bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex‐linked difference in blood oxygen saturation
Authors: Levental Sagi , Picard Elie , Mimouni Francis , Joseph Leon , Samuel Tal Y , Bromiker Reuben , Mandel Dror , Arish Nissim , Goldberg Shmuel
Published: December 2017

Background

It is not known whether SpO2 in healthy volunteers is affected by sex.

Objective

To evaluate whether there are differences in SpO2 between young healthy adult males and females and to evaluate whether the differences are already present at birth.

Methods

We studied two cohorts of patients. The first one consisted of young adult volunteers (105 males and 102 females). In these patients, SpO2 was measured as well as selected anthropometric variables (height, weight), vital signs (respiratory rate, pulse rate and body temperature) and obtained data on menstrual cycle phase of the female participants. For the second cohort, we reanalyzed data from a previous prospective study that was performed to compare SpO2 of newborns infants born at different altitudes (sea level or 760 m above sea level).

Measurements and main results

In young male adults, mean SpO2 was 97.1% ± 1.2% versus 98.6% ± 1.0% in females (P < .001). This difference remained significant (P = .002) after correction for BMI, BSA and age, variables that were significantly different between sexes in univariate analysis. The SpO2 in females was unaffected by menstrual phase. In contrast to findings in adults, there were no significant differences in SpO2 measurements in newborn infants attributable to sex.

Conclusions

Healthy young female adults have a higher (1.5%) SpO2 than their male counterparts. This difference is not yet present at birth. Further studies are needed to determine the timing of sex‐differences, and to better define the mechanism(s) behind this observation.
Analysis of ABO chimera from peripheral red cells and reticulocytes by flow cytometry and micro gel column technique in patients post‐ABO‐incompatible HSCT
Authors: Chen Jianhua , Liu Feng
Published: December 2017

Background

How to choose an appropriate method to monitoring dynamic ABO chimera post‐ABO‐incompatible HSCT is crucial to not only assess the status of erythroid engraftment but also achieve personalized safety transfusion.

Methods

We evaluated the efficacy of micro gel column technique (MGCT) and flow cytometry (FCM) by series of artificial ABO chimera mixtures from 0.5% to 50% and by investigating 15 cases of ABO‐incompatible HSCT patients with longitudinally ABO blood grouping and ABO chimera from RBCs and reticulocytes.

Results

5% and 2% of ABO chimera mixtures can be efficiently detected by MGCT and FCM, respectively. 6.3% of donor RBCs with 44.77% of donor reticulocytes in the early phase and 7.9% of patient RBCs with 96% of donor reticulocytes in the phase of complete donor type can be detected by FCM rather than failure by MGCT simultaneously. However, in case 8#, 8.6% of donor reticulocytes rather than 99.1% of donor RBCs on the 98th day post‐HSCT could adequately predict early relapse.

Conclusions

Investigation of ABO chimera from reticulocytes by FCM is a more effective strategy rather than ABO blood grouping and RBCs by FCM to indicate the true progress of erythroid alteration and achieve personalized safety transfusion post‐ABO‐incompatible HSCT.
Successful pancreas transplantation alone is associated with excellent self‐identified health score and glucose control: A retrospective study from a high‐volume center in the United States
Authors: Scalea Joseph R. , Pettinato Lauren , Fiscella Blythe , Bartosic Amanda , Piedmonte Allison , Paran Jastine , Todi Niket , Siskind Eric J. , Bartlett Stephen T.
Published: December 2017

Background

The benefits of pancreas transplantation are often difficult to measure. Here, we sought to determine the difference in quality of life for diabetic patients with and without a functional pancreas transplant alone (PTA).

Methods

Pancreas transplant alone cases from 1993 to 2015 were considered. An IRB‐approved survey inclusive of 15 questions spanning four domains was employed. Chi‐square, Fisher's exact, and the T test were used where appropriate.

Results

A total of 137 PTAs were performed during the study period. Of those reached (n = 32), 94% responded to the survey. Self‐reported health scores were better (2.1 vs 3.0) for those with functioning pancreata (n = 18) vs those with a non‐functional pancreas (n = 14), respectively (P = .036). Those with a functional pancreas had a HgbA1c of 5.3, vs 7.7 for a non‐functional pancreas (P = .016). Significant hypoglycemia was reported in two of 18 with a functional transplant vs nine of 14 patients with a failed transplant (P = .003). Daily frustration with blood sugar affecting quality of life was significantly higher for patients with non‐functional pancreas grafts (P < .001).

