bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: a medical or surgical disease of the breast?
Authors: Skandarajah Anita , Marley Leah
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare benign breast disease, which can be protracted, disfiguring and may be linked to an underlying autoimmune disorder. The clinical presentation may mimic bacterial mastitis or carcinoma.

Aims

To review the mode of presentation, diagnosis, management, resolution and incidence of IGM in three tertiary breast centres and propose guidelines for management.

Methods

The breast and anatomical databases of three centres were reviewed from January 2000 to December 2013 to identify patients with histological diagnosis of IGM. Clinical and demographic characteristics were retrieved and treatment modalities and time to resolution were recorded.

Results

Seventeen patients were identified with a median age of 40. The majority of patients were premenopausal, multiparous and presented with a mass. All patients had initial treatment as infectious mastitis. The diagnosis was made by core biopsy in 71%. Eleven patients required immunosuppressive treatment with steroids and four of these patients required a steroid‐sparing agent because of steroidal side effects, recurrence or persistence of symptoms. The median time to resolution was 3 months (0–24 months). One patient had subsequent systemic Wegener's granulomatosis diagnosed.

Conclusions

Idiopathic granulomatosis mastitis requires histological confirmation, close monitoring, exclusion of underlying systemic autoimmune conditions and judicious use of steroids and steroid‐sparing agents such as methotrexate. It has a protracted course with some patients relapsing quickly upon cessation of steroids.
FARMERS’ COOPERATIVES IN THE EU: POLICIES, STRATEGIES, AND ORGANIZATION
Authors: BIJMAN Jos , ILIOPOULOS Constantine
Published: November 2014

The importance of cooperatives for European farmers has often been claimed but empirical studies to support this claim are scarce. This special issue presents a number of articles on the recent development and status of agricultural cooperatives in the European Union, based on original data collected in the EU‐wide study ‘Support for Farmers’ Cooperatives’. The articles focus on trends in the internal organization, the institutional environment, and the strategies that cooperatives have developed in supply chains and markets. This introductory article presents data on the market shares that cooperatives hold in different sectors and countries, and introduces the three key determinants of performance of cooperatives: policies, strategies and internal organization. Finally, the article develops a future research agenda.
FARMERS' COOPERATIVES IN EUROPE: SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL DETERMINANTS OF COOPERATIVE MEMBERSHIP IN AGRICULTURE
Authors: GIJSELINCKX Caroline , BUSSELS Matthias
Published: November 2014

Membership rates of agricultural co‐operatives vary widely across member states of the European Union. Inspired by various strands of literature (institutionalism, social capital theory, literature on transition countries and the ‘software of the mind’), we investigate historical and social determinants of those differences. We find that social capital and the legacy of communism are significantly correlated with the attractiveness of the co‐operative sector for farmers, while the Hofstede indicators, measuring deeply rooted cultural values that otherwise are so robust and have correlations with many entrepreneurial and organizational aspects, are not. We describe our analysis and elaborate on the limits and implications of the data used and methodology applied.
USING THE REGIONAL ADVANTAGE: FRENCH AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES’ ECONOMIC AND GOVERNANCE TOOL
Authors: FILIPPI Maryline
Published: November 2014

Ever‐increasing globalization has forced cooperatives to strike a balance between developing economic performance and sticking to their social values. This article examines in what respect the localization of French agricultural cooperatives could be used as an economic and governance tool. We distinguish between three strategies: (1) enhancing the value of local resources; (2) creating links between members in order to reinforce member loyalty; and (3) building interdependencies with consumers in supply chains. We show that the French cooperatives’ strategies transform their localization constraint into territorial advantages, suggesting a tool that might usefully be adapted by cooperatives of other countries. Further research including international comparisons is needed in order to improve understanding of the mechanisms at work behind commitment with owner‐members at the cooperative level.
PATHS TO COOPERATIVE SURVIVAL: STRUCTURE, STRATEGY AND REGENERATION OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES COOPERATIVES IN ALMERÍA AND VALENCIA, SPAIN
Authors: GIAGNOCAVO Cynthia , GEREZ Silvia , CAMPOS i CLIMENT Vanessa
Published: November 2014

Two important Spanish fruit and vegetable (F&V) producing areas of Almería and Valencia in which agricultural cooperatives and smallholder and family farmers play a vital role are compared. Their F&V cooperatives have distinct development paths and have adopted different structures and strategies, attributable to historical, cultural and political circumstance, infrastructure, regulation and policy measures and/or international exposure. In considering the factors which contribute to agricultural cooperative success or failure, persistent atomization is often cited as inhibiting the ability of cooperatives to thrive. While not discounting that economies of scale may be important, we argue for analysing agricultural cooperative activity using a neo‐endogenous approach (a mix of exogenous and endogenous factors wherein local level characteristics and actors interact with external or global forces), combined with insights from path dependency theory and a dynamic lifecycle approach. Agricultural cooperatives are presented as dynamic entities, capable of renewal, redeployment, regeneration and recombination.
Impressions of Immigration: Comparisons between Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Children's Immigration Beliefs
Authors: Brown Christia Spears , Lee Christine A.
Published: November 2014

