bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A post‐genomic surprise. The molecular reinscription of race in science, law and medicine
Authors: Duster Troy
Published: March 2015

The completion of the first draft of the Human Genome Map in 2000 was widely heralded as the promise and future of genetics‐based medicines and therapies – so much so that pundits began referring to the new century as ‘The Century of Genetics’. Moreover, definitive assertions about the overwhelming similarities of all humans' DNA (99.9 per cent) by the leaders of the Human Genome Project were trumpeted as the end of racial thinking about racial taxonomies of human genetic differences. But the first decade of the new century brought unwelcomed surprises. First, gene therapies turned out to be far more complicated than any had anticipated – and instead the pharmaceutical industry turned to a focus on drugs that might be ‘related’ to population differences based upon genetic markers. While the language of ‘personalized medicine’ dominated this frame, research on racially and ethnically designated populations differential responsiveness to drugs dominated the empirical work in the field. Ancestry testing and ‘admixture research’ would play an important role in a new kind of molecular reification of racial categories. Moreover, the capacity of the super‐computer to map differences reverberated into personal identification that would affect both the criminal justice system and forensic science, and generate new levels of concern about personal privacy. Social scientists in general, and sociologists in particular, have been caught short by these developments – relying mainly on assertions that racial categories are socially constructed, regionally and historically contingent, and politically arbitrary. While these assertions are true, the imprimatur of scientific legitimacy has shifted the burden, since now ‘admixture research’ can claim that its results get at the ‘reality’ of human differentiation, not the admittedly flawed social constructions of racial categories. Yet what was missing from this framing of the problem: ‘admixture research’ is itself based upon socially constructed categories of race.
Taxes and Financial Constraints: Evidence from Linguistic Cues
Authors: LAW KELVIN K. F. , MILLS LILLIAN F.
Published: March 2015

Using a new measure of financial constraints based on firms’ qualitative disclosures, we find that financially constrained firms—firms that use more negative words in their annual reports—pursue more aggressive tax planning strategies as evidenced by: (1) higher current and future unrecognized tax benefits, (2) lower short‐ and long‐run current and future effective tax rates, (3) increase in tax haven usage for their material operations, and (4) higher proposed audit adjustments from the Internal Revenue Service. We exploit the unexpected closures of local banks as exogenous liquidity shocks to show that firms’ external financial constraints affect their tax avoidance strategies. Overall, the linguistic cues in firms’ qualitative disclosures provide incremental information beyond traditional accounting variables or commonly used effective tax rates to reveal and predict tax aggressiveness, both contemporaneously and in the future.
Population divergence of aggregation pheromone responses in Ips subelongatus in northeastern China
Authors: Chen Da‐Feng , Li Ye‐Jing , Zhang Qing‐He , Zhang Su‐Fang , Wang Hong‐Bin , Zhang Zhen , Zhao Li‐Lin , Kong Xiang‐Bo
Published: March 2015

The Asian larch bark beetle, Ips subelongatus, is considered to be the major pest of larch within its natural range. We investigated the electrophysiological and behavioral characteristics as well as mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences of I. subelongatus from 13 geographic populations throughout northeastern China in order to explore population divergence of aggregation pheromone responses and the extent of potential genetic divergence. Electrophysiological analyses showed that antennae of I. subelongatus from all the six tested populations responded strongly to (S)‐(−)‐ipsenol (100% detection; 0.35–0.73 mV) in gas chromatography (GC)–electroantennographic detection (EAD) analyses, while its antipode, (R)‐(+)‐ipsenol was antennally inactive. I. subelongatus populations varied in their responses to (R)‐(−)‐ and (S)‐(+)‐ipsdienol in GC‐EAD analyses. Behavioral bioassays demonstrated that (S)‐(−)‐ipsenol alone was significantly attractive at all the tested sites, supporting its status as a key pheromone component of I. subelongatus, whereas (S)‐(+)‐ipsdienol was inactive alone. Adding (S)‐(+)‐ipsdienol to (S)‐(−)‐ipsenol did not have any effect on the trap catches from some populations in Inner Mongolia. However, (S)‐(+)‐ipsdienol showed a strong synergistic effect on (S)‐(−)‐ipsenol from several populations in Jilin and Liaoning Provinces, and a weak synergistic effect from some transition populations in Heilongjiang Province. Furthermore, 27 mitochondrial haplotypes were found among the 13 populations (intraspecific nucleotide divergence, 0.1%–1.1%). Analyses of molecular variance and haplotype networks indicated that different geographic populations have developed some genetic variation but did not form completely independent groups. From an applied point of view, a universal synthetic binary blend of racemic ipsenol and (S)‐(+)‐ipsdienol might have a potential for monitoring or even mass‐trapping of I. subelongatus across northeastern China, even though some populations only use (S)‐(−)‐ipsenol alone as their active pheromone component.
Adaptation of the Sexual Adjustment and Body Image Scale in Turkish Breast Cancer Women
Authors: Erol Ursavaş Figen , Karayurt Özgül
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To investigate the validity and reliability of the Sexual Adjustment and Body Image Scale in Turkish breast cancer women.

Methods

This is a methodological and cross‐sectional study, and included 161 breast cancer women.

