bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in functional brain imaging technology and developmental neuro‐psychology: their applications in the Jungian analytic domain
Authors: Petchkovsky Leon
Published: May 2017

Analytical psychology shares with many other psychotherapies the important task of repairing the consequences of developmental trauma. The majority of analytic patients come from compromised early developmental backgrounds: they may have experienced neglect, abuse, or failures of empathic resonance from their carers.

Functional brain imagery techniques including Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG), and functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRI), allow us to track mental processes in ways beyond verbal reportage and introspection. This independent perspective is useful for developing new psychodynamic hypotheses, testing current ones, providing diagnostic markers, and monitoring treatment progress. Jung, with the Word Association Test, grasped these principles 100 years ago.

Brain imaging techniques have contributed to powerful recent advances in our understanding of neurodevelopmental processes in the first three years of life. If adequate nurturance is compromised, a range of difficulties may emerge. This has important implications for how we understand and treat our psychotherapy clients.

The paper provides an overview of functional brain imaging and advances in developmental neuropsychology, and looks at applications of some of these findings (including neurofeedback) in the Jungian psychotherapy domain.
Hysteroscopic resection of a uterine caesarean scar defect (niche) in women with postmenstrual spotting: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vervoort AJMW , van der Voet LF , Hehenkamp WJK , Thurkow AL , van Kesteren PJM , Quartero H , Kuchenbecker W , Bongers M , Geomini P , de Vleeschouwer LHM , van Hooff MHA , van Vliet H , Veersema S , Renes WB , Oude Rengerink K , Zwolsman SE , Brölmann HAM , Mol BWJ , Huirne JAF
Published: May 2017

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of a hysteroscopic niche resection versus no treatment in women with postmenstrual spotting and a uterine caesarean scar defect.

Design

Multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Eleven hospitals collaborating in a consortium for women's health research in the Netherlands.

Population

Women reporting postmenstrual spotting after a caesarean section who had a niche with a residual myometrium of ≥3 mm, measured during sonohysterography.

Methods

Women were randomly allocated to hysteroscopic niche resection or expectant management for 6 months.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was the number of days of postmenstrual spotting 6 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes were spotting at the end of menstruation, intermenstrual spotting, dysuria, sonographic niche measurements, surgical parameters, quality of life, women's satisfaction, sexual function, and additional therapy. Outcomes were measured at 3 months and, except for niche measurements, also at 6 months after randomisation.

Results

We randomised 52 women to hysteroscopic niche resection and 51 women to expectant management. The median number of days of postmenstrual spotting at baseline was 8 days in both groups. At 6 months after randomisation, the median number of days of postmenstrual spotting was 4 days (interquartile range, IQR 2–7 days) in the intervention group and 7 days (IQR 3–10 days) in the control group (P = 0.04); on a scale of 0–10, discomfort as a result of spotting had a median score of 2 (IQR 0–7) in the intervention group, compared with 7 (IQR 0–8) in the control group (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

In women with a niche with a residual myometrium of ≥3 mm, hysteroscopic niche resection reduced postmenstrual spotting and spotting‐related discomfort.

Tweetable abstract

A hysteroscopic niche resection is an effective treatment to reduce niche‐related spotting.
How Advanced Efficiency Techniques Can Support Production Disease Control Decisions on Dairy Farms
Authors: van der Voort Mariska , Van Meensel Jef , Charlier Johannes , Van Huylenbroeck Guido , Lauwers Ludwig
Published: May 2017

Production diseases in dairy cows can have significant effects on farm business performance. Decisions about controlling production diseases are mainly based on veterinary advice. However, from an economic perspective, mere diagnosis of disease does not provide enough information for intervention decisions. Well‐founded decisions are based on knowledge of the economic effects of production diseases and their control measures. One challenge for dairy farmers and advisors is to access farm‐specific tools that can determine the effect of a disease on farm business performance. Efficiency analysis facilitates a more integrated economic‐epidemiological view by considering the aggregate transformation of inputs into outputs; it also enables advanced benchmarking within a set of farms. With efficiency analysis, the effect of diseases on economic performance can be studied and farm‐specific economic‐epidemiological win–win scenarios can be identified. Additionally, the contribution of disease control in moving farms closer to performance benchmarks can be determined. The main challenges for practical application of these techniques are the linking of animal disease metrics with farm accountancy information and integrating farm‐economic principles into veterinary advice.
Diabetes among Māori women with self‐reported past gestational diabetes mellitus in a New Zealand Māori community
Authors: Simmons David , Kumar Shejil , Crook Nic , Rush Elaine
Published: May 2017

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for subsequent development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We have investigated the extent of this risk among Māori women without known diabetes.

