bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IGF‐I regulates the age‐dependent signaling peptide humanin
Authors: Lee Changhan , Wan Junxiang , Miyazaki Brian , Fang Yimin , Guevara‐Aguirre Jaime , Yen Kelvin , Longo Valter , Bartke Andrzej , Cohen Pinchas
Published: July 2014

Aging is influenced by endocrine pathways including the growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (GH/IGF) axis. Mitochondrial function has also been linked to the aging process, but the relevant mitochondrial signals mediating the effects of mitochondria are poorly understood. Humanin is a novel signaling peptide that acts as a potent regulator of cellular stress responses and protects from a variety of in vitro and in vivo toxic and metabolic insults. The circulating levels of humanin decline with age in mice and humans. Here, we demonstrate a negative correlation between the activity of the GH‐IGF axis and the levels of humanin, as well as a positive correlation between humanin and lifespan in mouse models with altered GH/IGF‐I axis. Long‐lived, GH‐deficient Ames mice displayed elevated humanin levels, while short‐lived GH‐transgenic mice have reduced humanin levels. Furthermore, treatment with GH or IGF‐I reduced circulating humanin levels in both mice and human subjects. Our results indicate that GH and IGF are potent regulators of humanin levels and that humanin levels correlate with lifespan in mice. This suggests that humanin represents a circulating mitochondrial signal that participates in modulating the aging process, adding a coordinated mitochondrial element to the endocrine regulation of aging.
Pictorial key to adult femaleCulicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera:Ceratopogonidae) from theNorthernTerritory,WesternAustralia andSouthAustralia
Authors: Bellis Glenn A , Halling Luke , Anderson Stacey J
Published: July 2014

An illustrated key to aid in separating adult females of the 64 species ofCulicoidesreported from theNorthernTerritory,WesternAustralia andSouthAustralia, and some important livestock pest species not present in these regions is presented. The key uses characters visible under a stereomicroscope and does not attempt to distinguish those species that are separable only on characters visible on slide‐mounted specimens.C. asianaBellis is proposed as a replacement name forC. asiaticaBellis.
Telehealth in paediatric orthopaedic surgery in Queensland: a 10‐year review
Authors: Rowell Philip D. , Pincus Paul , White Megan , Smith Anthony C.
Published: July 2014

Background

Telemedicine is a patient consultation method commonly available to patients in rural and remote areas throughout Australia. Its use in paediatric orthopaedics has been rarely described. The primary aim of this study was to identify the patient cohort accessing the orthopaedic paediatric telehealth service through the Royal Children's Hospital Queensland, so as to better allocate this resource. The secondary aims were to identify the orthopaedic conditions the patients utilizing this service suffered and to follow‐up on treatment outcomes to potentially assess clinical benefit.

Method

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data of paediatric orthopaedic patients consulted using telehealth at the Royal Children's Hospital, Queensland over a 10‐year period between January 2004 and September 2012 was conducted.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐six patient records were assessed with a mean age of 6 years. Results showed that 40% of patients seen using telehealth in paediatric orthopaedics had documented cerebral palsy, an intellectual disability or congenital syndrome. Common paediatric orthopaedic conditions were seen, with lower limb malalignment being the most common presenting complaint. About 58% of patients were seen exclusively via telehealth and did not require in‐person consultation or operative therapy.

Conclusion

We found that the orthopaedic telepaedriatic consultation service at the Royal Children's Hospital reviewed a large proportion of patients with a known disability. We believe there is a role for telehealth medicine for all patients; however, we propose that even greater benefit can be obtained from telehealth consultation in patients with a disability where the cost and inconvenience of patient transport is considerably increased.
Is recurrent miscarriage a useful clinical concept?
Authors: Vlaanderen Willem
Published: July 2014

Many treatments have been used to increase the chances of an ongoing pregnancy after recurrent miscarriage (RM). Yet no clear evidence for an effective intervention has been found. Therefore, the clinical concept RM should be reconsidered. Both the statistical and clinical bases for RM are poor. If the individual risk is taken into account, then simple calculations explain the observed frequency of RM. Most miscarriages, either sporadic or recurrent, are abnormal in construction or development. Although some risk factors for miscarriage have been identified, such as age and number of previous miscarriages, the importance of other factors remains uncertain. RM has a favorable prognosis: the cumulative live birth rate is usually over 90% after two or three more attempts. So maternal systemic pathology does not seem to play a major role in the cause of RM. Little benefit can be expected from any intervention aimed at increasing the chance of a live birth. RM does not appear to be a real pathological entity that requires a special explanation. Moral support should replace medical interventions in most cases.
Refractive, anterior corneal and internal astigmatism in the pseudophakic eye
Authors: Bregnhøj Jesper F. , Mataji Pourang , Næser Kristian
Published: July 2014

Purpose

To evaluate the correlation between refractive astigmatism (RA) and anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA), and determine the internal astigmatism (IA) in 184 pseudophakic eyes.

Methods

The study was a prospective non‐masked single‐centre study. Patients were examined 8 weeks after phacoemulsification with implantation of aspheric one‐piece monofocal IOLs. Examination included autokeratometry and subjective refraction. All refractive data were converted to the corneal plane. The corneal refractive index, taken to be 1.376, was used to estimate the ACA. All astigmatisms were converted to net curvital and net torsional powers with the steeper corneal plane as the reference meridian. Curvital power is the force acting along a given meridian, and torsion is the power twisting the astigmatic direction out of that plane. The internal astigmatism (IA) was calculated as the difference between RA and ACA.

