bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weak geographical structure in sperm morphology across the range of two willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus subspecies in Scandinavia
Authors: Støstad Hanna N. , Rekdal Silje L. , Kleven Oddmund , Laskemoen Terje , Marthinsen Gunnhild , Johnsen Arild , Lifjeld Jan T.
Published: March 2016

Sperm morphology is highly diversified among species and at higher taxonomic levels. In birds, there is also increasing evidence of geographical differentiation in sperm traits within species, especially in those with strong sperm competition. Geographical divergences in sperm traits might imply the formation of a reproductive barrier in a speciation process. Here we study sperm morphology variation of willow warblers Phylloscopus trochilus in a geographical context in Scandinavia, across the range of two subspecies that are differentiated in certain genetic markers, morphology and migratory routes. We describe geographical patterns in genotypes (two previously described single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and four polymorphic microsatellites); in wing length, tarsus length and body mass; and in sperm traits of 330 male willow warblers sampled at 33 localities across Norway (58°N–69°N). Birds were on average larger and longer‐winged in the north (spp. acredula) than in the south (spp. trochilus), and showed a sigmoid change in the SNP allele frequencies and body morphology around 65°N. We found no evidence of genetic structuring in the microsatellites. There was no geographical variation in sperm traits across Norway, except that sperm heads were on average longer in the south. Sperm head length was also associated with the two SNP markers, with longer sperm heads for the southern alleles, and midpiece length was weakly associated with one of the SNP markers. Similar among‐male variances in total sperm length among the 33 sampling sites indicate uniform levels of sperm competition across Norway. We conclude that sperm morphology remains a rather undifferentiated trait between the two willow warbler subspecies in Scandinavia, which is consistent with a pattern of a shallow genetic divergence. This indicates that sperm morphology is not a reproductive barrier maintaining the narrow hybrid zone.
Impact of spatial variation of a crucial prey, the molecricket, on hoopoe territory occupancy and reproduction
Authors: Guillod Nicolas , Arlettaz Raphaël , Jacot Alain
Published: March 2016

Direct benefits accrued from securing a territory of sufficient quality are important determinants of individual fitness and population persistence. Food supply is one of the main factors of animal territory quality, with spatial and temporal variation in prey availability largely dictating reproductive output and thus population dynamics. In a Swiss hoopoe population, molecrickets Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, the most profitable prey locally, can constitute most of the food biomass delivered to chicks by parents. We first investigated the impact of molecricket prey on hoopoes' fitness‐related traits by quantifying the spatial variation in the food allocation pattern of both male and female parents to chicks across the whole population range; and second, analysed the impact of this prey on current reproduction and, using a 11 yr dataset, on the temporal occupancy rate of each territory. We found considerable but spatially repeatable variation, over the years, of molecricket biomass in the diet provisioned to chicks. This spatial heterogeneity in chicks' diet composition was mirrored both in the history of territory occupancy (2002–2012) and in current reproductive success (2012). Territories with a greater biomass of molecrickets in chicks' diet produced more fledglings in better body condition. Yet, these effects on current reproduction were exclusively demonstrated for male parents, corroborating that paternal provisioning patterns play a predominant role in hoopoe reproductive success. This study demonstrates how a single, very profitable prey species might affect spatial variation in territory settlement and individual reproductive success in a regionally endangered bird species, with potential consequences for its population dynamics and persistence.
Remote Magnetic Navigation for Catheter Ablation in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease: A Review
Authors: ROY KARINE , GOMEZ‐PULIDO FEDERICO , ERNST SABINE
Published: March 2016

Review on Remote Magnetic Navigation in Congenital Heart Disease

In patients with congenital heart disease, challenges to catheter‐based arrhythmia interventions are unique and numerous given the complexity of the underlying defects, anatomic and surgical intervention variants including baffles, conduits, patches, and/or shunts. Remote magnetic navigation offers significant advantages in these cases that may present with limited vascular access or difficult access to the target cardiac chambers implicated by the previous surgical interventions. We reviewed the data available on the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of magnetic navigation for the treatment of arrhythmia in congenital heart disease and discussed the specific challenges related to various congenital defects and repair with the potential advantages offered by magnetic navigation in these circumstances.
Vdrive Evaluation of Remote Steering and Testing in Lasso Electrophysiology Procedures Study: The VERSATILE Study in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: NÖLKER GEORG , SCHWAGTEN BRUNO , DEVILLE J. BRIAN , BURKHARDT J. DAVID , HORTON RODNEY P. , SHA QUN , TOMASSONI GERY
Published: March 2016

Remote Navigation of Circular Mapping Catheters

Introduction

Circular mapping catheters (CMC) are an essential tool in most atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. The Vdrive™ with V‐Loop™ system enables a physician to remotely manipulate a CMC during electrophysiology studies. Our aim was to compare the clinical performance of the system to conventional CMC navigation according to efficiency and safety endpoints.

