bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prompt Referral in the Nonoperative Treatment of Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Injuries
Authors: Azzi Alain Joe , Aubin-Lemay Camille , Kvann Julie Chakriya , Retrouvey Helene , Aldekhayel Salah , Zadeh Teanoosh
Published: December 2017

Background:

Prompt physical and occupational therapy is crucial in managing nonsurgical candidates with obstetrical brachial plexus injuries (OBPI). The objective of our study was to identify newborns suffering from nonoperative OBPI in need of a “fast-track” evaluation by a multidisciplinary team.

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of patients with OBPI from June 1995 to June 2015. All nonsurgical candidates (Narakas class 1) were included in the study. The Gilbert score and the Medical Research Council grading system were used to measure shoulder and elbow function, respectively. The relationship between shoulder and elbow functional outcomes and time delay to consultation was studied using analysis of variance and Welch’s tests. Various subgroups were studied based on OBPI risk factors: maternal diabetes, birth weight >4 kg, use of forceps, asphyxia, multiple comorbidities, and Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes.

Results:

A total of 168 patients were included in this study. Mean follow-up time was 313.8 weeks (minimum: 52; maximum: 1072; SD: 228.1). A total of 19 patients had an Apgar scores <7 at 5 minutes. Time delay between birth and the first consult to our clinic had an impact on shoulder outcome in the subgroup of newborns with Apgar scores <7 at 5 minutes.

Conclusions:

The subgroup of newborns with an Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes shows improved long-term shoulder function when promptly examined by an OBPI clinic. We recommend a “fast-track” referral for this time-sensitive population.
Decreased Acute Otitis Media With Treatment Failure After Introduction of the Ten-valent Pneumococcal Haemophilus influenzae Protein D Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Eythorsson Elias , Hrafnkelsson Birgir , Erlendsdóttir Helga , Gudmundsson Sigmar Atli , Kristinsson Karl G. , Haraldsson Ásgeir
Published: December 2017

Background:

Acute otitis media (AOM) nonresponsive to antibiotics is most commonly caused by antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. A strategy for treating these infections with parenteral ceftriaxone was adopted at the Children’s Hospital Iceland. The 10-valent pneumococcal H. influenzae protein D-conjugate vaccine was introduced into the vaccination program in Iceland in 2011. The aim was to study its effect on the incidence of AOM with treatment failure.

Methods:

This retrospective observational study included children who visited the Children’s Hospital Iceland because of AOM or received ceftriaxone, regardless of indication from 2008–2015. Incidence rate was calculated for prevaccine (2008–2011) and postvaccine (2012–2015) periods using person-years at risk within the hospital’s referral region. Incidence rate ratio of ceftriaxone treatment episodes of AOM was calculated using the Mantel–Haenzel method adjusting for age. Incidence risk ratio of ceftriaxone treatment if presenting to the hospital with AOM was calculated to adjust for rate of AOM visits.

Results:

Visits for AOM decreased from 47.5 to 33.9 visits per 1000 person-years, incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.91), P < 0.001. Fewer AOM episodes were treated with ceftriaxone, decreasing from 6.49 to 2.96 treatment episodes per 1000 person-years, with an overall Mantel–Haenzel adjusted IRR 0.45 (95% CI: 0.37–0.54; P < 0.001). This remained significant after adjusting for the decrease in AOM visits, IRR 0.53 (95% CI: 0.44–0.63; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Visits for AOM and ceftriaxone use decreased significantly after H. influenzae protein D-conjugate vaccine introduction. The observed decrease in ceftriaxone use is presumed to represent a decline in AOM with treatment failure, secondary to a decrease in resistant infections.
Depth of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 3 in Peruvian Women: Implications for Therapeutic Depth of Necrosis
Authors: Taxa Luis , Jeronimo Jose , Alonzo Todd A. , Gage Julia , Castle Philip E. , Cremer Miriam L. , Felix Juan C.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To determine the involvement of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) in a population of women in a lower-resource setting.

Methods

One hundred twelve consecutive cone excision specimens with histological diagnosis of CIN3 were retrieved from the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases in Lima Peru. Two pathologists independently evaluated each specimen microscopically and confirmed 107 cases that could be measured by optical micrometry. Depth and breadth of the lesions were measured microscopically.

Results

The mean maximal depth of cervical involvement by CIN3 was 2 ± 0.13 mm; depth was less than 3.5 mm in 89.7% of cases and less than 5 mm in 93.5%. Mean breadth of CIN3 was 7.3 ± 4.4 mm; breadth was less than 15.9 mm in 95% of cases and less than 20.5 mm in 99.7%. The correlation coefficient between breadth and depth of CIN3 was 0.61. No significant correlation was found between age and depth.

