bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequencing robot‐assisted extended pelvic lymph node dissection prior to radical prostatectomy: a step‐by‐step guide to exposure and efficiency
Authors: Williams Stephen B. , Bozkurt Yasar , Achim Mary , Achim Grace , Davis John W.
Published: July 2015

Objective

To describe a novel, step‐by‐step approach to robot‐assisted extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) at the time of robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for intermediate–high risk prostate cancer.

Patient and Methods

The sequence of ePLND is at the beginning of the operation to take advantage of greater visibility of the deeper hypogastric planes. The urachus is left intact for an exposure/retraction point. The anatomy is described in terms of lymph nodes (LNs) that are easily retrieved vs those that require additional manipulation of the anatomy, and a determined surgeon. A representative cohort of 167 RARPs was queried for representative metrics that distinguish the ePLND: 146 primary cases and 21 with neoadjuvant systemic therapy.

Results

The median (interquartile range, IQR) LN yield was 22 (16–28) for primary surgeries and 21 (16–23) for neoadjuvant cases. The percentage of cases with positive LNs (pN1) was 16.4% for primary and 29% for neoadjuvant. The hypogastric LNs were involved in 75% of pN1 primary cases and uniquely positive in 33%. Each side of ePLND took the attending surgeon a median (IQR) of 16 (13–20) min and trainees 25 (24–38) min.

Conclusions

Robot‐assisted ePLND before RARP provides an anatomical approach to surgical extirpation mimicking the open approach. We think this sequence offers efficiency and efficacy advantages in high‐risk and select intermediate‐risk patients with prostate cancer undergoing RARP.
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 3 in a multiple sclerosis patient
Authors: Masuda Saeko , Mori Masahiro , Hamada Shinsuke , Masuda Hiroki , Uzawa Akiyuki , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: July 2015

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes (APS), a group of autoimmune‐mediated multiple endocrine gland failure, type 3 is composed of autoimmune thyroid disease with endocrinopathy, including type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), other than adrenal insufficiency. Only a few cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) with APS type 3 have been reported. We present the case of a 37‐year‐old Japanese man diagnosed with MS and Graves’ disease at 22 years‐of‐age. Interferon‐β‐1b therapy, which he had previously discontinued for 10 years, was restarted for MS at 35 years‐of‐age. After the therapy, he complained of thirst and rapid bodyweight loss (15 kg/6 months), and developed type 1 DM. At onset of DM and before the restart of interferon‐β‐1b therapy, antiglutamic acid decarboxylase antibody findings had been positive. He was diagnosed as having APS type 3, associated Graves’ disease and type 1 DM in addition to MS. Our case suggested that MS can be concomitant with APS type 3, and that interferon‐β‐1b therapy for a MS patient with a specific genetic background could induce onset of type 1 DM.
Psychometric properties of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire‐Revised among community‐dwelling current drinkers in the Ningxia autonomous region of China
Authors: Cheng Hui G. , Phillips Michael R. , Zhang Yuhong , Wang Zhizhong
Published: July 2015

Introduction and Aims

The 20‐item Drinking Motives Questionnaire‐Revised (DMQ‐R)—which assesses social, enhancement, coping and conformity‐related motives for drinking—has not previously been used in China. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the DMQ‐R in China.

Design and Methods

DMQ‐R was administered to 612 current drinkers identified from a representative sample of 2425 non‐institutionalised adults living in Ningxia Province, China; 44 of these current drinkers were re‐administered the questionnaire an average of 2.5 days later. Confirmatory factor analysis compared the adequacy of fit of alternative conceptual models. Due to the collectivist culture in China, we considered the possibility that item 12 (‘to fit in the group I like’) is an indicator of a ‘social’ motive (in Western studies, it is an indicator of a ‘conformity’ motive).

Results

Social motives for drinking were more frequently endorsed than other motives. The intraclass correlation coefficients for the test–retest reliability of the four subscales varied from 0.63 to 0.80. The originally conceptualised four‐factor model showed good fit to the data [root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.043, comparative fit index = 0.949 and Tucker‐Lewis index = 0.941]. Fit indices improved (RSMEA = 0.034, comparative fit index = 0.968 and Tucker‐Lewis index = 0.963) when item 12 was included in the ‘social’ dimension rather than the ‘conformity’ dimension. The 12‐item short form of DMQ‐R showed similar psychometric properties, but the fit indices were suboptimal.

