bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laccaria bicolor MiSSP8 is a small‐secreted protein decisive for the establishment of the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis
Authors: Pellegrin Clément , Daguerre Yohann , Ruytinx Joske , Guinet Frédéric , Kemppainen Minna , Frey Nicolas Frei dit , Puech‐Pagès Virginie , Hecker Arnaud , Pardo Alejandro G. , Martin Francis M. , Veneault‐Fourrey Claire
Published: July 2019

The ectomycorrhizal symbiosis is a predominant tree–microbe interaction in forest ecosystems sustaining tree growth and health. Its establishment and functioning implies a long‐term and intimate relationship between the soil‐borne fungi and the roots of trees. Mycorrhiza‐induced Small‐Secreted Proteins (MiSSPs) are hypothesized as keystone symbiotic proteins, required to set up the symbiosis by modifying the host metabolism and/or building the symbiotic interfaces. L. bicolor MiSSP8 is the third most highly induced MiSSPs in symbiotic tissues and it is also expressed in fruiting bodies. The MiSSP8‐RNAi knockdown mutants are strongly impaired in their mycorrhization ability with Populus, with the lack of fungal mantle and Hartig net development due to the lack of hyphal aggregation. MiSSP8 C‐terminus displays a repetitive motif containing a kexin cleavage site, recognized by KEX2 in vitro. This suggests MiSSP8 protein might be cleaved into small peptides. Moreover, the MiSSP8 repetitive motif is found in other proteins predicted secreted by both saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal fungi. Thus, our data indicate that MiSSP8 is a small‐secreted protein involved at early stages of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, likely by regulating hyphal aggregation and pseudoparenchyma formation.
Who's European? Scotland and England Compared
Authors: McCrone David
Published: July 2019

In the Brexit referendum in 2016, Scotland voted 62 per cent Remain, and England 53 per cent Leave. This article explores whether this came about because more people in Scotland considered themselves ‘strongly European’ compared with people in England. Analysis of Scottish and British Social Attitudes survey data for 2017 shows that people in Scotland are significantly more inclined to say they are ‘strongly European’ (45 per cent) than in England (34 per cent), a finding that holds true across the spectrum of socio‐demographic and political variables. Nevertheless, the key predictors of being strongly European are similar in both countries: having liberal values, high levels of education, political party support, as well as being British, while in Scotland supporting the Scottish National Party and being in favour of independence are important. ‘Being European’ has taken on different meanings in Scotland and England as the aftermath of the Brexit referendum works its way through the political process.
Aetiology and trends of rates of stillbirth in a tertiary care hospital in the north of India over 10 years: a retrospective study
Authors: Sharma B , Prasad GRV , Aggarwal N , Siwatch S , Suri V , Kakkar N
Published: July 2019

Objective

To analyse the aetiology of stillbirth and its changing trends in a single tertiary care referral institute of northern India over a 10‐year period (2007–2016).

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Tertiary care hospital in the north of India.

Sample

Medical records of all mothers who delivered a stillborn at the institute.

Methods

Data was collected from monthly and annual perinatal audits and causes of stillbirths were classified using Simplified CODAC classification. Annual reduction rate was calculated by linear regression analysis and Cusick test for the changing trends over 9 years.

Main outcome measures

Of 54 160 births, 3678 babies were stillborn. Over 9 years, the annual stillbirth rate has reduced significantly from 73.6 to 62.0 per 1000 total births with an average annual reduction rate of 1%. The most common causes of stillbirths were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (27.6%), antepartum haemorrhage (19.5%), and congenital anomalies (9.3%).

Conclusion

The annual reduction rate (1%) of stillbirth remains low. The aetiology of stillbirths remains unchanged over a 10‐year period and hypertensive disorder of pregnancy remains the single most preventable cause of stillbirth.

Tweetable abstract

Analysis of stillbirths over a 10‐year period in an Indian institute showed a high but declining trend with annual reduction rate of 1%.
Edible Insects Processing: Traditional and Innovative Technologies
Authors: Melgar‐Lalanne Guiomar , Hernández‐Álvarez Alan‐Javier , Salinas‐Castro Alejandro
Published: July 2019

Insects are part of the human diet in many parts of the world. Their nutritional value is widely recognized. Currently, most edible insects are harvested from the wild, although semi‐domestication and indoor farming have increased insect availability and the sustainability of production. In traditional cultures, insects are processed in a number of ways (steaming, roasting, smoking, frying, stewing, and curing, among others) to improve their sensory and nutritional qualities as well as their shelf‐life. In order to increase consumer interest in the West, various technologies have been developed that are aimed primarily at using insects as ingredients in a non‐recognizable form, such as powders or flour. These technologies include drying (sun‐drying, freeze‐drying, oven‐drying, fluidized bed drying, and microwave‐drying) and new processing methods (ultrasound‐assisted extraction, cold atmospheric pressure plasma, and dry fractionation) designed mainly for protein, fat, and/or chitin extraction. Insect‐based ingredients are sold for the production of cookies, chocolates, tortilla‐style chips, and other snacks. This review focuses on edible insect production, processing technologies, and commercialization using strategies ranging from traditional to novel as a sustainable approach for improving food security worldwide.
Artificial neural networks accurately predict intra‐abdominal infection in moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Qiu Qiu , Nian Yong Jian , Tang Liang , Guo Yan , Wen Liang Zhi , Wang Bin , Chen Dong Feng , Liu Kai Jun
Published: July 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of artificial neural networks (ANN) in predicting intra‐abdominal infection in moderately severe (MASP) and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) compared with that of a logistic regression model (LRM).

