bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acupoint catgut embedding for diabetic gastroparesis
Authors: Xia Tingwei , Yang Yue , Li Weihong , Tang Zhaohui , Li Zongrun , Guo Yongsong
Published: October 2019

Background:

Diabetic gastroparesis (DG) is a common complication to diabetes mellitus (DM). A lot of clinical researches have focused on acupoint catgut embedding for diabetic gastroparesis. However, there is no systematic review and meta-analysis has been conducted. We aim to systematically review the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on diabetic gastroparesis.

Methods:

The databases including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, Ovid LWW, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang Database will be searched. Studies published from the time when the database establishment to July 2019 will be retrieved. Randomized controlled clinical trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials on acupoint catgut embedding for diabetic gastroparesis will be included. The primary outcomes are gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) or a similar scale to score dyspeptic symptoms. RevMan V.5.3 software will be used to perform the analyses.

Results:

This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of the effectiveness and safety of acupoint catgut embedding for diabetic gastroparesis.

Conclusion:

This systematic review will provide a high-quality evidence to judge whether the acupoint catgut embedding is beneficial to treat diabetic gastroparesis.

PROSPERO registration number:

CRD42019140951
Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion in a Patient With Recurrent Neuroblastoma Related to the Onset of Malignancy-associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Nozawa Akifumi , Ozeki Michio , Yasue Shiho , Endo Saori , Ohe Naoyuki , Miyazaki Tatsuhiko , Fukao Toshiyuki
Published: October 2019

The onset of malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (M-HLH) may be associated with the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines from malignant cells. We here report a patient with recurrent neuroblastoma who developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after surgery for brain metastases and relapsed after chemotherapy. The neuroblastoma cells in the recurrent tumor were positive for tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, whereas the primary site was negative. The secretion of proinflammatory cytokines from neuroblastoma cells may have been related to the pathogenesis of M-HLH in our patients. We should pay attention to possible development of M-HLH when treating advanced neuroblastoma.
A Dimension in Recovery
Authors: Şengün İnan Figen , Günüşen Neslihan , Özkul Burcu , Aktürk Nesrin
Published: October 2019

Background

Returning to work (RTW) after breast cancer is an important step in psychosocial recovery.

Objective

To explore experiences of Turkish breast cancer survivors about returning or continuing to work.

Methods

This study utilized a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected through semistructured interviews conducted with 12 breast cancer survivors with full employment. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis method.

Results

Four themes emerged as a result of analysis of obtained data: decision-making process, difficulties in work life, sources of motivation for maintenance of work life, and benefits of RTW.

Conclusions

The results of the study showed that RTW involves many uncertainties, and women experience difficulties resulting from themselves, work life, and colleagues. Support from family, colleagues, and employers is an important source of motivation in women’s coping with these difficulties. In addition, RTW positively influences psychosocial well-being.

Implications for Practice

Health professionals should provide support as part of follow-up care regarding difficulties in the return to and continuation of work experienced by breast cancer survivors. Future studies could focus on experiences of all stakeholders including physicians, nurses, colleagues, and employers.
A Collaborative Academic-Practice Approach to Meeting Educational and Workforce Needs
Authors: Maneval Rhonda , Browne Kevin P. , Feldman Harriet R. , Brooks Christopher , Scuderi Deneen , Henderson Joy , Epstein Carol
Published: October 2019

This article describes an innovative academic-practice partnership designed to promote new nurse competency and meet employer needs for graduates with in-demand knowledge and competencies in specialty patient populations. Three practice partners identified areas of need and with the school of nursing developed specialty nursing elective courses with precepted clinical experiences.
Predictors of Failure to Reach Viral Suppression Within 1 Year After Human Immunodeficiency Virus Diagnosis: A Surveillance-Based Analysis
Authors: Whelan Bridget M. , Hebert Paul L. , Ahrens Kym R. , Katz David A. , Buskin Susan E. , Golden Matthew R. , Dombrowski Julia C.
Published: October 2019

Background

Identifying factors associated with poor human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care continuum outcomes in the first year after HIV diagnosis could guide care engagement efforts at the time of diagnosis.

Methods

We analyzed data from newly diagnosed persons living with HIV (PLWH) who received a partner services (PS) interview in King County, WA from January 1, 2013, to June 30, 2016. The outcome measure was failure to reach viral suppression, defined as the lack of an HIV RNA result <200 copies/mL reported to surveillance within one year after diagnosis. We constructed Kaplan-Meier curves of time to viral suppression and examined associations between viral suppression and demographic characteristics, substance use, housing status, and plan for HIV care.

Results

Among 549 individuals, 69 (13%) did not achieve viral suppression within 1 year. Failure to reach suppression was associated with having no plan for HIV care at the time of PS interview (n = 72; 13% of the total population; RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.04–1.36] and unstable housing (n = 81; 15% of the total population; [RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05–1.35). Among persons with one of these two risk factors, 76% achieved viral suppression, compared with 91% of those with stable housing and a plan for care. Overall, 80% of persons who ultimately reached suppression did so by 7.3 months.

