bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GLUT9 influences uric acid concentration in patients with Lesch‐Nyhan disease
Authors: Torres Rosa J. , Puig Juan G.
Published: June 2018

Background

Patients with deficient hypoxanthine‐guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) activity present hyperuricemia and/or hyperuricosuria, with a variable degree of neurological manifestations. Hyperuricemia in HPRT deficiency is due to uric acid overproduction and is frequently treated with allopurinol. Renal uric acid excretion is sharply increased in these patients. In recent years, several renal tubular urate transporter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including those of the GLUT9, ABCG2 and URAT1 genes, have been described that influence the renal handling of uric acid and modulate serum urate levels. In the present study, we analyzed whether GLUT9, ABCG2 and URAT1 gene SNPs are able to influence uric acid levels and allopurinol response in patients with HPRT deficiency.

Methods

Three SNPs, URAT1 rs11231825, GLUT9 rs16890979 and ABCG2 rs2231142, previously associated in our population with hyperuricemia and gout, were analyzed in 27 patients with HPRT deficiency treated with allopurinol for at least 5 years.

Results

Patients with HPRT deficiency having allele A of rs16890979 in the GLUT9 gene present with a lower serum urate concentration at diagnosis, before allopurinol treatment is instituted, and need lower allopurinol doses to maintain serum urate levels between 268 and 446 μmol/L (4.5 and 7.5 mg/dL). No relationship between rs2231142 in the ABCG2 gene or rs11231825 in the URAT1 gene and serum urate levels or allopurinol response was found in our patients with HPRT deficiency.

Conclusions

GLUT9 SNPs influence the renal handling of uric acid and modulate serum urate levels and the response to treatment in patients with uric acid overproduction due to HPRT deficiency.
Axillary lymph node metastasis detection by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with breast cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhou Peng , Wei Yongqing , Chen Guoyue , Guo Lei , Yan Deyue , Wang Ying
Published: June 2018

Background

The study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Embase, Chinese Biomedical Literature, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched for open published studies relevant to the use of MRI for the detection of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients. The pooled diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and the symmetric receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was calculated by combining the individual data extracted from 26 included studies.

Results

The pooled diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of MRI to detect axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer were 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–0.80) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.89–0.91), respectively. The pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios were 7.67 (95% CI 5.09–11.53) and 0.23 (95% CI 0.17–0.32), respectively, by random effect method. The area under the SROC curve was 0.93 for MRI to detect axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients.

Conclusion

With high sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve, MRI is an effective method to differentiate metastatic axillary lymph node in breast cancer patients, which can provide useful information for surgical procedure selection.
FOXM1: A potential indicator to predict lymphatic metastatic recurrence in stage IIA esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xiao Zhaohua , Jia Yang , Jiang Wenpeng , Wang Zhou , Zhang Zhiping , Gao Yanyun
Published: June 2018

Background

Previous studies have elucidated that FOXM1 may predict poor prognosis in patients with multiple solid malignant tumors. In this study we explored the differential expression of FOXM1 in stage IIA esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and investigated its prognostic value.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot were used to detect FOXM1 expression in ESCC. Correlations between FOXM1 expression and clinicopathological variables, and five‐year lymphatic metastatic recurrence (LMR) and overall survival (OS) of patients were analyzed.

Results

FOXM1 was aberrantly expressed in ESCC. Statistical analysis revealed a close relationship between FOXM1 expression and tumor size (P = 0.024), depth of invasion (P = 0.048), and degree of differentiation (P = 0.043). The five‐year LMR of patients in the FOXM1 overexpression group was significantly increased compared to the low expression group (P = 0.001). The five‐year OS of patients in the FOXM1 overexpression group was significantly reduced compared to the low expression group (P = 0.007). Log‐rank tests demonstrated that large tumor size (P = 0.044), poor differentiation degree (P = 0.005), deep invasion (P = 0.000), and FOXM1 overexpression (P = 0.007) may indicate poor prognosis in stage IIA ESCC. Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed that all of these variables were independent predictors of unfavorable outcome (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

FOXM1 could be a predictor of lymphatic metastatic recurrence in stage IIA ESCC after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy.
Tree‐Based Models for Political Science Data
Authors: Montgomery Jacob M. , Olivella Santiago
Published: June 2018

Political scientists often find themselves analyzing data sets with a large number of observations, a large number of variables, or both. Yet, traditional statistical techniques fail to take full advantage of the opportunities inherent in “big data,” as they are too rigid to recover nonlinearities and do not facilitate the easy exploration of interactions in high‐dimensional data sets. In this article, we introduce a family of tree‐based nonparametric techniques that may, in some circumstances, be more appropriate than traditional methods for confronting these data challenges. In particular, tree models are very effective for detecting nonlinearities and interactions, even in data sets with many (potentially irrelevant) covariates. We introduce the basic logic of tree‐based models, provide an overview of the most prominent methods in the literature, and conduct three analyses that illustrate how the methods can be implemented while highlighting both their advantages and limitations.
Incidence and risk factors of major bleeding following major orthopaedic surgery with fondaparinux thromboprophylaxis. A time‐to‐event analysis
Authors: Zufferey P. J. , Ollier E. , Delavenne X. , Laporte S. , Mismetti P. , Duffull S. B.
Published: June 2018

Aims

Increased exposure to fondaparinux, as observed in patients with renal impairment, may increase bleeding risk. This study aims to determine the time course of major bleeding after major orthopaedic surgery, identify predictors of bleeding and simulate the effect of a reduced dose of fondaparinux on bleeding for patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance = 20–50 ml min−1).

