bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of centrosomal protein 55 in stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma after radical resection
Authors: Jiang Wenpeng , Wang Zhou , Chen Gang , Jia Yang
Published: January 2016

Background

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a predominant pathologic non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a high morbidity in China. Even at histological stage I, many patients still experience recurrence after radical surgery; therefore, it is critical to determine useful indicators to stratify patients according to recurrent risk. Centrosomal protein 55 (CEP55) shares certain characteristics with oncogenes and aberrant expression of CEP55 can lead to tumorigenesis. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the clinicopathological significance and prognostic value of CEP55 in stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Methods

We enrolled 106 patients with stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma who had received complete resection in our study. CEP55 expression levels in the pulmonary tissues of all patients were validated by Western blot analyses and immunohistochemistry. SPSS 17.0 software was employed to analyze the correlation between CEP55 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients, as well as prognosis.

Results

CEP55 overexpression was detected in 67 patients (63.2%). Overexpression is associated with tumor differentiation (P = 0.036), T stage (P = 0.000) and visceral pleural invasion (P = 0.009). Patients with CEP55 overexpression had worse survival compared with those with low expression (P = 0.043). Univariate analysis revealed that T stage (P = 0.000), differentiation degree (P = 0.002), visceral pleural invasion (P = 0.000), and tumor size (P = 0.013) were also significant prognostic factors.

Conclusion

CEP55 is a useful predicator to improve stratification of patients with stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
Children With Arachnoid Cysts Who Sustain Blunt Head Trauma: Injury Mechanisms and Outcomes
Authors: Rogers Alexander J. , Kuppermann Nathan , Thelen Angela E. , Stanley Rachel M. , Maher Cormac O.
Published: January 2016

Objectives

Arachnoid cysts are abnormal intracranial fluid collections, and there is concern that these cysts may bleed or rupture following blunt head trauma. Our objective was to determine the risk of cyst‐related complications in a cohort of children with arachnoid cysts who were evaluated for head trauma.

Methods

We analyzed the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) head trauma public use data set, which was the product of a study that enrolled children with blunt head trauma from June 2004 to September 2006. We identified children with arachnoid cysts on cranial computed tomography (CT) and described the patient demographics, mechanisms of injury, clinical presentations, CT evidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and clinical outcomes. Clinically important TBI was defined as TBI leading to: 1) death from TBI, 2) neurosurgical intervention, 3) intubation for > 24 hours for the TBI, or 4) hospitalization for 2 or more nights for the head injury in association with TBI on CT.

Results

Data were available for 43,399 children who sustained blunt head trauma, of whom 15,899 had cranial CT scans obtained and 68 (0.4%) had arachnoid cysts. Falls were the most common mechanisms of injury (47%) and 87% of children had either moderate or severe injury mechanisms. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores ranged from 6 to 15, with 61 (90%) having GCS scores of 15. Two of the children with arachnoid cysts had TBIs on CT, one of which was clinically important. There were no identified cases of arachnoid cyst‐related bleeding or complications.

Conclusions

In this cohort of 68 children with arachnoid cysts who sustained head trauma, none demonstrated cyst‐related bleeding or complications. This suggests the risk of arachnoid cyst–related complications in children following blunt head trauma is low and evaluation should align with existing clinical decision rules.
Assessment of Common Preoxygenation Strategies Outside of the Operating Room Environment
Authors: Groombridge Christopher , Chin Cheau Wern , Hanrahan Bernard , Holdgate Anna
Published: January 2016

Objectives

Preoxygenation prior to intubation aims to increase the duration of safe apnea by causing denitrogenation of the functional residual capacity, replacing this volume with a reservoir of oxygen. In the operating room (OR) the criterion standard for preoxygenation is an anesthetic circuit and well‐fitting face mask, which provide a high fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2). Outside of the OR, various strategies exist to provide preoxygenation. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of commonly used preoxygenation strategies outside of the OR environment.

Methods

This was a prospective randomized unblinded study of 30 healthy staff volunteers from a major trauma center emergency department (ED) in Sydney, Australia. The main outcome measure is fractional expired oxygen concentration (FeO2) measured after a 3‐minute period of tidal volume breathing with seven different preoxygenation strategies.

Results

The mean FeO2 achieved with the anesthetic circuit was 81.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 78.3% to 83.6%), bag‐valve‐mask (BVM) 80.1% (95% CI = 76.5% to 83.6%), BVM with nasal cannula (NC) 74.8% (95% CI = 72.0% to 77.6%), BVM with positive end‐expiratory pressure valve (PEEP) 78.9% (95% CI = 75.4% to 82.3%), BVM + NC + PEEP 75.5% (95% CI = 72.2% to 78.9%), nonrebreather mask (NRM) 51.6% (95% CI = 48.8% to 54.4%), and NRM + NC 57.1% (95% CI = 52.9% to 61.2%). Preoxygenation efficacy with BVM strategies was significantly greater than NRM strategies (p < 0.01) and noninferior to the anesthetic circuit.

