bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bioinformatic pipeline for identifying informative SNP panels for parentage assignment from RADseq data
Authors: Andrews Kimberly R. , Adams Jennifer R. , Cassirer E. Frances , Plowright Raina K. , Gardner Colby , Dwire Maggie , Hohenlohe Paul A. , Waits Lisette P.
Published: June 2018

The development of high‐throughput sequencing technologies is dramatically increasing the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the field of genetics, but most parentage studies of wild populations still rely on microsatellites. We developed a bioinformatic pipeline for identifying SNP panels that are informative for parentage analysis from restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) data. This pipeline includes options for analysis with or without a reference genome, and provides methods to maximize genotyping accuracy and select sets of unlinked loci that have high statistical power. We test this pipeline on small populations of Mexican gray wolf and bighorn sheep, for which parentage analyses are expected to be challenging due to low genetic diversity and the presence of many closely related individuals. We compare the results of parentage analysis across SNP panels generated with or without the use of a reference genome, and between SNPs and microsatellites. For Mexican gray wolf, we conducted parentage analyses for 30 pups from a single cohort where samples were available from 64% of possible mothers and 53% of possible fathers, and the accuracy of parentage assignments could be estimated because true identities of parents were known a priori based on field data. For bighorn sheep, we conducted maternity analyses for 39 lambs from five cohorts where 77% of possible mothers were sampled, but true identities of parents were unknown. Analyses with and without a reference genome produced SNP panels with ≥95% parentage assignment accuracy for Mexican gray wolf, outperforming microsatellites at 78% accuracy. Maternity assignments were completely consistent across all SNP panels for the bighorn sheep, and were 74.4% consistent with assignments from microsatellites. Accuracy and consistency of parentage analysis were not reduced when using as few as 284 SNPs for Mexican gray wolf and 142 SNPs for bighorn sheep, indicating our pipeline can be used to develop SNP genotyping assays for parentage analysis with relatively small numbers of loci.
Predictors of Oral Antibiotic Treatment Failure for Nonpurulent Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in the Emergency Department
Authors: Yadav Krishan , Suh Kathryn N. , Eagles Debra , MacIsaac John , Ritchie Darmyn , Bernick Jordan , Thiruganasambandamoorthy Venkatesh , Wells George , Stiell Ian G.
Published: June 2018

Background

Current guideline recommendations for optimal management of nonpurulent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are based on expert consensus. There is a lack of evidence to guide emergency physicians regarding selection of patients for oral versus intravenous antibiotic therapy. The primary objective was to identify predictors associated with oral antibiotic treatment failure.

Methods

We performed a health records review of adults (age ≥ 18 years) with nonpurulent SSTIs treated at two tertiary care emergency departments (EDs). Oral antibiotic treatment failure was defined as any of the following after a minimum of 48 hours of oral therapy due to worsening infection: 1) hospitalization, 2) change in class of oral antibiotic, or 3) switch to intravenous therapy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors independently associated with oral antibiotic treatment failure.

Results

We identified 500 patients (mean ± SD age = 64 ± 19 years, 279 male [55.8%], and 126 [25.2%] with diabetes). Of 288 patients who had received a minimum of 48 hours of oral antibiotics, there were 85 oral antibiotic treatment failures (29.5%). Tachypnea at triage (odds ratio [OR] = 6.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.80 to 22.08), chronic ulcers (OR = 4.90, 95% CI = 1.68–14.27), history of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization or infection (OR = 4.83, 95% CI = 1.51 to 15.44), and cellulitis in the past 12 months (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.01 to 4.96) were independently associated with oral antibiotic treatment failure

Conclusion

This is the first study to evaluate predictors of oral antibiotic treatment failure for nonpurulent SSTIs treated in the ED. Tachypnea at triage, chronic ulcers, history of MRSA colonization or infection, and cellulitis within the past year were independently associated with oral antibiotic treatment failure. Emergency physicians should consider these risk factors when deciding on oral versus intravenous antimicrobial therapy for outpatient management of nonpurulent SSTIs.
Non‐controlling Large Shareholders and Firm Performance in China
Authors: Yan Caiyu , He Hongqu
Published: June 2018

This paper examines the determination of non‐controlling large shareholders (NCLSs) on firm performance and investigates the impacts of NCLSs on tunneling and investment efficiency. We use three attributes of NCLSs (ownership, identity, and relational board/management representation) to fully capture the governance effects of NCLSs. We find robust evidence that NCLSs are associated with higher firm performance. Furthermore, we also document that NCLSs promote investment efficiency. However, except for individual investors, the other items in NCLSs deteriorate tunneling. Additionally, except for mutual funds, we find that the other governance effects of NCLSs are stable under different circumstances.
Encouraging Political Voices of Underrepresented Citizens through Coproduction: Evidence from a Randomized Field Trial
Authors: Hjortskov Morten , Andersen Simon Calmar , Jakobsen Morten
Published: June 2018

