bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sterile abdominal abscess resulting from remnant laparoscopic clips after sigmoidectomy: A case report and literature review
Authors: Komori Koji , Kimura Kenya , Kinoshita Takashi , Ito Seiji , Abe Tetsuya , Senda Yoshiki , Misawa Kazunari , Ito Yuichi , Uemura Norihisa , Kawai Ryosuke , Osawa Takaaki , Kawakami Jiro , Asano Tomonari , Iwata Yoshinori , Kurahashi Shintaro , Shimizu Yasuhiro
Published: July 2014

The occurrence of intra‐abdominal sterile abscesses due to remnant clips after laparoscopic sigmoidectomy is rare. Here, we report one such case in a 74‐year‐old woman. Two years after laparoscopic sigmoidectomy, abdominal CT indicated an area of fluid accumulation approximately 5 cm in diameter and located in the middle of the abdominal cavity that contained a cluster of clips. Fine‐needle aspiration of the fluid was performed through the wall of the sigmoid colon. The luminal fluid was found not to contain cancer cells on histological examination. After 1 year, abdominal surgery was performed. The abscess was located in the mesorectum at the anastomosis site; it was incised and a significant quantity of ivory‐white viscous solution containing a cluster of clips was extracted. This case emphasizes the importance of reducing the number of clips used in laparoscopic surgery.
Laparoscopic repair of Bochdalek hernia with intrathoracic kidney in a 2‐year‐old child
Authors: Kawashima Shoko , Urushihara Naoto , Fukumoto Koji
Published: July 2014

Intrathoracic kidney with Bochdalek hernia is a very rare congenital anomaly. Some case reports have discussed repair by laparotomy or thoracotomy. We report a case in a child performed using a laparoscopic approach. A 2‐year‐old boy arrived at our hospital with gastric volvulus caused by a left‐sided Bochdalek hernia. CT also showed a left‐sided intrathoracic kidney. After conservative therapy for the volvulus, laparoscopic repair of the diaphragmatic hernia was performed. The key problem during the operation was the presence of the intrathoracic kidney. If direct closure of the hernia had been performed without the intrathoracic kidney having been relocated to the abdomen, a complete closure would have been impossible because of the renal vessels. After the intrathoracic kidney was relocated to the abdomen, the diaphragmatic defect was closed. The boy has been doing well without complications for 5 years, and CT reveals that the left‐sided kidney is almost normally positioned.
Strengthening of Cooperation Between Russia and ASEAN: Rhetoric or Reality?
Authors: Martynova Elena S.
Published: July 2014

The purpose of the article is to analyze current Russian policy toward Southeast Asian countries and to examine prospects for the future development of Russia‐(ASEAN) relations. This article is structured around three issues, discussed in three parts. The first part examines the evolution of Russia‐ASEAN political relations from the establishment of the “dialogue partnership” to the present time and Russia's participation in the multilateral cooperation structures under the ASEAN umbrella. The second part concentrates on the achievements and the problems of economic and technical cooperation between the countries. Special attention is paid to the recent initiatives of the Russian government to foster the economic development of Far East territories. The third part is devoted to the analysis of Russia‐ASEAN relations from the point of view of cultural interaction. It argues that despite optimistic official rhetoric, Russian policy in the Asian dimension is not balanced and there is no clear strategy to improve Russia's place in the region.

Цель данной статьи—проанализировать внешнюю политику России в Юго‐Восточной Азии на современном этапе и охарактеризовать дальнейшие перспективы развития сотрудничества России со странами АСЕАН. В статье подробно рассмотрены ключевые моменты взаимодействия России и АСЕАН. Первая часть посвящена эволюции политического сотрудничества России и АСЕАН—от учреждения «диалогового партнерства» до участия России в многосторонних структурах под эгидой АСЕАН. Во втором разделе рассматриваются основные аспекты экономического и технического сотрудничества между странами. В третьей части отношения России со странами АСЕАН анализируются с точки зрения культурного взаимодействия. На основании проведенного исследования можно сделать вывод о том, что, несмотря на оптимистичные официальные заявления, политика России на азиатском направлении не сбалансирована. На данный момент у российской политической элиты уже сложилось понимание необходимости «поворота на Восток», но четкая стратегия по укреплению позиций России в регионе по‐прежнему отсутствует.
1E7‐03, a low MW compound targeting host protein phosphatase‐1, inhibits HIV‐1 transcription
Authors: Ammosova Tatyana , Platonov Maxim , Ivanov Andrei , Kont Yasemin Saygideğer , Kumari Namita , Kehn‐Hall Kylene , Jerebtsova Marina , Kulkarni Amol A , Üren Aykut , Kovalskyy Dmytro , Nekhai Sergei
Published: July 2014

Background and Purpose

HIV‐1 transcription is activated by the Tat protein which recruits the cyclin‐dependent kinase CDK9/cyclin T1 to TAR RNA. Tat binds to protein phosphatase‐1 (PP1) through the Q35VCF38 sequence and translocates PP1 to the nucleus. PP1 dephosphorylates CDK9 and activates HIV‐1 transcription. We have synthesized a low MW compound 1H4, that targets PP1 and prevents HIV‐1 Tat interaction with PP1 and inhibits HIV‐1 gene transcription. Here, we report our further work with the 1H4‐derived compounds and analysis of their mechanism of action.

