bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of treatment response to psychological interventions in people at clinical high risk of first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Wessels Helen , Wagner Michael , Kuhr Kathrin , Berning Julia , Pützfeld Verena , Janssen Birgit , Bottlender Ronald , Maurer Kurt , Möller Hans‐Jürgen , Gaebel Wolfgang , Häfner Heinz , Maier Wolfgang , Klosterkötter Joachim , Bechdolf Andreas
Published: July 2017

Aim

Psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and supportive counselling (SC), are used to treat people with schizophrenia and people at clinical high risk (CHR) of psychosis. However, little information is available on predictors of treatment response. This study aims to identify such predictors of psychological interventions in CHR.

Methods

A total of 128 help‐seeking CHR outpatients were randomized into two groups—integrated psychological intervention (IPI), including CBT, and SC—for 12 months. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify demographic, symptomatic and functional variables that predict improvement in positive (PANSS Positive), negative (PANSS Negative) and basic symptoms (Basic symptom total score) and improvement in functioning (GAF) at 1‐year follow up.

Results

In the merged group (IPI + SC), people who lived independently, were younger and presented with higher baseline functioning showed more improvement in symptomatic outcomes at follow up. Negative symptoms at baseline predicted less improvement in positive and basic symptoms. Being married or cohabiting and living in the primary family were found to correlate with good functioning at 1‐year follow up.

Conclusions

Younger CHR individuals and those who are functioning well may particularly benefit from early intervention. Treatment might need to be modified for low‐functioning CHR and those who already display higher scores of negative symptoms.

Registration number: NCT00204087
Hypercalcemia remains an adverse prognostic factor for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients in the era of novel antimyeloma therapies
Authors: Zagouri Flora , Kastritis Efstathios , Zomas Athanasios , Terpos Evangelos , Katodritou Eirini , Symeonidis Argiris , Delimpasi Sosana , Pouli Anastasia , Vassilakopoulos Theodoros P. , Michalis Eurydiki , Giannouli Stavroula , Kartasis Zafiris , Christoforidou Anna , Kokoviadou Kiriaki , Hatzimichael Eleftheria , Gika Dimitra , Megalakaki Catherine , Papaioannou Maria , Kyrtsonis Marie‐Christine , Konstantopoulos Kostas , Dimopoulos Meletios A. ,   the Greek Myeloma Study Group
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic impact of hypercalcemia in newly diagnosed patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM), especially after the incorporation of new agents.

Methods

we analyzed the outcomes of newly diagnosed patients with symptomatic myeloma included in the database of the Greek Myeloma Study Group for the prognostic effect of the presence of hypercalcemia (defined as corrected serum calcium ≥11 mg/dL) at diagnosis.

Results

Among 2129 consecutive patients with symptomatic MM, 19.5% presented with hypercalcemia at the time of diagnosis. The presence of hypercalcemia was associated with anemia, thrombocytopenia, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), advanced ISS stage, and presence of lytic lesions. Hypercalcemia was more common in patients with high‐risk cytogenetics and was associated with inferior survival across different time periods, age groups, and primary treatments. Hypercalcemia was also associated with a twofold increase in the risk of early death. In patients without available FISH, hypercalcemia could substitute for the presence of high‐risk cytogenetics and identify patients with worse prognosis along with ISS stage and elevated serum LDH.

Conclusion

Hypercalcemia remains a poor prognostic feature in the era of novel agents despite the improvement in the outcomes of patients who present with elevated calcium.
A casualty of climate change? Loss of freshwater forest islands on Florida's Gulf Coast
Authors: Langston Amy K. , Kaplan David A. , Putz Francis E.
Published: July 2017

Sea level rise elicits short‐ and long‐term changes in coastal plant communities by altering the physical conditions that affect ecosystem processes and species distributions. While the effects of sea level rise on salt marshes and mangroves are well studied, we focus on its effects on coastal islands of freshwater forest in Florida's Big Bend region, extending a dataset initiated in 1992. In 2014–2015, we evaluated tree survival, regeneration, and understory composition in 13 previously established plots located along a tidal creek; 10 plots are on forest islands surrounded by salt marsh, and three are in continuous forest. Earlier studies found that salt stress from increased tidal flooding prevented tree regeneration in frequently flooded forest islands. Between 1992 and 2014, tidal flooding of forest islands increased by 22%–117%, corresponding with declines in tree species richness, regeneration, and survival of the dominant tree species, Sabal palmetto (cabbage palm) and Juniperus virginiana (southern red cedar). Rates of S. palmetto and J. virginiana mortality increased nonlinearly over time on the six most frequently flooded islands, while salt marsh herbs and shrubs replaced forest understory vegetation along a tidal flooding gradient. Frequencies of tidal flooding, rates of tree mortality, and understory composition in continuous forest stands remained relatively stable, but tree regeneration substantially declined. Long‐term trends identified in this study demonstrate the effect of sea level rise on spatial and temporal community reassembly trajectories that are dynamically re‐shaping the unique coastal landscape of the Big Bend.
Deep peat warming increases surface methane and carbon dioxide emissions in a black spruce‐dominated ombrotrophic bog
Authors: Gill Allison L. , Giasson Marc‐André , Yu Rieka , Finzi Adrien C.
Published: July 2017

