bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours
Authors: Sarabian Cecile , Curtis Val , McMullan Rachel
Published: June 2018

All free-living animals are subject to intense selection pressure from parasites and pathogens resulting in behavioural adaptations that can help potential hosts to avoid falling prey to parasites. This special issue on the evolution of parasite avoidance behaviour was compiled following a Royal Society meeting in 2017. Here we have assembled contributions from a wide range of disciplines including genetics, ecology, parasitology, behavioural science, ecology, psychology and epidemiology on the disease avoidance behaviour of a wide range of species. Taking an interdisciplinary and cross-species perspective allows us to sketch out the strategies, mechanisms and consequences of parasite avoidance and to identify gaps and further questions. Parasite avoidance strategies must include avoiding parasites themselves and cues to their presence in conspecifics, heterospecifics, foods and habitat. Further, parasite avoidance behaviour can be directed at constructing parasite-retardant niches. Mechanisms of parasite avoidance behaviour are generally less well characterized, though nematodes, rodents and human studies are beginning to elucidate the genetic, hormonal and neural architecture that allows animals to recognize and respond to cues of parasite threat. While the consequences of infection are well characterized in humans, we still have much to learn about the epidemiology of parasites of other species, as well as the trade-offs that hosts make in parasite defence versus other beneficial investments like mating and foraging. Finally, in this overview we conclude that it is legitimate to use the word
‘
disgust' to describe parasite avoidance systems, in the same way that ‘fear' is used to describe animal predator avoidance systems. Understanding disgust across species offers an excellent system for investigating the strategies, mechanisms and consequences of behaviour and could be a vital contribution towards the understanding and conservation of our planet's ecosystems.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours'.
Headache and type 2 diabetes association: a US national ambulatory case-control study
Authors: Nash Anthony , Nevado Holgado Alejo J , Lovestone Simon , Cader M. Zameel , Webber Caleb
Published: June 2018

Objective

We investigate the joint observation between type 2 diabetes and headache using a case-control study of a US ambulatory dataset.

Background

Recent whole-population cohort studies propose that type 2 diabetes may have a protective effect against headache prevalence. With headaches ranked as a leading cause of disability, headache-associated comorbidities could help identify shared molecular mechanisms.

Methods

We performed a case-control study using the US National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2009, on the joint observation between headache and specific comorbidities, namely type 2 diabetes, hypertension and anxiety, for all patients between 18 and 65 years of age. The odds ratio of having a headache and a comorbidity were calculated using conditional logistic regression, controlling for gender and age over a study population of 3,327,947 electronic health records in the absence of prescription medication data.

Results

We observed estimated odds ratio of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83-0.95) of having a headache and a record of type 2 diabetes over the population, and 0.83 (95% CI: 2.02-2.57) and 0.89 (95% CI: 3.00-3.49) for male and female, respectively.

Conclusions

We find that patients with type 2 diabetes are less likely to present a recorded headache indication. Patients with hypertension are almost twice as likely of having a headache indication and patients with an anxiety disorder are almost three times as likely. Given the possibility of confounding indications and prescribed medications, additional studies are recommended.
R2C2: Improving nanopore read accuracy enables the sequencing of highly-multiplexed full-length single-cell cDNA
Authors: Volden Roger , Palmer Theron , Byrne Ashley , Cole Charles , Schmitz Robert J , Green Richard E , Vollmers Christopher
Published: June 2018

High-throughput short-read sequencing has revolutionized how transcriptomes are quantified and annotated. However, while Illumina short-read sequencers can be used to analyze entire transcriptomes down to the level of individual splicing events with great accuracy, they fall short of analyzing how these individual events are combined into complete RNA transcript isoforms. Because of this shortfall, long-read sequencing is required to complement short-read sequencing to analyze transcriptomes on the level of full-length RNA transcript isoforms. However, there are issues with both Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long-read sequencing technologies that prevent their widespread adoption. Briefly, PacBio sequencers produce low numbers of reads with high accuracy, while ONT sequencers produce higher numbers of reads with lower accuracy. Here we introduce and validate a new long-read ONT based sequencing method. At the same cost, our Rolling Circle Amplification to Concatemeric Consensus (R2C2) method generates more accurate reads of full-length RNA transcript isoforms than any other available long-read sequencing method. These reads can then be used to generate isoform-level transcriptomes for both genome annotation and differential expression analysis in bulk or single cell samples.

