bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoluminescent and antimicrobial properties of silver‐doped indium hydroxide synthesized by one‐step microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method
Authors: Andrade Neto Nivaldo Freire , Tavares Mara T. S. , Ferreira Erik A. C. , Sales Ana I. L. , Lima Lucymara F. A. , Longo Elson , Bomio Mauricio R. D. , Motta Fabiana V.
Published: October 2018

Silver‐doped indium hydroxide In(1‐x)(OH)3:xAg (with x = 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mol%) of Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by the microwave‐assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method at 140°C for 30 minutes. These nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transformed infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and optical diffuse reflectance. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were acquired with a 350 nm beam of a krypton ion laser as an excitation source. The antibacterial activities of the samples were evaluated against gram negative Escherichia coli bacteria and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria using the disc diffusion method. The results showed that all diffraction peaks present in XRD patterns could be indexed to the cubic lattice related to the In(OH)3 phase. Broadband photoluminescence behavior in visible range spectra was observed for all samples with a maximum peak centered in the blue and green regions. The antibacterial activities showed that In(1‐x)(OH)3: xAg nanoparticles have a promising bactericide that can be used for deactivating microbes.
The 100 top‐cited publications in psoriatic arthritis: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Berlinberg Adam , Bilal Jawad , Riaz Irbaz B. , Kurtzman Drew J. B.
Published: October 2018

Background

Citation analysis is a quantitative, bibliometric method that analyzes the frequency and pattern of citations in any given scientific discipline. Over the last two decades, the study of psoriatic arthritis has undergone substantial progress, which has enhanced our ability to assess and treat the disease, and yet an updated citation analysis that reflects these advances is lacking.

Objective

To highlight the scientific progress in psoriatic arthritis by identifying and analyzing the 100 top‐cited psoriatic arthritis articles from the last 40 years.

Methods

Publications on psoriatic arthritis were identified using the Scopus citation database and Web of Science. No date range limits were applied. Data on the 100 top‐cited publications were extracted and analyzed.

Results

Of the 100 top‐cited publications, the median number of citations per publication was 265.9. Articles originated from 29 different countries. Publication dates ranged from 1973 to 2014. The majority (n = 88) were published after 1994, and the greatest number of highly cited psoriatic arthritis publications were reported between 2001 and 2007 (n = 36). Journals with the highest number of top‐cited articles included Arthritis and Rheumatology (formerly Arthritis and Rheumatism) (n = 26), followed by Annals of Rheumatic Diseases (n = 21) and Journal of Rheumatology (n = 11). The top six journals with the most highly cited psoriatic arthritis articles were rheumatology journals, with the exception of the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, a dermatology‐based periodical. General medical journals published only nine of the 100 top citations. Impact factors ranged from 2.133 to 44.002, with a mean impact factor of 9.103. There were five authors with 10 or more highly cited psoriatic arthritis publications and 30 authors with five or more of the top publications. Subgroup analysis of the top 25 articles included nine randomized clinical trials, nine observational studies, five reviews, and two guideline statements. Additional subgroup analysis identified the top five hallmark trials in the field. Key publications provided data on classification criteria, disease prevalence, patterns of clinical and radiographic presentation, disease outcomes, associated cardiovascular disease risk, immunologic features and HLA associations, and efficacy and therapeutic benefit of TNFα inihbitors, interleukin‐12/23 antagonists, and sulfasalazine.

Conclusions

The study of psoriatic arthritis is rapidly evolving. This bibliometric analysis delineates the landmark publications in psoriatic arthritis that have defined innovative therapeutic modalities and provided critical reviews, guidelines, and other key studies, which highlight the important progress made in the field.
The CD9+CD11b−HLA‐DR− immunophenotype can be used to diagnose acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Ren Fanggang , Zhang Na , Xu Zhifang , Xu Jing , Zhang Yaofang , Chen Xiuhua , Tan Yanhong , Chang Jianmei , Wang Hongwei
Published: October 2018

Objective

To investigate the immunophenotypic characteristics of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and explore the sensitivity and specificity of various antibody combinations for the timely and accurate diagnosis APL.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed using morphological, immunological, genetic, and molecular biological data from 92 patients diagnosed with APL and 190 controls diagnosed with non‐APL acute myeloid leukemia.

Results

For APL diagnosis, the CD9/CD11b/human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR antibody combination had 85% sensitivity and 95% specificity, AUC = 0.85. However, the sensitivity and specificity were 39% and 92%, AUC = 0.65, respectively, for the HLA‐DR/CD34/CD117 combination, and 80% and 80%, AUC = 0.80, respectively for the CD11b/HLA‐DR combination. Significant differences were observed between the different antibody combinations.

