bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Herbage production, botanical composition and survival of perennial ryegrass- and tall fescue-based swards in simple and diverse species mixtures in a dryland environment
Authors: Minneé E. M. K. , McCready T. B. , Woodward S. L.
Published: April 2017

Species diversity in grazed swards can improve sward DM production and stability when compared with traditional, simple binary perennial grass–clover combinations. In dairying regions faced with frequent seasonal soil moisture deficit, and environmental and economic incentives to lessen reliance on inputs (nitrogen fertiliser and irrigation) to overcome this, DM production from the traditional perennial ryegrass–clover swards can be reduced. Mitigating reduced DM production and feed deficits in the absence of inputs could potentially be achieved through increasing sward species diversity through the inclusion of additional forage species that are more productive at key times of the season when perennial ryegrass–clover swards commonly have reduced growth (i.e. summer). A 4-year, grazed small-plot experiment was conducted to evaluate sward DM production, species composition and sward survival of perennial ryegrass- and tall fescue-based swards with varying species compositions. The experimental design was a 2 × 6 factorial of two grasses, perennial ryegrass (PR) or tall fescue (TF), sown with white clover in six species combinations, as follows: no additional species (Control); with red clover (RedCl); lucerne (Luc); chicory and plantain (Herb); timothy and prairie grass (Grass); or a mix of all additional species (Mix). Mean annual DM production over the 4 years was greater (P < 0.05) from PR than from TF swards (13.4 vs. 12.9 t DM/ha/year), owing to superior DM production in 2 of the 4 years, largely during winter and autumn. The addition of other species to tall fescue-based swards did not improve annual or seasonal DM production. Increases in DM production (P < 0.05) were observed from PR-based swards sown with Grass, Herb or Mix in Year 3, when summer rainfall was 37% below the average (0.8–1.3 t DM/ha/year), but this effect was not seen in the following year when rainfall was even lower. Total sown-species content varied over the study period and was greater in PR-based than in TF-based swards (83 vs 70%, P < 0.01). Including additional species had varied effects on sown-species content; when differences were observed, it was greater sown-species content in the Herb and Mix than in the Control swards. However, by the end of the study, there was no observed improvement of sward survival with increased diversity. The findings of the present study suggested that there was no consistent advantage to increasing species diversity in PR- or TF-based swards on DM production or sward survival in dryland grazed dairy swards.
Delivering strong
1
H nuclear hyperpolarization levels and long magnetic lifetimes through signal amplification by reversible exchange
Authors: Rayner Peter J. , Burns Michael J. , Olaru Alexandra M. , Norcott Philip , Fekete Marianna , Green Gary G. R. , Highton Louise A. R. , Mewis Ryan E. , Duckett Simon B.
Published: April 2017

Significance

The study of molecules and materials is of great significance to both science and human welfare. The noninvasive techniques of NMR and MRI reflect two of the most important methods to study them. However, both of these approaches are insensitive, and hyperpolarization methods to improve sensitivity are needed to access new applications. The hyperpolarization approach signal amplification by reversible exchange is used to produce a signal that is 100,000 times larger than that which would be seen on a routine clinical MRI scanner under Boltzmann equilibrium conditions. By revealing the broad scope of this approach we demonstrate its potential for the future diagnostic detection of metabolites, drugs, and many other small molecules.
Whose line is it anyway?
Authors: Bennett Sam
Published: April 2017

Pride marches are increasingly common in the 'global South' and can be seen as signs of progress towards greater social acceptance of sexual minorities. Such movements often appropriate and mimic semiotic symbols and discursive frames visible in Pride movements in countries in the North, such as rainbow flags and the discourse of human rights. However, there is also a degree of recontextualisation of these symbols and frames in order to deal with specific local social, political, cultural and economic contexts. Though at different 'stages' of acceptance of non-heteronormative lifestyles, India and South Africa offer fruitful sites for comparative, qualitative research. In analysing the language of print media as a way of gauging how Pride movements are discursively constructed, the paper focuses on nominational and predicational strategies (Reisigl and Wodak 2001) to critically analyse actor representations in a sample of articles from national newspapers from each country.
Language performance of sequential bilinguals on an Irish and English sentence repetition task
Authors: Antonijevic Stanislava , Durham Ruth , Chonghaile Íde Ní
Published: April 2017

Currently there are no standardized language assessments for English-Irish bilingual school age children that would test languages in a comparable way. There are also no standardized language assessments of Irish for this age group. The current study aimed to design comparable language assessments in both languages targeting structures known to be challenging for children with language impairments. A sentence repetition (SRep) task equivalent to the English SRep task (Marinis, Chiat, Armon-Lotem, Piper, & Roy, 2011) was designed for Irish. Twenty-four typically developing, sequential bilingual children immersed in Irish in the educational setting performed better on the English SRep task than on the Irish SRep task. Different patterns were observed in language performance across sentence types with performance on relative clauses being particularly poor in Irish. Similarly, differences were observed in error patterns with the highest number of errors of omission in Irish, and the highest number of substitution errors in English.
Regularity theory and high order numerical methods for the (1D)-fractional Laplacian
Authors: Acosta Gabriel , Borthagaray Juan Pablo , Bruno Oscar , Maas Martín
Published: April 2017

