bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the presence of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia in various diseases of this organ
Authors: Zińczuk Justyna , Zaręba Konrad , Konarzewska-Duchnowska E , Guzińska-Ustymowicz K , Kędra B , Kemona A , Pryczynicz A
Published: February 2018

Purpose: Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) is one of the most commonly occurring precancerous lesion in pancreas which leads to development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We assessed the presence and grade of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia in the course of various diseases of the pancreas and its correlations with chosen clinicopathological parameters. null Results: A total of 276 foci of PanIN were identified in 94 patients. The most common lesions were PanIN 1a and PanIN 1b which together constituted 68.2 % of all lesions, whereas the PanIN 2 was present in 21.7% and PanIN 3 in 10.1% of patients. No statistical differences were observed in gender tendency for the development of PanINs. There was correlation between age of patients and degree of PanIN (p=0.034). There is no statistical difference in PanIN frequency among patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cysts (p=0.592). Conclusions: Our study showed that important factor in development of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia is age and the presence of PanIN in nonneoplastic diseases in older people should be included to the group with increased risk of cancer development.
Coaching as a method for potentially reducing the risk of burnout in
medical professionals
Authors: Sułkowska J. , Kuźmicz I. , Malinowska-Lipień I. , Lickiewicz J. , Brzostek T. , Makara-Studzińska M.
Published: February 2018

In their daily work, medical professionals
often encounter emotionally and mentally
challenging situations, such as sudden health
deterioration or death of their patients.
The concern to ensure the highest possible
level of healthcare and meet all the standards
despite the limitations that come with working
under the pressure of time, the interactions with
other individuals, the physical burden and stress, as
well as with the (sometimes limited) support from
superiors and lack of satisfaction with salary may,
as
a result, translate into a higher risk of burnout.
Research indicates a potential effectiveness of
coaching with respect to medical personnel.
However, there are no publications available
concerning nurse-oriented coaching, which would
be intended to reduce the risk of burnout in this
professional group. The objective of this paper is to
present coaching as a method that makes it possible
to reduce the risk related to burnout in medical
professionals.
Restoring the dignity of the nursing and midwifery professions in
a confrontation with the psychological and psychiatric consequences of
a terrorist attack on the human body
Authors: Mazurkiewicz D.W. , Piechocka D.I. , Strzelecka J.
Published: February 2018

On October 9-10, 2017, the International
Scientific Conference „Polish, European and Global
Nursing” was held in Warsaw, Poland. The main
organizer of the conference was the National Council
of Nurses and Midwives in Warsaw. The event was an
excellent opportunity to seriously discuss the situation
of nurses and midwives and other topics in a large group of experts, pondering such issues as how to
restore the dignity and prestige of the profession, and
also how to initiate a discussion on the psychological
and psychiatric consequences of a terrorist attack on
the human body.
Which questions should be asked in classroom talk in mathematics? Presentation and discussion of a questioning model
Authors: Ulleberg Inger , Solem Ida Heiberg
Published: February 2018

In this article, we focus on questions posed by the teacher in classroom talk in mathematics. Questions have been shown to be of great importance in developing productive classroom conversations and the students’ mathematical thinking. We present a questioning model with four different areas in which specific types of questions can be posed, and relate these question types to other researchers’ question categories. Our focus is on the purpose of the question as well as on the kind of answer that is expected. We present how the model can contribute to the understanding of practice through four examples from classroom observations in primary school. Our attention is directed towards movements in the classroom talk, as the four areas of the model are dynamically connected. We discuss how the model can function as an analytical tool for developing and analysing classroom talk in mathematics.Keywords: classroom talk, mathematising, questions, questioning modelHvilke spørsmål bør stilles i klassesamtaler i matematikk?Presentasjon og diskusjon av en spørsmålsmodellSammendragI artikkelen fokuserer vi på spørsmål som stilles av læreren i klassesamtaler i matematikk. Spørsmål har vist seg å være av stor betydning når det gjelder å utvikle produktive klassesamtaler og å utvikle elevers matematiske tenkning. Vi presenterer en spørsmålsmodell med fire områder med ulike typer spørsmål, og vi knytter disse spørsmålstypene til andre forskeres spørsmålskategorier. Vårt fokus er på hensikten med spørsmålet så vel som på svaret som blir forventet. Vi presenterer hvordan modellen kan bidra til forståelse av praksis gjennom fire eksempler fra klasseromsobservasjoner på barnetrinnet. Vår interesse retter seg mot bevegelser i klassesamtalen, og å se hvordan de fire områdene er dynamisk knyttet sammen. Vi diskuterer hvordan modellen kan være et analytisk hjelpemiddel for å utvikle og analysere klassesamtaler i matematikk.Nøkkelord: klassesamtale, matematisering, spørsmål, spørsmålsmodell
Reproducibility and Feasibility of Strategies for Morphologic Assessment of Renal Biopsies Using the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network Digital Pathology Scoring System
Authors: Zee Jarcy , Hodgin Jeffrey B. , Mariani Laura H. , Gaut Joseph P. , Palmer Matthew B. , Bagnasco Serena M. , Rosenberg Avi Z. , Hewitt Stephen M. , Holzman Lawrence B. , Gillespie Brenda W. , Barisoni Laura
Published: February 2018

Context

Testing reproducibility is critical for the development of methodologies for morphologic assessment. Our previous study using the descriptor-based Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network Digital Pathology Scoring System (NDPSS) on glomerular images revealed variable reproducibility.