Results

The factor loadings in the exploratory factor analysis ranged from 0.83 to 0.90 for the sexual adjustment scales and ranged from 0.52 to 0.86 for the body image scale. The Cronbach's alpha values were 0.86, 0.83, and 0.89 for the subscales of sexual adjustment and 0.77 and 0.81 for the subscales of body image.

Conclusion

The scale is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate sexual adjustment and body image in Turkish breast cancer women.
Part‐night lighting: implications for bat conservation
Authors: Day J. , Baker J. , Schofield H. , Mathews F. , Gaston K. J.
Published: March 2015

Artificial nighttime lighting has many effects on biodiversity. A proposed environmental management option, primarily to save energy, is to alter the duration of night lighting. Using the greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum as an example of a photophobic species, we explored roadside behaviour patterns throughout the night to assess the potential impact of part‐night lighting. We found a large primary peak in activity 1 h after sunset, followed by a smaller secondary peak before sunrise. Simulated part‐night lighting scenarios reveal that to capture a large proportion of bat activity, streetlights should be switched off before midnight. Current proposed uses of part‐night lighting are unlikely to capture natural peaks in activity for nocturnal species.
Variational Inference for Heteroscedastic Semiparametric Regression
Authors: Menictas Marianne , Wand Matt P.
Published: March 2015

We develop fast mean field variational methodology for Bayesian heteroscedastic semiparametric regression, in which both the mean and variance are smooth, but otherwise arbitrary, functions of the predictors. Our resulting algorithms are purely algebraic, devoid of numerical integration and Monte Carlo sampling. The locality property of mean field variational Bayes implies that the methodology also applies to larger models possessing variance function components. Simulation studies indicate good to excellent accuracy, and considerable time savings compared with Markov chain Monte Carlo. We also provide some illustrations from applications.
Multisite Near Infrared Spectroscopy During Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Ricci Zaccaria , Haiberger Roberta , Tofani Lorenzo , Romagnoli Stefano , Favia Isabella , Cogo Paola
Published: March 2015

Multisite near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring during pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has not been extensively validated. Although it might be rational to explore regional tissue saturation at different body sites (namely brain, kidney, upper body, lower body), conflicting results are currently provided by experience in children. The aim of our study was to evaluate absolute values of multisite NIRS saturation during CPB in a cohort of infants undergoing pediatric cardiac surgery to describe average differences between cerebral, renal, upper body (arm), and lower body (thigh) regional saturation. Furthermore, the correlation between cerebral NIRS and cardiac index (CI) at CPB weaning was evaluated. Twenty‐five infants were enrolled: their median weight, age, and body surface area were 3.9 (3.3–6) kg, 111 (47–203) days, and 0.24 (0.22–0.33) m2, respectively. Median Aristotle score was 8 (6–10), and vasoactive inotropic score at CPB weaning was 16 (14–25). A total of 17 430 data points were recorded by each sensor: two‐way ANOVA showed that time (P < 0.0001) and site (P = 0.0001) significantly affected variations of NIRS values: however, if cerebral NIRS values are excluded, sensor site is no more significant (P = 0.184 in the no circulatory arrest [noCA] group and P = 0.42 in the circulatory arrest [CA] group). Analysis of NIRS saturation changes over time showed that, at all sites, average NIRS values increased after CPB start, even if the increase of cerebral saturation was less intense than other sites (P < 0.0001). Detailed analysis of interaction between site of NIRS measurement and time point showed that cerebral NIRS (ranging from 65 to 75%) was always significantly lower than that of other channels (P < 0.0001) that tended to be in the range of oversaturation (80–90%), especially during the CPB phase. Average cerebral NIRS values of patients who did not undergo circulatory arrest (CA) during CPB, 10 min after CPB weaning, were associated with average CI values with a significant correlation (r = 0.7, P = 0.003). In conclusion, during CPB, cerebral NIRS values are expected to remain constantly lower than somatic sensors, which instead tend to show similar elevated saturations, regardless of their position. Based on these results, positioning of noncerebral NIRS sensors during CPB without CA may be questioned.
Children and adolescents previously treated with glucocorticoids display lower verbal intellectual abilities
Authors: Holm Sara Krøis , Vestergaard Martin , Madsen Kathrine Skak , Baaré William F.C. , Hammer Trine Bjørg , Born Alfred Peter , Siebner Hartwig R. , Paulson Olaf B. , Uldall Peter V.
Published: March 2015

Aim

Perinatal exposure to glucocorticoids has been associated with adverse cerebral effects, but little is known about their effect on cognitive development and exposure later in childhood. This study examined intellectual abilities, memory and behavioural problems in children previously treated with glucocorticoids.

Methods

We evaluated 38 children aged from seven to 16 years, who had been treated with glucocorticoids for rheumatic disease or nephrotic syndrome, together with 42 healthy controls matched for age, gender and parental education. The median cumulative dose of prednisolone equivalents was 158 mg/kg (range 21–723) and the mean time that had elapsed since treatment was three‐and‐a‐half (standard deviation 2.2) years. Intellectual abilities were assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and memory performance and behavioural problems with a pattern recognition memory task and the Child Behaviour Check List.

