bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of Kiss1r (Gpr54)‐Expressing Neurones in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Female Rat Hypothalamus
Authors: Higo S. , Iijima N. , Ozawa H.
Published: December 2016

Kisspeptin is essential in reproduction and acts by stimulating neurones expressing gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH). Recent studies suggest that kisspeptin has multiple roles in the modulation of neuronal circuits in systems outside the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis. Our recent research using in situ hybridisation (ISH) clarified the histological distribution of Kiss1r (Gpr54)‐expressing neurones in the rat brain that were presumed to be putative targets of kisspeptin. The arcuate nucleus (ARN) of the hypothalamus is one of the brain regions in which Kiss1r expression in non‐GnRH neurones is prominent. However, the characteristics of Kiss1r‐expressing neurones in the ARN remain unclear. The present study aimed to determine the neurochemical characteristics of Kiss1r‐expressing neurones in the ARN using ISH and immunofluorescence. We revealed that the majority (approximately 63%) of Kiss1r‐expressing neurones in the ARN were pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurones, which have an anorexic effect in mammals. Additionally, a few Kiss1r‐expressing neurones in the dorsal ARN are tuberoinfundibular dopamine (TIDA) neurones, which control milk production by inhibiting prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary. TIDA neurones showed a relatively weak Kiss1r ISH signal compared to POMC neurones, as well as low co‐expression of Kiss1r (approximately 15%). We also examined the expression of Kiss1r in neuropeptide Y and kisspeptin neurones, which are reported to arise from POMC‐expressing progenitor cells during development. However, the vast majority of neuropeptide Y and kisspeptin neurones in the ARN did not express Kiss1r. These results suggest that kisspeptin may directly regulate energy homeostasis and milk production by modulating the activity of POMC and TIDA neurones, respectively. Our results provide an insight into the wide variety of roles that kisspeptin plays in homeostatic and neuroendocrine functions.
Connecting Saving and Food Security: Evidence from an Asset‐Building Program for Families in Poverty
Authors: Loibl Cäzilia , Snyder Anastasia , Mountain Travis
Published: December 2016

This study examines food insecurity among children of participants in a federally funded savings program in the United States, the Individual Development Account (IDA) program. We measure child food insecurity of savings program families by using the eight questions of the Current Population Survey's Food Security Supplement. About 39.4% of savings program families report food insecurity. No differences in children's food hardship between current and past program participants were identified. Examining predictors, propensity to plan for money tend to be associated with higher odds of children's food insecurity. By contrast, frugal behavior, lower material deprivation, and higher subjective well‐being tend to reduce the odds of children's food insecurity. Findings also confirm previous literature on the association of alternative financial services and higher food insecurity among children.
Linear‐Rational Term Structure Models
Authors: FILIPOVIĆ DAMIR , LARSSON MARTIN , TROLLE ANDERS B.
Published: December 2016

We introduce the class of linear‐rational term structure models in which the state price density is modeled such that bond prices become linear‐rational functions of the factors. This class is highly tractable with several distinct advantages: (i) ensures nonnegative interest rates, (ii) easily accommodates unspanned factors affecting volatility and risk premiums, and (iii) admits semi‐analytical solutions to swaptions. A parsimonious model specification within the linear‐rational class has a very good fit to both interest rate swaps and swaptions since 1997 and captures many features of term structure, volatility, and risk premium dynamics—including when interest rates are close to the zero lower bound.
Diagnosis and potential management of gestational diabetes mellitus using the International association of diabetes and pregnancy study groups criteria
Authors: Fukatsu Mayumi , Takai Yasushi , Matsunaga Shigetaka , Era Sumiko , Ono Yoshihisa , Saito Masahiro , Baba Kazunori , Seki Hiroyuki
Published: December 2016

Aim

Appropriate screening and plasma glucose control is important during pregnancy, but an international consensus has not been reached regarding the recommended method of screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We investigated glucose intolerance in pregnant women diagnosed with GDM, applying stricter screening criteria.

Methods

The study involved 452 women with singleton pregnancies, who underwent a 2 h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test between January 2006 and December 2010. They had previously been screened for GDM using Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) criteria. We retrospectively re‐evaluated their status using International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria. The major differences between JSOG and IADPSG criteria are the number of applicable threshold values, and the threshold value for fasting glucose measured by the glucose tolerance test. The insulinogenic index and insulin resistance according to the homeostasis model assessment were compared among groups in the presence or absence of obesity.

Results

GDM was diagnosed in 56 (1.07%) and 133 (2.54%) women based on the JSOG and IADPSG criteria, respectively. Compared to non‐GDM, non‐obese women, those diagnosed with GDM according to IADPSG criteria had significantly higher insulin resistance, while those diagnosed with GDM exceeding two or more threshold values had significantly lower insulinogenic indexes.

