with endocrinal disorders in the form of an enlarged right lobe of the thyroid, hyperthyroid state, and an incidentally noted adrenal cyst; hence, she was diagnosed with carney complex syndrome.
Development of NASH in Obese Mice is Confounded by Adipose Tissue Increase in Inflammatory NOV and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Sacerdoti David , Singh Shailendra P. , Schragenheim Joseph , Bellner Lars , Vanella Luca , Raffaele Marco , Meissner Aliza , Grant Ilana , Favero Gaia , Rezzani Rita , Rodella Luigi F. , Bamshad David , Lebovics Edward , Abraham Nader G.
Published: July 2018

Aim. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the consequence of insulin resistance, fatty acid accumulation, oxidative stress, and lipotoxicity. We hypothesize that an increase in the inflammatory adipokine NOV decreases antioxidant Heme Oxygenase 1 (HO-1) levels in adipose and hepatic tissue, resulting in the development of NASH in obese mice. Methods. Mice were fed a high fat diet (HFD) and obese animals were administered an HO-1 inducer with or without an inhibitor of HO activity to examine levels of adipose-derived NOV and possible links between increased synthesis of inflammatory adipokines and hepatic pathology. Results. NASH mice displayed decreased HO-1 levels and HO activity, increased levels of hepatic heme, NOV, MMP2, hepcidin, and increased NAS scores and hepatic fibrosis. Increased HO-1 levels are associated with a decrease in NOV, improved hepatic NAS score, ameliorated fibrosis, and increases in mitochondrial integrity and insulin receptor phosphorylation. Adipose tissue function is disrupted in obesity as evidenced by an increase in proinflammatory molecules such as NOV and a decrease in adiponectin. Importantly, increased HO-1 levels are associated with a decrease of NOV, increased adiponectin levels, and increased levels of thermogenic and mitochondrial signaling associated genes in adipose tissue. Conclusions. These results suggest that the metabolic abnormalities in NASH are driven by decreased levels of hepatic HO-1 that is associated with an increase in the adipose-derived proinflammatory adipokine NOV in our obese mouse model of NASH. Concurrently, induction of HO-1 provides protection against insulin resistance as seen by increased insulin receptor phosphorylation. Pharmacological increases in HO-1 associated with decreases in NOV may offer a potential therapeutic approach in preventing fibrosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the development of NASH.