bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of putative new tomato allergens and differential interaction with IgEs of tomato allergic subjects
Authors: Welter S. , Lehmann K. , Dölle S. , Schwarz D. , Weckwerth W. , Scheler C. , Worm M. , Franken P.
Published: October 2013

Background

Tomato became one of the world‐wide most consumed vegetables, unfortunately accompanied by an increasing risk of tomato allergy affecting certain people. As tomato allergic subjects show highly variable reactions in clinical allergy tests, it is difficult to identify cultivars or differentially treated tomato plants where a significant reduction in the allergenic potential over all subjects of a cohort can be detected.

Objective

This study was carried out to test the hypothesis that individual variability is based on differential reactions of single subjects to particular allergens in tomato fruits of plants with certain genetic background or cultivated under distinct conditions.

Methods

Proteins were extracted from tomato fruits of the previously investigated genotypes 76R, its mycorrhizal mutant RMC, and the cultivar Counter, fertilized with different forms of nitrogen in deficit or excess. 2‐D immunoblots were carried out with sera of nine tomato allergic subjects, beforehand analysed in skin prick tests.

Results

In total, ten putative tomato allergens were identified in these immunoblots. No correlation was detected between individual skin prick test results and the quantity of positive reactions to putative allergens. IgEs of each subject showed reactions to nearly every identified putative allergen, but reactions were dependent on genotype and growth conditions. Among the ten putative tomato allergens, five new candidates were identified as follows: an endo‐β‐mannanase, a pectinacetylesterase, a pectinesterase inhibitor, an aspartyl protease family protein and a protein of unknown function.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

The hypothesis that high interindividual differences in allergic reactions are based on the interactions between the IgEs of allergic subjects with particular allergens has to be rejected. However, five proteins with putative clinical relevance as tomato allergens could be newly identified.
Deep phenotyping of the unselected COPSAC2010 birth cohort study
Authors: Bisgaard H. , Vissing N. H. , Carson C. G. , Bischoff A. L. , Følsgaard N. V. , Kreiner‐Møller E. , Chawes B. L. K. , Stokholm J. , Pedersen L. , Bjarnadóttir E. , Thysen A. H. , Nilsson E. , Mortensen L. J. , Olsen S. F. , Schjørring S. , Krogfelt K. A. , Lauritzen L. , Brix S. , Bønnelykke K.
Published: October 2013

Background

We hypothesize that perinatal exposures, in particular the human microbiome and maternal nutrition during pregnancy, interact with the genetic predisposition to cause an abnormal immune modulation in early life towards a trajectory to chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma and others.

Objective

The aim of this study is to explore these interactions by conducting a longitudinal study in an unselected cohort of pregnant women and their offspring with emphasis on deep clinical phenotyping, exposure assessment, and biobanking. Exposure assessments focus on the human microbiome. Nutritional intervention during pregnancy in randomized controlled trials are included in the study to prevent disease and to be able to establish causal relationships.

Methods

Pregnant women from eastern Denmark were invited during 2008–2010 to a novel unselected ‘COPSAC2010’ cohort. The women visited the clinic during pregnancy weeks 24 and 36. Their children were followed at the clinic with deep phenotyping and collection of biological samples at nine regular visits until the age of 3 and at acute symptoms. Randomized controlled trials of high‐dose vitamin D and fish oil supplements were conducted during pregnancy, and a trial of azithromycin for acute lung symptoms was conducted in the children with recurrent wheeze.

Results

Seven hundred and thirty‐eight mothers were recruited from week 24 of gestation, and 700 of their children were included in the birth cohort. The cohort has an over‐representation of atopic parents. The participant satisfaction was high and the adherence equally high with 685 children (98%) attending the 1 year clinic visit and 667 children (95%) attending the 2 year clinic visit.

Conclusions

The COPSAC2010 birth cohort study provides longitudinal clinical follow‐up with highly specific end‐points, exposure assessments, and biobanking. The cohort has a high adherence rate promising strong data to elucidate the interaction between genomics and the exposome in perinatal life leading to lifestyle‐related chronic inflammatory disorders such as asthma.
Effects of adjuvants for human use in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-prone (New Zealand black/New Zealand white) F1 mice
Authors: Favoino E , Favia E I , Digiglio L , Racanelli V , Shoenfeld Y , Perosa F
Published: October 2013