Materials and methods

We recruited 2786 Māori women aged 28–86 years between 2004 and 2006, without diagnosed diabetes from the Waikato and Southern Lakes regions, via media, community and general practitioner channels, and invited them for an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Results

Fifty (1.8%) women reported previous GDM (pGDM). The prevalence decreased significantly with age (P = 0.009). Women aged <50 years with pGDM had higher body mass index (35.6 ± 6.7 vs 32.4 ± 7.7 kg/m2, P < 0.01), waist circumference (105.3 ± 18.8 vs 96.9 ± 16.6 cm, P < 0.01), fasting blood glucose (5.5 ± 1.0 vs 5.1 ± 0.8 mmol/L, P ≤ 0.01), two‐hour post‐prandial blood glucose (6.6 ± 3.0 vs 5.6 ± 2.1 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and HbA1c (6.0 ± 0.8 vs 5.8 ± 0.6%, P < 0.05) than women without pGDM. PGDM was a significant risk factor for undiagnosed diabetes (odds ratio 4.0; (5% confidence interval 1.67–9.71). Undiagnosed diabetes was significantly more prevalent among women with than without pGDM aged <40 years (20.0% vs 1.5%).

Conclusion

Self‐reported past GDM was a significant risk factor for undiagnosed diabetes in this Māori population, particularly among women aged <40 years, highlighting the importance of targeting this group for more intensive screening.
The volume, cost and outcomes of pancreatic resection in a regional centre in New Zealand
Authors: Wylie Neil , Hider Phillip , Armstrong Delwyn , Srinivasa Sanket , Rodgers Michael , Brown Anna , Koea Jonathan
Published: May 2017

Background

The frequency, costs and outcome of pancreatic resection (both pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy) were reviewed in our own institution and correlated with regional population growth as well as national resection rates and locations.

Methods

Demographic, pathological and outcome data on pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy were obtained from a prospectively maintained database for the years 2005–2009 and 2010–2014. During this period, the catchment population grew from 460 000 to 567 000. Costing information was obtained from the hospital‐independent costing and coding committee, and the locations and rates of pancreatic resection were obtained by interrogating the national minimum dataset.

Results

A total of 41 pancreatectomies (29 pancreaticoduodenectomy, 12 distal pancreatectomy) were performed between 2005 and 2009, increasing to 84 pancreatectomies (55 pancreaticoduodenectomies, 27 distal pancreatectomies and two total pancreatectomies) between 2010 and 2014. This constituted one sixth of the national volume of pancreatic resections. There was no difference in patient demographics or indications for resection between the two time periods; however, portal vein resection was used more frequently in the second period. Margin positivity rate decreased (7 of 41 versus 8 of 84) and lymph node harvest increased (median 8 nodes versus median 15 nodes) between the two time periods. Overall 30‐day mortality was 1.6%.

Conclusion

In New Zealand, regional rates of pancreatic resection reflect regional population demands, and institutional growth is driven by local population requirements. Institutional growth can be achieved with the maintenance of internationally accepted outcomes and quality indicators.
Editorial: visceral fat as a predictor of post‐operative recurrence of Crohn's disease
Authors: Stidham R. W. , Waljee A. K.
Published: May 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Holt et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14018 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14102.
Letter: hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients with chronic hepatitis C during direct‐acting anti‐viral therapy
Authors: Huang R. , Yan X. , Xia J. , Wang J. , Wu C.
Published: May 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Londoño et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13985 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14104.
Thirty years of interferon‐tau research; Past, present and future perspective
Authors: Imakawa Kazuhiko , Bai Rulan , Nakamura Keigo , Kusama Kazuya
Published: May 2017

The year 2017 marks the 30th year since the discovery was made of amino acid and complementary DNA sequences of ovine trophoblast protein‐1 (oTP‐1), later renamed as interferon‐tau (IFNτ). Ovine TP‐1 was originally found as a secretory product of sheep conceptuses that rescues maternal corpus luteum (CL) and in fact, the uterine infusion of oTP‐1 extended inter‐estrous intervals. Finding this signaling molecule as an IFN‐like sequence was surprising to the scientific community in reproduction because a homologous molecule in humans possesses anti‐viral and anti‐prolific activity and is often used in human medicines. However, since its discovery was made, large efforts have been made in the elucidation of transcriptional regulation and functions of bovine and ovine IFNτs, more importantly, the improvement of pregnancy rates in sheep and cattle, most of which resulted in unsuccessful outcomes. In this review, physiological, cellular and molecular events associated with continued secretion of progesterone, maternal recognition of pregnancy, identification, transcriptional regulation and function of IFNτ, and its future perspectives will be discussed.
Auditors’ Economic Incentives and the Sensitivity of Managerial Pay to Accounting Performance
Authors: Park Bum‐Jin
Published: May 2017

The use of managerial incentives to manage earnings in order to enhance accounting performance‐based compensation is greater when auditors have economic incentives to compromise their independence. Hence, compensation committees face more difficulties in determining cash compensation when earnings quality declines. This study investigates whether boards of directors can mitigate the agency problems between managers and shareholders by being aware of the opportunistic earnings management encouraged by auditors’ economic incentives and actively adjusting performance‐based compensation for the reduced earnings quality. To this end, it examines how auditors’ economic incentives affect the sensitivity of managerial pay to accounting performance. The findings show a negative association between the client's economic importance to the auditor and the sensitivity of managerial pay to accounting performance, with this association more pronounced for firms that opportunistically inflate earnings, suggesting that boards mitigate agency problems by actively intervening to modify performance‐based compensation schemes for the reduced earnings quality. Additional analyses show that board effectiveness in determining compensation depends on its characteristics. These results suggest the urgent need to oblige companies to establish compensation committees, particularly in countries that lack such a mandatory requirement or where few companies have such committees.
Do US Corporate Governance Standards Effectively Discourage Risk in the Emerging Markets?
Authors: Sayari Naz , Marcum Bill
Published: May 2017

