bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stereotactic radiation therapy of diffuse choroidal hemangioma in Sturge‐Weber syndrome
Authors: Schalenbourg A. , Zografos L. , Pica A.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the outcomes following stereotactic radiation therapy of diffuse choroidal hemangioma related to Sturge‐Weber syndrome (STW) and associated with secondary retinal detachment (RD)

Methods

Retrospective case series of STW patients with diffuse choroidal hemangioma associated with RD, that were treated with stereotactic radiation therapy. The technique consisted of applying 19.8–25.2 Gray in 10–14 fractions, at the posterior pole

Results

Between June 2001 and August 2013, 13 patients (M/F ratio: 6/7) with a median age of 8.5 years (range: 3.0–32.0 years) were irradiated. Before, five of them had been unsuccessfully treated with PDT, silicone oil or propranolol in an attempt to reattach the RD. Median visual acuity at baseline was reduced to HM (range: NPL‐0.7) with a median tumor thickness of 4.4 mm (range: 3.1–7.2). During radiation treatment, one patient complained of minor, transient conjunctival irritation. Mean follow‐up (FU) was 39 months (range: 0–141 months). Complete retinal reattachment was observed in 9 cases, partial retinal reattachment in 1 case (FU 3 months) and no response in 1 case (RD duration of 3 years).Two patients were lost to follow‐up. Four patients received panretinal photocoagulation for retinal ischemia. At the last control examination, median visual acuity was 0.04 (range: NPL‐0.8), mainly related to pre‐existing amblyopia, secondary retinal changes or glaucoma‐associated optic atrophy. Median tumor thickness was 2.0 mm (range: 1.3–2.5)

Conclusions

Stereotactic radiation therapy with 20–25 Gray is an efficient treatment for reapplying secondary RD in STW patients with diffuse choroidal hemangioma. No major complications were noted. However, visual outcomes remained poor, because of the complex ocular problems these young patients present, with often a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
Risk of glaucoma and treatment with systemic antihypertensive treatment – A nationwide study
Authors: Horwitz A. , Jeppesen J. , Torp‐Pedersen C. , Kolko M.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The aim of the study was to investigate the co‐morbidity of antihypertensive treatment and glaucoma in the Danish population throughout 16 years.

Methods

The study population comprised of all individuals living in Denmark in the period 1996–2012. The National Prescription Registry was used to identify all claimed prescriptions for glaucoma medication and antihypertensive drugs. Duration analysis models were employed to investigate the associations between antihypertensive treatments and the risk of development of glaucoma. A total of 26,596 observations were used in the estimated risk of developing glaucoma when treated with Calcium channel blockers (CCB), Angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), Beta blockers (BB) or Diuretics (DR).

Results

An average age at onset for hypertension was 60.3 years (range: 0–109 years; 55.6% female). A total of 3.2% of all patients treated with antihypertensive drugs were diagnosed with glaucoma. The study found that antihypertensive treatment are associated with the risk of developing glaucoma. The risk of glaucoma increased significantly with age and was most strongly associated with ACEI, ARB, and CCB treatment.

Conclusions

Antihypertensive drugs are strongly associated with glaucoma.
Retinitis pigmentosa: a new feature in hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia
Authors: Meunier A. , Vilain C. , Abramowicz M.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is usually transmitted as an X‐linked recessive trait. This is a really rare condition with a prevalence of 1 for 100 000 births. Patients present a classical triad of hypotrichosis, anhydrosis or hypohydrosis and dental abnormalities. We report a 16 year old boy presenting a mild phenotype of HED and a hemeralopia due to a retinitis pigmentosa, without dysmorphia, intellectual deficiency or other associated feature. The parents were not consanguineous and the family history was unremarkable.

Methods

A full field ERG according the ISCEV protocol, a goldmann visual field, color and autofluorescent fundu's photographies were recorded.

Results

The scotopic responses were diminished bilaterally confirming the existence of a retinitis pigmentosa

Conclusions

We report a patient with the association of HED and retinitis pigmentosa, a previously unreported association that might represent a novel genetic syndrome.
Visual field screening by opticians with Damato Multifixation Campimetry Online (DMCO)
Authors: Olsen A.S. , Damato B. , la Cour M. , Kolko M.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To study DMCO, a free of charge Internet‐based visual field test, used as a screening device in optician shops in Denmark.

Methods

Standard equipment was a computer, a wireless mouse and a 22” computer monitor. Optician shops in the region of Copenhagen were invited to participate. We used DMCO STANDARD 1 + 2, the best performing algorithm from our previous work, to screen. The algorithm demanded one or two successive DMCO tests with a cut‐off at 4 or 5 missed points on a DMCO test. This algorithm has performed with sensitivity of 64.2% and specificity of 98.1, respectively (AUC = 0.9).

