bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First satellite tracks of neonate sea turtles redefine the ‘lost years’ oceanic niche
Authors: Mansfield Katherine L. , Wyneken Jeanette , Porter Warren P. , Luo Jiangang
Published: March 2014

Few at-sea behavioural data exist for oceanic-stage neonate sea turtles, a life-stage commonly referred to as the sea turtle ‘lost years’. Historically, the long-term tracking of small, fast-growing organisms in the open ocean was logistically or technologically impossible. Here, we provide the first long-term satellite tracks of neonate sea turtles. Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) were remotely tracked in the Atlantic Ocean using small solar-powered satellite transmitters. We show that oceanic-stage turtles (i) rarely travel in Continental Shelf waters, (ii) frequently depart the currents associated with the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, (iii) travel quickly when in Gyre currents, and (iv) select sea surface habitats that are likely to provide a thermal benefit or refuge to young sea turtles, supporting growth, foraging and survival. Our satellite tracks help define Atlantic loggerhead nursery grounds and early loggerhead habitat use, allowing us to re-examine sea turtle ‘lost years’ paradigms.
Population structure of natural and propagated isolates of Cryptosporidium parvum, C. hominis and C. meleagridis
Authors: Widmer Giovanni , Ras Refaat , Chalmers Rachel M. , Elwin Kristin , Desoky Enas , Badawy Ahmed
Published: March 2014

The three protozoan species Cryptosporidium parvum, C. meleagridis and C. hominis (phylum Apicomplexa) are enteric pathogens of humans. The former two species are zoonotic and the latter is thought to infect only humans. To better characterize the structure and transmission of natural and laboratory‐propagated isolates, we analyzed a collection of archived human and animal isolates of these three species by deep‐sequencing polymerase chain reaction products amplified from a polymorphic sequence on chromosome 1. Thousands of screened 200‐nucleotide sequences were analyzed to compare the diversity among samples, to assess the impact of laboratory propagation on population complexity and to identify taxonomically mixed isolates. Contrary to our expectation, repeated propagation in animals did not reduce intra‐isolate diversity nor was diversity associated with host species. Significantly, in most samples, sequences characteristic of a different species were identified. The presence of C. hominis alleles in C. parvum and C. meleagridis isolates confirms earlier reports of mixed isolates and raises the possibility that the host range of C. hominis is broader than typically assumed. In a genetically divergent isolate of C. parvum, a majority of sequences was found to be recombinant, suggesting that this genotype originated from a C. parvum × C. hominis recombination event.
Global food security in 2050: the role of agricultural productivity and climate change
Authors: Baldos Uris Lantz C. , Hertel Thomas W.
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we examine how the complexities introduced by trends in agricultural productivity and climate change affect the future of global food security. We use a partial equilibrium model of global agriculture incorporating a food security module that links changes in the average dietary energy intake to shifts in the full caloric distribution, allowing us to compute changes in the incidence, headcount and average depth of malnutrition. After validating the model against an historical period, we implement a series of future scenarios to understand the impacts of key exogenous drivers on selected food security outcomes. Our results show improvements in global food security for the period 2006–2050. Despite growing population and increased biofuel demand, baseline income growth, coupled with projected increases in agricultural productivity lead to a 24 per cent rise in global average dietary energy intake. Consequently, the incidence of malnutrition falls by 84 per cent, lifting more than half a billion people out of extreme hunger. However, these results hinge heavily on agricultural productivity growth. Without such growth, there could be a substantial setback on food security improvements. Climate change adds uncertainty to these projections, depending critically on the crop yield impacts of increasingCO2concentrations in the atmosphere.
Opposing effects of aspirin and anticoagulants on morbidity and mortality in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Abu Daya Hussein , Eloubeidi Mohamad , Tamim Hani , Halawi Houssam , Malli Ahmad H. , Rockey Don C. , Barada Kassem
Published: March 2014

Objective

We aimed to determine the effect of antithrombotics on in‐hospital mortality and morbidity in patients with peptic ulcer disease‐related upper gastrointestinal bleeding (PUD‐related UGIB).

Methods

The study cohort was retrospectively selected from a tertiary center database of patients with PUD‐related UGIB, defined as bleeding due to gastric or duodenal ulcers, or erosive duodenitis, gastritis or esophagitis. Outcomes were compared among patient groups based on their antithrombotic medications before admission. Patients on no antithrombotics served as controls. The composite adverse outcomes, in‐hospital mortality, rebleeding and/or need for surgery were measured. Severe bleeding and in‐hospital complications were also recorded.

Results

Of 398 patients with PUD‐related UGIB, 44.5% were on aspirin or anticoagulants only. The composite adverse outcome was most common in patients taking anticoagulants only (40.5%), intermediate in controls (23.1%) and least in those taking aspirin only (12.1%). On multivariate analysis, patients taking aspirin alone had a significantly lower risk of adverse outcome events (odds ratio [OR] 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.8) and a shorter length of hospital stay (regression coefficient = −3.4, 95% CI [−6.6, −0.6]). In contrast, taking anticoagulants was associated with a greater risk of adverse outcome events (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–5.3), severe bleeding (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2–5.8) and in‐hospital complications (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.6).

