bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exponential‐growth Bias in Experimental Consumption Decisions
Authors: Levy Matthew R. , Tasoff Joshua
Published: March 2019

Exponential‐growth bias (EGB) is the tendency to neglect the power of compounding interest, which has been found to be widespread in the population. A person with EGB will misperceive the intertemporal budget constraint, overestimating lifetime wealth and underestimating the differences in the cost of consumption across periods. We test five comparative static predictions implied by EGB: (1) compound interest will increase consumption when the elasticity of intertemporal substitution is greater than 1; (2) higher interest rates lead to more compounding and hence increase consumption; (3) budget‐neutral delays in income will increase consumption; (4) the person will exhibit a form of dynamic inconsistency that depends solely on the current account balance and is independent of time preferences; and (5) framing the frequency of interest in shorter units increases consumption. We test these predictions using an induced‐value consumption–savings experiment in the laboratory, and find evidence in support of all predictions against the rational benchmark. We consider rules of thumb as alternative hypotheses and find that they cannot explain the results, although they contribute to some findings.
Step‐by‐step teaching method improves the learner achievement in dental skill training
Authors: Liu Xiaoqiang , Liu Mingyue , Yang Yang , Fan Cong , Tan Jianguo
Published: March 2019

Introduction

This study aimed to assess and compare the outcomes of all‐in‐one and step‐by‐step teaching methods in dental skill training.

Methods

Forty first‐year dental residents were recruited into this study, which was a prospective, double‐blind and randomised controlled trial. The learners were randomly allocated to either the all‐in‐one group (control group, n = 20) or the step‐by‐step group (experimental group, n = 20). They performed crown preparation on a plastic tooth under different training course structures. For the all‐in‐one group, the course comprised three parts: the teacher's lecture and demonstration and the learner's practice. Every part was carried out independently in turn. For the step‐by‐step group, the course was divided into six parts according to the procedures of crown preparation: incisal preparation, facial preparation, interproximal preparation, lingual preparation, marginal preparation, and finishing and polishing. Every part, consisting of the teacher's lecture and demonstration and the learner's practice, was carried out step‐by‐step. Thereafter, the training outcome was evaluated by the learners, two experts and a digital system.

Results

For the outcomes of the all‐in‐one group and the step‐by‐step group, the learners’ assessments were 6.15 ± 1.98 and 8.10 ± 1.41, the experts’ assessments were 7.00 ± 1.75 and 8.40 ± 1.10, and the digital assessments were 6.43 ± 1.20 and 7.62 ± 0.51, respectively. In terms of each evaluation index, there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Higher quality of crown preparation was attained in the step‐by‐step group.

Conclusion

The step‐by‐step teaching method can improve the learner's achievement in dental skill training.
Blinding is compromised for transcranial direct current stimulation at 1 mA for 20 min in young healthy adults
Authors: Turi Zsolt , Csifcsák Gábor , Boayue Nya Mehnwolo , Aslaksen Per , Antal Andrea , Paulus Walter , Groot Josephine , Hawkins Guy E. , Forstmann Birte , Opitz Alexander , Thielscher Axel , Mittner Matthias
Published: March 2019

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non‐invasive brain stimulation method that is frequently used to study cortical excitability changes and their impact on cognitive functions in humans. While most stimulators are capable of operating in double‐blind mode, the amount of discomfort experienced during tDCS may break blinding. Therefore, specifically designed sham stimulation protocols are being used. The “fade‐in, short‐stimulation, fade‐out” (FSF) protocol has been used in hundreds of studies and is commonly believed to be indistinguishable from real stimulation applied at 1 mA for 20 min. We analysed subjective reports of 192 volunteers, who either received real tDCS (n = 96) or FSF tDCS (n = 96). Participants reported more discomfort for real tDCS and correctly guessed the condition above chance‐level. These findings indicate that FSF does not ensure complete blinding and that better active sham protocols are needed.
The T‐type calcium channel blocker Z944 reduces conditioned fear in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg and the non‐epileptic control strain
Authors: Marks Wendie N. , Zabder Nadine K. , Greba Quentin , Cain Stuart M. , Snutch Terrance P. , Howland John G.
Published: March 2019

Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) are a rodent model of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) that display a gain‐of‐function mutation in the gene encoding the Cav3.2 T‐type calcium channel. GAERS demonstrate heightened learning and delayed extinction of fear conditioning. Our objective in the present study was to examine the effects of the pan‐T‐type calcium channel blocker Z944 on the acquisition, consolidation and extinction of conditioned fear in GAERS and the non‐epileptic control (NEC) strain. Z944 (10 mg/kg; ip) was administered 15 min prior to either acquisition, extinction day 1 (24 hr later), acquisition and extinction day 1, or during the consolidation (post‐acquisition) of tone‐cued fear conditioning. Extinction was examined 24 and 48 hr after conditioning. In drug naïve GAERS, increased freezing during the acquisition and extinction phases of fear conditioning was found. Short‐term effects of Z944 on performance were observed as Z944 increased freezing during testing on the day it was administered. Z944 administered prior to the acquisition phase had a long‐term effect on extinction. Specifically, both GAERS and NECs showed a decrease in freezing during extinction relative to drug naïve GAERS and NEC rats respectively. Regardless of strain or treatment, female rats showed reduced extinction of fear relative to male rats. These results demonstrate that T‐type calcium channels contribute to the neural systems that mediate the learning and memory of conditioned fear. Overall, these findings suggest that T‐type calcium channel blockers show promise in the treatment of learning impairments observed in disorders such as CAE.
(CAG)n loci as genetic modifiers of age at onset in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 from mainland China
Authors: Wang P. , Chen Z. , Peng Y. , Cao L. , Li X. , Wang C. , Yang H. , Peng H. , Shi Y. , Zhou X. , Li T. , Feng L. , Wu C. , Qiu R. , Xia K. , Tang B. , Jiang H.
Published: March 2019

Background and purpose

The expanded repeat length in ATXN1 negatively correlates with age at onset (AAO) of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) but can explain only part of it, indicating that other factors affect AAO. Some studies have explored the influence of non‐causative CAG repeats on the AAO of SCA patients. However, studies on Chinese SCA1 patients regarding candidate modifier factors involved in the variability in AAO are rare.

Methods

In all, 152 Chinese SCA1 patients who were genotyped for ATXN1 and nine other (CAG)n‐containing genes were enrolled. Regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of the expanded allele of ATXN1 (linear and quadratic effects) on AAO. Then, different models were used to explore the modulatory effect of nine other (CAG)n‐containing genes.

Results

Our results verified the negative effect of the expanded allele in ATXN1 by regression analysis. Some (CAG)n‐containing genes including TBP, ATN1 and HTT modified AAO with variance ranging from 0.8% to 3.8% and tended to decrease or delay AAO. However, no modifier effects of ATXN2, ATXN3, CACNA1A, ATXN7, KCNN3, RAI1 and normal ATXN1 alleles in trans were detected.

Conclusion

By using interaction analyses, TBP, ATN1 and HTT were determined to have modifying effects. Our study revealed that differences in modulation may be due to ethnic and geographic diversity across different populations. Furthermore, the variability of AAO was not completely explained by the genetic modifiers examined here, suggesting that other genetic or environmental factors are involved in these diseases.
Neuroimaging and connectomics of drug‐resistant epilepsy at multiple scales: From focal lesions to macroscale networks
Authors: Tavakol Shahin , Royer Jessica , Lowe Alexander J. , Bonilha Leonardo , Tracy Joseph I. , Jackson Graeme D. , Duncan John S. , Bernasconi Andrea , Bernasconi Neda , Bernhardt Boris C.
Published: March 2019

Epilepsy is among the most common chronic neurologic disorders, with 30%‐40% of patients having seizures despite antiepileptic drug treatment. The advent of brain imaging and network analyses has greatly improved the understanding of this condition. In particular, developments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have provided measures for the noninvasive characterization and detection of lesions causing epilepsy. MRI techniques can probe structural and functional connectivity, and network analyses have shaped our understanding of whole‐brain anomalies associated with focal epilepsies. This review considers the progress made by neuroimaging and connectomics in the study of drug‐resistant epilepsies due to focal substrates, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy related to mesiotemporal sclerosis and extratemporal lobe epilepsies associated with malformations of cortical development. In these disorders, there is evidence of widespread disturbances of structural and functional connectivity that may contribute to the clinical and cognitive prognosis of individual patients. It is hoped that studying the interplay between macroscale network anomalies and lesional profiles will improve our understanding of focal epilepsies and assist treatment choices.
Daylight saving time transitions are not associated with increased seizure incidence
Authors: Schneider Logan D. , Moss Robert E. , Goldenholz Daniel M.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Given the known association of daylight saving time (DST) transitions with increased risk of accidents, heart attack, and stroke, we aimed to determine whether seizures, which are reportedly influenced by sleep and circadian disruption, also increased in frequency following the transition intoDST.

Methods

Using Seizure Tracker's self‐reported data from 12 401 individuals from 2008‐2016, 932 717 seizures were assessed for changes in incidence in relation toDSTtransitions. Two methods of standardization—zscores and unit‐scaled rate ratios (RRs)—were used to compare seizure propensities followingDSTtransitions to other time periods.

Results

As a percentile relative to all other weeks in a given year, absolute seizure counts in the week ofDSTfell below the median (DST seizure percentiles mean ± SD: 19.68 ± 16.25,P = 0.01), which was concordant with weekday‐specific comparisons. Comparatively, RRs for whole‐week (1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02‐1.10,P = 0.0054) and weekday‐to‐weekday (RRrange 1.04‐1.16, allP < 0.001) comparisons suggested a slightly higher incidence of seizures in theDSTweek compared to all other weeks of the year. However, examining the similar risk of the week preceding and following theDST‐transition week revealed no significant weekday‐to‐weekday differences in seizure incidence, although there was an unexpected, modestly decreased seizure propensity in theDSTweek relative to the whole week prior (RR0.94, 95%CI0.91‐0.96,P < 0.001).