Results

During 2014–2015 the DMCO STANDARD 1 + 2 algorithm has been evaluated in 12 optician shops. DMCO have been tested by 587 individuals of whom 31 demanded a full ophthalmology examination. The examinations revealed 7 glaucoma cases, 17 cases with different eye‐brain‐diseases, and 7 false positives. To date 46 individuals with a normal DMCO test have been examined: 44 healthy and 2 false negative cases. Preliminary results indicate DMCO to perform with sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 98.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that DMCO was able to find various visual field defects when used by opticians. The chosen algorithm maintained high specificity but a decline in sensitivity was noticed. There is scope for future improvements of DMCO and more studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Background ophthalmological changes following subretinal injection in the brown Norway rat
Authors: Vezina M. , Li C. , Bussieres M.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the background changes associated with transscleral subretinal injection in Brown Norway (BN) rats

Methods

Fifteen BN rats received a bilateral transscleral subretinal injection of saline at a volume of 6 μL while under isoflurane anesthesia. The eyes were examined by slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope the day following injection and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post injection

Results

Procedure‐related changes included the following observations: Transient corneal opacities occurred in 16/30 eyes that were considered related to the anesthesia. Cataracts developed in 5/30 eyes associated with lens trauma at the time of dosing. Slight vitreous hemorrhages occurred post dose in 28/30 eyes, resolving in all but 2 eyes by 4 weeks. An area of focal depigmentation of the retina/choroid or white focal retinal opacity was seen at the needle insertion site at the retina in 22/30 eyes, resolving by 4 weeks for 13 eyes and persisting up to 12 weeks for the remaining 7. In the bleb itself, there were focal areas of irregular pigmentation in 13/30 eyes resolving in all but 2 eyes by week 4. The remaining 2 persisted up to week 12. This was considered secondary to the physical neuro‐retinal separation caused by the bleb formation. Slight retinal/choroidal hemorrhages were also seen at the injection site in most eyes up to week 4

Conclusions

In conclusion, transscleral subretinal injection in BN rats generally resulted in slight ocular trauma that resolved in most eyes by 4 weeks post injection. It is important to take these changes into account when designing the study and evaluating therapeutics administered by this dose route.
Efficacy of Dry Eye Disease Treatment based on the 2007 Report of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS)
Authors: Utheim O. , Ræder S. , Utheim T.P. , Eidet J.R. , Badian R. , Stojanovic A. , Chen X.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To assess the effect of dry eye disease (DED) treatment according to the guidelines reported by the International Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS) in 2007.

Methods

Dry eye disease patients with or without meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), treated at the Norwegian Dry Eye Clinic, with at least 6 months follow‐up time were consecutively included in the study. The choice of treatment for DED was based on the dry eye severity level (DESL), according to the 2007 Report of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS). The values of tear film break‐up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, ocular surface staining (Oxford scale), and dry eye severity level (DESL) on the right eye at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the treatment were compared with those prior to treatment.

Results

A total of 237 eyes were included. At 6 months follow‐up, TBUT increased from 5.07 ± 3.63 s to 8.54 ± 5.12 s (p < 0.001); Schirmer I test did not show significant change; ocular surface staining decreased from 1.64 ± 2.13 to 0.76 ± 1.20; and DESL decreased from 2.08 ± 0.47 to 1.72 ± 0.54 (p < 0.001). The improvement of TBUT, ocular surface staining, and DESL remained significant at 24 months follow‐up.

Conclusions

Treatment based on the 2007 Report of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS) was effective in a Norwegian cohort of DED patients with significant improvement in key parameters for assessing DED.
New Parameter for Predicting the Postoperative IOL Position: Preoperative Lens Equator Depth measured By Three‐Dimentional Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Hwang K.Y. , Joo C.K. , Yoon G.Y.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that the preoperative crystalline lens equator depth (pre‐LED) measured by three‐dimensional anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an effective predictor of the postoperative anterior chamber depth (post‐ACD).

Methods

Thirty‐nine eyes that underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of a one‐piece, plate‐haptic intraocular lens between December 2013 and June 2014 were examined to develop the new algorithm for predicting the post‐ACD. The pre‐LED was defined as the depth from the back surface of central cornea to the line connecting the intersecting points between the anterior and posterior capsule intraoperatively using 3‐D OCT in Catalys (Abbott Medical Optics). The post‐ACD was measured by Pentacam (Oculus) in each case at 2 months postoperatively and was analyzed by multiple linear regression for covariance with preoperatively defined variables including the pre‐LED, lens thickness, lens vaulting measured by the OCT and the preoperative ACD (pre‐ACD) measured by the OCT and Pentacam.

Results

The mean pre‐ACD, pre‐LED, AL, lens thickness and lens vaulting was 2.74 ± 0.50 mm (range, 1.75–3.36); 4.14 ± 0.35 mm (range, 3.36–5.91); 23.97 ± 1.37 mm (range, 21.89–27.63), 4.23 ± 0.46 mm (range, 3.01–5.12) and 1.42 ± 0.27 mm (range, 0.82–1.89). Single regression analysis showed significant correlations between the post‐ACD and pre‐LED, R2 = 0.468, P < 0.001; pre‐ACD, R2 = 0.379, P < 0.001) Using a new regression formula with the two most significant variables (pre‐LED and pre‐ACD), the post‐ACD can be predicted with an accuracy of 47.3%. In the prospective study, the postoperative ACD was predicted with a correlation coefficient of 0.696.

