bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of vedolizumab therapy on extra‐intestinal manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a multicentre cohort study nested in the OBSERV‐IBD cohort
Authors: Tadbiri S. , Peyrin‐Biroulet L. , Serrero M. , Filippi J. , Pariente B. , Roblin X. , Buisson A. , Stefanescu C. , Trang‐Poisson C. , Altwegg R. , Marteau P. , Vaysse T. , Bourrier A. , Nancey S. , Laharie D. , Allez M. , Savoye G. , Gilletta C. , Gagniere C. , Vuitton L. , Viennot S. , Aubourg A. , Pelletier A.‐L. , Bouguen G. , Abitbol V. , Fumery M. , Claudepierre P. , Bouhnik Y. , Amiot A. ,   the GETAID OBSERV‐IBD study group
Published: December 2017

Background

The effectiveness of vedolizumab as a treatment for extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) is questionable due to its gut‐specificity.

Aim

To assess effectiveness of vedolizumab for EIM in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a large real‐life experience cohort.

Methods

Between June and December 2014, 173 patients with Crohn's disease and 121 with ulcerative colitis were treated with vedolizumab. Patients were followed until week 54. EIM activity was assessed at weeks 0, 6, 14, 22, 30 and 54 by using a 3‐step scale: complete remission, partial response and no response.

Results

At baseline, 49 (16.7%) patients had EIMs of which 47 had inflammatory arthralgia/arthritis, four had cutaneous lesions and two had both rheumatologic and skin EIM. At week 54, 21 (44.7%) patients had complete remission for inflammatory arthralgia/arthritis and three (75%) for cutaneous EIM. In multivariate analysis, complete remission of inflammatory arthralgia/arthritis was associated with clinical remission of IBD (OR = 1.89, IC95% [1.05‐3.41], P = .03) and recent onset of inflammatory arthralgia/arthritis (OR = 1.99, IC95% [1.12‐3.52], P = .02). During the follow‐up period, 34 (13.8%) patients without any EIM at baseline, developed incident cases of inflammatory arthralgia/arthritis consisting mostly of peripheral arthralgia without evidence of arthritis and 14 (4.8%) incident cases of paradoxical skin manifestation.

Conclusion

Vedolizumab therapy is commonly associated with improvement in EIM. This was associated with quiescent IBD and recent EIM. However, paradoxical skin manifestation and inflammatory arthralgia/arthritis may occur upon vedolizumab therapy.
Effect of reducing inspired oxygen concentration on oxygenation parameters during general anaesthesia in horses in lateral or dorsal recumbency
Authors: Uquillas E , Dart CM , Perkins NR , Dart AJ
Published: December 2017

Objective

To compare the effects of two concentrations of oxygen delivered to the anaesthetic breathing circuit on oxygenation in mechanically ventilated horses anaesthetised with isoflurane and positioned in dorsal or lateral recumbency.

Methods

Selected respiratory parameters and blood lactate were measured and oxygenation indices calculated, before and during general anaesthesia, in 24 laterally or dorsally recumbent horses. Horses were randomly assigned to receive 100% or 60% oxygen during anaesthesia. All horses were anaesthetised using the same protocol and intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) was commenced immediately following anaesthetic induction and endotracheal intubation. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed and oxygenation indices calculated before premedication, immediately after induction, at 10 and 45 min after the commencement of mechanical ventilation, and in recovery.

Results

During anaesthesia, the arterial partial pressure of oxygen was adequate in all horses, regardless of position of recumbency or the concentration of oxygen provided. At 10 and 45 min after commencing IPPV, the arterial partial pressure of oxygen was lower in horses in dorsal recumbency compared with those in lateral recumbency, irrespective of the concentration of oxygen supplied. Based on oxygenation indices, pulmonary function during general anaesthesia in horses placed in dorsal recumbency was more compromised than in horses in lateral recumbency, irrespective of the concentration of oxygen provided.

Conclusion

During general anaesthesia, using oxygen at a concentration of 60% instead of 100% maintains adequate arterial oxygenation in horses in dorsal or lateral recumbency. However, it will not reduce pulmonary function abnormalities induced by anaesthesia and recumbency.
Strong and strategic conformity understanding by 3‐ and 5‐year‐old children
Authors: Cordonier Laurent , Nettles Theresa , Rochat Philippe
Published: December 2017

‘Strong conformity’ corresponds to the public endorsement of majority opinions that are in blatant contradiction to one's own correct perceptual judgements of the situation. We tested strong conformity inference by 3‐ and 5‐year‐old children using a third‐person perspective paradigm. Results show that at neither age, children spontaneously expect that an ostracized third‐party individual who wants to affiliate with the majority group will show strong conformity. However, when questioned as to what the ostracized individual should do to befriend others, from 5 years of age children explicitly demonstrate that they construe strong conformity as a strategic means of social affiliation. Additional data suggest that strong and strategic conformity understanding from an observer's third‐person perspective is linked to the passing of the language‐mediated false belief theory of mind task, an index of children's emerging ‘meta’ ability to construe the mental state of others.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

‘Strong conformity’ corresponds to the public endorsement of majority opinions that are in blatant contradiction to one's own correct perceptual judgements of the situation.

