bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review article: the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and the incidence of gastric cancer across Europe
Authors: Roberts S. E. , Morrison‐Rees S. , Samuel D. G. , Thorne K. , Akbari A. , Williams J. G.
Published: November 2015

Background

There is little up‐to‐date review evidence on the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori across Europe.

Aim

To establish regional and national patterns in H. pylori prevalence across Europe. Secondly, to establish trends over time in H. pylori prevalence and gastric cancer incidence and, thirdly, to report on the relationship between H. pylori prevalence and age group across Europe.

Methods

A review of H. pylori prevalence from unselected surveys of adult or general populations across 35 European countries and four European regions since 1990. Secondly, an analysis of trends over time in H. pylori prevalence and in gastric cancer incidence from cancer registry data.

Results

Helicobacter pylori prevalence was lower in northern and western Europe than in eastern and southern Europe (P < 0.001). In 11 of 12 European studies that reported on trends, there were sharp reductions in H. pylori prevalence (mean annual reduction = 3.1%). The mean annual reduction in the incidence of gastric cancer across Europe from 1993 to 2007 was 2.1% with little variation regionally across Europe (north 2.2%, west 2.3%, east 1.9% and south 2.0%). Sharp increases in age‐related prevalence of H. pylori often levelled off for middle age groups of about 50 years onwards, especially in areas with high prevalence.

Conclusions

This review shows that H. pylori prevalence is much higher in less affluent regions of Europe and that age‐related increases in prevalence are confined to younger age groups in some areas. There were sharp reductions in both H. pylori prevalence and gastric cancer incidence throughout Europe.
Timosaponin AIII inhibits melanoma cell migration by suppressing COX‐2 and in vivo tumor metastasis
Authors: Kim Ki Mo , Im A‐Rang , Kim Seung Hyung , Hyun Jin Won , Chae Sungwook
Published: November 2015

Melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin disease, due in large part to its propensity to metastasize. We examined the effects of timosaponin AIII, a compound isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, on melanoma cancer cell migration and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects using B16‐F10 and WM‐115 melanoma cells lines. Overexpression of COX‐2, its metabolite prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and PGE2 receptors (EP2 and EP4) promoted cell migration in vitro. Exposure to timosaponin AIII resulted in concentration‐dependent inhibition of cell migration, which was associated with reduced levels of COX‐2, PGE2, and PGE2 receptors. Transient transfection of COX‐2 siRNA also inhibited cell migration. Exposure to 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbal‐13‐acetate enhanced cell migration, whereas timosaponin AIII inhibited 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbal‐13‐acetate‐induced cell migration and reduced basal levels of EP2 and EP4. Moreover, timosaponin AIII inhibited activation of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), an upstream regulator of COX‐2 in B16‐F10 cells. Consistent with our in vitro findings, in vivo studies showed that timosaponin AIII treatment significantly reduced the total number of metastatic nodules in the mouse lung and improved histological alterations in B16‐F10‐injected C57BL/6 mice. In addition, C57BL/6 mice treated with timosaponin AIII showed reduced expression of COX‐2 and NF‐κB in the lung. Together, these results indicate that timosaponin AIII has the capacity to inhibit melanoma cell migration, an essential step in the process of metastasis, by inhibiting expression of COX‐2, NF‐κB, PGE2, and PGE2 receptors.
Children's Racial Categorization in Context
Authors: Pauker Kristin , Williams Amanda , Steele Jennifer R.
Published: November 2015

The ability to discriminate visually based on race emerges early in infancy: 3‐month‐olds can perceptually differentiate and 6‐month‐olds can perceptually categorize faces by race. Between ages 6 and 8 years, children can sort others into racial groups. But to what extent are these abilities influenced by context? In this article, we review studies on children's racial categorization and discuss how our conclusions are affected by how we ask the questions (i.e., our methods and stimuli), where we ask them (i.e., the diversity of the child's surrounding environment), and whom we ask (i.e., the diversity of the children we study). Taken together, we suggest that despite a developmental readiness to categorize others by race, the use of race as a psychologically salient basis for categorization is far from inevitable and is shaped largely by the experimental setting and the greater cultural context.
Self‐Consumption, Gifting, and Chinese Wine Consumers
Authors: Qing Ping , Xi Aiqin , Hu Wuyang
Published: November 2015

China is the world largest red grape wine consuming country. Using data from a recent survey conducted in three diverse cities in China, this study examines Chinese consumers’ expenditure and preferences for wine for both self‐consumption and gifting. Results indicate that in addition to price, Chinese consumers looked for other wine attributes such as brand and color but there are significant regional differences in wine preference and expenditure. On average, Chinese spend more on gift wines than for their own consumption. Increase in self‐consumption contributed significantly to increases in gifting but the reverse effect was much weaker. Factors contributing to self‐consumption and gifting are different and sometimes the effects were completely opposite such as consumers’ experiences with wine, the role of wine advertisement, and the occasions when wine was consumed. Implications are drawn for wine standards and classification policies and for wine producers and marketers in China as well as around the world.
Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect with Attenuated Anterior Rim after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Can It Be Carried out as a Single Procedure?
Authors: Lee Yung‐Tsai , Yin Wei‐Hsian , Tsai Shen Kou , Hsiung Ming C. , Wei Jeng , Yu Ho‐ping
Published: November 2015

