bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two new inflammatory markers associated with Disease Activity Score‐28 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio and platelet‐lymphocyte ratio
Authors: Uslu Ali Uğur , Küçük Adem , Şahin Ali , Ugan Yunus , Yılmaz Ramazan , Güngör Tayfun , Bağcacı Sinan , Küçükşen Sami
Published: April 2015

Aim

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease with unknown etiology and systemic involvement. Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are two new inflammatory markers used in the assessment of systemic inflammation. The aim here is to study NLR and PLR in patients with RA to investigate their relation with Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS‐28).

Methods

The study included 104 patients with RA and a control group of 51 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy subjects. We divided the patients into two groups according to the DAS‐28 score. Group 1 included patients with a score of lower than 2.6 by the DAS‐28 (patients in remission) and Group 2 included patients with a score of 2.6 and higher (patients with active disease).

Results

NLR was 2.12 ± 0.83 in the patient group and 1.58 ± 0.57 in the control group. PLR was 136.50 ± 53.52 in the patient group and 114.84 ± 29.41 in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in NLR and PLR between the patient and control groups (P ≤ 0.0001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Patients in Group 1 had an NLR of 1.84 ± 0.61 and a PLR of 119.25 ± 41.77. Patients in Group 2 had an NLR of 2.29 ± 0.90 and a PLR of 147.28 ± 56.96. There was a statistically significant difference in NLR and PLR between the two groups (P = 0.003 and P = 0.005 respectively). A correlation was observed between NLR and PLR by DAS‐28 (r = 0.345, P ≤ 0.0001 and r = 0.352, P ≤ 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

The present study showed us that NLR and PLR were two new inflammatory markers which could be used to assess disease activity in patients with RA.
Impact of inhalation vs. intravenous anaesthesia on autonomic nerves and internal anal sphincter tone
Authors: Heid F. , Kauff D. W. , Lang H. , Kneist W.
Published: April 2015

Background

Pelvic intraoperative neuromonitoring (pIONM) aims to identify and spare the autonomic nerves and maintain patients’ quality of life. The effect of anaesthetic agents on the pIONM signal is unknown; therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the influences of inhalation anaesthesia (IA) and total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA).

Methods

Twenty rectal cancer patients undergoing open nerve‐sparing total mesorectal excision (TME) were assigned to pIONM under either IA or TIVA (n = 10 per group). IA was maintained with sevoflurane and TIVA with propofol. During surgery, pelvic autonomic nerves were electrically stimulated under electromyography (EMG) of the internal anal sphincter (IAS). These triggered EMG signals were analysed.

Results

The absolute EMG amplitude during pIONM increased to 1.20 μV (interquartile range (IQR): 0.94–1.6) for IA and 1.49 μV (IQR: 0.84–2.75) for TIVA (P = 0.002). The relative EMG amplitude increase also was significantly lower for IA (0.59; IQR: 0.30–0.81; TIVA: 0.99; IQR: 0.62–2.5), (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

This is the first study to compare the influences of IA and TIVA on the autonomic nervous system. While both anaesthetic regimens proved useful for pIONM, TIVA with propofol may provide better signal quality than IA with sevoflurane.
Women's access to abortion after 20 weeks' gestation for fetal chromosomal abnormalities: Views and experiences of doctors in New South Wales and Queensland
Authors: Black Kirsten I. , Douglas Heather , de Costa Caroline
Published: April 2015

Background

Induced abortions after 20 weeks' gestation comprise around one per cent of all terminations in Australia and mostly occur following the diagnosis of a fetal anomaly. However, these abortions are overly represented in legal cases against doctors and challenging to organise in those states where abortion remains in the criminal code and health department directives impose regulations. This study explores barriers to abortion access after 20 weeks' gestation in the states of Queensland and New South Wales.

Materials and Methods

We approached and sought consent from 22 doctors involved in abortion provision (15 in Queensland and seven in NSW), who responded in depth to a set of clinical scenarios. This study presents participants' responses to three clinical scenarios of women presenting with a fetal chromosomal abnormality after 20 weeks' gestation.

Results

Of the 22 medical practitioners in this study, 18 reported that access to late‐term abortion in their state was restricted. The two key factors perceived to affect the decision to terminate a pregnancy in this context were the legal status of abortion and Department of Health policies mandating that applications for abortion be presented to clinical ethics committees. Practitioners reported that committees were slow to convene and inconsistent in their decisions.

Conclusions

Ethics committee involvement for late‐term abortions is required by state health policy in NSW and Queensland, where abortion is still a criminal offence. This process is seen by abortion providers to hinder timely access to services and excludes women from the decision‐making process.
Mutual upregulation of endothelin‐1 and IL‐25 in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Aktar M. K. , Kido‐Nakahara M. , Furue M. , Nakahara T.
Published: April 2015

Background

Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) has been reported to evoke histamine‐independent pruritus in mammals. However, its association with pruritus or inflammation of atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been clarified. We sought to investigate the role of ET‐1 in the skin inflammation of AD.

Methods

To examine the role of ET‐1 in AD, we investigated the expression of ET‐1 and IL‐25 in the skin of an AD mouse model and patients with AD and examined the mutual regulatory relationship between ET‐1 and IL‐25, one of the important cytokines in AD, using the human HaCaT keratinocyte cell line.