Asch's (1956, Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 70, 1) classic demonstration of strong conformity with adults has been replicated with preschool children: 3‐ to 4‐year‐olds manifest signs of strong conformity by reversing about thirty to forty per cent of the time their correct perceptual judgements to fit with contradictory statements held unanimously by other individuals (Corriveau & Harris, 2010, Developmental Psychology, 46, 437; Corriveau et al., 2013, Journal of Cognition and Culture, 13, 367; Haun & Tomasello, 2011, Child Development, 82, 1759).

As for adults, strong conformity does not obliterate children's own private, accurate knowledge of the situation. It is in essence a public expression to fit the group and alleviate social dissonance.

What does this study add?

In three experiments, we explored the developmental emergence in the preschool years of strong conformity inference from a third‐person perspective. Results show that by 5 years of age, and not earlier, children begin to construe strong conformity as a strategy that someone should use to gain social affiliation, even though they do not anticipate that a third‐party individual would necessarily resort to such strategy.

Additional data suggest that strong and strategic conformity understanding from an observer's third‐person perspective is linked to the passing of the language‐mediated false belief theory of mind task.
Purification of zebrafish erythrocytes as a means of identifying a novel regulator of haematopoiesis
Authors: Kulkeaw Kasem , Inoue Tomoko , Ishitani Tohru , Nakanishi Yoichi , Zon Leonard I. , Sugiyama Daisuke
Published: December 2017

Zebrafish embryos are useful to study haematopoietic gene function in vertebrates, although lack of antibodies to zebrafish proteins has limited the purification of specific cell populations. Here, we purified primitive zebrafish erythrocytes using 1, 5‐bis{[2‐(di‐methylamino)ethyl]amino}‐4, 8‐dihydroxyanthracene‐9, 10‐dione (DRAQ5TM), a DNA‐staining fluorescent dye. At 48‐h post‐fertilization, we sorted small‐sized cells from embryos using forward scatter and found that they consisted of DRAQ5high and DRAQ5low populations. DRAQ5high cells contained haemoglobin, lacked myeloperoxidase activity and expressed high levels of embryonic globin (hbae3 and hbbe1.1) mRNA, all characteristics of primitive erythrocytes. Following DRAQ5TM analysis of gata1:dsRed transgenic embryos, we purified primitive DRAQ5high dsRed+ erythrocytes from haematopoietic progenitor cells. Using this method, we identified docking protein 2 (Dok2) as functioning in differentiation of primitive erythrocytes. We conclude that DRAQ5TM‐based flow cytometry enables purification of primitive zebrafish erythrocytes.
R‐CHOP versus dose‐adjusted R‐EPOCH in frontline management of primary mediastinal B‐cell lymphoma: a multi‐centre analysis
Authors: Shah Nirav N. , Szabo Aniko , Huntington Scott F. , Epperla Narendranath , Reddy Nishitha , Ganguly Siddhartha , Vose Julie , Obiozor Cynthia , Faruqi Fahad , Kovach Alexandra E. , Costa Luciano J. , Xavier Ana C. , Okal Ryan , Kanate Abraham S. , Ghosh Nilanjan , Kharfan‐Dabaja Mohamed A. , Strelec Lauren , Hamadani Mehdi , Fenske Timothy S. , Calzada Oscar , Cohen Jonathon B. , Chavez Julio , Svoboda Jakub
Published: December 2017

Primary mediastinal (thymic) large B‐cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is an uncommon subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that presents with a mediastinal mass and has unique clinicopathological features. Historically, patients with PMBCL were treated with R‐CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) chemotherapy ± involved field radiation. Since a phase II trial, published in April 2013, demonstrated excellent results using dose‐adjusted (DA) R‐EPOCH (rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin), this treatment has gained popularity. We performed a retrospective, multicentre analysis of patients aged ≥18 years with PMBCL since January 2011. Patients were stratified by frontline regimen, R‐CHOP versus DA‐R‐EPOCH. 132 patients were identified from 11 contributing centres (56 R‐CHOP and 76 DA‐R‐EPOCH). The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included progression‐free survival, complete response (CR) rate, and rates of treatment‐related complications. Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. DA‐R‐EPOCH use increased after April 2013 (79% vs. 45%, P < 0·001), and there was less radiation use after DA‐R‐EPOCH (13% vs. 59%, P < 0·001). While CR rates were higher with DA‐R‐EPOCH (84% vs. 70%, P = 0·046), these patients were more likely to experience treatment‐related toxicities. At 2 years, 89% of R‐CHOP patients and 91% of DA‐R‐EPOCH patients were alive. To our knowledge, this represents the largest series comparing outcomes of R‐CHOP to DA‐R‐EPOCH for PMBCL.
Oligopoly in international trade: Rise, fall and resurgence
Authors: Head Keith , Spencer Barbara J.
Published: December 2017

Large firms played a central role in the “new trade” models that became a major focus of trade economists in the early 1980s. Subsequent literature for the most part kept imperfect competition but jettisoned oligopoly. Instead, as the heterogeneous firms literature burgeoned in the 2000s, monopolistic competition quickly became established as the workhorse model. The use of oligopoly in trade models has been criticized for reasons that we argue are unpersuasive. Renewed incorporation of oligopolistic firms in international trade is warranted. Quantitative investigations of welfare effects of trade policy should again address the impact of such policies on the allocation of profits across countries.
Enlisting Peer Cooperation in the Service of Alcohol Use Prevention in Middle School
Authors: Van Ryzin Mark J. , Roseth Cary J.
Published: December 2017