Boreal peatlands contain approximately 500 Pg carbon (C) in the soil, emit globally significant quantities of methane (CH4), and are highly sensitive to climate change. Warming associated with global climate change is likely to increase the rate of the temperature‐sensitive processes that decompose stored organic carbon and release carbon dioxide (CO2) and CH4. Variation in the temperature sensitivity of CO2 and CH4 production and increased peat aerobicity due to enhanced growing‐season evapotranspiration may alter the nature of peatland trace gas emission. As CH4 is a powerful greenhouse gas with 34 times the warming potential of CO2, it is critical to understand how factors associated with global change will influence surface CO2 and CH4 fluxes. Here, we leverage the Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments (SPRUCE) climate change manipulation experiment to understand the impact of a 0–9°C gradient in deep belowground warming (“Deep Peat Heat”, DPH) on peat surface CO2 and CH4 fluxes. We find that DPH treatments increased both CO2 and CH4 emission. Methane production was more sensitive to warming than CO2 production, decreasing the C‐CO2:C‐CH4 of the respired carbon. Methane production is dominated by hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis but deep peat warming increased the δ13C of CH4 suggesting an increasing contribution of acetoclastic methanogenesis to total CH4 production with warming. Although the total quantity of C emitted from the SPRUCE Bog as CH4 is <2%, CH4 represents >50% of seasonal C emissions in the highest‐warming treatments when adjusted for CO2 equivalents on a 100‐year timescale. These results suggest that warming in boreal regions may increase CH4 emissions from peatlands and result in a positive feedback to ongoing warming.
Comparison of the Mini‐Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment executive subtests in detecting post‐stroke cognitive impairment
Authors: Fu Chen , Jin Xianglan , Chen Baoxin , Xue Feiran , Niu Huanmin , Guo Rongjuan , Chen Zhigang , Zheng Hong , Wang Le , Zhang Yunling
Published: July 2017

Aim

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been shown to be more sensitive in detecting executive dysfunction than the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). However, it is still not known whether all the MoCA executive subtests contribute to the superior sensitivity. Thus, the present study aimed to determine how much executive abnormality was detected by the MMSE and MoCA executive subtests in a population‐based cohort of Chinese post‐stroke patients.

Methods

The MMSE and MoCA were collected from post‐stroke patients (within 15 days to 1 month after stroke, including ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke) in 14 hospitals of northern and southern China (including 10 top‐graded hospitals and 4 community hospitals) between June 2011 and September 2013. The proportions of patients with incorrect MoCA executive subtests and the proportions of patients with incorrect MMSE executive subtests were compared.

Results

A total of 1222 patients (703 men and 519 women, aged 62.06 ± 10.68 and 62.76 ± 9.86 years, respectively) were recruited. The MoCA detected more patients with executive dysfunction than the MMSE (OR 15.399, 95% CI 12.631–18.773; P < 0.001). The likelihood of incorrect MMSE executive tasks increased across decreasing scores of MoCA executive tasks (P < 0.001 for trend). Compared with the MMSE three‐step command test (15.5%), the MoCA trail‐making (57.8%), abstraction (48.0%) and abstraction (measurement tool; 45.7%) detected more patients with executive dysfunction (P < 0.001), whereas the MoCA digit span forwards (4.3%) and backwards (11.6%) detected fewer patients (P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively).

Conclusions

The MoCA executive tasks are more sensitive in detecting executive dysfunction compared with the MMSE executive tasks. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2329–2335.
Activity behavior, nutritional status and perceived health in older Brazilian adults: Does the number of chronic diseases matter?
Authors: Sebastião Emerson , Galvez Patricia Andrea Espinoza , Nakamura Priscila Missaki , Papini Camila Bosquiero , Kokubun Eduardo , Gobbi Sebastião
Published: July 2017

Aim

The present study examined activity behavior, nutritional status and perceived health in relation to the number of chronic diseases (ChrD) in a representative sample of Brazilians aged ≥60 years.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, population‐based study was carried out in a midsize Brazilian city to evaluate different health risk factors. Using a stratified random sampling procedure to select a representative sample of adults, this study interviewed 1572 individuals face‐to‐face. Our analytical sample focused on those aged ≥60 years (n = 355). Statistical procedures were carried out using spss software, with the significance level set as P < 0.05.

Results

Older adults diagnosed with ≥2 ChrD were significantly less active during leisure time physical activity (P = 0.03), presented with significant higher body mass index values (P < 0.001) and were approximately fivefold (1.69–17.93) more likely to perceive their health as poor compared with those with zero ChrD. The group with ≥2 ChrD reported a similar amount of sitting time compared with older adults with zero or one ChrD (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Having multiple ChrD has a negative impact on older adults’ leisure time physical activity, body mass index and the perception of health. The findings of the present study underscore the need for more infusive approaches tackling ChrD in Brazil focusing on healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2376–2382.
Association between frailty and carotid intima media thickness and inflammatory marker in an elderly population
Authors: Chang Chun‐Chin , Hsu Chien‐Yi , Huang Po‐Hsun , Liu Li‐Kuo , Chen Liang‐Kung , Chen Jaw‐Wen , Lin Shing‐Jong
Published: July 2017

Aim

Frailty is a highly prevalent geriatric syndrome, characterized by increased vulnerability to subsequent morbidity and mortality. The association between frailty and preclinical atherosclerosis remains uncertain. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between frailty, preclinical atherosclerosis and inflammatory markers in older adults.