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a highly effective minimally invasive treatment for symptomatically critical aortic stenosis (AS) in patients at high or prohibitive surgical risk. We report a case of staged transcatheter management of critical AS combined with an atrial septal defect (ASD) with attenuated anterior superior rim. The clinical result of this case suggests that both procedures can be safely performed simultaneously. Therefore, combined transcatheter treatment may appear as a possible strategy in patients with concomitant cardiac conditions.
The Strange Case of the Infarcted Myxoma
Authors: Pergolini Amedeo , Zampi Giordano , Tinti Maria Denitza , Pontillo Daniele , Di Paolo Barbara , Buffa Vitaliano , Pulignano Giovanni , Pino Paolo Giuseppe , Minardi Giovanni , Musumeci Francesco
Published: November 2015

In the setting of an acute coronary syndrome, the differential diagnosis between a thrombus and a myxoma may be cumbersome. We describe the case of a patient presenting with an acute coronary syndrome associated with an aneurysmatic apical left ventricular myxoma.
The Clinic for Assessment of Youth at Risk (CAYR): 10 years of service delivery and research targeting the prevention of psychosis in Montreal, Canada
Authors: Pruessner Marita , Faridi Kia , Shah Jai , Rabinovitch Mark , Iyer Srividya , Abadi Sherezad , Pawliuk Nicole , Joober Ridha , Malla Ashok K.
Published: November 2015

Aim

In the context of an increasing focus on indicated prevention of psychotic disorders, we describe the operation of the Clinic for Assessment of Youth at Risk (CAYR) over 10 years, a specialized service for identification, monitoring and treatment of young individuals who meet ultra‐high risk (UHR) criteria for psychosis, and its integration within the Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis (PEPP) in Montreal, Canada.

Methods

We outline rationale, development, inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessment, services offered, community outreach and liaison with potential referral sites, and our research focus on risk and protective factors related to the neural diathesis–stress model of psychosis.

Results

Between January 2005 and December 2014, CAYR has received 370 referrals and accepted 177 patients who met UHR criteria based on the Comprehensive Assessment for At Risk Mental States. Conversion rates to a first episode of psychosis were 11%. Our research findings point to high subjective stress levels, poor self‐esteem, social support and coping skills, and a dysregulation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis during the high‐risk phase.

Conclusions

Our efforts at community outreach have resulted in increasing numbers of referrals and patients accepted to CAYR, highlighting the relevance of and need for a high‐risk programme in the Montreal area. Patients with psychotic symptoms can be immediately assigned to the first‐episode psychosis clinic within PEPP, which has likely contributed to the low conversion rates observed in the UHR group. Our research findings on stress and protective factors emphasize the importance of psychosocial interventions for high‐risk patients.
Postencephalitic epilepsy and drug‐resistant epilepsy after infectious and antibody‐associated encephalitis in childhood: Clinical and etiologic risk factors
Authors: Pillai Sekhar C. , Mohammad Shekeeb S. , Hacohen Yael , Tantsis Esther , Prelog Kristina , Barnes Elizabeth H. , Gill Deepak , Lim Ming J. , Brilot Fabienne , Vincent Angela , Dale Russell C.
Published: November 2015

To define the risk factors for postencephalitic epilepsy (PE) and drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE) in childhood following infectious and autoimmune encephalitis, we included 147 acute encephalitis patients with a median follow‐up of 7.3 years (range 2–15.8 years). PE was defined as the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for ≥24 months, and DRE was defined as the persistence of seizures despite ≥2 appropriate AEDs at final follow‐up. PE and DRE were diagnosed in 31 (21%) and 15 (10%) of patients, respectively. The features during acute encephalitis predictive of DRE (presented as odds ratio [OR] with confidence intervals [CIs]) were status epilepticus (OR 10.8, CI 3.4–34.3), visual disturbance (6.4, 1.4–29.9), focal seizures (6.2, 1.9–20.6), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hippocampal/amygdala involvement (5.0, 1.7–15.4), intensive care admission (4.7, 1.4–15.4), use of >3 AEDs (4.5, 1.2–16.1), MRI gadolinium enhancement (4.1, 1.2–14.2), any seizure (3.9, 1.1–14.4), and electroencephalography (EEG) epileptiform discharges (3.9, 1.3–12.0). On multivariable regression analysis, only status epilepticus remained predictive of DRE in all models. DRE was common in herpes simplex virus (3/9, 33%) and unknown (8/40, 20%) encephalitis, but absent in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) (0/32, 0%), enterovirus (0/18), and anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor–NMDAR encephalitis (0/9). We have identified risk factors for DRE and demonstrated “high‐risk,” and “low‐risk” etiologies.
The sensory acceptance of fibre‐enriched cereal foods: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Grigor John M. , Brennan Charles S. , Hutchings Scott C. , Rowlands David S.
Published: November 2015

