bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher IGFBP3 is associated with increased incidence of colorectal cancer in older men independently of IGF1
Authors: Chan Yi X. , Alfonso Helman , Paul Chubb Stephen Anthony , Ho Ken K. Y. , Gerard Fegan Peter , Hankey Graeme J. , Golledge Jonathan , Flicker Leon , Yeap Bu B.
Published: October 2017

Objective

Insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) has anabolic and growth‐promoting effects, raising concerns regarding its potential to promote tumour growth. Circulating IGF1 is bound to binding proteins, which modulate bioavailability of IGF1. This study assessed the associations of IGF1 and its binding proteins 1 (IGFBP1) and 3 (IGFBP3) with cancer risk.

Design

A prospective cohort study of 4042 men aged ≥70 years.

Methods

Plasma total IGF1, IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 were measured between 2001 and 2004. Cancer‐related outcomes were assessed until 20 June 2013 using data linkage. Analyses were performed using proportional hazards models with death as a competing risk, and adjustments were made for potential confounders. Results are expressed as subhazard ratios (SHR).

Results

There were 907 men who were diagnosed with cancer during a median of 9‐year follow‐up. Of these, there were 359, 139 and 125 prostate, colorectal and lung cancers, respectively. After adjustments, total IGF1 was not associated with the incidence of any cancer, prostate, lung or colorectal cancer. In the fully‑adjusted model, higher IGFBP3 was associated with increased incidence of colorectal cancer (SHR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.01‐1.43; P = .041 for every 1 standard deviation increase in IGFBP3) but not other cancers. This effect was not attenuated by inclusion of total IGF1 into the multivariate model (SHR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.03‐1.58; P = .025). Neither total IGF1, IGFBP1 nor IGFBP3 were associated with cancer‐related deaths.

Conclusion

Higher IGFBP3 predicted increased incidence of colorectal cancer in older men independent of conventional risk factors and total IGF1. Further studies are warranted to explore potential underlying mechanisms.
Molecular analysis and genotype‐phenotype correlation of Diamond‐Blackfan anemia
Authors: Arbiv O.A. , Cuvelier G. , Klaassen R.J. , Fernandez C.V. , Robitaille N. , Steele M. , Breakey V. , Abish S. , Wu J. , Sinha R. , Silva M. , Goodyear L. , Jardine L. , Lipton J.H. , Corriveau‐Bourque C. , Brossard J. , Michon B. , Ghemlas I. , Waespe N. , Zlateska B. , Sung L. , Cada M. , Dror Y.
Published: October 2017

Diamond‐Blackfan anemia (DBA) features hypoplastic anemia and congenital malformations, largely caused by mutations in various ribosomal proteins. The aim of this study was to characterize the spectrum of genetic lesions causing DBA and identify genotypes that correlate with phenotypes of clinical significance. Seventy‐four patients with DBA from across Canada were included. Nucleotide‐level mutations or large deletions were identified in 10 ribosomal genes in 45 cases. The RPS19 mutation group was associated with higher requirement for chronic treatment for anemia than other DBA groups. Patients with RPS19 mutations, however, were more likely to maintain long‐term corticosteroid response without requirement for further chronic transfusions. Conversely, patients with RPL11 mutations were less likely to need chronic treatment. Birth defects, including cardiac, skeletal, hand, cleft lip or palate and genitourinary malformations, also varied among the various genetic groups. Patients with RPS19 mutations had the fewest number of defects, while patients with RPL5 had the greatest number of birth defects. This is the first study to show differences between DBA genetic groups with regards to treatment. Previously unreported differences in the rate and types of birth defects were also identified. These data allow better patient counseling, a more personalized monitoring plan, and may also suggest differential functions of DBA genes on ribosome and extra‐ribosomal functions.
Group Representation of Global Intrinsic Symmetries
Authors: Wang Hui , Huang Hui
Published: October 2017

Global intrinsic symmetry detection of 3D shapes has received considerable attentions in recent years. However, unlike extrinsic symmetry that can be represented compactly as a combination of an orthogonal matrix and a translation vector, representing the global intrinsic symmetry itself is still challenging. Most previous works based on point‐to‐point representations of global intrinsic symmetries can only find reflectional symmetries, and are inadequate for describing the structure of a global intrinsic symmetry group. In this paper, we propose a novel group representation of global intrinsic symmetries, which describes each global intrinsic symmetry as a linear transformation of functional space on shapes. If the eigenfunctions of the Laplace‐Beltrami operator on shapes are chosen as the basis of functional space, the group representation has a block diagonal structure. We thus prove that the group representation of each symmetry can be uniquely determined from a small number of symmetric pairs of points under certain conditions, where the number of pairs is equal to the maximum multiplicity of eigenvalues of the Laplace‐Beltrami operator. Based on solid theoretical analysis, we propose an efficient global intrinsic symmetry detection method, which is the first one able to detect all reflectional and rotational global intrinsic symmetries with a clear group structure description. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Video Shadow Removal Using Spatio‐temporal Illumination Transfer
Authors: Zhang Ling , Zhu Yao , Liao Bin , Xiao Chunxia
Published: October 2017

