bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malaysia’s China Policy and the South China Sea Dispute Under the Najib Administration (2009–2018): A Domestic Policy Process Approach
Authors: Ngeow Chow‐Bing
Published: November 2019

The past explanations of Malaysia’s policy responses to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea centered on systemic, economic, and ideational factors. I adopt a different approach by looking into the decision‐making process of Malaysia’s China policy during Najib Razak’s administration (2009–2018). I explain that the China policy decision‐making process under Najib was divided into two channels, one focusing on nonsecurity matters and the other on security matters, with the prime minister seated at the top of the two channels, while there were very little interactions between the two channels. These characteristics could partially explain the nature and outcome of Malaysia’s South China Sea policy posture.
Hainan Province in China’s South China Sea Policy: What Role Does the Local Government Play?
Authors: Li Mingjiang
Published: November 2019

This article explores the role of the local government in Hainan Province in Beijing’s policy in the South China Sea (SCS) disputes. The article argues that Hainan has played three major roles in the SCS disputes: an avid defender of China’s claim and position, an active definer of China’s interests in the disputes, and a helpful participant in asserting China’s national security in the SCS. The establishment of the Sansha city has significantly increased Hainan’s involvement in the SCS contestations. This article concludes that Beijing’s policy in the SCS is unlikely to become significantly more moderate partly because of Hainan’s strong position on the dispute and keen interest in the resources in the area. The article also recommends incorporating the views and activities of local governments in future studies on Chinese foreign and security policy.
The large‐scale capture of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) and red kangaroos (Osphranter rufus) and its application to a population management project
Authors: Colgan SA , Perkins NR , Green LA
Published: November 2019

Objective: A large‐scale capture method was developed to enable sterilisation of a macropod population in western Sydney from 2005 to 2018. Methods: Until March 2007, free ranging eastern grey kangaroos and red kangaroos were herded into purpose‐built 15 m diameter capture yards (CYs) for darting with a projectile syringe. From March 2007 onwards, animals were free‐range darted in large areas without herding. Kangaroos were darted with 1.33–5.10 mg/kg tiletamine/zolazepam and 0.01–0.02 mg/kg medetomidine, ± 0.03 mg/kg acepromazine. Deaths were monitored. Population counts were performed annually. Results: There were 5825 capture events involving 3963 kangaroos. Over 85% of all captures occurred from 2005 to 2008. Of all reported deaths (n = 523), 135 were attributed to ill health. Musculoskeletal injuries incurred during capture were the main project‐related cause of death (n = 116). Post capture myopathy was uncommonly diagnosed following capture (n = 19). Conclusion: The herding and capture method enabled a large number of kangaroos to be mobilised and captured with low mortality rates, and the use of CYs resulted in fewer capture‐related injuries and deaths than free‐range capture. The drug doses and combinations used for darting were safe and effective, and the capture technique was successfully applied to a population management project.
Barriers to restoration: Soil acidity and phosphorus limitation constrain recovery of heathland plant communities after sod cutting
Authors: Vogels Joost J. , Weijters Maaike J. , Bobbink Roland , Bijlsma Rienk‐Jan , Lamers Leon P. M. , Verberk Wilco C. E. P. , Siepel Henk
Published: November 2019

Questions

Sod cutting has been used extensively as an effective measure in removing excess N and restoring dwarf shrub dominance in heathlands affected by increased nitrogen deposition. However, recovery of other plant species is often very limited. One barrier is high soil acidity following sod cutting, which results in soil aluminium (Al3+) and ammonium (NH4+) reaching toxic concentrations. Sod‐cutting management also removes most of the major nutrients from the system, so intensified nutrient limitation could be an additional barrier to the recovery of species‐rich communities. Soil phosphorus (P) is of special interest as research indicates sod‐cutting management can shift the system to P limitation.

Location

Hoge Veluwe National Park, The Netherlands.

Methods

We set up a full‐factorial experiment in sod‐cut heathland formerly encroached by Molinia caerulea, adding phosphate (P+) and lime (Ca+) and over the next three growing seasons, we recorded soil chemistry and plant responses.

Results

Soil inorganic N, especially soil NH4+, strongly declined after liming compared to the control situation, confirming that liming alleviates NH4+ toxicity. Addition of P resulted in a similar decline, also suggesting a role for soil phosphate availability in this process. Acid‐sensitive plant species richness increased significantly in both Ca+ and P+ treatment, whereas acid‐insensitive plant species richness only increased significantly as a result of P+ treatment. Mean vegetation relative growth rate increased significantly in both Ca+ and P+ treatments.

Conclusions

Excessive P removal due to sod cutting constitutes a second barrier to restoration in addition to soil acidity. We discourage the large‐scale use of sod cutting to reduce soil N availability in heathlands and propose to use interventions that leave the soil nutrient balance intact, such as burning and grazing, mowing or litter removal, in combination with measures that restore the soil buffer capacity.
The “Cocoon,” first alongside midwifery‐led unit within a Belgian hospital: Comparison of the maternal and neonatal outcomes with the standard obstetric unit over 2 years
Authors: Welffens Karine , Derisbourg Sara , Costa Elena , Englert Yvon , Pintiaux Axelle , Warnimont Michèle , Kirkpatrick Christine , Buekens Pierre , Daelemans Caroline
Published: November 2019

Objectives

Our aim was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes of women with a low‐risk pregnancy attending the “Cocoon,” an alongside midwifery‐led birth center and care pathway, with women with a low‐risk pregnancy attending the traditional care pathway in a tertiary care hospital in Belgium.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of maternal and neonatal outcomes of women with a low‐risk pregnancy who chose to adhere to the Cocoon pathway of care (n = 590) and women with a low‐risk pregnancy who chose the traditional pathway of care (n = 394) from March 1, 2014, to February 29, 2016. We performed all analyses using an intention‐to‐treat approach.