Improved understanding of the sensory responses to fibre fortification may assist manufacturers and health promotion efforts. The effects of fibre fortification (or modified ingredients) on sensory acceptability of baked cereal foods (bread, cookies, muffins) were estimated by linear random‐effects meta‐analysis of twenty eligible studies (869 panellists, 34% male). As little as 2 g per 100 g fortification caused moderate–large reductions in overall acceptability, flavour acceptability, and appearance acceptability in most items, with cookies most negatively affected. Fortification of base nonfortified foods with low initial acceptability improved acceptability; however, at higher basic levels, fortification lowered acceptability. Fortification improved texture acceptability of muffins and bread with low base acceptability, but lowered texture acceptability when base acceptability was high. Flavour improvement of muffins with fortification decreased with increasing base food acceptability. Fibre fortification of baked cereal foods lowers acceptability, but food format and base food acceptability affect the magnitude and direction of responses. Refining fibre fortification approaches could improve consumer uptake.
Remittance behaviours of foreigners in Italy
Authors: Busetta Annalisa , Cetorelli Valeria , Stranges Manuela
Published: November 2015

This article investigates the determinants of remittance behaviours among foreigners in Italy and intends to gain a better understanding of the temporal pattern of remittances. The analysis is based on data from the 2009 “Italian Statistics on Income and Living Conditions of Households with Foreigners”. The decisions on whether to remit and how much to remit are separately yet simultaneously estimated using a zero‐inflated beta regression model. The findings reveal that remittances are driven by a mix of altruistic and self‐interest motives that may persist for many years. Many covariates included in the model have a different effect on the propensity to remit and on the relative amount of remittances. We find some evidence that the average propensity to remit follows an M‐shaped trajectory over time. However, the model specification including only time and time squared proves that the inverted‐U shape trajectory, well‐established in the literature, still remains a better choice in terms of parsimoniousness and flexibility. Among those who remit, time since migration does not have any significant effect on the normalized amount remitted.
Pharmaceutical drug misuse: are industry of employment and occupation risk factors?
Authors: Brown Sarah , Harris Mark N. , Prendergast Jake , Srivastava Preety
Published: November 2015

We explore the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs in the Australian workforce, focusing on whether any differences exist between workers in particular industries or occupations. In terms of industry, being employed in hospitality is positively associated with pharmaceutical drug misuse, while being employed in finance, insurance and retail is inversely related. In terms of occupation, we find that being a labourer is positively related to misuse of pharmaceutical drugs, while being employed in managerial, professional, sales, clerical or administrative roles is associated with a lower tendency. Further analysis of occupational effects revealed that being in a blue‐collar occupation, as a whole, is positively related to pharmaceutical drug misuse relative to white‐collar employment. Moreover, being employed in higher status roles is associated with a lower likelihood of such behaviour. Our findings imply that particular workplace pressures, cultural norms and/or working conditions might be influential factors behind workers' drug misuse.
Morphology, Cell Division, and Phylogeny of Uroleptus longicaudatus (Ciliophora, Hypotricha), a Species of the Uroleptus limnetis Complex
Authors: Chen Lingyun , Lv Zhao , Shao Chen , Al‐Farraj Saleh A. , Song Weibo , Berger Helmut
Published: November 2015

A Chinese population of the little‐known freshwater hypotrich Uroleptus longicaudatus was investigated with emphasis on its living morphology and infraciliature. The characteristic, tripartite body consists of a narrowed (cephalized) anterior portion, a slender trunk, and a long, slender, and strongly contractile tail occupying up to 30% of body length. Contracted specimens with a tail length of about 12% closely resemble Uroleptus limnetis which has, like U. longicaudatus, its type locality on the East Coast of the United States so that it cannot be excluded that these two species are synonymous. Thus, we propose to subsume these and few other little‐known species, which are not clearly distinguishable at the present state of knowledge, as U. limnetis complex. The morphogenesis of U. longicaudatus proceeds as in most congeners. The phylogenetic analyses reveal that Uroleptus is a monophyletic group, but due to the lack of detailed morphological data of the populations sequenced so far, the relationships within this taxon remain obscure. For the objective determination of the tail length of hypotrichs, we propose the “1/3‐method”, which says that the tail commences at that body width which corresponds one‐third of the maximum width. Paruroleptus ophryoglena Gelei, 1954 is transferred to Uroleptus: Uroleptus ophryoglena (Gelei, 1954) comb. nov.
Emergency Major Abdominal Surgical Procedures in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Mortality and Functional Outcomes
Authors: Cooper Zara , Scott John W. , Rosenthal Ronnie A. , Mitchell Susan L.
Published: November 2015

Objectives

To systematically review the current literature on mortality and functional outcomes after emergency major abdominal surgery in older adults.

Design

Systematic literature search and standardized data collection of primary research publications from January 1994 through December 2013 on mortality or functional outcome in adults aged 65 and older after emergency major abdominal surgery using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and CINAHL. Bibliographies of relevant reports were also hand‐searched to identify all potentially eligible studies.