Experimental Approach

Using the 1H4‐PP1 complex as a model, we iteratively designed and synthesized follow‐up libraries that were analysed for the inhibition of HIV‐1 transcription and toxicity. We also confirmed the mechanism of action of the PP1‐targeting molecules by determining the affinity of binding of these molecules to PP1, by analysing their effects on PP1 activity, disruption of PP1 binding to Tat and shuttling of PP1 to the nucleus.

Key Results

We identified a tetrahydroquinoline derivative, compound 7, which disrupted the interaction of Tat with PP1. We further optimized compound 7 and obtained compound 7c, renamed 1E7‐03, which inhibited HIV‐1 with low IC50 (fivefold lower than the previously reported compound, 1H4), showed no cytotoxicity and displayed a plasma half‐life greater than 8 h in mice. 1E7‐03 bound to PP1 in vitro and prevented shuttling of PP1 into the nucleus.

Conclusions and Implications

Our study shows that low MW compounds that functionally mimic the PP1‐binding RVxF peptide can inhibit HIV‐1 transcription by deregulating PP1.
Endothelial atypical cannabinoid receptor: do we have enough evidence?
Authors: Bondarenko Alexander I
Published: July 2014

Cannabinoids and their synthetic analogues affect a broad range of physiological functions, including cardiovascular variables. Although direct evidence is still missing, the relaxation of a vast range of vascular beds induced by cannabinoids is believed to involve a still unidentified non‐CB1, non‐CB2 Gi/o protein‐coupled receptor located on endothelial cells, the so called endothelial cannabinoid receptor (eCB receptor). Evidence for the presence of an eCB receptor comes mainly from vascular relaxation studies, which commonly employ pertussis toxin as an indicator for GPCR‐mediated signalling. In addition, a pharmacological approach is widely used to attribute the relaxation to eCB receptors. Recent findings have indicated a number of GPCR‐independent targets for both agonists and antagonists of the presumed eCB receptor, warranting further investigations and cautious interpretation of the vascular relaxation studies. This review will provide a brief historical overview on the proposed novel eCB receptor, drawing attention to the discrepancies between the studies on the pharmacological profile of the eCB receptor and highlighting the Gi/o protein‐independent actions of the eCB receptor inhibitors widely used as selective compounds. As the eCB receptor represents an attractive pharmacological target for a number of cardiovascular abnormalities, defining its molecular identity and the extent of its regulation of vascular function will have important implications for drug discovery. This review highlights the need to re‐evaluate this subject in a thoughtful and rigorous fashion. More studies are needed to differentiate Gi/o protein‐dependent endothelial cannabinoid signalling from that involving the classical CB1 and CB2 receptors as well as its relevance for pathophysiological conditions.
The biology hidden inside residual within‐individual phenotypic variation
Authors: Westneat David F. , Wright Jonathan , Dingemanse Niels J.
Published: July 2014

Phenotypes vary hierarchically among taxa and populations, among genotypes within populations, among individuals within genotypes, and also within individuals for repeatedly expressed, labile phenotypic traits. This hierarchy produces some fundamental challenges to clearly defining biological phenomena and constructing a consistent explanatory framework. We use a heuristic statistical model to explore two consequences of this hierarchy. First, although the variation existing among individuals within populations has long been of interest to evolutionary biologists, within‐individual variation has been much less emphasized. Within‐individual variance occurs when labile phenotypes (behaviour, physiology, and sometimes morphology) exhibit phenotypic plasticity or deviate from a norm‐of‐reaction within the same individual. A statistical partitioning of phenotypic variance leads us to explore an array of ideas about residual within‐individual variation. We use this approach to draw attention to additional processes that may influence within‐individual phenotypic variance, including interactions among environmental factors, ecological effects on the fitness consequences of plasticity, and various types of adaptive variance. Second, our framework for investigating variation in phenotypic variance reveals that interactions between levels of the hierarchy form the preconditions for the evolution of all types of plasticity, and we extend this idea to the residual level within individuals, where both adaptive plasticity in residuals and canalization‐like processes (stability) can evolve. With the statistical tools now available to examine heterogeneous residual variance, an array of novel questions linking phenotype to environment can be usefully addressed.
Are small or large producers driving the Canada‐U.S. labour productivity gap? Recent evidence from manufacturing
Authors: Tang Jianmin
Published: July 2014

This paper shows that the higher small‐plant employment share in Canada compared with the United States mattered for the Canada‐U.S. manufacturing labour‐productivity gap, but it did not contribute to the widening of the gap between 2002 and 2007. In addition, it shows that while the weaker productivity performance of small plants in Canada compared with the United States accounted for much of the gap in a particular year, the deterioration in the productivity performance of large plants in Canada was responsible for most of the widening gap over this period.
Maternal anxiety, risk factors and parenting in the first post‐natal year
Authors: Seymour M. , Giallo R. , Cooklin A. , Dunning M.
Published: July 2014

Background

The antecedents and consequences of maternal post‐natal anxiety have received comparatively less attention than depression despite being one of the most frequently reported mental health difficulties experienced by parents following childbirth. The aim of this study was to extend emerging literature on post‐natal anxiety by investigating the prevalence of maternal anxiety symptoms, and its relationship with parenting behaviours (i.e. warmth, hostility) and experiences (i.e. parenting efficacy and satisfaction) within the first post‐natal year. The psychosocial risk factors for post‐natal anxiety symptoms were also explored.