Conclusions

Pancreas transplantation alone is associated with better glucose control than insulin. In addition, recipients of functional PTAs have improved quality of life and better overall health scores than those with failed grafts.
High‐dose intravenous immunoglobulins for the treatment of dermatological autoimmune diseases
Authors: Hoffmann Jochen H.O. , Enk Alexander H.
Published: December 2017

Based on their immunomodulatory properties, high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) are successfully used in the treatment of various dermatological autoimmune diseases, in particular pemphigus vulgaris and dermatomyositis. In autoimmune bullous diseases, IVIGs can be used in an adjuvant setting (second‐ or third‐line therapy) once combined immunosuppressive regimens have failed. In dermatomyositis, IVIGs may already be employed as an adjuvant second‐line therapy after failure of corticosteroid monotherapy. In scleromyxedema, IVIGs may be considered as first‐line treatment, given the lack of effective and safe alternatives. Other potential indications for IVIGs may include severe recalcitrant cases of systemic vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Toxic epidermal necrolysis may be an indication for high‐dose IVIGs if administered early. Common, readily manageable side effects include nausea, headache, fatigue, and febrile infusion reactions. Severe adverse events such as thromboembolic events, anaphylaxis, and acute renal failure are very uncommon. The risk of viral transmission is very low. Potential mechanisms of action include upregulation of inhibitory Fc receptors, reduction of the half‐life of endogenous immunoglobulins due to displacement from protective receptor sites, neutralization of autoantibodies by anti‐idiotypic antibodies, as well as inhibition of complement activation.
Congruent phylogeographic patterns in a young radiation of live‐bearing marine snakes: Pleistocene vicariance and the conservation implications of cryptic genetic diversity
Authors: Lukoschek Vimoksalehi
Published: December 2017

Aim

To investigate phylogeographic patterns among and within co‐occurring sea snake species from Australia's endemic viviparous Aipysurus lineage, which includes critically endangered species, and evaluate the conservation implications of geographically structured patterns of genetic divergence and diversity.

Location

Australia's tropical shallow water marine environments spanning four regions: Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Gulf of Carpentaria (GoC), Timor Sea (TS) and coastal WA (WAC).

Methods

Samples from >550 snakes representing all nine nominal Aipysurus group species were obtained from throughout their known Australian ranges. Coalescent phylogenetic analyses and Bayesian molecular dating of mitochondrial DNA, combined with Bayesian and traditional population genetic analyses of 11 microsatellite loci, were used to evaluate genetic divergence and diversity.

Results

Mitochondrial DNA revealed highly congruent phylogeographic breaks among co‐occurring species, largely supported by nuclear microsatellites. For each species, each region was characterized by a unique suite of haplotypes (phylogroups). Divergences between the TS, GoC and/or GBR were invariably shallow and dated as occurring 50,000–130,000 years ago, coinciding with the cyclic Pleistocene emergence of the Torres Strait land bridge. By contrast, sea snakes from coastal WA were consistently highly divergent from other regions and dated as diverging 178,000–526,000 years ago, which was not associated with any known vicariant events.

Main Conclusions

Previously unappreciated highly divergent sea snake lineages in coastal WA potentially represent cryptic species, highlighting this region as a high‐priority area for conservation. The cyclic emergence of the Torres Strait land bridge is consisted with observed divergences between the TS, GoC and/or GBR; however, processes involved in the earlier divergences involving the WAC remain to be determined. The observed strong population genetic structures (as surrogates for dispersal) indicate that sea snakes have limited potential to reverse population declines via replenishment from other sources over time frames relevant to conservation.
Consolidation of vocabulary is associated with sleep in typically developing children, but not in children with dyslexia
Authors: Smith Faye R.H. , Gaskell M. Gareth , Weighall Anna R. , Warmington Meesha , Reid Alexander M. , Henderson Lisa M.
Published: December 2017

Sleep is known to play an active role in consolidating new vocabulary in adults; however, the mechanisms by which sleep promotes vocabulary consolidation in childhood are less well understood. Furthermore, there has been no investigation into whether previously reported differences in sleep architecture might account for variability in vocabulary consolidation in children with dyslexia. Twenty‐three children with dyslexia and 29 age‐matched typically developing peers were exposed to 16 novel spoken words. Typically developing children showed overnight improvements in novel word recall; the size of the improvement correlated positively with slow wave activity, similar to previous findings with adults. Children with dyslexia showed poorer recall of the novel words overall, but nevertheless showed overnight improvements similar to age‐matched peers. However, comparisons with younger children matched on initial levels of novel word recall pointed to reduced consolidation in dyslexics after 1 week. Crucially, there were no significant correlations between overnight consolidation and sleep parameters in the dyslexic group. This suggests a reduced role of sleep in vocabulary consolidation in dyslexia, possibly as a consequence of lower levels of learning prior to sleep, and highlights how models of sleep‐associated memory consolidation can be usefully informed by data from typical and atypical development.
Insulin secretion predicts the response to therapy with exenatide plus pioglitazone, but not to basal/bolus insulin in poorly controlled T2DM patients: Results from the Qatar study
Authors: Abdul‐Ghani Muhammad , Migahid Osama , Megahed Ayman , Singh Rajvir , Kamal Dalia , DeFronzo Ralph A. , Jayyousi Amin
Published: December 2017

