bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aqueous humour concentrations of TGF‐β, PLGF and FGF‐1 and total retinal blood flow in patients with early non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Khuu Lee‐Anne , Tayyari Faryan , Sivak Jeremy M. , Flanagan John G. , Singer Shaun , Brent Michael H. , Huang David , Tan Ou , Hudson Christopher
Published: September 2016

Purpose

To correlate angiogenic cytokines in the aqueous humour with total retinal blood flow in subjects with type 2 diabetes with non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Methods

A total of 17 controls and 16 NPDR patients were recruited into the study. Aqueous humour was collected at the start of cataract surgery to assess the concentration of 14 angiogenic cytokines. Aqueous humour was analysed using the suspension array method. Six images were acquired to assess total retinal blood flow (TRBF) using the prototype RTVue™ Doppler Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (Doppler FD‐OCT) (Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA) using a double circular scan protocol, 1 month postsurgery. At the same visit, forearm blood was collected to determine glycosylated haemoglobin (A1c).

Results

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2) and PLGF were increased while FGF‐1 was reduced in NPDR compared to controls (Bonferroni corrected, p < 0.003 for all). Total retinal blood flow (TRBF) was significantly reduced in the NPDR group compared to controls (33.1 ± 9.9 versus 43.3 ± 5.3 μl/min, p = 0.002). Aqueous FGF‐1 significantly correlated with TRBF in the NPDR group (r = 0.71, p = 0.01; r2 = 0.51). In a multiple regression analysis, A1c was found to be a significant predictor of aqueous TGF‐β1 and FGF‐1 (p = 0.018 and p = 0.020, respectively).

Conclusion

Aqueous angiogenic cytokines (TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2 and PLGF) were elevated in conjunction with a reduction in TRBF in patients with NPDR compared to controls. Non‐invasive measurement of TRBF may be useful for predicting aqueous FGF‐1 levels and severity of vasculopathy in DR.
Ring‐shaped dysphotopsia associated with posterior chamber phakic implantable collamer lenses with a central hole
Authors: Eom Youngsub , Kim Dae Wook , Ryu Dongok , Kim Jun‐Heon , Yang Seul Ki , Song Jong Suk , Kim Sug‐Whan , Kim Hyo Myung
Published: September 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence of central hole‐induced ring‐shaped dysphotopsia after posterior chamber phakic implantable collamer lens (ICL) with central hole (hole ICL) implantation and to investigate the causes of central hole‐induced dysphotopsia.

Methods

The clinical study enrolled 29 eyes of 15 consecutive myopic patients implanted with hole ICL. The incidence of ring‐shaped dysphotopsia after hole ICL implantation was evaluated. In the experimental simulation study, non‐sequential ray tracing was used to construct myopic human eye models with hole ICL and ICL without a central hole (conventional ICL). Simulated retinal images measured in log‐scale irradiance were compared between the two ICLs for an extended Lambertian light‐emitting disc object 20 cm in diameter placed 2 m from the corneal vertex. To investigate the causes of hole‐induced dysphotopsia, a series of retinal images were simulated using point sources at infinity with well‐defined field angles (0 to −20°) and multiple ICL models.

Results

Of 29 eyes, 15 experienced ring‐shaped dysphotopsia after hole ICL implantation. The simulation study using an extended Lambertian source showed that hole ICL‐evoked ring‐shaped dysphotopsia was formed at a retinal field angle of ±40°. Component‐level analysis using a well‐defined off‐axis point source from infinity revealed that ring‐shaped dysphotopsia was generated by stray light refraction from the inner wall of the hole and the posterior ICL surface.

Conclusion

Hole ICL‐evoked ring‐shaped dysphotopsia was related to light refraction at the central hole structure. Surgeons are advised to explain to patients the possibility of ring‐shaped dysphotopsia after hole ICL implantation.
Anterior lens epithelium in cataract patients with retinitis pigmentosa – scanning and transmission electron microscopy study
Authors: Andjelic Sofija , Drašlar Kazimir , Hvala Anastazija , Hawlina Marko
Published: September 2016

Purpose

In retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients, relatively minor lens opacity in central part of posterior pole of the lens may cause disproportionate functional symptoms requiring cataract operation. To investigate the possible structural reasons for this opacity development, we studied the structure of the lens epithelium of patients with RP.

Methods

The anterior lens capsule (aLC: basement membrane and associated lens epithelial cells, LECs) was obtained from cataract surgery and prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM).

Results

Both SEM and TEM show a number of abnormal features in the anterior lens epithelium of cataract patients with RP. The abnormalities appear mainly as holes, thinning and degradation of the epithelium, with the dimensions from <1 μm to more than 50 μm. Other types of holes in size up to 20 μm were seen that may be formed by gradual stretching of the lens epithelium. Another type of abnormalities was cracks that were seen between adjacent LECs, with dimensions 0.1–2 μm × up to 10 μm.