Methods

Patients suffering from MSAP or SAP from July 2014 to June 2017 in three affiliated hospitals of the Army Medical University in Chongqing, China, were enrolled in this study. A univariate analysis was used to determine the different parameters between patients with and without intra‐abdominal infection. Subsequently, these parameters were used to build LRM and ANN.

Results

Altogether 263 patients with MSAP or SAP were enrolled in this retrospective study. A total of 16 parameters that differed between patients with and without intra‐abdominal infection were used to construct both models. The sensitivity of ANN and LRM was 80.99% (95% confidence interval [CI] 72.63‐87.33) and 70.25% (95% CI 61.15‐78.04), respectively (P > 0.05), whereas the specificity was 89.44% (95% CI 82.89‐93.77) and 77.46% (95% CI 69.54‐83.87), respectively (P < 0.05). ANN predicted the risk of intra‐abdominal infection better than LRM (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.923 [0.883‐0.952] vs 0.802 [0.749‐0.849], P < 0.001).

Conclusions

ANN accurately predicted intra‐abdominal infection in MSAP and SAP and is an ideal tool for predicting intra‐abdominal infection in such patients. Coagulation parameters played an important role in such prediction.
Predictors of long‐term abstinence rate by income level in the Korean smoking cessation programme
Authors: Seo Young‐Gyun , Paek Yu‐Jin , Jo Min‐Woo , Choi Jaekyung
Published: July 2019

Background and Aims

To assess whether predictors of success in stopping smoking vary as a function of income level in Korean smoking cessation services.

Design

Prospective study of predictors of smoking cessation up to 6 months' follow up.

Participants

A sample of 954 people (mean age 49.13 ± 10.69 years; 863 [90.5%] men) enrolled in the Korean National Health Insurance Service smoking cessation programme in 2015.

Measures

The outcome measure was self‐reported continuous abstinence up to 6‐month follow up. Predictors were income and other sociodemographic variables as well as smoking‐related variables measured at baseline.

Results

The continuous 6‐month abstinence rate was 30.5%. The adjusted odds of 6‐month continuous abstinence were lower among low‐income versus the middle‐ or high‐income smokers (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.35–0.84), those with severe versus light/moderate cigarette dependence (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52–0.98), and use of bupropion versus varenicline (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39–0.91). The association between cigarette dependence and outcome was only present among low‐income smokers.

Conclusions

Lower income, higher cigarette dependence, and choice of bupropion versus varenicline are associated with lower chances of stopping smoking in Korean smoking cessation services, but the association with cigarette dependence is only found in low‐income smokers.
A genomic prediction model for racecourse starts in the Thoroughbred horse
Authors: McGivney B. A. , Hernandez B. , Katz L. M. , MacHugh D. E. , McGovern S. P. , Parnell A. C. , Wiencko H. L. , Hill E. W.
Published: July 2019

Durability traits in Thoroughbred horses are heritable, economically valuable and may affect horse welfare. The aims of this study were to test the hypotheses that (i) durability traits are heritable and (ii) genetic data may be used to predict a horse's potential to have a racecourse start. Heritability for the phenotype ‘number of 2‐ and 3‐year‐old starts’ was estimated to be  = 0.11 ± 0.02 (n = 4499). A genome‐wide association study identified SNP contributions to the trait. The neurotrimin (NTM), opioid‐binding protein/cell adhesion molecule like (OPCML) and prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) genes were identified as candidate genes associated with the trait. NTM functions in brain development and has been shown to have been selected during the domestication of the horse. PRCP is an established expression quantitative trait locus involved in the interaction between voluntary exercise and body composition in mice. We hypothesise that variation at these loci contributes to the motivation of the horse to exercise, which may influence its response to the demands of the training and racing environment. A random forest with mixed effects (RFME) model identified a set of SNPs that contributed to 24.7% of the heritable variation in the trait. In an independent validation set (n = 528 horses), the cohort with high genetic potential for a racecourse start had significantly fewer unraced horses (16% unraced) than did low (27% unraced) potential horses and had more favourable race outcomes among those that raced. Therefore, the information from SNPs included in the model may be used to predict horses with a greater chance of a racecourse start.
The hepatitis B birth‐dose immunisation: Exploring parental refusal
Authors: Gilmartin Christine E. , Daley Andrew J. , Leung Laura
Published: July 2019

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunisation is the first vaccine of infant life and one of the most commonly refused immunisations on the Australian Immunisation Schedule.