This study provides an examination of the effect of various corporate governance factors on the management of the risks inherent in business and the potential divergent impact of these factors on US firms and firms in emerging countries. In particular, the study scrutinises corporate governance and corporate risk‐taking behaviour across different political and socioeconomic environments. In a cross‐sectional time‐series setting, two‐step generalised least squares regression outcomes reveal that the impact of corporate governance on corporate risk taking demonstrates similar implications for US and emerging markets firms in several ways. Nonetheless, the findings also indicate that although some of the US governance standards are effective in the emerging markets, further strengthening of governance standards may be required. Specific governance aspects of the emerging markets, such as board and committee composition, are still lacking when compared to those of the US. Regardless of these differences, the outcomes reveal that those US governance standards adopted by the firms in the emerging markets strengthen governance structures and discourage corporate risk‐taking behaviour.
Communicating the Impact of the Global Financial Crisis in Annual Reports: A Study of Australian NGOs
Authors: Khanna Kshitij , Irvine Helen
Published: May 2017

This paper analyses the extent and nature of communication by Australian non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) about the impact of the global financial crisis (GFC). NGOs need to balance their communications about financial need against news that could potentially reflect negatively on stakeholders’ impressions of their worthiness to receive funding. Recognising this, we content analyse the annual report narratives of 10 Australian NGOs for information about the impact of the GFC and their use of impression management (IM) techniques. All NGOs in the study experienced some financial impact from the GFC, with nine referring to it in their annual report narratives. However, the information was very limited, indicating a missed opportunity to communicate meaningfully with stakeholders. Further, of the nine NGOs providing disclosures about the GFC's impact, eight used at least one IM technique, indicating a lack of transparency that has potentially negative implications for trust‐building with their stakeholders. This study focuses on a limited number of NGOs, but further research could broaden this approach to examine organisations in the broader not‐for‐profit (NFP) sector, other modes of communication or communication patterns at other times of crisis, and currently, in an era of austerity.
Hired Guns: Local Government Mergers in New South Wales and the KPMG Modelling Report
Authors: Dollery Brian , Drew Joseph
Published: May 2017

Across the developed world, including Australia, public policymaking now rests heavily on commissioned reports generated by for‐profit consultants, contrasting starkly with the earlier customary reliance on the civil service to provide informed policy advice to political decision makers. Dependence on commercial consultants is problematic, especially given the moral hazards involved in ‘hired guns’ providing support for policy ‘solutions’ desired by their political paymasters. This paper provides a vivid illustration of some of the dangers flowing from the use of consultants by examining the methodology employed by KPMG in its empirical analysis of the pecuniary consequences of proposed municipal mergers as part of the New South Wales’ (NSW) Government'sFit for the Futurelocal government reform program. We show that the KPMG (2016) modelling methodology is awash with errors which render its conclusions on the financial viability of the NSW merger proposals fatally flawed.
Simple and Fast Overidentified Rank Estimation for Right-censored Length-biased Data and Backward Recurrence Time
Authors: Sun Yifei , Chan Kwun Chuen Gary , Qin Jing
Published: May 2017

Length-biased survival data subject to right-censoring are often collected from a prevalent cohort. However, informative right censoring induced by the sampling design creates challenges in methodological development. While certain conditioning arguments could circumvent the problem of informative censoring, related rank estimation methods are typically inefficient because the marginal likelihood of the backward recurrence time is not ancillary. Under a semiparametric accelerated failure time model, an overidentified set of log-rank estimating equations is constructed based on the left-truncated right-censored data and backward recurrence time. Efficient combination of the estimating equations is simplified by exploiting an asymptotic independence property between two sets of estimating equations. A fast algorithm is studied for solving non-smooth, non-monotone estimating equations. Simulation studies confirm that the overidentified rank estimator can have a substantially improved estimation efficiency compared to just-identified rank estimators. The proposed method is applied to a dementia study for illustration.
Hydrogen sulfide pretreatment improves mitochondrial function in myocardial hypertrophy via a SIRT3‐dependent manner
Authors: Meng Guoliang , Liu Jieqiong , Liu Shangmin , Song Qiuyi , Liu Lulu , Xie Liping , Han Yi , Ji Yong
Published: May 2017

Background and Purpose

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous signal molecule with antioxidative properties. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is closely associated with mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. The study was to investigate whether and how H2S improved myocardial hypertrophy via a SIRT3‐dependent manner.

Experimental Approach

Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were pretreated with NaHS (50 μM) for 4 h followed by angiotensin II (Ang II, 100 nM) for 24 h. SIRT3 was silenced with siRNA technology. SIRT3 promoter activity and expression, cell surface, hypertrophic gene mRNA expression, mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate and membrane potential were measured. Male 129S1/SvImJ [wild‐type (WT)] and SIRT3 knockout (KO) mice were injected with NaHS (50 μmol·kg−1·day−1; i.p.) followed by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Echocardiography, heart mass, mitochondrial ultrastructure, volume and number, oxidative stress, mitochondria fusion and fission‐related protein expression were measured.

