bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scope of policy convergence approach to freshwater management in rural Jharkhand
Authors: Sanga Nafisa Priti , Ranjan Rajeev Kumar
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study Indian aspects of policy convergence in the context of budgetary linkage of two nationalized flagship programs – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP). Therefore, in lieu of inter-departmental convergences; issues related to water resource development of Jharkhand’s (India) rain-fed areas were addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

– Centered on policy convergence strategy, present study applied comprehensive review and analysis approach for formulation of research base. A conceptual framework was thus designed for analytical purposes and therefore advancing toward conjectural knowledge base.

Findings

– Application of inter-departmental policy convergence strategy suggested ample opportunities for optimal water resource development. Presence of abundant wage labor, rich indigenous water management techniques, tested replicable models, under-harvested rainwater potential, etc., appeared as catalysts of policy convergence. Yet, State’s lack of inter-departmental coordination and grass-root institutional framework will continually challenge policy convergences in absence of good governance.

Originality/value

– An initiative of Indian government; MGNREGA has received international attention due to its wider coverage including natural resource management, besides guaranteed wage employment. Targeted at freshwater management discourse of Jharkhand; present paper reviewed prospective inter-departmental policy convergence strategy within various arena of MGNREGA, by exploring associated scopes and challenges. Similarly for cost effectiveness, related to maintenance and lift-irrigation demands of rain-fed area development; the present study suggested optimum utilization of inter-departmental funding linkages for development of sustainable water resources.
Clues to diagnosis for unusual mucosal pemphigus demonstrating undetectable anti‐desmoglein 3 serum antibodies by routine tests
Authors: Kamiya Koji , Aoyama Yumi , Yamaguchi Mari , Ukida Aya , Mizuno‐Ikeda Kazuko , Fujii Kazuyasu , Hamada Toshihisa , Tokura Yoshiki , Iwatsuki Keiji
Published: April 2015

Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease caused by immunoglobulin (Ig)G autoantibodies against desmogleins (Dsg). In mucosal‐dominant pemphigus vulgaris (PV), anti‐Dsg3 antibodies play a critical role in acantholysis. We followed two mucosal‐dominant PV cases who suffered from refractory oral mucosal erosions. In these cases, anti‐Dsg3 serum antibodies were not detected by indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, direct immunofluorescence showed the intercellular IgG deposition in the epidermis and histopathological findings revealed suprabasal acantholysis. In order to analyze the pathomechanisms in these cases, we first examined the Dsg3 expression patterns in lesional sites and compared them with those of typical mucosal‐dominant PV cases. In typical PV cases, the alteration of Dsg3 distribution was observed in lesional sites by immunostaining. The aggregation of Dsg3, which is the characteristic change in PV mucosal lesions, was observed as the initial change prior to acantholysis. In our cases, a clustering of Dsg3 was observed at mucosal lesions, and the expression levels of Dsg3 in acantholytic lesions were decreased, as observed in typical mucosal‐dominant PV cases. Although anti‐Dsg3 serum antibodies could not be detected by routine tests, anti‐Dsg3 serum antibodies were detected by Dsg3 ELISA using 10‐times more concentrated sera (highly sensitive ELISA). Moreover, purified and concentrated PV IgG showed high pathogenicity when examined by dissociation assay. In conclusion, the detection of morphological changes in Dsg3 distribution and highly sensitive ELISA method could be useful for the early diagnosis of PV recurrence.
Constituency Campaigning and Canvassing for Support at the 2011 National Assembly of Wales Election
Authors: Johnston Ron , Pattie Charles , Scully Roger , Cutts David
Published: April 2015

An increasing volume of research has suggested the efficacy of get-out-the-vote campaigns in the UK: having identified its potential supporters, a party then contacts them to encourage them to turn out on election day, and those contacted are more likely to reward the party by voting for it than are those not contacted. This article illustrates these findings with data from the 2011 Welsh Election Study. Each of the four main parties concentrated its attention on those who voted for it at the previous contest in 2007; those contacted – especially those contacted via media other than leaflets – were more likely to vote for the party again in 2011 than those who were not contacted.
A Rare Case of an Intact Bone Plug Associated with a Gunshot Exit Wound
Authors: Bird Cate E. , Fleischman Julie M.
Published: April 2015

This case study presents an unusual manifestation of gunshot trauma in skeletal tissue from a post‐World War II human rights abuse sample uncovered in Vilnius, Lithuania. After briefly reviewing the typical wound appearance of projectile trauma in the cranium, we discuss the presence of an intact bone plug associated with a gunshot exit wound in an individual from the Tuskulenai Case. While this individual demonstrated typical gunshot entry and exit wounds to the cranium consistent with high‐velocity trauma, the bone plug indicates that the projectile likely lost much of its kinetic energy while traveling through the cranium resulting in a low‐velocity impact at the exit site. This study reviews a similar instance of a bone plug recovered from a bioarcheological sample in Peru and emphasizes the importance of thorough archeological excavations of mass graves.
Longitudinal study of acute haematologic toxicity in cervical cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Zhu He , Zakeri Kaveh , Vaida Florin , Carmona Ruben , Dadachanji Kaivan K , Bair Ryan , Aydogan Bulent , Hasan Yasmin , Yashar Catheryn M , Mell Loren K
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Acute hematologic toxicity (HT) limits optimal delivery of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with pelvic malignancies. We tested the hypothesis that pelvic bone marrow (PBM) dose‐volume metrics were associated with weekly reductions in peripheral blood cell counts in cervical cancer patients undergoing CRT.