Not all citizens’ voices are heard with equal strength in the political chorus. Based on studies of policy feedback, we suggest that engaging underrepresented citizens in the production of public services (i.e., making them “coproducers”) increases their political voice. We use a field experiment to test the effect of involving ethnic minorities in the education of their children on their propensity to directly voice their preferences with the education policy through government citizen surveys and their tendency to vote in elections. Among these normally underrepresented citizens, coproduction increased their propensity to voice their preferences to politicians through citizen surveys but not their tendency to vote. The effect on voicing in government citizen surveys tends to be larger among nonvoters. The results indicate how policies involving underrepresented citizens can raise the voices of people who would not otherwise be heard.
Probiotics for the airways: Potential to improve epithelial and immune homeostasis
Authors: Martens K. , Pugin B. , De Boeck I. , Spacova I. , Steelant B. , Seys S. F. , Lebeer S. , Hellings P. W.
Published: June 2018

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefit on the host. The therapeutic effects of probiotics have been mostly studied in the gastrointestinal tract, but recent evidence points toward the potential of these bacteria to prevent and/or treat chronic airway diseases. In this review, possible mechanisms of action of probiotics in the airways are described, with a particular focus on their capacity to modulate the epithelial barrier function and their mode of interaction with the immune system. Indeed, probiotic bacteria, mostly lactobacilli, can promote the expression and regulation of tight junctions and adherence junctions, resulting in the restoration of a defective epithelial barrier. These bacteria interact with the epithelial barrier and immune cells through pattern recognition receptors, such as Toll‐like receptors, which upon activation can stimulate or suppress various immune responses. Finally, the clinical potential of probiotics to treat inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and the difference between their mode of application (eg, oral or nasal) are discussed here.
The volume of unilaterally undescended testis afterhCGtherapy compared to orchidopexy and combined methods
Authors: Niedzielski J. , Kucharski P. , Slowikowska‐Hilczer J.
Published: June 2018

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) therapy with those of surgical or combined therapy on testicular volume (TV) in boys at different ages with unilateral canalicular undescended testis (UDT). In total, 155 boys aged 1 to 12 years were treated: either surgically (ST), or by 50IU/kg body weighthCGadministration every three days for five weeks (HT), or by a combination of the two. The patients underwent ultrasound examination ofTVbefore the treatment, 9–12 (median 10) and 24–39 months (median 32) after therapy. The testicular atrophy index (TAI) of the affected testicle was calculated. The success rate was 94.7% forST, 39.2% forHTand 98% forHSTpatients. The atrophy rate was 5.3% forST, 0% forHTand 2% forHST. Neither treatment type nor patient age significantly influenced gonadal atrophy. No significant differences inTVof the affected testis were observed after treatment between the groups. TheTAIvalues were significantly the lowest inHTgroup (p = 0.0006). BothTVandTAIchanges from the baseline values did not differ between the treatment groups. At the 24‐ to 39‐month follow‐up, no significant differences were observed in the change in baselineTVand baselineTAIbetween age groups.TVof the affected testis increased significantly (p = 0.0000), andTAIdecreased significantly over time (p = 0.01), with no significant differences depending on the age group, treatment type or the interaction of the two factors. ThehCGtherapy did not impair the development of affected and healthy testes, neither as single nor as neoadjuvant therapy, both during early assessment and after 2–3 years. Patients’ age at the initiation of treatment seems irrelevant.
A literature review of systemic to pulmonary collaterals in preterm infants to emphasise their existence and clinical importance
Authors: Goel Dimple , Gupta Pankaj , Cooper Stephen , Klimek Jan
Published: June 2018

Aim

Cardiorespiratory physiology plays an important role in neonatal care with increasing utility of point‐of‐care ultrasound. This review is to bring to light the importance of systemic to pulmonary collaterals (SPCs) in the preterm population without congenital heart disease (CHD) and provide a useful diagnostic tool to the neonatologist performing a cardiac ultrasound.

Methods

Medline, PubMed, EMBASE and the Internet were searched up to November 2017 for articles in English which included SPCs in preterm infants without CHD. This comprised title, abstract and full‐text screening of relevant data.

Results

A total of 10 studies which included case reports, retrospective observational studies and one small prospective cohort study were identified and analysed in detail. The studies had varying focus such as variable incidence, clinical presentation, association with chronic lung disease, pathophysiology and clinical importance of SPCs. SPCs were overall thought to be prevalent, underdiagnosed and of clinical significance in preterm infants.

Conclusion

Systemic to pulmonary collaterals are a potential left‐to‐right shunt in preterm infants and may contribute to worsening chronic lung disease (CLD) or heart failure. They should be carefully looked for when performing bedside cardiac ultrasound as the findings can mimic those seen in patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
Incidence of psoriasiform diseases secondary to tumour necrosis factor antagonists in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Bae J. M. , Lee H. H. , Lee B.‐I. , Lee K.‐M. , Eun S. H. , Cho M.‐L. , Kim J. S. , Park J. M. , Cho Y.‐S. , Lee I. S. , Kim S. W. , Choi H. , Choi M.‐G.
Published: June 2018

Background

There are increasing reports of paradoxical psoriasiform diseases secondary to anti‐tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents.