Methods

We enrolled 1798 inhabitants of I‐Lan County of Taiwan (855 men, 47.5%; mean age 64 ± 9 years, range 50–92 years). Assessment of frailty was based on the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. Common carotid artery intima‐media thickness (CIMT) was determined using carotid Doppler ultrasonography.

Results

Overall, 955 participants (53.1%) were non‐frail, 724 (40.2%) were pre‐frail and 119 (6.7%) were frail. Frail and pre‐frail participants had significantly increased CIMT, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, glycated hemoglobin and urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio, but had lower insulin‐like growth factor‐1 level and decreased femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD). By multivariate analysis, age (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.92–3.33), C‐reactive protein (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.00–1.42), CIMT (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04–1.55) and femoral neck BMD (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.38–0.65) were independently associated with frailty.

Conclusions

The present study showed the epidemiology of frailty, and the strong connection to aging, increased CIMT, enhanced inflammation and decreased femoral neck BMD. These results suggested that preclinical atherosclerosis, inflammation and femoral neck BMD were potentially modifiable risk factors for frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2449–2454.
Association between mental health and meal patterns among elderly Koreans
Authors: Kwak Yeunhee , Kim Yoonjung
Published: July 2017

Aim

The present cross‐sectional study analyzed the differences in mental health among community‐dwelling elderly Koreans based on type of meal skipping and family meal frequency.

Methods

We carried out a secondary data analysis using data from 4742 older adults aged ≥65 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010–2012), a nationally representative sample.

Results

In the final model, after adjusting for covariates, we found differences in stress, depression and suicidal ideation based on the type of meal skipping. Specifically, breakfast skippers showed a greater odds ratio for depression and suicidal ideation than breakfast eaters; dinner skippers showed a greater odds ratio for suicidal ideation than dinner eaters. We also found differences in stress, depression and suicidal ideation per family meal frequency.

Conclusions

It is necessary to consider the type of meal skipping and family meal frequency while providing limited social resources to improve the mental health of older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 161–168.
Effects of different rehabilitation models on erythrocyte deformability and nitrite plus nitrate as end‐products of nitric oxide levels in elderly women
Authors: Filar‐Mierzwa Katarzyna , Wójcik Barbara , Marchewka Anna , Dąbrowski Zbigniew , Superata Jerzy , Wiśniowski Zdzisław
Published: July 2017

Aim

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of two rehabilitation protocols, dance movement therapy exercises (DMT) and general rehabilitation exercises (GRE), on erythrocyte deformability and plasma levels of nitrite plus nitrate as end products of nitric oxide (NOx) in elderly women.

Methods

The study included 39 women aged 61–82 years, subjected to either GRE (n = 20) or DMT (n = 19). Women were subjected to 5‐months programs of GRE and DMT, with each session lasting no longer than 45–50 min, and the intensity of exercising corresponding to no more than 40–60% of heart rate reserve. Plasma levels of NOx were determined spectrophotometrically before and at the end of the intervention.

Results

A significant increase in the total nitrate/nitrite concentration from 1.341 μmol/L to 1.590 μmol/L (7.3%) was observed in women subjected to the DMT rehabilitation program. Furthermore, an increase in erythrocyte deformability was observed in this group at shear stress 0.30. No significant difference was found between the pre‐ and post‐rehabilitation NOx levels of women participating in the GRE program.

Conclusions

Participation in DMT rehabilitation program might be reflected by an increase in plasma NOx levels and an improvement of erythrocyte deformability at lesser shear stress, and thus could potentially result in better vascular function. DMT should be offered to older adults, especially to persons who do not find conventional forms of rehabilitation as attractive, as they might refrain from physical activity and suffer from a faster decline in nitric oxide production. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2479–2484.
Asking what matters: The relevance and use of patient‐reported outcome measures that were developed without patient involvement
Authors: Wiering Bianca , de Boer Dolf , Delnoij Diana
Published: July 2017

Background

Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to establish the value of health care. In order to reflect value, PROMs should measure outcomes that matter to patients. However, patients are not always involved in the development of PROMs. This study therefore aimed to investigate whether PROMs, which were developed without patient involvement, are relevant to patients and whether the level of importance allocated towards aspects of these PROMs varies between patient groups.

Methods

All patients from 20 Dutch hospitals undergoing hip or knee surgery in 2014 were invited to a PROMs survey. Participants were asked to rate the importance of each of the items in the HOOS‐Physical Function Short form or the KOOS‐Physical Function Short form, the EQ‐5D and the NRS pain.

Results

Most outcomes were considered important. However, 77.7% of hip surgery patients rated being able to run as unimportant. Being able to kneel (32.7%) or squat (39.6%) was not important to a considerable minority of knee surgery patients. Pain, especially during rest, was considered very important by both hip (68.2%) and knee (66.5%) surgery patients. Patients who were older, male, experienced overall bad health and psychological health considered many items from the PROMs less important than other patients.

