bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of two prehospital predictive models for mortality and impaired consciousness after severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Pannatier Michel , Delhumeau Cécile , Walder Bernhard
Published: August 2018

Background

The primary aim was to investigate the performance of a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics based predictive model (NACA‐BM) for mortality at 14 days and a reference model using motor GCS (GCS‐RM). The secondary aim was to compare the models for impaired consciousness of survivors at 14 days (IC‐14; GCS ≤ 13).

Methods

Patients ≥16 years having sustained TBI with an abbreviated injury scale score of head region (HAIS) of >3 were included. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to test models for death and IC‐14. The discrimination was assessed using area under the receiver‐operating curves (AUROCs); noninferiority margin was −5% between the AUROCs. Calibration was assessed using the Hosmer Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit test.

Results

Six hundred and seventy seven patients were included. The median age was 54 (IQR 32‐71). The mortality rate was 31.6%; 99 of 438 surviving patients (22.6%) had an IC‐14. Discrimination of mortality was 0.835 (95%CI 0.803‐0.867) for the NACA‐BM and 0.839 (0.807‐0.872) for the GCS‐RM; the difference of the discriminative ability was −0.4% (−2.3% to +1.7%). Calibration was appropriate for the NACA‐BM (χ2 8.42; P = 0. 393) and for the GCS‐RM (χ2 3.90; P = 0. 866). Discrimination of IC‐14 was 0.757 (0.706‐0.808) for the NACA‐BM and 0.784 (0.734‐0.835) for the GCS‐RM; the difference of the discriminative ability was −2.5% (−7.8% to +2.6%). Calibration was appropriate for the NACA‐BM (χ2 10.61; P = 0.225) and for the GCS‐RM (χ2 6.26; P = 0.618).

Conclusions

Prehospital prediction of mortality after TBI was good with both models, and the NACA‐BM was not inferior to the GCS‐RM. Prediction of IC‐14 was moderate in both models.
Off‐hour admission and impact on neurological outcome in endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Löwhagen Hendén Pia , Rentzos Alexandros , Karlsson Jan‐Erik , Rosengren Lars , Oras Jonatan , Ricksten Sven‐Erik
Published: August 2018

Background and Purpose

In the new era of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke, one of the main predictors of good neurological outcome is a short time interval from stroke onset to recanalization of the occluded vessel. In this study, we examined the effect of on‐hour vs off‐hour admittance on the time intervals from stroke onset to recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT).

Methods

One‐hundred‐ninety‐eight patients receiving EVT for anterior AIS between 2007 and 2016 were included. Time of day and weekday for stroke admittance were recorded as well as several time intervals. Age, sex, co‐morbidities, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), intraprocedural blood pressure, blood glucose, modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia score (mTICI) and neurological outcome at 3 months, measured as modified Rankin Scale (mRS), were registered. On‐hour was defined as 8 am‐4 pm weekdays, and off‐hour as weekdays outside these hours and weekends.

Results

The time interval from CT (computed tomography) to recanalization was longer during off‐hours, while no difference was seen in the time interval from stroke onset to CT. No statistically significant difference was seen in neurological outcome between the on‐ and off‐hour groups in a univariate analysis.

Conclusions

Stroke admittance during off‐hours is associated with longer time interval from CT examination to vessel recanalization. The study highlights the need of logistic improvement and probably more resources off‐hour in order to deliver an effective stroke care around the clock.
Lower Prefrontal and Hippocampal Volume and Diffusion Tensor Imaging Differences Reflect Structural and Functional Abnormalities in Abstinent Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Pandey Ashwini Kumar , Ardekani Babak Assai , Kamarajan Chella , Zhang Jian , Chorlian David Balin , Byrne Kelly Nicole‐Helen , Pandey Gayathri , Meyers Jacquelyn Leigh , Kinreich Sivan , Stimus Arthur , Porjesz Bernice
Published: August 2018

Background

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is known to have adverse effects on brain structure and function. Multimodal assessments investigating volumetric, diffusion, and cognitive characteristics may facilitate understanding of the consequences of long‐term alcohol use on brain circuitry, their structural impairment patterns, and their impact on cognitive function in AUD.

Methods

Voxel‐ and surface‐based volumetric estimations, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and neuropsychological tests were performed on 60 individuals: 30 abstinent individuals with AUD (DSM‐IV) and 30 healthy controls. Group differences in the volumes of cortical and subcortical regions, fractional anisotropy (FA), axial and radial diffusivities (AD and RD, respectively), and performance on neuropsychological tests were analyzed, and the relationship among significantly different measures was assessed using canonical correlation.

Results

AUD participants had significantly smaller volumes in left pars orbitalis, right medial orbitofrontal, right caudal middle frontal, and bilateral hippocampal regions, lower FA in 9 white matter (WM) regions, and higher FA in left thalamus, compared to controls. In AUD, lower FA in 6 of 9 WM regions was due to higher RD and due to lower AD in the left external capsule. AUD participants scored lower on problem‐solving ability, visuospatial memory span, and working memory. Positive correlations of prefrontal cortical, left hippocampal volumes, and FA in 4 WM regions with visuospatial memory performance and negative correlation with lower problem‐solving ability were observed. Significant positive correlation between age and FA was observed in bilateral putamen.

