bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of socio‐economic factors on treatment choice and mortality in chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Larfors Gunnar , Sandin Fredrik , Richter Johan , Själander Anders , Stenke Leif , Lambe Mats , Höglund Martin
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the influence of socio‐economic variables on treatment selection and survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).

Methods

Using information available in population‐based Swedish registries, we evaluated indices of health, education and economy from the 980 patients in the SwedishCMLregister diagnosed between 2002 and 2012. Apart from internal comparisons, five age‐, gender‐ and region‐matched control subjects per patient served as control cohort. Median follow‐up time fromCMLdiagnosis was 4.8 years.

Results

Among patients withCML, low personal or household income, short education, living alone, poor performance status and high age (>60 years) were significantly associated with an inferior survival (in univariate analyses). However, similar findings were noted also in the matched control group, and in comparisons adjusted for calendar year, age and performance status, socio‐economic variables were not significantly associated withCMLsurvival. Meanwhile, both education and income were independently linked toTKItreatment overall and to upfront treatment with second‐generationTKIs.

Conclusions

In conclusion, socio‐economic conditions were associated with survival in the studiedCMLcohort but these associations could be explained by differences at baseline. Meanwhile, socio‐economic conditions appeared to influence treatment choice.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in China, Singapore and Japan: a comparison with the USA
Authors: Koelman D. L. H. , Benkeser D. C. , Xu Y. , Neo S. X. , Tan K. , Katsuno M. , Sobue G. , Natsume J. , Chahin S. , Mar S. S. , Venkatesan A. , Chitnis T. , Hoganson G. M. , Yeshokumar A. K. , Barreras P. , Majmudar B. , Carone M. , Mateen F. J.
Published: December 2016

Background and purpose

Ethnicity‐related differences in the incidence of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and other demyelinating diseases including multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders have been reported. Little is reported on the influence of ethnicity and geographical location in ADEM.

Methods

Medical records of patients who presented with ADEM (ICD‐9 323.61 and 323.81) at large referral hospitals in China, Singapore and Japan (years 1992–2015) were retrospectively reviewed and data were collected in a centralized database. Presenting features and outcomes of ADEM were compared between this multi‐country Asian cohort and a uniformly collected US cohort using risk differences and risk ratios. Both cohorts were standardized to a 35% pediatric population to facilitate the comparison.

Results

There were 83 Asian patients (48 male, 16 pediatric) followed for a median of 2 (25th–75th percentile 1–10) months. Asian patients exhibited a 26% higher prevalence of spinal cord involvement on magnetic resonance imaging [95% confidence interval (CI) 0–52%; P = 0.05; 63% vs. 37%], a 39% lower prevalence of preceding events (95% CI 12–65%; P < 0.01; 33% vs. 72%) and a 23% lower prevalence of corpus callosum involvement (95% CI 7–39%; P < 0.01; 8% vs. 31%). No difference was observed between the two cohorts in the probability of relapse over the first year after disease onset.

Conclusions

It is hypothesized that the high proportion of Asian patients with spinal cord lesions relates to genetic vulnerability or the higher incidence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in Asia or could be a spurious association. ADEM presentations most probably vary across geographical settings or ethnicities.
Deep gray matter atrophy in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis
Authors: Hyun J.‐W. , Park G. , Kwak K. , Jo H.‐J. , Joung A. , Kim J.‐H. , Lee S. H. , Kim S. , Lee J.‐M. , Kim S.‐H. , Kim H. J.
Published: December 2016

Background and purpose

We investigated changes in deep gray matter (DGM) volume and its relationship to cognition and clinical factors in a large cohort of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and compared them with results from multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (3 Tesla) and clinical data from 91 patients with NMOSD, 52 patients with MS and 44 healthy controls (HCs) were prospectively evaluated. Differences in DGM volumes were compared among groups. The relationships between DGM atrophy and clinical variables were also analysed.

Results

Patients with NMOSD exhibited significantly reduced thalamic volumes compared with HCs (P = 0.029), although this atrophy was less severe than that seen in patients with MS (P < 0.001). DGM atrophy was restricted to the thalamus in NMOSD, but it was broadly distributed in MS. Patients with NMOSD with cognitive impairment (CI) exhibited more severe thalamic atrophy than those with cognitive preservation (P = 0.017) and HCs (P = 0.003), whereas patients with MS with CI revealed DGM atrophy across the entire structure, with the exception of the bilateral pallidum, left hippocampus and amygdala, relative to HCs. The Expanded Disability Status Scale score was correlated with thalamic atrophy in both NMOSD and MS. Patients with NMOSD with brain lesions demonstrated more severe thalamic atrophy than did those without brain lesions and HCs (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The DGM atrophy was less severe and more selectively distributed in NMOSD than in MS. Thalamic atrophy was associated with clinical disability, including CI, in both NMOSD and MS.
Evidence for a differential interaction of brivaracetam and levetiracetam with the synaptic vesicle 2A protein
Authors: Wood Martyn D. , Gillard Michel
Published: December 2016

Objective

Brivaracetam (BRV) and levetiracetam (LEV) are effective antiepileptic drugs that bind selectively to the synaptic vesicle 2A (SV2A) protein. However, BRV differs from LEV in that it exhibits more potent and complete seizure suppression in animal models including in amygdala‐kindled mice, where BRV afforded nearly complete seizure suppression. This raises the possibility that aside from potency differences, BRV and LEV may interact differently with the SV2A protein, which is not apparent in radioligand‐binding competition studies. In this study, we used a recently identified SV2A allosteric modulator, UCB1244283, that appears to induce conformational changes in SV2A, to probe the binding properties of labeled BRV and LEV.