Conclusions

Patients with PUB‐related UGIB while taking aspirin had fewer adverse outcomes compared with those taking anticoagulants. Aspirin may have beneficial effects in this population.
Impact of nutritional status of Egyptian patients with end‐stage liver disease on their outcomes after living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Yosry Ayman , Omran Dalia , Said Mohamad , Fouad Waleed , Fekry Osama
Published: March 2014

Objective

Malnutrition is prevalent among patients with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) awaiting liver transplantation. Our aim was to examine prospectively the impact of patients' nutritional status on their outcomes after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Methods

In all, 30 patients scheduled for LDLT were subjected to a preoperative nutritional status assessment through subjective global assessment (SGA), nutritional risk screening (NRS 2002) and anthropometric measurements. All patients were followed up for 3 months after LDLT for mortality, graft rejection, number of clinically significant infective episodes, time spent in hospital (ward and intensive care unit [ICU]) and graft failure or dysfunction.

Results

All patients were nutritionally compromised (evaluated by SGA and NRS 2002), and were divided into two groups: moderately and severely malnourished. Compared with moderately malnourished patients, severely malnourished patients showed significant postoperative hyperbilirubinemia, higher number of infective episodes and longer ICU stay. Preoperative triceps skinfold and mid‐arm circumference were negatively correlated with the number of infective episodes (r = −0.33, P = 0.03 and r = −0.377, P = 0.04, respectively). Moreover, skeletal muscle mass was negatively correlated with postoperative serum alanine aminotransferase level (r = −0.52, P = 0.003) and the number of postoperative infective episodes (r = −0.3, P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Poor nutritional status of Egyptian patients with ESLD negatively affects the patients' outcomes after LDLT.
Activation and identification of five clusters for secondary metabolites in Streptomyces albus J1074
Authors: Olano Carlos , García Ignacio , González Aranzazu , Rodriguez Miriam , Rozas Daniel , Rubio Julio , Sánchez‐Hidalgo Marina , Braña Alfredo F. , Méndez Carmen , Salas José A.
Published: March 2014

Streptomyces albus J1074 is a streptomycete strain widely used as a host for expression of secondary metabolite gene clusters. Bioinformatic analysis of the genome of this organism predicts the presence of 27 gene clusters for secondary metabolites. We have used three different strategies for the activation of some of these silent/cryptic gene clusters in S. albus J1074: two hybrid polyketide‐non‐ribosomal peptides (PK‐NRP) (antimycin and 6‐epi‐alteramides), a type I PK (candicidin), a non‐ribosomal peptides (NRP) (indigoidine) and glycosylated compounds (paulomycins). By insertion of a strong and constitutive promoter in front of selected genes of two clusters, production of the blue pigment indigoidine and of two novel members of the polycyclic tetramate macrolactam family (6‐epi‐alteramides A and B) was activated. Overexpression of positive regulatory genes from the same organism also activated the biosynthesis of 6‐epi‐alteramides and heterologous expression of the regulatory gene pimM of the pimaricin cluster activated the simultaneous production of candicidins and antimycins, suggesting some kind of cross‐regulation between both clusters. A cluster for glycosylated compounds (paulomycins) was also identified by comparison of the high‐performance liquid chromatography profiles of the wild‐type strain with that of a mutant in which two key enzymes of the cluster were simultaneously deleted.
Control of sulfidogenesis through bio‐oxidation of H2S coupled to (per)chlorate reduction
Authors: Gregoire Patrick , Engelbrektson Anna , Hubbard Christopher G. , Metlagel Zoltan , Csencsits Roseann , Auer Manfred , Conrad Mark E. , Thieme Jürgen , Northrup Paul , Coates John D.
Published: March 2014

We investigated H2S attenuation by dissimilatory perchlorate‐reducing bacteria (DPRB). All DPRB tested oxidized H2S coupled to (per)chlorate reduction without sustaining growth. H2S was preferentially utilized over organic electron donors resulting in an enriched (34S)‐elemental sulfur product. Electron microscopy revealed elemental sulfur production in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface of the DPRB Azospira suillum. Based on our results, we propose a novel hybrid enzymatic‐abiotic mechanism for H2S oxidation similar to that recently proposed for nitrate‐dependent Fe(II) oxidation. The results of this study have implications for the control of biosouring and biocorrosion in a range of industrial environments.
IL‐1 Receptor Blockade Prevents Fetal Cortical Brain Injury but Not Preterm Birth in a Mouse Model of Inflammation‐Induced Preterm Birth and Perinatal Brain Injury
Authors: Leitner Kirstin , Al Shammary Mofeedah , McLane Michael , Johnston Michael V. , Elovitz Michal A. , Burd Irina
Published: March 2014

Problem

Exposure to intrauterine inflammation, associated with preterm birth, has been linked to a devastating spectrum of neurobehavioral disorders. Mechanisms of this injury are unknown. Using a mouse model of intrauterine inflammation, we have observed a disruption of fetal neuronal morphology along with a marked elevation of interleukin (IL)‐1β in the fetal brain and placenta. In this study, we hypothesized that IL‐1 plays a key role in perinatal brain injury.

