bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Survey of Acute Stroke Imaging Used to Make Revascularization Treatment Decisions
Authors: Wintermark Max , Luby Marie , Bornstein Natan M. , Demchuk Andrew , Fiehler Jens , Kudo Kohsuke , Lees Kennedy R. , Liebeskind David S. , Michel Patrik , Nogueira Raul G. , Parsons Mark W. , Sasaki Makoto , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Wu Ona , Zhang Weiwei , Zhu Guangming , Warach Steven J.
Published: April 2015

Background

To assess the differences across continental regions in terms of stroke imaging obtained for making acute revascularization therapy decisions, and to identify obstacles to participating in randomized trials involving multimodal imaging.

Methods

STroke Imaging Repository (STIR) and Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA)-Imaging circulated an online survey through its website, through the websites of national professional societies from multiple countries as well as through email distribution lists from STIR and the above mentioned societies.

Results

We received responses from 223 centers (2 from Africa, 38 from Asia, 10 from Australia, 101 from Europe, 4 from Middle East, 55 from North America, 13 from South America). In combination, the sites surveyed administered acute revascularization therapy to a total of 25 326 acute stroke patients in 2012. Seventy-three percent of these patients received intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and 27%, endovascular therapy. Vascular imaging was routinely obtained in 79% (152/193) of sites for endovascular therapy decisions, and also as part of standard IV tPA treatment decisions at 46% (92/198) of sites. Modality, availability and use of acute vascular and perfusion imaging before revascularization varied substantially between geographical areas. The main obstacles to participate in randomized trials involving multimodal imaging included: mainly insufficient research support and staff (50%, 79/158) and infrequent use of multimodal imaging (27%, 43/158).

Conclusion

There were significant variations among sites and geographical areas in terms of stroke imaging work-up used to make decisions both for intravenous and endovascular revascularization. Clinical trials using advanced imaging as a selection tool for acute revascularization therapy should address the need for additional resources and technical support, and take into consideration the lack of routine use of such techniques in trial planning.
Overview of shorthand medical glossary (OMG) study
Authors: Politis J. , Lau S. , Yeoh J. , Brand C. , Russell D. , Liew D.
Published: April 2015

Background

Shorthand is commonplace in clinical notation. While many abbreviations are standard and widely accepted, an increasing number are non‐standard and/or unrecognisable.

Aim

We sought to describe the frequency of inappropriate and ambiguous shorthand in discharge summaries.

Methods

Eighty electronic discharge summaries from the four General Medical Units at the Royal Melbourne Hospital were randomly extracted from the hospital's electronic records. Extraction was stratified by the four units and by the four quarters between July 2012 and June 2013. All abbreviations were assigned into one of four categories according to appropriateness: 1. ‘Universally accepted and understood even without context’; 2. ‘Understood when in context’; 3. ‘Understood but inappropriate and/or ambiguous’; and 4. ‘Unknown’. These categories were determined by the authors, which included junior and senior medical staff.

Results

The 80 discharge summaries contained 840 different abbreviations used on 6269 occasions. Of all words, 20.1% were abbreviations. Of the 6269 occasions of shorthand, 6.8% were categorised as ‘Understood but inappropriate and/or ambiguous’ or ‘Unknown’ (category 3 or 4), equating to 1.4% of all words, and an average of 5.4 words per discharge summary.

Conclusion

Abbreviations are common in electronic discharge summaries, occurring at a frequency of one in five words. While the majority of shorthand used seems to be appropriate, the use of inappropriate, ambiguous or unknown shorthand is still frequent. This has implications for safe and effective patient care and highlights the need for better awareness and education regarding use of shorthand in clinical notation.
Potential role of coenzyme Q10 in facilitating recovery from statin‐induced rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Wang L. W. , Jabbour A. , Hayward C. S. , Furlong T. J. , Girgis L. , Macdonald P. S. , Keogh A. M.
Published: April 2015

Rhabdomyolysis is a rare, but serious complication of statin therapy, and represents the most severe end of the spectrum of statin‐induced myotoxicity. We report a case where coenzyme Q10 facilitated recovery from statin‐induced rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure, which had initially persisted despite statin cessation and haemodialysis. This observation is biologically plausible due to the recognised importance of coenzyme Q10 in mitochondrial bioenergetics within myocytes, and the fact that statins inhibit farnesyl pyrophosphate production, a biochemical step crucial for coenzyme Q10 synthesis. Coenzyme Q10 is generally well tolerated, and may potentially benefit patients with statin‐induced rhabdomyolysis.
Hierarchical spatial patterns in Caribbean reef benthic assemblages
Authors: Williams Stacey M. , Chollett Iliana , Roff George , Cortés Jorge , Dryden Charlie S. , Mumby Peter J.
Published: April 2015

Aim

Coral assemblages on Caribbean reefs have largely been considered to be biogeographically homogeneous at a regional scale. We reassess this in three taxa (corals, sponges and octocorals) using three community attributes with increasing levels of information (species richness, composition and relative abundance) across hierarchical spatial scales, and identify the key environmental drivers associated with this variation.

Location

Caribbean Basin.

