bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of cytokines, chemokines and other effector molecules in two prototypic autoinflammatory skin diseases, pyoderma gangrenosum and Sweet's syndrome
Authors: Marzano A V , Fanoni D , Antiga E , Quaglino P , Caproni M , Crosti C , Meroni P L , Cugno M
Published: June 2014

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) and Sweet's syndrome (SS) are two inflammatory skin diseases presenting with painful ulcers and erythematous plaques, respectively; both disorders have a debilitating clinical behaviour and PG is potentially life-threatening. Recently, PG and SS have been included among the autoinflammatory diseases, which are characterized by recurrent episodes of sterile inflammation, without circulating autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells. However, an autoinflammatory pattern clearly supporting this inclusion has never been demonstrated. We studied 16 patients with PG, six with SS and six controls, evaluating, using a sandwich-based protein antibody array method, the expression profile of inflammatory effector molecules in PG, SS and normal skin. The expressions of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and its receptor I were significantly higher in PG (P = 0·0001 for both) and SS (P = 0·004–0·040) than in controls. In PG, chemokines such as IL-8 (P = 0·0001), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) 1/2/3 (P = 0·002), CXCL 16 (P = 0·003) and regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) (P = 0·005) were over-expressed. In SS, IL-8 (P = 0·018), CXCL 1/2/3 (P = 0·006) and CXCL 16 (P = 0·036) but not RANTES were over-expressed, suggesting that chemokine-mediated signals are lower than in PG. Fas/Fas ligand and CD40/CD40 ligand systems were over-expressed in PG (P = 0·0001 for Fas, P = 0·009 for Fas ligand, P = 0·012 for CD40, P = 0·0001 for CD40 ligand), contributing to tissue damage and inflammation, while their role seems to be less significant in SS. Over-expression of cytokines/chemokines and molecules amplifying the inflammatory network supports the view that PG and SS are autoinflammatory diseases. The differences in expression profile of inflammatory effectors between these two disorders may explain the stronger local aggressiveness in PG than SS.
Thyroid-associated orbitopathy is linked to gastrointestinal autoimmunity
Authors: Ponto K A , Schuppan D , Zwiener I , Binder H , Mirshahi A , Diana T , Pitz S , Pfeiffer N , Kahaly G J
Published: June 2014

Common autoimmune disorders tend to co-exist in the same subjects and cluster in families. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of autoimmune co-morbidity in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) with and without thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO). This was a cross-sectional study conducted at an academic tertiary referral centre. Of 1310 patients with AITD [n = 777 or 59% with Graves' disease (GD) and n = 533, 41% with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT)] followed at a specialized joint thyroid–eye out-patient clinic, 176 (13·4%) had an adult type of the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, 129 (9·8%) type 1 diabetes, 111 (8·5%) coeliac disease, 60 (4·6%) type A autoimmune gastritis, 57 (4·4%) vitiligo and 25 (1·9%) Addison's disease. Coeliac disease and autoimmune gastritis were associated positively with GD [odds ratio (OR) = 2·18; P = 0·002 and OR = 6·52; P < 0·001], whereas type 1 diabetes, Addison's disease, autoimmune primary hypogonadism, alopecia areata, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome were ‘protective’ for GD and thus linked to HT, OR = 0·49 (P < 0·001), 0·06 (P < 0·001), 0·25 (P < 0·001), 0·50 (P = 0·090) and 0·32 (P = 0·003), respectively. Of 610 (46·6%) AITD patients with TAO, 584 (95·7%) and 26 (4·3%) had GD and HT, respectively (P < 0·001). TAO was most prevalent in GD patients with coeliac disease (94%, OR = 1·87, P < 0·001). Multivariate analysis showed high OR for coeliac disease and autoimmune gastritis (3·4 and 4·03, both P < 0·001) pertaining to the association with TAO while type 1 diabetes, Addison's disease and alopecia areata were protective for TAO. In patients with TAO, coeliac disease is the most prevalent co-morbid autoimmune condition and rates are increased compared to GD patients without TAO.
The Effect of Platelet Proteins Released in Response to Titanium Implant Surfaces on Macrophage Pro‐Inflammatory Cytokine Gene Expression
Authors: Alfarsi Mohammed A. , Hamlet Stephen M. , Ivanovski Saso
Published: June 2014

Background and Purpose

Platelets are one of the earliest cell types to interact with surgically inserted titanium implants. This in vitro study investigated the effect of titanium surface‐induced platelet releasate on macrophage cytokine gene expression.

Materials and Methods

To mimic the in vivo temporal sequence of platelet arrival and protein production at the implant surface and the subsequent effect of these proteins on mediators of the immune response, the levels of platelet attachment and activation in response to culture on smooth polished, sandblasted and acid‐etched (SLA), and hydrophilic‐modifiedSLA(modSLA) titanium surfaces were first determined by microscopy and protein assay. The subsequent effect of the platelet‐released proteins on humanTHP‐1 macrophage cytokine gene expression was determined by polymerase chain reaction array after 1 and 3 days of macrophage culture on the titanium surfaces in platelet‐releasate conditioned media.

