bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High myopes have lower normalised corneal tangent moduli (less ‘stiff’ corneas) than low myopes
Authors: Hon Ying , Chen Guo‐Zhen , Lu Shu‐Hao , Lam David C. C. , Lam Andrew K. C. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPurposeTo compare corneal tangent moduli between low and high myopes.MethodsCorneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) of 32 low and 32 high myopes were obtained using an Ocular Response Analyzer, followed by a corneal indentation device that measured corneal stiffness. Corneal topography, pachymetry, Goldmann applanation tonometry intraocular pressure (GAT‐IOP), and corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) were also obtained. Corneal tangent modulus was calculated on the basis of corneal stiffness, central corneal thickness and corneal radius. Comparisons between groups and associations between corneal biomechanical and ocular parameters were performed.ResultsCorneal tangent moduli were positively correlated with GAT‐IOP (R2 = 0.078, p = 0.025), and IOPcc (R2 = 0.12, p = 0.006). Despite similarity in corneal thickness and radius, high myopes exhibited a significantly higher IOPcc (16.4 ± 2.51 mmHg) than low myopes (13.1 ± 1.96 mmHg; t(62) = −5.57, p < 0.0001). Both groups had similar corneal stiffness (0.063 ± 0.0085 and 0.063 ± 0.0079 N mm−1 for low and high myopes, respectively) and CRF (9.6 ± 1.58 and 9.5 ± 1.90 mmHg for low and high myopes, respectively). Moreover, high myopes exhibited a significantly lower CH (9.5 ± 1.51 mmHg) than low myopes (10.6 ± 1.38 mmHg; t(62) = 2.92, p = 0.005). After normalising corneal tangent moduli to the mean intraocular pressure in normal eyes (15.5 mmHg) using IOPcc, high myopes showed a significantly lower corneal tangent moduli (0.47 ± 0.087 MPa) than low myopes (0.57 ± 0.099 MPa; t(62) = 4.17, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsHigh myopes had lower normalised corneal tangent moduli than low myopes, which indicated that their corneas were less stiff. This is the first in vivo study comparing elastic moduli of the cornea in different refractive groups. Further studies are warranted to understand whether a less stiff cornea is a cause for or an outcome from myopia development.
Investigation and genetic mapping of a Glomerella leaf spot resistance locus in apple
Authors: Liu Yuanxia , Lan Jinhao , Wang Caihong , Li Baohua , Zhu Jun , Liu Chunxiao , Dai Hongyi 
Published: November 2016

AbstractApple Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) is a severe fungal disease that damages apple leaves during the summer in China. Breeding new apple varieties that are resistant to the disease is considered the best way of controlling GLS. Fine mapping and tightly linked marker are critically essential for the preselection of resistant seedlings. In this study, a population of 207 F1 individuals derived from a cross between ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Fuji’ was used to construct a fine simple sequence repeat (SSR)‐based genetic linkage map. The position of Rgls, a locus responsible for resistance to GLS, was identified on apple linkage group (LG) 15 using SSR markers CH05g05 and CH01d08, which was adapted from a published set of 300 SSR markers that were developed using the bulked segregant analysis (BSA) method. These two SSR markers flanked the gene, and its recombination rate was 8.7% and 23.2%, respectively. A total of 276 newly developed SSR markers around the target region and designed from the genome apple assembly contig of LG15 were screened. Only nine of these were determined to be linked to the Rgls locus. Thus, a total of 11 SSR markers were in linkage with Rgls, and mapped at distances ranging from 0.5 to 33.8 cM. The closest marker to the Rgls locus was S0405127, which showed a genetic distance of approximately 0.5 cM. The first mapping of the gene Rgls was constructed, and the locations of the 11 effective primers in the ‘Golden Delicious’ apple genome sequence were anchored. This result facilitates better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the trait of resistance to GLS and could be used in improving the breeding efficiency of GLS‐resistant apple varieties.
