bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Receiver Status on Donor Prosociality in 6‐ to 11‐Year‐Old Children
Authors: McGuigan Nicola , Fisher Ruth , Glasgow Rory
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to explore the interplay between donor prosociality and receiver status using a fixed‐choice resource distribution paradigm. Sixty children aged 6–11 years allocated resources to two high‐status adults and two lower status adults under three different payoff structures. The donor could choose between an egalitarian option and an option that either resulted in an allocation that favored either the donor (Prosocial) or the receiver (Envy), or one in which the donor sacrificed resources to maintain parity (Costly Sharing). The results showed that the interplay between receiver status, donor age, and the payoff structure was complex, with children displaying selective generosity in which the status of the receiver played a key role.
HFS‐Triggered AMPK Activation Phosphorylates GSK3β and Induces E‐LTP in Rat Hippocampus In Vivo
Authors: Yu Dan‐Fang , Shen Zu‐Cheng , Wu Peng‐Fei , Guan Xin‐Lei , Chen Tao , Jin You , Hu Zhuang‐Li , Ni Lan , Wang Fang , Chen Jian‐Guo , Long Li‐Hong
Published: March 2016

Background

The AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of cellular energy and nutrient status, with substantial amount of cross talk with other signaling pathways, including its phosphorylation by Akt, PKA, and GSK3β.

Aims

Various signaling pathways and energy‐consuming transport of glutamate receptors subunits are required in synaptic plasticity. However, it is unknown which energy sensors integrate the signaling pathways in these processes. In this article, we elucidated the role of AMPK activation and GSK3β phosphorylation after HFS during the inducement of early‐phase long‐term potentiation (E‐LTP).

Methods

Synaptic LTP in vivo was induced by high‐frequency stimulation (HFS at 200 Hz at a 5‐s interval). In addition, phosphorylation of AMPK and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) were measured using Western blotting. The amount of hippocampal AMP, ADP and ATP was measured by HPLC.

Results

We showed that the phosphorylation of AMPK and GSK3β was significantly increased by HFS in vivo. HFS‐induced AMPK activation occurred via increased (AMP + ADP)/ATP ratio and activation of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent kinase kinase beta (CaMKKβ). Pharmacological inhibition of AMPK by compound C (CC) prevented HFS‐induced inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK3β and the induction of LTP in dentate gyrus (DG) area in vivo.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal that HFS‐triggered AMPK activation phosphorylates GSK3β and induces E‐LTP in vivo.
Neuroprotective Role of Steroidal Sex Hormones: An Overview
Authors: Siddiqui Ali Nasir , Siddiqui Nahida , Khan Rashid Ali , Kalam Abul , Jabir Nasimudeen R. , Kamal Mohammad Amjad , Firoz Chelapram Kandy , Tabrez Shams
Published: March 2016

Progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone are the well‐known steroidal sex hormones, which have been reported to have “nonreproductive “effects in the brain, specifically in the neuroprotection and neurotrophy. In the last one decade, there has been a surge in the research on the role of these hormones in neuroprotection and their positive impact on different brain injuries. The said interest has been sparked by a desire to understand the action and mechanisms of these steroidal sex hormones throughout the body. The aim of this article was to highlight the potential outcome of the steroidal hormones, viz. progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone in terms of their role in neuroprotection and other brain injuries. Their possible mechanism of action at both genomic and nongenomic level will be also discussed. As far as our knowledge goes, we are for the first time reporting neuroprotective effect and possible mechanism of action of these hormones in a single article.
Primary HPV testing: a proposal for co‐testing in initial rounds of screening to optimise sensitivity of cervical cancer screening
Authors: Herbert A.
Published: March 2016

As explained by Kitchener in a previous issue of Cytopathology (2015;26:4‐6), primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is likely to be introduced in the UK for all women aged 25–64 years following pilot site studies already in place. This will be necessary when the prevalence of cervical cancer and its precursors declines when vaccination takes effect but there is a risk in abandoning cytology as a primary test: a risk that would be most apparent in the present unvaccinated population in which the prevalence of cervical cancer and its precursors is exceptionally high. HPV testing is more sensitive than cytology but has a significant false‐negative rate that could be detrimental to a successful screening programme if introduced without cytology backup. Accurate cytology would be needed for triage and could be compromised if HPV‐negative tests were excluded from examination.

This article proposes a compromise: cytology and HPV co‐testing for the first two screening tests to optimise the sensitivity of the test as a whole. Registrations of invasive and in situ carcinoma of the uterine cervix in England indicate that the prevalence of the disease is highest in young women in the early rounds of screening. Calculations of the likely impact on the workload of this proposal have been based on a service evaluation of 295 cytology tests received at St Thomas’ Hospital, which suggests that the volume of cytology tests would be reduced by approximately 60% compared with 80% for primary HPV testing alone. This proposal should be debated openly before irrevocable changes are made to a skilled workforce.
Pathologic electrographic changes after experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Bragin Anatol , Li Lin , Almajano Joyel , Alvarado‐Rojas Catalina , Reid Aylin Y. , Staba Richard J. , Engel Jerome
Published: March 2016

Objective

To investigate possible electroencephalography (EEG) correlates of epileptogenesis after traumatic brain injury (TBI) using the fluid percussion model.

