bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disentangling individual movement between populations from effective dispersal in the facultative anadromous Salmo trutta L.
Authors: Masson Séverine , Lepais Olivier , Manicki Aurélie , Prévost Etienne , Chat Joelle
Published: March 2017

Gathering information on both individual movement and gene flow is rarely possible when studying dispersal among populations in fish species. It is, however, possible to assess both at a reasonable cost in Salmo trutta L. on the Atlantic coast of Europe where the facultative anadromous species is composed of discrete populations of brown trout residents occupying distinct river systems, but exchanging phenotypically distinguishable sea trout migrants. We performed two kinds of genetic analyses using individual microsatellite genotypes: the stock identification of sea trout entering each corridor and the estimates of effective dispersal through each corridor. We observed that individual movement (nonlocal individuals of each source population ranging from 4% to 35% of the sea trout run) never translates into effective dispersal except in one of four migratory corridors examined. The likely origin of this uniquely detected gene flow event is discussed in the light of well‐documented migratory fish management actions undertaken in the past in the studied area.
How Useful Is Basel III's Liquidity Coverage Ratio? Evidence From US Bank Holding Companies
Authors: Du Brian
Published: March 2017

This paper approximates a construction of Basel III's Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) for US bank holding companies. This study examines (i) the LCR's marginal contribution to a firm's systemic risk and (ii) whether the LCR can predict ex ante which banks are most exposed to systemic losses in a true systemic event. Panel regressions from 2002 to 2015 show that the LCR is associated with lower relative systemic risk, measured by ΔCoVaR. The LCR may be used conjunctively with marginal expected shortfall to predict a firm's systemic losses during the crisis of 2007–2008.
Predicting academic success by using context variables and probabilistic classification
Authors: Bahritidinov Bakhtiyor , Sánchez Eduardo
Published: March 2017

The aim of the study reported here was to predict students' grades based on context and personal state variables. Motivation for the study derives from the need to provide accurate recommendations about both educational resources and activities that match students' requirements and expectations. The proposed prediction method takes advantage of information associated with the context variables of the students, proposes the identification of clusters that group students with similar attributes, and estimates the final grade based on a probabilistic model. The findings show that the proposed model outperforms other existing models in terms of error accuracy.
Determining the critical plant test potassium concentration for annual and Italian ryegrass on dairy pastures in south‐western Australia
Authors: McDonnell R. P. , Staines M. vH. , Bolland M. D. A.
Published: March 2017

Potassium fertilization in intensive grassland systems is particularly important on sandy soils with limited K storage capacity. A 3‐year plot experiment was conducted in south‐western Australia to determine the critical K concentration in herbage dry matter (DM) of annual and Italian ryegrass required to achieve 0.95 of the maximum yield, under best‐practice grassland management. A factorial design was employed with eight fertilizer K rates (range 0–360 kg ha−1 year−1) and two ryegrass species replicated four times, on a sandy soil site managed over 7 years to deplete mean soil Colwell K concentration to 42 mg/kg. Herbage was defoliated six times per year at the 3‐leaf stage of regrowth. Herbage DM yield, macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations were measured at each defoliation. Dry‐matter yield increased significantly (p < .001) with increasing levels of K fertilizer in all 3 years and the effect was curvilinear, while 0.95 of the maximum herbage DM yield was achieved at an annual K fertilizer application rate of 96, 96 and 79 kg/ha respectively. At these K fertilizer application levels, the mean K concentration of herbage DM over the 3 years was derived to be 11.4, 12.7 and 11.2 g/kg respectively. Sodium, magnesium and calcium concentrations of herbage DM all declined significantly (p < .001) as the K concentration increased. Grassland producers on sandy soils should target a K concentration in herbage DM of 16 g/kg for annual ryegrass and Italian ryegrass‐dominant swards to ensure K availability is not limiting herbage production.
Growth of hybrids between the common and early ecotypes of Imperata cylindrica
Authors: Miyoshi Ikuya , Tominaga Tohru
Published: March 2017

Growth of hybrids between the common‐ (C‐) and early‐ (E‐) ecotypes of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch.) was compared with their parents to clarify their potential invasiveness. Six ramets of each artificial hybrid and their parents, a total of 276 ramets (6 ramets × 22 hybrids between C‐ and E‐type (CE‐hybrids), 6 ramets × 22 hybrids between E‐ and C‐type (EC‐hybrids), six ramets of C‐type parent and six ramets of E‐type parent) were transplanted individually into clay pots (21‐cm diameter × 16‐cm depth, 3300 cm3) in May. Half of the clay pots planted with CE‐hybrids, EC‐hybrids, C‐type parents and E‐type parents, three ramets of each clone, were placed in wet conditions (wet plot), in which all of the clay pots were kept in water 9.5 cm deep from the bottom of the pot. As controls, the remaining clay pots were placed on the ground. All ramets were harvested in November and their dry weights were measured. The E‐type grew better than C‐type in the wet plot. CE‐hybrids and EC‐hybrids showed a broad range of growth response to groundwater level and some hybrids were superior to their parents under both control and wet conditions. In the Tohoku region, the hybrids are commonly distributed, hybridization can cause the two parent types to fuse into a single population and would result in their extinction.
Safety of arteriovenous fistulae and grafts for continuous renal replacement therapy: The Michigan experience
Authors: Al Rifai Anas , Sukul Nidhi , Wonnacott Robert , Heung Michael
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistula or graft (AVF/AVG) use is widely considered contraindicated for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), yet insertion of hemodialysis (HD) catheters can carry high complication risk in critically ill end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

Methods: Single‐center analysis of 48 consecutive hospitalized ESRD patients on maintenance HD who underwent CRRT using AVF/AVG from 2012 to 2013. Primary outcome was access‐related complications.

