bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Awake Flexible Fiberoptic Laryngoscopy to diagnose glossoptosis in Robin Sequence patients
Authors: Basart H. , König A.M. , Bretschneider J.H. , Hoekstra C.E.L. , Oomen K.P.Q. , Pullens B. , Rinkel R.N.P.M. , van Gogh C.D.L. , van der Horst C.M.A.M. , Hennekam R.C.
Published: October 2015

Background

Robin Sequence (RS) is usually defined as the combination of micrognathia, glossoptosis and upper airway obstruction. No objective criteria to diagnose RS exist. To compare management strategy results, a single RS definition using objective criteria is needed. The most frequently used primary diagnostic tool for glossoptosis is awake Flexible Fiberoptic Laryngoscopy (aFFL).

Objectives

To determine the reliability of the aFFL videos as an independent diagnostic tool itself, rather than on the complete evaluation of a patient.

Design, setting, participants

All RS individuals from an existing cohort with an available aFFL video were included retrospectively. Thirty age‐matched patients without pathologic findings on aFFL were used as controls. aFFL videos were scored by six otolaryngologists as: a. Marked glossoptosis, b. Mild glossoptosis, c. Severity unknown, d. No glossoptosis, e. Insufficient video quality. Videos were anonymised and rated twice, in altered sequences, after a washout period of minimally 2 weeks.

Main outcome measures

Inter‐rater and intrarater agreement.

Results

Twenty‐six videos of 16 RS patients and 30 videos of controls were included. Inter‐rater agreement was fair in the whole group (κ: 0.320) and RS group (κ: 0.226), and fair to moderate in determining presence of glossoptosis (total group κ: 0.430; RS κ: 0.302; controls κ: 0.212). The intrarater agreement for the presence of glossoptosis in RS was moderate (κ: 0.541).

Conclusions

aFFL offers fair to moderate inter‐rater agreement, with moderate intrarater agreement, in evaluating glossoptosis in RS. Using aFFL as the single tool in choosing management strategies in RS seems insufficient. There is need for a more reliable, patient friendly diagnostic tool or an internationally accepted aFFL scoring system, to diagnose glossoptosis in RS.
AMG 151 (ARRY‐403), a novel glucokinase activator, decreases fasting and postprandial glycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Katz L. , Manamley N. , Snyder W. J. , Dodds M. , Agafonova N. , Sierra‐Johnson J. , Cruz M. , Kaur P. , Mudaliar S. , Raskin P. , Kewalramani R. , Pellacani A.
Published: October 2015

Phase I studies have shown that AMG 151 activates glucokinase, a key enzyme in glucose homeostasis. The present randomized, placebo‐controlled phase IIa study evaluated the dose–effect relationship of the glucokinase activator AMG 151 relative to placebo on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in 236 patients (33–35 patients per arm) with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin. Patients received oral AMG 151 at 50, 100 or 200 mg twice daily, AMG 151 at 100, 200 or 400 mg once daily or matching placebo for 28 days. A significant linear dose–effect trend was observed with the twice‐daily regimen (p = 0.004) for change in FPG to day 28. No trend was observed with the once‐daily regimen. A higher incidence of hypoglycaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia was observed with AMG 151 administration. AMG 151 significantly reduced FPG when administered twice daily but not when administered once daily in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin.
Fooled by Our Perceptions
Authors: Fatehi Kamal
Published: October 2015

Many people enjoy watching magicians perform magic acts and seemingly do the impossible. In many of these acts, magicians use sleight of hand, trickery, and special tools. There are, however, other occasions in which audience perceptions are used to make them see things differently. This exploits people's tendencies to see things based on their expectations and prior experience. One of these is perceptual readiness, the tendency for people to see what they expect or want to see. This article describes an exercise that illustrates that perceptions can be misleading.
Student Learning and Performance in Information Systems Courses: The Role of Academic Motivation
Authors: Herath Tejaswini C.
Published: October 2015

Despite the need for information technology knowledge in the business world today, enrollments in information systems (IS) courses have been consistently declining. Student performance in lower level IS courses and student assumptions about the level of difficulty of the courses seem to be reasons for lower enrollments. To understand how student motivation may explain learning outcomes in introductory IS courses, this study investigates the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic academic motivations as framed by self‐determination theory on two measures of learning outcomes: (1) student self‐reported measures of learning and (2) actual grades obtained in courses and course components. Using 269 student responses collected in a second‐year undergraduate core course and a first‐year MBA core course, both of which are offered in a traditional face‐to‐face classroom environment, study hypotheses are analyzed. Results indicate that the motivational model explains both the affective and cognitive perceptions of learning held by students. In examining overall grades and grades in course components, the motivational model, however, was unable to sufficiently explain student performance. Data also indicate that there are significant differences between undergraduate and graduate students in terms of their motivation and learning outcomes.
Sublethal effects of Bt toxin and chlorpyrifos on various Spodoptera exigua populations
Authors: Su Hong‐Hua , Jiang Li‐Li , Wang Hai‐Tao , Yang Ting‐Zhang , Harvey‐Samuel Tim , Zhou Qiu‐Xia , Lü Yao‐Bin , Yang Yi‐Zhong
Published: October 2015

