bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How and why are subcutaneous fluids administered in an advanced illness population: a systematic review
Authors: Forbat Liz , Kunicki Natalie , Chapman Michael , Lovell Clare
Published: December 2016

Aims and objectives

To identify the mechanisms of subcutaneous fluid administration in advanced illness.

Background

Hydration at end of life is a fundamental issue in quality care internationally. Decision‐making regarding the provision of artificial hydration in advanced illness is complicated by a paucity of evidence‐based guidance. Despite considerable attention given to the topic including two recent Cochrane reviews, there has been no focus in systematically identifying papers that report the mechanisms for delivering hydration subcutaneously. Consequently, there is a need to produce guidance on the site, mode, volume and rate of infusion, based on empirical evidence.

Design

Systematic review of papers reporting empirical research data.

Methods

Key databases (CENTRAL, Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL) were searched in September 2015, with no date limitations. Inclusion criteria focused on hypodermoclysis in adults within an advanced illness population. Selected studies were reviewed for quality and a risk‐of‐bias assessment was conducted for the included studies.

Results

Fourteen papers were included in the analysis; most (n = 8) were conducted in hospices with others (n = 6) in long‐stay units with a population affected by chronic conditions associated with ageing. Studies were of moderate or high quality. The site and mode of infusion were not well described in these papers, and rates of infusion varied widely allowing for little clear consensus to guide clinical practice in the administration of subcutaneous fluids.

Conclusions

Studies under‐report the mechanisms by which artificial hydration is provided, creating a paucity of evidence‐based guidance by which to practice. There is a need for evidence generated from nonmalignant populations to ensure applicability to the large number of people with other advanced illness.

Relevance to clinical practice

In the absence of sufficiently powered robust evidence, the mode of delivery of artificial hydration at end of life remains in the gloaming between evidence and unfounded habit.
The effect of laughter therapy on the quality of life of nursing home residents
Authors: Kuru Nilgun , Kublay Gulumser
Published: December 2016

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the effect of Laughter therapy on the quality of life of nursing home residents.

Background

By improving the quality of life of residents living in nursing homes and allowing them to have a healthier existence, their lives can be extended. Therefore, interventions impacting the quality of life of older adults are of critical importance.

Design

Quasi‐experimental design.

Method

The study was conducted between 2 March – 25 May 2015. The experimental group was composed of 32 nursing home residents from one nursing home, while the control group consisted of 33 nursing home residents from another nursing home in the capital city of Turkey. Laughter therapy was applied with nursing home residents of the experimental group two days per week (21 sessions in total). A socio‐demographic form and the Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) were used for data collection.

Results

After the laughter therapy intervention, general and subscales (physical functioning, role‐physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role‐emotional and spiritual health) quality‐of‐life scores of residents in the experimental group significantly increased in comparison with the pretest.

Conclusion

Laughter therapy improved the quality of life of nursing home residents. Therefore, nursing home management should integrate laughter therapy into health care and laughter therapy should be provided as a routine nursing intervention.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results indicated that the laughter therapy programme had a positive effect on the quality of life of nursing home residents. Nurses can use laughter therapy as an intervention to improve quality of life of nursing home residents.
Family caregiver's experiences of providing care to patients with End‐Stage Renal Disease in South‐West Nigeria
Authors: Oyegbile Yemisi Okikiade , Brysiewicz Petra
Published: December 2016

Aims and objectives

To describe the experiences of family caregivers providing care for patients living with End‐Stage Renal Disease in Nigeria

Background

Family caregiving is where an unpaid volunteer, usually a close family member, attends to the needs of a loved one with a chronic, disabling illness within the home. Much research has been conducted in the area of family caregiving in high‐income countries. However, the same cannot be said for many of the low‐resource, multicultural African countries.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Method

This qualitative descriptive study used manifest content analysis to analyse data from semi‐structured, individual interviews, with 15 purposively selected family caregivers. Two tertiary institutions providing renal care in South‐Western Nigeria: the research setting for this study.

Result

Five categories were identified, and these included disconnectedness with self and others, never‐ending burden, ‘a fool being tossed around’, obligation to care and promoting a closer relationship.

Conclusion

Experiences associated with the caregiving of patients diagnosed with End‐Stage Renal Disease evoked a number of emotions from the family caregivers, and the study revealed that caregiving imposed some burdens that are specific to low‐resource countries on participants.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses need to engage family caregivers on disease‐specific teachings that might promote understanding of the disease process and role expectation. Family caregivers may benefit from social support services.
Effect of interleukin‐1β and lipoxin A4 in human endometriotic stromal cells: Proteomic analysis
Authors: Wu Rong‐Feng , Yang Hui‐Ming , Zhou Wei‐Dong , Zhang Li‐Rong , Bai Jian‐Bing , Lin Dian‐Chao , Ng Tai‐Wei , Dai Song‐Juan , Chen Qiong‐Hua , Chen Qing‐Xi
Published: December 2016

Aim

Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) can function as an endogenous ‘breaking signal’ in inflammation and plays an important role in the progression of endometriosis. The proteome responses to interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) or LXA4 in human endometriotic stromal cells (ESC) are not well understood.

