bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Woodland ectomycorrhizal fungi benefit from large‐scale reduction in nitrogen deposition in the Netherlands
Authors: van Strien Arco J. , Boomsluiter Menno , Noordeloos Machiel E. , Verweij Richard J. T. , Kuyper Thomas W.
Published: May 2017

Woodland ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal species declined considerably in the Netherlands in the late 20th century, mainly due to raised levels of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Environmental measures have been taken to reduce this deposition, but it remains unclear whether and to what extent ECM species have benefitted from these.

We hypothesized that ECM species, especially those species that are known to be nitrophobic, that is, sensitive to nitrogen loading, have recovered to some extent from the reduction in nitrogen deposition after 1994. We further hypothesized that, due to legacy effects of deposition, recovery has been stronger in regions where deposition levels have previously been lower.

To test these hypotheses, we analysed long‐term opportunistic data, that is, observations collected without standardized field method. We applied data filtering and a modified List Length method to adjust for potential biases in these data. The removal of bias left us with two periods to examine ECM species trends: before (1965–1985) and after (1994–2013) deposition reduction started [in 1994].

We compared trends in ECM species in 1965–1985 with those in 1994–2013. Multispecies indicators were used to summarize the findings of ECM species, and to compare these with results of litter saprotrophic species and wood saprotrophic and wood parasitic species.

We found that (1) most trends switched in direction from negative to positive after the reduction in nitrogen deposition began; (2) these trends were more pronounced for nitrophobic ECM species than for nitrotolerant ECM species; (3) trends for ECM species differed from those of the other functional groups; and (4) recovery was stronger in the region with a history of lower deposition.

Policy implications. Our results suggest that woodland ectomycorrhizal species benefit substantially from environmental measures to reduce nitrogen deposition. Our study is one of few scientific studies to date documenting evidence of success of large‐scale (nation‐wide) environmental measures. We have demonstrated that opportunistic citizen science data can be used for the detection of species trends, but it is essential to examine and control for potential bias in the data.
The role of ITPA and ribavirin transporter genes polymorphisms in prediction of ribavirin‐induced anaemia in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients
Authors: El Desoky Ehab S , Abdelhafez Alaa T , Cusato Jessica , Kamel Sherif I , Hussein Abeer MR , De Nicolo Amedeo , Di Perri Giovanni , D'Avolio Antonio
Published: May 2017

Few data are available concerning the roles of polymorphisms of inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene and ribavirin (RBV) transporter genes in the prediction of RBV‐induced anaemia among Egyptians with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Genotyping of three ITPA gene variants and two variants of RBV transporter genes has been performed in 123 patients under pegylated interferon‐α/ribavirin treatment. The baseline haemoglobin and ITPA rs1127354 CA/AA have been found as predictors of anaemia at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of RBV therapy. In addition, ITPA rs7270101 AC/CC and age predicted anaemia after 12 weeks of therapy. In conclusion, the ITPA variant rs1127354C>A significantly predict RBV‐induced anaemia during the first 3 months of treatment and it is recommended to be assessed before RBV administration.
Do Partners in PPPs view Public and Private Management Differently?
Authors: Reynaers Anne‐Marie , van der Wal Zeger
Published: May 2017

Differences between public and private management have been studied extensively by comparing sectors, but not within cross‐sectoral collaborative arrangements. As participants in such arrangements have actually experienced both management styles, examining their perceptions of how these styles differ may contribute innovatively to existing literature. This paper compares such perceptions between public and private sector project members (N = 63) involved in four PPPs in the Netherlands. We assess (1) to what extent and under which conditions these project members view public and private management differently and (2) how they evaluate these differences. By triangulating quantitative and qualitative interview data, we examine Boyne's classical hypotheses and find that more than two‐thirds of the statements making reference to these hypotheses offer support for them; more so, the vast majority of such statements evaluate sectoral differences negatively. Intriguingly, type of PPP is a stronger determinant of perceived differences than the manager's sector of origin.
The Role of Local Context in the Cross‐border Acquisitions by Emerging Economy Multinational Enterprises
Authors: Buckley Peter J. , Munjal Surender
Published: May 2017

This paper explores the role of local context in cross‐border acquisitions by emerging economy multinational enterprises (EMNEs). It argues that the importance of local context has remained despite the increased global integration of the world economy. Hypotheses are tested using data on Indian acquisitions hosted in 70 countries over an eight‐year period. Results, which are consistent across number and value of cross‐border acquisitions, show that the local context in host countries offers contrasting benefits. Emerging economy multinational enterprises exploited these benefits by embedding in host countries through acquisitions. The acquisition strategy is conventional in the motives underpinning internationalization, but novel in its geographical clustering of host countries, and idiosyncratic owing to the EMNE's ability to draw on home country embeddedness. The paper develops theoretical implications and extends the concept of embeddedness, treating it as a series of internalization or quasi‐internalization decisions across a variety of local contexts by multinationals.
Labour Migration, Food Expenditure, and Household Food Security in Eastern Indonesia
Authors: Hasanah Alfiah , Mendolia Silvia , Yerokhin Oleg
Published: May 2017