Discussion and Conclusions

DMQ‐R is a valid and reliable tool to assess drinking motives among current drinkers in China. Future studies in China using the DMQ‐R should consider item 12 a social motive. [Cheng HG, Phillips MR, Zhang Y, Wang Z. Psychometric properties of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire‐Revised among community‐dwelling current drinkers in the Ningxia autonomous region of China. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:433–441]
A pan‐European, multipopulation assessment of migratory connectivity in a near‐threatened migrant bird
Authors: Finch Tom , Saunders Philip , Avilés Jesús Miguel , Bermejo Ana , Catry Inês , de la Puente Javier , Emmenegger Tamara , Mardega Ieva , Mayet Patrick , Parejo Deseada , Račinskis Edmunds , Rodríguez‐Ruiz Juan , Sackl Peter , Schwartz Timothée , Tiefenbach Michael , Valera Francisco , Hewson Chris , Franco Aldina , Butler Simon James
Published: July 2015

Aim

The extent to which individuals from different breeding populations mix throughout the non‐breeding season (i.e. ‘migratory connectivity’) has important consequences for population dynamics and conservation. Given recent declines of long‐distance migrant birds, multipopulation tracking studies are crucial in order to assess the strength of migratory connectivity and to identify key sitesen route. Here, we present the first large‐scale analysis of migration patterns and migratory connectivity in the globally near‐threatened European rollerCoracias garrulus.

Location

Breeding area: Europe; passage area: Mediterranean, sub‐Saharan Africa, Arabian Peninsula; wintering area: southern Africa.

Methods

We synthesize new geolocator data with existing geolocator, satellite tag and ring recovery data from eight countries across Europe. We describe routes and stopover sites, analyse the spatial pattern of winter sites with respect to breeding origin and quantify the strength of connectivity between breeding and winter sites.

Results

We demonstrate the importance of the northern savanna zone as a stopover region and reveal the easterly spring loop (via Arabia) and leapfrog migration of rollers from eastern populations. Whilst there was some overlap between individuals from different populations over winter, their distribution was non‐random, with positive correlations between breeding and autumn/winter longitude as well as between pairwise distance matrices of breeding and winter sites. Connectivity was stronger for eastern populations than western ones.

Main conclusions

The moderate levels of connectivity detected here may increase the resilience of breeding populations to localized habitat loss on the winter quarters. We also highlight the passage regions crucial for the successful conservation of roller populations, including the Sahel/Sudan savanna for all populations, and the Horn of Africa/Arabian Peninsula for north‐eastern rollers.
Changes in plant life‐form, pollination syndrome and breeding system at a regional scale promoted by land use intensity
Authors: Moser Dietmar , Dullinger Stefan , Mang Thomas , Hülber Karl , Essl Franz , Frank Thomas , Hulme Philip E. , Grabherr Georg , Pascher Kathrin
Published: July 2015

Aim

Parallel declines in plant and insect pollinator diversity under land use intensification may occur as a result of both taxonomic groups responding similarly, but independently, to habitat change or as a consequence of interdependence as insect‐pollinated plants decline due to pollinator loss. Here, we explore the relative roles of independent and interdependent declines by comparing correlations of species richness and land use intensity for different functional groups of plants.

Location

Austria.

Methods

Generalized linear and generalized linear mixed models were used to analyse trends in species richness of plant functional groups sampled along a land use intensity gradient across 100 agricultural landscapes (=625 × 625 m each). Plants were classified according to their pollination syndrome, breeding system and life span. Species numbers were related to the site‐specific proportional area of semi‐natural habitats as an indicator of land use intensity.

Results

Overall, as the level of agricultural intensification increased the proportion of outcrossing plants declined and the proportion of self‐pollinating plants increased. However, while perennial plant species richness decreased under more intensive land use independently of pollination syndrome or breeding system, the richness of annuals only declined for outcrossing species requiring specialized insect pollinators but not for those pollinated by wind‐ or unspecialized insect pollinators.

Main conclusion

From these patterns we infer that land use intensification mainly drives plant species loss by excluding perennial species which suffer from the conversion of land to annually harvested crop fields. Hence, parallel declines in plant and insect richness largely result from a common response of perennials and pollinators to habitat change. Nevertheless, for annual plants with specialized pollinator requirements our data support a cascading effect of pollinator decline on species richness.
Integration of audio‐visual information for spatial decisions in children and adults
Authors: Nardini Marko , Bales Jennifer , Mareschal Denis
Published: July 2015

In adults, decisions based on multisensory information can be faster and/or more accurate than those relying on a single sense. However, this finding varies significantly across development. Here we studied speeded responding to audio‐visual targets, a key multisensory function whose development remains unclear. We found that when judging the locations of targets, children aged 4 to 12 years and adults had faster and less variable response times given auditory and visual information together compared with either alone. Comparison of response time distributions with model predictions indicated that children at all ages were integrating (pooling) sensory information to make decisions but that both the overall speed and the efficiency of sensory integration improved with age. The evidence for pooling comes from comparison with the predictions of Miller's seminal ‘race model’, as well as with a major recent extension of this model and a comparable ‘pooling’ (coactivation) model. The findings and analyses can reconcile results from previous audio‐visual studies, in which infants showed speed gains exceeding race model predictions in a spatial orienting task (Neilet al., 2006) but children below 7 years did not in speeded reaction time tasks (e.g. Barutchuet al., 2009). Our results provide new evidence for early and sustained abilities to integrate visual and auditory signals for spatial localization from a young age.
Interaction ofAnthonomus grandisand cotton genotypes: biological and behavioral responses
Authors: Silva Juliana B. , Silva‐Torres Christian S.A. , Moraes Maria Carolina B. , Torres Jorge B. , Laumann Raul A. , Borges Miguel
Published: July 2015