Objective

To test reproducibility and feasibility of alternative scoring strategies for digital morphologic assessment of glomeruli and explore use of alternative agreement statistics.

Design

The original NDPSS was modified (NDPSS1 and NDPSS2) to evaluate (1) independent scoring of each individual biopsy level, (2) use of continuous measures, (3) groupings of individual descriptors into classes and subclasses prior to scoring, and (4) indication of pathologists' confidence/uncertainty for any given score. Three and 5 pathologists scored 157 and 79 glomeruli using the NDPSS1 and NDPSS2, respectively. Agreement was tested using conventional (Cohen κ) and alternative (Gwet agreement coefficient 1 [AC1]) agreement statistics and compared with previously published data (original NDPSS).

Results

Overall, pathologists' uncertainty was low, favoring application of the Gwet AC1. Greater agreement was achieved using the Gwet AC1 compared with the Cohen κ across all scoring methodologies. Mean (standard deviation) differences in agreement estimates using the NDPSS1 and NDPSS2 compared with the single-level original NDPSS were −0.09 (0.17) and −0.17 (0.17), respectively. Using the Gwet AC1, 79% of the original NDPSS descriptors had good or excellent agreement. Pathologist feedback indicated the NDPSS1 and NDPSS2 were time-consuming.

Conclusions

The NDPSS1 and NDPSS2 increased pathologists' scoring burden without improving reproducibility. Use of alternative agreement statistics was strongly supported. We suggest using the original NDPSS on whole slide images for glomerular morphology assessment and for guiding future automated technologies.
Publication contracts and their legal interpretation in Korea
Authors: Oh Seung Jong
Published: February 2018

This study intends to help editors and publishers understand what to be aware of when signing a publishing contract in Korea. The legal interpretation of publishing rights may vary depending on the type of contract. It is vital for publishers to understand the different characteristics of each type of contract: author-publisher agreements, establishment of publishing rights, transfer of the author’s economic rights, and lump-sum agreements. Lump-sum agreements are a unique practice common in Korea, in which intellectual copyright is transferred upon a one-time lump-sum payment. Decisions regarding the infringement of publication rights in a given case will be rendered in accordance with the specific aspects of the relevant type of publication rights, and the work in question must be reviewed to determine whether it shows substantial similarity or sameness in order to prepare for any potential issues. Meanwhile, in Korea, electronic publishing requires an additional agreement separate from the printing publication agreement, but regulations regarding electronic publishing shall be confirmed through international agreements after considering the specific statutes and practices of publication in each country, as legal statutes and their interpretation may vary widely. Editors and publishers of academic papers and books must be aware of the various types of publishing contracts in practice.
High diversified benthic habitats in a tidal Mediterranean sub-tropical environment: the case of the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia)
Authors: Fersi Abir , Mosbahi Nawfel , Bakalem Ali , Pezy Jean-Philippe , Baffreau Alexandrine , Neifar Lassad , Dauvin Jean-Claude
Published: February 2018

The Gulf of Gabès on the southern coasts of Tunisia in the central part of the Mediterranean is a very shallow basin, characterized by semidiurnal tides, attaining a range of 2.3 m during spring tides. The intertidal zone was covered by extended Zostera (Zosterella) noltei Hornemann, 1832 beds mainly developed around the Kneiss Islands while tidal channels ensured the water circulation in this sub-tropical environment with very low freshwater input and high summer temperature. In spite of protected conventions, the area remained under high human pressures: overfishing, and the impact of the pollution of the phosphate industry. Intensive sampling in both intertidal and shallow subtidal zones during annual cycles permitted to identify a rich macrofauna which increase considerably the species known in this eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. More than 50 species are added for the Tunisian fauna. Moreover, patterns of diversity are analysed with the sediment types, presence or absence of Zostera noltei seagrass bed, and human pressures. The list of the collected species are compared with those of surrounding areas in both Western and Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Chaetopterus variopedatus tubes, a stepping-stone habitat for introduced and tropical-temperate species in the English Channel
Authors: Pezy Jean-Philippe , Barnich Ruth , Raoux Aurore , Baffreau Alexandrine , Dauvin Jean-Claude
Published: February 2018

The polychaete Chaetopterus variopedatus lives in large, leathery U-shaped tubes in subtidal sands or gravel. The species is scarcely distributed in the English Channel and thus not easy to find. The studied animals and their associated fauna originate from beam trawls or were washed up on beaches in Normandy. In the upper part of the tube, near the prostomium of C. variopedatus, we found the following commensal species: the crab Asthenognathus atlanticus and the polychaetes Harmothoe glabra and Gattyana cirrhosa. For the tropical-temperate crab A. atlanticus our findings represent an extension of its geographical range. Moreover, at the tube’s extremity several epifaunal species were present, among them the ascidian Styela clava, an introduced species from Japan. Undoubtedly, tubes of C. variopedatus provide an excellent habitat for associated species and further studies involving the interaction of the host and its commensals could prove very interesting. Our results suggest also that these tubes represent a stepping-stone habitat for the introduction of non-native species and the geographical extension of tropical-temperate species in the English Channel.
Faunistic deep-sea investigations in the Northwest Pacific have increased faunal knowledge at the edge of the changing Arctic Ocean
Authors: Brandt Angelika , Malyutina Marina , Martinez Pedro
Published: February 2018