Conclusions

Abnormal structural features were observed in the anterior lens epithelium that may cause water influx into the lens. This may lead to clouding along the water clefts leading towards the posterior pole in the RP cataractous lens. We suggest that the lens epithelium has a role in the development of the cataract in patients with RP.
Single‐centre experience of the macrophage activation marker soluble (s)CD163 – associations with disease activity and treatment response in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Grønbæk H. , Kreutzfeldt M. , Kazankov K. , Jessen N. , Sandahl T. , Hamilton‐Dutoit S. , Vilstrup H. , J. Møller H.
Published: September 2016

Background

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is characterised by liver inflammation with reversibility upon anti‐inflammatory treatment. Soluble (s)CD163, a specific macrophage activation marker, is associated with inflammation in other liver diseases, but never investigated in AIH.

Aim

To investigate sCD163 in patients with acute AIH and in complete and incomplete responders to standard anti‐inflammatory pharmacotherapy, and during follow‐up in treatment naive patients.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional design, we studied 121 AIH patients (female/male 89/32, median age 49 years); of these, we prospectively studied 10 treatment naïve AIH patients during prednisolone treatment and tapering. Twenty patients had variant syndromes of AIH and primary biliary cholangitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. sCD163 was compared with markers of disease activity, severity and treatment response.

Results

In the patients with acute AIH (n = 21), sCD163 was sixfold increased compared with the normalised levels in patients (n = 32) with complete response to standard treatment [9.5 (3.3–28.8) vs. 1.6 (0.8–3.2) mg/L, P < 0.01)], while the patients (n = 27) with incomplete response had higher sCD163 [2.2 (1.3–7.9), P < 0.05] than the complete responders. sCD163 was positively associated with ALAT, IgG and bilirubin (rho: 0.45–0.59, P < 0.001, all), and negatively to external coagulation factors (rho:−0.34, P < 0.001). In the treatment naïve patients, sCD163 fell during high‐dose prednisolone treatment and tapering. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed increased CD163 expression in liver biopsies from patients with acute AIH.

Conclusions

sCD163 was markedly elevated in AIH in the acute phase, normalised by successful treatment in complete responders, but remained higher in the incompletely responding cases. Our results demonstrate macrophage activation in AIH paralleling disease activity, severity and treatment response, suggesting a role for macrophage activation in AIH.
Lactose malabsorption in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Marie I. , Leroi A‐M. , Gourcerol G. , Levesque H. , Menard J‐F. , Ducrotte P.
Published: September 2016

Background

There are no studies on systemic sclerosis (SSc) assessing the relationship between food intake, especially lactose, and gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Aim

To determine the prevalence of lactose malabsorption, using lactose breath test, in patients with SSc. To evaluate the correlation between lactose malabsorption and gastrointestinal involvement. To predict which SSc patients exhibit lactose malabsorption.

Methods

Seventy‐seven consecutive Caucasian patients with SSc and 20 control subjects underwent lactose breath test. All patients also completed a questionnaire on digestive symptoms, and a global symptom score (GSS) was calculated.

Results

The prevalence of lactose malabsorption was higher in SSc patients than in controls (44.3% vs. 10%; P = 0.004). We observed a marked correlation between the presence of lactose malabsorption and: higher values of GSS (P < 0.0001); severe oesophageal (P = 0.018) and small intestinal (P = 0.04) motor disorders; and joint involvement (P = 0.019). Furthermore, in SSc patients with symptomatic lactose malabsorption, the median value of GSS of digestive symptoms was lower after initiation of lactose‐free diet (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our study underscores the fact that lactose malabsorption often occurs in patients with systemic sclerosis. Furthermore, our findings highlight the fact that lactose breath test is a helpful, noninvasive method, by identifying the group of patients with systemic sclerosis with symptomatic lactose malabsorption that may benefit from a reduction in lactose intake.
RETRACTED: Meat quality traits as a function of cow maturity
Authors: Cho Soo Hyun , Kang Geunho , Seong Pilnam , Kang Sunmoon , Sun Changwan , Jang Sunsik , Cheong Jin Hyung , Park Beomyoung , Hwang Inho
Published: September 2016

To investigate the physico‐chemical and sensory properties of striploin muscles, 90 Hanwoo carcasses (QG 1+) were randomly selected within six maturity levels (4 to 9 according to age in months). Results demonstrated that the protein contents at maturity levels 4 and 5 were significantly higher than 9. No significant difference in fat, moisture and collagen contents were found at different maturity levels (P > 0.05). The quantity of collagen type I and ratio of type I to III were observed at higher maturity levels; collagen type III showed significantly high levels (P > 0.05) at low maturity and decreased with increase in maturity levels. Warner‐Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was significantly lower in groups 4 to 6, whereas water holding capacity (WHC) was significantly higher than maturity level 8 and 9 groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in cooking loss among the maturity level groups (P > 0.05). Color properties, L* values of striploin muscle from maturity level 4 were significantly different from level 9 (P < 0.05). Sensory evaluation at level 4‐6 groups had significantly higher tenderness and overall likeness scores than level 9 (P < 0.05). The maturity levels were significantly correlated with age, fat, protein content, WHC, WBSF, cooking loss, CIE L* values and sensory properties like tenderness, juiciness, flavor‐likeness and overall likeness.
Neural Progenitor Cells Rptor Ablation Impairs Development but Benefits to Seizure‐Induced Behavioral Abnormalities
Authors: Chen Ling‐Lin , Wu Mei‐Ling , Zhu Feng , Kai Jie‐Jing , Dong Jing‐Yin , Wu Xi‐Mei , Zeng Ling‐Hui
Published: September 2016

Aims

Previous study suggests that mTOR signaling pathway may play an important role in epileptogenesis. The present work was designed to explore the contribution of raptor protein to the development of epilepsy and comorbidities.