This article reports on a cluster randomized trial of cooperative learning (CL) as a way to prevent escalation in alcohol use during middle school (N = 1,460 seventh‐grade students, age 12–13, seven intervention and eight control schools). We hypothesized that CL, by bringing students together in group‐based learning activities using positive interdependence, would interrupt the process of deviant peer clustering, provide at‐risk youth with prosocial influences, and in turn, reduce escalations in alcohol use. Results indicated that CL significantly reduced growth in deviant peer affiliation and actual alcohol use, and effects for willingness to use alcohol were at the threshold of significance (p = .05). CL also attenuated the link between willingness to use alcohol and later alcohol use.
Application of next‐generation sequencing to improve cancer management: A review of the clinical effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness
Authors: Tan O. , Shrestha R. , Cunich M. , Schofield D.J.
Published: December 2017

Uptake of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has increased dramatically due to significant cost reductions and broader community acceptance of NGS. To systematically review the evidence on both the clinical effectiveness and the cost‐effectiveness of applying NGS to cancer care. A systematic search for full‐length original research articles on the clinical effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of NGS in MEDLINE and EMBASE. Articles that focussed on cancer care and involved the application of NGS were included for the review of clinical effectiveness. For the cost‐effectiveness review, we only included the articles with economic evaluations of NGS in cancer care. We report the rate of successfully detecting mutations from the clinical studies. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio and sensitivity analysis outcomes are reported for the cost‐effectiveness articles. Fifty‐six articles reported that sequencing patient samples using targeted gene panels, and 83% of the successfully sequenced patients harboured at least 1 mutation. Only 6 studies reported on the cost‐effectiveness of the application of NGS in cancer care. NGS is an effective tool for identifying mutation in cancer patients. However, more rigorous cost‐effectiveness studies of NGS applied to cancer management are needed to determine whether NGS can improve patient outcomes cost‐effectively.
A New Class of Guided C2 Subdivision Surfaces Combining Good Shape with Nested Refinement
Authors: Karčiauskas Kęstutis , Peters Jörg
Published: December 2017

Converting quadrilateral meshes to smooth manifolds, guided subdivision offers a way to combine the good highlight line distribution of recent G‐spline constructions with the refinability of subdivision surfaces. This avoids the complex refinement of G‐spline constructions and the poor shape of standard subdivision. Guided subdivision can then be used both to generate the surface and hierarchically compute functions on the surface. Specifically, we present a C2 subdivision algorithm of polynomial degree bi‐6 and a curvature bounded algorithm of degree bi‐5. We prove that the common eigenstructure of this class of subdivision algorithms is determined by their guide and demonstrate that their eigenspectrum (speed of contraction) can be adjusted without harming the shape. For practical implementation, a finite number of subdivision steps can be completed by a high‐quality cap. Near irregular points this allows leveraging standard polynomial tools both for rendering of the surface and for approximately integrating functions on the surface.
Morphology‐based phylogenetic reconstruction of Cholevinae (Coleoptera: Leiodidae): a new view on higher‐level relationships
Authors: Antunes‐Carvalho Caio , Ribera Ignacio , Beutel Rolf G. , Gnaspini Pedro
Published: December 2017

The current state of knowledge of the suprageneric relationships in Cholevinae is either derived from informal evaluations of putative synapomorphies or based on molecular studies with limited taxonomic sampling. Here we assessed the higher‐level relationships in this subfamily based on a phylogenetic analysis of 97 morphological characters scored for 93 terminals, representing all tribes. Both parsimony and Bayesian analyses were used. The monophyletic origin of Cholevinae was corroborated, except for the unexpected inclusion ofLeptinusin the implied weighting analysis. Eucatopini + Oritocatopini were retrieved as basal branches in the evolution of Cholevinae. The monophyletic origin of all remaining Cholevinae was confirmed, which is consistent with molecular evidence. Anemadini was non‐monophyletic, in accordance with earlier hypotheses. Cholevini was rendered non‐monophyletic by the uncertain inclusion ofPrionochaetaand the consistent exclusion ofCholevinus. A close affinity of Ptomaphagini to Sciaphyini and Leptodirini was suggested, although the position ofSciaphyesremains uncertain. The phylogenetic hypothesis of Cholevinae provided here is the most comprehensive presently available. The list of characters shows that a substantial part of the data was obtained from the ventral side. This is a strong argument for a detailed pictorial documentation of the ventral body parts in taxonomic descriptions, in contrast to the common practice of only illustrating the dorsal habitus of the beetles.
When did the ancestor of true bugs become stinky? Disentangling the phylogenomics of Hemiptera–Heteroptera
Authors: Wang Yan‐Hui , Wu Hao‐Yang , Rédei Dávid , Xie Qiang , Chen Yan , Chen Ping‐Ping , Dong Zhuo‐Er , Dang Kai , Damgaard Jakob , Štys Pavel , Wu Yan‐Zhuo , Luo Jiu‐Yang , Sun Xiao‐Ya , Hartung Viktor , Kuechler Stefan M. , Liu Yang , Liu Hua‐Xi , Bu Wen‐Jun
Published: December 2017