Significance Statement

Subtle changes in RNA transcript isoform expression can have dramatic effects on cellular behaviors in both health and disease. As such, comprehensive and quantitative analysis of isoform-level transcriptomes would open an entirely new window into cellular diversity in fields ranging from developmental to cancer biology. The R2C2 method we are presenting here is the first method with sufficient throughput and accuracy to make the comprehensive and quantitative analysis of RNA transcript isoforms in bulk and single cell samples economically feasible.
Toward an objective diagnostic for detection of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) in clinical samples from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients
Authors: Parra-Muñoz Marcela , Aponte Samanda , Ovalle-Bracho Clemencia , Saavedra Carlos H. , Echeverry María C.
Published: June 2018

Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) is a double strand RNA virus belonging to the Totiviridae family detected as cytoplasmic inclusions in some strains of the human parasite Leishmania spp. Experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that human co-infection with Leishmania spp-LRV triggers an exacerbated immune response in the host that can be responsible for the observed complicated outcomes in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), such as mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) and treatment failure of cutaneous leishmaniasis (TFCL). However, the reported frequencies of LRV associated to complicated outcomes in patients’ series are highly variable, diminishing the relevance on the virus presence in the pathogenesis of the disease. For determining if the apparent inconsistent information about the frequency of LRV associated to CL complicated outcomes could be connected with the virus detection approach, this study tested previously described methods for LRV detection in clinical samples of patients according with the type of sample. In 36 samples with diagnosis of complicated forms of CL (15 ML, 21 TFCL) and 6 samples with non-Leishmania spp infection, LRV presence was assessed by RT-PCR, RT-qPCR and nested-PCR.

By combining methods, LRV1 presence was confirmed in 45% (9/20) of isolates and 75% (12/16) of biopsies. The predominant LRV1-infected Leishmania species in this study was Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and, for first time, Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis was found infected in clinical samples. In a number of cases, LRV1 was undetectable in the isolates but present in their respective biopsies, suggesting the possibility of underreporting of LRV1 presence in studies focused in parasites isolates exclusively.
Second harmonic generation polarization microscopy as a tool for protein structure analysis
Authors: Kaneshiro Junichi , Okada Yasushi , Shima Tomohiro , Tsujii Mika , Imada Katsumi , Ichimura Taro , Watanabe Tomonobu M.
Published: June 2018

Second-harmonic generation (SHG) is a nonlinear coherent scattering process that is sensitive to molecular structures in illuminated materials. We report SHG polarization measurement for the detection of protein conformational changes in solutions of macromolecular protein assemblies such as microtubules and protein crystals. The results illustrate the potential of this method for protein structural analysis in physiological solutions at room temperature without labelling.
Developing A Programmable, Self-Assembling Squash Leaf Curl China Virus (SLCCNV) Capsid Proteins Into “Nano-Cargo”-Like Architecture: A Next-Generation “Nanotool” For Biomedical Applications
Authors: Thangavelu Raja Muthuramalingam , Sundarajan Deepan , Mohammed Riyaz S.U , Jesse Denison Michael Immanuel , Gunasekaran Dharanivasan , Ganapathi Rajendran , Duraisamy Nallusamy , Krishnan Kathiravan
Published: June 2018

A new era has begun in which pathogens have become useful scaffolds for nanotechnology applications. In this research/study, an attempt has been made to generate an empty cargo-like architecture from a high-profile plant pathogen of Squash leaf curl China virus (SLCCNV). In this approach, SLCCNV coat protein monomers are obtained efficiently by using a yeast Pichia pastoris expression system. Further, dialysis of purified SLCCNV-CP monomers against various pH strengthenened (5–10) disassembly and assembly buffers produced a self-assembled “Nanocargo”-like architecture, which also exhibited an ability to encapsulate the magnetic nanoparticles at in vitro. Bioinformatics tools were also utilized to predict the possible self-assembly kinetics and bioconjugation sites as well. The biocompatibility of “SLCNNV-CP-Nanocargo” particles was also evaluated by in vitro cancer cells, which eventually proved the particles to be versatile material for the next generation “nanotool” capable of housing various therapeutic or imaging agents.
Visual modelling supports the potential for prey detection by means of diurnal active photolocation in a small cryptobenthic fish
Authors: Bitton Pierre-Paul , Yun Christmann Sebastian Alejandro , Santon Matteo , Harant Ulrike Katharina , Michiels Nico K.
Published: June 2018

Active sensing has been well documented in animals that use echolocation and electrolocation. Active photolocation, or active sensing using light, has received much less attention, and only in bioluminescent nocturnal species. However, evidence has suggested the diurnal triplefin Tripterygion delaisi uses controlled iris radiance, termed ocular sparks, for prey detection. While this form of diurnal active photolocation was behaviourally described, a study exploring the physical process would provide compelling support for this mechanism. In this paper, we investigate the conditions under which diurnal active photolocation could assist T. delaisi in detecting potential prey. In the field, we sampled gammarids (genus Cheirocratus) and characterized the spectral properties of their eyes, which possess strong directional reflectors. In the laboratory, we quantified ocular sparks size and their angle-dependent radiance. Combined with environmental light measurements and known properties of the visual system of T. delaisi, we modeled diurnal active photolocation under various scenarios. Our results corroborate that diurnal active photolocation should help T. delaisi detect gammarids at distances relevant to foraging, 4.5 cm under favourable conditions and up to 2.5 cm under average conditions. Because ocular sparks are widespread across fish species, diurnal active photolocation for micro-prey may be a common predation strategy.
Movement and conformity interact to establish local behavioural traditions in animal populations
Authors: Somveille Marius , Firth Josh A. , Aplin Lucy M. , Farine Damien R. , Sheldon Ben C. , Thompson Robin N.
Published: June 2018

