bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cervical varix complicated by placenta previa: A case report and literature review
Authors: Tanaka Mie , Matsuzaki Shinya , Kumasawa Keiichi , Suzuki Yosuke , Endo Masayuki , Kimura Tadashi
Published: February 2016

Uterine cervical varix is rare, and its clinical course is poorly understood. Therefore, we present a case report of cervical varix complicating placenta previa before describing our findings in the context of an electronic database search of relevant reports. In the case report, we describe the clinical course and imaging results of a 35‐year‐old woman who was diagnosed with cervical varix complicated by placenta previa. Investigation by magnetic resonance imaging, serial ultrasonography, and speculum confirmed the diagnosis, and a healthy baby was successfully delivered at 36 weeks of gestation by cesarean section. An electronic search identified nine previous cases of cervical varix complicated by placenta previa in the literature. Clinicians should be aware of cervical varices when managing placenta previa to avoid iatrogenic rupture or misdiagnosis of placenta accreta by magnetic resonance imaging.
Spatial and temporal patterns of herbaceous primary production in semi‐arid shrublands: a remote sensing approach
Authors: Blanco Lisandro J. , Paruelo José M. , Oesterheld Martín , Biurrun Fernando N.
Published: February 2016

Questions

Can herbaceous above‐ground net primary production (ANPP) be estimated from remote sensing when woody and herbaceous plants are intermingled? How does herbaceous ANPP change in space and time in an ecosystem dominated by woody species? What are the main controls of herbaceous ANPP to paddock scale?

Location

Native plant communities and buffelgrass roller chopped pastures of the Arid Chaco, western Argentina (28–32° S, 64–67° W; area: 100 000 km2).

Methods

We decomposed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data from MODIS (pixel size: 250 m × 250 m) into woody (W) and herbaceous (H) components. We calibrated the relationship between field estimates of herbaceous ANPP and the H component of NDVI using linear regression. The regression model fitted was applied to a 10‐yr MODIS database for four paddocks to estimate herbaceous ANPP. We analysed the relationship between herbaceous ANPP and watering point distance and growing season precipitation.

Results

The annual integral of NDVI × proportion of the herbaceous component [H/(H + W)] explained 71% and 91% of herbaceous ANPP variation in native plant communities and buffelgrass roller chopped pastures, respectively. The regression model fitted, however, differed (P < 0.05) between the two types of system. The NDVI annual integral explained a higher proportion of herbaceous ANPP variations than the NDVI annual peak or the growing season (December–April) integral. For native plant communities, herbaceous production increased significantly (P < 0.05) with watering point distance, and marginally significantly (P < 0.10) with growing season precipitation. For buffelgrass roller chopped pastures, the herbaceous production increased significantly (P < 0.05) with growing season precipitation.

Conclusion

Our model was able to estimate herbaceous ANPP from the decomposition of an NDVI time series that included woody components. Thus, the model provides the basis for more accurate monitoring of spatial and temporal variability of herbaceous ANPP in areas where herbaceous and woody plant components co‐exist. Applying our models, we detected clear spatial and temporal patterns of herbaceous ANPP. The possibility of describing in a spatially explicit way the past 14 yrs of herbaceous ANPP allows designing livestock management strategies and devise alternatives to control degradation processes in the Arid Chaco.
Linguistic Proficiency Assessment in Second Language Acquisition Research: The Elicited Imitation Task
Authors: Gaillard Stéphanie , Tremblay Annie
Published: February 2016

This study investigated the elicited imitation task (EIT) as a tool for measuring linguistic proficiency in a second/foreign (L2) language, focusing on French. Nonnative French speakers (n = 94) and native French speakers (n = 6) completed an EIT that included 50 sentences varying in length and complexity. Three raters evaluated productions on five scales: meaning, syntax, morphology, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Participants also completed a cloze test and a language background questionnaire. Results from regression and principal component analyses showed a strong relationship between EIT performance and cloze test scores and significant relationships between EIT performance, sentence length, and learners’ knowledge of and experience with French. Ratings were internally consistent, and all test items discriminated well between lower‐ and higher‐level learners. We argue that this EIT exhibits good validity and reliability, discriminates among French learners of different proficiencies, and is a practical tool for L2 proficiency assessment.
Decompensated cirrhosis may be a risk factor for adverse events in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Inamdar Sumant , Berzin Tyler M. , Berkowitz Joshua , Sejpal Divyesh V. , Sawhney Mandeep S. , Chutanni Ram , Pleskow Douglas K. , Trindade Arvind J.
Published: February 2016

Background and Aims

There are limited data regarding the safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in cirrhosis. The current literature consists of small series totalling less than 225 patients.

Methods

Retrospective matched cohort study of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) for 2009. We compared adverse events of cirrhotic patients who underwent ERCP (n = 1930) with a matched control group that consisted of randomly selected non‐cirrhotic patients who underwent ERCP (n = 5790). An additional control group, to measure cirrhosis‐related adverse events, consisted of cirrhotic patients undergoing non‐pancreaticobiliary endoscopy.

