bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COMT Val158Met and MTHFR C677T moderate risk of schizophrenia in response to childhood adversity
Authors: Debost J.‐C. , Debost M. , Grove J. , Mors O. , Hougaard D. M. , Børglum A. D. , Mortensen P. B. , Petersen L. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveMesolimbic dopamine sensitization has been hypothesized to be a mediating factor of childhood adversity (CA) on schizophrenia risk. Activity of catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met increases mesolimbic dopamine signaling and may be further regulated by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T. This study investigates the three‐way interaction between CA, COMT, and MTHFR.MethodsWe conducted a nested case–control study on individuals born after 1981, linking population‐based registers to study the three‐way interaction. We included 1699 schizophrenia cases and 1681 controls, and used conditional logistic regression to report incidence rate ratios (IRRs).ResultsChildhood adversity was robustly associated with schizophrenia. No main genetic effects were observed. MTHFR C677T increased schizophrenia risk in a dose‐dependent manner per MTHFR T allele (P = 0.005) consequent upon CA exposure. After inclusion of the significant (P = 0.03) COMT × MTHFR × CA interaction, the risk was further increased per high‐activity COMT Val allele. Hence, exposed COMT Val/Val and MTHFR T/T carriers had an IRR of 2.76 (95% CI, 1.66–4.61). Additional adjustments for ancestry and parental history of mental illness attenuated the results with the interaction being only marginally significant.ConclusionMTHFR C677T and COMT Val158Met interact with CA to increase risk of schizophrenia.
Effect of N‐acetylcysteine on motivation, seeking and relapse to ethanol self‐administration
Authors: Lebourgeois Sophie , González‐Marín María Carmen , Jeanblanc Jerome , Naassila Mickael , Vilpoux Catherine 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAlcohol use disorder is a chronic and highly relapsing disorder, characterized by a loss of control over alcohol consumption and craving. Several studies suggest a key role of glutamate in this disorder. In recent years, the modulation of cystine/glutamate exchange via the xc− system has emerged as a new therapeutic alternative for reducing the excitatory glutamatergic transmission observed after ethanol self‐administration in both rats and humans. The objective of this study was to determine whether a treatment with N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), a cystine prodrug, could reduce ethanol self‐administration, ethanol‐seeking behavior and reacquisition of ethanol self‐administration. Male Long Evans rats were trained to self‐administer 20 percent ethanol in operant cages for several weeks. Once the consumption surpassed 1 g of ethanol/kg body weight/15 minutes, the effect of an acute intraperitoneal injection of NAC (0, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) 1 hour before the beginning of each test was evaluated on different aspects of the operant self‐administration behavior. We demonstrated antimotivational properties of NAC (100 mg/kg), as ethanol‐reinforced responding was reduced in a fixed ratio (−35 percent) and in a progressive ratio schedule (−81 percent). NAC also reduced ethanol‐seeking behavior (−77 percent) evaluated as extinction responding in a single extinction session. NAC was able to reduce reacquisition in rats that were abstinent for 17 days, while NAC had no effect on ethanol relapse in rats previously exposed to six extinction sessions. Overall, our results demonstrate that NAC limits motivation, seeking behavior and reacquisition in rats, making it a potential new treatment for the maintenance of abstinence.
Laparoscopic excision of neurogenic retrorectal tumors
Authors: Manabe Tatsuya , Koba Ryo , Nagayoshi Kinuko , Sadakari Yoshihiko , Fujita Hayato , Nagai Shuntaro , Ueki Takashi , Nagai Eishi , Nakamura Masafumi 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRetrorectal tumors (RT) are uncommon and usually managed by open surgical excision. Laparoscopic excision for RT has been reported in only a small number of papers. We aimed to assess the laparoscopic approach for RT and to discuss the factors that made this procedure difficult. We performed laparoscopic excision using a five‐trocar technique for neurogenic RT in three patients. Tumors were successfully excised laparoscopically in two patients. However, the third patient required open conversion because the tumor was strongly adhered to the sacrum and could not be mobilized by dissection, resulting in poor visualization of the dissected site. Laparoscopic excision for RT provides excellent intraoperative visualization and good cosmesis in selected patients, but firm adherence to the sacrum may cause difficulty with this procedure.