Setting

Systematic review of retrospective and cohort studies using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses, Meta‐analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, and A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews guidelines.

Participants

Older adults.

Measurements

Articles were assessed using a standardized quality scoring system based on study design, measurement of exposures, measurement of outcomes, and control for confounding.

Results

Of 1,459 articles screened, 93 underwent full‐text review, and 20 were systematically reviewed. In‐hospital and 30‐day mortality of all older adults exceeded 15% in 14 of 16 studies, where reported. Older adults undergoing emergency major abdominal surgery consistently had higher mortality across study settings and procedure types than younger individuals undergoing emergency procedures and older adults undergoing elective procedures. In studies that stratified older adults, odds of death increased with age. None of these studies examined postoperative functional status, which precluded including functional outcomes in this review. Differences in exposures, outcomes, and data presented in the studies did not allow for quantification of association using metaanalysis.

Conclusion

Age independently predicts mortality after emergency major abdominal surgery. Data on changes in functional status of older adults who undergo these procedures are lacking.
Azathioprine is effective for oral involvement in Crohn's disease but not for orofacial granulomatosis alone
Authors: Mentzer A. , Goel R. , Elliott T. , Campbell H. , Hullah E. , Patel P. , Challacombe S. , Escudier M. , Sanderson J. D.
Published: November 2015

Background

There have been no previous reports assessing the effectiveness of azathioprine (AZA) in the treatment of orofacial granulomatosis (OFG). This report is a review of patients receiving AZA for active OFG with or without concomitant gut Crohn's disease (CD) in a specialist tertiary referral centre.

Methods

Clinical response was defined by Global Physician Assessment at 4‐, 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐up and a standardised oral disease activity score (ODAS).

Results

Sixty of 215 patients seen with OFG in our clinic over a 12‐year period were treated with AZA. Of these, 22 had concomitant CD. The proportion of patients responding to AZA with a diagnosis of CD/OFG vs. OFG only at 4, 12 and 24 months were 54% vs. 21% (P = 0.03), 59% vs. 21% (P = 0.003) and 41% vs. 24% (P = 0.16), respectively. A statistically significant difference was seen between starting and follow‐up ODAS scores at 4 months in the CD/OFG group which was not observed in the OFG only group. Factors predicting a need for AZA included a diagnosis of intestinal CD, sulcal swelling, sulcal ulcers and upper lip involvement. The factor predicting response to treatment was a diagnosis of CD at 12 months of follow‐up. No difference in the number of adverse effects was observed between the two groups of patients.

Conclusions

AZA is significantly more effective in the treatment of oral disease with a concurrent diagnosis of CD rather than in the treatment of OFG alone.
Sensory Measurements for the Method of “M+N” with Larger M and N
Authors: Bi Jian , Kuesten Carla
Published: November 2015

In a recent paper in the sensory literature, the method of “M+N” with larger M and N is proposed to be a new kind of sensory discrimination method. Fisher's exact test is used for the method for discrimination testing. The current article focuses on sensory measurements for the method. Five indices for sensory measurements and effect‐sizes are derived, estimated, and proposed. The indices include log odds ratio, R‐index, Thurstonian discriminal distance δ (or d′), Cohen's Δ (or d) and Gini‐index. Variances of the estimators of the indices are also produced. With the proposed indices, the method of “M+N” with larger M and N can be connected to and compared with the conventional sensory discrimination methods based on common sensory measurements.

Practical Applications

The method of “M+N” with larger M and N can be used for both sensory discrimination tests and measurements. The method is particularly suitable for a range of nonfatiguing discrimination tasks, e.g., visual inspection and, to a certain extent, manual inspection. With the indices proposed in this article, sensory effects can be measured for the new method. Built‐in R programs are used in the article for the analysis. R codes for estimations of the indices and their variances for the method are developed and provided. Tables for two important sensory indices, R‐index and d′, corresponding to the observed odds ratio are presented and used in the article.
The Academic Advantage of Devotion: Measuring Variation in the Value of Weekly Worship in Late Adolescence on Educational Attainment Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Kim Jeannie
Published: November 2015

This study measures the effect of regular worship attendance at age 17 on total years of schooling by age 25, using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. Expanding on previous work, this study estimates differences in the impact of worship attendance by race and family income status using propensity score matching. Individuals who frequently attend religious services complete .69 more years of schooling than similar individuals who do not frequently attend services. There are significantly greater returns to attendance for low‐income youth and no significant difference in returns by religious affiliation. These findings suggest that religious observance provides greater benefits for low‐income individuals or perhaps provides resources high‐income individuals have access to elsewhere. Moreover, this study extends previous work by examining a more recent and nationally representative sample of youth and by using methods that allow for greater causal inference.
From the Editor Guest Column: Who Was Jack Shand?
Authors: Silver Christopher F. , Coleman Thomas J. , Hood Ralph W.
Published: November 2015