This paper presents regularity results and associated high order numerical methods for one-dimensional fractional-Laplacian boundary-value problems. On the basis of a factorization of solutions as a product of a certain edge-singular weight

ω
\omega

times a “regular” unknown, a characterization of the regularity of solutions is obtained in terms of the smoothness of the corresponding right-hand sides. In particular, for right-hand sides which are analytic in a Bernstein ellipse, analyticity in the same Bernstein ellipse is obtained for the “regular” unknown. Moreover, a sharp Sobolev regularity result is presented which completely characterizes the co-domain of the fractional-Laplacian operator in terms of certain weighted Sobolev spaces introduced in (Babuška and Guo, SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 2002). The present theoretical treatment relies on a full eigendecomposition for a certain weighted integral operator in terms of the Gegenbauer polynomial basis. The proposed Gegenbauer-based Nyström numerical method for the fractional-Laplacian Dirichlet problem, further, is significantly more accurate and efficient than other algorithms considered previously. The sharp error estimates presented in this paper indicate that the proposed algorithm is spectrally accurate, with convergence rates that only depend on the smoothness of the right-hand side. In particular, convergence is exponentially fast (resp. faster than any power of the mesh-size) for analytic (resp. infinitely smooth) right-hand sides. The properties of the algorithm are illustrated with a variety of numerical results.
Cyclic sieving and plethysm coefficients
Authors: Rush David
Published: April 2017

A combinatorial expression for the coefficient of the Schur functionsλs_{\lambda }in the expansion of the plethysmpn/dd∘sμp_{n/d}^d \circ s_{\mu }is given for alldddividingnnfor the cases in whichn=2n=2orλ\lambdais rectangular. In these cases, the coefficient⟨pn/dd∘sμ,sλ⟩\langle p_{n/d}^d \circ s_{\mu }, s_{\lambda } \rangleis shown to count, up to sign, the number of fixed points of an⟨sμn,sλ⟩\langle s_{\mu }^n, s_{\lambda } \rangle-element set under theddth power of an order-nncyclic action. Ifn=2n=2, the action is the Schützenberger involution on semistandard Young tableaux (also known as evacuation), and, ifλ\lambdais rectangular, the action is a certain power of Schützenberger and Shimozono’sjeu-de-taquinpromotion.

This work extends results of Stembridge and Rhoades linking fixed points of the Schützenberger actions to ribbon tableaux enumeration. The conclusion for the casen=2n=2is equivalent to the domino tableaux rule of Carré and Leclerc for discriminating between the symmetric and antisymmetric parts of the square of a Schur function.
Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Predicts Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Hypertensive Patients: The ALLHAT Study
Authors: Bang Casper N , Soliman Elsayed Z , Simpson Lara M , Davis Barry R , Devereux Richard B , Okin Peter M ,   and for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Electrocardiographic (ECG) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. However, the predictive value of ECG LVH in treated hypertensive patients remains unclear.

METHODS

A total of 33,357 patients (aged ≥ 55 years) with hypertension and at least 1 other coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor were randomized to chlorthalidone, amlodipine, or lisinopril. The outcome of the present study was all-cause mortality; and secondary endpoints were CHD, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, angina, heart failure (HF), and peripheral arterial disease. Cornell voltage criteria (S in V3 + R in aVL > 28 [men] or >22 mm [women]) defined ECG LVH.

RESULTS

ECGs were available at baseline in 26,384 patients. Baseline Cornell voltage LVH was present in 1,741 (7%) patients, who were older (67.4 vs. 66.6 years, P < 0.001), more likely to be female (74 vs. 44%, P < 0001) with a higher systolic blood pressure (151 vs. 146 mm Hg, P < 0.001) than patients without ECG LVH. During 5.0 ± 1.4 years mean follow-up, baseline and in-study ECG LVH was significantly associated with 29 to 98% increased risks of all-cause mortality, MI, CHD, stroke, and HF in multivariable Cox analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline Cornell voltage LVH is associated with increased CV morbidity and all-cause mortality in treated hypertensive patients independent of treatment modality and other CV risk factors.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

Trial Number NCT00000542.
Detrital magnetization of laboratory-redeposited sediments
Authors: Valet Jean-Pierre , Tanty Cyrielle , Carlut Julie
Published: April 2017