Conclusions

Findings showed specific structural brain abnormalities to be associated with visuospatial memory and problem‐solving ability‐related impairments observed in AUD. Higher RD in 6 WM regions suggests demyelination, and lower AD in left external capsule suggests axonal loss in AUD. The positive correlation between FA and age in bilateral putamen may reflect accumulation of iron depositions with increasing age.
Parent–child communication and timing of interventions are challenges in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy care
Authors: Sætrang T , Bjørk I T , Capjon H , Rasmussen M
Published: August 2018

Aim

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X‐linked myopathy affecting one in 3600–6000 live male births. The aim of this study was to gain further insight into how parents experience caring for boys with DMD.

Methods

Using a qualitative design, parents in 12 families with boys with DMD, whereof two pairs of siblings, were interviewed in 2014 and 2015. Participants were parents of boys followed at Oslo University Hospital or other hospitals in the south‐eastern health region of Norway. Mean age of the boys was 13 years, range 7–17.

Results

Parents expressed the importance of obtaining good information about the diagnosis, supplied with sensitivity for them as clients, and the parents must be involved in timing of interventions. Meeting with others in the same situation was highly appreciated. Many of the parents expressed their own need for support to cope with the difficult situation. Continuity of support in the boys’ transition to adulthood was pointed out as important, as well as the need for professional help to talk to the boys about their diagnosis.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that professional teams should expand the parental perspective and emphasise a holistic approach in their work with patients with DMD.
Election Outcome and Tax Compliance: The Role of Political Party Affiliation, Affect Balance, and Trust in Government
Authors: Hunt Nicholas C. , Iyer Govind S. , Jimenez Peggy
Published: August 2018

The present study examines partisan reactions to presidential election outcomes. Our model investigates the interactive role of political party affiliation on the relationship between identification with the winning party and affect balance. We subsequently examine how tax compliance intentions are influenced by this moderation relationship through affect balance and trust in government. We conducted a quasi‐experiment one week prior to the first mass 2016 presidential primary, where 12 of the 50 US states voted to decide which candidates would represent the Republican and Democratic parties in the 2016 US presidential election. Our sample consisted of 205 Republicans and Democrats. We manipulated press releases showing various presidential candidates winning the presidency to examine how matches / mismatches between partisans’ political party affiliation and the party winning the election influence citizens’ overall feelings, beliefs, and intentions. We find election outcomes generate significant overall positive or negative feelings (i.e., affect balance) among partisans, which influences beliefs about trust in government, and subsequently their tax compliance intentions. Political party moderates the relationship between election outcomes and affect balance in such a way that Democrats experience greater overall positive affect balance when their party wins the election compared to Republicans.
Minimal residual disease status predicts outcome of acute myeloid leukaemia patients undergoing T‐cell replete haploidentical transplantation. An analysis from the Acute Leukaemia Working Party (ALWP) of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
Authors: Canaani Jonathan , Labopin Myriam , Huang Xiao J. , Ciceri Fabio , Van Lint Maria T. , Bruno Benedetto , Santarone Stella , Diez‐Martin José L. , Blaise Didier , Chiusolo Patrizia , Wu Depei , Mohty Mohamad , Nagler Arnon
Published: August 2018

Assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) is being routinely used to assess response in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). While it is well established that pre‐transplant positive MRD studies predict for relapse in patients transplanted either from matched sibling donors or matched unrelated donors, it is currently unknown whether MRD has comparable prognostic value in haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo‐SCT). To this end we performed a retrospective analysis using the Acute Leukaemia Working Party/European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation multicentre registry. All adult AML patients with known MRD status at transplant who underwent a first T‐cell replete haplo‐SCT while in remission between 2006 and 2016 were included. Two hundred and sixty‐five MRD‐negative and 128 MRD‐positive patients were assessed. In multivariate analysis, MRD‐negative patients experienced lower relapse incidence and better leukaemia‐free survival (LFS) compared to MRD‐positive patients. Subset analysis for MRD‐positive patients revealed that patients with donors positive for cytomegalovirus experienced decreased relapse rates as well as increased survival. A 6‐month landmark analysis suggests that the clinical benefit of pre‐transplant MRD negativity in terms of relapse, overall survival and LFS is realized at this time point. Pre‐transplant MRD status is potentially a pivotal prognosticator of outcome in AML patients undergoing T‐cell replete haplo‐SCT.
Autoimmune cytopenias in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia treated with ibrutinib in routine clinical practice at an academic medical centre
Authors: Hampel Paul J. , Larson Melissa C. , Kabat Brian , Call Timothy G. , Ding Wei , Kenderian Saad S. , Bowen Deborah , Boysen Justin , Schwager Susan M. , Leis Jose F. , Chanan‐Khan Asher A. , Muchtar Eli , Hanson Curtis A. , Slager Susan L. , Kay Neil E. , Chaffee Kari G. , Shanafelt Tait D. , Parikh Sameer A.
Published: August 2018