Aims

To quantify the frequency of declined HBV immunisation birth‐doses, investigate reasons for refusal, and determine information sources used by parents.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted on postnatal women who declined their newborn's HBV birth‐dose immunisation during December 2016–July 2017 at an Australian tertiary referral hospital. Mothers who were non‐English‐speaking, unwell or medically unstable, or otherwise unavailable were excluded.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐seven of the 1574 (8.7%) eligible reviewed infants had HBV immunisation birth‐doses documented as declined; 113 mothers consented to complete the questionnaire. The most common reasons for declining the dose were: ‘baby too young’ (55.8%); preference for two, four and six‐month HBV immunisations only (56.6%); perceived low risk of contracting HBV (45.1%); and a fear of ‘overloading’ their baby's immune system (42.5%). General practitioners or nurses/midwives (43.3%) and the internet/media (33.6%) were the predominant information sources consulted, and 58.4% felt satisfied with the information they received antenatally. Eighty‐eight of 113 mothers (77.9%) would still consider future immunisations for their infant.

Conclusions

The majority of postnatal women decline HBV birth‐dose immunisation for their newborns citing age‐related safety concerns and vaccine misconceptions. Informal information sources such as the internet and media are often consulted. Addressing the need for antenatal and health professional education toward the birth‐dose may be instrumental in improving uptake.
Loss of nuclear ARC contributes to the development of cardiac hypertrophy in rats
Authors: Xie Fang , Mei Zhu‐Song , Wang Xue , Zhang Tao , Zhao Yun , Wang Shi‐Da , Qian Ling‐Jia
Published: July 2019

Aim

Cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial apoptosis are two major factors in heart failure. As a classical regulator of apoptosis, apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC) has recently also been found to have a protective effect against hypertrophy. However, the mechanism underlying this effect is still not fully understood.

Methods

In the present study, we established animal and cellular models to monitor the changes in total and nuclear ARC during cardiac hypertrophic processes. The preventive effects of nuclear ARC in cellular hypertrophy were verified by ARC regulation and nuclear export inhibition. To further explore the mechanism for nuclear ARC superficially, we analysed proteins that interact with ARC in the nucleus via Co‐IP and mass spectrometry.

Results

The expression of total ARC in hypertrophic myocardial tissue and H9C2 cells remained invariant, while the level of nuclear ARC decreased dramatically. By altering the content of ARC in H9C2 cells, we found that both nuclear ARC transfection and nuclear ARC export blockade attenuated norepinephrine or angiotensin II‐induced hypertrophy, while ARC knockdown had an inverse effect. Co‐IP data showed that ARC interacted with prohibitin (PHB) in the nucleus and might participate in maintaining the level of PHB in cells.

Conclusions

These findings suggest a novel mechanism for ARC in cardiac hypertrophy prevention and also indicate that the anti‐hypertrophic roles of ARC are probably associated with its localization in nucleus, which imply the nuclear ARC as a potential therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy.
Radical cystectomy pentafecta: a proposal for standardisation of outcomes reporting following robot‐assisted radical cystectomy
Authors: Cacciamani Giovanni E. , Winter Matthew , Medina Luis G. , Ashrafi Akhbar N. , Miranda Gus , Tafuri Alessandro , Landsberger Hannah , Lin‐Brande Michael , Rajarubendra Nieroshan , De Castro Abreu Andre , Berger Andre , Aron Monish , Gill Inderbir S. , Desai Mihir M.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To propose a standardisable composite method for reporting outcomes of radical cystectomy (RC) that incorporates both perioperative morbidity and oncological adequacy.

Patients and methods

From July 2010 to December 2017, 277 consecutive patients who underwent robot‐assisted RC with intracorporeal urinary diversion (UD) for bladder cancer at our Institution were prospectively analysed. Patients who simultaneously demonstrated negative soft tissue surgical margins (STSMs), ≥16 lymph node (LN) yield, absence of major (grade III–IV) complications at 90 days, absence of UD‐related long‐term sequelae and absence of clinical recurrence at ≤12 months, were considered as having achieved the RC‐pentafecta. A multivariable logistic regression model was assessed to measure predictors for achieving RC‐pentafecta.

Results and limitations

Since 2010, 270 of 277 patients that had completed at least 12 months of follow‐up were included. Over a mean follow‐up of 22.3 months, ≥16 LN yield, negative STSMs, absence of major complications at 90 days, and absence of UD‐related surgical sequelae and clinical recurrence at ≤12 months were observed in 93.0%, 98.9%, 76.7%, 81.5% and 92.2%, patients, respectively, resulting in a RC‐pentafecta rate of 53.3%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed age (odds ratio [OR] 0.95; P = 0.002), type of UD (OR 2.19; P = 0.01) and pN stage (OR 0.48; P = 0.03) as independent predictors for achieving RC‐pentafecta.

Conclusions

We present a RC‐pentafecta as a standardisable composite endpoint that incorporates perioperative morbidity and oncological adequacy as a potential tool to assess quality of RC. This tool may be useful for assessing the learning curve and calculating cost‐effectiveness amongst others but needs to be externally validated in future studies.
Domestic Contestation and Presidential Prerogative in Colombian Foreign Policy
Authors: Long Tom , Bitar SebastiÁn , JimÉnez‐PeÑa Gabriel
Published: July 2019