Methods

In this study, primary ESC were cultured from ovarian endometriosis tissue. Three groups were established: the control group; the IL‐1β stimulation group; and the IL‐1β and LXA4 incubation group. Proteins were assessed on 2‐D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D‐PAGE), and differentially expressed protein spots were further identified on matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS). Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to assess the migration and invasion of ESC after treatment.

Results

In total, 40 differentially expressed protein spots were identified successfully on MALDI‐TOF‐MS. The proteins identified were related to cell structure, metabolism, signal transduction, protein synthesis and membrane structure, processes that may be involved in the development of endometriosis. Vinculin and IL‐4 were further analyzed on western blot and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, LXA4 could suppress the migration and invasion of ESC induced by IL‐1β.

Conclusion

LXA4 may inhibit the progression of endometriosis partly by lowering or raising the effect of IL‐1β, mediated via some inflammation‐related proteins (e.g. vinculin) and immune response‐related protein (e.g. IL‐4) in vitro.
Ritodrine‐induced rhabdomyolysis, infantile myotonic dystrophy, and maternal myotonic dystrophy unveiled
Authors: Ogoyama Manabu , Takahashi Hironori , Kobayashi Yukako , Usui Rie , Matsubara Shigeki
Published: December 2016

A primiparous pregnant woman in remission of myositis suffered very acute‐onset ritodrine‐induced rhabdomyolysis. At 29 gestational weeks, ritodrine was administered for threatened preterm labor. Just 3 h later, she complained of severe limb muscle pain, with serum creatinine phosphokinase elevated to 32 019 U/L and myoglobinuria. The muscle pain disappeared immediately after ceasing administration of ritodrine. At 31 weeks, premature rupture of the membranes occurred, necessitating cesarean section, yielding a baby with weak tonus, and the presence of infantile muscle diseases was suspected. Genetic analysis of the infant confirmed myotonic dystrophy (dystrophia myotonica, DM), which prompted us to perform maternal genetic analysis, confirming maternal DM. Ritodrine can induce rhabdomyolysis even in the prodromal phase with a mild phenotype of DM. A literature review suggested that ritodrine‐induced rhabdomyolysis may be likely to occur more acutely after ritodrine administration in DM compared with non‐DM mothers.
Ethnic analogies and differences in fetal heart rate variability signal: A retrospective study
Authors: Tagliaferri Salvatore , Esposito Francesca Giovanna , Fagioli Rosa , Di Cresce Marco , Sacchi Lucia , Signorini Maria Gabriella , Campanile Marta , Martinelli Pasquale , Magenes Giovanni
Published: December 2016

Aim

We aimed to analyze computerized cardiotocographic (cCTG) parameters (including fetal heart rate baseline, short‐term variability, Delta, long‐term irregularity [LTI], interval index [II], low frequency [LF], movement frequency [MF], high frequency [HF], and approximate entropy [ApEn]) in physiological term pregnancies in order to correlate them with ethnic differences. The clinical meaning of numerical parameters may explain physiological or paraphysiological phenomena that occur in fetuses of different ethnic origins.

Methods

A total of 696 pregnant women, including 384 from Europe, 246 from sub‐Saharan Africa, 45 from South‐East Asia, and 21 from South America, were monitored from the 37th to the 41st week of gestation. Statistical analysis was performed with the analysis of variance test, Pearson correlation test and receiver–operator curves (P < 0.05).

Results

Our results showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between white and black women for Delta, LTI, LF, MF, HF, and ApEn; between white and Asian women for Delta, LTI, MF, and the LF/(HF + MF) ratio; and between white and Latina women for Delta, LTI, and ApEn. In particular, Delta and LTI performed better in the white group than in the black, Asian, and Latina groups. Instead, LF, MF, HF, and ApEn performed better in the black than in the white group.

Conclusion

Our results confirmed the integrity and normal functionality of both central and autonomic nervous system components for all fetuses investigated. Therefore, CTG monitoring should include both linear and nonlinear components of fetal heart rate variability in order to avoid misinterpretations of the CTG trace among ethnic groups.
Replication of GWAS loci revealed the moderate effect of TNRC6B locus on susceptibility of Saudi women to develop uterine leiomyomas
Authors: Bondagji Nabeel Saleem , Morad Fatima Amanullah , Al‐Nefaei Afnan Abed Abdullah , Khan Imran Ali , Elango Ramu , Abdullah Layla Saleh , M.Al‐Mansouri Nisma , Sabir Jamal , Banaganapalli Babajan , Edris Sherif , Shaik Noor Ahmad
Published: December 2016

Aim

Uterine leiomyomas (UL) are smooth muscular nodes, whose growth is dependant up on the complex interplay of hormones with genes and uterine physiology. Global statistics indicate the role of ethnic and racial background as contributory factors for UL development. Owing to the lack of data, this study aimed to examine the association between genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility of Arab women of developing UL.

Methods

We genotyped 105 UL patients and 112 healthy controls for five genetic polymorphisms through real time PCR method. The strength of the association between genotype and allele frequencies with risk of developing UL was tested with their χ2 and odds ratio (OR) values. The synergistic cooperation between genetic polymorphisms was estimated through multifactor dimensionality reduction assay.