Conclusions

Providing early support services to PLWH who have unstable housing or no plan for care at the time of HIV partner services interview and to those who do not reach viral suppression shortly after diagnosis could improve the HIV care continuum.
Denosumab-treated Giant Cell Tumors of Bone: A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 35 Cases From the French Group of Bone Pathology
Authors: Treffel Mathilde , Lardenois Emilie , Larousserie Frédérique , Karanian Marie , Gomez-Brouchet Anne , Bouvier Corinne , Le Loarer François , Aubert Sébastien , de Pinieux Gonzague , Audard Virginie , Rios Maria , Sirveaux François , Vignaud Jean-Michel , Gauchotte Guillaume , Marie Béatrice
Published: October 2019

Denosumab, an antibody directed against receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), has recently been introduced in the treatment strategy of giant cell tumor of bone. In this study, we assessed the tumor changes induced by denosumab in a national multicentric series of 35 cases (French Bone Pathology Group network—ResOs). Tissue specimens collected before and after denosumab treatment were investigated for RANKL, H3.3 G34W, p63, and Ki-67 expression, and for H3F3A mutation. These parameters were put in correspondance with clinical and radiologic presentation to identify prognostic factors, and more specifically, predictive markers of an optimal histologic response to denosumab, identified as a ≥50% loss in giant cells with fibrosis and ossification. The main changes in posttreatment specimens showed an induction of ossification (P=2.10−5), an increased fibrosis (P=3.10−5), and a major decrease in giant cells (P=6.10−11). No significant change in mononuclear tumor cell density and in patterns of expression of RANKL (P=0.061) and H3.3 G34W was observed (P=0.061). An optimal histologic response to denosumab treatment was associated with an enhanced progression-free survival (P=0.010 in univariate analyses; P=0.040 in multivariate analyses). The initial number of giant cells was predictive of the histologic response to treatment (P=0.016). In summary, denosumab treatment induced radical changes in the tumor. The histologic response, despite the absence of objective regression of the mononuclear cells, was associated with an enhanced progression-free survival. Greater numbers of giant cells represented the only predictive indication of an optimal histologic response to denosumab treatment.
Evidence-based Tumor Staging of Skeletal Chondrosarcoma
Authors: Compton Margaret L. , Cates Justin M.M.
Published: October 2019

The eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system has introduced major changes for the staging of skeletal sarcomas. However, it is unclear if these changes improve the predictive value for chondrosarcomas of the nonpelvic appendicular and nonspinal axial skeleton. Specifically, there is no clear evidence that supports the use of the proposed binary size cutoff of 8 cm for risk stratification, nor is a rationale provided for the categorization of grade 2 chondrosarcomas as high grade. The prognostic value of various anatomic and pathologic factors including tumor size, histologic grade, site of metastasis, and local tumor extent was evaluated using a cohort of patients derived from the National Cancer Database (N=3946). A simplified evidence-based staging system for chondrosarcoma (the Vanderbilt Staging System) was developed based on histologic subtype, histologic grade, and presence of metastatic disease. The predictive accuracy for 5-year overall survival was evaluated for the AJCC 8th edition, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, and Vanderbilt Staging Systems by comparing areas under receiver operating characteristic curves generated from logistic regression analysis. Three different concordance indices and Bayesian information criterion were also calculated for model comparisons. The Vanderbilt Staging System showed significantly improved predictive accuracy for 5-year survival (82±2%) compared with the AJCC (79±2%; P=0.0075) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society systems (76±2%; P<0.00005) in a separate validation cohort. Furthermore, the Vanderbilt Staging System showed significantly higher concordance with clinical outcomes for 2 of 3 examined indices and significantly greater extent of explained variation compared with the other 2 staging systems.
Accuracy and Time-Efficiency of an Automated Software Tool to Assess Left Ventricular Parameters in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Bartolomé Pablo , Caballeros Meylin , Quílez-Larragan Almudena , Núñez-Córdoba Jorge M. , Fernández González Óscar , Ezponda Ana , Bastarrika Gorka
Published: October 2019

Purpose:

Routine manual tracing of cardiac contours is time-consuming and subject to variability. A fully automated software tool may improve reading efficiency. This study was performed to assess the accuracy, reliability, and time-efficiency of a fully automated left ventricular (LV) segmentation software tool to calculate LV volumes and function compared with conventional manual contouring.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty-seven consecutive patients (53 male, mean age 62.5±10.9 y) underwent adenosine stress/rest perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance examination to rule out myocardial ischemia. Double-oblique short-axis 6-mm slice thickness steady-state free precession cine images were acquired to assess LV ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and stroke volume (SV) using manual contour tracing and a recently developed fully automated software tool. The length of time needed to obtain LV volumes with each segmentation method was also compared.