Results

There were no significant differences between the groups in pattern recognition memory, perceptual organisation index or behavioural problems, but patients had a significantly lower verbal comprehension index and this difference was present in both disease groups. There were no significant dose–response relationships regarding verbal intellectual abilities.

Conclusion

Children and adolescents previously treated with glucocorticoids seemed to have lower intellectual verbal abilities than healthy controls.
Sleep and physical activity measured by accelerometry in Crohn's disease
Authors: van Langenberg D. R. , Papandony M. C. , Gibson P. R.
Published: March 2015

Background

Sleep and physical activity are inherent to human living, yet appear affected by Crohn's disease (CD), resulting in fatigue and disability.

Aim

To objectively assess sleep quality and physical activity and their associations using accelerometers, comparing CD vs. matched healthy control (HC) subjects.

Methods

Exactly 49 CD and 30 HC subjects completed surveys encompassing self‐reported fatigue and sleep quality, pathology testing and wore an accelerometer for 7 days, measuring physical activity and sleep. In this cross‐sectional observational study, per‐group comparisons were performed and in CD, factors associated with reduced activity and/or sleep quality were assessed via multivariate analyses.

Results

Regarding physical activity, CD subjects overall performed less total accelerometer counts (median 1.3 × 106 vs. 2.0 × 106), were more sedentary (97.7% vs. 96.2%) and completed fewer bouts of moderate‐vigorous intensity exercise (1.0 vs. 5.0, each P < 0.01 (Mann–Whitney) than HC over 7 days. Factors associated with poor physical activity in CD included elevated serum CRP (OR = 22.6), lower vitamin D3 (OR = 13.1) and longer disease duration (OR = 1.2 per year, each P < 0.05). Regarding sleep, the CD group had similar total sleep time (median 458 vs. 447 min, P = 0.56), but more awakenings post‐sleep onset (22 vs. 11, P = 0.01). Factors associated with severe sleep dysfunction in CD included lower haemoglobin (OR = 6.7) concurrent anti‐TNF (OR = 6.5, each P < 0.05) and opioid therapy (OR = 6.6, P = 0.09).

Conclusion

Utilising objective measurement in a habitual context over 7 days, patients with Crohn's disease exhibited poorer sleep quality and less physical activity than well‐matched healthy controls.
Frequency of food group consumption and risk of allergic disease and sensitization in schoolchildren in urban and rural China
Authors: Yang Z. , Zheng W. , Yung E. , Zhong N. , Wong G. W. K. , Li J.
Published: March 2015

Background

Diet is a potential determinant of allergic diseases.

Objective

To examine in schoolchildren the association between food intake and allergic diseases and determine whether there is effect of environment – rural vs. urban.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was performed in 11 473 children aged 7–12 years in 20 schools from urban Guangzhou and rural Shaoguan, China. A nested case–control group, 402 from Guangzhou and 349 from Shaoguan, was recruited. Food ingestion frequency data were collected. Serum‐specific IgE to 34 food and airborne allergens was determined. Associations between food ingestion frequency and clinical outcomes were sought by logistic analyses.

Results

The prevalence of self‐reported asthma (6.6% vs. 2.5%), rhinitis (23.2% vs. 5.3%) and eczema (34.1% vs. 25.9%) was significantly higher in Guangzhou subjects compared to Shaoguan, whereas prevalence of food hypersensitivity (9.7% vs. 9.2%) and food allergy (4.0% vs. 3.5%) was not significantly different. In this case–control study, seafood and fruits were two major food groups causing food hypersensitivity. Urban children consumed more milk, egg, chocolate, fruits, vegetable and cereals compared to rural children. Significantly higher percentage of Guangzhou children was sensitized to egg and milk, whereas more Shaoguan children were sensitized to seafood, nuts and seeds, fruit, vegetables, legumes and cereals. High consumption of milk (OR 2.604, 95CI% 1.569–4.322, P < 0.001) and vegetables (OR 0.382, 95% CI 0.180–0.809, P = 0.012) were positively and reversely associated with asthma, respectively.

Conclusion

Difference in prevalence of asthma but not food allergy was observed. Diets of schoolchildren are affected by disease‐related modification and country's urbanization. High vegetable intake and low milk intake might protect against asthma.
Clinicopathological and virological characteristics of superficially invasive squamous‐cell carcinoma of the anus
Authors: Arana R. , Fléjou J.‐F. , Si‐Mohamed A. , Bauer P. , Etienney I.
Published: March 2015

Aim

The clinicopathological and virological characteristics of anal superficially invasive squamous‐cell carcinoma (SISCCA) were determined.

Method

Seventeen patients with a completely excised stage T1N0M0 anal squamous‐cell carcinoma (SCC) were included in the study. The tumours were divided into superficially invasive and invasive. Patients with anal high‐grade squamous intraepithelial dysplasia, which corresponded to anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) Grades 2 or 3, were used as a control group. Clinicopathological and virological characteristics were investigated. Overall survival and cancer recurrence‐free survival were also assessed.

