bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uneven Distribution ofPseudotormentusDe Wever et Caridroit (Radiolaria, Protozoa): Provincialism of a Permian Planktonic Microorganism
Authors: ITO Tsuyoshi , FENG Qinglai , MATSUOKA Atsushi
Published: November 2016

The Permian planktonic distribution is not well known, in contrast to other fossil distributions of nekton and benthos. Radiolaria are representative microfossils of plankton in the Permian palaeocean. This study compares both correlated radiolarian occurrences (PseudotormentusDe Wever et Caridroit andQuadriremisNazarov et Ormiston) in literature data from the Pacific Rim and quantitative data from the Liuhuang and Gujingling sections in South China.Pseudotormentusdistributions are concentrated in the Panthalassa, whereasQuadriremisoccurrences are distributed over both the Panthalassa and the Palaeotethys. The uneven distribution ofPseudotormentusseems to have been controlled by a difference in the oceanic basins, indicating the presence of faunal differences in Permian planktonic microorganisms between the Panthalassa and the Palaeotethys. In other words, this study infers the provincialism of Permian planktonic microorganisms. The uneven distribution is explainable by a hypothesis thatPseudotormentuswas strongly affected by a Panthalassan equatorial current.
Structure of the Upper Mantle and Transition Zone Beneath the South China Block Imaged by Finite Frequency Tomography
Authors: SUN Ya , LIU Jianxin , TANG Youcai , CHEN Jiawei , ZHOU Keping , CHEN Bo
Published: November 2016

We applied the finite frequency tomography method to S wave data recorded by 350 broadband stations beneath the South China Block (SCB) and its surroundings from earthquakes occurring between July 2007 and July 2010, to better understand upper mantle deformation. Differential travel‐times in the pair of stations with appropriate weighting for each station are used in the inversion. Our results are consistent with previous tomography that show a high velocity anomaly beneath the Sichuan basin and a high velocity anomaly in the transition zone beneath the Yangtze Craton. However, the resolution of mantle heterogeneity provides new insight into the tectonic framework of subduction of Burmese lithosphere in the west part of the study region and subduction of oceanic lithosphere in the east. In the subduction realm, west of 107°E, a significant fast S‐wave anomaly is located on the southeast of Sichuan Basin. East of 107°E, and two narrow and discontinuous fast S‐wave anomalies occur at a depth of 400–600 km beneath the middle of the South China block overlain by the pronounced low S‐wave anomalies at a depth of 100 and 400 km. If the fast anomalies located in the mantle transition zone represent stagnant slabs, their fragmented nature may suggest that they could be produced by different episodes of subduction beneath western Pacific island and the above slow velocity anomaly may associated with the back‐arc regions of ongoing subduction. In addition, tomography also reveals an anomalously high S‐wave velocity continental root extends eastward to a depth 400 km beneath the eastern Sichuan Basin. This anomaly may be related to eastern extrusion of Indian lithosphere associated with the collision of India and Eurasia. Moreover, our results also show large slow anomalies beneath the Red River fault region connected to deeper anomalies beneath the South China Fold Belt and South China Sea. All these observations are consistent with the scenario that the South China block has been built by both of subduction of Paleo‐pacific plate and eastward subduction of Burma microplate.
Late Cenozoic Deformation Sequence of a Thrust System along the Eastern Margin of Pamir, Northwest China
Authors: WANG Zhe , WANG Xin
Published: November 2016

A thrust belt formed in the basin along the eastern margin of Pamir. The thrust belt is about 50 km wide, extends about 200 km, and includes three compressive structures from south to north: the blind Qipan structural wedge and Qimugen structural wedge, and the exposed Yengisar anticline. The thrust belt displays a right‐stepping en echelon pattern. The Qipan structural wedge dies out northward to the west of the Qimugen structural wedge, and the Qimugen structural wedge dies out northward to the west of the Yengisar anticline. Detailed analysis of seismic reflection profiles of the western Tarim Basin reveal that fan‐shaped growth strata were deposited in the shallow part of the thrust belt, recording the deformation sequence of the thrust belt. The depth of the Cenozoic growth strata decreases from south to north. The growth strata of the Qipan structural wedge is located in the middle‐lower section of the Pliocene Artux Formation (N2a), the growth strata of the Qimugen structural wedge is close to the bottom of the Pleistocene Xiyu Formation (Q1x), and the growth strata of the Yengisar anticline is located in the middle section of the Xiyu Formation (Q1x). Combined with magnetostratigraphic studies in the western Tarim basin, it can be preliminarily inferred that the deformation sequence of the thrust belt along the eastern margin of Pamir is progressively younger northward. The geometry and kinematic evolution of the thrust belt in the eastern margin of Pamir can be compared with previous analogue modeling experiments of transpressional deformation, suggesting that the thrust belt was formed in a transpressional tectonic setting.
Robust, universal biomarker assay to detect senescent cells in biological specimens
Authors: Evangelou Konstantinos , Lougiakis Nikolaos , Rizou Sophia V. , Kotsinas Athanassios , Kletsas Dimitris , Muñoz‐Espín Daniel , Kastrinakis Nikolaos G , Pouli Nicole , Marakos Panagiotis , Townsend Paul , Serrano Manuel , Bartek Jiri , Gorgoulis Vassilis G.
Published: November 2016

