bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BCG vaccination drives accumulation and effector function of innate lymphoid cells in murine lungs
Authors: Steigler Pia , Daniels Naomi J , McCulloch Tim R , Ryder Brin M , Sandford Sarah K , Kirman Joanna R
Published: January 2018

The tuberculosis (TB) vaccine bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) prevents disseminated childhood TB; however, it fails to protect against the more prevalent pulmonary TB. Limited understanding of the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, has hindered development of improved vaccines. Although memory CD4 T cells are considered the main mediators of protection against TB, recent studies suggest there are other key subsets that contribute to antimycobacterial immunity. To that end, innate cells may be involved in the protective response. In this study, we investigated the primary response of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) to BCG exposure. Using a murine model, we showed that ILCs increased in number in the lungs and lymph nodes in response to BCG vaccination. Additionally, there was significant production of the antimycobacterial cytokine IFN‐γ by ILCs. As ILCs are located at mucosal sites, it was investigated whether mucosal vaccination (intranasal) stimulated an enhanced response compared to the traditional vaccination approach (intradermal or subcutaneous). Indeed, in response to intranasal vaccination, the number of ILCs, and IFN‐γ production in NK cells and ILC1s in the lungs and lymph nodes, were higher than that provoked through intradermal or subcutaneous vaccination. This work provides the first evidence that BCG vaccination activates ILCs, paving the way for future research to elucidate the protective potential of ILCs against mycobacterial infection. Additionally, the finding that lung ILCs respond rigorously to mucosal vaccination may have implications for the delivery of novel TB vaccines.
Drug‐induced liver injury is frequently associated with severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions: experience from two Australian tertiary hospitals
Authors: Fang Wendy C. , Adler Nikki R. , Graudins Linda V. , Goldblatt Caitlin , Goh Michelle S. Y. , Roberts Stuart K. , Trubiano Jason A. , Aung Ar Kar
Published: January 2018

Background

Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) can be associated with certain cutaneous adverse drug reaction (cADR).

Aims

To demonstrate the prevalence of DILI in patients with cADRs. Severity and patterns of liver injury, risk factors, causal medications and outcomes are also examined.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients with cADRs was conducted across two hospitals in Australia. Patients were identified through cross‐linkage of multiple databases.

Results

One hundred and four patients with cADRs were identified. Of these, 33 (31.7%) had liver injury, representing 50% of patients with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and 30.2% of patients with Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Most cases of liver injury (69.7%) were of a cholestatic/mixed pattern with severe disease in 18.2%. No significant risk factors for development of liver injury were noted, but peripheral lymphocytosis may represent a risk in patients with SJS (odds ratio, OR = 6.0, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.8–19.7, P = 0.003). Antimicrobials were the most common class to be implicated in DILI. The median length of inpatient stay was longer in patients with liver injury compared to those without (19 vs 11 days, P = 0.002). The mortality rate in those with liver injury was 15.2% and 9.9% in those without. No patients required liver transplantation.

Conclusions

DILI commonly occurs in patients with cADRs and is associated with longer inpatient stay. Patients with SJS/TEN and peripheral lymphocytosis appear to be at higher risk for developing associated liver injury.
The Best of Times, the Worst of Times: Testing which Behavioral Biases Affect Analyst Forecasts
Authors: Chang Yuk Ying , Hsu Wei‐Huei
Published: January 2018

Mood‐induced optimism, cognitive inaccuracy, and distraction can affect analyst forecasts. This study compares and contrasts these influences. The novelty of our approach is that we first show that these behavioral biases have different implications for analysts’ forecast errors conditioned on the errors being positive and negative. We then use proxies for positive and negative moods to empirically test the support for each of these biases. Consistent with cognitive precision, we find that analysts make less (more) accurate forecasts when they are in positive (negative) moods. We further show that these results are driven neither by sentiment associated with contemporaneous economic or market conditions nor by under‐ or overreaction to more bad news released on days immediately before weekends or holidays.
Cybersecurity investments with nonlinear budget constraints and conservation laws: variational equilibrium, marginal expected utilities, and Lagrange multipliers
Authors: Colajanni Gabriella , Daniele Patrizia , Giuffrè Sofia , Nagurney Anna
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we propose a new cybersecurity investment supply chain game theory model, assuming that the demands for the product are known and fixed and, hence, the conservation law of each demand market is fulfilled. The model is a generalized Nash equilibrium model with nonlinear budget constraints for which we define the variational equilibrium, which provides us with a variational inequality formulation. We construct an equivalent formulation, enabling the analysis of the influence of the conservation laws and the importance of the associated Lagrange multipliers. We find that the marginal expected transaction utility of each retailer depends on this Lagrange multiplier and its sign. Finally, numerical examples with reported equilibrium product flows, cybersecurity investment levels, and Lagrange multipliers, along with individual firm vulnerability and network vulnerability, illustrate the obtained results.
Exogenous application of allelopathic water extracts helps improving tolerance against terminal heat and drought stresses in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Em. Thell.)
Authors: Farooq M. , Nadeem F. , Arfat M. Y. , Nabeel M. , Musadaq S. , Cheema S. A. , Nawaz A.
Published: January 2018

