bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of three different cultivars of cruciferous plants on the age‐stage, two‐sex life table traits of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Jaleel Waqar , Saeed Shafqat , Saeed Qamar , Naqqash Muhammad Nadir , Sial Muhammad Umair , Aine Qurat Ul , Yanyuan Lei , Rui Zhao , He Yurong , Lu Lihua
Published: December 2017

Plutella xylostella is an important pest of cruciferous crops worldwide. However, information regarding the age‐stage, two‐sex life parameters of P. xylostella, which is vital for designing more effective control methods, is currently lacking. The present study reports age‐stage, two‐sex life table parameters for P. xylostella on napa cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. napa), white cabbage (B. oleracea var. capitata), and cauliflower (B. oleracea var. botrytis) under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2°C, 50–60% relative humidity, and a 16‐h light : 8‐h dark photoperiod. The time for development from an egg to a male or female adult P. xylostella on white cabbage (mean [± SE] 41.15 ± 0.54 and 39.50 ± 0.54 days, respectively) was significantly longer than that on cauliflower and napa cabbage. Furthermore, P. xylostella fecundity on cauliflower (261.90 ± 4.53 eggs female) was significantly highest than on napa cabbage and white cabbage. Intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were highest on cauliflower 0.182 day−1 and 1.199 day−1 respectively as comparison to napa cabbage and white cabbage. The highest gross reproductive rate (GRR) and net reproductive rates (R0) of P. xylostella 65.87 and 52.58 respectively on cauliflower then those of other hosts. The findings of the present study indicate that cauliflower is the most suitable cultivar (host) for the development of P. xylostella. Based on these findings, crops like cauliflower can be used as trap crops when napa cabbage and white cabbage are the main crops.
Enhancement of methane production from 1‐hexadecene by additional electron donors
Authors: Paulo A. M. S. , Salvador A. F. , Alves J. I. , Castro R. , Langenhoff A. A. M. , Stams A. J. M. , Cavaleiro A. J.
Published: December 2017

1‐Hexadecene‐contaminated wastewater is produced in oil refineries and can be treated in methanogenic bioreactors, although generally at low conversion rates. In this study, a microbial culture able to degrade 1‐hexadecene was enriched, and different stimulation strategies were tested for enhancing 1‐hexadecene conversion to methane. Seven and three times faster methane production was obtained in cultures stimulated with yeast extract or lactate, respectively, while cultures amended with crotonate lost the ability to degrade 1‐hexadecene. Methane production from 1‐hexadecene was not enhanced by the addition of extra hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Bacteria closely related to Syntrophus and Smithella were detected in 1‐hexadecene‐degrading cultures, but not in the ones amended with crotonate, which suggests the involvement of these bacteria in 1‐hexadecene degradation. Genes coding for alkylsuccinate synthase alpha‐subunit were detected in cultures degrading 1‐hexadecene, indicating that hydrocarbon activation may occur by fumarate addition. These findings are novel and show that methane production from 1‐hexadecene is improved by the addition of yeast extract or lactate. These extra electron donors may be considered as a potential bioremediation strategy of oil‐contaminated sites with bioenergy generation through methane production.
Citrate, low pH and amino acid limitation induce citrate utilization in Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis
Authors: van Mastrigt Oscar , Mager Emma E. , Jamin Casper , Abee Tjakko , Smid Eddy J.
Published: December 2017

In Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis, citrate transport is facilitated by the plasmid‐encoded citrate permease (CitP). In this work, we analysed regulation of citrate utilization by pH, nutrient limitation and the presence of citrate at four different levels: (i) plasmid copy number, (ii) citP transcription, (iii) citP mRNA processing and (iv) citrate utilization capacity. Citrate was supplied as cosubstrate together with lactose. The citP gene is known to be induced in cells grown at low pH. However, we demonstrated that transcription of citP was even higher in the presence of citrate (3.8‐fold compared with 2.0‐fold). The effect of citrate has been overlooked by other researchers because they determined the effect of citrate using M17 medium, which already contains 0.80 ± 0.07 mM citrate. The plasmid copy number increased in cells grown under amino acid limitation (1.6‐fold) and/or at low pH (1.4‐fold). No significant differences in citP mRNA processing were found. Citrate utilization rates increased from approximately 1 to 65 μmol min−1 gDW−1 from lowest to highest citP expression. Acetoin formation increased during growth in an acidic environment due to induction of the acetoin pathway. Quantification of the relative contributions allowed us to construct a model for regulation of citrate utilization in L. lactis biovar diacetylactis. This knowledge will help to select conditions to improve flavour formation from citrate.
Risk of amphetamine use disorder and mortality among incident users of prescribed stimulant medications in the Veterans Administration
Authors: Westover Arthur N. , Nakonezny Paul A. , Halm Ethan A. , Adinoff Bryon
Published: December 2017

Background and aims

Non‐medical use of prescribed stimulant medications is a growing concern. This study's aims were to ascertain the demographics of stimulant medication users compared with non‐users, examine temporal trends of stimulant medication use and estimate risk factors for development of amphetamine use disorder (AUD) and mortality among new users of stimulant medications.

Design

Cox proportional hazards regression in a retrospective cohort adjusted by baseline covariates.

Setting

United States, national administrative database of the Veterans Affairs (VA) health‐care system.