Conclusions

Depth of CIN3 involvement in a developing country is significantly deeper than that reported in the United States. Treatment selection for women with CIN3 and risk of treatment failure may vary between developing and developed countries because of the difference in the depth of lesions. Countries with underscreened populations need to consider the increased disease severity in devising treatment strategies.
Impact of Trainee Involvement in Cervical Excision Procedures: Does Trainee Involvement Impact Quality?
Authors: Sullivan Stephanie A. , Clark Leslie H. , West Lindsay M. , Myrick Katie S. , Tran Arthur-Quan , Soper John T. , Rahangdale Lisa
Published: December 2017

Objective

Cervical excision procedures are essential to the care of cervical dysplasia and malignancy. We sought to determine whether learner involvement in cervical excision procedures affects the quality of excision specimen.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective cohort study of cervical cancer patients diagnosed from July 1, 2000, to July 1, 2015, was performed. We included patients who had (1) a cervical excision procedure, either loop electrosurgical excision procedure or cold knife cone, and (2) pathologic information available. Primary outcome was the margin status of the specimen; secondary outcome was the size of the excision specimen including both width and depth. The exposure of interest was trainee participation, defined as resident physicians under the supervision of either a gynecologist or gynecologic oncologist. Descriptive statistics and general linear models were used for analysis.

Results

Ninety-four patients were identified. Overall, 58% (n = 54) of procedures were performed with trainee involvement. There was no difference in age, body mass index, or specimen width between trainee-performed and nontrainee-performed excisions. There was no significant difference in the status of margins with or without a trainee [44/57 (77%) and 29/37 (78%), respectively, p = .89]. There was a statistically significant difference in median specimen depth between trainee-performed and nontrainee-performed cases (15.4 mm vs 12 mm, p < .02). When adjusting for age, body mass index, excision type, indication, presence of trainee, and type of supervising physician, only the indication and type of excision were associated with greater depth of excision, (p < .01).

Conclusions

Trainee involvement in cervical excision procedures does not alter the quality of excision specimen.
The diversification of inequality
Authors: Brynin Malcolm , Longhi Simonetta , Zwysen Wouter
Published: December 2017

We examine intersectionality on the basis of increasingly complex interactions between gender and ethnic groups, which we argue derive from the growing diversity of these groups. While we critique the concept of superdiversity, we suggest that increased diversity leads to a ‘diversification of inequality’. This is characterised by an increasing incidence of inequality through the growth in migration and of the size and variety of ethnic minorities, and by a weakening of specific inequalities. We demonstrate this using the Labour Force Survey and conclude that there is a clear diversification of inequality but also that ethnicity is a more potent source of inequality than gender. Diversity also increases the reach of inequality through producing and increasing the number of intersections.
Intracoronary Thrombus Formation Following Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Authors: Caron‐Cantin Marilou , Abbott Marcia , Brooks‐Lim Elizabeth , Adeagbo Bamidele
Published: December 2017

Thromboembolic events in the context of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure have been well described in the literature. Six cases of clinically significant coronary thrombosis following CO exposure were previously reported. However, factors affecting the development of coronary thrombus in CO exposure are poorly understood, and the significance of this finding in a forensic context is not clear. This article discusses a case of coronary thrombosis found at autopsy following a death in which CO poisoning was suspected. A 67‐year‐old man was found dead in his garage with four vehicles with their ignition in the “on” position and their tanks empty. At autopsy, severe coronary atherosclerosis and an acute nonocclusive coronary thrombus were found. Given the dissimilarities among cases and the presence of CO exposure, it was suggested that the coronary artery thrombosis is likely due to the inherent prothrombotic mechanism of CO, the only common denominator in all the cases.
Occupational Segregation and Gender Wage Differentials: Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Rahmah , Farhadi Maryam , Wye Chung‐Khain
Published: December 2017

In Malaysia, the participation of women in the labor market has increased over time. However, occupational segregation and wage differentials continue to be prevalent between men and women in the labor market. The present paper investigates gender‐related occupational segregation and wage differentials based on data collected from 7135 working households in Peninsular Malaysia in 2011. The wage decomposition model introduced by Brown et al. (1980) is used to examine the determinants of gender‐related wage differentials. The results suggest that differences within occupations account for the largest portion of the wage gap between men and women. The results also indicate that wage discrimination within occupations plays an important role in the gender wage gap, while sample selection bias plays an important role in the examination of gender wage gaps.
An incidental finding of an asymptomatic intraneural glomus tumor: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Muthiah Siobhan , Hussain Rima , Stefanos Niki , Husain Akhtar
Published: December 2017

Glomus tumors are rare, soft‐tissue neoplasms arising from the thermoregulatory neuromyoarterial glomus bodies. They are commonly observed in the extremities and typically present with symptoms of cold hypersensitivity, pain and localized tenderness. Intraneural glomus tumors (INGTs) are even rarer. Here we review the literature on INGT and present an unusual case of an asymptomatic INGT, found incidentally within the excision specimen of a spiradenocarcinoma that arose near the natal cleft. Interestingly, this had not been identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to investigate the spiradenocarcinoma. Although glomus tumors are usually considered benign, malignant transformation has been reported, highlighting the need for reporting pathologists and treating clinicians to be aware of this entity.
Comparative efficacy of antiepileptic drugs in children and adolescents: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Rosati Anna , Ilvento Lucrezia , Lucenteforte Ersilia , Pugi Alessandra , Crescioli Giada , McGreevy Kathleen S. , Virgili Gianni , Mugelli Alessandro , De Masi Salvatore , Guerrini Renzo
Published: December 2017

Objective

To estimate the comparative efficacy among antiepileptic drugs in the pediatric population (0‐18 years).