Aims

To determine the risks of paradoxical psoriasiform diseases secondary to anti‐TNF agents in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

A nationwide population study was performed using the Korea National Health Insurance Claim Data. A total of 50 502 patients with IBD were identified between 2007 and 2016. We compared 5428 patients who were treated with any anti‐TNF agent for more than 6 months (anti‐TNF group) and 10 856 matched controls who had never taken anti‐TNF agents (control group).

Results

Incidence of psoriasis was significantly higher in the anti‐TNF group (36.8 per 10 000 person‐years) compared to the control group (14.5 per 10 000 person‐years) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.357, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.668‐3.331). Palmoplantar pustulosis (HR 9.355, 95% CI 2.754‐31.780) and psoriatic arthritis (HR 2.926, 95% CI 1.640‐5.218) also showed higher risks in the anti‐TNF group. In subgroup analyses, HRs for psoriasis by IBD subtype were 2.549 (95% CI 1.658‐3.920) in Crohn's disease and 2.105 (95% CI 1.155‐3.836) in ulcerative colitis. Interestingly, men and younger (10‐39 years) patients have significantly higher risks of palmoplantar pustulosis (HR 19.682 [95% CI 3.867‐100.169] and HR 14.318 [95% CI 2.915‐70.315], respectively), whereas women and older (≥40 years) patients showed similar rates between the two groups.

Conclusions

The risks of psoriasiform diseases are increased by anti‐TNF agents in patients with IBD. Among psoriasiform diseases, the risk of palmoplantar pustulosis shows the biggest increase particularly in male and younger patients.
Mining Archaeology and Micro‐Raman Analysis Associated with ESEM‐EDX: Toward a Chrono‐Spatial Definition of Ore Consumption in a Pyrenean Medieval Workshop, 14th–16th Centuries
Authors: Flament J. , Mercier F. , Dubois C. , Téreygeol F.
Published: June 2018

The rapid expansion of non‐ferrous metallurgy in the late Middle Ages (14th–15th centuries) enhanced ore demand, which was supported by mining intensification. Metallurgical workshops developed various supply strategies based on geological, political and economic constraints. This is particularly true for the Pyrenean multi‐metals workshop of Castel‐Minier (Ariège, France), where recent excavations unearthed an exceptional corpus of non‐ferrous ores. A specific analytical methodology combining micro‐Raman spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray (ESEM‐EDX) was set up to study these artefacts. This composite methodology permitted the fast characterization of both mineral and gangue as well as a discussion of their economic potential. Ores identified were compared with ancient mines in neighbouring mining districts in order to sketch a geography of the mineral resources available to medieval metallurgists. Moreover, a chrono‐stratigraphic study of ore distribution in Castel‐Minier revealed the supply strategies, technological choices as well as spatializing of copper and lead metallurgies.
Time-Dynamic Profiling with Application to Hospital Readmission Among Patients on Dialysis
Authors: Estes Jason P. , Nguyen Danh V. , Chen Yanjun , Dalrymple Lorien S. , Rhee Connie M. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Şentürk Damla
Published: June 2018

Standard profiling analysis aims to evaluate medical providers, such as hospitals, nursing homes, or dialysis facilities, with respect to a patient outcome. The outcome, for instance, may be mortality, medical complications, or 30-day (unplanned) hospital readmission. Profiling analysis involves regression modeling of a patient outcome, adjusting for patient health status at baseline, and comparing each provider's outcome rate (e.g., 30-day readmission rate) to a normative standard (e.g., national “average”). Profiling methods exist mostly for non time-varying patient outcomes. However, for patients on dialysis, a unique population which requires continuous medical care, methodologies to monitor patient outcomes continuously over time are particularly relevant. Thus, we introduce a novel time-dynamic profiling (TDP) approach to assess the time-varying 30-day readmission rate. TDP is used to estimate, for the first time, the risk-standardized time-dynamic 30-day hospital readmission rate, throughout the time period that patients are on dialysis. We develop the framework for TDP by introducing the standardized dynamic readmission ratio as a function of time and a multilevel varying coefficient model with facility-specific time-varying effects. We propose estimation and inference procedures tailored to the problem of TDP and to overcome the challenge of high-dimensional parameters when examining thousands of dialysis facilities.
An experiential, adaptive, inexpensive, and opportunistic approach to research capacity building in the tropics
Authors: Putz Francis E. , Ruslandi  , Roopsind Anand
Published: June 2018

Based on intensive field courses on tropical forest management and conservation in Belize, Guyana, Indonesia, and Mexico, we recommend a pedagogical approach designed to help fill scientific mentor gaps where they impede publication by relatively inexperienced scientists. Participants in these 8–12 day field sessions were provided what instructors judged to be novel research topics but then were tasked with refining hypotheses, developing and implementing field studies, analyzing data, rehearsing formal oral presentations, and preparing complete manuscript drafts. Over the subsequent months, the manuscripts were revised for submission to peer‐reviewed journals; to date, six were published, one is in review, and two others are close to submission. These were the first publications of most of the participants, some of whom are evaluated by their home institutions partially on the basis of their publication records. These low cost workshops were fun and benefited participants and instructors alike.
Yin Yang 1 promotes the Warburg effect and tumorigenesis via glucose transporter GLUT3
Authors: Wang Yali , Wu Shourong , Huang Can , Li Yanjun , Zhao Hezhao , Kasim Vivi
Published: June 2018