Methods and Results

A total of 120 patients scheduled to undergo a CMC study followed by pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were included. Treatment allocation was randomized 2:1, remote navigation:manual navigation. The primary effectiveness endpoint was assessed based on both successful navigation to the targeted pulmonary vein (PV) and successful recording of PV electrograms. All PVs were treated independently within and between patients. The primary safety endpoint was assessed based on the occurrence of major adverse events (MAEs) through seven days after the study procedure.

Primary effectiveness endpoints were achieved in 295/302 PVs in the Vdrive arm (97.7%) and 167/167 PVs in the manual arm (100%). Effectiveness analysis indicates Vdrive non‐inferiority (pnon‐inferiority = 0.0405; δ = –0.05) per the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test adjusted for PV correlation. Five MAEs related to the ablation procedure occurred (three in the Vdrive arm—3.9%; two in the manual arm—2.33%). No device‐related MAEs were observed; safety analysis indicates Vdrive non‐inferiority (pnon‐inferiority = 0.0441; δ = 0.07) per the normal Z test.

Conclusion

Remote navigation of a CMC is equivalent to manual in PVI in terms of safety and effectiveness. This allows for single‐operator procedures in conjunction with a magnetically guided ablation catheter.
Production of CCL20 from lung cancer cells induces the cell migration and proliferation through PI3K pathway
Authors: Wang Beibei , Shi Lin , Sun Xiaoru , Wang Lingyan , Wang Xiangdong , Chen Chengshui
Published: March 2016

Tumour inflammatory microenvironment is considered to play a role in the sensitivity of tumour cells to therapies and prognosis of patients with lung cancer. The expression of CCL20, one of the critical chemoattractants responsible for inflammation cells recruitment, has been shown overexpressed in variety of tumours. This study aimed at investigating potential mechanisms of CCL20 function and production in human non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expression of CCL20 gene and protein in lung tissues of patients with NSCLC and NSCLC cells (A549) were determined. The interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced signal pathways in A549 and the effect of CCL20‐induced A549 cell migration and proliferation were determined using migration assays and cell‐alive monitoring system. Mechanisms of signal pathways involved in the migration of CCL20 were also studied. We initially found that NSCLC tumour tissues markedly overexpressed CCL20 in comparison with normal lung samples. In addition, IL‐1β could directly promote CCL20 production in lung cancer cells, which was inhibited by extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 inhibitor, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MARP) inhibitor or PI3K inhibitors. CCL20 promoted lung cancer cells migration and proliferation in an autocrine manner via activation of ERK1/2‐MAPK and PI3K pathways. Our data indicated that IL‐1β could stimulate CCL20 production from lung cancer cells through the activation of MAPKs and PI3K signal pathways, and the auto‐secretion of CCL20 could promote lung cancer cell migration and proliferation through the activation of ERK and PI3K signal pathways. Our results may provide a novel evidence that CCL20 could be a new therapeutic target for lung cancer.
Knockdown of cullin 4A inhibits growth and increases chemosensitivity in lung cancer cells
Authors: Hung Ming‐Szu , Chen I‐Chuan , You Liang , Jablons David M. , Li Ya‐Chin , Mao Jian‐Hua , Xu Zhidong , Lung Jr‐Hau , Yang Cheng‐Ta , Liu Shih‐Tung
Published: March 2016

Cullin 4A (Cul4A) has been observed to be overexpressed in various cancers. In this study, the role of Cul4A in the growth and chemosensitivity in lung cancer cells were studied. We showed that Cul4A is overexpressed in lung cancer cells and tissues. Knockdown of the Cul4A expression by shRNA in lung cancer cells resulted in decreased cellular proliferation and growth in lung cancer cells. Increased sensitivity to gemcitabine, a chemotherapy drug, was also noted in those Cul4A knockdown lung cancer cells. Moreover, increased expression of p21, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β inducible early gene‐1 (TIEG1) and TGF beta‐induced (TGFBI) was observed in lung cancer cells after Cul4A knockdown, which may be partially related to increased chemosensitivity to gemcitabine. G0/G1 cell cycle arrest was also noted after Cul4A knockdown. Notably, decreased tumour growth and increased chemosensitivity to gemcitabine were also noted after Cul4A knockdown in lung cancer xenograft nude mice models. In summary, our study showed that targeting Cul4A with RNAi or other techniques may provide a possible insight to the development of lung cancer therapy in the future.
Aspirin induces Nrf2‐mediated transcriptional activation of haem oxygenase‐1 in protection of human melanocytes from H2O2‐induced oxidative stress
Authors: Jian Zhe , Tang Lingzhen , Yi Xiuli , Liu Bangmin , Zhang Qian , Zhu Guannan , Wang Gang , Gao Tianwen , Li Chunying
Published: March 2016

