bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review article: pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Kumar S. , Singh J. , Rattan S. , DiMarino A. J. , Cohen S. , Jimenez S. A.
Published: February 2017

Background

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement is a common cause of debilitating symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). There are no disease modifying therapies for this condition and the treatment remains symptomatic, largely owing to the lack of a clear understanding of its pathogenesis.

Aims

To investigate novel aspects of the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal involvement in SSc. To summarise existing knowledge regarding the cardinal clinical gastrointestinal manifestations of SSc and its pathogenesis, emphasising recent investigations that may be valuable in identifying potentially novel therapeutic targets.

Methods

Electronic (PubMed/Medline) and manual Google search.

Results

The GIT is the most common internal organ involved in SSc. Any part of the GIT from the mouth to the anus can be affected. There is substantial variability in clinical manifestations and disease course and symptoms are nonspecific and overlapping for a particular anatomical site. Gastrointestinal involvement can occur in the absence of cutaneous disease. Up to 8% of SSc patients develop severe GIT symptoms. This subset of patients display increased mortality with only 15% survival at 9 years. Dysmotiity of the GIT causes the majority of symptoms. Recent investigations have identified a novel mechanism in the pathogenesis of GIT dysmotility mediated by functional anti‐muscarinic receptor autoantibodies.

Conclusions

Despite extensive investigation, the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis remains elusive. Although treatment currently remains symptomatic, an improved understanding of novel pathogenic mechanisms may allow the development of potentially highly effective approaches including intravenous immunoglobulin and microRNA based therapeutic interventions.
Feed degradability, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites in response to essential oil addition to fistulated non‐lactating dairy cow diets
Authors: Suksombat Wisitiporn , Nanon Atitthan , Meeprom Chayapol , Lounglawan Pipat
Published: February 2017

The effects of essential oils (EOs) on ruminal nutrient disappearance, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites in fistulated non‐lactating dairy cows were studied. Four fistulated non‐lactaing dairy cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design; the experiment consisted of four periods of 21 days in each period, with the first 14 days for adaptation followed by 7 days of measurement period. Animals were fed 3 kg/day of 21% crude protein (CP) concentrate and ad libitum corn silage. Treatments were: (i) control; (ii) 2 mL Allicin/cow/day; (iii) 2 mL zingiberene/cow/day; and (iv) 2 mL citral/cow/day. The results demonstrated that EOs increased dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradabilities at 48 and 72 h, but had no effect on acid detergent fiber and CP degradabilities. EOs did not change ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen, protozoa, volatile fatty acid concentrations and blood glucose but reduced blood urea nitrogen at 4 h.
Clarithromycin, trimethoprim, and penicillin and oxidative nucleic acid modifications in humans: randomised, controlled trials
Authors: Larsen Emil List , Cejvanovic Vanja , Kjær Laura Kofoed , Pedersen Morten Thorup , Popik Sara Daugaard , Hansen Lina Kallehave , Andersen Jon Trærup , Jimenez‐Solem Espen , Broedbaek Kasper , Petersen Morten , Weimann Allan , Henriksen Trine , Lykkesfeldt Jens , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Poulsen Henrik Enghusen
Published: February 2017

Aims

In vitro studies have demonstrated that formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to the effect of bactericidal antibiotics. The formation of ROS is not restricted to bacteria, but also occurs in mammalian cells. Oxidative stress is linked to several diseases. This study investigates whether antibiotic drugs induce oxidative stress in healthy humans as a possible mechanism for adverse reactions to the antibiotic drugs.

Methods

This study contains information from two randomised, controlled trials. Participants underwent 1 week treatment with clarithromycin, trimethoprim, phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V), or placebo. Oxidative modifications were measured as 24‐h urinary excretion of 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐oxodG) and 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanosine (8‐oxoGuo), and plasma levels of malondialdehyde before and after treatment as a measurement of DNA oxidation, RNA oxidation, and lipid peroxidation, respectively.

Results

Clarithromycin significantly increased urinary excretion of 8‐oxodG by 22.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.6–40.4%) and 8‐oxoGuo by 14.9% (95% CI: 3.7–26.1%). Further, we demonstrated that trimethoprim significantly lowered urinary excretion of 8‐oxodG by 21.7% (95% CI: 5.8–37.6%), but did not influence urinary excretion of 8‐oxoGuo. Penicillin V did not influence urinary excretion of 8‐oxodG or 8‐oxoGuo. None of the antibiotic drugs influenced plasma levels of malondialdehyde.

