bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vascular Presentation and Outcomes of Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis and Isolated Symptomatic Limb Involvement
Authors: de Boysson Hubert , Espitia Olivier , Liozon Eric , Daumas Aurélie , Vautier Mathieu , Dumont Anael , Granel Brigitte , Saadoun David , Planchard Gaétane , Ly Kim Heang , Aouba Achille
Published: May 2019

Objective

The aims of this study were to describe and assess the vascular outcomes of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) presenting with only symptomatic isolated limb involvement (LI-GCA).

Methods

We recruited patients from 5 tertiary centers who were diagnosed with GCA based on histology or vasculitis demonstration on imaging and who presented with isolated symptomatic limb involvement at diagnosis. For each included patient, we randomly selected 3 control patients who satisfied the 5 criteria from the American College of Rheumatology at diagnosis.

Results

We included 27 LI-GCA patients and 81 control patients. Compared with the controls, the patients with LI-GCA were younger (p= 0.005), exhibited a more delayed diagnosis (p= 0.006), and had lower C-reactive protein levels (p= 0.001), but they did not show more cardiovascular risk factors. Glucocorticoid use (starting and tapering doses) and relapse rates did not differ in the 2 groups, but the patients with LI-GCA received longer treatment (p= 0.02). Cardiovascular complications occurred in 67% of the patients with LI-GCA versus 21% of the control patients (p< 0.0001), especially ischemic events (p< 0.0001) including stroke (p= 0.03) and myocardial infarction (p= 0.01). Vascular surgery was required in 44% of the patients with LI-GCA versus 2% of the controls (p< 0.0001). Excluding vascular surgery, the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular complications was higher in the patients with LI-GCA (log-rank test:p< 0.0001) than in the controls (hazard ratio, 5.73; 95% confidence interval, 2.94–11.28;p< 0.0001).

Conclusions

Compared with the typical cranial form of GCA, LI-GCA has a worse cardiovascular-related prognosis. Further studies are required to determine the best management of these patients.
Educational Interventions to Enhance Situation Awareness
Authors: Walshe Nuala C. , Crowley Clare M. , O'Brien Sinéad , Browne John P. , Hegarty Josephine M.
Published: May 2019

Summary Statement

We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of educational interventions on health care professionals' situation awareness (SA). We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, HW Wilson, ERIC, Scopus, EMBASE, PsycINFO, psycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioural Science Collection and the Cochrane library. Articles that reported a targeted SA intervention or a broader intervention incorporating SA, and an objective outcome measure of SA were included. Thirty-nine articles were eligible for inclusion, of these 4 reported targeted SA interventions. Simulation-based education (SBE) was the most prevalent educational modality (31 articles). Meta-analysis of trial designs (19 articles) yielded a pooled moderate effect size of 0.61 (95% confidence interval = 0.17 to 1.06, P = 0.007, I
2 = 42%) in favor of SBE as compared with other modalities and a nonsignificant moderate effect in favor of additional nontechnical skills training (effect size = 0.54, 95% confidence interval = 0.18 to 1.26, P = 0.14, I
2 = 63%). Though constrained by the number of articles eligible for inclusion, our results suggest that in comparison with other modalities, SBE yields better SA outcomes.
Fine-scale behavioural adjustments of prey on a continuum of risk
Authors: Kent Maud I. A. , Herbert-Read James E. , McDonald Gordon , Wood A. Jamie , Ward Ashley J. W.
Published: May 2019

In the wild, prey species often live in the vicinity of predators, rendering the ability to assess risk on a moment-to-moment basis crucial to survival. Visual cues are important as they allow prey to assess predator species, size, proximity and behaviour. However, few studies have explicitly examined prey's ability to assess risk based on predator behaviour and orientation. Using mosquitofish,Gambusia holbrooki, and their predator, jade perch,Scortum barcoo, under controlled conditions, we provide some of the first fine-scale characterization of how prey adapt their behaviour according to their continuous assessment of risk based on both predator behaviour and angular distance to the predator's mouth. When these predators were inactive and posed less of an immediate threat, prey within the attack cone of the predator showed reductions in speed and acceleration characteristic of predator-inspection behaviour. However, when predators became active, prey swam faster with greater acceleration and were closer together within the attack cone of predators. Most importantly, this study provides evidence that prey do not adopt a uniform response to the presence of a predator. Instead, we demonstrate that prey are capable of rapidly and dynamically updating their assessment of risk and showing fine-scale adjustments to their behaviour.
Genomes reveal drastic and recurrent phenotypic divergence in firetip skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae: Pyrrhopyginae)
Authors: Zhang Jing , Cong Qian , Shen Jinhui , Brockmann Ernst , Grishin Nick V.
Published: May 2019