Findings: Mean age was 60 years, 48% were male, and 88% required vasopressor support. Median duration of AVF/AVG use for CRRT was 4 days (range 1–34). Ten (21%) patients had access complications (5 bleeding, 5 infiltration, 1 thrombosis); 5 (10.4%) required catheter placement. Overall 31 (65%) patients survived to hospital discharge and AVF/AVG access was functional at the time of discharge in 29 (94%) patients.

Discussion: In our experience, use of AVF/AVG for CRRT can be performed with a low serious complication rate and low risk of access loss, potentially avoiding catheter‐related complications.
Incidental Findings and Normal Anatomical Variants on MRI of the Brain in Adults for Primary Headaches
Authors: Evans Randolph W.
Published: March 2017

When MRI scans of the brain are obtained for evaluation of primary headaches in adults, incidental findings are commonly present. After a review of the prevalence of incidental findings and normal anatomical variants, 21 types are presented.
Importance of Pain Acceptance in Relation to Headache Disability and Pain Interference in Women With Migraine and Overweight/Obesity
Authors: Lillis Jason , Graham Thomas J. , Seng Elizabeth K. , Lipton Richard B. , Pavlović Jelena M. , Rathier Lucille , Roth Julie , O'Leary Kevin C. , Bond Dale S.
Published: March 2017

Background

Pain acceptance involves willingness to experience pain and engaging in valued activities while pain is present. Though pain acceptance could limit both headache‐related disability and pain interference in individuals with migraine, few studies have addressed this issue. This study evaluated whether higher levels of total pain acceptance and its two subcomponents, pain willingness and activity engagement, were associated with lower levels of headache‐related impairment in women who had both migraine and overweight/obesity.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, participants seeking weight loss and headache relief in the Women's Health and Migraine trial completed baseline measures of pain acceptance (Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire [CPAQ]), headache‐related disability (Headache Impact Test‐6), and pain interference (Brief Pain Inventory). Migraine headache frequency and pain intensity were assessed daily via smartphone diary. Using CPAQ total and subcomponent (pain willingness and activity engagement) scores, headache frequency, pain intensity, and body mass index (BMI) as predictors in linear regression, headache‐related disability, and pain interference were modeled as outcomes.

Results

On average, participants (n = 126; age = 38.5 ± 8.2 years; BMI = 35.3 ± 6.6 kg/m2) reported 8.4 ± 4.7 migraine days/month and pain intensity of 6.0 ± 1.5 on a 0‐10 scale on headache days. After correcting for multiple comparisons (adjusted α = .008), pain willingness was independently associated with both lower headache‐related disability (P < .001; β = −0.233) and pain interference (P < .001; β = −0.261). Activity engagement was not associated with headache‐related disability (P = .128; β = −0.138) and pain interference (P = .042; β = −0.154). CPAQ total score was not associated with headache‐related disability (P = .439; β = 0.066) and pain interference (P = .305; β = 0.074). Pain intensity was significantly associated with outcomes in all analyses (Ps < .001; βs 0.343‐0.615).

Conclusions

Higher pain willingness, independent of degree of both migraine severity and overweight, is associated with lower headache‐related disability and general pain interference in treatment‐seeking women with migraine and overweight/obesity. Future studies are needed to clarify direction of causality and test whether strategies designed to help women increase pain willingness, or relinquish ineffective efforts to control pain, can improve functional outcomes in women who have migraine and overweight/obesity.
Implementation of a youth‐adult partnership model in youth mental health systems research: Challenges and successes
Authors: Heffernan Olivia S. , Herzog Tyson M. , Schiralli Jordana E. , Hawke Lisa D. , Chaim Gloria , Henderson Joanna L.
Published: March 2017

Background

By integrating Youth–Adult Partnerships (Y‐APs) in organizational decision making and programming in health‐care settings, youth can be engaged in decisions that affect them in a way that draws on their unique skills and expertise. Despite challenges, Y‐APs can have many benefits for youth and adults alike, as well as for the programmes and initiatives that they undertake together.

Objective

This article describes the development, implementation and success of a Y‐AP initiative at the McCain Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, a large urban hospital.

Method

The McCain Y‐AP implementation model was developed based on the existing literature, guided by the team's progressive experience. The development and implementation procedure is described, with indicators of the model's success and recommendations for organizations interested integrating youth engagement.