The present study aims to identify predictors for response to combination therapy with pioglitazone plus exenatide vs basal/bolus insulin therapy in T2DM patients who are poorly controlled with maximum/near‐maximum doses of metformin plus a sulfonylurea. Participants in the Qatar study received a 75‐g OGTT with measurement of plasma glucose, insulin and C‐peptide concentration at baseline and were then randomized to receive either treatment with pioglitazone plus exenatide or basal/bolus insulin therapy for one year. Insulin secretion measured with plasma C‐peptide concentration during the OGTT was the strongest predictor of response to combination therapy (HbA1c ≤ 7.0%) with pioglitazone plus exenatide. A 54% increase in 2‐hour plasma C‐peptide concentration above the fasting level identified subjects who achieved the glycaemic goal (HbA1c < 7.0%) with 82% sensitivity and 79% specificity. Only baseline HbA1c was a predictor of response to basal/bolus insulin therapy. Thus, the increment in 2‐hour plasma C‐peptide concentration above the fasting level provides a useful tool to identify poorly controlled T2DM patients who can achieve glycaemic control without insulin therapy, and thereby, can be used to individualize antihyperglycaemic therapy in poorly controlled T2DM patients.
Effect of single‐dose DPP‐4 inhibitor sitagliptin on β‐cell function and incretin hormone secretion after meal ingestion in healthy volunteers and drug‐naïve, well‐controlled type 2 diabetes subjects
Authors: Alsalim Wathik , Göransson Olga , Carr Richard D. , Bizzotto Roberto , Tura Andrea , Pacini Giovanni , Mari Andrea , Ahrén Bo
Published: December 2017

To explore the effects of a single dose of the DPP‐4 inhibitor sitagliptin on glucose‐standardized insulin secretion and β‐cell glucose sensitivity after meal ingestion, 12 healthy and 12 drug‐naïve, well‐controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D) subjects (mean HbA1c 43 mmol/mol, 6.2%) received sitagliptin (100 mg) or placebo before a meal (525 kcal). β‐cell function was measured as the insulin secretory rate at a standardized glucose concentration and the β‐cell glucose sensitivity (the slope between glucose and insulin secretory rate). Incretin levels were also monitored. Sitagliptin increased standardized insulin secretion, in both healthy and T2D subjects, compared to placebo, but without increasing β‐cell glucose sensitivity. Sitagliptin also increased active glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and reduced total (reflecting the secretion) GIP, but not total GLP‐1 levels. We conclude that a single dose of DPP‐4 inhibition induces dissociated effects on different aspects of β‐cell function and incretin hormones after meal ingestion in both healthy and well‐controlled T2D subjects.
CT pulmonary angiogram for assessing the treatment outcome of acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Zhou Hai‐Ting , Yan Wen‐Ying , Zhao De‐Li , Liang Hong‐Wei , Wang Guo‐Kun , Ling Zai‐Sheng , Zhang Jin‐Ling
Published: December 2017

Objective

To discuss the value of CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) for assessing the treatment outcome of acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Materials and methods

CT pulmonary angiogram data and other clinical data were collected for 28 cases diagnosed as APE and analyzed retrospectively. The number and positions of emboli in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary artery obstruction index, right ventricular/left ventricular diameter ratio, main pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameter ratio and blood oxygen saturation, and pulmonary arterial pressure were compared before and after treatment.

Results

Of 28 cases, emboli in the pulmonary artery completely or partially disappeared in 16 and 12 cases, respectively. CPTA indicated that the pulmonary arterial pressure decreased dramatically and the blood oxygen saturation increased after treatment in 26 cases. There were significant differences in the number and positions of pulmonary emboli and in pulmonary artery obstruction index before and after treatment in 28 cases (P < .05). However, no significant differences were found in the right ventricular/left ventricular diameter ratio or main pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameter ratio (P > .05).

Conclusion

CT pulmonary angiogram proved reliable for assessing the treatment efficacy of APE, providing more clinical information on the patients’ status.
Decision shaping neutrophil‐platelet interplay in inflammation: From physiology to intervention
Authors: Soehnlein Oliver
Published: December 2017

Inflammation is a well‐coordinated process in response to tissue injury or infection aimed at restoration of tissue homoeostasis. Platelets and neutrophils are typically viewed important in the context of haemostasis and bacterial killing, respectively. However, as these cells are equipped with readily available armoury, both have received much attention for their importance in shaping the early inflammatory reaction in recent years. While some of these activities are executed individually, both cells join forces during much of their pro‐inflammatory activities. This brief review summarizes recently identified mechanisms of neutrophil‐platelet interaction and describes functional consequences on neutrophil trafficking and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps. Moreover, the synergy of neutrophils and platelets during the recruitment of monocytes is reviewed. Finally, this review discusses how knowledge on the intimate neutrophil‐platelet partnership can be employed to design interventional strategies.
Predictive value of 18F‐FDG PET/CT scanning in combination with clinical parameters in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Tu Honglei , He Yong , Huang Tianhe , Choe Songguk , lan Xiaoli , Duan Xiaoyi , Sattar Haseeb , Li Chongjiao , Zhou Fuling
Published: December 2017

Objective

To evaluate the association of 18F‐2′‐deoxy 2′‐fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) PET/CT with clinical parameters in predicting patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods

A total of 120 MM patients undergoing 18F‐FDG PET/CT scanning were analyzed in a retrospective cohort study.