Biologists marvel at the powers of adaptive convergence, when distantly related animals look alike. While mimetic wing patterns of butterflies have fooled predators for millennia, entomologists inferred that mimics were distant relatives despite similar appearance. However, the obverse question has not been frequently asked. Who are the close relatives of mimetic butterflies and what are their features? As opposed to close convergence, divergence from a non-mimetic relative would also be extreme. When closely related animals look unalike, it is challenging to pair them. Genomic analysis promises to elucidate evolutionary relationships and shed light on molecular mechanisms of divergence. We chose the firetip skipper butterfly as a model due to its phenotypic diversity and abundance of mimicry. We sequenced and analysed whole genomes of nearly 120 representative species. Genomes partitioned this subfamily Pyrrhopyginae into five tribes (1 new), 23 genera and, additionally, 22 subgenera (10 new). The largest tribe Pyrrhopygini is divided into four subtribes (three new). Surprisingly, we found five cases where a uniquely patterned butterfly was formerly placed in a genus of its own and separately from its close relatives. In several cases, extreme and rapid phenotypic divergence involved not only wing patterns but also the structure of the male genitalia. The visually striking wing pattern difference between close relatives frequently involves disappearance or suffusion of spots and colour exchange between orange and blue. These differences (in particular, a transition between unspotted black and striped wings) happen recurrently on a short evolutionary time scale, and are therefore probably achieved by a small number of mutations.
What factors explain the geographical range of mammalian parasites?
Authors: Byers James E. , Schmidt J. P. , Pappalardo Paula , Haas Sarah E. , Stephens Patrick R.
Published: May 2019

Free-living species vary substantially in the extent of their spatial distributions. However, distributions of parasitic species have not been comprehensively compared in this context. We investigated which factors most influence the geographical extent of mammal parasites. Using the Global Mammal Parasite Database we analysed 17 818 individual geospatial records on 1806 parasite species (encompassing viruses, bacteria, protozoa, arthropods and helminths) that infect 396 carnivore, ungulate and primate host species. As a measure of the geographical extent of each parasite species we quantified the number and area of world ecoregions occupied by each. To evaluate the importance of variables influencing the summed area of ecoregions occupied by a parasite species, we used Bayesian network analysis of a subset (n= 866) of the parasites in our database that had at least two host species and complete information on parasite traits. We found that parasites that covered more geographical area had a greater number of host species, higher average phylogenetic relatedness between host species and more sampling effort. Host and parasite taxonomic groups had weak and indirect effects on parasite ecoregion area; parasite transmission mode had virtually no effect. Mechanistically, a greater number of host species probably increases both the collective abundance and habitat breadth of hosts, providing more opportunities for a parasite to have an expansive range. Furthermore, even though mammals are one of the best-studied animal classes, the ecoregion area occupied by their parasites is strongly sensitive to sampling effort, implying mammal parasites are undersampled. Overall, our results support that parasite geographical extent is largely controlled by host characteristics, many of which are subsumed within host taxonomic identity.
The minimal behavioral time window for reward conditioning in the nucleus accumbens of mice
Authors: Yamaguchi Kenji , Maeda Yoshitomo , Sawada Takeshi , Iino Yusuke , Tajiri Mio , Nakazato Ryosuke , Kasai Haruo , Yagishita Sho
Published: May 2019

The temporal precision of reward-reinforcement learning is determined by the minimal time window of the reward action—theoretically known as the eligibility trace. In animal studies, however, such a minimal time window and its origin have not been well understood. Here, we used head-restrained mice to accurately control the timing of sucrose water as an unconditioned stimulus (US); we found that the reinforcement effect of the US occurred only within 1 s after a short tone of a conditioned stimulus (CS). The conditioning required the dopamine D1 receptor and CaMKII signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The time window was not reduced by replacing CS with optogenetic stimulation of the synaptic inputs to the NAc, which is in agreement with previous reports on the effective dopamine timing of NAc synapses. Thus, our data suggest that the minimal reward time window is 1 s, and is formed in the NAc.
Inverted encoding models estimate sensible channel responses for sensible models
Authors: Sprague Thomas C. , Boynton Geoffrey M. , Serences John T.
Published: May 2019

In a commentary published in eNeuro, Gardner & Liu (2019) discuss the role of model specification in interpreting the output of complex models of neural data. As a case study, they suggest that one variant of such analyses, the inverted encoding model (IEM) analysis framework, should not be used to assay properties of “stimulus representations” because the ability to apply linear transformations at various stages of the analysis procedure renders results ‘arbitrary’. As we discuss, the specification of all models is arbitrary to the extent that an experimenter makes choices based on current knowledge of the model system. However, the results derived from any given model, such as the reconstructed channel response profiles obtained from an IEM analysis, are uniquely defined and are arbitrary only in the sense that changes in the model can predictably change results. Moreover, with knowledge of the model used for IEM analyses, the results remain informative as comparisons between reconstructed channel response profiles across task conditions using a fixed encoding model – the most common use of the IEM technique – can generally capture changes in population-level representation magnitude across linear transformations. Thus, changes in the magnitude of the response profiles across conditions are preserved, even across unprincipled linear transforms. IEM-based channel response profiles should therefore not be considered arbitrary when the model is clearly specified and guided by our best understanding of neural population representations in the brain regions being analyzed. Intuitions derived from this case study are important to consider when interpreting results from all model-based analyses, which are similarly contingent upon the specification of the models used.
Identification of key regulators in Prostate cancer from gene expression datasets of patients
Authors: Mangangcha Irengbam Rocky , Malik Md. Zubbair , Küçük Ömer , Ali Shakir , Singh R.K. Brojen
Published: May 2019