Results

The McCain Y‐AP has integrated youth into a wide range of mental health and substance use‐related initiatives, including research projects, conferences and educational presentations. The model of youth engagement is flexible to include varying degrees of involvement, allowing youth to contribute in ways that fit their availability, interest and skills. Youth satisfaction has been strong and both the youth and adult partners have learned from the experience.

Discussion

Through the McCain Y‐AP initiative, youth engagement has helped advance numerous initiatives in a variety of ways. Flexible engagement, multifaceted mentorship, reciprocal learning and authentic decision making have led to a successful partnership that has provided opportunities for growth for all those involved. Health‐care organizations interested in engaging youth can learn from the McCain Y‐AP experience to guide their engagement initiatives and maximize success.
Can the minimum living standard guarantee scheme enable the poor to escape the poverty trap in rural China?
Authors: Zhao Liqiu , Guo Yu , Shao Ting
Published: March 2017

The rural Minimum Living Standard Guarantee (Dibao) Scheme is the most important social assistance programme in rural China. However, how the rural Dibao programme affects household expenditures and whether it can enable the poor to escape the poverty trap are questions that remain largely unexplored. This study used data from the 2012 Rural Household Survey in China to investigate the impact of the rural Dibao programme on household expenditures. We found that the programme significantly improved the well‐being of low‐income households. Particularly, the programme significantly increased household expenditures on housing, education and health; furthermore, the impact was greater for households with educated household heads. However, the programme did not significantly affect household expenditures on food, transportation or farming inputs. The results imply that participation in the rural Dibao programme induces household investment in human capital, which could help to break the inter‐generational transmission of poverty and raise long‐run welfare.
Determinants of Attitudes towards Immigration: Testing the Influence of Interculturalism, Group Threat Theory and National Contexts in Time of Crisis
Authors: García‐Faroldi Livia
Published: March 2017

Since 2008 a profound crisis, not only economic but also political, has been affecting the EU. The Eurobarometers carried out by the European Commision show an increased percentage of people who see their country as not having benefitted from being an EU member. In addition, the presence of extreme‐right parties has grown recently in several democracies. These parties adopt not only an anti‐European but also an anti‐immigrant stance. It is precisely the growing strength and visibility of this link between anti‐Europeanism and anti‐immigration in ideological positions that has prompted our research. Using data from the Eurobarometer 71.3 (2009) for eleven countries, we confirm a correlation between intercultural dialogue – measured using a proxy variable: European identification – and tolerance. Results also corroborate group threat theory. However, the best model takes into account national contexts. These findings show the relevance of studying national historical and cultural traditions to understand how prejudices develop.
The Trajectory of Concurrent Motor and Vocal Behaviors Over the Transition to Crawling in Infancy
Authors: Berger Sarah E. , Cunsolo Marian , Ali Mariam , Iverson Jana M.
Published: March 2017

To document the trajectory of motor and vocal behaviors in real and developmental time, we observed infants at each of four biweekly naturalistic play sessions over the transition to crawling. An exhaustive and mutually exclusive coding scheme documented all vocalizations and postures. Odds ratios of the likelihood of a given posture‐vocalization dyad revealed that vocalization and crawling were significantly unlikely to co‐occur at the session marking the onset of crawling. We speculate that infants’ allocation of attention over the transition to crawling prompted behavioral trade‐offs. During mastery of a novel skill, infants may have had difficulty allocating attention to multiple tasks, but with experience, a decrease in attentional load for the new skill allowed performance of simultaneous behaviors in other domains to occur.
Intergenerational mentoring at Men's Sheds: A feasibility study
Authors: Wilson Nathan J , Cordier Reinie , Ciccarelli Marina , MacCallum Judith , Milbourn Benjamin , Vaz Sharmila , Joosten Annette , Buchanan Angus , McAuliffe Tomomi , Stancliffe Roger J
Published: March 2017

Background

This study reports on the feasibility of an intergenerational mentoring programme for youth with intellectual disability (ID) aimed at developing skills and building networks.

Methods

Youth with ID were paired with older male mentors who were trained to support the mentees participate in activities and social interactions during weekly sessions. We interviewed the mentees and mentors, and assessed them on a range of outcomes using standardized measures.

Results

Interviews highlighted that the programme presented a great “opportunity” for the mentees and mentors. The participants described facilitators and challenges to the acquisition of practical skills by mentees and the development of relationships between mentors and mentees, including communication, transportation and mentor training. The youth with ID had difficulty completing the self‐report measures.