Results:

Compared with manual contouring, the fully automated software tool minimally underestimated LV-EF (mean difference of 2.9%±3.9%) and SV (mean difference of 4.4±8.5 mL) and slightly overestimated ESV (mean difference of −6.4±10.8 mL) and LV mass (mean difference of −14±20.4 g). EDV quantification did not statistically differ. Reliability for EF (concordance correlation coefficient [CCC]=0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-0.95), EDV (CCC=0.98, 95% CI, 0.97-0.99), ESV (CCC=0.96, 95% CI, 0.94-0.97), SV (CCC=0.93, 95% CI, 0.89-0.95), and LV mass (CCC=0.84, 95% CI, 0.76-0.89) was very good. The evaluated software allowed to quantify LV parameters with a 79% reduction in the time required for manual contouring (414.7±91 s vs. 85±16.1 s, respectively,P<0.001).

Conclusion:

Quantification of LV volumes using the evaluated fully automated segmentation software is accurate and time-efficient.
Wide Variation in the Percentage of Donation After Circulatory Death Donors Across Donor Service Areas: A Potential Target for Improvement
Authors: Sonnenberg Elizabeth M. , Hsu Jesse Y. , Reese Peter P. , Goldberg David S. , Abt Peter L.
Published: October 2019

Background.

Substantial differences exist in the clinical characteristics of donors across the 58 donor service areas (DSAs). Organ procurement organization (OPO) performance metrics incorporate organs donated after circulatory determination of death (DCDD) donors but do not measure potential DCDD donors.

Methods.

Using 2011–2016 United Network for Organ Sharing data, we examined the variability in DCDD donors/all deceased donors (%DCDD) across DSAs. We supplemented United Network for Organ Sharing data with CDC death records and OPO statistics to characterize underlying process and system factors that may correlate with donors and utilization.

Results.

Among 52 184 deceased donors, the %DCDD varied widely across DSAs, with a median of 15.1% (interquartile range [9.3%, 20.9%]; range 0.0%–32.0%). The %DCDD had a modest positive correlation with 4 DSA factors: median match model for end-stage liver disease, proportion of white deaths out of total deaths, kidney center competition, and %DCDD livers by a local transplant center (all Spearman coefficients 0.289–0.464), and negative correlation with 1 factor: mean kidney waiting time (Spearman coefficient –0.388). Adjusting for correlated variables in linear regression explained 46.3% of the variability in %DCDD.

Conclusions.

Donor pool demographics, waitlist metrics, center competition, and DCDD utilization explain only a portion of the variability of DCDD donors. This requires further studies and policy changes to encourage consideration of all possible organ donors.
Maze learning and memory in a decapod crustacean
Authors: Davies Ross , Gagen Mary H. , Bull James C. , Pope Edward C.
Published: October 2019

Spatial learning is an ecologically important trait well studied in vertebrates and a few invertebrates yet poorly understood in crustaceans. We investigated the ability of European shore crabs,
Carcinus maenas
, to learn a complex maze over four consecutive weeks using food as a motivator. Crabs showed steady improvement during this conditioning period in both the time taken to find the food and in the number of wrong turns taken. Crabs also clearly remembered the maze as when returned two weeks later but without any food, they all returned to the end of the maze in under 8 min. Crabs that had not been conditioned to the maze (naive animals) took far longer to reach the end, and many (42%) did not venture to the end of the maze at all during the 1 h study period. This study provides an initial description of spatial learning in a benthic decapod; a better appreciation of this adaptive trait in these animals will develop our understanding of resource exploitation by benthic crustaceans and their ecological roles.
Complex factors shape phenotypic variation in deep-sea limpets
Authors: Chen Chong , Watanabe Hiromi Kayama , Nagai Yukiko , Toyofuku Takashi , Xu Ting , Sun Jin , Qiu Jian-Wen , Sasaki Takenori
Published: October 2019

Pectinodontid limpets are important members of deep-sea hot vents and cold seeps as can be seen by their conspicuous presence in both extant and extinct systems. They have traditionally been classified into different genera and species based on shell and radula characteristics; the reliability of these characters has been questioned but not tested thoroughly. Here, for the first time in taxa endemic to deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems, we combine substrate translocation with molecular data to assess the plasticity and variability of key phenotypic characters. Molecular data revealed that several ‘species’ of extant vent/seep pectinodontids actually represent intergrading morphotypes of a single, highly plastic, evolutionary lineage, with each morphological trait being possibly influenced differently by environmental and genetic factors. Our results challenge previous interpretations of paleoecology at fossil chemosynthetic ecosystems and highlight the importance of modern analogues in understanding fossil systems.
Metabolite-mediated modelling of microbial community dynamics captures emergent behaviour more effectively than species–species modelling
Authors: Brunner J. D. , Chia N.
Published: October 2019