Conclusion

Clarithromycin significantly increases oxidative nucleic acid modifications. Increased oxidative modifications might explain some of clarithromycin's known adverse reactions. Trimethoprim significantly lowers DNA oxidation but not RNA oxidation. Penicillin V had no effect on oxidative nucleic acid modifications.
Hand–Eye Coordination Predicts Joint Attention
Authors: Yu Chen , Smith Linda B.
Published: February 2017

The present article shows that infant and dyad differences in hand–eye coordination predict dyad differences in joint attention (JA). In the study reported here, 51 toddlers ranging in age from 11 to 24 months and their parents wore head‐mounted eye trackers as they played with objects together. We found that physically active toddlers aligned their looking behavior with their parent and achieved a substantial proportion of time spent jointly attending to the same object. However, JA did not arise through gaze following but rather through the coordination of gaze with manual actions on objects as both infants and parents attended to their partner's object manipulations. Moreover, dyad differences in JA were associated with dyad differences in hand following.
Professional interpersonal dynamics and burnout in European transplant surgeons
Authors: Jesse Michelle T. , Abouljoud Marwan , Eshelman Anne , De Reyck Chantal , Lerut Jan
Published: February 2017

Background

Burnout within the health professions has become an increasingly important topic. Evidence suggests there are differences in burnout across different countries. Research has yet to examine burnout in transplant surgeons throughout Europe.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of transplant surgeons across Europe. Survey included sociodemographics, professional characteristics, frequency and discomfort with difficult patient interactions (PI), decisional autonomy, psychological job demands (PJD), support (coworker, supervisor, and hospital administration), and burnout including emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA).

Results

One hundred and eight transplant surgeons provided data; 33 (30.6%) reported high EE, 19 (17.6%) reported high DP, and 29 (26.9%) reported low PA. Three hierarchical multiple linear regressions examined the burnout subscales as outcomes (EE, DP, and PA), and predictors selected based upon theoretical relationships with the outcomes. Greater PJD, greater discomfort in managing difficult PI, and lower levels of perceived supervisor support (SS) predicted greater EE. Only decisional autonomy significantly predicted DP, accounting for a small proportion of the variance. None of the steps for PA were significant.

Conclusions

Given prior research on burnout, there were several surprising findings from this study. For example, the relatively low levels of EE compared to U.S. physicians and surgeons. At this time, we can only hypothesize why this finding occurred but there are multiple possible explanations including cultural effects, response bias, or other factors unknown at this time. Research is needed to attempt to clarify these findings.
Impaired intestinal cholecystokinin secretion, a fascinating but overlooked link between coeliac disease and cholesterol gallstone disease
Authors: Wang Helen H. , Liu Min , Li Xiaodan , Portincasa Piero , Wang David Q.‐H.
Published: February 2017

Background

Coeliac disease is a chronic, small intestinal, immune‐mediated enteropathy caused by a permanent intolerance to dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. Clinical studies have found that intestinal cholecystokinin secretion and gallbladder emptying in response to a fatty meal are impaired before coeliac patients start the gluten‐free diet (GFD).

Design

However, it was never really appreciated whether coeliac disease is associated with gallstones because there were very few studies investigating the mechanism underlying the impact of coeliac disease on the pathogenesis of gallstones.

Results

We summarize recent progress on the relationship between coeliac disease and gallstones and propose that coeliac disease is an important risk factor for gallstone formation because defective intestinal cholecystokinin secretion markedly increases susceptibility to cholesterol gallstones via a mechanism involving dysmotility of both the gallbladder and the small intestine. Because GFD can significantly improve the coeliac enteropathy, early diagnosis and therapy in coeliac patients is crucial for preventing the long‐term impact of cholecystokinin deficiency on the biliary and intestinal consequences. When gluten is reintroduced, clinical and histologic relapse often occurs in coeliac patients. Moreover, some of the coeliac patients do not respond well to GFD.

Conclusions

It is imperative to routinely examine by ultrasonography whether gallbladder motility function is preserved in coeliac patients and monitor whether biliary sludge (a precursor of gallstones) appears in the gallbladder, regardless of whether they are under the GFD programme. To prevent gallstones in coeliac patients, it is urgently needed to investigate the prevalence and pathogenesis of gallstones in these patients.
Pattern of oral‐maxillofacial trauma from violence against women and its associated factors
Authors: da Nóbrega Lorena Marques , Bernardino Ítalo de Macedo , Barbosa Kevan Guilherme Nóbrega , e Silva Jéssica Antoniana Lira , Massoni Andreza Cristina de Lima Targino , d'Avila Sérgio
Published: February 2017

Background/Aim

Violence against women is a global public health problem. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of women victims of violence and identify factors associated with maxillofacial injuries.

Material and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed based on an evaluation of 884 medico‐legal and social records of women victims of physical aggression treated at the Center of Forensic Medicine and Dentistry in Brazil. The variables investigated were related to the sociodemographic characteristics of victims, circumstances of aggressions, and patterns of trauma. Descriptive and multivariate statistics using decision tree analysis by the Chi‐squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) algorithm, as well as univariate and multivariate Poisson regression analyses were performed.

Results

The occurrence of maxillofacial trauma was 46.4%. The mean age of victims was 29.38 (SD=12.55 years). Based on decision tree, the profile of violence against women can be explained by the aggressor's gender (P<.001) and sociodemographic characteristics of victims, such as marital status (P=.001), place of residence (P=.019), and educational level (P=.014). Based on the final Poisson regression model, women living in suburban areas were more likely to suffer maxillofacial trauma (PR=1.752;CI95%=1.153‐2.662;P=.009) compared to those living in rural areas. Moreover, aggression using a weapon resulted in a lower occurrence of maxillofacial trauma (PR=0.476;CI95%=0.284‐0.799;P=.005) compared to cases of aggression using physical force.