Methods

We assessed reefs along 546 transects positioned within the same forereef habitat (Orbicella reef) in 11 countries, using a consistent methodology and surveyors. Spatial variability in richness, composition and relative abundance was assessed at four hierarchical spatial scales – transects (metres), sites (kilometres), areas (tens of kilometres) and regions (hundreds of kilometres) – using permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA). The relevance of contemporary environmental factors in explaining the observed spatial patterns was also assessed using PERMANOVA.

Results

Consistent with previous studies, species richness of coral assemblages, commonly the focus of biogeographical studies, showed little variance at large spatial scales. In contrast, species composition and relative abundance showed significant variability at regional scales. Coral, sponge and octocoral assemblages each varied independently across spatial scales. Rugosity and wave exposure were key drivers of the composition and relative abundance of coral and octocoral assemblages.

Main conclusions

Caribbean reef assemblages exhibit considerable biogeographical variability at broad spatial scales (hundreds of kilometres) when more responsive community attributes were used. However, the high degree of variability within sites (kilometres) highlights the relevance of local ecological drivers such as rugosity and wave exposure in structuring assemblages. The high levels of within‐site variability that is not explained by environmental variables may suggest a previously unrealized contribution of anthropogenic disturbance operating at local scales throughout the region.
Low‐Dose Aspirin for Preventing Preeclampsia and Its Complications: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Xu Ting‐ting , Zhou Fan , Deng Chun‐yan , Huang Gui‐qiong , Li Jin‐ke , Wang Xiao‐dong
Published: April 2015

Low‐dose aspirin (LDA) is thought to prevent preeclampsia in high‐risk pregnancy, but it is not universally used out of concern for its efficacy and safety. The authors meta‐analyzed 29 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate LDA for preventing preeclampsia and its complications. LDA can reduce the incidence of preeclampsia (odds ratio [OR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57–0.87), severe preeclampsia (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.23–0.61), preterm birth (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75–0.88), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71–0.90). LDA is more effective in reducing incidence of preeclampsia or IUGR if used before 16 gestational weeks than if used later. LDA increases the incidence of placental abruption (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05–1.73) but not other major complications. The available evidence suggests that LDA is effective in preventing preeclampsia, preterm birth, and IUGR in high‐risk pregnancies without posing a major safety risk to mothers or fetuses.
Molecular detection of Cotesia vestalis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Malysh J. M. , Kazartsev I. A. , Frolov A. N. , Zverev A. A. , Tokarev Y. S.
Published: April 2015

Genomic DNA samples from larvae of the beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis collected in the south‐western Russia were used to amplify mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase unit I (COI) gene. In a small proportion of samples, the sequenced product showed considerable heterogeneity due to admixture of a minor sequence. A preliminary BLAST analysis of a 100‐bp‐long fragment of this minor sequence showed its maximal similarity to the COI gene region of Cotesia, a genus of braconid larval endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera. An additional primer was designed to specifically amplify ca 300 bp of the COI gene region from Braconidae. As many as seven of 25 samples were positive by PCR. Sequencing of the amplified products in all these samples showed nucleotide sequence identity to the COI region of Cotesia vestalis (Cotesia plutellae) and the presence of two molecular haplotypes among individual parasitoid samples.
Use of failure mode, effect and criticality analysis to improve safety in the medication administration process
Authors: Rodriguez‐Gonzalez Carmen Guadalupe , Martin‐Barbero Maria Luisa , Herranz‐Alonso Ana , Durango‐Limarquez Maria Isabel , Hernandez‐Sampelayo Paloma , Sanjurjo‐Saez Maria ,   iPharma
Published: April 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

To critically evaluate the causes of preventable adverse drug events during the nurse medication administration process in inpatient units with computerized prescription order entry and profiled automated dispensing cabinets in order to prioritize interventions that need to be implemented and to evaluate the impact of specific interventions on the criticality index.

Methods

This is a failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) study. A multidisciplinary consensus committee composed of pharmacists, nurses and doctors evaluated the process of administering medications in a hospital setting in Spain. By analysing the process, all failure modes were identified and criticality was determined by rating severity, frequency and likelihood of failure detection on a scale of 1 to 10, using adapted versions of already published scales. Safety strategies were identified and prioritized.

Results

Through consensus, the committee identified eight processes and 40 failure modes, of which 20 were classified as high risk. The sum of the criticality indices was 5254. For the potential high‐risk failure modes, 21 different potential causes were found resulting in 24 recommendations. Thirteen recommendations were prioritized and developed over a 24‐month period, reducing total criticality from 5254 to 3572 (a 32.0% reduction). The recommendations with a greater impact on criticality were the development of an electronic medication administration record (−582) and the standardization of intravenous drug compounding in the unit (−168). Other improvements, such as barcode medication administration technology (−1033), were scheduled for a longer period of time because of lower feasibility.

Conclusion

FMECA is a useful approach that can improve the medication administration process.
Diabetes self‐management education is not associated with a reduction in long‐term diabetes complications: an effectiveness study in an elderly population
Authors: Shah Baiju R. , Hwee Jeremiah , Cauch‐Dudek Karen , Ng Ryan , Victor J. Charles
Published: April 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

The efficacy of diabetes self‐management education on glycaemic control, self‐care behaviour and knowledge has been established by short‐term studies in experimental settings. The objective of this study was to assess its effectiveness to improve quality of care and reduce the risk of long‐term diabetes complications in unselected older patients with recently diagnosed diabetes in routine clinical care.

