bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the kinase inhibitor sorafenib on heart, muscle, liver and plasma metabolism in vivo using non‐targeted metabolomics analysis
Authors: Jensen Brian C , Parry Traci L , Huang Wei , Beak Ju Youn , Ilaiwy Amro , Bain James R , Newgard Christopher B , Muehlbauer Michael J , Patterson Cam , Johnson Gary L , Willis Monte S
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose

The human kinome consists of roughly 500 kinases, including 150 that have been proposed as therapeutic targets. Protein kinases regulate an array of signalling pathways that control metabolism, cell cycle progression, cell death, differentiation and survival. It is not surprising, then, that new kinase inhibitors developed to treat cancer, including sorafenib, also exhibit cardiotoxicity. We hypothesized that sorafenib cardiotoxicity is related to its deleterious effects on specific cardiac metabolic pathways given the critical roles of protein kinases in cardiac metabolism.

Experimental Approach

FVB/N mice (10 per group) were challenged with sorafenib or vehicle control daily for 2 weeks. Echocardiographic assessment of the heart identified systolic dysfunction consistent with cardiotoxicity in sorafenib‐treated mice compared to vehicle‐treated controls. Heart, skeletal muscle, liver and plasma were flash frozen and prepped for non‐targeted GC–MS metabolomics analysis.

Key Results

Compared to vehicle‐treated controls, sorafenib‐treated hearts exhibited significant alterations in 11 metabolites, including markedly altered taurine/hypotaurine metabolism (25‐fold enrichment), identified by pathway enrichment analysis.

Conclusions and Implications

These studies identified alterations in taurine/hypotaurine metabolism in the hearts and skeletal muscles of mice treated with sorafenib. Interventions that rescue or prevent these sorafenib‐induced changes, such as taurine supplementation, may be helpful in attenuating sorafenib‐induced cardiac injury.
Models for assessing local‐scale co‐abundance of animal species while accounting for differential detectability and varied responses to the environment
Authors: Brodie Jedediah F. , Helmy Olga E. , Mohd‐Azlan Jayasilan , Granados Alys , Bernard Henry , Giordano Anthony J. , Zipkin Elise
Published: October 2017

We developed a new modeling framework to assess how the local abundance of one species influences the local abundance of a potential competitor while explicitly accounting for differential responses to environmental conditions. Our models also incorporate imperfect detection as well as abundance estimation error for both species. As a case study, we applied the model to four pairs of mammal species in Borneo, surveyed by extensive and spatially widespread camera trapping. We detected different responses to elevation gradients within civet, macaque, and muntjac deer species pairs. Muntjac and porcupine species varied in their response to terrain ruggedness, and the two muntjac responded different to river proximity. Bornean endemic species of civet and muntjac were more sensitive than their widespread counterparts to habitat disturbance (selective logging). Local abundance within several species pairs was positively correlated, but this is likely due to the species having similar responses to (unmodeled) environmental conditions or resources rather than representing facilitation. After accounting for environment and correcting for false absences in detection, negative correlations in local abundance appear rare in tropical mammals. Direct competition may be weak in these species, possibly because the ‘ghost of competition past’ or habitat filtering have already driven separation of the species in niche space. The analytical framework presented here could increase basic understanding of how ecological interactions shape patterns of abundance across the landscape for a range of taxa, and also provide a powerful tool for forecasting the impacts of global change.
Dust mite induces multiple polar T cell axes in human skin
Authors: Malik K. , Ungar B. , Garcet S. , Dutt R. , Dickstein D. , Zheng X. , Xu H. , Estrada Y. D. , Suárez‐Fariñas M. , Shemer A. , Krueger J. G. , Guttman‐Yassky E.
Published: October 2017

Background

House dust mite/HDM atopy patch test/APT elicits positive reactions in a high fraction of atopic dermatitis/AD and healthy individuals. Experimental systems for new‐onset/chronic AD are needed to support rapid therapeutic development, particularly since animal models representing human AD are lacking. While HDM APT has been considered to simulate AD, its suitability to model AD's emerging Th2/Th22 phenotype with Th1 and Th17 components is unknown.

Objective

To assess whether HDM APT reproduces AD.

Methods

Positive HDM APTs (n = 15) from patients with and without AD were evaluated, using genomic and immunohistochemistry studies, against intrapersonal control skin.

Results

APT lesions showed higher T cell and dendritic cell infiltrates vs. controls. Seven hundred and forty‐three up‐ and 326 downregulated genes were differentially expressed in HDM APT (fold change >2 and false discovery rate < 0.05), with increased expression of Th2, Th9, Th17/Th22 polar cytokines (i.e. IL‐5, IL‐13, IL‐9, IL‐17, IL‐22).

