bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A modified sentinel lymph node technique combined with endoluminal loco‐regional resection for the treatment of rectal tumours: a 14‐year experience
Authors: Quaresima S. , Paganini A. M. , D'Ambrosio G. , Ursi P. , Balla A. , Lezoche E.
Published: June 2017

Aim

After endoluminal loco‐regional resection (ELRR) by transanal endoscopic microsurgey (TEM) the N parameter may remain undefined. Nucleotide‐guided mesorectal excision (NGME) improves the lymph node harvest. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the long‐term oncological results after ELRR with NGME.

Method

A total of 57 patients were enrolled over the period January 2001 to June 2015. All patients underwent ELRR by TEM. Prior to surgery, 99 m‐technetium‐marked nanocolloid was injected into the peritumoural submucosa. After removal of the specimen, the residual defect was probed to detect any residual radioactivity and ‘hot’ mesorectal fat was excised. All patients were included in a 5‐year follow‐up programme.

Results

Significant radioactivity in the residual cavity was found in 28 out of 57 patients (49%). The mean number of lymph nodes harvest in irradiated and nonirradiated patients was 1.66 and 2.76, respectively. After 68.2 months’ follow‐up overall survival was 91.2%, disease‐related mortality 3.5% and disease‐free survival 89.5%. Two patients developed pulmonary metastases: one ypT3N0 patient underwent lung lobectomy after chemotherapy and one pT2N0 patient was managed with lung radiotherapy. Both patients are currently alive and disease‐free at 48 months’ follow‐up. Two patients developed local recurrence 1 year after ELRR, both treated with neoadjuvant chemo‐radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision. Comparing the present series with previous patients who did not undergo NGME, an increased number of harvested lymph nodes were observed, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.0085).

Conclusion

NGME during ELRR improves the lymph node harvest and staging accuracy. The long‐term results showed satisfactory local (3.5%) and distant (7%) recurrence rates.
ECONOMIC INTEGRATION AND TRADE PROTECTION: POLICY ISSUES FOR SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Kar Mausumi
Published: June 2017

This article shows that economic integration acts as a viable instrument of protection for individual countries, when benefits of discriminatory protectionist policies like the multifiber arrangement are withdrawn. Using United Nations Conference on Trade and Development statistics for 1995–2013 and applying an extended version of the augmented gravity model, we show that the formation of a trade bloc like the South Asian Free Trade Area unambiguously promotes member countries' exports of textile and clothing at both intra‐bloc and extra‐bloc levels. The expansion of south‐south trade is facilitated by the growing intraregional trade in intermediate goods. The creation of a regional value chain can shield the smaller countries in the context of enhanced global competition. (JEL F14, F15, F13)
Analysis of local versus imported expanded criteria donor kidneys: A single‐center experience with 497 ECD kidney transplants
Authors: Khan Muhammad A. , El‐Hennawy Hany , Farney Alan C. , Rogers Jeffrey , Orlando Giuseppe , Reeves‐Daniel Amber , Palanisamy Amudha , Gautreaux Michael , Iskandar Samy , Doares William , Kaczmorski Scott , Stratta Robert J.
Published: June 2017

Background

The value of importing expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys is uncertain.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed our single‐center experience with ECD kidney transplants (KT).

Results

Over 12.8 years, we performed 497 ECD KTs including 247 local and 250 imported from other donor service areas. The import ECD group had more donors (16% vs 9%) ≥ age 70, more zero human leukocyte antigen mismatches (14% vs 2%), more KTs with a cold ischemia time >30 hours (46% vs 19%), and fewer kidneys managed with pump preservation (78% vs 92%, all P≤.05) compared to the local ECD group. Mean Kidney Donor Profile Index were 80% import vs 84% local. With a mean follow‐up of 55 months, actual patient and graft survival rates were 71% and 58% in import vs 76% and 58% in local ECD KTs, respectively. Death‐censored graft survival rates were 70% in import vs 69% in local ECD KTs. Delayed graft function occurred in 28% import vs 23% local ECD KTs (P=NS) whereas the incidence of primary nonfunction was slightly higher with import ECD kidneys (4.8% vs 2.4%, P=.23).

Conclusions

Midterm outcomes are remarkably similar for import vs local ECD KTs, suggesting that broader sharing of ECD kidneys may improve utilization without compromising outcomes.
Lost in translation: The World Bank and the Paris Declaration
Authors: McCourt Willy
Published: June 2017

The Paris Declaration embodies the consensus that country ownership of donor programmes is vital, and above all the principle that donors should base their programmes on developing country priorities. The Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) has assessed the World Bank as performing relatively well against the Paris targets, though not moving towards full compliance. In Sri Lanka and Côte d'Ivoire, however, the Bank pays only lip service to the governments’ priorities. The Paris commitment is swamped by the influence of the Bank's governing Board and its US‐nominated President, its lending imperative and the professional preoccupations of its staff.