Immigration is a frequently debated topic in American politics and media, yet little work examined children's understanding of this issue. In order to explore how children's understanding of immigration may differ based on their immigration experience, 261 elementary school‐aged children (M = 9 years; SD = 1 year, 1 month) answered open‐ended questions regarding why people move to the United States and why it should be legal or not. The sample consisted of 196 immigrants (first and second generation Latino/a immigrants) and 65 nonimmigrants (non‐Latino/a children living in America for at least three generations). Children also rated possible explanations for societal antiimmigration attitudes. As predicted, Latino/a immigrant children explained immigration as a means of attaining concrete benefits for immigrants, such as improved education or jobs. They also referenced reuniting with family members in the U.S. Nonimmigrant children focused more on immigrants seeking American freedoms, reflecting the school‐based curriculum explaining early European immigration to the U.S. Results reflect how differing experiences with immigration (direct or indirect) may influence perceptions towards immigration.
Investigating risk factors and possible infectious aetiologies of mummified fetuses on a large piggery in Australia
Authors: Dron N , Hernández‐Jover M , Doyle RE , Holyoake PK
Published: November 2014

Objective

To investigate risk factors and potential infectious aetiologies of an increased mummification rate (>2%) identified over time on a 1200‐sow farrow‐to‐finish farm in Australia.

Methods

Association of potential non‐infectious risk factors and the mummification rate was investigated using 15 years of breeding herd data (40,940 litters) and logistic regression analysis. Samples from a limited number of mummified fetuses were taken to identify potential infectious aetiologies (porcine parvovirus, Leptospira pomona, porcine circovirus type 2, Bungowannah virus and enterovirus).

Results

Logistic regression analysis suggested that the mummification rate was significantly associated with sow breed and parity, year and total born and stillborn piglets per litter. The mummification rate was lower (P < 0.001) in Landrace (3.4%) and Large White (2.6%) sows than in Duroc sows (4.9%). Gilts (2.9%) had a lower (P < 0.001) mummification rate than older sows. The mummification rate increased with total born litter size and decreased with the number of stillborn piglets (P < 0.001). A clustering effect within individual sows was identified, indicating that some sows with mummified fetuses in a litter were more likely to have repeated mummifications in subsequent litters. No infectious agents were identified in the samples taken.

Conclusion

Results from this study suggest that the increased mummification rate identified over time on this farm is likely to be a non‐infectious multifactorial problem predisposing the occurrence of mummification. Further research is required to better understand the pathophysiology of mummification and the role that different non‐infectious factors play in the occurrence of mummified fetuses.
Acute undifferentiated leukaemia in a dog
Authors: Miglio A , Antognoni MT , Miniscalco B , Caivano D , Lepri E , Birettoni F , Mangili V
Published: November 2014

Background

Acute undifferentiated leukaemia (AUL) is considered a separate entity in the context of acute leukaemias. AUL is extremely rare in both humans and dogs, has a rapid clinical course and does not respond to treatment. It is characterised by the presence of blast cells within the bone marrow and/or peripheral blood at levels ≥20% and even up to 100% of all nucleated cells. Blast cells are unable to be differentiated on morphological, cytochemical and phenotypic criteria into myeloid or lymphoid lineages because of their immaturity and/or atypia.

Case report

An 8‐year‐old German Shepherd dog was referred for depression, asthenia, mild anaemia, thrombocytopenia and marked leucocytosis. Abdominal ultrasound showed hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, bilateral nephromegaly and enlargement of mesenteric lymph nodes. Echocardiography revealed biventricular hypertrophy with abnormal tissue density of the myocardium. Blood and bone marrow smears were composed of 95% unclassifiable and/or atypical blast cells and signs of dysplasia of the erythroid and thrombocytic/megakaryocytic lineages were present. Blast cells were negative for all cytochemical stains used and flow cytometry of peripheral blood revealed 85% of total leucocytes consisting of small‐to‐medium‐sized cells, negative for all lymphoid and myeloid markers except CD45 and CD34.

After necropsy, cytology and histology revealed that blast cells had diffusely infiltrated all tissues examined. Both erythroid and megakaryocytic extramedullary haemopoiesis was also detected in the spleen, lymph nodes and liver. All immunohistochemical stains used were negative.

Conclusion

On the basis of all the results, a diagnosis of acute leukaemia involving a very primitive haematopoietic precursor was made.
Cannabidiol fails to reverse hypothermia or locomotor suppression induced by Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Taffe Michael A , Creehan Kevin M , Vandewater Sophia A
Published: November 2014

Background and Purpose

Growing evidence shows cannabidiol (CBD) modulates some of the effects of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is a constituent of some strains of recreational cannabis but its content is highly variable. High CBD strains may have less memory‐impairing effects than low‐CBD strains and CBD can reverse behavioural effects of THC in monkeys. CBD/THC interactions in rodents are more complicated as CBD can attenuate or exacerbate the effects of THC. This study was undertaken to determine if CBD could reverse hypothermia or hypolocomotor effects caused by THC in rats.

Experimental Approaches

Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were prepared with radiotelemetry devices and then given doses of THC (10–30 mg·kg−1, i.p.) with or without CBD. Experiments determined the effect of simultaneous or 30 min pretreatment with CBD in a 1:1 ratio with THC, as well as the effect of CBD in a 3:1 ratio. Additional experiments determined the effects of pretreatment with the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716 (rimonabant).

Key Results

CBD did not attentuate THC‐induced hypothermia or hypolocomotion but instead exaggerated these effects in some conditions. The antagonist SR141716 blocked hypolocomotor effects of THC for the first hour after injection and the hypothermia for 6 h; thus validating the pharmacological model.

