bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphorylation of GATA4 serine 105 but not serine 261 is required for testosterone production in the male mouse
Authors: Bergeron F. , Boulende Sab A. , Bouchard M. F. , Taniguchi H. , Souchkova O. , Brousseau C. , Tremblay J. J. , Pilon N. , Viger R. S.
Published: February 2019

Background

GATA4 is a transcription factor essential for male sex determination, testicular differentiation during fetal development, and male fertility in the adult. GATA4 exerts part of its function by regulating multiple genes in the steroidogenic enzyme pathway. In spite of these crucial roles, how the activity of this factor is regulated remains unclear.

Objectives

Studies in gonadal cell lines have shown that GATA4 is phosphorylated on at least two serine residues—serine 105 (S105) and serine 261 (S261)—and that this phosphorylation is important for GATA4 activity. The objective of the present study is to characterize the endogenous role of GATA4 S105 and S261 phosphorylation in the mouse testis.

Materials and methods

We examined both previously described GATA4 S105A mice and a novel GATA4 S261A knock‐in mouse that we generated by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. The male phenotype of the mutants was characterized by assessing androgen‐dependent organ weights, hormonal profiles, and expression of multiple testicular target genes using standard biochemical and molecular biology techniques.

Results

The fecundity of crosses between GATA4 S105A mice was reduced but without a change in sex ratio. The weight of androgen‐dependent organs was smaller when compared to wild‐type controls. Plasma testosterone levels showed a 70% decrease in adult GATA4 S105A males. This decrease was associated with a reduction in Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b3 expression. GATA4 S261A mice were viable and testis morphology appeared normal. Testosterone production and steroidogenic enzyme expression were not altered in GATA4 S261A males.

Discussion and conclusion

Our analysis showed that blocking GATA4 S105 phosphorylation is associated with decreased androgen production in males. In contrast, S261 phosphorylation by itself is dispensable for GATA4 function. These results confirm that endogenous GATA4 action is essential for normal steroid production in males and that this activity requires phosphorylation on at least one serine residue.
Evaluation of centrifugal blood pumps in term of hemodynamic performance using simulated neonatal and pediatric ECMO circuits
Authors: Wang Shigang , Moroi Morgan K. , Kunselman Allen R. , Myers John L. , Ündar Akif
Published: February 2019

The objective of this translational study was to evaluate the FDA‐approved PediMag, CentriMag, and RotaFlow centrifugal blood pumps in terms of hemodynamic performance using simulated neonatal and pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits with different sizes of arterial and venous cannulae. Cost of disposable pump heads was another important variable for this particular study. The experimental circuit was composed of one of the centrifugal pump heads, a polymethylpentene membrane oxygenator, neonatal and pediatric arterial/venous cannulae, and 1/4‐inch ID tubing. Circuits were primed with lactated Ringer’s solution and packed human red blood cells (hematocrit 35%). Trials were conducted at 36°C using the three pump heads and different cannulae (arterial/venous cannulae: 8 Fr/18 Fr, 10 Fr/20 Fr, and 12 Fr/22 Fr) at various flow rates (200–2400 mL/min, 200 mL/min increments) and rotational speeds. Pseudo patient pressure was 60 mm Hg. Real‐time pressure and flow data were recorded for analysis. The RotaFlow pump had a higher pressure head and flow range compared with the PediMag and CentriMag pumps at the same rotational speed and identical experimental settings (P < 0.001). The PediMag pump had lower flow output than others (P < 0.001). Small‐caliber arterial cannulae and higher flow rates predictably created higher circuit pressures and pressure drops. There was no significant difference in hemodynamic energy delivered to the pseudo patient with each of the three pumps. The arterial cannula had the highest pressure drop and hemodynamic energy loss in the circuit when compared to the oxygenator and arterial tubing. The RotaFlow centrifugal pump had a significantly better hemodynamic performance when compared to the PediMag and CentriMag blood pumps at identical experimental conditions in simulated neonatal and pediatric ECMO settings. In addition, the cost of the RotaFlow pump head ($400) is 20 to 30‐fold less than the other centrifugal pumps [CentriMag ($12 000) or PediMag ($8000)] that were evaluated in this translational study.
Being Tough Versus Tender: The Impact of Country‐Level and Individual Masculinity Orientations as Moderators of the Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Job Attitudes
Authors: Debus Maike E. , Kleinmann Martin , König Cornelius J. , Winkler Silvan
Published: February 2019