Real implementation of the Bank's Paris commitment would entail, ideally, a reform of Bank governance and a contractual mechanism for developing countries to hold the Bank (and other donors) to their Paris promises. Less ambitiously, the Bank and other donors may still take limited but precise action to ensure that country priorities are respected and ownership becomes a reality. In the Bank, it might be enough for the Bank's President to make true adherence to the Paris Declaration a personal priority, and to nominate one of his senior managers to follow up.
Key Authors in Business and Management Education Research: Productivity, Topics, and Future Directions
Authors: Arbaugh J. B. , Asarta Carlos J. , Hwang Alvin , Fornaciari Charles J. , Bento Regina F. , Dean Kathy Lund
Published: June 2017

Previous studies of author productivity in business and management education (BME) research have focused on single disciplinary areas, and even single journals. This study is the first to examine the productivity of BME scholars across multiple disciplinary areas (i.e., accounting, economics, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and operations/supply chain management). We analyzed a pool of 17 BME journals with the highest hg‐index, by including the top three journals in the accounting and information systems areas, the top two journals in each of the other disciplinary areas, and an interdisciplinary BME journal. This examination covered a 10‐year period (2005‐2014), 4,464 articles and 9,617 article co‐authors. We identified 7,209 unique authors in this pool and ranked their productivity to create a “Key Authors” list. Each of the top 99 authors had five or more articles in our database. Our findings indicate the potential for cross‐disciplinary dissemination of research ideas and opportunities for scholars to enhance their research profile, because even a small increase in productivity can lead to substantial movement in the BME rankings of authors.
Understanding the relationship between duration of untreated psychosis and outcomes: A statistical perspective
Authors: Hannigan Ailish , Bargary Norma , Kinsella Anthony , Clarke Mary
Published: June 2017

Aim

Although the relationships between duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and outcomes are often assumed to be linear, few studies have explored the functional form of these relationships. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the potential of recent advances in curve fitting approaches (splines) to explore the form of the relationship between DUP and global assessment of functioning (GAF).

Methods

Curve fitting approaches were used in models to predict change in GAF at long‐term follow‐up using DUP for a sample of 83 individuals with schizophrenia.

Results

The form of the relationship between DUP and GAF was non‐linear. Accounting for non‐linearity increased the percentage of variance in GAF explained by the model, resulting in better prediction and understanding of the relationship.

Conclusion

The relationship between DUP and outcomes may be complex and model fit may be improved by accounting for the form of the relationship. This should be routinely assessed and new statistical approaches for non‐linear relationships exploited, if appropriate.
CRF1 and CRF2 receptors in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis differently modulate the baroreflex function in unanesthetized rats
Authors: Oliveira Leandro A. , Almeida Jeferson , Gomes‐de‐Souza Lucas , Benini Ricardo , Crestani Carlos C.
Published: June 2017

The baroreflex is an important blood pressure regulating mechanism. The bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) modulates the baroreflex function. However, the local BNST neurochemical mechanisms involved in control of baroreflex responses are not completely understood. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the involvement of corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) receptors within the BNST in baroreflex control of heart rate in unanesthetized rats. For this, we evaluated effects of bilateral microinjection into the BNST of either the selective CRF1 receptor antagonist CP376395 (5 nmol/100 nL) or the selective CRF2 receptor antagonist antisauvagine‐30 (5 nmol/100 nL) in bradycardiac response evoked by blood pressure increases caused by intravenous infusion of phenylephrine as well as tachycardiac response to blood pressure decrease caused by intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside. Bilateral microinjection of CP376395 into the BNST decreased the baroreflex bradycardiac response without affecting the reflex tachycardia. Conversely, BNST treatment with antisauvagine‐30 decreased heart rate response during blood pressure drop without affecting the reflex bradycardia. Overall, these findings provide evidence of an involvement of CRF neurotransmission within the BNST in baroreflex activity. Nevertheless, data indicate that local CRF1 and CRF2 receptors differently modulate the baroreflex control of heart rate.
Eye movements, sensorimotor adaptation and cerebellar‐dependent learning in autism: toward potential biomarkers and subphenotypes
Authors: Freedman Edward G. , Foxe John J.
Published: June 2017

Because of the wide range of symptoms expressed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their idiosyncratic severity, it is unlikely that a single remedial approach will be universally effective. Resolution of this dilemma requires identifying subgroups within the autism spectrum, based on symptom set and severity, on an underlying neuro‐structural difference, and on specific behavioral dysfunction. This will provide critical insight into the disorder and may lead to better diagnoses, and more targeted remediation in these subphenotypes of people with ASD. In this review, we discuss findings that appear to link the structure of the cerebellar vermis and plasticity of the saccadic eye‐movement system in people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Differences in cerebellar vermis structure in ASD could critically impact visuo‐sensorimotor development in early infancy, which may in turn manifest as the visual orienting, communication and social interaction differences often seen in this population. It may be possible to distinguish a subpopulation of children with vermal hypoplasia, to establish whether this group manifests more severe deficits in visual orienting and in adaptation to persistent visual errors, and to establish whether this putative subphenotype of ASD is associated with a specific and distinct clinical symptom profile.
Daily Events for Clinical Couples: Examining Therapy Interventions, Positive Events, Arguments, and Exercise in the Beginning Stage of Therapy
Authors: Johnson Lee N. , Mennenga Kayla D. , Oka Megan , Tambling Rachel B. , Anderson Shayne R. , Yorgason Jeremy
Published: June 2017