The effects of ibrutinib on the natural history of autoimmune cytopenias (AIC) among chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients treated in routine clinical practice require further investigation. Using the Mayo Clinical CLL Database, 193 CLL patients treated with ibrutinib between November 2013 and January 2017 outside the context of a clinical trial were identified; complete review of their medical records was performed for details of past history of AIC and treatment‐emergent AIC. We identified 29/193 (15%) patients with history of AIC prior to ibrutinib start. Of 12 patients requiring AIC therapy at ibrutinib start, 8 (67%) were able to discontinue or de‐escalate AIC treatment, and no patient had worsening of their AIC after initiating ibrutinib. Eleven (6%) patients developed treatment‐emergent AIC after a median of 59 (range, 6–319) days following the initiation of ibrutinib, 7 of whom (64%) were able to continue ibrutinib. Overall and event‐free survival from time of ibrutinib start were not significantly different between patients with history of AIC and those with no history of AIC. Treatment‐emergent AIC were seen exclusively in patients with unmutated IGHV and were associated with a shorter EFS. These results suggest a low rate of treatment‐emergent AIC and improvement in patients with existing AIC.
Cocaine withdrawal reduces GABABR transmission at entopeduncular nucleus – lateral habenula synapses
Authors: Tan Dorine , Nuno‐Perez Alvaro , Mameli Manuel , Meye Frank J.
Published: August 2018

Lateral habenula (LHb) hyperactivity plays a pivotal role in the emergence of negative emotional states, including those occurring during withdrawal from addictive drugs. We have previously implicated cocaine‐driven adaptations at synapses from the entopeduncular nucleus (EPN) to the LHb in this process. Specifically, ionotropic GABAA receptor (R)‐mediated neurotransmission at EPN‐to‐LHb synapses is reduced during cocaine withdrawal, due to impaired vesicle filling. Recent studies have shown that metabotropic GABABR signaling also controls LHb activity, although its role at EPN‐to‐LHb synapses during drug withdrawal is unknown. Here, we predicted that cocaine treatment would reduce GABABR‐mediated neurotransmission at EPN‐to‐LHb synapses. We chronically treated mice with saline or cocaine, prepared brain slices after two days of withdrawal and performed voltage‐clamp recordings from LHb neurons whilst optogenetically stimulating EPN terminals. Compared with controls, mice in cocaine withdrawal exhibited reduced GABAAR‐mediated input to LHb neurons, and a reduced occurrence of GABABR‐signaling at EPN‐to‐LHb synapses. We then assessed the underlying mechanism of this decrease. Application of GABABR agonist baclofen evoked similar postsynaptic responses in EPN‐innervated LHb neurons in saline‐ and cocaine‐treated mice. Release probability at EPN‐to‐LHb GABAergic synapses was also comparable between groups. However, incubating brain slices in glutamine to facilitate GABA vesicle filling, normalized GABABR‐currents at EPN‐to‐LHb synapses in cocaine‐treated mice. Overall, we show that during cocaine withdrawal, together with reduced GABAAR transmission, also GABABR‐mediated inhibitory signaling is diminished at EPN‐to‐LHb synapses, likely via the same presynaptic deficit. In concert, these alterations are predicted to contribute to the emergence of drug withdrawal symptoms, facilitating drug relapse.
Neuronal correlates of motion‐defined shape perception in primate dorsal and ventral streams
Authors: Handa Takashi , Mikami Akichika
Published: August 2018

Human and non‐human primates can readily perceive the shape of objects using visual motion. Classically, shape, and motion are considered to be separately processed via ventral and dorsal cortical pathways, respectively. However, many lines of anatomical and physiological evidence have indicated that these two pathways are likely to be interconnected at some stage. For motion‐defined shape perception, these two pathways should interact with each other because the ventral pathway must utilize motion, which the dorsal pathway processes, to extract shape signal. However, it is unknown how interactions between cortical pathways are involved in neural mechanisms underlying motion‐defined shape perception. We review evidence from psychophysical, lesion, neuroimaging and physiological research on motion‐defined shape perception and then discuss the effects of behavioral demands on neural activity in ventral and dorsal cortical areas. Further, we discuss functions of two candidate sets of levels: early and higher‐order cortical areas. The extrastriate area V4 and middle temporal (MT) area, which are reciprocally connected, at the early level are plausible areas for extracting the shape and/or constituent parts of shape from motion cues because neural dynamics are different from those during luminance‐defined shape perception. On the other hand, among other higher‐order visual areas, the anterior superior temporal sulcus likely contributes to the processing of cue‐invariant shape recognition rather than cue‐dependent shape processing. We suggest that sharing information about motion and shape between the early visual areas in the dorsal and ventral pathways is dependent on visual cues and behavioral requirements, indicating the interplay between the pathways.
Sleep quality and its association with the insular cortex in emotional empathy
Authors: Guadagni Veronica , Burles Ford , Ferrara Michele , Iaria Giuseppe
Published: August 2018