Participants

Adult incident users of stimulant medications (n = 78 829) from fiscal years (FY) 2001 to 2012.

Measurements

Primary outcomes were time‐to‐event: (1) occurrence of AUD diagnosis and (2) death. Baseline covariates included demographic information, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved indications for stimulant use, substance use disorders (SUD) and depression.

Findings

Stimulant users compared with non‐users were younger, more likely to be non‐Hispanic white and female. Incident stimulant medication users increased threefold from FY2001–FY2012 and eightfold among adults aged 18–44 years. Nearly one in 10 incident users in FY2012 had a comorbid baseline SUD. Off‐label use was common—nearly three of every five incident users in FY2012. Comorbid SUDs among incident stimulant medication users were risk factors for occurrence of AUD during follow‐up, with adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) estimates ranging from 1.54 to 2.83 (Ps < 0.05). Increased mortality risk was observed with occurrence of AUD during follow‐up [AHR = 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–2.14, P = 0.007], while on‐label prescribing was protective against death (AHR = 0.686, 95% CI = 0.63–0.75, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In a US national cohort of adult incident stimulant medication users in the Veterans Affairs health‐care system, measured from fiscal years 2001 to 2012, comorbid substance use disorders were common and were risk factors for development of an amphetamine use disorder (AUD). Increased mortality risk among incident users of stimulant medications was observed among both those who developed an AUD later and those whose use was defined as off‐label.
Recovery characteristics of patients receiving either sugammadex or neostigmine and glycopyrrolate for reversal of neuromuscular block: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Paech M. J. , Kaye R. , Baber C. , Nathan E. A.
Published: December 2017

Sugammadex more rapidly and reliably reverses rocuronium‐induced neuromuscular block compared with neostigmine, but it is not known if subsequent patient outcomes, including nausea, vomiting and other aspects of recovery are modified. In this study, we compared the recovery characteristics of sugammadex and neostigmine/glycopyrrolate following reversal of neuromuscular block. This was a single‐centre, randomised, blinded, parallel‐group clinical trial in women undergoing elective day‐surgical laparoscopic gynaecological surgery, with a standardised general anaesthesia regimen that included rocuronium. Neuromuscular block was reversed with either sugammadex 2 mg.kg−1 or neostigmine 40 μg.kg−1 and glycopyrrolate 400 μg. The primary outcome was the incidence of nausea and vomiting during the first six postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes included other measures of postoperative recovery such as patient symptoms and recovery scores. Three‐hundred and four women were analysed by intention‐to‐treat (sugammadex n = 151, neostigmine n = 153), which included four major protocol violations. There was no significant difference between sugammadex and neostigmine groups in the incidence of early nausea and vomiting (49.0% vs. 51.0%, respectively; OR 0.92, 95%CI 0.59–1.45; p = 0.731). Double vision (11.5% vs. 20.0%; p = 0.044) and dry mouth (71.6% vs. 85.5%; p = 0.003) were less common after sugammadex. Sedation scores at 2 h were also lower after sugammadex (median (IQR [range]) 0 (0‐3 [0‐10]) vs. 2 (0‐4.[0‐10]); p = 0.021). Twenty‐four‐hour recovery scores were not significantly different between groups. Reversal with sugammadex in this patient population did not reduce postoperative nausea or vomiting compared with neostigmine/glycopyrrolate.
Delineating the association between mode of delivery and postpartum depression symptoms: a longitudinal study
Authors: Eckerdal Patricia , Georgakis Marios K. , Kollia Natasa , Wikström Anna‐Karin , Högberg Ulf , Skalkidou Alkistis
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Although a number of perinatal factors have been implicated in the etiology of postpartum depression, the role of mode of delivery remains controversial. Our aim was to explore the association between mode of delivery and postpartum depression, considering the potentially mediating or confounding role of several covariates.

Material and methods

In a longitudinal‐cohort study in Uppsala, Sweden, with 3888 unique pregnancies followed up postpartum, the effect of mode of delivery (spontaneous vaginal delivery, vacuum extraction, elective cesarean section, emergency cesarean section) on self‐reported postpartum depression symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ≥12) at 6 weeks postpartum was investigated through logistic regression models and path analysis.

Results

The overall prevalence of postpartum depression was 13%. Compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery, women who delivered by emergency cesarean section were at higher risk for postpartum depression 6 weeks after delivery in crude (odds ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.04–2.01) but not in adjusted analysis. However, the path analysis revealed that emergency cesarean section and vacuum extraction were indirectly associated with increased risk of postpartum depression, by leading to postpartum complications, self‐reported physical symptoms postpartum, and therefore a negative delivery experience. In contrast, history of depression and fear of delivery increased the odds of postpartum depression and led more frequently to elective cesarean section; however, it was associated with a positive delivery experience.

Conclusions

Mode of delivery has no direct impact on risk of postpartum depression; nevertheless, several modifiable or non‐modifiable mediators are present in this association. Women delivering in an emergency setting by emergency cesarean section or vacuum extraction, and reporting negatively experienced delivery, constitute a high‐risk group for postpartum depression.
Prophylactic antibiotics before cord clamping in cesarean delivery: a systematic review
Authors: Bollig Claudia , Nothacker Monika , Lehane Cornelius , Motschall Edith , Lang Britta , Meerpohl Joerg J. , Schmucker Christine M.
Published: December 2017

Introduction

The number of clinical trials investigating the optimal timing of prophylactic antibiotics in cesarean section has increased rapidly over the last few years. We conducted a systematic review to inform up‐to‐date evidence‐based guidelines to prevent postpartum infectious morbidity in the mother and rule out any safety issues related to antepartum antibiotic exposure in infants.

