bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodality Diagnosis Approach of Cardiac Aspergillosis
Authors: El Ghannudi Soraya , Imperiale Alessio , Dégot Tristan , Germain Philippe , Trinh Annie , Petean Roxana , Le Van Quyen Paulette , Chenard Marie‐Pierrette , Letscher‐Bru Valerie , Kessler Romain , Herbrecht Raoul
Published: January 2016

Mini‐Abstract

A 56‐year‐old patient with a history of bilateral lung transplantation for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia not responding to corticosteroids therapy had a good initial postoperative outcome. One month later, subcutaneous nodules appeared and histopathology revealed septate hyphae in the nodules and Aspergillus fumigatus in bronchial lavage. FDG PET/CT and CMR revealed multiple left and right ventricles abscesses consistent with cardiac aspergillosis. The combination of FDG PET/CT and CMR was useful to detect the cardiac localization of systemic aspergillosis, to define the precise morphological details of myocardial lesions and to evaluate the response to treatment.
Ketogenic diets: from cancer to mitochondrial diseases and beyond
Authors: Branco Ana F. , Ferreira André , Simões Rui F. , Magalhães‐Novais Sílvia , Zehowski Cheryl , Cope Elisabeth , Silva Ana Marta , Pereira Daniela , Sardão Vilma A. , Cunha‐Oliveira Teresa
Published: January 2016

Background

The employment of dietary strategies such as ketogenic diets, which force cells to alter their energy source, has shown efficacy in the treatment of several diseases. Ketogenic diets are composed of high fat, moderate protein and low carbohydrates, which favour mitochondrial respiration rather than glycolysis for energy metabolism.

Design

This review focuses on how oncological, neurological and mitochondrial disorders have been targeted by ketogenic diets, their metabolic effects, and the possible mechanisms of action on mitochondrial energy homeostasis. The beneficial and adverse effects of the ketogenic diets are also highlighted.

Results and conclusions

Although the full mechanism by which ketogenic diets improve oncological and neurological conditions still remains to be elucidated, their clinical efficacy has attracted many new followers, and ketogenic diets can be a good option as a co‐adjuvant therapy, depending on the situation and the extent of the disease.
Do intracoelomic telemetry transmitters alter the post‐release behaviour of migratory fish?
Authors: Wilson Alexander D.M. , Hayden Todd A. , Vandergoot Christopher S. , Kraus Richard T. , Dettmers John M. , Cooke Steven J. , Krueger Charles C.
Published: January 2016

Electronic tags have become a common tool in fish research, enhancing our understanding of how fish interact with their environment and move among different habitats, for estimating mortality and recording internal physiological states. An often‐untested assumption of electronic tagging studies is that tagged fish are representative of untagged conspecifics and thus show ‘normal’ behaviour (e.g. movement rates, swimming activity, feeding). Here, we use a unique data set for potamadromous walleye (Sander vitreus) in Lake Huron and Lake Erie tributaries to assess whether the lack of appropriate controls in electronic tagging could seriously affect behavioural data. We used fish tagged in previous years and compared their migratory behaviour during the spawning season to fish tagged in a current year at the same location. The objective of the study was to determine whether intracoelomic acoustic tag implantation altered downstream movement of walleye after spawning. Fish tagged in a given season travelled slower downstream from two river spawning sites than fish tagged in previous years. Fish tagged one or two years earlier showed no differences between each other in downstream travel time, in contrast to fish tagged in a given year. Our results support notions that standard collection and intracoelomic tagging procedures can alter short‐term behaviour (i.e. days, weeks, months), and as such, researchers should use caution when interpreting data collected over such time periods. Further, whenever possible, researchers should also explicitly evaluate post‐tagging effects on behaviour as part of their experimental objectives.
Risk of early relapse following the switch from injectables to oral agents for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Spelman T. , Mekhael L. , Burke T. , Butzkueven H. , Hodgkinson S. , Havrdova E. , Horakova D. , Duquette P. , Izquierdo G. , Grand'Maison F. , Grammond P. , Barnett M. , Lechner‐Scott J. , Alroughani R. , Trojano M. , Lugaresi A. , Granella F. , Pucci E. , Vucic S. ,   the MSBase Study Group
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose

Early relapse outcomes in long‐term stable patients switching from interferon β/glatiramer acetate (IFNβ/GA) to oral therapy are unknown.

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare early relapse and progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients switching to oral therapy following a period of stable disease onIFNβ/GA, relative to a propensity‐matched comparator of patients remaining onIFNβ/GA.

Methods

TheMSBase cohort study is a global, longitudinal registry for MS. Time to first 6‐month relapse in previously stableMSpatients switching from platform injectables (‘switchers’) to oral agents were compared with propensity‐matched patients remaining onIFNβ/GA(‘stayers’) using a Cox marginal model.

Results

Three‐hundred and ninety‐six switchers were successfully matched to 396 stayers on a 1:1 basis. There was no difference in the proportion of patients recording at least one relapse in the first 1−6 months by treatment arm (7.3% switchers, 6.6% stayers;P= 0.675). The mean annualized relapse rate (P= 0.493) and the rate of first 6‐month relapse by treatment arm (hazard ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 0.70, 2.11) were also comparable. There was no difference in the rate of disability progression by treatment arm (hazard ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 0.63, 3.26).

