bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real‐life adaptations in walking patterns in patients with established peripheral arterial disease assessed using a global positioning system in the community: a cohort study
Authors: Klonizakis Markos , Bianchi Stephen M. , Gernigon Marie , Abraham Pierre , Nawaz Shah
Published: January 2018

Objective

Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a chronic condition most commonly presenting with intermittent claudication (IC). Intermittent claudication limits walking ability and may negatively affect health‐related quality of life. Treadmill assessment of maximal walking distance (MWD) is the gold standard to assess PAD symptom severity. Despite being a well‐established and reproducible tool, it may be inappropriate (due to frailty or fear) for some patients and only describes maximal abilities for a single walk test. Global positioning systems (GPS) have been proposed as reliable and reproducible tool to measure total, mean and maximal walking distances in patients with PAD, in the community setting. Using GPS, our study attempted to explore what happens to the walking ability of patients with IC following no intervention under ‘real‐life’ conditions.

Design and methods

Using the GlobalSat DG100 GPS, forty‐three patients (69 ± 9 years; nine female; no invasive interventions or rehabilitation) undertook two 60‐min walking assessments, 6 months apart. Assessments took place in community spaces that had even terrain, no tall trees or buildings and were free from motorized vehicles. Global positioning systems‐measured maximum walking distance was the main study outcome measure.

Results

Over the 6‐month period, patients demonstrated significantly shorter GPS‐measured, mean (552 m versus 334 m; P = 0·02) and maximum (714 m versus 545 m; P = 0·04) walking distances, stopping also more frequently (nine versus five times; P = 0·03).

Conclusions

Given the reported symptom progression, we advocate early intervention (e.g. exercise interventions) combined with frequent patient monitoring in attempts to maintain or improve walking ability.
Utility of single versus multiple breath washout in adult asthma
Authors: Kjellberg S. , Viklund E. , Robinson P. D. , Zetterström O. , Olin A.‐C. , Gustafsson P.
Published: January 2018

Nitrogen multiple breath washout (N2 MBW) is a sensitive method to identify peripheral airway involvement in asthma, but is a time‐consuming test. The N2 vital capacity single breath (VC SBW) test offers greater time efficiency, but concordance with N2 MBW is poorly understood. The prevalence of peripheral airway abnormality was determined by N2 MBW and N2 SBW tests in 194 asthmatic subjects aged 18–1 years. N2 MBW data were related to findings in 400 healthy controls, aged 17–71 years, while N2 SBW data were compared to findings in 224 healthy controls, aged 15–65 years, to derive equipment‐specific reference values. Amongst asthmatic subjects, relationships between N2 SBW and N2 MBW outcomes were studied. N2 SBW relationship with clinical history, spirometry, blood eosinophils and fraction exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) data was also explored. The prevalence of peripheral airway involvement (i.e. abnormal ventilation distribution) determined by N2 SBW‐derived phase III slope (N2 SIII) was 24·7%, compared to 44% determined by N2 MBW‐derived lung clearance index (LCI) (P<0·001). Predictors of abnormal N2 SIII were older age, smoking history and lower FEV1. N2 SBW offers lower sensitivity than N2 MBW to detect small airway dysfunction in adult asthma, but may be a marker of more severe disease.
Cutaneous intravascular CD30+ T‐cell pseudolymphoma occurring in a regressing keratoacanthoma
Authors: Kailas Ajay , Elston Dirk M. , Crater Scott E. , Cerruto Carlos A.
Published: January 2018

Cutaneous intravascular CD30+ pseudolymphoma is an uncommon incidental finding that may mimic intravascular or angiotropic lymphoma. We describe a 78‐year‐old female with a traumatized regressing keratoacanthoma on her left cheek. A shave biopsy revealed intravascular staining of atypical lymphocytes positive for CD45, CD3 and CD30. Clinical exam revealed no other evidence of lymphoma, the patient denied constitutional symptoms, and routine blood work was normal. The patient is healthy and doing well 28 months after her first visit. CD30+ pseudolymphoma should be distinguished from malignant intravascular lymphoproliferative disorders.
Lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia cannot be differentiated by histopathology
Authors: Gálvez‐Canseco Aldo , Sperling Leonard
Published: January 2018

Background

Lichen planopilaris (LPP) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) represent 2 entities that cause primary cicatricial alopecia. These entities are clinically different; nevertheless, the literature suggests that FFA represents a form of LPP. The main argument in support of this hypothesis is that previous studies comparing the histologic findings have not found obvious differences between these diseases.

Methods

Our objective was to more critically compare and contrast 20 histologic findings of these diseases in a large number of patients in order to determine any significant histologic differences between LPP and FFA.

Results

We found 3 parameters that were statistically different, namely the presence of terminal catagen‐telogen hairs (50% FFA vs 23.5% LPP; P = .020); a severe perifollicular inflammatory infiltrate (29.4% LPP vs 4.6% FFA; P = .010) and a zone of concentric lamellar fibroplasia (85.3% LPP vs 63.6% FFA; P = .041).

