bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ala95‐to‐Gly substitution in Aerococcus viridansl‐lactate oxidase revisited – structural consequences at the catalytic site and effect on reactivity with O2 and other electron acceptors
Authors: Stoisser Thomas , Rainer Daniela , Leitgeb Stefan , Wilson David K. , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: November 2014

Aerococcus viridansl‐lactate oxidase (avLOX) is a biotechnologically important flavoenzyme that catalyzes the conversion of l‐lactate and O2 into pyruvate and H2O2. The enzymatic reaction underlies different biosensor applications of avLOX for blood l‐lactate determination. The ability of avLOX to replace O2 with other electron acceptors such as 2,6‐dichlorophenol‐indophenol (DCIP) allows the possiblity of analytical and practical applications. The A95G variant of avLOX was previously shown to exhibit lowered reactivity with O2 compared to wild‐type enzyme and therefore was employed in a detailed investigation with respect to the specificity for different electron acceptor substrates. From stopped‐flow experiments performed at 20 °C (pH 6.5), we determined that the A95G variant (fully reduced by l‐lactate) was approximately three‐fold more reactive towards DCIP (1.0 ± 0.1 × 106 M−1·s−1) than O2, whereas avLOX wild‐type under the same conditions was 14‐fold more reactive towards O2 (1.8 ± 0.1 × 106 m−1·s−1) than DCIP. Substituted 1,4‐benzoquinones were up to five‐fold better electron acceptors for reaction with l‐lactate‐reduced A95G variant than wild‐type. A 1.65‐Å crystal structure of oxidized A95G variant bound with pyruvate was determined and revealed that the steric volume created by removal of the methyl side chain of Ala95 and a slight additional shift in the main chain at position Gly95 together enable the accomodation of a new active‐site water molecule within hydrogen‐bond distance to the N5 of the FMN cofactor. The increased steric volume available in the active site allows the A95G variant to exhibit a similar trend with the related glycolate oxidase in electron acceptor substrate specificities, despite the latter containing an alanine at the analogous position.

Database

Atomic coordinates and related experimental data concerning the structure of the A95G variant of A. viridans lacate oxidase have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under the identifier 4RJE.
Climates of suspicion: ‘chemtrail’ conspiracy narratives and the international politics of geoengineering
Authors: Cairns Rose
Published: November 2014

Concurrent with growing academic and policy interest in ‘geoengineering’ the global climate in response to climate change, a more marginal discourse postulating the existence of a climate control conspiracy is also proliferating on the Internet. Here, the term ‘chemtrails’ is used interchangeably with the term geoengineering to describe the belief that the persistent contrails left by aeroplanes provide evidence that a secret programme of large‐scale weather and climate modification is ongoing. Despite recent calls for greater appreciation of the diverse ways in which people conceive of and relate to ideas of climate control, and widespread acknowledgement of the importance of democratic public engagement in governance of geoengineering, the chemtrail conspiracy narrative has received very little attention in academic work to date. This paper builds on work highlighting the instability of the distinction between ‘paranoid’ and ‘normal’ views, and examines the chemtrail conspiracy narrative as a discourse rather than a pathology (either psychological or sociological). The analysis finds that while some elements of the chemtrail narrative do not lend themselves to democratic processes of deliberation, and potential for engagement with more mainstream discourse appears to be low, nevertheless certain elements of the discourse (such as the moral outrage at the idea of powerful elites controlling the climate, or the importance of emotional and spiritual connections to weather and climate) highlight concerns of relevance to mainstream geoengineering debates. Furthermore, the pervasive suspicion that characterises the narrative and its reminder of the key role that trust plays in knowledge creation and the justification of beliefs, signals what is likely to be a perennial issue in the emerging international politics of geoengineering.
Thrombosis of abdominal aorta in congenital afibrinogenemia: case report and review of literature
Authors: Teresa S. M. , Marta M. , Emiliano D. B. , Mariangela F. , Raffaele P. , Ezio Z.
Published: November 2014

Thrombotic events in congenital hypo‐afibrinogenemia have been rarely reported, either in association or not with replacement therapy or thrombotic risk factors. We describe clinical findings and management of thrombosis of abdominal aorta with peripheral embolism in a patient with congenital afibrinogenemia. A review of arterial thrombosis in inherited hypo‐afibrinogenemia was also performed. The patient with a severe bleeding history requiring prophylaxis with fibrinogen concentrates (FC) was admitted for ischaemia of the 4th right toe. An angio‐CT of abdominal aorta showed a thrombosis from the origin of renal arteries to the carrefour with a distal floating part. No thrombotic risk factors were found; a previous traumatic lesion of aortic wall might have triggered the thrombus formation, whereas the role of FC prophylaxis remains uncertain. The patient was successfully treated with FC, enoxaparin followed by fondaparinux, and low‐dose aspirin without bleeding or thrombosis recurrence. After 2 years, aortic thrombus was almost completely recovered. Sixteen hypo/afibrinogenemia patients with arterial thrombosis were found in Literature, showing that thrombosis often occurs at a young age, involves large vessels, its recurrence is not unusual, and therapeutic strategy is not defined yet. Our therapeutic approach was effective and also safe, but further studies are needed to improve the knowledge of pathogenesis and the anti‐thrombotic management in this peculiar setting.
Cardiovascular disease prevalence and relevance in haemophilia: a scoping review
Authors: Rizwan I. , Minuk L. , Jackson S. , Iorio A.
Published: November 2014