The phylogeny of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), one of the most diverse insect groups in terms of morphology and ecology, has been the focus of attention for decades with respect to several deep nodes between the suborders of Hemiptera and the infraorders of Heteroptera. Here, we assembled a phylogenomic data set of 53 taxa and 3102 orthologous genes to investigate the phylogeny of Hemiptera–Heteroptera, and both concatenation and coalescent methods were used. A binode‐control approach for data filtering was introduced to reduce the incongruence between different genes, which can improve the performance of phylogenetic reconstruction. Both hypotheses (Coleorrhyncha + Heteroptera) and (Coleorrhyncha + Auchenorrhyncha) received support from various analyses, in which the former is more consistent with the morphological evidence. Based on a divergence time estimation performed on genes with a strong phylogenetic signal, the origin of true bugs was dated to 290–268 Ma in the Permian, the time in Earth's history with the highest concentration of atmospheric oxygen. During this time interval, at least 1007 apomorphic amino acids were retained in the common ancestor of the extant true bugs. These molecular apomorphies are located in 553 orthologous genes, which suggests the common ancestor of the extant true bugs may have experienced large‐scale evolution at the genome level.
Isothiazolinones are still widely used in paints purchased in five European countries: a follow‐up study
Authors: Thomsen Andreas V. , Schwensen Jakob F. , Bossi Rossana , Banerjee Piu , Giménez‐Arnau Elena , Lepoittevin Jean‐Pierre , Lidén Carola , Uter Wolfgang , White Ian R. , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: December 2017

Background

An increasing incidence of contact allergy to methylisothiazolinone (MI) has been seen, caused, in particular, by cosmetic products and paints. A study from 2015 showed that 93.0% of paints bought in five European countries contained MI. New regulations have been discussed for paints in the EU, which may have influenced this market.

Objectives

To re‐evaluate the use and concentrations of MI and four other isothiazolinones in water‐based wall paints.

Methods

Water‐based white wall paints (n = 60) were purchased in retail stores in five European countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The paints were analysed for isothiazolione content by the use of high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection, and the results were confirmed with high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

MI was identified in 55 (91.7%) of the paints, with concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 142.7 ppm. The other isothiazolinones were identified in 20.0% [methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)] to 88.3% [benzisothiazolinone (BIT)] of the paints. BIT concentrations varied significantly between countries, whereas MI and MCI concentrations did not. There were no statistically significant differences in MI, MCI and BIT concentrations between the current study and the 2015 study.

Conclusions

MI and other isothiazolinones are widely used in paints available in Europe. Their use does not seem to be decreasing.
Using Statistical Models of Morphology in the Search for Optimal Units of Representation in the Human Mental Lexicon
Authors: Virpioja Sami , Lehtonen Minna , Hultén Annika , Kivikari Henna , Salmelin Riitta , Lagus Krista
Published: December 2017

Determining optimal units of representing morphologically complex words in the mental lexicon is a central question in psycholinguistics. Here, we utilize advances in computational sciences to study human morphological processing using statistical models of morphology, particularly the unsupervised Morfessor model that works on the principle of optimization. The aim was to see what kind of model structure corresponds best to human word recognition costs for multimorphemic Finnish nouns: a model incorporating units resembling linguistically defined morphemes, a whole‐word model, or a model that seeks for an optimal balance between these two extremes. Our results showed that human word recognition was predicted best by a combination of two models: a model that decomposes words at some morpheme boundaries while keeping others unsegmented and a whole‐word model. The results support dual‐route models that assume that both decomposed and full‐form representations are utilized to optimally process complex words within the mental lexicon.
Physiological and pathological relevance of cell competition in fly to mammals
Authors: Kon Shunsuke
Published: December 2017

In multicellular organisms, incidentally emerging suboptimal cells are removed to maintain homeostasis of tissues. The unfavorable cells are excluded by a process termed cell competition whereby the resident normal cells actively eliminate the unfit cells of the identical lineage. Although the phenomenon of cell competition was originally discovered in Drosophila, a number of recent studies have provided implications of cell competition in tissue regeneration, development and oncogenesis in mammals. Here the roles of cell competition in fly to mammals are discussed.
Pharmacogenetics of KCNQ channel activation in 2 potassium channelopathy mouse models of epilepsy
Authors: Vanhoof‐Villalba Stephanie L. , Gautier Nicole M. , Mishra Vikas , Glasscock Edward
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Antiseizure drugs are the leading therapeutic choice for treatment of epilepsy, but their efficacy is limited by pharmacoresistance and the occurrence of unwanted side effects. Here, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of KCNQ channel activation by retigabine in preventing seizures and neurocardiac dysfunction in 2 potassium channelopathy mouse models of epilepsy with differing severity that have been associated with increased risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP): the Kcna1−/− model of severe epilepsy and the Kcnq1A340E/A340E model of mild epilepsy.

Methods

A combination of behavioral, seizure threshold, electrophysiologic, and gene expression analyses was used to determine the effects of KCNQ activation in mice.

