bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and Cycloxygenase-2 (COX2) in carcinogenesis of colorectal polyps
Authors: Anselmi Júnior Raul Alberto , Souza Cleber Machado de , Azevedo Marina Luise Viola de , Netto Mário Rodrigues Montemor , Baldin Rosimeri Kuhl Svoboda , Sebastião Ana Paula Martins , Soares Luiz Felipe Paula , Tullio Luis Fernando , Noronha Lúcia de
Published: November 2017

Objectives Determine immunohistochemical expression of Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), Cycloxygenase-2 (COX2) and one proliferation marker (Ki67) in colorectal polyps and correlate with clinical and pathological data in search of carcinogenic pathways.

Methods The reports of 297 polyps diagnosed through endoscopy were reviewed for parameters including age, gender, prior colorectal cancer, the presence of multiple polyps, and polyps’ location, appearance and size. Was conducted a microscopic morphometric computerized analysis of immunohistochemical expression using, the selected antibodies and correlated with clinical and pathological variables.

Results The tissue immunohistochemical expression was higher in right colon polyps for the proliferation marker and Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (p ≤ 0.0001 and 0.057 respectively). Cycloxygenase-2 and Phosphatase and tensin homolog demonstrated higher tissue immunoexpression in pedunculated polyps (p = 0.009 and 0.002 respectively). Cycloxygenase-2 exhibited higher immunoexpression in larger polyps (p = 0.005). Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase, Cycloxygenase-2, Phosphatase and tensin homolog and the proliferation marker exhibited higher immunoexpression in high-grade dysplastic polyps (p = 0.031, 0.013, 0.044 and <0.001 respectively). Phosphatase and tensin homolog labeling was higher in polyps with high-grade dysplasia and lower in some of serrated lesions (p = 0.044).

Conclusions The greater expression of the proliferation marker and Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase in the right colon may be related to right-sided colorectal carcinogenesis. The proliferation marker, Cycloxygenase-2 and Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase results can be associated with progression of polyps to colorectal cancer. The higher Phosphatase and tensin homolog expression suggests its attempt to control the cell cycle.
Anatomical, surgical and clinical considerations related with operative procedures performed in combined abdominal and perineal approaches for the treatment of lower rectal cancer
Authors: Yücesoy Ali Naki
Published: November 2017

Background and aim Combined abdominal and perineal (anterior or posterior) approaches used in lower rectal cancer surgery have been based on similar anatomical and surgical features. The main aim of this manuscript is to evaluate the results of combined approaches performed for lower rectal cancer and to comment on surgical and anatomical features of the operations.

Methods Anatomical, surgical and clinical details of the combined abdominal and perineal approaches performed for lower rectal cancer were evaluated by reviewing published articles about this subject in English in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and other sources.

Results Ten articles including case reports were found on combined abdominal and perineal approaches published between 2003 and 2015. There were 83 patients who had been operated by using combined approaches for lower rectal cancer surgical treatment in these series. While the circular resection margine positivity had not been reported in the cases; the mean Wexner continence score had been reported between 5 and 5.5. The most important dissatisfaction of these surgical methods has been reported as persistent perineal fistulas encountered 9.6% of the patients in average in the postoperative period.

Conclusion The APPEAR (Anterior Perineal Plane for Ultra Low Anterior Resection) procedure is the most known surgical procedure in which the combined abdominal and anterior perineal approach is used. Combined abdominal and perineal (anterior or posterior) approaches can be described as surgical procedures in which the sphincter-saving extrasphincteric dissection and proximal segmental sphincteric excision techniques are performed.
A novel four quadrant laser sphincterotomy for idiopathic severe anal stenosis
Authors: Porwal Ashwin , Gandhi Paresh , Kulkarni Deepak
Published: November 2017

Anal stricture or stenosis, though uncommon, is disabling condition. It affects the quality of life due to pain, bleeding and difficulty in defecation, incontinence or increased frequency. It occurs when the normally pliable anoderm is replaced with fibrotic connective tissue, leading to an abnormally tight and inelastic anal canal. Mostly it occurs secondary to trauma, iatrogeny, inflammatory diseases, radiation or neoplasia. The treatment of anal stricture is generally considered to be difficult and various methods of treatment have been suggested. It is often unresponsive to conservative medical management. The surgical procedures such as dilatations and anoplasty are associated with significant complications which make it a difficult treatment challenge. Several good treatment options are available currently. Through this case, we report and explore a new medical treatment for anal strictures with four quadrant laser sphincterotomy.
Penile Rehabilitation Therapy Following Radical Prostatectomy: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Chunhui , Lopez David S. , Chen Ming , Wang Run
Published: November 2017

Background

Penile rehabilitation, defined as the use of any drug or device at or after radical prostatectomy to maximize erectile function recovery, is commonly used for post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction; however, conflicting results based on each study make it difficult to give a recommendation for clinical practice.

Aim

To clarify the effect of oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5is), vacuum erection devices, intracorporeal injection therapy, and the combination of these treatments on penile rehabilitation.