Conclusions

Mentoring programmes are viable to support youth with ID during the transition to adulthood; however, refinement is required in the rollout out of a pilot intervention.
Breeding synchrony and extrapair paternity in a species with alternative reproductive strategies
Authors: Grunst Mellisa L. , Grunst Andrea S. , Gonser Rusty A. , Tuttle Elaina M.
Published: March 2017

Breeding synchrony may affect the tradeoff between pursuing multiple mates and avoiding paternity loss, translating into differences in the rate of extrapair paternity (EPP). However, diverse empirical relationships between breeding synchrony and EPP remain challenging to explain. We examined whether the relationship between breeding synchrony and EPP varied with male morph, age, body size, or breeding density in the white‐throated sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis. In this species, males of two genetically determined morphs pursue alternative mating strategies. Breeding synchrony positively correlated with EPP within polygamous white morph males, which have high rates of EPP and cuckoldry, but was unrelated to EPP within tan morph males, which prioritize mate guarding and paternal care. As previously reported, males that gained EPP were primarily white males. Males gained EPP more often than expected by chance during their mate's fertile period and on neighboring territories. Since extrapair copulation appears primarily male‐driven in this species, these results indicate that white males focus extra‐pair mating effort during periods of high synchrony and during their mates’ fertile periods, even at the expense of paternity loss within their own nests. Breeding density, male age, and male size did not modify the relationship between breeding synchrony and EPP. However, older white males had higher cuckoldry rates, perhaps reflecting declines in performance associated with senescence. Results suggest that, even within species, mating strategy may modify how breeding synchrony affects rates of EPP, with positive relationships manifest only within subsets of individuals that pursue a strategy of polygyny at the expense of paternity loss.
Plasma soluble leptin receptor levels are associated with pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Morioka Tomoaki , Emoto Masanori , Yamazaki Yuko , Kurajoh Masafumi , Motoyama Koka , Mori Katsuhito , Fukumoto Shinya , Shioi Atsushi , Shoji Tetsuo , Inaba Masaaki
Published: March 2017

Aims/Introduction

A soluble form of the leptin receptor (soluble Ob‐R) in the circulation regulates leptin's bioactivity, and is inversely associated with body adiposity and circulating leptin levels. However, no study has examined the clinical impact of soluble Ob‐R on glucose metabolism in diabetes. The present study aimed to investigate the association of plasma soluble Ob‐R levels with insulin resistance and pancreatic β‐cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

A total of 289 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the present study. Fasting plasma soluble Ob‐R levels and plasma leptin levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Insulin resistance and pancreatic β‐cell function were estimated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function and fasting C‐peptide index.

Results

The median plasma soluble Ob‐R level and plasma leptin level were 3.4 ng/mL and 23.6 ng/mL, respectively. Plasma soluble Ob‐R levels were negatively correlated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function and the C‐peptide index, whereas plasma leptin levels were positively correlated with each index in univariate analyses. Multivariate analyses including plasma soluble Ob‐R levels, plasma leptin levels and use of sulfonylureas, along with age, sex, body mass index and other covariates, showed that soluble Ob‐R levels were independently and negatively associated with homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function and the C‐peptide index, but not significantly associated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance.

Conclusions

Plasma soluble Ob‐R levels are independently associated with pancreatic β‐cell function, but not with insulin resistance, in patients with type 2 diabetes. The present study implicates the role of soluble Ob‐R in pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.
A critical review of improvement rates for laser therapy used to treat toenail onychomycosis
Authors: Gupta A.K. , Versteeg S.G.
Published: March 2017

Onychomycosis is a nail infection that is primary caused by dermatophytes. Alternative treatments are needed as current therapies (oral and topical antifungals) have limited effectiveness. Lasers are currently approved by the FDA to temporarily increase the amount of clear nail in onychomycosis patients. Lasers can theoretically elicit fungicidal effects but in practice produce mixed results. This review compared laser‐induced improvement rates to FDA‐approved indications and traditional onychomycosis treatments. A review of the literature (PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, Medline and Embase) was used to locate articles for this review. RCTs, non‐randomized, uncontrolled and retrospective studies that included at least one of the following measures were eligible; complete cure, mycological cure, clinical improvement and clinical cure. Mycological cure (negative culture and negative microscopy) was evaluated in two studies using patients as the unit of analysis with an average rate of 11%, increasing to 63% when nails were used as the unit of analysis (three studies). Clinical cure (100% clear nail) was evaluated in six studies with a rate of 13% using nails as the unit of analysis and 13% when patients were used as the unit of analysis (two studies). Clinical improvement (at any time point) was found in 36% of patients (five studies) and 67% of nails (nine studies). Nail clarity as measured by clear nail growth and/or nail plate/bed clearance at 12 weeks was found to be 2.6 mm across onychomycotic nails. Laser studies, to date, provide preliminary evidence of clinical improvement and clear nail growth in toenail onychomycosis, consistent with the FDA clearance for aesthetic endpoints. Laser studies however do not provide efficacy rates for medical endpoints that equate or exceed those found with traditional therapies (oral and topical treatments).
Evolutionary diversification of the auditory organ sensilla in Neoconocephalus katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) correlates with acoustic signal diversification over phylogenetic relatedness and life history
Authors: Strauß J. , Alt J. A. , Ekschmitt K. , Schul J. , Lakes‐Harlan R.
Published: March 2017