Results

We found that Saudi women with the AG genotype for the rs12484776 polymorphism are at a 2.6‐fold higher risk of developing UL compared to those with other genotypes (OR, 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45–5.00; P < 0.001). This significance persisted even under co‐dominant models (i.e., AA vs GG + AG [OR, 2.74; 95%CI: 1.48–5.08; P = 0.001; and AG vs GG + AG [OR, 2.41; 95% CI: 1.33–4.39; P = 0.003). Genotype distribution frequencies for rs1056836, rs7913069, rs2280543, and rs4247357 were not shown to elevate the disease risk (for all tests P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The rs12484776 significantly contributes to UL risk among Saudi women, both in single and also in synergistic cooperation with rs2280543, rs7913069, and rs1056836 markers. Our results have yielded mixed findings in replicating European‐ and Japanese‐specific UL genetic susceptibility loci among a geographically and culturally distinct population of the Saudi Arabian Peninsula.
Influence of Behçet's disease on first and second trimester serum screening markers
Authors: Yılmaz Zehra Vural , Türkmen Gülenay Gençosmanoğlu , Yılmaz Elif , Dağlar Korkut , Kırbaş Ayşe , Sanhal Cem , Yücel Aykan , Uygur Dilek
Published: December 2016

Aim

Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare and multisystemic vasculitis disease. In this study, we investigated whether BD had any effect on the biochemical components of first and second trimester aneuploidy screening tests.

Methods

A case–control retrospective study was conducted with 32 pregnant women with BD and 60 healthy pregnant women as controls. All pregnant womens’ first trimester maternal serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A, free β‐human chorionic gonadotropin and second trimester serum alpha‐fetoprotein, unconjugated estriol and total human chorionic gonadotropin levels were examined from medical records. First and second serum screening markers were compared between pregnancies with BD and without.

Results

There was no difference in age, body mass index and obstetric history between the groups. No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of first and second trimester serum screening test results in the absence of aneuploidy or neural tube defect. Gestational age at birth, birth weight and neonatal intensive care admission rate were also similar between the groups.

Conclusion

Both first and second serum screening tests for Down syndrome may be recommended to pregnant women with BD without the need to readjust these markers. Pregnancy with BD was not associated with adverse perinatal outcome with respect to gestational age at birth or birth weight.
Differentials in variables associated with past history of artificial abortion and current contraception by age: Results of a randomized national survey in Japan
Authors: Kojo Takao , Ae Ryusuke , Tsuboi Satoshi , Nakamura Yosikazu , Kitamura Kunio
Published: December 2016

Aim

This study analyzes differentials in the variables associated with the experience of artificial abortion (abortion) and use of contraception by age among women in Japan.

Methods

The 2010 National Lifestyle and Attitudes Towards Sexual Behavior Survey was distributed to 2693 men and women aged 16–49 selected from the Japanese population using a two‐stage random sampling procedure. From the 1540 respondents, we selected 700 women who reported having had sexual intercourse at least once. We used logistic regression to analyze how social and demographic factors were associated with the experience of abortion and contraceptive use.

Results

The abortion rate according to the survey was 19.3%. Of the 700 women in the sample, 6.9% had experienced two or more abortions. Logistic regression revealed that, although significant variables depended on age, a high level of education and discussions about contraceptive use with partners were negatively associated with the experience of abortion. Self‐injury, approval of abortion and first sexual intercourse between the age of 10 and 19 were positively associated with the experience of abortion. Marriage, smoking and first sexual intercourse between the age of 10 and 19 were negatively associated with contraceptive use. Higher education and discussion of contraception with partners were positively associated with contraceptive use.

Conclusions

To prevent unwanted pregnancy and abortion, social support and sexual education should be age‐appropriate. It is vital to educate young people of the importance of discussing contraceptive use with their partners.
“Stress That I Don't Need”: Gender Expectations and Relationship Struggles Among the Poor
Authors: Sherman Jennifer
Published: December 2016

Based on 55 qualitative interviews, this article looks in depth at the ways in which gendered expectations impact heterosexual romantic relationships among low‐income and poor adults in a small, western U.S. city. It finds that contradictory understandings regarding meanings and responsibilities associated with masculinity and femininity present challenges to the formation and sustaining of committed relationships. Although men desired to be providers and heads of household with limited household responsibilities, women wanted men with traditional work ethics but egalitarian perspectives on sharing both income generation and home and family responsibilities. Participants' unrealistic and conflicting gendered relationship expectations combined with economic concerns and social problems associated with economic strain to contribute to relationship tensions and wariness toward romantic involvements.
Comparison of clinical and radiographic status around immediately loaded versus conventional loaded implants placed in patients with type 2 diabetes: 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐up results
Authors: Al Amri M. D. , Alfarraj Aldosari A. M. , Al‐Johany S. S. , Al Baker A. M. , Al Rifaiy M. Q. , Al‐Kheraif A. A.
Published: December 2016