Methods

Data including fondaparinux anti‐Xa activities from two multicentre prospective cohorts were used. In the first cohort, patients (n = 957) received fondaparinux 2.5 mg once a day. In the second, patients with moderate renal impairment (n = 436) received 1.5 mg once per day. The time‐to‐major bleeding after the end of surgery was modelled using a parametric survival analysis in NONMEM.

Results

The observed rate of major bleeding up to day 11 was 5.2%. The time‐to‐event analysis indicated that the hazard of bleeding was highest in the first days following surgery and then remained low thereafter. Independent significant predictors of an increased hazard of major bleeding were male sex, lower body weight and increased drug exposure. Simulated rates of major bleeding up to day 11 in patients with moderate renal impairment were 6.5% with fondaparinux 2.5 mg once daily and 3.8% with fondaparinux 1.5 mg once daily.

Conclusion

The hazard of major bleeding is highest in the first postoperative days and increases with fondaparinux exposure. To reduce the risk of bleeding in patients with moderate renal impairment, this study supports the use of a lower dose of fondaparinux 1.5 mg once daily.
The Basal Ganglia: More than just a switching device
Authors: Florio Tiziana Marilena , Scarnati Eugenio , Rosa Ilaria , Di Censo Davide , Ranieri Brigida , Cimini Annamaria , Galante Angelo , Alecci Marcello
Published: June 2018

The basal ganglia consist of a variety of subcortical nuclei engaged in motor control and executive functions, such as motor learning, behavioral control, and emotion. The striatum, a major basal ganglia component, is particularly useful for cognitive planning of purposive motor acts owing to its structural features and the neuronal circuitry established with the cerebral cortex. Recent data indicate emergent functions played by the striatum. Indeed, cortico‐striatal circuits carrying motor information are paralleled by circuits originating from associative and limbic territories, which are functionally integrated in the striatum. Functional integration between brain areas is achieved through patterns of coherent activity. Coherence belonging to cortico‐basal ganglia circuits is also present in Parkinson’s disease patients. Excessive synchronization occurring in this pathology is reduced by dopaminergic therapies. The mechanisms through which the dopaminergic effects may be addressed are the object of several ongoing investigations. Overall, the bulk of data reported in recent years has provided new vistas concerning basal ganglia role in the organization and control of movement and behavior, both in physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, basal ganglia functions involved in the organization of main movement categories and behaviors are critically discussed. Comparatively, the multiplicity of Parkinson’s disease symptomatology is also revised.
Evaluation of the vascular anatomy of the left‐sided colon focused on the accessory middle colic artery: a single‐centre study of 734 patients
Authors: Miyake H. , Murono K. , Kawai K. , Hata K. , Tanaka T. , Nishikawa T. , Otani K. , Sasaki K. , Kaneko M. , Emoto S. , Nozawa H.
Published: June 2018

Aim

Surgery for colorectal cancer located in the splenic flexure is difficult to perform because of the complex anatomy. Recently, in addition to the middle colic artery and left colic artery (LCA), the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) has been recognized as a feeding artery for the left‐sided colon. This study aimed to evaluate the vascular anatomy of the splenic flexure focusing on the AMCA in a large number of patients.

Method

A total of 734 patients who underwent CT before surgery for colorectal cancer were enrolled. We retrospectively evaluated the vascular anatomy using both two‐ and three‐dimensional CT angiography.

Results

The AMCA existed in 36.4% of the cases (n = 267). In many cases, it originated from the superior mesenteric artery (n = 228, 85.4%). The AMCA had a common trunk with the transverse pancreatic artery in 54 patients (20.2%). The frequency of the presence of the AMCA was associated with the branching pattern of the LCA, and was more frequent when the LCA was absent (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The presence of the AMCA is not rare and the AMCA has some branching patterns; therefore, recognizing it preoperatively and intra‐operatively is important, being especially careful when the LCA is absent.
CEO compensation and mortgage origination in the banking industry
Authors: Sun Yuanyuan
Published: June 2018

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

This study examines the relationship between bank CEO compensation and mortgage origination practices before the 2008 financial crisis. It extends the discussion about the degree of responsibility of executive compensation for the crisis, by testing whether bank CEO equity incentives contributed to the growth in high‐risk mortgages before the collapse of the mortgage market.