Results

Of the 17 patients, 12 (70.5%) were men. Ten (58.8%) were human immunodeficiency virus positive. Seven (41%) patients met the same diagnostic criteria as those recently proposed for anal SISCCA. According to the results obtained using the polymerase chain reaction, human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 was the most commonly detected (94%) type of HPV. Twelve (70.6%) patients with an inadequate surgical margin around the tumour received adjuvant radiotherapy, including the two (11.7%) tumours that locally recurred, one of which was an anal SISCCA. Superficially invasive anal cancers differed from the other T1N0M0 anal carcinomas according to the clinical presentation and the absence of lymph‐vascular invasion (LVI). There were no differences in cancer recurrence‐free and overall survival rates between the superficially invasive and invasive groups.

Conclusion

Anal SISCCAs have a low index of clinical suspicion, are associated with an absence of LVI and are linked to high‐risk HPV. Prospective studies are needed to define the clinical behaviour of these anal tumours and to determine their best therapeutic strategy.
BEN BERNANKE AND THE ZERO BOUND
Authors: Ball Laurence
Published: March 2015

From 2000 to 2003, when Ben Bernanke was a professor and then a Fed Governor, he wrote extensively about monetary policy at the zero bound on interest rates. He advocated aggressive stimulus policies, such as a money‐financed tax cut and an inflation target of 3%–4%. Yet, after U.S. interest rates hit zero in 2008, the Fed under Chairman Bernanke took more cautious actions. This paper asks when and why Bernanke changed his mind about zero‐bound policy. The answer, at one level, is that he was influenced by analysis from the Fed staff that was presented at the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting of June 2003. This answer raises another question: why did the staff's views influence Bernanke so strongly? I seek answers to this question in the social psychology literature on group decision‐making. (JEL E52, E58)
Presence of albuminuria predicts left ventricular mass in patients with chronic systemic arterial hypertension
Authors: de Beus Esther , Meijs Matthijs F. L. , Bots Michiel L. , Visseren Frank L. J. , Blankestijn Peter J. ,   the SMART study group
Published: March 2015

Background

Increased left ventricular mass (LVM) is known to predict cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. LVM is high in patients with advanced kidney disease. Our aim was to study the relationship between renal parameters and LVM in hypertensive subjects at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Design

Cardiac MRI was performed in 527 patients participating in the single‐centre SMART cohort study. Participants free from previous symptomatic coronary heart disease but with a history of hypertension were recruited. Subjects were screened for cardiovascular risk factors in a standardized way. Multivariable linear regression was used to study the relationship of both estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and presence of albuminuria with left ventricular mass.

Results

Mean LVM was 121 g for men (SD 26) and 87 g for women (SD 20). Mean eGFR was 82 mL/min/1·73 m² (SD 19). A total of 73 patients (14%) had albuminuria. After adjusting for known determinants of LVM (height, weight, sex and age) eGFR did not relate to LVM while presence of albuminuria did (mean change in LVM per 10 mL/min/1·73 m2 change in eGFR 0·79 g, 95% CI −0·33 to 1·91, P = 0·17, mean change in LVM in presence vs. absence of albuminuria 9·9 g, 95% CI 4·33 to 15·45, P = 0·001). Additional adjustment for systolic blood pressure did not change results (B for eGFR 0·54, 95% CI −0·58 to 1·66, P = 0·35, B for albuminuria 9·09, 95% CI 3·57 to 14·60, P = 0·001).

Conclusions

In this study in hypertensive patients with high vascular risk, albuminuria was related to increased LVM and eGFR was not.
POLICY VARIATION, LABOR SUPPLY ELASTICITIES, AND A STRUCTURAL MODEL OF RETIREMENT
Authors: Manoli Day , Mullen Kathleen J. , Wagner Mathis
Published: March 2015

This paper exploits a combination of policy variation from multiple pension reforms in Austria and administrative data from the Austrian Social Security Database. Using the policy changes for identification, we estimate social security wealth and accrual elasticities in individuals' retirement decisions. Next, we use these elasticities to estimate a dynamic programming model of retirement decisions. Finally, we use the estimated model to examine the labor supply and welfare consequences of potential social security reforms. (JEL J26, H55)
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEMS: TRANSPARENCY, DONATIONS, AND POLICY CHOICES
Authors: Fang Hanming , Shapiro Dmitry , Zillante Arthur
Published: March 2015

We experimentally study the transparency effect of alternative campaign finance systems on donations, election outcomes, policy choices, and welfare. Three alternatives are considered: one where donors' preferences and donations are unobserved by the candidate and public; one where they are observed by the candidate but not the public; and one where they are observed by all. We label them full anonymity (FA), partial anonymity (PA), and no anonymity (NA), respectively. We find that in NA and PA candidates consistently respond to donations by choosing policies favoring the donors. FA, in contrast, is the most successful in limiting the influence of donations on policy choices. Donors benefit greatly from the possibility of donations whereas social welfare may be harmed in some treatments. To our knowledge, this article is the first to investigate the effect of different campaign finance systems distinguished by their transparency level. (JEL D72)
Longevity, trophallaxis, and allogrooming in Macrotermes gilvus soldiers infected by the parasitoid fly Misotermes mindeni
Authors: Foo Foong‐Kuan , Othman Ahmad Sofiman , Lee Chow‐Yang
Published: March 2015