The allelopathic water extracts (AWEs) may help improve the tolerance of crop plants against abiotic stresses owing to the presence of the secondary metabolites (i.e., allelochemicals). We conducted four independent experiments to evaluate the influence of exogenous application of AWEs (applied through seed priming or foliage spray) in improving the terminal heat and drought tolerance in bread wheat. In all the experiments, two wheat cultivars, viz. Mairaj‐2008 (drought and heat tolerant) and Faisalabad‐2008 (drought and heat sensitive), were raised in pots. Both wheat cultivars were raised under ambient conditions in the wire house till leaf boot stage (booting) by maintaining the pots at 75% water‐holding capacity (WHC). Then, managed drought and heat stresses were imposed by maintaining the pots at 35% WHC, or shifting the pots inside the glass canopies (at 75% WHC), at booting, anthesis and the grain filling stages. Drought stress reduced the grain yield of wheat by 39%–49%. Foliar application of AWEs improved the grain yield of wheat by 26%–31%, while seed priming with AWEs improved the grain yield by 18%–26%, respectively, than drought stress. Terminal heat stress reduced the grain yield of wheat by 38%. Seed priming with AWEs improved the grain yield by 21%–27%; while foliar application of AWEs improved the grain yield by 25%–29% than the heat stress treatment. In conclusion, the exogenous application of AWEs improved the stay green, accumulation of proline, soluble phenolics and glycine betaine, which helped to stabilize the biological membranes and improved the tolerance against terminal drought and heat stresses.
Automated birdsong recognition in complex acoustic environments: a review
Authors: Priyadarshani Nirosha , Marsland Stephen , Castro Isabel
Published: January 2018

Conservationists are increasingly using autonomous acoustic recorders to determine the presence/absence and the abundance of bird species. Unlike humans, these recorders can be left in the field for extensive periods of time in any habitat. Although data acquisition is automated, manual processing of recordings is labour intensive, tedious, and prone to bias due to observer variations. Hence automated birdsong recognition is an efficient alternative.

However, only few ecologists and conservationists utilise the existing birdsong recognisers to process unattended field recordings because the software calibration time is exceptionally high and requires considerable knowledge in signal processing and underlying systems, making the tools less user‐friendly. Even allowing for these difficulties, getting accurate results is exceedingly hard. In this review we examine the state‐of‐the‐art, summarising and discussing the methods currently available for each of the essential parts of a birdsong recogniser, and also available software. The key reasons behind poor automated recognition are that field recordings are very noisy, calls from birds that are a long way from the recorder can be faint or corrupted, and there are overlapping calls from many different birds. In addition, there can be large numbers of different species calling in one recording, and therefore the method has to scale to large numbers of species, or at least avoid misclassifying another species as one of particular interest. We found that these areas of importance, particularly the question of noise reduction, are amongst the least researched. In cases where accurate recognition of individual species is essential, such as in conservation work, we suggest that specialised (species‐specific) methods of passive acoustic monitoring are required. We also believe that it is important that comparable measures, and datasets, are used to enable methods to be compared.
Thromboembolic prophylaxis protocol with warfarin after radiofrequency catheter ablation of infarct‐related ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Siontis Konstantinos C. , Jamé Sina , Sharaf Dabbagh Ghaith , Latchamsetty Rakesh , Jongnarangsin Krit , Morady Fred , Bogun Frank M.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Ablation in the left ventricle (LV) is associated with a risk of thromboembolism. There are limited data on the use of specific thromboembolic prophylaxis strategies postablation. We aimed to evaluate a thromboembolic prophylaxis protocol after ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation.

Methods and results

The index procedures of 217 patients undergoing ablation for infarct‐related VT with open irrigated‐tip catheters were included. Patients with large LV endocardial ablation area (>3 cm between ablation lesions) were started on low‐dose, slowly escalating unfractionated heparin (UFH) infusion 8 hours after access hemostasis, followed by 3 months of anticoagulation. Patients with less extensive ablation were treated only with antiplatelet agents postablation. Postablation bridging anticoagulation was used in 181 (83%) patients. Of them, 11 (6%) patients experienced bleeding events (1 required endovascular intervention) and 1 (0.6%) experienced lower extremity arterial embolism requiring vascular surgery. Systemic anticoagulation was prescribed in 190 (89%) of 214 patients discharged from the hospital (warfarin in 98%), while the rest received single‐ or dual‐antiplatelet therapy alone. Patients treated with an anticoagulant had significantly longer radiofrequency time compared to patients treated with antiplatelet agents only. One (0.5%) of the patients treated with oral anticoagulation experienced major bleeding 2 weeks postablation. No thromboembolic events were documented in either the anticoagulation or the “antiplatelet only” group postdischarge.

