bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic motivation as a mediator between metacognition deficits and impaired functioning in psychosis
Authors: Luther Lauren , Firmin Ruth L. , Vohs Jenifer L. , Buck Kelly D. , Rand Kevin L. , Lysaker Paul H.
Published: January 2016

Objective

Poor functioning has long been observed in individuals with psychosis. Recent studies have identified metacognition – one's ability to form complex ideas about oneself and others and to use that information to respond to psychological and social challenges–as being an important determinant of functioning. However, the exact process by which deficits in metacognition lead to impaired functioning remains unclear. This study first examined whether low intrinsic motivation, or the tendency to pursue novel experiences and to engage in self‐improvement, mediates the relationship between deficits in metacognition and impaired functioning. We then examined whether intrinsic motivation significantly mediated the relationship when controlling for age, education, symptoms, executive functioning, and social cognition.

Design

Mediation models were examined in a cross‐sectional data set.

Methods

One hundred and seventy‐five individuals with a psychotic disorder completed interview‐based measures of metacognition, intrinsic motivation, symptoms, and functioning and performance‐based measures of executive functioning and social cognition.

Results

Analyses revealed that intrinsic motivation mediated the relationship between metacognition deficits and impaired functioning (95% CI of indirect effect [0.12–0.43]), even after controlling for the aforesaid variables (95% CI of indirect effect [0.04–0.29]).

Conclusions

Results suggest that intrinsic motivation may be a mechanism that underlies the link between deficits in metacognition and impaired functioning and indicate that metacognition and intrinsic motivation may be important treatment targets to improve functioning in individuals with psychosis.

Practitioner points

The findings of this study suggest that deficits in metacognition may indirectly lead to impaired functioning through their effect on intrinsic motivation in individuals with psychosis.

Psychological treatments that target deficits in both metacognition and intrinsic motivation may help to alleviate impaired functioning in individuals with psychosis.

Limitations

The cross‐sectional design of this study is a limitation, and additional longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the direction of the findings and rule out rival hypotheses.

Generalization of the findings may be limited by the sample composition. It may be that different relationships exist between metacognition, intrinsic motivation, and functioning in those with early psychosis or among those in an acute phase or who decline treatment.
Conceptual Change in Science Is Facilitated Through Peer Collaboration for Boys but Not for Girls
Authors: Leman Patrick J. , Skipper Yvonne , Watling Dawn , Rutland Adam
Published: January 2016

Three hundred and forty‐one children (Mage = 9,0 years) engaged in a series of science tasks in collaborative, same‐sex pairs or did not interact. All children who collaborated on the science tasks advanced in basic‐level understanding of the relevant task (motion down an incline). However, only boys advanced in their conceptual understanding at a 3‐week posttest. Discussion of concepts and procedural aspects of the task led to conceptual development for boys but not girls. Gender differences in behavioral style did not influence learning. Results are discussed in terms of the links between gender and engagement in conversations, and how gender differences in collaboration may relate to differences in participation in science.
Immunometabolic biomarkers of inflammation in Behçet's disease: relationship with epidemiological profile, disease activity and therapeutic regimens
Authors: Cantarini L , Pucino V , Vitale A , Talarico R , M. Lucherini O , Magnotti F , De Rosa V , Galgani M , Alviggi C , Marone G , Galeazzi M , Matarese G
Published: January 2016

Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease with a still unclear pathogenesis. Although several inflammatory molecules have been studied, current biomarkers are largely insensitive in BD and unable to predict disease progression and response to treatment. Our primary aim was to explore serum levels of soluble CD40 L (sCD40L), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), leptin, resistin, osteoprotegerin (OPG), soluble type 1 tumour necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR), interleukin (IL)−6 and serum amyloid A (SAA) serum concentration in a cohort of 27 BD patients. The secondary aim was to evaluate potential correlations between the putative circulating biomarkers, demographic profile of patients, the status of disease activity, the specific organ involvement at the time of sample collection and different therapeutic regimens. Serum concentrations of sTNFR (P = 0·008), leptin (P = 0·0011), sCD40L (P < 0·0001) and IL-6 (P = 0·0154) were significantly higher in BD patients than in HC, while no difference was found in MCP-1, MPO and resistin serum levels. Moreover, we observed significantly higher sTNFR serum concentrations in BD patients presenting inactive disease than HC (P = 0·0108). A correlation between sTNFR and age was also found, with higher levels in patients over 40 years than HC (P = 0·0329). Although further research is warranted to elucidate the role of circulating biomarkers, some of that may contribute to the understanding of the physiopathology processes underlying BD activity and damage as well as to provide useful tools for prognostic purposes and a personalized treatment approach.
Effects of light variation on Schwalbe's line‐based anterior chamber angle metrics measured with cirrus spectral domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Marion Kenneth M , Niemeyer Moritz , Francis Brian , Sadda Srinivas R , Chopra Vikas
Published: January 2016

Background

Evaluate the impact of variations in ambient lighting conditions on the reproducibility/reliability of Schwalbe's Line (SL)‐based anterior chamber angle (ACA) metrics using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT).

Design

Images were taken at Doheny Eye Centers‐UCLA clinic, which were randomized, masked and graded twice by dual reading centre graders.