Conclusions

Although a few histologic features differ between FFA and LPP, we believe that these differences are too subtle or non‐specific to distinguish between them with confidence. Therefore, clinical correlation is essential to establish the diagnosis.
CDX2 and LEF‐1 expression in pilomatrical tumors and their utility in the diagnosis of pilomatrical carcinoma
Authors: Tumminello Katherine , Hosler Gregory A.
Published: January 2018

Background

The Wnt signaling pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pilomatrical tumors. Lymphoid enhancer‐binding factor 1 (LEF‐1) is a downstream component of this pathway, and Caudal‐related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) has been postulated to regulate it, but little is known about expression of these transcription factors in pilomatrical tumors.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry for CDX2, β‐catenin, LEF‐1, CK19, CK5, Special AT‐rich sequence‐ binding protein 2 (SATB2), cadherin 17 and androgen receptor was performed on pilomatricomas (PMs) (N = 12), pilomatrical carcinomas (PMCAs) (N = 12) and non‐pilomatrical cutaneous tumors (N = 18).

Results

PMs and PMCAs were positive for CDX2 (9/12 PMs, sensitivity = 75%, specificity = 100%; 11/12 PMCAs, sensitivity = 92%, specificity = 100%; P < 0.01), β‐catenin (12/12 PMs, sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 94%; 10/12 PMCAs, sensitivity = 83%, specificity = 94%; P < 0.01) and LEF‐1 (12/12 PMs, sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 56%; 12/12 PMCAs, sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 56%; P < 0.01). CDX2 expression was commonly focal, within a discrete subpopulation of squamoid cells. The LEF‐1 expression pattern was different and discernable between pilomatrical tumors (strong, diffuse) and non‐pilomatrical tumors (weak, patchy).

Conclusion

This study reaffirms the importance of the Wnt signaling pathway in the tumorigenesis of pilomatrical tumors, and this introduces CDX2 as a possible regulator and marker of pilomatrical tumorigenesis. LEF‐1 and CDX2 performed at least as well as β‐catenin, if not better when taking into account expression pattern, as a diagnostic marker for PMCA, and should be considered in the workup of ambiguous primitive‐appearing cutaneous tumors.
The effect of music therapy on infants born preterm
Authors: Haslbeck Friederike , Stegemann Thomas
Published: January 2018

This commentary is on the systematic review by Anderson and Patel on pages 256–266 of this issue.
Incretin hormones: Their role in health and disease
Authors: Nauck Michael A. , Meier Juris J.
Published: January 2018

Incretin hormones are gut peptides that are secreted after nutrient intake and stimulate insulin secretion together with hyperglycaemia. GIP (glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) und GLP‐1 (glucagon‐like peptide‐1) are the known incretin hormones from the upper (GIP, K cells) and lower (GLP‐1, L cells) gut. Together, they are responsible for the incretin effect: a two‐ to three‐fold higher insulin secretory response to oral as compared to intravenous glucose administration. In subjects with type 2 diabetes, this incretin effect is diminished or no longer present. This is the consequence of a substantially reduced effectiveness of GIP on the diabetic endocrine pancreas, and of the negligible physiological role of GLP‐1 in mediating the incretin effect even in healthy subjects. However, the insulinotropic and glucagonostatic effects of GLP‐1 are preserved in subjects with type 2 diabetes to the degree that pharmacological stimulation of GLP‐1 receptors significantly reduces plasma glucose and improves glycaemic control. Thus, it has become a parent compound of incretin‐based glucose‐lowering medications (GLP‐1 receptor agonists and inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 or DPP‐4). GLP‐1, in addition, has multiple effects on various organ systems. Most relevant are a reduction in appetite and food intake, leading to weight loss in the long term. Since GLP‐1 secretion from the gut seems to be impaired in obese subjects, this may even indicate a role in the pathophysiology of obesity. Along these lines, an increased secretion of GLP‐1 induced by delivering nutrients to lower parts of the small intestines (rich in L cells) may be one factor (among others like peptide YY) explaining weight loss and improvements in glycaemic control after bariatric surgery (e.g., Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass). GIP and GLP‐1, originally characterized as incretin hormones, have additional effects in adipose cells, bone, and the cardiovascular system. Especially, the latter have received attention based on recent findings that GLP‐1 receptor agonists such as liraglutide reduce cardiovascular events and prolong life in high‐risk patients with type 2 diabetes. Thus, incretin hormones have an important role physiologically, namely they are involved in the pathophysiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and they have therapeutic potential that can be traced to well‐characterized physiological effects.
Efficacy of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists compared to dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors for the management of type 2 diabetes: A meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Tran Susan , Retnakaran Ravi , Zinman Bernard , Kramer Caroline K.
Published: January 2018

Aims

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors are both incretin‐based therapies for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) but have distinct efficacy and side effect profiles. We thus performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to compare the effects of GLP‐1 agonists to DPP‐4 inhibitors on glycaemic control, weight and incidence of adverse events in adults with T2DM. We also sought to determine whether there was any additional effect in switching from DPP‐4 inhibitor to GLP‐1 agonist.

Materials and methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and ClinicalTrials.gov for (1) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any GLP‐1 agonist to any DPP‐4 inhibitor and (2) interventional studies where a DPP‐4 inhibitor was switched to a GLP‐1 agonist. We assessed pooled data using random‐effects model (CRD42017057115).