Results

Platelet attachment was surface dependent with decreased attachment observed on the hydrophilic (modSLA) surface. The platelet releasate, when considered independently of the surface effect, elicited an overall pro‐inflammatory response in macrophage cytokine gene expression, that is, the expression of typical pro‐inflammatory cytokine genes such asTNF,IL1a,IL1b, andCCL1was significantly up‐regulated whereas the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine genes such asIL10,CxCL12, andCxCL13was significantly down‐regulated. However, following platelet exposure to different surface modifications, the platelet releasate significantly attenuated the macrophage pro‐inflammatory response to microrough (SLA) titanium and hastened an anti‐inflammatory response to hydrophilic (modSLA) titanium.

Conclusions

Theses results demonstrate that titanium surface topography and chemistry are able to influence the proteomic profile released by platelets, which can subsequently influence macrophage pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression. This immunomodulation may be an important mechanism via which titanium surface modification influences osseointegration.
Relationship between pulse pressure variation and echocardiographic indices of left ventricular filling pressure in critically ill patients
Authors: Cameli Matteo , Bigio Elisa , Lisi Matteo , Righini Francesca M. , Galderisi Maurizio , Franchi Federico , Scolletta Sabino , Mondillo Sergio
Published: June 2014

Background

Pulse pressure variation (PPV) is a dynamic index of fluid responsiveness. This parameter helps clinicians in improving haemodynamic status while avoiding potential fluid overload. Echocardiographic indices, such as E/E' ratio and left atrial (LA) strain by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), are used to estimate left ventricular (LV) filling pressures. This study aimed at exploring the relationship between PPV and echocardiographic indices of LV filling pressures in critically ill patients.

Methods

Twenty‐two patients (mean age of 50·9 ± 21·6, male/female = 15/7) admitted to intensive care unit, and requiring mechanical ventilation and invasive arterial pressure monitoring, were studied. In all patients, two independent operators assessed simultaneously PPV, using a pulse contour method, mean E/E' ratio and peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) by means of STE. PALS values were obtained by averaging LA segments measured in the 4‐chamber and 2‐chamber views (global PALS).

Results

A significant negative correlation was found between mean E/E' ratio and PPV (R2 = −0·76; P<0·001). A positive correlation between global PALS and PPV was found (R2 = 0·80, P<0·001). Mean global PALS of 26·2% demonstrated excellent accuracy (Area Under Roc Curve = 0·86, P<0·001), and good sensitivity (92%) and specificity (86%) in predicting a PPV >15%.

Conclusion

In a group of mechanically ventilated patients PPV, derived from pulse contour analysis, and echocardiographic preload parameters were well correlated. Global PALS by STE provided better estimation of PPV than mean E/E' ratio. PALS seems a potential alternative to PPV in assessing fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients.
Deletion polymorphism of GSTT1 gene as protective marker for allergic rhinitis
Authors: Iorio Andrea , Polimanti Renato , Piacentini Sara , Liumbruno Giancarlo Maria , Manfellotto Dario , Fuciarelli Maria
Published: June 2014

Background and Aims

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common respiratory diseases among human populations. Strong evidence suggests that genetic predisposition and environmental factors could contribute to the development of this complex disease. Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) are biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. These phase II enzymes play a significant role in detoxifying xenobiotic compounds.

To analyze the role of GST gene polymorphisms in AR pathogenesis in a case‐control population of 103 patients affected by AR and 200 healthy non‐allergic subjects.

Methods

We screened genomic DNA extracted from buccal cells for GSTM1 positive/null, GSTP1*I105V (rs1695) and GSTT1 positive/null polymorphisms. The X2‐test, odds ratio (OR) and logistic regression were used as statistical analyses.

Results

Significant differences in null genotype distribution between AR patients (13%) and healthy controls (30%) were found for the GSTT1 null genotype (OR = 0.30, 95% confidence interval = 0.14–0.65; P = 0.001). GSTM1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms did not show any significant results.

Conclusion

Our data indicated that GSTT1 may be a susceptibility locus for AR. Specifically, the positive/null polymorphism of GSTT1 may be involved in an oxidative stress‐related mechanism that may enhance pathogenic pathways related to AR. Moreover, beside GSTT1, this deletion polymorphism affects also another gene potentially related to AR phenotype, LOC391322. This gene belongs to MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor) gene family and several studies indicated the role of this gene in several immunology‐related phenotypes. Therefore, two different scenarios may explain the observed genetic association.
The adoption of a Climate Disaster Resilience Index in Chennai, India
Authors: Joerin Jonas , Shaw Rajib , Takeuchi Yukiko , Krishnamurthy Ramasamy
Published: June 2014

Results derived from the Climate Disaster Resilience Index (CDRI)—consisting of five dimensions (economic, institutional, natural, physical, and social), 25 parameters, and 125 variables—reflect the abilities of people and institutions to respond to potential climate‐related disasters in Chennai, India. The findings of this assessment, applied in the 10 administrative zones of the city, reveal that communities living in the northern and older parts of Chennai have lower overall resilience as compared to the flourishing areas (vis‐à‐vis economic growth and population) along the urban fringes. The higher resilience of communities along the urban fringes suggests that urbanisation may not necessarily lead to a deterioration of basic urban services, such as electricity, housing, and water. This indication is confirmed by a strong statistical correlation between physical resilience and population growth in Chennai. The identification of the resilience of different urban areas of Chennai has the potential to support future planning decisions on the city's scheduled expansion.
Post‐tsunami recovery and reconstruction: governance issues and implications of the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Cho Ara
Published: June 2014