Participants

Twenty‐five normal/healthy participants with open angles

Methods

Inferior angles were imaged using Cirrus SD‐OCT under five light levels (foot‐candles (fc) measured at camera‐eye interface with Sper light‐meter) with the instrument's corneal illumination function set to default level of 50 (CIdef) and low 5 (CIlow). Each eye was imaged 20 times, totaling 500 assessments.

Main Outcome Measures

SL‐angle‐opening‐distance (SL‐AOD) and SL‐trabecular‐iris‐space‐area (SL‐TISA) measured using custom ImageJ software. Intra‐/inter‐grader variability analyses were completed using Statistical‐Package‐for‐Social‐Science and Bland–Altman plots demonstrated limits of agreement for comparisons.

Results

Light level demonstrated a linear relationship with angle size, thus differences from highest to lowest light levels were compared. Decreasing light from 1.0 → 0.0fc at CIdef decreased SL‐AOD from 394 µm +/− 137 µm → 356 µm +/− 137 µm (mean percent difference (MPD) = 10.71%,P < 0.001) and SL‐TISA from 297 µm2 +/− 114 µm2 → 261 µm2 +/− 109 µm2 (MPD = 13.7%, P < 0.001). Decreasing from 1.0 → 0.0fc at CIlow decreased SL‐AOD from 366 µm +/− 136 µm → 329 µm +/− 122 µm (MPD = 10.9%, P < 0.001) and SL‐TISA from 271 µm2 +/− 113 µm2 → 234 µm2 +/− 98 µm2 (MPD = 15.8%, P < 0.001). There was 7.9/11.4% (both P < 0.001) difference for SL‐AOD/SL‐TISA between CIdef → CIlow at 1.0fc, and 7.7/9.4% (both P < 0.001) difference at 0.0fc.

Intra‐/inter‐grader results showed high reproducibility for all metrics (MPD = 0.33–4.4%; CV = 0.96–1.36; PCC = 0.93–0.95(P < 0.001); R2 = 0.94–0.98). Bland–Altman plots did not demonstrate bias, with repeat‐ability and agreement among measurements.

Conclusions

Using Cirrus SD‐OCT, we found that SL‐based ACA morphometrics are exquisitely sensitive to changes in ambient illumination and also corneal illumination by the OCT instrument. Consistently imaging in the darkest room possible is recommended (≤0.2 fce).
DMRTA2 (DMRT5) is mutated in a novel cortical brain malformation
Authors: Urquhart J.E. , Beaman G. , Byers H. , Roberts N.A. , Chervinsky E. , O'Sullivan J. , Pilz D. , Fry A. , Williams S.G. , Bhaskar S.S. , Khayat M. , Simanovsky N. , Shachar I.B. , Shalev S.A. , Newman W.G.
Published: January 2016

Lissencephaly is a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous group of cortical brain malformations due to abnormal neuronal migration. The identification of many causative genes has increased the understanding of normal brain development. A consanguineous family was ascertained with three siblings affected by a severe prenatal neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by fronto‐parietal pachygyria, agenesis of the corpus callosum and progressive severe microcephaly. Autozygosity mapping and exome sequencing identified a homozygous novel single base pair deletion, c.1197delT in DMRTA2, predicted to result in a frameshift variant p.(Pro400Leufs*33). DMRTA2 encodes doublesex and mab‐3‐related transcription factor a2, a transcription factor key to the development of the dorsal telencephalon. Data from murine and zebrafish knockout models are consistent with the variant of DMTRA2 (DMRT5) as responsible for the cortical brain phenotype. Our study suggests that loss of function of DMRTA2 leads to a novel disorder of cortical development.
Identification of germline alterations in breast cancer predisposition genes among Malaysian breast cancer patients using panel testing
Authors: Ng P.S. , Wen W.X. , Fadlullah M.Z.H. , Yoon S.Y. , Lee S.Y. , Thong M.K. , Yip C.H. , Mohd Taib N.A. , Teo S.H.
Published: January 2016

Although an association between protein‐truncating variants and breast cancer risk has been established for 11 genes, only alterations in BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 and PALB2 have been reported in Asian populations. Given that the age of onset of breast cancer is lower in Asians, it is estimated that inherited predisposition to breast cancer may be more significant. To determine the potential utility of panel testing, we investigated the prevalence of germline alterations in 11 established and 4 likely breast cancer genes in a cross‐sectional hospital‐based cohort of 108 moderate to high‐risk breast cancer patients using targeted next generation sequencing. Twenty patients (19%) were identified to carry deleterious mutations, of whom 13 (12%) were in the BRCA1 or BRCA2, 6 (6%) were in five other known breast cancer predisposition genes and 1 patient had a mutation in both BRCA2 and BARD1. Our study shows that BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for the majority of genetic predisposition to breast cancer in our cohort of Asian women. Although mutations in other known breast cancer genes are found, the functional significance and breast cancer risk have not yet been determined, thus limiting the clinical utility of panel testing in Asian populations.
Consistency of a mobile body composition trailer: a novel portable laboratory assessment?
Authors: Gerstner Gena R. , Ryan Eric D. , Kleinberg Craig R. , Tweedell Andrew J. , Smith‐Ryan Abbie E.
Published: January 2016

Objective

The purpose of this investigation was to (i) assess the test–retest reliability and minimum difference (MD) values of air‐displacement plethysmography (ADP) and the Siri 3‐compartment (3‐C) model in a mobile trailer, and (ii) identify any environmental fluctuations in the trailer.