Cancer cells typically shift their metabolism to aerobic glycolysis to fulfill the demand of energy and macromolecules to support their proliferation. Glucose transporter (GLUT) family‐mediated glucose transport is the pacesetter of aerobic glycolysis and, thus, is critical for tumor cell metabolism. Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is an oncogene crucial for tumorigenesis; however, its role in tumor cell glucose metabolism remains unclear. Here, we revealed that YY1 activates GLUT3 transcription by directly binding to its promoter and, concomitantly, enhances tumor cell aerobic glycolysis. This regulatory effect of YY1 on glucose entry into the cells is critical for YY1‐induced tumor cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Intriguingly, YY1 regulation of GLUT3 expression, and, subsequently, of tumor cell aerobic glycolysis and tumorigenesis, occurs p53‐independently. Our results also showed that clinical drug oxaliplatin suppresses colon carcinoma cell proliferation by inhibiting the YY1/GLUT3 axis. Together, these results link YY1's tumorigenic potential with the critical first step of aerobic glycolysis. Thus, our novel findings not only provide new insights into the complex role of YY1 in tumorigenesis but also indicate the potential of YY1 as a target for cancer therapy irrespective of the p53 status.
Contemporary evidence on the effectiveness of water fluoridation in the prevention of childhood caries
Authors: Spencer A. John , Do Loc G. , Ha Diep H.
Published: June 2018

Background

Water fluoridation's effectiveness has been reaffirmed by systematic reviews. However, most of the included nonrandomised controlled before and after studies were conducted pre‐1975. Opportunity for such studies is limited in a steady state of community fluoridation programmes. As an alternative for evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of water fluoridation, this study used data from a recent national child oral health study to examine associations between lifetime exposure to fluoridated water (%LEFW) and childhood caries.

Methods

A population‐based study of child oral health in Australia was conducted in 2012‐2014, using complex sampling and weighting procedures. Parents provided detailed household information and children underwent oral epidemiological examination by trained examiners. Residential history from birth was used to calculate %LEFW. Caries prevalence (dmfs/DMFS>0) and experience (dmfs/DMFS) in both primary (age 5‐8) and permanent dentitions (age 9‐14) were estimated. Socioeconomic factors that were significantly different by %LEFW were then used as covariates in multivariable log‐Poisson regression models for each caries outcome by %LEFW.

Results

A total of 24 664 children had complete data. Caries prevalence and experience were higher among 5‐8‐year‐old children with lower %LEFW (46.9%; 4.27 surfaces) than those with 100%LEFW (31.5%; 1.98 surfaces) and for the 9‐14‐year‐old children with lower %LEFW (37.0%; 1.34 surfaces) than those with 100%LEFW (25.0%; 0.67 surfaces). In the multivariable models, the prevalence ratios for primary and permanent caries were significant for the two lower exposure groups against the 100%LEFW group. Similarly, the mean ratios for primary dmfs were significant for all three lower exposure groups and for permanent DMFS were significant for the two lower exposure groups against the 100%LEFW group. Mean ratios for the 0%LEFW compared to the 100%LEFW group were 2.10 (1.83‐2.40) for dmfs and 1.82 (1.57‐2.10) for DMFS.

Conclusion

Analysis of contemporary data representative of the Australian child population found consistent associations between %LEFW and childhood caries, which persisted when socioeconomic differences were adjusted across exposure groups, supporting the continued effectiveness of water fluoridation.
Understanding dentists’ caries management: The COM‐B ICCMS™ questionnaire
Authors: Abreu‐Placeres Ninoska , Newton Johnathon Timothy , Pitts Nigel , Garrido Luis Eduardo , Ekstrand Kim R. , Avila Viviana , Martignon Stefania
Published: June 2018

Objective

To design and validate a questionnaire to measure caries management based on the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behavior model (COM‐B) and the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS™).

Methods

A combination of Cariology and Psychology experts developed a 79‐item pool that measured the COM‐B components according to the ICCMS™ caries management recommended behaviours. After face and content validation and a pilot study, two samples of Colombian dentists participated: clinicians (n = 277) and clinical‐practice educators (n = 212).

Results

Using parallel analysis and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM), the questionnaire was reduced to a 47‐item 5‐factor instrument that demonstrated good internal consistency and validity properties, including a robust factor structure, measurement invariance across samples and high predictive validity of ICCMS™ recommended behaviours. Scales’ mean scores showed that dentists were conducting recommended behaviours “most‐of‐the‐time” (Behavior), showed high confidence in their ability to conduct these behaviours (Capability) and considered recommendations as highly relevant (Opportunity‐Relevance), while their appraisals of the available resources (Opportunity‐Resources) and remuneration (Motivation) were notably lower.