Identification of key regulators and regulatory pathways is an important step in the discovery of genes involved in cancer. Here, we propose a method to identify key regulators in prostate cancer (PCa) from a network constructed from gene expression datasets of PCa patients. Overexpressed genes were identified using BioXpress, having a mutational status according to COSMIC, followed by the construction of PCa Interactome network using the curated genes. The topological parameters of the network exhibited power law nature indicating hierarchical scale-free properties and five levels of organization. Highest degreehubs(k≥65) were selected from the PCa network, traced, and 19 of them were identified as novel key regulators, as they participated at all network levels serving as backbone. Of the 19 hubs, some have been reported in literature to be associated with PCa and other cancers. Based on participation coefficient values most of these areconnectororkinless hubssuggesting significant roles in modular linkage. The observation of non-monotonicity in the rich club formation suggested the importance of intermediate hubs in network integration, and they may play crucial roles in network stabilization. The network was self-organized as evident from fractal nature in topological parameters of it and lacked a central control mechanism.
Functional brain network modeling in sub-acute stroke patients and healthy controls during rest and continuous attentive tracking
Authors: Dørum Erlend S. , Kaufmann Tobias , Alnæs Dag , Richard Geneviève , Kolskår Knut K. , Engvig Andreas , Sanders Anne-Marthe , Ulrichsen Kristine , Ihle-Hansen Hege , Nordvik Jan Egil , Westlye Lars T.
Published: May 2019

A cerebral stroke is characterized by compromised brain function due to an interruption in cerebrovascular blood supply. Although stroke incurs focal damage determined by the vascular territory affected, clinical symptoms commonly involve multiple functions and cognitive faculties that are insufficiently explained by the focal damage alone. Functional connectivity (FC) refers to the synchronous activity between spatially remote brain regions organized in a network of interconnected brain regions. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has advanced this system-level understanding of brain function, elucidating the complexity of stroke outcomes, as well as providing information useful for prognostic and rehabilitation purposes.

We tested for differences in brain network connectivity between a group of patients with minor ischemic strokes in sub-acute phase (n=44) and matched controls (n=100). As neural network configuration is dependent on cognitive effort, we obtained fMRI data during rest and two load levels of a multiple object tacking (MOT) task. Network nodes and time-series were estimated using independent component analysis (ICA) and dual regression, with network edges defined as the partial temporal correlations between node pairs. The full set of edgewise FC went into a cross-validated regularized linear discriminant analysis (rLDA) to classify groups and cognitive load.

MOT task performance and cognitive tests revealed no significant group differences. While multivariate machine learning revealed high sensitivity to experimental condition, with classification accuracies between rest and attentive tracking approaching 100%, group classification was at chance level, with negligible differences between conditions. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significantly stronger synchronization between a temporal node and a sensorimotor node in patients across conditions. Overall, the results revealed high sensitivity of FC indices to task conditions, and suggest relatively small brain network-level disturbances after clinically mild strokes.
Functional genomics reveals extensive diversity in Staphylococcus epidermidis restriction modification systems compared to Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Lee Jean YH , Carter Glen P , Pidot Sacha J , Guérillot Romain , Seemann Torsten , Gonçalves da Silva Anders , Foster Timothy J , Howden Benjamin P , Stinear Timothy P , Monk Ian R
Published: May 2019

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a significant opportunistic pathogen of humans. Molecular studies in this species have been hampered by the presence of restriction-modification (RM) systems that limit introduction of foreign DNA. Here we establish the complete genomes and methylomes for seven clinically significant, genetically diverse S. epidermidis isolates and perform the first systematic genomic analyses of the type I RM systems within both S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Our analyses revealed marked differences in the gene arrangement, chromosomal location and movement of type I RM systems between the two species. Unlike S. aureus, S. epidermidis type I RM systems demonstrate extensive diversity even within a single genetic lineage. This is contrary to current assumptions and has important implications for approaching the genetic manipulation of S. epidermidis. Using Escherichia coli plasmid artificial modification (PAM) to express S. epidermidis hsdMS, we readily overcame restriction barriers in S. epidermidis, and achieved transformation efficiencies equivalent to those of modification deficient mutants. With these functional experiments we demonstrate how genomic data can be used to predict both the functionality of type I RM systems and the potential for a strain to be transformation proficient. We outline an efficient approach for the genetic manipulation of S. epidermidis from diverse genetic backgrounds, including those that have hitherto been intractable. Additionally, we identified S. epidermidis BPH0736, a naturally restriction defective, clinically significant, multidrug-resistant ST2 isolate as an ideal candidate for molecular studies.