Conclusion

Adopting stricter diagnostic criteria increased the prevalence of GDM 2.37‐fold, as women previously diagnosed with milder abnormalities in glucose levels were then diagnosed as having GDM.
Mature cystic teratoma coexisting with clear‐cell carcinoma in the ovary
Authors: Shimura Koki , Matsumoto Mariko , Sugahara Takuya , Yamamoto Takuro , Ogiso Nozomi , Urata Yoji , Okubo Tomoharu
Published: December 2016

Mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is the most common benign ovarian tumor; clear‐cell carcinoma (CCC) is a relatively common malignant ovarian tumor in Japan, but there are few reports on the coexistence of MCT and CCC. Here we report a case of simultaneous MCT and CCC in the ovary and review the relevant literature. The patient was a 49‐year‐old woman. A 5‐cm MCT was found in the left ovary on initial gynecological examination, and she was referred to hospital for treatment because it was expanding. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a multilocular cystic tumor 16 × 10 × 9.5 cm in the left ovary, and surgery was performed. The final pathological diagnosis was MCT, endometriotic cyst, clear‐cell adenofibroma, clear‐cell borderline tumor, and CCC in the left ovary.
Comparison between two management protocols for postpartum hemorrhage during cesarean section in placenta previa: Balloon protocol versus non‐balloon protocol
Authors: Maher Mohammad Ahmed , Abdelaziz Ahmed
Published: December 2016

Aim

This study was conducted to compare two management protocols for post‐partum hemorrhage (PPH) during cesarean section (CS) in placenta previa (PP), Bakri balloon protocol versus non‐balloon protocol. Secondary analysis among balloon treated cases was also performed to identify predictors of success, failure or complications, if any.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted in two hospitals in Saudi Arabia, including cases that developed PPH during CS for PP. The primary outcome measure was success in preventing hysterectomy, while secondary outcome measures were amount of blood loss, need for blood transfusion, need for return to theater and admission to intensive care unit.

Results

One hundred and fifty‐one cases were identified as low‐lying placenta and PP, of which 114 developed PPH. Two patients were unstable and required immediate hysterectomy. The remaining 112 cases were managed by balloon (72 cases) or non‐balloon protocols (40). The balloon alone was successful in achieving hemostasis in 87.5% of cases. When analyzed specifically, balloon success was associated with the absence of accreta (odds ratio 0.001, confidence interval 0.000–0.974) and short operation duration (odds ratio 1.143, confidence interval 1.018–1.282).

Conclusion

Application of the Bakri balloon for the management of PPH after CS in cases of PP is an effective strategy that should be affordable worldwide.
Frequency of malformed infants in a tertiary center in Hokkaido, Japan over a period of 10 years
Authors: Hayasaka Itaru , Cho Kazutoshi , Uzuki Yutaka , Morioka Keita , Akimoto Takuma , Ishikawa Satoshi , Takei Kohta , Yamada Takahiro , Morikawa Mamoru , Yamada Takashi , Ariga Tadashi , Minakami Hisanori
Published: December 2016

Aim

This retrospective study was performed to determine the frequency of malformed infants born at a tertiary center in Hokkaido, Japan. The accuracy of prenatal diagnosis rates was also investigated.

Methods

An observational study was performed using data of 1509 and 1743 newborn infants at a single center during two study periods, 2005–2009 (first) and 2010–2014 (second), respectively. Cases including minor anomalies (accessory auricle, nevus and fistula auris congenita) were not included.

Results

In total, 274 and 569 malformations were identified in 191 and 337 newborn infants in the first and second study periods, respectively. The number of malformed infants increased significantly over time (13% [191/1509] vs 19% [337/1743], respectively; P < 0.001), mainly as a result of an increase in cases of congenital heart disease (CHD), from 59 to 141 (31% [59/191] vs 42% [141/337] of all malformed infants in the first and second periods, respectively). The overall accurate prenatal diagnosis rate improved over time from 47% (128/274) to 58% (329/569) because of significant improvements in accurate prenatal diagnosis of CHD subtypes (23% [16/70] vs 65% [151/232] in the first and second periods, respectively, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The frequency of malformed newborns was higher in the tertiary center than in the general population. The increased number of cases with prenatal suspicion and diagnosis of CHD contributed to the increased frequency of malformed infants during the study period.
FDG‐PET‐positive ovarian thecoma with GLUT5 expression: Five cases
Authors: Bono Yukiko , Mizumoto Yasunari , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Iwadare Jyunpei , Obata Takeshi , Fujiwara Hiroshi
Published: December 2016

Positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorodeoxyglucose F18 (18F‐FDG) is useful for detecting malignancies, but benign lesions occasionally have false‐positive 18F‐FDG uptake. Here, we report the cases of five postmenopausal women with solid ovarian tumors suspected to be ovarian cancer on magnetic resonance imaging and 18F‐FDG uptake. Mean age of the five patients was 57 years (range, 53–65 years). Average early standardized uptake value (SUV) of 18F‐FDG was 5.76 (range, 2.2–12.0) and delayed SUV was 6.56 (range, 2.4–13.8). In all five patients, frozen section diagnosis at surgery was thecoma, and bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy was performed. On immunohistochemistry, immunoreactive glucose transporter 5 (GLUT5) expression was detected in thecoma tissues. This case shows that thecoma sometimes has positive 18F‐FDG uptake on positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET‐CT), indicating the need for caution regarding false‐positive PET‐CT in patients with benign solid ovarian tumor.
‘Moving in concentric circles’? The history and politics of press inquiries
Authors: Harker Michael , Street John , Cross Samuel
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we consider the Leveson inquiry's use of a narrative device – the policy cycle – to justify the need for a break with the past. We challenge that narrative, which runs through much of the literature, and posit a more nuanced and complex account of the politics and history of press inquiries, drawing upon the political science literature. We then reflect upon the implications of our findings for the future of press regulation.
Defense by association: Sponge‐eating fishes alter the small‐scale distribution of Caribbean reef sponges
Authors: Wooster Michael K. , Marty Micah J. , Pawlik Joseph R.
Published: December 2016