Methods

Using population‐level health care administrative databases and registries, all patients aged ≥66 years in Ontario, Canada with diabetes for <5 years were identified. Self‐management education programme attendees (n = 8485) in 2006 were matched with non‐attendees using high‐dimensional propensity scores, creating extremely well‐balanced study arms. Quality of care measures and the long‐term risk of diabetes complications were compared.

Results

Self‐management programme attendees were more likely than non‐attendees to achieve process measures of quality of care such as retinal screening examinations (75.3% versus 70.3%, adjusted relative risk 1.05, 99% confidence interval 1.03–1.08), and ≥2 glycated haemoglobin tests (57.5% versus 53.3%, adjusted relative risk 1.08, 99% confidence interval 1.05–1.11). However, with a median follow‐up of 5.3 years, diabetes complications and mortality were not different between arms.

Conclusions

In real‐world clinical care, self‐management education for older patients with recently diagnosed diabetes was associated with modest improvements in quality of care, but no reductions in long‐term clinical events.
Therapeutic roles of carbon monoxide in intestinal ischemia‐reperfusion injury
Authors: Katada Kazuhiro , Takagi Tomohisa , Uchiyama Kazuhiko , Naito Yuji
Published: April 2015

Intestinal ischemia‐reperfusion (I‐R) injury is a complex, multifactorial, pathophysiological process with high morbidity and mortality, leading to serious difficulty in treatment. The mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of intestinal I‐R injury have been examined in detail and various therapeutic approaches for intestinal I‐R injury have been developed; however, existing circumstances have not yet led to a dramatic change of treatment. Carbon monoxide (CO), one of the by‐products of heme degradation by heme oxygenase (HO), is considered as a candidate for treatment of intestinal I‐R injury and indeed HO‐1‐derived endogenous CO and exogenous CO play a pivotal role in protecting the gastrointestinal tract from intestinal I‐R injury. Interestingly, anti‐inflammatory effects of CO have been elucidated sufficiently in various cell types including endothelial cells, circulating leukocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, epithelial cells, fibroblast, organ‐specific cells, and immune‐presenting cells. In this review, we herein focus on the therapeutic roles of CO in intestinal I‐R injury and the cell‐specific anti‐inflammatory effects of CO, clearly demonstrating future therapeutic strategies of CO for treating intestine I‐R injury.
Inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis: Where are we?
Authors: Fiocchi Claudio
Published: April 2015

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is presently one of the most investigated human disorders. Expansion of knowledge of its pathophysiology has helped in developing novel medications to combat gut inflammation with a considerably degree of success. Despite this progress, much more remains to be done in regard to gaining a more profound understanding of IBD pathogenesis, detecting inflammation before it clinically manifests, implementing lifestyle modifications, and developing agents that can modify the natural course of the disease. One of the limitations to achieve these goals is the lack of integration of the major components of IBD pathogenesis, that is the exposome, the genome, the gut microbiome, and the immunome. An “IBD integrome” approach that takes advantage of all functional information derived from the detailed investigation of each single pathogenic component through the use of systems biology may offer the solution to understand IBD and cure it.
Surveillance of short‐segment Barrett's esophagus using ultrathin transnasal endoscopy
Authors: Sugimoto Hiroko , Kawai Takashi , Naito Sakiko , Yanagizawa Kyosuke , Yamagishi Tetsuya , Fukuzawa Masakatsu , Yagi Kenji , Matsubayashi Jun , Nagao Toshitaka , Tomiyama Hirofumi , Hoshino Sumito , Tsuchida Akihiko , Moriyasu Fuminori
Published: April 2015

Background and Aim

Newly developed ultrathin transnasal endoscope, the GIF‐XP290N, makes possible a resolving power similar to the GIF‐H260 at a distance of 3 mm. We conducted surveillance of subjects with Barrett's esophagus using this ultrathin transnasal endoscopy. In Japan the lower margin of the lower esophageal palisade vessels is defined the gastroesophageal junction in deep inspiration. We diagnose Barrett's esophagus if columnar epithelium is present on the oral side of the gastroesophageal junction.

Methods and Results

Barrett's esophagus was confirmed in 116 out of 135 subjects (85.9%), with 17 cases of short‐segment Barrett's esophagus (SSBE) and 99 of ultra‐short‐segment Barrett's esophagus. Close observation of the Barrett's esophagus mucosal structural pattern using narrow band imaging revealed 29 cases with an oval or round pattern, 29 with a long straight pattern, 47 with a villous pattern, 8 with a cerebriform pattern, and 6 with an irregular pattern according to Goda classification. Mucosal biopsies from all subjects with SSBE are examined. Histological examination revealed intestinal metaplasia in only eight subjects. We grouped the oval/round and long straight patterns as closed type, and the villous, cerebriform, and irregular patterns as open type. Analysis of the relationship between these mucosal patterns and background factors revealed a significant correlation between intestinal metaplasia and the open‐type pattern.