Shadow removal for videos is an important and challenging vision task. In this paper, we present a novel shadow removal approach for videos captured by free moving cameras using illumination transfer optimization. We first detect the shadows of the input video using interactive fast video matting. Then, based on the shadow detection results, we decompose the input video into overlapped 2D patches, and find the coherent correspondences between the shadow and non‐shadow patches via discrete optimization technique built on the patch similarity metric. We finally remove the shadows of the input video sequences using an optimized illumination transfer method, which reasonably recovers the illumination information of the shadow regions and produces spatio‐temporal shadow‐free videos. We also process the shadow boundaries to make the transition between shadow and non‐shadow regions smooth. Compared with previous works, our method can handle videos captured by free moving cameras and achieve better shadow removal results. We validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm via a variety of experiments.
A Data‐Driven Approach for Sketch‐Based 3D Shape Retrieval via Similar Drawing‐Style Recommendation
Authors: Wang Fei , Lin Shujin , Luo Xiaonan , Wu Hefeng , Wang Ruomei , Zhou Fan
Published: October 2017

Sketching is a simple and natural way of expression and communication for humans. For this reason, it gains increasing popularity in human computer interaction, with the emergence of multitouch tablets and styluses. In recent years, sketch‐based interactive methods are widely used in many retrieval systems. In particular, a variety of sketch‐based 3D model retrieval works have been presented. However, almost all of these works focus on directly matching sketches with the projection views of 3D models, and they suffer from the large differences between the sketch drawing and the views of 3D models, leading to unsatisfying retrieval results. Therefore, in this paper, during the matching procedure in the retrieval, we propose to match the sketch with each 3D model from historical users instead of projection views. Yet since the sketches between the current user and the historical users can have big difference, we also aim to handle users' personalized deviations and differences. To this end, we leverage recommendation algorithms to estimate the drawing style characteristic similarity between the current user and historical users. Experimental results on the Large Scale Sketch Track Benchmark(SHREC14LSSTB) demonstrate that our method outperforms several state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Split‐Depth Image Generation and Optimization
Authors: Liao Jingtang , Eisemann Martin , Eisemann Elmar
Published: October 2017

Split‐depth images use an optical illusion, which can enhance the 3D impression of a 2D animation. In split‐depth images (also often called split‐depth GIFs due to the commonly used file format), static virtual occluders inform of vertical or horizontal bars are added to a video clip, which leads to occlusions that are interpreted by the observer as a depth cue. In this paper, we study different factors that contribute to the illusion and propose a solution to generate split‐depth images for a given RGB + depth image sequence. The presented solution builds upon a motion summarization of the object of interest (OOI) through space and time. It allows us to formulate the bar positioning as an energy‐minimization problem, which we solve efficiently. We take a variety of important features into account, such as the changes of the 3D effect due to changes in the motion topology, occlusion, the proximity of bars or the OOI, and scene saliency. We conducted a number of psycho‐visual experiments to derive an appropriate energy formulation. Our method helps in finding optimal positions for the bars and, thus, improves the 3D perception of the original animation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on a variety of examples. Our study with novice users shows that our approach allows them to quickly create satisfying results even for complex animations.
The Allure of the Illegal: Choice Modeling of Rhino Horn Demand in Vietnam
Authors: Hanley Nick , Sheremet Oleg , Bozzola Martina , MacMillan Douglas C.
Published: October 2017

Using choice modeling, we explore willingness to pay for rhino horn among existing and potential future consumers in Vietnam. We find that wild‐sourced horn, harvested humanely from the least rare species, is the most highly valued product. Furthermore, consumers are willing to pay less for rhino horn products under a scenario where international trade is legalized compared to the current situation of illegal trade. We discuss the potential implications of our findings on rhino poaching and international trade policy.
Effects of three blood derived products on equine corneal cells, an in vitro study
Authors: Rushton J. O. , Kammergruber E. , Tichy A. , Egerbacher M. , Nell B. , Gabner S.
Published: October 2017

Background

Despite advances in therapy of corneal ulcerative diseases in horses, a vast number of cases require surgical intervention, due to poor response to treatment. Topical application of serum has been used for many years, based on its anticollagenolytic properties and the presence of growth factors promoting corneal wound healing. However, although other blood derived products i.e. platelet rich plasma (PRP), plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) have been widely used in equine orthopaedics and in human ophthalmology, no reports of the effects of these blood derived products exist in equine ophthalmology.

Objectives

To determine in vitro effects of PRGF and PRP on equine corneal cells compared with serum.

Study design

Prospective controlled cohort study.

Methods

Blood from 35 healthy horses was used to produce serum, PRGF (Endoret®), and PRP (E‐PET™). Limbal‐ and stromal cells were isolated from healthy corneas of six horses and treated with 20% serum, 20% PRGF or 20% PRP. Proliferation rates and migration capacity were analysed in single cell cultures as well as co‐culture systems.

Results

Cell proliferation increased with PRP treatment, remained constant in PRGF treated cells, and declined upon serum treatment over a period of 48 h. Migration capacity was significantly enhanced with PRP treatment, compared with PRGF treatment. Intact leucocytes, mainly eosinophils, were only detected in PRP.