Results

For curvital powers, the refractive astigmatism (KP(Φ)RA) could be described as a function of anterior corneal astigmatic magnitude (KP(Φ)ACA) and direction α by the multiple linear regression equation: KP(Φ)RA = −0.09 + 0.61*KP(Φ)ACA + 0.33*cos2α, (r2 = 0.59, p < 0.0001). The average internal astigmatism amounted to 0.47 D inclined 92° relative to the steeper anterior corneal meridian. The magnitude of internal astigmatism depended on the angle α of the steeper anterior corneal meridian, averaging 0.86 D at 91° for with‐the‐rule, 0.37 D at 95° for oblique and 0.17 D at 97° for against‐the‐rule corneal astigmatisms.

Conclusions

The internal astigmatism varies as a function of the direction of the anterior steeper corneal meridian. In patient candidates to surgical correction of astigmatism, measuring only the curvature of the anterior corneal surface and neglecting that of the posterior corneal surface can lead to inaccurate evaluation of total corneal astigmatism.
Update in intracranial pressure evaluation methods and translaminar pressure gradient role in glaucoma
Authors: Siaudvytyte Lina , Januleviciene Ingrida , Ragauskas Arminas , Bartusis Laimonas , Siesky Brent , Harris Alon
Published: July 2014

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Historically, it has been considered an ocular disease primary caused by pathological intraocular pressure (IOP). Recently, researchers have emphasized intracranial pressure (ICP), as translaminar counter pressure against IOP may play a role in glaucoma development and progression. It remains controversial what is the best way to measure ICP in glaucoma. Currently, the ‘gold standard’ for ICP measurement is invasive measurement of the pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid via lumbar puncture or via implantation of the pressure sensor into the brains ventricle. However, the direct measurements of ICP are not without risk due to its invasiveness and potential risk of intracranial haemorrhage and infection. Therefore, invasive ICP measurements are prohibitive due to safety needs, especially in glaucoma patients. Several approaches have been proposed to estimate ICP non‐invasively, including transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, tympanic membrane displacement, ophthalmodynamometry, measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter and two‐depth transcranial Doppler technology. Special emphasis is put on the two‐depth transcranial Doppler technology, which uses an ophthalmic artery as a natural ICP sensor. It is the only method which accurately and precisely measures absolute ICP values and may provide valuable information in glaucoma.
Evaluation of new guidelines for ROP screening in Sweden using SWEDROP – a national quality register
Authors: Holmström Gerd , Hellström Ann , Jakobsson Peter , Lundgren Pia , Tornqvist Kristina , Wallin Agneta
Published: July 2014

Purpose

To investigate whether recent Swedish guidelines for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening, that is, a gestational age (GA) at birth of <31 weeks (w), are applicable in a new national cohort of prematurely born infants.

Methods

SWEDROP is a national register for ROP, initiated in 2006. The present paper reports on data from the register on various aspects of screening for ROP in infants born between 2010 and 2011 and compares the results with those for a previously published cohort born between 2008 and 2009.

Results

During the study period, 1744 infants were screened for ROP. Mean GA was 28.4 w (22–31), and mean birth weight was 1239 g (382–2615). Screening started at postnatal age (PNA) 5.4 w (0.4–13.3) and postmenstrual age (PMA) 33.8 w (24.9–50.1) Mean number of examinations was 5.4 per infant (1–38).

Mild (stages 1–2) and severe (≥ stage 3) ROP was found in 15.4% and 8.7%, respectively. Treatment was performed in 4.2% (73/1744) of the infants, but in none with a GA of 30 weeks or more. The first treatment was performed at a mean PNA and PMA of 12.7 w (7.7–25.4) and 37.4 w (32.1–51.4), respectively.

Conclusions

Recently introduced new guidelines for ROP screening in Sweden remain applicable. Reassuringly, in infants born between 2010 and 2011, incidence of ROP, frequency and timing of treatment, frequency and timing of examinations and national coverage of ROP screening remained almost identical to those for a previous cohort from 2008 to 2009. The two SWEDROP cohorts provide a basis for discussion among Swedish ophthalmologists and neonatologists on the question of further lowering the upper screening limit with 1 week.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the cathepsin S inhibitor, LY3000328, in healthy subjects
Authors: Payne Christopher D. , Deeg Mark A. , Chan Melanie , Tan Lai Hock , LaBell Elizabeth Smith , Shen Tong , DeBrota David J.
Published: July 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of LY3000328 when administered as single escalating doses to healthy volunteers.

Methods

This was a phase 1, placebo‐controlled, dose escalation study with LY3000328 in 21 healthy male volunteers. Subjects were administered escalating LY3000328 doses up to 300 mg with food in this single dose study. Blood samples were collected at set times post‐dose for the assessment of LY3000328 pharmacokinetics and the measurement of cathepsin S (CatS) activity, CatS mass and calculated CatS specific activity.