Does improvement of cognitive functioning by cognitive remediation therapy effect work outcomes in severe mental illness? A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ikebuchi Emi , Sato Sayaka , Yamaguchi Sosei , Shimodaira Michiyo , Taneda Ayano , Hatsuse Norifumi , Watanabe Yukako , Sakata Masuhiro , Satake Naoko , Nishio Masaaki , Ito Jun‐ichiro 
Published: November 2016

AimThe aim of this study was to clarify whether improvement of cognitive functioning by cognitive remediation therapy can improve work outcome in schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses when combined with supported employment.MethodsThe subjects of this study were persons with severe mental illness diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder (ICD‐10) and cognitive dysfunction who participated in both cognitive remediation using the Thinking Skills for Work program and a supported employment program in a multisite, randomized controlled study. Logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to clarify the influence of cognitive functioning on vocational outcomes, adjusting for demographic and clinical variables.ResultsImprovement of cognitive functioning with cognitive remediation significantly contributed to the total days employed and total earnings of competitive employment in supported employment service during the study period. Any baseline demographic and clinical variables did not significantly contribute to the work‐related outcomes.ConclusionA cognitive remediation program transferring learning skills into the real world is useful to increase the quality of working life in supported employment services for persons with severe mental illness and cognitive dysfunction who want to work competitively.
Infantile Hemangioma with Minimal or Arrested Growth: Further Observations on Clinical and Histopathologic Findings of this Unique but Underrecognized Entity
Authors: Ma Ellen Hui , Robertson Susan J. , Chow Chung W. , Bekhor Philip S. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackgroundInfantile hemangioma (IH) with minimal or arrested growth (IH‐MAG) is becoming increasingly recognized in the literature. It is important to be aware of their existence, because the correct diagnosis is essential for prognostication and treatment and, in the case of facial segmental lesions, the direction of further investigations if PHACE (posterior fossa abnormalities and other structural brain abnormalities; hemangioma(s) of the cervical facial region; arterial cerebrovascular anomalies; cardiac defects, aortic coarctation, and other aortic abnormalities; eye anomalies) syndrome or Sturge–Weber syndrome is suspected. Although the clinical and histologic characteristics of IH‐MAG resemble capillary malformations, positive GLUT‐1 status is a delineating feature.MethodsWe reviewed nine cases of infants who presented after 2000 with birthmarks showing unique clinical features suggestive of a special variant of IHs. All patients had serial photographs taken demonstrating resolution of the birthmark over time. Five of these cases had skin biopsy performed, all of which confirmed GLUT‐1 positivity.ResultsThis photographic series of IH‐MAG demonstrates their unique clinical, histologic, and immunochemistry features. They were nearly fully formed at birth, and their common clinical features included telangiectasia, venules, and matte erythema with light and dark areas. Spontaneous resolution over time without cosmetic disfigurement was the observed natural history in the majority of cases.ConclusionIH‐MAG is a unique clinical subset of hemangioma for which close observation is the preferred treatment. When in doubt, a biopsy for histology and GLUT‐1 status may be needed to confirm the diagnosis before embarking on unnecessary laser treatment or medical interventions.
Lifestyle and bowel movements in school children: Results from the Toyama Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Yamada Masaaki , Sekine Michikazu , Tatsuse Takashi 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackgroundConstipation is a prevalent health disorder. There have been few epidemiological surveys on constipation in Japanese children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of non‐daily bowel movements (BM) and irregular BM among children and to identify modifiable lifestyle factors relevant to bowel habits.MethodsSubjects were from the Toyama Birth Cohort Study in Japan. A total of 7762 children aged 9–10 years were investigated via questionnaire in 1999. We evaluated bowel habit and the relationship between lifestyle and BM. Non‐daily BM and totally irregular BM were defined as dependent variables in the present study.ResultsNon‐daily BM were reported by 21.8% of boys and by 31.6% of girls, while 10.6% of boys and 18.3% of girls had totally irregular BM. Non‐daily BM were significantly associated with skipping breakfast (OR, 1.23), slow eating (OR, 1.13), physical inactivity (OR, 1.50) and late wake up (OR, 1.29). Totally irregular BM were significantly correlated with skipping breakfast (OR, 1.30), slow eating (OR, 1.41), physical inactivity (OR, 1.27), long TV viewing (OR, 1.52), late bedtime (OR, 1.43), and short sleep duration (OR, 1.33). More girls had non‐daily and totally irregular BM than boys, and these sex differences were not reduced after adjusting for lifestyle variables.ConclusionsNon‐daily and totally irregular BM are common in children, and there are many relevant lifestyle factors. Establishing regular lifestyle habits may lessen constipation.