Main limitations

Due to the study design use of autologous blood products on corneal cells was not possible.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate beneficial effects of PRP on proliferation as well as migration capacity of equine corneal cells in vitro. In vivo studies are warranted to determine further beneficial effects of PRP in horses with corneal ulcers.
A Model‐Based Cluster Analysis of Maternal Emotion Regulation and Relations to Parenting Behavior
Authors: Shaffer Anne , Whitehead Monica , Davis Molly , Morelen Diana , Suveg Cynthia
Published: October 2017

In a diverse community sample of mothers (N = 108) and their preschool‐aged children (Mage = 3.50 years), this study conducted person‐oriented analyses of maternal emotion regulation (ER) based on a multimethod assessment incorporating physiological, observational, and self‐report indicators. A model‐based cluster analysis was applied to five indicators of maternal ER: maternal self‐report, observed negative affect in a parent–child interaction, baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and RSA suppression across two laboratory tasks. Model‐based cluster analyses revealed four maternal ER profiles, including a group of mothers with average ER functioning, characterized by socioeconomic advantage and more positive parenting behavior. A dysregulated cluster demonstrated the greatest challenges with parenting and dyadic interactions. Two clusters of intermediate dysregulation were also identified. Implications for assessment and applications to parenting interventions are discussed.
Variants regulating ZBTB4 are associated with age‐at‐onset of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Blue E. E. , Yu C.‐E. , Thornton T. A. , Chapman N. H. , Kernfeld E. , Jiang N. , Shively K. M. , Buckingham K. J. , Marvin C. T. , Bamshad M. J. , Bird T. D. , Wijsman E. M.
Published: October 2017

The identification of novel genetic modifiers of age‐at‐onset (AAO) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) could advance our understanding of AD and provide novel therapeutic targets. A previous genome scan for modifiers of AAO among families affected by early‐onset AD caused by the PSEN2 N141I variant identified 2 loci with significant evidence for linkage: 1q23.3 and 17p13.2. Here, we describe the fine‐mapping of these 2 linkage regions, and test for replication in 6 independent datasets. By fine‐mapping these linkage signals in a single large family, we reduced the linkage regions to 11% their original size and nominated 54 candidate variants. Among the 11 variants associated with AAO of AD in a larger sample of Germans from Russia, the strongest evidence implicated promoter variants influencing NCSTN on 1q23.3 and ZBTB4 on 17p13.2. The association between ZBTB4 and AAO of AD was replicated by multiple variants in independent, trans‐ethnic datasets. Our results show association between AAO of AD and both ZBTB4 and NCSTN. ZBTB4 is a transcriptional repressor that regulates the cell cycle, including the apoptotic response to amyloid beta, while NCSTN is part of the gamma secretase complex, known to influence amyloid beta production. These genes therefore suggest important roles for amyloid beta and cell cycle pathways in AAO of AD.
Shifts of growing‐season precipitation peaks decrease soil respiration in a semiarid grassland
Authors: Ru Jingyi , Zhou Yaqiong , Hui Dafeng , Zheng Mengmei , Wan Shiqiang
Published: October 2017

Changing precipitation regimes could have profound influences on carbon (C) cycle in the biosphere. However, how soil C release from terrestrial ecosystems responds to changing seasonal distribution of precipitation remains unclear. A field experiment was conducted for 4 years (2013–2016) to examine the effects of altered precipitation distributions in the growing season on soil respiration in a temperate steppe in the Mongolian Plateau. Over the 4 years, both advanced and delayed precipitation peaks suppressed soil respiration, and the reductions mainly occurred in August. The decreased soil respiration could be primarily attributable to water stress and subsequently limited plant growth (community cover and belowground net primary productivity) and soil microbial activities in the middle growing season, suggesting that precipitation amount in the middle growing season is more important than that in the early, late, or whole growing seasons in regulating soil C release in grasslands. The observations of the additive effects of advanced and delayed precipitation peaks indicate semiarid grasslands will release less C through soil respiratory processes under the projected seasonal redistribution of precipitation in the future. Our findings highlight the potential role of intra‐annual redistribution of precipitation in regulating ecosystem C cycling in arid and semiarid regions.
Cervical carcinomas with a micropapillary component: a clinicopathological study of eight cases
Authors: Stewart Colin J R , Koay Mei H E , Leslie Connull , Acott Nathan , Leung Yee C
Published: October 2017

Aims

Micropapillary carcinomas, or carcinomas with a micropapillary component, are well recognised in the breast and other anatomical sites. However, they have seldom been described in the cervix. In this article, we present a clinicopathological analysis of eight cervical tumours that showed at least a focal (≥5%) component of micropapillary carcinoma.

Methods and results

The study group comprised eight cervical carcinomas (four adenocarcinomas and four adenosquamous carcinomas) with a micropapillary component. The median patient age was 41.5 years (range 27–65 years). At presentation, five patients were stage IB, two were stage IIB, and one was stage IV. The micropapillary component accounted for ≤25% of the tumour on initial biopsy or resection specimens in all but one case. Immunohistochemistry showed ‘inside‐out’ (reverse polarity) mucin 1 staining along the cell membrane abutting the stroma. Four patients developed metastasis, all of whom showed a pure micropapillary pattern; this led to a misdiagnosis of an apparently independent peritoneal serous carcinoma in one case. All tumours showed diffuse p16 expression, and all three cases that were tested were positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) 18. Three of the six patients with at least 12 months of follow‐up died of disease, and one is alive with distant metastasis.