A dissimilar biosimilar? Lichenoid drug eruption induced by an infliximab biosimilar
Authors: Gonzalez N. , Patel P. , Han G. 
Published: May 2017

Summary
The advent of therapeutic antibodies, or biological medications, has transformed the treatment of many inflammatory diseases in dermatology. Recently, the development of biosimilars, biological drugs that are highly similar in quality, safety and efficacy to approved biologics, has changed this landscape. Although biosimilars are not identical to their reference product, they are required to have the same mechanism of action, route of administration, dosage form and strength as the reference product. This also leads to the possibility that subtle differences in the activity of these biosimilars can lead to differing clinical responses. We report the first case of a lichenoid eruption induced by a biosimilar to infliximab after switching from infliximab. Several days after initial infusion of the biosimilar, the patient developed a pruritic papulosquamous eruption that was biopsied to reveal a lichenoid drug eruption. Possible mechanisms for lichenoid drug eruptions as a result of tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor administration are discussed, along with reasons why such a reaction may occur with a biosimilar but not the original, reference product. This case report calls attention to the unique differences between biosimilars and biological medications that a clinician should consider prior to prescribing these medications.
Costs and savings of parenting interventions: results of a systematic review
Authors: Duncan K. M. , MacGillivray S. , Renfrew M. J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundThis systematic review of economic evaluations of universal preventative or targeted treatment parenting interventions that aim to enhance parent–infant interaction is primarily intended to inform decision makers who have to make difficult spending decisions, especially at a time of reduced spending allocations. A synthesis of available costs and savings about parenting interventions that set out to enhance parent–infant interaction is presented. This topic is important specifically in view of the UK Governments' emphasis on the equalities agenda and the early years. The benefits of positive early life experiences, which include good parent–infant interaction, are far reaching and may be positively correlated with improved educational, health and well‐being outcomes and reduced criminality.MethodsA literature search was undertaken using on‐line indexing databases between 2004 and 2014 that included the search terms ‘parent’, ‘infant’, ‘interaction’, ‘cost benefit analysis’ and their synonyms.ResultsDespite existing economic studies generally focusing upon targeted short‐run outcomes, significant savings were observed in the included studies. Parenting interventions could save the health service around £2.5k per family over 25 years and could save the criminal justice system over £145k per person over the life course. In light of the escalating costs of remedial services, these potential savings may provide the UK and other governments with a robust incentive to invest in early years parenting interventions.ConclusionsParenting interventions can be economically efficient and return savings on investment. Moreover, and one might argue as a moral imperative of democratic societies, population health can be improved and health inequalities reduced. An important debate is needed about early years policy, to include acknowledgement of the differences between UK and international healthcare systems and the potential savings from the synergistic and spin‐off effects of early years interventions to inform decision‐making to fund and implement appropriate action.
Bilingual Infants Demonstrate Advantages in Learning Words in a Third Language
Authors: Singh Leher 
Published: May 2017

Prior research suggests that bilingualism may endow infants with greater phonological flexibility. This study investigated whether this flexibility facilitates word learning in additional languages (n = 96). Experiment 1 compared 18‐ to 20‐month‐old monolingual (English) and bilingual (English/Mandarin) infants on their ability to learn words distinguished by click consonants from a Southern African language, Ndebele. English–Mandarin bilingual infants were sensitive to Ndebele click contrasts, but monolingual English infants were not. In Experiments 2a and 2b, we investigated whether enhanced bilingual sensitivity extended to analogous nonlinguistic labels: hand claps and finger snaps. Although discriminated by infants, neither group distinguished words labeled by hand claps and finger snaps. Results suggest that bilingual infants' sustained openness to non native contrast may facilitate the uptake of words in distant languages.
ARAPLBS: Robust and Efficient Elasticity‐Based Optimization of Weights and Skeleton Joints for Linear Blend Skinning with Parametrized Bones
Authors: Thiery J.‐M. , Eisemann E. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWe present a fast, robust and high‐quality technique to skin a mesh with reference to a skeleton. We consider the space of possible skeleton deformations (based on skeletal constraints, or skeletal animations), and compute skinning weights based on an optimization scheme to obtain as‐rigid‐as‐possible (ARAP) corresponding mesh deformations. We support stretchable‐and‐twistable bones (STBs) and spines by generalizing the ARAP deformations to stretchable deformers. In addition, our approach can optimize joint placements. If wanted, a user can guide and interact with the results, which is facilitated by an interactive feedback, reached via an efficient sparsification scheme. We demonstrate our technique on challenging inputs (STBs and spines, triangle and tetrahedral meshes featuring missing elements, boundaries, self‐intersections or wire edges).