Conclusion

We consider this new ultrathin transnasal endoscopy to be a useful technique for surveillance of Barrett's esophagus, especially SSBE.
Parent stress across molecular subtypes of children with Angelman syndrome
Authors: Miodrag N. , Peters S.
Published: April 2015

Background

Parenting stress has been consistently reported among parents of children with developmental disabilities. However, to date, no studies have investigated the impact of a molecular subtype of Angelman syndrome (AS) on parent stress, despite distinct phenotypic differences among subtypes.

Method

Data for 124 families of children with three subtypes of AS: class I and II deletions (n = 99), imprinting centre defects (IC defects; n = 11) and paternal uniparental disomy (UPD; n = 14) were drawn from the AS Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) database and collected from five research sites across the Unites States. The AS study at the RDCRN gathered health information to understand how the syndrome develops and how to treat it. Parents completed questionnaires on their perceived psychological stress, the severity of children's aberrant behaviour and children's sleep patterns. Children's adaptive functioning and developmental levels were clinically evaluated.

Results

Child‐related stress reached clinical levels for 40% of parents of children with deletions, 100% for IC defects and 64.3% for UPD. Sleep difficulties were similar and elevated across subtypes. There were no differences between molecular subtypes for overall child and parent‐related stress. However, results showed greater isolation and lack of perceived parenting skills for parents of children with UPD compared with deletions. Better overall cognition for children with deletions was significantly related to more child‐related stress while their poorer adaptive functioning was associated with more child‐related stress. For all three groups, the severity of children's inappropriate behaviour was positively related to different aspects of stress.

Conclusions

How parents react to stress depends, in part, on children's AS molecular subtype. Despite falling under the larger umbrella term of AS, it is important to acknowledge the unique aspects associated with children's molecular subtype. Identifying these factors can lead to tailored interventions that fit the particular needs of families of children with different AS subtypes.
Factors affecting occurrence of twin pregnancy after double embryo transfer on day 3
Authors: Kim Myo Sun , Kim Ji Hee , Jee Byung Chul , Suh Chang Suk , Kim Seok Hyun
Published: April 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of twin gestation in fresh double day‐3 embryo transfer cycles.

Material and Methods

Out of a total of 386 cycles of fresh double embryo transfers on day 3 between 2006 and 2013 at a single center, 72 women with single intrauterine gestational sac (GS) (single‐GS group) and 32 women with double GS (double‐GS group) were identified. The patients’ clinical characteristics and laboratory results were extracted from electronic medical records and were compared.

Results

The double‐GS group had a significantly younger age (P = 0.012), and higher bodyweight (P = 0.033) compared with the single‐GS group. The total number of blastomeres (P = 0.013) and cumulative embryo score (P = 0.012) were higher in the double‐GS group. By receiver–operator curve analysis, maternal age ≤ 35 years, maternal bodyweight > 60 kg, total number of blastomeres > 14, and cumulative embryo score > 49 were the cut‐off values to predict twin pregnancy. Among eight women with all four risk factors, the twin pregnancy rate was 87.5%. There was no twin pregnancy among seven women with no risk factors.

Conclusion

Younger age, higher bodyweight, and better embryo quality are all associated with a higher incidence of twin pregnancy after double embryo transfer on day 3. Single embryo transfer might be advisable for couples with risk factors for twin pregnancy.
Pregnancy outcome at term in low‐risk population: Study at a tertiary obstetric hospital
Authors: Permezel Michael , Milne Katie Jean
Published: April 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of perinatal death and peripartum morbidity at term amongst the models of care at a single tertiary hospital.

Material and Methods

This is a 10‐year population study of singleton births at term at the Mercy Hospital for Women comparing the mixed‐risk models of care (private obstetrician and a conventional collaborative model of obstetricians and midwives) with the low‐risk models (team midwifery and family birth center). Outcome measures included rates of perinatal death, low Apgar scores and obstetric procedures.

Results

Data on 44 557 normal term singletons were available for study. Overall, the hospital has a substantially lower term singleton perinatal mortality (1.3/1000) than the reported rate from the state of Victoria over an overlapping period (2.4/1000). The perinatal mortality amongst women selected for low obstetric risk (2.3/1000) was significantly higher than the perinatal mortality in other patients (1.2/1000; P = 0.03). Low Apgar scores at 5 min were also significantly more likely in women selected for low obstetric risk (9.0 vs 6.7/1000; P = 0.03). The differences could not be attributed to socioeconomic status, as this was higher in the low obstetric risk group. Obstetric procedures (induction of labor, cesarean section and instrumental birth) were substantially less common in the low‐risk‐care patients, as is expected for a low‐risk population.

Conclusion

Women selected for low‐risk under midwife‐led models of care do not appear to have better outcomes than women with all levels of perinatal risk cared for under traditional obstetrician‐led models of care.
Should magnesium sulfate be administered to women with mild pre‐eclampsia? A systematic review of published reports on eclampsia
Authors: Berhan Yifru , Berhan Asres
Published: April 2015

Aim

Magnesium sulfate is an evidence‐based anticonvulsant drug used to prevent and control eclampsia. Controversy persists on routine administration of magnesium sulfate in cases of pre‐eclampsia without severe features. Our objective was to assess the pattern of blood pressure and maternal symptoms preceding eclamptic seizure based on the current published work.