Methods

Mice with conditional knockout of raptor protein were generated by cross‐bred Rptorflox/flox mice with nestin‐CRE mice. The expression of raptor protein was analyzed by Western blotting in brain tissue samples. Neuronal death and mossy fiber sprouting were detected by FJB staining and Timm staining, respectively. Spontaneous seizures were recorded by EEG–video system. Morris water maze, open field test, and excitability test were used to study the behaviors of Rptor CKO mice.

Results

As the consequence of deleting Rptor, downstream proteins of raptor in mTORC1 signaling were partly blocked. Rptor CKO mice exhibited decrease in body and brain weight under 7 weeks old and accordingly, cortical layer thickness. After kainic acid (KA)‐induced status epilepticus, overactivation of mTORC1 signaling was markedly reversed in Rptor CKO mice. Although low frequency of spontaneous seizure and seldom neuronal cell death were observed in both Rptor CKO and control littermates, KA seizure‐induced mossy fiber spouting were attenuated in Rptor CKO mice. Additionally, cognitive‐deficit and anxiety‐like behavior after KA‐induced seizures were partly reversed in Rptor CKO mice.

Conclusion

Loss of the Rptor gene in mice neural progenitor cells affects normal development in young age and may contribute to alleviate KA seizure‐induced behavioral abnormalities, suggesting that raptor protein plays an important role in seizure comorbidities.
Why Are There Developmental Stages in Language Learning? A Developmental Robotics Model of Language Development
Authors: Morse Anthony F. , Cangelosi Angelo
Published: September 2016

Most theories of learning would predict a gradual acquisition and refinement of skills as learning progresses, and while some highlight exponential growth, this fails to explain why natural cognitive development typically progresses in stages. Models that do span multiple developmental stages typically have parameters to “switch” between stages. We argue that by taking an embodied view, the interaction between learning mechanisms, the resulting behavior of the agent, and the opportunities for learning that the environment provides can account for the stage‐wise development of cognitive abilities. We summarize work relevant to this hypothesis and suggest two simple mechanisms that account for some developmental transitions: neural readiness focuses on changes in the neural substrate resulting from ongoing learning, and perceptual readiness focuses on the perceptual requirements for learning new tasks. Previous work has demonstrated these mechanisms in replications of a wide variety of infant language experiments, spanning multiple developmental stages. Here we piece this work together as a single model of ongoing learning with no parameter changes at all. The model, an instance of the Epigenetic Robotics Architecture (Morse et al 2010) embodied on the iCub humanoid robot, exhibits ongoing multi‐stage development while learning pre‐linguistic and then basic language skills.
Market‐Based Incentives and Private Ownership of Wildlife to Remedy Shortfalls in Government Funding for Conservation
Authors: Wilson George R. , Hayward Matt W. , Wilson Charlie
Published: September 2016

In some parts of the world, proprietorship, price incentives, and devolved responsibility for management, accompanied by effective regulation, have increased wildlife and protected habitats, particularly for iconic and valuable species. Elsewhere, market incentives are constrained by policies and laws, and in some places virtually prohibited. In Australia and New Zealand, micro economic reform has enhanced innovation and improved outcomes in many areas of the economy, but economic liberalism and competition are rarely applied to the management of wildlife. This policy perspective examines if commercial value and markets could attract private sector investment to compensate for Government underspend on biodiversity conservation. It proposes trials in which landholders, community groups, and investors would have a form of wildlife ownership by leasing animals on land outside protected areas. They would be able to acquire threatened species from locally overabundant populations, breed them, innovate, and assist further colonization/range expansion while making a profit from the increase. The role of government would be to regulate, as is appropriate in a mixed economy, rather than be the (sole) owner and manager of wildlife. Wide application of the trials would not answer all biodiversity‐loss problems, but it could assist in the restoration of degraded habitat and connectivity.
Designing Products for Adaptability: Insights from Four Industrial Cases
Authors: Engel Avner , Browning Tyson R. , Reich Yoram
Published: September 2016