Method of study

Utilizing a mouse model of inflammation‐induced preterm birth, we investigated the role of IL‐1 in fetal cortical injury as well as preterm birth. In these studies, dams received systemic treatment with IL‐1 receptor antagonist prior to administration of intrauterine inflammation.

Results

Systemic maternal antagonism of IL‐1 improved fetal cortical neuronal injury associated with the exposure to intrauterine inflammation, without affecting the phenotype of preterm birth. IL‐1 receptor antagonist blocked activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in perinatal cortex, a key enzyme implicated in neurotoxicity.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that fetal cortical brain injury and preterm birth may occur by divergent mechanisms. Furthermore, our studies indicate maternal administration of IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RA) blocked neuronal nitric oxide synthase activation observed in the brain cortex and, we speculate, that this alteration in activation leads to demonstrated decreased neurotoxicity.
Conspiracy Theories and the Paranoid Style(s) of Mass Opinion
Authors: Oliver J. Eric , Wood Thomas J.
Published: March 2014

Although conspiracy theories have long been a staple of American political culture, no research has systematically examined the nature of their support in the mass public. Using four nationally representative surveys, sampled between 2006 and 2011, we find that half of the American public consistently endorses at least one conspiracy theory and that many popular conspiracy theories are differentiated along ideological and anomic dimensions. In contrast with many theoretical speculations, we do not find conspiracism to be a product of greater authoritarianism, ignorance, or political conservatism. Rather, the likelihood of supporting conspiracy theories is strongly predicted by a willingness to believe in other unseen, intentional forces and an attraction to Manichean narratives. These findings both demonstrate the widespread allure of conspiracy theories as political explanations and offer new perspectives on the forces that shape mass opinion and American political culture.
Scientific and clinical evidence for the use of fetal ECG ST segment analysis (STAN)
Authors: Steer Philip J. , Hvidman Lone Egly
Published: March 2014

Fetal electrocardiogram waveform analysis has been studied for many decades, but it is only in the last 20 years that computerization has made real‐time analysis practical for clinical use. Changes in the ST segment have been shown to correlate with fetal condition, in particular with acid–base status. Meta‐analysis of randomized trials (five in total, four using the computerized system) has shown that use of computerized ST segment analysis (STAN) reduces the need for fetal blood sampling by about 40%. However, although there are trends to lower rates of low Apgar scores and acidosis, the differences are not statistically significant. There is no effect on cesarean section rates. Disadvantages include the need for amniotic membranes to be ruptured so that a fetal scalp electrode can be applied, and the need for STAN values to be interpreted in conjunction with detailed fetal heart rate pattern analysis.
The descent of the fetal head is not modified by mobile epidural analgesia: a controlled sonographic study
Authors: Maroni Elisa , Youssef Aly , Rainaldi Maria Pia , Valentini Maria Viola , Turchi Giovanni , Morselli‐Labate Antonio Maria , Paccapelo Alexandro , Pacella Giuseppina , Contro Elena , Arcangeli Tiziana , Rizzo Nicola , Pilu Gianluigi , Ghi Tullio
Published: March 2014

The aim of our study was to assess the sonographic indices of fetal head progression obtained by three‐dimensional ultrasound during the second stage of labor in women with and without mobile epidural analgesia. Sonographic volume data sets were obtained with a transperineal approach every 20 min from the beginning of the active second stage until delivery. The ultrasound parameters were calculated off‐line from each volume and compared between women with and without epidural analgesia. All the sonographic measurements of the fetal head descent were comparable at each time interval between the two groups. This observation suggests that mobile epidural analgesia is not likely to affect the dynamics of the second stage of labor.
Inter‐ and intra‐observer agreement of non‐reassuring cardiotocography analysis and subsequent clinical management
Authors: Rhöse Sarah , Heinis Ayesha M.F. , Vandenbussche Frank , van Drongelen Joris , van Dillen Jeroen
Published: March 2014

Objective

To quantify inter‐ and intra‐observer agreement of non‐reassuring intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) patterns and subsequent clinical management.

Design

Methodological study.

Setting

University Medical Center.

Population

CTG patterns of 79 women beyond 37 weeks of gestation with a singleton fetus in vertex position in first stage of labor in whom fetal blood sampling (FBS) had been performed.

Methods

Nine observers assessed CTG patterns, which were formerly clinically classified as non‐reassuring and indicative for FBS, according to the guidelines of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics modified for ST analysis. They also proposed clinical management strategies without and with insight into clinical parameters. Weighted kappa values (κw) and proportions of agreement (Pa) were calculated.

Main outcome measures

Agreement on CTG classification and clinical management.