This paper investigates the impact of migration on the food expenditure and household food security status of migrant‐sending households using data from eastern Indonesia. We find that migration significantly increases food expenditure and overall household expenditure. Combining the food frequency and food consumption module of the Indonesia Family Life Survey (East), this paper shows that having at least one migrant in the family increases the composite index of Food Consumption Score, as well as the family's food security. Evaluation of food diversity also shows that migration increases expenditure on six out of ten food groups.
Identification of Microorganisms Isolated From Counterfeit and Unapproved Decorative Contact Lenses
Authors: Land Adrian D. , Penno Katie L. , Brzezinski Jennifer L.
Published: May 2017

All contact lenses (corrective/noncorrective) are considered Class II or Class III medical devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which also states that contact lenses can only be obtained with a prescription. The Forensic Chemistry Center of the US Food & Drug Administration has examined over 300 decorative, noncorrective contact lenses obtained without a prescription. Our observations indicate that 60% of the counterfeit lenses and 27% of the unapproved lenses examined were positive for microbial contamination. Twenty‐nine different brands of noncorrective contact lenses were examined, and 48% of them had at least one sample positive for microbial contamination. Each microorganism was further identified using DNA sequencing. Contaminated contact lenses are associated with numerous health risks, including ocular infections and conjunctivitis leading to permanent visual impairment or blindness. These results support the contention that acquiring contact lenses without a prescription is a considerable threat to consumer health and safety.
Visit‐to‐visit systolic blood pressure variability predicts treatment‐related adverse event of hyponatremia in SPRINT
Authors: Goyal Abhinav , Mezue Kenechukwu , Rangaswami Janani
Published: May 2017

Hypertension is a common condition and an important cardiovascular risk factor. SPRINT trial showed that the beneficial effects of targeting systolic blood pressure <120 mm Hg were accompanied by more adverse events. De‐identified SPRINT database was used for this analysis. All subjects in each group that achieved their respective target blood pressure (<120, intensive; <140, standard) were included. Only readings after reaching target blood pressure for the first time were included. Subjects that never reached target or had <2 readings upon reaching target were excluded. Coefficient of Variation (CV) of systolic blood pressure was calculated for each subject to characterize variability. Cox proportional hazards regression was used in the overall cohort as well as the intensive and standard treatment subgroups separately, to identify the effect of CV of systolic blood pressure on occurrence of hyponatremia. P<.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 8884 subjects met the inclusion criteria; 4323 in intensive and 4561 in standard group. Two hundred and sixty five hyponatremic events occurred in the overall cohort; 168 in intensive, and 127 in standard treatment group. CV of systolic blood pressure consistently and independently predicted a greater hazard of hyponatremia on overall (HR 1.08, P<.001), as well as separate regressions by treatment arms (each HR=1.08 and P<.05). In conclusion, visit‐to‐visit systolic blood pressure variability is independently associated with a small but significant risk of hyponatremia in the SPRINT trial.
Association between osteoarthritis and mental health in a Korean population: a nationwide study
Authors: Jung Jae Hyun , Seok Hongdeok , Kim Jae‐Hoon , Song Gwan Gyu , Choi Sung Jae
Published: May 2017

Aim

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease and has become a major health problem in recent years. OA causes chronic pain and disability and can induce mental disorders such as stress perception, depression and suicidal ideation. We investigated the incidence of perceived stress, depressed mood and suicidal ideation in OA patients, using the 2010–2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Method

A total of 8271 participants were included (3580 male and 4691 female). OA patients were defined as participants with knee/hip joint pain and radiographic changes of the knee/hip joints. Mental disorders included stress perception, depression and suicidal ideation. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for mental disorders were calculated according to the OA.

Results

In the multiple logistic regression model, compared to the non‐OA group, the ORs of high stress perception, depression and suicidal ideation were 1.59 (95% CI 1.10–2.31), 1.52 (95% CI 1.01–2.29) and 1.90 (95% CI 1.33–2.72), respectively, in male, and 1.41 (95% CI 1.19–1.68), 1.27 (95% CI 1.04–1.54) and 1.49 (95% CI 1.25–1.78), respectively, in female.

Conclusion

OA is associated with impaired mental health. OA patients had high stress perception, depression and suicidal ideation. More numbers of male with OA had much more mental disorders than female with OA.
Lack of association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and outcome of methotrexate treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients: evidence from a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fan Hongqiong , Li Yanhui , Zhang Li , Li Yuying , Li Wei
Published: May 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism A1298C and methotrexate (MTX) outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods

We conducted a meta‐analysis of the relevant published literature through to May 2016. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed‐ and random‐effect models.