Developing products that are more easily adaptable to future requirements can increase their overall value. Product adaptability is largely determined by choices about product architecture, especially modularity. Because it is possible to be too modular and/or inappropriately modular, decidinghowandwhereto be modular in a cost‐effective way is an important managerial decision. In this article, we gather data from four case studies to model effects of firms’ product architecture decisions at the component level. We optimize an architecture adaptability value (AAV) measure that accounts for both the benefits of more architecture options and the costs of interfaces. The optimal architecture prompted each firm to rearchitect an existing product to increase its expected future profitability. Several insights emerged from the case evidence during this research. (i) Although decomposing an architecture into an increasing number of modules increases product adaptability, the amount of modularity is an insufficient predictor of the adaptability value of a system. AAV, which also accounts for interface costs, provides an improved measure of appropriate modularity. (ii) Managers can influence the path of architectural evolution in the direction of increased value. This influence may diminish but does not disappear as products become more mature. Also, modularity and innovations coevolved, as the new modularizations suggested by AAV optimization prompted and guided searches for further innovations. (iii) When presented with the concepts of options, interface costs, and AAV, the firms’ designers and managers were initially skeptical. However, in each case, the modelers were able to rearchitect an actual product not only with increased AAV by our model (theoretical improvement) but also with actual future benefits for their firm. Postproject reports from each firm confirmed that the AAV modeling and optimization approaches were indeed helpful, equipping them to increase the adaptability, cost‐efficiency, lifespan, and overall value of actual products. The evidence suggests that firms can benefit from designing products for adaptability, but thathowthey do so matters. This study expands our understanding of modularity and adaptability by illuminating managerial decisions and insights about appropriate approaches to each.
Improved detection of myocardial damage in sarcoidosis using longitudinal strain in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Murtagh Gillian , Laffin Luke J. , Patel Kershaw V. , Patel Amit V. , Bonham Catherine A. , Yu Zoe , Addetia Karima , El‐Hangouche Nadia , Maffesanti Francesco , Mor‐Avi Victor , Hogarth D. Kyle , Sweiss Nadera J. , Beshai John F. , Lang Roberto M. , Patel Amit R.
Published: September 2016

Background

Cardiac infiltration is an important cause of death in sarcoidosis. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has limited sensitivity for the detection of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is used to diagnose CS but has limitations of cost and availability. We sought to determine whether TTE‐derived global longitudinal strain (GLS) may be used to identify individuals with CS, despite preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and whether abnormal GLS is associated with major cardiovascular events (MCE).

Methods

We studied 31 patients with biopsy‐proven extra‐cardiac sarcoidosis, LVEF>50% and LGE on CMR (CS+ group), and 31 patients without LGE (CS− group), matched by age, sex, and severity of lung disease. GLS was measured using vendor‐independent speckle tracking software. Parameters of left and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function were also studied. Receiver‐operating characteristic curves were used to identify GLS cutoff for CS detection, and Kaplan–Meier plots to determine the ability of GLS to predict MCE.

Results

LGE was associated with reduced GLS (−19.6±1.9% in CS− vs −14.7±2.4% in CS+, P<.01) and with reduced E/A ratio (1.1±0.3 vs 0.9±0.3, respectively, P =.01). No differences were noted in other TTE parameters. GLS magnitude inversely correlated with LGE burden (r=−.59). GLS cutoff of −17% showed sensitivity and specificity 94% for detecting CS. Patients who experienced MCE had worse GLS than those who did not (−13.4±0.9% vs −17.7±0.4%, P=.0003).

Conclusions

CS is associated with significantly reduced GLS in the presence of preserved LVEF. GLS measurements may become part of the TTE study performed to screen for CS.
When can the cause of a population decline be determined?
Authors: Hefley Trevor J. , Hooten Mevin B. , Drake John M. , Russell Robin E. , Walsh Daniel P.
Published: September 2016

Inferring the factors responsible for declines in abundance is a prerequisite to preventing the extinction of wild populations. Many of the policies and programmes intended to prevent extinctions operate on the assumption that the factors driving the decline of a population can be determined. Exogenous factors that cause declines in abundance can be statistically confounded with endogenous factors such as density dependence. To demonstrate the potential for confounding, we used an experiment where replicated populations were driven to extinction by gradually manipulating habitat quality. In many of the replicated populations, habitat quality and density dependence were confounded, which obscured causal inference. Our results show that confounding is likely to occur when the exogenous factors that are driving the decline change gradually over time. Our study has direct implications for wild populations, because many factors that could drive a population to extinction change gradually through time.
How to quantify the temporal storage effect using simulations instead of math
Authors: Ellner Stephen P. , Snyder Robin E. , Adler Peter B.
Published: September 2016

The storage effect has become a core concept in community ecology, explaining how environmental fluctuations can promote coexistence and maintain biodiversity. However, limitations of existing theory have hindered empirical applications: the need for detailed mathematical analysis whenever the study system requires a new model, and restricted theory for structured populations. We present a new approach that overcomes both these limitations. We show how temporal storage effect can be quantified by Monte Carlo simulations in a wide range of models for competing species. We use the lottery model and a generic integral projection model (IPM) to introduce ideas, and present two empirical applications: (1) algal species in a chemostat with variable temperature, showing that the storage effect can operate without a long‐lived life stage and (2) a sagebrush steppe community IPM. Our results highlight the need for careful modelling of nonlinearities so that conclusions are not driven by unrecognised model constraints.
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3‐like squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix: a review of 14 cases with comparison of E‐cadherin and cyclin D1 expression in the CIN 3‐like and infiltrative tumour elements
Authors: Stewart Colin J R , Crook Maxine L
Published: September 2016

Aims

To review the clinicopathological features of 14 cases of CIN 3‐like squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix and to investigate possible mechanisms of tumour invasion in the CIN 3‐like and ‘conventional’ (infiltrative) tumour components.