The removal of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by antioxidants has been proven to be beneficial to patients with vitiligo. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) has antioxidant activity and has great preventive and therapeutical effect in many oxidative stress‐relevant diseases. Whether ASA can protect human melanocytes against oxidative stress needs to be further studied. Here, we investigated the potential protective effect and mechanisms of ASA against H2O2‐induced oxidative injury in human melanocytes. Human melanocytes were pre‐treated with different concentrations of ASA, followed by exposure to 1.0 mM H2O2. Cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by flow cytometry, and cell viability was determined by an Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay. Total and phosphorylated NRF2 expression, NRF2 nuclear translocation and antioxidant response element (ARE) transcriptional activity were assayed with or without Nrf2‐siRNA transfection to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms. Concomitant with an increase in viability, pre‐treatment of 10‐90 μmol/l ASA resulted in decreased rate of apoptotic cells, lactate dehydrogenase release and intracellular ROS levels in primary human melanocytes. Furthermore, we found ASA dramatically induced NRF2 nuclear translocation, enhanced ARE‐luciferase activity, increased both p‐ NRF2 and total NRF2 levels, and induced the expression of haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) in human melanocytes. In addition, knockdown of Nrf2 expression or pharmacological inhibition of HO‐1 abrogated the protective action of ASA on melanocytes against H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. These results suggest that ASA protects human melanocytes against H2O2‐induced oxidative stress via Nrf2‐driven transcriptional activation of HO‐1.
Stimulation of the nitrate‐nitrite‐NO‐metabolism by repeated lettuce juice consumption decreases gingival inflammation in periodontal recall patients: a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Jockel‐Schneider Yvonne , Goßner Sophia K. , Petersen Nicole , Stölzel Peggy , Hägele Florian , Schweiggert Ralf Martin , Haubitz Imme , Eigenthaler Martin , Carle Reinhold , Schlagenhauf Ulrich
Published: March 2016

Aim

This prospective, parallel group, two‐armed, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized trial evaluated the impact of dietary nitrate consumption on gingival inflammation in periodontal recall patients.

Material and Methods

Forty‐four (23 test/21 placebo) periodontal recall patients with chronic gingivitis were enrolled. At baseline, gingival index (GI), plaque control record (PCR) and salivary nitrate level (SNL) were recorded, followed by sub‐ and supragingival debridement. Subsequently, participants were randomly provided with 100 ml bottles of a lettuce juice beverage to be consumed 3× daily over 14 days, containing either a standardized amount of nitrate resulting in an intake of approximately 200 mg nitrate per day (test) or being devoid of nitrate (placebo).

Results

At baseline, mean GI, PCR and SNL did not differ significantly between the groups. At day 14, mean GI of the test group was significantly reduced compared to baseline and significantly lower (p = 0.002) than in the placebo group (GI 0.3 versus 0.5). Also, mean SNL in the test group was significantly higher than in the placebo group (54.0 μg/ml versus 27.8 μg/ml; p < 0.035). Mean PCR did not change significantly in both groups.

Conclusions

Dietary nitrate consumption may be a useful adjunct in the control of chronic gingivitis.
Histological assessment of hard and soft tissues surrounding a novel ceramic implant: a pilot study in the minipig
Authors: Liñares Antonio , Grize Leticia , Muñoz Fernando , Pippenger Benjamin Evans , Dard Michel , Domken Olivier , Blanco‐Carrión Juan
Published: March 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and soft/hard tissues histomorphological outcomes of a ceramic implant comparatively to a titanium implant in a minipig model.

Material and Methods

Eighteen soft tissue level implants (9 Ceramic with ZLA® surface as test, and 9 titanium SLActive® as control, Institut Straumann, Basel, Switzerland) were randomly placed into the mandible of 6 minipigs (n = 6). Two months later, animals were sacrificed and block biopsies were obtained to assess histomorphological outcomes. Unadjusted paired comparisons, of both groups were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The Dunnett–Hsu test was used to adjust for multiple comparisons.

Results

All implants showed excellent integration into bone and soft tissue. The fBIC (distance implant shoulder to most coronal implant contact) and BIC% (percentage bone‐to‐implant contact) were for both groups; test: 3.95 mm and 85.4%; control 3.97 mm and 84.3% respectively. No difference in peri‐implant mucosa height was found, however, the sulcular epithelium was significantly shorter for the ZrO2 (mean: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.46–1.06) than for the Ti (mean: 1.40, 95%CI: 1.10–1.70) (p = 0.0090).

Conclusions

Within the limits of this pilot study, no difference was found between the ceramic implant with ZLA® surface and a titanium implant in terms of bone tissue integration. Furthermore, the epithelial attachment favoured this ceramic implant over titanium.
Effect of obesity on periodontal attachment loss progression: a 5‐year population‐based prospective study
Authors: Gaio Eduardo José , Haas Alex Nogueira , Rösing Cassiano Kuchenbecker , Oppermann Rui Vicente , Albandar Jasim M. , Susin Cristiano
Published: March 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of overweight and obesity on periodontal attachment loss (PAL) progression in an urban population from south Brazil.

Methods

In 2001, a population‐based oral health survey entitled “Epidemiology of periodontal diseases: the Porto Alegre Study” was conducted by drawing a probabilistic sample of 1586 individuals. After 5 years, 755 (participation rate: 47.6%) individuals were re‐examined. For this analysis, self‐reported diabetics, underweight individuals, and individuals with <6 teeth were excluded. Poisson regressions were used to calculate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for sex, age, skin colour, education, socio‐economic status, smoking and dental care.