There are no studies that have compared the clinical and radiographic status around immediately loaded (IL) and conventional loaded (CL) implants placed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim was to compare the clinical and radiographic status around IL and CL implants placed in T2DM patients. One hundred and eight diabetic patients [55 with IL implants (Group 1) and 53 with CL implants (Group 2)] were included in this cross‐sectional study. All implants were placed in healed sites in the maxillary and mandibular premolar and molar regions and supported single restorations. All patients underwent full mouth mechanical debridement biannually. Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, clinical [bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing depth (PD) ≥ 4 mm] and radiographic [crestal bone loss (CBL)] peri‐implant parameters were measured for both groups at 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐up. Group comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U‐test (P < 0·05). The mean age and duration of T2DM in groups 1 and 2 were 50·6 ± 2·2 and 51·8 ± 1·7 years, and 9·2 ± 2·4 and 8·5 ± 0·4 years, respectively. At 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐up, the mean HbA1c levels in groups 1 and 2 were 5·4% (4·8–5·5%) and 5·1% (4·7–5·4%) and 5·1% (4·7–5·2%) and 4·9% (4·5–5·2%), respectively. At 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐up, there was no statistically significant difference in peri‐implant BOP, PD and CBL in both groups. It was concluded that clinical and radiographic status is comparable around IL and CL implants placed in patients with T2DM. The contribution of careful case selection, oral hygiene maintenance and glycaemic control is emphasised.
Effects of potentially functional polymorphisms in suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) on the risk of head and neck squamous cancer
Authors: Hang Dong , Yin Yin , Wang Lihua , Yuan Hua , Du Jiangbo , Zhu Meng , Dai Juncheng , Chen Ning , Hu Zhibin , Shen Hongbing , Ma Hongxia
Published: December 2016

Background

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) has been identified as an inhibitor of JAK/STAT pathway that plays a significant role in carcinogenesis. SOCS3 and JAK2 polymorphisms may influence the gene expression or function, contributing to the disease susceptibility; however, such effect has not been evaluated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

A case–control study was performed to test the associations of SOCS3 and JAK2 polymorphisms with risk of HNSCC in 576 cases and 1552 cancer‐free controls from China. Seven potentially functional polymorphisms predicted by bioinformatics tools were genotyped using Infinium BeadChip platform. The association between genotypes and HNSCC risk was estimated by computing odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

We found that rs2280148 located at 3′‐untranslated region of SOCS3 was significantly associated with an increased risk of HNSCC (additive model: adjusted OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03–1.43, P = 0.021). Moreover, rs8064821 located in the promoter region of SOCS3 was linked with a decreased risk of the cancer (additive model: adjusted OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.71–0.97, P = 0.022). Combined analysis of these variants by the number of risk alleles showed a significant locus–dosage effect on the risk of HNSCC (Ptrend = 0.006).

Conclusions

We provided the first evidence that SOCS3 polymorphisms may influence the risk of HNSCC, which could be applied as novel biomarkers to identify individuals at high risk of the disease.
Healing acceleration of oral mucositis induced by 5‐fluorouracil with Pistacia atlantica (bene) essential oil in hamsters
Authors: Tanideh Nader , Davarmanesh Mehdy , Andisheh‐Tadbir Azadeh , Ranjbar Zahra , Mehriar Peiman , Koohi‐Hosseinabadi Omid
Published: December 2016

Background

Oral mucositis is a common debilitating condition in patients with cancer receiving cytotoxic therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of topical administrations of the essential oil extracted from hull of Pistacia atlantica fruit (bene) on healing of oral mucositis in golden hamsters.

Methods

Forty hamsters with oral mucositis induced by 5‐fluorouracil administered on days 0, 5 and 10 and buccal mucosal scratching were randomly divided into four equal groups: group 1 received no additional treatment, group 2 received gel base, and groups 3 and 4 received gels containing 5% and 10% oil, respectively. From day 12, after blood sampling of all animals, a half randomly selected fraction of each group (four half groups) received once‐daily topical administration of either gel type (gel base, 5% and 10%) or no treatment (control subgroup) over the buccal pouches for 3 days and the remaining halves received the same treatments for 6 days. On each final day 15 and 18, the corresponding subgroups underwent consecutively the repeated blood sampling, mucosal clinical examination and excision for histopathology.

Results

Comparisons on macro‐ and microscopical oral mucositis scorings demonstrated dose‐dependent healing promotion in the subgroups receiving active gels (P < 0.05). The blood samplings revealed the chemotherapy‐related pancytopenia with no significant difference among all subgroups on either end point (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The healing effect of the bene oil could mainly be local and attributed to its antioxidants and fatty acid contents present in non‐saponified and saponified fractions, respectively.
Melatonin promotes circadian rhythm‐induced proliferation through Clock/histone deacetylase 3/c‐Myc interaction in mouse adipose tissue
Authors: Liu Zhenjiang , Gan Lu , Luo Dan , Sun Chao
Published: December 2016

