bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orbitofrontal gray matter deficits as marker of Internet gaming disorder: converging evidence from a cross‐sectional and prospective longitudinal design
Authors: Zhou Feng , Montag Christian , Sariyska Rayna , Lachmann Bernd , Reuter Martin , Weber Bernd , Trautner Peter , Kendrick Keith M. , Markett Sebastian , Becker Benjamin
Published: October 2017

Internet gaming disorder represents a growing health issue. Core symptoms include unsuccessful attempts to control the addictive patterns of behavior and continued use despite negative consequences indicating a loss of regulatory control. Previous studies revealed brain structural deficits in prefrontal regions subserving regulatory control in individuals with excessive Internet use. However, because of the cross‐sectional nature of these studies, it remains unknown whether the observed brain structural deficits preceded the onset of excessive Internet use. Against this background, the present study combined a cross‐sectional and longitudinal design to determine the consequences of excessive online video gaming. Forty‐one subjects with a history of excessive Internet gaming and 78 gaming‐naive subjects were enrolled in the present study. To determine effects of Internet gaming on brain structure, gaming‐naive subjects were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of daily Internet gaming (training group) or a non‐gaming condition (training control group). At study inclusion, excessive Internet gamers demonstrated lower right orbitofrontal gray matter volume compared with Internet gaming‐naive subjects. Within the Internet gamers, a lower gray matter volume in this region was associated with higher online video gaming addiction severity. Longitudinal analysis revealed initial evidence that left orbitofrontal gray matter volume decreased during the training period in the training group as well as in the group of excessive gamers. Together, the present findings suggest an important role of the orbitofrontal cortex in the development of Internet addiction with a direct association between excessive engagement in online gaming and structural deficits in this brain region.
Association of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene polymorphism rs1789891 with gray matter brain volume, alcohol consumption, alcohol craving and relapse risk
Authors: Bach Patrick , Zois Evangelos , Vollstädt‐Klein Sabine , Kirsch Martina , Hoffmann Sabine , Jorde Anne , Frank Josef , Charlet Katrin , Treutlein Jens , Beck Anne , Heinz Andreas , Walter Henrik , Rietschel Marcella , Kiefer Falk
Published: October 2017

Alcohol metabolizing enzymes, such as the alcohol dehydrogenases and the aldehyde dehydrogenases, regulate the levels of acetaldehyde in the blood and play an important role in the development and maintenance of alcohol addiction. Recent genome‐wide systematic searches found associations between a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1789891, risk allele: A, protective allele: C) in the alcohol dehydrogenase gene cluster and the risk of alcohol dependence. The current study investigated the effect of this single nucleotide polymorphism on alcohol consumption, craving for alcohol, relapse risk and brain gray matter volume. Alcohol‐dependent patients (n = 74) and controls (n = 43) were screened, genotyped and underwent magnetic resonance imaging scanning, and relapse data were collected during 3 months following the experiment. Alcohol‐dependent A allele carriers reported increased alcohol craving and higher alcohol consumption compared with the group of alcohol‐dependent individuals homozygous for the C allele, which displayed craving values similar to the control group. Further, follow‐up data indicated that A allele carriers relapsed earlier to heavy drinking compared with individuals with two C alleles. Analyses of gray matter volume indicated a significant genotype difference in the patient group: individuals with two C alleles had reduced gray matter volume in the left and right superior, middle and inferior temporal gyri.

Findings of the current study further support the relevance of genetic variants in alcohol metabolizing enzymes to addictive behavior, brain tissue volume and relapse risk. Genotype‐dependent differences in acetaldehyde formation, implicated by earlier studies, might be the biological substrate of the genotype differences.
Genome‐wide association study of alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) scores in 20 328 research participants of European ancestry
Authors: Sanchez‐Roige Sandra , Fontanillas Pierre , Elson Sarah L. ,   The 23andMe Research Team, Gray Joshua C. , de Wit Harriet , Davis Lea K. , MacKillop James , Palmer Abraham A.
Published: October 2017

Genetic factors contribute to the risk for developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). In collaboration with the genetics company 23andMe, Inc., we performed a genome‐wide association study of the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT), an instrument designed to screen for alcohol misuse over the past year. Our final sample consisted of 20 328 research participants of European ancestry (55.3% females; mean age = 53.8, SD = 16.1) who reported ever using alcohol. Our results showed that the ‘chip‐heritability’ of AUDIT score, when treated as a continuous phenotype, was 12%. No loci reached genome‐wide significance. The geneADH1C, which has been previously implicated in AUD, was among our most significant associations (4.4 × 10−7; rs141973904). We also detected a suggestive association on chromosome 1 (2.1 × 10−7; rs182344113) near the geneKCNJ9, which has been implicated in mouse models of high ethanol drinking. Using linkage disequilibrium score regression, we identified positive genetic correlations between AUDIT score, high alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. We also observed an unexpected positive genetic correlation between AUDIT and educational attainment and additional unexpected negative correlations with body mass index/obesity and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We conclude that conducting a genetic study using responses to an online questionnaire in a population not ascertained for AUD may represent a cost‐effective strategy for elucidating aspects of the etiology of AUD.
The genetic and environmental architecture of substance use development from early adolescence into young adulthood: a longitudinal twin study of comorbidity of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use
Authors: Waaktaar Trine , Kan Kees‐Jan , Torgersen Svenn
Published: October 2017

Aims

To investigate how use of alcohol, illicit drugs and tobacco come from substance‐specific pathways and from pathways general to all three substances through adolescent development.