The safety of four different adjuvants was assessed in lupus-prone New Zealand black/New Zealand white (BW)F1 mice. Four groups of mice were injected intraperitoneally with incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), squalene (SQU) or aluminium hydroxide (ALU). An additional group received plain phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (UNT group). Mice were primed at week 9 and boosted every other week up to week 15. Proteinuria became detectable at weeks 17 (IFA group), 24 (CFA group), 28 (SQU and ALU groups) and 32 (UNT group). Different mean values were obtained among the groups from weeks 17 to 21 [week 17: one-way analysis of variance (anova) P = 0·016; weeks 18 and 19: P = 0·048; weeks 20 and 21: P = 0·013] being higher in the IFA group than the others [Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) post-test P < 0·05]. No differences in anti-DNA antibody levels were observed among groups. Anti-RNP/Sm antibody developed at week 19 in only one CFA-treated mouse. Mean mouse weight at week 18 was lower in the ALU group than the IFA (Tukey's HSD post-test P = 0·04), CFA (P = 0·01) and SQU (P < 0·0001) groups, while the mean weight in the SQU group was higher than in the IFA (P = 0·009), CFA (P = 0·013) and UNT (P = 0·005) groups. The ALU group weight decreased by almost half between weeks 29 and 31, indicating some toxic effect of ALU in the late post-immunization period. Thus, SQU was the least toxic adjuvant as it did not (i) accelerate proteinuria onset compared to IFA; (ii) induce toxicity compared to ALU or (iii) elicit anti-RNP/Sm autoantibody, as occurred in the CFA group.
Blockade of tumour necrosis factor-α in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis reveals differential effects on the antigen-specific immune response and central nervous system histopathology
Authors: Batoulis H , Recks M S , Holland F O , Thomalla F , Williams R O , Kuerten S
Published: October 2013

In various autoimmune diseases, anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α treatment has been shown to reduce both clinical disease severity and T helper type 1 (Th1)1/Th17 responses. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), however, the role of TNF-α has remained unclear. Here, C57BL/6 mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide 35–55 and treated with anti-TNF-α, control antibody or vehicle. The clinical disease course, incidence and severity were assessed. On day 20 after immunization the antigen-specific Th1/Th17 response was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) in spleen and central nervous system (CNS). Also, the extent of spinal cord histopathology was analysed on semi- and ultrathin sections. Our results demonstrate that anti-TNF-α treatment reduced the incidence and delayed the onset of EAE, but had no effect on disease severity once EAE had been established. Whereas anti-TNF-α treatment induced an increase in splenic Th1/Th17 responses, there was no effect on the number of antigen-specific Th1/Th17 cells in the spinal cord. Accordingly, the degree of CNS histopathology was comparable in control and anti-TNF-α-treated mice. In conclusion, while the anti-TNF-α treatment had neither immunosuppressive effects on the Th1/Th17 response in the CNS nor histoprotective properties in EAE, it enhanced the myelin-specific T cell response in the immune periphery.
CD3ζ-based chimeric antigen receptors mediate T cell activation viacis- andtrans-signalling mechanisms: implications for optimization of receptor structure for adoptive cell therapy
Authors: Bridgeman J S , Ladell K , Sheard V E , Miners K , Hawkins R E , Price D A , Gilham D E
Published: October 2013

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can mediate redirected lysis of tumour cells in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent manner, thereby enabling autologous adoptive T cell therapy for a variety of malignant neoplasms. Currently, most CARs incorporate the T cell receptor (TCR) CD3ζ signalling chain; however, the precise mechanisms responsible for CAR-mediated T cell activation are unclear. In this study, we used a series of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-mutant and transmembrane-modified receptors to demonstrate that CARs activate T cells both directly via the antigen-ligated signalling chain and indirectly via associated chains within the TCR complex. These observations allowed us to generate new receptors capable of eliciting polyfunctional responses in primary human T cells. This work increases our understanding of CAR function and identifies new avenues for the optimization of CAR-based therapeutic interventions.
Testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men is associated with increased expression of LAMP‐2 (CD107b) by circulating monocytes and dendritic cells
Authors: Corrales J. J. , Almeida M. , Martín‐Martín L. , Miralles J. M. , Orfao A.
Published: October 2013

Background

Accumulated experimental data indicates that androgen therapy has effects on inflammation and protects from autoimmune disorders. Despite this, the in vivo effects of testosterone replacement therapy on human antigen‐presenting cells–for example, monocytes and dendritic cells– remain unknown.

Objective, design and patients

We monitored the effects of testosterone replacement therapy on the number and the functionality ‐as assessed by the expression of CD107b (lysosome–associated membrane protein 2, LAMP‐2)‐ of resting and in vitro‐stimulated peripheral blood (classical and nonclassical) monocytes and dendritic cells (myeloid and plasmacytoid) from hypogonadal men.

Results

Our results show that testosterone replacement therapy induces overexpression of CD107b by circulating monocytes and dendritic cells from hypogonadal men, both under resting (i.e. nonstimulated) conditions and after in vitro stimulation. CD107b overexpression mostly involved monocytes and in vitro stimulation with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides. Of note, a strong correlation was found between CD107b expression on monocytes and serum gonadotrophins levels.

Conclusion

These results support the existence of an effect of testosterone therapy, and potentially also of gonadotrophins, on circulating antigen‐presenting cells.
Factitious Cushing's syndrome masquerading as Cushing's disease
Authors: Thynne Tilenka , White Graham H. , Burt Morton G.
Published: October 2013

Context

Factitious Cushing's syndrome is extremely rare. The diagnosis is challenging as cross‐reactivity of synthetic corticosteroids or their metabolites in immunoassay measurements of plasma or urinary cortisol can make distinguishing between true and factitious Cushing's syndrome difficult. Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) is usually suppressed in factitious Cushing's syndrome.

Patient

A 54‐year‐old woman presented with clinical and biochemical features of Cushing's syndrome and an unsuppressed ACTH concentration. She denied recent exogenous corticosteroid use.