Key Results

In vitro, NaHS increased SIRT3 promoter activity and SIRT3 expression in Ang II‐induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. SIRT3 silencing abolished the ability of NaHS to reverse the Ang II‐induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, mitochondrial function impairment and permeability potential dysfunction, along with the decline in FOXO3a and SOD2 expression. In vivo, after TAC. NaHS attenuated myocardial hypertrophy, inhibited oxidative stress, improved mitochondrial ultrastructure, suppressed mitochondrial volume but increased mitochondrial numbers, enhanced OPA1, MFN1 and MFN2 expression but suppressed DRP1 and FIS1 expression in WT mice but not in SIRT3 KO mice

Conclusion and Implications

NaHS improved mitochondrial function and inhibited oxidative stress in myocardial hypertrophy in a SIRT3‐dependent manner.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Spotlight on Small Molecules in Cardiovascular Diseases. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.8/issuetoc
Effects of Mobile Phones on Children's and Adolescents’ Health: A Commentary
Authors: Hardell Lennart
Published: May 2017

The use of digital technology has grown rapidly during the last couple of decades. During use, mobile phones and cordless phones emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation. No previous generation has been exposed during childhood and adolescence to this kind of radiation. The brain is the main target organ for RF emissions from the handheld wireless phone. An evaluation of the scientific evidence on the brain tumor risk was made in May 2011 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at World Health Organization. The scientific panel reached the conclusion that RF radiation from devices that emit nonionizing RF radiation in the frequency range 30 kHz–300 GHz is a Group 2B, that is, a “possible” human carcinogen. With respect to health implications of digital (wireless) technologies, it is of importance that neurological diseases, physiological addiction, cognition, sleep, and behavioral problems are considered in addition to cancer. Well‐being needs to be carefully evaluated as an effect of changed behavior in children and adolescents through their interactions with modern digital technologies.
A short report on current fertility preservation strategies for boys
Authors: Ho Wei Li Cindy , Bourne Harold , Gook Debra , Clarke Gary , Kemertzis Matthew , Stern Kate , Agresta Franca , Heloury Yves , Clark Hannah , Orme Lisa , Jayasinghe Yasmin , Zacharin Margaret R. ,   the Paediatric & Adolescent Fertility Preservation Task Force, Melbourne
Published: May 2017

Background

Advances in cancer treatment have led to improved long‐term survival after childhood cancer, but often at a price of impaired future fertility. Fertility preservation (FP) in male children and early adolescents poses unique challenges as efficacy is unproven.

Objectives

To describe characteristics of testicular tissue cryopreservation (TTCP) specimens taken from paediatric and adolescent patients, stratified by age, and prior chemotherapy, if any, and to demonstrate evidence for germ cells.

Materials and methods

Retrospective review of gonadal biopsies and clinical records of patients consented into the Royal Children's Hospital FP programme between 1987 and 2015. Tissue was sliced into blocks, with one section sent for histopathology prior to cryopreservation. In boys ≥12 years where spermatogenesis could be expected, a portion of tissue was disaggregated completely to look for mature sperm and if found, additional tissue was dissected and the resulting suspension frozen.

Results

Testicular tissue cryopreservation specimens in 44 males (0.3‐16.8 years) provided an average of 7.8 slices per patient. All the specimens were taken at the same time as another necessary surgical procedure, under one general anaesthesic. There was only one complication of scrotal wound dehiscence. Seven of the forty‐four (15.9%) patients had chemotherapy prior to testicular biopsy, while the rest were chemotherapy naïve. Five of these were prepubertal, and two were pubertal patients. Eleven subjects had tissue dissected with mature sperm found in eight. Of these eight patients where sperm were found, all were pubertal with testicular size of more than 10 mL and showing histological evidence of spermatogenesis. No histologic specimen demonstrated any malignant cells.

Conclusions

Testicular tissue cryopreservation can be performed in young patients without delay, preferably prior to cancer treatment. As testicular tissue contains germ cells from which haploid spermatozoa are ultimately derived, future technologies may allow their utilization for fertility in humans. This may be the only hope for biological offspring in some patients undergoing fertility compromising treatment. Retrieval of mature sperm from some pubertal patients, however, offers realistic hope to these patients of future fertility.
Accomplishing irony: Socializing foster children into peer culture
Authors: van Nijnatten Carolus H.C.J. , Matarese Maureen T. , Noordegraaf Martine
Published: May 2017

Parents indirectly influence their children's peer interactions by implicit socialization and directly by interference. They influence their (young) children's doings by supervising their contacts with friends, monitoring where they go, and facilitating their meetings with friends at home. Adolescents' growing orientation to peers is often at the cost of direct contact with their parents. Potentially, conversations with adolescent children become significant moments for parents to collect information about their children's social lives, preparing them for the challenges of their preadult social life. We studied conversations between in state‐created family homes amongst foster parents (FPs) and out‐of‐home‐placed adolescents, to see how FPs prepare foster adolescents to deal with the dynamics of peer culture, specifically in mocking practices. We are interested in the pedagogical role of FPs in these practices. We find that peer culture behavior is expressed in the context of family homes. Rather than preparing adolescents for peer culture indirectly by discussing possible, or hypothetical, situations, FPs react directly to peer culture expressions at the dinner table. In their approach, FPs demonstrate that peer culture membership is not just an interactional competence but also a teachable issue.
WDR45B‐related intellectual disability, spastic quadriplegia, epilepsy, and cerebral hypoplasia: A consistent neurodevelopmental syndrome
Authors: Suleiman J. , Allingham‐Hawkins D. , Hashem M. , Shamseldin H.E. , Alkuraya F.S. , El‐Hattab A.W.
Published: May 2017