Post‐disaster governance is a popular discussion topic in disaster research, but in practice understanding of the issue is limited. This paper discusses recovery governance since the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, focusing on two dimensions: decentralisation and citizen participation in local governance. Regional Japan's socio‐spatial vitality has been shrinking and weakening under the developmental state system. The 2011 disaster exposed vulnerabilities in the socio‐political system. For a short time it appeared that local political space had been opened for alternative governance systems; however, only limited improvements have occurred in decentralisation reform and civic participation systems. Tsunami recovery was constrained and delayed by predisaster trajectories, although socio‐spatial inequalities increased. The paper suggests the implications of this for the developmental state and argues that drastic action should be taken to rectify the faults of the socio‐political system, to stop the disaster‐affected area's decline, and to promote regional and community recovery.
Three dimensions of religious place making in diaspora
Authors: VÁSQUEZ MANUEL A. , KNOTT KIM
Published: June 2014

In this article, we explore comparatively how migrant minorities draw from their religious resources to carve out spaces of livelihood in three global cities – Kuala Lumpur, which includes Kajang, Johannesburg and London. We also examine the spatial regimes through which the state and its apparatuses seek to manage the migrants' presence and visibility or invisibility within these urban spaces. In particular, we focus on three of the most salient dimensions of migrants' religious place making – embodied performance, the spatial management of difference and belonging, and multiple embedding across networked spaces. Although these three dimensions intersect in dynamic, often tensile ways to constitute the fabric of the life world of migrant minorities, we separate them for heuristic purposes to highlight the richness and texture of religious place making.
High juvenile annual survival probabilities in Southern Rockhopper Penguins Eudyptes chrysocome are independent of individual fledging traits
Authors: Dehnhard Nina , Poisbleau Maud , Demongin Laurent , Ludynia Katrin , Quillfeldt Petra
Published: June 2014

Juvenile survival is an important demographic parameter. Southern Rockhopper Penguins Eudyptes chrysocome have undergone a dramatic population decline in the past century across their distribution, but the demographic processes are poorly understood. To estimate juvenile annual survival probabilities, Rockhopper Penguin chicks from two cohorts on New Island, Falkland Islands, were marked with transponders and recorded in subsequent years using an automated gateway. We first estimated annual survival and detection probabilities using a Cormack‐Jolly‐Seber (CJS) model, and found that both probabilities were extremely high (81% in the first and 98% in the second, third and fourth years of life), even in comparison with adult birds. Because detection probability after 3 years was effectively 1, and our sample size (n = 114) was too small to explore the effects of individual traits on survival in a CJS model, we assessed whether sex, cohort, body mass and laying sequence affected whether juveniles returned to the colony during their first 3 years of life using a simple generalized linear model that assumed perfect detection. Juveniles from the first cohort and males showed a higher return probability than juveniles from the second cohort and females. There was no clear effect of fledging body mass on return rate, probably related to the favourable environmental conditions during the study period. The laying sequence did not markedly affect the return probability of chicks, indicating that, once fledged, first‐laid A‐chicks have the same probability to return as second‐laid B‐chicks despite a much larger initial maternal investment in B‐eggs in this species. This study demonstrates extraordinarily high juvenile survival probabilities and will help to understand the recent changes in the population dynamics of the Falkland Islands Southern Rockhopper Penguins.
Extramarginal excision is preferable for hypertrophic scars
Authors: Shin Jung U. , Park Jihun , Lee Ju Hee , Lee Kwnag Hoon , Kim Yong‐Ook , Yun Chae‐Ok , Lee Won Jai
Published: June 2014

Background

Recently, higher proliferative activity and collagen production in the peripheral parts of keloids have been reported. Therefore, we hypothesized that insufficient removal of active proliferating and collagen‐producing fibroblasts at the scar margin might cause a high recurrence rate of hypertrophic scars and keloids. To address this hypothesis, we evaluated the influence of surgical margins on the recurrence of hypertrophic scars and compared the recurrence rates between intramarginal excision and extramarginal excision.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of patients with car tire injury‐induced hypertrophic scars treated by surgical excision from 2004 to 2010. To evaluate the influence of surgical margins on the recurrence of hypertrophic scars, we divided these patients into two groups, the intramarginal excision group and the extramarginal excision group, and compared the recurrence rate.

Results

A total of 15 patients with car tire injury‐induced hypertrophic scars were treated with surgical excision and skin grafting. The recurrence rate in those with intramarginal excision was significantly higher than in those with extramarginal excision. All patients treated with intramarginal excision experienced hypertrophic scar recurrence within six months. Three of nine patients exhibited recurrence when the hypertrophic scars were excised with a 3–5 mm margin.

Conclusion

Extramarginal excision with complete removal of the abnormal collagen bundles followed by skin grafting is a viable alternative to reconstruction of the foot after hypertrophic scar excision, and this treatment can effectively decrease issues related to recurrence.
Predicting hepatic steatosis and liver fat content in obese children based on biochemical parameters and anthropometry
Authors: Zhang H‐X. , Xu X‐Q. , Fu J‐F. , Lai C. , Chen X‐F.
Published: June 2014

Background

Predictors of quantitative evaluation of hepatic steatosis and liver fat content (LFC) using clinical and laboratory variables available in the general practice in the obese children are poorly identified.

