bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Baseline visual acuity as a prognostic factor for visual outcomes in patients treated with aflibercept for wet age‐related macular degeneration: data from the INSIGHT study using the Swedish Macula Register
Authors: Lövestam Adrian Monica , Vassilev Zdravko P. , Westborg Inger
Published: September 2018

Purpose

To assess mean change in visual acuity (VA) overall and stratified by baseline VA after 1 and 2 years’ treatment with aflibercept in a real‐life setting.

Methods

This was an observational cohort study using nationwide data from the Swedish Macula Register. Treatment‐naïve patient eyes with wet age‐related macular degeneration and prescribed aflibercept from January 2013 to December 2014 were followed for 1 year (2478 eyes) or 2 years (831 eyes) to assess VA. Eyes were grouped by baseline VA.

Results

Mean number of injections in patients treated according to label (72%) versus patients treated not according to label was 8.0 ± 1.5 versus 4.4 ± 0.8 (p < 0.0001) at 1 year, and 12.5 ± 3.2 versus 7.3 ± 1.9 (p < 0.0001) at 2 years. Among all eyes, mean VA increased from 61.3 ± 13.4 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters at baseline to 64.5 ± 15.6 at 1 year and 65.1 ± 15.1 letters at 2 years. At 2 years, eyes with good baseline vision (≥70 letters) lost a mean of 2.4 ± 11.3 to 72.3 letters, eyes with intermediate baseline VA (36–69 letters) gained 5.7 ± 14.1 to 62.7 letters, and eyes with poor baseline VA (≤35 letters) gained 13.2 ± 18.3 to 41.0 letters. Also at 2 years, 75% of treated eyes were stable or had improved VA. Among eyes with intermediate baseline VA, near vision was significantly better among those treated according to label versus not according to label at 3 (p = 0.019), 6 (p = 0.0002) and 12 months (p ≤ 0.0001).

Conclusion

While gain in vision was especially pronounced in eyes with poor baseline VA, good baseline VA was important for best prognosis.
Fish consumption and risk of depression: Epidemiological evidence from prospective studies
Authors: Yang Yeonji , Kim Youngyo , Je Youjin
Published: September 2018

Introduction

The evidence on the association of fish or omega‐3 fatty acid intake with depression is inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of prospective cohort studies to examine this association.

Methods

Database searches in PubMed and Web of Science were conducted to identify relevant articles published up to April 2018, which were supplemented by hand‐searches of reference lists of the retrieved articles. Using a random‐effects model, we calculated pooled relative risks (RR) of depression in relation to consumption of fish or omega‐3 fatty acids after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 10 prospective cohort studies with 6672 cases of depression among 109 764 participants were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled adjusted RR of depression for the highest vs lowest category of fish consumption was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80‐0.99). The pooled adjusted RR of depression for the highest vs lowest category of omega‐3 intake was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.74‐1.04). In the dose‐response analysis, the pooled adjusted RRs for an increment of 1 serving/week of fish consumption and 500 mg/day of omega‐3 fatty acid intake were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.75‐1.04) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.94‐1.04), respectively. There was no evidence of heterogeneity.

Discussion

Our findings provide quantitative evidence for a modest inverse association between fish or omega‐3 fatty acid intake and risk of depression, especially in women. These findings from the observational studies need to be confirmed through large randomized clinical trials of fish consumption or omega‐3 fatty acid intake and risk of depression.
New Insights into the Calcium Flux Used in Ancient Longquan and Yue Kilns Based on Strontium Isotopic Compositions
Authors: Ma H. , Wood N. , Doherty C. , Zheng J. , Zhou G. , Duan H.
Published: September 2018

The glazes of seven types of greenware produced in the Yue and Longquan kilns between the Tang dynasty and the Ming dynasty (ad 618–1644) were studied for their strontium isotopic compositions and bulk chemical compositions. The aim was to identify the raw materials used as the calcium fluxes in the glaze recipes and whether the raw materials changed over time, particularly before and after the Southern Song dynasty (ad 1127–1279). From this work, botanic ash has been identified as the raw material used as the calcium flux in all the seven glaze types studied, and some related ceramic historical issues are also discussed.
Team‐level identification predicts perceived and actual team performance: Longitudinal multilevel analyses with sports teams
Authors: Thomas William E. , Brown Rupert , Easterbrook Matthew J. , Vignoles Vivian L. , Manzi Claudia , D'Angelo Chiara , Holt Jeremy J.
Published: September 2018

Social identification and team performance literatures typically focus on the relationship between individual differences in identification and individual‐level performance. By using a longitudinal multilevel approach, involving 369 members of 45 sports teams across England and Italy, we compared how team‐level and individual‐level variance in social identification together predicted team and individual performance outcomes. As hypothesized, team‐level variance in identification significantly predicted subsequent levels of both perceived and actual team performance in cross‐lagged analyses. Conversely, individual‐level variance in identification did not significantly predict subsequent levels of perceived individual performance. These findings support recent calls for social identity to be considered a multilevel construct and highlight the influence of group‐level social identification on group‐level processes and outcomes, over and above its individual‐level effects.
Long non‐coding RNA MIF‐AS1 promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and reduces apoptosis to upregulate NDUFA4
Authors: Li Linhai , Li Yuejin , Huang Yingguang , Ouyang Yiming , Zhu Yu , Wang Yongzhi , Guo Xiaodong , Yuan Ying , Gong Kunmei
Published: September 2018

