bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Body height and the spread of spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section: a prospective controlled trial
Authors: She Y.‐J. , Zheng X. , Zhao B.‐S. , Zeng M.‐T. , Tan Y.‐H. , Song X.‐R.
Published: June 2017

Background

No conclusive evidence exists on the effect of patient height on the spread of spinal anaesthesia. Our aim was to measure the ED50 and ED95 values of intrathecal ropivacaine in taller and shorter patients, and thus investigate the hypothesis that the spinal dose requirement in shorter patients is lower than that in taller patients undergoing caesarean section.

Methods

In this study, 270 pregnant women were assigned to the taller (Group T) or shorter group (Group S) based on their heights. Subjects in both groups were further randomly assigned to one of nine subgroups based on the dosage of intrathecal isobaric ropivacaine to be administered (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 mg respectively).

Results

The ED50 and ED95 values of ropivacaine were 9.24 mg and 13.36 mg in Group S, and 10.11 mg and 14.63 mg in Group T, with no inter‐group difference (P = 0.886). There was a significant inter‐group difference in the incidence of hypotension and the changes in mean arterial pressure after spinal anaesthesia using 15 mg ropivacaine. The dose of ephedrine administered in Group S was higher than that in Group T when 15 mg ropivacaine was administered (P = 0.031).

Conclusion

The taller and shorter patients did not respond differently to modest intrathecal doses of ropivacaine. However, a larger dose of ropivacaine was associated with an increased incidence of hypotension in shorter patients compared to that in taller patients.
Effects of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.42 vs. Ringer's acetate on cytokine levels in severe sepsis
Authors: Anthon C. T. , Müller R. B. , Haase N. , Hjortrup P. B. , Møller K. , Lange T. , Wetterslev J. , Perner A.
Published: June 2017

Background

The Scandinavian Starch for Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock (6S) trial showed increased 90‐day mortality with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.42 vs. Ringer's acetate. To explore the underlying pathophysiology, we compared early changes in plasma cytokine concentrations between patients resuscitated with HES vs. Ringer's acetate.

Methods

In a subgroup of 226 patients from the 6S trial, we calculated delta plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐10 from randomization to day 2. We used multiple linear and logistic regression analyses to assess differences between the groups and associations between delta cytokine concentrations and 90‐day mortality, respectively.

Results

Baseline characteristics and day 2 mortality were comparable between the groups. We observed similar delta cytokine concentrations in the HES vs. Ringer's group (mean difference in delta TNF‐α: −1.5 pg/ml (95% CI, −4.9 to 1.9), P = 0.39; IL‐6: 36.0 pg/ml (−24.1 to 96.1), P = 0.24; IL‐10: −3.9 pg/ml (−21.1 to 28.9), P = 0.76). In all included patients, we observed a linear relationship between increases in TNF‐α and 90‐day mortality (P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Resuscitation with HES 130/0.42 vs. Ringer's acetate did not appear to affect plasma concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐6 or IL‐10 differently during the first days after randomization into the 6S trial. In the overall cohort, increases in TNF‐α were associated with increased 90‐day mortality. Although interpretation should be done with caution, it seems unlikely that the increased mortality observed with the use HES in the 6S trial is signalled by early changes in three biomarkers of systemic inflammation.
Are severely injured trauma victims in Norway offered advanced pre‐hospital care? National, retrospective, observational cohort
Authors: Wisborg T. , Ellensen E. N. , Svege I. , Dehli T.
Published: June 2017

Background

Studies of severely injured patients suggest that advanced pre‐hospital care and/or rapid transportation provides a survival benefit. This benefit depends on the disposition of resources to patients with the greatest need. Norway has 19 Emergency Helicopters (HEMS) staffed by anaesthesiologists on duty 24/7/365. National regulations describe indications for their use, and the use of the national emergency medical dispatch guideline is recommended. We assessed whether severely injured patients had been treated or transported by advanced resources on a national scale.

Methods

A national survey was conducted collecting data for 2013 from local trauma registries at all hospitals caring for severely injured patients. Patients were analysed according to hospital level; trauma centres or acute care hospitals with trauma functions. Patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15 were considered severely injured.

Results

Three trauma centres (75%) and 17 acute care hospitals (53%) had data for trauma patients from 2013, a total of 3535 trauma registry entries (primary admissions only), including 604 victims with an ISS > 15. Of these 604 victims, advanced resources were treating and/or transporting 51%. Sixty percent of the severely injured admitted directly to trauma centres received advanced services, while only 37% of the severely injured admitted primarily to acute care hospitals received these services.