Design

Analysis of population‐based survey. Adolescent twins reported alcohol use (AU), tobacco use (TU) and illicit drug use (IDU) in three waves (2006, 2008, 2010). Restructuring data by age allowed for variance decomposition into age‐ and substance‐specific and common genetic and environmental variance components.

Setting

Norway.

Participants

Seven national twin birth cohorts from 1988 to 1994, totalling 1483 pairs (558 monozygotic; 925 dizygotic, same and opposite sex).

Measurements

Six‐point Likert scores of AU, TU and IDU on items from the Monitoring the Future Study.

Findings

Substance use was found to be highly heritable; a2 = 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.61–0.94] for AU, a2 = 0.36 (CI = 0.18–0.52); d2 = 0.49 (95% CI = 0.29–0.62) for IDU and a2 = 0.46 (95% CI = 0.23–0.54); d2 = 0.05 (95% CI = 0.00–0.07) for TU during the whole adolescence period. General substance use (GSU) was also highly heritable at each age and averaged a2 = 0.57 (95% CI = 0.48–0.66). There was a high genetic carry‐over from earlier age to later age. Genetic effects on GSU at ages 12–14 years were still detectable 4 years later. New substance (general and specific)‐genetic effects also appeared. IDU demonstrated significant non‐additive genetic effects (ages 12–14 years). Shared environment had a small impact on AU only. There was almost no non‐shared environmental carry‐over from age to age, the effect probably due partly to reliability deficiency. Common genetic effects among substance and substance‐specific genetic effects were observed at each age‐period.

Conclusions

Among Norwegian adolescents, there appear to be strong genetic effects on both substance‐specific and comorbid use of alcohol, illicit drugs and tobacco; individual differences in alcohol use can be explained partially by family background.
Efficacy and toxicity of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin‐based chemotherapy in early‐stage breast cancer: a multicenter retrospective case–control study
Authors: Yang Fu Ou , Hsu Nicholas C. , Moi Sin‐Hua , Lu Yin‐Che , Hsieh Chia‐Ming , Chang King‐Jen , Chen Dar‐Ren , Tu Chi‐Wen , Wang Hwei‐Chung , Hou Ming‐Feng
Published: October 2017

Aim

PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) has comparable efficacy and differing toxicity from conventional anthracyclines used to treat advanced breast cancer. This study compared disease‐free survival and toxicity between PLD‐based and conventional anthracycline‐based regimens as adjuvant treatments for early‐stage breast cancer.

Methods

We analyzed disease‐free survival (DFS) rates, and adverse events in 102 women with early‐stage (I−IIIa) breast cancer who received adjuvant PLD‐based chemotherapy from 2002 to 2008. Each patient was matched for age, stage at diagnosis, HER‐2 expression and hormone therapy use to a patient treated with an epirubicin‐based regimen. Fisher's exact and Pearson's chi‐square tests were used for categorical data analysis. Kaplan−Meier analysis and Cox regression models were used to analyze DFS.

Results

DFS at 5 years was 81.3% for PLD‐based regimen and 82.3% for epirubicin‐based regimen. This difference was not significant (p = 0.939). Stage IIIa disease was associated with a shorter DFS in univariate analysis (p = 0.048). In multivariate analysis that controlled for adjuvant treatment, age at diagnosis, stage, HER‐2 expression, type of surgery and hormone and radiation therapy, stage IIIa disease (P = 0.023) and lack of hormone therapy (P = 0.024) were each independently associated with shorter DFS. Adverse events were evaluated, and with the exception of hand‐foot syndrome, more grade 3 and 4 toxicities occurred in patients who received epirubicin‐based regimens than in those given PLD‐based regimens.

Conclusion

For patients with early‐stage breast cancer who received PLD‐based adjuvant chemotherapy, 5‐year DFS was comparable and toxicity was acceptable, yet different from those of patients who received epirubicin‐based regimens.
Learning about Voter Rationality
Authors: Ashworth Scott , Bueno de Mesquita Ethan , Friedenberg Amanda
Published: October 2017

An important empirical literature evaluates whether voters are rational by examining how electoral outcomes respond to events outside the control of politicians, such as natural disasters or economic shocks. The argument is that rational voters should not base electoral decisions on such events, so evidence that these events affect electoral outcomes is evidence of voter irrationality. We show that such events can affect electoral outcomes, even if voters are rational and have instrumental preferences. The reason is that these events change voters' opportunities to learn new information about incumbents. Thus, identifying voter (ir)rationality requires more than just identifying the impact of exogenous shocks on electoral fortunes. Our analysis highlights systematic ways in which electoral fortunes are expected to change in response to events outside incumbents' control. Such results can inform empirical work attempting to identify voter (ir)rationality.
Ethnic disparities in rates of publicly funded bariatric surgery in New Zealand (2009–2014)
Authors: Rahiri Jamie‐Lee , Lauti Mel , Harwood Matire , MacCormick Andrew D. , Hill Andrew G.
Published: October 2017