Methods

Using the Embase and MEDLINE databases, we updated to February 2017 the search strategy of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for epilepsy. We only included randomized clinical trials conducted in children and mixed‐age populations. According to the PRISMA network meta‐analysis guideline, the study‐level quality assessment was made with the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool. Three investigators independently selected articles. The efficacy outcome was considered to be seizure freedom or ≥50% seizure reduction.

Results

We selected 46 randomized clinical trials. A total of 5652 individuals were randomized to 22 antiepileptic drugs and placebo. The point estimates of carbamazepine and lamotrigine efficacy showed their superiority with respect to all comparator antiepileptic drugs for the treatment of newly diagnosed focal epilepsy. In refractory focal epilepsy, levetiracetam (odds ratio [OR] = 3.3, 95% credible interval [CrI] = 1.3‐7.6) and perampanel (OR = 2.5, 95% CrI = 1.1‐5.8) were more effective compared to placebo. Ethosuximide and valproic acid were both superior to lamotrigine against absence seizures. The OR point estimate showed the superiority of adrenocorticotropic hormone over all comparators in infantile spasms. A wide heterogeneity in the length of follow‐up was observed among the studies.

Significance

This network meta‐analysis suggests that the quality of studies should be improved through the use of comparative designs, relevant outcomes, appropriate follow‐up length, and more reliable inclusion criteria.
Folliculotropism in pigmented facial macules: Differential diagnosis with reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Persechino Flavia , De Carvalho Nathalie , Ciardo Silvana , De Pace Barbara , Casari Alice , Chester Johanna , Kaleci Shaniko , Stanganelli Ignazio , Longo Caterina , Farnetani Francesca , Pellacani Giovanni
Published: December 2017

Pigmented facial macules are common on sun damage skin. The diagnosis of early stage lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) is challenging. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been proven to increase diagnostic accuracy of facial lesions. A total of 154 pigmented facial macules, retrospectively collected, were evaluated for the presence of already‐described RCM features and new parameters depicting aspects of the follicle. Melanocytic nests, roundish pagetoid cells, follicular infiltration, bulgings from the follicles and many bright dendrites and infiltration of the hair follicle (ie, folliculotropism) were found to be indicative of LM/LMM compared to non‐melanocytic skin neoplasms (NMSNs), with an overall sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 83%. Concerning NMSNs, solar lentigo and lichen planus‐like keratosis resulted better distinguishable from LM/LMM because usually lacking malignant features and presenting characteristic diagnostic parameters, such as epidermal cobblestone pattern and polycyclic papillary contours. On the other hand, distinction of pigmented actinic keratosis (PAK) resulted more difficult, and needing evaluation of hair follicle infiltration and bulging structures, due to the frequent observation of few bright dendrites in the epidermis, but predominantly not infiltrating the hair follicle (estimated specificity for PAK 53%). A detailed evaluation of the components of the folliculotropism may help to improve the diagnostic accuracy. The classification of the type, distribution and amount of cells, and the presence of bulging around the follicles seem to represent important tools for the differentiation between PAK and LM/LMM at RCM analysis.
Impact of Local Groundwater Flow Model Errors on Transport and a Practical Solution for the Issue
Authors: Panday Sorab , Bedekar Vivek , Langevin Christian D.
Published: December 2017

A groundwater flow model is typically used to provide the flow field for conducting groundwater solute transport simulations. The advection term of the mass conserved formulation for groundwater transport assumes that the flow field is perfectly balanced and that all water flowing into a numerical grid cell is exactly balanced by outflows after accounting for sources/sinks or internal storage. However, in many complicated regional or site‐scale models, there may be localized flow balance errors that may be difficult to eliminate through tighter flow convergence tolerances due to simulation time constraints or numerical limits on convergence tolerances. Thus, if water is erroneously gained or lost within a grid cell during the flow computation, the solutes within it will also be numerically affected in the associated transport simulation. Transport solutions neglect this error in groundwater flow as the transport equations that are solved assume no error in flow. This flow imbalance error can however have consequences on the transport solution ranging from unnoticeable errors in the resulting concentrations to spurious oscillations that can grow in time and hinder further solution. An approach has been suggested here, to explicitly handle these flow imbalances during mass conserved advective transport computations and report them in the corresponding transport mass balance output, as corrections that are needed to handle errors originating in the flow solution. Example problems are provided to explain the concepts and demonstrate the impacts.
Circulating levels of miR‐122 and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in pre‐pubertal obese children
Authors: Brandt S. , Roos J. , Inzaghi E. , Kotnik P. , Kovac J. , Battelino T. , Cianfarani S. , Nobili V. , Colajacomo M. , Kratzer W. , Denzer C. , Fischer‐Posovszky P. , Wabitsch M.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The liver‐specific miR‐122 was proposed as biomarker for NAFLD in adults. Here, we investigated the relationship between miR‐122 levels, parameters of liver metabolism and NAFLD in pre‐pubertal obese children.

