bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breastfeeding and the substance‐exposed mother and baby
Authors: MacVicar Sonya , Humphrey Tracy , Forbes‐McKay Katrina E.
Published: February 2018

Background

Breastfeeding rates are typically low for women with a substance‐use disorder. This is despite the specific benefits of breastfeeding to alleviate the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome and the well‐documented generic advantages. This study explored the feasibility of in‐hospital, tailored breastfeeding support for the substance‐exposed mother and baby.

Methods

This was a mixed‐methods feasibility study undertaken in Scotland from April 2014 to May 2015. Women with a substance‐use disorder either received standard Baby‐Friendly Initiative care only or were given additional support which included a dedicated breastfeeding support worker, personalized capacity‐building approach, and a low‐stimuli environment for 5 days. Feasibility outcome measures were maternal recruitment, satisfaction and acceptability of support, breastfeeding on fifth postnatal day, and severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Results

Fourteen mother‐infant dyads participated. Intervention participants demonstrated higher rates of continued breastfeeding and reported a greater degree of satisfaction with support and confidence in their breastfeeding ability. Maternal experience of health care practices, attitudes, and postnatal environment influenced their perceptions of breastfeeding support. Breastfed infants were less likely to require pharmacotherapy for neonatal withdrawal and had a shorter hospital stay.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the feasibility of tailored breastfeeding support for the substance‐exposed mother and baby and endorse the promotion and support of breastfeeding for this group. Future research should include a statistically powered randomized controlled trial to evaluate clinical efficacy.
Perpetrators of domestic violence abuse within Intellectual Disability services: A hidden population?
Authors: Swift Charlotte , Waites Erin , Goodman Wendy
Published: February 2018

Accessible Summary

Domestic violence abuse is when people hurt family members or partners with their words or actions, take their money or try to control them. It is against the law to do this.

We wanted to know more about how many people with intellectual disabilities are being violent in their relationships.

Forensic Community Learning Disabilities Team (CLDT) noticed more people were being referred to the team because they had been violent in their relationships.

The Forensic CLDT looked at their referrals to see how many people were violent in their relationships. They also looked at referrals for their local Community Learning Disabilities Teams to see how many people were violent in their relationships.

The research showed that more people who were referred to the Forensic CLDT needed help for violence in their relationships in 2015. The CLDTs also had referrals for people who were violent in their relationships. It is important to understand more about people with intellectual disabilities who are abusive in their relationships so we can help them.

Background

Domestic violence abuse (DVA) has been identified by the UK Government as a priority to address. Whilst there is a growing body of research into perpetrators of DVA from the mainstream population, there is scant research into perpetrators of DVA who have an intellectual disability. This lack of an evidence base suggests there may be a group of individuals for whom there is no suitable treatment approach. A Forensic Community Learning Disabilities Team (FCLDT) completed a multiservice evaluation of their service and sector CLDTs to obtain a measure of local unmet need.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review was completed for referrals to the FCLDT and four of their sector CLDTs for 2014 and 2015. A record sheet was designed for the process of data collection and the analysis of referrals.

Results

In regard to the FCLDT, 14% of the total referrals made to the FCLDT in 2014 referenced DVA perpetration and the figure rose to 26% in 2015. For CLDTs, 1.9% of the total referrals made to the CLDT in 2014 and 3.18% in 2015 referenced DVA perpetration.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of referrals to the Forensic CLDT relate to the perpetration of domestic violence abuse. A proportion of Sector CLDT referrals made reference to behaviours that, according to the Home Office definition, would be classified as domestic violence abuse, but was infrequently referred to as such. The paper considers these findings in the light of the Home Office definition and its application to people with intellectual disabilities.
New thiophene–acridine compounds: Synthesis, antileishmanial activity, DNA binding, chemometric, and molecular docking studies
Authors: de Lima Serafim Vanessa , Félix Mayara Barbalho , Frade Silva Daiana Karla , Rodrigues Klinger Antônio da Franca , Andrade Patrícia Néris , de Almeida Sinara Mônica Vitalino , de Albuquerque dos Santos Sanderssonilo , de Oliveira Jamerson Ferreira , de Lima Maria do Carmo Alves , Mendonça‐Junior Francisco Jaime Bezerra , Scotti Marcus Tullius , de Oliveira Márcia Rosa , de Moura Ricardo Olímpio
Published: February 2018