Consequences of an Extended Recruitment on Participation in the Follow‐Up of a Child Study: Results from the German IDEFICS Cohort
Authors: Langeheine Malte , Pohlabeln Hermann , Ahrens Wolfgang , Rach Stefan ,   the IDEFICS consortium
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackgroundDeclining response proportions in population‐based studies are often countered by extended recruitment efforts at baseline that may, however, result in higher attrition in a subsequent follow‐up. This study analysed the effect of extended recruitment efforts on attrition at the first follow‐up of a child cohort.MethodsWe used paradata (i.e. information about the process of data collection) from the German IDEFICS cohort investigating dietary‐ and life style‐induced health effects on children to quantify recruitment effort and classify respondents as completing the recruitment early vs. late for baseline and follow‐up separately. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between recruitment effort and attrition at follow‐up (loss to follow‐up) adjusted for sociodemographic and health related variables.ResultsIndividuals who were late respondents at baseline and early respondents at the follow‐up had a higher chance of attrition (odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19, 2.28) as compared to other groups. An investigation of reasons for non‐participation revealed that members of this group were more likely to be not reachable by phone.ConclusionsAn extended recruitment effort at baseline of a child cohort study is not per se associated with a higher chance of attrition at follow‐up. Much care should be taken to collect valid telephone numbers.
When Governance Networks Become the Agenda
Authors: Gerrits Lasse , Verweij Stefan 
Published: November 2016

Related Content: Balfour and Newbold (PAR January/February 2017)Related Content: Roberts (PAR January/February 2017)Related Content: Eckerd (PAR January/February 2017)Related Content: Vidal‐Aparicio (PAR January/February 2017)Related Content: Robbins (PAR January/February 2017)
Separating Risk from Heterogeneity in Education: A Semiparametric Approach
Authors: Mazza Jacopo , van Ophem Hans 
Published: November 2016

Summary
Returns to education are variable both within and between educational group. If uncertain pay-offs are a concern to individuals when selecting an education, wage variance is relevant. The variation is a combination of unobserved heterogeneity and pure uncertainty or risk. The first element is known to the individual, but unknown to the researcher; the second is unknown to both. As a result, the variance of wages observed in the data will overestimate the real magnitude of educational uncertainty and the effect that risk has on educational decisions. We apply a semiparametric estimation technique to tackle the selectivity issues. This method does not rely on distributional assumptions of the errors in the schooling choice and wage equations. Our results suggest that risk is decreasing in schooling. Private information accounts for a share varying between 0% and 13% of total wage variance observed depending on the educational level. Finally, we conclude that the estimation results are very sensitive to the functional relation that is imposed on the error structure.
Impact of Model Choice on LR Assessment in Case of Rare Haplotype Match (Frequentist Approach)
Authors: Cereda Giulia 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe likelihood ratio (LR) measures the relative weight of forensic data regarding two hypotheses. Several levels of uncertainty arise if frequentist methods are chosen for its assessment: the assumed population model only approximates the true one, and its parameters are estimated through a limited database. Moreover, it may be wise to discard part of data, especially that only indirectly related to the hypotheses. Different reductions define different LRs. Therefore, it is more sensible to talk about ‘a’ LR instead of ‘the’ LR, and the error involved in the estimation should be quantified. Two frequentist methods are proposed in the light of these points for the ‘rare type match problem’, that is, when a match between the perpetrator's and the suspect's DNA profile, never observed before in the database of reference, is to be evaluated.
An adaptive dual clustering algorithm based on hierarchical structure: A case study of settlement zoning
Authors: Liu Yaolin , Wang Xiaomi , Liu Dianfeng , Liu Leilei 
Published: November 2016

AbstractTraditional dual clustering algorithms cannot adaptively perform clustering well without sufficient prior knowledge of the dataset. This article aims at accommodating both spatial and non‐spatial attributes in detecting clusters without the need to set parameters by default or prior knowledge. A novel adaptive dual clustering algorithm (ADC+) is proposed to obtain satisfactory clustering results considering the spatial proximity and attribute similarity with the presence of noise and barriers. In this algorithm, Delaunay triangulation is utilized to adaptively obtain spatial proximity and spatial homogenous patterns based on particle swarm optimization (PSO). Then, a hierarchical clustering method is employed to obtain clusters with similar attributes. The hierarchical clustering method adopts a discriminating coefficient to adaptively control the depth of the hierarchical architecture. The clustering results are further refined using an optimization approach. The advantages and practicability of the ADC+ algorithm are illustrated by experiments on both simulated datasets and real‐world applications. It is found that the proposed ADC+ algorithm can adaptively and accurately detect clusters with arbitrary shapes, similar attributes and densities under the consideration of barriers.