Conclusions

Usual‐type (HPV‐related) cervical carcinomas may show micropapillary differentiation, usually as a focal finding, and the cells show reverse polarity like similar tumours arising in other sites. Micropapillary cervical carcinoma appears to be a clinically aggressive malignancy, although this needs to be confirmed in larger studies.
Audit committee chair and financial reporting timeliness: A focus on financial, experiential and monitoring expertise
Authors: Ghafran Chaudhry , Yasmin Sofia
Published: October 2017

In this study, we examine the association of audit committee chair financial, experiential and monitoring expertise with the audit report lag period. We find that the experiential and monitoring expertise of audit committee chairs have a significant negative association with the delay in the audit report lag period, possibly resulting in more effective audit committee chairs, at least in the face of financial reporting timeliness. We also find that the audit committee composite compliance variable has a significant negative association with the audit report lag period, which suggests that a firm's compliance with audit committee regulations is also beneficial for financial reporting timeliness. These are important findings from the practice, academic and public policy perspectives.
Enzymolysis reaction kinetics and thermodynamics of rapeseed protein with sequential dual‐frequency ultrasound pretreatment
Authors: Wali Asif , Ma Haile , Hayat Khizar , Ren Xiaofeng , Ali Zeshan , Duan Yuqing , Rashid Muhammad Tayyab
Published: October 2017

We evaluated the effect of sequential dual‐frequency ultrasound (SDFU) pretreatments on rapeseed protein enzymolysis, using alcalase as a model enzyme. Hydrolysed protein concentrations, enzymolysis kinetics and thermodynamic parameters were investigated. The results showed that the hydrolysed rapeseed protein concentration following SDFU pretreatments was higher compared to that of the control for up to 75 min of enzymolysis at various substrate concentrations of 5–25 g L−1; both control and SDFU pretreatment groups showed first‐order reaction kinetics. Compared to the control, the Michaelis–Menten constant (KM) value decreased remarkably by 17.61%, while an increase in the binding frequency between enzyme and substrate (KA) by 10.47% was observed. The thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy, entropy and activation energy were reduced in the SDFU pretreatment group compared to the control by 31.78%, 18.0% and 29.56%, respectively. SDFU pretreatment showed little effect on Gibbs free energy at the various temperatures studied.
Molecular diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in patients with upper urinary tract cancer who underwent lymphadenectomy
Authors: Kodama Yoshiki , Kondo Tsunenori , Matsumura Nagahide , Shimokawa Toshio , Kohjimoto Yasuo , Tanabe Kazunari , Hara Isao
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To determine the significance of molecular diagnosis of lymph node metastasis using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer.

Methods

A total of 51 patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer who underwent extended lymphadenectomy were included in the present study. Retrieved lymph nodes from each patient were divided into two parts. One part was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for molecular staging, whereas the other one was assessed by routine histopathological examination. Four kinds of molecules (FXYD3, KRT19, KRT20 and UPK2) were selected as markers to detect urothelial cancer cells.

Results

The average number of retrieved lymph nodes was 18.3. As UPK2 showed the best discrimination ability among four markers, the patients were classified in three categories according to UPK2 expression: N(+)PCR(+) for patients who had lymph node metastasis by routine pathological diagnosis as well as quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (n = 4); N(−)PCR(+) for patients who had lymph node metastasis by polymerase chain reaction but not by routine pathological diagnosis (n = 7); and N(−)PCR(−) for patients who showed no lymph node metastasis not only by routine pathological diagnosis but also by polymerase chain reaction (n = 40). The prognosis of the N(−)PCR(+) group was better than that of the N(+)PCR(+) group, and similar to that of the N(−)PCR(−) group.

Conclusions

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction could detect micrometastasis in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer. However, the prognosis of patients with micrometastasis is better than patients with pathologically metastasized lymph nodes, and similar to patients without micrometastasis.
The Role of Argumentation and Institutions for Labour Migration in the European Union – Exemplified by Spanish labour migration to Germany
Authors: Heimann Christiane , Wieczorek Oliver
Published: October 2017

This contribution will show how institutions in Spain and Germany facilitated intra‐European labour mobility as a solution to a mismatch in the labour market. To this end, we have chosen the recruitment of Spanish job candidates for German employers as an example. Employing Bourdieu's field‐theoretical framework as well as expert interviews, we highlight the role of institutional agents encouraging labour migration. We analysed 30 expert interviews to gain insights from institutional agents that facilitate labour migration in the Spanish and the German labour market. Our findings show how these agents use their resources to legitimize policies and create sustainable structures steering labour migration and integration.
Burden of atrial fibrillation in Māori and Pacific people in New Zealand: a cohort study
Authors: Gu Yulong , Doughty Robert N. , Freedman Ben , Kennelly John , Warren Jim , Harwood Matire , Hulme Richard , Paltridge Chris , Teh Ruth , Rolleston Anna , Walker Natalie
Published: October 2017

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke and cardiovascular events. In New Zealand (NZ), Māori (indigenous New Zealanders) and Pacific people experience higher rates of AF compared with non‐Māori/non‐Pacific people.

