bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prospective cross‐sectional study of anxiety and depression in patients with psoriasis in Singapore
Authors: Tee S.I. , Lim Z.V. , Theng C.T. , Chan K.L. , Giam Y.C.
Published: March 2016

Background

Psoriasis has a negative psychological impact on patients, and may have repercussions on treatment outcomes. Despite this, the degree to which psoriatic patients suffer from psychiatric disorders has not received much attention in Singapore.

Objective

This prospective cross‐sectional study was conducted to determine the frequency of anxiety and depression in a cohort of Singaporean patients with psoriasis, and explore its relationship with regards to physical disease severity and subjective quality of life.

Methods

100 patients aged 21–60 years old who visited the National Skin Centre, Singapore from 2008 to 2009 were enrolled into the study. Anxiety and depression were quantified using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Disease severity was quantified with the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and quality of life measured with the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF‐36).

Results

Using the HADS, the mean score for anxiety was 6.9 and that for depression was 4.7. An anxiety disorder was suggested in 17%, while a depressive disorder was suggested in 15% of the study population. All eight domains of the SF‐36 were significantly correlated with both anxiety and depression scores. Patients with moderate or severe psoriasis (on PASI) had worse depression scores than those with mild psoriasis. No association was found between anxiety scores and PASI. Neither was any significant correlation seen between anxiety and depression scores vs. patients’ age, monthly income and duration of psoriasis.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the strong psychiatric morbidity in patients with psoriasis, for which further psychiatric evaluation should be considered.
Short sleep duration and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wijarnpreecha Karn , Thongprayoon Charat , Panjawatanan Panadeekarn , Ungprasert Patompong
Published: March 2016

Background and Aim

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Several studies have suggested that short sleep duration could be a risk factor for NAFLD. However, results of those reports are inconsistent. This meta‐analysis was conducted with an attempt to summarize all available data.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE database. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios or hazard ratios comparing the risk of NAFLD among participants who had short sleep duration versus those with longer sleep duration were included. Pooled risk ratios and 95% confidence interval were calculated using a random‐effect, generic inverse variance method.

Results

Six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta‐analysis. The risk of NAFLD in participants who had short sleep duration was significantly higher than participants with longer sleep duration with pooled risk ratios of 1.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.36, I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated a small but significantly increased risk of NAFLD among participants who had short sleep duration.
Spontaneous resolution of post‐delivery or post‐abortion uterine artery pseudoaneurysm: A report of three cases
Authors: Takahashi Hironori , Baba Yosuke , Usui Rie , Ohkuchi Akihide , Kijima Shigeyoshi , Matsubara Shigeki
Published: March 2016

Post‐delivery/‐abortion uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) sometimes causes life‐threatening bleeding, requiring transarterial embolization (TAE). It is unclear whether some UAP resolve spontaneously. In three patients, UAP resolved spontaneously without TAE. Case 1 was after vacuum delivery with slight bleeding: at day 5 post‐partum, a yin‐yang sign on Color Doppler and an enhanced intrauterine sac‐like structure were observed, leading to the diagnosis of UAP, which disappeared at 4 weeks post‐partum. Case 2 was after vacuum delivery with manual placental removal and was asymptomatic: a hypoechoic intrauterine mass with a yin‐yang sign were observed during a post‐partum routine check‐up and the intrauterine flow disappeared at 4 weeks post‐partum. Case 3 was after dilatation and curettage in the first trimester with slight bleeding: UAP was detected at 4 weeks post‐abortion, which disappeared at 6 weeks post‐abortion. All three cases had a small UAP (diameter: 10–15 mm) and low‐level or no symptoms. Some UAP may resolve spontaneously and, thus, may not require TAE.
Voluntary Contributions to a Mutual Insurance Pool
Authors: LÉVY‐GARBOUA LOUIS , MONTMARQUETTE CLAUDE , VAKSMANN JONATHAN , VILLEVAL MARIE CLAIRE
Published: March 2016

We study mutual‐aid games in which individuals choose to contribute to an informal mutual insurance pool. Individual coverage is determined by the aggregate level of contributions and a sharing rule. We analyze theoretically and experimentally the (ex ante) efficiency of equal and contribution‐based coverage. The equal coverage mechanism leads to a unique no‐insurance equilibrium while contribution‐based coverage develops multiple equilibria and improves efficiency. Experimentally, the latter treatment reduces the amount of transfers from high contributors to low contributors and generates a “dual interior equilibrium.” That dual equilibrium is consistent with the co‐existence of different prior norms which correspond to notable equilibria derived in the theory. This results in asymmetric outcomes with a majority of high contributors less than fully reimbursing the global losses and a significant minority of low contributors less than fully defecting. Such behavioral heterogeneity may be attributed to risk attitudes (risk tolerance vs risk aversion) which is natural in a risky context.
Religion and Public Opinion Toward Same‐Sex Relations, Marriage, and Adoption: Does the Type of Practice Matter?
Authors: Perry Samuel L. , Whitehead Andrew L.
Published: March 2016

