bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutations in the ERCC2 (XPD) gene associated with severe fetal ichthyosis and dysmorphic features
Authors: Miguet Marguerite , Thevenon Julien , Laugel Vincent , Lefebvre Mathilde , Bourchany Aurélie , Rivière Jean‐Baptiste , Duffourd Yannis , Schaefer Elise , Antal Maria Cristina , Abida Rosalie , Weingertner Anne‐Sophie , Kremer Valérie , Vabres Pierre , Morice‐Picard Fanny , Gonzales Marie , Lipsker Dan , Fraitag Sylvie , Mandel Jean‐Louis , Chelly Jamel , Dollfus Hélène , Faivre Laurence , Thauvin‐Robinet Christel , Calmels Nadège , El Chehadeh Salima
Published: November 2016

What's Already Known About This Topic?

Congenital ichthyosis is a condition that includes several distinct subtypes with significant genetic heterogeneity.

Defects in the ERCC2 [xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) complementation group D] gene lead to one of several clinical diseases, including XP, trichothiodystrophy, cerebrooculofacioskeletal syndrome, XP/Cockayne syndrome, and XP/trichothiodystrophy.

What Does This Study Add?

This observation enlarges the phenotypic spectrum of ERCC2 (XP complementation group D) mutations to severe fetal cases and expands the molecular basis of congenital ichthyosis by reporting the prenatal expression of a very rare nucleotide excision repair‐related condition.
Comparison of sample preparation techniques for large‐scale proteomics
Authors: Kuljanin Miljan , Dieters‐Castator Dylan Z. , Hess David A. , Postovit Lynne‐Marie , Lajoie Gilles A.
Published: November 2016

Numerous workflows exist for large‐scale bottom‐up proteomics, many of which achieve exceptional proteome depth. Herein, we evaluated the performance of several commonly used sample preparation techniques for proteomic characterization of HeLa lysates [unfractionated in‐solution digests, SDS‐PAGE coupled with in‐gel digestion, gel‐eluted liquid fraction entrapment electrophoresis (GELFrEE) technology, SCX StageTips and high‐/low‐pH reversed phase fractionation (HpH)]. HpH fractionation was found to be superior in terms of proteome depth (>8400 proteins detected) and fractionation efficiency compared to other techniques. SCX StageTip fractionation required minimal sample handling and was also a substantial improvement over SDS‐PAGE separation and GELFrEE technology. Sequence coverage of the HeLa proteome increased to 38% when combining all workflows, however, total proteins detected improved only slightly to 8710. In summary, HpH fractionation and SCX StageTips are robust techniques and highly suited for complex proteome analysis.
The proteomes of the human eye, a highly compartmentalized organ
Authors: Omenn Gilbert S.
Published: November 2016

Proteomics has now published a series of Dataset Briefs on the EyeOme from the HUPO Human Proteome Project with high‐quality analyses of the proteomes of these compartments of the human eye: retina, iris, ciliary body, retinal pigment epithelium/choroid, retrobulbar optic nerve, and sclera, with 3436, 2929, 2867, 2755, 2711, and 1945 proteins, respectively. These proteomics resources represent a useful starting point for a broad range of research aimed at developing preventive and therapeutic interventions for the various causes of blindness.
Toxin A of the nosocomial pathogen Clostridium difficile induces primary effects in the proteome of HEp‐2 cells
Authors: Junemann Johannes , Birgin Gurbet , Erdmann Jelena , Schröder Anke , Just Ingo , Gerhard Ralf , Pich Andreas
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This study was carried out to investigate the impact of high concentrations of Clostridium difficile toxin A (TcdA) on the proteome of human cells. It should also be examined whether a catalytically deficient mutant (TcdANXN) has an effect on target cells.

Experimental design

Proteome changes were investigated after treatment of HEp‐2 cells with 20 nM TcdA for 8 h using a triplex SILAC labeling method and shotgun proteomics. Proteins from differently labeled and treated cells were combined for analysis using an HPLC coupled to an Orbitrap mass spectrometer.

Results

Nearly 4000 proteins were identified in each replicate and 3500 could be quantified by SILAC triplicate analysis. 51 proteins exhibited an altered abundance with 29 up‐regulated and 22 down‐regulated proteins. In contrast, TcdANXN had no provable impact on the protein profile of HEp‐2 cells. Data analysis of regulated proteins revealed that mainly plasma membrane, cell death, cell proliferation and actin cytoskeleton proteins were affected by TcdA treatment.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

This proteome analysis showed novel insights of TcdA impact onepithelial cells. Comparison with long‐term treatment studies reveals distinctions in affected cellular processes that will improve the understanding of TcdA functions and might help to find new tools for diagnosis and treatment of CDI.
Self‐organized growth of cubic InN dot arrays on cubic GaN using MgO (001) vicinal substrates
Authors: Ishii Kenichi , Yagi Shuhei , Yaguchi Hiroyuki
Published: November 2016

Cubic zincblende InN (c‐InN) nanoscale dot arrays are grown on cubic GaN (c‐GaN) by RF‐molecular beam epitaxy using MgO (001) vicinal substrates oriented 3.5° toward [110]. The obtained dot arrays have longer ordering length compared with those grown using conventional on‐axis (just) substrates. The c‐GaN underlayer grown on the vicinal substrate exhibits a single‐domain crystalline structure, while that grown on the just substrate is a mixture of two orthogonal crystalline domains. The change in the c‐GaN domain structure leads to the enlarged domain size and lower density of domain boundaries on the c‐GaN (001) surface in [1–10]. The longer ordering length of the c‐InN dot on the vicinal substrates is reflected by the decrease in the c‐GaN domain boundary that disrupts the lateral ordering of the dot arrays.

