bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Belgium
Authors: Forget Patrice , Broekmans Susan , de Ruddere Lies , Goethals Conny , Lauwers Koen , Leroy Bruno , Schommer Marie-Claire , Hans Guy
Published: January 2018

Belgium is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Bulgaria
Authors: Temelkov Atanas
Published: January 2018

Bulgaria is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Croatia
Authors: Fingler Mira , Radoš Ivan
Published: January 2018

Croatia is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Czech Republic
Authors: Rokyta Richard , Kozák Jiří
Published: January 2018

The Czech Republic is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Estonia
Authors: Kunevich Maksim , Shilova Aleksandra
Published: January 2018

Estonia is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Finland
Authors: Nevantaus Juha
Published: January 2018

Finland is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
France
Authors: Bouhassira Didier , Attal Nadine
Published: January 2018

France is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Germany
Authors: Tölle Thomas , Schäfer Michael , Isenberg Thomas
Published: January 2018

Germany is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Israel
Authors: Eisenberg Elon , Brill Silviu
Published: January 2018

Israel is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Italy
Authors: Coacciol Stefano , Paladini Antonella
Published: January 2018

Italy is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Lithuania
Authors: Sciupokas Arunas
Published: January 2018

Lithuania is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Norway
Authors: Borchgrevink Petter , Woodhouse Astrid
Published: January 2018

Norway is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Poland
Authors: Dobrogowski Jan , Kocot-Kępska Magdalena
Published: January 2018

Poland is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Romania
Authors: Nica Adriana Sarah
Published: January 2018

Romania is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Switzerland
Authors: Ljutow André , Cedrasch Christine
Published: January 2018

Switzerland is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described within, and specific issues we have tackled to improve the delivery of pain care.
Turkey
Authors: Ozyalcin Nuri Süleyman
Published: January 2018

Turkey is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Ukraine
Authors: Romanenko Vladimir
Published: January 2018

The United Kingdom is a member of the European Pain Federation (EFIC). The national pain society works to support the needs of patients with pain, including those with acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, pain in later life, and at the end of life. In this chapter of European Pain Management we describe first the geography and history of the country as it relates to the recent demographics of the population, the prevalence of pain and needs for pain management, the pain workforce and its organization, the system pain specialists work within, and specific issues that have been tackled to improve the delivery of pain care. An example of recent innovation is also described.
Opioids for pain in Europe: Differing problems and differing solutions
Authors: Stannard Cathy
Published: January 2018

Opioids remain a major advance in pain medicine, but their power comes with responsibility. The prescription of opioid medicines has become a major policy issue in all nations across Europe. In this chapter of European Pain Management we offer a brief history of the use of opioids for pain, with a focus on how the modern challenges have developed, followed by a review of opioid prescribing across Europe, compared with that in North America. The harms of opioid use are reviewed, as are the barriers to their effective use in the European context. A working example from the United Kingdom is given, but a focus on the common experiences across Europe is maintained. The challenge for pain clinicians is always to offer the best treatment for the person with enduring and intrusive pain, but not at the cost of exposing a larger population of patients to harm.
Introduction: An example of programme development
Authors: Chan Emily Ying Yang
Published: January 2018

In Asia, people living in disaster-prone rural communities are often characterized by being ethnic-minority-based, living in extreme poverty (less than US$1.25/person/day), and lacking technical ‘know-how’ or resources for disaster preparedness. After disasters, these rural communities are often left to manage their own post-disaster health risks and have to face the post-disaster development challenges alone, particularly those of public health. This chapter discusses the Ethnic Minority Health Project (EMHP) of The Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC) in China since 2009, including its background, goal, project structure, and main areas of interventions. This project serves as an example of how a bottom-up health and disaster risk reduction programme may be established.
Public health principles for health and disaster risk reduction programmes
Authors: Chan Emily Ying Yang
Published: January 2018