This study examines how religion's impact on Americans’ attitudes toward same‐sex practices varies by the type of practice being considered. We theorize that same‐sex romantic and family practices such as sexual relations, marriage, and adoption represent distinct practice types, differing in degrees of legality, cultural legitimacy, and in their internal power dynamics. Consequently, we expect that Americans view each practice type somewhat differently and their opinions on each may be influenced by religion in distinctive ways. Drawing upon national‐level data, we estimate and compare the relative net effects of a comprehensive battery of religious measures on support for gay sex, marriage, and adoption, both for the full sample and across religious traditions. Analyses demonstrate that public opinion toward gay sexual relations is more strongly related to religious practice and theological conservatism compared to attitudes regarding same‐sex marriage or adoption. Moreover, frequent religious practice and conservative theological beliefs about the Bible tend to be more strongly associated with attitudes toward same‐sex relationships for evangelicals, compared to mainline Protestants and, to a lesser extent, Catholics. Findings ultimately affirm that the type of same‐sex practice being considered (sex, marriage, or adoption) serves to moderate religions’ impact on Americans’ support for such practices.
Noninvasive pH monitoring for bacterial detection in platelet concentrates
Authors: Loza‐Correa Maria , Perkins Heather , Kumaran Dilini , Kou Yuntong , Qaisar Ramie , Geelhood Steven , Ramirez‐Arcos Sandra
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) remains the prevalent posttransfusion infectious risk. The pH SAFE system, a noninvasive method used to measure pH of PC for quality control, was evaluated herein as a rapid method to detect bacterial contamination in PCs.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Pairs of ABO‐D–matched apheresis and buffy coat PCs were pooled and split into two pH SAFE platelet bags. One of the bags served as the control unit, while the other was inoculated with one of nine clinically relevant bacteria (target concentration approx. 1 colony‐forming units [CFUs]/mL). The pH of both PCs was measured over 7 days of storage at approximately 4‐hour intervals during daytime. One‐milliliter samples were taken at the testing points to determine bacterial concentration.

RESULTS

PCs with pH values of less than 6.6 or with a pH change over time (ΔpH/Δtime) greater or equal than 0.046 pH units/hr are suspected of being contaminated. pH decreased significantly during storage in all bacterially inoculated PC at concentrations of more than 107 CFUs/mL (p < 0.0001). A significant decrease in pH (p < 0.0001) was noticed as early as 28 hours in units with Bacillus cereus and as late as 125 hours in units containing Staphylococcus epidermidis. Interestingly, PCs containing Gram‐negative species showed a decline in pH followed by a rebound.

CONCLUSIONS

The pH SAFE system allows for repeated, noninvasive pH screening during PC storage. A significant decrease in pH could serve as an indicator of clinically significant levels of bacterial contamination. Since differences in pH decline were observed among bacterial species, continuous pH monitoring in PCs is recommended.
Donor variation effect on red blood cell storage lesion: a multivariable, yet consistent, story
Authors: Tzounakas Vassilis L. , Georgatzakou Hara T. , Kriebardis Anastasios G. , Voulgaridou Artemis I. , Stamoulis Konstantinos E. , Foudoulaki‐Paparizos Leontini E. , Antonelou Marianna H. , Papassideri Issidora S.
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that baseline hematologic characteristics concerning or influencing red blood cell (RBC) properties might affect storage lesion development in individual donors. This study was conducted to evaluate whether variation in hemolysis, microparticle accumulation, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, and other storage lesion–associated variables might be a function of the prestorage hematologic and biologic profiles of the donor.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Ten eligible, regular blood donors were paired and studied before donation (fresh blood) and during storage of RBCs in standard blood banking conditions. Plasma and cellular characteristics and modifications were evaluated by standard laboratory and biochemical or biologic analyses as well as by statistical and network analysis tools.

RESULTS

Nitrate/nitrite and other bioactive factors exhibited high interdonor variability, which further increased during storage in a donor‐specific manner. Storage lesion evaluators, including RBC fragility and PS exposure, fluctuated throughout the storage period in proportion to their values in fresh blood. Donors’ levels of phosphatidylserine exposure and hemoglobin F correlated with stored cells’ mean cell (RBC) Hb concentration, oxidative stress markers, and cellular fragility.

