bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fas‐FasL interaction in cytotoxic T cell‐mediated vitiligo: The role of lesional expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α and interferon‐γ in Fas‐mediated melanocyte apoptosis
Authors: Jimbo Haruki , Nagai Hiroshi , Fujiwara Susumu , Shimoura Noriko , Nishigori Chikako
Published: November 2019

Vitiligo is an acquired skin depigmentation disorder resulting from the selective loss of epidermal melanocytes, and previous studies have suggested that a T lymphocyte‐mediated mechanism has a role in melanocyte loss. Although Fas‐Fas ligand (FasL) interactions are important for T lymphocytes to mediate cytotoxicity, there are only few reports examining the involvement of the Fas‐FasL pathway in vitiligo using in vivo mouse models. In addition, there have been no reports concerning Fas‐mediated apoptosis in human melanocytes in vitro. In this study, we found that the Fas‐mediated pathway is involved in cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)‐dependent vitiligo in a mouse model and FasL‐induced apoptosis of human melanocytes. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interferon (IFN)‐γ, the expression levels of which have been reported to be elevated in lesional skin of patients with vitiligo, synergistically upregulated Fas expression on human melanocytes but inhibited the Fas‐mediated apoptosis. Treatment with TNF‐α and IFN‐γ synergistically upregulated the expression of the anti‐apoptotic genes, c‐IAP2, c‐FLIP and MCL1. A siRNA knock‐down study showed that c‐FLIP and MCL1, but not c‐IAP2, were involved in inducing synergistic inhibitory effects on Fas‐mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that FasL and TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) synergistically induced apoptosis on human melanocytes. In conclusion, our results suggest that the Fas‐FasL pathway is involved in CTL‐dependent vitiligo and the elevated expression levels of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in lesional skin may act synergistically on melanocytes to suppress Fas‐mediated apoptosis.
Spatial distribution of usable biomass feedstock and technical bioenergy potential in China
Authors: Nie Yaoyu , Chang Shiyan , Cai Wenjia , Wang Can , Fu Jingying , Hui Jingxuan , Yu Le , Zhu Wanbin , Huang Guorui , Kumar Amit , Guo Weichao , Ding Qun
Published: November 2019

Bioenergy will play an intimate and critical role in energy supply and carbon mitigation in the future. In recent years, “customizing the development of bioenergy to local conditions” and “prioritizing distributed utilization” have been the two key principles that have been released by the Chinese government to promote the national‐ and provincial‐level development of bioenergy. While many recognize the importance of bioenergy in achieving low‐carbon transition, little is known about the high‐resolution distribution of usable biomass feedstock and technical bioenergy potential in China, which brings about uncertainties and additional challenges for creating localized utilization plans. We propose a new assessment framework that integrates crop growth models, a land suitability assessment, and the geographic information systems to address these knowledge gaps. Distributions of 11 types of usable biomass feedstock and three kinds of technical bioenergy potential are mapped out through specific transformation technologies at 1 km resolution. At the national level, the final technical biogas potential is 1.91 EJ. The technical bioethanol potential (0.04–0.96 EJ) from the energy crop can supply 0.13–3.12 times the bioethanol demand for the consumption of E10 gasoline in 2015. The technical heat potential (1.06 EJ) can meet 20% of the demand for heating in all provinces (5.38 EJ). Most of the 2020 bioenergy goals can be achieved, excluding that for bioethanol, which will need to require more cellulosic ethanol from residues. At the provincial level, Henan and Inner Mongolia have the potential to develop clean heating alternatives via the substitution of agroforestry residues for coal. The results can provide a systematic analysis of the distribution of biomass feedstocks and technical bioenergy potential in China. With economic factors taken into consideration in further research, it can also support national and provincial governments in making bioenergy development plans in an effective and timely manner.
Lymphopenia predicts poor prognosis in older gastric cancer patients after curative gastrectomy
Authors: Tatara Takashi , Suzuki Satoshi , Kanaji Shingo , Yamamoto Masashi , Matsuda Yoshiko , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Yamashita Kimihiro , Matsuda Takeru , Oshikiri Taro , Nakamura Tetsu , Kakeji Yoshihiro
Published: November 2019

Aim

Total lymphocyte count in preoperative peripheral blood is associated with prognosis in various cancers. The predictive value of preoperative total lymphocyte count for survival was assessed in older gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy.

Methods

A total of 200 gastric cancer patients aged ≥75 years who underwent curative resection from 2000 to 2014 were included in this retrospective study. The cut‐off value of total lymphocyte count in preoperative peripheral blood was determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and the association with prognosis was examined.

Results

The cut‐off value of total lymphocyte count was 1462/μL, and 94 patients were classified as low total lymphocyte count patients and 106 patients were classified as high total lymphocyte count patients. In univariate analysis, American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥3, Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3, total lymphocyte count <1462/μL, stage III, open approach, total gastrectomy, splenectomy and infectious complication were significantly associated with overall survival. In multivariate analysis, total lymphocyte count <1462/μL (P = 0.003), American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥3 (P = 0.01) and stage III (P = 0.017) were independent prognostic factors. Low total lymphocyte count significantly reduced overall survival in stage I (P = 0.037) and II (P = 0.009) patients, but not stage III patients (P = 0.29).