Results

Five hundred and eighty‐two individuals (333 males/249 females, 36.02 ± 14.97 years) were included. Overall, obese individuals had significantly higher risk of experiencing PAL progression than individuals with normal weight after adjusting for important co‐factors (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.04–1.78). In a stratified analysis, no statistically significant associations were observed between PAL progression and obesity for males (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.75–1.69), whereas obese females were at statistically significant higher risk than normal weight females (RR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.11–2.43).

Conclusion

Obesity appears to be a risk factor for PAL progression for females but not males in this developing country population.
Clinical efficacy of probiotics as an adjunctive therapy to non‐surgical periodontal treatment of chronic periodontitis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Martin‐Cabezas Rodrigo , Davideau Jean‐Luc , Tenenbaum Henri , Huck Olivier
Published: March 2016

Focused question

What is the clinical influence of probiotics as an adjunctive therapy of scaling and root planing (SRP) when compared with SRP alone or in combination with placebo in the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP).

Methods

Electronic databases were searched up to July 2015. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SRP + probiotic versusSRP were included. PPD reduction and CAL gain were selected as primary outcome variables.

Results

Independent screening resulted in four eligible publications for the systematic review and three were included in the meta‐analysis. Meta‐analysis showed a statistically significant CAL gain (−0.42 mm, p = 0.002) and bleeding on probing (BOP) reduction (−14.66, p = 0.003) for SRP + probiotic treatment versusSRP at short‐term. Only a tendency (p = 0.06) has been observed in terms of overall PPD reduction, whereas results were significant when stratified for moderate (−0.18, p = 0.001) and deep pockets (−0.67, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, the findings of this meta‐analysis seem to support the adjunctive use of L. reuteri to SRP in CP treatment at short‐term, especially in deep pockets. Heterogeneity and limited available data may reduce the impact of these conclusions. Future long‐term RCTs evaluating the clinical efficacy of adjunctive probiotics to SRP are needed.
Editorial Perspective: How to optimise frequency band neurofeedback for ADHD
Authors: Bluschke Annet , Roessner Veit , Beste Christian
Published: March 2016

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent paediatric neuropsychiatric disorders and is characterised by hyperactivity, inattention and increased impulsivity. Children with ADHD are often also characterised by deficits in a variety of cognitive domains, including problems in working memory, a generally slower and more variable style of information processing and deficits in temporal processing, inhibitory functions and delay processing. Overarching executive functions like information updating, response inhibition and mental set shifting are also impaired in many, but not all, children with ADHD, demonstrating the neuropsychological heterogeneity characterising this disorder. Deficits in executive functions can persist into adulthood and have a substantial negative impact on everyday life. A variety of approaches are commonly considered for the treatment of ADHD (including pharmacological interventions, patient‐centred cognitive‐behavioural therapy approaches and specific teacher/parent training programmes). More recently, adding to this multimodal treatment approach, neurofeedback has grown in popularity as an intervention option for patients with ADHD. This article considers this intervention approach and the opportunities for optimising treatment for executive control dysfunctions in ADHD using theta/beta neurofeedback.
Identification of key research needs for topical therapy treatment of psoriasis – a consensus paper by the International Psoriasis Council
Authors: Wu J.J. , Lynde C.W. , Kleyn C.E. , Iversen L. , van der Walt J.M , Carvalho A. , Kirby B. , Bissonnette R.
Published: March 2016

In this age of expanding choices of therapy for psoriasis, topical therapies still play an important part in the management of patients. There are many knowledge gaps in topical therapy for psoriasis with regard to efficacy and safety as well as various combinations including topical therapy with phototherapy or with systemic agents. Councillors of the International Psoriasis Council comprised a topical therapy working group to describe these gaps in order to help direct future research endeavours. Herein, we present the results of this analysis, discuss topical agents in clinical development and the attributes of the ideal topical treatment for psoriasis.
Sexual selection and assortative mating: an experimental test
Authors: Debelle A. , Ritchie M. G. , Snook R. R.
Published: March 2016

Mate choice and mate competition can both influence the evolution of sexual isolation between populations. Assortative mating may arise if traits and preferences diverge in step, and, alternatively, mate competition may counteract mating preferences and decrease assortative mating. Here, we examine potential assortative mating between populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura that have experimentally evolved under either increased (‘polyandry’) or decreased (‘monogamy’) sexual selection intensity for 100 generations. These populations have evolved differences in numerous traits, including a male signal and female preference traits. We use a two males: one female design, allowing both mate choice and competition to influence mating outcomes, to test for assortative mating between our populations. Mating latency shows subtle effects of male and female interactions, with females from the monogamous populations appearing reluctant to mate with males from the polyandrous populations. However, males from the polyandrous populations have a significantly higher probability of mating regardless of the female's population. Our results suggest that if populations differ in the intensity of sexual selection, effects on mate competition may overcome mate choice.
Tracking changes in chromosomal arrangements and their genetic content during adaptation
Authors: Santos J. , Pascual M. , Fragata I. , Simões P. , Santos M. A. , Lima M. , Marques A. , Lopes‐Cunha M. , Kellen B. , Balanyà J. , Rose M. R. , Matos M.
Published: March 2016