Neoconocephalus Tettigoniidae are a model for the evolution of acoustic signals as male calls have diversified in temporal structure during the radiation of the genus. The call divergence and phylogeny in Neoconocephalus are established, but in tettigoniids in general, accompanying evolutionary changes in hearing organs are not studied. We investigated anatomical changes of the tympanal hearing organs during the evolutionary radiation and divergence of intraspecific acoustic signals. We compared the neuroanatomy of auditory sensilla (crista acustica) from nine Neoconocephalus species for the number of auditory sensilla and the crista acustica length. These parameters were correlated with differences in temporal call features, body size, life histories and different phylogenetic positions. By this, adaptive responses to shifting frequencies of male calls and changes in their temporal patterns can be evaluated against phylogenetic constraints and allometry. All species showed well‐developed auditory sensilla, on average 32–35 between species. Crista acustica length and sensillum numbers correlated with body size, but not with phylogenetic position or life history. Statistically significant correlations existed also with specific call patterns: a higher number of auditory sensilla occurred in species with continuous calls or slow pulse rates, and a longer crista acustica occurred in species with double pulses or slow pulse rates. The auditory sensilla show significant differences between species despite their recent radiation, and morphological and ecological similarities. This indicates the responses to natural and sexual selection, including divergence of temporal and spectral signal properties. Phylogenetic constraints are unlikely to limit these changes of the auditory systems.
Mushroom Consumption and Incident Dementia in Elderly Japanese: The Ohsaki Cohort 2006 Study
Authors: Zhang Shu , Tomata Yasutake , Sugiyama Kemmyo , Sugawara Yumi , Tsuji Ichiro
Published: March 2017

Background

Both in vivo and in vitro studies have indicated that edible mushrooms may have preventive effects against cognitive impairment. However, few cohort studies have yet examined the relationship between mushroom consumption and incident dementia.

Objective

We examined the relationship between mushroom consumption and incident dementia in a population of elderly Japanese subjects.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Ohsaki Cohort 2006 Study.

Participants

13,230 individuals aged ≥65 years living in Ohsaki City, northeastern Japan.

Measurements

Daily mushroom consumption, other lifestyle factors, and dementia incidence.

Results

The 5.7 years incidence of dementia was 8.7%. In comparison with participants who consumed mushrooms <1 time/wk, the multi‐adjusted HRs (95% CI) for incident dementia among those did so 1–2 times/week and ≥3 times/week were 0.95 (0.81, 1.10) and 0.81 (0.69, 0.95), respectively (P‐trend <.01). The inverse association persisted after excluding participants whose dementia event occurred in the first 2 years of follow‐up and whose baseline cognitive function was lower. The inverse association did not differ statistically in terms of vegetable consumption (P‐interaction = .10).

Conclusions

This cohort study suggests that frequent mushroom consumption is significantly associated with a lower risk of incident dementia, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors.
Adherence and Tolerability of Alzheimer's Disease Medications: A Pragmatic Randomized Trial
Authors: Campbell Noll L. , Perkins Anthony J. , Gao Sujuan , Skaar Todd C. , Li Lang , Hendrie Hugh C. , Fowler Nicole , Callahan Christopher M. , Boustani Malaz A.
Published: March 2017

Background/Objectives

Post‐marketing comparative trials describe medication use patterns in diverse, real‐world populations. Our objective was to determine if differences in rates of adherence and tolerability exist among new users to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI's).

Design

Pragmatic randomized, open label comparative trial of AChEI's currently available in the United States.

Setting

Four memory care practices within four healthcare systems in the greater Indianapolis area.

Participants

Eligibility criteria included older adults with a diagnosis of possible or probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) who were initiating treatment with an AChEI. Participants were required to have a caregiver to complete assessments, access to a telephone, and be able to understand English. Exclusion criteria consisted of a prior severe adverse event from AChEIs.

Intervention

Participants were randomized to one of three AChEIs in a 1:1:1 ratio and followed for 18 weeks.

Measurements

Caregiver‐reported adherence, defined as taking or not taking study medication, and caregiver‐reported adverse events, defined as the presence of an adverse event.

Results

196 participants were included with 74.0% female, 30.6% African Americans, and 72.9% who completed at least twelfth grade. Discontinuation rates after 18 weeks were 38.8% for donepezil, 53.0% for galantamine, and 58.7% for rivastigmine (P = .063) in the intent to treat analysis. Adverse events and cost explained 73.1% and 25.4% of discontinuation. No participants discontinued donepezil due to cost. Adverse events were reported by 81.2% of all participants; no between‐group differences in total adverse events were statistically significant.