Bt cotton (Cry1Ac) has been commercially grown in China since 1997, saving China's cotton production from attack by Bt‐target pests and also tremendously reducing pesticide usage. In recent years, however, Bt cotton, with 4.2 million ha of cultivation, has suffered from a secondary target pest, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In China, growers have even had to re‐adopt conventional pesticides to control the pest, and this practice has already caused serious pesticide residue. In order to clarify the sublethal effects of chemical pesticide, the responses of a Bt‐susceptible and a Bt‐tolerant (Bt10) S. exigua strain to three treatment combinations were examined, including Bt toxin, sublethal chlorpyrifos, and Bt + sublethal chlorpyrifos. The susceptible and the Bt10 strain responded differently to dual pressure. Bt toxin + sublethal chlorpyrifos treatment lowered larval mortality and stimulated population increase of the susceptible S. exigua, whereas it delayed growth and development of the Bt10 strain. Under dual pressure, although larvae of the Bt10 strain developed faster than larvae of the susceptible strain, the Bt10 population experienced higher larval mortality, prolonged pupal duration, decreased pupal weight, decreased emergence rate, and shortened adult longevity. Compared with the susceptible strain, the Bt10 strain was deleteriously affected by sublethal chlorpyrifos. The Bt‐tolerant/resistant S. exigua population was more vulnerable to chemical pesticides like chlorpyrifos regardless of whether it was exposed to Bt toxin or not. Our study provides a reference for increasing the efficacy of control of S. exigua in Bt‐cotton planting areas.
The effects of phylogenetic relatedness on invasion success and impact: deconstructing Darwin's naturalisation conundrum
Authors: Li Shao‐peng , Cadotte Marc W. , Meiners Scott J. , Hua Zheng‐shuang , Shu Hao‐yue , Li Jin‐tian , Shu Wen‐sheng
Published: October 2015

Darwin's naturalisation conundrum describes the paradox that the relatedness of exotic species to native residents could either promote or hinder their success through opposing mechanisms: niche pre‐adaptation or competitive interactions. Previous studies focusing on single snapshots of invasion patterns have provided support to both sides of the conundrum. Here, by examining invasion dynamics of 480 plots over 40 years, we show that exotic species more closely related to native species were more likely to enter, establish and dominate the resident communities, and that native residents more closely related to these successful exotics were more likely to go locally extinct. Therefore, non‐random displacement of natives during invasion could weaken or even reverse the negative effects of exotic–native phylogenetic distances on invasion success. The scenario that exotics more closely related to native residents are more successful, but tend to eliminate their closely related natives, may help to reconcile the 150‐year‐old conundrum.
Traumatic brain injury in Africa in 2050: a modeling study
Authors: Wong J. C. , Linn K. A. , Shinohara R. T. , Mateen F. J.
Published: October 2015

Background and purpose

Our aim was to provide estimates of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2050 for the African population by region, sex and age strata.

Methods

A literature search was performed in October 2014 in PubMed for population‐based studies of TBI in different geographical locations. Articles were selected from Kenya (model 1), New Zealand (model 2) and the USA (model 3). In model 1, rates of road traffic injury in Kenya were used to estimate TBI rates in the African continent. Models 2 and 3 used existing TBI incidence estimates from other locations to estimate the burden of TBI for Africa in 2050. The 2050 African population, as projected by the United Nations, was used as a base population.

Results

Based on rates from model 1, the estimated total TBI count in Africa in 2050 is 5.98 ± 0.03 million, with the highest count in eastern (2.04 ± 0.01 million) and lowest count in southern (0.15 ± 0.00 million) Africa. A higher TBI count is predicted by models 2 (14.25 ± 0.75 million) and 3 (10.40 ± 0.02 million). Estimated TBI count is highest for males aged 15–34 (5.47 ± 0.55 million in model 2 and 3.21 ± 0.13 million in model 3).

Conclusions

Projected estimates of TBI in Africa are high, with a burden of anywhere between approximately 6 and 14 million new cases in 2050. This emphasizes the importance of developing accurate surveillance systems of TBI at a population level and public health measures to mitigate the risk and burden of TBI.
Selection on oxidative phosphorylation and ribosomal structure as a multigenerational response to ocean acidification in the common copepod Pseudocalanus acuspes
Authors: De Wit Pierre , Dupont Sam , Thor Peter
Published: October 2015

Ocean acidification is expected to have dramatic impacts on oceanic ecosystems, yet surprisingly few studies currently examine long‐term adaptive and plastic responses of marine invertebrates to pCO2 stress. Here, we exposed populations of the common copepod Pseudocalanus acuspes to three pCO2 regimes (400, 900, and 1550 μatm) for two generations, after which we conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment. A de novo transcriptome was assembled, annotated, and gene expression data revealed that genes involved in RNA transcription were strongly down‐regulated in populations with long‐term exposure to a high pCO2 environment, even after transplantation back to control levels. In addition, 747 000 SNPs were identified, out of which 1513 showed consistent changes in nucleotide frequency between replicates of control and high pCO2 populations. Functions involving RNA transcription and ribosomal function, as well as ion transport and oxidative phosphorylation, were highly overrepresented. We thus conclude that pCO2 stress appears to impose selection in copepods on RNA synthesis and translation, possibly modulated by helicase expression. Using a physiological hypothesis‐testing strategy to mine gene expression data, we herein increase the power to detect cellular targets of ocean acidification. This novel approach seems promising for future studies of effects of environmental changes in ecologically important nonmodel organisms.
An anatomical study of the dorsal and ventral nasal conchal bullae in normal horses: Computed tomographic anatomical and morphometric findings
Authors: Liuti T. , Reardon R. , Smith S. , Dixon P. M.
Published: October 2015

Reasons for performing study

Infection of the dorsal nasal conchal bulla and ventral nasal conchal bulla has recently been shown to cause clinical disease in horses, but the anatomy of these 2 structures is poorly documented.