Recent studies have demonstrated that sponge‐eating fishes alter the community of sponges on coral reefs across the Caribbean. Sponge species that lack chemical defenses but grow or reproduce faster than defended species are more abundant on reefs where sponge‐eating fishes have been removed by overfishing. Does predator‐removal have an effect on the distribution of sponges at smaller spatial scales? We conducted transect surveys of sponge species that are palatable to sponge predators in proximity to refuge organisms that are chemically or physically defended (fire coral, gorgonians, hard corals) on the heavily overfished reefs of Bocas del Toro, Panama, and a reef in the Florida Keys where sponge‐eating fishes are abundant. In Panama, palatable sponge species were not distributed in close association with refuge organisms, while in the Florida Keys, palatable sponge species were strongly associated with refuge organisms. The presence of fish predators alters the meter‐scale pattern of sponge distribution, and defense by association enhances biodiversity by allowing palatable sponges to persist on reefs where sponge‐eating fishes are abundant.
Advances in ecological genomics in forest trees and applications to genetic resources conservation and breeding
Authors: Holliday Jason A. , Aitken Sally N. , Cooke Janice E. K. , Fady Bruno , González‐Martínez Santiago C. , Heuertz Myriam , Jaramillo‐Correa Juan‐Pablo , Lexer Christian , Staton Margaret , Whetten Ross W. , Plomion Christophe
Published: December 2016

Forest trees are an unparalleled group of organisms in their combined ecological, economic and societal importance. With widespread distributions, predominantly random mating systems and large population sizes, most tree species harbour extensive genetic variation both within and among populations. At the same time, demographic processes associated with Pleistocene climate oscillations and land‐use change have affected contemporary range‐wide diversity and may impinge on the potential for future adaptation. Understanding how these adaptive and neutral processes have shaped the genomes of trees species is therefore central to their management and conservation. As for many other taxa, the advent of high‐throughput sequencing methods is expected to yield an understanding of the interplay between the genome and environment at a level of detail and depth not possible only a few years ago. An international conference entitled ‘Genomics and Forest Tree Genetics’ was held in May 2016, in Arcachon (France), and brought together forest geneticists with a wide range of research interests to disseminate recent efforts that leverage contemporary genomic tools to probe the population, quantitative and evolutionary genomics of trees. An important goal of the conference was to discuss how such data can be applied to both genome‐enabled breeding and the conservation of forest genetic resources under land use and climate change. Here, we report discoveries presented at the meeting and discuss how the ecological genomic toolkit can be used to address both basic and applied questions in tree biology.
Deciphering fungal dimorphism: Farnesol's unanswered questions
Authors: Nickerson Kenneth W. , Atkin Audrey L.
Published: December 2016

Candida albicans excretes E,E‐farnesol as a virulence factor and quorum sensing molecule that prevents the yeast to hyphal conversion. Polke et al. (2016) identified eed1Δ/Δ as the first farnesol hypersensitive mutant of C. albicans. eed1Δ/Δ also excretes 10X more farnesol and while able to form hyphae, it cannot maintain hyphae. This mutant enables new research into unanswered questions, including the existence of potential farnesol receptors and transporters, regulation of farnesol synthesis, and relationships among farnesol, germ tube formation and hyphal maintenance. The eed1 farnesol hypersensitivity can be explained by higher internal concentrations of farnesol or lower thresholds for response. One possibility invokes misexpression of a transporter. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and C. albicans have transporters for farnesylated peptides, like the a‐factor pheromone, which could potentially also transport farnesol for virulence and quorum sensing. Significantly, these transporters are repressed in MTLa/MTLα C. albicans. An evolutionary pressure for C. albicans to become diploid could derive from its use of farnesol. Alternatively, maintenance of hyphal growth may increase the farnesol response threshold. Finally, Dpp1p, Dpp2p and Dpp3p are non‐specific pyrophosphatases responsible for farnesol synthesis. Changes in expression of these enzymes do not explain differences in farnesol levels implicating involvement of additional factors like a scaffolding molecule.
Jasmonic acid‐mediated defense suppresses brassinosteroid‐mediated susceptibility to Rice black streaked dwarf virus infection in rice
Authors: He Yuqing , Zhang Hehong , Sun Zongtao , Li Junmin , Hong Gaojie , Zhu Qisong , Zhou Xuebiao , MacFarlane Stuart , Yan Fei , Chen Jianping
Published: December 2016

Plant hormones play a vital role in plant immune responses. However, in contrast to the relative wealth of information on hormone‐mediated immunity in dicot plants, little information is available on monocot–virus defense systems.