There is considerable evidence for an adaptive role of inversions, but how their genetic content evolves and affects the subsequent evolution of chromosomal polymorphism remains controversial. Here, we track how life‐history traits, chromosomal arrangements and 22 microsatellites, within and outside inversions, change in three replicated populations of Drosophila subobscura for 30 generations of laboratory evolution since founding from the wild. The dynamics of fitness‐related traits indicated adaptation to the new environment concomitant with directional evolution of chromosomal polymorphism. Evidence of selective changes in frequency of inversions was obtained for seven of 23 chromosomal arrangements, corroborating a role for inversions in adaptation. The evolution of linkage disequilibrium between some microsatellites and chromosomes suggested that adaptive changes in arrangements involved changes in their genetic content. Several microsatellite alleles increased in frequency more than expected by drift in targeted inversions in all replicate populations. In particular, there were signs of selection in the O3+4 arrangement favouring a combination of alleles in two loci linked to the inversion and changing along with it, although the lack of linkage disequilibrium between these loci precludes epistatic selection. Seven other alleles increased in frequency within inversions more than expected by drift, but were not in linkage disequilibrium with them. Possibly these alleles were hitchhiking along with alleles under selection that were not specific to those inversions. Overall, the selection detected on the genetic content of inversions, despite limited coverage of the genome, suggests that genetic changes within inversions play an important role in adaptation.
Is the hook of muroid rodent's sperm related to sperm train formation?
Authors: Tourmente M. , Zarka‐Trigo D. , Roldan E. R. S.
Published: March 2016

Competition between spermatozoa of rival males to gain fertilizations has led to a wide array of modifications in sperm structure and function. Sperm cells of most muroid rodents have hook‐shaped extensions in the apical–ventral tip of the head, but the function of this structure is largely unknown. These ‘hooks’ may facilitate aggregation of spermatozoa in so‐called ‘trains’, as an adaptation to sperm competition, because sperm in trains may swim faster than free‐swimming cells. However, there is controversy regarding the role of the hook in train formation, and in relation to whether it is selected by sperm competition. We examined spermatozoa from muroid rodents with varying levels of sperm competition to assess whether (i) sperm aggregates are common in these taxa, (ii) presence of a hook relates to the formation of sperm aggregations, and (iii) formation of sperm aggregations is explained by sperm competition. Our analyses in 25 muroid species revealed that > 92% of spermatozoa swim individually in all species, with the exception of the wood mouse,Apodemus sylvaticus, which has ~50% spermatozoa swimming freely. Species with hooked spermatozoa had higher sperm competition levels and longer sperm than species whose sperm lack a hook. Neither the presence of hook nor sperm competition levels were related to the percentage of sperm in aggregations. Thus, (i) sperm aggregates in muroid rodents are an exceptional trait found only in a few species, (ii) evolution of the sperm hook is associated to sperm competition levels, but (iii) the hook is unlikely to be related to the formation of sperm aggregates. The evolutionary significance of the sperm head hook thus remains elusive, and future studies should examine potential roles of this pervasive structure in sperm's hydrodynamic efficiency and sperm–female tract interactions.
Spatial epidemiology and risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis morbidity in Wenchuan earthquake‐stricken area
Authors: Zhou Hailong , Yang Xiaoyan , Zhao Sheng , Pan Xiaoping , Xu Junhong
Published: March 2016

Objective

China is a country that experiences frequent earthquakes and has a high pulmonary tuberculosis burden. In this study, we aimed to explore the spatial clustering and risk factors of the reported incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis burden before and after the Wenchuan earthquake.

Methods

Data on the location and the demographic, socioeconomic, and health service characteristics of the 181 counties of Sichuan province from 2004 to 2012 were collected. Global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses were performed to explore spatial clustering. The associated factors were screened using stepwise multiple linear regression, and a spatial lag model was fitted to explore the influence factors.

Results

The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis burden showed a global and local spatial autocorrelation relationship. The high‐incidence counties shifted gradually over time from east to west and finally clustered in the “Aba‐Ganzi” region. Factors influencing the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis burden included minority areas, the proportion of the working population, county latitude, and the severity of the earthquake. The influence factors varied over time; the impact of minority regions, occupation, and health resources allocation weakened, whereas the economic development and mobility of the population became more significant.

Conclusion

The spatial structural relationship is an important factor related to pulmonary tuberculosis burden incidence. More attention should be paid to high‐incidence areas and populations susceptible to pulmonary tuberculosis burden.
Ethnicity and pre‐hospital care for people with suspected cardiac pain: cross‐sectional study
Authors: Asghar Zahid , Phung Viet‐Hai , Siriwardena Aloysius Niroshan
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Few studies have investigated the quality of pre‐hospital care by ethnicity. We aimed to investigate ethnic differences in pre‐hospital ambulance care of patients with suspected cardiac pain.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of retrospective electronic clinical data for patients with suspected cardiac pain over one year (August 2011 to July 2012) extracted from a single regional ambulance service. This included patient demographic data, clinical measurements, drugs administered and outcomes, such as transportation to hospital or referral to primary care. We used multivariate regression to investigate differences in care by ethnicity comparing non‐White with White patients.