Results

We immunohistochemically confirmed the upregulation of ET‐1 and IL‐25 expression in the epidermis of both the AD mouse model and patients with AD. In vitro, IL‐25 upregulated ET‐1 mRNA and protein expression in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent fashion in HaCaT cells. This IL‐25‐induced ET‐1 expression was inhibited by ERK1/2 or JNK inhibitor. In a reciprocal manner, ET‐1 also induced IL‐25 upregulation. The enhancing effect of ET‐1 on IL‐25 was inhibited by an endothelin A receptor antagonist, ERK1/2 inhibitor, or p38 inhibitor, but not by an endothelin B receptor antagonist or JNK inhibitor.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that mutual upregulation of ET‐1 and IL‐25 takes place in the epidermis of AD, which may be a future target for antipruritic agents.
The impact of salt on the late Messinian to recent tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Cyprus subduction zone
Authors: Reiche Sönke , Hübscher Christian , Ehrhardt Axel
Published: April 2015

Messinian evaporites of locally more than 3‐km thickness occupy the subduction zone between Cyprus and Eratosthenes Seamount. Based on a dense grid of seismic reflection profiles, we report on compressional salt tectonics and its impact on the Late Miocene to Quaternary structural evolution of the Cyprus subduction zone. Results show that evaporites have experienced significant post‐Messinian shortening along the plate boundary. Shortening has initiated allochthonous salt advance between Cyprus and Eratosthenes Seamount, representing an excellent example of salt which efficiently escapes subduction and accretion. Further east, between Eratosthenes Seamount and the Hecataeus Rise, evaporites were compressionally inflated without having advanced across post‐Messinian strata. Such differences in the magnitude of salt tectonic shortening may reflect a predominately north–south oriented post‐Messinian convergence direction, raising the possibility of a later coupling between the motion of Cyprus and Anatolia than previously thought. Along the area bordered by Cyprus and Eratosthenes Seamount a prominent step in the seafloor represents the northern boundary of a controversially debated semi‐circular depression. Coinciding with the southern edge of the salt sheet, this bathymetric feature is suggested to have formed as a consequence of compressional salt inflation and seamount‐directed salt advance. Topographic lows on top of highly deformed evaporites are locally filled by up to 700 m of late Messinian sediments. The uppermost 200 m of these sediments were drilled in the course of ODP Leg 160 and interpreted to represent Lago Mare‐type deposits (Robertson, Tectonophysics, 1998d, 298, 63‐82). Lago Mare deposits are spatially restricted to the western part of the subduction zone, pinching out towards the east whereas presumably continuing into the Herodotus Basin further west. We suggest a sea level control on late Messinian Lago Mare sedimentation, facilitating sediment delivery into basinal areas whereas inhibiting Lago Mare deposition into the desiccated Levant Basin. Locally, early salt deformation is believed to have provided additional accommodation space for Lago Mare sedimentation, resulting in the presently observed minibasin‐like geometry.
Immunoregulatory T cell epitope peptides: the new frontier in allergy therapy
Authors: Prickett S. R. , Rolland J. M. , O'Hehir R. E.
Published: April 2015

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been practised since 1911 and remains the only therapy proven to modify the natural history of allergic diseases. Although efficacious in carefully selected individuals, the currently licensed whole allergen extracts retain the risk of IgE‐mediated adverse events, including anaphylaxis and occasionally death. This together with the need for prolonged treatment regimens results in poor patient adherence. The central role of the T cell in orchestrating the immune response to allergen informs the choice of T cell targeted therapies for down‐regulation of aberrant allergic responses. Carefully mapped short synthetic peptides that contain the dominant T cell epitopes of major allergens and bind to a diverse array of HLA class II alleles, can be delivered intradermally into non‐inflamed skin to induce sustained clinical and immunological tolerance. The short peptides from allergenic proteins are unable to cross‐link IgE and possess minimal inflammatory potential. Systematic progress has been made from in vitro human models of allergen T cell epitope‐based peptide anergy in the early 1990s, through proof‐of‐concept murine allergy models and early human trials with longer peptides, to the current randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trials with the potential new class of synthetic short immune‐regulatory T cell epitope peptide therapies. Sustained efficacy with few adverse events is being reported for cat, house dust mite and grass pollen allergy after only a short course of treatment. Underlying immunological mechanisms remain to be fully delineated but anergy, deletion, immune deviation and Treg induction all seem contributory to successful outcomes, with changes in IgG4 apparently less important compared to conventional AIT. T cell epitope peptide therapy is promising a safe and effective new class of specific treatment for allergy, enabling wider application even for more severe allergic diseases.
Prophylactic immunization of mice with phospholipase A2‐loaded gas‐filled microbubbles is protective against Th2‐mediated honeybee venom allergy
Authors: Bioley G. , Lassus A. , Terrettaz J. , Tranquart F. , Corthésy B.
Published: April 2015

Background

People suffering from honeybee venom allergy can be treated by venom immunotherapy, which consists in the subcutaneous injection of increasing doses of allergen extracts over a period of 3–5 years. Such a procedure is time‐consuming, and the risks of severe side reactions are important. Approaches based on the use of novel adjuvants to blunt pro‐allergic Th2‐type immune responses represent a sound alternative.