Conclusion

While HDM caused significant Th2 skewing, it also illustrated differences in Th2 induction and barrier defects; thus, HDM APT does not fully simulate AD. Given its widespread availability and sensitization rates, HDM may potentially be a useful tool that represents select aspects of AD, psoriasis, or contact dermatitis.
A comparison of TRECs and flow cytometry for naive T cell quantification
Authors: Adams S P , Kricke S , Ralph E , Gilmour N , Gilmour K C
Published: October 2017

Assessment of thymic output by measurement of naive T cells is carried out routinely in clinical diagnostic laboratories, predominantly using flow cytometry with a suitable panel of antibodies. Naive T cell measurements can also be made using molecular analyses to quantify T cell receptor excision circle (TRECs) levels in sorted cells from peripheral blood. In this study we have compared TRECs levels retrospectively with CD45RA+CD27+ T cells and also with CD45RA+CD31+ T cells in 134 patient samples at diagnosis or during follow-up. Both panels provide naive T cell measurements that have a strongly positive correlation with TRECs numbers and are suitable for use with enumerating naive T cell levels in a clinical laboratory.
Combining multiple biomarkers differentiates between active SJIA, SJIA-MAS and EBV-HLH
Authors: Weaver L K
Published: October 2017

Cytokine storm syndromes are a clinically heterogeneous group of conditions resulting from a maladaptive host response to an inflammatory trigger. These syndromes lead to rapid progression of immune-mediated damage to healthy tissues resulting in life-threatening multi-system organ failure. Prompt recognition of disease and medical intervention to limit damage to healthy tissues is essential to prevent cytokine storm morbidity and mortality. However, the diagnosis of cytokine storm syndromes is challenging, given the clinical heterogeneity in disease presentations. Therefore, expeditious and readily available tests to diagnose disease and differentiate between the various types of cytokine storm syndromes are of clinical utility. The recently published work of Shimizu and colleagues brings us closer to making this a reality.
Disagreement in normative IGF‐I levels may lead to different clinical interpretations and GH dose adjustments in GH deficiency
Authors: Varewijck A.J. , van der Lely A.J. , Neggers S.J.C.M.M. , Hofland L.J. , Janssen J.A.M.J.L.
Published: October 2017

Introduction and Background

Normative data for the iSYS IGF‐I assay have been published both in the VARIETE cohort and by Bidlingmaier et al.

Objective

To investigate whether normative data of the VARIETE cohort lead to differences in Z‐scores for total IGF‐I and clinical interpretation compared to normative data of Bidlingmaier et al.

Design

We used total IGF‐I values previously measured by the IDS‐iSYS assay in 102 GH‐deficient subjects before starting GH treatment and after 12 months of GH treatment. Z‐scores were calculated for all samples by using the normative data of the VARIETE cohort and by the normative data reported by Bidlingmaier et al.

Result

Before GH treatment, Z‐scores calculated by using the normative data of the VARIETE cohort were significantly lower than those calculated by the normative data of Bidlingmaier et al: −2.40 (−4.52 to +1.31) (mean [range]) vs. −1.41 (−3.14 to +1.76); P < .001). After 12 months of GH treatment, again the Z‐scores based on the normative data of the VARIETE cohort were significantly lower than those based on the normative data of Bidlingmaier et al: −0.65 (−4.32 to +2.79) vs 0.21 (−3.00 to +3.28); P < .001).

Conclusion

IGF‐I Z‐scores in 102 GH‐deficient subjects differed significantly when normative data from two different sources were used. In daily clinical practice, this would most likely have led to different clinical interpretations and GH dose adjustments.
Risk and resilience in autism spectrum disorder: a missed translational opportunity?
Authors: Szatmari Peter
Published: October 2017

The objective of this review is to provide a narrative summary of risk and resiliency in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) over the lifespan. In recent years, much has been learned about risk factors for ASD which include both genetic and environmental mechanisms. Resiliency in ASD is much less studied but examples can be gleaned by exploring studies that allow for heterogeneity in causation and outcome. Possible examples come from the literature on sex difference, infant siblings, and natural history. Exciting translational opportunities can be achieved through a greater focus on understanding protective factors and resiliency in ASD than the field's almost exclusive focus on risk factors and the ability to predict poor outcomes. Although the exact nature of processes that protect in ASD are not yet known, putting a resiliency lens on research and clinical practice may prove illuminating.

What this paper adds

Resiliency in autism spectrum disorder is a function of the vast variation seen in etiology and outcome.

A focus on strengthening protective factors may improve long‐term outcome.
Electrophysiological evidence for differences between fusion and combination illusions in audiovisual speech perception
Authors: Baart Martijn , Lindborg Alma , Andersen Tobias S.
Published: October 2017

Incongruent audiovisual speech stimuli can lead to perceptual illusions such as fusions or combinations. Here, we investigated the underlying audiovisual integration process by measuring ERPs. We observed that visual speech‐induced suppression of P2 amplitude (which is generally taken as a measure of audiovisual integration) for fusions was similar to suppression obtained with fully congruent stimuli, whereas P2 suppression for combinations was larger. We argue that these effects arise because the phonetic incongruency is solved differently for both types of stimuli.
Forest bees are replaced in agricultural and urban landscapes by native species with different phenologies and life‐history traits
Authors: Harrison Tina , Gibbs Jason , Winfree Rachael
Published: October 2017