Conclusion

Total lymphocyte count in preoperative peripheral blood can predict postoperative survival of older patients with relatively early‐stage gastric cancer. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1215–1219.
URBAN POPULATION AND AMENITIES: THE NEOCLASSICAL MODEL OF LOCATION
Authors: Albouy David , Stuart Bryan A.
Published: November 2019

We develop a neoclassical general equilibrium model to explain cross‐metro variation in population and density. We provide new methods to estimate traded and nontraded productivities, and elasticities of housing and land supply, using density and land area data. From wage and housing cost indices, the model explains half of U.S. density and population variation and finds that quality of life determines location choices more than trade productivity; productivity and factor substitution in housing matter most, but are weak in nicer areas. Relaxing land use regulations would increase population in the West, raising both quality of life and productivity experienced by residents.
An Argument for Compulsory Vaccination: The Taxation Analogy
Authors: Giubilini Alberto
Published: November 2019

I argue that there are significant moral reasons in addition to harm prevention for making vaccination against certain common infectious diseases compulsory. My argument is based on an analogy between vaccine refusal and tax evasion. First, I discuss some of the arguments for compulsory vaccination that are based on considerations of the risk of harm that the non‐vaccinated would pose on others; I will suggest that the strength of such arguments is contingent upon circumstances and that in order to provide the strongest defence possible of compulsory vaccination, such arguments need to be supplemented by additional arguments. I will then offer my additional argument for compulsory vaccination: I will argue that in both cases of vaccine refusal and of tax evasion individuals fail to make their fair contribution to important social and public goods, regardless of whether each individual contribution ‘makes a difference’. While fairness considerations have sometimes been used to support a moral duty to vaccinate, they have not been appealed to in order to argue for a legal duty to vaccinate. I will suggest that this is due, among other things, to a misapplication of the principle of the least restrictive alternative in public health. Finally, I will address nine possible objections to my argument.
High foraging site fidelity and spatial segregation among individual great black‐backed gulls
Authors: Borrmann Rahel M. , Phillips Richard A. , Clay Thomas A. , Garthe Stefan
Published: November 2019

Individual foraging site fidelity, whereby individuals repeatedly visit the same foraging areas, is widespread in nature, and likely benefits individuals through higher foraging efficiency and potentially, higher breeding success. It may arise as a consequence of habitat or resource specialisation, or alternatively, where resources are abundant or predictable, the partitioning of space might guarantee individuals exclusive foraging opportunities. We tracked seven adult great black‐backed gulls Larus marinus at a North Sea colony from early incubation to the end of the breeding season in 2016, providing a total of 1170 foraging trips over a mean ± SD tracking period of 67 ± 16 days. There was clear spatial segregation between individuals, with almost no overlap of their core areas (50% utilisation distribution) during incubation and chick‐rearing. Core areas were relatively small and there was high repeatability (R ± SE) in foraging parameters, including initial departure direction (0.73 ± 0.11), foraging range (0.41 ± 0.14) and cumulative distance travelled (0.19 ± 0.1) throughout the breeding season. Despite the low spatial overlap, there was little evidence of differential habitat use by individuals. The near‐exclusive individual foraging areas of this species, usually considered to be a generalist, indicate that where there is high resource availability throughout the breeding season and a small local population, individuals appear to adopt a territorial strategy which likely reduces intraspecific competition.
Revealing the colourful side of birds: spatial distribution of conspicuous plumage colours on the body of Australian birds
Authors: Delhey Kaspar
Published: November 2019

In many species of birds, different body parts often display very different colours. This spatial distribution of coloured plumage patches may be determined, among other factors, by the balance between being cryptic to predators, and conspicuous to intended receivers. If this is the case, ventral and anterior body parts in birds – which are less visible to predators but more prominent to conspecifics – should present more conspicuous and sexually dichromatic plumage colours. Here, I test these predictions using reflectance spectrometric measurements of standardised plumage patches across males and females for nearly an entire avifauna (Australian landbirds, n = 538 species). My data show that, as predicted, conspicuous and sexually dichromatic colours are mainly located near the head, while the plumage of the back is the most cryptic. One clear exception to this pattern is the conspicuous rump coloration. In many species, this patch can be concealed by wings, and therefore exposed only when necessary. In addition, conspicuous rump coloration could deflect or confuse predators in case of attack. However, there is considerable variation across species, and this makes position on the body a very poor predictor of plumage elaboration (R2 < 0.02). Future studies should try to determine whether differences between species in the distribution of colours across the plumage are due to variation in ecological factors (predation risk, habitat, etc.).
MiR‐590‐3p regulates proliferation, migration and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblast by targeting ZEB1
Authors: Yuan Xiaolong , Pan Jinchun , Wen Lijuan , Gong Baoyong , Li Jiaqi , Gao Hongbin , Tan Weijiang , Liang Shi , Zhang Hao , Wang Xilong
Published: November 2019