Public health is a multidisciplinary subject which not only concerns health on an individual level, but also the protection and improvement of the community’s health as a whole. This chapter discusses a number of basic concepts in public health to support conceptualization and building of health and emergency and disaster risk reduction programmes at the field level. This includes the three domains of public health, namely health protection, health improvement, and health services. The different determinants of health, including disease prevention and the epidemiological triangle, and the importance of health promotion (e.g. the Healthy Settings approach) are also covered here.
Public health in rural Asia I
Authors: Chan Emily Ying Yang
Published: January 2018

The rural health situation in Asia varies from country to country. In Asia, about half (47.5%) of the population were urban dwellers in 2014 and the rate of urbanization is expected to be the fastest compared to all other continents, of which approximately 65% live in urban settings. Projected between 2014 and 2050, seven of the ten countries with the largest declines in rural population are from Asia, with the top five coming from China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. The top five most populous urban agglomerations in 2030 will all be located in Asia, namely Tokyo (37.2 million), Delhi (36.1 million), Shanghai (30.8 million), Mumbai (27.8 million), and Beijing (27.7 million). This chapter summarizes the public health status quo in some of these Asia–Pacific countries, highlighting the challenges encountered and providing empirical background for organizing health and emergency and disaster risk reduction programmes.
Public health in rural Asia II
Authors: Chan Emily Ying Yang
Published: January 2018

This chapter summarizes the public health status quo in another eight developing Asia–Pacific countries, highlighting the challenges faced to provide empirical background for organizing health and emergency and disaster risk reduction programmes. These are: Mongolia Uls (Republic of Mongolia/Mongolia); Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Myanmar); the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Nepal); Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Pakistan); the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG); Republic of the Philippines (the Philippines); Kingdom of Thailand (Thailand); and Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam). While Asia hosts the largest population size of the continents, it also presents major health disparities and needs among its rural communities. It remains a challenge to address the multiple health needs and engage in health protection through health promotion in these contexts.
Special topics in rural health I
Authors: Chan Emily Ying Yang
Published: January 2018

To provide more in-depth background and forward-looking perspective in rural health for readers, this chapter looks into two emerging areas in rural health, namely, natural disasters and climate change. Emergency health responses after disasters include the emergency treatment of injuries, basic care for communicable diseases such as diarrhoea and respiratory infections, surveillance, and emergency preparedness for disease outbreaks, nutritional support, water supplies, and sanitation. Globally, natural disasters have increased during the past two decades. Asia, which is characterized by high population density and wide socioeconomic disparities among its countries, had the highest number of natural disasters in the past three decades. Most of the countries in the region had limited disaster response capacities and for the first decade following the millennium, Asia can be considered as the most disaster-prone continent globally. Specific issues for individual countries are included and discussed in textbox format.
Special topics in rural health II
Authors: Chan Emily Ying Yang
Published: January 2018

This chapter looks into another three emerging areas in rural health, namely, border towns, plantation, and nomadic pastoralists. The health status of general population may not be able to fully reflect the health problems of the border towns. As border towns offer work opportunities which may take people across the border, their socioeconomic prospective and health may be affected by the working environments and conditions of another country. In many cases, the population that has settled in the border area is composed of ethnic minorities and tends to be marginalized and neglected by the larger society. Specific issues for individual countries are included and discussed in textbox format.
Special topics in rural health III
Authors: Chan Emily Ying Yang
Published: January 2018

This chapter looks into the last three emerging areas in rural health, namely, older persons, migration, and technology. Population ageing is a global phenomenon. The growth in the number of older people is faster in developing regions, including many Asian countries like Thailand. Many of the elders living in rural areas are experiencing changes associated with sociodemographic development, such as adult offspring moving away, changes in living arrangements, and being responsible for the care of grandchildren. With the rapidly growing number of older persons, more planning and support from society is needed to improve their healthcare and quality of life. This chapter looks into the last three emerging areas in rural health, namely, older persons, migration, and technology. Specific issues for individual countries are included and discussed in textbox format.
Radial distributions of surface mass density and mass-to-luminosity ratio in spiral galaxies
Authors: Sofue Yoshiaki
Published: January 2018