Results

Inter‐observer agreement on CTG classification and on clinical management were poor for most observer categories (κw range 0.31–0.50 and 0.20–0.45, respectively). Observers agreed best on abnormal CTG patterns (Pa range 0.28–0.36) and on the clinical management option “continue monitoring” (Pa range 0.32–0.40). Intra‐observer agreement was fair to good for most observers (κw 0.33–0.70). Insight into clinical parameters resulted in similar inter‐ and intra‐observer agreement.

Conclusions

There was poor inter‐observer agreement and fair to good intra‐observer agreement on classification and clinical management of intrapartum CTG patterns, which had been classified as non‐reassuring and indicative for FBS during birth.
SUPERSTITION IN THE HOUSING MARKET
Authors: FORTIN NICOLE M. , HILL ANDREW J. , HUANG JEFF
Published: March 2014

We provide the first solid evidence that Chinese superstitious beliefs can have significant effects on house prices in a North American market with a large immigrant population. Using real estate data on close to 117,000 house sales, we find that houses with address number ending in “4” are sold at a 2.2% discount and those ending in “8” are sold at a 2.5% premium in comparison to houses with other addresses. These price effects are found either in neighborhoods with a higher than average percentage of Chinese residents, consistent with cultural preferences, or in repeated transactions, consistent with speculative behavior. (JEL D03, R2, Z1)
People with epilepsy who use multiple hospitals; prevalence and associated factors assessed via a health information exchange
Authors: Grinspan Zachary M. , Abramson Erika L. , Banerjee Samprit , Kern Lisa M. , Kaushal Rainu , Shapiro Jason S.
Published: March 2014

Objective

Hospital crossover occurs when people seek care at multiple hospitals, creating information gaps for physicians at the time of care. Health information exchange (HIE) is technology that fills these gaps, by allowing otherwise unaffiliated physicians to share electronic medical information. However, the potential value of HIE is understudied, particularly for chronic neurologic conditions like epilepsy. We describe the prevalence and associated factors of hospital crossover among people with epilepsy, in order to understand the epidemiology of who may benefit from HIE.

Methods

We used a cross‐sectional study design to examine the bivariate and multivariable association of demographics, comorbidity, and health service utilization variables with hospital crossover, among people with epilepsy. We identified 8,074 people with epilepsy from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD‐9) codes, obtained from an HIE that linked seven hospitals in Manhattan, New York. We defined hospital crossover as care from more than one hospital in any setting (inpatient, outpatient, emergency, or radiology) over 2 years.

Results

Of 8,074 people with epilepsy, 1,770 (22%) engaged in hospital crossover over 2 years. Crossover was associated with younger age (children compared with adults, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–1.7), living near the hospitals (Manhattan vs. other boroughs of New York City, adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4–1.8), more visits in the emergency, radiology, inpatient, and outpatient settings (p < 0.001 for each), and more head computerized tomography (CT) scans (p < 0.01). The diagnosis of “encephalopathy” was consistently associated with crossover in bivariate and multivariable analyses (adjusted OR 2.66, 95% CI 2.14–3.29), whereas the relationship between other comorbidities and crossover was less clear.

Significance

Hospital crossover is common among people with epilepsy, particularly among children, frequent users of medical services, and people living near the study hospitals. HIE should focus on these populations. Further research should investigate why hospital crossover occurs, how it affects care, and how HIE can most effectively mitigate the resultant fragmentation of medical records.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Anaerobic methanotrophic community of a 5346‐m‐deep vesicomyid clam colony in the Japan Trench
Authors: Felden J. , Ruff S. E. , Ertefai T. , Inagaki F. , Hinrichs K.‐U. , Wenzhöfer F.
Published: March 2014

Vesicomyidae clams harbor sulfide‐oxidizing endosymbionts and are typical members of cold seep communities where active venting of fluids and gases takes place. We investigated the central biogeochemical processes that supported a vesicomyid clam colony as part of a locally restricted seep community in the Japan Trench at 5346 m water depth, one of the deepest seep settings studied to date. An integrated approach of biogeochemical and molecular ecological techniques was used combining in situ and ex situ measurements. In sediment of the clam colony, low sulfate reduction rates (maximum 128 nmol mL−1 day−1) were coupled to the anaerobic oxidation of methane. They were observed over a depth range of 15 cm, caused by active transport of sulfate due to bioturbation of the vesicomyid clams. A distinct separation between the seep and the surrounding seafloor was shown by steep horizontal geochemical gradients and pronounced microbial community shifts. The sediment below the clam colony was dominated by anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME‐2c) and sulfate‐reducing Desulfobulbaceae (SEEP‐SRB‐3, SEEP‐SRB‐4). Aerobic methanotrophic bacteria were not detected in the sediment, and the oxidation of sulfide seemed to be carried out chemolithoautotrophically by Sulfurovum species. Thus, major redox processes were mediated by distinct subgroups of seep‐related microorganisms that might have been selected by this specific abyssal seep environment. Fluid flow and microbial activity were low but sufficient to support the clam community over decades and to build up high biomasses. Hence, the clams and their microbial communities adapted successfully to a low‐energy regime and may represent widespread chemosynthetic communities in the Japan Trench. In this regard, they contributed to the restricted deep‐sea trench biodiversity as well as to the organic carbon availability, also for non‐seep organisms, in such oligotrophic benthic environment of the dark deep ocean.
Effectiveness of an alcohol‐free essential oil‐containing mouthwash in institutionalised elders receiving long‐term care: a feasibility study
Authors: Chalhoub Elsy , Emami Elham , Freijé Maria , Kandelman Daniel , Campese Melanie , St‐Georges Annie , Voyer René , Rompré Pierre , Barbeau Jean , Leduc Annie , Durand Robert
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To conduct a feasibility study on investigating the effectiveness of an alcohol‐free essential oil mouthwash (AF‐EOMW) to reduce plaque accumulation and oral pathogen levels in institutionalised elders receiving long‐term care and to obtain preliminary results.