Results

ERCP‐associated adverse events of post‐ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) (8.3% vs. 5.5%) and bleeding (2.3% vs. 1.0%) were more common in the cirrhosis cohort vs. the non‐cirrhosis cohort (all P < 0.05). In subgroup analysis, compensated cirrhotic patients (n = 1308) had a similar adverse event profile to non‐cirrhotic controls except for a slightly higher rate of PEP (7.7% vs. 5.5%; P < 0.05). However, decompensated cirrhotic patients (n = 622) had statistically significant higher rates of PEP (9.7% vs. 5.5%) and bleeding (4.3% vs. 1.0%), compared with non‐cirrhotic controls respectively (P < 0.05). In regard to cirrhosis‐related adverse events, cirrhotic patients undergoing ERCP were more likely to develop bacterial peritonitis vs. cirrhotic patients undergoing non‐pancreaticobiliary endoscopy (2.2% vs. 1.1%; P < 0.005).

Conclusion

ERCP adverse events were statistically higher among patients with decompensated cirrhosis. This increased risk needs to be confirmed with prospective studies. A thorough risk/benefit assessment should be performed prior to performing ERCP in decompensated cirrhotic patients.
Enhalus acoroides responses to experimental shoot density reductions in Haad Chao Mai National Park, Trang Province, Thailand
Authors: Rattanachot Ekkalak , Short Frederick T. , Prathep Anchana
Published: February 2016

The effect of self‐shading and competition for light in the seagrass Enhalus acoroides were investigated with a density reduction experiment in Haad Chao Mai National Park, Trang Province, Thailand. The study was carried out in a monospecific meadow with a natural density of 141.0 ± 8.7 shoots·m−2. The intent was to determine the response of E. acoroides beds to loss of shoots and thinning, which often occur during typhoons and severe storm activity. Permanent quadrats were manipulated by clipping the seagrass shoots to 140, 72, 36 and 16 shoots·m−2, to yield natural, 50%, 25% and 10% densities, respectively. Reducing shoot density in E. acoroides increased underwater light intensity below the canopy, generating increased leaf surface area and shoot weight. Seagrass leaf width, growth rate, and number of leaves per shoot also increased with greater light. The extent of flowering varied among treatments with no consistent trend. Our results demonstrate that increasing the available light to E. acoroides produces an increasing leaf size response as self‐shading in the bed is reduced.
Fine‐tuning of choline metabolism is important for pneumococcal colonization
Authors: Johnston Calum , Hauser Christoph , Hermans Peter W. M. , Martin Bernard , Polard Patrice , Bootsma Hester J. , Claverys Jean‐Pierre
Published: February 2016

The human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is rare in having a strict requirement for the amino alcohol choline, which decorates pneumococcal teichoic acids. This process relies on the lic locus, containing the lic1 and lic2 operons. These operons produce eight proteins that import and metabolize choline, generate teichoic acid precursors and decorate these with choline. Three promoters control expression of lic operons, with Plic1P1 and Plic1P2 controlling lic1 and Plic2 controlling lic2. To investigate the importance of lic regulation for pneumococci, we assayed the activity of transcriptional fusions of the three lic promoters to the luciferase reporter gene. Plic1P1, whose activity depends on the response regulator CiaR, responded to fluctuations in extracellular choline, with activity increasing greatly upon choline depletion. We uncovered a complex regulatory mechanism controlling Plic1P1, involving activity driven by CiaR, repression by putative repressor LicR in the presence of choline, and derepression upon choline depletion mediated by LicC, a choline metabolism enzyme. Finally, the ability to regulate Plic1P1 in response to choline was important for pneumococcal colonization. We suggest that derepression of Plic1P1 upon choline depletion maximizing choline internalization constitutes an adaptive response mechanism allowing pneumococci to optimize growth and survival in environments where choline is scarce.
The plant response induced in wheat ears by a combined attack of Sitobion avenae aphids and Fusarium graminearum boosts fungal infection and deoxynivalenol production
Authors: De Zutter Nathalie , Audenaert Kris , Ameye Maarten , De Boevre Marthe , De Saeger Sarah , Haesaert Geert , Smagghe Guy
Published: February 2016

The pathogen Fusarium graminearum, producer of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol, and Sitobion avenae aphids both reside on wheat ears. We explored the influence of an earlier aphid infestation on the expression profile of specific molecular markers associated with F. graminearum infection. Using reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, we followed the expression of wheat defence genes on S. avenae infestation and explored the effect on a subsequent F. graminearum infection. This was performed by the assessment of disease symptoms, fungal biomass, mycotoxin production and number of aphids at several time points during disease progress. Wheat ears infected with F. graminearum showed more disease symptoms and higher deoxynivalenol levels when ears were pre‐exposed to aphids relative to a sole inoculation with F. graminearum. Aphids induced defence genes that are typically induced on F. graminearum infection. Other defence genes showed earlier and/or enhanced transcription after exposure to both aphids and F. graminearum. In the discussion, we link the symptomatic and epidemiological parameters with the transcriptional induction pattern in the plant. Our study suggests that pre‐exposure of wheat ears to aphids affects the plant response, which plays a role in the subsequent attack of F. graminearum, enabling the fungus to colonize wheat ears more rapidly.
What a gastrointestinal biopsy can tell us about Parkinson's disease?
Authors: Corbillé A.‐G. , Clairembault T. , Coron E. , Leclair‐Visonneau L. , Preterre C. , Neunlist M. , Derkinderen P.
Published: February 2016

Background

The intraneuronal inclusions called Lewy bodies and neurites, which represent the characteristic pathological changes in Parkinson's disease, are found in the enteric neurons in the great majority of parkinsonian patients. This observation led to a substantial amount of research over the last few years in order to develop a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure in living patients based on gastrointestinal (GI) biopsies.