Conclusion

A highly developed and widely distributed HEMS system reached only half of severely injured trauma victims in Norway in 2013.
Computed Tomography of the Abdomen in Eight Clinically Normal Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: du Plessis W. M. , Groenewald H. B. , Elliott D.
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to provide a detailed anatomical description of the abdomen in the clinically normal common marmoset by means of computed tomography (CT). Eight clinically healthy mature common marmosets ranging from 12 to 48 months and 235 to 365 g bodyweight were anesthetized and pre‐ and post‐contrast CT examinations were performed using different CT settings in dorsal recumbency. Abdominal organs were identified and visibility noted. Diagnostic quality abdominal images could be obtained of the common marmoset despite its small size using a dual‐slice CT scanner. Representative cross‐sectional images were chosen from different animals illustrating the abdominal CT anatomy of clinically normal common marmosets. Identification or delineation of abdominal organs greatly improved with i.v. contrast. A modified high‐frequency algorithm with edge enhancement added valuable information for identification of small structures such as the ureters. The Hounsfield unit (HU) of major abdominal organs differed from that of small animals (domestic dogs and cats). Due to their size and different anatomy, standard small animal CT protocols need to be critically assessed and adapted for exotics, such as the common marmoset. The established normal reference range of HU of major abdominal organs and adapted settings for a CT protocol will aid clinical assessment of the common marmoset.
Identification of genes dysregulated by elevation of microRNA‐210 levels in human trophoblasts cell line, Swan 71
Authors: Ahn Sejin , Jeong Eunbee , Min Jae Woong , Kim Eunhee , Choi Sun Shim , Kim Chong Jae , Lee Deug‐Chan
Published: June 2017

Problem

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy disorder characterized by gestational hypertension and proteinuria. miR‐210 is significantly overexpressed in the placentas of preeclampsia patients.

Method of study

Swan 71 cells, first‐trimester human trophoblastic cell line, were transfected with hsa‐miR‐210‐3p oligonucleotides by electroporation. Altered transcriptome was analyzed using microarray technique. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were clustered into Gene Ontology annotation biological processes. The extent of physical interaction between miR‐210 andIGFBP3mRNAwas assessed via ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation.

Results

Microarray analysis showed 408DEGs by elevated levels of miR‐210 in Swan 71 cells. These genes were enriched in several biological processes involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.IGFBP3, a gene associated with preeclampsia pathophysiology, was validated as a target gene of miR‐210.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated that elevated miR‐210 levels in human trophoblast alter the expression profile of known preeclampsia‐associated genes, and of gene targets involved in various biological processes essential to preeclampsia progression.
Ranolazine reduces repolarization heterogeneity in symptomatic patients with diabetes and non–flow‐limiting coronary artery stenosis
Authors: Evaristo Ederson , Stocco Fernando G. , Shah Nishant R. , Cheezum Michael K. , Hainer Jon , Foster Courtney , Nearing Bruce D. , Di Carli Marcelo , Verrier Richard L.
Published: June 2017

Background

Experimental evidence suggests that ranolazine decreases susceptibility to ischemia‐induced arrhythmias independent of effects on coronary artery blood flow.

Objective

In symptomatic diabetic patients with non–flow‐limiting coronary artery stenosis with diffuse atherosclerosis and/or microvascular dysfunction, we explored whether ranolazine reduces T‐wave heterogeneity (TWH), an electrocardiographic (ECG) marker of arrhythmogenic repolarization abnormalities shown to predict sudden cardiac death.

Methods

We studied all 16 patients with analyzable ECG recordings during rest and exercise tolerance testing before and after 4 weeks of ranolazine in the double‐blind, crossover, placebo‐controlled RAND‐CFR trial (NCT01754259). TWH was quantified without knowledge of treatment assignment by second central moment analysis, which assesses the interlead splay of T waves in precordial leads about a mean waveform. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured by positron emission tomography.

Results

At baseline, prior to randomization, TWH during rest was 54 ± 7 μV and was not altered following placebo (47 ± 6 μV, p = .47) but was reduced by 28% (to 39 ± 5 μV, p = .002) after ranolazine. Ranolazine did not increase MBF at rest. Exercise increased TWH after placebo by 49% (to 70 ± 8 μV, p = .03). Ranolazine did not reduce TWH during exercise (to 75 ± 16 μV), and there were no differences among the groups (p = .95, ANOVA). TWH was not correlated with MBF at rest before (r2 = .07, p = .36) or after ranolazine (r2 = .23, p = .06).

Conclusions

In symptomatic diabetic patients with non‐flow‐limiting coronary artery stenosis with diffuse atherosclerosis and/or microvascular dysfunction, ranolazine reduced TWH at rest but not during exercise. Reduction in repolarization abnormalities appears to be independent of alterations in MBF.
Drugs for rare disorders
Authors: Cremers Serge , Aronson Jeffrey K.
Published: June 2017

Estimates of the frequencies of rare disorders vary from country to country; the global average defined prevalence is 40 per 100 000 (0.04%). Some occur in only one or a few patients.

However, collectively rare disorders are fairly common, affecting 6–8% of the US population, or about 30 million people, and a similar number in the European Union. Most of them affect children and most are genetically determined. Diagnosis can be difficult, partly because of variable presentations and partly because few clinicians have experience of individual rare disorders, although they may be assisted by searching databases.

Relatively few rare disorders have specific pharmacological treatments (so‐called orphan drugs), partly because of difficulties in designing trials large enough to determine benefits and harms alike. Incentives have been introduced to encourage the development of orphan drugs, including tax credits and research aids, simplification of marketing authorization procedures and exemption from fees, and extended market exclusivity. Consequently, the number of applications for orphan drugs has grown, as have the costs of using them, so much so that treatments may not be cost‐effective. It has therefore been suggested that not‐for‐profit organizations that are socially motivated to reduce those costs should be tasked with producing them.