Conclusions

The CD9/CD11b/HLA‐DR antibody combination displays high sensitivity and specificity and can be used to diagnose APL.
Sol‐gel processed highly (100)‐textured (K, Na)NbO3‐based lead‐free thin films: Effect of pyrolysis temperature
Authors: Zhang Su‐Wei , Luo Jin , Zhou Zhen , Li Jing‐Feng
Published: October 2018

Recently, lead‐free piezoelectric thin films have received increasing attention due to the growing demands for mircoelectromechanical systems and the significant progress in lead‐free piezoelectric research. Here, potassium sodium niobate [(K, Na)NbO3 (KNN)]‐based thin films were fabricated via a sol‐gel method. The effects of pyrolysis temperature on the resulting microstructure and electrical properties of KNN‐based films were investigated. The KNN‐based film pyrolyzed at 550°C and annealed at 700°C shows a dominant (100) orientation with a high texturing degree of 91.7%. The microstructures, morphologies, piezo‐ and ferroelectric properties of the KNN‐based films were discussed in association with different pyrolysis temperatures. The crystallization mechanism of the (100) textured KNN‐based thin films was elaborated in detail.
Lithium aluminum‐layered double hydroxide chlorides (LDH): Formation enthalpies and energetics for lithium ion capture
Authors: Wu Lili , Li Ling , Evans Samuel F. , Eskander Tessa A. , Moyer Bruce A. , Hu Zhichao , Antonick Paul J. , Harrison Stephen , Paranthaman M. Parans , Riman Richard , Navrotsky Alexandra
Published: October 2018

Layered aluminum double hydroxide chloride sorbents, LiCl∙Al2(OH)6.nH2O, Li‐LDH, have shown promising application in selective Li extraction from geothermal brines. Maintaining LiCl uptake capacity and retaining a long cycle life are critical to widespread application of sorbent materials. To elucidate the energetics of Li capture, enthalpies of LDH with different Li content have been measured by acid solution calorimetry. The formation enthalpies generally become less exothermic as the Li content increases, which indicates that Li intercalation destabilizes the structure, and the enthalpies seem to approach a limit after the Li content x = 2Li/Al exceeds 1. To improve stability, metal doping of the aluminum LDH structure with iron was performed. Introduction of a metal with greater electron density but a similar ionic radius was postulated to improve the stability of the LDH crystal structure. The calorimetric results from Fe‐doped LDH samples corroborate this as they are more exothermic than LDH‐lacking Fe. This suggests that Fe doping is an effective way to stabilize the LDH phase.
The anomalous increase in tunability in Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3‐MgO‐Mg2SiO4 composite ceramics
Authors: He Yanyan , Peng Yakai , Xu Yebin
Published: October 2018

The Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3–Mg2SiO4–MgO composite ceramics were prepared via solid‐stated method and the dielectric tunable properties of composite ceramics were investigated. With the increase in dielectrics content, the tunability of composites ceramics increased abnormally first and then decreased, while the anharmonic coefficient increased monotonously. A simple 3D Finite Element model was developed to simulate the dielectric response and an anomalous increase in tunability when increasing the dielectrics content in composites was obtained. The simulation indicated that adding dielectrics into ferroelectrics causes the redistribution of the electric field. Increasing dielectrics content, the average electric field strength in the enhanced area of ferroelectrics increases, which lead to the increase in the tunability. The abnormal increase in tunability originates from the enhancement of the electric field on a fraction of the ferroelectrics around dielectrics.
May Churches Discriminate?
Authors: Shorten Andrew
Published: October 2018

Cécile Laborde's Liberalism's Religion contains an original theory of collective religious exemptions, which emphasises two morally significant interests that religious and other groups have in free association. Here I argue that Laborde's theory of collective exemptions is less frugal in its allocation of rights than its author claims. In particular, I suggest that the theory lacks the grounds to restrict special treatment to voluntary and identificatory associations, and that by its lights loose, diffuse communities and even ascriptive groups are also entitled to special treatment.
Acoustic, genetic, and morphological analyses of the Canarian common chaffinch complexFringilla coelebsssp. reveals cryptic diversification
Authors: Illera Juan Carlos , Rando Juan Carlos , Rodriguez‐Exposito Eduardo , Hernández Mariano , Claramunt Santiago , Martín Aurelio
Published: October 2018

The common chaffinchFringilla coelebsis the extant avian species with the highest level of differentiation across North Atlantic archipelagos. Such a degree of diversification has been traditionally recognised within the subspecies category, with one endemic subspecies occurring in Azores (F. c. moreletti), one in Madeira (F. c. maderensis), and three in the Canary Islands (F. c. canariensis,F. c. palmaeandF. c. ombriosa). Recent genetic, acoustic, and sperm morphology studies informed us about the significant differentiation of the Gran Canaria population, which is traditionally included withinF. c. canariensissubspecies. The goal of this study is to examine the similarity of the Canarian chaffinches, with the objective of determining if the Gran Canaria chaffinches represent an isolated and distinct population. In order to achieve this aim, we used a double approach: 1) we analysed new morphological and genetic data from the Canary Islands, and 2) we reviewed and synthesised the vast acoustic, morphological and genetic information available for these taxa in Macaronesia, with special emphasis on the Canary Islands. Genetic, acoustic, and sperm morphological data, and to a lesser extent phenotypic data, strongly support the existence of a cryptic taxon in Gran Canaria. Moreover, our findings also reveal an incipient speciation process on going in the Canary Islands, mostly driven by genetic differentiation. Overall, our synthesis suggests that individuals occurring in Gran Canaria should be considered as a novel taxon that we formally described asFringilla coelebs bakerissp. nov.
Association between abdominal obesity and increased risk for the development of hypertension regardless of physical activity: A nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Rhee Eun‐Jung , Cho Jung‐Hwan , Kwon Hyemi , Park Se‐Eun , Jung Jin‐Hyung , Han Kyung‐Do , Park Yong‐Gyu , Park Hye Soon , Kim Yang‐Hyun , Yoo Soon‐Jib , Lee Won‐Young ,   Taskforce Team of the Obesity Fact Sheet of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity
Published: October 2018