Methods

Parameters of liver metabolism (ALT, AST and GGT) of three European cohorts were included (German cohort [n = 71; age: 11.53 ± 1.29 years; BMI z‐score: 2.96 ± 0.64], Italian cohort [n = 45; age: 9.60 ± 2.11 years; BMI z‐score: 3.57 ± 1.16], Slovenian cohort [n = 31; age: 7.53 ± 1.47 years; BMI z‐score: 3.66 ± 0.88]). MiR‐122 levels and CK18 concentrations were measured in fasting blood samples. In the German and Italian cohort, the diagnosis of NAFLD and grading of NAFLD was assessed by ultrasound.

Results

NAFLD was diagnosed in n = 50 patients of the German cohort (29.6%) and in n = 29 patients (72.5%) of the Italian cohort. In all three cohorts, miR‐122 was positively correlated with ALT and AST as well as with CK18 concentrations. MiR‐122 levels were higher in children with NAFLD compared with healthy controls.

Conclusions

MiR‐122 levels in pre‐pubertal obese children could be a potential biomarker for paediatric NAFLD.
GIMDA: Graphlet interaction‐based MiRNA‐disease association prediction
Authors: Chen Xing , Guan Na‐Na , Li Jian‐Qiang , Yan Gui‐Ying
Published: December 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been confirmed to be closely related to various human complex diseases by many experimental studies. It is necessary and valuable to develop powerful and effective computational models to predict potential associations between miRNAs and diseases. In this work, we presented a prediction model of Graphlet Interaction for MiRNA‐Disease Association prediction (GIMDA) by integrating the disease semantic similarity, miRNA functional similarity, Gaussian interaction profile kernel similarity and the experimentally confirmed miRNA‐disease associations. The related score of a miRNA to a disease was calculated by measuring the graphlet interactions between two miRNAs or two diseases. The novelty of GIMDA lies in that we used graphlet interaction to analyse the complex relationships between two nodes in a graph. The AUCs of GIMDA in global and local leave‐one‐out cross‐validation (LOOCV) turned out to be 0.9006 and 0.8455, respectively. The average result of five‐fold cross‐validation reached to 0.8927 ± 0.0012. In case study for colon neoplasms, kidney neoplasms and prostate neoplasms based on the database of HMDD V2.0, 45, 45, 41 of the top 50 potential miRNAs predicted by GIMDA were validated by dbDEMC and miR2Disease. Additionally, in the case study of new diseases without any known associated miRNAs and the case study of predicting potential miRNA‐disease associations using HMDD V1.0, there were also high percentages of top 50 miRNAs verified by the experimental literatures.
Proinflammatory cytokines as serum biomarker in oral carcinoma—A prospective multi‐biomarker approach
Authors: Schiegnitz Eik , Kämmerer Peer W. , Schön Holger , Blatt Sebastian , Berres Manfred , Sagheb Keyvan , Al‐Nawas Bilal
Published: December 2017

Background

Inflammation and cell‐mediated immunity have a key role in different stages of carcinogenesis. The aim of this prospective study was to assess serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), soluble interleukin‐2 receptor (sIL‐2R), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and MHC class I polypeptide‐related sequence B (MICB) in patients with oral premalignant lesion (OPL), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and healthy controls in a multi‐biomarker approach as a potential diagnostic and prognostic tool for OSCC.

Material and Methods

A total of 205 patients (81 with OSCC, 75 with OPL, and 49 healthy controls) were included in this prospective study. Cytokine concentrations were measured by commercial enzyme linked immunoassay and chemiluminescence immunoassay.

Results

IL‐6, IL‐8, and sIL‐2R were significantly elevated in OSCC patients compared to healthy controls and to OPL patients. Higher T‐Grade (>T2) and positive lymph node involvement resulted in significantly higher IL‐6 values (P < .001 and P = .037). IL‐6 serum values ≥5 pg/mL (n = 45) and sIL‐2R serum values ≥623 U/mL (n = 19) indicated a significant lower survival rate compared to OSCC patients with low IL‐6 (n = 36) and sIL‐2R values (n = 62, P = .023 and P = .026). ROC and classification tree analyses identified the combination of IL‐6 and IL‐8 as diagnostic markers with good diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, IL‐6, IL‐8, and sIL‐2R are strongly associated with OSCC oncogenesis and IL‐6 and sIL‐2R seem to be promising and potent biomarkers for evaluating patients' prognosis.
Increased recurrence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma after DAA therapy in a hepatitis C‐infected Egyptian cohort: A comparative analysis
Authors: El Kassas M. , Funk A. L. , Salaheldin M. , Shimakawa Y. , Eltabbakh M. , Jean K. , El Tahan A. , Sweedy A. T. , Afify S. , Youssef N. F. , Esmat G. , Fontanet A.
Published: December 2017