We used a high‐throughput‐sequencing approach to compare the global gene expression of Rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV)‐infected rice plants with that of healthy plants. Exogenous hormone applications and transgenic rice were used to test RBSDV infectivity and pathogenicity.

Our results revealed that the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway was induced while the brassinosteroid (BR) pathway was suppressed in infected plants. Foliar application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or brassinazole (BRZ) resulted in a significant reduction in RBSDV incidence, while epibrassinolide (BL) treatment increased RBSDV infection. Infection studies using coi1‐13 and Go mutants demonstrated JA‐mediated resistance and BR‐mediated susceptibility to RBSDV infection.

A mixture of MeJA and BL treatment resulted in a significant reduction in RBSDV infection compared with a single BL treatment. MeJA application efficiently suppressed the expression of BR pathway genes, and this inhibition depended on the JA coreceptor OsCOI1. Collectively, our results reveal that JA‐mediated defense can suppress the BR‐mediated susceptibility to RBSDV infection.
Mouse fat storage‐inducing transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2) promotes lipid droplet accumulation in plants
Authors: Cai Yingqi , McClinchie Elizabeth , Price Ann , Nguyen Thuy N. , Gidda Satinder K. , Watt Samantha C. , Yurchenko Olga , Park Sunjung , Sturtevant Drew , Mullen Robert T. , Dyer John M. , Chapman Kent D.
Published: December 2016

Fat storage‐inducing transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐localized protein that plays an important role in lipid droplet (LD) formation in animal cells. However, no obvious homologue of FIT2 is found in plants. Here, we tested the function of FIT2 in plant cells by ectopically expressing mouse (Mus musculus) FIT2 in Nicotiana tabacum suspension‐cultured cells, Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Confocal microscopy indicated that the expression of FIT2 dramatically increased the number and size of LDs in leaves of N. benthamiana and Arabidopsis, and lipidomics analysis and mass spectrometry imaging confirmed the accumulation of neutral lipids in leaves. FIT2 also increased seed oil content by ~13% in some stable, overexpressing lines of Arabidopsis. When expressed transiently in leaves of N. benthamiana or suspension cells of N. tabacum, FIT2 localized specifically to the ER and was often concentrated at certain regions of the ER that resembled ER‐LD junction sites. FIT2 also colocalized at the ER with other proteins known to be involved in triacylglycerol biosynthesis or LD formation in plants, but not with ER resident proteins involved in electron transfer or ER‐vesicle exit sites. Collectively, these results demonstrate that mouse FIT2 promotes LD accumulation in plants, a surprising functional conservation in the context of a plant cell given the apparent lack of FIT2 homologues in higher plants. These results suggest also that FIT2 expression represents an effective synthetic biology strategy for elaborating neutral lipid compartments in plant tissues for potential biofuel or bioproduct purposes.
Temporal development of the barley leaf metabolic response to Pi limitation
Authors: Alexova Ralitza , Nelson Clark J. , Millar A. Harvey
Published: December 2016

The response of plants to Pi limitation involves interplay between root uptake of Pi, adjustment of resource allocation to different plant organs and increased metabolic Pi use efficiency. To identify potentially novel, early‐responding, metabolic hallmarks of Pi limitation in crop plants, we studied the metabolic response of barley leaves over the first 7 d of Pi stress, and the relationship of primary metabolites with leaf Pi levels and leaf biomass. The abundance of leaf Pi, Tyr and shikimate were significantly different between low Pi and control plants 1 h after transfer of the plants to low Pi. Combining these data with 15N metabolic labelling, we show that over the first 48 h of Pi limitation, metabolic flux through the N assimilation and aromatic amino acid pathways is increased. We propose that together with a shift in amino acid metabolism in the chloroplast a transient restoration of the energetic and redox state of the leaf is achieved. Correlation analysis of metabolite abundances revealed a central role for major amino acids in Pi stress, appearing to modulate partitioning of soluble sugars between amino acid and carboxylate synthesis, thereby limiting leaf biomass accumulation when external Pi is low.
Enrichment of deleterious variants of mitochondrial DNA polymerase gene (POLG1) in bipolar disorder
Authors: Kasahara Takaoki , Ishiwata Mizuho , Kakiuchi Chihiro , Fuke Satoshi , Iwata Nakao , Ozaki Norio , Kunugi Hiroshi , Minabe Yoshio , Nakamura Kazuhiko , Iwata Yasuhide , Fujii Kumiko , Kanba Shigenobu , Ujike Hiroshi , Kusumi Ichiro , Kataoka Muneko , Matoba Nana , Takata Atsushi , Iwamoto Kazuya , Yoshikawa Takeo , Kato Tadafumi
Published: December 2016

Aim

Rare missense variants, which likely account for a substantial portion of the genetic ‘dark matter’ for a common complex disease, are challenging because the impacts of variants on disease development are difficult to substantiate. This study aimed to examine the impacts of amino acid substitution variants in the POLG1 found in bipolar disorder, as an example and proof of concept, in three different modalities of assessment: in silico predictions, in vitro biochemical assays, and clinical evaluation. We then tested whether deleterious variants in POLG1 contributed to the genetics of bipolar disorder.