Methods

Radioligand binding studies were carried out using [3H]BRV and [3H]LEV. Studies were performed in membranes from both recombinant cells expressing human SV2A protein and human brain tissue.

Results

The modulator increased the binding of both radioligands but by different mechanisms. For [3H]BRV, the increase was driven mainly by an increase in affinity, whereas for [3H]LEV, the increase was due to an increase in the number of apparent binding sites. Kinetic studies confirmed this differential effect.

Significance

These studies suggest that LEV and BRV may act at different binding sites or interact with different conformational states of the SV2A protein. It is possible that some of the pharmacologic differences between BRV and LEV could be due to different interactions with the SV2A protein.
Novel antidiabetic medications for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sumida Yoshio , Seko Yuya , Yoneda Masashi ,   Japan Study Group of NAFLD (JSG‐NAFLD)
Published: December 2016

Liver‐related diseases are the leading causes of death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japan. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is closely associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide. Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of NAFLD, can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic failure. Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis can be called “diabetic hepatopathy”. There are no established pharmacotherapies for NAFLD/NASH patients with T2DM. Although metformin is established as the first‐line therapy for T2DM, given its relative safety and beneficial effects on glycosylated hemoglobin, weight, and cardiovascular mortality, this agent is not recommended as specific therapy for NASH/NAFLD due to lack of clinical evidence. The effects of pioglitazone on NASH histology with T2DM have been extensively proved, but several concerns exist, such as body weight gain, fluid retention, cancer incidence, and bone fracture. In recent years, novel antidiabetic medications have been approved for T2DM, such as glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors, and sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. A key clinical question for hepatologists is what kinds of antidiabetic medications are the most appropriate for the treatment of NAFLD accompanied by T2DM, to prevent progression of hepatic fibrosis resulting in HCC/liver‐related mortality without increased risk of cardiovascular events. This review focuses on novel antidiabetic agents and future perspectives on the treatment of NAFLD/NASH with T2DM.
Patient expectations for management of chronic non‐cancer pain: A systematic review
Authors: Geurts Jose W. , Willems Paul C. , Lockwood Craig , van Kleef Maarten , Kleijnen Jos , Dirksen Carmen
Published: December 2016

Background

Chronic pain is a major economic and social health problem. Up to 79% of chronic pain patients are unsatisfied with their pain management. Meeting patients’ expectations is likely to produce greater satisfaction with care. The challenge is to explore patients’ genuine expectations and needs. However, the term expectation encompasses several concepts and may concern different aspects of health‐care provision.

Objective

This review aimed to systematically collect information on types and subject of patients’ expectations for chronic pain management.

Search strategy

We searched for quantitative and qualitative studies. Because of the multidimensional character of the term “expectations,” the search included subject headings and free text words related to the concept of expectations.

Data extraction and synthesis

A framework for understanding patients’ expectations was used to map types of expectations within structure, process or outcome of health care.

Main results

Twenty‐three research papers met the inclusion criteria: 18 quantitative and five qualitative. This review found that assessment of patients’ expectations for treatment is mostly limited to outcome expectations (all 18 quantitative papers and four qualitative papers). Patients generally have high expectations regarding pain reduction after treatment, but expectations were higher when expressed as an ideal expectation (81‐93% relief) than as a predicted expectation (44‐64%).

Discussion and conclusions

For health‐care providers, for pain management and for pain research purposes, the awareness that patients express different types of expectations is important. For shared decision making in clinical practice, it is important that predicted expectations of the patient are known to the treating physician and discussed.

Structure and process expectations are under‐represented in our findings. However, exploring and meeting patients’ expectations regarding structure, process and outcome aspects of pain management may increase patient satisfaction.
Adoption of International Standards on Auditing (ISA): Do Institutional Factors Matter?
Authors: Boolaky Pran K. , Soobaroyen Teerooven
Published: December 2016

Informed by the neo‐institutional perspective, this study seeks for the first time to investigate empirically the determinants of ISA adoption and commitment to harmonisation on a cross‐national basis (89 countries). The findings show that the protection of minority interests, regulatory enforcement, lenders/borrowers rights, foreign aid, prevalence of foreign ownership, educational attainment and particular forms of political system (level of democracy) prevailing in a country, are observed to be significant predictors of the extent of commitment to the adoption and harmonisation of ISAs. Our statistical analysis therefore suggests that coercive, mimetic and normative pressure have a significant impact on ISA adoption relative to economic (efficiency‐led) factors. Our findings imply that current efforts by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and other international agencies to implement ISAs need to recognise that a broad set of institutional factors, rather than narrow economic ones, are of relevance in the development of audit policymaking, practice and regulation worldwide.
Empathic processes during nurse–consumer conflict situations in psychiatric inpatient units: A qualitative study
Authors: Gerace Adam , Oster Candice , O'Kane Deb , Hayman Carly L. , Muir‐Cochrane Eimear
Published: December 2016