Results

Behaviorally, Kcna1−/− mice exhibited unexpected hyperexcitability instead of the expected sedative‐like response. In flurothyl‐induced seizure tests, KCNQ activation decreased seizure latency by ≥50% in Kcnq1 strain mice but had no effect in the Kcna1 strain, suggesting the influence of genetic background. However, in simultaneous electroencephalography and electrocardiography recordings, KCNQ activation significantly reduced spontaneous seizure frequency in Kcna1−/− mice by ~60%. In Kcnq1A340E/A340E mice, KCNQ activation produced adverse cardiac effects including profound bradycardia and abnormal increases in heart rate variability and atrioventricular conduction blocks. Analyses of Kcnq2 and Kcnq3 mRNA levels revealed significantly elevated Kcnq2 expression in Kcna1−/− brains, suggesting that drug target alterations may contribute to the altered drug responses.

Significance

This study shows that treatment strategies in channelopathy may have unexpected outcomes and that effective rebalancing of channel defects requires improved understanding of channel interactions at the circuit and tissue levels. The efficacy of KCNQ channel activation and manifestation of adverse effects were greatly affected by genetic background, potentially limiting KCNQ modulation as a way to prevent neurocardiac dysfunction in epilepsy and thereby SUDEP risk. Our data also uncover a potential role for KCNQ2‐5 channels in autonomic control of chronotropy.
Structural, optical, thermoelectrical, and magnetic study of Zn1‐xCoxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) nanocrystals
Authors: Akhtari Fereshteh , Zorriasatein Suzan , Farahmandjou Majid , Elahi Seyed Mohammad
Published: December 2017

In this work, we have prepared Co‐doped ZnO nanocomposites by zinc nitrate and cobalt sulfate as new precursors via the coprecipitation method and the samples were followed to identify the morphological, optical, structural, and magnetic properties. The XRD patterns revealed the crystalline nature of nanoparticles with hexagonal wurtzite structures, which meant that Co impurity did not disturb the structure of pure ZnO and the minimum crystallite size of nanoparticles was calculated to be around 37 nm. The XRD patterns also showed the lattice parameter increase owing to the incorporation of a Co dopant. The TEM results revealed the sphere‐like particles whose size varied between 56 and 88 nm in diameter at a 4% level of impurity. DRS analysis identified that the band gap energy decreased from 3.18 eV for the pure substance to 2.36 eV for the 10% impure substance. VSM analysis exhibited that the saturation magnetization value increased to 8.4 × 10−3 emu/g for the highest Co content of 10%, which indicated the ferromagnetic behavior of NPs.
Ceramic plasma‐spray‐coated graphite crucible for injection casting of fast reactor fuel slugs
Authors: Kim Ki‐Hwan , Hong Ki‐Won , Kim Jong‐Hwan , Park Jeong‐Yong , Lee Chan‐Bock
Published: December 2017

Ceramic plasma‐spray coatings with single and multiple layers have been applied to melting crucible material substrates for the development of a reusable crucible for the fabrication of metal fuel slugs for a sodium‐cooled fast reactor (SFR). Various combinations of vacuum plasma‐spray (VPS) coated specimens have been applied to investigate the bonding effect on the crucible substrate and the interaction between the metal fuel and the VPS‐coated crucible substrate. All VPS‐coated methods maintained a sound coating state after a dipping test with U‐10 wt%Zr melt. A single coating of a Y2O3(150) layer and a double coating layer of TaC(50)‐Y2O3(100) showed some degradation or penetration, respectively, after 2 cycles of dipping test with an aggressive U‐10 wt%Zr‐5 wt%RE melt. Injection castings of U‐10 wt%Zr and U‐10 wt%Zr‐5 wt%RE fuel slugs were also conducted to investigate the feasibility of a reusable melting crucible of metal fuel slugs. The U‐10 wt%Zr fuel slugs were soundly fabricated without significant interactions of the graphite crucibles; however, the U‐10 wt%Zr‐5 wt%RE fuel slugs had some degradation or penetration, respectively, after injection casting.
Do banks care about analysts' forecasts when designing loan contracts?
Authors: Coyne Joshua , Stice Derrald
Published: December 2017

We investigate whether banks rely on the information content in equity analysts’ annual earnings forecasts when assessing the risk of potential borrowers. While a long literature finds that analysts provide useful information to market participants, it is not clear that banks, which have access to privileged information, would benefit from publicly available analysts’ forecasts. If, however, banks do rely on this information, then more precise private information in earnings forecasts may inform banks. We focus our analysis on the requirement of collateral because it is a direct measure of default risk, whereas other loan terms such as interest spread and debt covenants can also protect against other risks, such as asset misappropriation. The direct link between collateral and default risk allows us to examine whether information from analysts is relevant to banks when designing loan contracts. Consistent with our predictions, we find that higher precision of the private information in analysts’ earnings forecasts is associated with a lower likelihood of requiring collateral, and this effect is larger when a borrower does not have a prior relationship with the lender or their accounting or credit quality is low. We also find that this association disappears after the implementation of Regulation FD, consistent with this regulation reducing analysts’ access to private information.
Benefits of non‐surgical periodontal treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic periodontitis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mauri‐Obradors Elisabet , Merlos Alexandra , Estrugo‐Devesa Albert , Jané‐Salas Enric , López‐López José , Viñas Miguel
Published: December 2017

Background

Periodontitis and diabetes are highly prevalent conditions whose association has long been recognized.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of non‐surgical periodontal treatment on serum HbA1c (haemoglobin A1c or glycated haemoglobin) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design and Methods

This was a 6‐month, single‐masked, randomized clinical trial based on 90 patients (HbA1c: 7.7% (61 mmol/mol) ± 1.13%) who were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (oral hygiene instructions + scaling and root planing using ultrasound and Gracey curettes) or the control group (oral hygiene instructions + supragingival removal of plaque and calculus using ultrasound). Pocket depth, gingival index, and plaque index were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months together with determinations of fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and bacterial counts.