Anthropogenic landscapes are associated with biodiversity loss and large shifts in species composition and traits. These changes predict the identities of winners and losers of future global change, and also reveal which environmental variables drive a taxon's response to land use change. We explored how the biodiversity of native bee species changes across forested, agricultural, and urban landscapes. We collected bee community data from 36 sites across a 75,000 km2 region, and analyzed bee abundance, species richness, composition, and life‐history traits. Season‐long bee abundance and richness were not detectably different between natural and anthropogenic landscapes, but community phenologies differed strongly, with an early spring peak followed by decline in forests, and a more extended summer season in agricultural and urban habitats. Bee community composition differed significantly between all three land use types, as did phylogenetic composition. Anthropogenic land use had negative effects on the persistence of several life‐history strategies, including early spring flight season and brood parasitism, which may indicate adaptation to conditions in forest habitat. Overall, anthropogenic communities are not diminished subsets of contemporary natural communities. Rather, forest species do not persist in anthropogenic habitats, but are replaced by different native species and phylogenetic lineages preadapted to open habitats. Characterizing compositional and functional differences is crucial for understanding land use as a global change driver across large regional scales.
Bayesian Spatial Filtering for Hedonic Models: An Application for the Real Estate Market
Authors: Gargallo Pilar , Miguel Jesús Angel , Salvador Manuel Juan
Published: October 2017

This article presents a Bayesian method based on spatial filtering to estimate hedonic models for dwelling prices with geographically varying coefficients. A Bayesian Adaptive Sampling algorithm for variable selection is used, which makes it possible to select the most appropriate filters for each hedonic coefficient. This approach explores the model space more systematically and takes into account the uncertainty associated with model estimation and selection processes. The methodology is illustrated with an application for the real estate market in the Spanish city of Zaragoza and with simulated data. In addition, an exhaustive comparison study with a set of alternatives strategies used in the literature is carried out. Our results show that the proposed Bayesian procedures are competitive in terms of prediction; more accurate results are obtained in the estimation of the regression coefficients of the model, and the multicollinearity problems associated with the estimation of the regression coefficients are solved.
Different Institutions, Distinctive Trajectories? Revisiting Maritime Industrial Development Areas with Cases on China's Liaoning Coast
Authors: Wang Haizhuang , Chen Tiantian , Ma Huiwen
Published: October 2017

Maritime industrial development areas (MIDAs) are spatial tools designed to accelerate economic growth in backwards coastal areas and thus alleviate regional disparities, and they have widely expanded in both developed and developing countries over the past sixty years. This paper reviews the global development of MIDAs in different historical periods and compares them with cases on China's Liaoning coast in terms of their structure, location, administration, national political‐economic climate and theoretical justification. The results indicate that although those countries have different institutional environments they seemingly once took the same path in their specific stages of development. However, the experiences of developed countries and other developing ones and the current dilemma of MIDAs in coastal Liaoning together demonstrate that MIDAs cannot achieve the policy targets anticipated by decision makers, especially during the economic transitions of China. This finding cautions backwards countries and their lagging areas, such as northeastern China, that the traditional pattern tried by the first developed countries may not be appropriate when the development tool (e.g., MIDAs) is examined in both the framework of international comparison and the socioeconomic setting of a specific country.
Diversification as a New Disciplinary Power: Gender and Sexual Subjectivity in Postmodernity
Authors: Ishii Yukari
Published: October 2017

Nowadays, the power of gender and sexuality works not only to reinforce and reconstruct the essentialized norms but also, in direct opposition, to deconstruct these norms. The new disciplinary power and its discourse encourages people to have diverse and fluid self/body images. This article aims to discuss the new characteristics of gender and sexual self‐image, body, discourse, and social images in postmodern society through a comparison with Foucault's arguments. This article also briefly mentions how these phenomena have spread through society and questions whether recent social movements really go beyond the style of the former one, which is based on sharing the same identity.
Collaborative care: Using six thinking hats for decision making
Authors: Cioffi Jane Marie
Published: October 2017

Aim

To apply six thinking hats technique for decision making in collaborative care.

Background

In collaborative partnerships, effective communications need to occur in patient, family, and health care professional meetings. The effectiveness of these meetings depends on the engagement of participants and the quality of the meeting process. The use of six thinking hats technique to engage all participants in effective dialogue is proposed.

Design

Discussion paper.

Data sources

Electronic databases, CINAHL, Pub Med, and Science Direct, were searched for years 1990 to 2017.

Implications for nursing

Using six thinking hats technique in patient family meetings nurses can guide a process of dialogue that focuses decision making to build equal care partnerships inclusive of all participants. Nurses will need to develop the skills for using six thinking hats technique and provide support to all participants during the meeting process.