Long non‐coding RNA MIF‐AS1 (lncMIF‐AS1) has been found to be upregulated in the tumor tissues of gastric cancer; however, its importance for the progression of gastric cancer remains unknown. Thus, the present study was designed to determine the role of the lncMIF‐AS1‐based signal transduction pathway in mediating the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were screened out using microarray analysis, based on the published data (GSE63288), and validated using quantitative RT‐PCR. Target relationships between lncRNA‐micro RNA (miRNA) and miRNA‐mRNA were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Protein expression of NDUFA4, COX6C and COX5B was detected by western blot. Cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were determined using colony formation assay and flow cytometry analysis. Oxidative phosphorylation in gastric cancer cells was assessed by levels of oxygen consumption and ATP synthase activity. Expression of lncMIF‐AS1 and NDUFA4 were upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells as compared with non‐cancerous gastric tissues and cells (P < .05). MiR‐212‐5p was identified as the most important miRNA linker between lncMIF‐AS1 and NDUFA4, which was negatively regulated by lncMIF‐AS1 and its depletion is the main cause of NDUFA4 overexpression (P < .01). The upregulated expression of NDUFA4 then greatly promoted the proliferation and decreased the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through activation of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway. Taken together, the present study implies that inhibition of lncMIF‐AS1/miR‐212‐5p/NDUFA4 signal transduction may provide a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of gastric cancer.
Androgen‐responsive tripartite motif 36 enhances tumor‐suppressive effect by regulating apoptosis‐related pathway in prostate cancer
Authors: Kimura Naoki , Yamada Yuta , Takayama Ken‐ichi , Fujimura Tetsuya , Takahashi Satoru , Kume Haruki , Inoue Satoshi
Published: September 2018

Tripartite motif 36 (TRIM36) belongs to the TRIM family, most members of which are involved in ubiquitination and degradation of target proteins by functioning as E3 ubiquitin ligases. The function of TRIM36 has not been well documented, therefore, we investigated the clinical significance and function of TRIM36 in human prostate cancer (PC). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TRIM36 immunoreactivity was an independent predictor of cancer‐specific survival of PC patients. Gain‐of‐function study revealed that overexpression of TRIM36 suppressed cell proliferation and migration of LNCaP, 22Rv1, and DU145 cells. Moreover, TRIM36 knockdown using siRNA suppressed apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation and migration in LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells. Furthermore, our microarray analysis revealed that the apoptosis‐related pathway was significantly upregulated by TRIM36 overexpression. The TUNEL assay showed that apoptosis promoted by docetaxel treatment was alleviated in siTRIM36‐treated LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that high expression of TRIM36 is associated with favorable prognosis and that TRIM36 plays a tumor‐suppressive role by inhibiting cell proliferation and migration as well as promoting apoptosis in PC.
RK‐287107, a potent and specific tankyrase inhibitor, blocks colorectal cancer cell growth in a preclinical model
Authors: Mizutani Anna , Yashiroda Yoko , Muramatsu Yukiko , Yoshida Haruka , Chikada Tsubasa , Tsumura Takeshi , Okue Masayuki , Shirai Fumiyuki , Fukami Takehiro , Yoshida Minoru , Seimiya Hiroyuki
Published: September 2018

Aberrant activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling causes tumorigenesis and promotes the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. Porcupine inhibitors, which block secretion of Wnt ligands, may have only limited clinical impact for the treatment of colorectal cancer, because most colorectal cancer is caused by loss‐of‐function mutations of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) downstream of Wnt ligands. Tankyrase poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ates (PARylates) Axin, a negative regulator of β‐catenin. This post‐translational modification causes ubiquitin‐dependent degradation of Axin, resulting in β‐catenin accumulation. Tankyrase inhibitors downregulate β‐catenin and suppress the growth of APC‐mutated colorectal cancer cells. Herein, we report a novel tankyrase‐specific inhibitor RK‐287107, which inhibits tankyrase‐1 and ‐2 four‐ and eight‐fold more potently, respectively, than G007‐LK, a tankyrase inhibitor that has been previously reported as effective in mouse xenograft models. RK‐287107 causes Axin2 accumulation and downregulates β‐catenin, T‐cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor reporter activity and the target gene expression in colorectal cancer cells harboring the shortly truncated APC mutations. Consistently, RK‐287107 inhibits the growth of APC‐mutated (β‐catenin‐dependent) colorectal cancer COLO‐320DM and SW403 cells but not the APC‐wild (β‐catenin‐independent) colorectal cancer RKO cells. Intraperitoneal or oral administration of RK‐287107 suppresses COLO‐320DM tumor growth in NOD‐SCID mice. Rates of tumor growth inhibition showed good correlation with the behavior of pharmacodynamic biomarkers, such as Axin2 accumulation and MYC downregulation. These observations indicate that RK‐287107 exerts a proof‐of‐concept antitumor effect, and thus may have potential for tankyrase‐directed molecular cancer therapy.
Intestinal microbiota profiling and predicted metabolic dysregulation in psoriasis patients
Authors: Chen Yi‐Ju , Ho Hsiu J. , Tseng Ching‐Hung , Lai Zi‐Lun , Shieh Jeng‐Jer , Wu Chun‐Ying
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The intestinal microbiota has been known to involve in obesity and host immune response. We aimed to investigate the intestinal microbiota and potential genetic function in relation to clinical presentation in psoriasis patients.