A growing role for patient organizations, improved clinical and translational infrastructures, and developments in genetics have also contributed to successful drug development.

The translational discipline of clinical pharmacology is an essential component in drug development, including orphan drugs. Clinical pharmacologists, skilled in basic pharmacology and its links to clinical medicine, can be involved at all stages. They can contribute to the delineation of genetic factors that determine clinical outcomes of pharmacological interventions, develop biomarkers, design and perform clinical trials, assist regulatory decision making, and conduct postmarketing surveillance and pharmacoepidemiological and pharmacoeconomic assessments.
Acute myeloid leukaemia genomics
Authors: Medinger Michael , Passweg Jakob R.
Published: June 2017

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a biologically complex, molecularly and clinically heterogeneous disease. Despite major advances in understanding the genetic landscape of AML and its impact on the pathophysiology and biology of the disease, standard treatment options have not significantly changed during the past three decades. AML is characterized by multiple somatically acquired mutations that affect genes of different functional categories. Mutations in genes encoding epigenetic modifiers, such as DNMT3A, ASXL1, TET2, IDH1, and IDH2, are commonly acquired early and are present in the founding clone. By contrast, mutations involving NPM1 or signalling molecules (e.g., FLT3, RAS gene family) are typically secondary events that occur later during leukaemogenesis. This review aims to provide an overview of advances in new prognostic markers, including targetable mutations that will probably guide the development and use of novel molecularly targeted therapies.
If You're Happy and You Know It: Positive Moods Reduce Age‐Related Differences in False Memory
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Gross Julien , Hayne Harlene
Published: June 2017

When tested in the Deese–Roediger–McDermott paradigm, children typically exhibit fewer false memories than do adolescents or adults. Here, participants’ moods and the valence of word lists were manipulated to explore the mechanism responsible for this developmental reversal in memory performance. Children (7‐ to 8‐year‐olds), adolescents (11‐ to 12‐year‐olds), and young adults (18‐ to 22‐year‐olds; N = 270) were assigned to one of three induced mood conditions and were presented with emotional word lists. In negative moods, adolescents and adults falsely recalled more negative information than did children, showing the typical developmental reversal effect. This effect, however, was eliminated when participants were in positive moods. The findings provide support for associative‐activation theory and have important implications for our understanding of the development of emotional false memories.
Extension of the phenotype of biallelic loss‐of‐function mutations in SLC25A46 to the severe form of pontocerebellar hypoplasia type I
Authors: Braunisch M.C. , Gallwitz H. , Abicht A. , Diebold I. , Holinski‐Feder E. , Van Maldergem L. , Lammens M. , Kovács‐Nagy R. , Alhaddad B. , Strom T.M. , Meitinger T. , Senderek J. , Rudnik‐Schöneborn S. , Haack T.B.
Published: June 2017

Biallelic mutations in SLC25A46, encoding a modified solute transporter involved in mitochondrial dynamics, have been identified in a wide range of conditions such as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with optic atrophy type VIB (OMIM: *610826) and congenital lethal pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH). To date, 18 patients from 13 families have been reported, presenting with the key clinical features of optic atrophy, peripheral neuropathy, and cerebellar atrophy. The course of the disease was highly variable ranging from severe muscular hypotonia at birth and early death to first manifestations in late childhood and survival into the fifties. Here we report on 4 patients from 2 families diagnosed with PCH who died within the first month of life from respiratory insufficiency. Patients from 1 family had pathoanatomically proven spinal motor neuron degeneration (PCH1). Using exome sequencing, we identified biallelic disease‐segregating loss‐of‐function mutations in SLC25A46 in both families. Our study adds to the definition of the SLC25A46‐associated phenotypic spectrum that includes neonatal fatalities due to PCH as the severe extreme.
Tobacco education in UK dental schools: A survey of current practice
Authors: Holliday R. , Amin K. , Lawrence V. , Preshaw P. M.
Published: June 2017

Objective

To investigate the current provision of tobacco education (tobacco use and cessation), assessment and e‐cigarette education in UK dental and dental hygiene and therapy (DHT) undergraduate programmes.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted using a self‐administered questionnaire sent to all UK institutions training dental and DHT students during the academic year 2015/2016.

Results

Twenty‐five programmes returned completed questionnaires (response rate 68%). All programmes (100%) reported delivering tobacco education, delivered by multiple individuals in 78% of the programmes. Assessment of the theoretical and practical aspects of tobacco education was reported in 80% and 72% of the programmes, respectively. More formal teaching time was devoted to the theoretical aspects (100% >2 hours) rather than the practical aspects (76% > 2 hours) of tobacco education. All programmes expected their graduates to be clinically competent at discussing the health consequences of smoking, deliver a brief smoking cessation intervention, and referring patients to stop smoking services. The use of the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training “Very Brief Advice” (NCSCT VBA) training package was reported to be mandatory in 36%, and recommended, in 44% of programmes. Specialised stop smoking services delivered teaching in 40% of both dental and DHT training programmes whilst another 40% reported previous input from specialist smoking cessation services but not in 2015/2016. Most programmes reported delivery of teaching on electronic cigarettes, with 12% delivering a standalone lecture on this topic.