In the past seven years, the biology of the bathyal, abyssal and hadal faunas of meio- macro-, and megabenthos of the northwestern (NW) Pacific have been intensively investigated by Russian and German partners. A total of four joint expeditions with both RV Akademik M.A. Lavrentyev as well as RV Sonne have provided data on the systematic, evolution and biogeography of the deep-sea fauna of the Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench (KKT) and the NW Pacific open abyssal plain. Goals of these expeditions were to study the biodiversity, biogeography and trophic characteristics of the benthic organisms in different NW Pacific deep-sea environments, to compare more isolated deep-sea basins with more easily accessible ones and to test whether the hadal of the KKT isolates the fauna of the Sea of Okhotsk to the fauna of the open NW Pacific area. An outline of some important results in presented. These data build the basis of the Beneficial ( B iog e ography of the n orthwest Pacific fauna. A benchmark study for e stimations o f alien i nvasions into the Ar c tic Ocean i n times of r a pid c l imate chance) project which aims to deliver a sound biogeographic baseline study of the NW Pacific area. These data will serve as a solid basis and benchmark for predicting potential species invasions supported by the retreat of Arctic Ocean sea ice. Thus our data will be beneficial for the assessment of state and quality of the Arctic marine ecosystem in a changing environment.
Increased prenatal brain growth in a transgenic mouse model decreases cranial development: An expensive tissue hypothesis for the skull
Authors: López Elisabeth K N , Ravosa Matthew J
Published: February 2018

In vertebrates, it has been argued that the development and evolution of an enlarged brain requires an increased basal metabolic rate or a compensatory reduction in the resources devoted to the formation of other metabolically costly tissues, leading to a reduction in the size of such organs. While the latter scenario is indirectly supported by comparative data, especially in primates, this inherently ontogenetic phenomenon has not been addressed in a mechanistic framework.

Our experimental study investigates the relationship between brain growth and cranial development in ß-catenin transgenic mice with remarkably increased levels of prenatal neurogenesis. To evaluate associated changes in skull form and control for variation in maternal resources among mouse litters, we directly compare data from transgenic and wild-type littermates. Ossification patterns in the limbs and skull were also analyzed to control for within-subject variation in skeletal formation. Transgenic mice, with relatively larger brains, are characterized by a corresponding decrease in the degree of cranial ossification for a given age, in contrast to the presence of similar rates of postcranial ossification between transgenic and wild-type mice. This disparity is most pronounced in the neurocranial vault, which is supplied by a greater number of vessels in common with the brain than the facial skull.

Mice with relatively larger brains had a decrease in cranial ossification. As modern humans are more encephalized than living apes and most extinct hominids, our findings provide unique insights into hominid evolution, particularly the “expensive tissue hypothesis” regarding energetic tradeoffs during neural and cranial development.
What’s for dinner? Diet and trophic impact of an invasive anuran Hoplobatrachus tigerinus on the Andaman archipelago
Authors: Mohanty Nitya Prakash , Measey John
Published: February 2018

Amphibian invasions have considerable detrimental impacts on recipient ecosystems; however, reliable risk analysis of invasive amphibians still requires research on more non-native amphibian species. An invasive population of the Indian bullfrog, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, is currently spreading on the Andaman archipelago and may have significant trophic impacts on native anurans through competition and predation. We assessed the diet of the invasive Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (n = 358), the native Limnonectes spp. (n = 375) and Fejervarya spp. (n = 65) in three sites, across four habitat types and two seasons, on the Andaman archipelago. We found a significant dietary overlap of H. tigerinus with Limnonectes spp., which may lead to competition. Small vertebrates, including several endemic species, constituted a majority of H. tigerinus diet by volume, suggesting potential impact by predation. Diets of the three species were mostly governed by the positive relationship between predator-prey body sizes. Niche breadth analyses did not indicate any significant changes in diet between seasons. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus and Fejervarya spp. chose evasive prey, suggesting that these two species are mostly ambush predators; Limnonectes spp. elected sedentary prey; although a large portion of its diet consisted of other prey types, such electivity indicates ‘active search’ as its major foraging strategy. All three species of anurans mostly consumed terrestrial prey. This intensive study on a new genus of invasive amphibian contributes to the knowledge on impacts of amphibian invasions, and elucidates the feeding ecology of H. tigerinus, and species of the genera Limnonectes and Fejervarya. We stress on the necessity to evaluate prey availability and volume in future studies for meaningful insights into diet of amphibians.
Comparative genomic analysis of a new tellurite-resistantPsychrobacterstrain isolated from the Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Muñoz-Villagrán Claudia Melissa , Mendez Katterinne N. , Cornejo Fabian , Figueroa Maximiliano , Undabarrena Agustina , Morales Eduardo Hugo , Arenas-Salinas Mauricio , Arenas Felipe Alejandro , Castro-Nallar Eduardo , Vásquez Claudio Christian
Published: February 2018