Having a job constitutes one of the most potent means of attaining ‘masculine’ goals such as status, success, and material rewards. In the present research, we examine whether masculinity, both as a country‐level value and an individual orientation, moderates the relationship between job insecurity and job attitudes. In Study 1, we draw on cross‐cultural data of 20,988 employees from 17 countries. We find that job insecure individuals from countries with higher masculinity values show stronger decrements in job satisfaction (but not commitment). Shedding light on the underlying mechanism, we show that the moderating effect of masculinity is transmitted through two social job characteristics, perceived supervisor interpersonal justice and coworker support. We then constructively replicate the moderating effect of masculinity in Study 2. In a one‐country sample of 319 employees, individual masculinity orientations likewise strengthen the negative relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. Our research highlights that country‐level and individual masculinity orientations yield comparable effects in the job insecurity appraisal process, and provides insight into how cultural values can be enacted at the individual level.
Clinical outcomes in patients with hepatitis D, cirrhosis and persistent hepatitis B virus replication, and receiving long‐term tenofovir or entecavir
Authors: Brancaccio Giuseppina , Fasano Massimo , Grossi Adriano , Santantonio Teresa Antonia , Gaeta Giovanni B.
Published: February 2019

Background

Suppression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication with nucelos(t)ide analogues should be considered for patients with chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and ongoing HBV replication.

Aim

To verify the clinical outcome after long‐term entecavir or tenofovir treatment in patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, ineligible to peg‐interferon therapy.

Methods

Patients were prospectively followed‐up at 3‐6 month intervals; measured outcomes were decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplant and liver related death. HBV monoinfected patients receiving the same treatment served as reference after 1:1 matching by age, gender, platelet count, albumin level, bilirubin and INR.

Results

56 HDV patients (48 with cirrhosis; median follow‐up 50 months) were enrolled; all achieved HBV DNA suppression. Death or liver transplant occurred in 19 patients, with a rate (n/1000 patient‐months) of 2.92 in HDV patients vs 0.38 in HBV monoinfected patients (P < 0.001); similarly, decompensation occurred at a rate of 1.53 vs 0.13 (P = 0.015), respectively, and the rate of HCC was almost thrice in HDV cohort (3.12 vs 1.12; P = 0.02) Platelet count, Child‐Pugh score and marginally HDV infection were associated with HCC development.

Conclusion

Patients with HDV infection and advanced liver disease maintain an increased risk of severe clinical events as compared with HBV monoinfected patients, during prolonged HBV DNA suppression with potent NA.
Effects of different levels of dietary protein with or without plant extract YGF251 on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbial shedding, and fecal gas emission in growing pigs
Authors: Lei Xin Jian , Lee Sang In , Kim In Ho
Published: February 2019

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant extract YGF251 supplementation in different protein level diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbial shedding, and fecal gas emission in growing pigs. A total of 144 pigs (24.72 ± 1.54 kg) were randomly assigned to the treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of dietary protein levels (15.50%, 14.00% or 12.50%) and plant extract YGF251 levels (0 or 0.05%) with 6 replications per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. Pigs fed low protein diets had reduced average daily gain (p < 0.05) and increased feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01) compared with pigs fed high protein diets. The apparent total tract digestibility of nitrogen was decreased (p < 0.05) when reducing dietary protein level. Fecal ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions were reduced (p < 0.05) when reducing dietary protein level. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicated that reducing dietary protein level impaired growth performance and nitrogen digestibility but reduced ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions in growing pigs. Dietary supplementation with 0.05% herbal extract YGF251 was not effective in improving growth performance, nutrient digestibility, or in decreasing gas emission in different protein diets.
Life expectancy of follicular lymphoma patients in complete response at 30 months is similar to that of the Spanish general population
Authors: Magnano Laura , Alonso‐Alvarez Sara , Alcoceba Miguel , Rivas‐Delgado Alfredo , Muntañola Anna , Nadeu Ferran , Setoain Xavier , Rodríguez Sonia , Andrade‐Campos Marcio , Espinosa‐Lara Natalia , Rodríguez Guillermo , Sancho Juan Manuel , Moreno Miriam , Mercadal Santiago , Carro Itziar , Salar Antonio , Garcia‐Pallarols Francesc , Arranz Reyes , Cannata Jimena , Terol María J. , Teruel Ana I. , Jiménez‐Ubieto Ana , Rodriguez Antonia , González de Villambrosía Sonia , Bello José L. , López Lourdes , Novelli Silvana , de Cabo Erik , Infante María E. , Pardal Emilia , Monsalvo Silvia , González Marcos , Martín Alejandro , Caballero M. Dolores , López‐Guillermo Armando ,   the Grupo Español de Linfomas y Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Ósea (GELTAMO)
Published: February 2019

The use of immunochemotherapy has improved the outcome of follicular lymphoma (FL). Recently, complete response at 30 months (CR30) has been suggested as a surrogate for progression‐free survival. This study aimed to analyse the life expectancy of FL patients according to their status at 30 months from the start of treatment in comparison with the sex and age‐matched Spanish general population (relative survival; RS). The training series comprised 263 patients consecutively diagnosed with FL in a 10‐year period who needed therapy and were treated with rituximab‐containing regimens. An independent cohort of 693 FL patients from the Grupo Español de Linfomas y Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Ósea (GELTAMO) group was used for validation. In the training cohort, 188 patients were in CR30, with a 10‐year overall survival (OS) of 53% and 87% for non‐CR30 and CR30 patients, respectively. Ten‐year RS was 73% and 100%, showing no decrease in life expectancy for CR30 patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that the FL International Prognostic Index was the most important variable predicting OS in the CR30 group. The impact of CR30 status on RS was validated in the independent GELTAMO series. In conclusion, FL patients treated with immunochemotherapy who were in CR at 30 months showed similar survival to a sex‐ and age‐matched Spanish general population.
Multicultural Engagements in Lived Spaces: How Cultural Communities Intersect in Belleville, Paris
Authors: Kaplan David H. , Moigne Yohann Le
Published: February 2019

