bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperphosphorylation determines both the spread and the morphology of tau pathology
Authors: Hu Wen , Zhang Xinhua , Tung Yunn Chyn , Xie Shutao , Liu Fei , Iqbal Khalid
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Neurofibrillary pathology of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau (P‐tau) is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. Tau pathology can be experimentally induced and propagated. However, what induces the prion‐like transmission character to tau and produces morphologically distinct tau lesions remains elusive.

Methods

We investigated the role of hyperphosphorylation in the spread of tau pathology in hTau transgenic mice.

Results

We found that intrahippocampal injection with AD P‐tau, but not nonphosphorylated tau, produced numerous P‐tau tangles and neuropil threads locally and in neocortex lateral to injection and upstream to the hippocampus. Dephosphorylation of AD P‐tau with protein phosphatase‐2A dramatically reduced and switched tau pathology from neurofibrillary tangles to argyrophilic grain‐like morphology.

Conclusions

Our findings show that abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau determines the spread and morphology of tau lesions and that the propagation of tau pathology takes place both locally and in axonally connected areas and highlight tau hyperphosphorylation as a potential drug target.
Mortality risk in current and new antipsychotic Alzheimer's disease users: Large scale Japanese study
Authors: Arai Heii , Nakamura Yu , Taguchi Masamoto , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Yamauchi Keita , Schneider Lon S. ,   J‐CATIA Study Group
Published: April 2016

Introduction

We studied the mortality risk of long term and new antipsychotic drug use in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in Japan to determine improved treatment protocols.

Methods

This 24‐week prospective cohort study included 10,079 Japanese AD patients (female, 69%; average age, 81 years) under routine clinical care in 357 medical sites. The antipsychotic medication history was varied (63.7% were long‐term users). Mortality rates and odds ratio were analyzed (initial 10 weeks and from 11–24 weeks).

Results

The antipsychotic exposed group with shorter treatment periods had a higher mortality risk compared to controls. The newly prescribed users (antipsychotic treatment started during the follow‐up) showed increased mortality (9.4% during the 11–24 week period).

Conclusions

New use of antipsychotic drugs represents a distinct risk for mortality; those on long‐term antipsychotic therapy seem to be at less risk. The warning issued 10 years earlier on antipsychotics use for AD patients should be reviewed.
Amyloid status imputed from a multimodal classifier including structural MRI distinguishes progressors from nonprogressors in a mild Alzheimer's disease clinical trial cohort
Authors: Tosun Duygu , Chen Yun-Fei , Yu Peng , Sundell Karen L. , Suhy Joyce , Siemers Eric , Schwarz Adam J. , Weiner Michael W. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Mild‐Alzheimer's disease (AD) subjects without significant Aβ pathology represent a confounding finding for clinical trials because they may not progress clinically on the expected trajectory, adding variance into analyses where slowing of progression is being measured.

Methods

A prediction model based on structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with baseline demographics and clinical measurements was used to impute Aβ status of a placebo‐treated mild‐AD sub‐cohort (N = 385) of patients participating in global phase 3 trials. The clinical trajectories of this cohort were evaluated over 18 months duration of the trial, stratified by imputed Aβ status within a mixed‐model repeated measures statistical framework.

Results

In the imputed Aβ‐positive cohort, both cognitive (ADAS‐Cog14 and MMSE) and functional (ADCS‐iADL) measures declined more rapidly than in the undifferentiated population.

Discussion

Our results demonstrate imputing Aβ status from MRI scans in mild‐AD subjects may be a useful screening tool in global clinical trials if amyloid measurement is not available.
Changes in the proportions of types I and III collagen in hemorrhoids: the sliding anal lining theory
Authors: Sardiñas Carlos , Arreaza Dilia Diaz , Osorio Héctor
Published: April 2016

Objective This study aims to determine changes in the proportions of types I and III collagen in hemorrhoids and to verify the sliding anal canal lining theory.

Patients and method The study is focused on a sample of 17 patients, 9 females and 8 males (age range: 30–70 years), with grade III and grade IV hemorrhoids. Tissue from 4 fetuses (age: 16 weeks of gestation) was used as control sample. All the participants gave their informed consent. Samples were gathered in 2014. All patients underwent open hemorrhoidectomy by using the technique described by Milligan and Morgan, published in Lancet journal in 1937. The hemorrhoid samples were stained with hematoxylin–eosin for the histologic study to confirm the hemorrhoidal tissue diagnosis. The picrosirius red staining protocol was used after the histologic analysis. The method used for image processing is described in the text. Images were imported to the Image Tool for Windows software. The same process was used on the embryonic tissue. Data resulting from the analysis of images were processed using STATISTICA, a software for statistical analysis.

Results When compared, it was found that the two tissues presented very different values, with hemorrhoids containing the highest type III collagen values.