Conclusion

A slowly escalating bridging regimen of UFH, followed by 3 months of oral anticoagulation, is associated with low thromboembolic and bleeding risks after infarct‐related VT ablation. In the absence of extensive ablation, antiplatelet therapy alone is reasonable.
Comparative effects of valsartan plus either cilnidipine or hydrochlorothiazide on home morning blood pressure surge evaluated by information and communication technology–based nocturnal home blood pressure monitoring
Authors: Fujiwara Takeshi , Tomitani Naoko , Kanegae Hiroshi , Kario Kazuomi
Published: January 2018

The authors tested the hypothesis that a valsartan/cilnidipine combination would suppress the home morning blood pressure (BP) surge (HMBPS) more effectively than a valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination in patients with morning hypertension, defined as systolic BP (SBP) ≥135 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥85 mm Hg assessed by a self‐measuring information and communication technology–based home BP monitoring device more than three times before either combination's administration. This was an 8‐week prospective, multicenter, randomized, open‐label clinical trial. The HMBPS, which is a new index, was defined as the mean morning SBP minus the mean nocturnal SBP, both measured on the same day. The authors randomly allocated 129 patients to the valsartan/cilnidipine (63 patients; mean 68.4 years) or valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (66 patients; mean 67.3 years) combination groups, and the baseline HMBPS values were 17.4 mm Hg vs 16.9 mm Hg, respectively (P = .820). At the end of the treatment period, the changes in nocturnal SBP and morning SBP from baseline were significant in both the valsartan/cilnidipine and valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide groups (P < .001): −5.0 vs −10.0 mm Hg (P = .035) and −10.7 vs −13.6 mm Hg (P = .142), respectively. HMBPS was significantly decreased from baseline in both groups (P < .001), but there was no significant difference between the two groups: 14.4 mm Hg vs 14.0 mm Hg, respectively (P = .892). Valsartan/cilnidipine could not significantly suppress HMBPS compared with valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide. Large‐scale randomized controlled studies are needed to assess how reducing HMBPS will affect future cardiovascular outcomes. The information and communication technology–based home BP monitoring device may become an alternative to ambulatory BP monitoring, which has been a gold standard to measure nocturnal BP and the morning BP surge.
Elevated blood pressure during emergency departments visit is associated with increased rate of hospitalization for heart failure: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ayalon‐Dangur Irit , Rudman Yaron , Shochat Tzippy , Shiber Shachaf , Grossman Alon
Published: January 2018

There is a limited literature discussing the long‐term outcome of patients admitted to the emergency department with elevated blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate outcomes of patients with hypertension who attended an emergency department. All patients with hypertension who attended an emergency department without target organ damage were evaluated. A composite end point at 18 months, which included all‐cause mortality, acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular accident, or hospitalization for heart failure, were compared between patients with hypertension and those with normotension. Overall, 410 patients were included in the study. Baseline characteristics were similar between patients with hypertension and those with normotension, except chronic renal failure being more prevalent in patients with hypertension. The composite primary end point occurred similarly in both groups; however, hospitalization for heart failure was significantly more common in patients with hypertension. Elevated blood pressure during an emergency department visit is associated with an increased risk for hospitalization for heart failure during an 18‐month follow‐up period compared with normotension.
Genomic and phenotypic characterization of an atypical Aeromonas salmonicida strain isolated from a lumpfish and producing unusual granular structures
Authors: Rouleau F D , Vincent A T , Charette S J
Published: January 2018

Aeromonas salmonicida strains are roughly classified into two categories, typical and atypical strains. The latter mainly regroup isolates that present unusual phenotypes or hosts, comparatively to the typical strains that belong to the salmonicida subspecies. This study focuses on an uncharacterized atypical strain, M18076‐11, isolated from lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) and not part of the four recognized Aeromonas salmonicida subspecies. This isolate presents an unreported phenotype in the A. salmonicida species: the formation of large granular aggregates. Granules are formed of a heterogeneous mix of live and dead cells, with live cells composing the majority of the population. Even if no mechanism was determined to cause cellular aggregation, small globular structures at the cell surface were observed, which might affect granular formation. Pan‐genome phylogenetic analysis indicated that this strain groups alongside the masoucida subspecies. However, phenotypic tests showed that these strains have diverging phenotypes, suggesting that M18076‐11 might belong to a new subspecies. Also, a pAsal1‐like plasmid, which was only reported in strains of the subspecies salmonicida, was discovered in M18076‐11. This study sheds light on unsuspected diversity in A. salmonicida subspecies and stresses the need of thorough identification when a new strain is encountered, as unique traits might be discovered.
Fates of Salmonella Enteritidis and Cronobacter sakazakii in various multiple‐strain yogurts and kefir during cold storage
Authors: Chang Ho‐Seok , Kim Dong‐Hyeon , Jeong Dana , Kang Il‐Byeong , Kim Hong‐Seok , Kim Hyunsook , Song Kwang‐Young , Seo Kun‐Ho
Published: January 2018