Methods

Experiments were conducted on adult 2‐ to 4‐month‐old male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Two groups of animals were studied: (1) theTBIgroup with depth and screw electrodes implanted immediately after the fluid percussion injury (FPI) procedure, and (2) a naive age‐matched control group with the same electrode implantation montage. Pairs of tungsten microelectrodes (50 μm outer diameter) and screw electrodes were implanted in neocortex inside theTBIcore, areas adjacent toTBI, and remote areas.EEGactivity, recorded on the day ofFPI, and continuously for 2 weeks, was analyzed for possible electrographic biomarkers of epileptogenesis. Video‐EEGmonitoring was also performed continuously in theTBIgroup to capture electrographic and behavioral seizures until the caps came off (28–189 days), and for 1 week, at 2, 3, and 6 months of age, in the control group.

Results

Pathologic high‐frequency oscillations (pHFOs) with a central frequency between 100 and 600 Hz, were recorded from microelectrodes, beginning during the first two post‐FPIweeks, in 7 of 12 animals in theTBIgroup (58%) and never in the controls.pHFOs only occurred in cortical areas within or adjacent to theTBIcore. These were associated with synchronous multiunit discharges and popSpikes, duration 15–40 msec. RepetitivepHFOs andEEGspikes (rHFOSs) formed paroxysmal activity, with a unique arcuate pattern, in the frequency band 10–16 Hz in the same areas as isolatedpHFOs, and these events were also recorded by screw electrodes. Although loss of caps prevented long‐term recordings from all rats,pHFOs andrHFOSs occurred during the first 2 weeks in all four animals that later developed seizures, and none of the rats without these events developed late seizures.

Significance

pHFOs, similar to those associated with epileptogenesis in the status rat model of epilepsy, may also reflect epileptogenesis afterFPI.rHFOSs could be noninvasive biomarkers of epileptogenesis.
Validation of rapid suicidality screening in epilepsy using the NDDIE
Authors: Mula Marco , McGonigal Aileen , Micoulaud‐Franchi Jean‐Arthur , May Theodor W. , Labudda Kirsten , Brandt Christian
Published: March 2016

Objective

Standard mortality ratio for suicide in patients with epilepsy is three times higher than in the general population, and such a risk remains high even after adjusting for clinical and socioeconomic factors. It is thus important to have suitable screening instruments and to implement care pathways for suicide prevention in every epilepsy center. The aim of this study is to validate the use of the Neurological Disorder Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDIE) as a suicidality‐screening instrument.

Methods

The study sample included adult patients with epilepsy assessed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the NDDIE. A high suicidality risk according to the Suicidality Module of the MINI was considered the gold standard. Receiver operating characteristic analyses for NDDIE total and individual item scores were computed and subsequently compared using a nonparametric approach. The best possible cutoff was identified with the highest Youden index (J). Likelihood ratios were then computed, and specificity, sensitivity, positive, and negative predictive values calculated.

Results

The study sample consisted of 380 adult patients with epilepsy: 46.3% male; mean age was 39.4 ± 14.6; 76.7% had a diagnosis of focal epilepsy; mean age at onset of the epilepsy was 23.3 ± 17.5. According to the MINI, 74 patients (19.5%) fulfilled criteria for a major depressive episode and 19 (5%) presented a high suicidality risk. A score >2 (J = 0.751) for item 4 “I'd be better off dead” of the NDDIE displayed excellent psychometric properties with a good to excellent validity (area under the curve [AUC] 0.906; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.820–0.992; p < 0.001), sensitivity 84.21% (95% CI 60.4–96.6), specificity 90.86% (95% CI 87.4–93.6), likelihood ratio+ 9.21 (95% CI 6.3–13.5), likelihood ratio– 0.17 (95% CI 0.06–0.50).

Significance

Item 4 of the NDDIE has shown to be an excellent suicidality screening instrument allowing the development of further care pathways for suicide prevention in epilepsy centers.
Colic in a working horse population in Egypt: Prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Salem S. E. , Scantlebury C. E. , Ezzat E. , Abdelaal A. M. , Archer D. C.
Published: March 2016

Reasons for performing study

Colic is an important health problem in managed horse populations. Currently, there is limited information about colic prevalence and risk factors for colic in working horse populations.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, colic in a working horse population in Egypt and to describe management practices in this working horse population.

Study design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

Owners of 350 working horses were interviewed. Data about their horses, management and colic episodes in the preceding 12 months were collected. Dental examination was conducted on 342 horses and blood samples (n = 100) were collected for immunodiagnosis of tapeworm (Anoplocephala perfoliata)infection. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for a history of colic in the preceding 12 months.