Background

Publicly funded bariatric surgery in New Zealand (NZ) is steadily on the rise to meet the obesity epidemic. Ethnic disparities in obesity rates exist in NZ with Māori and Pacific people having three to five times higher rates than all other ethnic groups within NZ. Ethnic disparities in rates of bariatric surgery have been reported internationally. This research sought to describe rates of publically funded bariatric surgery by self‐identified ethnicity in NZ.

Methods

Using reported census and hospitalization discharge data from Statistics NZ and the NZ Ministry of Health, we calculated estimate rates of publicly funded bariatric surgery in the morbidly obese population from June 2009 to July 2014.

Results

The average number of publicly funded bariatric procedures performed per 1000 morbidly obese patients from June 2009 to July 2014 was 3.0 for European, 1.4 for Māori and 0.7 for Pacific ethnicities.

Conclusion

While these data should be interpreted cautiously due to data limitations, the estimated rates may indicate that bariatric services are currently being provided inequitably across the major ethnic groups within NZ. We suggest that further studies should be performed to explore potential patient, healthcare provider and system‐level factors that may contribute to ethnic disparities in the rates of publicly funded bariatric surgery in NZ.
Short‐ and long‐term complications of in utero exposure to lamotrigine
Authors: Cohen‐Israel Merav , Berger Itai , Martonovich Einat Y. , Klinger Gil , Stahl Bracha , Linder Nehama
Published: October 2017

Aims

The present study evaluates the effect of antenatal lamotrigine exposure, on short‐ and long‐term paediatric outcome.

Methods

The study included the children of 83 epileptic women treated with lamotrigine during pregnancy, at a tertiary medical centre between 2004–2014. All newborns were monitored for vital signs, congenital malformations and Finnegan score. In addition, the parents completed a questionnaire regarding their child's development and health up to the age of 12 years.

Results

No major malformations were found in the newborns. None of the newborns had significant withdrawal symptoms by Finnegan score. The children were followed‐up to the age of 12 years (56.6% were 6–12 years at the time of evaluation). There were no significant findings in the incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Conclusions

According to our experience, lamotrigine is generally safe for pregnancy use, associated with minimal short‐term complications with no long‐term effects on the outcome.
A relative weights comparison of trauma‐related shame and guilt as predictors ofDSM‐5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity amongUSveterans and military members
Authors: Cunningham Katherine C. , Davis Joanne L. , Wilson Sarah M. , Resick Patricia A.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

Veterans and military service members have increased risk for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and consequent problems with health, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life. In this population and others, shame and guilt have emerged as contributors toPTSD, but there is a considerable need for research that precisely demonstrates how shame and guilt are associated withPTSD. This study examined whether a) trauma‐related shame predictsPTSDseverity beyond the effects of trauma‐related guilt and b) shame accounts for a greater proportion of variance inPTSDsymptoms than guilt.

Design

We collected cross‐sectional self‐report data on measures ofPTSDsymptom severity based onDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition(DSM‐5) criteria, trauma‐related shame, and trauma‐related guilt via online survey.

Method

Participants included 61USveterans and active duty service members. Hierarchical multiple regression and relative weights analysis were used to test hypotheses.

Results

In step 1 of regression analysis, guilt was significantly associated withPTSD. However, when shame was added to the model, the effect of guilt became non‐significant, and only shame significant predictedPTSD. Results from relative weights analysis indicated that both shame and guilt predictedPTSD, jointly accounting for 46% of the variance inPTSD. Compared to guilt, trauma‐related shame accounted for significantly more explained variance inPTSD.

Conclusions

This study provided evidence that amongUSveterans and service members, trauma‐related shame and guilt differ in their association withPTSDand that trauma‐related shame, in particular, is associated with the severity ofPTSD.

Practitioner points

Trauma‐related shame and guilt explained almost half of the observed variance inPTSDsymptom severity among this sample ofUSmilitary veterans and service members.

Trauma‐related shame and guilt each made a unique contribution toPTSDseverity after accounting for the similarity between these two emotions; however, shame was particularly associated with increasedPTSDseverity.

These results highlight the importance of assessing and addressing trauma‐related shame and guilt inPTSDtreatment among military populations. We suggest that emotion‐ and compassion‐focused techniques may be particularly relevant for addressing trauma‐related shame and guilt.

Limitations of the study

Cross‐sectional data does not allow for determination of causal relationships.

Although sufficiently powered, the sample size is small.

