bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Podoplanin promotes progression of malignant pleural mesothelioma by regulating motility and focus formation
Authors: Takeuchi Shinji , Fukuda Koji , Yamada Tadaaki , Arai Sachiko , Takagi Satoshi , Ishii Genichiro , Ochiai Atsushi , Iwakiri Shotaro , Itoi Kazumi , Uehara Hisanori , Nishihara Hiroshi , Fujita Naoya , Yano Seiji
Published: February 2017

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is characterized by dissemination and aggressive growth in the thoracic cavity. Podoplanin (PDPN) is an established diagnostic marker for MPM, but the function of PDPN in MPM is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the pathogenetic function of PDPN in MPM. Forty‐seven of 52 tumors (90%) from Japanese patients with MPM and 3/6 (50%) MPM cell lines tested positive for PDPN. Knocking down PDPN in PDPN‐high expressing MPM cells resulted in decreased cell motility. In contrast, overexpression of PDPN in PDPN‐low expressing MPM cells enhanced cell motility. PDPN stimulated motility was mediated by activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway. Moreover, knocking down PDPN with short hairpin (sh) RNA in PDPN‐high expressing MPM cells resulted in decreased development of a thoracic tumor in mice with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). In sharp contrast, transfection of PDPN in PDPN‐low expressing MPM cells resulted in an increase in the number of Ki‐67‐positive proliferating tumor cells and it promoted progression of a thoracic tumor in SCID mice. Interestingly, PDPN promoted focus formation in vitro, and a low level of E‐cadherin expression and YAP1 activation was observed in PDPN‐high MPM tumors. These findings indicate that PDPN is a diagnostic marker as well as a pathogenetic regulator that promotes MPM progression by increasing cell motility and inducing focus formation. Therefore, PDPN might be a pathogenetic determinant of MPM dissemination and aggressive growth and may thus be an ideal therapeutic target.
School Tracking and Youth Self‐Perceptions: Implications for Academic and Racial Identity
Authors: Legette Kamilah
Published: February 2017

School tracking creates vast differential learning and schooling opportunities that lead to different academic trajectories. Black adolescents are disproportionally placed in nonhonors tracks possibly compromising their racial and academic identity. Interviews with 20 socioeconomically diverse 12 to 13 year old Black seventh graders revealed that narratives about racial and academic identity vary by track placement. Although most adolescents held negative perceptions about students enrolled in nonhonors courses, students in nonhonors seemed to view the negative perceptions of their classmates as reflections of themselves as Black people and as students. In contrast, adolescents in honors courses viewed these negative perceptions as limited to students in nonhonors. They reported having a greater connection to academics and viewed themselves as positive representatives of Blackness.
Fitting the Message to the Listener: Children Selectively Mention General and Specific Facts
Authors: Baer Carolyn , Friedman Ori
Published: February 2017

In three experiments, two hundred and ninety‐seven 4‐ to 6‐year‐olds were asked to describe objects to a listener, and their answers were coded for the presence of general and specific facts. In Experiments 1 and 2, the listener's knowledge of the kinds of objects was manipulated. This affected references to specific facts at all ages, but only affected references to general facts in children aged 5 and older. In Experiment 3, children's goal in communicating was either pedagogical or not. Pedagogy influenced references to general information from age 4, but not references to specific information. These findings are informative about how children vary general and specific information in conversation, and suggest that listeners' knowledge and children's pedagogical goals influenced children's responses via different mechanisms.
Developmental Relations Among Motor and Cognitive Processes and Mathematics Skills
Authors: Kim Helyn , Duran Chelsea A. K. , Cameron Claire E. , Grissmer David
Published: February 2017

This study explored transactional associations among visuomotor integration, attention, fine motor coordination, and mathematics skills in a diverse sample of one hundred thirty‐five 5‐year‐olds (kindergarteners) and one hundred nineteen 6‐year‐olds (first graders) in the United States who were followed over the course of 2 school years. Associations were dynamic, with more reciprocal transactions occurring in kindergarten than in the later grades. Specifically, visuomotor integration and mathematics exhibited ongoing reciprocity in kindergarten and first grade, attention contributed to mathematics in kindergarten and first grade, mathematics contributed to attention across the kindergarten year only, and fine motor coordination contributed to mathematics indirectly, through visuomotor integration, across kindergarten and first grade. Implications of examining the hierarchical interrelations among processes underlying the development of children's mathematics skills are discussed.
Convolutional Sparse Coding for Capturing High‐Speed Video Content
Authors: Serrano Ana , Garces Elena , Masia Belen , Gutierrez Diego
Published: February 2017