Results

A total of 1325 cases (10 studies) of MTX efficacy and 2777 cases (18 studies) of MTX toxicity in RA patients were analyzed. Pooled results showed that MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism was not significantly related to MTX toxicity or efficacy in RA patients. However, subgroup analysis indicated a significant association between MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism and decreased MTX efficacy in the South Asian population (CCvs. CA + AA: OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.23–0.89, P = 0.021). Also, MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism in the partial folate supplementation group showed a relationship with decreased MTX efficacy (CCvs. CA + AA: OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.20–0.92, P = 0.029) and toxicity (CCvs. CA + AA: OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.17–0.96, P = 0.04; CCvs. AA: OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.16–0.94, P = 0.035).

Conclusions

Overall, our meta‐analysis suggested no significant effect of MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism on MTX outcome in RA patients. However, due to several limitations of our meta‐analysis, the results should be interpreted cautiously and require further confirmation using high‐quality studies.
The Impact on Australia of Trump's 45 per cent Tariff on Chinese Imports
Authors: Dixon Janine
Published: May 2017

Should Australia be concerned about the consequences of a possible outbreak of protection between the US and China, two of Australia's largest trading partners? Using the Global Trade Analysis Project model, this paper describes the impact of a 45 per cent tariff imposed by the US on Chinese imports, as flagged by US president‐elect Donald Trump during the election campaign. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is reduced in both the US and China, with no appreciable revival of US manufacturing. Terms‐of‐trade effects cause only minor macroeconomic impacts on Australia. In itself, a US‐China tariff would not cause significant global economic damage but could have important demonstration effects. Worldwide tariff hikes would take many economies into recession and reduce world trade volumes by a third.
Discussion of “Aggregate Margin Debt and the Divergence of Price from Accounting Fundamentals”
Authors: Hutton Amy P.
Published: May 2017

Burger and Curtis (2017) is an empirical investigation of whether aggregate margin debt correlates with aggregate stock prices and aggregate accounting‐based fundamentals. While the paper convincingly documents a significant relation: aggregate margin debt is higher when aggregate fundamentals‐to‐price ratios are low, it fails to document why. The documented relation could exist because margin traders are the overly exuberant noise traders that push stock prices higher away from fundamental values; or the documented relation could be spurious, and exist because aggregate margin debt rises with aggregate price levels simply because margin loan capacity increases as aggregate price levels increase. With insufficiently granular data (aggregate margin debt measured monthly), the authors are not able to sort out why the relation exists. Thus, interpretation of the findings documented in this paper is difficult.
Dental insurance, service use and health outcomes in Australia: a systematic review
Authors: Gnanamanickam ES , Teusner DN , Arrow PG , Brennan DS
Published: May 2017

Private health insurance plays a key role in financing dental care in Australia. Having private dental insurance has been associated with higher levels of access to dental care, visiting for a check‐up and receiving a favourable pattern of services. Associations with better oral health have also been reported. In the absence of any existing review, this paper aims to systematically review the relationship between dental insurance and dental service use and/or oral health outcomes in Australia. A systematic search of online databases and subsequent sifting resulted in 36 publications, 33 of which were cross sectional and three cohort analyses. Dental service outcomes were more commonly reported than oral health outcomes. There was considerable heterogeneity in the outcome measures reported, for both service use and health outcomes. Overall, the majority of the evidence was from cross sectional studies and few studies reported analyses adjusted for confounding factors. The consolidated evidence points towards a positive association between dental insurance and dental visiting. Dentally insured adults are likely to have more regular access to dental care and have a more favourable pattern of service use than the uninsured. However, evidence of associations between dental insurance and oral health are mixed.
Is there a consensus on antibiotic usage for dental implant placement in healthy patients?
Authors: Park J , Tennant M , Walsh LJ , Kruger E
Published: May 2017

This systematic review aimed to determine whether there is consensus for antibiotic prescription in healthy patients undergoing implant placement. A search of PubMed, Embase and Medline databases was conducted in January 2016 to find published journal articles on the use of antibiotics in implant placement, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria were prospective human clinical trials investigating antibiotic usage during implant placement. Fifteen studies were deemed suitable. In 13 studies, no statistical difference was found between antibiotic use and the incidence of prosthetic failure, implant failure and early postoperative infections. These were rated as having low to high risk bias. Contrary results were reported in two studies, both of which were rated as having a high potential for bias. In conclusion, antibiotic use in healthy patients for the prophylaxis of surgical infection associated with dental implant placement does not appear to improve clinical outcomes. Practitioners should apply principles of antimicrobial stewardship and not use antibiotics as a routine measure in healthy patients.
NUT carcinoma presenting in the palate – a case report
Authors: Bjornstrup Libana Raffoul , Reibel Jesper , Kiss Katalin , Schioedt Morten
Published: May 2017