In Egypt, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of cancer and direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) are administered on a large scale to patients with chronic HCV infection to reduce the risk. In this unique setting, we aimed to determine the association of DAA exposure with early‐phase HCC recurrence in patients with a history of HCV‐related liver cancer. This was a prospective cohort study of an HCV‐infected population from one Egyptian specialized HCC management centre starting from the time of successful HCC intervention. The incidence rates of HCC recurrence between DAA‐exposed and nonexposed patients were compared, starting from date of HCC complete radiological response and censoring after 2 years. DAA exposure was treated as time varying. Two Poisson regressions models were used to control for potential differences in the exposed and nonexposed group; multivariable adjustment and balancing using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). We included 116 patients: 53 treated with DAAs and 63 not treated with DAAs. There was 37.7% and 25.4% recurrence in each group after a median of 16.0 and 23.0 months of follow‐up, respectively. Poisson regression using IPTW demonstrated an association between DAAs and HCC recurrence with an incidence rate ratio of 3.83 (95% CI: 2.02‐7.25), which was similar in the multivariable‐adjusted model and various sensitivity analyses. These results add important evidence towards the possible role of DAAs in HCC recurrence and stress the need for further mechanistic studies and clinical trials to accurately confirm this role and to identify patient characteristics that may be associated with this event.
Conjugative transposition of the vancomycin resistance carrying Tn1549: enzymatic requirements and target site preferences
Authors: Lambertsen Lotte , Rubio‐Cosials Anna , Patil Kiran Raosaheb , Barabas Orsolya
Published: December 2017

Rapid spread of resistance to vancomycin has generated difficult to treat bacterial pathogens worldwide. Though vancomycin resistance is often conferred by the conjugative transposon Tn1549, it is yet unclear whether Tn1549 moves actively between bacteria. Here we demonstrate, through development of an in vivo assay system, that a mini‐Tn1549 can transpose in E. coli away from its natural Gram‐positive host. We find the transposon‐encoded INT enzyme and its catalytic tyrosine Y380 to be essential for transposition. A second Tn1549 protein, XIS is important for efficient and accurate transposition. We further show that DNA flanking the left transposon end is critical for excision, with changes to nucleotides 7 and 9 impairing movement. These mutations could be partially compensated for by changing the final nucleotide of the right transposon end, implying concerted excision of the two ends. With changes in these essential DNA sequences, or without XIS, a large amount of flanking DNA transposes with Tn1549. This rescues mobility and allows the transposon to capture and transfer flanking genomic DNA. We further identify the transposon integration target sites as TTTT‐N6‐AAAA. Overall, our results provide molecular insights into conjugative transposition and the adaptability of Tn1549 for efficient antibiotic resistance transfer.
Genome‐wide association mapping in Arabidopsis identifies novel genes underlying quantitative disease resistance to Alternaria brassicae
Authors: Rajarammohan Sivasubramanian , Pradhan Akshay Kumar , Pental Deepak , Kaur Jagreet
Published: December 2017

Quantitative disease resistance (QDR) is the predominant form of resistance against necrotrophic pathogens. The genes and mechanisms underlying QDR are not well known. In the current study, the Arabidopsis–Alternaria brassicae pathosystem was used to uncover the genetic architecture underlying resistance to A. brassicae in a set of geographically diverse Arabidopsis accessions. Arabidopsis accessions revealed a rich variation in the host responses to the pathogen, varying from complete resistance to high susceptibility. Genome‐wide association (GWA) mapping revealed multiple regions to be associated with disease resistance. A subset of genes prioritized on the basis of gene annotations and evidence of transcriptional regulation in other biotic stresses was analysed using a reverse genetics approach employing T‐DNA insertion mutants. The mutants of three genes, namely At1g06990 (GDSL‐motif lipase), At3g25180 (CYP82G1) and At5g37500 (GORK), displayed an enhanced susceptibility relative to the wild‐type. These genes are involved in the development of morphological phenotypes (stomatal aperture) and secondary metabolite synthesis, thus defining some of the diverse facets of quantitative resistance against A. brassicae.
Autopsy and biopsy study of paracoccidioidomycosis and neuroparacoccidioidomycosis with and without HIV co‐infection
Authors: de Almeida Sergio Monteiro , Roza Thiago Henrique , Salvador Gabriel L.O. , Izycki Luís Felipe , Locatelli Giuliana , Santos Isaias dos , Aragão Afonso , Torres Luis Fernando Bleggi , de Noronha Lucia Helena
Published: December 2017

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis prevalent among immunocompetent patients in Latin America. This study aimed to describe the frequency, demographics and clinical characteristics of central nervous system PCM (NPCM) and PCM in an endemic region, and the impact of human immunosuppression virus (HIV) co‐infection. This was a retrospective study of autopsy and biopsy reports from the Medical Pathology Section of the Hospital de Clinicas, UFPR, Curitiba, Southern Brazil, between 1951 and 2014. PCM was present in 0.1% of 378,323 cases examined, with 5.7% being NPCM. Infection was prevalent in working‐age men, agricultural workers and rural residents. Numbers of HIV autopsy cases increased over time, while those of PCM cases decreased. Prevalence of co‐infection of HIV/PCM and HIV/NPCM was 1.6%, and 0.4%, respectively. Adrenals were affected more frequently in the NPCM group compared with the PCM group. Mortality was higher on NPCM group. The clinical course of PCM in HIV patients resembles an acute/sub‐acute infection. Association of NPCM and HIV is rare, while diagnosis of NPCM is difficult, it should be considered a differential diagnosis in HIV patients who live in, or have visited, endemic areas and present with neurological symptoms.
Effects of loading on chondrocyte hypoxia, HIF‐1α and VEGF in the mandibular condylar cartilage of young rats
Authors: Yu J. , Liang F. , Huang H. , Pirttiniemi P. , Yu D.
Published: December 2017

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To investigate hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha (HIF‐1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression under altered loading, and to explore the relationship between loading and hypoxia in the mandibular condylar cartilage of young rats.