Previous studies have implicated the attractive and promising role of miR‐590‐3p to restore the cardiac function following myocardial infarction (MI). However, the molecular mechanisms for how miR‐590‐3p involves in cardiac fibrosis remain largely unexplored. Using human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) as the cellular model, luciferase report assay, mutation, EdU assay and transwell migration assay were applied to investigate the biological effects of miR‐590‐3p on the proliferation, differentiation, migration and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts. We found that miR‐590‐3p significantly suppressed cell proliferation and migration of HCFs. The mRNA and protein expression levels of α‐SMA, Col1A1 and Col3A were significantly decreased by miR‐590‐3p. Moreover, miR‐590‐3p directly targeted at the 3’UTR of ZEB1 to repress the translation of ZEB1. Interfering with the expression of ZEB1 significantly decreased the cell proliferation, migration activity, mRNA and protein expressions of α‐SMA, Col1A1 and Col3A. Furthermore, the expressions of miR‐590‐3p and ZEB1 were identified in infarct area of MI model in pigs. Collectively, miR‐590‐3p suppresses the cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts by targeting ZEB1. These works will provide useful biological information for future studies on potential roles of miR‐590‐3p as the therapeutic target to recover cardiac function following MI.
Identity Politics, Core State Powers and Regional Integration: Europe and beyond
Authors: Börzel Tanja A. , Risse Thomas
Published: November 2019

This article concentrates on the path from the development of collective identities to the integration of core state powers. Firstly, we focus on the European experience. We argue that the identities of political, economic, and social elites have been crucial for the evolution of European integration. With regard to mass public opinion, European integration has been made possible by a consensus of EU citizens with inclusive national identities. Most recently, the politicization of EU affairs in many member states has been driven by populist forces mobilizing minorities with exclusive nationalist identities. Secondly, we discuss the extent to which insights from Europe have travelled to other regions of the world. Elites involved in region‐building almost always develop identity narratives linking their national experience to the respective regions. Moreover, there is evidence that the difference between inclusive and exclusive nationalist identifications has also travelled beyond Europe.
Cohesion Policy Meets Heterogeneous Firms
Authors: Fattorini Loredana , Ghodsi Mahdi , Rungi Armando
Published: November 2019

In this study we empirically tested the effect of the EU cohesion policy using a unique dataset of 273,500 European manufacturing firms, combining regional policy data at the UN Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics‐2 level with total factor productivity (TFP) at firm‐level. In a framework of heterogeneous firms and regions' different absorptive capacity, we show that financing by the European regional development fund aimed at direct investments in R&D is associated with the improvement of firms' productivity in a region, while funding designed to support overall business is not. The positive association with research, technology and development spending is stronger in the first quartile of the TFP distributions, for the firms that are the least efficient in a region. This appears to be in line with the priority of the policy, which aims at improving firms' competitiveness, especially that of small and medium enterprises. We finally argue that considering the heterogeneous distribution of firms' inefficiencies in a region is crucial to designing a better cohesion policy and to avoid a misallocation of resources it is better than looking at regional aggregates.
Bending and Breaking the Single Resolution Mechanism: The Case of Italy
Authors: Donnelly Shawn , Asimakopoulos Ioannis G.
Published: November 2019

This article examines the political economy and law of bank resolution in the case of Italy – specifically, its treatment of three failing banks – the Monte dei Paschi, Veneto and Vicenza banks – which were resolved in 2016–17. These three cases stand out for the relatively large degree of discretion exercised by the national resolution and state aid authorities, ultimately with the permission of their European counterparts. This article examines the motivations of Italian authorities in lobbying the Commission for leeway in applying the bank recovery and resolution directive and analyses the intricacies of the legal framework to underline the extent of discretion exercised by policy‐makers. It concludes that the discretion visible in these three cases is not (entirely) contained within EU law, and that bending the law or turning a blind eye to infractions was key to understanding the EU approach to Italy.
Postfunctionalism, Identity and the Visegrad Group
Authors: Braun Mats
Published: November 2019

This article elaborates on the development of the Visegrad group (V4), consisting of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, in relation to the European integration process in the aftermath of its many crises. The article suggests that the so‐called migration crisis that started in 2015 for the V4 countries constitutes a situation that, in the existing literature, has been described as a postfunctionalist moment. However, in the V4 countries a postfunctionalist moment does not merely suggest reluctance to agree to further integration and in general a turn to EU criticism, but a strengthening of the four countries' shared V4 identity as well. To elaborate on the way that the V4's handling of the migration issue contributes to V4 identity‐building, the article argues that the postfunctionalist literature needs to be supplemented by insights from social constructivism. The article utilises a narrative analysis to examine the way that a V4 identity is under construction.
Crisis, Climate Change and Comitology: Policy Dismantling Via the Backdoor?
Authors: Burns Charlotte , Tobin Paul
Published: November 2019