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and events in patients with haemophilia (PWH) is expected to increase as the longevity of this cohort increases due to treatment advances since the 1950s. The aims of this study were to assess publications of CVD and haemophilia for robustness, determine if the increasing longevity of PWH and associated age‐related CVD risk factors result in CVD events; assess the need for an extension of the circle of care for ageing PWH due to the shift in comorbidities. A scoping review was conducted, resulting in a final pool of 30 articles which were organized based on publication dates. A matrix was created to illustrate which articles cited articles published prior to its own publication. This led to the identification of the primary articles, receiving the highest number of citations by other publications, which drive the research pertaining to the study of age‐related risk factors of CVD in PWH. The scoping review revealed 14 original articles, four of which indicated a protective effect of haemophilia toward CVD. Twelve articles demonstrated a similar prevalence of CVD in PWH compared to the general population while seven articles concluded a difference in the prevalence of CVD in the ageing haemophilia population. The existing literature presented conflicting evidence regarding the possibility of a protective effect of haemophilia against CVD. The scoping review was not able to finalize whether the longevity of PWH and their associated age‐related CVD risk factors result in CVD events because the articles assessed reported conflicting results.
Longitudinal associations of depressive symptoms and pain with quality of life in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis
Authors: Belayev Linda Y. , Mor Maria K. , Sevick Mary Ann , Shields Anne Marie , Rollman Bruce L. , Palevsky Paul M. , Arnold Robert M. , Fine Michael J. , Weisbord Steven D.
Published: November 2014

Depressive symptoms and pain are common in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD), yet their associations with quality of life (QOL) are not fully understood. We sought to characterize the longitudinal associations of these symptoms with QOL. As part of a trial comparing two symptom management strategies in patients receiving chronic HD, we assessed depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), and pain using the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF‐MPQ) monthly over 24 months. We assessed health‐related QOL (HR‐QOL) quarterly using the Short Form 12 (SF‐12) and global QOL (G‐QOL) using a single‐item survey. We used random effects linear regression to analyze the independent associations of depressive symptoms and pain, scaled based on 5‐point increments in symptom scores, with HR‐QOL and G‐QOL. Overall, 286 patients completed 1417 PHQ‐9 and SF‐MPQ symptom assessments, 1361 SF‐12 assessments, and 1416 G‐QOL assessments. Depressive symptoms were independently and inversely associated with SF‐12 physical HR‐QOL scores (β = −1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.69, −0.50, P < 0.001); SF‐12 mental HR‐QOL scores (β = −4.52; 95% CI: −5.15, −3.89, P < 0.001); and G‐QOL scores (β = −0.64; 95%CI: −0.79, −0.49, P < 0.001). Pain was independently and inversely associated with SF‐12 physical HR‐QOL scores (β = −0.99; 95% CI: −1.30, −0.68, P < 0.001) and G‐QOL scores (β = −0.12; 95%CI: −0.20, −0.05, P = 0.002); but not with SF‐12 mental HR‐QOL scores (β = −0.16; 95%CI: −0.050, 0.17, P = 0.34). In patients receiving chronic HD, depressive symptoms and to a lesser extent pain, are independently associated with reduced HR‐QOL and G‐QOL. Interventions to alleviate these symptoms could potentially improve patients' HR‐QOL and G‐QOL.
Association of interleukin‐10 promoter region polymorphisms with risk factors of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Yu G. I. , Jun S.‐E. , Cho H.‐C. , Park K. O. , Chung J.‐H. , Shin D. H. , Chung I. S.
Published: November 2014

Atherosclerosis is considered as an inflammatory disease, and carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaque are generally used as intermediated phenotype of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether carotid IMT and plaque are associated with promoter region polymorphisms of interleukin 10 (IL‐10) gene. We recruited 135 subjects from a rural area of south‐eastern part of South Korea. Three polymorphisms in the promoter region of IL‐10 (−1082 A/G, −819 T/C and −592 A/C) were genotyped by pyrosequencing. Carotid IMT was measured at common carotid arteries, and carotid bulbs and cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, uric acid and homocysteine were measured using blood samples. Subjects with the minor allele (C) of −819 T/C or the minor allele (C) of −592A/C showed lower values in carotid IMT than those with major allele homozygote of each polymorphism (P = 0.018 and P = 0.031, respectively). Subjects with carotid plaque were significantly older and showed higher values in carotid IMT, uric acid and homocysteine than those without plaque (P < 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, the promoter region polymorphisms of IL‐10 gene associate with carotid IMT and plaque. Further studies with larger samples are needed to provide stronger evidence to justify anti‐atheromatous properties of IL‐10.
Transperineal template‐guided mapping biopsy of the prostate
Authors: Sivaraman Arjun , Sanchez‐Salas Rafael , Barret Eric , Ahallal Youness , Rozet Francois , Galiano Marc , Prapotnich Dominique , Cathelineau Xavier
Published: November 2014

Accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer has eluded clinicians for decades. With our current understanding of prostate cancer, urologists should devise and confidently present the available treatment options – active surveillance/radical treatment/focal therapy to these patients. The diagnostic modalities used for prostate cancer have the dual problem of false negativity and overdiagnosis. Various modifications in the prostate biopsy techniques have increased the accuracy of cancer detection, but we are still far from an ideal diagnostic technique. Transperineal template‐guided mapping biopsy of the prostate is an exhaustive biopsy technique that has been improvised over the past decade, and has shown superior results to other available modalities. We have carried out a PubMed search on the available experiences on this diagnostic modality, and along with our own experiences, we present a brief review on transperineal template‐guided mapping biopsy of the prostate.
Targeted therapy after complete resection of metastatic lesions in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Park Yong Hyun , Jung Jin‐Woo , Lee Byung Ki , Lee Sangchul , Jeong Seong Jin , Byun Seok‐Soo , Lee Sang Eun
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of targeted therapy after complete resection of metastatic lesions in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 53 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who underwent complete surgical resection of metastatic lesions between January 2006 and December 2012. Immediate postoperative targeted therapy was given to a subgroup of patients. Progression‐free survival and cancer‐specific survival were assessed.

Results

All patients underwent curative surgery for a primary tumor. A total of 13 patients (24.5%) had metastatic disease at initial diagnosis, and 49 (92.5%) had single‐organ involvement at the time of first metastasis. None of the patients met the poor‐risk criteria. Of the 19 patients who received immediate postoperative targeted therapy, five (26.3%) experienced relapse. Of the 34 patients who did not receive immediate postoperative targeted therapy, 27 (79.4%) experienced disease recurrence. Targeted therapy was restarted in 30 patients (93.8%) after relapse with excellent disease control rates (complete response: 3.3%, partial response: 36.7%, stable disease: 46.7%). Immediate postoperative targeted therapy was associated with better median progression‐free survival (not reached vs 20.0 months; P = 0.017), but not better cancer‐specific survival.

Conclusions

Postoperative targeted therapy after complete metastasectomy seems to be associated with better progression‐free survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, but not with cancer‐specific survival.
Robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy in an initial Japanese series: The impact of prior abdominal surgery on surgical outcomes
Authors: Yumioka Tetsuya , Iwamoto Hideto , Masago Toshihiko , Morizane Shuichi , Yao Akihisa , Honda Masashi , Muraoka Kuniyasu , Sejima Takehiro , Takenaka Atsushi
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To evaluate the influence of prior abdominal surgery on surgical outcomes of robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy in an early single center experience in Japan.

Methods

We reviewed medical records of patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy from October 2010 to September 2013 at Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan. Patients with prior abdominal surgery were compared with those with no prior surgery with respect to total operative time, port‐insertion time, console time, positive surgical margin and perioperative complication rate. Furthermore, the number of patients requiring minimal adhesion lysis was compared between the two groups.

Results

Of 150 patients who underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy, 94 (63%) had no prior abdominal surgery, whereas 56 patients (37%) did. The mean total operative time was 329 and 333 min (P = 0.340), mean port insertion time was 40 and 34.5 min (P = 0.003), mean console time was 255 and 238 min (P = 0.145), a positive surgical margin was observed in 17.9% and 17.0% patients (P = 0.896), and the incidence of perioperative complications was 25% and 23.4% (P = 0.825), respectively, in those with and without prior abdominal surgery. In the prior abdominal surgery group, 48 patients (80.4%) required adhesion lysis at the time of trocar placement or while operating the robotic console.

Conclusion

Robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy appears to be a safe approach for patients with prior abdominal surgery without increasing total operative time, robotic console time, positive surgical margin or the incidence of perioperative complications.
Study of the Ion‐Irradiation Behavior of Advanced SiC Fibers by Raman Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Huguet‐Garcia Juan , Jankowiak Aurélien , Miro Sandrine , Gosset Dominique , Serruys Yves , Costantini Jean‐Marc
Published: November 2014

6H–SiC single crystals and two types of SiC fibers, Hi‐Nicalon type S and Tyranno SA3, have been irradiated with 4‐MeV Au3+ up to 2 × 1015 cm−2 (4 dpa) at room temperature, 100°C and 200°C. These fibers are composed of highly faulted 3C–SiC grains and free intergranular C. Stacking fault linear density and grain size estimations yield, respectively, 0.29 nm−1 and 26–36 nm for the Hi‐Nicalon type S fibers and 0.18 nm−1 and 141–210 nm for the Tyranno SA3 fibers. Both transmission electron microscopy and surface micro‐Raman spectroscopy reveal the complete amorphization of all the samples when irradiated at room temperature and 100°C and a remaining crystallinity when irradiated at 200°C. The latter observations reveal a multi‐band irradiated layer consisting in a partially amorphized band near the surface and an in‐depth amorphous band. Also, nanocrystalline SiC grains with high stacking fault densities can be found embedded in amorphous SiC at the maximum damage zone of the Hi‐Nicalon type S fibers irradiated at 200°C.
Body composition and morphological assessment of nutritional status in adults: a review of anthropometric variables
Authors: Madden A. M. , Smith S.
Published: November 2014