Results

In this setting, the cesarean birth rate was 10.3% compared with 16.0% in the traditional care pathway (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 0.42 [95% CI 0.25‐0.69]), the induction rate was 16.3% compared with 30.5% (0.46 [0.30‐0.69]), the epidural analgesia rate was 24.9% compared with 59.1% (0.15 [0.09‐0.22]), and the episiotomy rate was 6.8% compared with 14.5% (0.31 [0.17‐0.56]). There was no increase in adverse neonatal outcomes. Intrapartum and postpartum transfer rates to the traditional pathway of care were 21.1% and 7.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Women planning their births in the midwifery‐led unit, the Cocoon, experienced fewer interventions with no increase in adverse neonatal outcomes. Our study gives initial support for the introduction of similar midwifery‐led care pathways in other hospitals in Belgium.
Mobilizing IDEAS in the Scottish Referendum: Predicting voting intention and well‐being with the Identity‐Deprivation‐Efficacy‐Action‐Subjective well‐being model
Authors: Abrams Dominic , Travaglino Giovanni A. , Grant Peter R. , Templeton Anne , Bennett Mark , Lalot Fanny
Published: November 2019

In the month approaching the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum, we tested the Identity‐Deprivation‐Efficacy‐Action‐Subjective Well‐Being model using an electorally representative survey of Scottish adults (N = 1,156) to predict voting for independence and subjective well‐being. Based on social identity theory, we hypothesized for voting intention that the effects of collective relative deprivation, group identification, and collective efficacy, but not personal relative deprivation (PRD), should be fully mediated by social change ideology. Well‐being was predicted to be associated with PRD (negatively) and group identification (positively and, indirectly, negatively). Unaffected by demographic variables and differences in political interest, nested structural equation model tests supported the model, accounting for 82% of the variance in voting intention and 31% of the variance in subjective well‐being. However, effects involving efficacy depended on its temporal framing. We consider different ways that social identification can simultaneously enhance and diminish well‐being and we discuss ramifications of the model for collective mobilization and separatist nationalism. Findings also suggest new directions for research on social identity, collective efficacy, and collective action.
The Rise in Single‐Mother Families and Children’s Cognitive Development: Evidence From Three British Birth Cohorts
Authors: Harkness Susan , Gregg Paul , Fernández‐Salgado Mariña
Published: November 2019

This article assessed changes in the association between single motherhood and children’s verbal cognitive ability at age‐11 using data from three cohorts of British children, born in 1958 (n = 10,675), 1970 (n = 8,933) and 2000 (n = 9,989), and mediation analysis. Consistent with previous studies, direct effects were small and insignificant. For those born in 1958 and 1970 indirect effects, operating through reduced economic and parental resources, were associated with −.107‐SD to −.156‐SD lower attainment. Differences between the two cohorts, and by children’s age when parents separated, were insignificant. For the 2000 cohort, effect sizes for children born to single mothers did not change significantly (−.112‐SD) but attenuated for children whose parents separated in early childhood (−.076‐SD) or while of school age (−.054‐SD).
A Recipe for Disaster: Framing Risk and Vulnerability in Slum Relocation Policies in Chennai, India
Authors: Diwakar Pranathi
Published: November 2019

This article investigates how governments use dramatic natural events such as disasters to justify potentially unpopular policy interventions. I use the case of the southern Indian city of Chennai to explore how different arms of the government have historically engaged with the question of slum tenure from the 1960s until the present moment. Using archival methods, I analyze policy documents to excavate how slums have been framed within the context of political and policy imperatives. I show that slums are framed as risky to themselves and the broader urban public, and are portrayed as dangerous, messy, or illegal. I analyze the role of the disaster moment in catalyzing slum relocation policies, and I argue that this moment allowed the government a new modality to frame slums as not just risky but also at risk, or vulnerable to disasters in their original locations. I make the case that the anti–poor policy of slum relocation has been justified as pro–poor by framing slums as not just risky, but also at risk. The framing of slums as at risk in Chennai has been necessary within the extant political matrix, which has historically courted slums for electoral success. The analysis of shifting slum policies offers new insight into how urban policy and politics of disaster vulnerability frame and interact with the urban poor in cities of the Global South.
Differences in the diagnostic value between fiberoptic and high definition laryngoscopy for the characterisation of pharyngeal and laryngeal lesions: A multi‐observer paired analysis of videos
Authors: Scholman Constanze , Westra Jeroen M. , Zwakenberg Manon A. , Dikkers Frederik G. , Halmos Gyorgy B. , Wedman Jan , Wachters Jan E. , van der Laan Bernard F.A.M. , Plaat Boudewijn E.C.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

High definition laryngoscopy (HDL) could lead to better interpretation of the pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa than regularly used fiberoptic laryngoscopy (FOL). The primary aim of this study is to quantify the diagnostic advantage of HDL over FOL in detecting mucosal anomalies in general, in differentiating malignant from benign lesions and in predicting specific histological entities. The secondary aim is to analyse image quality of both laryngoscopes.