Objective

To build predictive models of hepatic steatosis and LFC in obese children based on biochemical parameters and anthropometry.

Methods

Hepatic steatosis and LFC were determined using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 171 obese children aged 5.5–18.0 years. Routine clinical and laboratory parameters were also measured in all subjects. Group analysis, univariable correlation analysis, and multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis were used to develop a liver fat score to identify hepatic steatosis and a liver fat equation to predict LFC in each subject.

Results

The predictive model of hepatic steatosis in our participants based on waist circumference and alanine aminotransferase had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.959 (95% confidence interval: 0.927–0.990). The optimal cut‐off value of 0.525 for determining hepatic steatosis had sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 90%. A liver fat equation was also developed based on the same parameters of hepatic steatosis liver fat score, which would be used to calculate the LFC in each individual.

Conclusions

The liver fat score and liver fat equation, consisting of routinely available variables, may help paediatricians to accurately determine hepatic steatosis and LFC in clinical practice, but external validation is needed before it can be employed for this purpose.
Home environmental determinants of children's fruit and vegetable consumption across different SES backgrounds
Authors: de Jong E. , Visscher T. L. S. , HiraSing R. A. , Seidell J. C. , Renders C. M.
Published: June 2014

Objective

To investigate the association between home environmental determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption with childhood overweight separately for low, medium and high social economic status (SES) families.

Method

A cross‐sectional study was carried out in 2006 among 4072 children aged 4–13 years in the city of Zwolle, the Netherlands. Of these children, data were available on measured height and weight, and from a parental questionnaire, on sociodemographic characteristics and children's fruit and vegetables intake. Associations were studied using logistic regression analyses.

Results

Not eating the recommended amounts of vegetables daily was associated with overweight for children with a low SES background (odds ratio [OR]: 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66–2.07) and medium SES background (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.20–2.49). Eating < 2 pieces of fruit daily was associated with a lower OR for overweight among children with a high SES background (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.50–0.88). Determinants of eating vegetables < 7 d were: permission to take candy without asking, eating at the table < 7 d per week, eating a takeaway meal ≥ 1 d per week, eating a home cooked meal < 6 d per week and cooking together with caregiver less than 5 d per week.

Conclusion

Interventions regarding vegetable consumption should be tailored to families with low and medium SES background. The most promising avenues for intervention seem to be (i) to prevent eating takeaway meals on a weekly basis and, (ii) to promote eating a home cooked meal at the table and (iii) to involve children in the cooking process. Interventions should support parents in making these home environmental changes.
Crosstalk between circadian rhythmicity, mitochondrial dynamics and macrophage bactericidal activity
Authors: Oliva‐Ramírez Jacqueline , Moreno‐Altamirano María Maximina B. , Pineda‐Olvera Benjamín , Cauich‐Sánchez Patricia , Sánchez‐García F. Javier
Published: June 2014

Biological functions show rhythmic fluctuations with 24‐hr periodicity regulated by circadian proteins encoded by the so‐called ‘clock’ genes. The absence or deregulation of circadian proteins in mice leads to metabolic disorders and in vitro models have shown that the synthesis of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by macrophages follows a circadian rhythm so showing a link between circadian rhythmicity, metabolism and immunity. Recent evidence reveals that mitochondrial shape, position and size, collectively referred to as mitochondrial dynamics, are related to both cell metabolism and immune function. However, studies addressing the simultaneous crosstalk between circadian rhythm, mitochondrial dynamics and cell immune function are scarce. Here, by using an in vitro model of synchronized murine peritoneal macrophages, we present evidence that the mitochondrial dynamics and the mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ψm) follow a circadian rhythmic pattern. In addition, it is shown that the fusion of mitochondria along with high ∆ψm, indicative of high mitochondrial activity, precede the highest phagocytic and bactericidal activity of macrophages on Salmonella typhimurium. Taken together, our results suggest a timely coordination between circadian rhythmicity, mitochondrial dynamics, and the bactericidal capacity of macrophages.
Impacts of 21st‐Century Climate Change on Hydrologic Extremes in the Pacific Northwest Region of North America
Authors: Tohver Ingrid M. , Hamlet Alan F. , Lee Se‐Yeun
Published: June 2014