Methods

percent body fat (%BF) was examined in 22 firefighters on two separate days in a climate‐controlled mobile trailer using ADP. Total body water was examined in a subset of participants (n = 12) using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) to determine %BF using Siri's 3‐C model.

Results

There were no differences in environmental measures (P≥0·138), %BF for ADP (P = 0·276), or %BF for the Siri 3‐C model (P = 0·382) between day 1 and day 2. Intraclass correlation coefficient and standard error of measurement values for ADP and the Siri 3‐C model were 0·978 and 1·3% and 0·986 and 0·6%, respectively. The MD values were 3·6% and 1·7%, respectively.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that ADP can reliably determine %BF when transported in a climate‐controlled mobile trailer. Additional accuracy is achievable with the Siri 3‐C model, providing an attractive and promising method to measure body composition in larger scale community‐based settings.
Limits of ventricular function: from athlete's heart to a failing heart
Authors: Forteza‐Albertí José Francisco , Sanchis‐Gomar Fabian , Lippi Giuseppe , Cervellin Gianfranco , Lucia Alejandro , Calderón‐Montero Francisco Javier
Published: January 2016

The interest in the study of ventricular function has grown considerably in the last decades. In this review, we analyse the extreme values of ventricular function as obtained with Doppler echocardiography. We mainly focus on the parameters that have been used throughout the history of Doppler echocardiography to assess left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function. The ‘athlete's heart’ would be the highest expression of ventricular function whereas its lowest expression is represented by the failing heart, independently from the original aetiology leading to this condition. There are, however, morphological similarities (dilation and hypertrophy) between the athlete's and the failing heart, which emerge as physiological and pathophysiological adaptations, respectively. The introduction of new assessment techniques, specifically speckle tracking, may provide new insight into the properties that determine ventricular filling, specifically left ventricular twisting. The concept of ventricular function must be always considered, although it may not be always possible to distinguish the normal heart of sedentary individuals from that of highly trained hearts based solely on echocardiographic or basic studies.
A method for predicting peak work rate for cycle ergometer and treadmill ramp tests
Authors: Saengsuwan Jittima , Nef Tobias , Hunt Kenneth J.
Published: January 2016

Background

Prediction of peak work rate (WRpeak) for incremental exercise testing (IET) is important to bring subjects to their maximal performance within the recommended 8–12 min. This study developed a novel method for prediction of WRpeak for IET on cycles and treadmills.

Methods

Peak metabolic equivalent of task (METpred) was predicted based on an existing non‐exercise prediction formula, and then, predicted peak work rate (WRpred) was derived from separate formulae for the cycle and the treadmill. Eighteen healthy subjects were included.

Results

In males, there was no difference between WRpred versus WRpeak for both the cycle ergometer (277·7 versus 275·6 W, P = 0·70) and the treadmill (264·1 versus 260·5, P = 0·58). In females, there was no difference between WRpred versus WRpeak for the cycle ergometer (187·1 versus 188·3 W, P = 0·90), but a significant difference was found between WRpred versus WRpeak on the treadmill (178·6 versus 151·9 W, P<0·05).

For males, the mean absolute percentage errors for WRpred versus WRpeak were 4·6% and 5·7% for the cycle and treadmill, respectively. For females, the errors were 12·2% and 20·8%. The algorithm was successful in achieving the required duration of 8–12 min in 33 of 36 cases.

Conclusions

The peak work rate prediction protocol was accurate in male subjects for both the cycle and the treadmill. In female subjects, the method was accurate for the cycle, but systematically overpredicted the peak work rate on the treadmill. The protocol requires further adaptation for females on the treadmill.
Modeling Sequential Information Acquisition Behavior in Rational Decision Making
Authors: Tavana Madjid , Di Caprio Debora , Santos Arteaga Francisco J.
Published: January 2016

Most real‐life decisions are made with less than perfect information and there is often some opportunity to acquire additional information to increase the quality of the decision. In this article, we define and study the sequential information acquisition process of a rational decision maker (DM) when allowed to acquire any finite amount of information from a set of products defined by vectors of characteristics. The information acquisition process of the DM depends both on the values of the characteristics observed previously and the number and potential realizations of the remaining characteristics. Each time an observation is acquired, the DM modifies the probability of improving upon the products already observed with the number of observations available. We construct two real‐valued functions whose crossing points determine the decision of how to allocate each available piece of information. We provide several numerical simulations to illustrate the information acquisition incentives defining the behavior of the DM. Applications to knowledge management and decision support systems follow immediately from our results, particularly when considering the introduction and acceptance of new technological products and when formalizing online search environments.
Familial partial lipodystrophy linked to a novel peroxisome proliferator activator receptor ‐γ (PPARG) mutation, H449L: a comparison of people with this mutation and those with classic codon 482 Lamin A/C (LMNA) mutations
Authors: Demir T. , Onay H. , Savage D. B. , Temeloglu E. , Uzum A. K. , Kadioglu P. , Altay C. , Ozen S. , Demir L. , Cavdar U. , Akinci B.
Published: January 2016

Aims

To describe the phenotype associated with a novel heterozygous missense PPARG mutation discovered in a Turkish family and to compare the fat distribution and metabolic characteristics of subjects with the peroxisome proliferator activator receptor ‐γ (PPARG) mutation with those of a cluster of patients with familial partial lipodystrophy with classic codon 482 Lamin A/C (LMNA) mutations.