Idiopathic myelofibrosis accompanied by peritoneal extramedullary hematopoiesis presenting as refractory ascites in a dog
Authors: Rautenbach Yolandi , Goddard Amelia , Clift Sarah J. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA 2.5‐year‐old spayed female American Pit Bull Terrier dog presented with a primary complaint of chronic refractory ascites. The dog's CBC displayed a moderate to severe macrocytic, hypochromic, nonregenerative anemia, and a moderate leukopenia as result of a moderate neutropenia and monocytopenia. Microscopic examination of the blood smear showed marked anisocytosis, mild polychromasia, mild acanthocytosis and ovalocytosis, moderate schistocytosis and poikilocytosis, and 4 metarubricytes/100 WBC. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a homogenous, mild to moderately hyperechoic appearing liver as well as marked amounts of speckled anechoic to slightly hypoechoic peritoneal fluid. Cytology of the ascitic fluid demonstrated a sterile transudate, with evidence of a chronic inflammatory reaction as well as erythroid and myeloid precursor cells, and a few megakaryocytes with occasional micromegakaryocytes. Histologic sections of bone marrow, spleen, and liver were examined, using routine H&E stains, as well as a variety of immunohistochemistry and other special stains. Histopathology of the bone marrow and spleen revealed varying degrees of fibrosis, erythroid, and myeloid hyperplasia, as well as multiple small hyperplastic clusters of megakaryocytes. The megakaryocytes displayed many features of atypia such as increased cytoplasmic basophilia and occasional abnormal chromatin clumping with mitoses. Histopathologic examination of the liver disclosed evidence of mild extramedullary hematopoiesis. This case represents the first report of canine idiopathic myelofibrosis associated with peritoneal extramedullary hematopoiesis, resulting in refractory ascites. Although idiopathic myelofibrosis is a relatively rare condition in dogs, this case demonstrates that ascites caused by peritoneal implants of hematopoietic tissue may be the initial manifestation of myelofibrosis.
Methods and Processes of Developing the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology – Veterinary (STROBE‐Vet) Statement
Authors: Sargeant J. M. , O'Connor A. M. , Dohoo I. R. , Erb H. N. , Cevallos M. , Egger M. , Ersbøll A. K. , Martin S. W. , Nielsen L. R. , Pearl D. L. , Pfeiffer D. U. , Sanchez J. , Torrence M. E. , Vigre H. , Waldner C. , Ward M. P. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryThe reporting of observational studies in veterinary research presents many challenges that often are not adequately addressed in published reporting guidelines. A consensus meeting of experts was organized to develop an extension of the STROBE statement to address observational studies in veterinary medicine with respect to animal health, animal production, animal welfare and food safety outcomes. The consensus meeting was held 11–13 May 2014 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Seventeen experts from North America, Europe and Australia attended the meeting. The experts were epidemiologists and biostatisticians, many of whom hold or have held editorial positions with relevant journals. Prior to the meeting, 19 experts completed a survey about whether they felt any of the 22 items of the STROBE statement should be modified and whether items should be added to address unique issues related to observational studies in animal species with health, production, welfare or food safety outcomes. At the meeting, the participants were provided with the survey responses and relevant literature concerning the reporting of veterinary observational studies. During the meeting, each STROBE item was discussed to determine whether or not re‐wording was recommended, and whether additions were warranted. Anonymous voting was used to determine whether there was consensus for each item change or addition. The consensus was that six items needed no modifications or additions. Modifications or additions were made to the STROBE items numbered as follows: 1 (title and abstract), 3 (objectives), 5 (setting), 6 (participants), 7 (variables), 8 (data sources/measurement), 9 (bias), 10 (study size), 12 (statistical methods), 13 (participants), 14 (descriptive data), 15 (outcome data), 16 (main results), 17 (other analyses), 19 (limitations) and 22 (funding). Published literature was not always available to support modification to, or inclusion of, an item. The methods and processes used in the development of this statement were similar to those used for other extensions of the STROBE statement. The use of this extension to the STROBE statement should improve the reporting of observational studies in veterinary research related to animal health, production, welfare or food safety outcomes by recognizing the unique features of observational studies involving food‐producing and companion animals, products of animal origin, aquaculture and wildlife.