The boll weevil,Anthonomus grandisBoheman (Coleoptera:Curculionidae), is a key pest of cotton,Gossypium hirsutumL. (Malvaceae). Knowledge about boll weevil feeding and oviposition behavior and its response to plant volatiles can underpin our understanding of host plant resistance, and contribute to improved monitoring and mass capture of this pest. Boll weevil oviposition preference and immature development in four cotton genotypes (CNPA TB90,TB85,TB15, andBRSRubi) were investigated in the laboratory and greenhouse. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced byTB90 and Rubi genotypes were obtained from herbivore‐damaged and undamaged control plants at two phenological stages – vegetative (prior to squaring) and reproductive (during squaring) – and four collection times – 24, 48, 72, and 96 h following herbivore damage. The boll weevil exhibited similar feeding and oviposition behavior across the four tested cotton genotypes. The chemical profiles of herbivore‐damaged plants of both genotypes across the two phenological stages were qualitatively similar, but differed in the amount of volatiles produced. Boll weevil response toVOCextracts was studied using a Y‐tube olfactometer. The boll weevil exhibited similar feeding and oviposition behavior at the four tested cotton genotypes, although delayed development and production of smaller adults was found when fedTB85. The chemical profile of herbivore‐damaged plants of both genotypes at the two phenological stages and time periods (24–96 h) was similar qualitatively, with 30 identified compounds, but differed in the amount of volatiles produced. Additionally, boll weevil olfactory response was positive to herbivory‐induced volatiles. The results help to understand the interaction betweenA. grandisand cotton plants, and why it is difficult to obtain cotton genotypes possessing constitutive resistance to this pest.
Attachment forces of pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) on different legume species
Authors: FRIEDEMANN KATRIN , KUNERT GRIT , GORB ELENA , GORB STANISLAV N. , BEUTEL ROLF G.
Published: July 2015

1. Sympatric populations of insects adapted to different host plants are good model systems not only to study how they adapt to the chemistry of their food plant, but also to investigate whether morphological modifications evolved enabling them to live successfully on a certain plant species.

2. The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) encompasses at least 11 genetically distinct sympatric host races, each showing a preference for a certain legume species. The leaflet surfaces of these legumes differ considerably in their wax coverage.

3. It was investigated whether the attachment structures of three pea aphid genotypes from different host races are adapted to the different surface properties of their host plants and whether they show differences in their attachment ability on the respective host and non‐host plants.

4. The surface morphology of plants and aphid tarsi was examined using SEM (scanning electron microscopy). The ability of the aphids to walk on specific surfaces was tested using traction force measurements.

5. The presence of wax blooms on the leaflets lowers the aphids' attachment ability considerably and diminishes their subsequent attachment on ‘neutral’ surfaces like glass. The pea aphid host races differ in their ability to walk on certain surfaces. However, the genotype from the adapted aphid host race was not necessarily the one with the best walking performance on their host plant. All aphids, regardless of the original host plant, were most efficient on the neutral control surface glass. The general host plant Vicia faba was the plant with the most favourable surface for all aphid host races.
Adsorption of phosphate and organic matter on metal (hydr)oxides in arable and forest soil: a mechanistic modelling study
Authors: Regelink I. C. , Weng L. , Lair G. J. , Comans R. N. J.
Published: July 2015

Phosphate (PO4) and organic matter (OM) compete for adsorption to metal (hydr)oxides. Our objective was to quantify the effect of OM on PO4 solubility in forest and arable soil by desorption experiments and surface complexation (SC) modelling. We sampled different types of soil along an age gradient (≈50–2500 years) and from different depths (0–80 cm). The soil types are calcareous and cover a range of soil organic carbon (SOC) contents (5.6–43.5 g kg−1), PO4 contents (0.2–5.9 mmol kg−1) and water‐soluble PO4 concentrations (0.03–13.4 µm). Assuming that PO4 concentrations are controlled by desorption, PO4 concentrations were expected to correlate with the PO4 loading on metal‐(hydr)oxide surfaces. However, we show that the PO4 loading alone is a poor predictor of PO4 solubility because its solubility increases with increasing SOC content. These data were explained by SC modelling, which shows a decrease in the apparent adsorption affinity of PO4 with increasing OM loading on to the metal (hydr)oxides. As a consequence, if the competition with OM is disregarded in SC modelling, it results in underestimation of the PO4 concentration by several orders of magnitude. For forest soil, predicted OM loadings increase slightly with increasing soil age. For arable soil, however, OM loadings were much smaller, which we explain by the replacement of PO4 with OM. Overall, adsorption interactions strongly affect PO4 solubility and levels of OM and PO4 stabilization in soil.
Risk of seizures in children with tectal gliomas
Authors: Dabscheck Gabriel , Prabhu Sanjay P. , Manley Peter E. , Goumnerova Liliana , Ullrich Nicole J.
Published: July 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of seizures in children with tectal gliomas and to determine if there are common clinical, electroencephalography (EEG), or radiologic findings that predict risk of seizures in these patients. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with tectal gliomas over a 22‐year period at a single institution. Data extraction included sex, age at presentation of tectal glioma and age of presentation with seizures, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, seizure frequency and semiology, and EEG findings. We identified 79 patients, 66 of whom had adequate imaging and clinical data for further analysis. Eight patients (12.1%) had a history of seizures. Three patients had a clear symptomatic cause of seizures. Three patients were diagnosed with a tectal glioma as an incidental finding after a first seizure. One patient had a history of febrile convulsions. One patient had a generalized seizure 5 years after presenting with macrocephaly. Although the risk of seizure in children with known tectal glioma was relatively high, we did not identify specific clinical, radiologic, EEG, or MRI features that are predictive of increased risk. Thus, in children with tectal gliomas who have seizures, alternative causes for the seizures must be sought.
Unique microRNAs appear at different times during the course of a delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction in human skin
Authors: Gulati Nicholas , Løvendorf Marianne B. , Zibert John R. , Akat Kemal M. , Renwick Neil , Tuschl Thomas , Krueger James G.
Published: July 2015

