bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ten‐year observation of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome: Initial presenting characteristics and the associated outcomes
Authors: Tsukamoto Masako , Suzuki Katsuya , Takeuchi Tsutomu
Published: December 2018

Aim/Introduction

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a prototypical systemic autoimmune disease that manifests with various signs and symptoms. Although some studies have examined these manifestations over the long‐term course of the disease, the association between initial clinical and immunological factors and subsequent long‐term manifestations has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study is to identify initial clinical and immunological factors associated with subsequent manifestations in patients with pSS.

Method

A retrospective review was performed in pSS patients who were followed up over a 10‐year period in our department. Clinical and immunological data, including serum immunoglobulin (Ig) and autoantibody levels, were collected and statistically analyzed.

Result

We analyzed 91 patients who were followed up in our department. The proportion of patients with extraglandular involvement decreased from 90% to 73%, while eight patients developed extraglandular organ involvement. Extraglandular involvement at 10 years more frequently occurred in patients with hyper‐IgG than those without hyper‐IgG at initial testing (P < 0.01). Extraglandular organ involvement at 10 years more frequently occurred in rheumatoid factor (RF)‐positive patients at the time of SS diagnosis (P < 0.05). Malignancy occurred in 9% of patients. Age, lower CH50 and thrombocytopenia were significantly associated with malignancy. Extraglandular organ involvement was associated with the presence of hyper‐IgG and RF positivity (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study identified important initial clinical and immunological factors associated with subsequent manifestations in patients with pSS over a long follow‐up period. pSS patients with RF and hyper‐IgG at diagnosis may have a higher risk of subsequent extraglandular involvement.
Fragment and life‐history correlates of extinction vulnerability of forest mammals in an urban‐forest mosaic in EThekwini Municipality, Durban, South Africa
Authors: Zungu M. M. , Maseko M. S. T. , Kalle R. , Ramesh T. , Downs C. T.
Published: December 2018

Nestedness refers to a species distribution pattern whereby species found in species‐poor sites represent a subset of those in species‐rich sites. Nestedness is presumed to be primarily a result of selective extinction of species and thus is important for determining mechanisms of species impoverishment in fragmented landscapes. In this study, we investigated the effects of forest fragment attributes and species' life‐history traits on nestedness patterns of terrestrial mammals in an urban‐forest mosaic in EThekwini Municipality Area, Durban, South Africa. A presence/absence matrix of mammals (16 species) in forest fragments (28 fragments) was compiled based on the mammalian survey conducted using remote‐triggered camera traps. The mammalian assemblage in the study area displayed significant nestedness. The nested ranking of forest fragments was strongly correlated with fragment area and proximity index but not with shape index and foliage height diversity. The best model based on Akaike Information Criterion (AICc) showed that among species' life‐history traits, body mass, trophic level, niche breadth and sociality were the most suited as predictors of extinction vulnerability. In particular, niche breadth was strongly associated with extinction vulnerability. Thus, the ability to persist in forest fragments of various sizes as well as the ability to move to fragments with different degrees of isolation shape fragment dynamics in this landscape. Furthermore, species with broad resource requirements are more likely to persist with further habitat disturbance. Overall, this study showed the importance of integrating forest fragment attributes and ecological traits of species in nestedness analyses for determining species in most need of conservation action which is important for preventing further loss of species.
The effectiveness, safety and cost‐effectiveness of cytisine versus varenicline for smoking cessation in an Australian population: a study protocol for a randomized controlled non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Thomas Dennis , Farrell Michael , McRobbie Hayden , Tutka Piotr , Petrie Dennis , West Robert , Siahpush Mohammad , Gartner Coral , Walker Natalie , Mendelsohn Colin P. , Hall Wayne , Paul Christine , Zwar Nicholas , Ferguson Stuart G. , Boland Veronica C. , Richmond Robyn , Doran Christopher M. , Shakeshaft Anthony , Mattick Richard P. , Courtney Ryan J.
Published: December 2018

Background and aims

Smoking cessation medications are effective, but often underutilized because of costs and side effects. Cytisine is a plant‐based smoking cessation medication with more than 50 years of use in central and eastern Europe. While cytisine has been found to be well‐tolerated and more effective than nicotine replacement therapy, direct comparisons with varenicline have not been conducted. This study evaluates the effectiveness, safety and cost‐effectiveness of cytisine compared with varenicline.

Design

Two‐arm, parallel group, randomized, non‐inferiority trial, with allocation concealment and blinded outcome assessment.

Setting

Australian population‐based study.

Participants

Adult daily smokers (n = 1266) interested in quitting will be recruited through advertisements and Quitline telephone‐based cessation support services.

Intervention and comparator

Eligible participants will be randomized (1 : 1 ratio) to receive either cytisine capsules (25‐day supply) or varenicline tablets (12‐week supply), prescribed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended dosing regimen. The medication will be mailed to each participant's nominated residential address. All participants will also be offered standard Quitline behavioural support (up to six 10–12‐minute sessions).