Video capture is limited by the trade‐off between spatial and temporal resolution: when capturing videos of high temporal resolution, the spatial resolution decreases due to bandwidth limitations in the capture system. Achieving both high spatial and temporal resolution is only possible with highly specialized and very expensive hardware, and even then the same basic trade‐off remains. The recent introduction of compressive sensing and sparse reconstruction techniques allows for the capture of single‐shot high‐speed video, by coding the temporal information in a single frame, and then reconstructing the full video sequence from this single‐coded image and a trained dictionary of image patches. In this paper, we first analyse this approach, and find insights that help improve the quality of the reconstructed videos. We then introduce a novel technique, based on convolutional sparse coding (CSC), and show how it outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art, patch‐based approach in terms of flexibility and efficiency, due to the convolutional nature of its filter banks. The key idea for CSC high‐speed video acquisition is extending the basic formulation by imposing an additional constraint in the temporal dimension, which enforces sparsity of the first‐order derivatives over time.
Independent Advocacy for Children and Young People: Developing an Outcomes Framework
Authors: Thomas Nigel , Crowley Anne , Moxon Dan , Ridley Julie , Street Cathy , Joshi Puja
Published: February 2017

This article draws on a study of the outcomes and impact of independent advocacy for children and young people to explore how the value of advocacy is understood by them and by professionals, and what differences advocacy can make to the lives of children and young people. Findings indicate that outcomes of advocacy can be significant and wide‐ranging, including both direct effects on the child or young person and wider impact on services. This has implications for how to capture and report the outcomes of advocacy, for which this article offers a new conceptual framework.
Endoscopic closure after intraluminal surgery
Authors: Akimoto Teppei , Goto Osamu , Nishizawa Toshihiro , Yahagi Naohisa
Published: February 2017

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is established as a curative endoscopic method for gastrointestinal epithelial neoplasms with a high possibility of complete en bloc resection; however, postoperative adverse events of bleeding and delayed perforation remain. To prevent or minimize them, several techniques for endoscopic mucosal closure have been introduced, such as using endoscopic clips, combined use of hemoclips and supplement devices, and specially designed endoscopic suturing devices. Furthermore, endoscopic full‐thickness suturing technique for gastrointestinal wall defect has been developed based on the concept in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery and endoscopic full‐thickness resection. Several closure techniques, including over‐the‐scope clip, threaded bars inserted in a hollow needle, stitches or staplers, and a curved needle and thread are reported. Secure closure of the iatrogenic defect may further expand the range of therapeutic endoscopy. Accumulation of evidence for the efficacy of endoscopic closure and establishment of these techniques are desired.
Interventional endoscopic ultrasonography: Where are we headed?
Authors: Bruno Marco J.
Published: February 2017

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is an essential endoscopic tool within the diagnostic and therapeutic armamentarium of gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases. EUS‐guided tissue acquisition will develop towards facilitating personalized treatment by obtaining large representative tissue specimens for elaborate immunohistochemical and biomolecular typing of the tumor. Intratumoral or intravascular delivery of drugs potentially offers many advantages over systemic injection. Intratumoral application of radiofrequency ablation and photodynamic therapy show promise but need to be explored further. Appositioning and connecting luminal structures within the gastrointestinal tract using fully covered expandable lumen‐apposing stents will expand its indication far beyond the drainage of (infected) fluid collections and EUS‐guided gastrojejunostomy is a particularly exciting development that could have significant impact on the management of gastric outlet obstruction.
Chemical control of two Phytophthora species infecting the canopy of Monterey pine (Pinus radiata)
Authors: Rolando C. A. , Dick M. A. , Gardner J. , Bader M. K‐F. , Williams N. M.
Published: February 2017

Twelve active ingredients were screened for their ability to control foliage disease caused by Phytophthora kernoviae and Phytophthora pluvialis. Inhibition of mycelial growth and sporangial production of both pathogens were assessed in in vitro assays after exposure to three concentrations of each active ingredient. While most of these active ingredients inhibited mycelial growth in vitro, due to their widespread use, phosphite, copper oxychloride and metalaxyl‐M were selected for further study. Four rates of each active ingredient were applied to two Pinus radiata genotypes, and detached needle assays at 6 and 90 days post‐treatment were used to determine treatment efficacy and persistence. Untreated needles showed significantly larger lesions than all fungicide‐treated needles after exposure to P. pluvialis or P. kernoviae on both sampling dates. Efficacy and persistence of the three active ingredients did not increase with increase in concentration. Larger lesions were formed on more susceptible genotype after inoculation with both Phytophthora species, even when higher rates of active ingredients were applied. Phosphite, copper oxychloride and metalaxyl‐M have potential to protect commercially planted P. radiata from these two Phytophthora species.
Correction of plastic zone estimates from linear elastic stress field: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Sousa R. A. , Figueiredo F. P.
Published: February 2017

This paper shows the usual inconsistency made in the linear elastic fracture mechanic, which is to estimate plastic zones (pz) from a linear elastic (LE) analysis with correction of the pz size based on assumptions of equilibrium. The corrected LE pz is compared with the pz obtained from elastic–plastic analyses. For this purpose, the finite element method is used. Moreover, the load histories in points along the domains of the corrected LE pz and elastic–plastic pz are computed and analysed. This paper, showing that LE pz, corrected or not, has only a qualitative interpretation.
Do persistent rare species experience stronger negative frequency dependence than common species?
Authors: Yenni Glenda , Adler Peter B. , Ernest S. K. Morgan
Published: February 2017