The study of Colombian foreign policy emphasises external constraints and presidential prerogative in foreign policymaking. Drawing on insights from recent foreign policy analysis literature and evidence from several cases (Plan Colombia, US military bases, free trade talks with China, and ICJ arbitration of a maritime border with Nicaragua), this article challenges commonplace presidentialist assumptions. A novel model of ‘contested presidentialism’ better captures how Colombian domestic actors mobilise to raise political costs to block or modify presidential preferences. When the opposition fails to raise costs, presidentialist assumptions apply. Otherwise, presidents respond strategically by abandoning policies or substituting second‐best alternatives.
Inter‐annual monitoring improves diversity estimation of tropical butterfly assemblages
Authors: Luk Chung‐Lim , Basset Yves , Kongnoo Pitoon , Hau Billy C. H. , Bonebrake Timothy C.
Published: July 2019

Monitoring programs for diverse tropical butterfly assemblages are scarce, and temporal diversity patterns in these assemblages are poorly understood. We adopted an additive partitioning approach to determine how temporal butterfly species richness was structured at the levels of days, months, and years in five tropical/subtropical sites across three continents covering up to 9 years of monitoring. We found that observed butterfly richness was not uniformly distributed across temporal extents. Butterfly species composition differed across months and years, potentially accounting for the fact that temporal butterfly species richness contributed a high proportion to total species richness. We further examined how species richness of common and uncommon species (> and <0.5% of total abundance, respectively) were structured across temporal extents. The results showed that the common species relative contribution to total species richness was higher at lower‐temporal levels, whereas uncommon species contributed more at higher‐temporal resolutions. This suggests that long‐term sampling will be more effective in capturing patterns of rare species and the total species pool while lower‐temporal level sampling (e.g., daily or weekly) may be more useful in examining common species demographic patterns. We therefore encourage careful consideration of temporal replication at different extents in developing butterfly monitoring schemes. Long‐term monitoring is essential for improvement in the resolution of species estimation and diversity patterns for tropical ecosystems.

Abstract in Chinese is available with online material.
Moth assemblages in Costa Rica rain forest mirror small‐scale topographic heterogeneity
Authors: Rabl Dominik , Gottsberger Brigitte , Brehm Gunnar , Hofhansl Florian , Fiedler Konrad
Published: July 2019

In many tropical lowland rain forests, topographic variation increases environmental heterogeneity, thus contributing to the extraordinary biodiversity of tropical lowland forests. While a growing number of studies have addressed effects of topographic differences on tropical insect communities at regional scales (e.g., along extensive elevational gradients), surprisingly little is known about topographic effects at smaller spatial scales. The present study investigates moth assemblages in a topographically heterogeneous lowland rain forest landscape, at distances of less than a few hundred meters, in the Golfo Dulce region (SW Costa Rica). Three moth lineages—Erebidae–Arctiinae (tiger and lichen moths), the bombycoid complex, and Geometridae (inchworm moths)—were examined by means of automatic light traps in three different forest types: creek forest, slope forest, and ridge forest. Altogether, 6,543 individuals of 419 species were observed. Moth assemblages differed significantly between the three forest types regarding species richness, total abundance, and species composition. Moth richness and abundance increased more than fourfold and eightfold from creek over slope to ridge forest sites. All three taxonomic units showed identical biodiversity patterns, notwithstanding their strong differences in multiple eco‐morphological traits. An indicator species analysis revealed that most species identified as characteristic were associated either with the ridge forest alone or with ridge plus slope forests, but very few with the creek forest. Despite their mobility, local moth assemblages are highly differentially filtered from the same regional species pool. Hence, variation in environmental factors significantly affects assemblages of tropical moth species at small spatial scales.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Using digitized museum collections to understand the effects of habitat on wing coloration in the Puerto Rican monarch
Authors: Echevarría Ramos Mariangelí , Hulshof Catherine M.
Published: July 2019

Given the recent emphasis on Lepidoptera wing color and temperature in macroecology, we briefly describe known drivers of wing color and outline the use of images for understanding color variation across space and time. As a case study, we quantify wing color using museum specimens of the non‐migratory Puerto Rican monarch. In contrast to recent findings, we report darker individuals in coastal habitats, underscoring the need to include other selection factors. We detail how international digitization initiatives can resolve this paradox by adopting standards and protocols for high‐throughput image analysis.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Experiments with artificial nests provide evidence for ant community stratification and nest site limitation in a tropical forest
Authors: Mottl Ondřej , Yombai Jacob , Fayle Tom M. , Novotný Vojtěch , Klimeš Petr
Published: July 2019

Ants are dominant in tropical forests and many species nest in hollow cavities. The manner in which species are vertically stratified in these complex habitats is not known, with lack of nest sites being proposed to limit ant populations. Here, we assess ant community stratification and nest site limitation in a lowland rainforest in New Guinea using experimental addition of artificial bamboo nests of two cavity sizes (small: ~12 mm large: ~32 mm diameter) placed at ground level, in the understorey, and in the canopy. We also conducted a pilot experiment to test the utility of nest translocation. Nests were checked for occupancy after 10 weeks and half of the occupied nests were then translocated between forest plots, while keeping same vertical position. Occupancy of small nests was much higher in the understorey and canopy than at ground level (~75% vs. ~25%). Translocation was successful, as a majority of nests was inhabited by the same species before and after translocation and there was no impact of translocation to a different plot compared to the control, except for a reduction in colony size at ground level. Our experiment demonstrates a vertical stratification in community composition of ants nesting in hollow dead cavities and shows that these ants are more nest site limited in the higher strata than at ground level. Use of small artificial cavities has great potential for future experimental studies, especially for those focused on arboreal ants, as occupancy is high and translocation does not negatively affect their colony size.

