bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Equality of Opportunity in a European Social Market Economy*
Authors: Viehoff Juri
Published: January 2019

This article investigates what role the ideal of equality of opportunity should play in a European social market economy (ESME). After defining ‘social market economy’ and sketching different conceptions of equality of opportunity, it is argued that a social market economy must implement a substantive version of equality of opportunity. Subsequent sections assess how such a robust version needs adaptation in light of the EU's special nature: first, it assesses the merits of a direct transnational application of interpersonal substantive equality. Second, it considers what the ideal requires in a ESME understood along internationalist lines: even on this account, labour mobility creates tensions between EU citizens' claims to equal prospective chances in a fair cross‐border competition against each state's prerogative of providing the highest level of education to its residents. The concluding section offers some suggestions how we might alleviate this tension between domestic equality of opportunity and national autonomy.
Lower body mass index is not of more benefit for diabetic complications
Authors: Zhang Yongze , Guo Yangyang , Shen Ximei , Zhao Fengying , Yan Sunjie
Published: January 2019

Aims/Introduction

To investigate the relationship between different body mass index (BMI) levels and vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Materials and Methods

Data were collected from 3,224 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (male/female: 1,635/1,589; age 61.31 ± 11.45 years), using a retrospective case study design. The association of BMI quintiles and diabetes mellitus vascular complications was assessed using multiple logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, diabetes duration, smoking status, drinking and other confounders, using those with the lowest quintile of BMI as the reference group.

Results

With increasing BMI, the detection rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease initially decreased and then it increased, whereas the detection rate of diabetic kidney disease and carotid atherosclerotic plaques showed an upward trend; however, diabetic retinopathy was irregular. The odds ratios of diabetic peripheral neuropathy decreased as BMI increased from the 21st percentile to the 80th percentile initially, and increased when BMI was in >80th percentile. The same result was shown in peripheral arterial disease. BMI >80th percentile showed a 1.426‐fold risk of diabetic kidney disease and a 1.336 ‐fold risk of carotid atherosclerotic plaque.

Conclusions

In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the relationship between different BMIs and vascular complications varies. A U‐shaped relationship was observed between BMI and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as BMI and peripheral arterial disease. BMI is positively correlated with diabetic kidney disease and carotid atherosclerotic plaque; however, it is not correlated with diabetic retinopathy.
Triglycerides Paradox Among the Oldest Old: “The Lower the Better?”
Authors: Lv Yue‐Bin , Mao Chen , Gao Xiang , Yin Zhao‐Xue , Kraus Virginia Byers , Yuan Jin‐Qiu , Zhang Juan , Luo Jie‐Si , Zeng Yi , Shi Xiao‐Ming
Published: January 2019

OBJECTIVES

Currently, most treatment guidelines suggest lowering hypertriglyceridemia of any severity, even in elderly individuals. However associations of serum triglycerides (TGs) with adverse health and mortality risk decrease with age, it remains unclear among the oldest old (aged 80 years and older). The study was to investigate the relationship of serum TG concentrations with cognitive function, activities of daily living (ADLs), frailty, and mortality among the oldest old in a prospective cohort study.

DESIGN

Longitudinal prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Community‐based setting in longevity areas in China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 930 (mean age = 94.0 years) Chinese oldest old.

MEASUREMENTS

The TG concentrations were measured at baseline survey in 2009. Cognitive function, ADLs, frailty, and mortality were determined over 5 years of follow‐up. Cox proportional hazards models and competing risk models were performed to explore the association, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Each 1‐mmol/L increase in TGs was associated with a nearly 20% lower risk of cognitive decline, ADL decline, and frailty aggravation during the 5 years of follow‐up. Consistently, higher TGs (each 1 mmol/L) was associated with lower 5‐year all‐cause mortality after fully adjustment (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.69‐0.89). Nonelevated TG concentrations (less than 2.26 mmol/L) were associated with higher mortality risk (HR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.22‐2.44), relative to TGs of 2.26 mmol/L or more. We observed similar results regarding TG concentrations and mortality in 1‐year lag analysis and when excluding participants with identified chronic disease.

CONCLUSION

In the oldest old, a higher concentration of TGs was associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline, ADL decline, frailty aggravation, and mortality. This paradox suggests the clinical importance of revisiting the concept of “the lower the better” for the oldest old. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:741–748, 2019.
Peripheral Neuropathy Research Registry: A prospective cohort
Authors: Thomas Simone , Ajroud‐Driss Senda , Dimachkie Mazen M. , Gibbons Christopher , Freeman Roy , Simpson David M. , Singleton J. Robinson , Smith A. Gordon ,   PNRR Study Group, Höke Ahmet
Published: January 2019

The Peripheral Neuropathy Research Registry (PNRR) is a prospective cohort of peripheral neuropathy (PN) patients focused on idiopathic axonal peripheral neuropathy. Patients with diabetic, human immunodeficiency virus‐, and chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathies are enrolled as comparison groups. The PNRR is a multi‐center collaboration initiated and funded by the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy (FPN) with the objective to recruit a well characterized cohort of patients with different phenotypes and symptoms in each diagnostic category, and to advance research through development of biomarkers and identification of previously unknown causes of PN. The overall goal of the initiative is to find disease‐altering treatments and better symptom relief for patients. We present the study design, types of data collected, and characteristics of the first 1150 patients enrolled. We also discuss ongoing analyses on this dataset, including untargeted‐omics methodologies.
The effect of various primers improving adhesiveness of gel polish hybrids on pH, TOWL and overall nail plates condition
Authors: Batory Mirella , Wołowiec‐Korecka Emilia , Rotsztejn Helena
Published: January 2019