We conducted several redeposition experiments in laboratory using natural and artificial sediments in order to investigate the role of grain size and lithology on sedimentary remanence acquisition. The role of grain size was investigated by using sorted sediment from natural turbidites. Taking advantage of the magnetic grain size distribution within turbidites, we compared redeposition experiments performed with coarse magnetic grains taken from the bottom layers of a turbidite with fine grains from the upper layers of the same turbidite. In order to document the magnetization acquired for increasing sediment concentrations that is analogous to increasing depth in the sediment column, the samples were frozen at temperatures between −5 and −10 °C. Magnetization acquisition behaved similarly in both situations, so that little smearing of the palaeomagnetic signal should be linked to grain size variability within this context. Other series of experiments were aimed at investigating the influence of lithology. We used clay or carbonated sediments that were combined with magnetic separates from basaltic rocks or with single-domain biogenic magnetite. The experiments revealed that the magnetization responded differently with clay and carbonates. Clay rapidly inhibited alignment of magnetic grains at low concentrations and, therefore, significant magnetization lock-in occurred despite large water contents, perhaps even within the bioturbated layer. Extension of the process over a deeper interval contributes to smear the geomagnetic signal and therefore to alter the palaeomagnetic record. In carbonates, the magnetization was acquired within a narrow window of 45–50 per cent sediment concentration, therefore, little smearing of the geomagnetic signal can be expected. Finally, experiments on carbonate sediments and biogenic magnetite with increasing field intensities indicate that magnetization acquisition is linear with respect to field intensity. Altogether, the results suggest that sediments with dominant carbonate content should be favoured for records of geomagnetic field changes provided that the minor clay fraction does not vary excessively. They confirm the advantage of using cultures of magnetotactic bacteria for redeposition experiments.
Letter to the British Medical Journal
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: April 2017

In this letter to the British Medical Journal on the use of shock treatment for mental disorder, Winnicott states his belief that the course of medical evolution has been interrupted and set back by the treatment of mental disorder by the induction of fits. He believes this treatment is a shortcut to psychotherapy and a way of doing psychiatry without knowing anything about human nature.
Recovery Plan for Laurel Wilt of Avocado, Caused by Raffaelea lauricola
Authors: Ploetz R. C. , Hughes M. A. , Kendra P. E. , Fraedrich S. W. , Carrillo D. , Stelinski L. L. , Hulcr J. , Mayfield A. E. , Dreaden T. J. , Crane J. H. , Evans E. A. , Schaffer B. A. , Rollins J. A.
Published: April 2017

Laurel wilt kills American members of the Lauraceae plant family, including avocado (Persea americana). The disease threatens commercial production in the United States and other countries, and currently impacts the avocado industry in Florida. As laurel wilt spreads, the National Germplasm Repository for avocado in Miami (USDA-ARS) and commercial and residential production in other states (e.g., California and Hawaii), U.S. protectorates (Puerto Rico), and other countries are at risk. In the United States, value-added production of avocado of more than $1.3 billion/year is threatened. This recovery plan was produced as part of the National Plant Disease Recovery System (NPDRS), called for in Homeland Security Presidential Directive Number 9 (HSPD-9) to insure that the tools, infrastructure, communication networks, and capacity required to mitigate the impact of high-consequence plant disease outbreaks are such that a reasonable level of crop production is maintained. It is intended to provide a brief primer on the disease, assess the status of critical recovery components, and identify disease management research, extension, and education needs.
Caring for military families
Authors: Owen Regina , Combs Teresa
Published: April 2017

Military families are often faced with unique stressors that civilian families do not have to deal with, such as deployment, geographic separation, and frequent relocation. When an NP is providing care for a military family, it is important that these unique stressors are discussed and understood. NPs can employ the Causal Uncertainty Model to encourage effortful cognition and support family attributes to ameliorate the negative effects of the stressors these families may face.
Outstanding animal studies in allergy II. From atopic barrier and microbiome to allergen-specific immunotherapy
Authors: Jensen-Jarolim Erika , Pali-Schöll Isabella , Roth-Walter Franziska
Published: April 2017

Purpose of review

Animal studies published within the past 18 months were assessed, focusing on innate and specific immunomodulation, providing knowledge of high translational relevance for human atopic and allergic diseases.

Recent findings

Allergic companion animals represent alternative models, but most studies were done in mice. Atopic dermatitis mouse models were refined by the utilization of cytokines like IL-23 and relevant skin allergens or enzymes. A novel IL-6 reporter mouse allows biomonitoring of inflammation. Both skin pH and the (transferable) microflora have a pivotal role in modulating the skin barrier. The microflora of the gastrointestinal mucosa maintains tolerance to dietary compounds and can be disturbed by antiacid drugs. A key mouse study evidenced that dust from Amish households, but not from Hutterites protected mice against asthma. In studies on subcutaneous and sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy, much focus was given on delivery and adjuvants, using poly-lacto-co-glycolic particles, CpGs, probiotics or Vitamin D3. The epicutaneous and intralymphatic routes showed promising results in mice and horses in terms of prophylactic and therapeutic allergy treatment.