Results

All doses of LY3000328 were well tolerated, with linear pharmacokinetics up to the 300 mg dose. The pharmacodynamic activity of LY3000328 was measured ex vivo showing a biphasic response to LY3000328, where CatS activity declines, then returns to baseline, and then increases to a level above baseline. CatS mass was also assessed post‐dose which increased in a dose‐dependent manner, and continued to increase after LY3000328 had been cleared from the body. CatS specific activity was additionally calculated to normalize CatS activity for changes in CatS mass. This demonstrated the increase in CatS activity was attributable to the increase in CatS mass detected in plasma.

Conclusion

A specific inhibitor of CatS which is cleared quickly from plasma may produce a transient decrease in plasma CatS activity which is followed by a more prolonged increase in plasma CatS mass which may have implications for the future clinical development of inhibitors of CatS.
The role of serum erythropoietin level and jak2 v617f allele burden in the diagnosis of polycythaemia vera
Authors: Ancochea Àgueda , Álvarez‐Larrán Alberto , Morales‐Indiano Cristian , García‐Pallarols Francesc , Martínez‐Avilés Luz , Angona Anna , Senín Alicia , Bellosillo Beatriz , Besses Carles
Published: July 2014

Low serum erythropoietin (EPO) is a minor criterion of Polycythaemia Vera (PV) but its diagnostic usefulness relies on studies performed before the discovery of JAK2 V617F mutation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum EPO and JAK2 V617F allele burden as markers of PV as well as the combination of different diagnostic criteria in 287 patients (99 with PV, 137 with Essential Thrombocythaemia and 51 with non‐clonal erythrocytosis). Low EPO showed good diagnostic accuracy as a marker for PV, with the area under the curve (AUC) of the chemiluminescent‐enhanced enzyme immunoassay (CEIA) being better than that of radioimmunoassay (RIA) (0·87 and 0·76 for CEIA and RIA, respectively). JAK2 V617F quantification displayed an excellent diagnostic accuracy, with an AUC of 0·95. A haematocrit >52% (males) or >48% (females) plus the presence of the JAK2 V617F mutation had a sensitivity and specificity of 79% and 97%, respectively. Adding low EPO or the JAK2 V617F allele burden did not improve the diagnostic accuracy for PV whereas the inclusion of both improved the sensitivity up to 83% and maintaining 96% specificity. Haematocrit and qualitative JAK2 V617F mutation allow a reliable diagnosis of PV. Incorporation of EPO and/or JAK2 V617F mutant load does not improve the diagnostic accuracy.
Revisiting TP53 Mutations and Immunohistochemistry—A Comparative Study in 157 Diffuse Gliomas
Authors: Takami Hirokazu , Yoshida Akihiko , Fukushima Shintaro , Arita Hideyuki , Matsushita Yuko , Nakamura Taishi , Ohno Makoto , Miyakita Yasuji , Shibui Soichiro , Narita Yoshitaka , Ichimura Koichi
Published: July 2014

The association between p53 immunohistochemistry and TP53 mutation status has been controversial. The present study aims to re‐evaluate the efficacy of p53 immunohistochemistry to predict the mutational status of TP53. A total of 157 diffuse gliomas (World Health Organization grades II–IV) were assessed by exon‐by‐exon DNA sequencing from exon 4 through 10 of TP53 using frozen tissue samples. Immunohistochemistry with a p53 antibody (DO‐7) on paired formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded materials was assessed for the extent and intensity of reactivity in all cases. A total of 72 mutations were detected in 66 samples. They included 60 missense mutations, five nonsense mutations, four deletions and three alterations in the splicing sites. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that strong p53 immunoreactivity in more than 10% of cells provided the most accurate prediction of mutation. Using this cutoff value, 52 of 55 immunopositive cases harbored a mutation, whereas only 14 of 102 immunonegative cases showed mutations, sensitivity and specificity being 78.8% and 96.7%. Tumors with frameshift mutations frequently showed negative immunostaining. Staining interpretation by an independent observer yielded comparable accuracy. We thus propose p53 immunohistochemistry as a moderately sensitive and highly specific marker to predict TP53 mutation.
Mouse Models of Intracranial Aneurysm
Authors: Wang Yutang , Emeto Theophilus I. , Lee James , Marshman Laurence , Moran Corey , Seto Sai‐wang , Golledge Jonathan
Published: July 2014

Subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is a highly lethal medical condition. Current management strategies for unruptured intracranial aneurysms involve radiological surveillance and neurosurgical or endovascular interventions. There is no pharmacological treatment available to decrease the risk of aneurysm rupture and subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage. There is growing interest in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysm focused on the development of drug therapies to decrease the incidence of aneurysm rupture. The study of rodent models of intracranial aneurysms has the potential to improve our understanding of intracranial aneurysm development and progression. This review summarizes current mouse models of intact and ruptured intracranial aneurysms and discusses the relevance of these models to human intracranial aneurysms. The article also reviews the importance of these models in investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in the disease. Finally, potential pharmaceutical targets for intracranial aneurysm suggested by previous studies are discussed. Examples of potential drug targets include matrix metalloproteinases, stromal cell‐derived factor‐1, tumor necrosis factor‐α, the renin‐angiotensin system and the β‐estrogen receptor. An agreed clear, precise and reproducible definition of what constitutes an aneurysm in the models would assist in their use to better understand the pathology of intracranial aneurysm and applying findings to patients.
Increased Meningeal T and Plasma Cell Infiltration is Associated with Early Subpial Cortical Demyelination in Common Marmosets with Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Kramann Nadine , Neid Katharina , Menken Lena , Schlumbohm Christina , Stadelmann Christine , Fuchs Eberhard , Brück Wolfgang , Wegner Christiane
Published: July 2014