We present radial profiles of the surface mass density (SMD) in spiral galaxies directly calculated using rotation curves of two approximations of flat-disk (SMD-F) and spherical mass distribution (SMD-S). The SMDs are combined with surface brightness using photometric data to derive radial variations of the mass-to-luminosity ratio (ML). It is found that the ML generally has a central peak or a plateau, and decreases to a local minimum at R ∼ 0.1–0.2 h, where R is the radius and h is the scale radius of optical disk. The ML, then, increases rapidly until ∼0.5 h, and is followed by gradual rise till ∼2 h, remaining at around ∼2 [$M_{\odot}\,L^{-1}_{\odot}$] in the w1 band (infrared λ3.4 μm) and $\sim 10\ [M_\odot L_\odot ^{-1}]$ in the r band (λ6200–7500 Å). Beyond this radius, the ML increases steeply with approaching the observed edges at R ∼ 5 h, attaining to as high values as ∼20 in w1 and $\sim 10^2\ [M_\odot L_\odot ^{-1}]$ in the r band, which are indicative of dominant dark matter. The general properties of the ML distributions will be useful for constraining cosmological formation models of spiral galaxies.
Using Epidemiological Principles to Explain Fungicide Resistance Management Tactics: Why do Mixtures Outperform Alternations?
Authors: Elderfield James A. D. , Lopez-Ruiz Francisco J. , van den Bosch Frank , Cunniffe Nik J.
Published: January 2018

Whether fungicide resistance management is optimized by spraying chemicals with different modes of action as a mixture (i.e., simultaneously) or in alternation (i.e., sequentially) has been studied by experimenters and modelers for decades. However, results have been inconclusive. We use previously parameterized and validated mathematical models of wheat Septoria leaf blotch and grapevine powdery mildew to test which tactic provides better resistance management, using the total yield before resistance causes disease control to become economically ineffective (“lifetime yield”) to measure effectiveness. We focus on tactics involving the combination of a low-risk and a high-risk fungicide, and the case in which resistance to the high-risk chemical is complete (i.e., in which there is no partial resistance). Lifetime yield is then optimized by spraying as much low-risk fungicide as is permitted, combined with slightly more high-risk fungicide than needed for acceptable initial disease control, applying these fungicides as a mixture. That mixture rather than alternation gives better performance is invariant to model parameterization and structure, as well as the pathosystem in question. However, if comparison focuses on other metrics, e.g., lifetime yield at full label dose, either mixture or alternation can be optimal. Our work shows how epidemiological principles can explain the evolution of fungicide resistance, and also highlights a theoretical framework to address the question of whether mixture or alternation provides better resistance management. It also demonstrates that precisely how spray tactics are compared must be given careful consideration.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .
Results of Casting in Severe Curves in Infantile Scoliosis
Authors: Stasikelis Peter J. , Carpenter Ashley M.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Previous work has demonstrated best results for casting in infantile scoliosis when the curves are small and the child begins casting under 2 years of age. This study examines if casting can delay the need for growth friendly instrumentation in severe curves (50 to 106 degrees) and how the comorbidities of syrinx or genetic syndromes affected outcomes.

Methods:

All children undergoing casting for scoliosis at a single institution over an 8-year period were examined. Inclusion criteria included initial curve at first casting of ≥50 degrees, age ≤3 years at the start of casting, and a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Of 148 children undergoing casting during this period, 44 met our inclusion criteria. All children underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Ten children with a syrinx were identified. Ten children had known genetic syndromes (2 who also had a syrinx). The 26 children without these comorbidities were considered idiopathic. Curve magnitude ranged from 50 to 106 degrees.