Research Findings/Insights

Using a unique dataset of comprehensive loan origination records and CEO compensation in an inclusive sample of publicly traded U.S. banks, this study finds strong evidence that CEO compensation vega is positively associated with the riskiness of mortgages before the collapse of the mortgage market and some evidence that compensation delta is negatively associated with the riskiness of mortgages.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

This study contributes to the understanding of the role of executive compensation in the 2008 financial crisis. Consistent with prior research, it provides further empirical support that compensation vega induces risk‐taking. Moreover, in the context of the financial industry, the findings illustrate the potential adverse effect of high‐vega compensation of bank CEOs, as such compensation may have contributed to the build‐up of high‐risk mortgages prior to the crisis.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Following the financial crisis, a series of policy changes towards regulating and reforming executive compensation in financial firms has been implemented. This study offers important insights for the reform and design of executive compensation in the financial sector. In particular, practitioners and policymakers should examine the incentive structures of bank executives (such as compensation delta and vega) in order to appropriately influence risk‐taking.
Prediction of Safety Margin and Optimization of Dosing Protocol for a Novel Antibiotic using Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Modeling
Authors: Woodhead Jeffrey L. , Paech Franziska , Maurer Martina , Engelhardt Marc , Schmitt‐Hoffmann Anne H. , Spickermann Jochen , Messner Simon , Wind Mathias , Witschi Anne‐Therese , Krähenbühl Stephan , Siler Scott Q. , Watkins Paul B. , Howell Brett A.
Published: June 2018

Elevations of liver enzymes have been observed in clinical trials with BAL30072, a novel antibiotic. In vitro assays have identified potential mechanisms for the observed hepatotoxicity, including electron transport chain (ETC) inhibition and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. DILIsym, a quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) model of drug‐induced liver injury, has been used to predict the likelihood that each mechanism explains the observed toxicity. DILIsym was also used to predict the safety margin for a novel BAL30072 dosing scheme; it was predicted to be low. DILIsym was then used to recommend potential modifications to this dosing scheme; weight‐adjusted dosing and a requirement to assay plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) daily and stop dosing as soon as ALT increases were observed improved the predicted safety margin of BAL30072 and decreased the predicted likelihood of severe injury. This research demonstrates a potential application for QSP modeling in improving the safety profile of candidate drugs.
Tutorial on Monoclonal Antibody Pharmacokinetics and Its Considerations in Early Development
Authors: Ovacik Meric , Lin Kedan
Published: June 2018

The tutorial introduces the readers to the fundamentals of antibody pharmacokinetics (PK) in the context of drug development. Topics covered include an overview of antibody development, PK characteristics, and the application of antibody PK/pharmacodynamics (PD) in research and development decision‐making. We also discuss the general considerations for planning a nonclinical PK program and describe the types of PK studies that should be performed during early development of monoclonal antibodies.
The independent and interacting effects of socioeconomic status and dual‐language use on brain structure and cognition
Authors: Brito Natalie H. , Noble Kimberly G. ,   the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition, Genetics Study
Published: June 2018

Family socioeconomic status (SES) is strongly associated with children's cognitive development, and past studies have reported socioeconomic disparities in both neurocognitive skills and brain structure across childhood. In other studies, bilingualism has been associated with cognitive advantages and differences in brain structure across the lifespan. The aim of the current study is to concurrently examine the joint and independent associations between family SES and dual‐language use with brain structure and cognitive skills during childhood. A subset of data from the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition and Genetics (PING) study was analyzed; propensity score matching established an equal sample (N = 562) of monolinguals and dual‐language users with similar socio‐demographic characteristics (Mage = 13.5, Range = 3–20 years). When collapsing across all ages, SES was linked to both brain structure and cognitive skills. When examining differences by age group, brain structure was significantly associated with both income and dual‐language use during adolescence, but not earlier in childhood. Additionally, in adolescence, a significant interaction between dual‐language use and SES was found, with no difference in cortical surface area (SA) between language groups of higher‐SES backgrounds but significantly increased SA for dual‐language users from lower‐SES families compared to SES‐matched monolinguals. These results suggest both independent and interacting associations between SES and dual‐language use with brain development. To our knowledge, this is the first study to concurrently examine dual‐language use and socioeconomic differences in brain structure during childhood and adolescence.
Flight morphology corresponds to both surrounding landscape structure and local patch conditions in a highly specialized peatland butterfly (Lycaena epixanthe)
Authors: Crawford Lindsay A. , Keyghobadi Nusha
Published: June 2018

1. Movement mediates the response of populations and communities to landscape and habitat spatial structure, yet movement capability may itself be modified by selection pressures accompanying landscape change. Insect flight morphology can be affected by both the landscape surrounding habitat patches and the distribution of resources within habitat patches.