Conclusions

In healthy volunteers, the effectiveness of BVM preoxygenation was comparable to the anesthetic circuit (criterion standard) and superior to preoxygenation with NRM. The addition of NC oxygen, PEEP, or both did not improve the efficacy of the BVM device.
Population dynamics of noctuid moths and damage forecasting in sugar beet
Authors: Lemic Darija , Drmić Zrinka , Bažok Renata
Published: January 2016

The most damaging Noctuidae pests in sugar beets in Croatia are classified into two groups based on the injuries that their larvae produce: the cutting species (Agrotis ipsilon and Agrotis segetum) and the surface‐feeding species (Mamestra brassicae, Lacanobia oleracea and Autographa gamma).

The flight activity of male moths was detected and monitored using traps baited with sex pheromone.

The study aimed to determine the population dynamics of noctuid pests in sugar beet crops and to propose damage forecasts and thresholds based on male moths capture in pheromone traps in specific weather conditions.

A strong positive correlation between captured male moths in pheromone traps and the level of damage to sugar beet crops was established. The population densities were extremely affected by the weather conditions that prevailed in the sugar beet growing period. If the weather conditions are not optimal, the population of the second generation of moths and larvae will be smaller, and the level of damage to plants will decrease accordingly.

Thus, intensive monitoring of noctuid male moth flights and weather conditions in the sugar beet growing season enabled forecasting of future damage to a larger area, although visual inspections are necessary to plan insecticide applications.
Alessandro B. Antognini and Alessandra Giovagnoli, Adaptive Designs for Sequential Treatment Allocation. Boca Raton, FL: Chapman and Hall/CRC
Authors: Carriere K.C.
Published: January 2016

EDITOR: TAESUNG PARK

Adaptive Designs for Sequential Treatment Allocation(Alessandro B. Antognini and Alessandra Giovagnoli)K. C. Carriere

Modeling to Inform Infectious Disease Control(Niels G. Becker)Jin Kyung Park

Data Analysis with Competing Risks and Intermediate States(Ronald B. Geskus)Jinheum Kim

Analysis of Categorical Data with R(Christopher R. Bilder and Thomas M. Loughin)Taesung Park
Mutations affecting both the rearranged and the unrearranged PML alleles in refractory acute promyelocytic leukaemia
Authors: Iaccarino Licia , Ottone Tiziana , Divona Mariadomenica , Cicconi Laura , Cairoli Roberto , Voso Maria Teresa , Lo‐Coco Francesco
Published: January 2016

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is characterized by the PML/RARA fusion transcript. PML and RARA mutations have been shown to directly respond to arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all‐trans retinoic (ATRA). We analysed the prevalence of PML mutations in 32 patients with de novo or therapy‐related APL (t‐APL; n = 5), treated with ATO. We identified one ATO‐resistant t‐APL patient, who presented a PML A216T mutation in both the rearranged and unrearranged PML alleles, and two mutations in the rearranged RARA gene. In this patient, subclones with different PML and RARA mutations acquired clonal dominance during the disease course, probably leading to treatment resistance.
Personalization of dexamethasone therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Jackson Rosanna K. , Irving Julie A. E. , Veal Gareth J.
Published: January 2016

Dexamethasone is a key component in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Despite playing a key role in the improved survival of ALL over several decades, intensification of dexamethasone therapy has also contributed to the increased toxicity associated with treatment, which is now seen to be at unacceptable levels given the favourable disease prognosis. Therefore the focus for treatment is now shifting towards reducing toxicity whilst maintaining current survival rates. As approximately 50% of patients were successfully treated on less intensive protocols of the 1980s, it has been questioned whether therapy intensification is necessary in all patients. Furthermore, there remains a subset of children who are still not cured of their disease. New strategies are therefore needed to identify patients who could benefit from dose reduction or intensification. However, adjusting a potentially life threatening therapy is a challenging task, particularly given the heterogeneous nature of ALL. This review focuses on the potential for patient stratification based on our current knowledge of dexamethasone pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics and the action of dexamethasone at the cellular level. A carefully designed, combined approach is needed if we are to achieve the aim of improved personalization of dexamethasone therapy for future patients.
How to manage lung infiltrates in adults suffering from haematological malignancies outside allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Maschmeyer Georg , Donnelly J. Peter
Published: January 2016

Pulmonary complications affect up to 40% of patients with severe neutropenia lasting for more than 10 d. As they are frequently associated with fever and elevation of C‐reactive protein or other signs of inflammation, they are mostly handled as pneumonia. However, the differential diagnosis is broad, and a causative microbial agent remains undetected in the majority of cases. Pulmonary side effects from cytotoxic treatment or pulmonary involvement by the underlying malignancy must always be taken into account and may provide grounds for invasive diagnostic procedures in selected patients. Pneumocystis jirovecii (in patients not receiving co‐trimoxazole as prophylaxis), multi‐resistant gram‐negative bacilli, mycobacteria or respiratory viruses may be involved. High‐risk patients may be infected by filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus spp., but these infections are seldom proven when treatment is initiated. Microorganisms isolated from cultures of blood, bronchoalveolar lavage or respiratory secretions need careful interpretation as they may be irrelevant for determining the aetiology of pulmonary infiltrates, particularly when cultures yield coagulase‐negative staphylococci, enterococci or Candida species. Non‐culture based diagnostics for detecting Aspergillus galactomannan, beta‐D‐glucan or DNA from blood, bronchoalveolar lavage or tissue samples can facilitate the diagnosis, but must always be interpreted in the context of clinical and imaging findings. Systemic antifungal treatment with mould‐active agents, given in combination with broad‐spectrum antibiotics, improves clinical outcome when given pre‐emptively. Co‐trimoxazole remains the first‐line treatment for Pneumocystis pneumonia, while cytomegalovirus pneumonia will respond to ganciclovir or foscarnet in most cases. The clinical outcome of acute respiratory failure can also be successful with proper intensive care, when indicated.
Rethinking the Politics of the Shift Left in Latin America: Towards a Relational Approach
Authors: HUNT SARAH
Published: January 2016