Conclusions

The prevalence of oral‐maxillofacial trauma was high, and the main associated factors were place of residence and mechanism of aggression.
Adult motor phenotype differentiates Dravet syndrome from Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome and links SCN1A to early onset parkinsonian features
Authors: Aljaafari Danah , Fasano Alfonso , Nascimento Fábio A. , Lang Anthony E. , Andrade Danielle M.
Published: February 2017

Distinguishing adult patients with Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome from those with Dravet syndrome is challenging. We have previously reported that patients with Dravet syndrome present a very peculiar motor phenotype. Here we sought to confirm that this association was not linked to the chronic use of antiepileptic drugs or the many lifetime seizures. To this aim, we studied 14 adult patients with Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome and 14 adults with Dravet syndrome because both conditions share similar seizure severity. We found that antecollis and parkinsonian gait were significantly more common in the Dravet group, thus suggesting that these features are part of the Dravet syndrome adult phenotype.
Impact of compressive hold on out‐of‐phase thermomechanical fatigue crack growth in IN 718
Authors: Radzicki A. T. , Johnson W. S. , Neu R. W. , Annigeri B. S. , Ziegler B. M.
Published: February 2017

Accurate characterization and understanding of the fatigue crack growth behaviour of components in jet turbine engines is critical for successfully using a damage tolerant design method to maximise safety and efficiency. The hot section components experience changing loads and temperatures, and hence, fatigue crack growth rates are typically studied under thermomechanical loading. One question that remains unclear is the role of the compressive holds that are often part of an aircraft loading‐temperature spectrum. This experimental study was undertaken to investigate a turbine disk alloy, Inconel 718, subjected to different cycling and temperature profiles considering different lengths of hot compressive holds to determine its effect on the fatigue crack growth rate. It was found that the addition of a compressive hold at temperatures from 650 to 725 °C has no significant impact on the fatigue crack growth rate when compared with a cycle without a compressive hold. Fractographic analysis shows that crack growth is primarily transgranular in all cases studied suggesting that grain boundary oxidation, often observed during hot tensile holds, is insignificant.
Self‐healing materials: what can nature teach us?
Authors: Dooley C. , Taylor D.
Published: February 2017

Natural materials such as bone and insect cuticle are capable of self‐repair, a facility that greatly increases their durability and safe working stress. Some engineering materials have also been designed to be self‐healing, although currently they cannot match the performance of natural materials as regards the efficiency and longevity of the healing process. In this paper, we review the state of the art regarding these two types of materials. We discuss the role of fracture mechanics in the development of theoretical models of self‐healing; we identify certain crucial parameters that make natural materials successful and discuss how these lessons can be applied to improve the performance of self‐healing materials for engineering applications.
Multiple Comedonal Papule of the Nose
Authors: Ter Poorten Hein J. , Anderton Robert L.
Published: February 2017

Two unique patients are described with a smooth papule on the nose containing comedones and being preceded by trauma.
Clinical Pharmacology of Systemic Chemotherapeutic Agents in Skin Neoplasms
Authors: Hall Stephen W. , Loo Ti Li
Published: February 2017

Considerable progress recently has been made in the systemic chemotherapy of disseminated skin neoplasms. Several agents are particularly useful in this regard: the nitrosoureas, methotrexate, actinomycin D, and dacarbazine. This paper reviews their pharmacologic disposition in man. The nitrosoureas have short plasma half‐lives; however, they are extensively degraded to metabolites that persist in the body, and are only slowly excreted. Highly soluble in lipids, the nitrosoureas penetrate significantly into the central nervous system. Actinomycin D is only minimally metabolized in vivo; its elimination from the plasma shows a prolonged slow phase with a half‐life of 36 hours; but its excretion is even slower than expected, about 30% in a week. A potent inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase, methotrexate exhibits a multiphasic plasma disappearance, and accumulates in tissues with high dihydrofolate reductase activities. At the normal therapeutic dosages, methotrexate is eliminated by the kidneys as the unchanged drug; appropriate dosage modifications are mandatory if renal function is compromised. Dacarbazine has a relatively short plasma half‐life, and is rapidly excreted partly as the unchanged drug; it undergoes extensive biotransformation in the body. Like other antitumor agents, these drugs may cause gastrointestinal toxicities and myelosuppression; in addition, each drug can have its own individual organ toxicity.
Erythema Chronicum Migrans in Three Soldiers
Authors: Goette Detlef K. , Odom Richard B.
Published: February 2017

Three cases of erythema chronicum migrans in soldiers who had returned from active duty in Central Europe were seen within a ten‐week period in San Francisco. Typically, the lesions cleared in less than five days with penicillin in two cases and erythromycin in another.
Ultrastructural Study of Vitiligo
Authors: Galadari Ebrahim , Mehregan Amir H. , Hashimoto Ken
Published: February 2017

Background. Vitiligo is a relatively common skin disease characterised by development of patchy depigmented macules. A comparative ultrastructural study was undertaken between early developing (2–6 months duration) and long standing (1–5 years duration) lesions of vitiligo in a series of ten patients.

Methods. Skin biopsy specimens from the ten patients were fixed, stained, and examined under an electron microscope.