Conclusions and Implications

There is no evidence from this study that elevated CBD content in cannabis could provide protection from the physiological effects of THC, in rats.
CXCR3 antagonist VUF10085 binds to an intrahelical site distinct from that of the broad spectrum antagonist TAK‐779
Authors: Nedjai Belinda , Viney Jonathan M , Li Hubert , Hull Caroline , Anderson Caroline A , Horie Tomoki , Horuk Richard , Vaidehi Nagarajan , Pease James E
Published: November 2014

Background and Purpose

The chemokine receptor CXCR3 is implicated in a variety of clinically important diseases, notably rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. Consequently, antagonists of CXCR3 are of therapeutic interest. In this study, we set out to characterize binding sites of the specific low MW CXCR3 antagonist VUF10085 and the broad spectrum antagonist TAK‐779 which blocks CXCR3 along with CCR2 and CCR5.

Experimental Approach

Molecular modelling of CXCR3, followed by virtual ligand docking, highlighted several CXCR3 residues likely to contact either antagonist, notably a conserved aspartate in helix 2 (Asp‐1122:63), which was postulated to interact with the quaternary nitrogen of TAK‐779. Validation of modelling was carried out by site‐directed mutagenesis of CXCR3, followed by assays of cell surface expression, ligand binding and receptor activation.

Key Results

Mutation of Asn‐1323.33, Phe‐207 and Tyr‐2716.51 within CXCR3 severely impaired both ligand binding and chemotactic responses, suggesting that these residues are critical for maintenance of a functional CXCR3 conformation. Contrary to our hypothesis, mutation of Asp‐1122:63 had no observable effects on TAK‐779 activity, but clearly decreased the antagonist potency of VUF 10085. Likewise, mutations of Phe‐1313.32, Ile‐2796.59 and Tyr‐3087.43 were well tolerated and were critical for the antagonist activity of VUF 10085 but not for that of TAK‐779.

Conclusions and Implications

This more detailed definition of a binding pocket within CXCR3 for low MW antagonists should facilitate the rational design of newer CXCR3 antagonists, with obvious clinical potential.
Thermal evolution and shale gas potential estimation of the Wealden and Posidonia Shale in NW‐Germany and the Netherlands: a 3D basin modelling study
Authors: Bruns B. , Littke R. , Gasparik M. , van Wees J.‐D. , Nelskamp S.
Published: November 2014

Sedimentary basins in NW‐Germany and the Netherlands represent potential targets for shale gas exploration in Europe due to the presence of Cretaceous (Wealden) and Jurassic (Posidonia) marlstones/shales as well as various Carboniferous black shales. In order to assess the regional shale gas prospectivity of this area, a 3D high‐resolution petroleum system model has been compiled and used to reconstruct the source‐rock maturation based on calibrated burial and thermal histories. Different basal heat flow scenarios and accordingly, different high‐resolution scenarios of erosional amount distribution were constructed, incorporating all major uplift events that affected the study area. The model delivers an independent 3D reappraisal of the tectonic and thermal history that controlled the differential geodynamic evolution and provides a high‐resolution image of the maturity distribution and evolution throughout the study area and the different basins. Pressure, temperature and TOC‐dependent gas storage capacity and gas contents of the Posidonia Shale and Wealden were calculated based on experimentally derived Langmuir sorption parameters and newly compiled source‐rock thickness maps indicating shale gas potential of the Lower Saxony Basin, southern Gifhorn Trough and West Netherlands Basin.
The Roles of Intuition and Informants’ Expertise in Children's Epistemic Trust
Authors: Lane Jonathan D. , Harris Paul L.
Published: November 2014

This study examined how children's intuitions and informants’ expertise influence children's trust in informants’ claims. Three‐ to 8‐year‐olds (N = 192) watched videos in which experts (animal/biology experts or artifact/physics experts) made either intuitively plausible or counterintuitive claims about obscure animals or artifacts. Claims fell either within or beyond experts’ domains of expertise. Children of all ages were more trusting of claims made by informants with relevant, as opposed to irrelevant, expertise. Children also showed greater acceptance of intuitive rather than counterintuitive claims, a differentiation that increased with age as they developed firmer intuitions about what can ordinarily happen. In summary, children's trust in testimony depends on whether informants have the relevant expertise as well as on children's own developing intuitions.
PRMT5 enhances generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from dairy goat embryonic fibroblasts via down‐regulation of p53
Authors: Chu Z. , Niu B. , Zhu H. , He X. , Bai C. , Li G. , Hua J.
Published: November 2014

Objectives

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), is thought to play a role in epigenetic reprogramming of mouse germ cells. However, up to now there has been little information concerning its expression profile and effects on generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells, in livestock. Here, we have explored PRMT5 expression profiles in dairy goats and its consequences to derivation of iPSCs from dairy goat embryonic fibroblasts (GEFs).

Materials and methods

We investigated effects of PRMT5 on iPS‐like cells production in vitro. alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining, QRT‐PCR and western blotting analysis of expression of related markers were used to evaluate efficiency of generation of iPSCs derived from GEFs.