Conclusions

Tobacco education is an important component of dental training. Dental education programmes should remain responsive to a rapidly changing field and fully utilise the available resources.
Angiotensin 1‐7 inhibits angiotensin II‐stimulated head and neck cancer progression
Authors: Hinsley E. E. , de Oliveira C. E. , Hunt S. , Coletta R. D. , Lambert D. W.
Published: June 2017

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the product of the proteolytic action of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) on the precursor peptide, angiotensin I (Ang I). In addition to its vasoactive properties, Ang II is able to stimulate angiogenesis and act as a mitogen, promoting cellular proliferation. Recently, evidence has emerged that Ang II is also able to promote tumour invasion, a key step in the metastatic cascade, although the mechanisms by which it does so remain largely obscure. Here we show that Ang II is able to promote the invasion and migration of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells both in an autocrine manner and by triggering stromal tumour‐paracrine interactions. The effects of Ang II on autocrine and paracrine signalling pathways are mediated by angiotensin receptor 1 (AT1R) and inhibited by angiotensin 1‐7 (Ang 1‐7), a peptide produced from Ang II by the action of angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). These data are the first to demonstrate a role for the renin–angiotensin system in oral carcinogenesis and raise the possibility of utilizing AT1R receptor antagonists and/or Ang 1‐7 as novel therapeutic agents for HNSCC.
Local environment and connectivity are the main drivers of diatom species composition and trait variation in a set of tropical reservoirs
Authors: Zorzal‐Almeida Stéfano , Soininen Janne , Bini Luis M. , Bicudo Denise C.
Published: June 2017

A metacommunity is defined as a set of local communities that are connected by dispersal and are controlled by environmental drivers operating at different spatial and temporal scales. Although diatom ecology has been studied extensively in temperate and lotic ecosystems, knowledge of tropical lentic systems is more limited.

We evaluated how planktonic and surface‐sediment diatom communities, including trait‐based communities, were structured by environmental, spatial and land‐use variables in tropical reservoirs. Diatoms were sampled in seven reservoirs (31 sites in total) in south‐east Brazil, from the surface sediment and the plankton in summer and winter.

Diatom communities responded primarily to a trophic gradient and secondarily to a light‐availability gradient. Connectivity was also a strong predictor, whereas land use had a weaker influence on community variation. Our results further suggested that surface‐sediment and planktonic diatom groups were structured by similar environmental variables. Trait‐based analysis also indicated that these communities were related to environmental and spatial factors.

We conclude that (1) trophic state, light availability and connectivity were the main drivers of diatoms in this set of tropical reservoirs, resulting in spatially structured communities; (2) patterns for surface‐sediment diatoms resembled both summer and winter diatom communities in the plankton; and (3) the effects of the explanatory variables (local environment, connectivity and land use) varied among the different biological datasets (i.e. when organised taxonomically, or according to growth morphology, cell size or trophic preference). We emphasize that studies in tropical reservoirs should take spatial variables into account, due to the connectivity of the sites.
Misdiagnosis of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension as a Risk Factor for Subdural Hematoma
Authors: Kim Youn‐Jung , Cho Hyun‐Young , Seo Dong‐Woo , Sohn Chang Hwan , Ahn Shin , Lee Yoon‐Seon , Kim Won Young , Lim Kyung Soo
Published: June 2017

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between misdiagnosis of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and subdural hematoma development.

Background

Although SIH is more prevalent than expected and causes potentially life‐threatening complications including subdural hematoma (SDH), the association between misdiagnosis of SIH and SDH development is not yet evaluated.

Methods

Retrospective observational study was conducted between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014. Adult patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (age ≥ 18 years) were enrolled.

Results

Of the 128 patients with SIH, 111 (86.7%) were in no SDH group and 17 (13.3%) were in SDH group. Their clinical presentation did not show significant different between the two groups, except age, the days from symptom onset to correct diagnosis, and the number of misdiagnoses. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07‐1.23) and the number of times SIH was misdiagnosed (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.03‐3.21) were independent risk factors for the development of SDH in SIH patients by multivariate logistic analysis. The clinical outcomes, including length of hospital stay and revisit rate, were similar in the two groups.

Conclusions

The number of times SIH was misdiagnosed was associated with the later development of SDH perhaps because of delay in correct diagnosis of SIH. Clinicians would prevent the later complication of SDH in SIH patients by increasing the awareness and a high index of suspicion of SIH.
Cleaning lateral morphological features of the root canal: the role of streaming and cavitation
Authors: Robinson J. P. , Macedo R. G. , Verhaagen B. , Versluis M. , Cooper P. R. , van der Sluis L. W. M. , Walmsley A. D.
Published: June 2017

Aim

To investigate the effects of ultrasonic activation file type, lateral canal location and irrigant on the removal of a biofilm‐mimicking hydrogel from a fabricated lateral canal. Additionally, the amount of cavitation and streaming was quantified for these parameters.