The shift left in Latin American politics has revealed critical weaknesses within the dominant structural, state‐ and society‐based explanations concerning the politics of development in the region. This article argues that while elements of each remain relevant, there is a strong case for adopting a ‘relational’ frame of analysis that can capture the specific ways in which the Left came to power, and the unfolding implications for democracy and development. This relational approach focuses on how the new social and political economy basis of the new ruling coalitions and alternative geopolitical alliances shape politics and the prospects for development in the region.
Citations in Life Science Patents to Publicly Funded Research at Academic Medical Centers
Authors: Sampat Bhaven N. , Pincus Harold Alan
Published: January 2016

Background

The contributions of Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) to biomedical innovation have been difficult to measure because of the challenges involved in tracing knowledge flows from their origin to their uses.

Methods

The authors examined patent citation linkages between AMC research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and patents. In prospective analyses, they examine the extent to which articles resulting from NIH grants to AMCs awarded between 1990 and 1995 were cited in drug and medical patents. The authors then examine the extent to which these patents are associated with marketed drugs. In retrospective analyses, they examine the share of drugs approved between 2000 and 2009 that have citation links to NIH‐funded AMC research.

Results

The prospective analyses show over a third of AMC grants resulted in publications that were cited in patents. Most the patents are drug and biotechnology patents, and are assigned to private firms. Patents citing NIH‐funded AMC publications were associated with 106 new FDA approved drugs, half of which are new molecular entities and a quarter of which are priority NMEs. The retrospective analyses showed that about half of the new molecular entities approved over the 2000–2009 period had citations links to NIH‐funded AMC research.

Conclusions

There are strong links between articles from NIH‐funded AMC research and private sector medical patenting, including drugs. More research is needed to better understand the types of links the citations represent and their implications for public policy.
Are itch and scratching the nausea and vomiting of skin?
Authors: Ostadhadi Sattar , Azimi Ehsan , Lerner Ethan A. , Dehpour Ahmad‐Reza
Published: January 2016

The physiologic similarities between itch and nausea may not be evident initially, but they share the role of repelling irritants and toxins from the body by inducting scratching and vomiting, respectively. In addition, itch and nausea frequently occur together in certain conditions such as uraemia. Here we show that the mechanisms underlying itch and nausea overlap and that advances in either field may influence the identification of novel drug targets, particularly for itch.
Public Sector Reforms: Changing Contours on an NPM Landscape
Authors: Hyndman Noel , Liguori Mariannunziata
Published: January 2016

Previous studies suggest that public sector accounting has moved from Public Administration (PA) to New Public Management (NPM) ideas and, more recently, towards a New Public Governance (NPG) approach. These systems are presented as mutually exclusive and competing. Focusing on accounting changes in the UK central government, this paper explores whether movements towards NPG ideas can be identified at the level of political debate. No evidence is found that NPM is a transitory state. Rather, the findings demonstrate that political debate continues to utilise predominantly NPM arguments, with the three systems viewed as containing complementary, rather than competing, schemes.
Masculinity and Class in the Context of Dirty Work
Authors: Slutskaya Natasha , Simpson Ruth , Hughes Jason , Simpson Alexander , Uygur Selçuk
Published: January 2016

Through an ethnographic study of ‘dirty work’ (refuse collection and street cleaning), this article explores how masculinity and class intersect — how, in a mutually constitutive sense, they produce attitudes and practices, strengths and vulnerabilities, which are shaped by shifting relations of privilege and power. We find resistance to class subordination through adherence to traditional forms of masculinity and through esteem‐enhancing social comparison (e.g., with women; with migrant workers). Men also mobilized powerful nostalgic themes around the loss of traditional jobs as well as trade union power. We argue that displays of masculine resilience in the face of devaluation are less indicative of a culture of masculine dominance but more an expression of vulnerability and social dislocation, serving both as a source of resistance whilst simultaneously reinforcing anchors of social disadvantage that characterize forms of dirty work. We suggest that combining social comparison with intersectionality can potentially highlight how categories of difference are strategically deployed in response to varied and unequally valued social positionalities.
Europeanization and the Soft Law Process of EU Corporate Governance: How has the 2003 Action Plan Impacted on National Corporate Governance Codes?
Authors: Ferrero Ferrero Idoya , Ackrill Robert
Published: January 2016