In this study, we synthesized eight new compounds containing the 2‐amino‐cycloalkyl[b]thiophene and acridine moieties (ACT01 and ACS01‐ACS07). None tested compounds presented human erythrocyte cytotoxicity. The new compounds presented antipromastigote activity, where ACS01 and ACS02 derivatives presented significant antileishmanial activity, with better performance than the reference drugs (tri and pentavalent antimonials), with respective IC50 values of 9.60 ± 3.19 and 10.95 ± 3.96 μm. Additionally, these two derivatives were effective against antimony‐resistant Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis strains. In addition, binding and fragmentation DNA assays were performed. It was observed that the antileishmanial activity of ACS01 is not associated with DNA fragmentation of the promastigote forms. However, it interacted with DNA with a binding constant of 104 m−1. In partial least‐squares studies, it was observed that the most active compounds (ACS01 and ACS02) showed lower values of amphiphilic moment descriptor, but there was a correlation between the lipophilicity of the molecules and antileishmanial activity. Furthermore, the docking molecular studies showed interactions between thiophene–acridine derivatives and the active site of pyruvate kinase enzyme with the major contribution of asparagine 152 residue for the interaction with thiophene moiety. Thus, the results suggested that the new thiophene–acridine derivatives are promising molecules as potential drug candidates.
Establishment of magnetic resonance imaging 3D reconstruction technology of orbital soft tissue and its preliminary application in patients with thyroid‐associated ophthalmopathy
Authors: Shen Jie , Jiang Wei , Luo Yaosheng , Cai Qiuyue , Li Zhangfang , Chen Zhiyi , Hu Shidi , Tang Lei
Published: February 2018

Objective

Effective management of thyroid‐associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) requires precise identification of the disease activity period as it is responsive to immunosuppressive treatment. Quantitative evaluations of orbital soft tissue are useful for analysing disease stages. We aimed to establish a method for orbital soft tissue volume calculation based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data using 3D reconstruction technology. Furthermore, we validated the accuracy and precision of this method and investigated volume differences between patients with TAO and healthy individuals.

Materials and Methods

Using Mimics software for 3D reconstruction based on orbital MRI data, we quantitatively measured orbital fat volume (FV) and extraocular muscle volume (MV) using a manual phantom, and in patients with TAO and healthy volunteers (n = 10 each). The phantom was made using a combination of butter and chicken muscle and 2 observers measured its volume. Volume calculations were compared to a previously established standard volume. One observer measured a typical TAO case 10 times to calculate intra‐observer variability while 3 observers independently measured 10 patients with TAO each to calculate interobserver variability. Orbital soft tissue volumes between 10 patients with TAO and 10 healthy individuals were compared.

Results

The precision of calculations for the phantom between the 2 observers varied from −4.60% to −2.78% for FV and between −4.13% to 0.71% for MV. Mean differences among repetitive calculations were lower than 4%, except during measurement of MV, which was 5.84%. The intraclass correlation coefficient varied from 0.976 to 0.996. FV was 15.53 ± 3.06 mL in patients with TAO and 11.32 ± 1.68 mL(P = .001)in healthy individuals, while MV was 3.19 ± 0.82 mL in patients with TAO and 2.45 ± 0.57 mL(P = .030)in healthy individuals.

Conclusions

This method of calculating orbital soft tissue volumes based on MRI data and 3D reconstruction is both reliable and accurate as it yielded significant differences in tissue volume between patients with TAO and healthy individuals.
Semitendinosus and patellar tendons shear modulus evaluation by supersonic shearwave imaging elastography
Authors: Fontenelle C. R. C. , Mannarino P. , Ribeiro F. B. D. O. , Milito M. A. , Carvalho A. C. P. , Menegaldo L. L. , Oliveira L. F.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Shear modulus (μ) is directly correlated to the tissue stiffness and can predict the tendon ultimate force to failure. With the knee extended 0° (K0), semitendinosus tendon (ST) is tensioned while patellar tendon (PT) is relaxed. At 80o, knee flexion (K80) tendons present an opposite stress pattern; however, the relation between ST and PT μ in both situations was not studied yet.

Method

We accessed the μ of the ST and PT at 0o and 80o knee flexion by supersonic shear wave imaging (SSI) elastography from 18 healthy males. Relative μ indexes were calculated for relaxed and tensioned conditions.

Result

The average μ for ST was μST‐K0 = 197·62 ± 31·93 kPa and μST‐K80 = 77·76 ± 30·08. For TP, values were μTP‐K0 = 23·45 ± 5·89 and μTP‐K80 = 113·92 ± 57·23 kPa. Relative μ indexes were calculated for relaxed (IR = μST‐K80/μTP‐K0) and tensioned conditions (IT = μST‐K0/μPT‐K80). The relative μ indexes were IR = 3·63 ± 1·50 and IT = 2·00 ± 0·96 (P<0·05).

Conclusion

Semitendinosus tendon μ was significantly higher than PT μ in both tensioned and relaxed positions. This can predict a higher ultimate force to failure and a less elastic behaviour in ST grafts when compared to PT grafts. This new parameter could aid physicians in graft choice previous to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Maria Montessori's metaphysics of life
Authors: Frierson Patrick
Published: February 2018

This paper elucidates the core principles of Maria Montessori's metaphysics. Her attention to embryological, evolutionary, and educational development led to her teleological metaphysics of life. Individual organisms are governed by internally driven, perfectionist, discontinuous teleology. And this individual teleology is integrated into a holistic, ecological context whereby individuals' striving towards perfection works for the increased ordered complexity of the systems of which they are parts. Moreover, Montessori extends this metaphysics of life to include nonliving components of nature, such that atoms, planets, and inorganic molecules are governed by the same general teleological structure.
Organic imagination as intuitive intellect: Self‐knowledge and self‐constitution in Hegel's early critique of Kant
Authors: Wretzel Joshua
Published: February 2018