Abstract in Tok Pisin is available with online material.
In search of novel protein drug targets for treatment of Enterococcus faecalis infections
Authors: Singh Harpreet , Das Satyajeet , Yadav Jyoti , Srivastava Vijay Kumar , Jyoti Anupam , Kaushik Sanket
Published: July 2019

Enterococcus faecalis (Ef) is one of the major pathogens involved in hospital‐acquired infections. It can cause nosocomial bacteremia, surgical wound infection, and urinary tract infection. It is important to mention here that Ef is developing resistance against many commonly occurring antibiotics. The occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR) and extensive‐drug resistance (XDR) is now posing a major challenge to the medical community. In this regard, to combat the infections caused by Ef, we have to look for an alternative. Rational structure‐based drug design exploits the three‐dimensional structure of the target protein, which can be unraveled by various techniques such as X‐ray crystallography or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In this review, we have discussed the complete picture of Ef infections, the possible treatment available at present, and the alternative treatment options to be explored. This study will help in better understanding of novel biological targets against Ef and the compounds, which are likely to bind with these targets. Using these detailed structural informations, rational structure‐based drug design is achievable and tight inhibitors against Ef can be prepared.
Antifungal screening and in silico mechanistic studies of an in‐house azole library
Authors: Sari Suat , Kart Didem , Sabuncuoğlu Suna , Doğan İnci Selin , Özdemir Zeynep , Bozbey İrem , Gencel Melis , Eşsiz Şebnem , Reynisson Jóhannes , Karakurt Arzu , Saraç Selma , Dalkara Sevim
Published: July 2019

Systemic Candida infections pose a serious public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. C. albicans is the major pathogen identified in candidiasis; however, non‐albicans Candida spp. with antifungal resistance are now more prevalent. Azoles are first‐choice antifungal drugs for candidiasis; however, they are ineffective for certain infections caused by the resistant strains. Azoles block ergosterol synthesis by inhibiting fungal CYP51, which leads to disruption of fungal membrane permeability. In this study, we screened for antifungal activity of an in‐house azole library of 65 compounds to identify hit matter followed by a molecular modeling study for their CYP51 inhibition mechanism. Antifungal susceptibility tests against standard Candida spp. including C. albicans revealed derivatives 12 and 13 as highly active. Furthermore, they showed potent antibiofilm activity as well as neglectable cytotoxicity in a mouse fibroblast assay. According to molecular docking studies, 12 and 13 have the necessary binding characteristics for effective inhibition of CYP51. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations of the C. albicans CYP51 (CACYP51) homology model's catalytic site complexed with 13 were stable demonstrating excellent binding.
Use of the Martius advancement flap for low rectovaginal fistulas
Authors: Trompetto M. , Realis Luc A. , Novelli E. , Tutino R. , Clerico G. , Gallo G.
Published: July 2019

Aim

The percentage recurrence after any surgical treatment for low rectovaginal fistula (LRVF) is unacceptably high. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short‐ and long‐term results of the Martius procedure in a carefully selected series of patients with a LRVF of at least 1 cm diameter who had had at least two previous surgeries or in the presence of chronically inflamed local tissues.

Method

Between January 2009 and April 2017, 24 patients with the abovementioned features were prospectively included in this study. Success was defined both as the absence of any subjective symptoms and the fistula, as confirmed by evaluation under anaesthesia. Postoperative complications were assessed using the Clavien–Dindo classification. Quality of life (SF‐12 score), quality of sexual life [Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score] and continence [Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS)] were also determined pre‐ and postoperatively.

Results

The mean follow‐up was 42 ± 29 months (range 3–101 months). The overall success rate was 91.3% (22/24 patients). The median operation time was 50 min (range 45–70 min), and the median hospital stay was 3.5 days (range 3–5 days). No major complications occurred. Pre‐ and postoperative CCIS did not differ [1 (range 0–3.5)]. The postoperative SF‐12 score improved both in terms of the physical (33.6 ± 7.2 vs 50.8 ± 7.8; P < 0.001) and mental (32.6 ± 6.7 vs 56.3 ± 7.8; P < 0.001) components. FSFI improved from 19.5 ± 6.6 to 24.4 ± 6.3 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The Martius procedure should be considered as the first‐line method of treatment in carefully selected cases of LRVF.
Evaluating the impact of accounting for coral cover in large‐scale marine conservation prioritizations
Authors: Vercammen Ans , McGowan Jennifer , Knight Andrew T. , Pardede Shinta , Muttaqin Efin , Harris Jill , Ahmadia Gabby , Estradivari  , Dallison Thomas , Selig Elizabeth , Beger Maria
Published: July 2019

Aim

Mega‐diverse coral reef ecosystems are declining globally, necessitating conservation prioritizations to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services of sites with high functional integrity to promote persistence. In practice however, the design of marine‐protected area (MPA) systems often relies on broad classifications of habitat class and size, making the tacit assumption that all reefs are of comparable condition. We explored the impact of this assumption through a novel, pragmatic approach for incorporating variability in coral cover in a large‐scale regional spatial prioritization plan.

Location

The Coral Triangle.