Methods

A comprehensive publication search was done through the PubMed and Embase databases up to February 8, 2017. The reference lists of the retrieved studies also were investigated. Data were analyzed using STATA 12.0. A fixed- or random-effects model was used to calculate the overall combined odds ratio (OR) or standard mean differences (SMDs). Publication bias was assessed using the Begg and Egger tests.

Outcomes

Change in sexual function before and after treatment.

Results

After screening, 11 randomized controlled trials and 5 case-control studies were included. The overall meta-analysis showed that penile rehabilitation with PDE5is, vacuum erection devices, and intracorporeal injection significantly increased the number of patients with erectile function improvement (OR = 2.800, 95% CI = 1.932–4.059, P = .000) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score (SMD = 5.896, 95% CI = 4.032–7.760, P = .000). In subgroup analysis based on study design, randomized controlled trials and case-control studies showed that penile rehabilitation increased the number of patients with erectile function improvement (randomized controlled trials: OR = 2.154, 95% CI = 1.600–2.895, P = .000; case-control studies: OR = 2.800, 95% CI = 1.932–4.059, P = .000). Subgroup analysis for PDE5i treatment also only demonstrated an increased patient response rate (OR = 2.161, 95% CI = 1.675–2.788, P = .000) and IIEF scores (SMD = 0.922, 95% CI = 0.545–1.300, P = .000). However, after PDE5i washout, there was no improvement of spontaneous erectile function (OR = 1.027, 95% CI = 0.713–1.478, P = .610).

Clinical Translation

This study provides information about the efficacy of penile rehabilitation that can help clinicians decide treatment strategies.

Strengths and Limitations

This meta-analysis has higher statistical power than each study. Preoperative patient characteristics, various treatment methods, and different follow-up times might bring bias to pooled effects.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis confirmed that administration of PDE5is, vacuum erection devices, and intracorporeal injection after radical prostatectomy can increase erection function during treatments. However, current evidence does not support that penile rehabilitation with PDE5is can improve recovery of spontaneous erectile function. Further studies with adequate follow-up and larger samples should be conducted to generate a comprehensive conclusion.
Disaster Risk Reduction in Myanmar: A Need for Focus on Community Preparedness and Improved Evaluation of Initiatives
Authors: Smith Andrew D. , Chan Emily Y. Y.
Published: November 2017

Myanmar is a country in political and economic transition. Facing a wide-variety of natural hazards and ongoing conflict, the country’s under-developed infrastructure has resulted in high disaster risk. Following the devastation of Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and increased global focus on disaster management and risk reduction, Myanmar has begun development of national disaster policies. Myanmar’s Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction addressed multiple stages of disaster development and has made progress towards national projects, however, has struggled to implement community-based preparedness and response initiatives. This article analyses Myanmar’s disaster strategy, though the use of a disaster development framework and suggests areas for possible improvement. In particular, the article aims to generate discussion regarding methods of supporting objective evaluation of risk reduction initiatives in developing countries. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:422–426)
Difference in First Aid Activity During Mass Casualty Training Based on Having Taken an Educational Course
Authors: Yanagawa Youichi , Omori Kazuhiko , Ishikawa Kouhei , Takeuchi Ikuto , Jitsuiki Kei , Yoshizawa Toshihiko , Sato Jun , Matsumoto Hideyuki , Tsuchiya Masaru , Osaka Hiromichi
Published: November 2017

Background

The Japanese Association for Disaster Medicine developed a mass casualty life support (MCLS) course to improve cooperation among medical practitioners during a disaster, which is essential for reducing the rates of preventable disaster death. We investigated whether there was difference in first aid activity among members of the ambulance service during mass casualty training based on having taken the MCLS course.

Methods

Mass casualty training was held at the fire department of Numazu City. Twenty-one ambulance service parties participated in this training. They first evaluated the mass casualty situation, performed the appropriate services at the scene during the initial period, and then provided START triage for mock wounded patients. Throughout the training, 5 examiners evaluated their performance.

Results

Regarding the difference in first aid activity based on MCLS course attendance among the ambulance service members, the cooperative management (scored on a scale of 1 to 5) among the members who had taken the MCLS course was significantly better than that among those who had not taken the course (median [interquartile range]: 5 [0.5] vs. 4 [1.75], P<0.05).