This paper concerns Hegel's early treatment of the productive imagination in his 1803–1804 Faith and Knowledge. I show how he articulates that activity in terms of a pair of speculative unities, which solve lingering problems of self‐knowledge and self‐constitution from Kant's B‐deduction. On the one hand, I argue that the familiar unity of spontaneity and receptivity makes possible knowledge of the moment of self‐positing. On the other hand, I contend that Hegel's talk of imagination as both an “organic idea” and an “intuitive intellect” refers to a self‐constituting capacity that intellects like ours possess. I show that self‐constitution is possible, for Hegel, only in so far as intellects like ours possess a capacity to unify possibility and actuality in thought, or to think themselves into being.
Genotyping‐by‐sequencing of genome‐wide microsatellite loci reveals fine‐scale harvest composition in a coastal Atlantic salmon fishery
Authors: Bradbury Ian R. , Wringe Brendan F. , Watson Beth , Paterson Ian , Horne John , Beiko Robert , Lehnert Sarah J. , Clément Marie , Anderson Eric C. , Jeffery Nicholas W. , Duffy Steven , Sylvester Emma , Robertson Martha , Bentzen Paul
Published: February 2018

Individual assignment and genetic mixture analysis are commonly utilized in contemporary wildlife and fisheries management. Although microsatellite loci provide unparalleled numbers of alleles per locus, their use in assignment applications is increasingly limited. However, next‐generation sequencing, in conjunction with novel bioinformatic tools, allows large numbers of microsatellite loci to be simultaneously genotyped, presenting new opportunities for individual assignment and genetic mixture analysis. Here, we scanned the published Atlantic salmon genome to identify 706 microsatellite loci, from which we developed a final panel of 101 microsatellites distributed across the genome (average 3.4 loci per chromosome). Using samples from 35 Atlantic salmon populations (n = 1,485 individuals) from coastal Labrador, Canada, a region characterized by low levels of differentiation in this species, this panel identified 844 alleles (average of 8.4 alleles per locus). Simulation‐based evaluations of assignment and mixture identification accuracy revealed unprecedented resolution, clearly identifying 26 rivers or groups of rivers spanning 500 km of coastline. This baseline was used to examine the stock composition of 696 individuals harvested in the Labrador Atlantic salmon fishery and revealed that coastal fisheries largely targeted regional groups (<300 km). This work suggests that the development and application of large sequenced microsatellite panels presents great potential for stock resolution in Atlantic salmon and more broadly in other exploited anadromous and marine species.
Revisiting the Wang–Mendel algorithm for fuzzy classification
Authors: Alvarez‐Estevez D. , Moret‐Bonillo V.
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we review the Wang–Mendel algorithm for the induction of fuzzy IF‐THEN rules in the context of classification problems. A general fuzzy inference architecture for classification is proposed with the aim of studying the influence of alternative configurations of the learning model. Specifically, we analyse the effects of changing the aggregation strategy, and we explore the use of different rule definitions, including or not the possibility to assign weighting factors to the generated rules. We test different rule weighting heuristics at this respect. The notion of rule conflict introduced in earlier versions of the algorithm is also reviewed in the context of the various resulting configurations of the fuzzy inference engine. A generalized version of the algorithm therefore results, bringing more flexibility to the configuration of the fuzzy inference engine, and improving the performance for certain problems. The main objective is to complement the results of previous approaches by offering a comprehensive overview of this popular algorithm for fuzzy rule induction in the context of classification problems. Several well‐known machine learning classification benchmarks are analysed and compared looking for the best possible model configuration.
Improving the retention of women in the IT workforce: An investigation of gender diversity interventions in the USA
Authors: Annabi Hala , Lebovitz Sarah
Published: February 2018

To meet the high demand for information technology (IT) professionals, organizations must become more effective at attracting and retaining women. Ninety‐seven percent of companies surveyed by Forbes in 2011 had implemented diversity and inclusion interventions. Despite these efforts, the percentage of women working in IT continues to decline, raising questions about the effectiveness of current organizational interventions aimed at increasing gender diversity. This study sought to gain a better understanding of these organizational interventions by developing a comprehensive framework based on comparative case studies of 9 organizations. The framework integrates intervention characteristics and barriers IT women experience and the coping methods they use to address barriers. This paper presents propositions based on this theoretical framework to guide further research on the effectiveness of gender diversity and inclusion interventions in IT.
Mapping the CLEC12A expression on myeloid progenitors in normal bone marrow; implications for understanding CLEC12A‐related cancer stem cell biology
Authors: Bill Marie , B. van Kooten Niekerk Peter , S. Woll Petter , Laine Herborg Laura , Stidsholt Roug Anne , Hokland Peter , Nederby Line
Published: February 2018