Discussion

Patients differ in what they consider important. Health‐care professionals should explore patients’ preferences and discuss which treatment options best fit patients’ preferences. Additionally, if PROMs are used in performance measurement, further research is needed to look at whether and how variation in patient preferences can be taken into account.
Frequency and risk factors of colorectal adenoma in patients with early gastric cancer
Authors: Chung Hyun H. , Kim Kyeong O. , Lee Si H. , Jang Byung I. , Kim Tae N.
Published: July 2017

Background/Aim

The authors aimed to determine the clinical value of colonoscopy by evaluating the frequency of colorectal neoplasm (CRN) detection in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) as compared with healthy controls and analysed the risk factors of advanced CRN in patients with EGC.

Methods

The medical records of 201 patients diagnosed as EGC and age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls were retrospectively reviewed. Frequencies and clinical features of colorectal polyps of patients and controls were compared. Risk factors of advanced CRN in patients with EGC were also analysed.

Results

Frequencies of CRN in patients and controls were 49.8 and 49.3% respectively (P = 0.90). They were more common in the right colon in patients (P < 0.05). Advanced CRN were found in 10.3% of patients and in 3% of controls (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that old age and smoking history were risk factors of an advanced CRN in patients with EGC.

Conclusion

The prevalence of a coexisting advanced CRN was higher in EGC patients. The study shows colonoscopy plays an important role with respect to the detection of synchronous advanced CRN in patients with EGC.
Early radiological intervention and haematology screening is associated with excellent outcomes in Budd–Chiari syndrome
Authors: Mo Allison , Testro Adam , French Janine , Robertson Marcus , Angus Peter , Grigg Andrew
Published: July 2017

Background

Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare and life‐threatening disorder, resulting from thrombosis of the hepatic veins. Various treatments, including pharmacological, radiological and surgical interventions, have been used.

Aim

To describe retrospectively our institution's experience with management of patients with BCS.

Methods

A retrospective study of all cases of primary Budd–Chiari syndrome presenting to our institution between January 2000 and August 2012 was performed. Patients with secondary Budd–Chiari syndrome due to malignancy or local mass compression were excluded.

Results

Between 2000 and 2012, 27 patients with primary BCS presented with a median Rotterdam score of 1.16 (range: 0.07–2.11). A total of 24 patients (89%) had at least one risk factor, with the commonest being myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), detected in 17 of 24 (71%) of the tested patients, including four patients with normal blood counts at diagnosis. All patients were anticoagulated with warfarin or low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH). A total of 25 (92.6%) patients also had primary radiological interventions, consisting of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in 18 (67%) patients and/or angioplasty/stenting in 11 (40%). A total of 14 patients developed TIPS stenoses, requiring a median of 1.5 (range: 1–14) revisions. No patient developed TIPS failure requiring alternative therapy. Two patients were lost to follow‐up. At a median follow up of 59 months (range: 2–248 months), the overall survival was 96% at 1 year and 81% at 5 years, much greater than predicted by the Rotterdam score. No patients required liver transplantation.

Conclusion

There is a high incidence of MPN in patients with primary BCS, including patients with normal peripheral blood counts at the time of diagnosis. Our approach of anticoagulation, aggressive and early radiological intervention aimed at rapid decompression of the congested liver resulted in excellent medium‐term outcomes.
High‐temperature electrical and thermal transport behaviors in layered structure WSe2
Authors: Liu Yaochun , Liu Junfu , Tan Xing , Li Yueming , Liu Rui , Lin Yuanhua , Nan Cewen
Published: July 2017

Two‐dimensional transition‐metal dichalcogenides semiconductors (TMDCs) with layered structures have been concerned as promising thermoelectric (TE) materials for several years. However, WSe2 as one of TMDCs is barely investigated. Herein, we systematically investigated the high‐temperature electrical and thermal transport behaviors in layered structure WSe2, demonstrating that WSe2 possesses high Seebeck coefficient and low thermal conductivity. The study of sintering process shows that the best electrical properties can be obtained in the sample sintered at 1123 K. Besides, anisotropic thermoelectric properties were also revealed. It is found that the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) in the direction parallel to the pressing direction is higher than that in the direction perpendicular to the pressing direction. The highest ZT value of 0.03 is obtained at 923 K, which is an appreciable value for the pristine alloy material.
How climatic variability is linked to the spatial distribution of range sizes: seasonality versus climate change velocity in sphingid moths
Authors: Grünig Marc , Beerli Nicolas , Ballesteros‐Mejia Liliana , Kitching Ian J. , Beck Jan
Published: July 2017

Aim

To map the spatial variation of range sizes within sphingid moths, and to test hypotheses on its environmental control. In particular, we investigate effects of climate change velocity since the Pleistocene and the mid‐Holocene, temperature and precipitation seasonality, topography, Pleistocene ice cover, and available land area.

Location

Old World and Australasia, excluding smaller islands.