Many multiple‐strain fermented milks such as yogurt and kefir have been developed and consumed to improve their nutritional and functional benefits. Since these fermented milks can be a vehicle of foodborne illness, we investigated the fates of Salmonella Enteritidis and Cronobacter sakazakii in four fermented milks: multiple‐lactic acid bacteria (multi‐LAB) yogurt, multiple‐LAB‐Bifidobacterium (multi‐LAB‐BIF) yogurt, pH 4.5 kefir (mild kefir), and pH 3.6 kefir (strong kefir). Each was inoculated with 5.6 and 5.8 log cfu/ml of S. Enteritidis and C. sakazakii, respectively, and stored at 4°C for 5 days. Strong and mild kefirs exhibited more potent antimicrobial activities than multi‐LAB and multi‐LAB‐BIF yogurts, inactivating all viable pathogenic bacteria within 1 and 5 days, respectively. Despite having lower pH values than mild kefir (pH 4.49), multi‐LAB (pH 4.25) and multi‐LAB‐BIF (pH 4.38) yogurts failed to clear viable S. Enteritidis cells in 5 days (> 5 log cfu/ml cells survived).

Practical applications

Yogurt is one of the most popular fermented milk, and has been implicated in several human foodborne outbreaks. Kefir is unique fermented milk containing multiple strains of lactic acid bacteria and yeast. In this study, we investigated the fates of Salmonella Enteritidis and Cronobacter sakazakii in these fermented milks. Two types of commercial yogurt failed to clear viable S. Enteritidis cells in 5 days, whereas kefir successfully killed all viable S. Enteritidis and C. sakazakii cells in 5 and 4 days, respectively, even with significantly higher pH values suggesting that pH might not be a suitable indicator to ensure the microbiological safety of yogurts and kefir, and that pathogens face other antimicrobial hurdles than low pH and high acidity. Considering the potent self‐clearance effects of kefir against foodborne pathogens, novel yogurt products containing strains with potent antimicrobial activity such as kefir microorganisms could be newly developed in the future.
Linaclotide in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: A Phase 3 randomized trial in China and other regions
Authors: Yang Yunsheng , Fang Jingyuan , Guo Xiaozhong , Dai Ning , Shen Xizhong , Yang Youlin , Sun Jing , Bhandari Bal Raj , Reasner David S , Cronin Jacquelyn A , Currie Mark G , Johnston Jeffrey M , Zeng Peter , Montreewasuwat Niwat , Chen George Zhijian , Lim Sam
Published: January 2018

Background and Aim

Linaclotide is a guanylate cyclase‐C agonist approved in multiple countries to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS‐C). China has unmet need for well‐tolerated therapy that is effective in treating both bowel and abdominal symptoms of IBS‐C. This trial evaluated linaclotide's efficacy and safety in IBS‐C patients in China and other regions.

Methods

This Phase 3, double‐blind trial randomized IBS‐C patients to once‐daily oral 290‐μg linaclotide or placebo at centers in China, North America, and Oceania. Patients reported bowel and abdominal symptoms daily; adverse events were monitored. Co‐primary and secondary endpoints were tested using a predefined three‐step serial gatekeeping multiple comparisons procedure.

Results

The intent‐to‐treat population included 839 patients (mean age = 41 years; 82% female; 81% Asian). The trial met all co‐primary and secondary endpoints. Co‐primary responder criteria were met by 60.0% of linaclotide patients versus 48.8% of placebo patients for abdominal pain/discomfort (≥ 30% decrease for ≥ 6/12 weeks; P < 0.05), and 31.7% of linaclotide versus 15.4% of placebo patients for IBS degree of relief (score ≤ 2 for ≥ 6/12 weeks; P < 0.0001). Secondary 12‐week change‐from‐baseline endpoints (spontaneous bowel movement/complete spontaneous bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, straining, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and abdominal bloating) were significantly improved with linaclotide versus placebo (all P < 0.0001). Diarrhea was the most common adverse event (9.4% linaclotide, 1.2% placebo). Discontinuation rates due to diarrhea were low (0.7% linaclotide, 0.2% placebo).

Conclusions

Once‐daily 290‐μg linaclotide improved bowel habits, abdominal symptoms, and global measures in a predominantly Chinese IBS‐C population.
Association Between Sensory Impairment and Dementia in Older Adults: Evidence from China
Authors: Luo Yanan , He Ping , Guo Chao , Chen Gong , Li Ning , Zheng Xiaoying
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To determine the association between sensory impairment and dementia in Chinese older adults.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Setting

Older adults in 31 provinces of China.

Participants

Individuals aged 65 and older (N = 250,752).

Measurements

Psychiatrists ascertained dementia based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Sensory impairment was measured as only hearing impairment, only vision impairment, and combined sensory impairment (combined hearing and vision impairment). Hearing impairment was defined as greater than 40 dB loss in the better ear according to the standard of the World Health Organization (WHO) Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Impairment (PDH) standard 97.3. Ophthalmologists assessed vision impairment according to the WHO best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) criteria (low vision: 0.05≤BCVA ≤0.29; blindness: no light perception ≤ BCVA <0.05, visual field less than 10 degrees; the better‐seeing eye).