The human ability to vicariously share someone else's emotions (i.e., emotional empathy) relies on an extended neural network including regions in the anterior cingulate and insular cortex. Here, we tested the hypothesis that good sleep quality is associated with increased activation in the brain areas underlying emotional empathy. To this aim, we assessed subjective sleep quality in a large sample of healthy young volunteers, and asked participants to complete a computerized emotional empathy task. Then, we asked 16 participants to complete the same task while undergoing functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). After confirming the behavioral relationship between quality of sleep and emotional empathy in the large sample, we conducted a Region of Interest (ROI) analysis on selected ROIs involved in emotional empathy, and measured Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signal change in participants who performed the emotional empathy task in the MRI scanner; additionally, we assessed how the BOLD signal in different brain areas temporally correlated with performance throughout the task (i.e., task‐based functional connectivity). We found increased BOLD signal change in a selective region within the left insula for individuals with better subjective sleep quality. These findings provide the very first evidence that individuals’ sleep quality relates to emotional empathic responses through increased neural activation of a specific area within the insular cortex.
Advertising individual identity by mother and adolescent contact calls in Siberian wapiti Cervus elaphus sibiricus
Authors: Sibiryakova Olga V. , Volodin Ilya A. , Volodina Elena V.
Published: August 2018

Individualistic contact calls facilitate mother‐offspring reunion after separation. However, in many mammals, both the acoustic structure and individuality of contact calls differ between mother and young. In contrast, in Siberian wapiti Cervus elaphus sibiricus, contact calls are similar in the acoustics between mother and young, whereas effects of this similarity on vocal individuality were not investigated. In this study, we analyzed acoustic differences between closed‐mouth (nasal) and open‐mouth (oral) contact calls and examined individuality of the most usual oral calls of 19 Siberian wapiti (9 hinds and 10 5–6‐month adolescents) emitted in response to mother‐offspring separation. In the oral calls, the values of frequency and power variables were higher than in the nasal calls. Calls of hinds and adolescents did not differ by the maximum fundamental frequency and duration, whereas the peak frequency was higher in the young. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) based on 11 acoustic variables of oral calls accurately classified to individual 92.5% of hind calls and 96.9% of adolescent calls (chi‐square test for differences between hinds and adolescents, p = 0.19). Variables mainly contributing to vocal identity (duration, start, and maximum fundamental frequency) were the same in calls of mothers and adolescents. We conclude that similarities in the acoustics calls of mothers and adolescents mean that they do not differ in their potential for encoding individual identity, suggesting a mutual process of mother‐offspring vocal recognition in Siberian wapiti.
Employee treatment and its implications for bondholders
Authors: Chen Tsung‐Kang , Chen Yan‐Shing , Yang Hsiao‐Lin
Published: August 2018

We examine the various channels through which the quality of a firm's employee relations can affect the welfare of bondholders. Our evidence suggests that better employee treatment benefits bondholders and leads to a lower bond spread by enhancing a firm's productivity, and by reducing the likelihood of product failures, labor strife, and employee turnover. However, a higher level of satisfaction is costlier for bondholders in firms facing more severe financial constraints or agency problems.
How is a closer union conceivable under conditions of ever more socio‐economic and political diversity? Constitutionalising Europe's unitas in pluralitate
Authors: Joerges Christian
Published: August 2018

Under the impact of the financial crisis, socio‐economic divergence, even among the members of the Eurozone, deepened dramatically. European crisis politics therefore sought to impose convergence through budgetary prescriptions and austerity measures. This essay raises not only normative objections; it submits that these efforts are bound to generate serious resistance. The follow‐up query is whether Europe would be better advised to replace its one‐size‐fits‐all mantra by policies tolerating diversity and fostering cooperative problem‐solving. To what degree such a return to the ‘united in diversity’ motto of the Constitutional Treaty of 2014 would be economically beneficial is unpredictable. It seems highly likely, however, that it could help to overcome the increasing aversion against the European integration project.
Impacts of anthropogenic and natural “extreme events” on global fisheries
Authors: Belhabib Dyhia , Dridi Raouf , Padilla Allan , Ang Melanie , Le Billon Philippe
Published: August 2018

A broad range of extreme events can affect fisheries catch and hence performance. Using a compiled database of extreme events for all maritime countries in the world between 1950 to 2010, we estimate effects on national fisheries catches, by sector, large‐scale industrial and small scale (artisanal, subsistence and recreational). Contrary to general expectations, fisheries catches respond positively to nearly all forms of extreme events, suggesting a valuable coping or compensation mechanism for coastal communities as they increase their catch after extreme events, but also an opportunistic behaviour by foreign industrial fishing fleets, as industrial catches increase. These effects vary according to country characteristics, with lower coping capacity for coastal communities and higher opportunistic fishing by foreign fleets in countries with poor governance, higher unemployment and direct exposure to prolonged armed conflicts. We also observe an accumulative effect resulting from the aggregation of multiple disasters that deserves further consideration for disaster mitigation. These findings may assist with managing fisheries towards increasing resilience and adaptive capacity such as early detection of potential impacts, protecting livelihoods and food sources, preventing illegal fishing by industrial fleets and informing aid responses towards recovery.
Chinese cropping systems are a net source of greenhouse gases despite soil carbon sequestration
Authors: Gao Bing , Huang Tao , Ju Xiaotang , Gu Baojing , Huang Wei , Xu Lilai , Rees Robert M. , Powlson David S. , Smith Pete , Cui Shenghui
Published: August 2018