Conclusions

This pragmatic comparative trial showed high rates of adverse events and cost‐related non‐adherence with AChEIs. Interventions improving adherence and persistence to AChEIs may improve AD management. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01362686 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01362686).
Plant xylem hydraulics: What we understand, current research, and future challenges
Authors: Venturas Martin D. , Sperry John S. , Hacke Uwe G.
Published: March 2017

Herein we review the current state‐of‐the‐art of plant hydraulics in the context of plant physiology, ecology, and evolution, focusing on current and future research opportunities. We explain the physics of water transport in plants and the limits of this transport system, highlighting the relationships between xylem structure and function. We describe the great variety of techniques existing for evaluating xylem resistance to cavitation. We address several methodological issues and their connection with current debates on conduit refilling and exponentially shaped vulnerability curves. We analyze the trade‐offs existing between water transport safety and efficiency. We also stress how little information is available on molecular biology of cavitation and the potential role of aquaporins in conduit refilling. Finally, we draw attention to how plant hydraulic traits can be used for modeling stomatal responses to environmental variables and climate change, including drought mortality.
Age‐related changes in the morphology of tanycytes in the human female infundibular nucleus/median eminence
Authors: Koopman A. C. M. , Taziaux M. , Bakker J.
Published: March 2017

Tanycytes are emerging as key players in the neuroendocrine control of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) release. Rodent studies have demonstrated that the structural relationship between tanycytes and GnRH terminals in the median eminence is highly dynamic, regulated by gonadal steroids and undergoes age‐related changes. The present study aimed to determine whether the number and organisation of tanycytes changes throughout life in the female infundibular nucleus/median eminence (INF/ME) region. Post‐mortem hypothalamic tissues were collected at the Netherlands Brain Bank and were stained for vimentin by immunohistochemistry. Hypothalami of 22 control female subjects were categorised into three periods: infant/prepubertal, adult and elderly. We measured the fractional area covered by vimentin immunoreactivity in the INF. Qualitative analysis demonstrated a remarkable parallel organisation of vimentin‐immunoreactive processes during the infant/prepubertal and adult periods. During the elderly period, this organisation was largely lost. Semi‐quantitatively, the fractional area covered in vimentin immunoreactivity was significantly higher at the infant/prepubertal compared to the adult period and almost reached statistical significance compared to the elderly period. By contrast, the number of tanycyte cell bodies did not appear to change throughout life. The results of the present study thus demonstrate that the number and structure of tanycytic processes are altered during ageing, suggesting that tanycytes might be involved in the age‐related changes observed in GnRH release.
Seasonal alterations in the daily rhythms in hypothalamic expression of genes involved in the photoperiodic transduction and neurosteroid‐dependent processes in migratory blackheaded buntings
Authors: Mishra I. , Singh D. , Kumar V.
Published: March 2017

The present study investigated seasonal alterations in the daily rhythms of hypothalamic expression of genes involved in the photoperiodic regulation of annual cycles in birds. We measured the 4‐hourly mRNA expression of genes involved in the photoperiodic transduction (OPN5, EYA3, CGA, TSHβ, DIO2, DIO3) and neurosteroid‐dependent processes (AR, CYP19, ERα, ERβ) in the hypothalamus of migratory blackheaded buntings photoinduced with photosensitive, photostimulated (early and late stimulated) and photorefractory seasonal states. There were significant differences in daily mRNA profiles between the photoperiodic states. Particularly, increased CGA, TSHβ and DIO2 and decreased DIO3 mRNA levels in the early photostimulated state, compared to the photosensitive state, suggest that thyroid hormones have a role in photostimulation in buntings. Similar differences in the expression of genes coding for the aromatase enzyme (CYP19) and receptors for oestrogen (ERα, ERβ) (but not androgen; AR) indicate that there is seasonal alteration in the neuro‐oestrogen‐mediated functions. Furthermore, peak expression times of CGA, TSHβ and DIO2 genes at hours 14‐15 of the day in the early stimulated state indicated molecular regulation of the daily rhythm of photoinducibility in buntings. Most significantly, however, we found an attenuated daily rhythm in thyroid hormone modulatory genes and a switch of peak expression time from day to night in CYP19 mRNA rhythm in the subsequent late photostimulated state, although testicular maturation still persisted. These alterations in daily rhythms may have signalled the initiation of processes underlying other seasonal phenologies in parallel with the gonadal response, such as a manifestation of the night‐time flight in buntings. These results show alterations in daily rhythms underlying the transcriptional regulation of the photoperiod‐induced seasonal states in migratory blackheaded buntings.
Personality Traits: Hierarchically Organized Systems
Authors: Fajkowska Małgorzata
Published: March 2017

Personality science has always been and is still ready for new theorizing on traits. Accordingly, this article presents the recently proposed traits as hierarchical systems (THS) model, where personality traits are not only the emergent properties of the three‐level hierarchy of the personality system, but are also hierarchical per se. As hierarchical systems, they are organized into three levels: mechanisms and processes, structures, and behavioral markers. In this approach, trait denotes the underlying, recurrent mechanisms that pattern its structure and account for the stability/variability of individual characteristics. Here, traits might be described as processes with a slow rate of change that can be substituted for structure. The main function of personality traits, within the personality system, is stimulation processing. Three dominant functions of stimulation processing in traits are proposed: reactive, regulative, and self‐regulative. Some important questions regarding the concept of trait remain, such as those concerning trait stability, determinacy, measurement, their relation to overt behaviors, personality type or state, and differentiation between temperament traits and other‐than‐temperament personality traits. All of these topics are discussed in this article, as well as the compatible and distinctive features of this approach in relation to selected modern trait theories.
Melatonin reverses H2O2‐induced senescence in SH‐SY5Y cells by enhancing autophagy via sirtuin 1 deacetylation of the RelA/p65 subunit of NF‐κB
Authors: Nopparat Chutikorn , Sinjanakhom Puritat , Govitrapong Piyarat
Published: March 2017

