bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Hyriopsis cumingii Polysaccharides on Mice Immunologic Receptor, Transcription Factor, and Cytokine
Authors: Qiao Deliang , He Xiaomei , Wei Chuanbao , Xia Lunbin , Bao Lingling
Published: April 2016

To discuss the molecular mechanism of immunoenhancing activities of Hyriopsis cumingii polysaccharides (HCPS), effects of HCPS on mice immunologic receptors (toll‐like receptors‐4 [TLR‐4] and mannose receptor‐1 [MR‐1]), transcription factor (nuclear factor kappa‐B [NF‐κB]), and cytokines (interleukin‐6 [IL‐6] and tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α]) were evaluated by cell model in vitro and cyclophosphamide‐induced immunosuppression animal model in vivo. Results showed that HCPS could promote the mRNA synthesis of TLR‐4, MR‐1, IL‐6, and TNF‐α in spleen, and the gene expression of TLR‐4, MR‐1, NF‐κB, IL‐6, and TNF‐α in spleen and serum in a dose‐dependent manner. Crude HCPS and its purified fractions (HCPS‐1, HCPS‐2, and HCPS‐3) could strengthen peritoneal macrophage expressing MR‐1 and NF‐κB in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, HCPS‐3 showed stronger promotions on MR‐1 and NF‐κB than crude HCPS, HCPS‐1, and HCPS‐2. It suggested that HCPS‐stimulated immunostrengthening was mediated, at least in part, by TLR‐4/NF‐κB/IL‐6 and TLR‐4/NF‐κB/ TNF‐α signaling pathways. MR‐1, IL‐6, and TNF‐α might be 3 of the immune regulators mediating immunity and homeostasis when HCPS performed immunoenhancing activities.
Outpatient measurement of arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity
Authors: Mohammedi Kamel , Compaoré Aminata , Potier Louis , Belhatem Narimène , Feron Marilyne , Matallah Nadia , Travert Florence , Hansel Boris , Velho Gilberto , Roussel Ronan , Hallab Magid , Marre Michel
Published: April 2016

Background

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a marker of arterial stiffness. The aim of the present study was to compare PWV in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or obesity and healthy subjects in an outpatient setting.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in patients with obesity without T2DM (n = 37), T2DM without obesity (n = 40), T2DM plus obesity (n = 43), and healthy controls (n = 114). Outpatient measurements of the finger–toe PWV (ftPWV) were made.

Results

Mean (± SD) ftPWV was higher in men than in women (10.57 ± 5.02 vs 9.14 ± 3.68 m/s, respectively P = 0.006) and was positively correlated with age (r2 = 0.31, P < 0.0001), body mass index (r2 = 0.03, P = 0.01), systolic blood pressure (SBP; r2 = 0.06, P < 0.0001), and right (r2 = 0.03, P = 0.01) and left (r2 = 0.03, P = 0.01) ankle–brachial index (ABI). Age, SBP and ABI remained significantly correlated with ftPWV in the stepwise regression analysis. Mean ftPWV in controls and in patients with obesity, T2DM, and T2DM plus obesity was 8.32 ± 2.68, 9.50 ± 3.38, 11.29 ± 4.34, and 12.36 ± 6.67 m/s, respectively (P < 0.0001). These differences remained significant after adjustments for sex, age, SBP, and ABI (P = 0.008). Although ftPWV was higher in patients with than without macrovascular complications (13.11 ± 6.25 vs 10.40 ± 4.54 m/s, respectively; P = 0.006) in univariate analysis, this was not so in the multivariate‐adjusted model.

Conclusions

Outpatient‐measured ftPWV was correlated with age, SBP, and ABI. It was higher in patients with T2DM and obesity compared with healthy controls. The highest ftPWV was observed in patients with both T2DM and obesity.
Influence of APOE Gene Polymorphism on Interindividual and Interethnic Warfarin Dosage Requirement: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Yu Wan‐ying , Sun Xue , Wadelius Mia , Huang Lihua , Peng Chen , Ma Wan‐le , Yang Guo‐Ping
Published: April 2016

Background

Warfarin is the most extensively used coumarin anticoagulant. It has been shown that the anticoagulant effect of warfarin is associated with genetic variation. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a possible candidate to influence the maintenance dose of warfarin. ApoE affects the vitamin K cycle by mediating the uptake of vitamin K into the liver. The vitamin K cycle is the drug target of warfarin. However, the association between genetic variants of the APOE gene and warfarin dose requirement is still controversial.

Methods

Revman 5.3 software was used to analyze the relationship between APOE genotypes and warfarin dose requirements.

Results

In our meta‐analysis, the E2/E2 genotype was significantly associated with warfarin dose. E2/E2 patients required 12% (P = 0.0002) lower mean daily warfarin dose than E3/E3 carriers. In addition, subgroup analysis showed that Asians with the E4/E4 genotype tended to need lower warfarin maintenance doses, while the African American E4/E4 carriers needed slightly higher doses than E3/E3 carriers; however, these subgroups were very small.