The C‐type lectin domain family 12, member A (CLEC12A) receptor has emerged as a leukaemia‐associated and cancer stem cell marker in myeloid malignancies. However, a detailed delineation of its expression in normal haematopoiesis is lacking. Here, we have characterized the expression pattern of CLEC12A on the earliest stem‐ and myeloid progenitor subsets in normal bone marrow. We demonstrate distinct CLEC12A expression in the classically defined myeloid progenitors, where on average 39.1% (95% CI [32.5;45.7]) of the common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) expressed CLEC12A, while for granulocyte‐macrophage progenitors and megakaryocyte‐erythroid progenitors (MEPs), the average percentages were 81.0% (95% CI [76.0;85.9]) and 11.9% (95% CI [9.3;14.6]), respectively. In line with the reduced CLEC12A expression on MEPs, functional assessment of purified CLEC12A+/− CMPs and MEPs in the colony‐forming unit assay demonstrated CLEC12A+ subsets to favour non‐erythroid colony growth. In conclusion, we provide evidence that the earliest CLEC12A+ cell in the haematopoietic tree is the classically defined CMP. Furthermore, we show that CLEC12A‐expressing CMPs and MEPs are functionally different than their negative counterparts. Importantly, these data can help determine which cells will be spared during CLEC12A‐targeted therapy, and we propose CLEC12A to be included in future studies of myeloid cancer stem cell biology.
The mechanism for the radioprotective effects of zymosan‐A in mice
Authors: Du Jicong , Zhang Pei , Zhao Hainan , Dong Suhe , Yang Yanyong , Cui Jianguo , Gao Fu , Cai Jianming , Liu Cong
Published: February 2018

It proved that Zymosan‐A protected the haematopoietic system from radiation‐induced damage via Toll‐Like Receptor2 in our previous study. In this study, we investigated the potential mechanism for the radioprotective effects of Zymosan‐A. The mice were treated with Zymosan‐A (50 mg/kg, dissolved in NS) via peritoneal injection 24 and 2 hours before ionizing radiation. Apoptosis of bone marrow cells and the levels of IL‐6, IL‐12, G‐CSF and GM‐CSF were evaluated by flow cytometry assay. DNA damage was determined by γ‐H2AX foci assay. In addition, RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Zymosan‐A protected bone marrow cells from radiation‐induced apoptosis, up‐regulated IL‐6, IL‐12, G‐CSF and GM‐CSF in bone marrow cells. Zymosan‐A also protected cells from radiation‐induced DNA damage. Moreover, RNA sequencing analysis revealed that Zymosan‐A induced 131 DEGs involved in the regulation of immune system process and inflammatory response. The DEGs were mainly clustered in 18 KEGG pathways which were also associated with immune system processes. Zymosan‐A protected bone marrow cells from radiation‐induced apoptosis and up‐regulated IL‐6, IL‐12, G‐CSF and GM‐CSF. Moreover, Zymosan‐A might also exhibit radioprotective effects through regulating immune system process and inflammatory response. These results provided new knowledge regarding the radioprotective effect of Zymosan‐A.
Regulation of insulin resistance and type II diabetes by hepatitis C virus infection: A driver function of circulating miRNAs
Authors: Singhal Adit , Agrawal Aniruddh , Ling Jun
Published: February 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious worldwide healthcare issue. Its association with various liver diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is well studied. However, the study on the relationship between HCV infection and the development of insulin resistance and diabetes is very limited. Current research has already elucidated some underlying mechanisms, especially on the regulation of metabolism and insulin signalling by viral proteins. More studies have emerged recently on the correlation between HCV infection‐derived miRNAs and diabetes and insulin resistance. However, no studies have been carried out to directly address if these miRNAs, especially circulating miRNAs, have causal effects on the development of insulin resistance and diabetes. Here, we proposed a new perspective that circulating miRNAs can perform regulatory functions to modulate gene expression in peripheral tissues leading to insulin resistance and diabetes, rather than just a passive factor associated with these pathological processes. The detailed rationales were elaborated through comprehensive literature review and bioinformatic analyses. miR‐122 was identified to be one of the most potential circulating miRNAs to cause insulin resistance. This result along with the idea about the driver function of circulating miRNAs will promote further investigations that eventually lead to the development of novel strategies to treat HCV infection‐associated extrahepatic comorbidities.
Neural androgen receptors affect the number of surviving new neurones in the adult dentate gyrus of male mice
Authors: Swift‐Gallant A. , Duarte‐Guterman P. , Hamson D. K. , Ibrahim M. , Monks D. A. , Galea L. A. M.
Published: February 2018

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis occurs in many mammalian species. In rats, the survival of new neurones within the hippocampus is modulated by the action of androgen via the androgen receptor (AR); however, it is not known whether this holds true in mice. Furthermore, the evidence is mixed regarding whether androgens act in neural tissue or via peripheral non‐neural targets to promote new neurone survival in the hippocampus. We evaluated whether the action of androgen via AR underlies the survival of new neurones in mice, and investigated whether increasing AR selectively in neural tissue would increase new neurone survival in the hippocampus. We used the cre‐loxP system to overexpress AR only in neural tissues (Nestin‐AR). These males were compared with wild‐type males, as well as control males with 1 of the 2 mutations required for overexpression. Mice were gonadectomised and injected with the DNA synthesis marker, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and for 37 days (following BrdU injection), mice were treated with oil or dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Using immunohistochemistry, proliferation (Ki67) and survival (BrdU) of new neurones were both evaluated in the dorsal and ventral dentate gyrus. Dihydrotestosterone treatment increased the survival of new neurones in the entire hippocampus in wild‐type mice and control mice that only have 1 of 2 necessary mutations for transgenic expression. However, DHT treatment did not increase the survival of new neurones in mice that overexpressed AR in neural tissue. Cell proliferation (Ki67) and cell death (pyknotic cells) were not affected by DHT treatment in wild‐type or transgenic males. These results suggest that androgens act via neural AR to affect hippocampal neurogenesis by promoting cell survival; however, the relationship between androgen dose and new neurone survival is nonlinear.
3D quantitative comparative analysis of long bone diaphysis variations in microanatomy and cross‐sectional geometry
Authors: Houssaye Alexandra , Taverne Maxime , Cornette Raphaël
Published: February 2018

