bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mediated Agency, Blame Avoidance and Institutional Responsibility: Government Communication in a Personalised Media Landscape
Authors: Figenschou Tine Ustad , Thorbjørnsrud Kjersti
Published: May 2018

This article explores how personalisation, blame avoidance and institutional constraints collide in contemporary government communication practices. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in a Norwegian ministry, it analyses how a central government agency manages the media during critical news campaigns featuring individuals suffering from inadequate public health services. To provide a comprehensive analysis of the particular limits and aims of government communication, the article combines perspectives from public agency studies with media research on personalisation. It finds that the need to be visible and demonstrate agency in the media drive personalisation strategies towards a strong focus on government leaders, while simplifying the representation of complex government organisation and processes. At the same time, institutional constraints and the formal delegation of responsibility limit the communication repertoire available for public agencies when critical human interest stories dominate in the media. This results in a standard type of unconvincing media performance, where incumbents appear to evade direct personal responsibility. The case study provides new knowledge on dilemmas, negotiations and strategies behind government communication, illuminating how competing interests play out in a rapidly changing media landscape.
The labourist's dilemma
Authors: Marsh Michael
Published: May 2018

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief, Dr Michael Marsh, discusses his top articles from this issue in an audio podcast available at: https://soundcloud.com/bjog/June-editors-choice-2018
Review article: Environmental heatstroke and long‐term clinical neurological outcomes: A literature review of case reports and case series 2000–2016
Authors: Lawton Emily M , Pearce Helen , Gabb Genevieve M
Published: May 2018

Global temperatures are rising; extreme environmental heat can result in adverse health effects including heatstroke. Acute effects of heat are well recognised, but there is less understanding of potential long‐term adverse outcomes. Our aim was to review recent medical literature for clinical cases of environmental heatstroke with a focus on neurological outcome. Structured search strategies were designed to retrieve publications of heatstroke case reports using Ovid Medline and Embase (2000–2016). One thousand and forty‐nine abstracts were identified, and after application of exclusion criteria 71 articles deemed relevant. Ninety cases were identified from 71 articles. 100% presented with acute neurological symptoms; 87.8% presented with non‐neurological symptoms. 44.4% patients recovered fully, 23.3% died, 23.3% suffered convalescent or long‐term neurological sequelae, and in 8.9% no long‐term follow up was available. 57.1% of the patients who died or had a neurological deficit had no documented co‐morbidity. Patterns of neurological deficits included 66.7% patients with motor dysfunction, 9.5% cognitive impairment, 19% both motor and cognitive impairment and 4.7% other. In total 71.4% of the impaired patients had long‐term cerebellar dysfunction. Adverse long‐term neurological outcomes were common in surviving patients presenting with environmental heatstroke. Permanent neurological deficits were present in 34.4% of survivors where outcome was known; many were young, healthy individuals. Cerebellar injury was common suggesting cerebellar structures are vulnerable to heat. These findings highlight that people of all ages and pre‐morbid states are at risk of severe heat‐related illness. In the face of climate change, effective interventions for heat‐related illness, including both treatment and prevention are necessary.
Dietary inclusion of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) meal as an alternative protein source in practical diets for juvenile rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli)
Authors: Khosravi Sanaz , Kim Esther , Lee Yong‐Seok , Lee Sang‐Min
Published: May 2018

An 8‐week feeding trial was designed to evaluate the potential of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a locally available nutrient‐rich feedstuff for juvenile rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli). Experimental diets containing elevated levels of mealworm meal (WM) supplemented with synthetic methionine were formulated to be isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isoenergetic to a WM‐free fishmeal (FM) based control diet (designated as WM0, WM8, WM16, WM24 and WM32, respectively). To determine the necessity of dietary methionine supplementation at the highest inclusion of WM, a diet was prepared to contain 32% WM without methionine supplementation (WM32‐AA). Triplicate groups of rockfish juveniles (Mean ± S.E.; 3.11 ± 0.01 g) were fed one of the experimental diets to apparent satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. Fish growth performance in terms of weight gain and specific growth rate increased with increasing dietary inclusion of WM from 0 to 16% and then tended to decrease with further increase in dietary WM levels to 32%. Protein retention (PR) values followed the same trend as growth rates with the highest values found in fish offered WM16 diet. Although fish fed WM32‐AA diet showed significantly lower growth rate and PR values compared to those fed WM16 diet, their performance was still comparable to that of the WM‐free control group. Plasma triglyceride level was negatively affected by dietary WM inclusion and the lowest values were observed in the WM32‐AA group. Whole‐body and fillet proximate and essential amino acid compositions were not altered by dietary treatment and these values were comparable to those of the WM0 group. These findings suggested that WM might prove to be a promising alternative to FM in practical diets for juvenile rockfish and could be used at an inclusion level of up to 32% without having any adverse consequences for the health and performance of the fish. Although the diet containing 32% WM seemed to support a performance similar to that of the control diet, the recommended dietary inclusion level was no more than 16% of the diet dry matter.
Increased locomotor activity in estrogen‐treated ovariectomized rats is associated with nucleus accumbens dopamine and is not reduced by dietary sodium deprivation
Authors: ESPINOSA Enith , CURTIS Kathleen S.
Published: May 2018