Understanding why so many species are rare yet persistent remains a significant challenge for both theoretical and empirical ecologists. Yenni et al. (2012, Ecology, 93, 456–461) proposed that strong negative frequency dependence causes species to be rare while simultaneously buffering them against extinction. This hypothesis predicts that, on average, rare species should experience stronger negative frequency dependence than common species. However, it is unknown if ecological communities generally show this theoretical pattern. We discuss the implications of this phenomenon for community dynamics, and develop a method to test for a non‐random relationship between negative frequency dependence and relative abundance using species abundance data from 90 communities across a broad range of environments and taxonomic groups. To account for biases introduced by measurement error, we compared the observed correlation between species relative abundance and the strength of frequency dependence against expectations from a randomization procedure. In approximately half of the analysed communities, we found increasingly strong negative frequency dependence with decreasing relative abundance: rare species experienced stronger frequency dependence than common species. The randomization test never detected stronger negative frequency dependence in more common species. Our results suggest that strong negative frequency dependence is a signature of persistent, rare species in many communities.
How can migration serve adaptation to climate change? Challenges to fleshing out a policy ideal
Authors: Gemenne François , Blocher Julia
Published: February 2017

Migration continues to be pictured in public debates as a failure to adapt to changes, while policymakers explore adaptation measures as a means to reduce migration pressures, and scholars have contended that migration processes exist within a larger framework of strategies for adapting to damaging climate change impacts. So what are the impacts of migration on the adaptive capacities and vulnerabilities of the origin and host communities, as well as of the migrants themselves? The objective of this conceptual and methodological paper is to identify possible different options for research into the consequences of migration for adaptation. The first section reviews how the migration–adaptation nexus has been addressed in the literature, confirming the potential of human mobility to build resilience and to increase adaptive capacities within complex and potentially maladaptive processes. The next section explores the potential impacts of migration that need to be studied, from three main vantage points: the migrants themselves, the community of origin, and the community of destination. A final section weighs the possible approaches and suggests solutions that may exist to advance empirical study of the migration–adaptation area nexus, so that it can address not just the causes, but also the consequences of migration in the context of environmental changes.
Screening of female family members of von Willebrand disease patients: utility of a modified screening tool in a high‐risk population
Authors: Faiz A. S. , Kaveney A. , Guo S. , Murphy S. , Philipp C. S.
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Family members of Von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients may have low levels of VWF without major bleeding episodes and often remain undiagnosed.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of a modified Screening Tool in identifying previously untested reproductive age female family members of VWD patients for haemostatic evaluation.

Methods

Ninety‐four reproductive age women including 41 previously untested family members of VWD patients, 26 previously diagnosed VWD patients and 27 healthy controls were administered a modified Screening Tool and had blood drawn for CBC, ferritin, and VWF testing. Participants completed a pictorial blood assessment chart (PBAC) with menses.

Results

The modified Screening Tool was positive in 32% family members, 77% VWD patients, and 19% controls (P < 0.001). Combined with low ferritin, the modified Screening Tool was positive in 66% family members, 92% VWD patients, and 44% controls (P = 0.001). In family members, incorporating low ferritin with the modified Screening Tool resulted in a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI, 42–100) and negative predictive value of 93% (95% CI, 66–100). In the control group, NPV was between 92% and 95% for the modified Screening Tool and also for the modified Screening Tool combined with low ferritin or a positive PBAC.

Conclusion

These data in a racially diverse population suggest the usefulness of a simple, easy to administer modified Screening Tool. In conjunction with ferritin it could be used in a primary care setting to stratify reproductive age women with a family history of VWD for haemostatic evaluation.
Idealization and Abstraction in Models of Injustice
Authors: Hancox‐Li Leif
Published: February 2017

Charles Mills has argued against ideal theory in political philosophy on the basis that it contains idealizations. He calls for political philosophers to do more nonideal theory, namely political theory that pays more attention to the most visible oppressions in society, such as those based on race, gender, and class. Mills's argument relies on a distinction between idealization and abstraction. Idealizations involve adding false assumptions to one's model, which is unacceptable, whereas abstractions merely leave out details without undermining descriptive power. By studying formal models of injustice, I argue that the idealization/abstraction distinction is unhelpful. Either the distinction exists only relative to one's modeling purposes, or all models in political theory contain idealizations. Either way, the distinction does not help Mills's cause. Furthermore, there are arguments from philosophy of science for the epistemic benefits of idealizations. However, Mills's call for greater emphasis on the most visible mechanisms of oppression can be supported without relying on an idealization/abstraction distinction. I provide three alternative reasons for why we should prefer political theories that place more emphasis on race‐, class‐, and gender‐based oppression.
Collaborative HIV care in primary health care: nurses’ views
Authors: Ngunyulu R.N. , Peu M.D. , Mulaudzi F.M. , Mataboge M.L.S. , Phiri S.S.
Published: February 2017

Background

Collaborative HIV care between the nurses and traditional health practitioners is an important strategy to improve health care of people living with HIV.