Methods

We developed a spatially explicit predictive model of hard coral cover based on freely available macro‐ecological data to generate a complete regional map of coral cover as a proxy for reef condition. We then incorporate this information in spatial conservation prioritization software Marxan to design an MPA system that meets specific conservation objectives.

Results

We discover prioritizations using area‐based representation of reef habitat alone may overestimate the conservation benefit, defined as the amount of hard coral cover protected, by up to 64%. We find substantial differences in conservation priorities and an overall increase in habitat quality metrics when accounting for predicted coral cover.

Main conclusions

This study shows that including habitat condition in a large‐scale marine spatial prioritization is feasible within time and resource constraints, and calls for increased implementation, and evaluation, of such ecologically relevant planning approaches to enhance potential conservation effectiveness.
Sourcing Decisions under Conditions of Risk and Resilience: A Behavioral Study
Authors: Mena Carlos , Melnyk Steven A. , Baghersad Milad , Zobel Christopher W.
Published: July 2019

This article continues a recent trend of exploring the linkages between supply chain risk, resilience and decision‐making at an individual level. Specifically, the article reports the results of a behavioral study that explores whether and how the perceptions of supply chain risk and resilience influence the decisions made regarding the selection of a new source of critical components. The study uses a full factorial design for a scenario‐based role‐playing experiment involving over 1,000 valid responses drawn from multiple sampling pools including supply chain managers, students, and crowd‐sourced respondents. The results indicate that the perception of supply chain resilience—whether it is by systemic resilience communication, such as training or corporate pronouncements, or through personal exposure—significantly influences decision‐making, although personal exposure appears to have a stronger impact on the outcome. This relationship is significantly moderated by the risk propensity of the individual decision‐makers. The article concludes with a discussion of the results and their implication for both theory and practice. The discussion provides a framework for integrating the macro and micro levels by arguing that the micro issues can potentially moderate and mediate the relationships and findings observed at the macro level. Failure to integrate the micro effects can result in variance that the macro‐level analysis is unable to explain.
Relationship between pulmonary artery acceleration time and pulmonary artery pressures in infants
Authors: Gaulton Jessica S. , Mercer‐Rosa Laura M. , Glatz Andrew C. , Jensen Erik A. , Capone Valerie , Scott Courtney , Appel Scott M. , Stoller Jason Z. , Fraga María V.
Published: July 2019

Background

Pulmonary artery acceleration time measured by echocardiography inversely correlates with pulmonary artery pressures in adults and children older than 1 year of age. There is a paucity of data investigating this relationship in young children, particularly among preterm infants.

Objective

To characterize the relationship between pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT) and pulmonary artery pressures in infants.

Design/Methods

Patients ≤ 1 year of age at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 2011 and 2017 were reviewed. Infants with congenital heart disease were excluded, except those with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), atrial septal defect (ASD), or ventricular septal defect (VSD). Linear regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between PAAT measured by echocardiography and systolic pulmonary artery pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and indexed pulmonary vascular resistance from cardiac catheterization.

Results

Fifty‐seven infants were included, of which 61% were preterm and 49% had a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The median postmenstrual age and weight at catheterization were 51.1 weeks (IQR 35.8–67.9 weeks) and 4400 g (IQR 3100–6500 g), respectively. Forty‐four infants (77%) had a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). There was a weak inverse correlation between PAAT with mPAP (r = −0.35, P = 0.01), sPAP (r = −0.29, P = 0.03), and PVRi (r = −0.29, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

There is a weak inverse relationship between PAAT and pulmonary artery pressures. This relationship is less robust in our population of infants with a high incidence of PDAs compared to previous studies in older children. Thus, PAAT may be less clinically meaningful for diagnosing pulmonary arterial hypertension in infants, particularly those with PDAs.
Feasibility of myelosuppressive chemotherapy in psychiatric patients on clozapine: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Grainger Brian T. , Arcasoy Murat O. , Kenedi Christopher A.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Clozapine is the favoured antipsychotic for treatment‐refractory schizophrenia, but has a 1%‐2% incidence of agranulocytosis. Patients who require chemotherapy therefore pose a unique management dilemma for haematologists, oncologists and psychiatrists.

Methods

The Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched to identify reports describing use of clozapine concurrent with chemotherapy until 31 March 2019. The following terms (with variations) were used: neoplasm, cancer, tumour, malignancy, chemotherapy, antineoplastic and clozapine.

Results

Twenty‐seven cases were included after reviewing titles and abstracts for relevance. Fifteen patients had solid organ tumours, and 12 had haematological malignancies, including three who underwent autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AutoHSCT). Clozapine was continued in 14 cases (albeit dose reduced in 2), with a reported median neutropaenic nadir of 0.29 × 109/L (range 2.2 to <0.0 × 109/L). Clozapine was discontinued or substituted for another antipsychotic in the remaining 13 cases, all except one of whom experienced marked psychiatric deterioration. The only neutropenia‐related complication was one case of bacteraemia with high‐dose melphalan conditioning for AutoHSCT.