Material and methods

Four bibliographic databases were searched for published reports of trials. Ongoing or unpublished studies were searched in Clinicaltrials.gov and the World Health Organization registry platform. Randomized controlled trials comparing antibiotic prophylaxis before and after cord clamping in cesarean section were eligible. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed, and certainty of evidence graded.

Results

In total, 18 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Those women who received antibiotics preoperatively were 28% (relative risk 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.56–0.92, nine studies, 4342 women, high quality of evidence) less likely to show infectious morbidity as compared with those who received antibiotics after cord clamping. The risk of endomyometritis and/or endometritis was reduced by 43% (relative risk 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.40–0.82, 13 studies, 6250 women, high quality of evidence) and the risk of wound infection by 38% (relative risk 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.81, 14 studies, 6450 women, high quality of evidence) in those who received antibiotics preoperatively as compared to those who received antibiotics after cord clamping. For other maternal infections no significant differences were identified. The risk for neonatal outcomes, such as deaths attributed to infection, sepsis, neonatal antibiotic treatment, intensive care unit admission or antibiotic‐related adverse events, was not found to be different, either clinically or statistically, when antibiotics were given before or after cord clamping (moderate to low quality of evidence).

Conclusions

The evidence in favor of prophylactic antibiotic administration before, in comparison with after, cord clamping for major maternal infections was of high quality, meaning that further research would be unlikely to change the confidence in these findings. However, we recommend additional research reflecting the precision of the effect estimates for neonatal outcomes.
A prospective multicentre randomized placebo‐controlled superiority trial in patients with suspected bacterial endophthalmitis after cataract surgery on the adjuvant use of intravitreal dexamethasone to intravitreal antibiotics
Authors: Manning Sonia , Ugahary Luana C. , Lindstedt Eric W. , Wubbels René J. , van Dissel Jaap T. , Jansen Jan T.G. , Gan Ivan , van Goor Arnoud T. , Bennebroek Carlien A. , van der Werf Dymph J. , Ossewaarde‐van Norel Annette , Mayland Nielsen Chris C. , Tilanus Mauk , van den Biesen Pieter R. , Schellekens Peter A. , La Heij Ellen , Faridpooya Koorosh , van Overdam Koen , Veckeneer Marc , van Meurs Jan C.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

We aimed to determine whether intravitreal dexamethasone as an adjuvant to intravitreal antibiotics is beneficial in the treatment of suspected bacterial endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.

Methods

Randomized, placebo‐controlled superiority trial in three tertiary referral centres in the Netherlands. Patients with suspected bacterial endophthalmitis within 6 weeks after cataract surgery were eligible. A diagnostic vitreous biopsy was taken for culture, and patients received intravitreal injections of 400 μg dexamethasone (without preservatives) or placebo, in addition to 0.2 mg vancomycin and 0.05 mg gentamicin. The vancomycin and dexamethasone or placebo injections were repeated once at day 3 or 4. Primary outcome measure was best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 year.

Results

Between 1 November 2004 and 1 March 2014 (excluding two interruptions totalling 20 months), 324 eligible patients presented. A total of 167 patients (81 dexamethasone, 86 placebo) were available for the intention‐to‐treat analysis. Biopsies of 114 patients (68%) were culture‐positive. Final BCVA did not differ between the dexamethasone and the placebo group (logMAR 0.31 ± 0.58 versus 0.27 ± 0.50; p = 0.90), nor did the number of patients with final vision of no light perception (LP, 7 versus 13). Pain, corneal oedema, the absence of a red fundus reflex on presentation, LP on presentation and culture of virulent pathogens from biopsy were statistically significantly associated with an unfavourable visual outcome.

Conclusion

Intravitreal dexamethasone without preservatives as an adjuvant to intravitreal antibiotics does not improve visual acuity (VA) in patients treated for suspected bacterial endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.
Assessing truncal obesity in predicting cardiometabolic risk in children: clinical measures versus dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry
Authors: Palmieri Vincent J. , Henshaw Melissa H. , Carter Janet , Chowdhury Shahryar M.
Published: December 2017

Aim

The objectives of this study were to 1) compare the accuracy of waist:hip ratio (WHR) and waist:height ratio (WHtR) by determining their association with reference‐standard measures derived from dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and 2) assess the relationship of DXA, WHR and WHtR to measures of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and inflammation in children.

Methods

Subjects aged four to 21 were prospectively recruited. Truncal obesity by DXA was defined as the trunk fat:height ratio and trunk fat:nontrunk fat ratio. Three hundred and eight subjects were studied, and 246 (80%) were obese.

Results

There was a strong correlation between WHtR and trunk fat:height (r = 0.84, p < 0.01). DXA measures of truncal obesity had stronger correlations with measures of cardiometabolic risk than WHR and WHtR. Upon multivariable regression, only WHtR had independent associations with cholesterol/HDL, HOMA‐IR and high‐sensitivity c‐reactive protein.