Atomic force microscope image of c‐InN dots grown on a single‐domain c‐GaN. The sample was fabricated using a MgO (001) vicinal substrate.
Carbon nanotube chirality enrichment through chirality‐selective precipitation
Authors: Setaro Antonio , Bluemmel Pascal , Witt Marcus Ulf , Narula Rohit , Reich Stephanie
Published: November 2016

The interaction with surfactants changes from one carbon nanotube species to the other. We used this to replace non‐ionic surfactants by ionic ones. By fine‐tuning the replacement conditions, we covered some specific nanotubes with non‐ionic surfactants and the others with ionic ones. Addition of salt triggers precipitation of the species suspended by the ionic surfactant; this effectively leads to chiral selective enrichment of a carbon nanotube suspension. We hence produce an (8,4)‐enriched suspension by replacing a polyglycerol‐based custom amphiphile with the commercial SDBS and salting with NaCl.

Relative sample composition, before and after the salting‐out procedure.
Effect of the Olive Leaf Extracts In Vitro and in Active Packaging of Sliced Iberian Pork Loin
Authors: Delgado‐Adámez J. , Bote E. , Parra‐Testal V. , Martín M. J. , Ramírez R.
Published: November 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidative and antimicrobial in vitro effects of the olive leaf extract (OLE), and to test its effectiveness for meat preservation in an active packaging with OLE. With this purpose, microbial counts, physico‐chemical properties, lipid stability and sensory properties of packaged loin steaks from Iberian pigs were analyzed during refrigerated storage. In vitro assays confirmed the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of fresh OLE and freeze‐dried OLE (FDE). However, the effectiveness of the extract found in vitro was not confirmed in the in vivo assays. The application of the extracts into the packaging did not show antioxidant and antimicrobial effects on meat even applying high dose of the lyophilized extract. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The performance cost of preserving data/query privacy using searchable symmetric encryption
Authors: Mc Brearty Shaun , Farrelly William , Curran Kevin
Published: November 2016

The benefits of Cloud computing include reduced costs, high reliability and the immediate availability of additional computing resources as needed. Despite such advantages, Cloud Service Provider (CSP) consumers need to be aware that the Clouds poses its own set of unique risks that are not typically associated with storing and processing one's own data internally using privately owned infrastructure. New techniques such as Searchable Encryption are being deployed to enable data to be encrypted online. Despite being a relatively obscure form of Cryptography, Searchable Encryption is now at the point that it can be deployed and used within the Cloud. Searchable Encryption can allow CSP customers to store their data in encrypted form, while retaining the ability to search that data without disclosing the associated decryption key(s) to CSPs. Searchable Encryption is a diverse subject that exists in many forms. Searchable Symmetric Encryption (SSE) which has its roots in plaintext searching is one such form. Although symmetrically encrypted ciphertext cannot be searched in the same manner; nonetheless, many of the principles that apply to plaintext searching also apply to SSE. In its most basic form, SSE is nothing more than an Inverted Index—a mechanism that has been used in plaintext Information Retrieval (IR) for decades—that has been modified and adapted for use with ciphertext. We implement an SSE scheme and evaluate the efficiency of storing and retrieving data from the cloud. The results showed that carrying out a task using SSE is directly proportional to the amount of information involved. In the case of constructing an IR Inverted Index, the results show that the time taken to generate an IR Inverted Index is directly proportional to the number of Terms contained in the underlying Document Collection. Converting the same IR Inverted Index to an SSE Inverted Index is directly proportional to the number of Postings contained within the IR Inverted Index, while the time taken to encrypt the underlying Document Collection is directly proportional to the number of Terms contained within the Document Collection. In relation to searching in SSE, the time taken to identify and decrypt the set of Postings associated with a given Lexicon Term is directly proportional to the number of Postings. We believe that SSE is efficient enough to be deployed in a Cloud environment especially when results only have to be returned to the user in small quantities. When applied to large Sets, SSE querying can become inefficient as its search time is directly proportional to the number of matching. SSE however is designed to achieve efficient search speeds whilst maintaining Data Privacy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural, compositional and hardness properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride thin films synthesized by dense plasma focus device
Authors: Umar Z. A. , Rawat R. S. , Ahmad R. , Chen Z. , Zhang Z. , Siddiqui J. , Hussnain A. , Hussain T. , Baig M. A.
Published: November 2016

The hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride (a‐CNx:H) thin films were synthesized on the SS‐304 substrates using a dense plasma focus device. The a‐CNx:H thin films were synthesized using CH4/N2 admixture gas and 20 focus deposition shots on substrates placed at different distances from the anode top. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis confirmed different C–N bonding in the a‐CNx:H thin films. A decrease in the N/C ratio as well as the sp3/sp2 ratio with an increase in the substrate distance has been observed. The higher amount of C–N formation for the film synthesized at 10 cm is observed which decreases with increasing distance. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis affirmed the C ≡ N presence in all the thin films synthesized at different distances. The morphology of the synthesized a‐CNx:H thin films showed nanoparticles and nanoparticle clusters formation at the surface. The hardness results showed comparatively lower hardness of the a‐CNx:H thin films due to the presence of C ≡ N. The C–N formation with lower amount of C ≡ N and a higher N/C ratio as well as a higher sp3/sp2 ratio for the films synthesized at 10 cm show reasonably higher hardness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patterns in response to chronic terrorism threats: A construct of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses among Israeli citizens
Authors: Cohen‐Louck Keren , Saka Yael
Published: November 2016

Israeli citizens are exposed to unpredictable and chronic terrorism threats that significantly jeopardize their personal sense of safety. The purpose of the present study is to present how Israeli discourse is structured with regard to emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to chronic terrorism threats and to understand the range of responses as well as map the risk and protective factors of this existential threat. Semistructured in‐depth interviews were conducted with 40 Israeli adults (22 women and 18 men). Qualitative analysis revealed three patterns of responses to ongoing terrorism: emotional, cognitive, and behavioral. Emotional responses include fear, worry, sense of empathy, and detachment. Cognitive responses include situational assessment and pursuit of solutions, the use of traumatic imagining, beliefs in fate and luck, and optimism. Behavioral responses include looking for information, alertness, and habituation. The findings also revealed another response, which combines cognitive and behavioral responses. Some of the responses are innovative and unique to the threat of terrorism. Mapping the responses revealed mental health risk factors, as well as protective factors that can help structure personal and national resilience. These findings have implications on the treatment and prevention of personal and social pathologies, and how to effectively cope with terrorism threats.
On invertibility of the C‐matrix in quadratic inference functions
Authors: Lian Heng
Published: November 2016

A quadratic inference function is often applied to correlated data, with the advantages that it does not involve direct estimation of the correlation parameter and it is more efficient than using generalized estimating equations when the correlation is misspecified. The C‐matrix is used in the definition of a quadratic inference function and is required to be invertible. In this paper, we investigate carefully the question about when the C‐matrix is invertible, which turns out to be non‐trivial. Such a study is missing in the current literature and is especially interesting in a “diverging p” setting where the invertibility of C‐matrix is less clear. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is C‐11 Methionine PET/CT Able to Localise Sestamibi‐Negative Parathyroid Adenomas?
Authors: Weber Theresia , Gottstein Martin , Schwenzer Sabrina , Beer Ambros , Luster Markus
Published: November 2016

Background

Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and a negative preoperative Tc‐99 sestamibi (MIBI) scintigraphy are considered to have a higher risk of persistent disease. The aim of this study was to assess whether additional imaging with C‐11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (Met‐PET/CT) is able to localise sestamibi‐negative hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands.

Methods

In 50 patients (38 females, 12 males, age 13–81 years) with pHPT and negative localisation procedures such as ultrasound and sestamibi, a Met‐PET/CT was performed before parathyroid surgery. The results of Met‐PET/CT were analysed prospectively and compared with intraoperative and histopathological findings. 22% of the patients underwent previous parathyroid and/or thyroid surgery.

Results

Met‐PET/CT correctly located a single‐gland adenoma in 33 of 45 (73%) patients with pHPT. In 5 patients with multiglandular disease, Met‐PET/CT detected at least one hyperfunctional parathyroid gland in 4 patients (80%). In 3 patients with double adenomas, 5 of 6 parathyroids were correctly located. Overall, 40 of 57 (70%) hyperfunctioning glands were identified with Met‐PET/CT. Met‐PET/CT was false‐negative in 12 of 50 (24%) patients and false‐positive in only one case (2%). Postoperatively, 48 of 50 patients (96%) were cured.

Conclusions

Additional pre‐interventional imaging with Met‐PET/CT was able to identify hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands in 74% of patients with pHPT and negative sestamibi scans, thus enabling successful parathyroid surgery.
Optimization of industrial microorganisms: recent advances in synthetic dynamic regulators
Authors: Min Byung Eun , Hwang Hyun Gyu , Lim Hyun Gyu , Jung Gyoo Yeol
Published: November 2016

Production of biochemicals by industrial fermentation using microorganisms requires maintaining cellular production capacity, because maximal productivity is economically important. High-productivity microbial strains can be developed using static engineering, but these may not maintain maximal productivity throughout the culture period as culture conditions and cell states change dynamically. Additionally, economic reasons limit heterologous protein expression using inducible promoters to prevent metabolic burden for commodity chemical and biofuel production. Recently, synthetic and systems biology has been used to design genetic circuits, precisely controlling gene expression or influencing genetic behavior toward a desired phenotype. Development of dynamic regulators can maintain cellular phenotype in a maximum production state in response to factors including cell concentration, oxygen, temperature, pH, and metabolites. Herein, we introduce dynamic regulators of industrial microorganism optimization and discuss metabolic flux fine control by dynamic regulators in response to metabolites or extracellular stimuli, robust production systems, and auto-induction systems using quorum sensing.
Phospholipidomic Analysis Reveals Changes in Sphingomyelin and Lysophosphatidylcholine Profiles in Plasma from Patients with Neuroborreliosis
Authors: Łuczaj W. , Domingues P. , Domingues M. R. , Pancewicz S. , Skrzydlewska E.
Published: November 2016