Methods

We included 102 cervical cancer patients treated with concurrent cisplatin (40 mg/m2/week) and pelvic radiotherapy treated at three US centres. No patient received granulocyte‐monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) or platelet transfusions. Using linear‐mixed effects modelling, we analysed weekly reductions in log‐transformed peripheral blood cell counts as a function of time (weeks), mean PBM dose and the PBM volume receiving ≥10 Gy (V10), 20 Gy (V20), 30 Gy (V30) and 40 Gy (V40).

Results

Increases in mean PBM radiation dose, V20, V30 and V40 were all significantly associated with a greater weekly reduction in white blood cell (WBC) and absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs). We estimated that with every 1 Gy increase in mean PBM dose, ln(ANC) was reduced by 9.6/μL per week (95% confidence interval, 1.9–17.3, P = 0.015). Subregion analysis also identified significant associations between weekly reductions in ln(WBC) and ln(ANC) within lumbosacral spine, ischium and proximal femora, as opposed to ilium.

Conclusions

PBM radiation dose‐volume metrics are significantly associated with weekly reductions in peripheral blood cell counts in cervical cancer patients undergoing CRT, particularly within the lower pelvis and lumbosacral spine.
Steady‐State Metabolism of Ethanol in Perfused Rat Livers Treated with Cyanamide: Quantitative Analysis of Acetaldehyde Effects on the Metabolic Flux Rates
Authors: Yao Chung‐Tay , Lai Ching‐Long , Yin Shih‐Jiun
Published: April 2015

Background

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) are principal enzymes responsible for metabolism of ethanol in mammals. The steady‐state metabolic flux of ethanol has been poorly understood.

Methods

We investigated flux rates of the individual steps of ethanol metabolism in perfused rat livers treated with ALDH inactivator cyanamide as an attempt to mimic human ALDH2 deficiency commonly seen in East Asians. The net rates of ethanol oxidation, acetaldehyde oxidation, and acetate activation were determined with a set of defined equations, based on the set influx rates of ethanol and the measured efflux rates of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and acetate.

Results

After intraperitoneal injections of 0.2 and 1.5 mg/kg cyanamide, hepatic activities of mitochondrial ALDH2 and cytoplasmic ALDH1A1 decreased to a similar degree, that is, 51 to 57% and 69 to 74%, compared with the corresponding controls, respectively, whereas cytoplasmic ADH1 activity remained unchanged. At infusing 2 mM ethanol, acetaldehyde oxidation rate well matched (99%) the net ethanol oxidation rate in control liver. Both the ethanol and acetaldehyde oxidation rates were significantly decreased after cyanamide treatments. At 10 mM ethanol, the efflux acetaldehyde was significantly higher than that infusing 2 mM ethanol in both control and cyanamide groups. Seventy‐eight percent of the oxidized ethanol released as efflux acetate. At 2 mM ethanol, the apparent flux control coefficients of ADH1 were assessed to be 0.78, 0.54, and 0.39, respectively, in control, low, and high cyanamide‐treated livers. Kinetic simulations revealed that inhibition by acetaldehyde may largely account for the observed reduction of ADH1 oxidation rates after cyanamide treatment.

Conclusions

Our results provide the first flux evidence that ADH and ALDH are steps influencing steady‐state metabolism of ethanol in rat livers with inactivated ALDHs.
Development and evaluation of a sublingual tablet based on recombinant Bet v 1 in birch pollen‐allergic patients
Authors: Nony E. , Bouley J. , Le Mignon M. , Lemoine P. , Jain K. , Horiot S. , Mascarell L. , Pallardy M. , Vincentelli R. , Leone P. , Roussel A. , Batard T. , Abiteboul K. , Robin B. , de Beaumont O. , Arvidsson M. , Rak S. , Moingeon P.
Published: April 2015

Background

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) applied to type I respiratory allergies is commonly performed with natural allergen extracts. Herein, we developed a sublingual tablet made of pharmaceutical‐grade recombinant Bet v 1.0101 (rBet v 1) and investigated its clinical safety and efficacy in birch pollen (BP)‐allergic patients.

Methods

Following expression in Escherichia coli and purification, rBet v 1 was characterized using chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, circular dichroism, mass spectrometry and crystallography. Safety and efficacy of rBet v 1 formulated as a sublingual tablet were assessed in a multicentre, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study conducted in 483 patients with BP‐induced rhinoconjunctivitis.

Results

In‐depth characterization confirmed the intact product structure and high purity of GMP‐grade rBet v 1. The crystal structure resolved at 1.2 Å documented the natural conformation of the molecule. Native or oxidized forms of rBet v 1 did not induce the production of any proinflammatory cytokine by blood dendritic cells or mononuclear cells. Bet v 1 tablets were well tolerated by patients, consistent with the known safety profile of SLIT. The average adjusted symptom scores were significantly decreased relative to placebo in patients receiving once daily for 5 months rBet v 1 tablets, with a mean difference of 17.0–17.7% relative to the group treated with placebo (P < 0.025), without any influence of the dose in the range (12.5–50 μg) tested.