Results

Based on multivariate analysis, β2M, LDH, number of focal lesions (FLs), and SUVmax were significantly correlated with OS. These 4 variables were used to construct a new staging system (NSS) based on the number of risk factors. NSS provided a better discrimination of risk between stages III and II than International staging system (ISS) (P < .001 vs P = .086). For OS, there was no significant difference among risk groups in Durie‐Salmon (DS) stage (P > .05). Based on Spearman correlation analysis, the presence of lesions in appendicular skeleton, number of FLs, and SUVmax appeared to indicate advanced stage of MM. ROC curves which showed the combination of β2M with calcium got a specificity of 96.3% for lesions in appendicular skeleton, and LDH alone had 100% specificity in predicting the number of FLs, although the sensitivity was only 50%.

Conclusions

18F‐FDG PET/CT in combination with clinical parameters provided an accurate and simple method for risk stratification of patients with newly diagnosed MM.
Case Report: Treatment of light‐chain amyloidosis with daratumumab monotherapy in two patients
Authors: Gran Charlotte , Gahrton Gösta , Alici Evren , Nahi Hareth
Published: December 2017

Immunoglobulin light‐chain amyloidosis (AL) affects multiple organs, most prominently the kidney and the heart. Renal and cardiac impairment are both associated with poor prognosis and most patients die as a consequence of renal or cardiac failure. Monoclonal antibodies such as daratumumab (human IgG1 anti‐CD38) and elotuzumab (anti‐SLAMF7) have shown promising efficacy for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. In this case report we show 2 patients with severe AL, one with severe heart failure and one with heart and renal failure, undergoing treatment with daratumumab. Both patients showed a rapid decrease in FLC in response to daratumumab infusions, with few associated adverse events. Using therapeutic CD38 antibodies as a front‐line treatment for AL could induce rapid responses while maintaining a tolerable safety profile in these ultra‐fragile patients.
Cigarette smoke extract induces oral squamous cell carcinoma cell invasion in a receptor for advanced glycation end‐products‐dependent manner
Authors: Chapman Steven , Mick Madison , Hall Parker , Mejia Camilo , Sue Stephanie , Abdul Wase Bihishta , Nguyen Margaret A. , Whisenant Evan C. , Wilcox Shalene H. , Winden Duane , Reynolds Paul R. , Arroyo Juan A.
Published: December 2017

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) affects approximately 30,000 people and is associated with tobacco use. Little is known about the mechanistic effects of second‐hand smoke in the development of OSSC. The receptor for advanced glycation end‐products (RAGE) is a surface receptor that is upregulated by second‐hand smoke and inhibited by semi‐synthetic glycosaminoglycan ethers (SAGEs). Our objective was to determine the role of RAGE during cigarette smoke extract‐induced cellular responses and to use SAGEs as a modulating factor of Ca9‐22 OSCC cell invasion. Ca9‐22 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of cigarette smoke extract and SAGEs. Cell invasion was determined and cells were lysed for western blot analysis. Ras and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B‐cells (NF‐κB) activation were determined. Treatment of cells with cigarette smoke extract resulted in: (i) increased invasion of OSCC; (ii) increased RAGE expression; (iii) inhibition of cigarette smoke extract‐induced OSCC cell invasion by SAGEs; (iv) increased Ras, increased AKT and NF‐κB activation, and downregulation by SAGEs; and (v) increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2, 9, and 14, and downregulation by SAGEs. We conclude that cigarette smoke extract increases invasion of OSCC cells in a RAGE‐dependent manner. Inhibition of RAGE decreases the levels of its signaling molecules, which results in blocking the cigarette smoke extract‐induced invasion.
Generalized estimating equations: A pragmatic and flexible approach to the marginalGLMmodelling of correlated data in the behavioural sciences
Authors: Pekár Stano , Brabec Marek
Published: December 2017

Within behavioural research, non‐normally distributed data with a complicated structure are common. For instance, data can represent repeated observations of quantities on the same individual. The regression analysis of such data is complicated both by the interdependency of the observations (response variables) and by their non‐normal distribution. Over the last decade, such data have been more and more frequently analysed using generalized mixed‐effect models. Some researchers invoke the heavy machinery of mixed‐effect modelling to obtain the desired population‐level (marginal) inference, which can be achieved by using simpler tools—namely by marginal models. This paper highlights marginal modelling (using generalized estimating equations [GEE]) as an alternative method. In various situations,GEEcan be based on fewer assumptions and directly generate estimates (population‐level parameters) which are of immediate interest to the behavioural researcher (such as population means). Using four examples from behavioural research, we demonstrate the use, advantages, and limits of theGEEapproach as implemented within the functions of the ‘geepack’ package in R.
Expression and enzyme activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 in human skin and tissue‐engineered skin equivalents
Authors: Smith Sarah A. , Colley Helen E. , Sharma Parveen , Slowik Klaudia M. , Sison‐Young Rowena , Sneddon Andrew , Webb Steven D. , Murdoch Craig
Published: December 2017

CYP3A4 and CYP4A5 share specificity for a wide range of xenobiotics with the CYP3 subfamily collectively involved in the biotransformation of approximately 30% of all drugs. CYP3A4/5 mRNA transcripts have been reported in the skin, yet knowledge of their protein expression and function is lacking. In this study, we observed gene and protein expression of CYP3A4/5 in both human skin and tissue‐engineered skin equivalents (TESEs), and enzyme activity was detected using the model substrate benzyl‐O‐methyl‐cyanocoumarin. Mass spectrometric analysis of TESE lysates following testosterone application revealed a time‐dependent increase in metabolite production, confirming the functional expression of these enzymes in skin.
The Maternal Gatekeeping Scale: Constructing a Measure
Authors: Puhlman Daniel J. , Pasley Kay
Published: December 2017

Objective

To develop and test a measure that comprehensively captures the concept of maternal gatekeeping.