Importance

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections, especially those related to implanted medical devices. Understanding how S. epidermidis causes disease and devising ways to combat these infections has been hindered by an inability to genetically manipulate “hospital-adapted” strains that cause clinical disease. Here we provide the first comprehensive analyses of the mechanisms whereby S. epidermidis resists the uptake of foreign DNA and demonstrate that these are distinct from those described for S. aureus. Until now it had been assumed that these are the same. Using these insights, we demonstrate an efficient approach for the genetic manipulation of S. epidermidis to enable the study of clinically relevant isolates for the first time.
Oncogenic and Circadian Effects of Small Molecules Directly and Indirectly Targeting the Core Circadian Clock
Authors: Lin Hui-Hsien , Robertson Kelly L. , Bisbee Heather A. , Farkas Michelle E.
Published: May 2019

Circadian rhythms are essential for controlling the cell cycle, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis, and hence, are tightly linked to cell fate. Disruption of circadian rhythms has been shown to trigger various pathological developments, including cancer. Several recent studies have used a variety of small molecules to affect circadian oscillations, however, their concomitant cellular effects were not assessed. Here, we use five molecules, grouped into direct versus indirect effectors of the circadian clock, to modulate periods in a human osteosarcoma cell line (U2OS), and determined their influences on cellular behaviors, including motility and colony formation. Luciferase reporters, whose expression were driven via Bmal1- and Per2-promoters (positive and negative protein components of the core clock), were used to facilitate the visualization and quantitative analysis of circadian oscillations. We show that all molecules significantly increase or decrease the circadian periods of Bmal1 and Per2 in a dose-dependent manner, but period length does not correlate with the extent of cell migration or proliferation. We observed that only molecules that affected circadian oscillations to a greater extent showed significant influence on cell functions (e.g. motility and colony formation). Because it is important to consider the likelihood of biological effects resulting from non-circadian targets, we also provide a thorough discussion of potential modes of action. Future studies should employ additional compounds that directly target circadian proteins and/or have different circadian effects, and evaluation in other cancer models to determine whether results obtained here remain consistent.

For Table of Contents Only
Diaphragmatic Central Motor Conduction Changes In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: El-Nemr Rehab Abdelaal , Sweed Rania Ahmad , Shafiek Hanaa
Published: May 2019

Background and objectives

Respiratory muscles dysfunction has been reported in COPD. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is easy non-invasive that has been used for assessing the respiratory corticospinal pathways particularly of diaphragm. We aimed to study the cortico-diaphragmatic motor system changes in COPD using TMS and to correlate the findings with the pulmonary function.

Methods

A case control study recruited 30 stable COPD from the out-patient respiratory clinic of Main Alexandria University hospital-Egypt and 17 healthy control subjects who were subjected to spirometry. Cortical conduction of the diaphragm was performed by TMS to all participants followed by cervical magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerve roots. Diaphragmatic resting motor threshold (DRMT), cortical motor evoked potential latency (CMEPL), CMEP amplitude (CMEPA), peripheral motor evoked potential latency (PMEPL), PMEP amplitude (PMEPA) and central motor conduction time (CMCT) were measured.

Results

66.7% of COPD patients had severe and very severe COPD with median age of 59 (55-63) years. There was statistically significant bilateral decrease in DRMT, CMEPA and PMEPA in COPD group versus healthy subjects and significant increase in CMEPL and PMEPL (p <0.01). Left CMCT was significantly prolonged in COPD group versus healthy subjects (p <0.0001) but not right CMCT. Further, there was significant increase in CMEPL and CMCT of left versus right diaphragm in COPD group (p= 0.003 and 0.001 respectively) that inversely correlated with FEV1% and FVC% predicted.

Conclusion

Central cortico-diaphragmatic motor system is affected in COPD patients with heterogeneity of both sides that is correlated with pulmonary function.

Significance

Coticospinal pathway affection could be a factor for development of diaphragmatic dysfunction in COPD patients accordingly its evaluation could help in personalization of COPD management especially pulmonary rehabilitation programs
Arabidopsis DGD1 SUPPRESSOR1 Is a Subunit of the Mitochondrial Contact Site and Cristae Organizing System and Affects Mitochondrial Biogenesis
Authors: Li Lu , Lavell Anastasiya , Meng Xiangxiang , Berkowitz Oliver , Selinski Jennifer , van de Meene Allison , Carrie Chris , Benning Christoph , Whelan James , De Clercq Inge , Wang Yan
Published: May 2019

Mitochondrial and plastid biogenesis requires the biosynthesis and assembly of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the mitochondrial outer membrane protein DGD1 SUPPRESSOR1 (DGS1) is part of a large multi-subunit protein complex that contains the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system 60-kD subunit, the translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 40-kD subunit (TOM40), the TOM20s, and the Rieske FeS protein. A point mutation in DGS1, dgs1-1, altered the stability and protease accessibility of this complex. This altered mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial size, lipid content and composition, protein import, and respiratory capacity. Whole plant physiology was affected in the dgs1-1 mutant as evidenced by tolerance to imposed drought stress and altered transcriptional responses of markers of mitochondrial retrograde signaling. Putative orthologs of Arabidopsis DGS1 are conserved in eukaryotes, including the Nuclear Control of ATP Synthase2 (NCA2) protein in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), but lost in Metazoa. The genes encoding DGS1 and NCA2 are part of a similar coexpression network including genes encoding proteins involved in mitochondrial fission, morphology, and lipid homeostasis. Thus, DGS1 links mitochondrial protein and lipid import with cellular lipid homeostasis and whole plant stress responses.
Review article: Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patient presentations to the emergency department via police: A scoping review
Authors: Crilly Julia , Johnston Amy NB , Wallis Marianne , Polong‐Brown Josea , Heffernan Ed , Fitzgerald Gerard , Young Jesse T , Kinner Stuart
Published: May 2019