Results. No melanocytes were found in the sections taken from long standing lesions. The sections from early lesions showed junctional melanocytes exhibiting various cellular abnormalities. The epidermal keratinocytes were normal in all sections; however, some sections from the periphery of early lesions exhibited minor degenerative changes.

Conclusions. We can assume that because of the absence of melanocytes in long standing lesions, repigmentation may occur only from the melanocytic reservoir in the hair follicles. Repigmentation may also occur in lesions of short duration by reactivation of melanocytes present in the area, so an attempt should be made to treat vitiligo lesions in their early stage.
Cournot, Bertrand or Chamberlin: Toward a reconciliation
Authors: Parenti Mathieu , Sidorov Alexander V. , Thisse Jacques‐François , Zhelobodko Evgeny V.
Published: February 2017

This paper compares the market equilibria in a differentiated industry under Cournot, Bertrand, and monopolistic competition. This is accomplished in a one‐sector economy where consumers are endowed with separable preferences. When firms are free to enter the market, monopolistically competitive firms charge lower prices than oligopolistic firms, while the mass of varieties provided by the market is smaller under the former than the latter. If the economy is sufficiently large, Cournot, Bertrand and Chamberlin solutions converge toward the same market outcome, which may be a competitive or a monopolistically competitive equilibrium, depending on the nature of preferences.
Induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived gamete‐associated proteins incite rejection of induced pluripotent stem cells in syngeneic mice
Authors: Kim Eun‐Mi , Manzar Gohar , Zavazava Nicholas
Published: February 2017

The safety of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in autologous recipients has been questioned after iPSCs, but not embryonic stem cells (ESCs), were reported to be rejected in syngeneic mice. This important topic has remained controversial because there has not been a mechanistic explanation for this phenomenon. Here, we hypothesize that iPSCs, but not ESCs, readily differentiate into gamete‐forming cells that express meiotic antigens normally found in immune‐privileged gonads. Because peripheral blood T cells are not tolerized to these antigens in the thymus, gamete‐associated‐proteins (GAPs) sensitize T cells leading to rejection. Here, we provide evidence that GAPs expressed in iPSC teratomas, but not in ESC teratomas, are responsible for the immunological rejection of iPSCs. Furthermore, silencing the expression of Stra8, ‘the master regulator of meiosis’, in iPSCs, using short hairpin RNA led to significant abrogation of the rejection of iPSCs, supporting our central hypothesis that GAPs expressed after initiation of meiosis in iPSCs were responsible for rejection. In contrast to iPSCs, iPSC‐derivatives, such as haematopoietic progenitor cells, are able to engraft long‐term into syngeneic recipients because they no longer express GAPs. Our findings, for the first time, provide a unifying explanation of why iPSCs, but not ESCs, are rejected in syngeneic recipients, ending the current controversy on the safety of iPSCs and their derivatives.
Optimization of logistics services in hospitals
Authors: Rais Abdur , Alvelos Filipe , Figueiredo João , Nobre Ana
Published: February 2017

Health‐care costs are increasing rapidly in the developed countries. For many years, logistics has been identified as one of the major cost factors. Such escalating cost is a serious concern for most hospitals as providers of affordable health care but many time‐sensitive logistics services are essential and indispensable. In this paper, we discuss various logistics issues that are cost concerns for most hospitals and address a particular hospital‐internal courier service logistics as an example. Applying optimization‐based approaches on real‐world data from a particular hospital in Portugal, we demonstrate how efficiency and effectiveness can be improved. Computational results show that solution approach based on optimization and process re‐engineering can not only improve the performance measure by more than 50% but also reduce resources necessary to maintain the same level of service as before by 16.67%. We have developed and implemented a fully functional decision‐support system that is now used daily at the Hospital of Braga in Portugal for not only handling the courier service function more efficiently but also for increased flexibility to manage urgent and high‐priority service needs that could not be handled before.
Habitat suitability and the constraints of migration in New World warblers
Authors: Toews David P. L.
Published: February 2017

Identifying the factors that influence geographic range limits can illustrate the various ecological, physiological, and evolutionary constraints imposed on a species. The range limits of migratory birds are particularly challenging to study as they occur in disjunct regions at different times of the year, which can impose different constraints. Travel between breeding and wintering regions poses a significant energetic and navigational challenge to birds, although it is not clear how these movements influence breeding dispersal and range expansion. Here I ask whether the possible costs of migration limit the breeding ranges of wood warblers, a group of birds with an extensive history of ecological and evolutionary studies. I used occurrence records for multiple wood warbler species, breeding primarily in the boreal forest of North America, to generate environmental niche models. I tested for over‐prediction of habitat suitability into the western boreal forest, where most these species do not have occurrence records but where there is presumably suitable habitat. I found that some of these vagile taxa, primarily found east of the Rocky Mountains, also have predicted habitat suitability that extends into the north and west, where they have little to no occurrence records. I discuss several possible explanations for this discordance. In particular, the patterns are consistent with the costs of a long‐distance migration limiting the benefits of range expansion, as migration may become too onerous as the distance between breeding and wintering areas increases. These results speak to the process of niche filling more generally and call attention to an under‐appreciated explanation for why migratory species may not fully occupy their fundamental niche.
Short distance migrants travel as far as long distance migrants in lesser black‐backed gulls Larus fuscus
Authors: Shamoun‐Baranes Judy , Burant Joseph B. , van Loon E. Emiel , Bouten Willem , Camphuysen C. J.
Published: February 2017