The presence of abdominal obesity and lack of physical activity are both risk factors for the development of hypertension. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk of developing hypertension according to baseline waist circumference (WC). In total, 16 312 476 non‐hypertensive participants who were covered by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) from 2009 to 2012 in Korea were included in the study. The participants were divided into six groups according to the level of baseline WC with a 5‐cm interval starting from 80 cm in men and 75 cm in women. The risk for the future development of hypertension was assessed in 2015 using the claims data on the diagnosis of hypertension and prescription of anti‐hypertensive medications. Approximately 7.8% of the participants developed hypertension over a median follow‐up of 5.48 years. The proportion of participants who developed hypertension significantly increased from 4.2% in the WC level 1% to 17.5% in the WC level 6. After adjusting for confounding factors, level 6 of the baseline WC had a higher hazard ratio (HR) for the development of hypertension among the 6 levels of baseline with level 3 as the reference (1736; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.72‐1.753). The participants with abdominal obesity had a significantly higher HR than those without abdominal obesity regardless of whether they engage in high‐ or moderate‐intensity physical intensity (1.741; 95% CI: 1.718‐1.764). WC had a linear association with the development of hypertension based on this large nationwide population‐based cohort study, which was not influenced by physical activity.
HDL cholesterol levels and endothelial glycocalyx integrity in treated hypertensive patients
Authors: Triantafyllidi Helen , Benas Dimitris , Vlachos Stefanos , Vlastos Dimitris , Pavlidis George , Schoinas Antonios , Varoudi Mary , Birmpa Dionysia , Moutsatsou Paraskevi , Lekakis John , Ikonomidis Ignatios
Published: October 2018

Endothelial dysfunction indicates target organ damage in hypertensive patients. The integrity of endothelial glycocalyx (EG) plays a vital role in vascular permeability, inflammation and elasticity, and finally to cardiovascular disease. The authors aimed to investigate the role of increased HDL cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels, which usually are considered protective against cardiovascular disease, in EG integrity in older hypertensive patients. The authors studied 120 treated hypertensive patients older than 50 years were divided regarding HDL‐C tertiles in group HDLH (HDL‐C ≥ 71 mg/dL, upper HDL‐C tertile) and group HDLL (HDL‐C < 71 mg/dL, two lower HDL‐C tertiles). Increased perfusion boundary region (PBR) of the sublingual arterial microvessels (ranging from 5 to 9 µm) using Sideview Darkfield imaging (Microscan, Glycocheck) was measured as a non‐invasive accurate index of reduced EG thickness. PBR 5‐9 was significantly decreased in group HDLH (P = 0.04). In the whole population, HDL‐C was inversely but moderately related to PBR 5‐9 (r = −0.22, P = 0.01). In a multiple linear regression analysis model, using age, BMI, smoking habit, HDL‐C, LDL‐C, and office SBP, as independent variables, the authors found that BMI (β = 0.25, P = 0.006) independently predicted PBR 5‐9 in the whole population. In older hypertensive patients, HDL‐C ranging between 71 and 101 mg/dL might moderately protect EG and subsequently endothelial function. Future studies in several groups of low‐ or high‐risk hypertensives are needed in order to evaluate the beneficial role of extremely elevated HDL‐C regarding cardiovascular risk evaluation as well as endothelial glycocalyx as a novel index of target organ damage in essential hypertension.
Misidentification of Dementia in Medicare Claims and Related Costs
Authors: Zhu Carolyn W. , Ornstein Katherine A. , Cosentino Stephanie , Gu Yian , Andrews Howard , Stern Yaakov
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To examine how misidentification of dementia affects estimation of Medicare costs in a largely minority cohort of participants for whom accurate in‐person diagnoses are available.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Washington Heights‐Inwood Columbia Aging Project, a multiethnic, population‐based, prospective study of cognitive aging of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older.

Participants

Individuals clinically diagnosed with dementia (n=495) and individuals clinically diagnosed without dementia (n=1,701).

Measurements

Medicare claims‐identified dementia was defined according to the presence of any International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in all available claims during the study period. Participant characteristics associated with claims misidentification of dementia were estimated using logistic regression. Effects of dementia misidentification on Medicare expenditures were estimated using generalized linear models.

Results

Medicare claims correctly identified 250 of the 495 (51%) dementia cases and 1,565 of the 1,701 (92%) nondementia cases. Sensitivity of claims‐identified dementia was 0.51, and specificity was 0.92. Average annual Medicare expenditures were $14,721 for a beneficiary with a clinical diagnosis of dementia, and $18,208 for a beneficiary with claim‐identified dementia, suggesting an overestimation of $3,487 per person per year when Medicare claims were used to identify dementia. Total annual expenditures for all beneficiaries with claims‐identified dementia were $258,707 lower than that for all those who were clinically diagnosed, suggesting an overall underestimation of total Medicare expenditures if Medicare claims were used to identify dementia. Different types of misidentification have different effects on dementia‐related cost estimates. Average annual expenditures per person were highest for false positives.