Conclusion

This is the first meta‐analysis of the association between APOE genotypes and warfarin dose. APOE E2/E2 might be one of the factors affecting warfarin dose requirements. The effect of APOE may vary between ethnicities.
Religiosity as a protective factor against suicidal behaviour
Authors: Burshtein S. , Dohrenwend B. P. , Levav I. , Werbeloff N. , Davidson M. , Weiser M.
Published: April 2016

Objective

Data suggest that adherence to religious beliefs is associated with lower rates of suicide. A number of mediating factors have been hypothesized to explain this association, including enhanced social support, less substance abuse, and lower rates of psychopathology.

Method

We utilized data from a two‐phase population‐based, epidemiological study of mental disorders among young Jewish Israel born in a 10‐year birth‐cohort conducted in the 1980s. This study included data on religiosity and suicidal behaviour. Twenty‐five years thereafter, mortality data were obtained from a national vital statistics registry.

Results

Rates of suicidal ideation were similar among secular, partially observant, and religious subjects (9.4%, 6.7%, and 6.2%, respectively; adjusted OR for linear trend: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.58–1.09). Rates of suicide attempts were significantly lower among religious subjects (2.4%, 2.5%, and 0.4% for secular, partially observant, and religious, respectively; adjusted OR for linear trend: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.43–0.88). Of the 4914 subjects, eight died by suicide: Seven of them were secular and one was partially observant (χ2 = 2.52, P = 0.09). There were no differences in social functioning or rates of psychopathology among the study groups.

Conclusion

Religiosity has a protective effect against suicide attempts, which is independent of social functioning, psychopathology, and substance use.
Androgen deprivation therapy did not increase the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Chung S. D. , Lin H. C. , Tsai M. C. , Kao L. T. , Huang C. Y. , Chen K. C.
Published: April 2016

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the standard treatment for advanced prostate cancer for many decades. Although potential adverse effects of ADT have been reported, there are no empirical studies investigating the association between ADT and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study explored the relationship between the use of ADT and the subsequent risk of Alzheimer's disease in men with prostate cancer using a population‐based database. We retrieved data from the “Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000.” The study included 1335 patients with prostate cancer and 4005 age‐matched comparison patients without prostate malignancy. We then individually tracked each patient (n = 5340) for a 5‐year period to discriminate those who subsequently received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The Cox proportional hazard regression showed that the hazard ratio (HR) for Alzheimer's disease during the 5‐year follow‐up period for prostate cancer patients was 1.71 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.90~3.25) over that of comparison patients. We further analyzed the hazard ratio for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease between prostate cancer patients who did and those who did not receive ADT, but we failed to observe a significant difference in the hazard ratio for both diseases during the 5‐year follow‐up period (adjusted HR = 1.76, 95% CI = 0.55~5.62, and HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.58~2.20, respectively). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the use of androgen deprivation therapy in patients with prostate cancer was not associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease during the follow‐up period.
Indications and outcomes of keratoplasties in children during a 40‐year period
Authors: Majander Anna , Kivelä Tero T. , Krootila Kari
Published: April 2016

Purpose

To report the indications and the outcomes of keratoplasties in children over four decades.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients aged 16 years or younger who underwent keratoplasty in the Helsinki University Eye Hospital during 1968–2011. Diagnosis, preoperative status, age at the time of surgery, surgical technique, complications and follow‐up time were registered. Main outcome measures were visual acuity and graft survival as assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis. The independent role of risk factors on outcomes was evaluated by Cox multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Forty‐eight keratoplasties, 42 penetrating and six lamellar, were performed in 44 eyes of 39 children at the age of 4.5 months to 16 years (median, 12 years). Five patients had bilateral grafts, and five grafts were regrafts. The indication for keratoplasty was injury for 13 grafts, non‐traumatic acquired corneal opacities for 11, keratoconus for eight, corneal dystrophy for seven, congenital corneal opacities for six and aniridia for three grafts. The cumulative proportion of clear grafts was 46% at 5 years postoperatively, and the median follow‐up time of clear grafts was 5.1 years (range, 0.4–29 years) for 41 penetrating allografts (PKP). Simultaneous intraocular surgery at the time of grafting [hazard ratio (HR) 9.7], corneal vascularization (HR 8.1) and regrafting (HR 5.4) were the main independent risk factors for graft failure in this PKP cohort. The cumulative proportion of clear grafts was 84% at 5 years in the absence of any of these risk factors. PKP for keratoconus and corneal dystrophy yielded clear grafts in 83% of the eyes, and a visual acuity ≥0.3 (Snellen) in 75% of the eyes. Seventeen of the 20 graft failures were due to rejection.

Conclusions

Favourable graft survival was obtained in primary keratoplasties for non‐vascularized corneal opacities performed without any other simultaneous intraocular surgery. Visual outcome was favourable in keratoconus and corneal dystrophies and poor in most eyes with injury.
Perceptions of European medical staff on the facilitators and barriers to physical closeness between parents and infants in neonatal units
Authors: Dykes F , Thomson G , Gardner C , Hall Moran V , Flacking R
Published: April 2016

Aim

Studies have provided insights into factors that may facilitate or inhibit parent–infant closeness in neonatal units, but none have specifically focused on the perspectives of senior neonatal staff. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions and experiences of consultant neonatologists and senior nurses in five European countries with regard to these issues.

Methods

Six small group discussions and three‐one‐to‐one interviews were conducted with 16 consultant neonatologists and senior nurses representing nine neonatal units from Estonia, Finland, Norway, Spain and Sweden. The interviews explored facilitators and barriers to parent–infant closeness and implications for policy and practice, and thematic analysis was undertaken.