Purpose

In this review, we will begin by discussing the studies that focused on the detection of Lewy bodies and neurites in GI biopsies, then broaden the discussion to the pathological changes that also occur in the enteric glial cells and intestinal epithelial cells. We conclude by proposing that a GI biopsy could represent a unique window to assess the whole pathological process of the brain in Parkinson's disease.
Transcriptome and metabolome of synthetic Solanum autotetraploids reveal key genomic stress events following polyploidization
Authors: Fasano Carlo , Diretto Gianfranco , Aversano Riccardo , D'Agostino Nunzio , Di Matteo Antonio , Frusciante Luigi , Giuliano Giovanni , Carputo Domenico
Published: February 2016

Polyploids are generally classified as autopolyploids, derived from a single species, and allopolyploids, arising from interspecific hybridization. The former represent ideal materials with which to study the consequences of genome doubling and ascertain whether there are molecular and functional rules operating following polyploidization events.

To investigate whether the effects of autopolyploidization are common to different species, or if species‐specific or stochastic events are prevalent, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic and metabolomic characterization of diploids and autotetraploids of Solanum commersonii and Solanum bulbocastanum.

Autopolyploidization remodelled the transcriptome and the metabolome of both species. In S. commersonii, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were highly enriched in pericentromeric regions. Most changes were stochastic, suggesting a strong genotypic response. However, a set of robustly regulated transcripts and metabolites was also detected, including purine bases and nucleosides, which are likely to underlie a common response to polyploidization.

We hypothesize that autopolyploidization results in nucleotide pool imbalance, which in turn triggers a genomic shock responsible for the stochastic events observed. The more extensive genomic stress and the higher number of stochastic events observed in S. commersonii with respect to S. bulbocastanum could be the result of the higher nucleoside depletion observed in this species.
Acidification, not carbonation, is the major regulator of carbon fluxes in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi
Authors: Kottmeier Dorothee M. , Rokitta Sebastian D. , Rost Björn
Published: February 2016

A combined increase in seawater [CO2] and [H+] was recently shown to induce a shift from photosynthetic HCO3− to CO2 uptake in Emiliania huxleyi. This shift occurred within minutes, whereas acclimation to ocean acidification (OA) did not affect the carbon source.

To identify the driver of this shift, we exposed low‐ and high‐light acclimated E. huxleyi to a matrix of two levels of dissolved inorganic carbon (1400, 2800 μmol kg−1) and pH (8.15, 7.85) and directly measured cellular O2, CO2 and HCO3− fluxes under these conditions.

Exposure to increased [CO2] had little effect on the photosynthetic fluxes, whereas increased [H+] led to a significant decline in HCO3− uptake. Low‐light acclimated cells overcompensated for the inhibition of HCO3− uptake by increasing CO2 uptake. High‐light acclimated cells, relying on higher proportions of HCO3− uptake, could not increase CO2 uptake and photosynthetic O2 evolution consequently became carbon‐limited.

These regulations indicate that OA responses in photosynthesis are caused by [H+] rather than by [CO2]. The impaired HCO3− uptake also provides a mechanistic explanation for lowered calcification under OA. Moreover, it explains the OA‐dependent decrease in photosynthesis observed in high‐light grown phytoplankton.
Objectively measured sedentary behaviour and health and development in children and adolescents: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cliff D. P. , Hesketh K. D. , Vella S. A. , Hinkley T. , Tsiros M. D. , Ridgers N. D. , Carver A. , Veitch J. , Parrish A.‐M. , Hardy L. L. , Plotnikoff R. C. , Okely A. D. , Salmon J. , Lubans D. R.
Published: February 2016

Sedentary behaviour has emerged as a unique determinant of health in adults. Studies in children and adolescents have been less consistent. We reviewed the evidence to determine if the total volume and patterns (i.e. breaks and bouts) of objectively measured sedentary behaviour were associated with adverse health outcomes in young people, independent of moderate‐intensity to vigorous‐intensity physical activity. Four electronic databases (EMBASE MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed and Scopus) were searched (up to 12 November 2015) to retrieve studies among 2‐ to 18‐year‐olds, which used cross‐sectional, longitudinal or experimental designs, and examined associations with health outcomes (adiposity, cardio‐metabolic, fitness, respiratory, bone/musculoskeletal, psychosocial, cognition/academic achievement, gross motor development and other outcomes). Based on 88 eligible observational studies, level of evidence grading and quantitative meta‐analyses indicated that there is limited available evidence that the total volume or patterns of sedentary behaviour are associated with health in children and adolescents when accounting for moderate‐intensity to vigorous‐intensity physical activity or focusing on studies with low risk of bias. Quality evidence from studies with robust designs and methods, objective measures of sitting, examining associations for various health outcomes, is needed to better understand if the overall volume or patterns of sedentary behaviour are independent determinants of health in children and adolescents.
Altered neural activation pattern during teeth clenching in temporomandibular disorders
Authors: He SS , Li F , Gu T , Liu Y , Zou SJ , Huang XQ , Lui S , Gong QY , Chen S
Published: February 2016

Objective

The aim was to explore the neural activations during teeth clenching in TMDs patients pre‐ and post‐treatment.