Conclusion

This is the first study to compare early relapse switch probability in the period immediately following switch to oral treatment in a population previously stable on injectable therapy. There was no evidence of disease reactivation within the first 6 months of switching to oral therapy.
Morphogenesis of liver epithelial cells
Authors: Tanimizu Naoki , Mitaka Toshihiro
Published: January 2016

The mammalian liver is a physiologically important organ performing various types of metabolism, producing serum proteins, detoxifying bilirubin and ammonia, and protecting the body from infection. Those physiological functions are achieved with the 3D tissue architecture of liver epithelial cells. The liver contains two types of epithelial cells, namely, hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. They split from hepatoblasts (embryonic liver stem cells) in mid‐gestation and differentiate into structurally and functionally mature cells. Analyses of mutant mice showing abnormal liver organogenesis have identified genes involved in liver development. In vitro culture systems have been used to examine the mechanism in which each molecule or signaling pathway regulates the morphogenesis and functional differentiation of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. In addition, liver epithelial cells as well as mesenchymal, sinusoidal endothelial and hematopoietic cells can be purified from developing livers, which enables us to perform genome‐wide screening to identify novel genes regulating epithelial morphogenesis in the liver. By combining these in vivo and in vitro systems, the liver could be a unique and suitable model for revealing a principle, governing epithelial morphogenesis. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the understanding of the development of liver epithelial tissue structures.
Clinical implication of serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac‐2‐binding protein level on hepatitis B e‐antigen loss or seroconversion in hepatitis B e‐antigen positive patients
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Iwata Yoshinori , Kishino Kyohei , Shimono Yoshihiro , Hasegawa Kunihiro , Nakano Chikage , Takata Ryo , Nishimura Takashi , Yoh Kazunori , Ishii Akiio , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Iijima Hiroko , Nishiguchi Shuhei
Published: January 2016

Aim: To examine the impact of pretreatment Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac‐2‐binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) level on hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) loss or HBeAg seroconversion (SC) for patients with nucleoside/nucleotide analog (NUC) therapy naive HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

A total of 57 patients were analyzed. All subjects were initially treated with NUC. We examined the impact of pretreatment WFA+‐M2BP level on HBeAg loss and HBeAg SC using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

There were 36 men and 21 women (median age, 39 years). The WFA+‐M2BP cut‐off index (COI) level ranged 0.43–12.9 (median, 1.55). WFA+‐M2BP level in patients with F3 or F4 was significantly higher than that with F0–F2. WFA+‐M2BP level in patients with A2 or 3 was significantly higher than that with A0 or 1. For all cases, the 1‐ and 3‐year cumulative HBeAg loss rates were 10.5% and 34.4% and the corresponding cumulative HBeAg SC rates were 8.8% and 29.0%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, in terms of HBeAg loss, pretreatment HBV DNA of 5 log copies/mL or more and pretreatment WFA+‐M2BP level of more than 1.55 COI tended to be significant factors linked to loss of HBeAg, while in terms of HBeAg SC, pretreatment HBV DNA of 5 log copies/mL or more was an independent predictor and pretreatment WFA+‐M2BP level of more than 1.55 COI tended to be a significant factor.

Conclusion

Pretreatment WFA+‐M2BP level may be a useful predictor for HBeAg loss or SC after NUC therapy for patients with HBeAg positive CHB.
The independent predictors of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and its individual histological features.
Authors: Ballestri Stefano , Nascimbeni Fabio , Romagnoli Dante , Lonardo Amedeo
Published: January 2016

Aim

The diagnosis of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is based on the individual histological features: steatosis, lobular inflammation and ballooning. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (NAS ≥ 5) is used in clinical trials. Fibrosis dictates long‐term NAFLD prognosis. Recently, more‐than‐mild portal inflammation has raised interest as a marker of NAFLD severity. We assessed the independent predictors of: (I) individual histological lesions of NASH; (II) diagnosis of NASH; (III) significant (stage ≥2) and advanced (stage ≥3) fibrosis; and (IV) more‐than‐mild portal inflammation.

Methods

Data from 118 consecutive biopsy‐proven NAFLD patients observed at our institution were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

At stepwise multivariate logistic regression analyses, independent predictors were as follows. For the individual histological features of NASH: insulin resistance (IR), assessed with Homeostasis Model Assessment‐IR (HOMA‐IR), serum uric acid (SUA) and serum total cholesterol (TCH) for moderate‐to‐severe steatosis; waist circumference (waist), HOMA‐IR and TCH for lobular inflammation; waist, HOMA‐IR, metabolic syndrome (MS), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), SUA and TCH for ballooning. For NASH diagnosis: waist, HOMA‐IR, MS, ALT, SUA and TCH (Brunt et al.'s classification); ALT, SUA and TCH for NAS ≥ 5. For significant and advanced fibrosis, respectively: waist, MS and ALT; age, platelets, HOMA‐IR, diabetes and TCH. For more‐than‐mild portal inflammation: serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum iron, NAS ≥ 5 and significant liver fibrosis.