Methods

We searched for variants in the POLG1 gene in 796 Japanese patients with bipolar disorder and 767 controls and comprehensively investigated all 23 identified variants in the three modalities of assessment. POLG1 encodes mitochondrial DNA polymerase and is one of the causative genes for a Mendelian‐inheritance mitochondrial disease, which is occasionally accompanied by mood disorders. The healthy control data from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization were also employed.

Results

Although the frequency of carriers of deleterious variants varied from one method to another, every assessment achieved the same conclusion that deleterious POLG1 variants were significantly enriched in the variants identified in patients with bipolar disorder compared to those in controls.

Conclusion

Together with mitochondrial dysfunction in bipolar disorder, the present results suggested deleterious POLG1 variants as a credible risk for the multifactorial disease.
Cutaneous Reactions in Children Treated with the Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Extracellular Signal‐Regulated Kinase Inhibitor Trametinib for Neural Tumors
Authors: Boull Christina , Hook Kristen , Moertel Christopher , Maguiness Sheilagh
Published: December 2016

Background

The mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a target for the treatment of a growing number of malignancies. The cutaneous reactions to medications that inhibit this pathway have not been described in children.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was completed for eight children with neural tumors treated with the MAPK extracellular signal‐regulated kinase inhibitor trametinib. All children were evaluated by a pediatric dermatologist with documentation of cutaneous findings.

Results

All patients had at least two separate skin reactions while on treatment with trametinib. Common skin findings included xerotic dermatitis, bacterial folliculitis, acneiform eruptions, paronychia, and hair thinning. No child needed to discontinue use of trametinib due to cutaneous toxicities.

Conclusions

Cutaneous reactions are common in children receiving trametinib. Identification of these reactions is the initial step in establishing treatment guidelines that will minimize skin eruptions and subsequent interruption of trametinib treatment.
Regression of Nevi After Candida Injection for the Treatment of Verruca Vulgaris
Authors: Kollmann Emily , Cleaver David , Cleaver Lloyd , Cleaver Jonathan
Published: December 2016

The most common treatment methods for verruca vulgaris are destructive methods that are often painful and treat individual verruca. Thus immune modulators, including Candida immunotherapy, are used to treat persistent recalcitrant and multiple verrucas simultaneously. Very few side effects are reported with Candida immunotherapy; they include vitiligo and now halo nevi. Physicians need to be aware of and discuss side effects with patients undergoing Candida immunotherapy.
Maternal Smoking Status in Successive Pregnancies and Risk of Having a Small for Gestational Age Infant
Authors: Kvalvik Liv G. , Haug Kjell , Klungsøyr Kari , Morken Nils‐Halvdan , DeRoo Lisa A. , Skjærven Rolv
Published: December 2016

Background

Smoking during pregnancy is linked to having a small for gestational age (SGA) baby. We estimated SGA risk among women who smoked persistently, quit smoking or started smoking during their first two pregnancies.

Methods

Data from the population‐based Medical Birth Registry of Norway was used to evaluate self‐reported smoking at the beginning and end of two successive pregnancies among 118 355 Nordic women giving birth 1999–2014. Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of SGA in the second pregnancy were estimated using adjusted generalised linear models with non‐smokers during both pregnancies serving as referent category.

Results

Daily smokers throughout both pregnancies had almost threefold increased SGA risk in the second pregnancy (RR 2.9, 95% CI 2.7, 3.1). Daily smokers in the first pregnancy, who abstained in the second, had a 1.3‐fold increased risk (95% CI 1.1, 1.5). Intermediate risks were found among persistent daily smokers who quit by the end of the second pregnancy (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6, 2.4) and non‐smokers in first pregnancy who smoked daily throughout their second (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4, 2.3). Persistently smoking women without SGA in first pregnancy, had a 2.7‐fold increased risk of SGA in second pregnancy (95% CI 2.5, 3.0).

Conclusions

Smoking throughout two successive pregnancies was associated with the greatest increased SGA risk compared with non‐smokers, while cessation before or during the second pregnancy reduced this risk. Women who smoked in the first pregnancy without experiencing SGA are not protected against SGA in second pregnancy if they continue smoking.
Soluble thrombomodulin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is an independent predictor of severe drug‐induced lung injury
Authors: Suzuki Atsushi , Taniguchi Hiroyuki , Kondoh Yasuhiro , Ando Masahiko , Watanabe Naohiro , Kimura Tomoki , Kataoka Kensuke , Yokoyama Toshiki , Sakamoto Koji , Hasegawa Yoshinori
Published: December 2016

Background and objective

Drug‐induced lung injury (DLI) can result from a vast number of agents, and sometimes presents findings similar to those of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Previous studies have reported that circulating levels of soluble thrombomodulin (TM) reflect endothelial injuries, which play key roles in the development of ARDS. We hypothesized that endothelial injuries are an important aspect of pathogenesis in severe DLI. The primary aim of this study was to examine the associations between soluble TM and disease severity in DLI patients.

Methods

Of the 2580 patients who underwent a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) procedure at Tosei General Hospital between May 2007 and February 2015, we retrospectively analysed the data of 68 DLI patients. Soluble TM in plasma and BAL fluid (BALF), and other biomarkers were included in our analysis.