Background

Maternal gatekeeping encompasses the ways in which mothers restrict or support father involvement with children. We proposed a three‐dimensional (Encouragement, Discouragement, and Control) model of gatekeeping to describe the nuances of the maternal gatekeeping, but no measures have yet been developed that provide scholars with a way to empirically test the theoretical model.

Method

Data were collected from 256 mothers and 204 fathers of children between 3 and 7 years of age. A panel of national experts and parents established face validity, and a 3‐factor solution resulted in separate models for mothers and fathers.

Results

Correlations between the subscales and 2 established measures of gatekeeping and coparenting were examined to establish construct validity; the new measures correlated in expected ways.

Conclusion

The use of different items for mothers and fathers will allow scholars to account for differences depending on whether the reporter is engaged in gatekeeping or the recipient of gatekeeping behavior.

Implications

The new measure may be a useful tool for researchers attempting to measure maternal gatekeeping as a multidimensional construct.
Do habitat measurements in the vicinity of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr matter?
Authors: Mocq J. , St‐Hilaire A. , Cunjak R. A.
Published: December 2017

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr habitat characterisation is usually performed by in situ measures of key environmental variables taken at the exact fish location if the fishing gear allows precise pinpointing of this location, or in large sampling sections covering a river reach or mesohabitat, often ignoring variability in the immediate vicinity around individual fish. These data may be critically important in the development and validation of habitat preference models. The influences of seven increasing distances of measures, the variation of the number of considered measures and the depth of velocity measurement (bottom or 0.6 of the depth) in the calculations of HSI (Habitat Suitability Index) from a multiple‐experts fuzzy model of Atlantic salmon parr habitat were tested. When a parr was present, six measures collected in a 50‐cm radius around the fish to provide an average measure as input data and velocity measured at 60% of the depth gave the highest HSI values. These results show some potential for the use of an intermediate study scale, between micro‐ and mesohabitat, and questions how fish habitat conditions are currently measured.
Post‐GWAS in Psychiatric Genetics: A Developmental Perspective on the “Other” Next Steps
Authors: Dick Danielle M. , Barr Peter B. , Cho Seung Bin , Cooke Megan E. , Kuo Sally I‐Chun , Lewis Tenesha J. , Neale Zoe , Salvatore Jessica E. , Savage Jeanne , Su Jinni
Published: December 2017

As psychiatric genetics enters an era where gene identification is finally yielding robust, replicable genetic associations and polygenic risk scores, it is important to consider next steps and delineate how that knowledge will be applied to ultimately ameliorate suffering associated with substance use and psychiatric disorders. Much of the post‐genome‐wide association study discussion has focused on the potential of genetic information to elucidate the underlying biology and use this information for the development of more effective pharmaceutical treatments. In this review we focus on additional areas of research that should follow gene identification. By taking genetic findings into longitudinal, developmental studies, we can map the pathways by which genetic risk manifests across development, elucidating the early behavioral manifestations of risk, and studying how various environments and interventions moderate that risk across developmental stages. The delineation of risk across development will advance our understanding of mechanism, sex differences and risk and resilience processes in different racial/ethnic groups. Here, we review how the extant twin study literature can be used to guide these efforts. Together, these new lines of research will enable us to develop more informed, tailored prevention and intervention efforts.
Npas4 deficiency and prenatal stress interact to affect social recognition in mice
Authors: Heslin K. , Coutellier L.
Published: December 2017

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia have an expansive array of reported genetic and environmental contributing factors. However, none of these factors alone can account for a substantial proportion of cases of either disorder. Instead, many gene‐by‐environment interactions are responsible for neurodevelopmental disturbances that lead to these disorders. The current experiment used heterozygous knock‐out mice to examine a potential interaction between 2 factors commonly linked to neurodevelopmental disorders and cognitive deficit: imbalanced excitatory/inhibitory signaling in the cortex and prenatal stress (PNS) exposure. Both of these factors have been linked to disrupt GABAergic signaling in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a common feature of neurodevelopmental disorders. The neuronal PAS domain protein 4 (Npas4) gene is instrumental in regulation of the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the cortex and hippocampus in response to activation. Npas4 heterozygous and wild‐type male and female mice were exposed to either PNS or standard gestation, then evaluated during adulthood in social and anxiety behavioral measures. The combination of PNS and Npas4 deficiency in male mice impaired social recognition. This behavioral deficit was associated with decreased parvalbumin and cFos protein expression in the infralimbic region of the PFC following social stimulation in Npas4 heterozygous males. In contrast, females displayed fewer behavioral effects and molecular changes in PFC in response to PNS and decreased Npas4.
Single point mutation on the gene encoding dysbindin results in recognition deficits
Authors: Chang E. H. , Fernando K. , Yeung L. W. E. , Barbari K. , Chandon T.‐S. S. , Malhotra A. K.
Published: December 2017