Conclusion

Overall, the findings highlight the practical utility of the COM‐B ICCMS™ Questionnaire in understanding the potential antecedent variables that may explain dentists’ behaviours related to caries diagnosis and management and in suggesting avenues for achieving a positive change in their behaviour.
Diagnosis of concomitant inducible laryngeal obstruction and asthma
Authors: Lee Joy W. , Tay Tunn Ren , Paddle Paul , Richards Amanda L. , Pointon Lisa , Voortman Miriam , Abramson Michael J. , Hoy Ryan , Hew Mark
Published: June 2018

Background

Inducible laryngeal obstruction, an induced, inappropriate narrowing of the larynx, leading to symptomatic upper airway obstruction, can coexist with asthma. Accurate classification has been challenging because of overlapping symptoms and the absence of sensitive diagnostic criteria for either condition.

Objective

To evaluate patients with concomitant clinical suspicion for inducible laryngeal obstruction and asthma. We used a multidisciplinary protocol incorporating objective diagnostic criteria to determine whether asthma, inducible laryngeal obstruction, both, or neither diagnosis was present.

Methods

Consecutive patients were prospectively assessed by a laryngologist, speech pathologist and respiratory physician. Inducible laryngeal obstruction was diagnosed by visualizing paradoxical vocal fold motion either at baseline or following mannitol provocation. Asthma was diagnosed by physician assessment with objective variable airflow obstruction. Validated questionnaires for laryngeal dysfunction and relevant comorbidities were administered.

Results

Of 69 patients, 15 had asthma alone, 11 had inducible laryngeal obstruction alone and 14 had neither objectively demonstrated. Twenty‐nine patients had both diagnoses. In 19 patients, inducible laryngeal obstruction was only seen following provocation. Among patients with inducible laryngeal obstruction, chest tightness was more frequent with concurrent asthma. Among patients with asthma, stridor was more frequent with concurrent inducible laryngeal obstruction. Cough was more frequently found in asthma alone, whereas difficulty with inspiration and symptoms triggered by psychological stress were more frequently found in inducible laryngeal obstruction alone. Patients with asthma alone had greater airflow obstruction. Relevant comorbidities were frequent (rhinitis in 85%, gastro‐oesophageal reflux in 65%), and questionnaire scores for laryngeal dysfunction were abnormal. However, neither comorbidities nor questionnaires differentiated patients with or without inducible laryngeal obstruction.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

In this cohort with suspected inducible laryngeal obstruction and asthma, 42% had objective evidence of both conditions. Clinical assessment, questionnaire scores and comorbidity burden were not sufficiently discriminatory for diagnosis, highlighting the necessity of objective diagnostic testing.
A landscape of conservation philanthropy for U.S. land trusts
Authors: Fovargue Rachel , Fisher Maria , Harris Jamal , Armsworth Paul R.
Published: June 2018

Finding ways to increase financial support is critical to conservation efforts. We used conservation fundraising data, unprecedented in their resolution, to reveal spatial patterns in philanthropic giving to a major land protection organization in the United States. We also quantified the relationship between the amount of effort devoted to fundraising and donations received. Around 40% of the variation in the propensity to give and overall value of gifts was explained by sociodemographic and other predictors. For example, education level had greater predictive capacity than income, political views, and other factors often considered important. Fundraising effort was strongly predictive of the amount donated in an area. Our model estimated a doubling of funds raised with a 5‐fold increase of effort. Conservation organizations could use our statistical framework to inform efforts aimed at increasing philanthropic giving by identifying locations with large model residuals. An example application of our framework showed an almost 40% increase (US$200 million) in fundraising revenue for the case‐study conservation organization.
Accepting hepatitis C virus–infected donor hearts for transplantation: Multistep consent, unrealized opportunity, and the Stanford experience
Authors: Moayedi Yasbanoo , Gulamhusein Aliya F. , Ross Heather J , Teuteberg Jeffrey J. , Khush Kiran K.
Published: June 2018

The current mismatch between supply and demand of organs has prompted transplant clinicians to consider innovative solutions to broaden the donor pool. Advancements of direct‐acting antiviral agent (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) have allowed entertaining the use of viremic donor organs in nonviremic recipients. In this report, we describe the evolution of HCV treatment, ethics and informed consent, cost‐effectiveness of HCV medications in treating acute HCV post‐transplantation, and the Stanford experience with two HCV‐viremic donor heart transplantations. We describe excellent short‐term outcomes post–heart transplantation with HCV NAT‐positive organs. The availability of this therapy may expand the donor pool. While we await larger‐scale clinical data on the effectiveness and safety of DAA therapy in patients after heart transplantation, many transplant centers have already started accepting organs from HCV‐infected donors, balancing the unknown long‐term risks versus the benefits of shorter wait times and expansion of the donor pool. Protocols and multidisciplinary teams are needed to effectively communicate risk to potential recipients, to ensure timely DAA access, and to implement appropriate clinical follow‐up in order to achieve excellent clinical outcomes and to maximize the donor pool by utilizing HCV‐infected organs for heart transplantation.
Effect of mindfulness yoga programme MiYoga on attention, behaviour, and physical outcomes in cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mak Catherine , Whittingham Koa , Cunnington Ross , Boyd Roslyn N
Published: June 2018

Aim

To investigate the efficacy of an embodied mindfulness‐based movement programme (MiYoga), targeting attention in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

Total number of participants 42, with 24 boys (57.1%) and 18 girls (42.9%); mean age 9y 1mo, SD 3y; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I=22, II=12, III=8) and their parents were randomized to either MiYoga (n=21) or waitlist comparison (n=21) groups. The primary outcome was attention postintervention measured by the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test, Second Edition (CCPT). Secondary outcomes included parent and child mindfulness, child quality of life, parental well‐being, child executive function, child behaviour, child physical measures, and the parent–child relationship.