NUT carcinomas (NC) are rare and aggressive tumours characterized by chromosomal rearrangements of the gene encoding for nuclear protein of the testis (NUT) located on chromosome 15q14. This article presents a case of a 60‐year‐old woman diagnosed with NC presenting as a fast growing primary tumour in the right palate. Further evaluation revealed a tumour mass in the lungs and widespread metastases. A review of the literature did not reveal earlier cases presenting in the palate. In order to improve early diagnosis it is suggested to perform immunohistochemical testing for NUT in all poorly differentiated carcinomas without glandular differentiation arising in the chest, and head and neck (Clin Cancer Res, 18, 2012, 5773).
The use of selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) is not associated with increased risk of endoscopy‐refractory bleeding, rebleeding or mortality in peptic ulcer bleeding
Authors: Laursen S. B. , Leontiadis G. I. , Stanley A. J. , Hallas J. , Schaffalitzky de Muckadell O. B.
Published: May 2017

Background

Observational studies have consistently shown an increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in users of selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs), probably explained by their inhibition of platelet aggregation. Therefore, treatment with SSRIs is often temporarily withheld in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding. However, abrupt discontinuation of SSRIs is associated with development of withdrawal symptoms in one‐third of patients. Further data are needed to clarify whether treatment with SSRIs is associated with poor outcomes, which would support temporary discontinuation of treatment.

Aim

To identify if treatment with SSRIs is associated with increased risk of: (1) endoscopy‐refractory bleeding, (2) rebleeding or (3) 30‐day mortality due to peptic ulcer bleeding.

Methods

A nationwide cohort study. Analyses were performed on prospectively collected data on consecutive patients admitted to hospital with peptic ulcer bleeding in Denmark in the period 2006‐2014. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between treatment with SSRIs and outcome following adjustment for pre‐defined confounders. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the validity of the findings.

Results

A total of 14 343 patients were included. Following adjustment, treatment with SSRIs was not associated with increased risk of endoscopy‐refractory bleeding (odds ratio [OR] [95% Confidence Interval (CI)]: 1.03 [0.79‐1.33]), rebleeding (OR [95% CI]: 0.96 [0.83‐1.11]) or 30‐day mortality (OR [95% CI]: 1.01 [0.85‐1.19]. These findings were supported by sensitivity and subgroup analyses.

Conclusions

According to our data, treatment with SSRIs does not influence the risk of endoscopy‐refractory bleeding, rebleeding or 30‐day mortality in peptic ulcer bleeding.
Studying social practices and global practice change using scrapbooks as a cultural probe
Authors: Maller Cecily , Strengers Yolande
Published: May 2017

Empirical work on household consumption informed by theories of social practice has grown exponentially in the last few years. This is partly due to conceptual developments positing practices as being comprised of materials, meanings and skills. Such formulations are readily applied to empirical investigations. As the aim of a growing body of empirical work with theories of social practice is to present evidence for how practices can, should, have or might change in the future towards improved sustainability, greater questioning and broader reflection about methods and approaches would be helpful. In the interests of contributing to such methodological discussions and broadening out the range of tools available, this paper is concerned with how to study the processes and dynamics involved in the globalisation of practices. We do so by adapting a method of scrapbooking used as a cultural probe in human–computer interactions research. We apply this method in a qualitative study with international students studying in Australia where we combined interviewing techniques with a purpose‐designed practice memory scrapbook containing a variety of images of current and historical practices. Practices of interest were those related to keeping warm, cool, laundering and bathing. We found the scrapbook useful in four main ways: it facilitated discussion about mundane everyday practices; it uncovered assumptions about “normal” ways of carrying out everyday practices; it foregrounded the absence/presence of material elements; and it facilitated reflection on how practice entities are changing. We conclude that the practice memory scrapbook is a useful and complementary qualitative research method to consider in studies seeking to understand the practice dynamics involved in globalisation.
Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Hetrombopag Olamine, a Novel TPO‐R Agonist, in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Zheng Li , Liang Mao‐zhi , Zeng Xiao‐ling , Li Cai‐zheng , Zhang Yi‐fan , Chen Xiao‐yan , Zhu Xi , Xiang An‐bo
Published: May 2017

Hetrombopag olamine (hetrombopag) is a novel small‐molecule, orally bioavailable, non‐peptide thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist that is being developed as the treatment for thrombocytopenia. Two randomized, placebo‐controlled phase I studies were conducted in 72 healthy individuals to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of hetrombopag. Hetrombopag was orally administered with a single dose in five dose cohorts (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg or 40 mg) in the first study, and given once daily for 10 days in three dose cohorts (2.5 mg, 5.0 mg or 7.5 mg) in the second study, respectively. Hetrombopag was well tolerated, and the majority of adverse events associated with medicine were platelet elevations significantly above the normal range in healthy individuals. The single dose‐escalation study revealed a Tmax of approximate 8 hr, and a t1/2 of 11.9 hr to 40.1 hr in a dose‐prolonged manner. A dose‐proportional increase in maximum concentration (Cmax) of hetrombopag was observed, with area under the curve (AUC) increasing in a greater than dose‐proportional manner. The plasma concentration of hetrombopag reached the steady‐state after 7 days. The steady‐state AUC0–24 hr and Cmax were dose‐proportionally elevated from the 5.0 mg to 7.5 mg dose level. The potent pharmacological effect of the hetrombopag‐induced platelet elevation was observed in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, the thrombopoietic response was significantly (p < 0.0001) correlated to the plasma exposure level of hetrombopag in single and multiple administration studies. Taken together, results of this study support further clinical development of hetrombopag in patients with thrombocytopenia.
A longitudinal study of post‐school provision for Irish school‐leavers with intellectual disability
Authors: McConkey Roy , Kelly Fionnola , Craig Sarah , Keogh Fiona
Published: May 2017

Accessible summary

In Ireland school leavers with intellectual disabilities were tracked over a 10‐year period from 2004 to 2014. Nearly half were no longer known to services after 10 years.