Objectives

To describe the anatomical features, dimensions and relationships to adjacent structures of the dorsal conchal bulla and ventra conchal bulla in normal horses using computed tomography (CT).

Study design

Descriptive imaging study using cadavers.

Methods

Computed tomographic images acquired from 60 equine cadaver heads that were shown to be free of sinonasal disease were categorised into 3 age groups (0–5; 6–15; >16 years old). Linear and volumetric measurements and descriptive anatomical assessments of the dorsal conchal bulla and ventral conchal bulla were produced from these CT images and the anatomical relationships between the dorsal conchal bulla and ventral conchal bulla and the adjacent structures, particularly the maxillary cheek teeth, were examined. The associations between bullae dimensions with horse ages and skull dimensions were assessed using linear regression.

Results

Mean (range) dorsal conchal bulla measurements were: length 7.5 cm (4.6–14), width 1.9 cm (1.3–2.5), height 2.8 cm (1.8–4), volume 24 cm3 (5.9–50.5). Mean ventral conchal bulla measurements were: length 5.7 cm (2.5–8.5), width 1.6 cm (0.7–2.9), height 2.4 cm (0.8–3.7), volume 15 cm3 (0.4–30). In both dorsal conchal bulla and ventral conchal bulla, there were significant differences in sizes between the different age groups (smaller in younger animals). In the ventral conchal bulla, this was probably related to protrusion of the large dental alveoli of younger horses into the lateral nasal cavity. Measures of bullae size and volume were significantly associated with head size. The anatomical positions (rostro‐caudal boundaries) of the dorsal conchal bulla and ventral conchal bulla were closely associated with specific maxillary cheek teeth.

Conclusions

Computed tomography was a useful technique to establish the linear and volumetric dimensions of the nasal conchal bullae in normal horses. Both dorsal conchal bulla and ventral conchal bulla sizes increased with animal age. Relatively consistent anatomical relationships were shown between the rostral and caudal limits of the bullae and certain maxillary cheek teeth, which would be of diagnostic value with conventional radiography and act as landmarks in the surgical treatment of nasal bulla disease.
The possible interaction between periostin expressed by cancer stroma and tumor‐associated macrophages in developing mycosis fungoides
Authors: Furudate Sadanori , Fujimura Taku , Kakizaki Aya , Kambayashi Yumi , Asano Masayuki , Watabe Akiko , Aiba Setsuya
Published: October 2015

Mycosis fungoides (MF) starts as an indolent disease, progresses from a patch stage to confluent plaques and ultimately develops skin tumors. Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) play roles in maintaining the tumor microenvironment in MF. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the involvement of TAMs in the lesional skin of different stages of MF. First, we immunohistologically examined the percentage of CD163+ macrophages and CD206+ cells, as well as the levels of periostin and IL‐4 in cancer stroma. The percentage of CD206+ cells increased in parallel with tumor progression, while there was no significant difference in the percentage of CD163+ cells. Periostin was prominent in the stromal area at the patch and plaque stages but decreased at the tumor stage. In contrast, IL‐4 was prominently stained at both plaque and tumor stages. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the effects of these stromal factors on TAMs, we examined their effects on mRNA expression in monocyte‐derived macrophages in vitro. Based on microarray analysis and gene ontology, we examined a series of chemokines and MMPs whose expression was strongly connected with periostin stimulation. The DNA microarray results were verified in M2 macrophages using real‐time PCR. We further examined the mRNA expression of these chemokines and MMPs in the presence of periostin and IL‐4 to simulate the advanced stages of MF and validated their protein expression by ELISA. Our present report suggests possible roles of periostin on TAMs in establishing the tumor microenvironment in MF.
Iron and iron‐binding ligands as cofactors that limit cyanobacterial biomass across a lake trophic gradient
Authors: Sorichetti Ryan J. , Creed Irena F. , Trick Charles G.
Published: October 2015

The frequency and intensity of cyanobacterial blooms (cyanoblooms) is increasing globally. While cyanoblooms in eutrophic (nutrient‐rich) freshwater lakes are expected to persist and worsen with climate change projections, many of the ‘new’ cyanobloom reports pertain to oligotrophic (nutrient‐poor) freshwater lakes with no prior history of cyanobloom occurrence.

Iron (Fe) is required in nearly all pathways of cyanobacterial macronutrient use, although its precise role in regulating cyanobacterial biomass across a lake trophic gradient is not fully understood.

In all lakes sampled representing a gradient in trophic status from oligotrophic to hypereutrophic (2.2–561.2 μg L−1 total phosphorus), the relative cyanobacterial biomass was highest at low predicted Fe bioavailability in eutrophic Alberta lakes (<1.0 × 10−22 mol L−1) and low Fe concentration in oligotrophic Ontario Lakes (<3.2 μg L−1).