Objectives

In this study, we evaluated in a mouse model of honeybee venom allergy the protection induced by the prophylactic use of the major allergen phospholipase A2 (PLA2) associated with microbubbles (MB).

Methods

Antibody (Ab) and T cell responses, as detected by ELISA and CFSE‐based proliferation assays, were first examined after prophylactic immunization of CBA/J mice with PLA2‐MB, and second after sensitization with native PLA2. Mice were eventually challenged with a lethal dose of PLA2 to assess protection against anaphylaxis.

Results

Prophylactic immunization with PLA2‐MB induced PLA2‐specific IgG and IgA Ab, triggered the production of IFN‐γ and IL‐10 and the differentiation of PLA2‐specific Foxp3+ Treg. Immunized/sensitized mice displayed the following: (1) increased titres of potent blocking IgG1, IgG2a and IgG3 Ab, (2) both reduced allergen‐specific T cell proliferation and Th2‐type cytokine production and (3) elevated frequencies of specific Foxp3+ Treg and increased production of TGF‐β, as compared to naïve/sensitized animals. Immunomodulation correlated with reduced signs of anaphylaxis after allergen challenge.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Our data demonstrate the ability of PLA2‐MB to prophylactically protect mice against subsequent sensitization and death‐inducing PLA2 challenge for up to 4 months, revealing so far unravelled immunomodulatory properties of MB. These data, combined with the safe use of MB as contrast agents for in situ imaging in humans, render them an immunotherapeutic agent of great interest for further evaluation.
Objective eliciting doses of peanut‐allergic adults and children can be combined for risk assessment purposes
Authors: Klemans R. J. B. , Blom W. M. , van Erp F. C. , Masthoff L. J. N. , Rubingh C. M. , van der Ent C. K. , Bruijnzeel‐Koomen C. A. F. M. , Houben G. F. , Pasmans S. G. M. A. , Meijer Y. , Knulst A. C.
Published: April 2015

Background

To improve food labelling strategies, information regarding eliciting doses (EDs) and the effect of patient characteristics on these EDs is necessary.

Objective

To establish EDs for objective and subjective symptoms and analyse the effect of sensitization levels and other patient characteristics on threshold distribution curves (TDCs).

Methods

Threshold data from 100 adults and 262 children with a positive food challenge were analysed with interval‐censoring survival analysis (ICSA) and fitted to a TDC from which EDs could be extracted. Possible influencing factors were analysed as covariates by ICSA. A hazard ratio (HR) was calculated in case of a significant effect.

Results

TDCs for both objective and subjective symptoms were significantly different between adults and children (P < 0.001). Objective ED05 values, however, were comparable (2.86 mg peanut protein in adults and 6.38 mg in children). Higher levels of sIgE to Ara h 2 and peanut extract were associated with a larger proportion of patient groups reacting to a dose increase with objective symptoms (adults and children) or subjective symptoms (adults, in children a trend). Age had a similar effect in children (HR 1.05 for objective symptoms and 1.09 for subjective symptoms). Gender had no effect on TDCs.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Subjective and objective TDCs were different between adults and children, but objective ED05 values were comparable, meaning that threshold data from children and adults can be combined for elaboration of reference doses for risk assessment. Higher sIgE levels to Ara h 2 and peanut extract were associated with a larger proportion of both patient groups to react to a certain dose increase.
Phenotype and molecular characteristics in 45 Chinese children with 5α‐reductase type 2 deficiency from South China
Authors: Cheng Jing , Lin Ruizhu , Zhang Wen , Liu Guochang , Sheng Huiying , Li Xiuzhen , Zhou Zhihong , Mao Xiaojian , Liu Li
Published: April 2015

Context

Affected by steroid 5α‐reductase type 2 deficiency (5α‐RD2), 46, XY individuals present divergent phenotypes characterized by undervirilization of male external genitalia. To identify the disorder, mutational analysis of 5α‐reductase type 2 gene (SRD5A2) is a reliable approach. The genotype–phenotype relationship has not been elucidated.

Objective

To improve the diagnosis and expand the knowledge of the disease, we collected and analysed relevant data of clinical diagnosis, biological investigation and molecular determination in 45 children with the SRD5A2 gene mutations from South China in our centre.

Subjects and methods

We studied a cohort of 45 Chinese children with SRD5A2 gene mutations.