Background

Although simple, cost‐effective strategies to improve oral hygiene in seniors such as the use of mouthwashes have been shown to reduce the risks of respiratory diseases, little information is available on the feasibility of implementing these measures.

Methods

Twenty‐five elderly participants with significant loss of autonomy were initially recruited and divided into two groups. A test group rinsed with an AF‐EOMW twice a day, and a control group rinsed with tap water. Data on demographic characteristics, dental history and tobacco use were collected from a questionnaire. Problems encountered during recruitment and data collection were documented. Plaque index, denture cleanliness and salivary levels of several pathogens were measured at three time points: baseline (T0), day 22 (T1) and day 45 (T2).

Results

Eighteen participants completed the study. Several problems were encountered during recruitment and execution of the study protocol. No significant differences in clinical or microbiological measures were found between the test group and controls at three time points (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This pilot study shows that, if sufficient logistical and financial resources are available, it is feasible to conduct randomised clinical trials in a seniors' facility. The use of an AF‐EOMW to improve oral hygiene in seniors was not found to be superior to tap water. However, larger controlled clinical studies are needed to confirm these results.
Noble Identity and Culture. Recent Historiography on the Nobility in the Medieval Low Countries III
Authors: van Steensel Arie
Published: March 2014

The medieval Low Countries are not usually associated with nobility and knighthood, but historical research in the past decades has proven that they should be. This series of essays gives a historiographical overview of the recent literature on the nobility in the medieval Low Countries and links it with major international debates on the subject. This part, the third of the three sections into which this survey is organised, discusses the fast‐growing and rich multi‐disciplinary literature on noble identity and culture. The study of the material, ideological, behavioural and performative aspects of noble status currently predominantly focuses on the princely court but needs to be extended to the nobility as a whole and further integrated with political and socio‐economic approaches.
Translation of the ‘Time is Brain’ Concept into Clinical Practice: Focus on Prehospital Stroke Management
Authors: Ragoschke-Schumm A. , Walter S. , Haass A. , Balucani C. , Lesmeister M. , Nasreldein A. , Sarlon L. , Bachhuber A. , Licina T. , Grunwald I. Q. , Fassbender K.
Published: March 2014

Acute stroke is one of the main causes of death and chronic disability. Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within the first hours after onset of symptoms is an effective therapeutic option for ischemic stroke. However, fewer than 2% to 7% of patients receive this treatment, primarily because most patients reach the hospital too late for the initiation of successful therapy. Several measures can reduce detrimental delay until treatment. It is of importance to use continual public awareness campaigns to reduce delays in patients' alarm of emergency medical services. Further relevant measures are repetitive education of emergency medical services teams to ensure the systematic use of scales designed for recognition of stroke symptoms and the proper triage of patients to stroke centers. A most important time-saving measure is prenotification of the receiving hospital by the emergency medical services team. In the future, treatment already at the emergency site may allow more than a small minority of patients to benefit from available treatment.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy increases the risk of diabetes: A 5‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Chung Shiu‐Dong , Lin Ching‐Chun , Lin Herng‐Ching
Published: March 2014

Objective

To examine the risk of diabetes mellitus within a 5‐year period among patients with nephrolithiasis undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy .

Methods

A total of 304 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy were included in the study cohort. A total of 3040 patients with nephrolithiasis who did not undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy were used as a comparison cohort. All participants included in the present study were individually tracked for a 5‐year period in order to identify those who developed diabetes mellitus during this timeframe.

Results

The incidence rate of diabetes mellitus was 3.03 per 100 person‐years in participants who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy and 1.65 per 100 person‐years in participants who did not undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy. After adjusting for the participants’ monthly income, geographic location, urbanization level, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and alcohol abuse/alcohol dependence syndrome, the hazard ratio of receiving a first diagnosis of diabetes mellitus during the 5‐year follow‐up period was 1.96 (95% confidence interval 1.40–2.77) for participants who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Furthermore, compared with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or endoscopic intervention, participants who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy had a significantly increased hazard of developing diabetes mellitus (adjusted hazard ratio 1.79 for a percutaneous nephrolithotomy vs extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, and adjusted hazard ratio 1.71 for a percutaneous nephrolithotomy vs an endoscopic intervention).