Results

The 12‐month prevalence of colic was 54.6%. Severe and moderate tapeworm infection intensity was identified in 3% and 26% of horses tested, respectively. Horses that had severe dental disease (odds ratio [OR] 6.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9–24.3, P<0.001), that displayed stereotypic behaviour (OR2.0, 95%CI1.15–3.5, P = 0.013), were fed ground corn during the ‘dry season’ (OR1.65, 95%CI1.03–2.6, P = 0.035) or that had received an anthelmintic in the previous 6 months (OR2.1, 95%CI1.3–3.3, P = 0.003) were more likely to have a history of colic in the preceding 12 months. Horses fed on rice bran during the ‘green season’ (OR0.47, 95%CI0.26–0.9, P = 0.015) and that displayed geophagia/coprophagia (OR0.19, 95%CI0.05–0.73, P = 0.001) were less likely to have a history of colic.

Conclusions

Colic is common in this working horse population and this study has identified factors associated with altered likelihood of colic. The study provides important information that may be used to inform future prospective studies investigating colic in working horse populations and to assist development of preventive healthcare strategies.

The Summary is available in Chinese – see Supporting information
Overexpression of bromodomain factor 3 in Trypanosoma cruzi (TcBDF3) affects differentiation of the parasite and protects it against bromodomain inhibitors
Authors: Alonso Victoria Lucia , Ritagliati Carla , Cribb Pamela , Cricco Julia Alejandra , Serra Esteban Carlos
Published: March 2016

The bromodomain is the only protein domain known to bind acetylated lysine. In the last few years many bromodomain inhibitors have been developed in order to treat diseases such as cancer caused by aberrant acetylation of lysine residues. We have previously characterized Trypanosoma cruzi bromodomain factor 3 (TcBDF3), a bromodomain with an atypical localization that binds acetylated α‐tubulin. In the present work we show that parasites overexpressing TcBDF3 exhibit altered differentiation patterns and are less susceptible to treatment with bromodomain inhibitors. We also demonstrate that recombinant TcBDF3 is able to bind to these inhibitors in vitro in a concentration‐dependant manner. In parallel, the overexpression of a mutated version of TcBDF3 negatively affects growth of epimastigotes. Recent results, including the ones presented here, suggest that bromodomain inhibitors can be conceived as a new type of anti‐parasitic drug against trypanosomiasis.
Advanced dementia: opinions of physicians and nurses about antibiotic therapy, artificial hydration and nutrition in patients with different life expectancies
Authors: Pengo Valentina , Zurlo Anna , Voci Alberto , Valentini Elisabetta , De Zaiacomo Francesca , Catarini Massimo , Iasevoli Mario , Maggi Stefania , Pegoraro Renzo , Manzato Enzo , Giantin Valter
Published: March 2016

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the proportion of physicians and nurses who agree with the administration of antibiotic therapy (AT), artificial hydration (AH), and artificial nutrition (AN) in patients with advanced dementia and different life expectancies. Furthermore, we aimed at analyzing the correlates of the opinion according to which medical treatments should no longer be given to advanced dementia patients once their life expectancy falls.

Methods: End‐of‐life decisions and opinions were measured with a questionnaire that was sent to geriatric units, hospices and nursing homes in three different regions of Italy. Multivariate logistic regressions were carried out to ascertain the correlates of the agreement with the administration of AH, AT or AN.

Results: When the patient's life expectancy was 1–6 months, 83% of respondents agreed with AH, 79% with AT and 71% with AN. When the life expectancy was less than 1 month, a large proportion of respondents still agreed with AH and AT (73% and 61%), whereas less than one in two respondents (48%) agreed with AN.

Conclusions: The findings of the present study showed that AN creates more ethical dilemmas in the clinical management of end of life than other treatments, such as AH or AT. Opinions on whether or not these practices are appropriate at the end of life were related with feelings, thoughts and ethical issues that played a different part for physicians and nurses.Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 487–493.
Evidence for Elevated Levels of Arsenic in Public Wells of Bangladesh Due To Improper Installation
Authors: Choudhury I. , Ahmed K. M. , Hasan M. , Mozumder M. R. H. , Knappett P. S. K. , Ellis T. , van Geen A.
Published: March 2016

One of the mainstays of mitigation to reduce the exposure of the rural population of Bangladesh to arsenic (As) from private, mostly <90‐m deep wells over the past 15 years has been the installation of over 300,000 deeper community wells. A comprehensive testing campaign previously conducted across a 180 km2 of area of Bangladesh identified 9 out of total of 927 wells >90 m deep that contained >50 µg/L arsenic. We show here that for five of these nine wells, conductivity profiles obtained after spiking the well bore with salt indicate a shallow leak that could explain the high As in the well water. In two of the five leaky wells, the presence of additional screens at the depth of the leak was documented with a downhole camera. The downhole camera did not detect anomalies in the construction of the remaining three leaky wells or in the four wells that did not leak. The four wells that did not leak were all >150‐m deep and located in two villages separated by less than 500 m. Excluding these two villages and a handful of leaky wells, the results indicate an aquifer that is consistently low in As over a sizeable area at depths >90 m. Isolated cases of public wells that are elevated in As that have been reported elsewhere in Bangladesh may therefore reflect improper installation rather than actual contamination of the deep aquifer.
Adipokines and Migraine: A Systematic Review
Authors: Peterlin B. Lee , Sacco Simona , Bernecker Claudia , Scher Ann I.
Published: March 2016

Background

Migraine is comorbid with obesity. Recent research suggests an association between migraine and adipocytokines, proteins that are predominantly secreted from adipose tissue and which participate in energy homeostasis and inflammatory processes.