The need to contend with greater diversity in cities raises the question of the level and timbre of group interactions. This study examines how diversity at a small scale operates and the conditions under which it may lead to true engagement, parallel lives, detachment, or hostility. The site is the multicultural Parisian neighborhood of Belleville, with a focus on the behaviors and attitudes of merchants who work there. Data gathering comprised observation and examination of neighborhood dynamics, the distribution of various businesses, and the nature of customer and everyday traffic as well as 34 structured interviews. Our findings show the significant Chinese population and businesses separated from the rest of the district and the other businesses. This separation is reinforced with a large degree of mutual distrust. However, relations between Arabs and Jews, tense at larger scales, are harmonious though increasingly tinged by outside worries. Multicultural relations observed on the ground differ from those apparent at larger scales, reaffirming the importance of place and local circumstances.
The Successive Nature of City Parks: Making and Remaking Unequal access over Time
Authors: Elliott James R. , Korver–Glenn Elizabeth , Bolger Daniel
Published: February 2019

This study examines the historical establishment and shifting residential access to city parks over time. It begins by engaging and extending a theory of urbanization as socioenvironmental succession. It then assembles and analyzes longitudinal data on city park creation and neighborhood change in Houston from 1947 to 2015. Results reveal how socially privileged residents have long enjoyed unequal access to city parks as well as strong influence over where new ones are established. At the same time, growing minority populations have managed to gain more equitable access not by having new parks come to them so much as by moving into neighborhoods where Whites once lived. These dynamics obscure past processes and patterns of inequality while allowing newer, unexpected ones to emerge. We conclude with a discussion of what these findings imply for understanding not just unequal access to city parks but broader processes of urbanization.
Social Support and Residential Stability in Privately Owned Assisted Housing
Authors: Beck Kevin
Published: February 2019

Theories explaining social cohesion in assisted housing largely pivot between two positions. The first suggests that assisted renters tend to be isolated from their neighbors because they live in high–poverty neighborhoods and in housing complexes that inhibit residential interaction. The second suggests that assisted renters are not isolated but instead exchange support with their neighbors in order to mitigate material hardships. How do residents in assisted housing manage to exchange support in a context that would seem to inhibit interaction? Drawing on the American Housing Survey for data on residential mobility and the San Diego Assisted Housing Survey for data on residential interaction, I test the hypothesis that assisted housing increases residential stability, and that increased stability provides assisted renters with more opportunities to build support networks with their neighbors. I find evidence that rent subsidies slow the pace of residential mobility and those longtime residents of assisted housing are more likely to exchange support with their neighbors than residents who more recently moved in. The findings inform debates over social cohesion in assisted housing and assisted housing policy.
On the Enactment of Roundabout Art: A Praxeological Analysis
Authors: Jonas Michael
Published: February 2019

The growth in the use of roundabouts to regulate traffic in many European countries has been accompanied for some years now by the planned use of their central islands. With the enactment of roundabout art, a new art form has established itself in the public space. Cities and regions that make use of such deployments generally do so for urban branding and community identity building purposes. Taking a praxeological perspective, this article uses a case study from Austria to demonstrate that the success and failure of such urban branding and community identity building practices does not depend solely on the ideas of the actors involved in the planning and implementation of roundabout art. Instead, it requires a broad perspective in which the enactment of roundabout art is understood as a phenomenon that is the result of the realization of the roundabout art itself as well as of the self–development of these installations and the context–dependent reception practices of their target audiences. In doing so, the article works out and suggests some central aspects of urban branding as well as roundabout art planning, implementation, and reception practices that could be used by urban planners, politicians, and other actors engaged in such artwork projects.
Survival of adjacent‐dental‐implants in prediabetic and systemically healthy subjects at 5‐years follow‐up
Authors: Alrabiah Mohammed , Alrahlah Ali , Al‐Hamdan Rana Sulaiman , Al‐Aali Khulud Abdulrahman , Labban Nawaf , Abduljabbar Tariq
Published: February 2019

Background

Long‐term survival of adjacent dental implants (ADI) in prediabetic patients remained uninvestigated.

Purpose

This 5 years' follow‐up clinical study compared the survival of adjacent implants in prediabetic and nondiabetic subjects.