This study examined the daily association of several events within the beginning phase of couple therapy. Events examined were as follows: trying something from therapy, an argument, a positive event, and physical exercise. Participants were 33 couples in a treatment‐as‐usual setting who completed the Daily Diary of Events in Couple Therapy (DDECT). A dyadic multilevel model was used to explore the daily associations between predictor and outcome variables. Results showed when male partners tried something from therapy at rates greater than the average their female partners reported a more positive relationship while when female partners tried something from therapy at rates greater than the average it contributed to a more negative relationship. In addition, results showed that clients in couple therapy rarely try things from therapy on a daily basis. Finally, relative to other predictors trying something from therapy had a smaller, but significant relationship with outcomes.
The heat is on: Genetic adaptation to urbanization mediated by thermal tolerance and body size
Authors: Brans Kristien I. , Jansen Mieke , Vanoverbeke Joost , Tüzün Nedim , Stoks Robby , De Meester Luc
Published: June 2017

Worldwide, urbanization leads to tremendous anthropogenic environmental alterations, causing strong selection pressures on populations of animals and plants. Although a key feature of urban areas is their higher temperature (“urban heat islands”), adaptive thermal evolution in organisms inhabiting urban areas has rarely been studied. We tested for evolution of a higher heat tolerance (CTMAX) in urban populations of the water flea Daphnia magna, a keystone grazer in freshwater ecosystems, by carrying out a common garden experiment at two temperatures (20°C and 24°C) with genotypes of 13 natural populations ordered along a well‐defined urbanization gradient. We also assessed body size and haemoglobin concentration to identify underlying physiological drivers of responses in CTMAX. We found a higher CTMAX in animals isolated from urban compared to rural habitats and in animals reared at higher temperatures. We also observed substantial genetic variation in thermal tolerance within populations. Overall, smaller animals were more heat tolerant. While urban animals mature at smaller size, the effect of urbanization on thermal tolerance is only in part caused by reductions in body size. Although urban Daphnia contained higher concentrations of haemoglobin, this did not contribute to their higher CTMAX. Our results provide evidence of adaptive thermal evolution to urbanization in the water flea Daphnia. In addition, our results show both evolutionary potential and adaptive plasticity in rural as well as urban Daphnia populations, facilitating responses to warming. Given the important ecological role of Daphnia in ponds and lakes, these adaptive responses likely impact food web dynamics, top‐down control of algae, water quality, and the socio‐economic value of urban ponds.
Perturbation‐based balance training for falls reduction among older adults: Current evidence and implications for clinical practice
Authors: Gerards Marissa H.G. , McCrum Christopher , Mansfield Avril , Meijer Kenneth
Published: June 2017

Falls are a leading cause of injury, hospitalization and even death among older adults. Although various strength and balance exercise interventions have shown moderate reductions in falls incidence among healthy older adults, no significant falls incidence improvements have been consistently seen in frail older adults or in patient groups with an increased falls risk (e.g. people with Parkinson's disease and stroke). This might be due to a lack of task specificity of previous exercise interventions to the recovery actions required to prevent a fall. Perturbation‐based balance training (PBT) is an emerging task‐specific intervention that aims to improve reactive balance control after destabilizing perturbations in a safe and controlled environment. Although early studies were carried out predominantly in research laboratory settings, work in clinical settings with various patient groups has been proliferating. A systematic search of recent PBT studies showed a significant reduction of falls incidence among healthy older adults and certain patient groups (e.g. people with Parkinson's disease and stroke), with clinically relevant reductions in frail older adults. The most practical methods in clinical settings might be treadmill‐based systems and therapist‐applied perturbations, and PBT that incorporates multiple perturbation types and directions might be of most benefit. Although more controlled studies with long‐term follow‐up periods are required to better elucidate the effects of PBT on falls incidence, PBT appears to be a feasible and effective approach to falls reduction among older adults in clinical settings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2294–2303..
The End of the Nuclear Era: Nuclear Decommissioning and Its Economic Impacts on U.S. Counties
Authors: Haller Melissa , Haines Michael , Yamamoto Daisaku
Published: June 2017

Between 1957 and 1990, nearly 100 nuclear reactors were constructed throughout the U.S., and nuclear power currently accounts for 20 percent of electricity production nationwide. Nuclear plants are often constructed in small communities for which they constitute a large source of employment and income. To date, 24 nuclear reactors have undergone decommissioning, and more are expected in the future, particularly as nuclear reactors age and face increasingly strict regulations. This paper examines the effects of nuclear decommissioning over time at the county‐level on measures of employment, income, and population using difference‐in‐differences regression and propensity score matching. Panel data are obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, and cover the years 1975–2014. The analysis finds that nuclear decommissioning is associated with positive and statistically significant increases in employment and per capita income over time. Results suggest that nuclear decommissioning may actually be a positive force in regional economic development, and concludes with limitations of the approach and implications for future research. As an emerging area of research, this paper is meant to build on previous work, as well as to provide a basis for further discussion and debate on the economic future of nuclear host communities and regional economies.
Paediatric follicular thyroid carcinoma – indolent cancer with low prevalence of RAS mutations and absence of PAX8–PPARG fusion in a Japanese population
Authors: Vuong Huy Gia , Kondo Tetsuo , Oishi Naoki , Nakazawa Tadao , Mochizuki Kunio , Miyauchi Akira , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Katoh Ryohei
Published: June 2017