Aim

To explore and describe the views of nurses regarding collaborative HIV care in primary healthcare services in the City of Tshwane, South Africa.

Method

A qualitative, descriptive design was used to explore and describe the views of nurses who met the study's inclusion criteria. In‐depth individual interviews were conducted to collect data from purposively selected nurses. Content analysis was used to analyse data.

Results

Two main categories were developed during the data analysis stage. The views of nurses and health system challenges regarding collaborative HIV care.

Discussion

The study findings revealed that there was inadequate collaborative HIV care between the nurses and the traditional health practitioners.

Conclusion

It is evident that there is inadequate policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation regarding collaboration in HIV care. The study findings might influence policymakers to consider the importance of collaborative HIV care, and improve the quality of care by strengthening the referral system and follow‐up of people living with HIV and AIDS, as a result the health outcomes as implied in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 might be improved.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Training and involvement of traditional health practitioners in the nursing and health policy should be considered to enhance and build a trustworthy working relationship between the nurses and the traditional health practitioners in HIV care.
Effect of Environmental Impedance Surrounding a Radiofrequency Ablation Catheter Electrode on Lesion Characteristics
Authors: NGUYEN DUY T. , NGUYEN KIANNA , ZHENG LIJUN , SCHULLER JOSEPH , ZIPSE MATTHEW , TZOU WENDY S. , SAUER WILLIAM H.
Published: February 2017

Environmental Impedance and Ablation Lesions

Introduction

The electrical conductivity of the environment surrounding a catheter electrode may affect radiofrequency (RF) current. A higher impedance environment enveloping a catheter tip can be insulating and thus direct RF preferentially into targeted cardiac tissue. We sought to evaluate whether different environmental impedances will affect RF lesions.

Methods

Anex vivomodel using bovine myocardium, load cell, and 4 mm ablation catheter was tested using a circulating bath of normal (0.9%; NS) and half normal (0.45%; HNS) saline. Ablations were performed at 50 W. In addition, using a porcine thigh prep model, warmed heparinized blood was circulated at 350 mL/min. Prior to ablation, circulating bath impedance was altered with NS and HNS. RF was applied at 30 W with a force‐sensing, open irrigated catheter.

Results

Ex vivoRF with a 4 mm catheter using an HNS bath led to larger lesions, 286.7 ± 64 mm³ versus 198.9 ± 61 mm³ (P < 0.001), compared to an NS bath. In the porcine thigh prep, for RF in the high impedance (HNS) bath, initial and final impedances were higher, and the measured impedance reductions during ablation were larger, compared to RF in the low impedance (NS) bath.In vivoablation within a higher impedance bath created larger lesion sizes, compared to a lower impedance bath, 222.4 ± 63.4 mm3versus 135.4 ± 61.7 mm3(P < 0.001).

Conclusions

A higher impedance surrounding an RF catheter can facilitate more effective RF and thereby increase lesion size. This may have implications for RF safety and efficacy, especially in the epicardium where pericardial fluid can be altered with infusion of ionic solutions.
The Clinical Effectiveness of Alveolar Ridge Preservation in the Maxillary Anterior Esthetic Zone—A Retrospective Study
Authors: Lee Albert Ming Hsien , Poon Choy Yoke
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The primary aim was to investigate whether ridge preservation done at extraction will preserve at least 6 mm of alveolar ridge width in the anterior maxillary zone and obviate the need for secondary bone augmentation during implant insertion.

Methods

Sixty patients with single implants placed in the anterior maxillary zone were classified in two groups. In the test group, 40 patients underwent ridge preservation at the time of tooth extraction, while the remaining 20 patients in the control group did not. Preimplant CBCT was evaluated to investigate if at least 6 mm of alveolar ridge width existed before implant insertion. The records were studied to investigate if secondary bone augmentation was done during implantation.

Results

The mean patient age was 48.4 years. In the test group, mean healing time before implant placement was 5.0 ± 3.7 months (2 to 22 months); in the control groups, 13.0 + 12.7 months (1.2 to 38 months). In the test group, 82.5% of the subjects had a preimplant alveolar ridge width measuring at least 6 mm. In comparison, only 35% of the subjects in the control group had a preimplant alveolar ridge width measuring at least 6 mm. The odds of having at least 6 mm preimplant alveolar ridge width was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). The need for secondary augmentation in the esthetic zone was less in the test group, the difference was not significant (p = 0.218). Within the test group, subjects received either xenografts or allografts as the ridge preservation material. There was no significant difference in the alveolar ridge width between these two materials (p = 1)

Conclusion

Ridge preservation was effective in providing a sufficient ridge width in the anterior maxilla at the time of implantation and reduced the need for further bone augmentation.