Measurements

Assessments will be undertaken by telephone at baseline, 4 and 7 months post‐randomization. Participants will also be contacted twice (2 and 4 weeks post‐randomization) to ascertain adverse events, treatment adherence and smoking status. The primary outcome will be self‐reported 6‐month continuous abstinence from smoking, verified by carbon monoxide at 7‐month follow‐up. We will also evaluate the relative safety and cost‐effectiveness of cytisine compared with varenicline. Secondary outcomes will include self‐reported continuous and 7‐day point prevalence abstinence and cigarette consumption at each follow‐up interview.

Comments

If cytisine is as effective as varenicline, its lower cost and natural plant‐based composition may make it an acceptable and affordable smoking cessation medication that could save millions of lives world‐wide.
Neurodevelopmental difficulties negatively affect health‐related quality of life in children with idiopathic clubfoot
Authors: Lööf Elin , Andriesse Hanneke , Broström Eva W. , André Marie , Böhm Stephanie , Bölte Sven
Published: December 2018

Aim

To study health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with idiopathic clubfoot (IC) and the influence of sex, clubfoot laterality and neurodevelopmental difficulties (NDD) on HRQoL.

Methods

A cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based study in Stockholm and Skåne Counties, Sweden, of 106 children with IC born 2004–2007 (mean 9.4 ± 0.6 years) and a general population sample of 109 schoolchildren (mean 9.5 ± 0.6 years). The children and their caregivers answered the EQ‐5D‐Y (Youth) and Five to Fifteen questionnaires to operationalise HRQoL and NDD, respectively.

Results

No reduced HRQoL on the EQ‐5D‐Y dimensions were reported by 51% of the children with IC, and 71% in the general population sample, with significant more problems in the IC sample regarding ‘mobility’, ‘doing usual activities’ and ‘having pain or discomfort’, despite similar overall health status. Neither sex nor clubfoot laterality affected HRQoL. Children with IC and NDD combined reported more problems in three out of five dimensions and lower overall health status compared with children with IC alone.

Conclusion

Despite similar overall health status, children with IC had more HRQoL problems compared with the general population, being associated with coexisting NDD but not sex or clubfoot laterality.
Letter: the association between chronic viral hepatitis and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Zhao Jian , Fang Lingling , Song Yawen , Liang Chun
Published: December 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Kuo et al and Kuo and Lu papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14960 and https:// doi.org/10.1111/apt.15061.
Editorial: nephrotoxicity and oral anti‐viral therapy for HBV‐facts or fiction?
Authors: Liu Chen‐Hua , Kao Jia‐Horng
Published: December 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Wong et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14497.
Recent advances in thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
Authors: Booka Eisuke , Takeuchi Hiroya , Kikuchi Hirotoshi , Hiramatsu Yoshihiro , Kamiya Kinji , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: December 2018

Technical advances and developments in endoscopic equipment and thoracoscopic surgery have increased the popularity of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). However, there is currently no established scientific evidence supporting the use of MIE as an alternative to open esophagectomy (OE). To date, a number of single‐institution studies and several meta‐analyses have demonstrated acceptable short‐term outcomes of thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, and we recently reported one of the largest propensity score‐matched comparison studies between MIE and OE for esophageal cancer, based on a nationwide Japanese database. We found that, in general, MIE had a longer operative time and less blood loss than OE. Moreover, compared to OE, MIE was associated with a lower rate of pulmonary complications such as pneumonia, and both methods had similar mortality rates. Although MIE may reduce the occurrence of postoperative respiratory complications, MIE and OE seem to have comparable short‐term outcomes. However, the oncological benefit to patients undergoing MIE remains to be scientifically proven, as no randomized controlled trials have been conducted to verify each method's impact on the long‐term survival of cancer patients. An ongoing randomized phase III study (JCOG1409) is expected to determine the impact of each method with regard to short‐ and long‐term outcomes.
Determinants of the interindividual variability in serum cytidine deaminase activity of patients with solid tumours
Authors: Cohen R. , Preta L. H. , Joste V. , Curis E. , Huillard O. , Jouinot A. , Narjoz C. , Thomas‐Schoemann A. , Bellesoeur A. , Tiako Meyo M. , Quilichini J. , Desaulle D. , Nicolis I. , Cessot A. , Vidal M. , Goldwasser F. , Alexandre J. , Blanchet B.
Published: December 2018

Aims

Cytidine deaminase (CDA) activity in cancer patients' serum has been proposed as a predictive biomarker for efficacy and toxicity of nucleoside analogues. However, discrepant results about its predictive value have been reported due to the high interindividual variability in CDA activity. This study aimed at identifying determinants of this interindividual variability.