Conclusions

The crystalline lens equator depth may be a promising preoperative parameter to predict the postoperative IOL position.
Dexamethasone induced glaucoma as part of chemotherapy for T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma
Authors: Lockwood A.J. , Mitchell A. , Gray J. , May K.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To describe glaucoma after high dose corticosteroid chemotherapy in an 11‐year‐old girl.

Methods

Topical steroids are well known to induce a rise in intraocular pressure, but responses to oral steroids are rare. We report a significant elevation in an 11‐year‐old girl following high dose dexamethasone treatment as part of her chemotherapy for T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Results

Six days after initiation of her first cycle of chemotherapy including oral dexamethasone 4.5 mg bd she presented with headaches, photophobia and blurring of vision. Intraocular pressures IOP were 48 and 52 mm Hg in the right and left eye respectively. Control of IOP was achieved medically, although systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitor use necessitated admission to intensive care for renal support.

Conclusions

Vision threatening IOP rise may be a complication of high dose oral dexamethasone treatment. Routine screening of children undergoing this type of chemotherapy may be indicated.
Visual dysfunction and its correlation with retinal changes in patients with Parkinson disease
Authors: Satue M. , Rodrigo M.J. , Mateo A. , Otin S. , Bambo M.P. , Fuertes I. , Pablo L. , Garcia‐Martin E.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To evaluate visual dysfunction and its correlation with structural changes in the retina in patients with Parkinson disease (PD).

Methods

Patients with PD (n = 37) and controls (n = 37) underwent visual acuity (VA), color vision (using the Farnsworth and L´Anthony desaturated D15 color tests), and contrast sensitivity vision (CSV; using the Pelli Robson chart and CSV 1000E test) evaluation to measure visual dysfunction. Structural measurements of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and macular and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thicknesses were obtained using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT). Comparison of obtained data and correlation analysis between functional and structural results were performed.

Results

VA (in all different contrast levels) and all CSV spatial frequencies were significantly worse in PD patients than in controls (P < 0.05). Color vision was significantly affected (p < 0.05) based on the L´Anthony color test. Macular thinning was detected in the central, outer (inferior and temporal), and superior sectors (p < 0.05), and the RNFL had significant thinning in the temporal quadrant (p < 0.05). Significant GCL loss was observed in the superior and superonasal sectors and the GCL + minimum inner plexiform layer (p < 0.05). CSV was the functional parameter most strongly correlated with structural measurements in PD. Color vision was associated with most GCL measurements. Macular thickness was strongly correlated with macular volume and functional parameters (r > 0.70, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with PD had visual dysfunction that correlated with structural changes evaluated by SD‐OCT. Macular and GCL measurements may be reliable indicators of visual impairment in PD patients.
Are we there yet?
Authors: Levin L.A.
Published: September 2015

It is the rare parent who has failed to hear the plaintive cry of their child asking “Are we there yet?” on a car trip to distant (or near) sites. Similarly, the field of translational research relevant to neuroprotection in glaucoma has asked the same question for more than a decade, perhaps silenced only by the blown cylinder of one famous failed trial. Meanwhile, basic and clinical science have continued to progress despite several potholes along the way. Now that the smoke has cleared and the engine retooled, we are able to see that we currently possess the tools for successfully carrying out trials in glaucoma neuroprotection. This talk will discuss why this is so, focusing on advances in detecting clinically relevant effects, improving the reliability of preclinical data, imaging sensitive biomarkers for “microprogression,” and managing the spread of variability associated with translational research. These recent developments will be used to make the argument that not only is the journey to neuroprotection nearing its completion, but it may even be time to start identifying a parking spot.
Age Macular Degeneration‐Lipidomic Study: Relevance and interest of Lipidomic study in screening, follow‐up and etiopathogeny of AMD
Authors: Gonzalez C. , Bertrand‐Michel J.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the lipidomic study impact on AMD diagnosis, screening, etiopathogenie and interrelations, correlations between those 2 entities

Methods

AMD:30 AMD patients. 3 Groups: A:10 first stage AMD patients, B:10 Atrophy AMD patients, C:10 Neovascular AMD patients. Ophthalmologic exam:ETDRS visual acuity (VA), complete ophthalmic examination, Fundus examination, autofluorescence imaging (FAF), optical coherence tomography (Spectral Domain OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FA) and ICG when Neovascular complication. Lipidomic Study:Blood tests and analysis, all lipids qualitative, quantitative analysis, all the same for all patients, whatever group. Blood test is done during ophthalmologic exam. Plasma congelation “snap frost” in liquid nitrogen after total blood centrifugation, then liquid‐liquid extraction for lipids analysis:neutral lipid by GC, as well as fatty acid but after BF3 methanol derivation, phospholipids by LC‐MS directly, as sphingolipids but firstly hydrolysed. Polyinsatured fatty acids metabolites preparation: protein precipitation then pre‐concentration by SPE (solid phase extraction) before m'analyses by LC‐MS

Results

Analysis will determine qualitative, quantitative lipids values in each patients group, each of them proportion, characterization, singularity; so, characterization, prevalence, specifics of and for each group. Lipidomic study'evaluation, identification, classification in AMD patients groups allow AMD screening, follow‐up, particularly according to AMD type and stage. Lipidomic study have biomarker feature, let AMD prevention, etiopathogenic concept.