Results

There were 7046 patients with suspected cardiac pain, with 4825 who had ethnicity recorded including 4661 (96.6%) White and 164 (3.4%) non‐White. After correcting for age, sex, socio‐economic status and whether transported to hospital, non‐White patients were significantly more likely to have temperature [odds ratio (OR) 2.96, P = 0.007], blood glucose (OR 3.95, P = 0.003), respiratory rate (OR 4.94, P = 0.03) and oxygen saturation (OR 2.43, P = 0.006) recorded. Non‐White patients were significantly less likely to be transported to hospital (OR 0.43, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

There were significant differences in pre‐hospital ambulance care for non‐White compared with White patients with suspected cardiac pain. These differences could be due to differences in clinical condition or case‐mix, language and cultural barriers, limited understanding of appropriate use of health care services, recording bias or true differences in provider management. Further analysis should involve larger and more complete data sets to explore ethnic differences in greater detail.
Effect of Ultrasound on the Stability of Turmeric Oleoresin Microencapsulated in Gelatin‐Collagen Matrices
Authors: Zuanon Larissa A. C. , Malacrida Cassia R. , Telis Vânia R. N.
Published: March 2016

This study evaluated the effect of sonication on the stability of turmeric oleoresin microcapsules produced by spray and freeze‐drying using blends of gelatin‐collagen as encapsulating matrices. Samples prepared with different wall matrix formulations presented solubility between 82.7 and 86.9%, yield above 88% and encapsulation efficiency between 17.41 and 56.21%. The wall matrix composed of 2% gelatin and 28% collagen (C2G28), which presented the highest yield (94.7%) and good encapsulation efficiency (42.83%), was adopted to investigate the effects of ultrasound in the emulsification step (C2G28US), to compare the performance of spray and freeze‐drying, as well as to study stability of the microcapsules during storage under incident light. Ultrasound combined with spray drying resulted in the smallest particle size, according to SEM analyses and the highest curcumin retention (342.84 mg/g). Sonication also showed positive effects on product stability, with better curcumin color retention observed for spray‐dried microcapsules.

Practical Applications

Encapsulation of turmeric oleoresin by spray drying in protein matrices composed of gelatin and collagen hydrolysate was enhanced by using ultrasound in the emulsification step, which resulted in the smallest particle size, higher curcumin retention and greater color stability under light incidence. The produced curcumin capsules may be used as a food supplement or as a natural dye.
Prediction of Come‐Up Time Correction Factor for Heat Processing of Food in Containers Using Come‐Up Heating Medium Temperatures
Authors: Terajima Yoshimi
Published: March 2016

A general formula was derived for predicting come‐up time correction factors needed to accurately estimate the
values of food in containers subjected to time variable heating medium temperatures during the come‐up period of heat sterilization process. It would be applicable to any food with any mode of heat transfer regardless to container geometry because it was derived from empirical formulas containing
and
values, which were developed for food temperature estimation. From this general formula, a new procedure was developed for calculating the come‐up time correction factors by using experimental come‐up heating medium temperatures. In this investigation, however, come‐up time correction factors were calculated by the developed procedure using time‐temperature data obtained from mathematical functions representing assumed come‐up heating medium temperature history curves. By comparing the results with those calculated from theoretical formulas, which were derived by substituting these mathematical functions for the general formula, it was found that the come‐up time correction factors could be accurately calculated by the developed procedure.

Practical Applications

The
and
values, which are accurately estimated from the heating curve, may be used for determining
(thermal diffusivity) and
(surface heat transfer coefficient/thermal conductivity) necessary to heat penetration simulation for heat conduction food in containers, which are approximated by cylinders, slabs, or spheres.
Development of A Monoclonal Antibody‐Based Competitive Elisa Method for Quantitative Detection of Dextran
Authors: Wang Shengyu , Li Zhe , Wang Xianjiang , Ni Erru , Zeng Lianqiang , Luo Fanghong , Yan Jianghua , Liang Dafeng
Published: March 2016

To solve processing problems caused by bacterial activity in sugar industry, a sensitive method for dextran detection is expected. In this study, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against dextran were prepared using dextran T40 conjugated with bovine serum albumin as immunogens. Basing on the mAbs, a competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to measure dextran quantitatively was developed. Results demonstrated that this competitive ELISA method had a calibration curve with correlation coefficient of 0.9986, IC50 value of 204.2 ng/mL and detection value ranging from 26.3 ng/mL to 1174.9 ng/mL. In addition, cross‐reaction assay suggested the method had no significant cross‐reaction with dextran‐related substances such as β‐glucan, starch, sucrose, sugar and glucose. Besides, spike recovery assay indicated this quantitative method for dextran detection had a perfect accuracy.