Fe‐binding organic ligands were measured within this range of low bioavailable Fe. Concentrations of ligands with reactive hydroxamate moieties were positively correlated to cyanobacterial biomass in lakes with low Fe bioavailability and supply, suggesting a possible cellular origin (i.e. siderophores) mediated by low Fe.

These findings suggest that Fe serves as a possible cofactor that maintains cyanobacterial biomass across a lake trophic gradient and that cyanobacteria invoke a similar Fe‐scavenging system to overcome Fe limitation in lakes of all trophic states.
In Search of Lost Springs: A Protocol for Locating Active and Inactive Springs
Authors: Fensham R.J. , Silcock J.L. , Powell O. , Habermehl M.A.
Published: October 2015

Groundwater springs are significant landscape features for humans and the biota that occupies their habitat. Many springs become inactive where groundwater exploitation by humans has lowered the water table or artesian pressure. In order to assess this impact, it is important to identify and locate active, and with more difficulty, inactive springs. Using a variety of archival, environmental and field‐based data, this study presents a protocol for the determination of the location and status of springs across the Great Artesian Basin of Australia. This protocol underpins a database of springs, which is not only important for the assessment of spring ecosystems, but also contributes to understand groundwater extraction impacts and hydrogeological processes. The database indicates that 30.0% of discharge (artesian) springs in the Great Artesian Basin are entirely inactive and another 11.8% are partially inactive. For the outcrop (gravity) springs of the Basin, only 1.9% are entirely inactive and 7.4% partially inactive, and for the outcrop springs in the Tertiary sandstone overlying the Basin 30.9% are inactive and 18.2% are partially inactive.
Combining 3D Hydraulic Tomography with Tracer Tests for Improved Transport Characterization
Authors: Sanchez‐León E. , Leven C. , Haslauer C.P. , Cirpka O.A.
Published: October 2015

Hydraulic tomography (HT) is a method for resolving the spatial distribution of hydraulic parameters to some extent, but many details important for solute transport usually remain unresolved. We present a methodology to improve solute transport predictions by combining data from HT with the breakthrough curve (BTC) of a single forced‐gradient tracer test. We estimated the three dimensional (3D) hydraulic‐conductivity field in an alluvial aquifer by inverting tomographic pumping tests performed at the Hydrogeological Research Site Lauswiesen close to Tübingen, Germany, using a regularized pilot‐point method. We compared the estimated parameter field to available profiles of hydraulic‐conductivity variations from direct‐push injection logging (DPIL), and validated the hydraulic‐conductivity field with hydraulic‐head measurements of tests not used in the inversion. After validation, spatially uniform parameters for dual‐domain transport were estimated by fitting tracer data collected during a forced‐gradient tracer test. The dual‐domain assumption was used to parameterize effects of the unresolved heterogeneity of the aquifer and deemed necessary to fit the shape of the BTC using reasonable parameter values. The estimated hydraulic‐conductivity field and transport parameters were subsequently used to successfully predict a second independent tracer test. Our work provides an efficient and practical approach to predict solute transport in heterogeneous aquifers without performing elaborate field tracer tests with a tomographic layout.
Epidemiology of tinea capitis in northeast Iran: a retrospective analysis from 1998 to 2012
Authors: Afshar Parvaneh , Vahedi Lale , Ghasemi Maryam , Mardanshahi Alireza
Published: October 2015

Background

Tinea capitis is a common disease of the pediatric population. This disease typically follows one of several clinical patterns, i.e., scaling, hair loss, and/or inflammatory lesions, which are usually caused predominantly by two dermatophytic genera:MicrosporumandTrichophyton. The aim of this study was to investigate tinea capitis and its etiological agents in Sari city of Mazandaran province, Iran.

Methods

We studied the spectrum of tinea capitis by means of a retrospective analysis involving 1745 patients referred to both the Reference Laboratory of Medical Mycology (RLMM) and Bo Ali Sina Hospital at Sari, Iran (1998–2012). Specimens were assessed by standard mycological techniques based on macroscopic and microscopic morphology.

Results

Among the patients, 480 (27.5%; 61 males and 39% females) were confirmed through a mycological examination. The peak incidence was in the 5–14 years age group. Endothrix (263 cases; 54.8%) was the most frequent clinical feature by direct exam. The predominant causative agents of tinea capitis wereT. tonsurans(186 cases; 38.8%) andT. violaceum(119 cases; 24.8%), followed byT. mentagrophytes(46 cases; 9.6%),T. schoenleinii(28; 5.8%),T. rubrum(20 cases; 4.2%),M. gypseum(15 cases; 3.1%),T. verrucosum(14 cases; 2.9%), and Epidermophyton floccosum (1 cases; 0.2%).