In this study, we documented the behavioral changes of major soldiers of the subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen) (Blattodea: Termitidae) infected with larvae of the phorid fly Misotermes mindeniDisney & Neoh (Diptera: Phoridae). During periods of starvation, the longevity of parasitized individuals was significantly greater than that of unparasitized individuals. Parasitized individuals received significantly more frequent trophallaxis from the workers than unparasitized individuals. The frequency of allogrooming of parasitized individuals by workers was also significantly greater than that of unparasitized individuals. The extent to which workers provided trophallaxis and allogrooming for parasitized individuals did not differ significantly between colonies with and without unparasitized individuals. Likewise, no significant difference in the frequency of trophallaxis between workers and unparasitized individuals was detected in the groups with and without parasitized individuals. However, distinct differences in allogrooming frequency between groups with and without parasitized individuals were detected. Workers/unparasitized individuals exhibited significantly more allogrooming behavior when parasitized individuals were present. Parasitized major soldiers and unparasitized, food‐deprived major soldiers received significantly more often trophallaxis from the workers than unparasitized major soldiers. Presence of a parasitoid fly in major soldiers may promote the frequent feeding of parasitized individuals by workers. Based on these data, the behavioral adjustments appear to be beneficial to the parasitoids, as the changes clearly increase their chances of survival and their chances of completion of their larval development before the host dies.
Importance of pharmacokinetic studies in the management of acquired factor X deficiency
Authors: Lim Ming Y. , McCarthy Timothy , Chen Sheh‐Li , Rollins‐Raval Marian A. , Ma Alice D.
Published: March 2015

Up to 14% of individuals with systemic AL amyloidosis develop acquired factor X deficiency, which occurs due to adsorption of factor X onto amyloid fibrils. Although baseline factor X levels are not predictive of bleeding risk in these patients, serious hemorrhagic complications can occur, particularly during invasive procedures. Optimal management strategies to attenuate bleeding risk in these patients are unknown. We describe our experience in the management of acquired factor X deficiency, secondary to systemic AL amyloidosis, in a case series of three patients who received prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) for treatment and prevention of bleeding events. We performed a retrospective review extracting information on baseline demographics, laboratory data, pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, and clinically documented bleeding events. Our case series demonstrates that individuals with acquired factor X deficiency secondary to amyloidosis have variable laboratory and clinical responses to PCCs. This is likely due to distinct amyloid loads and fibril sequences, leading to different binding avidities for factor X. Our data emphasize the importance of performing PK testing prior to any invasive procedures to determine the dose and frequency interval to achieve adequate factor X levels for hemostasis, given the variable response between individuals.
Auditory stimulation enhances thalamic somatosensory high‐frequency oscillations in healthy humans: a neurophysiological marker of cross‐sensory sensitization?
Authors: Restuccia Domenico , Coppola Gianluca
Published: March 2015

Electrical stimulation of upper limb nerves evokes a train of high‐frequency wavelets (high‐frequency oscillations, HFOs) on the human scalp. These HFOs are related to the influence of arousal‐promoting structures on somatosensory input processing, and are generated in the primary somatosensory cortex (post‐synaptic HFOs) and the terminal tracts of thalamocortical radiations (pre‐synaptic HFOs). We previously reported that HFOs do not undergo habituation to repeated stimulations; here, we verified whether HFOs could be modulated by external sensitizing stimuli. We recorded somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in 15 healthy volunteers before and after sensitization training with an auditory stimulus. Pre‐synaptic HFO amplitudes, reflecting somatosensory thalamic/thalamocortical activity, significantly increased after the sensitizing acoustic stimulation, whereas both the low‐frequency N20 SSEP component and post‐synaptic HFOs were unaffected. Cross‐talk between subcortical arousal‐related structures is a probable mechanism for the pre‐synaptic HFO effect observed in this study. We propose that part of the ascending somatosensory input encoded in HFOs is specifically able to convey sensitized inputs. This preferential involvement in sensitization mechanisms suggests that HFOs play a critical role in the detection of potentially relevant stimuli, and act at very early stages of somatosensory input processing.
Equivalence between invasive and oscillometric blood pressures at different anatomic locations in healthy normotensive anaesthetised horses
Authors: Tearney C. C. , Guedes A. G. P. , Brosnan R. J.
Published: March 2015

Reasons for performing study

Accurate blood pressure measurement is essential for effective clinical assessment and appropriate interventions in anaesthetised horses. Information on the accuracy of oscillometry for blood pressure measurement on the appendages of mature horses is limited.

Objectives

To assess equivalence between invasive and oscillometric blood pressures at different anatomic locations in horses.

Study design

Prospective experimental study using 6 healthy mature horses.

Methods

Blood pressure was measured invasively in the right transverse facial artery and noninvasively by oscillometry in nondependent limbs and tail of laterally recumbent sevoflurane‐ or desflurane‐anaesthetised horses. Cuff widths of 5–12 cm were tested on the tail, metatarsus, metacarpus and distal radius/ulna. Equivalence between mean arterial pressure (MAP) oscillometric and MAP invasive was assessed using a linear mixed effects model with a significance level of P≤0.05.