DISCUSSION

Storage lesion indicators change in an orderly fashion, namely, by following donor‐related prestorage attributes. These correlations are illustrated for the first time in “prestorage versus storage” biologic networks, which might help determine the best candidates for in vivo biomarkers of storage quality and provide deeper insight into the apparently complex donor variation effect on the RBC storage lesion.
Wind turbine sound pressure level calculations at dwellings
Authors: Keith Stephen E. , Feder Katya , Voicescu Sonia A. , Soukhovtsev Victor , Denning Allison , Tsang Jason , Broner Norm , Leroux Tony , Richarz Werner , van den Berg Frits
Published: March 2016

This paper provides calculations of outdoor sound pressure levels (SPLs) at dwellings for 10 wind turbine models, to support Health Canada's Community Noise and Health Study. Manufacturer supplied and measured wind turbine sound power levels were used to calculate outdoor SPL at 1238 dwellings using ISO [(1996). ISO 9613-2−Acoustics] and a Swedish noise propagation method. Both methods yielded statistically equivalent results. The A- and C-weighted results were highly correlated over the 1238 dwellings (Pearson's linear correlation coefficient r > 0.8). Calculated wind turbine SPLs were compared to ambient SPLs from other sources, estimated using guidance documents from the United States and Alberta, Canada.
Consumer Interest in Major League Baseball: An Analytical Modeling of Twitter
Authors: Watanabe Nicholas M. , Yan Grace , Soebbing Brian P.
Published: March 2016

Understanding how consumers interact with sport brands on digital platforms is of increasing importance to the sport industry. In this study, through a nexus of consumer behavior and economic literatures, the examination focuses on consumer interest in major league baseball teams on social media platforms from July 2013 to June 2014. Specifically, two generalized least squares regression models were used that considered a variety of factors, including market characteristics, scheduling, and social media use and management. The findings display varying results of short- and long-term consumer interest in teams on Twitter. From this, important theoretical and practical understanding can be derived by considering consumer behavior in the automated “like economy” of social media.
El Niño's warmth devastating reefs worldwide
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: March 2016

Recent aerial surveys of Australia's Great Barrier Reef find massive coral bleaching.
Occupational hazard
Authors: Chatterjee Rhitu
Published: March 2016

Farm workers are dying in southern India as an epidemic of a mysterious kidney disease goes global.
Going with the flow
Authors: Martin Rainer E.
Published: March 2016

A desktop machine allows on-demand medicine production

[Also see Research Article by

Adamo
et al.

]
Zika Virus
Authors: Musso Didier , Gubler Duane J.
Published: March 2016

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) in the genusFlavivirusand the familyFlaviviridae. ZIKV was first isolated from a nonhuman primate in 1947 and from mosquitoes in 1948 in Africa, and ZIKV infections in humans were sporadic for half a century before emerging in the Pacific and the Americas. ZIKV is usually transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. The clinical presentation of Zika fever is nonspecific and can be misdiagnosed as other infectious diseases, especially those due to arboviruses such as dengue and chikungunya. ZIKV infection was associated with only mild illness prior to the large French Polynesian outbreak in 2013 and 2014, when severe neurological complications were reported, and the emergence in Brazil of a dramatic increase in severe congenital malformations (microcephaly) suspected to be associated with ZIKV. Laboratory diagnosis of Zika fever relies on virus isolation or detection of ZIKV-specific RNA. Serological diagnosis is complicated by cross-reactivity among members of theFlavivirusgenus. The adaptation of ZIKV to an urban cycle involving humans and domestic mosquito vectors in tropical areas where dengue is endemic suggests that the incidence of ZIKV infections may be underestimated. There is a high potential for ZIKV emergence in urban centers in the tropics that are infested with competent mosquito vectors such asAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictus.
Opsonophagocytic Assay To Evaluate Immunogenicity of Nontyphoidal Salmonella Vaccines
Authors: Ramachandran Girish , Boyd Mary Adetinuke , MacSwords Jennifer , Higginson Ellen E. , Simon Raphael , Galen James E. , Pasetti Marcela F. , Levine Myron M. , Tennant Sharon M.
Published: March 2016

Nontyphoidal
Salmonella
(NTS) invasive infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Several vaccines are in development to prevent these infections. We describe an NTS opsonophagocytic killing assay that uses HL-60 cells and baby rabbit complement to quantify functional antibodies elicited by candidate NTS vaccines.
A Single Residue in Ebola Virus Receptor NPC1 Influences Cellular Host Range in Reptiles
Authors: Ndungo Esther , Herbert Andrew S. , Raaben Matthijs , Obernosterer Gregor , Biswas Rohan , Miller Emily Happy , Wirchnianski Ariel S. , Carette Jan E. , Brummelkamp Thijn R. , Whelan Sean P. , Dye John M. , Chandran Kartik
Published: March 2016

Identifying cellular factors that determine susceptibility to infection can help us understand how Ebola virus is transmitted. We asked if the EBOV receptor Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) could explain why reptiles are resistant to EBOV infection. We demonstrate that cells derived from the Russell’s viper are not susceptible to infection because EBOV cannot bind to viper NPC1. This resistance to infection can be mapped to a single amino acid residue in viper NPC1 that renders it unable to bind to EBOV GP. The newly solved structure of EBOV GP bound to NPC1 confirms our findings, revealing that this residue dips into the GP receptor-binding pocket and is therefore critical to the binding interface. Consequently, this otherwise well-conserved residue in vertebrate species influences the ability of reptilian NPC1 proteins to bind to EBOV GP, thereby affecting viral host range in reptilian cells.
Association of socioeconomic status change between infancy and adolescence, and blood pressure, in South African young adults: Birth to Twenty Cohort
Authors: Kagura Juliana , Adair Linda S , Pisa Pedro T , Griffiths Paula L , Pettifor John M , Norris Shane A
Published: March 2016

Objective

Social epidemiology models suggest that socioeconomic status (SES) mobility across the life course affects blood pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SES change between infancy and adolescence, and blood pressure, in young adults, and the impact of early growth on this relationship.