Results

Isolated microphallus (35·6%) and microphallus associated with various degrees of hypospadias (55·6%) were frequent phenotype. Female external genitalia with clitoromegaly (8·9%) were rare. 16 of 18 (88·9%) cases had hCG‐stimulated T/DHT ratio above 10. In 45 patients, we identified 15 different mutations. Five have never been described: p.His90ThrfsX31, p.Gly21Arg, p.Gly149Asp, p.Arg145Leu and p.Gly66Arg. The p.Arg227Gln mutation was detected in 41 (91·1%) patients. The p.Leu89Val polymorphism was found in 38 (84·4%) patients. Homozygous mutations were presented in 16 (35·6%) patients, compound heterozygous mutations in 20 (44·4%) patients, compound heterozygous mutations alone with the p.Leu89Val polymorphism in nine (20·0%) patients. Exons 1 and 4 were most affected, and the number of mutant alleles per exon was 78·1% and 12·2%, respectively.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated a wide spectrum of phenotypes, biological profiles and genotypes in the children with 5α‐RD2 from South China. The heterozygous mutation p.Arg227Gln is presumably a hot spot mutation and suggests a founder effect in the population of South China that may explain a moderate phenotype among our patients. Our report provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of 5α‐RD2 and help to the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Epicentral Disruption of Structural Connectivity in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Mallio Carlo Augusto , Schmidt Ruben , de Reus Marcel A. , Vernieri Fabrizio , Quintiliani Livia , Curcio Giuseppe , Beomonte Zobel Bruno , Quattrocchi Carlo Cosimo , van den Heuvel Martijn P.
Published: April 2015

Aims

Neurodegenerative changes observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been suggested to begin at the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus and then to propagate in a stereotypical fashion. Using diffusion‐weighted imaging, we test whether disruption of structural connectivity in AD is centered on these “epicenters of disease”.

Methods

Fifteen healthy controls, 14 amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), 13 mild, and 15 moderate patients with AD were enrolled. The percentages of affected connections directly linking to the epicenter (named first ring) and to nodes with topological distance 2 from the epicenter (named second ring) were calculated.

Results

For the group of aMCI patients, just 5.3% of the first ring (n.s.) and 2.9% of the second ring (n.s.) connections were affected. However, for mild AD there was disruption involving 20% of the first ring (P < 0.0001) and 10.3% of the second ring (P < 0.0001) connections. In the moderate AD group, a stronger effect was observed, with 38.0% of the first ring (P < 0.0001) connections and 17.9% of the second ring (P < 0.0001) connections affected.

Conclusion

Our results favor an epicentral disruption of structural connectivity in aMCI and AD around entorhinal and hippocampal regions, consistent with the transneuronal spread hypothesis.
Stem cell factor is essential for preserving NOD/SCID reconstitution capacity of ex vivo expanded cord blood CD34+ cells
Authors: Du Zheng , Wang Ziyan , Zhang Weiwei , Cai Haibo , Tan Wen‐Song
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Stem cell factor (SCF) is essential in the haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) niche, and is therefore used extensively in haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) ex vivo expansion. However, in the literature, dose and schedule of SCF feeding varies widely. We previously proposed a novel SCF feeding regimen with proven effectiveness for HSPCs expansion; however, physiological function of expanded cells with this SCF feeding regimen required further research.

Materials and methods

CD34+ cells were cultured with or without SCF supplementation in serum‐free medium for 10 days. Expanded cells were transplanted into sublethally irradiated non‐obese diabetic/severe combined immune‐deficient (NOD/SCID) mice. Engraftment and multilineage reconstitution of transplanted cells were determined. Also, clonogenic potential of engrafted cells was analysed.

Results

Cells, both cultured with and without SCF supplementation, successfully engrafted and reconstituted blood cell lineages in NOD/SCID mice. However, level of engraftment and multilineage reconstitution reduced when cells were expanded without SCF supplementation. Meanwhile, frequencies of colony‐forming cells (CFCs) amongst bone marrow cells were higher in mice transplanted with CD34+ cells expanded with SCF supplementation.

Conclusions

Reconstitution capacity reduced when CD34+ cells were expanded without SCF supplementation, though this feeding regimen did not have any effect on cell expansion. This finding suggested that SCF was essential for preserving NOD/SCID reconstitution capacity of ex vivo expanded CD34+ cells.
Species‐specific effects of subdaily temperature fluctuations on consumption, growth and stress responses in two physiologically similar fish species
Authors: Coulter David P. , Sepúlveda Maria S. , Troy Cary D. , Höök Tomas O.
Published: April 2015

Fluctuations in water temperature can have important physiological consequences for fishes. Effects of daily thermal cycles are well studied and can be beneficial, increasing prey consumption and growth rates when mean and maximum temperatures of the fluctuations are at or below the species’ optimum temperature. While less studied, subdaily temperature fluctuations are also common in many aquatic habitats and can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic processes. We performed laboratory experiments to examine how two fish species (yellow perch, Perca flavescens, and walleye, Sander vitreus) with similar thermal preferences respond to chronic exposure to subdaily temperature variability. We selected temperature treatments that reflected observed thermal variation after examining water temperature data from multiple aquatic systems. We then separately exposed yellow perch and walleye to a stable 23 °C treatment and 12‐h cycles of 23 ± 2 °C or 23 ± 4 °C for 45 days. Adult yellow perch exposed to fluctuations of 23 ± 4 °C over 12 h expressed higher consumption, growth and food conversion efficiency than fish experiencing stable 23 °C. Temperature fluctuations, though, resulted in mortalities and the development of skin ulcers in yellow perch that did not occur under stable temperatures. In contrast, the same 12‐h temperature fluctuations did not result in mortalities or stress responses in juvenile walleye. Moreover, unlike yellow perch, growth rates of walleye were lower under 12‐h temperature fluctuations compared with the stable 23 °C treatment. Our results indicate that species with similar thermal preferences can respond differently to the same subdaily temperature fluctuations.
Some Notes on Corrections for Guessing and Related Problems
Authors: Lindquist E. F. , Hoover H. D.
Published: April 2015