Results

Participants highlighted how a humanising care agenda that enabled parent–infant closeness was an aspiration, but pointed out that neonatal units were at different stages in achieving this. The facilitators and barriers to physical closeness included socio‐economic factors, cultural norms, the designs of neonatal units, resource issues, leadership, staff attitudes and practices and relationships between staff and parents.

Conclusion

Various factors affected parent–infant closeness in neonatal units in European countries. There needs to be the political motivation, appropriate policy planning, legislation and resource allocation to increase measures that support closeness agendas in neonatal units.
Systems biology approaches to understand the effects of nutrition and promote health
Authors: Badimon Lina , Vilahur Gemma , Padro Teresa
Published: April 2016

Within the last years the implementation of systems biology in nutritional research has emerged as a powerful tool to understand the mechanisms by which dietary components promote health and prevent disease as well as to identify the biologically active molecules involved in such effects. Systems biology, by combining several ‘‐omics’ disciplines (mainly genomics/transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics), creates large data sets that upon computational integration provide in silico predictive networks that allow a more extensive analysis of the individual response to a nutritional intervention and provide a more global comprehensive understanding of how diet may influence health and disease. Numerous studies have demonstrated that diet and particularly bioactive food components play a pivotal role in helping to counteract environmental‐related oxidative damage. Oxidative stress is considered to be strongly implicated in ageing and the pathophysiology of numerous diseases including neurodegenerative disease, cancers, metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. In the following review we will provide insights into the role of systems biology in nutritional research and focus on transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomics studies that have demonstrated the ability of functional foods and their bioactive components to fight against oxidative damage and contribute to health benefits.
The ABCB1, rs9282564, AG and TT Genotypes and the COMT, rs4680, AA Genotype are Less Frequent in Deceased Patients with Opioid Addiction than in Living Patients with Opioid Addiction
Authors: Christoffersen Dorte J. , Damkier Per , Feddersen Søren , Möller Sören , Thomsen Jørgen L. , Brasch‐Andersen Charlotte , Brøsen Kim
Published: April 2016

Sudden death due to acute intoxication occurs frequently in patients with opioid addiction (OA). To examine whether certain genotypes were associated with this, we examined the frequencies of 29 SNPs located in candidate genes related to opioid pharmacology: ABCB1, OPRM1, UGT2B7, CYP3A5, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, COMT, KCNJ6 and SCN9A in 274 deceased patients with OA (DOA), 309 living patients with OA (LOA) and in 394 healthy volunteers (HV). The main hypothesis of the study was that subjects homozygous for the variant 3435T in ABCB1 (rs1045642) occur more frequently in DOA than in LOA and HV because morphine and methadone more readily cross the blood barrier in these subjects due to a lower efflux transporter activity of the ABCB1 (p‐glycoprotein) transporter. Our results did not support this hypothesis, because no statistically significant difference (p = 0.506) in the frequency of the TT genotype of rs1045642 was observed between the DOA, LOA and HV cohorts. However, for another ABCB1 variant, rs9282564, we found that the frequencies of the AG and TT genotypes were 13, 21 and 25% in DOA, LOA and HV, respectively, and after correcting for age, sex and multiple testing, the differences between DOA and LOA were statistically significantly different (p = 0.027). The COMT rs4680 AA genotype frequencies were 25%, 35% and 31% in DOA, LOA and HV, respectively, and the difference between DOA and LOA was also statistically significant (p = 0.0028). In conclusion, this study generated two hypotheses suggesting possible associations of a reduced risk of death and carrying, respectively, the ABCB1 rs9282564 AG and TT genotypes and the COMT rs4680 AA genotype among patients with OA. These findings should be confirmed in independent cohorts, and if a causal relationship between these variants and fatal poisoning in OA is confirmed, then it may be possible at least in theory to personalize prevention of sudden death in this patient group.
BCSH/BSBMT/UK clinical virology network guideline: diagnosis and management of common respiratory viral infections in patients undergoing treatment for haematological malignancies or stem cell transplantation
Authors: Dignan Fiona L. , Clark Andrew , Aitken Celia , Gilleece Maria , Jayakar Vishal , Krishnamurthy Pramila , Pagliuca Antonio , Potter Michael N. , Shaw Bronwen , Skinner Roderick , Turner Andrew , Wynn Robert F. , Coyle Peter ,   on behalf of the Haemato‐oncology Task Force of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology,   the British Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and the UK Clinical Virology Network
Published: April 2016

A joint working group established by the Haemato‐oncology subgroup of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology, the British Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation and the UK Clinical Virology Network has reviewed the available literature and made recommendations for the diagnosis and management of respiratory viral infections in patients with haematological malignancies or those undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This guideline includes recommendations for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of respiratory viral infections in adults and children. The suggestions and recommendations are primarily intended for physicians practising in the United Kingdom.
Cargo trafficking from the trans‐Golgi network towards the endosome
Authors: Kim Kyoungtae
Published: April 2016