Material and Methods

A comprehensive computer‐based publication search was conducted in the African Journals Online, Google scholar, HINARI, PubMed, and MEDLINE databases and the Cochrane library to identify descriptive study reports for blood pressure, severity symptoms or stage of pregnancy during convulsion in women with eclampsia.

Results

A total of 59 publications were eligible for this review. Overall, 21 149 eclamptic women from 26 countries were included for the interest of one or more of the selected variables. Out of 18 488 eclamptic women, the proportion of antepartum, intrapartum and post‐partum eclampsia was 59%, 20% and 21%, respectively. Out of 3443 eclamptic women, 25% were normotensive; 20% had mild‐to‐moderate hypertension; 32% had severe hypertension; and 21% were hypertensive but unclassified. Out of 2163 eclamptic women, 66% and 27% had a headache and visual disturbance, respectively, preceding the occurrence of convulsion. Out of 2053 eclamptic women, 25% had epigastric area pain, and out of 1092 women with eclampsia, 25% were asymptomatic.

Conclusion

Although eclampsia is known to result from severe pre‐eclampsia with or without organ function derangement, this review has revealed that a significant number of eclamptic women had either normal blood pressure or mild‐to‐moderate hypertension immediately before seizure. The findings are apparently in support of initiating magnesium sulfate prophylaxis to all women with mild pre‐eclampsia.
Use of the Amplatzer Vascular Plug II Device to Occlude Different Types of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Pediatric Patients
Authors: GARAY FRANCISCO J. , AGUIRRE DANIEL , CÁRDENAS LUIS , SPRINGMULLER DANIEL , HEUSSER FELIPE
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure is difficult in small patients in part due to the diverse PDA morphology. We describe a multicenter pediatric experience using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug II device (AVP II) to occlude PDA.

Methods

All patients undergoing transcatheter closure of PDA with AVP II from April 2008 until May 2012 were included. Clinical, angiographic, and echocardiographic data were collected.

Results

One hundred and seventy‐seven procedures were performed. Median age was 14 months (2–180) with median weight 9.7 kg (4.7–68). The morphological PDA classification was Type A in 66 (37.1%), Type C in 27 (15.3%), Type D in 17 (9.6%), and Type E in 67 (37.9%). The median minimum PDA diameter was 2.6 mm (1.2–7.7 mm). The implanted device sizes were: 4 mm in 17 patients (9.6%), 6 mm in 81 (45.8%), 8 mm in 56 (31.6%), 10 mm in 18 (10.2%), and 12 mm in 5 (2.8%). The implanted device was mean of 2.6 + 0.7 times the ductus narrowest diameter and mean of 1 + 0.5 times the ductus largest diameter. Complications included: one severe left pulmonary artery stenosis and one device embolization. No aortic obstruction occurred. Closure was complete in the 175 remaining patients.

Conclusions

The AVP II is an effective and safe device for PDA closure. It is particularly useful when dealing with nontypical PDA shapes and in small infants where it eliminated the risk of device‐related aortic obstruction. The AVPII is an addition to the PDA device closure armamentarium in pediatric patients.
The WNT system: background and its role in bone
Authors: Lerner U. H. , Ohlsson C.
Published: April 2015

WNTs are extracellular proteins that activate different cell surface receptors linked to canonical and noncanonical WNT signalling pathways. The Wnt genes were originally discovered as important for embryonic development of fruit flies and malignant transformation of mouse mammary cancers. More recently, WNTs have been implicated in a wide spectrum of biological phenomena and diseases. During the last decade, several lines of clinical and preclinical evidence have indicated that WNT signalling is critical for trabecular and cortical bone mass, and this pathway is currently an attractive target for drug development. Based on detailed knowledge of the different WNT signalling pathways, it appears that it might be possible to develop drugs that specifically target cortical and trabecular bone. Neutralization of a bone‐specific WNT inhibitor is now being evaluated as a promising anabolic treatment for patients with osteoporosis. Here, we provide the historical background to the discoveries of WNTs, describe the different WNT signalling pathways and summarize the current understanding of how these proteins regulate bone mass by affecting bone formation and resorption.
Osteoporosis: the evolution of a diagnosis
Authors: Lorentzon M. , Cummings S. R.
Published: April 2015