Conclusion

Misidentification of dementia in Medicare claims is common. Using claims to identify dementia may result in significantly biased estimates of the cost of dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:269–276, 2019.
The blocking of kappa‐opioid receptor reverses the changes in dorsolateral striatum dopamine dynamics during the amphetamine sensitization
Authors: Azocar Victor Hugo , Sepúlveda Gladys , Ruiz Catalina , Aguilera Consuelo , Andrés Maria Estela , Fuentealba José Antonio
Published: October 2018

Kappa‐opioid receptors (KOR) control dopamine (DA) levels in the striatum and contribute significantly to the progression of drug addiction. Repeated exposure to psychostimulants has been associated with up‐regulated KOR activity and increased DA levels in dorsal striatum. However, it has not been tested if both processes are linked. In this work, we studied if a mechanism mediated by KOR is contributing to the increase in DA levels in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) after amphetamine (AMPH) sensitization. The AMPH sensitization was assessed after single or repeated once‐a‐day AMPH injections (1 mg/kg). Only repeated AMPH exposure produced a significant locomotor sensitization. No‐net flux microdialysis was used to assess basal DA dialysate, DA extracellular concentration (Cext), and DA uptake in DLS of anesthetized rats. The role of KOR on DA dynamics in DLS was evaluated by local perfusion (250 μM) and systemic administration (10 mg/kg) of the KOR antagonist nor‐binaltorphimine. A significant decrease in DA Cext is observed in the DLS after an AMPH challenge in rats exposed to a single dose of AMPH. The decrease in DA Cext was associated with both a decreased basal DA dialysate and an increased DA uptake. Conversely, the expression of AMPH sensitization was accompanied by a significant increase in DA Cext associated with an increased basal DA dialysate and an attenuation in DA uptake. Both local and systemic administration of nor‐binaltorphimine reversed changes in DLS after AMPH pre‐treatment. These findings indicate that endogenous KOR system tunes DLS DA dynamics during the progression to AMPH sensitization.

image
Response of broiler chickens reared at high density to dietary supplementation with licorice extract and probiotic
Authors: Rashidi Neda , Ghorbani Mohammad Reza , Tatar Ahmad , Salari Somayyeh
Published: October 2018

This study evaluated the effects of licorice extract and probiotic on performance, excreta characteristics and welfare‐related parameters of broiler chickens reared in high stocking density. Three hundred and thirty‐six 1‐day old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates for 42 days. Treatments were as follows: (a) positive control (PC, 12 chicks/m2); (b) negative control (NC, 18 chicks/m2); (c) NC + 500 ppm licorice extract (LE); (d) NC + 200 ppm probiotic (P); (e) NC + ppm LE + ppm P. Body weight gain (BWG) was affected negatively by increased density in the growing period (p < 0.05). At high density, BWG was increased in the growing and whole period by adding LE and P separately and in combination (p < 0.01). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not affected by stocking density. Excreta weight (g/bird) and dry matter (DM, %) were reduced by increasing density (p < 0.01). Use of feed additives at high stocking density had no significant effect on excreta weight, but DM content of excreta was higher in NC + LE + P than NC. Gait problems and footpad and hock burns were increased by increased stocking density, but were not altered by feed additives. In conclusion, licorice extract and probiotic improved BWG of broilers reared at high stocking density; however, these birds had some disorders in footpad, hock and walking ability.
Tolerance to climate change of the clonally reproducing endemic Baltic seaweed, Fucus radicans: is phenotypic plasticity enough?
Authors: Rugiu Luca , Manninen Iita , Rothäusler Eva , Jormalainen Veijo
Published: October 2018

To predict the effects of climate change, we first need information on both the current tolerance ranges of species and their future adaptive potential. Adaptive responses may originate either in genetic variation or in phenotypic plasticity, but the relative importance of these factors is poorly understood. Here, we tested the tolerance of Fucus radicans to the combination of hyposalinity and warming projected by climate models for 2070–2099. We measured the growth and survival responses of thalli in both current and future conditions, focusing on variations in tolerance among and within different clonal lineages. Survival was 32% lower in future than in current conditions, but the weight and length of the thalli which survived was respectively 267% and 178% higher when exposed to future conditions. The relatively high tolerance to the future conditions suggests that F. radicans is likely to persist in its current distributional range, which is limited to the Gulf of Bothia and Estonian coast in the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, this species may be able to expand its distribution southward and replace its congener F. vesiculosus, which, in previous studies, has not tolerated the future conditions as well. In addition, we discovered variation in tolerance to future conditions within one of the clonal lineages, which have been hitherto presumed to lack adaptive variation. The discovery of intra‐clonal phenotypic plasticity means that this alga has the potential for adaptive responses to climate change, which may be the key to the future persistence of F. radicans in the Baltic Sea.
Patterns of mutation within an emerging endemic lineage of HEV‐3a
Authors: Zhu Yuan O. , Aw Pauline , Aung Myo Myint , Lee Hong Kai , Hibberd Martin , Lee Guan Huei
Published: October 2018