Subjects and Methods

Thirty TMDs patients and 20 controls underwent clinical evaluations and functional magnetic resonance imaging with a teeth clenching task. Eleven patients received repeat evaluation and imaging after wearing a stabilization splint for 3 months.

Results

During teeth clench, the TMDs patients showed decreased positive activity in the left precentral gyrus, right and left inferior temporal gyrus, and left cerebellum and increased negative activations in the right medial prefrontal cortex (P < 0.05 after AlphaSim correction). The 11 TMDs patients after treatment showed a return to normal neural activity in these areas. No brain areas in TMDs patients showed differences in activation after treatment compared with the controls, except for an increase in activation in the right cerebellum in the 11 TMDs patients (P < 0.05 after AlphaSim correction).

Conclusion

Decreased activations in cerebral areas associated with motor and cognitive functions in TMDs patients during teeth clenching were observed. Normalized activations of these areas happened in patients after routine treatment. These findings may facilitate the understanding of TMDs pathogenesis and the therapeutic mechanisms of the stabilization splint.
Eosinophilic density in graft biopsies positive for rejection and blood eosinophil count can predict development of post‐transplant digestive tract eosinophilia
Authors: Bush Jonathan W. , Mohammad Saeed , Melin‐Aldana Hector , Kagalwalla Amir F. , Arva Nicoleta C.
Published: February 2016

EGID is a known post‐transplant complication. Its etiology has been related to antirejection medication, but other factors may also play a role as only few transplant recipients develop EGID despite standardized treatment. This study aimed to determine whether EGID is associated with rejection events and with a specific phenotype of the rejection‐positive graft biopsies in children with solid organ transplant. All patients with liver, heart, and kidney transplant followed at our institution were included in the study. Digestive tract eosinophilia was more common in heart and liver recipients and was a rare event after renal transplantation. Subjects with EGID had higher incidence of rejection and elevated peripheral blood AEC. The first rejection event and high AEC values preceded EGID diagnosis in the majority of patients. Histologically, the initial rejection‐positive graft biopsy revealed accentuated eosinophilia in EGID patients compared with non‐EGID cohort, which correlated with higher blood eosinophil counts at the time of first rejection episode. Prominent graft tissue and peripheral blood eosinophilia prior to EGID diagnosis suggests a predisposition for eosinophil activation in patients with post‐transplant digestive eosinophilic disorder. These parameters can be used as markers for subsequent development of EGID.
End‐stage ischemic heart failure and Williams–Beuren syndrome: A unique scenario for pediatric heart transplantation
Authors: González‐López María‐Teresa , Pérez‐Caballero‐Martínez Ramón , Granados‐Ruiz Miguel‐Ángel , García‐Torres Enrique , Álvarez‐García‐Rovés Reyes , Gil‐Villanueva Nuria , Camino‐López Manuela , Gil‐Jaurena Juan‐Miguel
Published: February 2016

WBS is a rare disorder caused by mutations in the chromosomal sub‐band 7q11.23 involving the elastin gene. The clinical features (craniofacial, developmental, and cardiovascular abnormalities) are variable. The association with cardiac anomalies is a well‐recognized feature, and SVAS is the most common cardiac defect found. End‐stage ischemic heart disease is unusual in this setting but when it occurs, OHT remains the final therapeutic option. This decision can be difficult to determine, and it must be tailored to the individual patient based on the clinical status and concomitant cardiovascular and multisystem lesions. To date, no cases of OHT in patients with WBS have been described. We present a 14‐month‐old patient with WBS who developed severe LV dysfunction secondary to ischemia following a complex staged surgery for SVAS repair. He underwent successful OHT with no post‐operative complications, and at three‐month follow‐up, he remains asymptomatic on standard immunosuppressive therapy. This case constitutes the first demonstration that OHT may be indicated for extended survival in selected children with WBS and we discuss the basic principles for extending the indication for OHT to this scenario as well as the particularities for post‐transplant care.
Self‐Reported Changes in Sun‐Protection Behaviors at Different Latitudes in Australia
Authors: Djaja Ngadiman , Janda Monika , Lucas Robyn M. , Harrison Simone L. , van der Mei Ingrid , Ebeling Peter R. , Neale Rachel E. , Whiteman David C. , Nowak Madeleine , Kimlin Michael G.
Published: February 2016