The social transmission of information is critical to the emergence of animal culture. Two processes are predicted to play key roles in how socially-transmitted information spreads in animal populations: the movement of individuals across the landscape and conformist social learning. We develop a model that, for the first time, explicitly integrates these processes to investigate their impacts on the spread of behavioural preferences. Our results reveal a strong interplay between movement and conformity for determining whether local traditions establish across a landscape or whether a single preference dominates the whole population. The model is able to replicate a real-world cultural diffusion experiment in great tits Parus major, but also allows for a range of predictions for the emergence of animal culture under various initial conditions, habitat structure and strength of conformist bias to be made. Integrating social behaviour with ecological variation will be important for understanding the stability and diversity of culture in animals.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma human organoids share structural and genetic features with primary tumors
Authors: Calvo Isabel Romero , Weber Christopher , Ray Mohana , Brown Miguel , Kirby Kori , Nandi Rajib K. , Long Tiha M. , Sparrow Samantha M. , Ugolkov Andrey , Qiang Wenan , Zhang Yilin , Brunetti Tonya , Kindler Hedy , Segal Jeremy P. , Rzhetsky Andrey , Mazar Andrew P. , Buschmann Mary M. , Weichselbaum Ralph , Roggin Kevin , White Kevin P.
Published: June 2018

Patient-derived pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) organoid systems show great promise for understanding the biological underpinnings of disease and advancing therapeutic precision medicine. Despite the increased use of organoids, the fidelity of molecular features, genetic heterogeneity, and drug response to the tumor of origin remain important unanswered questions limiting their utility. To address this gap in knowledge, we created primary tumor- and PDX-derived organoids, and 2D cultures for in-depth genomic and histopathological comparisons to the primary tumor. Histopathological features and PDAC representative protein markers showed strong concordance. DNA and RNA sequencing of single organoids revealed patient-specific genomic and transcriptomic consistency. Single-cell RNAseq demonstrated that organoids are primarily a clonal population. In drug response assays, organoids displayed patient-specific sensitivities. Additionally, we examined the in vivo PDX response to FOLFIRINOX and Gemcitabine/Abraxane treatments, which was recapitulated in vitro by organoids. The patient-specific molecular and histopathological fidelity of organoids indicate that they can be used to understand the etiology of the patient’s tumor and the differential response to therapies and suggests utility for predicting drug responses.
Process tracing change management: the reform of the Italian judiciary
Authors: Busetti Simone , Vecchi Giancarlo
Published: June 2018

Purpose

In 2009, the Italian Government initiated a national programme to improve the management of judicial offices. Programme implementation has been patchy and unsatisfactory in all but a few cases. Against this background, the Law Court of Milan has achieved exceptional results and is now recognised as a good practice benchmark for Italy. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this case in order to reconstruct the local conditions for successful implementation of the national programme.

Design/methodology/approach

To test a theory of the programme based on leaders’ engagement, their access to managerial knowledge, and the transfer and consolidation of that knowledge, the present study applies process tracing, a qualitative method that uses Bayesian reasoning to improve the accuracy of within-case inferences.

Findings

The analysis shows how programme and context features interacted to support change. In particular, while the national programme succeeded in providing resources for leader engagement and knowledge access, the transfer and consolidation of managerial knowledge depended largely on a brokerage function performed locally between consultants and magistrates.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on the local conditions for change management and does so by employing an innovative qualitative method that improves the reliability of within-case inferences.
The primary care home: a new vehicle for the delivery of population health in England
Authors: Lewis Richard Q. , Chana Nav
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider how the evolving concept of the “primary care home” (PCH) that is developing in England might be an effective vehicle for the delivery of the goals of “population health”. The authors examine evidence from earlier initiatives to achieve similar objectives of primary care-led health system planning and care integration to understand relevant lessons for the PCH.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a descriptive review of the PCH using documentary sources and a non-systematic review of literature relating to primary care commissioning initiatives and recent initiatives to deliver general practice services on a larger scale.

Findings

The PCH is likely to bring forth relatively high engagement from general practitioners due to its neighbourhood scale, voluntary nature and its focus on professional partnership, personalisation of care and outcomes. It is important that participants have sufficient autonomy to act and that financial incentives are aligned with the goals of population health. It is also important that, unlike some earlier primary care initiatives, the PCH is given time to develop to maturity.