Conclusion

Collaborative decision making can be augmented by six thinking hat technique to provide patients, families, and health professionals with opportunities to make informed decisions about care that considers key issues for all involved. Nurses who are most often advocates for patients and their families are in a unique position to lead this initiative in meetings as they network with all health professionals.
Scalp hypothermia as a preventative measure for chemotherapy‐induced alopecia: a review of controlled clinical trials
Authors: Shah V.V. , Wikramanayake T.C. , DelCanto G.M. , van den Hurk C. , Wu S. , Lacouture M.E. , Jimenez J.J.
Published: October 2017

Chemotherapy‐induced alopecia (CIA) is a temporary, yet psychologically devastating form of hair loss that affects 65% of patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. In the 1970s, scalp hypothermia was introduced as a preventative measure against the development of CIA. Numerous studies provide evidence for the effectiveness of scalp cooling to prevent CIA, although results varied because of differences in chemotherapy regimen, cooling technique, mode of administration and patient factors. However, many of the existing studies are uncontrolled or consist of small sample sizes, and data from randomized, randomized studies are limited. To date, no clear guidelines have been established for optimum scalp cooling use as a treatment modality and its efficacy remain unknown. Nonetheless, scalp cooling remains the most widely utilized method for the prevention of CIA, and in December 2015, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the DigniCap® Scalp Cooling System (Dignitana AB, Sweden) for marketing and the Orbis from Paxman® Coolers Ltd. received clearance in 2017. This literature review is one of the first to provide up‐to‐date review and side‐by‐side comparisons of controlled and randomized clinical trials (CCTs and RCTs) evaluating scalp hypothermia for the prevention of CIA. Our analyses of CCTs and RCTs to date show that scalp hypothermia is effective in reducing the occurrence rate of CIA, by 2.7‐fold in the CCTs and 3.9‐fold in the RCTs. These results suggest that scalp hypothermia represents an effective preventative measure for CIA, and provide guidance for management of anticipated alopecia following chemotherapy and for future investigations.
Evolution of density‐dependent movement during experimental range expansions
Authors: Fronhofer E. A. , Gut S. , Altermatt F.
Published: October 2017

Range expansions and biological invasions are prime examples of transient processes that are likely impacted by rapid evolutionary changes. As a spatial process, range expansions are driven by dispersal and movement behaviour. Although it is widely accepted that dispersal and movement may be context‐dependent, for instance density‐dependent, and best represented by reaction norms, the evolution of density‐dependent movement during range expansions has received little experimental attention. We therefore tested current theory predicting the evolution of increased movement at low densities at range margins using highly replicated and controlled range expansion experiments across multiple genotypes of the protist model system Tetrahymena thermophila. Although rare, we found evolutionary changes during range expansions even in the absence of initial standing genetic variation. Range expansions led to the evolution of negatively density‐dependent movement at range margins. In addition, we report the evolution of increased intrastrain competitive ability and concurrently decreased population growth rates in range cores. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding movement and dispersal as evolving reaction norms and plastic life‐history traits of central relevance for range expansions, biological invasions and the dynamics of spatially structured systems in general.
Grow with the flow: a latitudinal cline in physiology is associated with more variable precipitation inErythranthe cardinalis
Authors: Muir C. D. , Angert A. L.
Published: October 2017

Local adaptation is commonly observed in nature: organisms perform well in their natal environment, but poorly outside it. Correlations between traits and latitude, or latitudinal clines, are among the most common pieces of evidence for local adaptation, but identifying the traits under selection and the selective agents is challenging. Here, we investigated a latitudinal cline in growth and photosynthesis across 16 populations of the perennial herbErythranthe cardinalis(Phrymaceae). Using machine learning methods, we identify interannual variation in precipitation as a likely selective agent: southern populations from more variable environments had higher photosynthetic rates and grew faster. We hypothesize that selection may favour a more annualized life history – grow now rather than save for next year – in environments where severe droughts occur more often. Thus, our study provides insight into how species may adapt if Mediterranean climates become more variable due to climate change.
Determination of quality properties of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) fillets coated with chitosan‐based edible films
Authors: İzci Levent , Şimşek Olcay
Published: October 2017

In the study, it was aimed to determine the changes in the quality properties of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) fillets coated with chitosan‐based edible films during cold storage (4 ± 1°C). Before all, skinless fillets of the fish were prepared, divided into three groups as the control group (C), vacuum‐packed (VP) group, and chitosan film‐coated and vacuum‐packed (CF + VP) group, and stored at 4 ± 1°C. As a result of the analyses carried out, it was observed that coating with chitosan‐based edible films limited the development of microorganisms and had a retarding effect on the levels of total volatile basic nitrogen and trimethylamine nitrogen. It was found that the samples of the CF + VP group exceeded the limit values in a longer period than the other groups. As a conclusion, it was determined that the coating of meagre fillets with chitosan‐based edible films extended the shelf life during the cold storage.

Practical applications

Seafoods are quite perishable products besides being quite valuable in terms of nutrients. Therefore, maintaining the quality of seafoods is among the quite important issues. This study revealed that the treatment of coating meagre fillets with chitosan‐based edible films maintained the quality properties, thereby developing the shelf life.
Long‐term liver stiffness assessment in hepatitis C virus patients undergoing antiviral therapy: Results from a 5‐year cohort study
Authors: Facciorusso Antonio , Del Prete Valentina , Turco Antonio , Buccino Rosario Vincenzo , Nacchiero Maurizio Cosimo , Muscatiello Nicola
Published: October 2017

Background and Aim

Observational studies showed significant liver stiffness regression after sustained virological response, but long‐term effects of antiviral therapy are still unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of change in stiffness up to 5 years after therapy in hepatitis C patients undergoing antiviral treatment.