Diphencyprone (DPCP) is a hapten that induces delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non‐coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression and have been implicated in various inflammatory skin diseases, but their role in DTH reactions is not well understood. We generated global miRNA expression profiles (using next‐generation sequencing) of DPCP reactions in skin of seven healthy volunteers at 3, 14 and 120 days after challenge. Compared to placebo‐treated sites, DPCP‐challenged skin at 3 days (peak inflammation) had 127 miRNAs significantly deregulated. At 14 days (during resolution of inflammation), 43 miRNAs were deregulated and, at 120 days (when inflammation had completely resolved), six miRNAs were upregulated. While some miRNAs have been observed in psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, most of the deregulated miRNAs have not yet been studied in the context of skin biology or immunology. Across the three time points studied, many but not all miRNAs were uniquely expressed. As various miRNAs may influence T cell activation, this may indicate that the miRNAs exclusively expressed at different time points function to promote or resolve skin inflammation, and therefore, may inform on the paradoxical ability of DPCP to treat both autoimmune conditions (alopecia areata) and conditions of ineffective immunity (melanoma).
Low‐cycle fatigue behaviour of polyamides
Authors: Şerban D. A. , Marşavina L. , Modler N.
Published: July 2015

This work investigates a decrease in mechanical properties of a polyamide‐based polymer, previously subjected to low‐cycle fatigue tests in strain control. Variations in its tensile stress response under monotonic loading and instantaneous elastic modulus were studied in relation with three loading parameters of low‐cycle fatigue under strain control pre‐treatment, that is, number of cycles (5000, 10 000 and 50 000), frequency (3, 5 and 7 Hz) and reference strain (0.025, 0.035 and 0.045 mm mm−1; a constant amplitude of 0.0075 mm mm−1 was maintained). The tests (static and cyclic) were performed with a servo‐hydraulic testing machine Schenk PC63M equipped with a strain‐gauge extensometer. A significant softening in tensile stress response (32%) was observed after 1000 cycles with a decrease of 44% recorded after 50 000 cycles; the levels of frequency and the reference strain level within the test envelope have, instead, a small effect.
Marine extinction risk shaped by trait–environment interactions over 500 million years
Authors: Orzechowski Emily A. , Lockwood Rowan , Byrnes Jarrett E. K. , Anderson Sean C. , Finnegan Seth , Finkel Zoe V. , Harnik Paul G. , Lindberg David R. , Liow Lee Hsiang , Lotze Heike K. , McClain Craig R. , McGuire Jenny L. , O'Dea Aaron , Pandolfi John M. , Simpson Carl , Tittensor Derek P.
Published: July 2015

Perhaps the most pressing issue in predicting biotic responses to present and future global change is understanding how environmental factors shape the relationship between ecological traits and extinction risk. The fossil record provides millions of years of insight into how extinction selectivity (i.e., differential extinction risk) is shaped by interactions between ecological traits and environmental conditions. Numerous paleontological studies have examined trait‐based extinction selectivity; however, the extent to which these patterns are shaped by environmental conditions is poorly understood due to a lack of quantitative synthesis across studies. We conducted a meta‐analysis of published studies on fossil marine bivalves and gastropods that span 458 million years to uncover how global environmental and geochemical changes covary with trait‐based extinction selectivity. We focused on geographic range size and life habit (i.e., infaunal vs. epifaunal), two of the most important and commonly examined predictors of extinction selectivity. We used geochemical proxies related to global climate, as well as indicators of ocean acidification, to infer average global environmental conditions. Life‐habit selectivity is weakly dependent on environmental conditions, with infaunal species relatively buffered from extinction during warmer climate states. In contrast, the odds of taxa with broad geographic ranges surviving an extinction (>2500 km for genera, >500 km for species) are on average three times greater than narrow‐ranging taxa (estimate of odds ratio: 2.8, 95% confidence interval = 2.3–3.5), regardless of the prevailing global environmental conditions. The environmental independence of geographic range size extinction selectivity emphasizes the critical role of geographic range size in setting conservation priorities.
Cognitive‐Behavioral Therapy: How Medical Providers Can Increase Patient and Family Openness and Access to Evidence‐Based Multimodal Therapy for Pediatric Migraine
Authors: Ernst Michelle M. , O'Brien Hope L. , Powers Scott W.
Published: July 2015