The EU is reputed to be a climate pioneer. However, the EU has been beset by crises, with potentially negative consequences for climate ambitions. The coding and analysis of EU climate legislation between 1998 and 2015 reveal that while the rate of creating climate policy has increased since the onset of the crisis, the ambition of these policies has waned. Technical policy instruments (comitology) at the EU level, namely delegated and implementing acts (DIA), are analysed alongside the legislation adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure (OLP). If they were applied as indicated in the treaties, the technical DIA measures should not influence the EU's policy ambitions, but in fact, during the crisis era, DIA measures were used more frequently than during the pre‐crisis era, and used in three out of the four cases that weaken policy, suggesting that a minor dismantling of climate policy is taking place at EU level, but via the back door.
Within‐person analysis of developmental cascades between externalising and internalising problems
Authors: Murray Aja Louise , Eisner Manuel , Ribeaud Denis
Published: November 2019

Background

In a large body of previous research, cross‐lagged panel models (CLPMs) have been used to provide empirical support for developmental models that posit a cascade from externalising‐to‐internalising problems. These developmental models, however, arguably refer to within‐person processes whereas CLPMs provide a difficult‐to‐interpret blend of within‐ and between‐ person effects.

Methods

We used autoregressive latent trajectory models with structured residuals (ALT‐SR) to evaluate whether there is evidence for externalising‐to‐internalising cascades at the within‐person level when disaggregating between‐ and within‐ person effects. We used eight waves of data (age 7–15) from the Zurich Project on Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood (z‐proso).

Results

ALT‐SR fit better than the corresponding CLPMs. Using an ALT‐SR, we found evidence for externalising‐to‐internalising cascades, consistent with previous CLPM studies. However, we also found some evidence for effects in the ALT‐SR that were not apparent in the CLPM, including a negative effect of externalising on internalising problems in adolescence. In addition, a negative effect of internalising on externalising problems in adolescence was found in both the CLPM and ALT‐SR.

Conclusions

Within‐person results were largely consistent with previous evidence from CLPMs; however, at the within‐person level, externalising and internalising may negatively influence one another in adolescence.
Factors Affecting the Mixotrophic Flagellate Poterioochromonas malhamensis Grazing on Chlorella Cells
Authors: Wei Chaojun , Wang Hongxia , Ma Mingyang , Hu Qiang , Gong Yingchun
Published: November 2019

Grazing behaviour between protozoa and phytoplankton exists widely in planktonic ecosystems. Poterioochromonas malhamensis is a well‐known and widespread mixotrophic flagellate, which is recognized to play an important role within marine and freshwater planktonic ecosystems and regarded as the greatest contamination threat for mass algal cultures of Chlorella. In this study, a comprehensive range of factors, including morphological characters, biochemical compositions, and specific growth rate of ten species or strains of Chlorella, were evaluated for their effect on the feeding ability of P. malhamensis, which was assessed by two parameters: the clearance rate of P. malhamensis on Chlorella spp. and the specific growth rate of P. malhamensis. The results showed that the clearance rate of P. malhamensis was negatively correlated with cell wall thickness and specific growth rate of Chlorella spp., while the specific growth rate of P. malhamensis was positively correlated with carbohydrate percentage and C/N ratio and negatively correlated with protein, lipid percentage, and nitrogen mass. In conclusion, the factors influencing feeding selectivity include not only the morphological character and chemical composition of Chlorella, but also its population dynamics. Our study provides useful insights into the key factors that affect the feeding selectivity of P. malhamensis and provides basic and constructive data to help in screening for grazing‐resistant microalgae.
Characterisation of stem and proliferating cells on the retina and lens of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Authors: Hussein Mona N. A. , Cao Xiaojuan , Elokil Abdelmotaleb A. , Huang Songqian
Published: November 2019

The eye of the fish has a lifelong persistent neurogenesis unlike eye of mammals, so it's highly interesting to study retinal neurogenesis and its genetic control to give complete knowledge about the cause of this property in fish in comparison to mammals. We performed fluorescent in situ hybridisation for loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus bmi1, msi1 and sox2 genes, which are used as an indicator of the sites of multipotent stem cells. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), bromodeoxyuridine (BRDU) and KI67 markers were used as indicators of proliferating cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunofluorescence was used for detection of the glial property of cells, as well as, immunohistochemistry detected the role of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)α and γ in retinal neurogenesis. Our results determined that the lens and the retina of loach M. anguillicaudatus contain proliferative and pluripotent stem cells that have both glial and neuroepithelial properties, which add new cells continuously throughout life even without injury‐induced proliferation. The PPARα has an essential function in providing energy supply for retinal neurogenesis more than PPARγ.
Modulations of probiotics on gut microbiota in a 5‐fluorouracil‐induced mouse model of mucositis
Authors: Yeung Chun‐Yan , Chiang Chiau Jen‐Shiu , Cheng Mei‐Lein , Chan Wai‐Tao , Chang Szu‐Wen , Chang Yuan‐Hao , Jiang Chuen‐Bin , Lee Hung‐Chang
Published: November 2019

Background and Aim

Intestinal mucositis remained one of the most deleterious complications in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. 5‐FU treatment was reported to affect the abundance of gut microbiota and cause mucositis, which might be ameliorated by probiotics. We investigate the potential changes of 5‐FU treatment and the modulations of probiotics on gut microbiota in a mouse model.