Objectives

In this review, we first briefly discuss the association between migraine and obesity and the importance of adipose tissue as a neuroendocrine organ. We then present a systematic review of the extant literature evaluating circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin in those with migraine.

Methods

A search of the PubMed database was conducted using the keywords “migraine,” “adiponectin,” and “leptin.” In addition reference lists of relevant articles were reviewed for possible inclusion. English language studies published between 2005 and 2015 evaluating circulating blood concentration of adiponectin or leptin in those with migraine were included.

Conclusions

While the existing data are suggestive that adipokines may be associated with migraine, substantial study design differences and conflicting results limit definitive conclusions. Future research utilizing carefully considered designs and methodology is warranted. In particular careful and systematic characterization of pain states at the time of samples, as well as systematic consideration of demographic (eg, age, sex) and other vital covariates (eg, obesity status, lipids) are needed to determine if adipokines play a role in migraine pathophysiology and if any adipokine represents a viable, novel migraine biomarker, or drug target.
Xenobiotic Pathway Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Gastric Cancer in High Risk Mizo‐Mongoloid Population, Northeast India
Authors: Ghatak Souvik , Yadav Ravi Prakash , Lalrohlui Freda , Chakraborty Payel , Ghosh Soumee , Ghosh Sudakshina , Das Madhusudan , Pautu Jeremy L. , Zohmingthanga John , Senthil Kumar Nachimuthu
Published: March 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of gastric cancer associated with individual or combined glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) polymorphism and their interaction with environmental factors.

Materials and Methods

Genotyping by PCR was carried out for 80 cases and controls each for GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphism and mapped for gene—environment association studies. The samples were subjected to pathogen detection and GSTP1 expression for analyzing their association with different genotypes. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to compute the influence of both genetic and environmental factors for gastric cancer. MDR analysis was performed to assess the risk of gastric cancer by studying the gene–gene and gene–environment effect on the basis of GST genotyping and GSTP1 gene expression.

Results

Infection with Helicobacter pylori and CagA+ strains was more frequent in patients with GSTM1/T1 null genotype. Intake of high fermented fat and smoked meat was found to be significantly associated with gastric cancer. The G/G, A/G (rs1695), and T/T (rs1138272) were found to be significantly associated with low expression of GSTP1 gene in cancer tissue.

Conclusion

Presence of H. pylori with CagA genotype showed significant individual effect with GSTT1 polymorphism as well as strong synergistic effect in gastric cancer risk. Majority of the gastric cancer samples showed significant negative expression in G/G, A/G (rs1695), and T/T (rs1138272) genotypes. This study shows that GST gene polymorphism was significantly relevant for determining the individual susceptibility to gastric cancer.
Effect of cultivar, cultivation year and dehulling on raffinose family oligosaccharides in Australian sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.)
Authors: Karnpanit Weeraya , Coorey Ranil , Clements Jon , Nasar‐Abbas Syed M. , Khan Muhammad K. , Jayasena Vijay
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cultivar, cultivation year and dehulling on raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) in current cultivars of Australian sweet lupin. Seed samples of ten cultivars grown in 2011, 2012 and 2013 were used in the study. Both whole seed and dehulled lupin samples were analysed for RFOs by high‐performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detector. Lupin cultivar had a significant effect on RFO contents. Total RFO contents in whole seed and dehulled lupin samples varied between 7.3–10.1 g/100 g DM and 7.6–16.8 g/100 g DM, respectively. Belara and Mandelup cultivars had high levels of RFOs indicating the suitability for functional foods with prebiotic effect. Gungurru and PBA Barlock contained low levels of RFOs and recommended for lupin‐enriched foods with low flatulence effect. Cultivation year with similar climatic conditions had no significant effect on RFO contents. Dehulling increases raffinose, stachyose and total RFO contents in lupin.
Anti‐CD25 monoclonal antibody Fc variants differentially impact regulatory T cells and immune homeostasis
Authors: Huss David J. , Pellerin Alex F. , Collette Brian P. , Kannan Arun K. , Peng Liaomin , Datta Abhishek , Wipke Brian T. , Fontenot Jason D.
Published: March 2016

Interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) is a critical regulator of immune homeostasis through its non‐redundant role in regulatory T (Treg) cell biology. There is major interest in therapeutic modulation of the IL‐2 pathway to promote immune activation in the context of tumour immunotherapy or to enhance immune suppression in the context of transplantation, autoimmunity and inflammatory diseases. Antibody‐mediated targeting of the high‐affinity IL‐2 receptor α chain (IL‐2Rα or CD25) offers a direct mechanism to target IL‐2 biology and is being actively explored in the clinic. In mouse models, the rat anti‐mouse CD25 clone PC61 has been used extensively to investigate the biology of IL‐2 and Treg cells; however, there has been controversy and conflicting data on the exact in vivo mechanistic function of PC61. Engineering antibodies to alter Fc/Fc receptor interactions can significantly alter their in vivo function. In this study, we re‐engineered the heavy chain constant region of an anti‐CD25 monoclonal antibody to generate variants with highly divergent Fc effector function. Using these anti‐CD25 Fc variants in multiple mouse models, we investigated the in vivo impact of CD25 blockade versus depletion of CD25+ Treg cells on immune homeostasis. We report that immune homeostasis can be maintained during CD25 blockade but aberrant T‐cell activation prevails when CD25+ Treg cells are actively depleted. These results clarify the impact of PC61 on Treg cell biology and reveal an important distinction between CD25 blockade and depletion of CD25+ Treg cells. These findings should inform therapeutic manipulation of the IL‐2 pathway by targeting the high‐affinity IL‐2R.
Sintering and Nanostability: The Thermodynamic Perspective
Authors: Castro Ricardo H. R. , Gouvêa Douglas
Published: March 2016