Results

These showed PRMT5 to be a conservative gene widely expressed in various tissues and different‐aged testes. PRMT5 overexpression in combination with OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4 and C‐MYC (POSKM) significantly increased number of AP positive iPS‐like colony‐derived GEFs compared to OSKM alone, in our dairy goats. Moreover, our results demonstrated that PRMT5 overexpression stimulated GEF proliferation and down‐regulated p53, p21 (a target gene of p53) and the apoptotic marker caspase 3, to enhance somatic cell reprogramming.

Conclusion

This study provides an efficient model for future studies on mechanisms underlying goat somatic cell reprogramming and differentiation.
Hyperpigmentation in palms associated with lung adenocarcinoma resolving after chemotherapy
Authors: Wu Fengying , Su Chunxia , Liu Li , Xu Jianfang
Published: November 2014

Background and Aim

Hyperpigmentation is a kind of paraneoplastic syndrome associated with lung cancer. Diffuse hyperpigmentation was reported and generally resulted from overproduction of melanocyte‐stimulating hormone or adrenocorticotropic hormone. However, localized hyperpigmentation is rare for lung cancer.

Methods

Here, we report a 56‐year‐old lung adenocarcinoma patient who developed hyperpigmentation in two palms about 3 months preceding the diagnosis and resolved gradually with the shrink of the primary tumours in lung after chemotherapy.

Result

Localized hyperpigmentation suggests that another mechanism might be involved.

Conclusion

The case reminds us that any skin disorders without obvious causes in heavy smokers should be alerted as a sign of lung cancer and sometimes could be used as a marker of response to the treatment.
Single‐dose new insulin glargine 300 U/ml provides prolonged, stable glycaemic control in Japanese and European people with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Shiramoto M. , Eto T. , Irie S. , Fukuzaki A. , Teichert L. , Tillner J. , Takahashi Y. , Koyama M. , Dahmen R. , Heise T. , Becker R. H. A.
Published: November 2014

Aims

Two single‐dose studies were conducted in Japan and Europe to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of new insulin glargine 300 U/ml (Gla‐300) and insulin glargine 100 U/ml (Gla‐100) in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

In two double‐blind, randomized, crossover studies, 18 Japanese participants (aged 20–65 years) and 24 European participants (aged 18–65 years) with glycated haemoglobin levels ≤9.0% (≤75 mmol/mol) received single subcutaneous doses of Gla‐300, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.9 U/kg (0.9 U/kg in the European study only), and Gla‐100, 0.4 U/kg. A 36‐h euglycaemic clamp procedure was performed after each dosing.

Results

The serum insulin glargine concentration (INS) and glucose infusion rate (GIR) developed more gradually into more constant and prolonged profiles with Gla‐300 than with Gla‐100. In support of this, the times to 50% of glargine exposure and insulin activity were longer for all Gla‐300 doses than for Gla‐100 during the 36‐h clamp period, indicating a more evenly distributed exposure and metabolic effect beyond 24 h. Exposure to insulin glargine and glucose utilization were lower with the 0.4 and 0.6 U/ml Gla‐300 doses in both studies compared with the 0.4 U/ml Gla‐100 dose. Glucose‐lowering activity was detected for up to 36 h with all doses of Gla‐300.

Conclusions

Single‐dose injections of Gla‐300 present more constant and prolonged PK and PD profiles compared with Gla‐100, maintaining blood glucose control for up to 36 h in euglycaemic clamp settings in Japanese and European participants with type 1 diabetes.
Regardless of the degree of glycaemic control, linagliptin has lower hypoglycaemia risk than all doses of glimepiride, at all time points, over the course of a 2‐year trial
Authors: Gallwitz B. , Rosenstock J. , Patel S. , von Eynatten M. , Hehnke U. , Mehlburger L. , Dugi K. A. , Woerle H.‐J.
Published: November 2014

Aim

To evaluate the risk of documented hypoglycaemia with glimepiride versus linagliptin.

Methods

This was an exploratory analysis of data from a 2‐year, randomized, double‐blind study of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor linagliptin 5 mg once daily (n = 764) versus the sulphonylurea glimepiride 1–4 mg once daily (n = 755) in patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled by metformin. Patients randomized to glimepiride started on 1 mg and after 4 weeks were allowed to be individually uptitrated stepwise to glimepiride 4 mg if a fasting plasma glucose concentration ≤6.1 mmol/l was not achieved. Investigator‐reported hypoglycaemia was evaluated by dose, over time, and by the degree of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction.

Results

The percentages of patients with at least one hypoglycaemic event at the individual maximum glimepiride dose were: 1 mg, 45.0%; 2 mg, 50.8%; 3 mg, 36.1%; and 4 mg, 27.7%. The incidence of hypoglycaemia was higher with glimepiride than with linagliptin (36.1 vs. 7.5%; p < 0.0001); after performing sensitivity analyses by excluding events during dose escalation (weeks 0–16), this difference remained significant (weeks 16–104: 25.8 vs. 5.9%; p < 0.0001). Notably, the incidence of hypoglycaemia was higher with glimepiride than with linagliptin in each quartile of HbA1c change from baseline (all p < 0.0001); the incidence of hypoglycaemic episodes was not increased with greater reductions in HbA1c in either group. In all 4‐week intervals across the 2‐year study, the incidence of hypoglycaemia was lower with linagliptin than with glimepiride.