Methods

Male BALB/c mice received either 5‐FU or saline (S). They were separated and fed saline, Lactobacillus casei variety rhamnosus (Lcr) and Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (BG). Lcr and BG were simultaneously administered with 5‐FU for 5 days. Stool specimens were collected for DNA extraction and pyrosequenced for bioinformatic analysis.

Results

Fecal microbial communities were obviously diverse. Bacteroides and Bacteroidaceae were the most abundant microbiota in FU.BG group while S24_7 was the most in S.S group. At phylum and class levels, abundances of Betaproteobacteria, Erysipelotrichi, Gammaproteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia were significantly increased in the FU groups. Probiotics supplementation did increase the abundances of Enterobacteriales and Turicibacterales. We demonstrated that probiotics did modulate the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota. Bacterial motility proteins were found enriched and upregulated in the S.BG group. No mortality was noted. No bacterial translocation was found in spleen and blood among the six groups.

Conclusion

Gut microbiota of mice undergoing chemotherapy exhibited a distinct disruption in bacterial composition. Probiotic did modulate the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota. This is the first study to analyze the effects and safety of Lactobacillus strains on 5‐FU‐induced mucositis systematically and assess changes in the intestinal microbiota after probiotic intervention.
Magnetic resonance enterography for predicting the clinical course of Crohn's disease strictures
Authors: Schulberg Julien D , Wright Emily K , Holt Bronte A , Sutherland Tom R , Hume Simon J , Hamilton Amy L , Ross Alyson L , Connell William C , Brown Steven J , Lust Mark , Miller Ashley M , Bell Sally J , Kamm Michael A
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

Strictures are the most common Crohn's disease complication, but their natural history is unknown. This study aimed to characterize inflammation, predict prognosis, and understand the impact of drug therapy using magnetic resonance enterography (MRE).

Methods

Patients with a stricture diagnosed on MRE over a 5‐year period were reviewed for MRE disease extent and inflammation, clinical course, C‐reactive protein, response to anti‐TNF therapy, endoscopic dilatation, hospitalization, and surgery.

Results

136 patients had 235 strictures (77, one and 59, ≥ 2 strictures). Treatment: 46% of patients underwent surgery after a median 6 months; median follow‐up for those not requiring surgery was 41 months. Predictors of surgery: Hospitalization because of obstruction predicted subsequent surgery (OR 2.50; 95% CI 1.06–5.90) while anti‐TNF therapy commenced at stricture diagnosis was associated with a reduced risk (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.05–0.99). MRE characteristics associated with surgery were proximal bowel dilatation ≥ 30‐mm diameter (OR 2.98; 95% CI 1.36–6.55), stricture bowel wall thickness ≥ 10‐mm (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.11–5.27), and stricture length > 5‐cm (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.21–5.43). 81% of patients with these three adverse MRE features required surgery versus 17% if none were present (P < 0.001). Accuracy for these three MRE variables predicting surgery was high (AUC 0.76).

Conclusion

Magnetic resonance enterography findings in Crohn's disease strictures are highly predictive of the disease course and the need for future surgery. MRE may also identify who would benefit from treatment intensification. Anti‐TNF therapy is associated with reduced risk of surgery and appears to alter the natural history of this complication.
Concordance regarding disease type and phenotypic characteristics among patients with familial inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Park Sang Hyoung , Hwang Sung Wook , Ye Byong Duk , Noh Soomin , Park Jae Cheol , Kim Jin Yong , Kim Jeongseok , Ham Nam Seok , Oh Eun Hye , Yang Dong‐Hoon , Byeon Jeong‐Sik , Myung Seung‐Jae , Yang Suk‐Kyun
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

The phenotypic concordance among familial cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been rarely reported. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the concordance regarding disease type and phenotypic features in a large cohort of Korean patients with IBD.

Methods

A total of 6647 patients with IBD who visited the Asan Medical Center between June 1989 and September 2016 were enrolled in the study. When at least two familial cases existed in our cohort, they were included in the concordance analysis (κ index). The concordance between younger and older members for IBD type [Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC)] and phenotypic characteristics such as disease extent and location, disease behavior, the use of medication, and need for surgery were evaluated.

Results

A positive family history of IBD was noted in 216 patients with CD (7.0%) and in 238 patients with UC (6.7%). Of all patients, 167 consanguineous pairs in 146 families were identified. The crude concordance rate for IBD type was 82.6% with a κ index of 0.656 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.545–0.768, good concordance]. There was mild concordance for disease location in CD (κ = 0.256; 95% CI: 0.007–0.505) and for the use of antitumor necrosis factor agents in UC (κ = 0.354; 95% CI: −0.049–0.757). The concordance for IBD type and several phenotypes in first‐degree relative pairs was better than that in the entire pairs.