Methods

Data of 153 patients were retrieved. Stiffness was assessed by Fibroscan at baseline, end of treatment, 6 months after treatment, and every year hereafter up to 5 years.

Results

Seventy patients were treated with interferon‐based regimens and 83 with direct antiviral agents. Baseline cirrhosis was diagnosed in 53 (34.6%) patients. Sustained virological response was achieved in 112 patients, whereas 41 were non‐responders. In responders, stiffness decreased from 12.3 kPa (9–17.8) to 6.6 kPa (5.3–7.4) at 5 years. A sharper decline was observed immediately after treatment (−2.5 kPa at the end of treatment and −3.7 kPa at 6 months), while from 1 year onwards, the magnitude of stiffness decrease was progressively lower. In non‐responders, stiffness showed a slight decrease at the end of treatment (from 19.2 to 18.1 kPa), then returned to baseline levels at 6 months (19.4 kPa), and finally increased over time up to 23.7 kPa (15–32.5) at 5 years. The proportion of cirrhotic patients decreased by 50% at 6 months and finally fell < 5% at 4 years after treatment.

Conclusions

Stiffness declines significantly after achieving response, and the magnitude of decline is greater in the first year after treatment, while it tends to plateau from 1 year onwards.
Healthcare‐Associated Meningitis or Ventriculitis in Older Adults
Authors: Srihawan Chanunya , Habib Onaizah , Salazar Lucrecia , Hasbun Rodrigo
Published: October 2017

Background/Objectives

Healthcare‐associated meningitis or ventriculitis (HCAMV) is a serious and life‐threatening complication of invasive neurosurgical procedures or penetrating head trauma. Older adults are at higher risk of adverse outcomes in community‐acquired meningitis but studies of HCAMV are lacking. Therefore, we perform the study to define the differences in clinical outcomes between older and younger adults with HCAMV.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

A large tertiary care hospital in Houston, Texas, from July 2003 to November 2014.

Participants

Adults with a diagnosis of HCAMV (N = 160) aged ≥65 (n = 35), aged 18–64 (n = 125).

Measurements

Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory results, treatments, and outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale).

Results

Older adults had more comorbidities and CSF abnormalities [pleocytosis, high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein, low CSF glucose) and were more likely to have altered mental status than younger adults (P < .05). An adverse clinical outcome was seen in 142 participants (89%) (death (n = 18, 11%), persistent vegetative state (n = 26, 16%), severe disability (n = 68, 43%), moderate disability (n = 30, 19%). There was no difference in adverse outcomes between older (97%) and younger (86%) adults (P = .13). On logistic regression analysis, abnormal neurological examination (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 7.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.15–23.63, P = .001) and mechanical ventilation (aOR = 11.03, 95% CI = 1.35–90.51, P = .02) were associated with adverse clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

Older adults with HCAMV have more comorbidities and CSF abnormalities and are more likely to have altered mental status than younger adults but have similar high rates of adverse clinical outcomes.
Inappropriate Prescribing in Older Hospitalized Adults: A Comparison of Medical Specialties
Authors: Juliano Ana Carmen dos Santos Ribeiro Simoes , Lucchetti Alessandra Lamas Granero , Silva Jéssica Teixeira Santos da , Santos Letícia Gomes , Nunes Jéssica Borges Taranto , Fernandes Guilherme Cortes , Lucchetti Giancarlo
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the prevalence and number of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in hospitalized older adults, comparing prescription patterns of medical specialties.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary general hospital.

Participants

All older adults hospitalized from January through May 2015 (N = 1,900).

Measurements

Information on medications prescribed during the first and last days of hospitalization was collected and evaluated regarding PIMs using Beers and Screening Tool of Older People's Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria. Medical specialties (internal medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, nephrology, neurology, pneumology) were compared regarding the prevalence of PIMs and the increase in the number of PIMs during hospitalization.

Results

The number of individuals with PIMs increased significantly according to both criteria (62.3% to 66.6% according to Beers criteria, 43.4% to 50.0% according to STOPP criteria). The most common PIMs were sliding‐scale insulin (26.9%), clonazepam (9.5%), and periciazine (6.4%) using Beers criteria and spironolactone (10.3%), acetylsalicylic acid (9.8%), and periciazine (8.7%) using STOPP criteria. Neurology, infectious disease, and pneumology had the highest numbers of PIMs, and neurology, pneumology, and cardiology had a greater increase in PIMs during hospitalization than the other specialties.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the high and growing prevalence of PIMs in the hospital environment, according to Beers and STOPP criteria. Educational measures and specific pharmaceutical interventions for each specialty are needed to change this situation.
Determinants of a dietary pattern linked with greater metabolic risk and its tracking during adolescence
Authors: Appannah G. , Pot G. K. , Oddy W. H. , Jebb S. A. , Ambrosini G. L.
Published: October 2017

Background

Although growing evidence suggests that dietary patterns associated with noncommunicable diseases in adulthood may develop early in life, when these are established, as well as their determinants, remains unclear.