Conclusion

Linagliptin was associated with a lower risk of hypoglycaemia than glimepiride at all dose levels and time intervals, and regardless of change in HbA1c level.
Intellectualist Aristotelian Character Education: An Outline and Assessment
Authors: Ferkany Matt , Creed Benjamin
Published: November 2014

Since its resurgence in the 1990s, character education has been subject to a bevy of common criticisms, including that it is didactic and crudely behaviorist; premised on a faulty trait psychology; victim‐blaming; culturally imperialist, racist, religious, or ideologically conservative; and many other horrible things besides. Matt Ferkany and Benjamin Creed examine an intellectualist Aristotelian form of character education that has gained popularity recently and find that it is largely not susceptible to such criticisms. In this form, character education is education for practically intelligent virtue, or the intrinsically motivated and psychically harmonious exercise of robust and stable traits involving practical intelligence conducive to individual and collective human flourishing.
Figures of Disengagement: Charles Taylor, Scientific Parenting, and the Paradox of Late Modernity
Authors: Van den Berge Luc , Ramaekers Stefan
Published: November 2014

In this essay Luc Van den Berge and Stefan Ramaekers take the idea(l) of “scientific parenting” as an example of ambiguities that are typical of our late‐modern condition. On the one hand, parenting seems like a natural thing to do, which makes “scientific parenting” sound like an oxymoron; on the other hand, a disengaged stance informed by the latest scientific findings is uncritically demanded of parents, as such an approach is conceived of as a panacea. Instead of taking sides in this discussion, the authors seek a way to make sense of it, drawing upon the work of Charles Taylor, who offers a striking account of our contingent modern condition as well as of our ontological human constitution. They focus particularly on two examples Taylor gives where the contingent self‐understanding does not coincide with our timeless human features. This opens a space for what might be considered paradoxes in our late‐modern Western culture. This essay thus confronts Taylor's philosophy with the new parenting discourse to reveal how our moral horizons have evolved. Following this approach, the authors both expand on Taylor's thinking about our late modernity and at the same time try to assess the new scientific parenting discourse.
Evaluation of candidal colonization and specific humoral responses against Candida albicans in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Taheri Sarvtin Mehdi , Shokohi Tahereh , Hajheydari Zohreh , Yazdani Jamshid , Hedayati Mohammad T.
Published: November 2014

Background

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that can considerably affect a patient's quality of life. Environmental and genetic factors, as well as superantigens and toxins from Candida species, may play various roles in the exacerbation and persistence of psoriasis. In the present study, we evaluated candidal colonization and specific humoral responses against Candida albicans in patients with psoriasis.

Methods

A total of 100 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 50 healthy control individuals were enrolled in the study. Skin and oral specimens from all participants were cultured on CHROMagar Candida medium. Isolated yeast‐like fungi were identified using the sequence of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to detect immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG antibodies against C. albicans in sera of patients and healthy individuals.

Results

Candida species were isolated from the skin of 15% of patients and 4% of controls and from oral specimens of 60% of patients and 20% of controls. There was a significant difference in candidal colonization between patients and controls (P < 0.05). Serum IgM, IgA, and IgG levels against C. albicans were significantly lower in patients with psoriasis than in controls (P < 0.05). There was no significant association between serum levels of specific antibodies against C. albicans or the frequency of candidal colonization with the clinical severity of the disease (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of the present study show a higher rate of candidal colonization in patients with psoriasis in comparison with controls and a reduction in humoral immune responses in patients.
Dextrin, sugar and organic acid profiles of spontaneous and modified gowe: a malted and fermented sorghum beverage from Benin
Authors: Vieira‐Dalodé Générose , Akissoé Noël , Hounhouigan Djidjoho Joseph , Jakobsen Mogens , Mestres Christian
Published: November 2014

Gowé is a traditional Beninese fermented red sorghum beverage made from a blend of malted and precooked nonmalted flour. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the degradation of starch during the production of gowé and to characterise the organic acid and sugar profiles of the product obtained using starter cultures. Inoculation was performed with strains of Lactobacillus fermentum or Weissella confusa and of Kluyveromyces marxianus or Pichia anomala used singly or in combination. Size exclusion chromatography revealed that starch was hydrolysed into high molecular weight dextrins (DP over 35), oligosaccharides and glucose, mainly due to the malting and precooking steps. Glucose was the main free sugar, and lactic acid was the main organic acid. The choice of the inoculation strain directly influenced the acidity but also indirectly the sugar content of the resulting gowé and will thus affect consumer acceptability.
Anemia on Admission Predicts Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Milionis Haralampos , Papavasileiou Vasileios , Eskandari Ashraf , D'Ambrogio-Remillard Suzette , Ntaios George , Michel Patrik
Published: November 2014

Background

It is still debatable whether anemia predicts stroke outcome.

Aim

To describe the characteristics of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and anemia and identify whether hemoglobin status on admission is a prognostic factor of AIS outcome.

Methods

All 2439 patients of the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne (ASTRAL) between January 2003 and June 2011 were selected. Demographics, risk factors, prestroke treatment, clinical, radiological and metabolic variables in patients with and without anemia according to the definition of the World Health Organization were compared. Functional disability and mortality were recorded up to 12 months from admission.