Conclusions

Lipidomics study and so better AMD characterization allow better diagnosis, follow‐up, screening of AMD. Interrelations and correlations between AMD and Lipidomics lead to better etiopathogenie understanding and therapeutics prospects.
Differential molecular signature of ectatic and non‐ectatic areas from Keratoconus patient corneas
Authors: Pahuja N. , Rajiv Kumar N. , Shetty R. , Shroff R. , Ghosh A.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To evaluate if the gene expression profile of corneal epithelium from the cone area in Keratoconus (KC) differs from the peripheral non‐ectatic areas.

Hypothesis: The ectasia in Keratoconic cornea is localized to the cone while the peripheral areas are apparently normal. Hence we hypothesized that within the cone of a KC patient cornea, the structural weakness may be a function of localized gene expression differences

Methods

Study group contained 54 KC patients undergoing epithelium off corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) and 9 non‐ectatic subjects undergoing photo refractive keratectomy (PRK) as controls. The cone vs periphery distinction is based on keratometry and location of the cone based on elevation map. Using a 4.5 mm trephine centered on the cone, epithelium was scraped separately for cone and rest as periphery. In non‐ectatic controls, the central 4.5 mm area was taken as cone. Gene expression profiling was performed for each pair of cone and periphery samples by quantitative PCR.

Results

Lysyl oxidase levels were significantly reduced in the cone of KC patients (p = 0.002). Structure related genes COL1 (p = 0.01) and COL4 (p = 0.008) were also reduced significantly in KC patient cones. The cytokines IL6, TGFβ and TNFα did show an increased trend; regulatory cytokine IL10 did not show significant trend. Matrix remodeler MMP9 showed an increasing trend at the cone while its inhibitor TIMP1 showed a reducing trend that was not significant(p = 0.09).

Conclusions

Ectasia in KC may be driven by local molecular factors at the cone that possibly spreads to other parts of cornea as disease progresses.
Corneal lenticules as an ex‐vivo model to study keratocyte biology
Authors: Shroff R. , Shetty R. , Kumar D. , Kumar S. , Pahuja N. , GHOSH A.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Keratocytes show differential gene expression in culture media; and are extensively used to study wound healing, corneal disease biology and response to topical drugs. However, mono‐layer culture cannot replicate the 3‐dimensional biological environment of corneal stroma. Hence, we propose to establish corneal lenticule as an ex‐vivo model to study keratocyte biology for corneal diseases, drug response studies and in wound healing experiments.

Methods

SMILE surgery was performed using the VisuMax femtosecond laser system (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany). After the refractive lenticule of intra‐stromal corneal tissue was created using the femtosecond cutting procedure, it was dissected and separated through the side‐cut opening and removed manually. SMILE lenticules from patients were obtained in MK media and were transferred to DMEM F12 with 10% FBS and 1% PSA. The media was replenished every 24 h and lenticules were harvested at 0, 24, 48, 78 and 96 h. Gene Expression analysis was performed for pro‐fibrotic genes (fibronectin, α‐sma, vimentin, TGF‐β and TGF‐βR2), pro‐inflammatory (IL‐6 and TNF‐α) and structural genes (Col1‐A1, Col4‐A1and Col5‐A1).

Results

Our results demonstrate that lenticules remain metabolically active in culture media for long periods of time as evident from the varying expression of different pro‐fibrotic, pro‐inflammatory and structural genes after 0, 24, 48, 78 and 96 h of culture. Furthermore, linear regression analyses show that clinical parameters like lenticule thickness do not affect the expression profile of the various genes by the keratocytes contained in the lenticule.

Conclusions

In conclusion, lenticule can be used as an ex‐vivo model to study keratocyte biology in various corneal diseases and for drug testing.
Dexamethasone Reverses the Effects of High Glucose on Human Retinal Endothelial Cells In Vitro
Authors: Stewart E. , Saker S. , Amoaku W.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the working population and its prevalence continues to increase as the worldwide prevalence of diabetes grows. The main cause of visual loss in diabetic eye disease is diabetic macular oedema caused by an increase in microvascular endothelial permeability. Endothelial cell permeability is influenced by multiple factors which have not been fully elucidated, particularly in human models. Inflammation has been reported in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and the potential use of anti‐inflammatory agents such as the glucocorticoid dexamethasone is being extensively studied.

Methods

The effect of high glucose (25 mM) and dexamethasone on retinal endothelial cell proliferation and permeability were assessed using Cell‐8 proliferation reagent and passage of Evan's blue albumin, respectively. qPCR was used to quantify gene expression of selected tight junction molecules (Occludin, Claudin‐5, JAM‐A and JAM‐C) and adheren junction (VE‐Cadherin) molecules with high glucose and dexamethasone.