Methods

We used fine‐grained range maps (based on expert‐edited distribution modelling) for all 972 sphingid moth species in the research region and calculated, at a grain size of 100 km, the median of range sizes of all species that co‐occur in a pixel. Climate, topography and Pleistocene ice cover data were taken from publicly available sources. We calculated climate change velocities (CCV) for the last 21 kyr as well as 6 kyr. We compared the effects of seasonality andCCVon median range sizes with spatially explicit models while accounting for effects of elevation range, glaciation history and available land area.

Results

Range sizes show a clear spatial pattern, with highest median values in deserts and arctic regions and lowest values in isolated tropical regions. Range sizes were only weakly related to absolute latitude (predicted by Rapoport's effect), but there was a strong north‐south pattern of range size decline. Temperature seasonality emerged as the strongest environmental correlate of median range size, in univariate as well as multivariate models, whereas effects ofCCVwere weak and unstable for both time periods. These results were robust to variations in the parameters in alternative analyses, among them multivariateCCV.

Main conclusions

Temperature seasonality is a strong correlate of spatial range size variation, while effects of longer‐term temperature change, as captured byCCV, received much weaker support.
A time series analysis of the effects of financial incentives and mandatory clinical applications as interventions to improve spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting by hospital medical staff in China
Authors: Chang Feng , Xi Yue , Zhao Jie , Zhang Xiaojian , Lu Yun
Published: July 2017

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in hospitals is often under‐reported, which may lead to problems in patient management. This study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of a financial intervention based on a fine and a bonus for improving spontaneous reporting of ADRs by physicians in a hospital setting.

Methods

This study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (China). Starting in 2009, a bonus of 20 RMB (Chinese currency) was given for each spontaneous ADR report, and a fine of 50 RMB was given for any withheld ADR report. A time series analysis using autoregressive integrated moving average models was performed to assess the changes in the total number of spontaneous ADR reports between the preintervention period (2006‐2008) and during the first (2009‐2011) and second (2012‐2014) intervention periods.

Results

The median number of reported ADRs per year increased from 29 (range 27‐72) in the preintervention period to 277 (range 199‐284) in the first intervention period and to 666 in the second (range 644‐691). The monthly number of reported ADRs was stable during the 3 periods: 3.56 ± 3.60/month (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.42‐4.75) during the preintervention period, 21 ± 13/month (95% CI, 16.97‐25.80) in the first intervention period, and 56 ± 20/month (95% CI, 48.81‐62.17) in the second intervention period.

Conclusion

A financial incentive and ADR management regulations had a significant effect on the increase of reported ADRs.
Development of the Korean Pregnancy Stress Scale
Authors: Kim Younglan , Chung Chae Weon
Published: July 2017

Aim

This study was conducted in order to develop and evaluate a Pregnancy Stress Scale (PSS).

Methods

The PSS was developed according to Devellis’ scale development process. Data that were collected from 388 pregnant women were used to evaluate the validity and reliability of the tool. An item analysis, factor analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and Cronbach's α were used.

Results

The PSS comprised seven factors that can be applied to all pregnant women, with one additional factor that is dedicated specifically for working pregnant women, resulting in a total of eight factors with 43 items: physical and psychological changes, coping in daily life, health of the mother and baby, maternal role, family support, healthcare services, social atmosphere, and reconciliation of work life. The criterion validity was supported by the Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The reliability of the overall scale was adequate.

Conclusion

This scale would be useful for understanding the complex factors that contribute to pregnant women's stress and also would contribute to the process of developing nursing interventions to reduce pregnancy stress.
A modulatory role of the Rax homeobox gene in mature pineal gland function: Investigating the photoneuroendocrine circadian system of a Rax conditional knockout mouse
Authors: Rohde Kristian , Bering Tenna , Furukawa Takahisa , Rath Martin Fredensborg
Published: July 2017

The retinal and anterior neural fold homeobox gene (Rax) controls development of the eye and the forebrain. Postnatal expression of Rax in the brain is restricted to the pineal gland, a forebrain structure devoted to melatonin synthesis. The role of Rax in pineal function is unknown. In order to investigate the role of Rax in pineal function while circumventing forebrain abnormalities of the global Rax knockout, we generated an eye and pineal‐specific Rax conditional knockout mouse. Deletion of Rax in the pineal gland did not affect morphology of the gland, suggesting that Rax is not essential for pineal gland development. In contrast, deletion of Rax in the eye generated an anophthalmic phenotype. In addition to the loss of central visual pathways, the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus housing the circadian clock was absent, indicating that the retinohypothalamic tract is required for the nucleus to develop. Telemetric analyses confirmed the lack of a functional circadian clock. Arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase (Aanat) transcripts, encoding the melatonin rhythm‐generating enzyme, were undetectable in the pineal gland of the Rax conditional knockout under normal conditions, whereas the paired box 6 homeobox gene, known to regulate pineal development, was up‐regulated. By injecting isoproterenol, which mimics a nocturnal situation in the pineal gland, we were able to induce pineal expression of Aanat in the Rax conditional knockout mouse, but Aanat transcript levels were significantly lower than those of Rax‐proficient mice. Our data suggest that Rax controls pineal gene expression and via Aanat may modulate melatonin synthesis.
Spread and competitiveness of Plum Pox Virus: Rec and ‐D strains in experimental plum orchard
Authors: Kamenova Ivanka , Tasheva‐Terzieva Elena , Dragoyski Kalin , Stefanova Boryana
Published: July 2017