Screening methods for obstructive sleep apnoea in severely obese pregnant women
Authors: Longworth H. , McCallin K. , Narayanan R. P. , Turner M. A. , Quenby S. , Rycroft D. , Charnley M. , Abayomi J. , Topping J. , Weeks A. D. , Wilding J. P. H. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an often‐overlooked diagnosis, more prevalent in the obese population. Screening method accuracy, uptake and hence diagnosis is variable. There is limited data available regarding the obese pregnant population; however, many studies highlight potential risks of apnoeic episodes to mother and foetus, including hypertension, diabetes and preeclampsia. A total of 162 women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 were recruited from a tertiary referral hospital in the northwest of England. They were invited to attend three research antenatal clinics, completing an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire at each visit. A monitor measuring the apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI) was offered at the second visit. Data taken from consent forms, hospital notes and hospital computer records were collated and anonymized prior to statistical analysis. A total of 12.1% of women had an ESS score of >10, suggesting possible OSA. Rates increased throughout pregnancy, although unfortunately, the attrition rate was high; 29.0% of women used the RUSleeping (RUS) meter, and only one (2.1%) met pre‐specified criteria for OSA (AHI ≥ 15). This individual had OSA categorized as severe and underwent investigations for preeclampsia, eventually delivering by emergency caesarean section due to foetal distress. The accuracy of the ESS questionnaire, particularly the RUS monitor, to screen for OSA in the pregnant population remains unclear. Further research on a larger sample size using more user‐friendly technology to confidently measure AHI would be beneficial. There are currently no guidelines regarding screening for OSA in the obese pregnant population, yet risks to both mother and foetus are well researched.
Sensitization and cross‐reactivity patterns of contact allergy to diisocyanates and corresponding amines: investigation of diphenylmethane‐4,4′‐diisocyanate, diphenylmethane‐4,4′‐diamine, dicyclohexylmethane‐4,4′‐diisocyanate, and dicylohexylmethane‐4,4′‐diamine
Authors: Hamada Haneen , Bruze Magnus , Zimerson Erik , Isaksson Marléne , Engfeldt Malin 
Published: May 2017

SummaryBackgroundIsocyanates are used in polyurethane production. Dermal exposure to isocyanates can induce contact allergy. The most common isocyanate is diphenylmethane diisocyanate used for industrial purposes. The isomer diphenylmethane‐4,4′‐diisocyanate (4,4′‐MDI) is used in patch testing. Diphenylmethane‐4,4′‐diamine (4,4′‐MDA) is its corresponding amine. Concurrent reactions to 4,4′‐MDI and 4,4′‐MDA have been reported, as have concurrent reactions to 4,4′‐MDI and dicyclohexylmethane‐4,4′‐diisocyanate (4,4′‐DMDI).ObjectivesTo investigate the sensitization capacities and the cross‐reactivity of 4,4′‐MDI, 4,4′‐MDA, 4,4′‐DMDI, and dicyclohexylmethane‐4,4′‐diamine (4,4′‐DMDA).MethodsThe guinea‐pig maximization test (GPMT) was used.ResultsThe GPMT showed sensitizing capacities for all investigated substances: 4,4′‐MDI, 4,4′‐MDA, 4,4′‐DMDI, and 4,4′‐DMDA (all p < 0.001). 4,4′‐MDI‐sensitized animals showed cross‐reactivity to 4,4′‐MDA (p < 0.001) and 4,4′‐DMDI (all p < 0.05). 4,4′‐MDA‐sensitized animals showed cross‐reactivity to 4,4′‐DMDA (p = 0.008).ConclusionAll of the investigated substances were shown to be strong sensitizers. Animals sensitized to 4,4′‐MDI showed cross‐reactivity to 4,4′‐MDA and 4,4′‐DMDI, supporting previous findings in the literature. The aromatic amine 4,4′‐MDA showed cross‐reactivity to the aliphatic amine 4,4′‐DMDA.