ThePsychrobactergenus is a cosmopolitan and diverse group of aerobic, cold-adapted, Gram-negative bacteria exhibiting biotechnological potential for low-temperature applications including bioremediation. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of a bacterium from thePsychrobactergenus isolated from a sediment sample from King George Island, Antarctica (3,490,622 bp; 18 scaffolds; G + C = 42.76%). Using phylogenetic analysis, biochemical properties and scanning electron microscopy the bacterium was identified asPsychrobacter glacincolaBNF20, making it the first genome sequence reported for this species.P. glacincolaBNF20 showed high tellurite (MIC 2.3 mM) and chromate (MIC 6.0 mM) resistance, respectively. Genome-wide nucleotide identity comparisons revealed thatP. glacincolaBNF20 is highly similar (>90%) to other uncharacterizedPsychrobacterspp. such as JCM18903, JCM18902, and P11F6. Bayesian multi-locus phylogenetic analysis showed thatP. glacincolaBNF20 belongs to a polyphyletic clade with other bacteria isolated from polar regions. A high number of genes related to metal(loid) resistance were found, including tellurite resistance genetic determinants located in two contigs: Contig LIQB01000002.1 exhibited five ter genes, each showing putative promoter sequences (terACDEZ), whereas contig LIQB1000003.2 showed a variant of the terZ gene. Finally, investigating the presence and taxonomic distribution of ter genes in the NCBI’s RefSeq bacterial database (5,398 genomes, as January 2017), revealed that 2,623 (48.59%) genomes showed at least one ter gene. At the family level, most (68.7%) genomes harbored one ter gene and 15.6% exhibited five (includingP. glacincolaBNF20). Overall, our results highlight the diverse nature (genetic and geographic diversity) of thePsychrobactergenus, provide insights into potential mechanisms of metal resistance, and exemplify the benefits of sampling remote locations for prospecting new molecular determinants.
How has our knowledge of dinosaur diversity through geologic time changed through research history?
Authors: Tennant Jonathan P. , Chiarenza Alfio Alessandro , Baron Matthew
Published: February 2018

Assessments of dinosaur macroevolution at any given time can be biased by the historical publication record. Recent studies have analysed patterns in dinosaur diversity that are based on secular variations in the numbers of published taxa. Many of these have employed a range of approaches that account for changes in the shape of the taxonomic abundance curve, which are largely dependent on databases compiled from the primary published literature. However, how these ‘corrected’ diversity patterns are influenced by the history of publication remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate the influence of publication history between 1991 and 2015 on our understanding of dinosaur evolution using raw diversity estimates and shareholder quorum subsampling for the three major subgroups: Ornithischia, Sauropodomorpha, and Theropoda. We find that, while sampling generally improves through time, there remain periods and regions in dinosaur evolutionary history where diversity estimates are highly volatile (e.g. the latest Jurassic of Europe, the mid-Cretaceous of North America, and the Late Cretaceous of South America). Our results show that historical changes in database compilation can often substantially influence our interpretations of dinosaur diversity. ‘Global’ estimates of diversity based on the fossil record are often also based on incomplete, and distinct regional signals, each subject to their own sampling history. Changes in the record of taxon abundance distribution, either through discovery of new taxa or addition of existing taxa to improve sampling evenness, are important in improving the reliability of our interpretations of dinosaur diversity. Furthermore, the number of occurrences and newly identified dinosaurs is still rapidly increasing through time, suggesting that it is entirely possible for much of what we know about dinosaurs at the present to change within the next 20 years.
Effects of Climate/Land Surface Changes on Streamflow With Consideration of Precipitation Intensity and Catchment Characteristics in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Lv Meixia , Ma Zhuguo , Lv Meizhao
Published: February 2018

The climate elasticity of streamflow is an important indicator for quantifying the contributions of climate/underlying surface changes to streamflow, but precipitation intensity and catchment characteristics are usually ignored. In this study, the effects of precipitation amount (P), precipitation intensity (i), potential evapotranspiration (ET0), and multiple catchment characteristics parameters (including parameter n of the Choudhury‐Yang equation and vegetation leaf area index, LAI) on naturalized streamflow were estimated for the Yellow River Basin of China using elasticity of streamflow. The results showed that the naturalized streamflow was most sensitive to ET0, followed by P and i in terms of climate elasticity. The factors responsible for the decrease in naturalized streamflow in 2001–2010 relative to 1961–2000 varied across the basin. Factors i and ET0 played the most important roles in the headwaters and were responsible for 27.0% and −82.7% of the absolute streamflow change. The dominant factors were P (−17.6% to −12.5%), ET0 (−19.2% to −14.4%), and LAI (−22.9% to −14.0%) in the middle‐lower subbasins. The contributions of parameter n and LAI were similar in the headwaters, but the contribution of LAI became relatively large in the downstream. The physical meaning of n, which has not been clearly identified, was discussed in this study. The annual n was correlated well with the sum of evapotranspiration and terrestrial water storage, which represents the water both stored in the ground and evaporated into the air. The findings of this study can provide guidance for the river basin water resource management.
An International Multispecialty Validation Study of the IgG4‐Related Disease Responder Index
Authors: Wallace Zachary S. , Khosroshahi Arezou , Carruthers Mollie D. , Perugino Cory A. , Choi Hyon , Campochiaro Corrado , Culver Emma L. , Cortazar Frank , Della‐torre Emanuel , Ebbo Mikael , Fernandes Ana , Frulloni Luca , Hart Phil A. , Karadag Omer , Kawa Shigeyuki , Kawano Mitsuhiro , Kim Myung‐Hwan , Lanzillotta Marco , Matsui Shoko , Okazaki Kazuichi , Ryu Jay H. , Saeki Takako , Schleinitz Nicolas , Tanasa Paula , Umehara Hisanori , Webster George , Zhang Wen , Stone John H.
Published: February 2018