Methods

From December 2014 to November 2015, 183 patients were prospectively included. Serum CDA activity, biological and clinical characteristics as well as five common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CDA gene (c.‐451C > T, c.‐92A > G, c.‐33_‐31delC, c.79A > C, c.435 T > C) were analysed. Associations between clinical characteristics, pharmacogenetic variants and CDA activity were univariately tested. P < 0.1‐candidate variables were analysed through a multivariate analysis. The association between CDA activity and toxicity was assessed for the 56 gemcitabine‐treated patients. Intraindividual variability in CDA activity was explored in six pancreatic cancer patients treated with gemcitabine.

Results

Median CDA activity was 3.97 U mg–1 (range 1.53–15.49 U mg–1). A univariate analysis showed that CDA activity was statistically associated with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, mild or severe malnutrition, inflammatory syndrome, leucocyte count, neutrophil count, albumin, C‐reactive protein and ‐c.‐33_‐31delC single nucleotide polymorphism. A multivariate analysis identified that only neutrophil count (P < 0.0001) and severe malnutrition (P = 0.0278) were independently associated with CDA activity. Low CDA activity (<2 U mg–1) was not statistically associated with severe gemcitabine‐related toxicities (P = 0.16). A decrease in CDA activity was observed during the longitudinal follow‐up of six pancreatic cancer patients treated with gemcitabine (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

These results suggest that neutrophil count and malnutrition should be considered for the interpretation of pretherapeutic CDA activity.
Measurement invariance of the ICT engagement construct and its association with students’ performance in China and Germany: Evidence from PISA 2015 data
Authors: Meng Lingqi , Qiu Chen , Boyd‐Wilson Belinda
Published: December 2018

The present study investigated the factor structure of and measurement invariance in the information and communication technology (ICT) engagement construct, and the relationship between ICT engagement and students’ performance on science, mathematics and reading in China and Germany. Samples were derived from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015 survey. Configural, metric and scalar equivalence were found in a multigroup exploratory structural equation model. In the regression model, a significantly positive association between interest in ICT and student achievement was found in China, in contrast to a significantly negative association in Germany. All achievement scores were negatively and significantly correlated with perceived ICT competence scores in China, whereas science and mathematics achievement scores were not predicted by scores on ICT competence in Germany. Similar patterns were found in China and Germany in terms of perceived autonomy in using ICT and social relatedness in using ICT to predict students’ achievement. The implications of all the findings were discussed.
Affective variability in depression: Revisiting the inertia–instability paradox
Authors: Bos Elisabeth H. , de Jonge Peter , Cox Ralf F. A.
Published: December 2018

How can depression be associated with both instability and inertia of affect? Koval et al. (2013, Emotion, 13, 1132) showed that this paradox can be solved by accounting for the statistical overlap between measures of affect dynamics. Nevertheless, these measures are still often studied in isolation. The present study is a replication of the Koval et al. study. We used experience sampling data (three times a day, 1 month) of 462 participants from the general population and a subsample thereof (N = 100) selected to reflect a uniform range of depressive symptoms. Dynamics measures were calculated for momentary negative affect scores. When adjusting for the overlap among affect dynamics measures, depression was associated with ‘dispersion’ (SD) but not ‘instability’ (RMSSD) or ‘inertia’ (AR) of negative affect. The association between dispersion and depression became non‐significant when mean levels of negative affect were adjusted for. These findings substantiate the evidence that the presumed association between depression and instability is largely accounted for by the SD, while the association between dispersion and depression may largely reflect mean levels of affect. Depression may thus not be related to higher instability per se, which would be in line with theories on the adaptive function of moment‐to‐moment fluctuations in affect.
Negotiating Natural Resource Conflicts: A Study of State Practices, Peasant Mobilisation and Sub‐National Government in the Peruvian Andes
Authors: Leys Peter , Arones Mariano
Published: December 2018

This article explores the dynamics of natural resource conflicts and local government in the Peruvian Andes. Recent publications have found that efficiency and democratic accountability in local government are key variables for mitigating conflict. By focusing on the ethnographies of two conflicts and as participant observers within local government, we argue that by re‐framing the analytical focus within local histories and current practices of natural resource conflicts, we can better make sense of the dynamics of current land politics. The article presents a sequential framework that explores key moments of the relations between the state and peasant communities during natural resource conflicts. Through this framework, we argue that natural resource conflicts are negotiated in a sphere of politics that transcends the state's institutional and legal limits.
Activation of RyR2 by class I kinase inhibitors
Authors: Chakraborty A D , Gonano L A , Munro M L , Smith L J , Thekkedam C , Staudacher V , Gamble A B , Macquaide N , Dulhunty A F , Jones P P
Published: December 2018

Background and Purpose

Kinase inhibitors are a common treatment for cancer. Class I kinase inhibitors that target the ATP‐binding pocket are particularly prevalent. Many of these compounds are cardiotoxic and can cause arrhythmias. Spontaneous release of Ca2+ via cardiac ryanodine receptors (RyR2), through a process termed store overload‐induced Ca2+ release (SOICR), is a common mechanism underlying arrhythmia. We explored whether class I kinase inhibitors could modify the activity of RyR2 and trigger SOICR to determine if this contributes to the cardiotoxic nature of these compounds.