The trans‐Golgi network (TGN) is a major sorting, packing and delivering station of newly synthesised proteins and lipids to their final destination. These cargo molecules follow the secretory pathway, which is a vital part of cellular trafficking machinery in all eukaryotic cells. This secretory pathway is well conserved in all eukaryotes from low‐level eukaryotes, such as yeast, to higher level eukaryotes like mammals. The molecular mechanisms of protein sorting by adaptor proteins, membrane elongation and transport to the final destinations by motor proteins and the cytoskeleton, and membrane pinching‐off by scission proteins must be choreographically managed for efficient cargo delivery, and the understanding of these detailed processes is not yet completed. Functionally, defects in these mechanisms are associated with the pathology of prominent diseases such as acute myeloid leukaemia, Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, I‐cell disease and Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome. The present review points out the recent advances in our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the transportation of the cargo from the TGN towards the endosome.
Inhibition of fatty acid synthase is protective in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Singh Neetu , Manhas Amit , Kaur Gurpreet , Jagavelu Kumaravelu , Hanif Kashif
Published: April 2016

Background and Purpose

In pulmonary hypertension (PH), similar to cancer, there is altered energy metabolism, apoptosis resistance and cellular proliferation leading to pulmonary vascular remodelling. Proliferating cells exhibit higher rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis to provide lipids for membrane formation and energy production. As inhibition of de novo fatty acid synthesis proved protective in cancer experimentally, therefore, it was hypothesized that modulation of de novo fatty acid synthesis by inhibition of fatty acid synthase (FAS) may prove beneficial for PH.

Experimental Approach

For in vitro studies, human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) were exposed to hypoxia and to induce PH in vivo, rats were treated with monocrotaline (MCT). FAS was inhibited by siRNA (60 nM) and C75 (2 mg·kg−1, i.p. once a week for 5 weeks) in in vitro and in vivo studies respectively.

Results

Increased expression and activity of FAS were observed in hypoxic HPASMCs and lungs of MCT‐treated rats. Inhibition of FAS increased apoptosis and glucose oxidation, but decreased proliferation and markers of autophagy, glycolysis and insulin resistance in hypoxic HPASMCs. It also improved the mitochondrial functions as evident by increased level of ATP and restoration of normal level of ROS and membrane potential of mitochondria. In MCT‐treated rats, FAS inhibition decreased right ventricular pressure, hypertrophy, pulmonary vascular remodelling (increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation of cells) and endothelial dysfunction in lungs.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that FAS activity is modulated in PH, and its inhibition may provide a new therapeutic approach to treat PH.
Reduced corticosteroid‐binding globulin cleavage in active rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Nenke Marni A. , Lewis John G. , Rankin Wayne , McWilliams Leah , Metcalf Robert G. , Proudman Susanna M. , Torpy David J.
Published: April 2016

Objective

Corticosteroid‐binding globulin (CBG), the cortisol transport protein, is cleaved from high‐affinity (haCBG) to low‐affinity (laCBG) CBG at sites of inflammation releasing bioavailable, anti‐inflammatory cortisol. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a glucocorticoid‐responsive disorder, with paradoxically normal cortisol levels despite elevated inflammatory mediators. Our objective was to determine whether CBG cleavage relates to RA disease activity. We hypothesized that impaired CBG cleavage may limit delivery of free cortisol to inflamed joints in RA.

Design

Prospective, cross‐sectional observational study.

Setting and Participants

Fifty‐three patients with RA recruited from a Rheumatology outpatient clinic at a tertiary referral centre in Adelaide, Australia, and 73 healthy controls.

Measurements

Total CBG, haCBG and laCBG, total, free and salivary cortisol, inflammatory markers including interleukin‐6 soluble receptor (IL‐6sR) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor and clinical measures of disease activity.

Results

Among patients with RA, a wide range of disease activity scores was observed (DAS28: range 1·2–6·4). laCBG was lower in patients with RA (mean ± SEM); 153 ± 9, compared with healthy controls; 191 ± 8 nmol/l, P = 0·003. Levels of total and haCBG were higher in patients with more severe RA disease activity. Free and total cortisol, free cortisol:IL‐6sR ratio and total cortisol:IL‐6sR ratio correlated negatively with disease activity.

Conclusions

These results suggest that patients with RA have reduced CBG cleavage compared to healthy controls and that cleavage is reduced further with higher RA disease activity. Hence, impaired CBG‐mediated delivery of endogenous cortisol may perpetuate chronic inflammation in RA.
Moral dimensions of human–wildlife conflict
Authors: Lute Michelle L. , Navarrete Carlos David , Nelson Michael Paul , Gore Meredith L.
Published: April 2016