Methods

The study involved four subjects with familial partial lipodystrophy who had a novel PPARG mutation (H449L) and six subjects with classic codon 482 LMNA mutations (R482W).

Results

Compared with subjects with LMNA R482W mutation, fat loss was generally less prominent in subjects with the PPARG H449L mutation. Partial fat loss was limited to the extremities, whilst truncal fat mass was preserved. The PPARG H449L mutation was associated with insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridaemia and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in all affected subjects, but the severity was variable. Three out of four mutation carriers had overt diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Pioglitazone therapy in these three individuals resulted in a modest improvement in their metabolic control, and regular menstrual cycles in the two female subjects.

Conclusions

We suggest that relatively modest fat loss in patients with PPARG mutations may render the recognition of the syndrome more difficult in routine clinical practice. The PPARG H449L mutation is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic complications, but their severity is variable among the affected subjects.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Entry‐Level Business Analytics Positions: A Multi‐Method Study
Authors: Cegielski Casey G. , Jones‐Farmer L. Allison
Published: January 2016

It is impossible to deny the significant impact from the emergence of big data and business analytics” on the fields of Information Technology, Quantitative Methods, and the Decision Sciences. Both industry and academia seek to hire talent in these areas with the hope of developing organizational competencies. This article describes a multi‐method research agenda that was executed to ascertain insights regarding which knowledge, skills, and abilities, (KSAs) are valued by employers seeking to hire entry‐level analytics professionals from schools of business. Current undergraduate business analytics programs are first examined to define the research scope. A triangulated mixed‐method research approach is then used to determine the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are in demand for entry‐level jobs in this area. Finally, the multi‐method triangulation of data is combined with experiences in building academic programs in business analytics at two nationally‐ranked state universities to offer insights for those seeking to develop academic programs in this area.
Flipping Quantitative Classes: A Triple Win
Authors: Swart William , Wuensch Karl L.
Published: January 2016

In the “flipped” class, students use online materials to learn what is traditionally learned by attending lectures, and class time is used for interactive group learning. A required quantitative business class was taught as a flipped classroom in an attempt to improve student satisfaction in the course and reduce the “transactional distance” (perceived barriers to engaging with the instructor, other students, technology, and course content) and increase satisfaction.

Analysis indicated improvements to both transactional distance and student satisfaction in the flipped classroom. Multiple regression analysis quantified the extent of which each transactional distance was a predictor of student satisfaction. The improved satisfaction in the flipped classroom was predicted by the improvement in transactional distances between students, students and the instructor, and students and the instructional technology used in the class.

The conclusions from this study suggest that the flipped classroom is a particularly good pedagogical strategy for quantitative classes. It allows the instructor to increase student satisfaction (a win for the students) in a course in which it is usually low without compromising academic standards (a win for the teachers). Finally, increased satisfaction leads to increased retention and hence increased revenues for the institution, which is a win for the administration.
Using Spreadsheet Modeling to Teach Exchange Curves (Optimal Policy Curves) in Inventory Management
Authors: Strakos Joshua K.
Published: January 2016

Inventory management is widely researched and the topic is taught in business programs across the spectrum of operations and supply chain management. However, the concepts are notoriously difficult for students to practice once they finish school and become managers responsible for inventory control. This article explains the structure and details of an inventory management class module designed to bridge the gap between learning inventory management theory and applying the learning to practice. Through an active learning exercise, groups of logistics management graduate students in two sections of an introductory inventory management class (in‐residence and online) are taught the exchange curve concept, introduced to its use in practice, and given a tool for implementing this learning in a variety of practical scenarios. The exercise is valuable as it is well suited for students with a limited math background because it allows the exchange curve concept to be taught and demonstrated without presenting complicated mathematics. A three‐tiered assessment of the exercise reveals its effectiveness in meeting the goals of providing an engaging and interesting use of learning time and giving the students an in‐depth practical understanding of the exchange curve concept. The exercise is designed to be equally useful for application in an undergraduate class.
Multimodality Imaging to Characterize a Metastatic Cardiac Mass
Authors: Yarlagadda Bharath , Paleti Swathi , Annamalai Senthil Kumar
Published: January 2016

Mini‐Abstract

A 66‐year‐old male with a medical history of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with recurrent metastasis and multiple interventions was found to have a lesion in the heart on positron emission tomography scan. Echocardiography showed a thrombuslike 2 × 2 cm mass attached to the right ventricle side of the septum. Contrast‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was obtained to better characterize the mass. It showed a metastatic infiltrative tumor in the septum with a large overlying thrombus protruding into right ventricle. Our case demonstrates the utility of multimodality imaging to characterize an unusual cardiac tumor helping guide management.
Stable isotope evaluation of population‐ and individual‐level diet variability in a large, oligotrophic lake with non‐native lake trout
Authors: Ng Elizabeth L. , Fredericks Jim P. , Quist Michael C.
Published: January 2016