Subpial cortical demyelination (SCD) accounts for the greatest proportion of demyelinated cortex in multiple sclerosis (MS). SCD is already found in biopsy cases with early MS and in marmosets with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), but the pathogenesis of SCD is not well understood. The objective of this study was to investigate whether and, if so, which meningeal inflammatory cells were associated with early SCD in marmosets with EAE. Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze brain samples from eight control animals and eight marmosets immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Meningeal T, B and plasma cells were quantified adjacent to SCD, normal‐appearing EAE cortex (NAC) and control marmoset cortex. SCD areas appeared mostly hypocellular with low‐grade microglial activation. In marmosets with EAE, meninges adjacent to SCD showed significantly increased T cells paralleled by elevated plasma cells, but unaltered B cell numbers compared with NAC. The elevation of meningeal T and plasma cells was a specific finding topographically associated with SCD, as the meninges overlying NAC displayed similarly low T, B and plasma cell numbers as control cortex. These findings suggest that local meningeal T and plasma cell infiltration contributes to the pathogenesis of SCD in marmosets with EAE.
Improvement of pontine perfusion with steroid therapy in a patient with chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids: A case report
Authors: Togawa Jumpei , Nakaoku Yuriko , Hagiwara Mai , Murakami Gaku , Mitsueda‐Ono Takahiro , Matsui Masaru
Published: July 2014

Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) is an inflammatory disease in the central nervous system characterized by brainstem symptoms and distinctive radiological features, and responds favorably to steroid therapy. To date, only a few case reports pertaining to this condition have been published, and thus single‐photon emission computed tomography findings of CLIPPERS have not been reported. Here, we document our experiences with an 86‐year‐old patient who we diagnosed with CLIPPERS according to her clinical presentation, radiological findings and favorable response to steroid therapy. N‐isopropyl‐p‐[123I]iodoamphetamine single‐photon emission computed tomography showed hypoperfusion in the pons, which was improved by steroid therapy. This case highlights the utility of N‐isopropyl‐p‐[123I]iodoamphetamine single‐photon emission computed tomography for assessing pontine dysfunction in CLIPPERS patients both before and after steroid therapy.
Numerical representations and intuitions of probabilities at 12 months
Authors: Téglás Ernő , Ibanez‐Lillo Alexandra , Costa Albert , Bonatti Luca L.
Published: July 2014

Recent research shows that preverbal infants can reason about single‐case probabilities without relying on observed frequencies, adapting their predictions to relevant dynamic parameters of the situation (Téglás, Vul, Girotto, Gonzalez, Tenenbaum & Bonatti, ; Téglás, Girotto, Gonzalez & Bonatti, ). Here we show that intuitions of probabilities may derive from the ability to represent a limited number of possibilities. After watching a scene containing moving objects of two ensembles, 12‐month‐olds looked longer at an unlikely than at a likely single‐case outcome when the objects were within the parallel individuation range. However, they did not do so when the scene contained the same ratio between ensembles but a larger number of objects. At the same time, they could form rational expectations about single‐case outcomes in scenes containing the same large number of objects when they could exploit subtle physical parameters induced by the objects’ movements and their spatial configuration. Our findings demonstrate that at early stages of development the mental representations involved in probability estimations of future individual situations are powerful and sophisticated, but at the same time they depend on infants’ overall cognitive architecture, being constrained by the numerical representations spontaneously induced by the situations.
Fearful faces drive gaze‐cueing and threat bias effects in children on the lookout for danger
Authors: Dawel Amy , Palermo Romina , O'Kearney Richard , Irons Jessica , McKone Elinor
Published: July 2014

Most developmental studies of face emotion processing show faces in isolation, in the absence of any broader context. Here we investigate two types of interactions between expression and threat contexts. First, in adults, following of another person's direction of social attention is increased when that person shows fear and the context requires vigilance for danger. We investigate whether this also occurs in children. Using a Posner‐style eye‐gaze cueing paradigm, we tested whether children would show greater gaze‐cueing from fearful than happy expressions when the task was to be vigilant for possible dangerous animals. Testing across the 8–12‐year‐old age range, we found this fear priority effect was absent in the youngest children but developed to reach adult levels in the oldest children. However, even the oldest children were unable to sustain fear‐prioritization when the onset of the target was delayed. Second, we addressed the development of ‘threat bias’ – namely faster identification of dangerous animals than safe animals – in the social context provided by expressive faces. In our non‐anxious samples (i.e. with typical‐population levels of anxiety), adults showed a threat bias regardless of the expression or looking direction of the just‐seen cue face whereas 8–12‐year‐olds only showed a threat bias when the just‐seen cue face displayed fear. Overall, the results argue that some, but not all, aspects of expression–context interactions are mature by 12 years of age.
Accelerating bleaching in vitiligo: balancing benefits versus risks
Authors: Seneschal Julien , Boniface Katia , Ezzedine Khaled , Taieb Alain
Published: July 2014