Objective

IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) can cause fibroinflammatory lesions in nearly any organ, leading to organ dysfunction and failure. The IgG4‐RD Responder Index (RI) was developed to help investigators assess the efficacy of treatment in a structured manner. The aim of this study was to validate the RI in a multinational investigation.

Methods

The RI guides investigators through assessments of disease activity and damage in 25 domains, incorporating higher weights for disease manifestations that require urgent treatment or that worsen despite treatment. After a training exercise, investigators reviewed 12 written IgG4‐RD vignettes based on real patients. Investigators calculated both an RI score as well as a physician's global assessment (PhGA) score for each vignette. In a longitudinal assessment, 3 investigators used the RI in 15 patients with newly active disease who were followed up over serial visits after treatment. We assessed interrater and intrarater reliability, precision, validity, and responsiveness.

Results

The 26 physician investigators included representatives from 6 specialties and 9 countries. The interrater and intrarater reliability of the RI was strong (0.89 and 0.69, respectively). Correlations (construct validity) between the RI and PhGA were high (Spearman's r = 0.9, P < 0.0001). The RI was sensitive to change (discriminant validity). Following treatment, there was significant improvement in the RI score (mean change 10.5 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5.4–12], P < 0.001), which correlated with the change in the PhGA. Urgent disease and damage were captured effectively.

Discussion

In this international, multispecialty study, we observed that the RI is a valid and reliable disease activity assessment tool that can be used to measure response to therapy.
Clinical Characteristics and Factors Associated With Disability and Impaired Quality of Life in Children With Juvenile Systemic Sclerosis: Results From the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Legacy Registry
Authors: Stevens Brandi E. , Torok Kathryn S. , Li Suzanne C. , Hershey Nicole , Curran Megan , Higgins Gloria C. , Moore Katharine F. , Egla Rabinovich C. , Dodson Samuel , Stevens Anne M. ,   and the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Registry Investigators
Published: February 2018

Objective

To investigate clinical manifestations of juvenile systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma), including disease characteristics and patient quality of life, using the multinational Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Legacy Registry.

Methods

Patients with juvenile SSc were prospectively enrolled between 2010 and 2013. The diagnosis of juvenile SSc was determined by the enrolling pediatric rheumatologist, with the requirement for disease onset prior to age 18 years. Collected data included demographics, disease characteristics, medication exposure, and quality of life metrics.

Results

In total, 64 patients with juvenile SSc were enrolled a median of 3.6 years after disease onset, which occurred at a median age of 10.3 years. The most common organ manifestations were dermatologic and vascular, followed by musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary; in 38% of patients, ≥4 organ systems were affected. Patients with juvenile SSc had significantly more disability at enrollment compared with CARRA Legacy Registry patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, dermatomyositis, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Although physician‐reported measures correlated most closely with arthritis, dermatologic manifestations, and pulmonary manifestations, poor patient‐reported measures were associated with gastrointestinal involvement. During >50 person‐years of follow‐up, most organ manifestations remained stable, and no mortality or development of new solid organ involvement after enrollment was reported.

Conclusion

In the first multicenter prospective cohort of patients with juvenile SSc in North America, the disease burden was high: multiorgan manifestations were common, and functional disability was greater than that observed in patients with other childhood‐onset rheumatic diseases. Gastrointestinal involvement had the greatest impact on quality of life.
Iron‐Catalyzed Ring‐Opening/Allylation of Cyclobutanone Oxime Esters with Allylic Sulfones
Authors: Zhao Jing‐Feng , Gao Pin , Duan Xin‐Hua , Guo Li‐Na
Published: February 2018

An iron‐catalyzed radical allylation of cyclobutanone oxime esters with allylic sulfones via C−C bond cleavage is reported. This protocol provides a straight‐forward approach to cyanoalkylated alkenes with good functional group tolerance and high regioselectivity. Furthermore, this reaction can be further expanded to ring‐opening of less‐strained cyclopentanone oxime esters, leading to desired cyanoalkylated alkenes in good yields.