Results:

Nine of the 26 (35%) children in the children with idiopathic curves demonstrated resolution of their curves, while only 3 of the remaining 18 (17%) did. Of the children that did not have resolution of their curves, 14 were maintained over the entire follow-up period to within 15 degrees of their initial curve and 13 were improved 15 degrees or more. Only 5 children had an increase of 15 degrees or more over the follow-up period and 4 of these have undergone growth friendly instrumentation after a mean delay from initial cast of 71 months (range, 18 to 100 mo).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that even in severe curves, casting was effective in delaying instrumentation in all cases, and led to curve resolution of the curves in 12 of 44 children.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—case control study.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Nivolumab and Radiotherapy in Pretreated Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Fiorica Francesco , Belluomini Lorenzo , Stefanelli Antonio , Santini Alessandra , Urbini Benedetta , Giorgi Carlotta , Frassoldati Antonio
Published: January 2018

Background:

In the last decade, the discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors such as thePD-1inhibitor, nivolumab, has revolutionized the treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Concurrent radiotherapy (RT) is of particular interest in showing the potential role of the combination.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the addition of RT to an immune checkpoint inhibitor, nivolumab, with regard to activity and feasibility in pretreated, advanced, or metastatic lung cancer patients at our center.

Patients and Methods:

We retrospectively identified 35 consecutive patients (30 men and 5 women), who received nivolumab for pretreated NSCLC, between March 2015 to December 2016. Fifteen received hypofractionated RT as a palliative measure, and, in these patients, nivolumab was administered at an interval of at least 1 week from the end of RT.

Results:

The median age was 69 years, and 23 patients (65.7%) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of 0 to 1. All patients had previously received at least 1 systemic regimen, and, for only 3 (8.6%), nivolumab was a third-line treatment. The 2 treatment arms, RT-nivolumab and only-nivolumab, were well matched for baseline characteristics. At a median follow-up of 7.4 months, the 1-year overall survival rates were 57.8% for patients treated with RT-nivolumab and 27.4% for patients treated with only-nivolumab (P=0.043). The 1-year progression-free survival in the RT-nivolumab group was 57.8% and 20.6% in the only-nivolumab group (P=0.040). No difference in adverse events was detected.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, RT and nivolumab can be combined, obtaining a benefit in overall survival and progression-free survival, without an increase in acute toxicities in pretreated advanced NSCLC patients. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
Accuracy of Corneal Thickness by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography and Scheimpflug Camera in Virgin and Treated Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy
Authors: Arnalich-Montiel Francisco , Ortiz-Toquero Sara , Auladell Clara , Couceiro Ana
Published: January 2018

Purpose:

To assess intraobserver repeatability, intersession reproducibility, and agreement of swept-source Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and the Scheimpflug camera in measuring corneal thickness in virgin and grafted eyes with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).

Methods:

Thirty-six control eyes, 35 FECD eyes, 30 FECD with corneal edema eyes, 25 Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) eyes, and 29 Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) eyes were included. The apical center, pupillary center, and thinnest corneal thickness were determined in 3 consecutive images and repeated 2 weeks later. Repeatability and reproducibility coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients, and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) between measurements were calculated. Agreement between devices was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis.

Results:

Corneal thickness measurements were highly reproducible and repeatable with both systems. SS-OCT showed better repeatability in all corneal locations in the normal, FECD, FECD with edema, DSAEK, and DMEK groups (coefficient of variation ≤0.60%, ≤0.36%, ≤0.43%, ≤1.09%, and ≤0.48%, respectively) than the Scheimpflug (coefficient of variation ≤1.15%, ≤0.92%, ≤1.10%, ≤1.25%, and ≤1.14%, respectively). Between-session 95% LOA for SS-OCT was less than 3% for all groups except for the FECD with edema group, being almost double using the Scheimpflug camera. Differences between instruments were statistically significant in all groups and locations (P < 0.01) except in the DSAEK group (P ≤ 0.51); however, SS-OCT underestimated all measurements.