Sun exposure is the most important source of vitamin D, but is also a risk factor for skin cancer. This study investigated attitudes toward vitamin D, and changes in sun‐exposure behavior due to concern about adequate vitamin D. Participants (n = 1002) were recruited from four regions of Australia and completed self‐ and interviewer‐administered surveys. Chi‐square tests were used to assess associations between participants' latitude of residence, vitamin D‐related attitudes and changes in sun‐exposure behaviors during the last summer. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to model the association between attitudes and behaviors. Overall, people who worried about their vitamin D status were more likely to have altered sun protection and spent more time in the sun people not concerned about vitamin D. Concern about vitamin D was also more common with increasing latitude. Use of novel item response theory analysis highlighted the potential impact of self‐reported behavior change on skin cancer predisposition due concern to vitamin. This cross‐sectional study shows that the strongest determinants of self‐reported sun‐protection behavior changes due to concerns about vitamin D were attitudes and location, with people at higher latitudes worrying more.
A reconsideration of natural dispersal distances of the pine pathogen Dothistroma septosporum
Authors: Mullett M. S. , Tubby K. V. , Webber J. F. , Brown A. V.
Published: February 2016

The natural spread of Dothistroma septosporum, the causal agent of a foliar disease of pines, was investigated at three sites in the south of England using trap plants. The pathogen is considered to be primarily rain‐splash dispersed, but this study shows that it can be spread many hundreds of metres from an inoculum source, demonstrating that dispersal is not solely via rain splash. The maximum distance the pathogen was recorded from any infection source was in excess of 1400 m, over five times the distance defined in the only previous work of this kind. Consequently, a reassessment of forest and production nursery management practices is called for, as these assume that the pathogen only spreads naturally over limited distances. Detection of the pathogen on trap plants over 100 m from the inoculum source was, in most cases, only possible using quantitative real‐time PCR diagnosis. The entire diagnostic procedure, from DNA extraction to amplification, was able to detect a minimum of approximately 17 D. septosporum cells in a pine needle sample, assuming only a moderate DNA extraction efficiency of 30%.
Legal Speech and Implicit Content in the Law
Authors: Hunt Luke William
Published: February 2016

Interpreting the content of the law is not limited to what a relevant lawmaker utters. This paper examines the extent to which implied and implicit content is part of the law, and specifically whether the Gricean concept of conversational implicature is relevant in determining the content of law. Recent work has focused on how this question relates to acts of legislation. This paper extends the analysis to case law and departs from the literature on several key issues. The paper's argument is based upon two points: (1) Precedent‐setting judicial opinions may consist of multiple conversations, of which some entail opposing implicata, and (2) if a particular precedent‐setting judicial opinion consists of multiple conversations, of which some entail opposing implicata, then no meaningful conversational implicatum is part of the content of that particular precedent‐setting opinion. Nevertheless, the paper's conclusion leaves open the prospect of gleaning something in between conversational implicature and what is literally said, namely, conversational impliciture.
Accounting for China's Saving‐Investment Imbalance from 2002–2008
Authors: Xu Jianwei , Yang Panpan , Ma Guangrong
Published: February 2016

This paper decomposes and analyzes China's saving‐investment imbalance (equivalent to current account imbalance) from 2002–2008. We first use the Flow of Funds Accounts to calculate the saving and investment rates (propensity) of the household, corporate and government sectors and to evaluate their relative contribution to the aggregate saving‐investment surplus. The results indicate that the increase of saving‐investment surplus can be attributed to the steady increase of saving by the household and government sectors and the short‐term downsizing of investment by the corporate and government sectors. We then use more disaggregate supplementary datasets to explore the factors behind the evolution of the saving and investment rates for the three sectors. The rise of the household saving rate mainly sources from the urban sector. The corporate saving rate experienced a steady increase because of the rise of profitability. Government macroeconomic policies have had a strong influence on the saving and investment patterns of the corporate and government sectors.
The functions of internal dialogs and their connection with personality
Authors: Puchalska‐Wasyl Małgorzata M.
Published: February 2016

In previous studies, seven key functions in internal dialogs were identified: Support, Substitution, Exploration, Bond, Self‐improvement, Insight, and Self‐guiding. It was also established that internal dialogs vary in the intensity of these functions. The presented research aimed to test if there are configurations of personality variables that allow us to predict specific patterns of functions performed by internal dialogs. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that the higher the intensity of neuroticism and anxious attachment and the lower the intensity of openness and the tendency to spontaneously adopt the viewpoints of others, the more strongly a person's internal dialogs perform the Substitution function and the weaker the Insight and Support functions are. The reverse configuration of personality characteristics intensifies Insight and Support and minimized Substitution. The results are presented in the context of the status of dialogicality and discussed in the light of other studies on internal dialogs.
A Note on the Large Sample Properties of Estimators Based on Generalized Linear Models for Correlated Pseudo‐observations
Authors: Jacobsen Martin , Martinussen Torben
Published: February 2016

Pseudo‐values have proven very useful in censored data analysis in complex settings such as multi‐state models. It was originally suggested by Andersen et al., Biometrika, 90, 2003, 335 who also suggested to estimate standard errors using classical generalized estimating equation results. These results were studied more formally in Graw et al., Lifetime Data Anal., 15, 2009, 241 that derived some key results based on a second‐order von Mises expansion. However, results concerning large sample properties of estimates based on regression models for pseudo‐values still seem unclear. In this paper, we study these large sample properties in the simple setting of survival probabilities and show that the estimating function can be written as a U‐statistic of second order giving rise to an additional term that does not vanish asymptotically. We further show that previously advocated standard error estimates will typically be too large, although in many practical applications the difference will be of minor importance. We show how to estimate correctly the variability of the estimator. This is further studied in some simulation studies.
Association of rs6822844 within the KIAA1109/TENR/IL2/IL21 locus with rheumatoid arthritis in the Algerian population
Authors: Louahchi S. , Allam I. , Raaf N. , Berkani L. , Boucharef A. , Abdessemed A. , Khaldoun N. , Bahaz N. , Ladjouze‐Rezig A. , Nebbab A. , Ghaffor M. , Djidjik R.
Published: February 2016