Methods

We examined determinants and tracking of a dietary pattern (DP) associated with metabolic risk and its key food groups among 860 adolescents in the Western Australian Pregnancy (Raine) Cohort study. Food intake was reported using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at 14 and 17 years. Z‐scores for an ‘energy‐dense, high‐fat, low‐fibre’ DP were estimated by applying reduced rank regression at both ages. Tracking was based on the predictive value (PV) of remaining in the DPZ‐score or food intake quartile at 14 and 17 years. Early‐life exposures included: maternal age; maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index; parent smoking status during pregnancy; and parent socio‐economic position (SEP) at 14 and 17 years. Associations between the DPZ‐scores, early‐life factors and SEP were analysed using regression analysis.

Results

Dietary tracking was strongest among boys with high DPZ‐scores, high intakes of processed meat, low‐fibre bread, crisps and savoury snacks (PV > 1) and the lowest intakes of vegetables, fruit and legumes. Lower maternal education (β = 0.09, P = 0.002 at 14 years; β = 0.14, P < 0.001 at 17 years) and lower maternal age at birth (β = 0.09, P = 0.003 at 14 years; β = 0.11, P = 0.004 at 17 years) were positively associated with higher DPZ‐scores.

Conclusions

An energy‐dense, high‐fat, low‐fibre dietary pattern tracks more strongly among adolescent boys who have high scores for this pattern at 14 years of age. These findings highlight target foods and population subgroups for early interventions aiming to improve dietary behaviours.
Reliability and validity of the Incontinence Quiz–Turkish version
Authors: Kara Kerime C. , Çıtak Karakaya İlkim , Tunalı Nur , Karakaya Mehmet G.
Published: October 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Incontinence Quiz, which was developed by Branch et al. (1994), to assess women's knowledge of and attitudes toward urinary incontinence.

Methods

Comprehensibility of the Turkish version of the 14‐item Incontinence Quiz, which was prepared following translation–back translation procedures, was tested on a pilot group of eight women, and its internal reliability, test–retest reliability and construct validity were assessed in 150 women who attended the gynecology clinics of three hospitals in İçel, Turkey. Physical and sociodemographic characteristics and presence of incontinence complaints were also recorded. Data were analyzed at the 0.05 alpha level, using SPSS version 22.

Results

The scale had good reliability and validity. The internal reliability coefficient (Cronbach α) was 0.80, test–retest correlation coefficients were 0.83–0.94; and with regard to construct validity, Kaiser‐Meyer‐Olkin coefficient was 0.76 and Barlett sphericity test was 562.777 (P = 0.000). Turkish version of the Incontinence Quiz had a four‐factor structure, with Eigenvalues ranging from 1.17 to 4.08.

Conclusions

The Incontinence Quiz–Turkish version is a highly comprehensible, reliable and valid scale, which may be used to assess Turkish‐speaking women's knowledge of and attitudes toward urinary incontinence.
Pre‐Exit Bundling, Turnover of Professionals, and Firm Performance
Authors: Brymer Rhett A. , Sirmon David G.
Published: October 2017

Context‐emergent turnover theory (CETT) focuses on the contextual factors that influence the turnover‐firm performance relationship, yet to date, has not investigated how particular firms weather the detrimental effects of loss more effectively than others. We build on the CETT literature by theorizing that different human resource bundling strategies are central contextual factors that impact the effects of human resource exit. Specifically, we argue that bundling human resources prior to exit in greater concentrations deflects some harmful effects of turnover. Pre‐exit bundling ensures that remaining professionals post‐exit retain both the capacity necessary to meet job demands and the critical tacit knowledge of firm routines that maintain effectiveness. Our study examines the loss of professionals in a panel of the largest U.S.‐based law firms. We find general support for our theory. Results show that losing professionals when the pre‐exit bundling had produced greater service‐, hiring‐, and geographic‐concentration lessens the negative effects of loss.
Do Higher Wages Reduce Knowledge Worker's Job Mobility? Evidence for Swedish Inventors
Authors: Ejermo Olof , Schubert Torben
Published: October 2017

Based on linked employer‐employee panel data on all Swedish inventors, this paper analyses how wages affect inventors’ job mobility. It is commonly assumed that higher wages reduce mobility because they reduce the value of outside opportunities. We argue that higher wages also send performance signals to potential employers, who raise their wage offers in response. By disentangling the effects of higher wages, we show evidence of a utility and an opportunity cost effect, which reduce mobility, and a performance‐signalling effect, which increases mobility. In our data, the effects cancel each other out, with no effects of wages on mobility rates on average. We find, however, that for star inventors, who have sufficiently strong alternative performance signals (e.g., strong patent records), the performance signal sent by wages is crowded out by the alternative signals. Accordingly, for star inventors we find that higher wages decrease mobility.
DNA methylation patterns of genes related to immune response in the different clinical forms of oral lichen planus
Authors: Cruz Aline Fernanda , de Resende Renata Gonçalves , de Lacerda Júlio César Tanos , Pereira Núbia Braga , Melo Leonardo Augusto , Diniz Marina Gonçalves , Gomes Carolina Cavalieri , Gomez Ricardo Santiago
Published: October 2017

Background

The oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease. Although its aetiology is not well understood, the role of T lymphocytes in its inflammatory events is recognised. Identifying the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this immune‐mediated condition is fundamental for understanding the inflammatory reaction that occurs in the disease. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the methylation pattern of 21 immune response‐related genes in the different clinical forms of oral lichen planus.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed to analyse the DNA methylation patterns in three distinct groups of oral lichen planus: (i) reticular/plaque lesions; (ii) erosive lesions; (iii) normal oral mucosa (control group). After DNA extraction from biopsies, the samples were submitted to digestions by methylation‐sensitive and methylation‐dependent enzymes and double digestion. The relative percentage of methylated DNA for each gene was provided using real‐time polymerase chain reaction arrays.