Migration strategies differ greatly among and within avian populations. The associated trade‐offs and fitness consequences of diverse strategies and how they persist are pertinent questions in migration research. Migration is a costly endeavour, presumably compensated for by better survival conditions in the non‐breeding area. One way to assess the cost of alternative strategies is to investigate the investment in movement across the entire annual cycle, an assessment made increasingly feasible with improvements in tracking technology. Our study focuses on lesser black‐backed gulls, generalist seabirds that exploit a broad range of resources, exhibit diverse migration strategies and have potentially altered migration strategies in response to human activities and climate change. We used GPS tracking to quantify lesser black‐backed gulls’ movement throughout their annual cycle and compare trade‐offs among four migration strategies. The annual cumulative distance travelled by long distance migrants wintering in west Africa, over 4000 km from their breeding colony, did not differ significantly from individuals of the same breeding colony wintering only a few hundred kilometres away in Great Britain. Short distance migrants returned to the colony first, and long distance migrants returned last. Sex and wing length were not correlated with maximum range, cumulative distance travelled or timing. Individuals spent only a small proportion of their time in flight and spent on average 17% of their time at sea throughout an annual cycle, suggesting a reliance on inland resources for many individuals. Analysing movement throughout the annual cycle can change our perspective and understanding of consequences of different migration strategies. Our study shows that a range of migration strategies coexists and we propose that the long term costs and benefits of these strategies balance out. Diversity in migration strategies may contribute to the resilience of this species in the face of ongoing anthropogenic impact on the environment.
Geomagnetic information modulates nocturnal migratory restlessness but not fueling in a long distance migratory songbird
Authors: Bulte Marc , Heyers Dominik , Mouritsen Henrik , Bairlein Franz
Published: February 2017

Geomagnetic cues have been shown to influence migratory orientation and migratory fuelling in night‐migratory songbird species. Here, we used captive‐bred northern wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe from the southern Norwegian population to show that other aspects of the birds’ migratory program can be influenced by magnetic cues as well. We observed that the amount of migratory restlessness increased strongly with progression of the migratory season when the birds were kept constantly in the magnetic field of northern Germany, but the amount of migratory restlessness decreased when the magnetic field changed along the birds’ natural flyway are simulated. Thus, the Earth's magnetic field can also act as a ‘signpost’ cue for fine‐tuning the spatio‐temporal course of migration.
Diversity of migration strategies among great frigatebirds populations
Authors: Weimerskirch Henri , Borsa Philippe , Cruz Sebastian , de Grissac Sophie , Gardes Lionel , Lallemand Joëlle , Corre Matthieu Le , Prudor Aurélien
Published: February 2017

Migratory behavior varies extensively between bird taxa, from long distance migration to purely sedentary behavior. Variability in migratory behavior also occurs within taxa, where individuals within some species, or even populations, show mixed strategies. The same variability occurs in seabird species. We examined the migratory behavior of distinct populations of great frigatebirdsFregata minorin three distant oceanographic basins. Great frigatebird populations showed extensive variation in post‐breeding migratory behavior. Birds from Europa Island (Mozambique Channel) made long‐distance migration to numerous distinct roosting sites in the Indian Ocean, New Caledonia birds made shorter distance migrations to roosting sites in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, and Galapagos birds were resident within the archipelago year round. Juvenile birds from Europa Is. and New Caledonia dispersed widely whereas Galapagos juveniles were resident year round. The migratory behavior of Europa Is. and New Caledonia resulted in complete separation of foraging grounds between breeding adults, non‐breeding adults, and juveniles, whereas in the Galapagos the overlap was complete. We suggest that population variability in migratory behavior may have arisen because of different environmental conditions at sea, and also depends on the availability of suitable roosting sites on oceanic islands. The results also highlight the capacity of frigatebirds to remain airborne most of the time even outside the breeding season when they have to molt.
Programmed and flexible: long‐term Zugunruhe data highlight the many axes of variation in avian migratory behaviour
Authors: Van Doren Benjamin M. , Liedvogel Miriam , Helm Barbara
Published: February 2017