Methodology

An intracanal sonochemical dosimetry method was used to quantify the cavitation generated by an IrriSafe 25 mm length, size 25 file inside a root canal model filled with filtered degassed/saturated water or three different concentrations of NaOCl. Removal of a hydrogel, demonstrated previously to be an appropriate biofilm mimic, was recorded to measure the lateral canal cleaning rate from two different instruments (IrriSafe 25 mm length, size 25 andK21 mm length, size 15) activated with a P5 Suprasson (Satelec) at power P8.5 in degassed/saturated water or NaOCl. Removal rates were compared for significant differences using nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and/or Mann–WhitneyU‐tests. Streaming was measured using high‐speed particle imaging velocimetry at 250 kfps, analysing both the oscillatory and steady flow inside the lateral canals.

Results

There was no significant difference in amount of cavitation between tap water and oversaturated water (P = 0.538), although more cavitation was observed than in degassed water. The highest cavitation signal was generated with NaOCl solutions (1.0%, 4.5%, 9.0%) (P < 0.007) and increased with concentration (P < 0.014). The IrriSafe file outperformed significantly theK‐file in removing hydrogel (P < 0.05). Up to 64% of the total hydrogel volume was removed after 20 s. The IrriSafe file typically outperformed theK‐file in generating streaming. The oscillatory velocities were higher inside the lateral canal 3 mm compared to 6 mm fromWLand were higher for NaOCl than for saturated water, which in turn was higher than for degassed water.

Conclusions

Measurements of cavitation and acoustic streaming have provided insight into their contribution to cleaning. Significant differences in cleaning, cavitation and streaming were found depending on the file type and size, lateral canal location and irrigant used. In general, the IrriSafe file outperformed theK‐file, and NaOCl performed better than the other irrigants tested. The cavitation and streaming measurements revealed that both contributed to hydrogel removal and both play a significant role in root canal cleaning.
L'inadéquation horizontale et verticale entre compétences et emploi selon le pays et le domaine d'études
Authors: VERHAEST Dieter , SELLAMI Sana , van der VELDEN Rolf
Published: June 2017

Les auteurs analysent les écarts dans les taux d'inadéquation entre compétences et emploi selon le pays et la discipline à partir de données sur l'insertion des jeunes diplômés en Europe et au Japon. S'agissant des pays, l'inadéquation ≪horizontale≫ (mauvaise spécialisation) diminue en cas de forte protection de l'emploi, d'assurance chômage généreuse et de système éducatif sélectif; l'inadéquation ≪verticale≫ (surqualification) dépend principalement des déséquilibres du marché du travail; et l'inadéquation ≪complète≫ (cumulative), sensible à toutes ces variables, est liée positivement avec la couverture de la négociation collective. Quant aux écarts entre disciplines, ils dépendent des caractéristiques de l'enseignement et des déséquilibres sur le marché du travail.
Imidacloprid is hydroxylated by Laodelphax striatellus CYP6AY3v2
Authors: Wang R. , Zhu Y. , Deng L. , Zhang H. , Wang Q. , Yin M. , Song P. , Elzaki M. E. A. , Han Z. , Wu M.
Published: June 2017

Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) is one of the most destructive pests of rice, and has developed high resistance to imidacloprid. Our previous work indicated a strong association between imidacloprid resistance and the overexpression of a cytochrome P450 gene CYP6AY3v2 in a L. striatellus imidacloprid resistant strain (Imid‐R). In this study, a transgenic Drosophila melanogaster line that overexpressed the L. striatellus CYP6AY3v2 gene was established and was found to confer increased levels of imidacloprid resistance. Furthermore, CYP6AY3v2 was co‐expressed with D. melanogaster cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (SF9) cells. A carbon monoxide difference spectra analysis indicated that CYP6AY3v2 was expressed predominately in its cytochrome P450 (P450) form, which is indicative of a good‐quality functional enzyme. The recombinant CYP6AY3v2 protein efficiently catalysed the model substrate P‐nitroanisole to p‐nitrophenol with a maximum velocity (Vmax) of 60.78 ± 3.93 optical density (mOD)/min/mg protein. In addition, imidacloprid itself was metabolized by the recombinant CYP6AY3v2/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 2'‐phosphate reduced tetrasodium salt (NADPH) CPR microsomes in in vitro assays (catalytic constant (Kcat) = 0.34 pmol/min/pmol P450, michaelis constant (Km) = 41.98 μM), and imidacloprid depletion and metabolite peak formation were with a time dependence. The data provided direct evidence that CYP6AY3v2 is capable of hydroxylation of imidacloprid and conferring metabolic resistance in L. striatellus.
Perception of Similar and Dissimilar Lexical Tones by Non‐Tone‐Learning Infants
Authors: Shi Rushen , Santos Elsa , Gao Jun , Li Aijun
Published: June 2017