Conclusion

WHtR is an accurate measure of truncal obesity. WHtR showed stronger associations with measures of insulin resistance and truncal obesity than WHR.
Textbooks as opportunities for interdisciplinarity and planetarity
Authors: Sparke Matthew
Published: December 2017

How can we write textbooks to reach audiences beyond a single discipline? This is an increasingly important question as higher education curricula around the world are being re‐worked to create more opportunities for student learning across disciplines on topics that are of pressing planetary relevance. It is also an important question for those of us who write and teach as geographers in contexts such as the USA, where the discipline of Geography is marginal on many campuses and not well understood by most college students, administrators, governments and employers. This paper offers reflections on the challenges facing such interdisciplinary writing by using an example of a textbook on globalisation developed in a Geography department in the USA but designed for teaching on global studies and global problems in multiple disciplinary, institutional and international contexts. Reaching audiences across disciplines faces numerous hurdles, including our own disciplinary infrastructure for publishing as well as the uphill promotional pathway through which any textbook becomes known, established and used for teaching. It also means negotiating thorny questions about the disciplining of dissent and the counter‐possibilities for meta‐learning about planetarity inside our contemporary global teaching machines.
Gender, Partisanship, and Issue Gaps
Authors: Lizotte Mary‐Kate
Published: December 2017

A defining feature of American politics, including party identification, is the question of the proper role of government. Partisanship is a prevailing way that individuals organize their attitudes. Democrats should take the Democratic Party's positions, and Republicans should take the Republican Party's positions. Instead, people have conflicting considerations that shape their opinions. Given that gender is integral in structuring individuals’ positions in society, it is reasonable to expect that gender differences might produce intraparty differences. This article establishes a gender gap in scope of government that transcends partisanship. Using the cumulative American National Election Study Data 1994–2008, I find strong evidence that for a number of issue areas, women are more supportive of an activist government than men of the same party. Preferences regarding the scope of government provide a coherent explanation for these observed gaps.
Growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of yellow‐feathered broilers fed graded levels of alfalfa meal with or without wheat
Authors: Jiang Shouqun , Gou Zhongyong , Li Long , Lin Xiajing , Jiang Zongyong
Published: December 2017

The effects of 0, 40 and 80 g/kg alfalfa meal on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of Chinese yellow‐feathered broilers fed diets containing or lacking wheat (0 or 200 g/kg) as part of the energy source, were examined using random design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Dressing percentage and semi‐eviscerated proportion were lower, and meat color a* (redness) value was higher in birds fed diets containing wheat than diets lacking wheat (P < 0.05). Drip loss was reduced by the addition of alfalfa meal to diets containing or lacking wheat (P < 0.05). Average sensory score of breast meat was higher in chickens fed corn‐based diets than in those fed wheat (P < 0.05). Meat from those supplemented with 40 g/kg alfalfa meal had better taste than the other two levels (P < 0.05). The inclusion of wheat significantly reduced the activities of creatine kinase and calpain of breast muscle (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Chinese yellow‐feathered broilers fed diets containing wheat had better meat color and lower drip loss than those fed the diets without wheat, and adding 40 g/kg alfalfa meal generally improved meat quality and taste.
Pregnancy outcomes in women on metformin for diabetes or other indications among those seeking teratology information services
Authors: Panchaud Alice , Rousson Valentin , Vial Thierry , Bernard Nathalie , Baud David , Amar Emmanuelle , De Santis Marco , Pistelli Alessandra , Dautriche Anne , Beau‐Salinas Frederique , Cassina Matteo , Dunstan Hannah , Passier Anneke , Kaplan Yusuf Cem , Duman Mine Kadioglu , Maňáková Eva , Eleftheriou Georgios , Klinger Gil , Winterfeld Ursula , Rothuizen Laura E. , Buclin Thierry , Csajka Chantal , Hernandez‐Diaz Sonia
Published: December 2017

Aims

Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome associated infertility, and gestational diabetes. This study aims to evaluate the safety of metformin in early pregnancy.

Method

We evaluated the risk of major birth defects and pregnancy losses in a cohort of pregnant women exposed to metformin during the first trimester for different indications relative to a matched unexposed reference group.

Results

The risk of major birth defects was 5.1% (20/392) in pregnancies exposed to metformin during the first trimester and 2.1% (9/431) in the reference group [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.70; 95% CI 0.70–4.38]. Among metformin users, this risk was 7.8% (17/219) in patients with pre‐gestational diabetes and 1.7% (3/173) in those without this diagnosis. Compared to the unexposed reference, the OR for metformin user with diabetes was 3.95 (95% CI 1.77–9.41) and for metformin with other indications it was 0.83 (95% CI 0.18–2.81). The risk of pregnancy losses (spontaneous abortions and stillbirths) was 20.8% in women on metformin during the first trimester and 10.8% in the reference group [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.57; 95% CI 0.90–2.74]. The risks for women on metformin with and without pre‐gestational diabetes were 24.0% and 16.8% respectively, with adjusted HR of 2.51 (95% CI 1.44–4.36) and 1.38 (95% CI 0.74–2.59) when compared to the reference.