The global trend towards increased longevity has resulted in ageing populations and a rise in diseases or conditions that primarily affect older persons. One such condition is osteoporosis (fragile or porous bones), which causes an increased fracture risk. Vertebral and hip fractures lead to increased morbidity and mortality and result in enormous healthcare costs. Here, we review the evolution of the diagnosis of osteoporosis. In an attempt to separate patients with normal bones from those with osteoporosis and to define the osteoporosis diagnosis, multiple factors and characteristics have been considered. These include pathology and histology of the disease, the endocrine regulation of bone metabolism, bone mineral density (BMD), fracture type or trauma severity, risk models for fracture prediction, and thresholds for pharmacological intervention. The femoral neck BMD −2.5 SDs cut‐off for the diagnosis of osteoporosis is arbitrarily chosen, and there is no evidence to support the notion that fracture location (except vertebral fractures) or severity is useful to discriminate osteoporotic from normal bones. Fracture risk models (including factors unrelated to bone) dissociate bone strength from the diagnosis, and treatment thresholds are often based on health‐economic considerations rather than bone properties. Vertebral fractures are a primary feature of osteoporosis, characterized by decreased bone mass, strength and quality, and a high risk of another such fracture that can be considerably reduced by treatment. We believe that the 2001 definition of osteoporosis by the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Panel on Osteoporosis is still valid and useful: ‘Osteoporosis is defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing a person to an increased risk of fracture’.
The role of microRNA in nutritional control
Authors: Nolte‐’t Hoen E. N. M. , Van Rooij E. , Bushell M. , Zhang C.‐Y. , Dashwood R. H. , James W. P. T. , Harris C. , Baltimore D.
Published: April 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of a growing class of noncoding RNAs that are involved in the regulation of a wide range of metabolic processes including cellular differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. The generation of miRNA is regulated in complex ways, for example by small interfering RNAs (small nucleolar and nuclear RNAs) and various other metabolites. This complexity of control is likely to explain how a relatively small part of the DNA that codes for proteins has enabled the evolution of such complex organisms as mammals. Non‐protein‐coding DNA is therefore thought to carry the memory of early evolutionary steps that led to progressively complex metabolic controls. Clinically, miRNAs are becoming increasingly important following the recognition that some congenital abnormalities can be traced to defects in miRNA processing. The potential for manipulating metabolism and affecting disease processes by the pharmaceutical or biological targeting of specific miRNA pathways is now being tested. miRNAs are also released into the extracellular milieu after packaging by cells into nano‐sized extracellular vesicles. Such vesicles can be taken up by adjacent and possibly more distant cells, thereby allowing coordinated intercellular communication in specific tissues. Extracellular miRNAs found in the blood stream may also serve as novel biomarkers for both diagnosing specific forms of cancer and assessing the likelihood of metastasis, and as powerful prognostic indices for various cancers. Here, we discuss the role of intracellular and extracellular miRNAs in nutritional control of various (patho)physiological processes. In this review, we provide an update of the presentations from the 25th Marabou Symposium (Stockholm, 14–16 June 2013) entitled ‘Role of miRNA in health and nutrition’, attended by 50 international experts.

FOR A COMPILATION OF THE GENERAL DISCUSSION AT THE MARABOU SYMPOSIUM, click here http://www.marabousymposium.org/
Panelists' Performances and Strategies in Paper‐Based and Computer‐Based Projective Mapping
Authors: Savidan Capucine H. , Morris Cecile
Published: April 2015

Projective mapping has recently attracted a lot of attention and the main sensory data acquisition software packages have developed interfaces to collect projective mapping data. However, the comparison between paper‐ and computer‐based projective mapping has never been reported. The objectives of this research were to (1) compare the consensus maps and panelists' performances for paper‐ and computer‐based projective mapping and (2) analyze the panelists' strategies while performing either tasks. In the first part of the study, 32 panelists were asked to perform both paper‐ and computer‐based projective mapping on eight beer samples. In a second part of the study, 10 panelists were asked to repeat the tasks while “thinking aloud” their strategy. There was no significant difference in panelists' performance as assessed by the people performance index between the paper and computer tasks. The consensus maps obtained were similar with respect to sample groupings, RV coefficients and variation explained by the first two dimensions. Individual panelists adopted similar strategies on paper and computer, but strategies differed greatly between panelists.

Practical Applications

The results reported here will help panel leaders in making informed decisions with respect to support choice when designing projective mapping tests. Additionally, an insight into the diversity of panelists' mapping strategies is provided which may inform further research and discussion into the most appropriate instructions given to panelists and/or type of panel used.
Relationships between maternal overweight prior to pregnancy, feeding mode and infant feeding beliefs and practices
Authors: Rametta Emily , Mallan Kimberley M , Daniels Lynne , de Jersey Susan J
Published: April 2015

Aim

This study aimed to examine whether pre‐pregnancy weight status was associated with maternal feeding beliefs and practices in the early post‐partum period.

Methods

This study uses secondary analysis of longitudinal data from Australian mothers. Participants (n = 486) were divided into two weight status groups based on self‐reported pre‐pregnancy weight and measured height: healthy weight (body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2; n = 321) and overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2; n = 165). Feeding beliefs and practices were self‐reported via an established questionnaire that assessed concerns about infant overeating and undereating, awareness of infant cues, feeding to a schedule and using food to calm.

Results

Infants of overweight mothers were more likely to have been given solid foods in the previous 24 h (29% vs. 20%) and fewer were fully breastfed (50% vs. 64%). Multivariable regression analyses (adjusted for maternal education, parity, average infant weekly weight gain, feeding mode and introduction of solids) revealed that pre‐pregnancy weight status was not associated with using food to calm, concern about undereating, awareness of infant cues or feeding to a schedule. However, feeding mode was associated with feeding beliefs and practices.