Conclusion

Attending an MCLS course may help to improve outcomes in the face of an actual mass casualty incident. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:437–440)
The impact of vehicle silhouettes on perceptions of car environmental friendliness and safety in 2009 and 2016: a comparative study
Authors: Bi Youyi , Li Sixuan , Wagner David , Reid Tahira
Published: November 2017

Automakers are interested in creating optimal car shapes that can visually convey environmental friendliness and safety to customers. This research examined the influence of vehicle form on perceptions based on two subjective inference measures: safety and perceived environmental friendliness (PEF). A within-subjects study was conducted in 2009 (Study 1) to study how people would evaluate 20 different vehicle silhouettes created by designers in industry. Participants were asked to evaluate forms on several scales, including PEF, safety, inspired by nature, familiarity, and overall preference. The same study was repeated in 2016 (Study 2). The results from the first study showed an inverse relationship between PEF and perceptions of safety. That is, vehicles that appeared to be safe were perceived to be less environmentally friendly, and vice versa. Participants in the second study showed a similar trend, but not as strongly as the 2009 participants. Several shape variables were identified to be correlated with participants’ PEF and safety ratings. The changes in the trend of participants’ evaluations over seven years were also discussed. These results can provide designers with insights into how to create car shapes with balanced PEF and safety in the early design stage.
“Advertisements of Every Kind to Bring Their Brand into Notoriety”: Branding and “Brandolatry” in the Nineteenth-Century Champagne Trade in Britain
Authors: Harding Graham
Published: November 2017

This paper examines the branding and marketing techniques used to develop the British champagne market in the nineteenth century. It draws upon the archives of the major French champagne houses and the extensive collection of price lists and marketing material in the scattered archives of W. & A. Gilbey, the dominant wine distributor in nineteenth-century Britain, to focus on the period from 1850 to the early 1900s. This period saw the creation of a powerful marketing template centered on a group of premium brands that endured for well over a century and influenced champagne marketing worldwide. Contemporary commentators saw a “cult” of famous brands, which disadvantaged consumers and merchants. Looking back at this period through the lens of a century of marketing history, we can clearly see a different picture: one of astute marketing (although that term was not then in use) that exploited selective distribution and created the concept of vintage-dated wine (what we would today call “limited-edition” product lines), making the champagne houses and their agents early exponents of Jean-Noël Kapferer's twenty-first-century “anti-laws” of luxury marketing. (JEL Classification: M3)
Efficient detection of communities with significant overlaps in networks: Partial community merger algorithm
Authors: XU ELVIS H. W. , HUI PAK MING
Published: November 2017

Detecting communities in large-scale social networks is a challenging task where each vertex may belong to multiple communities. Such behavior of vertices and the implied strong overlaps among communities render many detection algorithms invalid. We develop a Partial Community Merger Algorithm (PCMA) for detecting communities with significant overlaps as well as slightly overlapping and disjoint ones. It is a bottom-up approach based on properly reassembling partial information of communities revealed in ego networks of vertices to reconstruct complete communities. We propose a novel similarity measure of communities and an efficient merger process to address the two key issues—noise control and merger order—in implementing this approach. PCMA is tested against two benchmarks and overall it outperforms all compared algorithms in both accuracy and efficiency. It is applied to two huge online social networks, Friendster and Sina Weibo. Millions of communities are detected and they are of higher qualities than the corresponding metadata groups. We find that the latter should not be regarded as the ground-truth of structural communities. The significant overlapping pattern found in the detected communities confirms the need of new algorithms, such as PCMA, to handle multiple memberships of vertices in social networks.
KOI-256’s Magnetic Activity Under the Influence of the White Dwarf
Authors: Yoldaş Ezgi , Dal Hasan Ali
Published: November 2017

We present the findings about chromospheric activity nature of KOI-256 obtained from the Kepler Mission data. First, it was found that there are some sinusoidal variations out-of-eclipses due to cool spot activity. The sinusoidal variations modelled by the spotmodel program indicate that the active component has two different active regions. Their longitudinal variation revealed that one of them has a migration period of 3.95 yrs, while the other has a migration period of 8.37 yrs. Second, 225 flares were detected from the short cadence data in total. The parameters, such as increase (Tr) and decay (Td) times, total flare time (Tt), equivalent durations (P), were calculated for each flare. The distribution of equivalent durations versus total flare times in logarithmic scale is modelled to find flare activity level. The Plateau value known as the saturation level of the active component was calculated to be 2.3121 ± 0.0964 s, and the Half-life value, which is required flare total time to reach the saturation, was computed to be 2233.6 s. In addition, the frequency of N1, which is the number of flares per an hour in the system, was found to be 0.05087 h−1, while the flare frequency N2 that the flare-equivalent duration emitting per an hour was found to be 0.00051. Contrary to the spot activity, it has been found that the flares are in tends to appear at specific phases due to the white dwarf component.
Methods for Summarizing Radiocarbon Datasets
Authors: Ramsey Christopher Bronk
Published: November 2017

Bayesian models have proved very powerful in analyzing large datasets of radiocarbon (14C) measurements from specific sites and in regional cultural or political models. These models require the prior for the underlying processes that are being described to be defined, including the distribution of underlying events. Chronological information is also incorporated into Bayesian models used in DNA research, with the use of Skyline plots to show demographic trends. Despite these advances, there remain difficulties in assessing whether data conform to the assumed underlying models, and in dealing with the type of artifacts seen in Sum plots. In addition, existing methods are not applicable for situations where it is not possible to quantify the underlying process, or where sample selection is thought to have filtered the data in a way that masks the original event distribution. In this paper three different approaches are compared: “Sum” distributions, postulated undated events, and kernel density approaches. Their implementation in the OxCal program is described and their suitability for visualizing the results from chronological and geographic analyses considered for cases with and without useful prior information. The conclusion is that kernel density analysis is a powerful method that could be much more widely applied in a wide range of dating applications.
Mono- and diglycerides improve lutein absorption in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, cross-over, single-dose study
Authors: Marriage Barbara J. , Williams Jennifer A. , Choe Yong S. , Maki Kevin C. , Vurma Mustafa , DeMichele Stephen J.
Published: November 2017