Conclusion

Pregnant women with pre‐gestational diabetes on metformin are at a higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes than the general population. This appears to be due to the underlying diabetes since women on metformin for other indications do not present meaningfully increased risks.
Knockdown of the transcript of ERK in the brain modulates hypothalamic neuropeptide‐mediated appetite control in amphetamine‐treated rats
Authors: Yu Ching‐Han , Hsieh Yih‐Shou , Chen Pei‐Ni , Chen Jeng‐Rung , Kuo Dong‐Yih
Published: December 2017

Background and Purpose

Amphetamine is a releaser of dopamine stored in synaptic terminals, which can suppress appetite by changing the expression levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the hypothalamus. This study explored whether ERKs are involved in appetite control mediated by cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), NPY and POMC in amphetamine‐treated rats.

Experimental Approach

Rats were given amphetamine for 4 days, and changes in feeding behaviour and expression levels of phosphorylated‐ERK (pERK), pCREB, NPY and melanocortin MC3 receptors were examined and compared.

Key Results

Following amphetamine treatment, food intake, body weight and NPY expression decreased, whereas the expression of pERK, pCREB, MC3 receptors and pCREB/DNA binding activity increased. In amphetamine‐treated rats, both cerebral ERK knockdown and pretreatment with a peripheral dopamine receptor antagonist decreased NPY but increased pERK, pCREB and MC3 receptor expression. Moreover, the immunofluorescence of hypothalamic pERK increased following amphetamine treatment.

Conclusions and Implications

These results suggest that ERK/CREB signalling participates in the effects mediated by dopamine receptor/NPY/POMC on appetite control in rats treated with amphetamine. These findings advance the knowledge on the involvement of ERK/CREB signalling in the reciprocal regulation by NPY and POMC of appetite after amphetamine treatment.
Combined annotation‐dependent depletion score for BRCA1/2 variants in patients with breast and/or ovarian cancer
Authors: Nakagomi Hiroshi , Mochizuki Hitoshi , Inoue Masayuki , Hirotsu Yosuke , Amemiya Kenji , Sakamoto Ikuko , Nakagomi Satoko , Kubota Takeo , Omata Masao
Published: December 2017

Utility of combined annotation‐dependent depletion (CADD) score was recently reported to rank pathogenicity as C‐scores ranging 1‐99 for both confirmed deleterious mutation. Using C‐scores for BRCA1/2 variants, we tried to constitute the classification system for variant of uncertain significance (VUS), which had been a major problem of genetic testing for hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer. We analyzed BRCA1/2 genes for 283 patients with breast and/or ovarian cancer. The deleterious mutation and missesne mutations, minor variant, and wild type of BRCA1 and ‐2 were 5, 27, 251 and 15, 85, 183, respectively. Meanwhile, the variants with C‐score ≥10 were involved in 19/283 (6.7%) in BRCA1 and 34/283 (12%) in BRCA2. All deleterious mutations were included in this group. Frequency of personal history and family history of ovarian cancer were significantly high, and frequency of serous adenocarcinoma of ovary and triple negative breast cancer was relatively high in the group with deleterious mutations. Similar findings were seen in patients with variants of C‐score ≥10. According to the C‐score and population frequency, we could define VUS for 11 patients out of 283 patients (3.9 CADD is useful to classify the variant of BRCA1/2 and selecting the patient who needs further segregation studies.
The role of municipal public policies in oral health socioeconomic inequalities in Brazil: A multilevel study
Authors: Aguiar Violeta Rodrigues , Pattussi Marcos Pascoal , Celeste Roger Keller
Published: December 2017

Objectives

It is known that fluoridation has a contextual effect on oral health socioeconomic inequalities, but broad public policies have not been investigated. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of municipal public policies on oral health across different social strata.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study with 7328 12‐year‐old children and 5445 15‐19‐year‐old adolescents from 177 Brazilian municipalities. Information at municipal level was collated for dental services, educational services, sanitation and water fluoridation. The main individual‐level exposure was the disposable equivalent household income. The dichotomous outcomes were as follows: untreated dental caries (≥1 tooth), missing teeth (≥1 tooth) and filled teeth (≥1 tooth). Analyses were carried out using multilevel logistic regression. Interaction terms were tested between individual‐level income and policy variables.

Results

The prevalence of untreated dental caries, missing and filled teeth was 47.0%, 15.1% and 47.5%, respectively. There was no significant interaction between income and policy indicators. Individuals living in municipalities with no water fluoridation had 1.42 (95% CI: 1.08‐1.86) higher odds of having untreated dental caries; the odds ratio (OR) for those in municipalities with less education policies was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.07‐1.73); those in municipalities with less sanitation had OR = 1.05 (95% CI: 0.78‐1.40); and those in municipalities with less dental care had OR = 1.36 (95% CI: 1.02‐1.80).