The advancement in genomic sequencing has greatly improved the diagnostic yield for neurodevelopmental disorders and led to the discovery of large number of novel genes associated with these disorders. WDR45B has been identified as a potential intellectual disability gene through genomic sequencing of 2 large cohorts of affected individuals. In this report we present 6 individuals from 3 unrelated families with homozygous pathogenic variants in WDR45B: c.799C>T (p.Q267*) in 1 family and c.673C>T (p.R225*) in 2 families. These individuals shared a similar phenotype including profound development delay, early‐onset refractory epilepsy, progressive spastic quadriplegia and contractures, and brain malformations. Neuroimaging showed ventriculomegaly, reduced cerebral white matter volume, and thinning of cerebral gray matter. The consistency in the phenotype strongly supports that WDR45B is associated with this disease.
The penetrance of paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma in SDHB germline mutation carriers
Authors: Rijken J.A. , Niemeijer N.D. , Jonker M.A. , Eijkelenkamp K. , Jansen J.C. , van Berkel A. , Timmers H.J.L.M , Kunst H.P.M. , Bisschop P.H.L.T. , Kerstens M.N. , Dreijerink K.M.A. , van Dooren M.F. , van der Horst‐Schrivers A.N.A. , Hes F.J. , Leemans C.R. , Corssmit E.P.M. , Hensen E.F.
Published: May 2017

Germline mutations in succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB) predispose to hereditary paraganglioma (PGL) syndrome type 4. The risk of developing PGL or pheochromocytoma (PHEO) in SDHB mutation carriers is subject of recent debate. In the present nationwide cohort study of SDHB mutation carriers identified by the clinical genetics centers of the Netherlands, we have calculated the penetrance of SDHB associated tumors using a novel maximum likelihood estimator. This estimator addresses ascertainment bias and missing data on pedigree size and structure. A total of 195 SDHB mutation carriers were included, carrying 27 different SDHB mutations. The 2 most prevalent SDHB mutations were Dutch founder mutations: a deletion in exon 3 (31% of mutation carriers) and the c.423+1G>A mutation (24% of mutation carriers). One hundred and twelve carriers (57%) displayed no physical, radiological or biochemical evidence of PGL or PHEO. Fifty‐four patients had a head and neck PGL (28%), 4 patients had a PHEO (2%), 26 patients an extra‐adrenal PGL (13%). The overall penetrance of SDHB mutations is estimated to be 21% at age 50 and 42% at age 70 when adequately corrected for ascertainment. These estimates are lower than previously reported penetrance estimates of SDHB‐linked cohorts. Similar disease risks are found for different SDHB germline mutations as well as for male and female SDHB mutation carriers.
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by (meth)acrylates in nail cosmetic products in users and nail technicians – a 5‐year study
Authors: Raposo Inês , Lobo Inês , Amaro Cristina , Lobo Maria de Lurdes , Melo Helena , Parente Joana , Pereira Teresa , Rocha Joana , Cunha Ana P. , Baptista Armando , Serrano Pedro , Correia Teresa , Travassos Ana R. , Dias Margarida , Pereira Fátima , Gonçalo Margarida
Published: May 2017

Background

The increasing use of long‐lasting nail aesthetic products has led to a growing number of cases of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by (meth)acrylates in recent years.

Objectives

To provide information on ACD caused by (meth)acrylates related to nail cosmetic products.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed files of patients with ACD caused by (meth)acrylates related to nail cosmetic products, who were patch tested between January 2011 and December 2015 in 13 departments of dermatology in Portugal.

Results

Two‐hundred and thirty cases of ACD caused by (meth)acrylates (55 technicians, 56 consumers, and 119 with mixed exposure) had been documented, mostly as chronic hand eczema (93%). The most common sensitizers were: 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), which was positive in 90% of the tested patients, 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA), which was positive in 64.1%, and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, which was positive in 54.5%.

Conclusion

HEMA and HPMA were the most frequent positive allergens. HEMA, which identified 90% of cases, can be considered to be a good screening allergen. The high number of cases of ACD caused by (meth)acrylates in nail cosmetic products certainly warrants better preventive measures at the occupational level, and specific regulation in the field of consumer safety.
The PTPN13 Y2081D (T>G) (rs989902) polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of sporadic colorectal cancer
Authors: Laczmanska I. , Karpinski P. , Gil J. , Laczmanski L. , Makowska I. , Bebenek M. , Ramsey D. , Sasiadek M. M.
Published: May 2017

Aim

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and, although the majority of cases are sporadic, its development and progression depends on a range of factors: environmental, genetic and epigenetic. A variety of genetic pathways have been described as being crucial in CRC, including protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). PTPN13 (also called FAP‐1) is a non‐receptor PTP and interacts with a number of important components of growth and apoptosis pathways. It is also involved in the inhibition of Fas‐induced apoptosis.