Cellular senescence contributes to organismal development, aging, and diverse pathologies, yet available assays to detect senescent cells remain unsatisfactory. Here, we designed and synthesized a lipophilic, biotin‐linked Sudan Black B (SBB) analogue suitable for sensitive and specific, antibody‐enhanced detection of lipofuscin‐containing senescent cells in any biological material. This new hybrid histo‐/immunochemical method is easy to perform, reliable, and universally applicable to assess senescence in biomedicine, from cancer research to gerontology.
Low‐level alcohol consumption during adolescence and its impact on cognitive control development
Authors: Jurk Sarah , Mennigen Eva , Goschke Thomas , Smolka Michael N.
Published: November 2016

Adolescence is a critical period for maturation of cognitive control and most adolescents start experimenting with alcohol around that time. On the one hand, recent studies indicate that low control abilities predict future problematic alcohol use. On the other hand, binge drinking during young adulthood can (further) impair cognitive control. However, so far no study examined the effects of low‐level alcohol use during adolescence. In the present longitudinal fMRI study, we therefore investigated the development of cognitive control in a community‐based sample of 92 adolescents at ages 14, 16 and 18. Two different cognitive control functions, i.e. inhibition of pre‐potent responses (operationalized by incongruence effects) and switching between different task sets, were measured within one task. Alcohol use in our sample was low (mean: 54 g/week at age 18). The study revealed that neither behavioural nor neural measures of cognitive control function at age 14 predicted alcohol use at age 18 but confirmed established predictors such as gender and personality. As expected, from age 14 to 18, cognitive control abilities were improving (decreased reaction times and/or errors), and activation of cognitive control networks (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and pre‐supplementary motor area) during incongruent trials increased. Unexpectedly, higher alcohol consumption during adolescence was associated with a more pronounced increase in cognitive performance and a smaller increase of neural activation when incongruent trials afforded inhibitory control. We conclude that low‐level alcohol use during adolescence does not severely impair ongoing maturation of cognitive control abilities and networks.
Diurnal activity budget of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779) in Chebera Churchura National Park, Ethiopia
Authors: Megaze Aberham , Balakrishnan Mundanthra , Belay Gurja
Published: November 2016

One of the fundamental questions in animal ecology concerns the activity pattern of animals and the environmental and intrinsic factors that influence such dynamics. This study tested the hypotheses that activity time budgets of the African buffalo appeared to vary by season and times of day and predicted that buffalo would express unequal proportion of time for different activity patterns during the wet and dry seasons in Chebera Churchura National Park (CCNP). An investigation on the diurnal activity budget of the African buffalo was carried out during the wet and dry seasons of 2012–2014 in the Chebera Churchura National Park, Ethiopia, using focal‐animal sampling method. Buffalo spent a greater proportion of the time in feeding and resting/ruminating activities in both the wet and dry seasons. Feeding and resting (lying down and standing) were the predominant activities (87.14% of the diurnal active period), 48.95% time spent feeding during the dry season and 44.91% during the wet season. There was a significant decrease in feeding and an increase in resting from dry seasons to wet seasons. Daytime grazing and resting periods during the wet season were estimated to be 5.39 h and 4.98 h, respectively. Morning and the late afternoon activity peaks were more pronounced during the dry season than the wet season. Therefore, feeding and resting time was influenced by the time of day and the seasons. But there were no significant difference in time allocation for other activities in both the wet and dry seasons. The study has implications for understanding animal activity budget across species, particularly relationships between temperature and season.
Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin on testicular interstitial tissues in men with non‐obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Oka S. , Shiraishi K. , Matsuyama H.
Published: November 2016

Non‐obstructive azoospermia is a severe condition because spermatogenesis per se is disrupted. Although microdissection testicular sperm extraction is the standard therapy for non‐obstructive azoospermia, sperm retrieval is unsuccessful in approximately 50% of patients. For these patients, we conducted human chorionic gonadotropin‐based salvage hormonal therapy, and sperm retrieval was possible in 10–20% of patients. The objectives of this study were to assess the changes in interstitial lesions in patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia and to evaluate the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin on these tissues. Testicular biopsy specimens were obtained from 10 non‐obstructive azoospermia patients who failed to obtain spermatozoa and from 10 obstructive azoospermia patients. All non‐obstructive azoospermia patients received salvage hormonal therapy after microdissection testicular sperm extraction. Hematoxylin and eosin (H.E.) staining and immunohistochemical staining for steroidogenic acute regulatory protein antibody, the Leydig cell marker, and TE‐7 antibody, the fibroblast marker, as well as picrosirius red staining to detect collagen fibers, were performed. We measured interstitial lesions, as Leydig cell area and the other area, with ImageJ software. Interstitial area, excluding Leydig cells, increased up to 12.5% in non‐obstructive azoospermia compared with 1.2% in obstructive azoospermia (p < 0.01), which was mainly because of fibrosis with TE‐7‐positive fibroblasts. The increase in interstitial lesions was correlated with Johnsen scores. Interstitial area, excluding the Leydig cells, decreased by 29% after salvage hormonal therapy (p < 0.05), indicating improvement of interstitial fibrosis in non‐obstructive azoospermia. There were no significant difference in total Leydig cell area and size of each Leydig cells between obstructive azoospermia and non‐obstructive azoospermia. After the salvage hormonal therapy, a portion of the Leydig cells became hypertrophied and mean diameter of Leydig cell significantly increased (p < 0.01). This study showed anti‐fibrotic effects of human chorionic gonadotropin and hypertrophic change of Leydig cells after human chorionic gonadotropin administration.
Transoral robotic surgery base of tongue mucosectomy for head and neck cancer of unknown primary
Authors: Krishnan Suren , Connell James , Ofo Enyinnaya
Published: November 2016