Sharka disease caused by Plum pox virus (PPV) is endemic in Bulgaria. The speed and mode of spread of PPV‐Rec and PPV‐D isolates, molecularly characterised in advance and introduced in an experimental plum orchard to serve as permanent sources of infection was studied from 2008 to 2015. The trees were visually inspected for symptoms development and tested by DASI‐ELISA twice each year. The positive samples were serologically (‐M and ‐D specific MAbs) and molecularly (IC‐RT‐PCR) strain‐typed, and sequenced in (Cter)NIb‐(Nter)CP coding region. Artificially inoculated trees were found infected in the spring of 2009. After 7 years 43 trees (11.2%) became naturally infected. The majority of the trees were infected by PPV‐Rec (65%), while only one tree (2.5%) by PPV‐D. Nevertheless PPV‐M was not introduced in the orchard, this strain was found in single and mixed infections with PPV‐Rec strain. None of the isolates in naturally infected trees was identical to PPV‐Rec and PPV‐D inoculums, while several of them were a 100% identical to the respective PPV‐Rec, PPV‐D or PPV‐M isolates from neighbourhood‐infected trees. After the initial random pattern of PPV spread, aggregation of the new infections around the trees infected in previous years was observed. The presence of only Phorodon humuli and Hyalopterus pruni complex, known as PPV vectors and their poor abundance (5.0% from all caught aphids), together with some specific features of the landscape influenced the slow natural development of PPV in the experimental orchard.
Pharmacokinetic depletion phase of doxycycline in healthy and Mycoplasma gallisepticum‐infected chicken broilers after coadministration of enrofloxacin traces
Authors: Gbylik‐Sikorska M. , Gajda A. , Posyniak A.
Published: July 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of enrofloxacin (ENR) traces on doxycycline (DC) pharmacokinetic depletion phase parameters in plasma and lungs of healthy and Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG)‐infected chicken broilers. The multiple‐dose oral administration of DC to chickens which were permanently exposed on ENR traces significantly increased concentration of DC in plasma and lung. It also prolonged the DC elimination time in both healthy and infected animals after final dose. The obtained result indicated that simultaneous administration of DC and ENR in chicken broilers therapy should be avoided.
Spatial structure of ant‐gardens: vertical distribution on host trees and succession/segregation of associated vascular epiphytes
Authors: Morales‐Linares Jonas , García‐Franco José G. , Flores‐Palacios Alejandro , Valenzuela‐González Jorge E. , Mata‐Rosas Martín , Díaz‐Castelazo Cecilia
Published: July 2017

Questions

Ant‐gardens (AGs) involve a close association between epiphytes and ants with concurrent mutualistic interactions including protection, dispersal and nutrition; however, little is known about the spatial structure patterns that determine their establishment and formation. Our main questions were: (1) do AGs have a particular pattern of vertical distribution on their host trees; (2) does a process of succession of epiphytes occur during development of AGs; and (3) are epiphytes segregated in AGs?

Location

Anthropic landscape in southeast Mexico.

Methods

We studied AGs built by Azteca gnava ants. We examined their vertical distribution on host trees as well as the diversity, composition and reproductive status of vascular epiphytes associated with the lower, middle and upper zones of small, medium and large AGs.

Results

A total of 859 AGs and 10 871 epiphytes, belonging to 26 different species, were recorded. We found that AGs are primarily (75%) located within tree crowns, and that the diversity and composition of epiphytes vary among AG sizes and among AG zones. We infer that the epiphytes that first become established in AGs are the bromeliad Aechmea tillandsioides and the gesneriad Codonanthe uleana, followed by the orchid Epidendrum flexuosum and the cactus Epiphyllum phyllanthus; these species were recorded, either individually or in co‐occurrence, in 74% of the AGs examined. The species Ae. tillandsioides, Coryanthes picturata and Epid. flexuosum were most frequent in the upper AG zone, while Epid. pachyrachis was most frequent in the middle AG zone.

Conclusions

Our results show that AGs have distinct vertical distribution patterns on their tree hosts and that the establishment of epiphytes in AGs is successive and segregated, suggesting spatial and temporal optimization in the establishment and development of these complex mutualistic systems.
Petrogenesis of Miller Range 07273, a new type of anomalous melt breccia: Implications for impact effects on the H chondrite asteroid
Authors: Ruzicka Alex M. , Hutson Melinda , Friedrich Jon M. , Rivers Mark L. , Weisberg Michael K. , Ebel Denton S. , Ziegler Karen , Rumble Douglas , Dolan Alyssa A.
Published: July 2017