Conclusions

Although no evidence for a relationship between maternal weight status and early maternal feeding beliefs and practices was observed, differences in feeding mode and early introduction of solids were observed. The emergence of a relationship between feeding practices and maternal weight status may occur when the children are older, solid feeding is established and they become more independent in feeding.
New Records of Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera from Nigeria and Fruit of Cocos nucifera From Mexico
Authors: Dugan Frank M. , Lupien Shari L. , Osuagwu Ann N. , Uyoh Edak A. , Okpako Elza , Kisha Ted
Published: April 2015

The cosmopolitan warm‐climate plant pathogen Lasiodiplodia theobromae was isolated from two sources: Seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera from Nigeria and fruits of Cocos nucifera from Mexico; the former instance is novel for host, the latter a novel geographic record for infection of coconut fruits. Per cent germination of T. tetraptera seeds was negatively and significantly correlated with per cent infection by the fungus. Repeated tests with isolates from both coconut and Tetrapleura confirmed pathogenicity of all tested isolates to coconut fruit.
Effects of Fish Meal Replacement by a Soybean Protein on Growth, Histology, Selected Immune and Oxidative Status Markers of Gilthead Sea Bream, Sparus aurata
Authors: Kokou Fotini , Sarropoulou Elena , Cotou Efthimia , Rigos George , Henry Morgane , Alexis Maria , Kentouri Maroudio
Published: April 2015

The purpose of the trial was to study the impact of a 6‐mo dietary administration of soybean protein on growth, liver and intestine morphology, immune response, and oxidative stress in gilthead sea bream. The immune response was evaluated by performing immunological assays in blood, head kidney (HK), or serum (respiratory burst activity [RBA], myeloperoxidase content and bacteriolytic activity) and gene expression analysis of immune‐associated genes (MHCIIα [major histocompatibility complex IIα], β2m [β‐2‐microglobulin], CSF‐1R [colony‐stimulating factor‐1 receptor], NCCRP‐1 [nonspecific cytotoxic cell receptor protein 1], TGF‐β1 [transforming growth factor beta‐1], and HSP70 [heat‐shock protein 70]) in HK and intestine. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the activity of liver enzymes associated with antioxidant system. The soybean protein was administrated in the diets at 20, 40, and 60% levels and its effects were evaluated compared with a fish meal diet. Growth and feed efficiency were affected negatively from 40% level. Increased RBA and expression levels of TGF‐β1 and β2m were found in HK only at 40% level. In intestine, at 60% level CSF‐1R expression was upregulated and some signs of inflammation were evident. In liver, at 60% level lipid accumulation in hepatocytes was observed and enzyme activity was increased. Dietary administration of soybean protein indicated changes from 40% in growth and immune response, and exerted an antioxidative effect at 60% level.
Growth of Red Abalone, Haliotis rufescens, Fed Cold‐stored Benthic Diatoms
Authors: Sánchez‐Saavedra M. Del Pilar , Núñez‐Zarco Estrella
Published: April 2015

We measured the proximal composition of four benthic diatoms that were stored for 24 mo in the dark at low temperature (4 C by refrigeration) and examined their potential as feed for abalone, Haliotis rufescens, postlarvae. The proximal composition of the four diatoms was modified by species‐specific responses as a function of time in storage. The cultures of all stored diatoms contained low or undetectable concentrations of Vibrio‐like bacteria (<0.01 VLB/mL). As feed for abalone postlarvae, the four diatoms promoted growth under all experimental conditions. Greater shell lengths were measured on Day 14 when Navicula sp. and Navicula incerta were used as feed. Postlarvae that were fed N. incerta and Navicula sp. had higher growth rates. In contrast, lower growth rates were observed on Day 7 with fresh and stored Nitzschia thermalis as food. Survival was high in postlarvae that were fed the four stored diatoms (100%). This report demonstrates that cultures of benthic diatoms that have been stored by refrigeration for 24 mo can be used to feed abalone postlarvae and have an effect on improving growth and survival.
Large‐scale variation of size‐ and age‐related life‐history traits in the common frog: a sensitive test case for macroecological rules
Authors: Sinsch U. , Pelster B. , Ludwig G.
Published: April 2015

The potential causes underlying geographical variation of 12 age‐ and size‐related life‐history traits were studied in the common frog Rana temporaria. The meta‐analysis was based on own field data obtained in the Austrian Alps and additionally on published studies on 35 populations covering the whole range of latitudinal, longitudinal and altitudinal distribution. This extensive dataset allowed for co‐variance analyses evaluating the statistical support for five hypotheses on large‐scale trait variation derived from general macroecological rules. Contrary to Bergmann's rule, adult frogs' body size variation was unrelated to latitude (and altitude), but co‐varied with age as expected for a species that grows indeterminately. Unlike the prediction of Rensch's rule, the slight female‐biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD) did not differ significantly among populations with small and large average female size. SSD increased with altitude, but did not co‐vary with latitude, longitude and age, disagreeing with the predictions of the differential‐plasticity hypothesis. Common frogs at higher altitudes and latitudes reached reproductive maturity at significantly older ages and enjoyed an increased longevity as well. However, potential reproductive lifespan increased significantly only with altitude, compensating for the smaller clutches relative to body size in alpine populations. In conclusion, body size variation of common frogs does not actually mirror geographical gradients, but differences in age, a factor unconsidered in Bergmann's and Rensch's rules. Large‐scale environmental gradients are therefore good predictors of age‐related traits. Combining the local co‐variation of the single traits age, body size, clutch size and reproductive lifespan to calculate the resulting female lifetime fecundity (FLF), surprisingly little variation of the derived trait FLF is observed across the geographical range of the common frog. The ultimate cause of variation in age‐ and size‐related life‐history traits seems to be the selection for an optimal FLF.
Latino Education
Authors: Fuller Janet , Hosemann Aimee
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we review scholarship on Latino Education in the US from the perspectives of positionalities – how are Latinos positioned in the educational process? We look at positions in terms of the type of educational program, particularly for English language learners, and at how the relationships within the school and classroom position Latinos in different ways. We further look at how racial category and ethnicity are evoked as ways of positioning Latino students and then also examine the role of socioeconomic class in their positioning. Finally, we explore how language – English, Spanish, and multilingualism – is part of the positioning of US Latinos in educational contexts.
Concordance of bacterial communities of two tick species and blood of their shared rodent host
Authors: Rynkiewicz Evelyn C. , Hemmerich Chris , Rusch Douglas B. , Fuqua Clay , Clay Keith
Published: April 2015