Conclusion

The present study showed that tinea capitis is mainly due to the anthropophilic species, and the most common species wereT. tonsuransandT. violaceum. Owing to the high frequency of anthropophilic species, future studies may be useful in the development of preventive and educational strategies to reduce healthcare expenditure.
Analysis of Water and Hydroxyl Species in Soda Lime Glass Surfaces Using Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR)‐IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Amma Shin‐ichi , Kim Seong H. , Pantano Carlo G.
Published: October 2015

ATR‐IR spectroscopy is a useful and convenient method for evaluation of local structure and concentration of water and hydroxyl species in glass because it can be more surface sensitive than reflection or transmission IR analysis. In this work, a semiquantitative analysis of the ATR spectra of OH groups and interstitial molecular water species in glass surfaces after various surface treatments is presented. Both hydroxyl groups and interstitial molecular water exist in the hydrated surfaces but the relative water speciation varies with surface treatment. The SiOH and H2O species in the glass surface showed a wide range of hydrogen bonding interactions and their distributions varied with the SO2, polishing, acid leaching, thermal tempering, and chemical strengthening treatments. SIMS analysis of the hydrogen concentration — depth profiles for the acid‐leached samples was used to provide independent information to validate and quantify the ATR signal.
Physical Activity Engagement in Young People with Down Syndrome: Investigating Parental Beliefs
Authors: Alesi Marianna , Pepi Annamaria
Published: October 2015

Background

Despite the wide documentation of the physical/psychological benefits derived from regular physical activity (PA), high levels of inactivity are reported among people with Down syndrome.

This study aims to explore parental beliefs concerning involvement, facilitators/barriers and benefits of PA in young people.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 13 parents of young people with Down syndrome.

Results

Three facilitation themes were identified: (i) the support derived from family; (ii) the availability of APA (Adapted Physical Activity) expert instructors and coaches; (iii) the challenging nature of sport activities. Three barrier themes were identified: (i) the lack of APA expert coaches and specialized gyms; (ii) the characteristics of Down syndrome; and (iii) the parental beliefs and worries.

Conclusions

Family plays a key role, as facilitator and barrier, to the participation of their children with Down syndrome in PA. Crucial is the implementation of evidence‐based exercise programmes involving people with Down syndrome and their families.
Improvement in All‐Cause Mortality With Blood Pressure Control in a Group of US Veterans With Drug‐Resistant Hypertension
Authors: Fatemi Omid , Goa Cristobal , Faselis Charles , Kokkinos Peter , Papademetriou Vasilios
Published: October 2015

The current definition of drug‐resistant hypertension includes patients with uncontrolled (URH) (taking ≥3 antihypertensive medications) and controlled hypertension (CRH; blood pressure [BP] ≤140/90 mm Hg) (taking ≥4 medications). The authors hypothesized that all‐cause mortality is reduced when URH is controlled. Qualified patients followed at the Washington DC VA Medical Center were included. BPs were averaged for each year of follow‐up. In 2006, among 2906 patients who met the criteria for drug‐resistant hypertension, 628 had URH. During follow‐up, 234 patients were controlled (group 1) and 394 patients remained uncontrolled (group 2). The mortality rate among patients with URH was 28% (110 of 394) and among patients with CRH was 13% (30 of 234), a 54% reduction (P<.01). Multivariate analysis identified independent predictors of mortality as uncontrolled HTN (hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.67–3.75; P<.01), age (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.04; P<.01), and diabetes (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–2.05; P<.027). The authors conclude that controlling drug‐resistant hypertension markedly reduces all‐cause mortality.
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Phenotype in Childhood‐Onset Essential Hypertension
Authors: Gupta‐Malhotra Monesha , Hashmi Syed Shahrukh , Poffenbarger Tim , McNiece‐Redwine Karen
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) among 89 untreated children with primary hypertension. Clinic hypertension was confirmed by 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring. LV mass (LVM) index was calculated as LVM (g)/height (m)2.7 and LVH was defined as LVM index >95th percentile. Children with (n=32) and without (n=57) LVH were compared. Both obesity and systolic BP were independently associated with LVH, with a higher contribution by body mass index. Obesity contributed significantly, with a nearly nine‐fold increased risk of LVH. There was evidence of effect modification by the presence or absence of obesity on the relationship between systolic BP and LVH, whereby the relationship existed mainly in nonobese rather than obese children. Hence, to achieve reversal of LVH, clinicians should take into account both BP control and weight management.
Stable eusociality via maternal manipulation when resistance is costless
Authors: González‐Forero M.
Published: October 2015

In many eusocial species, queens use pheromones to influence offspring to express worker phenotypes. Although evidence suggests that queen pheromones are honest signals of the queen's reproductive health, here I show that queen's honest signalling can result from ancestral maternal manipulation. I develop a mathematical model to study the coevolution of maternal manipulation, offspring resistance to manipulation and maternal resource allocation. I assume that (i) maternal manipulation causes offspring to be workers against offspring's interests; (ii) offspring can resist at no direct cost, as is thought to be the case with pheromonal manipulation; and (iii) the mother chooses how much resource to allocate to fertility and maternal care. In the coevolution of these traits, I find that maternal care decreases, thereby increasing the benefit that offspring obtain from help, which in the long run eliminates selection for resistance. Consequently, ancestral maternal manipulation yields stable eusociality despite costless resistance. Additionally, ancestral manipulation in the long run becomes honest signalling that induces offspring to help. These results indicate that both eusociality and its commonly associated queen honest signalling can be likely to originate from ancestral manipulation.
Headache attributed to masticatory myofascial pain: impact on facial pain and pressure pain threshold
Authors: Costa Y. M. , Porporatti A. L. , Stuginski‐Barbosa J. , Bonjardim L. R. , Speciali J. G. , Conti P. C. R.
Published: October 2015