Members of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR) hail from a number of diverse disciplines, but one theme unites them all: a commitment to studying religion scientifically. While many readers of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (JSSR) are quantitatively oriented, SSSR has a long history of sharing membership with fields utilizing a variety of qualitative methods, including religious studies, anthropology, and other scholarly disciplines within the humanities. As such, SSSR serves as a nexus for the sharing of different research, ideas, perspectives, and methodologies. Our guest “From the Editor” column is about a psychologist who appreciated SSSR and its multidisciplinary approach so much that he became a major benefactor to SSSR after his passing. That person was John Douglas “Jack” Shand, and this is a brief tribute to his legacy.
Second Dialect Acquisition: A Sociophonetic Perspective
Authors: Nycz Jennifer
Published: November 2015

Many people change aspects of their accent after moving to a new region. What kinds of changes are made, and why does it matter? Studies of second dialect acquisition (SDA) indicate that geographically mobile speakers change specific dialect features in ways that reflect the complex interaction of linguistic, social, and developmental factors in language use. This article reviews these findings from a sociophonetic perspective, paying particular attention to their theoretical implications, the methodological issues associated with studying SDA, and avenues for future research.
Gesture for Linguists: A Handy Primer
Authors: Abner Natasha , Cooperrider Kensy , Goldin‐Meadow Susan
Published: November 2015

Humans communicate using language, but they also communicate usinggesture– spontaneous movements of the hands and body that universally accompany speech. Gestures can be distinguished from other movements, segmented, and assigned meaning based on their forms and functions. Moreover, gestures systematically integrate with language at all levels of linguistic structure, as evidenced in both production and perception. Viewed typologically, gesture is universal, but nevertheless exhibits constrained variation across language communities (as does language itself). Finally, gesture has rich cognitive dimensions in addition to its communicative dimensions. In overviewing these and other topics, we show that the study of language is incomplete without the study of its communicative partner, gesture.
Framing Henry Ford's War: Representation, Speech, and the New Civil
Rights History
Authors: Woeste Victoria Saker
Published: November 2015

In this essay, I respond to three readers of my book, Henry
Ford's War and the Legal Battle Against Hate Speech, by
embracing the opportunity to reconsider the book's theoretical and
historiographical frames. I synthesize the contributions that Clyde
Spillenger, Carroll Seron, and Aviam Soifer make in their deep readings of
the book and respond to their criticisms. I then place the book into a new
interpretive frame that is emerging in the field of the “new civil rights
history,” as it is now being conceptualized in the work of Risa Goluboff,
Kenneth Mack, Tomiko Brown‐Nagin, and others writing on civil rights
advocacy in the twentieth‐century United States.
The global regulatory system Csr senses glucose through the phosphoenolpyruvate: carbohydrate phosphotransferase system
Authors: Pérez‐Morales Deyanira , Bustamante Víctor H.
Published: November 2015

A novel connection between two regulatory systems controlling crucial biological processes in bacteria, the carbon storage regulator (Csr) system and the glucose‐specific phosphotransferase system (PTS), is reported by Leng et al. in this issue. This involves the interaction of unphosphorylated EIIAGlc, a component of the glucose‐specific PTS, with the CsrD protein, which accelerates the decay of the CsrB and CsrC small RNAs via RNase E in Escherichia coli. As unphosphorylated EIIAGlc is generated in the presence of glucose, the PTS thus acts as a sensor of glucose for the Csr system. Interestingly, another pathway can operate for communication between the Csr system and the glucose‐specific PTS. The absence of glucose generates phosphorylated EIIAGlc, which activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase to produce cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) that, in turn, binds to the regulator cAMP receptor protein (CRP). Leng et al. show that the complex cAMP–CRP modestly reduces CsrB decay independently of CsrD. On the other hand, a previous study indicates that the complex cAMP–CRP positively regulates the transcription of CsrB and CsrC in Salmonella enterica. Therefore, EIIAGlc could work as a molecular switch that regulates the activity of the Csr system, in response to its phosphorylation state determined by the presence or absence of glucose, in order to control gene expression.
The genetic architecture of leaf number and its genetic relationship to flowering time in maize
Authors: Li Dan , Wang Xufeng , Zhang Xiangbo , Chen Qiuyue , Xu Guanghui , Xu Dingyi , Wang Chenglong , Liang Yameng , Wu Lishuan , Huang Cheng , Tian Jinge , Wu Yaoyao , Tian Feng
Published: November 2015

The number of leaves and their distributions on plants are critical factors determining plant architecture in maize (Zea mays), and leaf number is frequently used as a measure of flowering time, a trait that is key to local environmental adaptation.

Here, using a large set of 866 maize‐teosinte BC2S3 recombinant inbred lines genotyped by using 19 838 single nucleotide polymorphism markers, we conducted a comprehensive genetic dissection to assess the genetic architecture of leaf number and its genetic relationship to flowering time.

We demonstrated that the two components of total leaf number, the number of leaves above (LA) and below (LB) the primary ear, were under relatively independent genetic control and might be subject to differential directional selection during maize domestication and improvement. Furthermore, we revealed that flowering time and leaf number are commonly regulated at a moderate level. The pleiotropy of the genes ZCN8, dlf1 and ZmCCT on leaf number and flowering time were validated by near‐isogenic line analysis. Through fine mapping, qLA1‐1, a major‐effect locus that specifically affects LA, was delimited to a region with severe recombination suppression derived from teosinte.