This study examined the perception of Mandarin lexical tones by non‐tone‐learning infants. We tested French‐learning 4‐, 8‐, and 11‐month‐olds on Tone 2 (rising) versus Tone 3 (dipping), the most acoustically similar contrast in Mandarin, and on Tone 1 (high) versus Tone 4 (falling), acoustically more dissimilar contrast. We hypothesized that sensitivity should decline with age for the similar contrast, and the dissimilar contrast should remain more discriminable. Infants were habituated to one tone and tested with the same tone versus the contrastive tone. Results showed that the dissimilar T1–T4 contrast was consistently discriminated by all three ages, whereas the discrimination of the similar T2–T3 contrast revealed a tendency to decline over the ages. These results suggest that relative to consonants and vowels, perceptual sensitivity to lexical tones remains stronger in non‐tone‐learning infants. Discrimination of lexical tones is affected by both acoustic salience and perceptual attunement to the native‐language phonology.
Finite element simulation for detecting the foreign body based on ultrasonic sensor
Authors: Mohd Khairi Mohd Taufiq , Ibrahim Sallehuddin , Md Yunus Mohd Amri , Faramarzi Mahdi , Abd Rahman Muhammad Abdul Illah , Gaya Muhammad Sani
Published: June 2017

This paper presents the design of an ultrasonic sensor for food quality and safety measurement which is modeled using two dimensions (2D) of finite element method (FEM). The measurement process was implemented by evaluating the presence of foreign body in a food container where the Comsol Multiphysics software was used to construct and conduct the design of modeling. This paper discussed briefly about the applied parameters in ultrasonic measurement which are acoustic impedance, attenuation coefficient, frequency and time of flight. Steel and glass are selected for foreign body's materials since these materials are occasionally present in foodstuffs during the manufacturing process. Some parameters such as frequency of ultrasonic sensor, the thickness of container wall and the size of foreign body were investigated and evaluated. The analysis process is based on the outcome of the total acoustic pressure and the time arrival of the receiving signal. The investigation only considered the ultrasonic transmission sensing mode. Two values of frequencies for ultrasonic sensor are being tested, that is, 45 kHz and 300 kHz. The results showed that the total acoustic pressure is reduced when the thickness of container wall and the size of foreign body are increased. For the 45 kHz frequency, the total acoustic pressures recorded were 1.210 Pa and 1.020 Pa for 0.5 mm and 0.9 mm of wall thickness, respectively. The data is obtained using 5 mm diameter of steel material containing as foreign body. The total acoustic pressure showed the same correlation for a frequency of 300 kHz where 0.658 Pa and 0.420 Pa were obtained for 0.5 mm and 0.9 mm of wall thickness respectively. The results revealed the same correlation for a glass material when it was used as a foreign body. The result shows that the finite elements method is very useful in designing an ultrasonic measurement system in food industry field especially in quality and safety food assessment.

Practical applications

Food quality is an important aspect for the food manufacturer. It is degraded for example if there is a foreign body in the foods product. It can cause the consumers to lose confidence of the manufacturer. Hence, a suitable sensor should be used to monitor the quality of the products is maintained. Ultrasonic sensors have attracted the attention of the food industry because it is cheap, fast response, and reliable. This paper presents an investigation using the two dimensional finite element method using Comsol Multiphysics software in order to detect the foreign body in a food container using an ultrasonic measurement system. The study demonstrates that the finite element method can assist in the design and development of an ultrasonic measurement system in the food industry field especially in the aspect of food safety and quality assurance.
Treatment of Sarcopenia with Bimagrumab: Results from a Phase II, Randomized, Controlled, Proof‐of‐Concept Study
Authors: Rooks Daniel , Praestgaard Jens , Hariry Sam , Laurent Didier , Petricoul Olivier , Perry Robert G. , Lach‐Trifilieff Estelle , Roubenoff Ronenn
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To assess the effects of bimagrumab on skeletal muscle mass and function in older adults with sarcopenia and mobility limitations.

Design

A 24‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐arm, proof‐of‐concept study.

Setting

Five centers in the United States.

Participants

Community‐dwelling adults (N = 40) aged 65 and older with gait speed between 0.4 and 1.0 m/s over 4 m and an appendicular skeletal muscle index of 7.25 kg/m2 or less for men and 5.67 kg/m2 or less for women.

Intervention

Intravenous bimagrumab 30 mg/kg (n = 19) or placebo (n = 21).

Measurements

Change from baseline in thigh muscle volume (TMV), subcutaneous and intermuscular fat, appendicular and total lean body mass, grip strength, gait speed, and 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD).

Results

Thirty‐two (80%) participants completed the study. TMV increased by Week 2, was sustained throughout the treatment period, and remained above baseline at the end of study in bimagrumab‐treated participants, whereas there was no change with placebo treatment (Week 2: 5.15 ± 2.19% vs −0.34 ± 2.59%, P < .001; Week 4: 6.12 ± 2.56% vs 0.16 ± 3.42%, P < .001; Week 8: 8.01 ± 3.70% vs 0.35 ± 3.32%, P < .001; Week 16: 7.72 ± 5.31% vs 0.42 ± 5.14%, P < .001; Week 24: 4.80 ± 5.81% vs −1.01 ± 4.43%, P = .002). Participants with slower walking speed at baseline receiving bimagrumab had clinically meaningful and statistically significantly greater improvements in gait speed (mean 0.15 m/s, P = .009) and 6MWD (mean 82 m, P = .022) than those receiving placebo at Week 16. Adverse events in the bimagrumab group included muscle‐related symptoms, acne, and diarrhea, most of which were mild in severity and resolved by the end of study.