Setting

Data for this study were obtained from a ‘Birth to Twenty’ cohort in Soweto, Johannesburg, in South Africa.

Participants

The study included 838 Black participants aged 18 years who had household SES measures in infancy and at adolescence, anthropometry at 0, 2, 4 and 18 years of age and blood pressure at the age of 18 years.

Methods

We computed SES change using asset-based household SES in infancy and during adolescence as an exposure variable, and blood pressure and hypertension status as outcomes. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were used to investigate the associations between SES change from infancy to adolescence, and age, height and sex-specific blood pressure and hypertension prevalence after adjusting for confounders.

Results

Compared to a persistent low SES, an upward SES change from low to high SES tertile between infancy and adolescence was significantly associated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) at the age of 18 years (β=−4.85; 95% CI −8.22 to −1.48; p<0.01; r2=0.1804) after adjusting for SES in infancy, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and weight gain. Associations between SES change and SBP were partly explained by weight gain between birth and the age of 18 years. There was no association between SES mobility and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure or hypertension status.

Conclusions

Our study confirms that upward SES change has a protective effect on SBP by the time participants reach young adulthood. Socioeconomic policies and interventions that address inequality may have the potential to reduce cardiovascular disease burden related to BP in later life.
‘He said, she said’: assessing dyadic agreement of reported sexual behaviour and decision-making among an HIV sero-discordant couples cohort in Uganda
Authors: Muldoon Katherine A , Kanters Steve , Birungi Josephine , King Rachel L , Nyonyintono Maureen , Khanakwa Sarah , Moore David M
Published: March 2016

Background

The intimate nature of sexuality makes it challenging to accurately measure sexual behaviour. To assess response reliability, we examined agreement between couples in heterosexual HIV sero-discordant partnership on survey questions regarding condom use and sexual decision-making.

Methods

Data for this analysis come from baseline data from a cohort study of HIV sero-discordant couples in Jinja, Uganda. We examined the degree of agreement between male and female partners on standard measures of sexual behaviour using the kappa (κ) statistic and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

Among 409 couples, the median age for the male partner was 41 [interquartile range (IQR) 35–48] years and the female partner was 35 (IQR 30–40) years. Among 58.2% of the couples, the male was the HIV-positive partner. Questions with high or substantial couple agreement included condom use at last sex (κ=0.635, 95% CI 0.551–0.718) and frequency of condom use (κ=0.625, 95% CI 0.551–0.698). Questions with low or fair couple agreement included decision-making regarding condom use (κ=0.385, 95% CI 0.319–0.451), wanting more biological children (κ=0.375, 95% CI 0.301–0.449) and deciding when to have sex (κ=0.236, 95% CI 0.167–0.306).

Conclusions

Survey questions assessing condom use had the highest level of couple agreement and questions regarding sexual decision-making and fertility desire had low couple agreement. Questions with high agreement have increased reliability and reduced measurement bias; however, questions with low agreement between couples identify important areas for further investigation, particularly perceived relationship control and gender differences.
Genetic and environmental factors influencing tooth and jaw malformations in rabbits
Authors: Korn A. K. , Brandt H. R. , Erhardt G.
Published: March 2016

Tooth alterations of 281 rabbits from 10 different breeds were evaluated, starting at the age of three weeks until they were fully grown. All rabbits were kept in an outdoor facility, fed with a pelleted diet and had free access to water and hay. The most common finding in 3182 clinical examinations was a gap between the mandibular incisors (38 per cent). Skull X‐rays from 4 adult breeding rabbits, 15 offspring with clinical signs of dental disease and 12 clinically healthy siblings were assessed by two different methods using cephalometric distances and anatomical reference lines. Repeatabilities of cephalometric distances were mostly low and no significant associations to tooth health were found. The anatomical reference lines revealed dental findings even in rabbits that were graded as tooth healthy in previous clinical examinations. On the basis of the demonstrated age‐dependent development of tooth and jaw malformations a first examination and selection at the age of 12 weeks can be recommended. Also genetic aspects for tooth and jaw malformations were considered. The estimated heritability for brachygnathia superior was 0.254±0.169 for all examinations and 0.105±0.092 comprising the last examination of each rabbit when fully grown.
Effects of telmisartan and pioglitazone on high fructose induced metabolic syndrome in rats
Authors: Shahataa Mary Girgis , Mostafa-Hedeab Gomaa , Ali Esam Fouaad , Mahdi Emad ahmed , Mahmoud Fatma Abd Elhaleem
Published: March 2016

