bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized clinical trial of the effects of azithromycin use in the treatment of peri‐implantitis
Authors: Gershenfeld L , Kalos A , Whittle T , Yeung S
Published: April 2018

Background

The aim of this clinical trial was to establish a proof of concept that the adjunctive use of systemic azithromycin (AZM) in conjunction with mechanical debridement has an increased benefit in reducing soft tissue inflammation in the treatment of peri‐implantitis.

Methods

In a randomized, double‐blind, clinical trial, the treatment group (nine patients) received AZM as well as mechanical debridement in a single course of treatment, whereas the control group (eight patients) received a placebo and mechanical debridement. The primary outcome variables studied were bleeding on probing, suppuration, pocket probing depth and gingival recession. The secondary variables studied were gingival index, plaque index, microbiological and interleukin‐1β status. The observation period was 6 months.

Results

Over the 6 months’ observation period, the treatment patients showed a consistently greater reduction of gingival inflammation and an improvement in soft tissue healing than the control patients.

Conclusions

The adjunctive use of a single course of systemic azithromycin can assist in the control of peri‐implant mucositis in the treatment of peri‐implantitis.
Intraoral frostbite and Leidenfrost effect
Authors: Divya VC , Saravanakarthikeyan B
Published: April 2018

Current lifestyle trends encouraging the rise in use of liquid nitrogen in food and beverages may eventually increase the episodes of injuries reported as well. Here, we report the first case of intraoral frostbite as a result of direct injury to the tissues due to ingestion of liquid nitrogen. The mechanism of injury to the oral mucosa in the absence of any injury to the gastric mucosa is explained correlating it to the Leidenfrost phenomenon. Awareness and proper regulations for the use of liquid nitrogen are unavailable and must be created in order to avoid any potential mortality. The diagnostician must consider the possibility of a chemical agent such as liquid nitrogen, which is so widely being used in the food and beverage industry, as a possible aetiological factor of oral mucosal injury.
Functional traits reveal environmental constraints on amphibian community assembly in a subtropical dry forest
Authors: Lescano Julián N. , Miloch Daniela , Leynaud Gerardo C.
Published: April 2018

The relationships between functional traits and environmental gradients are useful to identify different community assembly processes. In this work, we used an approach based on functional traits to analyse if changes in hydroperiod and tree covers of ponds are relevant for local amphibian community assembly processes. Ephemeral ponds with low vegetation cover are expected to impose constraints on different species with particular trait combinations and, therefore, to exhibit communities with lower functional diversity than more stable ponds with greater tree cover. Sampling was conducted in 39 temporary ponds located along vegetation and hydroperiod gradients in the most arid portion of the Chaco ecoregion. Seven functional traits were measured in each species present in the regional pool. Associations between these traits and environmental gradients were detected using multivariate ordination techniques and permutation test (RLQand fourth‐corner analyses respectively). Functional diversity indices were then calculated and related to variations in the environmental gradients. The results obtained allowed us to identify different sets of traits associated with hydroperiod and tree cover, suggesting that these environmental variables are relevant for structuring amphibian communities according to interspecific variations in functional traits from both, larval and adult stages. Contrary to our expectations, communities associated with more stable ponds and with greater tree cover exhibited lower functional diversity than expected by chance (and were the ponds with highest species richness). This result indicates that the reduction in relative importance of environmental restrictions imposed by a very short hydroperiod and the lack of tree cover, favours different species of the regional pool that are similar in several functional traits. Accordingly, communities associated with stable ponds with high tree cover exhibited high functional redundancy.
Key issues to consider and innovative ideas on fall prevention in the geriatric department of a teaching hospital
Authors: Chan Daniel KY , Sherrington Cathie , Naganathan Vasi , Xu Ying Hua , Chen Jack , Ko Anita , Kneebone Ian , Cumming Robert
Published: April 2018

Falls in hospital are common and up to 70% result in injury, leading to increased length of stay and accounting for 10% of patient safety‐related deaths. Yet, high‐quality evidence guiding best practice is lacking. Fall prevention strategies have worked in some trials but not in others. Differences in study setting (acute, subacute, rehabilitation) and sampling of patients (cognitively intact or impaired) may explain the difference in results. This article discusses these important issues and describes the strategies to prevent falls in the acute hospital setting we have studied, which engage the cognitively impaired who are more likely to fall. We have used video clips rather than verbal instruction to educate patients, and are optimistic that this approach may work. We have also explored the option of co‐locating high fall risk patients in a close observation room for supervision, with promising results. Further studies, using larger sample sizes are required to confirm our findings.
Model predicting the microvascular invasion and satellite lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy
Authors: Shen Junyi , Wen Tianfu , Chen Weixia , Lu Changli , Yan Lvnan , Yang Jiayin
Published: April 2018

Background

Microvascluar invasion and satellite lesion (MS), important unfavourable pathological factors, significantly contribute to tumour recurrence and impair the prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to construct a model for the prediction of MS in order to plan treatment better.

Methods

A total of 1135 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who received radical hepatectomy at West China Hospital were randomly assigned to a training set and a validation set. Multivariate analysis was preformed to identify independent risk factors of MS in the training set, and a nomogram was then constructed based on the risk factors. The concordance index (C‐index) and a calibration curve were used to assess the predictive performance of the model.