Materials and Methods

Prediabetic (group‐A) and nondiabetic (group‐B) subjects having undergone dental rehabilitation using ADI were assessed. Data about sex, age treatment and period (in years) since diagnosis of prediabetes, and family history of diabetes was gathered and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were recorded. Dental implant related data (dimensions, loading protocol, surface characteristics, restoration type, and duration in function) was recorded. Depth of probing (PD), bleeding‐on‐probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI) were measured and mesial and distal crestal bone loss (CBL) were recorded. P values less than .05 were contemplated as statistically‐significant.

Results

Seventy‐nine male individuals (39 in group‐A and 40 in group‐B) were included. Subjects in groups ‐A and ‐B were 54.3 ± 3.6 and 51.2 ± 2.4 years old, respectively. In group‐A, subjects were diagnosed with prediabetes 5.4 ± 0.2 years ago. Patients in group‐A more often had a family history of diabetes than group‐B. Thirty‐nine and 40 ADI were placed in patients in groups ‐A and ‐B, respectively. Tooth‐brushing once daily was reported by 79.5% and 82.5% individuals in groups ‐A and ‐B, respectively. Peri‐implant PI (P<.001), BOP (P<.001), PD (P<.001), mesial (P<.001), and distal (P<.001) CBL and HbA1c levels (P<.001) were higher in group‐A than group‐B. The implant survival rate in group‐A and group‐B was 100% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

Although ADI can survive in prediabetic patients in the long‐term; soft‐tissue inflammation and CBL are worse around adjacent implants in these patients compared with nondiabetic controls.
Parsimony‐based test for identifying changes in evolutionary trends for quantitative characters: implications for the origin of the amniotic egg
Authors: Didier Gilles , Chabrol Olivier , Laurin Michel
Published: February 2019

The origin of the amniotic egg was a major event in vertebrate evolution and is thought to have contributed to the spectacular evolutionary radiation of amniotes. We test one of the most popular scenarios proposed by Carroll in 1970 to explain the origin of the amniotic egg using a novel method based on an asymmetric version of linear parsimony (aka Wagner parsimony) for identifying the most parsimonious split of a tree into two parts between which the evolution of the character is allowed to differ. The new method evaluates the cost of splitting a phylogenetic tree at a given node as the integral, over all pairs of asymmetry parameters, of the most parsimonious costs that can be achieved by using the first parameter on the subtree pending from this node and the second parameter elsewhere. By testing all the nodes, we then obtain the most parsimonious split of a tree with regard to the character values at its tips. Among the nine trees and two characters tested, our method yields a total of 517 parsimonious trend changes in Permo‐Carboniferous stegocephalians, a single one of which occurs in a part of the tree (among stem‐amniotes) where Carroll's scenario predicts that there should have been distinct changes in body size evolutionary trends. This refutes the scenario because the amniote stem does not appear to have elevated rates of evolutionary trend shifts. Our nodal body size estimates offer less discriminating power, but they likewise fail to find strong support for Carroll's scenario.
p62 functions as an oncogene in colorectal cancer through inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation by interacting with the vitamin D receptor
Authors: Zhang Jing , Yang Suzhen , Xu Bing , Wang Ting , Zheng Ying , Liu Fei , Ren Fenggang , Jiang Jiong , Shi Haitao , Zou Baicang , Lu Xiaolan , Lu Shemin , Dong Lei
Published: February 2019

Objectives

The role of p62 in cancer is controversial. Evidence has shown that p62 is upregulated in different cancers and promotes tumour growth, such as in liver cancer and lung cancer. However, a recent study showed that the downregulation of p62 in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. How p62 is regulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles and molecular mechanisms of p62 in CRC.

Materials and Methods

The expression levels of p62 in CRC tissues and adjacent non‐tumour tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Stable p62‐overexpression HCT116 cells and p62‐knockdown SW480 cells were established with lentiviral vectors. The role of p62 in CRC was investigated in in vitro and in vivo functional studies. The relationship between p62 and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) was investigated by coimmunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) assays.

Results

p62 was significantly upregulated in CRC, and a high p62 level was an independent risk factor for a poor prognosis in CRC patients. p62 promoted CRC migration and invasion by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation in vitro, and p62 aggravated tumour growth and metastasis in vivo. Co‐IP assays indicated that p62 interacts with the VDR and may target the NRF2‐NQO1 axis.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that p62 functions as an oncogene in CRC through inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation by interacting with the VDR.
The effect of atrial fibrillation intervention on nocturnal respiratory events in elderly patients with persistent AF
Authors: Eysenck William , Sulke Neil , Freemantle Nick , Patel Nikhil R. , Furniss Steve S. , Veasey Rick A.
Published: February 2019

Background

Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are associated. This study investigated the impact of AF intervention on 6‐month home sleep testing data.