Estrogens are well known to increase locomotor activity in laboratory rodents; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We used voluntary wheel running by female rats as an index of locomotor behavior to investigate this issue. We first determined whether the estrogen‐induced increase in locomotion was susceptible to inhibition by a physiological challenge, and next whether it was associated with dopaminergic activation in the central reward area, nucleus accumbens. Ovariectomized rats were given estradiol or the oil vehicle and housed in cages with or without running wheels. All rats were given regular rodent chow for 1 week, a sodium‐deficient diet for the next week, and then were returned to a regular diet for another week. At the end of the last week, all rats were killed, brains were extracted and dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens were measured. As expected, estradiol treatment increased distance run. Surprisingly, dietary sodium deprivation further increased running, but this appeared to be related to experience with wheel running, rather than to sodium deprivation, per se. Dopamine was greater in the nucleus accumbens of estradiol‐treated rats that ran compared to all other groups. Thus, the estrogen‐induced increase in locomotion is a robust phenomenon that is not inhibited by a body sodium challenge and is associated with elevated levels of dopamine in reward pathways. These findings raise the possibility that the estrogen‐induced increase in locomotor activity, which occurs during a hormonal milieu conducive to reproduction, may reflect mate‐seeking behavior and, thereby, maximize reproductive success.
Interactions of sex and early life social experiences at two developmental stages shape nonapeptide receptor profiles
Authors: HIURA Lisa C. , OPHIR Alexander G.
Published: May 2018

Early life social experiences are critical to behavioral and cognitive development, and can have a tremendous influence on developing social phenotypes. Most work has focused on outcomes of experiences at a single stage of development (e.g. perinatal or post‐weaning). Few studies have assessed the impact of social experience at multiple developmental stages and across sex. Oxytocin and vasopressin are profoundly important for modulating social behavior and these nonapeptide systems are highly sensitive to developmental social experience, particularly in brain areas important for social behavior. We investigated whether oxytocin receptor (OTR) and vasopressin receptor (V1aR) distributions of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) change as a function of parental composition within the natal nest or social composition after weaning. We raised pups either in the presence or absence of their fathers. At weaning, offspring were housed either individually or with a same‐sex sibling. We also examined whether changes in receptor distributions are sexually dimorphic because the impact of the developmental environment on the nonapeptide system could be sex‐dependent. We found that differences in nonapeptide receptor expression were region‐specific, sex‐specific and rearing condition‐specific, indicating a high level of complexity in the ways that early life experiences shape the social brain. We found many more differences in V1aR density compared to OTR density, indicating that nonapeptide receptors demonstrate differential levels of neural plasticity and sensitivity to environmental and biological variables. Our data highlight that critical factors including biological sex and multiple experiences across the developmental continuum interact in complex ways to shape the social brain.
Body temperature, activity patterns and hunting in free‐living cheetah: biologging reveals new insights
Authors: HETEM Robyn S. , MITCHELL Duncan , DE WITT Brenda A. , FICK Linda G. , MALONEY Shane K. , MEYER Leith C. R. , FULLER Andrea
Published: May 2018

As one of the few felids that is predominantly diurnal, cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) can be exposed to high heat loads in their natural habitat. Little is known about long‐term patterns of body temperature and activity (including hunting) in cheetahs because long‐term concurrent measurements of body temperature and activity have never been reported for cheetahs, or, indeed, for any free‐living felid. We report here body temperature and locomotor activity measured with implanted data loggers over 7 months in 5 free‐living cheetahs in Namibia. Air temperature ranged from a maximum of 39 °C in summer to −2 °C in winter. Cheetahs had higher (∼0.4 °C) maximum 24‐h body temperatures, later acrophase (∼1 h), with larger fluctuations in the range of the 24‐h body temperature rhythm (approximately 0.4 °C) during a hot‐dry period than during a cool‐dry period, but maintained homeothermy irrespective of the climatic conditions. As ambient temperatures increased, the cheetahs shifted from a diurnal to a crepuscular activity pattern, with reduced activity between 900 and 1500 hours and increased nocturnal activity. The timing of hunts followed the general pattern of activity; the cheetahs hunted when they were on the move. Cheetahs hunted if an opportunity presented itself; on occasion they hunted in the midday heat or in total darkness (new moon). Biologging revealed insights into cheetah biology that are not accessible by traditional observer‐based techniques.
Afterword: Writing Religion and the Genealogy of the Literary Aesthetic
Authors: Connell Philip
Published: May 2018

This afterword takes as its starting‐point the suggestion that the category of the ‘literary’ might be implicated within a historical process of secularisation. This possibility is resisted, at least in respect of its applicability to the influential circle of eighteenth‐century clerical literati associated with Bishop William Warburton, who ranged themselves against the growing influence of the third earl of Shaftesbury and his followers, for reasons that could be construed as at once matters of orthodoxy and questions of taste. In doing so, they helped to form ‘pre‐Romantic’ cultural prejudices while simultaneously defending the interests of the eighteenth‐century Church.
Memory, Community and Textuality in Nonconformist Life‐Writings, 1760‐1810
Authors: Whitehouse Tessa
Published: May 2018