Results

The pooled analysis of 13 RCTs (n = 4330) showed that, compared to DPP‐4 inhibitors, GLP‐1 agonists yielded a greater mean reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of −0.41% (95% CI −0.53 to −0.30) and in weight of −2.15 kg (−3.04 to −1.27). GLP‐1 agonists were associated with greater likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects with no increased risk of hypoglycaemia. In 5 interventional studies (n = 433), switching from DPP‐4 inhibitor to GLP‐1 agonist yielded further mean reduction in HbA1c of −0.69% (−1.03 to −0.35) and in weight of −2.25 kg (−3.12 to −1.38).

Conclusions

GLP‐1 agonists yield greater reduction in HbA1c and weight as compared to DPP‐4 inhibitors, with increased incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms but not hypoglycaemia. Replacing a DPP‐4 inhibitor with GLP‐1 agonist provides additional benefits in glycaemic control and weight loss.
What have we learnt from “real world” data, observational studies and meta‐analyses
Authors: Chatterjee Sudesna , Davies Melanie J , Khunti Kamlesh
Published: January 2018

The incretin therapies glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RA) and dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV (DPP‐IV) inhibitors are now well‐established as second and third‐line therapies and in combination with insulin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Over the last decade, there is accumulating evidence of their efficacy and safety from both large multicentre randomized clinical trials (RCT) and observational studies. Cardiovascular outcome trials have confirmed that several of these agents are also non‐inferior to placebo with the GLP‐1 RA liraglutide and semaglutide recently found to be superior in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events. Observational studies and post‐marketing surveillance provide real world evidence of safety and effectiveness of these agents and have provided reassurance that signals for pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer seen in clinical trials are not of major concern in large patient populations. Well‐designed real world studies complement RCTs and systematic reviews but appropriate data and methodologies, which are constantly improving, are necessary to answer appropriate clinical questions relating to the use of incretin therapies.
Comparisons of diabetic retinopathy events associated with glucose‐lowering drugs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Tang Huilin , Li Guangyao , Zhao Ying , Wang Fei , Gower Emily W. , Shi Luwen , Wang Tiansheng
Published: January 2018

Aim

To assess the comparative effects of glucose‐lowering drugs (GLDs) on the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

We systematically searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PUBMED and EMBASE from inception to January 17, 2017 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported DR events among T2DM patients receiving any GLD. Random‐effects pairwise and network meta‐analyses were performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 37 independent RCTs with 1806 DR events among 100 928 patients with T2DM were included. The mean duration of diabetes was 8.7 years and mean baseline HbA1c was 8.2% (SD, 0.5%). Our network meta‐analysis found that DPP‐4i (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.87‐1.65), GLP‐1RA (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.94‐1.52) and SGLT2 inhibitors (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.49‐1.28) were not associated with a higher risk of DR than placebo; however, a significantly increased risk of DR was associated with DPP‐4i in the pairwise meta‐analysis (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05‐1.53). Sulfonylureas, on the other hand, were associated with a significantly increased risk of DR compared to placebo (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.01‐2.76).

Conclusions

Current evidence indicates that the association between DPP‐4i, GLP‐1RA or SGLT2 inhibitors and risk of DR remains uncertain in patients with T2DM. Some evidence suggests that sulfonylureas may be associated with increased risk of DR. However, given that DR events were not systematically assessed, these effects should be explored further in large‐scale, well‐designed studies.
Seed‐dispersal interactions in fragmented landscapes – a metanetwork approach
Authors: Emer Carine , Galetti Mauro , Pizo Marco A. , Guimarães Paulo R. , Moraes Suelen , Piratelli Augusto , Jordano Pedro
Published: January 2018

Mutualistic interactions repeatedly preserved across fragmented landscapes can scale‐up to form a spatial metanetwork describing the distribution of interactions across patches. We explored the structure of a bird seed‐dispersal (BSD) metanetwork in 16 Neotropical forest fragments to test whether a distinct subset ofBSD‐interactions may mediate landscape functional connectivity. The metanetwork is interaction‐rich, modular and poorly connected, showing high beta‐diversity and turnover of species and interactions. Interactions involving large‐sized species were lost in fragments < 10 000 ha, indicating a strong filtering by habitat fragmentation on the functional diversity ofBSD‐interactions. Persistent interactions were performed by small‐seeded, fast growing plant species and by generalist, small‐bodied bird species able to cross the fragmented landscape. This reduced subset of interactions forms the metanetwork components persisting to defaunation and fragmentation, and may generate long‐term deficits of carbon storage while delaying forest regeneration at the landscape level.
The new therapeutic herbal drug HM0601 and its bioactive compound rutin exert potent antiproliferative activities in mast cells
Authors: Jeong Hyun‐Ja , Yoou Myoung‐Schook , Han Na‐Ra , Hwang Sung Yeoun , Yoon Kyoung Wan , Kim Hyung‐Min
Published: January 2018