Results

Twenty paired measurements were obtained for each cuff size in each of the locations, totalling 340 measurements. There was only one location (tail) and one cuff width (6 cm; cuff width‐to‐tail circumference ratio of 0.25) that resulted in equivalence between MAP measured with the oscillometric and the invasive methods (P = 0.8). All other locations (metacarpus, radius/ulna, metatarsus) and cuff widths were not equivalent (P≤0.01).

Conclusions

A cuff width‐to‐tail circumference ratio of 0.25 is recommended for accurate oscillometric blood pressure measurement in mature, laterally recumbent anaesthetised normotensive horses. Studies with variable haemodynamics are warranted. Oscillometric measurements at other extremities and/or with other cuff sizes cannot be recommended for clinical use.
Modelling both dominance and species distribution provides a more complete picture of changes to mangrove ecosystems under climate change
Authors: Crase Beth , Vesk Peter A. , Liedloff Adam , Wintle Brendan A.
Published: March 2015

Dominant species influence the composition and abundance of other species present in ecosystems. However, forecasts of distributional change under future climates have predominantly focused on changes in species distribution and ignored possible changes in spatial and temporal patterns of dominance. We develop forecasts of spatial changes for the distribution of species dominance, defined in terms of basal area, and for species occurrence, in response to sea level rise for three tree taxa within an extensive mangrove ecosystem in northern Australia. Three new metrics are provided, indicating the area expected to be suitable under future conditions (Eoccupied), the instability of suitable area (Einstability) and the overlap between the current and future spatial distribution (Eoverlap). The current dominance and occurrence were modelled in relation to a set of environmental variables using boosted regression tree (BRT) models, under two scenarios of seedling establishment: unrestricted and highly restricted. While forecasts of spatial change were qualitatively similar for species occurrence and dominance, the models of species dominance exhibited higher metrics of model fit and predictive performance, and the spatial pattern of future dominance was less similar to the current pattern than was the case for the distributions of species occurrence. This highlights the possibility of greater changes in the spatial patterning of mangrove tree species dominance under future sea level rise. Under the restricted seedling establishment scenario, the area occupied by or dominated by a species declined between 42.1% and 93.8%, while for unrestricted seedling establishment, the area suitable for dominance or occurrence of each species varied from a decline of 68.4% to an expansion of 99.5%. As changes in the spatial patterning of dominance are likely to cause a cascade of effects throughout the ecosystem, forecasting spatial changes in dominance provides new and complementary information in addition to that provided by forecasts of species occurrence.
Impact of serum ferritin level on hepatocarcinogenesis in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Uchino Koji , Tateishi Ryosuke , Fujiwara Naoto , Minami Tatsuya , Sato Masaya , Enooku Kenichiro , Nakagawa Hayato , Asaoka Yoshinari , Kondo Yuji , Yoshida Haruhiko , Moriya Kyoji , Shiina Shuichiro , Omata Masao , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: March 2015

Aim

To elucidate the impact of the serum ferritin level, a surrogate indicator of hepatic iron accumulation, on hepatocarcinogenesis in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Methods

Serum ferritin was measured in 487 chronic hepatitis C patients without history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after excluding patients in phlebotomy, those with overt chronic gastrointestinal bleeding and those who achieved sustained virological response before enrollment. Patients were divided into four groups (G1–G4) by quartile points of serum ferritin, with sexes separated.

Results

The serum ferritin level was positively correlated with total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ‐glutamyltransferase, hemoglobin and AFP, and inversely correlated with prothrombin activity in both sexes. A significant difference in HCC incidence was observed only in male patients; the incidence was higher in G1 (≤80 ng/mL, n = 54) and G4 (≥323 ng/mL, n = 54) compared with that of G2 (81–160 ng/mL, n = 54) and G3 (161–322 ng/mL, n = 52). The spline curve indicating the relationship between the hazard ratio and serum ferritin level took the form of a J‐shape for male patients. In multivariate analysis, G1 and G4 showed higher incidence of HCC among men with a hazard ratio of 2.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.02–4.70; P = 0.045) compared with G2 and G3, together with older age, lower serum albumin and ALT above the normal upper limit.

Conclusion

The serum ferritin level is an independent risk factor for HCC development in male patients with chronic hepatitis C when the level is extremely high or low.
Do leaf‐cutting ants benefit from forest fragmentation? Insights from community and species‐specific responses in a fragmented dry forest
Authors: Barrera Corina A. , Buffa Liliana M. , Valladares Graciela
Published: March 2015

The expansion of agriculture has led to forest loss and fragmentation, resulting in dramatic biodiversity impoverishment. Surprisingly, few studies have assessed forest fragmentation effects on leaf‐cutting ant assemblages, and none has dealt with effects on their community richness and composition, despite their known role as key herbivores and ecosystem engineers.

We analysed forest area and edge effects on leaf‐cutting ant abundance, richness and assemblage composition, by recording and identifying colonies along edge and interior transects in 12 Chaco Serrano forest remnants of different sizes, in Central Argentina. We also explored leaf‐cutting ant presence in the adjacent soybean matrix.