Conclusion

HOMA‐IR, SUA, MS, ALT and TCH are independent predictors of NASH and its individual histological lesions, notably including fibrosis. Based on our findings, these factors should be considered major pathogenic drivers of NASH and, by inference, potential targets for treatment.
From Single to Married: Feminist Teachers' Response to Family/Work Conflict in Early Twentieth-Century New York City
Authors: Carter Patricia A.
Published: January 2016

In 1914, Henrietta Rodman, a high school English teacher and president of the newly formed Feminist Alliance in New York City, announced her group's plan to develop a twelve-story cooperative apartment house, based on the ideas of feminist philosopher Charlotte Perkins Gilman, that would meet the needs of professional working women like her, married with children. This research illustrates strategic activities teachers used in their attempts to reconceptualize wage-earning as the legitimate province of women, regardless of their marital or maternal status, and highlights the Feminist Alliance's contention that women's lack of economic self-determination lay at the root of female subordination.
Characterization of lesion formation in marmosets following inhalational challenge with different strains of Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Nelson Michelle , Nunez Alejandro , Ngugi Sarah A. , Sinclair Adam , Atkins Timothy P.
Published: January 2016

The marmoset model of melioidosis was used to explore whether there was any difference in the disease presentation and/or the lesion formation following inhalational challenge with one of four strains of Burkholderia pseudomallei (K96243, 1026b, HBPUB10303a and HBPUB10134a). Marmosets were challenged with a range of bacterial doses and bacterial load, histological and physiological features were determined temporally following lethal disease. Melioidosis presented as an acute, febrile disease with bacteraemia, bacterial dissemination, necrotizing hepatitis, splenitis and pneumonia which was independent of the challenge strain. Generally, there were no major differences in the manifestation of melioidosis following challenge by the different strains of B. pseudomallei; however, there were some differences in the time to death and the severity of the pathological features. The pathological features observed in the liver and spleen of animals challenged with B. pseudomallei strain 1026b were statistically less severe (P < 0.05) and less frequent. However, more severe foci of disease were evident in the lungs of animals challenged with strain 1026b. In all cases, the lesions developed from small areas of bacteria‐infected macrophages surrounded by non‐infected neutrophils into large lesions with both immune cell types infected. The marmoset model was a useful tool enabling the distinction of subtle difference in the pathological response to B. pseudomallei.
miR‐1, regulated by LMP1, suppresses tumour growth and metastasis by targeting K‐ras in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Chen Xi , Shi Jingxuan , Zhong Jianwen , Huang Zhenyun , Luo Xi , Huang Yaping , Feng Shuang , Shao Jianbo , Liu Dabo
Published: January 2016

There is evidence to show that downregulation of miR‐1 expression is closely related to cancer progression, including in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying miR‐1 downregulation in NPC remain largely unknown, especially its association with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). In this study we found that restoration of miR‐1 dramatically inhibited cell invasion in vitro, together with tumour growth and metastasis in vivo. Importantly, we found that LMP1, an Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated protein, suppressed miR‐1 expression. Furthermore, we identified K‐ras as a novel direct target of miR‐1. Our results demonstrated for the first time that miR‐1 was suppressed by LMP1 and its tumour‐suppressive effects were mediated chiefly by repressing K‐ras expression. We propose that miR‐1 could serve as an independent biomarker to identify patients with different clinical characteristics.
DNA methylation of miRNA coding sequences putatively associated with childhood obesity
Authors: Mansego M.L. , Garcia‐Lacarte M. , Milagro F.I. , Marti A. , Martinez J.A. ,   GENOI members
Published: January 2016

Background

Epigenetic mechanisms may be involved in obesity onset and its consequences. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether DNA methylation status in microRNA (miRNA) coding regions is associated with childhood obesity.

Material and Methods

DNA isolated from white blood cells of 24 children (identification sample: 12 obese and 12 non‐obese) from the Grupo Navarro de Obesidad Infantil study was hybridized in a 450 K methylation microarray. Several CpGs whose DNA methylation levels were statistically different between obese and non‐obese were validated by MassArray® in 95 children (validation sample) from the same study.

Results

Microarray analysis identified 16 differentially methylated CpGs between both groups (6 hypermethylated and 10 hypomethylated). DNA methylation levels in miR‐1203, miR‐412 and miR‐216A coding regions significantly correlated with body mass index standard deviation score (BMI‐SDS) and explained up to 40% of the variation of BMI‐SDS. The network analysis identified 19 well‐defined obesity‐relevant biological pathways from the KEGG database. MassArray® validation identified three regions located in or near miR‐1203, miR‐412 and miR‐216A coding regions differentially methylated between obese and non‐obese children.