Conclusions

The present results suggest an association between patients with nephrolithiasis who undergo a percutaneous nephrolithotomy and a subsequent diabetes mellitus diagnosis.
Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 1 signalling in T cells: trafficking and beyond
Authors: Garris Christopher S. , Blaho Victoria A. , Hla Timothy , Han May H.
Published: March 2014

Summary

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is a lipid second messenger that signals via five G protein‐coupled receptors (S1P1–5). S1P receptor (S1PR) signalling is associated with a wide variety of physiological processes including lymphocyte biology, their recirculation and determination of T‐cell phenotypes. The effect of FTY720 (Fingolimod, Gilenya™) to regulate lymphocyte egress and to ameliorate paralysis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis led to the use of FTY720 as a first‐line oral agent for treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. However, a significant body of research suggests that S1P signalling may participate in diverse immune regulatory functions other than lymphocyte trafficking. This review article discusses the current knowledge of S1P signalling in the fate and function of T regulatory, T helper type 17 and memory T cells in health and disease.
Toll‐like receptor 6 mediated inflammatory and functional responses of zinc oxide nanoparticles primed macrophages
Authors: Roy Ruchi , Singh Sunil K. , Das Mukul , Tripathi Anurag , Dwivedi Premendra D.
Published: March 2014

Macrophages are among the most sensitive immune cells because of their phagocytic activity and are prone to become dysfunctional or not able to perform properly if nanoparticle load increases. We have previously reported that zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs) induce inflammatory responses in macrophages that contribute to their death. Recognition of ZNPs by pattern recognition receptors such as toll‐like receptors (TLRs) might be a factor in the initiation of these responses in macrophages. Therefore, in this study we explored the role played by TLR6 and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPKs) pathways in the inflammatory responses of macrophages during ZNPs exposure. ZNPs‐activated macrophages showed enhanced expression of activation and maturation markers (CD1d, MHC‐II, CD86 and CD71). Among various TLRs screened, TLR6 emerged as the most potent activator for ZNPs‐induced inflammatory responses. Downstream signalling proteins myeloid differentiation 88, interleukin‐1 receptor associated kinase and tumour necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor were also enhanced. On inhibiting MAPKs pathways individually, the inflammatory responses such as interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐α, cyclooxygenase‐2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase were suppressed. TLR6 silencing significantly inhibited the pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels, reactive nitrogen species generation and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Also, inhibition of MAPKs in the absence of TLR6 signalling validated the link between TLR6 and MAPKs in ZNPs‐induced inflammatory responses. TLR6 was found to be co‐localized with autophagosomes. Macrophages lacking TLR6 inhibited the autophagosome marker protein‐microtubule‐associated protein1 light chain 3‐isoform II formation and phagocytosis. These results demonstrate that inflammatory responses caused by ZNPs‐activated macrophages strongly depend on TLR6‐mediated MAPK signalling.
The relational state: Beyond marketisation and managerialism
Authors: Muir Rick
Published: March 2014

Our public services, whether driven by the state or market forces, are not fit to tackle many of the complex, long‐term problems facing Britain today. Rick Muir describes a revolution in thinking about public services, focused on accountability to and empowerment of service users and their local communities.
Poverty and control: Moving on from outdated and unaffordable approaches
Authors: Mian Emran
Published: March 2014

Current poverty targets stand on shaky foundations, says Emran Mian, who instead proposes a progressive agenda for tackling poverty focused on delivering ‘positive freedom’ – equality in the power to enact choices and control one's life.
After genocide: Democracy in Rwanda, 20 years on
Authors: Clark Phil
Published: March 2014

Phil Clark examines the critical challenges facing Rwanda's RPF party. Architect of a remarkable post‐genocide national rehabilitation, the party's very successes now poses a threat to the emergence of a genuinely democratic political space.
Overseeing Secrets in the EU: A Democratic Perspective
Authors: Curtin Deirdre
Published: March 2014

Formulating policy and overseeing implementation require access to information. Yet in (national) security matters executive officials have considerable discretion to conceal from the public and from parliaments information they consider sensitive. If executive officials are given largely unchecked power to conceal from the public and from parliament(s) whatever information they consider sensitive, part of the essential machinery of democracy is disconnected. Secrecy becomes a danger when it undermines the very values invoked to protect it: democratic self‐government and security. Technical European Union (EU) security classification rules receive little attention from outsiders and are adopted and amended in iterative processes as low‐level internal rule‐making. Oversight mechanisms in the EU, in particular by parliaments, can supply some countervailing pressure, but remain a recurrent challenge. Is more public discussion needed on when and for how long secrets can be kept and how oversight mechanisms are constructed in new EU horizontal legislation?
Gene expression profile of dermal mesenchymal stem cells from patients with psoriasis
Authors: Hou R. , Yan H. , Niu X. , Chang W. , An P. , Wang C. , Yang Y. , Yan X. , Li J. , Liu R. , Li X. , Zhang K.
Published: March 2014

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are likely involved in pathological processes of immune‐related diseases, including psoriasis because of their immunoregulatory and pro‐angiogenic effects, and the vascular proliferation, angiectasis and perivascular lymphocyte infiltration are known to be predominantly responsible for the pathological alterations in psoriasis.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the gene expression profile of dermal MSCs from patients with psoriasis.