People brought in by police (BIBP) to the ED are a potentially vulnerable group. This narrative scoping review aimed to identify, evaluate and summarise current literature regarding the frequency of presentation, demographic and clinical profile of patients (including reason for presentation), care delivery, and outcomes for people BIBP to the ED, and identify current gaps in knowledge. The review involved searching EMBASE, CINAHL and PubMed using a combination of terms: emergency/ED coupled with police custody/watch house or police presentation, for papers published in English language from January 2006 to November 2017. A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. These included 17 observational (non‐randomised controlled trials) quantitative studies and three descriptive case reports. The proportion of presentations to ED that were BIBP varied depending on the study design and sampling frame. People BIBP often presented with mental health problems, substance use problems, aggressive behaviour and injury caused by self or others. Of studies focused specifically on patients arriving to the ED in mental health crisis (i.e. suicidal ideation or self‐harm), 18–27% were BIBP. ED presentations BIBP were mostly male and typically younger than people arriving by other means. The nature of care provided in the ED and outcomes of the acute episode of care were typically not well described. Limited research regarding people BIBP to the ED limits the ability to comprehensively understand their demographic and clinical profile and outcomes of emergency care. Further research is required to inform if and where in the patient’s journey further improvements may be targeted.
Application of Green Technology for the Acquisition of Extracts of Araçá (Psidium grandifolium Mart. ex DC.) Using Supercritical CO2 and Pressurized Ethanol: Characterization and Analysis of Activity
Authors: Bittencourt G. M. , Firmiano D. M. , Fachini R. P. , Lacaz‐Ruiz R. , Fernandes A. M. , Oliveira A. L.
Published: May 2019

Brazil is home to a wide variety of flora, including several lesser known species, such as araçá that were processed in this study using two green technologies consecutively: supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for nonpolar fraction and pressurized liquid extraction. For polar fraction, the experiments followed a central composite design involving ethanol as solvent, with temperature and static time in each bath as independent variables. Both extracts were analyzed for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Total phenolics content (TPC) was determined for all ethanol extracts. In the araçá essential oil (AEO) obtained by SFE, the extraction yield was 2.33%. The three major compounds of AEO were α‐pinene (20.75%), p‐cymene (20.50%), and o‐cymene (20.05%). In ethanol extracts, the high yield (14.49%) was obtained at 74 °C/6 min and the major TPC (136.95 mg GAE/100 g) at 60 °C/9 min. Ethanol extracts presented good antioxidant activity (EC50 = 6.37 mg/mL) at 74 °C/6 min. AEO was unable to reduce DPPH• concentration by 50%. Both extract types presented an inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus cereus, while only the ethanol extracts presented effect against Listeria monocytogenes. This work had the aim to present the innovation of the use of a whole typical Brazilian fruit that gives rise to extracts with excellent properties for employment in both the pharmaceutical and food industries.
The Discovery of Proteins Associated with Freshness of Coregonus Peled Muscle During Refrigerated Storage
Authors: Deng Xiaorong , Lei Yongdong , Yu Yawen , Lu Shiling , Zhang Jian
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study is to identify the protein indicator of freshness of Coregonus peled using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time‐of‐flight/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS) methods. Samples were obtained prior to (control group) and 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after refrigerated storage for quality and proteomics analysis. Three proteins were found to have significant differential abundance in sample groups during the refrigerated storage, including l‐lactate dehydrogenase, adenylate kinase isoenzyme 1, and myosin heavy chain, which were associated with freshness changes of C. peled. The freshness of C. peled fish during the refrigerated storage can be differentiated from the comparison of the specific proteins.

Practical Application

The changes of food quality pose not only the relative economical loses but also the potential implications on consumer's health. Proteomics can represent a powerful tool to explore potential biomarkers that may be related to meat quality defects. The identification of key protein biomarkers linked to freshness of Coregonus peled allows to monitor the response of the food matrix during storage and try to minimizes these defects.
Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract Mildly Ameliorates Carbon Tetrachloride‐Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats by Suppressing Inflammation
Authors: Ko Jung , Yeh Wan‐Ju , Huang Wen‐Chih , Yang Hsin‐Yi
Published: May 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a hot‐water extract of defatted Camellia oleifera seeds (CSE) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver damage in rats. Wistar rats were separated into four groups including the normal (N) and CCl4 control (C) groups, which are fed a control diet, and the CCL (low‐dose CSE) and CCH (high‐dose CSE) groups, which are fed with a control diet plus different amount of CSE for an 8‐week experimental period. Liver injury in the C, CCL, and CCH groups was induced by injecting CCl4 (i.p.) twice a week from the 5th week to the end of the study. In CCl4‐treated rats, the alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration significantly increased compared to the normal group. Lower antioxidative enzyme activities and higher proinflammatory cytokines, transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and hydroxyproline concentrations in the liver were also found in the CCl4‐treated group compared to the normal group. In contrast, the administration of CSE alleviated the biochemical and histopathological changes including inflammation, liver cell damage, and fibrosis caused by CCl4 in rats. Our results indicated that CSE exhibited hepatoprotective effects in CCl4‐induced liver hepatotoxicity through alleviating hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in rats.