Soil carbon sequestration is being considered as a potential pathway to mitigate climate change. Cropland soils could provide a sink for carbon that can be modified by farming practices; however, they can also act as a source of greenhouse gases (GHG), including not only nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), but also the upstream carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with agronomic management. These latter emissions are also sometimes termed “hidden” or “embedded” CO2. In this paper, we estimated the net GHG balance for Chinese cropping systems by considering the balance of soil carbon sequestration, N2O and CH4 emissions, and the upstream CO2 emissions of agronomic management from a life cycle perspective during 2000–2017. Results showed that although soil organic carbon (SOC) increased by 23.2 ± 8.6 Tg C per year, the soil N2O and CH4 emissions plus upstream CO2 emissions arising from agronomic management added 269.5 ± 21.1 Tg C‐eq per year to the atmosphere. These findings demonstrate that Chinese cropping systems are a net source of GHG emissions and that total GHG emissions are about 12 times larger than carbon uptake by soil sequestration. There were large variations between different cropping systems in the net GHG balance ranging from 328 to 7,567 kg C‐eq ha−1 year−1, but all systems act as a net GHG source to the atmosphere. The main sources of total GHG emissions are nitrogen fertilization (emissions during production and application), power use for irrigation, and soil N2O and CH4 emissions. Optimizing agronomic management practices, especially fertilization, irrigation, plastic mulching, and crop residues to reduce total GHG emissions from the whole chain is urgently required in order to develop a low‐carbon future for Chinese crop production.
Matrix Effects During SIMS Measurement of the Lithium Mass Fractions of Silicate Glasses: Correction Procedures and Updated Preferred Values of Reference Materials
Authors: De Hoog Jan C. M. ,   EIMF
Published: August 2018

This study demonstrates that significant matrix‐dependent bias occurs during the measurement of Li mass fractions by SIMS in silicate glasses. This bias is particularly evident for basaltic and ultramafic samples, where published SIMS data of reference materials show discrepancies up to 40% compared with other measurement techniques. Matrix effects can be successfully corrected by taking into account the SiO2 content of the analysed material. New matrix‐corrected SIMS data for a suite of silicate glass reference materials are presented (glasses from MPI‐DING, USGS, Smithsonian and NIST, with a range of 46–76 g per 100 g SiO2), which are on average within 4% of preferred values (PV) as published in the GeoReM database. As several PV for Li in GeoReM are biased by the inclusion of inaccurate SIMS data, updated reference values are proposed that include the new SIMS dataset presented here.
Migraine and cerebrovascular diseases: Epidemiology, pathophysiological, and clinical considerations
Authors: Magalhães João Eudes , Sampaio Rocha‐Filho Pedro Augusto
Published: August 2018

Migraine and cerebrovascular diseases are disabling disorders, which are possibly closely interrelated. Heterogeneous and scattered evidence in literature remains a challenge. We searched for systematic reviews including diverse cerebrovascular events in migraineurs and reported relevant original studies to update the evidence when necessary. The studies show that migraine is associated with increased risk of transient ischemic attacks, any stroke, and possibly hemorrhagic stroke. In addition, migraine with aura increases the risk of ischemic stroke and white matter abnormalities. Migraine without aura increases the risk of cervical artery dissection as a cause of ischemic stroke. Groups with specific risk profiles are women, young people, smokers, and oral contraceptive users. The pathophysiology of the association remains uncertain. However, genetic and environmental factors may be involved in intricate mechanisms responsible for oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction and, ultimately, vascular events. In conclusion, migraine is a potential risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases. Migraineurs should be carefully evaluated considering their vascular risk assessment based on current evidence, so that healthcare professionals can provide appropriate and individualized management of other cardiovascular risk factors, notably quitting smoking and restricting use of oral contraceptives.
Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma and EGFR mutations: a molecular footprint of a benign lesion
Authors: Sasaki Eiichi , Nishikawa Daisuke , Hanai Nobuhiro , Hasegawa Yasuhisa , Yatabe Yasushi
Published: August 2018

Aims

Molecular targeted therapy against EGFR kinase domain mutations has been successfully established for lung cancer. These mutations have now also been reported in head and neck tumours, particularly in inverted sinonasal papillomas (ISPs). The aim of this study was to clarify the spectrum of EGFR mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and papillomas.

Methods and results

We examined EGFR mutations in 288 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and 58 head and neck papillomas or polyps. EGFR mutations were detected in 24 (30%) of 80 sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas (SNSCCs) and in 19 (90%) of 21 ISPs. Notably, 15 (88%) of 17 SNSCCs that developed along with ISPs harboured EGFR mutations in both components, whereas EGFR mutations were detected in nine (14%) of 63 SNSCCs without any papilloma component. Analysis to detect other known driver oncogene mutations – KRAS, BRAF and HER2 – was also performed; none of these mutations was detected in SNSCCs. The other 208 non‐sinonasal carcinomas and 37 non‐ISP head and neck papillomas or polyps did not harbour EGFR mutations.