In atopic dermatitis, food allergies and asthma, environmental factors, together with the resident microflora and barrier status, decide on sensitization versus tolerance. Also allergen-specific immunotherapy operates with immunomodulatory principles.
From Inputs to Impacts: Assessing and Communicating the Full Value of Biomedical Research
Authors: Bonham Ann C. , Alberti Philip M.
Published: April 2017

Assessing and communicating the full value of biomedical research is essential to answer calls from the government and the public demanding accountability for the spending of public funds. In academic settings, however, research success is measured largely in terms of grant funding received or the number of peer-reviewed publications produced. These credible and time-tested metrics miss the full picture of the scientific process, which continues to confer benefits to patients, communities, and the health care system well after an article is published. In this context, in 2012, the Association of American Medical Colleges, in collaboration with RAND Europe, initiated a program to provide resources and guidance for leaders of medical schools and teaching hospitals interested in evaluating—in novel ways complementary to traditional methods—the outcomes and impacts of the research that emanates from their institutions. This Perspective provides context for this initiative and delineates the process through which researchers, evaluation experts, and other stakeholders—including legislators, health system leaders, and community members—identified and vetted novel “metrics that matter” in advance of a pilot test at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, which sought to assess and communicate its community-engaged science and scholarship.
Tobacco Use Disorder Among Patients With Smoking-related Chronic Medical Disease: Association With Comorbid Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Manhapra Ajay , Rosenheck Robert
Published: April 2017

Introduction:

Very little is known of the behavioral vulnerabilities of patients diagnosed with smoking-related chronic medical illness who continue to smoke, potentially worsening morbidity and mortality risks. This study explores the association of tobacco use disorder (TUD) among those with smoking-related chronic medical illnesses with other substance use disorders (SUDs) and risk factors.

Methods:

Among veterans with smoking-related chronic medical illnesses identified from the National Veterans Health Administration administrative records from fiscal year 2012, we compared the characteristics of those with a diagnosis of TUD (International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition code 305.xx; n = 519,918), and those without such a diagnosis (n = 2,691,840). Using multiple logistic regression, we further explored the independent association of factors associated with TUD.

Results:

SUD prevalence was markedly higher among those with TUD (24.9% vs 5.44%), including alcohol use disorder (20.4% vs 4.3%) and drug use disorder (13.5% vs 2.6%), compared with nonsmokers. On multiple logistic regression analyses, alcohol use disorder (odds ratio [OR] 2.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.90–2.97) and drug use disorder (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.94–1.99) were independently associated with current TUD diagnosis. Having any single SUD was associated with considerably high odds of having TUD (OR 3.32, 95% CI 3.29–2.36), and having multiple SUDs with even further increased risk (OR 4.09, 95% CI 4.02–4.16).

Conclusions:

A substantial proportion of people with TUD diagnosis despite concurrent smoking-related medical illnesses are also likely to have other comorbid SUDs, complicating efforts at smoking cessation, and requiring a broader approach than standard nicotine-dependence interventions.
Reduction in N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor-mediated Cell Death in Hippocampal Neurons by Glucose Reduction Preconditioning
Authors: Yang Ning , Gabatto Pablo , Bickler Philip E.
Published: April 2017

Background:

Repeated episodes of reduced glucose availability can precondition the brain against damage caused by severe hypoglycemia. Because N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation may contribute to neuronal loss in the hippocampus following glucose deprivation, we tested the hypothesis that preconditioning with reduced glucose decreased NMDA receptor-mediated cell death in hippocampal neurons.

Methods:

Hippocampal slice cultures from 7-day old rats were used to study glucose reduction preconditioning and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated cell death. Preconditioning involved reductions in glucose to the following levels: 0.1 mM, 0.5, or 1.0 mM for 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 90 minutes on 3 consecutive days. Cell death following 1-hour total glucose deprivation was measured with a vital dye technique (SYTOX fluorescence). As an index of NMDAR activity, cell death following application of 1 mM NMDA, was also measured.

Results:

A preconditioning protocol of 30 minutes of 0.1 mM glucose per day for 3 days reduced cell death following 1-hour total glucose by 65% to 70%, depending on cellular region. No reduction in NMDAR-mediated cell death was seen following any of the preconditioning treatments. However, when NMDAR-mediated cell death was assessed following preconditioning combined with subsequent total glucose deprivation, cell death was reduced in the cultures that had been preconditioned with 0.1 mM glucose for 30 minutes×3 days.

Conclusions:

We found that that glucose reduction preconditioning protects hippocampal neurons against severe glucose deprivation-induced neuronal damage. This preconditioning was not associated with reductions in NMDAR-mediated cell death except when the preconditioning was combined with an additional exposure to a period of total glucose deprivation.
The gut microbiota: a possible factor influencing systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Neuman Hadar , Koren Omry
Published: April 2017

Purpose of review

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause. In recent years, with the emergence of microbiome research, changes in the gut microbiota composition have been correlated with a variety of autoimmune disorders, and several mechanisms linking these together have been suggested, including the hygiene theory, immune system activation and hormonal effects. It has therefore been suggested that gut microbiota may play a role in SLE. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the SLE-related microbiota compositions in both humans and rodents. Evidence linking microbiome with SLE opens a new avenue in researching the cause of SLE as well as improved future treatments.

Recent findings

Although two studies found a lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in SLE patients vs. controls, there were inconsistencies regarding significant differences in the abundance of specific genera or species. Studies of mouse disease models have shown some correlations between microbial compositions and disease states, also indicating differences between males and females.