Conclusions

These findings argue in favour of clozapine continuation during chemotherapy. Further research is needed to develop guidance to minimise the risk of neutropenia‐related complications from concurrent treatment.
Serum sodium levels and related treatment‐emergent adverse events during eslicarbazepine acetate use in adults with epilepsy
Authors: Wechsler Robert T. , Radtke Rodney A. , Smith Michael , Vossler David G. , Strom Laura , Trinka Eugen , Cheng Hailong , Grinnell Todd , Blum David , Vieira Mariana , Moreira Joana , Rocha Francisco
Published: July 2019

Objective

To examine the frequency of hyponatremia and potentially related symptoms in clinical trials of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) in adults with focal‐ (partial‐) onset seizures.

Methods

This post hoc, exploratory analysis included data from three controlled phase 3 trials of adjunctive ESL (400‐1200 mg once daily), two phase 3 trials of ESL monotherapy (1200‐1600 mg once daily), and their open‐label extension studies. Exploratory endpoints included clinical laboratory measurements of serum sodium concentrations ([Na+]), incidences of hyponatremia‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs), and incidences of TEAEs that are potential symptoms of hyponatremia.

Results

The controlled trials of adjunctive ESL and ESL monotherapy included 1447 (placebo, n = 426; ESL, n = 1021) and 365 (ESL, n = 365) patients, respectively; 639 and 274 patients continued onto uncontrolled, open‐label extensions. In the controlled and uncontrolled trials ≤3.3% of patients taking ESL had a minimum postdose [Na+] measurement ≤125 mEq/L, <9% had a >10 mEq/L decrease in [Na+] from baseline, <6% had a hyponatremia‐related TEAE, and <2% discontinued the controlled trials due to a hyponatremia‐related TEAE. Hyponatremia appeared to be more frequent in the monotherapy (vs adjunctive therapy) trials; in the controlled trials of adjunctive ESL and ESL monotherapy, incidence generally increased with increasing ESL dose. The majority of patients with an investigator‐reported TEAE of “hyponatremia” or “blood sodium decreased” did not have a corresponding laboratory [Na+] measurement ≤125 mEq/L. Some symptoms potentially related to hyponatremia (including nausea and vomiting) were more frequent in patients with a minimum postdose [Na+] measurement ≤125 mEq/L.

Significance

Reductions in serum sodium concentrations and hyponatremia‐related TEAEs occurred in a small number of patients taking ESL. Suspected hyponatremia should be confirmed and monitored via [Na+] measurements.
Status epilepticus in Auckland, New Zealand: Incidence, etiology, and outcomes
Authors: Bergin Peter S. , Brockington Alice , Jayabal Jayaganth , Scott Shona , Litchfield Rhonda , Roberts Lynair , Timog Jerelyn , Beilharz Erica , Dalziel Stuart R. , Jones Peter , Yates Kim , Thornton Vanessa , Walker Elizabeth B. , Davis Suzanne , Te Ao Braden , Parmar Priya , Beghi Ettore , Rossetti Andrea O. , Feigin Valery
Published: July 2019

Objective

To determine the incidence, etiology, and outcome of status epilepticus (SE) in Auckland, New Zealand, using the latest International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) SE semiological classification.

Methods

We prospectively identified patients presenting to the public or major private hospitals in Auckland (population = 1.61 million) between April 6, 2015 and April 5, 2016 with a seizure lasting 10 minutes or longer, with retrospective review to confirm completeness of data capture. Information was recorded in the EpiNet database.

Results

A total of 477 episodes of SE occurred in 367 patients. Fifty‐one percent of patients were aged <15 years. SE with prominent motor symptoms comprised 81% of episodes (387/477). Eighty‐four episodes (18%) were nonconvulsive SE. Four hundred fifty episodes occurred in 345 patients who were resident in Auckland. The age‐adjusted incidence of 10‐minute SE episodes and patients was 29.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 27.34‐31.27) and 22.22 (95% CI = 20.57‐23.99)/100 000/year, respectively. SE lasted 30 minutes or longer in 250 (56%) episodes; age‐adjusted incidence was 15.95 (95% CI = 14.56‐17.45) SE episodes/100 000/year and 12.92 (95% CI = 11.67‐14.27) patients/100 000/year. Age‐adjusted incidence (10‐minute SE) was 25.54 (95% CI = 23.06‐28.24) patients/100 000/year for males and 19.07 (95% CI = 16.91‐21.46) patients/100 000/year for females. The age‐adjusted incidence of 10‐minute SE was higher in Māori (29.31 [95% CI = 23.52‐37.14]/100 000/year) and Pacific Islanders (26.55 [95% CI = 22.05‐31.99]/100 000/year) than in patients of European (19.13 [95% CI = 17.09‐21.37]/100 000/year) or Asian/other descent (17.76 [95% CI = 14.73‐21.38]/100 000/year). Seventeen of 367 patients in the study died within 30 days of the episode of SE; 30‐day mortality was 4.6%.

Significance

In this population‐based study, incidence and mortality of SE in Auckland lie in the lower range when compared to North America and Europe. For pragmatic reasons, we only included convulsive SE if episodes lasted 10 minutes or longer, although the 2015 ILAE SE classification was otherwise practical and easy to use.
Equine cheek tooth extraction: Comparison of outcomes for five extraction methods
Authors: Caramello V. , Zarucco L. , Foster D. , Boston R. , Stefanovski D. , Orsini J. A.
Published: July 2019

Background

Post‐operative complications are reported for all methods of equine cheek tooth extraction but not all methods carry the same risks. An outcome comparison for commonly used methods is needed so that clinicians can make informed treatment decisions.