HM0601 consists of Allium hookeri and Lycium chinense fruit and contains a lot of rutin. Here, we ascertained whether HM0601 and its major compound rutin reduce proliferation of human mast cell line, HMC‐1, under thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) stimulation. Therapeutic rutin or HM0601 treatment considerably reduced proliferation of mast cells without exposing activated HMC‐1 cells to any cytotoxicity. Reduced levels of mouse double minute 2 and phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 were accompanied by treatment with rutin or HM0601. In TSLP‐stimulated cells, rutin or HM0601 treatment significantly impaired levels of interleukin (IL)‐13 and Bcl2 expression. Notably, rutin or HM0601 treatment returned Bax and phosphorylated p53 protein levels and caspase‐3 activities impaired by TSLP. In addition, levels of inflammatory cytokine were considerably reduced by treatment with rutin or HM0601 on TSLP‐stimulated cells. In conclusion, these results indicate that HM0601 can be used as a new therapeutic herbal drug for prevention and therapeutic intervention of allergic inflammatory diseases.
Early life history connectivity of Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarctica) in the Ross Sea
Authors: Brooks Cassandra M. , Caccavo Jilda Alicia , Ashford Julian , Dunbar Robert , Goetz Kimberly , La Mesa Mario , Zane Lorenzo
Published: January 2018

A recent population hypothesis for Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarctica), a critical forage species, argued that interactions between life history and circulation associated with glacial trough systems drive circumpolar distributions over the continental shelf. In the Ross Sea, aggregations of eggs and larvae occur under fast ice in Terra Nova Bay, and the hypothesis predicted that dispersing larvae encounter outflow along the western side of Drygalski Trough. The outflow advects larvae towards the shelf‐break, and mixing with trough inflow facilitates return toward the inner shelf. To examine the hypothesis, we compared samples of P. antarctica collected near Coulman Island in the outflow, along Crary Bank in the inflow, and a third set taken over the rest of the Ross Sea. We ruled out misidentification using an innovative genetic validation. Silverfish larvae comprised 99.5% of the catch, and the highest population densities were found in Drygalski Trough. The results provided no evidence to reject the population hypothesis. Abundance indices, back‐calculated hatching dates, length distributions and growth were congruent with a unified early life history in the western Ross Sea, constrained by cryopelagic early stages in Terra Nova Bay. By contrast, a sample in the Bay of Whales revealed much smaller larvae, suggesting either a geographically separate population in the eastern Ross Sea, or westward connectivity with larvae spawned nearby by fish sourced from troughs upstream in the Amundsen Sea. These results illustrate how hypotheses that integrate population structure with life history can provide precise spatial predictions for subsequent testing.
Breeding implications of drought stress under future climate for upland rice in Brazil
Authors: Ramirez‐Villegas Julian , Heinemann Alexandre B. , Pereira de Castro Adriano , Breseghello Flávio , Navarro‐Racines Carlos , Li Tao , Rebolledo Maria C. , Challinor Andrew J.
Published: January 2018

Rice is the most important food crop in the developing world. For rice production systems to address the challenges of increasing demand and climate change, potential and on‐farm yield increases must be increased. Breeding is one of the main strategies toward such aim. Here, we hypothesize that climatic and atmospheric changes for the upland rice growing period in central Brazil are likely to alter environment groupings and drought stress patterns by 2050, leading to changing breeding targets during the 21st century. As a result of changes in drought stress frequency and intensity, we found reductions in productivity in the range of 200–600 kg/ha (up to 20%) and reductions in yield stability throughout virtually the entire upland rice growing area (except for the southeast). In the face of these changes, our crop simulation analysis suggests that the current strategy of the breeding program, which aims at achieving wide adaptation, should be adjusted. Based on the results for current and future climates, a weighted selection strategy for the three environmental groups that characterize the region is suggested. For the highly favorable environment (HFE, 36%–41% growing area, depending on RCP), selection should be done under both stress‐free and terminal stress conditions; for the favorable environment (FE, 27%–40%), selection should aim at testing under reproductive and terminal stress, and for the least favorable environment (LFE, 23%–27%), selection should be conducted for response to reproductive stress only and for the joint occurrence of reproductive and terminal stress. Even though there are differences in timing, it is noteworthy that stress levels are similar across environments, with 40%–60% of crop water demand unsatisfied. Efficient crop improvement targeted toward adaptive traits for drought tolerance will enhance upland rice crop system resilience under climate change.
Recognition of innovation and diffusion of welfare policy: Alleviating urban poverty in Chinese cities during fiscal recentralization
Authors: Zhu Xufeng , Zhao Hui
Published: January 2018

This article explores the complicated triangular architecture among innovation diffusion, fiscal recentralization, and authoritarian welfare regimes. We argue that local governments' adoption of innovative welfare policies attracts the attention of central authorities who tend to recognize spontaneous local innovation by releasing central administrative signals. During the era of fiscal recentralization starting from the Chinese Tax‐Sharing System Reform in 1994, cities with higher fiscal dependency are more likely to behave innovatively by adopting a new welfare policy for potential fiscal transfer rewards. The central government's recognition of this innovation stimulates cities' adoption but would reverse the effects of fiscal dependency because of the loss of the “innovativeness” of the adoption and its effectiveness in attracting the attention of superior authorities. We test our theories on the dynamic diffusion with the case of China's Urban Minimum Living Standard Assistance system, an urban poverty‐alleviation policy implemented fully in 1999.
‘Get an early check – Chrysanthemum tea’: An outcome evaluation of a multimedia campaign promoting HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong
Authors: Kwan NNM , Wong AMH , Fang Y , Wang Z
Published: January 2018