Background

Head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP) is a source of diagnostic uncertainty. Patients presenting with cytologically positive neck lumps without a clinically identifiable primary, require extensive investigation including imaging, tonsillectomy, panendoscopy and tissue biopsy. Treatment typically involves neck dissection, wide field radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has emerged as an expanding surgical technique for resecting tumours of the oropharynx. Its role in base of tongue (BOT) mucosectomy for HNCUP can alleviate diagnostic uncertainty and provide an adjunct treatment modality with few complications.

Methods

We conducted a 7‐year chart review of consecutive patients presenting with HNCUP that were treated with TORS BOT mucosectomy. We examined the efficacy, diagnostic rates and complications associated with TORS BOT mucosectomy when used for treating HNCUP.

Results

TORS BOT mucosectomy was performed in seven cases of squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary. Robotic mucosectomy diagnosed BOT as the primary tumour site in five cases (71.4%). All five cases were p16 positive. Average time before return to normal swallowing function was 2.7 days. There were no major surgical complications.

Conclusion

TORS BOT mucosectomy is an expanding surgical technique with a key role in head and neck surgery. It can be utilized to good effect where head and neck cancer is diagnosed without an identifiable primary. Incorporating robotic surgery in the diagnostic and treatment pathway offers low complication rates, reduced morbidity and improved tumour identification.
Placental pulsatility index: a new, more sensitive parameter for predicting adverse outcome in pregnancies suspected of fetal growth restriction
Authors: Gudmundsson Saemundur , Flo Kari , Ghosh Gisela , Wilsgaard Tom , Acharya Ganesh
Published: November 2016

Introduction

The pulsatility indices of the umbilical and uterine arteries are used as the surrogate measures of utero‐placental perfusion. Combining the two might simplify the evaluation of total placental vascular impedance, possibly improve prediction of adverse outcomes, and help identify pregnancies with suspected fetal growth restriction that need more intense surveillance.

Material and methods

Umbilical and uterine blood flow velocities were recorded using pulsed‐wave Doppler in a longitudinal study of 53 low‐risk pregnancies (248 observations) during 20–40 weeks of gestation. Pulsatility indices was calculated for each of these vessels. A new placental pulsatility index was constructed as: (umbilical artery pulsatility index + mean of the left and right uterine artery pulsatility indices)/2, and mean +2 SD defined as abnormal. Gestational age‐specific reference percentiles were calculated for the second half of pregnancy and related to values obtained from 340 pregnancies with suspected intra‐uterine growth restriction to test its ability to predict adverse pregnancy outcome.

Results

The placental pulsatility index was closely associated with gestational age and decreased with advancing gestation in normal pregnancy. The placental pulsatility index had a higher sensitivity and comparable specificity in predicting adverse outcome in pregnancies suspected of intra‐uterine fetal growth restriction when compared with conventional umbilical and uterine artery pulsatility indices.

Conclusions

The new placental pulsatility index, reflecting placental vascular impedance on both the fetal and maternal side of placenta, improves prediction of adverse outcome in pregnancies suspected of intra‐uterine fetal growth restriction.
Lower accuracy in prediction of delivery date in Stockholm County following introduction of new guidelines
Authors: Wessel Hans , Nyberg Tommy
Published: November 2016

Introduction

In Stockholm County, new guidelines for predicting the day of delivery were introduced in 2010. Recent clinical use has indicated that the predictive quality might be suboptimal. This study compares the accuracy of three equations applied during the first (crown–rump length or bi‐parietal diameter) and second trimesters (bi‐parietal diameter or bi‐parietal diameter combined with femur length).

Material and methods

The accuracy of estimated delivery date was compared in 14 239 ultrasound exams using median deviations from actual birth date, proportion of postterms, births within ±seven days of estimated delivery date, accuracy variations depending on fetal size, alternative fetal measurements obtained on the same occasion, and menstrual age.

Results

The bi‐parietal diameter and crown–rump length formulae overestimated pregnancy length by two and three days respectively, causing 7–8% of pregnancies to be labelled postterm. A combined bi‐parietal diameter+femur length formula overestimated by one day, with 5.1% postterms. No significant difference was found in the proportion of births within ±seven days. Second trimester estimated delivery date assessment had larger median variations than did first trimester assessment and suffered from shifting deviations across fetal size. The comparison of different biometry formulae in the same individual demonstrated one day extra deviation for bi‐parietal diameter and three days extra deviation for crown–rump length compared with the combined bi‐parietal diameter+femur length formula.