Originality/value

The PCH is a recent phenomenon that is developing in England and elsewhere. This paper locates the PCH within a historical context and draws conclusions from a relevant evidence base.
Twenty years of theJournal of Knowledge Management: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Gaviria-Marin Magaly , Merigo Jose M. , Popa Simona
Published: June 2018

Purpose

In 2017, theJournal of Knowledge Management(JKM) celebrates its 20th anniversary. This study aims to show an updated analysis of their publications to provide a general overview of the journal, focusing on a bibliometric analysis of its publications between 1997 and 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology involves two procedures: a performance analysis and a science mapping analysis of JKM. The performance analysis uses a series of bibliometric indicators such ash-index, productivity and citations. This analysis considers different dimensions, including papers, authors, universities and countries. VOSviewer software is used to carry out the mapping of science of JKM, which, based on the concurrence of key words and co-citation points of view, seeks to graphically analyze the structure of the references of this journal.

Findings

There is a positive evolution in the number of publications (although with certain oscillations), which shows a growing interest in publishing in JKM. The USA and the UK lead the publications in this journal, although at a regional level, Europe is the most productive. The low participation of emerging economies in JKM is also observed.

Practical implications

The paper will identify the leading trends in the journal in terms of papers, authors, institutions, countries, journals and keywords. This study is useful for obtaining a quick snapshot of what is happening in the journal.

Originality/value

From the historical record of JKM publications, this study presents an exclusive bibliometric analysis of its publications until 2016 and identifies its main trends.
Frontiers of efficiency wages: unconventional wisdom?
Authors: Morris Morant Rosetta A. , Jacobs David C.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the historical foundation of the efficiency wage theory and examine its conceptual framework against other wage theories, in relation to conventional practices in human resource management.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a description of various wage theories, a conceptual analysis maps the evolutionary process of efficiency wage theory.

Findings

The concept of efficiency being applied to wages appears to evolve from Smith. The difference between the classical and the institutionalists’ perspectives appears to be the meaning ascribed to efficiency. Clark seemed to be the first one to examine the relationship between labor and productivity. Webb expanded the meaning of efficiency and demonstrated the relationship with productivity. Institutional and behavioral theorists further developed and advocated for efficiency wages. A synthesis of recent empirical studies provides support for the theory, which challenges conventional human resource management wage practices.

Practical implications

The findings solidify the usefulness of efficiency wage theory not only as a motivational management tool but also as a source for social and economic well-being.

Originality/value

The contribution of this historical account is that it synthesizes the root and development of efficiency wages theory. It also highlights the social context of the theory and provides an interface between economic and management perspectives.
A qualitative study on electricity energy-saving behaviour
Authors: Sony Michael , Mekoth Nandakumar
Published: June 2018

Purpose

There is an unresolved paradox concerning electricity energy-saving behaviour. On one hand, there are many studies on energy-saving behaviours and on the other hand, recent research stresses that there exists large amount untapped potential in terms electricity energy-saving behaviours. Therefore, it becomes pertinent to revisit the construct of electricity energy-saving behaviours qualitatively to enlarge the spectrum of understanding. The purpose of this paper is to answer the research question why do not customers care about electricity energy-saving behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study is undertaken in Western India using grounded theory methodology. The basic steps in the analysis of qualitative data consist of coding the data, combining the codes into broader categories and themes, and interpreting the results.

Findings

The study identifies seven categories of determinants of electricity energy-saving behaviours. Policy implications and limitations of the study are discussed along with areas of future research directions.

Originality/value

This is the first study to unearth the dimensions of electricity energy-saving behaviour.
Identification and evaluation of 2 circulating microRNAs for non‐small cell lung cancer diagnosis
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Jia Zhongzhi , Shi Haifeng , Pan Changjie
Published: June 2018

The circulating miRNAs are dysregulated in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and have great promise for clinical diagnosis. The aim of this study was to screen and evaluate the reliability and diagnostic efficiency of candidate serum miRNAs for NSCLC diagnosis. We found that miR‐21 and let‐7a were significantly dysregulated in NSCLC patients (P < .001). When applied for NSCLC diagnosis, combined application of miR‐21 and let‐7a had a sensitivity of 0.790, specificity of 0.750, which is significantly higher than application alone of miR‐21(sensitivity 0.647; specificity 0.641), let‐7a (sensitivity 0.653; specificity 0.718) or computed tomography‐guided core‐needle biopsy (CTCB) (sensitivity 0.725; specificity 0.609) (P < .01). In conclusion, our study indicates that combined application of circulating miR‐21 and let‐7a has advantages over traditional CTCB technique.
Pituitary block with gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone antagonist during intrauterine insemination cycles: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Vitagliano A , Saccone G , Noventa M , Borini A , Coccia ME , Nardelli GB , Saccardi C , Bifulco G , Litta PS , Andrisani A
Published: June 2018

Background

Several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the usefulness of pituitary block with gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists during intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles, with conflicting results.

Objective

The aim of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis of RCTs was to evaluate the effectiveness of GnRH antagonist administration as an intervention to improve the success of IUI cycles.

Search strategy

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Sciencedirect) and clinical registers were searched from their inception until October 2017.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials of infertile women undergoing one or more IUI stimulated cycles with GnRH antagonists compared with a control group.