In the 5 years after leaving school, most young adults went to either training centres or to care centres. After 10 years, most were placed in care centres. Few were getting help to obtain paid work or were receiving support in the community.

New models of day supports are being promoted by the Government but they are not widely available. Shortage of money and pressure to provide places for school leavers may have contributed to the growth of attendances in care centres.

Background

In recent years, efforts have been made to improve the transition of pupils with intellectual disabilities to adult services and to offer a wider range of choices. However, there have been few longitudinal studies to monitor the services provided to young adults post‐school. This case study in the Republic of Ireland identified the services provided 5 and 10 years after pupils had left school.

Method

Using records from the National Intellectual Disability Database (NIDD), a cohort of 3,206 young people aged 14 to 21 years in 2004 were followed up in 2009 and again in 2014. The pathways to different types of services were identified.

Results

Upwards of 50% of school leavers were no longer in receipt of services 10 years later. Most had mild intellectual disabilities. Of those who were still involved with services, after 5 years most attended either training centres or care centres with small proportions in sheltered workshops or employment schemes. By 2014, most students leaving training centres had transferred to care centres; including those with mild disabilities. There had been little increase in the numbers receiving other types of day support.

Conclusions

Care centres remain the most common form of day services provided to school leavers in the Republic of Ireland. The economic recession may have contributed to this. Recent government policies aim to promote more innovative day supports with a focus on employment but further cohort studies should monitor the success of these initiatives.
PAI‐1 gain‐of‐function genotype, factors increasing PAI‐1 levels, and airway obstruction: The GALA II Cohort
Authors: Sherenian M. G. , Cho S. H. , Levin A. , Min J‐Y. , Oh S. S. , Hu D. , Galanter J. , Sen S. , Huntsman S. , Eng C. , Rodriguez‐Santana J. R. , Serebrisky D. , Avila P. C. , Kalhan R. , Smith L. J. , Borrell L. N. , Seibold M. A. , Keoki Williams L. , Burchard E. G. , Kumar R.
Published: May 2017

Background

PAI‐1 gain‐of‐function variants promote airway fibrosis and are associated with asthma and with worse lung function in subjects with asthma.

Objective

We sought to determine whether the association of a gain‐of‐function polymorphism in plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) with airway obstruction is modified by asthma status, and whether any genotype effect persists after accounting for common exposures that increase PAI‐1 level.

Methods

We studied 2070 Latino children (8‐21y) with genotypic and pulmonary function data from the GALA II cohort. We estimated the relationship of the PAI‐1 risk allele with FEV1/FVC by multivariate linear regression, stratified by asthma status. We examined the association of the polymorphism with asthma and airway obstruction within asthmatics via multivariate logistic regression. We replicated associations in the SAPPHIRE cohort of African Americans (n=1056). Secondary analysis included the effect of the at‐risk polymorphism on postbronchodilator lung function.

Results

There was an interaction between asthma status and the PAI‐1 polymorphism on FEV1/FVC (P=.03). The gain‐of‐function variants, genotypes (AA/AG), were associated with lower FEV1/FVC in subjects with asthma (β=−1.25, CI: −2.14,−0.35, P=.006), but not in controls. Subjects with asthma and the AA/AG genotypes had a 5% decrease in FEV1/FVC (P<.001). In asthmatics, the risk genotype (AA/AG) was associated with a 39% increase in risk of clinically relevant airway obstruction (OR=1.39, CI: 1.01, 1.92, P=.04). These associations persisted after exclusion of factors that increase PAI‐1 including tobacco exposure and obesity.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The decrease in the FEV1/FVC ratio associated with the risk genotype was modified by asthma status. The genotype increased the odds of airway obstruction by 75% within asthmatics only. As exposures known to increase PAI‐1 levels did not mitigate this association, PAI‐1 may contribute to airway obstruction in the context of chronic asthmatic airway inflammation.
Specific activation of CD4–CD8– double-negative T cells byTrypanosoma cruzi-derived glycolipids induces a proinflammatory profile associated with cardiomyopathy in Chagas patients
Authors: Passos L S A , Magalhães L M D , Soares R P , Marques A F , Nunes M do C P , Gollob K J , Dutra W O
Published: May 2017