Clinical Significance

The results of this study give the clinician insight into whether ridge preservation is required during extraction in the anterior maxilla in preparation for an implant restoration. (J Esthet Restor Dent 29:137–145, 2017)
Influence of Gender on Visual Shade Matching in Dentistry
Authors: Pecho Oscar E. , Ghinea Razvan , Perez Maria M. , Della Bona Alvaro
Published: February 2017

Objective

Accuracy on visual shade matching (VSM) is one of the most difficult procedures in esthetic dentistry. Some variables can influence on this process and gender is one of the most controversial. This observational study evaluated the influence of gender on accuracy of VSM.

Materials and Methods

One‐hundred observers (65 females and 35 males) shade matched four human upper central incisors (UCI) to shade tabs from Vita Classical (VC) shade guide. In addition, the spectral reflectance values from the four UCI and from the 16 VC shade tabs were measured using a spectroradiometer (SP). Measurements were performed over a gray background, inside a viewing booth and under D65 illuminant (diffuse/0º geometry). CIELAB coordinates (L*, a*, and b*) were calculated according to CIE D65 illuminant and CIE 2º Standard Observer. Instrumental shade matching for each UCI, based on minimum color difference, was performed using two color difference metrics (CIELAB and CIEDE2000(2:1:1)). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and McNemar test (α = 0.05).

Results

Irrespective of the color difference metric, the most prevalent shade performed by females showed greater success (50% for CIELAB and 100% for CIEDE2000(2:1:1)) than males (25% for CIELAB and 50% for CIEDE2000(2:1:1)). However, such difference on gender was statistically significant only when using CIEDE2000(2:1:1) color difference metric (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

The most prevalent shade option resultant from VSM performed by females using VC shade guide perfectly agreed (100% success rate) with measurements from SP and CIEDE2000(2:1:1) color difference metric.

Clinical Significance

The ability to understand and distinguish color differences in VSM is critical in clinical dentistry. Variation in shade perception due to observer gender can be minimized using additional observers and/or improving shade matching ability. (J Esthet Restor Dent 29:E15–E23, 2017)
Patterns and challenges of treatment sequencing in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Experience from a German referral center
Authors: Kirstein Martha M , Schweitzer Nora , Winter Theresa , Lappas Katerina , Graen Nathalie , Kunstmann Isabell , Voigtländer Torsten , Reineke‐Plaaß Tanja , Manns Michael P , Lehner Frank , Rodt Thomas , Vogel Arndt
Published: February 2017

Background and Aim

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers. Several local and systemic therapies are available for patients with HCC depending on the stage of the disease. In clinical practice, treatment decision‐making, and sequencing may be very heterogeneous.

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed treatment algorithms in 2101 patients with HCC treated from 2000 to 2015 at Hannover Medical School, Germany.

Results

Transarterial chemoembolization was the most common initial treatment (n = 545; 25.9%), followed by resection (n = 435, 20.7%), local‐ablative procedures (n = 283, 13.5%), systemic therapies (n = 275, 13.1%), and liver transplantation (n = 52; 2.5%). Most patients were treated only once (n = 960; 59.6%). A total of 433 (26.9%) and 160 (9.9%) patients received a second line and third line treatment after recurrent or progressive disease. Patients with more than one treatment line were diagnosed at significantly earlier disease stages (P < 0.001). Using binary logistic regression, AFP ≤ 200 μg/L, albumin > 36 g/L, and small tumor size (≤50 mm) were identified as predictors of achieving more than one treatment line. Subsequent treatment stage migration to a therapy suggested for the next advanced stage occurred only in 56.9%, whereas 43.1% received treatments suggested for earlier disease stages. Only 16% of all treated patients received systemic therapy in the salvage setting.

Conclusion

Most patients were treated only once, and only a minority of patients received systemic treatment. The high dropout rate for subsequent therapies needs to be considered within therapy decision‐making. There is an urgent need for prospective studies to define the best time point when to switch patients from local to systemic therapies.
CD40 polymorphism in cervical carcinoma in a subset of Malaysian population
Authors: Krishnappa Purushotham , Kong Hong Mun , Mohamad Ibtisam Binti , Voon Kenny , Somanath Sushela Devi
Published: February 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the allelic frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human CD40 gene in cervical cancer.

Methods

A total of 200 cases were selected from the records of the Department of Pathology, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban, Malaysia. The samples were collected in three separate groups: cervicitis (n = 61), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 69), and cervical carcinoma (n = 70). The patients' demographic data and the respective paraffin‐embedded tissue samples from Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban were obtained upon consent. The sample tissues were submitted for DNA extraction using G‐spin Total DNA Extraction Kit. DNA obtained was then submitted for nested PCR before restriction enzyme digestion.

Results

SNP rs1883832 showed higher prevalence of T alleles in the cervical carcinoma group compared to the control groups and in rs3765459, a higher prevalence of G alleles in the cervical carcinoma group was noted. The results of rs1800686 and rs4810485 were insignificant.