Evaluation of body composition is an important part of assessing nutritional status and provides prognostically useful data and an opportunity to monitor the effects of nutrition‐related disease progression and nutritional intervention. The aim of this narrative review is to critically evaluate body composition methodology in adults, focusing on anthropometric variables. The variables considered include height, weight, body mass index and alternative indices, trunk measurements (waist and hip circumferences and sagittal abdominal diameter) and limb measurements (mid‐upper arm and calf circumferences) and skinfold thickness. The importance of adhering to a defined measurement protocol, checking measurement error and the need to interpret measurements using appropriate population‐specific cut‐off values to identify health risks were highlighted. Selecting the optimum method for assessing body composition using anthropometry depends on the purpose (i.e. evaluating obesity or undernutrition) and requires practitioners to have a good understanding of both practical and theoretical limitations and to be able to interpret the results wisely.
Validation of the Portuguese self‐administered computerised 24‐hour dietary recall among second‐, third‐ and fourth‐grade children
Authors: Carvalho M.A. , Baranowski T. , Foster E. , Santos O. , Cardoso B. , Rito A. , Pereira Miguel J.
Published: November 2014

Background

Current methods for assessing children's dietary intake, such as interviewer‐administered 24‐h dietary recall (24‐h DR), are time consuming and resource intensive. Self‐administered instruments offer a low‐cost diet assessment method for use with children. The present study assessed the validity of the Portuguese self‐administered, computerised, 24‐h DR (PAC24) against the observation of school lunch.

Methods

Forty‐one, 7–10‐year‐old children from two elementary schools, in Lisbon, were observed during school lunch followed by completion of the PAC24 the next day. Accuracy for reporting items was measured in terms of matches, intrusions and omissions; accuracy for reporting amounts was measured in terms of arithmetic and absolute differences for matches and amounts for omissions and intrusions; and accuracy for reporting items and amounts combined was measured in terms of total inaccuracy. The ratio of the estimated weight of food consumed with the actual weight consumed was calculated along with the limits of agreement using the method of Bland and Altman.

Results

Comparison of PAC24 against observations at the food level resulted in values of 67.0% for matches, 11.5% for intrusions and 21.5% for omissions. The mean for total inaccuracy was 3.44 servings. For amounts, accuracy was high for matches (−0.17 and 0.23 servings for arithmetic and absolute differences, respectively) and lower for omissions (0.61 servings) and intrusions (0.55 servings). PAC24 was found to under‐estimate the weight of food on average by 32% of actual intake.

Conclusions

PAC24 is a lower‐burden procedure for both respondents and researchers and, with slight modification, comprises a promising method for assessing diet among children.
A four‐disc version of the Tower of London for clinical use
Authors: Tunstall Jenny R. , O'Gorman John G. , Shum David H. K.
Published: November 2014

Three studies are reported on the development of a four‐disc version of the Tower of London test of planning ability. The first (n = 138) involved the selection of items based on rational and empirical criteria to provide a short test of graded difficulty suitable for use with children and clinical populations. The second study (n = 480) checked the properties of the 10‐item test on a new sample and in addition examined the internal consistency and factor structure of the test. The third study (n = 61) examined the test–retest reliability of the test over a period of 1 month. The difficulty level of the test remained relatively stable from sample to sample and was sensitive to linear trend in performance from age 5 years up to 30 years. Total score did not reflect the action of a single underlying construct but rather appeared to index a number of factors. Scores were reasonably stable over the 1‐month period studied, at least for the children's sample employed. The four‐disc version is a promising method of assessing planning in children and adolescents in clinical situations.
Modeling the dental development of fossil hominins through the inhibitory cascade
Authors: Schroer Kes , Wood Bernard
Published: November 2014

The inhibitory cascade is a mathematical model for interpreting the relative size of the occlusal surfaces of mammalian molars in terms of developmental mechanisms. The cascade is derived from experimental studies of mouse molars developed in culture, and has been tested and applied to the dentitions of rodents, ungulates, carnivores, and platyrrhines. Results from such applications have provided new information regarding the origins of plesiomorphic traits in mammalian clade and how derived morphologies may arise. In this study we apply the inhibitory cascade model to the postcanine dentition of a sample of Old World primates that includes fossil hominins. The results of this study suggest that the inhibitory cascade (i.e. M1 < M2 < M3) describes the relative sizes of the molar occlusal areas of Old World primates and is likely the plesiomorphic condition for this clade. Within that clade, whereas most Old World monkeys have a M1 < M2 < M3 pattern, most apes have a M1 < M2 ≈ M3 pattern. This modified cascade suggests that greater levels of inhibition (or less activation) are acting on the posterior molars of apes, thus facilitating the reduction of M3s within the apes. With the exception of the baboon genus Papio, extant congeners typically share the same molar inhibitory cascade. The differences in the relative size relationships observed in the molar and premolar‐molar cascades of the species included in the fossil hominin genus Paranthropus suggest that although large postcanine teeth are a shared derived trait within this genus, the developmental basis for postcanine megadontia may not be the same in these two Paranthropus taxa. Our results show that phenotypic characters such as postcanine megadontia may not reflect common development.
Patients’ experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation
Authors: McCabe Pamela J , Rhudy Lori M , DeVon Holli A
Published: November 2014

Aims and objectives

To describe patients’ experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation.