This article asks why memorial writing was so important for religious Dissenters in the eighteenth century, and what the role of women was in the production of nonconformist culture, by investigating the material circumstances of production, preservation and dissemination of life‐writings. It introduces the editorial and commemorative activities of Mercy Doddridge and Jane Attwater, asks how a writer's confessional identity might find its way into the structure and content of her writing and compares processes of composition for printed texts with the compilation and preservation of manuscript records.
‘Serious Books’ and ‘Excellent Meditations’: Recovering Religion in Catherine Talbot's Reading
Authors: Aalders Cynthia
Published: May 2018

This article explores the connections between eighteenth‐century intellectual women and religious reading via a close examination of the letters and diaries of Catherine Talbot (1721‐1770). Talbot was a bluestocking and a devout Anglican, and while her intellectual life has been of considerable interest to scholars, her religious life remains largely unexplored. Yet she often reflected on religion as she encountered it in the books she read. This article restores religion to our understanding of Talbot (and the bluestockings more broadly), illuminates the elusive nature of eighteenth‐century Anglican devotion and contributes to an understanding of women's theological ideas and their circulation.
Introduction: Writing Eighteenth‐Century Religion
Authors: Davies Laura , Salgård Cunha Emma
Published: May 2018

This introduction surveys the methodological approaches, critical categories and vocabularies that have shaped scholarly responses to eighteenth‐century English religious writing. Recognising the significance of recent developments in book history for our understanding of the textual reception of religious texts, we argue for renewed attention to literary production in terms of the agency, identity and experience of both authors and readers. Literary‐critical analysis offers a productive means to this end, revealing the nuances of religious texts and providing powerful new lines of enquiry at the intersection of literary, theological and historical studies of eighteenth‐century religion.
Dissenting from Edward Young's Night Thoughts: Christian Time and Poetic Metre in Anne Steele's Graveyard Poems
Authors: Stenke Katarina
Published: May 2018

Although the Particular Baptist poet Anne Steele (1718‐1778) is little known today, this article argues that her poems on time and death offer valuable insights into wider religio‐poetical representations of time in the mid‐eighteenth century. Her verse both responds to and departs from the conventions of graveyard poetry as exemplified by Edward Young's Night Thoughts (1742‐6), demonstrating close engagement with this popular subgenre as well as an intelligent critique of its devotional poetics. As such, Steele's writing foregrounds yet also problematises emerging distinctions between writing and religion, and thus argues for new methodologies in religious and literary history.
Pre‐operative haemodynamic monitoring and resuscitation in hip fracture patients: Protocol for a prospective observational study
Authors: Agerskov M. , Sørensen H. , Højlund J. , Secher N. H. , Foss N. B.
Published: May 2018

Background

In a frail patient group often suffering from dehydration, hip fracture is potentially fatal partly because of the blood loss and thus deteriorated circulation. An important goal for haemodynamic monitoring and resuscitation is early detection of insufficient tissue perfusion. “The peripheral perfusion index” reflects changes in peripheral perfusion and blood volume. We hypothesize that hip fracture patients are hypovolaemic with poor peripheral perfusion and accordingly respond to controlled fluid resuscitation. The peripheral perfusion index might reflect restricted tissue perfusion in spite of stable central haemodynamic variables.

Methods

This prospective observational study assess to what extend hip fracture patients suffer from hypovolaemia and respond to a stroke volume‐guided fluid challenge. The secondary objectives are to evaluate correlation between the non‐invasive peripheral perfusion index and minimally invasive measures of stroke volume, changes in blood volume and near‐infrared spectroscopy determined tissue‐ and cerebral oxygenation and to compare results to prevalence of post‐operative complications including mortality. We will include 50 patients (>65 years) presenting a hip fracture and treated in a multimodal fast‐track regimen when written informed consent is available.

Discussion

This is likely the first study to address pre‐operative haemodynamic monitoring and resuscitation in hip fracture patients where adequate resuscitation is easily missed. We aim to evaluate feasibility of pre‐operative stroke volume‐guided haemodynamic optimization in the context of minimally‐ and non‐invasive monitoring of peripheral perfusion and measure of blood volume.
Hypothalamic Sirt1 protects terminal Schwann cells and neuromuscular junctions from age‐related morphological changes
Authors: Snyder‐Warwick Alison K. , Satoh Akiko , Santosa Katherine B. , Imai Shin‐ichiro , Jablonka‐Shariff Albina
Published: May 2018