Europeanization addresses the impacts of EU (European Union) membership on national politics and policies. Over time, new policy processes have been developed, such as the use of soft law and the open method of co‐ordination. What, though, are the consequences of these new processes for Europeanization? This article contributes to this under‐researched area by examining the extent to which EU soft law influences policy adoption at the national level. Our empirical application is corporate governance, an area of growing EU policy interest, with significant soft law elements. We analyse the extent to which the European Commission's 2003 plan to enhance corporate governance achieved its aim of ‘co‐ordinating corporate governance efforts of Member States’. Our quantitative analysis of 95 national codes issued over 1992–2010 suggests that the Action Plan did influence national policy‐making, but that the degree of national policy alignment depends on when the corporate governance code was issued, where, and by whom.
Survivors speak: a qualitative analysis of motivational factors influencing breast cancer survivors’ participation in a sprint distance triathlon
Authors: Robinson Karen M , Piacentine Linda B , Waltke Leslie J , Ng Alexander V , Tjoe Judy A
Published: January 2016

Aims and objectives

To examine motivational factors influencing breast cancer survivors to participate in triathlon training, complete a triathlon and maintain an exercise thereafter.

Background

Routine exercise has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce recurrence for breast cancer survivors. Yet physical and psychological factors present barriers for initiating and maintaining an exercise routine. Research is limited in exploring factors of exercise motivation from the survivor's perspective.

Design

Qualitative design using focus groups and individual follow‐up phone interviews to explore motivation for exercise initiation and maintenance.

Methods

One to two weeks after completing a triathlon, 11 breast cancer survivors who trained together participated in one of three focus groups to discuss their experience. Five months post triathlon 6 of the 11 participants were successfully contacted and phone interviews were conducted to explore exercise maintenance. Focus groups and interviews were analysed using content and thematic analysis.

Results

Five themes emerged (1) Champion for Exercise, (2) Part of a Team, (3) Everyone Had a Story, (4) Not Really Exercise and (5) What Do We Do Now? Overall, survivors recognised their need for lifestyle change (e.g. moving from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one). More importantly, they identified the team approach to exercise initiation was crucial in their success in sustaining a behavioural change.

Conclusions

Emphasis needed on developing team exercise training programmes for survivors. Nurses can play a critical role in discussing with survivors, the benefits of exercise initiation and maintenance.

Relevance to clinical practice

Breast cancer survivors are hesitant to initiate routine exercise. Training with women who share a common lived experience increases the likelihood of success. Nurses are in a position to encourage breast cancer survivors to participate in group exercise programmes as a way to improve quality of life.
Regulated and unregulated nurses in the acute hospital setting: Tasks performed, delayed or not completed
Authors: Roche Michael A , Duffield Christine , Friedman Sarah , Dimitrelis Sofia , Rowbotham Samantha
Published: January 2016

Aims

Investigate the number and type of tasks performed, delayed or not completed by regulated and unregulated (assistant) nurses.

Background

Assistants in Nursing change the work environment of the nurses with whom they work. As the number of Assistants in Nursing working on acute units grows, it is important to understand how their presence influences nursing care.

Design

Descriptive analysis of survey data from 62 acute nursing units across three Australian states between 2008–2010.

Methods

All staff providing nursing care to patients were asked to complete a survey that included demographics, the number of tasks delayed/incomplete and the completion of six specific tasks. Nonparametric tests compared Assistants in Nursing (n = 25) to regulated nurses (n = 1630), and regulated nurses on units with no Assistants in Nursing (n = 1356) to those on units with up to 5% assistants (n = 76) and over 5% assistants (n = 198).

Results

More regulated nurses on units with zero, or up to 5% Assistants in Nursing, completed tasks usually associated with assistants’ scope of practice, relative to those on units with over 5% Assistants in Nursing. Statistically significant differences were found between the units in delays responding to the patient bell and in the planning of nursing care.

Conclusion

This study suggests that Assistants in Nursing have an impact on the nature and timeliness of care provided in acute hospital units, that is relative to the proportion of staffing they comprise, to the effectiveness of integration and to the clarity of their scope of practice and associated delegation.

Relevance to clinical practice

With increasing employment of Assistants in Nursing in acute hospital settings comes the requirement to optimise their use. This needs to include a well‐articulated scope of practice, clear delegation of tasks and effective integration with the rest of the care team.
Aortic Valve Calcium Volume Predicts Paravalvular Regurgitation and the Need for Balloon Post‐Dilatation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Fonseca Paulo , Figueiredo Bruno , Almeida Carla , Almeida João , Bettencourt Nuno , Sampaio Francisco , Ferreira Nuno , Gonçalves Helena , Braga Pedro , Ribeiro Vasco Gama
Published: January 2016

Objective

This study sought to evaluate the impact of aortic valve (AV) and left ventricle outflow tract (LVOT) calcium on paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) and need for balloon post‐dilatation (BPD) during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods

The overall study population comprised 152 patients. Calcium mass and volume of AV and LVOT were estimated from contrast‐enhanced multislice computed tomography imaging, using 3 thresholds for calcium detection [650, 850, and 1,050 Hounsfield units (HU)].