Experimental Approach

The impact of class I and II kinase inhibitors on SOICR was studied in HEK293 cells and ventricular myocytes using single‐cell Ca2+ imaging. A specific effect on RyR2 was confirmed using single channel recordings. Ventricular myocytes were also used to determine if drug‐induced changes in SOICR could be reversed using anti‐SOICR agents.

Key Results

Class I kinase inhibitors increased the propensity of SOICR. Single channel recording showed that this was due to a specific effect on RyR2. Class II kinase inhibitors decreased the activity of RyR2 at the single channel level but had little effect on SOICR. The promotion of SOICR mediated by class I kinase inhibitors could be reversed using the anti‐SOICR agent VK‐II‐86.

Conclusions and Implications

Part of the cardiotoxicity of class I kinase inhibitors can be assigned to their effect on RyR2 and increase in SOICR. Compounds with anti‐SOICR activity may represent an improved treatment option for patients.
Preclinical evaluation of [18F]MA3: a CB2 receptor agonist radiotracer for PET
Authors: Attili Bala , Celen Sofie , Ahamed Muneer , Koole Michel , Haute Chris Van Den , Vanduffel Wim , Bormans Guy
Published: December 2018

Background and Purpose

Non‐invasive in vivo imaging of cannabinoid CB2 receptors using PET is pursued to study neuroinflammation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the in vivo binding specificity of [18F]MA3, a CB2 receptor agonist, in a rat model with local overexpression of human (h) CB2 receptors.

Methods

[18F]MA3 was produced with good radiochemical yield and radiochemical purity. The radiotracer was evaluated in rats with local overexpression of hCB2 receptors and in a healthy non‐human primate using PET.

Key Results

Ex vivo autoradiography demonstrated CB2‐specific binding of [18F]MA3 in rat hCB2 receptor vector injected striatum. In a PET study, increased tracer binding in the hCB2 receptor vector‐injected striatum compared to the contralateral control vector‐injected striatum was observed. Binding in hCB2 receptor vector‐injected striatum was blocked with a structurally non‐related CB2 receptor inverse agonist, and a displacement study confirmed the reversibility of tracer binding. This study identified the utility of mutated inactive vector model for evaluation of CB2 receptor agonist PET tracers. [18F]MA3 PET scans in the non‐human primate showed good uptake and fast washout from brain, but no CB2 receptor‐specific binding was observed.

Conclusion and Implications

Evaluation of [18F]MA3 in a rat model with local overexpression of hCB2 receptors showed CB2 receptor‐specific and reversible tracer binding. [18F]MA3 showed good brain uptake and subsequent washout in a healthy non‐human primate, but no specific binding was observed. Further clinical evaluation of [18F]MA3 in patients with neuroinflammation is warranted.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on 8th European Workshop on Cannabinoid Research. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.10/issuetoc
Cognitive costs of reproduction: life‐history trade‐offs explain cognitive decline during pregnancy in women
Authors: Ziomkiewicz Anna , Wichary Szymon , Jasienska Grazyna
Published: December 2018

Life‐history theory predicts that access to limited resources leads to trade‐offs between competing body functions. Women, who face higher costs of reproduction when compared to men, should be especially vulnerable to these trade‐offs. We propose the ‘cognitive costs of reproduction hypothesis’, which states that energy trade‐offs imposed by reproduction may lead to a decline in maternal cognitive function during gestation. In particular, we hypothesize that the decline in cognitive function frequently observed during pregnancy is associated with the allocation of resources between the competing energetic requirements of the mother's brain and the developing foetus. Several distinctive anatomical and physiological features including a high metabolic rate of the brain, large infant size, specific anatomical features of the placenta and trophoblast, and the lack of maternal control over glucose flow through the placenta make the occurrence of these trade‐offs likely.