Conclusions

The algorithms and dating occasions tested seem inappropriate for the present 280‐day term definition. Alternative formulae ought to be sought, and the assumed duration of pregnancy reconsidered; 283 days corresponds to the observed pregnancy length calculated from last menstrual period, and would better fit the observed results for first trimester ultrasound scans.
Prevalence of myopic retinopathy in rural Central India
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Nangia Vinay , Gupta Rajesh , Bhojwani Krishna , Nangia Prabhat , Panda‐Jonas Songhomitra
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of myopic retinopathy (MR) in rural Central India.

Methods

The population‐based Central India Eye and Medical Study included 4711 subjects (aged 30+ years). The participants underwent a detailed eye examination, including fundus photography. Myopic retinopathy was defined according to the Pathologic Myopia Study Group.

Results

Readable fundus photographs were available on 4561 (96.8%) subjects (8846 eyes). Myopic retinopathy was present in 15 (0.17 ± 0.04%; 95% confidence interval (CI):0.08%, 0.26%) eyes of 11 (0.24 ± 0.07%; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.04) individuals. Myopic retinopathy occurred only in eyes with an axial length of >26 mm. Eyes with MR had significantly larger optic discs than eyes without MR (3.69 ± 1.22 mm2 versus 2.52 ± 0.77 mm2; p < 0.001). In binary regression analysis, higher prevalence of MR was associated with longer axial length (p < 0.001; odds ratio (OR): 19.6; 95%CI: 4.6, 82.9), higher prevalence of open‐angle glaucoma (p = 0.02; OR: 16.1; 95%CI: 1.51, 170), lower best‐corrected visual acuity (expressed in logMAR) (=0.03; OR: 0.06; 95%CI: 0.004, 0.75) and female gender (p = 0.002). If level of education was added to the model, educational level was not significantly associated with MR (p = 0.17; OR: 0.53; 95%CI: 0.22, 1.31). If gender was dropped from the model, higher prevalence of MR was associated with lower educational level (p = 0.04; OR: 0.44; 95%CI: 0.20, 0.97).

Conclusions

Prevalence of MR in rural Central India was low (11/4561 or 0.2%), and correlated with a 16 times higher risk of open‐angle glaucoma, after adjusting for axial length and gender. If gender was excluded from the analysis, higher prevalence of MR was associated with lower educational level. This latter finding distinguishes adult MR from today′s school children myopia which is strongly associated with higher educational level.
The learning curve for interpretation of oesophageal high‐resolution manometry: a prospective interventional cohort study
Authors: Gaddam S. , Reddy C. A. , Munigala S. , Patel A. , Kanuri N. , Almaskeen S. , Rude M. K. , Abdalla A. , Gyawali C. P.
Published: November 2016

Background

High‐resolution manometry has become the preferred choice of oesophagologists for oesophageal motor assessment, but the learning curve among trainees remains unclear.

Aim

To determine the learning curve of high‐resolution manometry interpretation.

Methods

A prospective interventional cohort study was performed on 18 gastroenterology trainees, naïve to high‐resolution manometry (median age 32 ± 4.0 years, 44.4% female). An intake questionnaire and a 1‐h standardised didactic session were performed at baseline. Multiple 1‐h interpretation sessions were then conducted periodically over 15 months where 10 studies were discussed; 5 additional test studies were provided for interpretation, and results were compared to gold standard interpretation by the senior author. Hypothetical management decisions based on trainee interpretation were separately queried. Accuracy was compared across test interpretations and sessions to determine the learning curve, with a goal of 90% accuracy.

Results

Baseline accuracy was low for abnormal body motor patterns (53.3%), but higher for achalasia/outflow obstruction (65.9%). Recognition of achalasia reached 90% accuracy after six sessions (P = 0.01), while overall accurate management decisions reached this threshold by the 4th session (P < 0.001). Based on our data, the threshold of 90% accuracy for recognition of any abnormal from normal pattern was reached after 30 studies (3rd session) but fluctuated. Diagnosis of oesophageal body motor patterns remained suboptimal; accuracy of advisability of fundoplication improved, but did not reach 90%.

Conclusions

High‐resolution manometry has a steep learning curve among trainees. Achalasia recognition is achieved early, but diagnosis of other abnormal motor patterns and management decisions require further supervised training.
Thermal and Petrographic Characterization of Herculaneum Wall Plasters
Authors: Leone G. , De Vita A. , Magnani A. , Rossi C.
Published: November 2016

Roman plasters sampled from different houses at the archaeological site of Herculaneum, Italy, (2010–12) were studied by means of petrography, thermal analysis and X‐ray fluorescence. Herculaneum plasters are composed by preparatory layers (arriccio) with a thickness of several centimetres and are based on a calcitic binder and volcanic scoriae as aggregates, covered by a thin final layer characterized by a low granulometry. Most of the sampled plasters can be placed into two groups based on the aggregate composition and classified as marmorino or intonachino. However, a similar aggregate composition did not induce superimposable thermal behaviour, thus suggesting that the samples underwent different ageing/weathering processes, with a consequent change of the ratio among the components.
Drug‐specific hypophosphatemia and hypersensitivity reactions following different intravenous iron infusions
Authors: Bager Palle , Hvas Christian L. , Dahlerup Jens F.
Published: November 2016

Aims

Intravenous (IV) iron infusions have been associated with hypophosphataemia (HP) and hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). No studies have compared the side effects of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) with those of isomaltoside 1000 (ISM). This study aimed to describe the occurrence of HP and HSRs following the administration of either FCM or ISM.