Results

At the time of diagnosis, 39 patients (57%) had respiratory failure (partial pressure of oxygen/inspiratory oxygen fraction ratio, PaO2
/FiO2
ratio < 300). There was a significant negative linear correlation between the PaO2
/FiO2
ratio and soluble TM in BALF (r = −0.448, P < 0.001). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, soluble TM in BALF and surfactant protein D (SP‐D) were the only independent determinants of the PaO2
/FiO2
ratio. Additionally, in a multivariate logistic regression model, soluble TM in BALF (adjusted OR (aOR): 7.48, 95% CI: 1.60–34.98) and SP‐D (aOR: 5.31, 95% CI: 1.40–20.15) was an independent predictor of respiratory failure (PaO2
/FiO2
ratio < 300).

Conclusion

Soluble TM in BALF is an independent predictor of severe DLI. These findings underscore the importance of pulmonary endothelial injuries in the pathogenesis of severe DLI.
Municipal Law Enforcement Policy on Illegal Immigration Stops: Do Social Factors Determine How Aggressively Local Police Respond to Unauthorized Immigrants?
Authors: Kent Stephanie L. , Carmichael Jason T.
Published: December 2016

The devolution of immigration law has increased local police involvement in the enforcement of federal immigration law. But only some departments have responded by implementing policies that restrict their officers' involvement in order to protect residents from overzealous policing. We test theories of economic and ethnic threat to explore the structural characteristics of cities that explain this variation. Multiple regression results show that the most unequal cities that have large Hispanic populations are less likely to have a policy. Hispanic white segregation and high unemployment also reduce the likelihood of policy implementation. We discuss theoretical and policy implications.
Survival of the Fittest: Explaining the Success of Ethnic Autonomy Arrangements
Authors: Anderson Liam , Costa Carlos
Published: December 2016

The empirical evidence indicates that ethnic autonomy arrangements (EAAs) survive more often than not, but this mixed track record raises an important question. What accounts for the survival of some systems and not others? We theorize that that this differential survival rate is partly a function of variation in their internal structure. EAAs that are structured to create and best sustain an equilibrium in bargaining relations between center d periphery have the highest probability of survival. It follows logically that the more unbalanced the system in favor of either the center or periphery, the less likely to survive. We test the theory using logit analysis on an original data set drawn from the universe of post‐1945 EAAs. After controlling for level of democracy and wealth disparity, the key finding is that the internal structure of an EAA matters for its survival. One important implication of these findings is that, for any given level of democracy, ethnofederal systems can be systematically designed to maximize survival prospects
Centre‐State Bargaining and Territorial Accommodation: Evidence from India
Authors: Swenden Wilfried
Published: December 2016

This article assesses the evolution of territorial management in India across time. It shows how India gradually moved away from a relatively ‘integrationist’ territorial strategy at independence towards a more ‘accommodationist’ strategy’ in recent decades. The deepening of democracy, and more recently, liberalization have opened up more room for state political and economic autonomy. However, the limits of an accommodative strategy are clearly exposed in relation to the small but significant border states of the North East which can be seen as ‘minority nations’. I argue that the flexibility of the Indian constitution which enabled an accommodative response in the context of linguistic reorganization during the early decades after independence contrasts with a more repressive centric strategy in relation to India's minority nations. The article seeks to explain why the bargaining position of the latter states has been comparatively weak and why the centre has been comparatively less accommodative in its approach to these states.
Translating knowledge about abiotic stress tolerance to breeding programmes
Authors: Gilliham Matthew , Able Jason A. , Roy Stuart J.
Published: December 2016

Plant breeding and improvements in agronomic practice are making a consistent contribution to increasing global crop production year upon year. However, the rate of yield improvement currently lags behind the targets set to produce enough food to meet the demands of the predicted global population in 2050. Furthermore, crops that are exposed to harmful abiotic environmental factors (abiotic stresses, e.g. water limitation, salinity, extreme temperature) are prone to reduced yields. Here, we briefly describe the processes undertaken in conventional breeding programmes, which are usually designed to improve yields in near‐optimal conditions rather than specifically breeding for improved crop yield stability under stressed conditions. While there is extensive fundamental research activity that examines mechanisms of plant stress tolerance, there are few examples that apply this research to improving commercial crop yields. There are notable exceptions, and we highlight some of these to demonstrate the magnitude of yield gains that could be made by translating agronomic, phenological and genetic solutions focused on improving or mitigating the effect of abiotic stress in the field; in particular, we focus on improvements in crop water‐use efficiency and salinity tolerance. We speculate upon the reasons for the disconnect between research and research translation. We conclude that to realise untapped rapid gains towards food security targets new funding structures need to be embraced. Such funding needs to serve both the core and collaborative activities of the fundamental, pre‐breeding and breeding research communities in order to expedite the translation of innovative research into the fields of primary producers.
Zika virus is not thermostable: very effective virus inactivation during heat treatment (pasteurization) of human serum albumin
Authors: Farcet Maria R. , Kreil Thomas R.
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

The ongoing Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in the Americas has also raised concerns around the potential for ZIKV transmission via blood products. Plasma‐derived products are considered safe, because effective viral‐inactivation and removal methods are implemented in their manufacturing processes. However, a recent study has indicated that ZIKV is “thermally stable” compared with the closely related Dengue virus, thus raising the question of whether heat treatments, as embedded in the manufacturing of plasma‐derived products, are as effective against ZIKV as was previously shown for other Flaviviruses. Therefore, the sensitivity of ZIKV to heat inactivation was investigated using the pasteurization of human serum albumin (HSA) as an example.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Heat treatment (58.0 ± 1.0°C for 590 ± 10 minutes) of HSA was investigated for the capacity to reduce ZIKV in two different protein concentrations (5% and 25% HSA). The results were compared with data obtained in identical set‐ups for the closely related West Nile virus, tick‐borne encephalitis virus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus.