Although evidence supports the recommendation for cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) for pediatric migraine, few children actually receive this evidence‐based intervention. In this article, we briefly review the most recent empirical evidence supporting CBT. We then identify both provider‐ and system‐related barriers as well as patient‐related barriers. Finally, we provide practical solutions to addressing these barriers in the service of facilitating children receiving optimal comprehensive management of their headaches.
Two Patients With Visual Aura – Migraine, Epilepsy, or Migralepsy?
Authors: Hartl Elisabeth , Rémi Jan , Noachtar Soheyl
Published: July 2015

Background

The concept of migralepsy refers to visual migraine auras that seemingly evolve into epileptic seizures. It was discussed controversially ever since and scientific proof for this entity is scarce.

Methods

We report two patients with visual aura fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for migralepsy. In both patients, habitual attacks were recorded during long‐term video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring.

Case results

Both patients demonstrated unilateral occipital EEG seizure patterns during their long‐lasting visual aura, which eventually evolved into versive seizures.

Conclusion

Here, we prove the epileptic origin of the visual auras, which have been misdiagnosed as migraine or migralepsy before. Additional evaluation should be considered in patients with visual aura and hints for an epileptic origin as occipital lobe epilepsy might be missed in patients diagnosed with migraine. Based on our patients, we suggest to challenge the concept of migralepsy in current classifications.
Urinary urobilinogen in biliary atresia: A missed, simple and cheap diagnostic test
Authors: El‐Guindi Mohamed Abdel‐Salam , El‐Said Hala Hany , Hussein Mohsen Hassan , Nassar Rana El‐Sayed , Sira Ahmad Mohamed
Published: July 2015

Aim

Early diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) is of utmost importance for good outcome; however, it is sometimes difficult due to the overlapping diagnostic test results with other causes of neonatal cholestasis. Moreover, many diagnostic tests are costly, invasive and not available in all centers, especially in developing countries. So, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of urinary urobilinogen; an easy, cheap test that was not tested before in BA.

Methods

Seventy‐five infants divided into three age‐ and sex‐matched groups (BA, non‐BA cholestasis and healthy control group) were recruited for the study. Each group comprised 25 infants. Urinary urobilinogen was measured for all infants using the modified Ehrlich's method.

Results

Urinary urobilinogen was significantly lower in the BA group (0.31 ± 0.25 mg/dL) than both of the non‐BA cholestasis (2.08 ± 3.48 mg/dL) and healthy control (0.53 ± 0.64 mg/dL) groups at P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively. Urinary urobilinogen at a cut‐off value of 0.32 mg/dL or less can differentiate BA from other non‐BA cholestasis with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 72%. When this cut‐off value was combined with γ‐glutamyltransferase (γ‐GT) at a cut‐off value of 363 U/L or more, BA could be differentiated from other cholestatic disorders with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 100%. On the other hand, dipstick test could not differentiate between BA and non‐BA cholestasis (P = 0.396).

Conclusion

Urinary urobilinogen is a simple, non‐invasive, cheap, sensitive and specific marker, especially if combined with γ‐GT, which can be used in diagnosis of BA, especially in developing countries.
Progressive Education in Black and White: Rereading Carter G. Woodson'sMiseducation of the Negro
Authors: Snyder Jeffrey Aaron
Published: July 2015

Less than a minute into his 1931 Fisk University commencement speech, Woodson had already insulted his audience. “The large majority of Negroes who have put on the finishing touches of our best colleges,” Woodson said, “are all but worthless in the uplift of their people.” With this sweeping indictment of the teachers, lawyers, doctors, and other black professionals assembled before him, Woodson proceeded to catalog the inconsistencies, shortcomings, and abject failures of “Negro education.” The result was a caustic and uncompromising litany that seemed to go on forever. Negro education, Woodson charged, clung to a defunct “machine method” based on the misguided assumption that “education is merely a process of imparting information.” It failed to inspire black students and did not “bring their minds into harmony with life as they must face it.” Theories of Negro inferiority were “drilled” into black pupils in virtually every classroom they entered. And the more education blacks received, the more “estranged from the masses” they became.
Taming the Light in Microstructured Optical Fibers for Sensing
Authors: Schartner Erik P. , Tsiminis Georgios , François Alexandre , Kostecki Roman , Warren‐Smith Stephen C. , Nguyen Linh Viet , Heng Sabrina , Reynolds Tess , Klantsataya Elizaveta , Rowland Kris J. , Abell Andrew D. , Ebendorff‐Heidepriem Heike , Monro Tanya M.
Published: July 2015