Significance

Despite expectations that circadian and sleep disruption related toDSTtransitions would increase the incidence of seizures, we found little substantive evidence for such an association in this large, longitudinal cohort. Although large‐scale observational/epidemiologic cohorts can be effective at answering such questions, additional covariates (eg, sleep duration, seizure type, and so on) that may underpin the association were not able available, so the association has not definitively been ruled out.
A transcriptional and functional analysis of heat hardening in two invasive fruit fly species, Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera correcta
Authors: Gu Xinyue , Zhao Yan , Su Yun , Wu Jiajiao , Wang Ziya , Hu Juntao , Liu Lijun , Zhao Zihua , Hoffmann Ary A. , Chen Bing , Li Zhihong
Published: March 2019

Many insects have the capacity to increase their resistance to high temperatures by undergoing heat hardening at nonlethal temperatures. Although this response is well established, its molecular underpinnings have only been investigated in a few species where it seems to relate at least partly to the expression of heat shock protein (Hsp) genes. Here, we studied the mechanism of hardening and associated transcription responses in larvae of two invasive fruit fly species in China, Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera correcta. Both species showed hardening which increased resistance to 45°C, although the more widespread B. dorsalis hardened better at higher temperatures compared to B. correcta which hardened better at lower temperatures. Transcriptional analyses highlighted expression changes in a number of genes representing different biochemical pathways, but these changes and pathways were inconsistent between the two species. Overall B. dorsalis showed expression changes in more genes than B. correcta. Hsp genes tended to be upregulated at a hardening temperature of 38°C in both species, while at 35°C many Hsp genes tended to be upregulated in B. correcta but not B. dorsalis. One candidate gene (the small heat shock protein gene, Hsp23) with a particularly high level of upregulation was investigated functionally using RNA interference (RNAi). We found that RNAi may be more efficient in B. dorsalis, in which suppression of the expression of this gene removed the hardening response, whereas in B. correcta RNAi did not decrease the hardening response. The different patterns of gene expression in these two species at the two hardening temperatures highlight the diverse mechanisms underlying hardening even in closely related species. These results may provide target genes for future control efforts against such pest species.
A hybrid knowledge and ensemble classification approach for prediction of venous thromboembolism
Authors: Sabra Susan , Malik Khalid Mahmood , Afzal Muhammad , Sabeeh Vian , Charaf Eddine Ahmad
Published: March 2019

Clinical narratives such as progress summaries, lab reports, surgical reports, and other narrative texts contain key biomarkers about a patient's health. Evidence‐based preventive medicine needs accurate semantic and sentiment analysis to extract and classify medical features as the input to appropriate machine learning classifiers. However, the traditional approach of using single classifiers is limited by the need for dimensionality reduction techniques, statistical feature correlation, a faster learning rate, and the lack of consideration of the semantic relations among features. Hence, extracting semantic and sentiment‐based features from clinical text and combining multiple classifiers to create an ensemble intelligent system overcomes many limitations and provides a more robust prediction outcome. The selection of an appropriate approach and its interparameter dependency becomes key for the success of the ensemble method. This paper proposes a hybrid knowledge and ensemble learning framework for prediction of venous thromboembolism (VTE) diagnosis consisting of the following components: a VTE ontology, semantic extraction and sentiment assessment of risk factor framework, and an ensemble classifier. Therefore, a component‐based analysis approach was adopted for evaluation using a data set of 250 clinical narratives where knowledge and ensemble achieved the following results with and without semantic extraction and sentiment assessment of risk factor, respectively: a precision of 81.8% and 62.9%, a recall of 81.8% and 57.6%, an F measure of 81.8% and 53.8%, and a receiving operating characteristic of 80.1% and 58.5% in identifying cases of VTE.
Concurrent ratcheting and stress relaxation at the notch root of steel samples undergoing asymmetric tensile loading cycles
Authors: Shekarian Atefeh , Varvani‐Farahani Ahmad
Published: March 2019

The current study intends to develop a framework model to assess ratcheting and stress relaxation at the notch root of 1045 steel samples over asymmetric loading cycles. The framework involves the Ahmadzadeh‐Varvani (A‐V) kinematic hardening rule to control ratcheting progress and Neuber rule to accommodate for local stress and strain components at the vicinity of notch root. Plastic strain at notch root was first coupled with its counterpart in the A‐V model to establish a relation between local stress and backstress components. Calculated local stress and strain values at turning points enabled the A‐V model to assess ratcheting strain over each loading cycle. The stepwise drop in stresses at peak‐valley tips of hysteresis loops at the notch root was associated to coupled framework of the A‐V model and Neuber rule through constancy in local strain while ratcheting progressed over each cycle. This relaxed out the local stresses at tips of hysteresis loops to position on Neuber hyperbolic curve. Predicted ratcheting values at notch root of various diameters closely agreed with those of measured in steel samples over stress cycles.
Cross‐scale effects of structural and functional connectivity in pond networks on amphibian distribution in agricultural landscapes
Authors: Jeliazkov Alienor , Lorrillière Romain , Besnard Aurélien , Garnier Josette , Silvestre Marie , Chiron François
Published: March 2019