Results

Hypermethylation of the STAT5A gene was observed only in the control group (59.0%). A higher hypermethylation of the ELANE gene was found in reticular/plaque lesions (72.1%) compared to the erosive lesions (50.0%).

Conclusion

Our results show variations in the methylation profile of immune response‐related genes, according to the clinical type of oral lichen planus after comparing with the normal oral mucosa. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings using gene expression analysis.
Tax incidence on competing two‐sided platforms
Authors: Belleflamme Paul , Toulemonde Eric
Published: October 2017

We analyze the effects of various taxes on competing two‐sided platforms. First, we consider nondiscriminating taxes. We show that specific taxes are entirely passed to the agents on the side on which they are levied; other agents and platforms are left unaffected. Transaction taxes hurt agents on both sides and benefit platforms. Ad valorem taxes are the only tax instrument that allows the tax authority to capture part of the platforms' profits. Second, regarding asymmetric taxes, we show that agents on the untaxed side benefit from the tax. At least one platform, possibly the taxed one, benefits from the tax.
Associations between resistance phenotype and gene expression in response to serial exposure to oxacillin and ciprofloxacin in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Uddin M.J. , Ahn J.
Published: October 2017

This study was designed to delineate the relationship between resistance phenotypes and gene expression in wild-type (SAWT), oxacillin-induced (SAOXA), ciprofloxacin-induced (SACIP) and clinically acquired antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (SACA) exposed to oxacillin (β-lactam) and ciprofloxacin (fluoroquinolone). The phenotypic response and gene expression were varied with the antibiotic exposure. SAWT was highly resistant to oxacillin (MIC = 8 μg ml−1) after serial exposure to oxacillin, while the oxacillin susceptibility was not changed in SAWT when exposed to ciprofloxacin (MIC = 0·25 μg ml−1). The clinical isolate, SACA, was highly resistant to all classes of antibiotics used in this study. The increased resistance of SAOXA and SACIP to penicillinase-labile penicillins was attributed to the production of β-lactamase, which is in good agreement with the overexpression of blaZ (>2-fold). The overexpression of efflux pump-related genes (norA, norB, norC, mdeA, mepR, mgrA and lmrS) was associated with the increased resistance of SACIP and SACA to aminoglycosides and quinolones. This study confirmed that the linkage between resistance phenotypes and molecular genotypes highly varied depending on intrinsic resistance profile, response to antibiotic exposure and genes conferring resistance. This study provides useful information for understanding the mechanisms of methicillin resistance in S. aureus in association with phenotypic and genotypic resistance determinants.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The improvement in current standards is essential to accurately detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in consideration of various resistance phenotypes and genotypes. The varied and distinctive expression patterns of antibiotic resistance-related genes were observed in S. aureus exposed to oxacillin and ciprofloxacin. It is worth noting the relationship between resistance phenotype and resistance genotype in terms of MIC values and expression of antibiotic resistance determinants. This study provides useful information for understanding the mechanisms of methicillin resistance in S. aureus in association with phenotypic and genotypic resistance determinants.
Signatures of polygenic adaptation associated with climate across the range of a threatened fish species with high genetic connectivity
Authors: Harrisson Katherine A. , Amish Stephen J. , Pavlova Alexandra , Narum Shawn R. , Telonis‐Scott Marina , Rourke Meaghan L. , Lyon Jarod , Tonkin Zeb , Gilligan Dean M. , Ingram Brett A. , Lintermans Mark , Gan Han Ming , Austin Christopher M. , Luikart Gordon , Sunnucks Paul
Published: October 2017

Adaptive differences across species’ ranges can have important implications for population persistence and conservation management decisions. Despite advances in genomic technologies, detecting adaptive variation in natural populations remains challenging. Key challenges in gene–environment association studies involve distinguishing the effects of drift from those of selection and identifying subtle signatures of polygenic adaptation. We used paired‐end restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing data (6,605 biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms; SNPs) to examine population structure and test for signatures of adaptation across the geographic range of an iconic Australian endemic freshwater fish species, the Murray cod Maccullochella peelii. Two univariate gene–association methods identified 61 genomic regions associated with climate variation. We also tested for subtle signatures of polygenic adaptation using a multivariate method (redundancy analysis; RDA). The RDA analysis suggested that climate (temperature‐ and precipitation‐related variables) and geography had similar magnitudes of effect in shaping the distribution of SNP genotypes across the sampled range of Murray cod. Although there was poor agreement among the candidate SNPs identified by the univariate methods, the top 5% of SNPs contributing to significant RDA axes included 67% of the SNPs identified by univariate methods. We discuss the potential implications of our findings for the management of Murray cod and other species generally, particularly in relation to informing conservation actions such as translocations to improve evolutionary resilience of natural populations. Our results highlight the value of using a combination of different approaches, including polygenic methods, when testing for signatures of adaptation in landscape genomic studies.
Assessment of the test‐retest reliability of human gingival blood flow measurements by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging in a healthy cohort
Authors: Molnár Eszter , Fazekas Réka , Lohinai Zsolt , Tóth Zsuzsanna , Vág János
Published: October 2017