Setting and Sample Population

Eighty Sprague‐Dawley rats.

Material and Methods

The reduced loading group was fed soft food, and their incisors were cut to avoid occlusal contact. The increased loading group was fed hard food and had forced jaw‐opening. Ten rats from each group (n = 10) were sacrificed at 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours after initiation of the experiment. Pimonidazole hydrochloride (Hypoxyprobe‐1, HP‐1) was used as a hypoxia marker to confirm the hypoxic state. Hypoxic chondrocytes as indicated by HP‐1, HIF‐1α and VEGF protein expressions were recognized by immunohistochemical detection. HIF‐1α and VEGF mRNA expressions were detected by semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR.

Results

Hypoxyprobe‐1 was confined in the upper layers of cartilage, and was most strongly expressed in the weight‐bearing area of TMJ at 12 and 96 hours. Staining of HIF‐1α and VEGF was most strongly expressed in the chondrocytes of the fibrous and proliferative layer at all time points. Furthermore, expressions were also displayed in the hypertrophic and calcified layers at 48 and 96 hours. The expressions of HIF‐1α and VEGF mRNA were higher in the increased loading group than in the reduced loading group at 48 and 96 hours (P < . 05).

Conclusion

Mechanical loading seems to directly induce weight‐bearing area hypoxia followed by new vessel formation, which indicates that these factors are related and important for the development of cartilage.
The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genome provides insights into fruit quality and ovule developmental biology
Authors: Yuan Zhaohe , Fang Yanming , Zhang Taikui , Fei Zhangjun , Han Fengming , Liu Cuiyu , Liu Min , Xiao Wei , Zhang Wenjing , Wu Shan , Zhang Mengwei , Ju Youhui , Xu Huili , Dai He , Liu Yujun , Chen Yanhui , Wang Lili , Zhou Jianqing , Guan Dian , Yan Ming , Xia Yanhua , Huang Xianbin , Liu Dongyuan , Wei Hongmin , Zheng Hongkun
Published: December 2017

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has an ancient cultivation history and has become an emerging profitable fruit crop due to its attractive features such as the bright red appearance and the high abundance of medicinally valuable ellagitannin‐based compounds in its peel and aril. However, the limited genomic resources have restricted further elucidation of genetics and evolution of these interesting traits. Here, we report a 274‐Mb high‐quality draft pomegranate genome sequence, which covers approximately 81.5% of the estimated 336‐Mb genome, consists of 2177 scaffolds with an N50 size of 1.7 Mb and contains 30 903 genes. Phylogenomic analysis supported that pomegranate belongs to the Lythraceae family rather than the monogeneric Punicaceae family, and comparative analyses showed that pomegranate and Eucalyptus grandis share the paleotetraploidy event. Integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of ellagitannin‐based compounds, the colour formation in both peels and arils during pomegranate fruit development, and the unique ovule development processes that are characteristic of pomegranate. This genome sequence provides an important resource to expand our understanding of some unique biological processes and to facilitate both comparative biology studies and crop breeding.
Who do you care about? Scientists’ personality traits and perceived impact on beneficiaries
Authors: Azagra‐Caro Joaquín M. , Llopis Oscar
Published: December 2017

We investigate the roots of scientists' perceptions of the impact of their work by examining stable psychological characteristics such as personality traits. An analysis of personality traits highlights the effects of policies related to gender equality, allocation of research time and skills acquisition. It improves our understanding of the conflicts related to scientists’ perceptions of the impact of their research on beneficiaries. For example, conscientiousness increases the perceived impact on clinical beneficiaries, but reduces the perceived impact on industrial beneficiaries. Organizational scientific freedom increases the effects of personality traits on perceived impact on beneficiaries such that scientists affiliated to a university are less likely than colleagues working in other research settings to perceive the simultaneous impact of their work on both industrial and clinical beneficiaries.
Importance of oesophageal ultrasound in mediastinal staging of lung cancer
Authors: Naur Therese Maria Henriette , Clementsen Paul F. , Christiansen Ida S. , Konge Lars
Published: December 2017

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Muscle damage protective effect by two maximal isometric contractions on maximal eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors of the contralateral arm
Authors: Chen T. C. , Lin M. J. , Chen H. L. , Lai J. H. , Yu H. I. , Nosaka K.
Published: December 2017