Investigations and results

Initial investigations revealed a markedly elevated urinary free cortisol, mildly elevated midnight salivary cortisol and normal morning cortisol concentration. Plasma ACTH was not suppressed at 13 ng/l (RR 10–60 ng/l). A pituitary MRI was normal, but inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) revealed a post corticotrophin releasing hormone ACTH ratio >20:1 in the left petrosal sinus. Ketoconazole therapy amplified discordance between the urinary free and morning plasma cortisol concentrations. Further investigation of this discordance using high‐pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) revealed a urinary free cortisol excretion of only 20 nmol/24 h, but prednisolone excretion of 16 200 nmol/24 h.

Conclusions

Factitious Cushing's syndrome can mimic endogenous ACTH‐dependent hypercortisolism during initial investigations and IPSS. This case highlights the importance of (i) recognizing the significance of discordant results; (ii) using an ACTH assay capable of reliably differentiating ACTH‐dependent from ACTH‐independent Cushing's syndrome; and (iii) appreciating that IPSS is only useful to localize the source of ACTH in confirmed ACTH‐dependent Cushing's syndrome. In this case, measurement of corticosteroids by HPLC‐MS/MS was essential in reaching the correct diagnosis.
Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging optic nerve parameters to optical coherence tomography and the visual field in glaucoma
Authors: Omodaka Kazuko , Murata Takaki , Sato Shiho , Takahashi Mai , Tatewaki Yasuko , Nagasaka Tatsuo , Doi Hiroshi , Araie Makoto , Takahashi Shoki , Nakazawa Toru
Published: October 2013

Background

To determine the viability of using magnetic resonance imaging measurement of optic nerve morphology as an objective analysis of glaucomatous damage.

Design

Retrospective study conducted at Tohoku University Hospital.

Participants

Thirty‐eight eyes of 19 patients with open‐angle glaucoma.

Methods

Patients were scanned with T2‐weighted and 3‐T diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging, and parameters of the optic nerve, including fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient and cross‐sectional area, were determined. Conventional parameters of glaucomatous damage, including circumpapillary and macular retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, and mean deviation and average total deviation of the central 16 test points from the Humphrey Field Analyzer, were then compared with the magnetic resonance imaging‐derived parameters. Spearman's coefficient of correlation was calculated to determine the significance of the correlation.

Main Outcome Measure

Correlation coefficient between the magnetic resonance imaging parameters and the parameters of glaucomatous damage.

Results

Mean deviation was significantly correlated with all magnetic resonance imaging parameters (fractional anisotropy: r = 0.53, apparent diffusion coefficient: r = −0.44, cross‐sectional area: r = 0.70). Circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was significantly correlated with fractional anisotropy (r = 0.60) and cross‐sectional area (r = 0.47), but not apparent diffusion coefficient (r = −0.29). Central macular function and macular retinal nerve fibre layer thickness were also significantly correlated with magnetic resonance imaging parameters.

Conclusions

Optic nerve magnetic resonance imaging parameters were significantly correlated to glaucomatous damage. Magnetic resonance imaging analysis of the optic nerve may, thus, have value as an objective instrument to assess glaucomatous degeneration, including the function of the macula.
Remodelling of retinal on‐ and off‐bipolar cells following experimental retinal detachment
Authors: Sakai Tsutomu , Tsuneoka Hiroshi , Lewis Geoffrey P , Fisher Steven K
Published: October 2013

Background

To study the response of ON and OFF bipolar cells in experimental retinal detachment.

Methods

Domestic cat retinas were detached for 7 days. The retinas were prepared for immunocytochemical staining with antibodies to Go alpha (α), glutamate transporter GLT‐1, protein kinase C and rod opsin, which serve as markers for ON bipolar cells, OFF bipolar cells, rod bipolar cells and rod photoreceptors, respectively. Both sections and whole‐mounts were labelled with antibodies to Goα and GLT‐1.

Results

Following 7 days of detachment, ON bipolar cell processes extended into the outer nuclear layer and had neurites extending beyond their target layer into the inner plexiform layer. In contrast, OFF bipolar cell processes were reduced in the outer plexiform layer following detachment.

Conclusion

ON and OFF bipolar cells undergo significant remodelling of their processes in response to retinal detachment, and the ON and OFF pathways may be differentially affected. The remodelling may be due to morphological changes that have previously been shown to occur in photoreceptor synaptic terminals or as a result of loss of synaptic connections due to photoreceptor cell death.
Chromosomal microaberrations in patients with epilepsy, intellectual disability, and congenital anomalies
Authors: Spreiz A. , Haberlandt E. , Baumann M. , Baumgartner Sigl S. , Fauth C. , Gautsch K. , Karall D. , Janetschek C. , Rostasy K. , Scholl‐Bürgi S. , Zotter S. , Utermann G. , Zschocke J. , Kotzot D.
Published: October 2013