With the association between increased carotenoid intake and lower risk of chronic diseases, the absorption of lutein from the diet becomes an important factor in its delivery and physiological action. The primary objective of this study was to gain an understanding of how a new formulation technology (mixture of mono- and diglycerides (MDG)), affected lutein absorption. Subjects (n24) were randomised in a cross-over, double-blind study to receive a single dose of 6 mg lutein (FloraGLO 20 %) provided as capsules containing either high-oleic safflower (SAF) oil or a MDG oil. Subjects receiving a single dose of lutein in MDG showed a significantly greater change from baseline (0 h) to 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 336 h (P<0·05) and baseline adjusted AUC for plasma lutein at 48 and 336 h (P<0·001) as compared with subjects given lutein in SAF. Analysis of the 48 h absorption kinetics of lutein showed that the time to peak level of lutein (12 h) was the same for SAF and MDG groups, but the change in plasma lutein at 12 and 48 h were 129 and 320 % higher, respectively, for MDG compared with SAF. This difference continued as the adjusted AUC 0–48 and 0–336 h for the MDG group was 232 and 900 % higher, respectively, v. SAF. The study data show that by changing the lipid that is combined with a lutein supplement results in significant increases in lutein absorption in healthy adults.
Civil War as State-Making: Strategic Governance in Civil War
Authors: Stewart Megan A.
Published: November 2017

Why do some rebel groups provide governance inclusively while most others do not? Some insurgencies divert critical financial and personnel resources to provide benefits to anyone, including nonsupporters (Karen National Union, Eritrean People's Liberation Front). Other groups offer no services or limit their service provision to only those people who support, or are likely to support, the insurgency. The existing literature examines how insurgencies incentivize recruitment by offering selective social services, yet no research addresses why insurgencies provide goods inclusively. I argue that inclusive provision of services legitimates insurgents’ claim of sovereignty to domestic and international audiences, and thus is a strategic tool secessionist rebels use to achieve their long-term goal of independence. With new and original data, I use a large-Nanalysis to test this hypothesis. The results of the analysis support the hypothesis, underscoring the importance insurgent nonviolent behavior and addressing key issues such as sovereignty and governance.
Ingestive behaviour and forage intake responses of young and mature steers to the vertical differentiation of sugarcane in pen and grazing studies
Authors: BENVENUTTI M. A. , PAVETTI D. R. , POPPI D. P. , MAYER D. G. , GORDON I. J.
Published: November 2017

Sugarcane is an important forage resource in sub-tropical and tropical areas as it is used during the winter or dry season when the growth rate of pastures is significantly reduced. The current research study assessed the effect of four vertical sections of sugarcane in a pen trial and the level of sugarcane utilization in a grazing trial on the ingestive behaviour and forage intake of two age groups of steers (1 and 2 years old). The pen trial was comprised of two simultaneous 4 × 4 balanced Latin square designs (one for each age group of animals) of four periods, four animals and four feeding treatments, which consisted of four equal vertical sections of sugarcane. Dry matter (DM) and digestible DM (DDM) intake per kilogram of metabolic weight declined gradually from top to bottom of the sugarcane, with no significant differences between the age groups of steers. This difference in intake was associated with a decline in intake of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) as a proportion of the liveweight of the animal and an increase of total chewing time per kilogram of DM or NDF from top to bottom of the sugarcane. It was concluded that the toughness of plant material played a significant role regulating intake, which was higher for the top sections of sugarcane. In the grazing trial, steers of both age groups grazed down sugarcane in three plots over 9 days. Steers grazed up to four distinctive grazing strata. Digestible DM intake (DDM intake) was high at low levels of horizontal utilization of the top grazing stratum but DDM intake started to decline sharply when this stratum was removed in 0·92 of paddock area (i.e. equivalent to 0·08 of the pasture area remaining un-grazed). It was concluded that the proportion of un-grazed area of the pasture can be used as a grazing management strategy to control forage intake for sugarcane.
Validation of a pedometer algorithm as a tool for evaluation of locomotor behaviour in dairy Mediterranean buffalo
Authors: D'Andrea Luigi , Guccione Jacopo , Alsaaod Maher , Deiss Ramona , Di Loria Antonio , Steiner Adrian , Ciaramella Paolo
Published: November 2017