Sintering and nanostability (defined as the stability against sintering) are critical phenomena present in the processing and application of nanoparticles. With important implications in obtaining high‐quality dense ceramics with fine grains or in enabling high surface areas in nanoparticles for catalytic applications, the control of these interrelated phenomena has been the focuses of several studies. From a thermodynamic perspective, it is recognized that surface energy is a fundamental parameter in both cases, since it is the main driving force for sintering and also the reason that nanoparticles are thermodynamically unstable and have the tendency to coarsen at elevated temperatures. The role of grain‐boundary energies is less recognized as relevant, but is also connected to densification, grain growth, and nanoparticle stability. In this paper, we review the critical aspects of the role of interfacial energies in the microstructure evolution, in particular addressing them as parameters to allow better control in addition to more conventional kinetic parameters. The concept is based on the nonsingularity of interfacial energies in a given system, which varies with temperature, atmosphere, and most importantly, chemical composition—this last offering a method to induce particular microstructural evolutions. While the model assumes isotropic grain boundaries but consequences to anisotropy are also discussed. The paper presents examples of the role of dopants on interfacial energies, how this is quantitatively related to their segregation at the interfaces, and the impact in sintering and nanostability. Given the importance of interface energetics to these phenomena, we also present a short review on the current methods used to obtain reliable interface thermodynamic data.
Wet‐Route Synthesis and Characterization of Yb:CaF2 Optical Ceramics
Authors: Sarthou Julia , Aballéa Pierre , Patriarche Gilles , Serier‐Brault Hélène , Suganuma Akiko , Gredin Patrick , Mortier Michel
Published: March 2016

This paper reports a new strainless fabrication method for ytterbium‐doped CaF2 laser ceramics involving no drying step before green body casting. The nanoparticles were kept in aqueous solution until green body shaping. Centrifugation was used to obtain correct compactness of the green body before sintering. Characterizations were conducted at different steps of the fabrication process. No grain boundaries oxidation was observed in the sintered ceramics although the nanoparticles were permanently maintained in water until they were sintered. Finally, these ceramics are more homogeneous and have less light scattering defects (no porosity), and present improved optical properties when compared to ceramics obtained from dried nanopowders.
Plasma from pre‐eclamptic patients induces the expression of the anti‐angiogenic miR‐195‐5p in endothelial cells
Authors: Sandrim Valeria Cristina , Dias Mayara Caldeira , Bovolato Ana Lívia de Carvalho , Tanus‐Santos Jose E , Deffune Elenice , Cavalli Ricardo C.
Published: March 2016

We examined the effect of plasma incubation from preeclampsia pregnant on the antiangiogenic miR‐195‐5p expression. Higher miR‐195‐5p expression was found in cultures incubated with preeclampsia plasma compared to those incubated with healthy pregnant plasma. Next, as VEGF is a target of miR‐195‐5p we have quantified its expression by real‐time qPCR and ELISA. We found reduced VEGF levels in culture incubated with preeclampsia plasma. Therefore, we have concluded that the higher expression of miR‐195‐5p in endothelial cell cultures incubated with preeclampsia plasma may contribute to decreased expression of VEGFA (gene and protein) and increased antiangiogenic status in preeclampsia. Therefore, this miR may be an important target in preeclampsia.
Body mass index and the risk of cancer incidence in patients with type 2 diabetes in Japan: Results from the National Center Diabetes Database
Authors: Yamamoto‐Honda Ritsuko , Takahashi Yoshihiko , Yoshida Yoko , Kwazu Shoji , Iwamoto Yasuhiko , Kajio Hiroshi , Yanai Hidekatsu , Mishima Shuichi , Shimbo Takuro , Noda Mitsuhiko
Published: March 2016

Aims/Introduction

Both type 2 diabetes and obesity increase the risk of some types of cancers, and underlying mechanisms are thought to be, at least in part, common. In the present study, we carried out a retrospective cohort study of the relationship between body mass index (BMI) categories and cancer development in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods

A total of 113 incident cancers including 35 cancers whose incidence was reported to be increased by obesity (27 colorectal cancers, two breast cancers in postmenopausal women, one endometrial cancer, four renal cancers and one gallbladder cancer) were identified in 2,334 type 2 diabetic patients (1,616 men and 718 women) over an average observation period of 5.1 years.