The present sample self‐selected to participate in a study about stress and emotions.
Analysis of the regulatory function of natural killer cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Cruz-González D de J , Gómez-Martin D , Layseca-Espinosa E , Baranda L , Abud-Mendoza C , Alcocer-Varela J , González-Amaro R , Monsiváis-Urenda A E
Published: October 2017

Natural killer (NK) cells participate in the regulation of the immune response. However, the immunomodulatory function of NK cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regulatory function of NK cells in SLE patients and to identify the NK cells involved in the pathogenesis of this complex disease. We analysed the expression of NK receptors and co-stimulatory molecules in peripheral NK cells (CD3−CD56+) from SLE patients, as well as the numbers of human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR)/CD11c+ NK cells. In addition, NK cell regulatory function was assessed by the detection of NK cell-mediated dendritic cell (DC) lysis. We found that SLE patients showed increased numbers of immunoglobulin-like transcript 2 (ILT2)+, CD86+ and CD134+ NK cells. Furthermore, NK cells from SLE patients induced higher levels of DC lysis. We were able to identify a new subset of NK cells co-expressing CD11c and HLA-DR. These atypical NK cells were increased in SLE patients when compared with controls. We have identified an expanded new subset of NK cells in SLE patients. This is the first study, to our knowledge, which demonstrates that NK cells in SLE patients have an altered phenotype with a high expression of receptors characteristic of dendritic cells. Our results suggest that the impairment in the regulatory function of NK cells, together with the increased number of DC-like NK cells, could play an important role in the development of SLE and highlight the importance of NK cells as a future therapeutic target.
Genetic immunization with mouse thyrotrophin hormone receptor plasmid breaks self-tolerance for a murine model of autoimmune thyroid disease and Graves' orbitopathy
Authors: Schlüter A , Horstmann M , Diaz-Cano S , Plöhn S , Stähr K , Mattheis S , Oeverhaus M , Lang S , Flögel U , Berchner-Pfannschmidt U , Eckstein A , Banga J P
Published: October 2017

Experimental models of Graves' hyperthyroid disease accompanied by Graves' orbitopathy (GO) can be induced efficiently in susceptible inbred strains of mice by immunization by electroporation of heterologous human TSH receptor (TSHR) A-subunit plasmid. In this study, we report on the development of a bona fide murine model of autoimmune Graves' disease induced with homologous mouse TSHR A-subunit plasmid. Autoimmune thyroid disease in the self-antigen model was accompanied by GO and characterized by histopathology of hyperplastic glands with large thyroid follicular cells. Examination of orbital tissues showed significant inflammation in extra-ocular muscle with accumulation of T cells and macrophages together with substantial deposition of adipose tissue. Notably, increased levels of brown adipose tissue were present in the orbital tissue of animals undergoing experimental GO. Further analysis of inflammatory loci by 19F-magnetic resonance imaging showed inflammation to be confined to orbital muscle and optic nerve, but orbital fat showed no difference in inflammatory signs in comparison to control β-Gal-immunized animals. Pathogenic antibodies induced to mouse TSHR were specific for the self-antigen, with minimal cross-reactivity to human TSHR. Moreover, compared to other self-antigen models of murine Graves' disease induced in TSHR knock-out mice, the repertoire of autoantibodies to mouse TSHR generated following the breakdown of thymic self-tolerance is different to those that arise when tolerance is not breached immunologically, as in the knock-out models. Overall, we show that mouse TSHR A-subunit plasmid immunization by electroporation overcomes tolerance to self-antigen to provide a faithful model of Graves' disease and GO.
LONGEVITY, WORKING LIVES, AND PUBLIC FINANCES
Authors: Lassila Jukka , Valkonen Tarmo
Published: October 2017

We find that linking statutory retirement ages to life expectancy is a promising way to extend working lives and generate enough tax revenues so that generations enjoying longer lifetimes can also pay for the consequent increase in pensions and public health and long‐term care (LTC) expenditure. We use a numerical economic model, calibrated to the Finnish economy and demographics, in which mortality affects both retirement ages and per capita use of health and LTC services. Uncertainty in mortality projections and the resulting uncertainties in public finances and retirement policy effects are considered explicitly. (JEL H30, H63, H68, J11)
AFAP1‐AS1: A novel oncogenic long non‐coding RNA in human cancers
Authors: Zhang Fuyou , Li Jianfa , Xiao Huizhong , Zou Yifan , Liu Yuchen , Huang Weiren
Published: October 2017

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a group of non‐protein‐coding RNAs with more than 200 nucleotides in length, are involved in multiple biological processes, such as the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Moreover, numerous studies have shown that lncRNAs play important roles as oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes in human cancers. In this paper, we concentrate on actin filament‐associated protein 1‐antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1‐AS1), a well‐known long non‐coding RNA that is overexpressed in various tumour tissues and cell lines, including oesophageal cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, biliary tract cancer and gastric cancer. Moreover, high expression of AFAP1‐AS1 was associated with the clinicopathological features and cancer progression. In this review, we sum up the current studies on the characteristics of AFAP1‐AS1 in the biological function and mechanism of human cancers.
Disentangling biotic interactions, environmental filters, and dispersal limitation as drivers of species co‐occurrence
Authors: D'Amen Manuela , Mod Heidi K. , Gotelli Nicholas J. , Guisan Antoine
Published: October 2017

A key focus in ecology is to search for community assembly rules. Here we compare two community modelling frameworks that integrate a combination of environmental and spatial data to identify positive and negative species associations from presence–absence matrices, and incorporate an additional comparison using joint species distribution models (JSDM).