Background

Hybrid manicure is now a popular method of nail care and nail art, which is associated with its durability. Unfortunately, it has an adverse effect on pH, TOWL and overall nail plates condition and has not been investigated in detail so far.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the pH and TOWL of the hand nails after using different primers. The effect of application time, breaks between applications and the method of curing and removal on those parameters and overall nail plates condition were evaluated.

Patients/Methods

An evaluation survey was conducted among 116 women. pH and TOWL measurements of the nail plate in 35 women were taken using the Courage & Khazaka. Clinical photos were made using the Fotomedicus system.

Results

The measured pH values of the nail plate in the test group with gel polish hybrid on the nails were from 5.50 to 6.65, while after removal of the gel polish hybrid, the values ranged from 5.63 to 6.68. TOWL of the nail plate covered with gel polish hybrid ranged from 2.9 to 33.2 g/m2/h, whereas after removal of hybrids—from 1.9 to 45.7 g/m2/h.

Conclusion

Different forms of acid‐free primers maintain a lower pH of the nail plate covered with a gel polish hybrid, while the acidic primer maintains higher values of the nail plate pH. The significant decrease in the nail plate TOWL following the application of gel polish hybrid indicates a reduced loss of water from the surface of the nail to the atmosphere.
Multimorbidity research at the crossroads: developing the scientific evidence for clinical practice and health policy
Authors: Calderón‐Larrañaga A. , Fratiglioni L.
Published: January 2019

Content List – Read more articles from the symposium: “Multimorbidity research at the cross‐roads: developing the evidence for clinical practice and health policy”.
Determinants of depressive mood in coronary artery disease patients with obstructive sleep apnea and response to continuous positive airway pressure treatment in non‐sleepy and sleepy phenotypes in the RICCADSA cohort
Authors: Balcan Baran , Thunström Erik , Strollo Patrick J. , Peker Yüksel
Published: January 2019

We explored determinants of depressive mood in adults with coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea and response to positive airway pressure treatment in sleepy and non‐sleepy phenotypes. In this secondary analysis of the RICCADSA trial conducted in Sweden, 493 cardiac patients with obstructive sleep apnea (n = 386) or no obstructive sleep apnea (n = 107) with complete Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Zung Self‐rating Depression Scale questionnaires were included. Sleepy (Epworth Sleepiness Scale ≥10) versus non‐sleepy (Epworth Sleepiness Scale <10) patients with depressive mood (Zung Self‐rating Depression Scale score ≥50) were evaluated after 3 and 12 months of positive airway pressure treatment. In all, 133 patients (27.0%) had depressive mood (29.3% of obstructive sleep apnea versus 18.7% of no obstructive sleep apnea; p = 0.029), with a higher percentage among the sleepy phenotype (36.9% versus 24.5%; p = 0.009). In multivariate analysis, depressive mood was significantly associated with female sex, body mass index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Among 97 obstructive sleep apnea patients with depressive mood at baseline, there was a significant reduction in the scores at follow‐up both in the sleepy and non‐sleepy patients allocated to positive airway pressure treatment, whereas no significant changes were observed in the untreated group (p = 0.033). The device use (hr/night) predicted improvement in mood (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.61; p = 0.003) adjusted for age, female sex, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, apnea–hypopnea index and delta Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. We conclude that obstructive sleep apnea was associated with depressive mood in adults with coronary artery disease. Treatment with positive airway pressure improved mood in both phenotypes, independent of the confounding factors.
Rapid shifts in the thermal sensitivity of growth but not development rate causes temperature–size response variability during ontogeny in arthropods
Authors: Horne Curtis R. , Hirst Andrew G. , Atkinson David , Almeda Rodrigo , Kiørboe Thomas
Published: January 2019

Size at maturity in ectotherms commonly declines with warming. This near‐universal phenomenon, formalised as the temperature–size rule, has been observed in over 80% of tested species, from bacteria to fish. The proximate cause has been attributed to the greater temperature dependence of development rate than growth rate, causing individuals to develop earlier but mature smaller in the warm. However, few studies have examined the ontogenetic progression of the temperature–size response at high resolution. Using marine planktonic copepods, we experimentally determined the progression of the temperature–size response over ontogeny. Temperature–size responses were not generated gradually from egg to adult, contrary to the predictions of a naïve model in which development rate was assumed to be more temperature‐dependent than growth rate, and the difference in the temperature dependence of these two rates remained constant over ontogeny. Instead, the ontogenetic progression of the temperature–size response in experimental animals was highly episodic, indicating rapid changes in the extent to which growth and development rates are thermally decoupled. The strongest temperature–size responses occurred temporally mid‐way through ontogeny, corresponding with the point at which individuals reached between ~5 and 25% of their adult mass. Using the copepod Oithona nana, we show that the temperature‐dependence of growth rate varied substantially throughout ontogeny, whereas the temperature dependence of development rate remained constant. The temperature‐dependence of growth rate even exceeded that of development rate in some life stages, leading to a weakening of the temperature–size response. Our analyses of arthropod temperature–size responses from the literature, including crustaceans and insects, support these conclusions more broadly. Overall, our findings provide a better understanding of how the temperature–size rule is produced over ontogeny. Whereas we find support for the generality of developmental rate isomorphy in arthropods (shared temperature dependence of development rate across life stages), this concept appears not to apply to growth rates.
Nursing practice with hospitalised older people: Safety and harm
Authors: Dahlke Sherry Ann , Hunter Kathleen F. , Negrin Kelly
Published: January 2019