Conclusion

Treatment with bimagrumab over 16 weeks increased muscle mass and strength in older adults with sarcopenia and improved mobility in those with slow walking speed.
Imprint cytology‐based breast malignancy screening: an efficient nuclei segmentation technique
Authors: SAHA M. , ARUN I. , AGARWAL S. , AHMED R. , CHATTERJEE S. , CHAKRABORTY C.
Published: June 2017

Imprint cytology (IC) refers to one of the most reliable, rapid and affordable techniques for breast malignancy screening; where shape variation of H&E stained nucleus is examined by the pathologists. This work aims at developing an automated and efficient segmentation algorithm by integrating Lagrange's interpolation and superpixels in order to delineate overlapped nuclei of breast cells (normal and malignant). Subsequently, a computer assisted IC tool has been designed for breast cancer (BC) screening. The proposed methodology consists of mainly three subsections: gamma correction for preprocessing, single nuclei segmentation and segmentation of overlapping nuclei. Single nuclei segmentation combines histogram‐based thresholding and morphological operations; where segmentation of overlapping nuclei includes concave point detection, Lagrange's interpolation for overlapping arc area detection and the fine segmentation of overlapped arc area by superpixels. Total 16 significant features (p < 0.05) quantifying shape and texture of nucleus were extracted, and random forest (RF) classifier was skilled for automated screening. The proposed methodology has been tested on 120 IC images (approximately 12 000 nuclei); where 98% segmentation accuracy and 99% classification accuracy were achieved. Besides, performance evaluation was studied by using Jaccard's index (= 94%), correlation coefficient (= 95%), Dice similarity coefficient (= 97%) and Hausdorff distance (= 43%). The proposed approach could offer benefit to the pathologists for confirmatory BC screening with improved accuracy and could potentially lead to a better shape understanding of malignant nuclei.
Arcuate nucleus homeostatic systems reflect blood leptin concentration but not feeding behaviour during scheduled feeding on a high‐fat diet in mice
Authors: Bake T. , Baron J. , Duncan J. S. , Morgan D. G. A. , Mercer J. G.
Published: June 2017

Hypothalamic homeostatic and forebrain reward‐related genes were examined in the context of scheduled meal feeding without caloric restriction in C57BL/6 mice. Mice fed ad libitum but allowed access to a palatable high‐fat (HF) diet for 2 hours a day rapidly adapted their feeding behaviour and consumed approximately 80% of their daily caloric intake during this 2‐hour scheduled feed. Gene expression levels were examined during either the first or second hour of scheduled feeding vs 24 hours ad libitum feeding on the same HF diet. Gene expression of neuropeptide Y, agouti‐related peptide, cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript, pro‐opiomelanocortin, long‐form leptin receptor and suppressor of cytokine signalling‐3 in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), as well as enkephalin, dynorphin, dopamine‐2‐receptor and dopamine‐3‐receptor in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) in the forebrain, were measured by in situ hybridisation. Mice fed ad libitum on a HF diet had the highest total caloric intake, body weight gain, fat mass and serum leptin, whereas schedule‐fed mice had a mild obese phenotype with intermediate total caloric intake, body weight gain, fat mass and serum leptin. The effects of feeding regime on ARC gene expression were emphasised by significant positive or negative correlations with body weight gain, fat mass and blood leptin, although they did not appear to be related to feeding behaviour in the schedule‐fed groups (ie, the large, binge‐type meals) and did not reveal any potential candidates for the regulation of these meals. Mechanisms underlying large meal/binge‐type eating may be regulated by nonhomeostatic hedonic processes. However, assessment of opioid and dopamine receptor gene expression in the NAcc did not reveal evidence of involvement of these genes in regulating large meals. This complements our previous characterisation of ARC and NAcc genes in schedule‐fed mice and rats, although it still leaves open the fundamental question about the underlying mechanisms of meal feeding.
WHAT EXPLAINS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE EFFECT OF RETIREMENT ON HEALTH? EVIDENCE FROM GLOBAL AGING DATA
Authors: Nishimura Yoshinori , Oikawa Masato , Motegi Hiroyuki
Published: June 2017

This paper analyzes the reasons for differences in the estimated effect of retirement on health in previous studies. We investigate these differences by focusing on the analysis methods used by these studies. Using various health indexes, numerous researchers have examined the effects of retirement on health. However, there are no unified views on the impact of retirement on various health indexes. Consequently, we show that the choice of analysis method is one of the key factors in explaining why the estimated results of the effect of retirement on health differ. Moreover, we re‐estimate the effect of retirement on health by using a fixed analysis method controlling for individual heterogeneity and endogeneity of the retirement behavior. We analyze the effect of retirement on health parameters, such as cognitive function, self‐report of health, activities of daily living (ADL), depression, and body mass index in eight countries. We find that the effects of retirement on self‐report of health, depression, and ADL are positive in many of these countries.
Identifying and Distinguishing Value Profiles in American and Israeli Adolescents
Authors: Ungvary Stephen , McDonald Kristina L. , Benish‐Weisman Maya
Published: June 2017