Results

The prevalence of dementia was 0.41% (95% CI = 0.39–0.44%) without sensory impairment, 0.83% (95% CI = 0.70–0.99%) with only visual impairment, 0.61 (95% CI = 0.53–0.71%) with only hearing impairment, and 1.27% (95% CI = 1.00–1.61%) with combined sensory impairments. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, vision impairment (odds ratio (OR) = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.28–1.96) and combined sensory impairments (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.23–2.20) were associated with greater risk of severe to extremely severe dementia. Hearing impairment was not significantly associated with dementia.

Conclusion

Sensory impairments are associated with greater risk of dementia in Chinese older adults. Studies are needed to further explore the pathway of this association in Chinese elderly adults and to provide suggestions to improve health status for this population.
The APPswe/PS1A246E mutations in an astrocytic cell line leads to increased vulnerability to oxygen and glucose deprivation, Ca2+ dysregulation, and mitochondrial abnormalities
Authors: Martin‐de‐Saavedra María Dolores , Navarro Elisa , Moreno‐Ortega Ana J. , Cunha Mauricio P. , Buendia Izaskun , Hernansanz‐Agustín Pablo , León Rafael , Cano‐Abad María F. , Martínez‐Ruiz Antonio , Martínez‐Murillo Ricardo , Duchen Michael R. , López Manuela G.
Published: January 2018

Growing evidence suggests a close relationship between Alzheimer′s Disease (AD) and cerebral hypoxia. Astrocytes play a key role in brain homeostasis and disease states, while some of the earliest changes in AD occur in astrocytes. We have therefore investigated whether mutations associated with AD increase astrocyte vulnerability to ischemia. Two astroglioma cell lines derived from APPSWE/PS1A246E (APP, amyloid precursor protein; PS1, presenilin 1) transgenic mice and controls from normal mice were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), an in vitro model of ischemia. Cell death was increased in the APPSWE/PS1A246E line compared to the control. Increasing extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]) exacerbated cell death in the mutant but not in the control cells. In order to explore cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, the cells were challenged with ATP or thapsigargin and [Ca2+] was measured by fluorescence microscopy. Changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) were potentiated in the APPSWE/PS1A246E transgenic line. Mitochondrial function was also altered in the APPSWE/PS1A246E astroglioma cells; mitochondrial membrane potential and production of reactive oxygen species were increased, while mitochondrial basal respiratory rate and ATP production were decreased compared to control astroglioma cells. These results suggest that AD mutations in astrocytes make them more sensitive to ischemia; Ca2+ dysregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to this increased vulnerability. Our results also highlight the role of astrocyte dyshomeostasis in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative brain disorders.

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The role of glutamate signaling in incentive salience: second‐by‐second glutamate recordings in awake Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Batten Seth R. , Pomerleau Francois , Quintero Jorge , Gerhardt Greg A. , Beckmann Joshua S.
Published: January 2018

The attribution of incentive salience to reward‐predictive stimuli has been shown to be associated with substance abuse‐like behavior such as increased drug taking. Evidence suggests that glutamate neurotransmission and sequential N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) activation are involved in the attribution of incentive salience. Here, we further explore the role of second‐by‐second glutamate neurotransmission in the attribution of incentive salience to reward‐predictive stimuli by measuring sign‐tracking behavior during a Pavlovian conditioned approach procedure using ceramic‐based microelectrode arrays configured for sensitive measures of extracellular glutamate in awake behaving Sprague‐Dawley rats. Specifically, we show that there is an increase in extracellular glutamate levels in the prelimbic cortex (PrL) and the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC) during sign‐tracking behavior to a food‐predictive conditioned stimulus (CS+) compared to the presentation of a non‐predictive conditioned stimulus (CS−). Furthermore, the results indicate greater increases in extracellular glutamate levels in the PrL compared to NAcC in response to the CS+, including differences in glutamate release and signal decay. Taken together, the present research suggests that there is differential glutamate signaling in the NAcC and PrL during sign‐tracking behavior to a food‐predictive CS+.

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Study on the correlation between adipocyte fatty‐acid binding protein, glucolipid metabolism, and pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Lin Yan‐Ping , Xu Cai‐Lin , Lin Kui‐Sheng , Gu Hai‐Bin , Chen Lei , Wang Ying , Weng Bao‐Chuan , Huang Hai‐Qing , Li Ya‐Ping , Zou Yu‐Liang , Li Zi‐Shun
Published: January 2018

Aim

We aimed to explore the relation between the level of adipocyte fatty‐acid binding protein (A‐FABP) in the gestational period and related indices of glucolipid metabolism, and the possible mechanisms of occurrence and development of pre‐eclampsia.

Methods

Seventy‐six pre‐eclampsia patients were enrolled and divided into the mild pre‐eclampsia (n = 42) and severe pre‐eclampsia (n = 34) groups. Forty‐eight healthy pregnant women were selected as a control group. The indices of all participants were examined, including serum A‐FABP, fasting insulin (FINS), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index was calculated. After the delivery of the placenta, the level of A‐FABP in the placenta was detected by immunochemistry. Then, the correlation between serum A‐FABP and indices of glucolipid metabolism and placental A‐FABP were analyzed.