Herein, we review several lines of evidence for trade‐offs between gestation and cognition that are related to: (i) energy metabolism during reproduction; (ii) energy metabolism of the human brain; (iii) links between energy metabolism and cognitive function; and (iv) links between gestation and cognitive function. We also review evidence for the important roles of cortisol, corticotropin‐releasing hormone and sex hormones in mediating the effects of gestation on cognition, and we discuss possible neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the observed effects. The evidence supports the view that energy trade‐offs between foetal growth and maternal endocrine and brain function lead to changes in maternal cognition, and that this phenomenon is mediated by neuroendocrine mechanisms involving the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, brainstem nucleus locus coeruleus and hippocampus.
Dendritic cells, T cells and their interaction in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wehr P , Purvis H , Law S-C , Thomas R
Published: December 2018

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the key professional antigen-presenting cells which bridge innate and adaptive immune responses, inducing the priming and differentiation of naive to effector CD4+ T cells, the cross-priming of CD8+ T cells and the promotion of B cell antibody responses. DCs also play a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and tolerance. DC–T cell interactions underpin the generation of an autoimmune response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we describe the function of DCs and review evidence for DC and T cell involvement in RA pathogenesis, in particular through the presentation of self-peptide by DCs that triggers differentiation and activation of autoreactive T cells. Finally, we discuss the emerging field of targeting the DC–T cell interaction for antigen-specific immunotherapy of RA.
Cardiovascular findings in patients with nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism: A cohort study
Authors: Underbjerg Line , Sikjaer Tanja , Rejnmark Lars
Published: December 2018

Objective

As only sparse data are available on indices of cardiovascular health among patients with nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism (Ns‐HypoPT) and pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP), we aimed to compare the cardiovascular profile between these groups of patients.

Methods

A total of 56 patients with Ns‐HypoPT and 30 with PHP were included and underwent a clinical examination including blood sampling and measurements of arterial stiffness, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and blood pressure (BP). Arterial stiffness and PWV were measured using AtCor SphygmoCor‐XCEL (Atcor Medical Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia).

Results

Patients with Ns‐HypoPT had an average age of 47 ± 17 years (68% females) and PHP patients 36 ± 13 years (80% females). Over 70% in both groups were genetically screened. Groups did not differ in terms of a history of cardiovascular disease, smoking status, use of calcium and vitamin D supplements or treatment with cholesterol‐lowering or antihypertensive drugs. Compared with Ns‐HypoPT, PHP patients had significantly lower levels of high‐density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol and average glucose from HbA1c (Pboth = 0.01). PWV was significantly higher among patients with Ns‐HypoPT (Pcrude = 0.02), even after adjustment for mean arterial pressure, body mass index, age and gender (Padjusted < 0.01). Heart rate was significantly higher in Ns‐HypoPT compared with PHP (P = 0.03). Office BP and 24‐hour ambulatory BP did not differ between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with Ns‐HypoPT have compared with PHP a higher arterial stiffness and heart rate. This has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Our data suggest that resistance to PTH is present in the cardiovascular system in PHP.
English translation and validation of the Zurich chronic middle ear inventory (ZCMEI‐21‐E) assessing quality of life in chronic otitis media: A prospective international multicentre study
Authors: Chatzimichalis Michail , Epprecht Lorenz , Weder Stefan , Shaul Chanan , Engle Folchert Kristi J. , Machala Maria C. , Goosmann Madeline M. , Naville Marc , Zhu Angela , Röösli Christof , Lee Daniel J. , Cass Stephen P. , Briggs Robert , Huber Alexander M. , Bächinger David
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To translate and validate the Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory (ZCMEI‐21) for the English language in order to provide an English instrument to assess health‐related quality of life in chronic otitis media (COM).

Design

Pilot translation study including cognitive debriefings, prospective multicentre cross‐sectional psychometric validation study.

Setting

Four tertiary referral centres in three different English‐speaking countries (UK, USA and Australia).

Participants

Adult patients suffering from COM.

Main outcome measures

The English translation of the ZCMEI‐21 (ZCMEI‐21‐E) and the five‐level version of the EQ‐5D questionnaire. The EQ‐5D, which constitutes a generic measure of health‐related quality of life, consists of a descriptive system score and a visual analogue scale. Statistical outcomes included single‐item descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach's α) as an indicator of reliability, as well as construct validity.

Results

A total of 124 patients suffering from COM were included. The mean age was 50.1 years (SD 16.9 years), and 72 (58.1%) were males. The Cronbach's α of the ZCMEI‐21‐E was 0.91, suggesting an excellent internal consistency. The Spearman's correlation coefficient of the ZCMEI‐21‐E total score was 0.55 (P < 0.0001) for convergent construct validity with EQ‐5D descriptive system score and 0.57 (P < 0.0001) with the EQ‐5D visual analogue scale.

Conclusions

The ZCMEI‐21‐E is a new validated questionnaire that provides clinicians with a short, comprehensive and reliable instrument to quantify health‐related quality of life in patients suffering from COM. The ZCMEI‐21‐E may be of use in clinical routine as well as in outcome research and monitoring.
A qualitative exploration of the Thai alcohol policy in regulating alcohol industry's marketing strategies and commercial activities
Authors: Kaewpramkusol Ratchakorn , Senior Kate , Nanthamongkolchai Sutham , Chenhall Richard
Published: December 2018

Introduction and Aims

The recognition of the association between the use of alcohol and negative health outcomes have led to the endorsement of the World Health Organization's global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. Given the capacities, capabilities and sociocultural contexts of Thailand, this study aims to examine the Thai alcohol policy against the global strategy's recommended policy measures for marketing control and identify areas for further policy development.