Muscle damage after 30 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors (30MVEC) is reduced when the same exercise is performed by the opposite arm, and when two maximal voluntary isometric contractions at a long muscle length (2MVIC) are performed prior to 30MVEC by the same arm. This study investigated the hypothesis that 2MVIC would attenuate muscle damage after 30MVEC performed by the opposite arm. Untrained young (20‐25 years) men were placed into 1 of 4 experimental groups that performed 2MVIC at 1 (1d), 2 (2d), 4 (4d), or 7 days (7d) before 30MVEC by the opposite arm, or one control group that performed 30MVEC only (n = 13/group). Changes in indirect muscle damage markers after 30MVEC were compared among the groups by mixed‐design two‐way ANOVA. Maximal voluntary concentric contraction torque, range of motion, plasma creatine kinase activity, and muscle soreness did not change significantly after 2MVIC. Changes in these variables after 30MVEC were smaller (P < .05) for 1d (eg, peak soreness: 45 ± 21 mm) and 2d groups (46 ± 20 mm) than control group (66 ± 18 mm), without significant differences between 1d and 2d groups. No significant differences in the changes were found among 4d, 7d, and control groups, except for soreness showing smaller (P < .05) increases for 4d group (54 ± 19 mm) than 7d (62 ± 17 mm) and control groups. These results supported the hypothesis and showed that muscle damage induced by 30MVEC was reduced by 2MVIC performed 1‐2 days prior to 30MVIC by the contralateral arm.
The strategic value of essentialism
Authors: Ryazanov Arseny A. , Christenfeld Nicholas J.S.
Published: December 2017

Social essentialism—the belief that individuals contain an underlying essence determined by the social categories they belong to—has generally been regarded as a harmful cognitive process that results in prejudice and other forms of injustice at the group level. Trait essentialism, also termed a fixed mindset—the belief that people's trait levels are determined and relatively unchangeable—has been construed as a parallel impediment to self‐improvement at the individual level. However, each of these domains contains findings that do not fit this narrative, suggesting that such essentialized thinking is not always detrimental at either the group or individual level and that its effects may instead depend on motivation and context. Incorporating advances in research on moral judgment and identity allow for a reconciliation of the variable effects of social and trait essentialism. In some instances, essentialism can be a strategy for reducing blame over uncontrollable aspects of individuals and groups and for identity formation.
Electricity and the body: a precollege demonstration laboratory.
Authors: Carroll R G
Published: December 2017

The active recruitment of students to scientific careers is essential to the continued health of the basic medical sciences. One step in this process involves an early exposure to the practice and possibilities of scientific investigation. Physiology faculty of colleges and professional schools are uniquely poised to demonstrate the importance of science to younger students. This report describes a laboratory demonstration that is designed for groups of middle-school and high-school students as a part of a medical school tour. With appropriate modifications, a similar approach can be used to demonstrate the principles of scientific investigation to students at any level. Subsequent discussions can be used to illustrate the potential benefits of medical research. Presentations such as the one contained in this paper may aid in the recruitment of future physiologists and physicians.
Use of invertebrate animals to teach physiological principles.
Authors: Deyrup-Olsen I , Linder T M
Published: December 2017

Experiments with invertebrate animals offer valuable opportunities in the teaching of physiology. In some cases, exercises that use these animals may demonstrate physiological principles more clearly than experiments that use vertebrates. Other experiments are easy to perform because of the latitude of conditions in which the tissues of many invertebrates function. Experiments with invertebrates can also illustrate a far wider range of physiological mechanisms than occurs in vertebrates and are especially suited for opportunities for independent original investigation by the students. Since at this time invertebrates are underutilized in teaching, much can be gained by the design, testing, and dissemination of innovative experimental protocols for student use.
Integrated cardiovascular physiology: a laboratory exercise.
Authors: Patil R D , Karve S V , DiCarlo S E
Published: December 2017

Examining the hemodynamic responses to exercise provides a unique opportunity to analyze and integrate cardiovascular physiology because more is learned about how a system operates when it is forced to perform than when it is idle. We designed a laboratory exercise that examines the cardiovascular responses to exercise in a sedentary individual, an athlete, an individual with quadriplegia, and an individual with heart transplantation. The special populations were chosen because of their unique limitations and adaptations, which directly influence cardiovascular function. Basic anatomic and physiological data about the special populations are provided, and the students are challenged to analyze and assimilate information from figures, answer questions, make calculations, and plot graphs. The answers to the questions are provided in the APPENDIX. This laboratory exercise should be attempted in a group to foster discussions and interactions. The laboratory does not require any equipment or software. This exercise should be attempted after the cardiovascular section of the physiology course so that the students can integrate and apply the information presented during the course.
Hydraulic analogs as teaching tools for bioelectric potentials.
Authors: Procopio J
Published: December 2017

Hydraulic analogs of bioelectrical potentials are proposed as teaching tools in helping students with no formal background in physics and mathematics. Membrane capacitance is simulated by a water reservoir, V, whose variable level is the membrane potential. Resting membrane potential is simulated by a large capacitance reservoir of fixed level, connected to reservoir V through a tube having the role of the electrical conductance of the membrane. Injection of electrical current into the cell is simulated by injection of water into the membrane capacitance reservoir. Reversal potentials of the end-plate potential are simulated by another water reservoir, with fixed level (analogous to the reversal potential of the end-plate potential) connected to the membrane capacitance reservoir through a tube corresponding to the acetylcholine-activated ion channels. Different phases of the synaptic potential are then described using the hydraulic analogs. Hydraulic analogs have proved, in our experience, to be an efficient tool in complementing the already established electrical equivalents.
A simple analog of visual field retinal projection.
Authors: Eblen-Zajjur A
Published: December 2017