Method

The single nucleotide polymorphism genotype at Y2081D (T>G) (rs989902) of PTPN13 exon 39 was determined in DNA extracted from blood samples from 174 sporadic CRC patients and 176 healthy individuals. Also, a meta‐analysis was performed based on three articles accessed via the PubMed and ResearchGate databases.

Results

The risk of CRC was 2.087 times greater for patients with the GG genotype than for those with the TT genotype (P = 0.0475). In the meta‐analysis, a significantly increased risk of cancer associated with the G allele was observed in the squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck subgroup (TT vs GG+GT, OR 1.23, 95% CI [1.02, 1.47], P = 0.0258), and a significantly decreased risk in the breast cancer subgroup (TT vs GG+GT, OR 0.63, 95% CI [0.41, 0.96], P = 0.0334) and in the CRC subgroup (GT+TT vs GG, OR 0.51, 95% CI [0.41, 0.95], P = 0.0333).

Conclusion

PTPN13 rs989902 is significantly associated with the risk of CRC in the Polish population. Given that this report provides the first evidence of an association of PTPN13 rs989902 with the risk of CRC in a Caucasian population, further large scale studies are necessary to confirm this finding.
Distinctiveness Benefits Novelty (and Not Familiarity), but Only Up to a Limit: The Prior Knowledge Perspective
Authors: Reggev Niv , Sharoni Reut , Maril Anat
Published: May 2017

Novelty is a pivotal player in cognition, and its contribution to superior memory performance is a widely accepted convention. On the other hand, mnemonic advantages for familiar information are also well documented. Here, we examine the role of experimental distinctiveness as a potential explanation for these apparently conflicting findings. Across two experiments, we demonstrate that conceptual novelty, an unfamiliar combination of familiar constituents, is sensitive to its experimental proportions: Improved memory for novelty was observed when novel stimuli were relatively rare. Memory levels for familiar items, in contrast, were completely unaffected by experimental proportions, highlighting their insensitivity to list‐based distinctiveness. Finally, no mnemonic advantage for conceptual novelty over familiarity was observed even when novel stimuli were extremely rare at study. Together, these results imply that novel and familiar items are processed via partially distinct mechanisms, with (at least some facets of) novelty not providing a mnemonic advantage over familiarity.
Surface properties of tannin‐impregnated and varnished beech wood after exposure to accelerated weathering
Authors: Yalcin Mesut , Pelit Huseyin , Akcay Caglar , Cakicier Nevzat
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study was to determine selected surface properties of varnished beech wood impregnated with natural extracts after exposure to accelerated weathering. Beech wood samples were impregnated with aqueous solutions of 5 and 10% mimosa (Acacia mollissima) and quebracho (Shinopsis lorentzii) tannins. After weathering, colour changes (ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, and ΔE*) in addition to scratch resistance and surface hardness values were calculated and evaluated. As a result of the weathering process, greater colour changes (ΔE*) were detected in the beech wood samples impregnated with tannins compared with the unimpregnated control samples. The least colour change occurred in the Tanalith‐E‐impregnated samples. Total colour change was adversely affected with tannin impregnation after the weathering processes. In terms of surface hardness and scratch resistance, the highest values were observed in the mimosa‐solution‐impregnated and control samples. Furthermore, it was found that scratch resistance and hardness values tended to increase during the first period of weathering and decreased thereafter. Regarding surface properties, the best results were obtained when polyurethane varnish was employed compared with the other varnish types.
Kidney outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease receiving an orthotopic liver transplant alone
Authors: Singh Neeraj , Ahmadzadeh Shahab , Shokouh‐Amiri Hosein , Qazi Yasir A. , Sequeira Adrian , Samant Hrishikesh , McMillan Robert , Zibari Gazi B.
Published: May 2017

Kidney transplant in patients with liver cirrhosis and nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) is controversial. We report 14 liver cirrhotic patients who had persistently low MDRD‐6 estimated glomerular filtration rate (e‐GFR) <40 mL/min/1.73 m2 for ≥3 months and underwent either liver transplant alone (LTA; n=9) or simultaneous liver‐kidney transplant (SLKT; n=5). Pretransplant, patients with LTA compared with SLKT had lower serum creatinine (2.5±0.73 vs 4.6±0.52 mg/dL, P=.001), higher MDRD‐6 e‐GFR (21.0±7.2 vs 10.3±2.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, P=.002), higher 24‐hour urine creatinine clearance (34.2±8.8 vs 18.0±2.2 mL/min, P=.002), lower proteinuria (133.2±117.7 vs 663±268.2 mg/24 h, P=.0002), and relatively normal kidney biopsy and ultrasound findings. Post‐LTA, the e‐GFR (mL/min/1.73 m2) increased in all nine patients, with mean e‐GFR at 1 month (49.8±8.4), 3 months (49.6±8.7), 6 months (49.8±8.1), 12 months (47.6±9.2), 24 months (47.9±9.1), and 36 months (45.1±7.3) significantly higher compared to pre‐LTA e‐GFR (P≤.005 at all time points). One patient developed end‐stage renal disease 9 years post‐LTA and another patient expired 7 years post‐LTA. The low e‐GFR alone in the absence of other markers or risk factors of CKD should not be an absolute criterion for SLKT in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Comparison of a New Intranasal Naloxone Formulation to Intramuscular Naloxone: Results from Hypothesis‐generating Small Clinical Studies
Authors: Gufford BT , Ainslie GR , White JR , Layton ME , Padowski JM , Pollack GM , Paine MF
Published: May 2017