Conclusion

Recombinant Bet v 1 has been produced as a well‐characterized pharmaceutical‐grade biological drug. Sublingual administration of rBet v 1 tablets is safe and efficacious in patients with BP allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Effect of magnesium sulphate on sugammadex reversal time for neuromuscular blockade: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Germano Filho P. A. , Cavalcanti I. L. , Barrucand L. , Verçosa N.
Published: April 2015

Magnesium potentiates neuromuscular blockade. Sugammadex reverses rocuronium‐induced blockade. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pre‐treatment with magnesium sulphate on sugammadex reversal time for neuromuscular blockade. Seventy‐three patients were randomly assigned to receive magnesium sulphate (40 mg.kg−1) or saline intravenously. After anaesthetic induction, continuous train‐of‐four monitoring was performed and rocuronium was administered (0.6 mg.kg−1). When a second twitch appeared, the patients received sugammadex (2 mg.kg−1). The median (IQR [range]) reversal time of moderate neuromuscular blockade to a train‐of‐four ratio of 0.9 facilitated by sugammadex was 115 (93−177.5 [68−315]) s in the magnesium group and 120 (105−140 [70−298]) s in the saline group (p = 0.79). The median (IQR [range]) clinical duration was 45 (35.5−53 [22−102]) min in the magnesium group and 37 (31−43 [19−73]) min in the saline group (p = 0.031). Pre‐treatment with magnesium did not significantly affect sugammadex reversal time of moderate neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium.
A cross‐sectional study of bleeding phenotype in haemophilia A carriers
Authors: Paroskie Allison , Gailani Dave , DeBaun Michael R. , Sidonio Robert F.
Published: April 2015

Haemophilia A carriers have historically been thought to exhibit normal haemostasis. However, recent data demonstrates that, despite normal factor VIII (FVIII), haemophilia A carriers demonstrate an increased bleeding tendency. We tested the hypothesis that obligate haemophilia carriers exhibit an increase in clinically relevant bleeding. A cross‐sectional study was performed comparing haemophilia A carriers to normal women. Questionnaire assessment included a general bleeding questionnaire, condensed MCMDM‐1VWD bleeding assessment tool and Pictorial Bleeding Assessment Chart (PBAC). Laboratory assessment included complete blood count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen activity, FVIII activity (FVIII:C), von Willebrand factor antigen level, ristocetin cofactor, platelet function analyser‐100TM and ABO blood type. Forty‐four haemophilia A carriers and 43 controls were included. Demographic features were similar. Laboratory results demonstrated a statistically significant difference only in FVIII:C (82·5 vs. 134%, P < 0·001). Carriers reported a higher number of bleeding events, and both condensed MCMDM‐1 VWD bleeding scores (5 vs. 1, P < 0·001) and PBAC scores (423 vs. 182·5, P = 0·018) were significantly higher in carriers. Haemophilia A carriers exhibit increased bleeding symptoms when compared to normal women. Further studies are necessary to fully understand the bleeding phenotype in this population and optimize clinical management.
Gender differences in symptoms of hypothyroidism: a population‐based DanThyr study
Authors: Carlé Allan , Bülow Pedersen Inge , Knudsen Nils , Perrild Hans , Ovesen Lars , Laurberg Peter
Published: April 2015

Objectives

We examined the gender‐specific symptom prevalences in hypothyroidism and in healthy controls and explored the extent to which symptoms indicative of thyroid status may be different in women and men.

Design and Methods

Patients newly diagnosed with overt autoimmune hypothyroidism (n = 140) and controls free of thyroid disease (n = 560) recruited from the same population participated in a population‐based study of The Danish Investigation of Iodine Intake and Thyroid Diseases (DanThyr). Participants underwent a comprehensive programme including blood tests and completion of questionnaires. The gender‐specific distribution of 13 hypothyroidism‐associated symptoms and a simple combined score (0–13) was explored in conditional uni‐ and multivariate models taking into account a broad spectrum of possible confounders. Diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) were calculated as measures for the association between participant status (case vs control) and presence of symptoms (yes vs no).

Results

In overt autoimmune hypothyroidism, 94·9% of women and 91·3% of men (P = 0·62) reported at least one of the hypothyroidism‐associated symptoms, with tiredness as the most common symptom followed by dry skin and shortness of breath. In contrast, women free of thyroid disease self‐reported at least one hypothyroidism‐associated symptom considerably more often than men (73·7% vs 51·1%, P < 0·001). DORs (±SEM) for 0–1/2–3/4–13 symptoms were 0·07 (0·04–0·10)/2·15 (1·57–2·94)/7·99 (6·15–10·4) in men and 0·21 (0·16–0·28)/0·62 (0·58–0·66)/1·99 (1·90–2·09) in women.

Conclusion

The presence of symptoms is more indicative for overt autoimmune hypothyroidism in men than in women, and presumably persistent symptoms after therapy of hypothyroidism will be more common in women.
Maxillary Three‐Implant Overdentures Opposing Mandibular Two‐Implant Overdentures: 10‐Year Surgical Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ma Sunyoung , Tawse‐Smith Andrew , De Silva Rohana K. , Atieh Momen A. , Alsabeeha Nabeel H. M. , Payne Alan G. T.
Published: April 2015

Background

The surgical placement of four maxillary implants for overdentures may not be obligatory when opposing mandibular two‐implant overdentures.