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Food retail market structure and produce purchases in the United States
Authors: Cai Xiaowei , Volpe Richard , Schroeter Christiane , Mancino Lisa
Published: February 2018

Market concentration is associated with food prices, but little is known about the other potential economic consequences of market structure in food retailing. We create a novel dataset by merging IRI household‐level purchase records with Nielsen TDLinx data on store location and USDA Food Environment Atlas data to study the food market structure and produce purchases. Treating zip codes as markets, we find that increased market concentration is associated with decreased produce expenditures. This impact is larger in rural markets than in urban areas. In addition, the presence of most nontraditional store formats such as convenience stores and dollar stores is associated with decreased produce purchases. However, the opposite is true for club stores and natural/gourmet supermarkets. The estimated effects of market entry are small, supporting the literature on supermarket intervention studies. [EconLit citations: L1, D1, D4, R2].
Cellulose nanofibers produced from various agricultural residues and their reinforcement effects in polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Sinclair Alexander , Jiang Long , Bajwa Dilpreet , Bajwa Sreekala , Tangpong Siwakorn , Wang Xinnan
Published: February 2018

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) have gained widespread attention due to their extraordinary potential as superior reinforcement to improve physical and mechanical properties of polymer matrix nanocomposites. Biomass residues from local North Dakota represent a potential source for these high value structural constituents. Two types of soybean hull, wheat straw, and softwood flour were subjected to chemical pretreatments followed by mechanical fibrillation to produce CNFs. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy results show that nanofibers with uniform diameters in the nanometer range can be easily synthesized. The nanofibers reinforcement potential was then explored via integration of the fibers into a poly(ethylene oxide) polymer matrix. Significant reinforcement effect of the nanofibers was observed from the nanocomposites: tensile modulus and yield strength of the nanocomposites were increased up to 154% and 103%, respectively. The CNFs extracted from the two types of soybean hull and wood flour showed stronger reinforcement (in terms of both modulus and yield strength) than that of the traditional wood pulp based CNFs. The nanofibers extracted from wheat straw showed higher strength but lower modulus compared with those of the traditional CNFs. More work is however needed to improve production reliability/repeatability of the agricultural residue based nanofibers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46304.
Carbon nanotubes/polyaniline nanocomposite coatings: Preparation, rheological behavior, and their application in paper surface treatment
Authors: Mao Teng , Tang Yanjun , Zhang Yu , Zhang Junhua , Guo Daliang
Published: February 2018

Conventional cellulosic paper, rendered electro‐conductive, may hold considerable promise for diversified applications in such areas as electro‐magnetic interference shielding and energy storage. Here, an electro‐conductive cellulosic paper was prepared by surface application of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites onto a conventional base paper. MWCNTs/PANI nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline with different contents of MWCNTs and used as electro‐conductive filler for the fabrication of electro‐conductive surface‐coated paper. The achieved MWCNTs/PANI nanocomposites exhibited a core‐shell structure, as evidenced by TEM. Effects of feeding ratios of MWCNTs on the rheological behavior of nanocomposite coatings, as well as the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of surface‐coated paper were studied. Results revealed that the rheological behavior of the nanocomposite coatings showed strong dependence on the MWCNTs content. Moreover, both the electro‐conductivity and mechanical properties of surface‐coated paper were improved as a function of surface application of MWCNTs/PANI nanocomposites, particularly, in presence of an optimum content of MWCNTs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46329.
Impaired Proteasomal Function in Human Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes Can Contribute to Decreased Levels of SOX9 and Aggrecan
Authors: Serrano Ramon L. , Chen Liang‐Yu , Lotz Martin K. , Liu‐Bryan Ru , Terkeltaub Robert
Published: February 2018

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes exhibit impairment of autophagy, one arm of the proteostasis network that coordinates proteome and organelle quality control and degradation. Deficient proteostasis impacts differentiation and viability, and inflammatory processes in aging and disease. The present study was undertaken to assess ubiquitin proteasome system proteasomal function in OA chondrocytes.

Methods

We evaluated human knee cartilage by immunohistochemistry, and assessed proteasomal function, levels of proteasomal core subunits and chaperones, and autophagy in cultured chondrocytes. Assays included Western blotting, quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, proteasomal protease activity assessment, and cell immunofluorescence analysis.

Results

Human knee OA cartilage exhibited polyubiquitin accumulation, with increased ubiquitin K48‐linked polyubiquitinated proteins in situ, suggesting proteasomal impairment. Cultured OA chondrocytes demonstrated accumulation of K48 polyubiquitinated proteins, significantly reduced 20S proteasome core protease activity, and decreased levels of phosphorylated FOXO4 and proteasome 26S subunit, non‐ATPase 11 (PSMD11), a FOXO4‐inducible promoter of proteasomal activation. Levels of proteasome subunit β type 3 (PSMB3), PSMB5, PSMB6, and proteasome assembly chaperone 1 were not decreased in OA chondrocytes. In normal chondrocytes, PSMD11 small interfering RNA knockdown stimulated certain autophagy machinery elements, increased extracellular nitric oxide (NO) levels, and reduced chondrocytic master transcription factor SOX9 protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) and aggrecan (AGC1) mRNA. PSMD11 gain‐of‐ function by transfection increased proteasomal function, increased levels of SOX9‐induced AGC1 mRNA, stimulated elements of the autophagic machinery, and inhibited extracellular levels of interleukin‐1–induced NO and matrix metalloproteinase 13 in OA chondrocytes.