Neuromuscular decline occurs with aging. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the interface between motor nerve and muscle, also undergoes age‐related changes. Aging effects on the NMJ components—motor nerve terminal, acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), and nonmyelinating terminal Schwann cells (tSCs)—have not been comprehensively evaluated. Sirtuins delay mammalian aging and increase longevity. Increased hypothalamic Sirt1 expression results in more youthful physiology, but the relationship between NMJ morphology and hypothalamic Sirt1 was previously unknown. In wild‐type mice, all NMJ components showed age‐associated morphological changes with ~80% of NMJs displaying abnormalities by 17 months of age. Aged mice with brain‐specific Sirt1 overexpression (BRASTO) had more youthful NMJ morphologic features compared to controls with increased tSC numbers, increased NMJ innervation, and increased numbers of normal AChRs. Sympathetic NMJ innervation was increased in BRASTO mice. In contrast, hypothalamic‐specific Sirt1 knockdown led to tSC abnormalities, decreased tSC numbers, and more denervated endplates compared to controls. Our data suggest that hypothalamic Sirt1 functions to protect NMJs in skeletal muscle from age‐related changes via sympathetic innervation.
Implementation and Preliminary Results of an Emergency Department Nontargeted, Opt‐out Hepatitis C Virus Screening Program
Authors: Schechter‐Perkins Elissa M. , Miller Nancy S. , Hall Jon , Hartman Joshua J. , Dorfman David H. , Andry Chris , Linas Benjamin P.
Published: May 2018

Background

Emergency department (ED) visits provide an opportunity for hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening for patients who otherwise might not be tested. We report on a novel nontargeted, opt‐out HCV screening and linkage‐to‐care (LTC) program implemented in an urban ED.

Methods

This is a descriptive analysis from 3 months (November 2016–January 2017) of a nontargeted, opt‐out ED HCV screening and LTC program among patients at least 13 years old undergoing phlebotomy for clinical purposes. A multipurpose best practice advisory (BPA) alerted providers to the program and generated order labels. For patients who authorized testing, specimens were drawn in the ED for HCV antibody (Ab) and reflex confirmatory RNA tests. Public health navigators attempted to contact RNA‐positive patients and arrange outpatient visits.

Results

HCV Ab tests were performed on 3,808 patients, a 6,950% increase from preprogram. The proportion of HCV Ab test positivity was 13.2% (504/3,808, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 12.2%–14.3%) and of those 97.8% (493/504) had a follow‐up RNA test performed. A total of 292 were confirmed positive for active infection, for an overall RNA positivity rate of 7.7% (95% CI = 6.8%–8.5%). Of those with active infection, 155 (53%) were outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention birth cohort for increased risk for HCV including 46 (15.8%, 95% CI = 11.8%–20.4%) who also did not report injection drug use. Linkage attempts were documented on 223 (76.4%) patients and appointments were scheduled for 102 (38% of attempted). Sixty‐six patients attended their LTC visit (22.5% of all RNA‐positive patients, 30% of linkage‐eligible patients).

Conclusions

Nontargeted opt‐out HCV testing can be successfully implemented in an ED setting. A number of patients diagnosed were outside traditional risk groups. Once diagnosed, an ED population may be difficult to engage in care, but a structured interdisciplinary program can successfully link patients to HCV care.
Sex‐Specific Associations of Risk‐Based Alcohol Drinking Level with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and the 10‐Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores
Authors: Lee Kayoung
Published: May 2018

Background

To assess sex‐specific associations between risk‐based alcohol drinking levels and the 10‐year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk scores and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors.

Methods

Data from 9,995 Koreans (4,249 men, 5,746 women), aged 40 to 79 years who did not have CVD and participated in the 2011 to 2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, were used to assess risk‐based alcohol drinking levels in the past year (no drinking, drinking at low risk, and drinking at risk) categorized by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, components of the 10‐year CVD risk scores using the Adult Treatment Panel III risk score and the 10‐year hard atherosclerotic CVD risk score, CV risk factors, and confounding factors (age, smoking status, body mass index, educational attainment, income level, and physical activity).

Results

Drinking levels had positive associations with blood pressure and levels of glucose, triglycerides, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and inverse associations with levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and non‐HDL‐C and ratio of total cholesterol (TC) to HDL‐C in men, while higher drinking levels were associated with higher HDL‐C levels and lower ratio of TC to HDL‐C in women after adjusting for confounding factors (p for trend < 0.001). With respect to the 10‐year CVD risk scores, higher drinking levels were associated with lower scores in both sexes (p for trend < 0.001).

Conclusions

Risk‐based drinking levels were more likely to have dose‐dependent associations with CV risk factors in men than in women and had inverse relationships with 10‐year CVD risk in both men and women.
Risk for Childhood Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems in the Context of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Meta‐Analysis and Comprehensive Examination of Moderators
Authors: Khoury Jennifer E. , Jamieson Brittany , Milligan Karen
Published: May 2018