2. This study investigated the relative influence of local habitat patch conditions and surrounding landscape structure on variation in morphological traits associated with flight in the bog copper (Lycaena epixanthe), a butterfly endemic to temperate Nearctic peatlands.

3. Eight habitat patches were sampled to assess the influence of the surrounding landscape (connectivity of potential habitat and matrix composition) and patch size (an integrated proxy of resource density and spatial distribution) on investment into flight, measured by thorax and abdomen mass, and wing area.

4. The results revealed an effect of both local habitat conditions and landscape structure on flight‐related morphological traits. Increasing forest cover in the surrounding landscape, indicative of increased habitat patch isolation, corresponded with less mobile phenotypes in both sexes. Surrounding landscapes with more water were also generally associated with less mobile phenotypes. Investment into flight was greater in smaller peatlands in which host plant density is higher and more homogeneously distributed.

5. The present study highlights that morphological traits associated with mobility may be responding to both local habitat patch characteristics and surrounding landscape structure. It also supports the hypothesis that local habitat conditions contribute to morphological variation in butterflies.
Oral Medicine for undergraduate dental students in the United Kingdom and Ireland—A curriculum
Authors: Mighell A. J. , Freeman C. , Atkin P. A. , Bennett J. H. , Buchanan J. A. G. , Carrozzo M. , Crighton A. J. , Escudier M. P. , Gibson J. , Healy C. M. , Hegarty A. M. , Kerr J. S. , McCreary C. E. , Pemberton M. N. , Rajlawat B. , Richards A. , Staines K. , Theaker E. D. , Willis A.
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Oral Medicine focuses on care for patients with chronic, recurrent and medically related disorders of the orofacial region that are distinct from diseases of the periodontal and tooth tissues, with an emphasis on non‐surgical management. At present, there are no shared outcomes for Oral Medicine to define the standards to be achieved before new graduates become registered dentists engaged with ongoing professional development.

Curriculum

We present a consensus undergraduate curriculum in Oral Medicine agreed by representatives from 18 Dental Schools in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The scope of Oral Medicine practice includes conditions involving the oral mucosa, salivary glands, neurological system or musculoskeletal tissues that are not directly attributable to dental (tooth and periodontium) pathology. Account is taken of the priorities for practice and learning opportunities needed to support development of relevance to independent clinical practice. The outcomes triangulate with the requirements set out by the respective regulatory bodies in the UK and Republic of Ireland prior to first registration and are consistent with the framework for European undergraduate dental education and greater harmonisation of dental education.

Conclusions

This curriculum will act as a foundation for an increasingly shared approach between centres with respect to the outcomes to be achieved in Oral Medicine. The curriculum may also be of interest to others, such as those responsible for the training of dental hygienists and dental therapists. It provides a platform for future collective developments with the overarching goal of raising the quality of patient care.
Upper Ordovician continuous lithological succession in outer‐shelf facies, Yangtze Platform, South China: Facies changes and oceanographic reconstruction up to the Late Ordovician Hirnantian glaciation
Authors: Yu Shenyang , Chen Qing , Kershaw Stephen , Li Yue , Li Chao
Published: June 2018

Ordovician sequences at Huanghuachang, northern Yichang City of Hubei Province, Central China, are representative of an outer‐shelf setting of the Yangtze epicontinental sea, South China Block. Continuous drill cores of the Well Yihuang 1 penetrated the Upper Ordovician units of the Miaopo, Pagoda, Linhsiang, Wufeng, and Kuanyinchiao Formations in ascending order. Such a continuous succession gives valuable insights into environmental changes and an extinction event through Late Ordovician time. Results suggest that sluggish circulation and oligotrophic conditions were characteristic of the region from Sandbian to early Hirnantian Epochs of the Late Ordovician. Thin‐bedded limestones within the Miaopo Formation shales and nodular limestones of the Pagoda and Linhsiang Formations are mainly wackestones and mudstones with sparse and fine‐grained trilobite, cephalopod, gastropod, ostracod, and crinoid bioclasts with rare brachiopod and bivalve bioclasts, further showing gradual decreasing in abundance and grain size upwards through the succession. Such biological and lithological changes are interpreted as a trend towards a deeper and calmer seafloor below storm wave‐base. The Kwangsian Orogeny of the late Katian Epoch altered the geography of the region, creating a large embayment in the area of the Well Yihuang 1 core. Thus the sequence developed upwards to the Wufeng Formation graptolitic black shales consistent with formation in a dysoxic and stagnant embayment that excluded carbonate production and benthic biota, but ideal for preservation of planktic graptolite fossils. Bioclastic packstone and quartz grain lenses interlayered with the black shales are occasionally sourced from southeastward shallow submarine highs closed to the Cathaysian Land. Change from this interpreted sluggish ocean circulation affecting the ocean floor was delayed to the early Hirnantian Epoch, when active circulation is related to the onset of the latest Ordovician glaciation which resulted in an oxygenated ocean floor during regression, favorable for the thriving shelly Hirnantia Fauna.
Off‐grid: solar powered LED illumination impacts epigeal arthropods
Authors: Eccard Jana A. , Scheffler Ingo , Franke Steffen , Hoffmann Julia
Published: June 2018

Advances in LED technology combined with solar, storable energy bring light to places remote from electricity grids. Worldwide more than 1.3 billion of people are living off‐grid, often in developing regions of high insect biodiversity. In developed countries, dark refuges for wildlife are threatened by ornamental garden lights. Solar powered LEDs (SPLEDs) are cheaply available, dim, and often used to illuminate foot paths, but little is known on their effects on ground living (epigeal) arthropods.