Conclusion

The data from our study indicates a potential association between the rs1883832 and rs3765459 CD40 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to cervical cancer.
A unique method for detecting beef tenderness based on viscoelasticity principle
Authors: Long Yuan , Tang Xiuying , Wang Wenjuan , Peng Yankun , Dong Xiaoguang , Kang Xilong , Li Yongyu
Published: February 2017

Tenderness is an important parameter for evaluating textural properties of beef. Viscoelasticity is a comprehensive property of viscosity and elasticity. Detection of beef tenderness based on beef viscoelasticity could avoid sample destruction inherent to the traditional evaluation method. This study has built a novel detection system using an air flow supply and laser displacement sensor to evaluate beef viscoelasticity, collecting measurements of beef sample deformation from the air flow, and of the subsequent recovery occurring during a 12‐second time period. Compression curves and recovery curves were fitted by exponential function. The maximum compression deformation, d1, the recovery deformation, d2, and the total deformation, d3, were calculated. Instantaneous deformations of L1 and L2 were evaluated, including deformation areas of S1 and S2, respectively. The deformations for the period from 8 to 12 s were fitted by linear regression. Principal component analysis was used to find optimal principal components. Partial least squares regression method was used to build a model to predict the validation set. The optimal model was obtained using 12 principal components. Correlation coefficient and root mean square error of calibration set were 0.8541and 5.9727, respectively. Similarly, correlation coefficient and root means square error of validation set were 0.8357, respectively. The results showed that beef tenderness detection based on viscoelasticity can be of great value for practical application. This research provides a unique method for nondestructive and quantitative detection of meat and poultry.

Practical applications

Tenderness is of great importance while evaluating the quality of beef. However, there is a lack of effective nondestructive methods to measure beef tenderness. A new method was developed to evaluate beef tenderness by applying air flow pressure on a beef sample surface and using a laser displacement sensor to measure the associated surface deformation as influenced by the beef viscoelasticity. The relationship between beef tenderness and the deformation was established so that the former can be predicted by observed deformation, thus, resulting in a unique method for evaluating beef tenderness.
Characterization of milk composition in narrow‐ridged finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) at different lactation stages
Authors: Zeng Xianyuan , Huang Shiang‐lin , Qian Zhengyi , Hao Yujiang , Wang Ding , Ji Junhua , Nabi Ghulam
Published: February 2017

Lactation plays a vital role in reproductive success, evolving with ecological adaptations of mammalian life histories. Knowledge of the lactation process in odontocetes is scarce and limited to a handful of species. We investigated the changes in milk composition across different lactation stages, including prepartum mammary secretion and early, mid‐ and late lactation of narrow‐ridged finless porpoises. Prepartum mammary secretion was greenish and characterized by high protein, low sugar, and negligible fat contents. In contrast, milk fat became predominant over protein and sugar contents throughout all lactation stages. At the early lactation stage, the contents of all milk constituents except water varied greatly. At the mid‐late lactation stage, the gross milk composition was relatively stable and was composed of, on average, 67.34% ± 4.13% water, 9.96% ± 0.75% protein, 21.40% ± 3.24% fat, and 1.72% ± 0.73% sugar. Our findings provide new insight into milk composition at different lactation stages in the narrow‐ridged finless porpoise.
Current evidence linking nutrition with brain health in ageing
Authors: Moore K. , O'Shea M. , Hughes C. F. , Hoey L. , Ward M. , McNulty H.
Published: February 2017

Cognitive dysfunction and depression are significant problems of ageing with major health and socio‐economic impacts; therefore, preventing or delaying the onset of these disorders should be a public health priority. In particular, there is a need to identify modifiable factors that could be targeted to promote better brain health in ageing. Epidemiological studies indicate a protective role for certain dietary patterns, in particular the Mediterranean diet, and for specific nutrients, including n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols and B vitamins. Although, the evidence to date from randomised controlled trials is generally inconsistent, there is clearer evidence to support a role for folate and related B vitamins in slowing the progression of cognitive decline and possibly reducing the risk of depression in ageing. Future studies incorporating new technologies offer much promise for the development of effective nutrition strategies that could reduce the risk of cognitive and mental disorders and improve quality of life in our ageing population.
The MooDFOOD project: Prevention of depression through nutritional strategies
Authors: Cabout M. , Brouwer I. A. , Visser M. ,   the MooDFOOD Consortium
Published: February 2017