Methods

Sixty‐seven patients (aged 66 to 86, 53% male) with persistent AF were randomized (1:1:1) to direct current cardioversion (DCCV) (22 patients), permanent pacemaker (PPM) + atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) + DCCV (22 patients) or AF ablation (23 patients). Baseline and 6‐month multichannel home sleep tests with the Watch‐PAT200 (Itamar Medical Lts., Caesarea, Israel) were recorded. Implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) (Medtronic Reveal XT, Minneapolis, Minnesota) in the DCCV and AF ablation groups, and PPM Holters in the ‘pace and ablate’ group were utilized to assess cardiac rhythm beat‐to‐beat throughout the study period.

Results

The prevalence of moderate‐to‐severe SDB [apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥ 15/h] was 60%. At 6 months there was no change in AHI, Epworth sleepiness scale, sleep time, % REM sleep, respiratory desaturation index or central apnoeic events. Twenty‐five patients (15 AF ablation, 9 DCCV and 1 following DCCV post‐AVNA) maintained SR at 6 months confirmed on ICMs in these patients. AHI fell from 29.8 ± 26.6/h to 22.2 ± 20.4/h; P = 0.049.

Conclusions

SDB is highly prevalent in patients with persistent AF. Restoration of sinus rhythm, and the associated long‐term recovery of haemodynamics, is associated with a significant reduction in AHI. This implicates reversal of fluid shift from the lower limbs to the neck region, a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of SDB.
Global raptor research and conservation priorities: Tropical raptors fall prey to knowledge gaps
Authors: Buechley Evan R. , Santangeli Andrea , Girardello Marco , Neate‐Clegg Montague H.C. , Oleyar Dave , McClure Christopher J.W. , Şekercioğlu Çagan H.
Published: February 2019

Aim

Raptors serve critical ecological functions, are particularly extinction‐prone and are often used as environmental indicators and flagship species. Yet, there is no global framework to prioritize research and conservation actions on them. We identify for the first time the factors driving extinction risk and scientific attention on raptors and develop a novel research and conservation priority index (RCPI) to identify global research and conservation priorities.

Location

Global.

Methods

We use random forest models based on ecological traits and extrinsic data to identify the drivers of risk and scientific attention in all raptors. We then map global research and conservation priorities. Lastly, we model where priorities fall relative to country‐level human social indicators.

Results

Raptors with small geographic ranges, scavengers, forest‐dependent species and those with slow life histories are particularly extinction‐prone. Research is extremely biased towards a small fraction of raptor species: 10 species (1.8% of all raptors) account for one‐third of all research, while one‐fifth of species have no publications. Species with small geographic ranges and those inhabiting less developed countries are greatly understudied. Regions of Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia are identified as particularly high priority for raptor research and conservation. These priorities are highly concentrated in developing countries, indicating a global mismatch between priorities and capacity for research and conservation.

Main conclusions

A redistribution of scientific attention and conservation efforts towards developing tropical countries and the least‐studied, extinction‐prone species is critical to conserve raptors and their ecological functions worldwide. We identify clear taxonomic and geographic research and conservation priorities for all raptors, and our methodology can be applied across other taxa to prioritize scientific investment.
Association between fetuin‐A and prognosis of CAD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Xie Wei‐Ming , Ran Lu‐Sen , Jiang Jie , Chen Yu‐Si , Ji Hong‐Yan , Quan Xiao‐Qing
Published: February 2019

Background

Fetuin‐A is an anti‐inflammation and anti‐calcification factor involved in the course of coronary artery disease (CAD). But the association between serum fetuin‐A level and the prognosis of CAD patients was still controversial. To clarify the association between serum fetuin‐A level and the prognosis of CAD patients, we conducted the present meta‐analysis.

Methods

The included studies should be potentially relevant prospective studies published in English language before January 2019. The target population of the present meta‐analysis was restricted to patients with CAD. The results of studies must report hazard ratio (HR) or Kaplan‐Meier survival curve for all‐cause mortality or incidence of secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The pooled HRs were analysed by the method of meta‐analysis.

Results

A total of four prospective studies, including 4256 participants with CAD disease, were chosen to be included. The pooled HR for all‐cause mortality was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.37‐0.87), showing a statistically significant association between high serum fetuin‐A level and low all‐cause mortality in CAD patients. For the incidence of secondary CVD events, the pooled HR was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.60‐1.23), indicating no statistically significant association between serum fetuin‐A level and incidence of secondary CVD events in CAD patients.

Conclusion

High serum fetuin‐A level associated with lower all‐cause mortality in patients with CAD. No association between serum fetuin‐A level and incidence of secondary CVD events was found in patients with CAD.
Cerebrospinal fluids from Alzheimer's disease patients exhibit neurotoxic effects on neuronal cell cultures
Authors: Jankeviciute Silvija , Psemeneckiene Greta , Morkuniene Ramune , Grusauskiene Evelina , Petrikonis Kestutis , Rastenyte Daiva , Borutaite Vilmante
Published: February 2019