Results

Treatment significantly improved the periodontal and metabolic parameters (p < .05), whereas in the control group no improvement was observed. These results were consistent with the bacteriological results in most but not all cases.

Conclusion

Non‐surgical periodontal treatment resulted in a better glycaemic status of type 2 diabetes patients and demonstrated the importance of oral health in their general health.
Volumetric changes following ridge preservation or spontaneous healing and early implant placement with simultaneous guided bone regeneration
Authors: Naenni Nadja , Bienz Stefan P. , Muñoz Fernando , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Jung Ronald E. , Thoma Daniel S.
Published: December 2017

Aim

To assess volumetric and linear changes following ridge preservation (RP) or spontaneous healing plus early implant placement with or without simultaneous guided bone regeneration (GBR).

Materials and Methods

In eight adult beagle dogs, the mesial roots of the mandibular P3, P4 and M1 were extracted. Sites were randomized to either ridge preservation (RP) or spontaneous healing (SH). Four weeks later dental implants were placed either with (RP2) or without removing non‐integrated DBBM (RP1). In RP2 and SH sites, GBR was applied using a demineralized bovine bone mineral and a resorbable membrane. Impressions were taken postextraction (SH)/postridge preservation (RP1; RP2), before and after implant placement and after healing of 4 and 12 weeks. Casts were digitized to allow for superimposition and measurement of contour alterations.

Results

Median ridge width reduction from postextraction (SH)/postridge preservation (RP1;RP2) to implant placement ranged from −13.9% (SH) to −19.7% (RP) (p > .05), whereas from implant placement to sacrifice, it was statistically significantly lower in group RP1 (−5.5%) compared to group SH (−23.4%; p = .0013) and group RP2 (−22.1%; p = .0026). Encompassing the entire study period, median ridge width changes ranged between −17.8% (SH), −24.8% (RP2) and −32.5% (RP1) (p > .05).

Conclusions

Irrespective of the treatment modality and the healing period, part of the ridge contour was lost. Early implant placement after ridge preservation without additional GBR resulted in a more stable ridge contour after implant placement compared to controls.
Relationship between clinical periodontal parameters and changes in liver enzymes levels over an 8‐year period in an elderly Japanese population
Authors: Widita Elastria , Yoshihara Akihiro , Hanindriyo Lisdrianto , Miyazaki Hideo
Published: December 2017

Aims

An association between periodontal disease and liver enzymes has been reported previously. This study examined the relationship between clinical periodontal parameters and changes in liver enzymes levels in 265 non‐institutionalized Japanese elderly aged 72 years over 8 years.

Materials and methods

The number of sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 6 mm and clinical attachment level (CAL) ≥ 6 mm were measured. Changes in liver enzymes (alanine transaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST]) was grouped based on any elevation of concentrations. The relationship was determined by logistic regression with adjustment for confounders. Interaction test and stratified analysis were then performed according to smoking status and alcohol drinking habits, separately.

Results

Elevation in ALT, but not AST, was significantly associated with PPD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10) and CAL (OR = 1.03). A significant interaction of periodontal parameters on ALT was observed with smoking status, but not with alcohol drinking habit. The stratified analysis suggested that ALT was found to be significantly correlated with PPD (OR = 1.20) and CAL (OR = 1.04) to those who were smoker.

Conclusion

The elevation in ALT levels might be associated with clinical periodontal parameters among non‐institutionalized Japanese elderly, and this association was modified by smoking status.
Bromodeoxyuridine DNA labelling reveals host and parasite proliferation in a fish‐myxozoan model
Authors: Estensoro I , Pérez‐Cordón G , Sitjà‐Bobadilla A , Piazzon M C
Published: December 2017

Enteromyxum leei is a myxozoan parasite responsible for enteritis in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). The parasite proliferates in the paracellular space of the intestinal epithelium and induces an inflammatory reaction. To assess intestinal cell turnover and parasite proliferation, fish were infected with the parasite by anal intubation; after 17 and 64 days, the cell proliferative marker bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was administered; and after 24 hr, tissue samples were taken for immunohistochemical detection. Parasite exposure induced increased epithelial and immune cell proliferation in all intestinal segments at all time points, even before parasite establishment. This increased turnover was triggered early after intubation and mainly at a local level, as shown by an increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pcna) gene expression only at the posterior intestine after 17 days (not found in lymphohaematopoietic organs). Incorporation of BrdU in parasite secondary and tertiary daughter cells indicated that parasite endogeny is not by schizogonial division, which uses de novo synthesis pathway of pyrimidines. Altogether, BrdU immunolabelling and pcna gene expression showed the rapid proliferative response of the fish intestines upon a myxozoan infection and how this response is effectively triggered even before the parasite reaches or establishes in the site.
Opportunity Cost Pass‐Through from Fossil Fuel Market Prices to Procurement Costs of the U.S. Power Producers
Authors: Chu Yin , Holladay J. Scott , LaRiviere Jacob
Published: December 2017