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is associated with a constellation of physical, neurocognitive, and behavioral abnormalities in offspring. The presence of internalizing (e.g., anxiety, mood disorders) and externalizing (e.g., oppositional defiant and conduct disorders) behavior problems has devastating and often long‐lasting impacts on children, adolescents, and their families. The present meta‐analysis explored the strength of the association between PAE and behavior problems, as well as factors that increase or mitigate risk. The current meta‐analysis included 65 studies comparing children and adolescents with PAE to non‐ or light‐exposed controls and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) samples, on a variety of internalizing and externalizing behavior outcomes. Results indicated that individuals with PAE are at increased risk for internalizing (d = 0.71, medium effect) and externalizing (d = 0.90, large effect) problems compared to control samples. The occurrence of total behavior problems was similar to that seen in ADHD samples. The strength of the association between internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and PAE was significantly moderated by several distinct sample characteristics, such as sample age, socioeconomic status, severity of exposure, and type of behavior problem. These findings further our understanding of the behavior problems experienced by children and adolescents with PAE.
Decomposing Pearson's χ2 test: A linear regression and its departure from linearity
Authors: Zhou Zhengyang , Ku Hung‐Chih , Xing Guan , Xing Chao
Published: May 2018

In case–control genetic association studies, a standard practice is to perform the Cochran‐Armitage (CA) trend test under the assumption of the additive model because of its robustness. We could even identify situations in which it outperformed the analysis model consistent with the underlying inheritance mode. In this article, we analytically reveal the statistical basis that leads to the phenomenon. By elucidating the origin of the CA trend test as a linear regression model, we decompose Pearson's χ2‐test statistic into two components—one is the CA trend test statistic that measures the goodness of fit of the linear regression model, and the other measures the discrepancy between data and the linear regression model. Under this framework, we show that the additive coding scheme, as well as the multiplicative coding scheme, increases the coefficient of determination of the regression model by increasing the spread of data points. We also obtain the conditions under which the CA trend test statistic equals the MAX statistic and Pearson's χ2‐test statistic.
Linguistic Anthropology in 2017: It Could Be Otherwise
Authors: Hoffmann‐Dilloway Erika
Published: May 2018

In this review, I discuss recent works that embody Monica Heller's (2017, 12) assertion that anthropology is about “imagining alternative worlds.” In the first section, “Presence(s), Contact(s), and their Alternatives,” I focus on work that refines our analytical grasp of the semiotic processes underlying past, current, and projected realities, possibilities, and engagements. The second section, “Shifting Political Economies,” deals with publications that specifically explore how political economic conditions are otherwise than was the case when linguistic anthropologists began formulating approaches to the political economies of language in the immediate post–Cold War period. In a third section, “Evidence and/of Imagination,” I examine how linguistic anthropological works published in the period under review have used the terms “imagine/imagined/imaginary” in polyvalent senses when exploring how alternative worlds are conceived and produced, and consider how this nontechnical term can allow scholars to evade or to open up questions of scale and evidence. The final section, “Linguistic Anthropology Could be Otherwise,” takes up work in 2017 that asks how the practice of linguistic anthropology itself could be—and should be—otherwise in terms of our engagements outside the field and the scope of our theoretical and political imaginations. [linguistic anthropology, semiotics, alternatives, imagination, political economies]
Editorial: an expert consensus for the management of chronic hepatitis B in Asian Americans
Authors: Ebel N. H. , Rosenthal P.
Published: May 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Tong et al and Tong and Pan papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14577 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14662.
Editorial: faecal incontinence—the hidden burden of inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Cañete F. , Domènech E.
Published: May 2018

Linked content

This article is linked to Vollebregt et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14599 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14660.
Editorial: the durability of seroconversion of hepatitis B e antigen in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with PEG‐interferon alfa‐2a
Authors: Wei M. T. , Nguyen M. H.
Published: May 2018

Linked Content

This paper is linked to Chuang et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14595.
Editorial: de novo inflammatory bowel disease following bariatric surgery—potential implications for research and clinical practice. Authors’ reply
Authors: Ungaro R. , Colombel J.‐F.
Published: May 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Ungaro et al and Alukaidey and Heerasing papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14569 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14611.
Letter: improvements in mental health after faecal microbiota transplantation—an underexplored treatment‐related benefit? Authors’ reply
Authors: Jalanka J. , Hillamaa A. , Arkkila P. E. , Satokari R.
Published: May 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Jalanka et al and Mullish papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14443 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14626.
Editorial: finding the coeliacs – should everyone be screened?
Authors: Lebwohl B. , Green P. H. R.
Published: May 2018

Linked content

This article is linked to Hujoel et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14625.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: prevalence, risk factors and costs of aminosalicylate use in Crohn's disease
Authors: Ma C. , Dutton S. J. , Cipriano L. E. , Singh S. , Parker C. E. , Nguyen T. M. , Guizzetti L. , Gregor J. C. , Chande N. , Hindryckx P. , Feagan B. G. , Jairath V.
Published: May 2018

Background

Aminosalicylates are the most frequently prescribed drugs for patients with Crohn's disease (CD), yet evidence to support their efficacy as induction or maintenance therapy is controversial.

Aims

To quantify aminosalicylate use in CD clinical trials, identify factors associated with use and estimate direct annual treatment costs of therapy.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL were searched to April 2017 for placebo‐controlled trials in adults with CD treated with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or biologics. The proportion of patients co‐prescribed aminosalicylates in placebo arms was pooled using a random‐effects model. Meta‐regression was used to identify factors associated with aminosalicylate use. Annual treatment costs were estimated using the 2016 Ontario Drug Benefit Program.