Aims

Paediatric follicular thyroid carcinomas are uncommon, and their clinicopathological features and molecular profiles are still unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the clinicopathological aspects of a large series of follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs) in paediatric patients and to analyse the point mutations in codons 12, 13 and 61 of NRAS, HRAS and KRAS genes and the rearrangements of PAX8–PPARG.

Methods and results

A total of 41 paediatric FTCs less than 21 years of age were enrolled into the present study. We used direct sequencing and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) to detect RAS mutations and PAX8–PPARG fusions, respectively. The paediatric FTCs were 6:1 in a female to male ratio, with a mean tumour size of 52.7 mm. Distant metastasis was found in one case at the time of presentation. During a median follow‐up time of 69 months, two cases had lung metastasis and all patients were alive. Histologically, all cases were minimally invasive FTCs and varied in growth patterns: microfollicular (39%), follicular (14.6%), solid/trabecular (6%), oncocytic (4.9%) and mixed patterns (26.8%). The mean Ki67 index was 5.7% and it was not statistically different among the growth patterns. NRAS mutations were found in five cases (12.2%) and associated significantly with small tumour size (P = 0.014). PAX8–PPARG fusion was not detected in our series.

Conclusion

Paediatric FTCs are indolent in clinical course in spite of their large tumour size and have a distinct genetic background. RAS mutations and PAX8–PPARG fusions may not play major roles in the tumorigenesis of paediatric FTCs.
Effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum) pomace extract as a washing agent on the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on fresh produce
Authors: Kang Ji‐Hoon , Song Kyung Bin
Published: June 2017

Pomegranate pomace extract (PPE) was used as a substitute to chlorinated water for washing of fresh produce. PPE contained punicalagins and ellagic acids, and it had a good inhibitory effect against Listeria monocytogenes based on the results of disc diffusion test and time‐kill assay. Red chard, beet, chicon and red mustard leaves were treated with 7 mg mL−1 PPE as a washing solution to inactivate L. monocytogenes inoculated on fresh produce and compared with 0.05 mg mL−1 NaOCl treatment. After the treatment, L. monocytogenes population on the four leafy vegetables was reduced by 1.96–2.97 log CFU g−1 compared to that on nontreated samples. The reductions in L. monocytogenes after PPE treatment were higher than those observed after NaOCl treatment. Further, the PPE treatment did not affect the surface colour of all fresh produce applied in this study. Thus, PPE can be used as an effective antimicrobial washing agent of fresh produce.
Metabolic reprogramming in the tumour microenvironment: a hallmark shared by cancer cells and T lymphocytes
Authors: Allison Katrina E. , Coomber Brenda L. , Bridle Byram W.
Published: June 2017

Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancers, including shifting oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis and up‐regulating glutaminolysis to divert carbon sources into biosynthetic pathways that promote proliferation and survival. Therefore, metabolic inhibitors represent promising anti‐cancer drugs. However, T cells must rapidly divide and survive in harsh microenvironments to mediate anti‐cancer effects. Metabolic profiles of cancer cells and activated T lymphocytes are similar, raising the risk of metabolic inhibitors impairing the immune system. Immune checkpoint blockade provides an example of how metabolism can be differentially impacted to impair cancer cells but support T cells. Implications for research with metabolic inhibitors are discussed.
The embodied nurse: Interdisciplinary knowledge exchange between compassionate nursing and recent developments in embodied leadership studies
Authors: Koya Kushwanth , Anderson Jane , Sice Petia
Published: June 2017

Aims

To report a potential knowledge exchange between nursing studies and the results obtained from a study conducted into the attributes of embodied leadership.

Background

Leadership theories have been applied to evaluate, improve, and train nursing practitioners in several previous studies. However, leadership research has entered a new phase where the focus is to produce sustainable leaders through authenticity and compassion, the same two characteristics identified as being of most success in emergent nursing practice. There are few studies that have indicated a knowledge exchange between the latest developments in leadership studies and nursing.

Design

An exploratory and qualitative study.

Methods

Between February 2012 ‐ July 2012, a focused sample of 14 medical care professionals was interviewed across a chain of hospitals. The aim was to evaluate embodied leadership characteristics and understand the factors that contribute to the manifestation of these characteristics. The transcribed interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Several factors that contribute to the characteristics of embodied leadership have been identified in the interviews and in subsequent literature searches on the characteristics and contributing factors found to be associated with nursing research. These could prompt a knowledge exchange.