Connectivity in pond ecosystems is essential for amphibian population persistence. To test the role of connectivity, a diversity of scales accounting for the different processes underlying species distribution needs to be considered. Several approaches exist for accounting for the potential connectivity, mainly based on structural versus functional methods. Based on occupancy data, our aim was to assess the relative power of connectivity metrics in explaining amphibian distribution when accounting for cross‐scale effects from pond to network scales, and to identify network features relevant to amphibian conservation in agricultural landscapes in the Seine‐et‐Marne department (east of Paris, France).

We propose an original analytical framework that allows examining different spatial scales of influence, with a focus on connectivity. We analyse the distribution of three amphibian species (Bufo bufo, Rana dalmatina, and Lissotriton vulgaris) in relation to various pond conditions (fish presence, water quality, and nearby woodland habitat) as well as connectivity using three connectivity approaches: (1) structural, (2) area‐functional based on potential migration areas, and (3) path‐functional based on the least accumulated cost paths. Values of landscape resistance were assigned according to a biological risk‐based approach that is proposed as an enhanced, transparent expert‐based approach. We further investigated cross‐scale effects in amphibian responses to the environment by assessing the relative importance of pond and network characteristics as well as their interactions.

Despite some species‐specific characteristics, the area‐functional approach of connectivity was generally the most effective in explaining species distribution by emphasising the relevance of potential migration areas as conservation units. Although pond conditions usually had a greater influence than network connectivity, we highlighted important cross‐scale and threshold effects in species’ response to local conditions, to pond connectivity, and to the availability of potentially suitable terrestrial habitats in the networks.

Our cross‐scale approach accounts for scale‐dependent processes that potentially underlie amphibian distribution such as habitat selection and metapopulation dynamics. Both structural and functional connectivity should be considered as complementary features of pond connectivity when dispersal traits are likely to be less limiting. From a management perspective, our results encourage conservation plans to combine functional network‐centred strategies with the preservation of local conditions. We give guidelines as to the features of such networks to help maintain amphibian populations in agricultural landscapes.
Genetic and behavioral characterization of a Kmt2d mouse mutant, a new model for Kabuki Syndrome
Authors: Yamamoto Pedro K. , de Souza Tiago A. , Antiorio Ana T. F. B. , Zanatto Dennis A. , Garcia‐Gomes Mariana de Souza A. , Alexandre‐Ribeiro Sandra R. , Oliveira Nicassia de Souza , Menck Carlos F. M. , Bernardi Maria M. , Massironi Silvia M. G. , Mori Claudia M. C.
Published: March 2019

The recessive mutant mice bate palmas (bapa) ‐ claps in Portuguese arose from N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea mutagenesis. A single nucleotide, T > C, change in exon 13, leading to a Thr1289Ala substitution, was identified in the lysine (K)‐specific methyltransferase 2D gene (Kmt2d) located on chromosome 15. Mutations with a loss‐of‐function in the KMT2D gene on chromosome 12 in humans are responsible for Kabuki syndrome (KS). Phenotypic characterization of the bapa mutant was performed using a behavioral test battery to evaluate the parameters related to general activity, the sensory nervous system, the psychomotor system, and the autonomous nervous system, as well as to measure motor function and spatial memory. Relative to BALB/cJ mice, the bapa mutant showed sensory and psychomotor impairments, such as hypotonia denoted by a surface righting reflex impairment and hindquarter fall, and a reduction in the auricular reflex, suggesting hearing impairment. Additionally, the enhanced general activity showed by the increased rearing and grooming frequency, distance traveled and average speed possibly presupposes the presence of hyperactivity of bapa mice compared with the control group. A slight motor coordination dysfunction was showed in bapa mice, which had a longer crossing time on the balance beam compared with BALB/cJ controls. Male bapa mice also showed spatial gait pattern changes, such as a shorter stride length and shorter step length. In conclusion, the bapa mouse may be a valuable animal model to study the mechanisms involved in psychomotor and behavior impairments, such as hypotonia, fine motor coordination and hyperactivity linked to the Kmt2d mutation.
Advective Transport Phenomena to Better Understand Dispersion in Field and Modeling Practice
Authors: de Lange Willem J.
Published: March 2019