Objectives

‘Get an early check – chrysanthemum tea’ was a multimedia campaign promoting HIV testing targeting Chinese‐speaking men who have sex with men (MSM) in Hong Kong, China. It ran from October to December 2015. This study was carried out to investigate the level of campaign exposure among Chinese‐speaking MSM in Hong Kong and the association between uptake of HIV testing in the last 6 months and campaign exposure.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted 6 months after the campaign was launched. Participants were Hong Kong Chinese‐speaking men aged ≥18 years who had had anal or oral sex with at least one man in their lifetime. A total of 153 eligible participants completed the anonymous self‐administered questionnaire.

Results

Among the participants, 45.8% had been exposed to the campaign and 43.1% had taken up HIV testing in the last 6 months. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, exposure to the campaign [multivariate odds ratio (ORm) 2.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25, 5.19] and having had anal intercourse with a nonregular sex partner (ORm 2.36; 95% CI 1.05, 5.31) in the last 6 months were significantly associated with uptake of HIV testing in the last 6 months.

Conclusions

The campaign had relatively good reach in the target population and may have been useful to encourage them to take up HIV testing. Future campaigns promoting HIV testing among MSM in Hong Kong are still needed. Such programmes should consider making use of viral videos, having a longer project duration and developing culturally sensitive materials for non‐Chinese‐speaking MSM.
The world‐wide incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma in the HIV/AIDS era
Authors: Liu Z , Fang Q , Zuo J , Minhas V , Wood C , Zhang T
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a multicentric angioproliferative cancer of endothelial origin typically occurring in the context of immunosuppression or immunodeficiency. Consequently, KS is one of the most common cancers in HIV‐infected individuals and frequently occurs among transplant recipients. Nevertheless, its incidence in different populations is not well understood.

Methods

We searched online databases for publications on KS incidence. A random‐effect meta‐analysis was performed to combine the KS incidences and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for associated risk factors.

Results

Seventy‐six eligible studies representing 71 time periods were included. For HIV‐infected people, the overall KS incidence was 481.54 per 100 000 person‐years with a 95% confidential interval (CI) of 342.36–677.32 per 100 000 person‐years. HIV‐infected men who have sex with men (MSM) had the highest incidence of KS (1397.11 per 100 000 person‐years; 95% CI 870.55–2242.18 per 100 000 person‐years). The incidence of KS was significantly lower in female than in male individuals (IRR 3.09; 95% CI 1.70–5.62). People receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) had a lower incidence compared with people who had never received HAART (IRR 6.57; 95% CI 1.91–24.69). The incidence of KS was 68.59 (95% CI 31.39–149.86) per 100 000 person‐years in transplant recipients, 52.94 (95% CI 39.90–70.20) per 100 000 person‐years in children with HIV infection, and 1.53 (95% CI 0.33–7.08) per 100 000 person‐years in the general population.

Conclusions

Globally, a relatively high incidence of KS was found among HIV‐seropositive people and, in particular, in HIV‐infected MSM. The introduction of HAART has largely prevented the development of KS, but it has not entirely removed the challenge of KS. In Africa, in particular, KS imposes a very heavy disease burden, which can mainly be attributed to the high prevalence of KS‐associated herpesvirus and poor access to HAART.
Synthesis, structural characterization, and photoluminescence properties of Eu3+‐doped Mg3‐xEux(BO3)2 phosphor
Authors: Uztetik Morkan Ayse , Gul Esra
Published: January 2018

Eu3+‐doped Mg3‐xEux(BO3)2 (x = 0.000, 0.005, 0.010, 0.020, 0.050, and 0.100) phosphors were synthesized for the first time by solution combustion synthesis method, which is a fast synthesis method for obtaining nano‐sized borate powders. The optimization of the synthesis conditions of phosphor materials was performed by TG/DTA method. These phosphors were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM‐EDX, and photoluminescence, PL analysis. The XRD analysis exhibited that all of the prepared ceramic compounds have been crystallized in orthorhombic structure with space group Pnnm. Also, the influence of europium dopant ions on unit cell parameters of host material was analyzed using Jana2006 program and the crystalline size was determined by Debye‐Scherrer's formula. The luminescence properties of all Eu3+‐doped samples were investigated by excitation and emission spectra. The excitation spectra of Mg3‐xEux(BO3)2 phosphors show characteristic peak at 420 nm in addition to other characteristic peaks of Eu3+ under emission at 613 nm. The emission spectra of Eu3+‐doped samples indicated most intensive red emission band dominated at 630 nm belonging to 5D0→7F2 magnetic dipole transition. Furthermore, the optimum or quenching concentration of Eu3+ ion has been determined as x = 0.010 showed the maximum emission intensity when it was excited at 394 nm.
Development of a green two‐dimensional HPLC‐DAD/ESI‐MS method for the determination of anthocyanins from Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea leaf and improvement of their stability in energy drinks
Authors: Chen Fang‐Fang , Sang Jie , Zhang Yao , Sang Jun
Published: January 2018