Results

In men, there was no significant association between the BMI categories at the start of the observation period and the development of any cancer. In contrast, the incidence of all of the cancers in the women was significantly higher in the group with a BMI of less than 22.0 kg/m2 (hazard ratio 3.07, 95% CI 1.01–9.36). In either sex, there was no significant relationship between the BMI categories and the development of cancers whose risk is known to be increased by obesity.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study were limited by the relatively small number of patients in the cohort, which posed a danger of not finding significance. However, the results suggested that obesity did not become an additional risk factor for cancer in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.
T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain‐containing molecule 3 on CD14+ monocytes serves as a novel biological marker for diabetes duration in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yan Wen‐jiang , Sun Peng , Wei Dan‐dan , Wang Shuang‐xi , Yang Jing‐jing , Li Yi‐hui , Zhang Cheng
Published: March 2016

Aims/Introduction

Type 2 diabetes is a worldwide disease that is associated with increased rates of obesity and reduced physical activity. Obesity‐associated insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes is a disorder in the balance between pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory signals. T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain‐containing molecule 3 (Tim‐3) has been reported as an important regulatory inflammation molecule, and plays a pivotal role in several inflammation‐related diseases.

Materials and Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from type 2 diabetes patients (n = 31) and healthy donors (n = 18), and Tim‐3 expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated by flow cytometry.

Results

We showed the downregulated expression of Tim‐3 on CD14+ monocytes from type 2 diabetes patients. In addition, the upregulated expression of Tim‐3 on peripheral CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells was observed in the present study. The correlation analysis between Tim‐3 expression on CD14+ monocytes and diabetes duration showed the longer diabetes duration time, the lower Tim‐3 expression on CD14 monocytes.

Conclusions

The present results suggest that Tim‐3 might participate in the progression of type 2 diabetes by its negative regulation on these immune cells, and Tim‐3 on CD14+ monocytes serves as a novel biological marker for diabetes duration in type 2 diabetes patients.
Study on autonomic dysfunction and metabolic syndrome in Chinese patients
Authors: Zhu Ling , Zhao Xiaolan , Zeng Ping , Zhu Jianguo , Yang Shuwen , Liu Annan , Song Yuehua
Published: March 2016

Aims/Introduction

There is still a lack of simple methods and instruments for the early assessment of autonomic dysfunction in metabolic syndrome patients. Assessment of sudomotor function has been proposed to explore autonomic function, and could be used as an early biomarker for metabolic syndrome. In the present study, we use a quick and non‐invasive method to measure sudomotor function, and aimed to evaluate its efficacy to identify metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population.

Materials and Methods

Information on the 1,160 Chinese participants involved in the study, such as age, sex, blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose and lipid profile, and SUDOSCAN, was recorded. During the sudomotor test, patients were asked to place their bare hands and feet on large electrodes. The test took 2 min to carry out, was painless and no participant preparation was required.

Results

A total of 567 participants were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome correlated significantly with increasing SUDOSCAN cardiac risk score (P for trend <0.0001). Furthermore, an increase in cardiac risk score value was associated with an increase in the number of metabolic syndrome components (P for trend <0.0001). Compared with the no‐risk group (cardiac risk score <20), participants in the high‐risk group (cardiac risk score ≥30) had a 2.83‐fold increased risk of prevalent metabolic syndrome (P < 0.0001), and 1.51‐fold increased risk (P = 0.01) after adjustments.

Conclusions

Autonomic dysfunction is correlated to components of metabolic syndrome. The role of SUDOSCAN in the screening of at‐risk populations for metabolic syndrome has to be confirmed by further studies.
Using machine learning to assess covariate balance in matching studies
Authors: Linden Ariel , Yarnold Paul R.
Published: March 2016

In order to assess the effectiveness of matching approaches in observational studies, investigators typically present summary statistics for each observed pre‐intervention covariate, with the objective of showing that matching reduces the difference in means (or proportions) between groups to as close to zero as possible. In this paper, we introduce a new approach to distinguish between study groups based on their distributions of the covariates using a machine‐learning algorithm called optimal discriminant analysis (ODA). Assessing covariate balance using ODA as compared with the conventional method has several key advantages: the ability to ascertain how individuals self‐select based on optimal (maximum‐accuracy) cut‐points on the covariates; the application to any variable metric and number of groups; its insensitivity to skewed data or outliers; and the use of accuracy measures that can be widely applied to all analyses. Moreover, ODA accepts analytic weights, thereby extending the assessment of covariate balance to any study design where weights are used for covariate adjustment. By comparing the two approaches using empirical data, we are able to demonstrate that using measures of classification accuracy as balance diagnostics produces highly consistent results to those obtained via the conventional approach (in our matched‐pairs example, ODA revealed a weak statistically significant relationship not detected by the conventional approach). Thus, investigators should consider ODA as a robust complement, or perhaps alternative, to the conventional approach for assessing covariate balance in matching studies.
The Iterated Mountain: Things as Signs in Potosí
Authors: Abercrombie Thomas A.
Published: March 2016