The frameworks use a dichotomous logic tree that distinguishes dispersal limitation, environmental requirements, and interspecific interactions as causes of segregated or aggregated species pairs. The first framework is based on a classical null model analysis complemented by tests of spatial arrangement and environmental characteristics of the sites occupied by the members of each species pair (Classic framework). The second framework, (SDM framework) implemented here for the first time, builds on the application of environmentally‐constrained null models (or JSDMs) to partial out the influence of the environment, and includes an analysis of the geographical configuration of species ranges to account for dispersal effects.

We applied these approaches to examine plot‐level species co‐occurrence in plant communities sampled along a wide elevation gradient in the Swiss Alps. According to the frameworks, the majority of species pairs were randomly associated, and most of the non‐random positive and negative species associations could be attributed to environmental filtering and/or dispersal limitation. These patterns were partly detected also with JSDM. Biotic interactions were detected more frequently in the SDM framework, and by JSDM, than in the Classic framework. All approaches detected species aggregation more often than segregation, perhaps reflecting the important role of facilitation in stressful high‐elevation environments.

Differences between the frameworks may reflect the explicit incorporation of elevational segregation in the SDM framework and the sensitivity of JSDM to the environmental data. Nevertheless, all methods have the potential to reveal general patterns of species co‐occurrence for different taxa, spatial scales, and environmental conditions.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in food webs: the vertical diversity hypothesis
Authors: Wang Shaopeng , Brose Ulrich
Published: October 2017

One challenge in merging community and ecosystem ecology is to integrate the complexity of natural multitrophic communities into concepts of ecosystem functioning. Here, we combine food‐web and allometry theories to demonstrate that primary production, as measured by the total nutrient uptake of the multitrophic community, is determined by vertical diversity (i.e. food web's maximum trophic level) and structure (i.e. distributions of species and their abundances and metabolic rates across trophic levels). In natural ecosystems, the community size distribution determines all these vertical patterns and thus the total nutrient uptake. Our model suggests a vertical diversity hypothesis (VDH) for ecosystem functioning in complex food webs. It predicts that, under a given nutrient supply, the total nutrient uptake increases exponentially with the maximum trophic level in the food web and it increases with its maximum body size according to a power law. The VDH highlights the effect of top–down regulation on plant nutrient uptake, which complements traditional paradigms that emphasised the bottom–up effect of nutrient supply on vertical diversity. We conclude that the VDH contributes to a synthetic framework for understanding the relationship between vertical diversity and ecosystem functioning in food webs and predicting the impacts of global changes on multitrophic ecosystems.
Next‐generation metrics for monitoring genetic erosion within populations of conservation concern
Authors: Leroy Gregoire , Carroll Emma L. , Bruford Mike W. , DeWoody J. Andrew , Strand Allan , Waits Lisette , Wang Jinliang
Published: October 2017

Genetic erosion is a major threat to biodiversity because it can reduce fitness and ultimately contribute to the extinction of populations. Here, we explore the use of quantitative metrics to detect and monitor genetic erosion. Monitoring systems should not only characterize the mechanisms and drivers of genetic erosion (inbreeding, genetic drift, demographic instability, population fragmentation, introgressive hybridization, selection) but also its consequences (inbreeding and outbreeding depression, emergence of large‐effect detrimental alleles, maladaptation and loss of adaptability). Technological advances in genomics now allow the production of data the can be measured by new metrics with improved precision, increased efficiency and the potential to discriminate between neutral diversity (shaped mainly by population size and gene flow) and functional/adaptive diversity (shaped mainly by selection), allowing the assessment of management‐relevant genetic markers. The requirements of such studies in terms of sample size and marker density largely depend on the kind of population monitored, the questions to be answered and the metrics employed. We discuss prospects for the integration of this new information and metrics into conservation monitoring programmes.
The uterus and early pregnancy failure in the mare
Authors: Wilsher S.
Published: October 2017

The environment the equine conceptus finds itself in when it arrives in the uterus some 6 days after ovulation will determine if it will thrive or die. The uterus will be its home for approximately the next 11 months and as such it needs to both coordinate the growth of the placenta and ensure there is enough nourishment passing to this organ for the fetus to develop normally. The trophoblast, endometrium, maternal ovaries and, later in pregnancy, the fetal gonads, all play roles in the hormonal changes that orchestrate these events. Although failures of these processes later in pregnancy can have catastrophic effects for the fetus, it is in early gestation that the foundations for a successful pregnancy are laid. This paper therefore concentrates on some of the noninfectious influences the uterus may have on survival of the young conceptus.
Fishing profiles of Danish seiners and bottom trawlers in relation to current EU management regulations
Authors: Noack T. , Frandsen R. P. , Wieland K. , Krag L. A. , Berg F. , Madsen N.
Published: October 2017