Conclusions

Fluoridation and policies about sanitation, education and dental care were similarly associated with oral health in different social strata. Other policies on social and economic fields may be further explored.
Imaging of the lamina cribrosa and its role in glaucoma: a review
Authors: Tan Nicholas YQ , Koh Victor , Girard Michaël JA , Cheng Ching‐Yu
Published: December 2017

The lamina cribrosa of the optic nerve head serves two contrasting roles; it must be porous to allow retinal ganglion cell axons to pass through, and yet at the same time, it must also provide adequate structural support to withstand the stresses and strains across it. Improvements in imaging such as optical coherence tomography image capture and image processing have allowed detailed in vivo studies of lamina cribrosa macro‐ and micro‐architectural characteristics. This has aided our understanding of the optic nerve head as a complex biomechanical structure. In this review, we first aim to frame the biomechanical considerations of lamina cribrosa in a clinical context; in doing so, we also explore the concept of the translaminar pressure difference. Second, we aim to highlight the technological advances in imaging the lamina cribrosa and its accompanying clinical implications, and future directions in this quickly progressing field.
Five‐year visual outcome among people with correctable visual impairment: the Liwan Eye Study
Authors: Wang Lanhua , Zhao Yanzhi , Han Xiaotong , Huang Wenyong , Huang Guofu , He Mingguang
Published: December 2017

Importance

Longitudinal data on visual outcome of correctable visual impairments (VI) are of paramount importance for decision‐maker to estimate burden and demand to treat avoidable VI.

Background

To assess the 5‐year visual outcome among participants with correctable VI and to identify associated risk factors.

Design

Population‐based longitudinal cohort study.

Participants

Participants with correctable VI at baseline attended the 5‐year follow‐up visit of the Liwan Eye Study.

Methods

Presenting visual acuity (PVA) with habitual refractive correction was assessed using an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. Then participants with PVA <6/12 in either eye underwent further non‐cycloplegic subjective refraction to obtain their best‐corrected visual acuity. Correctable VI was defined as having a PVA of <6/12 in the better eye which could be improved to ≥6/12 after refractive correction.

Main Outcome Measures

The 5‐year visual outcome among participants with correctable VI.

Results

Among 1405 participants at baseline examination, 188 (13.4%) had correctable VI, of whom 118 (62.8%) were re‐examined at the 5‐year follow‐up, including 39 (33.9%) who progressed to non‐correctable VI, 43 (37.4%) who had persistent correctable VI and 33 (28.7%) who were converted to normal vision. In multivariate logistic regression, compared with participants who were no longer visual impaired, significant risk factors for participants with persistent VI were older, had income <1000 RMB/month, and more myopia spherical equivalent.

Conclusions and Relevance

Over two of three participants with correctable VI remained to have VI after 5 years, among whom 50% are correctable by spectacles, highlighting the need to improve the refractive care accessibility to treat avoidable VI in China.
“I did not know there was another life”: Meanings of life in the out‐of‐home Mothers Unit reunification programme
Authors: Tener Dafna , Sorek Yoa , Schwartz Ella
Published: December 2017

The Mothers Unit is a reunification and treatment programme in a welfare emergency centre in Israel. The unit is the only one in Israel offering joint residence for mothers at risk of abusing or neglecting their children. The unit provides an alternative to out‐of‐home care for young children suffering from maltreatment in order to enable them and their mothers to return to the community together at the end of the treatment. The current qualitative study examines the lived experiences of the women and their children from the subjective perspective of the women currently or previously involved in the programme and of the professionals working with them. Thematic analysis of 36 in‐person semi‐structured interviews reveals the multiple meanings they attribute to life in the Mothers Unit and its perceived effects on their children and themselves.
Surface characterization of titanium implant healing abutments before and after placement
Authors: Wheelis Sutton E. , Wilson Thomas G. , Valderrama Pilar , Rodrigues Danieli C.
Published: December 2017

Background

Implant healing abutments (IHA) have a vital role in soft tissue healing after implant placement. Although there is thorough investigation on the implant surface, little is known about the effects potentially damaging oral conditions impose on healing abutments.

Purpose

To characterize the surface of titanium healing abutments before and after clinical placement to understand the effects of the oral environment and time on the device surface.

Materials and Methods

Ten regular Straumann IHA were subjected to characterization pre and postplacement to elucidate the effects of the oral environment on device surfaces. Changes in surface crystallinity, morphology, and elemental composition were monitored with Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. In addition, corrosion rate and polarization resistance were obtained to assess electrochemical device stability after placement.

Results

Control analysis indicated the titanium oxide of IHAs was thicker than natural commercially pure titanium and had the structure of crystalline anatase. After removal, the abutments possessed large amounts of biological debris, visible scratches, and discoloration sparsely on the surface. Spectroscopic analysis revealed the titanium oxide on the surface of IHAs was structurally unchanged, with crystalline titanium dioxide still present on the surface. Electrochemical results revealed that implanted healing abutments possessed a significantly higher corrosion rate than controls (change in corrosion rate = 2.34 ± 0.58 nm/year).

Conclusions

Healing abutments were stable in the oral environment due to the chemical stability of the oxide, and were likely subjected to abrasions from unintentional loading and oral hygiene techniques.
Finasteride inhibited brain dopaminergic system and open‐field behaviors in adolescent male rats
Authors: Li Li , Kang Yun‐Xiao , Ji Xiao‐Ming , Li Ying‐Kun , Li Shuang‐Cheng , Zhang Xiang‐Jian , Cui Hui‐Xian , Shi Ge‐Ming
Published: December 2017

Aims

Finasteride inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Because androgen regulates dopaminergic system in the brain, it could be hypothesized that finasteride may inhibit dopaminergic system. The present study therefore investigates the effects of finasteride in adolescent and early developmental rats on dopaminergic system, including contents of dopamine and its metabolites (dihydroxy phenyl acetic acid and homovanillic acid) and tyrosine hydroxylase expressions both at gene and protein levels. Meanwhile, open‐field behaviors of the rats are examined because of the regulatory effect of dopaminergic system on the behaviors.