Design and Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with the stakeholders from three sectors: the government, academia and civil society. Their perceptions of the Thai alcohol policy in regulating alcohol industry's commercial strategies and activities were discussed. Audio data were transcribed verbatim, systematically coded and thematically analysed.

Results

Although the Thai Alcohol Control Act meticulously regulates the content of direct alcohol marketing, the volume of marketing and indirect alcohol marketing have become problematic and difficult for the government to address. The industry has worked to normalise the consumption of alcohol through repetitive brand exposure and their suggestion that drinking was integral for socialisation. The control of alcohol sponsorship was politically sensitive and legally ambiguous because alcohol sponsorship seemed to provide economic and social benefits and further reinforced the industry's positive image.

Discussion and Conclusions

Despite the strict alcohol policy, gaps in the marketing regulations exist. Future policy development should place greater emphasis on alcohol sponsorship and branding through evidenced‐based interventions. The interactions between the government and the industry should be monitored and restricted. Rigorous regulations, as seen for tobacco, are encouraged for alcohol marketing.
Transparency in Foreign Land Acquisitions: The role of institutions and information
Authors: Scoppola Margherita , Prontera Andrea
Published: December 2018

Motivation

Foreign land acquisitions (FLA) is a hot issue in development policy, but empirical work is scant, mostly because of the lack of official and consistent cross‐country data. Although transparency is a necessary ingredient to avoid FLA’s most negative effects, no articles currently address this issue.

Purpose

We examine transparency in the release of information on FLA by (a) measuring the degree of government transparency; (b) exploring the extent to which transparency depends upon democratic and governance features; and (c) discussing how the dissemination of information by non‐state actors can positively affect data disclosure.

Approach and methods

First, we check the information source (including companies, non‐government organizations (NGOs) and research) and then compute an original index of transparency and the free flow of information on FLA for 78 countries. Finally, we discuss the relationship between transparency, free flow of information on FLA and political and institutional variables in the host country.

Findings

With regional variations, institutional quality, democracy and the free flow of information overall are positively related to government transparency on FLA. Countries with a higher degree of information disseminated by non‐state actors tend to have higher data disclosure on FLA. The system of land governance contributes to explaining counter‐intuitive behaviour at the country level.

Policy implications

The role of NGOs, research institutions and companies in providing information on FLA can contribute to improving government transparency. Researchers and activists emerge as important agents of change, especially when civil and political rights are restricted and local communities disempowered. Activists can help research on land governance by collecting data; the data disseminated by researchers can affect government transparency and improve land governance and development.
Innovation policy, scientific research and economic performance: The case of Iran
Authors: HamidiMotlagh Rouholah , Babaee Ali , Maleki Ali , Taghi Isaai Mohammad
Published: December 2018

Motivation

Why, despite substantial investment in science and technology infrastructure during the last two decades, has Iran performed relatively poorly in terms of innovation and economic output? The investment has been wide‐ranging, from the inclusion of science and technology in the National Development Plans to the impressive growth in the number of science and technology parks and incubators. Iran is among the top five countries in terms of science and engineering graduates, and Iran's scientific publications are among the world's fastest‐growing.

Purpose

This study attempts to discover the reasons for this poor performance despite the investment.

Approach and Method

This is a qualitative study which tries to explore the research question through extensive archival data and semi‐structured interviews. We also use an inductive bottom‐up approach for data analysis, including open coding of collected data.

Findings

Our first level of analysis, based on National Innovation Systems studies, will show that there are two main causes: (a) Iran's industrial policies have been unsuccessful in encouraging domestic firms to export or exposing them to international competition. As a result, there are no meaningful incentives for them to approach technological frontiers by exploiting domestic science and technology infrastructures; (b) whereas universities and research centres have played an important role in the catch‐up process of other newly developed countries by engaging practically with the problems that face their societies, Iranian universities and research centres have become article‐publishing factories.

Our second level of analysis will show that behind these two causes are other important latent factors: the power of incumbents and their efforts to maintain the status quo, and the “rules of the game” in the fields of science and technology which have discouraged hands‐on engagement.

This study analyses strategic action literature, and proceeds to emphasize the role of incumbents and those “rules of the game” in inhibiting innovation and economic success.