Epilepsy is a common finding in patients with chromosomal macro‐ and micro‐rearrangements but only few aberrations show a constant pattern of seizures. DNA array‐based studies have reported causative copy number variations (CNVs) in 5–30% of patients with epilepsy with or without co‐morbidities. The interpretation of many of the detected CNVs remains challenging. In order to identify CNVs carrying epilepsy‐related genes we investigated 43 children with various patterns of epileptic seizures, intellectual disability (ID), and minor dysmorphism, using the Illumina® Infinium Human1M‐DuoV1 array. In three patients we found likely causative de novo CNVs, i.e. deletions in 1q41q42.12 (3.4 Mb) and 19p13.2 (834 kb), and a mosaic two‐segment duplication in 17p13.2 (218 kb) and 17p13.1 (422 kb). In six additional patients there were aberrations (a deletion in one and duplications in five patients) with uncertain clinical consequences. In total, the finding of causative chromosomal micro‐rearrangements in 3 out of 43 patients (7%) and potentially causative CNVs in 6 additional patients (14%) with epilepsy and ID but without major malformations confirms the power of DNA arrays for the detection of new disease‐related genetic regions.
Fracture Resistance and Mode of Failure of Ceramic versus Titanium Implant Abutments and Single Implant‐Supported Restorations
Authors: Sghaireen Mohd G.
Published: October 2013

Background

The material of choice for implant‐supported restorations is affected by esthetic requirements and type of abutment.

Purpose

This study compares the fracture resistance of different types of implant abutments and implant‐supported restorations and their mode of failure.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐five Oraltronics Pitt‐Easy implants (Oraltronics Dental Implant Technology GmbH, Bremen, Germany) (4 mm diameter, 10 mm length) were embedded in clear autopolymerizing acrylic resin. The implants were randomly divided into three groups, A, B and C, of 15 implants each. In group A, titanium abutments and metal‐ceramic crowns were used. In group B, zirconia ceramic abutments and In‐Ceram Alumina crowns were used. In group C, zirconia ceramic abutments and IPS Empress Esthetic crowns were used. Specimens were tested to failure by applying load at 130° from horizontal plane using an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Subsequently, the mode of failure of each specimen was identified.

Results

Fracture resistance was significantly different between groups (p < .05). The highest fracture loads were associated with metal‐ceramic crowns supported by titanium abutments (p = .000). IPS Empress crowns supported by zirconia abutments had the lowest fracture loads (p = .000). Fracture modes of metal‐ceramic crowns supported by titanium abutments included screw fracture and screw bending. Fracture of both crown and abutment was the dominant mode of failure of In‐Ceram/IPS Empress crowns supported by zirconia abutments.

Conclusions

Metal‐ceramic crowns supported by titanium abutments were more resistant to fracture than In‐Ceram crowns supported by zirconia abutments, which in turn were more resistant to fracture than IPS Empress crowns supported by zirconia abutments. In addition, failure modes of restorations supported by zirconia abutments were more catastrophic than those for restorations supported by titanium abutments.
The higher‐level phylogenetic relationships of the Eumeninae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Vespidae), with emphasis on Eumenes sensu lato
Authors: Hermes Marcel G. , Melo Gabriel A. R. , Carpenter James M.
Published: October 2013

Cladistic analyses were carried out to infer the phylogenetic relationships among taxa that were originally part of the large genus Eumenes. Terminals belonging to other eumenine lineages were also included, as well as terminals from other vespid subfamilies. Analyses under equal weights and implied weights were carried out, and better results were obtained with the latter. The results corroborated the monophyly of Eumeninae, and recovered Zethini sensu lato as the sister‐lineage to the remaining eumenines. Eumenes sensu lato as originally recognized is paraphyletic relative to Odynerus sensu lato. A natural classification at the tribal level congruent with the phylogenetic results may be proposed, and the names Zethini, Odynerini, and Eumenini are already available. This is the most comprehensive phylogeny of the Eumeninae to date. A new generic synonymy is Alfieria Giordani Soika, 1934 = Delta de Saussure, 1855.
Ceramic implants (Y‐TZP): are they a viable alternative to titanium implants for the support of overdentures? A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Osman Reham B. , Swain Michael V. , Atieh Momen , Ma Sunyoung , Duncan Warwick
Published: October 2013

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess 1‐year clinical success of one‐piece zirconia implants compared with similar‐design titanium implants, in the context of a novel protocol for implant distribution.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐four edentulous participants were randomly allocated to one‐piece titanium or zirconia implant group. Each participant received four implants in the maxilla (mid‐palatal and three anterior crestal implants) and three implants in the mandible (mid‐symphyseal and two bilateral distal implants). Conventional loading protocol was followed. Marginal bone remodeling and clinical success of implants were evaluated. The data were statistically analyzed, and risk predictors for implant failures were evaluated.

Results

There was no significant difference in the survival rate between the two groups. In the mandible, the survival rate of titanium implants was 95.8% vs. 90.9% for the zirconia implants. The corresponding values in the maxilla were 71.9% and 55%, respectively. Three implants in the zirconia group fractured. Statistically significant less marginal bone loss was observed around titanium implants (0.18 mm) compared with the zirconia group (0.42 mm). The prediction model revealed a higher risk for implant failures in the maxilla (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The outcome of this study indicates caution before recommendation can be made for the use of single‐piece zirconia implants for overdenture support. Their use should be limited to cases with proven allergy to titanium. This is mainly due to the increased bone loss and higher fracture rate observed for zirconia implants. Future biomaterial research should focus on producing surface characteristics on zirconia implants with outcomes similar to those established for the optimum osseointegration of titanium implants.
An easy access to retrieve dental implants displaced into the maxillary sinus: the bony window technique
Authors: Biglioli Federico , Chiapasco Matteo
Published: October 2013

Aim of the study

To present the authors' experience concerning the removal of dental implants displaced in the maxillary sinus via an intraoral approach consisting of the creation of a bony window pedicled to the maxillary sinus membrane.