The absence of recent research on dispersion in engineering applications indicates the need for a description that is more focused on field and modeling practice. Engineers may benefit from simple calculation tools allowing them to understand the processes encountered in the field. Based on a conceptual model for advective transport through an elongated conductivity zone, for example, in fluvial sediments, explicit expressions are presented for macro‐scale phenomena: (1) the different travel distances of water particles traveling in laminar flow through and adjacent to a single zone with conductivity higher or lower than that of the aquifer; (2) the affected thickness of the bundle of flowlines; (3) the distinction of inflow, outflow, and through‐flow sections; (4) the development of a plume front vs. that of a tail; (5) conservation of mass causing water particles to travel both slower and faster than the aquifer average velocity while passing a single zone. The spread derived from a spatial distribution in a field experiment relates to the geometric mean of the spreads of the plume front and tail. The results obtained for a single conductivity zone are expanded for a general aquifer that is characterized by stochastic parameters. A fundamental new expression describes the dispersive mass flux as the product of the advective volume shift and the related local concentration difference. Contrary to Fickian theory, the dispersive mass flux in both the front and tail of a plume in highly heterogeneous aquifers is limited. In modeling, the advective volume shift is proportional to the cell size.
Framing the failure of medical implants: Media representations of the ASR hip replacements in the UK
Authors: Maniatopoulos Gregory , Hopkins Clare , Joyce Thomas J , Brittain Katie
Published: March 2019

Background

During the twentieth century, hip replacement became one of the most popular and successful operations. In the 1990s, a new type of hip replacement namely the metal‐on‐metal hip resurfacing was developed. This paper draws on one of the available implants, namely the DePuy Orthopaedics’ Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) hip system which was withdrawn from the market because of higher than expected rates of failure. It examines media representations on the failure of the ASR metal‐on‐metal hip replacement device and its subsequent withdrawal from the market.

Methods

Drawing on content analysis this paper explores how systemic failure of the medical implant was framed and performed by press media in the UK.

Results

Two narratives were particularly important in framing press media coverage of the ASR case: the role of patients as passive recipients of care and a distinction between health and disability identities as related to how individuals’ narratives about the past shaped their sense of present and future. In all cases, the voice of the orthopaedic surgeons responsible for the selection and implantation of the ASR devices remains silent.

Conclusions

Press media coverage of medically induced harm in the UK is significantly less common than coverage of any other patient safety issues and public health debates. This study aims to contribute to the evidence base on how public discourse on medically induced harm becomes framed through the reported experiences of individuals in press media and also how this process influences the legitimacy of various solutions to medical errors or unanticipated outcomes.
Types of hairline recession in androgenetic alopecia and perceptions of aging in Asian males
Authors: Qu Qian , Miao Yong , Guo Zhen‐He , Feng Chuan‐Bo , Chen Qian , Liu Yang , Liu Fang , Shi Pan‐Li , Cao Dan‐Xia , Hu Zhi‐Qi
Published: March 2019

Background

Cranial hair loss is one of the characteristics of age. Hairline recession has been confirmed adversely to affect the perceptions of age in Western males. However, comparatively little is known about the effect of frontal recession on the perceived facial age (PFA) of East Asian males. Moreover, specific roles of different types of hairline recession in PFA of different age groups still remain a mystery.

Objective

To investigate and quantify the effect of different types of hairline recession on PFA in East Asian young males of different age groups.

Methods

Thirty non‐bald males were selected and divided equally into three groups (20s, 30s, and 40s). With the aid of modern software, the frontoparietal area of facial images from 30 experimenters was modified into three basic types of hair loss (M2, C2, and U2) according to the basic and specific classification of androgenic alopecia. In a web‐based survey, approximately 900 naive participants were asked to estimate the PFA of males from their original and modified facial images.

Results

Perceived facial age increased to 1.58 ± 0.79, 4.19 ± 1.27, and 5.90 ± 1.00 years when the original facial images were modified to have hair loss types M2, C2, or U2, respectively. In addition, the PFA of males with hair loss type C2 or U2 appeared significantly older than the original facial images in the 30s group.

Conclusion

Different types of hairline recession can increase the PFA to different degrees in East Asian males of different age groups.
Do Migrant Remittances Cause Dutch Disease in Nigeria?
Authors: Urama Nathaniel E. , Edeh Henry C. , Urama Edith C.
Published: March 2019

Statistics show that remittances inflow to Nigeria grew from US$3,000,000 in 1978 to over US$22 billion in 2017. Theoretically, such a large inflow of foreign currency into an economy may lead to Dutch diseases. This study, therefore, investigated whether the massive inflow of remittances into the economy causes Dutch disease. Given that the model had both I(0) and I(1) variables, ARDL/Bound testing methodology was used with annual data from 1981 to 2016. The ARDL result showed that migrant remittances have a significant positive effect on the real effective exchange rate in Nigeria in the long run. Specifically, a one per cent increase in the inflows of remittances increases the real effective exchange rate of Naira by 0.44 per cent in the long run. This appreciation of the Nigerian Naira relative to other competing nations encourages import and discourages export, leading to the Dutch disease effect.
Age‐specific incidence rates and risk factors for respiratory syncytial virus‐associated lower respiratory tract illness in cohort children under 5 years old in the Philippines
Authors: Ueno Fumihiko , Tamaki Raita , Saito Mayuko , Okamoto Michiko , Saito‐Obata Mariko , Kamigaki Taro , Suzuki Akira , Segubre‐Mercado Edelwisa , Aloyon Hananiah D. , Tallo Veronica , Lupisan Socorro P. , Oshitani Hitoshi ,   RSV Working Group in the Philippines
Published: March 2019

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main viral causes of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI), especially in young children. RSV vaccines, including maternal and infant vaccines, are under development; however, more epidemiological studies are needed to develop effective vaccination strategies.