Results

Anemic patients (17·5%) were older, had lower body mass index, higher rates of coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus and peripheral artery disease. Anemia was associated with more severe stroke manifestations, lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements, worse estimated glomerular filtration rate and elevated C-reactive protein concentrations upon admission and with increased modified Rankin scores during the follow-up. Anemic patients had higher 7-day, 3-month and 12-month mortality, which was associated with hemoglobin status and other factors, including age, CAD, stroke severity, and baseline C-reactive levels. Hemoglobin levels were inversely associated with recurrent stroke and mortality throughout the 12-month follow-up.

Conclusion

Anemia is common among AIS patients and is associated with cardiovascular comorbidities. Low hemoglobin status independently predicts short and long-term mortality.
A prospective, randomised, controlled, multi‐centre comparative effectiveness study of healing using dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allograft, bioengineered skin substitute or standard of care for treatment of chronic lower extremity diabetic ulcers
Authors: Zelen Charles M , Gould Lisa , Serena Thomas E , Carter Marissa J , Keller Jennifer , Li William W
Published: November 2014

A prospective, randomised, controlled, parallel group, multi‐centre clinical trial was conducted at three sites to compare the healing effectiveness of treatment of chronic lower extremity diabetic ulcers with either weekly applications of Apligraf® (Organogenesis, Inc., Canton, MA), EpiFix® (MiMedx Group, Inc., Marietta, GA), or standard wound care with collagen‐alginate dressing. The primary study outcome was the percent change in complete wound healing after 4 and 6 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes included percent change in wound area per week, velocity of wound closure and a calculation of the amount and cost of Apligraf or EpiFix used. A total of 65 subjects entered the 2‐week run‐in period and 60 were randomised (20 per group). The proportion of patients in the EpiFix group achieving complete wound closure within 4 and 6 weeks was 85% and 95%, significantly higher (all adjusted P‐values ≤ 0·003) than for patients receiving Apligraf (35% and 45%), or standard care (30% and 35%). After 1 week, wounds treated with EpiFix had reduced in area by 83·5% compared with 53·1% for wounds treated with Apligraf. Median time to healing was significantly faster (all adjusted P‐values ≤0·001) with EpiFix (13 days) compared to Apligraf (49 days) or standard care (49 days). The mean number of grafts used and the graft cost per patient were lower in the EpiFix group campared to the Apligraf group, at 2·15 grafts at a cost of $1669 versus 6·2 grafts at a cost of $9216, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate the clinical and resource utilisation superiority of EpiFix compared to Apligraf or standard of care, for the treatment of diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities.
A CHILD'S EXPERIENCE OF IMMINENT DEATH
Authors: NORDMARK‐LINDBERG INGELA , LINDBERG TOR
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT. Nordmark‐Lindberg, I. and Lindberg, T. (Department of Paediatrics, Malmö General Hospital, University of Lund, Malmö, Sweden). A child's experience of imminent death. Acta Paediatr Scand, 68: 645, 1979.—We relate here the experiences and thoughts of a 7‐year‐old girl about her situation during the last three months of life as she lay dying of Ewing's sarcoma. Our experience with this girl—and that of other children in the same situation—indicates that they have a realistic and even confident view of death. Their anxiety is centred on the disease and how it affects their appearance and their activity. We most often underestimate children's capacity for understanding their own situation. We ought to be sensitive to appeals for contact.
HYPERLIPOPROTEINEMIA IN NEWBORN INFANTS
Authors: ANDERSEN GUNNAR E. , LOUS PER , FRIIS‐HANSEN BENT
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT. Andersen, G. E., Lous, P. and Friis‐Hansen, B. (Neonatal Department, Rigshospitalet, and the Department of Clinical Chemistry, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark). Hyperlipoproteinemia in newborn infants. A study of 1025 families. Acta Paediatr Scand, 68: 683, 1979.—As part of a screening study for the detection of hyperlipoproteinemia in 10000 newborns, cord serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured in detail in 1025 infants. Elevated cord serum VLDL‐LDL‐cholesterol could easily be identified by a rapid turbidimetric estimation of cord serum VLDL‐LDL. Cord serum VLDL‐LDL‐cholesterol was found to be significantly higher than normal in premature, asphyxiated and betamethasone‐phenobarbital‐ritodrine treated infants. Other obstetric complications, however, were not associated with hyperlipoproteinemia. Furthermore all 2050 parents had their serum cholesterol determined. 3 parents had familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). One child also had FH, though her cord serum total cholesterol and VLDL‐LDL‐cholesterol were normal. The 2 other children of the 3 FH parents, had normal lipids and lipoproteins both at birth and follow‐up.
SERUM IgA IN THE NEONATE
Authors: YAP P. L. , PRYDE A. , LATHAM P. J. , McLELLAND D. B. L.
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT. Yap, P. L., Pryde, A., Latham, P. J. and McClelland, D. B. L. (MRC Unit of Reproductive Biology, 2 Forrest Road, Edinburgh; Department of Therapeutics, Edinburgh University, Neonatal Unit, Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion and Blood Transfusion Service, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh). Serum IgA in the neonate: Molecular size, concentration and effect of breast feeding. Acta Paediatr Scand, 68: 695, 1979.—IgA concentrations in the serum of 48 six‐day‐old neonates (23 exclusively artificially fed, 25 exclusively breast fed) were measured using a double antibody radioimmunoassay. In 24 of the neonates, umbilical cord blood was also studied. Gel filtration was used to estimate the molecular size of IgA present in cord and neonatal serum. The arithmetic mean concentration of IgA (±S.E.M.) found in the 48 neonates was 2.6± 1.45 mg/l. No significant difference was detected between the breast fed and artificially fed neonates. Only 7S IgA was detected in cord blood and in neonatal serum. Six days of exclusive breast feeding therefore has no influence on total serum IgA levels on the sixth day of neonatal life nor does it result in detectable circulating 11S IgA at that time.
HYPERVISCOSITY OF THE BLOOD AND HAEMOSTASIS IN THE NEWBORN INFANT
Authors: HENRIKSSON P.
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT. Henriksson, P. (Department of Paediatrics and Coagulation Laboratory, University of Lund, Allmänna Sjukhuset, Malmö, Sweden). Hyperviscosity of the blood and haemostasis in the newborn infant. Acta Paediatr Scand, 68: 701, 1979.—15 newborn infants with the hyperviscosity syndrome due to polycythaemia i.e. a central haematocrit of at least 65 % and a raised whole blood viscosity, were examined for changes in their coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. 5 were thrombocytopenic but showed no other signs of activated coagulation. Neither did the only patient with positive ethanol gelation test measuring circulating fibrin monomers. Minute amounts of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) appeared in only two and, with only one exception, an assay for fibrinolytic activity in plasma was negative. No defects were found in the coagulation system. Thus, in most of the patients there was no demonstrable abnormal proteolysis in the circulation. However, in such infants the normally low levels of antithrombin III (heparin cofactor activity) in combination with the impairment of the microcirculation might increase the risk of thrombotic complications. Haemodilution, preferably with plasma, is therefore advocated in the symptomatic patients.
THE 49 XXXXX SYNDROME
Authors: SILENGO M. CIRILLO , DAVI G. F. , FRANCESCHINI P.
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT. Cirillo Silengo M., Davi, G. F., and Franceschini, P. (the Clinical Genetics Center, First Paediatric Clinic, University of Turin, Turin, Italy). The 49 XXXXX syndrome. Acta Paediatr Scand, 68: 769, 1979.—A patient with 48 XXXX/49 XXXXX mosaicism is presented. Clinical findings include severe growth and developmental retardation, hypertelorism, mongoloid slant of the palpebral fissures, clinodactyly of the fifth fingers, retarded bone age and radio‐ulnar synostosis. The findings are similar to those of the cases with a penta‐X chromosome complement already described, and are also similar to the signs of the more common 49 XXXXY syndrome of males. In both instances the dysmorphic features are less impressive than the mental retardation and the skeletal malformations. This report contributes to a better delineation of the 49 XXXXX syndrome. The possible mechanisms of the chromosomal aberration are discussed.
Phase Formation and Enhanced Dielectric Response of Y2/3Cu3Ti4O12 Ceramics Derived from the Sol–Gel Process
Authors: Li Junwei , Liang Pengfei , Yi Jing , Chao Xiaolian , Yang Zupei
Published: November 2014