Methods

Data on 231 outpatients treated with IV iron infusions, between November 2011 and April 2014, were collected. During that period, the department made a switch from FCM to ISM and then back to FCM. Of the 231 patients, 39 received both FCM and ISM during the period. The prevalences of HP and HSRs were compared between the two drugs.

Results

We found more HP events when FCM was given (64 vs. 9; P < 0.01). In contrast, more patients had mild HSRs when ISM was given (2.5% vs. 10.7%; P < 0.01). A comparison of the two drugs in the subpopulation who received both drug types (n = 39) revealed a difference in phosphate decrease (P < 0.01), with the most marked decrease occurring with FCM. Nine patients who had HSRs were exposed to both drugs. No potential HSR crossover between the two drugs was found.

Conclusion

We found a higher risk of HP with FCM administration when compared to ISM administration. Conversely, we found a higher risk of mild HSRs with ISM administration when compared to FCM administration. The impacts of the two types of side effects should be considered when choosing an IV iron drug.
Trends in Off‐Label Prescribing of Sedatives, Hypnotics and Antidepressants among Children and Adolescents – A Danish, Nationwide Register‐Based Study
Authors: Nielsen Eva Skovslund , Rasmussen Lotte , Hellfritzsch Maja , Thomsen Per Hove , Nørgaard Mette , Laursen Torben
Published: November 2016

In recent years, psychotropic drug use among children and adolescents in Europe and USA has increased. However, the majority of psychotropic drugs are not formally approved for use in children and adolescents, and consequently, use is often off‐label. The objectives were to describe time trends in off‐label prescribing rates and the most commonly used types of psychotropic drugs by age and gender in Danish children and adolescents. Using the Register of Medicinal Product Statistics, we identified all prescriptions for sedatives, hypnotics and antidepressants filled for children and adolescents in 2006–2012. Information on diagnoses was obtained from the Danish National Registry of Patients and allowed classification of prescriptions as either on‐ or off‐label. We identified 186,831 prescriptions filled for 29,851 children and adolescents: 88.0% of these were classified as off‐label. During 2006–2012, off‐label rates for sedatives and hypnotics increased significantly, except for prescriptions for girls aged 15–17 years [range 24.1–98.2% (girls), 31.9% to 99.0% (boys)]. In the same period, the number of registered melatonin prescriptions (all off‐label) increased expansively. For antidepressants, we found decreasing trends in off‐label rates over time [range 94.5–65.6% (girls), 93.8–71.2% (boys)]. Off‐label prescribing of psychotropic drugs to Danish children and adolescents is common. Off‐label rates for sedatives and hypnotics increased in the period of 2006–2012, whereas off‐label rates for antidepressants declined. Off‐label rates might be underestimated and should be considered a conservative estimate.
Patient experiences of a bariatric group programme for managing obesity: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Tarrant Mark , Khan Sammyh S. , Farrow Claire V. , Shah Pooja , Daly Mark , Kos Katarina
Published: November 2016

Objectives

People with obesity experience a range of physical and psychological ill‐health outcomes. This study examined patients’ experiences of a group‐based programme for the management of morbid obesity delivered within the UK National Health Service. The focus of the study was on the emerging dynamic of the group and patients’ perceptions of its impact on health outcomes.

Design

A qualitative interview study was conducted and involved patients recruited from a Tier 3 bariatric service in South West England. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Methods

Twenty patients (12 females) with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 participated in a semi‐structured one‐to‐one interview. Participants had been registered with the bariatric service for at least 6 months. None of the participants had had bariatric surgery.

Results

Most participants felt that they had benefited from participating in the group programme and talked about the group as a resource for lifestyle change. Participants’ narratives centred on the emergence of a sense of self based upon their participation in the group: establishing psychological connections to other patients, or shared social identity, was regarded as a key mechanism through which the programme's educational material was accessed, and underpinned the experience of social support within the group. Through interaction with other patients, involving the sharing of personal experiences and challenges, participants came to experience their weight ‘problem’ through a collective lens that they felt empowered them to initiate and sustain individual lifestyle change.

Discussion

Bariatric care groups have the potential to support lifestyle change and weight loss and may help address the psychological needs of patients. Nurturing a sense of shared social identity amongst patients with morbid obesity should be a core aim of the care pathway and may provide the foundation for successful translation of dietetic content in group programmes.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Services for people with obesity who require specialist care are often supported by group‐based bariatric programmes.

There are no specific guidelines for the organization of bariatric groups beyond the recommendation for lifestyle interventions delivered by a multidisciplinary care team.

Research with other health conditions suggests that the psychological connections formed between participants in bariatric programmes may play an important role in structuring programme effectiveness.

What does this study add?

Establishing psychological connections with other patients underpins bariatric patients’ group experience.

Shared social identity structures behaviour change in patients on bariatric programmes.