Methods and results

The median patient age was 43.4 years. Of the 12 cases with known stage, eight were stage IB and four were stage II. Initial biopsies were often misinterpreted as CIN 3 alone or CIN 3 with only superficial stromal invasion, and eight patients underwent multiple biopsy procedures prior to definitive diagnosis: upon review, an earlier diagnosis was possible in six of these cases. Nine tumours exhibited both CIN 3‐like and conventional tumour components. The former usually demonstrated an E‐cadherin‐positive and cyclin D1‐negative immunophenotype, whereas conventional SCC more often showed loss of E‐cadherin and cyclin D1 staining at the margin of larger tumour nests and in smaller invasive clusters.

Conclusion

Cervical SCCs demonstrating a CIN 3‐like growth pattern continue to present diagnostic difficulty and are often misinterpreted as non‐invasive/minimally invasive disease. The morphology and immunophenotype suggest a process of collective cellular invasion in CIN 3‐like SCC, whereas corresponding conventional SCC elements show features consistent with epithelial–mesenchymal transition.
BRAF‐V600E expression correlates with ameloblastoma aggressiveness
Authors: Fregnani Eduardo R , Perez Danyel E da Cruz , Paes de Almeida Oslei , Fonseca Felipe Paiva , Soares Fernando A , Castro‐Junior Gilberto , Alves Fábio A
Published: September 2016

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the expression of BRAF‐V600E determines an aggressive clinical and molecular presentation of ameloblastoma.

Methods and results

Ninety‐three cases of solid ameloblastomas were arranged in a 1.0‐mm tissue microarray (TMA) block. Immunohistochemistry against a large panel of cytokeratins (CK), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (PTHrP), syndecan‐1, Ki67, p53 and BRAF‐V600E were performed. Clinicopathological parameters, including sex, age, tumour size, tumour duration, tumour location, treatment, recurrences, radiographic pattern, vestibular/lingual and basal cortical plates disruption and follow‐up data, were obtained from patients' medical records. Immunoexpression of BRAF‐V600E was investigated in 73 cases that remained available in TMA sections. Our results indicated that 46.6% (34 cases) demonstrated cytoplasm positivity (six weak and 28 strong positivity). BRAF‐V600E expression was associated significantly with the expression of CK8 (P = 0.00077), CK16 (P = 0.05), PTHrP (P = 0.0082) and p53 (P = 0.0087). Additionally, a significant association was seen with the presence of recurrences (P = 0.0008), multilocular radiographic appearance (P = 0.044) and disruption of basal bone cortical (P = 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that BRAF‐positive cases (P = 0.001), EGFR‐negative/weak positive cases (P = 0.03) and multilocular tumours (P = 0.04) had a significantly lower disease‐free survival rate, but these parameters were not considered independent prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest an association of BRAF‐V600E with parameters of a more aggressive behaviour of ameloblastoma, supporting the future use of BRAF inhibitors for targeted therapy of this neoplasm.
Seed‐Free Synthesis and Characterization of Zeolite Faujasite Aluminosilicate Coating on α‐Alumina Supports
Authors: Sivakumar Keerthana , Santhanam Agilan , Natarajan Muthukumarasamy , Velauthapillai Dhayalan , Rangasamy Balasundaraprabhu
Published: September 2016

NaY zeolite was synthesized by a simple sol–gel technique. NaY zeolite membrane was formed on the alumina substrate using optimized solution composition and synthesis conditions. The formation of the NaY zeolite was ascertained by X‐ray powder diffraction, which showed that the crystallinity improved with annealing. The high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images of samples annealed at 300°C showed the formation of cubic structure corresponding to NaY zeolite. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis revealed that the synthesized zeolite is a well crystallized NaY zeolite. The SEM images revealed the formation of fine structure NaY zeolite membrane on α‐alumina substrate.
Multiple Coordination Patterns in Infant and Adult Vocalizations
Authors: Abney Drew H. , Warlaumont Anne S. , Oller D. Kimbrough , Wallot Sebastian , Kello Christopher T.
Published: September 2016

The study of vocal coordination between infants and adults has led to important insights into the development of social, cognitive, emotional, and linguistic abilities. We used an automatic system to identify vocalizations produced by infants and adults over the course of the day for fifteen infants studied longitudinally during the first 2 years of life. We measured three different types of vocal coordination: coincidence‐based, rate‐based, and cluster‐based. Coincidence‐based coordination and rate‐based coordination are established measures in the developmental literature. Cluster‐based coordination is new and measures the strength of matching in the degree to which vocalization events occur in hierarchically nested clusters. We investigated whether various coordination patterns differ as a function of vocalization type, whether different coordination patterns provide unique information about the dynamics of vocal interaction, and how the various coordination patterns each relate to infant age. All vocal coordination patterns displayed greater coordination for infant speech‐related vocalizations, adults adapted the hierarchical clustering of their vocalizations to match that of infants, and each of the three coordination patterns had unique associations with infant age. Altogether, our results indicate that vocal coordination between infants and adults is multifaceted, suggesting a complex relationship between vocal coordination and the development of vocal communication.
Arterial Stiffness in Treated Hypertensive Patients With White‐Coat Hypertension
Authors: Barochiner Jessica , Aparicio Lucas S. , Alfie José , Morales Margarita S. , Cuffaro Paula E. , Rada Marcelo A. , Marin Marcos J. , Galarza Carlos R. , Waisman Gabriel D.
Published: September 2016