Background

The estimated number of individuals with atrial fibrillation globally in 2010 was 33·5 million. World‐wide, each year, new cases of atrial fibrillation approach 5 million, and prevalence will increase 2·5‐fold by 2050. As a result, clinicians worldwide will treat a growing number of patients with atrial fibrillation. Early intervention to promote atrial fibrillation self‐management is critical to reduce associated complications of stroke and heart failure. Greater understanding of patients’ experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation is needed to guide development of interventions to promote early effective self‐management.

Design

A descriptive qualitative design was used.

Methods

Twenty females and 21 males at an academic medical centre were interviewed using open‐ended questions to explore their experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Participants’ mean age was 64·3 (SD = 10·1) years. Four themes were identified: (1) misinterpreting symptoms; (2) discovering the meaning of atrial fibrillation; (3) facing fears, uncertainty, and moving to acceptance; and (4) receiving validation and reassurance. Participants lacked knowledge of atrial fibrillation and took cues from providers’ responses to appraise symptoms and diagnosis. Fear and uncertainty were reduced when providers initiated prompt treatment and took time to explain atrial fibrillation. Patients appreciated receiving clear information about atrial fibrillation, were engaged in learning, and motivated to participate in their care.

Conclusions

Providers played a critical role in helping patients to develop an accurate understanding of atrial fibrillation, to cope with the new diagnosis, and motivated them to engage in effective self‐management.

Relevance to clinical practice

Insight into participant experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation may inform development of interventions to promote effective atrial fibrillation self‐management.
Second Life simulation as a strategy to enhance decision‐making in diabetes care: a case study
Authors: Hudson Krysia , Taylor Laura A , Kozachik Sharon L , Shaefer Sarah J , Wilson Marisa L
Published: November 2014

Aims and objectives

The case study evaluated the Second Life perceived usability and the decision‐making of insulin administration via situational awareness at two different simulation freezes during Second Life simulation.

Background

Due to safety issues stemming from nursing knowledge deficits of insulin administration, the use of simulation via practice in a virtual immersive environment, Second Life was evaluated in a case study of practicing nurses.

Design

This case study used a single convenience group, post‐test design.

Methods

Perceived usability was evaluated using the System Usability Scale. Evaluation of decision‐making was evaluated via Situational Awareness Score at two simulation freezes in the Second Life simulation with practicing nurses (n = 12).

Results

Nurses with more years of practice reported difficulty in using Second Life. As age increased, the total Situational Awareness Score decreased. Day shift nurses were more likely to obtain a High Situational Awareness Score.

Conclusions

Although usability was nearly obtained, virtual immersive environments for nurses has promise to provide practice in aiding clinical decision‐making.

Relevance to clinical practice

Finding a new platform to allow all nurses to practice difficult clinical decisions is key. A virtual immersive environment, like Second Life, can provide simulation for nurses to practice making such difficult decisions.
Trachelectomy during pregnancy: What has experience taught us?
Authors: Saso Srdjan , Sawyer Renata , O'Neill Nicole M. , Tzafetas Menelaos , Sayasneh Ahmed , Hassan Hamed Ali , Elliott Freya , Thum Meen‐Yau , Ghaem‐Maghami Sadaf , Lee Men‐Jean , Smith J. Richard , Del Priore Giuseppe
Published: November 2014

The treatment of early stage cervical malignancy in a pregnant patient remains a challenge. We report the successful application of a vaginal radical trachelectomy (VRT) during pregnancy to treat a patient diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer and subsequently review the published work. A 22‐year‐old female diagnosed at the gestational age of 17 weeks with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB1 squamous cell cervical carcinoma was treated with VRT at 19(+5) weeks. At 36 weeks, the patient underwent a scheduled cesarean section. A healthy male infant was delivered with a weight of 2795 g. After 13 months of follow‐up, the patient is doing well with no evidence of recurrent disease.
Evaluation of predisposing factors, diagnostic and treatment methods in patients with translocation of intrauterine devices
Authors: Agacayak Elif , Tunc Senem Yaman , Icen Mehmet Sait , Oguz Abdullah , Ozler Ali , Turgut Abdulkadr , Basaranoglu Serdar
Published: November 2014

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic methods, predisposing risk factors and surgical treatment options in patients with translocation of intrauterine devices (IUD).

Material and Methods

Diagnosis, predisposing factors and treatment of 34 patients with translocation of IUD was evaluated in this retrospective study.