Current data support an association between microbiota composition and SLE. Further research is needed to fully unravel this connection, potentially shedding light on mechanisms in SLE development and on the female bias of the disease, improving diagnosis and treatment.
Vitamin D and tibiofemoral joint orientation angles in children
Authors: Alkhatib Nedal , Bouri Fadi , Hegazy Abdelsalam , Ibrahim Talal
Published: April 2017

Vitamin D is an important component in musculoskeletal development and function in children. The aim of our study was to investigate serum vitamin D levels and tibiofemoral joint orientation angles in children. We performed a retrospective review on a consecutive series of children presenting with lower limb complaints. The children underwent an assessment of serum vitamin D level and full-length standing lower limb anteroposterior radiographs, and were divided into normal and deficient vitamin D groups. Tibiofemoral angles (TFAs) [lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA); medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA)] were measured by three independent observers and compared between the groups. Correlation tests between serum vitamin D level and TFAs were also performed. Sixty (39 boys, 21 girls) children were reviewed. The mean serum vitamin D level for the entire group was 26.8 ng/ml and 75% of the children were deficient. The mean serum vitamin D levels in the normal (11 boys, four girls) and deficient (28 boys, 17 girls) groups were 46.7 ng/ml (range: 32–100) and 20.2 ng/ml (range: 4–29), respectively. The mean right and left LDFAs were significantly higher in the normal compared to the deficient vitamin D group (right LDFA: 98.7° vs. 92.2°, P=0.031; left LDFA: 99.1° vs. 92.6°, P=0.018). We also found a correlation between serum vitamin D level and LDFAs (right ρ=0.29, P=0.03; left ρ=0.30, P=0.02). We found no difference in the right and left MPTAs in the normal and deficient vitamin D groups. In addition, we could not find a correlation between serum vitamin D level and MPTAs. The majority of children were vitamin D deficient. Serum vitamin D level was associated with a change and correlation to the LDFAs compared to MPTAs. Further work is required to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on TFAs in children.
Bilateral avascular necrosis of the femoral head following asynchronous postictal femoral neck fractures: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Venkatadass K. , Avinash M. , Rajasekaran S.
Published: April 2017

Bilateral avascular necrosis (AVN) following postictal bilateral fracture neck of the femur is a rare occurrence. Here, we report a case of bilateral AVN of the femoral head following an asynchronous bilateral postictal fracture neck of the femur. A 16-year-old autistic boy presented with left hip pain following an episode of seizures and radiographs showed Delbet type II fracture neck of the left femur. This was treated by closed reduction and cancellous screw fixation and skeletal traction for 6 weeks. At 3 months, follow-up radiograph showed union of the fracture, but he had developed segmental AVN with collapse of the head. At 8 months, the patient presented with pain in the right hip following another episode of seizures and radiograph of the pelvis showed a fresh Delbet type II fracture neck of the right femur with established AVN of the left femoral head. He underwent closed reduction and cancellous screw fixation of the right hip and implant exit of the left hip. At the 6-month follow-up after this surgery, his radiograph of the pelvis showed AVN with collapse and extrusion of the femoral head on the right side as well. Literature review shows an increased risk of fracture neck of the femur among epileptics. The incidence of AVN is maximum in Delbet type I, followed by Delbet type II and type III in that order. Although there are no clear guidelines on the management of post-traumatic AVN of the femoral head, the majority have reported that most of them will eventually develop arthritis and will require total hip replacement at a later date. Upon extensive literature search, no case report of bilateral fracture neck of the femur with bilateral AVN was found and hence this case was reported.
Genetic polymorphisms in TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR10 of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis: a prospective cross-sectional study in Thailand
Authors: Tongtawee Taweesak , Bartpho Theeraya , Kaewpitoon Soraya , Kaewpitoon Natthawut , Dechsukhum Chavaboon , Leeanansaksiri Wilairat , Loyd Ryan A. , Talabnin Krajang , Matrakool Likit , Panpimanmas Sukij
Published: April 2017

The toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediate the recognition of Helicobacter pylori and initiate the innate immune response to infection. We hypothesized those genetic polymorphisms in the TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR10 influence bacterial infection, affecting susceptibility H. pylori to disease outcomes. Genomic DNA was extracted and genotypes of TLR1 (rs4833095), TLR2 (rs3804099 and rs3804100), TLR4
(rs10759932), and TLR10 (rs10004195) polymorphism were detected by the TagMan single-nucleotide epolymorphisms genotyping assay using the real-time PCR hybridization probe method. The TLR1 (rs4833095), C allele and the TLR10 (rs10004195), A allele frequency was significantly increased risk in the H. pylori infection group (odds ratio=1.76, 95% confidence interval=1.84–2.15, P=0.01 and odds ratio=1.81, 95% confidence interval=1.18–3.26, P=0.04, respectively). The TLR1 (rs4833095), C allele and TLR10 (rs10004195), A allele are susceptible TLRs polymorphisms in the Thai population. These findings suggest that TLR1 rs4833095
and TLR10 rs10004195
may play crucial roles in H. pylori susceptibility and gastric pathogenesis.
Are smokers less likely to seek preventive healthcare measures in Italy?
Authors: Carreras Giulia , Iannucci Laura , Costa Giuseppe , Chellini Elisabetta , Gorini Giuseppe
Published: April 2017