Results

Forty‐two induction and 10 maintenance trials were included. The pooled proportion of patients co‐prescribed aminosalicylates was 44% [95% CI: 39%‐49%] in induction trials and 49% [95% CI: 35%‐64%] in maintenance trials. There was substantial to considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 86.0%, 91.8% for induction and maintenance trials, respectively). In multivariable meta‐regression, aminosalicylate use has decreased over time in induction trials (OR 0.50 [95% CI: 0.34–0.74] per 10‐year increment). While a decline has been seen over time, 35% of CD patients were still using aminosalicylates in contemporary trials from the last 5 years. The estimated annual cost for the lowest price mesalazine (mesalamine) formulation is approximately $32 million for the Canadian CD population.

Conclusions

Over one‐third of CD patients entering clinical trials are still co‐prescribed aminosalicylates. A definitive trial is needed to inform the conventional practice of using aminosalicylates as CD maintenance therapy.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following direct‐acting antiviral therapy
Authors: Saraiya N. , Yopp A. C. , Rich N. E. , Odewole M. , Parikh N. D. , Singal A. G.
Published: May 2018

Background

Although studies suggest decreased incident hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after direct‐acting antivirals (DAA), data are conflicting regarding HCC recurrence and aggressiveness in patients who have a history of HCC with complete response.

Aim

Characterize HCC recurrence patterns after DAA therapy.

Methods

Two reviewers searched MEDLINE and SCOPUS from January 2015 to December 2017 and identified studies evaluating HCC recurrence patterns following DAA therapy. A pooled estimate was calculated using the DerSimonian and Laird method for a random effects model. The study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Among 24 studies (n = 1820 patients), the proportion of patients with HCC recurrence following DAA therapy ranged from 0% to 59% (pooled estimate 24.4%; 95% CI: 18.4%‐30.4%). Among 11 full text manuscripts, pooled HCC recurrence was 21.9% (95% CI: 16.2%‐28.3%). Factors associated with recurrence included history of prior HCC recurrence and a shorter interval between HCC complete response and DAA initiation. Nine studies comparing DAA‐treated and interferon‐treated or untreated patients found similar recurrence among DAA‐treated patients. Most (77.8%) patients with HCC recurrence were detected at an early tumour stage, of whom 64.7% received curative treatment. Study limitations included heterogeneous cohorts, potential misclassification of HCC absence prior to DAA, ascertainment bias for recurrence, and short durations of follow‐up.

Conclusions

Current data suggest acceptable HCC recurrence rates after DAA therapy, particularly if DAA therapy is delayed at least 6 months after HCC complete response. However, data characterising HCC recurrence after DAA therapy are of limited quality, highlighting the need for high quality prospective studies.
Finding a place for boomtowns in energy geographies
Authors: Woodworth Max D.
Published: May 2018

Energy boomtowns are a persistent feature of the modern era. Yet such cities have been neglected in energy geography research, despite a remarkable invigoration of the subfield in recent years. Drawing on examples from around the world as well as historical examples, this paper argues that energy boomtowns are a vital feature of the expansive geographies of energy uses. It further argues that energy boomtowns must be seen as the confluence of four areas or dimensions: regional transformation; conflicts in city politics, governance and planning; legitimation of carbon economies; and social disruption. Each of these reveals the social production of energy and the frequently contentious process of urban space production. While the recurring emergence of energy boomtowns is of empirical interest, the turbulent setting of the boomtown can also reveal much about the social stakes of energy uses through their intersections with place‐specific, urban‐focused development agendas.
Review of 20 years of human acute Q fever notifications in Victoria, 1994–2013
Authors: Bond KA , Franklin L , Sutton B , Stevenson MA , Firestone SM
Published: May 2018

Objective

To describe the epidemiological and clinical features of acute Q fever in Victoria from 1994 to 2013.

Design

Retrospective case series and spatiotemporal analyses of human notification data.

Methods

Records for all confirmed cases of Q fever in Victoria notified between 1994 and 2013 were reviewed. Clinical and epidemiological features of the cases were described and spatiotemporal analysis undertaken for all cases potentially acquired within Victoria.

Results

A total of 659 confirmed acute Q fever cases were notified over the study period. Cases decreased at a rate of 4.2% per annum (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9, 7.4%). Notification rates decreased among abattoir workers and related occupations by 10.9% per annum (95% CI: 6.5, 15.0%), whereas those among dairy farmers rose by 14.9% per annum (95% CI: 4.7, 26.0%). The mean age of cases increased over the study period while the ratio of male to female cases decreased. Spatiotemporal analysis suggested endemic transmission, with 55% of cases associated with abattoirs and related businesses and a further 30% considered to have acquired the infection locally. In addition to abattoir‐associated clusters, important foci for local acquisition included South and East Gippsland, Wodonga and an outbreak centred on a dairy goat farm west of Melbourne.