Melatonin is synthesized in the pineal gland and controls circadian rhythm of peripheral adipose tissue, resulting in changes in body weight. Although core regulatory components of clock rhythmicity have been defined, insight into the mechanisms of circadian rhythm‐mediated proliferation in adipose tissue is still limited. Here, we showed that melatonin (20 mg/kg/d) promoted circadian and proliferation processes in white adipose tissue. The circadian amplitudes of brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator‐like 1 (Bmal1, P<.05) and circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (Clock, P<.05), period 2 (Per2, P<.05), cyclin E (P<.05), and c‐Myc (P<.05) were directly increased by melatonin in adipose tissue. Melatonin also promoted cell cycle and increased cell numbers (P<.05), which was correlated with the Clock expression (P<.05). Further analysis demonstrated that Clock bound to the E‐box elements in the promoter region of c‐Myc and then directly stimulated c‐Myc transcription. Moreover, Clock physically interacted with histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) and formed a complex with c‐Myc to promote adipocyte proliferation. Melatonin also attenuated circadian disruption and promoted adipocyte proliferation in chronic jet‐lagged mice and obese mice. Thus, our study found that melatonin promoted adipocyte proliferation by forming a Clock/HDAC3/c‐Myc complex and subsequently driving the circadian amplitudes of proliferation genes. Our data reveal a novel mechanism that links circadian rhythm to cell proliferation in adipose tissue. These findings also identify a new potential means for melatonin to prevent and treat sleep deprivation‐caused obesity.
A molecular phylogeny of Staphyleaceae: Implications for generic delimitation and classical biogeographic disjunctions in the family
Authors: Harris AJ , Chen Ping‐Ting , Xu Xin‐Wei , Zhang Jian‐Qiang , Yang Xue , Wen Jun
Published: December 2016

Staphyleaceae traditionally comprises three genera of temperate and tropical trees and shrubs:EuscaphisSiebold & Zucc.,StaphyleaL., andTupriniaVent. These genera are clearly supported by morphology, but a recent classification based on four chloroplast genes and nuclear ITS treatsStaphylea,Euscaphis, and New WorldTurpiniainStaphyleas.l. and Old WorldTurpiniainDalrympeleaRoxb. In this study, our objectives were to (1) resolve the phylogenetic relationships within Staphyleaceae using two nuclear and six chloroplast markers, (2) explore morphological synapomorphies that support major clades, and (3) discuss the implications of our results on generic delimitation and biogeography. Our phylogenetic results show five major clades in Staphyleaceae: (1) Old WorldTurpinia, (2) New WorldTurpinia, (3) a clade of exclusively Old WorldStaphylea, (4) an Asian‐North American clade ofStaphyleacomprising all New World species and the rest of the Old World ones, and (5)Euscaphis. Within the two clades each ofStaphyleaandTurpinia, morphological features traditionally used for delimiting the genera may exhibit convergence. Among morphological features examined in this study, we found that pollen is not taxonomically informative, features of leaf teeth and epicuticular waxes show limited support for the traditional genera ofStaphyleaandTuprinia, respectively, and petal length (i.e., flower size) is significantly smaller in Old WorldTurpiniacompared to New WorldTurpinia. With respect to biogeography, our results support a rare disjunction between eastern North America and the Himalayas.
Impact of seawater temperature on growth and recruitment of invasive fouling species at the global scale
Authors: Lord Joshua P.
Published: December 2016

Epibenthic fouling communities are dominated by invasive species that are globally distributed and can have substantial ecological and economic impacts in coastal habitats. Little is known about inter‐specific differences in life history strategies that cosmopolitan invasive species employ to acquire space and succeed in invaded habitats. The goal of this study was to examine the impact of seawater temperature on recruitment and growth of several cosmopolitan fouling species including the tunicates Botrylloides violaceus, Botryllus schlosseri and Diplosoma listerianum, as well as the bryozoans Bugula neritina and Watersipora subtorquata. To do this, the iBARGE (Invasive Bryozoan and Ascidian Recruitment and Growth Experiment) program was developed, utilizing a global network of collaborators to examine patterns over a broad geographic scale and a wide range of naturally varying seawater temperatures. This project produced a data set of thousands of photographs from 18 marinas in five countries in summer 2014 and 2015, allowing for recruitment and growth to be tabulated at a variety of temperatures. Thermal growth curves were established for five invasive species, and growth was compared among temperatures across sites, revealing a significant thermal effect. Recruitment was linked to temperature, with generally higher recruitment at warmer seawater temperatures and the highest peak recruitment values for the bryozoan Bugula neritina. Temperature also changed the relative importance of growth and recruitment for several species. These results paint a complex picture of the interactions among invasive fouling species as they relate to seawater temperature.
INVESTING WITH LIQUID AND ILLIQUID ASSETS
Authors: Bichuch Maxim , Guasoni Paolo
Published: December 2016

We find optimal trading policies for long‐term investors with constant relative risk aversion and constant investment opportunities, which include one safe asset, liquid risky assets, and an illiquid risky asset trading with proportional costs. Access to liquid assets creates a diversification motive, which reduces illiquid trading, and a hedging motive, which both reduces illiquid trading and increases liquid trading. A further tempering effect depresses the liquid asset's weight when the illiquid asset's weight is close to ideal, to keep it near that level by reducing its volatility. Multiple liquid assets lead to portfolio separation in four funds: the safe asset, the myopic portfolio, the illiquid asset, and its hedging portfolio.
Retinal vascular caliber associated with cardiac and renal target organ damage in never‐treated hypertensive patients
Authors: Daien Vincent , Granados Loic , Kawasaki Ryo , Villain Max , Ribstein Jean , Du Cailar Guilhem , Mimran Albert , Fesler Pierre
Published: December 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between retinal vascular caliber and target organ damage in HT patients.