This study provides important insights into the genetic basis of traits affecting plant architecture and adaptation. The genetic independence of LA from LB enables the optimization of leaf number for ideal plant architecture breeding in maize.
Filaggrin genotype and skin diseases independent of atopic dermatitis in childhood
Authors: Bager Peter , Wohlfahrt Jan , Thyssen Jacob Pontoppidan , Melbye Mads
Published: November 2015

Background

Filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations compromise skin barrier functions and increase risk of atopic dermatitis. We aimed to study effects on other skin diseases using unique data from the Danish registers.

Methods

FLG genotyping of a population‐based sample of 1547 children with extracted DNA and information on skin diseases from the Danish National Birth Cohort and Health Register, with 18 years follow‐up during years 1996–2013. Odds ratios (OR) and hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using logistic regression and Cox regression, respectively, and adjusted for physician‐diagnosed atopic dermatitis.

Results

FLG mutations were associated with increased risk of dry skin (OR 1.9, CI 1.1–3.1), and a decreased risk of fungal skin infections at age <18 months (OR 0.2, CI 0.1–0.8). There was no association with wart treatments (HR 1.0, CI 0.6–1.7). FLG mutations were associated with an increased risk of atopic dermatitis (OR 3.3, CI 2.1–5.3), dermatology consultations for allergy or rash (HR 2.2, CI 1.4–3.5), basic dermatology consultations at age <5 years (HR 2.2, CI 1.7–2.9), urticaria at age <18 months (OR 2.9, CI 1.0–7.9), and other rash at age <18 months (OR 2.1, CI 1.2–3.8).

Conclusions

FLG mutations may predispose to skin disease in young children including urticaria, and rash not recognized as atopic dermatitis although equally frequent. In clinical practice, FLG genotyping may help indicate the use of moisturizers to reduce skin problems.
Key findings to expedite the diagnosis of hyper‐IgE syndromes in infants and young children
Authors: Hagl Beate , Heinz Valerie , Schlesinger Anne , Spielberger Benedikt D. , Sawalle‐Belohradsky Julie , Senn‐Rauh Monika , Magg Thomas , Boos Annette C. , Hönig Manfred , Schwarz Klaus , Dückers Gregor , von Bernuth Horst , Pache Christoph , Karitnig‐Weiss Cäcilia , Belohradsky Bernd H. , Frank Josef , Niehues Tim , Wahn Volker , Albert Michael H. , Wollenberg Andreas , Jansson Annette F. , Renner Ellen D.
Published: November 2015

Background

Hyper‐IgE syndromes (HIES) are primary immunodeficiency disorders characterized by elevated serum IgE, eczema, and recurrent infections. Despite the availability of confirmatory molecular diagnosis of several distinct HIES entities, the differentiation of HIES particularly from severe forms of atopic dermatitis remains a challenge. The two most common forms of HIES are caused by mutations in the genes STAT3 and DOCK8.

Methods

Here, we assess the clinical and immunologic phenotype of DOCK8‐ and STAT3‐HIES patients including the cell activation, proliferation, and cytokine release after stimulation.

Results

Existing HIES scoring systems are helpful to identify HIES patients. However, those scores may fail in infants and young children due to the age‐related lack of clinical symptoms. Furthermore, our long‐term observations showed a striking variation of laboratory results over time in the individual patient. Reduced memory B‐cell counts in concert with low specific antibody production are the most consistent findings likely contributing to the high susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infection. In DOCK8‐HIES, T‐cell lymphopenia and low IFN‐gamma secretion after stimulation were common, likely promoting viral infections. In contrast to STAT3‐HIES, DOCK8‐HIES patients showed more severe inflammation with regard to allergic manifestations, elevated activation markers (HLA‐DR, CD69, CD86, and CD154), and significantly increased inflammatory cytokines (IL1‐beta, IL4, IL6, and IFN‐gamma).

Conclusion

Differentiating HIES from other diseases such as atopic dermatitis early in life is essential for patients because treatment modalities differ. To expedite the diagnosis process, we propose here a diagnostic workflow.
Cows' milk exclusion diet during infancy: Is there a long‐term effect on children's eating behaviour and food preferences?
Authors: Maslin Kate , Grundy Jane , Glasbey Gillian , Dean Tara , Arshad Syed Hasan , Grimshaw Kate , Oliver Erin , Roberts Graham , Venter Carina
Published: November 2015

Background

Dietary restriction during infancy may influence later eating behaviour. The aim of this study was to determine whether consuming a cows' milk exclusion (CME) diet during infancy affects eating habits in later childhood, once cows' milk has been reintroduced into the diet.

Methods

Children were recruited from two large birth cohort studies in the UK. A small number of participants were recruited from allergy clinic. Two groups were recruited: an experimental group of children who had consumed a CME diet during infancy and a control group, who had consumed an unrestricted diet during infancy. Parents and children completed questionnaires regarding eating behaviour and food preferences.