The dystrobrevin‐binding protein 1 (DTNBP1) gene is a candidate risk factor for schizophrenia and has been associated with cognitive ability in both patient populations and healthy controls. DTNBP1 encodes dysbindin protein, which is localized to synaptic sites and is reduced in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of patients with schizophrenia, indicating a potential role in schizophrenia etiology. Most studies of dysbindin function have focused on the sandy (sdy) mice that lack dysbindin protein and have a wide range of abnormalities. In this study, we examined dysbindin salt and pepper (spp) mice that possess a single point mutation on the Dtnbp1 gene predicted to reduce, but not eliminate, dysbindin expression. By western blot analysis, we found that spp homozygous (spp −/−) mutants had reduced dysbindin and synaptosomal‐associated protein 25 (SNAP‐25) in the prefrontal cortex, but unaltered levels in hippocampus. Behaviorally, spp mutants performed comparably to controls on a wide range of tasks assessing locomotion, anxiety, spatial recognition and working memory. However, spp −/− mice had selective deficits in tasks measuring novel object recognition and social novelty recognition. Our results indicate that reduced dysbindin and SNAP‐25 protein in the prefrontal cortex of spp −/− is associated with selective impairments in recognition processing. These spp mice may prove useful as a novel mouse model to study cognitive deficits linked to dysbindin alterations. Our findings also suggest that aspects of recognition memory may be specifically influenced by DTNBP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms or risk haplotypes in humans and this connection should be further investigated.
Climate warming is associated with smaller body size and shorter lifespans in moose near their southern range limit
Authors: Hoy Sarah R. , Peterson Rolf O. , Vucetich John A.
Published: December 2017

Despite the importance of body size for individual fitness, population dynamics and community dynamics, the influence of climate change on growth and body size is inadequately understood, particularly for long‐lived vertebrates. Although temporal trends in body size have been documented, it remains unclear whether these changes represent the adverse impact of climate change (environmental stress constraining phenotypes) or its mitigation (via phenotypic plasticity or evolution). Concerns have also been raised about whether climate change is indeed the causal agent of these phenotypic shifts, given the length of time‐series analysed and that studies often do not evaluate – and thereby sufficiently rule out – other potential causes. Here, we evaluate evidence for climate‐related changes in adult body size (indexed by skull size) over a 4–decade period for a population of moose (Alces alces) near the southern limit of their range whilst also considering changes in density, predation, and human activities. In particular, we document: (i) a trend of increasing winter temperatures and concurrent decline in skull size (decline of 19% for males and 13% for females) and (ii) evidence of a negative relationship between skull size and winter temperatures during the first year of life. These patterns could be plausibly interpreted as an adaptive phenotypic response to climate warming given that latitudinal/temperature clines are often accepted as evidence of adaptation to local climate. However, we also observed: (iii) that moose with smaller skulls had shorter lifespans, (iv) a reduction in lifespan over the 4‐decade study period, and (v) a negative relationship between lifespan and winter temperatures during the first year of life. Those observations indicate that this phenotypic change is not an adaptive response to climate change. However, this decline in lifespan was not accompanied by an obvious change in population dynamics, suggesting that climate change may affect population dynamics and life‐histories differently.
Effectiveness of chopped lucerne hay as a moisture absorbent for low dry‐matter maize silage: Effluent reduction, fermentation quality and intake by sheep
Authors: Barmaki S. , Alamouti A. A. , Khadem A. A. , Afzalzadeh A.
Published: December 2017

This study determined effects of addition of lucerne hay (LH) as moisture absorbent on effluent reduction, fermentation and subsequent intake of maize (corn) silage by sheep. Treatments included maize forage ensiled without LH (LH0), with 50 g/kg LH (LH5) and with 100 g/kg LH (LH10) on a fresh weight basis. Silages were made in 150‐kg bags in triplicate. Upon opening, representative samples from each bag were taken twice weekly during a feeding trial and used for laboratory analyses in a completely randomized design. Silages were fed ad libitum to six ewes in a duplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 21‐day periods for intake and digestibility determination. Lucerne hay incorporation linearly increased DM, ash, water‐soluble carbohydrates, buffering capacity and pH of silages, while it linearly decreased ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid and ethanol concentrations (p < .05). Effluent volume linearly decreased from 33 ml/kg in LH0 to 0.8 ml/kg in LH10. Addition of LH resulted in a linear increase in intakes of organic matter and fibre in ewes, while digestibilities of these nutrients linearly decreased (p < .05). Lucerne hay addition improved fermentation parameters and resulted in increased intake of maize silage without having negative impact on aerobic stability.
Twentieth century US labor history: Pedagogy, politics, and controversies Part 1
Authors: Pearson Chad
Published: December 2017