This research communication validates an algorithm to monitor natural occurrence of locomotor behaviours in dairy Mediterranean buffalo based on the output of a 3-dimensional accelerometer (RumiWatch®, pedometer). Several characteristics of the locomotor behaviour were detected with a very high (up-right, lying and standing time) or high degree of correlation (walking time and number of strides) and a low mean difference with the video recording. The proportion of correctly detected events exceeded 99 % for the following variables: stand up and lie down events, as well as number of lying, standing or walking bouts. The mean relative measurement error was less than 10 % for the variables: lying, standing, up-right times and number of strides as compared with gold standard. This new algorithm may represent the base for a future early and real-time disease warning system aiming to gain higher health standard in these ruminants.
Effect of increased milking frequency and residual milk removal on milk production and milk fatty acid composition in lactating cows
Authors: Ferneborg Sabine , Kovac Lucia , Shingfield Kevin J , Agenäs Sigrid
Published: November 2017

It has been well established that milk yield is affected both by milking frequency and due to the removal of residual milk, but the influence of a combination of these factors is unclear. In this study, four mid-lactation cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to test the hypothesis that the effects of more frequent milking and residual milk removal on milk yield and composition are additive and alter milk fatty acid composition. Treatments comprised two or four times daily milking in combination with (or without) residual milk removal over a 96 h interval preceded by a 2 d pretreatment period and followed by a 8 d washout in each 14 d experimental period. Milk was sampled at each milking for the analysis of gross composition and SCC. Samples of available and residual milk collected on the last milking during each treatment period were collected and submitted for fatty acid composition analysis. Increases in milking frequency and residual milk removal alone or in combination had no effect on milk yield or on the secretion of lactose and protein in milk. However, residual milk removal during more frequent milking increased milk fat yield. Milking treatments had no major influence on the fatty acid composition of available milk, but resulted in rather small changes in the relative abundance of specific fatty acids, with no evidence that the additive effects of treatments were due to higher utilisation of preformed fatty acids relative to fatty acid synthesis de novo. For all treatments, fat composition of available and residual milk was rather similar indicating a highly uniform fatty acid composition of milk fat within the mammary gland.
An association analysis betweenPRLgenotype and milk production traits in Italian Mediterranean river buffalo
Authors: Li Jun , Liang Aixin , Li Zipeng , Du Chao , Hua Guohua , Salzano Angela , Campanile Giuseppe , Gasparrini Bianca , Yang LiGuo
Published: November 2017

This Research Communication describes the association between genetic variation within the prolactin (PRL) gene and the milk production traits of Italian Mediterranean river buffalo (Bufala mediterraneaItaliana). High resolution melting (HRM) techniques were developed for genotyping 465 buffaloes. The association of genetic polymorphism with milk production traits was performed and subsequently the effects of parity and calving season were evaluated. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified at exons 2 and 5 and at introns 1 and 2. All the SNPs were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and statistical analysis showed that the polymorphism of intron1 was significantly (P< 0·05) associated with milk yield, milk protein content and peak milk yield. The average contribution of the intron1 genotype (r2intron1) to total phenotypic variance in milk production traits was 0·09, and the TT genotype showed lower values than CC and CT genotypes. A nonsynonymous SNP was identified in exon 2, which resulted in an amino acid change from arginine to cysteine. Moreover, the polymorphism of exon 2 was associated significantly with milk fat content (P< 0·05), and the buffaloes with TT genotype showed higher total fat content than the buffaloes with CT genotype. These findings provide evidence that polymorphisms of the buffaloPRLgene are associated with milk production traits andPRLcan be used as a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection in Italian Mediterranean river buffalo breeding.
Identification of factors affecting colostrum quality of dairy Lacaune ewes assessed with the Brix refractometer
Authors: Torres-Rovira Laura , Pesantez-Pacheco Jose-Luis , Hernandez Fernando , Elvira-Partida Laura , Perez-Solana Maria-Luz , Gonzalez-Martin Juan-Vicente , Gonzalez-Bulnes Antonio , Astiz Susana
Published: November 2017

In this Research Communication we assessed factors affecting colostrum quality of dairy Lacaune ewes using the Brix-refractometer. Colostrum from 536 lambings from one commercial intensive dairy Lacaune farm were analysed for the following factors with potential influence in colostrum quality: (1) ewe parity (n = 84–132), (2) length of previous dry period (PDP) (n = 23–214), (3) age at first lambing (AFL) of primiparous ewes (n = 9–88), (4) lambing season (n = 192 or 344), and (5) year (2011–2013, n = 142–203). Parity significantly affected colostrum quality, with primiparous ewes showing the highest Brix refractometer values (22·6 ± 5·6%, P < 0·0001), though values were similar among multiparous ewes. PDP length also significantly affected colostrum quality: ewes with the shortest PDP showed the worst quality (16·8 ± 4·2%, P < 0·0001), with quality gradually rising with PDP length. Colostrum quality was significantly higher in 2011 (21·0 ± 5·2%) than in 2012 or 2013 (P < 0·0001); this likely reflects the several-fold greater proportion of animals with long PDP in 2011. In contrast, neither AFL nor lambing season significantly affected colostrum quality. These results suggest that parity and PDP length can substantially affect ovine colostrum quality of dairy ewes under intensive management conditions and they further show the usefulness of the Brix refractometer for providing a rough estimation of colostrum quality on-farm. However, further studies are needed to determine a validated cut-off Brix value for identifying good-quality colostra in ovine species.
Nasoseptal flap for palatal reconstruction after hemi-maxillectomy: case report
Authors: Alwashahi M K , Battaglia P , Turri-Zanoni M , Castelnuovo P
Published: November 2017

Objective:

Palatal reconstruction following maxillectomy is a surgical challenge, and a nasoseptal flap is a feasible approach. This paper reports the first known successful clinical case of a nasoseptal pedicle flap applied for the reconstruction of maxillary bone following hemi-maxillectomy.