Aim

To describe a primary care population with AF in NZ. Stroke risk and medication adherence according to ethnicity are also detailed.

Methods

Electronic medical records for adults (≥20 years, n = 135 840, including 19 918 Māori and 43 634 Pacific people) enrolled at 37 NZ general practices were analysed for AF diagnosis and associated medication prescription information.

Results

The overall prevalence of non‐valvular AF (NVAF) in this population was 1.3% (1769), and increased with age (4.4% in people ≥55 years). Māori aged ≥55 years were more likely to be diagnosed with NVAF (7.3%) than Pacific (4.0%) and non‐Māori/non‐Pacific people (4.1%, P < 0.001). Māori and Pacific NVAF patients were diagnosed with AF 10 years earlier than non‐Māori/non‐Pacific patients (median age of diagnosis: Māori = 60 years, Pacific = 61 years, non‐Māori/non‐Pacific = 71 years, P < 0.001). Overall, 67% of NVAF patients were at high risk for stroke (CHA2DS2‐VASc ≥ 2) at the time of AF diagnosis. Almost half (48%) of Māori and Pacific NVAF patients aged <65 years were at high risk for stroke, compared with 22% of non‐Māori/non‐Pacific (P < 0.001). Irrespective of ethnic group, adherence to AF medication was suboptimal in those NVAF patients with a high risk of stroke or with stroke history.

Conclusion

AF screening and stroke thromboprophylaxis in Māori and Pacific people could start below the age of 65 years in NZ.
Access to a youth‐specific service for young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus is associated with decreased hospital length of stay for diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Burns Kharis , Farrell Kaye , Myszka Rickie , Park Kris , Holmes‐Walker D. Jane
Published: October 2017

Background

Management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in youth with diabetes (YWD) is complex, and glycaemic control often deteriorates during this challenging period. We hypothesise that attendance at a youth‐specific diabetes clinic reduces hospital admission rates and length of stay (LOS) for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Aims

To assess the impact of a youth‐specific diabetes service for YWD on DKA admissions in two adjacent local health districts.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis of admissions for DKA in YWD aged 15–25 years, presenting to four hospitals in Western Sydney in 2011 was performed. Number of admissions, LOS and DKA severity were assessed. Cost was analysed as a function of LOS. Groups were divided by attendance at a youth‐specific diabetes service and no record of attendance.

Results

There were 55 DKA admissions from 39 patients (median age 20.0 years); the majority of admissions (82%) was YWD not supported by a youth‐specific diabetes service. Median LOS was significantly longer in the unsupported group (3.0 vs 1.5 days, P = 0.028). Median pH at presentation in the unsupported group was significantly lower, 7.11 versus 7.23 (P = 0.05). The admission rate was four times greater for those not supported by youth‐specific diabetes services, 5.5% compared with 1.6% (P = 0.001). The estimated cost saved by youth‐specific services was over $250,000 pa.

Conclusions

Lack of access to supported care for YWD during transition from paediatric to adult care has an adverse impact on subsequent DKA admission rates and LOS.
Neurological presentations revealing acquired copper deficiency: diagnosis features, aetiologies and evolution in seven patients
Authors: Poujois Aurélia , Djebrani‐Oussedik Nouzha , Ory‐Magne Fabienne , Woimant France
Published: October 2017

Background

Acquired copper deficiency (ACD) is a rare condition usually diagnosed from haematological changes.

Aims

To characterise the diagnosis features and the evolution of patients with ACD revealed by neurological symptoms.

Methods

Clinical, biological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were prospectively analysed at diagnosis and during follow up under copper supplementation.

Results

Seven patients were studied over a 5‐year period. Time to diagnosis ranged from 2.5 to 15 months. Subacute ascending paraesthesias and gait disorder were the first symptoms. All patients had a posterior cord syndrome (PCS) with sensory ataxic gait associated with superficial hypoesthesia of the feet; 50% had also lateral cord signs. Electrodiagnostic tests diagnosed a lower limb sensory neuropathy in four patients. Spinal cord MRI was normal in three of seven patients. Anaemia and lymphopenia were diagnosed in six of seven patients. Serum copper was always low, and urinary copper was low or normal. Serum and urinary zinc were high in four patients. Decreased copper intake (stoma/parenteral nutrition, malnutrition, malabsorption with lack of vitamin supplementation after bariatric or other digestive surgeries) was found in four patients, and the chronic use of denture adhesive paste containing zinc was discovered in four patients. One patient had both the causes recorded. After copper supplementation, copper balance and then haematological disturbances were the first features to normalise gradually in 2 months. Radiological myelitis disappeared in 10 months, whereas neurological symptoms improved in six of seven patients after a mean follow up of 2 years.