Personalized models of the gut microbiome are valuable for disease prevention and treatment. For this, one requires a mathematical model that predicts microbial community composition and the emergent behaviour of microbial communities. We seek a modelling strategy that can capture emergent behaviour when built from sets of universal individual interactions. Our investigation reveals that species–metabolite interaction (SMI) modelling is better able to capture emergent behaviour in community composition dynamics than direct species–species modelling. Using publicly available data, we examine the ability of species–species models and species–metabolite models to predict trio growth experiments from the outcomes of pair growth experiments. We compare quadratic species–species interaction models and quadratic SMI models and conclude that only species–metabolite models have the necessary complexity to explain a wide variety of interdependent growth outcomes. We also show that general species–species interaction models cannot match the patterns observed in community growth dynamics, whereas species–metabolite models can. We conclude that species–metabolite modelling will be important in the development of accurate, clinically useful models of microbial communities.
WITOD: A Tool for Within-Taxon Operational Taxonomic Unit Diversity Analysis
Authors: Cava John Kevin , Li Gaoyang , Du Wei , Cao Huansheng
Published: October 2019

Motivation

Taxonomic analysis of microbiomes based on 16S rRNA amplicons has so far been usually restricted to abundance analysis of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which are usually mapped to genus, as the furthest level for a balance between accuracy and speed. Biodiversity within taxa has been little studied, due to lack of proper computational tools. Within-taxon diversity reflects genetic polymorphism within the taxa to reveal whether there are potentially more variants/lineages for some microbiome-associated traits, e.g., diseases or bioconversion efficiency. The diversity will aid diagnosis decisions.

Results

Here we introduce a tool, WITOD, for the WIthin-Taxon Operational taxonomic unit Diversity analysis. WITOD works on the alignment of all the OTU sequences within a taxon to get a non-redundant alignment with consensus regions on both ends (due to the conservation of the 16S regions used). Then the relative abundance of identical OTUs is combined; more specific taxonomy is obtained through BLASTn of these OTU sequences against the Silva database. One of the outputs is an OTU table with these unique OTUs with new taxonomy, combined relative abundance. In addition, another table can be constructed which we call the diversity table that associates the number of OTUs for a specific Taxa and the relative abundance in that environment. This can be used to further discover the importance of differing diversity in a given environment.

Conclusions

In this paper, we have introduced a python program WITOD which is a computational tool to analyze the within-taxon biodiversity of microbiome composition. It will be useful in revealing the genetic polymorphism in general and aiding identifying the causative human pathogens or environmental disease vectors. WITOD is available at https://github.com/johncava/WITOD
The Bayesian polyvertex score (PVS-B): a whole-brain phenotypic prediction framework for neuroimaging studies
Authors: Zhao Weiqi , Palmer Clare E. , Thompson Wesley , Jernigan Terry L. , Dale Anders M. , Fan Chun Chieh
Published: October 2019

The traditional brain mapping approach has greatly advanced our understanding of the localized effect of the brain on behavior. However, the statistically significant brain regions identified by standard mass univariate models only explain minimal variance in behavior despite increased sample sizes and statistical power. This is potentially due to the generalizable explanatory signal in the brain being non-sparse, therefore not captured by the thresholded, localized model. Here we introduced the Bayesian polyvertex score (PVS-B), a whole-brain prediction framework that aggregates the effect sizes across all vertices to predict individual variability in behavior. The PVS-B estimates the posterior mean effect size at each vertex with mass univariate summary statistics and the correlation structure of the imaging phenotype, and weights the imaging phenotype of participants from an independent sample with these posterior mean effect sizes to estimate the generalizable effect of a brain-behavior association. Empirical data showed that the PVS-B was able to double the variance explained in general cognitive ability by an n-back fMRI contrast when compared to prediction models based on the mass univariate parameter estimates as well as models in which only vertices thresholded based on p-value were included. A fivefold improvement in variance explained by the PVS-B was observed using a stop signal task fMRI contrast to predict individual variability in the stop signal reaction time. We believe that the PVS-B can shed light on the multivariate investigation of brain-behavioral associations and will empower small scale neuroimaging studies with more reliable and accurate effect size estimates.
A transcriptional toolbox for exploring peripheral neuro-immune interactions
Authors: Liang Zhi , Hore Zoe , Harley Peter , Stanley Federico Uchenna , Michrowska Aleksandra , Dahiya Monica , La Russa Federica , Jager Sara E. , Villa-Hernandez Sara , Denk Franziska
Published: October 2019

Correct communication between immune cells and peripheral neurons is crucial for the protection of our bodies. Its breakdown is observed in many common, often painful conditions, including arthritis, neuropathies and inflammatory bowel or bladder disease. Here, we have characterised the immune response in a mouse model of neuropathic pain using flow cytometry and cell-type specific RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We found few striking sex differences, but a very persistent inflammatory response, with increased numbers of monocytes and macrophages up to 3½ months after the initial injury. This raises the question of whether the commonly used categorisation of pain into “inflammatory” and “neuropathic” is one that is mechanistically appropriate. Finally, we collated our data with other published RNA-seq datasets on neurons, macrophages and Schwann cells in naïve and nerve injury states. The result is a practical web-based tool for the transcriptional data-mining of peripheral neuroimmune interactions.

http://rna-seq-browser.herokuapp.com/
Ischaemic preconditioning and pharmacological preconditioning with dexmedetomidine in an equine model of small intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion
Authors: König K.S. , Verhaar N. , Hopster K. , Pfarrer C. , Neudeck S. , Rohn K. , Kästner S.B.R.
Published: October 2019

Small intestinal strangulation associated with ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is common in horses. In laboratory animals IRI can be ameliorated by ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) and pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) with dexmedetomidine. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of PPC with dexmedetomidine or IPC in an equine model of small intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (IR).