Conclusions

The current work identified three CpG sites located in coding regions of three miRNAs (miR‐1203, miR‐412 and miR‐216A) that were differentially methylated between obese and non‐obese children, suggesting a role of miRNA epigenetic regulation in childhood obesity.
Contingent Capital, Real Options, and Agency Costs
Authors: Song Dandan , Yang Zhaojun
Published: January 2016

This paper aims to clarify how contingent convertible bond (CoCo) as a debt financing instrument affects a firm's investment policy, agency cost of debt, and capital structure. We consider endogenous and exogenous conversion thresholds, respectively. Under the exogenous case, there is an explicit optimal fraction of equity allocated to CoCo holders upon conversion, such that the agency cost reaches zero. Numerical analysis demonstrates that under an endogenous conversion threshold, CoCo induces overinvestment, a higher leverage, a possible bigger agency cost, and a stronger incentive to increase risk. But if the conversion threshold is exogenously determined, almost the opposite holds true.
Morphometric comparison of two sympatric goshawks from the Australian wet tropics
Authors: Burton Andrew M. , Alford Ross A.
Published: January 2016

Sympatric populations of the grey goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae and the brown goshawk Accipiter fasciatus were studied in the wet tropics of north‐eastern Australia. The morphology of A. novaehollandiae suggests that it is adapted for life in dense forest, while that of A. fasciatus indicates that it should favour open woodland. The species differ in the shape of the wing and the size and shape of feeding structures. The wings of A. novaehollandiae are relatively short and broad, its bill and talons are more robust and its tarsi are relatively short and thick. It appears to be adapted to feed on medium‐sized mammals and reptiles and on larger birds such as pigeons and megapodes. A. fasciatus has relatively longer and narrower wings, allowing greater speed in open habitats. Its more delicate bill and longer tarsi are characters typical of bird‐eating accipiters.
Decellularization of porcine skeletal muscle extracellular matrix for the formulation of a matrix hydrogel: a preliminary study
Authors: Fu Yuehe , Fan Xuejiao , Tian Chunxiang , Luo Jingcong , Zhang Yi , Deng Li , Qin Tingwu , Lv Qing
Published: January 2016

Extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels are used as scaffolds to facilitate the repair and reconstruction of tissues. This study aimed to optimize the decellularization process of porcine skeletal muscle ECM and to formulate a matrix hydrogel scaffold. Five multi‐step methods (methods A–E) were used to generate acellular ECM from porcine skeletal muscle [rinsing in SDS, trypsin, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Triton X‐100 and/or sodium deoxycholate at 4–37°C]. The resulting ECM was evaluated using haematoxylin and eosin, 4‐6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and DNA quantification. Acellular matrix was dissolved in pepsin and gelled at 37°C. Hydrogel response to temperature was observed in vivo and in vitro. ECM components were assessed by Masson, Sirius red, and alcian blue staining, and total protein content. Acellular porcine skeletal muscle exhibited a uniform translucent white appearance. No intact nuclear residue was detected by haematoxylin and eosin staining, while DAPI staining showed a few nuclei in the matrixes produced by methods B, C, and D. Method A generated a gel that was too thin for gelation. However, the matrix obtained by rinsing in 0.2% trypsin/0.1% EDTA, 0.5% Triton X‐100, and 1% Triton X‐100/0.2% sodium deoxycholate was nuclei‐free and produced a viscous solution that formed a structurally stable white jelly‐like hydrogel. The residual DNA content of this solution was 49.37 ± 0.72 ng/mg, significantly less than in fresh skeletal muscle, and decreased to 19.22 ± 0.85 ng/mg after gelation (P < 0.05). The acellular matrix was rich in collagen and glycosaminoglycan, with a total protein concentration of 64.8 ± 6.9%. An acellular ECM hydrogel from porcine skeletal muscle was efficiently produced.
Optimization of Ultrasound‐Assisted Extraction of β‐Carotene from Chlorella Biomass (MCC7) and its Use in Fortification of Apple Jam
Authors: Singh Yashneeil , Mazumder Anupriya , Giri Apurba , Mishra Hari Niwas
Published: January 2016

Ultrasound‐assisted extraction with three independent variables (sonication time, ethanol concentration and sonication amplitude) was optimized by plotting response surface graphs with β‐carotene yield as the dependent variable. At optimum conditions (7.03 min extraction time, 62.03% ethanol concentration and 83.7% amplitude) β‐carotene yield of 55 µg/g of Chlorella biomass were obtained. The functional apple jam was prepared by fortifying it with the Chlorella extract at optimized conditions (5, 7.5 and 10 mg/100 g apple jam) and with whole Chlorella biomass powder (1, 2 and 3% w/w). The samples fortified with the β‐carotene extract had over 10 times more vitamin A content as compared with the samples to which whole Chlorella biomass were added. A comparative study of different forms and rate of fortification was carried out, and it was found that the extract added samples have higher nutritive value and overall acceptability as a functional food.

Practical Applications

Ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) is a novel extraction method that is postulated to enable a more efficient commercial extraction of bioactives from different sources by causing minimal loss of activity, as compared with conventional solvent extraction. Among the carotenes, β‐carotene is the most important and has been shown to have many health benefits. The majority of the commercial β‐carotene productions is through the synthetic process. Of late it has been noticed that consumer acceptability toward products derived from natural sources is much higher as compared with the ones manufactured synthetically. The results of this work contribute to exploring the commercial application of the ultrasound extraction method to produce a product fortified with the β‐carotene extract from Chlorella biomass. To demonstrate this, apple jam fortified with the β‐carotene extract from Chlorella biomass was produced. Two fortification methods (biomass addition and extract addition) have been studied and compared.
Does a Depression Management Program Decrease Mortality in Older Adults with Specific Medical Conditions in Primary Care? An Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Bogner Hillary R. , Joo Jin H. , Hwang Seungyoung , Morales Knashawn H. , Bruce Martha L. , Reynolds Charles F. , Gallo Joseph J.
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To determine whether treating depression decreases mortality from various chronic medical conditions.