Practical Application

Camellia oleifera are widely used for edible oil production while the defatted seeds pomace is often discarded. We found that extract of C. oleifera pomace containing phenolic compounds, saponins, and polysaccharides showed protective effects chemical‐driven liver damage and, therefore, may be used in further studies and developing functional foods.
Initial assessment of the early arthritis for psoriatic patients diagnostic questionnaire in dermatology clinics in Australia, Korea and China
Authors: Jo Seong‐Jin , Foley Peter , Oakley Stephen Philip , Zhang Jianzhong , Zheng Min , Shin Kichul , McGonagle Dennis , Gisondi Paolo , Tinazzi Ilaria , Butcher Belinda E. , Handel Malcolm
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To conduct initial assessment of the early arthritis for psoriatic patients (EARP) questionnaire for Australian, Korean and Chinese populations using translated and linguistically validated versions. To measure the proportion of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis who attended dermatology clinics.

Methods

Questionnaires were translated and culturally validated into Australian English, Korean and Chinese. A multicenter, observational, descriptive estimate of the proportion of patients with PsA among patients with psoriasis attending dermatology clinics in Australia, Korea and China was conducted. Initial assessments included evaluations of floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency (using Cronbach's alpha), test‐retest reliability (using intraclass coefficient), and correlations between EARP score and rheumatology findings. If the initial EARP score was ≥3, patients were assessed by a rheumatologist for PsA within 3 months of their retest questionnaire.

Results

Two hundred and fifty patients participated. Translated EARP questionnaires showed satisfactory internal consistency and test‐retest reliability. A potential floor effect was observed for the Chinese and Korean versions. Cronbach's alpha was 0.885 (Australian), 0.776 (Korean) and 0.789 (Chinese), indicating acceptable internal consistency. Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.89 (Australian), 0.86 (Korean) and 0.87 (Chinese), indicating acceptable test‐retest reliability. EARP summary scores had weak to moderate linear correlation with the relevant PsA assessments. Overall, 32 (12.8%) patients were diagnosed with PsA based on Classification for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) score.

Conclusion

The Australian, Korean, and Chinese versions of the EARP questionnaire are suitable for the early detection of PsA symptoms in patients with psoriasis by dermatologists working in specialist dermatology clinics. Trial registration: NCT02470481.
Validation of the Malay Version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale
Authors: Jaafar Mohamad Hasif , Villiers‐Tuthill Amanda , Lim Min Ai , Ragunathan Darshaini , Morgan Karen
Published: May 2019

Objective

This study aims to determine the psychometric properties of the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the 6‐item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) among older adults in Malaysia.

Methods

A total of 200 participants aged 50 years and older completed the questionnaire in which 81 participants completed in BM. A subsample of 30 participants was retested after a period of 2 weeks.

Results

The DJGLS showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.71) and high test‐retest reliability (r = 0.93). Convergent validity was demonstrated by moderate positive correlation between total DJGLS loneliness score and UCLA loneliness scale (ULS‐8) (r = 0.56, n = 81, P < 0.001). Significant associations were found between loneliness and sex, ethnicity, geographic area and marital status.

Conclusion

The BM version of the 6‐item DJGLS is a reliable and valid loneliness measure for use among older adults in Malaysia.
Determinants of diagnostic delay in autoimmune atrophic gastritis
Authors: Lenti Marco Vincenzo , Miceli Emanuela , Cococcia Sara , Klersy Catherine , Staiani Martina , Guglielmi Francesca , Giuffrida Paolo , Vanoli Alessandro , Luinetti Ombretta , De Grazia Federico , Di Stefano Michele , Corazza Gino Roberto , Di Sabatino Antonio
Published: May 2019

Background

Autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AAG) is characterised by a wide clinical spectrum that could delay its diagnosis.

Aims

To quantify the diagnostic delay in patients suffering from AAG and to explore possible risk factors for longer diagnostic delay.

Methods

Consecutive patients with AAG evaluated at our gastroenterological outpatient clinic between 2009 and 2018 were included. Diagnostic delay was estimated as the time lapse occurring between the appearance of the first likely symptoms, laboratory alterations, and other clues indicative of AAG and the final diagnosis. Patient‐dependent and physician‐dependent diagnostic delays were also assessed. Multivariable regression models were fitted.

Results

291 patients with AAG (mean age at diagnosis 61 ± 15 years; F:M ratio = 2.3:1) were included. The median overall diagnostic delay was 14 months (interquartile range [IQR] 4‐41). Factors associated with longer median overall diagnostic delay were female sex (17 months, IQR 5‐48), having a previous misdiagnosis (36 months, IQR 17‐125) and a history of infertility/miscarriages (33 months, IQR 8‐120), whereas a higher level of education was associated with longer patient‐dependent diagnostic delay (4 months, IQR 1‐12). First evaluation by a gastroenterologist was associated with a median longer diagnostic delay (6 months, IQR 2‐15) compared to an internist (3 months, IQR 3‐31) and a haematologist (1 month, IQR 0‐2). Age, socioeconomic or marital status did not affect the diagnostic delay.