Methods

A community sample of 224 Australian mothers of infants (aged 0–12 months) completed a self‐report questionnaire.

Results

Mothers in the current sample reported significantly more symptoms of anxiety compared with a normative sample. Approximately 18% of mothers reported mild to extremely severe symptoms of anxiety, with a high proportion experiencing co‐morbid depressive symptoms. Maternal anxiety was associated with low parenting warmth, involvement, efficacy and satisfaction, and high parenting hostility. Yet, co‐morbid depression and anxiety was more strongly associated with these parenting behaviours and experiences than anxiety alone.

Conclusion

A range of psychosocial risk factors (e.g. education, sleep, relationship quality) were associated with maternal post‐natal anxiety symptoms, providing opportunities for early identification and targeted early intervention.
Back to Basics: A Bilingual Advantage in Infant Visual Habituation
Authors: Singh Leher , Fu Charlene S. L. , Rahman Aishah A. , Hameed Waseem B. , Sanmugam Shamini , Agarwal Pratibha , Jiang Binyan , Chong Yap Seng , Meaney Michael J. , Rifkin‐Graboi Anne ,   the GUSTO Research Team
Published: July 2014

Comparisons of cognitive processing in monolinguals and bilinguals have revealed a bilingual advantage in inhibitory control. Recent studies have demonstrated advantages associated with exposure to two languages in infancy. However, the domain specificity and scope of the infant bilingual advantage in infancy remains unclear. In the present study, 114 monolingual and bilingual infants were compared in a very basic task of information processing—visual habituation—at 6 months of age. Bilingual infants demonstrated greater efficiency in stimulus encoding as well as in improved recognition memory for familiar stimuli as compared to monolinguals. Findings reveal a generalized cognitive advantage in bilingual infants that is broad in scope, early to emerge, and not specific to language.
Statin use and thyroid cancer: a population‐based case–control study
Authors: Hung Shih‐Han , Lin Herng‐Ching , Chung Shiu‐Dong
Published: July 2014

Objective

Several observational studies raised the possibility that the use of statins may decrease the overall risk of cancer and of specific cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the association of statin use with thyroid cancer based on a population‐based data set.

Design

The data for this case–control study were sourced from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. We included 500 subjects with thyroid cancer as cases and 2500 gender‐ and age‐matched subjects without thyroid cancer as controls. We used a conditional logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for having previously used statins between cases and controls.

Results

The OR of prior statin use for cases was 1·39 (95% CI = 1·08–1·78) compared to controls, and thyroid cancer was significantly associated with previous regular statin use (OR = 1·40, 95% CI = 1·05–1·86). However, thyroid cancer was not significantly associated with previous irregular statin use (OR = 1·35; 95% CI = 0·88–2·07). Furthermore, the significant association between thyroid cancer and previous statin use only existed for females (OR: 1·43; 95% CI: 1·07–1·90) but not for males (OR: 1·28; 95% CI: 0·75–2·17).

Conclusions

We concluded that statin use was associated with thyroid cancer in female patients.
Maximizing Return on Investment for Island Restoration and Species Conservation
Authors: Donlan C. Josh , Luque Gloria M. , Wilcox Chris
Published: July 2014

Conservation practitioners are increasingly embracing evidence‐based and return on investment (ROI) approaches. Much evidence now exists that documents island biodiversity impacts by invasive mammals. The technical ability to eradicate invasive mammals from islands has increased exponentially; consequently, strategic planning focused on maximizing the ROI is now a limiting factor for island restoration. We use a regional ROI approach to prioritize eradications on islands for seabird conservation in British Columbia, Canada. We do so by integrating economic costs of interventions and applying a resource allocation approach. We estimate the optimal set of islands for eradication under two conservation objectives each with a series of increasing thresholds of population sizes and breeding locations. Our approach (1) identified the most cost‐effective interventions, (2) determined whether or not those interventions were nested with increasing thresholds, and (3) helped justify larger investments when appropriate. More often than not, conservation decisions are made at a regional scale, and decision‐makers often must make choices on how to allocate funds across a number of potential conservation actions. A regional, ROI framework can serve as a decision‐support tool for organizations engaging in discrete interventions in order to maximize benefits for the minimum cost.
QUOTA‐HOPPING IN‐BOND DIVERSION
Authors: Rotunno Lorenzo , Vézina Pierre‐Louis
Published: July 2014