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and hyperuricemia. This study was designed to assess the effect of telmisartan and pioglitazone on high fructose induced MS. Thirty-five male albino rats were classified into 5 groups: A, normal diet; B, high-fructose diet (HFD) subdivided into B1 (HFD only), B2 (telmisartan, 5 mg/kg), B3 (pioglitazone, 10 mg/kg), and B4 (telmisartan + pioglitazone). Administration of the drugs was started after the rats had been on HFD for 4 weeks and continued for 4 weeks. Body mass (BM), blood pressure (BP), uric acid (UA), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and nitric oxide (NO) were measured and the levels of fasting glucose and fasting insulin were estimated. Compared with group B1, telmisartan treatment significantly decreased BP, BM, serum glucose, insulin, UA, urea, cholesterol, TGA, and LDL and significantly increased HDL, whereas pioglitazone treatment significantly decreased BP, serum glucose, insulin, UA, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, TGA, and LDL and significantly increased HDL. Co-administration of pioglitazone + telmisartan significantly decreased insulin, urea, and creatinine compared with telmisartan alone. Combined telmisartan + pioglitazone allowed better control of BP, hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, and the amelioration of BM increase that may be associated with pioglitazone treatment.
Consequences of Ontario P index recommendations for reduced manure and fertilizer phosphorus applications on corn yields and soil phosphorus
Authors: Ribey M.A. , O’Halloran I.P.
Published: March 2016

Environmental indices for soil P limit P applications when soil tests and risk of P losses exceed a given threshold. Producers’ reluctance to reduce P inputs often stem from concerns regarding reduced crop production and soil fertility. Our objectives were to identify changes in soil P fractions after 4 yr of repeated manure or fertilizer P applications at rates ≤ crop removal by corn (Zea mays L.), and the impact of these applications on yields. Olsen P and soil P fractions extracted using a modified Hedley P fractionation procedure were measured. Corn yields were nonresponsive to P applications. After 4 yr, Olsen P was 16.6 and 24.6 mg kg−1 at the application rates of 0 and 33 kg P ha−1 yr−1, respectively, for the inorganic fertilizer treatment indicating that soil P drawdown was occurring. Only the most labile forms of Pi (resin and bicarbonate extractable) were affected by treatment, with greater values at higher P application rates. Adherence to Ontario’s P index recommendations for P applications at or below crop removal should not be a crop production concern. Furthermore, given the rate of soil labile P drawdown, routine soil testing (every 3–5 yr) would identify agronomically significant changes in soil test P before the crop yield is impacted.
A PSO-Based Approach with Fuzzy Obstacle Avoidance for Cooperative Multi-Robots in Unknown Environments
Authors: Cai Yifan , Yang Simon X.
Published: March 2016

Cooperative exploration in unknown environments is fundamentally important in robotics, where the real-time path planning and proper task allocation strategies are the key issues for multi-robot cooperation. In this paper, a PSO-based approach, combined with a fuzzy obstacle avoidance module, is proposed for cooperative robots to accomplish target searching and foraging tasks in unknown environments. The proposed cooperation strategy for a multi-robot system makes use of the potential field function as the fitness function of PSO, while the proposed fuzzy obstacle-avoidance module improves the smoothness of robot trajectory. In the simulation studies, several scenarios with and without the fuzzy module are investigated. The robot trajectory smoothness improvement is demonstrated through the comparative studies.
Fabrication of hierarchically ordered porous scheelite-related monoclinic BiVO4 nanotubes by electrochemical deposition
Authors: Davi Martin , Peter Sebastian , Slabon Adam
Published: March 2016

Scheelite-related monoclinic BiVO4 is one of the most promising metal oxide photoanode materials. It is therefore highly desirable to explore its new nanostructured morphologies in order to achieve higher performance. We present a new method for the fabrication of porous BiVO4 nanotubes. Powder XRD experiments show that the electrodeposited BiVO4 nanotubes crystallize in the scheelite-related monoclinic phase. The produced BiVO4 nanotubes are highly hierarchically ordered and aligned perpendicular to the electrically conductive substrate. The nanostructures were produced by template-assisted electrochemical deposition inside porous anodized alumina oxide. Our method may be extended to other semiconductor materials used in photoelectrochemical systems, such as Bi2WO6 and [Formula: see text]-Bi2MoO6.
Fabrication, characterization and magnetic properties of Na-doped ZnO nanorods
Authors: Piao Jingyuan , Tseng Li-Ting , Suzuki Kiyonori , Yi Jiabao
Published: March 2016

Na-doped ZnO nanorods have been fabricated through a hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses indicate that the d spacing of ZnO increases with increasing doping concentration, suggesting the effective incorporation of dopant Na in the samples. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements indicate that there are shallow donors in pure ZnO samples and the shallow donors are strongly prohibited by Na doping. In addition, the resonance at g = 2.005 suggests the formation of Zn vacancies. Magnetic measurements indicate that pure ZnO is paramagnetic and Na doping leads to ferromagnetism at room temperature. Moreover, 0.5% Na-doped ZnO nanorods exhibits the largest saturation magnetization.
Local Computation
Authors: Kuhn Fabian , Moscibroda Thomas , Wattenhofer Roger
Published: March 2016