Results

Children in the MiYoga group demonstrated significantly better attention postintervention than the waitlist comparison group, with lower inattention scores on the hit reaction time standard error (F1,33=4.59, p=0.04, partial eta‐squared []=0.13) variable and fewer perseveration errors (F1,33=4.60, p=0.04, =0.13) on the CCPT. Intention‐to‐treat analysis also revealed that sustained attention in the MiYoga group was significantly better than in the waitlist comparison group postintervention (F1,37=5.97, p=0.02, =0.14). Parents in the MiYoga group demonstrated significantly decreased mindfulness (Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale; F1,33=10.130, p=0.003, =0.246).

Interpretation

MiYoga offers a lifestyle intervention that improves attention in children with CP. MiYoga can be considered as an additional option to standard rehabilitation to enhance attention for children with CP.

What this paper adds

MiYoga, an embodied mindfulness‐based movement programme, can enhance attention (more attentive and consistent performance) in children with cerebral palsy.

MiYoga had no significant effect on physical functioning.
Responsiveness of the ACTIVLIM‐CP questionnaire: measuring global activity performance in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Paradis Julie , Arnould Carlyne , Thonnard Jean‐Louis , Houx Laëtitia , Pons‐Becmeur Christelle , Renders Anne , Brochard Sylvain , Bleyenheuft Yannick
Published: June 2018

Aim

To investigate the responsiveness of the ACTIVLIM‐CP questionnaire after two evidence‐based interventions for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

Seventy‐five children with CP either participated in an intensive motor‐skill learning intervention (hand–arm bimanual intensive therapy including lower extremities [HABIT‐ILE], n=47) or received botulinum neurotoxin‐A (BoNT‐A) injection(s) into lower extremities combined with conventional physical therapy (n=28). All children were assessed three times: at baseline (T0; before HABIT‐ILE/the day of BoNT‐A injection), at T1 (last day of HABIT‐ILE/6wks after BoNT‐A injection), and at follow‐up (T2; 3–4mo after the beginning of intervention). Parents completed ACTIVLIM‐CP and three other activity questionnaires. Responsiveness was analysed using group (based on intervention), subgroup (based on gross motor function level), and individual approaches.

Results

For the HABIT‐ILE group, significant improvements in ACTIVLIM‐CP were observed for the T0–T1 period (p<0.001) but not for the T1–T2 period. No significant changes were found in the BoNT‐A group during assessments (p=0.84). In the subgroup analysis for the HABIT‐ILE group (T0–T1), greater changes were demonstrated for children in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels III and IV (p<0.001, effect size=1.36). The individual approach was congruent with the group approach.

Interpretation

ACTIVLIM‐CP demonstrated high responsiveness after HABIT‐ILE, showing that this scale may be used to investigate global activity performance in clinical trials focusing on improving daily life activities.

What this paper adds

Good responsiveness of ACTIVLIM‐CP questionnaire during intensive motor‐skill learning intervention.

Higher responsiveness for children in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III and IV versus I and II after intensive intervention.

ACTIVLIM‐CP is useful to identify children improving their performance after botulinum neurotoxin‐A injection.
Echocardiography Guided Liwen Procedure™ for the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a patient with prior aortic valve replacement surgery
Authors: Liu Liwen , Zhou Mengyao , Zuo Lei , Li Jing , Chen Wensheng , Xu Bo , Hsi David H.
Published: June 2018

We successfully treated a patient who was diagnosed of having hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy after the aortic valve replacement surgery for the concomitant aortic stenosis. We report this first in kind new procedure exclusively developed in our center, Liwen procedureTM (percutaneous intramyocardial septal radiofrequency ablation), for patients with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in spite of maximal medical therapy. The procedure was performed under transthoracic echo guidance. We discussed the technical details, safety, and effectiveness with corresponding images. The patient did well one year after the procedure without LVOT obstruction or arrhythmia.
Comparing Culicoides biting rates in horses and cattle in The Netherlands: potential relevance to African horse sickness epidemiology
Authors: Elbers A.R.W. , Gonzales J.L. , Meiswinkel R.
Published: June 2018