Conclusions

AAG is burdened by substantial diagnostic delay, especially in female patients, and due to lack of awareness, particularly among gastroenterologists. Uncommon vitamin B12 deficiency‐related manifestations are overlooked and may prolong the diagnostic delay.
The effectiveness and safety of infliximab compared with biosimilar CT‐P13, in 3112 patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Meyer Antoine , Rudant Jérémie , Drouin Jérôme , Coste Joël , Carbonnel Franck , Weill Alain
Published: May 2019

Background

CT‐P13, a biosimilar of the reference product infliximab, has been approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis on the basis of the results of trials conducted in patients with spondyloarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim

To compare the effectiveness and safety of CT‐P13 and the reference product in infliximab‐naive patients with ulcerative colitis

Methods

A comparative real‐life equivalence cohort study was conducted using the French nationwide health administrative database. Infliximab‐naive patients with ulcerative colitis over 15 years of age who started infliximab with no other indications for infliximab were included. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint (death, ulcerative colitis‐related surgery, all‐cause hospitalisation and reimbursement for other biologics). Equivalence was defined as a 95% CI of the hazard ratio (HR) of CT‐P13 vs the reference product, in a multivariable marginal Cox model situated within prespecified margins of (0.80‐1.25).

Results

A total of 3112 patients were included between 1 January 2015 and 30 June 2017: 1434 received the reference product, 1678 received CT‐P13. Overall, 710 patients in the reference product group and 743 patients in the CT‐P13 group met the composite endpoint. In multivariable analysis of the primary outcome, CT‐P13 was equivalent to the reference product (HR 1.04; 95% CI: 0.94‐1.15). The number of serious infections was lower in the CT‐P13 group (HR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.48‐0.88). There was no difference in the incidence of solid or haematologic malignancy (HR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.41‐1.60).

Conclusions

The effectiveness of CT‐P13 is equivalent and the risk of serious infections could be lower than that of the reference product for infliximab‐naive patients with ulcerative colitis.
Laparoscopic repair of an irreducible femoral hernia containing an epiploic appendage of the sigmoid colon
Authors: Soeta Nobutoshi , Endo Kotaro , Oshibe Ikuro , Higuchi Mitsunori , Saito Takuro
Published: May 2019

Here we present the first report of laparoscopic repair of an irreducible femoral hernia containing an epiploic appendage of the sigmoid colon. A 73‐year‐old woman presented with a 1‐week history of a left groin mass below the inguinal ligament with no abdominal symptoms. Abdominal CT demonstrated a 21 × 18‐mm oval‐shaped, fat‐dense structure in the left groin area. The hernia contents were considered potentially associated with the omentum; thus, a left irreducible femoral hernia was diagnosed. Elective laparoscopic surgery revealed an irreducible femoral hernia containing an epiploic appendage of the sigmoid colon, which was then reduced. The reduced epiploic appendage showed no ischemic changes, inflammation, torsion, or swelling, obviating the need for resection. The femoral hernia was laparoscopically repaired via a transabdominal preperitoneal approach with mesh. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful, and no recurrence of the femoral hernia was noted at the 6‐month follow‐up.
Seed rain along a gradient of degradation in Caribbean dry forest: Effects of dispersal limitation on the trajectory of forest recovery
Authors: Wolfe Brett T. , Macchiavelli Raúl , Van Bloem Skip J.
Published: May 2019

Questions

Tropical dry forests that experience severe disturbances (e.g., fires) often remain degraded for long time periods, during which non‐native grasses and trees dominate. One barrier to native tree regeneration in degraded areas may be seed dispersal limitation. To better understand how dispersal limitation influences recovery from degradation, we tested whether the mode and rates of seed dispersal differed in degraded sites dominated either by the exotic tree Leucaena leucocephala or open areas dominated by introduced pasture grasses. We also tested whether L. leucocephala stands facilitate the recruitment of native trees by increasing their seed input compared to open grass areas.

Location

Guánica Commonwealth Forest, Puerto Rico.

Methods

Seed rain was measured for one year in traps located within five vegetation types that ranged in degree of forest degradation from open grass to intact native forest.

Results

In open grass areas, seed rain density was similarly low for L. leucocephala and abiotically dispersed native trees (mean [95% CI] = 50.9 [15.1–171.0] vs. 34.2 [10.3–113.5] seeds m−2 year−1), whereas it was even lower for animal‐dispersed native trees (0.14 [0.03–0.67] seeds m−2 year−1). Compared to open grass areas, L. leucocephala‐dominated stands, even those with grass understories, had higher seed rain density of animal‐dispersed trees (43.0 [12.9–143.6] seeds m−2 year−1), but not abiotically dispersed trees (20.8 [6.3–68.5] seeds m−2 year−1).