We show that the U.S. in‐bond system of imports may be used by firms to illegally avoid trade barriers, a practice known as in‐bond diversion. The illicit scheme involves declaring Chinese exports bound for Mexico but diverting them to the U.S. market while in transit, thus creating a gap between Chinese and Mexican reports. Using the phaseout and removal of U.S. quotas at the end of the Multifiber Agreement as a policy experiment, as well as variation in quota bindingness across products, we show that quota‐bound products were associated with larger trade gaps which shrunk following the quota removals. (JEL F13, O17, O19)
RANKING LAW JOURNALS AND THE LIMITS OF JOURNAL CITATION REPORTS
Authors: EISENBERG THEODORE , WELLS MARTIN T.
Published: July 2014

Journal rankings published by Journal Citation Reports (JCR) are widely used to assess research quality, which influences important decisions by academic departments, universities, and countries in the allocation of research funds. We study refereed law journal rankings by JCR and Washington and Lee Law Library (W&L). JCR's rankings are uncorrelated with W&L's. The differences appear to be attributable to underrepresentation of law journals in JCR's database. We illustrate the effects of database bias on rankings through case studies of three elite journals, the Journal of Law and Economics, Supreme Court Review, and the American Law and Economics Review. (JEL C18, C81, Y10)
Analysis of protein–protein interaction between late cornified envelope proteins and corneodesmosin
Authors: Bergboer Judith G. M. , Dulak Maria G. , van Vlijmen‐Willems Ivonne M. J. J. , Jonca Nathalie , van Wijk Erwin , Hendriks Wiljan J. A. J. , Zeeuwen Patrick L. J. M. , Schalkwijk Joost
Published: July 2014

Deletion of two members of the late cornified envelope (LCE) family, LCE3B and LCE3C (LCE3C_LCE3B‐del), has been identified as risk factor for psoriasis with a possible role in skin barrier function. Moreover, genetic interaction between LCE3C_LCE3B‐del and HLA‐C*06, located in the psoriasis susceptibility regions 4 and 1 (PSORS4 and 1), has been reported in several populations. Because of high linkage disequilibrium between the PSORS1 genes HLA‐C*06 and corneodesmosin (CDSN), both genes are potentially involved in psoriasis. As corneodesmosin and LCE proteins are both constituents of the stratum corneum, we investigated potential direct protein–protein interactions between six LCE proteins and two corneodesmosin sequence variants. Partial colocalization of LCE2 and CDSN was observed in normal and psoriasis skin using immunofluorescence microscopy. Co‐expression of eCFP‐LCE and mRFP‐CDSN proteins in COS‐1 cells and human adult keratinocytes, and GST pull‐down results did not provide evidence for direct interactions between LCE proteins and CDSN variants.
Geographical comparisons of information and support needs of Australian women following the primary treatment of breast cancer: a 10‐year replication study
Authors: Ahern Tracey , Gardner Anne , Courtney Mary
Published: July 2014

Background

In 2002, Raupach and Hiller examined the use of and satisfaction with information and support following treatment of breast cancer from a sample of participants in South Australia. In 2013 this study was replicated to include participants Australia wide and analyse comparisons based on geographical location. Statistical comparisons with the original study were also conducted.

Design

A 10 year replication study using a cross‐sectional needs analysis survey.

Setting and participants

Women aged 18+ years diagnosed with breast cancer between 6 and 30 months ago were sourced from two national databases of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Results

A total of 325 participants completed the survey. The Internet was the most commonly used source of information with 70% (n = 229 of 325) of women using the internet for information, a statistically significantly higher percentage compared with the 2002 study. The study found the top four information issues rated as moderately/extremely important by women in 2013 were identical in 2002. A comparison of sources of support used showed that women in outer regional, remote and very remote areas were statistically more likely to use the breast care nurse (BCN) for support (P = 0.044).

Conclusions

The study provides useful, up‐to‐date data about information and support services used by Australian women with breast cancer. Comparisons with the earlier study show some of the needs of women have changed over time, but others have remained the same. Geographic comparisons overall, demonstrate many consistent findings regardless of location, however, the important work of the breast care nurse is an area in need of further research.
The detection of periapical pathoses in root filled teeth using single and parallax periapical radiographs versus cone beam computed tomography – a clinical study
Authors: Davies A. , Mannocci F. , Mitchell P. , Andiappan M. , Patel S.
Published: July 2014

Aim

To clinically assess the diagnostic yield from single parallel periapical, two parallax radiographs and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) by comparing the prevalence of periapical lesions associated with individual roots, and the total number of root canals in root‐treated teeth in patients referred for root canal retreatment.

Methodology

Single and parallax periapical radiographs, and CBCT scans, were taken of 100 teeth in 78 patients who had been referred for root canal retreatment. The presence of a periapical lesion associated with each specific root and the number of identifiable root canals were assessed using each imaging modality by a consensus panel of two examiners. The number of root canals was confirmed using the dental‐operating microscope during treatment. In addition, the panel was asked to decide whether they felt they had adequate information to manage each case.

Results

A total of 209 paired roots were assessed for periapical lesions. Lesions were identified in 41%, 38% and 68% of paired roots when using single radiographs, two parallax radiographs and CBCT respectively. The number of root canals identified were 186, 218, 242 and 239 when using parallel, parallax, CBCT and the dental‐operating microscope, respectively.