Miller Range 07273 is a chondritic melt breccia that contains clasts of equilibrated ordinary chondrite set in a fine‐grained (<5 μm), largely crystalline, igneous matrix. Data indicate that MIL was derived from the H chondrite parent asteroid, although it has an oxygen isotope composition that approaches but falls outside of the established H group. MIL also is distinctive in having low porosity, cone‐like shapes for coarse metal grains, unusual internal textures and compositions for coarse metal, a matrix composed chiefly of clinoenstatite and omphacitic pigeonite, and troilite veining most common in coarse olivine and orthopyroxene. These features can be explained by a model involving impact into a porous target that produced brief but intense heating at high pressure, a sudden pressure drop, and a slower drop in temperature. Olivine and orthopyroxene in chondrule clasts were the least melted and the most deformed, whereas matrix and troilite melted completely and crystallized to nearly strain‐free minerals. Coarse metal was largely but incompletely liquefied, and matrix silicates formed by the breakdown during melting of albitic feldspar and some olivine to form pyroxene at high pressure (>3 GPa, possibly to ~15–19 GPa) and temperature (>1350 °C, possibly to ≥2000 °C). The higher pressures and temperatures would have involved back‐reaction of high‐pressure polymorphs to pyroxene and olivine upon cooling. Silicates outside of melt matrix have compositions that were relatively unchanged owing to brief heating duration.
Caregiver–infant's feeding behaviours are associated with energy intake of 9‐11 month‐old infants in rural Ethiopia
Authors: Baye Kaleab , Tariku Aster , Mouquet‐Rivier Claire
Published: July 2017

Inappropriate complementary feeding, both in quantity and quality, is a major determinant of undernutrition. However, little is known about how infant–caregiver's feeding behaviours affect infants' energy intake. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize infant–caregiver feeding behaviours and investigate their association with infants' energy intake. The study involved 106 mother–child pairs recruited from seven randomly selected kebeles of Mecha district, West Gojam, Ethiopia. The feeding styles were assessed through observations of 1‐day, in‐home, feeding episodes that were videotaped and coded into self‐feeding, responsive, active, distracting, and social feeding behaviours. Infants' haemoglobin and anthropometric measurements were taken. The association between feeding behaviour scores and energy intake per meal was investigated. The mean food intake of the infants was very low (11.4 ± 7.0 g/kg body weight per meal) compared to the minimum theoretical gastric capacity (30 g/kg body weight per meal). Infants' haemoglobin concentration was negatively associated with energy intake (ρ = 0.178, p = .03). Infants' responsive and active positive feeding styles were positively associated with energy intakes (ρ = 0.258 and 0.432, p = .004 and p < .001, respectively) as well as caregivers' responsive positive feeding styles (ρ = 0.237, p = .007). Both haemoglobin concentrations and feeding styles were associated with infant's energy intake. Anaemia prevention and control measures should be reinforced. Current nutrition education programmes should give emphasis on ways to effectively incorporate culturally adapted responsive feeding messages in this and similar settings.
Biomarkers for visceral hypersensitivity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Mujagic Z. , Jonkers D. M. A. E. , Ludidi S. , Keszthelyi D. , Hesselink M. A. , Weerts Z. Z. R. M. , Kievit R. N. , Althof J. F. , Leue C. , Kruimel J. W. , van Schooten F. J. , Masclee A. A. M.
Published: July 2017

Background

Increased visceral sensitivity is observed in up to 60% of patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Mucosal inflammation, altered neuroendocrine activity and intraluminal metabolic processes may contribute to the development of visceral hypersensitivity. Previously, we demonstrated that biomarkers, indicative for these biological processes, were altered in IBS patients compared to healthy controls. However, how these processes relate to visceral hypersensitivity is unknown.

Aim

The aim of this study was to provide insight in biological processes associated with visceral hypersensitivity. Fecal and plasma biomarkers were measured in normosensitive and hypersensitive IBS patients.

Methods

A total of 167 IBS patients underwent a rectal barostat procedure to assess visceral sensitivity to pain. Based on the outcome, patients were classified into a normosensitive or hypersensitive group. Calprotectin, human β‐defensin 2 (HBD2), chromogranin A (CgA), and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured in feces, citrulline in plasma, and serotonin and its main metabolite 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) in platelet‐poor plasma.

Key Results

Fecal markers and plasma citrulline were measured in 83 hypersensitive and 84 normosensitive patients, while platelet‐poor plasma for the assessment of serotonin and 5‐HIAA was available for a subgroup, i.e. 53 hypersensitive and 42 normosensitive patients. No statistically significant differences were found in concentrations of biomarkers between groups. Adjustment of the analyses for potential confounders, such as medication use, did not alter this conclusion.

Conclusions & Inferences

Our findings do not support a role for the biological processes as ascertained by biomarkers in visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients. This study is registered in the US National Library of Medicine (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00775060).
Structure, function and evolution of the cyanobacterial orange carotenoid protein and its homologs
Authors: Kerfeld Cheryl A. , Melnicki Matthew R. , Sutter Markus , Dominguez‐Martin Maria Agustina
Published: July 2017