Results

The occurrence rate of MS was about 36.5%. Based on the multivariate analysis, the following six variables were incorporated into the nomogram: age (hazard ratio (HR): 0.531), alpha fetoprotein (HR: 1.327), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (>2.8, HR: 1.732), international normalized ratio (>1.07, HR: 1.702), tumour size (HR: 1.116) and tumour number (HR: 1.842). The model showed satisfactory discrimination abilities, with a C‐index of 0.721 for the training set and 0.704 for the validation set. The receiver operating characteristic curve confirmed the predictive power. Meanwhile, the calibration curve presented a goodness of fit between prediction of the model and actual observations.

Conclusions

The user‐friendly model may be useful for prediction of the occurrence of MS and to plan treatment more rationally preoperatively.
Is magnetic resonance imaging‐targeted biopsy a useful addition to systematic confirmatory biopsy in men on active surveillance for low‐risk prostate cancer? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Schoots Ivo G. , Nieboer Daan , Giganti Francesco , Moore Caroline M. , Bangma Chris H. , Roobol Monique J.
Published: April 2018

Objective

To systematically review and meta‐analyse evidence regarding the additional value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRI‐targeted biopsies to confirmatory systematic biopsies in identifying high‐grade prostate cancer in men with low‐risk disease on transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) biopsy, as active surveillance (AS) of prostate cancer is recommended for men with Gleason 3 + 3 on standard TRUS‐guided biopsy. Confirmatory assessment can include repeat standard TRUS‐guided biopsy, and/or MRI with targeted biopsy when indicated.

Methods

A systematic review of the Embase, Medline, Web‐of‐science, Google scholar, and Cochrane library was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Identified reports were critically appraised according to the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)‐2 criteria. Studies reporting men with Gleason 3 + 3 prostate cancer who had chosen AS based on transrectal systematic biopsy findings and had undergone MRI with systematic ± targeted biopsy at confirmatory assessment were included. The primary outcome was detection of any Gleason pattern ≥4.

Results

Included reports (six) of men on AS (n = 1 159) showed cancer upgrading (Gleason ≥3 + 4) in 27% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22–34%) using a combined approach of MRI‐targeted biopsies and confirmatory systematic biopsies. MRI‐targeted biopsies alone would have missed cancer upgrading in 10% (95% CI 8–14%) and standard biopsies alone would have missed cancer upgrading in 7% (95% CI 5–10%). No pathway was more favourable than the other (relative risk [RR] 0.92, 95% CI 0.79–1.06). In all, 35% (95% CI 27–43%) of men with a positive MRI were upgraded, compared to 12% (95% CI 8–18%) of men with a negative MRI being upgraded (RR 2.77, 95% CI 1.76–4.38).

Conclusions

A pre‐biopsy MRI should be performed before confirmatory systematic TRUS‐guided biopsies in men on AS, together with MRI‐targeted biopsies when indicated. A combined approach maximises cancer detection, although other factors within multivariate risk prediction can be used to aid the decision to biopsy in these men.
Novel inhibitors of the cellular renin‐angiotensin system components, poricoic acids, target Smad3 phosphorylation and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway against renal fibrosis
Authors: Wang Ming , Chen Dan‐Qian , Chen Lin , Cao Gang , Zhao Hui , Liu Dan , Vaziri Nosratola D , Guo Yan , Zhao Ying‐Yong
Published: April 2018

Background and Purpose

Tubulo‐interstitial fibrosis is the final pathway in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to kidney failure. The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) plays a major role in CKD progression. Hence, we determined the efficacy of novel RAS inhibitors isolated from Poria cocos against renal fibrosis.

Experimental Approach

Effects of three novel tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds, poricoic acid ZC (PZC), poricoic acid ZD (PZD) and poricoic acid ZE (PZE), were investigated on TGFβ1‐ and angiotensin II (AngII)‐treated HK‐2 cells and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in mice. Immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real‐time PCR, siRNA, co‐immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses were used to evaluate expression of key molecules in RAS, Wnt/β‐catenin and TGFβ/Smad pathways.

Key Results

Addition of the above compounds to culture media and their administration to UUO mice: (i) significantly attenuated epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix production in TGFβ1‐ and AngII‐treated HK‐2 cells and UUO mice by inhibiting Wnt/β‐catenin pathway activation and Smad3 phosphorylation; (ii) selectively inhibited Smad3 phosphorylation by blocking the interaction of TGFBR1 with Smad3; and (iii) specifically inhibited Smad3 activation. PZC and PZD showed a strong inhibitory effect on all RAS components, and PZE showed a strong inhibitory effect on renin. Furthermore, the secolanostane tetracyclic triterpenoids, PZC and PZD, showed a stronger inhibitory effect than the lanostane tetracyclic triterpenoid PZE. Therefore, compounds with secolanostance skeleton showed stronger bioactivity than those with lanostance skeleton.