Conclusions

CBCT detected significantly more periapical lesions and root canals than both single and parallax periapical radiographs. There was no significant difference between CBCT and the clinical microscope in the identification of root canals. Whilst two parallax radiographs detect significantly more root canals than a single radiograph, they did not increase detection of periapical lesions when compared to a single periapical radiograph.
External validation of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment scoring models to predict recurrence and progression in Japanese patients with non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with bacillus Calmette–Guérin
Authors: Kohjimoto Yasuo , Kusumoto Hiroki , Nishizawa Satoshi , Kikkawa Kazuro , Kodama Yoshiki , Ko Motohiro , Matsumura Nagahide , Hara Isao
Published: July 2014

Objective

To validate two prediction models (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment) for recurrence and progression of non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer in Japanese patients who underwent bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillation therapy.

Methods

From March 1985 to April 2007, data were analyzed from 366 patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor followed by bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillation therapy. The ability of two scoring models to predict recurrence and progression was assessed by concordance index.

Results

For recurrence probability, the concordance index of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment models was 0.514 and 0.576, respectively, which was lower than that (0.604) of a selected single prognostic factor (age) by our multivariate analysis. For progression probability, the concordance index of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment models was 0.693 and 0.764, respectively, which was higher than that (0.633) of a selected single factor (T stage) by our multivariate analysis. The Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment scoring system resulted in better stratification of tumor recurrence and progression when compared with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer model, probably because more patients underwent bacillus Calmette–Guérin treatment in the Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment cohort than in the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer cohort.

Conclusions

The Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment scoring system is a good predictor of tumor recurrence and progression in Japanese patients who underwent bacillus Calmette–Guérin immunotherapy. A large prospective study is warranted to confirm the efficacy of this system.
Endogenous interleukin‐6 amplifies interleukin‐17 production and corticoid‐resistance in peripheral T cells from patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ferreira Thais B. , Hygino Joana , Barros Priscila O. , Teixeira Bruna , Kasahara Taissa M. , Linhares Ulisses C. , Lopes Lana Márcia F. , Vasconcelos Claudia Cristina F. , Alvarenga Regina , Wing Ana Cristina , Andrade Regis M. , Andrade Arnaldo F. B. , Bento Cleonice A. M.
Published: July 2014

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) has been implicated in the induction of pathogenic IL‐17‐producing T cells in autoimmune diseases, and studies evaluating the role of this cytokine in T‐cell function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are lacking. Our objective was to evaluate the role of IL‐6 receptor (IL‐6R) signalling on in vitro functional status of T cells from patients with relapsing–remitting MS during clinical remission. Our results demonstrated that, even during the remission phase, activated T cells from patients produce higher levels of IL‐17, and this cytokine was positively correlated with disease severity, as determined by Expanded Disability Status Scale score. In the MS group, the blockade of IL‐6R signalling by anti‐IL‐6R monoclonal antibody reduced IL‐17 production and elevated IL‐10 release by activated CD4+ T cells, but it did not alter the production of these cytokines by activated CD8+ T cells. Blockade of IL‐6R signalling also reduced the ability of monocytes to up‐regulate T helper type 17 phenotype in patients with MS. Finally, both cell proliferation and IL‐17 release by CD4+ and, mainly, CD8+ T cells from patients with MS were less sensitive to hydrocortisone inhibition than control group. Interestingly, IL‐6R signalling blockade restored the ability of hydrocortisone to inhibit both T‐cell proliferation and IL‐17 production. Collectively, these results suggest that IL‐6 might be involved in MS pathogenesis by enhancing IL‐17 production and reducing corticoid inhibitory effects on activated T cells.
Evaluation of the length of competitive life in Hungarian sport horses
Authors: Posta J. , Rudiné Mezei A. , Mihók S. , Mészáros G.
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study was to analyse the duration of the competitive life of jumping horses in Hungary to assess the potential for genetic evaluation and to get information about the risk factors affecting jumping performance of sport horses. The data set included lifetime performance in jumping competitions for 8475 horses born from 1992 onwards with records between 1996 and 2011 (32.7% were right‐censored). Longevity was measured as the number of years spent in the competition. Discrete time survival model included fixed effects of gender, age at first competition, and the time‐dependent effect of competition level. All fixed effects were highly significant (p < 0.001). The highest risk of ending the race career was estimated for horses competing in the lowest level (category 1) events. The smallest risk was found in horses competing in the highest category. The culling risk for stallions was 15% higher, for geldings 20% lower when compared to mares. As the age at the first competition result increased, the risk ratio also increased. Risk ratios of horses starting as 8 years old or older were 56% higher than those of 5‐year‐old horses. The longest time in sport tracks belonged to horses starting their career as 4 years old. Their culling risk was 20% lower than those of 5‐year‐old horses. The heritability of the length of competitive life was 0.17. Breeding values were predicted for each animals, and 47 showed an accuracy greater than 0.60. The clear benefit of the analysis was shown by comparison of offspring to extreme stallion groups.
Risk of complications due to anticoagulation during dermatosurgical procedures: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nast A. , Ernst H. , Rosumeck S. , Erdmann R. , Jacobs A. , Sporbeck B.
Published: July 2014