Practical Applications

With wide detection range, high specificity and good calibration curve, this developed competitive ELISA method will be reliable to detect dextran quantitatively in sugar industry, and even may be commercially applied into kit development.
The roles of HOXB7 in promoting migration, invasion, and anti‐apoptosis in gastric cancer
Authors: Joo Moon Kyung , Park Jong‐Jae , Yoo Hyo Soon , Lee Beom Jae , Chun Hoon Jai , Lee Sang Woo , Bak Young‐Tae
Published: March 2016

Background and Aim

The aim of this study was to compare HOXB7 expression level between gastric cancer and non‐cancerous gastric tissues. Additionally, the functional effects of HOXB7, including its pro‐migration or invasion and anti‐apoptosis roles, were evaluated in gastric cancer cells.

Methods

Both gene and protein expression levels of HOXB7 were examined in gastric cancer cell lines, and HOXB7 expression was compared between primary or metastatic gastric cancer tissues and chronic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia tissues. Functional studies included a wound healing assay, a Matrigel invasion assay, and an Annexin‐V assay were performed, and Akt/PTEN activity was measured by western blotting.

Results

Both gene and protein expression levels of HOXB7 could be clearly detected in various gastric cancer cell lines except MKN‐28 cell. HOXB7 expression was significantly higher in primary or metastatic gastric cancer tissues than in chronic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia tissues. HOXB7 knockdown led to inhibition of cell invasion and migration, had an apoptotic effect, downregulated phosphor‐Akt, and upregulated PTEN in AGS and SNU‐638 cells. Reinforced expression of HOXB7 caused the opposite effects in MKN‐28 and MKN‐45 cells.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that HOXB7 has an oncogenic role in gastric cancer, which might be related to the modulation of Akt/PTEN activity to induce cell migration/invasion and anti‐apoptotic effects.
Aspiration Abortion With Immediate Intrauterine Device Insertion: Comparing Outcomes of Advanced Practice Clinicians and Physicians
Authors: Patil Eva , Darney Blair , Orme‐Evans Kaebah , Beckley Ethan H. , Bergander Linn , Nichols Mark , Bednarek Paula H.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Immediate postabortion intrauterine device (IUD) insertion is a safe, effective strategy to prevent subsequent unplanned pregnancy. Oregon is one of 5 US states where advanced practice clinicians perform aspiration abortions. This study compares outcomes of first‐trimester aspiration abortion with immediate IUD insertion between advanced practice clinicians and physicians.

Methods

We conducted a historical cohort study of first‐trimester aspiration abortions with immediate IUD insertion performed at our center from 2009 to 2011. We extracted demographic and clinical data from patient charts. Immediate complications including excessive blood loss, perforation, and reaspirations were recorded at the time of procedure. We used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression to test for differences in outcomes by clinician type.

Results

Data were available on 669 of the 1134 combined procedures. Advanced practice clinicians performed 224 of these. There were no significant differences in immediate outcomes. The only immediate complications were reaspirations; 1.8% (4/224) in the advanced practice clinician group, and 2.0% (9/445) in the physician group (P = .83).

Discussion

We found no differences in outcomes between provider type for immediate IUD insertion after first‐trimester aspiration abortion. This study helps reinforce that advanced practice clinicians can provide immediate postaspiration abortion IUD insertions with similar outcomes to those of physicians. Many countries do not allow advanced practice clinicians to perform this service, but a change in policy could help address family planning provider shortages.
Bioenergetics and redox adaptations of astrocytes to neuronal activity
Authors: Bolaños Juan P.
Published: March 2016

Neuronal activity is a high‐energy demanding process recruiting all neural cells that adapt their metabolism to sustain the energy and redox balance of neurons. During neurotransmission, synaptic cleft glutamate activates its receptors in neurons and in astrocytes, before being taken up by astrocytes through energy costly transporters. In astrocytes, the energy requirement for glutamate influx is likely to be met by glycolysis. To enable this, astrocytes are constitutively glycolytic, robustly expressing 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase‐3 (PFKFB3), an enzyme that is negligibly present in neurons by continuous degradation because of the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway via anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome (APC)‐Cdh1. Additional factors contributing to the glycolytic frame of astrocytes may include 5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1), pyruvate kinase muscle isoform‐2 (PKM2), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase‐4 (PDK4), lactate dehydrogenase‐B, or monocarboxylate transporter‐4 (MCT4). Neurotransmission‐associated messengers, such as nitric oxide or ammonium, stimulate lactate release from astrocytes. Astrocyte‐derived glycolytic lactate thus sustains the energy needs of neurons, which in contrast to astrocytes mainly rely on oxidative phosphorylation. Neuronal activity unavoidably triggers reactive oxygen species, but the antioxidant defense of neurons is weak; hence, they use glucose for oxidation through the pentose‐phosphate pathway to preserve the redox status. Furthermore, neural activity is coupled with erythroid‐derived erythroid‐derived 2‐like 2 (Nrf2) mediated transcriptional activation of antioxidant genes in astrocytes, which boost the de novo glutathione biosynthesis in neighbor neurons. Thus, the bioenergetics and redox programs of astrocytes are adapted to sustain neuronal activity and survival. Developing therapeutic strategies to interfere with these pathways may be useful to combat neurological diseases.