While the goal of available treatment in vitiligo is to regain pigmentation, some patients affected by extensive and treatment‐resistant vitiligo, with a major social and emotional impact, may benefit from depigmentation therapy. However, results from such therapy may not always be satisfactory. So to achieve better, faster and complete bleaching, Webb et al. propose a synergistic approach that combines topical application of bleaching phenols which targets melanocytes and initiate local inflammation with immune adjuvants so as to obtain an enhanced immune response against remaining melanocytes. This strategy could be reliable, but should be evaluated cautiously in future studies, in terms of potential side effects and induction of undesired autoimmunity.
Hair type‐specific function of canonical Wnt activity in adult mouse skin
Authors: Niemann Catherin , Schneider Marlon R.
Published: July 2014

Wnt/β‐catenin signalling is a key regulator of hair follicle (HF) morphogenesis and life‐long HF regeneration. In a recently published issue of Experimental Dermatology, Lei et al. report that sustained WNT10B supply and pathway activation in regenerating mouse HF increased the width of hair bulbs, hair shafts and the dermal papilla (DP), and enlarged the CD34+ HF bulge cell compartment. Notably, WNT10B affected primarily zigzag HFs, while size and morphology of other HF types remained largely unaffected. Thus, these findings raise a number of questions regarding a HF type‐specific function of Wnt/β‐catenin and on the role of the WNT‐stimulated DP in this process.
Future fire emissions associated with projected land use change in Sumatra
Authors: Marlier Miriam E. , DeFries Ruth , Pennington Derric , Nelson Erik , Ordway Elsa M. , Lewis Jeremy , Koplitz Shannon N. , Mickley Loretta J.
Published: July 2014

Indonesia has experienced rapid land use change over the last few decades as forests and peatswamps have been cleared for more intensively managed land uses, including oil palm and timber plantations. Fires are the predominant method of clearing and managing land for more intensive uses, and the related emissions affect public health by contributing to regional particulate matter and ozone concentrations and adding to global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Here, we examine emissions from fires associated with land use clearing and land management on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and the sensitivity of this fire activity to interannual meteorological variability. We find ~80% of 2005–2009 Sumatra emissions are associated with degradation or land use maintenance instead of immediate land use conversion, especially in dry years. We estimate Sumatra fire emissions from land use change and maintenance for the next two decades with five scenarios of land use change, the Global Fire Emissions Database Version 3, detailed 1‐km2 land use change maps, and MODIS fire radiative power observations. Despite comprising only 16% of the original study area, we predict that 37–48% of future Sumatra emissions from land use change will occur in fuel‐rich peatswamps unless this land cover type is protected effectively. This result means that the impact of fires on future air quality and climate in Equatorial Asia will be decided in part by the conservation status given to the remaining peatswamps on Sumatra. Results from this article will be implemented in an atmospheric transport model to quantify the public health impacts from the transport of fire emissions associated with future land use scenarios in Sumatra.
Associations between social inequality and tooth loss in a household sample of elderly Thai people aged ≥60 years old
Authors: Srisilapanan Patcharawan , Korwanich Narumanas , Lalloo Ratilal
Published: July 2014

Objective

To assess the relationship between social inequality and the number of remaining teeth in an elderly Thai population.

Background

Having twenty or more remaining teeth is an important indicator of optimal oral health in the elderly.

Methods

The data for this study were derived from the Survey of Older Persons in Thailand, conducted by the National Statistical Office, based on face‐to‐face interviews with people aged ≥60. The total sample was 30 427. The oral health measure was self‐reported remaining number of teeth. Income, education and possession of durable goods were utilised as measures of social inequality.

Results

More than half of the sample (57.0%) was women. The majority (73.2%) was in the age range 60–74 years old. Less than a fifth (15.5%) had 7 or more years of education. A third earned <20 000 Thai Baht (THB) per annum (defined as poor). More than half (52.8%) of the sample had <20 remaining teeth. There was a link between social inequalities and tooth loss. In the adjusted model, elderly people, who were older than 75, who were not under a married status, had a lower level of education, had a lower income, and who did not own luxury goods, were 2.84 (CI 95% 2.66–3.03), 1.31 (CI 95% 1.21–1.41), 1.44 (CI 95% 1.34–1.56), 1.12 (CI 95% 1.13–1.29) and 1.21 (CI 95% 1.13–1.29) times more likely to have 19 or fewer teeth remaining, respectively.

Conclusion

Social inequality is related to the number of remaining teeth in elderly Thai people.
Meditation for Migraines: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wells Rebecca Erwin , Burch Rebecca , Paulsen Randall H. , Wayne Peter M. , Houle Timothy T. , Loder Elizabeth
Published: July 2014

Objective

Our objective was to assess the safety, feasibility, and effects of the standardized 8‐week mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) course in adults with migraines.

Background

Stress is a well‐known trigger for headaches. Research supports the general benefits of mind/body interventions for migraines, but there are few rigorous studies supporting the use of specific standardized interventions. MBSR is a standardized 8‐week mind/body intervention that teaches mindfulness meditation/yoga. Preliminary research has shown MBSR to be effective for chronic pain syndromes, but it has not been evaluated for migraines.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 19 episodic migraineurs randomized to either MBSR (n = 10) or usual care (n = 9). Our primary outcome was change in migraine frequency from baseline to initial follow‐up. Secondary outcomes included change in headache severity, duration, self‐efficacy, perceived stress, migraine‐related disability/impact, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, and quality of life from baseline to initial follow‐up.