RESULTS

Heat treatment of HSA inactivated ZIKV to below the limit of detection already during the heating phase to 57.0°C, that is, even before the 10‐hour incubation at 58.0 ± 1.0°C commenced. For West Nile virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and tick‐borne encephalitis virus, incubations up to 180 minutes were required to achieve inactivation to below the limit of detection.

CONCLUSION

ZIKV was more sensitive to heat treatment than other members of the Flaviviridae and thus does not pose a concern for plasma products that include a heat treatment in their manufacturing process.
Relative efficacy of tranexamic acid and preoperative anemia treatment for reducing transfusions in total joint arthroplasty
Authors: Styron Joseph F. , Klika Alison K. , Szubski Caleb R. , Tolich Deborah , Barsoum Wael K. , Higuera Carlos A.
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a perioperative blood management (PBM) protocol at a large, tertiary hospital at reducing blood transfusions after total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective review of the PBM for patients undergoing THA or TKA was performed. Adjusted multiple logistic and Poisson regression models examined the effect of patient characteristics and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors on the likelihood of transfusion and units transfused.

RESULTS

Of 883 study patients, 330 (37.4%) had surgery before PBM protocol implementation and served as the control population while 553 (62.6%) were eligible for the protocol. Having a higher preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) was independently associated with a decreased odds of transfusion (odds ratio [OR], 0.480; p < 0.001). Preoperative treatment for anemia (88 [15.9%] patients) did result in a significant, yet modest, increase in preoperative Hb (11.92 g/dL to 12.35 g/dL; p < 0.001) but treatment was not a significant predictor of transfusion. Receiving intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA; 204 [36.9%] patients) had the greatest effect in reducing the odds of transfusion (OR, 0.289; p < 0.001) and the number of units transfused (−0.6; p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Having a decreased Hb was shown to be an independent risk factor both for requiring a perioperative blood transfusion and for the volume of transfusion. The very modest increase in Hb achieved by the costly and time‐consuming preoperative anemia optimization program, however, may not be justified when the use of intraoperative TXA led to drastic reductions in both transfusions and transfusion volumes.
Bilateral pre‐auricular papillary squamous cell carcinomas associated with papillomavirus infection in a domestic cat
Authors: Munday John S. , Gwyther Stacy , Thomson Neroli A. , Malik Richard
Published: December 2016

Background

Cutaneous papillary squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are extremely rare in humans and have not been reported in any nonhuman species. In humans, oral papillary SCCs are often caused by papillomavirus infection and have a more favourable prognosis than other SCC subtypes.

Case

A 10‐year‐old ginger and white domestic short hair cat had a 12 month history of symmetrical, roughly circular, exophytic 2 cm diameter masses in both pre‐auricular regions. Surgical excision was performed, although with only narrow margins.

Methods and results

Histology of both masses revealed a proliferation of neoplastic keratinocytes arranged in numerous filiform projections that were supported by fibrovascular stalks. Although the cells were confined to the epidermis predominantly, nests of neoplastic cells were visible within the superficial dermis. The neoplastic cells demonstrated significant atypia with a variable nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio and a high mitotic index. A papillary subtype SCC was diagnosed. Felis catus papillomavirus type 2 (FcaPV‐2) was the only papillomavirus detected in the masses and FcaPV‐2 E6/E7 gene expression and p16CDKN2A protein immunostaining were detected. Six months after surgery neither recurrence nor further masses had developed.

Conclusions

This is the first cutaneous papillary SCC reported in a nonhuman species. Papillary SCCs may be a rare manifestation of FcaPV‐2 infection in cats. The unusual location of the SCCs suggests that both papillomavirus infection and ultraviolet light exposure could have contributed to neoplasia development. Evidence from this single case suggests that papillary SCCs may have a more favourable prognosis than conventional SCCs in cats.
The influence of Ringer's lactate or HES 130/0.4 administration on the integrity of the small intestinal mucosa in a pig hemorrhagic shock model under general anesthesia
Authors: Ortiz Ana Liza , Vala Helena , Venâncio Carlos , Mesquita João , Silva Aura , Gonzalo‐Orden Jose Manuel , Ferreira David
Published: December 2016

Objective

To determine the effect of fluid resuscitation with 2 different physiological solutions, Ringer's lactate (RL) and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4, on histological lesions of the small intestinal mucosa in anesthetized pigs subjected to severe acute bleeding.

Design

Prospective experimental study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Twenty‐eight healthy Large White pigs, 3 months of age.