In an unpublished paper from the 1950s (reprinted here with a brief introduction), E. F. Lindquist proposed that correction‐for‐guessing formulas should be replaced with a more realistic and empirical approach to scoring objective tests. The formula and the underlying assumptions are explained, and several problems with the concept are outlined.
Long‐term stability of eelgrass fish assemblages in two highly developed coastal estuaries
Authors: Obaza A. , Hoffman R. , Clausing R.
Published: April 2015

Changes in fish assemblages were tracked in representative eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) beds within two estuaries on the urbanised coast of southern California, USA, San Diego Bay and Mission Bay, from 1987 to 2010. Assemblages were sampled twice yearly (spring and summer) at day and night using beach seines. Assemblage stability was examined over time along with changes in assemblage structure across time of day and season, including the influence of temporally variable abiotic variables. Only the occasionally occurring fish, those present in <70% of samples, in Mission Bay appeared to be shifting to a new assemblage. Although season and sampling time significantly affected assemblages, correlations with abiotic factors were low. Given the long history of urban development of these estuaries, community shifts may have occurred prior to the onset of sampling, giving the appearance of stability. Alternatively, eelgrass habitat may be providing a refuge from long‐term disturbances.
Delineating closely related species with DNA barcodes for routine biological monitoring
Authors: Carew Melissa E. , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: April 2015

DNA barcoding has proven useful for identifying species, and there is increasing interest in this approach to determine species compositions for routine biological monitoring. Generally, DNA barcodes applied to taxa used for monitoring are clearly linked to species, but where taxa are closely related separation using DNA barcodes can be ambiguous. This raises challenges for monitoring, especially if closely related taxa are not recognised as separate species and these species have different environmental responses.

Here we examine whether separation of closely related taxa with DNA barcodes is supported by other gene sequences and whether morphological and environmental differences occur among related species that cannot be easily separated. We selected six Chironomidae genera where initial neighbour‐joining analysis of DNA barcodes produced monophyletic groups supported by high bootstraps (>95%), but groups were separated by low nucleotide divergence of 3–7%. Taxon separation based on DNA barcodes and mitochondrial cytochrome b (CytB) gene sequences were compared to delineations based on nuclear sequences from the carbomoylphosphate synthase‐like gene region 1 (CAD1) and the zinc metalloproteinase (ZMP) gene.

Species delineations with DNA barcodes were not always the same as those defined with nuclear sequences, morphological variation or differences in pollution and salinity tolerance. Morphological differences and some environmental differences were often in agreement with taxon separation based on nuclear CAD1 (and ZMP) sequences rather than DNA barcodes (and CytB variation).

This study suggests that nuclear sequence data when used in combination with DNA barcodes can help separate closely related taxa into groups useful for routine biological monitoring.
The immunophenotypic relationship between the submucosal gland unit, columnar metaplasia and squamous islands in the columnar‐lined oesophagus
Authors: Lörinc Ester , Mellblom Lennart , Öberg Stefan
Published: April 2015

Aims

To characterize the immunophenotypic relationship between the squamous and the glandular compartments in the oesophagus of patients with columnar‐lined oesophagus (CLO).

Methods and results

Eight tissue blocks from three oesophageal resection specimens from patients who underwent oesophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus were selected for immunohistochemical analysis. The markers of intestinal differentiation [CK20, CDX2 and MUC2] were all expressed in the expected pattern, solely in the glandular compartment of the resection specimens. CK4, CK17 and lysozyme were expressed in both the glandular and the squamous compartments. In addition, CK17 expression was found on both the squamous and glandular margins of the squamocolumnar transformation zones and in the submucosal gland (SMG) intraglandular and excretory ducts.

Conclusions

There is an immunophenotypic relationship between the squamous and the glandular compartments of the CLO, with expression of lysozyme, CK4 and CK17 in both squamous and columnar cells. These overlapping immunophenotypes indicate similar differentiation paths, and link the SMG unit with the columnar metaplasia and the neosquamous islands in CLO. Our findings support the theory of a cellular origin of CLO and neosquamous islands from the SMG unit.
Supercritical CO2 extract from strawberry seeds as a valuable component of mild cleansing compositions
Authors: Sikora E. , Michorczyk P. , Olszańska M. , Ogonowski J.
Published: April 2015

Synopsis

Objective

The aim of this work was an elaboration of mild cleansing compositions, containing supercritical CO2 extract from strawberry seeds (SC‐CO2 strawberry seed oil), as a moisturizing and skin‐softening agent. The influence of concentration of the oil on user properties of shower/bath products was studied.