Conclusion

Deficient PSMD11, associated with reduced phosphorylated FOXO4, promotes impaired proteasomal function in OA chondrocytes, dysregulation of chondrocytic homeostasis, and decreased levels of SOX9 mRNA, SOX9 protein, and AGC1 mRNA. Chondrocyte proteasomal impairment may be a therapeutic target for OA.
A Multicenter Study of the Validity and Reliability of Responses to Hand Cold Challenge as Measured by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging and Thermography
Authors: Wilkinson Jack D. , Leggett Sarah A. , Marjanovic Elizabeth J. , Moore Tonia L. , Allen John , Anderson Marina E. , Britton Jason , Buch Maya H. , Del Galdo Francesco , Denton Christopher P. , Dinsdale Graham , Griffiths Bridgett , Hall Frances , Howell Kevin , MacDonald Audrey , McHugh Neil J. , Manning Joanne B. , Pauling John D. , Roberts Christopher , Shipley Jacqueline A. , Herrick Ariane L. , Murray Andrea K.
Published: February 2018

Objective

Reliable and objective outcome measures to facilitate clinical trials of novel treatments for systemic sclerosis (SSc)–related Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) are badly needed. Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) and thermography are noninvasive measures of perfusion that have shown excellent potential. This multicenter study was undertaken to determine the reliability and validity of a hand cold challenge protocol using LSCI, standard thermography, and low‐cost cell phone/mobile phone thermography (henceforth referred to as mobile thermography) in patients with SSc‐related RP.

Methods

Patients with RP secondary to SSc were recruited from 6 UK tertiary care centers. The patients underwent cold challenge on 2 consecutive days. Changes in cutaneous blood flow/skin temperature at each visit were imaged simultaneously using LSCI, standard thermography, and mobile thermography. Measurements included area under the curve (AUC) for reperfusion/rewarming and maximum blood flow rate/skin temperature after rewarming (MAX). Test–retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Estimated latent correlations (estimated from multilevel models, taking values between −1 and 1; denoted as rho values) were used to assess the convergent validity of LSCI and thermography.

Results

In total, 159 patients (77% with limited cutaneous SSc) were recruited (84% female, median age 63.3 years). LSCI and standard thermography both had substantial reliability, with ICCs for the reperfusion/rewarming AUC of 0.67 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.54, 0.76) and 0.68 (95% CI 0.58, 0.80), respectively, and ICCs for the MAX of 0.64 (95% CI 0.52, 0.75) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.64, 0.81), respectively. Very high latent correlations were present for the AUCs of LSCI and thermography (ρ = 0.94; 95% CI 0.87, 1.00) and for the AUCs of standard and mobile thermography (ρ = 0.98; 95% CI 0.94, 1.00).

Conclusion

This is the first multicenter study to examine the reliability and validity of cold challenge using LSCI and thermography in patients with SSc‐related RP. LSCI and thermography both demonstrated good potential as outcome measures. LSCI, standard thermography, and mobile thermography had very high convergent validity.
Evidence of Alternative Modes of B Cell Activation Involving Acquired Fab Regions of N‐Glycosylation in Antibody‐Secreting Cells Infiltrating the Labial Salivary Glands of Patients With Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Koelsch Kristi A. , Cavett Joshua , Smith Kenneth , Moore Jacen S. , Lehoux Sylvain D. , Jia Nan , Mather Tim , Quadri Syed M. S. , Rasmussen Astrid , Kaufman C. Erick , Lewis David M. , Radfar Lida , Scordino Teresa A. , Lessard Christopher J. , Kurien Biji T. , Cummings Richard D. , James Judith A. , Sivils Kathy L. , Farris A. Darise , Scofield R. Hal
Published: February 2018

Objective

To better understand the role of B cells, the potential mechanisms responsible for their aberrant activation, and the production of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS), this study explored patterns of selection pressure and sites of N‐glycosylation acquired by somatic mutation (acN‐glyc) in the IgG variable (V) regions of antibody‐secreting cells (ASCs) isolated from the minor salivary glands of patients with SS and non‐SS control patients with sicca symptoms.

Methods

A novel method to produce and characterize recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAb) from single cell–sorted ASC infiltrates was applied to concurrently probe expressed genes (all heavy‐ and light‐chain isotypes as well as any other gene of interest not related to immunoglobulin) in the labial salivary glands of patients with SS and non‐SS controls. V regions were amplified by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, sequenced, and analyzed for the incidence of N‐glycosylation and selection pressure. For specificity testing, the amplified regions were expressed as either the native mAb or mutant mAb lacking the acN‐glyc motif. Protein modeling was used to demonstrate how even an acN‐glyc site outside of the complementarity‐determining region could participate in, or inhibit, antigen binding.

Results

V‐region sequence analyses revealed clonal expansions and evidence of secondary light‐chain editing and allelic inclusion, of which neither of the latter two have previously been reported in patients with SS. Increased frequencies of acN‐glyc were found in the sequences from patients with SS, and these acN‐glyc regions were associated with an increased number of replacement mutations and lowered selection pressure. A clonal set of polyreactive mAb with differential framework region 1 acN‐glyc motifs was also identified, and removal of the acN‐glyc could nearly abolish binding to autoantigens.