Purpose

To determine 10‐year surgical outcomes and implant success of three narrow diameter implants in edentulous maxillae with conventional loading.

Materials and Methods

Forty participants with mandibular two‐implant overdentures were randomly allocated for surgery for maxillary overdentures. Using osteotomes, three implants of similar systems were placed with a one‐stage procedure and 12‐week loading with splinted and unsplinted prosthodontic designs. Marginal bone and stability measurements were done at surgery, 12 weeks, 1‐, 2‐, 5‐, 7‐, 10 years.

Results

One hundred seventeen implants were placed in 39 participants, with 35 being seen at 1 year; 29 at 2 years; 28 at 5 years; 26 at 7 years; and 23 (59%) at 10 years. Marginal bone loss was 1.35 mm between surgery and 12 weeks; 0.36 mm between 12 weeks and 1 year; 0.48 mm between 1 and 5 years; and 0.22 mm between 5 and 10 years. Implant stability quotients were 56.05, 57.54, 60.88, 58.80, 61.17 at surgery, 12 weeks, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years. Four‐field tables by implant showed success rates of 82% at 1 year; 69.2% at 2 years; 66.7% at 5 years; 61.5% at 7 years; 51.3% at 10 years. Data showed no differences between surgical technique, systems, or prosthodontic designs.

Conclusions

Surgical placement with osteotomes of three narrow diameter implants for maxillary overdentures, opposing mandibular two‐implant overdentures, is an acceptable approach, subject to strict patient selection. Implant success is independent of prosthodontic design.
Phylogeny of Molossidae Gervais (Mammalia: Chiroptera) inferred by morphological data
Authors: Gregorin Renato , Cirranello Andrea
Published: April 2015

Molossidae is a large (roughly 100 species) pantropically distributed clade of swift aerially insectivorous bats for which the phylogeny remains relatively unknown and little studied compared with other speciose groups of bats. We investigated phylogenetic relationships among 62 species, representing all extant molossid genera and most of the subgenera, using 102 morphological characters from the skull, dentition, postcrania, external morphology, tongue, and penis, based on direct observation and literature reports. Both parsimony and Bayesian analyses were used in phylogenetic reconstruction. Our analysis supports two main clades of molossids, both of which mingle Old World and New World taxa. One clade is comprised of Mormopterus,Platymops, Sauromys, Neoplatymops, Molossops, Cynomops, Cheiromeles, Molossus, and Promops. The other clade includes Tadarida, Otomops, Nyctinomops, Eumops, Chaerephon, and Mops. The position of Myopterus with respect to these two groups is unclear. As in other recent analyses, we find that several genera do not appear to be monophyletic (e.g. Tadarida, Chaerephon, and Molossops sensu lato). We recommend that the subgenera of Molossops sensu lato and Austronomus be recognized at the generic level. We conclude that much more data are needed to investigate lower level problems (generic monophyly and relationships within genera) and to resolve the higher‐level branching pattern of the family.
Osseoinductive elements for promoting osseointegration around immediate implants: a pilot study in the foxhound dog
Authors: Salomó‐Coll O. , Maté‐Sánchez de Val J. E. , Ramírez‐Fernández M. P. , Satorres‐Nieto M. , Gargallo‐Albiol J. , Calvo‐Guirado J. L.
Published: April 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical applications of melatonin over implant surfaces placed immediately after extraction by means of histological and histomorphometric analysis of peri‐implant tissues.

Material and methods

Six American foxhound dogs were used in the study; mandibular premolar distal roots were extracted. Thirty‐six immediate conical implants were randomly assigned to the distal site on each site of the mandible in three groups: (Group CI) 12 titanium implants alone; (Group MI) 12 titanium implants supplemented with melatonin; and (Group DI) 12 titanium implants supplemented with vitamin D (DI). Prior to implanting test, implants (MI) were submerged in melatonin 5% solution, and implants from (DI) group were submerged in vitamin D 10% solution. No treatment was applied at control implants. After 12 weeks, animals were sacrificed. Block sections were obtained and processed for mineralized ground sectioning. Bone‐to‐implant contact (total BIC), new bone formation (NBF), inter‐thread bone (ITB) and histological linear measurements (HLM) were analyzed.

Results

At 12 weeks, all implants were clinically stable and histologically osseointegrated. Total BIC values were 48.36 ± 7.45* for the MI group and 44.82 ± 10.98 for the CI group (P = 0.035) with statistically significant difference between groups. BIC% were 41.36 ± 3.93 for MI and 41.34 ± 9.26 for CI (P > 0.05). Inter‐thread bone formation values were MI 15.99 ± 2.43* and CI 14.79 ± 3.62 (P = 0.03), MI showing significantly better results. No statistically significant differences in peri‐implant new bone formation could be found between the two groups: MI 25.37 ± 2.32, CI 26.55 ± 7.75 (P > 0.05). Linear measurements showed that the MI group showed significantly less lingual crestal bone loss (CBL) (MI 0.52 ± 0.74*, CI 0.92 ± 1.98) (P = 0.045) and less lingual peri‐implant mucosa (PIM) (MI 3.13 ± 1.41*, CI 3.71 ± 1.81) (P = 0.042). No significant differences were observed in the buccal aspect.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this animal study, the topical application of melatonin improved bone formation around immediate implants and reduced lingual bone and lingual peri‐implant mucosa, after 12 weeks of osseointegration.
Gender differences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with manifestations on HRCT
Authors: Gu ShuYi , Deng XiaoJun , Li QingYun , Sun XianWen , Xu JinFu , Li HuiPing
Published: April 2015

Background and Aims

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been shown to have significant gender differences in terms of susceptibility, severity and response to therapy. We hypothesized that this was due to differences in functional and pathologic changes in the airway, which can be revealed by high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in addition to pulmonary function test (PFT).