Latent developmental trajectories of episodic heavy drinking from adolescence to early adulthood: Predictors of trajectory groups and alcohol problems in early adulthood as outcome
Authors: Brunborg Geir Scott , Norström Thor , Storvoll Elisabet E. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. To identify latent developmental episodic heavy drinking (EHD) trajectory groups for Norwegian adolescents, investigate risk factors associated with group membership and to assess differences in alcohol problems between different groups in early adulthood. Design and Methods. Data were from 1266 individuals measured at four time points from age 13/14 years to age 26/27 years. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify groups with different EHD development. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigated if gender, impulsivity, school commitment, parents' socio‐economic status, frequency of seeing parents drunk and parental knowledge could predict group membership. Differences in alcohol problem scores at age 26/27 were also assessed. Results. Four trajectory groups were identified: ‘stable high’, ‘early increasers’, ‘late increasers’ and ‘stable low’. Membership of the high‐risk trajectory groups ‘stable high’ and ‘early increasers’ was predicted by high impulsivity, low school commitment, high frequency of seeing parents drunk and low parental knowledge. The risk of alcohol problems at age 26/27 was greater for the ‘stable high’ group, the ‘early increasers’ and the ‘late increasers’ compared with the ‘stable low’ group. The ‘stable high’ and ‘early increasers’ had similar risk of alcohol problems. Discussion and Conclusions. Stable high and early increasing EHD in adolescence was associated with more alcohol problems in early adulthood. Such trajectories were predicted by high impulsivity, low school commitment, high frequency of seeing parents drunk and low parental knowledge. [Brunborg GS, Norström T, Storvoll EE. Latent developmental trajectories of episodic heavy drinking from adolescence to early adulthood: Predictors of trajectory groups and alcohol problems in early adulthood as outcome.
Development and psychometric properties of the Hand‐Use‐at‐Home questionnaire to assess amount of affected hand‐use in children with unilateral paresis
Authors: Geerdink Yvonne , Aarts Pauline , van der Holst Menno , Lindeboom Robert , Van Der Burg Jan , Steenbergen Bert , Geurts Alexander C 
Published: May 2017

AimTo describe the development of the parent‐rated Hand‐Use‐at‐Home questionnaire (HUH) assessing the amount of spontaneous use of the affected hand in children with unilateral paresis, and to test its internal structure, unidimensionality, and validity.MethodParents of children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) and professionals participated in the development of the HUH. To examine internal validity, data of 322 children (158 males, 164 females; mean age 6y 7mo, standard deviation [SD] 2y 1mo) with unilateral CP (n=131) or neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) (n=191) were collected. Rasch analysis was used to examine discriminative capacity of the 5‐category rating scale as well as unidimensionality and hierarchy of the item set. Additionally, data of 55 children with typical development (24 males, 31 females; 6y 9mo, SD 2y 5mo) were used to examine construct validity.ResultsThe 5‐category rating scale was disordered in all items and was collapsed to obtain the best discriminating sum score. Ten misfitting or redundant items were removed. Eighteen hierarchically ordered bimanual items fitted the unidimensional model within acceptable range. The HUH significantly discriminated between the three groups (children with typical development, NBPP, unilateral CP; H(2)=118.985, p<0.001), supporting its construct validity.InterpretationThe HUH is a valid instrument to assess the amount of spontaneous use of the affected hand in children with unilateral upper‐limb paresis.
Effects of MetAP2 inhibition on hyperphagia and body weight in Prader–Willi syndrome: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: McCandless Shawn E. , Yanovski Jack A. , Miller Jennifer , Fu Cary , Bird Lynne M. , Salehi Parisa , Chan Christine L. , Stafford Diane , Abuzzahab M. Jennifer , Viskochil David , Barlow Sarah E. , Angulo Moris , Myers Susan E. , Whitman Barbara Y. , Styne Dennis , Roof Elizabeth , Dykens Elisabeth M. , Scheimann Ann O. , Malloy Jaret , Zhuang Dongliang , Taylor Kristin , Hughes Thomas E. , Kim Dennis D. , Butler Merlin G. 