In recent years, the number of patients suffering from Lyme Disease (LD) has significantly increased. The most dangerous manifestation of LD is neuroborreliosis associated with invasion of the central nervous system by Borrelia burgdorferi. Phospholipids (PL) and their metabolites are involved in inflammation, which plays a dominant, but still unclear, role in the pathogenesis of neuroborreliosis. We analyzed the plasma PL profiles of neuroborreliosis patients (n = 8) and healthy volunteers (n = 8) using a lipidomic approach. Significant increases in the lysophosphatidylcholines LysoPtdCho 16:0 and LysoPtdCho 18:2 were observed. The plasma of neuroborreliosis patients appeared to have an increased relative abundance of sphingomyelin CerPCho d18:1/24:1 and a decrease in CerPCho d18:0/18:0. Principal components analysis of the relative abundances of all PL class species distinguished between neuroborreliosis patients and healthy subjects. This is the first report comparing PL classes and their molecular species in neuroborreliosis patients and healthy subjects.
Development of a Japanese version of the SARC-F for diabetic patients: an examination of reliability and validity
Authors: Ida Satoshi , Murata Kazuya , Nakadachi Daiki , Ishihara Yuki , Imataka Kanako , Uchida Akihiro , Monguchi Kou , Kaneko Ryutaro , Fujiwara Ryoko , Takahashi Hiroka
Published: November 2016

Background

SARC-F is a 5-item, self-administered questionnaire developed to screen sarcopenia. To date, no Japanese version of the SARC-F has been developed.

Aims

To create a Japanese version of the SARC-F (SARC-F-J), a questionnaire for diabetic patients, and to investigate its reliability and validity.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. A Japanese translation of the SARC-F was created and revised, and the authors of the original version of the SARC-F verified the back-translation. The questionnaire was tested in diabetic outpatients aged ≥65 years who had received treatment at our hospital. After 14 weeks, the kappa coefficient was used to evaluate the retest reliability. Using the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People as the reference standard, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the SARC-F-J.

Results

The study comprised 207 patients (men, 60.8%; women, 39.2%). The kappa coefficient was 0.66. For men and women, the sensitivities were 14.6 and 33.3%, specificities were 85.8 and 72.4%, positive predictive values were 33.3 and 17.3%, and negative predictive values were 65.7 and 86.2%, respectively.

Discussion

The probability of identifying the condition is considered high when patients are diagnosed with sarcopenia using SARC-F-J.

Conclusions

The retest reliability of SARC-F-J was regarded to be good. When EWGSOP was assumed as a reference, the specificity of SARC-F-J was high. Because the sensitivity was low, patients with sarcopenia could not be screened, and hence, attention is needed.
The Persuasive Power of Advergames: A Content Analysis Focusing on Persuasive Mechanisms in Advergames
Authors: Roettl Johanna , Waiguny Martin , Terlutter Ralf
Published: November 2016

This paper's purpose is to analyze how persuasion mechanisms are applied in current advergames. The study's rationale is that brand position and integration, the autonomy of the brand message in the game and the game-goal–message-goal overlap, entertainment as well as word-of-mouth and social integration are essential persuasive mechanisms of advergames. A sample of 195 advergames was taken from several popular advergames sites and was analyzed by two independent coders for the identified persuasive mechanisms using a developed coding manual. The content analysis revealed that advergames in general apply all six persuasive mechanisms. Logos are shown and used more often than products. Additionally, results suggest a high autonomy of the message (e.g. most applied placement tactics displayed the logo and product name as well as showing corporate colors). Furthermore, a high congruence of logos and products with the game content was observed. The results reveal that more than a third of games were well liked and included several mechanisms to increase competition. Word-of-mouth and social aspects were integrated to a small extent. The results are useful for researchers, game developers and companies, as well as for gamers. Implications for consumer researchers as well as industry professionals are provided.
d-Cycloserine Addition to Exposure Sessions in the Treatment of Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: de Leeuw A.S. , van Megen H.J.G.M. , Kahn R.S. , Westenberg H.G.M.
Published: November 2016

Background

Preliminary studies have shown that the addition of the partial NMDA-agonist d-cycloserine (DCS) might be promising in enhancing the results of exposure therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We examined the effect of DCS addition to exposure therapy in a somewhat larger sample of OCD patients with special attention to subgroups, because of the heterogeneity of OCD.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial was conducted in 39 patients with OCD. Patients received 6 guided exposure sessions, once a week. One hour before each session 125 mg DCS or placebo was administered.