Empathy is a central component of nurse–consumer relationships. In the present study, we investigated how empathy is developed and maintained when there is conflict between nurses and consumers, and the ways in which empathy can be used to achieve positive outcomes. Through semistructured interviews, mental health nurses (n = 13) and consumers in recovery (n = 7) reflected on a specific conflict situation where they had experienced empathy, as well as how empathy contributed more generally to working with nurses/consumers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, utilizing a framework that conceptualizes empathy experiences as involving antecedents, processes, and outcomes. The central theme identified was ‘my role as a nurse – the role of my nurse’. Within this theme, nurses focussed on how their role in managing risk and safety determined empathy experienced towards consumers; consumers saw the importance of nurse empathy both in conflict situations and for their general hospitalization experience. Empathy involved nurses trying to understand the consumer's perspective and feeling for the consumer, and was perceived by consumers to involve nurses ‘being there’. Empathic relationships built on trust and rapport could withstand a conflict situation, with empathy a core component in consumer satisfaction regarding conflict resolution and care. Empathy allows the maintenance of therapeutic relationships during conflict, and influences the satisfaction of nurses and consumers, even in problematic situations. Nurse education and mentoring should focus on nurse self‐reflection and building empathy skills in managing conflict.
Evaluation of pit‐and‐fissure sealants placed with four different bonding protocols: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Khare Manasi , Suprabha Baranya Shrikrishna , Shenoy Ramya , Rao Arathi
Published: December 2016

Background

Application of adhesive after acid etching may increase the retention of pit‐and‐fissure sealants and improve clinical effectiveness.

Aims

To clinically evaluate the retention, marginal discoloration and caries incidence of pit‐and‐fissure sealants applied using four bonding protocols: conventional acid etching, etch‐and‐rinse adhesive, multimode universal adhesive and self‐etch adhesive used after acid etching.

Design

In this split‐mouth design study, the four adhesive protocols were randomly assigned to the four erupted, non‐carious first permanent molars and involved 52 patients between 6 and 10 years of age. The sealants were evaluated at 3‐, 6‐ and 12‐month intervals. Statistical analysis was carried out using Friedman test and Kruskal–Wallis test.

Results

At 12 months, the retention rate was maximum in etch‐and‐rinse and universal adhesive groups (77.1%) followed by self‐etch adhesive (58.3%) and conventional acid etching group (45.8%). Dental caries was observed only in one tooth, and marginal discoloration was found to be the highest in conventional group and least in etch‐and‐rinse group.

Conclusions

Use of adhesives during pit‐and‐fissure sealant application does not significantly enhance sealant retention nor decrease marginal discoloration. Etch‐and‐rinse adhesive is advantageous only at short term.
Data quality problems undermine analyses of endotherm upper critical temperatures
Authors: McKechnie Andrew E. , Coe Brittney H. , Gerson Alexander R. , Wolf Blair O.
Published: December 2016

In an analysis of avian and mammalian thermal tolerances recently published in this journal, Khaliq et al. () reported that endotherm thermal niches are phylogenetically conserved in tropical, but not temperate, regions. However, closer examination of the data upon which this analysis was based reveals that many of the upper critical temperature (UCT) data are not valid. Approximately 55% and 42% of avian and mammalian UCT data, respectively, originated from studies in which animals were not exposed to air temperatures high enough to elicit an increase in metabolic rate above minimum levels; the cited UCT values are merely the highest air temperatures at which measurements took place. An additional 18% and 25% of avian and mammalian UCT data, respectively, represent values based on just one individual per species and/or measurements at too few air temperatures above the thermoneutral zone (TNZ) to reliably estimate the UCT.
A prospective study of the association between total sleep duration and incident hypertension
Authors: Yadav Dhananjay , Hyun Dae Sung , Ahn Song Vogue , Koh Sang‐Baek , Kim Jang Young
Published: December 2016

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate total sleep duration as a potential risk factor for the development of hypertension after a mean of 2.6 years of follow‐up. The study participants comprised 1715 Korean adults aged 40 to 70 years. The participants were without hypertension at baseline (2005–2008) and during follow‐up (2008–2011) to determine the incident cases of hypertension. Based on a self‐reported questionnaire, the individuals were stratified according to total sleep duration (<6 hours, 6–7.9 hours, 8–9.9 hours, ≥10 hours). Hypertension was defined according to the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) guidelines. After an average of 2.6 years of follow‐up, 164 (9.56%) participants developed hypertension. In multivariate adjusted models, the odds ratio for new‐onset hypertension was 1.71 (95% confidence interval, 1.01–2.89) in participants with a short sleep duration (<6 hours) compared with those who reported 6 to 7.9 hours of sleep. Long sleep duration (more than 8 hours) did not have any significant difference on incident hypertension. Among middle‐aged and elderly Korean adults, short sleepers were independently associated with a higher risk of developing hypertension.
Derivation and validation of a risk scoring model to predict advanced colorectal neoplasm in adults of all ages
Authors: Yang Hyo‐Joon , Choi Sungkyoung , Park Soo‐Kyung , Jung Yoon Suk , Choi Kyu Yong , Park Taesung , Kim Ji Yeon , Park Dong Il
Published: December 2016