High‐throughput sequencing is revealing that most macro‐organisms house diverse microbial communities. Of particular interest are disease vectors whose microbiome could potentially affect pathogen transmission and vector competence. We investigated bacterial community composition and diversity of the ticks Dermacentor variabilis (n = 68) and Ixodes scapularis (n = 15) and blood of their shared rodent host, Peromyscus leucopus (n = 45) to quantify bacterial diversity and concordance. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified from genomic DNA from field‐collected tick and rodent blood samples, and 454 pyrosequencing was used to elucidate their bacterial communities. After quality control, over 300 000 sequences were obtained and classified into 118 operational taxonomic units (OTUs, clustered at 97% similarity). Analysis of rarefied communities revealed that the most abundant OTUs were tick species‐specific endosymbionts, Francisella and Rickettsia, and the commonly flea‐associated bacterium Bartonella in rodent blood. An Arsenophonus and additional Francisella endosymbiont were also present in D. variabilis samples. Rickettsia was found in both tick species but not in rodent blood, suggesting that it is not transmitted during feeding. Bartonella was present in larvae and nymphs of both tick species, even those scored as unengorged. Relatively, few OTUs (e.g. Bartonella, Lactobacillus) were found in all sample types. Overall, bacterial communities from each sample type were significantly different and highly structured, independent of their dominant OTUs. Our results point to complex microbial assemblages inhabiting ticks and host blood including infectious agents, tick‐specific endosymbionts and environmental bacteria that could potentially affect arthropod‐vectored disease dynamics.
Phenotypic plasticity in gene expression contributes to divergence of locally adapted populations ofFundulus heteroclitus
Authors: Dayan David I. , Crawford Douglas L. , Oleksiak Marjorie F.
Published: April 2015

We examine the interaction between phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary adaptation using muscle gene expression levels among populations of the fishFundulus heteroclitusacclimated to three temperatures. Our analysis reveals shared patterns of phenotypic plasticity due to thermal acclimation as well as non‐neutral patterns of variation among populations adapted to different thermal environments. For the majority of significant differences in gene expression levels, phenotypic plasticity and adaptation operate on different suites of genes. The subset of genes that demonstrate both adaptive differences and phenotypic plasticity, however, exhibit countergradient variation of expression. Thus, expression differences among populations counteract environmental effects, reducing the phenotypic differentiation between populations. Finally, gene‐by‐environment interactions among genes with non‐neutral patterns of expression suggest that the penetrance of adaptive variation depends on the environmental conditions experienced by the individual.
Integration of the catalytic subunit activates deneddylase activity in vivo as final step in fungal COP9 signalosome assembly
Authors: Beckmann Elena A. , Köhler Anna M. , Meister Cindy , Christmann Martin , Draht Oliver W. , Rakebrandt Nikolas , Valerius Oliver , Braus Gerhard H.
Published: April 2015

The eight‐subunit COP9 signalosome (CSN) is conserved from filamentous fungi to humans and functions at the interface between cellular signalling and protein half‐life control. CSN consists of six PCI and two MPN domain proteins and forms a scaffold for additional interacting proteins. CSN controls protein stability in the ubiquitin‐proteasome system where the MPN domain CSN5/CsnE subunit inactivates cullin‐RING ligases. The CSN5/CsnE isopeptidase functions as deneddylase and removes the ubiquitin‐like protein Nedd8. The six PCI domain proteins of human CSN form a horseshoe‐like ring and all eight subunits are connected by a bundle of C‐terminal α‐helices. We show that single deletions of any csn subunit of Aspergillus nidulans resulted in the lack of deneddylase activity and identical defects in the coordination of development and secondary metabolism. The CSN1/CsnA N‐terminus is dispensable for deneddylase activity but required for asexual spore formation. Complex analyses in mutant strains revealed the presence of a seven‐subunit pre‐CSN without catalytic activity. Reconstitution experiments with crude extracts of deletion strains and recombinant proteins allowed the integration of CSN5/CsnE into pre‐CSN resulting in an active deneddylase. This supports a stable seven subunit pre‐CSN intermediate where deneddylase activation in vivo can be controlled by CSN5/CsnE integration as final assembly step.