Methods

Faecal microbiota and predicted genetic function inferred from high‐throughput 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing were analysed between psoriasis (n = 32) and age‐, gender‐ and body mass index (BMI)‐matched non‐psoriasis subjects (n = 64), from a referral medical centre. The correlation between altered microbiota and disease activity, arthritis and systemic anti‐psoriatic drugs was also investigated.

Results

We observed a distinct faecal microbial community structure in psoriasis patients, with an increased abundance of phylum Firmicutes and decreased abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes, across different subgroup of subjects. Ruminococcus and Megasphaera, of the phylum Firmicutes, were the top‐two genera of discriminant abundance in psoriasis. A number of functional genes and metabolic pathways involving bacterial chemotaxis and carbohydrate transport were predicted over‐represented, whereas genes related to cobalamin and iron transport were predicted under‐represented in faecal microbiota of psoriasis patients.

Conclusions

The distinct faecal microbial composition in psoriasis might be associated with altered transport of carbohydrate, cobalamin and iron, as well as chemotaxis.
In‐plane shear damage behaviours of 2D needled C/SiC composites
Authors: Yu Guoqiang , Gao Xiguang , Xie Chuyang , Song Yingdong
Published: September 2018

Understanding the in‐plane shear behaviour of composites is essential to establish the design basis for practical applications. This study aims to investigate the shear damage behaviours of 2D needled C/SiC composites by various characterization techniques. The effect of layer arrangement on shear modulus and strength was discussed via shear stress‐strain responses. The shear strain field evolution and uniformity variation were studied by digital image correlation. It shows that the uniformity of shear strain field changes with the shear load, and the shear strain field evolution consist of 5 stages. The electrical resistivity measurement results indicate that structural deformation and damage evolution caused the electrical resistivity change. Furthermore, the damage evolution has a double effect on the electrical resistivity variation. The acoustic emission monitoring shows that the shear damage evolution is a 3‐stage nonlinear process before failure. The shear damages were categorized via acoustic characteristics. Besides, the postfailure behaviours were also discussed in this study.
State‐of‐the‐art imaging techniques in the management of preoperative staging and re‐staging of prostate cancer
Authors: Schiavina Riccardo , Chessa Francesco , Borghesi Marco , Gaudiano Caterina , Bianchi Lorenzo , Corcioni Beniamino , Castellucci Paolo , Ceci Francesco , Ceravolo Isabella , Barchetti Giovanni , Del Monte Maurizio , Campa Riccardo , Catalano Carlo , Panebianco Valeria , Nanni Cristina , Fanti Stefano , Minervini Andrea , Porreca Angelo , Brunocilla Eugenio
Published: September 2018

We aimed to review the current state‐of‐the‐art imaging methods used for primary and secondary staging of prostate cancer, mainly focusing on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and positron‐emission tomography/computed tomography with new radiotracers. An expert panel of urologists, radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians with wide experience in prostate cancer led a PubMed/MEDLINE search for prospective, retrospective original research, systematic review, meta‐analyses and clinical guidelines for local and systemic staging of the primary tumor and recurrence disease after treatment. Despite magnetic resonance imaging having low sensitivity for microscopic extracapsular extension, it is now a mainstay of prostate cancer diagnosis and local staging, and is becoming a crucial tool in treatment planning. Cross‐sectional imaging for nodal staging, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, is clinically useless even in high‐risk patients, but is still suggested by current clinical guidelines. Positron‐emission tomography/computed tomography with newer tracers has some advantage over conventional images, but is not cost‐effective. Bone scan and computed tomography are often useless in early biochemical relapse, when salvage treatments are potentially curative. New imaging modalities, such as prostate‐specific membrane antigen positron‐emission tomography/computed tomography and whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging, are showing promising results for early local and systemic detection. Newer imaging techniques, such as multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging and positron‐emission tomography/computed tomography with prostate‐specific membrane antigen, have the potential to fill the historical limitations of conventional imaging methods in some clinical situations of primary and secondary staging of prostate cancer.
Trade unions and the real Living Wage: survey evidence from the UK
Authors: Heery Edmund , Hann Deborah , Nash David
Published: September 2018

This article uses evidence from a survey of accredited Living Wage Employers to examine the extent to which trade unions have supported, campaigned for and been involved in the introduction of the voluntary or ‘real’ Living Wage in the UK. It reports that while unions tended to view the adoption of the Living Wage favourably and to support its introduction they typically were not heavily involved either in the initial decision to adopt the standard or in its implementation. This pattern of findings, it is suggested, is consistent with the union response to corporate social responsibility initiatives and provides only limited support for the commonly argued position that ‘economic justice’ movements provide fertile ground for the development of union‐community coalitions.
Rawlsian Justice and the Social Determinants of Health
Authors: Fishman Jayna , MacKay Douglas
Published: September 2018