Objective

The reliability of gingival blood flow measured by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging is unknown. Our aim was to investigate the effect of factors inherent in oral mucosa measurement on intra‐day and inter‐day reliability.

Methods

Gingival blood flow was measured in seventy healthy subjects. First, measurements were obtained by varying the incidence angle of imaging, using a lip retractor. Second, 3 snapshots were taken with closure of the mouth in‐between, and lips were retracted by a dental mirror. These were repeated 1 week later. Third, snapshots were taken either by direct view or using a mirror. Reliability was assessed based on coefficient of variation.

Results

Unlike retraction of the lips and the mirror, the incidence angle had an effect on mean blood flow. The coefficient of variation within a subject was 6.4% with the mouth constantly open. With retraction, the intra‐session, and the inter‐day coefficient of variation were 8.3% and 10.5%, respectively. The coefficient of variation was 11.9% by alternating direct and indirect imaging.

Conclusions

Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging has good short‐ and long‐term reliability regardless of lip retraction or an indirect view. This technique seems to be appropriate for the long‐term clinical non‐invasive follow‐up of gingival microcirculation.
Target of rapamycin complex 1 and Tap42‐associated phosphatases are required for sensing changes in nitrogen conditions in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Li Jinmei , Yan Gonghong , Liu Sichi , Jiang Tong , Zhong Mingming , Yuan Wenjie , Chen Shaoxian , Zheng Yin , Jiang Yong , Jiang Yu
Published: October 2017

In yeast target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) and Tap42‐associated phosphatases regulate expression of genes involved in nitrogen limitation response and the nitrogen discrimination pathway. However, it remains unclear whether TORC1 and the phosphatases are required for sensing nitrogen conditions. Utilizing temperature sensitive mutants of tor2 and tap42, we examined the role of TORC1 and Tap42 in nuclear entry of Gln3, a key transcription factor in yeast nitrogen metabolism, in response to changes in nitrogen conditions. Our data show that TORC1 is essential for Gln3 nuclear entry upon nitrogen limitation and downshift in nitrogen quality. However, Tap42‐associated phosphatases are required only under nitrogen limitation condition. In cells grown in poor nitrogen medium, the nitrogen permease reactivator kinase (Npr1) inhibits TORC1 activity and alters its association with Tap42, rendering Tap42‐associated phosphatases unresponsive to nitrogen limitation. These findings demonstrate a direct role for TORC1 and Tap42‐associated phosphatases in sensing nitrogen conditions and unveil an Npr1‐dependent mechanism that controls TORC1 and the phosphatases in response to changes in nitrogen quality.
Overexpression of NLRP3, NLRC4 and AIM2 inflammasomes and their priming‐associated molecules (TLR2, TLR4, Dectin‐1, Dectin‐2 and NFκB) in Malassezia folliculitis
Authors: Liang Ni , Yang Yan‐Ping , Li Wei , Wu Ya‐Yun , Zhang Zi‐Wei , Luo Yun , Fan Yi‐Ming
Published: October 2017

The activation of NLRP3, NLRC4 and AIM2 inflammasomes is pivotal for innate immunity against some pathogenic fungi, but their role in the pathogenesis of Malassezia folliculitis (MF) remains unclear. The objective of the study was to determine the expression of 4 canonical inflammasomes (NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4 and AIM2) and their priming‐associated molecules (TLR2, TLR4, Dectin‐1, Dectin‐2 and NFκB) in MF lesion. Expression of NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, caspase‐1, IL‐1β, TLR2, TLR4, Dectin‐1, Dectin‐2 and NFκB was detected by immunohistochemistry in skin lesion of 23 MF patients and normal skin of 12 healthy subjects. Furthermore, NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, caspase‐1 and IL‐1β mRNA was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) in 12 MF cases and 10 controls. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, Casp‐1, IL‐1β, TLR2, TLR4, Dectin‐1, Dectin‐2 and NFκB expression was up‐regulated in the epidermis and dermal inflammatory cells of MF lesion compared with control skin (P < .01‐.05), but NLRP1 expression was not different between both groups (P > .05). qRT‐PCR showed that levels of NLRP3, Casp‐1 and IL‐1β mRNA were significantly increased (P < .01‐.05), whereas those of NLRP1, NLRC4 and AIM2 mRNA were slightly augmented compared to control skin (P > .05). Our observation suggests that simultaneous activation of NLRP3, NLRC4 and AIM2 inflammasomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MF.