Conclusions

Progressive PCS with anaemia and lymphopenia must raise the possibility of an ACD. Early copper supplementation could increase the neurological prognosis.
Urban particulate matter stimulation of human dendritic cells enhances priming of naive CD8 T lymphocytes
Authors: Pfeffer Paul E. , Ho Tzer R. , Mann Elizabeth H. , Kelly Frank J. , Sehlstedt Maria , Pourazar Jamshid , Dove Rosamund E. , Sandstrom Thomas , Mudway Ian S. , Hawrylowicz Catherine M.
Published: October 2017

Epidemiological studies have consistently shown associations between elevated concentrations of urban particulate matter (UPM) air pollution and exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which are both associated with viral respiratory infections. The effects of UPM on dendritic cell (DC) ‐stimulated CD4 T lymphocytes have been investigated previously, but little work has focused on CD8 T‐lymphocyte responses despite their importance in anti‐viral immunity. To address this, we examined the effects of UPM on DC‐stimulated naive CD8 T‐cell responses. Expression of the maturation/activation markers CD83, CCR7, CD40 and MHC class I on human myeloid DCs (mDCs) was characterized by flow cytometry after stimulation with UPMin vitro in the presence/absence of granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF). The capacity of these mDCs to stimulate naive CD8 T‐lymphocyte responses in allogeneic co‐culture was then assessed by measuring T‐cell cytokine secretion using cytometric bead array, and proliferation and frequency of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐producing T lymphocytes by flow cytometry. Treatment of mDCs with UPM increased expression of CD83 and CCR7, but not MHC class I. In allogeneic co‐cultures, UPM treatment of mDCs enhanced CD8 T‐cell proliferation and the frequency of IFN‐γ+ cells. The secretion of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐13, Granzyme A and Granzyme B were also increased. GM‐CSF alone, and in concert with UPM, enhanced many of these T‐cell functions. The PM‐induced increase in Granzyme A was confirmed in a human experimental diesel exposure study. These data demonstrate that UPM treatment of mDCs enhances priming of naive CD8 T lymphocytes and increases production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Such UPM‐induced stimulation of CD8 cells may potentiate T‐lymphocyte cytotoxic responses upon concurrent airway infection, increasing bystander damage to the airways.
Epidemiology and burden of influenza in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Authors: Lucero‐Obusan Cynthia , Schirmer Patricia L. , Wendelboe Aaron , Oda Gina , Holodniy Mark
Published: October 2017

We describe influenza activity in the US Veterans Affairs (VA) population for the 2010‐2011 through 2015‐2016 seasons and compare with national CDC FluView data. VA confirmed influenza cases ranged from 1005 to 11 506 per season; triage calls from 6090 to 10 346; outpatient visits from 3849 to 13 406; antiviral prescriptions from 3650 to 32 826; hospitalizations from 546 to 4673; and deaths in hospitalized patients from 17 to 139. Peak activity was generally the same as observed nationally by the CDC. For the seasons analyzed, correlation between VA and CDC %ILI visits (r = .863), influenza hospitalizations (r = .953), positive tests (r = .948), and percent of tests positive (r = .938) was strong. Understanding influenza burden is important for evaluating prevention priorities and resource allocation within VA.
Book Review
Authors: King Gundar J.
Published: October 2017

THE PURCHASING MAN AND HIS JOB, By VICTOR H. POOLER, Jr., (New York: American Management Association, 1964. 288 pages. $6.00, members; $9.00 nonmembers)
Waterlogging severely retards P use efficiency of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Authors: Ylivainio K. , Jauhiainen L. , Uusitalo R. , Turtola E.
Published: October 2017

Efficient utilization of various phosphorus (P) sources for producing optimum yields in P‐deficient conditions requires knowledge of best management under changing weather conditions. In this study, barley (Hordeum vulgare) was grown in an extremely P‐deficient soil with variable moisture conditions. During a wet growing period, utilization of P from dairy cow manure (DCM), fox manure (FM) and meat and bone meal (MBM) was compared with the utilization of P from superphosphate (SP) with concomitant effects on grain yield and quality. High P application rates were necessary to compensate for severe yield losses due to waterlogging. Only 7 kg P/ha was required for optimum yield in less waterlogged conditions, while 43 kg P/ha was needed in waterlogged conditions. In both moisture conditions, broadcast DCM‐P increased grain yield similar to banded SP‐P, although P acquisition was lower in early growth stages. FM‐P and MBM‐P were less efficiently utilized. Waterlogging also depressed yield quality when P was applied. Extreme rainfall events are predicted to become more frequent at northern latitudes. As an alternative to higher P fertilizer rates, improving soil drainage could be a favourable, long‐term measure for better utilization of applied P and soil P resources, even at very low soil P status.
Seed priming improves germination in saline conditions for Chenopodium quinoa and Amaranthus caudatus
Authors: Moreno C. , Seal C. E. , Papenbrock J.
Published: October 2017

Seed priming has proved to be an effective method in imparting stress tolerance to plants using natural and/or synthetic compounds to treat the seeds before germination. The present work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of priming treatments in seeds of Chenopodium quinoa and Amaranthus caudatus to improve germination under NaCl. Species‐specific protocols for seed hydropriming and osmopriming were established by germinating seeds under different water potentials and creating seed imbibition curves. Primed seeds were then germinated under different concentrations of NaCl, and the effect of priming was analysed based on the parameters, such as final germination percentage (FGP), germination index (GI) and mean germination time (MGT). Seed hydropriming and osmopriming caused significant improvements in germination velocity and uniformity, reflected in high FGP, high GI and reduced MGT under salinity. C. quinoa had a higher tolerance to salinity than A. caudatus during seed germination. Improved germination in salinity resulted from osmopriming seeds with solutions of low water potential for A. caudatus, while for C. quinoa, this effect was achieved from hydropriming and osmopriming seeds with solutions of high water potential. Primed tolerance to moderate salinity was achieved for A. caudatus, and for both species, the salinity threshold for germination to occur was slightly broadened.
Waterlogging events during stem elongation or flowering affect yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) but not seed quality
Authors: Wollmer A.‐C. , Pitann B. , Mühling K.H.
Published: October 2017