Results

A self‐expandable prosthesis was implanted in 67.8% of patients and a balloon‐expandable prosthesis in the remaining. Eleven patients required BPD and 82 patients presented post‐procedural PVR, which was mild in 44.1% and moderate in 9.9%. The greatest discriminatory value for PVR ≥ mild was seen for calcium volume using 850 HU threshold, with an area under the curve of 0.72 (95%CI 0.64–0.80, P < 0.001) for AV and of 0.63 (95%CI 0.54–0.72, P = 0.008) for LVOT. For 850 HU threshold, the calcium volume cut‐off with the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity for PVR was 157 mm3 for AV and 0.6 mm3 for LVOT. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of AV calcium ≥157 mm3 (OR 3.83, 95%CI 1.81–8.10, P < 0.001) and ≥267 mm3 (OR 11.3, 95%CI 1.2–103.1, P = 0.03) were the only independent predictors of PVR and BPD, respectively.

Conclusions

AV calcium volume was an independent predictor of PVR and BPD in patients submitted to TAVI. Our results support a systematic assessment of AV calcium volume to identify patients at increased risk of post‐procedural PVR. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:117–123)
Adiponectin Receptor Agonist, AdipoRon, Causes Vasorelaxation Predominantly Via a Direct Smooth Muscle Action
Authors: Hong Kwangseok , Lee Sewon , Li Rong , Yang Yan , Tanner Miles A. , Wu Jianbo , Hill Michael A.
Published: January 2016

Objective

AdipoRon, an adiponectin receptor agonist, was recently proposed for treating insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. As adiponectin is vasoprotective via NO‐mediated signaling, it was hypothesized that adipoRon similarly exerts potentially beneficial vasodilator effects. We therefore examined if adipoRon induces vasorelaxation and via what contributing mechanisms.

Methods

Vascular function was assessed in skeletal muscle arteries from rats and cerebral/coronary arteries from mice using pressure and wire myography.

Results

Using qPCR, mRNA for adiponectin receptors was demonstrated in skeletal muscle, cerebral and coronary arteries. AdipoRon‐caused vasorelaxation was not abolished by compound C (10 μM; AMPK inhibitor). Inhibition of endothelium‐dependent relaxation with combinations of l‐NAME/indomethacin/apamin/TRAM‐34 only slightly reduced adipoRon‐mediated vasorelaxation in cerebral and coronary arteries. EC‐denuded cremaster arteries showed similar relaxant responses to adipoRon as in intact vessels, suggesting adipoRon directly impacts VSMCs. K+ currents measured in VSMCs isolated from mouse basilar and LAD arteries were not altered by adiopRon. In cremaster arteries, adipoRon induced vasorelaxation without a marked decrease in VSMC [Ca2+]i. Adiponectin, itself, caused vasodilation in intact cremaster arteries while failing to cause significant dilation in EC‐denuded arteries, consistent with endothelium dependency of adiponectin.

Conclusions

AdipoRon exerts vasodilation by mechanisms distinct to adiponectin. The dominant mechanism for adipoRon‐induced vasorelaxation occurs independently of endothelium‐dependent relaxing factors, AMPK activation, K+ efflux‐mediated hyperpolarization and reductions in cytosolic [Ca2+]i.
Expression of cleaved caspase‐3 in renal tubular cells inPlasmodium falciparummalaria patients
Authors: Wichapoon Benjamas , Punsawad Chuchard , Viriyavejakul Parnpen
Published: January 2016

Aim

InPlasmodium falciparummalaria, the clinical manifestation of acute kidney injury (AKI) is commonly associated with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in the kidney tissues. Renal tubular cells often exhibit various degrees of cloudy swelling, cell degeneration, and frank necrosis. To study individual cell death, this study evaluates the degree of renal tubular necrosis in association with apoptosis in malarial kidneys.

Methods

Kidney tissues fromP. falciparummalaria with AKI (10 cases), and without AKI (10 cases) were evaluated for tubular pathology. Normal kidney tissues from 10 cases served as controls. Tubular necrosis was assessed quantitatively in kidney tissues infected withP. falciparummalaria, based on histopathological evaluation. In addition, the occurrence of apoptosis was investigated using cleaved caspase‐3 marker. Correlation between tubular necrosis and apoptosis was analyzed.

Results

Tubular necrosis was found to be highest inP. falciparummalaria patients with AKI (36.44% ± 3.21), compared to non‐AKI (15.88% ± 1.63) and control groups (2.58% ± 0.39) (allp< 0.001). In the AKI group, the distal tubules showed a significantly higher degree of tubular necrosis than the proximal tubules (p= 0.021) and collecting tubules (p= 0.033). Tubular necrosis was significantly correlated with the level of serum creatinine (r= 0.596,p= 0.006), and the occurrence of apoptosis (r= 0.681,p= 0.001).