This study aimed to develop a green two‐dimensional HPLC‐DAD/ESI‐MS method for analysing anthocyanins from Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea leaf and improve their stability in energy drinks by the addition of phenolic acids. Ethanol and tartaric acid solutions were used as mobile phases for one‐dimensional HPLC‐DAD for quantitative analysis of anthocyanins, and the primary anthocyanins were identified as cyanidin‐3‐O‐galactoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside using two‐dimensional HPLC‐MS. Method validation showed that the developed method was accurate, stable and reliable for the analysis of P. cerasifera anthocyanins. The effects of gallic, ferulic and caffeic acid on the stability of cyanidin‐3‐O‐galactoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside and total anthocyanins from P. cerasifera leaf in energy drinks were evaluated, and the degradation of P. cerasifera anthocyanins ideally followed a first‐order model (R2 > 0.98). Gallic acid showed stronger protective effects on P. cerasifera anthocyanins in energy drinks, and adding/increasing ferulic and caffeic acids accelerated the degradation reactions.
Relationship between meaningful work and job performance in nurses
Authors: Tong Ling
Published: January 2018

Aims

The present study was designed to determine the relationship between meaningful work and job performance, and the impact of meaningful work on nursing care quality.

Background

Meaningful work has been suggested as a significant factor affecting job performance, but the relationship has never been studied in nurses in China.

Design

A descriptive correlational study was designed to assess the level of meaningful work, tasks, and contextual performance as well as their relationships.

Methods

We used a stratified random‐sampling approach to enrol nurses from hospitals. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to determine the relationship between meaningful work and their demographic data.

Results

There were significant, positive relationships between meaningful work and task performance and contextual performance. Education level, work unit, and employment type influenced meaningful work. The work motivation score of the nurses was lower than that of the other 2 dimensions, and a negative work motivation score negatively influenced job performance.

Conclusion

Improving meaningful work and providing more support and assistance could improve nurse performance, thereby improving the quality of nursing care.
Temporally stable frequency mapping using continuous wavelet transform analysis in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kimata Akira , Yokoyama Yasuhiro , Aita Satoshi , Nakamura Hiroaki , Higuchi Koji , Tanaka Yasuaki , Nogami Akihiko , Hirao Kenzo , Aonuma Kazutaka
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Dominant frequency (DF) derived from fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis has failed to guide atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation since it cannot guarantee temporal stability. Continuous wavelet transform (CWT) analysis is another frequency analysis that can show the temporal stability of a frequency.

Methods and results

Forty‐four consecutive patients with persistent AF (PeAF) underwent pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) as the first‐time catheter ablation. The PVs and left atrium were mapped and electrograms (EGMs) were recorded for 30 seconds at each site. Pseudo‐frequency (PF) and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated by CWT analysis. A PF with CV ≤ 10 was defined as a temporally stable PF (sPF). DF was also calculated by traditional FFT analysis from the first 5 seconds of the recorded EGMs. The highest sPF was shown inside the PVs in 20 patients (PV group), and at the non‐PV sites in 24 patients (non‐PV group). During the follow‐up period of 15.3 ± 4.4 months, the ablation success rate in the PV group was significantly higher than that in the non‐PV group (90% vs. 62%, P = 0.023). The location of the highest DF did not have a significant effect on ablation success rate between inside the PVs and at the non‐PV sites.

Conclusion

PVI results for PeAF were significantly worse for patients with highest sPF at the non‐PV sites compared to patients with highest sPF sites inside the PVs. CWT analysis during AF could be used to verify whether PVI alone is sufficient for the first‐time catheter ablation in patients with PeAF.
Food addiction and associations with mental health symptoms: a systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Burrows T. , Kay‐Lambkin F. , Pursey K. , Skinner J. , Dayas C.
Published: January 2018

Background

The present study systematically reviewed the literature aiming to determine the relationships between food addiction, as measured by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), and mental health symptoms.

Methods

Nine databases were searched using keywords. Studies were included if they reported: (i) YFAS diagnosis or symptom score and (ii) a mental health outcome, as well as the association between (i) and (ii). In total, 51 studies were included.

Results

Through meta‐analysis, the mean prevalence of food addiction diagnosis was 16.2%, with an average of 3.3 (range 2.85–3.92) food addiction symptoms being reported. Subanalyses revealed that the mean number of food addiction symptoms in populations seeking treatment for weight loss was 3.01 (range 2.65–3.37) and this was higher in groups with disordered eating (mean 5.2 3.6–6.7). Significant positive correlations were found between food addiction and binge eating [mean r = 0.602 (0.557–0.643), P < 0.05], depression, anxiety and food addiction [mean r = 0.459 (0.358–0.550), r = 0.483 (0.228–0.676), P < 0.05, respectively].