Non‐native piscivores can alter food web dynamics; therefore, evaluating interspecific relationships is vital for conservation and management of ecosystems with introduced fishes. Priest Lake, Idaho, supports a number of introduced species, including lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, brook trout S. fontinalis and opossum shrimp Mysis diluviana. In this study, we used stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) to describe the food web structure of Priest Lake and to test hypotheses about apparent patterns in lake trout growth. We found that isotopic niches of species using pelagic‐origin carbon did not overlap with those using more littoral‐origin carbon. Species using more littoral‐origin carbon, such as brook trout and westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, exhibited a high degree of isotopic niche overlap and high intrapopulation variability in resource use. Although we hypothesised that lake trout would experience an ontogenetic diet shift, no such patterns were apparent in isotopic signatures. Lake trout growth rates were not associated with patterns in δ15N, indicating that variation in adult body composition may not be related to adult diet. Understanding trophic relationships at both the individual and species levels provides a more complete understanding of food webs altered by non‐native species.
Abnormal movement‐related suppression of sensory evoked potentials in upper limb dystonia
Authors: Macerollo A. , Chen J. C. , Parees I. , Sadnicka A. , Kassavetis P. , Bhatia K. P. , Kilner J. M. , Rothwell J. C. , Edwards M. J.
Published: January 2016

Background

Gating of sensory evoked potentials (SEPs) around the onset of a voluntary movement is a physiological phenomenon with centripetal and central components, and may reflect sensorimotor integration required for normal movement control.

Objective

Our objective was the investigation of SEP suppression at the onset of movement and the interaction between SEP suppression and vibration of the limb.

Methods

Fourteen patients with primary focal/segmental dystonia and 17 age‐matched healthy volunteers were studied. SEPs were elicited after electrical stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded over the scalp at three sites according to the International 10–20 System (F3, C3 and P3). SEPs were recorded in four conditions: at rest, at the onset of movement (a self‐paced abduction movement of the right thumb), both in the absence and in the presence of vibration of the limb.

Results

Repeated measures anova revealed that there was a significant main effect of group [F(1, 11.1) = 0.471, P = 0.002]. Post hoc exploration of this effect revealed it to be due to an absence of SEP suppression at movement onset in patients (mean ratio SEP movement onset/rest 1.15 at F3, 1.13 at C3, 1.01 at P3) compared to controls, who had SEP suppression at movement onset (mean ratio SEP movement onset/rest 0.79 at F3, 0.78 at C3, 0.77 at P3). With vibration, SEP suppression reduced in both patients and controls to a similar extent.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate abnormal SEP suppression at the onset of movement in patients with primary dystonia, and in addition that vibration of the limb reduces SEP suppression in patients and controls.
Depression in multiple sclerosis: effect of brain derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism and disease perception
Authors: Santoro M. , Nociti V. , De Fino C. , Caprara A. , Giordano R. , Palomba N. P. , Losavio F. , Marra C. , Patanella A. K. , Mirabella M. , Gainotti G. , Quaranta D.
Published: January 2016

Background and purpose

Depression is common amongst subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS), and several investigations have explored different determinants of this condition, including physical disability, psychological and psychosocial factors. The brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism has been associated with depression. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of disease‐related factors, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and perception of disease on the severity of depression in MS.

Method

In total, 136 MS patients (88 women) were recruited and genotyped for BDNF rs6265 polymorphism at nucleotide 196 (G/A) using ‘high resolution melting’. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Multiple Sclerosis Depression Rating Scale. Perception of health status was assessed using the SF‐36 questionnaire.

Results

A multivariable linear regression model showed that the best predictors of depression were the SF‐36 General health (β = −0.209; P = 0.013), Mental health (β = −0.410; P < 0.001) and Social activity (β = −0.195; P = 0.035) scores; physical disability (assessed by the Extended Disability Status Scale score) was directly correlated to depression severity on univariate analysis, but it was not a relevant predictor of depression on multivariate analysis; other variables directly related to the disease (treatment, annual relapsing rate) and the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism were not significantly associated with depression.

Conclusion

Perception of the health status is the principal predictor of depressive symptoms in our sample. This result supports the hypothesis that the subjective interpretation of the disease's consequences is one of the main factors in determining depression in MS.
Adjustment disorder and risk of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Svensson E. , Farkas D. K. , Gradus J. L. , Lash T. L. , Sørensen H. T.
Published: January 2016

Background and purpose

It has been postulated that stress is part of the etiological process of Parkinson's disease (PD). The risk of PD was examined in a cohort of patients with adjustment disorders, a diagnosis made in the presence of a severe response to a stressful life event.

Methods

Using Danish medical registries, PD occurrence was examined in a nationwide population‐based cohort of patients with adjustment disorder diagnosed between 1995 and 2011. The standardized incidence ratio of PD was calculated as the ratio of observed to expected cases, stratified by time and potential risk factors, including depression and anxiety.