Conclusion

In malarial AKI, the process of apoptosis occurs in ATN.
FOXE1 polymorphisms and non‐syndromic orofacial cleft susceptibility in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Yin X , Zhang H , Zhu Z , Wang H , Du Y , Li S , Zhang Z , Fan W , Pan Y
Published: January 2016

Objective

FOXE1 plays an important role in craniofacial development. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between genetic variants of FOXE1 and risk of non‐syndromic orofacial clefts in a Chinese population.

Materials and Methods

Three potentially functional SNPs of FOXE1 (rs3758250 and rs907577 in the 5′ upstream and rs7043516 in the 3′‐UTR) were selected and their associations with non‐syndromic orofacial cleft susceptibility were investigated in a case–control study from a Chinese population (602 cases and 605 controls). Genotyping was performed with double ligation and multiplex fluorescence PCR. Associations between the SNPs and risk of non‐syndromic orofacial clefts and its subgroups were estimated from unconditional logistic regression analysis. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to assess SNP function.

Results

Overall, we did not find any of the individual SNP or haplotype was associated with NSOC susceptibility. Nevertheless, in stratified analysis, we found rs7043516, locating in the 3′‐UTR of FOXE1, was associated with risk of cleft lip only. Further in vitro luciferase assay indicated that this SNP could contribute to differential binding ability with miRNA.

Conclusions

Taken together, this study showed that rs7043516 may be considered as a potentially susceptible marker of cleft lip only among Chinese Han populations.
Do small‐aperture presbyopic corrections influence the visual field?
Authors: Atchison David A. , Blazaki Stella , Suheimat Marwan , Plainis Sotiris , Charman W. Neil
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To explore the effect of small‐aperture optics, designed to aid presbyopes by increasing ocular depth‐of‐focus, on measurements of the visual field.

Methods

Simple theoretical and ray‐tracing models were used to predict the impact of different designs of small‐aperture contact lenses or corneal inlays on the proportion of light passing through natural pupils of various diameters as a function of the direction in the visual field. The left eyes of five healthy volunteers were tested using three afocal, hand‐painted opaque soft contact lenses (www.davidthomas.com). Two were opaque over a 10 mm diameter but had central clear circular apertures of 1.5 and 3.0 mm in diameter. The third had an annular opaque zone with inner and outer diameters of 1.5 and 4.0 mm, approximately simulating the geometry of the KAMRA inlay (www.acufocus.com). A fourth, clear lens was used for comparison purposes. Visual fields along the horizontal meridian were evaluated up to 50° eccentricity with static automated perimetry (Medmont M700, stimulus Goldmann‐size III; www.medmont.com).

Results

According to ray‐tracing, the two lenses with the circular apertures were expected to reduce the relative transmittance of the pupil to zero at specific field angles (around 60° for the conditions of the experimental measurements). In contrast, the annular stop had no effect on the absolute field but relative transmittance was reduced over the central area of the field, the exact effects depending upon the natural pupil diameter. Experimental results broadly agreed with these theoretical expectations. With the 1.5 and 3.0 mm pupils, only minor losses in sensitivity (around 2 dB) in comparison with the clear‐lens case occurred across the central 10° radius of field. Beyond this angle, sensitivity losses increased, to reach about 7 dB at the edge of the measured field (50°). The field results with the annular stop showed at most only a slight loss in sensitivity (≤3 dB) across the measured field.

Conclusion

The present theoretical and experimental results support earlier clinical findings that KAMRA‐type annular stops, unlike circular artificial pupils, have only minor effects on measurements of the visual field.
Vacuolar compartmentalization as indispensable component of heavy metal detoxification in plants
Authors: Sharma Shanti S. , Dietz Karl‐Josef , Mimura Tetsuro
Published: January 2016

Plant cells orchestrate an array of molecular mechanisms for maintaining plasmatic concentrations of essential heavy metal (HM) ions, for example, iron, zinc and copper, within the optimal functional range. In parallel, concentrations of non‐essential HMs and metalloids, for example, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, should be kept below their toxicity threshold levels. Vacuolar compartmentalization is central to HM homeostasis. It depends on two vacuolar pumps (V‐ATPase and V‐PPase) and a set of tonoplast transporters, which are directly driven by proton motive force, and primary ATP‐dependent pumps. While HM non‐hyperaccumulator plants largely sequester toxic HMs in root vacuoles, HM hyperaccumulators usually sequester them in leaf cell vacuoles following efficient long‐distance translocation. The distinct strategies evolved as a consequence of organ‐specific differences particularly in vacuolar transporters and in addition to distinct features in long‐distance transport. Recent molecular and functional characterization of tonoplast HM transporters has advanced our understanding of their contribution to HM homeostasis, tolerance and hyperaccumulation. Another important part of the dynamic vacuolar sequestration syndrome involves enhanced vacuolation. It involves vesicular trafficking in HM detoxification. The present review provides an updated account of molecular aspects that contribute to the vacuolar compartmentalization of HMs.
‘When the tongue slips it tells the truth’: tricks and truths of the Renaissance lapsus*
Authors: Brancher Dominique
Published: January 2016