To determine relative host preference rates and to establish whether a pair of animals in close proximity (between–host interaction) modified Culicoides attack and abundance profiles, compared to those tethered in isolation (host independence), Culicoides midges were pooted hourly from two sets of experimental animals: (1) a heifer cow and Fjord horse tethered close together (5 m apart), and (2) a heifer and Fjord tethered in isolation (45 m apart). Over 12 days, 570 3‐min observations yielded 23 090 midges, representing 24 species. Approximately 95% belonged to the Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) complex (two species), Culicoides dewulfi Goetghebuer, Culicoides chiopterus (Meigen), Culicoides punctatus (Meigen), Culicoides pulicaris (L.), and Culicoides achrayi Kettle & Lawson (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) combined. There was no evidence for between‐host interaction. Mean Culicoides species‐specific attack rates did not differ between animal species, except that C. chiopterus was 7× more abundant on the legs of the heifer compared to the horse, and C. dewulfi twice as abundant on the upper half of the horse compared to the heifer. By contrast, mean species–specific biting rates of the C. obsoletus complex, C. chiopterus, C. dewulfi, C. punctatus, and C. pulicaris midges were 5×, 100×, 1.7×, 2×, and 2.5× lower in the horses compared to the heifers, respectively. It is not clear why high Culicoides attack rates observed in the horses do not convert into high biting rates as seen in cattle; this should be a subject for future research. In light of its apparent predilection for equids, the ability of C. dewulfi to replicate African horse sickness virus (AHSV) extrinsically should be investigated in the laboratory.
Female nursery web spiders (Pisaurina mira) benefit from consuming their mate
Authors: Anderson Alissa G. , Hebets Eileen A.
Published: June 2018

The often coincidental involvement of cooperation and conflict in animal reproduction is epitomized by sexual cannibalism, which can lead to obvious male costs while simultaneously providing direct benefits to developing offspring. Male nursery web spiders (Pisaurina mira) avoid postcopulatory sexual cannibalism by wrapping females with silk. Here, we test the hypothesis that this silk wrapping results in a loss of consumption cost for females. In specific, we hypothesize that females lose out on potential fitness benefits associated with cannibalizing their mating partners. To test this, we paired females with males that were experimentally manipulated to prevent the silk wrapping of females, thereby increasing the likelihood of sexual cannibalism. Females either did not kill their mate, and thus consumed nothing, or did kill their mate. If females killed their mating partner, we allowed them to consume the male, consume nothing, or consume a cricket. We found no effect of female or male body sizes on the likelihood of females killing their mate. While our treatments did not affect the number of offspring females produced, females that consumed either a male or a cricket produced egg sacs faster than females that consumed nothing, suggesting a benefit of increased postcopulatory food consumption. Further, only females that ate a male had heavier and longer lived offspring, suggesting a benefit of sexual cannibalism specifically. Our results support the hypothesis that females can receive fitness benefits associated with sexual cannibalism.
The oddity effect drives prey choice but not necessarily attack time
Authors: Penry‐Williams Iestyn L. , Ioannou Christos C. , Taylor Martin I.
Published: June 2018

The tendency of predators to preferentially attack phenotypically odd prey in groups (the oddity effect) is a clear example of how predator cognition can impact behaviour and morphology in prey. Through targeting phenotypically odd prey, predators are thought to avoid the cognitive constraints that delay and limit the success of attacks on homogenous prey groups (the confusion effect). In addition to influencing which prey a predator will attack, the confusion and oddity effects would also predict that attacks on odd prey can occur more rapidly than attacking the majority prey type, as odd prey are more easily targeted, but this prediction has yet to be tested. Here, we used kerri tetra fish, Inpaichthys kerri, presented with mixed phenotypic groups of Daphnia dyed red or black to investigate whether odd prey in groups are preferentially attacked and whether these attacks were faster than those on the majority prey type. In agreement with previous work, odd prey were targeted and attacked more often than expected from their frequency in the prey groups, regardless of whether the odd prey was red in a group of black prey or vice versa. However, no difference was found in the time taken to attack odd vs. majority prey items, contrary to our predictions. Our results suggest that the time taken to make an attack is determined by a wider range of factors or is subject to greater variance than the choice of which prey is selectively targeted in a group.
Group size, communication, and familiarity effects in foraging human teams
Authors: Oesch Nathan , Dunbar Robin I. M.
Published: June 2018

Exploitation of food resources that are dispersed in time and space has been crucial to the evolutionary success of humans. Recent experimental work has shown that an absence of communication impairs decision‐making in a foraging task. Here, we found that individuals in larger teams were more likely to reach group consensus and were more accurate and efficient foragers. Individuals in larger teams were also more likely to gesture to one another, while levels of verbal exchange were not significantly different in small and large groups. At last, teams in which individuals reported that they knew one another and rated team members as helpful and information‐seeking were more accurate in their foraging. Overall, our findings offer experimental evidence that larger, communicating, familiar teams are quicker and more accurate foragers. We therefore suggest that complex communication within socially bonded relationships may have been important to the ecological success of the human lineage.
Effect of magnesium sulfate administration to improve insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes animal model: using the hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp technique
Authors: Sohrabipour Shahla , Sharifi Mohammad Reza , Sharifi Mohammadreza , Talebi Ardeshir , Soltani Nepton
Published: June 2018