Conclusions

The dominance of L. leucocephala in disturbed Caribbean dry forests does not appear to be mediated by disproportionate seed arrival in open areas compared to native tree seeds. Rather, subsequent factors such as seed and seedling survival likely favor L. leucocephala in highly degraded areas. Since L. leucocephala stands increase the seed rain of animal‐dispersed native trees, retaining them in highly disturbed Caribbean dry forests may facilitate the regeneration of native forests.
Nonlinear pharmacokinetics of rituximab in non‐Hodgkin lymphomas: A pilot study
Authors: Ternant David , Monjanel Hélène , Venel Yann , Prunier‐Aesch Caroline , Arbion Flavie , Colombat Philippe , Paintaud Gilles , Gyan Emmanuel
Published: May 2019

Aims

Rituximab is an anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody approved in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This study aimed to assess the relationship between antigen mass and nonlinear pharmacokinetics of rituximab in NHL patients.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort of 25 NHL patients treated with rituximab, antigen mass was assessed at baseline by measuring metabolic tumour volume (MTV) by positron emission tomography. Rituximab pharmacokinetics was described using a semimechanistic 2‐compartment model including a latent target antigen. Rituximab target‐mediated elimination was described as irreversible binding between rituximab and it target. Histology (follicular or diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas), initial MTV and body weight were tested as covariates on pharmacokinetic parameters.

Results

The model allowed a satisfactory description of rituximab serum concentrations. Target‐mediated elimination was maximum at the beginning of treatment and became negligible towards the end of follow‐up. The second‐order elimination of rituximab due to target binding and complex elimination increased with baseline MTV. Central volume of distribution increased with body weight (P = .022) and baseline MTV (P = .005).

Conclusions

This study quantified for the first time the target‐mediated elimination of rituximab in NHL patients and confirmed rituximab retention by antigen mass.
Self‐perceived burden to others as a moral emotion in wishes to die. A conceptual analysis
Authors: Rehmann‐Sutter Christoph
Published: May 2019

Patients at the end of their life who express a wish to die sometimes explain their wish as the desire not to be a burden to others. This feeling needs to be investigated as an emotion with an intrinsically dialogical structure. Using a phenomenological approach, two key meanings of the feeling of being a burden to others as a reason for a wish to die are identified. First, it is an existential suffering insofar as it contains the perception of a plight so desperate that it can only be relieved by the end of the patient’s existence. Second, it is an empathic concern that implies caring about those who bear the burden of caring for the person at the end of their life. It is therefore a moral emotion, encompassing a series of difficulties, including the subjective perception of a stark imbalance between giving and taking, the adequacy of the representation of the caregiver burden in the patient’s mind, and the danger of diminishing the worth of one’s life out of shame or self‐denigration. R. D. Laing’s terminology of crossed perspectives in interexperience is used to systematically distinguish the actual caregiver burden, the patient’s view of the caregiver burden, the stress for the patient in feeling that s/he is a burden to the caregiver, and the caregiver’s view of the patient’s stress. The sense of being a burden implies the belief that the caregiver feels burdened, and the fear that this burden could become unbearable.
Early T precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma shows differential immunophenotypic characteristics including frequent CD33 expression and in vitro response to targeted CD33 therapy
Authors: Khogeer Haitham , Rahman Haitham , Jain Nitin , Angelova Evgeniya A. , Yang Hong , Quesada Andres , Ok Chi Y. , Sui Dawen , Wei Peng , Al Fattani Areej , Pierce Sherry , Loghavi Sanam , Lamb Audrey , Hu Peter , Thakral Beenu , Kanagal‐Shamanna Rashmi , Jorgensen Jeffrey L. , Jabbour Elias J. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Khoury Joseph D.
Published: May 2019

The differential immunophenotypic characteristics of early T precursor (ETP) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma (ALL) remain incompletely characterized. The study group (n = 142) included 106 (74·7%) men and 36 (25·3%) women with a median age of 34·9 years (range, 2–79) at diagnosis. Patients were subtyped by flow cytometry immunophenotyping as follows: 33 (23·2%) ETP; 32 (22·5%) early non‐ETP; 60 (42·2%) thymic; and 17 (12·1%) mature. Excepting definitional markers, there was a significant differential expression of the markers CD2, CD10, CD33 and TdT between ETP‐ALL and non‐ETP‐ALL. Positive CD33 expression (≥20% of leukaemic blasts) was detected in 21/33 (63%) ETP‐ALL compared with 17/95 (17·9%) non‐ETP‐ALL (P < 0·001). Notably, targeted anti‐CD33 therapy with IMGN779 resulted in significant growth inhibition and increased apoptosis in ETP‐ALL cells in vitro. An 11‐marker T‐ALL immunophenotype score discriminated reliably between ETP and non‐ETP ALL. Longitudinal analysis of ETP‐ALL cases in this study demonstrated that the immunophenotype may be occasionally dynamic but is largely stable over the disease course. In summary, identification of ETP‐ALL might be enhanced by using an 11‐marker T‐ALL immunophenotype score. CD33 expression is frequent in ETP‐ALL, and in vitro data suggest that exploring anti‐CD33 therapy in ETP‐ALL is warranted.