A growing number of studies suggest amyloid‐β and tau present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood as putative biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is a question whether these compounds present in patients’ bodily fluids can directly cause neurotoxic effects. We investigated effects ofADand other dementia (OD) patients’ blood serum andCSFon viability of cells in primary cerebellar granule cell cultures. Overall, 59 individuals participated in the study from whom 55 samples of biological fluids were taken. Participants were classified into early (E‐AD) and middle (M‐AD) stages ofAD, cognitively healthy control (HC) andODgroups. We found that concentrations of total and phosphorylated tau were higher inCSFfromADpatients, while amyloid‐β42and amyloid‐β40in the serum was lower compared toHC. The most cytotoxic effects were induced byCSFs from M‐ADpatients which caused neuronal necrosis and suppressed microglial proliferation, whereasCSFs from the groups of other patients did not kill neurons. Serum andCSFfrom the E‐ADgroup caused a reduction of neuronal numbers in cultures. There were no significant differences in levels ofCSFbiomarkers between theADgroups although both tau species inCSFs from M‐ADpatients were found to be significantly elevated compared toHC. Our data suggest that biological fluids from E‐ADinduce neuronal loss, whereas effects ofCSFon the reduction in neuronal viability can serve as an indicator of M‐ADand may be associated with extracellular tau.
From clear lakes to murky waters – tracing the functional response of high‐latitude lake communities to concurrent ‘greening’ and ‘browning’
Authors: Hayden B. , Harrod C. , Thomas S. M. , Eloranta A. P. , Myllykangas J.‐P. , Siwertsson A. , Præbel K. , Knudsen R. , Amundsen P.‐A. , Kahilainen K. K.
Published: February 2019

Climate change and the intensification of land use practices are causing widespread eutrophication of subarctic lakes. The implications of this rapid change for lake ecosystem function remain poorly understood. To assess how freshwater communities respond to such profound changes in their habitat and resource availability, we conducted a space‐for‐time analysis of food‐web structure in 30 lakes situated across a temperature‐productivity gradient equivalent to the predicted future climate of subarctic Europe (temperature +3°C, precipitation +30% and nutrient +45 μg L−1 total phosphorus). Along this gradient, we observed an increase in the assimilation of pelagic‐derived carbon from 25 to 75% throughout primary, secondary and tertiary consumers. This shift was overwhelmingly driven by the consumption of pelagic detritus by benthic primary consumers and was not accompanied by increased pelagic foraging by higher trophic level consumers. Our data also revealed a convergence of the carbon isotope ratios of pelagic and benthic food web endmembers in the warmest, most productive lakes indicating that the incorporation of terrestrial derived carbon into aquatic food webs increases as land use intensifies. These results, reflecting changes along a gradient characteristic of the predicted future environment throughout the subarctic, indicate that climate and land use driven eutrophication and browning are radically altering the function and fuelling of aquatic food webs in this biome.
Safety and efficacy of tirofiban combined with endovascular treatment in acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Pan X. , Zheng D. , Zheng Y. , Chan P. W. L. , Lin Y. , Zou J. , Zhou J. , Yang J.
Published: February 2019

Background and purpose

Tirofiban is used off‐label in clinical practice for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). However, it is unknown whether tirofiban increases the bleeding risk or improves the outcome of endovascular treatment (EVT) in AIS. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tirofiban in combination with EVT for AIS.

Methods

Consecutive patients with AIS receiving EVT were included in the prospective stroke registry from 2015 to 2018. The efficacy outcomes were modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at 24 h. The safety outcomes were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), any in‐hospital intracerebral hemorrhage, in‐hospital death and 3‐month death.

Results

Of 211 patients, 82 (38.9%) received tirofiban. A total of 39 (48.1%) with tirofiban and 44 (36.1%) without tirofiban had mRS score 0–2 [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–5.23, P = 0.026]. NIHSS score at 24 h was lower in the tirofiban group (9.5 vs. 12.0, adjusted P = 0.032). Five (6.1%) patients with tirofiban and 16 (12.4%) without tirofiban had sICH (adjusted OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.16–1.83, P = 0.32). In‐hospital intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 10 (12.2%) patients with tirofiban and 41 (31.8%) without tirofiban (adjusted OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.13–0.76, P = 0.01). In‐hospital death occurred in 7 (8.5%) patients with tirofiban and 16 (12.4%) without tirofiban (adjusted OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.22–2.13, P = 0.52). A total of 13 (15.9%) patients with tirofiban and 22 (17.1%) without tirofiban were dead at 3 months (adjusted OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.40–2.40, P = 0.96).