We used off‐the‐shelf garden lamps with a single ‘white’ LED (colour temperature 7250 K) to experimentally investigate effects on attraction and nocturnal activity of ground beetles (Carabidae).

We found two disparate and species‐specific effects of SPLEDs. (i) Some nocturnal, phototactic species were not reducing activity under illumination and were strongly attracted to lamps (>20‐fold increase in captures compared to dark controls). Such species aggregate in lit areas and SPLEDs may become ecological traps, while the species is drawn from nearby, unlit assemblages. (ii) Other nocturnal species were reducing mobility and activity under illumination without being attracted to light, which may cause fitness reduction in lit areas.

Both reactions offer mechanistic explanations on how outdoor illumination can change population densities of specific predatory arthropods, which may have cascading effects on epigeal arthropod assemblages. The technology may thus increase the area of artificial light at night (ALAN) impacting insect biodiversity.

Measures are needed to mitigate effects, such as adjustment of light colour temperature and automated switch‐offs.
Cost‐effective porous ceramic tubes fabricated through a phase inversion/casting process using calcined bauxite
Authors: Zhu Zhiwen , Cao Yanxin , Dong Xudong , Meng Xiangeng , Zhao Yujun , Ding Zhijie , Wei Zhaoling
Published: June 2018

Cost‐effective ceramic tubes based on low‐price commercial calcined bauxite for economical separation were fabricated by a new phase‐inversion casting method. The thermal shrinkage and weight loss during heating of the green tubes were characterized by dilatometric analysis and TG, respectively. Three shrinkage stages appear successively, corresponding to the viscous deformation of polymeric binder at 200‐300°C, significant combustion loss of ~5.2 wt% at 500‐620°C and sintering shrinkage over 800°C, respectively. However, due to high enough viscosity of the casting suspension that can guarantee the green tube against collapse or deformation during the phase inversion/casting process, the sintered tubes display nearly uniform microstructure instead of characteristic asymmetrical structure of the phase inversion process. The influence of sintering temperature on the pore property (including pore size and porosity) and mechanical strength was investigated. As the sintering temperature increases from 1200 to 1400°C, the porosity and average pore size decrease from 46.4% to 37.0% and from 0.98 to 0.81 μm, respectively, and the flexural strength increases from 25.8 to 65.1 MPa. The cost‐effective ceramic tube sintering at the range of 1250‐1400°C can be capable of functioning as a microfiltration membrane or an ultrafiltration membrane support.
Bioactive compounds andin vitroantioxidant activities of peel, flesh and seed powder of kiwi fruit
Authors: Wang Yutang , Li Lixia , Liu Hua , Zhao Tong , Meng Chenshuo , Liu Zhande , Liu Xuebo
Published: June 2018

The aim of this work was to assess the bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of powder obtained by the lyophilisation of the peel, flesh and seeds of kiwi fruit. Eight typical varieties of kiwi fruit in Shaanxi, China, were selected, and thepHvalue, content of Vc, total polyphenols, and flavonoids of different parts of the kiwi fruit were analysed. The content of phenols was determined byHPLC. The results revealed that phenolic compounds, such as protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin, were rich in different parts of kiwi fruit and highest in the peel. The Vc content was highest in the flesh. The antioxidant activities show the same trend as the total polyphenol content. The kiwi fruit peel and seed can be used to reduce agro‐industrial waste and are promising ingredients for use in the enrichment of products providing dietary fibre, bioactive compounds and antioxidant action.
Epidemiology of pyoderma gangrenosum: Results from an Italian prospective multicentre study
Authors: Monari Paola , Moro Ruggero , Motolese Alberico , Misciali Cosimo , Baraldi Carlotta , Fanti Pier Alessandro , Caccavale Stefano , Puviani Mario , Olezzi Daniela , Zampieri Pierfrancesco , Trevisan Giusto , Nan Katiuscia , Fiorentini Chiara , Pellacani Giovanni , Gualdi Giulio
Published: June 2018