Results

In total, 101 children of mean age 11.5 years were recruited (28 CME and 73 controls). The CME group scored significantly higher on ‘slowness of eating' and on the combined ‘avoidant eating behaviour' construct (p < 0.01). The number of foods avoided and symptoms was associated with higher levels of avoidant eating behaviour (p < 0.05). The CME group rated liking for several dairy foods (butter, cream, chocolate, full fat milk and ice cream) significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05), although there were no significant differences seen for any other category of food.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that consuming a CME diet during infancy has persistent and long‐term effects on eating habits and food preferences. To reduce future negative eating behaviours, children's exclusion diets need to be as varied as possible and reintroduction of cows' milk products closely monitored.
Mapping Lay Perceptions of Contemporary Global Culture and Its Ideological and Political Correlates
Authors: Rosenmann Amir
Published: November 2015

Despite growing interest, the content and political correlates of contemporary global culture remain to be systematically explicated. Global culture is argued to be an extension of American‐Western culture, and thus, to propagate an economically conservative agenda alongside a liberal‐progressive social agenda. These conflicting emphases require the decomposition of conservatism into its economic and social facets, as suggested by the dual‐process motivational (DPM) model. The current studies tested lay perceptions of this global culture and its political correlates, within a Jewish Israeli context. Studies demonstrated that the global culture cluster together with Western culture (Preliminary Study and Study 1) to form a globalized‐Western culture (GWC). Endorsement of GWC was found to positively associate with economic conservatism and through its mediation with SDO (Studies 1 and 2). Contrarily, social conservatism, best indexed by RWA (Study 1), and negative evaluations of gender unorthodoxy (Study 2), was demonstrated to link with lower endorsement of GWC. The results are discussed in the context of Jewish‐Israeli society, and future directions for a political psychology of globalization are suggested.
Faith, Generosity, Knowledge and the Buddhist Gift: Moral Discourses on Chinese Patronage of Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries
Authors: Caple Jane
Published: November 2015

Chinese imperial patronage of Tibetan Buddhism has a long history. However, in recent years, increasing numbers of private Chinese individuals have been making gifts to Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and monks. There is a growing body of scholarship examining reasons for the increasing interest in Tibetan Buddhism. However, there has been little discussion of how Chinese patronage is perceived ‘back home’ in the monasteries receiving gifts and their local supporting communities. Scholars have argued that Sino‐Tibetan patronage relationships are based on a common understanding of religious sponsorship and operate relatively smoothly. However, as this paper shows, this is not how many local people see them. The insertion of Chinese patronage into the complex local field of religious giving can be delicate and even dangerous for monastics. Examination of local moral discourses to see when and how Sino‐Tibetan patronage breaks the ‘rules of the game’ suggests that there are values that underpin the ethics of both Buddhist gifts and remunerations for religious services, despite their conceptual distinction in emic understandings. In particular, the category of faith (dad pa) and its relationship to generosity and knowledge are central to the ethics and efficacy of religious giving to monastics, while the virtue of unsolicited giving is of particular importance for monastic recipients of wealth and goods from the laity.
A Protocol for the Global Sensitivity Analysis of Impact Assessment Models in Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Cucurachi S. , Borgonovo E. , Heijungs R.
Published: November 2015

The life cycle assessment (LCA) framework has established itself as the leading tool for the assessment of the environmental impact of products. Several works have established the need of integrating the LCA and risk analysis methodologies, due to the several common aspects. One of the ways to reach such integration is through guaranteeing that uncertainties in LCA modeling are carefully treated. It has been claimed that more attention should be paid to quantifying the uncertainties present in the various phases of LCA. Though the topic has been attracting increasing attention of practitioners and experts in LCA, there is still a lack of understanding and a limited use of the available statistical tools. In this work, we introduce a protocol to conduct global sensitivity analysis in LCA. The article focuses on the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), and particularly on the relevance of global techniques for the development of trustable impact assessment models. We use a novel characterization model developed for the quantification of the impacts of noise on humans as a test case. We show that global SA is fundamental to guarantee that the modeler has a complete understanding of: (i) the structure of the model and (ii) the importance of uncertain model inputs and the interaction among them.
Correcting Acidosis during Hemodialysis: Current Limitations and a Potential Solution
Authors: Tovbin David , Sherman Richard A.
Published: November 2015

The deleterious catabolic and pro‐inflammatory effects of acidosis in hemodialysis (HD) patients and the importance of its correction for limiting mineral bone disease (MBD) are well known. Although oral base therapy could be a solution for correcting acidosis in HD patients, it increases their already enormous medication load and sodium intake; this approach is not used commonly. Therefore, we need to rely more on correcting acidosis during the HD procedure, which is difficult to achieve, in part, because HD is an intermittent therapy. The currently used fixed dialysate bicarbonate concentrations are associated with pre‐HD acidosis and intra‐dialytic alkalosis. We suggest that a decreasing dialysate bicarbonate concentration from an initially high concentration be considered as a means of correcting acidosis with limited intra‐dialytic alkalosis. Some evidence, as well as theoretical considerations, supports such an approach.
Genetic variation of theMHCclassII DRBgenes in the Japanese weasel,Mustela itatsi, endemic to Japan, compared with the Siberian weasel,Mustela sibirica
Authors: Nishita Y. , Abramov A. V. , Kosintsev P. A. , Lin L.‐K. , Watanabe S. , Yamazaki K. , Kaneko Y. , Masuda R.
Published: November 2015