Twentieth Century labor history is far reaching and has had a major influence on the historical profession. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, most labor historians were economists, scholars responsible for describing industrial relations and labor as a movement. Beginning in the 1960s, twentieth century labor scholars, most of whom were trained as historians and influenced by the Civil Rights, anti‐war, and labor movements, began focusing on the working classes more broadly, highlighting the ways a wide range of workers, including men, women, and African Americans, lived their lives both on the shop floor and in their communities. Politically, most labor historians in this period wrote as leftists or liberals, and many sought to reach audiences beyond university seminar rooms. But labor historians, especially Marxist types, have faced many attacks from critics for supposedly paying insufficient attention to gender and racial issues. In general, these critics have overstated their cases, failing to appreciate the many pioneering studies by labor historians that examine gender and racial relations without losing sight of class divisions and struggles.
The biographical turn and the case for historical biography
Authors: Meister Daniel R.
Published: December 2017

Biography has long been ostracized from the academy while remaining a popular genre among the general public. Recent heightened interest in biography among academics has some speaking of a biographical turn, but in Canada historical biography continues to be undervalued. Having not found a home in any one discipline, Biography Studies is emerging as an independent discipline, especially in the Netherlands. This Dutch School of biography is moving biography studies away from the less scholarly life writing tradition and towards history by encouraging its practitioners to utilize an approach adapted from microhistory. In response to these developments, this article contends that the discipline of history should take concrete steps to strengthen the subfield of Historical Biography. It further argues that works written in this tradition ought to chart a middle path between those studies that place undue focus on either the individual life or on broader historical questions. By employing a critical narrative approach, works of Historical Biography will prove valuable to both academic and non‐academic readers alike.
Calcium chloride‐enriched calcium aluminate cement promotes in vitro osteogenesis
Authors: Castro‐Raucci L. M. S. , Teixeira L. N. , Barbosa A. F. S. , Fernandes R. R. , Raucci‐Neto W. , Jacobovitz M. , Oliveira I. R. , de Oliveira P. T.
Published: December 2017

Aim

To evaluate the effects of 2.8% or 10% calcium chloride (CaCl2) in calcium aluminate cement (CAC) with either bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) or zinc oxide (ZnO) as radiopacifiers on the progression of osteogenic cell cultures.

Methodology

Rat calvaria‐derived cells were grown on Thermanox® coverslips for 24 h and exposed to samples of (i) CACb: with 2.8% CaCl2 and 25% Bi2O3; (ii) CACb+: with 10% CaCl2 and 25% Bi2O3; (iii) CACz: with 2.8% CaCl2 and 25% ZnO; or (iv) CACz+: with 10% CaCl2 and 25% ZnO, placed on inserts. Nonexposed cultures served as the control. Calcium and phosphorus contents in culture media were quantified. The effects of the cements on cell apoptosis, cell viability and acquisition of the osteogenic cell phenotype were evaluated. Data were compared by Kruskal–Wallis test (α = 5%).

Results

CACb+ promoted the highest levels of calcium in the culture media; CACz+, the lowest levels of phosphorus (P < 0.05). CACz+ and CACb increased cell apoptosis (P < 0.05). CACb reduced cell viability (P < 0.05) and the expression of the osteoblastic phenotype. CACz+ and CACb+ promoted greater cell differentiation and matrix mineralization compared to CACz and CACb (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

For CAC with the lower CaCl2 content, the use of Bi2O3 was detrimental for osteoblastic cell survival and differentiation compared to ZnO, while CAC with the higher CaCl2 content supported the acquisition of the osteogenic cell phenotype in vitro regardless of the radiopacifier used. Thus, CAC with 10% CaCl2 would potentially promote bone repair in the context of endodontic therapies.
The long‐term quality of life and information needs of prostate cancer survivors
Authors: Diver Sean , Avalos Gloria , Rogers Eamonn T , Dowling Maura
Published: December 2017

What are the quality of life (QoL) and information needs of long‐term prostate cancer survivors? Numbers of prostate cancer survivors are increasing and it is vital that their QoL issues and information needs are understood. The long‐term effects of surviving prostate cancer is poorly understood. Specialist nurses play a key role in their management. A cross‐sectional survey was used. The study questionnaire [(European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer‐Quality of Life Questionnaire) EORTC‐QLQ‐30 and EORTC QOL‐INFO25] was posted to 398 prostate cancer survivors attending an Irish centre managed by a clinical nurse specialist and consultant. Completed questionnaires (n = 195) were returned (response rate 49%). Overall, the men demonstrated a Global Health Status/QoL score of 77·6 (SD 20·7), demonstrating a high or healthy level of functioning. Men on hormonal therapy demonstrated inferior physical function in comparison to other treatment options. Fatigue and insomnia were the most frequent symptom experienced, while age was the most significant demographic variable affecting symptom scales. Men undergoing active surveillance for prostate cancer management were least happy with information received (p = 0·019). Comparison with EORTC QLQ‐C30 international reference values suggests that this cohort report a high/healthy QoL. However, a significant proportion of men expressed a need for the receipt of further information, especially men on active surveillance. Specialist nurses are in a unique position to meet the information needs of long‐term prostate cancer patients. However, planning is needed to ensure there are enough specialist nurses to meet the information needs of a growing number of men surviving prostate cancer.
Vitellogenin and its receptor play essential roles in the development and reproduction of the brown citrus aphid, Aphis (Toxoptera) citricidus
Authors: Shang F. , Niu J.‐Z. , Ding B.‐Y. , Zhang Q. , Ye C. , Zhang W. , Smagghe G. , Wang J.‐J.
Published: December 2017