Data collection and analysis

The primary outcomes were ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate (OPR/LBR) and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). Pooled results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) or mean differences with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Sources of heterogeneity were investigated through sensitivity and subgroups analysis. The body of evidence was rated using GRADE methodology. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plot, Begg's and Egger's tests.

Main results

Fifteen RCTs were included (3253 IUI cycles, 2345 participants). No differences in OPR/LBR (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.82–1.57, P = 0.44) and CPR (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.97–1.69, P = 0.08) were found. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses did not provide statistical changes in pooled results. The body of evidence was rated as low (GRADE 2/4). No publication bias was detected.

Conclusion

Pituitary block with GnRH antagonists does not improve OPR/LBR and CPR in women undergoing IUI cycles.

Tweetable abstract

Pituitary block with GnRH antagonists does not improve the success of IUI cycles.
Directing Improvements in Primary Care Patient Experience through Analysis of Service Quality
Authors: Hudson Smith Mel , Smith David
Published: June 2018

Objective

To examine the influence of dimensions of service quality on patient experience of primary care.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Data from the national GP Patient Survey in England 2014/15, with responses from 858,351 patients registered at 7,918 practices.

Study Design

Expert panel and principal component analysis helped identify relevant dimensions of service quality. Regression was then used to examine the relationships between these dimensions and reported patient experience.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Aggregated scores for each practice were used, comprising the proportion of positive responses to each element of the study.

Principal Findings

Of eight service quality dimensions identified, six have statistically significant impacts on patient experience but only two have large effects. Patient experience is highly influenced by practice responsiveness and the interactions with the physician. Other dimensions have small or even slightly negative influence. Service quality provided by nurses has negligible effect on patient experience.

Conclusions

To improve patient experience in primary health care, efforts should focus on practice responsiveness and interactions with the physician. Other areas have little influence over patient experience. This suggests a gap in patients’ perspectives on health care, which has policy implications for patient education.
A systematic review on the quality, validity and usefulness of current cost‐effectiveness studies for treatments of neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Elshout Mari , Webers Carroll A.B. , van der Reis Margriet I. , Schouten Jan S.A.G.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Ophthalmologists increasingly depend on new drugs to advance their treatment options. These options are limited by restraints on reimbursements for new and expensive drugs. These restraints are put in place through health policy decisions based on cost‐effectiveness analyses (CEA). Cost‐effectiveness analyses need to be valid and of good quality to support correct decisions to create new treatment opportunities. In this study, we report the quality, validity and usefulness of CEAs for therapies for nAMD.

Methods

A systematic review in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane was performed to include CEAs. Quality and validity assessment was based on current general quality criteria and on elements that are specific to the field of ophthalmology.

Results

Forty‐eight CEAs were included in the review. Forty‐four CEAs did not meet four basic model quality and validity criteria specific to CEAs in the field of ophthalmology (both eyes analysed instead of one; a time horizon extending beyond 4 years; extrapolating VA and treatment intervals beyond trial data realistically; and including the costs of low‐vision). Four CEAs aligned with the quality and validity criteria. In two of these CEAs bevacizumab as‐needed (PRN) was more cost‐effective than bevacizumab monthly; aflibercept (VIEW); or ranibizumab monthly or PRN. In two CEAs, ranibizumab (PRN or treat and extent) was dominant over aflibercept. In two other CEAs, aflibercept was either more cost‐effective or dominant over ranibizumab monthly or PRN.

Conclusion

Two of the CEAs of sufficient quality and validity show that bevacizumab PRN is the most cost‐effective treatment. Comparing ranibizumab and aflibercept, either treatment can be more cost‐effective depending on the assumptions used for drug prices and treatment frequencies. The majority of the published CEAs are of insufficient quality and validity. They wrongly inform decision‐makers at the cost of opportunities for ophthalmologists to treat patients. As such, they may negatively influence overall patient outcomes and societal costs. For future ophthalmic treatments, CEAs need to be improved and only published when they are of sufficient quality and validity.
Programmed death receptor Ligand 1 expression in eyelid sebaceous carcinoma: a consecutive case series of 41 patients
Authors: Xu Shiqiong , Yu Hong , Fu Guohui , Fan Xianqun , Jia Renbing
Published: June 2018

Purpose

A limited number of therapies are available for patients with metastatic eyelid sebaceous carcinoma (SC). Programmed death receptor Ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression and its clinical significance in sebaceous cell carcinoma are presently unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the expression level of PD‐L1 in SC.

Methods

This single centre, retrospective, and comparative study was conducted at the Ninth People's Hospital between August 1, 2013 and September 1, 2016. Twenty primary, 11 recurrent, and 10 lymph node metastatic eyelid SCs of 41 consecutive patients and paired control eyelid samples were enrolled in the study. Immunohistochemical staining of PD‐L1 was performed on slides containing SC embedded in paraffin wax. Patient clinical characteristics and PD‐L1 expression related to SC prognostic values were evaluated.