Long bone inner structure and cross‐sectional geometry display a strong functional signal, leading to convergences, and are widely analyzed in comparative anatomy at small and large taxonomic scales. Long bone microanatomical studies have essentially been conducted on transverse sections but also on a few longitudinal ones. Recent studies highlighted the interest in analyzing variations of the inner structure along the diaphysis using a qualitative as well as a quantitative approach. With the development of microtomography, it has become possible to study three‐dimensional (3D) bone microanatomy and, in more detail, the form–function relationships of these features. This study focused on the selection of quantitative parameters to describe in detail the cross‐sectional shape changes and distribution of the osseous tissue along the diaphysis. Two‐dimensional (2D) virtual transverse sections were also performed in the two usual reference planes and results were compared with those obtained based on the whole diaphysis analysis. The sample consisted in 14 humeri and 14 femora of various mammalian taxa that are essentially terrestrial. Comparative quantitative analyses between different datasets made it possible to highlight the parameters that are strongly impacted by size and phylogeny and the redundant ones, and thus to estimate their relevance for use in form‐function analyses. The analysis illustrated that results based on 2D transverse sections are similar for both sectional planes; thus if a strong bias exists when mixing sections from the two reference planes in the same analysis, it would not problematic to use either one plane or the other in comparative studies. However, this may no longer hold for taxa showing a much stronger variation in bone microstructure along the diaphysis. Finally, the analysis demonstrated the significant contribution of the parameters describing variations along the diaphysis, and thus the interest in performing 3D analyses; this should be even more fruitful for heterogeneous diaphyses. In addition, covariation analyses showed that there is a strong interest in removing the size effect to access the differences in the microstructure of the humerus and femur. This methodological study provides a reference for future quantitative analyses on long bone inner structure and should make it possible, through a detailed knowledge of each descriptive parameter, to better interpret results from the multivariate analyses associated with these studies. This will have direct implications for studies in vertebrate anatomy, but also in paleontology and anthropology.
Alteronol induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via increased reactive oxygen species production in human breast cancer T47D cells
Authors: Ren Boxue , Li Defang , Si Lingling , Ding Yangfang , Han Jichun , Chen Xiaoyu , Zheng Qiusheng
Published: February 2018

Objective

Emerging evidence showed that alteronol has a potential antitumour effect in several tumour cells. However, the antitumour effect of alteronol on breast cancer has not been reported. This study investigated the mechanisms of alteronol-induced cell proliferation inhibition in human breast cancer T47D cells.

Methods

After treatment with alteronol, T47D cell proliferation was examined by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution, cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species level and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated via flow cytometry. Next, the protein levels of cyclin B1, cdc2, p21, p-cyclin B1, p-cdc2, p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and cytochrome c were analysed using Western blot analysis. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of cyclin B1, cdc2, p21 and p53 were examined by qRT-PCR.

Key findings

Our data showed that alteronol inhibited the proliferation of T47D cells via inducing G2-phase arrest and cell apoptosis. Compared with control group, alteronol significantly increased ROS level and triggered mitochondrial dysfunction in alteronol-treated T47D cells. Further studies showed that the mRNA and protein levels of cdc2 and cyclin B1 were downregulated, while the mRNA and protein levels of p21, p53, p-cyclin B1, p-cdc2 and cytochrome c were upregulated. In addition, the expression level of Bax was increased, and the expression level of Bcl-2 was decreased.

Conclusions

Alteronol induced T47D cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis through increasing ROS production and triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequently inhibiting T47D cell proliferation.
Melatonin attenuated retinal neovascularization and neuroglial dysfunction by inhibition of HIF‐1α‐VEGF pathway in oxygen‐induced retinopathy mice
Authors: Xu Yue , Lu Xi , Hu Yaguang , Yang Boyu , Tsui Ching‐Kit , Yu Shanshan , Lu Lin , Liang Xiaoling
Published: February 2018