Increasing evidence suggests that the rs6822844, within KIAA1109/TENR/IL2/IL21 gene cluster on 4q27, is strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Caucasian population. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible association between the SNP rs6822844 and susceptibility to RA in the Algerian Maghreb population, and to explore the association with the clinical and immunological features of RA. The polymorphism rs6822844 was genotyped in 323 RA patients and 323 healthy individuals using the TaqMan assay. A strong association of IL2/IL21 with RA susceptibility was detected in the Algerian population [odds ratio (OR) = 2.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.74–3.83), P = 10−4]. Our results revealed that IL2/IL21 predisposed to disease development in both autoantibody positive and negative disease. Meanwhile, the association was stronger in RA patients with anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptides (ACPA) positive than those with ACPA negative [OR = 2.30 (95% CI 1.53–3.51), P = 10−4 and OR = 1.98 (95% CI 1.01–4.22), P = 0.037, respectively]. Moreover, our findings showed a moderate association of the rs6822844 polymorphism with disease activity (P = 0.014). This study indicates for the first time that there is a strong association between IL2/IL21 rs6822844 variant and susceptibility to RA in the Algerian population, and that this association was independent from the autoantibodies status of RA patients.
HLA‐A*24:02:96, a novel variant of HLA‐A*24:02:01:01, identified in a Chinese individual by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Zhu Y.‐Y. , Qiang W. , Shen G. , Zou J. , Liu G.‐J.
Published: February 2016

HLA‐A*24:02:96 shows one nucleotide difference from HLA‐A*24:02:01:01 at position 318 in exon 2 from C to T
Exanthem subitum (human herpesvirus‐6 reactivation) after autologous stem cell transplantation
Authors: Schlaweck S. , Brägelmann J. , Brossart P. , Mayer K.
Published: February 2016

We present the case of a 62‐year‐old man treated with high‐dose chemotherapy and consecutive autologous stem cell transplantation for mantle cell lymphoma, who developed high fever and a rash of the trunk and both axillae 10 days after stem cell transplantation.
Intrarenal abscess caused by community‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a transplanted kidney
Authors: Cheung C.Y. , Chan S.Y. , Yeung C.S. , Kwok P.C. , Chak W.L. , Wu T.C. , Chau K.F.
Published: February 2016

Emergence of multidrug‐resistant bacteria is important in solid organ transplant recipients, because it can jeopardize patient and graft survival. Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are not rare in kidney transplant recipients. On the other hand, infections related to community‐associated MRSA (CA‐MRSA) strains are seldom reported in the literature. Herein, we report the first patient, to our knowledge, with CA‐MRSA renal graft abscess who was successfully treated with drainage and parenteral antibiotics.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of adenovirus infection of the urinary tract after renal transplantation
Authors: Nanmoku K. , Ishikawa N. , Kurosawa A. , Shimizu T. , Kimura T. , Miki A. , Sakuma Y. , Yagisawa T.
Published: February 2016

Background

Urinary tract infection caused by human adenovirus (HAdV) after renal transplantation (RT) results in graft loss because of concomitant nephropathy and acute rejection and may result in death because of systemic dissemination.

Methods

We assessed the time period between RT and disease onset, symptoms, treatment details, disease duration, renal graft function, outcomes, and complications.

Results

HAdV infection of the urinary tract occurred in 8 of 170 renal transplant recipients. Symptoms were macrohematuria in all 8 patients, dysuria in 7, and fever in 5. The median period from RT to disease onset was 367 (range, 7–1763) days, and the median disease duration was 15 (range, 8–42) days. The mean serum creatinine (sCr) level prior to onset was 1.35 ± 0.48 mg/dL and the mean maximum sCr level during disease was 2.34 ± 1.95 mg/dL. These values were increased by ≥25% in 5 patients. The mean sCr levels when symptoms resolved was 1.54 ± 0.67 mg/dL, and no significant difference was seen before, during, or after disease onset (P = 0.069). Two patients were diagnosed with HAdV viremia and 1 with acute tubulointerstitial nephritis revealed on biopsy. In addition to a reduction in immunosuppressant dosage, 2 patients received gammaglobulins and 5 received ganciclovir.