Conclusions

There has been a reduction in cases of acute Q fever in Victoria over the past 20 years and a changing epidemiology with respect to age, sex and acquisition source. Epidemiological and spatiotemporal analyses suggested a low level of endemic transmission within the state, with multiple foci of increased zoonotic transmission.
Solar radiation and ENSO predict fruiting phenology patterns in a 15‐year record from Kibale National Park, Uganda
Authors: Chapman Colin A. , Valenta Kim , Bonnell Tyler R. , Brown Kevin A. , Chapman Lauren J.
Published: May 2018

Fruiting, flowering, and leaf set patterns influence many aspects of tropical forest communities, but there are few long‐term studies examining potential drivers of these patterns, particularly in Africa. We evaluated a 15‐year dataset of tree phenology in Kibale National Park, Uganda, to identify abiotic predictors of fruit phenological patterns and discuss our findings in light of climate change. We quantified fruiting for 326 trees from 43 species and evaluated these patterns in relation to solar radiance, rainfall, and monthly temperature. We used time‐lagged variables based on seasonality in linear regression models to assess the effect of abiotic variables on the proportion of fruiting trees. Annual fruiting varied over 3.8‐fold, and inter‐annual variation in fruiting is associated with the extent of fruiting in the peak period, not variation in time of fruit set. While temperature and rainfall showed positive effects on fruiting, solar radiance in the two‐year period encompassing a given year and the previous year was the strongest predictor of fruiting. As solar irradiance was the strongest predictor of fruiting, the projected increase in rainfall associated with climate change, and coincident increase in cloud cover suggest that climate change will lead to a decrease in fruiting. ENSO in the prior 24‐month period was also significantly associated with annual ripe fruit production, and ENSO is also affected by climate change. Predicting changes in phenology demands understanding inter‐annual variation in fruit dynamics in light of potential abiotic drivers, patterns that will only emerge with long‐term data.
Explaining the Unpredictable: The Development of Causal Theories of Mind in Deaf and Hearing Children
Authors: Peterson Candida C. , Wellman Henry M.
Published: May 2018

Two studies of 100 children aged 3–12 years examined theory of mind (ToM) understanding via explanations and predictions in hearing preschoolers and ToM‐delayed deaf children. Study 1's 75 children (31 deaf; 44 hearing) displayed an “explanation advantage,” devising valid epistemic ToM explanations despite failing simpler forced‐choice false‐belief (FB) prediction tests. This novel discovery for deaf children extended to unexpectedly frequent cognitive (“think” or “know”) explanations. Study 2 (with 25 additional deaf children; Mage = 9) showed that microgenetic FB explanation practice resulted in significant gains on FB prediction posttests that were absent in a non‐ToM control group. Implications for (a) explanation's interconnection with conceptual development, (b) designing ToM interventions, and (c) teaching deaf and hearing children are discussed.
Simplified 4‐item criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome: A bridge too far?
Authors: Indran Inthrani R. , Huang Zhongwei , Khin Lay Wai , Chan Jerry K.Y. , Viardot‐Foucault Veronique , Yong Eu Leong
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Although the Rotterdam 2003 polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) diagnostic criteria is widely used, the need to consider multiple variables makes it unwieldy in clinical practice. We propose a simplified PCOS criteria wherein diagnosis is made if two of the following three items were present: (i) oligomenorrhoea, (ii) anti‐mullerian hormone (AMH) above threshold and/or (iii) hyperandrogenism defined as either testosterone above threshold and/or the presence of hirsutism.

Design setting and participants

This prospective cross‐sectional study consists of healthy women (n = 157) recruited at an annual hospital health screen for staff and volunteers from the university community, and a patient cohort (n = 174) comprising women referred for suspected PCOS.

Main outcome measures

We used the healthy cohort to establish threshold values for serum testosterone, antral follicle counts (AFC), ovarian volume (OV) and AMH. Women from the patient cohort, classified as PCOS by simplified PCOS criteria, AMH alone and Rotterdam 2003, were compared with respect to prevalence of oligomenorrhoea, hyperandrogenism and metabolic indices.

Results

In healthy women, testosterone ≥1.89 nmol/L, AFC ≥22 follicles and OV ≥8.44 mL, best predicted oligomenorrhoea and were used as threshold values for PCOS criteria. An AMH level ≥37.0 pmol/L best predicted polycystic ovarian morphology. AMH alone as a single biomarker demonstrated poor specificity (58.9%) for PCOS compared to Rotterdam 2003. In contrast, there was a 94% overlap in women selected as PCOS by the simplified PCOS criteria and Rotterdam 2003. The population characteristics of these two groups of PCOS women showed no significant mean differences in androgenic, ovarian, AMH and metabolic (BMI, HOMA‐IR) variables.