Conclusion

The results suggest common ground between nursing and contemporary leadership research in the exposition of behaviours; namely, being non‐judgmental, listening actively, reflective practice and embracing uncertainty. Several implications can therefore be expected through the exchange of knowledge resulting from collaboration between researchers in the two disciplines.
Measuring pregnancy planning: A psychometric evaluation and comparison of two scales
Authors: Drevin Jennifer , Kristiansson Per , Stern Jenny , Rosenblad Andreas
Published: June 2017

Aims

To psychometrically test the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy and compare it with the Swedish Pregnancy Planning Scale.

Background

The incidence of unplanned pregnancies is an important indicator of reproductive health. The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy measures pregnancy planning by taking contraceptive use, timing, intention to become pregnant, desire for pregnancy, partner agreement, and pre‐conceptual preparations into account. It has, however, previously not been psychometrically evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. The Likert‐scored single‐item Swedish Pregnancy Planning Scale has been developed to measure the woman's own view of pregnancy planning level.

Design

Cross‐sectional design.

Methods

In 2012‐2013, 5493 pregnant women living in Sweden were invited to participate in the Swedish Pregnancy Planning study, of whom 3327 (61%) agreed to participate and answered a questionnaire. A test–retest pilot study was conducted in 2011–2012. Thirty‐two participants responded to the questionnaire on two occasions 14 days apart. Data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, Cohen's weighted kappa and Spearman's correlation.

Results

All items of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy contributed to measuring pregnancy planning, but four items had low item‐reliability. The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy and Swedish Pregnancy Planning Scale corresponded reasonably well with each other and both showed good test–retest reliability.

Conclusion

The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy may benefit from item reduction and its usefulness may be questioned. The Swedish Pregnancy Planning Scale is time‐efficient and shows acceptable reliability and construct validity, which makes it more useful for measuring pregnancy planning.
Water vapor and oxygen barrier estimation in designing a single‐serve package of powdered infant formula for required shelf life
Authors: An Duck Soon , Lee Ji Hye , Lee Dong Sun
Published: June 2017

Protection from the ingress of moisture and oxygen from the outside environment is required for the quality preservation of powdered infant formula. Water vapor and gas barriers for a small single‐serve package were assessed to ensure proper protection for the required shelf life of the powdered infant formula in the package. The water vapor barrier was calculated as the ability to suppress the product moisture increase from monolayer moisture to critical moisture, which causes physical transformation from amorphous to crystalline state releasing moisture, during the shelf life period. The oxygen barrier was based on the amount of oxygen absorption for a certain level of oxidation, measured in terms of peroxide content. A shelf life longer than 0.5 year was found to demand very low permeability against both water vapor and oxygen, which can be achieved by aluminum‐laminated plastic films, composite cans, or metal cans.

Practical applications

Methodology and results of this study can be used for packaging design of infant formula and milk powders. Selection of possible packaging options can be aided by the criteria of moisture sorption and oxidation, which would be valid for the same category foods. Changes in environmental and product variables can be handled in the design framework of this study. The window of package permeabilities against water vapor and oxygen is generally useful for dry dairy products.
The effect of age and demographics on rib shape
Authors: Holcombe Sven A. , Wang Stewart C. , Grotberg James B.
Published: June 2017

Elderly populations have a higher risk of rib fractures and other associated thoracic injuries than younger adults, and the changes in body morphology that occur with age are a potential cause of this increased risk. Rib centroidal path geometry for 20 627 ribs was extracted from computed tomography (CT) scans of 1042 live adult subjects, then fitted to a six‐parameter mathematical model that accurately characterizes rib size and shape, and a three‐parameter model of rib orientation within the body. Multivariable regression characterized the independent effect of age, height, weight, and sex on the rib shape and orientation across the adult population, and statistically significant effects were seen from all demographic factors (P < 0.0001). This study reports a novel aging effect whereby both the rib end‐to‐end separation and rib aspect ratio are seen to increase with age, producing elongated and flatter overall rib shapes in elderly populations, with age alone explaining up to 20% of population variability in the aspect ratio of mid‐level ribs. Age was not strongly associated with overall rib arc length, indicating that age effects were related to shape change rather than overall bone length. The rib shape effect was found to be more strongly and directly associated with age than previously documented age‐related changes in rib angulation. Other demographic results showed height and sex being most strongly associated with rib size, and weight most strongly associated with rib pump‐handle angle. Results from the study provide a statistical model for building rib shapes typical of any given demographic by age, height, weight, and sex, and can be used to help build population‐specific computational models of the thoracic rib cage. Furthermore, results also quantify normal population ranges for rib shape parameters which can be used to improve the assessment and treatment of rib skeletal deformity and disease.
Scholars and scientists in the history of the lymphatic system
Authors: Natale Gianfranco , Bocci Guido , Ribatti Domenico
Published: June 2017