In this review, we examine recent developments in the field of chemical and biological sensing utilizing suspended‐core, exposed‐core, and hollow‐core microstructured optical fibers. Depending on the intended application, a host of sensing modalities have been utilized including labelled fluorescence techniques, and label‐free methods such as surface plasmon resonance, fiber Bragg gratings, and Raman scattering. The use of various functionalization techniques adds specificity to both chemical ions and biological molecules. The results shown here highlight some of the important benefits that arise with the use of microstructured optical fibers compared to traditional techniques, including small sample volumes, high sensitivity, and multiplexing.
Resilience in Business and Management Research: A Review of Influential Publications and a Research Agenda
Authors: Linnenluecke Martina K.
Published: July 2015

This paper identifies the development of and gaps in knowledge in business and management research on resilience, based on a systematic review of influential publications among 339 papers, books and book chapters published between 1977 and 2014. Analyzing these records shows that resilience research has developed into five research streams, or lines of enquiry, which view resilience as (1) organizational responses to external threats, (2) organizational reliability, (3) employee strengths, (4) the adaptability of business models or (5) design principles that reduce supply chain vulnerabilities and disruptions. A review of the five streams suggests three key findings: First, resilience has been conceptualized quite differently across studies, meaning that the different research streams have developed their own definitions, theories and understandings of resilience. Second, conceptual similarities and differences among these streams have not yet been explored, nor have insights been gleaned about any possible generalizable principles for developing resilience. Third, resilience has been operationalized quite differently, with few insights into the empirics for detecting resilience to future adversity (or the absence thereof). This paper outlines emerging research trends and pathways for future research, highlighting opportunities to integrate and expand on existing knowledge, as well as avenues for further investigation of resilience in business and management studies.
Polysaccharide Agaricus blazei Murill stimulates myeloid derived suppressor cell differentiation from M2 to M1 type, which mediates inhibition of tumour immune‐evasion via the Toll‐like receptor 2 pathway
Authors: Liu Yi , Zhang Lingyun , Zhu Xiangxiang , Wang Yuehua , Liu WenWei , Gong Wei
Published: July 2015

Gr‐1+ CD11b+ myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) accumulate in tumor‐bearing animals and play a critical negative role during tumor immunotherapy. Strategies for inhibition of MDSCs are expected to improve cancer immunotherapy. Polysaccharide Agaricus blazei Murill (pAbM) has been found to have anti‐cancer activity, but the underlying mechanism of this is poorly understood. Here, pAbM directly activated the purified MDSCs through inducing the expression of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐12, tumour necrosis factor and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), CD86, MHC II, and pSTAT1 of it, and only affected natural killer and T cells in the presence of Gr‐1+ CD11b+ monocytic MDSCs. On further analysis, we demonstrated that pAbM could selectively block the Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) signal of Gr‐1+ CD11b+ MDSCs and increased their M1‐type macrophage characteristics, such as producing IL‐12, lowering expression of Arginase 1 and increasing expression of iNOS. Extensive study showed that Gr‐1+ CD11b+ MDSCs by pAbM treatment had less ability to convert the CD4+ CD25− cells into CD4+ CD25+ phenotype. Moreover, result from selective depletion of specific cell populations in xenograft mice model suggested that the anti‐tumour effect of pAbM was dependent on Gr‐1+ CD11b+ monocytes, nether CD8+ T cells nor CD4+ T cells. In addition to, pAbM did not inhibit tumour growth in TLR2–/– mice. All together, these results suggested that pAbM, a natural product commonly used for cancer treatment, was a specific TLR2 agonist and had potent anti‐tumour effects through the opposite of the suppressive function of Gr‐1+ CD11b+ MDSCs.
Combined cytotoxic activity of an infectious, but non‐replicative herpes simplex virus type 1 and plasmacytoid dendritic cells against tumour cells
Authors: Thomann Sabrina , Boscheinen Jan B. , Vogel Karin , Knipe David M. , DeLuca Neal , Gross Stefanie , Schuler‐Thurner Beatrice , Schuster Philipp , Schmidt Barbara
Published: July 2015

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive tumour of the skin with increasing incidence, frequent metastasis and poor prognosis. At the same time, it is an immunogenic type of cancer with spontaneous regressions. Most recently, the tumoricidal effect of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and their capacity to overcome the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment are being investigated. In this respect, we studied the effect of the infectious, but replication‐deficient, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV‐1) d106S vaccine strain, which lacks essential immediate early genes, in pDC co‐cultures with 11 melanoma cell lines. We observed a strong cytotoxic activity, inducing apoptotic and necrotic cell death in most melanoma cell lines. The cytotoxic activity of HSV‐1 d106S plus pDC was comparable to the levels of cytotoxicity induced by natural killer cells, but required only a fraction of cells with effector : target ratios of 1 : 20 (P < 0·05). The suppressive activity of cell‐free supernatants derived from virus‐stimulated pDC was significantly neutralized using antibodies against the interferon‐α receptor (P < 0·05). In addition to type I interferons, TRAIL and granzyme B contributed to the inhibitory effect of HSV‐1 d106S plus pDC to a minor extent. UV‐irradiated viral stocks were significantly less active than infectious particles, both in the absence and presence of pDC (P < 0·05), indicating that residual activity of HSV‐1 d106S is a major component and sensitizes the tumour cells to interferon‐producing pDC. Three leukaemic cell lines were also susceptible to this treatment, suggesting a general anti‐tumour effect. In conclusion, the potential of HSV‐1 d106S for therapeutic vaccination should be further evaluated in patients suffering from different malignancies.
Effectiveness of a partnership‐based self‐management programme for patients with mild and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jonsdottir Helga , Amundadottir Olof R. , Gudmundsson Gunnar , Halldorsdottir Bryndis S. , Hrafnkelsson Birgir , Ingadottir Thorbjorg Soley , Jonsdottir Rosa , Jonsson Jon Steinar , Sigurjonsdottir Ellen D. , Stefansdottir Ingibjorg K.
Published: July 2015