Conclusion

Symptoms of all patients were alleviated, although some patients developed nephritis or viremia. Hence, the possibility of exacerbation should always be considered. Adequate follow‐up observation should be conducted, and diligent and aggressive therapeutic intervention is required to prevent the condition from worsening.
Blood donors in Iceland: a nationwide population‐based study from 2005 to 2013
Authors: Jóhannsdóttir Vigdís , Gudmundsson Sveinn , Möller Eðvald , Aspelund Thor , Zoëga Helga
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

Demographic information of blood donors is important to formulate strategies for recruitment and maintenance of the donor group. Factors like aging population, increasingly advanced medical treatments, and growing safety initiatives to protect donors and recipients of blood components are likely to affect the size of the donor group in the future. The purpose of this study was to determine the size of the donor group in Iceland and describe the demographic and donation characteristics.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The size of the Icelandic donor group was determined and the demographic and donation characteristics described, particularly of all newly registered and whole blood donors in the country from 2005 to 2013.

RESULTS

Overall the prevalence of whole blood donors per population decreased by 24.2% between 2005 and 2013 or by 3.4% per year. Females and males were almost equally represented as newly registered donors (44.7%/55.3%) but males were better represented as whole blood donors (26.7%/73.3%). Only 57.5% of newly registered donors in 2005 to 2006 returned to donate blood in the period 2005‐2013.

CONCLUSION

In parallel with a period of decreased demand for red blood cells, the number of whole blood donors and donations declined in Iceland between 2005 and 2013 but still with adequate supply. A smaller retention among females than males gives the opportunity to focus on increasing the share of women among regular blood donors. Strategic work toward effective recruitment and retention of newly registered donors is needed to ensure a sufficiently large group of blood donors in Iceland in the near future.
Megninia ginglymura feather mite infestation in a Hamburg poultry flock in the United Kingdom
Authors: Van Poucke Stefaan , Creighton Robin , Baker Anne S.
Published: February 2016

Background

A flock of rare breed poultry was heavily infested with small white mites. Although apparently not harming the birds, the mites were identified in order to access data on veterinary/medical significance and to decide upon appropriate treatment.

Objectives

To determine the identity of the mites, assess their potential impact on the host birds and to apply a chemical treatment regime.

Animals

Twelve, 5‐month‐old Hamburg large fowl kept on a UK farm owned by the second author. They were housed together on shavings in an indoor pen with a grass outdoor run. All were hatched on the farm and never left it.

Methods

Mites were identified using taxonomic identification keys and morphological descriptions. Nine birds were treated topically with 0.25% fipronil at 8 mL/kg on one occasion, while three birds were separated and left untreated as a control.

Results

The infesting species was the feather mite Megninia ginglymura. Treated birds were mite‐free after three weeks, whereas untreated ones were still heavily infested.

Conclusions and clinical importance

This is the first published report of such a heavy infestation of M. ginglymura in poultry in the UK and the first time topical fipronil has been used to eradicate these mites. The case is highlighted because, although asymptomatic in this instance, such infestations may be injurious to birds in different rearing regimes.
Rare and transient anti‐D antibody response in D− liver transplant recipients transfused with D+ red blood cells
Authors: Burin des Roziers N. , Ibanez C. , Samuel D. , Francoz C. , Idri S. , François A. , Mortelecque R. , Bierling P. , Pirenne F.
Published: February 2016

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 D− liver transplant (LT) recipients transfused with D+ RBCs perioperatively and screened for RBC antibodies between 2 and 6 months later. None developed anti‐D detectable by the indirect antiglobulin test. Two patients produced weak anti‐D that reacted only with papain‐treated RBCs at 10 and 11 days without any sign of immune haemolysis. Antibodies became quickly undetectable. These data suggest an unusual pattern of alloimmunization in LT recipients with rapid, weak and transient antibody response and support the safety of transfusing D+ RBCs in most of D− patients during LT surgery.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND FRACTURES FOLLOWING STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY IN DOGS WITH APPENDICULAR OSTEOSARCOMA
Authors: Kubicek Lyndsay , Vanderhart Daniel , Wirth Kimberly , An Qi , Chang Myron , Farese James , Bova Francis , Sudhyadhom Atchar , Kow Kelvin , Bacon Nicholas J. , Milner Rowan
Published: February 2016

The objective of this observational, descriptive, retrospective study was to report CT characteristics associated with fractures following stereotactic radiosurgery in canine patients with appendicular osteosarcoma. Medical records (1999 and 2012) of dogs that had a diagnosis of appendicular osteosarcoma and undergone stereotactic radiosurgery were reviewed. Dogs were included in the study if they had undergone stereotactic radiosurgery for an aggressive bone lesion with follow‐up information regarding fracture status, toxicity, and date and cause of death. Computed tomography details, staging, chemotherapy, toxicity, fracture status and survival data were recorded. Overall median survival time (MST) and fracture rates of treated dogs were calculated. CT characteristics were evaluated for association with time to fracture. Forty‐six dogs met inclusion criteria. The median overall survival time was 9.7 months (95% CI: 6.9–14.3 months). The fracture‐free rates at 3, 6, and 9 months were 73%, 44%, and 38% (95% CI: 60–86%, 29–60%, and 22–54%), respectively. The region of bone affected was significantly associated with time to fracture. The median time to fracture was 4.2 months in dogs with subchondral bone involvement and 16.3 months in dogs without subchondral bone involvement (P‐value = 0.027, log‐rank test). Acute and late skin effects were present in 58% and 16% of patients, respectively. Findings demonstrated a need for improved patient selection for this procedure, which can be aided by CT‐based prognostic factors to predict the likelihood of fracture.
First update of the International Xenotransplantation Association consensus statement on conditions for undertaking clinical trials of porcine islet products in type 1 diabetes—Chapter 6: patient selection for pilot clinical trials of islet xenotransplantation
Authors: Hering Bernhard J. , O'Connell Philip J.
Published: February 2016