Despite increasing support for conservation globally, controversy over specific conservation policies persists among diverse stakeholders. Investigating the links between morals in relation to conservation can help increase understanding about why humans support or oppose policy, especially related to human–wildlife conflict or human conflict over wildlife. Yet the moral dimension of human–wildlife conflict has mostly gone unconsidered and unmeasured; thus, policy and programmatic efforts to reduce controversy may be missing a key part of the equation. We conducted a web‐based survey (n = 1239 respondents) in Michigan (U.S.A.) to investigate cognitive and emotional influences on the value–behavior relationship. Respondents were identified by their interest and involvement in Michigan wolf management. The survey consisted of questions about values, emotions, cognitions, and behaviors relative to wolves in Michigan. We used path analysis to explore whether emotions and cognitions mediated the relationship between value and behavior. Most respondents attributed intrinsic value to wolves (n = 734) and all life (n = 773) and engaged in behaviors that benefited wolf populations and ecosystems regardless of stakeholder group (e.g., environmentalist, farmer). Attributing intrinsic value to wolves was positively related to favorable emotions toward wolves and cognitive assessments that hunting and trapping of wolves is unacceptable. Despite similarities in attribution of intrinsic value, groups differed in emotions and cognitions about wolf hunting. These differences provide a useful way to predict stakeholder behavior. Our findings may inform interventions aimed at increasing support for wolf management policies and positive interactions among stakeholders and wildlife. Leveraging agreement over intrinsic value may foster cooperation among stakeholders and garner support for controversial conservation policy.
Respiratory manifestations of ANCA‐associated vasculitis
Authors: Greenan Kerry , Vassallo Diana , Chinnadurai Rajkumar , Ritchie James , Shepherd Kate , Green Darren , Ponnusamy Arvind , Sinha Smeeta
Published: April 2016

Background

The prevalence of pulmonary manifestations of ANCA‐associated vasculitis (AAV) is not well understood. This study describes the prevalence of respiratory complications of AAV detected via imaging in patients presenting to a secondary renal centre and describes the associations with mortality.

Methods

105 patients with AAV were identified from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Standards Implementation Study (CRISIS). CRISIS is a prospective epidemiological study of patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3–5, both who did and did not require dialysis on presentation. Patients were recruited between 2000 and 2013.

Results

A chest X‐ray was performed in 81.0% of patients with AAV on presentation, of which 56.5% were abnormal. A computed tomography (CT) thorax was performed in 27 patients during the course of their disease: 92.6% showed abnormalities, most commonly fibrosis (63.0%) and bronchiectasis (44.4%). Pulmonary vascultitis was confirmed in 22 of 105 patients (21.0%) after respiratory review or demonstrated by associated changes associated on CT scan. In a Cox regression model, there was no significant association between pulmonary vasculitis and mortality (P = 0.088), although there was a trend towards increased mortality with pulmonary vasculitis.

Conclusions

Pulmonary manifestations of AAV were common, however only a small proportion of patients had had thorough respiratory investigations, suggesting that the pulmonary manifestations of AAV may be under‐diagnosed.
Did Recent Voice Reforms Improve Good Governance within the World Bank?
Authors: Strand Jonathan R. , Retzl Kenneth J.
Published: April 2016

Using the concept of good governance, this article assesses how voting rules in the World Bank Group's primary loan facility determine members’ ability to influence the formation of winning coalitions in the Executive Board. In weighted voting systems, the percentage of votes held by an actor does not adequately measure the ability of that actor to affect outcomes because voting weights do not account for either the possible number of coalitions that may form or the number of votes needed to pass a resolution. In short, weighted voting systems cannot be straightforwardly analysed with reference to voting weights but instead require the determination of relative voting power. Using multiple measures of a priori voting power, data are presented before and after recent voice reforms. Results indicate that the United States, as expected, holds the largest share of voting power. Also, as expected, most borrowing members have little voting power. Unexpectedly, in several voting groups a single member is able to ensure its election to the Board. Hence, other members of these voting groups have no formal influence on the Board. The article concludes by reflecting on the implications of voting power analysis for the concept of good governance within the World Bank.
Efficient harvesting methods for early‐stage snake and turtle embryos
Authors: Matsubara Yoshiyuki , Kuroiwa Atsushi , Suzuki Takayuki
Published: April 2016

Reptile development is an intriguing research target for understating the unique morphogenesis of reptiles as well as the evolution of vertebrates. However, there are numerous difficulties associated with studying development in reptiles. The number of available reptile eggs is usually quite limited. In addition, the reptile embryo is tightly adhered to the eggshell, making it a challenge to isolate reptile embryos intact. Furthermore, there have been few reports describing efficient procedures for isolating intact embryos especially prior to pharyngula stage. Thus, the aim of this review is to present efficient procedures for obtaining early‐stage reptilian embryos intact. We first describe the method for isolating early‐stage embryos of the Japanese striped snake. This is the first detailed method for obtaining embryos prior to oviposition in oviparous snake species. Second, we describe an efficient strategy for isolating early‐stage embryos of the soft‐shelled turtle.
Nutritional status and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy, and implications for Zika virus infection
Authors: Leandro Carol Góis
Published: April 2016

This commentary is on the original article by Herrera‐Anaya et al. on pages 936–941 of this issue.
INTEGRATING MARKET ALTERNATIVES INTO THE ECONOMIC THEORY OF OPTIMAL DETERRENCE
Authors: Curry Philip A. , Doyle Matthew
Published: April 2016

Leading economic models of crime assume that potential criminals achieve their ends by criminal means or not at all. We develop a framework in which potential criminals can also attain their objectives through voluntary trade. Our framework helps explain several features of the legal system that have proven to be problematic for the canonical approach: why optimal sanctions should be increasing in an individual's criminal history, and why necessity may be a partial defense in some situations. Finally, the inclusion of a voluntary trade option makes the maximization of a utilitarian welfare function identical to minimizing the costs of crime, implying that a long‐standing controversy in the literature is, in part, an artifact of the assumption that criminals face a binary choice set. (JEL K42, D60, H00)
Cost Structure and Payout Policy
Authors: Kulchania Manoj
Published: April 2016