In a randomized controlled experimental trial, 15 horses were assigned to three groups: control (C), IPC, and PPC with dexmedetomidine (DEX). All horses were placed under general anaesthesia and 90% jejunal ischaemia was induced for 90 minutes, followed 30 minutes of reperfusion. In group IPC, three short bouts of ischaemia and reperfusion were implemented, and group DEX received a continuous rate infusion of dexmedetomidine prior to the main ischaemia. Jejunal biopsies were collected before ischaemia (P), and at the end of ischaemia (I) and reperfusion (R). Mucosal injury was assessed by the Chiu-Score, inflammatory cells were stained by cytosolic calprotectin. The degree of apoptosis and cell necrosis was assessed by cleaved-caspase-3 and TUNEL.

Parametric data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA for repeated measurements followed by Dunnetts t-test. Non parametric data were compared between groups at the different time points by a Kruskal-Wallis-Test and a Wilcoxon-2-Sample-test.

The mucosal injury score increased during I in all groups. After reperfusion, IRI further progressed in group C, but not in IPC and DEX. In all groups the number of cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL positive cells increased from P to I. The number of TUNEL positive cells were lower in group DEX compared to group C after I and R. Infiltration with calprotectin positive cells was less pronounced in group DEX compared to group C, whereas in group IPC more calprotectin positive cells were seen.

In conclusion, IPC and DEX exert protective effects in experimental small intestinal ischaemia in horses.
What monetary discretion can and cannot do under boom and bust cycles? Evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Hayat Zafar , Ahmed Jameel , Balli Faruk
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The conventional and new inflation bias theories present two distinct facets to explain the outcome of excess inflation without output gains by a discretionary central banker. First is the temptation to achieve a higher than potential output, and, second is not to let it falter. The authors explicitly account for these two distinct dimensions in empirical formulations both exogenously and endogenously. Specifically, the purpose of this paper is to investigate what monetary discretion can and cannot do in terms of dual objectives – inflation and growth – across boom and bust cycles, both directly and indirectly.

Design/methodology/approach

(i) Segregate the economic activity into boom and bust cycles; (ii) Explicitly account for the two dimensions of conventional and new inflation bias theories; and (iii) model and estimate the direct and indirect effects of monetary discretion across business cycles.

Findings

The results indicate considerable asymmetries in the effects of monetary discretion and distribution thereof across objectives and cycles. The direct impact of monetary discretion tends to induce significantly higher inflation in boom and bust cycles, while it exerts a positive but insignificant effect on output. The inflation effects are more pronounced in boom than bust cycles and vice versa are the output effects. The indirect effects on output via inflation are significantly pernicious, which are more pronounced in expansions than recessions.

Originality/value

In a nutshell, instead of benefiting, monetary discretion tends to harm in terms of both the dual policy objectives, which cautions about its well calculated and constrained use only.
Education's Love Triangle
Authors: Aldridge David
Published: October 2019

It has been acknowledged that education includes ‘a love of what one teaches and a love of those whom one teaches’ (Hogan 2010: 81), but two traditions of writing in philosophy of education—concerning love for student and love for subject—have rarely been brought together. This paper considers the extent to which the ‘triangular’ relationship of teacher, student and subject matter runs the risk of the rivalry, jealousy and strife that are characteristic of ‘tragic’ love triangles, or entails undesirable consequences such as transference from one intended object of love to another. It argues that this faultline in the literature of educational love corresponds to education's ‘divided heart’. The implication of this exploration of education's triangular relationship is that we cannot ignore the ‘dark of love’, nor can we address it simply by asserting that educational love must be of a more honourable sort than romantic love. These tensions can be reconciled through the loving recourse of ‘ceasing to strive’ and the possibility of sublimating the two originary loves into a higher ‘love of truth’.
A SNP in PLAG1 is associated with body height trait in Chinese cattle
Authors: Hou J. , Qu K. , Jia P. , Hanif Q. , Zhang J. , Chen N. , Dang R. , Chen H. , Huang B. , Lei C.
Published: October 2019

Stature is an important quantitative trait for cattle performance, which influences herd productivity. Previous studies have reported that an SNP (AC_000171.1:g.25015640G>T, rs109815800) in Pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) on chromosome 14 (CHR14) is associated with bovine stature. To validate whether rs109815800 is associated with the body height of Chinese cattle, we carried out an association analysis using 558 adult cattle samples from seven populations. Then, 1038 samples from 38 Chinese cattle breeds were used to show the geographical distribution of this variant in China. The results showed that the Q allele (G allele) increased the height of cattle. Furthermore, the frequencies of Q allele in Chinese native breeds tend to decrease from northern China to southern China, and the frequency of Q allele in two Chinese beef cattle breeds is much higher than that in another 36 Chinese local cattle breeds. Our data suggest that the prevalence of the Q allele is correlated with latitude in China.
Altered cord serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D signaling and placental inflammation is associated with pre‐term birth
Authors: Budhwar Snehil , Verma Priyanka , Verma Rachna , Gupta Shreshtha , Rai Sangeeta , Rajender Singh , Singh Kiran
Published: October 2019

Problem

Vitamin D is well‐known for having anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Impaired maternal vitamin D status has been known to increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes like pre‐term birth. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of fetal cord serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D‐mediated signaling in mediating inflammatory responses in placenta during pre‐term birth.