Studies of Zugunruhe – the ‘migratory restlessness’ behaviour of captive birds – have been integral to our understanding of animal migration, revealing an inherited propensity to migrate and an endogenous timing and navigation system. However, differences between Zugunruhe in captivity and migration in the wild call for more data, in particular on variation within and among taxa with diverse migration strategies. Here, we characterise Zugunruhe in a long‐term dataset of activity profiles from stonechats (genus Saxicola) with diverse migratory phenotypes (976 migration periods from 414 birds), using a flexible and consistent quantitative approach based on changepoint analysis. For east African, Austrian, Irish, and Siberian stonechats and hybrids, we report key inter‐population differences in the occurrence, timing, and intensity of Zugunruhe. In line with expectations, we found the highest Zugunruhe intensity in the longest‐distance migrants, more variable patterns in short‐distance migrants, and intermediate characteristics of hybrids relative to their parental groups. Inter‐population differences imply high evolutionary lability of Zugunruhe timing within a robustly structured annual cycle. However, counter to theory, Irish partial migrants showed no segregation between migrant and resident individuals, and previously reported nocturnal restlessness was confirmed for resident African stonechats. Further features of nocturnal restlessness that did not align with migratory behaviour of stonechats were juvenile nocturnal restlessness even prior to postjuvenile moult, and protandry in spring, although stonechats winter in heterosexual pairs. Importantly, Zugunruhe of all populations declined with age, and the intensity of an individual bird's Zugunruhe was correlated with activity levels during other parts of the annual cycle. Our results confirm endogenous, population‐specific migration programmes but also reveal apparent discrepancies between Zugunruhe and migration in the wild. We thus highlight both the continued potential of Zugunruhe study and the need for circumspect interpretation when using migratory restlessness to make inferences about migration in the wild.
Migration of red‐backed shrikes from the Iberian Peninsula: optimal or sub‐optimal detour?
Authors: Tøttrup Anders P. , Pedersen Lykke , Onrubia Alejandro , Klaassen Raymond H. G. , Thorup Kasper
Published: February 2017

The current Northern Hemisphere migration systems are believed to have arisen since the last glaciation. In many cases, birds do not migrate strait from breeding to non‐breeding areas but fly via a detour. All western European populations of red‐backed shrikes Lanius collurio are assumed to reach their southern African wintering grounds detouring via southeast Europe. Based on theoretical considerations under an optimality framework this detour is apparently optimal. Here, we use individual geolocator data on red‐backed shrikes breeding in Spain to show that these birds do indeed detour via southeast Europe en route to southern Africa where they join other European populations of red‐backed shrikes and return via a similar route in spring. Disregarding potential wind assistance, the routes taken for the tracked birds in autumn were not optimal compared to crossing the barrier directly. For spring migration the situation was quite different with the detour apparently being optimal. However, when considering potential wind assistance estimated total air distances during autumn migration were overall similar and the barrier crossing shorter along the observed routes. We conclude that considering the potential benefit of wind assistance makes the route via southeast Europe likely to be less risky in autumn. However, it cannot be ruled out that other factors, such as following a historical colonisation route could still be important.
Wind tunnel as a tool in bird migration research
Authors: Hedenström Anders , Lindström Åke
Published: February 2017

Wind tunnels, in which birds fly against an artificially generated air flow, have since long been used to evaluate aerodynamic properties of steady bird flight. A new generation of wind tunnels has also allowed the many processes associated with migratory flights to be studied in captivity. We review how wind tunnel studies of aerodynamics and migratory performance together have helped advancing our understanding of bird migration. Current migration theory is based on the power‐speed relationship of flight as well as flight range equations, both of which can be evaluated using birds flying in wind tunnels. In addition, and depending on wind tunnel properties, performance during gliding and climbing flight, and effects of air pressure, humidity and turbulence on bird flight has been measured. Long‐distance migrant species have been flown repeatedly for up to 16 h non‐stop, allowing detailed studies of the energy expenditure, fuel composition, protein turnover, water balance, immunocompetence and stress associated with sustained migratory flights. In addition, wind tunnels allow the fuelling periods between migratory flights to be studied from new angles. We end our review by suggesting several important topics for future wind tunnel studies, ranging from on of the key questions remaining, the efficiency at which chemical power in converted to mechanical power, to new useful avenues, such as improving and calibrating the techniques used for tracking of individual birds in the wild.
Two Independent Mapping Techniques Identify Rotational Activity Patterns at Sites of Local Termination During Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: ALHUSSEINI MAHMOOD , VIDMAR DAVID , MECKLER GABRIELA L. , KOWALEWSKI CHRISTOPHER A. , SHENASA FATEMAH , WANG PAUL J. , NARAYAN SANJIV M. , RAPPEL WOUTER‐JAN
Published: February 2017

Comparing Mapping Techniques at AF Termination

Introduction

The mechanisms for atrial fibrillation (AF) are unclear in part because diverse mapping techniques yield diverse maps, ranging from stable organized sources to highly disordered waves. We hypothesized that AF mechanisms may be clarified if mapping techniques were compared in the same patients, and referenced to a clinical endpoint. We compared two independent AF mapping techniques in patients in whom ablation terminated persistent AF before pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods and Results

We identified 12 patients with persistent AF (61.2 ± 10.8 years, four female) in whom mapping with 64 pole baskets and technique 1 (activation/phase mapping, FIRM) identified rotational activation patterns during at least 50% of the 4‐second mapping interval and targeted ablation at these rotational sites terminated AF to sinus rhythm (n = 10) or atrial tachycardia. We analyzed the unipolar electrograms of these patients to determine phase maps of activation by an independent technique 2 (Kuklik, Schotten et al., IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2015). Compared to technique 1, technique 2 revealed a source in 12 of 12 (100%) cases with spatial concordance in all cases (P <0.05) and similar rotational characteristics.