Conclusion and Implications

The secolanostane tetracyclic triterpenoids effectively blocked RAS by simultaneously targeting multiple RAS components and lanostane tetracyclic triterpenoids inhibited renin and protected against tubulo‐interstitial fibrosis.
The role of autoimmune reactivity induced by heat shock protein 70 in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension
Authors: Rodriguez‐Iturbe Bernardo , Lanaspa Miguel A , Johnson Richard J
Published: April 2018

Autoimmunity is increasingly recognized as having a central role in essential hypertension. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are immunodominant molecules with high interspecies homology and autoimmune reactivity directed against HSP70 may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Autoimmunity to HSP70 may result from molecular mimicry between human HSP and bacterial HSP or, alternatively, as a response to HSP70–peptide complexes generated during cellular stress and delivered to the major histocompatibility complex by antigen‐presenting cells. HSP70 is increased in the circulation and kidney of hypertensive patients, and genetic polymorphisms of HSP70 are associated with essential hypertension. Depending on the route and conditions of administration, HSP70 may induce or suppress immune‐related inflammation. Renal inflammation induced by immunity to HSP70 causes hypertension in laboratory animals, and administration of specific peptide sequences of HSP70 results in a protective anti‐inflammatory response that prevents and corrects salt‐induced hypertension. Potential therapeutic uses of HSP70 in essential hypertension deserve to be investigated.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Immune Targets in Hypertension. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.12/issuetoc
Prostaglandin FP receptor antagonists: discovery, pharmacological characterization and therapeutic utility
Authors: Sharif Najam A , Klimko Peter G
Published: April 2018

In contrast to the availability of potent and selective antagonists of several prostaglandin receptor types (including DP1, DP2, EP and TP receptors), there has been a paucity of well‐characterized, selective FP receptor antagonists. The earliest ones included dimethyl amide and dimethyl amine derivatives of PGF2α, but these have failed to gain prominence. The fluorinated PGF2α analogues, AL‐8810 and AL‐3138, were subsequently discovered as competitive and non‐competitive FP receptor antagonists respectively. Non‐prostanoid structures, such as the thiazolidinone AS604872, the D‐amino acid‐based oligopeptide PDC31 and its peptidomimic analogue PDC113.824 came next, but the latter two are allosteric inhibitors of FP receptor signalling. AL‐8810 has a sub‐micromolar in vitro potency and ≥2 log unit selectivity against most other PG receptors when tested in several cell‐ and tissue‐based functional assays. Additionally, AL‐8810 has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy as an FP receptor antagonist in animal models of stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, allodynia and endometriosis. Consequently, it appears that AL‐8810 has become the FP receptor antagonist of choice.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Eicosanoids 35 years from the 1982 Nobel: where are we now? To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.8/issuetoc
Identification and structure elucidation of the pro‐resolving mediators provides novel leads for resolution pharmacology
Authors: Dalli Jesmond , Serhan Charles N
Published: April 2018

Inflammatory diseases are a major socio‐economic burden, with the incidence of such conditions on the rise, especially in western societies. For decades, the primary treatment paradigm for many of these conditions was to develop drugs that inhibit or antagonize the production and biological actions of molecules that were thought to be the culprits in propagating disease; these include cytokines and eicosanoids. This approach is effective in controlling disease propagation; however, long‐term exposure to these anti‐inflammatories is also associated with many side effects, some of which are severe, including immune‐suppression. The discovery that termination of self‐limited acute inflammation is an active process orchestrated by endogenous mediators, including the essential fatty acid‐derived resolvins, protectins and maresins, has provided novel opportunities for the design of therapeutics that control inflammation with a lower burden of side effects. This is because at variance to anti‐inflammatories, pro‐resolving mediators do not completely inhibit inflammatory responses; instead, these mediators reprogramme the immune response to accelerate the termination of inflammation, facilitating the regain of function. The scope of this review is to highlight the biological actions of these autacoids and their potential utility as lead compounds in developing resolution pharmacology‐based therapeutics.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Eicosanoids 35 years from the 1982 Nobel: where are we now? To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.8/issuetoc
New paradigms in adenosine receptor pharmacology: allostery, oligomerization and biased agonism
Authors: Vecchio Elizabeth A , Baltos Jo‐Anne , Nguyen Anh T N , Christopoulos Arthur , White Paul J , May Lauren T
Published: April 2018

Adenosine receptors are a family of GPCRs containing four subtypes (A1, A2A, A2B and A3 receptors), all of which bind the ubiquitous nucleoside adenosine. These receptors play an important role in physiology and pathophysiology and therefore represent attractive drug targets for a range of conditions. The theoretical framework surrounding drug action at adenosine receptors now extends beyond the notion of prototypical agonism and antagonism to encompass more complex pharmacological concepts. New paradigms include allostery, in which ligands bind a topographically distinct receptor site from that of the endogenous agonist, homomeric or heteromeric interactions across receptor oligomers and biased agonism, that is, ligand‐dependent differential intracellular signalling. This review provides a concise overview of allostery, oligomerization and biased agonism at adenosine receptors and outlines how these paradigms may enhance future drug discovery endeavours focussed on the development of novel therapeutic agents acting at adenosine receptors.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Molecular Pharmacology of GPCRs. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.21/issuetoc
PPARs and pain
Authors: Okine Bright N , Gaspar Jessica C , Finn David P
Published: April 2018