In this article, we suggest that the evidence regarding the social determinants of health calls for a deep re‐thinking of our understanding of distributive justice. Focusing on John Rawls's theory of distributive justice in particular, we argue that a full reckoning with the social determinants of health requires a re‐working of Rawls's principles of justice. We argue first that the social bases of health – a Rawlsian conception of the social determinants of health – should be considered a social primary good. We argue second that including the social bases of health as a social primary good would lead the parties to the original position to choose an additional principle of justice and assign it lexical priority over Rawls's second principle. According to this principle, inequalities in people's share of the social bases of health are to be arranged so as to improve the health status of those least advantaged on the social health gradient.
Pathological significance of urinary complement activation in diabetic nephropathy: A full view from the development of the disease
Authors: Zheng Jing‐Min , Jiang Zuan‐Hong , Chen De‐Jun , Wang Sa‐Sa , Zhao Wen‐Jin , Li Li‐Juan
Published: September 2018

Aims/Introduction

The aim of the present study was to obtain a full view of the changes of urinary complement activation products in the development of diabetic nephropathy and explore their possible significance in the disease process.

Materials and methods

A total of 62 patients at different stages of diabetic nephropathy, 20 diabetes patients without nephropathy and 20 healthy persons were enrolled. Urinary complement activation products, including C3a, C5a and C5b‐9, were measured, and their associations with the progression of the disease were analyzed.

Results

The urinary complement activation products increased markedly since the proteinuria stage, and were parallel with the progression of diabetic nephropathy. More severe renal tubular damage was observed in patients with higher levels of urinary complement activation products. The urinary complement activation products levels correlated closely with renal tubulointerstitial injury score and relative tubular interstitial volume. Multivariate regression analysis showed that elevated urinary complement activation products were independent risk factors for tubular injury in diabetic nephropathy patients.

Conclusions

Urinary complement activation might have a role in renal tubular interstitial injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy, especially in patients at a later stage of the disease.
Models of near infrared spectroscopy of fatty acid contents in rapeseed
Authors: Wan Lin‐Sheng , Zhang Gen , Zhang Jie‐Fu , Yan Guo‐Hong , Zhu Ming , Ni Zheng‐Bin , Zhu Guo‐Yong , Wang Ai‐Ming , Dai Jin‐Ying , Sun Hong‐Qin , Sun Ming‐Fa
Published: September 2018

Content of oleic acid varied greatly in rapeseed. When rapeseeds with broad range of oleic acid content were used for calibration, models of near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) showed qualified accuracy. To further increase the accuracy of models, the present study narrowed the range of oleic content in calibration samples and only focused rapeseeds with oleic acid content ranging from 55 to 81%. Finally, external validation showed higher accuracy of the model for oleic acid than previous models, with the RSQ of 0.995. Meanwhile, models for linoleic and linolenic acids were also constructed, both showing high RSQ (0.929 and 0.907). These NIRS models could be used for fast determination of fatty acid contents in rapeseeds during agricultural and breeding practices.

Practical applications

The NIRS method has advantages of rapidity, high efficiency, reliable results, no drug contamination, and no damage to materials. The models constructed in the present study could be used to determine contents of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids in rapeseeds. This method can determine several quality parameters with only a small amount of sample at the same time. It is of great significance to save manpower, materials and improve the analysis efficiency in plant breeding applications and rapeseed quality analysis. It is an effective detection method for screening rapeseed breeding materials, analyzing fatty acid components, and quality of rapeseeds.
Effects of ultrasound pretreatments on the quality of fried sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) chips during microwave‐assisted vacuum frying
Authors: Qiu Liqing , Zhang Min , Wang Yuchuan , Bhandari Bhesh
Published: September 2018

The research was focused on the quality of sweet potato chips fried by microwave‐assisted vacuum frying (MVF) pretreated by ultrasound. Fresh sweet potato slices were pretreated at two different ultrasonic conditions: (1) ultrasound power of 150, 300, and 450 W for 20 min and (2) ultrasound power of 300 W for 10, 20, and 30 min. The pretreated samples were then fried by MVF. The dielectric properties, drying time, moisture content, oil uptake, texture, color, and microstructure profiles of the fried sweet potato chips were measured to determine the effects of ultrasound pretreatments on the quality of the fried sweet potato slices. This study found that the dielectric properties of the fresh sweet potato slices was significantly (p < .05) changed by ultrasound pretreatments. The moisture content and oil uptake of the fried sweet potato chips was reduced constantly by increasing the ultrasound pretreatments power and prolonging the processing time. The stronger ultrasound power and the longer processing time resulted into a crispier texture property of the fried sweet potato chips. However, the strong ultrasound power level and the prolonged processing time also caused the negative effect on the color preservation and cell integrity of fried samples. In conclusion, a proper ultrasound power level and time have to be selected to produce fried sweet potato chips with less oil uptake, crisper texture, and better appearance.