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinopathy characterized by retinal neovascularization (RNV) occurring in preterm infants treated with high concentrations of oxygen and may lead to blindness in severe cases. Currently, anti‐VEGF therapy is a major treatment for ROP, but it is costly and may cause serious complications. The previous study has demonstrated that melatonin exerted neuroprotective effect against retinal ganglion cell death induced by hypoxia in neonatal rats. However, whether melatonin is anti‐angiogenic and neuroglial protective in the progression of ROP remains unknown. Thus, this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin on RNV and neuroglia in the retina of oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR) mice. The results showed a reduction in retinal vascular leakage in OIR mice after melatonin treatment. Besides, the size of retinal neovascular and avascular areas, the number of preretinal neovascular cell nuclei, and the number of proliferative vascular endothelial cells within the neovascular area were significantly decreased in mice treated with melatonin. After oxygen‐induced injury, the density of astrocytes was decreased, accompanied by morphologic and functional changes of astrocytes. Besides, retinal microglia were also activated. Meanwhile, the levels of inflammatory factors were elevated. However, these pathologic processes were all hindered by melatonin treatment. Furthermore, HIF‐1α‐VEGF pathway was activated in the retina of OIR mice, yet was suppressed in melatonin‐treated OIR mice retinas. In conclusion, melatonin prevented pathologic neovascularization, protected neuroglial cells, and exerts anti‐inflammation effect via inhibition of HIF‐1α‐VEGF pathway in OIR retinas, suggesting that melatonin could be a promising therapeutic agent for ROP.
Victorian literature and archaeology: Contemporary excavations
Authors: Blumberg Angie
Published: February 2018

This article surveys recent scholarship tracing archaeological discourse in Victorian literature. While scholars in the past two decades have produced many valuable works investigating the Victorian literature of science, archaeology's disciplinary fluidity and infancy in the 19th century have relegated it often to a marginal place in studies of imperialism, museum culture, or limited to brief mentions in studies of Victorian Hellenism or Egyptology. Recent work, however, locates archaeology at the center of Victorian literary explorations of gender, sexuality, material culture, temporality, and aesthetic form. Tracing many of these studies, and suggesting future directions for scholarship, this essay reveals how Victorian writers turned to archaeology to understand themselves and their modernity.
Assessing niche partitioning of co‐occurring sibling bat species by DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Arrizabalaga‐Escudero Aitor , Clare Elizabeth L. , Salsamendi Egoitz , Alberdi Antton , Garin Inazio , Aihartza Joxerra , Goiti Urtzi
Published: February 2018

Niche partitioning through foraging is a mechanism likely involved in facilitating the coexistence of ecologically similar and co‐occurring animal species by separating their use of resources. Yet, this mechanism is not well understood in flying insectivorous animals. This is particularly true of bats, where many ecologically similar or cryptic species coexist. The detailed analysis of the foraging niche in sympatric, cryptic sibling species provides an excellent framework to disentangle the role of specific niche factors likely involved in facilitating coexistence. We used DNA metabarcoding to determine the prey species consumed by a population of sympatric sibling Rhinolophus euryale and Rhinolophus mehelyi whose use of habitat in both sympatric and allopatric ranges has been well established through radio tracking. Although some subtle dietary differences exist in prey species composition, the diet of both bats greatly overlapped (Ojk = 0.83) due to the consumption of the same common and widespread moths. Those dietary differences we did detect might be related to divergences in prey availabilities among foraging habitats, which prior radio tracking on the same population showed are differentially used and selected when both species co‐occur. This minor dietary segregation in sympatry may be the result of foraging on the same prey‐types and could contribute to reduce potential competitive interactions (e.g., for prey, acoustic space). Our results highlight the need to evaluate the spatial niche dimension in mediating the co‐occurrence of similar insectivorous bat species, a niche factor likely involved in processes of bat species coexistence.
Chromosomal inversions promote genomic islands of concerted evolution of Hsp70 genes in the Drosophila subobscura species subgroup
Authors: Puig Giribets Marta , García Guerreiro María Pilar , Santos Mauro , Ayala Francisco J. , Tarrío Rosa , Rodríguez‐Trelles Francisco
Published: February 2018

Heat‐shock (HS) assays to understand the connection between standing inversion variation and evolutionary response to climate change in Drosophila subobscura found that “warm‐climate” inversion O3+4 exhibits non‐HS levels of Hsp70 protein like those of “cold‐climate” OST after HS induction. This was unexpected, as overexpression of Hsp70 can incur multiple fitness costs. To understand the genetic basis of this finding, we have determined the genomic sequence organization of the Hsp70 family in four different inversions, including OST, O3+4, O3+4+8 and O3+4+16, using as outgroups the remainder of the subobscura species subgroup, namely Drosophila madeirensis and Drosophila guanche. We found (i) in all the assayed lines, the Hsp70 family resides in cytological locus 94A and consists of only two genes, each with four HS elements (HSEs) and three GAGA sites on its promoter. Yet, in OST, the family is comparatively more compact; (ii) the two Hsp70 copies evolve in concert through gene conversion, except in D. guanche; (iii) within D. subobscura, the rate of concerted evolution is strongly structured by inversion, being higher in OST than in O3+4; and (iv) in D. guanche, the two copies accumulated multiple differences, including a newly evolved “gap‐type” HSE2. The absence of concerted evolution in this species may be related to a long‐gone‐unnoticed observation that it lacks Hsp70 HS response, perhaps because it has evolved within a narrow thermal range in an oceanic island. Our results point to a previously unrealized link between inversions and concerted evolution, with potentially major implications for understanding genome evolution.
A novel experimental system using the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and its fungal endophytes reveals diverse and context‐dependent effects
Authors: Nelson Jessica M. , Hauser Duncan A. , Hinson Rosemary , Shaw A. Jonathan
Published: February 2018

Fungal symbioses are ubiquitous in plants, but their effects have mostly been studied in seed plants. This study aimed to assess the diversity of fungal endophyte effects in a bryophyte and identify factors contributing to the variability of outcomes in these interactions.