Smoking cessation is the key cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention action for smokers; however, smokers can still benefit from earlier diagnosis. This study aims to investigate behaviours towards cancer and CVD prevention by smoking habits in Italy. The study relies on data from a large Italian population-based survey carried out in 2013 on a sample of 119 073 individuals. We studied the relationship between smoking habits and the participation in cancer (cervical, breast and colorectal) screening programmes, or CVD prevention (performing cholesterol, blood pressure and glycaemia exams) using a multilevel logistic regression model. Only 11.4, 40.1 and 8.0% of the subsamples attended cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screening, respectively, whereas CVD prevention registered higher attendance: 83.3, 66.4 and 58.1%, respectively, for cholesterol, blood pressure and glycaemia. Smokers were less likely to undergo Pap smear compared with nonsmokers [odds ratio (OR): 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57–0.87], whereas former smokers showed a higher attendance for breast and colorectal cancer screening (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.14–1.37 for breast, OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.07–1.38 for colorectal cancer). Former smokers were also more likely to perform CVD prevention. Moreover, CVD prevention was inversely related to smoking (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.74–0.96 for cholesterol; OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.79–0.93 for blood pressure; OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.54–0.69 for glycaemia). Particular attention should be paid to involve smokers in prevention checks. Research aimed at understanding smokers’ pessimistic attitudes, which may determine smokers’ prevention avoidance, and at improving smokers’ engagement with prevention is needed and may help increase the reach of supported smoking-cessation programmes.
Active lifestyle patterns reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in the Mecca region, Saudi Arabia: a case–control study
Authors: Alazzeh Awfa Y. , Azzeh Firas S.
Published: April 2017

We carried out a case–control study to investigate the effects of some lifestyle patterns on the occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Parameters included BMI, employment, family income, educational level, family size, exercise, cancer awareness, diabetes, and hypertension. Individuals of both groups (n=164 for control group, n=137 for CRC group) completed a questionnaire with the help of trained dietitians. Results showed that limited cancer awareness was found to increase the risk of CRC [odds ratio (OR)=49.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 11.45–217.9, P<0.001]. There was a linear trend (P-trend<0.001) of low educational level in increasing the risk of CRC. Mainly, illiterate individuals showed the highest risk of developing CRC (OR=116.8, 95% CI: 14.7–927.75, P<0.001). In addition, the results indicated a linear trend (P-trend<0.001) of low family income in increasing the risk of CRC. The highest risk of CRC was shown with family income less than 5000 Saudi riyals (OR=64.38, 95% CI: 12.82–323.28, P<0.001). Other risk factors included a sedentary lifestyle, unemployment, and diabetes. Surprisingly, low BMI was associated with increasing incidence of CRC (OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.88–0.96, P<0.001). However, family size and hypertension had no effect (P>0.05) on the incidence of CRC. Our study emphasizes the effect of active lifestyle patterns and cancer awareness in decreasing the incidence of CRC in the Mecca region.
Ubiquitinated Proteins Isolated From Tumor Cells Are Efficient Substrates for Antigen Cross-Presentation
Authors: Yu Guangjie , Moudgil Tarsem , Cui Zhihua , Mou Yongbin , Wang Lixin , Fox Bernard A. , Hu Hong-Ming
Published: April 2017

We have previously shown that inhibition of the proteasome causes defective ribosomal products to be shunted into autophagosomes and subsequently released from tumor cells as defective ribosomal products in Blebs (DRibbles). These DRibbles serve as an excellent source of antigens for cross-priming of tumor-specific T cells. Here, we examine the role of ubiquitinated proteins (Ub-proteins) in this pathway. Using purified Ub-proteins from tumor cells that express endogenous tumor-associated antigen or exogenous viral antigen, we tested the ability of these proteins to stimulate antigen-specific T-cell responses, by activation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells generated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Compared with total cell lysates, we found that purified Ub-proteins from both a gp100-specific melanoma cell line and from a lung cancer cell line expressing cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen produced a significantly higher level of IFN-γ in gp100- or pp65-specific T cells, respectively. In addition, Ub-proteins from an allogeneic tumor cell line could be used to stimulate tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated and expanded from non–small cell lung cancer patients. These results establish that Ub-proteins provide a relevant source of antigens for cross-priming of antitumor immune responses in a variety of settings, including endogenous melanoma and exogenous viral antigen presentation, as well as antigen-specific tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Thus, ubiquitin can be used as an affinity tag to enrich for unknown tumor-specific antigens from tumor cell lysates to stimulate tumor-specific T cells ex vivo or to be used as vaccines to target short-lived proteins.
Current Practice for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Biopharmaceuticals in Spondyloarthritis
Authors: Medina Frédéric , Plasencia Chamaida , Goupille Philippe , Paintaud Gilles , Balsa Alejandro , Mulleman Denis
Published: April 2017