The hepatitis E virus can cause chronic infections in immuno‐suppressed patients, and cases have been on the rise globally. Viral mutations during such infections are difficult to characterize. We deep‐sequenced viral populations from 15 immunocompromised patients with chronic HEV to identify the viral lineage and describe viral mutational hotspots within and across patients. A total of 21 viral RNA samples were collected between 2012 and 2017 from a single hospital in Singapore. Sequences covering a total of 3894 bp of the HEV genome were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses identified all sequences as belonging to the HEV‐3a sub‐clade and clearly indicate a unique local lineage. Deep sequencing reveals variable viral population complexity during infections. Comparisons of viral samples from the same patients spaced 2‐19 months apart revealed rapid nucleotide replacements in the dominant viral sequence in both ribavirin treated and treatment‐naive patients. Mutational hotspots were identified within ORF3 and the PCP/HVR domain of ORF1.
Modelling the decline and future of hepatitis A transmission in Australia
Authors: Jayasundara Duleepa , Hui Ben B. , Regan David G. , Heywood Anita E. , MacIntyre C. Raina , Wood James G.
Published: October 2018

Hepatitis A incidence has declined in most countries through a combination of prevention measures, augmented through the use of a highly effective vaccine. In Australia, the proportion of the population susceptible to hepatitis A infection has declined over time due to high rates of opportunistic vaccination as well as the sustained inflow of seropositive immigrants from high‐endemicity countries. These factors have contributed to a rapid decline in incidence. An age‐structured hepatitis A transmission model incorporating demographic changes was fitted to seroprevalence and disease notification data and used to project incidence trends and transmission potential for hepatitis A in the general population. Robustness of findings was assessed through worst‐case scenarios regarding vaccine uptake, migration and the duration of immunity. The decline in age‐specific seroprevalence until the introduction of hepatitis A vaccine in 1994 was well explained through a declining basic reproduction number (R0) that remained >1. Accounting for existing immunity, we estimated that the effective reproduction number (Reff) <1 in the general population of Australia since the early 1990s, declining more rapidly after the introduction of the hepatitis A vaccine. Future projections under a variety of scenarios support Reff remaining <1 with continued low incidence in the general population. In conclusion, our results suggest that sustained endemic transmission in the general Australian population is no longer possible although risks of sporadic outbreaks remain. This suggests potential for local elimination of hepatitis A infection in Australia, provided that elimination criteria can be defined and satisfied in risk groups. The methodology used here to investigate elimination potential can easily be replicated in settings such as in the USA where sequential seroprevalence studies are supported by routine notification data.
Improving hepatitis C direct‐acting antiviral access and uptake: A role for patient‐reported outcomes and lived experience
Authors: Goutzamanis Stelliana , Doyle Joseph , Higgs Peter , Hellard Margaret
Published: October 2018

Hepatitis C virus contributes to substantial and growing mortality and morbidity. Fortunately, the advent of highly effective interferon‐free direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) medications and new diagnostic tests has the potential to dramatically alter the epidemiologic trajectory of hepatitis C, particularly for “hard‐to‐reach” populations. Treatment advances and cure will also likely alter the individual experience of living with hepatitis C. However, it is not yet known in what capacity. This paper provides an overview of the population‐level impact of DAA treatment, highlighting the need to further our understanding of the impact of treatment on behaviour, health and wellbeing through lived experience and more sensitive patient‐reported outcome measures.
A retrospective study of 157 hospitalized cats with pancreatitis in a tertiary care center: Clinical, imaging and laboratory findings, potential prognostic markers and outcome
Authors: Nivy Ran , Kaplanov Alina , Kuzi Sharon , Mazaki‐Tovi Michal , Yas Einat , Segev Gilad , Ben‐Oz Jennifer , Lavy Eran , Aroch Itamar
Published: October 2018

Background

Pancreatitis in cats (FP) has been increasingly diagnosed in recent years, but clinical studies of large numbers of affected cats are scarce.

Objectives

To describe a large cohort of cats with FP requiring hospitalization.

Animals

One hundred and fifty‐seven client‐owned cats.

Methods

Retrospective study, including cats diagnosed with pancreatitis based on sonographic evidence, positive SNAP feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test results, increased 1,2‐o‐dilauryl‐rac‐glycerol‐glutaric Acid‐(6′‐methylresorufin ester)‐lipase activity, histopathology, or some combination of these.

Results

One‐hundred and twenty‐two cats (77.7%) survived to discharge.