Results

MBSR was safe (no adverse events), with 0% dropout and excellent adherence (daily meditation average: 34 ± 11 minutes, range 16‐50 minutes/day). Median class attendance from 9 classes (including retreat day) was 8 (range [3, 9]); average class attendance was 6.7 ± 2.5. MBSR participants had 1.4 fewer migraines/month (MBSR: 3.5 to 1.0 vs control: 1.2 to 0 migraines/month, 95% confidence interval CI [−4.6, 1.8], P = .38), an effect that did not reach statistical significance in this pilot sample. Headaches were less severe, although not significantly so (−1.3 points/headache on 0‐10 scale, [−2.3, 0.09], P = .053) and shorter (−2.9 hours/headache, [−4.6, −0.02], P = .043) vs control. Migraine Disability Assessment and Headache Impact Test‐6 dropped in MBSR vs control (−12.6, [−22.0, −1.0], P = .017 and −4.8, [−11.0, −1.0], P = .043, respectively). Self‐efficacy and mindfulness improved in MBSR vs control (13.2 [1.0, 30.0], P = .035 and 13.1 [3.0, 26.0], P = .035 respectively).

Conclusions

MBSR is safe and feasible for adults with migraines. Although the small sample size of this pilot trial did not provide power to detect statistically significant changes in migraine frequency or severity, secondary outcomes demonstrated this intervention had a beneficial effect on headache duration, disability, self‐efficacy, and mindfulness. Future studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to further evaluate this intervention for adults with migraines. This study was prospectively registered (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01545466).
Behavioral Migraine Management Modifies Behavioral and Cognitive Coping in People With Migraine
Authors: Seng Elizabeth K. , Holroyd Kenneth A.
Published: July 2014

Objective

This is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial which aims to examine changes in cognitive and behavioral responses to migraine with cognitive behavioral treatment for migraine, preventive medication for migraine, and their combination, and the relationship between these changes and reductions in migraine‐related disability.

Background

Cognitive behavioral treatment is thought to reduce migraine‐related disability through modifying maladaptive cognitive and behavioral responses to migraine.

Methods

Two hundred thirty‐two people with migraine who did not respond to 5 weeks of optimized acute therapy were randomized into a 2 (beta‐blocker vs placebo) X 2 (behavioral migraine management [BMM] vs no BMM) treatment design. Participants received BMM and/or beta‐blocker dose adjustment for 4 months, and were followed for an additional 12 months. Participants completed measures of catastrophizing, behavioral coping, and migraine‐related disability throughout the study.

Results

Compared to drug therapy only, BMM demonstrated larger decreases in catastrophizing scores (19.16 to 9.89 vs 16.78 to 11.84, P < .001) and increases in number of positive coping strategies (proactive: 1.09 to 1.90 vs 1.16 to 1.09, P  < .001; anticipatory: 0.19 to 0.69 vs 0.10 to 0.08, P  < .001; migraine management: 0.14 to 0.36 vs 0.04 to 0.04, P  < .001) at the end of the follow‐up period. Decreases in catastrophizing were associated with a larger BMM effect on migraine‐related disability (P = .036).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that BMM modified important cognitive and behavioral factors postulated to be mechanisms of cognitive behavioral treatments for migraine.
Testing Devices for the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke and its Complications
Authors: Bath Philip M. , Brainin Michael , Brown Chloe , Campbell Bruce , Davis Stephen M. , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Ford Gary A. , Hacke Werner , Iglesias Cynthia , Lees Kennedy R. , Pugh Stacey S. , Saver Jeff L. , Schellinger Peter D. , Truelsen Thomas
Published: July 2014

We are entering a challenging but exciting period when many new interventions may appear for stroke based on the use of devices. Hopefully these will lead to improved outcomes at a cost that can be afforded in most parts of the world. Nevertheless, it is vital that lessons are learnt from failures in the development of pharmacological interventions (and from some early device studies), including inadequate preclinical testing, suboptimal trial design and analysis, and underpowered studies. The device industry is far more disparate than that seen for pharmaceuticals; companies are very variable in size and experience in stroke, and are developing interventions across a wide range of stroke treatment and prevention. It is vital that companies work together where sales and marketing are not involved, including in understanding basic stroke mechanisms, prospective systematic reviews, and education of physicians. Where possible, industry and academics should also work closely together to ensure trials are designed to be relevant to patient care and outcomes. Additionally, regulation of the device industry lags behind that for pharmaceuticals, and it is critical that new interventions are shown to be safe and effective rather than just feasible. Phase IV postmarketing surveillance studies will also be needed to ensure that devices are safe when used in the ‘real-world’ and to pick up uncommon adverse events.
Life Cycle of Cystoisospora felis (Coccidia: Apicomplexa) in Cats and Mice
Authors: Dubey J. P.
Published: July 2014