Conclusions

Our data recommend the simplified PCOS criteria with population‐specific thresholds for diagnosis of PCOS. Its ability to replace ovarian ultrasound biometry with the highly correlated variable AMH, and use of testosterone as a single marker for hyperandrogenaemia alongside the key symptoms of oligomenorrhoea and hirsutism confers significant clinical potential for the diagnosis of PCOS.
Research in colorectal cancer – a patient's view
Authors: Amos J.
Published: May 2018

John Amos is the chair of the Bowel Cancer Support Group in Purley, UK and here gives an important patient perspective of the International Experts Meeting and the role of patient representatives in cancer research. He highlights that it is especially important for patients that quality of life following both surgery and chemoradiotherapy is considered.
Session 2: Mutational discordance: the big challenge in personalized treatments – any solutions?
Authors: Siddiqui M. , Chand M. , Eng C. , Mehdizadeh A. , Mirnezami A. , Brown G.
Published: May 2018

The great challenge for oncologists treating patients who are developing or progressing with metastatic disease is to be able to offer a truly personalized and targeted therapy that can have an early and meaningful effect on the course of the disease. At present the known molecular markers are limited in their frequency and reliability in determining the use of newer chemotherapies. Professor Eng discusses the challenges faced in ensuring timely and effective treatments based on the molecular profile of the tumour and the potential role of real‐time analysis of mutational changes in the tumour when progression occurs.
Session 3: Many ways to organ preserve the rectum but which is correct?
Authors: Read J. , Tekkis P. , Rullier E. , Nicholls J. , Mortensen N. , Marks J. , Steele R. J. C. , Brown G.
Published: May 2018

From the patient's perspective, cancer cure with full preservation of function is a crucial goal. There are many advances that have emerged which may make this possible in a greater proportion of patients without compromising oncological outcomes. Professor Tekkis reviews the options and evidence to date for ‘organ preservation’ and the expert panel discuss the implications for current and future patient care.
Session 4: Shaping radiotherapy for rectal cancer: should this be personalized?
Authors: Dattani M. , Marijnen C. , Moran B. , Tait D. , Cunningham C. , Rodriguez‐Bigas M. , Brown G.
Published: May 2018

Preoperative radiotherapy continues to be widely used in patients with operable rectal cancer. However, the indications and goals for such treatment are evolving. Professor Marijnen reviews the historic and current evidence base for the use of preoperative neoadjuvant radiotherapy and the future challenges in tailoring the therapy according to the patients’ needs and tumour stage.
Session 4: What should we do for poor responders after chemoradiotherapy: bad biology or should the fight go on?
Authors: Bhoday J. , Glimelius B. , Tait D. , Glynne‐Jones R. , Adams R. , Brown G.
Published: May 2018

Just over 50% of patients with advanced rectal cancer have a poor response to chemoradiotherapy with resultant poor outcomes. Professor Glimelius reviews the evidence base for defining such patients and the potential role, if any, of further treatment.
Session 4: Trying to augment response with chemotherapy: a triumph of hope over experience?
Authors: Battersby N. J. , Perez R. O. , Baxter N. , Moran B. , Brown G.
Published: May 2018

As part of an approach to improve tumour regression and increase the proportion of patients with complete clinical and radiological response, Dr Perez reviews the methods and evidence base for augmenting therapy and thus augmenting response rates preoperatively. Much of the data reviewed were in the context of patients undergoing a watch‐and‐wait approach for rectal cancer after initial treatment with chemoradiotherapy.
Are Words Easier to Learn From Infant‐ Than Adult‐Directed Speech? A Quantitative Corpus‐Based Investigation
Authors: Guevara‐Rukoz Adriana , Cristia Alejandrina , Ludusan Bogdan , Thiollière Roland , Martin Andrew , Mazuka Reiko , Dupoux Emmanuel
Published: May 2018

We investigate whether infant‐directed speech (IDS) could facilitate word form learning when compared to adult‐directed speech (ADS). To study this, we examine the distribution of word forms at two levels, acoustic and phonological, using a large database of spontaneous speech in Japanese. At the acoustic level we show that, as has been documented before for phonemes, the realizations of words are more variable and less discriminable inIDSthan inADS. At the phonological level, we find an effect in the opposite direction: TheIDSlexicon contains more distinctive words (such as onomatopoeias) than theADScounterpart. Combining the acoustic and phonological metrics together in a global discriminability score reveals that the bigger separation of lexical categories in the phonological space does not compensate for the opposite effect observed at the acoustic level. As a result,IDSword forms are still globally less discriminable thanADSword forms, even though the effect is numerically small. We discuss the implication of these findings for the view that the functional role ofIDSis to improve language learnability.
Investigation of alkaline hydrolysis of phthalimide‐based azo dye and its application to after‐treatment optimisation for high‐fastness dyeing of polyesters
Authors: Mamun Kabir Shekh Md. , Eom Minyoung , Lee Jieun , Chae Da Eun , Baek Sungchan , Koh Joonseok
Published: May 2018

4‐Amino‐N‐methylphthalimide was prepared from phthalimide for use as a diazo component and was coupled with N,N‐Diethylaniline to produce a phthalimide‐derived monoazo disperse dye. The pseudo first‐order kinetics were confirmed by analyzing the dye hydrolysis under alkaline conditions using high performance liquid chromatography, and the optimal dyeing pH and alkali‐clearing conditions were proposed. The synthesised phthalimidyl disperse dyes exhibited excellent colour fastness with a mild alkaline after‐treatment instead of reduction clearing which results in a high biological oxygen demand and pH in conventional disperse dyeing wastewater.