Median time from onset of clinical signs to presentation was longer (P= .003) in nonsurvivors. Causes of FP included recent general anesthesia, trauma, hemodynamic compromise, and organophosphate intoxication, but most cases (86.6%) were idiopathic. Ultrasonographic findings consistent with pancreatitis were documented in 134 cats, including pancreatomegaly (81.3%), decreased (31.3%), or increased (14.9%) pancreatic echogenicity, extra‐hepatic biliary tract dilatation (24%), and increased peri‐pancreatic echogenicity (13%). Lethargy (P= .003), pleural effusion (P= .003), hypoglycemia (P= .007), ionized hypocalcemia (P= .016), azotemia (P= .014), parenteral nutrition administration (P= .013), and persistent anorexia during hospitalization (P= .001) were more frequent in nonsurvivors, whereas antibiotics were more frequently administered to survivors (P= .023). Nevertheless, when Bonferroni's correction for multiple comparisons was applied, none of the variables was statistically significant.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Previously unreported, clinically relevant, potential prognostic factors, including hypoglycemia, azotemia, parenteral nutrition, and withholding antibacterial treatment were identified in this exploratory study. These preliminary results should be examined further in confirmatory studies.
Comparison of intestinal expression of the apical sodium‐dependent bile acid transporter between dogs with and without chronic inflammatory enteropathy
Authors: Giaretta Paula R. , Rech Raquel R. , Guard Blake C. , Blake Amanda B. , Blick Anna K. , Steiner Jörg M. , Lidbury Jonathan A. , Cook Audrey K. , Hanifeh Mohsen , Spillmann Thomas , Kilpinen Susanne , Syrjä Pernilla , Suchodolski Jan S.
Published: October 2018

Background

Intestinal absorption of bile acids is mediated by the apical sodium‐dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT). Fecal bile acid dysmetabolism has been reported in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE).

Objective

Characterization of ASBT distribution along the intestinal tract of control dogs and comparison to dogs with CIE.

Animals

Twenty‐four dogs with CIE and 11 control dogs.

Methods

The ASBT mRNA and protein expression were assessed using RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The concentrations of fecal bile acids were measured by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The fecal microbiota dysbiosis index was assessed with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction panel.

Results

In control dogs, ASBT mRNA expression was observed in enterocytes in all analyzed intestinal segments, with highest expression in the ileum. The ASBT protein expression was restricted to enterocytes in the ileum, cecum, and colon. Dogs with CIE had significantly decreased expression of ASBT protein in the ileum (P = .001), which was negatively correlated with histopathological score (ρ = −0.40; Pcorr = .049). Additionally, dogs with CIE had a significantly increased percentage of primary bile acids in feces compared to controls (P = .04). The fecal dysbiosis index was significantly higher in dogs with CIE than in control dogs (P = .01).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

These findings indicate that ileal protein expression of ASBT is downregulated in dogs with CIE. This change may be linked to the inflammatory process, intestinal dysbiosis, and fecal bile acid dysmetabolism observed in these patients.
Retrospective growth analysis of the dwarf shrub Cassiope tetragona allows local estimation of vascular plant productivity in high arctic Svalbard
Authors: Milner Jos M. , Stien Audun , van der Wal René
Published: October 2018

Question

Vascular plant productivity of arctic tundra has often been viewed as varying little between years and thus being largely insensitive to the high inter‐annual variation in summer weather conditions. Yet, remote‐sensing data and retrospective growth analyses of the circumpolar dwarf shrub, Cassiope tetragona, commonly show considerable between‐year variability in plant growth in response to variation in summer temperature. Given that both Cassiope growth and vascular plant biomass production share a common environmental driver, summer temperature, we would expect positive co‐variation between them. Here we investigate whether this is indeed the case and if so over what spatial scale.

Location

Nordenskiöldland, high arctic Svalbard.

Methods

We brought dendroecology and plot‐based field estimation methodologies together in an empirical study using retrospective analysis of Cassiope growth and annual estimation of above‐ground vegetation biomass production to investigate their temporal and spatial co‐variation and sensitivity to summer weather conditions.

Results

Despite substantial small‐scale heterogeneity, we found spatial co‐variation in Cassiope growth patterns, which weakened as distance between sampling sites increased from 0 to 25 km. Furthermore, we found a strong positive correlation between annual estimates of above‐ground live vascular plant biomass and Cassiope shoot growth over a 12‐year period at a local scale. The correlation declined with distance, likely due to increasing differences in local weather conditions.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that Cassiope growth can be used as a proxy for above‐ground tundra vegetation productivity at the local scale. Our findings suggest that Arctic plant productivity is as sensitive to between‐year variation in summer temperature as the well‐established growth response of Cassiope. This challenges the view that tundra plant productivity varies little between years and provides a mechanistic understanding that helps reconcile field‐ and satellite‐based annual estimation methods.
Can community health workers manage uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition? A review of operational experiences in delivering severe acute malnutrition treatment through community health platforms
Authors: López‐Ejeda Noemí , Charle Cuellar Pilar , Vargas Antonio , Guerrero Saul
Published: October 2018

Community health workers (CHWs) play an important role in the detection and referral of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in many countries. However, distance to health facilities remains a significant obstacle for caregivers to attend treatment services, resulting in SAM treatment coverage rates below 40% in most areas of intervention. The inclusion of SAM treatment into the current curative tasks of CHWs has been proposed as an approach to increase coverage. A literature review of operational experiences was conducted to identify opportunities and challenges associated with this model. A total of 18 studies providing evidence on coverage, clinical outcomes, quality of care, and/or cost‐effectiveness were identified. The studies demonstrate that CHWs can identify and treat uncomplicated cases of SAM, achieving cure rates above the minimum standards and reducing default rates to less than 8%. Although the evidence is limited, these findings suggest that early detection and treatment in the community can increase coverage of SAM in a cost‐effective manner. Adequate training and close supervision were found to be essential to ensure high‐quality performance of CHWs. Motivation through financial compensation and other incentives, which improve their social recognition, was also found to be an important factor contributing to high‐quality performance. Another common challenge affecting performance is insufficient stock of key commodities (i.e., ready‐to‐use therapeutic food). The review of the evidence ultimately demonstrates that the successful delivery of SAM treatment via CHWs will require adaptations in nutrition and health policy and practice.
Nutritional status as a central determinant of child mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa: A quantitative conceptual framework
Authors: Ricci Cristian , Carboo Janet , Asare Hannah , Smuts Cornelius M. , Dolman Robin , Lombard Martani
Published: October 2018