Nurturing shared social identity should be a core aim of the bariatric care pathway.
Effect of sphingosine kinase modulators on interleukin‐1β release, sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptor 1 expression and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Barbour Mark , McNaughton Melissa , Boomkamp Stephanie D , MacRitchie Neil , Jiang Hui‐Rong , Pyne Nigel J , Pyne Susan
Published: November 2016

Background and Purpose

The sphingosine analogue, FTY720 (GilenyaR), alleviates clinical disease progression in multiple sclerosis. Here, we variously assessed the effects of an azide analogue of (S)‐FTY720 vinylphosphonate (compound 5; a sphingosine kinase 1 activator), (R)‐FTY720 methyl ether (ROMe, a sphingosine kinase 2 inhibitor) and RB‐020 (a sphingosine kinase 1 inhibitor and sphingosine kinase 2 substrate) on IL‐1β formation, sphingosine 1‐phosphate levels and expression of S1P1 receptors. We also assessed the effect of compound 5 and ROMe in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model in mice.

Experimental Approach

We measured IL‐1β formation by macrophages, sphingosine 1‐phosphate levels and expression levels of S1P1 receptors in vitro and clinical score in mice with EAE and the extent of inflammatory cell infiltration into the spinal cord in vivo.

Key Results

Treatment of differentiated U937 macrophages with compound 5, RB‐020 or sphingosine (but not ROMe) enhanced IL‐1β release. These data suggest that these compounds might be pro‐inflammatory in vitro. However, compound 5 or ROMe reduced disease progression and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the spinal cord in EAE, and ROMe induced a reduction in CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell levels in the blood (lymphopenia). Indeed, ROMe induced a marked decrease in expression of cell surface S1P1 receptors in vitro.

Conclusion and Implications

This is the first demonstration that an activator of sphingosine kinase 1 (compound 5) and an inhibitor of sphingosine kinase 2 (ROMe, which also reduces cell surface S1P1 receptor expression) have an anti‐inflammatory action in EAE.
High KRT8 expression promotes tumor progression and metastasis of gastric cancer
Authors: Fang Jian , Wang Hao , Liu Yun , Ding Fangfang , Ni Ying , Shao Shihe
Published: November 2016

Keratin8 (KRT8) is the major component of the intermediate filament cytoskeleton and predominantly expressed in simple epithelial tissues. Aberrant expression of KRT8 is associated with multiple tumor progression and metastasis. However, the role of KRT8 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. In this study, KRT8 expression was investigated and it was found to be upregulated along with human GC progression and metastasis at both mRNA and protein levels in human gastric cancer tissues. In addition, KRT8 overexpression enhanced the proliferation and migration of human gastric cancer cells, whereas the knock‐down of KRT8 by siRNA only inhibited migration of human gastric cancer cells. Integrinβ1‐FAK‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal‐transition (EMT) only existed in the high KRT8 cells. Furthermore, KRT8 overexpression led to increase in p‐smad2/3 levels and TGFβ dependent signaling events. KRT8 expression in GC was related to tumor clinical stage and worse survival. Kaplan–Meier analysis proved that KRT8 was associated with overall survival of patients with GC that patients with high KRT8 expression tend to have unfavorable outcome. Moreover, Cox's proportional hazards analysis showed that high KRT8 expression was a prognostic marker of poor outcome. These results provided that KRT8 expression may therefore be a biomarker or potential therapeutic target to identify patients with worse survival.
Clinicopathological significance of SPC18 in colorectal cancer: SPC18 participates in tumor progression
Authors: Hattori Takuya , Sentani Kazuhiro , Naohide Oue , Sakamoto Naoya , Yasui Wataru
Published: November 2016

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related death worldwide. In order to identify novel prognostic markers or therapeutic targets for CRC, we searched for candidate genes in our comprehensive gene expression libraries, and focused on SEC11A, which encodes the SPC18 protein. SPC18 plays a key role in the endoplasmic reticulum‐Golgi secretory pathway and presumably regulates the secretion of various secretory proteins. An immunohistochemical analysis of SPC18 in 137 CRC tissue samples demonstrated that 79 (58%) CRC cases were positive for SPC18. SPC18‐positive CRC cases were more advanced in terms of N classification (P = 0.0315) and tumor stage (P = 0.0240) than SPC18‐negative CRC cases. Furthermore, the expression of SPC18 was an independent prognostic classifier for CRC patients. The cell growth and invasiveness of SPC18 siRNA‐transfected CRC cell lines was less than that of the negative control siRNA‐transfected cell lines. The levels of phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor, Erk and Akt were lower in SPC18 siRNA‐transfected CRC cells than in control cells. The expression of SPC18 was colocalized with β‐catenin nuclear localization and MMP7 at the invasive front. An immunohistochemical analysis of human colorectal polyp specimens revealed a sequential increase in the expression of SPC18 through the conventional adenoma‐carcinoma pathway, while SPC18 was not expressed or was expressed to a lesser extent in serrated pathway‐related tumors. These results suggest that SPC18 is involved in tumor progression, and is an independent prognostic classifier in patients with CRC.
Immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and IgG4 anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) associate with shared epitope, whereas IgG2 anti-CCP associates with smoking in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (the Swedish TIRA project)
Authors: Martinsson K , Johansson A , Kastbom A , Skogh T
Published: November 2016