Methods

Data were collected on cardiac, renal, vascular, and retinal variables in 88 consecutive never‐treated HT subjects. Retinal vascular calibers were measured from fundus photographs by using a semi‐automated computer‐assisted program and summarized as CRAE and CRVE.

Results

Mean CRAE and CRVE were significantly lower in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (left ventricular mass ≥110 g/m² for women, 125 g/m² for men) than in those with normal left ventricular (CRAE: 129.4±3.7 vs 138.2±2.3 μm; P=.04; CRVE: 195.6±4.4 vs 209.8±2.7 μm; P=.008). CRAE and CRVE were negatively correlated with urinary albumin excretion (β±SE=−15.4±3.2, P<.0001 and β±SE=−11.9±4.4, P=.001, respectively) but were not correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=.21 and P=.75, respectively), carotid‐to‐femoral pulse wave velocity (P=.24 and P=.14), or carotid augmentation index (P=.43 and P=.16).

Conclusion

In never‐treated HT patients, reduced CRAE and CRVE were associated with cardiac and renal preclinical damage, ie, left ventricular hypertrophy and albuminuria, but not estimated glomerular filtration rate or vascular stiffness.
Obesity, insulin resistance, and microvascular adaptation
Authors: Frisbee Jefferson C.
Published: December 2016

Two of the primary risk factors for the progressive evolution of cardiovascular disease are obesity and impaired glycemic control—including both insulin resistance and overt type 2 diabetes mellitus, leading to increased research emphasis on these conditions, their mechanistic bases, and their health outcomes. This Special Topics Issue of the journal Microcirculation summarizes a symposium at the recent Joint Meeting of the American Physiological Society and the Physiological Society, held in Dublin, Ireland, on July 30, 2016. This symposium, “Adaptive outcomes of microvascular networks to obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus/insulin resistance,” presented four lectures, each of which addressed the larger issue from a different perspective.
Gastrointestinal symptom severity in irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and the general population
Authors: Lee A. D. , Spiegel B. M. , Hays R. D. , Melmed G. Y. , Bolus R. , Khanna D. , Khanna P. P. , Chang L.
Published: December 2016

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients report similar gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, yet comparisons of symptom severity between groups and with the general population (GP) are lacking.

Methods

We compared Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®)GIsymptom scales measuring gastro‐esophageal reflux (GER), disrupted swallowing, diarrhea, bowel incontinence, nausea/vomiting, constipation, belly pain, and gas/bloating in: (i) USAGPsample, (ii)IBSpatients, and (iii)IBDpatients from tertiary care and community populations. Symptom severity scores were based on T‐score metric with mean 50±10 (standard deviation) relative to theGP.

Key Results

Of 1643 patients enrolled, there were 253IBSpatients (68% F, mean age 45±15 years), 213IBDpatients (46% F, mean age 41±14 years), and 1177GPsubjects (57% F, mean age 46±16 years).IBSpatients reported greater severity ofGER, disrupted swallowing, nausea/vomiting, belly pain, gas/bloating, and constipation symptoms than theirIBDcounterparts (allP<.05). Compared to theGP,IBDpatients had worse belly pain, gas/bloating, diarrhea, and bowel incontinence, but less severeGERand disrupted swallowing (allP<.05), andIBSpatients had more severe nausea/vomiting, belly pain, gas/bloating, and constipation (allP<.05). Women had more severe belly pain and gas/bloating than men, whereas men had more severe bowel incontinence (allP<.05).

Conclusion & Inferences

IBSandIBDare associated with more severeGIsymptoms compared to theGPexcluding esophageal symptoms. UnlikeIBD,IBSis not characterized by observableGIinflammation but patients report more severe upper and lowerGIsymptoms.
The emotion of compassion and the likelihood of its expression in nursing practice
Authors: Newham Roger Alan
Published: December 2016

Philosophical and empirical work on the nature of the emotions is extensive, and there are many theories of emotions. However, all agree that emotions are not knee jerk reactions to stimuli and are open to rational assessment or warrant. This paper's focus is on the condition or conditions for compassion as an emotion and the likelihood that it or they can be met in nursing practice. Thus, it is attempting to keep, as far as possible, compassion as an emotion separate from both moral norms and professional norms. This is because empirical or causal conditions that can make experiencing and acting out of compassion difficult seem especially relevant in nursing practice. I consider how theories of emotion in general and of compassion in particular are somewhat contested, but all recent accounts agree that emotions are not totally immune to reason. Then, using accounts of constitutive conditions of the emotion of compassion, I will show how they are often likely to be quite fragile or unstable in practice and particularly so within much nursing practice. In addition, some of the conditions for compassion will be shown to be problematic for nursing practice. It is difficult to keep ideas of compassion separate from morality, and this connection is noticeable in the claims made of compassion for nursing and so I will briefly highlight one such connection that of the need for normative theory to give an account of the value that emotions such as compassion presume and that compassionate motivation is separate from moral motivation and may conflict with it. The fragility or instability of the emotion of compassion in practice has implications for both what can be expected and what should be expected of compassion; at least if what is wanted is a realist rather than idealist account of “should.”
An Exploration of Differential State Responses to Changes in Fiscal Conditions
Authors: Buschman Robert D. , Sjoquist David L.
Published: December 2016