Autophagy, a degradation mechanism that plays a major role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and diminishes in aging, is considered an aging characteristic. Melatonin is an important hormone that plays a wide range of physiological functions, including the anti‐aging effect, potentially via the regulation of the Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) pathway. The deacetylation ability of SIRT1 is important for controlling the function of several transcription factors, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐ĸB). Apart from inflammation, NF‐ĸB can regulate autophagy by inhibiting Beclin1, an initiator of autophagy. Although numerous studies have revealed the role of melatonin in regulating autophagy, very limited experiments have shown that melatonin can increase autophagic activity via SIRT1 in a senescent model. This study focuses on the effect of melatonin on autophagy via the deacetylation activity of SIRT1 on RelA/p65, a subunit of NF‐ĸB, to determine whether melatonin can attenuate the aging condition. SH‐SY5Y cells were treated with H2O2 to induce the senescent state. These results demonstrated that melatonin reduced a number of beta‐galactosidase (SA‐βgal)‐positive cells, a senescent marker. In addition, melatonin increased the protein levels of SIRT1, Beclin1, and LC3‐II, a hallmark protein of autophagy, and reduced the levels of acetylated‐Lys310 in the p65 subunit of NF‐ĸB in SH‐SY5Y cells treated with H2O2. Furthermore, in the presence of SIRT1 inhibitor, melatonin failed to increase autophagic markers. The present data indicate that melatonin enhances autophagic activity via the SIRT1 signaling pathway. Taken together, we propose that in modulating autophagy, melatonin may provide a therapeutically beneficial role in the anti‐aging processes.
Rural‐Urban Differences in Access to Preventive Health Care Among Publicly Insured Minnesotans
Authors: Loftus John , Allen Elizabeth M. , Call Kathleen Thiede , Everson‐Rose Susan A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Reduced access to care and barriers have been shown in rural populations and in publicly insured populations. Barriers limiting health care access in publicly insured populations living in rural areas are not understood. This study investigates rural‐urban differences in system‐, provider‐, and individual‐level barriers and access to preventive care among adults and children enrolled in a public insurance program in Minnesota.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of a 2008 statewide, cross‐sectional survey of publicly insured adults and children (n = 4,388) investigating barriers associated with low utilization of preventive care. Sampling was stratified with oversampling of racial/ethnic minorities.

Results

Rural enrollees were more likely to report no past year preventive care compared to urban enrollees. However, this difference was no longer statistically significant after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.00‐1.88). Provider‐ and system‐level barriers associated with low use of preventive care among rural enrollees included discrimination based on public insurance status (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.34‐2.38), cost of care concerns (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.03‐2.89) and uncertainty about care being covered by insurance (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.01‐2.85). These and additional provider‐level barriers were also identified among urban enrollees.

Conclusions

Discrimination, cost of care, and uncertainty about insurance coverage inhibit access in both the rural and urban samples. These barriers are worthy targets of interventions for publicly insured populations regardless of residence. Future studies should investigate additional factors associated with access disparities based on rural‐urban residence.
Long‐term outcome of inactive and active, low viraemic HBeAg‐negative‐hepatitis B virus infection: Benign course towards HBsAg clearance
Authors: Oliveri Filippo , Surace Lidia , Cavallone Daniela , Colombatto Piero , Ricco Gabriele , Salvati Nicola , Coco Barbara , Romagnoli Veronica , Gattai Riccardo , Salvati Antonio , Moriconi Francesco , Yuan Quan , Bonino Ferruccio , Brunetto Maurizia R.
Published: March 2017

Background & Aims

The difference between the long‐term outcome of low‐viraemic (HBV‐DNA≤20 000‐IU/mL, LV‐AC) and inactive HBsAg carriers (HBV‐DNA≤2000‐IU/mL, IC) remains to be defined. We studied prospectively 153 HBeAg‐negative HBsAg‐carriers with baseline HBV‐DNA≤20 000‐IU/mL and normal transaminases.

Methods

IC, LV‐AC or chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (HBV‐DNA persistently ≤2000‐IU/mL, ≤20 000‐IU/mL or >20 000‐IU/mL respectively) were diagnosed after 1‐year, 3‐monthly monitoring. Thereafter IC and LV‐AC were followed‐up for additional 57.2 (8.5‐158.3) months. HBV‐DNA, HBsAg, HBV”core‐related”Antigen (HBcrAg) and total‐anti‐HBc were quantified at baseline.