Background

Nursing teams work with hospitalised older people in institutions, which prioritise a biomedical model of care. This model does not fit the needs of older people because it emphasises efficacy and a narrow definition of patient safety, but does not prioritise functional needs. Nursing care is provided around the clock within the context of fiscal restraints as well as negative societal and nursing perspectives about ageing and old people. Yet, nursing perceptions of managing safety and potential harms to older patients within these hospital institutions are not well understood.

Methods

An integrative review was conducted to examine nursing perspectives of safety and harm related to hospitalised older people.

Results

The majority of included papers focused on restraint use. Findings reveal that nurses are using restraints and limiting mobility as strategies to manage their key priority of keeping older patients safe, reflecting a narrow conceptualisation of safety. Policy, administrative support and individual nurse characteristics influence restraint use. Safety policies that nurses interpret as preventing falls can encourage the use of restraints and limiting mobility, both of which result in functional losses to older people.

Conclusions

This complex issue requires attention from clinical nurses, leaders, policy makers and researchers to shift the focus of care to preservation and restoration of function for older people in hospital as a safety priority.

Implications for Practice

Clinical leaders and nursing teams should engage in developing processes of care that incorporate maintaining and restoring older people's function.
Unsuccessful reduction of high‐frequency alpha activity during cognitive activation in schizophrenia
Authors: Jang Kuk‐In , Oh Jihoon , Jung Wookyoung , Lee Sangmin , Kim Sungkean , Huh Seung , Lee Seung‐Hwan , Chae Jeong‐Ho
Published: January 2019

Aims

Electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha activity during resting state reflects the ‘readiness’ of an individual to respond to the environment; this includes the performance of cognitive processes. Alpha activity is reported to be attenuated in schizophrenia (SCZ). Understanding the interaction between alpha activity during rest and when cognitively engaged may provide insights into the neural circuitry, which is dysfunctional in SCZ. This study investigated the changes of alpha activity between resting state and cognitive engagement in SCZ patients.

Methods

Thirty‐four SCZ patients and 29 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. EEG was performed in the resting state and during an auditory P300 task. All experimental procedures followed the relevant institutional guidelines and regulations.

Results

In SCZ, high‐frequency alpha activity was reduced in the resting state. High‐frequency alpha source density was decreased in both the resting‐state and a P300 task condition in patients, compared to HC. HC, but not SCZ patients, showed a reduction in high‐frequency alpha source density during the P300 task compared to the resting state. The negative correlation between high‐frequency alpha source density in the resting state and positive symptoms was significant.

Conclusions

High‐frequency alpha activity in SCZ patients and its unsuccessful reduction during cognitive processing may be biological markers of SCZ.
A greyscale voxel model for airborne lidar data applied to building detection
Authors: Wang Liying , Zhao Yuanding , Li Yu
Published: January 2019

The existing binary voxel model algorithm for 3D building detection (3BD) from airborne lidar cannot distinguish between connected buildings and non‐buildings. As a result, a greyscale voxel structure model, using the discretised mean intensity of lidar points, is presented to support subsequent building detection in areas where buildings are adjacent to non‐buildings but with different greyscales. The resulting 3BD algorithm first detects a building roof by selecting voxels characterised by a jump in elevation as seeds, labelling them and their 3D connected regions as rooftop voxels. Then voxels which fall into buffers and possess similar greyscales to that of the corresponding building outline are assigned as building façades. The results for detected buildings are evaluated using lidar data with different densities and demonstrate a high rate of success.
The afterglow thermoluminescence band as an indicator of changes in the photorespiratory metabolism of the model legumeLotus japonicus
Authors: García‐Calderón Margarita , Betti Marco , Márquez Antonio J. , Ortega José M. , Roncel Mercedes
Published: January 2019