Background Management of anticoagulation and anti‐platelet drugs during cutaneous surgery is still a challenge for many dermatologists and standards of care with respect to stopping, continuing or bridging vary widely. Methods We performed a systematic review (Medline, Cochrane Library, until August 27th, 2013) of studies assessing the risk of complications due to anticoagulation during cutaneous surgery. Primary outcomes were mild‐moderate and severe postsurgical bleeding. The secondary outcomes were excessive and uncontrollable intraoperative bleeding and other postsurgical complications as wound dehiscence, erythema, wound infection. Results 1.287 publications were identified and 10 studies were included into the review. The frequencies of bleeding in the control groups in general were low (about 1%). In patients on aspirin, increased risks were seen neither with respect to mild‐moderate postoperative bleeding (RR 1.1, CI 0.5–2.3), nor with respect to severe bleeding (RR 0.9, CI 0.2–4.6). The studies with patients on warfarin showed a risk for mild‐moderate bleeding that was three times as high as in controls (RR 3.2, CI 1.4–7.1) and for severe bleeding that was 15 times higher (RR 14.8, CI 2.7–80.4). In general the study sizes were small and the methodological quality low. Conclusion The risk of bleeding due to a medication with aspirin seems to be negligible. With warfarin, the risk is increased; an exact estimate of the risk increase is difficult to give, because of the lack of sufficient high quality studies. A two‐fold increase appears likely, the 15‐fold increase is most likely due to statistical reasons arising from the rareness of the event in the small number of included patients. Stopping, bridging or continuing a medication should always be an individual decision. In accordance with guidelines from internal medicine for most patients it will be recommendable to continue with the medication.
Environmental factors in benign migratory glossitis and psoriasis: Retrospective study of the association of emotional stress and alcohol and tobacco consumption with benign migratory glossitis and cutaneous psoriasis
Authors: Gonzaga H.F.S. , Chaves M.D. , Gonzaga L.H.S. , Picciani B.L.S. , Jorge M.A. , Dias E.P. , Tomimori J.
Published: July 2014

Background

The association between benign migratory glossitis (BMG) and psoriasis (PS) has been reported in the literature.

Objective

This study aimed to determinate the environmental factors related to BMG and PS and to investigate their interactions.

Methods

The study population included 129 patients with PS, 399 patients with BMG and a control group (CG) of 5472 individuals with neither PS nor BMG. The environmental factors evaluated in this study included alcohol and tobacco consumption and emotional stress. The Pearson's chi‐squared test was used for analysing the association of the environmental factors with PS and BMG.

Results

The prevalence of alcohol consumption in the PS group was significantly higher than that in the CG. Tobacco consumption had a weak negative association with the BMG group. With respect to the PS group, no statistically significant association was observed. Emotional stress was the most important factor in the two study groups. Emotional stress and alcohol use together presented a higher incidence in the study groups than in the CG. Emotional stress and tobacco consumption together had a three times higher incidence in the PS group than in the BMG group. The association of emotional stress, alcohol and tobacco consumption in the PS group was four times higher than that in the CG.

Limitations

This study was limited by the lack of the information about frequency, type and length time of use of tobacco and alcohol, and by difficult to measure stress thought self‐report questionnaire.

Conclusion

The interactions between PS and environmental factors differ from those between BMG and environmental factors. These differences among interactions may be responsible for different forms of manifestations of these diseases, considering being both the same disease.
Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in combination with other therapies for vitiligo: mechanisms and efficacies
Authors: Yazdani Abyaneh M. , Griffith R.D. , Falto‐Aizpurua L. , Nouri K.
Published: July 2014

Vitiligo is a disorder of pigmentation affecting about 1% of the global population. It is a psychologically devastating disease with suboptimal treatment options. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) phototherapy has become a first‐line choice for treating generalized disease. In recent years, topical calcineurin inhibitors, vitamin D analogues, antioxidant agents and other therapies have been combined with NB‐UVB to improve its efficacy. This article will address what is known about the mechanisms of action of these treatments and how they may complement NB‐UVB on a cellular level, as well as offer a comprehensive, evidence‐based review of clinical outcomes with combination therapies.
Hypothalamic Alterations in Huntington's Disease Patients: Comparison with Genetic Rodent Models
Authors: van Wamelen D. J. , Aziz N. A. , Roos R. A. C. , Swaab D. F.
Published: July 2014