Materials and methods

Thirty‐six systemically healthy patients, presenting with oral implants displaced into the maxillary sinus, but with no signs of acute or chronic sinusitis, were consecutively treated between 2002 and 2012 via an intraoral approach with the bony window technique.

Results

Removal of oral implants from the maxillary sinus was achieved in all patients, and postoperative recovery was uneventful in all of them. Computed tomographies performed after surgery showed no signs of residual sinus infection in all patients and a complete ossification of the bony window margins. Twelve of the 36 treated patients were treated with a sinus grafting procedure 12–18 months after in the same areas previously treated with the bone lid technique. Seventeen implants were placed in the grafted areas 6–9 months later and, after a further waiting period needed for osseointegration, the treated patients were rehabilitated with implant‐supported prostheses. The survival rate of implants was 100%, and no complications related to the sinuses and implants were recorded.

Conclusion

Results from this study seem to demonstrate that the bony window technique is a safe and easy way to remove oral implants from the maxillary sinus under local anesthesia. The surgical access is hardly visible 6–12 months after surgery, and maxillary sinuses appeared free from residual pathology in all treated patients. Finally, this procedure allows a second‐stage sinus grafting procedure via a lateral approach as in a previously untreated maxillary sinus, thus allowing an implant‐supported prosthetic restoration.
Early bone apposition to hydrophilic and hydrophobic titanium implant surfaces: a histologic and histomorphometric study in minipigs
Authors: Vasak Christoph , Busenlechner Dieter , Schwarze Uwe Y. , Leitner Herbert F. , Munoz Guzon Fernando , Hefti Thomas , Schlottig Falko , Gruber Reinhard
Published: October 2013

Objective

The first objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of the hydrophilicity on the early phases of osseointegration. The second objective was to compare two hydrophilic implant surfaces with different geometries, surface roughness, and technologies achieving hydrophilicity.

Material and methods

Twelve weeks after extraction, all four quadrants of nine minipigs received three dental implants, alternating between hydrophilic microrough surfaces (INICELL and SLActive) and a conventional hydrophobic microrough surface. After 5, 10, and 15 days of submerged healing, ground sections were prepared and subjected to histologic and histomorphometric analysis.

Results

The histologic analysis revealed a similar healing pattern among the hydrophilic and hydrophobic implant surfaces, with extensive bone formation occurring between day 5 and day 10. With BIC values of greater than 50% after 10 days, all examined surfaces indicated favorable osseointegration at this very early point in healing. At day 15, the mean new bone‐to‐implant contact (newBIC) of one hydrophilic surface (INICELL; 55.8 ± 14.4%) was slightly greater than that of the hydrophobic microrough surface (40.6 ± 20.2%). At day 10 and day 15, an overall of 21% of the implants had to be excluded from analysis due to inflammations primarily caused by surgical complications.

Conclusion

Substantial bone apposition occurs between day 5 and day 10. The data suggest that the hydrophilic surface can provoke a slight tendency toward increased bone apposition in minipigs after 15 days. A direct comparison of two hydrophilic surfaces with varying geometries is of limited relevance.
The imperative to prevent and treat childhood obesity: why the world cannot afford to wait
Authors: Messiah S. E. , Lipshultz S. E. , Natale R. A. , Miller T. L.
Published: October 2013

In the past 20 years, the prevalence of obesity in the United States increased almost 50% among adults and by 300% in children. Today, 9.7% of all U.S. infants up to 2 years old have abnormally high weight‐for‐recumbent length; 25% of children under age 5 are either overweight or obese; and 17% of adolescents are obese. Ethnic disparities in the rates of obesity are also large and apparent in childhood. Further, 44% of obese adolescents have metabolic syndrome. Obese children tend to become obese adults; thus, in a decade, young adults will likely have much higher risks of chronic disease, which has tremendous implications for the healthcare system. However, early childhood may be the best time to prevent obesity. Teachers' healthy eating choices are positively associated with changes in body mass index percentiles for children, for example. In addition, 8 million children attend afterschool programs, which can successfully promote health and wellness and successfully treat obesity. This childhood epidemic of obesity and its health‐related consequences in adolescents should be a clinical and public health priority. However, this major public health problem cannot be managed solely in clinical settings. Rather, public health strategies must be integrated into home and family, school and community‐based settings.
Mitigating the Effect of Development on Bats in England with Derogation Licensing
Authors: STONE EMMA LOUISE , JONES GARETH , HARRIS STEPHEN
Published: October 2013