Results

Scores on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) declined more in the DCS group than in the placebo group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.076, partial η2 = 0.13). Response percentages also did not differ between the DCS and the placebo group (37% and 15% respectively). In the ‘cleaning/contamination’ subgroup a significant effect was found in favour of DCS (P = 0.033, partial η2 = 0.297).

Conclusions

The results of this study did not support the application of DCS to exposure therapy in OCD. Some specific aspects need further investigation: efficacy of DCS in a larger ‘cleaning/contamination’ (sub-)group, DCS addition only after successful sessions, interaction with antidepressants.
Epicardially placed implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator for a child with congenital long QT syndrome
Authors: Sugiyama Hirotaro , Tachibana Motomi , Morita Hiroshi , Nishii Nobuhiro , Miyoshi Akihito , Sugiyama Hiroyasu , Nakagawa Koji , Watanabe Atsuyuki , Nakamura Kazufumi , Ito Hiroshi
Published: November 2016

A 7‐year‐old boy presented at our hospital with syncope. At birth, electrocardiography had shown a long QT interval with torsade de pointes (TdP). Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) had been diagnosed by genetic testing, and was successfully controlled with oral propranolol. At age 7, TdP had recurred with syncope. Electrocardiography revealed a prominent long QT interval with T‐wave alternans. The propranolol dose was increased, but TdP remained uncontrolled. A cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) was implanted epicardially, and TdP completely resolved with atrial pacing. We report this rare case of ICD implantation in a child with LQTS.
Management of Severe Hemiballismus: Treatment Challenges in the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting: A Case Presentation
Authors: Hodde Michael , Rowe Kelly E. , Surapaneni Krishna , Terrigno Phillip , Brighenti Anthony , Altschuler Eric L.
Published: November 2016

We report a case of a patient with profound right‐sided hemiballismus resulting from an acute unilateral left thalamic lesion. The hemiballismus was significant and persistent, resulting in profound functional disability. We discuss the use of low‐dose haloperidol in conjunction with acute rehabilitation in the treatment of hemiballismus, resulting in decreased amplitude and frequency of adventitious movements and leading to substantial functional gains in our patient. To our knowledge, this is the first extensive report of successful rehabilitation of a patient with functionally disabling hemiballismus.

Level of Evidence

V
The Strengthening Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles in the Sitting Position: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Choi Young‐Ah , Lee Shi‐Uk
Published: November 2016

Background

Sedentary lifestyle, a prevalent finding in modern society, can lead to weakness of the lumbar trunk musculature. Electrical stimulation (ES), in addition to lumbar strengthening exercises, has been shown to increase muscle strength.

Objective

To assess the strengthening effect of ES on the lumbar paraspinal muscles during prolonged sitting.

Design

Randomized, controlled, single‐blind study.

Setting

Tertiary hospital.

Participants

Thirty healthy subjects without low back pain.

Methods

Thirty participants were randomly assigned to the ES group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). ES was administered over the lumbar paraspinal muscles, while subjects maintained a seated posture, at a maximal tolerable intensity for 60 minutes per day, three times per week, for 4 consecutive weeks. An identical protocol was used in the control group with muscle stimulation provided at the minimal sensory threshold intensity.

Main Outcome Measurements

The isokinetic strength of the lumbar paraspinal muscles was evaluated at baseline, 4 weeks after the initiation of ES, and 8 weeks after the initiation of ES with an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Dynamometer System−4) at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities.

Results

The extension and flexion peak torque at 60°/s showed no significant interaction between the time and intervention or between the interventions. However, after 4 weeks of ES in the sitting position, the isokinetic extensor trunk muscle strength measured at 120°/s angular velocity significantly increased in the ES group (P < .05) compared with that in the control group. This effect was not maintained when measured at 4 weeks after the cessation of ES.

Conclusions

ES in a sitting position is a potentially effective and accessible rehabilitation treatment, which can lead to short‐term improvement in the extensor trunk muscle strength of the lumbar paraspinal muscles.

Level of Evidence

I
Organized for Parliament? Explaining the Electoral Success of Radical Right Parties in Post-Communist Europe
Authors: Werkmann Caroline , Gherghina Sergiu
Published: November 2016

Over the last three decades a great deal of research has been carried out in an attempt to explain the electoral performance of radical right parties in Europe. Most approaches concentrate on demand-side determinants and have some limitations. We compensate for these shortcomings and focus on the context of party competition and supply-side determinants (consistency of ideological discourse, functioning party propaganda, the continuity of the leader in office and strong party organization) to explain the electoral success of radical right parties in post-communist Europe. We conducted our analysis at party level in nine radical right parties in four countries from Central and Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania) between 1990 and 2014. The bivariate and multivariate (ordinal logistic regression) analyses draw on unique data collected from primary and secondary sources.
Diet and habitat of mesomammals and megamammals from Cedral, San Luis Potosí, México
Authors: PÉREZ-CRESPO VÍCTOR ADRIÁN , ARROYO-CABRALES JOAQUÍN , MORALES-PUENTE PEDRO , CIENFUEGOS-ALVARADO EDITH , OTERO FRANCISCO J.
Published: November 2016