Y2/3Cu3Ti4O12 (YCTO) ceramics were successfully synthesized by sol–gel method (SG) and solid‐state method (SS), respectively. The optimized processing parameters for the syntheses of precursor powders by sol–gel process were determined as follows: the Ti(OC4H9)4 concentration was 0.50 mol/L, the CH3COOH volume was 8 mL, and the volume percentage of H2O was 11.2%. Particularly, on the basis of XRD and TG‐DSC analyses, the phase formation temperature of YCTO‐SG was at least 100°C lower than that of YCTO‐SS. YCTO‐SG ceramics sintered at 1060°C for 25 h showed fine‐grained microstructure, and higher dielectric constant (ε′ ≈ 5.24 × 104) at 1 kHz compared to YCTO‐SS ceramics (ε′ ≈ 0.93 × 104). The higher dielectric constant of the YCTO‐SG ceramics was attributed to the grain size effect. Furthermore, the YCTO‐SG ceramics showed a distinct high‐temperature (>300°C) relaxor‐like behavior. According to the calculated activation energy value, the single ionization of oxygen vacancies was responsible for the conduction and dielectric anomaly behaviors of YCTO‐SG ceramics.
Genetic parameters for litter size, piglet growth and sow's early growth and body composition in the Chinese–European line Tai Zumu
Authors: Banville M. , Riquet J. , Bahon D. , Sourdioux M. , Canario L.
Published: November 2014

Genetics of piglet growth in association with sow's early growth and body composition were estimated in the Tai Zumu line. Piglet and sow's litter growth traits were calculated from individual weights collected at birth and at 3 weeks of age. Sow's litter traits included the number of piglets born alive (NBA), the mean piglet weight (MW) and the standard deviation of weights within the litter (SDW). Sow's early growth was measured by the age at 100 kg (A100), and body composition included backfat thickness (BF100). A main objective of this study was to estimate separately the direct genetic effect (d) and the maternal genetic effect (m) on piglet weight and daily weight gain during lactation. Variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood methodology based on animal models. The heritability estimates were 0.19 for NBA, 0.15 and 0.26 for SDW and MW at 3 weeks and 0.42 and 0.70 for A100 and BF100. The NBA was almost independent from SDW. Conversely, the A100 and BF100 were correlated unfavourably with SDW (rg<−0.24, SE<0.12). A stronger selection for litter size should have little effect on litter homogeneity in weights. Selection for lean growth rate tends to favour heterogeneity in weights. The direct effect on piglet weight at birth and daily weight gain accounted for 12% (h² (d) = 0.02) and 50% (h² (d) = 0.11) of the genetic variance, respectively. The association between d and m for piglet weight was not different from zero at birth (rg = 0.19, SE = 0.27), but a strong antagonism between d and m for daily weight gain from birth to 3 weeks was found (rg = −0.41, SE = 0.17). Substantial direct and maternal genetic effects influenced piglet growth until weaning in opposite way.
Cosmeceuticals based on Rhealba® Oat plantlet extract for the treatment of acne vulgaris
Authors: Fabbrocini G. , Saint Aroman M.
Published: November 2014