Conclusions

A significant, positive relationship exists between food addiction and mental health symptoms, although the results of the present study highlight the complexity of this relationship.
Integrating Spirituality into MFT Training: A Reflexive Curriculum and Qualitative Evaluation
Authors: Williams‐Reade Jacqueline M. , Lobo Elsie , Gutierrez Gabriela
Published: January 2018

When clients enter the therapy room they bring unique spiritual beliefs and values in with them; however, marital and family therapists (MFTs) often lack training to assist in this important area of diversity. Current training recommendations encourage therapists to explore their own spirituality to identify personal limitations that may occlude positive client outcomes; however very little information exists on the implementation and usefulness of this type of training. This article will describe a curriculum and report results from a qualitative study of students who participated in a reflexive spirituality practicum course offered in a COAMFTE accredited doctoral program at a private, religious institution. Through this, we hope to provide a training model to further spiritual integration activities in MFT.
THE RETIREMENT‐SAVINGS PUZZLE REVIEWED: THE ROLE OF HOUSING AND BEQUESTS
Authors: Suari‐Andreu Eduard , Alessie Rob , Angelini Viola
Published: January 2018

The so‐called retirement‐savings puzzle is a phenomenon by which, contrary to what the standard life‐cycle model predicts, households do not run down their wealth significantly during retirement. In this review paper, we survey the literature on the retirement‐savings puzzle and we connect it with the literature on housing equity during retirement. To establish a link between these two streams of literature, we use as a framework the work of Nakajima and Telyukova (2013a, Home equity in retirement, UCSD Working Paper) and Nakajima and Telyukova (2017, Reverse mortgage loans: a quantitative analysis,Journal of Finance72: 911–950), who find that home‐ownership interacts with factors that explain the retirement‐savings puzzle, notably with the bequest motive. We complement the results by Nakajima and Telyukova by relating them to the literature on altruistic bequests, strategic bequests and housing as a commitment device, all of which give further insights on the connection between home‐ownership and bequests. We complement our review of the literature with descriptive evidence using the Netherlands as a case study.
CAIDE Dementia Risk Score, Alzheimer and cerebrovascular pathology: a population‐based autopsy study
Authors: Hooshmand B. , Polvikoski T. , Kivipelto M. , Tanskanen M. , Myllykangas L. , Mäkelä M. , Oinas M. , Paetau A. , Solomon A.
Published: January 2018

Background

CAIDE Dementia Risk Score is a tool for estimating dementia risk in the general population. Its longitudinal associations with Alzheimer or vascular neuropathology in the oldest old are not known.

Aim

To explore the relationship between CAIDE Dementia Risk Score at baseline and neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, cerebral infarcts and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) after up to 10‐year follow‐up in the Vantaa 85 +  population.

Methods

Study population included 149 participants aged ≥85 years, without dementia at baseline, and with available clinical and autopsy data. Methenamine silver staining was used for β‐amyloid and modified Bielschowsky method for neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques. Macroscopic infarcts were identified from cerebral hemispheres, brainstem and cerebellum slices. Standardized methods were used to determine microscopic infarcts, CAA and α‐synuclein pathologies. The CAIDE Dementia Risk Score was calculated based on scores for age, sex, BMI, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, physical activity and APOEε4 carrier status (range 0–18 points).

Results

A CAIDE Dementia Risk Score above 11 points was associated with more cerebral infarctions up to 10 years later: OR (95% CI) was 2.10 (1.06–4.16). No associations were found with other neuropathologies.

Conclusion

In a population of elderly aged ≥85 years, higher CAIDE Dementia Risk Score was associated with increased risk of cerebral infarcts.
Cultivation of seaweedGracilaria lemaneiformisenhanced biodiversity in a eukaryotic plankton community as revealed via metagenomic analyses
Authors: Chai Zhao Yang , He Zhi Li , Deng Yun Yan , Yang Yu Feng , Tang Ying Zhong
Published: January 2018

Plankton diversity reflects the quality and health of waters and should be monitored as a critical feature of marine ecosystems. This study applied a pair of 28S rRNAgene‐specific primers and pyrosequencing to assess the effects of large‐scale cultivation of the seaweedGracilaria lemaneiformison the biodiversity of eukaryotic plankton community in the coastal water of Guangdong, China. With 1 million sequences (2,221 operational taxonomic units [OTUs]) obtained from 51 samples, we found that the biodiversity of eukaryotic plankton community was significantly higher in the seaweed cultivation area than that in the nearby control area as reflected inOTUrichness, evenness (Shannon–Wiener index) and dominance (Simpson index) for total plankton community and its four subcategories whenGracilariabiomass reached the maximum, while no such a significant difference was observed before seaweed inoculation. Our laboratory experiment using an artificial phytoplankton community of nine species observed the same effects ofGracilariaexposure. Principal component analysis and principal coordinates analysis showed the plankton community structure in cultivation area markedly differed from the control area whenGracilariabiomass reached its maximum. Redundancy analysis showed thatG. lemaneiformiswas the critical factor in controlling the dynamics of eukaryotic plankton communities in the studied coastal ecosystem. Our results explicitly demonstratedG. lemaneiformiscultivation could enhance biodiversity of plankton community via allelopathy, which prevents one or several plankton species from blooming and consequently maintains a relatively higher biodiversity. Our study provided further support for using large‐scaleG. lemaneiformiscultivation as an effective approach for improving costal ecosystem health.
Philip Grime's fourth corner: are there plant species adapted to high disturbance and low productivity?
Authors: Herben Tomáš , Klimešová Jitka , Chytrý Milan
Published: January 2018