Method of study

For the above purpose, cord serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D were measured in term (n = 20) and pre‐term (n = 20) born babies using ELISA. Vitamin D downstream signaling has also been checked in placenta (VDR, CYP27B1, cathelicidin LL37) along with expression of inflammatory markers (S100A8, HMGB1, TLR2, p‐NF‐kappaB) using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Pearson correlation model was used to do correlation study.

Results

Compared with term born babies (59.31 ± 3.476), decline in cord serum 25(OH)D levels is observed in pre‐term born babies (22.26 ± 1.083, P = <0.0001) that showed strong positive correlation with gestational age (r = .9368***) and birthweight (r = .9559***). On the other hand, vitamin D signaling markers were found to be downregulated and inflammatory markers were upregulated in placental tissue of pre‐term born babies.

Conclusion

Thus, our study demonstrated that insufficient cord 25(OH)D levels may disturb the homeostasis of inflammation in placenta. Altered cord serum 25(OH)D mediated anti‐inflammatory signaling may be acting as trigger signals in modulating inflammatory responses in placenta and eliciting premature activation of spontaneous labor in pre‐term birth.
Trade‐offs between fire hazard reduction and conservation in a Natura 2000 shrub–grassland mosaic
Authors: Silva Vasco , Catry Filipe X. , Fernandes Paulo M. , Rego Francisco C. , Bugalho Miguel N.
Published: October 2019

Questions

What are the effects of time since prescribed burning on plant species composition and diversity in a Natura 2000 shrub–grassland mosaic? Is it possible to use prescribed burning to reduce fire hazard and simultaneously maintain conservation status in such habitat types?

Location

Sintra‐Cascais Natural Park, Portugal.

Methods

We assessed differences in plant species composition, plant diversity, vegetation structure and above‐ground plant biomass between plots treated with prescribed burning (two, four and six years after fire) and untreated plots in a mosaic of Natura 2000 dry shrub–grasslands, and assessed potential fire behaviour differences between treatments.

Results

Plant species richness and diversity were higher two and four years after prescribed burning, in comparison with untreated plots. Cover of herbaceous species and non‐resprouters was higher, and cover of shrubs was lower, but only two years after fire. Habitat structure and phytovolume of the indicator species Ulex jussiaei was affected negatively up to six years after prescribed burning, indicating changes in conservation status from Favourable to Unfavourable. Prescribed burning reduced above‐ground biomass and fire simulations showed that potential fire hazard was also reduced, particularly in two‐year‐old plots.

Conclusions

Prescribed burning increased plant diversity in the short term, reduced fuel loads and fire hazard, but negatively affected habitat conservation status. We show that there are potential trade‐offs between fire hazard mitigation and conservation in a Natura 2000 shrub–grassland habitat type and that these must be considered during fuel management decisions.
Environmentally driven forecasts of northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra) recruitment in the eastern Bering Sea
Authors: Cooper Daniel , Rogers Lauren A. , Wilderbuer Thomas
Published: October 2019

Northern rock sole recruitment in the eastern Bering Sea has been hypothesized to (a) depend on wind‐driven surface currents linking spawning and nursery areas, (b) be density‐dependent, and (c) be negatively impacted by cold bottom temperatures over a large nursery area during the first summer of life. A suite of models was developed to test these hypotheses. Data included 32 years of recruitment and spawning biomass estimates derived from a stock assessment model and wind and temperature indices customized to the environmental exposure of age‐0 northern rock sole in the eastern Bering Sea. The predictive ability of the models was evaluated, and the models were used to forecast recruitment to age‐4 for recent year classes which are poorly retained by the standard multi‐species bottom trawl survey gear. Models which included wind and temperature indices performed better than a naïve forecast based on the running mean. The best‐performing model was a categorical model with wind and temperature thresholds, which explained 49% of the variation in recruitment. Ricker models performed more poorly than models without a spawning biomass term, providing no evidence that recruitment is related to stock size. The models forecast higher recruitment for the most recent year classes (2015–2018) than for prior year classes with observed poor recruitment (2006–2013). These environment‐based recruitment forecasts may improve recruitment estimates for the most recent year classes and facilitate study of the effects of future climate change on northern rock sole population dynamics.
Insulin resistance and intestinal integrity in children with and without HIV infection in Uganda
Authors: Dirajlal‐Fargo S , Shan L , Sattar A , Bowman E , Gabriel J , Kulkarni M , Funderburg N , Nazzinda R , Musiime V , McComsey GA
Published: October 2019