Conclusions

Disease type and phenotypic characteristics of patients with familial IBD may be anticipated.
Quality Innovation Networks Share Varied Resources for Nursing Homes on Mostly User‐Friendly Websites
Authors: Quigley Denise D. , Dick Andrew , Stone Patricia W.
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Quality innovation networks' (QINs’) support of nursing homes (NHs) is a national strategy to systematically improve the quality of care experienced by residents. QINs have been tasked with providing NHs with information, resources, tools, and training to assist in developing best practices and to support quality improvement efforts in infection prevention (including joining the National Healthcare Safety Network [NHSN]), avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, and increase use of hospice and palliative care. Our objective was to examine QIN online resources provided to NHs to support best practices and improvement efforts.

DESIGN

An environmental scan was conducted.

SETTING/MEASUREMENT

Each QIN website was evaluated on (1) usability, (2) accessibility and prominence, (3) website design, (4) availability of training materials, (5) recency of update, (6) identification of key personnel, and (8) quality focus areas (ie, infection prevention, NHSN, antibiotic stewardship, reducing unnecessary or avoidable hospitalizations, and palliative and hospice care).

RESULTS

QIN websites varied dramatically in design and resources offered to NHs as well as in the content and ease of finding information. Antibiotic stewardship and NHSN resources were widely available. Information (ie, fact sheets) on reducing avoidable hospitalizations was commonly available, while resources, such as tool kits, webinars, training, and contact information for personnel on reducing avoidable hospitalizations, were available to 23 states. Infection prevention resources were varied and limited to 34 states. Both palliative care and hospice resources were available through only a few QINs (13 states and 20 states, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Given that much of the information, tool kits, and resources are standardized and in the public domain, centralized resources with tailored or specialized links to unique local resources, like in‐person trainings and state‐specific contact information, could be more beneficial for NHs. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2376–2381, 2019
Relationship of Cigarette Smoking and Time of Quitting with Incident Dementia and Cognitive Decline
Authors: Deal Jennifer A. , Power Melinda C. , Palta Priya , Alonso Alvaro , Schneider Andrea L.C. , Perryman Kelly , Bandeen‐Roche Karen , Sharrett A. Richey
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVES

Understanding how dementia risk is impacted by timing of smoking cessation has public health implications for prevention efforts. We investigated the relationship of cigarette smoking and cessation with dementia risk and cognitive decline in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

DESIGN

Ongoing prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Begun in 1987‐1989, ARIC was conducted in four US communities.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 13 002 men and women (25% African American) aged 52 to 75 years.

MEASUREMENTS

All‐cause dementia was defined using standardized algorithms incorporating longitudinal cognitive data, proxy report, and hospital and death certificate dementia codes. Cognitive decline was measured using a composite cognitive score created from three tests measured at two time points (1996‐1998 and 2011‐2013). Smoking and cessation status were defined by self‐report using data from 1987‐1989 (visit 1) and 1996‐1998 (visit 4). Incident dementia risk and differences in cognitive change by smoking status were estimated with Cox proportional hazards and linear regression models, respectively. To address smoking‐related attrition, cognitive scores were imputed for living participants with incomplete cognitive testing.

RESULTS

The proportion of never, former, and current smokers was 44%, 41%, and 14%; 79% of former smokers quit 9 years or more before baseline. A total of 1347 participants developed dementia. After adjustment, compared with never smoking, the hazard ratio for all‐cause dementia for current smoking was 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12‐1.59) and for recent quitting (<9 y before baseline) was 1.24 (95% CI = 1.01‐1.52). Quitting 9 years or more before baseline was not associated with dementia. We found no differences in rates of cognitive decline by smoking status.

CONCLUSION

Although quitting at any time suggested benefit, dementia risk depended on time since smoking cessation. Our study highlights the importance of early midlife cessation to decrease dementia risk. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:337–345, 2020
Comparing Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing Tools and Their Association With Patient Outcomes
Authors: Moriarty Frank , Bennett Kathleen , Kenny Rose Anne , Fahey Tom , Cahir Caitriona
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVE

To assess the agreement of several different measures of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) in older people and compare their relationship with patient‐reported outcomes.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study including participants in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA).

SETTING

Waves 1 and 2 of TILDA, a nationally representative aging cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1753 community‐dwelling TILDA participants with linked administrative pharmacy claims data on medications.

MEASUREMENTS

Potentially inappropriate medications were assessed using the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) v1, American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria® 2012, and relevant Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE) v3 indicators. Potential prescribing omissions were assessed using the Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to the Right Treatment (START) v1 and ACOVE v3 indicators. Their agreement was assessed via κ statistics, and multivariate regression was used to assess relationships with emergency department visits, general practitioner (GP) visits, quality of life, and functional decline (increased assistance needed for activities of daily living).