Cardiomyopathy is the most severe outcome of Chagas disease, causing more than 12 000 deaths/year. Immune cells participate in cardiomyopathy development either by direct tissue destruction, or by driving inflammation. We have shown that CD4–CD8– [double-negative (DN)] T cells are major sources of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, associated with the cardiac (CARD) and indeterminate (IND) forms of Chagas disease, respectively. Here, we sought to identify Trypanosoma cruzi-derived components that lead to activation of DN T cells in Chagas patients. Glycolipid (GCL), lipid (LIP) and protein-enriched (PRO) fractions derived from trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi were utilized to stimulate cells from IND and CARD patients to determine DN T cell activation by evaluating CD69 and cytokine expression. We observed that GCL, but not LIP or PRO fractions, induced higher activation of DN T cells, especially T cell receptor (TCR)-γδ DN T, from IND and CARD. GCL led to an increase in tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)-10 expression by TCR-γδ DN T cells from IND, while inducing IFN-γ expression by TCR-γδ DN T cells from CARD. This led to an increase in the ratio IFN-γ/IL-10 in TCR-γδ DN T cells from CARD, favouring an inflammatory profile. These results identify GCL as the major T. cruzi component responsible for activation of DN T cells in chronic Chagas disease, associated predominantly with an inflammatory profile in CARD, but not IND. These findings may have implications for designing new strategies of control or prevention of Chagas disease cardiomyopathy by modulating the response to GCL.
Effects of androgen deprivation therapy on telomere length
Authors: Cheung Ada S. , Yeap Bu B. , Hoermann Rudolf , Hui Jennie , Beilby John P. , Grossmann Mathis
Published: May 2017

Objective

Recent evidence suggests that androgens either directly or via aromatisation to oestradiol may regulate telomere length, hence providing a mechanism whereby reproductive steroids are linked to biological ageing in men. Using men with prostate cancer initiating androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), we tested the hypothesis that severe sex steroid deprivation would accelerate telomere shortening.

Design

We conducted a secondary analysis of a 2‐year prospective controlled study among 65 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer newly commencing adjuvant ADT (n=40) and age‐ and radiotherapy‐matched prostate cancer controls (n=25).

Methods

We measured leucocyte telomere length (LTL) expressed as telomeric/single copy control gene (T/S) ratio at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months. Generalized linear models determined the mean adjusted difference (MAD) (95% confidence interval) between groups during follow‐up.

Results

Compared to controls over 24 months, men receiving ADT had no change in LTL, MAD for T/S ratio (0.105 [−0.004; 0.213], P=.235).

Conclusions

Using men with prostate cancer receiving ADT as a model we found no evidence that prolonged and profound sex steroid deprivation is associated with accelerated telomere shortening. Larger studies will be required to confirm or refute these findings.
The prevalence of asthma and related symptoms in Middle East countries
Authors: Alavinezhad Azam , Boskabady Mohammad Hossein
Published: May 2017

Objectives

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by reversible airway constriction and airway hyperresponsiveness. Asthma is a worldwide problem and its prevalence varies among different parts of the world. There are insufficient data about the prevalence and risk factors of this disease in Middle East countries.

Data source

The objective of this review article was to determine the prevalence of asthma in Middle East countries by searching EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar for articles about asthma prevalence in children and adults in this region.

Study selection

The prevalence of asthma in different countries and different cities of each country in the Middle East was reviewed in children and adults of both sexes. The possible risk factors for asthma in different areas were also reviewed from 1985 to 2012.

Results

The highest asthma prevalence in children and adults was 35.4% in Tehran, Iran by ISAAC phase I and 15% in Kuwait by self‐designed questionnaire and the lowest prevalence was 1% in Kermanshah, Iran by ISAAC and 2% in Tehran, Iran by ECRHS questionnaire, respectively. Most studies showed that the prevalence of this common disease declines with increasing age.

Conclusion

The data showed that the prevalence of asthma varies among different countries and even among different cities of the same country. The common risk factors for this disease were genetic predisposition, cigarette smoking, family history of asthma and allergic diseases.
Smokeless tobacco consumption and stillbirth: Population‐based case–control study in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Shakhawat , Kypri Kypros , Rahman Bayzidur , Milton Abul Hasnat
Published: May 2017