Conclusion

At sites where ablation terminated persistent AF, two independent mapping techniques identified stable rotational activation for multiple cycles that drove peripheral disorder. Future comparative studies referenced to a clinical endpoint may help reconcile if discrepancies between AF mapping studies reports represent techniques, patient populations or models of AF, and improve mapping to better guide ablation.
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Ablation With or Without Contact Force Sensing
Authors: HUSSEIN AYMAN A. , BARAKAT AMR F. , SALIBA WALID I. , TARAKJI KHALDOUN G. , BASSIOUNY MOHAMED , BARANOWSKI BRYAN , TCHOU PATRICK , BHARGAVA MANDEEP , DRESING THOMAS , CALLAHAN THOMAS , CANTILLON DANIEL , KANJ MOHAMED , LINDSAY BRUCE D. , WAZNI OUSSAMA M.
Published: February 2017

Contact Force Sensing for Persistent AF Ablation

Introduction

Arrhythmia recurrences remain common after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF). Contact force (CF)‐sensing catheters have been introduced for objective assessment of contact during radiofrequency application and have been suggested to improve outcomes in ablation of paroxysmal AF, but little is known about their role in PersAF ablation. We aimed to compare the procedural profiles and outcomes of (PersAF) ablation with or without using CF‐sensing catheters.

Methods

All consecutive patients undergoing first time ablation for PersAF between April 2014 and January 2015 at the Cleveland Clinic were included. Substrate modification was performed in addition to isolation of the pulmonary veins. Success rates were determined off antiarrhythmics over 1 year of follow‐up.

Results

The study included 174 patients (77 CF and 97 non‐CF). Ablation with CF‐sensing catheters resulted in shorter procedures (median 204 vs. 216 minutes, P = 0.04) and shorter fluoroscopy time (36 vs. 48 minutes, P = 0.0005), without statistical difference in radiation dose (225 vs. 270 milligrays, P = 0.1). Arrhythmia recurrences were less likely to be observed in the CF‐sensing group (27.6% vs. 46.4%, P = 0.01, log‐rank P = 0.004). In multivariable Cox analyses, the use of CF‐sensing catheters was associated with a lower risk of arrhythmia recurrence (hazard ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.85, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Compared to non‐CF sensing, the use of CF‐sensing catheters for PersAF ablation is associated with shorter procedures, shorter fluoroscopy time, and reduction in arrhythmia recurrences.
Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients With MitraClip Device: Preliminary Findings
Authors: HAEGELI LAURENT M. , D'ANGELO GIUSEPPE , TREVISI NICOLA , STELLA STEFANO , BREITENSTEIN ALEXANDER , DURU FIRAT , BRUNCKHORST CORINNA , DELLA BELLA PAOLO
Published: February 2017

VT Ablation in MitraClip Patients

Introduction

Patients with mitral regurgitation are increasingly treated by percutaneous implantation of a MitraClip device (Abbott Park, IL, USA). We investigate the feasibility and safety of the transmitral catheter route for catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in these patients.

Methods

The mitral valve with the MitraClip in situ was crossed under transesophageal 3‐dimensional echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance using a steerable sheath for ablation of the left ventricle.

Results

Five patients (all males, median age 74.0 ± 16.0 years) who had previously a MitraClip implanted were referred for catheter ablation of VT. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 29.0% ± 24.0%. One patient had both an atrial septal defect and a left atrial appendage occluder device in addition to a MitraClip. The duration between MitraClip implantation and ablation was 1019.0 ± 783.0 days. After transseptal puncture, ablation catheter was successfully steered through the mitral valve with the use of fluoroscopy. A complete high‐density map of the substrate in sinus rhythm could be obtained in all patients using multipolar mapping catheters. In 1 patient, mapping was carried out using a mini‐basket catheter. Procedural endpoints, noninducibility of all VTs, and abolition of all late potentials were achieved in all patients. Procedure time was 255.0 ± 52.5 minute, fluoroscopy time was 23.0 ± 7.3, and the radiation dose was 61.0 ± 37.5 Gycm2. No mitral insufficiency or worsening of regurgitation was documented after the procedure.

Conclusions

This is the first report demonstrating the feasibility and safety of VT ablation in patients with a MitraClip device using the anterograde transmitral catheter route.
Where is the ‘subjective straight ahead’ in Williams syndrome?
Authors: Saj A. , Heiz J. , Barisnikov K.
Published: February 2017

Background

Individuals with Williams Syndrome (WS) are known to have particular difficulties when performing visuo‐spatial tasks, which could be related to their difficulties in using a specific reference system to determine spatial relations.

The aim of the present study was to assess the internal representation of the body's sagittal plane, which is an important benchmark for an egocentric frame of reference.

Method

The results of 18 WS individuals (mean age = 20.5 ± 9.2 years) on the subjective straight ahead (SSA) task were compared with those of two healthy control groups composed of 36 participants matched on chronological age matched on chronological age (CA) and 30 young children matched on non‐verbal intellectual ability (YC).

Results

Individuals with WS showed a significant left deviation on the SSA body's sagittal plane representation compared with the chronological age control group and a marginal left deviation compared with the young children control group. A comparison with the objective SA (0°) showed a significant leftward deviation in the WS group but not in the two control groups.