The afterglow (AG) luminescence is a delayed chlorophyll fluorescence emitted by the photosystem II that seems to reflect the level of assimilatory potential (NADPH+ATP) in chloroplast. In this work, the thermoluminescence (TL) emissions corresponding to the AG band were investigated in plants of the WT and theLjgln2‐2photorespiratory mutant fromLotus japonicusgrown under either photorespiratory (air) or non‐photorespiratory (high concentration of CO2) conditions. TL glow curves obtained after two flashes induced the strongest overall TL emissions, which could be decomposed in two components: B band (tmax = 27–29°C) and AG band (tmax = 44–45°C). Under photorespiratory conditions, WT plants showed a ratio of 1.17 between the intensity of the AG and B bands (IAG/IB). This ratio increased considerably under non‐photorespiratory conditions (2.12). In contrast, mutantLjgln2‐2plants grown under both conditions showed a high IAG/IBratio, similar to that of WT plants grown under non‐photorespiratory conditions. In addition, high temperature thermoluminescence (HTL) emissions associated to lipid peroxidation were also recorded. WT andLjgln2‐2mutant plants grown under photorespiratory conditions showed both a significant HTL band, which increased significantly under non‐photorespiratory conditions. The results of this work indicate that changes in the amplitude of IAG/IBratio could be used as an in vivo indicator of alteration in the level of photorespiratory metabolism inL. japonicuschloroplasts. Moreover, the HTL results suggest that photorespiration plays some role in the protection of the chloroplast against lipid peroxidation.
The impact of photosynthesis on initiation of leaf senescence
Authors: Krieger‐Liszkay Anja , Krupinska Karin , Shimakawa Ginga
Published: January 2019

Senescence is the last stage of leaf development preceding the death of the organ, and it is important for nutrient remobilization and for feeding sink tissues. There are many reports on leaf senescence, but the mechanisms initiating leaf senescence are still poorly understood. Leaf senescence is affected by many environmental factors and seems to vary in different species and even varieties of plants, which makes it difficult to generalize the mechanism. Here, we give an overview on studies reporting about alterations in the composition of the photosynthetic electron transport chain in chloroplasts during senescence. We hypothesize that alternative electron flow and related generation of the proton motive force required for ATP synthesis become increasingly important during progression of senescence. We address the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chloroplasts in the initiation of senescence, retrograde signaling from the chloroplast to the nucleus and ROS‐dependent signaling associated with leaf senescence. Finally, a few ideas for increasing crop yields by increasing the chloroplast lifespan are presented.
Rotational waves generated by current‐topography interaction
Authors: Flamarion Marcelo V. , Milewski Paul A. , Nachbin André
Published: January 2019

We study nonlinear free‐surface rotational waves generated through the interaction of a vertically sheared current with a topography. Equivalently, the waves may be generated by a pressure distribution along the free surface. A forced Korteweg–de Vries equation (fKdV) is deduced incorporating these features. The weakly nonlinear, weakly dispersive reduced model is valid for small amplitude topographies. To study the effect of gradually increasing the topography amplitude, the free surface Euler equations are formulated in the presence of a variable depth and a sheared current of constant vorticity. Under constant vorticity, the harmonic velocity component is formulated in a simplified canonical domain, through the use of a conformal mapping which flattens both the free surface as well as the bottom topography. Critical, supercritical, and subcritical Froude number regimes are considered, while the bottom amplitude is gradually increased in both the irrotational and rotational wave regimes. Solutions to the fKdV model are compared to those from the Euler equations. We show that for rotational waves the critical Froude number is shifted away from 1. New stationary solutions are found and their stability tested numerically.
Risk and protective factors at school: Reducing bullies and promoting positive bystanders' behaviors in adolescence
Authors: Miranda Rafael , Oriol Xavier , Amutio Alberto
Published: January 2019

Identifying protective factors present at schools located in neighborhoods with high structural violence is fundamental to help prevent the perpetuation of violence. Therefore, the aim of this study was to observe how some school micro‐system variables, such as school environment and interpersonal relationships that adults establish with adolescents, may lead to bullying behaviors or, on the contrary, to positive bystander behavior in the bully‐victim dynamic. The sample was composed of 5,774 adolescents from 71 schools located in violent neighborhoods in Lima (Peru). 31.9 per cent of the sample experienced verbal violence and the prevalence of cyberbullying was 24.6%. Boys were more prone to experience both types of bullying than girls, although no differences were seen in the probability of becoming aggressors during early and late adolescence. The protective model showed that a positive atmosphere based on a supportive environment with clear rules encouraged adults at school to show more support and to provide more orientation in bullying situations, thus promoting a positive bystander behavior between peers. Opposite results were observed in the risk model. Actions at the micro‐system school level are discussed to enhance protective factors and reduce risk factors.
Campus Sex in Context: Organizational Cultures and Women's Engagement in Sexual Relationships on Two American College Campuses
Authors: Pham Janelle M.
Published: January 2019

An “inhabited” approach to the study of institutions examines how organizational actors produce locally distinctive meaning in response to similar institutional forces. Adopting inhabited institutionalism to the study of campus sexual life, this study draws on interviews with 54 undergraduate women at two four‐year universities in the United States—Ivy U and State U—to show campus cultures unique to a university inform women's decisions to engage in hookups and/or relationships. For women attending Ivy U, an elite institution where pressure to succeed is palpable, both hookups and long‐distance relationships alike are posited as advantageous for the time‐crunched, preprofessional student. At State U, a public school with a party reputation, women explain their engagement in hookups as part of the “fun” of college life, while women seeking or involved in committed relationships are obligated to negotiate the effects of the party culture in their partnerships. This study challenges the notion of a monolithic sexual culture across university settings by showing how campus cultures cultivated at the local level create unique organizational conditions within which undergraduate women forge and explain their engagement in hookups and relationships alike.
Detection and Simulation of Urban Expansion and Socioeconomic Segregation in the Greater Paramaribo Region, Suriname
Authors: Fung‐Loy Kimberley , Van Rompaey Anton , Hemerijckx Lisa‐Marie
Published: January 2019