Introduction and Aims. To investigate the association between smokeless tobacco consumption (STC) during pregnancy and risk of stillbirth. Design and Methods. We conducted a population‐based case–control study of 253 cases and 759 randomly selected control women in Madaripur, Bangladesh. We conducted a survey of two rural local government areas, including 8082 women, and identified cases based on self‐report of a stillbirth outcome of each participant's first pregnancy. All were asked about STC during their first pregnancy and a range of risk markers and known confounders. Demographic and maternal variables associated either with stillbirth or STC were included in logistic regression models. Results. Of the 241 cases and 757 controls with complete exposure data, 32 cases (13.2%) and 18 controls (2.4%) reported STC during pregnancy [odds ratio 6.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.45, 11.4]. After adjustment for education, household income, age at first pregnancy, vaccination during pregnancy, complications, exposure to arsenic in drinking water, place of delivery and antenatal care, excess risk was attenuated but remained significant [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.87; 95% CI 1.36, 6.08]. There was a dose–effect association, with women who used smokeless tobacco >5 times daily during their first pregnancy at greater risk of having a stillbirth (aOR 5.89; 95% CI 1.70, 20.3) than less frequent users (aOR 1.67; 95% CI 0.65, 4.29). Estimates were robust to extreme assumptions about missing exposure data. Discussion and Conclusions. STC during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. This finding adds to the urgency of need for smokeless tobacco control strategies to be implemented in South Asia. [Hossain MS, Kypri K, Rahman B,Milton AH. Smokeless tobacco consumption and stillbirth: Population‐based case–control study in rural Bangladesh.
Industry FDI and the Distribution of Plant Productivity: Analysis Using Korean Plant‐Level Data
Authors: Choi Bo‐Young , Pyun Ju Hyun
Published: May 2017

We examine the effects of inward FDI on the distribution of plant total factor productivity. Using Korean manufacturing plant‐level data covering 1990–2007, we find that industry FDI had heterogeneous effects on plant productivity and its distribution in terms of industry characteristics, such as industry concentration index and capital intensity. While sectoral FDI drove up productivity more for plants in industries with low concentration, it had negative effects on productivity especially for the least productive plants in industries with high concentration and high capital intensity. Our results also reveal that the positive effect of FDI was greater for exporters than for non‐exporters.
Genotype–phenotype relationship in mucopolysaccharidosis II: predictive power of IDS variants for the neuronopathic phenotype
Authors: Vollebregt Audrey A M , Hoogeveen‐Westerveld Marianne , Kroos Marian A , Oussoren Esmee , Plug Iris , Ruijter George J , van der Ploeg Ans T , Pijnappel W W M Pim
Published: May 2017

Aim

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is caused by variants in the iduronate‐2‐sulphatase gene (IDS). Patients can be either neuronopathic with intellectual disability, or non‐neuronopathic. Few studies have reported on the IDS genotype–phenotype relationship and on the molecular effects involved. We addressed this in a cohort study of Dutch patients with MPS II.

Method

Intellectual performance was assessed for school performance, behaviour, and intelligence. Urinary glycosaminoglycans were quantified by mass spectrometry. IDS variants were analysed in expression studies for enzymatic activity and processing by immunoblotting.

Results

Six patients had a non‐neuronopathic phenotype and 11 a neuronopathic phenotype, three of whom had epilepsy. Total deletion of IDS invariably resulted in the neuronopathic phenotype. Phenotypes of seven known IDS variants were consistent with the literature. Expression studies of nine variants were novel and showed impaired IDS enzymatic activity, aberrant intracellular processing, and elevated urinary excretion of heparan sulphate and dermatan sulphate irrespective of the MPS II phenotype.

Interpretation

We speculate that very low or cell‐type‐specific IDS residual activity is sufficient to prevent the neuronal phenotype of MPS II. Whereas the molecular effects of IDS variants do not distinguish between MPS II phenotypes, the IDS genotype is a strong predictor.
Effects of tooth storage media on periodontal ligament preservation
Authors: Hasan Md Riasat , Takebe Hiroaki , Shalehin Nazmus , Obara Nobuko , Saito Takashi , Irie Kazuharu
Published: May 2017

Background/Aims

An easily available tooth storage medium is required to preserve a tooth after avulsion. Milk and Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) are recommended as tooth storage media, and egg white is also reported to be comparable with milk. The aim of this study was to histologically and immunohistochemically evaluate the effect of different tooth storage media on the periodontal ligament (PDL) of extracted teeth.

Materials and Methods

This experiment used HBSS, milk, and egg white as tooth storage media. A total of ninety‐six 6‐week‐old male Sprague‐Dawley rats were used in these experiments. In each experiment, six rats were used for each medium and for the control group. Extracted rat molar teeth were immersed in these three different storage media for 1 hour. In each medium, six samples (n=18) were fixed immediately, and the remaining samples (n=54) were subcutaneously transplanted. In the control group (n=24), the extracted teeth were fixed or transplanted immediately after extraction. At day 4, 1 and 2 weeks after transplantation, the teeth were examined by radiographic, histological, and immunohistochemical methods. The number of PDL cells in the storage media was also counted.

Results

Teeth immersed for 1 hour in milk showed the thinnest PDL. Immunohistochemistry of periostin and CD68 labeling suggested degradation of the extracellular matrix in the PDL. In the media used for immersion, more PDL cells were observed in milk than in the other solutions. After transplantation, the HBSS and egg white groups maintained adequate thickness of PDL but in the milk group, thinner PDL and ankylosis were observed.