Results

Serum A‐FABP, FINS, TG, TC, HOMA‐IR, and placental A‐FABP were significantly higher in pre‐eclampsia patients and the level of HDL was obviously lower than in the control group. Serum A‐FABP was positively correlated with FINS, TG, TC, and HOMA‐IR, and placental A‐FABP was negatively correlated with HDL in pre‐eclampsia patients. In the control group, serum A‐FABP was positively correlated only with TG, and uncorrelated with the other indices (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The level of A‐FABP was correlated with insulin resistance and indices of glucolipid metabolism in pre‐eclampsia patients. High‐levels of A‐FABP might increase insulin resistance by causing glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and ultimately inducing the occurrence and development of pre‐eclampsia.
Bowel health in chronic kidney disease: Patient perceptions differ from clinical definitions
Authors: Trimingham Claire , McDonald Stephen , Dansie Kathryn , Jesudason Shilpa , Faull Randall , Clayton Phil , Liew Grace , Le Leu Richard , Meade Anthony
Published: January 2018

Background

The bowel health of those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be affected by medications, fluid/dietary allowances, reduced activity and pre‐existing medical conditions. Patient perceptions of their bowel health can differ from those of health care professionals and the burden of gastrointestinal symptoms could be inaccurately reported.

Methods

Adults with CKD, including those undergoing haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplant from four South Australian hospitals enrolled in the study. Participants completed a five‐item questionnaire, to investigate their perception of bowel health compared with clinical criteria for ‘normal and abnormal’ bowel health using the Bristol Stool Form Scale, bowel frequency and reported symptoms.

Results

A total of 324 individuals completed the questionnaire. Of those with clinically defined ‘abnormal’ bowel health (n = 180), 50.6% perceived their bowels as ‘normal’ or ‘more normal than abnormal’. Only 6% of this clinically ‘abnormal’ group perceived their bowel health as abnormal. Of those with clinically defined ‘normal’ bowel health (n = 144), 16% perceived their bowel health as ‘abnormal’, ‘more abnormal than normal‘ or ‘variable’. Fifty‐seven percent of patients with clinically defined ‘abnormal’ bowel health were not taking any treatments. Peritoneal dialysis recipients were the highest users of treatments to improve bowel function, with 62% using 1 or more treatment.

Conclusions

It is common for patients with CKD to experience signs and symptoms of abnormal bowel health. There is a disconnect between patient perceptions and clinical definitions of normal or abnormal bowel health. Clinical care team members must carefully obtain and clarify patient‐reported symptoms related to bowel function in order to help ensure recommendations and use of appropriate treatments.
Urbanization and mortality decline
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra , Green Elliott
Published: January 2018

We investigate the relationship between mortality decline and urbanization, which has hitherto been proposed by demographers but has yet to be tested rigorously in a global context. Using cross‐national panel data, we find evidence of a robust negative correlation between crude death rates and urbanization. The use of instrumental variables suggest that this relationship is causal, while historical data from the early 20th century suggest that this relationship holds in earlier periods as well. Finally, we find robust evidence that mortality decline is correlated with urbanization through the creation of new cities rather than promoting urban growth in already‐extant cities.
‘I'm not proud, I'm just gay’: Lesbian and gay youths' discursive negotiation of otherness
Authors: Jones Lucy
Published: January 2018

This article outlines the shared identity construction of five gay and lesbian members of an LGBT youth group, situated in a conservative, working‐class, Northern English town. It is shown that the young people's identity work emerges in response to the homophobia and ‘othering’ they have experienced from those in their local community. Through ethnography and discourse analysis, and using theoretical frameworks from interactional sociolinguistics, the strategies that the young people employ to negotiate this othering are explored; they reject certain stereotypes of queer culture (such as Gay Pride or being ‘camp’) and aim to minimise the relevance of their sexuality to their social identity. It is argued this reflects both the influence of neoliberal, ‘homonormative’ ideology, which casts sexuality in the private rather than public domain, and the stigma their sexuality holds in their local community. These findings point to the need to understand identity construction intersectionally.
Histopathological frequency of feline hepatobiliary disease in the UK
Authors: Bayton W. A. , Westgarth C. , Scase T. , Price D. J. , Bexfield N. H.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To determine the histopathological frequency of feline hepatobiliary diseases in the UK and to identify breed, age and gender predispositions to developing individual diseases.

Methods

Histopathology results from 1452 feline liver biopsies were assessed. A control population of microchipped cats was used for breed comparison. Data were retrospectively categorised into hepatobiliary diseases according to World Small Animal Veterinary Association standards. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine breed predispositions to the 10 most frequent diseases. Gender and age distributions were also evaluated.