Conclusion Our results seem to imply that hemorrhoids have a larger proportion of type III collagen than fetal tissue. They also suggest a possible age-related deterioration of the tissue.
From the communist point of view: Cultural hegemony and folkloric manipulation in Albanian studies under socialism
Authors: Abazi Enika , Doja Albert
Published: April 2016

In the standard folkloric and ethnographic tradition of Albanian studies, various efforts to seize an authentic, traditional and popular culture, supposed to have really functioned in a society of official ideology, were devoted primordially to a catalogue of descriptivist and empiricist research, which only served to confirm the ultimate goal of constructing a primarily essentialized national specificity and a particularly antiquated view of national culture. Whereas the long-term continuities in the Albanian studies of peoples culture (kultura popullore), which pre-dated and out-lived socialism, together with the ambiguous relationship to anthropology are emphasized elsewhere, in this paper we look more closely at the limited changes and innovations that occurred in the decades of communist regime in Albania. The aim is to uncover how the traditional ethnographic-folkloric studies of peoples culture, marked by intellectual isolation and stigmatized by association with moralist and nationalist ideologies, were mobilized to service the shifting ideological needs and state policies towards the cultural hegemony of the communist regime.
Conditional interest rate risk and the cross‐section of excess stock returns
Authors: Atanasov Victoria
Published: April 2016

Differences in excess stock returns can be rationalized by their sensitivities to conditional interest rate risk. Value stocks are particularly sensitive to upside movements in interest rate growth, while growth stocks react strongly to downside movements in interest rate growth. Consistent with the basic asset pricing theory, the upside interest rate risk commands a negative premium which is higher than the premium associated with the downside interest rate risk. Upside beta pertains its explanatory power after controlling for exposure to regular unconditional interest rate and various sources of financial and conditional macroeconomic risk.
Coalescence of late Wisconsinan Cordilleran and Laurentide ice sheets east of the Rocky Mountain Foothills in the Dawson Creek region, northeast British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Hickin Adrian Scott , Lian Olav B. , Levson Victor M.
Published: April 2016

Geomorphic, stratigraphic and geochronological evidence from northeast British Columbia (Canada) indicates that, during the late Wisconsinan (approximately equivalent to marine oxygen isotope stage [MIS] 2), a major lobe of western-sourced ice coalesced with the northeastern-sourced Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS). High-resolution digital elevation models reveal a continuous 75 km-long field of streamlined landforms that indicate the ice flow direction of a major northeast-flowing lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet (CIS) or a montane glacier (>200 km wide) was deflected to a north-northwest trajectory as it coalesced with the retreating LIS. The streamlined landforms are composed of till containing clasts of eastern provenance that imply that the LIS reached its maximum extent before the western-sourced ice flow crossed the area. Since the LIS only reached this region in the late Wisconsinan, the CIS/montane ice responsible for the streamlined landforms must have occupied the area after the LIS withdrew. Stratigraphy from the Murray and Pine river valleys supports a late Wisconsinan age for the surface landforms and records two glacial events separated by a non-glacial interval that was dated to be of middle Wisconsinan (MIS 3) age.
The extent of middle Pleistocene ice cap in the coastal Dinaric Mountains of Croatia
Authors: Marjanac Tihomir , Marjanac Ljerka
Published: April 2016

Solitary limestone blocks and groups of blocks occur on Risnjak and Velebit Mountains and on the northern Adriatic islands of Krk and Rab. Previous researchers have interpreted some of these as a) erratic blocks, b) corrosional remnants, or c) rockfalls. We have studied their mode of occurrence and composition, and revised previous interpretations of their origin in the light of transport mechanism and depositional processes. After analyzing the context of the block positions and the physical processes responsible for their emplacement, and taking into account their sedimentological context (their association with glaciogenic sediments), we herein propose a glacial origin for most of these blocks. However, some blocks are indeed shaped by sub-soil corrosion, as evidenced by their structure. The interpreted erratic blocks on the inner northern Adriatic Sea islands document the presence of middle Pleistocene glaciation of Dinaric Mountains though not its maximal extent, which is still unclear as the ice terminus was in the area that is inundated by postglacial rise of Adriatic Sea. The reconstructed ice cap area, which extended along the coastal mountains from Risnjak Mt. to south Velebit Mt. and across the range from Lika Polje to Rab Island, is conservatively estimated to be 5400 km2.
The new case of missing antineutrinos
Authors: Chang Sung
Published: April 2016

An antineutrino experiment highlights puzzling discrepancies between measurements and theoretical models.
Making molecular-spin qubits more robust
Authors: Levi Barbara Goss
Published: April 2016

By finding a way to reduce decoherence in relatively dense collections of tiny molecular magnets, researchers have renewed interest in such quantum systems.
Europe sets strategy for multinational research facilities
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: April 2016

The latest road map is intended to sustain the region’s leadership in many areas of science.
The New Big Science
Authors: Crease Robert P. , Westfall Catherine
Published: April 2016

For several decades the character and culture of large-scale research at major facilities has been changing. Big Science isn’t what it used to be.
Developing physics identities
Authors: Irving Paul W. , Sayre Eleanor C.
Published: April 2016

A series of interviews with undergraduates yields some surprising insights into how the students come to think of themselves as physicists.
Inhaled nanoparticles
Authors: Sturm Robert
Published: April 2016