Danish seines and bottom trawls operate differently and have different catching processes. Both gears belong to the same legislative category in European fisheries, but different management strategies in other countries and criticism by fishers on grouping Danish seines and trawls together indicate disagreement on current gear classification. This study compared both gears in terms of their fishing characteristics and catches of commercial species based on 16 years of observer data. Danish seining is a specialised fishing method that targeted few species but with higher total catch rates than bottom trawlers. Bottom trawling is a more all‐purpose fishing method that targets a larger number of species, and bottom trawlers use larger engines than Danish seiners. A generalised additive mixed model indicated that catch rates of flatfish are generally higher for Danish seines, and catch rates of roundfish species are higher for trawlers. The results do not directly suggest a separation of the gears in terms of legislation as the quantities of fish below current minimum size were similar, but for example future survival studies may reach different conclusions. Additional factors were found to be important in determining catches of both gears.
Evaluation of the imprint of urban channel adjustment and management
Authors: Gregory Ken , Chin Anne
Published: October 2017

Decades of research have clarified the nature of urban channel adjustments and guided watershed management, so that now it is possible to conduct geomorphological evaluations of urban channel systems, including their management. Such evaluation may address functionality, appearance and resilience. Fountain Hills, Arizona, urbanised since 1970, offers an ideal case for evaluation. The 46 washes on which the urban area has been superimposed are in five groups, with 29% of washes currently categorised as near natural, 23% as adjusting but could recover, and 65% having some elements of the appearance of original washes. Overall, the management goal to maintain what is natural has not been realised, but an alternative objective stated as the need to achieve naturalisation is more viable. Those sections (11% of the total) which do not achieve the requirements of the guiding Ordinance include channelisation by hard engineering and sections incorporated into golf courses. Functionality is satisfactory in the 60% of wash length that has achieved naturalisation. Appearance is appropriate for that same wash length, although golf course developments produce wash lines at variance with the natural character. Short‐term resilience is accommodated by the wash management programme and by ongoing adaptive management. Land ownership accounts for some of the variations encountered. This evaluation approach could be applied to other areas, with a holistic basin plan to include the possibility of geomorphological change, thus reducing the need for adaptive management as urbanisation progresses and intensifies. Now that evaluation is feasible, proactive catchment management could be employed as a basis for introducing geomorphic design.
Effect of one‐time brief additional counseling on periodic health examination for 40‐ and 66‐year‐olds: 2‐Year follow up of 101 260 participants
Authors: Son Ki Young , Shin Dong Wook , Yang Hyung‐Kook , Yun Jae Moon , Chun So Hyun , Lee Jong‐Koo , Cho Be Long
Published: October 2017

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the effect of one‐time brief additional counseling in periodic health examinations (PHE) through the National Screening Program for the Translational Ages in Korea is sustained after 2 years.

Methods

We collected data from National Screening Program for the Translational Ages participants in 2007 and 2008. To evaluate behavior change after 2 years, we collected the participants’ health behavior data 2 years later (2009 and 2010). We defined the basic group as participants who only received PHE, and the additional group as received PHE and counseling. We carried out propensity score matching to ensure that additional counseling was the only different variable affecting health behavior between the two groups.

Results

After propensity score matching, 50 630 remaining matched participants were matched for each group. Of these participants, 26.5% (26 855/101 260) were aged 66 years, and 60.9% (61 653/101 260) were men. The additional group showed a significant increase in odds of smoking cessation among the 66‐year‐olds (adjusted OR 1.173, 95% CI 1.003–1.372). This effect was significant, especially when the participants did not have hypertension or hypercholesterolemia (adjusted OR 1.193, 95% CI 1.000–1.423 for hypertension and adjusted OR 1.188, 95% CI 1.009–1.398 for hypercholesterolemia). However, there was no significant association for alcohol drinking and regular exercise.

Conclusions

The effect of one‐time brief counseling added to a PHE in cigarette smoking was observed only among the 66‐year‐olds. However, the effect was so small that it is doubtful to be clinically relevant. Repeated counseling is required to sustain the effect of the initial motivation of counseling. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 329–337.
Induction of erythropoietin gene expression in epithelial cells by chemicals identified in GATA inhibitor screenings
Authors: Kaneko Hiroshi , Katoh Takehide , Hirano Ikuo , Hasegawa Atsushi , Tsujita Tadayuki , Yamamoto Masayuki , Shimizu Ritsuko
Published: October 2017