Results

Our adjustment disorder cohort (67 786 patients) was followed for a median of 8 years (interquartile range 4, 12.6 years). During follow‐up, 119 patients developed PD, versus 64 expected, corresponding to a standardized incidence ratio of 1.84 (95% confidence interval 1.53, 2.20). Consistent results were observed after stratification on potential risk factors, including depression and anxiety.

Conclusion

Adjustment disorder, a diagnosis made in the presence of severe response to stressful life events, was associated with an increased risk of PD.
Adaptive Sex‐Specific Cognitive Bias in Predation Behaviours of Japanese Pygmy Squid
Authors: Takeshita Fumio , Sato Noriyosi
Published: January 2016

Errors in decision‐making in animals can be partially explained by adaptive evolution, and error management theory explains that cognitive biases result from the asymmetric costs of false‐positive and false‐negative errors. Error rates that result from the cognitive bias may differ between sexes. In addition, females are expected to have higher feeding rates than males because of the high energy requirements of gamete production. Thus, females may suffer relatively larger costs from false‐negative errors (i.e. non‐feeding) than males, and female decisions would be biased to reduce these costs if the costs of false‐positive errors are not as high. Females would consequently overestimate their capacity in relation to the probability of predation success. We tested this hypothesis using the Japanese pygmy squid Idiosepius paradoxus. Our results show that size differences between the squid and prey shrimp affected predatory attacks, and that predatory attacks succeeded more often when the predator was relatively larger than the prey. Nevertheless, compared to male predatory attacks, female squid frequently attacked even if their size was relatively small compared to the prey, suggesting that the females overestimated their probability of success. However, if the females failed in the first attack, they subsequently adjusted their attack threshold: squid did not attack again if the prey size was relatively larger. These results suggest a sex‐specific cognitive bias, that is females skewed judgment in decision‐making for the first predation attack, but they also show that squid can modify their threshold to determine whether they should attack in subsequent encounters.
Serglycin determines secretory granule repertoire and regulates natural killer cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte cytotoxicity
Authors: Sutton Vivien R. , Brennan Amelia J. , Ellis Sarah , Danne Jill , Thia Kevin , Jenkins Misty R. , Voskoboinik Ilia , Pejler Gunnar , Johnstone Ricky W. , Andrews Daniel M. , Trapani Joseph A.
Published: January 2016

The anionic proteoglycan serglycin is a major constituent of secretory granules in cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)/natural killer (NK) cells, and is proposed to promote the safe storage of the mostly cationic granule toxins, granzymes and perforin. Despite the extensive defects of mast cell function reported in serglycin gene‐disrupted mice, no comprehensive study of physiologically relevant CTL/NK cell populations has been reported. We show that the cytotoxicity of serglycin‐deficient CTL and NK cells is severely compromised but can be partly compensated in both cell types when they become activated. Reduced intracellular granzyme B levels were noted, particularly in CD27+CD11b+ mature NK cells, whereas serglycin−/− TCR‐transgenic (OTI) CD8 T cells also had reduced perforin stores. Culture supernatants from serglycin−/− OTI T cells and interleukin‐2‐activated NK contained increased granzyme B, linking reduced storage with heightened export. By contrast, granzyme A was not significantly reduced in cells lacking serglycin, indicating differentially regulated trafficking and/or storage for the two granzymes. A quantitative analysis of different granule classes by transmission electronmicroscopy showed a selective loss of dense‐core granules in serglycin−/− CD8+ CTLs, although other granule types were maintained quantitatively. The findings of the present study show that serglycin plays a critical role in the maturation of dense‐core cytotoxic granules in cytotoxic lymphocytes and the trafficking and storage of perforin and granzyme B, whereas granzyme A is unaffected. The skewed retention of cytotoxic effector molecules markedly reduces CTL/NK cell cytotoxicity, although this is partly compensated for as a result of activating the cells by physiological means.
Genome‐wide analyses in neuronal cells reveal that upstream transcription factors regulate lysosomal gene expression
Authors: Yamanaka Tomoyuki , Tosaki Asako , Kurosawa Masaru , Shimogori Tomomi , Hattori Nobutaka , Nukina Nobuyuki
Published: January 2016

The upstream transcription factors (USFs) USF1 and USF2 are ubiquitously expressed transcription factors that are characterized by a conserved basic helix‐loop‐helix/leucine zipper DNA‐binding domain. They form homo‐ or heterodimers, and recognize E‐box motifs to modulate gene expression. They are known to regulate diverse cellular functions, including the cell cycle, immune responses and glucose/lipid metabolism, but their roles in neuronal cells remain to be clarified. Here, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation of USF1 from mouse brain cortex. Subsequent promoter array analysis (ChIP‐chip) indicated that USF1 exclusively bound to the CACGTG E‐box motifs in the proximal promoter regions. Importantly, functional annotation of the USF1‐binding targets revealed an enrichment of genes related to lysosomal functions. Gene expression array analysis using a neuronal cell line subsequently revealed that knockdown of USFs de‐regulated lysosomal gene expression. Altered expression was validated by quantitative RT‐PCR, supporting the conclusion that USFs regulate lysosomal gene expression. Furthermore, USF knockdown slightly increased LysoTracker Red staining, implying a role for USFs in modulating lysosomal homeostasis. Together, our comprehensive genome‐scale analyses identified lysosomal genes as targets of USFs in neuronal cells, suggesting a potential additional pathway of lysosomal regulation.