There is no clear evidence on how a headache attributed to temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can hinder the improvement of facial pain and masticatory muscle pain. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of a TMD‐attributed headache on masticatory myofascial (MMF) pain management. The sample was comprised of adults with MMF pain measured according to the revised research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) and additionally diagnosed with (Group 1, n = 17) or without (Group 2, n = 20) a TMD‐attributed headache. Both groups received instructions on how to implement behavioural changes and use a stabilisation appliance for 5 months. The reported facial pain intensity (visual analogue scale – VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT – kgf cm−2) of the anterior temporalis, masseter and right forearm were measured at three assessment time points. Two‐way anova was applied to the data, considering a 5% significance level. All groups had a reduction in their reported facial pain intensity (P < 0·001). Mean and standard deviation (SD) PPT values, from 1·33 (0·54) to 1·96 (1·06) kgf cm−2 for the anterior temporalis in Group 1 (P = 0·016), and from 1·27 (0·35) to 1·72 (0·60) kgf cm−2 for the masseter in Group 2 (P = 0·013), had significant improvement considering baseline versus the 5th‐month assessment. However, no differences between the groups were found (P > 0·100). A TMD‐attributed headache in patients with MMF pain does not negatively impact pain management, but does change the pattern for muscle pain improvement.
Copy number increase of oncoprotein CIP2A is associated with poor patient survival in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Routila Johannes , Bilgen Türker , Saramäki Outi , Grénman Reidar , Visakorpi Tapio , Westermarck Jukka , Ventelä Sami
Published: October 2015

Background

CIP2A, an inhibitor of PP2A tumour suppressor function, is a widely overexpressed biomarker of aggressive disease and poor therapy response in multiple human cancer types.

Methods

CIP2A and DPPA4 copy number alterations and expression were analysed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in different cell lines and a tissue microarray of 52 HNSCC patients. Results were correlated with patient survival and other clinicopathological data.

Results

CIP2A and DPPA4 copy number increase occurred at a relatively high frequency in human HNSCC patient samples. CIP2A but not DPPA4 FISH status was significantly associated with patient survival. CIP2A detection by combining IHC with FISH yielded superior resolution in the prognostication of HNSCC.

Conclusions

CIP2A copy number increase is associated with poor patient survival in human HNSCC. We suggest that the reliability and prognostic value of CIP2A detection can be improved by performing FISH analysis to CIP2A IHC positive tumours.
Analysis of the Interobserver Variability in Penile Length Assessment
Authors: Habous M. , Muir G. , Tealab A. , Williamson B. , Elkhouly M. , Elhadek W. , Mahmoud S. , Laban O. , Binsaleh S. , Abdelwahab O. , Mulhall J. P. , Veale D.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Many men seek penile augmentation treatments—a standard tool for their counseling is to inform them of what is “normal.” Although some studies suggest good correlation between stretched and erect penile length, those that have measured stretched and erect length simultaneously have shown significant variability.

Aim

To assess the accuracy of differing penile measurements with multiple observers.

Methods

We recruited 201 adult men (mean age 49.6 years) who achieved full erection using intracavernosal injection.

Main Outcome Measures

Penile measurements were taken by one of seven andrology specialists in a private, temperature-controlled (21°C, 72°F) environment. Stretched flaccid and erect length and circumference were measured. We analyzed the accuracy of each flaccid measurement using the erect measurements as a reference, for the overall patient population and for each observer.

Results

The mean underestimate of length from stretched flaccid to erect was 2.64 cm (21.4%) and girth 2.27 cm (19.5%). Interobserver variability ranged from a mean underestimate of 16–27% (length) and 15–27% (girth).

Conclusions

In this large, multicenter, multi-observer study of penis size, flaccid measurements underestimated erect size. It also seems likely that there is significant interobserver variability. We believe erect penis measurements should be used for men being considered for treatment of small penis anxiety.
Estimating the Sensitivity and Specificity of Real‐Time Quantitative PCR of Fecal Samples for Diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia in Foals
Authors: Shaw S.D. , Cohen N.D. , Chaffin M.K. , Blodgett G.P. , Syndergaard M. , Hurych D.
Published: October 2015

Background

Real‐time, quantitative PCR (qPCR) methods for detecting Rhodococcus equi in feces have been developed as a noninvasive, rapid diagnostic test for R. equi pneumonia, but have not been evaluated in a large population of foals.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of fecal PCR as a diagnostic test for R. equi pneumonia in foals using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methods.

Animals

186 foals born in 2011 at an R. equi‐endemic ranch in Texas.

Methods

Fecal samples were collected at the time of onset of clinical signs for pneumonic foals (n = 31). Foals with pneumonia were matched by age and birth date to healthy (n = 31) and subclinical (n = 124) control foals; fecal samples were collected from these controls. DNA was extracted from feces using commercial kits and concentration of virulent R. equi in feces was determined by qPCR.