Methods

A total of 84 patients with COPD were enrolled in the study. Within 1 week of enrollment, a history of each patient's current illness was obtained. PFT and chest HRCT scan were performed.

Results

The patients were classified as phenotype A, E and M based on the chest HRCT presentations. No significant gender differences were found in COPD severity (χ2 = 4.993, P = 0.172). Male patients have more smoking history and smaller average age compared with female patients. Female patients showed a significantly higher FEV1/FVC, lower inspiratory capacity and milder residual volume/total lung capacity than that of male patients. Based on the HRCT results, more males were classified as phenotype M, whereas females tended to be phenotype A. Males had a greater grade of low attenuation areas and were more likely to show evidence of emphysema on a HRCT scan than females (χ2 = 15.373, P = 0.001), whereas females had less airway wall thickening than males, although this change had no statistical significance. (χ2 = 0.163, P = 0.922).

Conclusion

Gender differences of COPD patients were seen in ages of onset, smoking history, and PFT and HRCT presentations. The use of HRCT imaging indicates that there are significant gender differences in the clinical manifestations of COPD.
Bronchial fibroepithelial polyp: a clinico‐radiologic, bronchoscopic, histopathological and in‐situ hybridisation study of 15 cases of a poorly recognised lesion
Authors: Casalini Eleonora , Cavazza Alberto , Andreani Alessandro , Marchioni Alessandro , Montanari Gloria , Cappiello Francesca Gaia , Mengoli Maria Cecilia , Corradini Paolo , Agostini Lorenzo , Serini Roberto , Rossi Giulio
Published: April 2015

Background and Aims

Bronchial fibroepithelial polyp is an uncommon, poorly recognised lesion, lacking clear diagnostic criteria at histology, but possibly mimicking neoplastic growth on clinico‐radiologic and histopathological grounds. The aim of this study was to define the clinico‐pathological features, bronchoscopic appearance and treatment of bronchial fibroepithelial polyp.

Methods

We collected the largest series of bronchial fibroepithelial polyps (15 consecutive cases), including clinico‐pathological, bronchoscopic, radiologic and histological features.

Results

Overall, there were 13 males and 2 females, with a mean age of 68 years at diagnosis. Eight patients were asymptomatic, whereas four presented with haemoptysis, two with fever, cough and pneumonia‐like opacity, and one with dry recurrent cough. Mean size of the lesion was 6.5 mm (range, 2–20 mm) without any prevalence for segmental bronchi. Lesions larger than 10 mm were always symptomatic and visible at computed tomography scans. At bronchoscopy, the lesion appeared as a firm endobronchial nodule with hard consistency and glistening, whitish, smooth surface. A multilobulated and sepimentated surface was observed in the largest polyps. Whatever the size, histological features were quite similar in all cases, consisting in a polypoid lesion with a dense, collagenous, hypocellular stroma with some thin‐walled, ectatic vessels and a regular respiratory mucosa on surface. In‐situ hybridisation with human papillomavirus probe was negative in all the eight tested cases.

Conclusion

Despite the benign behaviour of bronchial fibroepithelial polyps, it is important to fix some robust diagnostic criteria in order to avoid misdiagnoses leading to unnecessary aggressive treatment. Differential diagnosis mainly includes inflammatory polyps, hamartomas and papillomas.
Adherence to a pedometer‐based physical activity intervention following kidney transplant and impact on metabolic parameters
Authors: Lorenz Elizabeth C. , Amer Hatem , Dean Patrick G. , Stegall Mark D. , Cosio Fernando G. , Cheville Andrea L.
Published: April 2015

The majority of kidney transplant recipients die from cardiovascular events. Physical activity may be a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease following transplant. The goal of our study was to examine adherence to a physical activity intervention following kidney transplant and its impact on metabolic parameters. All patients who received a kidney transplant at our center between 12/2010 and 12/2011 received usual care (n = 162), while patients transplanted between 12/2011 and 1/2013 received a 90‐day pedometer‐based physical activity intervention (n = 145). Metabolic parameters were assessed at four and 12 months post‐transplant. Baseline demographics and clinical management were similar between cohorts. Adherence to the prescription was 36.5%. Patients in the physical activity cohort had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure four months post‐transplant compared to the usual care cohort (122 ± 18 vs. 126 ± 16 mmHg, p = 0.049 and 73 ± 10 vs. 77 ± 9, p = 0.004) and less impaired fasting glucose (20.7% vs. 30.9%, p = 0.04). Twelve‐month outcomes were not different between cohorts. Over one‐third of our cohort adhered to a pedometer‐based physical activity intervention following kidney transplant, and the intervention was associated with improved metabolic parameters. Further study of post‐transplant exercise interventions and methods to optimize long‐term adherence are needed.
Verification of chicken Nanog as an epiblast marker and identification of chicken PouV as Pou5f3 by newly raised antibodies
Authors: Nakanoh Shota , Fuse Naoyuki , Takahashi Yoshiko , Agata Kiyokazu
Published: April 2015