Arterial stiffness, assessed through pulse wave velocity (PWV), independently predicts cardiovascular outcomes. In untreated persons, white‐coat hypertension (WCH) has been related to arterial stiffness, but data in treated patients with WCH are scarce. The authors aimed to determine a possible association between WCH and arterial stiffness in this population. Adult treated hypertensive patients underwent home blood pressure monitoring and PWV assessment. Variables associated with PWV in univariable analyses were entered into a multivariable linear regression model. The study included 121 patients, 33.9% men, median age 67.9 (interquartile range 18.4) years, 5.8% with diabetes, and 3.3% with a history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. In multivariable analysis, WCH in treated hypertensive patients remained a determinant of PWV: β=1.1 (95% confidence interval, 0.1–2.1 [P=.037]; adjusted R2 0.49). In conclusion, WCH is independently associated with arterial stiffness in treated hypertensive patients. Whether this high‐risk association is offset by antihypertensive treatment should be further investigated.
Mitochondrial Genome of Prasinophyte Alga Pyramimonas parkeae
Authors: Hrdá Štěpánka , Hroudová Miluše , Vlček Čestmír , Hampl Vladimír
Published: September 2016

Prasinophytes are a paraphyletic assemblage of nine heterogeneous lineages in the Chlorophyta clade of Archaeplastida. Until now, seven complete mitochondrial genomes have been sequenced from four prasinophyte lineages. Here, we report the mitochondrial genome of Pyramimonas parkeae, the first representative of the prasinophyte clade I. The circular‐mapping molecule is 43,294 bp long, AT rich (68.8%), very compact and it comprises two 6,671 bp long inverted repeat regions. The gene content is slightly smaller than the gene‐richest prasinophyte mitochondrial genomes. The single identified intron is located in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1). Interestingly, two exons of cox1 are encoded on the same strand of DNA in the reverse order and the mature mRNA is formed by trans‐splicing. The phylogenetic analysis using the data set of 6,037 positions assembled from 34 mtDNA‐encoded proteins of 48 green algae and plants is not in compliance with the branching order of prasinophyte clades revealed on the basis of 18S rRNA genes and cpDNA‐encoded proteins. However, the phylogenetic analyses based on all three genomic elements support the sister position of prasinophyte clades Pyramimonadales and Mamiellales.
Evaluation of electrical and other physical properties of heated sweet potato
Authors: Imaizumi Teppei , Tanaka Fumihiko , Sato Yuma , Yoshida Yuka , Uchino Toshitaka
Published: September 2016

Electrical impedance spectroscopy is expected to use for quality estimation of agricultural product. In this study, changes in moisture content, porosity and electrical and mechanical properties of sweet potato heated in hot water at 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70 °C were investigated. Additionally, the tissue structure was scanned by X‐ray computerized tomography (CT). As a result, the porosity of the sample decreased with treatment time at every temperature while the moisture content changed at only 70 °C. This decrease in the porosity greatly affected the extracellular resistance and the elastic modulus. Moreover, the elastic modulus could be expressed by a logarithmic equation of the extracellular resistance with the high determination coefficient (R2 = 0.91). Average CT values calculated from the scanned images of the tissue also indicated good correlations with porosity and elastic modulus. These results indicated that the extracellular resistance and the average CT value were effective for the estimation of elasticity as well as porosity.

Practical applications

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is one of the most popular vegetables in Japan with its highly nutritional value and sweet taste. It is widely used for processed foods and shochu (Japanese liquor). To make these products, sweet potato is heated by hot water immersion or steaming in the process lines. Because the processes have been mechanized, technological development which enables to estimate inner state of sweet potato during heating is required. This research investigated potential of electrical impedance spectroscopy and CT scanning as the quality estimation technique for heated sweet potato. The results presented here clarified relationships between electrical properties and other physical properties, and CT value and the properties. The knowledge will contribute to design a quality control system based on the automatically quality estimation.
A four‐quadrant sequential streak technique to evaluate Campylobacter selective broths for suppressing background flora in broiler carcass rinses
Authors: Cox N. A. , Richardson L. J. , Cosby D. E. , Berrang M. E. , Wilson J. L. , Harrison M. A.
Published: September 2016

A semi‐quantitative ecometric technique was used to evaluate efficacy of selective culture media. It involved a standardized chronological streaking technique, leading to ever‐decreasing number of colonies. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of this technique (four‐quandrant sequential streak [FQS]) with two commonly used Campylobacter broths (Bolton's and Tecra) with whole carcass rinses of post‐pick broilers (n = 30) obtained from a commercial processing plant. Ten ?L from each sample type was streaked (five individual streak lines) onto one quarter of a Campy‐cefex agar plate and sequentially into the next three quadrants. Growth of extraneous bacteria was expressed as an absolute growth index (AGI). A significant (P < 0.05) difference in background microflora suppression was observed using this procedure. A positive correlation between decreasing levels of background microflora within the broths was observed as the AGI declined. FQS can be used for rapid semi‐quantitative estimation of an enrichment broth's efficacy.