Objectives

To estimate detailed age‐specific incidence rates and severity of RSV‐associated LRTI (RSV‐LRTI) using data from a community‐based prospective cohort study in the Philippines.

Patients/Methods

Cohort children who visited health facilities due to acute respiratory symptoms were identified, and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected to detect RSV. The severity of RSV‐LRTI was assessed using the severity definition proposed by the World Health Organization. Risk factors for developing RSV‐LRTI and contribution of SpO2 measurement were also evaluated.

Results

A total of 395 RSV episodes which occurred in children aged 2‐59 months were categorised as 183 RSV‐LRTI, 72 as severe RSV‐LRTI and 29 as very severe RSV‐LRTI. Children aged 3‐5 months had the highest incidence rate of RSV‐LRTI, at 207.4 per 1000 child‐years (95% CI: 149.0‐279.5). Younger age group, place of living and low educational level of caregivers were associated with developing RSV‐LRTI. Clinical manifestations had low levels of agreement with hypoxaemia as measured by pulse oximeter.

Conclusion

The highest burden of RSV was observed in young infants aged 3‐5 months, whereas the burden was also high in those aged 12‐20 months. Future vaccination strategies should consider the protection of older children, especially those aged one year, as well as young infants.
Sleep duration and blood pressure in children: Analysis of the pan‐European IDEFICS cohort
Authors: Sparano Sonia , Lauria Fabio , Ahrens Wolfgang , Fraterman Arno , Thumann Barbara , Iacoviello Licia , Marild Staffan , Michels Nathalie , Molnar Denes , Moreno Luis Alberto , Tornaritis Michael , Veidebaum Toomas , Siani Alfonso
Published: March 2019

The present study aims to examine the cross‐sectional and longitudinal association between self‐reported nocturnal sleep duration, blood pressure, and hypertension in European children, aged 2‐9.9 years, participating in the IDEFICS project. Blood pressure (BP) and the main anthropometric indices were measured according to standardized procedures. Childhood elevated BP and hypertension were defined according to the European Society of Hypertension Guidelines for children and adolescents. Parents reported lifestyle and socio‐demographic data. Nocturnal sleep duration was assessed as part of a parental 24‐h recall and categorized as follows: (a) ≤9 hours/night; (b) >9 hours to ≤10 hours/night; (c) >10 hours to ≤11 hours/night; and (d) >11 hours/night. A complete set of variables included in the present analysis was provided by 7974 participants (boys/girls = 4049/3925) at the baseline survey (T0). Of them, 5656 were re‐examined 2 years later at follow‐up (T1). Children reporting shorter sleep duration at T0 had significantly higher BP values (P for trend < 0.001) compared to those who slept more. Prospective analyses showed that shorter sleep duration at baseline predicted, over the 2‐year follow‐up, higher increases in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, after adjustment for age, sex, country of origin, BMI z‐score, parental education, physical activity, screen time, and T0 value of the examined outcome variables (P for trend < 0.001). Our findings reveal that shorter sleep duration is associated with higher BP in childhood, suggesting that sleep may be a potential risk factor for hypertension later in life.
circEPSTI1 regulates ovarian cancer progression via decoying miR‐942
Authors: Xie Jing , Wang Shufen , Li Genlin , Zhao Xia , Jiang Feng , Liu Jie , Tan Weige
Published: March 2019

Increasing studies show that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play vital roles in tumour progression. But, how circRNAs function in ovarian cancer is mostly unclear. Here, we detected the expression of circEPSTI1 in ovarian cancer and explored the function of circEPSTI1 in ovarian cancer via a series of experiments. Then, we performed luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay to explore the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) function of circEPSTI1 in ovarian cancer. qRT‐PCR verified that circEPSTI1 was overexpressed in ovarian cancer. Inhibition of circEPSTI1 suppressed ovarian cancer cell proliferation, invasion but promoted cell apoptosis. Luciferase assays and RIP assay showed that circEPSTI1 and EPSTI1 (epithelial stromal interaction 1) could directly bind to miR‐942. And circEPSTI1 could regulate EPSTI1 expression via sponging miR‐942. In summary, circEPSTI1 regulated EPSTI1 expression and ovarian cancer progression by sponging miR‐942. circEPSTI1 could be used as a biomarker and therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.
Apoptotic bodies from endplate chondrocytes enhance the oxidative stress‐induced mineralization by regulating PPi metabolism
Authors: Yuan Feng‐Lai , Xu Rui‐Sheng , Ye Jun‐Xing , Zhao Ming‐Dong , Ren Li‐Jun , Li Xia
Published: March 2019