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that promotes proliferation, differentiation and survival of erythroid progenitors. EPO gene expression is regulated in a tissue‐specific and hypoxia‐inducible manner and is mainly restricted to renal EPO‐producing cells after birth. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) confers high risk for renal anemia due to lower EPO production from injured kidneys. In transgenic reporter lines of mice, disruption of a GATA‐binding motif within the Epo gene promoter‐proximal region restores constitutive reporter expression in epithelial cells. Here, mitoxantrone and its analogues, identified as GATA factor inhibitors through high‐throughput chemical library screenings, markedly induce EPO/Epo gene expression in epithelium‐derived cell lines and mice regardless of oxygen levels. In contrast, mitoxantrone interferes with hypoxia‐induced EPO gene expression in Hep3B cells. Cryptic promoters are created for the EPO/Epo gene expression in epithelial cells upon mitoxantrone treatment, and consequently, unique 5′‐untranslated regions are generated. The mitoxantrone‐induced aberrant transcripts contribute to the reporter protein production in epithelial cells that carry the reporter gene in the proper reading frame of mouse Epo gene. Thus, EPO production in uninjured adult epithelial cells may be a therapeutic approach for renal anemia in patients with CKD.
Support needs of people living with Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer) disease in a Ghana rural community: a grounded theory study
Authors: Effah Alex , Ersser Steven J. , Hemingway Ann
Published: October 2017

Introduction/Background

Mycobacterium ulcerans (also known as Buruli ulcer) disease is a rare skin disease which is prevalent in rural communities in the tropics mostly in Africa. Mortality rate is low, yet morbidity and consequent disabilities affect the quality of life of sufferers.

Aims

The aim of this paper is to use the grounded theory method to explore the support needs of people living with the consequences of Buruli ulcer in an endemic rural community in Ghana.

Methods

We used the grounded theory research approach to explore the experiences of people living with Mycobacterium ulcerans in a rural district in Ghana and provide a basis to understand the support needs of this group.

Results

The key support needs identified were: functional limitations, fear and frequency of disease recurrence, contracture of limbs and legs, loss of sensation and numbness in the affected body area, lack of information from health professionals about self‐care, feeling tired all the time, insomnia, lack of good diet, lack of access to prostheses, having to walk long distances to access health services, and loss of educational opportunities.

Discussions

The study discusses how the systematically derived qualitative data has helped to provide a unique insight and advance our understanding of the support needs of people living with BU and how they live and attempt to adapt their lives with disability. We discuss how the availability of appropriate interventions and equipment could help them self‐manage their condition and improve access to skin care services.

Conclusions

The support needs of this vulnerable group were identified from a detailed analysis of how those living with BU coped with their lives. A key issue is the lack of education to assist self‐management and prevent deterioration. Further research into the evaluation of interventions to address these support needs is necessary including self‐management strategies.
Skill Composition and Occupational Incorporation of Early and Recent Immigrants in Switzerland: the case of Italians and Spaniards
Authors: Vidal‐Coso Elena , Ortega‐Rivera Enrique
Published: October 2017

Using the 1980 Census and 2010‐2011 Structural Survey, we compare the socio‐demographic profile and the occupational incorporation of Italian and Spanish immigrants arriving in Switzerland between 1976 and 1980 with those arriving during the second half of the 2000s. We find evidence that the traditional over‐representation of Italian and Spanish immigrants among the lower strata of the occupational hierarchy at the end of the guest worker period is explained by their negative selection in terms of education and host language proficiency, corroborating the human capital hypothesis. However, the results also show the persistence of occupational disadvantages for these immigrants after controlling for human capital characteristics, indicating the existence of segmentation dynamics in the Swiss labour market. In contrast, recent cohorts of immigrants from Italy and Spain have definitively joined the collective of highly skilled foreign workers correctly matched in the Swiss labour market in accordance with their positive skill‐selectivity.
From Brakeman to Booster: Policy change in Germany's EU Labour Migration Policy
Authors: Kolb Holger
Published: October 2017

More than 8 years ago the Council Directive 2009/50/EC of 25 May 2009, which is also (and much better) known as Blue Card‐directive, came into effect. Although in general the passing of the directive can be regarded as a milestone in the history of EU migration policy, the first proposals of the directive brought forward by the European Commission envisaged a much deeper and more binding framework including less room for maneuver for the member states. It is well known that particularly the German government at that time spoke out against a (more) extensive Europeanisation of labour migration policy. In sharp contrast to this rather reluctant stance towards ?more Europe? in this area recent developments indicate a significant policy change in the German way of dealing with the question of how much Europe is necessary in labour migration policy. This article seeks to retrace this rather sudden shift and to put it into a broader context of migration policy change in Germany.
Prehospital Delay in Older Adults with Acute Myocardial Infarction: The ComprehenSIVe Evaluation of Risk Factors in Older Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Study
Authors: Ouellet Gregory M. , Geda Mary , Murphy Terrence E. , Tsang Sui , Tinetti Mary E. , Chaudhry Sarwat I.
Published: October 2017

Background/Objectives

Timely administration of antiischemic therapies improves outcomes in individuals with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Prior literature on delays in AMI care has largely focused on in‐hospital delay (“door to balloon” time). Our objective was to identify factors associated with prehospital delay in a contemporary national cohort of older adults with AMI.

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of data from the ComprehenSIVe Evaluation of Risk Factors in Older Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (SILVER‐AMI) study, an observational study of older adults hospitalized for AMI.

Setting

U.S. academic and community hospitals (N = 94).

Participants

Individuals aged 75 and older hospitalized for AMI (N = 2,500).