Chronic pain is a common cause of disability worldwide and remains a global health and socio‐economic challenge. Current analgesics are either ineffective in a significant proportion of patients with chronic pain or associated with significant adverse side effects. The PPARs, a family of nuclear hormone transcription factors, have emerged as important modulators of pain in preclinical studies and therefore a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of pain. Modulation of nociceptive processing by PPARs is likely to involve both transcription‐dependent and transcription‐independent mechanisms. This review presents a comprehensive overview of preclinical studies investigating the contribution of PPAR signalling to nociceptive processing in animal models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. We examine current evidence from anatomical, molecular and pharmacological studies demonstrating a role for PPARs in pain control. We also discuss the limited evidence available from relevant clinical studies and identify areas that warrant further research.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on 8th European Workshop on Cannabinoid Research. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.10/issuetoc
Antinociception by the anti‐oxidized phospholipid antibody E06
Authors: Mohammadi Milad , Oehler Beatrice , Kloka Jan , Martin Corinna , Brack Alexander , Blum Robert , Rittner Heike L
Published: April 2018

Background and Purpose

ROS and their downstream molecules such as oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) and 4‐hydroxynonenal activate TRPA1 and TRPV1 (vanilloid 1) cation channels in vivo and in vitro shaping thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity in inflammatory pain. E06/T15 is a monoclonal autoantibody against oxidized phosphatidylcholine (OxPC) used in diagnostics in arteriosclerosis. Recently, we provided evidence that E06 also ameliorates inflammatory pain. Here, we studied E06 for local treatment against hypersensitivity evoked by endogenous and exogenous agonists of TRPA1 or TRPV1 channels.

Experimental Approach

We utilized a combination of reflexive and complex behavioural pain measurements, live‐cell calcium imaging and OxPC‐binding assays. The lipid peroxidation metabolite 4‐hydroxynonenal, hydrogen peroxide as a source of ROS, allyl isothiocyanate and capsaicin were used to activate their respective receptors.

Key Results

All irritants induced thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity, spontaneous nocifensive and affective‐motivational behaviour, as well as calcium influx in HEKTRPA1‐ or HEKTRPV1‐cells and dorsal root ganglion neurons. E06 prevented prolonged mechanical hypersensitivity induced by all irritants except for H2O2. E06 did not alter immediate irritant‐induced nocifensive or affective motivational behaviour. In vitro, E06 blocked only 4‐hydroxynonenal‐induced calcium influx although this compound did not bind to E06. After 1–3 h, all tested irritants elicited formation of OxPC in paw tissue.

Conclusions and Implications

E06 ameliorates not only inflammatory pain but also prolonged hypersensitivity due to formation of OxPC. This supports the view that neutralizing certain OxPL as endogenous activators of TRPA1 or TRPV1 channels may be valuable for pain therapy.
Dual‐protected amino acid derivatives as new antitubercular agents
Authors: de Castro Pedro P. , Campos Débora L. , Pavan Fernando R. , Amarante Giovanni W.
Published: April 2018

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease with high incidence and growing drug‐resistant rates. In an attempt to develop new antitubercular agents, 35 compounds were synthesized, most of them bearing a carbamate and enantiopure amino acid moiety. These compounds had their activity evaluated toward a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain (ATCC 27294) and cytotoxicity against fibroblast MRC‐5 cells (ATCC CCL‐171). Three of the prepared derivatives presented a good antimicrobial inhibition and two of them a moderate cytotoxicity. The lipophilicity seems to play a vital role in the cell growth activity, with best results for the derivatives with a higher logP.
Increased natural killer cell subsets with inhibitory cytokines and inhibitory surface receptors in patients with recurrent miscarriage and decreased or normal subsets in kidney transplant recipients late post-transplant
Authors: Zhu L , Aly M , Wang H , Karakizlis H , Weimer R , Morath C , Kuon R J , Toth B , Ekpoom N , Opelz G , Daniel V
Published: April 2018

Patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM) show up-regulated cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells that are suspected to play a causal role in abortion. In the present study, we investigated counter-regulating inhibitory mechanisms and compared the results in RM patients with those of healthy controls (HC), patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant recipients late post-transplant (TX). NK, NK T and T cell subsets were analysed in the peripheral blood of 31 RM, 14 female ESRD and nine female TX patients as well as 21 female HC using eight-colour fluorescence flow cytometry. Compared with HC, RM patients showed significantly higher absolute numbers of CD56+ NK cells co-expressing the phenotype interferon (IFN)-γR+, IL-4+, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β+, IL-4+ human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR)+, TGF-β+HLA-DR+, IL-4+TGF-β+, IL-4+TGF-β−, IFN-γ+ and/or IL-10−IFN-γ+ (all P ≤ 0·01), more IL-17+CD56bright (P = 0·028) NK cells and more CD56dimCD16+ NK cells co-expressing IFN-γR, IFN-γ, IL-4 and/or TGF-β (all P ≤ 0·01). When the same cell subsets were analysed in ESRD or TX patients, cytokine-producing NK cell subsets were not significantly different from those of HC. RM patients showed significantly higher absolute numbers of CD158a+, CD158b+, CD158a−CD158e+ (all P < 0·05), NKG2D+NKG2A+, NKG2D +NKG2A−, NKG2D+ and/or NKG2A+ (all P ≤ 0·01) CD56+ NK cells and higher CD158a+, CD158b+ (all P < 0·05), NKG2D+ and/or NKG2A+ (all P < 0·01) CD56dim+CD16+ NK cells than HC. In contrast, ESRD patients had normal and TX recipients had lower CD158a+ and NKG2D+NKG2A−CD56+ NK cells and lower CD158a+CD56dim+CD16+ NK cells (all P < 0·05) than HC. RM patients have abnormally high circulating NK cells expressing inhibitory cytokines and inhibitory surface receptors which might contribute to the pathogenesis of RM.
Urogenital function 3 years after abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer
Authors: Ledebo A. , Bock D. , Prytz M. , Haglind E. , Angenete E.
Published: April 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore urogenital dysfunction and associated risk factors after treatment of rectal cancer, in a large national cohort of patients 3 years after abdominoperineal excision, and to compare outcomes with a reference population and a cohort of patients operated for prostate cancer.