Results

High glucose decreased endothelial cell proliferation and this effect was reversed by dexamethasone. High glucose conditions significantly increased endothelial cell permeability and this effect was decreased with dexamethasone treatment for 24 and 72 hours. In retinal endothelial cell exposed to high glucose claudin‐5, occludin and JAM‐A gene expression were reduced and that of JAM‐C increased when evaluated with qPCR; dexamethasone was effective in partially reversing these changes.

Conclusions

Dexamethasone reverses high glucose induced alterations in retinal endothelial cell behaviour.
Homonymous hemimacular thinning in retrochiasmal lesions
Authors: Cunha J.P. , Proença R. , Dias‐Santos A. , Vicente A. , Anjos R. , Costa L. , Cardigos J. , Ferreira J. , Amado D.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the thickness of macular retina and determine which retinal layers are most affected by retrochiasmal visual pathways lesions.

Methods

Mean retinal thickness utilizing automated intraretinal layer segmentation of spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans was performed in 40 eyes of 40 patients with retrochiasmal visual pathways lesions and compared with 60 eyes of control subjects. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between retinal thickness and follow‐up, age and gender.

Results

Ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer was thinner in the temporal hemiretina ipsilateral and in the nasal hemiretina contralateral than in healthy controls.

The mean thickness was significantly reduced in lesions over 6 months of duration, with no differences in correlations with age or gender.

Conclusions

This study demonstrate ganglion cell and inner plexiform thinning in the hemimacular area. These results support the concept that transneuronal retrograde degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells can be detected by OCT in humans with retrochiasmal visual pathways lesions.

This homonymous hemimacular thinning in OCT represents an imaging biomarker that can be of valu in diagnosis, prognosis and clinical trials of neuroprotectives therapies.
Anterior chamber and refractive parameters in diabetic patients according to metabolic status
Authors: Costa L. , Cardigos J. , Vicente A. , Borges B. , Ferreira J. , Cunha J.P. , Amado D.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Diabetes Mellitus is associated with changes in refractive parameters. Some aspects already studied were the corneal biomechanics and lens thickness. Although, the discussion about anterior chamber angle and depth is still open.

The author objective was to analyze and correlate the anterior chamber depth, lens vault and lens thickness with disease duration and metabolic status.

Methods

Prospective case‐control study. The anterior chamber and refractive parameters were studied using the Visante OCT and the differences between diabetic patients with metabolic control and disease stability were determined (group 1), without (group 2) and group‐control (3). The metabolic control is based on HbA1c levels. The cut‐off considered was 7%.

Results

A total of 64 patients were evaluated (group 1 – n = 21; group 2 – n = 20; group 3 – n = 23). The mean age was 64.32 ± 7.55 years and approximately 5 years of disease duration. In both groups of diabetic patients we found thicker lens, narrow anterior chamber and higher lens vault compared to control group. There was a difference between diabetic groups exists, but it was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The anterior chamber angle and lens vault are influenced by the serum glucose levels. Further studies will be necessary to clarify the physiopathology mechanism responsible for the anterior segment modifications.
Combustion Based Synthesis of AlN Nanoparticles Using a Solid Nitrogen Promotion Reaction
Authors: Nersisyan Hayk H. , Yoo Bung Uk , Lee Tae Hyuk , Lee Jong Hyeon
Published: September 2015

Combustion based synthesis of AlN nanoparticles using the “solid nitrogen” promotion reaction was investigated in Al2O3 + 3Mg system in nitrogen atmosphere. A controlled amount of Mg + 0.5NH4Cl mixture as a solid source of nitrogen was blended with the Al2O3 + 3Mg starting system and the synthesis reaction of AlN nanoparticles was conducted using the exothermic heat of the entire reaction system. The resulting AlN nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), PL spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area techniques. The analysis results confirmed that single phase and crystalline AlN nanoparticles with an average size of 50–500 nm were obtained from the developed approach. Photoluminescence spectra of AlN nanopowders under the excitation of 230–270 nm UV light revealed that AlN emits yellow‐red light having a wavelength near to 590 nm. The chemistry of the combustion process is discussed and the basic reactions that led to the formation of AlN are presented.
Evidence for multiple founding lineages and genetic admixture in the evolution of species within an oceanic island weevil (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) super‐radiation
Authors: Faria Christiana M. A. , Machado Antonio , Amorim Isabel R. , Gage Matthew J. G. , Borges Paulo A. V. , Emerson Brent C.
Published: September 2015

Aim

To infer colonization and speciation history for a closely related complex of nine species within the enigmatic Canary Island Laparocerus weevil radiation of 128 species. Using molecular dating and the spatial and temporal context that islands provide, we evaluate the possible explanations of incomplete lineage sorting and gene flow for the origin of shared genetic variation among species from different islands.

Location

Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro).

Methods

We collected a total of 173 specimens from 37 sites distributed across the four islands. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial (COII) and nuclear (ITS2) sequence data and molecular dating techniques were used to infer the origin of the group in the archipelago and their history of colonization and differentiation.

Results

Gran Canaria appeared to be the geographical origin of the complex. An unexpected result was that mtDNA revealed each of the single species on La Palma and El Hierro to be the product of more than one colonization event from more than one source island. In both cases nuclear ITS2 data revealed these multiple colonizations to have been followed by admixture.