Design

Retrospective paired analysis with multiple observers evaluating endoscopic videos simulating daily clinical practice.

Setting

A tertiary referral hospital.

Participants

In 36 patients, both FOL and HDL videos were obtained. Six observers were provided with additional clinical information, and 36 FOL and HDL videos were evaluated in a randomised order.

Main outcome measures

Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of observers using both flexible laryngoscopes were calculated for detection of mucosal lesions in general and uncovering malignant lesions. Sensitivities were calculated for prediction of specific histological entities. Image quality (scale 1‐10) was assessed for both flexible laryngoscopes.

Results

HDL reached higher sensitivity compared to FOL for detection of mucosal abnormalities in general (96.0% vs 90.4%; P = .03), differentiating malignant from benign lesions (91.7% vs 79.8%; P = .03) and prediction of specific histological entities (59.7% vs 47.2%; P < .01). Image quality was judged better with HDL in comparison with FOL (mean: 8.4 vs 5.4, P < .01).

Conclusions

HDL is superior to FOL in detecting mucosal anomalies in general, malignancies and specific histological entities. Image quality is considered as superior using HDL compared to FOL.
Potassium citrate and metabolic acidosis in children with epilepsy on the ketogenic diet: a prospective controlled study
Authors: Bjurulf Björn , Magnus Per , Hallböök Tove , Strømme Petter
Published: November 2019

Aim

To investigate if potassium citrate, a mild alkaline compound, can prevent metabolic acidosis in children with epilepsy treated with the ketogenic diet without reducing antiepileptic efficacy.

Method

In this prospective controlled study, we investigated the frequency of initial uncompensated metabolic acidosis in 51 participants. There were 22 participants with and 29 without potassium citrate supplementation. The ketogenic diet was used as add‐on treatment to children with drug resistant epilepsy. We also estimated the proportion of participants with a greater than 50% seizure reduction after 7 months.

Results

None of the 22 participants (15 males, seven females; median age 1y 7mo, interquartile range [IQR] 3y 3mo) with, and 10 of 29 (12 males, 17 females; median age 6y 1mo, IQR 4y 8mo) without potassium citrate developed metabolic acidosis (odds ratio=0.04, 95% CI 0.00–0.75 [p<0.01]); median pH 7.32 vs 7.24; [p<0.001]), and median bicarbonate 19.7mmol/L vs 14.0mmol/L (p<0.001). The number of seizures was reduced by more than 50% in 9 of 22 with potassium citrate and 8 of 29 participants without potassium citrate, 7 months after introducing a ketogenic diet (p=0.4).

Interpretation

In the ketogenic diet, potassium citrate supplementation can prevent metabolic acidosis, without reducing antiepileptic efficacy.

What this paper adds

Citrate supplementation prevents metabolic acidosis in children treated with a ketogenic diet.

Efficacy of the ketogenic diet is not affected by supplementation with citrate.

Citrate supplementation does not affect beta‐hydroxybuturate concentration.

Potassium citrate reduces the time needed to reach an optimal ketogenic ratio.

This article is commented on by Schoeler on page 8 of this issue.
The CountEm software: simple, efficient and unbiased population size estimation
Authors: González‐Villa Javier , Cruz Marcos
Published: November 2019

Population size estimation is essential in ecology and conservation studies. Aerial photography can facilitate this laborious task with high resolution images. However, in images with thousands of individuals exhaustive manual counting is tedious, slow and difficult to verify. Computer vision software may work under some particular conditions but they are generally biased and known to fail in several situations. The CountEm software is a simple alternative based on geometric sampling. It provides a fast and unbiased size estimation for all sorts of populations. The only requirement is that the discrete objects (e.g. animals) in the target population are unambiguously distinguishable for counting in a still image. Typical relative standard errors in the 5–10% range are obtained after counting ~200 properly sampled animals in about 5 min irrespective of population size. The CountEm ver. 1.4.1 is presented here, which includes a guided mode with a simple software interface.
Diversity of Cryphonectria parasitica in callused chestnut blight cankers on European and American chestnut
Authors: Ježić Marin , Kolp Matthew , Prospero Simone , Sotirovski Kiril , Double Mark , Rigling Daniel , Risteski Mihajlo , Karin‐Kujundžić Valentina , Idžojtić Marilena , Poljak Igor , Ćurković‐Perica Mirna
Published: November 2019