Determining the health effects of inhaled nanoparticles is an important research program in occupational hygiene. Vital to that effort is a physical understanding of how those particles are transported in the lungs.
Treatment outcomes after insufficiency femoral diaphyseal fractures in nonambulatory children
Authors: Allar Benjamin G. , Hedequist Daniel J. , Miller Patricia E. , Glotzbecker Michael P. , Spencer Samantha A. , Shore Benjamin J.
Published: April 2016

We retrospectively reviewed the treatment and outcomes of diaphyseal femur fractures in a cohort of nonambulatory children. There were 30 patients (38 fractures) reviewed [average age of 10.1 years (range: 1.8–17.8)]. Fractures were treated with locked plate/screw fixation (n=18), with a complication rate of 24% (9/38). Patients with elastic stable intramedullary nailing experienced the highest complication rate (5/7, 71%) compared with plate/screw fixation (2/18, 11%) (P=0.01) and underwent greater subsequent procedures (n=5, 63%). Surgeons should consider locked plate and screw fixation as their first treatment choice in this challenging patient population. Level of evidence: III, therapeutic study; retrospective comparative study.
MRI versus computed tomography as an imaging modality for postreduction assessment of irreducible hips in developmental dysplasia of the hip: an interobserver and intraobserver reliability study
Authors: Barkatali Bilal M. , Imalingat Herbert , Childs James , Baumann Andreas , Paton Robin
Published: April 2016

Following surgical reduction of an irreducible hip in developmental dysplasia of the hip, imaging is required to ascertain successful reduction. Recent studies have compared MRI versus computed tomography (CT) in terms of cost, time, sensitivity and specificity. This is the first study to compare intraobserver and interobserver reliability for both modalities. Nineteen CT scans of 38 hips in 10 patients and nine MRI scans of 18 hips in six patients were reviewed on two separate occasions by three clinicians. Image clarity, confidence of diagnosis, time taken to perform the scan as well as radiation dose for CT were recorded. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability κ values were calculated. There were 14 female patients and one male patient. The mean age at the time of the scan was 12 months (range 3–25 months). Intraobserver reliability was greater than 0.8 (both CT and MRI). Interobserver reliability was greater than 0.8 (both CT and MRI). Image clarity was higher for CT for two out of the three clinicians (9.47 vs. 6.33 P<0.05; 9.89 vs. 8.11, P<0.05). All clinicians were equally confident in the diagnosis when using CT or MRI. The time taken to perform the investigation was not significantly different (3.32 vs. 4.88 min, P>0.05). The mean radiation dose for CT was 91.75 DLP (dose length product, mGy×cm) (95% confidence interval±26.95). Our results show that MRI is equal to CT as an imaging modality in the assessment of postreduction hips in developmental dysplasia of the hip. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability was excellent for both. The image clarity was higher for CT, but this method of imaging carries a significant risk of radiation exposure. We recommend that MRI should supersede CT as an imaging modality for this clinical situation.
Surviving a childhood cancer: impact on education and employment
Authors: Maule Milena , Zugna Daniela , Migliore Enrica , Alessi Daniela , Merletti Franco , Onorati Roberta , Zengarini Nicolás , Costa Giuseppe , Spadea Teresa
Published: April 2016

Long-term consequences of childhood cancer encompass adverse psychosocial effects that may severely limit the opportunity to live a satisfying and productive life. We assessed the social integration of adults cured of a cancer in their first 14 years of life by record linkage between the population-based Childhood Cancer Registry of Piedmont and the Turin Longitudinal Study. We compared education and employment outcomes within the cohort of survivors and between the cohort of survivors and their peers in the general population through logistic regression. Individuals cured of a childhood tumour have a higher risk of not obtaining educational qualifications [odds ratio (OR) 0.67 (95% confidence interval 0.40–1.11) for compulsory school, OR 0.81 (0.61–1.07) for higher education] or employment, OR 0.66 (0.45–0.98), than the general population. This problem is particularly severe for individuals cured of a central nervous system neoplasm: OR 0.56 (0.31–1.01) for higher education and OR 0.28 (0.13–0.58) for employment. Within-cohort comparisons show that men are less likely to obtain educational goals than women, OR 0.72 (0.40–1.29), but more likely to be employed, OR 2.18 (0.90–5.28); parental education (university qualifications) is positively associated with the success of the child’s education, OR 9.54 (2.60–35.02), but not with their employment status, OR 1.02 (0.21–4.85). Strategies should be put in place to mitigate the risk of adverse psychosocial effects from the beginning of treatment to cure and beyond to offer those suffering a cancer at a young age the possibility of full integration into society.
Increased Intraocular Pressure in a Patient With Septooptic Dysplasia: A Case Report
Authors: Ulloa-Padilla Jan P. , Izquierdo Natalio J. , Oliver Armando
Published: April 2016

Introduction:

Previous studies have described septooptic dysplasia (SOD) to describe patients who have optic nerve hypoplasia, the absence of septum pellucidum, and pituitary hypoplasia. Other rare ophthalmic associations have been described, such as low-tension glaucoma. We report the ocular findings of a patient with SOD who had high intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma as a part of the syndrome.

Objectives:

To report the ocular findings in a Puerto Rican patient with SOD and increased IOP.