Conclusions

Taken together with the specific involvement of EGFR mutations in ISP, a molecular benign lesion trail suggests that 26 (33%) of 80 SNSCCs developed in association with an ISP. SNSCCs with EGFR mutations may be biologically distinct among head and neck cancers.
Virtual Algebra Tiles: A pedagogical tool to teach and learn algebra through geometry
Authors: Garzón Juan , Bautista Julián
Published: August 2018

Learning and teaching algebra concepts are frequent problems for both students and teachers alike. Students struggle to learn algebra, and teachers struggle to identify the best way to teach algebra. It is recurrent that teachers use instructional methods that promote memorization, and, consequently, the learning process may prove unsatisfactory. This paper introduces Virtual Algebra Tiles, an open educational resource whose purpose is to enable students to use algebra tiles from a computer to enhance their knowledge of algebra concepts. To evaluate the effectiveness of the system, we designed a case study. The participants were 40 students of engineering degrees who were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. Results indicate that the system has a large effect size (ES = 0.83, p < 0.001) on learning effectiveness and a promising long‐term knowledge retention (ES = 0.79, p < 0.001). Students concluded that this version of algebra tiles is more motivating than other versions, because it is presented in a format that stands natural to them. Students feel more comfortable in virtual environments, and therefore, the learning process becomes a more pleasant task.
Mines over matter: Effects of foliar particulate matter on the herbivorous insect, Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Vanderstock Amelie M. , Latty Tanya , Leonard Ryan J. , Hochuli Dieter F.
Published: August 2018

Coalmines, which are major contributors of particulate matter in the form of coal dust, are expanding globally into rural environments. However, ecological effects on organisms interacting with coal‐dusted foliage in mining landscapes are unknown. We tested how the behaviour, development and survival of a polyphageous insect herbivore, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is affected by consuming tomato leaves Lycopersicon esculentum laden with coal dust. We tested (a) feeding site establishment preference of neonates, (b) feeding behaviour and leaf consumption of late‐instar larvae, (c) survival of neonates and (d) survival and development of late‐instar larvae. We found that coal dust consumption increased the mortality of late‐instar larvae but did not influence their development. Despite long‐term implications for survival, late‐instar larvae did not adjust their feeding behaviour or the amount of leaf material consumed in response to foliar coal dust. Contrastingly, when neonate H. armigera were given a choice, they avoided establishing themselves on the coal‐dusted adaxial surface of leaves. Neonate mortality was 99% within 7 days, with no effect of coal dust. Our study provides the first data on the impact of coal dust on an insect herbivore. This has implications for ecological interactions in landscapes adjoining coalmines.
Comparative performance of growth, vertebral structure and muscle composition in diploid and triploid Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Liu Hui , Wu Zhihao , Zhu Xiangping , Song Zongcheng , Hu Jinwei , Wang Lijuan , Li Jun , You Feng
Published: August 2018

Growth, skeletal structure and muscle composition of cold‐shock‐induced triploid olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus were investigated. The average values of total length and total weight of triploids were higher than those of diploids from 5 to 11 months posthatch (mph). The growth difference disappeared after 11 mph. The skeletal structure of flounder at 11 mph was observed by X‐ray imaging method. There are four kinds of vertebral deformity including vertebrae fusion, one‐sided compression, two‐sided compression and vertically shifted. The trunk region (V8–18) and tailing end of the vertebral column were the predominant locations of deformity. In general, the frequencies of vertebral deformities in triploids (60.0%) were higher than those in diploids (33.3%, p < 0.05). Both the number of fish with deformed vertebrae and the average frequencies of deformed vertebrae in triploids were significantly higher than those in diploids (p < 0.05). The muscle tissues of diploid and triploid flounder at 11 mph contain the same types of fatty acid and free amino acid profiles. The number of fatty acids with significant higher contents in diploids and triploids was one and ten, respectively (p < 0.05). The contents of free amino acids showed no difference between triploid and diploid fish.
Quantitative analysis of the dose–response of white spot syndrome virus in shrimp
Authors: Ngo Thuy T. N. , Senior Alistair M. , Culina Antica , Santos Eduardo S. A. , Vlak Just M. , Zwart Mark P.
Published: August 2018

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is an important cause of mortality and economic losses in shrimp farming. Although WSSV‐induced mortality is virus dose dependent and WSSV infection does not necessarily lead to mortality, the relationships between virus‐particle dose, infection and mortality have not been analysed quantitatively. Here, we explored WSSV dose–response by a combination of experiments, modelling and meta‐analysis. We performed dose–response experiments in Penaeus vannamei postlarvae, recorded host mortality and detected WSSV infection. When we fitted infection models to these data, two models—differing in whether they incorporated heterogeneous host susceptibility to the virus or not—were supported for two independent experiments. To determine the generality of these results, we reanalysed published data sets and then performed a meta‐analysis. We found that WSSV dose–response kinetics is indeed variable over experiments. We could not clearly identify which specific infection model has the most support by meta‐analysis, but we argue that these results also are most concordant with a model incorporating varying levels of heterogeneous host susceptibility to WSSV. We have identified suitable models for analysing WSSV dose–response, which can elucidate the most basic virus–host interactions and help to avoid underestimating WSSV infection at low virus doses.
Half‐Sibling and Stepsibling Relationships: A Systematic Integrative Review
Authors: Sanner Caroline , Russell Luke T. , Coleman Marilyn , Ganong Lawrence
Published: August 2018