Infection of American and European chestnuts with the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica results in the formation of cankers, lesions caused by the growth of mycelia within bark tissue of the host plant. Infection of the fungus with Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV‐1) results in conversion of the mycelial phenotype from virulent to hypovirulent, thus allowing production of callus around cankers as a reaction by infected trees, rendering active into inactive cankers. In this study, we sampled one USA and six European chestnut stands and assessed frequency of hypovirulent C. parasitica and diversity of vegetative compatibility (vc) types present in calluses and randomly sampled cankers. Callused cankers on C. dentata at West Salem in the USA yielded significantly more hypovirulent C. parasitica isolates compared with four sampled populations on C. sativa, while all six sampled European populations did not show any statistically significant differences among themselves. We observed no correlation between hypovirulence frequencies in randomly sampled cankers and calluses, as well as no correlation of C. parasitica vc type diversity in calluses and residential populations of the fungus. Furthermore, even though we have observed calluses with more than one vc type, they do not occur regularly. Even when present in C. parasitica populations with high vc type diversity, no more than three different vc types were observed in a single callus.
Efficacy of pharmacists' assessment and intervention based on Screening Tool for Older Persons' Appropriate Prescriptions for Japanese compared with Screening Tool for Older Persons' Appropriate Prescriptions for Japanese criteria version 2 in older patients with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Kimura Takeshi , Ogura Fumie , Kukita Yukiko , Takahashi Tomoko , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Ioroi Takeshi , Yano Ikuko
Published: November 2019

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacists' assessment and intervention using the Screening Tool for Older Persons' Appropriate Prescriptions for Japanese (STOPP‐J) to detect and correct potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) compared with the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria version 2.

Methods

A prospective observational study was carried out at a medical unit of Cardiovascular Surgery and Cardiovascular Internal Medicine in a Japanese university hospital involving new inpatients aged ≥65 years prescribed one or more daily medication. Pharmacists detected PIM based on STOPP‐J and STOPP criteria version 2, and corrected them with physicians. The number of patients with PIM, the content and changes in PIM were compared between both criteria.

Results

Overall, 230 patients were included (mean age 75.4 years, 162 men, mean number of medications 8.3). STOPP‐J detected significantly more patients with PIM than STOPP criteria version 2 (122 [53%] vs 75 [33%], P < 0.001). The number of PIM based on STOPP‐J was 232, the physicians were recommended to change 61 (26%) and 50 (22%) were changed. Meanwhile, the number of PIM based on STOPP criteria version 2 was 133, the physicians were recommended to change 61 (46%) and 54 (41%) were changed. Several medications detected as PIM using STOPP‐J were not detected using STOPP criteria version 2.

Conclusions

STOPP‐J detected significantly more patients with PIM than STOPP criteria version 2, and pharmacists' assessment and intervention based on STOPP‐J were suggested to be effective for detecting and correcting PIM. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1101–1107.
Association of trajectories of cognitive function with cause‐specific mortality and medical and long‐term care costs
Authors: Taniguchi Yu , Kitamura Akihiko , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Fujiwara Yoshinori , Shinozaki Tomohiro , Seino Satoshi , Mitsutake Seigo , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Yokoyama Yuri , Abe Takumi , Ikeuchi Tomoko , Yokota Isao , Matsuyama Yutaka , Shinkai Shoji
Published: November 2019

Aim

Cognitive decline increases mortality risk through dementia‐related pathways and might be associated with increased healthcare costs. Using up to 12 years of repeated measures data, we identified trajectories in cognitive function among community‐dwelling older Japanese adults. We then examined whether these trajectories were associated with all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality, and differences in healthcare costs.

Methods

A total of 1736 adults aged ≥65 years who were free of disabling dementia completed annual assessments during 2002–2014. Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini‐Mental State Examination. The average number of follow‐up assessments was 3.9, and the total number of observations was 6824 during the follow‐up period.

Results

We identified five trajectory patterns in cognitive function (high, second, third, fourth, and low) during the 12‐year follow‐up period. The low (2.0%) and fourth (2.2%) trajectory groups had higher hazard ratios for cardiovascular disease mortality, and hazard ratios for other cause mortality were significantly higher for the third (16.8%) and second (38.8%) trajectory groups than for the high trajectory group (40.3%). Until 5 years of follow up, participants in the two lower‐trajectory groups had higher mean combined monthly medical and long‐term care costs. After 8 years of follow up, mean costs were highest for the third trajectory.

Conclusions

The risk of death from cardiovascular disease was higher in the two lower‐trajectory groups in cognitive function, and they showed higher healthcare costs during the first 5 years of follow up. After 8 years of follow up, the third trajectory had the highest healthcare costs, perhaps because of hospitalizations attributable to gradual cognitive decline. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1236–1242.
The influence of front‐of‐pack portion size images on children's serving and intake of cereal
Authors: McGale Lauren Sophie , Smits Tim , Halford Jason Christian Grovenor , Harrold Joanne Alison , Boyland Emma Jane
Published: November 2019

Background

Consumption of large portions of energy‐dense foods promotes weight gain in children. Breakfast cereal boxes often show portions much larger than the recommended serving size.

Objective

This experimental study investigated whether front‐of‐package portion size depictions influence children's self‐served portions and consumption.

Methods

In a between‐subjects design, 41 children aged 7‐11 years (M= 9.0 ± 1.5y) served themselves breakfast cereal from a box, the front of which depicted either a recommended serving size of cereal (30g) or a larger, more typical front‐of‐pack portion (90g). Cereal served and consumed and total caloric intake (including milk) was recorded. Height and weight, demographic information and measures of children's food responsiveness and enjoyment of food were collected.

Results

MANOVA revealed that children exposed to the larger portion size served themselves (+7g, 37%) and consumed (+6g, 63%) significantly more cereal than those exposed to the smaller portion. Despite this, overall caloric intake (milk included) did not differ between conditions, and no other measured variables (hunger, BMI) significantly affected the outcomes.