Patients and Methods:

A patient with De Morsier syndrome underwent a comprehensive eye examination, Humphrey visual fields, and Stratus optical coherence tomography, and was referred for neuroradiologic examination. The patient had increased IOP, visual field loss, and asymmetric optic nerve hypoplasia. The IOP was lowered with topical hypotensive medications.

Conclusions:

The patient with the De Morsier syndrome had poor visual acuity, high IOP, visual field, and optical coherence tomography results that were all compatible with glaucoma. Further studies comparing ocular findings in patients with several mutations leading to De Morsier syndrome are warranted. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a patient with glaucoma as a part of the syndrome.
Rifabutin Triple Therapy is Effective in Patients With Multidrug-resistant Strains of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Fiorini Giulia , Zullo Angelo , Vakil Nimish , Saracino Ilaria M. , Ricci Chiara , Castelli Valentina , Gatta Luigi , Vaira Dino
Published: April 2016

Introduction:

Eradicating Helicobacter pylori continues to be a challenge, and no treatment regimen is uniformly successful in all treated patients. Triple therapy with rifabutin and amoxicillin is a successful rescue therapy after consecutive treatment failures. We designed this study to test the efficacy of 12-day rifabutin-based triple therapy in patients infected with multidrug-resistant strains.

Methods:

Consecutive patients with dyspeptic symptoms after at least 1 antibiotic therapy course for H. pylori infection harboring triple-resistant (clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin) strains were enrolled. They received triple therapy with esomeprazole 40 mg bid, amoxicillin 1 g bid, and rifabutin 150 mg od for 12 days. Patients who failed rifabutin therapy were treated empirically on the basis of the judgment of the treating physician.

Results:

A total of 254 out of 756 tested patients were found to be infected with a triple-resistant H. pylori strains after at least 1 antibiotic therapy course. Overall, the infection was eradicated in 213 patients, corresponding to a cure rate of 82.9% (95% CI, 78.3-87.5) by intention-to-treat analysis and 88.7% (95% CI, 84.7-92.7) at per-protocol analysis. In multivariate analysis, no factor was identified as an independent predictor of bacterial eradication.

Conclusions:

There is no current standard for the growing population of patients with multidrug-resistant strains of H. pylori. The 12-day low-dose rifabutin/high-dose proton pump inhibitor regimen is a safe and reliable option for patients infected with triple-resistant strains.
Investigating the Aftermath of Terror: Fundamental Outcomes, Methodological Choices, and Future Directions
Authors: Gradus Jaimie L. , Marx Brian P. , Sloan Denise M.
Published: April 2016

Acts of terrorism are becoming increasingly common throughout the world. These events represent a significant public health concern given the associated health consequences. Although it is clear that terrorist attacks have mental and physical health sequelae, the exact nature and prevalence of these consequences are unclear. Epidemiological research can play an important role in better understanding the mental and physical impact of terrorist attacks. In this editorial, we highlight recent epidemiological research on these terrorism-related health outcomes. We also provide suggestions for how future studies can build on the existing literature and describe ways in which epidemiological methods can be harnessed to extend the current literature. Lastly, we offer recommendations on how to best prepare communities for the aftermath of terrorist attacks, highlighting secondary intervention and prevention strategies. Overall, multilevel strategies are needed to adequately cope with the growing rise of terrorist acts, and these strategies will have to be reassessed as the nature of terrorist attacks changes.
Linguistic Agency and Life-Span Longevity
Authors: Robinson Michael D. , Bair Jessica L. , Persich Michelle R. , Moen Nicholas R.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Agency has been conceptualized as a drive toward mastery, control, and effective self-management. Such an agentic approach to life and its challenges may be life-prolonging, a hypothesis not previously investigated.

Method

In four studies, individual differences in agency were assessed in terms of the frequency with which agency-related words (e.g., “achieve,” “fix,” and “control”) were mentioned in archived interviews or speeches (N = 210).

Results

Higher levels of linguistic agency predicted longer life-spans among prominent physicists (study 1: n = 60, β = .30, t = 2.30, p = .025), historians (study 2: n = 69, β = .29, t = 2.47, p = .016), psychologists (study 3: n = 45, β = .32, t = 2.35, p = .024), and American presidents (study 4: n = 36, β = .75, t = 2.74, p = .010) when adjusting for birth year. Considered from another angle, life-span longevity averaged 8 years longer at a high (+1 standard deviation) relative to low (−1 standard deviation) level of the linguistic agency continuum, a marked difference. Follow-up analyses indicated that these results could not be attributed to covarying levels of positive emotion, negative emotion, or social connection, as quantified in terms of other linguistic categories.

Conclusions

The investigation provides unique support for agentic perspectives on health, and several potential mechanisms are discussed.
Utility of a Virtual Trier Social Stress Test: Initial Findings and Benchmarking Comparisons
Authors: Fallon Monica A. , Careaga Jesus Serrano , Sbarra David A. , O'Connor Mary-Frances
Published: April 2016

Objective

The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is one of the most widely used laboratory-based acute psychosocial stressors. However, there may be advantages to conducting the TSST through the virtual world, including reducing the cost and burden (i.e., no need for colocation between the evaluators and participants). The virtual TSST might also increase the standardization between studies and provide the capacity to bring psychology experiments to more settings (e.g., the home, the magnetic resonance imaging scanner).