Interventions

Pigs were subjected to severe acute bleeding (30 mL/kg) under total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. Pigs were randomly allocated to 3 groups: Group 1 (n = 11) received RL solution (25 mL/kg) after bleeding; Group 2 (n = 11) received HES 130/0.4 solution (20 mL/kg) after bleeding; and Group 3 (n = 6) volume replacement nor induced bleeding. Pigs were euthanized and the small intestine was harvested for histopathological analysis.

Measurements and Main Results

The small intestine was histologically evaluated and the presence of the following lesions were characterized: edema, congestion, hyperemia, hemorrhage, inflammatory infiltration, cellular degeneration, necrosis, and epithelial detachment. Mucosal loss percentage (%ML) and crypt:interstitium ratio (C:I) were also assessed. In the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and the entire small intestine, the %ML was significantly higher in Group 1, than in Groups 2 and 3. Hyperemia in the small intestine was significantly higher in pigs resuscitated with HES 130/0.4 compared to pigs resuscitated with RL.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

In a setting of controlled hemorrhage, resuscitation with HES 130/0.4 was associated with a lower percentage of mucosal loss on the small intestine, compared with resuscitation with RL solution. Our study also suggests that the duodenum may be more sensitive to hypovolemia induced by severe hemorrhage.
SINGLE‐SHOT TURBO SPIN ECHO PULSE SEQUENCE FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH AND WITHOUT PROGRESSIVE MYELOMALACIA
Authors: Gilmour Lindsey J. , Jeffery Nick D. , Miles Kristina , Riedesel Elizabeth
Published: December 2016

Progressive myelomalacia is an uncommon type of ischemic, hemorrhagic spinal cord infarction. Diagnosis can be difficult, but prompt recognition is important. We hypothesized that cerebrospinal fluid signal attenuation on magnetic resonance (MR) images would be more extensive in dogs that developed progressive myelomalacia vs. control dogs. A retrospective analytic cohort study was designed. Dogs were included if they presented for acute paraplegia and loss of deep pain perception and had undergone MR imaging using both sagittal single‐shot turbo spin echo (SSTSE) and standard sagittal T2‐weighted fast spin echo (T2W) pulse sequences. Dogs were divided into progressive myelomalacia and control groups for comparisons. All MR examinations were evaluated by three reviewers blinded to patient outcome. Length of cerebrospinal fluid attenuation was recorded as a ratio to the length of the L2 vertebral body in SSTSE and T2W sequences (CSF:L2SSTSE and CSF:L2T2, respectively). Length of intramedullary spinal cord hyperintensity was recorded as a ratio to the length of the L2 vertebral body in T2W sequences. A total of 21 dogs were included (five in the progressive myelomalacia group and 16 in the control group). The mean CSF:L2SSTSE attenuation value was significantly higher in dogs that developed progressive myelomalacia (CSF:L2SSTSE = 10.7) compared to controls (CSF:L2SSTSE = 5.4; P = 0.015). A cut off ratio of attenuation >7.4 provided optimal differentiation between groups in this study. Findings supported the conclusion that dogs with CSF:L2SSTSE ≤ 7.4 are unlikely to develop progressive myelomalacia while dogs with CSF:L2SSTSE > 7.4 are indeterminate for progressive myelomalacia.
Carbon curves for the assessment of embodied carbon in the wastewater industry
Authors: Smyth Beatrice M. , Davison Paul , Brow Paddy
Published: December 2016

The water and wastewater industry has been tasked with reducing its greenhouse gas (or carbon) emissions. A key component of any emissions reduction strategy is emissions measurement. While operational emissions are reported by the sector on an annual basis, there is a lack of robust data on embodied carbon. The aim of this paper was to develop a practical solution for assessing the embodied carbon in wastewater assets. The analysis revealed a linear relationship between carbon emissions and capital investment in the construction of wastewater treatment works (1.3 tCO2/£1000) and wastewater pumping stations (0.3 tCO2/£1000). Carbon emissions from sewer construction were found to increase linearly with increasing pipe diameter, with ductile iron pipelines responsible for higher emissions than polyethylene. Operational carbon is the major component in the whole life carbon of wastewater treatment works, but future decarbonisation of the electricity grid may increase the relative importance of embodied carbon.
Energy-Oriented Modeling and Optimization of a Heat Treating Furnace
Authors: Heng Vincent R. , Ganesh Hari S. , Dulaney Austin R. , Kurzawski Andrew , Baldea Michael , Ezekoye Ofodike A. , Edgar Thomas F.
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we develop an energy-focused model of an industrial roller hearth heat treating furnace. The model represents radiation heat transfer with nonparticipating gas and convective heat transfer. The model computes the exit temperature profile of the treated steel parts and the energy consumption and efficiency of the furnace. We propose a dual iterative numerical scheme to solve the conservation equations and validate its efficacy by simulating the dynamics of the furnace during startup, as well as for steady-state operation. A case study investigates energy consumption within the furnace under temperature control. We first consider a heuristic control strategy using simple linear controllers. A response surface approach is then used to find the optimal set points that minimize energy consumption while ensuring desired part temperature properties are met when processing is complete. With optimized set points, 4.8% less energy per part is required versus the heuristic set points.