Results

Complaints of pain during insertion and history of cesarean section were present in 70.5% and 58.8% of patients, respectively. IUD‐related complications were detected in 52.8% of patients. Transvaginal ultrasonography was used to detect translocation of IUD in 55.8% of cases. Laparoscopy was performed in 55.8% of patients.

Conclusion

There were high rates of history of cesarean section, insertion in the puerperal period and insertion by midwives in patients with translocated IUD. These may be predisposing factors for IUD translocation. The clinician who inserts the IUD should be experienced in this area and obtain sufficient information from the pelvic examination prior to insertion of the device. Gynecological examination should be conducted for a proper diagnosis of translocation of IUD. In the event that the IUD string is not visible in the gynecological examination, transvaginal ultrasonography should be performed. If the IUD is still not visible, then abdominal radiography should be performed. As soon as diagnosis of translocation of IUD has been established, surgical treatment should be planned. First treatment of choice should be laparoscopy.
Effect of obesity‐related plasma hemodilution on serum tumor marker concentration in women
Authors: Park Minyoung , Chang In ho , Kang Hyun , Han Seung Su
Published: November 2014

Aim

We determined to investigate the effect of plasma hemodilution on tumor marker concentration in obese women.

Methods

We collected the data for tumor markers (cancer‐associated antigen 125 [CA125], carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 [CA19‐9], carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] and α‐fetoprotein) from 6917 healthy women who visited the health promotion center at the Chung‐Ang University Hospital from 2003 to 2011. We used multivariate linear regression analysis and χ2‐test for linear‐by‐linear association adjusting for age, alanine aminotransferase and creatinine to determine the association between the serum tumor marker concentrations, plasma volume, tumor marker mass, and body mass index (BMI).

Results

Higher BMI was significantly associated with higher plasma volume (P < 0.001 for trend). The lower concentrations of CA125 and CA19‐9 were significantly associated with increasing BMI (P < 0.001). Serum concentration and mass of CEA and α‐fetoprotein were increased with higher BMI in obese women (P < 0.001). CEA in women had the opposite result to that in men due to visceral fat in women.

Conclusion

This study shows that we should consider the hemodilution effect in Asian obese women when interpreting serum tumor marker concentration in cancer screening.
Altered expression of hyaluronan, HAS1‐2, and HYAL1‐2 in oral lichen planus
Authors: Siponen Maria , Kullaa Arja , Nieminen Pentti , Salo Tuula , Pasonen‐Seppänen Sanna
Published: November 2014

Background

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an immune‐mediated mucosal disease of unclear etiology and of unresolved pathogenesis. Hyaluronan (HA) is an extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan involved in inflammation and tumor progression. However, its presence in OLP has not been reported. We therefore aimed to study the immunohistochemical expression of HA, its receptor CD44, hyaluronan synthases (HAS1‐3), and hyaluronidases (HYAL1‐2) in OLP.

Methods

The presence of HA, CD44, HAS1‐3, and HYAL1‐2 was studied by immunohistochemical methods in 55 OLP and 23 control oral mucosal specimens (CTR). The localization, intensity, and differences of the epithelial expression between OLP and CTRs were analyzed.

Results

HA and CD44 were found on cell membranes in the epithelial basal and intermediate layers in CTR and OLP specimens. The HA staining intensity was stronger in the basal layer of the epithelium in OLP than in CTRs (P < 0.001). HAS1 (P = 0.001) and HAS2 (P < 0.001) showed stronger staining in the basal and weaker staining in the superficial (P < 0.001) epithelial layers in OLP than in CTRs. The immunostaining of HAS3 was low in both OLP and CTRs. Positive HYAL1 and HYAL2 staining were mainly found in the basal and intermediate epithelial layers, and their intensities were significantly increased in OLP, except HYAL 2 in the intermediate epithelial layer.

Conclusions

HA, HAS1‐2, and HYAL1‐2 have altered expression in OLP compared to CTRs and may therefore have a role in OLP pathogenesis.
Behavioral Reasons for New Product Failure: Does Overconfidence Induce Overforecasts?
Authors: Markovitch Dmitri G. , Steckel Joel H. , Michaut Anne , Philip Deepu , Tracy William M.
Published: November 2014