Using carbon and oxygen isotopic relationships from dental enamel, diet and habitat were inferred for both mesomammals and megamammals that lived in Cedral (San Luis Potosi, north-central México) during Late Pleistocene time. δ13C and δ18O values show that bison, some horses and mammoth were eating C4plants and lived in open areas, while tapir, camel and some llamas ate C3plants and inhabited closed areas. All other studied herbivores (pronghorn, glyptodont, mylodont ground sloth, javelina, mastodon, and other llamas, horses and mammoth) had a C3/C4mixed diet, living in areas with some percentage of tree coverage. On the other hand, American lion and dire wolf ate either C4or mixed-diet herbivores, and short-faced bear ate C3herbivores. At Cedral, more humid conditions existed than presently, allowing the presence of a forested area near the grassland.
Linking language and categorization in infancy
Authors: FERGUSON BROCK , WAXMAN SANDRA
Published: November 2016

Language exerts a powerful influence on our concepts. We review evidence documenting the developmental origins of a precocious link between language and object categories in very young infants. This collection of studies documents a cascading process in which early links between language and cognition provide the foundation for later, more precise ones. We propose that, early in life, language promotes categorization at least in part through its status as a social, communicative signal. But over the first year, infants home in on the referential power of language and, by their second year, begin teasing apart distinct kinds of names (e.g. nouns, adjectives) and their relation to distinct kinds of concepts (e.g. object categories, properties). To complement this proposal, we also relate this evidence to several alternative accounts of language's effect on categorization, appealing to similarity (‘labels-as-features’), familiarity (‘auditory overshadowing’), and communicative biases (‘natural pedagogy’).
Does physical exercise improve ADL capacities in people over 65 years with moderate or severe dementia hospitalized in an acute psychiatric setting? A multisite randomized clinical trial
Authors: Bürge Elisabeth , Berchtold André , Maupetit Christine , Bourquin Nathalie M.-P. , von Gunten Armin , Ducraux Daniel , Zumbach Serge , Peeters Anne , Kuhne Nicolas
Published: November 2016

Background:

Several studies on the effect of physical exercise on activities of daily living (ADL) for people with dementia exist; yet, data concerning the specific context of acute psychiatric hospitals remain scant. This study measured the effect of a physical exercise program on ADL scores in patients with moderate to severe dementia hospitalized in an acute psychiatric ward.

Methods:

A multicenter clinical trial was conducted in five Swiss and Belgian psychiatric hospitals. Participants were randomly allocated to either an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Members of the EG received 20 physical exercise sessions (strengthening, balance, and walking) over a four-week period while members of the CG participated in social interaction sessions of equivalent duration and frequency, but without physical exercise. The effect of exercise on ADL was measured by comparing scores of the Barthel Index and the Functional Independence Measure in the EG and CG before and after the intervention, and two weeks later.

Results:

Hundred and sixty patients completed the program. Characteristics of participants of both groups were similar at the inception of the study. The mean ADL score of EG decreased slightly over time, whereas that of the CG significantly decreased compared to initial scores. Overall differences between groups were not significant; however, significant differences were found for mobility-related items.

Conclusions:

ADL scores in elderly with moderate to severe dementia deteriorate during acute psychiatric hospitalization. An exercise program delays the loss of mobility but does not have a significant impact on overall ADL scores.
Extensive coronary and systemic arterial aneurysm development in severe refractory Kawasaki disease
Authors: Johnston Niall , Coleman David , McMahon Colin J.
Published: November 2016

We describe the case of an 8-week-old infant with late presentation of severe refractory atypical Kawasaki disease. In addition to developing giant coronary arterial aneurysms and coronary thrombosis, she formed extensive bilateral arterial aneurysms throughout her systemic circulation.
Truncus arteriosus versus tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia
Authors: Greenhouse David G. , Breitbart Roger E. , Baird Christopher W.
Published: November 2016

Truncus arteriosus and tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia may be difficult to differentiate prenatally. We present a case that, on newborn echocardiography, angiography, and intraoperative inspection, shared features of both diagnoses.
What is the role of conventional antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive episodes with Mixed Features Specifier?
Authors: Faedda Gianni L. , Marangoni Ciro
Published: November 2016

The newly introduced Mixed Features Specifier of Major Depressive Episode and Disorder (MDE/MDD) is especially challenging in terms of pharmacological management. Prior to the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, the symptoms of the mixed features specifier were intradepressive hypomanic symptoms, always and only associated with bipolar disorder (BD).

Intradepressive hypomanic symptoms, mostly referred to as depressive mixed states (DMX), have been poorly characterized, and their treatment offers significant challenges. To understand the diagnostic context of DMX, we trace the nosological changes and collocation of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms, and examine diagnostic and prognostic implications of such mixed features.

One of the reasons so little is known about the treatment of DMX is that depressed patients with rapid cycling, substance abuse disorder, and suicidal ideation/attempts are routinely excluded from clinical trials of antidepressants. The exclusion of DMX patients from clinical trials has prevented an assessment of the safety and tolerability of short- and long-term use of antidepressants. Therefore, the generalization of data obtained in clinical trials for unipolar depression to patients with intradepressive hypomanic features is inappropriate and methodologically flawed.