Practical applications

The heavy presence of extraneous background microorganisms on a selective agar plate is a serious deterrent to the accurate detection of a target organism. This study confirmed sequential streaking as an appropriate and easily applied method to evaluate the relative efficiency of selective enrichment broths for Campylobacter in the suppression of background microflora on selective plates. The four‐quadrant sequential streak (FQS) ecometric technique is an inexpensive, rapid, semi‐quantitative method to evaluate the effectiveness of various selective enrichment broths.
Within‐ and Between‐Family Associations of Marital Functioning and Child Well‐being
Authors: Knopp Kayla , Rhoades Galena K. , Allen Elizabeth S. , Parsons Aleja , Ritchie Lane L. , Markman Howard J. , Stanley Scott M.
Published: September 2016

This study clarifies within‐family and between‐family links between marital functioning and child well‐being. Expanding on existing prospective research, this study tests whether changes in parents' marital functioning are associated with corresponding changes in their children's well‐being, independent from associations that exist when comparing different families. Participants (N = 1,033) were members of married, opposite‐sex couples with children who participated in five waves of a larger study of marriage in the U.S. Army. Spouses' constructive communication, verbal conflict, and marital satisfaction each showed between‐family associations with parent‐reported child internalizing and externalizing problems. In contrast, within‐family associations were significant only for parents' communication behaviors. That is, parents who reported lower levels of marital satisfaction also reported lower child well‐being, whereas change in parents' communication was associated with change in child well‐being over time. Isolating within‐family effects is important for understanding marital and child functioning and for identifying potential targets for effective intervention.
Effects of dietary mixture of garlic (Allium sativum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and probiotics on immune responses and caecal counts in young laying hens
Authors: Lee J. S. , Kim M. J. , Park S. H. , Lee S. B. , Wang T. , Jung U. S. , Im J. , Kim E. J. , Lee K. W. , Lee H. G.
Published: September 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a combined mixture of phytogenic extracts (garlic and coriander) and probiotics on growth performance and immune responses in laying hens based on the results ofin vitrostudies to screen for immunomodulatory potency of each ingredient. Several parameters of immunomodulatory potency were estimated using lamina propria leucocytes (LPLs) isolated from rat intestinal mucosa tissue. Results show that the combined mixture enhancedLPLs proliferation, increasedLPL‐mediated cytotoxicity againstYAC‐1 tumour cells, and decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced cytokine production including tumour necrosis factor‐α(TNF‐α) and interferon‐γ(IFN‐γ) inLPLs. Forin vivostudy, laying hens (n = 50/each diet group) were fed with control diet, a diet containing antibiotics (0.01% per kg feed) or the combined mixture (0.02% per kg feed) for 21 days. The dietary combined mixture improved egg production (p < 0.05) but not growth performance and carcass traits. Interestingly, the patterns of suppressing plasmaIFN‐γproductions during inflammation byLPSinjection and decreasing caecalE. colicounts in the combined mixture group were comparable to those in the antibiotics group. Taken together, our results suggested that the 0.02% of combined mixture of phytogenic extracts and probiotics as ingredients has potential immunomodulatory effects in laying hens.
Rural Bypass of Critical Access Hospitals in Iowa: Do Visiting Surgical Specialists Make a Difference?
Authors: Weigel Paula A.M. , Ullrich Fred , Ward Marcia M.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Rural bypass for elective surgical procedures is a challenge for critical access hospitals, yet there are opportunities for rural hospitals to improve local retention of surgical candidates through alternative approaches to developing surgery lines of business. In this study we examine the effect of visiting surgical specialists on the odds of rural bypass.

Methods

Discharge data from the 2011 State Inpatient Databases and State Ambulatory Surgery Databases for Iowa were linked to outreach data from the Office of Statewide Clinical Education Programs and Iowa Physician Information System to model the effect of surgeon specialist supply on rural patients’ decision to bypass rural critical access hospitals.

Findings

Patients in rural communities with a local general surgeon were more likely to be retained in a community than to bypass. Those in communities with visiting general surgeons were more likely to bypass, as were those in communities with visiting urologists and obstetricians. Patients in communities with visiting ophthalmologists and orthopedic surgeons were at higher odds of being retained for their elective surgeries.