Although research has examined how values are correlated with behavior, little has examined how the system of values predicts behavior. In a cross‐cultural sample of American (109 European American; 216 African American) and Israeli (318 Arab Israeli; 216 Jewish Israeli) adolescents, the present study used latent profile analysis to identify groups which reflected the theoretical structure of values across both cultures. Four profiles were found: self‐focused, anxiety‐free, other‐focused, and undifferentiated. Results indicated that Self‐Focused adolescents were the most aggressive and viewed as leaders by their peers compared to the other groups. Self‐Focused and anxiety‐free youth reported more delinquency than their peers. Few differences between cultural groups emerged, suggesting that this approach is a promising avenue for understanding heterogeneity in behavior.
Discovery of the oldest record of Nitellopsis obtusa (Charophyceae, Charophyta) in North America
Authors: Karol Kenneth G. , Sleith Robin S.
Published: June 2017

Studies of the colonization and spread of invasive species improves our understanding of key concepts in population biology as well as informs control and prevention efforts. The characean green alga Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort) is rare in its native Eurasian range but listed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as an aggressive invasive in North America. First documented in North America in 1978 from New York, United States, it has since been reported from numerous inland lakes from Minnesota to Vermont, and from Lake Ontario and inland lakes in southern Ontario, Canada. While the ecological impacts of N. obtusa are not clearly understood in its invasive range, initial results show negative environmental effects. We have discovered a liquid‐preserved herbarium specimen that predates the 1978 records by at least 4 years, and is the first confirmed record of N. obtusa in Québec.
Bargaining and Bicameralism
Authors: Parameswaran Giri
Published: June 2017

In bicameral legislatures, the protection of small states often motivates the malapportionment of the upper house. Using a legislative bargaining model, I show that malapportionment may produce the opposite effect. Under unicameralism, same‐state legislators are shown to not inherently be coordinated to cooperate, diminishing the fear of a big‐state conspiracy. By contrast, under bicameralism, preference complementarities enable upper‐house legislators to effectively coordinate their state delegations, and this skews the expected allocation in favor of big states. Hence, unless bicameralism significantly increases their agenda power, small states will fare even worse under bicameralism whenever they are disadvantaged under unicameralism.
The Determination of the Money Supply: Flexibility Versus Control
Authors: Goodhart C. A. E.
Published: June 2017

During the last two centuries there have been four main approaches to analysing the determination of the money supply, to wit: (1) Deposits cause Loans, (2) The Monetary Base Multiplier, (3) The Credit Counterparts Approach and (4) Loans cause Deposits. All four approaches are criticized, especially (2) which used to be the standard academic model, and (4) which is now taking over as the consensus approach. Instead, I argue that banking is a service industry, which sets the terms and conditions whereby the private sector can create additional money for itself. The problem is that such money creation tends to be highly procyclical, so the question then becomes finding the best trade‐off between official control of that process and allowing sufficient flexibility for the private sector. I conclude by reviewing how Lord King's reform proposals, in his book on The End of Alchemy, might fit into this broader analysis.
Lepidagathis benojiana sp. nov. (Acanthaceae) from the Western Ghats, Kerala, India
Authors: Jithin Karamkandathil Vijayan , Jose Panikulangara Antony
Published: June 2017

Lepidagathis benojiana, a new species of Lepidagathis, collected from the Idukki district, Kerala, southern Western Ghats, India is described along with photographs. The new species is closely allied to L. chlorostachya Nees. but differs from the latter in its height, length of petiole, position and number of spikes, length of peduncle, length of floral whorls, colour of flower, colour and nature of stamens, nature of fruit and shape of the seed.
Zoledronic acid and alendronate sodium and the implications in orthodontic movement
Authors: Franzoni J. S. , Soares F. M. P. , Zaniboni E. , Vedovello Filho M. , Santamaria M. P. , dos Santos G. M. T. , Esquisatto M. A. M. , Felonato M. , Mendonca F. A. S. , Franzini C. M. , Santamaria M.
Published: June 2017

Structured Abstract

Objective

To evaluate orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in rats treated with two types of bisphosphonates (BPs), alendronate sodium (A) and zoledronic acid (Z).

Design

In all, 15 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group OTM+A: orthodontic tooth movement and subcutaneous administration of alendronate sodium (2.5 mg/kg); Group OTM+Z: orthodontic tooth movement and subcutaneous administration of zoledronic acid (0.02 mg/kg), and Group OTM: orthodontic tooth movement and subcutaneous injection of saline. The BPs were administered once a day during 25 days before OTM started and during 10 days of OTM. The left upper first molar was moved with a stainless‐steel closed coil spring which delivered an initial force of 0.4N. OTM was measured with a digital caliper comparing the moved and the contralateral side. The histomorphometric analysis counted the number of osteoclasts, inflammatory cells, blood vessels and fibroblasts (n/104 m2) in periodontal ligament (PDL) of the distobuccal root.

Results

A reduction of 58.3% of OTM was found in Group OTM+A and 99.6% in Group OTM+Z, when compared with Group OTM. There was a significant decrease of osteoclasts and inflammatory cells in BP‐treated groups. Blood vessels and fibroblastic cells decreased mainly in Group OTM+Z.

Conclusion

Alendronate sodium and zoledronic acid have similar effects on the periodontal tissue during orthodontic treatment in rats. Especially, zoledronic acid can affect orthodontic tooth movement.