Pluripotency is an important feature of early embryonic cells of multicellular organisms. Recent advances in stem cell research have shown that Nanog and Pou5f1 (Oct3/4) play important roles in mammalian pluripotency. However, whether these molecules exert conserved functions in other species remains unknown. Although the epiblast of the early chicken embryo would provide a useful experimental model, a lack of antibodies against chicken Nanog (cNanog) and chicken PouV/Pou5f3 (cPouV) proteins has hampered intensive investigation. Here we report newly raised polyclonal antibodies that specifically recognize cNanog and cPouV proteins. The specificity and sensitivity of the antibodies were validated by both western blotting and immunostaining with transfected 293T cells and chicken embryonic tissues. Immunohistochemistry using these antibodies revealed that cNanog protein was specifically localized in epiblastic cells and germ cells. In contrast, cPouV expression was seen almost ubiquitously. We also found that chicken epiblast‐derived colony‐forming cells that morphologically resemble mouse embryonic stem cells were cNanog‐positive, implying that these colony‐forming cells possess pluripotency. The anti‐cPouV antibody further enabled us to identify a previously unknown region at the N‐terminus of the cPouV protein containing a characteristic motif that is absent in mammalian Pou5f1. Thus, the antibodies raised in this study are useful tools for studying the functions of cNanog and cPouV at the protein level and the molecular mechanisms of chicken pluripotency.
Roads and Diversification of Activities in Rural Areas: A Cameroon Case Study
Authors: Castaing Gachassin Marie , Najman Boris , Raballand Gaël
Published: April 2015

This article uses the 2001 Cameroon National Household Survey (ECAM II) to analyse how road access affects labour activities. It shows that one‐size‐fits‐all road investments are irrelevant because the effects of roads are neither systematic nor uniform: the impacts of isolation on household well‐being through labour‐market opportunities are heterogeneous and depend on local characteristics. In view of the diversification of activities in household strategy, it finds that better road access increases the number of activities within those households that are most isolated.
The relationship between renal volume and histology in obese and nonobese kidney donors
Authors: Tatar Erhan , Sen Sait , Harman Mustafa , Kircelli Fatih , Gungor Ozkan , Sarsik Banu , Asci Gulay , Hoscoskun Cuneyt , Basci Ali , Toz Huseyin
Published: April 2015

Background

Obesity and related kidney diseases have become a global epidemic problem. However, the underlying pathogenesis of obesity‐related renal diseases has not been clearly understood. In this study, we explored the link between renal volume (RV) determined by computed tomography (CT) and renal histology together with functional parameters in an obese population.

Materials and methods

Eighty‐two kidney donors who underwent CT for the measurement of kidney volume and zero‐hour renal biopsy for renal histology were included in this cross‐sectional study. Protein creatinine clearance and eGFR were evaluated in 24‐h urine specimens as indicators of renal function.

Results

Mean body mass index (BMI) was 28 ± 4·2 kg/m2; 32·9% (n = 27) were obese. Mean RV was 196 ± 36 cm3. RV was positively correlated with BMI, body surface area and creatinine clearance and negatively with HDL‐cholesterol in the whole population. Renal function parameters of obese subjects were better, and their renal volumes were higher compared with the nonobese subjects. In obese subjects, corrected RV was positively correlated with glomerular filtration rate (r = 0·46, P = 0·01) and negatively with sclerotic glomeruli (r = −0·38, P = 0·04) and chronicity index (r = −0·43, P = 0·02). In adjusted ordinal logistic regression analysis, corrected RV was significantly associated with chronicity index (OR: 0·96; P = 0·01).

Conclusions

In obese cases, decreased RV determined by CT is associated with worse renal histology. In this population, kidney imaging techniques may provide important clues about renal survival.
ENiRG: R‐GRASS interface for efficiently characterizing the ecological niche of species and predicting habitat suitability
Authors: Cánovas F. , Magliozzi C. , Mestre F. , Palazón J. A. , González‐Wangüemert M.
Published: April 2015

At the base of species distribution modelling is the ecological niche concept, which describes species' response to distribution of resources. The ecological niche factor analysis, which is implemented in ENiRG, allows to reconstruct species' niche from a set of environmental variables, describing the suitability of the habitat where species occurs. ENiRG overcomes the inefficient management of large volumes of spatial information from wide study areas, high resolution or high number of environmental descriptors. This package also offers the possibility of habitat suitability classification, projection of distributions under different past or future climate scenarios and a GUI to access the functionalities.
Fire may mediate effects of landscape connectivity on plant community richness in prairie remnants
Authors: Alstad Amy O. , Damschen Ellen I.
Published: April 2015