Unintended weight loss, sleep and circadian disturbances and autonomic dysfunction are prevalent features of Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat sequence in the HTT gene. These features form a substantial contribution to disease burden in HD patients and appear to be accompanied by a number of neuroendocrine and metabolic changes, pointing towards hypothalamic pathology as a likely underlying mechanism. Neuronal inclusion bodies of mutant huntingtin, which are hallmarks of the disease, occur throughout the hypothalamus, and indicate local mutant huntingtin expression that could interfere with hypothalamic neuropeptide production. Also, several genetic rodent models of HD show features that could be related to hypothalamic pathology, such as weight loss and circadian rhythm disturbances. In these rodents, several hypothalamic neuropeptide populations are affected. In the present review, we summarise the changes in genetic rodent models of HD for individual hypothalamic nuclei, compare these observations to the hypothalamic changes that occur in HD patients, and make an inventory of the work that still needs to be done. Surprisingly, there is only limited overlap in the hypothalamic changes reported in HD patients and genetic rodent models. At present, the only similarity between the hypothalamic alterations in HD patients and genetic rodent models is a decrease in the number of orexin‐expressing neurones in the lateral hypothalamus. Possible reasons for these discrepancies, as well as potential consequences for the development of novel therapeutic strategies, are discussed.
Sex ratio variation in a eusocial mammal, the Damaraland mole‐rat, Fukomys damarensis
Authors: Lutermann H. , Cameron E. Z. , Raihani N. J. , Bennett N. C.
Published: July 2014

Sex allocation theory predicts that mothers benefit from adjusting the sex ratio of their offspring in relation to their offspring's future reproductive success. In cooperative breeders, parents are expected to bias the sex ratio in relation to their current need for help and the benefit received from helpers of each sex as proposed by the local resource enhancement (LRE) and helper repayment hypotheses (HR). Consequently, as group size increases, sex ratios are expected to be biased towards the sex that is more likely to disperse to avoid competition as proposed in the local resource competition hypothesis (LRC). The current study aimed to investigate helper effects on breeder fecundity and offspring sex ratio adjustments in a eusocial mammal the Damaraland mole‐rat Fukomys damarensis. Both sexes equally contribute to helping in this species, but breeding dispersal is male biased. We found no evidence for helper effects on maternal body mass and litter size. Offspring sex ratio was not affected by maternal mass or litter size. However, the probability of male pups to be born increased with the number of female helpers and decreased with the number of male helpers. In addition, the number of male pups in a litter increased significantly with the number of female but not male helpers, while no helper effects were apparent for the number of female pups born. Hence, our data suggest that the mechanisms underlying the LRE, HR and LRC may operate simultaneously in the study species.
Effects of FlrBC on flagellar biosynthesis of Shewanella oneidensis
Authors: Shi Miaomiao , Gao Tong , Ju Lili , Yao Yanlai , Gao Haichun
Published: July 2014

As a most conserved complex molecular machine made up of a large number of structural subunits, the flagellum is under tight regulation by hierarchical arrangements. Although variations in polar flagellar systems are found, most of them are restricted to multiple‐copy components, such as flagellins and stators. Therefore, these features are regarded to be peripheral relative to the comprehensive conservation. In this study, however, we present evidence to show that the difference in highly conserved polar flagellar systems can be surprisingly profound, even at the heart of the classical regulatory hierarchy. In Gram‐negative Shewanella oneidensis, two‐component system FlrBC, whose counterpart is essential for flagellar biosynthesis and motility by directly controlling expression of class III genes in polarly flagellated bacteria such as Vibrio cholerae, is dispensable for the process. The system directly controls expression of the flaA gene, encoding a flagellin of weak motility. We further show that the ratio of two flagellins, FlaA and FlaB, determines motility of a flagellum. More strikingly, overproduction of FlrC results in a peritrichously multi‐flagellated phenotype, and FlrC is likely to function as an activator in its unphosphorylated form for transcription of the flaA gene, contrasting the previously characterized counterpart.
Utilization of host‐derived cysteine‐containing peptides overcomes the restricted sulphur metabolism of Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Vorwerk Hanne , Mohr Juliane , Huber Claudia , Wensel Olga , Schmidt‐Hohagen Kerstin , Gripp Eugenia , Josenhans Christine , Schomburg Dietmar , Eisenreich Wolfgang , Hofreuter Dirk
Published: July 2014

The non‐glycolytic food‐borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni successfully colonizes the intestine of various hosts in spite of its restricted metabolic properties. While several amino acids are known to be used by C. jejuni as energy sources, none of these have been found to be essential for growth. Here we demonstrated through phenotype microarray analysis that cysteine utilization increases the metabolic activity of C. jejuni. Furthermore, cysteine was crucial for its growth as C. jejuni was unable to synthesize it from sulphate or methionine. Our study showed that C. jejuni compensates this limited anabolic capacity by utilizing sulphide, thiosulphate, glutathione and the dipeptides γGlu–Cys, Cys–Gly and Gly–Cys as sulphur sources and cysteine precursors. A panel of C. jejuni mutants in putative peptidases and peptide transporters were generated and tested for their participation in the catabolism of the cysteine‐containing peptides, and the predicted transporter protein CJJ81176_0236 was discovered to facilitate the growth with the dipeptide Cys–Gly, Ile–Arg and Ile–Trp. It was named Campylobacter peptide transporter A (CptA) and is the first representative of the oligopeptide transporter OPT family demonstrated to participate in the glutathione‐derivative Cys–Gly catabolism in prokaryotes. Our study provides new insights into how host‐ and microbiota‐derived substrates like sulphide, thiosulphate and short peptides are used by C. jejuni to compensate its restricted metabolic capacities.
Prolonging life: legal, ethical, and social dilemmas
Authors: Paulson Steve , Comfort Christopher P. , Lee Barbara Coombs , Shemie Sam , Solomon Mildred Z.
Published: July 2014