Published: May 2017

AimsThere are no treatments for the extreme hyperphagia and obesity in Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). The bestPWS clinical trial assessed the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) inhibitor, beloranib.Materials and MethodsParticipants with PWS (12‐65 years old) were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to biweekly placebo, 1.8 mg beloranib or 2.4 mg beloranib injection for 26 weeks at 15 US sites. Co‐primary endpoints were the changes in hyperphagia [measured by Hyperphagia Questionnaire for Clinical Trials (HQ‐CT); possible score 0‐36] and weight by intention‐to‐treat. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT02179151.ResultsOne‐hundred and seven participants were included in the intention‐to‐treat analysis: placebo (n = 34); 1.8 mg beloranib (n = 36); or 2.4 mg beloranib (n = 37). Improvement (reduction) in HQ‐CT total score was greater in the 1.8 mg (mean difference −6.3, 95% CI −9.6 to −3.0;
P
= .0003) and 2.4 mg beloranib groups (−7.0, 95% CI −10.5 to −3.6;
P
= .0001) vs placebo. Compared with placebo, weight change was greater with 1.8 mg (mean difference − 8.2%, 95% CI −10.8 to −5.6;
P
< .0001) and 2.4 mg beloranib (−9.5%, 95% CI −12.1 to −6.8;
P
< .0001). Injection site bruising was the most frequent adverse event with beloranib. Dosing was stopped early due to an imbalance in venous thrombotic events in beloranib‐treated participants (2 fatal events of pulmonary embolism and 2 events of deep vein thrombosis) compared with placebo.Conclusions
MetAP2 inhibition with beloranib produced statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in hyperphagia‐related behaviours and weight loss in participants with PWS. Although investigation of beloranib has ceased, inhibition of MetAP2 is a novel mechanism for treating hyperphagia and obesity.
Isolation and identification of endophytic bacteria with plant growth promoting and biocontrol potential from oak trees
Authors: Tashi‐Oshnoei F. , Harighi B. , Abdollahzadeh J. 
Published: May 2017

SummarySamples of roots, leaves and stems of healthy oak trees were collected from various locations in the Baneh and Marivan regions, Iran. In total, 63 endophytic bacteria were isolated and grouped according to phenotypic properties. Seven selected isolates were further identified by partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Isolates Pp54, Pp88, Pp95 and Pp177 were Pseudomonas spp., isolates Sm59 and Sm79 were Stenotrophomonas spp., and isolate Bf 172 was a Bacillus sp. The ability of these isolates for plant hormone production such as auxin and gibberellin was evaluated, along with siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, atmospheric nitrogen fixation, protease and hydrogen cyanide production. All strains produced auxin and gibberellin in different amounts. Atmospheric nitrogen fixation ability was positive for strains Sm79, Pp54, Pp88 and Pp95. All strains except Sm79 solubilized phosphate. Strains Sm59, SM79, Pp88, Pp177 and Bf172 produced protease. Pp88, Pp95, Bf172 and Pp177 were able to produce siderophore. Strains Sm79 and Pp95 released low concentrations of hydrogen cyanide. Amongst the strains tested, Pp95, Pp88, Pp177 and Sm79 had different inhibitory effects on the bacterial plant pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae under in vitro conditions. This is the first reported case of endophytic Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Stenotrophomonas strains from oak trees in Iran.
Mortgage Debt and the Social Function of Contract
Authors: Domurath Irina 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe high numbers of over‐indebtedness and of evictions in Europe since the financial crisis have highlighted the need to re‐think the role that mortgage credit plays for societies. This contribution examines the social function of contract law, based on the observation that contract law is a means of allocating welfare in a political economy in which the welfare state is in retreat. The claim asserted in this article is that EU law in the field of mortgages does not fulfil its social function because it is based on a formalistic understanding of contract law. In order to close the protective gap brought about by a shift in the allocation of welfare from public provision to private markets without altering the understanding of contracts, the proposal is to follow the cooperative contract model of contracts as social cooperation. This approach allows for an assessment of fairness that acknowledges the long‐term character of mortgage contracts and the ensuing need to distribute market risks between both contracting parties.