Methods

Fifty undergraduate students participated in the TSST conducted through an online virtual reality program, using a computer screen and microphone/earphone headset.

Results

The present study found that the virtual TSST produced a significant acute stress response, measured both through cortisol (F(1,128) = 31.91, p < .001) and subjective report (F(1,148) = 72.86, p < .001). In addition, this method differentially produced a dampened cortisol response (F(1,126) = 4.41, p < .04) in those who had experienced recent loss (e.g., bereavement, romantic breakup, homesickness), similar to prior research.

Conclusions

Virtual reality–based administration of the TSST and other mental challenge protocols increases the possibilities of many standard psychological experiments relevant to biobehavioral research.
Sleep and Inflammation During Adolescence
Authors: Park Heejung , Tsai Kim M. , Dahl Ronald E. , Irwin Michael R. , McCreath Heather , Seeman Teresa E. , Fuligni Andrew J.
Published: April 2016

Objective

To investigate the associations between objective and subjective dimensions of adolescent sleep and C-reactive protein (CRP), a key biomarker of inflammation that predicts chronic health problems in adulthood, and whether the associations vary as a function of adolescents' age.

Methods

A total of 315 adolescents (14.5–18.4 years) wore wrist actigraphs at night to objectively estimate their sleep duration and variability across nights, and completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess their subjective sleep quality. CRP levels were assayed from dried blood spots obtained from finger pricks. To control for adiposity, age- and sex-specific body mass index percentiles were obtained from height and weight measurements.

Results

Nightly variability in sleep duration was associated with higher levels of CRP (b = 0.13, p = .045). Shorter average sleep duration was associated with higher CRP, but only among younger adolescents (b = −0.11, p = .041). Subjective sleep quality was not associated with CRP.

Conclusions

The association of sleep with inflammation during adolescence seems more evident in objective dimensions of sleep duration and variability than in the subjective dimensions of sleep quality. Insufficient sleep may be particularly consequential for younger adolescents.
Perceived Discrimination and Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping Among Hispanics: The Influence of Social Support and Race
Authors: Rodriguez Carlos Jose , Gwathmey TanYa M. , Jin Zhezhen , Schwartz Joseph , Beech Bettina M. , Sacco Ralph L. , Di Tullio Marco R. , Homma Shunichi
Published: April 2016

Objective

Little is known about the relationship of perceived racism to ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in Hispanics. We explored possible associations between ABP nocturnal dipping and perceived racism in a Hispanic cohort.

Methods

Participants included 180 community-dwelling Hispanics from the Northern Manhattan Study. Measures included perceived racism, socioeconomic status, social support, and ABP monitoring. Nocturnal ABP nondipping was defined as a less than 10% decline in the average asleep systolic blood pressure relative to the awake systolic blood pressure.

Results

Overall, 77.8% of participants reported some form of perceived racism (Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire scores >1.0). Greater social support was associated with less perceived discrimination (Spearman r = −0.54, p < .001). Those with higher perceived discrimination scores reported more depressive symptoms (r = 0.25, p < .001). Those with higher Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire scores were less likely to show nocturnal ABP nondipping in multivariate models (odds ratio = 0.40, confidence interval = 0.17–0.98, p = .045). Among those with low perceived racism, black Hispanic participants were more likely to have nocturnal ABP nondipping (82.6%) compared with white Hispanics (53.9%; p = .02). Among those with high perceived racism, no associations between race and the prevalence of ABP nondipping was found (black Hispanic = 61.5% versus white Hispanic = 51.4%, p = .39; p interaction = .89).

Conclusions

Perceived racism is relatively common among US Hispanics and is associated with ABP. Nondipping of ABP, a potential cardiovascular risk factor, was more common in black Hispanic participants with low perceived racism. This finding may reflect different coping mechanisms between black versus white Hispanics and related blood pressure levels during daytime exposures to discrimination.
Effects of elevated CO2on predator avoidance behaviour by reef fishes is not altered by experimental test water
Authors: Munday Philip L. , Welch Megan J. , Allan Bridie J.M. , Watson Sue-Ann , McMahon Shannon , McCormick Mark I.
Published: April 2016