Conclusion

This study provides novel evidence of the influence portion‐size depictions on food packaging have on children's eating behaviour. This offers possible avenues for intervention and policy change; however, more research is needed.
Influenza in patients with cancer after 2009 pandemic AH1N1: An 8‐year follow‐up study in Mexico
Authors: Ángeles‐Sistac Diego , Martin‐Onraet Alexandra , Cornejo‐Juárez Patricia , Volkow Patricia , Pérez‐Jimenez Carolina , Vilar‐Compte Diana
Published: November 2019

Background

Immunosupressed patients are at high risk of influenza‐related complications. Influenza AH1N1 has been hypothesized to induce worse outcomes in patients with malignancies, but after the A(H1N1)pdm09 few publications have analyzed the presentation and complications related to influenza afterward.

Objectives

We aimed to describe the characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of influenza in an oncologic center after the 2009 pandemic and to compare our case distribution to the National community acquired influenza databases in Mexico and the United States.

Methods

We reviewed the cases of confirmed influenza in patients with cancer from an oncological center in Mexico from April 2009 to April 2017. Data on severity and influenza type, malignancy, comorbidities, and outcomes were recorded. We correlated data between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and SISVEFLU (Influenza Surveillance Program) in Mexico.

Results

One hundred eighty‐eight patients were included; 75 (39.9%) had a solid neoplasm and 113 (60.1%) had hematologic malignancies. AH1N1 was the most frequent influenza type (54.2%). Patients with hematologic malignancies had more pneumonia (55% vs 25%, P < .001), needed more hospitalizations (75% vs 39% P < .001), had higher all‐cause mortality at 30 days (20% vs 9% P = .048) and influenza‐associated mortality (17% vs 7% P = .041). Thirty (16%) patients died within 30 days, and 24 (12.7%) were related to influenza. Influenza type was not associated with worse outcomes. Yearly occurrence of influenza reported by the CDC and SISVEFLU showed a significant correlation (ρ = 0.823, P = .006).

Conclusions

AH1N1 was the dominant serotype. Patients with hematologic malignancies had more severe influenza and presented worse outcomes. Annual SISVEFLU and CDC surveillance information showed a similar distribution of cases along time but influenza serotypes did not match for all seasons.
VEGF signalling enhances lesion burden in KRIT1 deficient mice
Authors: DiStefano Peter V. , Glading Angela J.
Published: November 2019

The exact molecular mechanisms underlying CCM pathogenesis remain a complicated and controversial topic. Our previous work illustrated an important VEGF signalling loop in KRIT1 depleted endothelial cells. As VEGF is a major mediator of many vascular pathologies, we asked whether the increased VEGF signalling downstream of KRIT1 depletion was involved in CCM formation. Using an inducible KRIT1 endothelial‐specific knockout mouse that models CCM, we show that VEGFR2 activation plays a role in CCM pathogenesis in mice. Inhibition of VEGFR2 using a specific inhibitor, SU5416, significantly decreased the number of lesions formed and slightly lowered the average lesion size. Notably, VEGFR2 inhibition also decreased the appearance of lesion haemorrhage as denoted by the presence of free iron in adjacent tissues. The presence of free iron correlated with increased microvessel permeability in both skeletal muscle and brain, which was completely reversed by SU5416 treatment. Finally, we show that VEGFR2 activation is a common downstream consequence of KRIT1, CCM2 and CCM3 loss of function, though the mechanism by which VEGFR2 activation occurs likely varies. Thus, our study clearly shows that VEGFR2 activation downstream of KRIT1 depletion enhances the severity of CCM formation in mice, and suggests that targeting VEGF signalling may be a potential future therapy for CCM.
Four transcription profile–based models identify novel prognostic signatures in oesophageal cancer
Authors: Liu Tongyan , Fang Panqi , Han Chencheng , Ma Zhifei , Xu Weizhang , Xia Wenjia , Hu Jingwen , Xu Youtao , Xu Lin , Yin Rong , Wang Siwei , Zhang Qin
Published: November 2019

Oesophageal cancer (ESCA) is a clinically challenging disease with poor prognosis and health‐related quality of life. Here, we investigated the transcriptome of ESCA to identify high risk‐related signatures. A total of 159 ESCA patients of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were sorted by three phases. In the discovery phase, differentially expressed transcripts were filtered; in the training phase, two adjusted Cox regressions and two machine leaning models were used to construct and estimate signatures; and in the validation phase, prognostic signatures were validated in the testing dataset and the independent external cohort. We constructed two signatures from three types of RNA markers by Akaike information criterion (AIC) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regressions, respectively, and all candidate markers were further estimated by Random Forest (RFS) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms. Both signatures had good predictive performances in the independent external oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cohort and performed better than common clinicopathological indicators in the TCGA dataset. Machine learning algorithms predicted prognosis with high specificities and measured the importance of markers to verify the risk weightings. Furthermore, the cell function and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining assays identified that the common risky marker FABP3 is a novel oncogene in ESCA.
Household vegetable processing practices influencing occurrence of pesticide residues in ready‐to‐eat vegetables
Authors: Kiwango Purificator A. , Kassim Neema , Kimanya Martin E.
Published: November 2019