MooDFOOD is a ‘Multi‐country cOllaborative project on the rOle of Diet, Food‐related behaviour, and Obesity in the prevention of Depression’. Depression is one of the most prevalent, severe and disabling disorders in the European Union (EU) and places a heavy burden on individuals and families. A large proportion of the EU population is overweight, which increases depression risk. Targeting food‐related behaviours and nutritional status of people prone to overweight and obesity offers opportunities to prevent depression. The MooDFOOD consortium combines expertise in nutrition, consumer behaviour, psychiatry and preventive health psychology and uses a unique integrative approach. Existing high quality data from longitudinal prospective European cohort studies will be combined with new data from surveys, short‐term experiments and a long‐term preventive intervention study. This approach will provide insight into the causality of the link between diet and depression, and underlying pathways; it will also identify which modifications related to diet and dietary behaviour lead to beneficial changes in depression risk and lower the environmental burden of the diet. Knowledge of all these aspects will be used to develop novel nutritional strategies to prevent depression. In close collaboration with stakeholders and experts, MooDFOOD will transform the identified nutritional strategies into guidelines and practical tools to guide policy at EU and Member State levels. Promotion of the findings through extensive European networks will help to lower the risk of depression and contribute to overall health of all EU citizens.
Zika and chikungunya: mosquito‐borne viruses in a changing world
Authors: Shragai Talya , Tesla Blanka , Murdock Courtney , Harrington Laura C.
Published: February 2017

The reemergence and growing burden of mosquito‐borne virus infections have incited public fear and growing research efforts to understand the mechanisms of infection‐associated health outcomes and to provide better approaches for mosquito vector control. While efforts to develop therapeutics, vaccines, and novel genetic mosquito‐control technologies are underway, many important underlying ecological questions remain that could significantly enhance our understanding and ability to predict and prevent transmission. Here, we review the current knowledge about the transmission ecology of two recent arbovirus invaders, the chikungunya and Zika viruses. We introduce the viruses and mosquito vectors, highlighting viral biology, historical routes of transmission, and viral mechanisms facilitating rapid global invasion. In addition, we review factors contributing to vector global invasiveness and transmission efficiency. We conclude with a discussion of how human‐induced biotic and abiotic environmental changes facilitate mosquito‐borne virus transmission, emphasizing critical gaps in understanding. These knowledge gaps are tremendous; much of our data on basic mosquito ecology in the field predate 1960, and the mosquitoes themselves, as well as the world they live in, have substantially changed. A concerted investment in understanding the basic ecology of these vectors, which serve as the main drivers of pathogen transmission in both wildlife and human populations, is now more important than ever.
Modulation of Autonomic Nervous Activity in the Termination of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: HUANG JEN‐HUNG , LIN YUNG‐KUO , HSIEH MING‐HSIUNG , CHEN SHIH‐ANN , CHIU WAN‐CHUN , CHEN YI‐JEN
Published: February 2017

Background

Autonomic nervous activity plays a critical role in the genesis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF, PAF). However, the role of autonomic nervous activity on AF termination has not been elucidated. Heart rate variability (HRV) is widely used to evaluate autonomic nervous activity in humans. The purpose of this study was to assess whether autonomic nervous activity assessed by HRV contributes to AF termination.

Methods

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) and HRV were studied in patients with termination of sustained (>30 s) PAF by 24‐hour ambulatory Holter monitoring. The 20‐minute interval after termination of AF was divided into four segments of 5 minutes each, and a frequency analysis was applied to each 5‐minute segment.

Results

In 52 AF episodes, the ultra‐low‐frequency power, very‐low‐frequency power, low‐frequency power (LF), high‐frequency power (HF), and total power significantly decreased with time after episodes of AF termination. The LF/HF (L/H) ratio, normalized LF (LFnu), and normalized HF (HFnu) significantly changed after AF termination. Eighteen (35%) episodes had decreased LFnu and increased HFnu (sympathetic withdrawal and vagal activation), which had slower average AF ventricular responses (92 ± 16 beats/min vs 105 ± 24 beats/min, P < 0.05) than the AF termination episodes (n = 34, 65%) with increased LFnu and decreased HFnu (sympathetic activation and vagal withdrawal). Moreover, older patients (aged >65 years) had a higher incidence (n = 27, 75%) of AF termination with increased LFnu and decreased HFnu than did younger patients (aged ≤65 years, n = 7, 44%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Autonomic changes critically regulate termination of PAF, which is modulated by aging.
Factor analyzing the Norwegian MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery
Authors: Mohn Christine , Lystad June U. , Ueland Torill , Falkum Erik , Rund Bjørn R.
Published: February 2017

Aim

The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) assesses seven cognitive domains with 10 subtests. This domain structure has not been demonstrated. Three factors have been produced in US samples. We examined the dimensional structure of the Norwegian MCCB. In addition, we studied the contribution of each subtest to the battery sum score.

Methods

The participants were 131 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 300 healthy controls. Their Norwegian MCCB test scores were subject to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and regression analysis.

Results

The theoretical MCCB factor structure was not shown. In the patient group, three‐factor and two‐factor models had acceptable fit. In both groups, the Symbol Coding, Spatial Span, Letter–Number Span, and Visual Learning subtests contributed most to the sum score.