Pioneering studies into the effects of elevated CO2on the behaviour of reef fishes often tested high-CO2reared fish using control water in the test arena. While subsequent studies using rearing treatment water (control or high CO2) in the test arena have confirmed the effects of high CO2on a range of reef fish behaviours, a further investigation into the use of different test water in the experimental arena is warranted. Here, we used a fully factorial design to test the effect of rearing treatment water (control or high CO2) and experimental test water (control or high CO2) on antipredator responses of larval reef fishes. We tested antipredator behaviour in larval clownfishAmphiprion perculaand ambon damselfishPomacentrus amboinensis, two species that have been used in previous high CO2experiments. Specifically we tested if: 1) using control or high CO2water in a two channel flume influenced the response of larval clownfish to predator odour, and 2) using control or high CO2water in the test arena influenced the escape response of larval damselfish to a startle stimulus. Finally, 3) because the effects of high CO2on fish behaviour appear to be caused by altered function of the GABA-A neurotransmitter we tested if antipredator behaviours were restored in clownfish treated with a GABA antagonist (gabazine) in high CO2water. Larval clownfish reared from hatching in control water (496 μatm) strongly avoided predator cue whereas larval clownfish reared from hatching in high CO2(1022 μatm) were attracted to the predator cue, as has been reported in previous studies. There was no effect of testing fish using control or high CO2water in the flume. Larval damselfish reared for 4 days in high CO2(1051 μatm) exhibited a slower response to a startle stimulus, slower escape speed and a shorter escape distance compared with fish reared in control conditions (464 μatm). There was no effect of test water on escape responses. Treatment of high-CO2reared clownfish with 4 mg l−1gabazine in high CO2seawater restored the normal response to predator odour, as has been previously reported with fish tested in control water. Our results show that using control water in the experimental trials did not influence the results of previous studies on antipredator behaviour of reef fishes and also supports the results of novel experiments conducted in natural reef habitat at ambient CO2levels.
Soil Protists in Three Neotropical Rainforests are Hyperdiverse and Dominated by Parasites
Authors: Mahé Frédéric , de Vargas Colomban , Bass David , Czech Lucas , Stamatakis Alexandros , Lara Enrique , Singer David , Mayor Jordan , Bunge John , Sernaker Sarah , Siemensmeyer Tobias , Trautmann Isabelle , Romac Sarah , Berney Cédric , Kozlov Alexey , Mitchell Edward A.D. , Seppey Christophe V. W. , Egge Elianne , Lentendu Guillaume , Wirth Rainer , Trueba Gabriel , Dunthorn Micah
Published: April 2016

Animal and plant richness in tropical rainforests has long intrigued naturalist. More recent work has revealed that parasites contribute to high tropical tree diversity (Bagchiet al., 2014; Terborgh, 2012) and that arthropods are the most diverse eukaryotes in these forests (Erwin, 1982; Bassetet al., 2012). It is unknown if similar patterns are reflected at the microbial scale with unicellular eukaryotes or protists. Here we show, using environmental metabarcoding and a novel phylogeny-aware cleaning step, that protists inhabiting Neotropical rainforest soils are hyperdiverse and dominated by the parasitic Apicomplexa, which infect arthropods and other animals. These host-specific protist parasites potentially contribute to the high animal diversity in the forests by reducing population growth in a density-dependent manner. By contrast, we found too few Oomycota to broadly drive high tropical tree diversity in a host-specific manner under the Janzen-Connell model (Janzen, 1970; Connell, 1970). Extremely high OTU diversity and high heterogeneity between samples within the same forests suggest that protists, not arthropods, are the most diverse eukaryotes in tropical rainforests. Our data show that microbes play a large role in tropical terrestrial ecosystems long viewed as being dominated by macro-organisms.

Contact:dunthorn@rhrk.uni-kl.de
Reduced spatial integration in the ventral visual cortex underlies face recognition deficits in developmental prosopagnosia
Authors: Witthoft Nathan , Poltoratski Sonia , Nguyen Mai , Golarai Golijeh , Liberman Alina , LaRocque Karen F. , Smith Mary E. , Grill-Spector Kalanit
Published: April 2016

Developmental prosopagnosia (DP) is characterized by deficits in face recognition without gross brain abnormalities. However, the neural basis of DP is not well understood. We measured population receptive fields (pRFs) in ventral visual cortex of DPs and typical adults to assess the contribution of spatial integration to face processing. While DPs showed typical retinotopic organization of ventral visual cortex and normal pRF sizes in early visual areas, we found significantly reduced pRF sizes in face-selective regions and in intermediate areas hV4 and VO1. Across both typicals and DPs, face recognition ability correlated positively with pRF size in both face-selective regions and VO1, whereby participants with larger pRFs perform better. However, face recognition ability is correlated with both pRF size and ROI volume only in face-selective regions. These findings suggest that smaller pRF sizes in DP may reflect a deficit in spatial integration affecting holistic processing required for face recognition.
Characterisation of a mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line (bEnd.3) after oxygen glucose deprivation and reoxygenation
Authors: Ku Jacqueline M , Taher Mohammadali , Chin Kai Yee , Grace Megan , McIntyre Peter , Miller Alyson A
Published: April 2016