Results

Of the 41 patients with eyelid SCs, 58.5% (24/41) were female, and 41.5% (17/41) were male. A total of 43.9% (18/41) were left‐sided, and 56.1% (23/41) were right‐sided. A total of 2.4% (1/41) of the SCs were located at the canthus, 51.2% (21/41) were located at the upper eyelid, 41.5% (17/41) were located at the lower eyelids, and 2.4% (1/41) invaded the lacrimal sac. A total of 24.4% of the SCs were metastatic (10/41), 48.8% (20/41) were primary tumours, and 26.8% (11/41) resulted from recurrence. A total of 48.8% (20/41) were moderately graded and 51.2% (21/41) were poorly graded. Programmed death receptor Ligand 1 (PD‐L1) positive expression was found in 20 (48.8%) cases. Programmed death receptor Ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression was observed on the tumour cell membrane. Higher expression of PD‐L1 was correlated with metastatic cases when compared with primary cases (F = 6.69, p = 0.001). There was a higher expression of PD‐L1 in the poorly differentiated group compared with the moderately graded group (57.1% poorly graded versus 45.0% moderately graded).

Conclusion and Relevance

Inhibition of PD‐L1 expression may be a therapeutic option for metastatic eyelid SCs, although this hypothesis needs to be tested in future clinical trials.
RNA sequencing confirms similarities between PPI‐responsive oesophageal eosinophilia and eosinophilic oesophagitis
Authors: Peterson K. A. , Yoshigi M. , Hazel M. W. , Delker D. A. , Lin E. , Krishnamurthy C. , Consiglio N. , Robson J. , Yandell M. , Clayton F.
Published: June 2018

Background

Although current American guidelines distinguish proton pump inhibitor‐responsive oesophageal eosinophilia (PPI‐REE) from eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), these entities are broadly similar. While two microarray studies showed that they have similar transcriptomes, more extensive RNA sequencing studies have not been done previously.

Aim

To determine whether RNA sequencing identifies genetic markers distinguishing PPI‐REE from EoE.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 13 PPI‐REE and 14 EoE biopsies, matched for tissue eosinophil content, and 14 normal controls. Patients and controls were not PPI‐treated at the time of biopsy. We did RNA sequencing on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue, with differential expression confirmation by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We validated the use of formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded vs RNAlater‐preserved tissue, and compared our formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded EoE results to a prior EoE study.

Results

By RNA sequencing, no genes were differentially expressed between the EoE and PPI‐REE groups at the false discovery rate (FDR) ≤0.01 level. Compared to normal controls, 1996 genes were differentially expressed in the PPI‐REE group and 1306 genes in the EoE group. By less stringent criteria, only MAPK8IP2 was differentially expressed between PPI‐REE and EoE (FDR = 0.029, 2.2‐fold less in EoE than in PPI‐REE), with similar results by PCR. KCNJ2, which was differentially expressed in a prior study, was similar in the EoE and PPI‐REE groups by both RNA sequencing and real‐time PCR.

Conclusion

Eosinophilic oesophagitis and PPI‐REE have comparable transcriptomes, confirming that they are part of the same disease continuum.
Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: current understanding and recommendations from the Australian and New Zealand Equine Endocrine Group
Authors: Secombe CJ , Bailey SR , de Laat MA , Hughes KJ , Stewart AJ , Sonis JM , Tan RHH
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the current knowledge and opinions about the epidemiology, clinical findings (including sequelae), diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, particularly in the Australian context. This information and the recommendations provided will assist practitioners in making informed decisions regarding the diagnosis and management of this disorder.
Revision of the central Mediterranean xerothermic cliff vegetation
Authors: Terzi Massimo , Jasprica Nenad , Caković Danka , Di Pietro Romeo
Published: June 2018

Questions

What are the syntaxonomic and synchorological patterns of the xerothermic chasmophytic vegetation in the central part of the Mediterranean Basin? What are the diagnostic species of the high‐rank syntaxa of Asplenietalia glandulosi, Onosmetalia frutescentis and Centaureo dalmaticae‐Campanuletalia pyramidalis?

Location

Mediterranean coastal and subcoastal areas of southern France, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and of mainland Greece.

Methods

The data set of 1,261 published relevés was analysed using hierarchical clustering (Flexible Beta method), involving a series of data transformations. Indicator species analysis was used to select the best dendrogram solution and identify diagnostic taxa of the main clusters. The dendrogram was interpreted from a syntaxonomic point of view, using nomenclatural type relevés as a basis. The NMDS ordination was performed in order to visualize the floristic relationships among associations and high‐rank syntaxa. MRPP was used to test for differences among alliances.