Influence of vegetable processing on pesticide residues in ready‐to‐eat vegetables studied at the experimental level does not necessarily reflect actual situation at household level. This study assessed influence of household vegetable processing practices on pesticide residues in ready‐to‐eat vegetables at household level in Arusha, Tanzania. Data on vegetable handling practices were collected through observations and physical interviews in 70 households. Samples of raw and ready‐to‐eat vegetables were collected from the households for pesticide residues analysis. Detectable pesticide levels were found in 46% of raw and 14% of ready‐to‐eat vegetable samples. Pesticide residues detected were in the groups of organophosphates (22.8%), pyrethroids (14.3%), organochlorines (7.14%), benzoic acids (7.14%), and carbamates (5.71%). Unauthorized pesticides (dichlorvos, tetramethrin, and bendiocarb) and environmentally persistent pesticide (dieldrin) were found at levels above their respective maximum residue levels. Washing of vegetables twice or more (p = .01) or peeling (p = .008) was significantly associated with reduction of pesticide residues. There was a significant association between occurrence of pesticide residues in ready‐to‐eat vegetables and washing of minor ingredients with the water used to wash major ingredients (p = .001). Household practices of washing of vegetables with portable water followed with peeling can reduce pesticide residue levels significantly.
Effectiveness of a new cosmetic treatment for melasma
Authors: Berardesca Enzo , Rigoni Corinna , Cantù Alessandra , Cameli Norma , Tedeschi Aurora ,   Donne Dermatologhe Italia, Laureti Tiziana
Published: November 2019

Background

Melasma treatment is difficult due to extended treatment periods, suboptimal adherence, inconsistent results, and frequent relapses. Kojic acid has been shown to be effective in reducing melasma severity and is now increasingly used in cosmetic treatments.

Aims

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new cosmetic treatment for melasma at 45 and 90 days.

Methods

Multicenter prospective study across 20 dermatology clinics/ambulatories. One hundred patients with mild‐to‐moderate melasma were evaluated. The primary endpoints were changes in mean modified melasma area and severity index (mMASI) score and patient‐reported satisfaction at 45 and 90 days.

Results

The mean age of patients was 45.19 ± 11.5 years. Most patients were female and Caucasian. Patients presented mixed (65%), epidermal (26%), and dermal (4%) types of melasma. Triggering factors were hormonal contraception (33%), pregnancy (31%), and pharmacological treatment (11%); mean disease duration was 6.7 ± 6.8 years. Overall, a statistically significant decrease in mean mMASI scores was seen at 45 (2.19 ± 0.182 vs 3.29 ± 0.267, P < .0001) and 90 days (1.27 ± 0.128 vs 3.29 ± 0.267, P < .00001). The highest reduction in mMASI scores was observed in patients with dermal melasma. IGA scores showed a statistically significant improvement in pigmentation at 90 days (P < .00001).

Conclusion

The novel cosmetic treatment was associated with the improvement of melasma, as assessed by mMASI.
Ubiquity or not ubiquity: That is the question
Authors: Sleith Robin S. , Katz Laura A.
Published: November 2019

The nature of population structure in eukaryotic microbes has been the subject of intense debate, but until recently the tools to test these hypotheses were either problematic (e.g., allozymes that cannot detect all genetic changes) or beyond financial and technological limits of most laboratories (e.g., high throughput sequencing). In a recent issue of Molecular Ecology, Craig et al. (2019) use a genomic approach to investigate the population structure of a model alga, the chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Figure 1). Using high throughput sequencing, read mapping, and variant calling, they detected strong signals of differentiation at a continental scale, while local patterns of admixture were complex. Population genomic techniques such as these have not been used extensively in studies of microbial eukaryotes and the fields of conservation genetics and evolution stand to benefit vastly from the adoption of these techniques to studies of diverse protist lineages.
Vertical growth in mono‐and dizygotic twins: A longitudinal cephalometric cohort study
Authors: Hersberger‐Zurfluh Monika A. , Papageorgiou Spyridon N. , Motro Melih , Kantarci Alpdogan , Will Leslie A. , Eliades Theodore
Published: November 2019

Objective

The aims of this longitudinal analysis of untreated monozygotic and dizygotic twins were to investigate vertical changes of the craniofacial structures during growth, to determine the concordance between genetically twins and to assess the genetic component for the various aspects of vertical growth.

Settings and sample population

The sample consisted of 34 pairs of untreated monozygotic twins (23 male, 11 female) and 30 untreated dizygotic siblings of multiple birth (8 male, 8 female and 14 mixed) from the Forsyth Moorrees Twin Study (1959‐1975); lateral cephalograms taken from 6 to 18 years of age were analysed at 3‐year intervals.

Materials and Methods

Cephalograms were traced, and longitudinal changes between twins in six angular and proportional vertical cephalometric variables (SN‐NL, ML‐NL, SN‐ML, y‐axis, PFH/AFH and LAFH/AFH) were analysed with intraclass correlation coefficients and linear regression modelling.

Results

The concordance between monozygotic/dizygotic twins at 18 years of age was moderate to high with intraclass correlation coefficient values between 0.51 and 0.66. Additionally, sex differences in concordance at 18 years of age were found for three variables. High heritability (66%‐79%) was observed for 5 of the 6 variables (LAFH/AFH, ML‐NL, y‐axis, SN‐ML, PFH/AFH), while SN‐NL showed limited heritability (34%).