Conclusion

Adequate thickness of PDL was maintained in the egg white group, whereas the milk group showed disturbance in the PDL, which may lead to ankylosis.
Beyond differences in means: robust graphical methods to compare two groups in neuroscience
Authors: Rousselet Guillaume A. , Pernet Cyril R. , Wilcox Rand R.
Published: May 2017

If many changes are necessary to improve the quality of neuroscience research, one relatively simple step could have great pay‐offs: to promote the adoption of detailed graphical methods, combined with robust inferential statistics. Here, we illustrate how such methods can lead to a much more detailed understanding of group differences than bar graphs andt‐tests on means. To complement the neuroscientist's toolbox, we present two powerful tools that can help us understand how groups of observations differ: the shift function and the difference asymmetry function. These tools can be combined with detailed visualisations to provide complementary perspectives about the data. We provide implementations in R and MATLAB of the graphical tools, and all the examples in the article can be reproduced using R scripts.
Temperature‐size responses alter food chain persistence across environmental gradients
Authors: Sentis Arnaud , Binzer Amrei , Boukal David S.
Published: May 2017

Body‐size reduction is a ubiquitous response to global warming alongside changes in species phenology and distributions. However, ecological consequences of temperature‐size (TS) responses for community persistence under environmental change remain largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the interactive effects of warming, enrichment, community size structure and TS responses on a three‐species food chain using a temperature‐dependent model with empirical parameterisation. We found that TS responses often increase community persistence, mainly by modifying consumer‐resource size ratios and thereby altering interaction strengths and energetic efficiencies. However, the sign and magnitude of these effects vary with warming and enrichment levels, TS responses of constituent species, and community size structure. We predict that the consequences of TS responses are stronger in aquatic than in terrestrial ecosystems, especially when species show different TS responses. We conclude that considering the links between phenotypic plasticity, environmental drivers and species interactions is crucial to better predict global change impacts on ecosystem diversity and stability.
Autoimmune encephalitis associated with voltage‐gated potassium channels‐complex and leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated 1 antibodies – a national cohort study
Authors: Celicanin M. , Blaabjerg M. , Maersk‐Moller C. , Beniczky S. , Marner L. , Thomsen C. , Bach F. W. , Kondziella D. , Andersen H. , Somnier F. , Illes Z. , Pinborg L. H.
Published: May 2017

Background and purpose

The aim of this study was to describe clinical and paraclinical characteristics of all Danish patients who tested positive for anti‐voltage‐gated potassium channels (VGKC)‐complex, anti‐leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated 1 (LGI1) and anti‐contactin‐associated protein‐2 antibodies in the serum/cerebrospinal fluid between 2009 and 2013 with follow‐up interviews in 2015 and 2016.

Methods

We evaluated antibody status, symptoms leading to testing, course of disease, suspected diagnosis and time of admission as well as diagnosis and treatment. All magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans were re‐evaluated by experts in the field.

Results

A total of 28/192 patients tested positive for VGKC‐complex antibodies by radioimmunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence; 17 had antibodies to LGI1 and 6/7 of the available cerebrospinal fluids from these patients were seropositive. These 17 patients all had a clinical phenotype appropriate to LGI1 antibodies. The remaining 11 were LGI1 negative (n = 4) or not tested (n = 7). Of these, two had a phenotype consistent with limbic encephalitis. The remaining phenotypes were Guillain–Barré syndrome, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, neuromyotonia and anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor encephalitis. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were demonstrated in 69% of the LGI1‐positive patients. Two patients with normal magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated temporal lobe hypermetabolism using 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Abnormal electroencephalography recordings were found in 86% of the patients. Upon follow‐up (median 3.2 years), the median modified Rankin Scale score of anti‐LGI1‐positive patients was 2 and only two patients reported seizures in the past year.

Conclusions

Patients diagnosed with anti‐LGI1 autoimmune encephalitis increased significantly from 2009 to 2014, probably due to increased awareness. In contrast to seropositive anti‐VGKC‐complex patients, all anti‐LGI1‐positive patients presented with a classical limbic encephalitis. The majority of patients recovered well.
A feature selection enabled hybrid‐bagging algorithm for credit risk evaluation
Authors: Dahiya Shashi , Handa S.S. , Singh N.P.
Published: May 2017

Hybrid models based on feature selection and machine learning techniques have significantly enhanced the accuracy of standalone models. This paper presents a feature selection‐based hybrid‐bagging algorithm (FS‐HB) for improved credit risk evaluation. The 2 feature selection methods chi‐square and principal component analysis were used for ranking and selecting the important features from the datasets. The classifiers were built on 5 training and test data partitions of the input data set. The performance of the hybrid algorithm was compared with that of the standalone classifiers: feature selection‐based classifiers and bagging. The hybrid FS‐HB algorithm performed best for qualitative dataset with less features and tree‐based unstable base classifier. Its performance on numeric data was also better than other standalone classifiers, whereas comparable to bagging with only selected features. Its performance was found better on 70:30 data partition and the type II error, which is very significant in risk evaluation was also reduced significantly. The improved performance of FS‐HB is attributed to the important features used for developing the classifier thereby reducing the complexity of the algorithm and the use of ensemble methodology, which added to the classical bias variance trade‐off and performed better than standalone classifiers.