Given the possible importance of anti-citrullinated peptide/protein antibodies (ACPA) for initiation and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), extended knowledge about the different isotypes and subclasses is important. In the present study, we analysed the immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclasses regarding reactivity against cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) among 504 clinically well-characterized patients with recent-onset RA in relation to smoking habits, shared epitope (SE) status and IgA and pan-IgG anti-CCP antibodies. All patients, regardless of pan-IgG anti-CCP status, were analysed for IgG1–4 CCP reactivity. Sixty-nine per cent were positive in any IgG anti-CCP subclass, and of these 67% tested positive regarding IgG1, 35% IgG2, 32% IgG3, and 59% IgG4 anti-CCP. Among ever-smokers the percentages of IgG2 anti-CCP (P = 0·01) and IgA anti-CCP (P = 0·002)-positive cases were significantly higher compared to never-smokers. A positive IgG anti-CCP subclass -negative cases. Combining SE and smoking data revealed that IgG1 and IgG4 anti-CCP were the IgG anti-CCP isotypes associated with expression of SE, although the lower number of patients positive for IgG2 or IgG3 anti-CCP could, however, have influenced the results. High levels of IgG2 anti-CCP were shown to correlate with expression of the ‘non-SE’ allele human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*15. In conclusion, in this study we describe different risk factor characteristics across the IgG anti-CCP subclasses, where IgG2 appears similar to IgA anti-CCP regarding the predominant association with smoking, while IgG1 and IgG4 related more distinctly to the carriage of SE genes.
Spatial But Not Oculomotor Information Biases Perceptual Memory: Evidence From Face Perception and Cognitive Modeling
Authors: Wantz Andrea L. , Lobmaier Janek S. , Mast Fred W. , Senn Walter
Published: November 2016

Recent research put forward the hypothesis that eye movements are integrated in memory representations and are reactivated when later recalled. However, “looking back to nothing” during recall might be a consequence of spatial memory retrieval. Here, we aimed at distinguishing between the effect of spatial and oculomotor information on perceptual memory. Participants’ task was to judge whether a morph looked rather like the first or second previously presented face. Crucially, faces and morphs were presented in a way that the morph reactivated oculomotor and/or spatial information associated with one of the previously encoded faces. Perceptual face memory was largely influenced by these manipulations. We considered a simple computational model with an excellent match (4.3% error) that expresses these biases as a linear combination of recency, saccade, and location. Surprisingly, saccades did not play a role. The results suggest that spatial and temporal rather than oculomotor information biases perceptual face memory.
Temporal Structure in Emerging Language: From Natural Data to Silent Gesture
Authors: Schouwstra Marieke
Published: November 2016

Many human languages have complex grammatical machinery devoted to temporality, but very little is known about how this came about. This paper investigates how people convey temporal information when they cannot use any conventional languages they know. In a laboratory experiment, adult participants were asked to convey information about simple events taking place at a given time, in spoken language and in silent gesture (i.e., using only gesture and no speech). It was shown that in spoken language, participants formed utterances according to the rules of their native language (Dutch), but in silent gesture, the temporal information was presented initially, and structurally separately, from the other information in the utterance. The experimental results are consistent with findings from natural systems emerging in situations of communicative stress: unsupervised adult second language learning and homesign. This confirms that presenting temporal information separately and initially (directly mirroring how temporal and propositional information can be represented semantically) is a robust strategy to talk about past and future when only sparse communicative means are available.
Gastric mucosal cracked and cobblestone‐like changes resulting from proton pump inhibitor use
Authors: Miyamoto Shuichi , Kato Mototsugu , Tsuda Momoko , Matsuda Kana , Muranaka Tetsuhito , Abiko Satoshi , Ono Masayoshi , Mizushima Takeshi , Omori Saori , Yamamoto Keiko , Mabe Katsuhiro , Ono Shoko , Kudo Takahiko , Shimizu Yuichi , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: November 2016

Background and Aim

Use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) is histologically associated with oxyntic gland dilatations. Two interesting mucosal changes are often detected endoscopically in patients who use PPI: gastric cracked mucosa (GCM) and gastric cobblestone‐like mucosa (GCSM). The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between PPI use and these mucosal changes.

Methods

This was a single‐center observational study. All successive subjects who underwent a routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) between August and November 2014 in Hokkaido University Hospital were enrolled. Endoscopists carried out the assessment blinded to the use of PPI and checked for GCSM and GCM using original diagnostic criteria for GCM and GCSM. Subjects were divided into two groups: those who used PPI (PPI group) and those who did not (control group). Endoscopic findings and backgrounds were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 538 patients were analyzed (control group: 374 patients, men/women: 204/170, median age: 65.2 years; PPI group: 164 patients, men/women: 89/75, median age: 67.1 years). GCM was detected in 54 (10.0%) subjects, and GCSM was detected in 18 (3.3%) subjects. There was a significant difference in the prevalence rate of GCM between the control group (14/374, 3.7%) and the PPI group (40/164, 24.4%) (P < 0.01). GCSM was significantly more prevalent in the PPI group (15/164, 9.1%) than in the control group (3/374, 0.8%) (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Novel GCM and GCSM endoscopic findings in the corpus area seem to be strongly associated with PPI use.
A real‐world study of treatment patterns and outcomes in US managed‐care patients with type 2 Diabetes initiating injectable therapies
Authors: Wei Wenhui , Buysman Erin , Grabner Michael , Xie Lin , Brekke Lee , Ke Xuehua , Chu James W. , Levin Philip A.
Published: November 2016

Aims

Examine real‐world outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) initiating injectable therapy as part of the Initiation of New Injectable Treatment Introduced after Antidiabetic Therapy with Oral‐only Regimens (INITIATOR) study.