This study aimed to investigate the role of apoptotic bodies (Abs) from the oxidative stressed endplate chondrocytes in regulating mineralization and potential mechanisms. Endplate chondrocytes were isolated from rats and treated with H2O2 to induce oxidative stress. The calcium deposition for matrix mineralization in the cells was examined by histological staining. The expression levels of calcification‐related genes in individual groups of cells were determined by quantitative real time‐PCR (qRT‐PCR). Subsequently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) were purified and characterized. The effect of treatment with H2O2 and/or Abs on the mineralization, extracellular PPi metabolism and related gene expression were determined. Oxidative stress significantly increased the mineralization and promoted the generation of main Abs from endplate chondrocytes. Abs were effectively endocytosed by endplate chondrocytes and co‐localized with collagen (COL)‐II in the cytoplasm, which enhanced the mineralization, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and COL‐I expression in endplate chondrocytes. Furthermore, treatment either H2O2 or Abs significantly decreased PPi, but increased Pi production and treatment with both further enhancing the changes in endplate chondrocytes. Similarly, treatment either H2O2 or Abs significantly decreased the ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1), and ankylosis protein (ANK) expression and ENPP1 promoter activity, but increased the tissue‐nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) expression and TNAP promoter activity in endplate chondrocytes. Oxidative stress promoted the generation of Abs, which might enhance the oxidative stress‐mediated mineralization in endplate chondrocytes by regulating the PPi metabolism.
Evolution and duration of nodules in severe nodular acne on the back: results from a four‐week non‐interventional, prospective study
Authors: Khammari A. , Blanchet‐Réthoré S. , Bourdès V. , Marty C. , Piketty C. , Dréno B.
Published: March 2019

Background

Severe nodular acne is characterized by inflammatory nodules and scarring. Their natural evolution and duration are insufficiently investigated.

Aim

To investigate the evolution and duration of untreated acne nodules.

Methodology

Four‐week, single‐centre, non‐interventional, prospective study in subjects with severe nodular acne on the back. Nodule evolution and duration was assessed using standardized photographs taken twice weekly.

Results

Data from 23 subjects were evaluable. Mean age was 25.1 ± 4.9 years, 87% were males, and mean acne duration was 9.7 ± 6.7 years. At baseline, the overall total nodule count was 132 (mean number: 5.7 ± 3.0 nodules/subject). Among others, the following two main pathways were observed: nodules evolving directly into atrophic scars (31.8%) and nodules evolving towards papules into atrophic scars (37.9%). After 4 weeks, 77.3% of baseline nodules had evolved into atrophic scars. After baseline visit, a total of 247 new nodules (3.1 ± 2.2 nodules/week/subject) with a mean duration of 4.9 ± 2.6 days were observed. The mean duration of new nodules was significantly longer in subjects (n = 16) with ≥6 new nodules compared to subjects (n = 7) with <6 new nodules (5.2 ± 1.4 vs. 3.6 ± 0.8 days; P = 0.008)). There was no correlation between the number of new nodules and acne duration or with the number of baseline nodules.

Conclusion

This study documents the natural nodule evolution and duration over 4 weeks and showed in 23 patients the scarring potential of untreated severe nodular acne of the back.
How clonal are clones? A quest for loss of heterozygosity during asexual reproduction in Daphnia magna
Authors: Dukić Marinela , Berner Daniel , Haag Christoph R. , Ebert Dieter
Published: March 2019

Due to the lack of recombination, asexual organisms are predicted to accumulate mutations and show high levels of within‐individual allelic divergence (heterozygosity); however, empirical evidence for this prediction is largely missing. Instead, evidence of genome homogenization during asexual reproduction is accumulating. Ameiotic crossover recombination is a mechanism that could lead to long genomic stretches of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and unmasking of mutations that have little or no effect in heterozygous state. Therefore, LOH might be an important force for inducing variation among asexual offspring and may contribute to the limited longevity of asexual lineages. To investigate the genetic consequences of asexuality, here we used high‐throughput sequencing of Daphnia magna for assessing the rate of LOH over a single generation of asexual reproduction. Comparing parthenogenetic daughters with their mothers at several thousand genetic markers generated by restriction site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing resulted in high LOH rate estimation that largely overlapped with our estimates for the error rate. To distinguish these two, we Sanger re‐sequenced the top 17 candidate RAD‐loci for LOH, and all of them proved to be false positives. Hence, even though we cannot exclude the possibility that short stretches of LOH occur in genomic regions not covered by our markers, we conclude that LOH does not occur frequently during asexual reproduction in D. magna and ameiotic crossovers are very rare or absent. This finding suggests that clonal lineages of D. magna will remain genetically homogeneous at least over time periods typically relevant for experimental work.
Development of an application to support in‐service training of anesthesiologists on preoperative evaluation in a public hospital in Brazil
Authors: Pereira Ricardo Victor Soares , Kubrusly Marcos , Nogueira Ingrid Correia , Gondim Victor José Timbó , Marçal Edgar
Published: March 2019

Rationale, aims and objectives

This study investigated the process of construction, use, and field evaluation of a mobile application for teaching in the anesthesiology area.