Method

Patients treated with abdominoperineal excision in 2007–2009 were identified using the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry. All consenting patients received a questionnaire. A sample of the Swedish population was contacted and completed a questionnaire. Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in a prospective multicentre trial received questionnaires 24 months after surgery.

Results

In the abdominoperineal excision, reference and radical prostatectomy populations 72%, 51% and 91% of the questionnaires were returned. Within the abdominoperineal excision group 36% of the men and 57% of the women were incontinent postoperatively. Fifteen per cent and 37% of men and women in the reference group were incontinent. Two years after radical prostatectomy 49% were incontinent. Seventy‐four per cent of the men had erectile dysfunction after abdominoperineal excision. Nineteen per cent of the women experienced reduced ability to reach orgasm. Fewer men and women experienced their present sex life as satisfying after abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer compared with the reference population.

Conclusion

A large proportion of patients endure persistent urogenital dysfunction after abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer as do men after radical prostatectomy. Effects on sexual and urinary function should be part of preoperative information and after surgery patients should be asked about function in order to identify those in need of further assistance.
New insights in the use of pleural ultrasonography for diagnosis and treatment of pleural disease
Authors: Marchetti Giampietro , Arondi Sabrina , Baglivo Francesca , Lonni Sara , Quadri Federico , Valsecchi Alberto , Venturoli Nicola , Ceruti Paolo
Published: April 2018

The use of transthoracic ultrasound (US) has acquired a wide consensus among respiratory physicians during the last few years. The development of portable devices promotes patient's bedside evaluation providing rapid, real‐time and low‐cost diagnostic information. The different acoustic impedance between different tissues and organs produces artifacts known as A lines, B lines, sliding sign, lung point, etc. The identification of such artifacts is essential to discriminate normal pleural appearance from the presence of pleural effusion, pneumothorax, thickenings and tumors. Ultrasounds are also a valuable tool during interventional procedures, such as thoracentesis, chest tube insertion and transcutaneous biopsy. Its use is recommended before medical thoracoscopy in order to assess the best site of trocar insertion according to presence, quantity and characteristics of pleural effusion. The aim of this review is to provide practical tips on chest ultrasound in clinical and interventional respiratory practice.
Value of intravascular ultrasound in guiding coronary interventions
Authors: Song Hae Geun , Kang Soo‐Jin , Mintz Gary S.
Published: April 2018

There has been great effort to improve clinical outcome in percutaneous treatment for coronary artery disease. Complementary to coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) provides in vivo tomographic anatomic information, enabling to evaluate from the lumen to the vessel wall. As a result, IVUS has had a pivotal role to understand pathophysiology of coronary artery disease and improve clinical outcome. It provides preprocedural information to evaluate stenosis severity and plaque characteristics and helps with optimal stent deployment, minimizing underexpansion and geographic miss that are the major mechanisms of stent failure. Recently, many large‐scale clinical trials and meta‐analyses with drug‐eluting stents have shown the clinical benefits of IVUS‐guided percutaneous coronary intervention. Some recent studies have also supported the cost‐effectiveness of IVUS‐guided PCI especially in high‐risk patients. This article will discuss the clinical value of IVUS in contemporary practice.
Sequential bacterial sampling of the midline incision in horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy
Authors: Isgren C. M. , Salem S. E. , Townsend N. B. , Timofte D. , Maddox T. W. , Archer D. C.
Published: April 2018

Background

There is limited information about bacterial isolates that are present on the equine midline incision during and following exploratory laparotomy.

Objectives

To investigate the bacterial species cultured from the ventral midline pre‐, intra‐ and post‐ laparotomy, whether particular bacterial isolates are associated with the development of surgical site infections (SSIs) and to report the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of these isolates.

Study design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

The ventral midline of 31 horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy was sampled for bacterial culture at set time‐points pre, intra and post‐operatively. Inclusion criteria were that horses must have undergone exploratory laparotomy within 90 min of the initial colic examination upon hospital admission and must not have been placed in a stable prior to surgery.SSIwas defined as any purulent or serous discharge from the laparotomy incision of >24 h duration.