The lapsus, like gossip and nonsense, is a type of language that exceeds – or claims to exceed – the speaker's intent. This article investigates various manifestations of the lapsus in Renaissance discourse: does it pertain to the speaker or the hearer? What are the frontiers between the lapsus and the pun? What criteria separate speaking without thinking from speaking deliberately, an innocent mistake from calculated duplicity? Indeed, there are cases of false lapsus, orchestrated to give free rein to transgressive statements. In these there is a deliberate use of apparent unawareness for strategic purposes. In the sixteenth century, authorial intention was challenged by a new category, authorial inattention, which was developed as a means to escape the censors. The phenomenon takes on new importance during the Renaissance owing to technological advances in translating and fixing discourse, and also to the disciplining of European society, in which conduct books rein in impulsive expression by dictating increasingly strict codes of behaviour and speech. Many were interested in language that moved out of control, particularly in a religious, legal or political context. The lapsus cannot be viewed as a harmless lack of rigour: it becomes a real threat when fixed in print, ensuring a wide circulation.
Policing and Race: Disparate Treatment, Perceptions, and Policy Responses
Authors: Kahn Kimberly Barsamian , Martin Karin D.
Published: January 2016

Police shootings of unarmed African Americans, including Michael Brown, Sean Bell, and Oscar Grant, sparked nationwide protests, debate, and consciousness‐raising about race in policing. These high‐profile shootings provide pressing reason for an in‐depth analysis of race, policing, and policy. This article details the deleterious consequences that racial disparities in policing have on the lives of racial minorities. In trying to understand the source of this disparate treatment, it highlights what empirical social science knows about racial bias in policing, emphasizing how contemporary forms of racial bias can contribute to racially disparate outcomes. The article makes a distinction between what research reveals about the existence of racial bias in policing and perceptions of racially biased policing. Existing racial bias is not always accurately identified nor perceived, which makes it harder to enact change. Examining how to counteract its potential influence, it reviews empirically based interventions to address both police behavior and community perceptions regarding race in policing. From a policy perspective, the article considers the use of police body‐worn cameras as a means to promote equitable policing. It concludes with recommendations based on scientific literature, arguing that effective policies must address both the perception of and actual biased policing.
Growing Up under Corporate Capitalism: The Problem of Marketing to Children, with Suggestions for Policy Solutions
Authors: Kasser Tim , Linn Susan
Published: January 2016

Bronfenbrenner's ecological model of development suggests that children are affected by the economic system under which they live.  Corporate capitalism is one such economic system, and evidence suggests that the focus on profit and power characteristic of deregulated, competitive forms of capitalism can suppress how much citizens prioritize the values that support the nurturing of children. One manifestation of this capitalist ideology is the practice of marketing to children, a practice known to be associated with a variety of negative outcomes for children. We present empirical evidence supporting these claims and conclude by proposing numerous policies aimed at reducing children's exposure to marketing. The policies, many of which have widespread public support, can be implemented in a number of types of institutions that directly or indirectly affect children, including professional organizations, schools, businesses, and all levels of government.
Confidence in Contact: A New Perspective on Promoting Cross‐Group Friendship Among Children and Adolescents
Authors: Turner Rhiannon N. , Cameron Lindsey
Published: January 2016

Intergroup contact theory proposes that positive interactions between members of different social groups can improve intergroup relations. Contact should be especially effective in schools, where opportunities may exist to engage cooperatively with peers from different backgrounds and develop cross‐group friendships. In turn, these friendships have numerous benefits for intergroup relations. However, there is evidence that children do not always engage in cross‐group friendships, often choosing to spend time with same‐group peers, even in diverse settings. We argue that in order to capitalize on the potential impact of contact in schools for promoting harmonious intergroup relations, a new model is needed that places confidence in contact at its heart. We present an empirically driven theoretical model of intergroup contact that outlines the conditions that help to make young people “contact ready,ˮ preparing them for successful, sustained intergroup relationships by giving them the confidence that they can engage in contact successfully. After evaluating the traditional approach to intergroup contact in schools, we present our theoretical model which outlines predictors of cross‐group friendships that enhance confidence in and readiness for contact. We then discuss theory‐driven, empirically tested interventions that could potentially promote confidence in contact. Finally, we make specific recommendations for practitioners and policy makers striving to promote harmonious intergroup relations in the classroom.
Nuclear LC3 Associates with Slowly Diffusing Complexes that Survey the Nucleolus
Authors: Kraft Lewis J. , Manral Pallavi , Dowler Jacob , Kenworthy Anne K.
Published: January 2016