This paper explores legislative tax changes adopted by states in the face of exogenous budget gaps (projected deficits or surpluses) over the period 1999–2011. Our conceptual framework is based on the premise that states will respond differently to temporary budget changes than to permanent changes. The framework suggests four sets of explanatory factors beyond the size of the budget gap in explaining legislative tax changes, namely the other fiscal options for addressing the gap, the nature of political party control of state government, budgetary institutions, and socio‐economic characteristics of the state. We find supportive evidence of our hypotheses that legislative tax changes are affected by a state's budget gap, reserves, debt, unified political control, and super majority rules for tax increases, but not by balanced budget rules or changes in expenditures.
The sodium transporter encoded by the HKT1;2 gene modulates sodium/potassium homeostasis in tomato shoots under salinity
Authors: Jaime‐Pérez Noelia , Pineda Benito , García‐Sogo Begoña , Atares Alejandro , Athman Asmini , Byrt Caitlin S. , Olías Raquel , Asins Maria José , Gilliham Matthew , Moreno Vicente , Belver Andrés
Published: December 2016

Excessive soil salinity diminishes crop yield and quality. In a previous study in tomato, we identified two closely linked genes encoding HKT1‐like transporters, HKT1;1 and HKT1;2, as candidate genes for a major quantitative trait locus (kc7.1) related to shoot Na+/K+ homeostasis – a major salt tolerance trait – using two populations of recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Here, we determine the effectiveness of these genes in conferring improved salt tolerance by using two near‐isogenic lines (NILs) that were homozygous for either the Solanum lycopersicum allele (NIL17) or for the Solanum cheesmaniae allele (NIL14) at both HKT1 loci; transgenic lines derived from these NILs in which each HKT1;1 and HKT1;2 had been silenced by stable transformation were also used. Silencing of ScHKT1;2 and SlHKT1;2 altered the leaf Na+/K+ ratio and caused hypersensitivity to salinity in plants cultivated under transpiring conditions, whereas silencing SlHKT1;1/ScHKT1;1 had a lesser effect. These results indicate that HKT1;2 has the more significant role in Na+ homeostasis and salinity tolerance in tomato.
The occurrence and control of nitric oxide generation by the plant mitochondrial electron transport chain
Authors: Alber Nicole A. , Sivanesan Hampavi , Vanlerberghe Greg C.
Published: December 2016

The plant mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is bifurcated such that electrons from ubiquinol are passed to oxygen via the usual cytochrome path or through alternative oxidase (AOX). We previously showed that knockdown of AOX in transgenic tobacco increased leaf concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), implying that an activity capable of generating NO had been effected. Here, we identify the potential source of this NO. Treatment of leaves with antimycin A (AA, Qi‐site inhibitor of Complex III) increased NO amount more than treatment with myxothiazol (Myxo, Qo‐site inhibitor) despite both being equally effective at inhibiting respiration. Comparison of nitrate‐grown wild‐type with AOX knockdown and overexpression plants showed a negative correlation between AOX amount and NO amount following AA. Further, Myxo fully negated the ability of AA to increase NO amount. With ammonium‐grown plants, neither AA nor Myxo strongly increased NO amount in any plant line. When these leaves were supplied with nitrite alongside the AA or Myxo, then the inhibitor effects across lines mirrored that of nitrate‐grown plants. Hence the ETC, likely the Q‐cycle of Complex III generates NO from nitrite, and AOX reduces this activity by acting as a non‐energy‐conserving electron sink upstream of Complex III.
An ongoing role forWntsignaling in differentiating melanocytes in vivo
Authors: Vibert Laura , Aquino Gerardo , Gehring Ines , Subkankulova Tatiana , Schilling Thomas F. , Rocco Andrea , Kelsh Robert N.
Published: December 2016

A role for Wnt signaling in melanocyte specification from neural crest is conserved across vertebrates, but possible ongoing roles in melanocyte differentiation have received little attention. Using a systems biology approach to investigate the gene regulatory network underlying stable melanocyte differentiation in zebrafish highlighted a requirement for a positive‐feedback loop involving the melanocyte master regulator Mitfa. Here, we test the hypothesis that Wnt signaling contributes to that positive feedback. We show firstly that Wnt signaling remains active in differentiating melanocytes and secondly that enhanced Wnt signaling drives elevated transcription ofmitfa. We show that chemical activation of the Wnt signaling pathway at early stages of melanocyte development enhances melanocyte specification as expected, but importantly that at later (differentiation) stages, it results in altered melanocyte morphology, although melanisation is not obviously affected. Downregulation of Wnt signaling also results in altered melanocyte morphology and organization. We conclude that Wnt signaling plays a role in regulating ongoing aspects of melanocyte differentiation in zebrafish.
Major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder show different autonomic dysregulations revealed by heart‐rate variability analysis in first‐onset drug‐naïve patients without comorbidity
Authors: Shinba Toshikazu
Published: December 2016

Aim

The aim of the present study was to examine whether depression and anxiety disorder manifest different autonomic dysregulations using heart‐rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) measurements.