Results

The classification revealed four main clusters of relevés representing the chasmophytic vegetation of southern France, Sardinia and the northwestern part of Italy (Asplenienalia glandulosi/Asplenietalia glandulosi), the southwestern part of Italy and Malta (Tinguarrenalia siculae/Asplenietalia glandulosi), the Adriatic Basin area (Centaureo dalmaticae‐Campanuletalia pyramidalis) and the southern Balkans (Onosmetalia frutescentis). The NMDS ordination confirmed the overall pattern, while MRPP showed significant differences among the alliances of the above‐mentioned orders and suborders. The lists of diagnostic taxa of the high‐rank syntaxa were revised according to a supra‐national perspective.

Conclusions

The new syntaxonomic scheme provides a comprehensive overview of the chasmophytic vegetation of the central part of the Mediterranean Basin. This scheme mostly matches the recently published EuroVegChecklist, but also exhibits important novelties concerning the syntaxonomic position of some alliances (Dianthion rupicolae, Centaureion pentadactyli, Arenarion bertolonii and Caro‐Aurinion), and the floristic and chorological relationships among high‐rank syntaxa, with new revised sets of diagnostic taxa. This revision might be useful for further small‐scale phytosociological studies.
The physical and psychological health benefits of positive emotional writing: Investigating the moderating role of Type D (distressed) personality
Authors: Smith Michael A. , Thompson Alexandra , Hall Lynsey J. , Allen Sarah F. , Wetherell Mark A.
Published: June 2018

Objectives

Type D personality is associated with psychological and physical ill‐health. However, there has been limited investigation of the role of Type D personality in interventions designed to enhance well‐being. This study investigated associations between Type D personality and the efficacy of positive emotional writing for reducing stress, anxiety, and physical symptoms.

Design

A between‐subjects longitudinal design was employed.

Method

Participants (N = 71, Mage = 28.2, SDage = 12.4) completed self‐report measures of Type D personality, physical symptoms, perceived stress, and trait anxiety, before completing either (1) positive emotional writing or (2) a non‐emotive control writing task, for 20 min per day over three consecutive days. State anxiety was measured immediately before and after each writing session, and self‐report questionnaires were again administered 4 weeks post‐writing.

Results

Participants in the positive emotional writing condition showed significantly greater reductions in (1) state anxiety and (2) both trait anxiety and perceived stress over the 4‐week follow‐up period, compared to the control group. While these effects were not moderated by Type D personality, a decrease in trait anxiety was particularly evident in participants who reported both high levels of social inhibition and low negative affectivity. Linguistic analysis of the writing diaries showed that Type D personality was positively associated with swear word use, but not any other linguistic categories.

Conclusion

These findings support the efficacy of positive emotional writing for alleviating stress and anxiety, but not perceived physical symptoms. Swearing may be a coping strategy employed by high Type D individuals.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Type D (distressed) personality is characterized by high levels of both negative affectivity and social inhibition, and has been associated with adverse physical and psychological health.

Positive emotional writing is known to reduce subjectively reported physical symptoms and increase positive affect.

What does this study add?

Positive emotional writing was shown to attenuate (1) state anxiety immediately post‐writing, and (2) trait anxiety and perceived stress 4 weeks post‐writing.

The findings demonstrate that positive writing might be a useful intervention for attenuating the adverse psychological effects of Type D personality in the general population.

Type D personality was associated with more frequent use of swear words, which may be a coping mechanism used by high Type D individuals.
Understanding Food System Resilience in Bali, Indonesia: A Moral Economy Approach
Authors: Reuter Thomas
Published: June 2018

Food systems in Indonesia and other developing countries have witnessed a rapid change in production, trade, and consumption patterns. The central highlands and northeastern coast of Bali form one such system, with centuries of documented regional trade relations between coastal and highland communities whose food products were complementary. This paper adopts a moral economy approach to explain the decline in local food security at a systemic level, and to explore also how it may be reversed. In particular, I explore how this regional food system operated, and how modernization since the 1990s has compromised biodiversity, ecological sustainability, social resilience, and food security. Greater attention to this moral dimension of food systems, it is argued, will contribute to more successful agricultural development and food security programs.
Age‐related change in brain rhythms from early to middle childhood: Links to executive function
Authors: Perone Sammy , Palanisamy Jeeva , Carlson Stephanie M.
Published: June 2018

The connection between brain rhythms at rest and cognition remains poorly understood. This is especially true during early childhood in which neuroimaging data are relatively scarce. We developed a new method for collecting eyes closed and eyes open resting state electroencephalography (EEG) suitable for young children. We report results characterizing age‐related change in power in multiple brain rhythms over frontal and posterior regions under eyes closed and open conditions of rest in 3‐, 4‐, 5‐ and 9‐year‐old children (N = 162). We observed two key patterns of results. First, with age theta decreased, alpha increased, and alpha peak frequency increased. Second, power was generally higher when eyes were closed than open for theta and alpha but higher when eyes were open than closed for beta and gamma. We also investigated the relation between resting state EEG activity and executive function (EF) using the Minnesota Executive Function Scale, a standardized behavioral measure of EF for ages 2 and up. Correlational and regression analyses showed that individual differences in the theta/beta ratio is associated with EF even after controlling for children's age and verbal abilities. We situate our results in a theoretical discussion of theta/beta and its role in control processes.
Peripheral neuropathy in diabetes: it's not always what it looks like
Authors: Maltese G. , Tan S. V. , Bruno E. , Brackenridge A. , Thomas S.
Published: June 2018

Background

Hereditary Neuropathy with liability to Pressure Palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant neuropathy, associated with deletion of the Peripheral Myelin Protein‐22 (PMP‐22) gene, causing recurrent painless palsies with age of onset between 10 and 30 years old. Only a few cases of Type 2 Diabetes and HNPP have been described and the coexistence of HNPP and Type 1 diabetes has never been reported.