RESULTS

There was slight agreement between STOPP and AGS Beers Criteria® (κ = 0.20) and ACOVE indicators (κ = 0.15), while agreement between AGS Beers Criteria® and ACOVE indicators was fair (κ = 0.31). Agreement was fair between START and ACOVE indicators (κ = 0.34). All measures of inappropriate medications were significantly associated with increased GP visits. Only exposure to two or more START indicators was associated with reduced quality of life (adjusted mean difference = −1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −1.92 to −0.33), and only two or more AGS Beers Criteria® were associated with functional decline (adjusted odds ratio = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.37‐3.28). For omissions, both measures were associated with functional decline, but only ACOVE indicators were associated with increased GP visits.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of PIP and relationships with outcomes can differ substantially between tools with little agreement. Choice of PIP measure for research or practice should be considered in light of the circumstances and requirements in each case.J Am Geriatr Soc 68:526–534, 2020
Evaluation of the guaiac fecal occult blood test for detection of gastrointestinal bleeding in the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Cooper Rachel Elizabeth , Hutchinson Eric Kenneth , Izzi Jessica Marie
Published: November 2019

Background

Gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage accompanies several common diseases of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Guaiac fecal occult blood testing (gFOBT) is a non‐invasive means to detect such bleeding in several species; however, there are currently no data indicating reliability of this test to detect GI hemorrhage in macaques.

Methods

We evaluated sensitivity and specificity of gFOBT to detect simulated and biopsy‐associated bleeding in the stomach, duodenum, and colon of 15 rhesus macaques. Fecal samples were analyzed via gFOBT for 72 hours.

Results

Guaiac fecal occult blood testing was more sensitive to detect lower vs upper GI bleeding; sensitivity was volume‐dependent in the upper GI tract. Single‐test specificity was 95.2%. Repeated fecal collections increased gFOBT sensitivity without affecting specificity.

Conclusions

Guaiac fecal occult blood testing is a useful screening test for both upper and lower GI bleeding in rhesus macaques. For highest sensitivity, gFOBT should be performed on three fecal samples collected 24 hours apart.
Effects of low‐protein diet supplementation with alpha‐ketoglutarate on growth performance, nitrogen metabolism and mTOR signalling pathway of skeletal muscle in piglets
Authors: Zhao Lei , Guo Haolu , Sun Hui
Published: November 2019

Excessive protein levels in diets result in incomplete digestion of nitrogenous nutrients that are excreted from the body, causing environment pollution. Alpha‐ketoglutarate (AKG) has been reported to decrease dietary protein levels, promote intestinal health in piglets and reduce environmental pollution. However, the underlying mechanisms of AKG are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of low‐protein diet supplementation of AKG on the growth performance, nitrogen metabolism, relative expression of amino acid transporter genes and mTOR signalling pathway of skeletal muscle in piglets. Forty‐eight piglets with an initial weight of 11.53 ± 0.04 kg were randomly divided into four groups. Each group had four replicates, and each replicate had three pigs. A low‐protein (LP) diet (crude protein was 14.96%) served as the control without AKG, while 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% AKG were added to the LP diet for the other experimental groups. The trial period lasted for 28 days. Compared with the LP group, the LP + 1.0%A and LP + 1.5%A groups increased the growth performance (p < .05);increased the mRNA levels of amino acid transporters in the duodenum, anterior jejunum and posterior jejunum (p < .05); and reduced faecal nitrogen and urine nitrogen emissions (p < .05). They also showed greater mRNA levels and phosphorylated protein levels for S6 kinase beta (S6K) (p < .05), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (p < .05) and 4E‐binding protein 1 (4EBP1) (p < .05) in skeletal muscle. An LP diet supplemented with AKG activated the mTOR signalling and promoted the ability of the small intestine to absorb protein, thereby increasing protein deposition. Taken together, an LP diet supplemented with AKG provides a theoretical basis for the promotion and application of AKG in piglet production.
Actigraphic multi‐night home‐recorded sleep estimates reveal three types of sleep misperception in Insomnia Disorder and good sleepers
Authors: te Lindert Bart H. W. , Blanken Tessa F. , van der Meijden Wisse P. , Dekker Kim , Wassing Rick , van der Werf Ysbrand D. , Ramautar Jennifer R. , Van Someren Eus J. W.
Published: November 2019

People with Insomnia Disorder tend to underestimate their sleep compared with polysomnography or actigraphy, a phenomenon known as paradoxical insomnia or sleep‐state misperception. Previous studies suggested that night‐to‐night variability could be an important feature differentiating subtypes of misperception. This study aimed for a data‐driven definition of misperception subtypes revealed by multiple sleep features including night‐to‐night variability. We assessed features describing the mean and dispersion of misperception and objective and subjective sleep duration from 7‐night diary and actigraphy recordings of 181 people with Insomnia Disorder and 55 people without sleep complaints. A minimally collinear subset of features was submitted to latent class analysis for data‐driven subtyping. Analysis revealed three subtypes, best discriminated by three of five selected features: an individual’s shortest reported subjective sleep duration; and the mean and standard deviation of misperception. These features were on average 5.4, −0.0 and 0.5 hr in one subtype accommodating the majority of good sleepers; 4.1, −1.4 and 1.0 hr in a second subtype representing the majority of people with Insomnia Disorder; and 1.7, −2.2 and 1.5 hr in a third subtype representing a quarter of people with Insomnia Disorder and hardly any good sleepers. Subtypes did not differ on an individual’s objective sleep duration mean (6.9, 7.2 and 6.9 hr) and standard deviation (0.8, 0.8 and 0.9 hr). Data‐driven analysis of naturalistic sleep revealed three subtypes that markedly differed in misperception features. Future studies may include misperception subtype to investigate whether it contributes to the unexplained considerable individual variability in treatment response.
Assessment of ponds surrounding Imphal Valley on the basis of various biological and physicochemical parameters
Authors: Singh Soubam Indrakumar , Sharma Priyanka , Chaudhary Savita , Sharma Mon Gonchandra , Yegemova Saltanat , Kumar Rajeev
Published: November 2019