Objectives

The risk of cardiometabolic complications in children with perinatally acquired HIV infection (PHIVs) and in perinatally HIV‐exposed but uninfected children (HEUs) and its relationship to systemic inflammation and markers of gut integrity are not well established. In this current study, we assed insulin resitance in PHIV compared to HEUs and HIV unexposed uninfected children and explored potential association with intestinal damage biomarkers.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study in PHIVs, HEUs and HIV‐unexposed, uninfected children (HUUs) aged 2–10 years enrolled in Uganda. PHIVs were on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) with HIV viral load  < 400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL. Insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). We measured markers of systemic inflammation, monocyte activation and gut integrity. Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare markers by HIV status; Pearson correlation and multiple linear regressions were used to assess associations of the HOMA‐IR index with biomarkers of intestinal damage and translocation.

Results

Overall, 172 participants were enrolled in the study (57 PHIVs, 59 HEUs and 56 HUUs). The median age was 7.8 [interquartile range (IQR) 6.39, 8.84] years, 55% were female and the median body mass index (BMI) was 15 (IQR 14.3, 15.8) kg/m2. Among PHIVs, the median CD4% was 37%, and 93% had viral load ≤ 20 copies/mL. PHIVs had higher waist:hip ratio, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides and HOMA‐IR index than the other groups (P ≤ 0.02). Factors correlated with insulin resistance included higher BMI and HDL cholesterol and lower soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor I (sTNFRI) (P ≤ 0.02). There was no correlation between any of the other inflammatory or gut biomarkers and HOMA‐IR index (P ≥ 0.05). After adjusting for age and sTNFRI, BMI remained independently associated with the HOMA‐IR index (β = 0.16; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Despite viral suppression, Ugandan PHIVs have disturbances in glucose metabolism. Higher BMI, and not immune activation or alteration of gut integrity, was associated with insulin resistance in this population.
Redefining a ‘new normality’: A hermeneutic phenomenological study of the experiences of patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Olano‐Lizarraga Maddi , Zaragoza‐Salcedo Amparo , Martín‐Martín Jesús , Saracíbar‐Razquin Maribel
Published: October 2019

Aim

To explore the perception of normality in life experienced by patients with chronic heart failure.

Design

A hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted.

Methods

Individual conversational interviews were held with 20 outpatients with chronic heart failure between March 2014–July 2015. Van Manen's phenomenology of practice method was used for data analysis.

Results

From the analysis, four main themes emerged: (a) Accepting my new situation; (b) Experiencing satisfaction with life; (c) Continuing with my family, social and work roles; and (d) Hiding my illness from others.

Conclusions

The present study makes a novel contribution to understanding the importance of the perception of normality in the lives of patients with chronic heart failure. It was found that patients need to incorporate this health experience into their lives and reach a ‘new normal’, thus achieving well‐being. Several factors were identified that can help promote this perception in their lives; therefore, nursing interventions should be designed to help develop scenarios encouraging this normalization process.

Impact

Although the implications of having a sense of normality or experiencing ‘normalization’ of the illness process in life have been studied in other chronic patient populations, no studies to date have examined how patients with chronic heart failure experience this phenomenon in their lives. For the first time, the results of this research prove that the perception of normality is a key aspect in the experience of living with chronic heart failure.
γ‐Octalactone, an effective oviposition stimulant of Bactrocera tryoni
Authors: Kempraj Vivek , Jean Park Soo , Taylor Phillip W.
Published: October 2019

Insects commonly rely on olfactory, gustatory and visual cues when deciding where to lay eggs. The olfactory cues that stimulate oviposition in the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), are not well understood. Here, we show that two known oviposition stimulants of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae)—γ‐octalactone and benzothiazole—strongly elicit aggregation and oviposition in B. tryoni. Two other known oviposition stimulants of B. dorsalis—ethyl tiglate and 1‐octen‐3‐ol—elicit aggregation but not oviposition. Highlighting species overlap, but also differences, in oviposition stimulants, these findings have practical application for mass‐rearing in which vast numbers of flies are reared for sterile insect technique programs and may also have practical application in the development of pest management and monitoring tools.
APPROACHES TO PRICE FORMATION IN FINANCIALIZED COMMODITY MARKETS
Authors: van Huellen Sophie
Published: October 2019

A recent debate about the financialization of commodity markets has stimulated the development of new approaches to price formation which incorporate index traders as a new trader category. I survey these new approaches by retracing their emergence to traditional price formation models and show that they arise from a synthesis between commodity arbitrage pricing and behavioural pricing theories in the tradition of Keynesian inspired hedging pressure models. Based on these insights, I derive testable hypotheses and provide guidance for a growing literature that seeks to empirically evaluate the effects of index traders on price discovery in commodity futures markets.
Full‐Arch Implant‐Supported Fixed Dental Prosthesis Retained by a Combination of Galvano‐Telescopic Copings and Screws: A Clinical Report
Authors: Mori Gentaro , Iwai Kazuya , Oda Yukari , Furuya Yoshitaka , Yajima Yasutomo
Published: October 2019