Practical applications

Ultrasound pretreatments have great potential to improve the quality of fried food products. Ultrasound pretreatment before frying is a novel method for fabricating food products with healthier attributes, better appearance, more natural color and less frying time. The research found that, ultrasound pretreatments with proper ultrasound power level and processing time can produce higher quality products and shorten frying time.
Online referral and immediate appointment selection system empowers families and improves access to public community paediatric clinics
Authors: Kevat Ajay , Manohar Jacqui , Bate Nicole , Harris Katrina
Published: September 2018

Aim

We aimed to introduce a low‐cost combined online referral and immediate appointment selection system (CORIAS) to empower referrers and parents by allowing them to schedule an appointment at a time and location of their choosing in conjunction with the referrer at the time of referral. This was because an unacceptably high rate of reported lost referrals, combined with a high rate of failure to attend initial appointments (FTAs), was noted at a six‐site community paediatric clinic service. We aimed to analyse the impact of CORIAS on important outcomes including timely appointment scheduling, attendance, loss of referrals, user acceptance, overall cost and administrative burden.

Methods

For 3‐month periods before and after the implementation of CORIAS, data were collected regarding all new referrals received and initial appointments scheduled, as well as reports of lost referrals. The number of attended initial appointments, FTAs, failures in successfully scheduling appointments, referrer background, CORIAS cost and qualitative feedback received from relevant parties was collated and analysed.

Results

The proportion of referrals reported lost was 6% following the implementation of the combined online system in comparison to 17% pre‐implementation. The FTA rate for scheduled initial appointments pre‐implementation was 16%; post‐implementation, the FTA rate was 9%. Qualitative benefits included a decrease in the administrative burden associated with appointment scheduling and increased service access for culturally and linguistically diverse families.

Conclusion

Appropriately designed and implemented novel online systems may improve timely and equitable access to health care by providing secure, reliable pathways for referrers and by empowering and improving communication with patients and families.
Survival analysis of caries incidence in African‐American school‐aged children
Authors: Ghazal Tariq S. , Levy Steven M. , Childers Noel K. , Carter Knute D. , Caplan Daniel J. , Warren John J. , Kolker Justine L.
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To conduct an assessment of time‐dependent covariates related to dental caries of the permanent dentition among a low socioeconomic status, understudied cohort of children, incorporating time‐dependent covariates through the application of extended Cox proportional hazards modeling.

Methods

This study modeled the time to first cavitated dental caries in permanent teeth among school‐aged children and assessed factors associated with this event. A cohort of 98 low socioeconomic status African‐American children with mean age of 5.85 years at baseline was recruited in Uniontown, Alabama and followed prospectively for 6 years. None of these children had dental caries on permanent teeth at baseline, and oral examinations were performed annually. Caries‐free survival curves were generated to describe time to event (having first decayed, filled, or missing permanent surface). Bivariate and multivariable extended Cox hazards modeling was used to assess the relationships between time‐dependent and time‐independent covariates and time to event.

Results

Twenty‐eight children (28.6 percent) had their first permanent tooth caries event during the 6‐year follow‐up. Multivariable results showed that greater consumption of water was associated with lower dental caries hazard, while previous primary tooth caries experience was associated with greater dental caries hazard after adjustment for frequency of consumptions of milk, added‐sugar beverages, and 100 percent juice.

Conclusions

There was a global/overall significant caries protective effect of water consumption during the school‐age period of child development.
Characterization of oral tactile sensitivity and masticatory performance across adulthood
Authors: Shupe Grace E. , Resmondo Zoe N. , Luckett Curtis R.
Published: September 2018

Texture perception is one of the most important factors in food acceptance, yet population‐wide differences in texture sensations are not well understood. The variation in texture perception across populations is thought to depend on oral tactile sensitivity and masticatory performance. To address this hypothesis, we aimed to measure tactile acuity with a battery of tests and quantitate the relationship to masticatory performance. The study was performed on 98 participants, in three age groups (20–25, 35–45, or over 62). Two main measures of oral sensitivity were performed: to assess bite force, subjects were asked to discriminate between foam samples of varying hardness. Second, to assess lingual sensitivity the subjects were asked to identify 3D printed shapes using their tongue, as well as identify confectionary letters. Additionally, masticatory performance was measured through assessing each participants ability to mix two‐colored chewing gum. In general, we found that sensitivity and masticatory performance in the younger age groups was superior to that of older adults. We also found a positive linear trend between bite force sensitivity and masticatory performance with younger participants, a trend not found in older participants. We found no significant relationship between age groups for bite force sensitivity and masticatory performance, suggesting that age‐related declines in bite force sensitivity are not a significant cause of altered masticatory performance. This study represents a valuable first step in showing that bite force sensitivity does not depend on age, and the minimal influence of factors such as oral sensitivity on masticatory performance.