Results

Concentration of R. equi in feces differed significantly (P < .05) among groups. The area under the ROC curve for fecal qPCR for diagnosis of R. equi pneumonia was 89% (95% CI, 83–99), with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 72%.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

qPCR of feces can be useful as an alternative to tracheobronchial aspiration for the diagnosis of R. equi in foals with clinical signs of pneumonia. Caution should be used in extrapolating results of this study to other populations because fecal concentration of R. equi might vary by geographic location or management practices.
Anatomical and physiological basis for the allometric scaling of cisplatin clearance in dogs
Authors: Achanta S. , Sewell A. , Ritchey J. W. , Broaddus K. , Bourne D. W. A. , Clarke C. R. , Maxwell L. K.
Published: October 2015

Cisplatin is a platinum‐containing cytotoxic drug indicated for the treatment of solid tumors in veterinary and human patients. Several of the algorithms used to standardize the doses of cytotoxic drugs utilize allometry, or the nonproportional relationships between anatomical and physiological variables, but the underlying basis for these relationships is poorly understood. The objective of this proof of concept study was to determine whether allometric equations explain the relationships between body weight, kidney weight, renal physiology, and clearance of a model, renally cleared anticancer agent in dogs. Postmortem body, kidney, and heart weights were collected from 364 dogs (127 juveniles and 237 adults, including 51 dogs ≥ 8 years of age). Renal physiological and cisplatin pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in ten intact male dogs including two juvenile and eight adult dogs (4–55 kg). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow, effective renal blood flow, renal cisplatin clearance, and total cisplatin clearance were allometrically related to body weight with powers of 0.75, 0.59, 0.61, 0.71, and 0.70, respectively. The similar values of these diverse mass exponents suggest a common underlying basis for the allometry of kidney size, renal physiology, and renal drug handling.
Natural antioxidants for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: molecular targets and clinical perspectives
Authors: Salomone Federico , Godos Justyna , Zelber‐Sagi Shira
Published: October 2015

Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is emerging as a main health problem in industrialized countries. Lifestyle modifications are effective in the treatment of NAFLD; however, the long‐term compliance is low. Therefore, several pharmacological treatments have been proposed but none has shown significant efficacy or long‐term safety. Natural polyphenols are a heterogeneous class of polyphenolic compounds contained in vegetables, which are being proposed for the treatment of different metabolic disorders. Although the beneficial effect of these compounds has traditionally related to their antioxidant properties, they also exert several beneficial effects on hepatic and extra‐hepatic glucose and lipid homeostasis. Furthermore, natural polyphenols exert antifibrogenic and antitumoural effects in animal models, which appear relevant from a clinical point of view because of the association of NASH with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several polyphenols, such anthocyanins, curcumin and resveratrol and those present in coffee, tea, soy are available in the diet and their consumption can be proposed as part of a healthy diet for the treatment of NAFLD. Other phenolic compounds, such as silymarin, are commonly consumed worldwide as nutraceuticals or food supplements. Natural antioxidants are reported to have beneficial effects in preclinical models of NAFLD and in pilot clinical trials, and thus need clinical evaluation. In this review, we summarize the existing evidence regarding the potential role of natural antioxidants in the treatment of NAFLD and examine possible future clinical applications.
Early phylogeny of crinoids within the pelmatozoan clade
Authors: Ausich William I. , Kammer Thomas W. , Rhenberg Elizabeth C. , Wright David F.
Published: October 2015

Phylogenetic relationships among early crinoids are evaluated by maximizing parsimonious‐informative characters that are unordered and unweighted. Primarily Tremadocian–Darriwilian (Early–Middle Ordovician) taxa are analysed. Stratigraphic congruence metrics support the best phylogenetic hypothesis derived using parsimony methods. This study confirms the traditionally recognized lineages of Palaeozoic crinoids and provides new information on the branching order of evolving lineages. Camerates are basal crinoids with progressively more tipward groups (from an Ordovician perspective) being protocrinoids, cladids (paraphyletic), hybocrinids and disparids. The Protocrinoida should be maintained, but the Aethocrinida should be placed within the Cladida. The results of this study identify phylogenetic structure amongst the major early crinoid lineages and delineate the relative positions of crinoid higher taxa along a tree. Each valid higher taxon discussed herein requires a comprehensive treatment to delimit within‐lineage phylogenetic relationships.
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus differentially influences plant defence responses to a vector and a non‐vector herbivore
Authors: Su Qi , Mescher Mark C. , Wang Shaoli , Chen Gong , Xie Wen , Wu Qingjun , Wang Wenkai , Zhang Youjun
Published: October 2015

Plants frequently engage in simultaneous interactions with diverse classes of biotic antagonists. Differential induction of plant defence pathways by these antagonists, and interactions between pathways, can have important ecological implications; however, these effects are currently not well understood. We explored how Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) influenced the performance of its vector (Bemisia tabaci) and a non‐vector herbivore (Tetranychus urticae) occurring separately or together on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum). TYLCV enhanced the performance of B. tabaci, although this effect was statistically significant only in the absence of T. urticae, which adversely affected B. tabaci performance regardless of infection status. In contrast, the performance of T. urticae was enhanced (only) by the combined presence of TYLCV and B. tabaci. Analyses of phytohormone levels and defence gene expression in wild‐type tomatoes and various plant‐defence mutants indicate that the enhancement of herbivore performance (for each species) entails the disruption of downstream defences in the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway. For T. urticae, this disruption appears to involve antagonistic effects of salicylic acid (SA), which is cumulatively induced to high levels by B. tabaci and TYLCV. In contrast, TYLCV was found to suppress JA‐mediated responses to B. tabaci via mechanisms independent of SA.
Champions, Converts, Doubters, and Defectors: The Impact of Shifting Perceptions on Momentum for Change
Authors: Jansen Karen J. , Shipp Abbie J. , Michael Judd H.
Published: October 2015