The discovery of the lymphatic system has a long and fascinating history. The interest in anatomy and physiology of this system paralleled that of the blood cardiocirculatory system and has been maybe obscured by the latter. Paradoxically, if the closed blood system appeared open in Galen's anatomy and physiology, and took a very long time to be correctly described in terms of pulmonary and general circulation by ibn Al‐Nafis/Michael Servetus/Realdo Colombo and William Harvey, respectively, the open lymphatic system was incorrectly described as a closed circuit connected with arteries and veins. In ancient times only macroscopic components of the lymphatic system have been described, although misinterpreted, including lymph nodes and lacteals, the latter being easily identified because of their milk‐like content. For about 15 centuries the dogmatic acceptance of Galen's notions did not allow a significant progress in medicine. After Vesalius’ revolution in anatomical studies, new knowledge was accumulated, and the 17th century was the golden age for the investigation of the lymphatic system with several discoveries: gut lacteals (Gaspare Aselli), cloacal bursa (Hieronimus Fabricius of Acquapendente), reservoir of the chyle (Jean Pecquet), extra‐intestinal lymphatic vessels (Thomas Bartholin and Olaus Rudbeck dispute), hepatic lymph circulation (Francis Glisson). In the Enlightenment century Frederik Ruysch described the function of lymphatic valves, and Paolo Mascagni provided a magnificent iconography of the lymphatic network in humans. In recent times, Leonetto Comparini realized three‐dimensional reconstructions of the liver lymphatic vessels, and Kari Alitalo discovered the lymphatic growth factor/receptor system. Far from a complete understanding of its anatomy and function, the lymphatic system still needs to be profoundly examined.
Lower FOXO3 mRNA expression in granulosa cells is involved in unexplained infertility
Authors: Yamamoto Hikaru , Yamashita Yoshiki , Saito Natsuho , Hayashi Atsushi , Hayashi Masami , Terai Yoshito , Ohmichi Masahide
Published: June 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate whether FOXO1 and FOXO3 mRNA expression in granulosa cells is the cause of unexplained infertility.

Methods

Thirty‐one patients aged <40 years (13 with unexplained infertility and 18 with male partner infertility as a control group) whose serum anti‐Müllerian hormone level was >0.5 ng/μL were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent oocyte retrieval under a short protocol from June 2012 to October 2013. Real‐time PCR was carried out using mRNA extracted from granulosa cells retrieved from mature follicles. We compared FOXO1 and FOXO3 mRNA expression ratios in granulosa cells between the unexplained infertility group and the male infertility group. The relation between FOXO1 and FOXO3 mRNA expression ratios in granulosa cells and assisted reproduction technology clinical outcome was also examined.

Results

FOXO3 mRNA expression ratio was significantly lower in the unexplained infertility group than in the male infertility group. Moreover, FOXO3 mRNA expression ratio showed a positive correlation with both the number of retrieved oocytes and serum anti‐Müllerian hormone level. A positive correlation was also identified between FOXO1 mRNA expression and total dose of hMG. As well, the number of retrieved oocytes in the unexplained infertility group was statistically lower than that in the male infertility group.

Conclusion

A lower FOXO3 mRNA expression in granulosa cells leads to poor oocyte development in patients with unexplained infertility undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer.
Haemophilus influenzae vulvovaginitis associated with rhinitis caused by the same clone in a prepubertal girl
Authors: Chen Xiao , Chen Lifeng , Zeng Wenjie , Zhao Xiaofeng
Published: June 2017

Vulvovaginitis caused by upper respiratory flora is generally considered to be the most common gynecological problem in prepubertal girls. To date, however, no direct evidence has been obtained for the underlying mechanism of transmission. This report describes a case of non‐capsulate Haemophilus influenzae vulvovaginitis in a 6‐year‐old girl with a history of foreign bodies (cotton wool) in her vagina. Moreover, this girl had recurrent rhinitis for approximately 3 years. On Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis the H. influenzae strain isolated from vaginal secretions and the H. influenzae strain isolated from nasal secretions were derived from the same clone. The patient was successfully treated with appropriate antibiotics. The present case might provide the first direct evidence of the nose‐hand‐vagina method of transmission.
10p15.3p13 duplication inherited from paternal balance translocation (46,XY,t(5;10)(q35.1;p13)) identified on non‐invasive prenatal testing
Authors: Mei Jin , Wang Hao , Zhan Liyong
Published: June 2017

Balanced reciprocal translocations are relatively common human genetic abnormalities that involve the exchange of the terminal segments between different chromosomes and have an approximately 5–80% chance of generating an embryo with chromosomal abnormalities. Non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has been increasingly used in clinical practice to detect fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 with a sensitivity and specificity of up to 99%. In this report, we describe a duplication on chromosome 10 and a deletion on chromosome 5 that were first detected on NIPT. Multiple follow‐up invasive tests, such as prenatal BACs‐on‐Beads (BoBs), GTG banding and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, confirmed the NIPT results. Furthermore, GTG banding identified a normal maternal karyotype and a paternal karyotype with a balanced translocation of 46, XY, t(5;10)(q35.1;p13), inherited by the child. Therefore, NIPT could be a new method for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormalities, which, in the present study, were confirmed on multiple clinical and molecular methods as being derived from paternal balanced chromosomal rearrangements.
Independent risk factors for a small placenta and a small‐for‐gestational‐age infant at 35–41 weeks of gestation: An association with circulating angiogenesis‐related factor levels at 19–31 weeks of gestation
Authors: Hirashima Chikako , Ohkuchi Akihide , Takahashi Kayo , Suzuki Hirotada , Shirasuna Koumei , Matsubara Shigeki
Published: June 2017

Aim

Our aim was to investigate the effects of angiogenesis‐related factor levels at 19–25 and 26–31 weeks of gestation (WG) on the later occurrence of a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) placenta (small placenta) or an SGA infant delivered at 35–41 WG.