Policy Implications

Effective innovation policy is not just about investing in science and technology infrastructure, but also about industrial policy, exposing domestic firms to international competition, overcoming entrenched interests and changing paths of career advancement in science and technology so that scientists are less inclined to pursue theoretical work and are encouraged to collaborate closely with business to solve practical problems.
Development of the mammalian circadian clock
Authors: Honma Sato
Published: December 2018

The mammalian circadian system is composed of a central clock situated in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and peripheral clocks of each tissue and organ in the body. While much has been learned about the pre‐ and postnatal development of the circadian system, there are still many unanswered questions about how and when cellular clocks start to tick and form the circadian system. Most SCN neurons contain a cell‐autonomous circadian clock with individual specific periodicity. Therefore, the network of cellular oscillators is critical for the coherent rhythm expression and orchestration of the peripheral clocks by the SCN. The SCN is the only circadian clock entrained by an environmental light–dark cycle. Photic entrainment starts postnatally, and the SCN starts to function gradually as a central clock that controls physiological and behavioral rhythms during postnatal development. The SCN exhibits circadian rhythms in clock gene expression from the embryonic stage throughout postnatal life and the rhythm phenotypes remain basically unchanged. However, the disappearance of coherent circadian rhythms in cryptochrome‐deficient SCN revealed changes in the SCN networks that occur in postnatal weeks 2–3. The SCN network consists of multiple clusters of cellular circadian rhythms that are differentially integrated by the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and arginine vasopressin signaling depending on the period of postnatal development.
Electrical stimulation of human corticospinal axons at the level of the lumbar spinal segments
Authors: Škarabot Jakob , Ansdell Paul , Brownstein Callum G. , Thomas Kevin , Howatson Glyn , Goodall Stuart , Durbaba Rade
Published: December 2018

Electrical stimulation over the mastoids or thoracic spinous processes has been used to assess subcortical contribution to corticospinal excitability, but responses are difficult to evoke in the resting lower limbs or are limited to only a few muscle groups. This might be mitigated by delivering the stimuli lower on the spinal column, where the descending tracts contain a greater relative density of motoneurons projecting to lower limb muscles. We investigated activation of the corticospinal axons innervating tibialis anterior (TA) and rectus femoris (RF) by applying a single electrical stimulus over the first lumbar spinous process (LS). LS was paired with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of −16 (TMS before LS) to 14 ms (LS before TMS). The relationship between muscle contraction strength (10%–100% maximal) and the amplitude of single‐pulse TMS and LS responses was also investigated. Compared to the responses to TMS alone, responses to paired stimulation were significantly occluded in both muscles for ISIs ≥−8 ms (p ≤ 0.035), consistent with collision of descending volleys from TMS with antidromic volleys originating from LS. This suggests that TMS and LS activate some of the same corticospinal axons. Additionally, the amplitude of TMS and LS responses increased with increasing contraction strengths with no change in onset latency, suggesting responses to LS are evoked transsynaptically and have a monosynaptic component. Taken together, these experiments provide evidence that LS is an alternative method that could be used to discern segmental changes in the corticospinal tract when targeting lower limb muscles.
Multivariate fMRI pattern analysis of fear perception across modalities
Authors: Whitehead Jocelyne C. , Armony Jorge L.
Published: December 2018

The emotional expression of fear can be processed through a number of modalities, and of varying forms, however, much of the functional imaging literature has centered on investigating fear as expressed through faces. Findings point to an active involvement of the amygdala, and remain fairly consistent in other studies of unimodal fear perception; however, few studies have looked at within‐subject cross‐modal responses to fear. Thus, we approached this inquiry by testing 30 healthy young adults with fast, high‐resolution fMRI, recording the neural responses of fear perception, as expressed through faces, bodies, prosody, and vocalizations. The study was analyzed using a multivariate approach (multi‐voxel pattern analysis) and yielded a significant distinction in the responses associated with the perception of fearful vs. neutral emotions. Calculated weights highlighted areas in the amygdala and surrounding subcortical structures as contributing the greatest to the discrimination; however, a whole‐brain analysis was necessary to obtain above‐chance classification accuracy, suggesting that processing fear across modalities likely involves a broad, distributed network. Thus, our findings support a multivariate approach to studying a highly complex construct such as emotion, as it accounts for multiple voxels simultaneously and can accommodate the high subject‐level variability that oftentimes comes with studying emotion perception.
Weighting of neural prediction error by rhythmic complexity: A predictive coding account using mismatch negativity
Authors: Lumaca Massimo , Trusbak Haumann Niels , Brattico Elvira , Grube Manon , Vuust Peter
Published: December 2018