Case report:

This report describes hemi-maxillectomy in a 60-year-old Italian male diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the left maxilla. Endoscopic transnasal extended medial maxillectomy was performed, followed by a transoral modified midfacial degloving technique for removal of the maxillary bone. The contralateral nasoseptal pedicle flap was used to reconstruct the defect. The case was followed up prospectively for the assessment of flap reception and healing.

Conclusion:

The locally accessible nasoseptal flap is a viable alternative for palatal reconstruction; therefore, a second surgical procedure with its associated donor site morbidity can be avoided. Large-scale studies may help in establishing the cosmetic and functional outcomes.
Self-similar expansion of adiabatic electronegative dusty plasma
Authors: Shahmansouri M. , Bemooni A. , Mamun A. A.
Published: November 2017

The self-similar expansion of an adiabatic electronegative dusty plasma (consisting of inertialess adiabatic electrons, inertialess adiabatic ions and inertial adiabatic negatively charged dust fluids) is theoretically investigated by employing the self-similar approach. It is found that the effects of the plasma adiabaticity (represented by the adiabatic index $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}$) and dusty plasma parameters (determined by dust temperature and initial dust population) significantly modify the nature of the plasma expansion. The implications of our results are expected to play an important role in understanding the physics of the expansion of space and laboratory electronegative dusty plasmas.
Giant peroxisomes revealed by a comparative microscopy study of digestive gland cells of cephalaspidean sea slugs (Gastropoda, Euopisthobranchia)
Authors: Lobo-da-Cunha Alexandre , Oliveira Elsa , Alves Ângela , Calado Gonçalo
Published: November 2017

Peroxisomes are cytoplasmic organelles involved in fatty acid oxidation, ether-phospholipids biosynthesis, glyoxylate metabolism and purine catabolism among other metabolic pathways. However, these organelles are still poorly studied in molluscs. During a light and electron microscopy study of the digestive glands of cephalaspidean sea slugs unusually large peroxisomes reaching about 5 µm in diameter were found in basophilic cells ofPhilinopsis depicta(Aglajidae), being among the biggest ever reported in metazoan cells. These round or oval peroxisomes were clearly visible with the light microscope, and their diamond shaped core was strongly stained by the tetrazonium coupling reaction for protein detection. However, in the basophilic cells ofAglaja tricolorata, another aglajid cephalaspidean, peroxisomes were more variable in shape and no bigger than 1 µm in length. Round peroxisomes with a diameter of about 0.5 µm were common in basophilic cells ofPhiline quadripartita(Philinidae) andHaminoea navicula(Haminoidae), whereas inBulla striata(Bullidae) these organelles frequently had a diameter of between 1.0 and 1.5 µm. Peroxisomes were larger in basophilic cells than in digestive ones. In all these species, the electron-dense peroxisomal cores were diamond-shaped, and inH. naviculatwo cores could be seen in each peroxisome. The abundance and large size of peroxisomes in the digestive gland points out the importance of these organelles in the metabolism of this organ.
Influence of regional environment in guiding the spatial distribution of marine bivalves along the Indian coast
Authors: Sarkar Deepjay , Bhattacherjee Madhura , Chattopadhyay Devapriya
Published: November 2017