Database

The data for the gene expression array and ChIP‐chip have been submitted to the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) under accession numbers GSE76615 and GSE76616, respectively.
Resolution, target density and labeling effects in colocalization studies – suppression of false positives by nanoscopy and modified algorithms
Authors: Xu Lei , Rönnlund Daniel , Aspenström Pontus , Braun Laura J. , Gad Annica K. B. , Widengren Jerker
Published: January 2016

Colocalization analyses of fluorescence images are extensively used to quantify molecular interactions in cells. In recent years, fluorescence nanoscopy has approached resolutions close to molecular dimensions. However, the extent to which image resolution influences different colocalization estimates has not been systematically investigated. In this work, we applied simulations and resolution‐tunable stimulated emission depletion microscopy to evaluate how the resolution, molecular density and label size of targeted molecules influence estimates of the most commonly used colocalization algorithms (Pearson correlation coefficient, Manders’ M1 and M2 coefficients), as well as estimates by the image cross‐correlation spectroscopy method. We investigated the practically measureable extents of colocalization for stimulated emission depletion microscopy with positive and negative control samples with an aim to identifying the strengths and weaknesses of nanoscopic techniques for colocalization studies. At a typical optical resolution of a confocal microscope (200–300 nm), our results indicate that the extent of colocalization is typically overestimated by the tested algorithms, especially at high molecular densities. Only minor effects of this kind were observed at higher resolutions (< 60 nm). By contrast, underestimation of colocalization may occur if the resolution is close to the size of the label/affinity molecules themselves. To suppress false positives at confocal resolutions and high molecular densities, we introduce a statistical variant of Costes’ threshold searching algorithm, used in combination with correlation‐based methods like the Pearson coefficient and the image cross‐correlation spectroscopy approach, to set intensity thresholds separating background noise from signals.
Evaluation of the basic formulations for the cumulative probability of brittle fracture with two different spatial distributions of microcracks
Authors: Lei W.‐S.
Published: January 2016

The random distribution of microcracks in terms of their size, shape, orientation and spatial location has direct impact on the cumulative probability of brittle fracture induced failure, with the effect of spatial distribution being rarely explored. Recently, two weakest link theory‐based formulations for the cumulative probability of brittle fracture induced failure have been proposed for the spatial distribution of microcracks obeying the Poisson postulates and the uniform distribution, respectively. This work compares these two new formulations with the currently commonly adopted one built on the Poisson postulates under both the uniform and the non‐uniform uniaxial loading conditions. It is concluded that under general loading conditions involving non‐uniform stress states, the existing formulation is equivalent to or closely approximate to neither of the two new formulations thus should be discarded, because of its inaccurate derivation. The new formulations are featured with unique symmetry or self‐similarity in their expressions. Their capability in revealing the size effect or the scaling law of failure is highlighted and validated by a set of published uniaxial and biaxial flexural strength data of brittle material.
Ecological clustering within a diverse minnow assemblage according to morphological, dietary and isotopic data
Authors: Burress Edward D. , Holcomb Jordan M. , Armbruster Jonathan W.
Published: January 2016

The ecological role of an organism is a complex interaction between many factors, such as morphology, behaviour and physiology, which can act as functional constraints upon how an organism engages with the environment.

We examined the ecological roles, guild structure and ecological convergence among 15 sympatric minnow species (Cyprinidae) in the New River (North Carolina, U.S.A.). Minnows often dominate fish species diversity and biomass in North American streams.

We evaluated the ecological relationships among minnows using popular methods that correspond to different aspects of minnow biology: geometric morphometrics (landmark‐based PCA), gut content analysis and stable isotopes (13C, 15N, 2H). We then tested for clustering (i.e. guilds) and convergence among minnows using these traits.

Important shape variation among species was primarily associated with mouth orientation and caudal peduncle morphology, implicating the importance of trophic and activity patterns. Minnows clustered into five guilds based on body shape. Gut contents revealed three discrete guilds: pelagic‐ and benthic‐oriented invertivory and benthic herbivory. Stable isotopes revealed only two discrete guilds: algivory and invertivory; however, all minnows preferentially assimilated invertebrates.

Minnows thus exhibit dynamic ecologies based largely on utilisation of the benthic–pelagic resource axis.
Is infant body mass index associated with adulthood body composition trajectories? An exploratory analysis
Authors: Johnson W. , Choh A. C. , Lee M. , Towne B. , Czerwinski S. A. , Demerath E. W.
Published: January 2016

Background

Infant body mass index (BMI) is increasingly used as a marker of obesity risk based on its association with young‐adulthood BMI.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to test the association of infant BMI with young‐adulthood fat mass and fat‐free mass, and how this association changes during advancing adulthood.

Methods

Body mass index Z‐score at age 9 months was measured in 350 White, non‐Hispanic Fels Longitudinal Study participants. This exposure was entered into multilevel models to test its association with trajectories describing 2665 BMI observations and 1388 observations of fat mass index (FMI, kg m−2) and fat‐free mass index (FFMI, kg m−2) between ages 20 and 60 years.