Easy‐to‐use naloxone formulations are needed to help address the opioid overdose epidemic. The pharmacokinetics of i.v., i.m., and a new i.n. naloxone formulation (2 mg) were compared in six healthy volunteers. Relative to i.m. naloxone, geometric mean (90% confidence interval [CI]) absolute bioavailability of i.n. naloxone was modestly lower (55%; 90% CI, 43–70% vs. 41%; 90% CI, 27–62%), whereas average (±SE) mean absorption time was substantially shorter (74 ± 8.8 vs. 6.7 ± 4.9 min). The opioid‐attenuating effects of i.n. naloxone were compared with i.m. naloxone (2 mg) after administration of oral alfentanil (4 mg) to a separate group of six healthy volunteers pretreated with 240 mL of water or grapefruit juice. The i.m. and i.n. naloxone attenuated miosis by similar extents after water (40 ± 15 vs. 41 ± 21 h*%) and grapefruit juice (49 ± 18 vs. 50 ± 22 h*%) pretreatment. Results merit further testing of this new naloxone formulation.
The world of epithelial sheets
Authors: Honda Hisao
Published: May 2017

An epithelium is a layer of closely connected cells covering the body or lining a body cavity. In this review, several fundamental questions are addressed regarding the epithelium. (i) While an epithelium functions as barrier against the external environment, how is barrier function maintained during its construction? (ii) What determines the apical and basal sides of epithelial layer? (iii) Is there any relationship between the apical side of the epithelium and the apical membrane of an epithelial cell? (iv) Why are hepatocytes (liver cells) called epithelial, even though they differ completely from column‐like shape of typical epithelial cells? Keeping these questions in mind, multiple shapes of epithelia were considered, extracting a few of their elemental processes, and constructing a virtual world of epithelia by combining them. Epithelial cells were also classified into several types based on the number of apical domains of each cell. In addition, an intracellular organelle was introduced within epithelial cells, the vacuolar apical compartment (VAC), which is produced within epithelial cells surrounded by external cell matrix (ECM). The VAC interacts with areas of cell–cell contact of the cell surface membrane and is converted to apical membrane. The properties of VACs enable us to answer the initial questions posed above. Finally, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of epithelial morphogenesis are discussed.
Comparative effects of liraglutide 3 mg vs structured lifestyle modification on body weight, liver fat and liver function in obese patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A pilot randomized trial
Authors: Khoo Joan , Hsiang John , Taneja Ranu , Law Ngai‐Moh , Ang Tiing‐Leong
Published: May 2017

We compared the effects of weight loss induced by the glucagon‐like peptide 1‐agonist liraglutide with a structured lifestyle intervention in obese adults with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, mean weight 96.0 ± 16.3 kg) non‐diabetic Asian adults, with NAFLD diagnosed by liver fat fraction (LFF) ≥ 5.5% on magnetic resonance imaging without other causes of hepatic steatosis, were randomized to a supervised program of dieting (restriction by 400 kilocalories/d) plus moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise (~200 min/wk; DE group, n = 12), or liraglutide at the 3 mg daily dose approved for weight loss (LI group, n = 12), for 26 weeks. Both DE and LI groups had significant (P < .01) and similar reductions in weight (−3.5 ± 3.3 vs −3.5 ± 2.1 kg, respectively, P = .72), LFF (−8.9 ± 13.4 vs −7.2% ± 7.1%, P = .70), serum alanine aminotransferase (−42 ± 46 vs −34 ± 27 U/L, P = .52) and aspartate aminotransferase (−23 ± 24 vs −18 ± 15 U/L, P = .53). In this first randomized study comparing the 2 weight‐loss modalities for improving NAFLD, liraglutide was as effective as structured lifestyle modification.
Association of traumatic head injuries and maxillofacial fractures: A retrospective study
Authors: Abosadegh Maher M. , Rahman Shaifulizan Ab. , Saddki Norkhafizah
Published: May 2017

Background/Aims

The association of traumatic head injury (THI) with maxillofacial fractures (MFF) is a major health concern worldwide. In spite of the close anatomical proximity of maxillofacial bones to the cranium, the association of THI with MFF is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the association between THI and MFF. Other factors associated with THI in patients with MFF were also investigated.

Materials and Methods

A hospital‐based retrospective study was conducted at the OMFS Unit, Hospital USM, Kelantan, Malaysia. From 12 June 2013 to 31 December 2015, 473 patient records with MFF were reviewed to evaluate the association of THI and MFF.

Results

A total of 331 patients (69.98%) presented with concomitant THI. The most common associated THI were cranial bone fractures (68.6%) followed by intracranial injuries and concussion. A significant association existed between the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score and the presence of THI concomitant MFF with P‐value <.001. The univariable logistic regression analysis revealed that age group (31‐40 years), cause of injury (road traffic accident—RTA), all midface fracture types and most of the mandibular fracture types were statistically associated with the presence of THI. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the cause of the injury (RTA) and MFF types (nasal bone, zygomatic complex, zygomatic arch, orbital wall, maxillary sinus wall and the alveolar process of mandible fractures) were statistically significantly associated with THI in patients with MFF.