Conclusions

Tirofiban in combination with EVT was associated with a lower mRS score at 3 months and NIHSS score at 24 h. It was not associated with a higher rate of sICH, in‐hospital death and death at 3 months.
Synchytrium endobioticum – risk from biogas plants?
Authors: Schleusner Y. , Müller P. , Bandte M. , Heiermann M. , Büttner C.
Published: February 2019

Synchytrium endobioticum is one of the most important pathogens of potato and is known for its persistent propagation structures. Under favourable conditions, infection of highly susceptible potato cultivars leads to clearly visible cauliflower‐like tissue warts, the typical symptom of potato wart disease. However, unfavourable infection conditions or low infection pressure may result in symptoms being overlooked. Thus, the introduction of pathogen structures into stages of the processing industry cannot be ruled out. As the amounts of processed potato products continue to rise, phytosanitary risks from processing discarded potatoes and potato waste in biogas plants have to be considered. Hence, the resilience of resting spores against mesophilic anaerobic digestion was analysed in stirred tank reactors. Laboratory‐scale results show that S. endobioticum not only withstands mesophilic anaerobic digestion but also subsequent storage of the digestate for at least 4 weeks. Large numbers of viable resting spores were detectable by microscopic assessment in all samples. Viability was proved and verified additionally by bioassay. Consequently, potatoes, potato waste and processing water from potato processing industries used in biogas plants pose a phytosanitary risk if the accruing digestates are returned as fertilizer to arable land.
Exploring the effects of foreign language instructional practices on student proficiency development
Authors: Vyn Reuben , Wesely Pamela M. , Neubauer Diane
Published: February 2019

While a growing body of research has addressed the outcomes of K–12 foreign language (FL) study, relatively little is known about the relationship between teachers’ practices and students’ proficiency development (Hlas & Hlas, ; Tschirner & Malone, ). To fill this gap, the current study, set in a large urban school district, investigates how differences in teachers’ (N = 26) self‐reported use of the target language (TL) and explicit grammar instruction relate to secondary FL students’ (N = 2,179) yearlong gains on a standardized language performance assessment. Findings reveal a largely positive effect for TL usage, which was most pronounced in the beginner levels. Meanwhile, explicit grammar instruction yielded mixed results, beginning with a negative effect in Level I and transitioning toward a positive effect by Level IV. Collectively, the findings suggest that best practices for FL teaching may in fact vary according to the level of instruction.
A simple spatially explicit neutral model explains the range size distribution of reef fishes
Authors: Alzate Adriana , Janzen Thijs , Bonte Dries , Rosindell James , Etienne Rampal S.
Published: February 2019

Aim

The great variation in range sizes among species has fascinated ecologists for decades. Reef‐associated fish species live in highly spatially structured habitats and adopt a wide range of dispersal strategies. We consequently expect species with greater dispersal ability to occupy larger ranges. However, empirical evidence for such a positive relationship between dispersal and range size remains scarce. Here, we unveil the role of dispersal on the range size distribution of reef‐associated fishes using empirical data and a novel spatially explicit model.

Location

Tropical Eastern Pacific.

Major taxa studied

Reef‐associated fishes.

Time period

Underlying records are from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Methods

We estimated range size distributions for all reef‐associated fishes separated into six guilds, each with different dispersal abilities. We used a one‐dimensional spatially explicit neutral model, which simulates the distribution of species along a linear and contiguous coastline, to explore the effect of dispersal, speciation and sampling on the distribution of range sizes. Our model incorporates biologically important long‐distance dispersal events with a fat‐tailed dispersal kernel and also adopts a more realistic gradual “protracted” speciation process than originally used in neutral theory. We fitted the model to the empirical data using an approximate Bayesian computation approach, with a sequential Monte Carlo algorithm.

Results

Stochastic birth, death, speciation and dispersal events alone can accurately explain empirical range size distributions for six different guilds of tropical, reef‐associated fishes. Variation in range size distributions among guilds are explained purely by differences in dispersal ability with the best dispersers being distributed over larger ranges.

Main conclusions

Neutral processes and guild‐specific dispersal ability provide a general explanation for both within‐ and across‐guild range size variation. Our results support the theoretically expected, but empirically much debated, hypothesis that high dispersal capacity promotes the establishment of large range size.
Stop, think, reflect, realize—first‐time mothers’ views on taking part in longitudinal maternal health research
Authors: Daly Deirdre , Carroll Margaret , Barros Monalisa , Begley Cecily
Published: February 2019

Background

Longitudinal cohort studies gather large amounts of data over time, often without direct benefit to participants. A positive experience may encourage retention in the study, and participants may benefit in unanticipated ways.

Objective

To explore first‐time mothers’ experiences of taking part in a longitudinal cohort study and completing self‐administered surveys during pregnancy and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months’ postpartum.

Design

Content analysis of comments written by participants in the Maternal health And Maternal Morbidity in Ireland study's five self‐completion surveys, a multisite cohort study exploring women's health and health problems during and after pregnancy. This paper focuses on what women wrote about taking part in the research. Ethical approval was granted by the site hospitals and university.

Setting and participants

A total of 2174 women were recruited from two maternity hospitals in Ireland between 2012 and 2015.

Findings

A total of 1000 comments were made in the five surveys. Antenatally, barriers related to surveys being long and questions being intimate. Postpartum, barriers related to being busy with life as first‐time mothers. Benefits gained included gaining access to information, taking time to reflect, stopping to think and being prompted to seek help. Survey questions alone were described as valuable sources of information.