Main conclusions

The two gene trees present very different topologies, with a rather simple colonization history required to explain the pattern of nuclear gene relationships, while the mtDNA gene tree implicates a much more complex history of colonization. Explanations of incomplete lineage sorting are ruled out and a history of colonization and speciation for the L. tessellatus complex involving genetic admixture is inferred.
DoesQRSVoltage Correction by Body Mass Index Improve the Accuracy of Electrocardiography in Detecting Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Predicting Cardiovascular Events in a General Population?
Authors: Cuspidi Cesare , Facchetti Rita , Bombelli Michele , Sala Carla , Tadic Marijana , Grassi Guido , Mancia Giuseppe
Published: September 2015

The authors assessed the value of body mass index (BMI) correction of two electrocardiographic criteria in improving detection of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and prediction of cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality in the Italian study Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E Loro Associazioni (PAMELA) population. At entry, 1549 patients underwent diagnostic tests, 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring, standard electrocardiography, and echocardiography. TheBMI‐corrected Cornell voltage and Sokolow‐Lyon voltage criteria provided better results for detection of echocardiographicLVHas compared with unadjusted electrocardiographic parameters. Cornell voltage index, but not Sokolow‐Lyon index, was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events (and all‐cause mortality). The adjusted risk of cardiovascular events related to one‐standard deviation increment ofBMI‐corrected Cornell voltage was similar to that conferred by the uncorrected criterion in the total population, but outperformed in obese participants. These findings show that correction forBMImay improve the diagnostic accuracy of Cornell voltage index in detectingLVHand prediction of cardiovascular mortality in obese individuals.
Dietary Oily Fish Intake and Blood Pressure Levels: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H. , Mera Robertino M. , Gillman Jennifer , Castillo Pablo R. , Zambrano Mauricio , Ha Jung‐Eun
Published: September 2015

The effect of fish consumption on blood pressure is controversial. The authors measured blood pressure and calculated oily fish servings per week in 677 community‐dwellers aged 40 years and older living in rural coastal Ecuador. Using regression models with linear splines, the authors evaluated whether dietary fish intake was related to blood pressure levels, after adjusting for relevant confounders. Mean oily fish consumption was 9.1±5.6 servings per week. There was a nonlinear relationship between systolic pressure and fish servings. In the group of individuals consuming up to five servings per week, each serving significantly reduced systolic pressure by 2.3 mm Hg (P=.020). Any extra serving provided no further effects. The study shows an inverse relationship between oily fish consumption and systolic pressure. Currently recommended amounts of dietary oily fish intake per week (1–2 servings) might be insufficient to exert beneficial effects of fish in the control of blood pressure.
Evolution of reduced post‐copulatory molecular interactions in Drosophila populations lacking sperm competition
Authors: Hollis B. , Houle D. , Kawecki T. J.
Published: September 2015

In many species with internal fertilization, molecules transferred in the male ejaculate trigger and interact with physiological changes in females. It is controversial to what extent these interactions between the sexes act synergistically to mediate the female switch to a reproductive state or instead reflect sexual antagonism evolved as a by product of sexual selection on males. To address this question, we eliminated sexual selection by enforcing monogamy in populations of Drosophila melanogaster for 65 generations and then measured the expression of male seminal fluid protein genes and genes involved in the female response to mating. In the absence of sperm competition, male and female reproductive interests are perfectly aligned and any antagonism should be reduced by natural selection. Consistent with this idea, males from monogamous populations showed reduced expression of seminal fluid protein genes, 16% less on average than in polygamous males. Further, we identified 428 genes that responded to mating in females. After mating, females with an evolutionary history of monogamy exhibited lower relative expression of genes that were up regulated in response to mating and higher expression of genes that were down‐regulated – in other words, their post‐mating transcriptome appeared more virgin‐like. Surprisingly, these genes showed a similar pattern even before mating, suggesting that monogamous females evolved to be less poised for mating and the accompanying receipt of male seminal fluid proteins. This reduced investment by both monogamous males and females in molecules involved in post‐copulatory interactions points to a pervasive role of sexual conflict in shaping these interactions.
Uncertainty in Material Flow Analysis Indicators at Different Spatial Levels
Authors: Patrício João , Kalmykova Yuliya , Rosado Leonardo , Lisovskaja Vera
Published: September 2015