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of a 6‐month, partnership‐based self‐management programme for patients with mild and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background

Self‐management is a widely valued concept used to address contemporary issues of chronic health problems. Findings of self‐management programmes for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are inconclusive.

Design

Pragmatic randomized control trial.

Methods

Patients, 45‐65 years old, with mild and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were invited with a family member. Experimental group (n = 48) participated in a 6‐month, partnership‐based self‐management programme consisting of: (a) three to four conversations between nurse and patient‐family member; (b) 6 months of smoking cessation; and (c) interdisciplinary team‐patient‐family member group meeting. Control group (n = 52) received usual care. Data were collected at months zero, six and 12. The trial lasted from June 2009–March 2013.

Results

Patients with mild and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who participated in the partnership‐based self‐management programme perceived less intrusiveness of the disease and its treatment than patients in the control group. Patients in the experimental group did not have better health‐related quality of life, less anxiety or depression, increased physical activity, fewer exacerbations or better smoking status than patients in the control group. Patients in both groups found participation in the research useful and important.

Conclusion

The partnership‐based self‐management programme had benefits concerning perception of the intrusiveness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its treatment on lifestyles, activities and interests for young patients with the disease in its early stages. High satisfaction in control group, low family attendance and the relatively short treatment period may explain the less than expected benefits of the programme.
(Not) in the Hands of the Member States: How the European Commission Influences EU Security and Defence Policies
Authors: Riddervold Marianne
Published: July 2015

The European Union's (EU) Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) is run using special procedures. The Member States have not delegated powers to the supranational institutions. Yet a number of studies challenge the assumption that policy‐making lies exclusively with Member States’ governments. The Commission's putative influence within the CFSP, however, remains to be studied systematically from an analytical perspective. Aiming to fill this gap in the literature, this article asks how the Commission de facto influences EU foreign and security policies beyond its delegated powers. Two least likely cases are analysed: the launch of EU naval mission Atalanta and the adoption of an EU Maritime Security Strategy. By adressing this question, the article contributes to a better understanding of the level of EU foreign policy integration. It also adds knowledge on the possible causes of this development, and thus to the EU integration literature more generally.
‘Multiple Bilateralism’ within the European Union: the Dutch Coalition‐Building Network during the Budget Negotiations
Authors: Uilenreef Arjan
Published: July 2015

‘Multiple bilateralism’ stresses the manner in which bilateral relations between the Member States operate in function of the multilateral EU negotiation process. In order to explore how multiple bilateralism works, a network analysis has been made of the Dutch coalition‐building effort during the negotiation on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014–2020. It examines the interaction between the various actors involved in this process, such as the ministries in The Hague, the EU institutions in Brussels, the governments of other Member States and the embassies abroad. Specific attention is given to this last type of actor. Contrary to what is often assumed, bilateral embassies’ contribution to the negotiation process is relatively modest. Only a few embassies, namely those in the largest EU Member States, were able to play a more important role and direct contact with Member States’ capitals was considered to be the predominant channel for success.
Evidence, discovery and justification: the case of evidence‐based medicine
Authors: Gaeta Rodolfo , Gentile Nelida
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this paper is to develop some thoughts on philosophical issues surrounding evidence‐based medicine (EBM), especially related to its epistemological dimensions. After considering the scope of several philosophical concepts that are relevant to the discussion, and drawing some distinctions among different aspects ofEBM, we evaluate the status ofEBMand suggest thatEBMis mainly a meta‐methodology. Then, we outline an evaluation of the thesis thatEBMis a ‘new paradigm’ in the practice of medicine. We argue thatEBMdoes not seem to have arisen in the wayKuhn imagined paradigms to arise but as a conscious, deliberate proposal, more as programme than as a reality. Furthermore, there is something paradoxical about appealing to evidence or to the best evidence as a way of promoting a new paradigm. For the proposal seems to assume that there is something that by its own virtue is the best evidence for a given time. But this idea would have been rejected byKuhn. IfEBMinvolves a genuine new alternative in the field of medicine and shows a way in which the discipline will endure henceforth, this indicates that it is not whatKuhn once called a ‘paradigm’ and even, paradoxically, it is good evidence that scientific paradigms do not exist, at least in medicine.
Epistylis portoalegrensis n. sp. (Ciliophora, Peritrichia): A New Freshwater Ciliate Species from Southern Brazil
Authors: Kühner Steffen , Simão Taiz L. L. , Safi Lúcia S. L. , Gazulha Fernanda B. , Eizirik Eduardo , Utz Laura R. P.
Published: July 2015