Discussion and conclusions

Findings suggest that survey research can “give back” to women by being a source of information and a trigger to seek professional help, even while asking sensitive questions. Understanding this can help researchers construct surveys to maximize benefits, real and potential, for participants.
Reaction‐bonded B4C/SiC composites synthesized by microwave heating
Authors: Dutto Mathieu , Goeuriot Dominique , Saunier Sébastien , Marinel Sylvain , Frage Nachum , Hayun Shmuel
Published: February 2019

The reaction‐bonding technique was used to synthesize boron carbide (B4C) ‐ silicon carbide (SiC) composites by microwave heating. Preforms of porous B4C were obtained by compaction followed or not by partial densification. Then, the material was infiltrated by molten silicon under a microwave heating. The influence of the thermal cycles (T: 1400‐1500°C, t: 5‐120 minutes) is low. The hardness of boron carbide is comparable to that of alumina (15‐19 GPa) for a much lower density (≈2.5 g/cm3 for B4C‐based material instead of 3.95 g/cm3 for alumina). These properties make this composite, obtained by microwave heating, a good candidate for ballistic applications.
Promoting workplace‐based training to fight youth unemployment in three EU countries: Different strategies, different results?
Authors: Marques Paulo , Hoerisch Felix
Published: February 2019

During the economic crisis, youth unemployment grew exponentially in many European countries. It was argued that countries with a high level of firm involvement in the provision of initial vocational training were better equipped to address this problem. Boosting workplace‐based training was therefore seen as the right strategy to tackle unemployment. Using Denmark, Spain and the UK as case studies, this article analyses how countries with different skill formation systems have improved this type of training. While the UK reinforced the voluntaristic character of its training regime, Denmark improved the quality of its vocational education, and Spain made reforms to the training and apprenticeship contract. Interestingly, the countries achieved different results. To explain this divergence, it is argued that while the reforms made in the UK and Denmark were compatible with the national institutions and coordination mechanisms, this was not the case in Spain, where reforms were implemented in a non‐complementary way.

Key Practitioner Message:

After the economic crisis it was argued that countries with a high level of firm involvement in the provision of initial VET were better equipped to fight youth unemployment.

The study analysed how countries with different skill formation systems improved this type of training and assessed their relative success.

The article shows that when implementing reforms policy makers must take into account the institutions and mechanisms of coordination that prevail in each country. Otherwise, reforms may be unsuccessful.
Attention during Visual Preference Tasks: Relation to Caregiving and Face Recognition
Authors: Juvrud Joshua , Rennels Jennifer L. , Kayl Andrea J. , Gredebäck Gustaf , Herlitz Agneta
Published: February 2019

This research examined how caregiver experience (female primary caregiver or distributed caregiving with mom and dad) influenced 10‐, 14‐, and 16‐month‐olds’ visual preferences and attention toward internal facial features of female–male face pairs, and how these behaviors related to novelty preferences in a face recognition task and speed and accuracy on a visual search task. In the visual preference task, infants visually preferred male faces, regardless of caregiver experience. Despite similarities in visual preferences, infants’ attention toward females and males’ internal facial features was related for infants with distributed caregiving only. Infants’ performance across face processing tasks most often correlated for those with female primary caregivers. Results further our understanding of how infants with female primary caregivers display specialized processing of female faces, and how infants with distributed caregiving show similarities in their attention to female and male facial features.
Person‐centred inpatient care – A quasi‐experimental study in an internal medicine context
Authors: Jakobsson Sofie , Eliasson Björn , Andersson Eva , Johannsson Gudmundur , Ringström Gisela , Simrén Magnus , Jakobsson Ung Eva
Published: February 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of person‐centred inpatient care on care processes in terms of satisfaction with care and person‐centred content in medical records, and to evaluate effects on self‐reported health and self‐efficacy.

Background

Internal medicine inpatient care is complex, covering patients varying in age, medical conditions, health status, and other aspects. There has been limited research on the impact of person‐centred care (PCC) on satisfaction with care and health outcomes in internal medicine care environments regardless of diagnosis and care pathway.

Design

A quasi‐experimental study with pre‐ and postmeasurements.

Methods

Adult patients admitted to an internal medicine inpatient unit were consecutively included over 16 weeks in 2014 and 24 weeks in 2015–2016. Data were collected before a person‐centred inpatient care intervention (N = 204) and 12 months after the intervention was implemented (N = 177). Data on satisfaction with care and self‐reported health were collected at discharge and medical records were reviewed. The intervention included systematically applied person‐centred assessment, health plans, and persistent PCC.

Results

After the intervention, patients rated higher satisfaction with care regarding essential components of PCC and more patients had received effective pain relief. There were no differences in information on self‐care or medications, self‐rated health, or self‐efficacy.

Conclusion

Care focused on the foundations of person‐centredness seems to enhance both patients’ perceptions of satisfaction and symptom management. Situational aspects such as care pathways should be considered when implementing person‐centred inpatient care.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number: NCT03725813