Material flow analysis (MFA) is a tool for research and decision support in environmental policy and management. In order to promote the use of MFA at different spatial scales, a quantification of the uncertainty in nationwide, regional, and urban MFA methodologies is provided. In particular, the impact of the input data quality on the main MFA indicators is analyzed and the sources and extent of uncertainties for different spatial scales are listed. The types, origin, and extent of the errors are described in detail and several imputation methods are explained and evaluated. By introducing a novel approach to account measurement errors in data sets with “very few details on the measurement errors,” this article aims at contributing to the development of a standardized method to account for the uncertainty in MFA studies. This study uses the time series of MFA data for 1996–2011 at three spatial scales—nationwide (Sweden), regional (the Stockholm Region), and metropolitan (Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo)—to determine how propagation of measurement errors affects the MFA results. The following MFA indicators were studied: direct material input; domestic processed output; and domestic material consumption. Generally, availability decreased as the spatial scale was lowered, whereas data errors increased. In the specific case of Sweden, the data on freight transport by rail and on waste produced by economic activities at the regional and metropolitan level should be improved.
Effect of 180‐Day Water Storage on Bonding Effectiveness of Self‐Adhesive Systems to Occlusal and Proximal Dentin
Authors: Montagner Anelise Fernandes , Skupien Jovito Adiel , Borges Marciano Freitas , Krejci Ivo , Bortolotto Tissiana , Susin Alexandre Henrique
Published: September 2015

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the microshear bond strength (μSBS) values of adhesive systems to occlusal and proximal dentin submitted to water storage aging.

Materials and Methods

Occlusal and proximal dentin surfaces were obtained from 90 molars, polished with 600‐grit SiC and divided according to the type of adhesive system: one total‐etch and two self‐etch. Starch tubing was used to perform 1 mm2 cylindrical composite resin restorations. The specimens were aged in distilled water during different storage times: 24 hours, 3 months, and 6 months (n = 10). The specimens were submitted to μSBS test. The μSBS values in MPa were subject to three‐way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test (p < 0.05).

Results

There was no statistical difference in the μSBS values among the storage times (p = 0.72); however, the dentin region (p < 0.01) and the adhesive system (p < 0.01) significantly affected the μSBS. The proximal surface (14.7 ± 3.3 MPa) presented higher μSBS values than the occlusal dentin (10.9 ± 4.1 MPa). The all‐in‐one adhesive system (GB) achieved the highest μSBS mean (17.0 ± 1.7 MPa).

Conclusion

Both material and dentin surface factors affected the composite‐dentin bond strength; however, the water storage did not influence bonding effectiveness over time.
Sexual Encounters and Manhood Acts: Evangelicals, Latter‐Day Saints, and Religious Masculinities
Authors: Burke Kelsy , Hudec Amy Moff
Published: September 2015

The experiences of men in traditional religions are complex, at times inconsistent, and not necessarily the direct result of religious teachings. This article draws from two qualitative case studies to examine the ways in which evangelical and Latter‐Day Saint men understand masculinity and their spiritual beliefs in the context of sexual activity. The authors present two masculine practices—acceptance of sexual rejection and sexual indifference—that allow religious men in this study to simultaneously challenge and uphold the system of hegemonic masculinity that their traditions promote. These findings point to the moments when creative, interpretative work helps religious men to reconcile their experiences with religious expectations and to alleviate the tensions they face in their everyday lives. This article offers new insights into how gender and sexuality studies may be integrated into the sociology of religion.
Generational Conversion? The Role of Religiosity in the Politics of Evangelicals
Authors: Pelz Mikael L. , Smidt Corwin E.
Published: September 2015

The political environment for evangelical Protestants has changed substantially since the Christian Right reached its apex, as a more issue and ideologically diffuse political environment has emerged. The present study tests two different theoretical perspectives on whether these contextual changes may have altered Millennial evangelicals’ political perspectives vis‐à‐vis those of previous generations of evangelicals. On the one hand, theoretical perspectives related to differential political socialization processes across generations would lead to expectations of generational change among evangelicals. On the other hand, theoretical perspectives related to social identity theory would suggest far less change across generations. Using Pew's 2007 U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, we test these expectations by comparing the relationships between religiosity and political attitudes across three generations of evangelicals. Ordered probit and logistic regression models estimate the impact of religiosity on various political attitudes. These models reveal that Millennial evangelical religiosity continues to be strongly related to Republican Party identification and opposition toward abortion, which is largely consistent with the social identity perspective. Generational change is most evident in a variety of nonsocial issues in which religiosity is associated with less conservatism among Millennials. Additional analysis using the 2012 Religion and Politics Survey with a smaller sample of Millennial evangelicals confirms these results.
Evangelical Elites’ Anti‐Homosexuality Narratives as a Resistance Strategy Against Attribution Effects
Authors: Thomas Jeremy N. , Whitehead Andrew L.
Published: September 2015

While attribution theory expects that beliefs about the origins of homosexuality are directly related to beliefs about the moral acceptability of homosexual behavior, we use content analysis of the popular evangelical magazineChristianity Todayto show that evangelical elites have developed a series of anti‐homosexuality narratives that allow them to resist attribution effects. In particular, we find that even when evangelical elites have expressed belief in the physiological origins of homosexuality, such as the influence of genetics and/or prenatal hormones, their negative beliefs about the moral acceptability of homosexual behavior have not varied. We argue, then, that evangelical elites’ anti‐homosexuality narratives provide them with a strategy for influencing rank‐and‐file evangelicals, so that while allowing for a diversity of beliefs about the origins of homosexuality, rank‐and‐file evangelicals still have a viable mechanism for connecting these beliefs—whatever they may be—to negative beliefs about the moral acceptability of homosexual behavior. Our findings thus extend attribution theory, illuminate the potential power of moral narratives, and amplify the need for future research.
Finnish Teachers’ Attitudes About Muslim Students and Muslim Student Integration
Authors: Rissanen Inkeri , Tirri Kirsi , Kuusisto Elina
Published: September 2015