This study attempted to elucidate the possible mechanism of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) administration on reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats. Fifty Wistar rats were divided into five groups:NDCwas fed the normal diet,CDreceived high‐fat diet with 35 mg/kg of streptozotocin,CD‐Mg animals received MgSO4via drinking water,CD‐Ins1, andCD‐Ins2 animals treated with low or high dose of insulin. Body weight and blood glucose levels were measured weekly. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), insulin tolerance test, and metabolic cage assessment were performed monthly. After 12 weeks, the hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp was performed for all animals and blood sample was taken to measure glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma insulin, glucagon, calcium, and magnesium levels. Liver and gastrocnemius muscle were isolated to measureglucagon receptor(GR),Glucose 6 phosphatase(G6Pase),Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase(Pepck) andGlucose transporter 4(Glut4) genes expression andGLUT4 protein translocation into the cell membrane. Consuming of high‐fat diet generated insulin‐resistant rats. Magnesium or insulin therapy altered insulin resistance, blood glucose,IPGTT, gluconeogenesis pathway,GR, body weight, the percentage of body fat, and HbA1C in diabetic rats. Administrations of MgSO4or insulin in Type 2 diabetes mellitus animals increaseGLUT4gene and protein expression. Mg could improve glucose tolerance via stimulation ofGlut4gene expression and translocation and also suppression of the gluconeogenesis pathway andGRgene expression. Mg also increased glucose infusion rate and displayed beneficial effects in the treatment of glucose metabolism and improved insulin resistance.
Fine‐scale swimming movement and behaviour of female silver eels, Anguilla dieffenbachii, within a lake affected by hydro‐power generation
Authors: Jellyman D. J. , Unwin M. J.
Published: June 2018

Lake Manapouri (South Island, New Zealand) maintains the country’s largest hydroelectric scheme (700 MW). During their seaward migration, silver eel Anguilla dieffenbachii Gray in this lake are attracted to the power station intake, as well as the natural outlet. To understand the behaviour of such eels, 210 female eels were tagged with acoustic transmitters between 2005 and 2010. Swimming speeds of tagged eels averaged 2.0 km/hr, and swimming depths were deeper during daytime than at night. Silver eels from sites upstream of Lake Manapouri tended to spend more time exploring Lake Manapouri than locally caught eels, and a higher proportion entered the power station intake. Almost 20% of tagged eels did not leave the lake during the year they were tagged. Eels typically showed extensive and complex patterns of movement before emigrating, including multiple passes across the power station intake or the natural outlet.
Cage fish culture in Lake Victoria: A boon or a disaster in waiting?
Authors: Njiru J. M. , Aura C. M. , Okechi J. K.
Published: June 2018

Fish catches in Lake Victoria have been on the decline while demand for fish has been increasing. Cage culture with >3,000 cages, over 3 million tilapias and valued at US$ 12 million is trying to fill the gap. This study reviews the development of cages and the need to develop a decision support tool for effective management. Existing literature and data on fisheries and cage culture held by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) were used in the analysis. Cage culture is a promising venture that may increase productivity, offer employment and enhance economic well‐being. However, site suitability for the installation of cages is poorly regulated with most developments (>45%) located within 200 m of the shoreline that are breeding grounds of fish and conflict with other lake users. Waste feed increases eutrophication, and enhances growth of algae and water hyacinth in the lake. Recent isolated fish kills were attributed to low dissolved oxygen concentrations (<0.64 mg/L), and an increasing occurrence of fish disease are signs of poor management practices among cage farmers. Cage culture may turn into an environmental disaster if not managed well, and there is need for robust policies and increased awareness to reduce environmental impacts.
WHAT WAS CRITICAL HISTORY? A READING OF RICHARD SIMON'S HISTOIRE CRITIQUE DU VIEUX TESTAMENT
Authors: GABER GORAN
Published: June 2018

The roots of our modern critical historical attitude are usually set in one of the following phenomena: (1) the Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns; (2) the establishment of historiography as a scientific discipline; and (3) the newly gained awareness of anachronism. However, these accounts either neglect the normative character of the above‐mentioned phenomena or operate with an a priori definition of “critical history,” which leads them to retrospectively attribute the concept of “critique” to historical realities that have not used the term to denote their attitude toward or their treatment of the past. Rather than starting from an a priori definition of what “critical history” is, I propose to inquire into what “critical history” was at the moment when it was first conceived as such—namely in Richard Simon's Histoire critique du Vieux Testament. I will begin by presenting Simon's conception of critique, which entailed: (a) a grammatical and philological treatment of the text in question; (b) a historical and cultural contextualization of this text; and (c) a specific type of judgment to be applied to what is written therein. Since this last aspect constitutes the key to understanding critique's attitude toward the past, I will, in the second part, focus my attention on the notion that plays a pivotal role in the exercise of “critical judgment,” that is, on the concept of tradition. Last, I will propose that since Simon's critical history does not seem to be completely autonomous in relation to its object, the roots of our modern call for normative autonomy vis‐à‐vis the past should be sought with the authors whom Simon opposed in his work, but from whom nonetheless he inherited the term critique: Protestant authors such as Scaliger, Casaubon, and Cappel.