Design

Long‐term follow‐up of multisite‐practice randomized controlled trial (Prevention of Suicide in Primary Care Elderly: Collaborative Trial).

Setting

Twenty primary care practices randomized to intervention or usual care.

Participants

Individuals aged 60 and older identified through depression screening of random patients (N = 1,226).

Intervention

For 2 years, a depression care manager worked with primary care physicians in intervention practices to provide algorithm‐based care for depression.

Measurements

Mortality risk based on a median follow‐up of 98 months (range 0.8–116.4 months) through 2008; chronic medical conditions ascertained through self‐report.

Results

For heart disease, persons with major depression were at greater risk of death, whether in usual‐care or intervention practices. Older adults with major depression and diabetes mellitus in practices randomized to the intervention condition (hazard ratio = 0.47, 95% confidence interval = 0.24–0.91) were less likely to die. For other medical conditions, the point estimates for risk of death in persons with major depression were all in the direction of indicating lower risk in intervention practices but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

Older adults with depression and medical comorbidity pose a significant clinical and public health challenge. Evidence was found of a statistically significant intervention effect on mortality for diabetes mellitus in persons with major depression.
Periodontitis Is Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Koreans: Results from the Yangpyeong Cohort Study
Authors: Shin Hye‐Sun , Shin Myung‐Seop , Ahn Yoo‐Been , Choi Bo‐Youl , Nam Jung‐Hyun , Kim Hyun‐Duck
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To investigate the association between periodontitis and cognitive impairment in elderly Koreans.

Design

Cross‐sectional study with age‐ and sex‐matched case–control selection.

Setting

The Yangpyeong cardiovascular cohort (YCC), a part of the Korean Genome Epidemiologic Study (KoGES), Yangpyeong, South Korea.

Participants

Individuals with cognitive impairment (n = 65) and cognitively normal controls (n = 124) aged 60 and older from the YCC.

Measurements

Alveolar bone loss was assessed on dental panoramic radiographs to categorize the cumulative history of periodontitis (HOP) into three groups: normal, moderate periodontitis, severe periodontitis. The Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to categorize participants as cognitively normal or cognitively impaired. Age‐ and sex‐matched conditional logistic regression models were used for analysis. Confounders considered in the analysis were age, sex, drinking, smoking, exercise, total cholesterol, total protein, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, intima‐media thickness, hypertension medication, and depression.

Results

Participants with HOP were more likely to have cognitive impairment than those without (odds ratio = 2.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.04–4.41). The interaction effect of smoking and exercise on periodontitis highlighted the link.

Conclusion

Periodontitis was independently associated with cognitive impairment after controlling for various confounders. Further longitudinal research is needed to determine whether periodontitis plays a role in cognitive decline in older adults.
Effects of Changes in Number of Medications and Drug Burden Index Exposure on Transitions Between Frailty States and Death: The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project Cohort Study
Authors: Jamsen Kris M. , Bell J. Simon , Hilmer Sarah N. , Kirkpatrick Carl M. J. , Ilomäki Jenni , Le Couteur David , Blyth Fiona M. , Handelsman David J. , Waite Louise , Naganathan Vasi , Cumming Robert G. , Gnjidic Danijela
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To investigate the effects of number of medications and Drug Burden Index (DBI) on transitions between frailty stages and death in community‐dwelling older men.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Sydney, Australia.

Participants

Community‐dwelling men aged 70 and older (N = 1,705).

Measurements

Self‐reported questionnaires and clinic visits were conducted at baseline and 2 and 5 years. Frailty was assessed at all three waves according to the modified Fried frailty phenotype. The total number of regular prescription medications and DBI (a measure of exposure to sedative and anticholinergic medications) were calculated over the three waves. Data on mortality over 9 years were obtained. Multistate modeling was used to characterize the transitions across three frailty states (robust, prefrail, frail) and death.

Results

Each additional medication was associated with a 22% greater risk of transitioning from the robust state to death (adjusted 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06–1.41). Every unit increase in DBI was associated with a 73% greater risk of transitioning from the robust state to the prefrail state (adjusted 95% CI = 1.30–2.31) and a 2.75 times greater risk of transitioning from the robust state to death (adjusted 95% CI = 1.60–4.75). There was no evidence of an adjusted association between total number of medications or DBI and the other transitions.

Conclusion

Although the possibility of confounding by indication cannot be excluded, additional medications were associated with greater risk of mortality in robust community‐dwelling older men. Greater DBI was also associated with greater risk of death and transitioning from the robust state to the prefrail state.
Exercise Mode Moderates the Relationship Between Mobility and Basal Ganglia Volume in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Nagamatsu Lindsay S. , Weinstein Andrea M. , Erickson Kirk I. , Fanning Jason , Awick Elizabeth A. , Kramer Arthur F. , McAuley Edward
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To examine whether 12 months of aerobic training (AT) moderated the relationship between change in mobility and change in basal ganglia volume than balance and toning (BAT) exercises in older adults.