This paper analyses built‐up area expansion and socioeconomic segregation within the Greater Paramaribo Region, Suriname. Built‐up expansion between 1987 and 2015 was assessed via time‐series analysis of Landsat images. By identifying visible spatial residential characteristics in Google Earth©images, the residential built‐up area was differentiated into rich, middle, middle to low, and poor residences, signifying different socioeconomic groups. Results show that the built‐up expansion of the region is primarily controlled by the distance to the previously built‐up area, city centre, and roads, as well as land price. The observed expansion mainly consisted of middle and middle to low residences. Dissimilarity indices demonstrate an increasing socioeconomic segregation, especially between rich and poor. A business‐as‐usual model simulation for 2030 indicates that this segregation is likely to remain.
Memory, Narrative, and the Consequences
Authors: Brockmeier Jens
Published: January 2019

Drawing on papers from three different areas — evolutionary psychology, developmental psychology, sociolinguistics analysis — this commentary states that there is by now an empirically grounded and theoretically reflected memory research that has begun to break with the traditional individual‐centric orientation of the memory sciences. This break, it is argued, is the consequence of a new interest in the dialectics between memory and language, between social (or collective or collaborative) remembering and narrative. On this view, memory is taken less as a substance and more as a set of practices, of intersubjective and interpretive acts of a remembering subject.
Compliance with time‐based deferrals for men who have sex with men
Authors: O'Brien Sheila F. , Osmond Lori , Fan Wenli , Yi Qi‐Long , Goldman Mindy
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

The deferral for men who have sex with men (MSM) was reduced from a permanent deferral for MSM if even one time since 1977 to progressively shorter time deferrals of 5 years and 1 year in Canada. We assessed compliance with these deferrals and the impact on safety at Canadian Blood Services.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Three anonymous online compliance surveys of male whole blood donors were carried out before and after implementation of successive changes. HIV rates and incidence were monitored from January 1, 2011, to August 14, 2018.

RESULTS

Participation rates in the consecutive surveys were 49.7% before implementation, 36.3% after 5 years and 36.3% after 1 year. There was no difference before versus after implementation in male donors with MSM history in the past year (0.21%, 0.19%, 0.24%; p = 0.70). The percentage of eligible MSM donors increased (0.13%, 0.66%, 1.21%; p < 0.0001), with approximately 2500 eligible MSM donors with the 1‐year deferral in place. HIV rates were less than 0.6 per 100,000 donations and unchanged after each policy change (p = 0.14 for trend). Incidence remained unchanged at 0.22 per 100,000 person‐years before implementation, 0.54 per 100,000 after 5‐year deferral, and no incident cases after 1‐year deferral (p = 0.55).

CONCLUSION

Progressively shorter time deferrals had no impact on noncompliance of MSM with a male partner in the past year. Contrary to modeling predictions, shorter time deferrals had no impact on HIV rates or incidence. There was a modest increase in eligible MSM in the donor pool after each shorter time deferral. These results support the safety of reducing deferral periods for MSM.
Challenges and strategies for developing efficacious and long-lasting malaria vaccines
Authors: Beeson James G. , Kurtovic Liriye , Dobaño Carlota , Opi D. Herbert , Chan Jo-Anne , Feng Gaoqian , Good Michael F. , Reiling Linda , Boyle Michelle J.
Published: January 2019

New knowledge and strategies are emerging to enable the development of an efficacious and long-lasting vaccine against malaria.
Reduced non–rapid eye movement sleep is associated with tau pathology in early Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lucey Brendan P. , McCullough Austin , Landsness Eric C. , Toedebusch Cristina D. , McLeland Jennifer S. , Zaza Aiad M. , Fagan Anne M. , McCue Lena , Xiong Chengjie , Morris John C. , Benzinger Tammie L. S. , Holtzman David M.
Published: January 2019

Slow wave activity during non–rapid eye movement sleep decreases with disease progression in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The
Aspergillus flavus rtfA
Gene Regulates Plant and Animal Pathogenesis and Secondary Metabolism
Authors: Lohmar Jessica M. , Puel Olivier , Cary Jeffrey W. , Calvo Ana M.
Published: January 2019

In this study, the epigenetic global regulator
rtfA
, which encodes a putative RNA-Pol II transcription elongation factor-like protein, was characterized in the mycotoxigenic and opportunistic pathogen
A. flavus
. Specifically, its involvement in
A. flavus
pathogenesis in plant and animal models was studied. Here, we show that
rtfA
positively regulates
A. flavus
virulence in both models. Furthermore,
rtfA
-dependent effects on factors necessary for successful invasion and colonization of host tissue by
A. flavus
were also assessed. Our study indicates that
rtfA
plays a role in
A. flavus
adherence to surfaces, hydrolytic activity, normal cell wall formation, and response to oxidative stress. This study also revealed a profound effect of
rtfA
on the metabolome of
A. flavus
, including the production of potent mycotoxins.
Blood Smears Have Poor Sensitivity for Confirming Borrelia miyamotoi Disease
Authors: Telford Sam R. , Goethert Heidi K. , Molloy Philip J. , Berardi Victor
Published: January 2019