Following the predictions of island biogeography and metapopulation theory, efforts to understand and maintain plant communities have focused on spatial attributes such as patch size and connectivity. However, despite a large body of literature, the effects of these spatial attributes remain uncertain, and accumulating evidence suggests that they may interact with local patch characteristics. Here, we assess the role of spatial attributes (patch size and connectivity at two time periods) and of patch quality (indicated by number of years since last fire, as this is a fire‐dependent system) in determining plant species richness at 63 remnant prairie sites in Wisconsin, USA. Our results demonstrate significant main effects of patch size, with larger patches being richer than small patches, and of fire, with recent‐fire sites being richer than fire‐excluded sites. We also report a novel interaction between number of years since fire and patch connectivity. Historical (1950) connectivity was negatively related to species richness at recent‐fire sites, but positively related to species richness at fire‐excluded sites, while current (2000) connectivity and species richness were positively correlated at recent‐fire sites, but unrelated at fire‐excluded sites. Our findings indicate that measures of patch quality such as time since last fire can alter the association between spatial attributes such as patch size or connectivity and species richness.
Diagnosing desmitis of the origin of the suspensory ligament
Authors: Meehan L. , Labens R.
Published: April 2015

Desmitis of the origin of the suspensory ligament is a common injury of sport horses; however, it remains a diagnostic challenge. The anatomy of the region can lead to difficulties localising the lameness. Diagnostic imaging may be complicated by overlying structures and the limitations of the imaging modalities readily available. A logical approach to clinical examination, diagnostic analgesia and multimodal imaging can help to overcome these difficulties.
The relative importance of climate, stand variables and liana abundance for carbon storage in tropical forests
Authors: Durán Sandra M. , Sánchez‐Azofeifa G. Arturo , Rios Rodrigo S. , Gianoli Ernesto
Published: April 2015

Aim

To develop an integrative framework to evaluate variation in aboveground carbon storage (AGC). A model that can be applied to understand and predict how global‐change drivers influence tropical carbon sinks.

Location

Old‐growth tropical forests world‐wide.

Methods

Using structural equation modelling (SEM), we propose an a priori model to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of climate, stand variables (basal area, tree diameter and wood density at plot level) and liana abundance onAGC. Our model indicated that stand variables increasedAGCwhile liana abundance decreasedAGCindirectly via negative effects on stand variables. We used a multigroupSEMto test the generality of our framework using a standardized dataset of 145 plots (0.1 ha) in dry, moist and wet tropical forests.

Results

Our model explained over 85% variation inAGCand showed a positive and consistent relationship between stand variables andAGCacross forests types. The effects of climate onAGCwere indirect rather than direct, with negative effects of temperature in all forests. Liana abundance reduced tree diameter and basal area in moist forests, but did not affectAGCin wet or dry forests.

Main conclusions

Our results suggest that climate affectsAGCindirectly, via its direct influence on stand variables and liana abundance. The effects of lianas onAGCresult from reductions in stand variables and are as important as climate for moist forests, which harbour the greatest tropical carbon pools. Our model was consistent across forest types. This highlights the usefulness of an integrative framework to improve predictions of the effects of drivers of global change on tropical carbon sinks.
Opioid‐Induced Central Immune Signaling: Implications for Opioid Analgesia
Authors: Grace Peter M. , Maier Steven F. , Watkins Linda R.
Published: April 2015

Despite being the mainstay of pain management, opioids are limited in their clinical utility by adverse effects, such as tolerance and paradoxical hyperalgesia. Research of the past 15 years has extended beyond neurons, to implicate central nervous system immune signaling in these adverse effects. This article will provide an overview of these central immune mechanisms in opioid tolerance and paradoxical hyperalgesia, including those mediated by Toll‐like receptor 4, purinergic, ceramide, and chemokine signaling. Challenges for the future, as well as new lines of investigation will be highlighted.
Nest helpers improve parental survival but not offspring production in a high‐elevation passerine, the Ground Tit Pseudopodoces humilis
Authors: Li Yinhui , Li Shaobin , Guo Cheng , Zhang Guoyue , Zhou Yang , Lu Xin
Published: April 2015

The way in which breeders respond to helping, in terms of either offspring production or their own survival, may reflect the adaptive aspects of a cooperative breeding system. We explore this issue using a 5‐year study of the Ground Tit Pseudopodoces humilis, a facultative cooperative breeder in which 47% of socially monogamous pairs have between one and four close male relatives as helpers. We found that helped nests did not fledge more or heavier nestlings than unhelped nests, and male young from helped and unhelped nests were equally likely to recruit into the local breeding population. However, helped parents of both sexes had a higher probability of survival to the following year than did unhelped parents. These findings suggest that Ground Tit parents with helpers trade current reproduction for personal survival and future reproduction, a strategy favoured by selection to cope with harsh, unpredictable environments such as the Tibetan Plateau.
Universal Breadwinner Versus Universal Caregiver Model: Fathers' Involvement in Caregiving and Well‐Being of Mothers of Offspring with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Chou Yueh‐Ching , Kröger Teppo , Pu Cheng‐yun
Published: April 2015

Background

The universal breadwinner model means both parents are employed; while the universal caregiver model implies that the father's hours of caregiving are equal or higher to those of the mother. This study aims to examine the hypothesis that the universal caregiver model is more related to the overall well‐being of mothers of children with intellectual disabilities than the universal breadwinner model.

Methods

Face‐to‐face interview surveys were conducted in 2011 inTaiwan with 876 working‐age mothers who had an offspring with intellectual disabilities. The survey included 574 mothers living with their husbands who became our participants.