Increases in divorce, remarriage, and stepfamily formation have added complexity to sibling composition. Biological siblings have been found to be key players in children's lives, and relationships with half and stepsiblings also likely influence individual development and adjustment. In this systematic integrative review, we synthesize and critique 46 studies on half and stepsibling relationships, a literature that has seen marked growth in recent years. Researchers have focused predominately on two areas: individual outcomes associated with having half or stepsiblings and predictors of half and stepsibling relationship quality. Although research designs have become more methodologically sophisticated, deficit‐comparison studies in which half and stepsiblings are compared to siblings in nuclear families remain common. We discuss challenges in studying sibling complexity and propose opportunities for examining how half and stepsibling relationships may contribute to individual and family resilience.
C‐reactive protein/albumin ratio is a poor prognostic factor of esophagogastric junction and upper gastric cancer
Authors: Kudou Kensuke , Saeki Hiroshi , Nakashima Yuichiro , Kamori Tomohiro , Kawazoe Tetsuro , Haruta Yasuhiro , Fujimoto Yoshiaki , Matsuoka Hiroya , Sasaki Shun , Jogo Tomoko , Hirose Kosuke , Hu Qingjiang , Tsuda Yasuo , Kimura Koichi , Ando Koji , Oki Eiji , Ikeda Tetsuo , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: August 2018

Background and Aim

The C‐reactive protein (CRP)/albumin (Alb) ratio has been reported as a novel prognostic marker in several cancers. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the CRP/Alb ratio in patients who underwent surgery for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) and upper gastric cancer (UGC).

Methods

Data for 144 patients who underwent surgery for AEG and UGC were reviewed. The CRP/Alb ratio, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, platelet–lymphocyte ratio, Glasgow Prognostic Score, and controlling nutritional status score were calculated, and the relationship between these biomarkers and postoperative prognosis was analyzed.

Results

The optimal cutoff value of the CRP/Alb ratio was determined to be 0.1. According to the cutoff value of CRP/Alb ratio, patients were divided into two groups (CRP/Alb < 0.1, n = 124; CRP/Alb ≥ 0.1, n = 20). The 5‐year recurrence‐free survival and overall survival (OS) rates were significantly lower in the patients with the CRP/Alb ratio ≥ 0.1 than in those with the CRP/Alb ratio < 0.1 (recurrence‐free survival: 44.9% vs 77.9%, P = 0.0011; OS: 43.4% vs 82.0%, P < 0.0001). In the multivariate analyses, the N‐stage, and CRP/Alb ratio ≥ 0.1 were identified as independent predictive factors for OS in patients with AEG and UGC (P = 0.0061 and P = 0.0439, respectively).

Conclusions

The CRP/Alb ratio was strongly associated with poor prognosis in patients who underwent surgery for AEG and UGC.
Relationship between reproductive medicine for women with severe complications and maternal death in Japan
Authors: Tanaka Hiroaki , Katsuragi Shinji , Hasegawa Junichi , Osato Kazuhiro , Nakata Masahiko , Murakoshi Takeshi , Sekizawa Akihiko , Kanayama Naohiro , Ishiwata Isamu , Ikeda Tomoaki
Published: August 2018

Aim

To investigate the influence of reproductive medicine in maternal death cases in Japan.

Methods

This retrospective study investigated the incidence of maternal deaths related to reproductive medicine in Japan from 2013 to 2015, and the relationship between fertility treatment and maternal death.

Results

Fifteen out of 134 women (11.2%) involved in this study who underwent treatment for infertility died. Four experienced pregnancy with severe maternal complications (26.6%). The complications were active systemic lupus erythematosus, exacerbated depression, uncontrolled arrhythmia and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus. At least three of these four died due to these complications.

Conclusion

The maternal death rate of women who have undergone fertility treatment is similar to the birth rate due to assisted reproductive technology in Japan. Some maternal death cases involve severe uncontrolled complications. Therefore, medical histories should be evaluated before fertility treatment.
Biochemical and physiological characterization of a halotolerant Dunaliella salina isolated from hypersaline Sambhar Lake, India
Authors: Singh Prabhakar , Khadim Riyazat , Singh Ankit K. , Singh Urmilesh , Maurya Priyanka , Tiwari Anupam , Asthana Ravi K.
Published: August 2018

The objective of the present study was to characterize intrinsic physiological and biochemical properties of the wall‐less unicellular cholorophyte Dunaliella salina isolated from a hypersaline Sambhar Lake. The strain grew optimally at 0.5 M NaCl and 16:8 h L:D photoperiod along with maintaining low level of intracellular Na+ even at higher salinity, emphasizing special features of its cell membranes. It was observed that the cells experienced stress beyond 2 M NaCl as evidenced by increased intracellular reactive oxygen species and antioxidative enzymes, nevertheless proline and malondialdehyde content declined sharply accompanied by higher neutral lipid accumulation. Salinity exceeding 2 M resulted decrease in photosynthetic quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and enhanced glycerol synthesis accompanied by leakage. Super oxide dismutase seemed to play a pivotal role in antioxidative defense as eight isoforms were expressed differentially while catalase and glutathione peroxidase showing no significant change in their expression at higher salinity. The ability of D. salina to grow in range of salinities by sustaining healthy photosynthetic apparatus along with accumulation of valuable products made this alga an ideal organism that can be exploited as resource for biofuel and commercial products.
Regular physical activity and insomnia: An international perspective
Authors: Hartescu Iuliana , Morgan Kevin
Published: August 2018