Studies have utilised immortalised mouse cerebral endothelial cells (bEnd.3) exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) to study blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption after ischaemia. However, there is a paucity of literature describing the duration of OGD (and reoxygenation [RO]) required to best simulate BBB disruption in vivo. In this study we assessed BBB disruption in bEnd.3 cells after exposure to a range of OGD periods, and also after OGD + RO. Exposure of bEnd.3 monolayers to 4, 6, 16, or 24 hours of OGD resulted in a significant increase in permeability. The hyperpermeability after 16 or 24 hours was associated with decreased expression of tight junction proteins (occludin and claudin‐5). Furthermore, there was a decrease in cell viability and increased expression of the pro‐apoptotic protein, cleaved caspase‐3. Exposure of bEnd.3 monolayers to 1 hour OGD+ 23 hours RO exacerbated hyperpermeability relative to 1 hour OGD, which was associated with decreased expression levels of occludin and ZO‐1, but no change in cell viability or caspase‐3. 4 hours OGD + 23 hours RO exacerbated hyperpermeability, decreased expression levels of tight junction proteins, decreased cell viability, and increased caspase‐3 expression. Thus, bEnd.3 cells exhibit hyperpermeability, a loss of tight junction proteins, and undergo cell death, after exposure to prolonged periods of OGD. Moreover, they exhibit exacerbated hyperpermeability, a loss of tight junction proteins, and increased expression of caspase‐3 after OGD + RO. These findings will facilitate the use of this cell line in studies of BBB disruption and for the testing of therapeutics.
Why women with previous caesarean and eligible for a trial of labour have an elective repeat caesarean delivery? A national study in France
Authors: Bartolo S , Goffinet F , Blondel B , Deneux‐Tharaux C
Published: April 2016

Objective

To identify the characteristics of women and maternity units associated with elective repeat caesarean delivery (ERCD) in women eligible for trial of labour after caesarean (TOLAC).

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

France.

Population and sample

Using data from the 2010 French National Perinatal Survey, a representative sample of births in France (n = 14 681 women), we studied two groups of women with prior caesarean section: (i) women eligible for TOLAC according to guidelines (n = 1179) and (ii) a subgroup of these women without any medical characteristics that might indicate ERCD (n = 575).

Methods

Associations were analysed by multilevel logistic regression.

Main outcome measures

Adjusted odds ratios.

Results

Among the 1584 women with a previous caesarean, 1179 (74.4%) were eligible for TOLAC according to guidelines (group 1); 490 (41.6%) had ERCD. Risk of ERCD increased with increasing maternal age and body mass index, pre‐existing condition and suspected macrosomia and decreased with previous vaginal deliveries. Among the unit characteristics, private status (aOR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.1) and low level of care (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.4–4.5]) were independently associated with a higher risk of ERCD after adjustment on patient/pregnancy characteristics. The variability of ERCD rate between hospitals was mainly (78%) explained by the status and level of care, and not (0%) by patient/pregnancy characteristics. Associations with unit characteristics were similar for group 2.

Conclusion

For women eligible for TOLAC, the rate of ERCD is high and not in agreement with guidelines. Some characteristics of women are associated with ERCD, but the main determinants are at the unit level, which suggests that non‐medical reasons are involved in the decision process.

Tweetable abstract

Elective repeat caesarean in women eligible for trial of labour mainly depends on maternity unit characteristics.
Escape to the high canopy—thermal deficiency causes niche expansion in a forest‐floor ant
Authors: Seifert Bernhard , Fiedler Patrick , Schultz Roland
Published: April 2016

The small formicoxenine ant Temnothorax saxonicus was known from about 40 localities in Central Europe nesting in anorganic substrates on floor of xerothermous forests whereas investigations of 198 tree canopies in 19 forest sites of the same region provided no indication for arboreal nesting or foraging. We present the first evidence for canopy‐nesting populations of T. saxonicus on old Quercus trees in 3 sites having maximum calibrated topsoil temperatures of 17.9 ± 0.3 °C which were significantly (P < 0.007) lower than 22.8 ± 2.0 °C measured in 5 sites with ground‐nesting populations. The thermal deficit on forest floor inhibits brood development in ground nests and caused a moving to canopy were maximum calibrated temperatures of the, now wooden, substrates are at least 26.1 °C for the whole canopy and 30.8 °C in more sun‐exposed spots. T. saxonicus competed here successfully with the obligatory canopy ants T. affinis and T. corticalis. The distributional data of this rope‐climbing study support former results that highest nest densities of small arboreal ants occur in temperate climate over the entire canopy mantle of single trees situated in open land or in park‐like environments but occur in the top of the canopy in tree stands with high degree of canopy closure.
Molecular assessment of vitamin D receptor polymorphism as a valid predictor to the response of interferon/ribavirin‐based therapy in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Abdelsalam Ahmed , Rashed Laila , Salman Tarek , Hammad Lamiaa , Sabry Dina
Published: April 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to find an association between serum concentration of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR).

Methods

We conducted a case‐control study in which 250 participants were recruited and divided into three groups (100 chronic hepatitis C [CHC] patients who achieved SVR, 100 CHC patients who did not achieve SVR and 50 apparently healthy individuals as controls). Blood samples were collected to measure serum vitamin D concentration, and four VDR polymorphisms (FokI, ApaI, TaqI, and BsmI) were detected using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results

Non‐responders were found to have significantly low vitamin D concentration compared with responders and control groups. Concerning VDR polymorphisms, both FokI and TaqI polymorphisms were associated with successful treatment.

Conclusion

Vitamin D concentration, FokI, and TaqI may be considered as the predictors for the response of CHC patients to a combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Epidemiology of globus symptoms and associated psychological factors in China
Authors: Tang Bei , Cai Hou Da , Xie Hai Li , Chen Dong Yun , Jiang Shu Man , Jia Lin
Published: April 2016

Objective

To investigate the lifetime prevalence, epidemiological characteristics and psychological factors of globus symptoms in Guangzhou (Guangzhou Province, China).