Results

Seven horses (22.6%) developed aSSI. None of the variables tested were associated with the altered risk ofSSI. The prevalence of a positive bacterial culture from the incision increased progressively over time and a variety of bacteria were isolated. A positive intra‐operative culture was not a predictor ofSSI; and when aSSIdid occur, it was due to a different bacterial isolate.MRSAandESBL‐producers were identified in the post‐operative period in one and four different horses respectively, but none of these developed aSSI.

Main limitations

Sampling was limited to hospitalisation and no culture results were available for horses developingSSIfollowing hospital discharge.

Conclusions

A variety of bacterial species may be isolated from equine laparotomy incisions peri‐operatively without development ofSSI.SSIdoes not appear to be solely related to bacterial contamination of the incision peri‐operatively and other mechanisms such as bacteraemia merit further investigation.
Validity and application of immunoturbidimetric and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays for the measurement of adiponectin concentration in ponies
Authors: Menzies‐Gow N. J. , Knowles E. J. , Rogers I. , Rendle D. I.
Published: April 2018

Background

Circulating adiponectin concentrations were lower in ponies with a history of endocrinopathic laminitis and in nonlaminitic ponies that subsequently developed laminitis. The assays used in these studies have been discontinued or are no longer valid.

Objectives

(1) to determine the validity of immunoturbidimetric (IT) and enzyme linkedimmunosorbent (ELISA) assays for equine total and high molecular weight (HMW) [adiponectin] measurement and (2) to investigate the association between [adiponectin] measured using these assays and endocrinopathic laminitis.

Study design

Method validation and cohort study.

Methods

Accuracy and precision of IT and ELISA assays for measuring total (TAC) and HMW (HMWAC) [adiponectin] were determined. Using the IT assay, the effects of anti‐coagulant and storage temperature were assessed, TAC was measured in previously laminitic (PL) and never laminitic (NL) ponies (n = 6/group). Comparison with a previously validated radioimmunoassay was made in NL ponies (n = 223). Association between TAC and subsequent laminitis development in NL ponies was investigated using univariable logistic regression and ROC curve analysis.

Results

The IT assay was precise and demonstrated good agreement with the previously validated radioimmunoassay. TAC was significantly (P<0.01) lower in PL (mean ± s.d. 8.9 ± 2.9 μg/mL) compared to NL (24.2 ± 11.8 μg/mL) ponies and in NL ponies that developed laminitis within 12 months (median 4.8 μg/mL; IQR 2.65–13.4 μg/mL) compared to those that remained nonlaminitic (19.9 μg/mL; 9.95–31.5 μg/mL). TAC was significantly (P = 0.01) associated with laminitis occurrence within 12 months. Use of the area under the ROC curve to distinguish animals that did and did not develop laminitis showed good accuracy (0.76). None of the ELISA methods validated satisfactorily.

Main limitations

Laminitis risk is based on data from ponies in one region.

Conclusions

The IT method is suitable for measurement of equine TAC. TAC is lower in ponies with previous or future laminitis. The ELISA methods are not suitable for measurement of equine HMWAC or TAC.
The development of hoof balance and landing preference in the post‐natal period
Authors: Gorissen B. M. C. , Serra Bragança F. M. , Wolschrijn C. F. , Back W. , van Weeren P. R.
Published: April 2018

Background

Foals can follow the herd within hours of birth, but it has been shown that kinetic gait parameters and static balance still have to mature. However, development of dynamic balance has not been investigated.

Objectives

To objectively quantify landing and pressure pattern dynamics under the hoof during the first half year of life.

Study design

Prospective, cohort study performed at a single stud farm.

Methods

Pressure plate measurements at walk and trot from ten Dutch warmblood foals during the first 24 weeks of life were used to quantify toe‐heel and medial‐lateral hoof balance asymmetry indexes and to determine preferred landing strategy. Concurrently, radiographs of the tarsocrural and femoropatellar joints were taken at 4–6 weeks and after 6 months to check for osteochondrosis. A linear mixed model was used to determine the effects of time point, limb pair (front/hind), side (left/right) and osteochondrosis status of every foal.

Results

At 25% of stance duration at walk, front limbs were more loaded in the heel region in weeks 6–20 (P≤0.04), the medial‐lateral balance was more to the lateral side from week 6 onwards at both walk and trot (P≤0.04). Landing preference gradually changed in the same directions. Variability in pressure distribution decreased over time. (Subclinical) osteochondrosis did not influence any of the measured parameters.

Main limitations

This study is limited by the relatively small sample size only containing one breed from a single stud farm.