Conclusions:

SS-OCT provides better reproducible and repeatable measurements of corneal thickness than those obtained with the Scheimpflug camera in patients with FECD or an endothelial transplant. Variations between examinations higher than the 95% LOA observed in our study should raise awareness of changes in the endothelial function.
Reduction in Histone H3 Acetylation and Chromatin Remodeling in Corneas of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Herencia-Bueno Karina E. , Aldrovani Marcela , Crivelaro Roberta M. , Thiesen Roberto , Barros-Sobrinho Alexandre A. F. , Claros-Chacaltana Flor D. Y. , Padua Ivan R. M. , Santos Daniela M. , Laus José L.
Published: January 2018

Purpose:

To evaluate acetylation of histone H3, chromatin remodeling, nuclear size and shape, DNA ploidy, and distribution of nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) in corneal epithelial and stromal cells of diabetic and nondiabetic rats.

Methods:

Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan. All diabetic rats (n = 20) included in the study had 4 weeks of moderate-to-severe hyperglycemia (plasma glucose levels >400 mg/dL). Acetylated histone H3 levels were quantified in corneal tissue using a colorimetric assay. Chromatin remodeling, nuclear sizes (area/perimeter) and shapes (circularity), and DNA ploidies were evaluated from Feulgen-stained tissue sections using video image analysis. Distributions of NORs were studied in tissue sections impregnated with silver ions. Ophthalmic clinical parameters, including corneal sensitivity, were investigated. Twenty nondiabetic rats were used as controls.

Results:

Acetylation of histone H3 was reduced in the corneas of the diabetic rats. Nuclei in corneal epithelial cells of diabetic rats compacted chromatin, increased in size, modified their shapes, and elevated DNA ploidy. The only nuclear change observed in the corneal stromal cells of diabetic rats was chromatin decompaction. The size of the silver-stained NOR did not differ between the study samples. The corneal sensitivity in diabetic rats was 51.8% lower than that in nondiabetic rats.

Conclusions:

The results of this study show that alloxan-induced diabetes altered the histone H3 acetylation pattern and compromised the chromatin supraorganization in corneal tissue/cells. Continued research is needed to understand the clinical and morphofunctional significance of changes in corneal cell nuclei of diabetic individuals.
DNA methylation in human lipid metabolism and related diseases
Authors: Mittelstraß Kirstin , Waldenberger Melanie
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

It is becoming increasingly evident that epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, play a role in the regulation of blood lipid levels and lipid metabolism-linked phenotypes and diseases.

Recent findings

Recent genome-wide methylation and candidate gene studies of blood lipids have highlighted several robustly replicated methylation markers across different ethnicities. Furthermore, many of these lipid-related CpG sites associated with blood lipids are also linked to lipid-related phenotypes and diseases. Integrating epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) data with other layers of molecular data such as genetics or the transcriptome, accompanied by relevant statistical methods (e.g. Mendelian randomization), provides evidence for causal relationships. Recent data suggest that epigenetic changes can be consequences rather than causes of dyslipidemia. There is sparse information on many lipid classes and disorders of lipid metabolism, and also on the interplay of DNA methylation with other epigenetic layers such as histone modifications and regulatory RNAs.

The current review provides a literature overview of epigenetic modifications in lipid metabolism and other lipid-related phenotypes and diseases focusing on EWAS of DNA methylation from January 2016 to September 2017. Recent studies strongly support the importance of epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, in lipid metabolism and related diseases for relevant biological insights, reliable biomarkers, and even future therapeutics.
A Systemic Review of Transoral Thyroidectomy
Authors: Shan Liqun , Liu Jianing
Published: January 2018

Background:

Transoral thyroidectomy is a kind of “natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)” which is now being performed in increasing frequency. However, the safety and feasibility have not been concluded yet.