A selective review of the literature shows that antidepressants alone have limited efficacy in DMX, but they have the potential to induce, maintain, or worsen mixed features during depressive episodes in BD. On the other hand, preliminary evidence supports the effective use of some atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of DMX.
Demographic and lifestyle factors associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet in relation to overweight/obesity among Israeli adolescents: findings from the Mabat Israeli national youth health and nutrition survey
Authors: Peng Wen , Goldsmith Rebecca , Berry Elliot M
Published: November 2016

Objective

To investigate demographic and lifestyle factors associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in Israeli adolescents.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

School-based.

Subjects

Schoolchildren (n 5268) aged 11–19 years answered self-administered questionnaires on food consumption, eating habits and lifestyle; a subset (n 578) also completed 24 h food recalls.

Results

Using a modified KIDMED index, 25·5 % of the students had poor, 55·2 % had average and 19·3 % had good MD adherence. Jewish middle-school children had the highest proportion (28·2 %) of poor MD adherence. Olive oil usage, derived from 24 h food recalls, was 18·1 % in Jewish families v. 71·1 % in Arab homes. In Jewish boys, the odds (OR; 95 % CI) of having poor MD adherence was higher in those who watched television/videos/listened to music for ≥2 h/d (1·25; 0·98, 1·58) and those who sometimes/don’t read food labels (1·69; 1·31, 2·18). In Jewish girls, the odds for having poor MD adherence was significantly higher in those whose mother’s schooling was <12 years (2·06; 1·41, 3·00) and those who sometimes/don’t read food labels (1·35; 1·08, 1·69). In Arab boys, watching television/videos/listening to music for ≥2 h/d was significantly associated with poor MD adherence (1·89; 1·16, 3·07). In Arab girls, no aerobic activity or ball games weekly was associated with poor MD adherence (1·38; 0·91, 2·09).

Conclusions

Israeli adolescents had overall a high rate of poor MD adherence. Jewish middle-school children were at the highest risk. Interventions aimed at increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary time, improving mother’s education and promoting reading of food labels are recommended.
The effects of restaurant nutrition menu labelling on college students’ healthy eating behaviours
Authors: Roseman Mary G , Joung Hyun-Woo , Choi Eun-Kyong (Cindy) , Kim Hak-Seon
Published: November 2016

Objective

According to the US Affordable Care Act, restaurant chains are required to provide energy (calorie) and other nutrition information on their menu. The current study examined the impact of menu labelling containing calorie information and recommended daily calorie intake, along with subjective nutrition knowledge, on intention to select lower-calorie foods prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Design

Full factorial experimental design with participants exposed to four variants of a sample menu in a 2 (presence v. absence of calorie information) ×2 (presence v. absence of recommended daily calorie intake).

Setting

Large, public university in the Southwest USA.

Subjects

Primarily undergraduate college students.

Results

Majority of participants were 19–23 years of age (mean 21·8 (sd 3·6) years). Menu information about calorie content and respondents’ subjective nutrition knowledge had a significantly positive impact on students’ intention to select lower-calorie foods (β=0·24, P<0·001 and β=0·33, P<0·001, respectively); however, recommended daily calorie intake information on the menu board did not influence students’ intention to select lower-calorie foods (β=0·10, P=0·105). Gender played a significant role on purchase intent for lower-calorie menu items, with females more affected by the calorie information than males (β=0·37, P<0·001).

Conclusions

Findings support the role menu labelling can play in encouraging a healthier lifestyle for college students. College students who are Generation Y desire healthier menu options and accept nutritional labels on restaurant menus as a way to easily and expediently obtain nutrition information.
Rapidly cycling Lgr5+ stem cells are exquisitely sensitive to extrinsic dietary factors that modulate colon cancer risk
Authors: Kim Eunjoo , Davidson Laurie A , Zoh Roger S , Hensel Martha E , Salinas Michael L , Patil Bhimanagouda S , Jayaprakasha Guddadarangavvanahally K , Callaway Evelyn S , Allred Clinton D , Turner Nancy D , Weeks Brad R , Chapkin Robert S
Published: November 2016