Vitellogenin (Vg) and its receptor (VgR) play a key role in the reproductive process and development of insects. Aphids are a group of high‐fecundity insect species with pseudoplacental viviparity, but the roles of their Vg and VgR genes have not been investigated yet. The brown citrus aphid, Aphis (Toxoptera) citricidus, is a major insect pest of citrus and the main vector of Citrus tristeza closterovirus. In this study, we identified and characterized these two genes, designated as AcVg and AcVgR, from the brown citrus aphid. We found that AcVg has lost the DUF1943 domain that is present in other insect Vgs. Silencing of AcVg and AcVgR led to a delay in the nymph–adult transition, a prolonged prereproductive period, and a shortened reproductive period, which in turn resulted in slower embryonic development and fewer new‐born nymphs. Interestingly, silencing of AcVg decreased the transcript level of AcVgR, but silencing of AcVgR resulted in increased transcript levels of AcVg. In addition, silencing of Vg/VgR had similar phenotypes between alate and apterous morphs, suggesting that the functions of these two genes are the same in the two wing morphs of the aphid. Our results demonstrate that Vg and VgR are involved in various aspects of aphid development and reproduction. Further studies on the synthesis of Vg could help to elucidate the reproductive mechanism and provide information that will be useful for developing new pest control strategies.
Phylogenetic biogeography reveals the timing and source areas of the Adiantum species (Pteridaceae) in the West Indies, with a special focus on Cuba
Authors: Regalado Ledis , Lóriga Josmaily , Bechteler Julia , Beck Andreas , Schneider Harald , Heinrichs Jochen
Published: December 2017

Aim

The processes that shaped the West Indian fern flora remain poorly understood. We attempt to investigate earlier biogeographical patterns described for the region using the genus Adiantum as model. These patterns propose that the West Indian fern flora has (1) an essentially continental rather than insular character, having a rich representation of species occurring in tropical America; (2) the Greater Antilles have a higher fern diversity and higher endemism than the Lesser Antilles, and (3) adaptive speciation has been an important process in shaping the fern diversity of the Greater Antilles.

Location

West Indies.

Methods

Adiantum is a subcosmopolitan genus that comprises 200–225 species of which 33 occur in the West Indies. We compiled the most comprehensive molecular dataset of Adiantum available to date, including the chloroplast markers rbcL, atpA, atpB and trnL‐F of 407 accessions belonging to 101 species, 24 of which occur in the West Indies. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches were applied to generate phylogenetic hypotheses. Divergence times were estimated using published substitution rates. Ancestral areas were estimated using BioGeoBEARS.

Results

The extant West Indian Adiantum species originate from at least 17 predominantly Miocene immigration events, 11 from South America and six from Central America, in combination with two cladogenetic events. The Cuban endemics Adiantum alomae and A. sericeum, as well as the Greater Antillean A. deltoideum, A. cristatum and A. pyramidale first appeared during the Pleistocene. The emergence of A. alomae and A. deltoideum coincides with the formation of the karstic relief of the Cuban coasts.

Main conclusions

Immigration, rather than cladogenesis, governed the evolution of the West Indian Adiantum species. Our results concur with theoretical models proposed for island communities, suggesting that geologically younger and smaller island assemblages mainly derive from immigration, whereas cladogenesis plays an important role in older and larger islands.
Ice or fire? Comparison of second‐generation cryoballoon ablation and radiofrequency ablation in patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation and an enlarged left atrium
Authors: Akkaya Ersan , Berkowitsch Alexander , Zaltsberg Sergej , Greiss Harald , Hamm Christian W. , Sperzel Johannes , Neumann Thomas , Kuniss Malte
Published: December 2017

Introduction

We aimed to compare arrhythmia recurrence rates after second‐generation cryoballoon (CB‐Adv) ablation and radiofrequency (RF) ablation in patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and left atrial (LA) enlargement.

Methods and results

Persistent AF patients with LA enlargement were compared using a propensity‐score‐matching algorithm, and 111 patients treated with CB‐Adv ablation and 111 patients treated with RF ablation were selected. The primary endpoint was the first documented >30‐second arrhythmia recurrence after a 3‐month blanking period. Median LA area was comparable between the RF and CB‐Adv groups (24.2 vs. 24.0 cm2, P = 0.49). In addition to pulmonary vein isolation, roof lines (RLs) with bidirectional conduction block were created in 48 patients in the CB‐Adv group and 49 patients in the RF group. Midterm outcome after single procedure is characterized by arrhythmia recurrences in 47 patients in the RF group and 32 patients in the CB‐Adv group (P = 0.20). There were no differences in the number of AF recurrences in the two groups (38 vs. 32, P = 0.66), but there were more instances of LA tachycardia (LAT) in the RF group than in the CB‐Adv group (11 vs. 0, P < 0.01). LAT recurrence in RF patients was associated with RL creation (9 with vs. 2 without, P < 0.01). Among patients in whom a RL was created, arrhythmia‐free survival was lower in the RF group than in the CB‐Adv group (44.9% vs. 79.2%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Arrhythmia recurrence rates in the two groups during midterm follow‐up were comparable. RL creation during CB‐Adv ablation resulted in acceptable outcomes.