Background and Aims

Little is known about how to include adults < 50 years in colonoscopy screening. This study aimed to derive a risk‐scoring model incorporating laboratory indicators for metabolic risks to predict advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) in asymptomatic Korean adults both younger and older than 50 years.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 70 812 consecutive adult recipients of a screening colonoscopy in a single health check‐up center in Korea between 2003 and 2012 were enrolled. A risk score model was developed using multiple logistic regression model and internally validated.

Results

Overall prevalence of ACN was 1.4% (956/70 812). A 15‐point score model was developed to comprise age, sex, family history of colorectal cancer, smoking, body mass index, serum levels of fasting glucose, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Based on the score, the validation cohort could be categorized into five risk groups (low, borderline, moderate, high, and very high) with an ACN prevalence of 0.7%, 1.3%, 2.7%, 6.6%, and 13.2%, respectively. Compared with the borderline risk group, the low‐risk group showed a 50.3% reduced risk of ACN. Meanwhile, the moderate, high, and very high risk groups showed 2, 5, and 10‐fold increased risk of ACN. The score showed significantly superior discriminative power than the Asian‐Pacific colorectal screening score (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Our scoring model based on both clinical and laboratory risk factors is useful for the prediction of ACN. This score may be used to include adults < 50 years in colonoscopy screening.
Association of antenatal antithrombin activity with perinatal liver dysfunction: A prospective multicenter study
Authors: Morikawa Mamoru , Suzuki Hirotada , Obata‐Yasuoka Mana , Kasai Michi , Itoh Hiroaki , Ohkuchi Akihide , Hamada Hiromi , Aoki Shigeru , Kanayama Naohiro , Minakami Hisanori
Published: December 2016

Background and Aim

Liver dysfunction with decreased antithrombin (AT) activity and/or thrombocytopenia is life threatening in pregnant women. Whether AT is clinically useful for prediction of liver dysfunction remains unclear.

Methods

A total of 541 women were registered prospectively at gestational week 34.7 (20.0–41.4) with available data on antenatal AT and platelet count (PLC).

Results

Liver dysfunction defined as serum aspartate aminotransferase > 45 IU/L concomitant with lactate dehydrogenase > 400 IU/L occurred in five women antenatally (≤ 2 weeks before delivery) and in 17 women post‐partum (within 1 week post‐partum). Median (5th–95th) antenatal value was 85 (62–110)% for AT and 202 (118–315) × 109/L for PLC in the 541 women and was significantly lower in women with than without perinatal liver dysfunction; 75 (51–108) versus 86 (62–110)% and 179 (56–244) versus 203 (121–316) × 109/L, respectively. Nineteen (86%) women with liver dysfunction showed AT ≤ 62% or thrombocytopenia (PLC ≤ 118 × 109/L) perinatally, but five lacked thrombocytopenia throughout the perinatal period. The best cut‐off (AT, 77%; PLC, 139 × 109/L) suggested by receiver operating characteristic curve gave antenatal AT and PLC sensitivity of 59% and 41% with positive predictive value of 8.6% and 14%, respectively, and combined use of AT and PLC improved sensitivity to 73% (16/22) with positive predictive value of 9.2% for prediction of perinatal liver dysfunction.

Conclusions

Reduced AT not accompanied by thrombocytopenia can precede liver dysfunction. Clinical introduction of AT may enhance the safety of pregnant women.
Is Polypharmacy Associated with Frailty in Older People? Results From the ESTHER Cohort Study
Authors: Saum Kai‐Uwe , Schöttker Ben , Meid Andreas D. , Holleczek Bernd , Haefeli Walter E. , Hauer Klaus , Brenner Hermann
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between polypharmacy and frailty.

Design

Longitudinal, observational cohort study.

Setting

Saarland, Germany.

Participants

3,058 community‐dwelling adults aged between 57 and 84 years.

Measurements

Frailty was assessed according to the frailty phenotype, described by Fried et al. Polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy were defined as the concomitant use of five or more and 10 or more drugs, respectively. We assessed associations between polypharmacy and prevalent and incident frailty within 3 years of follow‐up by logistic regression models controlled for multiple potential confounders including comorbidity. Additionally, cubic splines were used to assess dose–response associations.