Grime's CSR species life‐strategy theory (competition–stress–ruderality) provides a conceptual framework to classify species into competitive (growing under high productivity, low disturbance), stress‐tolerant (low productivity, low disturbance) and ruderal (high productivity, high disturbance). Importantly, this classification is based on the assumption that the niche space of disturbance and productivity is filled unevenly: while in productive habitats species can adapt to different disturbance regimes, species of low‐productivity and disturbed habitats do not exist, resulting in a triangular distribution of species optima along axes of disturbance and productivity. This assumption has often been criticised, but it has not yet been put under a rigorous test.

Here we use existing data on niche positions of central European plant species to test this hypothesis, namely its prediction that species adapted to jointly stressed (low‐productive) and disturbed habitats do not exist. We use Ellenberg indicator values and newly developed indicator values for disturbance as proxies of species positions in the space of productivity and disturbance.

We found that positions of species optima along the gradients of productivity and disturbance severity are not independent of each other, with very few species adapted to low‐productive and severely disturbed habitats. In contrast, there is no relationship between productivity and disturbance frequency; a number of species occur in low‐productive and frequently disturbed habitats. The relationship between productivity and disturbance severity can be either due to tradeoffs between life history traits responsible for response to disturbance and productivity (as originally assumed by Grime) or due to historical rarity of severely disturbed habitats in unproductive conditions and consequent absence of evolution of species adapted to them. Our data are based on one specific flora, shaped by glaciations and early introduction of agriculture, but the question of what causes this pattern can be resolved by future analyses of floras with different evolutionary and ecological histories.
Molecular sensitization patterns and influence of molecular diagnosis in immunotherapy prescription in children sensitized to both grass and olive pollen
Authors: Martínez‐Cañavate Burgos Ana , Torres‐Borrego Javier , Molina Terán Ana Belén , Corzo Jose Luis , García Blanca Esther , Rodríguez Pacheco Ramón , Moreno Aguilar Carmen , Dávila Ignacio
Published: January 2018

Background

The overlapping grass and olive pollen seasons in Spain and the phenomenon of cross‐reactivity can make it difficult to determine the true causative agent of seasonal allergic rhinitis when only skin prick tests with whole extracts are used. The aim of the GRAMOLE study was to determine sensitization patterns to the major grass and olive pollen allergens detected using specific recombinant IgE and to explore how this knowledge affected physicians’ choice of allergen‐specific immunotherapy.

Methods

Epidemiological, observational, multicenter, cross‐sectional study. Results from children under 18 years of age diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis by positive skin prick tests to olive and grass pollen were analyzed. Specific IgE to Phl p 1+5, Ole e 1, and Phl p 7+12 was determined. Investigators specified the optimal composition of allergen immunotherapy before and after knowing the results of the molecular diagnosis.

Results

A total of 281 patients with a mean age of 13.4 years were included. Double sensitization to both major allergens was found in vitro in 76% of children for an IgE cutoff point of 0.35 kU/L. When the molecular diagnosis results were known, specialists changed the composition of the prescribed immunotherapy in 52.87% of cases.

Conclusions

Double sensitization to grass and olive pollen is common in Spain and also occurs in the pediatric population. Molecular diagnosis using specific IgE may help improve immunotherapy selection in polysensitized patients.
Critical reappraisal of mechanistic links of copy number variants to dimensional constructs of neuropsychiatric disorders in mouse models
Authors: Hiroi Noboru
Published: January 2018

Copy number variants are deletions and duplications of a few thousand to million base pairs and are associated with extraordinarily high levels of autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, intellectual disability, or attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder. The unprecedented levels of robust and reproducible penetrance of copy number variants make them one of the most promising and reliable entry points to delve into the mechanistic bases of many mental disorders. However, the precise mechanistic bases of these associations still remain elusive in humans due to the many genes encoded in each copy number variant and the diverse associated phenotypic features. Genetically engineered mice have provided a technical means to ascertain precise genetic mechanisms of association between copy number variants and dimensional aspects of mental illnesses. Molecular, cellular, and neuronal phenotypes can be detected as potential mechanistic substrates for various behavioral constructs of mental illnesses. However, mouse models come with many technical pitfalls. Genetic background is not well controlled in many mouse models, leading to rather obvious interpretative issues. Dose alterations of many copy number variants and single genes within copy number variants result in some molecular, cellular, and neuronal phenotypes without a behavioral phenotype or with a behavioral phenotype opposite to what is seen in humans. In this review, I discuss technical and interpretative pitfalls of mouse models of copy number variants and highlight well‐controlled studies to suggest potential neuronal mechanisms of dimensional aspects of mental illnesses. Mouse models of copy number variants represent toeholds to achieve a better understanding of the mechanistic bases of dimensions of neuropsychiatric disorders and thus for development of mechanism‐based therapeutic options in humans.