Methods

A series of products (shower/bath cosmetics) composed mainly of mild surfactants (amphoacetates, sulfosuccinates, betaines) and containing different amounts of the oil (0.5 up to 5.0%) were prepared. For the stable products (formulations containing up to 2% of the oil), the influence of the SC‐CO2 strawberry seed oil addition on the products’ stability, foam ability, surface tension, pH and rheological properties was studied. Moreover, the skin compatibility and moisturizing efficiency of the cleansing products were recorded in a group of 15 volunteers (including 10 women and five men, aged 20–30 years), using skin diagnosis system AramoTS, Aram Huvis Co. Additionally, characterization of CO2 extract from strawberry seeds was performed. Measurements of the oil's analytical constants, that is acid value and saponification number, were conducted according to Polish Standard PN‐EN ISO 660:2010 and PN‐EN ISO 3657:2013, respectively.

Results

The oil concentration influences stability of the products. Only the formulations containing 0.5–2% of the extract have shown high stability. Moreover, used in the amount up to 2% the SC‐CO2, strawberry seed oil does not affect significantly the cleansing and foaming properties of the products. The obtained shower/bath cosmetics showed good user properties and additionally good skin‐moisturizing effect.

Conclusion

The supercritical CO2 extract from strawberry seeds, rich source of unsaturated fatty acid, could be successfully used in the formulation of body washing compositions as a moisturizing and skin‐softening agent.
Characterization of tub4P287L, a β‐tubulin mutant, revealed new aspects of microtubule regulation in shade
Authors: Yu Jie , Qiu Hong , Liu Xin , Wang Meiling , Gao Yongli , Chory Joanne , Tao Yi
Published: April 2015

When sun plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, are under canopy shade, elongation of stems/petioles will be induced as one of the most prominent responses. Plant hormones mediate the elongation growth. However, how environmental and hormonal signals are translated into cell expansion activity that leads to the elongation growth remains elusive. Through forward genetic study, we identified shade avoidance2 (sav2) mutant, which contains a P287L mutation in β‐TUBULIN 4. Cortical microtubules (cMTs) play a key role in anisotropic cell growth. Hypocotyls of sav2 are wild type‐like in white light, but are short and highly swollen in shade and dark. We showed that shade not only induces cMT rearrangement, but also affects cMT stability and dynamics of plus ends. Even though auxin and brassinosteroids are required for shade‐induced hypocotyl elongation, they had little effect on shade‐induced rearrangement of cMTs. Blocking auxin transport suppressed dark phenotypes of sav2, while overexpressing EB1b‐GFP, a microtubule plus‐end binding protein, rescued sav2 in both shade and dark, suggesting that tub4P287L represents a unique type of tubulin mutation that does not affect cMT function in supporting cell elongation, but may affect the ability of cMTs to respond properly to growth promoting stimuli.
Convergence or Continuity? The Gender Gap in Household Labor After Retirement
Authors: Leopold Thomas , Skopek Jan
Published: April 2015

This research examined 2 hypotheses about the effect of retirement on couples' division of household labor. The continuity hypothesis posits that the gender gap in household labor remains unaffected by retirement, whereas the convergence hypothesis expects it to close. The authors tested these hypotheses using longitudinal data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel Study (N = 1,302 couples). Fixed effects models revealed that male breadwinners doubled up on total hours of household labor across their transition to retirement. This rise was accompanied by a concurrent, albeit less pronounced, decline in wives' hours. As a result, the gender gap in household labor was cut in half. This convergence involved a moderate trade‐off in female‐typed tasks of routine housework and an increase in husbands' hours spent on male‐typed tasks of repairs and gardening. The study concludes that gendered patterns of time use change substantially after retirement, rendering couples' division of household labor more equitable in later life.
Longitudinal Mediators of Relations Between Family Violence and Adolescent Dating Aggression Perpetration
Authors: Reyes H. Luz McNaughton , Foshee Vangie A. , Fortson Beverly L. , Valle Linda A. , Breiding Matthew J. , Merrick Melissa T.
Published: April 2015

Few longitudinal studies have examined the pathways through which family violence leads to dating aggression. In the current study the authors used 3 waves of data obtained from 8th‐ and 9th‐grade adolescents (N = 1,965) to examine the hypotheses that the prospective relationship between witnessing family violence and directly experiencing violence and physical dating aggression perpetration is mediated by 3 constructs: (a) normative beliefs about dating aggression (norms), (b) anger dysregulation, and (c) depression. Results from cross‐lagged regression models suggest that the relationship between having been hit by an adult and dating aggression is mediated by changes in norms and anger dysregulation, but not depression. No evidence of indirect effects from witnessing family violence to dating aggression was found through any of the proposed mediators. Taken together, the findings suggest that anger dysregulation and normative beliefs are potential targets for dating abuse prevention efforts aimed at youth who have directly experienced violence.
Role of Languages in Consumers' Food Description: Contrasting Malagasy and French Descriptors of Moringa oleifera Leaf Powder
Authors: Ramaroson Rakotosamimanana Vonimihaingo , Arvisenet Gaëlle , Valentin Dominique
Published: April 2015

Language might have an effect on the quality of sensory profiles on food description. In cross‐cultural studies, it was observed that the effect of language and cultures cannot be easily separated. This work aimed to separate these two effects by working with bilingual consumers speaking Malagasy and French languages. Five samples of dried Moringa oleifera leaf powder were described by flash profiles by four different consumer panels. Two panels performed flash profiles using French language and the two others used Malagasy language. The duplication of profiles in each language aimed to determine the importance of differences between panels using the same language and panels using different languages. There was no effect of language on the global quantity of words and the general repartition of words between sensory categories was similar. A higher number of meta‐descriptors were generated in French for the odor/aroma descriptors category. Malagasy language gave more numerous specific meta‐descriptors than the French one for visual category, while it was the contrary for odor/aroma and taste categories. French terminology was more precise thanks to the use of qualifiers associated to the descriptors to specify their meaning. No effect of language was observed on the positioning of the powders.