Method

The application was built by using the Co‐Design Methodology, which consists of five phases (scoping, shared understanding, brainstorming, refinement and implementation). A one‐week case study was carried out in a hospital involving 20 participants (medical students and residents).

Results

The results of the test indicated that the developed application presented a high level of usability.

Conclusions

The students considered it to be a useful tool for training and systematizing the preoperative evaluation.
Acceptability and perceptibility thresholds in dentistry: A comprehensive review of clinical and research applications
Authors: Paravina Rade D. , Pérez Maria M. , Ghinea Razvan
Published: March 2019

Objective

The objective was to provide a literature review on perceptibility and acceptability thresholds in dentistry and corresponding recommendations.

Overview

A literature review on visual thresholds included findings on the judgments of the color and appearance of tooth‐, gingiva‐ and skin‐colored restorative dental materials. Discrepancies in study design contributed to inconsistencies in the research findings of some studies. These differences are related to (a) number of observers and inclusion criteria, (b) specimen number and size, (c) color measurement instrument and the setup and formulas used, (d) psychophysical experiment, (e) data processing (fitting method), and (f) % perceptibility or % acceptability values. A straightforward, consistent and practical model for the clinical and research application and interpretation of visual thresholds and recommended protocols for threshold research were provided.

Conclusions

Visual thresholds are of paramount importance as a quality control tool and guide the evaluation and selection of dental materials and their clinical performance. Although clinical shade matching conditions and method are rarely controlled, research on visual thresholds, especially when aiming to set standards for the profession, must be carefully planned and executed.

Clinical Significance

Perceptibility and acceptability thresholds define visual match or mismatch of color, translucency, and whiteness in dentistry. Clinical and research findings cannot be fully interpreted in terms of real‐life relevance without comparison with perceptibility and acceptability tolerances.
An outbreak of acute disease and mortality in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post‐smolts in Norway caused by Tenacibaculum dicentrarchi
Authors: Klakegg Øystein , Abayneh Takele , Fauske Aud Kari , Fülberth Michael , Sørum Henning
Published: March 2019

An outbreak of disease characterized by skin ulcers, fin rot and mortality was observed a few days after the transfer of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from a freshwater smolt production facility to a land‐based seawater post‐smolt site. Dead and moribund fish had severe skin and muscle ulcers, often 2–6 cm wide, particularly caudal to the pectoral fins. Microscopic examination of smears from ulcers and head kidney identified long, slender Gram‐negative rods. Histopathological analysis revealed abundance of long, slender Tenacibaculum‐like bacteria in ulcers and affected fins. Genetic characterization using multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of seven housekeeping genes, including atpA, dnaK, glyA, gyrB, infB, rlmN and tgt, revealed that the isolates obtained during the outbreak were all clustered with the Tenacibaculum dicentrarchi‐type strain (USC39/09T) from Spain. Two bath challenge experiments with Atlantic salmon and an isolate of T. dicentrarchi from the outbreak were performed. No disease or mortality was observed in the first trial. In the second trial with a higher challenge dose of T. dicentrarchi and longer challenge time, we got 100% mortality within 48 hr. This is the first reported outbreak of disease caused by T. dicentrarchi in Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon.
Kisspeptin and RFRP3 modulate body mass in Phodopus sungorus via two different neuroendocrine pathways
Authors: Cázarez‐Márquez Fernando , Milesi Sebastien , Laran‐Chich Marie‐Pierre , Klosen Paul , Kalsbeek Andries , Simonneaux Valérie
Published: March 2019

Many animals exhibit remarkable metabolic and reproductive adaptations to seasonal changes in their environment. When day length shortens, Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) reduce their body weight and inhibit their reproductive activity, whereas the opposite occurs in springtime. These physiological adaptations are considered to depend on photoperiodic changes in hypothalamic genes encoding the peptides kisspeptin (Kp) and RFamide‐related peptide 3 (RFRP3) for the control of reproduction, as well as pro‐opiomelanocortin and somatostatin for metabolic regulation. The present study investigates the effect of Kp and RFRP3 on long‐term body weight regulation, aiming to establish whether metabolic and reproductive hypothalamic networks may interact during adaptation to seasonal physiology. We found that chronic central administration of both Kp and RFRP3 in short photoperiod‐adapted male Djungarian hamsters increased body weight, although via different pathways. The effect of Kp was dependent on testicular activity because castration prevented the body weight increase and was associated with an increase in pro‐opiomelanocortin and neuropeptide Y expression. On the other hand, the orexigenic effect of RFRP3 was associated with an increase in circulating insulin and leptin levels, although it had no effect on any of the hypothalamic metabolic genes investigated, and did not change circulating levels of sex steroids. Notably, neither Kp, nor RFRP3 altered female hamster metabolic parameters. Thus, using a rodent model exhibiting seasonal changes in reproduction and metabolism, the present study demonstrates that, in addition to its role in the central control of reproduction, Kp also participates in body weight control in a sex‐dependent manner via an anabolic action of testosterone. Conversely, RFRP3 affects body weight control in males mostly by acting on adiposity, with no overt effect on the reproductive system in both sexes.