This paper investigates the transmission of fossil fuel commodity spot market price changes to procurement costs of U.S. power producers. We measure and compare the speed and magnitude with which spot prices predict procurement costs using restricted access fuel price data. Natural gas spot prices are quickly reflected in procurement costs. Coal spot prices offer very little predictive power to coal procurement costs. Although not causal, the empirical results also show differences across regulatory status. These findings may have implications for the electricity market deregulation literature that creates marginal cost curves as a competitive benchmark.
Sensitivity to boscalid in field isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from rapeseed in Henan Province, China
Authors: Liu Shengming , Fu Liuyuan , Hai Fei , Jiang Jia , Che Zhiping , Tian Yuee , Chen Genqiang
Published: December 2017

Sclerotinia stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is an important disease of oilseed rape in Henan province of China. Boscalid belongs to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides, many of which have strong antifungal activity against S. sclerotiorum. In 2015, a total of 175 isolates of S. sclerotiorum were collected from diseased oilseed rape plants in seven different regions of Henan Province. The EC50 values of 175 isolates of S. sclerotiorum to boscalid ranged from 0.0073 to 0.3880 μg ml−1, and the mean EC50 value was 0.15 ± 0.09 μg ml−1. The frequency distribution was unimodal. There was no cross‐resistance between boscalid and carbendazim, procymidone, iprodione, dimethachlone, fludioxonil or fluazinam. Field experiments showed that control efficacies of treatments with boscalid (50% WG) at 225, 300 and 375 g ai ha−1 were 71%, 81% and 90%, respectively. In contrast, the control efficacy of carbendazim (50% WP) at 1,500 g ai ha−1 was only 52%.
Unexpected discovery of small HNF1α‐inactivated hepatocellular adenoma in pathological specimens from patients resected for liver tumours
Authors: Balabaud Charles , Laurent Christophe , Le Bail Brigitte , Castain Claire , Possenti Laurent , Frulio Nora , Chiche Laurence , Blanc Jean Frédéric , Bioulac ‐Sage Paulette
Published: December 2017

Background and Aims

It is rare but not uncommon to discover micro/small HNF1α‐inactivated hepatocellular adenoma (H‐HCA) outside the context of resected H‐HCA. We aimed to review our cases of micro/small H‐HCA discovered by chance on different kinds of liver resected specimens.

Methods

We retrieved cases of micro/small H‐HCA discovered by chance on resected specimens outside the context of H‐HCA. All these nodules were liver fatty acid binding protein (LFABP)‐negative contrasting with normal positivity in the surrounding non‐tumoural liver, ruling out the possibility of focal steatosis or other subtypes of micro‐HCAs.

Results

We identified 19 micro/small H‐HCA cases. In 16 cases they were discovered in patients who underwent surgery for benign nodules including one haemangioma, six focal nodular hyperplasia, seven inflammatory HCA (including one with b‐catenin activation), one HCA, whose subtype could not be identified because of massive necrosis/hemorrhage, and one hepatocellular carcinoma. In two additional cases, patients followed up for a melanoma underwent liver surgery to remove micro nodules possibly related to a metastatic process. Finally in one case a micro nodule was seen and resected during a cholecystectomy.

Conclusion

Taken together, H‐HCAs are more frequent than we initially supposed as micro and small HCAs cannot all be detected by routine ultrasound. Despite no information on the potential growth of these micro/small H‐HCAs, there is no argument to stop oral contraceptives or to ask for a specific regular surveillance. The association of different subtypes of HCAs with focal nodular hyperplasia suggests they share or have common etiological factors.
Repeated intravesical injections of platelet‐rich plasma are effective in the treatment of interstitial cystitis: a case control pilot study
Authors: Jhang Jia‐Fong , Wu Shu‐Yu , Lin Teng‐Yi , Kuo Hann‐Chorng
Published: December 2017

Objective

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as bladder pain syndrome (BPS), is a debilitating chronic disease. There are few treatment options for IC/BPS refractory to current medical therapy. This study investigated the clinical efficacy of intravesical injections of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) in IC/BPS.

Methods

Fifteen patients with IC/BPS received 4 intravesical injections, at 1‐monthly intervals, of 12 mL PRP extracted from 50 mL of the patient's whole blood, followed by cystoscopic hydrodistention. The primary endpoint was the change in O’Leary‐Sant symptom (OSS) index from baseline to 1 month after the 4th PRP injection. Secondary endpoints were changes in pain (measured using a visual analog scale [VAS]), daily frequency, nocturia, functional bladder capacity (FBC), maximum flow rate, voided volume, post‐void residual (PVR) volume, and global response assessment (GRA). Urinary cytokine levels were measured at baseline and 1 month after the 1st PRP treatment.

Results

Of the 15 women in the study, 13 completed the 4 injections and follow‐up visits (mean [± SD] age 52.9 ± 12.1 years). The OSS index and VAS pain score decreased significantly and FBC and GRA increased after the 1st PRP injection and lasted until the final endpoint. There was no change in PVR after repeated PRP injections, and all patients were free of urinary tract infections and difficulty urinating. Urinary interleukin (IL)‐2 and IL‐8 concentrations increased significantly after the 1st PRP injection. In patients with reductions in the VAS pain score ≥1, urinary IL‐8 and vascular endothelial growth factor increased. In patients without reductions in the VAS pain score, IL‐6 concentrations increased after PRP injection.