I investigate the effects of firms’ proportion of fixed and variable costs on their payout policy and find that firms with higher fixed costs have significantly higher volatility in their future cash flows and more variable future operating incomes. These firms pay a lower fraction of their operating income in dividends and share repurchases. Finally, these firms return higher fractions of their payouts via share repurchases because this method offers greater flexibility. The results are robust to several alternate specifications and firm‐level controls, and show that firms’ cost structures play a significant role in payout policy choices.
Reply to Gebhard Kirchgässner
Authors: Feld Lars P. , Schneider Friedrich
Published: April 2016

In this reply to Kirchgässner, four issues are addressed: (1) the extent of double counting in attempts to reconcile estimates of the shadow economy based on the survey method and estimates based on the MIMIC (cum currency demand) approach, (2) advantages and disadvantages of the survey method, (3) of macro methods like the MIMIC approach and (4) the potential role of plausibility checks of estimates from the MIMIC approach with the survey method.
Film and Video
Authors: Hammons Christian S.
Published: April 2016

Film reviewed in this issue.

Gringo Trails.
Anillin‐related protein Mid1 regulates timely formation of the contractile ring in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces japonicus
Authors: Yasuda Tsuyoshi , Takaine Masak , Numata Osamu , Nakano Kentaro
Published: April 2016

In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Sp), Mid1/Dmf1 plays an important role in positioning the division site by inducing formation of the contractile ring (CR). Mid1, emanating from the nucleus located in the cell center, forms a dozen of nodes in the middle cell cortex ahead of mitosis, and actin filaments and myosin II accumulated at each node interact and assemble the CR in metaphase. Curiously, in another fission yeast S. japonicus (Sj), CR formation begins after nuclear segregation in late anaphase. Here, we investigated the role of S. japonicus Mid1 during mitosis to compare the molecular mechanisms that determine the cell division site in Schizosaccharomyces. Similar to Sp Mid1, Sj Mid1 often accumulated in the nucleus of interphase cells. Moreover, Sj Mid1 localized to cortical dots with myosin II in the future division site and formed a medial ring in mitotic cells. However, S. japonicus cells without Mid1 function still carried out symmetrical binary division. Therefore, the Mid1 dependency for positional control of the cell division site is possibly different between the two species. Meanwhile, we found that Sj Mid1 enhanced CR formation, in a manner possibly similar to that by Sp Mid1.
Efficacy and safety of telaprevir with pegylated interferon α‐2a and ribavirin in Japanese patients
Authors: Kumada Hiromitsu , Suzuki Fumitaka , Kamiya Naohiro , Orihashi Madori , Nakayasu Yoshiyuki , Yamada Ichimaro
Published: April 2016

Aim

To assess the efficacy and safety of telaprevir (TVR) in combination with pegylated interferon α‐2a (PEG‐IFNα‐2a) and ribavirin (RBV) for treatment‐naïve patients and relapsed patients compared to previous TVR‐based triple therapy in Japan.

Methods

The study group included 35 treatment‐naïve (median age, 55 years) and 19 relapsed (median age, 55 years) patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus infection. Patients received TVR (750 mg every 8 h) for 12 weeks, in combination with PEG‐IFNα‐2a and RBV.

Results

The sustained virological response (SVR24) rates for naïve and relapsed patients were 85.7% (30/35) and 94.7% (18/19), respectively. The discontinuation rate of all study drugs due to adverse events was 5.6% (3/54). Among the 54 patients, grade 3 skin disorders and grade 3 anemia (<8.0 g/dL) were reported in 2 (3.7%) and 6 patients (11.1%), respectively. Although the overall safety profiles were similar for the TVR/PEG‐IFNα‐2a/RBV and TVR/PEG‐IFNα‐2b/RBV regimens (previous study), the proportion of patients discontinuing all study drugs due to adverse events was lower in the patients treated with the TVR/PEG‐IFNα‐2a/RBV regimen (3/54, 5.6%) than TVR/PEG‐IFNα‐2b/RBV regimen (44/267, 16.5%).

Conclusion

Telaprevir in combination with PEG‐IFNα‐2a/RBV provided a high sustained virological response rate for the treatment of genotype 1 hepatitis C virus in both treatment‐naïve and relapsed patients in Japan. Telaprevir‐based therapy may provide a useful treatment option for patients who are difficult to treat due to NS5A (Y93, L31) and NS3/4A (D168) variants.
Validity of trichoscopy in the diagnosis of primary cicatricial alopecias
Authors: Abedini Robabeh , Kamyab Hesari Kambiz , Daneshpazhooh Maryam , Ansari Mahshid Sadat , Tohidinik Hamid Reza , Ansari Mahsa
Published: April 2016

Background

There are limited data on the validity of dermatoscopy in primary cicatricial alopecias (PCAs) and its subtypes, including lichen planopilaris and discoid lupus erythematosus. Trichoscopic features of PCAs, their prevalence, and validity were evaluated in this study.

Methods

One hundred patients with PCA underwent dermatoscopy. Biopsy specimens were obtained after the site was marked with a dermatoscope. The control group comprised 100 patients with non‐cicatricial alopecia and 100 normal individuals. Finally, the prevalence, sensitivity, and specificity of trichoscopic features were evaluated using SPSS and Stata software.