Efforts to organize and integrate research findings on new product performance determinants have lagged since the last significant overview paper appeared over a decade ago. Importantly, this literature has not considered entire categories of factors that are known to affect managerial decisions and behavior, namely those that pertain to decision‐makers' cognitive limitations and incentive structures. This research empirically investigates one specific cognitive distortion heretofore neglected in studies of new product commercialization—overconfidence, commonly defined in the literature as excessive belief in one's own abilities to generate superior performance. To lay the groundwork for subsequent exploration, the paper first introduces a behavioral model that both organizes well‐understood new product performance determinants and illuminates others heretofore not studied, namely incentive alignment and cognitive limitations and biases. The model summarizes extant research and allows development of research hypotheses related to overconfidence. The hypotheses and empirical investigation motivated by the model address two questions about the impact of overconfidence on new product commercialization activities. First, the study explores whether overconfidence is associated with overforecasting new product demand. Second, it evaluates two complementary mechanisms that may account for overconfidence‐induced overforecasts. The empirical findings are based on data generated in the course of management simulation workshops conducted among graduate students at three leading business schools in India. Three hundred thirty participants played individually four rounds of a computer‐based simulation game that involved decisions pertaining to new product development (including product formulation) and commercialization strategies. The decisions were captured and analyzed using statistical techniques. The results reveal that decision‐makers' overconfidence is associated with a higher likelihood of overforecasting new product sales. The observed effect is fully mediated by flawed tactical decisions that dampen demand, namely elevated product pricing. Sensitivity analyses show that these results are robust to a number of alternative explanations. However, the study finds no evidence implicating overconfident individuals as poor “innovators”—overconfident and nonoverconfident decision‐makers experienced comparable market demand for their new products. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results and provides specific recommendations for practice.
Are removal experiments effective tools for assessing plant community resistance and recovery from invasion?
Authors: Guido Anaclara , Pillar Valério D.
Published: November 2014

Removal experiments are useful tools for assessing two important aspects of plant community invasion: (1) resistance to invasion and (2) recovery after invasive species removal. We discuss the potential of such experiments based on a brief systematic review of the literature on community resistance, as measured by invasibility after removal of resident species (reduction of taxonomic/functional richness), and on community recovery, as measured by resident community response after invasive species removal. We found 62 research articles, most of them related to invasive species removal. Few studies used removals to test biotic resistance, despite the importance of resident removals for identifying community components that play key roles in the often‐controversial invasion resistance hypotheses. Furthermore, appropriate experimental controls were rarely used, which would allow separation of the effect of local species extinction from that of disturbance. We hope this review stimulates plant ecologists to adopt removal experiments for studying invasion processes.
Inter‐annual fluctuations in rainfall shift the functional structure of Mediterranean grasslands across gradients of productivity and disturbance
Authors: Carmona Carlos P. , Mason Norman W.H. , Azcárate Francisco M. , Peco Begoña
Published: November 2014

Questions

How do inter‐annual fluctuations in water availability affect the functional trait patterns along spatial gradients of resource availability and disturbance?

Location

Mediterranean grasslands in central Spain, near Madrid.

Methods

We surveyed plant communities from 66 sites under different grazing regimes (from heavy grazing to grazing abandonment) in productive and unproductive habitats (corresponding to upper and lower topographic zones) in 2 yr with contrasting rainfall conditions. Community weighted mean (CWM) and Rao quadratic entropy for three key plant ecological strategy traits (specific leaf area, height and seed mass) were calculated for each community. We used null models to estimate functional richness (FR) and functional divergence (FD), the two components of functional diversity with the highest power to detect changes in community assembly processes across environmental gradients.

Results

The patterns of CWM remained rather constant across years, with the only exception being seed mass, which experienced considerable temporal changes that suggested that heavy‐seeded species are favoured under stressful conditions. Patterns for FR were consistent across years. They revealed both trait convergence and divergence depending on the niche axis and context. Convergence was observed for vegetative traits in unproductive habitats and seed mass in productive ones, and divergence for seed mass in unproductive habitats and vegetative traits in productive ones. In contrast, the patterns of FD of the vegetative traits changed considerably between years, as shown by increased divergence during the wet year in unproductive habitats and decreased divergence in grazing‐abandoned productive habitats.

Conclusions

Temporal changes in Mediterranean grassland composition depend on complex interactions between species traits, resource availability and disturbance. Increased rainfall appeared to have contrasting effects on assembly processes in stressful and productive habitats. In stressful habitats we found evidence that increased rainfall promoted niche complementarity, while in productive habitats, especially in the absence of disturbance, it increased trait convergence.
Chronic Pelvic Ischemia: Contribution to the Pathogenesis of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS): A New Target for Pharmacological Treatment?
Authors: ANDERSSON Karl‐Erik , NOMIYA Masanori , YAMAGUCHI Osamu
Published: November 2014

The incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms, including overactive bladder (OAB), is continuing to rise, and is associated with a negative impact on quality of life and a heavy economic burden. A major risk factor for OAB is advancing age. The etiology of OAB is multifactorial and appears to involve myogenic, neurogenic, and urotheliogenic factors. In this article, we review the strengthening preclinical evidence supporting the contribution of chronic pelvic ischemia to the pathogenesis of OAB. In animal models, chronic ischemia induced by arterial injury and a high‐fat diet upregulates markers of oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines in the urothelium and lamina propria, and leads to increased expression of nerve growth factor. These processes result in increased afferent activity and an increased frequency of micturition, reflecting a state of bladder hyperactivity. In severe, prolonged cases, bladder overactivity may develop into underactivity. Antimuscarinic therapies are the mainstay of OAB treatment, but their usefulness is limited by modest efficacy and troublesome side‐effects. Our increasing understanding of the contribution of chronic ischemia to OAB is leading toward novel therapeutic options targeting chronic pelvic ischemia and its morphological, functional, and oxidative consequences. Preclinical trials have demonstrated encouraging results with α1‐adrenoreceptor blockade, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition, β3‐adrenoreceptor agonism, free radical scavenging, and stem cell therapy, in preventing morphological, biochemical and functional changes induced by chronic bladder ischemia.
Risk of dietary exposure to aflatoxins and fumonisins in infants less than 6 months of age in Rombo, Northern Tanzania
Authors: Magoha Happy , Kimanya Martin , De Meulenaer Bruno , Roberfroid Dominique , Lachat Carl , Kolsteren Patrick
Published: November 2014