Cystoisospora felis is a ubiquitous apicomplexan protozoon of cats. The endogenous development of C. felis was studied in cats after feeding them infected mice. For this, five newborn cats were killed at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after having been fed mesenteric lymph nodes and spleens of mice that were inoculated with C. felis sporulated sporocysts. Asexual and sexual development occurred in enterocytes throughout the villi of the small intestine. The number of asexual generations was not determined with certainty, but there were different sized merozoites. At 24 h, merogony was seen only in the duodenum and the jejunum. Beginning at 48 h, the entire small intestine was parasitized. At 24 h, meronts contained 1–4 zoites, and at 48 h up to 12 zoites. Beginning with 72 h, the ileum was more heavily parasitized than the jejunum. At 96 and 120 h, meronts contained many zoites in various stages of development; some divided by endodyogeny. The multiplication was asynchronous, thus both immature multinucleated meronts and mature merozoites were seen in the same parasitophorous vacuole. Gametogony occurred between 96 and 120 h, and oocysts were present at 120 h. For the study of the development of C. felis in murine tissues, mice were killed from day 1 to 720 d after having been fed 105 sporocysts, and their tissues were examined for the parasites microscopically, and by bioassay in cats. The following conclusions were drawn. (1) Cystoisospora felis most frequently invaded the mesenteric lymph nodes of mice and remained there for at least 23 mo. (2) It also invaded the spleen, liver, brain, lung, and skeletal muscle of mice, but division was not seen based on microscopical examination. (3) This species could not be passed from mouse to mouse.
Morphology of Three Species of Amphileptus (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Pleurostomatida) from the South China Sea, with Note on Phylogeny of A. dragescoi sp. n.
Authors: Pan Hongbo , Li Lifang , Lin Xiaofeng , Li Jiqiu , Al‐Farraj Saleh A. , Al‐Rasheid Khaled A.
Published: July 2014

Two new and one problematic species of pleurostomatids, Amphileptus dragescoi sp. n., A. wilberti sp. n., and A. marinus from coastal areas of the South China Sea, are described based on observations of live and protargol‐impregnated specimens. Amphileptus dragescoi is different from its congeners by the presence of an apical group of extrusomes and the possession of 12–15 right and five left somatic kineties, two macronuclear nodules, and a single terminally positioned contractile vacuole. Amphileptus wilberti is diagnosed by oval or pyriform body, 15–19 right and seven or eight left somatic kineties, extrusomes arranged only in anterior portion of oral slit, usually three ventrally located contractile vacuoles, and two macronuclear nodules. Amphileptus marinus (Kahl, 1931) Song et al., 2004 is redescribed and its diagnosis is improved. One isolate which was misidentified as A. marinus by Song et al. (2004) is believed to represent an unknown form, named here as Amphileptus songi sp. n. Phylogenetic analyses of the SSU rDNA sequences indicate that the genus Amphileptus is paraphyletic, but its monophyly is not rejected by statistical tree topology tests.
Erythropoietin increases bioavailability of tetrahydrobiopterin and protects cerebral microvasculature against oxidative stress induced by eNOS uncoupling
Authors: Santhanam Anantha Vijay R. , d'Uscio Livius V. , Katusic Zvonimir S.
Published: July 2014

This study was designed to determine whether treatment with erythropoietin (EPO) could protect cerebral microvasculature against the pathological consequences of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase uncoupling. Wild‐type and GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH‐I)‐deficient hph1 mice were administered EPO (1000 U/kg/day, s.c., 3 days). Cerebral microvessels of hph1 mice demonstrated reduced tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) bioavailability, increased production of superoxide anions and impaired endothelial NO signaling. Treatment of hph1 mice with EPO attenuated the levels of 7,8‐dihydrobiopterin, the oxidized product of BH4, and significantly increased the ratio of BH4 to 7,8‐dihydrobiopterin. Moreover, EPO decreased the levels of superoxide anions and increased NO bioavailability in cerebral microvessels of hph1 mice. Attenuated oxidation of BH4 and inhibition of endothelial NO synthase uncoupling were explained by the increased expression of antioxidant proteins, manganese superoxide dismutase, and catalase. The protective effects of EPO observed in cerebral microvessels of hph1 mice were also observed in GTPCH‐I siRNA‐treated human brain microvascular endothelial cells exposed to EPO (1 U/mL or 10 U/mL; 3 days). Our results suggest that EPO might protect the neurovascular unit against oxidative stress by restoring bioavailability of BH4 and endothelial NO in the cerebral microvascular endothelium.

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We demonstrate that treatment with erythropoietin (EPO) could protect cerebral microvasculature against the pathological consequences of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase uncoupling. Our results suggest that EPO might protect the neurovascular unit against oxidative stress by restoring bioavailability of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and endothelial nitric oxide.
Characterization of [3H]LS‐3‐134, a novel arylamide phenylpiperazine D3 dopamine receptor selective radioligand
Authors: Rangel‐Barajas Claudia , Malik Maninder , Taylor Michelle , Neve Kim A. , Mach Robert H. , Luedtke Robert R.
Published: July 2014

LS‐3‐134 is a substituted N‐phenylpiperazine derivative that has been reported to exhibit: (i) high‐affinity binding (Ki value 0.2 nM) at human D3 dopamine receptors, (ii) > 100‐fold D3 versus D2 dopamine receptor subtype binding selectivity, and (iii) low‐affinity binding (Ki > 5000 nM) at sigma 1 and sigma 2 receptors. Based upon a forskolin‐dependent activation of the adenylyl cyclase inhibition assay, LS‐3‐134 is a weak partial agonist at both D2 and D3 dopamine receptor subtypes (29% and 35% of full agonist activity, respectively). In this study, [3H]‐labeled LS‐3‐134 was prepared and evaluated to further characterize its use as a D3 dopamine receptor selective radioligand. Kinetic and equilibrium radioligand binding studies were performed. This radioligand rapidly reaches equilibrium (10–15 min at 37°C) and binds with high affinity to both human (Kd = 0.06 ± 0.01 nM) and rat (Kd = 0.2 ± 0.02 nM) D3 receptors expressed in HEK293 cells. Direct and competitive radioligand binding studies using rat caudate and nucleus accumbens tissue indicate that [3H]LS‐3‐134 selectively binds a homogeneous population of binding sites with a dopamine D3 receptor pharmacological profile. Based upon these studies, we propose that [3H]LS‐3‐134 represents a novel D3 dopamine receptor selective radioligand that can be used for studying the expression and regulation of the D3 dopamine receptor subtype.
More than ‘information provider’ and ‘counselor’: Constructing and negotiating roles and identities of nurses in genetic counseling sessions
Authors: Zayts Olga , Schnurr Stephanie
Published: July 2014