The Convention on Biological Diversity has catalyzed worldwide awareness of threats to biological diversity and stimulated global conservation strategies. These have led to national and international legislation and have generated debate about the most effective conservation actions. Under the EU Habitats Directive, all member states are obliged to establish a system for strict protection of species listed in Annex IV(a), which includes all bats. In England, this obligation has resulted in legislation that allows for derogation from strict protection under license, provided activities are undertaken to mitigate any potential negative effects on bat numbers. We used an evidence‐based approach to assess the cost‐effectiveness of mitigation strategies and the English bat‐derogation licensing process as a whole. We analyzed data from 389 bat derogation licenses issued in England from 2003 to 2005 relating to 1776 roosts and 15 species to determine the nature and extent of development and mitigation activities and their effects on bats. Overall the effects of licensed activities on roosts were negative. Despite the level of protection afforded to bats, the majority (68%) of roosts for which derogation licenses were issued were destroyed. There were species‐specific differences in the probability of roosts being destroyed, and impacts on roosts did not reflect a species’ conservation status. Information provided by licensees was inadequate and inconsistent. Most licensees (67%) failed to submit postdevelopment reports, and postdevelopment monitoring was conducted at only 19% of sites. Despite a minimum of £4.13 million spent on mitigation structures for bats from 2003 to 2005, it was unclear whether the licensing process meets EU obligations. On the basis of our results, we believe there is a need to overhaul the licensing process, to establish a comprehensive, standardized postdevelopment monitoring system, and to demonstrate that mitigation is commensurate with Britain's legal obligations.

Mitigando el Efecto del Desarrollo sobre los Murciélagos en Inglaterra con Licencias de Derogación
Closure of fistula‐in‐ano with laser – FiLaC™: an effective novel sphincter‐saving procedure for complex disease
Authors: Giamundo P. , Geraci M. , Tibaldi L. , Valente M.
Published: October 2013

Aim

Fistula laser closure (FiLaC™) is a novel sphincter‐saving procedure for the treatment of anal fistula. Primary closure of the track is achieved using laser energy emitted by a radial fibre connected to a diode laser. The energy causes shrinkage of the tissue around the radial fibre with the aim being to close the track. This pilot study was designed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of this new technique in the treatment of anal fistula.

Method

Thirty‐five patients with anal fistula underwent the FiLaC™ procedure. They had either a primary or a recurrent trans‐sphincteric anal fistula, a previously placed seton or a fistula involving a significant portion of the sphincter with a potential risk of postoperative incontinence on fistulotomy. The surgical procedure consisted of ‘sealing’ the fistula by laser energy. The primary end‐point was cure of the disease and evaluation of morbidity. The secondary end‐point was an assessment of the degree of postoperative continence using the Cleveland Clinic Florida (CCF) Fecal Incontinence Score.

Results

The median operation time was 20 (6–35) min. No intra‐operative complications were reported. Median duration of follow up was 20 (3–36) months. Primary healing was observed in 25 (71.4%) patients. There were eight (23%) failures and two recurrences at 3 and 6 months after the operation. No patient reported incontinence postoperatively.

Conclusion

The laser FiLaC™ procedure for fistula‐in‐ano is a safe, relatively simple, minimally invasive, sphincter‐saving procedure with a high chance of success.
Hybrid transanal endoscopic microsurgery: a novel approach to rectal neoplasm excision
Authors: Marrosu A. , Paliogiannis P. , Ruggiu M. W. , Attene F. , Trignano M. , Scognamillo F.
Published: October 2013

Aim

Rectal neoplasm excision is a challenging issue in gastrointestinal endoscopy and surgery. This technical note describes a hybrid method for the excision of challenging rectal neoplasms.

Method

The procedure consists of the combined use of classic endoscopy and transanal endoscopic microsurgical instrumentation for full‐thickness removal of a recurrent rectal polyp in a patient who had previously undergone endoscopic excision of a Tis rectal adenocarcinoma, located behind the valve of Houston and 9 cm from the anal verge.

Results

The lesion was removed completely in 50 min with no operative complication. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged after 5 days. Pathological examination of the specimen confirmed complete resection of the lesion with adequate disease‐free margins.

Conclusion

Hybrid transanal endoscopic microsurgery successfully combines the precision and flexibility of classic endoscopy with the radicality and safety of transanal endoscopic microsurgery for the treatment of demanding benign or early‐stage malignant rectal tumours.
Retrieval Dynamics and Retention in Cross‐Situational Statistical Word Learning
Authors: Vlach Haley A. , Sandhofer Catherine M.
Published: October 2013

Previous research on cross‐situational word learning has demonstrated that learners are able to reduce ambiguity in mapping words to referents by tracking co‐occurrence probabilities across learning events. In the current experiments, we examined whether learners are able to retain mappings over time. The results revealed that learners are able to retain mappings for up to 1 week later. However, there were interactions between the amount of retention and the different learning conditions. Interestingly, the strongest retention was associated with a learning condition that engendered retrieval dynamics that initially challenged the learner but eventually led to more successful retrieval toward the end of learning. The ease/difficulty of retrieval is a critical process underlying cross‐situational word learning and is a powerful example of how learning dynamics affect long‐term learning outcomes.
Not by Labor Alone: Considerations for Value Influence Use of the Labor Rule in Ownership Transfers
Authors: Kanngiesser Patricia , Hood Bruce
Published: October 2013