Conclusions

Individuals with WS showed a significant leftward deviation in the SSA task. This bias of the body's longitudinal axe representation could have a negative impact on the use of an egocentric reference system, which could be the cause for their difficulties in defining spatial relations (e.g. location and orientation) necessary for performing spatial tasks.
Spontaneous telangiectatic osteosarcoma in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Goldschmidt B. , Calado M.I.Z. , Resende F.C. , Caldas R.M. , Pinto L.W. , Lopes C.A.A. , França F.G.O. , Meireles B.S. , Souza I.V.
Published: February 2017

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of bone cancer, especially in young. Telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TO) is a rare variant of OS, and hence, its occurrence, presentation, and prognosis are poorly understood. A 4‐year‐old female rhesus monkey presenting lameness and swelling was examined for a mass on the right humerus. Radiography revealed fracture and disorganized structure of bone tissue. Histopathological examination revealed malignant neoplasm composed of anaplastic osteoblasts, which invaded the bone marrow and surrounded blood‐filled cysts in the epiphysis and diaphysis forming septa. Cytogenetic analysis showed aneuploid cells, supernumerary AgNORs, and a marker fragment. The neoplasm was diagnosed as TO. To our knowledge, the occurrence of TO and its cytogenetic analysis were reported for the first time in non‐human primates.
A staging system for correct phenotype interpretation of mouse embryos harvested on embryonic day 14 (E14.5)
Authors: Geyer Stefan H. , Reissig Lukas , Rose Julia , Wilson Robert , Prin Fabrice , Szumska Dorota , Ramirez‐Solis Ramiro , Tudor Catherine , White Jacqui , Mohun Timothy J. , Weninger Wolfgang J.
Published: February 2017

We present a simple and quick system for accurately scoring the developmental progress of mouse embryos harvested on embryonic day 14 (E14.5). Based solely on the external appearance of the maturing forelimb, we provide a convenient way to distinguish six developmental sub‐stages. Using a variety of objective morphometric data obtained from the commonly used C57BL/6N mouse strain, we show that these stages correlate precisely with the growth of the entire embryo and its organs. Applying the new staging system to phenotype analyses of E14.5 embryos of 58 embryonic lethal null mutant lines from the DMDD research programme (https://dmdd.org.uk) and its pilot, we show that homozygous mutant embryos are frequently delayed in development. To demonstrate the importance of our staging system for correct phenotype interpretation, we describe stage‐specific changes of the palate, heart and gut, and provide examples in which correct diagnosis of malformations relies on correct staging.
p16 and p53 in HPV‐positive versus HPV‐negative oral squamous cell carcinoma: do pathways differ?
Authors: Singh Vineeta , Husain Nuzhat , Akhtar Naseem , Khan Mohammad Yahia , Sonkar Abhinav A. , Kumar Vijay
Published: February 2017

Background

p16 overexpression and wild‐type p53 expression are associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) in cervical and oropharyngeal cancer. Role of HPV‐related carcinogenesis in the etiology of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still vague in Indian population. We aimed to explore the expression pattern of p16 and p53 in HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative OSCC to elicit differences, if any. Further their effect on survival of patients was studied.

Methods

Thirty‐one consecutive HPV‐positive as well as 31 age and sex‐matched HPV‐negative OSCC cases from a case series of 369 histologically diagnosed cases of OSCC were included in this study. HPV was detected by two methods, viz. real‐time PCR and conventional PCR in biopsy samples. p16 and p53 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and p16 mRNA expression was quantified with real‐time PCR using SYBR Green assay.

Results

p16 was expressed in six (19.4%) HPV‐positive and in four (12.9%) HPV‐negative cases. Overall mutant‐type p53 expression in 62 OSCC cases was 54.8%. Out of ten p16‐positive cases, eight expressed mutant‐type p53 and only two cases expressed wild‐type p53. Risk factors including oral tobacco consumption and alcohol were present in all these ten p16‐positive cases. Survival of patients was not affected by HPV, p16 and p53 status.

Conclusion

Presence of mutant‐type p53 and exposure to tobacco‐related risk factors in both HPV‐positive and negative cases suggest existence of p53‐related carcinogenesis in HPV‐positive cases in Indian population.
Early Sexual Initiation and Mental Health: A Fleeting Association or Enduring Change?
Authors: Wesche Rose , Kreager Derek A. , Lefkowitz Eva S. , Siennick Sonja E.
Published: February 2017

The present research examined how the within‐person association between sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms decays over time, using data with annual measurement occasions across adolescence (N = 1,789) and statistical models of within‐person change. Sexual initiation was associated with increased levels of internalizing symptoms for early‐initiating girls (ninth grade, approximately age 15), but not for on‐time‐initiating girls or for boys. The association between girls' early sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms declined precipitously over time. Indeed, 1 year after sexual debut, early‐initiating girls were similar to on‐time or noninitiating girls on internalizing symptoms, suggesting early sexual initiation does not produce lasting detriments to girls' mental health. Findings inform how researchers perceive sexual initiation, both as a developmental milestone and as a prevention target.