Methods

We measured plasma levels of soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt‐1) and placental growth factor (PlGF), and the serum level of soluble endoglin (sEng) in 679 pregnant women with blood sampling at both 19–25 and 26–31 WG in a prospective study. A small placenta and an SGA infant were defined as <10th percentile, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using maternal factors, a high mean pulsatility index (high mPI) of the uterine artery in the second trimester, and angiogenesis‐related factor levels.

Results

Regarding the occurrence of a small placenta, low PlGF at 19–25 WG (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.4 [1.01–5.7]) and a high mPI (2.5 [1.4–4.3]) were independent risk factors. Moreover, low PlGF at 26–31 WG (3.3 [1.5–7.0]) was also an independent risk factor after adjusting for the effect of mPI. Concerning the occurrence of an SGA infant, a high mPI (2.8 [1.6–5.2]) and high sEng at 26–31 WG (2.3 [1.2–4.5]) were independent risk factors.

Conclusion

Low levels of PlGF at 19–25 and 26–31 WG were independent risk factors for a small placenta at ≥35 WG; and a high sEng at 26–31 WG was an independent risk factor for an SGA infant at ≥35 WG.
Number of parity and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women: A dose–response meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Ren Lei , Guo Peng , Sun Qiao‐Mei , Liu Hong , Chen Yu , Huang Ying , Cai Xiao‐Jun
Published: June 2017

Aim

The association between parity and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk has been investigated, but results are controversial. Thus, our aim was to systematically analyze the effect of number of parity on the risk of RA in women.

Methods

Relevant published studies were identified using PubMed and embase databases through 1 April 2016. We pooled the relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random‐effects models.

Results

In all, 12 studies with a total of 2 497 580 participants and 11 521 RA cases were included. A borderline significant inverse association was observed when we compared parity with nulliparity for RA, with summarized RR = 0.90 (95%CI: 0.79–1.02; I2 = 58.5%, Pheterogeneity = 0.010). In dose–response analysis, we observed a significant nonlinear (Pnonlinearity = 0.000) relation between parity number and the risk of RA. Compared with null parity, the pooled RR of RA were 0.89 (95%CI: 0.86–0.93), 0.84 (95%CI: 0.79–0.89), 0.85 (95%CI: 0.79–0.90), 0.88 (95%CI: 0.81–0.95), 0.90 (95%CI: 0.83–0.97), 0.92 (95%CI: 0.84–1.02), and 0.94 (95%CI: 0.83–1.07) for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 live births, respectively. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed similar associations. No publication bias was found.

Conclusion

The findings from the current meta‐analysis indicate that parity was related to decreased risk of RA. The greatest risk reduction appeared when the parity number reached two. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
Response to ‘Letter to the Editor’ regarding the article ‘The seasonal importance of serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D for bone mineral density in older women’
Authors: Michaëlsson K. , Melhus H.
Published: June 2017

Click here to view the Letter to the Editor by Dr. T. Sugiyama.
Primary care interventions to reduce childhood obesity and sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption: Food for thought for oral health professionals
Authors: Dooley Diane , Moultrie Nicolette M. , Sites Elsbeth , Crawford Patricia B.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Childhood obesity remains a significant threat to America's children. Health care leaders have increasingly called upon oral health professionals to integrate healthy weight promotion and enhanced sugar‐sweetened beverage counseling into their professional practices. The aim of this scoping review is to examine recent evidence regarding the effectiveness of primary care childhood obesity interventions that have potential for adoption by oral health professionals.

Methods

Medine, and PubMed were searched from 2010 to 2016 for review articles and studies reporting patient outcomes or policy outcomes relevant to primary care childhood obesity interventions for children ages 2–11 years. Additional articles were accessed through relevant websites, journals, and references. Our screening criteria included interventions that could be adopted by oral health professionals.

Results

Forty‐two articles met inclusion criteria. Effective interventions fell into four domains: family‐based programs, motivational interviewing, office‐based practice tools, and policy interventions. Despite strong evidence linking the consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages to childhood obesity, our review did not find evidence of primary care programs effectively targeting and reducing childhood sugary drinks.

Conclusions

Effective primary care interventions for addressing childhood obesity have been identified, although only short‐term effectiveness has been demonstrated. Dissemination of these practices as well as further research and advocacy are needed. Childhood obesity and poor oral health share many common risk factors. Additional research should focus on the benefits and feasibility of widespread interdisciplinary medical‐oral health collaboration in addressing the two most prevalent diseases of childhood.
Supraspinal inhibitory effects of chimeric peptide MCRT on gastrointestinal motility in mice
Authors: He Chunbo , Li Hailan , Zhang Jing , Kang Yanping , Jia Fang , Dong Shouliang , Zhou Lanxia
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Chimeric peptide MCRT, based on morphiceptin and PFRTic-NH2, was a bifunctional ligand of μ- and δ-opioid receptors (MOR-DOR) and produced potent analgesia in tail-withdrawal test. The study focused on the supraspinal effects of morphiceptin, PFRTic-NH2 and MCRT on gastrointestinal motility. Moreover, opioid receptor antagonists, naloxone (non-selective), cyprodime (MOR selective) and naltrindole (DOR selective) were utilized to explore the mechanisms.