Design

Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Champaign‐Urbana, Illinois.

Participants

Community‐dwelling older adults (N = 101; mean age 66.4).

Intervention

Twelve‐month exercise trial with two groups: AT and BAT.

Measurements

Mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. Basal ganglia (putamen, caudate nucleus, pallidum) was segmented from T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images using the Oxford Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain Software Library Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool. Measurements were obtained at baseline and trial completion. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to examine whether exercise mode moderates the relationship between change in mobility and change in basal ganglia volume over 12 months. Age, sex, and education were included as covariates.

Results

Exercise significantly moderated the relationship between change in mobility and change in left putamen volume. Specifically, for the AT group, volume of the left putamen did not change, regardless of change in mobility. Similarly, in the BAT group, those who improved their mobility most over 12 months had no change in left putamen volume, although left putamen volume of those who declined in mobility levels decreased significantly.

Conclusion

The primary finding that older adults who engaged in 12 months of BAT training and improved mobility exhibited maintenance of brain volume in an important region responsible for motor control provides compelling evidence that such exercises can contribute to the promotion of functional independence and healthy aging.
The challenges of vitamin and mineral supplementation in children with inherited metabolic disorders: a prospective trial
Authors: Daly A. , Evans S. , Chahal S. , Surplice I. , Vijay S. , Santra S. , MacDonald A.
Published: January 2016

Background

In order to achieve metabolic stability, dietary treatment of inborn errors of metabolism may require restriction of protein, fat or carbohydrate. Manipulation of dietary intake potentially reduces micronutrient status, and provision of a comprehensive vitamin and mineral supplement becomes an essential adjunct to dietary treatment.

Aim

To review the efficacy of a new complete vitamin and mineral supplement [Fruitivits, Vitaflo Ltd] in 14 subjects in an open prospective 26‐week study.

Method

All subjects had dietary restrictions: low protein diets (57%, n = 8), regular daytime cornstarch and overnight glucose polymer tube feeds (29%, n = 4), low fat diet (7%, n = 1) and modified Atkins diet (7%, n = 1). Plasma nutritional biochemistry, anthropometry and food frequency questionnaires were collected at week 0, 12 and 26 weeks respectively.

Results

Five nutritional parameters showed a significant improvement from baseline (week 0) to study end (week 26): folate (P = 0.01), vitamin E (P = 0.04), plasma selenium (P = 0.002), whole blood selenium (P = 0.04) and total vitamin D (P = 0.008). All the other nutritional markers did not significantly change. Even with regular monitoring, 37% of the product remained unused.

Conclusions

Despite improvements in some nutritional markers, overall use of the vitamin and mineral supplement was less than prescribed. New methods are needed to guarantee delivery of micronutrients in children at risk of deficiencies as a result of an essential manipulation of diet in inborn disorders of metabolism.
Nurse‐led cognitive–behavioral group therapy for recovery of self‐esteem in patients with mental disorders: A pilot study
Authors: Kunikata Hiroko , Yoshinaga Naoki , Shiraishi Yuko , Okada Yoshie
Published: January 2016

Aim

To design a program targeting recovery of self‐esteem in patients with mental disorders, and to clarify the changes after the program to determine its effectiveness.

Methods

This study employed a one group pre‐ and post design, which comprised baseline, post‐intervention, and 3 month follow‐up phases, and recruited 41 Japanese patients with mental disorders living in the community. The authors administered the nurse‐led group cognitive–behavioral therapy program for the recovery of self‐esteem, which comprised 12 sessions, to the participants. The follow‐up investigations were conducted immediately and 3 months after the program. The present authors used the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (RSES), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Subjective Well‐Being Inventory (SUBI), and Test to Determine the Characteristics of Ideas as subjective measures and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) as an objective measure.

Results

After controlling for the factors of medication and use of social services, improvement was observed in all measures of evaluation. The authors identified improvement at post‐intervention and follow up. The scores for the RSES, BPRS, confidence in coping, and inadequate mental mastery at post‐intervention and follow up were significantly higher than those at baseline, and these beneficial effects were maintained 3 months after the program.

Conclusion

The program may aid in recovering and maintaining self‐esteem of patients suffering from mental disorders. However, it is necessary to conduct a randomized controlled clinical trial to confirm these findings.
Post‐partum hypoglycemia and hypothermia as first manifestations of lymphocytic adenohypophysitis: A case report
Authors: Koyama Shinsuke , Okuno Koichiro , Naoi Hirokazu , Watanabe Masahiro , Ozaki Kimiaki , Shiki Yasuhiko
Published: January 2016