Measurements

Prehospital delay was defined as symptom duration of 6 hours or longer before hospital presentation and was obtained according to participant or caregiver report during AMI hospitalization. Potential predictors of delay from demographic, clinical presentation, comorbid conditions, function, and social support domains were obtained through in‐person assessment during the index hospitalization and medical record abstraction.

Results

Nonwhite race (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.54, P = .002), atypical symptoms (aOR = 1.41, P = .001), and heart failure (HF) (aOR = 1.35, P = .006 for HF) were significantly associated with delay.

Conclusion

In contrast with younger AMI populations, female sex and diabetes mellitus were not associated with delay in this older cohort, but factors from other domains (nonwhite race, atypical symptoms, and HF) were significantly associated with delay. These results can be used to customize future public health efforts to encourage early presentation for older adults with AMI.
Q‐switched Nd: YAG laser alone or with modified Jessner chemical peeling for treatment of mixed melasma in dark skin types: A comparative clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Saleh Fatma , Moftah Noha H , Abdel‐Azim Eman , Gharieb Marwa G
Published: October 2017

Backgrounds

Treatment of mixed melasma remains challenging. Promising results have been achieved with low‐fluence 1064‐nm Q‐switched Nd‐YAG laser; however, multiple sessions are necessary with occurrence of complications especially in dark skin types. So, combination methods may be recommended.

Aims

To compare efficacy of Q‐switched Nd‐YAG laser alone or with modified Jessner's peel in mixed melasma in dark skin.

Patients/Methods

Nineteen patients with mixed melasma received 6 sessions of laser on left side of face and alternating laser and modified Jessner on right side. Evaluation was carried out clinically through modified melasma area and severity index at 1 month after last session. Using histopathological, immunohistochemical, and computerized morphometric analysis, objective evaluation of melanin particle surface area and MART‐1‐positive cells was performed for pre‐ and post‐treated skin biopsies.

Results

There was significant clinical improvement on both sides of face (P < .001), without significant difference (P > .05). At the sixth laser session on left side of face, ill‐defined mottled hypopigmentation was observed in 21.05% of patients. Histopathologically, melanin particle surface area and number of MART‐1‐positive cells (total, epidermal, and dermal) were significantly decreased after two treatment modalities (P < .001), without significant difference in their reduction percentage between both sides of face (P > .05).

Conclusion

Low‐fluence Q‐switched Nd‐YAG laser alone and with modified Jessner's peel are equally effective regimens for mixed melasma clinically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically. However, combined method is preferred, especially in dark skin, for obtaining better cosmetic result with fewer side effects of multiple laser sessions and decreasing cost rate of laser.
Conceptualising and Categorising Child Abuse Inquiries: From Damage Control to Foregrounding Survivor Testimony
Authors: Swain Shurlee , Wright Katie , Sköld Johanna
Published: October 2017

Testimony before inquiries into out‐of‐home care that have taken place in many countries over the last twenty years has severely disrupted received ideas about the quality of care given to children in the past. Evidence of the widespread abuse of children presented before recent inquiries internationally gives rise to the question: why didn’t we know? Part of the answer lies in the changing forms and functions of inquiries, whose interests they serve, how they are organised and how they gather evidence. Using as a case study, a survey of historical abuse inquiries in Australia, this article explores the shift to victim and survivor testimony and in so doing offers a new way of conceptualising and categorising historical child abuse inquiries. It focuses less on how inquiries are constituted or governed, and instead advances an historically contextualised approach that foregrounds the issue of who speaks and who is heard.
The impact of rumen cannulation on the microbial community of goat rumens as measured using 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing
Authors: Wang L. , Wu D. , Yan T. , Wang L.
Published: October 2017

The main objective of this study was to determine the impact of rumen cannulation on the microbial community of goat rumens using 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing. Twelve Boer crossbred goats were used in the experiment: six goats were surgically fitted with rumen cannula, and the other six were used as controls. All goats were fed the same diet for 20 days, after which their rumen digesta were sampled once per week for three consecutive weeks. Total microbial DNA was extracted from the collected rumen fluid and was used as a template to amplify the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. High‐throughput sequencing was performed using an Illumina MiSeq platform, and the sequences were analyzed primarily using the Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology pipeline software. The results showed that the Chao 1 index, the observed species index and the Shannon‐Wiener index were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the two groups. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Tenericutes were the predominant phylum in both groups, and their relative abundance was 60.63%, 29.48%, 2.24% (n = 6, CT group) and 61.17%, 26.92%, 1.66% (n = 6, RC group) respectively. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the microbial communities of RC goats, and Planctomycetes and Chloroflexi were significantly lower (p = 0.02). The abundances of other phyla were not significantly different between treatments. A total of 19 lower‐level taxa also exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05) in relative abundance between the groups. In addition, there were 18 genera shared within the control group, 26 shared within the rumen‐cannulated group, and 16 shared by both groups. Prevotella was the most abundant shared genus, although its abundance was not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the groups. In conclusion, although the most abundant microbes kept stable, rumen cannulation had the potential to significantly change rumen microbial communities in goats.