Treatment of spondyloarthritis (SpA) has greatly improved in the biopharmaceutical era. These compounds, primarily tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, are effective, but some patients may show poor response, sometimes due to the presence of antidrug antibodies (ADAs). In some instances, clinicians may increase or taper the dose, depending on the clinical response. Besides the current clinical practice, a tailored strategy based on drug monitoring is emerging as a way to improve the use of these drugs. However, the relevance of this therapeutic drug monitoring of biopharmaceuticals for SpA is still unknown. In this literature review, we examined the most relevant articles dealing with the concentration–response relation, ADA detection, and pharmacokinetics in SpA treated with biopharmaceuticals. ADAs were associated with low or undetectable concentration of monoclonal antibodies. The relation between drug concentration and clinical response in SpA is debated, some studies showing an association and others not. Therefore, therapeutic drug monitoring of biopharmaceuticals for SpA requires a better understanding of the association among the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity of these drugs.
Penetrating Keratoplasty at a Tertiary Referral Center in Ethiopia: Indications and Outcomes
Authors: Ayalew Menen , Tilahun Yonas , Holsclaw Doug , Indaram Maanasa , Stoller Nicole E. , Keenan Jeremy D. , Rose-Nussbaumer Jennifer
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

To describe the indications, visual acuity outcomes, and graft survival after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods:

The medical records of patients who underwent PKP at Menelik II Hospital between September 2000 and September 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The prespecified outcomes were graft survival, visual acuity, and complication rates.

Results:

A total of 321 patients underwent PKP during the study period and were included in the analysis. Indications for surgery were trachoma or leukoma in 141 (44%), keratoconus in 45 (14%), corneal dystrophy in 46 (14%), pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy in 28 (9%), trauma in 27 (8%), previous graft failure in 18 (6%), active ulcer, burn, or perforation in 9 (3%), and others in 7 (2%). The graft survival rate was 80% overall at 2 years but varied considerably depending on the indication for surgery. Uncorrected visual acuity improved from baseline mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 2.09 (SD 0.67) to mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of 1.53 (SD 1.03) at 2 years. A number of factors affected the visual acuity outcomes. Patients were not routinely refracted, and only 18% (N = 60) of patients had access to corrective spectacles or contact lenses postoperatively. Complication rates were high with infectious keratitis being the most common.

Conclusions:

PKP is becoming a viable treatment for corneal opacity in developing countries. However, the high burden of disease and lack of corrective lenses remain significant obstacles to overcome.
Proposal for a Novel Severity Grading System for Pterygia Based on Corneal Topographic Data
Authors: Miyata Kazunori , Minami Keiichiro , Otani Atsushi , Tokunaga Tadatoshi , Tokuda Shouta , Amano Shiro
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

To propose a grading system of pterygium severity based on corneal higher-order irregularity (HOI) and to evaluate postoperative changes in corneal irregularity of the graded pterygia.

Methods:

In 268 eyes of 226 patients undergoing excision surgery of primary nasal pterygium, Placido corneal topography images were taken before and until 6 months after surgery. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and pterygium size with respect to the corneal diameter were also measured. HOI components within 1.0-, 3.0-, and 5.0-mm diameters were obtained using Fourier harmonic analysis of corneal topography data. With threshold levels when the HOIs for 3 diameters steeply increased, 4 levels of grading from 0 (mild) to 3 (severe) were determined. Associations of the grades with the preoperative surface regularity index (SRI), irregular components (IRRs) obtained from the 3.0-mm diameter Fourier analysis, and BCVA were examined. Time-course changes in the indexes after surgery were evaluated for each grade.

Results:

There were 62, 65, 41, and 100 eyes in grades 0 to 3, respectively. Preoperatively, the SRI in grade 3 was significantly higher than in the other grades (P < 0.001), and the IRR and BCVA varied with the grade (P < 0.001). Between 1 and 6 months postoperatively, grade 3 pterygia showed significant changes in the SRI and IRR (P = 0.013 and 0.017, respectively), whereas there was no change after 3 months postoperatively in the SRI, IRR, and BCVA for all other grades.

Conclusions:

The proposed grading effectively classified the severity of pterygia and evaluated postoperative restoration of corneal irregularity. Using corneal topographic data allowed for objective evaluation of pterygium severity.
Ocular Surface Parameters Predicting Patient Satisfaction After a Single Vectored Thermal Pulsation Procedure for Management of Symptomatic Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Authors: Gibbons Allister , Waren Daniel , Yesilirmak Nilufer , Davis Kendra , Valenzuela Felipe , Murillo Juan C. , Perez Victor L.
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the ocular surface parameters that could predict patient satisfaction after single application of vectored thermal pulsation (VTP).

Methods:

This is a retrospective interventional case series; it included consecutive patients who underwent bilateral VTP for management of symptomatic meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Patients received a full ocular surface evaluation. The outcome was patient subjective improvement during the first 3–4 months after 3 follow-up visits. For analysis, patients were divided into responders and nonresponders.