Results

Bothanovaand regression analyses indicated that, compared with mothers in the universal breadwinner group, mothers in the universal caregiver group had higher levels of maternal marital and family life satisfaction, but not of work satisfaction and quality of life.

Conclusions

An incentive policy is critical for supporting the fathers involved in lifelong caregiving and to promote the mothers' quality of life.
Inventing motivates and prepares student teachers for computer‐based learning
Authors: Glogger‐Frey I. , Kappich J. , Schwonke R. , Holzäpfel L. , Nückles M. , Renkl A.
Published: April 2015

A brief, problem‐oriented phase such as an inventing activity is one potential instructional method for preparing learners not only cognitively but also motivationally for learning. Student teachers often need to overcome motivational barriers in order to use computer‐based learning opportunities. In a preliminary experiment, we found that student teachers who were given paper‐based course material spent more time on follow‐up coursework than teachers who were given a well‐developed computer‐based learning environment (CBLE), leading to higher learning outcomes. Thus, we tested inventing as an instructional method that may help overcome motivational barriers of teachers' use of computer‐supported tools or learning environments in our main experimental study (N = 44). As a computer‐based environment, we used the ‘Assessment of Learning strategies in Learning journals’. The inventing group produced ideas about criteria to evaluate learning strategies based on student cases prior to the learning phase. The control condition read a text containing possible answers to the inventing problem. The inventing activity enhanced motivation prior to the learning phase and assessment skills as assessed by transfer problems. Hence, the inventing activity prepared student teachers to learn from a CBLE in a motivational as well as cognitive way.
62 years of gastrointestinal research: 1951–2013
Authors: Guth Paul H
Published: April 2015

In 1951, I began a 2‐year postdoctoral research fellowship under Dr Simon Komarov at Temple University. Later, as a staff gastroenterologist at the Orange County General Hospital in California, I was interested in the possible role of blood flow alterations in peptic ulcer disease. We adapted Silvio Baez's just described in vivo microscopy technique to study blood flow in the gastric microcirculation in the anesthetized cat. In 1969, I joined the Gastroenterology Service at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration (VA), primarily because of the presence there of Dr Morton Grossman, one of the leading researchers in gastrointestinal physiology. The most important lesson I learned from Dr Grossman was the importance of openness—investigators sharing their ideas, thoughts, and findings. Dr Harold Wayland, Professor, California Institute of Technology, helped me in setting up my laboratory at the VA and arranged with his friend Dr Masaharu Tsuchiya, Chair of Gastroenterology at Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, for a collaborative effort with fellows from Keio coming for 2‐year fellowships with us (under my grant). Harold introduced us to the fluorescein‐labeled albumen technique for the study of microvascular permeability. Later, Dr Jonathon Kaunitz, a colleague at the VA, and Kotaro Kaneko, my Keio University fellow, succeeded in modifying this technique to measure pHi in surface gastric cells in vivo. When I retired in 1993, Dr Kaunitz took charge of my laboratory. He and his associate Dr Akiba have completed extensive studies comparing and contrasting how stomach and duodenal surface cells defend themselves against acid loads. In the course of this work, they have become deeply involved in cell signaling and intracellular pathways when nutrients enter the duodenum. They have developed a technique for using confocal microscopy in vivo in this work. Dr Grossman was right: when investigators share their ideas, everyone benefits and science advances.
Exploratory study of pre‐surgical medications with dienogest or leuprorelin in laparoscopic cystectomy of endometrial cysts
Authors: Takenaka Motoki , Yano Ryuichiro , Hiraku Yuka , Shibata Mayuko , Hatano Kayoko , Yamamoto Shiori , Sato Kazuki , Yamamoto Kazushige , Morishige Ken‐ichiro
Published: April 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of pre‐surgical medication with dienogest or leuprorelin on post‐surgical ovarian function.

Material and Methods

We conducted an exploratory study in two centers in Japan that comprised 30 patients with ovarian endometrial cysts for whom surgical excision was planned. Patients were enrolled and divided into pre‐surgical medication groups with dienogest or leuprorelin for 12 weeks. Thereafter, patients were treated by laparoscopic cystectomy. The primary outcome was ovarian function post‐surgery, as assessed by serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) level, antral follicle count (AFC) and resumption of menses. Secondary outcome was the effect of pre‐surgical medication, as assessed by the size of endometrial cysts and visual analog scale (VAS) score. Serum AMH, AFC, size of endometrial cysts, and VAS scores were measured at baseline (before medication), after medication (1 day before surgery), and at 4 and 12 weeks post‐surgery.

Results

Serum AMH levels did not change after pre‐surgical medication with either dienogest or leuprorelin. Although AMH decreased after surgery, it recovered by 12 weeks post‐surgery in both groups with no statistically significant difference. Mean AFC did not change after surgery in either group. Menses returned by 12 weeks post‐surgery in all patients except for those who were pregnant. The rate of reduction of endometrial cyst volume did not differ between the groups. Both dienogest and leuprorelin were associated with substantial reductions in VAS scores.

Conclusion

There were no statistically significant differences between pre‐surgical medication with dienogest and leuprorelin in post‐surgical ovarian function. Both medications were effective in reducing endometrial cyst volume and VAS score.