Oilseed rape suffers from serious waterlogging in many regions of the world limiting the cultivation area for rapeseed. Due to the man‐induced climate change, the risk of severe waterlogging events and associated therewith the damage of rapeseed plants will increase, even in Europe and North America. To investigate the effects of waterlogging on growth, yield and seed quality, rapeseed was cultivated throughout its vegetation period and waterlogged for 14 days at two different growth stages: at stem elongation (BBCH 31) or at floral bud appearance (BBCH 55). The experiments revealed that waterlogging at BBCH 31 affected plant growth and nutrient accumulation and finally resulted in lower yields. Waterlogging at BBCH 55 seriously impaired main racemes, but due to an increased production of secondary racemes, yield losses were lower than after waterlogging at BBCH 31. Oil quality was not affected by any waterlogging treatment under the chosen experimental conditions.
The properties of Al2O3 coated fine‐grain temperature stable BaTiO3‐based ceramics sintered in reducing atmosphere
Authors: Zhao Qiancheng , Wang Xiaohui , Gong Huiling , Liu Baibo , Luo Bingcheng , Li Longtu
Published: October 2017

Chemical coating, an effective doping modification method, was employed to fabricate fine‐grain BaTiO3‐based ceramics. Based on the consideration of subsequently using base metal as inner electrodes in multilayer ceramic devices, green bodies are generally sintered in reducing atmosphere, which generates more charged point defects and thus affects the electric properties. According to the elements distribution analysis, Al element is greatly enriched in the grain boundary and shell region. Coating Al2O3 achieves not only a smaller grain size and narrower distribution but also a higher breakdown strength, discharge energy density and energy efficiency at ambient temperature. In addition, temperature dependences of dielectric and energy storage properties under a same field were also investigated. Over the whole measuring temperature range, the sample with Al2O3 remains higher discharge energy density and energy efficiency.
Drawing as Driver of Creativity: Nurturing an Intelligence of Seeing in Art Students
Authors: Riley Howard
Published: October 2017

The article reasserts the primacy of drawing as a driver of creativity within art schools. It reviews specific aspects of visual perception theory and visual communication theory relevant to a pedagogical strategy as a means of nurturing an ‘intelligence of seeing’ in art students. The domain of drawing is theorised as a systemic‐functional semiotic model informed by Michael Halliday's model for language, as adapted by Michael O'Toole in his 2011 The Language of Displayed Art. The model is demonstrated as an aid to the production of drawings, rather than its more‐recognised efficacy as a means of negotiating meaning from existing works. The article is illustrated with examples of drawings by the author.
Beyond Representation: Exploring Drawing as Part of Children's Meaning‐Making
Authors: Darling‐McQuistan Kirsten
Published: October 2017

Drawing is an everyday feature of primary school classrooms. All too often however, its role within the classroom is limited to a ‘representational’ one, used to demonstrate the accuracy of children's images and representations of the world. Furthermore, drawings, which most closely ‘match’ objective, dominant perspectives are generally given greater value. Reflecting on the role of drawing in the classroom is particularly interesting at a time when there is increasing emphasis on ‘evidenced‐based’ and research‐informed practice within schools. Such a policy context, which is primarily concerned with ‘objective’ forms of evidence, raises questions about a possible role for drawing to support a more nuanced understanding of learning processes, taking account of the uniquely contextualised experiences of the children. In response to this context, this article reports on my engagement – as a primary school teacher in Scotland – with a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project with children aged five to seven. The project enabled us to explore how drawing could support our own, collective meaning‐making. The process involved employing walking and drawing as methods to open up rich linguistic spaces to enable the children to engage with and reflect on their lived experiences. The analysis of the drawings that were created surfaced many tensions within the Scottish education system, highlighted from the perspectives of the children. Such findings point to the need for more relational interpretation of ‘evidence’, arising from classroom actions and interactions, which include the perspectives of children.
No disparity of the efficacy and all‐cause mortality between Asian and non‐Asian type 2 diabetes patients with sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors treatment: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Cai Xiaoling , Gao Xueying , Yang Wenjia , Chen Yifei , Zhang Simin , Zhou Lingli , Han Xueyao , Ji Linong
Published: October 2017

Aims/Introduction

To evaluate whether there is disparity of the efficacy and all‐cause mortality and other adverse effects between Asian and non‐Asian patients with sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors treatment.

Materials and Methods

Randomized clinical trials publicly available before January 2017, comparing SGLT2 inhibitors treatment with a placebo in type 2 diabetes patients were identified. The association between treatment and outcomes was estimated by computing the weighted mean difference for glycated hemoglobin level, blood pressure level, lipid profile levels and bodyweight, and the odds ratios for adverse events.