Infants less than 6 months of age receiving foods other than breast milk are at a high risk of exposure to mycotoxins. We surveyed food intake and estimated the risk of exposures to aflatoxin and fumonisin mycotoxins for infants less than 6 months of age in Northern Tanzania. A total of 143 infants were progressively recruited and three follow‐up visits were made at 1, 3 and 5 months of age. A 24‐h dietary recall technique was used to estimate flour intake of infants who had been introduced to maize foods. Aflatoxins and fumonisins in the flours were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography technique. Exposure to aflatoxins or fumonisins was estimated using the deterministic approach. By the age of 3 months, 98 infants had started taking food; 67 of them, maize flours at levels ranging from 0.57 to 37.50 g per infant per day (average 8 g per infant per day). Fifty‐eight per cent of 67 maize flour samples contained detectable aflatoxins (range 0.33–69.47 μg kg−1; median 6 μg kg−1) and 31% contained detectable fumonisins (range 48–1224 μg kg−1; median 124 μg kg−1). For infants who consumed contaminated flours, aflatoxin exposure ranged from 0.14 to 120 ng kg−1 body weight (BW) per day (all above the health concern level of 0.017 ng kg−1 BW per day as recommended by the European Food Safety Agency) and fumonisin exposure ranged from 0.005 to 0.88 μg kg−1 BW per day. Insignificant association was observed between exposure to fumonisins or aflatoxins and stunting or underweight. Reducing aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination of maize and dietary diversification can prevent infants and the public, in general, from exposure to the toxins.
Shifts of tundra bacterial and archaeal communities along a permafrost thaw gradient in Alaska
Authors: Deng Jie , Gu Yunfu , Zhang Jin , Xue Kai , Qin Yujia , Yuan Mengting , Yin Huaqun , He Zhili , Wu Liyou , Schuur Edward A. G. , Tiedje James M. , Zhou Jizhong
Published: November 2014

Understanding the response of permafrost microbial communities to climate warming is crucial for evaluating ecosystem feedbacks to global change. This study investigated soil bacterial and archaeal communities by Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons across a permafrost thaw gradient at different depths in Alaska with thaw progression for over three decades. Over 4.6 million passing 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from a total of 97 samples, corresponding to 61 known classes and 470 genera. Soil depth and the associated soil physical–chemical properties had predominant impacts on the diversity and composition of the microbial communities. Both richness and evenness of the microbial communities decreased with soil depth. Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Alpha‐ and Gamma‐Proteobacteria dominated the microbial communities in the upper horizon, whereas abundances of Bacteroidetes, Delta‐Proteobacteria and Firmicutes increased towards deeper soils. Effects of thaw progression were absent in microbial communities in the near‐surface organic soil, probably due to greater temperature variation. Thaw progression decreased the abundances of the majority of the associated taxa in the lower organic soil, but increased the abundances of those in the mineral soil, including groups potentially involved in recalcitrant C degradation (Actinomycetales, Chitinophaga, etc.). The changes in microbial communities may be related to altered soil C sources by thaw progression. Collectively, this study revealed different impacts of thaw in the organic and mineral horizons and suggests the importance of studying both the upper and deeper soils while evaluating microbial responses to permafrost thaw.
Induced Innovation, Endogenous Technical Change and Income Distribution in a Labor‐Constrained Model of Classical Growth
Authors: Zamparelli Luca
Published: November 2014

We present a steady state analysis of a labor‐constrained classical growth model with endogenous direction and intensity of technical change. Firms use retained profits to raise their productive capacity and to improve labor and capital productivities. Investments are planned to maximize instantaneous profits. Comparative dynamics exercises show that (1) an increase in the saving rate and in R&D subsidies raises the steady state labor share, labor productivity growth and the employment rate, and (2) a rise in workers' bargaining power reduces the employment rate while leaving productivity growth and distribution unaffected.
Consensual control through the articulation of technology and local culture: evidence from a textile factory in Turkey
Authors: Bespinar Fatma Umut , Topal Cagatay , Kalaycioglu Sibel
Published: November 2014

This article focuses on the complex network of control and consent through the articulation of technology and local culture in the workplace. The dynamics of this network are embedded in the interplay of global and local markets. The article explores these dynamics by focusing on the distinctive characteristics of a Central Anatolian city, Çorum, based on a case study conducted in Turkey. We observe how globalised patterns of control and consent are reproduced through the articulation of new technologies and the conservative culture specific to this locality. During the negotiations between employers and employees, this interplay plays a significant role in the construction of work realities. The consensual control produced within the framework of conservative values leads to a consensual hegemony in the organisation of labour process.