Methods

HRV and HR were recorded both at rest and during task execution (random‐number generation) in first‐onset drug‐naïve patients with major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 14) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD, n = 11) as well as in healthy controls (n = 41). The patients showed no comorbidity of depression and anxiety disorder. GAD patients did not exhibit panic or phobic symptoms at the time of measurement. Following power spectrum analysis of HR trend, the high‐ (HF) and low‐frequency (LF) components, the sum (LF + HF), and the LF/HF ratio were compared among the groups.

Results

In the MDD patients, as previously reported, HF was low and the LF/HF ratio was high during the initial‐rest condition, and HF was less reactive to the task. In contrast, GAD patients showed significantly high HF, although autonomic reactivity was not impaired.

Conclusion

The results indicate that baseline autonomic activity and its reactivity to behavioral changes are different between MDD and GAD in the early stage of illness. High parasympathetic tone in GAD may reflect responses of the parasympathetic system to anxiety. MDD is accompanied by an autonomic shift toward sympathetic activation and a reduced reactivity to task.
Simultaneous resting‐state functional MRI and electroencephalography recordings of functional connectivity in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Kirino Eiji , Tanaka Shoji , Fukuta Mayuko , Inami Rie , Arai Heii , Inoue Reiichi , Aoki Shigeki
Published: December 2016

Aim

It remains unclear how functional connectivity (FC) may be related to specific cognitive domains in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we used simultaneous resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) recording in patients with schizophrenia, to evaluate FC within and outside the default mode network (DMN).

Methods

Our study population included 14 patients with schizophrenia and 15 healthy control participants. From all participants, we acquired rsfMRI data, and simultaneously recorded EEG data using an MR‐compatible amplifier. We analyzed the rsfMRI‐EEG data, and used the CONN toolbox to calculate the FC between regions of interest. We also performed between‐group comparisons of standardized low‐resolution electromagnetic tomography‐based intracortical lagged coherence for each EEG frequency band.

Results

FC within the DMN, as measured by rsfMRI and EEG, did not significantly differ between groups. Analysis of rsfMRI data showed that FC between the right posterior inferior temporal gyrus and medial prefrontal cortex was stronger among patients with schizophrenia compared to control participants.

Conclusion

Analysis of FC within the DMN using rsfMRI and EEG data revealed no significant differences between patients with schizophrenia and control participants. However, rsfMRI data revealed over‐modulated FC between the medial prefrontal cortex and right posterior inferior temporal gyrus in patients with schizophrenia compared to control participants, suggesting that the patients had altered FC, with higher correlations across nodes within and outside of the DMN. Further studies using simultaneous rsfMRI and EEG are required to determine whether altered FC within the DMN is associated with schizophrenia.
Successful Treatment of Vitiligo Associated with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada Disease
Authors: Bayer Michelle L. , Chiu Yvonne E.
Published: December 2016

Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (VKH) is a rare multisystem disorder with cutaneous, ophthalmic, neurologic, and auditory manifestations. There is a paucity of published literature regarding the management of cutaneous features in VKH. We report a case of VKH‐associated vitiligo responsive to topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors.
The Role of the Disquotational Schema in Wittgenstein's Reflections on Truth
Authors: Frascolla Pasquale
Published: December 2016

In the first paragraph, the focus is on the early Wittgenstein's conception of truth: the Disquotational Schema is shown to be derivable from the semantic and ontological principles of the picture theory. Then, the article scrutinises the way the Disquotational Schema provides the basis for what the later Wittgenstein takes as a philosophically appropriate description of the practice of making assertions. The general abstract notion of truth makes room for a situated notion of warranted assertibility as the key‐notion. Last, the issue of how Wright's Argument from Informational Neutrality could be neutralised from the later Wittgenstein's viewpoint is dealt with.
Optimal Placement of a Terrestrial Laser Scanner with an Emphasis on Reducing Occlusions
Authors: Heidari Mozaffar Morteza , Varshosaz Masood
Published: December 2016

In this paper, a new automated algorithm is proposed that finds the optimum locations of a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), ensuring completeness of data and minimising the number of scanning locations. The process starts with an initial scan and placing a 3D grid of candidate stations over the entire scan area. A global visibility analysis is then performed to identify the next best view (NBV) location. The TLS is placed on this selected point and a new scan is recorded. Having updated the initial scan with the resulting point cloud, the model is checked for completeness and density. The process is repeated until full coverage of the scan area is achieved by determining the best global arrangement with the minimum number of stations. Experiments show that the algorithm is able to automatically determine the station positions and provide a coverage of 99·5% for simulated data and 91% for real data.