Climate change projections for the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of North America include warmer temperatures (T), reduced precipitation (P) in summer months, and increasedPduring all other seasons. Using a physically based hydrologic model and an ensemble of statistically downscaled global climate model scenarios produced by the Columbia Basin Climate Change Scenarios Project, we examine the nature of changing hydrologic extremes (floods and low flows) under natural conditions for about 300 river locations in thePNW. The combination of warming, and shifts in seasonalPregimes, results in increased flooding and more intense low flows for most of the basins in thePNW. Flood responses depend on average midwinterTand basin type. Mixed rain and snow basins, with average winter temperatures near freezing, typically show the largest increases in flood risk because of the combined effects of warming (increasing contributing basin area) and more winterP. Decreases in low flows are driven by loss of snowpack, drier summers, and increasing evapotranspiration in the simulations. Energy‐limited basins on the west side of the Cascades show the strongest declines in low flows, whereas more arid, water‐limited basins on the east side of the Cascades show smaller reductions in low flows. A fine‐scale analysis of hydrologic extremes over the Olympic Peninsula echoes the results for the larger rivers discussed above, but provides additional detail about topographic gradients.
Absence of Gender‐Based Differences in the Atrial and Pulmonary Vein Substrate: A Detailed Electroanatomic Mapping Study
Authors: WALTERS TOMOS E. , TEH ANDREW W. , SPENCE STEVEN , MORTON JOSEPH B. , KISTLER PETER M. , KALMAN JONATHAN M.
Published: June 2014

Gender and Atrial Electrophysiology

Background

Gender‐based differences in the clinical nature of cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF) are well established.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to identify any such gender‐based differences in the underlying pulmonary vein and atrial substrate.

Methods and Results

Thirty‐eight patients with no history of AF undergoing catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and 55 with paroxysmal or persistent AF undergoing catheter ablation of AF underwent detailed electroanatomic mapping of the pulmonary veins and atria. Refractory periods in multiple locations, sinus node function, endocardial bipolar voltage, pulmonary vein and atrial conduction, and bipolar electrogram complexity were analyzed. There were no significant between‐gender differences in age or other clinical variables known to impact on the atrial or pulmonary vein substrate. In neither the AF nor the non‐AF cohorts were there any significant differences in atrial or pulmonary vein refractoriness, sinus node function, any measure of PV electrophysiology, or any measure of atrial electrophysiology.

Conclusion

No systematic between‐gender differences were observed in the PV or atrial substrate either in those with or without a history of AF, with a similar prevalence of the cardiovascular comorbidities frequently associated with atrial remodeling and AF seen in both male and female groups.
Transvenous Stimulation of the Renal Sympathetic Nerves Increases Systemic Blood Pressure: A Potential New Treatment Option for Neurocardiogenic Syncope
Authors: MADHAVAN MALINI , DESIMONE CHRISTOPHER V. , EBRILLE ELISA , MULPURU SIVA K. , MIKELL SUSAN B. , JOHNSON SUSAN B. , SUDDENDORF SCOTT H. , LADEWIG DOROTHY J. , GILLES EMILY J. , DANIELSEN ANDREW J. , ASIRVATHAM SAMUEL J.
Published: June 2014

Renal Vein Stimulation Increases Blood Pressure

Background

Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) is a common and sometimes debilitating disorder, with no consistently effective treatment. NCS is due to a combination of bradycardia and vasodilation leading to syncope. Although pacemaker devices have been tried in treating the bradycardic aspect of NCS, no device‐based therapy exists to treat the coexistent vasodilation that occurs. The renal sympathetic innervation has been the target of denervation to treat hypertension. We hypothesized that stimulation of the renal sympathetic nerves can increase blood pressure and counteract vasodilation in NCS.

Methods and Results

High‐frequency stimulation (800–900 pps, 10 V, 30–200 seconds) was performed using a quadripolar catheter in the renal vein of 7 dogs and 1 baboon. A significant increase in blood pressure (BP; mean [SD] systolic BP 117 [±28] vs. 128 [±33], diastolic BP 75 [±19] vs. 87 [±29] mmHg) was noted during the stimulation, which returned to baseline after cessation of stimulation. The mean increase in systolic and diastolic BP was 13.0 (±3.3) (P = 0.006) and 10.2 (±4.6) (P = 0.08), respectively.

Conclusion

We report the first ever study of feasibility and safety of high‐frequency electrical stimulation of the renal sympathetic innervation to increase BP in animal models. This has potential applications in the treatment of hypotensive states such as NCS.
Does Prior Valve Surgery Change Outcome in Patients Treated with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy?
Authors: BOSE ABHISHEK , UPADHYAY GAURAV A. , KANDALA JAGDESH , HEIST EDWIN K. , MELA THEOFANIE , PARKS KIMBERLY A. , SINGH JAGMEET P.
Published: June 2014

Impact of Prior Valve Surgery in CRT Patients

Aims

Cardiac valve surgery (CVS) has been implicated as a potential barrier to optimal response after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) though prospective data regarding outcome remains limited. We sought to determine CRT response in patients with a prior history of CVS.

Methods and Results

We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively acquired cohort of CRT patients with history of CVS. Echocardiographic response was evaluated at baseline and 6 months. The coprimary endpoints were time to first heart failure (HF) hospitalization and a composite of all‐cause mortality, transplantation and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) assessed over a 3‐year follow‐up period. The study group consisted of 569 patients undergoing CRT. Of these, 86 patients had a history of CVS (46.5% aortic, 37.2% mitral, 16.3% combined, and tricuspid), and were compared to 483 patients with no history of CVS. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were not significantly different between the groups except for a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF; 74.4% vs. 55.3%; P = 0.001), coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG; 58.1% vs. 38.7%; P = 0.001), and longer QRS duration (167.6 ± 29.3 milliseconds vs. 159.4 ± 27.5 milliseconds; P = 0.01) in those with prior CVS. Survival with respect to HF hospitalization and composite outcome was comparable in both groups. Echocardiographic response (improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction of ≥10%) was similar. No difference in clinical or echocardiographic outcome was found by type of valve surgery performed.