Conclusion

In addition to known patient and local hospital factors that have an influence on bypass behavior among rural patients seeking elective surgery, availability of surgeon specialists also plays an important role in whether patients bypass or not. Visiting ophthalmologists and orthopedic surgeons were associated with less bypass, as was having local general surgeons. Visiting general surgeons, urologists, and obstetricians were associated with greater odds of bypass.
Small artery mechanobiology: Roles of cellular and non‐cellular elements
Authors: Hill Michael A. , Meininger Gerald A.
Published: September 2016

Small arteries and their component cellular and non‐cellular elements are continually subjected to, and interact with, mechanical forces. Such interactions are key in both short‐ and long‐term adaptation of the structure and function of the microcirculation to its local environment and metabolic requirements. Following this brief introduction is a series of papers presented as a symposium (Small Artery Mechanobiology: Roles of Cellular and Non‐Cellular Elements) at the World Congress for Microcirculation, Kyoto 2015.
Vectorial competence of Amblyomma tonelliae to transmit Rickettsia rickettsii
Authors: TARRAGONA E. L. , SOARES J. F. , COSTA F. B. , LABRUNA M. B. , NAVA S.
Published: September 2016

The aim of this work was to test the vectorial competence of Amblyomma tonelliae (Ixodida: Ixodidae) to transmit Rickettsia rickettsii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). All parasitic stages of A. tonelliae were exposed to R. rickettsii by allowing each stage to feed on hosts inoculated with this pathogen. Thereafter, ticks were fed on uninfected hosts. All stages of A. tonelliae were able to acquire the R. rickettsii infection and maintain it by transstadial and transovarial transmission. When infected ticks fed on uninfected hosts, the hosts developed rickettsiosis disease. This study demonstrates the vectorial competence of A. tonelliae to transmit R. rickettsii. These results have epidemiological relevance because A. tonelliae is one of the tick species most likely to infest humans in Argentina, including in areas in which RMSF has been reported.
Demographic effects of deltamethrin resistance in the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans
Authors: GERMANO M. D. , PICOLLO M. I.
Published: September 2016

Triatoma infestans
(Heteroptera: Reduviidae) Klug is the main vector of Chagas disease in Latin America. Resistance to deltamethrin was reported in Argentina and recently associated with reproductive and longevity trade‐offs. The objectives of the present study were to describe the demographic consequences of deltamethrin resistance in T. infestans and to establish possible target stages for chemical control in susceptible and resistant colonies. A stage‐classified matrix model was constructed based on the average stage length for susceptible, resistant and reciprocal matings' progeny. The differences between colonies were analysed by prospective and retrospective analysis. The life table parameters indicated reduced fecundity, fertility and population growth in resistant insects. The retrospective analysis suggested the latter was associated with lower reproductive output and increased fifth‐instar nymph stage length. The prospective analysis suggested that the adult stage should be the main target for insecticide control. Although, fifth‐instar nymphs should also be targeted when resistance has been detected. The presented results show demographic effects of deltamethrin resistance in T. infestans. While the older stages could be the main targets for chemical control, this approach is impeded by their higher tolerance to insecticides. It is concluded that the different mode of action insecticides would be more effective than a dose increase for the control of deltamethrin‐resistant T. infestans.
Lake sedimentary DNA accurately records 20th Century introductions of exotic conifers in Scotland
Authors: Sjögren Per , Edwards Mary E. , Gielly Ludovic , Langdon Catherine T. , Croudace Ian W. , Merkel Marie Kristine Føreid , Fonville Thierry , Alsos Inger Greve
Published: September 2016

Sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) has recently emerged as a new proxy for reconstructing past vegetation, but its taphonomy, source area and representation biases need better assessment. We investigated how sedDNA in recent sediments of two small Scottish lakes reflects a major vegetation change, using well‐documented 20th Century plantations of exotic conifers as an experimental system.

We used next‐generation sequencing to barcode sedDNA retrieved from subrecent lake sediments. For comparison, pollen was analysed from the same samples.

The sedDNA record contains 73 taxa (mainly genus or species), all but one of which are present in the study area. Pollen and sedDNA shared 35% of taxa, which partly reflects a difference in source area. More aquatic taxa were recorded in sedDNA, whereas taxa assumed to be of regional rather than local origin were recorded only as pollen.

The chronology of the sediments and planting records are well aligned, and sedDNA of exotic conifers appears in high quantities with the establishment of plantations around the lakes. SedDNA recorded other changes in local vegetation that accompanied afforestation. There were no signs of DNA leaching in the sediments or DNA originating from pollen.
Are Patients Patient? The Role of Time to Appointment in Patient Flow
Authors: Osadchiy Nikolay , KC Diwas
Published: September 2016

The current state of outpatient healthcare delivery is characterized by capacity shortages and long waits for appointments, yet a substantial fraction of valuable doctors’ capacity is wasted due to no‐shows. In this study, we examine the effect of wait to appointment on patient flow, specifically on a patient's decision to schedule an appointment and to subsequently arrive to it. These two decisions may be dependent, as appointments are more likely to be scheduled by patients who are more patient and are thereby more likely to show up. To estimate the effect of wait on these two decisions, we introduce the willingness to wait (WTW), an unobservable variable that affects both bookings and arrivals for appointments. Using data from a large healthcare system, we estimate WTW with a state‐of‐the‐art non‐parametric method. The WTW, in turn, allows us to estimate the effect of wait on no‐shows. We observe that the effect of increased wait on the likelihood of no‐shows is disproportionately greater among patients with low WTW. Thus, although reducing the wait to an appointment will enable a provider to capture more patient bookings, the effects of wait time on capacity utilization can be non‐monotone. Our counterfactual analysis suggests that increasing wait times can sometimes be beneficial for reducing no‐shows.