Results

Polypharmacy was reported in 39.1% (n = 1,194), and hyperpolypharmacy in 8.9% (n = 273) of participants. Prevalent frailty was present in 271 (8.9%) participants; 186 (9.3%) of 1,998 non‐frail participants with follow‐up data became frail within 3 years. After adjustment, polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy were associated with prevalent frailty with adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 2.30 (1.60–3.31) and 4.97 (2.97–8.32), respectively. Polypharmacy (odds ratio (OR) 1.51 (1.05–2.16)) and hyperpolypharmacy (OR 1.90 (1.10–3.28)) were also independent predictors of incident frailty. Furthermore, there was a moderate exposure–response relationship between the number of medicines and prevalent as well as incident frailty.

Conclusion

Our study showed that polypharmacy is associated with frailty. Further research should address the potential benefit of reducing of inappropriate polypharmacy and better pharmacotherapeutic management for preventing medication‐associated frailty.
How Does Performance Feedback Affect Boundary Spanning in Multinational Corporations? Insights from Technology Scouts
Authors: Klueter Thomas , Monteiro Felipe
Published: December 2016

As much as prior research has shed light on the boundary‐spanning processes of global organizations and their (positive) impact on an MNC's performance, whether, when and how past performance ultimately shapes an MNC's boundary‐spanning activities remains an open question in management research. To tackle these questions, we examine the behaviour of technology scouts in global organizations who span organizational and national boundaries to tap into novel knowledge and span internal boundaries to present this knowledge to constituents inside the MNC. Drawing on the behavioural theory of the firm, we propose that the intensity of organizational boundary spanning, the likelihood of spanning national boundaries and the way technology scouts span internal boundaries to engage with members inside the organization are sensitive to how the MNC has performed relative to its aspirations. We support our theoretical expositions with insights gained from interviewing senior industry professionals with direct experience in technology scouting in MNCs.
Are Managers Motivated to Explore in the Face of a New Technological Change? The Role of Regulatory Focus, Fit, and Complexity of Decision‐Making
Authors: Ahmadi Saeedeh , Khanagha Saeed , Berchicci Luca , Jansen Justin J. P.
Published: December 2016

We develop a psychological perspective on managers’ exploration orientation. Our study suggests that the regulatory focus of managers may in different ways, impact their orientation toward search, risk‐taking, and experimentation. Moreover, we argue that these relationships are contingent not only on the extent to which the organizational context fits with the motivational disposition of managers, but also on the complexity of decision‐making. Using an experimental setting, we find that managers’ regulatory focus affects their willingness to experiment with a wide range of alternatives and to deviate from existing best practices. Moreover, the promotion focus of managers heightens their exploration orientation in an organizational context with promotion‐focused cues in highly complex decision‐making. This study has important implications for our understanding of managers’ exploration orientation under conditions of complexity.
Rethinking ‘Top‐Down’ and ‘Bottom‐Up’ Roles of Top and Middle Managers in Organizational Change: Implications for Employee Support
Authors: Heyden Mariano L. M. , Fourné Sebastian P. L. , Koene Bastiaan A. S. , Werkman Renate , Ansari Shahzad (Shaz)
Published: December 2016

In this study we integrate insights from ‘top‐down’ and ‘bottom‐up’ traditions in organizational change research to understand employees’ varying dispositions to support change. We distinguish between change initiation and change execution roles and identify four possible role configurations in which top managers (TMs) and middle managers (MMs) can feature in change. We contend that both TMs and MMs can play change initiation and/or change execution roles, TMs and MMs have different strengths and limitations for taking on different change roles, and their relative strengths and limitations are compounded or attenuated based on the specific configuration of change roles. We subsequently hypothesize employee support for change in relation to different TM‐MM change role configurations. Our findings show that change initiated by TMs does not engender above‐average level of employee support. However, change initiated by MMs engenders above‐average level of employee support, and even more so, if TMs handle the change execution.
Colonization of Fungi and Bacteria in Stumps and Roots of Scots Pine after Thinning and Treatment with Rotstop
Authors: Kubiak Katarzyna , Damszel Marta , Sikora Katarzyna , Przemieniecki Sebastian , Małecka Monika , Sierota Zbigniew
Published: December 2016

The research areas were located in the Pisz Forest District, northeast Poland, in 10‐year‐old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantations, established in 2004 on a clear‐cut area. Reforestation was performed without a biological treatment against root pathogens, despite the presence of Heterobasidion annosum and Armillaria ostoyae in roots and stumps of trees growing previously. The aim of this research was to evaluate how thinning and treatment with the biological control agent Rotstop influences bacterial and fungal communities within roots and stumps. Twelve months after thinning, samples were collected from five stumps in each of two seasons, autumn and spring, from stands on two types of site, one previously forested and one agricultural (20 stumps in total). Wood samples were cultured on agar media, and (i) fungi in the upper part of the stump and (ii) in roots and (iii) bacteria in roots were genetically identified. Sequences were genetically identified by comparing sequences with records held in the GenBank database. We found great differences in the frequency of both fungi and bacteria in roots: they were more frequent (i) in healthy stumps compared to stumps infected with pathogens (H. annosum and A. ostoyae), (ii) in postagricultural soil than in forest soil and (iii) after spring rather than autumn biological treatment. The introduced species Phlebiopsis gigantea was only identified in the parts of the stumps which were above ground level. The bacterium Paenibacillus pini was associated with the presence of H. annosum infecting the stumps from the roots side. In areas seriously threatened by root pathogens, biological treatment can play only a limited role. It can spread to the upper part and impede the production of fruitbodies; however, it has no impact on the development of pathogens in deeper root areas.
Interindividual differences in the dynamics of the homeostatic process are trait‐like and distinct for sleep versus wakefulness
Authors: Rusterholz Thomas , Tarokh Leila , Van Dongen Hans P. A. , Achermann Peter
Published: December 2016