Fludioxonil Induces Drk1, a Fungal Group III Hybrid Histidine Kinase, To Dephosphorylate Its Downstream Target, Ypd1
Authors: Lawry Stephanie M. , Tebbets Brad , Kean Iain , Stewart Douglas , Hetelle Joel , Klein Bruce S. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

Novel antifungal drugs and targets are urgently needed. Group III hybrid histidine kinases (HHKs) represent an appealing new therapeutic drug target because they are widely expressed in fungi but absent from humans. We investigated the mode of action of the widely utilized, effective fungicide fludioxonil. The drug acts in an HHK-dependent manner by constitutive activation of the HOG (
h
igh-
o
smolarity
g
lycerol) pathway, but its mechanism of action is poorly understood. Here, we report a new mode of drug action that entails conversion of the HHK from a kinase into a phosphatase. We expressed Drk1 (
d
imorphism-
r
egulating
k
inase), which is an intracellular group III HHK from the fungal pathogen
Blastomyces dermatitidis
, in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. Drk1 engendered drug sensitivity in
B. dermatitidis
and conferred sensitivity upon
S. cerevisiae
. In response to fludioxonil, Drk1 behaved as a phosphatase rather than as a kinase, leading to dephosphorylation of its downstream target, Ypd1, constitutive activation of the HOG pathway, and yeast cell death. Aspartic acid residue 1140 in the Drk1 receiver domain was required for
in vivo
phosphatase activity on Ypd1, and Hog1 was required for drug effect, indicating fidelity in HHK-dependent drug action. In
in vitro
assays with purified protein, intact Drk1 demonstrated intrinsic kinase activity, and the Drk1 receiver domain exhibited intrinsic phosphatase activity. However, fludioxonil failed to induce intact Drk1 to dephosphorylate Ypd1. We conclude that fludioxonil treatment
in vivo
likely acts on an upstream target that triggers HHK to become a phosphatase, which dephosphorylates its downstream target, Ypd1.
In Vitro
Exposure to Increasing Micafungin Concentrations Easily Promotes Echinocandin Resistance in Candida glabrata Isolates
Authors: Bordallo-Cardona María Ángeles , Escribano Pilar , de la Pedrosa Elia Gómez G. , Marcos-Zambrano Laura Judith , Cantón Rafael , Bouza Emilio , Guinea Jesús 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

We assessed the
in vitro
susceptibility of five echinocandin-susceptible
Candida glabrata
isolates after exposure to micafungin. The direct exposure to plates at different micafungin concentrations resulted in the inhibition of growth at 0.062 μg/ml. The progressive exposure was performed on plates using 0.031 μg/ml of micafungin and sequential propagation on plates containing the next 2-fold concentration; the MICs of micafungin and anidulafungin increased sequentially, and all the isolates became echinocandin resistant, showing
fks2
mutations.
In Vitro
Activity of Ceftazidime-Avibactam against Isolates in a Phase 3 Open-Label Clinical Trial for Complicated Intra-Abdominal and Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Ceftazidime-Nonsusceptible Gram-Negative Pathogens
Authors: Stone Gregory G. , Bradford Patricia A. , Newell Paul , Wardman Angela 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

The
in vitro
activity of ceftazidime-avibactam was evaluated against 341 Gram-negative isolates from 333 patients in a randomized, phase 3 clinical trial of patients with complicated urinary tract or intra-abdominal infections caused by ceftazidime-nonsusceptible pathogens (NCT01644643). Ceftazidime-avibactam MIC
90
values against
Enterobacteriaceae
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(including several class B or D enzyme producers that avibactam does not inhibit) were 1 and 64 μg/ml, respectively. Overall, the ceftazidime-avibactam activity against ceftazidime-nonsusceptible isolates was comparable to the activity of ceftazidime-avibactam previously reported against ceftazidime-susceptible isolates. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT01644643.)