Mineros del icónico Cerro Rico de Potosí (en si parte de un sitio patrimónico de UNESCO y figura central del escudo y monedas nacionales bolivianos) participan del capitalismo global, en su cabo extractivo y explotador. Junto a las imágenes del Diablo dentro de los socavones y de los santos en capillas afuera de ellos, los mineros también participan en la economía “espiritual” de la agencia distribuida que allí sostiene a la producción y movimiento de minerales y el dinero, y que motiva un festival folclórico importante que a su vez es candidato para el estatus patrimonial. El artículo intenta usar la lingüística material (esto es, Peirce) para indagar como es que las cosas, sean gigantescas, del tamaño del cuerpo humano, o miniaturas, funcionan como signos materiales dentro de redes de interacción socio‐materiales. Así el articulo ofrece un contrapunto a ciertas estrategias teóricas que siguen, en lugar de cuestionar, los dualismos cuerpo/mente, materia/espiritu que guían tanto al cristianismo colonial como a la ciencia (incluyendo a la teoría antropológica y el reciente “giro ontológico”). [Bolivia, colonialismo/estudios post‐coloniales, ideología semiótica, minería, pueblos indígenas]
Familial discrepancy of clinical outcomes associated with fibrinogen Dorfen: A case of huge genital hematoma after episiotomy
Authors: Kagami Kyosuke , Yamazaki Rena , Minami Tetsuya , Okumura Nobuo , Morishita Eriko , Fujiwara Hiroshi
Published: March 2016

This study demonstrates a case of a huge genital hematoma after delivery, associated with fibrinogen Dorfen. Fibrinogen Dorfen is the mutation of a fibrinogen‐coded exon gene, which has a single heterozygous GCC → GTC transition at codon 289 of the γ gene, predicting an Ala → Val substitution. Because Ala289 plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of the polymerization site of hole ‘a’ via a hydrogen bond, it is speculated that the γ 289Ala → Val substitution can change not only the fibrinogen structure, but also the function of polymerization. In our case, although the patient's gene mutation was the same as that of her mother, there was a discrepancy in the clinical outcomes. Although the precise mechanism regarding this discrepancy remains unknown, it may cause different perinatal outcomes in terms of vaginal delivery, such as the severe bleeding in this patient and the absence of clinical symptoms in her mother. This is the first report suggesting the heterogeneity of fibrinogen functions of fibrinogen Dorfen, which may be critical to the clinical outcome.
The Relatives’ Big Five Personality Influences the Trajectories of Recovery of Patients After Severe TBI: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Haller Chiara S.
Published: March 2016

This study examines the influence of the personality of relatives on the trajectories of recovery of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present subsample (N = 376) of a larger population‐based, prospective, 12‐month multicenter cohort study in Switzerland (2007–2011) consists of patients with severe TBI (age ≥ 16) and their relatives. The predictors are the NEO Five‐Factor Inventory and time (trajectory of functioning of the patient over time). The outcomes are the patients’ (a) neurological functioning; (b) reported emotional, interpersonal, cognitive, and total functioning post‐injury; and (c) health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). The covariates included Abbreviated Injury Scale score of the head region and age. Results for patients > 50 are (a) relatives’ Extraversion influenced patients’ total, interpersonal, and cognitive functioning; (b) relatives’ Agreeableness influenced patients’ interpersonal functioning; and (c) relatives’ Conscientiousness influenced patients’ physical HRQoL (ps < .05). Results for patients ≤ 50 are (a) relatives’ Neuroticism influenced patients’ neurological and emotional functioning, and (b) relatives’ Extraversion influenced patients’ emotional functioning and psychological HRQoL (ps < .05). The personality traits of the relative covary with the functioning of the patient, and psychological adaptation to the loss of function may progress at a later stage after physical health improvements have been achieved. Thus, a biopsychosocial perspective on the rehabilitation process is needed.
A NEW APPROACH TO MODELING THE IMPACT OF DISRUPTIVE EVENTS
Authors: Oosterhaven Jan , Bouwmeester Maaike C.
Published: March 2016

This paper develops a new methodology to predict the interregional and interindustry impacts of disruptive events. We model the reactions of economic agents by minimizing the information gain between the pre‐ and postevent pattern of economic transactions. The resulting nonlinear program reproduces, as it should, the pre‐event market equilibrium. The methodology is tested further by means of a comparison of this base scenario with two regional production shock scenarios and two interregional trade shock scenarios. The outcomes show a plausible combination of partially compensating demand, supply, and spatial substitution effects, which justifies the further development, testing, and application of this new approach.
Network Formation under Multiple Sources of Externalities
Authors: JOSHI SUMIT , MAHMUD AHMED SABER
Published: March 2016

The architecture of social and economic networks is often explained in terms of the externalities shaping the link‐forming incentives of players. We make two contributions to this literature. First, we bring into its ambit the linear‐quadratic utility model. Since players' utilities are now a function of their network centralities, this permits endogenizing their locational incentives in a network. Second, we show that the mode of transmission of externalities can be crucial in dictating the topology of equilibrium networks. We consider two alternative modes for channeling externalities. Both have the same primary source (direct links) but a different secondary source (global effects vs. indirect links). We characterize equilibrium networks for different positive–negative combinations of primary–secondary externalities for both modes. We show that the mode of transmission influences the equilibrium architecture when externalities from the primary source are positive; when these externalities are negative, the equilibrium network is empty.
Relationship Determinants of Performance in Service Triads: A Configurational Approach
Authors: Karatzas Antonios , Johnson Mark , Bastl Marko
Published: March 2016