Objectives

We conducted a side‐by‐side comparison of five cheek tooth extraction methods, comparing types and incidence of complications among oral extraction, tooth repulsion (three surgical approaches) and lateral buccotomy techniques.

Study design

Retrospective clinical study using hospital medical records.

Methods

Medical records of all horses undergoing cheek tooth extraction between 1997 and 2013 were reviewed. Logistic regression was used to determine the likelihood of various post‐operative complications, comparing oral extraction, tooth repulsion by maxillary and mandibular trephination or maxillary sinus bone flap, and lateral buccotomy.

Results

The study included 137 horses and 162 cheek teeth extractions. Oral extraction was successful in 71% of patients in which it was attempted. Oral extraction (n = 55) had the lowest incidence of complications (20%) and repulsion by sinus bone flap (n = 20) the highest (80%). Complication rates for repulsion by maxillary (n = 19) and mandibular trephination (n = 28), and extraction by lateral buccotomy (n = 15) were 42, 54 and 53%, respectively. Cheek tooth repulsion by sinus bone flap significantly increased the odds of damage to adjacent teeth, post‐operative sinusitis, damage to alveolar bone, delayed alveolar granulation and orosinus fistulation. Repulsion by maxillary trephination significantly increased the odds of superficial incisional surgical site infection; and extraction by lateral buccotomy significantly increased the odds of facial nerve neuropraxia. Post‐operative pyrexia was more common in all repulsion methods.

Main limitations

Some clinically relevant differences may have been missed due to small group numbers in several categories.

Conclusions

Oral extraction was associated with fewer post‐operative complications than any other methods. Standing oral extraction remains the preferred choice, and recent surgical advances promise to further improve its success rate.
Cholesterol homeostasis: Links to hair follicle biology and hair disorders
Authors: Palmer Megan A. , Blakeborough Liam , Harries Matthew , Haslam Iain S.
Published: July 2019

Lipids and lipid metabolism are critical factors in hair follicle (HF) biology, and cholesterol has long been suspected of influencing hair growth. Altered cholesterol homeostasis is involved in the pathogenesis of primary cicatricial alopecia, mutations in a cholesterol transporter are associated with congenital hypertrichosis, and dyslipidaemia has been linked to androgenic alopecia. The underlying molecular mechanisms by which cholesterol influences pathways involved in proliferation and differentiation within HF cell populations remain largely unknown. As such, expanding our knowledge of the role for cholesterol in regulating these processes is likely to provide new leads in the development of treatments for disorders of hair growth and cycling. This review describes the current state of knowledge with respect to cholesterol homeostasis in the HF along with known and putative links to hair pathologies.
Humanized mice in cutaneous leishmaniasis—Suitability analysis of human PBMC transfer into immunodeficient mice
Authors: Fischer Michael R. , Schermann Anja I. , Twelkmeyer Trix , Lorenz Beate , Wegner Joanna , Jonuleit Helmut , von Stebut Esther
Published: July 2019

Humanized mice represent a suitable preclinical test system for example therapeutic interventions in various disease settings, including infections. Here, we intended to establish such system for cutaneous leishmaniasis by infecting T, B and NK cell‐deficient mice adoptively transferred with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). L major infection led to the establishment of parasite lesions harbouring viable parasites and human T cells, but parasite elimination was not seen due to a species‐specific activity of T cell‐derived human IFNγ. In addition, up to 50% of infected mice succumbed to severe graft‐versus‐host disease. In summary, even though long‐term disease outcome assessments are impossible, this model of humanized mice can be used for studying lesion development and generation of oligoclonal anti‐parasite human T cell responses in vivo.
Inhibition of cyclin‐dependent kinase activity exacerbates H2O2‐induced DNA damage in Kindler syndrome keratinocytes
Authors: Emmert Hila , Culley Jayne , Brunton Valerie G.
Published: July 2019

Kindler syndrome (KS) is an autosomal recessive skin disorder characterized by skin blistering and photosensitivity. KS is caused by loss of function mutations in FERMT1, which encodes Kindlin‐1. Kindlin‐1 is a FERM domain containing adaptor protein that is found predominantly at cell‐extracellular matrix adhesions where it binds to integrin β subunits and is required for efficient integrin activation. Using keratinocytes derived from a patient with KS, into which wild‐type Kindlin‐1 (Kin1WT) has been expressed, we show that Kindlin‐1 binds to cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK)1 and CDK2. CDK1 and CDK2 are key regulators of cell cycle progression, however, cell cycle analysis showed only small differences between the KS and KS‐Kin1WT keratinocytes. In contrast, G2/M cell cycle arrest in response to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was enhanced in KS keratinocytes but not KS‐Kin1WT cells, following inhibition of CDK activity. Furthermore, KS keratinocytes were more sensitive to DNA damage in response to H2O2 and this was exacerbated by treatment with the CDK inhibitor roscovitine. Thus, in Kindlin‐1 deficient keratinocytes, CDK activity can further regulate oxidative damage induced cell cycle arrest and DNA damage. This provides further insight into the key pathways that control sensitivity to oxidative stress in KS patients.