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis characterised by painful, necrotic ulcerations. PG is described as a rare disease: the world‐wide incidence is estimated to be around 3 to 10 cases per million population per year. These estimations are based mostly on case reports and retrospective case series; there are no prospective, multicentre studies on the matter. The apparent rarity of PG is in contrast with our clinical perception as dermatologists: in our opinion, PG is not so uncommon. Therefore, we decide to investigate the epidemiology of PG in the Italian population and confirm our clinical suspicions that it is not an orphan disease. We enrolled all patients diagnosed with PG in 8 Italian Dermatological Departments from 1st October 2014 to 1st November 2015, and we recorded their features. Our data, collected from 64 patients, are in accordance with those of the published literature regarding the epidemiology and features of PG. In an Italian population of roughly 8 million inhabitants of 7 provinces, we found an incidence of 5.17 new cases per million population per year. Unlike our predictions before the study, we confirmed the world‐wide incidence of PG. To our knowledge, this is the first observational, multicentre study on PG. We hope that it provides a stimulus for further researches on PG and for the creation of an Italian register.
Tailoring the nanostructure of anodic aluminum oxide cladding on optical fiber
Authors: Liu Kai , Ma Yiwei , Du Henry
Published: June 2018

We report a comprehensive investigation of fabricating nanostructured anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) cladding on optical fiber. We show that the pore size and interpore distance in the AAO cladding with pore channels vertically aligned to fiber surface can be readily controlled by applied voltage, the type, and concentration of electrolytic acid during anodization of aluminum‐coated optical fiber. The structural characteristics of the AAO cladding were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed using ImageJ software. Processing maps correlating AAO growth and anodization parameters were established. Compared to planar AAO growth on aluminum foil, higher growth rate as well as larger pore diameter and interpore distance were observed for AAO cladding formation on optical fiber under identical anodization conditions due to circumferential tensile stress in the AAO growth front at the convex AAO/aluminum interface. This tensile stress also contributed to radial cracking of the AAO cladding upon exceeding some threshold thickness.
Who should be on the $10 and $20 bills? Preferences based on gender, sexism, race, racism, political affiliation, and political ideology
Authors: Bushman Brad J. , Collier Kevin M.
Published: June 2018

In June 2015, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that a woman would replace Hamilton on the $10 bill. In April 2016, it announced that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill, instead. After each announcement, we surveyed nationally representative samples of American adults and asked them what they thought of these proposed changes for the $10 bill (Study 1, N = 209) and the $20 bill (Study 2, N = 208). Predictors of currency preferences were gender, race, political affiliation and their respective prejudices and biases—sexism, racism, and political ideology. On the basis of social identity, system justification, and social dominance theories we predicted that privileged groups (i.e., males, Whites) and groups who desire to maintain the status quo (i.e., Republicans, conservatives, sexist and racist individuals) would prefer to leave Hamilton on the $10 bill and Jackson on the $20 bill. Results were consistent with these predictions: Overall, we found that under‐represented groups and more liberal individuals support the proposals from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These findings suggest a bill of money is not just a piece of paper. The person depicted on U.S. currency can be perceived as an in‐group or out‐group member and this can affect judgements in line with relevant social psychological theories.
Evidence for lower plasticity in CTMAX at warmer developmental temperatures
Authors: Kellermann Vanessa , Sgrò Carla M.
Published: June 2018

Understanding the capacity for different species to reduce their susceptibility to climate change via phenotypic plasticity is essential for accurately predicting species extinction risk. The climatic variability hypothesis suggests that spatial and temporal variation in climatic variables should select for more plastic phenotypes. However, empirical support for this hypothesis is limited. Here, we examine the capacity for ten Drosophila species to increase their critical thermal maxima (CTMAX) through developmental acclimation and/or adult heat hardening. Using four fluctuating developmental temperature regimes, ranging from 13 to 33 °C, we find that most species can increase their CTMAX via developmental acclimation and adult hardening, but found no relationship between climatic variables and absolute measures of plasticity. However, when plasticity was dissected across developmental temperatures, a positive association between plasticity and one measure of climatic variability (temperature seasonality) was found when development took place between 26 and 28 °C, whereas a negative relationship was found when development took place between 20 and 23 °C. In addition, a decline in CTMAX and egg‐to‐adult viability, a proxy for fitness, was observed in tropical species at the warmer developmental temperatures (26–28 °C); this suggests that tropical species may be at even greater risk from climate change than currently predicted. The combined effects of developmental acclimation and adult hardening on CTMAX were small, contributing to a <0.60 °C shift in CTMAX. Although small shifts in CTMAX may increase population persistence in the shorter term, the degree to which they can contribute to meaningful responses in the long term is unclear.
Proteome analysis of peroxisomes from dark‐treated senescent Arabidopsis leaves
Authors: Pan Ronghui , Reumann Sigrun , Lisik Piotr , Tietz Stefanie , Olsen Laura J. , Hu Jianping
Published: June 2018