This paper contributes to research on genetic counseling by exploring the complexity of this activity from the angle of identity construction. We argue that an analysis of the processes through which healthcare providers construct and negotiate their roles and identities in these encounters may contribute to a better understanding of the complexities of genetic counseling. Drawing on more than 150 video‐recorded genetic counseling encounters between nurses and clients in Hong Kong, we illustrate that the discursive processes involved in the construction of the nurses' identities are complex, overlapping and at times contradictory as the nurses respond to the (sometimes) competing norms and expectations of their institution, their clients and their own. They manage to solve these tensions by drawing on the roles traditionally assigned to nurses in these encounters such as information provider and counselor, as well as creating the new roles of co‐decision maker and cultural broker/mediator.
Medically speaking: Mandative adjective extraposition in physician speech
Authors: Hesson Ashley
Published: July 2014

Clinical recommendations are central features of physician‐patient interaction. Mandative adjective extraposition (MAE; e.g.it's important to…) is one of many linguistic forms used by physicians in providing recommendations. This study decomposesMAE, a relatively unexplored sociolinguistic variable, into features that contribute to its deontic interpretation. It establishes thatMAE's component features convey different degrees of illocutionary force, whereby some forms are perceived to be more compelling (i.e. stronger) than others. It further suggests that said forms index confidence in physician speech. Utilizing a large U.S.‐wide corpus of medical consultations, it demonstrates that physicians use strongerMAEforms as they gain professional experience. Within specific practice settings, physicians' use of strongMAEforms is additionally constrained by patients' medical severity. Collectively, this evidence points to socialization into medical practice as the major social force impactingMAEvariation across physicians' professional lifespans, pushing physicians towards authoritative‐sounding variants despite interactional pressures favoring indirectness.
Caffeic acid O‐methyltransferase is involved in the synthesis of melatonin by methylating N‐acetylserotonin in Arabidopsis
Authors: Byeon Yeong , Lee Hyoung Yool , Lee Kyungjin , Back Kyoungwhan
Published: July 2014

Although a plant N‐acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) was recently cloned from rice, homologous genes appear to be absent in dicotyledonous plants. To clone an ASMT de novo from a dicotyledonous plant, we expressed eight Arabidopsis thaliana O‐methyltransferase (OMT) cDNAs in Escherichia coli and screened for ASMT activity by measuring melatonin production after the application of 1 mm N‐acetylserotonin (NAS). Among the eight strains harboring the full‐length cDNAs, the OMT3 strain produced high levels of melatonin, suggesting that OMT3 encodes an active ASMT. OMT3 is already known as caffeic acid OMT (COMT), suggesting multiple functions for this enzyme. The purified recombinant A. thaliana COMT (AtCOMT) showed high ASMT activity, catalyzing the conversion of NAS to melatonin. The Km and Vmax values for ASMT activity were 233 μm and 1800 pmol/min/mg protein, while the Km and Vmax values for COMT activity were 103 μm and 564,000 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The catalytic efficiency (Vmax/Km) for ASMT activity was 709‐fold lower than for COMT. In vitro, ASMT activity was dramatically decreased by the addition of caffeic acid in a dose‐dependent manner, but the activity of COMT was not altered by NAS. Lastly, the Arabidopsis comt knockout mutant exhibited less production of melatonin than the wild type when Arabidopsis leaves were infiltrated with 1 mm NAS, suggestive of in vivo role of COMT in melatonin biosynthesis in plants.
The impact of domestication on resistance to two generalist herbivores across 29 independent domestication events
Authors: Turcotte Martin M. , Turley Nash E. , Johnson Marc T. J.
Published: July 2014

The domestication of crops is among the most important innovations in human history. Here, we test the hypothesis that cultivation and artificial selection for increased productivity of crops reduced plant defenses against herbivores.

We compared the performance of two economically important generalist herbivores – the leaf‐chewing beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) and the phloem‐feeding green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) – across 29 crop species and their closely related wild relatives. We also measured putative morphological and chemical defensive traits and correlated them with herbivore performance.

We show that, on average, domestication significantly reduced resistance to S. exigua, but not M. persicae, and that most independent domestication events did not cause differences in resistance to either herbivore. In addition, we found that multiple plant traits predicted resistance to S. exigua and M. persicae, and that domestication frequently altered the strength and direction of correlations between these traits and herbivore performance.

Our results show that domestication can alter plant defenses, but does not cause strong allocation tradeoffs as predicted by plant defense theory. These results have important implications for understanding the evolutionary ecology of species interactions and for the search for potential resistance traits to be targeted in crop breeding.