People often assign ownership to the person who has invested labor into making an object (labor rule). However, labor usually improves objects and increases their value, and it has not been investigated whether these considerations underlie people's use of the labor rule. We presented participants with third‐party ownership conflicts between an owner of materials and an artist who used the materials for some artwork. Experiment 1 revealed that participants were more likely to transfer ownership to the artist for low‐value materials than for high‐value materials, and Experiment 2 showed that this effect was further moderated by the amount of effort the artist had invested. A third experiment confirmed that participants transferred ownership more often if the artist's labor had increased the value of the materials than when it had added no value. These findings suggest that considerations for value underlie ownership transfers following the investment of labor.
Climate‐Smart Landscapes: Opportunities and Challenges for Integrating Adaptation and Mitigation in Tropical Agriculture
Authors: Harvey Celia A. , Chacón Mario , Donatti Camila I. , Garen Eva , Hannah Lee , Andrade Angela , Bede Lucio , Brown Douglas , Calle Alicia , Chará Julian , Clement Christopher , Gray Elizabeth , Hoang Minh Ha , Minang Peter , Rodríguez Ana María , Seeberg‐Elverfeldt Christina , Semroc Bambi , Shames Seth , Smukler Sean , Somarriba Eduardo , Torquebiau Emmanuel , van Etten Jacob , Wollenberg Eva
Published: October 2013

Addressing the global challenges of climate change, food security, and poverty alleviation requires enhancing the adaptive capacity and mitigation potential of agricultural landscapes across the tropics. However, adaptation and mitigation activities tend to be approached separately due to a variety of technical, political, financial, and socioeconomic constraints. Here, we demonstrate that many tropical agricultural systems can provide both mitigation and adaptation benefits if they are designed and managed appropriately and if the larger landscape context is considered. Many of the activities needed for adaptation and mitigation in tropical agricultural landscapes are the same needed for sustainable agriculture more generally, but thinking at the landscape scale opens a new dimension for achieving synergies. Intentional integration of adaptation and mitigation activities in agricultural landscapes offers significant benefits that go beyond the scope of climate change to food security, biodiversity conservation, and poverty alleviation. However, achieving these objectives will require transformative changes in current policies, institutional arrangements, and funding mechanisms to foster broad‐scale adoption of climate‐smart approaches in agricultural landscapes.
Closing the Screen Door to New Invasions
Authors: Keller Reuben P. , Springborn Michael R.
Published: October 2013

International trade in nonnative species generates economic benefits but also introduces many harmful invasive species. Recent advances in nonnative species screening tools enable useful predictions of invasiveness which can be combined with estimates of impacts to effectively manage the trade‐off between the benefits and costs of this trade. Despite this, most countries maintain an essentially “open door” policy where almost all nonnative species are allowed for introduction until they prove problematic. This approach implicitly favors minimizing one particular type of assessment error—mistakenly excluding safe species, or “false positives.” However, a comprehensive approach to management of species trade should involve balancing the trade‐off between false positives and “false negatives” (mistakenly accepting invasive species). Barriers to implementing risk assessment tools include the perception that because assessment tools are imperfect they are not suitable for decision‐making. However, recent economic research shows that, relative to an open door approach, “shutting the screen door” with imperfect but informative screening tools, to allow flow of only those species of acceptable invasion risk, increases the net benefits of trade. Given that these tools are relatively straightforward to apply, we argue that policy‐makers should no longer allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good.
Determining Where the Wild Things will be: Using Psychological Theory to Find Tolerance for Large Carnivores
Authors: Bruskotter Jeremy T. , Wilson Robyn S.
Published: October 2013

We review recent empirical efforts to understand human tolerance for large, terrestrial carnivores, and highlight how psychological theory on hazard acceptance can help conservation scientists explain, and ultimately increase, human tolerance for these species. For hazards in general, and for carnivores in particular, the majority of variation in acceptability judgments can be explained by the perceptions of risks and benefits associated with the hazard. Factors such as affective (emotional) reaction to a species, personal control over the risks, and trust in managing agencies are important, but secondary factors. Experimental research highlights the importance of communicating the benefits of a species to increase tolerance. In combination, these findings point to a need to rethink communications about carnivores that focus solely on lowering perceived risk by increasing individual control over the hazard. Such efforts may inadvertently decrease tolerance by overlooking the distinct and important role that the positive outcomes (i.e., benefits) associated with carnivores can play when evaluating the acceptability of a particular population or management action.
Preparation and photocatalytic activity of chitosan‐supported cobalt phthalocyanine membrane
Authors: Wang Rong‐Min , Wang Hua , Wang Yan , Li Hui‐Ru , He Yu‐Feng , Hao Er‐Xia
Published: October 2013

A chitosan‐supported cobalt phthalocyanine membrane was prepared by deposition for use as a new environmentally friendly and economical photocatalyst. The structure and surface morphology of the polymer catalyst were analysed by Fourier Transform‐infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The polymer photocatalyst was used for degradation of Rhodamine B, a stable dye material. Rhodamine B degradation reached 99% in aqueous solution at room temperature under ultraviolet irradiation. The influence of pH, the initial concentration of Rhodamine B, and the catalyst concentrations were investigated. The results revealed that the chitosan‐supported membrane is an attractive photocatalyst for Rhodamine B degradation. It retained 60% of its initial catalytic activity after being reused five times.
Preserved flow‐mediated dilation but delayed time‐to‐peak diameter in individuals with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Fernandes Igor A. , Sales Allan R. K. , Rocha Natália G. , Silva Bruno M. , Vianna Lauro C. , da Nóbrega Antonio C. L.
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Inconsistent evidences of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) impact on vascular reactivity raise questions on flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) discriminatory power for disturbances induced by this clustering of risk factors. Previous reports, however, suggest that covariates such as the follow‐up of the artery diameter changes, the arterial size and shear stress affect FMD responses and consequently its discriminatory power for distinctive clinical profiles.