Results:

Forty-nine patients received bilateral treatment, with 32 patients (65.3%) reporting subjective improvement after treatment. Responders had lower tear production (6.9 ± 5.9 mm vs. 13.6 ± 6.8 mm; t test P = 0.002), a higher corneal staining score (4.4 ± 5.0 vs. 0.43 ± 1.1; t test P = 0.003), and a higher conjunctival staining score (3.1 ± 2.4 vs. 1.5 ± 1.8; t test P = 0.023) and presented with a higher tear osmolarity (319.7 ± 23.22 mOsm/L vs. 306.9 ± 9.0 mOsm/L; t test P = 0.029) than the nonresponder group. We found no association between patient age, tear breakup time, Ocular Surface Disease Index score, tear lipid layer thickness, or MGD grading score, as measured before intervention, with patient-perceived success of treatment. No complications to treatment were noted, and no patient reported worsening of preexisting symptoms on follow-up.

Conclusions:

VTP can be effective in treating dry eye symptoms of patients with MGD. Our data show that objective findings of dry eye, as evidenced by lower tear production, higher corneal and conjunctival staining scores, and higher osmolarity, tend to be markers present in the group of patients responding positively to VTP.
Evaluation of Angle Closure as a Risk Factor for Reduced Corneal Endothelial Cell Density
Authors: Varadaraj Varshini , Sengupta Sabyasachi , Palaniswamy Krishnamurthy , Srinivasan Kavitha , Kader Mohideen A. , Raman Ganesh , Reddy Sharmila , Ramulu Pradeep Y. , Venkatesh Rengaraj
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

Acute angle closure attacks are frequently accompanied by corneal edema. However, little is known about corneal endothelial cell status at different stages of angle closure. Here, we compared endothelial cell density (ECD) in unoperated eyes with that in eyes with open angles (OAs) and various stages of angle closure disease.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted at Aravind Eye Hospitals in India. Masked examiners performed gonioscopy to classify each eye as follows: (1) OA, (2) primary angle closure suspect, or (3) primary angle closure (PAC)/primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). Specular microscopy was performed and differences in ECD were analyzed using hierarchical models.

Results:

A total of 407 patients and 814 eyes were studied, including 127 (15.6%), 466 (57.3%), and 221 (27.1%) with PAC/PACG, primary angle closure suspect, and OA, respectively. Participants were predominantly female (69.8%) and the mean age was 49.2 (SD: 8.6) years. Lower ECD was observed with increasing age [β=−6.3 cells/mm2; 95% confidence interval (CI), −9.3 to −3.3, per year; P<0.001], greater iridotrabecular contact [β=−15.6 cells/mm2; 95% CI, −28.3 to −2.9, per quadrant of contact; P=0.016), and shallow (<2.5 mm) anterior chamber depth (β=−40 cells/mm2; compared to deeper AC's (≥2.5 mm), 95% CI, 78.9-1.1; P=0.044). In age-adjusted analyses, angle closure suspects had lower ECD than OA eyes (β=−54.7 cells/mm2; 95% CI, −47.8 to −85.3; P=0.018), although PAC/PACG eyes were not significantly different from OA eyes (β=−18.6 cells/mm2; 95% CI, −85.9 to 2.5; P=0.058).

Conclusion:

In untreated eyes, only mild, clinically insignificant decrement in ECD was noted with angle closure.
In Vivo Effects of Retrobulbar Bimatoprost Injection on Orbital Fat
Authors: Eftekhari Kian , Vagefi M. Reza , Lee Vivian , Hui James Z. , Zhu Menglong , Dine Kimberly , Anderson Richard L. , Koeberlein Brigitte , Sulaimankutty Reas , Shindler Kenneth S.
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

Recent publications have reported the adverse effects of prostaglandin analogues on the periocular tissues. These medications may cause periorbital lipodystrophy, enophthalmos, and deepening of the superior sulcus deformity. While these effects may have adverse consequences for some patients, the atrophy of the periorbital fat may have a useful role in diseases that lead to orbital and periorbital fat hypertrophy such as thyroid eye disease. In this pilot study, the authors investigated the effects of retrobulbar bimatoprost injection on the intraocular pressure and orbital fat in a rat animal model.

Methods:

Three rats were sedated and intraocular pressure was measured. A 0.1 ml aliquot of bimatoprost was injected into the right orbit of all rats. In the left orbit, 0.1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline was injected as a control. Three weeks later, all rats were sedated and intraocular pressure was measured before euthanizing. Routine histologic staining was performed and thin sections through the intraconal orbital fat were obtained. Density of intraconal adipocytes was measured and adipocyte heterogeneity was determined using a computer image analysis algorithm.

Results:

The specimens injected with bimatoprost demonstrated atrophy of orbital fat with significantly increased adipocyte density (p = 0.009) and heterogeneity (p = 0.008) when compared with control. Intraocular pressure was not significantly decreased at 3 weeks after injection of retrobulbar bimatoprost.

Conclusions:

In this pilot study, orbital injection of bimatoprost demonstrated atrophy of intraconal adipocytes when compared with control orbits injected with saline. The orbits injected with bimatoprost were noted to have smaller, more heterogeneous adipocytes that were densely packed in the intraconal space. The study limitations include the small sample size, which limited the ability for us to make conclusions about the effect on intraocular pressure. Nevertheless, the findings presented suggest that retrobulbar bimatoprost may present a nonsurgical alternative to induce atrophy of the orbital fat without inducing inflammation or hypotony.