Methods

We isolated and expanded dermal MSCs from psoriatic patients and normal controls by using the attachment assay and conducted mRNA expression profile and gene ontology analyses using microarray.

Results

The gene expression profile of MSCs from psoriatic derma was markedly different from the normal derma‐derived MSCs; the angiogenesis‐related genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor A, insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐5, and GATA6 showed significant differential expression.

Conclusions

These results indicate that MSCs from the derma of psoriasis patients might be involved in the early development of psoriasis because of their pro‐angiogenic potential as well as the immunoregulatory effect.
Third Rail Custody: The Military Case
Authors: Sullivan Mark E.
Published: March 2014

Military custody and visitation cases often involve issues of deployment overseas and transfers between military bases, both here and abroad. Judges must be aware of the rules for relocation and custody modification, living circumstances on and around the military installation, and all of the usual issues in custody cases. This article deals with facts regarding the military environment, Family Care Plans, unaccompanied tours of duty, and delegated visitation rights while a parent is away on orders. It also contains checklists and model forms for judges to use in the military custody and visitation case.
Better Inflation Time of Stent Balloon for Second‐Generation Drug‐Eluting Stent Expansion and Apposition: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study
Authors: ANN SOE HEE , CHUNG JAE‐WOOK , DE JIN CAI , LEE JUN HO , KIM JONG MIN , GARG SCOT , SHIN EUN‐SEOK
Published: March 2014

Objectives

We tried to determine the effect of stent balloon inflation time on stent expansion and apposition using optical coherence tomography.

Background

Second‐generation drug‐eluting stents (DES) have thin struts; however, inflation times for optimal stent expansion and apposition are unknown in vivo.

Methods

Subjects included 17 patients (18 de novo coronary artery lesions), in whom Resolute Integrity → (n = 9) and Xience Prime → (n = 9) DES were deployed. All stents were inflated 3 times to the nominal inflation pressure (8.9 ± 0.6 atm) using the stent delivery balloon. The first inflation continued until the stent was angiographically fully expanded; the other 2 lasted 15 and 30 seconds, respectively.

Results

After the first, second, and third inflation of stent balloon, stent area (5.94 ± 1.7, 6.69 ± 1.8, 7.05 ± 1.8 mm2, P < 0.001) and stent volume (146.94 ± 59.40, 166.78 ± 69.55, 177.25 ± 69.19 mm3, P < 0.001) increased significantly. The number of malapposed struts (18.0 ± 17.0, 7.9 ± 10.2, 7.4 ± 10.8, P < 0.001) and the mean depth of malapposed struts (188.9 ± 75.6, 120.3 ± 101.4, 95.4 ± 86.8 µm, P < 0.001) decreased. Malapposed stent area (0.62 ± 0.32, 0.52 ± 0.21 mm2, P < 0.05) and the malapposed stent volume (15.03 ± 7.78, 12.64 ± 5.16 mm3, P < 0.05) decreased significantly following the second inflation; the third inflation gave no additional benefits to these parameters. There was no adverse clinical outcome after each stent balloon inflation.

Conclusions

Additional 15 seconds of inflation after the angiographically full expansion of the stent balloon allows better stent expansion and apposition even though the inflation pressure is nominal pressure. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:171–176)
Comparison of Sagittal and Transverse Echo Planar Spectroscopic Imaging on the Quantification of Brain Metabolites
Authors: Tsai Shang‐Yueh , Wang Woan‐Chyi , Lin Yi‐Ru
Published: March 2014

PURPOSE

We quantitatively compared sagittal and transverse echo planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) on the quantification of metabolite concentrations with consideration of tissue variation. A quantification strategy is proposed to collect the necessary information for quantification of concentrations in a minimized acquisition time.

METHODS

Six transverse and six sagittal EPSI data were collected on healthy volunteers. Metabolite concentrations of N‐acetyl‐aspartate (NAA), total creatine (tCr), total choline (tCho), myo‐inositol (mI), and glutamate and glutamine complex (Glx) were quantified using water scaling with partial volume and relaxation correction. Linear regression analysis was performed to extract concentrations in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM). The inter‐ and intrasubject coefficients of variance (CV) were estimated.

RESULTS

Concentrations and fitting errors of sagittal and transverse EPSI were at same level. GM to WM contrast of concentrations was found in NAA, tCr, and tCho. The intersubject CVs revealed greater variability in the sagittal EPSI than in the transverse EPSI. The intrasubject CVs of the transverse EPSI were below 5% for NAA, tCr, and tCho.