Materials and Methods:

A systemic literature search was performed in Pubmed, Cochrane, and Embase databases to identify all studies written in English and published up to April 2017. The keywords used were “transoral endoscopic,” “transoral robotic,” “oral vestibular endoscopic,” and “oral vestibular robotic” combined with “thyroidectomy” or “thyroid surgery.”

Results:

Ten articles containing 211 cases matched the review criteria. The weighted average operative time was 119.9 minutes with an average intraoperative blood loss of 35.5 mL while the weighted average length of hospital stay was 4.0 days. The overall conversion rate to open surgery was 1.9%. An overall incidence rate of temporary hypoparathyroidism was 7.1%, temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 4.3%, whereas of mental nerve palsy was 4.3%.

Conclusions:

According to those reviewed literatures, we can conclude that transoral thyroidectomy is safe and feasible in well-selected patients and offers good perioperative and postoperative outcomes.
An eutherian intronic sequence gave rise to a major satellite DNA in Platyrrhini
Authors: Valeri Mirela Pelizaro , Dias Guilherme Borges , Pereira Valéria do Socorro , Campos Silva Kuhn Gustavo , Svartman Marta
Published: January 2018

Satellite DNAs (satDNAs) are major components of eukaryote genomes. However, because of their quick divergence, the evolutionary origin of a given satDNA family can rarely be determined. Herein we took advantage of available primate sequenced genomes to determine the origin of the CapA satDNA (approx. 1500 bp long monomers), first described in the tufted capuchin monkey
Sapajus apella
. We show that CapA is an abundant satDNA in Platyrrhini, whereas in the genomes of most eutherian mammals, including humans, this sequence is present only as a single copy located within a large intron of the NOS1AP (
nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein
) gene. Our data suggest that this intronic CapA-like sequence gave rise to the CapA satDNA and we discuss possible mechanisms implicated in this event. This is the first report to our knowledge of a single copy intronic sequence giving origin to a satDNA that reaches up to 100 000 copies in some genomes.
A novel framework for evaluating the performance of codon usage bias metrics
Authors: Liu Sophia S. , Hockenberry Adam J. , Jewett Michael C. , Amaral Luís A. N.
Published: January 2018

The unequal utilization of synonymous codons affects numerous cellular processes including translation rates, protein folding and mRNA degradation. In order to understand the biological impact of variable codon usage bias (CUB) between genes and genomes, it is crucial to be able to accurately measure CUB for a given sequence. A large number of metrics have been developed for this purpose, but there is currently no way of systematically testing the accuracy of individual metrics or knowing whether metrics provide consistent results. This lack of standardization can result in false-positive and false-negative findings if underpowered or inaccurate metrics are applied as tools for discovery. Here, we show that the choice of CUB metric impacts both the significance and measured effect sizes in numerous empirical datasets, raising questions about the generality of findings in published research. To bring about standardization, we developed a novel method to create synthetic protein-coding DNA sequences according to different models of codon usage. We use these benchmark sequences to identify the most accurate and robust metrics with regard to sequence length, GC content and amino acid heterogeneity. Finally, we show how our benchmark can aid the development of new metrics by providing feedback on its performance compared to the state of the art.
A functional evaluation of feeding in the surgeonfish
Ctenochaetus striatus
: the role of soft tissues
Authors: Tebbett Sterling B. , Goatley Christopher H. R. , Huertas Víctor , Mihalitsis Michalis , Bellwood David R.
Published: January 2018