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes encode proteins that play a critical role in vertebrate immune system and are highly polymorphic. To further understand the molecular evolution of theMHCgenes, we comparedMHCclassII DRBgenes between the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi), a species endemic to Japan, and the Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica), a closely related species on the continent. We sequenced a 242‐bp region ofDRBexon 2, which encodes antigen‐binding sites (ABS), and found 24 alleles from 31M. itatsiindividuals and 17 alleles from 21M. sibiricaindividuals, including broadly distributed, species‐specific and/or geographically restricted alleles. Our results suggest that pathogen‐driven balancing selection have acted to maintain the diversity in theDRBgenes. For predictedABS, nonsynonymous substitutions exceeded synonymous substitutions, also indicating positive selection, which was not seen at non‐ABS. In a Bayesian phylogenetic tree, twoM. sibiricaDRBalleles were basal to the rest of the sequences from mustelid species and may represent ancestral alleles. Trans‐species polymorphism was evident between many mustelidDRBalleles, especially betweenM. itatsiandM. sibirica. These twoMustelaspecies divided about 1.7 million years ago, but still share manyMHCalleles, indicative of their close phylogenetic relationship.
Association of HLA‐DQ alleles with the presence of an anti‐β2‐glycoprotein I antibody in patients with recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Chen X. , Liang P‐Y. , Li G‐G. , Diao L‐H. , Liu C‐C. , Huang C‐Y. , Wu T‐H. , Xu J. , Zeng Y.
Published: November 2015

Immunogenetic studies have suggested that autoantibody production is commonly associated with particular human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class II genotypes in certain autoimmune diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the production of anti‐β2‐glycoprotein I antibody (aβ2GPI) was associated with particular HLA‐DQ alleles in patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM). The HLA‐DQ genotypes in 126 patients with RM were determined using the polymerase chain reaction‐sequence‐specific primer method. Both the IgG and IgM isotypes of aβ2GPI were measured via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Positive results for either IgG or IgM on two occasions within an interval of 12 weeks were defined as antiphospholipid antibody‐positive. The frequencies of the HLA‐DQA1*01:02 [odds ratio (OR) 3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–7.0, Pc = 0.018] and HLA‐DQB1*02:01 alleles (OR 4.6, 95% CI 2.1–10.2, Pc = 9.18 × 10−4) were significantly increased in aβ2GPI‐positive RM patients compared with aβ2GPI‐negative RM patients. These results suggest that the HLA‐DQA1*0102 and HLA‐DQB1*0201 alleles may be involved in the production of aβ2GPI in RM patients.
A Sampling Framework for Uncertainty in Individual Environmental Decisions
Authors: Galesic Mirta , Kause Astrid , Gaissmaier Wolfgang
Published: November 2015

Decisions in the environmental and in particular the climate domain are burdened with uncertainty. Here, we focus on uncertainties faced by individuals when making decisions about environmental behavior, and we use the statistical sampling framework to develop a classification of different sources of uncertainty they encounter. We then map these sources to different public policy strategies aiming to help individuals cope with uncertainty when making environmental decisions.
High mortality among children with sickle cell anemia and overt stroke who discontinue blood transfusion after transition to an adult program
Authors: McLaughlin Joseph F. , Ballas Samir K.
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Chronic blood transfusion is the standard of care in the management of overt stroke due to sickle cell anemia (SS) to prevent recurrence of stroke. The problem arises when children are transitioned to adult care where blood transfusion may be discontinued. The purpose of this study was to report the outcome of 22 patients with SS and overt stroke who were transitioned to our adult program between 1993 and 2009.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Transitioned patients were kept on chronic blood transfusion they had as children. Blood bank data were performed and computerized according to FDA and AABB regulations. Records were kept prospectively. Blood counts and percent hemoglobin (Hb)S were obtained before and after transfusion. HbS was kept below 30% after transfusion. Metabolic profiles were obtained every 6 months or more often if needed. Statistical analysis was by the two‐tailed t‐test.

RESULTS

Patients who were compliant with blood transfusion were rarely hospitalized for painful crises. Alloimmunization and iron overload were the major complications of blood transfusion. Eight patients who refused to be maintained on chronic blood transfusion or who were noncompliant died within 1 to 5 years after transition. Causes of death included stroke in two, sudden in three, and multiorgan failure in three. The overall rate of death after transition was 36% and the major cause was discontinuation of blood transfusion.

CONCLUSION

Efforts must be made to maintain adequate chronic simple or exchange blood transfusion for children with SS and stroke after transition to adult care.