We recorded five leaf‐cutting ant species, in the genusAcromyrmex. In the soybean matrix, colonies of three species were observed, which were also found at the forest edge. Within the forest, edges sustained more species and colonies than interior habitats, whereas forest area was linked positively to colony abundance. Taxonomic composition of leaf‐cutting ant assemblages reflected both area and edge effects.

Our results revealed overall positive edge and area effects on leaf‐cutting ant communities, highlighting differential species‐specific responses and a possible role forAcromyrmex crassispinusas a forest status indicator. According to our findings, an increase in edge habitats may favour most leaf‐cutting ant species, providing a suitable interface for access to the cultivated matrix, but hindering species associated with undisturbed forest conditions. As leaf‐cutting ants are acknowledged as cornerstones of ecosystem functioning, the consequences of these trends may be far reaching.
ICSH guidelines for the laboratory diagnosis of nonimmune hereditary red cell membrane disorders
Authors: King M.‐J. , Garçon L. , Hoyer J. D. , Iolascon A. , Picard V. , Stewart G. , Bianchi P. , Lee S.‐H. , Zanella A. ,   the International Council for Standardization in Haematology
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS), hereditary elliptocytosis (HE), and hereditary stomatocytosis (HSt) are inherited red cell disorders caused by defects in various membrane proteins. The heterogeneous clinical presentation, biochemical and genetic abnormalities in HS and HE have been well documented. The need to raise the awareness of HSt, albeit its much lower prevalence than HS, is due to the undesirable outcome of splenectomy in these patients.

Methods

The scope of this guideline is to identify the characteristic clinical features, the red cell parameters (including red cell morphology) for these red cell disorders associated, respectively, with defective cytoskeleton (HS and HE) and abnormal cation permeability in the lipid bilayer (HSt) of the red cell. The current screening tests for HS are described, and their limitations are highlighted.

Results

An appropriate diagnosis can often be made when the screening test result(s) is reviewed together with the patient's clinical/family history, blood count results, reticulocyte count, red cell morphology, and chemistry results. SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of erythrocyte membrane proteins, monovalent cation flux measurement, and molecular analysis of membrane protein genes are specialist tests for further investigation.

Conclusion

Specialist tests provide additional evidence in supporting the diagnosis and that will facilitate the management of the patient. In the case of a patient's clinical phenotype being more severe than the affected members within the immediate family, molecular testing of all family members is useful for confirming the diagnosis and allows an insight into the molecular basis of the abnormality such as a recessive mode of inheritance or a de novo mutation.
The Mind in the Middle: Taking Stock of Affect and Cognition Research in Entrepreneurship
Authors: Grégoire Denis A. , Cornelissen Joep , Dimov Dimo , van Burg Elco
Published: March 2015

In spite of substantial advances, entrepreneurship research on affect and cognition remains characterized by a multiplicity of theoretical approaches, methods, variables and measures. Although this multiplicity affords a lot of richness, it also poses potential risks – from the lack of a coherent knowledge base to the dangers of an atomistic evolution, with minimum exchanges between ‘siloed’ groups of scholars, limited theoretical integration and increased chances of redundant repetitions without real advances in understanding. To help guard against these risks and in order to augment the impact and value‐adding contribution of future research, the six papers in this special issue analyse the progress made in entrepreneurship research on (1) situated cognition, (2) fear, (3) how affective dynamics influences entrepreneurship, (4) intuition, (5) opportunity evaluation and (6) entrepreneurial team cognition. This short introductory essay builds on the synthesis of the literature to summarize ‘the road travelled so far’. The six papers forming this special issue are then introduced and their respective focus and contributions are detailed. The authors conclude by reflecting on these papers’ implications, and offer a number of observations about future research and the ‘road ahead’.
Well‐being of migrant and left‐behind children inChina: Education, health, parenting, and personal values
Authors: Lu Shuang , Lin Yi‐Ting , Vikse Juliann H. , Huang Chien‐Chung
Published: March 2015

Over the last several decades of urbanization and industrialization,China has encountered mass labor force migration from rural to urban areas. As a result, two‐child populations have dramatically increased in number: so‐called left‐behind children and migrant children. Using data from the 2006 and 2009ChinaNutrition andHealthSurveys, this study examined the effects of parental migration and residency status on the education, health, parenting, and personal values of children, with particular focus on left‐behind and migrant children. The findings suggest that parental migration and residency status play important roles in the educational and health outcomes, parental supervision, and personal values of children. Through analyzing the differences and possible reasons for disparate outcomes among child populations, this study aimed to improve public understanding of migrant and left‐behind children's well‐being inChina, and explore implications for future studies and welfare policy making.

Key Practitioner Message: ●Help to identify the impact of migration on individual, family, and the society domestically and internationally;●Provide implications for welfare policy making, program design, and service delivery for migrant populations;●Explore the approaches to addressing migration‐related issues in different countries with internal and transnational migrant populations.
Importance of prostate volume in the stratification of patients with intermediate‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Moschini Marco , Gandaglia Giorgio , Suardi Nazareno , Fossati Nicola , Cucchiara Vito , Damiano Rocco , Cantiello Francesco , Shariat Shahrokh F , Montorsi Francesco , Briganti Alberto
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the role of prostate volume assessed at final pathology in the risk of biochemical recurrence in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy.