Results

A total of 17 trials with Asian patients were included and 39 trials with non‐Asian patients were included. Comparison of the glycated hemoglobin decreases corrected by a placebo between Asian and non‐Asian patients showed that there was a non‐significant difference of 0.05% between groups (P > 0.05). Comparisons of the bodyweight changes and blood pressure changes corrected by a placebo between Asian and non‐Asian patients did not show a significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). The risk of all‐cause mortality was not increased when compared with a placebo both in Asian and non‐Asian populations, and the risk of genital infection in Asian and non‐Asian populations were both significant increased.

Conclusions

Overall, according to the present meta‐analysis, comparison of the efficacy in SGLT2 inhibitors treatment between Asian and non‐Asian type 2 diabetes patients showed no significant difference in glycated hemoglobin reduction and bodyweight reduction. Furthermore, no disparity was found in the risk of all‐cause mortality or hypoglycemia in SGLT2 inhibitors treatment between Asian and non‐Asian patients.
Analysis of treatment goal alignment between Japanese psoriasis patients and their paired treating physicians
Authors: Okubo Y. , Tsuruta D. , Tang A.C. , Inoue S. , Torisu‐Itakura H. , Hanada T. , Ohtsuki M.
Published: October 2017

Background

Appropriate goal‐oriented treatment strategies are important for optimal treatment outcomes and may prevent under‐treatment. As treatment goals vary by patient, a study to examine treatment goals is more meaningful when patients and their physicians are paired. There has not been any study that examines alignment between paired psoriasis patients and physicians in real‐world clinical practice using skin clearance as a treatment goal indicator.

Objectives

To evaluate treatment goal alignment between psoriasis patients and their paired physicians, and to quantitatively identify factors associated with goal misalignment.

Methods

The study was a nationwide multicenter cross‐sectional observational study. Subjects were physician‐reported moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis patients with a history of systemic treatments, directly paired with their treating physicians. Subjects completed surveys independently. Treatment goals included seven categories, and patient–physician pairs were grouped as ‘aligned’ or ‘misaligned’ when the answers were the same or different, respectively.

Results

A total of 425 pairs (mean response rate, 94.7%) of responses were collected from 54 sites (64.8% general practitioners or clinics; 35.2% university or large hospitals). Treatment goal misalignment was found in 67.9% of the patient–physician pairs. The misalignment was mainly ‘patient predominant’ (60.9%) indicating that patients had higher goals (‘complete clearance’) than physicians. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, patients’ treatment expectation for ‘complete clearance’ [odds ratio (OR): 1.927; 95% confidential interval (CI): 1.232–3.016] and physician rating of ‘level of understanding on treatment options’ being low (OR: 1.552, 95% CI; 1.082–2.227) were significant factors for treatment goal misalignment.

Conclusions

The majority of treatment goal misalignment was found between paired psoriasis patients and their treating physicians in Japan. The most important contributing factors to misalignment were patients’ treatment expectation for ‘complete clearance’ and physicians’ rating of their patients’ ‘level of understanding on treatment options’ being low.
The burden of glory: Competing for nonmonetary incentives in rank‐order tournaments
Authors: Kali Raja , Pastoriza David , Plante Jean‐François
Published: October 2017

In an environment in which elite, highly paid professionals compete for nonmonetary rewards, we find evidence of underperformance. Our analysis suggests that choking under pressure from high‐stakes nonmonetary rewards is behind the underperformance. This implies that high stakes nonmonetary rewards can create meaningful pressure on individuals and lead to worse performance, a distinct issue that has yet to be adequately examined. These findings come from an examination of the behavior of top U.S. golfers competing to earn a place on the U.S. Ryder Cup team via their performance in PGA Tour tournaments with differing allocations of Ryder Cup qualifying points.
SIRS contagion model of food safety risk
Authors: Chen Tingqiang , Ma Baichao , Wang Jining
Published: October 2017

This paper introduces the SIRS contagion model of food safety risk considering the entry rate, the normal bankruptcy rate, the abnormal bankruptcy rate, and other correlated parameters of food enterprise. The influences of these correlated factors on the contagion of food safety risk is discussed and theoretically analyzed. Computer simulation was performed to measure the entry rate of food enterprises, the normal bankruptcy rate, the abnormal bankruptcy rate, the re‐violation rate, the recovery rate, and the connectivity of food enterprises. The study found that: (a) the inhibitory effect of the normal bankruptcy rate on food safety risk contagion is the most significant; (b) the abnormal bankruptcy rate and the recovery rate can also constrain food safety risk, but the re‐violation rate will scale up the food safety risk; (c) a negative correlation exists between the entry rate and the contagion threshold of food safety risk, and a positive correlation is observed between the entry rate and the contagion scale of food safety risk; (d) with the increasing number of food enterprises' business partners, the contagion scale of food safety risk will increase.

Practical applications

This study is significant in supervising and managing the food market because it analyzes the contagion mechanism and the influence factors of food safety risk in the food supply network. According to the research results, we could take corresponding effective actions which introduced in the research to control the contagion scale of food safety risk and to guard the safety of food market.