Basic biophysical principles of the eye, such as the retinal projection of the visual field, bidimensional image inversion, blind point determination, visual field and retinal quadrants, perimetric principles, and determination of scotoma, are seen on a working anatomic model of the eye and its visual field that can easily be constructed at very low cost and from easily obtained materials: an opaque glass globe, a styrofoam hemisphere, a wood screen, bulbs, sockets, wire, and switches. This model has been used for many years in our undergraduate medical physiology courses and has replaced the classical model of candle image inversion by a converging lens.
A hospital/school science fair mentoring program for middle school students.
Authors: Torres B , Harris R F , Lockwood D , Johnson J , Mirabal R , Wells D T , Pacheco M , Soussou H , Robb F , Weissman G K , Gwosdow A R
Published: December 2017

The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the James P. Timilty Middle School established a partnership to enhance science education, promote faculty development, and improve the health status and academic performance of all Timilty students. This article describes one of the Partnership's Science Connection programs, the Science Fair Mentoring Program, designed to enhance middle school science education, inform urban early adolescents about professions in the health field, inspire them to pursue postsecondary study in the health sciences, and prepare them for rigorous academic work in high school. In this program, hospital-based clinical and research staff mentor young adolescent students. The authors describe the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Science Fair Mentoring Program as an innovative learning experience.
Endocrine function and emergency contraception: physiology and society.
Authors: Anderson M
Published: December 2017

Relating emergency contraception, commonly referred to as "the morning-after pill," to the menstrual cycle can be used both to teach endocrine function and to show how physiology relates to the world outside the undergraduate classroom. The menstrual cycle is an excellent topic for teaching many features of the physiology of the human endocrine system. Relating emergency contraception to the menstrual cycle makes this topic relevant to both male and female students, provides opportunities for discussions that require the students' understanding of endocrine functions, and illustrates how physiology is connected to social economic, and political issues. The overview of emergency contraception and literature survey provided here are meant to be adapted for use in a variety of teaching contexts. The depth of coverage and the extent of consideration of issues beyond physiology would depend on many factors including the level fo the course and the size of enrollment.
Using simple animations in physiology teaching: ventilatory patterns. A case in point.
Authors: Sircar S S
Published: December 2017

Constructing diagrams to explain certain physiological concepts can be challenging. There is a whole class of physiological topics, represented here by the neural generation of respiratory rhythm, that are best taught using "dynamic diagrams," a series of diagrams generated through simple animations and based on user-provided inputs. The theory of neural generation of respiratory rhythm discussed here is not necessarily correct or widely read accepted. It continues to find a place, however, in some of the most widely read textbooks of physiology, which obligates the teacher to devise effective methods of putting it across to the students. Selected criteria can be defined for identifying areas in which dynamic diagrams would be effective as a teaching tool. Unlike those animations that are used to provide a debatable alternative to wet laboratory, dynamic diagrams explaining certain theoretical concepts should have few rivals.
Renal response to volume expansion: learning the experimental approach in the context of integrative physiology.
Authors: Kline R L , Dukacz S A , Stavraky T
Published: December 2017

We describe a laboratory experience for upper-level science students that provides a hands-on approach to understanding the basics of experimental physiology. A pre-lab, interactive tutorial develops the rationale for this experiment by reviewing the renal and cardiovascular mechanisms involved in the response to extracellular fluid volume expansion. After a hypothesis is stated, an experiment is designed to determine the relative importance of dilution of plasma proteins to the overall renal excretory response following volume expansion with intravenous saline. In the lab, students collect data from two groups of anesthetized rats. The protocol involves continuous monitoring of arterial pressure and periodic collection of urine and blood samples after volume expansion with either isotonic NaCl or isotonic NaCl plus 5% albumin. A post-lab tutorial is used to analyze, interpret, and discuss the data. Students next prepare an oral presentation, practice it, and finally present their results and answer questions before peers and instructors. This overall experience involves all of the components of doing a "real" experiment, starting with a question that is not answered in general textbooks of physiology and finishing with an oral presentation of the results. Along the way, students gain a better understanding of a complex homeostatic response and learn the care and value of using animals in research and teaching.
Mailing lists are preferred to newsgroups as teaching tools for undergraduate biology classes.
Authors: Machart J M , Silverthorn D U
Published: December 2017

Effective communication between instructors and students is a challenge regardless of the instructor-to-student ratio. Instructors of large classes, in particular, have resorted to various forms of Internet communication, such as mailing lists and newsgroups, to supplement class time and office hours. Mailing lists are closed discussions among subscribers who receive and send messages via an electronic mail program (e.g., Eudora). Newsgroups are public discussions to which anyone can gain access and respond via a newsreader program (e.g., Nuntius). Newsgroup messages are posted to a bulletin board that the subscriber must visit to read. Mailing lists and newsgroups share many advantages (convenience, greater anonymity, and speed of communication) and disadvantages (computer access required, impersonal nature, junk mail, and lack of graphics in older programs). However, surveys of both faculty and students in biology indicate that mailing lists are generally favored over newsgroups. Reasons given for mailing list popularity included greater familiarity with the E-mail format and ease of access.