The peritrich ciliate Epistylis portoalegrensis n. sp. was found in two bodies of freshwater located in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Morphological features were investigated using live and protargol‐stained specimens. The zooids presented a vase to cylindrical shape narrowed at the scopula, and a mean size of 131 × 37 μm in vivo. A C‐shaped macronucleus lay in the middle of the cell close to a single contractile vacuole. The oral infraciliature was typical for the genus, with all infundibular polykineties composed by three distinct rows of kinetosomes. Colonies are often nonbranched with no lateral stalk, carrying several zooids stemming from a single point. Specimens from the two sampling sites showed identical arrangement of the infraciliature, similar morphometry, identical 18S rDNA sequences, and a single nucleotide difference across the more variable ITS regions. Molecular phylogenetic analyses placed E. portoalegrensis in a well‐supported clade containing other Epistylis species, within the order Vorticellida.
Modelling and mapping groundwater flooding at the ground surface in Chalk catchments
Authors: Morris S.E. , Cobby D. , Zaidman M. , Fisher K.
Published: July 2015

There are several mapping products available that depict areas susceptible to groundwater flooding; however, they are not comparable in detail to the risk maps developed for fluvial, tidal and surface water flooding that are used by risk management authorities. This paper reports on a new approach to groundwater flood risk mapping for unconfined Chalk aquifers. This approach recognises the synergies between surface water flooding and groundwater flooding once groundwater has emerged at the surface. The volume of groundwater at the surface is modelled by identifying the zone of groundwater emergence and calculating the rate of emergence using a Darcy approach. Flow is then routed using a bespoke two‐dimensional hydraulic model to give the depth and extent of groundwater flooding. These groundwater emergence and routing maps are calibrated on measured groundwater flow and observed flood extents. The maps are anticipated to be used to plan for and manage future groundwater flooding events.
Predict esophageal varices via routine trans‐abdominal ultrasound: A design of classification analysis model
Authors: Zhang Chao‐Xue , Xu Jian‐Ming , Li Jia‐Bin , Kong De‐Run , Wang Ling , Xu Xiao‐Yong , Zhao Dong‐Mei
Published: July 2015

Background and Aims

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosis of esophageal varices. Trans‐abdominal ultrasound, as a noninvasive routine examination for the follow‐up of cirrhosis patient, is safe, cheap, easy to perform, and plays an important role. In this study, we attempt to design a practical classification analysis model to predict esophageal varices via ultrasound.

Methods

Compared with endoscopy, the ultrasound qualitative signs (lower esophageal Doppler signals, left gastric vein hepatofugal flow, and paraumbilical vein recanalization) and quantitative parameters (spleen diameter, spleen vein diameter, portal vein diameter, and portal vein velocity) have been evaluated in 286 cirrhosis patients.

Results

The classification analysis model is designed as that: the patients are defined with esophageal varices high risk, who with any ultrasound qualitative signs or who with spleen diameter greater than 162 mm without qualitative parameters. The sensitivity for detecting esophageal varices is 97.5% and the specificity is 82.6%, while the positive predictive value is 96.7%, negative predictive value is 83.4%, and the omission diagnostic rate is 2.5%.

Conclusions

This classification analysis model design includes ultrasound qualitative signs and spleen diameter, which can be detected easily via routine ultrasound without other auxiliary. The classification analysis model is useful in detecting esophageal varices, which may be a supplement for predicting of esophageal varices, and reducing the frequency of endoscopy in the follow‐up of cirrhosis patients.
Coeliac disease: the association between quality of life and social support network participation
Authors: Lee A. R. , Wolf R. , Contento I. , Verdeli H. , Green P. H. R.
Published: July 2015

Background

There is little information available on the use of social support systems for patients with coeliac disease (CD). We performed a cross‐sectional study aiming to examine the association between participation in different types of social support networks and quality of life (QOL) in adults withCD.

Methods

A survey including a validatedCDspecificQOLinstrument was administered online and in‐person to adults withCDwho were following a gluten‐free diet. Participation in social support networks (type, frequency and duration) were assessed.

Results

Among the 2138 participants, overallQOLscores were high, averaging 68.9 out of 100. Significant differences inQOLscores were found for age, length of time since diagnosis and level of education. Most (58%) reported using no social support networks. Of the 42% reporting use of social support networks (online 17.9%, face‐to‐face 10.8% or both 12.8%),QOLscores were higher for those individuals who used only face‐to‐face social support compared to only online support (72.6 versus 66.7;P < 0.0001). A longer duration of face‐to‐face social support use was associated with higherQOLscores (P < 0.0005). By contrast, a longer duration and increased frequency of online social support use was associated with lowerQOLscores (P < 0.03).

Conclusions

Participation in face‐to‐face social support networks is associated with greaterQOLscores compared to online social support networks. These findings have potential implications for the management of individuals withCD. Emphasis on face‐to‐face support may improve long‐termQOLand patient outcomes.