Peroxisomes compartmentalize a dynamic suite of biochemical reactions and play a central role in plant metabolism, such as the degradation of hydrogen peroxide, metabolism of fatty acids, photorespiration, and the biosynthesis of plant hormones. Plant peroxisomes have been traditionally classified into three major subtypes, and in‐depth mass spectrometry (MS)‐based proteomics has been performed to explore the proteome of the two major subtypes present in green leaves and etiolated seedlings. Here, we carried out a comprehensive proteome analysis of peroxisomes from Arabidopsis leaves given a 48‐h dark treatment. Our goal was to determine the proteome of the third major subtype of plant peroxisomes from senescent leaves, and further catalog the plant peroxisomal proteome. We identified a total of 111 peroxisomal proteins and verified the peroxisomal localization for six new proteins with potential roles in fatty acid metabolism and stress response by in vivo targeting analysis. Metabolic pathways compartmentalized in the three major subtypes of peroxisomes were also compared, which revealed a higher number of proteins involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species in peroxisomes from senescent leaves. Our study takes an important step towards mapping the full function of plant peroxisomes.
The crossroads of receptor‐mediated signaling and endocytosis in plants
Authors: Claus Lucas Alves Neubus , Savatin Daniel V. , Russinova Eugenia
Published: June 2018

Plants deploy numerous plasma membrane receptors to sense and rapidly react to environmental changes. Correct localization and adequate protein levels of the cell‐surface receptors are critical for signaling activation and modulation of plant development and defense against pathogens. After ligand binding, receptors are internalized for degradation and signaling attenuation. However, one emerging notion is that the ligand‐induced endocytosis of receptor complexes is important for the signal duration, amplitude, and specificity. Recently, mutants of major endocytosis players, including clathrin and dynamin, have been shown to display defects in activation of a subset of signal transduction pathways, implying that signaling in plants might not be solely restricted to the plasma membrane. Here, we summarize the up‐to‐date knowledge of receptor complex endocytosis and its effect on the signaling outcome, in the context of plant development and immunity.
German Wage Moderation and European Imbalances: Feeding the Global VAR with Theory
Authors: BETTENDORF TIMO , LEÓN‐LEDESMA MIGUEL A.
Published: June 2018

German labor market reforms in the 1990s and 2000s are generally believed to have driven the large increase in the dispersion of current account balances in the Euro Area. We investigate this hypothesis quantitatively. We develop a three‐region open economy New Keynesian model with search and matching frictions from which we derive robust sign restrictions for wage bargaining and matching efficiency shocks which we term wage moderation shocks. We impose these restrictions on a Global VAR consisting of Germany and eight EMU countries to identify a wage moderation shock in Germany. Our results show that, although the German current account was significantly affected by wage moderation shocks, their contribution to European current account imbalances was negligible. We conclude that the German labor market reforms cannot be the lone driver of European imbalances.
“I'm Still Fighting for the Two of Us”: How Partners of UK Veterans Construct Their Experience of Living with Combat‐Related Trauma
Authors: Doncaster Emily , Hiskey Syd , McPherson Susan , Andrews Leanne
Published: June 2018

There has been little qualitative research into the experiences of UK partners of veterans with PTSD. This study therefore aimed to explore how partners constructed their experiences of living with the condition. Fifteen female partners of male UK veterans were recruited and interviewed. Using a social constructionist thematic analysis, five themes were constructed: the women's need to subdue own emotional and behavioral responses; dilemmas about whether the veteran was unwell or ‘bad’; attempts at negotiating multiple roles; challenging the narrative of veterans as heroes; and the relational struggle with the transition to nonmilitary life. This study highlighted the importance of considering the veteran as existing within a relational and cultural context, and the need to include partners in therapeutic interventions.
Uterine Incarceration: A Case Study
Authors: Lawrence Allison , Morelli Erin , Simoni Michael , Illuzzi Jessica
Published: June 2018

Uterine incarceration is a rare complication of pregnancy in which a retroverted uterus becomes entrapped in the pelvis. This case report describes the clinical presentation and management of a woman with a suspected uterine incarceration in the late first trimester. This article reviews the diagnosis of uterine incarceration, including differential diagnoses, signs and symptoms, and the role of imaging. Management is based on the gestational age at the time of diagnosis. Management options are described along with a discussion of the available evidence.
Racial Differences in the Returns to Financial Literacy Education
Authors: Al‐Bahrani Abdullah , Weathers Jamie , Patel Darshak
Published: June 2018

We examine financial literacy and the returns to financial literacy education, specifically focusing on the racial financial literacy gap. We confirm evidence that whites have higher financial literacy scores relative to minorities and that financial literacy increases with participation in financial literacy education. However, we find the benefit of participation in financial literacy education is higher for whites than that for minorities. Thus, the impact of being white alone persists, indicating a racial financial literacy and/or behavioral difference despite financial literacy education. Our findings have implications for policymakers interested in narrowing the racial wealth gap via financial literacy education.
Small‐Dollar Credit Lending: The Effect of Financial Burden on Personal Asset Misvaluation
Authors: Kapitan Sommer , Ross Spencer M. , Silvera David H.
Published: June 2018