Practical applications

In a society that is rapidly aging, it is important to understand the subtle changes in physiology and eating behavior that are associated with aging. This study used a variety of tests oral sensitivity to better understand which aspects of oral physiology are integral for effective chewing. The information gained helps shed light on to the factors that create an effective chewing cycle. Besides moving knowledge forward, this study may help in designing food and rehabilitation programs for those with trouble chewing and swallowing, increasing their overall quality of life.
Comparison of the mitral valve morphologies of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and dogs of other breeds using 3D transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Menciotti Giulio , Borgarelli Michele , Aherne Michael , Camacho Paula , Häggström Jens , Ljungvall Ingrid , Lahmers Sunshine M. , Abbott Jonathan A.
Published: September 2018

Background

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is more prevalent in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) compared to dogs of other breeds at a given age. Abnormal valvular stress is thought to contribute to the development and progression of MMVD, and a relationship exists between mitral valve (MV) morphology and stress acting on the valve.

Objectives

To determine whether the MV morphology of healthy adult CKCSs differs from the morphology of healthy adult dogs of other breeds determined by RT‐3DTTE.

Animals

Thirty‐five healthy CKCSs and 41 healthy dogs of other breeds.

Methods

Prospective cross‐sectional study. Dogs underwent physical examination, conventional echocardiography, and RT‐3DTTE. RT–3DTTE datasets were analyzed using dedicated software for MV morphologic analysis. Morphologic variables were compared between CKCSs and dogs of other breeds.

Results

The MV of healthy CKCSs had a smaller annulus height (0.46 ± 0.11 vs. 0.56 ± 0.17;P= .0021), tenting height (0.26 ± 0.12 vs. 0.42 ± 0.18;P< .001), tenting area (0.42 ± 0.15 vs. 0.79 ± 0.34;P< .001), normalized tenting volume (0.09 [0.05–0.13] vs. 0.14 [0.10–0.20];P< .001), and normalized area of the posterior leaflet (0.57 ± 0.15 vs. 0.66 ± 0.18;P= .016) compared to healthy dogs of other breeds; this results in CKCSs having a flatter MV with reduced tenting, compared to the MV of other breeds.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

These morphologic features could confer a mechanical disadvantage and play a role in the predisposition of CKCSs to the early development of MMVD.
Time for change
Authors: Kibasi Tom
Published: September 2018

The IPPR Commission on Economic Justice has set out a detailed and ambitious roadmap for fundamental reform of the economy
Gricean communication, language development, and animal minds
Authors: Moore Richard
Published: September 2018

Humans alone acquire language. According to one influential school of thought, we do this because we possess a uniquely human ability to act with and attribute “Gricean” communicative intentions. A challenge for this view is that attributing communicative intent seems to require cognitive abilities that infant language learners lack. After considering a range of responses to this challenge, I argue that infant language development can be explained, because Gricean communication is cognitively less demanding than many suppose. However, a consequence of this is that abilities for Gricean communication are unlikely to be uniquely human.
Philosophy of dance and disability
Authors: Hall Joshua M.
Published: September 2018

The emerging field of the philosophy of dance, as suggested by Aili Bresnahan, increasingly recognizes the problem that (especially pre‐modern) dance has historically focused on bodily perfection, which privileges abled bodies as those that can best make and perform dance as art. One might expect that the philosophy of dance, given the critical and analytical powers of philosophy, might be helpful in illuminating and suggesting ameliorations for this tendency in dance. But this is particularly a difficult task since the analytic philosophy of dance is too young to have achieved a comprehensive treatment of dance per se, let alone to update such a treatment in line with the demands of social justice. As a step in that direction, the present article (a) summarizes dance theorists on disabled dance (as opposed to the dance of the temporarily able‐bodied, or TAB) and then applies (b) the philosophy of art and dance to disability, (c) the philosophy of disability to dance, (d) interdisciplinary disability theory to dance, and (e) my own Figuration philosophy of dance to disability, as inspired in part by John Dewey.
Phenotypic plasticity to photon flux density of physiological, anatomical and growth traits in a modern Criollo cocoa clone
Authors: De Almeida Jenny , Herrera Ana , Tezara Wilmer
Published: September 2018

Cocoa grows under shade, but some cultivars develop successfully in full sunlight. In order to characterize the response to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of a Modern Criollo cocoa clone, gas exchange, photochemical activity and leaf traits, and their relation to growth were measured in seedlings growing in a greenhouse at three different values of PPFD, as well as in adults in full sunlight and shade in the field. Plants showed changes in physiological, biochemical, and morpho‐anatomical traits in response to the different light conditions, and in the phenotypic plasticity of these variables. Seedlings subjected to high PPFD in the greenhouse showed decreases in photosynthetic rate, apparent quantum yield of CO2 fixation and photochemical quenching, and increases in non‐photochemical quenching, suggesting down‐regulation of PSII. In contrast, trees under full sunlight in the field showed a marked reduction in maximum quantum yield of PSII, indicating photoinhibition and supporting that cocoa is a shade tolerant crop. Cocoa showed higher plasticity of physiological and biochemical variables than morpho‐anatomical variables in response to PPFD. Effects of time under treatment in the greenhouse and plant age (greenhouse vs field) on plasticity were observed. The acclimation observed in some of the variables studied after 6 months in high light did not represent a particular advantage to seedlings, since relative growth rate was lower than in low‐ and medium‐light seedlings.
Gene expression and immunolocalization of low‐affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75) in rabbit male reproductive tract during sexual maturation
Authors: Sanchez‐Rodriguez Ana , Arias‐Alvarez Maria , Rebollar Pilar G. , Bautista Jose M. , Lorenzo Pedro L. , Garcia‐Garcia Rosa M.
Published: September 2018