Methods

A total of 3 360 individuals were randomly selected and participated in the study. Respondents completed questionnaires about their physical and psychological characteristics, globus symptomatology and the Glasgow‐Edinburgh throat scale questionnaires and quality of sleep and life. Those who had experienced a globus sensation with no history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, dysphagia, odynophagia or alerting symptoms such as weight loss and hoarseness were diagnosed as having globus.

Results

A total of 3 006 respondents completed the questionnaires, giving a response rate of 89.5%. The overall lifetime prevalence of globus was 21.5%, with a peak age at disease onset of 35–54 years. The prevalence of globus was higher in participants from the urban region than those from the rural areas (26.5% vs 16.4%, P = 0.001). No sex‐related difference was observed (P = 0.082). Anxiety (39.8% vs 22.3%, P = 0.001), depression (31.2% vs 18.0%, P = 0.001) and sleep disorders (23.7% vs 13.6%, P = 0.001) were significantly more common in respondents with globus than in those without. Scores on all dimensions of the 36‐item short‐form health survey, except physical function, were lower in respondents with globus than in those without (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Globus symptoms are common and often accompanied by psychological and sleep disorders. The medical community should pay more attention to globus in clinical setting.
Safety of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy in patients with a prior malignancy
Authors: Bae Seung‐Hyeon , Ahn Soo Min , Lim Doo‐Ho , Hong Seokchan , Kim Yong‐Gil , Yoo Bin , Lee Chang‐Keun
Published: April 2016

Aim

There is insufficient evidence to determine whether tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) therapy is safe in patients with a recent history of cancer. The purpose of our study was to explore the influence of TNFi therapy on cancer‐related outcomes in patients who had undergone curative cancer treatment.

Methods

The medical records of 814 patients who received TNFi therapy at a single rheumatology clinic, between June 2005 and May 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, the data from patients having received anticancer treatment before starting TNFi therapy were collected and cancer‐related outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Twenty patients of 814 had a history of malignancy before initiating TNFi therapy. Over the duration of TNFi exposure (median, 54.0 months; interquartile range [IQR], 23.25–72.0 months), there was no recurrence of the previous cancer. In eight patients with early‐stage cancer, TNFi therapy was initiated < 5 years after conclusion of previous anticancer treatments. Notably, over the duration of the ongoing treatment follow‐up period (median, 33.5 months; IQR, 13.0–75.75 months), cancer recurrence was also not identified.

Conclusion

TNFi therapy in patients with a history of an early‐stage localized cancer may not be contraindicated, even if TNFi is initiated < 5 years from completion of curative cancer treatment.
Tacrolimus successfully used to control refractory eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis complicated by invasive aspergillosis and chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Hirano Fumio , Mizoguchi Fumitaka , Harigai Masayoshi , Miyasaka Nobuyuki , Kohsaka Hitoshi
Published: April 2016

While several alternatives to cyclophosphamide have been proposed for refractory eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), therapeutic options are limited in patients with chronic infections. We report a case of refractory EGPA complicated by invasive aspergillosis and chronic hepatitis B. Although multiple immunosuppressants, including cyclophosphamide, were not effective, tacrolimus was used successfully to control disease without exacerbating concomitant infections in the long term. Tacrolimus could be an alternative choice in the treatment of EGPA, especially when aggressive immunosuppression is unfeasible.
Development of a Sexual Health Screening Tool for Adolescent Emergency Department Patients
Authors: Goyal Monika K. , Shea Judy A. , Hayes Katie L. , Badolato Gia , Chamberlain James M. , Zaoutis Theoklis , Fein Joel
Published: April 2016

Objective

The objective was to develop a content‐valid audio computer‐assisted self‐interview (ACASI) sexual health survey (SHS) that is understandable and acceptable to adolescents and can be feasibly implemented in a pediatric emergency department (ED) for sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk assessment.

Methods

Multistep iterative qualitative study utilizing a Delphi panel of key informants for survey development and content validity, cognitive interviews with end‐users to evaluate understanding, and pilot testing with end‐users to evaluate acceptability and feasibility.

Results

We developed a 20‐item questionnaire through an iterative modified Delphi process with experts in adolescent and pediatric emergency medicine. All items were assessed as understandable by >90% of adolescents during the cognitive interviews. All respondents found the SHS easy to use. A total of 76.5% preferred answering questions related to sexual health through the SHS compared to face‐to‐face interviews. Mean (±SD) length of survey completion was 17.5 (±6.7) minutes and 88.6% of participants found survey length to be “just right.” With respect to feasibility testing, there was no statistically significant difference in median ED LOS between those who piloted the SHS and those who did not (230.0 minutes vs. 219.0 minutes; p = 0.7).

Conclusions

We developed a content‐valid ACASI for the identification of adolescents at risk for STIs that was understandable, acceptable, and easy to use by adolescent patients and feasible for implementation in the pediatric ED. Future planned steps include the evaluation of the SHS in providing clinical decision support for targeted STI screening in the ED.