Child mortality is a major public health problem in sub‐Saharan Africa and is influenced by nutritional status. A conceptual framework was proposed to explain factors related to undernutrition. Previously proposed conceptual frameworks for undernutrition do not consider child mortality and describe factors related to undernutrition from a qualitative viewpoint only. A structural equation modelling approach was applied to the data from World Bank and FAO databases collected from over 37 sub‐Saharan countries from 2000 to the most recent update. Ten food groups, exclusive breastfeeding, poverty and illiteracy rates, and environmental hygiene were investigated in relation to underweight, stunting, low birthweight, and child mortality. Standardized beta coefficient was reported, and graphical models were used to depict the relations among factors related to under‐five mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa. Child mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa ranged between 76 and 127 × 1,000. In the same period, low birthweight rate was about 14%. Poverty and illiteracy are confirmed to affect health resources, which in turn influenced nutritional status and child mortality. Among nutritional factors, exclusive breastfeeding had a greater influence than food availability. Low birthweight, more than underweight and stunting, influenced child mortality.

Structural equation modelling is a suitable way to disentangle the complex quantitative framework among factors determining child mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa. Acting on poverty at the base appear to be the more effective strategy along with improvement of breastfeeding practice and improvement of hygiene conditions.
DdcA antagonizes a bacterial DNA damage checkpoint
Authors: Burby Peter E. , Simmons Zackary W. , Simmons Lyle A.
Published: October 2018

Bacteria coordinate DNA replication and cell division, ensuring a complete set of genetic material is passed onto the next generation. When bacteria encounter DNA damage, a cell cycle checkpoint is activated by expressing a cell division inhibitor. The prevailing model is that activation of the DNA damage response and protease‐mediated degradation of the inhibitor is sufficient to regulate the checkpoint process. Our recent genome‐wide screens identified the gene ddcA as critical for surviving exposure to DNA damage. Similar to the checkpoint recovery proteases, the DNA damage sensitivity resulting from ddcA deletion depends on the checkpoint enforcement protein YneA. Using several genetic approaches, we show that DdcA function is distinct from the checkpoint recovery process. Deletion of ddcA resulted in sensitivity to yneA overexpression independent of YneA protein levels and stability, further supporting the conclusion that DdcA regulates YneA independent of proteolysis. Using a functional GFP‐YneA fusion we found that DdcA prevents YneA‐dependent cell elongation independent of YneA localization. Together, our results suggest that DdcA acts by helping to set a threshold of YneA required to establish the cell cycle checkpoint, uncovering a new regulatory step controlling activation of the DNA damage checkpoint in Bacillus subtilis.
Signal transduction mediated by the plant UV‐B photoreceptor UVR8
Authors: Liang Tong , Yang Yu , Liu Hongtao
Published: October 2018

Contents

Summary
1247

I.
Introduction
1247

II.
The UVR8–COP1 pathway
1248

III.
The UVR8–WRKY36 pathway
1248

IV.
The UVR8–BES1/BIM1 pathway
1249

V.
Other pathways
1250

VI.
Conclusion and perspectives
1250

Acknowledgements
1251

References
1251

Ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) light is an intrinsic part of sunlight that has significant effects on plant development and acclimation responses. UVR8 (UV Resistance Locus 8) is the long sought‐after UV‐B photoreceptor that mediates UV‐B light perception and signal transduction. UV‐B irradiation induces the monomerization and nuclear accumulation of UVR8 in plant cells to activate the UV‐B signaling pathway. The photoactivated UVR8 could transduce UV‐B signal via multiple mechanisms to regulate transcription and plant growth. Here, we summarize current understanding of UVR8‐mediated UV‐B signal transduction pathways, including UVR8–COP1 (CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1) and UVR8–WRKY36 (WRKY DNA‐BINDING PROTEIN 36), UVR8–BES1 (BRI1‐EMS‐SUPPRESSOR1) and BIM1 (BES1‐INTERACTING MYC‐LIKE 1).
Nitrogen fixation does not axiomatically lead to phosphorus limitation in aquatic ecosystems
Authors: van Gerven Luuk P. A. , Kuiper Jan J. , Mooij Wolf M. , Janse Jan H. , Paerl Hans W. , de Klein Jeroen J. M.
Published: October 2018