Both very low and very high levels of regular physical activity have been associated with degraded sleep quality. Cross‐national variations in habitual physical activity levels, therefore, may contribute to cross‐national differences in insomnia prevalence. The present study assesses and compares the extent to which weekly durations of moderate‐intensity physical activity contribute to insomnia risk. Demographic, sleep, physical activity and general health profiles were obtained from a convenience sample of 9,238 adults drawn from five countries (South Africa, Australia, China, South Korea and the UK) using social media. Insomnia prevalence, using DSM‐5 criteria, ranged from 4.1% (China) to 14.8% (UK). Evaluating risk using logistic regression adjusted only for age and gender, the lowest level of activity (<10 continuous min per week) was associated with significant insomnia risk (odds ratio = 1.37; 95% confidence interval = 1.05–1.79; p < 0.05). However, when adjusted for all covariates except country, only the highest level of physical activity (>300 min per week) was associated with significantly increased insomnia risk (odds ratio = 1.30; 95% confidence interval = 1.03–2.51; p < 0.05). Risk associated with high activity remained after the addition of “country” to the model (odds ratio = 1.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.02–1.69; p < 0.05). Across all models, female gender, low‐rated health, low education and older age consistently increased insomnia risk. These cross‐national data indicate that extremes of inactivity/activity can significantly influence insomnia risk independent of country. Insomnia risk associated with very low levels of activity may be mediated by poorer health and disadvantageous social status. However, while very high levels of activity increase insomnia risk independent of health and demographic factors, they may also confound with personally and occupationally demanding lifestyles.
Natural variation in stomata size contributes to the local adaptation of water‐use efficiency inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Dittberner Hannes , Korte Arthur , Mettler‐Altmann Tabea , Weber Andreas P. M. , Monroe Grey , de Meaux Juliette
Published: August 2018

Stomata control gas exchanges between the plant and the atmosphere. How natural variation in stomata size and density contributes to resolve trade‐offs between carbon uptake and water loss in response to local climatic variation is not yet understood. We developed an automated confocal microscopy approach to characterize natural genetic variation in stomatal patterning in 330 fully sequencedArabidopsis thalianaaccessions collected throughout the European range of the species. We compared this to variation in water‐use efficiency, measured as carbon isotope discrimination (δ13C). We detect substantial genetic variation for stomata size and density segregating withinArabidopsis thaliana. A positive correlation between stomata size and δ13C further suggests that this variation has consequences on water‐use efficiency. Genome wide association analyses indicate a complex genetic architecture underlying not only variation in stomatal patterning but also to its covariation with carbon uptake parameters. Yet, we report two novel QTL affecting δ13C independently of stomatal patterning. This suggests that, inA. thaliana, both morphological and physiological variants contribute to genetic variance in water‐use efficiency. Patterns of regional differentiation and covariation with climatic parameters indicate that natural selection has contributed to shape some of this variation, especially in Southern Sweden, where water availability is more limited in spring relative to summer. These conditions are expected to favour the evolution of drought avoidance mechanisms over drought escape strategies.
Functional divergence of a heterochromatin‐binding protein during stickleback speciation
Authors: Yoshida Kohta , Ishikawa Asano , Toyoda Atsushi , Shigenobu Shuji , Fujiyama Asao , Kitano Jun
Published: August 2018

Intragenomic conflict, the conflict of interest between different genomic regions within an individual, is proposed as a mechanism driving both the rapid evolution of heterochromatin‐related proteins and the establishment of intrinsic genomic incompatibility between species. Although molecular studies of laboratory model organisms have demonstrated the link between heterochromatin evolution and hybrid abnormalities, we know little about their link in natural systems. Previously, we showed that F1hybrids between the Japan Sea stickleback and the Pacific Ocean stickleback show hybrid male sterility and found a region responsible for hybrid male sterility on the X chromosome, but did not identify any candidate genes. In this study, we first screened for genes rapidly evolving under positive selection during the speciation of Japanese sticklebacks to find genes possibly involved in intragenomic conflict. We found that the region responsible for hybrid male sterility contains a rapidly evolving gene encoding a heterochromatin‐binding proteinTRIM24B. We conducted biochemical experiments and showed that the binding affinity ofTRIM24B to a heterochromatin mark found at centromeres and transposons, histone H4 lysine 20 trimethylation (H4K20me3), is reduced in the Japan Sea stickleback. In addition,mRNAexpression levels ofTrim24bwere different between the Japan Sea and the Pacific Ocean testes. Further expression analysis of genes possibly in theTRIM24B‐regulated pathway showed that some gypsy retrotransposons are overexpressed in the F1hybrid testes. We, therefore, demonstrate that a heterochromatin‐binding protein can evolve rapidly under positive selection and functionally diverge during stickleback speciation.