Fungal endophyte cultures and axenic liverwort clones were isolated from wild populations of the liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha. These collections were combined in a gnotobiotic system to test the effects of fungal isolates on the growth rates of hosts under laboratory conditions.

Under the experimental conditions, fungi isolated from M. polymorpha ranged from aggressively pathogenic to strongly growth‐promoting, but the majority of isolates caused no detectable change in host growth. Growth promotion by selected fungi depended on nutrient concentrations and was inhibited by coinoculation with multiple fungi.

The M. polymorpha endophyte system expands the resources for this model liverwort. The experiments presented here demonstrate a wealth of diversity in fungal interactions even in a host reported to lack standard mycorrhizal symbiosis. In addition, they show that some known pathogens of vascular plants live in M. polymorpha and can confer benefits to this nonvascular host. This highlights the importance of studying endophyte effects across the plant tree of life.
Preventive dental management of osteonecrosis of the jaws related to zoledronic acid treatment
Authors: Coello‐Suanzes JA , Rollon‐Ugalde V , Castaño‐Seiquer A , Lledo‐Villar E , Herce‐Lopez J , Infante‐Cossio P , Rollon‐Mayordomo A
Published: February 2018

Objective

To evaluate the effect of preventive dental management on reducing the incidence and delaying the onset of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) in patients treated with intravenous zoledronic acid (ZA).

Materials and Methods

This single‐center clinical study included 255 patients with cancer monitored over a 6‐year period. Patients received dental treatment prior to (group A) or after (group B) the initiation of ZA therapy. Dental treatments performed, incidence proportion (IP), and incidence rate (IR) in both groups were analyzed using significance tests. BRONJ onset was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier estimator and log‐rank test. Independent risk factors to develop BRONJ were evaluated using Cox regression analysis models.

Results

Thirty‐seven patients suffered from BRONJ (IP = 14.5%), 7.3% in group A and 36.5% in group B (p = .000). The IR was 0.007 patients/month in group B and 0.004 in group A. BRONJ‐free survival at 3 years was 97% in group A and 66% in group B. Survival curves were significant (p = .056) according to log‐rank test. Multivariate Cox models showed that dental extractions (p = .000) were significant.

Conclusions

BRONJ occurred significantly in patients who underwent dental extractions after the initiation of ZA and did not accomplish a preventive dental program.
Epidemiology and outcome of chronic high Epstein‐Barr viral load carriage in pediatric kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Yamada Masaki , Nguyen Christina , Fadakar Paul , Ganoza Armando , Humar Abhinav , Shapiro Ron , Michaels Marian G. , Green Michael
Published: February 2018

The development of EBV infection and PTLD is normally associated with a high EBV viral load in peripheral blood. Observations have previously identified existence of a CHL carrier state that demonstrated variable outcomes based upon the organ which was transplanted. Data defining the incidence and outcome of CHL in pediatric KTx are not well described. The charts of children undergoing isolated KTx at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh between January 2000 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. EBV loads in the peripheral blood were routinely measured as part of surveillance protocols at our center. CHL was defined as the presence of high load for >50% of samples for ≥6 months. PTLD was defined histologically using WHO definitions. Of 188 isolated KTx recipients, we identified a total of 16 (8%) children who developed CHL carrier state. No patient developed EBV‐driven late‐onset PTLD. Age at the time of KTx was significantly lower in the CHL group (median 3.9 years, interquartile range: IQR 2.9‐6.6, P = .0004). Children in the CHL group were more likely to be EBV‐seronegative prior to KTx (94%, 15/16), compared to the UVL and LVL groups (55% and 50%, respectively, P < .002). The median duration of CHL carrier state was 20 months (IQR 10.7‐35.8). Fifteen of the 16 CHL carriers experienced spontaneous resolution of CHL carrier state. Children in the CHL group were younger at the time of primary EBV infection (P = .023). Finally, antiviral medication was not effective in either preventing or decreasing the EBV viral load in blood (P = .84). Overall incidence of late‐onset PTLD is very low compared to heart and intestinal transplant, even though KTx recipients can develop CHL carrier state. The CHL carriers in KTx recipients were EBV‐seronegative prior to transplant and were younger both at the time of KTx and at the time of primary EBV infection compared to those in the UVL and HVL groups. Antivirals did not prevent EBV infection or decrease EBV viral loads.
A Perennial Illusion? Wittgenstein, Quentin Skinner's Contextualism and the Possibility of Refuting Past Philosophers
Authors: Beaumont Tim
Published: February 2018