Contents

This study reports the gene expression and immunolocalization of the low‐affinity neurotrophin receptor, p75, in accessory glands (prostate and bulbourethral glands) and epididymis (caput and cauda) of male rabbits during sexual maturation. We showed that p75 was expressed in all tissues studied with similar mRNA levels during this period. However, it was differentially immunolocalized in bulbourethral glands and stereocilia of epididymis. These findings may be related with some remodeling processes in the accessory glands during sexual maturation, which could be associated with sperm maturation. The interaction of p75 with neurotrophins in rabbit male reproductive tract suggests the possible implication of this system in sexual maturation in rabbits.
Assisted reproductive techniques in mares
Authors: Hinrichs Katrin
Published: September 2018

A wide variety of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) are available to aid in managing aspects of equine reproduction. Embryo recovery and transfer can be used to obtain more than one foal per mare per year, and to obtain foals from mares that cannot carry a foal to term. Oocyte recovery and either transfer to the oviduct of an inseminated recipient mare (oocyte transfer), or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and embryo culture can be used to obtain foals from mares with some types of subfertility, such as problems of the tubular tract. ICSI can be used to obtain foals when sperm number or quality is low. Because of its ease of use for the mare owner and efficiency, oocyte recovery and ICSI is being used in some cases for management of normally fertile mares and stallions. Oocytes can be recovered from live mares by the referring veterinarian, and shipped overnight to a laboratory for ICSI, without any decrease in oocyte or embryo viability. In case of unexpected death of a mare, ovaries or oocytes can be transported to the ICSI laboratory for production of embryos. Embryos produced both in vitro and in vivo can be biopsied to determine their genetic makeup before they are transferred. Equine embryos can be vitrified successfully; collapse of the blastocoele cavity allows efficient vitrification of expanded blastocysts. In contrast, cryopreservation of unfertilized equine oocytes still has low success. Genetics of valuable animals can be preserved via nuclear transfer (cloning) and several commercial companies offer this service clinically.
Flow cytometry analysis of spermatozoa: Is it time for flow spermetry?
Authors: Peña Fernando J. , Ortiz Rodriguez Jose M. , Gil María C. , Ortega Ferrusola Cristina
Published: September 2018

Contents

Flow cytometry is increasingly used in research and also in clinical andrology. Recent developments in instrumentation, availability of probes and bioinformatics expand the possibilities of flow cytometry well beyond the classical two parametric analyses in use. In this paper, an overview of recent developments in flow cytometry will be presented under the perspective of the authors; aspects such a multicolor assays and computational cytometry will be discussed as well.
Extracellular vesicles derived from endometrial human mesenchymal stem cells improve IVF outcome in an aged murine model
Authors: Marinaro Federica , Pericuesta Eva , Sánchez‐Margallo Francisco Miguel , Casado Javier G. , Álvarez Verónica , Matilla Elvira , Hernández Nuria , Blázquez Rebeca , González‐Fernández Lauro , Gutiérrez‐Adán Alfonso , Macías‐García Beatriz
Published: September 2018

Advanced age reduces the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) being this effect partly mediated by an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that trigger apoptosis. It has been demonstrated that extracellular vesicles derived from endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (EV‐endMSCs) exert an antioxidant effect and can be used as IVF coadjutants. In this work, endMSCs were isolated from human menstrual blood (n = 4) and characterized according to multipotentiality and surface marker expression prior EV‐endMSCs isolation. Oocytes were obtained from 21 B6D2 mice (24 weeks) and coincubated with sperm from young males (8–12 weeks). Presumptive zygotes were incubated in the presence of 0, 10, 20, 40 or 80 μg/ml of EV‐endMSCs in KSOM medium. Blastocyst yield was evaluated, and 25 blastocysts per group were used for qPCR. Blastocyst rate was 29.4% in control; 45.2% for 10 μg/ml, 62.9% for 20 μg/ml, 55.5% for 40 μg/ml and 53.8% in the 80 μg/ml (n = 124–130 oocytes) being all the increases significantly different when compared against control (p < 0.05). The 20–80 μg/ml treatments decreased the expression of glutathione peroxidase (Gpx1), and the 10–40 μg/ml treatments reduced the expression of superoxide dismutase (Sod1; p < 0.05) compared to control; Bax mRNA expression did not vary. Our results suggest that the increased developmental competence of the embryos could be partly mediated by the EV‐endMSCs’ ROS scavenger activity.
Treatment of drooling with scopolamine in pediatric ICU: A case series report
Authors: Franco Juliana Bertoldi , Cacita Nadia , Freua Karina Albuquerque , Ortega Karem López , de Melo Peres Maria Paula Siqueira
Published: September 2018