Borrelia miyamotoi
disease (BMD) is a newly recognized borreliosis that is cotransmitted by ticks wherever Lyme disease is zoonotic. Unlike
Borrelia burgdorferi
sensu lato
, the agent of Lyme disease,
B. miyamotoi
is closely related to relapsing fever spirochetes, such as
Borrelia hermsi
i
.
Detection and Differentiation of Two Koala Gammaherpesviruses by Use of High-Resolution Melt (HRM) Analysis Reveals Differences in Viral Prevalence and Clinical Associations in a Large Study of Free-Ranging Koalas
Authors: Vaz P. K. , Legione A. R. , Hartley C. A. , Devlin J. M.
Published: January 2019

The iconic koala (
Phascolarctos cinereus
) is host to two divergent gammaherpesviruses, phascolarctid gammaherpesviruses 1 and 2 (PhaHV-1 and -2), but the clinical significance of the individual viruses is unknown and current diagnostic methods are unsuitable for differentiating between the viruses in large-scale studies. To address this, we modified a pan-herpesvirus nested PCR to incorporate high-resolution melt analysis.
TMPRSS2 Contributes to Virus Spread and Immunopathology in the Airways of Murine Models after Coronavirus Infection
Authors: Iwata-Yoshikawa Naoko , Okamura Tadashi , Shimizu Yukiko , Hasegawa Hideki , Takeda Makoto , Nagata Noriyo
Published: January 2019

Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs against highly pathogenic coronaviruses and other emerging viruses are desirable to enable a rapid response to pandemic threats. Transmembrane protease serine type 2 (TMPRSS2), a protease belonging to the type II transmembrane serine protease family, cleaves the coronavirus spike protein, making it a potential therapeutic target for coronavirus infections. Here, we examined the role of TMPRSS2 using animal models of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infection. The results suggest that lack of TMPRSS2 in the airways reduces the severity of lung pathology after infection by SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Taken together, the results will facilitate development of novel targets for coronavirus therapy.
Infectious Entry of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus
Authors: Becker Miriam , Dominguez Melissa , Greune Lilo , Soria-Martinez Laura , Pfleiderer Moritz M. , Schowalter Rachel , Buck Christopher B. , Blaum Bärbel S. , Schmidt M. Alexander , Schelhaas Mario
Published: January 2019

MCPyV is the first polyomavirus directly implicated in the development of an aggressive human cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Although MCPyV is constantly shed from healthy skin, the MCC incidence increases among aging and immunocompromised individuals. To date, the events connecting initial MCPyV infection and subsequent transformation still remain elusive. MCPyV differs from other known polyomaviruses concerning its cell tropism, entry receptor requirements, and infection kinetics. In this study, we examined the cellular requirements for endocytic entry as well as the subcellular localization of incoming virus particles. A thorough understanding of the determinants of the infectious entry pathway and the specific biological niche will benefit prevention of virus-derived cancers such as MCC.
Does endometriosis affect professional life? A matched case-control study in Switzerland, Germany and Austria
Authors: Sperschneider Marita Lina , Hengartner Michael P , Kohl-Schwartz Alexandra , Geraedts Kirsten , Rauchfuss Martina , Woelfler Monika Martina , Haeberlin Felix , von Orelli Stephanie , Eberhard Markus , Maurer Franziska , Imthurn Bruno , Imesch Patrick , Leeners Brigitte
Published: January 2019

Objectives

Endometriosis is a gynaecological disease most commonly causing severe and chronic pelvic pain as well as an impaired quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate if and how endometriosis affects choices regarding professional life as well as the quality of daily working life.

Design, setting and participants

In the context of a multicentre case–control study, we collected data from 505 women with surgically/histologically confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis and 505 matched controls. Study participants were recruited prospectively in hospitals and doctors’ practices in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Using a detailed questionnaire, the study investigated work–life and career choices of study participants.

Main outcome measures

Associations between endometriosis/disease symptoms and limitations in career development as well as ability to work.

Results

Women with endometriosis were less often able to work in their desired profession than women from the control group (adjusted OR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.94, R2=0.029, p=0.001) and they had to take health-related limitations into consideration in their career decisions to a significantly higher degree than women in the control group (OR=4.79, 95% CI: 2.30 to 9.96, R2=0.063, p<0.001). Among women with endometriosis, chronic pain was significantly associated with increased sick leave (OR=3.52, 95% CI: 2.02 to 6.13, R2=0.072, p<0.001) as well as with loss of productivity at work (OR=3.08, 95% CI: 2.11 to 4.50, R2=0.087, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Endometriosis is associated with impairment of professional life, in particular with regard to career choices. Further research to develop strategies to support endometriosis-affected women in realising professional opportunities is recommended.

Trial registration number

NCT02511626; Pre-results.
Corticosteroids injections versus corticosteroids with hyaluronic acid injections in rhizarthrosis: the randomised multicentre RHIZ’ART trial study protocol
Authors: Cormier Grégoire , Le Goff Benoit , Denis Amélie , Varin Stéphane , Auzanneau Lucie , Dimet Jérôme , Le Thuaut Aurélie
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint affects approximately 10%–25% of women, especially those who are postmenopausal. It may result in thumb dysfunction. Among the treatments, intra-articular injections of corticosteroid (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are both effective and recommended. However, clinical trials have shown that HA improves functional capacity, whereas CS only produces a decrease in pain. The synergy of these two drugs has not been evaluated. The primary goal of this study was to determine whether the association between HA and CS produce an additional decrease of more pain during thumb movement at three months postinjection, compared to the level of pain relief from CS alone.