Conclusions

Dynamic hoof balance in new‐born foals is more variable and less oriented towards the lateral side of the hoof and to the heel than in mature horses. This pattern changes gradually during the first weeks of life. Knowledge of this process is essential for the clinician when considering interventions in this area in early life.
Inherited epidermolysis bullosa: New diagnostics and new clinical phenotypes
Authors: Has Cristina , Fischer Judith
Published: April 2018

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of heterogeneous genetic disorders characterized by skin fragility. EB comprises a large spectrum of phenotypes, ranging from severe cutaneous and extracutaneous involvement caused by lack of key adhesion proteins, to mild cutaneous fragility caused by subtle molecular defects. Disease‐causing variants in 20 different genes account for the genetic and allelic heterogeneity of EB. Here, we discuss the development of laboratory methods that enabled these discoveries and the clinical and molecular features of some new EB entities elucidated during the past 5‐6 years.
Novel quantitative assessment system of liver steatosis using a newly developed attenuation measurement method
Authors: Tamaki Nobuharu , Koizumi Yohei , Hirooka Masashi , Yada Norihisa , Takada Hitomi , Nakashima Osamu , Kudo Masatoshi , Hiasa Yoichi , Izumi Namiki
Published: April 2018

Aim

The present study has developed and evaluated the effectiveness of a new echo attenuation measurement function combined with an ultrasonic diagnostic system for the accurate diagnosis of liver steatosis.

Methods

A multicenter prospective study involving patients with chronic hepatitis was carried out. All patients underwent liver biopsy, and attenuation coefficient (ATT) was measured on the same day. The fat area (%) of biopsy specimens was quantitatively evaluated. Correlations between ATT, steatosis grade, and fat area were evaluated.

Results

A total of 351 patients were enrolled in this study. The median values of fat area for steatosis grades S0, S1, S2, and S3 were 0.6%, 3.2%, 6.4%, and 15.5%, respectively. A significant correlation was found between fat area and steatosis grade (P < 0.001). Similarly, the median values of ATT for steatosis grades S0, S1, S2, and S3 were 0.55, 0.63, 0.69, and 0.85 dB/cm/MHz, respectively, and ATT increased with an increase in the steatosis grade (P < 0.001). Attenuation coefficient was significantly correlated with fat area (r = 0.50, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve corresponding to S ≥ 1, S ≥ 2, and S ≥ 3 were 0.79, 0.87, and 0.96, respectively. Similarly, the sensitivity and specificity of S ≥ 1, S ≥ 2, and S ≥ 3 were 72%, 82%, and 87% and 72%, 82%, and 89%, respectively.

Conclusions

The newly developed ATT measurement for evaluation of liver steatosis was closely correlated with steatosis grade and automated quantification of fat area, and it provides clinically relevant information.
Flavour binding mechanism between a typical meat flavour compound (nonanal) and porcine myofibrillar proteins with consideration of conformational changes
Authors: Han Yurui , Shen Hui , Zhao Mouming , Sun Weizheng
Published: April 2018

Flavour binding or release behaviour from the meat matrix is very important for its sensory properties. The interaction between flavour substance (nonanal) and myofibrillar proteins (MPs) was investigated using protein fluorescence quenching at different temperatures. The results suggested that nonanal caused the fluorescence quenching mechanism of MPs combining dynamic and static quenching mode, and dynamic quenching played a dominant role. Nonanal mainly combined with tryptophan residues rather than tyrosine residues. The results of synchronous fluorescence spectra and circular dichroism (CD) revealed that the interaction between nonanal and MPs induced no significant conformational changes in MPs. The binding constant (K) and number of binding sites (n) (1.45–2.03) increased with temperature. The negative value of ∆G (−383.16 kJ mol−1 to −397.30 kJ mol−1) showed that the interaction of nonanal and MPs was spontaneous. The positive ∆H (180.18 kJ mol−1, 181.48 kJ mol−1) and ∆S (696.17 J mol−1 K−1, 688.32 J mol−1 K−1) indicated that the binding of nonanal to MPs driven by hydrophobic force.
Electrochemical synthesis of bismuth molybdates with controllable composition and their photocatalytic performance
Authors: Qian Bei , Li Xuyun , Song Zuwei
Published: April 2018

Bismuth molybdate photocatalysts were controllably prepared via an electrochemical approach at room temperature. The composition and optical property of each product were determined according to the NaOH and Na2MoO4 quantities in the electrolyte. Pure Bi3.64Mo0.36O6.55 was prepared at a NaOH concentration range of 0.2‐0.8 mol L−1, whereas the Bi3.64Mo0.36O6.55/Bi14MoO24 composite was obtained in an electrolyte containing 0.4 mol L−1 NaOH and 0.5 mol L−1 Na2MoO4. The results of rhodamine B degradation under visible light indicated that Bi3.64Mo0.36O6.55 nanoparticles with a size of 10‐50 nm displayed the best photocatalytic efficiency, which was considerably higher than that of composite one and bulk Bi3.64Mo0.36O6.55.
Geographic variation and environmental correlates of apparent survival rates in adult tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor
Authors: Clark Robert G. , Winkler David W. , Dawson Russell D. , Shutler Dave , Hussell David J. T. , Lombardo Michael P. , Thorpe Patrick A. , Dunn Peter O. , Whittingham Linda A.
Published: April 2018