Conclusion

These findings support the notion of an alternative mechanism for the selection and proliferation of some autoreactive B cells, involving V‐region N‐glycosylation, in patients with SS.
Body image flexibility: A predictor and moderator of outcome in transdiagnostic outpatient eating disorder treatment
Authors: Pellizzer Mia L. , Waller Glenn , Wade Tracey D.
Published: February 2018

Objective

Predictors of attrition and predictors and moderators of outcome were explored in a transdiagnostic sample of patients who received ten‐session cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT‐T) for nonunderweight eating disorders. Body image flexibility, a protective positive body image construct, was hypothesized to be a significant moderator.

Method

Data from two case series were combined to form a sample of 78 participants who received CBT‐T. Baseline measures of body image, negative affect, personality, and motivation (readiness to change and self‐efficacy) were included as potential predictors. Global eating disorder psychopathology at each assessment point (baseline, mid‐ and post‐treatment, 1‐ and 3‐month follow‐up) was the outcome variable. Predictors of attrition were assessed using logistic regression, and multilevel modeling was applied for predictors and moderators of outcome.

Results

Body image flexibility emerged as the strongest predictor and moderator of global eating disorder psychopathology, followed by body image avoidance. Body checking, negative affect, personality beliefs, and self‐efficacy were significant predictors of global eating disorder psychopathology.

Discussion

Higher body image flexibility predicted lower global eating disorder psychopathology at every assessment point. Further research is required to replicate findings and explore the benefit of focusing on positive body image in treatment.
Nectary tracks as pollinator manipulators: The pollination ecology ofSwertia bimaculata(Gentianaceae)
Authors: Wang Shuai , Fu Wen‐Long , Du Wei , Zhang Qi , Li Ya , Lyu Yu‐Shu , Wang Xiao‐Fan
Published: February 2018

Floral nectaries are closely associated with biotic pollination, and the nectar produced by corolla nectaries is generally enclosed in floral structures. Although someSwertiaspp. (Gentianaceae), includingS. bimaculata, evolved a peculiar form of corolla nectaries (known as “gland patches”) arranged in a conspicuous ring on the rotate corolla and that completely expose their nectar, little is known about the pollination of these plants. Two hypotheses were made concerning the possible effects of gland patches: visual attraction and visitor manipulation. The floral traits, mating system, and insect pollination ofS. bimaculatawere examined, and the pollination effects of gland patches were evaluated. A comparative study was made usingSwertia kouitchensis, a species with fimbriate nectaries.Swertia bimaculataflowers were protandrous, with obvious stamen movement leading to herkogamy in the female phase and to a significant reduction in nectary–anther distance. The species is strongly entomophilous and facultatively xenogamous. The daily reward provided per flower decreased significantly after the male phase. The most effective pollinators were large dipterans, and the visiting proportion of Diptera was significantly higher inS. bimaculatathan inS. kouitchensis. Most visitors performed “circling behavior” inS. bimaculataflowers. Removing or blocking the nectaries caused no reduction in visiting frequency but a significant reduction in visit duration, interrupting the circling behavior. The circling behavior was encouraged by nectar abundance and promoted pollen dispersal. Visitor species with small body size had little chance to contact the anthers or stigma, revealing a filtration effect exerted by the floral design. These results rejected the “visual attraction” hypothesis and supported the “visitor manipulation” hypothesis. The nectary whorl within a flower acted like a ring‐shaped track that urged nectar foragers to circle on the corolla, making pollination inS. bimaculataflowers more orderly and selective than that in classically generalist flowers.
Habitat orientation alters the outcome of interspecific competition: A microcosm study with zooplankton grazers
Authors: Pan Ying , Zhang Yunshu , Sun Shucun
Published: February 2018

Habitat orientation has recently been demonstrated to affect the foraging behavior, growth, and production of plankton grazers. Because the orientation effect may vary with species, we hypothesize that habitat orientation may alter interspecific interactions between animal species. We experimentally investigated how habitat orientation (placing cuboid chambers in three orientations with long, medium, and small side as the chamber height) affected the interaction between two common cladoceran species, Daphnia magna and Moina micrura, which competitively exploited green algae of Chlorella pyrenoidosa at two volume scales (64 and 512 ml). Results show that chamber orientation and volume additively affected the behavior and species performance of the grazers. Specifically, both grazer species generally decreased their average swimming velocity, grazing rate (on algal cells), body size, and survival and reproduction rates with increasing chamber height for both chamber volumes and with decreasing chamber volume regardless of chamber orientation. Nevertheless, the decrease magnitude was greater for M. micrura with increasing chamber height but was greater for D. magna with decreasing chamber volume. Correspondingly, when cocultured, the density ratio of D. magna to M. micrura increased with increasing chamber height but decreased with decreasing chamber volume. At the end of the experiment, none of D. magna individuals survived in the small and short (large‐based) chambers, and few M. micrura individuals survived in large and tall (small‐based) chambers. These results indicate that both habitat orientation and size affect the outcome of interspecific competition between grazer species. We suggest that variation in habitat orientation may improve community coexistence and species diversity in nature.