Methods and analysis

RHIZ’ART is a prospective, multicentre, comparative, randomised, controlled, double-blind trial. Patients referred to the rheumatology department for thumb rhizarthrosis will receive an injection of betamethasone with HA or placebo (serum saline) based on central randomisation and stratification by centre. Injections will be given under ultrasound guidance. The primary outcome will compare the pain Visual Analogue Scale with motion at three months for both groups using a mixed model. The expected decrease in pain intensity in the CS group is 25% and 35% in the CS with HA group. In order to achieve a 80% power for detecting this difference with α set at 5%, 73 patients are needed in each group (146 total). The main secondary outcomes are the Cochin score (hand function) and grip strength. Follow-up visits are at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.

Ethics and dissemination

The study project has been approved by the appropriate ethics committee (CPP île de France III, 2017-002298-20). In agreement with current French regulations, a signed informed written consent will be obtained from each patient. Results of the main trial and of the secondary endpoints will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT03431584.
Prospective study of the sensitivity of the Wood’s lamp for common eye abnormalities
Authors: Hooker Edmond A , Faulkner William J , Kelly Lisa D , Whitford Robert C
Published: January 2019

Objective

The Wood’s lamp, a handheld instrument that uses long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light with magnification of 2–3 times, is commonly used by non-ophthalmologists for examining patients with eye complaints. The goal of current research was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Wood’s lamp for common eye abnormalities.

Study design

We examined a convenience sample of patients, 18 years of age and older, who presented for eye complaints to an urgent clinic of a large ophthalmology practice. This prospective observational trial was performed from December 2016 until July 2017. An ophthalmologist examined the patient’s eyes with a Wood’s lamp, followed by examination of the eyes using a slit lamp. The Wood’s lamp was compared with the slit lamp, which served as the gold standard.

Results

There were 73 patients recruited. The mean age of study subjects (29 female and 44 male) was 49 years. The overall sensitivity of the Wood’s lamp was 52% (38/73; 95% CI 40% to 64%). Based on the principal final diagnosis made with the slit lamp, the Wood’s lamp only detected 9 of 16 corneal abrasions, 5 of 10 corneal ulcers, 5 of 9 corneal foreign bodies, 0 of 4 cases of non-herpetic keratitis, 1 of 2 cases of herpes keratitis, 1 of 5 rust rings and 18 of 28 other diagnoses.

Conclusions and relevance

Examination using the Wood’s lamp fails to detect many common eye abnormalities. Our findings support the need for a slit lamp examination of patients with eye complaints whenever possible.
Inflammatory bowel disease and new-onset psychiatric disorders in pregnancy and post partum: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Vigod Simone N , Kurdyak Paul , Brown Hilary K , Nguyen Geoffrey C , Targownik Laura E , Seow Cynthia H , Kuenzig M Ellen , Benchimol Eric I
Published: January 2019

Objective

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an elevated risk of mental illness. We determined the incidence and correlates of new-onset mental illness associated with IBD during pregnancy and post partum.

Design

This cohort study using population-based health administrative data included all women with a singleton live birth in Ontario, Canada (2002–2014). The incidence of new-onset mental illness from conception to 1-year post partum was compared between 3721 women with and 798 908 without IBD, generating adjusted HRs (aHR). Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of new-onset mental illness in the IBD group.

Results

About 22.7% of women with IBD had new-onset mental illness versus 20.4% without, corresponding to incidence rates of 150.2 and 132.8 per 1000 patient-years (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.20), or one extra case of new-onset mental illness per 43 pregnant women with IBD. The risk was elevated in the post partum (aHR 1.20, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.31), but not during pregnancy, and for Crohn’s disease (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.23), but not ulcerative colitis. The risk was specifically elevated for a new-onset mood or anxiety disorder (aHR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.26) and alcohol or substance use disorders (aHR 2.73, 95% CI 1.42 to 5.26). Predictors of a mental illness diagnosis were maternal age, delivery year, medical comorbidity, number of prenatal visits, family physician obstetrical care and infant mortality.

Conclusion

Women with IBD were at an increased risk of new-onset psychiatric diagnosis in the postpartum period, but not during pregnancy. Providers should look to increase opportunities for prevention, early identification and treatment accordingly.
Impact of Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Project on Outcomes-Quality Improvement (C3PO-QI) in LMICs
Authors: Ali Fatima , Qasim Mehdi Mohammad , Akhtar Saleem , Aslam Nadeem , Abbas Rashid , Shah Izat , Abidi Jabbir , Arthur Sajid , Nizar Zeenat , Goodmann Andrea , Bergersen Lisa , Hasan Babar
Published: January 2019

Background

The importance of registries for collaborative quality improvement has been overlooked in low/middle-income countries (LMIC). Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Pakistan joined the Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Project on Outcomes-Quality Improvement (C3PO-QI) in March 2017 with the goal of leveraging international collaboration to improve patient care and institutional standards.