Patients in whom type 1 diabetes is complicated by impaired awareness of hypoglycemia and recurrent episodes of severe hypoglycemia are candidates for islet or pancreas transplantation if severe hypoglycemia persists after completion of a structured stepped care approach or a formalized medical optimization run‐in period that provides access to hypoglycemia‐specific education including behavioral therapies, insulin analogs, and diabetes technologies under the close supervision of a specialist hypoglycemia service. Patients with type 1 diabetes and end‐stage renal failure who cannot meet clinically appropriate glycemic goals or continue to experience severe hypoglycemia after completion of a formalized medical optimization program under the guidance of an expert diabetes care team are candidates for islet or pancreas transplantation either simultaneously with or after a previous kidney transplant. Similarly, patients with type 2 diabetes and problematic hypoglycemia or renal failure who meet these criteria are considered candidates for islet replacement. Likewise, patients with pancreatectomy‐induced diabetes in whom an islet autograft was not available or deemed inappropriate are candidates for islet or pancreas transplantation if extreme glycemic lability persists despite best medical therapy. To justify participation of these transplant candidates in early‐phase trials of porcine islet cell products, lack of timely access to islet or pancreas allotransplantation due to allosensitization, high islet dose requirements, or other factors, or alternatively, a more favorable benefit–risk determination associated with the xenoislet than the alloislet or allopancreas transplant must be demonstrated. Additionally, in non‐uremic xenoislet recipients, the risks associated with diabetes must be perceived to be more serious than the risks associated with the xenoislet product and the rejection prophylaxis, and in xenoislet recipients with renal failure, the xenoislet product and immunosuppression must not impact negatively on renal transplant outcomes. The most appropriate patient group for islet xenotransplantation trials will be defined by the specific characteristics of each investigational xenoislet product and related technologies applied for preventing rejection. Selecting recipients who are more likely to experience prolonged benefits associated with the islet xenograft will help these patients comply with lifelong monitoring and other public health measures.
Time‐invariant feed‐forward inhibition of Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex in vivo
Authors: Blot Antonin , de Solages Camille , Ostojic Srdjan , Szapiro German , Hakim Vincent , Léna Clément
Published: February 2016

Key points

We performed extracellular recording of pairs of interneuron–Purkinje cells in vivo.

A single interneuron produces a substantial, short‐lasting, inhibition of Purkinje cells.

Feed‐forward inhibition is associated with characteristic asymmetric cross‐correlograms.

In vivo, Purkinje cell spikes only depend on the most recent synaptic activity.

Cerebellar molecular layer interneurons are considered to control the firing rate and spike timing of Purkinje cells. However, interactions between these cell types are largely unexplored in vivo. Using tetrodes, we performed simultaneous extracellular recordings of neighbouring Purkinje cells and molecular layer interneurons, presumably basket cells, in adult rats in vivo. The high levels of afferent synaptic activity encountered in vivo yield irregular spiking and reveal discharge patterns characteristic of feed‐forward inhibition, thus suggesting an overlap of the afferent excitatory inputs between Purkinje cells and basket cells. Under conditions of intense background synaptic inputs, interneuron spikes exert a short‐lasting inhibitory effect, delaying the following Purkinje cell spike by an amount remarkably independent of the Purkinje cell firing cycle. This effect can be explained by the short memory time of the Purkinje cell potential as a result of the intense incoming synaptic activity. Finally, we found little evidence for any involvement of the interneurons that we recorded with the cerebellar high‐frequency oscillations promoting Purkinje cell synchrony. The rapid interactions between interneurons and Purkinje cells might be of particular importance in fine motor control because the inhibitory action of interneurons on Purkinje cells leads to deep cerebellar nuclear disinhibition and hence increased cerebellar output.
Cyclic nucleotide regulation of cardiac sympatho‐vagal responsiveness
Authors: Li Dan , Paterson David J.
Published: February 2016

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are now recognized as important intracellular signalling molecules that modulate cardiac sympatho‐vagal balance in the progression of heart disease. Recent studies have identified that a significant component of autonomic dysfunction associated with several cardiovascular pathologies resides at the end organ, and is coupled to impairment of cyclic nucleotide targeted pathways linked to abnormal intracellular calcium handling and cardiac neurotransmission. Emerging evidence also suggests that cyclic nucleotide coupled phosphodiesterases (PDEs) play a key role limiting the hydrolysis of cAMP and cGMP in disease, and as a consequence this influences the action of the nucleotide on its downstream biological target. In this review, we illustrate the action of nitric oxide–CAPON signalling and brain natriuretic peptide on cGMP and cAMP regulation of cardiac sympatho‐vagal transmission in hypertension and ischaemic heart disease. Moreover, we address how PDE2A is now emerging as a major target that affects the efficacy of soluble/particulate guanylate cyclase coupling to cGMP in cardiac dysautonomia.

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