Maintaining momentum is a key influence on the ultimate success of large‐scale change. In this paper, we develop theory to explain how stable versus shifting change‐supportive perceptions over time differentially influence the perceived momentum associated with goal‐directed change (i.e., change‐based momentum). We use cross‐level polynomial regression and data obtained early and 1 year later within an organization implementing a lean manufacturing transformation to model changes in individual perceptions. Results suggest that momentum perceptions are higher for “Champions” (stable and high perceptions over time) as compared to “Converts” (increasing perceptions over time), but momentum perceptions are lower for “Defectors” (decreasing perceptions over time) as compared to “Doubters” (stable and low perceptions over time). We find that even if participants converge upon change‐supportive perceptions later in the change process, early divergent perceptions influence subsequent momentum for the change. These findings highlight the important role of temporal shifts in perceptions for organizational change processes.
Charge Separation and Catalytic Activity of Fe3O4@Ag “Nanospheres”
Authors: Hemmateenejad Bahram , Shamsipur Mojtaba , Jalili–Jahani Naser
Published: October 2015

Nanospheres of Ag‐coated Fe3O4 were successfully synthesized and characterized. Photocatalytic properties of Fe3O4@Ag composites have been investigated using steady‐state studies and laser pulse excitations. Accumulation of the electrons in the Ag shell was detected from the shift in the surface plasmon band from 430 to 405 nm, which was discharged when an electron acceptor such as O2, Thionine (TH) or C60 was introduced into the system. Charge equilibration with redox couple such as C60●–/C60 indicated the ability of these core–shell structures to carry out photocatalytic reduction reactions. As well, outer Ag layer could boost charge separation in magnetic core through dual effects of Schottky junction and localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR)‐powered band gap breaking effect under sunlight irradiation; resulted in higher photocatalytic degradation of diphenylamine (DPA). The maximum photocatalytic degradation rate was achieved at optimum amount of Ag‐NP loading to products. Adsorption studies confirmed that degradation of DPA dominantly occurred in solution. Moderately renewability of the nanocatalysts under sunlight was due to oxidation and dissolution of the outer Ag layer.
Brugia malayisoluble and excretory‐secretory proteins attenuate development of streptozotocin‐induced type 1 diabetes in mice
Authors: Amdare N. , Khatri V. , Yadav R. S. P. , Tarnekar A. , Goswami K. , Reddy M. V. R.
Published: October 2015

Understanding the modulation of the host‐immune system by pathogens‐like filarial parasites offers an alternate approach to prevent autoimmune diseases. In this study, we have shown that treatment with filarial proteins prior to or after the clinical onset of streptozotocin‐induced type‐1 diabetes (T1D) can ameliorate the severity of disease inBALB/c mice. Pre‐treatment withBrugia malayiadult soluble (Bm A S) or microfilarial excretory‐secretory (Bmmf ES) or microfilarial soluble (Bmmf S) antigens followed by induction of diabetes led to lowering of fasting blood glucose levels with as many as 57·5–62·5% of mice remaining nondiabetic. These proteins were more effective when they were used to treat the mice with established T1D as 62·5–71·5% of the mice turned to be nondiabetic. Histopathological examination of pancreas of treated mice showed minor inflammatory changes in pancreatic islet cell architecture. The therapeutic effect was found to be associated with the decreased production of cytokinesTNF‐α &IFN‐γ and increased production ofIL‐10 in the culture supernatants of splenocytes of treated mice. A switch in the production of anti‐insulin antibodies from IgG2a to IgG1 isotype was also seen. Together these results provide a proof towards utilizing the filarial derived proteins as novel anti‐diabetic therapeutics.
Designing Personalized Treatment: An Application to Anticoagulation Therapy
Authors: Ibrahim Rouba , Kucukyazici Beste , Verter Vedat , Gendreau Michel , Blostein Mark
Published: October 2015

In this study, we develop an analytical framework for personalizing the anticoagulation therapy of patients who are taking warfarin. Consistent with medical practice, our treatment design consists of two stages: (i) the initiation stage, modeled using a partially‐observable Markov decision process, during which the physician learns through systematic belief updates about the unobservable patient sensitivity to warfarin, and (ii) the maintenance stage, modeled using a Markov decision process, during which the physician relies on his formed belief about patient sensitivity to determine the stable, patient‐specific, warfarin dose to prescribe. We develop an expression for belief updates in the POMDP, establish the optimality of the myopic policy for the MDP, and derive conditions for the existence and uniqueness of a myopically optimal dose. We validate our models using a real‐life patient data set gathered at the Hematology Clinic of the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. The proposed analytical framework and case study enable us to develop useful clinical insights, for example, concerning the length of the initiation period and the importance of correctly assessing patient sensitivity.