Methods

The C3PO-QI key driver-based approach was used, with certain modifications, for process re-engineering in AKUH’s congenital cardiac catheterisation laboratory (CCL) to reduce radiation exposure during cardiac catheterisation procedures (the primary outcome of C3PO- QI). Educating staff and standardising procedural documentation were the principal goals of the process re-engineering. Data survey was used to assess staff knowledge, attitude and practice before and after the initiative. Additionally, case demographics and outcomes were compared between AKUH and C3PO-QI centres.

Results

There was an increase in appropriate recording of radiation surrogates (0%–100%, p=0.00) and in the percentage of cases that met the established benchmark of ‘Ideal documentation’ (35% vs 95%, p=0.001). There was also an increase in self-reported staff interest during the case (25% vs 75%, p=0.001). AKUH versus C3PO-QI data showed similar demographic characteristics. There was a slight over-representation of diagnostic cases (42% vs 32%) as compared with interventional (58% vs 68%) at AKUH. Furthermore, interventional procedures were predominately PDA and ASD device closures (n=19 and 15, respectively). The frequency of adverse events were the same between AKUH and collaborative sites.

Conclusion

Collaborative efforts between developed and LMIC CCL are significant in advancing system-level processes.
Microvessel density in breast cancer: the impact of field area on prognostic informativeness
Authors: Kraby Maria Ryssdal , Opdahl Signe , Russnes Hege Giercksky , Bofin Anna M
Published: January 2019

Aims

Tumour microvessel density (MVD) is assessed by counting vessels in the most vascularised tumour region, the vascular hot spot. Current uncertainty regarding the prognostic role of MVD in breast cancer could, in part, be explained by variations in field area size for MVD assessment. We aimed to identify the field area size that provides the most accurate prognostic information in breast carcinoma.

Methods

MVD was assessed in 212 tumours. von Willebrand factor positively stained vessels were counted in 10 consecutive visual fields in vascular hotspots. The 10 visual fields in the original counting sequence (MVD-Consecutive) were sorted from highest to lowest vessel count (MVD-Decreasing), and randomly (MVD-Random). After adding counts from one visual field at a time, mean MVD was calculated for each cumulative field area. The prognostic informativeness of each field area and sorting strategy were compared.

Results

Median MVD decreased with increasing field size for MVD-Decreasing and MVD-Consecutive. A 0.35 mm2total field area comprising only the highest vessel counts provided the most accurate prognostic information (MVD-Decreasing, HR for breast cancer death 1.06 per 10 vessels/mm2increase, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.10). MVD-Decreasing gave more accurate prognostic information than MVD-Consecutive and MVD-Random, with decreasing prognostic informativeness with increasing field area.

Conclusions

Median MVD and its prognostic informativeness decreased with increasing field area. Assessing MVD in a carefully selected small field area of 0.35 mm2provides the most accurate prognostic information. This could facilitate the implementation of MVD assessment in breast cancer.
Inflammatory markers in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis and systematic review of 170 studies
Authors: Shen Xue-Ning , Niu Li-Dong , Wang Yan-Jiang , Cao Xi-Peng , Liu Qiang , Tan Lan , Zhang Can , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: January 2019

Objective

Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our study aimed to analyse previous inconsistent results of inflammatory markers in AD and MCI quantitatively.

Methods

Studies reporting concentrations of peripheral or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers were included, and eligible data on AD, MCI and control were extracted. Pooled Hedges’s g was adopted to illustrate comparisons, and various confounding factors were used to explore sources of heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 170 studies were included in the meta-analysis and systematic review, which demonstrated increased peripheral levels of high-sensitivity C reactive protein (Hedges’s g 0.281, p<0.05), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (0.429, p<0.005), soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFR1) (0.763, p<0.05), soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR2) (0.354, p<0.005), alpha1-antichymotrypsin (α1-ACT) (1.217, p<0.005), IL-1β (0.615, p<0.05) and soluble CD40 ligand (0.868, p<0.005), and CSF levels of IL-10 (0.434, p<0.05), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (0.798, p<0.005), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (1.009, p<0.05), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells2 (sTREM2) (0.587, p<0.001), YKL-40 (0.849, p<0.001), α1-ACT (0.638, p<0.001), nerve growth factor (5.475, p<0.005) and visinin-like protein-1 (VILIP-1) (0.677, p<0.005), in AD compared with the control. Higher levels of sTNFR2 (0.265, p<0.05), IL-6 (0.129, p<0.05) and MCP-1 (0.779, p<0.05) and lower levels of IL-8 (−1.293, p<0.05) in the periphery, as well as elevated concentrations of YKL-40 (0.373, p<0.05), VILIP-1 (0.534, p<0.005) and sTREM2 (0.695, p<0.05) in CSF, were shown in MCI compared with the control. Additionally, increased peripheral sTNFR1 (0.582, p<0.05) and sTNFR2 (0.254, p<0.05) levels were observed in AD compared with MCI.

Conclusion

Significantly altered levels of inflammatory markers were verified in comparison between AD, MCI and control, supporting the notion that AD and MCI are accompanied by inflammatory responses in both the periphery and CSF.