The sleep homeostatic Process S reflects the build‐up of sleep pressure during waking and its dissipation during sleep. Process S is modelled as a saturating exponential function during waking and a decreasing exponential function during sleep. Slow wave activity is a physiological marker for non‐rapid eye movement (non‐REM) sleep intensity and serves as an index of Process S. There is considerable interindividual variability in the sleep homeostatic responses to sleep and sleep deprivation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether interindividual differences in Process S are trait‐like. Polysomnographic recordings of 8 nights (12‐h sleep opportunities, 22:00–10:00 hours) interspersed with three 36‐h periods of sustained wakefulness were performed in 11 healthy young adults. Empirical mean slow wave activity per non‐REM sleep episode at episode mid‐points were used for parameter estimation. Parameters of Process S were estimated using different combinations of consecutive sleep recordings, resulting in two to three sets of parameters per subject. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess whether the parameters were stable across the study protocol and they showed trait‐like variability among individuals. We found that the group‐average time constants of the build‐up and dissipation of Process S were 19.2 and 2.7 h, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.48 to 0.56, which reflects moderate trait variability. The time constants of the build‐up and dissipation varied independently among subjects, indicating two distinct traits. We conclude that interindividual differences in the parameters of the dynamics of the sleep homeostatic Process S are trait‐like.
Quality of life in patients with an idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in Korea
Authors: Kim Keun Tae , Motamedi Gholam K. , Cho Yong Won
Published: December 2016

There have been few quality of life studies in patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder. We compared the quality of life in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder patients to healthy controls, patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus without complication and idiopathic restless legs syndrome. Sixty patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (24 female; mean age: 61.43 ± 8.99) were enrolled retrospectively. The diagnosis was established based on sleep history, overnight polysomnography, neurological examination and Mini‐Mental State Examination to exclude secondary rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. All subjects completed questionnaires, including the Short Form 36‐item Health Survey for quality of life. The total quality of life score in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (70.63 ± 20.83) was lower than in the healthy control group (83.38 ± 7.96) but higher than in the hypertension (60.55 ± 24.82), diabetes mellitus (62.42 ± 19.37) and restless legs syndrome (61.77 ± 19.25) groups. The total score of idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder patients had a negative correlation with the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (r = −0.498, P < 0.001), Insomnia Severity Index (r = −0.645, P < 0.001) and the Beck Depression Inventory‐2 (r = −0.694, P < 0.001). Multiple regression showed a negative correlation between the Short Form 36‐item Health Survey score and the Insomnia Severity Index (β = −1.100, P = 0.001) and Beck Depression Inventory‐2 (β = −1.038, P < 0.001). idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder had a significant negative impact on quality of life, although this effect was less than that of other chronic disorders. This negative effect might be related to a depressive mood associated with the disease.
Human roughness perception and possible factors effecting roughness sensation
Authors: Aktar Tugba , Chen Jianshe , Ettelaie Rammile , Holmes Melvin , Henson Brian
Published: December 2016

Surface texture sensation is significant for business success, in particular for solid surfaces for most of the materials; including foods. Mechanisms of roughness perception are still unknown, especially under different conditions such as lubricants with varying viscosities, different temperatures, or under different force loads during the observation of the surface. This work aims to determine the effect of those unknown factors, with applied sensory tests on 62 healthy participants. Roughness sensation of fingertip was tested under different lubricants including water and diluted syrup solutions at room temperature (25C) and body temperature (37C) by using simple pair‐wise comparison to observe the just noticeable difference threshold and perception levels. Additionally, in this research applied force load during roughness observation was tested with pair‐wise ranking method to illustrate its possible effect on human sensation. Obtained results showed that human's capability of roughness discrimination reduces with increased viscosity of the lubricant, where the influence of the temperature was not found to be significant. Moreover, the increase in the applied force load showed an increase in the sensitivity of roughness discrimination. Observed effects of the applied factors were also used for estimating the oral sensation of texture during eating. These findings are significant for our fundamental understanding to texture perception, and for the development of new food products with controlled textural features.