Ctenochaetus striatus
is one of the most abundant surgeonfishes on Indo-Pacific coral reefs, yet the functional role and feeding ecology of this species remain unclear. This species is reported to possess a rigid structure in its palate that is used for scraping, but some authors have reported that this element is comprised of soft tissue. To resolve the nature and role of this structure in the feeding ecology of
C. striatus
we examined evidence from anatomical observations, scanning electron microscopy, histology, X-ray micro-computed tomography scanning, high-speed video and field observations. We found that
C. striatus
from the Great Barrier Reef possess a retention plate (RP) on their palates immediately posterior to the premaxillary teeth which is soft, covered in a thin veneer of keratin with a papillate surface. This RP appears to be used during feeding, but does not appear to be responsible for the removal of material, which is achieved primarily by a fast closure of the lower jaw. We infer that the RP acts primarily as a ‘dustpan’, in a ‘dustpan and brush’ feeding mechanism, to facilitate the collection of particulate material from algal turfs.
Understanding heterogeneities in mosquito-bite exposure and infection distributions for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis
Authors: Irvine Michael A. , Kazura James W. , Hollingsworth T. Deirdre , Reimer Lisa J.
Published: January 2018

It is well known that individuals in the same community can be exposed to a highly variable number of mosquito bites. This heterogeneity in bite exposure has consequences for the control of vector-borne diseases because a few people may be contributing significantly to transmission. However, very few studies measure sources of heterogeneity in a way which is relevant to decision-making. We investigate the relationship between two classic measures of heterogeneity, spatial and individual, within the context of lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic mosquito-borne disease. Using infection and mosquito-bite data for five villages in Papua New Guinea, we measure biting characteristics to model what impact bed-nets have had on control of the disease. We combine this analysis with geospatial modelling to understand the spatial relationship between disease indicators and nightly mosquito bites. We found a weak association between biting and infection heterogeneity within villages. The introduction of bed-nets increased biting heterogeneity, but the reduction in mean biting more than compensated for this, by reducing prevalence closer to elimination thresholds. Nightly biting was explained by a spatial heterogeneity model, while parasite load was better explained by an individual heterogeneity model. Spatial and individual heterogeneity are qualitatively different with profoundly different policy implications.
Low intensity blood parasite infections do not reduce the aerobic performance of migratory birds
Authors: Hahn Steffen , Bauer Silke , Dimitrov Dimitar , Emmenegger Tamara , Ivanova Karina , Zehtindjiev Pavel , Buttemer William A.
Published: January 2018

Blood parasites (Haemosporidia) are thought to impair the flight performance of infected animals, and therefore, infected birds are expected to differ from their non-infected counterparts in migratory capacity. Since haemosporidians invade host erythrocytes, it is commonly assumed that infected individuals will have compromised aerobic capacity, but this has not been examined in free-living birds. We tested if haemosporidian infections affect aerobic performance by examining metabolic rates and exercise endurance in migratory great reed warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) experimentally treated withPlasmodium relictumpGRW04 and in naturally infected wild birds over consecutive life-history stages. We found no effect of acute or chronic infections on resting metabolic rate, maximum metabolic rate or exercise endurance in either experimentally treated or free-living birds. Oxygen consumption rates during rest and while undergoing maximum exercise as well as exercise endurance increased from breeding to migration stages in both infected and non-infected birds. Importantly, phenotypic changes associated with preparation for migration were similarly unaffected by parasitaemia. Consequently, migratory birds experiencing parasitaemia levels typical of chronic infection do not differ in migratory capacity from their uninfected counterparts. Thus, if infected hosts differ from uninfected conspecifics in migration phenology, other mechanisms besides aerobic capacity should be considered.
Equilibrium dynamics of European pre-industrial populations: the evidence of carrying capacity in human agricultural societies
Authors: Fanta Václav , Šálek Miroslav , Zouhar Jan , Sklenicka Petr , Storch David
Published: January 2018