Case report

A 54‐year old man with a history of Type 1 diabetes, managed with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), presented with deterioration of long‐standing motor and sensory symptoms, previously attributed to golfer's elbow, diabetic neuropathy and spinal degenerative disease. He had multilevel severe spine degenerative changes and L4/L5 and L5/S1 root impingements with a L4/L5 discectomy performed when he was 25 years old. On physical examination he had normal power and distal hypoaesthesia of the digits and plantar aspect of the feet. Investigations revealed normal full blood count, liver and renal function, electrolytes, vitamin B12 and serum folate. He suffered from primary hypothyroidism and thyroid function tests indicated adequate levothyroxine replacement. Nerve conduction studies revealed a generalized demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy, with more severe involvement of nerves over entrapment sites. Further history that his father suffered from episodes of weakness and numbness was elicited. Genetic analysis revealed one copy of the PMP22 gene at 17p11.2 confirming the diagnosis of HNPP.

Conclusion

In people with diabetes the evaluation of peripheral neuropathy should include a careful history, a comprehensive physical examination, blood tests and in some cases nerve conduction studies and genetic testing.
Diagnostic significance of three‐dimensional echocardiography in asymptomatic unicuspid aortic valve
Authors: Mladenovic Zorica , Vranes Danijela , Obradovic Slobodan , Dzudovic Boris , Angelkov Ristic Andjelka , Ratkovic Nenad , Jovic Zoran , Spasic Marijan , Maric Kocijancic Jelena , Djruic Predrag
Published: June 2018

Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is a rare congenital anomaly of aorta associated with a faster progress of valvular dysfunction, aortic dilatation and with necessity for more frequent controls and precise evaluation Asymptomatic 35 year old man had abnormal systolic diastolic murmur on aortic valve during routine examination. Initial diagnostic with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) supposed bicuspid aortic valve, while three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) and multidetector computed tomography defined unicuspid, unicomissural aortic valve with moderate aortic stenosis and regurgitation. This case report confirmed that 3D TEE gives us opportunity for early, improved and precise diagnosis of UAV.
Evaluation of atrial electromechanical functions in dipper and nondipper hypertension patients using left atrial strain P‐wave dispersion and P terminal force
Authors: Tosun Veysel , Korucuk Necmettin , Kılınç Ali Yaşar , Uygun Turgut , Altekin Refik Emre , Güntekin Ünal , Ermiş Cengiz
Published: June 2018

Objective

Nondippers are known to carry a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dipper and nondipper status of hypertension on left atrial (LA) systolic and diastolic functions using two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE), P‐wave dispersion (PWD), and P terminal force (PTF) in hypertensive patients.

Methods

A total of 72 patients and 39 healthy individuals were included in the study. The patients were classified as nondippers if their daytime ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not decrease by at least 10% during the night. Atrial electromechanical delay times, LA strain values were obtained by 2D‐STE with automated software and compared between the groups. PWD and PTF data were calculated on the electrocardiography.

Results

Inter‐atrial (dippers: 25.5 ± 3.9, nondippers: 32.2 ± 7.4, P < .001), left‐atrial (dippers: 14.9 ± 3.7, nondippers: 18.2 ± 6.0, P = .016), and right atrial (dippers: 10.5 ± 2.1, nondippers: 14.2 ± 5.2, P < .001) electromechanical delay times were significantly longer in nondippers. LA strain S (dippers: 34.2 [29.7–38.7], nondippers: 27.7 [22.7–32.2], P < .001), LA strain E (dippers: 18.2 [16.6–20.1], nondippers: 14.4 [11.6–16.8], P < .001), and LA strain A (dippers: 15.8 [13.5–17.9], nondippers: 12.7 [9.9–14.5], P < .001) were significantly lower in nondippers. Nondippers also had an increased values of maximum P‐wave duration (dippers: 0.117 [0.10–0.12], nondippers: 0.126 [0.12–0.14], P < .001), PWD (dippers: 0.062 [0.06–0.07], nondippers: 0.069 [0.06–0.08], P = .004), and PTF (dippers: 0.055 ± 0.02, nondippers: 0.066 ± 0.02, P = .02).

Conclusion

Nondipping pattern in hypertensive patients had a worse cardiac remodeling, and impaired mechanical LA function compared with dipping pattern. The PWD and PTF findings support these changes.