Results

Partitioning young‐adulthood BMI into its fat and fat‐free components, infant BMI Z‐score was associated with FFMI (β = 0.745; 95% confidence interval = 0.367 to 1.124) but not FMI (0.528; −0.055 to 1.110) at age 20 years. Greater infant BMI Z‐score was associated with slower age‐related increases in all outcomes, such that (looking at 10‐year intervals) only FFMI at age 30 years was related to infant BMI Z‐score (0.338; 0.119, 0.557).

Conclusions

Focus on infant BMI reduction for adulthood obesity prevention warrants caution as high infant BMI values are associated with greater lean mass, which is protective against ageing changes.
Management of Periprocedural and Early Pericardial Effusions With Tamponade Following Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation With Uninterrupted Factor Xa Inhibitors: A Case Series
Authors: GIANNI CAROLA , DI BIASE LUIGI , MOHANTY SANGHAMITRA , TRIVEDI CHINTAN , BAI RONG , AL‐AHMAD AMIN , BURKHARDT J. DAVID , GALLINGHOUSE G. JOSEPH , HORTON RODNEY P. , SANCHEZ JAVIER E. , HRANITZKY PATRICK M. , LAKKIREDDY DHANUNJAYA , MANSOUR MOUSSA C. , SANTANGELI PASQUALE , ZADO ERICA S. , MARCHLINSKI FRANCIS E. , BEHEIRY SALWA , HAO STEVEN C. , COUTS LINDA , GIBSON DOUGLAS , NATALE ANDREA
Published: January 2016

Management of Tamponade Following AF Ablation With FXaI

Introduction

Because of the absence of a dedicated reversal agent, the outcome of pericardial effusion (PE) following procedures performed with uninterrupted apixaban or rivaroxaban is unknown. We report the characteristics of PEs presenting with tamponade in patients undergoing AF ablation with uninterrupted factor Xa inhibition (FXaI) to understand their management and prognosis.

Methods and Results

We performed a multicenter cross‐sectional survey in 10 centers across the United States. Patient data were obtained by chart review. In all patients the procedure was performed with uninterrupted FXaI. A total of 16 PEs requiring intervention were reported from 5 centers. Two patients were on apixaban 5 mg BD, the remaining on rivaroxaban 20 mg OD. Eleven PEs occurred in the periprocedural setting, and 5 PEs occurred from 1 to 28 days after the procedure. Pericardiocentesis and drainage were performed in all cases. Protamine and 4‐factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F‐PCC) were given in all periprocedural cases. Two patients required surgery: in one case coagulation of the pericardial blood prevented effective drainage, and in the other bleeding was secondary to a steam pop‐induced atrial tear. None of the postprocedural cases required FXaI reversal and the dose of rivaroxaban was temporarily reduced. No fatal outcomes or thromboembolic events were reported.

Conclusion

Pericardiocentesis and drainage with FXaI reversal proved effective in the management of acute PEs with tamponade occurring periprocedurally in patients undergoing AF ablation with uninterrupted FXaI. Early postprocedural effusions can be treated with pericardiocentesis without the need of a reversal agent.
Coefficient of Variation of P‐Wave Duration Is a Novel Atrial Heterogeneity Index to Predict Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation After Catheter Ablation
Authors: NAKATANI YOSUKE , SAKAMOTO TAMOTSU , MIZUMAKI KOICHI , NISHIDA KUNIHIRO , KATAOKA NAOYA , TSUJINO YASUSHI , YAMAGUCHI YOSHIAKI , INOUE HIROSHI
Published: January 2016

Coefficient of Variation of P‐Wave and AF Recurrence

Introduction

Atrial conduction heterogeneity is associated with progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the relationship between P‐wave parameters representing atrial conduction heterogeneity and AF recurrence after catheter ablation (ABL) is still unclear.

Methods and Results

Subjects of the study were 126 consecutive patients with AF (78 paroxysmal and 48 persistent) who had received ABL. Coefficient of variation of P‐wave duration (CV‐PWD) was determined with all 12 surface electrocardiographic leads as an index of atrial conduction heterogeneity. Rates of freedom from AF recurrence were 78% and 77% in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF, respectively, over a 12‐month follow‐up. CV‐PWD measured before ABL was smaller in AF‐free patients compared with AF‐recurrent patients (0.089 ± 0.019 vs. 0.129 ± 0.042, P < 0.001). CV‐PWD significantly decreased after ABL in AF‐free patients, but did not change in AF‐recurrent patients. CV‐PWD after ABL was also smaller in AF‐free patients compared with AF‐recurrent patients (0.087 ± 0.025 vs. 0.133 ± 0.035, P < 0.001). In receiver operating curve analysis, CV‐PWD before and after ABL achieved area under the curve of 0.829 and 0.854, respectively, for the ability to predict AF recurrence. CV‐PWD correlated positively with left atrial (LA) diameter and negatively with LA appendage flow velocity.

Conclusion

CV‐PWD is a useful index to predict AF recurrence after ABL for both patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF. ABL may suppress AF by decreasing atrial conduction heterogeneity.