Methods

Open‐field behaviors were evaluated by exploratory and motor behaviors. Dopamine and its metabolites were assayed by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and protein expressions were determined by real‐time qRT‐PCR and western blot, respectively.

Results

It was found that in adolescent male rats, administration of finasteride at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg for 14 days dose dependently inhibited open‐field behaviors, reduced contents of dopamine and its metabolites in frontal cortex, hippocampus, caudate putamen, nucleus accumbens, and down‐regulated tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and protein expressions in substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. However, there was no significant change of these parameters in early developmental rats after finasteride treatment.

Conclusion

These results suggest that finasteride inhibits dopaminergic system and open‐field behaviors in adolescent male rats by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, and imply finasteride as a potential therapeutic option for neuropsychiatric disorders associated with hyperactivities of dopaminergic system and androgen.
Quick Response in Supply Chains with Stochastically Risk Sensitive Retailers*
Authors: Choi Tsan‐Ming , Zhang Juzhi , Cheng T. C. Edwin
Published: December 2017

Quick response is a supply chain practice that can help improve operations by responding quickly to market changes. In particular, when retailers are perfectly rational and risk neutral, quick response is known to be a highly beneficial strategy to the retailers. However, in practice, retailers may possess different kinds of unstable risk preferences, which include risk‐averse and risk‐seeking attitudes. Thus, retailers may be stochastically risk sensitive. In this article, we consider all these factors simultaneously and explore how the retailer's stochastic risk preference affects the values of quick response to the supply chain and its members. Among various findings, we show that quick response is always beneficial to the supply chain when the retailer is stochastically risk sensitive. In most cases, we demonstrate that if the retailer is more risk averse (risk seeking) stochastically, the retailer is benefited more, whereas the manufacturer suffers a smaller profit loss (a bigger profit loss), under quick response. We prove that different commonly used supply chain contracts can achieve robust Pareto improvement in the supply chain. We also uncover that if the manufacturer ignores the retailer's stochastic risk preference, the achievability of Pareto improvement by contracts will be negatively affected.
Effects of forest loss and fragmentation on pollen diets and provision mass of the mason bee,Osmia cornifrons, in central Japan
Authors: NAGAMITSU TERUYOSHI , SUZUKI MIKI F. , MINE SHOTARO , TAKI HISATOMO , SHURI KATO , KIKUCHI SATOSHI , MASAKI TAKASHI
Published: December 2017

1. Habitat loss and fragmentation potentially affect the performance of bees that forage nectar and pollen of plants in their habitats. In forest landscapes, silvicultural conifer plantations often have reduced and fragmented natural broadleaf forests, which seem to provide more floral resources for bees than do the plantations.

2. This study evaluated the effects of forest characteristics (i.e. elevation, area, edge length, and tree size of natural forests) on pollen diets (plant taxa assemblages of pollen grains in provisions) and total provision mass in oviposited chambers in nests made by a standardised number ofOsmia cornifronsbees at 14 sites in a forestry area in central Japan.

3. From April to May, the numbers of nests and chambers per nest increased, and the provision mass per chamber decreased. Main pollen sources werePrunusat higher elevations in April andWisteriaat lower elevations in May, foraging on which increased the numbers of nests and chambers per nest. The provision mass per chamber was smaller at higher elevations in more fragmented natural forests. Decreases in the area of natural forests within the foraging range (400‐m radii) ofO. cornifronsincreased the utilisation ofRubuspollen and decreased the total provision mass.

4. These findings suggest that the loss and fragmentation of natural broadleaf forests change pollen diets and reduce the provision mass of mason bees, which may reduce the number and size of their offspring.
Can a cognitive rehabilitation program in early stages of Parkinson's disease improve cognition, apathy and brain functional connectivity for up to 18 months?
Authors: Daniele A. , Panza F.
Published: December 2017

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this volume.
Responses of terrestrial nitrogen pools and dynamics to different patterns of freeze‐thaw cycle: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Gao Decai , Zhang Lei , Liu Jun , Peng Bo , Fan Zhenzhen , Dai Weiwei , Jiang Ping , Bai Edith
Published: December 2017

Altered freeze‐thaw cycle (FTC) patterns due to global climate change may affect nitrogen (N) cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the general responses of soil N pools and fluxes to different FTC patterns are still poorly understood. Here, we compiled data of 1519 observations from 63 studies and conducted a meta‐analysis of the responses of 17 variables involved in terrestrial N pools and fluxes to FTC. Results showed that under FTC treatment, soil NH4+, NO3−, NO3− leaching, and N2O emission significantly increased by 18.5%, 18.3%, 66.9%, and 144.9%, respectively; and soil total N (TN) and microbial biomass N (MBN) significantly decreased by 26.2% and 4.7%, respectively; while net N mineralization or nitrification rates did not change. Temperate and cropland ecosystems with relatively high soil nutrient contents were more responsive to FTC than alpine and arctic tundra ecosystems with rapid microbial acclimation. Therefore, altered FTC patterns (such as increased duration of FTC, temperature of freeze, amplitude of freeze, and frequency of FTC) due to global climate warming would enhance the release of inorganic N and the losses of N via leaching and N2O emissions. Results of this meta‐analysis help better understand the responses of N cycling to FTC and the relationships between FTC patterns and N pools and N fluxes.
Possibilities for African Canadian intellectual history: The case of 19th‐century Upper Canada/Canada West
Authors: Reid‐Maroney Nina
Published: December 2017