MAP1LC3B (microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3, LC3) is a key component of the autophagy pathway, contributing to both cargo selection and autophagosome formation in the cytoplasm. Emerging evidence suggests that nuclear forms of LC3 are also functionally important; however, the mechanisms that facilitate the nuclear targeting and trafficking of LC3 between the nucleus and cytoplasm under steady‐state conditions are poorly understood. In this study, we examine how residues known to regulate the interactions between LC3 and other proteins or RNA (F52 L53, R68‐R70 and G120) contribute to its nuclear targeting, nucleocytoplasmic transport and association with nucleoli and other nuclear components. We find that residues F52 L53 and R68‐70, but not G120, regulate targeting of LC3 to the nucleus, its rates of nucleocytoplasmic transport and the apparent sizes of LC3‐associated complexes in the nucleus inferred from fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements. We also show that LC3 is enriched in nucleoli and its triple arginine motif is especially important for nucleolar targeting. Finally, we identify a series of candidate nuclear LC3‐interacting proteins using mass spectrometry, including MAP1B, tubulin and several 40S ribosomal proteins. These findings suggest LC3 is retained in the nucleus in association with high‐molecular weight complexes that continuously scan the nucleolus.
Association Between Aerobic Fitness and High Blood Pressure in Adolescents in Brazil: Evidence for Criterion-Referenced Cut-Points
Authors: Silva Diego Augusto Santos , Tremblay Mark , Pelegrini Andreia , Silva Roberto Jeronimo dos Santos , de Oliveira Antonio Cesar Cabral , Petroski Edio Luiz
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

Criterion-referenced cut-points for health-related fitness measures are lacking. This study aimed to determine the associations between aerobic fitness and high blood pressure levels (HBP) to determine the cut-points that best predict HBP among adolescents.

Method:

This cross-sectional school-based study with sample of 875 adolescents aged 14–19 years was conducted in southern Brazil. Aerobic fitness was assessed using the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured by the oscillometric method with a digital sphygmomanometer. Analyses controlled for sociodemographic variables, physical activity, body mass and biological maturation.

Results:

Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that mCAFT measures could discriminate HBP in both sexes (female: AUC = 0.70; male: AUC = 0.63). The cut-points with the best discriminatory power for HBP were 32 mL·kg-1·min-1 for females and 40 mL·kg-1·min-1 for males. Females (OR = 8.4; 95% CI: 2.1, 33.7) and males (OR: 2.5; CI 95%: 1.2, 5.2) with low aerobic fitness levels were more likely to have HBP.

Conclusion:

mCAFT measures are inversely associated with BP and cut-points from ROC analyses have good discriminatory power for HBP.
Involvement of the Type IX Secretion System in Capnocytophaga ochracea Gliding Motility and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Kita Daichi , Shibata Satoshi , Kikuchi Yuichiro , Kokubu Eitoyo , Nakayama Koji , Saito Atsushi , Ishihara Kazuyuki
Published: January 2016

Capnocytophaga ochracea
is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that demonstrates gliding motility when cultured on solid agar surfaces.
C. ochracea
possesses the ability to form biofilms; however, factors involved in biofilm formation by this bacterium are unclear. A type IX secretion system (T9SS) in
Flavobacterium johnsoniae
was shown to be involved in the transport of proteins (e.g., several adhesins) to the cell surface. Genes orthologous to those encoding T9SS proteins in
F. johnsoniae
have been identified in the genome of
C. ochracea
; therefore, the T9SS may be involved in biofilm formation by
C. ochracea
. Here we constructed three ortholog-deficient
C. ochracea
mutants lacking
sprB
(which encodes a gliding motility adhesin) or
gldK
or
sprT
(which encode T9SS proteins in
F. johnsoniae
). Gliding motility was lost in each mutant, suggesting that, in
C. ochracea
, the proteins encoded by
sprB
,
gldK
, and
sprT
are necessary for gliding motility, and SprB is transported to the cell surface by the T9SS. For the Δ
gldK
, Δ
sprT
, and Δ
sprB
strains, the amounts of crystal violet-associated biofilm, relative to wild-type values, were 49%, 34%, and 65%, respectively, at 48 h. Confocal laser scanning and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the biofilms formed by wild-type
C. ochracea
were denser and bacterial cells were closer together than in those formed by the mutant strains. Together, these results indicate that proteins exported by the T9SS are key elements of the gliding motility and biofilm formation of
C. ochracea
.
Case definitions in Swedish register data to identify systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Arkema Elizabeth V , Jönsen Andreas , Rönnblom Lars , Svenungsson Elisabet , Sjöwall Christopher , Simard Julia F
Published: January 2016

Objective

To develop and investigate the utility of several different case definitions for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using national register data in Sweden.

Methods

The reference standard consisted of clinically confirmed SLE cases pooled from four major clinical centres in Sweden (n=929), and a sample of non-SLE comparators randomly selected from the National Population Register (n=24 267). Demographics, comorbidities, prescriptions and autoimmune disease family history were obtained from multiple registers and linked to the reference standard. We first used previously published SLE definitions to create algorithms for SLE. We also used modern data mining techniques (penalised least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression, elastic net regression and classification trees) to objectively create data-driven case definitions. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for the case definitions identified.

Results

Defining SLE by using only hospitalisation data resulted in the lowest sensitivity (0.79). When SLE codes from the outpatient register were included, sensitivity and PPV increased (PPV between 0.97 and 0.98, sensitivity between 0.97 and 0.99). Addition of medication information did not greatly improve the algorithm's performance. The application of data mining methods did not yield different case definitions.

Conclusions

The use of SLE International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes in outpatient clinics increased the accuracy for identifying individuals with SLE using Swedish registry data. This study implies that it is possible to use ICD codes from national registers to create a cohort of individuals with SLE.