Methods

Overall, 5637 patients treated with radical prostatectomy between January 1993 and August 2013 were identified. Multivariable Cox regression analyses tested the association between prostate volume and biochemical recurrence in the overall population and after stratifying patients according to the D'Amico risk groups.

Results

Mean (median) prostate volume was 50.61 mL (46 mL). When patients were stratified according to D'Amico risk groups, mean (median) prostate volume was 51.7 mL (48 mL), 49.8 mL (45 mL) and 50.6 mL (46 mL) in low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk prostate cancer, respectively (P = 0.04). Overall, the 5‐year biochemical recurrence‐free survival rate was 87.9%. In multivariable Cox regression analyses, prostate volume was associated with a lower risk of biochemical recurrence (hazard ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.99–1.00), after accounting for disease characteristics. However, when patients were stratified according to D'Amico risk groups, prostate volume represented an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence only in individuals with intermediate‐risk disease (hazard ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.99–1.00). Conversely, prostate volume was not associated with the risk of experiencing biochemical recurrence in patients with low‐ and high‐risk disease.

Conclusions

Smaller prostates are associated with increased risk of biochemical recurrence after surgery only in men with intermediate‐risk disease. In this category, the preoperative assessment of prostate volume might be helpful in order to identify patients at higher risk of biochemical recurrence after surgery. Additionally, prostate volume might be used to individualize follow‐up schedules after radical prostatectomy.
Stem cells from human amniotic fluid exert immunoregulatory function via secreted indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase1
Authors: Romani Rita , Pirisinu Irene , Calvitti Mario , Pallotta Maria Teresa , Gargaro Marco , Bistoni Giovanni , Vacca Carmine , Di Michele Alessandro , Orabona Ciriana , Rosati Jessica , Pirro Matteo , Giovagnoli Stefano , Matino Davide , Prontera Paolo , Rosi Gabriella , Grohmann Ursula , Talesa Vincenzo N. , Donti Emilio , Puccetti Paolo , Fallarino Francesca
Published: March 2015

Although human amniotic fluid does contain different populations of foetal‐derived stem cells, scanty information is available on the stemness and the potential immunomodulatory activity of in vitro expanded, amniotic fluid stem cells. By means of a methodology unrequiring immune selection, we isolated and characterized different stem cell types from second‐trimester human amniotic fluid samples (human amniotic fluid stem cells, HASCs). Of those populations, one was characterized by a fast doubling time, and cells were thus designated as fHASCs. Cells maintained their original phenotype under prolonged in vitro passaging, and they were able to originate embryoid bodies. Moreover, fHASCs exhibited regulatory properties when treated with interferon (IFN)‐γ, including induction of the immunomodulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). On coculture with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, IFN‐γ–treated fHASCs caused significantly decreased T‐cell proliferation and increased frequency in CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. Both effects required an intact IDO1 function and were cell contact‐independent. An unprecedented finding in our study was that purified vesicles from IFN‐γ–treated fHASCs abundantly expressed the functional IDO1 protein, and those vesicles were endowed with an fHASC‐like regulatory function. In vivo, fHASCs were capable of immunoregulatory function, promoting allograft survival in a mouse model of allogeneic skin transplantation. This was concurrent with the expansion of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells in graft‐draining lymph nodes from recipient mice. Thus fHASCs, or vesicles thereof, may represent a novel opportunity for immunoregulatory maneuvers both in vitro and in vivo.
Individualised dietary counselling for nutritionally at‐risk older patients following discharge from acute hospital to home: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Munk T. , Tolstrup U. , Beck A. M. , Holst M. , Rasmussen H. H. , Hovhannisyan K. , Thomsen T.
Published: March 2015

Background

Many older patients are undernourished after hospitalisation. Undernutrition impacts negatively on physical function and the ability of older patients to perform activities of daily living at home after discharge from acute hospital. The present study aimed to evaluate the evidence for an effect of individualised dietary counselling following discharge from acute hospital to home on physical function, and, second, on readmissions, mortality, nutritional status, nutritional intake and quality of life (QoL), in nutritionally at‐risk older patients.

Methods

A systematic review of randomised controlled trials was conducted. The overall quality of the evidence was assessed according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system (GRADE) criteria.

Results

Four randomised controlled trials (n = 729) were included. Overall, the evidence was of moderate quality. Dietitians provided counselling in all studies. Meta‐analyses showed a significant increase in energy intake [mean difference (MD) = 1.10 MJ day−1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.66–1.54, P < 0.001], protein intake (MD = 10.13 g day−1, 95% CI = 5.14–15.13, P < 0.001) and body weight (BW) (MD = 1.01 kg, 95% CI = 0.08–1.95, P = 0.03). Meta‐analyses revealed no significant effect on physical function assessed using hand grip strength, and similarly on mortality. Narrative summation of effects on physical function using other instruments revealed inconsistent effects. Meta‐analyses were not conducted on QoL and readmissions as a result of a lack of data.

Conclusions

Individualised dietary counselling by dietitians following discharge from acute hospital to home improved BW, as well as energy and protein intake, in older nutritionally at‐risk patients, although without clearly improving physical function. The effect of this strategy on physical function and other relevant clinical outcomes warrants further investigation.