Results

The absence of follicular opening, perifollicular scale, and presence of one scarring pattern or white patch were sensitive and specific patterns in the trichoscopy of PCAs. The presence of tortuous branching vessels and follicular keratotic plugging was 100% specific for a diagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosus.

Conclusions

Some trichoscopic features can help a dermatologist to differentiate between non‐cicatricial alopecia and PCA. Moreover, a group of dermatoscopic features can be helpful in the diagnosis of PCA subtypes.
SSB taxes and diet quality in US preschoolers: estimated changes in the 2010 Healthy Eating Index
Authors: Ford C. N. , Poti J. M. , Ng S. W. , Popkin B. M.
Published: April 2016

Background

Taxing sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been proposed as a strategy to combat child obesity. Yet it is unclear how a tax on SSBs might influence the overall quality of diet in preschool children. Thus, we use simulated price increases and the 2010 Healthy Eating Index (HEI‐2010) to explore the relationship between SSB taxes and diet quality in preschool children.

Methods

Price and purchase data from the 2009–2012 Nielsen Homescan Panel and a two‐part marginal effects model were used to estimate relative changes in purchases with a 20% increase in the price of SSBs. Demand elasticities were applied to dietary intake data for children ages 2–5 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009–2010 and 2011–2012) to estimate the impact of a 20% SSB tax on dietary intake and quality (HEI‐2010).

Results

A 20% increase in the price of SSBs was associated with lower total caloric intake (−28 kcal d−1, p < 0.01), caloric intake from juice drinks (−20 kcal d−1, p < 0.01), added sugars (−4.1 servings d−1, p = 0.03), refined grains (−0.63 servings d−1, p < 0.01) and total meat (−0.56 servings d−1, p < 0.01). Beneficial decreases in empty calories and refined grains were offset by unfavourable changes in fatty acid profile, total protein, vegetables and fruit, such that total HEI scores (0–100 range) were not meaningfully changed with a 20% increase in SSB price (difference: −0.85, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

A 20% tax on SSBs could decrease caloric intake, and intakes of added sugars and SSBs, but may not improve diet quality as an isolated intervention among US preschool children.
In the case of prostate cancer patients, are there advantages in cancer nurse‐led follow‐up?
Authors: Belun‐Vieira Irina , McInness Douglas , Sheriff Matin Khalid
Published: April 2016

The role of cancer nurse specialist (CNS) has expanded reflecting rapid changes in the field of prostate cancer diagnostics, treatments and improved survival outcomes. Extended roles such as CNS‐led follow‐up are aimed at helping men and their families to cope better with the impact of the disease. Aim of this study is to compare medical with CNS‐led follow‐up by assessing the patient experience, quality of life and emotional wellbeing. Primary sources of research articles were searched on selected databases: MEDLINE (1995 to September 2015), EMBASE (1995 to September 2015) and CINAHL (1995 to September 2015). The Cochrane Collaboration Assessment of Bias Collaboration's tool was used and 10 of 11 studies were selected for data extraction. The process of meta‐analysis was supported by the use of RevMen software version 5·1.7. Although there is some indication that the CNS‐led follow‐up is better, there is no statistically significant difference between medical and CNS‐led follow‐up. This review has found no statistically significant difference between medical and CNS‐led follow‐up. Therefore, it is proposed that CNS can offer a safe and effective follow‐up for people with cancer, including men with prostate cancers.
Inappropriate sinus tachycardia: focus on ivabradine
Authors: Abed H. S. , Fulcher J. R. , Kilborn M. J. , Keech A. C.
Published: April 2016

Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is an incompletely understood condition, characterised by an elevation in heart rate (HR) accompanied by wide ranging symptoms in the absence of an underlying physiological stimulus. The condition often takes a chronic course with significant adverse effects on quality of life. Currently, there is no effective treatment for IST. Beta‐blockers, generally considered the cornerstone of treatment, are often ineffective and poorly tolerated. Ivabradine is a novel sinus node If ‘funny current’ inhibitor, which reduces the HR. It has been approved for the treatment of beta‐blocker refractory chronic systolic heart failure and chronic stable angina but more recently has shown promise in the treatment of IST. This review provides an overview of IST prevalence and mechanisms followed by an examination of the evidence for the role and efficacy of ivabradine in the treatment of IST.
Formation of Mixed Bond‐Angle Linkages in Zinc Boromolybdate Glasses
Authors: Fabian Margit , Svab Erzsebet
Published: April 2016

The short and medium range structure of glassy MoO3–ZnO–B2O3 has been studied by neutron diffraction and reverse Monte Carlo simulation. The partial atomic pair correlation functions and coordination numbers are presented that are not yet reported for this system. We have established that the first neighbor distances do not depend on concentration within limit of error, the actual values are rB‐O = 1.38 Å, rMo‐O = 1.72 Å, and rZn‐O = 1.97 Å. It is found that ZnO takes part in the glassy structure as network former, as ZnO4 tetrahedral are linked both to MoO4 and to BO3 and BO4 groups. It is revealed that BO4/BO3 increases with increasing B2O3 content. We have found that only small amount of boroxol ring is present, BO3 and BO4 groups are organized into superstructure units, and a small part is in isolated BO3 triangles. The BO3 and BO4 units are linked to MoO4 or ZnO4 forming mixed [4]Mo‐O‐[3]B, [4]Mo‐O‐[4]B, [4]Mo‐O‐[4]Zn, [3]B‐O‐[4]Zn, [4]B‐O‐[4]Zn bond linkages.
Structure, Energetics, and Impact of Screw Dislocations in Tricalcium Silicates
Authors: Shahsavari Rouzbeh , Tao Lei , Chen Lu
Published: April 2016