Conclusion

Despite a higher incidence of AF, CABG, and longer QRS duration, history of CVS is not associated with worse clinical or echocardiographic outcome after CRT.
p.Y1449C SCN5A Mutation Associated with Overlap Disorder Comprising Conduction Disease, Brugada Syndrome, and Atrial Flutter
Authors: HOTHI SANDEEP S. , ARA FARHANA , TIMPERLEY JONATHAN
Published: June 2014

p.Y1449C SCN5A Mutation in a Family with Overlap Disorder

Mutations in the SCN5A gene, which encodes the cardiac sodium channel, have been associated with cardiac arrhythmia syndromes and conduction disease. Specific SCN5A mutations had initially been considered to cause specific phenotypes. More recently, some SCN5A mutations have been associated with overlap syndromes, characterized by phenotypic heterogeneity within and between mutation carriers. Here we report and associate the presence of the p.Y1449C SCN5A mutation in a single family with a spectrum of cardiac phenotypes including conduction disease, Brugada syndrome and atrial arrhythmias, for the first time to our knowledge.
A longitudinal high‐risk study of adolescent anxiety, depression and parent‐severity on the developmental course of risk‐adjustment
Authors: Rawal Adhip , Riglin Lucy , Ng‐Knight Terry , Collishaw Stephan , Thapar Anita , Rice Frances
Published: June 2014

Background

Adolescence is associated with developments in the reward system and increased rates of emotional disorders. Familial risk for depression may be associated with disruptions in the reward system. However, it is unclear how symptoms of depression and anxiety influence the development of reward‐processing over adolescence and whether variation in the severity of parental depression is associated with hyposensitivity to reward in a high‐risk sample.

Methods

We focused on risk‐adjustment (adjusting decisions about reward according to the probability of obtaining reward) as this was hypothesized to improve over adolescence. In a one‐year longitudinal sample (N = 197) of adolescent offspring of depressed parents, we examined how symptoms of depression and anxiety (generalized anxiety and social anxiety) influenced the development of risk‐adjustment. We also examined how parental depression severity influenced adolescent risk‐adjustment.

Results

Risk‐adjustment improved over the course of the study indicating improved adjustment of reward‐seeking to shifting contingencies. Depressive symptoms were associated with decreases in risk‐adjustment over time while social anxiety symptoms were associated with increases in risk‐adjustment over time. Specifically, depression was associated with reductions in reward‐seeking at favourable reward probabilities only, whereas social anxiety (but not generalized anxiety) led to reductions in reward‐seeking at low reward probabilities only. Parent depression severity was associated with lowered risk‐adjustment in offspring and also influenced the longitudinal relationship between risk‐adjustment and offspring depression.

Conclusions

Anxiety and depression distinctly alter the pattern of longitudinal change in reward‐processing. Severity of parent depression was associated with alterations in adolescent offspring reward‐processing in a high‐risk sample.
Psychometric properties and validation of the Italian version of the Mainz pain staging system as a tool for pain‐patients referral selection
Authors: Samolsky Dekel Boaz G. , Gori Alberto , Vasarri Alessio , Adversi Marco , Di Nino GianFranco , Melotti Rita M.
Published: June 2014

Rationale, aims and objectives

Indications are lacking on which patient to refer to pain facilities. Pain‐chronicity stage and outcome prognosis may be used for such aims. The Mainz pain‐staging system (MPSS) classifies pain patients in three chronicity stages that respectively require more extensive management. We explored the psychometric and validation properties of its Italian version towards its application as screening/referral tool.

Methods

I‐MPSS was administered to n = 120 mixed non–cancer‐pain outpatients. Psychometric analyses and formal validation included: content validity, by assessing the hypothesis of an existing relationship between the I‐MPSS classes and criteria derived from an operational case definition of chronic pain; construct validity, by principle component analysis (PCA); the autonomous construct of the I‐MPSS was assessed by the strength of the Spearman correlation between its classes and the brief pain inventory (BPI) items; and reliability, by applying Cronbach's alpha statistics. Associations between psychosocial moderators and the I‐MPSS were assessed applying χ2 analyses.

Results

Quantitative and qualitative analyses showed significant differences between I‐MPSS classes for health care and drug utilization; BPI item scores significantly differed between the classes; Spearman correlation between I‐MPSS classes and BPI items was mostly moderate or mild. PCA and scree test identified four components accounting for 63.7% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha was 0.842.