The question of what can be computed, and how efficiently, is at the core of computer science. Not surprisingly, in distributed systems and networking research, an equally fundamental question is what can be computed in a
distributed
fashion. More precisely, if nodes of a network must base their decision on information in their local neighborhood only, how well can they compute or approximate a global (optimization) problem? In this paper we give the first polylogarithmic lower bound on such local computation for (optimization) problems including minimum vertex cover, minimum (connected) dominating set, maximum matching, maximal independent set, and maximal matching. In addition, we present a new distributed algorithm for solving general covering and packing linear programs. For some problems this algorithm is tight with the lower bounds, whereas for others it is a distributed approximation scheme. Together, our lower and upper bounds establish the local computability and approximability of a large class of problems, characterizing how much local information is required to solve these tasks.
Periodontal dysbiosis linked to periodontitis is associated with cardiometabolic adaptation to high-fat diet in mice
Authors: Branchereau Maxime , Reichardt François , Loubieres Pascale , Marck Pauline , Waget Aurélie , Azalbert Vincent , Colom André , Padmanabhan Roshan , Iacovoni Jason S. , Giry Anaïs , Tercé François , Heymes Christophe , Burcelin Remy , Serino Matteo , Blasco-Baque Vincent
Published: March 2016

Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes are connected pandemic diseases, and both are risk factors for cardiovascular complications. Nevertheless, the molecular factors relating these two chronic pathologies are poorly understood. We have shown that, in response to a long-term fat-enriched diet, mice present particular gut microbiota profiles related to three metabolic phenotypes: diabetic-resistant (DR), intermediate (Inter), and diabetic-sensitive (DS). Moreover, many studies suggest that a dysbiosis of periodontal microbiota could be associated with the incidence of metabolic and cardiac diseases. We investigated whether periodontitis together with the periodontal microbiota may also be associated with these different cardiometabolic phenotypes. We report that the severity of glucose intolerance is related to the severity of periodontitis and cardiac disorders. In detail, alveolar bone loss was more accentuated in DS than Inter, DR, and normal chow-fed mice. Molecular markers of periodontal inflammation, such as TNF-α and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA levels, correlated positively with both alveolar bone loss and glycemic index. Furthermore, the periodontal microbiota of DR mice was dominated by the Streptococcaceae family of the phylum Firmicutes, whereas the periodontal microbiota of DS mice was characterized by increased Porphyromonadaceae and Prevotellaceae families. Moreover, in DS mice the periodontal microbiota was indicated by an abundance of the genera Prevotella and Tannerella, which are major periodontal pathogens. PICRUSt analysis of the periodontal microbiome highlighted that prenyltransferase pathways follow the cardiometabolic adaptation to a high-fat diet. Finally, DS mice displayed a worse cardiac phenotype, percentage of fractional shortening, heart rhythm, and left ventricle weight-to-tibia length ratio than Inter and DR mice. Together, our data show that periodontitis combined with particular periodontal microbiota and microbiome is associated with metabolic adaptation to a high-fat diet related to the severity of cardiometabolic alteration.
Topography of Lectin Binding Sites in Celiac Sprue
Authors: Freeman Hugh J
Published: March 2016

Lectins are ubiquitious, naturally occurring proteins largely derived from planes that are present in the human diet. They are released from food during mastication and digestion to remain biologically intact during passage through the small intestine. In this study, the topographic distribution of binding sites in the small intestine for six different lectins (derived from wheat germ, castor bean, gorse, horsegram, jackbean and peanut) were explored in 16 patients with celiac sprue a long with controls. For each lectin, the pattern of binding in the small intestinal biopsy specimens was distinct and specifically inhibited by a different carbohydrate residue. Lectin labelling patterns were different for both controls and celiac patients. in addition, the epithelial cell membrane surface and goblet cells exhibited a gradient of fluorescence intensity along the crypt-villus column. This gradient appeared to parallel the degree of enterocytic differentiation consistent with the concept that sequential addition of sugar residues to form completed oligosaccharide side chains occurs with enterocytic differentiation and maturation. These results also suggest that the process of epithelial cellular differentiation, although present in celiac enterocytes, is altered substantially.
Basic Science for the Clinical Gastroenterologist: A Review of the Recent Literature on the Small Bowel – Part I
Authors: Thomson ABR
Published: March 2016

For small bowel science, as for all parts of medicine, there has been a recent explosion of information. This is the first of a two-part series in which the scientific basis of clinical gastroenterology practice and its future are considered. Advances in an understanding of the mechanisms of intestinal transport will be considered, followed by a perspective of intestinal adaptation in health and disease. The author also discusses clinically important areas of motility and bloodflow.
Nonalcoholic Chronic Pancreatitis with Pancreatic Calcification: Presenting Manifestation of Occult Celiac Disease
Authors: Freeman Hugh J , Whittaker J Scott
Published: March 2016