Conclusions

Repeated intravesical PRP injections are well tolerated and appear to be safe and effective in medically refractive IC/BPS, providing significant symptom improvement.
Effect of intradialytic resistance training on pulse wave velocity and associated cardiovascular disease biomarkers in end stage renal disease
Authors: Chan Danwin , Green Simon , Fiatarone Singh Maria A , Barnard Robert , Bonder Claudine S , Cheema Birinder S
Published: December 2017

Aims

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving maintenance haemodialysis treatment. This study investigated the effect of a 12‐week intradialytic progressive resistance training (PRT) intervention on pulse wave velocity (PWV) and associated haemodynamic, anthropometric, and hematologic outcomes in patients with ESRD.

Methods

Twenty‐two patients with ESRD (59% men, 71.3 ± 11.0 years) were recruited. Supervised PRT (three sets of 11 exercises) was prescribed three times per week during routine dialysis. The primary outcome was brachial‐ankle PWV via applanation tonometry. Secondary outcomes included augmentation index, brachial and aortic blood pressures, endothelial progenitor cells, C‐reactive protein, blood lipids and anthropometrics.

Results

The intradialytic PRT regimen resulted in no significant change in PWV between control and intervention periods [mean difference = 0 (95% CI = −0.1 to 0.1); P = 0.58]. Similarly, no significant change was noted in any secondary outcome measures between the control and intervention periods. Post‐hoc analyses limited to high adherers (≥75% attendance; n = 11) did not differ from the primary analysis, indicating no dose–response effect of our intervention.

Conclusion

Our 12‐week PRT intervention did not change PWV or any secondary outcomes. Future studies should determine if higher dosages of intradialytic PRT (i.e. longer duration and/or higher intensity) can be applied as a method to improve arterial stiffness to potentially reduce cardiovascular disease and associated mortality this cohort.
Childhood obesity policies – mighty concerns, meek reactions
Authors: Vallgårda S.
Published: December 2017

Background

The increasing number of children defined as overweight or obese is causing concern among politicians and health advocates; several countries have launched policies addressing the issue.

Method

The paper presents an analysis of how the childhood obesity is defined, explained and suggested policies to address the problem from the WHO, the EU, Canada, England and New Zealand.

Results

Considering the dramatic language used when describing childhood obesity, the proposed interventions are modest. Either the politicians do not consider the problem that great after all, or other concerns, such as the freedom of the food and drink industry and local authorities, are seen as more important. The causes identified are multiple and varied, including the physical and commercial environment, whereas the interventions primarily address the information level of the population, placing responsibility on the shoulders of the parents. Only the World Health Organization argues that statutory measures are required, and the English Government suggests one: a levy on sugary drinks. Otherwise, local authorities, schools and the industry are expected to act on a voluntary basis. Very little is explicitly substantiated by evidence, and the evidence cited is sometimes misinterpreted or disregarded.

Conclusion

There is a discrepancy between how the problem of childhood obesity is presented as alarming and the modest measures suggested.
Tinea capitis mimicking dissecting cellulitis in three children
Authors: Shastry Jennifer , Ciliberto Heather , Davis Dawn Marie
Published: December 2017

Tinea capitis mimicking dissecting cellulitis is a rare presentation, and there is a paucity of information regarding this presentation in the literature. Three children 10‐14 years of age who presented with an unusual clinical manifestation of tinea capitis that clinically resembled dissecting cellulitis are reported. The patients were treated with systemic antifungals for 3‐4 months. Treatment success was measured according to repeat fungal cultures and clinical assessment of hair regrowth at follow‐up visits. All three patients had resolution of infection, with negative repeat fungal cultures and complete hair regrowth without scarring. These cases highlight a rare inflammatory subtype of tinea capitis that can be easily misdiagnosed and therefore improperly treated, prolonging the duration of infection.
Insight Into Malachite Green Degradation, Mechanism and Pathways by Morphology‐Tuned α‐NiMoO4 Photocatalyst
Authors: Ray Schindra Kumar , Dhakal Dipesh , Lee Soo Wohn
Published: December 2017

The microwave hydrothermal process was used for the synthesis of various morphologies of α‐NiMoO4 by simply adjusting the pH during experimental conditions. The effect of morphology/size on the photocatalytic performances for degradation of malachite green (MG) has been investigated under UV‐Vis/visible light irradiation. Nanorod morphology has strong tendency to degrade (88.18%) the MG as compared to spherical quantum‐sized (57.65%) and layered square microsheet (37.98%) under UV‐Vis irradiation in 180 min. The active species trapping experiment revealed that active species (OH•, O2•− and h+) play a crucial role for MG degradation. The high BET surface area, greater amount of oxygen defect and efficient separation of electron–hole pair are responsible for MG degradation. About seventeen types of organic fragments of MG were confirmed by high resolution‐quadruple time of flight electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR‐QTOF ESI/MS) technique on the basis of retention time and molecular masses. Degradation mechanism and pathways were proposed that follow the demethylation, nitration, decarboxylation, hydrolysis, decarboxylation and oxidation reaction. The reduction of total organic carbon revealed the mineralization of MG during photocatalytic degradation process. Therefore, this article represents the investigation of MG degradation by various morphology of α‐NiMoO4 and detailed degradation mechanism and pathways.