Full‐arch screw‐retained implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses have a high long‐term success rate and are considered the gold standard by many clinicians. However, accurate fabrication of a passive fit long‐span prosthesis can be challenging. A novel intraoral adhesion method using galvano‐telescopic copings was proposed as a way of improving prosthetic fit for edentulous patients. This report describes the treatment of a 74‐year‐old female with a full‐arch implant‐supported dental prosthesis, supported by a combination of galvano‐telescopic copings and screws to prevent retention loss. Four years have passed since this superstructure was placed, during this time she exhibited a good clinical course with no inflammation noted in surrounding tissues. Treatment with an implant‐supported fixed dental prosthesis, retained by a combination of galvano‐telescopic copings and screws, can be a useful alternative treatment for edentulous patients.
Impact of nitric oxide's bidirectional role on glaucoma: focus onHelicobacter pylori–related nitrosative stress
Authors: Papaefthymiou Apostolis , Doulberis Michael , Katsinelos Panagiotis , Liatsos Christos , Polyzos Stergios A. , Kotronis Georgios , Papanikolaou Katerina , Kountouras Jannis
Published: October 2019

Nitric oxide (NO), a small molecule generated ubiquitously, targets a plethora of tissues to regulate both physiological and pathophysiological functions. NO overproduction, stimulated by microenvironmental conditions, is the main component that dysregulates the tight balance between its beneficial and damaging roles in ocular homeostasis. Considering the protective functions of NO against glaucoma, its endogenous release facilitates aqueous humor drainage and regulates ocular blood flow, maintaining a normal intraocular pressure. NO overproduction generates free radicals, such as peroxynitrite, which induce a vicious circle of vascular disharmony and dysregulation, transient ischemia, nitrosative stress, neuronal degeneration, and permanent glaucomatic injury.Helicobacter pylori(Hp) is considered a burdening factor of glaucoma. NO overproduction and possible systematic dispersion inHpinfection (Hp‐I) could suggest a potential pathophysiological bridge between these conditions. In this review, we aim to elucidate the role of NO in glaucoma with respect toHp‐I, with the aim to stimulate further studies.
Psychiatric disorders in individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria: A systematic review
Authors: de Freitas Larissa Dias , Léda‐Rêgo Gabriela , Bezerra‐Filho Severino , Miranda‐Scippa Ângela
Published: October 2019

Aim

Although there has been an increase in the social acceptance of the gender dysphoria (GD) population, these individuals still suffer a high degree of emotional stress, which highlights the importance of knowing their mental illness diagnosis.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to identify the frequency of lifetime Axis I mental disorders in this population, using the MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane, EMBASE, and PsychINFO databases and manual searching, examining articles published after 1980. The search used the key words: (‘transgender’ OR ‘gender identity disorder’ OR ‘gender dysphoria’ OR ‘transsexualism’ OR ‘gender dysphoric patients’ OR ‘gender incongruence’) AND (‘mental disorder’ OR ‘axis I’ OR ‘psychiatric disorders’) AND (‘comorbidity’ OR ‘comorbid’ OR ‘prevalence’).

Results

From 233 papers found, five were included. The total sample comprised 577 individuals diagnosed with GD, of whom 307 (53.2%) had presented with at least one mental disorder in their lifetime. Among this high frequency of Axis I disorders, mood disorders were the most frequent (found in 243 individuals [42.1%]), followed by anxiety disorders (155 [26.8%]), and substance use/abuse disorders (85 [14.7%]).

Conclusion

This study offers important data to researchers and clinicians so they can recognize and contribute to the development of public policy on the mental health of the population diagnosed with GD. The mental health of these individuals requires special attention as it contributes to their functional impairment.
Effects of a home follow‐up program in Turkey for urban mothers of premature babies
Authors: Bora Güneş Nebahat , Çavuşoğlu Hicran
Published: October 2019

Objective

To examine the effects of a home follow‐up program in Turkey on care problems, anxiety, and depression levels of mothers after the birth of a premature baby.

Methods

A semi‐experimental study with a pretest–posttest control group design. Eighty premature newborns and their mothers were included in the study. Nursing care was given to mothers and babies in the study group through a total of four home visits on weeks 1, 2, 3, and days 40–42 in Kırıkkale, Turkey guided by the Nursing Diagnosis System and Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) system of the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA). Data were collected from a sociodemographics form, home care needs evaluation form, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, and State Anxiety Inventory.

Results

There were no significant differences between groups for nursing diagnoses at baseline, while the study group resulted in significantly fewer problems on days 40–42, compared to the control group. Mothers had a comparatively lower depression and state anxiety risk in the study group compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Providing home‐based nursing care for preterm mothers and babies during the first 40–42 days has the potential to decrease postnatal care problems, including maternal depression and state anxiety levels.