Practical applications

Texture discrimination ability, more specifically roughness discrimination capability, is a significant factor for preference and appreciation for a wide range of materials, including food, furniture, or fabric. To explore the mechanism of sensation capability through tactile senses, it is necessary to identify the relevant factors and define characteristics that dominate the process involved. The results that will be obtained under these principles will be helpful for the industry in the development and optimization of new products, especially for the individuals' with special needs. With this exploratory study, we illustrate differential thresholds of tactile senses under changing conditions of surface lubrication and applied force load. Also, the tests were carried out under different temperatures to understand the oral sensation capability. The results and correlations may provide useful information about texture sensitivity and also methodologies could be applied to general sensory studies.
Neutrophil Gelatinase‐Associated Lipocalin in Cats with Naturally Occurring Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Wang I.‐C. , Hsu W.‐L. , Wu P.‐H. , Yin H.‐Y. , Tsai H.‐J. , Lee Y.‐J.
Published: December 2016

Background

Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a biomarker for the early prediction of renal damage and the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in humans and dogs.

Hypothesis

Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin also may play a role in the progression ofCKDin cats.

Animals

EightyCKDand 18 control cats.

Methods

Cats were categorized into different stages according to the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) staging system. Urine and plasma samples were collected and tested forNGALconcentrations using an in‐house sandwichELISAsystem and urinaryNGAL(uNGAL)‐to‐creatinine ratio (UNCR) was determined. Cats in which serum creatinine concentration increased by >0.5 mg/dL from baseline within 30 days were defined as exhibiting progression.

Results

The urinaryNGALandUNCRofCKDcats were significantly higher than those of healthy cats (P< .05) and were highly correlated with serum creatinine concentration. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) foruNGAL, when predicting the progression ofCKD, was 0.71 and the best cutoff value was 2.06 ng/mLwith a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 75%. TheAUROCforUNCRwhen predicting the progression ofCKDwas 0.79 and the best cutoff value was 4.08 × 10−6with a sensitivity of 76.9% and specificity of 79.2%. Cats withUNCRvalues higher than their cutoffs experienced significantly faster deterioration with a median of 19 days.

Conclusions

Both urinaryNGALandUNCRare useful markers for the prediction ofCKDprogression in cats.
Severity of Nasal Inflammatory Disease Questionnaire for Canine Idiopathic Rhinitis Control: Instrument Development and Initial Validity Evidence
Authors: Greene L.M. , Royal K.D. , Bradley J.M. , Lascelles B.D.X. , Johnson L.R. , Hawkins E.C.
Published: December 2016

Background

Effective treatments are needed for idiopathic chronic rhinitis in dogs, but assessment of efficacy requires a practical, quantifiable method for assessing severity of disease.

Objectives

To develop and perform initial validity and reliability testing of an owner‐completed questionnaire for assessing clinical signs and dog and owner quality of life (QOL) in canine chronic rhinitis.

Animals

Twenty‐two dogs with histopathologically confirmed chronic rhinitis and 72 healthy dogs.

Methods

In this prospective study, an online questionnaire was created based on literature review and feedback from veterinarians, veterinary internists with respiratory expertise, and owners of dogs with rhinitis. Owners of affected dogs completed the questionnaire twice, 1 week apart, to test reliability. Healthy dogs were assessed once. Data were analyzed using the Rasch Rating Scale Model, and results were interpreted using Messick's framework for evaluating construct validity evidence.

Results

Initial item generation resulted in 5 domains: nasal signs, paranasal signs, global rhinitis severity, and dog's and owner's QOL. A 25‐item questionnaire was developed using 5‐point Likert‐type scales. No respondent found the questionnaire difficult to complete. Strong psychometric evidence was available to support the substantive, generalizability, content, and structural aspects of construct validity. Statistical differences were found between responses for affected and control dogs for all but 2 items. These items were eliminated, resulting in the 23‐item Severity of Nasal Inflammatory Disease (SNIFLD) questionnaire.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The SNIFLD questionnaire provides a mechanism for repeated assessments of disease severity in dogs with chronic rhinitis.
Effect of Dexamethasone on Resting Blood Lactate Concentrations in Horses
Authors: Mizen K. , Woodman J. , Boysen S.R. , Wagg C. , Greco‐Otto P. , Léguillette R. , Roy M.‐F.
Published: December 2016

Background

Blood lactate concentration is a marker of tissue perfusion and helps guide therapeutic interventions in critically ill horses. In both humans and dogs, administration of corticosteroids can increase blood lactate concentration, leading to type B hyperlactatemia. This effect could be a consequence of the impact of corticosteroids on glucose metabolism.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of daily IM dexamethasone administration on blood lactate and glucose concentrations in horses.

Animals

Nine healthy adult horses.

Methods

A randomized, blinded, controlled, cross‐over study design was used. Horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups, either receiving 0.05 mg/kg of dexamethasone IM or an equivalent volume of saline, daily for 7 days. Blood was collected to determine lactate and glucose concentrations at baseline, 2 hours after the daily injections and 24 hours after the last injection.