Contents

Summary
937

I.
Introduction
937

II.
The structure of the OCP
938

III.
OCP function
939

IV.
Distribution of OCPs, FRP and domains in cyanobacteria
943

V.
Carotenoid–protein interactions in the OCP and the HCPs
947

VI.
Conclusions and prospects
948

Acknowledgements
948

References
949

The orange carotenoid protein (OCP) is a water‐soluble, photoactive protein involved in thermal dissipation of excess energy absorbed by the light‐harvesting phycobilisomes (PBS) in cyanobacteria. The OCP is structurally and functionally modular, consisting of a sensor domain, an effector domain and a keto‐carotenoid. On photoactivation, the OCP converts from a stable orange form, OCPO, to a red form, OCPR. Activation is accompanied by a translocation of the carotenoid deeper into the effector domain. The increasing availability of cyanobacterial genomes has enabled the identification of new OCP families (OCP1, OCP2, OCPX). The fluorescence recovery protein (FRP) detaches OCP1 from the PBS core, accelerating its back‐conversion to OCPO; by contrast, other OCP families are not regulated by FRP. N‐terminal domain homologs, the helical carotenoid proteins (HCPs), have been found among diverse cyanobacteria, occurring as multiple paralogous groups, with two representatives exhibiting strong singlet oxygen (1O2) quenching (HCP2, HCP3) and another capable of dissipating PBS excitation (HCP4). Crystal structures are presently available for OCP1 and HCP1, and models of other HCP subtypes can be readily produced as a result of strong sequence conservation, providing new insights into the determinants of carotenoid binding and 1O2 quenching.
PhERF6, interacting with EOBI, negatively regulates fragrance biosynthesis in petunia flowers
Authors: Liu Fei , Xiao Zhina , Yang Li , Chen Qian , Shao Lu , Liu Juanxu , Yu Yixun
Published: July 2017

In petunia, the production of volatile benzenoids/phenylpropanoids determines floral aroma, highly regulated by development, rhythm and ethylene. Previous studies identified several R2R3‐type MYB trans‐factors as positive regulators of scent biosynthesis in petunia flowers. Ethylene response factors (ERFs) have been shown to take part in the signal transduction of hormones, and regulation of metabolism and development processes in various plant species.

Using virus‐induced gene silencing technology, a negative regulator of volatile benzenoid biosynthesis, PhERF6, was identified by a screen for regulators of the expression of genes related to scent production.

PhERF6 expression was temporally and spatially connected with scent production and was upregulated by exogenous ethylene. Up‐/downregulation of the mRNA level of PhERF6 affected the expression of ODO1 and several floral scent‐related genes. PhERF6 silencing led to a significant increase in the concentrations of volatiles emitted by flowers. Yeast two‐hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co‐immunoprecipitation assays indicated that PhERF6 interacted with the N‐terminus of EOBI, which includes two DNA binding domains.

Our results show that PhERF6 negatively regulates volatile production in petunia flowers by competing for the binding of the c‐myb domains of the EOBI protein with the promoters of genes related to floral scent.
Oral complications at 6 months after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
Authors: Lalla RV , Treister N , Sollecito T , Schmidt B , Patton LL , Mohammadi K , Hodges JS , Brennan MT ,   for the OraRad Study Group
Published: July 2017

Objective

To examine oral complications 6 months after modern radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods

Prospective multicenter cohort study of patients with HNC receiving intensity‐modulated radiation therapy or more advanced RT. Stimulated whole salivary flow, maximal mouth opening, oral mucositis, oral pain, oral health‐related quality of life (OH‐QOL), and oral hygiene practices were measured in 372 subjects pre‐RT and 216 subjects at 6 months from the start of RT.

Results

Mean stimulated whole salivary flow declined from 1.09 to 0.47 ml/min at 6 months (p < .0001). Mean maximal mouth opening reduced from 45.58 to 42.53 mm at 6 months (p < .0001). 8.1% of subjects had some oral mucositis at 6 months, including 3.8% with oral ulceration. Mean overall pain score was unchanged. OH‐QOL was reduced at 6 months, with changes related to dry mouth, sticky saliva, swallowing solid foods, and sense of taste (p ≤ .0001). At 6 months, there was greater frequency of using dental floss and greater proportion using supplemental fluoride (p < .0001).

Conclusions

Despite advances in RT techniques, patients with HNC experience oral complications 6 months after RT, with resulting negative impacts on oral function and quality of life.
Frontal cortical effects on feedback processing and reinforcement learning: Relation of EEG asymmetry with the feedback‐related negativity and behavior
Authors: Schmid Petra C. , Hackel Leor M. , Jasperse Lee , Amodio David M.
Published: July 2017

Reinforcement learning refers to the acquisition of approach or avoidance action tendencies through repeated reward/nonreward feedback. Although much research on reinforcement learning has focused on the striatum, the prefrontal cortex likely modulates this process. Given prior research demonstrating a consistent pattern of lateralized frontal cortical activity in affective responses and approach/avoidance tendencies in the EEG literature, we aimed to elucidate the role of frontal EEG asymmetry in reinforcement learning. Thirty‐two participants completed a probabilistic selection task in which they learned to select some targets and avoid others though correct/incorrect feedback. EEG indices of frontal cortical asymmetry were computed from alpha power recorded at baseline and during task completion. We also examined the feedback‐related negativity ERP component to assess feedback processing associated with activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. Results revealed that greater right‐lateralized frontal cortical activity during learning was associated with better avoidance learning, but neither left‐ nor right‐sided asymmetry reliably related to approach learning. Results also suggested that left frontal activity may relate to reinforcement feedback processing, as indicated by the feedback‐related negativity (FRN). These findings offer preliminary evidence regarding the role of frontal cortical activity in reinforcement learning while integrating classic and contemporary research on lateralized frontal cortical functions.