Results

After the 1st year diagnostic follow‐up CHB [higher HBV‐DNA (P=.005), total‐anti‐HBc (P=.012), ALT (P=.007) and liver‐stiffness (P=.021)] was identified in 20 (13.1%) carriers; baseline HBsAg≤1000IU/HBV‐DNA≤2000IU/mL excluded the presence of CHB (NPV‐100%). Thereafter, during the long‐term follow‐up none of 87 IC reactivated, 19 (21.8%) cleared HBsAg [older‐age (P=.004), lower HBsAg (P<.001), higher yearly HBsAg decline (P<.001)]. Twenty‐five of 46 (54.3%) LV‐AC remained stable, 20 (43.5%) became IC and 1 (2.2%) developed CHB. The best single‐point CHB and IC diagnostic‐accuracies were total‐anti‐HBc (84.2%, NPV‐98.2%) and HBV‐DNA/total‐anti‐HBc/HBcrAg combination (89.5%, 93%‐sensitivity, 84.8%‐specificity) respectively.

Conclusions

Viraemia persistently ≤20 000‐IU/mL predicts a benign clinical outcome: it was associated with transition to IC in 43% of LV‐AC and to Occult HBV Infection in 20% of IC within 5‐years. Nevertheless, 13.1% of individuals with low viraemia at presentation develops CHB within 1 year: 1‐year HBV‐DNA monitoring resulted the most accurate diagnostic approach that can be limited to at least a half of cases by the single point HBV‐DNA/HBsAg quantification. The IC‐diagnostic‐accuracy combining HBV‐DNA/total‐anti‐HBc/HBcrAg needs to be confirmed in further studies.
Class alliances and conflict: An explanation of political transitions in 19th‐century Europe
Authors: Hwang Sung‐Ha
Published: March 2017

I develop a model analyzing common interests and conflict among four classes—capitalists, workers, landlords, and peasants in 19th‐century Europe—and show that strong class position, based on a high degree of organization and solidarity, may actually be detrimental to the economic and political advantage of that class. This occurs when a strong class is excluded from a major class coalition via coalition formation processes. The reason is that the weak class, if they enjoy bargaining power over even weaker classes within a coalition, may not want to form a coalition with the strong class. I apply the main results to coalition formation and political transitions in 19th‐century European society.
The C‐terminal region of the major outer sheath protein of Treponema denticola inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis
Authors: Jones M.M. , Vanyo S.T. , Visser M.B.
Published: March 2017

Treponema denticola is an oral spirochete strongly associated with severe periodontal disease. A prominent virulence factor, the major outer sheath protein (Msp), disorients neutrophil chemotaxis by altering the cellular phosphoinositide balance, leading to impairment of downstream chemotactic events including actin rearrangement, Rac1 activation, and Akt activation in response to chemoattractant stimulation. The specific regions of Msp responsible for interactions with neutrophils remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of truncated Msp regions on neutrophil chemotaxis and associated signaling pathways. Murine neutrophils were treated with recombinant protein truncations followed by assessment of chemotaxis and associated signal pathway activation. Chemotaxis assays indicate sequences within the C‐terminal region; particularly the first 130 amino acids, have the strongest inhibitory effect on neutrophil chemotaxis. Neutrophils incubated with the C‐terminal region protein also demonstrated the greatest inhibition of Rac1 activation, increased phosphoinositide phosphatase activity, and decreased Akt activation; orchestrating impairment of chemotaxis. Furthermore, incubation with antibodies specific to only the C‐terminal region blocked the Msp‐induced inhibition of chemotaxis and denaturing the protein restored Rac1 activation. Msp from the strain OTK, with numerous amino acid substitutions throughout the polypeptide, including the C‐terminal region compared with strain 35405, showed increased ability to impair neutrophil chemotaxis. Collectively, these results indicate that the C‐terminal region of Msp is the most potent region to modulate neutrophil chemotactic signaling and that specific sequences and structures are likely to be required. Knowledge of how spirochetes dampen the neutrophil response is limited and Msp may represent a novel therapeutic target for periodontal disease.
Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Wall Pain Following Surgery: A Case Series
Authors: Baciarello Marco , Migliavacca Greta , Marchesini Maurizio , Valente Adriana , Allegri Massimo , Fanelli Guido
Published: March 2017

Objective

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a relatively simple regional anesthesia technique which entails the injection of local anesthetics (LA) into the interfascial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles, where nerves supplying the anterolateral abdominal wall course. It is widely used for acute pain management following abdominal surgical procedures. We describe a series of cases in which TAP blocks were used to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic abdominal wall pain (CAWP).

Design

Consecutive case series of 5 patients presenting with CAWP.

Setting

Regional referral Center for Pain Medicine of the academic tertiary hospital of Parma, Italy.

Results

Five patients received TAP blocks with LA and steroid. Four patients reported ≥50% pain relief within hours of the procedure, and 2 of them maintained low pain intensities at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up calls.

Conclusions

Transversus abdominis plane blocks are a valuable addition to the diagnostic armamentarium of pain physicians confronted with abdominal pain of unclear origin. Although most patients responded to the LA injection, the varying degrees of response duration may have been influenced by the different etiologies underlying each condition and the variable expressions of placebo responses. Once the abdominal wall and/or its nerves are identified as pain generators, the optimal therapeutic management remains to be determined. Available literature as well as our case series shows that long‐term benefit may be obtained with 1 or more injections, but we speculate that this may only be the case for pain with predominantly neuropathic components.