Results

Dexamethasone treatment had a statistically significant effect on lactate (P = .006) and glucose (P = .033) concentrations. The least squares mean lactate concentration was 0.93 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.87–0.99) in the dexamethasone group compared to 0.71 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.70–0.73) for the saline group. A positive relationship between blood lactate and glucose concentrations was identified, with a 0.07 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.05–0.09) increase in lactate concentration per unit increase in glucose (P < .0001) concentration.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dexamethasone induces statistically significant increases in blood lactate and glucose concentrations in healthy horses. Awareness of the potential for corticosteroids to induce type B hyperlactatemia might be important in the management of critically ill horses receiving dexamethasone.
Blanchard and Kahn's (1980) Solution for a Linear Rational Expectations Model with One State Variable and One Jump Variable: The Correct Formula
Authors: Kollmann Robert , Zeugner Stefan
Published: December 2016

This note corrects Blanchard and Kahn's (1980) formula for the solution of a linear dynamic rational expectations model with one predetermined and one non‐predetermined endogenous variable.
Genomic and phenotypic evidence for an incomplete domestication of South American grain amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus)
Authors: Stetter Markus G. , Müller Thomas , Schmid Karl J.
Published: December 2016

The domestication syndrome comprises phenotypic changes that differentiate crops from their wild ancestors. We compared the genomic variation and phenotypic differentiation of the two putative domestication traits seed size and seed colour of the grain amaranth Amaranthus caudatus, which is an ancient crop of South America, and its two close wild relatives and putative ancestors A. hybridus and A. quitensis. Genotyping 119 accessions of the three species from the Andean region using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) resulted in 9485 SNPs that revealed a strong genetic differentiation of cultivated A. caudatus from its two relatives. A. quitensis and A. hybridus accessions did not cluster by their species assignment but formed mixed groups according to their geographic origin in Ecuador and Peru, respectively. A. caudatus had a higher genetic diversity than its close relatives and shared a high proportion of polymorphisms with their wild relatives consistent with the absence of a strong bottleneck or a high level of recent gene flow. Genome sizes and seed sizes were not significantly different between A. caudatus and its relatives, although a genetically distinct group of A. caudatus from Bolivia had significantly larger seeds. We conclude that despite a long history of human cultivation and selection for white grain colour, A. caudatus shows a weak genomic and phenotypic domestication syndrome and proposes that it is an incompletely domesticated crop species either because of weak selection or high levels of gene flow from its sympatric close undomesticated relatives that counteracted the fixation of key domestication traits.
The escalatory Red Queen: Population extinction and replacement following arms race dynamics in poplar rust
Authors: Persoons Antoine , Hayden Katherine J. , Fabre Bénédicte , Frey Pascal , De Mita Stéphane , Tellier Aurélien , Halkett Fabien
Published: December 2016

Host–parasite systems provide convincing examples of Red Queen co‐evolutionary dynamics. Yet, a key process underscored in Van Valen's theory – that arms race dynamics can result in extinction – has never been documented. One reason for this may be that most sampling designs lack the breadth needed to illuminate the rapid pace of adaptation by pathogen populations. In this study, we used a 25‐year temporal sampling to decipher the demographic history of a plant pathogen: the poplar rust fungus, Melampsora larici‐populina. A major adaptive event occurred in 1994 with the breakdown of R7 resistance carried by several poplar cultivars widely planted in Western Europe since 1982. The corresponding virulence rapidly spread in M. larici‐populina populations and nearly reached fixation in northern France, even on susceptible hosts. Using both temporal records of virulence profiles and temporal population genetic data, our analyses revealed that (i) R7 resistance breakdown resulted in the emergence of a unique and homogeneous genetic group, the so‐called cultivated population, which predominated in northern France for about 20 years, (ii) selection for Vir7 individuals brought with it multiple other virulence types via hitchhiking, resulting in an overall increase in the population‐wide number of virulence types and (iii) – above all – the emergence of the cultivated population superseded the initial population which predominated at the same place before R7 resistance breakdown. Our temporal analysis illustrates how antagonistic co‐evolution can lead to population extinction and replacement, hence providing direct evidence for the escalation process which is at the core of Red Queen dynamics.
Prioritization of polysaccharide utilization and control of regulator activation in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
Authors: Schwalm Nathan D. , Townsend Guy E. , Groisman Eduardo A.
Published: December 2016

Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron is a human gut symbiotic bacterium that utilizes a myriad of host dietary and mucosal polysaccharides. The proteins responsible for the uptake and breakdown of many of these polysaccharides are transcriptionally regulated by hybrid two‐component systems (HTCSs). These systems consist of a single polypeptide harboring the domains of sensor kinases and response regulators, and thus, are thought to autophosphorylate in response to specific signals. We now report that the HTCS BT0366 is phosphorylated in vivo when B. thetaiotaomicron experiences the BT0366 inducer arabinan but not when grown in the presence of glucose. BT0366 phosphorylation and transcription of BT0366‐activated genes requires the conserved predicted sites of phosphorylation in BT0366. When chondroitin sulfate is added to arabinan‐containing cultures, BT0366 phosphorylation and transcription of BT0366‐activated genes are inhibited and the bacterium exhibits diauxic growth. Whereas 20 additional combinations of polysaccharides also give rise to diauxic growth, other combinations result in synergistic or unaltered growth relative to bacteria experiencing a single polysaccharide. The different strategies employed by B. thetaiotaomicron when faced with multiple polysaccharides may aid its competitiveness in the mammalian gut.