Lymphocytic adenohypophysitis is a very rare autoimmune disease characterized by an anterior pituitary infiltration of lymphocytes that cause various symptoms, such as headache, visual disturbance, and hypopituitarism. Lymphocytic adenohypophysitis is more common in women and has a remarkable association with the perinatal period. Recently, we experienced a case of lymphocytic adenohypophysitis shortly after delivery. A 37‐year‐old primiparous woman delivered her baby at 38 weeks’ gestation. The next morning, she presented symptoms of hypoglycemia and hypothermia. Blood testing revealed hypoadrenalism and hypothyroidism. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging showed characteristic findings consistent with lymphocytic adenohypophysitis. We immediately initiated medication with steroids and levothyroxine. Currently, her pituitary size has normalized and its function has fully recovered. Physical stress resulting from labor and delivery may unmask subclinical lymphocytic adenohypophysitis. Practitioners should keep in mind the possibility of lymphocytic adenohypophysitis in any pregnant women with symptoms of hypoglycemia and hypothermia after delivery.
In Vitro Study of the Sealing Ability of Cements for Zirconia Restorations
Authors: Cetik Sibel , Solor‐Bouvier Thomas , Schittly Estelle , Atash Ramin
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The micropercolation testing of dental materials is currently used to evaluate the sealing ability. The aim of the present study is to compare the sealing ability of distinct assembling materials for zirconium oxide peripheric crowns.

Materials and Methods

One hundred teeth were prepared to be thermocycled after being distributed at random in 10 groups each containing 10 specimens (group 1: Fuji One; group 2: Fuji Plus; group 3: Variolink II; group 4: RelyX Ultimate; group 5: Multilink; group 6: Panavia F2.0; group 7: Bifix QM; group 8: RelyX Unicem 2; group 9: Maxcem Elite; group 10: Bifix SE).

Results

RelyX Unicem 2 and RelyX Ultimate yielded high imperviousness percentages. The sealing ability in the vestibular area and lingual area is indeed best in the presence of these two materials. Our results show no difference whether the chamfer is situated in the enamel or in the dentin.

Conclusion

A zirconium crown should be preferably cemented with a glass‐ionomer cement modified by addition of resin material.
It's all about Baxter: task orientation in the effective teaching of writing
Authors: Gadd Murray , Parr Judy M.
Published: January 2016

This New Zealand‐based study of the classroom practice of nine exemplary teachers of writing to upper primary‐age students explored the significance of task orientation as a component of effective teacher instruction and the instructional strategies or actions that effective teachers utilise to promote such. Effectiveness pertains to teachers being able to generate a positive impact on learners' engagement and academic outcomes. Particular attention was given to the content and organisation of the tasks and activities that teachers required of their students. Analysis of observed teacher practice in relation to learner gains showed actions associated with task orientation to be strongly associated with student progress in writing. Two indicators linked particularly with learner gains in writing. They relate to teachers being able to select and promote learning tasks that are purposeful and challenging for students and to students being involved in the selection or construction of learning tasks. There were relatively high levels of proficiency with regard to teachers being able to select and promote purposeful and challenging tasks but significant operational variability with regard to teachers involving their students in task selection or construction. Classroom illustrations are provided on how effective teachers promote learner involvement in task selection or construction.
Roots under attack: contrasting plant responses to below‐ and aboveground insect herbivory
Authors: Johnson Scott N. , Erb Matthias , Hartley Susan E.
Published: January 2016

The distinctive ecology of root herbivores, the complexity and diversity of root–microbe interactions, and the physical nature of the soil matrix mean that plant responses to root herbivory extrapolate poorly from our understanding of responses to aboveground herbivores. For example, root attack induces different changes in phytohormones to those in damaged leaves, including a lower but more potent burst of jasmonates in several plant species. Root secondary metabolite responses also differ markedly, although patterns between roots and shoots are harder to discern. Root defences must therefore be investigated in their own ecophysiological and evolutionary context, specifically one which incorporates root microbial symbionts and antagonists, if we are to better understand the battle between plants and their hidden herbivores.

Contents

Summary
413

I.
Introduction
413

II.
What makes root herbivores different from shoot herbivores?
414

III.
Plant perception of attack and induced signalling
414

IV.
Growth, photosynthetic and primary metabolite responses
415

V.
Secondary metabolite responses
416

VI.
Plant defence theories – their applicability belowground
417

VII.
Where next?
417

Acknowledgements
417

References
417
Flowering mechanisms, pollination strategies and floral scent analyses of syntopically co‐flowering Homalomena spp. (Araceae) on Borneo
Authors: Hoe Y. C. , Gibernau M. , Maia A. C. D. , Wong S. Y.
Published: January 2016