CONCLUSION

We showed that quantified concentrations of sagittal and transverse EPSI after partial volume correction are comparable and reproducible. The proposed quantification strategy can be conveniently adapted into various MRI protocols.
Subcortical Structure Volumes and Correlation to Clinical Variables in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Geevarghese Ruben , Lumsden Daniel E. , Hulse Natasha , Samuel Michael , Ashkan Keyoumars
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

MRI studies in Parkinson's Disease have shown volumetric reductions of subcortical structures such as the thalamus, putamen, globus pallidus, and caudate nucleus. However, there are no studies which look at the relationship between subcortical structure volumes and clinical variables, such as age and motor severity scores.

METHODS

Brain MRI scans of 47 consecutive PD patients undergoing deep brain stimulation was acquired. Volumetric data of the thalamus, putamen, caudate nucleus, and globus pallidus were extracted and corrected for total intracranial volume. Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) and general linear modeling (GLM) were then applied to the volumetric and the clinical variable data to explore the relationships between the two.

RESULTS

PCC showed a positive correlation between volumes of the left and right thalamus and left and right putamen with increasing duration of disease. GLM demonstrated that duration of symptoms was a significant factor relating to larger left thalamic volume. Male gender was also a significant factor associated with smaller left and right thalamic and right putaminal volumes.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a correlation between the volume subcortical structures and clinical variables, particularly the disease duration, in PD. This may not only help understanding the disease process but also patient selection for invasive and noninvasive therapies.
The Role of Neuroimaging in Evaluating Patients Affected by Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Caobelli Federico , Cobelli Milena , Pizzocaro Claudio , Pavia Marco , Magnaldi Silvia , Guerra Ugo Paolo
Published: March 2014

Diagnosis of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease during life can be challenging since the huge variability of the symptoms which can be observed, especially in its early stages, may simulate other common forms of dementia. In latest years, noninvasive techniques such as magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography, and single‐photon emission tomography have been evaluated to help clinical neurologists to provide a definite diagnosis.

We here provide a systematic review of the current knowledge of neuroimaging in CJD in order to establish the actual state of the art.
Usefulness of Transcranial Doppler‐Derived Cerebral Hemodynamic Parameters in the Noninvasive Assessment of Intracranial Pressure
Authors: Wakerley Benjamin R. , Kusuma Yohanna , Yeo Leonard L.L. , Liang Shen , Kumar Komal , Sharma Arvind K. , Sharma Vijay K.
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography is a noninvasive bedside tool that can evaluate cerebral blood flow hemodynamics in major intracranial arteries. TCD‐derived pulsatility index (PI) is believed to be influenced by intracranial pressure (ICP).

OBJECTIVE

To correlate TCD‐PI with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure (representing ICP), measured by standard lumbar puncture (LP) manometry.

METHODS

CSF pressures (CSF‐P) were measured in 78 patients by LP manometry. Stable TCD spectra were obtained 5 minutes before LP from either middle cerebral arteries using Spencer's head frame and 2‐MHz transducer. PI values were calculated from the TCD spectra by an independent neurosonologist.

RESULTS

Factors displaying a significant relationship with CSF‐P included age (R = −.426, P < .0005); EDV (R = −.328, P = .002;) and PI (R = .650, P < .0005). On analyzing dichotomized data (CSF‐P < 20 vs. ≥ 20 cm H20) TCD‐PI was an independent determinant (OR per .1 increase in PI = 2.437; 95% CI, 1.573‐3.777; P < .0005). PI ≥ 1.26 could reliably predict CSF‐P ≥ 20 cm H20 (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy were 81.1%, 96.3%, 93.8%, 88.1%, and 90.1% respectively).

CONCLUSION

TCD‐derived PI could be used to identify patients with CSF‐P ≥ 20 cm H20 and may play an important role as a monitoring tool.
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with Unilateral Amygdala Enlargement: Morphometric MR Analysis with Clinical and Pathological Study
Authors: Kimura Yukio , Sato Noriko , Saito Yuko , Ito Kimiteru , Kamiya Kouhei , Nakata Yasuhiro , Watanabe Masako , Maikusa Norihide , Matsuda Hiroshi , Sugimoto Hideharu
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Amygdala enlargement (AE) has been reported as an epileptogenic focus in subtypes of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, morphological, and pathological characteristics of AE.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data and imaging findings of 23 TLE patients with ipsilateral AE. We performed morphological MR analyses using FreeSurfer and voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) in 14 of the 23 patients and in 20 controls whose images were obtained by a 3.0‐Tesla MRI. A pathological study was also performed in 2 patients who underwent operations.

RESULTS

All patients became seizure free or shSowed dramatic improvement by medical therapy except for two. They received operations and their pathology revealed that both patients had cortical dysplasia in from the amygdala to the ipsilateral temporal pole. The FreeSurfer analysis showed a significant difference in the amygdala volumes between the affected and nonaffected sides. VBM revealed significant increases of gray matter volumes of the temporal pole on the side of AE in seven of the 14 patients with AE (50%).

CONCLUSIONS

Cortical dysplasia may be one of the pathological diagnoses in AE, and in some patients it may extend to the temporal pole.