African Canadian intellectual history of the 19th century resonates with contemporary movements for racial justice such as Black Lives Matter, and the emergence of new scholars and activists in the vibrant field of Black Canadian Studies. Arguing that Black abolitionists and their ideologies of resistance created an intellectual culture both linked to, and distinct from, intellectual cultures elsewhere in the Atlantic world, the essay discusses new scholarship on histories of ideas, calling for a reexamination of the underground railroad as an important conceptual framework, and surveying recent work on women's intellectual histories, histories of religion, and the culture of science. Interdisciplinary research on the Black press in 19th‐century Canada reveals the importance of African Canadian intellectual history for our understanding of narratives of race, ideologies of emancipation, and the place of Canada in the Black Atlantic.
Efficacy, safety and patient‐reported outcomes of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in NS3/4A protease inhibitor‐experienced individuals with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 and HIV coinfection with and without cirrhosis (ANRS HC31 SOFTRIH study)
Authors: Rosenthal E , Fougerou‐Leurent C , Renault A , Carrieri MP , Marcellin F , Garraffo R , Teicher E , Aumaitre H , Lacombe K , Bailly F , Billaud E , Chevaliez S , Dominguez S , Valantin MA , Reynes J , Naqvi A , Cotte L , Metivier S , Leroy V , Dupon M , Allegre T , De Truchis P , Jeantils V , Chas J , Salmon‐Ceron D , Morlat P , Neau D , Perré P , Piroth L , Pol S , Bourlière M , Pageaux GP , Alric L , Zucman D , Girard PM , Poizot‐Martin I , Yazdanpanah Y , Raffi F , Pabic E Le , Tual C , Pailhé A , Amri I , Bellissant E , Molina JM
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of the fixed‐dose combination ledipasvir (LDV)/sofosbuvir (SOF) in patients coinfected with HIV‐1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) have mainly included treatment‐naïve patients without cirrhosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this combination in treatment‐experienced patients with and without cirrhosis.

Methods

We conducted a multicentre, open‐label, double‐arm, nonrandomized study in patients coinfected with HIV‐1 and HCV genotype 1 with and without cirrhosis, who had good viral suppression on their antiretroviral regimens. All patients were pretreated with a first‐generation NS3/4A protease inhibitor (PI) plus pegylated interferon/ribavirin. Patients received a fixed‐dose combination of LDV/SOF for 12 weeks, or for 24 weeks if cirrhosis was present. The primary endpoint was a sustained virological response (SVR) 12 weeks after the end of therapy. Secondary endpoints included safety, pharmacokinetics and patient‐reported outcomes.

Results

Of the 68 patients enrolled, 39.7% had cirrhosis. Sixty‐five patients [95.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 87.6–99.1%; P < 0.0001] achieved an SVR, with similar rates of SVR in those with and without cirrhosis. Tolerance was satisfactory, with mainly grade 1 or 2 adverse events. Among patient‐reported outcomes, only fatigue significantly decreased at the end of treatment compared with baseline [odds ratio (OR): 0.36; 95% CI: 0.14–0.96; P = 0.04]. Mean tenofovir area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) at week 4 was high, with mean ± SD AUC variation between baseline and week 4 higher in cirrhotic than in noncirrhotic patients (3261.57 ± 1920.47 ng/mL vs. 1576.15 ± 911.97 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.03). Mild proteinuria (54.4%), hypophosphataemia (50.0%), blood bicarbonate decrease (29.4%) and hypokalaemia (13.2%) were reported. The serum creatinine level was not modified.

Conclusions

LDV/SOF provided a high SVR rate in PI‐experienced subjects coinfected with HCV genotype 1 and HIV‐1, including patients with cirrhosis.
Production of squid emulsion sausages using pork skin and coconut powder mixture as fat replacers
Authors: Zhou Tiantian , Zhao Yana , Wu Xiaomeng , Wang Wenhang , Liu Anjun
Published: December 2017

How to improve the inferior properties of squid products is a big challenge for producers. Pork skin and coconut powder (PSCP) mixture were assessed as fat replacers in squid emulsion sausages. The modified treatment containing 100% PSCP had 62.58% less fat, 4.82% more protein and 8.79% more moisture than those of the control (P < 0.05). High PSCP concentration resulted in lower cooking loss, higher emulsion stability and better textural properties. Texture profile analysis (TPA) showed that the addition of PSCP significantly (P < 0.05) increased the hardness, cohesiveness and chewiness of the sausages. The three‐dimensional network structures of the sausages containing PSCP were more compact and homogeneous. Sensory evaluation results produced by a sensory panel comprised of 100 panellists indicated that the sausages had an excellent flavour and overall acceptability when the substitution was 60%. Therefore, pork skin and coconut powder can be used to replace the pork back fat in the squid emulsion sausage without sacrificing the quality.