Determining demographic rates in wild animal populations and understanding why rates vary are important challenges in population ecology and conservation. Whereas reproductive success is reported frequently for many songbird species, there are relatively few corresponding estimates of annual survival for widespread populations of the same migratory species. We incorporated mark–recapture data into Cormack–Jolly–Seber models to estimate annual apparent survival and recapture rates of adult male and female tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor in eight local breeding populations across North America for periods of 7–33 yr. We found strong site‐specific and annual variation in apparent survival rates of adult swallows, and evidence of higher survival or site fidelity among males than females. There were no strong associations between putative overwintering region and survival. Strength and patterns of winter climate‐apparent survival relationships varied across four sites monitored for >15 yr; at one site, spring pond conditions, local spring precipitation and, to a lesser extent, winter North Atlantic Oscillation Index were credible predictors of annual apparent survival. Further work is needed to evaluate how survival is related to environmental conditions throughout the annual cycle and how these factors affect population dynamics of swallows and related species of conservation concern.
Recognition of a new generic‐level swallow taxon from central Africa
Authors: de Silva Thilina N. , Fernando Sumudu W. , Robbins Mark B. , Cooper Jacob C. , Fokam Eric B. , Peterson A. Townsend
Published: April 2018

The forest swallow Petrochelidon fuliginosa is a little‐known species endemic to lowland forests in central Africa; for lack of access to high‐quality genetic material, the species has been omitted from all previous molecular phylogenetic studies of the swallows. The species is currently placed in the genus Petrochelidon, within the ‘mud‐nester’ clade of swallows, yet its plumage, morphology, and nesting behavior do not align well with those of other major swallow lineages. As a consequence, upon securing recent specimens and high‐quality tissue samples, we sequenced DNA from two mitochondrial genes and one nuclear marker to place this species in the swallow phylogenetic tree. Our results placed the forest swallow firmly within the ‘mud nester’ clade, but outside of the clade corresponding to Petrochelidon. This outcome led us to document and describe formally a distinct, generic‐level lineage of swallow endemic to the Lower Guinean forest region of central Africa.
Limbal niche cells are a potent resource of adult mesenchymal progenitors
Authors: Guo Ping , Sun Hong , Zhang Yuan , Tighe Sean , Chen Shuangling , Su Chen‐Wei , Liu Yongsong , Zhao Hongxia , Hu Min , Zhu Yingting
Published: April 2018

Limbal niche cells located in the limbal Palisades of Vogt are mesenchymal stem cells that reside next to limbal basal epithelial cells. Limbal niche cells are progenitors that express embryonic stem cell markers such as Nanog, Nestin, Oct4, Rex1, Sox2 and SSEA4, mesenchymal cell markers such as CD73, CD90 and CD105, and angiogenesis markers such as Flk‐1, CD31, CD34, VWF, PDGFRβ and α‐SMA, but negative for CD45. In addition, the stemness of limbal niche cells can be maintained during their cell culture in a three‐dimension environment. Furthermore, expanded limbal niche cells have the capability to undergo adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, osteogenesis and endogenesis in vitro, indicating that they are in fact a valuable resource of adult progenitors. Furthermore studies on how the limbal niche cells regulate the aforementioned stemness and corneal fate decision are warranted, as those investigations will shed new light on how mesenchymal progenitors reverse limbal stem cell deficiency and lead to new methods for limbal niche cell treatment.
Ecological and demographic correlates of cooperation from individual to budding dispersal
Authors: Rodrigues António M. M. , Taylor Tiffany B.
Published: April 2018

Identifying the ecological and demographic factors that promote the evolution of cooperation is a major challenge for evolutionary biologists. Explanations for the adaptive evolution of cooperation seek to determine which factors make reproduction in cooperative groups more favourable than independent breeding or other selfish strategies. A vast majority of the hypotheses posit that cooperative groups emerge in the context of philopatry, high costs of dispersal, high population density and environmental stability. This route to cooperation, however, fails to explain a growing body of empirical evidence in which cooperation is not associated with one or more of these predictors. We propose an alternative evolutionary path towards the emergence of cooperation that accounts for the disparities observed in the current literature. We find that when dispersal is mediated by a group mode of dispersal, commonly termed budding dispersal, our mathematical model reveals an association between cooperation and immigration, lower costs of dispersal, low population density and environmental variability. Furthermore, by studying the continuum from the individual to the partial and full budding mode of dispersal, we can explicitly explain why the correlates of cooperation change under budding. This enables us to outline a general model for the evolution of cooperation that accounts for a substantial amount of empirical evidence. Our results suggest that natural selection may have favoured two major contrasting pathways for the evolution of cooperation depending on a set of key ecological and demographic factors.
Hydro‐meteorological approach for the estimation of hurricane‐induced floods
Authors: Fernández‐Rivera D.C. , Rodríguez‐Rincón J.P. , Alcocer‐Yamanaka V.H. , Breña‐Naranjo J.A. , Pedrozo‐Acuña A.
Published: April 2018

Hurricanes cause great damage in the tropics and due to its geographical location, Mexico experiences the landfall of such storms along both coasts as it covers 2 different cyclogenesis areas: the Eastern Pacific and the North Atlantic basins. For two catchments in southern Mexico, a set of weather prediction, hydrological and hydraulic models were used in cascade to simulate precipitation, runoff and flood maps observed during the extreme flooding that occurred in September 2013. The flood resulted from the rare simultaneous occurrence of 2 tropical cyclones and the framework provided an adequate numerical reproduction. Results show the usefulness of this approach by considering uncertainty limits that can be used for urban planning and development purposes.