Results

The most frequent diseases based on histopathology were neutrophilic cholangitis (20·5%), reactive hepatitis (20·4%), reversible hepatocellular injury (8·4%), lymphocytic cholangitis (6·8%), biliary cysts (5·7%), acute hepatitis (5·6%), haematopoietic neoplasia (5·6%), hepatocellular neoplasia (4·9%), congenital portosystemic shunt (3·8%) and cholangiocellular neoplasia (3·1%). Some previously unreported breed and age predispositions were identified.

Clinical significance

This is the first study to document the histopathological frequency of hepatobiliary diseases in a large cohort of cats in the UK, as well as novel breed and age predispositions. These data may help increase the index of suspicion of a particular disease in the absence of a biopsy‐confirmed diagnosis.
Evaluation of oscillometric blood pressure monitor BLT M9000 VET in anaesthetised healthy adult dogs
Authors: Zrimšek P. , Sredenšek J. , Vengušt M. , Seliškar A.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To examine agreement in anaesthetised dogs between invasive blood pressure measurements and measurements obtained with an oscillometric blood pressure monitor.

Materials and Methods

Paired invasive and oscillometric measurements were taken in 24 dogs every 5 minutes during anaesthesia (9 to 37 measurements per dog). Agreement between measurement methods was explored using Bland–Altman plots. To determine the accuracy of the oscillometric measurements, the results were compared with the guidelines recommended by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.

Results

In total, 493 paired readings were obtained: 98·6% of oscillometric readings were successful. Biases (±standard deviation) for oscillometric readings of systolic arterial blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure were 2·1 (±11·5) and −9·8 (±7·6) mm Hg, indicating slight over‐ and under‐estimation, respectively, versus invasive measurements. More than 50% and 80% of systolic arterial and mean arterial pressure measurements were within 10 and 20 mmHg of invasively measured values, respectively. A large negative bias (−14·1 ±9·2 mmHg) against invasive measurements revealed that the oscillometric measures of diastolic arterial blood pressure measurements were under‐estimated.

Clinical Significance

In healthy adult anaesthetised dogs, this oscillometric monitor met the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine requirements for systolic arterial and mean arterial pressure measurement but failed to meet the requirements for the measurement of diastolic arterial pressure.
Authoritarian Resilience Versus Everyday Resistance: The Unexpected Strength of Religious Advocacy in Promoting Transnational Activism in China
Authors: Wang Ray
Published: January 2018

This article examines one of the most sensitive forms of transnational activism—the money and services foreign advocacy groups provide to empower locals—and explores the reasons why some aid groups have been allowed to work in certain locations when conventional wisdom and experience would indicate otherwise. In a careful comparison of four Chinese cities with similar geographic, political, and economic conditions, we find that only one particular form of religious activist network has been tolerated and its rule‐breaking nature has created a persistent activism of “everyday resistance.” Thus, decoding the mechanisms of its success, named “backdoor listing” and “minority‐majority alliance,” can help to expand our knowledge about not only the possibility of religious freedom in China, but also our theoretical understanding of the transnational activism strategies that are being widely debated and employed to improve human rights worldwide.
Materializing ‘Competence’: Perspectives From International STEM Scholars
Authors: CANAGARAJAH SURESH
Published: January 2018

Applied linguists have been exploring approaches to second language acquisition and competence that move beyond a prioritization of cognition and grammar that was derived from the foundational structuralist legacy in linguistics. Recently, for example, they have collaborated in putting together an integrated alternative model (Douglas Fir Group, 2016) to move theory and pedagogy forward. Shifting further yet toward the material locus and spatiotemporal conditioning of communication, this article reports on the communicative practices of international STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) scholars. Its data analysis uses a spatial orientation informed by schools such as new materialism, post‐humanism, and actor network theory, influenced largely by scholars in material and spatial sciences. The article calls for a fuller materialization, embodiment, and performativity in theorizing language competence than currently conceptualized in applied linguistics.
Review: Molecular characteristics of long‐term epilepsy‐associated tumours (LEATs) and mechanisms for tumour‐related epilepsy (TRE)
Authors: Stone T. J. , Rowell R. , Jayasekera B. A. P. , Cunningham M. O. , Jacques T. S.
Published: January 2018

Brain tumours are the second most common cause of seizures identified in epilepsy surgical series. While any tumour involving the brain has the potential to cause seizures, specific subtypes are more frequently associated with epilepsy. Tumour‐related epilepsy (TRE) has a profound impact on patients with brain tumours and these seizures are often refractory to anti‐epileptic treatments, resulting in long‐term disability and patient morbidity. Despite the drastic impact of epilepsy‐associated tumours on patients, they have not traditionally enjoyed as much attention as more malignant neoplasms. However, recently a number of developments have been achieved towards further understanding of the molecular and developmental backgrounds of specific epilepsy‐associated tumours. In addition, the past decade has seen an expansion in the literature on the pathophysiology of TRE. In this review, we aim to summarize the mechanisms by which tumours may cause seizures and detail recent data regarding the pathogenesis of specific developmental epilepsy‐associated tumours.
Do We Still Need Reformers in the Church? The Case of Oscar Romero
Authors: Maier Martin
Published: January 2018

Pope Francis wants a reform of the church and he sees Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador as a model bishop, one who smells like his sheep and who was fully committed to a poor church for the poor. Pope Francis and Archbishop Romero agree that the basis for church reform must be the gospel. As Jesus did not preach himself but the kingdom of God, the church must be at the service of the kingdom, she is the sacrament of the kingdom. The first addressees of the good news of the kingdom of God were the poor, so there is an intrinsic relationship between the church and the poor. Church reform means that the church becomes more like Jesus Christ serving the poor, the needy and the marginalized.