A 62-year-old Canadian Caucasian female with nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, exocrine failure and pancreatic calcification presented with weight loss, diarrhea and peripheral edema. Subsequent investigations revealed celiac disease that was responsive to a gluten-free diet. Calcification in the pancreas may reflect impaired absorption with severe protein-energy malnutrition and may be the initial presenting feature of occult celiac disease.
Recurrence of Acute Duodenal Ulcer
Authors: Bailey RJ , Morrison-Cleator IG , Farley A , Archambault A , Oravec M , Davies RS , Sutherland LR , Grace M ,   The Nizatidine Multicentre Duodenal Ulcer Study Group
Published: March 2016

Nizatidine, 300 mg once nightly, was compared with cimetidine, 800 mg once nightly, for treatment of 212 adult out-patients with acute duodenal ulcers in an eight-week randomized, double-blind, multicentre trial. Patients were endoscoped at weeks 2, 4 and 8, regardless of ulcer healing status. No significant differences in ulcer healing rates between treatment groups were seen at weeks 2 and 4, but at week 8, nizatidine had a significantly higher ulcer healing rate (P=0.036) than cimetidine (86% versus 74%, respectively). Patients with healed ulcers at either week 2 or week 4 had a final endoscopy performed at week 8. The rate of ulcer recurrence was significantly greater (P=0.021) in the cimetidine group at week 8 compared with the nizatidine group: 21% versus 7.3%, respectively. Increasing tolerance to H2receptor antagonist therapy with prolonged use may explain the higher recurrence rate of cimetidine. Both drugs provided equally rapid and effective symptomatic relief from epigastric pain after two weeks of therapy. Both were equally safe and free from treatment-related adverse effects.
Successful Reversal of Chronic Incapacitating Post-TIPS Encephalopathy by Balloon Occlusion of the Stent
Authors: Fenyves Daphna , Dufresne Michel P , Raymond Jean , Lafortune Michel , Willems Bernard , Pomier-Layrargues Gilles
Published: March 2016

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement is a new technique allowing decompression of the portal system without the need for abdominal surgery or general anesthetic. This promising procedure appears safe, and is being evaluated in the context of life threatening uncontrollable variceal hemorrhage as well as ascites refractory to medical treatment. Following TIPS, portal flow diversion is associated with hepatic encephalopathy in up to 25% of patients. This is most often mild and treatable but may become uncontrollable, incapacitating and even life threatening in up to 3 to 5% of cases. The authors present two patients in whom such life threatening encephalopathy and stupor was reversed by transjugular balloon occlusion of the TIPS.
Aphthous Esophagael Ulceration: A Novel Presentation of Crohn’s Disease?
Authors: Beck Paul L , Blustein Philip K , Andersen Melvin A
Published: March 2016

Crohn’s disease (CD) commonly presents as involvement of the small bowel or colon - the esophagus is rarely involved. The authors describe the case of a 45-year-old woman who presented with odynophagia and was found to have aphthous ulcers of the esophagus. On questioning, she admitted to three to four episodes of nonbloody diarrhea, each lasting less than one week, over the past two years. The patient denied other symptoms of gastrointestinal, collagen-vascular, respiratory or cardiovascular disease. Viral, fungal and bacterial cultures of blood, stool and tissue biopsies were all negative. A small bowel enema showed inflammation of the distal ileum. Colonoscopy revealed patchy areas of inflammation of the colon and distal ileum. Biopsies from the esophagus, duodenum, terminal ileum and colon showed chronic inflammation, lymphoid aggregates, goblet cell hyperplasia (in the colon) and crypt abscesses. Giant cells, granulomas and fissures were not evident in any of the biopsies. The patient failed to respond to a three-week course of omeprazole, but her symptoms resolved within three days of starting prednisone. The exact cause of the esophageal ulcerations is unknown but most likely is CD of the esophagus.
Nutritional Advice
Authors: Jeejeebhoy Khursheed N
Published: March 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease has profound effects on the nutritional status of the patient. Multiple deficiencies of macro‐ and micronutrients have been described, especially in patients with Crohn’s disease. Uncontrolled studies have suggested that avoiding oral feeding ‐ called bowel rest with total parenteral nutrition ‐ induced remission of disease and closed fistulas. Controlled trials
suggested that bowel rest did not aid the induction of remission but enteral feeding of defined formula diets did induce remission to the same degree as steroids in some but not all studies. Recently a controlled trial suggested the remission induced by a defined formula diet could be prolonged by the use of elimination diets. The use of specific nutrients capable of reducing inflammation or promoting epithelial integrity await study.
Multifactorial Control of Autoimmune Insulin‐Dependent Diabetes in NOD Mice: Lessons for IBD
Authors: Leiter Edward H
Published: March 2016