Conclusions

The I‐MPSS showed satisfactory psychometric and validation properties. With adequate feasibility, it enabled the screening of mixed non–cancer‐pain outpatients in three chronicity/prognostic stages. Results are sufficient to warrant its use for a subsequent impact study as a prognostic model and screening tool for referring pain patients.
Identification of hemiclonal reproduction in three species of Hexagrammos marine reef fishes
Authors: Kimura‐Kawaguchi M. R. , Horita M. , Abe S. , Arai K. , Kawata M. , Munehara H.
Published: June 2014

Natural hybrids between the boreal species Hexagrammos octogrammus and two temperate species Hexagrammos agrammus and Hexagrammos otakii were observed frequently in southern Hokkaido, Japan. Previous studies revealed that H. octogrammus is a maternal ancestor of both hybrids; the hybrids are all fertile females and they frequently breed with paternal species. Although such rampant hybridization occurs, species boundaries have been maintained in the hybrid zone. Possible explanations for the absence of introgressions, despite the frequent backcrossing, might include clonal reproduction: parthenogenesis, gynogenesis and hybridogenesis. The natural hybrids produced haploid eggs that contained only the H. octogrammus genome (maternal ancestor) with discarded paternal genome and generated F1‐hybrid type offspring by fertilization with the haploid sperm of H. agrammus or H. otakii (paternal ancestor). This reproductive mode was found in an artificial backcross hybrid between the natural hybrid and a male of the paternal ancestor. These findings indicate that the natural hybrids adopt hybridogenesis with high possibility and produce successive generations through hybridogenesis by backcrossing with the paternal ancestor. These hybrids of Hexagrammos represent the first hybridogenetic system found from marine fishes that widely inhabit the North Pacific Ocean. In contrast with other hybridogenetic systems, these Hexagrammos hybrids coexist with all three ancestral species in the hybrid zone. The coexistence mechanism is also discussed.
Comparative studies of zebrafish Danio rerio lipoprotein lipase (lpl) and hepatic lipase (lipc) genes belonging to the lipase gene family: evolution and expression pattern
Authors: Feng D. , Huang Q. Y. , Liu K. , Zhang S. C. , Liu Z. H.
Published: June 2014

In this study, bioinformatics analysis, tissue distribution and developmental expression pattern of lipoprotein lipase (lpl) and hepatic lipase (lipc) in zebrafish Danio rerio are reported. In adult D. rerio, lpl was highly expressed in liver. This is remarkably different from the tissue expression pattern of LPL in mammals, which is not detected in the adult liver. The expression of lipc was liver specific, which is consistent with that in mammals. During embryogenesis, lpl mRNA was increased gradually in concentration from 0·5 hpf (hour post fertilization) to 6 dpf (days post fertilization), but lipc was not expressed at the early stage of the embryo until 3 dpf. In situ hybridization further displayed the expression pattern of lpl mainly restricted to the head region including cells surrounding the mouth opening, branchial arches, pectoral fin and lateral line neuromast, whereas lipc was mainly restricted to the liver and part of head regions including lens. This lays a foundation for further investigation of lpl or lipc function and evolution in fishes.
A Community‐Based Model for Remediating Juveniles Adjudicated Incompetent to Stand Trial: Feedback from Youth, Attorneys, and Judges
Authors: Jackson Shelly L. , Warren Janet I. , Coburn Jessica Jones
Published: June 2014

This study examined client satisfaction with a community‐based restoration services program for youth adjudicated incompetent to stand trial in Virginia. The sample consisted of 130 youth (ages 8‐21 years), 80 attorneys, and 43 juvenile court judges. Youth overwhelming found restoration services helpful to them, although some concepts were harder to learn than others. Both judges and attorneys were generally knowledgeable about juvenile competency law, although both were less knowledgeable about competency evaluators and the services provided to youth. Results will be used to improve teaching tools, training of Restoration Counselors, and communication between program providers and the legal community.
Nurses' stories of a ‘Fairy Garden’ healing haven for sick children
Authors: van der Riet Pamela , Jitsacorn Chaweewan , Junlapeeya Piyatida , Dedkhard Saowapa , Thursby Peter
Published: June 2014

Aims and objectives

To report on the stories of registered nurses and nurse administrators in a Thai hospital that recently constructed a healing haven environment called a ‘Fairy Garden’ to support the formal and informal activities of sick children.

Background

While there has been some research into healing environments in health for adults, there has been no qualitative research into healing environments such as natural gardens for children.

Design

Narrative inquiry was selected to capture the holistic notion of the participant's experience. Clandinin's narrative inquiry framework involving three dimensions sociality, space and temporality was used to analyse the data.

Methods

Eight nurses (including two head nurses, three ward nurses and three nurse administrators) were interviewed in three separate focus groups between November 2011–June 2012.

Results

Findings included storylines/threads of happiness, relaxation and calmness, imagination, spirituality and cooperation in reporting observed responses of sick children to the ‘Fairy Garden’. Importantly, play was seen as a distractor from the children's pain and illness, with the children's ward no longer viewed as simply a clinical hospital site. Rather the opportunities that were afforded to children to interact with the ‘Fairy Garden’ environment expanded their hospital experience to include play, social interaction and educational activities.