Materials and methods

Linked insurance claims and medical record data were collected from 2 large US health insurers (April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012) of T2DM adults initiating treatment with glargine (GLA) or liraglutide (LIRA). Baseline characteristics were examined and changes in 12‐month follow‐up outcomes were described for both treatment groups: HbA1c, weight change, hypoglycaemia, persistence, healthcare utilisation and costs.

Results

A total of 4490 patients were included (GLA, 2116; LIRA, 2374). At baseline, GLA patients had significantly higher HbA1c vs LIRA patients (9.72% vs 8.19%; P < .001), lower likelihood of having HbA1c < 7% (7.1% vs 23.8%; P < .001), lower bodyweight (100.9 kg vs 110.9 kg, P < .001), higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score (0.88 vs 0.63; P < .001), and higher diabetes‐related costs ($3492 vs $2089; P < .001), respectively.

During 12‐months of follow‐up, treatment persistence was 64%, mean HbA1c reduction was −1.24% and weight change was + 1.17 among GLA patients, and was 49%, −0.51% and −2.74 kg, respectively, among LIRA patients. Diabetes‐related costs increased significantly from baseline to follow‐up for LIRA patients ($2089 vs $3258, P < .001) but not for GLA patients ($3492 vs $3550, P = .890).

Conclusions

There were clinically relevant baseline differences in both groups, suggesting that GLA and LIRA are prescribed for different patient groups, and highlighting that efficacy results from clinical trials do not always translate into real‐world practice. Significant increases in healthcare costs were observed in the LIRA group, warranting further cost‐effectiveness analysis.
l‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia and neuroinflammation: do microglia and astrocytes play a role?
Authors: Carta Anna R. , Mulas Giovanna , Bortolanza Mariza , Duarte Terence , Pillai Elisabetta , Fisone Gilberto , Vozari Rita Raisman , Del‐Bel Elaine
Published: November 2016

In Parkinson's disease (PD), l‐DOPA therapy leads to the emergence of motor complications including l‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia (LID). LID relies on a sequence of pre‐ and postsynaptic neuronal events, leading to abnormal corticostriatal neurotransmission and maladaptive changes in striatal projection neurons. In recent years, additional non‐neuronal mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to LID. Among these mechanisms, considerable attention has been focused on l‐DOPA‐induced inflammatory responses. Microglia and astrocytes are the main actors in neuroinflammatory responses, and their double role at the interface between immune and neurophysiological responses is starting to be elucidated. Both microglia and astrocytes express a multitude of neurotransmitter receptors and via the release of several soluble molecules modulate synaptic function in neuronal networks. Here we review preclinical and clinical evidence of glial overactivation by l‐DOPA, supporting a role of microglia and astrocytes in the development of LID. We propose that in PD, chronically and abnormally activated microglia and astrocytes lead to an aberrant neuron‐glia communication, which affect synaptic activity and neuroplasticity contributing to the development of LID.
N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide is a useful marker to identify latent heart failure patients in older adults in a rural outpatient clinic
Authors: Hamagawa Kosuke , Kubo Toru , Nishimura Kotaro , Baba Yuichi , Hirota Takayoshi , Yamasaki Naohito , Kitaoka Hiroaki
Published: November 2016

Aim

Although measurement of natriuretic peptides including N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) has been recommended for identifying heart failure (HF) patients, the prevalence of elderly patients with latent HF who are attending an outpatient clinic is unknown.

Methods

We measured NT‐proBNP levels in 393 patients (aged 75 ± 9 years) in a rural outpatient clinic. Patients with a diagnosis of heart disease were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups by the values of NT‐proBNP: high NT‐proBNP group (>400 pg/mL) and low NT‐proBNP group (≤400 pg/mL) according to Japanese guidelines. Patients with a high NT‐proBNP value underwent echocardiography including tissue Doppler examination.

Results

A total of 43 (11%) patients had high NT‐proBNP values. Those patients were older, and larger percentages of those patients were male, had atrial fibrillation, history of stroke and dementia. Echocardiography was carried out in 39 of the 43 patients with high NT‐proBNP values, and there were four patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, two with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and one with aortic regurgitation. In the remaining 32 patients, 27 patients had diastolic HF in accordance with Japanese guidelines. A diagnosis of HF according to the guidelines was finally made in 34 (87 %) of the 39 patients.

Conclusions

A large number of elderly patients without a diagnosis of HF who were attending an outpatient clinic showed high levels of NT‐proBNP, and measurement of NT‐proBNP is useful to identify patients with latent HF. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1648–1653.