Development of autoimmune insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice is an example of a complex multifactorial disease with strong genetic and environmental components. As such, this model may provide insight not only into mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease, but also may provide insight into how the environment may interact with the genome to initiate pathogenesis in humans. NOD mice are characterized by accumulation of unusually high percentages of T lymphocytes in lymphoid organs. Pancreatic beta cell destruction in NOD mice is T lymphocyte‐mediated. Complex interactions between the inherently diabetogenic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype of this strain and non‐MHC‐associated insulin‐dependent diabetes susceptibility genes (Idd) are required for cytopathic activation of the leukocytic infiltrates in the pancreas (insulitis). Penetrance of the diabetogenic Idd genes is strongly influenced by both dietary and microbiological factors in the environment. Genetic susceptibility is transmitted by hemopoietic stem cells, and specific defects in T immunoregulation have been traced to defects in the development and function of marrow‐derived antigen presenting cells. The spontaneous development of diabetes in NOD mice is different from experimentally induced forms of diabetes in mice in several important respects. In addition to the pathognomic development of pancreatic insulitis, the generalized loss of immunoregulatory control of autoreactive T lymphocytes in NOD mice is reflected by development of leukocytic infiltrates into a plethora of organ systems including the submandibular salivary glands, thyroid glands, kidneys and, occasionally, the colon.
Trends in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy: A Meta-Analytic Approach
Authors: Whiting Gregory W , Lau Joseph , Kupelnick Bruce , Chalmers Thomas C
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the current meta-analytic approach to extracting clinically useful information from the glut of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the treatment of acute attacks of Crohn's disease.

PROCEDURE: Acceptable RCTs were classified in a matrical format so that the feasibility of a meta-analysis of each treatment could be quickly determined. Each potential inclusion was then photocopied after blinding the source and outcome to minimize bias by the investigators.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The search was started in 1990, when a previous meta-analysis was completed. Over 100 citations in MEDLINE contained 21 RCTs of the treatment of acute attacks of Crohn's disease, and 11 more were culled from the references of recent papers. The meta-analysis most indicated by the matrix was a comparison of several different immunosuppressive regimens with a placebo. The previously demonstrated statistical significance was confirmed and the point made that it is no longer justified to compare any new treatments with a placebo. Cumulative meta-analysis, the process of performing a new analysis every time a new trial is published, revealed the importance of employing both random and fixed effect models when heterogeneity of treatment results is appreciable, as in this case.
Clinical Spectrum of Biopsy‐Defined Celiac Disease in the Elderly
Authors: Freeman Hugh J
Published: March 2016

Thirty patients (17 females and 13 males) with adult celiac disease initially diagnosed after age 60 were seen during a 12‐year period. Diagnosis in each patient was based on small intestinal biopsy and a clinical as well as histological response to a strict gluten‐free diet. Diarrhea, weight loss and/or anemia, usually due to iron deficiency, were present in the majority of patients and often lead to other diagnostic considerations, including colon cancer, prior to definition of celiac disease. No patient in this series had a known family history of celiac disease. Dermatitis herpetiformis and thyroid hypofunction were frequently detected in this elderly population, possibly reflecting the autoimmune and systemic nature of celiac disease. Neoplastic disease was common in this age group, suggesting that particular vigilance in follow‐up is required, especially for lymphoma, in elderly patients with celiac disease.
Wilson’s Disease in an Elderly Patient
Authors: Badii Maziar , Wong Henry , Steinbrecher Urs P , Freeman Hugh J
Published: March 2016

A 65-year-old man with Fanconi’s syndrome was investigated for the cause of chronic liver disease. Wilson’s disease was diagnosed based on the detection of bilateral Kayser-Fleischer rings, a low serum ceruloplasmin level, increased urine copper excretion and positive histochemical stains of his liver for copper. This case is unusual because of the patient’s elderly age at the time of diagnosis and the absence of neurological changes due to Wilson’s disease in spite of advanced hepatic disease and the presence of Kayser-Fleischer rings. Even in the elderly patient, Wilson’s disease should be considered a possible cause of chronic liver disease.
Distribution and Career Choices of Canadian Trainees in Gastroenterology
Authors: Adams Paul C , Murray Iain , Bierbrier Gordon
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVES: To study the career choices, academic productivity and geographical distribution of trainees in gastroenterology from Canadian training programs from 1984-91.

METHODS: The names and current locations of trainees in gastroenterology were requested from program directors. Data were obtained from CD-ROM on the publications of the trainees during their fellowship. Migration patterns and trends were analyzed over the study period.

RESULTS: Data were obtained on 170 trainees. Forty-one per cent of trainees were working in a hospital affiliated with a university medical centre. Most Canadian trainees continue to practise gastroenterology in the province in which they trained. Trainees who pursued an academic career had an average of 1.1 peer-reviewed publication compared with community-based gastroenterologists who averaged 0.40 publications during their fellowship (P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS: Many Canadian gastroenterology trainees continue to be affiliated with an academic medical centre. Those trainees who published during their fellowship were associated with a career at an academic centre. Migration to other provinces or countries is uncommon and did not significantly change over the study period.