Drooling is a condition that affects patients with difficulties in swallowing, being common in patients with mental, neurological or dysphagic deficiency. This condition is difficult to diagnose, as it is often confused with sialorrhea, and in many cases we have a hyposalivation scenario. Its diagnosis is subjective, which is why scales should be used for the standardization of the evaluation of the degree of drooling before and after the proposed treatment, as the Thomas‐Stonell and Greenberg scale. It causes problems such as perioral infections, rashes, wet clothing, leading to social embarrassment, and may be a risk factor for respiratory infections caused by asymptomatic aspiration of saliva. It presents several treatments, among them the pharmacological one, that is dependent of the clinical picture of each patient that must be evaluated daily. This article refers to a series of reports of cases of children in mechanical ventilation by tracheostomy, hospitalized, with clinical diagnosis of drooling, and clinical improvement with the use of scopolamine by gastrostomy, without intercurrences during its use. The objective of this study is to show other professionals the importance of drooling management, and to expose the adopted behavior in the described cases, providing reduction of respiratory infections and improvement of the clinical and social complications resulting from drooling.
The Geography of Research on LGBTQ Life: Why sociologists should study the South, rural queers, and ordinary cities
Authors: Stone Amy L.
Published: September 2018

Over the past 20 years, sociological research on LGBTQ people and communities has disproportionately studied coastal regions and big cities in the United States. Scholars pay the most attention to queer urban life in “great cities” like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago and understudy lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) life in the South, rural and suburban areas, and ordinary cities. This research ignores demographic evidence about where LGBTQ people live in the United States. I argue that these geographical choices—born out of convenience or theoretical purpose—shape the approach to studying queer life and the unintentional reproduction of a middle‐class, cosmopolitan universal gay subject. I chart a future path for sociology research on LGBTQ life that accounts for geography and moves beyond metronormativity.
W. E. B. DuBois for the Twenty‐First Century: On Being a Scholar‐Activist in the Digital Era
Authors: Daniels Jessie
Published: September 2018

W. E. B. DuBois began his work as a scholar‐activist at the dawn of the twentieth century, and this article argues that his example has much to teach contemporary scholar‐activists in the twenty‐first century. In order to publish The Crisis, the magazine of the activist organization he cofounded, DuBois purchased a printing press. This meant he could own the means of his own knowledge production and foretold both the promise of what it means to be a scholar‐activist in the twenty‐first century and the limitations built into the current systems of knowledge production. DuBois was also prophetic when he identified the problem of the twentieth century as “the problem of the color line” as the focus of both his scholarship and his activism. The forms of systemic white supremacy we face today are both a continuation of a centuries‐old dimension of racism in the United States and part of an emerging media ecosystem powered by algorithms. The article explores the challenges of being digital scholar‐activists within legacy institutions. It concludes with speculation about what DuBois might do now.
Reconciliation of seasonally adjusted data with applications to the Swedish quarterly national accounts
Authors: Elezović Suad , Xie Yingfu
Published: September 2018

Because of the nonlinearity of the seasonal adjustment procedure, the equality between an aggregate series and the sum of its components usually breaks down after seasonally adjusting the series separately. However, some users of official statistics still request consistency between the seasonally adjusted aggregate series and the sum of the corresponding subseries. To achieve the aggregation consistency, a general Denton‐type reconciliation procedure is proposed here. The additivity constraint is imposed on seasonally adjusted components balancing between magnitude and volatility of each series. Some evaluation criteria, based on a set of chosen minimization functions, are further discussed. The implementation and choice of approaches are discussed through a real example by reconciliation of time series in constant prices from the Swedish quarterly national accounts. Finally, some limitations of the method are outlined and possible future works are proposed.
Detection of a novel HLA‐B*46:01 variant, HLA‐B*46:01:19, in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Lin Chun‐Ying , Chang Chia‐Ling
Published: September 2018

One nucleotide replacement at residue 369 of HLA‐B*46:01:01 results in a new allele, HLA‐B*46:01:19.
The prevalent Boxer MHC class Ia allotype dog leukocyte antigen (DLA)‐88*034:01 preferentially binds nonamer peptides with a defined motif
Authors: Nemec Paige S. , Kapatos Alexander , Holmes Jennifer C. , Hess Paul R.
Published: September 2018

Development of effective immunotherapy for chemoresistant malignancies can be advanced by studies in spontaneous cancer models, such as the dog. A crucial first step, T‐cell epitope discovery, can be assisted by determination of binding motifs of common dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class Ia allotypes. Boxers are popular, inbred dogs with increased risks of relevant target cancers and restricted MHC diversity. We sought to identify the motif of DLA‐88*034:01, a breed‐dominant allotype, to assist peptide prediction from tumor antigens. Mass spectrometry of eluted peptides showed a preference for nonamers with conserved amino acid preferences: basic at position (P)1; hydrophobic at P2; acidic at P4; histidine at P6; and phenylalanine at P9. This data should expedite finding epitopes restricted by this DLA‐88 allotype.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DPA1*02:01:01:06 allele in a Saudi individual
Authors: Alburaq Mohammed , Alanazi Aishah , Alshubaili Abdullah , Alblaihed Asma , AlSebaiheen Farrah
Published: September 2018

HLA‐DPA1*02:01:01:06 differs from HLA‐DPA1*02:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution (T → G) at position 948.