Although there is much discussion of educational needs and how to integrate Muslim students into modern Western contexts, there is a shortage of research on teachers’ attitudes about these issues. Finland offers a particularly interesting context for research, given its relatively new, small, yet rapidly growing Muslim population, its prominence of negative attitudes to visible religiosity, and its official policy of multiculturalism. This article presents the results of a quantitative study of Finnish teachers’ attitudes to Muslim students and to their integration into Finnish schools. A nonprobability sample of Finnish preservice and practicing teachers (N= 864) was surveyed and the resulting data analyzed with exploratory factor analysis,t‐tests, and ANOVA. The results indicate that Finnish teachers consider learning about general democratic values important, but their attitudes to dealing with Islam and Muslims are not quite as positive. However, previous involvement with other cultures indicated more positive attitudes among preservice teachers. Female teachers and practicing teachers were more oriented toward the teaching of commonality, and teaching at a more advanced level indicated more positive attitudes to Muslims and Muslim integration.
Craving Bureaucracy: Marriage, Islamic Law, and Arab Petitioners in the Straits Settlements
Authors: Yahaya Nurfadzilah
Published: September 2015

British involvement in Muslim affairs in the Straits Settlements (Malacca, Penang and Singapore) was done at the behest of Muslim subjects in the colony. Arab Muslims, who were a minority in the region, exhorted British authorities to take charge of the administration of Muslim marriages and divorces. In this way, authority was vested by these Muslims in colonial legal institutions. Instead of trying to wrest religious authority from the secular colonial power, petitioners essentially attempted to remove religious authority from the hands of Muslim qāḍis by granting more control to non‐Muslim British colonial authorities. Though British authorities were initially reluctant to take on the mantle of administering legal lives of Muslim subjects who formed fifteen percent of the British Crown Colony, a petition in 1875 subsequently led to the application of legal codes and case law devised in British India in 1880 through the Mahomedan Marriage Ordinance that was brought into effect in 1882. This led to an unprecedented development in the administration of Islamic law in Southeast Asia. Thereafter, colonial legal practitioners relied heavily on this corpus of precedents and knowledge prepared by their predecessors in British India. Their conception of Islamic law was in other words based on a universal view of Islamic law, minimally affected by local understandings and customs. A universal view of Islam, coupled with centralized colonial bureaucracy suited the needs of highly mobile Arabs who traversed the Indian Ocean as they craved accountability on the part of legal administrators.
Methyl‐β‐Cyclodextrin Improves Sperm Capacitation Status Assessed by Flow Cytometry Analysis and Zona Pellucida‐Binding Ability of Frozen/Thawed Bovine Spermatozoa
Authors: Águila L , Arias ME , Vargas T , Zambrano F , Felmer R
Published: September 2015

Contents

Mammalian sperm undergo a series of biochemical transformations in the female reproductive tract that are collectively known as capacitation. Cyclodextrins added to the sperm culture medium have been described to induce in vitro sperm capacitation, enabling its use in protein‐free media. However, the additive capacitating effect of methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) in the medium containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) is unknown in the bovine species. In this study, we evaluated the effects of incubating frozen–thawed bovine spermatozoa in a BSA‐containing medium supplemented with MβCD on different sperm quality and functional parameters. Sperm viability decreased with the addition of MβCD in a dose‐dependent manner (p < 0.05), and DNA damage could be observed but only with the highest concentration of MβCD. However, pre‐incubation of spermatozoa in MβCD‐supplemented medium improved the capacitation status as assessed by the increase in plasma membrane fluidity, intracellular calcium concentration, induced acrosome reactivity and zona pellucida (ZP)‐binding ability (p < 0.05). Thus, we conclude that MβCD supplementation is able to enhance the capacitation status of frozen–thawed bovine spermatozoa cultured in capacitation medium containing BSA and could result in a valid strategy for its application on artificial reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Involvement of VAT‐1 in Phosphatidylserine Transfer from the Endoplasmic Reticulum to Mitochondria
Authors: Junker Mirco , Rapoport Tom A.
Published: September 2015

Mitochondria receive phosphatidylserine (PS) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but how PS is moved from the ER to mitochondria is unclear. Current models postulate a physical link between the organelles, but no involvement of cytosolic proteins. Here, we have reconstituted PS transport from the ER to mitochondria in vitro using Xenopus egg components. Transport is independent of ER proteins, but is dependent on a cytosolic factor that has a preferential affinity for PS. Crosslinking with a photoactivatable PS analog identified VAT‐1 as a candidate for a cytosolic PS transport protein. Recombinant, purified VAT‐1 stimulated PS transport into mitochondria and depletion of VAT‐1 from Xenopus cytosol with specific antibodies led to a reduction of transport. Our results suggest that cytosolic factors have a role in PS transport from the ER to mitochondria, implicate VAT‐1 in the transport process, and indicate that physical contact between the organelles is not essential.