The water quality is one of the major criteria for the environmental evaluation based on the parametric changes in the physicochemical and biological properties of water. The distribution patterns of physicochemical and biological characteristics of the various rivers in the Imphal Valley have been studied in this work. The objective of the work is to determine the surface water quality of Imphal Valley to assess its suitability for domestic purposes. The physicochemical parameters of water such as water temperature, pH, hardness, alkalinity, EC, TDS, chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and nitrate were analysed for the experimentation. The biological characteristics were estimated from the Total coliform and Escherichia coli content of water. The physicochemical parameters were within the acceptable limits on the other hand Total coliform, and E. coli values were exceeding from the acceptable and permissible limits as prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The study suggests untreated domestic disposal from market and household to the water body causes heavy pollution in rivers of Imphal Valley.
Natural variation in the contribution of microbial density to inducible immune dynamics
Authors: Jent Derrick , Perry Abby , Critchlow Justin , Tate Ann T.
Published: November 2019

Immune responses evolve to balance the benefits of microbial killing against the costs of autoimmunity and energetic resource use. Models that explore the evolution of optimal immune responses generally include a term for constitutive immunity, or the level of immunological investment prior to microbial exposure, and for inducible immunity, or investment in immune function after microbial challenge. However, studies rarely consider the functional form of inducible immune responses with respect to microbial density, despite the theoretical dependence of immune system evolution on microbe‐ versus immune‐mediated damage to the host. In this study, we analyse antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression from seven wild‐caught flour beetle populations (Tribolium spp.) during acute infection with the virulent bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Photorhabdus luminescens (P.lum) to demonstrate that inducible immune responses mediated by the humoral IMD pathway exhibit natural variation in both microbe density‐dependent and independent temporal dynamics. Beetle populations that exhibited greater AMP expression sensitivity to Bt density were also more likely to die from infection, while populations that exhibited higher microbe density‐independent AMP expression were more likely to survive P. luminescens infection. Reduction in pathway signalling efficiency through RNAi‐mediated knockdown of the imd gene reduced the magnitude of both microbe‐independent and dependent responses and reduced host resistance to Bt growth, but had no net effect on host survival. This study provides a framework for understanding natural variation in the flexibility of investment in inducible immune responses and should inform theory on the contribution of nonequilibrium host‐microbe dynamics to immune system evolution.
Influence of salt stress on propagation, growth and nutrient uptake of typical aquatic plant species
Authors: Chen Xin , Cheng Xianwei , Zhu Hui , Bañuelos Gary , Shutes Brian , Wu Haitao
Published: November 2019

Anthropogenic activities and natural causes contribute to an increase in the area and degree of degraded saline wetlands in arid/semi‐arid and coastal regions. The objective of this study was to determine the salt tolerance of the seven aquatic plant species Phragmites australis, Arundo donax, Canna indica, Scirpus validus, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Phyllostachys heteroclada and Potederia cordata during asexual reproduction and continuous growth. The species were exposed to five salinity treatments from 0.3 (control) to 20 dS m−1 during a 30 day experiment. Data were collected on asexual reproduction and growth, chlorophyll content in leaves, Na+ and K+ concentrations, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in above‐ground biomass (AGB) and below‐ground biomass (BGB). The results showed that: 1) increase in salinity (especially at a salinity level of EC ≥15 dS m−1) generally inhibited the capacity for asexual reproduction and reduced the chlorophyll content of leaves; 2) total dry biomass of plants was significantly negatively related to asexual reproduction; 3) species‐specific salt tolerance mechanisms were reflected by the Na+ and K+ concentrations and Na+/K+ ratios in different parts of the plants; and 4) the absorption of TN and TP were inhibited at high salinity (i.e. EC = 20 dS m−1) in AGB and BGB of most tested plant species. However, salinity may enhance plant uptake of TN and TP under certain conditions (e.g. EC at 5, 10 and 15 dS m−1). In general, as compared to the other species tested, giant reed A. donax and alligator weed A. philoxeroides showed relatively high asexual reproduction and growth capacity under high salt stress, and these species should thus be considered as candidates for restoration of degraded saline wetlands and/or for decontaminating saline wastewater.
The status of boron as an essential element for vascular plants
Authors: Lewis David H.
Published: November 2019

See also the Commentary on this article by McGrath, 226: 1225–1227.
Seasonal control of seed germination
Authors: Smith Steven M. , Weller James L.
Published: November 2019

This article is a Commentary on Footitt et al. (2020), 225: 2035–2047.