The ability of modern medicine to prolong life has raised a variety of difficult legal, ethical, and social issues on which reasonable minds can differ. Among these are the morality of euthanasia in cases of deep coma or irreversible injury, as well as the Dead Donor Rule with respect to organ harvesting and transplants. As science continues to refine and develop lifesaving technologies, questions remain as to how much medical effort and financial resources should be expended to prolong the lives of patients suspended between life and death. At what point should death be considered irreversible? What criteria should be used to determine when to withhold or withdraw life‐prolonging treatments in cases of severe brain damage and terminal illness? To explore these complex dilemmas, Steve Paulson, executive producer and host of To the Best of Our Knowledge, moderated a discussion panel. Pediatrician Sam Shemie, hospice medical director Christopher P. Comfort, bioethicist Mildred Z. Solomon, and attorney Barbara Coombs Lee examined the underlying assumptions and considerations that ultimately shape individual and societal decisions surrounding these issues. The following is an edited transcript of the discussion that occurred November 12, 2013, 7:00–8:30 PM, at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York City.
Returns to Skills and the Distribution of Wages: Spain 1995–2010
Authors: Carrasco Raquel , Jimeno Juan F. , Ortega A. Carolina
Published: July 2014

In contrast to the pattern observed in other developed countries, the Spanish wage distribution compressed between 1995 and 2006 and became more disperse afterwards, so that in 2010 wage inequality was roughly similar to 1995. In this paper, we analyze the role of supply and demand factors when accounting for these facts. We start by decomposing observed wage changes into changes in the composition of the labour force and changes in the returns of workers' and jobs' characteristics. The results indicate that the compression of the wage distribution between 1995 and 2006 is largely explained by changes in returns, and particularly, by a decrease in the returns to education. We show that both the increase in the supply of high‐skilled workers and the increasing weight of low‐skilled occupations are related to the decreasing trend in the skill premium over this period. In contrast, the widening of the wage distribution after 2006 is largely explained by an increase in the relative demand for high‐skilled workers generating an increase in the school premium.
The Electrode‐Tissue Interface: The Revolutionary Role of Steroid‐Elution
Authors: MOND HARRY G. , HELLAND JOHN R. , STOKES KENNETH , BORNZIN GENE A. , McVENES RICK
Published: July 2014

The electrode‐tissue interface is that area lying between the cathode of a low‐voltage implantable pacemaker or cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) lead and the endocardium or epi‐myocardium of the cardiac chamber being paced. The electrical stimulus that is delivered to this interface is responsible for myocyte depolarization with consequent cardiac contraction. The process by which this occurs is reasonably well understood and any explanation requires a basic understanding of the physics and cellular electrophysiology of pacing. The effective and efficient delivery of electrical energy to the myocardium via the lead is dependent on many factors to be discussed in this review. However, despite numerous evolutionary changes occurring in the cathode's material, design, and surface configuration, it was not until the incorporation of steroid‐elution to the electrode‐tissue interface that reliable and significantly low stimulation threshold cardiac pacing became possible.
Incidence, Management, and Prevention of Right Ventricular Perforation by Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Leads
Authors: MIGLIORE FEDERICO , ZORZI ALESSANDRO , BERTAGLIA EMANUELE , LEONI LOIRA , SICILIANO MARIACHIARA , De LAZZARI MANUEL , IGNATIUK BARBARA , VERONESE MARTA , VERLATO ROBERTO , TARANTINI GIUSEPPE , ILICETO SABINO , CORRADO DOMENICO
Published: July 2014

Background

Cardiac perforation of the right ventricle (RV) is a rare but potentially life‐threatening complication of both pacemaker (PM) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implant. Appropriate management is still uncertain. We assessed the incidence of subacute (24 hours–1 month) or delayed (>1 month) cardiac perforation by RV lead and the results of percutaneous lead extraction.

Method

The study population included all patients diagnosed with subacute or delayed RV‐lead perforation during the period 2007–2013. The incidence of perforation according to device type and fixation mechanism was calculated. The outcome of the percutaneous approach, consisting of lead extraction by simple traction, was assessed.

Results

Cardiac perforation was diagnosed in 14 (eight females, mean age 71 [range 47–83] years) patients out of 3,815 who received an RV‐lead implant (0.4%). The overall incidence of RV‐lead perforation was similar between ICD (0.3%) and PM (0.4%) implants (P = 1.0) and between active (0.5%) and passive (0.3%) fixation leads (P = 0.3). All perforating leads were originally placed at the RV apex. Five patients were asymptomatic, but all presented altered lead electrical parameters. Surgical removal of the lead was performed in one patient while in the remaining the leads were successfully extracted by direct manual traction in the absence of any complications. In all patients, new active fixation leads were positioned in the RV septum and the follow‐up (42 ± 27 months) was uneventful.

Conclusions

RV perforation is a rare complication of both PM and ICD implants, regardless of the lead fixation mechanism. In most patients, percutaneous lead extraction is a safe and effective management approach.