The increasing popularity of service‐based strategies among manufacturers, such as solution provision, makes service triads commonplace within business. While there is some consensus that “relational” (i.e., close or collaborative) relationships are beneficial for the performance of individual actors and the triad as a whole, there is little known about what exactly affects the service performance of an actor in these triads. In this study, we investigate the influence of the manufacturer–service supplier relationship on the performance of the service supplier toward the manufacturer's customers. As this phenomenon is causally complex and context dependent, we assume that there will be alternative configurations of relationship characteristics and contingent factors that lead to high service performance. To uncover potential configurations, we deployed fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis, on data collected from 38 triads within the network of a large Anglo‐German commercial vehicle manufacturer. Our research shows that—in this context—superior service performance cannot be generalized to one relationship configuration and is also contingent upon exogenous factors—that is, contract support and service site size. We uncovered four “core” configurations of relationship dimensions and two exogenous factors. Three of the configurations exhibited relational properties, while the fourth configuration had transactional properties. This is counter to extant research findings. We extend the perspective that within triads, service performance is not an outcome of a single “close,” or “collaborative” relationship and is a combination of multiple configurations consisting of varying relationship dimensions and exogenous factors.
Antiviral response and resistance analysis of treatment‐naïve HCV‐infected patients receiving single and multiple doses of GS‐9190
Authors: Mo H. , Hedskog C. , Svarovskaia E. , Sun S.‐C. , Jacobson I. M. , Brainard D. M. , McHutchison J. G. , Miller M. D.
Published: March 2016

GS‐9190 is a NS5B non‐nucleoside analogue with demonstrated effectiveness in a Phase 1 monotherapy study and in combination with other DAAs for treatment of chronic HCV infection. Here, the resistance profile of GS‐9190 monotherapy in a Phase 1b study was investigated. Resistance analysis was performed by population sequencing and allele‐specific PCR (AS‐PCR) for Y448H with an assay cut‐off of 0.5%. Phenotypic susceptibility analyses were performed on patient isolates as well as site‐directed mutagenesis of mutations selected during monotherapy. No resistance‐associated variants were observed in patients before or after receiving single doses of GS‐9190 by population sequencing. In contrast, in patients who received GS‐9190 for 8 days, mutations Y448H and Y452H in NS5B were observed by population sequencing in 21/36 (58%) and 2/36 (5.6%) patients, respectively, at Day 8 or Day 14. Among the remaining 15 patients who had no detectable Y448H at Day 8 or Day 14 by population sequencing, low frequencies of Y448H ranging from 1.3 to 9.7% were detected in 14 of 15 patients by AS‐PCR. By AS‐PCR, Y448H remained detectable at reduced frequency in the majority of patients analysed through 4–6 months of follow‐up. Chimeric HCV replicons constructed with the NS5B sequence from patients with Y448H and Y448H + Y452H/Y demonstrated 27‐fold and 78.5‐fold reduced susceptibility to GS‐9190. In conclusion, Y448H was rapidly selected in the majority of patients receiving multiple doses of GS‐9190 as monotherapy, despite undetectable levels in pretreatment samples. Y448H confers reduced susceptibility to GS‐9190 and other NNIs and persisted in most patients for months post‐treatment.
Evaluation of Four Diagnostic Tests for Insulin Dysregulation in Adult Light‐Breed Horses
Authors: Dunbar L.K. , Mielnicki K.A. , Dembek K.A. , Toribio R.E. , Burns T.A.
Published: March 2016

Background

Several tests have been evaluated in horses for quantifying insulin dysregulation to support a diagnosis of equine metabolic syndrome. Comparing the performance of these tests in the same horses will provide clarification of their accuracy in the diagnosis of equine insulin dysregulation.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement between basal serum insulin concentrations (BIC), the oral sugar test (OST), the combined glucose‐insulin test (CGIT), and the frequently sampled insulin‐modified intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT).

Animals

Twelve healthy, light‐breed horses.

Methods

Randomized, prospective study. Each of the above tests was performed on 12 horses.

Results

Minimal model analysis of the FSIGTT was considered the reference standard and classified 7 horses as insulin resistant (IR) and 5 as insulin sensitive (IS). In contrast, BIC and OST assessment using conventional cut‐off values classified all horses as IS. Kappa coefficients, measuring agreement among BIC, OST, CGIT, and FSIGTT were poor to fair. Sensitivity of the CGIT (positive phase duration of the glucose curve >45 minutes) was 85.7% and specificity was 40%, whereas CGIT ([insulin]45 >100 μIU/mL) sensitivity and specificity were 28.5% and 100%, respectively. Area under the glucose curve (AUCg0‐120) was significantly correlated among the OST, CGIT, and FSIGTT, but Bland–Altman method and Lin's concordance coefficient showed a lack of agreement.

Conclusions

Current criteria for diagnosis of insulin resistance using BIC and the OST are highly specific but lack sensitivity. The CGIT displayed better sensitivity and specificity, but modifications may be necessary to improve agreement with minimal model analysis.