Practical Applications

This study offers new insight into the effect of languages on the description of food by consumers. When performing sensory analysis in bilingual countries, the choice of the language does not seem to influence the resulting analysis of products. For sensory analyses performed with people having different culture and language, our results suggest that the effects of culture would predominate over the effects of language to explain the differences that are frequently observed.
Adaptation of Trypanosoma rhodesiense to hypohaptoglobinaemic serum requires transcription of the APOL1 resistance gene in a RNA polymerase I locus
Authors: Lecordier Laurence , Uzureau Pierrick , Tebabi Patricia , Brauner Jonathan , Benghiat Fleur Samantha , Vanhollebeke Benoit , Pays Etienne
Published: April 2015

Human apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) kills African trypanosomes except Trypanosoma rhodesiense and Trypanosoma gambiense, the parasites causing sleeping sickness. APOL1 uptake into trypanosomes is favoured by its association with the haptoglobin‐related protein–haemoglobin complex, which binds to the parasite surface receptor for haptoglobin–haemoglobin. As haptoglobin–haemoglobin can saturate the receptor, APOL1 uptake is increased in haptoglobin‐poor (hypohaptoglobinaemic) serum (HyHS). While T. rhodesiense resists APOL1 by RNA polymerase I (pol‐I)‐mediated expression of the serum resistance‐associated (SRA) protein, T. gambiense resists by pol‐II‐mediated expression of the T. gambiense‐specific glycoprotein (TgsGP). Moreover, in T. gambiense resistance to HyHS is linked to haptoglobin–haemoglobin receptor inactivation by mutation. We report that unlike T. gambiense, T. rhodesiense possesses a functional haptoglobin–haemoglobin receptor, and that like T. gambiense experimentally provided with active receptor, this parasite is killed in HyHS because of receptor‐mediated APOL1 uptake. However, T. rhodesiense could adapt to low haptoglobin by increasing transcription of SRA. When assayed in Trypanosoma brucei, resistance to HyHS occurred with pol‐I‐, but not with pol‐II‐mediated SRA expression. Similarly, T. gambiense provided with active receptor acquired resistance to HyHS only when TgsGP was moved to a pol‐I locus. Thus, transcription by pol‐I favours adaptive gene regulation, explaining the presence of SRA in a pol‐I locus.
Distinct functions of serial metal‐binding domains in the Escherichia coli P1B‐ATPase CopA
Authors: Drees Steffen L. , Beyer Dominik F. , Lenders‐Lomscher Christina , Lübben Mathias
Published: April 2015

P1B‐ATPases are among the most common resistance factors to metal‐induced stress. Belonging to the superfamily of P‐type ATPases, they are capable of exporting transition metal ions at the expense of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. P1B‐ATPases share a conserved structure of three cytoplasmic domains linked by a transmembrane domain. In addition, they possess a unique class of domains located at the N‐terminus. In bacteria, these domains are primarily associated with metal binding and either occur individually or as serial copies of each other. Within this study, the roles of the two adjacent metal‐binding domains (MBDs) of CopA, the copper export ATPase of Escherichia coli were investigated. From biochemical and physiological data, we deciphered the protein‐internal pathway of copper and demonstrate the distal N‐terminal MBD to possess a function analogous to the metallochaperones of related prokaryotic copper resistance systems, that is its involvement in the copper transfer to the membrane‐integral ion‐binding sites of CopA. In contrast, the proximal domain MBD2 has a regulatory role by suppressing the catalytic activity of CopA in absence of copper. Furthermore, we propose a general functional divergence of tandem MBDs in P1B‐ATPases, which is governed by the length of the inter‐domain linker.
THE IMPACT OF OPEN DATA IN THE UK: COMPLEX, UNPREDICTABLE, AND POLITICAL
Authors: WORTHY BEN
Published: April 2015

This article examines the democratic impact of the UK coalition government's Transparency Agenda, focusing on the publication of all local government spending over £500 by councils in England. It looks at whether the new data have driven increased democratic accountability, public participation, and information transmission. The evidence suggests that the local government spending data have driven some accountability. However, rather than forging new ‘performance regimes’, creating ‘armchair auditors’, or bringing mass use and involvement, the publication creates a further element of political disruption. Assessment of the use and impact of the new spending data finds it is more complex, more unpredictable, and more political than the rhetoric around Open Data indicates. The danger is that the gap between aims and impact invites disappointment from supporters.
Per Capita Income and the Mystery of Missing Trade
Authors: Cassing James , Nishioka Shuichiro
Published: April 2015