Conclusions

Although monozygotic/dizygotic twins share at least part of their genetic material, differences in the vertical dimension were found. This supports the complex developmental mechanism of the human face and the varying influence of genetic and environmental factors.
Safety of older people at home: An integrative literature review
Authors: Kivimäki Taina , Stolt Minna , Charalambous Andreas , Suhonen Riitta
Published: November 2019

Aim

The aim of this review was to examine the relevant health literature, to describe safety in the homes of older and older people's perceptions and understanding of their safety at home based on current literature.

Background

Safety is a multifaceted, basic need of older people living at home. Many studies are hospital focused and few focus on safety at home. Research on the safety of older people at home appears to be under‐researched.

Methods

MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science databases from the earliest to August 2017 were investigated. The integrative literature review was conducted in December 2017. The full text of the remaining n = 93 papers was then screened for relevance by inclusion and exclusion criteria which reduced the number by 59 to n = 34.

Results

Four dimensions of safety at home were discovered, namely physical, social, emotional and mental, and cognitive safety. Safety dimensions had both positive and negative components. Older people's main wish was to be able to live in their own home for as long as possible. Their perceptions of safety at home was categorised as active living, coping at home, managed living and the knowledge of the existence of disease.

Conclusions

The safety of older people at home is a worldwide concern. Identification of safety issues can assist in developing measures to help people stay at home for longer as they age. The management of this would need to take account of all four dimensions of safety, in ways that promote ageing at home.

Implications for practice

Learning, understanding and developing new strategies about safety affect everyone who visits the home of older people, and stakeholders have an important role to identify safety risks.
Importance of the Occipitoaxial Angle and Posterior Occipitocervical Angle in Occipitocervical Fusion
Authors: Tang Chao , Li Guang Zhou , Liao Ye Hui , Tang Qiang , Ma Fei , Wang Qing , Zhong De Jun
Published: November 2019

Objective

To observe the effects of occipitoaxial angle (O‐C2 angle, OC2A) and posterior occipitocervical angle (POCA) selection on postoperative clinical efficacy and lower cervical curvature in patients with acute acquired atlantoaxial dislocation after occipitocervical fusion (OCF).

Methods

A total of 150 healthy subjects without cervical disease (healthy group) were randomly selected based on gender and age. Three spine surgeons measured the OC2A and POCA of the healthy group and averaged the values. A total of 30 patients with an average age of 51.0 years (range, 18–70 years; 16 male and 14 female) with trauma or rheumatoid arthritis (disease group) who underwent occipitocervical fusion (OCF) for atlantoaxial dislocation between January 2012 and June 2016 were reviewed. OC2A, POCA, and cervical spinal angle (CSA) were measured postoperative/soon after surgery and ambulation, and at the final follow‐up visit. The preoperative and final follow‐up visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese orthopedics association score (JOA), neck disability index (NDI), and dCSA (change of CSA from postoperative/soon after surgery and ambulation to final follow‐up) were recorded.

Results

The values of OC2A and POCA in 150 healthy subjects were 14.5° ± 3.7° and 108.2° ± 8.1°, respectively, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were 7.2°–21.8° and 92.3°–124.0°, respectively. There was a negative correlation between OC2A and POCA (r = −0.386, P < 0.001). There were 18 patients (group one) of ideal OC2A and POCA (both within 95% CI of the healthy group) postoperative/soon after surgery and ambulation with a mean follow‐up time of 26.3 ± 20.9 months in disease group. The remaining patients (group two) with a mean follow‐up time of 31.3 ± 21.3 months. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline data as well as pre‐operative outcomes, including VAS score, JOA score, and NDI between the two groups. Likewise, the post‐operative outcomes in final follow‐up, including VAS and JOA score, had no distinct difference in the two groups. However, NDI (11.0 ± 2.9) in group two at the final follow‐up was significantly higher than that in group one (7.0 ± 2.3) (P < 0.001). And group two showed statistically greater dCSA (5.9 ± 7.5°) than group one (−2.3° ± 6.2°) (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

The negative correlation between OC2A and POCA plays an important role in maintaining the biodynamic balance of the occipital‐cervical region. OC2A and POCA should be controlled of a normal population in patients with acute acquired atlantoaxial dislocation during OCF, which can further improve the clinical efficacy and prevent loss of lower cervical curvature after surgery.
Endocranial anatomy and life habits of the Early Triassic archosauriformProterosuchus fergusi
Authors: Brown Emily E. , Butler Richard J. , Ezcurra Martín D. , Bhullar Bhart‐Anjan S. , Lautenschlager Stephan
Published: November 2019