There is an intrinsic relationship between church reform and the signs of the times. The Second Vatican Council established a new relationship between the church and the world. Of key importance for this are the signs of the times as signs of the presence and the plans of God in history.

Archbishop Romero's deepest and most creative spiritual and theological insight is his association of the passion of the Salvadoran people with the suffering servant of God and the crucified Christ. He spoke of a crucified people.
Reduction in anastomotic flow disturbance within a modified end‐to‐side arteriovenous fistula configuration: Results of a computational flow dynamic model
Authors: Carroll John , Varcoe Ramon L , Barber Tracie , Simmons Anne
Published: January 2018

Aim

We sought to determine if a modification to the peri‐anastomotic vein configuration during end‐to‐side arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation would achieve a favourable haemodynamic environment compared with the standard acute‐angle AVF.

Methods

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling of two end‐to‐side AVF geometries (smooth‐vein‐loop vs. acute‐angle) allowed for haemodynamic modelling. Haemodynamic fields at various stages of the pulse cycle were observed and compared across both models.

Results

We found a significant reduction in flow disturbance in the modified shape at the peri‐anastomotic vein region, a common site for stenosis. The acute anastomotic angle characteristic of a standard‐end‐to‐side AVF was found to cause significant flow disturbance throughout the pulse cycle.

Conclusion

Computational modelling indicates that improvements in the haemodynamic environment of an AVF are achievable when a gentle change in direction is present in the vein segment. This may lead to improved maturation and AVF patency through reduction in disturbed flow patterns.
Comparison of graft and patient outcomes following kidney transplantation in extended hour and conventional haemodialysis patients
Authors: See Emily J , Hawley Carmel M , Cho Yeoungjee , Toussaint Nigel D , Agar John WM , Pascoe Elaine M , Lim Wai H , Francis Ross S , Collins Michael G , Johnson David W
Published: January 2018

Aim

Differences in early graft function between kidney transplant recipients previously managed with either haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis are well described. However, only two single‐centre studies have compared graft and patient outcomes between extended hour and conventional HD patients, with conflicting results.

Methods

This study compared the outcomes of all extended hour (≥24 h/week) and conventional HD patients transplanted in Australia and New Zealand between 2000 and 2014. The primary outcome was delayed graft function (DGF), defined in an ordinal manner as either a spontaneous fall in serum creatinine of less than 10% within 24 h, or the need for dialysis within 72 h following transplantation. Secondary outcomes included the requirement for dialysis within 72 h post‐transplant, acute rejection, estimated glomerular filtration rate at 12 months, death‐censored graft failure, all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality, and a composite of graft failure and mortality.

Results

A total of 4935 HD patients (378 extended hour HD, 4557 conventional HD) received a kidney transplant during the study period. Extended hour HD was associated with an increased likelihood of DGF compared with conventional HD (adjusted proportional odds ratio 1.33; 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.67). There was no significant difference between extended hour and conventional HD in terms of any of the secondary outcomes.

Conclusion

Compared to conventional HD, extended hour HD was associated with DGF, although long‐term graft and patient outcomes were not different.
Impedance spectroscopy measurements as a tool for distinguishing different luminal content during bolus transit studies
Authors: Ruiz‐Vargas A. , Mohd Rosli R. , Ivorra A. , Arkwright J. W.
Published: January 2018

Background

Intraluminal electrical impedance is a well‐known diagnostic tool used to study bolus movement in the human esophagus. However, it is use in the human colon it is hindered by the fact that the content cannot be controlled and may include liquid, gas, solid, or a mixture of these at any one time. This article investigates the use of complex impedance spectroscopy to study different luminal content (liquid and gas).

Methods

An excised section of guinea pig proximal colon was placed in an organ bath with Krebs solution at 37°C and a custom built bioimpedance catheter was placed in the lumen. Liquid (Krebs) and gas (air) content was pumped through the lumen and the intraluminal impedance was measured at five different frequencies (1, 5.6, 31.6, 177.18 kHz and 1 MHz) at 10 samples per second. A numerical model was created to model the passage of bolus with different content and compared to the experimental data.

Key Results

Differences in mean impedance magnitude and phase angle were found (from 1 to 177.18 kHz) for different contents. The numerical results qualitatively agreed with those in the experimental study. Conductivities of bolus had an effect on detecting its passage.

Conclusions & Inferences

Complex impedance spectroscopy can distinguish between different luminal content within a range of measuring frequencies. The numerical model showed the importance of bolus conductivities for bolus transit studies in those where the bolus is controlled.