The literature on the Heckscher–Ohlin–Vanek (HOV) model has concentrated on the production side, particularly the unrealistic assumptions of identical techniques and factor price equalization. However, less is known about the demand side. In this paper, we compare the supply side assumptions versus the demand side assumptions as a cause of the empirical failures in the HOV prediction. While the relaxation in the supply side assumptions is crucial to predict the direction of factor trade, the demand side assumptions are shown to play an important role in explaining why factor trade is “missing” in relation to the HOV prediction. For example of the slope test for labor, the supply side repair improves from 0.026 to 0.162, whereas the demand side repair improves significantly from 0.162 to 0.891.
HLA‐B*15:327, a novel variant of HLA‐B*15, discovered in a Taiwanese unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang K. L. , Lee S. K. , Hung J. H. , Lin P. Y.
Published: April 2015

One nucleotide substitution at residue 86 of HLA‐B*15:27:01 results in a new allele, HLA‐B*15:327.
On the Observability and the Observer Design of Differential Pneumatic Pistons
Authors: Arteaga-Pérez Marco A. , Gutiérrez-Giles Alejandro , Weist Jens
Published: April 2015

In this paper, an observability analysis for differential pneumatic pistons is presented, together with the design and implementation of linear observers of the Luenberger type. To avoid as much as possible the knowledge of the system model parameters, the generalized proportional integral (GPI) approach is employed for the estimation of unmeasured variables. Experimental results show the good performance of the proposed scheme.
The Script Concordance Test for clinical reasoning in paediatric medicine: Medical student performance and expert panel reliability
Authors: Morris Anne , Campbell Dianne E
Published: April 2015

Background: This study aimed to determine the correlation between student performance in clinical reasoning on the Script Concordance Test (SCT) and a modified essay question (MEQ) exam in a paediatric teaching block and to measure the intra-rater reliability of the expert scoring panel.Method:A 65-item assessment was developed using the accepted SCT method and scored against the responses of a panel of 10 general and subspecialty paediatricians. Student scores for the summative modified essay question examination at the end of the child and adolescent health block were compared with the score on the SCT. Intra-expert reliability was measured for the 10 paediatricians on the expert panel.Results:One hundred and two students completed both the SCT and the MEQ examination, with the correlation coefficient indicating moderate correlation (r = 0.46). The weighted Cohen kappa for the paediatricians on the panel ranged from 0.61–0.86, demonstrating good to excellent intra-rater agreement.Conclusion: We found that the MEQ is not a reliable means of measuring clinical reasoning of medical students, with only moderate correlation with the SCT, and that alternative methods such as SCT should be considered. Our finding of high reliability for paediatricians on the scoring panel is the first published using this methodology. It suggests that for lower stakes examinations, there is no need to re-test examiners. We do, however, propose that this simple method of assessing intra-rater reliability should be considered for high-stakes medical student examinations.
Abdomen and chest examinations in peer physical examination: Variation in participation by gender
Authors: Reid Katharine , Sutherland Ruth , Dodds Agnes , McNair Ruth , Pierce David
Published: April 2015

Aims: To compare participation in peer physical examination (PPE) for male and female students when learning abdomen and chest examinations; to compare attitudes towards PPE for male and female students; and to determine if self-reported participation as examinees in PPE was related to attitudes towards PPE.Background:The opportunity to learn physical examination skills through practising with peers in formal tutorials is an important part of many medical curricula.Method:Students voluntarily completed a self-report questionnaire at the end of their third semester of medical training in which they rated their attitudes towards PPE and indicated how often they had been examined while practising abdomen and chest examinations.Results:Students volunteered to be examined less frequently in PPE when learning chest examination compared with abdominal examination; female students volunteered less frequently than male students for chest examinations but volunteered with similar frequency for abdomen examinations. Attitudes towards PPE were not related to student gender, but students who never volunteered for abdomen examinations tended to have higher average ratings for the perceived difficulty of PPE and lower ratings for the perceived value of PPE. Most students supplemented PPE with informal practice, although a majority practised exclusively with male volunteers.Conclusions:There is clear variation in participation rates for learning examinations for PPE of the abdomen and chest, but this variation is only partly explained by student gender and attitudes.
Interprofessional preceptor and preceptee educational programing: An interdisciplinary needs assessment
Authors: Kinsella Elizabeth Anne , Bossers Anne , Jenkins Karen , Hobson Sandra , MacPhail Ann , Schurr Susan , Moosa Taslim , Ferguson Karen
Published: April 2015

This paper presents the results of a needs assessment undertaken by an interdisciplinary team concerned with developing an interprofessional preceptor and preceptee education program for health professionals and students. The study draws on a pragmatic philosophical perspective, to undertake what Robson (1993) referred to as “real world research”, with the aim of applying the results for practical purposes. The objective of the needs assessment was to identify which content areas were considered to be of greatest educational value to an interdisciplinary range of health professional preceptors and students. In addition, the needs assessment sought to ascertain whether preceptors and students would find such an education resource useful, and if they would use a web-based electronic resource, and to identify preferred formats of potential educational modules. The needs assessment involved three phases: a literature review, an environmental scan of available preceptor/preceptee education programs and the design and implementation of a preceptor/preceptee survey. The results of the study point to content areas in education and design that hold relevance for both preceptors and preceptees. The findings hold significance for others concerned with preceptor and student preparation, and informed the development of an open access, online interprofessional educational program (Bossers et al., 2007).