Tropical coastal areas are amongst the most diverse ecosystems in the world. However, there are quite a few coasts that have rarely been studied for their macro-benthic diversity. The Indian coastline presents one such gap area. Two sub-parallel coastlines of India have a wide latitudinal span (8–23°N) and strikingly different physiographic environments. While the east coast receives a high siliciclastic input from large river systems flowing to the Bay of Bengal with fluctuating salinity, the west coast has a large shelf area and high productivity of the Arabian Sea. Such difference enables us to evaluate the effect of regional environmental parameters on marine molluscan diversity and distribution in an intra-tropical setting. Because of the wide latitudinal range, it is also possible to assess if spatial difference in species richness in such a regional scale follows the large-scale biodiversity pattern such as Latitudinal Biodiversity Gradient (LBG) despite inherent environmental variation. We used species distribution of marine bivalves, compiled using bioSearch and the Ocean Productivity database, to address this question. Our results show that intra-tropical species richness of marine bivalves is guided primarily by regional environmental parameters. Even with identical latitudinal extent, higher nutrient availability and larger shelf area, the west coast has significantly lower richness than the east coast; among environmental variables, productivity, salinity and coastline length emerged as significant predictors of species diversity. Moreover, a positive influence of a South Asian biodiversity hotspot on east coast fauna and a negative impact of the oxygen-depleted condition of Arabian Sea on west coast fauna, may have a significant contribution in developing such coastal variation in species richness. The latitudinal variation in species richness did not follow LBG. In contrast to the coast-specific diversity difference, species composition is not found to be dictated by coastal affiliation. The composition corresponds primarily to physiographic conditions. We identified three distinct eco-regions (north-western, southern, north-eastern) with characteristic species composition corresponding to unique physiography and productivity mechanism. The NW region has low siliciclastic input and high productivity associated with upwelling during winter cooling. The NE region has a distinctly high riverine input and salinity fluctuation. The southern region, in contrast, has well developed reefal system with moderate variation in salinity. Such correspondence underscores the importance of the regional environment in dictating the species diversity and distribution in the shallow marine realm.
Geodesically Complete Hyperbolic Structures
Authors: BASMAJIAN ARA , ŠARIĆ DRAGOMIR
Published: November 2017

In the first part of this work we explore the geometry of infinite type surfaces and the relationship between its convex core and space of ends. In particular, we give a geometric proof of a Theorem due to Alvarez and Rodriguez that a geodesically complete hyperbolic surface is made up of its convex core with funnels attached along the simple closed geodesic components and half-planes attached along simple open geodesic components. We next consider gluing infinitely many pairs of pants along their cuffs to obtain an infinite hyperbolic surface. We prove that there always exists a choice of twists in the gluings such that the surface is complete regardless of the size of the cuffs. This generalises the examples of Matsuzaki.

In the second part we consider complete hyperbolic flute surfaces with rapidly increasing cuff lengths and prove that the corresponding quasiconformal Teichmüller space is incomplete in the length spectrum metric. Moreover, we describe the twist coordinates and convergence in terms of the twist coordinates on the closure of the quasiconformal Teichmüller space.
The Lane–Emden equation in strips
Authors: Dupaigne Louis , Harrabi Abdellaziz
Published: November 2017

We study the Lane–Emden equation in strips.
Resonant averaging for small-amplitude solutions of stochastic nonlinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: Kuksin Sergei , Maiocchi Alberto
Published: November 2017

We consider the free linear Schrödinger equation on a torus 𝕋d, perturbed by a Hamiltonian nonlinearity, driven by a random force and subject to a linear damping:

Here u = u(t, x), x ∈ 𝕋d, 0 < ν ≪ 1, q∗ ∈ ℕ, f is a positive continuous function, ρ is a positive parameter and are standard independent complex Wiener processes. We are interested in limiting, as ν → 0, behaviour of distributions of solutions for this equation and of its stationary measure. Writing the equation in the slow time τ = νt, we prove that the limiting behaviour of them both is described by the effective equation

where the nonlinearity F(u) is made out of the resonant terms of the monomial |u|2q∗u.
Dysregulation in children: Origins and implications from age 5 to age 28
Authors: McQuillan Maureen E. , Kultur Ebru C. , Bates John E. , O'Reilly Lauren M. , Dodge Kenneth A. , Lansford Jennifer E. , Pettit Gregory S.
Published: November 2017

Research shows that childhood dysregulation is associated with later psychiatric disorders. It does not yet resolve discrepancies in the operationalization of dysregulation. It is also far from settled on the origins and implications of individual differences in dysregulation. This study tested several operational definitions of dysregulation using Achenbach attention, anxious/depressed, and aggression subscales. Individual growth curves of dysregulation were computed, and predictors of growth differences were considered. The study also compared the predictive utility of the dysregulation indexes to standard externalizing and internalizing indexes. Dysregulation was indexed annually for 24 years in a community sample (n = 585). Hierarchical linear models considered changes in dysregulation in relation to possible influences from parenting, family stress, child temperament, language, and peer relations. In a test of the meaning of dysregulation, it was related to functional and psychiatric outcomes in adulthood. Dysregulation predictions were further compared to those of the more standard internalizing and externalizing indexes. Growth curve analyses showed strong stability of dysregulation. Initial levels of dysregulation were predicted by temperamental resistance to control, and change in dysregulation was predicted by poor language ability and peer relations. Dysregulation and externalizing problems were associated with negative adult outcomes to a similar extent.
Early childhood parenting and child impulsivity as precursors to aggression, substance use, and risky sexual behavior in adolescence and early adulthood
Authors: Hentges Rochelle F. , Shaw Daniel S. , Wang Ming-Te
Published: November 2017