Methods

Intracerebroventricular administration was achieved via the implanted cannula. Gastric emptying and intestinal transit were measured to evaluate gastrointestinal motility.

Key findings

(1) At supraspinal level, morphiceptin, PFRTic-NH2 and MCRT significantly decreased gastric emptying and intestinal transit; (2) MCRT at 1 nmol/mouse, far higher than its analgesic dose (ED50 = 29.8 pmol/mouse), failed to regulate the gastrointestinal motility; (3) MCRT-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction could be completely blocked by naloxone and naltrindole, but not affected by cyprodime.

Conclusions

(1) Morphiceptin and PFRTic-NH2 played important roles in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility; (2) MCRT possessed higher bioactivity of pain relief than gastrointestinal regulation, suggesting its promising analgesic property; (3) MCRT-induced motility disorders were sensitive to DOR but not to MOR blockade, indicating the pain-relieving specificity of speculated MOR subtype or splice variant or MOR-DOR heterodimer.
Sleep structure in blindness is influenced by circadian desynchrony
Authors: Aubin Sébrina , Jennum Poul , Nielsen Tore , Kupers Ron , Ptito Maurice
Published: June 2017

We examined the structure, duration and quality of sleep, including non‐rapid eye movement sleep and rapid eye movement sleep, in 11 blind individuals without conscious light perception and 11 age‐ and sex‐matched sighted controls. Because blindness is associated with a greater incidence of free‐running circadian rhythms, we controlled for circadian phase by a measure of melatonin onset timing. When circadian rhythm was entrained and melatonin onset occurred at normal times, sleep structure did not differ between blind and sighted individuals. On the other hand, an abnormal timing of the circadian phase, including delayed, shifted and unclassifiable melatonin onsets, led to larger rapid eye movement sleep latencies and increased wake times. No differences were observed for stages of non‐rapid eye movement sleep, either between congenital and late blind and sighted individuals, or across the different circadian phases. Moreover, abnormal circadian phases were more common in the blind (n = 5) than the sighted (n = 2) sample. Our findings suggest that the sleep structure of blind individuals depends on entrainment of circadian phase, rather than on the absence of vision.
Examining Implementation of Intensive Intervention in Mathematics
Authors: Schumacher Robin F. , Zumeta Edmonds Rebecca , Arden Sarah V.
Published: June 2017

Promising findings from controlled research studies often fail to be transferred to and implemented in schools successfully. This problem is particularly apparent when considering implementation of evidence‐based practices related to complex systems such as response to intervention (RTI) and other multitiered intervention frameworks in mathematics. This article addresses the challenges schools face when implementing intensive intervention in mathematics with a data‐based individualization (DBI) framework. Preliminary findings from the first year of a formative evaluation study that addressed school‐based implementation of DBI include (a) factors that impacted readiness for DBI, (b) the application of DBI at school sites, and (c) the importance of ongoing coaching and consultation. We then discuss practical implications for schools and districts when planning for intensive intervention in mathematics.
Genomewide transcriptional reprogramming in the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa under experimental ocean acidification
Authors: Ruocco Miriam , Musacchia Francesco , Olivé Irene , Costa Monya M. , Barrote Isabel , Santos Rui , Sanges Remo , Procaccini Gabriele , Silva João
Published: June 2017

Here, we report the first use of massive‐scale RNA‐sequencing to explore seagrass response to CO2‐driven ocean acidification (OA). Large‐scale gene expression changes in the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa occurred at CO2 levels projected by the end of the century. C. nodosa transcriptome was obtained using Illumina RNA‐Seq technology and de novo assembly, and differential gene expression was explored in plants exposed to short‐term high CO2/low pH conditions. At high pCO2, there was a significant increased expression of transcripts associated with photosynthesis, including light reaction functions and CO2 fixation, and also to respiratory pathways, specifically for enzymes involved in glycolysis, in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and in the energy metabolism of the mitochondrial electron transport. The upregulation of respiratory metabolism is probably supported by the increased availability of photosynthates and increased energy demand for biosynthesis and stress‐related processes under elevated CO2 and low pH. The upregulation of several chaperones resembling heat stress‐induced changes in gene expression highlighted the positive role these proteins play in tolerance to intracellular acid stress in seagrasses. OA further modifies C. nodosa secondary metabolism inducing the transcription of enzymes related to biosynthesis of carbon‐based secondary compounds, in particular the synthesis of polyphenols and isoprenoid compounds that have a variety of biological functions including plant defence. By demonstrating which physiological processes are most sensitive to OA, this research provides a major advance in the understanding of seagrass metabolism in the context of altered seawater chemistry from global climate change.