The majority of colon tumors are driven by aberrant Wnt signaling in intestinal stem cells, which mediates an efficient route toward initiating intestinal cancer. Natural lipophilic polyphenols and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) generally suppress Wnt- and NF-κB- (nuclear factor-κ light-chain enhancer of activated B-cell) related pathways. However, the effects of these extrinsic agents on colonic leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5-positive (Lgr5+) stem cells, the cells of origin of colon cancer, have not been documented to date. Therefore, we examined the effect of n-3 PUFA and polyphenol (curcumin) combination on Lgr5+ stem cells during tumor initiation and progression in the colon compared with an n-6 PUFA-enriched control diet. Lgr5-EGFP-IRES-creERT2 knock-in mice were fed diets containing n-6 PUFA (control), n-3 PUFA, n-6 PUFA+curcumin or n-3 PUFA+curcumin for 3 weeks, followed by 6 azoxymethane (AOM) injections, and terminated 17 weeks after the last injection. To further elucidate the effects of the dietary bioactives at the tumor initiation stage, Lgr5+ stem cells were also assessed at 12 and 24 h post AOM injection. Only n-3 PUFA+curcumin feeding reduced nuclear β-catenin in aberrant crypt foci (by threefold) compared with control at the progression time point. n-3 PUFA+curcumin synergistically increased targeted apoptosis in DNA-damaged Lgr5+ stem cells by 4.5-fold compared with control at 12 h and maximally reduced damaged Lgr5+ stem cells at 24 h, down to the level observed in saline-treated mice. Finally, RNAseq analysis indicated that p53 signaling in Lgr5+ stem cells from mice exposed to AOM was uniquely upregulated only following n-3 PUFA+curcumin cotreatment. These novel findings demonstrate that Lgr5+ stem cells are uniquely responsive to external dietary cues following the induction of DNA damage, providing a therapeutic strategy for eliminating damaged Lgr5+ stem cells to reduce colon cancer initiation.
A link between adipogenesis and innate immunity: RNase-L promotes 3T3-L1 adipogenesis by destabilizing Pref-1 mRNA
Authors: Wang Yi-Ting , Chiang Hou-Hsien , Huang Ying-Shing , Hsu Chia-Lang , Yang Po-Jen , Juan Hsueh-Fen , Yang Wei-Shiung
Published: November 2016

Ribonuclease L (RNase-L) is an endoribonuclease well known for its roles in innate immunity. Recently it has been shown to regulate several cellular functions by modulating the levels of specific mRNAs. In this study, we investigated whether RNase-L may regulate adipocyte functions. We showed that knockdown of RNase-L reduced 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. After mRNA profiling, we found that upregulation of Pref-1 mRNA, an inhibitory regulator of adipogenesis, could explain the reduced adipocyte differentiation with RNase-L downregulation. The signaling molecules downstream to Pref-1, including focal adhesion kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinases and SRY-box 9, were activated by RNase-L suppression. The presence of Pref-1 mRNA was detected in the mRNP complexes precipitated by anti-RNase-L antibody. Moreover, the Pref-1 mRNA decay rate was raised by elevated RNase-L ribonuclease activity. Finally, in stable cell clones with RNase-L silencing, suppression of Pref-1 mRNA by specific siRNA partially recovered the adipocyte differentiation phenotype. Consistent with our findings, meta-analysis of 45 public array datasets from seven independent studies showed a significant negative relationship between RNase-L and Pref-1 mRNA levels in mouse adipose tissues. Higher RNase-L and lower Pref-1 mRNAs were found in the adipose tissues of high-fat diet mice compared to those of ND mice. In line with this, our animal data also showed that the adipose tissues of obese rats contained higher RNase-L and lower Pref-1 expression in comparison to that of lean rats. This study demonstrated that Pref-1 mRNA is a novel substrate of RNase-L. RNase-L is involved in adipocyte differentiation through destabilizing Pref-1 mRNA, thus offering a new link among RNA metabolism, innate immunity and adipogenesis in obesity progression.
The control of male fertility by spermatid-specific factors: searching for contraceptive targets from spermatozoon’s head to tail
Authors: Chen Su-Ren , Batool Aalia , Wang Yu-Qian , Hao Xiao-Xia , Chang Chawn-Shang , Cheng C Yan , Liu Yi-Xun
Published: November 2016

Male infertility due to abnormal spermatozoa has been reported in both animals and humans, but its pathogenic causes, including genetic abnormalities, remain largely unknown. On the other hand, contraceptive options for men are limited, and a specific, reversible and safe method of male contraception has been a long-standing quest in medicine. Some progress has recently been made in exploring the effects of spermatid-specifical genetic factors in controlling male fertility. A comprehensive search of PubMed for articles and reviews published in English before July 2016 was carried out using the search terms ‘spermiogenesis failure’, ‘globozoospermia’, ‘spermatid-specific’, ‘acrosome’, ‘infertile’, ‘manchette’, ‘sperm connecting piece’, ‘sperm annulus’, ‘sperm ADAMs’, ‘flagellar abnormalities’, ‘sperm motility loss’, ‘sperm ion exchanger’ and ‘contraceptive targets’. Importantly, we have opted to focus on articles regarding spermatid-specific factors. Genetic studies to define the structure and physiology of sperm have shown that spermatozoa appear to be one of the most promising contraceptive targets. Here we summarize how these spermatid-specific factors regulate spermiogenesis and categorize them according to their localization and function from spermatid head to tail (e.g., acrosome, manchette, head-tail conjunction, annulus, principal piece of tail). In addition, we emphatically introduce small-molecule contraceptives, such as BRDT and PPP3CC/PPP3R2, which are currently being developed to target spermatogenic-specific proteins. We suggest that blocking the differentiation of haploid germ cells, which rarely affects early spermatogenic cell types and the testicular microenvironment, is a better choice than spermatogenic-specific proteins. The studies described here provide valuable information regarding the genetic and molecular defects causing male mouse infertility to improve our understanding of the importance of spermatid-specific factors in controlling fertility. Although a male contraceptive ‘pill’ is still many years away, research into the production of new small-molecule contraceptives targeting spermatid-specific proteins is the right avenue.