Conclusion

The Nurses' stories capture numerous storylines and threads in which the ‘Fairy Garden’ becomes an environment beyond the constraints of the hospital ward. Storylines indicate increased acceptance and adherence to treatment as the ‘Fairy Garden’ opens up alternatives for children, especially those children long term in the hospital. Children exhibit behaviours that suggest the ‘Fairy Garden’ supports psycho‐social and physical benefits that improve their hospital stay and provide potential for improved clinical outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Designed hospital environments need to consider the addition of natural and activity spaces to support sick children and their families. Reports from nurses caring for children indicate benefits of the natural environment outside the clinical area.
Reinsurance and Systemic Risk: The Impact of Reinsurer Downgrading on Property–Casualty Insurers
Authors: Park Sojung Carol , Xie Xiaoying
Published: June 2014

This article analyzes the interconnectedness between reinsurers and U.S. property–casualty (P/C) insurers and presents the first detailed examination on the likely impact of major global reinsurer insolvency on the U.S. P/C insurance industry, in order to illustrate the potential systemic risk caused by the interconnectedness of the insurance sector through reinsurance. We find that the likelihood of a primary insurer's downgrade increases with its reinsurance default risk exposure from downgraded reinsurers. Counterparty primary insurers' stocks also react negatively to their reinsurers' downgrades. The negative effects also spill over to insurers that are not directly exposed to the credit risk of downgraded reinsurers. Despite the close interconnectedness, worst‐case scenario analyses show that the likelihood of systemic risk caused by reinsurance transactions is relatively small for the U.S. P/C insurance industry.
Growth and cell cycle of Ulva compressa (Ulvophyceae) under LED illumination
Authors: Kuwano Kazuyoshi , Abe Naoko , Nishi Yukari , Seno Hiromi , Nishihara Gregory N. , Iima Masafumi , Zachleder Vilém
Published: June 2014

The cell‐cycle progression of Ulva compressa is diurnally gated at the G1 phase in accordance with light–dark cycles. The present study was designed to examine the spectral sensitivity of the G1 gating system. When blue, red, and green light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) were used for illumination either alone or in combination, the cells divided under all illumination conditions, suggesting that all colors of light were able to open the G1 gate. Although blue light was most effective to open the G1 gate, red light alone or green light alone was also able to open the G1 gate even at irradiance levels lower than the light compensation point of each color. Occurrence of a period of no cell division in the course of a day suggested that the G1 gating system normally functioned as under ordinary illumination by cool‐white fluorescent lamps. The rise of the proportion of blue light to green light resulted in increased growth rate. On the other hand, the growth rates did not vary regardless of the proportion of blue light to red light. These results indicate that the difference in growth rate due to light color resulted from the difference in photosynthetic efficiency of the colors of light. However, the growth rates significantly decreased under conditions without blue light. This result suggests that blue light mediates cell elongation and because the spectral sensitivity of the cell elongation regulating system was different from that of the G1 gating system, distinct photoreceptors are likely to mediate the two systems.
Prospective study to investigate the use of fine needle aspiration techniques in UK veterinary practice
Authors: Bowlt K. L. , Newton R. , Murphy S. , Blackwood L. , Starkey M.
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To document the fine needle aspiration methods used by UK veterinary practitioners for the assessment of cutaneous masses and relate this to the achievement of a representative sample.

Methods

An internet‐based questionnaire was designed and publicised in the UK national veterinary press, at a national surgical meeting, and in letters to veterinary surgeons.

Results

One hundred and seventy respondents replied to the questionnaire: 58 · 2% sampled cutaneous masses on the basis of appearance or behaviour; 41 · 3% sampled every cutaneous mass. Practitioners with a greater oncological caseload or who graduated more recently were more likely to recommend fine needle aspiration for every cutaneous mass (P = 0 · 019 and P = 0 · 0002 respectively); 66 · 5% of respondents applied suction during fine needle aspiration; 89% of all respondents used a 2 or 5 mL syringe in combination with a 21 or 23 G needle. There was no statistically significant association between achievement of a representative sample and syringe (P = 0 · 64) or needle size (P = 0 · 63).

Clinical Significance

Fine needle aspiration is widely used in UK practice, but may be underutilised in practices with lower oncological caseloads. Survey participants reported a high rate of representative samples obtained using all the commonly used techniques. Further work is required to confirm these observations.
Effects of Microfluidized Dietary Fibers on Stability Properties of Emulsions
Authors: Ketenoglu Onur , Mert Behic , Tekin Aziz
Published: June 2014

This study aims to determine the stability improving effects of size‐reduced dietary fibers in food emulsions. Orange zest fiber and corn fiber were microfluidized under high pressure (up to 15,000 psi). Model emulsions were prepared by adding 1, 2 and 3% of the fibers into the mixture of 3% whey protein isolate and 20 and 50% oil. These mixtures were homogenized through both colloid mill and microfluidizer to form model emulsions. Rheological properties such as flow and oscillation were measured with frequency scanning rheometer, and emulsion stabilities were measured with dispersion analyzer. Increase in oil amount increased emulsion stabilities independent from fiber content. Likewise, ascending fiber amount also improved stabilities. At constant oil level, 3% fiber containing emulsions had higher elastic and viscous moduli (G' and G'') and viscosity values than those of other groups in same material. In general, addition of dietary fiber into model food emulsions improved stability properties.

Practical Applications

Dietary fiber issue has been widely discussed, and trends in usage of dietary fibers have been increasing for years. Food emulsions and emulsified food products now have a substantial place in basic diet of humans. In practice, widely and daily used products such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, butter, etc., are either emulsions or emulsified products. This article deals with enabling usage of some dietary fibers in emulsions. All products mentioned above are potential applications of this research. Also a novel technology, microfluidization could be effectively used for homogenization process. The results are useful in producing food emulsions with higher emulsion stabilities.