Conclusion

The theoretical domain structure of the MCCB could not be demonstrated in these Norwegian participants. Consonant with US studies, models with three and two factors had mediocre fit, and in the schizophrenia spectrum disorder group only. In both groups, the subtests Symbol Coding, Working Memory, and Learning were the most sensitive in tapping general neurocognitive performance, supporting US results. We conclude that in both Norway and the USA, the MCCB generates the same cognitive domains through factor analysis, but that these domains are not the ones suggested by the MATRICS project.
Measures of and changes in heart rate variability in pediatric heart transplant recipients
Authors: Williams T. , Tang X. , Gilmore G. , Gossett J. , Knecht K. R.
Published: February 2017

Heart rate variability is primarily regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Heart transplant recipients undergo surgical denervation of the graft, which results in interruption of autonomic innervation with resultant diminished heart rate variability although some degree of autonomic control may return. This study aimed to characterize heart rate variability in this population. We report a retrospective review of Holter monitor data from transplanted patients between 2005 and 2013. Studies with significant atrial or ventricular arrhythmias were excluded. We evaluated changes over time and compared standard time domain measures to published pediatric normal values. Data were reviewed from 582 monitors in 152 patients. We found that pediatric heart transplant recipients have lower heart rate variability than age‐matched controls and higher average heart rate in recipients older than 3 years. There is an increase in measures of variability through the first 3 years post‐transplant with plateau after that time. Surgical technique in regard to interruption of the vagus nerve does not affect variability, nor does underlying congenital vs acquired heart disease.
Debt Overhang and Deleveraging in the US Household Sector: Gauging the Impact on Consumption
Authors: Albuquerque Bruno , Krustev Georgi
Published: February 2017

Using a novel data set for the U.S. states, this paper examines whether household debt and the protracted debt deleveraging help explain the dismal performance of U.S. consumption since 2007 in the aftermath of the housing bubble. By separating the concepts of deleveraging and debt overhang—a flow and a stock effect—we find that excessive indebtedness exerted a meaningful drag on consumption over and beyond wealth and income effects. The overall effect, however, is modest—‐around one sixth of the slowdown in consumption between 2000–06 and 2007–12—and mostly driven by states with particularly large imbalances in their household sector. This might be indicative of non‐linearities, whereby indebtedness begins to bite only when misalignments from sustainable debt dynamics become excessive.
Estimation of the Common Mean from Heterogeneous Normal Observations with Unknown Variances
Authors: Rukhin Andrew L.
Published: February 2017

To determine the common mean of heterogeneous normal observations, the Bayes procedures and the invariant maximum likelihood estimators of the weights forming the weighted means statistic are obtained when there are no variance estimates. The Bayes statistic is based on the reference, Geisser–Cornfield prior distribution which makes the posterior (discrete) distribution of the mean to be supported by the observed data with probabilities determined via the geometric means of the distances between data points. The maximum likelihood estimator coincides with the observation which has the maximal posterior probability. These procedures can be useful when measurement uncertainties are not reported or are misspecified.
Political Places: Neighborhood Social Organization and the Ecology of Political Behaviors
Authors: Levine Jeremy R. , Leenman Theodore S. , Gershenson Carl , Hureau David M.
Published: February 2017

Objective

While scholars treat neighborhoods as important contexts of inequality, few studies explore the social processes that create disparities in neighborhoods’ political capacities. How does neighborhood social organization affect rates of political participation?

Methods

We combine surveys from the U.S. Census and Boston Neighborhood Survey (BNS), and administrative data from the City of Boston. Accounting for spatial dependence, we fit a series of regression models investigating the relationship between neighborhood social structure and four forms of political engagement: community meeting attendance, contacting local government for services, and voter turnout in a local and a national midterm election.

Results

We find higher rates of political participation in more stable neighborhoods, and lower rates of participation in neighborhoods with higher concentrations of immigrants. The relationship between collective efficacy and rates of political participation is not statistically significant in our models. We find a positive association between concentrated disadvantage and city election turnout, but this association is nonlinear: beyond a certain threshold, increases in disadvantage are associated with decreasing rates of participation.

Conclusion

We argue that neighborhoods are indeed political places, and residential stability, immigrant concentration, and—to a lesser extent—concentrated disadvantage are important factors affecting the civic capacity of urban communities.
Child Abuse Scandal Publicity and Catholic School Enrollment: Does the Boston Globe Coverage Matter?
Authors: Moghtaderi Ali
Published: February 2017

Objective

This study examines the effect of negative publicity that arose from public notices of child abuse allegations in the Catholic Church on the enrollment share and number of Catholic schools in the United States.

Method

Fitting least square regressions using diocese‐level panel data of Catholic school enrollment share and number of Catholic schools.

Results

I show that the reports of abuse prior to 2002 had no effect on enrollment. Yet, reports since 2002 have had a negative and long‐lasting effect and explain about two‐thirds of the decline in Catholic schooling. These are substantially larger declines than suggested in previous studies.

Conclusion

I argue that the differing responses to the public notices of child abuse between these two periods are derived from the availability heuristic. This is driven from a fundamental difference in media coverage of the scandal prior to 2002 and afterward. Allegations of child abuse in the Catholic Church received emphatic coverage only after 2002.