Proterosuchids are an important group of carnivorous basal archosauriforms characterized by a bizarre and enigmatic downturned premaxilla that overhangs the lower jaw. They are particularly significant because they radiated in the immediate aftermath of the Permian–Triassic mass extinction and represent one of the best known ‘disaster taxa’ following that event. While traditionally considered to be semi‐aquatic, recent histological studies and geological data have suggested that it is more likely that they inhabited terrestrial environments. By using computed tomographic (CT) data, we virtually reconstruct the brain endocast and endosseous labyrinths of two adult specimens ofProterosuchus fergusifrom the earliest Triassic of South Africa, in an attempt to understand its life habits within the context of basal archosauriform evolution. Endocasts reveal that the brain cavity is tubular in shape and the endosseous labyrinths are highly pyramidal. The angle of the lateral semicircular canal suggests thatP. fergusinaturally held its head upwards ~17°, while the length of the cochlear duct suggests its auditory abilities were specialized towards low‐frequency sounds. Furthermore, beam theory analysis suggests that the rostrum ofP. fergusiis highly resistant to both bending and torsion when compared to modern crocodilians, although this resistance is neither enhanced nor reduced by the overhanging premaxilla. Comparative anatomical analyses suggestP. fergusiwas probably a semi‐aquatic, generalist apex predator capable of surviving the harsh environmental perturbations of the Early Triassic.
Predicting TIF Distress: A Statistical Analysis of Tax Incremental Finance Districts in Wisconsin
Authors: Kovari John
Published: November 2019

Tax incremental financing (TIF) is the most prevalent, complex, and controversial economic development tool used by local governments today. TIF proponents argue that TIF increases stagnant property values, but critics suggest that TIF is an unnecessary subsidy and distorts real estate markets. Although case studies offer evidence supporting both sides, the argument begs an important question: because some TIF districts are successful and others unsuccessful, is there a way to predict TIF distress and help prevent TIF failure? Practitioners and academics highlight the importance of pre‐implementation planning and strict monitoring of TIF performance. However, even with the most strident planning and monitoring, TIF districts still often fail. Utilizing a dataset of all 1,080 active TIF districts in Wisconsin, this paper adopts techniques popular in assessing local government fiscal health by focusing on indicators such as budgetary solvency and macroeconomic conditions in predicting TIF distress.
Assessor‐ and participant‐blinded, randomized controlled trial of dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation plus body acupuncture for neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke
Authors: Zhang Zhang‐Jin , Zhao Hong , Jin Gui‐Xing , Man Sui‐Cheung , Wang Yi‐Si , Wang Ying , Wang Hai‐Rong , Li Meng‐Han , Yam Lo‐Lo , Qin Zong‐Shi , Yu Kim‐Kam Teresa , Wu Jing , Ng Fung‐Leung Bacon , Ziea Tat‐Chi Eric , Rong Pei‐Jing
Published: November 2019

Aim

Acupuncture has benefits in the rehabilitation of neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke. This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation plus body acupuncture (DCEAS+BA) in treating poststroke depression (PSD), functional disability, and cognitive deterioration.

Methods

In this assessor‐ and participant‐blinded, randomized controlled trial, 91 stroke patients who initially had PSD were randomly assigned to either DCEAS+BA (n = 45) or minimum acupuncture stimulation as controls (n = 46) for three sessions per week over 8 consecutive weeks. The primary outcome was baseline‐to‐end‐point change in score of the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale for depressive symptoms, the Barthel Index for functional disability, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for cognitive function.

Results

DCEAS+BA‐treated patients showed strikingly greater end‐point reduction than MAS‐treated patients in scores of the three symptom domains. The clinical response rate, defined as an at least 50% baseline‐to‐end‐point reduction in 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score, was markedly higher in the DCEAS+BA‐treated group than that of controls (40.0% vs 17.4%, P = 0.031). Incidence of adverse events was not different in the two groups. Subgroup analysis revealed that DCEAS+BA with electrical stimulation on forehead acupoints was more apparent in reducing Barthel‐Index‐measured disability than that without electrical stimulation.

Conclusion

DCEAS+BA, particularly with electrical stimulation on forehead acupoints, reduces PSD, functional disability, and cognitive deterioration of stroke patients. It can serve as an effective rehabilitation therapy for neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke.
1077 and all that: Gregory VII in Reformation historical writing
Authors: Freeman Thomas S.
Published: November 2019

From the late Middle Ages onwards, the reputation of Pope Gregory VII (r. 1073–85) was hotly debated. Lionized during the Catholic Reformation, the controversial pope was also the target of strident polemic from conciliarists, German humanists and then, most intensely, from Protestants. This essay focuses on the development of polemic against Gregory by Lutherans and English Protestants. Important contemporary sources against Gregory were unearthed by humanist and conciliarist scholars such as Johannes Aventinus and Ortwin Gratius and then published by Protestants such as Philipp Melanchthon and Kaspar Hedio. English writers with strong connections to the Lutherans such as Thomas Swinnerton and Robert Barnes presented the polemical history of Gregory's pontificate to English audiences. It was further extended by Matthias Flacius, John Bale and John Foxe. Yet while all Protestant accounts of Gregory agreed that he epitomized papal depravity, there were significant variations in emphasizing which qualities of his were truly Antichristian. For some writers it was his imposition of clerical celibacy, for others his excommunication and deposition of an emperor and for others it was his activities as a sorcerer. This essay concludes by discussing these variations and evaluating the reasons for their popularity. While Gianmarco Giuliani's essay in this collection describes how Gregory VII became a keystone in Catholic interpretations of the Church and the papacy, this essay attempts to show how he became a keystone of Protestant interpretations of ecclesiastical and papal history.