In this study, the flowering mechanisms and pollination strategies of seven species of the highly diverse genus Homalomena (Araceae) were investigated in native populations of West Sarawak, Borneo. The floral scent compositions were also recorded for six of these species. The selected taxa belong to three out of four complexes of the section Cyrtocladon (Hanneae, Giamensis and Borneensis). The species belonging to the Hanneae complex exhibited longer anthesis (53–62 h) than those of the Giamensis and Borneensis complexes (ca. 30 h). Species belonging to the Hanneae complex underwent two floral scent emission events in consecutive days, during the pistillate and staminate phases of anthesis. In species belonging to the Giamensis and Borneensis complexes, floral scent emission was only evident to the human nose during the pistillate phase. A total of 33 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in floral scent analyses of species belonging to the Hanneae complex, whereas 26 VOCs were found in samples of those belonging to the Giamensis complex. The floral scent blends contained uncommon compounds in high concentration, which could ensure pollinator discrimination. Our observations indicate that scarab beetles (Parastasia gestroi and P. nigripennis; Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae) are the pollinators of the investigated species of Homalomena, with Chaloenus schawalleri (Chrysomelidae, Galeuricinae) acting as a secondary pollinator. The pollinators utilise the inflorescence for food, mating opportunities and safe mating arena as rewards. Flower‐breeding flies (Colocasiomyia nigricauda and C. aff. heterodonta; Diptera, Drosophilidae) and terrestrial hydrophilid beetles (Cycreon sp.; Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) were also frequently recovered from inflorescences belonging to all studied species (except H. velutipedunculata), but they probably do not act as efficient pollinators. Future studies should investigate the post‐mating isolating barriers among syntopically co‐flowering Homalomena sharing the same visiting insects.
The roles of mitochondrial transcription termination factors (MTERFs) in plants
Authors: Quesada Víctor
Published: January 2016

Stress such as salinity, cold, heat or drought affect plant growth and development, and frequently result in diminished productivity. Unlike animals, plants are sedentary organisms that must withstand and cope with environmental stresses. During evolution, plants have developed strategies to successfully adapt to or tolerate such stresses, which might have led to the expansion and functional diversification of gene families. Some new genes may have acquired functions that could differ from those of their animal homologues, e.g. in response to abiotic stress. The mitochondrial transcription termination factor (MTERF) family could be a good example of this. Originally identified and characterized in metazoans, MTERFs regulate transcription, translation and DNA replication in vertebrate mitochondria. Plant genomes harbor a considerably larger number of MTERFs than animals. Nonetheless, only eight plant MTERFs have been characterized, which encode chloroplast or mitochondrial proteins. Mutations in MTERFs alter the expression of organelle genes and impair chloroplast or mitochondria development. This information is transmitted to the nucleus, probably through retrograde signaling, because mterf plants often exhibit changes in nuclear gene expression. This study summarizes the recent findings, mainly from the analysis of mterf mutants, which support an emerging role for plant MTERFs in response to abiotic stress.
Housing design and people with severe mental illness: An observational approach to the investigation of supported housing facilities
Authors: Marcheschi Elizabeth , Johansson Maria , Laike Thorbjörn , Brunt David
Published: January 2016

An observational approach was employed to investigate the role played by architectural characteristics of supported housing facilities (SHF) in sustaining interactional behavior among people with severe mental illness (SMI) (N = 29) and staff (N = 27). The observations were carried out in dining areas, corridors and outdoor environments of SHF (N = 4). In order to test differences in the observed behaviors two SHFs with high physical‐environment quality (HQ) and two with low physical‐environment quality (LQ) according to the perception of people with SMI were chosen. Results showed that the dining areas of HQ better support social interactions between SHF users. No differences between the housing facilities were found concerning corridors areas, while housing facilities that provided proximity and accessibility to outdoor environments, such as those with HQ, were significantly more supportive for social interactional behavior than LQ housing. These results corroborate previous findings from this project and suggest that the characteristics of the housing design have a significant impact on the use of the environment and on the behavior patterns in the setting.
Terrorism‐Centric Behaviors and Adversarial Threat Awareness*
Authors: Regens James L. , Mould Nick , Jensen Carl J. , Graves Melissa A.
Published: January 2016

This article estimates situational awareness in a diverse collection of police officers with respect to their individual ability to identify nine key behaviors that are indicative of terrorism activity. The selected group of police officers was drawn from state, county, and municipal law enforcement organizations. The terrorist‐centric behaviors were presented to the test group in multicomponent text‐based scenarios that emulate real‐world police events and respondents were instructed to rate each scenario component on an 11‐point Likert‐type suspicion scale. With the exception of terrorist fundraising, law enforcement personnel tended to view all of the terrorist‐centric activities and behaviors as at least “somewhat suspicious.” The activities that could also be associated with “conventional” criminality such as weapons acquisition received higher ratings than those activities more exclusively related to terrorism such as recruiting. We also noted statistically significant differences based on agency type, officers’ assignment (patrol or detective), experience, gender, agency size, and education. Race had no effect.
Concurrent cytomegalovirus glomerulitis and BK polyomavirus‐associated nephropathy in a kidney allograft biopsy
Authors: Chikeka I.O. , Paulk A. , Haririan A. , Papadimitriou J.C. , Drachenberg C.B.
Published: January 2016

A 58‐year‐old renal transplant recipient underwent biopsy 11 weeks post transplantation for increasing creatinine. The biopsy showed cytomegalovirus (CMV) glomerulitis together with BK polyomavirus (BKPyV)‐associated nephropathy (PVAN). Treatment with intravenous ganciclovir and overall reduction in maintenance immunosuppression resulted in prompt resolution of the CMV glomerulitis, but with persistence of PVAN in a follow‐up biopsy 4 weeks later. Stable creatinine and BKPyV viral clearance were observed at the last clinical visit 15 months post transplantation. This case exemplifies infectious glomerulitis, which requires differentiation from the more common glomerulitis caused by antibody‐mediated allograft rejection. The morphological similarities and differences between BKPyV and CMV infections are discussed.