Contemporary philosophers often purport to ‘borrow’ or ‘refute’ claims made by past philosophers. In doing so they contravene a contextualist methodological prohibition once defended by Quentin Skinner in his seminal paper “Meaning and Understanding in the History of Ideas”. Skinner's methodology has been much debated by theorists of textual meaning and interpretation, and yet the precise nature of the logical path from his premises to his prohibitory conclusion remains elusive. This paper seeks to refute two of the most promising variants of an argument for his methodological prohibition on ‘refutation’, one of which draws on his appeal to Wittgenstein's conception of ‘meaning as use’, and the other of which draws on his appeal to speech act theory.
Changing Identities to Change the World: Identity Motives in Lifestyle Politics and Its Link to Collective Action
Authors: Fernandes‐Jesus Maria , Lima Maria Luísa , Sabucedo José‐Manuel
Published: February 2018

In this article, we assume an interdisciplinary approach to the study of why and how people transpose political considerations to their lifestyles. Our aims are threefold: to understand the meanings and perceptions of people engaged in lifestyle politics and collective action; to examine the motives guiding individual change; and to explore the linkage processes between lifestyle politics and collective action. Identity process theory is considered as a lens to examine the processes and the motives of identity via a thematic analysis of 22 interviews. This study combined interviews with people seeking social change through their lifestyles with interviews with members of action groups and social movements. We found that each participant's identity is guided by identity motives such as distinctiveness, continuity, and psychological coherence. Besides, lifestyle politics is evaluated as an effective way to bring about social change, depending on the individual experience of perceived power to bring about change through collective action. Overall, lifestyle politics states the way in which the participants decided to live, to construct their identities, and to represent their beliefs about the right thing to do. Lifestyle politics complements collective action as a strategy to increase the potential of bringing about social change. The implications of this research are discussed in relation to the importance of understanding the processes of identity and lifestyle change in the context of social, environmental, and political change.
Quality of life and its contributing factors in an elderly community‐dwelling population in Shanghai, China
Authors: Shou Juan , Du Zhaohui , Wang Haitang , Ren Limin , Liu Yao , Zhu Shanzhu
Published: February 2018

Background

We aimed to investigate the relationship between quality of life and the factors that may influence it in an elderly community‐dwelling population in Shanghai.

Methods

From August to October 2014, elderly individuals were enrolled from three randomly selected communities in Shanghai. Participant information was collected from responses to a general questionnaire and to the Lubben Social Network Scale‐6, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics, Patient Health Questionnaire, and the 12‐item Short Form Health Survey. The factors influencing quality of life were explored in a multivariate stepwise linear regression model.

Results

Physical and mental component summary scores for the elderly in Shanghai communities were 50.1 ± 10.1 and 47.3 ± 7.9, respectively. Physical component summary scores in the rural area were higher than those in the urban–rural intersection area (a place where urban and rural transitions are taking place) (52.32 ± 9.81 vs 49.63 ± 9.33, P < 0.05) and the urban area (52.32 ± 9.81 vs 47.34 ± 10.18, P < 0.05). Additionally, mental component summary scores in the rural area were higher than those in the urban–rural intersection area (52.63 ± 9.28 vs 48.43 ± 9.42, P < 0.05) and the urban area (52.63 ± 9.28 vs 48.13 ± 10.69, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Depression, self‐care ability, and medical care burden were found to be significantly associated with the quality of life of elderly individuals in Shanghai, China. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the mental health of this elderly population.
Triple test, a diagnostic observation, can detect cognitive impairment in older adults
Authors: Isik Ahmet T. , Soysal Pinar , Kaya Derya , Usarel Cansu
Published: February 2018

Background

A simple, quick, and efficient screening tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is essential, especially in the primary care setting. In this study, we examined the neuropsychological profiles of elderly patients and aimed to assess the diagnostic value of the triple test, comprised of the attended alone sign (AAS), head‐turning sign, and applause sign (AS), for detecting MCI and AD.

Method

Comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed in 354 elderly outpatients, and the presence or absence of AS, AAS and HTS was investigated.

Results

Of the 354 patients, 93 patients were considered to be cognitively impaired (MCI: 30; AD: 63); the remaining 261 were cognitively healthy. Relative to those without AS, patients with AS had significantly lower scores on the Mini–Mental State Examination, the clock‐drawing test, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, and Basic Activities of Daily Living Scale (P < 0.001, for each). Similar significant differences were found between patients who were positive and negative for the HTS (P < 0.001) and between those who attended the clinic alone and those who were accompanied (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of the triple test for identifying cognitively impairment (CI), MCI, and AD was 0.61, 0.30, and 0.72, respectively; the specificity was 0.85, 0.68, and 0.83, respectively; and the positive and negative predictive values were 0.69, 0.09, and 0.59, respectively, and 0.79, 0.90, and 0.89, respectively.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that the triple test is a simple, quick, and efficient screening tool for detecting cognitive impairment, and the results may reflect deterioration in patients’ activities of daily living. Additionally, it could be advantageous in clinical practice because educational level does not affect the test outcome. Therefore, it may be an appropriate test to screen for cognitive impairment in the elderly, both as a bedside diagnostic test and in daily clinical practice, especially in the primary care setting.