Human populations tend to grow steadily, because of the ability of people to make innovations, and thus overcome and extend the limits imposed by natural resources. It is therefore questionable whether traditional concepts of population ecology, including environmental carrying capacity, can be applied to human societies. The existence of carrying capacity cannot be simply inferred from population time-series, but it can be indicated by the tendency of populations to return to a previous state after a disturbance. So far only indirect evidence at a coarse-grained scale has indicated the historical existence of human carrying capacity. We analysed unique historical population data on 88 settlements before and after the Thirty Years War (1618–1648), one the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history, which reduced the population of Central Europe by 30–50%. The recovery rate of individual settlements after the war was positively correlated with the extent of the disturbance, so that the population size of the settlements after a period of regeneration was similar to the pre-war situation, indicating an equilibrium population size (i.e. carrying capacity). The carrying capacity of individual settlements was positively determined mostly by the fertility of the soil and the area of the cadastre, and negatively by the number of other settlements in the surroundings. Pre-industrial human population sizes were thus probably controlled by negative density dependence mediated by soil fertility, which could not increase due to limited agricultural technologies.
Transient fibrosis resolves via fibroblast inactivation in the regenerating zebrafish heart
Authors: Sánchez-Iranzo Héctor , Galardi-Castilla María , Sanz-Morejón Andrés , González-Rosa Juan Manuel , Costa Ricardo , Ernst Alexander , Sainz de Aja Julio , Langa Javier , Mercader Nadia
Published: January 2018

In the zebrafish (Danio rerio), regeneration and fibrosis after cardiac injury are not mutually exclusive responses. Upon cardiac cryoinjury, collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins accumulate at the injury site. However, in contrast to the situation in mammals, fibrosis is transient in zebrafish and its regression is concomitant with regrowth of the myocardial wall. Little is known about the cells producing this fibrotic tissue or how it resolves. Using novel genetic tools to mark periostin b- and collagen 1alpha2 (col1a2)-expressing cells in combination with transcriptome analysis, we explored the sources of activated fibroblasts and traced their fate. We describe that during fibrosis regression, fibroblasts are not fully eliminated, but become inactivated. Unexpectedly, limiting the fibrotic response by genetic ablation of col1a2-expressing cells impaired cardiomyocyte proliferation. We conclude that ECM-producing cells are key players in the regenerative process and suggest that anti-fibrotic therapies might be less efficient than strategies targeting fibroblast inactivation.

SCIENTIFIC STATEMENT

After myocardial infarction in the mammalian heart, millions of cardiomyocytes are lost and replaced by fibrotic scar tissue. While fibrosis is persistent in adult mammals, there are some vertebrates, including zebrafish, with the capacity for regeneration. This process does not occur in the absence of fibrosis. Here we studied subpopulations of collagen producing cells and analyzed their fate after complete regeneration of the zebrafish myocardium. Our data show that fibroblasts persisted in the regenerated heart, but shut down the profibrotic program. While fibrosis could be considered as detrimental to the regeneration process, our study reveals a positive effect on cardiomyocyte proliferation. Accordingly, a fibrotic response can be beneficial for heart regeneration.
Intrinsic noise modulation in closed oligomerization-type systems⋆
Authors: Rooman Marianne , Pucci Fabrizio
Published: January 2018

How random fluctuations impact on biological systems and what is their relationship with complexity and energetic cooperativity are challenging questions that are far from being elucidated. Using the stochastic differential equation formalism, we studied analytically the effect of fluctuations on a series of oligomerization processes, in which several molecules of the same or different species interact to form complexes, without interaction with the environment. The conservation of the total number of molecules within the systems imposes constraints on the stochastic quantities, among which the negativity of the covariances and the vanishing of the determinant of the covariance matrix. The intrinsic noise on the number of molecules of each species is represented by the Fano factor, defined as the variance to mean ratio. At the equilibrium steady states, the sum of the Fano factors of all molecular species is equal to the rank of the system, independently of the parameters. The Fano factors of the individual molecular species are, however, parameter dependent. We found that when the free energy cooperativity of the reactions increases, the intrinsic noise on the oligomeric product decreases, and is compensated by a higher noise on the monomeric reactants and/or intermediate states. The noise reduction is moreover more pronounced for higher complexity systems, involving oligomers of higher degrees.