A long‐standing debate in ecology deals with the role of nitrogen and phosphorus in management and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. It has been argued that nutrient reduction strategies to combat blooms of phytoplankton or floating plants should solely focus on phosphorus (P). The underlying argument is that reducing nitrogen (N) inputs is ineffective because N2‐fixing species will compensate for N deficits, thus perpetuating P limitation of primary production. A mechanistic understanding of this principle is, however, incomplete. Here, we use resource competition theory, a complex dynamic ecosystem model and a 32‐year field data set on eutrophic, floating‐plant dominated ecosystems to show that the growth of non‐N2‐fixing species can become N limited under high P and low N inputs, even in the presence of N2 fixing species. N2‐fixers typically require higher P concentrations than non‐N2‐fixers to persist. Hence, the N2 fixers cannot deplete the P concentration enough for the non‐N2‐fixing community to become P limited because they would be outcompeted. These findings provide a testable mechanistic basis for the need to consider the reduction of both N and P inputs to most effectively restore nutrient over‐enriched aquatic ecosystems.
Leading and recognizing public value
Authors: Hartley Jean , Parker Steven , Beashel Jim
Published: October 2018

This article examines the relationship between leadership and public value, which is particularly challenging in a context of explicit contest and conflict. The theoretical framework is illustrated through a case study of policing rural crime. The study reveals that the police worked with multiple and competing publics rather than a single homogeneous public, and that part of their leadership role was to create and convene a public space in which different voices and divergent views could be expressed. The study notes that research needs to pay attention to the loss and displacement of public value, not solely its creation and recognition. The need to convene multiple publics required the police to lead, as part of a leadership constellation, and with political astuteness. The findings have wider relevance for other public services, and for studies of leadership and public value at the intersection between the state and civil society.
Insight into the evolution and functional characteristics of the pan‐genome assembly from sesame landraces and modern cultivars
Authors: Yu Jingyin , Golicz Agnieszka A. , Lu Kun , Dossa Komivi , Zhang Yanxin , Chen Jinfeng , Wang Linhai , You Jun , Fan Dingding , Edwards David , Zhang Xiurong
Published: October 2018

Sesame (Sesamum indicumL.) is an important oil crop renowned for its high oil content and quality. Recently, genome assemblies for five sesame varieties including two landraces (S. indicumcv. Baizhima and Mishuozhima) and three modern cultivars (S. indicumvar. Zhongzhi13, Yuzhi11 and Swetha), have become available providing a rich resource for comparative genomic analyses and gene discovery. Here, we employed a reference‐assisted assembly approach to improve the draft assemblies of four of the sesame varieties. We then constructed a sesame pan‐genome of 554.05 Mb. The pan‐genome contained 26 472 orthologous gene clusters; 15 409 (58.21%) of them were core (present across all five sesame genomes), whereas the remaining 41.79% (11 063) clusters and the 15 890 variety‐specific genes were dispensable. Comparisons between varieties suggest that modern cultivars from China and India display significant genomic variation. The gene families unique to the sesame modern cultivars contain genes mainly related to yield and quality, while those unique to the landraces contain genes involved in environmental adaptation. Comparative evolutionary analysis indicates that several genes involved in plant‐pathogen interaction and lipid metabolism are under positive selection, which may be associated with sesame environmental adaption and selection for high seed oil content. This study of the sesame pan‐genome provides insights into the evolution and genomic characteristics of this important oilseed and constitutes a resource for further sesame crop improvement.
Clinical implication of renal allograft volume to recipient body surface area ratio in pediatric renal transplant
Authors: Chua Michael E. , Kim Jin Kyu , Gnech Michele , Ming Jessica M. , Amir Bisma , Fernandez Nicolas , Lorenzo Armando J , Farhat Walid A. , Hebert Diane , Dos Santos Joana , Koyle Martin A.
Published: October 2018

Our study aims to assess the clinical implication of RAV/rBSA ratio in PRT as a predictor for attained renal function at 1 year post‐transplantation and its association with surgical complications. A retrospective cohort was performed for PRT cases from January 2000 to December 2015 in our institution. Extracted clinical information includes the recipient's demographics, donor type, renal allograft characteristics, arterial, venous and ureteral anastomoses, vascular anastomosis time while kidney off ice, overall operative time, and estimated blood loss. The RAV/rBSA was extrapolated and assessed for its association with renal graft function attained in 1 year post‐transplantation and surgical complications within 30‐day post‐transplantation. A total of 324 PRTs cases were analyzed. The cohort consisted of 187 (52.4%) male and 137 (42.3%) female recipients, with 152 (46.9%) living donor and 172 (53.1%) deceased donor renal transplants, and an overall median age of 155.26 months (IQR 76.70‐186.98) at time of renal transplantation. The receiver operating characteristic identified that a RAV/rBSA ratio of 135 was the optimal cutoff in determining the renal graft function outcome. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed the relative OR for RAV/rBSA ≥ 135 ratio in predicting an eGFR ≥ 90 attained within 1 year post‐transplant was highest among younger pediatric recipients (<142.5 months) of deceased kidney donors (OR = 11.143, 95% CI = 3.156‐39.34). Conversely, Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed that RAV/rBSA ratio ≥ 135 is associated with lower odds of having eGFR <60 (OR = 0.417, 95% CI = 0.203‐0.856). The RAV/rBSA ratio was not associated nor predictive of transplant‐related surgical complications. Our study determined that the RAV/rBSA ratio is predictive of renal graft function at 1‐year PRT, but not associated with any increased surgical complications.