Conclusion

There was a high prevalence of THI among patients with MFF (69.98%). RTA, nasal bone, zygomatic complex, zygomatic arch, orbital wall, maxillary sinus wall and mandibular alveolar process fractures were significantly associated with THI in patients who sustained a MFF.
Global fishery dynamics are poorly predicted by classical models
Authors: Szuwalski Cody S , Thorson James T
Published: May 2017

Fisheries dynamics can be thought of as the reciprocal relationship between an exploited population and the fishers and/or managers determining the exploitation patterns. Sustainable production of protein of these coupled human‐natural systems requires an understanding of their dynamics. Here, we characterized the fishery dynamics for 173 fisheries from around the globe by applying general additive models to estimated fishing mortality and spawning biomass from the RAM Legacy Database. GAMs specified to mimic production models and more flexible GAMs were applied. We show observed dynamics do not always match assumptions made in management using “classical” fisheries models, and the suitability of these assumptions varies significantly according to large marine ecosystem, habitat, variability in recruitment, maximum weight of a species and minimum observed stock biomass. These results identify circumstances in which simple models may be useful for management. However, adding flexibility to classical models often did not substantially improve performance, which suggests in many cases considering only biomass and removals will not be sufficient to model fishery dynamics. Knowledge of the suitability of common assumptions in management should be used in selecting modelling frameworks, setting management targets, testing management strategies and developing tools to manage data‐limited fisheries. Effectively balancing expectations of future protein production from capture fisheries and risk of undesirable outcomes (e.g., “fisheries collapse”) depends on understanding how well we can expect to predict future dynamics of a fishery using current management paradigms.
Real‐time crystallographic studies of the adenine riboswitch using an X‐ray free‐electron laser
Authors: Stagno Jason R. , Bhandari Yuba R. , Conrad Chelsie E. , Liu Yu , Wang Yun‐Xing
Published: May 2017

Structures of the four reaction states of the adenine riboswitch aptamer domain, including a transient intermediate state were solved by serial femtosecond crystallography. The structures not only demonstrate the use of X‐ray free‐electron lasers for RNA crystallography but have also proven that transient states can be determined in real time by mix‐and‐inject crystallography. These results illustrate the structural basis for the ligand‐induced conformational changes associated with the molecular ‘switch’.
Geochemical Fingerprinting by Handheld Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Authors: Harmon Russell S. , Hark Richard R. , Throckmorton Chandra S. , Rankey Eugene C. , Wise Michael A. , Somers Andrew M. , Collins Leslie M.
Published: May 2017

A broad suite of geological materials was studied a using a handheld laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument. Because LIBS is simultaneously sensitive to all elements, the full broadband emission spectrum recorded from a single laser shot provides a ‘chemical fingerprint’ of any material – solid, liquid or gas. The distinguishing chemical characteristics of the samples analysed were identified through principal component analysis (PCA), which demonstrates how this technique for statistical analysis can be used to identify spectral differences between similar sample types based on minor and trace constituents. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) was used to distinguish and classify the materials, with excellent discrimination achieved for all sample types. This study illustrates through four examples (carbonate minerals and rocks, the oxide mineral pair columbite–tantalite, the silicate mineral garnet and native gold) how portable, handheld LIBS analysers can be used for real‐time chemical analysis under simulated field conditions for element or mineral identification, plus such applications as stratigraphic correlation, provenance determination and natural resource exploration.
Preferences for prenatal diagnosis of sickle‐cell disorder: A discrete choice experiment comparing potential service users and health‐care providers
Authors: Hill Melissa , Oteng‐Ntim Eugene , Forya Frida , Petrou Mary , Morris Stephen , Chitty Lyn S.
Published: May 2017

Background

Non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for sickle‐cell disorder (SCD) is moving closer to implementation and studies considering stakeholder preferences are required to underpin strategies for offering NIPD in clinical practice.

Objective

Determine service user and provider preferences for key attributes of prenatal diagnostic tests for SCD and examine views on NIPD.

Method

A questionnaire that includes a discrete choice experiment was used to determine the preferences of service users and providers for prenatal tests that varied across three attributes: accuracy, time of test and risk of miscarriage.

Results

Adults who were carriers of SCD or affected with the condition (N=67) were recruited from haemoglobinopathy clinics at two maternity units. Health professionals, predominately midwives, who offer antenatal care (N=62) were recruited from one maternity unit. No miscarriage risk was a key driver of decision making for both service users and providers. Service providers placed greater emphasis on accuracy than service users. Current uptake of invasive tests was 63%, whilst predicted uptake of NIPD was 93.8%. Many service users (55.4%) and providers (52.5%) think pressure to have prenatal testing will increase when NIPD for SCD becomes available.

Conclusions

There are clear differences between service users and health professionals’ preferences for prenatal tests for sickle‐cell disorder. The safety of NIPD is welcomed by parents and uptake is likely to be high. To promote informed choice, pretest counselling should be balanced and not exclusively focused on test safety. Counselling strategies that are sensitive to feelings of pressure to test will be essential.