Understanding and quantifying the atomic structure, energetics, and the effect of defects on mechanics and reactivity of low symmetry oxides is an engineering challenge. This study focuses on atomistic analysis of screw dislocation in three thermodynamically reversible polymorphs of tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO3), which is the key ingredient of cement. We employ molecular simulations to decode the interplay between the dislocation formation core energies, nonplanar core structures, displacement fields, disregistry functions, and Peierls stresses of tricalcium silicate polymorphs. By analyzing the core geometry at multiple scales, we found that the screw dislocations minimally impact the atomic bonds and angles at the vicinity of the Ca3SiO3 core dislocations, largely due to the sizeable channels and rigid body type relocation of atoms, which moderate most of the disturbances enforced by dislocations. Furthermore, we found that while the rhombohedral C3S (R‐C3S) exhibits a relatively large core energy and core radius, the two monoclinic C3S structures (M3‐C3S and MM‐C3S) exhibited lower and almost identical core energies and core radii, likely due to the fact that they are two crystal realizations of the same polymorph. Finally, we discuss the implications of this work on brittleness and reactivity of cement crystals, and potential opportunities to better understand and modulate the grinding energy, reactivity, and mechanical properties of cement clinkers.
Long‐Term Outcome of Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: ROH SEUNG‐YOUNG , KIM DONG‐HYEOK , AHN JINHEE , LEE KWANG NO , LEE DAE IN , SHIM JAEMIN , CHOI JONG‐IL , PARK SANG‐WEON , KIM YOUNG‐HOON
Published: April 2016

Atrial Fibrillation in Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common manifestation in cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Catheter ablation (CA) for AF in patients with asymmetric septal HCM (SeHCM) is selectively effective and often needs a repeat procedure. Apical HCM (ApHCM) has a better prognosis than SeHCM. However, the outcome of CA for AF in patients with ApHCM is unclear.

Methods and results

Eighteen patients with ApHCM (ApHCM group) and 13 SeHCM patients (SeHCM group) underwent CA for AF. Ninety sex‐, age‐, and AF type‐matched non‐HCM patients who underwent CA for AF were selected as controls (5 controls for each ApHCM patient). During a median follow‐up of 44.7 ± 30.8 months, 50% of the patients remained free from AF/atrial tachycardia (AT) in the ApHCM group. The ApHCM patients displayed enlarged left atrial (LA) diameter (47.1 ± 6.0 mm vs. 42.4 ± 5.5 mm, P = 0.006) and increased E/Ea ratio (13.5 ± 4.4 vs. 9.1 ± 3.1, P < 0.001) as compared to the control group. In contrast, the mean LA diameter and E/Ea ratio of the ApHCM group were not different than those of the SeHCM group. The overall freedom from AF/AT in the ApHCM group was significantly worse than in the control group (log rank P = 0.028), but there was no difference between the ApHCM and SeHCM groups (P = 0.831). High LA diameter index ≥25 mm/m2 (HR 12.8, 95% CI [1.2–142.1]; P = 0.037) was an independent predictor of AF/AT recurrence among patients with ApHCM.

Conclusion

Long‐term outcome of CA for AF was worse in patients with ApHCM, as compared to controls, but was similar to patients with SeHCM.
Parental death during childhood and depression in young adults – a national cohort study
Authors: Berg Lisa , Rostila Mikael , Hjern Anders
Published: April 2016

Background

There are few prospective, population‐based studies on childhood parental death and psychiatric disorders in adulthood, and previous findings are inconclusive. This study investigated the association between parental death from natural and external (suicides, accidents or homicides) causes before 18 years and the risk of clinical depression in young adults, in relation to age at loss and gender of both child and parent.

Methods

In this register‐based study, a national cohort born in Sweden during 1973–1982 (n = 862,554) was followed with regard to hospital admissions and outpatient care for depression during 2006–2013. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the impact of parental death, taking sociodemographic and parental psychosocial covariates into account.

Results

Maternal death from natural causes was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of outpatient care for depression of 1.19 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.40] in men and 1.15 (1.01–1.31) in women, after adjustment for sociodemographic confounders, with similar effect sizes for paternal natural death. Death from external causes consistently had higher effect size compared with natural deaths, in particular in relation to risk of hospital admissions for depression where they were as high as HR 3.23 (2.38–4.38) for men, and 1.79 (1.30–2.47) for women after a loss of a mother. Losing a parent in preschool age, compared with losing a parent as a teenager, was associated with higher risks of both hospitalization (p = .006) and outpatient care (p = .001) for depression.

Conclusions

This study indicates that parental loss to death from natural causes during childhood is associated with a small increased risk of long‐term consequences for psychological health. Children who lose their parents to death from external causes, that is suicides, accidents or homicides, and children losing a parent in young ages are, however, at particular risk and should be given priority in preventive interventions after parental loss.