Objective

To determine the impact of MetS on traditional, arterial size‐ and shear‐rate‐adjusted FMD, the follow‐up‐derived time‐to‐peak diameter (TP), as well as their power for discriminating subjects with this clustering of risk factors from a sample of healthy individuals.

Methods

Twenty‐one MetS and ten healthy subjects underwent an assessment of endothelial function via FMD.

Results

Traditional and allometrically scaled FMD did not differ between groups (P>0·05) as well as the approach in which the covariate was the peak diameter shear rate. In the existence of MetS, TP was longer (67·7 ± 16·4 s versus healthy 42·1 ± 16·3 s, P = 0·001). ROC curve analysis indicated that TP (AUC = 0·871 [95% CI, 0·718–1·000]) had greater power of discrimination for MetS than FMD approaches. In addition, TP presented a moderate and significant association with sE‐selectin (r = 0·458, P = 0·048).

Conclusion

Time‐to‐peak diameter (TP) rather than FMD distinguished MetS from a healthy profile. Therefore, at least in subjects with MetS, TP may provide insights into the impact of this clustering of risk factors on the vascular phenotype.
Serum‐free media for the production of human mesenchymal stromal cells: a review
Authors: Gottipamula S. , Muttigi M. S. , Kolkundkar U. , Seetharam R. N.
Published: October 2013

The regenerative potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) holds great promise in using them for treatment of a wide range of debilitating diseases. Several types of culture media and systems have been used for large‐scale expansion of MSCs in vitro; however, the majority of them rely heavily on using foetal bovine serum (FBS)‐supplement for optimal cell proliferation. FBS‐based cultures pose the potential threat of spread of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy and bovine spongiform encephalopathy to MSCs and then to their recipients. A recent trend in cell culture is to change from serum‐use to serum‐free media (SFM). In this context, the current review focuses specifically on employment of various SFM for MSCs and discusses existences of various options with which to substitute FBS. In addition, we analyse MSC population growth kinetic patterns using various SFM for large‐scale production of MSCs.
Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after pancreas transplantation: a United Network for Organ Sharing database analysis
Authors: Jackson K. , Ruppert K. , Shapiro R.
Published: October 2013

There are not a great deal of data on post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) following pancreas transplantation. We analyzed the United Network for Organ Sharing national database of pancreas transplants to identify predictors of PTLD development. A univariate Cox model was generated for each potential predictor, and those at least marginally associated (p < 0.15) with PTLD were entered into a multivariable Cox model. PTLD developed in 43 patients (1.0%) of 4205 pancreas transplants. Mean follow‐up time was 4.9 ± 2.2 yr. In the multivariable Cox model, recipient EBV seronegativity (HR 5.52, 95% CI: 2.99–10.19, p < 0.001), not having tacrolimus in the immunosuppressive regimen (HR 6.02, 95% CI: 2.74–13.19, p < 0.001), recipient age (HR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92–0.99, p = 0.02), non‐white ethnicity (HR 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02–0.84, p = 0.03), and HLA mismatching (HR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.97, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with the development of PTLD. Patient survival was significantly decreased in patients with PTLD, with a one‐, three‐, and five‐yr survival of 91%, 76%, and 70%, compared with 97%, 93%, and 88% in patients without PTLD (p < 0.001). PTLD is an uncommon but potentially lethal complication following pancreas transplantation. Patients with the risk factors identified should be monitored closely for the development of PTLD.
The specificity of acute and chronic microvascular alterations in renal allografts
Authors: Filippone Edward J. , Farber John L.
Published: October 2013

The diagnosis of an antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) is made when there is evident histologic injury in the presence of detectable donor‐specific alloantibodies (DSA) and diffuse peritubular capillary C4d staining (C4d‐pos). In the presence of only detectable DSA or C4d‐pos, the tissue injury is currently considered “presumptive” for antibody causation. In acute antibody‐mediated rejection (AAMR), diagnostic morphologic features include microvascular inflammation (MVI), specifically glomerulitis and peritubular capillaritis. In the case of chronic active AMR (CAAMR), these inflammatory lesions have progressed to chronic microvascular injury, transplant glomerulopathy (TG) and peritubular capillary basement membrane multilayering (PTCBMML). Either TG or PTCBMML is sufficient morphological evidence for a diagnosis of CAAMR. Unfortunately, these lesions are not specific. MVI, TG, and PTCBMML are found in the setting of cell‐mediated immunity, as well as in association with non‐alloimmune mechanisms. The available treatments for AMR and CMR are different, and it is important to ascertain the dominant mechanism when approaching an individual patient. At present, no gold standard exists to establish the specific pathogenesis in the more ambiguous cases. We detail here the differential diagnosis of MVI, TG, and PTCBMML.