Recent evidence suggests that acne vulgaris begins as an inflammation in and around the sebaceous gland and alterations in the lipid content of sebum, which drive hyperproliferation and increased desquamation of keratinocytes within sebaceous follicles. This prevents sebum drainage, causing the formation of microcomedones, which spontaneously regress or become acne lesions when the pilosebaceous unit is further blocked by the accumulation of corneocytes. These conditions are favourable for the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes, which further aggravates acne by enhancing abnormal desquamation, sebum production and inflammation. Also, skin fragility due to inflammation or irritation by anti‐comedogenic agents can worsen the situation. Rhealba® Oat plantlet extract (Pierre Fabre Dermo Cosmetique) soothes and restores fragile skin in acne by reducing inflammation and inhibits bacterial adhesion of Propionibacterium acnes. Cosmeceuticals combining Rhealba® Oat plantlet extract and hydro‐compensating actives, which are available with or without anti‐comedogenic hydroxy acids, provide a balanced, multifaceted approach for acne patients.
Bacillus thuringiensis plants expressing Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab and Cry1F are not toxic to the assassin bug, Zelus renardii
Authors: Su H.‐H. , Tian J.‐C. , Naranjo S. E. , Romeis J. , Hellmich R. L. , Shelton A. M.
Published: November 2014

Cotton‐ and maize‐producing insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), have been commercialized since 1996. Bt plants are subjected to environmental risk assessments for non‐target organisms, including natural enemies that suppress pest populations. Here, we used Cry1F‐resistant Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) and Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab‐resistant Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) as prey for the assassin bug, Zelus renardii (Kolenati), a common predator in maize and cotton fields. In tritrophic studies, we assessed several fitness parameters of Z. renardii when it fed on resistant S. frugiperda that had fed on Bt maize expressing Cry1F or on resistant T. ni that had fed on Bt cotton expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab. Survival, nymphal duration, adult weight, adult longevity and female fecundity of Z. renardii were not different when they were fed resistant‐prey larvae (S. frugiperda or T. ni) reared on either a Bt crop or respective non‐Bt crops. ELISA tests demonstrated that the Cry proteins were present in the plant at the highest levels, at lower levels in the prey and at the lowest levels in the predator. While Z. renardii was exposed to Cry1F and Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab when it fed on hosts that consumed Bt‐transgenic plants, the proteins did not affect important fitness parameters in this common and important predator.
Population structure of Squatina guggenheim (Squatiniformes, Squatinidae) from the south‐western Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Garcia G. , Pereyra S. , Gutierrez V. , Oviedo S. , Miller P. , Domingo A.
Published: November 2014

Population genetic analyses based on both mitochondrial cytochrome b and the internal transcribed spacer 2 of recombinant (r)DNA genes were implemented to examine hypotheses of population differentiation in the angular angel shark Squatina guggenheim, one of the four most‐widespread endemic species inhabiting coastal ecosystems in the south‐western Atlantic Ocean. A total of 82 individuals of S. guggenheim from 10 sampling sites throughout the Río de la Plata mouth, its maritime front, the outer shelf at the subtropical confluence and the coastal areas of the south‐west Atlantic Ocean, were included. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on the second internal transcribed spacer (its‐2) region supports that the samples from the outer shelf represent an isolated group from other sites. Historical gene flow in a coalescent‐based approach revealed significant immigration and emigration asymmetry between sampling sites. Based on the low level of genetic diversity, the existence of a long‐term population decline or a past recent population expansion following a population bottleneck could be proposed in S. guggenheim. This demographic differentiation suggests a degree of vulnerability to overexploitation in this endemic and endangered south‐west Atlantic Ocean shark, given its longevity and low reproductive potential.
Efficiency of the inbreeding coefficientfand other estimators in detecting null alleles, as revealed by empirical data of locusoke3across 65 populations of chum salmonOncorhynchus keta
Authors: Zhivotovsky L. A. , Kordicheva S. Yu. , Shaikhaev E. G. , Rubtsova G. A. , Afanasiev K. I. , Shitova M. V. , Fuller S. A. , Shaikhaev G. O. , Gharrett A. J.
Published: November 2014

A survey of 65 populations of chum salmonOncorhynchus ketaacross the species range revealed homozygote excess (947 homozygotes in 2954 fish) at a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based simple sequence repeat (SSR) locusoke3with multiple alleles, whereas re‐designedPCRprimers indicated that 328 of these homozygotes were actually heterozygotes. Statistically significant high positive values of inbreeding coefficients,f, in multiple populations appeared to be a reliable predictor of null alleles. Based on these data, three methods were checked for their ability to estimate null‐allele frequencies.