The human brain's ability to extract and encode temporal regularities and to predict the timing of upcoming events is critical for music and speech perception. This work addresses how these mechanisms deal with different levels of temporal complexity, here the number of distinct durations in rhythmic patterns. We use electroencephalography (EEG) to relate the mismatch negativity (MMN), a proxy of neural prediction error, to a measure of information content of rhythmic sequences, the Shannon entropy. Within each of three conditions, participants listened to repeatedly presented standard rhythms of five tones (four inter‐onset intervals) and of a given level of entropy: zero (isochronous), medium entropy (two distinct interval durations), or high entropy (four distinct interval durations). Occasionally, the fourth tone was moved forward in time that is it occurred 100 ms (small deviation) or 300 ms early (large deviation). According to the predictive coding framework, high‐entropy stimuli are more difficult to model for the brain, resulting in less confident predictions and yielding smaller prediction errors for deviant sounds. Our results support this hypothesis, showing a gradual decrease in MMN amplitude as a function of entropy, but only for small timing deviants. For large timing deviants, in contrast, a modulation of activity in the opposite direction was observed for the earlier N1 component, known to also be sensitive to sudden changes in directed attention. Our results suggest the existence of a fine‐grained neural mechanism that weights neural prediction error to the complexity of rhythms and that mostly manifests in the absence of directed attention.
Educational Assessment: What to Watch in a Rapidly Changing World
Authors: Bennett Randy E.
Published: December 2018

This article is a written adaptation of the Presidential address I gave at the NCME annual conference in April 2018. The article describes my thoughts on the future of assessment. I discuss eleven likely characteristics of future tests and, for each characteristic, why I think it is important and what to watch with respect to it. Next, I outline what is unlikely to change. The article concludes with a comment about the probable state of education 10 years on and what that state might mean for members of the assessment community.
Relative sea‐level change regulates organic carbon accumulation in coastal habitats
Authors: Watanabe Kenta , Seike Koji , Kajihara Rumiko , Montani Shigeru , Kuwae Tomohiro
Published: December 2018

Because coastal habitats store large amounts of organic carbon (Corg), the conservation and restoration of these habitats are considered to be important measures for mitigating global climate change. Although future sea‐level rise is predicted to change the characteristics of these habitats, its impact on their rate of Corg sequestration is highly uncertain. Here we used historical depositional records to show that relative sea‐level (RSL) changes regulated Corg accumulation rates in boreal contiguous seagrass–saltmarsh habitats. Age–depth modeling and geological and biogeochemical approaches indicated that Corg accumulation rates varied as a function of changes in depositional environments and habitat relocations. In particular, Corg accumulation rates were enhanced in subtidal seagrass meadows during times of RSL rise, which were caused by postseismic land subsidence and climate change. Our findings identify historical analogs for the future impact of RSL rise driven by global climate change on rates of Corg sequestration in coastal habitats.
The what, how and why of doing macroecology
Authors: McGill Brian J.
Published: December 2018

Macroecology is a growing and important subdiscipline of ecology, but it is becoming increasingly diffuse, without an organizing principle that is widely agreed upon. I highlight two main current views of macroecology: as the study of large‐scale systems and as the study of emergent systems. I trace the history of both these views through the writings of the founders of macroecology. I also highlight the transmutation principle that identifies serious limitations to the study of large‐scale systems with reductionist approaches. And I suggest that much of the underlying goal of macroecology is the pursuit of general principles and the escape from contingency. I highlight that there are many intertwined aspects of macroecology, with a number of resulting implications. I propose that returning to a focus on studying assemblages of a large number of particles is a helpful view. I propose defining macroecology as “the study at the aggregate level of aggregate ecological entities made up of large numbers of particles for the purposes of pursuing generality”.
Geographically variable biotic interactions and implications for species ranges
Authors: Early R. , Keith S. A.
Published: December 2018

The challenge

Understanding how biotic interactions affect species’ geographical ranges, biodiversity patterns and ecological responses to environmental change is one of the most pressing challenges in macroecology. Extensive efforts are underway to detect signals of biotic interactions in macroecological data. However, efforts are limited by bias in the taxa and spatial scale for which occurrence data are available and by difficulty in ascribing causality to co‐occurrence patterns. Moreover, we are not necessarily looking in the right places; analyses are largely ad hoc, depending on availability of data, rather than focusing on regions, taxa, ecosystems or interaction types where biotic interactions might affect species’ geographical ranges most strongly.

Unpicking biotic interactions

We suggest that macroecology would benefit from the recognition that abiotic conditions alter two key components of biotic interaction strength: frequency and intensity. We outline how and why variation in biotic interaction strength occurs, explore the implications for species’ geographical ranges and discuss the challenges inherent in quantifying these effects. In addition, we explore the role of behavioural flexibility in mediating biotic interactions potentially to mitigate impacts of environmental change.

New data

We argue that macroecology should take advantage of “independent” data on the strength of biotic interactions measured by other disciplines, in order to capture a far wider array of taxa, locations and interaction types than are typically studied in macroecology. Data on biotic interactions are readily available from community, disease, microbial and parasite ecology, evolution, palaeontology, invasion biology and agriculture, but most are yet to be exploited within macroecology.

Integrating biotic interaction strength data into macroecology

Harmonization of data across interdisciplinary sources, taxa and interaction types could be achieved by breaking down interactions into elements that contribute to frequency and intensity. This would allow quantitative biotic interaction data to be incorporated directly into models of species distributions and macroecological patterns.