The current study utilized a longitudinal design to explore the effect of early child impulsivity and rejecting parenting on the development of problematic behaviors in adolescence and early adulthood. Using a low-income sample of 310 mothers and their sons, we examined the direct and interactive effects of child impulsivity and rejecting parenting at age 2 on aggression and substance use at ages 12, 15, and 22, as well as risky sexual behavior at ages 15 and 22. Results revealed that rejecting parenting at age 2 predicted greater aggression at age 12 and risky sexual behavior at ages 15 and 22. Early impulsivity had few direct effects on later outcomes, with the exception of greater substance use at age 22. Instead, impulsivity emerged as a significant moderator in the link between rejecting parenting and aggression at all three ages and substance use at age 15. Specifically, early rejecting parenting predicted greater aggression and substance use only for children high in impulsivity. Findings highlight the potential for early child and parenting risk factors to have long-term implications for adjustment, with the combination of high impulsivity and rejecting parenting being particularly deleterious for problems of aggression throughout adolescence and into early adulthood.
Affective family interactions and their associations with adolescent depression: A dynamic network approach
Authors: Bodner Nadja , Kuppens Peter , Allen Nicholas B. , Sheeber Lisa B. , Ceulemans Eva
Published: November 2017

The prevalence of depression rises steeply during adolescence. Family processes have been identified as one of the important factors that contribute to affect (dys)regulation during adolescence. In this study, we explored the affect expressed by mothers, fathers, and adolescents during a problem-solving interaction and investigated whether the patterns of the affective interactions differed between families with depressed adolescents and families with nondepressed adolescents. A network approach was used to depict the frequencies of different affects, concurrent expressions of affect, and the temporal sequencing of affective behaviors among family members. The findings show that families of depressed adolescents express more anger than families of nondepressed adolescents during the interaction. These expressions of anger co-occur and interact across time more often in families with a depressed adolescent than in other families, creating a more self-sustaining network of angry negative affect in depressed families. Moreover, parents’ angry and adolescents’ dysphoric affect follow each other more often in depressed families. Taken together, these patterns reveal a particular family dynamic that may contribute to vulnerability to, or maintenance of, adolescent depressive disorders. Our findings underline the importance of studying affective family interactions to understand adolescent depression.
Systematic review of infant and young child complementary feeding practices in South Asian families: the Pakistan perspective
Authors: Manikam Logan , Sharmila Anika , Dharmaratnam Abina , Alexander Emma C , Kuah Jia Ying , Prasad Ankita , Ahmed Sonia , Lingam Raghu , Lakhanpaul Monica
Published: November 2017

Objective

Suboptimal nutrition among children remains a problem among South Asian (SA) families. Appropriate complementary feeding (CF) practices can greatly reduce this risk. Thus, we undertook a systematic review of studies assessing CF (timing, dietary diversity, meal frequency and influencing factors) in children aged <2 years in Pakistan.

Design

Searches between January 2000 and June 2016 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Web of Science, OVID Maternity & Infant Care, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, BanglaJOL, POPLINE and WHO Global Health Library. Eligibility criteria: primary research on CF practices in SA children aged 0–2 years and/or their families. Search terms: ‘children’, ‘feeding’ and ‘Asians’ with their derivatives. Two researchers undertook study selection, data extraction and quality appraisal (EPPI-Centre Weight of Evidence).

Results

From 45 712 results, seventeen studies were included. Despite adopting the WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding guidelines, suboptimal CF was found in all studies. Nine of fifteen studies assessing timing recorded CF introduced between 6 and 9 months. Five of nine observed dietary diversity across four of seven food groups; and two of four, minimum meal frequency in over 50 % of participants. Influencing factors included lack of CF knowledge, low maternal education, socio-economic status and cultural beliefs.

Conclusions

This is the first systematic review to evaluate CF practices in Pakistan. Campaigns to change health and nutrition behaviour are needed to meet the substantial unmet needs of these children.
Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of the metabolic syndrome: a meta-analysis
Authors: Tian Yue , Su Lijun , Wang Jiantao , Duan Xiaolin , Jiang Xiubo
Published: November 2017

Objective

Several epidemiological studies have been performed to evaluate the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with risk of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the results remain controversial. Thus, we conducted a systematic meta-analysis to assess the associations of fruit or/and vegetable consumption with risk of MetS, separately.

Design

We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases up to July 2017 for relevant available articles. Pooled OR with 95 % CI were calculated with the fixed- or random-effects model.

Results

A total of nine studies for fruit consumption, nine studies for vegetable consumption and seven studies for fruit and vegetable consumption were identified as eligible for the present meta-analysis. The pooled OR (95 % CI) of MetS for the highest v. lowest category were 0·87 (0·82, 0·92; I2=46·7 %) for fruit consumption, 0·85 (0·80, 0·91; I2=0·0 %) for vegetable consumption and 0·76 (0·62, 0·93; I2=83·5 %) for fruit and vegetable consumption. In subgroup analyses stratified by continent where the study was conducted, the inverse association of fruit consumption (0·86 (0·77, 0·96)) and vegetable consumption (0·86 (0·80, 0·92)) with risk of MetS remained significant in Asia. There was no evidence of small-study effect.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis indicates that fruit or/and vegetable consumption may be inversely associated with risk of MetS. It suggests that people should consume more fruits and vegetables to decrease the risk of MetS.