Small‐dollar credit lenders offer consumers quick access to cash in the form of products, such as pawn loans. The consumers who tend to use these small‐dollar credit products are more likely to face financial burden and potential for default—particularly when loan‐to‐value ratios are high. However, the cognitive effects of financial burden can impair financial decision making. If financial literacy educators are to empower consumers, more consumer‐centric evidence is necessary to determine how small‐dollar credit consumers make decisions when purchasing loans. One critical decision consumers make is accepting how lenders value their assets in exchange for credit. Three lab studies assess how consumers facing financial burden value their own assets. We find that, due to cognitive constraints of financial burden, consumers can undervalue functional assets and overvalue symbolic assets. Importantly for financial literacy efforts, however, we show that framing a symbolic asset in terms of other‐benefit construal helps attenuate asset overvaluation.
Does Surgical Crown Lengthening Procedure Produce Stable Clinical Outcomes for Restorative Treatment? A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Al‐Sowygh Zeyad H.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The present systematic review was designed to assess whether surgical crown lengthening (SCL) procedure produces stable clinical outcomes for restorative treatment.

Methods

Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a specific PICO question was constructed: “Does the SCL procedure produce stable clinical outcomes for restorative treatment?” Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register) were searched up to December 2017. The risk of bias was assessed based on the revised recommendations of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement. Forest plots were computed reporting weighted mean difference (WMD) of outcomes and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for crown length (CL), position of gingival margin (PGM), biological width (BW), and bone level changes.

Results

Five studies were included. The risk of bias was considered high in all studies. A high degree of heterogeneity was noticed for CL, PGM, and BW. The overall mean difference for CL (WMD = −1.84, 95% CI = −0.103 to 2.05, p = 0.076), PGM (WMD = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.12 to 1.62, p = 0.02), and BW (WMD = −0.11, 95% CI = −2.21 to 1.99, p = 0.91) were not significant at follow‐up. The overall mean difference for bone level changes was significant (WMD = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.26 to 2.03, p < 0.001) at follow‐up.

Conclusion

It remains debatable whether SCL produces gingival rebound, or re‐establishes BW and changes in clinical attachment level; however, further studies with low risk of bias randomized CCTs and long‐term follow‐up are recommended to reliably assess the restorative outcomes of SCL.
How Differences in Cash Transfer Sizes Affect Work Allocation Decisions: Evidence from Cross‐Country Comparisons in SSA
Authors: Prifti Ervin , Estruch Elisenda , Daidone Silvio , Davis Benjamin
Published: June 2018

Over the past decade, several African governments have launched Cash Transfer (CT) programmes as part of their social protection systems, with the aim of reducing poverty. Such programmes can also have significant productive impacts. We use data from four major CT programmes implemented in sub‐Saharan Africa to estimate their impacts on labour supply and demand and how effects change in relation to transfer size. We find evidence of labour reallocation between farm and off‐farm work and limited evidence of monotonicity of the labour supply–transfer size relationship.
Immunohistochemical analysis of intrasulcal hematoma due to cerebral amyloid angiopathy in a brain‐dead patient
Authors: Takeda Shigeki , Onda Kiyoshi , Yoshida Yuichi
Published: June 2018

Neuropathological examinations of the brain in cases of brain death are usually insufficient because of autolysis. We examined a case of sporadic‐type cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related hemorrhage (sCAA‐H) in a 74‐year‐old Japanese woman who had been clinically established as brain dead 7 days before cardiac arrest. The brain was macerated, and a huge hematoma was evident in the right parieto‐occipital region. Ordinary neuropathological examination was unable to clarify where the hematoma was located in the brain parenchyma or the subarachnoid space (SAS). Immunohistochemistry for amyloid‐β (Aβ) and synaptophysin revealed that: (i) the hematoma affected the cerebral sulcus, cerebral cortex (CC) and subcortical white matter; (ii) the CC was destroyed at the depth of the cerebral sulcus; (iii) in three 6‐μm‐thick sections, ruptured Aβ‐positive vessels were seen only in the intrasulcal hematoma and not in the CC or intracerebral hematoma; and (iv) in the CC adjacent to the intrasulcal hematoma, a few macrophages were observed, indicating a fresh infarct of the CC. These findings indicate that sCAA‐H occurred first in the cerebral sulcus due to rupture of multiple meningeal vessels, as had been documented in our previous reports. The present study shows that even in an autolytic dead brain, immunohistochemistry is more useful than ordinary staining methods. Other than double‐barreled vessels, several vascular changes such as fibrinoid degeneration, segmental dilatation (so‐called micro‐aneurysmal dilatation), and hyalinous onion‐like change of the intima were seen in the intrasulcal hematoma, SAS and CC. Interestingly these vascular changes were not observed in the ruptured Aβ‐positive vessels. More detailed studies will be needed to examine the correlation between these vascular changes and vessel rupture.