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Our current knowledge on brain's management of bioenergetics and redox requirements associated with neural activity is herein revisited. The astrocyte‐neuronal lactate shuttle (ANLS) explains the energy needs of neurotransmission. Furthermore, neurotransmission unavoidably triggers increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in neurons. By coupling glutamatergic activity with transcriptional activation of antioxidant genes, astrocytes provide neurons with neuroprotective glutathione through an astrocyte‐neuronal glutathione shuttle (ANGS).

This article is part of the 60th Anniversary special issue.
Paper or Plastic? Exploring the Effects of Natural Enrichment on Behavioural and Neuroendocrine Responses in Long‐Evans Rats
Authors: Bardi M. , Kaufman C. , Franssen C. , Hyer M. M. , Rzucidlo A. , Brown M. , Tschirhart M. , Lambert K. G.
Published: March 2016

Enriched environments are beneficial to neurobiological development; specifically, rodents exposed to complex, rather than standard laboratory, environments exhibit evidence of neuroplasticity and enhanced cognitive performance. In the present study, the nature of elements placed in the complex environment was investigated. Accordingly, rats (n = 8 per group) were housed either in a natural environment characterised by stimuli such as dirt and rocks, an artificial environment characterised by plastic toys and synthetic nesting materials, a natural/artificial environment characterised by a combination of artificial and natural stimuli or a laboratory standard environment characterised by no enrichment stimuli. Following exposure to emotional and cognitive behavioural tasks, including a cricket hunting task, a novel object preference task and a forced swim task, brains were processed for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐, neuronal nuclei (NeuN)‐ and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunoreactivity. Baseline and stress foecal samples were collected to assess corticosterone (CORT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Natural environment animals exhibited shorter diving latencies and increased diving frequencies in the second forced swimming task, along with higherDHEA/CORTratios, and higherGFAPimmunoreactivity in the hippocampus. The type of environmental enrichment did not influence levels ofBDNFimmunoreactivity in theCA1,CA3 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus; however, natural environment animals exhibited higher levels of NeuN immunoreactivity in the retrosplenial cortex, an area involved in spatial memory and other cognitive functions. These results suggest that, in addition to enhancing behavioural and endocrinological variables associated with resilience, exposure to natural stimuli might alter plasticity in brain areas associated with cortical processing and learning.
Does ability to walk reflect general functionality in inflammatory neuropathies?
Authors: Draak Thomas H. P. , Gorson Kenneth C. , Vanhoutte Els K. , van Nes Sonja I. , van Doorn Pieter A. , Cornblath David R. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Faber Catharina G. , Merkies Ingemar S. J. ,   PeriNomS Study Group
Published: March 2016

The “ability to walk” is considered a benchmark for good clinical recovery and prognosis, particularly in patients with Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). However, it has never been determined whether being “able to walk” represents general functionality. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the ability to walk outside independently reflects general functional improvement in patients with GBS, CIDP, and gammopathy‐related neuropathy (MGUSP). A total of 137 patients with newly diagnosed (or relapsing) GBS (55), CIDP (59), and MGUSP (23) were serially examined (1‐year). Predefined arbitrary cut‐offs (so‐called patients' Functional‐Acceptable‐Clinical‐Thresholds [FACTs]) were taken at the 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile of the Inflammatory‐Rasch‐built‐Overall‐Disability‐Scale (I‐RODS©). We determined the proportion of patients able to walk outside independently that reached the postulated cut‐offs. A mean total of 85%, 39%, and 12% of all patients able to walk reached 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile thresholds, respectively. These findings were not neuropathy type related. Our findings show that assessing only one construct of functionality (e.g., walking ability) does not reflect the full scope of daily/social functional deficits perceived by patients. The ability to walk shows a patient is doing better, but not necessarily doing well. The I‐RODS© bypasses these limitations.
Fampridine‐PR (prolonged released 4‐aminopyridine) is not effective in patients with inflammatory demyelination of the peripheral nervous system
Authors: Leussink Verena‐Isabell , Stettner Mark , Warnke Clemens , Hartung Hans‐Peter
Published: March 2016

Fampridine‐PR is a voltage‐gated potassium channel inhibitor potentially improving nerve conduction in demyelinated axons. Based on its established clinical efficacy in patients with demyelination in the central nervous system, we assessed if fampridine‐PR is also effective in patients with inflammatory demyelination of the peripheral nerve. In this small open‐label study, 10 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) were treated with fampridine‐PR 10 mg BID for 28 days and assessed clinically as well as by nerve conduction studies. In this study, Fampridine‐PR failed to improve CIDP based on clinical measures and nerve conduction studies. Our findings suggest that Fampridine‐PR appears to be ineffective in demyelinating polyneuropathies. These observations may indicate a more complex mode of action beyond improving action potential conduction in demyelinated axons.